Looks like Trouble

I slammed my palms on the wall, caging Adelredus.

"What the hell are you up to now, you psycho?" I asked.

"First, you avoid me for a week. Then, you use a letter—which, I've never seen you use before since you usually just barge into my room. Now, you're telling me to take in disciples? Noble children at that?! What is up with you?" I interrogated as I paced in his makeshift office.

"Like I wrote, they're from influential families. I want only the best to take care of them while they stay here. Having them study under you will also be beneficial to the publicity of the Tower."

Beneficial to the Tower? What is he on about?

"Oh, so there's a time limit to this?"

"Just a month, at most."

"A month?!" I exclaimed.

"You just have to show them the ropes, teach them what you know. The rest is up to them." Adelredus clasped his fingers together, giving me a condescending look.

"And what about my schedule? I have my own way of doing things."

"I'll take you off the list for the matches for a month."

My mouth dropped in shock. "You'll do what?"

"I'll also make sure it doesn't affect your current ranking this season. Plus, if you do a good job, I might even consider giving you a vacation!"

"... That's not going to work on me, Adelredus. We both know I don't need—"

"Outside the Sky Tower!"

I paused. I looked at Adelredus, scrutinizing his expression.

"... Go on."

His poker face finally melted into an expression of defeat. "I'll let you go outside the Sky Tower if you do a good job. I'll even arrange it so that you can go outside without any worries about the... rats tailing you."

I couldn't help but be surprised. Nevertheless, the offer was not something I'd let go of. "Deal. Now write a proper contract so that I can keep your word for it."

Adelredus' poker face was back and he smiled at me. He wasted no time writing up the contract. As soon as he was done, I read and reread the contract before signing it with him.

"By the way, before I forget. Why weren't you pestering me for a week? And you even used a letter to communicate, instead of barging into my room like always." I asked the man.

"I was busy." He replied, almost immediately. I studied his expression, suspicious at the way he answered.

"Liar. You've always made it a point to disturb me even when you're busy. Don't try to fool me, old man. I know your habits."

One thing that's ever good that came from living with a psychopath, is that I became accustomed to analyzing him. From his mannerisms, to his line of thought, I've learned to trace the connection and draw conclusions on my own.

"If you're asking for the truth, then sad to say. You're barking at the wrong tree, Kari." Adelredus replied with a serious tone.

"That's not going to stop me, Adelredus. So, just tell me." Rebelliously I retorted. Adelredus gave me a stern look. He stood up from his chair and made his way over to me.

He stopped, a few feet away and simply looked at me. I had to crank my neck up to look at him.

We stared at each other in silence.

Usually, I would've dropped the subject, then and there. I wasn't one to pry. But, seeing those dark circles underneath his golden-brown eyes and his sickly pallor, made me think otherwise. Something was off.

Adelredus Hahn is not a respectable man. If anything, he's the type who lies without reason—the worst kind of person there could be. And he always puts himself first.

So, clearly it's easier to hate him than to think fondly of him.

However living by his side for ten years, I couldn't help but care. Even though he was only my dad on paper; even though I knew he only wants to take advantage of me—I still cared about him.

With a sigh, Adelredus conceded.

"... I have to go away from the Tower for a month."

"What?! But, why?" This was too sudden. "Does this have anything to do why those two kids are here?"

Adelredus shrugged. "You're not wrong. But, don't think too much of it. Really, I just have to take care of a few things in my hometown."

I knew he was lying, from the way he had that poker smile on his lips.

"Why? You never step outside for too long. Besides, the royal guards—what are you going to do with them? How are you going to avoid a confrontation?"

"... I have a plan. And, like I said—don't think too much of it."

"But, you! You're a fugitive, old man! The only reason you've been able to avoid the authorities so far is because we have the Sky Tower that you built with your blood, sweat, and tears. Why are you suddenly going back to your hometown? Didn't you tell me before that we're never going back there? So why are you—"

"Kari Faust."

The words dried up in my throat. Adelredus gave me a hardened stare.

That was his way of telling me not to push it. I bit my lip in frustration.

"Fine. Do whatever you want then." It's not like anything I say would change his mind. In fact, does my woes even matter to him? Apparently not. With nothing else to say, I left his room. But, before I could slam the door shut, Adelredus called out to me.

"... I'll be leaving tonight. Just focus on the task that I've left you." So he said. Hearing that he was going to leave tomorrow, I was tempted to protest.

But, I knew that doing so was pointless.

I studied Adelredus one last time, taking note of his poker smile and lifeless eyes. There was once a time that I wished for those eyes to light up only when looking at me. But, that was merely child's dream.

I scoffed at my own naïve thinking.

"Is that so?"

I closed the door behind me.

Just what is he hiding?