Chapter 3: 2: Black Rose
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(Monday, 10:19 am, August 5,2019)
"I CAN'T TAKE THIS SKILL PRACTICE."
What? She can't take...?
"No! You and you must! Unless you want me to remove you from the list of students who are going to take the final physical exams. Don't test my patience Ms. Volmalos--"
"I am forbidden to take part in any practices. I am sure you know that or maybe you forgot that Sir Max?" She's forbidden? Why?
"She's right." a male voice echoed behind me. And I know that voice so damn well.
"And why is that, council president?" huh? He is the council president? Andrew is A COUNCIL MEMBER? And moreover, the PRESIDENT?
"Hah. Sir Max, I know that you know that the Headmaster himself forbids me and the secretary to take part in any practices especially, skills practice." a sudden realization hits the mentor's eyes with what Andrew says. He gave Snow a sharp gaze before leaving the three of us and went to a group of students.
If the quietness makes everyone shut up earlier when the HM introduced Snow to me, then right now, the three of us would be in a state of tension. The awkward. It's frustrating, but that's it. It's really suffocating.
"I know that you know that the Headmaster himself forbids me and the secretary to take part in any practices especially, skills practice."
What does he mean by it?
"I guess you're the new guy huh?" amber colored eyes... I'm sure this guy is Andrew even though his hairstyle and clothes are different. And one thing, why don't he remember--
"Just a piece of Mr. Manediul's advice, don't let them hear your thoughts." in just a split second, he was in front of me. H-He is fast. And how did he...
I saw how Snow looked at me as if I said something funny. She just shook her head. It's a bit mysterious about her mask because all the others can see is her left eye while her whole face is covered.
'He isn't the only one who can do that, mind you.' I was just shocked to hear Snow's voice in my brain. How does he talk to Andrew and me at the same time? She is currently talking to Andrew but I'm sure.... *sigh*
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When I opened the door of my classroom, all the eyes and attention of the whole class went to me. Even Volmalos had me kidnapped.
"Erm is he the new student?"
"I don't know but I saw him with the council secretary earlier and came from the principal's office so he probably did."
"What school is he from?"
"He is so handsome." I heard my 'classmates' murmuring the second I stepped in front. *sigh* This is it?
"Silence everyone! By the way, are you the new student?" a lady-like but sharp looking asks me while waiting for the others to shut up.
"Obviously. Do I look like I'm not?" As I said that emotionless, I heard some gasps coming from the class. I made sure it wasn't too cold to say that but the mentor looks like she was surprised. And I saw Snow giving me a look like I was back to being a deadface again. (according to her.)
"Hm...What's your name again?" the mentor asked after she regained some of her senses.
"Derek. Derek Manediul." After I said my name, the teacher seemed shocked and stepped back when she heard my name.
"O-Oh M-Mr. Manediul. I am glad to have you in my class. Please come inside to greet your classmates." calm but with a hint of fear can be heard in her voice.
"Okay class, we have a new student today! Please proceed to that seat please. I didn't know that you are the transferee so your seat is placed in the last row, I'll find you a new pla--" does she think I don't have courage to speak up? I can introduce myself because I don't want anyone to know about my family right now but no, the teacher said it already. And I'm so lazy to speak anyway.
"No need for that. I'd rather be at the back, Ma'am." when I glanced down at my seat, I didn't expect Snow to be next to me. I just noticed that I was sitting beside Snow. I catched her hands. She is still wearing gloves?
"Okay! Mr. Manediul, since you are new here, let me prompt you about the school. All of you, listen here. Uccidere High was one of the top schools in the world to this day. Uccidere was an Italian word mean 'to kill'. Once you get in, prepare to have your hands stained with blood. Last year, many students disappeared because they were weak. Only the strongest can survive in this kind of place, and the weak? Trust me, they will never have the chance to get out of this place alive. We have here assassins and master assassins. The top assassins are competing for the master assassins ranks. you are a master assassin, you can get out of this place, and serve the royal family. For the rules, the apprentices can't kill easily. Even the top assassins. Only the master assassins. Even the summoners. In the final physical exam, you will have to see where you are nce all of you are already 2nd year students. That's all." tsk. Why are they so inclined to explain things that aren't even asked?
"Ma'am, why did they change the name of this university in the first place?" the girl in the front asked. They did what?
"Simple. Because of those killings. Before then, before this school became an assassin school, there were numerous cases about students dying and missing. And with that basis, the owner of the school changed the cause of the school."
"Who are the owners?" We paid attention to the person who was in the nearby window.
"No--."
"The Royal Family." the teacher was about to answer when Snow spoke. And all classes have their attention to her.
"Correct! But...no one knows about a single info about them until today. How did you know that Ms. Moon?" Moon? As in the celestial body?
"Simple Ma'am Nix, I was a bookworm and I already read the history of this school." Instead of paying attention to their heated discussion, I turned my gaze to the classroom. The interior is nice because it is well-ventilated and the curtains are well organized.
"But about the owners especially about the Royal Family...there are no...writings about them. So, how did you know?" I'm not really in the mood to hear what they have to say.
"How about you Ma'am? How did you know when you said that there are no writings about them?" Our teacher seemed surprised at Snow's behavior as if she was another person, and the same for the whole class.
But she has a point. However, she is really mysterious to me. How could she have known so much when he was just a student?
'Don't let the teacher notice your minds' absence.' I heard Snow's voice in my mind so I looked at her but she was just looking at the mentor.
'Stop thinking useless things and make sure you shut your mind.' How can she remain calm while talking to two persons at the same time?
