Chapter 9: Consequence of the Oath

Chapter 9: Consequence of the Oath

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The silence was oppressive, a tangible weight that seemed to fill the room. It was thick enough to be sliced with a butter knife, as though the very air had turned to stone. No one dared to breathe; even the birds outside had fallen eerily quiet, as if sensing the gravity of the moment.

Zephyr could feel the intensity of their gazes, the mix of shock, uncertainty, and fear mirrored in their eyes. The room felt like it was holding its breath, the tension growing with each passing second. Just when Zephyr thought he couldn't bear the suspense any longer, the shrill ring of the morning bell shattered the silence, startling a cry from Emily.

The abrupt noise cut through the tension like a knife, and Zephyr allowed a small smile to play on his lips. It seemed they'd have to continue this conversation later. He straightened up, his movements deliberate and calm. Without a word, he wiped off the timer on the board, the chalk dust swirling briefly in the morning light before settling. He walked down the platform, each step echoing in the stillness, and returned to his seat under the watchful, questioning eyes of his classmates.

The classroom door swung open, and Miss Lauren stepped in with a commanding presence. She wore a pair of form-fitting jeans, a crisp white shirt beneath a stylish blue jean jacket, and high combat boots that echoed with each confident step she took. Without missing a beat, she ascended the raised platform, set her notebooks on the table, and faced the class.

"Greet," Zephyr's voice filled the room, prompting a unified chorus of "Good morning, Miss Lauren."

"Good morning," Miss Lauren responded, her pleasant smile radiating warmth. "Hope you all had a wondrous night." Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the students' faces. She noticed the tension in the air, as though each student had just received shocking news or was anxiously awaiting something.

She could sense their unease, a palpable heaviness that seemed to stifle the usual classroom buzz. It wasn't just their body language; it was the way they held their breaths, the darting glances, the slight tremors in their hands. Something was off, and she could feel it in the way their eyes flickered with unspoken words.

Were they that anxious about the awakening? Miss Lauren wondered. It was a pivotal event, one that could shape their entire futures, so a little anxiety was to be expected. Deciding it was best to let it be for now, she pushed the thought aside.

"Conner," she called, her tone firm yet gentle.

Conner, seated at the front, closed the attendance book with a soft thud. "I've taken the attendance, Miss," he replied, his voice steady.

"Good." Miss Lauren nodded in approval before turning her attention to Zephyr, who seemed to blend into the background despite his commanding presence earlier. "Zephyr, meet me at the teacher's office at the end of the day to hand in yesterday's assignments."

"Okay, miss," Zephyr responded, his voice calm and composed.

Miss Lauren picked up a marker and turned to the whiteboard. "This morning, we'll be discussing the characteristics of living things. Please turn your textbooks to page ten," she instructed, her voice clear and authoritative.

The students shuffled to comply, the tension in the room slowly dissipating as they immersed themselves in the familiar routine. Miss Lauren began writing on the board, her precise movements drawing diagrams and bullet points, her presence grounding the class in a sense of normalcy despite the undercurrent of unease.

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The first half of the school day ended with the sharp ring of the bell, signaling the much-anticipated break. Miss Lauren gathered her notes, her movements swift and efficient.

"Have a nice break, Miss Lauren," Mirabella said with a small smile, her voice breaking the lingering tension in the room.

Miss Lauren returned the smile warmly. "Thank you, Mirabella," she replied, continuing her way towards the door. However, just as she reached it, she paused, a reluctant and contemplative look clouding her features.

"Is something wrong?" Sydney asked, her concern evident as she leaned slightly forward in her seat.

Miss Lauren turned back to the class, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for an answer among her students' faces.

Walking back to the front of the class, Miss Lauren regarded her students with a discerning eye. After spending the last five and a half hours observing them, she had finally confirmed that the tense atmosphere had little to do with the upcoming awakening. Not a single student had mentioned it.

"I feel like I should be asking you all that question," she said, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Although it's only the second day we're together, yesterday was incomparably livelier than today."

Her eyes swept across the room, noting the students' uneasy expressions and stiff postures. "I can't help but notice you all have been very tense. At first, I thought it was because of the awakening, but since no one has brought it up, I'm sure it isn't."

