Chapter 15: A Deal To Make

I grabbed the dried paintbrush on the floor and made it into a new one with no difficulty. I observed it carefully before setting my eyes to my surroundings again. The old paint buckets is made into new ones as well along with the other empty canvases but I did not touch the one thats on its stand in the middle. I thought that it holds a significance before it was left here to be abandoned. Though I wonder how this shack remains in a ruin when it is completely inside the school premises.

---

He carefully walked over the mess and thought this cannot go on if he wishes to revisit this place. He bends down and picks up the scattered broken things and set them aside. He found a sack sitting not so far from the window and used it as a garbage bag for the broken things he have gathered. Brittle woods, dirty rags, rusty steels that are lying everywhere and other stuffs that are considered as trash. Picking them up carefully from the floor and putting those trashes in the sack in order, so to fit all them together. The bigger ones remain in one side of the corner. Finished with all of the mess, he dusted off his hands and observed the whole room to see if there are more things that need to be arranged.

The place is now clean and except the weathered walls, floors, and roof, everything is in order of neat. The room appeared empty after everything has been cleared out. Carlos enjoys the solace before turning his attention to the untouched old canvas. He left it there standing as he cleans and constantly looking back to it while he was picking up the mess.

He walks over to the old canvas and grazed his fingers to it. The texture is very sandy and dust collecting in his fingers as he feels through it. His touch left a clean trail, leaving the other part of the canvas still dusty.

Motivated to create a piece of art. Carlos knows he still have a lot of time to spend before the lunchbreak ends so he decides to do what he desires right now and that is to paint. He itches to paint.

He blew off the dusts on the canvas and examined its state. Though old, he figures it can still be painted on. The dried paintbrushes on the floor was turned into a brand new ones. The equipments on the floor was picked up by Carlos and used it to open the two unopened paint buckets and he is surprise how the paint hasnt expire yet then he recalls the paints he have back then and was reminded paints dont easily expire. "How convenient" he thought and grabbed those two paint buckets closer to the canvas stand.

The colors of the two paint buckets are white and yellow. He looked over to the empty paint buckets and checked their colors and revealed that they were blue, red. black and green.

"Huh... these colors are just perfect. Especially for mixing colors." He spoke his thought aloud. He picked those empty buckets up and transformed them into brand new full paint buckets. Saving him the trouble from going to the paint store to look for the same paints when he can just use magics. He has always been very grateful to the magic he learned and will always be using it for his own good.

He sets everything up. He gets the colors mixed into the colors need and commenced his passion for painting.

Carlos is painting a new piece. He recalled the scenery of the palace when he looked through the window inside the carriage when he was on his way to the party before he met Catherine that night. He remembers the warm colors colliding to the cool colors in gradient effect as the sun set down to the other side of the Earth. He also included the carriage on its way to the palace to give it a story that he visualized while sketching before painting of it. Though he is too immersed in his painting he did not hear the bell ringing, announcing the end of the lunchbreak and commencing of the continuation of the class. He is too focused on his painting to hear it.

He is very attentive to every details he wants to put while worrying the bigger parts on where the eye should focus on. He squints and leans closer then taking a step back and see the whole painting. Only did he realized the time when the bell had rung once again.

At first, Carlos wasnt alarmed until he checked his pocket watch and sees an hour already passed by since the end of the lunchbreak. He panics and became very careless as he rushes and hit the blue paint bucket. He stumbles over it and clumsily gets up. He cautiously checked his uniform and he was glad that none of the paint got onto his uniform except for his shoes although he paid not much attention, after all, cleaning his shoes is a lot easier than it will be on his uniform. He walks out with a trail of blue footsteps over the floor and that trail fades away not too soon, it came to an end when he gotten far and the remaining paint on his shoes have dried up.

He sneakily comes up to the door of his classroom before carefully taking a peek over the door to see if Sir Symoun is still there. Thankfully, he had already left the room and no longer in sight and so, Carlos gleefully walked back inside scot-free and returned to his seat in an optimistically aloof behavior as if he did not just cut class (accidentally).

