Chương 100: Chapter 95-Chosen Blasphemy

X in the right-middle square. O in the top-right square. X in the middle square. O in the left-middle square. X in the top-middle square. O in the bottom-middle square. X in the top-right square. O in the bottom-right square. X in the bottom-left square.

"Julian. We've played fifty games of Tic Tac Toe. Neither of us has won a single game. Can we please stop?" I plead. Julian looks at the board.

"I will not fall for your trickery, Chosen One. I have you on the ropes now. One more game and it's a win for me," he says with an elegant grin.

"You said that twenty-five games ago. Let's just call it a draw, Julian. I have somewhere to be today anyway," I say as I stand up from the bench.

"Running away? I expected better from you, but I understand. Who would want to lose to me, Julian Brodero, the most handsome First Year?" he asks with an elegant bow. Stopping in place, I turn to him.

"One more game. You hear me, Julian. One, not three or ten, one," I say, giving in a tiny bit.

"Yes, only one. Of course."

"Finally. I win! AHHAHAH! Take that, Julian," I say as I look down at the winning game.

"As expected from my rival. Good work, Chosen One, but don't think this is the end. I'll find you again and challenge you to another game," Julian proclaims as he walks away elegantly. With a sigh, I look over to the clock tower. 6: 12. What a good time to mark down my victory in the history books. 6- 6: 12! Shit! Shit! Shit! It was only supposed to be one more game, Julian! Why didn't you stop me? Running through the courtyard, I eventually make it to the Main Hall.

Running up the stairs to the top floor, I screech to a halt right before I reach the top floor. Catching my breath, I nonchalantly walk onto the top floor. An older woman at a desk gives me a nod.

"The Headmaster is waiting for you, Chosen One."

"Thank you," I say with a bow. Yeah, he's been waiting. I'm late by about fifteen minutes. Damned, Julian. Well, technically, I'm the one who suggested we play Tic Tac Toe, but I'll still blame Julian. Pushing open the doors to the Headmaster's office, I am greeted by oldness. Old books line three of the four walls, an old carpet that isn't really stylish, and an old desk with an even older window behind it. Everything about this room, including its inhabitant, is old.

The Headmaster swivels in his chair dramatically.

"Ah, Chosen One. I was wondering if you were ever going to show up. Please, have a seat," he says as he strokes his silver beard in a manner that unsettles me. I sit across from him.

"So, Headmaster… Do you have a name?" The Headmaster looks confused.

"Of course I do. Have you ever met someone without a name?"

"Yes. Haven't you?" I ask back.

"No, but that's besides the point. I do have a name. I am Headmaster Elijah Vil. You may call me Headmaster if you wish," he says with a hint of annoyance.

"Alright. So, Headmaster, what do I owe this meeting to?" I ask as I pick up a dark crystal from his desk. The Headmaster gives me a nervous look.

"Please do be careful with that. I have called you here to address the rumors that have been spreading across campus. Do you know what I speak of?"

"Is it the rumor that I'm so handsome that it can blind you if you look at me for too long?" I ask with full sincerity.

"What? No. It has to-" Tossing the crystal up and down, I think.

"Oh, I know. Is it the rumor that I have the voice of an Angel? If it is, it's not entirely untrue," I gloat.

"Please, be careful with that and no. It's not that either. It has to do with what you've been leaving around campus," he says with an air of worry. I spin the crystal on my fingertip.

"Oh. I see. I knew this was going to be a problem. So many people were going to get hurt, but I can't help it," I admit. The Headmaster looks at me with a flabbergasted look.

"Y… You… You actually admit that you're leaving them behind and that it's actively hurting people?"

"It's a bit embarrassing, but yes."

"What is happening? This is way too easy," the Headmaster whispers to himself.

"I'm leaving broken hearts behind, and I'm sorry. I have a duty as The Chosen One. I can't be distracted by romantic affairs, and I can't really turn off the charm either. I would if I could. Trust me. It hurts me more than it hurts them," I [Lie]. The Headmaster's eye twitches.

"No. I'm talking about the symbols that you're leaving in your wake," he says with a tiny bit of anger.

"Oh! I see. We were on entirely different wavelengths there. Yeah, that's not me," I flatly deny.

"What do you mean that's not you? The symbols appear wherever you are. Security quite literally has a tail on you to better determine where the symbols will appear. How else would you explain this?" he asks.

"Don't have to. I recently learned that the Nova Empire believes that the burden of proof lies solely on the accuser. In fact, what proof do you have?" I ask, turning it around on the Headmaster. The Headmaster strokes his beard.

"Proof? I have plenty," he says as he throws down various images of me. Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! I've heard of these before. They're stills from a communicator gem. I think they're called photogems. Flipping through them, I see myself doing a wide variety of illegal activities. This is from when I broke into the cafeteria. This one is from when I stole the Dark Orchid from that cult leader. Ah, I remember this one.

This is when I broke into the clock tower in the courtyard. Hmm. Seems Hopper managed to stay out of the photogem.

"These aren't me," I [Lie] as I place the photogems back on his desk.

"Not you?! Your face is clearly visible in all of these photogems. You're actually smiling at the communicator gem in this one. How can you stand there and tell me that's not you?" he asks with a hint of anger.

"Because it isn't. Probably a Shapeshifter. I am The Chosen One, so the forces of evil are probably trying to frame me. Also, you do know that photogem evidence isn't admissible in court yet, right?" I ask with a devilish smile.

