Black Haze

First Day of Wonders

First Day of Wonders

There was an awkward silence. It was odd for my first day of school. Then again, I myself was odd.

            For one, I looked… weird, and thus, I was wearing a hoodie… again. Hopefully, no one recognized me. Celestial, on the other hand, walked high and proud as she sat down. I sat down quietly beside her.

            “These are your new peers,” the male professor said. As far as I knew, his name was Orphell, and he wasn’t exactly a professor. He was from the Tower – I could sense it. He wasn’t wearing the Tower’s robe, but I could tell.

            Professor Orphell sent me suspicious looks. It was probably because of my hoodie or, err, robe. I didn’t blame him. I looked so obviously suspicious.

            Glancing behind me, I noticed that Lidusis had a haircut. All the pain I knew he felt seemed to slither away. It appeared as though everyone was beginning to accept him. Well, that was a fresh, good start for him.

            As Professor Orphell taught the class about magic, I was busy thinking. There was much more to the case at Ishuella. Thus, there were things I had yet to uncover… But it seemed that things connected to Lidusis. So, I had to get close to Lidusis and figure things out… Hm.

            When class was over, I walked over to the trio. “Hi,” I said, pulling my hoodie down farther to cover my eyes.

            “Hello.” Rood Chrishi, who had his arms crossed, sent me a very small smile. Looking closer, I realized something. …He was freaking cute. But, that was irrelevant.

            “…Hi…” Lidusis shifted around awkwardly in his seat.

            There was a boy with blue hair, and he was a part of the trio. “Heya!” he gleefully shouted.

            I felt Celestial staring at me. I knew she was wondering what I was doing. Heck, was it that hard to see? I was trying to make friends… Haha…

            Crap, I didn’t think things through. What am I supposed to say? “Um…” I swallowed hard. I was nearly sweating. “What happened? I hear things about Ishuella…” Wow, that’s not bad. Maybe it’ll be easy to make friends. Yeah, just play it cool.

            There was silence, just like when Celestial entered. The trio exchanged glances with each other. Why, was it a topic that touched raw nerves?

            “I woke up alone, and wandered by myself,” Rood Chrishi said, staring at his desk. “I hear that Dio was pushed off of a cliff by Professor Heil… and Lidusis… was there when everyone was in danger.”

            So Dio is the blue haired boy’s name. “Professor Heil?”

            “He was the one who put the students in danger.” Dio leaned in his seat and crossed his arms behind his head.

            So that was the monster’s name – the human who became a demon.

            “How… did you survive?” I asked Dio. “From the fall.”

            “…I don’t know. I passed out as I fell.”

            Was that a lie? I nodded slowly. “Thanks,” I said. “Nice meeting you three.” Without another word, I left their table. I walked towards Celestial and pulled her up. “I tried to make friends,” I said, which wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth, either. “I’m going to explore,” I say, leaving her alone.

            Walking out, I turned to a right. I walked out and let myself feel the warmth of the sun. There, I saw Professor Orphell with another professor, walking and talking. This time, I couldn’t tell if that professor was from the Tower of not.

            “Professor Orphell!” he shouted. “Isn’t this a bit too much? It’s the Association!” He inhaled and exhaled. “When I think back on the mess they made three years ago in the Ekeran incident, I get all angry still! That stupid chairman – that damned Lanoste… This has to be a part of his plot! Without something like that going on, there’s no way… Helios would have accepted someone so abnormal!”

            “Deon. Be quiet.”

            Professor Deon… I had to keep an eye out from him.

            “What…?” Professor Deon was dumbfounded.

            Half a minute passed and I heard footsteps. Someone was coming, heading towards them. Professor Orphell had sensed him ahead of time. Hiding behind the pillar, I looked closer – it was a new student, with brown yet red hair.

            “Professor Orphell…? Do you know this student?” Professor Deon asked quietly.

            Professor Orphell didn’t answer the question. “…It’s been a while,” he said to the boy, “since the last time we met in the Imperial City. It’s been nearly half a year. I never thought I’d meet you here…” He paused before speaking again. “…Anyways, it’s nice to see you agai—”

            The boy walked without saying the word. He literally ignored Professor Orphell, who had a displeased expression on his face. However, before he kept walking, he glanced towards my direction. I quickly hid, feeling shivers down my spine.

            “T-that arrogant…!” Professor Deon glared with anger. “Who is that? That little shit…!”

            Professor Orphell remained his calm face. “He got here faster than I expected. …The Association’s Shicmuon.”

            “What? Shicmuon? But he didn’t…!”

            “…Deon… You still have a lot to learn. He was wearing a magical artifact. He probably placed a spell on himself so that no one but the highly-skilled magicians could tell his real identity.”

            The Association’s Shicmuon? Who was that?

            Before I could hear anything else, I quietly left without a word. I walked back into the building where Celestial waited impatiently for me.

            “Where were you?” she asked, “It’s lunch time. I’m starving.” Seeing the look on my face, she asked, “Are you okay? Did something happen?”

            “…Who is Shicmuon?” I asked.

            “You don’t know him?” Celestial thought about it for a second. “I overheard Chasmal muttering about it one day. He’s from the Association, and is a first rank magician. He causes destruction when he’s displeased or bored, and really wants to fight with the Black Magician. Other than that, I don’t really know him.”

            I hummed quietly. “Is that so…”

            “Anyways,” Celestial continued on, “let’s go get something to eat.” She dragged me with her. “We also have to check out our dorms, and get things settled so we’re comfortable. There’s much to do, Ezekiel, so don’t just wander!”

            I couldn’t help but to wonder why Shicmuon from the Association arrived. Was the Association also getting involved with the matter of Ishuella and the black thing? Were things deeper than I’d assumed?

            What secrets were being held in Helios?

            I had to find out.