Eugene and Rhyden are nowhere to be found, including the other students are missing. Carlos did not question any of it whatsoever for he already knew that those students are practicing, preparing for their performance in foundation day, solo or by group.

There are only a few numbers of students are left behind. Seeing that there were only a few, Carlos easily noticed Alliyah is here, reasonably since she just came back. With no teacher at present, Carlos thought of something. He tore a piece of paper from one of his notebooks that were stored underneath his desk and wrote a message on it before folding it into an airplane. He then applied a levitation magic to it and made it fly over to Alliyah. It flew so freely to her desk and landed on her notebook very gently that easily had her attention.

Alliyah took it with her hand and saw a little arrow that is pointing in the middle which invited her to unfold the paper plane with innocence upon opening it. There sees a message inside when she read it, her face turned horrified. She looked at Carlos instinctively with fear. Carlos is looking back at her. She trembled in her seat and kept quiet to not alarm the others.

The note says:

Meet me after school. Butterfly fountain. Tell no one about this, especially to your brother. Keep quiet, its for your own good.

---

As much as I hope I did not startle Alliyah too much, seeing her expression when she fearfully looked at me says it all. If only I can drop the act of being Carlos and apologize to this girl on his behalf even without asking for forgiveness just to comfort her.

Carlos did so many bad deeds in the past that eventually will come after him for vengeance in a form of karma. And since I am stuck in Carlos' body, everything will rain down on me inevitably. I hate it. He left so many things where he is at fault and I will be the one facing them. Very unfair and I have the right to say so.

With Alliyah... I really do feel bad for her. I didnt have so much sympathy to her back then because despite Alliyah being one of the key character, she wasnt given much of a depth in the story. Though it was revealed what happened to her, the revelation of her story timed with an important lore of the story that overshadowed her and I am one of those who ignored her story just to focus on the "much more important" part of the story. Now that I am here, sympathize for her. The least I can do is apologize in Carlos' stead since I am in his body. It is all I can do.

I dont take myself for someone actually caring somebody else but my friends not once missed a reminder that I am, however, I still dont think that I am that person since I am just someone who acts out how they feel freely while maintaining a distance to other people just so not to bother them. I have friends to bother, those strangers dont have to suffer to my weirdness.

---

Rhyden is in the practice for his solo performance. He is currently in his club that he joined in. The swordmaster club that consists a lot of well-trained students who can use a sword and some joined to learn how to use it. Rhyden, who have a lot of experience, managed to get into the club without a hitch when he was a first-year. The club also enhanced his skills does not regret his choice of picking the swordmaster club.

There are other students who are too going to perform. Rhyden is part of that group and since he is one of the most well-versed using a sword with his signature sword, he have his solo within the performance. This performance they will present is a sword dance, originated from Roman and Greek times, performed in ballets to portrait the battles men fought hard for in the dance.

Rhyden raises the hilt of his sword to his face. The blade is a fine silver, capable of cutting monsters down, reliable for monster hunting. The hilt bears a jewel of emerald, perfectly cut into a hexagon, displayed at the very base. The grip is wrapped in fine leather, better for holding the sword tightly without slipping from the holder's hand. Its appearance is almost the same as the other swords you could find, however, what made is so different to every swords is the pommel. The pommel holds a crest that no one knows who holds it, neither does Rhyden knows. This sword he has in possession is was founded by him somewhere near the graves. It is not within the graves' premises and is 1 km away from it, isolated to the tombstones. Rhyden thought that this might have been a dead knight's sword as its former owner.

He knelt down and prayed for the sword, calling to its owner, asking for permission to be granted to have this sword be its next owner to be Rhyden. Everytime he holds it, there's a burden of sentience weighing it down. The blood it shed, the flesh it cut, the life it had taken, who were killed by this sword bares the weigh of their death. Though Rhyden can feel those burden in the body of the sword, not once did the sword felt differentiates itself from his hand nor the soul of its former owner that once haunted him, asking for his sword to be returned where he found it. Only then did he claimed the sword to be his as its next holder.

