The Realm Protectors

Chapter 53 - Nile

Fall break and the last weeks of October pass by in a blur of classes. All of the fourth sect teachers are getting more and more strict as if they realize that we'll be graduating in just over a month and want to make sure we're prepared. Classes are longer, tests and assignments are harder, and everyone is mildly stressed.

"You'd think after four years of dealing with us, they'd give us a break and let us chill out this last month," Enya grumbles, biting a baby carrot at lunch.

"They'll chill out soon," I assure her. "They're all just scared about the Nox and stuff. They want to make sure we'll be able to take care of ourselves in a worst-case scenario."

Enya huffs, sitting back in her chair. She looks at me and squints her eyes, tilting her head. "Do you think if I made an official law about shortening the school year, they'd let us graduate early?"

I roll my eyes, rubbing circles on the back of her hand. "I'm sure they would find it very amusing, En."

Enya huffs, stuffing the rest of the baby carrot in her mouth.

Forensic Science was probably the least stressful class. Mrs. Denali has been giving us a bunch of fake investigations to solve, and they've been relatively simple. Difficult for some of my classmates, but it's been easier for me.

"Compared to all the stuff with the Nox, this is a piece of cake," I tell Mrs. Denali in one of my classes.

"I've heard it's been tough," She says, leaning against the lab table I'm working on. "You've all been handling it well, though."

"I guess so," I reply hesitantly, thinking about the way I raged after Ravena escaped the prison in Civitastella. Mrs. Denali raises an eyebrow at my wince. "We're meeting up later to see if we can piece together a few pieces and figure out Gray's location. He's been on the move, and we're trying to figure out his plan."

Mrs. Denali hums in thought. "You'll figure it out. You're a smart kid, Nile." Someone starts yelling from the other side of the room about their findings, and she hurries over to go investigate.

Physical Hydrokinesis passes quickly, and barely takes any effort. It's both invigorating and slightly scary to think about how powerful I am, even when I'm not putting full effort into it.

Ms. Delgatto hums in thought as I walk by her after my sparring match, clearly noticing my minimal effort. I shrug, knowing I'll still get a full grade since I won and did it in the right manner. Besides, if I was really trying, I'd probably demolish my sparring partner. And we wouldn't want that, would we?

I explain all of this to her later, when she asks to talk to me after class. She hums again in thought, crossing her arms.

"Besides, my thoughts are on my duties right now, Ms. Delgatto," I tell her. "We have a mystery to solve up at Arch Hall."

"I know that your position and duties as Arch of Investigation are important, Nile," She sighs. "And I understand you're very powerful, seeing as you're a Realm Protector. However, I would still appreciate it if you put at least full mental effort into these exercises, if not your full ability effort. You've been juggling all this for almost a year, Mr. Aquino. It shouldn't be hard to keep it up for another month."

I clench my jaw to keep from saying something I'll regret. "Yes, Ms. Delgatto," I reply after a second. She notices my hesitation before nodding towards the door, my cue to leave.

November in Capital has arrived with a mixture of weather. The temperature bounces up and down like it's on a Pogo stick. One day it's warm and one day it's freezing. I can't wait to get back to Vesi's eternal summer over winter break. The wind blows my jacket away from my body and I pull it back quickly, zipping it up and popping up the collar to protect my neck.