บท 20: CHAPTER 20: Two...One...

Back at the Academy,

Watching the students pop in one after the other in various stages of despair with some of them bleeding so badly that she was almost sure they needed immediate medical attention to prevent them from dying,

Aleesia, the headmaster for the third year student patiently watched everything that was happening in silence even as she gritted her teeth in anger, clenching her fists to keep her from lashing out at Dramus who stood completely still beside her, showing no signs of anxiety of any kind,

A large magical board had been placed right next to the teleportation circle, Dramus had used to teleport them away and the same one he used to get them back. Slowly but steadily the numbers kept on increasing only for Aleesia to suddenly yell in surprise seeing the state of the student that just popped into the centre of the circle,

"An arm is missing," she yelled most likely unaware that she spoke until she did even as she badgered on,

"His arm is Missing, Dramus. What do you call that? Section 6, article 9 of the safety procedure says that a mission, students are to be removed from harm's way them before irreparable damage that can lead to death is done," Aleesia schooled him turning completely to face him as she wondered how he was going to explain the situation,

"Yes, Aleesia…" Dramus began,

"His arm is missing but last time I checked we can grow it back and the damage isn't irreparable," Dramus continued unable to hide the tiny smirk that emerged from the corner of his lips,

"Is that your excuse? You know…" Aleesia asked as she continued speaking only to be interrupted by Dramus, who spoke, raising his head higher into the air with pride as he did,

"Like I said Aleesia… this is my test and I'm in charge and unless something ''terribly terrible'' goes wrong you have no right to interfere with it," said Dramus in a confident tone right before turning his attention to the teleportation circle on the field in front of the building belonging to the second years where the students were still popping out from,

Although their numbers had slowed, from the huge board in front of him Dramus could tell that only a few students were yet to appear,

With a deep sigh, he raised his hands to remove the circle as he watched it count from four to three, from three to two, and from two to one, only for the number to suddenly seize at one,

With shock, Dramus suddenly noticed that he had taken a breath and held it without being aware of it the moment his eyes got stuck on the static number,

"Well…would you look at that," Aleesia whispered as she stared at the board which she had been passively paying attention to since the test ended,

"It might be a magical error," Dramus immediately defended already imagining Aleesia's reaction if she actually confirmed that something actually went wrong,

"I'm sure it's not. You are too good to make such a mediocre mistake," Aleesia said praising him as she with a smile on her face, and eyes screaming bloody murder if they were to find out that a student was missing or worse…dead.

"You might want to call the people you placed in charge of the tests," Aleesia then advised tapping her feet impatiently on the ground as she spoke,

"The Maribeds?"Dramus unconsciously spoke as his mind seemed to wander a little as he did,

"Those two-faced winged beasts who think they're better and prettier than everyone?" Aleesia yelled in annoyance before lowering her pitch the moment she noticed the stares she was getting from the students around her. Recalling the appearance of the proud creatures pissed her off and how although they were known as the far cousins to the elves, they were nothing like them in character,

"…they are intelligent and they always get the job done," Dramus patiently explained having already concluded that if things had actually gone upside down then he needed Aleesia on his side before the other Headmasters heard of it, not to mention the principal,

"I'll teleport to the island and check it myself," Dramus said, as worry lines could be visibly seen on his forehead, looking around at the students who were still bundled together on the field except for those who had to be taken away to be treated,

"Hurry," was all Aleesia said knowing fully well that if an actual second-year student whose bracelet was no longer working and could not be automatically activated was left behind, his or her chances for survival were close to none,

Dramus began muttering underneath his breath about to teleport himself away when unexpectedly the giant teleportation circle lit up a vibrant blue colour signifying that someone was about to come through, as Dramus and Aleesia both heaved a sigh of relief seeing the number "1" number on the board change to a zero,

With smiles on their faces ready to welcome the last member they had been waiting for when suddenly silence filled the air as even the students chattering among themselves on the circle and consoling their friends who were sobbing suddenly grew still the moment a student suddenly popped up in the midst of them,

His appearance shocked them, but what truly astounded everyone was the strong and poignant smell he brought with him.