Everyone with a sword in their hands, move in rhythm, synchronizing their moves. They changed from positions to positions. They move in circle before merging into a spiral and in a spiral, they became a flower before breaking off to become a sun. They changed their formation and suddenly, they formed a two section of the dancers and those who are on the opposite side raises their sword and commenced their battle at once and all attacked at the same time, just like what you will see in war. The sound of the clashing sword before was like part of the instruments played to symphonized to the music but now, it is all chaos and the thundering clashing swords were heart thumping with thrill and horror, depicting what war holds and shows what those knights await of their fate, where they're burial is where they fall and the shouting of war cries are the ceremonial of their funeral.

Those performers who are not dressed in armors but rather dressed as a commoner, took the swords from the dead knights in the middle, all deceased with no survivor. One of them one by one took the swords and they are still divided into two. They raised their swords to commence the battle of their but fell to the ground, kneeling with the swords next to them, in hold yet unused. Those who are at the back of each factions dropped their swords and so did those who are kneeling and at the same time, they raised both of their hands free to the opposing side as if telling to stop it all. Let this all end, for the battle did not bring them victory but death of those who they call a friend, a brother, a father, a son, all dead because of the war they created all because of one disagreement.

In Rhyden's solo, that part will be kept a secret until the day of the foundation comes.

Catherine on the other hand, is part of the singer club. She easily gained her fame there and only continues to grow because of her voice. She easily managed to sign up for the club with no questions nor trial needed for her to be qualified to join and Marlhin, muse of the singer club and one of the young prodigy, amuses herself with her senior, Catherine, a year older and a year apart from their academic level. Already liking her company and surely familiarizing herself to Catherine would give quite an interesting life here at school.

They are all preparing for the performance too. The singer club has a lot of members so they are all broken off into two. The first group are the ones who are afraid to perform to everyone and they are to perform as a choir in the foundation day and the second group are the ones who will be performing a presentation and gain the favor of the owner of the school.

Their performance was agreed to have a little dance in their show and not just standing while singing, it will not be so different to the choir group and so, innovation is a must for the sake of their performance. The girls will be dressed as a porcelain doll while the boys will dress up as a wooden toy soldier. Everyone is participating and actually quite eager to their show. Their efforts can already be seen in their eyes filled with excitement as they discuss how the performance will be executed in front of everyone for it is not only the owner of the school they are seeking validation for but also the crowd, the audience, only then could they say they did a very spectacular show once they hear the crowds cheering and their beautiful praises showered them.

The bell finally rings for the last time.

Members of each clubs who are going to participate for the performance in foundation day relieved a sigh for that they can finally go home. Unfortunately, there are times when the leader doesnt let their members go home so early so they can practice even more to better their show. Some members are required to stay and the rest are free to go home. Those who are free teases the other members, a friendly fight between friends.

Rhyden stayed behind for he is required to stay and practice his part, no complain was heard from him. Catherine stayed by choice to be with everyone a little longer and to practice her own part too while getting to know everyone in the club. Her delighted manner receives a warm welcome from everyone around her. Her pleasant company delighted everyone too.

Alliyah did as what she was told. She awaits at the designated place she is supposed to meet her past aggressor. She fearfully awaits for him while clutching her bag very close to her body. Looking down to her feet, why didnt she just run away, left the school immediately and pretend that Carlos hadnt told her to wait for him by the fountain and yet, she told the coach of her carriage to wait for about 30 minutes as she is going to meet up with her old friend, a lie she told him and the irony of it that she said "old friend" when the old friend in question is none other than the person who caused her trauma which was never her friend that she thought he was to her and all of it turned out to be just a farce.

She is ashamed of herself, ashamed of her old self for thinking someone like Carlos could ever be a friend.

Alliyah is sittingby the fountain. The sound of the water falling. The humidity around her causes her back to feel colder than usual. She tried to relaxed herself when she heard footsteps behind the fountain. She arose from her spot and stood facing the opposite side of the fountain. Behind the falling waters is none other than Carlos himself.

