THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"Hm…Wait. I don't really see the problem with that."

Frankher seems way too serious about this dropping out of school thing. Is it such a bad thing? I mean, I never really thought of coming to this school and I don't think it would affect me to leave it that much.

"I want you to think about it again. I will let you this week to decide."

"A whole week?"

"Yes. It would be better for you that I don't tell you why. That way, you will see it for yourself."

"Huh…Okay.."

I don't know what he is all about but…Let's just read his mind.

'I cannot allow a child to throw his life away like this without doing anything.' That's the only relevant thing I hear in his head. Throw my life away? How is that?

"Sir, I don't…"

"What is it?" I can't just tell him I don't understand what he means by throwing my life away, right?

"Well, I just remember I don't know where Cordel and Esteressa were buried. Could you please guide me?"

"Ah, that. Of course."

We both stand up and leave his office. I almost made a blunder there.

***

"So this is it, huh."

After leaving Frankher's office, we went to the church by carriage then went past a gate I didn't pay much attention to before. There are graves everywhere here. Just like the hill of the dead. After walking a bit, we reached their graves. Side by side. They were together in life and death. Such a beautiful way to die. But something bothers me.

"Sir, it is written Esteressa Ditorria. Was it not a mistake?"

"No, not at all. It seems Mister Ditorria was planning on asking miss Vonild's hand in marriage after their graduation. In order to honor their mutual feelings, we decide to make them husband and wife."

"Even though they are dead."

"Yes, even though they are gone, their feelings were real. Therefore, it deserves to be acknowledged."

"I see."

I wonder if she killed herself knowing that or not. Well, it is not really my problem but it would have been better if she decided to live. Cordel did gave his life so that she, so that we would survive. Killing herself like this means he wasted his time.

"You are starting to understand, I see."

"What exactly?"

"The value of your own life. You cannot sim-"

"I don't see the connection between those, sir. I believe I told you before that there are things that have to be done, no matter what. Even if I am to be alone in the end, I must do what I have to. For one because nobody else can do it. And for the other, because only I can and should pay for my sins."

"…" You got nothing to say, huh. Well, what I said is perfectly true so of course you…

"That's a pretty bold claim for somebody who spent a month at death's doors."

Suddenly, behind us, a voice, Keltia's voice resounds. When I turn around, it's not only her, Peter, Samson, the heroes, it seems they are back…and Lanuvel. Even she is here.

"You are one hell of a bastard. Not even sending a word after you wake up. You want us to beat you up or something?" Samson, your eyes are scary, man.

***

"So?"

"So…?" What does Keltia wants me to say?

"You got nothing to say?"

Well, the first thing is that I would like to know why gnoll number 1 doesn't even look at me in the eyes right now. And how did you all know that I was back? Frankher didn't tell me that he informed you guys.

"My butler relayed the information." Of course, the butler.

"That's why we said there is a need to change some things."

"It would seem so."

"What? So you aren't happy that we all came to see you?"

"No, I am. It's not that, Keltia."

"Then?"

"…Sorry for making you guys worry. I will be more careful next time." Now, can we please move on?

"You won't and we all know it so stop making promises you won't keep." Thanks for the support Roxcia. I can always count on you.

"Yeah, well…it helped so I d-"

"…" Well, Peter, it seems you want to bring Keltia's wrath on you. Good luck.

"Okay, all of you. That's enough. This is not the place nor the time for this. Let us all go back to the academy first, alright?"

"Yes, let's go."

I immediately execute Frankher's command since it will help me escape this situation. I walk ahead of everyone but when I come around Farner, she sidesteps, making sure that we don't even touch. For Lanuvel, well, she isn't even looking at me so…

I get inside Frankher's carriage and there are only the two of us inside. The others all get inside the heroes' carriage which is conveniently here. Well, it is a spacious one so they shouldn't have any problems.

Arrived at the academy, as we get off, I immediately feel another crystal. So there is one guy here as well. Veronica has put spies everywhere, it seems.

"Sir, there is one here as well."

"I see. Can you pinpoint his location?"

"Yes, I can, sir."

In fact, the concerned person is coming towards us.

"Hey, what are you guys waiting for?"

While Keltia walks to us, I see the one. A student from the alpha class, who looks completely normal, once again. Worse yet, he is even talking with his classmates while walking. After a few seconds, his group of four people passes by us and I look at Frankher for confirmation.

"Do you think we can capture this one alive?"

"Are you afraid of him blowing up?"

"Hm…"

"Hey! Why are you guys whispering like this?!!" Keltia gets angry and screams so loudly everybody looks at me and Frankher. The group of four stops as well to look but then, as if he understood, the guy goes off running and releases his aura. The characteristic ominous aura that we have faced during the tournament and at Onklah as well.

"What?!!"

"What is that?!!"

"Cedrick?!! What are you doing?"

"Catch him!"

Finally, under the surprised looks and reactions of the rest of the people, Frankher gives the order and I pounce on the guy immediately.

"You puny insects!! How did you know?!!"

What is the point of insulting me? Also, unlike the students from Mohana, this guy can talk just fine. It would seem that Borgas was right. They have created perfect spies or Longinus men or whatever they call them.

"Kevin, wait!!"

I hear Excia's voice while I run to the guy but since I can hear her and her sisters coming, I don't think I need to wait.

"Ahh!!" The guy opens his mouth and a small sphere appears. Regas? Here? This looks like the dragon who almost killed me. I think my body just stiffened a bit thinking about it.

"Raizen." Let end this quickly.

"Don't kill him!" I know Frankher.

"Die!!"

He shoots a small dragon-like roar that is still quite powerful. I think I can block it. Yeah, let's see if my Raizen has a limit. I spin it around once then receive the shot ray with the motion of the second spin I initiated. Wait, this…this is weak. I don't feel pressured at all.

"Have I gotten stronger perhaps?"

I don't think that's the case but oh well. I knock off the ray towards the sky but before I can go to the guy, three figures pass above my head, and while one of them grabs that guy's head and slams it on the ground, the other two position themselves on each side of him.

"Purify!"

The heroes all scream the name of a script and a golden light dome is created around them.

"Argh!!!" The guy starts screaming as a black fume comes out of his body. "Stop!! You shitty heroes are nothing!!"

As the fume escapes his body, his voice changes, sounding deeper, more Longinus-like. He goes on for a few more seconds until the fume completely leaves his body. Then the dome disappears and as Farner stands back up, she is holding a crystal in her hands. But unlike the one we took from the maid I killed; this one is shining at all. It's empty.

"So that's how you guys do this, huh."

So, they don't kill those who have been turned already but do this instead. If that's how they operate, this war is not about to end any time soon. I see now why Frankher said to think carefully before engaging myself into this.

"Fuuu…And that's another one saved." Farner wipes off her forehead even though there is no sweat there. Also, she is wearing green today. I don't know if I am the only one who saw that.

"You didn't have to slam him down. You idiot."

"I am not an idiot, Excia."

"Guys, stay focus. There might be others around."

"There aren't." I reassure Roxcia who seems wary of another one of those guys still being here.

"Kevin! What is that in your hands?!!" Only now that Excia tells me do I notice that I haven't released my Raizen yet. Did I get used to it that much?

"It's nothing." I release the script and it disappears with a last crackling sound.