"Admissible or not, this evidence is clearly enough to warrant a search of your dorm room," he says as he strokes his beard.

"Actually. No, it isn't," I say with the confidence that only a scoundrel could have.

"Of course I can. I'm the Headmaster, and you fall under my supervision while you're at this school. That, therefore, gives me the right to search your dorm room," he says.

"Are you sure about that?" I say as I kick back in a chair.

"... I am sure as-" Knock. Knock. Knock. The Headmaster looks over at the door.

"Linda, I'm in a meeting right now," he says.

"I think you should get that," I say with a devilish smile.

"You don't get-" Knock. Knock. Knock.

"I told you I'm in a mee-" The door of the office opens as the Pope walks in.

"Apologies for the interruption, Headmaster, but I sensed that my presence was needed."

"Your Holiness. I wasn't expecting you. To what do I owe pleasure?" the Headmaster asks as he gives me a glare.

"I called him. You see, I am The Chosen One. I am not bound by the rules of this institution or the rules of this Empire. The only rules I have to follow are the ones the Gods set themselves. Isn't that right, your Holiness?" I [Lie]. The Pope walks up to the desk and looks down at the Headmaster.

"The Chosen One is the blade of the Gods. His work is the work of the Gods themselves. Where he sleeps is considered the property of the church. His word is the word of the Gods. Are you questioning the Gods right now, Headmaster?" the Pope asks with a burning intensity.

"Of course not, your Holiness. I apologize for any miscommunications that may have occurred. Chosen One, you are free to go," the Headmaster says with an undertone of anger.

"Thank you. Oh, before I forget," I say as I [Throw] the crystal at him. The Headmaster narrowly catches it.

"Until next time, Chosen One."

"I look forward to it," I say as the Pope and I leave the office and then head down the stairs. Once we reach an isolated location, I drop the [Disguise] on Hopper.

"I'm never doing that again," Hopper says as his hands shake.

"You did a good job. Better than I thought you would. Although you went a little too much with the word 'Gods'," I say as I pat him on the back.

"I'm going to the deepest hell available. I just impersonated the Pope," he says as his bunny ears droop.

"Oh, please. You helped The Chosen One. You're not going to go to the hells for that," I try to comfort him.

"You'd better put in a good word for me with the Gods. I'm going to need it. I'm sorry, Zeita. Please forgive me," Hopper says dramatically. It's not like he killed the Pope for the love of the Gods. Do that, and then I'll be worried for his soul.

"Did you find that meeting odd?" I ask as we cross the courtyard.

"Yeah, it was a little odd. I was impersonating the Pope!" he whispers harshly.

"Now, as much as I appreciate your help. You really need to not talk about that anymore. Someone might take you seriously," I say as I look around at the mostly empty courtyard. Hopper shakes his head.

"Yeah, I know. No more talking about the terrible thing that you made me do."

"Good. Now back on topic. Did you find that meeting odd at all?" I ask again. Hopper thinks as we enter Azalea Hall.

"Hmm. Now that you've mentioned it. He seemed a bit eager to pin the blame on you."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure if that's it. I'm sure it's nothing. So, have you ever considered getting into acting?" I joke.

"Funny. By the way, how did it go with the Admin Office yesterday?" he asks as we enter our dorm room.

"Good enough. We found out that Professor Stargazer is the one who's in charge of the barrier. Penelope's stalking her as we speak," I say as I let myself fall onto my bed. The door to the dorm room suddenly opens.

"Actually, I'm no longer tailing her," Penelope says with a frustrated tone.

"Oh, please, come in, Penelope. Make yourself at home. Would you like some tea?" I ask sarcastically. Penelope ignores me.

"Turns out it's harder to tail someone when they can teleport." Hopper nods.

"I would imagine that would be difficult. Did you find anything out from the little that you were able to follow her for?" Hopper asks.

"No. Not really. I lost her right almost immediately after class ended. I've spent the last couple of hours trying to find her to no avail," she says with frustration.

"Well, at least we were successful on our side," I boast. Penelope sits on my bed.

"What did the Headmaster want?"

"Trouble mostly. He accused me of a bunch of stuff I would never do, and then Hopper helped me clear the air," I [Lie] as the bed begins to vibrate. Penelope gives me a suspicious look.

"What do y- Why is your bed vibrating?" she asks.

"Oh, that's just… a new feature," I [Lie]. Penelope squints and then lifts the mattress cover. I roll off and find myself face-first with the floor. So much strength in such a tiny frame. It makes no sense.

"Charlatan! What is the meaning of this?!" she asks as she lifts me up by my jacket.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Penelope," I [Lie].

"Why is The Chosen Blade stuffed under your mattress?" she asks with an accusatory tone.

"I told you it's in a safe place. That's the safest place I know." Penelope drops the mattress.

"Charlatan, don't just leave The Chosen Blade lying around. We'll talk more about Professor Stargazer tomorrow," she says as she leaves. Hopper looks over at me.

"You were hiding that there the whole time?"

"Yup. It's the last place anyone would expect me to leave it," I say as I pick it up.

"How dare you leave us under your bed. Do you know how sacred The Chosen Blade is? Do you?!" Yellow asks. With a sigh, I place it to the side of my bed. This is why I left it here. I'll worry about it tomorrow. For now, it's time for sleep. The moment my head hits the bed, I'm no longer a part of the waking world.