Her words hung in the air, met with a heavy silence. The students' faces remained blank, giving nothing away. Miss Lauren pressed her lips into a thin line, the lack of response unsettling her. She wasn't accustomed to such a well-behaved class, especially one with such varied personalities. Usually, she dealt with the more troublesome students.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to address the issue head-on. "Listen, I know I do not have the best reputation in this school or the city. Malvok knows what you've all heard about me so far, but I'm still your teacher, and I want you to know that I've got your back."

Right now, the teacher could only say what she felt, hoping they would understand and cooperate with her.

"Listen," she began, her voice steady but warm. "I know I do not have the best reputation in this school or the city. God knows what you've all heard about me so far, but I'm still your teacher, and I want you to know that I've got your back."

She paused, letting her words sink in, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of acknowledgment. "So, if you're having trouble with other students or teachers, please let me know. Don't worry about it by yourself. Have a little faith in me as well, okay?"

"Yes, Miss Lauren," came the hesitant but unified response, the students' voices mingling in a soft chorus.

Miss Lauren nodded, her smile widening just a fraction, feeling a small victory in their tentative trust.

Miss Lauren relaxed a little, a genuine smile gracing her face. "Okay," she said, her tone softening. Then she quickly added, "Also, don't fight among yourselves. I will shield you from external conflicts no matter what, but please don't make things difficult for all of us by having internal conflicts. I won't be lenient with punishments."

Her eyes swept over the room, making sure her message was clear. "That's all. Enjoy your break."

The moment the door closed behind Miss Lauren and the click of her heels faded away, the tension in the classroom evaporated like mist under the sun. Everyone collectively exhaled, relief flooding the room.

Mirabella, her head buried in her hands, sighed deeply. "Moon goddess, bless my soul. I thought she was going to find out and the oath of silence would be broken," she said, her voice heavy with relief.

"Me too," Miles admitted, slumping in his seat. "Thank goodness the oath of silence has no..."

"There is no such thing as an oath without a consequence for breakage," Brian's voice cut through Miles' words, bringing the classroom to an immediate, stunned silence.

"What?!" Several voices echoed the disbelief.

"The oath of silence is one of the three oaths with the least severe consequences if broken," Brian explained, his tone measured and serious, his eyes scanning the room to gauge their reactions. "When Zephyr first asked us to swear, I assumed everyone already knew this. But when Sam agreed so readily, I realized that wasn't the case. By then, it was too late to stop the rest of you."

Mike's brow furrowed, recalling Brian's earlier reluctance to agree to the oath. He glanced at Conner, seeking confirmation. "You knew too?" Mike asked, hoping for a different response.

Conner, the assistant captain, nodded silently, his expression unreadable.

"Really? Who else knew already?" Mike scanned the room, curiosity mingled with a hint of concern.

Their eyes met in an unspoken acknowledgment. From her seat, Emily, usually quiet, slowly raised her hand, a mix of apprehension and resolve in her eyes.

"You too?" Sam's surprise was evident, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But you agreed first."

Emily shifted uncomfortably, her back pressed against the wall. Her fingers intertwined nervously as she spoke, her gaze fixed on her lap. "I... I thought everyone knew. The consequence is minor, and I knew I wouldn't tell anybody, so I agreed."

"She's correct," Brian interjected firmly, his voice carrying both confidence and a touch of concern. His eyes swept across the room, meeting each gaze in turn before he continued. "The consequence for breaking the oath of silence is rather minor. Your cultivation would be sealed for a month. It's a penalty, yes, but compared to other potential consequences, it's negligible."

A heavy silence settled over the classroom, each student grappling with the weight of their commitment and its potential ramifications. Sensing the tension, Zephyr rose from his seat with purpose. His demeanor was confident yet empathetic, embodying the role of a leader addressing his peers.

"Let's not allow this to divide us," Zephyr spoke calmly yet assertively, stepping forward to face the class directly. "I'm the one who assumed everyone knew the consequences of this oath. If any of you feel unable to uphold it, I will release you willingly, and your memories will be erased."

His words hung in the air, inviting honesty and trust among them. Zephyr's stance conveyed both strength and vulnerability, underscoring his commitment to transparency amidst their shared dilemma.

"If any of you wish to know how I learned of the impending disaster," Zephyr continued evenly, "I am prepared to share that information as well. Please, state your choices now."