— Speak now! or I’ll make you regret the moment you step in this place for the first time —

Threatened Krahen, covered in his black cloak, prowling around the room.

— I don't have the intention to say anything more —

— You filthy tricksters, you're just like your mother —

Looking at his side, tied up in the Headchief's chair, standing in the middle of the room, Park gave a look to the all-covered in scars man, and he felt true hate.

— I'll let that comment slit through, cause I'm merciful —

Polite, yet menacing, that drew a dispiteful expression in Krahen's face.

— Don't mess up with me, Kid —

They were both alone in the Headchief's room, all the way up in Wanderlicht. The hour was ten o'clock.

— I'll ask you once more, what did you take from the Library? —

Park, still weakened from his wounds, felt an air breathing out of his body, like life escaping from his longs.

— ... —

— Where did you hide it!? —

— ... —

— You little shit —

There, when Krahen had taken hold of the boy, grabbing him by his hair, the door opened itself hasty and loud.

— It's enough —

Said the deep voice of the old white-haired man. It was Charles, dressed in his gown clothes. The professor's welcoming stage was still taking place in the Cochlea Hall downstairs.

When the man entered the room, Krahen froze in his place. Instead, a hateful look kept shining in his eyes.

— I trapped him sneaking in the room —

Charles threw a sight to the slanted eyes boys, dressed in line and bleeding from the place Krahen had struck him in his forehead when entering, he looked tired and beaten.

The old man approached him slowly, as he raised a big, powerful hand.

— Answer —

He said, making Krahen let his grip go on him.

— Why didn't you come back after the fight? —

Park looked at him from the only eye he had left, the blood had stained the patch covering the other.

— You don't trust me, I could have died if I came here weakened —

The old Ardeen raised an eyebrow

— And look what you have made —

Park then looked at himself, dripping from the side of his head, a few drops of blood mixed with sweat had stained his clothes.

— I didn't come here for myself... I did it for a friend —

The look in his eyes said it was true, at least partly, thought Ardeen the III.

The man turned his back there, and gesturing a hand movement that neither Park nor Krahen was able to see, the strings that tied the boy were cut. Krahen prostested in the place.

— But —

— Both silence, you've already caused enough troubles under this roof, my roof —

He said, turning himself again.

He looked angry but contained.

— I know how you found it —

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Spoke Charles, looking right into the eyes of the of the boy.

— And I also know what you brought with you from there —

There Krahen's anger vanished from his face.

— And In spite of all your efforts, I even know how you did it —

Then a similar change took place on Park's face, he lost every bit of confidence he had until then.

— How... ? —

He stopped himself in the middle of the sentence.

There, at that moment, he knew it. There was only one way someone could find out about his ways.

— You can Tell —

He said it without thinking, the words just escaped from his mouth, and watching the surprise on his face, a deep laugh, like a growl escaped from Charles's beary mouth.

— You say it as if you were the only Loras out there —

Park regretted saying it at the very instant he did

— But, they told me... —

His face went black, straight up to the ground.

— They —

Ardeen asked, a strong look on his face.

— They told me they had killed them all —

When Park raised his head, his face was filled with grief and pain. Charles knew why, much like Krahen, they both knew the boy's family history pretty well.

— And till the time comes, they must keep thinking they did —

His words, weighting not only true but trust sent a message to Park, one that in the obscurity of his thoughts he was able to see like a dim light, far away in the shadow valley of his plans.

There, Park's breathing turned heavily again, leaning weakly his body to a side, till he fell from the chair to the ground.

Krahen was the one to catch him before his body touched the floor

— What the heck is happening to him? —

The old man stepped front, looking down at him. Pale face, sweating heavily, and looking sick, the man could tell in a breeze.

— I think we already know where he's hiding that goddam thing —

Krahen looked at him

— The kid just cursed himself out of a whim —

Suddenly, a wave of pain stroked Park's body, that twisted in Krahen's hands. Horrified, the man looked at the boy's lost eye and felt something dark, malicious, and alluring. Charles spoke him out of its allure.

— Call Loy —

Said Charles, but before Krahen could react, Park held him with a shaky hand.

— No —

He said

— Everyone but him —

His eyes talked what his words couldn't tell. Charles read him instantly.

— Okay —

The man conceded.

— But we have a lot to talk about then —

Meanwhile, downstairs in the Cochlea Hall, Kiki stood behind Shiba's provoking silhouette. In a second round of greetings, this time the witch was talking with two men. As she did, Kiki was pulled out in front of them by her.

— I'd like to present this fine young lady, surely you've heard from her —

— Nice to meet you —

Said the first one, offering a hand that, out of reflex, Kiki lend to him. He kissed it without touching her with his mouth in a fine gesture.

— My name is Loy —

He said.

He was a young handsome man around thirty, apparently surely fewer years than he actually had. Tall, thin, and with a tattoo-covered shaved head, he was dressed in a combination of chinos, a white shirt, and a monk cloak that made him look both elegant and modern.

When both crossed their eyes, Kiki was able to see something strange in him.

— And he is... —

Said Shiba with a carefree face

— ...John —

Carrying a short glass, filled with a golden liquid and a big chunk of ice, the man barely looked at her as he nodded with his head.

— Hey —

He said, looking across the hall into another group of guests.

He was a tall, blond, shaved man with an uncared look, surely more attractive than he seemed at first sight, wearing a combination of jeans and a simple white shirt with rolled sleeves. The strangest thing about him was his sunglasses, which he had stuck in his face even when they were inside, and in the middle of the night. It sincerely made Kiki think he was a freak, though she could say the same about everyone in the room.

— I've heard great feats about your time during this summer introduction course —

Said Loy as soon as he could

— They said you were between the firsts of your class, a rising star between the freshman class —

There John looked at the girl

— Have you thought about getting into the mentoring program? —

There Shiba stepped in between the two

— Very nice of you little Ham, but get your claws away from the girl —

A smile politely crowned her face with sympathy

— She has been mine from the very moment I kidnap her out of her room two weeks ago —

The man gave her a look from behind his rounded glasses.

— Oh, so that's the way you did it? —

Shiba smiled

— I think I must improve my recruiting methods then, I might be turning soft —

The man gave her a daring look.

— What was your name again? —

Asked John out of his silence.

Kiki felt his eyes over her and realized the sudden change in his attention spawn. An eerie feeling ran through her skin.

— I'm Park Jun-a... —

Then she added

— But everyone calls me Kiki —

Somehow, she felt inclined to trust that to him.

— Park —

He said, crossing his arms over his chest. Then, he gave a look to Shiba over her.

— Keep an eye on her —

Shiba felt it in his voice, as always, he was talking too straight.

— I am, from now on —

Rising her chin, proud. That was probably the closest thing to a flattery that man would ever say.