Chương 34: Chapter 29

"Not so fast," the Old Guru stated, as he all but forced my spell to not only maintain its consistency, but to also expand. I honestly never knew something like this was possible. The Old Guru, this Grand Master Sage Rikt, was taking control over my spell and forcing it to do things that I vehemently did not want it to do. I tried cancelling the spell but found that such an act just gave the Old Guru even more control over the spell.

As the spell elongated, I could see the electric platinum eye of a master staring back at me. Blink. The giant eye of the master, or an eye that at least appeared to be far larger in size than expected just blinked at me. For a moment, I felt as if my entire being was being judged and assessed in that gaze. Then I could all but feel the understanding of the Old Guru was over the connection. At one point I was almost certain that he nodded at me.

After that, the connection was broken, as the Old Guru apparently lost interest in keeping the already partially cancelled spell closed. That was when I realized I dodged a bullet. I paused in place, and looked around, only to find that I was all alone in the middle of the University campus. Odder still was the fact that the roads, the normally bustling campus, everything was dead quiet. Realizing this, I decided to go as quickly as possible to my room, so I could hopefully avoid that creepy old man.

A man who I had been thinking about ways to track down hours ago, as I realized I might have been better off without his attention. Going to my room, I paused and finally felt safe. Odd how four walls, a bed, a desk and chair, and a few personal effects can make you feel like you are safe. Out of an abundance of caution, while still feeling the stress of everything that was going on, I locked the door. I know, I know, stupid. That lock won't stop or prevent anyone from coming in that truly wants to.

That most of the mages could teleport, pick the lock, or break the door down in various ways. That said, I didn't think many would go that far, at least not tonight. As far as I was concerned, I was done for the day. There were a few stretches, a few sets of exercises that Lady Von'Graysing would make me perform before going to bed. And I would, I would do those exercises and a few more. But as for everything else, I was done.

I wasn't even going to attempt to go to Choir, where we had been turned away every day so far. Nor was I going to attempt going to the cafeteria for dinner, as I had already managed to grab breakfast. Apparently, breakfast was the one meal that Lady Von'Graysing was adamant that I eat. As such she had been ending her training early, just so I would go and eat. Though this came with the knowledge that I would do an equally intense training in the evening.

Not necessarily the best of plans, but one that I felt would be pertinent tonight. Just being in my room so early, I did everything that I was supposed to do. I started with my stretches, then my various planking moves, my flutter kicks, pushups, wall chairs, intervals of each, then a cool down set, followed by more stretching. Even with taking my time and making sure each set of exercises were performed to the peak of my ability, I still felt restless. For a second, I wondered why.

Then I realized that even now, it was just beginning to be time for Choir practice. Seeing as I was otherwise done for the evening, I did a quick check to make sure I wasn't missing Choir practice. Perfect Far Viewing. Casting the spell got me a perched view of Marie, who was now clearly walking back to her dorm room from Choir practice. As one would expect, she did her due diligence and went out to the classroom to ensure that class was still cancelled for today.

Just when I was about to cancel my vision and call it a day, that is when a voice called out for Marie.

"Hey, wait up!" The voice was oddly familiar, but I couldn't quite place why. That is, I couldn't place until Marie stopped mid step, then turned around to see Daren Drakerton. Knowing that Daren was also out of class, made me feel a bit better about not going. The fact that Daren and Marie were both walking away from Choir practice all but proved the class was over. For a moment, I thought about cancelling my spell, to not intrude on these two and their conversation.

I thought it might be something private, given the way they both quickly scanned the area to make sure no one else was around. Then realizing this might be something juicy, or one of those odd organic scenes that make this world so great, I paused and waited.

"Hello Master Drakerton," Marie said, giving a slight bow as was befitting of an attendee being here and talking to a foreign dignitary. Daren for his part just waved his hand in a slicing motion, clearly not wanting to be met with any form of formalities.

"Enough of that, I needed to ask you something," Daren stated.

"Me?"

"Yes, Lady De'Claire, have you seen Lady Laurain, recently?" Daren asked, a slight note of panic in his voice. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. At this, I was even more intrigued by the sudden cut scene that seemed perfectly made just for me. I almost wished I had a bag of popcorn to watch.

"No, not since this weekend," Marie answered. While I couldn't see her face, I could hear the sadness in her voice. I paused, I had seen her almost every day. Then I realized, no, I had been stalking her almost every day.

"Oh," was all a deflated Daren could say in reply.

"Might I ask why?" Marie asked, suddenly concerned based on the way Daren was acting. Daren just stood up straight and looked at Marie.

"I," Daren began, but then quickly caught himself.