Carlos took a way round to see Alliyah. He is not disappointed and was pleased to see Alliyah did what he had told her to. Alliyah is nervous but so is Carlos, nervous because he thought Alliyah might have gone home already and didnt wait for him to hear him out what he needs to tell her. Worst of all, she might have gone to tell her brother and the worst thing could he ever imagine appears right before his eyes and dreaded to that outcome

"Hello Alliyah." Carlos broke the silence between them. His eyes wondered to Alliyah's figure. Her uniform is well kept even when the whole day has passed and still maintained the fresh look she had right before she came to the classroom. Thought her face is quite the opposite. Her expression showed nervous and distressed and Carlos doesnt doubt that is because of him. Her look makes Carlos pity her for what happened to her, what the original Carlos had done to her.

"I'll keep this short for the two of us." He said. He walked close to her and she anxiously took a step back and flinching in the process and hits the body of the fountain when she moved her foot backward, quite a foreboding anticipation from her for she had nowhere to go if Carlos were planning to do something to her, fearing so greatly about the last time happening again. Carlos had no such thoughts whatsoever at all towards her. Knowing the result of what he has caused her by simply taking 1 step closer, he remained where he is to respect her personal space and also to not evoke such amount of fear from her. He understands what she went through and so he will respect her boundaries but since he is Carlos, her boundaries have been overstepped already, all because he is Carlos.

Carlos, now, wants to clear everything up. Not only for his sake as a person but also to Alliyah. He doesnt know what good will come to her but he wishes her to no longer be so afraid of Carlos. It wouldnt be a piece of cake of course, he can tell that yet he still wants to try, for her to dislike him no longer.

He raises both of his arms where she can see them. He also kept the maniacal and mischievous behavior from her. "Relax, Im not going to do something to you. I'll keep myself harmless as a deer."

"Im here to apologize. Before you get to say anything, please hear me out." He carefully begins his apology. He walked very slowly sidewards towards to the fountain and sat himself down, 2 feet away from Alliyah. "Though I know you wont forgive me and I am not asking for it either. After all what I've done to you, I understand by putting myself into your shoes. All what Im asking for you is to hear me out." He lowered his head and try to make it look like Carlos, the original one, feel ashamed of what he had done to her by acting in a way of person who has regret from their past action.

"I... I did that because..." Carlos hesitantly spoke. His mouth remains open to say something but he cant look for a reason to tell. He is not Carlos, just a soul trapped inside his body, so to say that he doesnt know the real reason why Carlos would do something like that. He also already revised a lot of fabricated stories to tell to Alliyah to be used as a reason why Carlos did that to her in the first place, however, now that he is here with her, acting out the plan he have for this situation, every made up stories he thought of did not seemed to fit Carlos' reasonings nor did it appear reasonable to everything so he stopped and hesitated. Running out of options, he sat there for a while, fidgeting his fingers and in dire need to think of another plan or just simply a small lie to tell to Alliyah to fill in the gaps in his plan. He worriedly looked over to her and Alliyah is waiting for next dialogue. Cursing under his breath, he inhaled a good deal of air to regain the oxygen he wasted while he was thinking and let his tongue move to form a sentence by its own and let this sentence guide him to a direction he hopes his plan will go according to his desire.

"... is because I was desperate for love. Desperate to love and be loved. Loving a person and that person loving me back..."

'Wait what huh??? What am I saying!??'

"Thats why I pestered you everyday and then ignoring you whenever you call to me, because I liked the feeling of someone looking for me, giving me an illusion that you must have liked me even though I know that you dont."

Carlos remained his head looking at the ground. Confused what he is saying. For someone who never had a crush nor someone crushing him, looking for something he never had before, craving something that he never tasted before, made him very curious about it. So as much that he lied to his friend having a crush on someone just to see and experience the feeling of being teased by his friend whenever his "crush" walks by close to them and hoping he will feel something but it was all in vain for it was just a hollow lie he created for himself.

'Idiot! You think Alliyah will believe that!?? It sounds more fabricated than the ones I made up!'

"It was all an illusion I made in my mind that you do like me for the sake of feeling loved. I realized what I was doing and knew it is wrong. The fact that I was imprisoning out of my own wish. When you confronted me, I knew the words you told me back then are right and true. It is my pride that couldnt just humble itself that I tried to break off from it only to come back to reality where I found you hurt, hurt by me. Im really sorry, Alliyah."