"O-Okay. Enough for that. And also! I heard that both Mr. Manediul and Ms. Volmalos are going to have a skill practice--"
"Which is canceled immediately." Snow cut the mentor who exacerbated the tension throughout the class. After that, my mentor continued to talk so I could catch up on their topic. *sigh*. After the discussion, before I could calm down Snow was no longer beside me. Is she also teleporting?
"Hey...." I turned to speak as I just looked at my face. Wow wow wow. Another mishap may happen.
"Hey bud! How are you! How long has it been since we last met? Wait, is it five days already? I mean look at you! You're handsome! But I'm more handsome hahaha. " I almost stepped back in horror as Sniper Smith talked so loud that he attracted many students' attention.
Sniper Smith. He is the heir of an American Technology Company. One of my best buddies.
"Snipe, I want you to find information about the council secretary." Snipe is his nickname which I made and he is a very good hacker. He can hack your phone without you knowing it. But...why did we meet here?
"Why? Wow! It is amazing that it was our reunion and now you are ordering me to---? And especially! The one you want to know is no other than the student council secretary!" I looked at him badly because he was catching too much attention. Look at that effing gun.
"What do you mean? I am only curious about her. I have a doubt that she hides something. She knows something, so, I really think that she is not an ordinary student." Sniper just sneered after I spoke.
"Derek, do you have a fever?" My eyebrows were almost up to his question. Maybe he is the one who is sick?
"Stupid. No. You might be the one who is sick."
"No! You are sick! Now I just hear that you are now interested in something new, especially around you! Hahaha! Come on Derek---!"
"One ..." Sniper stopped laughing when I stood up. Hah. He should know what happens when I finish counting. Instead, I continued.
"Two ..."
"H-Hey!" *sigh*, he still doesn't change so I still keep teasing him. Yes, I know that's not uhmm ... funny but, it's just fun to prank Snipe cause he is such a crybaby.
"Three ..." He just lazily sat down, ignoring my threats.
"H--!"
"Calling the attention of Mr. Derek Maneduil. Your dad is here. He is in the front gate." I stopped counting when the speaker in our room spoke. That bug had survived. Smiling so damn wide made me shake my head in disappointment. I sighed very deeply before turning my head and went to the guards' house.
"Saved by the bell .." Sniper said to me before leaving with smiling success. He followed me, which is unexpected. And then leave before we even reach the guards house. What a weirdo.
"Where is he?" I asked my dad's bodyguard who is actually standing beside the pillar of the guards house.
"He's in the car sir."
"Ok." I sighed again. Why is he here? I thought he was on a business trip?
"The new student is a Manediul?"
"Omygod! What grade is he ?!"
"Handsome!"
"I wish he was my classmate! Kyaaahh!"
Do all of them want to break the glass windows of this school.? I turned my head to the back of the car, there stood my Dad, talking to the Headmaster, Sir James. What are they talking about?
"He shouldn't meet her ..."
"Oh there you are little sprout! What about your first day?" HM and Dad turned in my direction as he spoke. They stopped talking and smiled at me while I ignored them.
"It's fine." I immediately got in the car and picked up the phone and played music.
'He shouldn't meet her?'
Who does headmaster refer to? And why? Why does the headmaster warn my dad? What do the headmaster and Dad know?
"Son ..." Dad said, causing me to take off my earphones and listen to whatever he had to say.
"How was your first day?"
"I said it was fine."
"The HM told me that tomorrow you will have a skills practice. Who is your opponent ?" am I gonna say, supposed to be?
"She is Moon Volmalos. She looks like a bookworm and a nerd but she's kinda...mysterious." I better watch out for Snow and Andrew. They can read minds.
"Volmalos? Maybe she is from Italy." Wait, what? Dad knows something?
"By the way Dad, what are you talking about at HM of Uccidere High?"
"Ah...yes. U-High's history has something to do with it."
"You mean the mysterious killings of students?"
"Yes. By the way, Andrew Kroburur, your best friend, the royal family has brought him to U-High. Derek, I have a favor to ask you. Do everything you can to know why Andrew Kroburur was studying in that school. " I pretended not to be affected by what he said. Andrew is a friend of mine who has traveled abroad and we have been together for almost seven years. But, why did Sniper and Andrew has to be in U-high? Is it coincidence?
"And also, the HM is somewhat, interested in what your abilities are." hmm ... so we just talked to HM this morning. Neither did I smile at myself. I am a Manediul. And I am gonna prove them that I am worthy of my name.
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(9:03 pm. Derek's study room. Same date)
"Hey Derek! So, how do you know my number?" my face frowned. The most talkative at all times.
"I have my ways Snipe."
"What are you? BDO? You find ways?" I heard his annoying laugh on the other line.
"You really haven't changed since, you are very philosophical. By the way, do you have the infos?" I said as I looked up at the ceiling of my room.
"Well yes. But, why do you want to know who she is? Are you interested in her?" in no time I straight my back up.
"No. Just start talking."
"Okay okay. Moon Volmalos. Don't know much about her. May 9, 2003. She is from Italy. She is the daughter of the current CeO of Hereadin Group. No more info. I'll send you the softcopy yet. " he is right. When I got the softcopy, it was empty. Even her birthday is suspicious. Nothing else. Snipe had to day goodbye earlier because he was still going to fix something. I lie down in my sofa while covering my forehewd.
Why is she so mysterious? Now, my curiosity really ignited because of you, Snow. Who are you? Another thing was the favor my dad asked me earlier about finding Andrew's reason in studying at U-High.
I just looked out my window, seeing a black rose in my family's garden.... that only blooms under the moonlight.
"Where are you Aliya? Mi manchi proprio ora...la mia principessa." I closed my window and reorganized the curtains.
I hope Aliya is fine...just like those black roses she loves…..
ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ....
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