Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Lockdown (2)
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“Haa…”
It was a headache-inducing situation in every way.
And on top of that, I wasn’t even from Thorn Crown House, yet here I was, trapped in this place.
Camilla caught my expression and gave a wry smile.
“Cadet Arma Cruise, this is still a place where people live, so it’ll work out somehow. It’s not that different from Wooden Cross. The real issue is how far they’re restricting the cadets’ movements.”
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. My mind’s just a bit tangled right now. But they wouldn’t isolate us by classroom, would they?”
“That’s pretty likely. The staff’s attitudes suggest it, and they’re cutting off information sharing between us.”
Camilla was spot on.
It was ridiculous that a kill order had been issued targeting professors, but it was also suspicious that they’d only informed the class reps about it.
It felt like they were deliberately blocking our information and ramping up our anxiety to the max.
“Anyway, just us gathering like this is drawing a lot of attention, so let’s split up. If something comes up, I’ll come find you.”
With that, Camilla suddenly sped up, passing us and melting into the darkness like a shadow.
Afternoon was beginning, and the play of light and shadow had deepened.
Unlike Wooden Cross, everything in Thorn Crown House was angular, straight-lined, and even gloomy. The sunset here didn’t bring comfort—it instilled tension.
‘Maybe because it’s not a familiar place.’
In any case, Theodore and I were left alone.
“No helping it. Let’s head back too.”
The moment I patted Theodore’s shoulder—he’d been staring at me blankly—and started toward the western corner where the classrooms were,
Theodore tugged my clothes, stopping me.
“Complicated thoughts?”
“Mm.”
He had a ghost-like knack for picking up on stuff like this.
I smacked my lips and said,
“I’m just uneasy. This feels like it’ll shock the cadets badly.”
“Something rare happened, sure, but it’s not enough to shock us that much…”
Theodore tilted his head, clearly not agreeing much with what I’d said.
“Yeah, you’re right. We’re all soldiers, trained thoroughly for combat situations.”
I brushed it off with a vague reply and started walking.
‘That’s exactly the problem.’
Because Theodore was right, I had to stop this conflict.
The current Theodore didn’t remember, but it was because of what he’d told me himself.
The campus rebellion sparked by a trivial trigger, leading to catastrophe and a blood-soaked graduation.
That year, only Makina and I were graduating.
By Theodore’s account, there were still about eleven months until that incident, but if the unrest starting now dragged on for eleven months and turned into a full ‘rebellion’?
“Theodore. I really don’t want this turning into a fight unless it absolutely has to.”
“…”
“I wish I’d just talked it out sooner instead of snapping at you so much.”
“No…”
It was a vague denial, but at least his mood hadn’t soured from earlier, which was a relief.
Theodore was now quietly following me.
Unlike the unpredictable, nerve-wracking moments before, he seemed calm and serene.
‘I’ve been doing it wrong.’
Ever since we got acquainted, I’d only been trying to suppress his actions.
Maybe I’d misunderstood Theodore.
Because he was a warlock, because he didn’t show emotions well, because I might hurt him, and so on.
My attitude had probably fueled his anxiety instead.
“I want to prevent any armed clashes between cadets inside Aegis Academy.”
I couldn’t spill everything, but shouldn’t I at least be this honest?
If I didn’t cross certain lines, maybe we could become better partners.
“Understood.”
Theodore nailed my guess with a straightforward reply.
It felt like our relationship had been redefined in this unexpected moment.
‘Not bad. Actually, pretty good.’
Countless bad things had happened, but today had some decent developments too.
Would a day come when I could bare my soul to him?
After the full moon festival passed, after graduation, on the day he started the new semester.
“Arma Cruise. Then we should link up with Arthur first.”
“Ah, right. Can’t discuss anything without him. Where might he be?”
“Sir Wheaton probably summoned him, so he’ll be in the professor’s lab right next to the fabrication workshop.”
“…What’s he doing there?”
“Talking about utterly pointless stuff.”
I was inwardly surprised; Theodore had never badmouthed anyone like this before.
Probably because it was the professor obsessed with Arthur—must’ve really gotten under his skin.
I headed off with Theodore to find Arthur.
Once we met him, I could recap everything so far and discuss Theodore’s record on the side.
‘No matter how he takes it… I have to convince him.’
The bullying started because of me, but Theodore had never once mentioned it or defended himself.
He was like a precarious child walking on thin ice.
He seemed oblivious himself, which made him need others’ help even more.
“This way.”
Thanks to Izmel and Camilla’s directions, there were hardly any cadets wandering the halls.
