Chương 101: Chapter 96-A Talking Chosen

The blinding white light fades to reveal the classroom. Ruby is covered in a thin layer of snow, Viola is… gooey, and William has a thousand-yard stare. Not sure what happened there, but they seem to be in one piece. So, that can wait until later. As the class recovers from their day in the Whisperwood Forest, I walk over to Professor Stargazer, who's packing up her things.

"Professor, I was wondering if I could ask you some questions?" I ask as I try to put up a disarming aura. Professor Stargazer gives me an odd look.

"Chosen One, this is… a surprise. You usually never ask questions," she says with a hint of judgment.

"Hmm. Yes, I usually don't, but that's because you explain things so well," I [Lie]. The Professor gives me a small smile.

"I'm sure that's why. It doesn't have anything to do with the fact that you sleep through most of my class and, from what I hear, everyone else's as well," she says as we leave the classroom.

"I would never. You must be mistaken. It's my form of active listening. It's like a form of meditation," I [Lie]. The Professor shakes her head.

"And the snoring?"

"Meditative chanting to focus my attention on your lectures," I [Lie] without a single ounce of shame.

"If you're so focused on my lectures, then what questions do you have, Chosen One?" she asks as we walk across the courtyard.

"I'm glad you asked. So, Clint and I were having a discussion, well, more of a debate on barriers, and I was hoping to get your input on it. Considering your expertise in barriers," I [Lie].

"I wasn't aware that you knew of my expertise, Chosen One. Have you been looking into me?" she asks with a hint of curiosity.

"No, but I've heard things about you. Specifically, that you are in charge of fixing and altering the barrier around the school," I [Lie] as I watch carefully for any tells.

"I see. Well, I am an expert on barriers. What would you like to know, Chosen One?" she asks as we enter the Main Hall.

"Well, Clint and I were debating on how a creature, let's say a Demon, would be able to get past the barrier? Specifically, without breaking it," I say, remembering the time that Gryn broke through the barrier.

"Without breaking it? That would be tricky, but not impossible. Barriers are not impenetrable. They have caveats that Demons and other such creatures can take advantage of. The most basic way they can achieve that is by circumventing the restriction criteria, but Demons have been known to use other, more devious ways," she explains as we enter her office. My gaze lingers around the room. Every corner of this room is piled high with books.

Books on the bookshelf, books on the windowsill, books on the chairs, and books on the floor. You can tell there's a sort of organized madness to it all. Not one I could ever understand, but one I'm sure she understands. As the Professor sits, I… struggle to find somewhere to sit.

"What kind of devious ways?" I ask as I slowly unstack the books on the nearest chair. Professor Stargazer swipes her hand, and the books on the chair suddenly disappear.

"The most common method would be Soul Masking. A Demon would enter into a [System Contract] with a Human, and by the nature of [Contracts], the Demon's soul would be almost mixed with the Human's. The barrier would then get confused by the mixture and would allow the Demon in. Hmm. Although that could also apply to Half-Demons." Sitting in the now free chair, I nod along.

"So this Soul Masking sounds like a convenient method to get around the barrier," I say with a hint of surprise.

"Convenient? Not for a Demon. For a Demon entering into a [System Contract] is like putting a big target on their back. After all, if they don't keep up their end of the bargain, their life is forfeit. For their enemies, this is a grand opportunity. Trick the Demon into breaking the [Contract] and the [System] will do your job for you," Professor Stargazer says as she grabs a tea set from thin air.

"Interesting. So, it's a big risk for a minimal reward at best. Which is probably why it's an acceptable fault to a barrier," I say as I grab a teacup.

"Correct. Outside of fringe cases, you wouldn't have to worry about Soul Masking. In fact, your greatest worry should be Shapeshifters. They can easily circumvent most barriers," she says as she pours me tea. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"How?"

"It seems you need to work on that 'meditative' stance of yours. Shapeshifters don't just change the shape of their bodies, but also of their souls. If you can shape your soul, you can easily get through any barrier," the Professor explains.

"That makes sense, but I assume even with these methods, you personally would know if something bypassed the barrier?" I ask the question I've been waiting to ask.

"You speak of the Imp, Krone, and Demon that have gotten past the barrier, correct?" she asks with a steely gaze.

"Yes, I do. Did you know these things managed to get past the barrier?" I ask as I take a sip of my tea.

