Chương 64: Touched a Nerve

Ms. Hadley had no words to say as her face paled in horror. Ariana moved to put on the white, lace dress, making sure that Ms. Hadley saw her scar. "Not everyone is this world is as they seem." She said as she gently lifted her hair from within her clothes. "The scar on my back is from my current adoptive family."

"What?!" Ms. Hadley yelled at the top of her lungs. "It was an accident from a training session, we all got too cocky and they helped me apply medicine on it but it still scared. Well at least it's not as bad as it was before." Ariana replied nonchalantly. "How is this family any better?!" Ms. Hadley shouted causing Ariana to turn and face her with a cold and unwavering glare.

"They showed sympathy, they shed tears for me, they showed me unconditional love and kindness. People make mistakes, whether we learn from them or not is our own choice. My first adoptive family showed me fake love, there was only lust and greed."

"The person I called 'mother' only looked at me with disgust and hatred while the man I called 'father' looked at me with hungry eyes, waiting for the day to eat me. Other then that they provided food and shelter, until I turned 12 then that woman sold me off to a brothel... she broke my heart, she stole my innocent view for this world and she expressed, with every ounce of her being how much she hated me." Ariana explained with an icy tone,

Ariana felt a light thud against her back she turned her head and saw a teary eyed Edlyn, hugging her. Ariana sighed and looked back at Ms. Hadley.

"You have no idea how lucky you are... a mere child in a grown woman's body... such a pity. I think we will go eat breakfast by ourselves... thank you for the clothes we will return it to you after they are washed." Edlyn released Ariana and they grabbed eachother's hands for support. As they started to walk away Ms. Hadley stood up.

"Ms. Drake." She said with an authoritative tone as her face flushed slightly. "Do you think that your little lecture on family values was appropriate to give to a teacher? My life is my own and I would implore you to be mindful of such outrageous comments. You both are my students and will give me proper respect. I will not tolerate such insolence." Edlyn squeezed Ariana's hand and as she looked bitterly towards Ms. Hadley while Ariana let out a small laugh.

"At this moment you're not our teacher but an adult that was given temporary ward. Edlyn and I will go in search for my cousin, after we eat, we'll discuss some family matters. However, I would like to give you a little bit of advice..."

"You're right I don't know you or your family circumstances but what you call respect is not something you can demand from another person. The only respect I have to give you is to acknowledge your existence as a human being." Ariana said as a flash of disdain appeared in her eyes.

"Just because you're a teacher it's your G*d damn right to have it? Hardly! Respect is earned but you must have forgotten that little bit of information. Always trying to prove your worth but who are you proving it too? You bottlenecked at such a young age!"

"You're now blinded from your own insecurities that you can not even see that there are people who love you right next to you. Instead you bring up walls to distance yourself... as a teacher who refuses to keep learning regardless of who provides the lesson, you are an utter disappointment."

With that Ariana turned on the balls of her heels and stormed out, dragged a stunned Edlyn out of the room while a dumbfounded Ms. Hadley stood there with her mouth slacking.

Ariana's anger was past the boiling point when she finally calmed down she realized she was lost. She turned to Edlyn who was panting furiously. Ariana released her hand and started to fan Edlyn with her own hands. "Do you think you crossed the line with Ms. Hadley?" Edlyn signed as she finally caught her breath.

"No.... someone with her stubborn nature may never realize what she has until it is gone and by then it'll be too late. She will regret her actions and spiral down into depression." Edlyn looked at Ariana pitifully and started to sign again. "Experience?" Ariana sighed and looked up at the sky. "A little." She mumbled and Edlyn brought down her hands.

"Can I help you." A familiar voice said cause Ariana to bring her gaze back down. "Oh yes please! I have no idea where I dragged my friend too." Ariana said in a chipper voice but her eyes still held a melancholy look. The man scratch the back of his head and then flashed a smile. "Well I would be happy to escort you to your location." The man said as he flexed the arm that stretched behind his head. "Thank you Mister..."

The man semi collapsed and looked up with a bitter expression. "Honestly I was the one who came up with the strategy to keep you safe. The least you could do is remember me." Ariana's eyes quickly started to shine with mischief.

"Oh Mr. Dabney! Of course I couldn't forget you, I'm only teasing." Ariana replied with a small laugh. Mr. Dabney straightened up his body, making his pectorals dance in delight. "Well that's not a very nice thing to do with a teacher." He said as he gave a small smile.

"To be fair you're not my teacher yet. Just an acquaintance of sorts." Ariana said as she batted her big, innocent eyes at Mr. Dabney. "I may be a muscle head but I do have brains, you're teasing me again." He said with a deadpan face causing Ariana and Edlyn's bodies to start trembling as they held in their laughter.

"I... pfft... never said... pfft... you were a muscle head." Ariana tried to say as her cheeks puffed out, tears started rolling down her face as she struggled not to laugh.

