Chapter 29: Maniac Monday (3)

The body fell to the ground motionless. "Good job, kid." The masked men spoke seemingly proudly of Stevens’ action.

"It seems those higher-ups really have a good eye on the new students." As the man stepped closer, his hand lingering on something in his jacket, probably a hidden weapon. Even the other people started slightly circling him.

"But you might want to tell us why you’re even interested in joining us." His voice was dead serious. Steven had already known that he was suspicious to some degree, but aren’t they overdoing it?

He had seen multiple dozen members already, so being accepted couldn’t be that hard. ’’Why should I tell you something like this?’’ Steven took a step forward, meeting his gaze. ’’Maybe it just sounded interesting; the classes are kind of boring for someone like me.’’

The masked man only scoffed at his answer as he seemed to be debating on how to react. For no apparent reason did he randomly seem to turn away, staring at the distance?

’’You’re lucky someone up there found a liking to you.’’ As the tension was finally eased with them stepping away as they slowly started to walk away.

Steven yelled towards them, ’’So am I in yet?’’ The words were out before he could stop them, and he regretted it almost instantly.

"We will give you some work, and if you do good, we will meet again." As the masked man jumped down the giant entrance stairs, a servant remained for a single moment.

’’You should start with cleaning up behind you.’’ As he pointed towards the corpse of Franclin, whose blood had already filled the entire floor around him.

Watching them all disappear, Stevens’ body finally relaxed, as he could hear the bells ring, the final hour of the day having passed.

Staring down at Franklin’s body with disgust. "You’re only making me more problems; only because of you I had to reveal more than I wanted," as a small flame started burning in his hand.

Lowering it down towards the pool, it magically started burning the liquid with rapid speed until it finally reached the body, starting to consume it too.

It would take some time to disappear completely, so Steven decided to enjoy every moment of it, staring into the burning flames, until somebody finally seemed to notice his actions as a man quickly drew closer to him.

But Steven didn’t worry because he could never mistake it. Lucy stopped just behind him, not speaking, only staring at the flames too.

They both seemed to enjoy the silence until the flames slowly began to dim down. "It was him, this Franclin guy, right?" She asked but probably already knew the answer.

Steven only gave her a small nod; he had told her if they destroyed the altar, he would handle the rest, and he did, even if the price were some more lives.

"He got at least three more from the great hall," he spoke, his voice flat as if he were talking about the weather and not the death of people.

Lucy moved behind him, putting her hands softly over his shoulder, hugging him comfortably. ’’But the rest are safe because of you...’’ But she didn’t seem to be convinced herself completely either.

’’You might be right,’’ he answered while pulling her arms away from him, turning towards her. "I am going to join the Fingers, and I am sure they will give me some impossible tasks."

He stared into her eyes, waiting for any hesitation until he continued. "Will you act as a protector of this school against me if I ever ask you?" He felt stupid for even asking; after all, it was only natural to protect the weak for him.

But he also knew not everyone was the same; some value their own lives or their mission above everything else. He himself had done the same thing the last few days without even realizing it.

’’I will stop you if it ever comes down to it.’’ Her voice was serious as he let go of him. "But I won’t do it alone; I will make sure everyone will be able to protect themselves." She added as Steven stepped closer towards her, barely leaving any distance.

"Thank you, Lucy... for everything." As he stepped away, not daring to look at her. He left her standing at the nearly completely burned-down body of Franklin as he made his way back towards the villa.

Everything had gone to his plan, and even then it felt wrong; maybe if he had tried more, he could’ve prevented all of this from the beginning. Maybe he should’ve simply accepted the Fingers’ first invitation and cleared himself of suspicion from the beginning.

Maybe he should have made everything the problem of everyone else.

Maybe if he hadn’t helped the princess, Merency would never have been targeted.

Maybe if he had simply stayed out of everything, he could’ve prevented it from the shadows.

His fingers slowly tightened.

Then he remembered the small golem June had given him.

She was weaker than him.

And yet she had still tried to protect him.

Even though she was weaker than him, she did her best to protect him, but why couldn’t he? Why, despite all his strength, did he still feel so powerless?

Catching himself spiraling down, he could only laugh; after all, he felt like the kid he used to be again. Not the machine he had become over the years. Why were a few deaths even bothering him? He had seen hundreds perish in front of his eyes.

Laughing, he stepped through the empty streets, knowing that this would probably be the last time they looked like this. He had his mission, and completing it was his only goal.

He was prepared to make sacrifices along the way if necessary.

He shouldn’t be bothered.

It was all for the greater good.

But even then he couldn’t understand a single thing.

He could hear something dropping to the ground.

Only one sound and then another.

He whispered to himself.

’’What’s wrong with me? Why am I crying?’’