No telling what it’d be like after classes ended, but for now, Thorn Crown Class was maintaining some order.
“Arthur’s—yeah, looks like he’s here.”
The path to the fabrication workshop was a maze, and finding the professor’s room was just as bad.
Lose focus for a second, and you’d get lost in no time.
“Wonder if it’s okay to just show up like this.”
“It’s a pointless detention, so Arthur’ll thank us.”
Soon, we arrived at the office of Thorn Crown Class’s ‘Sir Wheaton’—Sir Frederick Wheaton.
His office really wasn’t far from the fabrication workshop, but while the workshop’s entrance faced west, the office’s was east, so you had to loop all the way around.
*Knock knock knock.*
Theodore knocked without hesitation, fully aware it was a professor’s door.
“Who is it?”
Sir Wheaton’s very low voice answered from inside at Theodore’s knock.
“Theodore White.”
“What brings White here… Come in, for now.”
I hadn’t seen his face, but it was obvious from his tone he wasn’t welcoming us.
Theodore ignored Sir Wheaton’s obvious displeasure and strode right in.
“Arthur.”
“What’s up?”
Sure enough, Arthur was with Sir Wheaton. I just couldn’t see his face.
The office was choked with thick cigarette smoke.
Irked by the professor’s lack of consideration, I scowled and opened a window, prompting Sir Wheaton to clear his throat loudly.
‘No, smoking this much in front of a student…’
Once the smoke cleared, the office interior looked very old-fashioned.
All the furniture was carved from wood, meticulously assembled so seams and frames were invisible.
Especially standout was the table facing two large leather sofas, crafted with different woods to form the Aegis emblem—a fine piece of work.
And on that table were two identical books—one Arthur’s, one Sir Wheaton’s—plus scattered sheets of paper.
“What brings you here?”
Sir Wheaton eyed me up and down—he was someone I’d never crossed paths with before—and spoke.
If you called him handsome, it’d be a stretch; ugly would be too harsh. He was a middling middle-aged man.
His black-brown curly bob, neatly tied back and oiled to a shine, gleamed, while thick straight eyebrows dominated his face.
‘Stubborn vibe overall.’
Every gesture and expression radiated an arrogance he couldn’t hide.
Plus, with his legs crossed and lounging deep in the sofa, that haughty impression was hard to shake.
“Hello, I’m Arma Cruise from Wooden Cross Class.”
“Skip the greetings. So, what’s the purpose?”
Up close, a stench of strong alcohol hit me the moment Sir Wheaton opened his mouth.
He’d been smoking and drinking with Arthur right there.
*Glug glug glug.*
Sir Wheaton demonstratively refilled his glass with golden liquor.
Faint fruit scent and a squirrel emblem on the bottle suggested it was whiskey from Farmer Valley in the west.
‘Hard to get on a professor’s salary. Flaunting it in front of students… means he loves showing off.’
Hearing he was obsessed with Arthur, and here he was smoking and drinking in front of him… Sir Wheaton clearly didn’t know how to win people over.
“Conversation’s running long, so pardon the rudeness.”
Oblivious to my thoughts, Sir Wheaton downed his first glass and promptly filled a second.
Theodore, not even glancing properly at Sir Wheaton, signaled Arthur to get up.
No matter how rude Sir Wheaton was to students, we couldn’t stoop to that.
I hurriedly explained the situation.
“Did you not hear the alert? That’s why everything’s in chaos right now.”
“Ah, the bell? Didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“Turns out it is. The staff are controlling cadets to keep them from leaving the department building.”
“What? Who do they think they are?”
“…Orders from Sir Reynolds.”
“Ahem, hmm.”
Lacking the guts to badmouth Sir Reynolds in front of us, Sir Wheaton unclenched his fist.
Pathetic in every way.
‘Tax money down the drain…’
I swallowed a sigh and said,
“That’s why we came to inform Cadet Arthur Usher. Cadets are on standby in their classrooms now.”
A flimsy excuse to drag Arthur out, but it made our taking him non-suspicious.
Arthur shot up the instant I finished.
Sir Wheaton gave him a regretful look, but Arthur ignored it.
“Thanks for the good talk today. Looks like I have to head out now.”
“Usher, you’ve had a long one. Next seminar—”
“Probably need the lockdown lifted first. I’ll update you after gauging the situation.”
“Fine.”
Arthur flashed what was clearly a courtesy smile, and Sir Wheaton fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have.
Arthur kept the smile, nodded in farewell, and followed us out of the office.
“So, what’s going on?”
With fatigue dripping from his face, Arthur rolled his shoulders and asked.