CHPT 135: Detectives Deadline

October 29th, Monday Morning. 2 days until the Full Moon.

Claude spent the rest of his weekend training, eating, sleeping and going on Night Runs— now accompanied by Frosty and the Phantom Wolves that could now be brought into his world.

He didn't understand any of it, but he knew the marking on his left hand had something to do with it and it was much more than a simple tattoo— or simple magic even. He could feel it's power and complexity at all times.

Entering Infested Areas with the help of Frosty and the Wolves was a game changer. The Goblins he faced on all three of his Night Runs stood no chance, he was even able to rise almost two levels. He decided not to make it four Night Runs— which he could've done, because Ilka was beginning to get that interested gleam in her eyes and flooding him with questions about new skills and power.

Her interest was increased further after she gave him a thank you card given to her by a man he saved in a forest North of SkyHaven.

Ilka's enthusiastic interest in his Heroic activities wasn't the real problem. The recently demoted Gold Ranked Night Runner, Shepherd, was.

By Sunday, the arrogant Archer's usual expression of disbelief and complete lack of interest was disappearing. It was slowly being replaced by a look of slight curiosity that was similar to his raven haired partner. He was happy they had a week to forget about him— but also incredibly aggravated that they got in the way of him getting as strong as possible before he transformed— or died. All he could do now was hope Level 12 was enough for him to survive transforming into a monster.

Arne assured him of his chances and he felt a bit more relaxed.

He now jogged to SkyHaven with Frosty after spending the earlier hours of the morning working out.

Unfortunately as he ran with Frosty down the dirt road, the jumpy aggressive feeling inside him was still present as if he hadn't exercised in days.

"Arne why do I still feel like I haven't burned any energy?" Claude asked as a carriage rolled past— led by Horses neighing and snorting in fear.

"[We're too close to the Full Moon. Over the weekend, your body's already started to be affected by it and it will continue to until Wednesday. As long as you stay focused, exercise, eat and avoid stressful situations you'll be alright, Claude. You're going to survive this.]" Arne assured.

Claude sighed loudly, "You must've forgotten about the University." He commented, half joking.

"Will it get worse?" He asked.

"[Yes, I won't lie to you. But that's just parts of your body preparing for the transformation.]" Arne responded.

"Fuck..."

"[Now, I want you to know I was serious about the stressful situations. For shape-changers affected by the Moon, this is the most dangerous time for us. You're going to become very irritable and quick to resort to violence, so stay away from the twins, Det. Cyrene and even limit your time with your friends— that Ursula's a perceptive one.]" Arne said.

"That she is." Claude agreed as he approached the gates into SkyHaven.

***

A few minutes later and he was stepping through the portal and into the University of the Phoenix.

"Good morning, Claude." Prof. Brennan said from his spot next to the portal on the stairs.

Claude stopped at the top of the steps, "Morning sir. Are you here for....me?" He asked as Frosty leaned forward to smell him.

"Yes I'm here to take you to speak to someone. He's been wanting to talk with you— but he's been busy." Prof. Brennan explained.

"Well that's .....vague, sir." He replied.

"I'm aware. I promise it's nothing crazy, but if you'll follow me, I can take you to him."

Claude froze as his brain ran through a list of possible scenarios, "Did Det. Cyrene bring another psycho Detective to help with another forceful interrogation?...Did some other kids hire a Detective?.....did someone in the SkyLight guildhall recognize me from the Night Runs?"

Claude's nostrils flared as he checked to see what scents Prof. Brennan was leaving off.

"Nothing." He noted.

"[Im sure it's fine. Just stay relaxed and see where he has to take you.]" Arne said.

"Alright, let's go." Claude told Prof. Brennan after taking a deep breath.

***

After dropping Frosty off in Predators Forest, he was led down the hall and stairs until they arrived in the main hall. He didn't stop there and led Claude to the front office where a couple middle aged woman greeted Prof. Brennan happily— he could smell how they felt about him as he passed deeper into the office until they both stood at a large closed door at the back of the room.

"Come in." A deep and gravelly voice said from the other side of the door.

Claude froze momentarily as the face of the man the voice belonged to flashed in his mind.

"Right away, sir." Prof. Brennan replied as he pushed the door open.

Claude was left standing in the doorway, looking at a hulking man in dark blue and fiery orange robes sitting in a throne like chair that looked entirely too small for him. His long wild mane of brown hair was pulled in a ponytail and he wore a pair of glasses low on his thick nose as he read a sheet of paper.

"You must be the infamous, Claude Grey. Have a seat." He said, looking up from his paper and gesturing towards towards the seat in front of his desk.

