Reap What You Sow II

Maya blinked. She gave all her efforts not to burst into tears. Elena's words hit straight to the core. "I don't think I'm better than you," she said timidly, fighting tears from emerging. "I know you're angry, but you don't have to be so cruel."

Her voice trembled. Maya couldn't fight the tears, anymore.

They were interrupted by doors opening. Mrs Trento with her husband walked out of the office and kindly placed her hand on Elena's shoulder with motherly concern, oblivious to Maya being shaken up from their argument.

"Let's get you to a clinic, now."

Elena brushed off her hand. "I'm fine. If you want to take someone to a clinic that badly, take her instead," she suggested to Maya. "She smacked her head. Might even have a concussion." Elena redirected Mrs Trento's concern off herself, then turned her back to them, leaving Mrs. Trento blinking confused. Maya couldn't believe Elena could be so disrespectful toward adults.

Finally, Daria came out of the office as they watched Elena walking away. 

"Are you alright, Maya?" It seemed that Daria was the only person here that worried about Maya.

She nodded, insecurely.

"Come in then. Mr. and Mrs. Trento, I'll get in touch when this is resolved."

Maya entered the office and Daria led her through the side door into another office adjacent to it. It was smaller and less sumptuous, but cosy. However, it looked like it wasn't much 'lived in'.

"I apologize for not giving you a proper introduction on your first day of school," Daria said. "I wasn't aware that Amanda had assigned me as your guardian." This was the first time Maya had seen Daria since she'd dropped her off at the school.

"It's alright. The Headmistress talked to me instead," Maya said, but didn't believe her own words. She didn't like how Daria, her only anchor here, disappeared on her first day.

"I'm not sure what she was thinking," Daria started. "I'm not suited to be a guardian. I am frequently absent and you need someone who can give you all their attention."

"The Headmistress told me that already. She told me to consider her as your replacement when you're absent."

"She did?" Daria was genuinely surprised. "I guess signing herself as your guardian would be too inappropriate, so she used me as a substitute."

"Why would that be inappropriate?"

"If she's acting Headmaster of Amellan and candidate for election for the Rectoress of Academia, her attention should be devoted only to her duties," Daria explained but saw Maya didn't understand. She exhaled softly, deciding not to bother her with details. "Don't worry. That woman can manage the entire academy with the town and still have her time to intervene in the business of the ruling council of Mellgrah. I can ask her to assign you a proper guardian."

"You don't need to trouble yourself."

"Okay then. I won't treat you as a child and try to involve myself where I'm not needed, but feel free to contact me if you need any help."

"Thank you."

"I would also appreciate it if you didn't mention this incident to Amanda. Let me handle it."

"Okay," Maya nodded. "But can I ask why?"

"She had broken some serious rules. If Amanda had been here to handle this, she would've expelled her. Weapons are prohibited on the academy grounds and harming another student gets you instantly expelled."

"Are you covering this up?" Maya realized the severity of the repercussions that Elena should've been faced with. "Why are you doing this for her?"

"The first week hadn't even passed. It would be a tragedy to take away the chance elements gave her so soon. And it's not just for her. The other student broke the rules as well," Daria was compassionate. "I feel responsible. Back in the Vetus Orbis, I should've found her much sooner to prevent some bad things from happening to her."

"How can you be responsible for that? You couldn't even know until elements chose her, right?"

"It's much more complicated than that… Look, Maya, I know you're a smart girl and a good person. Can I ask you to watch out for Elena not carrying any more weapons? I need her to keep away from trouble."

"I'm not sure how can I stop her. We fought just now. I don't think she wants to do anything with me."

"She's just angry. She'll come around. I'm just afraid that I won't be able to do anything if something like this happens again."

"Can't you just take away all her knives? She has a full room of them," Maya suggested, followed by feeling a shred of guilt for the meddling suggestion. If someone would get rid of Elena's knives, Maya would certainly feel more at ease, however, she was aware Elena wouldn't be happy.

"If I do that, it would blow this incident out of proportion. It requires an official request to search a student's room. And then the news comes to Amanda."

"But everyone saw them fighting. Everybody knows. You can't keep that from her."

"She doesn't get bothered by words circling around. If you don't mention it to her, it won't matter. Leave it to me to explain to Amanda."

"I won't tell her," Maya said. "…Are you going to allow Elena to continue training as a warrior?" she was curious.

"I have to reassess over it. It is unconventional to have her train for a warrior in the first place, and it is obviously creating conflicts. I don't think I should allow it."

Maya's gaze scanned her feet, knowing she should confess listening in. "I heard some of your conversation and her threats from earlier."

"Ah… I'm sorry you had to hear that. Sometimes, she can be overly dramatic." It felt like Daria knew Elena well. "It's nothing to worry about. She doesn't really intend to do anything she threatened about."

"She obviously cares about it. I think you should let her continue."

Elena took a great risk only earning herself an audition to Warrior's Practice. In that fight with Chris there, the outcome could've gone either way. She was acting tough and cocky, but Maya could tell Elena gave her all.

Daria narrowed her eyes.

"I appreciate your opinion. However, it is up to me to make that decision. If you don't have anything else for me, I suggest you return to your practice, it has already begun."