"It is a complicated answer. The Imp managed to slip past the barrier during routine maintenance. There was no way of knowing that it had snuck in. The Krone was a master of [Contracts] and subsequently Soul Masking. I only noticed it after you killed it. The Demon, though…" she says as her gaze hardens.

"You have no idea how it got past the barrier, don't you?"

"If we are being entirely honest. Not a clue. With the criteria set in place, the Demon should not have been able to get in, but still it did. I considered the possibility of Soul Masking, but from what we know of the Blitz Demon, he does not take kindly to those 'cowardly' tactics. A more headlong approach is their bread and butter. With the knowledge I have, I can only come to one conclusion. They-""They had help from the inside." Professor Stargazer blinks.

"I see. You already know this. There was no debate with Clint, was there?"

"Let's cut to the point. Are you working with the forces of evil?" I ask outright as I focus on her shifting expression. She looks towards the window and then to the door.

"You're not alone. I've taught you well."

"Answer the question, Professor. Are you working with the forces of evil?" I ask again.

"No, Chosen One. I am not. Although I understand why you would ask," she says without a hint of a [Lie].

"Why should I believe you?"

"You shouldn't. If I've taught you anything, it's to be wary of all possible enemies. Although I would mention that it would be entirely mindless of me to do what you are accusing me of. At the very least, I would have the wherewithal to cover up my tracks," she says as she takes a sip of her tea.

"Then who?" The Professor sits back in her chair without a care in the world.

"Why would you assume that I have any idea?"

"Because you're smart. You know this could fall back on you. Probably didn't expect it to be us knocking at your door, but whoever it was, they would want a name. Someone else they could investigate. So, who do you think let the Demon in?" I ask, playing up the seriousness in my voice. With a smile, Professor Stargazer places the teacup down.

"Caretaker Martin Prill. He's the one who oversees the mana battery for the barrier. Although no outages occurred, if I wanted to alter the barrier without going through official channels, I would go to the mana pool. Other than myself and the Head Security, Martin is the only one with access to the mana pool," she says with a cold indifference. My eyes stay glued to hers. I don't sense the telltale signs of a [Lie] or even a flicker of doubt in her.

She was a bit shaken up when she realized I was accusing her, but outside of that, she hasn't shown even a sliver of fear, doubt, or even anger. If I didn't know any better, I would question if she even had those emotions. For now, I have to assume what Penelope said is true. Professor Stargazer isn't working with the forces of evil, and it would seem she's telling the truth. Standing up, I place the teacup back on the tray.

"Thank you for your time, Professor Stargazer. I have Literature class to get to. Wouldn't want to be late," I say as I head for the door.

"A piece of advice, Chosen One. Be careful with your assumptions. They might just come back to bite you." With a nod, I leave the office and begin my trek back to Plumeria Hall. Penelope and Hopper join me halfway back.

"That went well," I joke. Penelope shakes her head.

"A more subtle approach would have yielded more results," she reminds. Hopper scratches his bunny ear.

"Yeah, CJ, you went a little off script there. I don't know if that was the best idea."

"Trust me. Any other approach other than being straightforward would have ended poorly," I say as I remember the steely look on her face. We may have been looking into her, but I get the feeling she was also looking into me. She might not be working with the forces of evil, but she sure does feel suspicious… or at the very least confused. The way she talked was hostile and aggressive, but her movements and actions were… friendly, almost caring. It's almost like there's a war between what she says and what she does.

An odd predicament, but I don't have the time to worry about it yet. I'll check in later. For now, I need to find and deal with the Wrathborn.

"So, this Caretaker, do we think he's the Wrathborn?" Hopper asks. Penelope cocks her head in curiosity.

"I doubt it. The Wrathborn has probably found themselves a nice and powerful seat to inhabit. A Caretaker has access to the mana pool, but that's about as far as their reach goes," she explains.

"So, what, a minion of sorts?" I ask.

"More than likely. Although I wouldn't be surprised if it were a Demon of sorts instead. Just not the one we're looking for. When should we pay him a visit?" Penelope asks as we enter Plumeria Hall.

"During lunch. I'd like to get to the bottom of this before Alyver finishes brewing the potions," I state as I stretch for nap time. Hopper opens the door to the Literature classroom.

"Then we'll deal with it during lunch. Try to stay awake until then, CJ," Hopper pleads.

"No promises," I say as I almost immediately fall asleep.