[85.14] The Headmaster Sees All

As they made their way to the Headmasters office, Moni kept staring at the fox who was arguing with Reika.

Felix felt a bit jealous by his intense focus and asked: <>

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He didn't respond. 

As they stood in the Headmasters office, Moni suddenly asked: <>

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Gaining control of his body, Felix started trembling with fear.

With his head lowered, he recognized the man who gave food the night everything went wrong.

He could barely breathe as an argument ensued around him.

Moni realized something was triggering him and quickly regained control despite how uncomfortable his chest felt. It wasn't like the Headmaster could tell he was a demon, but rather…

He felt unexpectedly guilty standing in front of him.

Moni freed the poor boy from his panic, and with tears still in his eyes, he tried to soothe over Zephyr and Reika's argument, "B-Both of you…. Please just take a deep breath-"

Zephyr ignored him and screeched, "Did you want it?!"

She crossed her arms, "No, but that doesn't mean I would give it to you. If you are interested in something, then that's suspicious."

He glared at her, "You dirty filthy piece of shi-"

Moni felt a blow to his stomach.

H-His brother… Has somehow even gotten worse in his speech?!

"-You better not finish that sentence."

He hesitated before closing his mouth. He crossed his arms and turned his head away haughtily, "Whatever. Your hair looks stupid."

"That's it." 

Zephyr's mouth was suddenly sewed shut, stunning everyone by the spell. 

Moni felt his lips twitching from watching the entertainment but managed to keep it hidden.

Cyrus nearly fell over, "Did you just use a petrification spell?!"

She looked over at the Headmaster begging to be complimented, "Look! I'm learning!! Aren't you proud?"

"..." 

The Headmaster's face twitched and he let out a sigh, "Although it is impressive that you are using a high-level magic spell-"

"That was high-level? This world must have low standards."

He gave her a weird look before continuing, "-but did you really swallow a magical stone?!"

Cyrus spoke quickly, "It wasn't just a common magical stone! I could sense a powerful aura from it."

The Headmaster's face turned serious, "You believe it was a relic?"

Cyrus didn't seem too confident, "There were runes on them that I couldn't recognize."

Caldwell chipped in loyally, "If my young master didn't recognize them, then they must be from more than a thousand years ago. My young master has the best memory around."

Moni was still trying to hide his excitement at seeing such strength in front of him that he didn't even notice the Headmasters attention was on him, "And you said that it fused with her body?"

Moni's mind immediately started calculating under that harsh stare.

How should he answer?

Will he sense something is wrong if he says the truth?

It's very likely. The Headmaster is far more intelligent than anyone he's ever met.

So how can he avoid it?

-When in doubt, act like Felix.

Moni felt ridiculous as he started to imitate Felix's tearful expression. He started trembling pitifully, "I-I-I-"

To his relief, Reika pulled him behind her and glared at the Headmaster, "Oi. Stop bullying the poor kid. He's going to cry if you keep glaring at him like that."

The Headmaster flinched, "B-Bullying? I'm not bullying him… I was just speaking to him…"

"Could have fooled me. You looked like you were trying to steal his lunch money."

The Headmaster seemed to be pouting under his icy exterior, "This is just what my face looks like…"

Moni stared at her in silence, and while he appeared to be calm, a raging sea was in his heart.

Standing behind her…

Why did it feel so familiar?

As he thought back, he was suddenly reminded of the moment his father found his Master and him after visiting a town to buy canvas.

Back then, hadn't his Master done the same thing?

Hadn't she also stood in front of him just like this?

Reika spoke without realizing the raging emotions from the child behind her, "Try smiling for a change. They say a friendly smile is the best way to make friends."

He forced his lips to turn up, "How's this?"

They all froze in horror upon seeing the frightening look that he called a smile. Moni noticed the opportunity to avoid any more contact with the Headmaster and pretended to faint.

Of course, not before he managed to hide flowers all over his body to prevent himself from being smelled.