“Aren’t you curious how I know your real identity?”
Ashara’s words echoed in Victor’s mind when he saw her fidgeting before him.
“Why are you staring at me, Victor?” she asked, her voice laced with innocence, her large, curious eyes blinking up at him.
Victor blinked, snapping out of his reverie, “Ah, it’s nothing…” he said, forcing a smile, “Just wondering if you happen to know any kind of spell that lets you… identify someone.”
Ashara’s brow furrowed, her fingers twirling a loose strand of her hair, “Identify someone? Why do you ask? Are you looking for someone in particular?” Her voice was soft, and thoughtful, as if she was mulling over the possibilities.
“Yeah,” Victor replied, his tone casual, “I’m searching for an old friend of mine.”
“I see…” Ashara murmured, her expression thoughtful as she processed his words.
There was no flicker of recognition in her features, no telltale sign that would suggest she knew more than she was letting on. It left Victor wondering, ‘Did she figure it out after the game, or was she always aware?’ he thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Ashara seemed to come up with… nothing.
Victor sighed softly, shaking his head. “Never mind. It’s fine. Forget I asked.”
“Who are you searching for, Victor?” Kira asked as she approached, her arms crossed, leaned closer. She had clearly been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Victor shifted his gaze to her, offering no immediate response, his attention now on the podium.
Kira, undeterred by his silence, pouted dramatically, stepping even closer to him. “What’s with that look? Are you mad because I teased you about not remembering my name earlier?”
Ashara stepped in, almost too quickly, sliding between them and gently pushing Kira back. “H-He doesn’t like it when women touch him,” Ashara stammered, her voice flustered, her face slightly flushed.
Kira chuckled, clearly amused by the protective stance Ashara had taken. “Oh, is that so? Funny, I don’t remember him complaining before.”
Ignoring their playful banter, Victor’s gaze roamed the hall, scanning the rows of seats. ‘Where is she?’ he thought, his mind now fixated on the absence of Delphine, who was nowhere to be seen among the professors.
Despite the eerie vision, he knew avoiding her would only make things worse.
It would make her think he was afraid—afraid of the visions she had shown him coming true….. And fear was a dangerous thing in his world.
Suddenly,
“We stand here today, not only to mourn the lives we tragically lost but also to honour those who stood against the darkness when hope seemed lost,” the Principal declared, her tone solemn yet commanding.
“In our darkest hours, when the very foundation of our academy was on the verge of collapse, there were those who rose to the challenge. Individuals who, through unwavering courage and determination, not only saved this academy but protected every soul within it…”
The crowd fell silent, listening intently as the Principal continued, her words heavy with meaning.
“Today, we honour both the fallen and the heroes who have gifted us with a future.
Let us grieve, yes, but let us also give thanks…. For in our sorrow, we find life, hope, and the strength to rebuild. And now, let us welcome the Heroes of our Academy,” she finished, her voice resonating through the hall as she snapped her fingers.
At that moment, a platform rose behind the podium, revealing the elite-class students, along with others who had played vital roles in defending the academy. Even the guards and servants who had contributed stood there, shoulder to shoulder, receiving equal recognition.
The audience watched in awe as the Principal began calling each name, one by one, to step forward and receive an honorary badge etched with the Academy’s emblem.
“Nyx Shadowfall, Finnian Sunfire, Jack Sparrow, Thalia Crimsonclaw, Timmy, Shan…” The list went on as the students moved forward, collecting their badges with a mix of pride and humility.
Victor, standing at the back of the line, observed the crowd’s reaction.
Some clapped politely, their applause soft, almost hesitant, while others barely raised their hands, offering the faintest of gestures. It was as if a cool breeze had passed through the hall, the applause not quite reaching full volume.
He wasn’t responsible for the deaths, that much was certain.
The lives lost had been taken before he arrived, and his plan hadn’t claimed a single soul.
Normal beings would feel pain and sadness…Over 1,500 people had perished whether they related or not, just the atmosphere made them sad and gloomy.
Yet,
He felt… nothing!!
A pang of guilt, a flicker of sorrow for the grieving families…. None at all!!!
He felt their death… just nothing!!
As if everything was part of a life…
As if… he had embraced death itself!!
Victor glanced down at his hand, staring at it with unknown emotions, ‘I’ve died twice now… once alone, and the second time with those I loved. Am I… getting used to this, Log? Am I accepting death? Or worse…
am I becoming something else?’ he wondered, his thoughts swirling in a dark spiral.
But his log remained silent.
Victor let out a quiet, bitter chuckle. “I see…” he whispered to himself, the corners of his lips twitching into a faint, hollow smile.
“And finally… Victor!”
Hearing his name called, Victor flinched, his body stiffening instinctively. He stepped forward, his movements tense, and accepted the badge without meeting anyone’s eyes.
“…”
A deep frown etched itself onto his face as he noticed something unsettling.
The entire academy had fallen into an unnatural silence. Even those who had been clapping softly just moments ago had stopped as if a sudden chill had swept over them. It was as though the atmosphere had shifted as if something was terribly wrong.
The Principal leaned in as she pinned the badge onto his chest, her voice barely a whisper in his ear, “What did you do now?”
Victor’s brow furrowed further, and he whispered back, “I don’t know…”
Yet,
/I’ve finished spreading the rumour… Are you sure you wanted this? The story that Victor killed a few students during the incident, using it as a scapegoat for his amusement… I think this is a dangerous move,/ Celestia’s telepathic message echoed in his mind.
Victor’s lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile, though only inwardly.
/It’s fine,/ he replied, /Victor was never meant to be a hero…/ His gaze shifted ever so slightly to where New Jack Sparrow stood, Jack sparrow curiously looked at him with an amused expression.
‘I need to catch this fish just right…’ he thought, his eyes cold and emotionless.
As if on cue, the Principal straightened, her voice now loud and clear for all to hear. “You brave heroes have saved many lives. I cannot find words strong enough to express my gratitude, other than to say… Thank you.”
The crowd’s mood shifted. The students, their families, and even some of the professors wore expressions of sadness and pride, their eyes growing teary as they watched the solemn ceremony unfold.
Victor and the others bowed deeply in respect to the Principal before turning to leave the podium, their movements rehearsed and dignified.
“And now,” the Principal said, her voice soft yet commanding as she turned back to the murmuring crowd, her expression calm but knowing, “for the finale…”
Victor raised an eyebrow.
Something felt off.
The crowd was whispering to one another… as if something missing.
“I know… I haven’t forgotten our all-rounder,” the Principal said with a soft, almost affectionate smile.
The Principal took a deep, deliberate breath, “Let us welcome our one and only brave hero.
Without him, I cannot begin to imagine what might have happened to my students. He, who with his intellect and selflessness, saved lives.
He, who risked everything, including his own life, just to protect the academy’s children.
He fought until the very end, ensuring that not a single life was lost after his arrival.
No one died because of him.
He stood beside saintess and protected her so that she helped others.
I only wish… he could have appeared earlier so not a single soul would have lost”
Victor’s frown deepened, his mind spinning. ‘What the hell is she talking about?’ he wondered to make sense of the Principal’s dramatic announcement.
The Principal’s smile softened as she looked out at the crowd, “I understand,” she said, her tone quieter, almost tender, Discover hidden stories at empire
“He didn’t want to stand beside the others today. He didn’t want to receive the same honours. But… Aether, please come forward. The people need to see you—the families, the children you saved—they deserve to see their hero’s face.”
Victor blinked, ‘What the fuck?…’