Chapter 7.5: What Happened To Pyre

My mouth formed a grim line as I leaned at the edge of my seat with SIlian looking at me with a forehead beaded with sweat and a shaky smile. Cora on the other hand stayed collected, opting to drink the orange juice on the table as her eyes elicited a warm red glow.

"So… How did you know that Shan was controlled?"

I tapped my fingers on the edge of the glass table, staring at Silian as the latter staggered back. The president let out a dry chuckle, combing her hair to the side before looking away.

"C-Can we not talk-"

"Not a chance. I am certain that you know how valuable she is, otherwise she would have normally attended classes."

Silian's eyes widened in shock and her jaw trembled ever so slightly. Her mouth hung open in shock and her body froze in place.

"H-How did-"

"I'm not an idiot Miss President. Shan would have been known by the other students if she were regularly attending her scheduled classes, but not only was she eager to meet that Geon, she was smitten with him. On day one!"

Silian flinched, but she tried to speak up even if her voice betrayed her.

"S-Sor-"

Yet I simply rolled my eyes and carried on. In the back of my mind was a seething rage that fueled me to say more. Shan… while I only met her that day, I was certain that she had good intentions, nor was she forward. Whatever that damned Geon was planning, I won't allow it!

"Like are you kidding me or something?! How often does she go outside of her room or Xion's office?! And to think that you of all people would allow that to hap-"

"Enough!"

Cora who normally stayed silent during my small exchange with her friend finally spoke up. She stomped her heels against the tiles, allowing herself to be heard in conjunction with her voice. She looked at me with a small pout, her brows knitted into a frown.

"Can we just let her give her side first Pyre? Don't act too haughty, after all, she is still the President and Facilitator of the entire student body, only a few paces below Xion. I am certain that she has her reason for her inactivity."

Hearing Cora's plea, the thought actually hit me. She was right, she'd been here for far more days than I could ever hope for. I am certain that she wouldn't allow such a thing to happen, not out in the open at least. Pursing my lips and crossing my arms, I decided to listen to what she had to say.

When Silian saw my reaction to Cora's suggestion, she let out a sigh of relief before speaking.

"I'm terribly sorry. I really am not a confrontational person… So, do you seriously want details on why I think Shan might be controlled?"

I gave her a simple nod before glancing to Cora who pretty much repeated the same action I did. Silian soon cleared her throat and continued with her tale.

“Well, like I said, I watched over you and Cora out of sheer interest so I had to take a form that would look inconspicuous and harmless. A form that will allow me to move freely without being detected."

I paused for a bit and recounted the events from earlier, noting that I'd hear some sort of buzzing as we entered…

"I see… then what form did you pick, and why were you unable to do anything to help her…"

I bit my lip, afraid that Silian may not want to help my foxy friend or that I'd have to take matters into my own hands… Clearing her throat, the president gave me a reply.

"Well… I was a mosquito, so I really couldn't do much. Not to mention that I was close to Geon when he used his powers. He used it on Shan, something imitating a short flash of light. I was also hit by the attack, but I managed to flee the area, even if I was already becoming extremely lightheaded and fatigued in those moments"

Hearing her explanation, my hands loosened as I let out a soft sigh. I looked at the president, my lips curling into a grim line when I did. Cora shot me a gaze before nodding as if allowing me to speak. Well after hearing her answer, I guess I could cut her some slack.

"Fine… But shouldn't we catch Geon for this?"

However, Silian shook her head. Her brows were arched as she stared at me with a serious expression.

"Aside from my testimony… who could back our claims up?"

My eyes widened. Finally splashed with the icy water called, "evidence", I was backed into a corner, unable to give him or Shan a piece of my mind. A-Although… why was I giving a damn! It's not like the woman had anything to do with me! She is just someone I met yesterday, with a similar fate to mine!

Why! Why was I so worked up?!

I clenched my fist, slamming it against the table when I finally lost my cool. It was strange… Why do I care for her…?

After my show of force, everything finally faded back. The two ladies greeted me with wide eyes and mouths opened to a scowl. Their pupils were dilated and arms raised, ready to defend from an attack. I blinked owlishly, cocking my head to the side before scratching my head. One had to ponder why they were acting like that.

"Pyre…"

Silian's hands trembled a bit, backing off slowly as she looked at me with the same horrified expression.

"I-I… I think you should rest."

Cora soon followed, looking below me, and so my eyes decided to wander there.

I saw a flaming arm and a deformed glass table surface that bent to the heat.

Contrary to the flame's heat, a cold sweat formed on my forehead.

