Necromancer For Hire- Arc 8

Arc 8, Chapter 4

The Student

“Class, turn your workbooks to page 132,” the teacher chimed, her voice making Pilate flinch.

Hastily, he flipped several pages in his book to give the illusion he was paying attention. Making sure his teacher wasn't looking, he slid his drawing paper over his book and went back to sketching.

He had tried to pay attention, but all his efforts had failed. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the lecture, none of it made sense. Asher had pulled Pilate out of school for a mission every day this week, and Pilate could only assume he had missed vital information in class. His makeup work was an overwhelming pile he had given up on.

Pilate stifled a yawn. He had barely slept the entire week, but he had already been called out for dozing off in class, so he didn't want to press his luck any further.

He dropped his hand to his waist, rubbing the leather hilt that was hidden under his sweater. The touch of the blade that was concealed within was comforting to Pilate, and the knife hadn't left Pilate’s hip since Asher gave it to him. He knew there would be consequences if it was discovered, but Pilate didn't care. He had to have something to protect himself with.

“Alright, class, that concludes today's lesson. You can talk for the rest of the period.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Pilate shoved his books into his backpack. As his classmates stood up and dispersed around the room, Pilate retreated further into his drawing.

“What are you drawing?” a loud voice asked, a pair of hands slapping onto his shoulders. Pilate gasped, skin crawling at the sudden contact. “That looks weird.”

“It's nothing!” Pilate barked, covering the paper with his arms. He had been working on the picture since last night.

“Hey, I wanna see,” the boy snarled, snatching the paper from under Pilate’s hands.

“Give it back!” Pilate shouted, gritting his teeth. He couldn't let him see it too closely. It had been splattered with blood after Asher requested Pilate help him with his guild duties.

His classmate rolled his eyes, throwing it back on the desk. “Whatever, just chill out, Pontius.”

Pilate’s stomach churned with hunger and frustration. He despised his first name. He shoved the paper into his pocket, laying his head on his desk.

“Mrs. Saunders?” the intercom crackled as the secretary’s voice was cast over the room. “Can you send Pontius Falcondial to the office? He needs to check out.”

“He will be right up,” Mrs. Saunders called, nodding at Pilate.

Hugging his bag to his chest, Pilate rushed out the door, head spinning. Was Asher picking him up again? Did he have another mission?

He paused in the hallway, suddenly overwhelmed. Asher had been pushing him non-stop all week. Pilate wasn't ready for another job. He wasn't ready to be in such close quarters with Asher again.

A wave of naseua washed over him, and he wavered in front of the restroom, resting his forehead on the cool tile of the wall.

“Mr. Falcondial, are you alright?”

Pilate trembled, turning around on his heels to face the concerned teacher that stood before him. He quickly nodded, hoping his headband covered the sweat that was soaking his brow.

“Yeah, um, I-” Pilate muttered a string of incoherent noises and slipped past the teacher, heading to the front office.

“Hello, Pilate!” The woman at the front desk greeted him with a gentle smile. She gestured to a line of benches near the door, “Your uncle's here to pick you up.”

As if on cue, a tall man stood, smoothing out the wrinkles in his labcoat. His face was thin and inviting, but his eyes were blazing with power. He held out a hand.

“Ah, I was waiting for you, Pilate, “ Life murmured, “I just got off work and figured I should pick up my nephew for some quality time.”

Author's Note- annd heres pilates sublot :^)