Ch 7

The surroundings were filled with smoke and the atmosphere was too tense that it could be cut by a metaphoric knife.

Unmatched the gazes of the Arta and Heinwick were measuring and assessing.

In another blink, Arta's gaze relaxed. She moved her sight slightly to man's left and saw her dreaded faith.

Inu was standing with an arched brow as she looked back to Arta.

...huh...

...

The following days passed by full of endless troubles. The academy had been suspended indefinitely until all checked out. Various mage skilled with seals had been called back from the battlefield. These mages were sought to rectify, make, and understand the seals of that day.

The capital was on lockdown, only those called were allowed in or out. Basically, there was a new system made for checking spies. All citizens no matter what age had to go and be assessed.

Those present in the acdamy had to be prioritizes as well as all refugees. Afterall, these channels were proved to be compromised. Through this efforts, people had gone missing, died, or captured. But died if they could. The old suicide route still practiced when spies were to be caught.

Arta was in the hospital. After her amazing spectacle, not only was she almost dragged to the dungeons, she was also the first to be thoroughly checked and assessed.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Inu had some political or clan weight that protected Arta. Inu being a suspicious and curious shit that was all around her business ever since the first days of her academy. Additionally, what they only saw was the fire show and not the shadows she released...which was definitely a trip to the dungeons.

Though, it doesn't mean Arta got off easy.

She lost her easy life momentarily. Yes, momentarily. After this war which was only 2 years more, she'd fade from the troubles ahead and be a bystander. From what she knows? The protagonist and fate has it all figured out and she doesn't necessarily need to intervene in another large unescapable event.

Just 2 years...

*knock* *knock* A hand pushed the door open and revealed Inu.

"Kid! How are ya!" Inu in all her maniac glory stood there. Arta once again was agonized by the new reality she had to face. Visiting at this time was surely not only for pleasantries.

Not to mention, Inu was not alone.

"So, little prodigy all is well! I just want you to help me understand, that, after all the troubles to avoid me, (that raised an eyebrow) why hide in the first place and only act now?" Inu dragged her words and had exaggerated hand movements while talking.

The other visitor had not made their presence known, however, Arta would bet they were listening in. So...

What was she supposed to say?

(That she'd known the future, known deaths before they happened, that she needed to stay at the academy, that she didn't want to fight in the war, that she hated losing her freedom but she hated that children were to fight and suffer through every little shit due to millennias of grudges and power grabbing...)

"Maah, it's because I couldn't control my power much and wanted to have a stronger foundation before apprenticeship...I also wanted to stay with my friends..." Ah, partial truths, partial truths, Arta said it in a tone that was partly helpless but truly sincere.

An 8-year-old orphan she was and she also checked out her not-a-spy assessment already. With that, they had no choice but to believe it.

"Well!" Inu clapped her hands and gestured. Though Arta feels that she only bought half her crap. Inu gestured towards the door and he came in.

"Meet your mentor! Van Heinwick, the one and only!" Inu happily clapped, truly amused by the situation. Oh, the mentor and apprentice is truly a match made in heaven. Well, a nuclear bomb in the making. But details, details.

Arta... Arta didn't know how to react. That and everything is just too troublesome...