"Now I see why he didn't specify." Claude thought as he entered HeadMaster Alaric's office with the door being shut quickly behind him.

Once seated in the navy blue leathered seat, all he could do was look around the room as H.M Alaric continued to read over the paper.

The room was almost double the size of his sleeping area— shrunken by the large bookshelves that lined every wall as if the room functioned as his own personal Library. Where there wasn't bookshelves, there was maps— of the world, certain regions and even the building, covered in tacks and little notes he didn't bother reading.

The last thing he looked at was a broken sword hung up on the wall above the HeadMasters head, a stone label beneath it revealed the date.

"[Dead teammate— friend.]" Arne commented, his voice was laced with sorrow as if he knew the feeling.

"Forgive me, Claude. I'm reading over something that pertains to what we'll be discussing." He said.

"No problem, sir." Claude responded., trying to sound less rattled than he was.

After a few seconds, Alaric put down the paper and removed his glasses with thick muscled fingers that resembled the Orcs he read about.

"So, you're one of the students that escaped the.....Deviant." He said, looking at him seriously.

"Erhm.....yes." Claude replied.

"It's also come to my attention that your under suspicion of being the same as whatever creatures attacked you all? The other students I've spoken to say Werewolf."

"Yes, sir." Claude confirmed.

"Have you met the Detective hired to figure out if their suspicions are correct?"

"Uhm.....Yes. We've met, sir,"

H.M Alaric ran a thick hand over his hair and chuckled silently, "I heard shes a pain in the ass."

Claude blinked twice in surprise before letting out a nervous laugh. "She's.....persistent to say the least. But how do you know that sir?"

"I'm working with our newest Professor— who has known you since before you were Reborn, and has an interest in clearing your name." Alaric said.

"[Prof. Raizen, a damn good man.]" Arne commented.

Claude nodded in understanding. Before he could say anything else, Alaric leaned in with his hands woven together and looked at him intensely.

"I heard you were the first to realize one of our guards was one of these.....Werewolves. By the way I'm sorry you all suffered due to my negligence." He said, sounding angry.

Claude nodded, not accepting his apology since the Lupine played a part in his fathers death. He would accept no ones apology for that, only death.

"Now. Tell me what else happened in there to make them think leaving you alone with that girl was the safest idea."

Claude recapped the events, hiding information where he felt it was necessary. By the time he was finished, he felt a fresh feeling of intense hatred for the twins, Jack and Dolion being brought back to the surface.

H.M Alaric nodded through the story, seeming to take in the information and consider every fact.

"Alright. Well I will say, I'm sorry that was your first experience in a Tangent. I'll be speaking to the Leon boys— unfortunately not much will happen since their father is one of the most powerful men in New Gloria. Plus he's a huge source of influence and money for wherever his kids train— I hope you can understand. I want the best for everyone." He said, sounding both defeated and determined.

"I understand." Claude said, "I'll be dealing with them myself anyway." He added in thought.

"Now for the suspicions again. I've dealt with Werewolves and all I can say is; from your medical report you had one nasty bite wound. One bite from a Werwolf isn't potent enough to change someone. But your sudden growth spurt and the fact that your a Beast Tamer doesn't look good....and the fever seems to be from the bite...." he said as he looked over the paper.

"[Theres more information than I'm comfortable with on that paper.]" Arne said angrily.

"I agree." Claude said.

"—And this Detective. I've been told you passed the Silver Test so she's either continuing her investigation due to her own pride....or she knows something I don't— I've been told she's quite a danger to hidden shape-changers." He said, looking up at Claude intensely.

"[Relax]" Arne reminded as Claude started to take calming breaths.

"No...No, I've told you everything." He lied.

"Alright. But I want you to know, as her deadline approaches, she'll be more persistent than she already is. Much more." H.M Alaric said.

"Wh—When's her deadline, sir?" Claude asked.

"The night of the Full Moon." He replied.

"Of course it is. Of course it fucking is!" He thought angrily.

"But since you have nothing to worry about, you'll be fine after Wednesday. Just keep doing what your doing, have fun at the Halloween Festival and by the following morning she'll be out of your hair." H.M Alaric said.

Claude swallowed nervously as sweat collected on his palms. "A-Alright."

"Ok. That's all. Now go enjoy breakfast, I heard there's pumpkin pie today." He said before getting up with Claude to open the door for him.

"Thank you sir. Have a good day." He said as he stepped through.

"Sure thing, you too."

As Claude exited the front office and headed up to the Mess Hall, he could feel the beads of sweat collecting on his forehead and under his arms.

"Whew....two more days. Two more days."