Silence came over them. The sound of the wind gushing and whistling as they travel, the vibration of the large quantity of water flowing down in the fountain, the flock of birds' wings flapping in the sky while birds on tree branches are tweeting yet not singing. Those ambiances are the only ones keeping this moment is at wake and real.

Alliyah moved so gently to her side as she looks at Carlos attentively when she sat down by the fountain as well. It is true she will not forgive Carlos on what he had done to her, something inside her that left an impression from Carlos that is pity towards him. A child who was alienated by his whole family till today, makes her pity him. He was born talentless, the sole reason why he is an outcast to his family despite being part of flesh and blood with them. Flesh of his body and blood that runs through his veins, an evidence of a strong relation to the Advincula family and yet not once is he ever part of them.

Advincula family are known to their unique talents. They are a prestigious family since the very first generation. Their magnificence gained a lot of attention, garnering so much of it that they managed to get King's approval and made their way up to nobility and so much more. Unfortunately, they are also known for being prejudice against those who doesnt have any talent whatsoever. Their strict words and opinions against them are enough to write a thick book out from it. And those were all applied to Carlos when he was soon found out he is born without a talent. He wasnt an exception even though he bears the name of Advincula. The things that made him related to them became meaningless. The thin thread he have with his family is the blood and name still however, but once he loses that name, he will be banished. The father of his hadnt disown him yet because he believes that there might be an underlying talent hidden inside him that hasnt been awaken yet, which is why he is the Dollamex School, known to help students awaken their talent.

Alliyah knows all of these from the gossips in the parlour that were discussed whenever she attends a tea party among with her friends and new acquaintances. Hearing Carlos' reason even though it will not give justice to what he did, that reason is rooted to his unloving family that never cared for him thats why he tries to get them by himself in a way he thinks it will be given to him. But how could he ever know how to get it when he never get to see how it will be given when no one has ever given it to him? He doesnt know and all of his actions made everyone against of him. He has never gained approval of his father and mother, neither will he get everyone's approval then.

May the whole world hate him but not once have they ever known Carlos' story.

As for the current poor Carlos, sits there awkwardly. Shoulders tensed, back hunched, head forced to hang low that his nape hurts. He lets his hair fall down to his face to his scrunching face while cursing at himself. Asking his own poor brain why would he say that and should have just stick to the lies he prepared.

'Uuwwaagghh! You stupid!! Stupid! You hear me!? Stupid! That was so bad! You could have just use the lie you already picked the best and yet you still go off the script! Seriously you should just cut your tongue off to stop you from saying stupid shit!'

'Shit... what is she going to think? Im pathetic? Im lying? Yes I am but like-- gaah! There's no saving me!'

Carlos timidly turns his head sideward to look at Alliyah. He fears to see a disgusted expression of hers yet he is eager to see what else is there to see. He glances to her faces sneakily and Alliyah saw through him and she looked at him directly.

"Is that true?" She asks. Realizing how lonely Carlos must have been in his entire life. Casted out by his own family, alienated from his classmates, rejected by most of the people at school and to the noble society, Carlos never had anyone by his side that must have had led him to do such scheming things because he never had anyone been there for him, not even a figure in his life to straighten him out.

Carlos looked away from her, averting from her gaze before nodding his head.

Alliyah, who feared Carlos down to her bones, gained courage out of nowhere and reaches her hand to him and touches his chin for an unknown reason. Carlos, flinches from the touch and closes his eyes, shutting them all completely out of instinct. Alliyah was taken back by this though she didnt draw her hand away from him and turns his head to her which Carlos did not object from letting him be led.

'Ohhhkaayy where is this going...' he thought. Too nervous to find out whats going to happen. "Is she going to slap me? Thats why she is turning my head to get a clean hit on my face? Alright then, do it! Get your revenge on Carlos! I can take it!'

Alliyah can see his face clearly. Closely to her. His face did not have that sinister sneering and maniacal look in him the last time she saw him. His eyes are tightly shut, his lips are pursed, his eyebrows are turned upwards, and his jaws are locked, bracing for something that will come to his face out of anticipation for the uncertainty things that might befall upon him. He did not look insane, crazy, spoiled bastard, instead, he looks like a pitiful scared child who's got himself into trouble and scared to get punished yet doesn't turn nor run away and faces the punishment to repent for the bad things he had done in the past. That is what he looks like right now to Alliyah.

