Aca pasa de todo yep.

[therealkaichan]

Chapter Eight

Return


The return to class would be something new this time. The beginning of the fourth year meant that the groups would begin scouting members.

Each group was focused on a different aspect of magic use, and it such a system allowed them to improve in the aspects they were better on. The red group, focusing on elemental manifestations, the blue group, focusing on the use of the terrain as a weapon, the green group, focusing on magic as pure energy, and the two elite groups, black that maximized damage with minimum expenditure, and white that worked on turning the rival’s energy against them.

Of course the requirements to get into the elite groups were much higher, as they required both members of a pair to have a certain average in their scores, and of course top physical and magical capabilities.

And as it would be expected, Kana had her eyes on the Black group ever since arriving to the Academy. And while Hans was most likely a perfect candidate for the White group, this was supposed to be a team choice.

“Kanaaaaa!!” And there was Aileen, charging at her from the other end of the corridor.
“Aileen, hi. How was your vacation?”
“Really relaxing! I loved it!”
“That’s cool.”
“And yours? Did you get the Director to go in vacation as well?”
“My vacation was fine too. Nothing crazy to tell.”
“Aaand...??”
“Yes, he took two weeks of vacation.”
“Maybe he’ll look less angry now.” Aileen giggled.
“Yeah. Maybe.”
“Sooo! How about the scouting?”
“I just got here, so I haven’t checked anything, but thanks to that rush for the exams, we have the average needed for the elite.”
“Your physical scores are more than okay, right?”
“Yep. Now it’s all up to checking with Hans and letting him know that there was no chance for him to pick all along.”
“Aha... I heard there were some girls from white fifth year talking to him.”
“Hm... Do you think they were looking for him for white?”
“He is a good candidate. His scores look perfect, and he has the right chakra alignment.”
“Yeah, I know that, but isn’t separating the pairs not recommended?”
“Well, they could get an exception, since you two have been working for so little time...”
“Oh. Well. See if I care. He can do whatever he wants, then!”
“Aren’t you overreacting a little...?”
“I’m not. I mean it, okay?”
“Ah... Sure.”
“I’m going now. Gotta sign in for the checks.”
“Take care...?”

And Kana was gone. Aileen sighed. This just... Couldn’t end up well. Or maybe, and knowing Kana, it would be really crazy and then end up well somehow.

That girl really was something, after all.



Kael smiled. Ah, it was good to be back to the horrible intrigue of the Academy life. It meant that it was time for him to make his choice of a student to do the dirty work.
For that he had planted a few, very subtle, clues, and he had waited. One of the many spies the government and the church had planted within was bound to find them sooner or later. Somewhere deep inside, he was quite hoping that it would be one of the twins. Those two were his favorites, but then again Kael was quite biased towards twins for more than obvious reasons.

If his intuition wasn’t wrong, and it very rarely was, one of them already had something to suspect on and would probably get in contact with him soon. Of course, the older twin looked a little busy with other things, but he trusted the girls’ capacities. Everything would come in time, it was simply how the world worked.

It was all about surviving long enough to see it.



Alyssa had been looking for Hans for a while. The story about him being the protégé of Attis, the High Priest of the Central Branch of the Church of Remm had been on the mouth of pretty much everyone. Of course, pretty much everyone was also really unaware of the Priest’s past.
Alyssa quite wasn’t. The rest of her summer vacation had been all about background checks, information trading and of course being really really annoying to every single one of her church and investigation branch contacts.

She had worked really hard, and pretty much everything was slowly falling into place now. Except maybe for how that Priest Darius had met him, but personal relationships only were relevant very rarely.

She just wanted her confirmation of the Priest and the Doctor being the same person. Then maybe she could go and talk to him (oh her heart was pretty much fluttering at the thought), or at least creep on him from a distance.

She really wasn’t like this all the time.

Only sometimes. When it came to him.

She was pretty normal the rest of the time. Really.

But in short, right now for Alyssa the best part about coming back to school was the chance to talk to Hans. That being why she was looking for him so much.

She had heard about some creeps from the white group talking to him, probably because of the more than obvious reasons, and then about that girl, that Chloe, who had been pestering him since forever. Which she supposed made sense, since they were to be wed as soon as both graduated.

Then everyone had lost track of him. Really, what was with people being so useless to provide information lately? It was probably because she wasn’t the adorable twin like stupid Aileen.

“Hey.”
“Ahlgren. Hey.”
“I’m looking for my stupid asshole of a partner, have you seen him?”
“No, not really.”
“If you do, tell him that I’m going to murder him from hiding during the most important moment of our Academy life, please?”
“Sure will. Good luck finding him.”
“See you around.”

