A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

"It's probably due to my upbringing, perhaps." Lotus explained, "Growing up in a nomadic tribe, children dying at a young age or abandoned to survive on their own is not uncommon. Everything in life is a competition. Those who can't adapt to utilize their knowledge to their everyday life will fall back and very likely perish. The tribe don't leave clues of these stragglers and erasing what is left behind, essentially erasing the fact they ever existed, not do most have the soften heart to properly care for the young emotionally as my current family has. Hence, I found this experience to be very beneficial and a blessing upon the students. Although, time has advanced and improved our way of life, the value of hands on experience cannot be changed over time. This is why I don't want others targeting me impede on the learning experience of others. This is a priceless experience for students while they are still growing and those in my club has a handful of freshman students as well as third years. Normally, most would find it a logic not to stick my nose into others' business as some from my club said, but those who help one another should support one another and I find that this experience will greatly benefit them and my own club as well as my fellow classmates and friends. As ashamed as I am to admit, I do not want my trouble to interfere with their learning process as they had helped me with my research as well. This is my reasoning for not speaking up against them, Coach Vargas. I apologize for the long rambling. Now that I think about it, I've been talking a lot just now. I hope you do not take my words to any offense that was made during this talk."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with that." Coach Vargas shook his head as he tried to process everything before he replied, "However, I believe you are too kind hearted, Lotus. If you continue down this path, other will take advantage of your kindness and harm you. Night Raven College is full of strong and ambitious students but they can also be reckless at times. They need to build their muscles with a plan, if magicians build their muscles on a whim, they will be breaking those muscles apart instead of building them. A good diet of raw eggs, training on a planned schedule in a steady pace and always challenging yourself are all important when building muscles, like mine. Training on a whim will hurt yourself just as you are exercising leniency on those around you. Moderation is key. The next time you encounter this problem, you need to report this matter to us immediately . Not stand aside like a deer staring in the headlights. As instructors, we have the responsibility and trust to assess the situation fairly. So, do not mind the details and let us know right away if there is trouble. That's what we are here for and we will deliver a fair judgement towards the students, like you."

"Well…" Lotus hesitated with a frown and nodded, "I understand. If this happens again, I will actively see our Coach Vargas and the staffs for their judgement."

"Good!" Coach Vargas nodded with a wide smile, "Okay! You may go now! The reward has be given to Azul Ashengrotto, Vil Schoenheit, Trey Clover, and Jade Leech. They should have changed by now. Those kids will need your advice later and cook their catch in time!"

"Yes, sir!"

With that, Lotus left in a hurry to the lakeside with everyone as there was a rustle in the bush behind Coach Vargas. The person opened his mouth and sighed, "This pup is such a handful…"

"He's thinking too much too." Coach Vargas nodded, "Just because he proved himself worthy of third place of his year does not mean everything revolves around him or that those around him are weaker."

"And yet, that personality of his got him through so many obstacles." A man stepped out from the tree trunk dressed in outlandish long black robe with a furry chest collar and a fan of white and silver feather splayed out from behind him like a peakcock. His white mask covered his face as the black and white hair parted way for it.

"Is there anything we can do for this problem?" Vargas frowned.

"It's not like you to take a step back and think, Coach Vargas." The figure looked to him in bewilderment.

"You don't understand." Coach Vargas sighed in frustration, "I've already fished out so many of my ideas, but it either got put down or broken apart by him. Nothing went to plan. So I told him about it, but he saw no problem with his own behavior. Rather he has a solid balance and no matter how hard I urge him, he always manages to bounce back. It's troublesome. Out of everyone, this one is the most difficult to teach."

"Really?!" The figure frowned in surprise, "You always had the personality to confront your obstacles without a second thought. Now this happens. He's always been very calm and collected in my class and rarely gave problems. Old traditional Trein has taken a shine to him and I find his knowledge in alchemy to be terrible good. It's best said that I really have nothing to teach him. I don't even know why he is in my class to begin with."

Vargas nodded, "His athletic abilities are the best I've seen. Even better than Zigvolt. I suspect he may be tied against Vanrouge and Draconia."

"Vanrouge, I can see that, but Malleus too?!"