"Right... well I assume you want to see your cousin come on." He said nonchalantly as he turned away from the girls. They started to breath heavily, controlling their laughter as they followed behind Mr. Dabney.

"Mr. Dabney... I would like to apologize for the teasing." Ariana started to say but Mr. Dabney waved her apology away. "Like I care what some brat thinks of me." He said coldly as the kept on walking.

"Brat or not, this one knows how to apologize. I sincerely apologize to you for my earlier outburst." Ariana said firmly, Mr. Dabney peaked back at the girl and gave her a small nod. "It's not like I'm not used to it." He replied and turned his head back. Ariana pursed her lips and was ready to stare a whole into his back. "Used to it or not, it's still not very nice... I just took my frustrations out on you and that was childish of me."

"Oh, so you were taking out your anger out on me? I see...." He said in a mocking tone. "I'm really sorry." Ariana said again but Mr. Dabney never acknowledged her words. "So tell me, what made you so frustrated?" Mr. Dabney asked.

Ariana held her breath for a second then let out a long sigh. "Ms. Hadley... we started to discuss some things and I ended up lecturing her... she then reprimanded me saying that she deserves respect so I blew up." Ariana explained.

"Did you?" Mr. Dabney replied with a bored tone. "So did you act disrespectfully?" He then asked. Ariana took quicker steps until she was in front of Mr. Dabney and stared him down. "Honestly it's a different story from each side. I respected her as a human being and gave her my insight, she believes I disrespected her as a teacher but Mr. Dabney.... is this what you're really interested in hearing? Muscles or not, you stated yourself that you have a brain, well so do I. You only sneak peaks at my face when you want to know the truth and look ahead when you are unconcerned."

Mr. Dabney started to smile and showed off his sharp canines. "I see... you have a temper. Well Ms. Drake I honestly could careless about the bickering of two females." His eyes shone with a deadly look that tried to make Ariana step down but she held her stance.

"You're right, I do have a question I'm dying to ask you but this is not the time or place." He said as he nodded back towards Edlyn. "There should be no restraints when Edlyn is around. She knows everything about me and I mean everything." Ariana replied.

Mr. Dabney let out a small whistle as he put his hands into his white slacks. "Does she now?" He said with a cocky smile. Ariana took a deep breath in and stared down Mr. Dabney. "Alright, I want to know why does everyone think you're so special."

Ariana's gaze turned cold. "Easy, it's because of my mother's identity." Mr. Dabney started to rock back and forth on the balls of his heels. "Is it that simple?"

"What do you mean?" Ariana asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I mean sure, your mom was super famous and influential years ago but she's been nothing after you were born. I mean, the church is still trying to keep the 'jewel eyed priestess' alive to keep their hold on people but you are nothing like her."

Ariana dropped her arms, Mr. Dabney's words were like a slap to the face. "So what makes you so important?" He asked again as he took a step forward, his dark red, collared shirt, neatly tucked into his white slacks teased as it tightened against his waist.

He brought up a firm, heavily calloused hand to her chin. His tanned complexion looked three times darker against her fair skin. He looked deeply into her eyes as he gripped her chin. "I will ask you again... what makes you special?" He said in a low tone that caused a cold shiver to run down Ariana's spine.

"If I knew... I would never tell you." Ariana replied firmly. Edlyn came stomping up to Ariana's aid and tried to pull Mr. Dabney's arm away.

Mr. Dabney looked at Edlyn's struggling face and let out a small laugh. He released Ariana and caught Edlyn within his arms. He brought the girl close to his body and made her look up into his handsome face.

"Aren't you a brave one?" He said as he gently moved a lock of hair from her face. Edlyn froze with fear, she could feel sweat collecting around her temples. Mr. Dabney let out a low laugh as he stared into her eyes. "You on the other hand... I can see why Ahhhhh?!" He shouted, releasing Edlyn from his embrace.

Ariana kept her cold gaze as she put more pressure in between her index and thumb. She had gotten the tender area underneath Mr. Dabney's arm and he was now at her mercy. He cringed with pain and tried to swing his free arm towards the side of her head.

She saw it coming and quickly let go of her hold on him. She brought up her right hand and effortlessly redirected his punch. Mr. Dabney was caught off guard and his eyes grew wide as he watched his punch being deflected to the side.

When he saw Ariana's palm coming in, it was too late to react. She successfully made contact to the bridge of his nose and a loud crunching sound echoed throughout the area, followed by a loud yelp as he dropped to his knees.

Footsteps could be heard coming towards their direction but Ariana could careless. She looked at Edlyn. "What hand touched you?" She asked in a dangerously, low growl. Edlyn brought up her shaking hands and signed. "Right."