Alyssa thought Kana was okay. Far more okay than other people at least. Mostly because she was straight to the point and there was no need to go around begging her for information or help. A sincere girl was a bit of a rarity to find around in this place.

Oh.

Oh oh!

There he was! Hans Essen-Brandt himself. Being ignorant of the kind of absolutely glorious beings he had gotten to meet.

It was okay, though. It meant more creepy scientist all for herself after all.

“Essen!” She was quick to walk up to him. He didn’t quite look surprised (did he ever?) but he waited for her anyway.
“Ivers. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Yes there is.”
“That’s refreshingly direct.”
“Yes. Absolutely. I want to meet you after class today. At seven. In front of the market. It’s important.”
“Fine.”
“Oh. Ahlgren was looking for you. Said something about murder.”
“It figures.”
“Have a good day then.”
“You as well.”

Alyssa walked out. Triumphant.

Ah, the delicious taste of success.



Kana found Hans shortly after Alyssa did. She stormed up to him, and found him with that horrible annoying polite smile of his.
“Well, if it isn’t my dear partner.”
“Come with me!” She frowned, then grabbed his wrist, dragging him outside of the classroom area and into a more quiet part of the campus.
“So, how was your vacation?”
“Fine. But we’re not discussing that today.”
“Then tell me.” He was all smiles, and of course she couldn’t help but snap.
“Look! Whatever you do I don’t care, but make your choice quick, all right?!”
“You don’t sound that well. Stress is finally getting to you, I think.”
“Oh shut up and stop that. You know this is important, actually it’s the single most important step in our Academy life.”
“It’s just the group drafting. I don’t even care about it.”
“I... I swear I somehow had forgotten just how infuriating you were.”
“I do my best.”
“Lies. But that’s not the important thing here!”
“You want to get into Black. You’ve told me that when you asked for my notes. It’s important to you.”
“It is. But I know White has been looking for you and that it won’t be hard for them to get an exception and then...”
“And then you’d be partnerless and it would be so much more difficult for you to get picked. Yes. School politics are more my thing than yours, there is no need to explain.”
“Then you know this is important! So make a choice already!”
“You are being really loud today, aren’t you?”
“It’s because you are being a worse bastard than usual.”
“I just told you, Kana. I don’t care about the groups. I don’t care about this stupid Academy. So get us drafted to whatever group you feel like. You worry far too much.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I couldn’t care less even if I tried.”
“Oh...” All the previous rage subsided just like that, and she was left with only confusion. “With how much you work for your grades and everything I thought you’d work on getting picked by them.”
“I don’t really work that much. It comes easily, but that’s not the point.”
“Then what is?”
“You are my partner. As much as you love thinking that you dragged me into this, it was my choice as well.”
“That’s... Weird coming from you.”
“I trust you as my partner. I know you’ll watch my back and I’ll watch yours as well. We make choices together, that’s what it’s supposed to be about.”
“I now that’s what we are told, but it isn’t always like that.”
“You don’t understand that here the one that has trust issues is you.”
“It’s not that easy okay! It’s difficult to know what to do when I don’t even know what things you want!”
“Then let me solve it for you. The thing that moves me is ‘fun’. I like being surprised. I like the ones that are up to challenging fate. And I find you really interesting.”
“H-how can you say those things with a straight face?! Really!”
“I’m just that horrible. Now go and sign us up for whatever you want. I’ll play the victim if you want.”
“Don’t do that, idiot.”
“Fine then. It was a team choice, is that good?”
“Yeah I guess.”
“Then you better hurry.”
“Don’t tell me what to do okay?!” And there she was, storming out. It was just so much fun.

It’s needless to say that with her scores averaged with her current partner’s and both their physical tests, Kana found no issues at all with the whole admission process.
With everything going like this, in the second semester she would be a proud member of the group, and she would be discovering new and wholesome ways of beating assholes up faster and more effectively.
Boy, wasn’t she looking forward to it.


Hans knew he could breeze trough the black group’s regimen as well as he had breezed trough the standard course, and on top of that it would keep his partner busy and happy, and probably get her into a lot of fun, entertaining problems.
This was good, yes.

“Hans...?” That voice.
“Chloe.” He smiled, as usual.
“I didn’t think you’d go with her whims...” She was frowning, as he expected. Of course, he had rejected her offers for white, after all.
“What makes you think it was her choice?”
“Well, you are far more apt for white than black! You were always pushing for excellence, so it only makes sense.”
“I’m never pushing for anything. You should know that by now, dear fiancée.”
“You keep on saying that, but with no effort nobody could get your grades!”
“Actually I find all the classes pretty stupid and easy to understand.”
“That just cannot be right.”
“You know, Chloe... I’m actually glad that she chose black.”
“Why...?”
“Because it’s annoying enough to think that I will have to put up with you until one of us dies. I can’t imagine putting up with you in here too.”
“You... I can’t believe you!”
“Mhm.”
“I really can’t! I try to be civil, I really do, but you’re always like this! How are we even supposed to live together if you are always like this?!”
“I don’t know. It’s not as if I had chosen you or anything.”
“Ah... You’re simply terrible. If it weren’t for our parents I wouldn’t even talk to you.”
“Well, you can try that now. That way our engagement will be good enough practice for our marriage. Have a good day.”

