[57.6] A Friend to Find a Body

I flew back to the Capital, but when I got close enough, I got down and purchased a carriage while hiding my identity. Instead of going straight home, I went to the art gallery where I was shocked to find it spotless.

Felix was there waiting for me, "Reika! I did just what you asked."

I knelt down and ran my finger over the surface, "There's no trace of blood."

He winked at me, "Of course not. I'm an expert at hiding blood stains. I've been doing it for years."

I raised my head, "Huh?"

He smiled brightly, "Nothing."

"But you just said-"

"REIKA!?"

I flinched, "What what what!?"

He rushed over to me in a hurry, pulling up my sleeves and getting pale upon seeing the countless bandages. "Why are you covered in bandages!?"

"Oh." I laughed awkwardly, "When I teleported, it turned out to be harder than I thought. I got burned quite a bit."

His lips pinched together and he pulled out his wand, "Let me heal you."

"It's fine. It's already-"

He ignored me and used his magic to get rid of the burns already scabbing over. I watched as they disappeared without a trace and pulled off the rest of my bandages, "Wow. Sometimes I forget how incredible you are."

"I'm hardly incredible." He changed the subject, "So what happened? The entire town is saying that Chief Gonza died from a demon attack. Is that true?"

I shook my head, "It's not. He got attacked by the Orphelio family. Apparently, he figured out the truth behind his parent's death and stumbled onto an important figure who tried to kill him with Holy magic disguised as a demonic curse."

"Tried?"

I smiled with a wink, "He's in a safe place. That's all you need to know."

He let out a sigh, "What a relief. When he came in here looking like that, I was really panicked. I thought our gallery was about to become haunted."

I pinched him to vent my frustrations, "You brat."

"Ow, ow, ow!"

"A haunting should be the least of your worries." I stopped my assault and went to the more important part, "Did you cover for me as I asked?"

He nodded, "I did. I paid off people at the auction house to say that we went there to purchase new stuff for our gallery. Since we have to hide our identities, it will be plausible for you to disappear for a day. No one would know the truth."

I rubbed his head, "Good boy!"

He laughed joyfully and added, "It's a good thing you sent me that letter. Sure enough, people from the Orphelio family came looking for you. My people convinced them that you were somewhere else and didn't know a thing. They even broke into our gallery, but couldn't locate any blood and were forced out thanks to your magic circle. For now, I don't think we need to worry about them… It's just the issue of your Uncle's missing body."

I let out a sigh, "You're right. They won't stop looking for him until they find the body. If only we can create a fake replica."

Felix gave a mischievous giggle, "Leave that to me. If they want a body, I can give them a body."

When I looked into his eyes, I realized the conniving look was unfamiliar, yet familiar.

It wasn't an expression that Felix has ever made, but…

I've definitely seen it before.

How odd.

I flicked his forehead, "No killing anyone."

He held his forehead with a laugh, "For something like this, I don't need to kill someone to get a body. Just put your faith in me."

I gave him a salute, "You're the one person I have the most faith in."

His face froze for a brief second, a flash of confusion traveled through his eyes but was gone the next instant. He changed the subject, "You should go to the Headmaster. When news of the body reaches you, you need to act genuine. They will be watching, I'm sure."

I hesitated, "Felix… Do you think I should hide the truth from my father? I can't bear him to think my Uncle is dead… When my mother lost my uncle, she was devastated for so long… The Headmaster already lost his parents… To lose a brother…"

My face twisted.

It would be agony.

Felix watched my expression, reading it as if I was an open book. When I realized his eyes were suddenly peering into my thoughts, I looked up to check just what was giving me such a nervous feeling. However, all I saw were his kind and gentle eyes as he was wearing his usual smile.

He comforted me, "If it causes you that much guilt, then tell him. Just make sure he gives a good response when the time comes."

I chewed on my cheeks and gave a reluctant nod. After being pushed out of the door by Felix, I leisurely made my way home, skipping as I side-glanced at everyone I passed.

Maybe it is just the paranoia, but why do I feel like everyone is watching me so closely?

No. Ignore it.

Act natural.

As I made my way to the steps of my house, I found several M.I.B officers outside and the door wide open. I slowed my steps and walked over slowly, "Just what is going on over here?"

The officers looked at me with unkind eyes and didn't explain a thing.

Hm? Have I ever seen them before?

I walked past them not ashamed to stick out my tongue at them.

You're not friends of my Uncle's.

Once I strolled inside, I was met by my mother crying and a helpless Zephyr trying to console her. The Headmaster had ice growing from under his soles as his expression darkened to a frightening degree.

Aha. Just as I thought.

They were given the news.

I pretended to be confused, "What's going on? Are we in trouble for treason or something? What's with all the serious faces?"

My mother sobbed, "O-Oh R-Reika… I-It's Gonza…"

"Hm? My Uncle?"

The nearest officer held my shoulder, "Your Uncle is dead. He was tracking down demons and they killed him. The coroner just identified the body."

I looked at the Headmaster, "A-Are you sure?! Did you check?"

The Headmaster tightened his fists, "...I did. It's true."

Wow wow wow! I really have to hand it to Felix. He even managed to trick the Headmaster into thinking the corpse was of my Uncle.

Wait…

Should I be afraid of Felix?

Eh, let's think about this later. Right now the priority is to tell the Headmaster the truth before he gets in too deep.

I went to speak to the Headmaster but was cut off by the officer, "Aldrich. We need you to come with us to sign some paperwork to get the body processed."

The Headmaster clicked his tongue and gave my mother a despairing look.

My mother wiped her tears, "Don't worry, Aldrich. I will handle the funeral arrangements for you."

Hearing this, a brief flash of relief went through his eyes. He nodded to the officer and went to follow him out. I tried to stop him, "Wait-"

My mother held my outstretched hand, her voice wavering, "Reika. I need to go help your father. Stay here with Zephyr while I figure everything out."

"A-Ah. But wait-"

She too left along with the rest of the M.I.B officers until I was left alone with only Zephyr by my side. He gave me a disparaging look, "Why aren't you crying?"

"Um… About that…" I glanced around the room but felt like it was still unsafe to say anything. I forced a smile and shrugged, "I'm in shock?"

"Hm."

I turned away from him and walked up the stairs, "I… I'm going to my room to be alone…. To process."

"Mhm." Zephyr crossed his arms and shouted after me, "And why are you walking so weird?!"

"..."

Rest in peace my missing toe!

I started to run up the stairs and heard Zephyr's small pattering footsteps race after me. I tried to make it to my room to shut him out, but he managed to slip in before I could.

He pounced on me and shouted, "What are you hiding!?"

I panicked and pointed at my forehead.

He caught on and spoke telepathically: <<What's going on!?>>

I stared at him with a trembling gaze: <<Gonza got attacked by a holy light user in Cyrus's Uncle's family. They used a killing curse on him so I transported him to the Macabre forest and barely managed to save his life. He's currently getting treatment there and I have to pretend he's dead or else they are going to mess with me too!>>

Zephyr's eyes widened and he sputtered out, "Oh… Sh*t."