[21.2] Becoming a Master Manipulator

…Weeks later…

I sat in the carriage, puffing out my cheeks in a pout. The Headmaster sat across from me and Zephyr with a stony expression.

I looked at him with pleading eyes, "Why can't I go with you?"

The Headmaster sighed, "I've told you many times. The students are selected randomly. I have no control over who goes and who doesn't."

I whined, "But you're the Headmaster!!! No one would dare argue with you if you brought me along!"

He shook his head, "That wouldn't be fair to the other students."

I clenched my jaw in frustration, "But why are you taking me to Chief Gonza's place!?"

"He's going to be watching you while I'm gone."

"But I don't want him to! Can't I just stay home by myself!?"

"Absolutely not. I don't want to come back to see my tower in ashes."

"But why Gonza!? I don't want to stay in that stuffy attic room at his headquarters!!"

"...He doesn't actually live there."

I sat back and crossed my arms, "Could have fooled me."

He stared at me without emotion, "Captain Lou also offered to let you stay with him and his siblings."

I flinched, "That demon of a man!? No way!"

How could I forget how rude he was when I first woke up in this world!?

No way!

That man has a grudge against me!! He'd probably use the opportunity to throw me in a prison cell!

The Headmaster shrugged, "Then you'll have to stay with my brother. I only have those two options."

Why does he have such a small social circle!?

I groaned in irritation and slowly slunk down in my seat. Zephyr yawned next to me without a care in the world.

He could care less where we went as long as there would be food.

When the carriage finally rolled to a stop, the Headmaster grabbed my suitcase and walked towards the door. I froze in horror, "Please tell me this isn't the place…"

The Headmaster nodded, "It's the place. He lives above the butcher shop."

My face paled.

Although I too used to live above stores, they weren't nearly as bad as the one in front of me. It looked exactly like a place where rent was cheap and cockroaches were a daily occurrence.

It was a stark contrast to my beautiful tower.

Zephyr took a deep breath, "Ooo! Raw steak!"

I grabbed Zephyr before he could dive into the shop's dumpster, "Why does he live here!? Isn't he the head of the police!?! Shouldn't he be making a lot of money!!?"

The Headmaster sighed, "He does make a lot of money in his position… Unfortunately, that money goes to funding his little projects."

I raised an eyebrow, "Projects?"

The Headmaster didn't explain and knocked on the door next to the shop. Behind the door, I could hear someone running down the stairs frantically. Chief Gonza threw the door open, "Come in! Come in. I just finished cleaning."

I made a face and followed him upstairs unwillingly.

Once we entered, I realized it was even worse than the outside. Dishes were laid out everywhere and blankets were thrown haphazardly on the couch. On his wall were even more newspaper clippings and conspiracy theories which he attempted to cover up with a single bedsheet.

Judging by the look on the Headmaster's face, he wasn't very happy to see the apartment either.

Chief Gonza noticed his look and forced out a laugh, "If I took it down then it'd be hard to put it back up…"

I don't know what his version of cleaning is, but this room is certainly not clean.

Well… Now I kind of understand why he said he wasn't in the position of taking children.

This place is a nightmare.

I looked at Chief Gonza's messy apartment then back to him. He let out a somber chuckle, "It's… It's a work in progress."

Does sloppiness run in the family!?

He pointed down the small hallway, "The guest room is just over there."

No no no!

I can't stay here!

One: he's a cop and I hate cops.

Two: he's clearly the irresponsible brother!!!

BAH!

NO!

I HAVE to do something!!! I can't stay here for two weeks!

I have no choice.

I have to become…

A child.

I took a deep breath and slapped my cheeks fiercely. Gonza jumped, "W-What are you doing!?"

I pinched my thigh so hard it caused my eyes to water.

I grabbed onto the Headmaster's coat with tearful eyes and a pitiful face, "Father! Please don't leave me!"

The Headmaster looked as if he had been hit with a bag of bricks from my sudden attack.

I didn't dare stop.

I sniffled, "Perhaps… Father… Father is abandoning me?"

He flinched, "N-No- I'm just- uh-"

I started hiccuping, "I knew you'd abandon me! I knew it! Father doesn't like me at all!"

He froze from being dealt with the severe blow.

Before he could stutter again, I broke out into a forced wail, "WHY DO YOU HATE MEEEE???"

He cried out in a panic, "I don't! I really don't! It's just that it wouldn't be fair to the other students-"

Sh*t! It's not enough!!! I have to really seal the deal!

My eyes watered, "I-If Father leaves me, then he's not my Father! I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!"

The Headmaster visibly crumbled before my eyes, but he still wasn't given in.

Ah! Guilt-tripping isn't working either!!

I need to hit him with a threat!

I let him go and crossed my arms with an angry pout, "If I get abandoned… Then I will be forced to set fire to Uncle Gonza's house and watch it burn to the ground."

"Uncle Gonza?" Gonza's face lit up with elation before suddenly falling, "WAIT!? Set fire to WHAT!?!"

I closed my eyes and raised my nose, "I have no love for anyone who abandons me. Last time it was my real parents and now my new Father is going to do the same. Why wouldn't I set fire to everything? It's not like anyone would care about me if I got hurt or went to jail! I will always be alone with no one to love me!"

I waited for a response but heard nothing.

Did it work?

I reopened my eyes cautiously.

I could see frost covering the windows and the room starting to freeze over. The Headmaster looked so intimidating that I unconsciously took a step back.

Oops. Did I overdo it?

Chief Gonza cut in, "Aldrich… Just take her. Please. I beg you. I want my house to continue standing."

Bah. Idiot man. Setting fire to your apartment would be an improvement.

He continued, "Plus, she's better off being watched by someone with better magical skill. I'm not bad at magic, but I couldn't possibly prevent one of her explosions."

The Headmaster looked at me tentatively, "If I let you come… Will you behave?"

My face brightened, "If Papa lets me, I will be the bestest girl in the world!"

I could see him considering it.

My smile turned sinister, "...But if my Papa leaves me behind, I will burn down the entire city."

He let out a sigh, "Very well. You can come… I think I would feel better if you were with me anyway."

I leaped into the air, "Yippee!"

Zephyr shook his head and muttered, "Manipulative human."

I held my head up high with pride.

Sometimes it's worth selling your soul if it means you can get what you want.