"I can't say. Though know that what happens will be explained tomorrow,""Tomorrow?"

"Yes, apparently there will be a few changes tomorrow,""What kind of changes?" Marie asked, suddenly concerned. Daren looked at her, then turned to see two kids walking together down the same path that they were conveniently on. Seeing them, Daren turned back to Marie and whispered, "big changes. That's all I can say," And like that, Daren began walking away. Marie seemed to be stuck in place at the admission, as she could only stand and watch Daren's retreating back, before the two students who arrived came by.

They stared briefly at Marie, while in mid conversation with each other, but otherwise seemed to continue on as if nothing happened. Then again, from their point of view nothing did happen. That is when I decided to end my connection and think. Though apparently, I just did that thing where you think you hang up and put the phone down, but the phone continues to stay connected, even when you aren't looking.

That is exactly what happened here, as I was trying to wrap my mind around what major news would happen tomorrow. For the life of me, I couldn't think of anything. But before my thoughts could have too long to spend trying to figure out what exactly was going on, I heard the commotion.

"Master!" Marie all but shrieked. Hearing Marie's piercing whale, I knew that for what it was. An admonishment of Claudia for being caught doing naughty things in front of Marie. Pausing I turned to see that Claudia was holding hands with not one, but two paramours. While the gesture was seemingly innocent enough, the intention and visuals were clear. Marie for her part looked around the area, no doubt to see if anyone could witness her master making a fool of herself.

This is how I realized Claudia was in the secluded fountain area, with the one bench that partially obstructed most views. Well all views, but apparently the one path that came from the direction of the Chappel and therefore Choir practice. Realizing the layout, I paused as I finally understood how Marie, Karen, and even Daren would catch their Master in this very spot. I mean, from a standard student's point the spot was impossible to notice.

For anyone trying to build up a relationship with Daren, it was a game ender. Realizing the direction Daren just went, which was down this same path, it is fairly obvious that he had to have seen this scene before him. Which meant that Daren was forever out of Claudia's clutches. The only time you used this spot, was when you were certain that Daren liked you. Then you brought Priam and Galvis here to make Daren jealous and fight for your hand.

That of course is when Priam and Galvis would stand up, and cheer on Daren, calming him down and saying that he passed the test. Thinking about it, the whole scene seemed wonky, but it worked. Once Daren was madly in love with you, apparently seeing you with two other paramours let him realize what he was about to miss out on. That is when he decided that he would rather have a part of you, than nothing at all.

Looking around from Marie's point of view, I could almost make out a familiar silhouette of a person exiting right. Just seeing that silhouette let me realize that yep, Claudia had just ruined that relationship chance. Worse, now she had to deal with trying to calm down an irate Marie.

"Oh, hey Marie, was Choir practice cancelled again?" Claudia asked, not doing anything to take her hands away from either Galvis or Priam's hands. This is clearly the start to a confrontation scene. And for once I am not the one who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Realizing this moment for what it is going to be, I pause and then finding a spot to Marie's left, I focus and cast a second Perfect Far Viewing.

Now I have multiple views of the same scene, almost like I am experiencing the same moment in stereo. This would have been disconcerting before, but now seems almost easy to perform on the fly, thanks to all my training. With the second viewpoint in place, I am ready to witness everything.

"Yes, but that is not the point. Why are you being so indecent, Master?" Marie hissed.

"Indecent, we have not done anything yet," Claudia said, her voice cooing to the boys on both sides of her.

"Master, I must insist you stop this at once. Think of the damage this could cause your reputation," Marie demanded, stomping her foot in clear agitation.

"Chill'ax. It's not that serious," Claudia replied, clearly using the custom interface. This gave a more natural feel to the user, and even gave bonus experience, but the end results were terrible. Particularly when you chose a worse option than the ones that would normally be provided to you. Just hearing the use of Chill'ax to Marie, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. While she had clearly managed to pique the interest of Galvis and Priam, something that wasn't all that hard to begin with.

Now she had to deal with the fallout of Marie catching you. Honestly, I think this world would have been a bit more fun, with trying to pull off the multiple paramour route with Marie. Basically, it would be a game of cat and mouse. Knowing the world as I do now, I am fairly certain that I could pull it off. The number one way that I would pull it off, was by not doing the fountain scene until I knew Marie would be away from Choir practice.

"Chill'ax? What is this some form of slur meant to show your casualness towards relationships?" Marie fired back.

"No, this is just me showing that I can't help feeling for what my heart wants," Claudia says, mirroring some of the lines used. Though this should be what Claudia would say to me, Karen, not Marie. For Marie pauses ever so slightly, which apparently was all Claudia needed to continue her impromptu speech.

