A man in a porcelain mask sits across from me. Two teachers stand near the door, watching us as he proceeds to question me.

“Hello, Miss Wholehart. You can call me Seven. So, let’s start with why you were in the library.”

“I-I came in to look f-for something to r-read…”

“And you stumbled across Mr. Rune?”

“N-no. That’s not what happened. I was already in the library before those men with Mr. Rune came in. I-I didn’t go into the library because I heard anything s-suspicious. It was just bad timing…”

I should have stayed home yesterday and written a response rather than trying to find a book. I could have waited another day or so. Iris and Elis were free too. Going out with them would have been better.

“Bad timing… Of course, I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m doing my job. I do, however, find it odd he would call his accomplices in while a student wandered around looking for nothing more than a book.”

I fidget with my fingers under the table.

He leans forward in his chair and places his hand on the table, “Next, I’d like to know about the person who was with you, the one dressed in all black. I have reason to believe he may be this, ‘vigilante’ I often hear of.”

I forgot to ask about him! But from what he’s saying… I think I can hope he got away. I let out a sigh of relief, “I-I think it was him. H-he appeared out of nowhere. I didn’t even know he was there. He protected f-from one of them.”

“I see. One of them you say? Was there anything peculiar about this person or any of the other people who came with Mr. Rune?”

Peculiar? “I-I’m not sure. I-I wasn’t paying much attention to any of them. I’m sorry…” In fact, the whole time I was just staring at Mr. Rune, hoping that it wasn’t real. When I said no to their offer of joining them, I wanted to punch myself. It was just my first reaction. But I’m glad I said no.

“... Is that so? Well, do you know anything about a tiger?”

“Huh? A tiger,” I rack my brain together trying to come up with whatever I can, “I don’t really remember seeing any- ah! T-there was a tiger on one of the men’s arms. A-a tattoo I think. But I’m not too sure. Sorry.”

“No, no. It’s quite helpful. Tell me, do you always apologize this much?”

His question catches me off guard, “N-no? Er, yes? I-I mean S-sometimes? I only apologize this much sometimes so n-no,” Nothing but complete gibberish comes out. I don’t know whether I’m glad he has his mask on or not. On one hand I can imagine he’s not staring at me but on the other hand, I can’t tell if he actually is or not.

“I see… Miss Wholehart, I’ve heard that you sometimes met with Mr. Rune privately. During that time, did you notice anything odd about him? The things he said, how he acted, why he constantly kept speaking with you, a first year. Did any of those things strike you as odd?”

Anything odd… To be honest, it went like most of my conversations with people I don’t get along with very well, awkwardly. “I-I think he only talked to me was because he may have noticed how nervous I was during my mixed magic exam… I ended up almost ruining it for my partner. Ah, Mr. Rune pulled me aside because he wanted to talk about my partner.”

If I could see Seven’s face, then I’d imagine his eyebrows would be raised, “Oh? Who is your partner and why did he want to know about your partner? ”

Silence descends on the room. Is it all right for me to trust everything to this person who I don’t even know? If Miss Ein was the one talking to me, I’d feel a lot better. Since Rainen hasn’t said anything about being an Oddity yet, does that mean he wants to keep it a secret? And what if he turns out not to even be one. Then I’d just be spreading false rumors and information.

“Rainen Weaver, sir,” one of the teachers in the room speaks up. “He’s an interesting student in the sense that he doesn’t seem to get along with most of his classmates, due to the fact his magic is significantly weaker and his hand to hand ability is much better.”

Seven leans back in his seat, “Is that so?”

I nod. I’ll only say what I know is true, “Y-yes… Mr. Rune just thought that our magic was weird when he saw it during our test. I-I wasn’t using my main element, and neither was he. I-It probably came out weaker than he thought.”

“I understand. You are free to return to your class now. Your teacher knows of the circumstances.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help more,” I say as I leave.

“It’s fine. New things have come up from our little talk. Thank you for your time, however short it was.”