Chloe watched him leave with a frustrated expression, and Hans couldn’t help a little smile.

It was routine, making her angry and frustrated, but at least it was the part of routine he hated the less. That was good enough, right?



Being a year younger, the group draft was the thing Dominic cared less about at the time. Of course the part about his grandfather being a possible traitor was a little more relevant too, and to that we could add the fact that the Acting Director appeared to not be taking action at all.

Saying that Dominic was a little worried would be like saying Kana was a little impulsive.

As he walked towards Kael’s office, he found someone there, waiting before him. She was a girl from a year higher than him, as far as he was aware. She smiled, and waved.

“Hello!”
“Good afternoon, miss...”
“Oh, no need for that! I’m Aileen Ivers.” She smiled, and Dominic smiled as well.
“Private Dominic Evert.” He offered her a very formal salute.
“There is no need, really! Pleased to meet you.”
“Excuse me... Is the Lieutenant General in his office?”
“He’s busy right now. But he won’t take long so I was told to wait here. You can wait as well, I suppose?”
“Oh... I see. I can come back later...” The boy looked quite worried now, and Aileen smiled.
“You’re here to discuss that thing, aren’t you?”
“That... Thing?” Dominic looked up, a little confused.
“The one the Acting Director is investigating.”
“Ah...”
“You may come in.” Came the secretary’s voice, and Aileen smiled.
“Come with me. It will be easier this way!” She grabbed Dominic’s hand and he blushed as she almost dragged him into the office.


“Well, this is an unexpected pair.” Kael chuckled, leaning back on his chair.
“How unexpected, mister Acting Director?” Aileen smiled.
“Not that much, I must admit...”
“S-sir...” Dominic was having a nervous breakdown by now.
“Private Evert. And of course dearest Aileen. Please, take a seat. I think there is something the three of us must discuss.”
Both younger soldiers quickly took seats. Dominic was as nervous as ever, but he didn’t even try to protest. He knew the Lieutenant General wasn’t stupid.
“Now, what did you want to discuss?” Kael looked at Aileen, as calm as ever.
“It’s right to assume you’ve been planting the clues?”
“Yes. I’ve been waiting for one of you spies to catch it for a while.”
“But the clues are genuine?”
“T-they are, miss!” Dominic, who seemed to have serious trouble with girls, almost shouted.
“Oh... You were the one that gathered them?”
“Yes... I’m worried about my grandfather.”
“That makes sense. Then you two are avoiding being linked to this, right?”
“Yes, we are.” Kael chuckled. “I don’t think there is any need to explain why, though.”
“Of course, the credibility of the clues would go down just like that.”
“So, dear Aileen, can we count on your support?”
“Well, I suppose there is nothing bad about not telling my sources. After all, being secretive is what my job is all about, right?”
“You are quite good at it, I must add.” Kael’s playful flattery made her laugh.
“How long have you known, mister Acting Director?”
“Since you entered the Academy.”
“Isn’t it risky? To have so many government spies around?”
“It would be if I had anything to hide.”
“I suppose that makes sense.”
“E-excuse me... But I wanted to let you know about something, sir.” Dominic finally raised his voice and it caused the other two to fall silent.
“Please go ahead.” Kael motioned for him to talk.
“Grandfather... I think he may be related to the killings. Not directly, but...”
“But what kind of thing is he looking for? From the things I found, he has been preparing enough manpower for a war... But how does killing students help with that?” Aileen frowned.
“Unless it was an experiment.” The Lieutenant General looked thoughtful as he spoke.
“An experiment... But how is conducting an experiment in one day any good? It doesn’t help if they cannot study the results.” Dominic didn’t seem to convinced about that.
“Well, I’d bet they could be just attempting to reproduce a successful experiment...” Kael paused there, and turned to Aileen. “Aileen, can you check with your sister? She’s the one into the science investigation am I right?”
“I can ask her yes. That sounds easy enough.”
“But there is no sign of any political conflicts.” Dominic intervened. “Why would he want an army if there is no war to fight on?”
“He doesn’t seem to be interested in any kind of take over either.” Kael added.
“I can’t say I know. I found it very irregular too, grandfather is not the kind of person that does something like prepare an army without a reason, that is why I decided to report it.”
“I see. So we would need to check on his motivations too. For the time being, however, this is good. I will search for the results of the autopsies of the killed students... Those may hold some kind of answer to what they were trying to do.” The Acting Director leaned back on his chair again.
“I’ll check with big sister then. I’ll see what she has to say.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open... I’ll report if I find anything, sir.”
“That good. Then go you two. Let’s work hard and get this solved soon before it becomes too big for us to deal with.”
“Yes, sir!”