"Haven't you ever been in love? That deep uncontrollable pounding of your heart and soul? Knowing that you have finally found that missing component of your soul?" Claudia asks. Again, these are great lines, but she is using them incorrectly. You can only use these lines on Karen, who deep down is a romantic at heart. Marie is far more stoic and zealous in her approach to life. At least, she was. Pausing, I can all see the tension in Marie slowly dissipate as she looks to be slightly sad.

Watching the expression on her face, I realize that this is the look of understanding.

"I do know what love is, which is why I know it is something to be treasured and cherished. This is why I beseech you to not take this lightly. Surely you can see the damage that having not one but two interests at a time could cause your reputation, particularly if one or both of these relationships were to fail," Marie stated, a sad note of pain filling her words, not her typical venom. Honestly, I don't know what Claudia did to get it so Marie could calm down this much, but it was clear she had changed.

Then I realized her words likely spoke to her change. Marie was extremely honest, which was why she apparently answered truthfully. This way, when she said she knew what love is, she likely meant it. For a moment I pause, wondering where or how this happened. Then I remember the weekend, and all the stolen glances between her and Rydel and I feel something minor break within my own heart. I don't know exactly what it is.

Maybe it's the fact that Marie has fallen into the same trap as I have, falling for a guy who would be incapable of reciprocating your feelings. A few more things also make more sense to me as well. Things like why she moved to get me away from Rydel. At the time, I thought it was sort of cheap to use the whole idea of prophecies to cause undue tension between us. But now I understand, I'm hurt, but I understand. At the time I had hoped we could be friends.

With this realization, I decide to end my voyeuristic intrusion into this scene. In the game, this would be the equivalent of hitting any key to skip the cut scene to the end. In my case, it is just as simple as cutting off my connection to the two active spells. Pop. There is a slight static filled hiss as the mana leaves the spells and I once again readjust to my regular sight. Pausing for a moment, I go over to my desk to make sure that I am prepared for tomorrow.

I check and see that my assignments are up to date. That my training uniform is ready for tomorrow. Then still feeling anxious for whatever reason, I find myself going through my drawers. That is where I see the last of the chocolates and the embroidered comb I got for Marie. Seeing the items, I am about to discard them, not wanting chocolate to rot in my desk and likely draw the attention of ants. While I haven't seen any ants as of yet, I would not put it past the creator's attention.

That is why, I take all the items and am about to throw them away, when I pause. This is where frugal me pauses and takes over, if only for a second. Not wanting to throw away perfectly good items that I spent good money on, I pause. Then create a Perfect Minor Portal to Marie's room. In particular, her desk. That is where I place the comb and three pieces of chocolate on her desk.

"Goodbye," I say, truly feeling sad. I know this is just me cutting myself off from someone who could only be a friend at best, but it still sort of hurts. Still, this is for the best. Now if any ants come, they will go to Claudia's room first, then Marie's. Also, now all actions that previously bound me to Marie have been severed. Mentally, I know this is for the best. Marie and Claudia are part of the main storyline, and that is something that I have purposefully tried to avoid until now.

I take one last look around Marie's room, which used to be my character's room. At least it was my room, when I chose Karen to be my attendee. Seeing it, I can only nod and realize that Claudia has already chosen her path. Oddly enough, Marie seems to be fine from the summoning a portal to call forth demons route. Perhaps this is the slight change they noted as happening for this expansion. I don't really know. All I do know is that I will only get sidetracked if I follow Claudia's successes.

As far as I can tell, we are not opponents, just two people experiencing the world in parallel to each other. Taking a deep breath, I end my connection to Marie's room, and mentally tell myself that I will never impose upon her room again. Also, aside from people that give me permission, I will not pry into their personal opinions with my Far Viewing. While it is handy and good practice for understanding how Spatial magic works, the entire thing feels invasive.

At that realization, I pause and realize that this might be part of me thinking that these people are somehow real. That I shouldn't spy on them, just like I wouldn't want to have others spy on me. Realizing that is likely why this whole intrusion and viewing of cut scenes feels so wrong, I pause. Then realizing that this is almost exactly why I suddenly feel creepy by intruding on other people's lives, I nod to myself and then try to go to sleep. Rustle, roll, tumble.

Unfortunately for me, sleep doesn't come easy, as countless thoughts fill my mind. Most importantly, I can't stop thinking about Marie. Part of me wants to break my vow of not spying on people right then and there, but I stop myself.

"No, tomorrow is another day, and it will be better," I say, repeating a mantra from my childhood. All in all, today wasn't terrible, but for whatever reason I couldn't help but feel like the axe was going to fall tomorrow. But why?