Mirage (Shall We Date Wizardess Heart Fanfiction)

Chapter 28: One step closer to the truth

As she walked down the hallway heading for the teacher's wing, both continued their previous conversation."So, you're saying is that 'Conrad Schuyler' is the royal attendant wizard's name?" The girl asked one more time, still non-believing the pixie's words."The very personal attendant wizard to the royal family?!"

"For the thousandth time, yes!" Exasperation flashed across Elina's face, and Aurora raised an eyebrow in warning.

"I'm sorry for asking this over and over but, it's just so surprising. It never would have crossed my mind if you didn't tell me. And, even if you did, I still wouldn't. However, knowing you were there, makes things easier to believe." She said in an apologetic way.

"What kind of apology is that?" She almost pinched her cheek with irritation at her lack of self-consciousness.

"It's an apology nevertheless." And, shrugged nonchalantly, but her gaze rested on her thoughtfully for a few moments before returning to the path.

"Ugh-- Can't we just hurry, please?!" She jumped impatiently on her shoulder, almost childish-like.

"Why such rush now? A minute ago you didn't want anything to do with this." She raised an eyebrow at her.

Her jaw clenched, then she yielded with a sigh."You spiked my interest..." said, between clenched teeth."After all that talk about morality and, to top that, your stubbornness, who wouldn't?"

Her lips held a faint smile and her eyes twinkled."Thank you, Elina."

"For what?" She glanced back at her, not quite understanding why and what for she would ever thank her, at that time.

"For helping me and everyone in the academy. That's very kind of you, I won't forget."

"Oh that," she said instantly, and then felt a blush working its way up her cheeks."W-Well, you listen carefully Aurora, I'm just gonna say this once and I'll not repeat myself... ever! Y-You, hear me?!" At this point, she just got a bit flustered; a cute sight to her."... you're welcome..." 

Aurora giggled softly, cautiously scratching her tiny, doll head.

"Hey! You're ruffling my hair--!" Elina whined a little, but finally settled down, comforted by her gentle gesture. "Now, let's have a little chat with mister scary-guy and pluck the truth out of his soul!!"

"Sometimes you scare me..."  It only seemed natural to be at this sudden mood swings. She didn't know what to expect the majority of the time they establish a conversation with each other, be it serious or not. The funny thing is, she wouldn't have it another way.

As they continued forward...

"--Aurora!" A male voice coming from the opposite end of the hall called out to her. "I was looking everywhere for you!"

Elina jolted up surprised upon Elias's voice; she slid down and hid in Aurora's uniform pocket.

She stopped, "Oh...? For me? Why?" and asked, rather confused."I thought we were dismissed for the next hour because Professor Schuyler still couldn't make it and that, our next class was only after lunch..."

"Have you seen Luca?" He inquired, a look of distress showering his prince-like features.

"That's a sudden question." She stated.

"Have you seen him or not?" He insisted.

"No. I rarely see him. He never shows up in class, the only place I would see him..." She felt the pressure of his words.

"That I know." He rolled his eyes annoyingly at her and proceeded. "Luca hasn't come back to the dorm since last night."

Her heart tightened, she grew especially concerned now that he said Luca spent the night out, which would have meant that he missed curfew. It only made her worry further because of the latest incident back in the girl's dorm."What do you think happened?"

"I don't know, but to think he would do something to cause suspicion at a time like this..." He said quietly.

"You mean, the incidents that have been happening in the school grounds, regarding the petrification of students?"

"N-No! It has not anything to do with that! D-Don't you ever say that again!" He narrowed his eyes and yelled at her, which made her flinched back a little.

"O-Okay... then, what did you mean?" She tried again.

"A thief broke into Professor Schuyler's office last night." The news felt like an iced bucket being poured down her head.

Her mouth dropped open, and she murmured a curse."You don't think the thief is Luca, do you?!" The skeptical suspension of judgment has its limits, however.

"Perhaps." He confessed. "He and Professor Schuyler don't have the best relationship."

"You can't be serious..." She bounced around her head, first in disbelief, then in shock, and finally, in realization."That makes a lot of sense tho... that's why he missed the first period... why Randolph said what he said..." She whispered to herself, connecting the dots.

"Either way, it seems that, something was taken from the safe box."

"What was inside-- Stole, I mean..." She returned her attention to the conversation.

"That hasn't been made clear. From the reaction of the professors, it seems like it was something very important." And, added."There is a powerful magical seal place on Professor Schuyler's office and safe. If that was forcefully broken, there is no way the person who broke it would escape unscathed..."

"That must mean that the person is injured?"

"Most likely." He bit his lip and averted his gaze. 

"And, that's why you're so concerned?" Aurora at last understood the motives behind his restlessness."You fear that, if the culprit indeed is Luca, he might be outspread in some ditch or corner, needing assistance?"

He gave her a quick nod.

"Then, it would be good if we find him soon." She smiled up at him warmly."We still have time up until the next class. Let's search for him together."

"I know of some of his hiding places. I'll look inside the building." He suggested.

She agreed, "Then I'll look outside. He has to be somewhere." but, before she could scatter and focus on her own search, Elias grabbed her by the wrist. "Elias?"

"Thank you for doing this." He said with a serious expression.

"No worries. Let's just find him, you can thank me later."

"Let's meet up by the gardens at noon. Share our findings." At her nod, he let go of her hand and moved off. She watched him walk away and disappear after turning right at the end of the hall.

"Aurora..." By way of retaliation to what was decided, a soft voice emerged from her pocket.

"I know, but this is more important." Finally, she left the classroom wing, seemingly worried.

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