"His five senses are extremely sharp and he got a good six sense in him. Nothing can surprise him. The problem is that his instincts are very good and very sharp." Vargas grimaced as he recalled the last camping trip, "When it was the athletic clubs, I tried to ambush him. Aside from getting wounded badly, I could sense that he wasn't going to just hurt me. He was ready to silence me as well. Compared to Rook, he has no hesitation and that can be dangerous for both those around him and himself."

Coach Vargas was not wrong. Though it would be good for her safety to his this type of reflex, it could prove fatal for her in the long run, especially now where ears and battles are growing farther and fewer during this era. Not only will she hurt those around her, but she may get herself into trouble with authorities if she were to accidentally attack them or the innocent. She would be labeled a criminal or be made to associate with the dark side of governments. As professors raising these young students, such thoughts make them worry, even if they were annoying. Being teachers to students with a dangerous life ahead of them that can't even be compared to wizard officers and soldiers are something they don't even want to think of. It's one thing for them to join voluntarily, but what if she doesn't want to take part in it yet must due to her own actions? Not to mention, they will also be hold liable as mentor in charge of educating the child and preparing a safe learning environment for her. That would be a great hassle.

"Hm…" The figure frowned, "I don't think we're dealing with a dog then. At this point, he sounds more like a wolf in sheep clothing than a regular dog…"

"If you're going to approach him, be careful." Vargas frowned, "I strongly advised against it for your own safety. Compared to Rook, you don't want to take him on for size."

"All right." The figure nodded, "you should report this to headmaster Crowley when you have the time. Otherwise, things will get sticky when it's too late."

"Mh." Vargas nodded with a stern look across his face. Everything he said was the truth. He had never met such a difficult child to educate before. Even Floyd's spontaneous change of character is still better to educate than someone who was actually as obedient as Lotus. No matter how hard he pushed her limits with many exercises, she always manage to finish them without breaking a sweat of feeling tired. The only time she was unable to complete them was only when she literally could not leave her bed and was nearly losing consciousness. The last time he had gone to check on her with the nurse had startled him so much, he was at a loss for words! He could still remember the startling pale skin and cold temperature when he tried to cheer up her by wrapping an arm around the back of her neck! It was so cold! It was definitely not normal! However, the nurse could hardly find much abnormalities with her condition. Yet, just the sight sent his six sense off! Something was wrong with her health and he was sure of it!

…..

Seeing Lotus return, Idia rushed over to her with an enthusiastic vibe about him but a concerned look on his face, "Lotus! I needed some advice but are you okay? What did Coach Vargas say? What those guys did was totally wrong!"

"Nothing much. Just a warning. Also don't worry about those guys. Focus on the current task on hand." Lotus responded, "I also don't have the time to worry of what comes out of others' mouth when I already got one of my own."

Idia sighed, "There you go playing it cool again."

"Well, I'm not wrong, am I?" Lotus shrugged, "You said that you needed advice? You're acting overly enthusiastic. Others might think you're up to something, but I can tell why you're acting like this."

"Eh?!" Idia stepped back in disbelief, "Was it that obvious?"

"It is."

"There to sugarcoating things when it comes to you, does it?" Idia sighed.

"Would you rather that I hint at you all the time and make you double think then triple think my meaning?" Lotus shook her head, "You remember how that went last time? If possible, it'd be easier for decrease the number of times I need to do that."

"That'd make my life a little bit easier." Idia sighed, "So what do I do?"

"What was the task? I'll try to help as far as I am allowed. Sadly, if I give you favor, others won't be too thrilled and neither would the staffs."

"Gather wood for a fire, fishing and cooking, and mine a magic stone." Idia replied with a very annoyed expression, "Mining magic stone, just bending down back and forth makes me tired!"

"Compared to fishing, gathering firewood is the easiest for others. Unless it is a game, it would be hard for you to pay attention to the line and wait for a fish all day to bait it. You really don't have a choice but gather fire wood, if you want to contribute to keep your club together. Besides, I can't really see you in an athletic club or the science club." Lotus walked over to the nearby tree and plucked off stick with ease, "When gathering fire wood, don't go for the ones straight from a tree. It should be logical for you not to pick one near a body of water. What you want is wood that lacks moisture, such as the ones at your feet. They are easier to burn as fuel and won't create smoke when burning. Compared to the dry ones, the wood with moisture will create smoke and it will blind your vision and harm your lungs and throat when you breathe it in."

"Ooh! Sounds like you two are talking about something interesting."