Chapter 35: INFILTRATION 1!

Today is yet another peaceful day. With Shinra standing at the front going about her lecture and my classmates focusing on class like always, the daily normalcy is on. It was past their time limit, yet Varvara and Maria aren't back yet. I wonder if something happened? I'm quite worried. After all, it's Varvara we're talking about. She is no doubt a good person, but that shyness of hers is her undeniable weakness. I hope everything went fine.

Looking through the window reveals the pleasant weather. The blue sky and the bright unmoving sun. The wind's warm too. The greenery not far is a sight to behold. Sigh… why do I have to attend class when the day is so good for napping?

"Hey, Stasis! Quit spacing out and listen to me properly!"

"Y-yes…"

I got scolded by Shinra again.

Another peaceful day indeed or so I thought, but as soon as I shift my gaze from Shinra towards the writings black board—a chill suddenly ran down my spine. Why did I not notice this much earlier?!

Shinra also stopped writing and looked abruptly at the outside. Her face contorted and her brows raised. From where I was sitting, I can get the full view of what happening. All of the sudden, out of the blue—A light sparked directly above the skies of Saint Stella Academy.

"What the—a magic circle?!"

It's no surprise that Dio would be taken aback. Actually, I was, too. I was careless! How can I let something like this pass before me?

The light from the magic circle gradually grew brighter as the layered scriptures of the magic circle rotated clock and counterclockwise grinding against each other and eventually it engulfed the whole academy with golden light. A barrier? There were virtual blue lines visible as if cracks from above to its lowest part, but seemingly it is one of its featured characteristics.

No, that's not all to it!

"Wh-what was that?!"

"A magic circle?!"

"It's a barrier!"

"W-what is happening?!"

The class begun to make a fuss. But with Shinra in front, calming them down was easier.

"Calm down, everyone. We need to keep our cool in times like this. Isn't that something you learned from your lessons?"

They all nodded in agreement. As expected of Shinra. She's a perfect teacher, if I exclude our private time together… But there is definitely odd about this.

"What…"

I can't feel the flow of mana in me. How about my ability?

"Shadow Manipulation—Connective Insight"

As I thought! No good, that barrier is something that makes all the ability rendered useless. What a timing for Jin to be away! It's no doubt about it, they're coming after Maria!

Searching for her with my shadows now is impossible. Running around is the only option I've got! But if I waited, I might be already late as the campus is bigger than your normal one. So, I raised my hand and stood.

"Shin—I mean miss Tokugawa, I shall excuse myself for a bit."

Everyone in the class is looking at me with their puzzled expression. It seemed even after Shinra had calmed them down, the fear is still present. However, this time I don't have the luxury to deal with each of them.

I, then, ran towards the door without even waiting for her reply.

"Hey, Gleren! Where—!"

Shinra followed me at the door and grabbed one of my arms, my classmate's eyes are following us. Looking as if anxious, Shinra pulled me out of their sight, outside the classroom.

"I'd be out for a sec. Miss Tokugawa should do what she must."

"No! We still don't know what is happening! It's too dangerous!"

"That's exactly why I must go now!"

She looked at me as if she's about to cry. Is she that worried about me? I'm touched, really.

"You know it too, right? That barrier is preventing us from using our ability! Even if you're strong, if you can't use your ability, then—auuu!"

She cried cutesy and held her top, as a karate chop landed on her head.

"It's years too early for you to worry about me, Shinra."

I smiled at her. I don't mean to sound arrogant or cool or whatever, I was just trying to calm her down. She blushed a little. Cute.

"I have to find Varvara and miss Valentine. I'm worried since it's already this late on their schedule but they haven't returned yet."

"How about your little sister?"

"She's with Reina so there's no need to worry about her for now."

Shinra lined her brows… she's been doing this a lot this morning.

"But…"

"And I'll tell you this, when it comes to raw strength, Reina is way stronger than me. And there are things that only you can do, right?"

I pointed inside the classroom.

"You're a teacher, are you not?"

Then I sprinted away as I said that. I noticed her narrowing her eyes again, but she nodded in affirmation before returning to the class. This way, the class with be as good as organized with Shinra there. I don't have to worry.

I know I said all those to Shira, but there's no way I'm not worried about Sofy and Reina. As I was running at the corridor in search of Maria and Varvara, a voice reverberated around the whole school;

[Students of this institution, hear me out! This place is now under my authority! If you attempt to retaliate, we will kill you! Your ability is no longer functioning! Your only choice is to surrender!]

"Tsk. They really came to us!"

With my ability useless, I don't have a clue where to start searching for those two. Varvara, Maria, just where on earth are you?!