Emery saw how the usually cheerful Tatjana behaved differently. She became so terrified and jittery that her eyes kept glancing towards the back alley as they talked, as if someone would come and get her at any moment.
"Relax, Tatjana. First, let's calm down,"
After seeing her frantic expression ease a little, he then said, "Now, tell me, slowly, what exactly happened? What do you mean by the headmaster responsible for all of these?"
Tatjana looked at Emery and saw the serene look in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, she proceeded to tell him her part of the story. She told him how last year, the new headmaster had given the White Fang Clan and two other Wolf Bloodline's clans a mission, which eventually led to the death of many of the wolves' clans members.
However, when confronted, the headmaster refused and never even admitted he gave the mission to them. As if that wasn't bad enough, he also decided to capture and detain every member of the wolf clan, helping with declaring their so-called betrayal.
As he heard the words coming out of Tatjana's words, Emery honestly found it hard to believe. His mind thought back on how Headmaster Delbrand had been helping him since he returned to the Magus Academy until now.
Noticing the skeptical look on Emery's face, Tatjana turned even more irritated.
"I am telling you, Emery! The new headmaster is hunting us, the wolves! And you being instructed to participate in that mission is most likely the bait prepared for us!"
Even though he was still a little dubious about Tatjana's explanation, Emery of course would not jump to conclusions. He started to think again and analyze all the information he had been given, inspecting and cross-checking to find if there was anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
The mission was to meet with the Wolf Clan, to see the proof of their innocence. Emery was told to come to identify the White Fang Clan members and also help to set the right atmosphere of trust during the meeting.
But then, he suddenly recalled how Lord Esbern was actually expecting Headmaster Delbrand to be the one to come, not a young acolyte like him. There was possibly some distrust, which made the headmaster not come himself.
"Emery, I suggest you not get yourself involved in this. However, if you still insist on doing it, can I ask you a favor?" Tatjana asked him with a pleading look in her eyes. Seeing that, Emery nodded his head.
"Can you help me look around and find out if Brutus is safe? Please, I beg you."
Brutus was the senior who introduced Emery to the White Fang. Emery remembered how the guy had helped him a few times in the past, so of course, he would find a way to make sure, or at least, find out if he's safe.
Tatjana's expression briefly changed to joy, when she saw Emery agree to her request. "Thank you, Emery. I have to go now, I am under surveillance and can't be seen here talking to you."
She flashed a smile at Emery and turned around. "Goodbye, Emery. Be safe."
With that, Tatjana immediately walked away. Emery watched as her figure gradually went blurry by the dark back alley. It was only when her back completely disappeared that he finally turned around and returned inside the inn, sitting among his two friends again.
They both looked at him with clear concern in their eyes.
Knowing this somewhat gloomy atmosphere could not continue, Emery began to ease the tension on the two by bringing up some casual topics, things they usually talked about when they met.
"Why are only the two of you here? Where are those two, Julian and Thrax?" Emery suddenly had an enlightened expression on his face as he continued, "Ah, they must be very busy with training, aren't they?"
Unexpectedly, Klea didn't seem to be in the mood to answer his inquiry. Instead, it was Chumo who answered.
"Julian is studying with the Harlight elites, tactics, and politics I heard. While Thrax is really busy competing in the Combat Institute's gladiator matches. He's been raking in glory there; 30 matches in a row without losing is his current record if I remember it correctly."
Emery showed a surprised look when he heard Thrax's extraordinary accomplishment.
"Wow! Is he now?!" He was happy to hear his friends were still kicking and progressing vigorously.
"Emery, we're all preparing for the second game next month," Chumo said. "Will you be back by then?"
Emery smiled and said, "Of course, I will! I'm sure I will just be gone for a few days at most."
Hearing this, Klea suddenly snapped. She stood up and glared at Emery.
"Are you really still going?! After everything you just heard?!"
