The Arcobaleno

Chapter 21 - The Stirrings of Chaos

Crash!

The sounds of crashing objects echoed loudly from within the locked door caused the various employees who were bustling about to scurry away. Ever since the central office had made their public apology announcement, their department head had been on a rampage within his office. Nearly daily they would hear the loud sounds of the room being destroyed again and again, those of them who worked in the finance department had been complaining amongst themselves of how this had destroyed their yearly budget. However, none of them wanted to bring it up to the normally approachable head, when he was currently going on a one-man crusade. Nowadays, most employees avoid the hallway leading to this particular office in fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Robert Kraus panted heavily inside his demolished office. He was surrouned by various pieces of destroyed furniture, papers were strewn haphazardly on his office floor. The man mumbled under his breath, as he stood hunched in the center of the room, gripped in his hands was a black and white photograph. It was worn out in the way that suggested that the owner had kept it safe even after time had passed. However, despite the obvious signs of care, the picture itself was heavy scribbled over, leaving only the clear image of a smiling woman.

"Just you wait Azazel," The manic man whispered, eyes shining with a deranged light as his fingers caressed at the woman's face. "I will get you back and this time it will be permanently."

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Anastasia held a hand to her temple, fingers softly massaging in slow circles. Ever since she had awakened for the day, the girl had been left with a horrible migraine that only seemed to worsen as the day went on. Thankfully, this was her last class for the day. She had full intentions of retreating to her dorm room once the class was over to get in a good soak and some sleep. Several hours of relaxation would do good to rid her of the migraine.

Occupied with the pounding in her head, she was unaware that a majority of her class' attention was on her. Or specifically, on the hitman who was lounging in the seat next to her.

"Miss Millefiore"

The sharp call of her name caused her to blink open her eyes, bringing her attention to the teacher standing in the front of the class. The man looked equal parts exasperated and slightly annoyed. Breathing in, in hopes to stave off another coming headache, she spoke. 

"Yes sir, would you mind repeating what you asked?"

The man shot her an irate look but repeated his question nonetheless. "I asked whether or not Miods are indeed capable of free will even when contracted."

The girl blinked, slightly unable to comprehend how someone like this held a teaching position in a renowned academy. Beside her, Reborn mirrored the look much less discretely, in fact, the hitman looked rather affronted at the question.

"...Is this a trick question?" Anastasia finally replied under the gaze of the entire class. "It is a well documented fact that all Miods are capable of free will and independent thinking. Even those who exhibits primarily instinctual behaviour. They all act according to their wishes unless under direct orders from their Meisters. The matter has been acknowledged even in pre-war literatures."

Murmurings broke around the room, and the girl merely glanced around in hidden confusion. Was this really the 'elite' students handpicked to be the best of the best?

At the front of the class, her teacher turned an unflattering shade of red. "While it may come as a surprise to you Ms Millefiore, the academy does not recognize much of the pre-war literature. Therefore, it can be easily stated that the idea that Mioddiavions are capable of free will and independent thinking could simply be that. An idea."