Emperor Ivan

When I reached the window, I immediately saw Vyfal, thankfully transformed into a fox (a very big one though, probably bigger than her qilin form), was curled up just under the window of my room in the infirmary building. I was a little puzzled as to why Vyfal was still big when she could just shrink down to the size of a cub.

I wanted to jump down and check on her but senior Leo caught my arms and told me not to.

“You’re still recovering. I can’t have you jumping just to gain more injuries. Kai and Peter will not stop nagging at me if that ever happens. Actually, that’s not even the worse one. I’m pretty sure Torii will break my bones if I let you get injured under my watch.”

“Torii?”

“Yeah. She does not show it on her face since she’s always stoic but she cares a lot for you.”

“Well…”

“Now about your familiar.”

“I know.” I leaned on the window and then called; “Vyfal!”

My familiar looked up and I could see the delight on her face.

“Kyuh!” <”Luna! You’re awake! You’re okay now, right?”>

She suddenly levitated and she was floating just outside my window, and I happen to be at the third floor. For a second, I was a little nervous at her act.

-Do fox familiars even float?

“I’m fine now Vyfal. How about you? Why are you… big? No, bigger?”

<”I’m not sure either. I was eating all those monster cores you know, but they tasted weird.”>

“Weird? Weird, how?”

<”Those monsters taste different than most monsters whose cores I’ve eaten so far.”> I could hear her sigh. <”I think whatever that weird taste was, is hindering my ability to shrink. Good thing I can still transform though. Torii managed to tell them that I’m a fox with a shrinking ability.”>

“Oh, I see. Do you think, you can shrink now?”

Vyfal stayed silent, trying to concentrate if she could shrink, but nothing happened.

<”I’ll just ask old man Bai about it when we get home.”>

“Okay. But be careful, okay?”

<”Roger!>”

Vyfal returned to the ground and lay down again, resting.

-She’s not really a fox but she’s as laidback as one.

I just shook my head. I turned to senior Leo and told him Vyfal was fine and that she was just having a hard time to shrink since whatever happened in the northern forest seem to be hindering with her ability to do so.

Next, he started questioning me of what happened in the northern forest. I tried to tell him what happened as best as I could, apart from the fact that Vyfal was a qilin since nobody seemed to have spilled it. If my friends did then senior Leo would’ve pointed it out already.

“Well your account checks out with the others. Right now, the Prime Minister herself is leading the investigation regarding the illegal experiments that have been happening under the old alchemy building, as well as the involvement of Dean Alkis. Or rather, it was him who was leading it.”

Senior Leo started mumbling under his breath but I could make out the words “Kai”, “Fox Curse” and “ten years ago”, so I immediately concluded that Senior Leo might’ve known something about what was in the northern forest all this time.

“You knew.” I said after hearing his mumbles. “You knew what was in there but you did not tell us? Or at least tell Kai and Peter?”

“In my defense, it was not my place to tell.” he replied immediately. “I did warn you, but what do I expect from curious kids like you guys. You even dragged Kai and Peter into it.”

Okay maybe I was a little bit over the line with my complaint of him not telling me anything about the old alchemy building but I did not appreciate being blamed for dragging Kai and Peter into the trouble in the northern forest.

“First of all,” I seriously sounded annoyed. “I had been waking up in that place without knowing the reason why, I had to do something. Kai happened to follow me by chance and said he remembered the place. And then he got abducted-“

“You could’ve waited for us?”

“And let Dean Alkis do whatever it is he intended to do with him?” I scoffed. “If we waited for you and the teachers, it would’ve been too late. I’m not expecting a thank you but I was hoping you wouldn’t say such a thing when I was only trying to save my friend.”

We were wrapped in an awkward silence for a minute. Senior Leo was about to say something but he was cut off by a knock on the door. Aunt Zaira came in with a man who was the spitting image of Sebastian following her.

“Your Majesty, Your Excellency.” Senior Leo greeted. I also stood up and curtsied towards them.

-The emperor? That means… he’s Sebastian’s father?

With that realization, my eyes widened at the sight of the two. I couldn’t call Aunt Zaira like I usually does too since there were other people around us. I was studying incognito in the Imperial Academy and apart from those who already knew me from before, most of the people thought my connection with the Archduchess was that I’m a citizen of her territory.

“You can go now Prince Leo.” Aunt Zaira said. “I can take it from here.”

“Yes Prime Minister Celestine.” Senior Leo curtsied again to the two newcomers and left the room.

I stared awkwardly at my adoptive aunt and the emperor. The latter was looking around the room while Aunt Zaira was staring at me too much.

“Uhm… what can I do for you, Your Majesty, My Lady?” I said in a formal way.

“Well to start, I am the one in-charge of investigating what just happened in the northern forest of the Imperial Academy grounds and any other incidents related to it.” Aunt Zaira said.

“I assigned it to her.” the emperor also said.

I noticed that the emperor answered in a very casual way and he seemed to be mindful of his actions around Aunt Zaira.

-But then again, if my understanding is correct, Emperor Ivan was also raised and trained by Aunt Zaira on his younger years, just like Sebastian.

“I am also here to personally thank you for saving my nephew and son.” Emperor Ivan added. “Not to mention you uncovered and stopped such atrocious acts within the Imperial Academy. I will make sure that you will be rewarded greatly for such achievement.”

“Uhm… Thank you?” I sounded unsure, after all being rewarded by the emperor meant getting known. There was also the possibility of getting unwanted attention. I had some experience from my previous life.

“I advise not make it a big deal though.” Aunt Zaira inserted which made me sigh in relief. “We’re trying to keep this case confidential, remember?”

“Geez Aunt Zaira, you’re just trying to keep your cherished children away from the spotlight until they come of age.”

“Which is a good move since I don’t want any unnecessary trouble, don’t you think so?”

“Well, I suppose you have a point. I mean, they are hiding their real identities while out in the world despite being your successors.”

Now hearing such a conversation would immediately make one suspicious or confused, I was both.

“Wait, time out… I mean… excuse me?”

“What is it Luna?” asked Aunt Zaira.

“He, I mean… His majesty knows about me, am I right?”

“Of course I do! I mean, why wouldn’t I? I was the one who signed the documents so the archduchess can legally adopt you.”

“Oh… I guess, that makes sense.”

“Anyway, I have to go I have an empire to run. I leave this to you Archduchess Celestine.”

“Rest assured your majesty, I will investigate this incident thoroughly.”

I watched as Emperor Ivan smiled and exited the room. Afterwards, I turned to my adoptive aunt who only looked nonchalant. But then again, she was nonchalant most of the time.

“Now then, I know you have questions. I’ll do my best to answer them.”