[ Night at School ]

"He changed his mind quickly," said Levi.

"Yeah. That's Jet. I did doubt he'd waste his night with us, like this," said Geoffrey.

They were walking through the school hallways. Without the natural light that the sun gave, there was a veil that made the school feel cold and empty.

Shadows were dancing on the walls, while Geoffrey's and Levi slowly progressed toward the disciplinary committee's room.

"You're doing more than you need to," said Geoffrey out of the blue.

"Yeah. I know."

"Why? I don't believe it's simply because Peter told you."

Levi looked even more tired than he used to, he most likely would've been asleep by this time, yet he remained with him.

"Maybe life isn't a game of chess, but death is. At least, for us. And we're losing," said Levi.

They turned another corner, not a single person in sight, nor a single sound. 

It was dead quiet, and Geoffrey's gift confirmed nobody was around, or smoke would be coming from somewhere.

"Then why try to help me?" asked Geoffrey.

"Help you? I doubt you ever needed help."

"Pushing back on the disciplinary committee was a good call."

"What would you have done?" asked Levi.

"I would've let her punch me me until she got tired of it."

Levi exhaled quickly, an audible disagreement to what he just said.

"This is what I don't get. This is like the chess games we played. The moves you make are textbook, low risk, safe. This isn't the answer of the person who recklessly exchanged every pieces until a few remained, betting it all on the end-game. It's like you're not even yourself."

Geoffrey sighed while shaking his head.

"And so, why do you think we're losing?" asked Geoffrey, changing the subject.

"Losing? You mean when I said we were losing the trials? It's kind of obvious."

Geoffrey arched both eyebrows.

"Is it?" he asked.

"Yeah. Everyone is focused on the vote, but truth is we've just entered an ecosystem that has been at work for a while. The disciplinary committee, the third years, or the student council."

Geoffrey stopped walking, frowning.

"The student council?" he asked.

Levi stopped as well, a confused look on his face.

"What is it?" asked Levi.

Geoffrey's frown dug deeper into his forehead, as he put his thoughts together.

He didn't consider them. 

Every school has one, I should've thought of that...

Then, if it truly wasn't the disciplinary committee who sent those guys to Geoffrey's doorsteps, it could've been either the third years, or the student council.

I assumed it must've been a third year, but what if it wasn't... Why would third years go this far for a first year class? Natsu did say the third years and the disciplinary committee were quite busy with each other, and I didn't see lies in those words. 

"What do you know about the student council?" asked Geoffrey.

"Only what I've overheard. They're not to be messed with, apparently they're at the top of the food chain, in this school."

"Higher than third years or the disciplinary committee?" asked Geoffrey.

"Oh, you know about third years? Yeah. Apparently, third years and the disciplinary committee will put their feud aside frequently to have a united front against the student council."

Geoffrey's eyes raised, Levi following his gaze down through the hallway before them.

"What is it?" asked Levi.

Geoffrey pointed further down. "You see this?" 

Levi looked closer.

"Oh, it's just a little..."

"...Fog."

Levi realized what was happening, fog creeping up along the floor toward them, slowly rising.

They both turned around, looking behind them, but the same thing was happening.

Levi opened the window next to them, looking down. 

"Let's jump," said Levi.

"There's people waiting for us down there," replied Geoffrey, peeking down.

He could see it distinctively, the colorful smoke that came from someone with ill intent, the same one he could see when he was attacked earlier.

"It might be those who were at my door earlier," said Geoffrey.

"I kind of wish Jet stayed," said Levi.

Geoffrey sighed, they were stuck. 

Taking a beating from Nora earlier could've served a purpose, and at that time Geoffrey's stance still wasn't too anchored. 

Geoffrey turned to Levi, grabbing both his shoulders.

"This is going to suck."

"We could jump and try our luck, better than staying here in this fog," he said.

The fog was already at their knees, slowly raising.

Levi repeatedly looked behind them, trying to see anything or anyone.

Geoffrey grabbed his shoulders tighter, bringing Levi's gaze back on him.

"Listen to me," said Geoffrey, his voice steady. Too steady, even. No fear, no panic, just cold and calculated certainty. "We'll survive this, it's all that matters."

Levi jumped around at any movement coming from the fog, his tired eyes round as he looked around.

"We can't just stand here, we have to try something... If they see my firearm-"

"It'll hurt, and you wish it'll stop yet it probably won't. You might be tempted to use your gift, but you can't."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" said Levi, turning his head as footsteps could be heard further behind.

The fog was now at their waist, steadily progressing upward.

"We take it. We let it happen. We won't beg, we won't fight, we'll endure."

"That's it?" said Levi.

"That's everything," exhaled Geoffrey, bracing himself.

The footsteps were getting closer, more distinct. 

"We'll survive tonight, and we'll wake up tomorrow."

Levi's pale face nodded repeatedly.

The smoke was at their ribs. They could see movements in the fog, as it seemed to jump here and there, as if someone was going through it.

They could only hear one pair of shoes striking the floor behind them, yet the movement in the fog looked like it came from multiple people.

Clouds moved in front of the moon, blocking the moonlight for a moment.

During that moment, everything became extremely dark, Geoffrey and Levi unable to see.

Levi held his breath, as the footsteps had finally reached them.