A Feint

What is the most insecure feeling, you have felt?

Is it your friends talking behind your back? Or something like your girlfriend/ boyfriend cheating on you? Or something related to your performance as a student or at job?

These are mostly normal types. 

But going one step higher, there is one horrific insecurity, if left unnoticed for too long, can make the person insanely maniac.

That's called existential insecurity.

A sub part of it is what must have felt by the maid....what was her name again? Something like Alice? Well, whatever.

And Emmeline, though in mild amount. 

When a person is cookin- , I mean conspiring something and trying to remain as low key as possible, then the most terrifying thing for them would be someone sabotaging their plans.

It might be referred to as the fear of the unknown.

It's already been 17 days from when I reincarnated and 13 days remaining for my return to the Royal Academy after being suspended.

This terrorist attack plan is definitely associated with the dispute between different course students and Emmeline Neville. That fact is confirmed.

Today, a forum is being conducted between students of course 1 and course 2 in the presence of the student council members, and some guards as security. 

The real battle starts now.

***

{Royal Academy, Emmeline's Room}

Emmeline paced back and forth, her face a mask of calm determination. Her maid, Eris, stood by the door, watching her mistress with wary eyes.

"The training camp for the second-year students should have commenced by now," Emmeline said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And the first-year teachers wouldn't attend this forum, believing it to be beneath their concern. The principal is already out of the academy."

Eris nodded. "Everything is in place, my lady. The guards' morning food was mixed with sedatives. They should be incapacitated by now, ensuring no interference."

Emmeline's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good. They will have no hindrance. They will take the artifact peacefully. This is our chance to strike and make a statement."

"Tell them to remain on stand by. Then wait for my command to send them a signal to commence the subjugation."

"Understood, my lady."

"Alright. Let's go to the central hall."

***

{Royal Academy, Central Hall}

The hall was filled with a tense mix of course 1 and course 2 students.

Representatives from both groups sat at the front, including the council members Christiana, Harald, Scott, and Emmeline. Edwin, the representative of the first-year course 2 students, stood among them with a determined look.

Discussions were intense but civil. The second-year course 2 students aired their grievances about the disparities in curriculum and treatment by both teachers and course 1 students.

The council members listened intently, proposing solutions and amendments.

In the end, an agreement was reached. The council proposed two fixed positions for course 2 students within the council body.

This would ensure representation and a voice in decision-making. As more than half of the student body agreed to it, the third years, when they returned from their training camp, would be forced to comply, with some adjustments.

The cooperation between the second and first-year student councils played a crucial role in this peaceful resolution.

Despite Emmeline's covert glances, everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly. There was no sign of the chaos she had anticipated.

'How the heck this happened?' Emmeline thought to herself in bewilderment. 

***

{Cecille's House}

I sat on the veranda of Cecille's house, staring out at the peaceful garden. The tranquility was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing at the academy.

I was lost in thought, considering the intricate web of plans and conspiracies, when Christiana arrived.

"The plan went well. And the guards stationed outside the academy caught a suspicious man loitering around. I think they fell into the trap."

"Well, that's our win for now. Inform me about the interrogation process. And today, you should return to the academy now. We can't attract suspicion towards us."

"Alright."

With that, she left. I might be wrong, but she somewhat had a triumphant look on her face.

Well, that's to be expected. This plan was carried solely by her. 

Emmeline wanted to use this gathering as a chance to instigate the attack. The day before this forum, second year students were about to go on a training camp with all their teachers. And the first year teachers didn't bother to get involved in this forum. Moreover, the guards were to be sedated by her maid during the forum. 

This was the plan she came up with. I would say it was full of holes.

***

{A few days earlier}

"You decided to conduct a forum?"

"Yes, we, the first year student council along with course 1 and course 2 students would participate in this." Christiana replied.

"Hmm....Yeah, this is our chance to find out the truth."

"What truth?"

