7 The story behind (1)
Lilith took his arms as they started to walk forward, opening the sturdy wooden door through the office.
Enormous artifacts and antique furnitures particularly ornamental chairs and tables greeted them. A large hoary world map made from leather, around 2 metres tall and 200 centimetres wide, could be seen at hanging at end of the room where the desks of the director is located. Various items are displayed such as a bonsai, cups used to hold his pens, and his personal name plate entitled 'Director: Wilfred Snow'. Mr.Snow was seemingly in awe as he deeply gazes upon the world's map, resting his chin on his forefinger radiating himself an aura of an intellectual being. He slowly turns his body around and greet us in a well respected tone.
"I believe this is your first time seeing a world map nowadays. Come, take a seat. Would you care for some tea?"
He opens up a drawer located around his desks and picks up a set of tea and its containing tea bag
"Panda Dung Tea, cultivated in the mountains of Ya'an. Try one for yourself"
As he closes his eyes and carefully sips his tea from the cup.
Zero takes a seat from a nearby chair offered by the director and was followed by Lilith. Still bewildered from the event, Zero looks back and forth to the director and the tea set in front of him. How could he just drink an extravagant tea when he could barely even afford a can of soda down the streets?
"Tha-thank you" nervously pours the tea pots' liquid down on his cup and glamorously drank the Panda Dung Tea.
"On to our main topic. I apologise for having you involved, Mr.Heil, in this personal matter which you may even had to risk your life for the girl right next to you." He finishes his tea, closes his eyes and continues
"As such we, the director and the staffs of Warford's academy, shall compensate you on the problem. You shall be relieved on your future tuition fees and a permission to visit the royal library section located near the ignis section, inside the philosophy building; underground. Do you have any questions?"
As he calmly opens his eyes, deep in thought, to affirm Zero's confirmation.
Gentle yet with a serious demeanor, Mr.Snow looks in Zero's pupils to show his sincerity.
A long pause resounds the room, leaving the two men staring at each others gaze, waiting for the other to respond
"I have three questions, if you're fine for me to ask." Zero breaks the silence, crossing his legs to make himself more agitating. He considers the situation beneficial for him, especially knowing the fact he was involved in an act of terrorism. When the media gets their hand on this piece of news, a student being neglected inside the university's grounds, the image of the prestigious Warford Academy will surely shrink like ants.
sheer curiosity takes the director's stance as he leans closer from his wooden chair.
"You may speak" he replies
"First of all, how about the girl right beside me? Lilith was nearly killed by those robe men. How can we trust the safety of your statement that this event will never happen again?" I stated, clenching my fists to enhance my gesture.
"I can not promise you anything but rest assure, for i will greatly improve our security grounds within its reach to avoid harm from my students. Will that be enough?"
That is a good point. Zero nods off on the director's response
"Next question, can you explain the reason Lilith was able to fly and the knights who saved us? Why were the terrorists were not holding any fire arms yet equipped with staffs and wands?" This was critical. Zero must know the logical behind these peculiar events
"It's magic." Lilith replies, looking directly from where i'm sitted on
"Princess!" Mr.Snow yells, making his veins bulge out around his forehead, painted beat red from anger.
"Sooner or later he'll find out about it. Perhaps... he may even be a mage himself"
Zero gives them a confusing look whether to trust their claims or not but he'll leave that for a different matter
"And on to my last question. I snatched this from the bad guys while they were busy assaulting the knights. It was a good thing they didn't noticed anything about it"
Zero stood up from his seat and began searching something inside his bag
"Tadaa~"
The director and Lilith were all flabbergasted from the gem that Zero displayed
"YOU... HO" Mr.Snow didn't had the time to finish when Lilith bursts out.
"HOW DID YOU GOT THE GEM?!"
"Well...i saw something glittering behind their leader and so, when I thought of reaching that out, astonished as you guys, a solid glowing item was now in the palm of my hands. It was quite amazing that none of you guys noticed it 'til now."
With a smug on his face, Zero proudly pumped out his chest still having that idiotic grin wide on his face
"And besides, i think Lilith desperately tried saving this gem. I was trying to keep it for myself but... hearing you, Mr.Snow, paying all of my tuition's intact, my conscience killed me right away, hehe~"
Zero was halfheartedly joking apart from the latter. He really intended to keep the gem. Who knows what sum he could've received from it.
Still having that wide grin in his face, he stares at the old guy and utters
"Well, take this as a gift from me. 'Cuz i..." Lilith didn't even let Him finish his sentence as she quickly embraces the boy's body tight
"Thank you... thank you" sniffing, the wild sassy girl that Zero first encountered transformed into a cute kitten hugging him tight. The words she could only muster up saying was 'thank you' in repeat. It lasted for an hour before gaining her composure
"Sorry...*sniffs* my mother... i needed the gem so I could avenge my mother"
"The gem? avenge" I asked
How can this gem save her mother?
"Can i know why this gem is so valuable than your life?" Zero gently pats her head and flashes a radiant smile
"It's...a long story, kid." The director joins in and gives us his sympathy cast upon his eyes
"I don't mind. If it's for Lilith then may be I can lend her my time"
