The Academy: Detective Stories - Part I

Chapter 24. A Chosen One

Downstairs, everyone sat at the big table, enjoying their morning tea and coffee. Jackie adjusted her black silk scarf, which draped elegantly around her neck. Then she made her way over to where Elisa had placed a plate of oatmeal for her. She took a seat.

"You look like crap, Jack," one of the guys remarked.

Ignoring the comment, she scooped up a spoonful of cold porridge and popped it into her mouth. Glancing up, she locked eyes with Simon, the most irritating member of their group.

"Oh, shut it," Jackie retorted.

The guys around the table chuckled.

"Come on, we all had a blast last night," Elisa chimed in.

Jackie shot her a look of disappointment. "Yes, I remember."

Elisa narrowed her eyes, and Jackie met her gaze without blinking. "I remember everything," she reiterated.

"Everything?" Elisa asked.

Jackie nodded.

Howard tugged at her elbow, diverting her attention. "The ceremony starts in five minutes," he said.

Jackie took another bite of oatmeal. "Which ceremony are you guys talking about?"

"Someone seems to have a serious memory issue," Howard said with a chuckle.

Jackie burst into laughter. It was awkward, but at that moment, she was unable to contain herself. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Elisa handed her a handkerchief. "We must attend the ceremony and take our guardian oaths. Afterward, we can go upstairs and talk."

"Why do we need to talk?" Jackie wiped her face. "You already said it was just for fun." Elisa attempted to pat her shoulder, but Jackie pushed her hand away. "Enough with the lies."

Elisa remained silent, her cheeks flushing as she breathed heavily.

One of the guys laughed. "Looks like the girls are having a disagreement!"

"That's quite the spectacle," another chimed in.

Jackie dropped her spoon and stood up. "There is no disagreement! The ceremony starts in five minutes, and I will be there."

Howard also rose from his seat. "Let's go then."

* * * * *

They stood in a line in the front yard – thirty-six student guardians, with only two women among them. These cadets had just completed their freshman year at the Academy, where they were being trained to potentially become detectives, lawyers, or engineers skilled in creating potions and spells.

The 'special undercover mission' was scheduled to commence immediately following the ceremony. Jackie gazed up at the cloudy sky, silently hoping that Elisa would be chosen. It would buy her some time to gather her thoughts before their impending conversation.

Glancing to her left, Jackie spotted Elisa standing on the opposite side of the yard. When their eyes met, Elisa quickly averted her gaze. Jackie gritted her teeth in frustration. She was seething with anger towards Elisa for keeping her in the dark about the events of last night, and she doubted whether Elisa had any intention of coming clean.

Fingering the pendant hanging around her neck, which contained a memory crystal, Jackie couldn't shake the memory of Elisa's parting words: "I love you." Was it just a lie? Was everything merely a game to Elisa?