Both students left the office immediately after that. Dominic looked as worried as he had when he went in, if not even more, and Aileen looked thoughtful.
“Okay... Then let’s get to this. It was nice meeting you Dominic! If you need anything, just let me know okay?”
“Yes, miss Ivers...”
“It’s Aileen! Aileen you hear?” She smiled at him before running off, probably already late for class today.

Dominic sighed. Why was his life so complicated anyway? He never did anything that could end up in this... But here he was. And while he was, he’d do his best to make sure everything went all right.


Alyssa was in the agreed spot ten minutes before the agreed time, waiting. Hans arrived at the exact time, and looked at her. At least he was curious enough to wonder why Alyssa would even want to talk to him.

“Essen! You’re finally here, huh?”
“It’s exactly seven. You arrived early.”
“Oh. Maybe I did... But that’s not the point.”
“Then what is it?”
“You know the High Priest of the church close to the Central branch right? I mean, know him personally.”
“I do. I still don’t see the point.”
“He’s a tall man with long silver hair, right?”
“Yes, that is well known.”
“Do you know what he did before he joined the church?”
“Isn’t that asking too much?” Hans chuckled. “If I weren’t a person with much common sense, I’d say that you are too interested in the man for it to be normal.”
“Look, I just want to know, okay?” Alyssa sighed. There was a reason why the people in her line of work usually avoided the Ajna-types.
“Personal interest, I see.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It absolutely does. The man prefers to be left alone, and there is a reason for that.”
“There are plenty of reasons, but that’s not the important part!”
“I’m still not talking. If you wish to get information on him, I’d recommend that you go and visit him yourself. If you are so curious, I’m sure you’ll get your own information.”
“If that is fair game, maybe I will.”
“I’m sure he’ll be waiting.”

Alyssa walked away.
Now the priest would know about her. It didn’t matter if Hans considered her a menace or not, he would tell the priest about her, so whatever it was, she had won a little advantage.

There was a reason why she was so good at her job, after all.


Aileen found her sister a few minutes later and smiled.
“Big sister!”
“Aileen.”
“I have plenty of news for you. You just wouldn’t believe the things your cute little sister just found out.”
“Maybe I won’t, but I am looking forward to hearing about them.”
“Then let’s go to our room. It’s a looong story!”

As they walked to their room, Aileen was all smiles, and strangely enough so was Alyssa.
They hadn’t even finished closing the door to their room, when Aileen was already checking everything. Alyssa helped as soon as the door was closed.
“It looks safe enough.” Said the older sister with a shrug.
“It can never be safe enough, I have the biggest thing we have found since we arrived. It’s huge, sister!”
“Well, stop flailing and tell me all about it, then.” Alyssa rolled her eyes sitting in the sofa, and her sister followed suit.
“Okay.”

Aileen went trough her meeting with the Acting Director and Dominic with as much detail as she could. She often paused to make sure the wording was correct and gesticulated a lot. All the time, Alyssa heard her, trying to stay as much in track as it was possible.
“And that’s all I have. There is something big brewing Alyssa!”
“Yes, so it seems...”
“So? Do you have any ideas of what the killings could’ve been?”
“That’s not easy without any data from the investigations.”
“Oh! The Director said he’d look for that so you could give it a check.”
“He’s awfully informed, that director, huh?” Alyssa chuckled, taking off her shoes and putting her feet on the sofa.
“Oh... Yes. He is. I’m not sure from where he gets his info, but he’s really aware of everything.”
“I’m not exactly surprised... But you know, I’m sure the boss will be all over this information.”
“He better be, after all the icky things I had to go trough! But I guess we should get something more complete before that.”
“And while we do, I guess playing by this place’s rules is best for the time being. Plus checking classified forensic information is riiight up my alley.”
“Yes, I know. Ew.”
“So much complaining... Maybe we can check them together?”
“Oh goddess no, ew eww!!” Aileen moved as far from her sister as she could in the sofa, and threw a cushion at her sister who laughed.

Such an exciting return to classes wasn’t what Alyssa was expecting, but she had no complaints at all.



---

Notes:

Why hello plot.

Fancy seeing you here.

There is nothing suspicious about this.




Nothing at all.