31 Everyone’s Mask

["You brat! You dare eat with us? I brought you in and this is how you respect me? Listen to me!"

She took me to a broom closet, emotion getting beaten out of me by her fists. She tossed me in like I were luggage being loaded on a plane.

"Think about what you did in there!"

The door closed and the lock clicked. It didn't open for two days.]

***

I awoke in a bed with bandages covering my wounds.

'Those days still haunt me,' I thought.

I got off the bed and opened the curtain to find a woman in a white lab coat.

"I see you're up. How do you feel?"

"I feel fine but where is this?"

"This is the school's medical wing and i'm the head nurse here. You can address me as Mrs. Wax."

I sensed someone outside, "Come in, Warren."

Warren walked in from the hallway and shut the door behind him.

"How'd you know?"

"I could feel your presence. Mrs. Wax, I would like to have a private conversation with Warren."

She smiled, "It's alright, I'll be in the hallway if you need anything."

As soon as she left I turned to Warren, "You know what i'm going to say so start talking."

"No need to be so pushy. I'm a man of my word so I'll tell you about my relations with the dragons."

Warren pulled his necklace over his shirt into view. It was the same as mine. He also revealed his hand that had a ring similar to mine but with a different gem.

"I'm the Assassin."

"I'm not convinced, summon your dragon."

Warren closed his eyes, "Come forth, Black Dragon."

Sure enough a dragon appeared but it was... small? Warren must have seen my expression because he explained.

"They can change size at will. I usually let him sit on my shoulder since it's convenient."

'I'm going to have to get Atlas to do that.'

Warren was slightly suspicious, "Why is it that you wanted to know anyway?"

"All I'll say is that we're going to work together in the future so let's get along, especially you Oden."

The little dragon was surprised, "Only Warren knows my name as he gave it to me. How do you know it?"

I shrugged, "Just a lucky guess. See you in class."

I left the way he came in and met Mrs. Wax in the hallway.

"Should I be somewhere right now or should I go home?"

"Ah, that's right, i'll lead you to your class."

We walked through the hallway making twists and turns until we finally reached the place.

"This is Room 1-A, your homeroom for the rest of the year. If you ever need anything, come find me. Oh, and here's your class schedule. It indicates the room, time, and subject of the class. For example, you're in room 3-C right after homeroom for Water Magic which covers everything on water magic over the course of your time here."

I sighed, "Does that mean my schedule will be more packed than other's considering my magic types?"

"Unfortunately. You will have to take a class on each of the magics you can cast plus any extra classes you chose to take beforehand. My door is always open if you have any more questions."

"Thanks, Mrs. Wax."

The classroom was as big as I expected. As I entered the classroom, that looked like a college lecture hall, heads turned in my direction and whispering filled the silence. I sat in the front because the seats were mostly empty. A tall boy approached me.

"You must be the infamous Nova Orchid everyone has been talking about."

I didn't look in his direction, "Who's asking?"

"I'm the winner of the forth bracket, Brace Igneel. I also heard that you're a tetra-mage with the ice hex."

I sized him up, "You don't look like much but I guess anything is possible."

Brace laughed it off, "You're fierce, I like it. Let's be friends since we're both bracket winners."

"You're mask is too thin."

"What?"

"The real you is tired of putting on a mask. Though, aren't we all?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

His facade slightly cracked as the weight of my words tore through his mask.

"I'll be your friend since I understand you. Just be yourself around me though."

His expression warped into shock but ultimately he sighed then genuinely smiled.

"I'll be in your care."

"Likewise."

A loud gong reverberated throughout the school and our homeroom teacher yelled, "Go to your next class!"

"Brace, would you happen to be going to room 3-C?"

Brace was startled that I took initiative, "Ah, yes. Are you as well?"

"That's correct. Would you show me the way?"

Brace smiled widely, "It would be my pleasure."

As we were walking through the halls I noticed a little tear roll down his face.

"Brace, what's the matter?"

He stopped in his tracks and looked out the window.

"It's been awhile since the last time I removed my mask."

I walked to his side and stared out with him.

"Tell me about it Mr Earl."

Brace chuckled, "So you knew, huh?"

"I know a lot of things but there's one thing I don't know."

"What's that?"

"You knew I was a commoner yet you approached me anyway. Why?"

"Because your flame was different."

"So different people have different flames?"

"Not necessarily but you're the only white flame i've seen before."

We started walking again, "You use fire magic subconsciously to tell whether someone is bad or good or if they are approachable by flame color and heat energy? Interesting."

"How did you-?"

"Don't worry I won't tell anyone. Everyone has secrets, just like how i'm actually a

tetra-mage with the ice and song hexes. A secret for a secret."

"Ah... wait, that's not okay!"

We arrived at the room.

"One more thing, meet me by the entrance to the school's forest after classes today. I want to verify something."

"Sure, let's sit together."

Most of the students had already arrived and sat to their liking while Brace and I found the last two open seats and sat together.

"If you need help with anything water magic related i'm you're go-to."

"Thanks, Nova."

The teacher finally settled in and spoke, "I am the old fart you'll be stuck with for the rest of the year. Oh, before I forget, is there a Nova Orchid in this class?"

I stood, "Yes, that's me."

The teacher straightened his glasses with his index finger, "Principal Mahogany wants to see you."

The class started murmuring but I ignored them. I said bye to Brace and started walking to the principal's office. Once I arrived I knocked on the door and a feminine voice welcomed me.

"Come in."

I entered and Principal Mahogany motioned for me to sit.

"I'm a bit curious as to why I was called here, Principal Mahogany."

"Please, Mrs. Mahogany is fine. As for the reason I called you here, Let's discuss over some tea."

She grabbed a tray with two porcelain cups and a beautifully designed teapot and poured me a cup, then herself one.

I sat back in my chair and sighed, "You're idea for a test is quite... interesting, though I prefer tea without any added substance. Now, how much do you know about me?"

She smiled, "So the rumors were true."

"I don't know who's spreading rumors of what and I don't really care. Now, if you would answer my question?"

She smiled, "I'll cut to the chase. How would you feel about being a song magic teacher here? Of course, you will be paid the same amount as the other teachers."

"That's quite an interesting offer, though I feel offended that you'd assume a commoner such as myself would accept just for a flimsy paycheck."

She chuckled a bit, "So you can read minds. Although you are a commoner, I did not intend any offense in my thoughts. I can see to it that you are paid more."

"I'm not interested in money."

She seemed confused, "Then what do you suggest, Ms. Orchid?"

"I'd like to make a business transaction with the school for one of my products."

She became intrigued, "Oh? And what is this product?"

"They will be going public soon so until then i'm not at liberty to say the details. It's a long distance communication device that's small enough to be placed in one's ear. The expected vitality of it is one year."

Mrs. Mahogany's face was filled with shock.

"In your case, it can be used in mock combat for communication with allies since the distance at which it spans is around five miles."

Her face had a troubled expression filled with internal strife.

"And how much do these cost?"

"For you, twenty five silver coins for one."

She sat in thought for a few minutes then came to an answer, "I'll accept your terms. You will start teaching tomorrow after your electrical magic class."

"Sounds good but I'll have to have you sign a contract that i'll have Mrs. Jade Grace prepare."

We shook hands then I was forced back into a boring water magic lecture.

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Author's Note: There will be an extra tomorrow for the 4th of July. See you tomorrow!

Update: I'll be taking a break from writing as this is the last chapter of this volume. A new volume is in the works. The extra will be released when I have time to finish it as well.