-----------------------------------------

“So El, teachers pull you away this morning and you act quiet all day. What’s up? Does this have anything to do with the library being closed? I know you went there last night,” Iris presses me for information as soon as school ends.

“N-no,” I answer. I’m not allowed to tell anyone of what happened last night so please forgive me for lying… “W-we only talked about Mr. Rune since some students reported seeing us talking quite a bit after school.”

Elis’s face twists in horror, “A scandal!”

“No Elis, I really doubt that,” Iris responds, simply shaking her head.

Elis chuckles, “I’m kidding. I know El wouldn’t do something like that, right?”

They both look at me, “O-of course,” I respond hastily. “Th-they only wanted to know if I knew anything about the reason why Mr. Rune would act the way he did yesterday. They assumed I was one of his favorite students.”

Elis accepts my made up response, “Oh, I guess that makes sense. You don’t cause any trouble, you’re quiet, and seem very studious. It’s only natural that a teacher likes you. Mhm.”

Iris, on the other hand, doesn’t buy into it as easily, “So Mr. Rune acted strangely yesterday? Do tell. Miss Ein said he got angry while on duty and caused a ruckus in the library after all the students left. Did you see this?”

“H-huh? Ummm… I o-only saw a little bit of it so I can’t tell you much…” Iris, why do you have to be more perceptive than Elis? Can’t you just let this matter die for my sake? I’m struggling here as it is to lie to you two.

“Really,” Elis interjects, “I thought she said there was a problem with the bookcases and it toppled the others over. She also said that Mr. Rune handed in his resignation,” Elis’s expression changes from one of confusion to realization. “Oh! It was just a cover story then! So tell us what really happened El. You can share a little bit of it, right?”

“I can’t tell sometimes if you actually just figured it out or if you’re being a devilish imp,” Iris remarks with a wry smile.

“Ummmm…” Why do my two best friends, and possibly only friends, have to put me in such a rough spot? “I don’t know if I can really talk-”

“Hey,” someone taps my shoulder and I turn around. “How are you doing? I know it’s been awhile since we last talked, since we last actually, talked,” Rainen says, scratching his cheek.

Axel waves from behind him, “Hi Ellar. Iris. Elis.”

Without even a word back, Iris and Elis jump in front of me. “Hold on,” Iris says, keeping Rainen at a distance. “It’s been a week since you let El get beaten up, and you’re only checking on her now? Are you finally feeling guilty for not doing anything?”

“I just wanted to-”

“Just wanted to apologize? Well, it’s a bit late for that,” Elis glares at him, “I bet you didn’t even know El was caught up in the attack on the school!”

What are you saying? Now’s not the place to be talking about these things, “E-Elis! I-It’s okay. I-I can forgive him. We-.” I try to stop her but it doesn’t work. She throws her arm out, telling me to stay put. At this rate, our relationship will turn out worse.

“What?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Elis continues, “She wasn’t feeling well before that and could’ve died after being hit by one of those guys’ lightning bolts. You’re supposed to be her partner but you probably didn’t even know she laid in bed for days! You couldn’t watch in the beginning of the year when that lizardman was being kicked but you could watch while your partner was!”

I’m taken aback. Iris stares at her with disbelief and Rainen’s expression turns hard. This… This was something I’d expect Iris to say. Hearing the words from Elis’s mouth… The situation’s a lot more serious to them than I thought.

I won’t lie and say I understand his reason for not helping me right away. Truthfully, I know nothing about that incident. From what they tell me, he watched while I was being beaten down and as I crawled. His opponent was already defeated at that time so I don’t understand why I don’t understand why he didn’t help me.

Right now, I don’t think I can say anything. It’s hard for me to speak. He looks at me but I hug my arm and turn away.

“In that case, I can still say, I hope you’re doing alright. Let’s leave Axel. I wanna get that coin checked out as soon as possible,” Rainen walks past us, but not without saying goodbye. “See you in class then, Blue Hair.”