This sudden burst of anger caught both Emery and Chumo off guard. The two of them instinctively looked at each, the former was at a loss on what to do. Alas, the latter wasn't unscathed either, as Klea quickly turned her attention to him.
"Chumo! Will you please say something and put some sense into him?!"
The Asian friend shifted his gaze towards Emery, his mouth was trying to say something, but it was as if his old disease decided to come back at this important moment. His eyes looked towards her again and stayed silent for a while.
Afterwards, he decided to stand from his seat, bowed in a forgiving manner and slowly took a step back under the other two's gazes, as he left the room without turning back, not wanting to get involved.
"…"
Both were speechless with Chumo's actions, until Klea turned irritated again.
"Huh! I dragged him here to convince you. Now he runs away!"
Before Emery managed to say anything, Klea beat him to it. It was clear her rant had only just begun.
"Emery, seriously!? Do you even know what an A-rank level mission is?"
Even though Emery didn't give a response, she continued on.
"It's a mission that requires the presence of a grand magus! Did you hear me? Grand magus level mission! that's what you are about to jump into!"
Klea was still not finished. She added facts about the low survival rate of such missions, and that even the information itself was created for a magus to read, not for acolytes like them.
The girl seemed to know everything about his mission, as Emery watched her blurting out information after information, but strangely it was not surprising to him. Klea was always the most resourceful among the group.
Still, he needed to try to calm her down. He knew she was worried about him, hence her attitude. Therefore, he decided to tell her about the strong team he would be part of: multiple magus level individuals, powerful bloodlines magus, and a grand magus to boot.
Alas, such news only further proved her points in Klea's mind, making her even more anxious.
There was a little silence, as Klea shut her mouth for a moment, but then she continued, looking straight at Emery.
"Emery, we have known each other for years now. I know how you would easily choose to risk your life for your friends. I am here to remind you that we also need you… The Earth needs you… I… also…Ugghh! Just don't waste your life for others!"
The girl was panting, as she almost lost her breath.
In response, Emery quickly held her arm and it managed to calm her.
"I will be careful, Klea, I really will, you dont need to worry about me" said Emery, when he noticed her looking into his eyes.
The words once again made her angry, as it was not the answer she was looking for. She looked away and shook her hand, freeing it from Emery's grasp. "You are so stubborn, Emery. I can't help you if you can't help yourself!"
Klea stood and suddenly took out a book from her spatial ring, before putting it on the table.
"Don't think I don't know about your injury as well… how in the world would you consider joining the mission under such conditions! If you want to die for others… then so be it! I will also stop worrying about you from now on!"
Emery noticed how her eyes glimmered, tears were about to fall. Alas, his expression only made her ashamed and quickly left the tavern. He stood to chase her, but the girl suddenly used her magic bracelets to stop him.
A deafening sound echoed throughout Emery's mind, as a spirit attack strong enough to stop his tracks hit him.
"Do. Not. Follow. Me! Just go and die! I… don't care anymore!"
Those were the last words Klea said, before she left the tavern in a hurry.
Emery had improved so much the spell only took him a second to recover, but it was enough for him to reconsider chasing after her. His gaze was then attracted to the black hardcover book lying on the table in front of him. It had drawings of two wolves, one was chasing the sun, while another was chasing the moon.
The title of the book was written in weird letters, but the symbol on his hand easily translated it for him.
[The Mythical Wolf Fenrir and its two offsprings: the Night Wolf and the Day Wolf]
Emery's hands reached for the book and opened it. As he skimmed through its hundred pages, he could see there were many notes already highlighted and filled. He could see from the writing style they were all Klea's.
Caressing one of the pages, he took a deep breath and his heart beat fast knowing how much time, thoughts and effort the girl had put into this. Her feelings were in these notes, and once again the image of her crying just now rolled into his mind, bringing him indescribable pain.
Eventually, Emery put the book in his spatial storage, stood up, and ran out of the tavern – looking for her.
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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by NovelFull,
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