Wizards

CHAPTER 16: Sacris Imperium

Nesting Peak School for Honing Magical Abilities was still in shock from yesterday's event. It was made obvious by the silent corridors and the noiseless floors of the school. Even in the cafeteria where everyone gathered for lunch — which has been the loudest part of the floating castle — was as though it turned into a library for its deafening silence.

     Right in the usual spot in the middle of the cafeteria, the silverware clinked on the plates as Rei and Brooke tried to have their meal. Even Brooke doesn't have the appetite to eat.

     "Father wants me off the school," Brooke complained, breaking the silence. Rei raised her head and looked at her without saying anything. . . . The image of Professor Valir with blood all over his face was still crystal clear for her.

     "He said it's getting dangerous out here and without my bodyguards I —"

     "I'm sure he's just worried. . . ." Rei replied, still playing with the knife on her plate. "Maybe he thought that's what's best for you." she continued.

     Brooke leaned back and folded her arms. Her eyebrows arched in and she replied, "The best? I lived my entire childhood with him . . . I mean, I love him — don't get me wrong. But all he cares about is his name and the company. He doesn't know what's best for me. He's the best businessman, but not entirely the best father."

     "You should at least be grateful you have someone you call father. . . ." Rei replied in a cold tone and got up, "I'll see you later. . . ."

     Rei continued walking while staring at the ground.

     "If it isn't Griffin!" said an arrogant female voice that Rei did not bother to acknowledge.

     Rei didn't do anything but kept her head down while walking past three girls from which she recognized the voices and high pitch laughter — Joanna, Michelle, and Lucy.

     Joanna grabbed Rei's arm and pulled her, "Don't turn your back on me, foreigner!" she said.

     Rei's clenched fist suddenly met Joanna's body that sent her kneeling on the floor.

     "The gods! What did you do?!" blonde Michelle yelled as she tried to run towards Joanna — but Rei beat her to it.

     Rei followed Joanna's eyes and head movement. She never thought she'd do it in her lifetime. But she stared coldly at Joanna's eyes. What's more oddly satisfying to her was that she saw fear in the eyes of Joanna. Her face was wet with sweat and it was as though she lost the ability to speak . . . or scream.

     "Never lay your hand on me again, Joanna. . . ." Rei whispered.

     "You're scaring her!" yelled Lucy.

     Rei's eyes struck Lucy's. Her eyes popped out as though she saw a ghost, and so did Michelle.

     "Your eyes!" yelled Michelle as they grab Joanna ran in the opposite direction.

     My eyes? — Rei thought. Next to her was a glass window. There she looked at her reflection and someone stared back at her — it was her but her eyes were red.

     "I bet, if you play with rock, paper, scissors with it — you will not lose," said Neil who was apparently had been hiding by the pillar while watching their commotion.

     The tension in her shoulders lowers down and her frown turned to a silly-me-smile.

     "Is there something wrong with my eyes?" Rei asked, stretching her eyes with her fingers.