"Fu fu" Alliyah wasn't able to hold back her giggle but was quick to halt. Carlos heard that small noise and opened one of his eyes to take a peek on what's happening. There she saw Alliyah in a merry expression though she draws herself back immediately when she realized what she just did.

"H-huh...?" Carlos opened both of his eyes cautiously and rather quite relieved he didn't get a slap from her. It was all in his head that she will hit him although he isn't entirely against having her hit Carlos despite he is Carlos now, just to let Alliyah have the satisfaction of revenge even just for a little bit.

"No no! It's nothing..." She shies away as soon as when Carlos returned to himself. That stoic, menacing gaze yet, that did not look like to her anymore. He simply just looked like someone who isn't quite experienced on showing how he truly feels and is in constant trouble on showing it or at least she thinks he is. She lets out another small giggle but not much as the first time.

"I am serious about this you know! So don't get any other ideas. If you don't believe me... Then... I give myself at your service." Carlos started out which caught Alliyah off guard.

"What!? No no! T-there's no need for that!" She moves both of her hands side to side in opposite direction to refuse.

"No, this is my decision. At least to let you know this isn't a lie and also to at least make it up to you. Please, let me do this for you." Carlos made quite a proposal to her. He lowered his head to her to bow. Although his bow isn't so formal, it showed his respect to her. He made this proposal to her so that he can protect her from the future disasters that will happen to her. Her help to Rhyden is very crucial. He might also need to help Alliyah to get close to Rhyden, that is a chore to do but he is willing to take that responsibility.

Alliyah felt quite touched by this but she feels it off. Not that Carlos is doing something like that sounds so farfetched and something like he will truly do this however, this one feels honest and true and that is what made it so unreal to her. She didn't have any choice so she accepted his offer cordially and Carlos lifted his head with a new look on his face that Alliyah didn't know.

Carlos started at Alliyah and felt a sense of familiarity while looking at her face. Suddenly, the face changed in a blink of an eye. Her straight hair is still there and the glasses remained yet that face does not resemble Alliyah's rather, something even more familiar to him. Someone's face that he had known for a very long time. The image of that face carved in his memory that can never be forgotten nor erase even if amnesia or Alzheimer were to try.

His eyes swelled up with tears. Tears wetted his eyes, making it glossy and the reflection of that person is in his watery eyes. That reflection Belongs to his long time friend. The girl was always by his side together with his other friend which made them a trio. His memories flashes right before the image of Alliyah could resurface and those memories flooded his eyes more and a tear or two rolls down his cheeks.

'Oh no... I'm getting more and more sensitive nowadays aren't I? God I wish to see them again.'

"Oh my! What happened? What's wrong?" Carlos woke up to reality by Alliyah checking up on him.

Embarrassed, Carlos turned his back on Alliyah and wipes his tears away. He took a deep breath and let the image of his friend fades away for now. He worries that the more he reminisce of his memories, it might make him very tender. He coughs and fixes himself, adjusting his clothes and smoothening his hair.

"I should go now! I don't want to keep you here longer or your brother might get worried that you're still not home." Carlos made a quick farewell and retreat, scurrying away in such lamely manner and disappeared from where he first appeared.

The two failed to see the shadow of the protagonist standing at the corner, hidden from those two, watching from afar.

Alliyah walks to her carriage. She is walking physically yet spiritually absent. She cannot comprehend what just happened. She hated Carlos. She hated him so much that she curses him to meet his end as soon as possible and let it be his karma be the reason of it all. That is the feeling she has inside her with Carlos, however, today, Carlos is different to what he was when she last saw him and her hatred be ignored, became invisible. Every curses she made to him were all forgotten all because of today. They disappeared all of the sudden. Perhaps this Carlos a new Carlos yet she also thinks that Carlos, was not new but rather, Carlos who opened up to her and showed his vulnerable side to her, giving him a chance to be him or which she speculates that must be the real Carlos and the ever so insane Carlos the school knows of is a face he created just to hide himself.