"No, I mean info about this terrorist attack."

"You say that but if she is planning something then isn't it the best chance for them to attack? We should prepare for a counterattack immediately."

"Nah, you are half correct. If she is indeed planning to attack this time, then we should just ruin her preparations."

"What does that mean?"

"From what you have told before, I think, Emmeline isn't planning for any type of violence. That's why she is waiting for such long time to get a perfect chance. A chance when all the teachers and our seniors would be out of the academy. And when there would be confusion among the first year students. If these conditions are met then she would signal them to attack, but what if these are not met?"

"....I understand what you are saying, but how would we do that?"

"Yeah, but before that, have you met Kevin yet?"

"Yes. Despite being a course 2 student, he practices till late night everyday. Honestly, I am impressed by his consistency."

That means she is also staying in the training grounds for that late at night. And Kevin would have noticed this too. So this is a good chance for them to interact. 

"First of all, make sure to ask him about the situation about course 2 students. Then try to find out if their leader is somehow connected with Emmeline. If he isn't then we would proceed with our plan, but if he is then we would have to change it."

"Wait. How would he know all of that?"

"Don't worry. He is that type of guy. And make sure to pull this info out of him, giving some premonitions like a big attack is going to happen, something like that. Moreover, make sure that he doesn't get offended."

"Then what about the others?"

"Yeah, if there is no connection between them, then we would proceed to the second process, that's stopping the second year training camp. Leave that matter to me."

"Are you sure?"

Its nothing complex. In the novel too, they went on a training camp at this time. First they would visit a dungeon inside this city, then they would go to nearby cities to explore dungeons. I just have to leave some evidence of a large monster loitering around entrance point of the dungeon in the city, and report it to the guards through the guild. That would postpone this camp for some time and recheck the dungeon's safety.

"Yes, then about the third process. You have to kidnap my sister again."

"What?"

"Send a letter to her by the name of Kevin to meet you at some distance from the academy. After that, make her unconscious by this sedative and bring her here. Make sure she doesn't recognize you."

"Are you crazy? Isn't it too risky?"

"Imagine a kidnapping at your academy and constant letters of threats from an anonymous individual just before a forum between students. The teachers would not sit silent. They are not attending this forum because they have left all this matter to the students to handle. So we have to give them a reason to attend this. And about the threat letters, leave that to me."

Also I want to make sure of some facts. Like how much she has fallen for Kevin, you know, for rescuing her last time. That would come in handy later on.

"Then remaining problem is about the guards."

"About them, first you have to figure out their shift rotation and who are on duty at the time of the forum. I am sure if she wants them out of the picture, then she would use sedatives. Then you just have to mix their food with its antagonist drug everyday. This would be sufficient."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, if its a success then we would gain a huge advantage. Keep everything secret from Emmeline. And do everything on the night of the preceding day to the forum When she would witness her plan falling apart, she would call off the attack. That would delay her plans and we would gain some more time till the next attack."

"Will things go that smoothly?"

"Don't worry too much and get back to work as soon as possible."

"Okay, then."

***

{Present}

I watched as Christiana left, my mind already turning to the next steps. The forum had gone off without a hitch, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Christiana, Harald, Kevin, and my sister, Emma. Emmeline's plans had been thwarted, and the academy remained safe for now.

But this was just the beginning. There were still many battles to be fought, and I had no intention of losing.

Because, these changes will further stir up things, among the students' dispute, Emmeline and more importantly, the second year student council members. I am looking forward to my first day at the academy.

By the way, when my sister came to her senses, I asked her about Kevin and she slapped me. Then Christiana told some lies mixed with some truth and took her back to the academy.

Probably, her hatred for me is still too strong. I could tell that from her disgusted look.

Well. its not like I can do something about that. 

I wonder what was Chris's relationship like with his family before he was kicked out. 

No, that should be obvious.

Still, during this time of heated conspiracies, I couldn't help but be excited about my new school life.