“Rainen… Sorry about this Ellar. The guy seemed pretty eager to check up on you today. It didn’t exactly turn out as expected,” Axel laughs nervously, “I’ll see you guys around another time, okay?”

Axel waves and runs to catch up with Rainen, leaving the three of us to watch as they leave. A few eyes from other students have wandered over to us. The first years, especially the ones in our class, whisper to each other while the upperclassmen shrug their shoulders.

“Those are partners for ya,” one jokes.

“I wish people would quit their gossip,” Iris says as she starts away from the school. “It’s a good source to learn a little bit about others but ultimately, gossip tends to blow things out of proportion. Isn’t that right?”

I can tell. Iris is trying to lighten the mood, “Y-yeah,” for now, I’ll just play along. It’s fine if we don’t talk about it. “Want to go get something to eat?” it’ll help us forget about this. By tomorrow, maybe we’ll have brushed it off.

As soon as we’re past the gate and out of everyone’s earshot, she says, “El, how come you didn’t say anything to him? How come it’s only Iris and I who are angry at what he let happen to you? You’re the one who got hurt, not us!”

I take a step back, “Elis I-I just don’t want to cause any trouble.”

“So the best way to not cause any trouble is to stay quiet? That’s not a good way to do things at all! Staying quiet is not a good solution to any problem. Everyone will walk all over you if you don’t assert yourself.”

“But it does lead to the least amount of trouble,” I mutter. “Is it wrong to not want to confront others? Can’t I keep living like normal, like how it is now? How am I supposed to get my point across? How am I supposed to prove that I’m not wrong?”

“You mean prove how they’re not right?” Elis clenches her fists, “By saying something!”

I flinch at her outburst.

“Elis!” Iris yells, “This isn’t like you. Why are you so riled up today?”

“How can you not be riled up?” Elis looks at her and flicks back to me, “Whatever. I’m supposed to be the dumb one Iris… If you need me, I’m going to my room. I don’t feel like eating or wandering the city today.”

Elis takes off her mittens, puts them into her pockets, and storms off, leaving only Iris and myself, “I’m sorry. I got a little angry when Elis said all those things. I don’t even know where it came from… Do you think we’ll be able to make up with her? I-”

“It’s okay El,” Iris comforts me with a wry smile, “Elis usually gets a little bit more emotional during this time of year. Give it a few days and she’ll be back to normal. Winter isn’t a good time for her.”

“I-Is that so?” I really wish this will end soon and we’ll be able to go back to how it was. Still, I don’t know how to reply to what she said. I grip my arm even harder, “I’ll apologize to her in the morning.”

“Very like you,” Iris says.

“Huh?”

“It’s very like you to apologize. I can see why Elis got annoyed.”

“I-I’m sorry- I mean…”

“Don’t stress yourself about it El. It’s who you are. You’ll always be the first to apologize. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Iris glances over her shoulder, “I will also call it a day.” she starts walking away but turns around to say one last thing, “Elis might be mad at you, but your gift to her definitely means a lot.”

My gift… I wrap my fingers around my scarf and breathe into it for warmth. I’ll also call it a day. I begin to walk back to my room. On my way back, I keep my face in the scarf and ponder about the things that happened today.

Once I reach my room, I hang up their gift to me and pull out the chair to my desk. I’ll start here then. I grab the letter set off to the side and open it.

To Our Daughter, Ellar.

-------------------------------------

Author's Note: Well, back from my trip and it feels pretty nice. 9 days of not writing actually makes me feel pretty bad since I could've released a chapter last week but the rest was good.

Thanks to all of those who went out of their way to rate my fiction. It's really nice to see it go past 3.5. Anyways, I hope the chapter was enjoyable and I appreciate comments and reviews greatly. I'll probably get another chapter up tomorrow as it's only going to be two or three more chapter before this book ends and things ramp up in the third book.