I slung my arms behind my back as I whistled through the hallowed hallways of the facility. It was already two in the afternoon when I was forcefully ejected out the office for my "stellar" behavior. Before leaving, I asked Cora about our schedule and thankfully enough, the class this morning seemed to be our only class for the day.

So I spent my time walking through the hallways in hopes that I may find the spot Silian told me, a balcony connecting the two atriums of the second floor. After some time spent on walking and getting at least two callouses on both my feet, I found the balcony.

It was a simple bridge like structure that looked over the expansive forest that lay beside out facility

A gust of wind soon blew my way and as I followed its direction, I found myself teetering over the edge of the rails, exposed to the beautiful scenery outside. There were trees that lined the entirety of the campus, a huge mountain range, and a vast expanse of the clear blue sky which stretched as far as the eye can see. It was a nice view for calming down.

If my eye sockets could only drink the vast expanse of nature, I would. However, since my only powers involved fire, I had to settle for straightening my back before taking in a huge swig of the fresh nature air. A smile soon appeared on my face following my actions inside the council office.

Why did I do that I wonder? Was it because we were both fond of anime? Was it because she was my roommate? Or did I just hate the thought of her being controlled by someone for their own gain?

Ah! Thinking about it drives me nuts!

I clawed at my frizzy black hair, causing it to puff up as soon as I moved it. It was soon followed by a sigh as I looked further into the distance to see if I can find anything interesting to distract myself with. Seconds pass, nothing, a minute passes, still nothing. I kept on searching for something only to find that there was nothing of interest to be seen except for the occasional flutter of leaves, a random flying bird, and the students walking in and out the campus as they went with their daily lives.

Tapping my fingers on the railing as I rolled my eyes, I contemplated whether I should be staying here or not, but much to my surprise, an unexpected variable showed up on what was supposed to be a meek nature watching experience.

My eyes widened when I saw a lone man making his way to the lush undergrowth. His black hoodie zipped up with his hood covering part of his face. Close behind him seemed to be a disciplinary committee member who took quick strides to catch up to the man.

Was this my ticket out, a possible evidence for Shan's case?! I bit my lip and carried on with my observation.

The man looked to the left, then to the right and when he saw that no one was there, he stepped under a tree's shade before pulling out something… a small black box. It was lustrous and somehow emitted a shine when it hit the light. That was until he pressed something on it and a faint light began to emanate from within.

I finally connected two and two at that point, discovering that the device was actually a phone.

But were phones allowed? Perhaps he was doing something illegal!

This was my chance!

I hurriedly turned tail from the balcony before breaking into a sprint. My legs burned through the smoothed tiles of the facility, but my hopes of arriving were soon dashed by two blockades.

There were two black uniformed students just a few meters ahead, and thanks to my pace, their eyes immediately darted towards me. Their brows slowly knit in a frown and with a loud yell, the two charged towards me.

"Stop running! Resistance will be met with even more punishment!"

The pair swiftly reacted, spanning their arms to block my advance. No… I cannot let this chance slip! I grit my teeth and dashed forward. I then formed a cross with my arms and with a loud yell, flames burst from my arms as I attempted to crash into them.

The two looked at me with wide eyes, one of them even let out a shrill scream.

Sorry, I was usually law abiding before I came into this facility…

I crashed into the pair and like a bunch of bowling pins, I barreled through their defense as they got pushed to the side. All I heard were the faint sounds of thuds when the two hit their heads on the wall.

Forgive me, but… this might be the only chance I got.

Taking a couple of lefts and a turn to the right, the lacquered doors soon revealed themselves to me.

My legs burned when I forced myself to go faster. I now let out puffs of air as I ran and I could feel the exhaustion setting in, but I knew that with just a bit more effort I can put that brooding bully into some trouble. Maybe… just maybe… Shan would be free.

My hands soon touched the door and with a spirited yell, I pushed it open, only to find the two comfortably lounging on the same sofa over a plate of macaroons.

I did it! I was here! I can free the lady!

"Geon has a phone! It is contraband, right?! RIGHT!"

The two stared at me wide eyed, Silian flinched and once more, Cora's eyes emanated a bright red light.

"Pyre! D-Didn't we tell you to cool-"

Shut it! We can finally do something President! I clenched my fist and yelled to get my point across

"You don't understand, we can finally save Shan with this!"

I let out a triumphant smile, hoping that they would act soon.

But Cora just let out a sigh.

I looked at her, still panting, only to see her pull out a similar black box to that of Geon's

"It's normal to have a phone Pyre…"

I…

Why did nobody tell me this?!