Ariana brought back her leg and swung it around making Mr. Dabney fly towards the ground with a loud thud. She walked over to his body and bent down, grabbing his right wrist and pinning his arm to the ground with her knee. "

Scum." She said before she started to apply pressure to the wrist. Mr. Dabney tried to fight the pressure and pulled his hand in the opposite direction. "Wrong move." Ariana said darkly and quickly applied pressure along with his movement. "What's going on?!" A voice called out just as another cracking sound was heard. Ariana got up slowly and turned towards the newcomer.

"He's lucky you came." She said as her wide eyes shone with a ruthless coldness that sent shivers down everyones spines. "What have you done?!" Xander shouted as he looked at his teacher who was curled up in a fetal position but he couldn't take a step forward. He turned to Edlyn who was ridiculously pale, sitting on the ground shivering like a new born animal. Edlyn locked eyes with Xander and instantly started to silently cry.

Xander bit his bottom lip and picked Edlyn up in a princess carry. "Cayden I'm leaving the rest to you. I'm taking Ms. Abela to the infirmary." He said before racing off. Ariana's wild gaze calmed down completely when she heard Cayden's name.

She stared at the empty space that was once occupied by the two people and held her breath. Cayden stepped out from within the shadows, his blond hair looked golden in the sun light, his skin looked like it was gently kissed by the sun while his grey eyes flashed a brilliant silver before turning cold.

"What have you done?" He said in a low voice that it caused Ariana to take a step back in shame. "He deserved it." She said as she averted her gaze. "And you are so pure that you could pass judgment on him?" Cayden asked in a low voice.

Ariana looked back at Cayden and pursed her lips. Cayden walked up to them slowly and Ariana couldn't move her gaze anymore. The royal blue guards uniform suited him so well, it was positively enchanting. She watched as every fiber of the fabric stretched and relaxed as he moved.

"Answer! Are you one that can pass judgment?!" Cayden shouted angrily causing Ariana to drop her gaze to the ground. "No...." She said in a weak voice. As Cayden started to walk past her, she regained some of her courage back. "Well at least not yet." She said under her breath causing

Cayden to hesitate for split second. He regained his composure and walked up to his teacher. "Mr. Dabney are you alright?" He asked as he squatted next to the man. "Please guide this young lady to her cousin. She'll be detained until I can recover. I'll also personally hand out the punishment, there's no need to inform the Headmaster." He said as he tried to get off the ground.

Mr. Dabney struggled to get up as he repeatedly lost his balance. Cayden moved to help the man up by giving him a hand. "Sir, if you like I can detain the lady and then escort you to the infirmary." Cayden said as he watched Mr. Dabney try to focus his vision.

"It's fine. Just take her to her cousin." He replied then snapped his fingers in his left hand. A small, green flame sprouted from within his palm and scurried up to the top of its master's index finger.

"Mao I need you to be my eyes." He said as he flicked the flame towards the ground. The small, green flame started to stretch itself into a ball, it opened up its massive eye and looked at its master.

A look of fear flashed across the eye and it started to stretch out even more. It pulled on itself and turned into an elongated form, the area around the eyes started to blow out while twin tails elegantly moved outwards from its behind. Four scrawny sticks stretched out then little balls plumped out at the ends from the main body.

Two cat ears sprung upwards, whiskers slowly pushed out, two tightly closed eyes appeared underneath the eyeball which was now in the center of the cat's forehead. It became slanted and almond shaped.

Mao arched her flaming back before jumping onto her master's shoulders. She turned her cute face towards Ariana and hissed before securing her position. Mr. Dabney went to scratch Mao under her chin. "None of that now Mao." He said sweetly, Mao purred and turned her head straight. "Alright, I leave the rest to you." He said before he started to take a few wobbly steps forward.

Cayden sighed and started to move in a direction. "Cayden..." Ariana said pitifully as she tried to reach out to him. "Enough. I'll escort you to your cousin's room and nothing else." He said coldly before he started to take longer strides.

Ariana shook her head, she knew she wasn't timid and whatever Cayden said was not going to break her. She quickly followed behind him and tried to match his pace. "What happen to you? You were never like this before. I can't believe you changed so much... you have no idea how much I missed you." Ariana said as she tried to keep her tears at bay.

Cayden stopped for a second and gritted his teeth. It look like he wanted to say something but swallowed back his words before starting his pace again.

"You know I wrote you letters but you didn't reply... I should be the one mad at you, I should be the ignoring you and giving you the cold shoulder but when I saw you... all of that flew out the window. Was it not the same for you?" Ariana asked hopefully.

Cayden kept his gaze forward and the only sound that Ariana could hear from him was his black shoes hitting the cobble road.

"Well how's Adonis? Can he still take form? The others can't anymore... my own fault really but if I find something to unlock another skill I can give them that pure magic and.... Cayden what's wrong?" Ariana was saying but Cayden stopped moving.

He stood tall and proud, his face twisted with anger as his fists balled beside his body. "What do you mean they can't take form?" He asked with a low growl. Ariana touched her ears gingerly. "Will you talk to me if I tell you?"

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