She was rather quite disappointed to herself to act so comfortable around him as if everything he had done to her were forgotten. She told herself she will never forgive him yet she acted out of nowhere in such way that it is almost she did forgive him. 'Maybe I am still a prisoner of the illusion you created.' she thought, recalling the times when Carlos was creepily friendly to her yet she still included him as friend, foolishly thinking Carlos can be a good person at that time. If Carlos managed to fool her back then, what if this one is another one of his antics?

Alliyah then remembered Carlos giving his service to her, maybe she can get something out from him first before he gets tired of being nice and shows his true color again.

---

Yes yes! I did it! Wew! Woah! Phew!

I walked down the hallway with weak legs caused by nervousness but my chest is filled with giddy emotions. My interaction with Alliyah went well, though I did go off from my original plan, everything ended well.

My shoes can be heard every steps I take that the sound doubled followed by a harsh drag around my collar and pulled me to the side, hitting my body against the wall. I made out a gasp upon the impact. I raised my head to see the culprit and who would have thought it is our beloved main character.

"Thats one way to say hello through physical, I see." I said to him, returning to the character as Carlos.

He didnt say anything to me. He is only staring at me intensely. Seems like he was more prepared to bash me to the wall instead of the speech he wants to tell. Curious, what led him to do that to me?

"I havent even say anything yet your tongue is already caught by the cat." I teased, feeling no fright towards him.

"Whatever youre planning, drop it." He spoke. Despite his predatory look, his low voice still managed to sound soft and comforting. This character he is showing me right now doesnt suit him at all, truly.

"Planning? What are you talking about?" Playing dumb, I asked him what it is, though it is true, I am scheming nothing at all, at least, not right now. The foundation day hasnt arrive yet and Im going to need to prepare for that as well.

"You know very well what I am talking about."

"I assure you, Mr. Blight, I dont. Whatever it could be, do tell me so at least we'd be on the same page." His hand is still on my collar and I dont think he have any intention of letting go right now. I drew myself closer to him.

"Whatever youre scheming on Alliyah, drop it right away. Dont you feel any remorse? She just came back and youre already targeting her so soon." Rhyden said the reason behind why he pulled me over.

Wait what? He heard that!? How much did he hear?

"Alright Mr. Blight, whatever I said to Alliyah is none of your concern and it will never be. That was between me and her. I thought even commoners are taught manners about eavesdropping, clearly you skipped that lesson." I did not hesitate to say those words to him. I need to shake him off as soon as possible before he tries to get an information out of me. He must not know I am trying to reconcile with Alliyah so to protect her or else the story might change for the major parts and that will be a pain in the ass to take care of in the future. Im trying to go on the safest route not just for myself but also for the sake of you Mr. Protagonist along with Ms. Protagonist!

The word commoner rings inside Rhyden's head over and over again. He felt overwhelmed by this, being reminded of where he came from as if he should be ashamed of it all because he is a noble just like other students. Be treated less than those who more fortunate than him because he cannot give more than they can. He clenches his fist and I saw that. He is still trying to hold himself yet I can feel his patience had run low, probably triggered by what I said so greatly. His first is shaking from anger however his face does not show any change into a alarming state of anger, but the fact I can feel his anger seeping through, I should have at least said something else instead of a commoner. Rhyden raises his hand.

'Woah woah woah! You cant be doing this!? Youre a protagonist! You should be a calm and collected character! You wouldnt hit someone even if they said something so against you! I know I am a villain but still!!' I swallowed thickly and felt my throat clogged, it made swallowing so difficult.

Rhyden lowers his hand, thankfully. He lets go of my collar and prepares to leave yet before he does, he pointed his finger at me and warned me if I were to do something to Alliyah, he is not going to think twice on taking the matter with his own hands.

Very heroic... but the fact it is me whos being threaten... Man, I gotta be careful.

The very next day, Alliyah gives me a piece of paper in the same way I did giving my letter to her. I opened the with full attention and read the message inside it.

"There is something I need help with. Please keep your promise with you being at my service."