Chapter 67: No Headline

Laying in the darkness, Steven had been lost in thought until the giant hall doors finally swung open.

As the blinding sunlight of the new day shone down on his face, he almost felt like he was back in the cave with Merency.

And an elderly professor walked in, the man that had greeted them at their very start after they had passed the first test of even getting to this university.

"Professor, is there any news?" Lumiel’s voice called out from the darkness behind him.

But the old man only shook his head. "Sorry to disappoint you, kid, but whoever you guys have been fighting seems to be gone."

Steven could hear Lumiels fist colliding loudly with the floor. "If I see this girl again, I swear I will..."

"Currently you won’t do shit," Edward called out, sounding annoyed at the sudden loudness.

’’But...’’ Lumiel tried to argue with him.

’’But nothing, stay down until you regain your power and finish your years at this school... Then you might stand a chance.’’ Edwards’ voice was sharp like a knife.

Lumiel stroked the floor once more in rage at the truth while Steven remained quiet during their whole debate.

"Enough fighting for today," the professor spoke, walking closer towards the darkness of the room. ’’There won’t be any revenge for you guys; we will make sure we will get her before that.’’

Steven could feel the old man’s mana nearly boiling with the rage he held back, but Steven knew their efforts would be useless.

After all, never before had one of the fingers been caught or been killed by anyone, so why would some teachers be better than a squad of elite magicians?

If they could do it, Steven would already be one of the professors teaching instead of acting like a beaten student.

No, this whole school was powerless; even the mighty principal couldn’t even hinder her from leaving.

The professor continued to stand in the middle of the hall, slightly shaking, until Edward spoke once more.

‚’’Are they at least some news about Lucy?’’ He asked with genuine concern in his voice.

"Ms. Starpasser is still unconscious as far as I know," the old man answered flatly, finally turning away from them. ’’She should be resting for a while.’’

Only looking back once he gave them a smile. "Don’t worry, everyone will be fine."

With that, the old man disappeared through the main gate. As the heavy door closed on their own behind him.

Leaving the diamond students once again in the darkness.

’’What the heck is the meaning of all of this?’’ Lumiel yelled as Steven could feel him rising to his feet.

’’Why aren’t we allowed to return to our dorms or even visit anyone? They are treating us like prisoners in here. ’’ As he threw one of the giant wooden tables through the hall.

Just as it was about to collide with one of the pillars and splinter into pieces, it was stopped by a wave of wind.

’’Destroying the interior won’t change that,’’ Edward scolded him, standing up too to stare at him.

"Fuck you, Edward, you and your always-so-cold behavior. "Lumiel answered, stepping away as his gaze landed on Steven.

"What are you even doing here, Steven? You didn’t do shit against her." He cursed at him, throwing a dining plate.

Which missed Steven by a land mile, who only stared at him pissed.

’’What’s wrong? Having lost your cocky voice?" Lumiel only continued throwing another plate, which was blocked by Stevens’s barrier.

’’I thought you Brights were the most courageous people in the world, with nothing being able to scare you.’’

Steven has had enough jumping to his feat. "Who of us was mind-controlled into nearly killing his own friends? His voice hit Lumiel like a brick.

"To be honest, I think they would’ve been better without you, Lumiel." As he watched him freeze on the spot mid-curse.

"I ... I tried my best. At least what did you do?’’ he answered, but his voice lacked conviction.

’’Sometimes doing nothing is much braver than dying on the field.

As Steven picked up a shard from the plate. ’’Just because you aren’t scared anymore doesn’t make you a good fighter.’’

Just as he finished his words, Lumiel was already sprinting at him but was tackled to the ground by Edward. "Relax, Lumiel, we shouldn’t be fighting."

Steven had already formed a blade made out of shadows in his hand, but with Edward intervening, he stopped himself from letting it disappear.

Lumiel only stared at the blond man, shaking his head heavily. ’’Get off me; this asshole isn’t worth my time anyway.’’

As Edward moved down from him, Lumiel cleaned himself from dust.

The man looked like he was about to start their debate once more but was interrupted by the doors swinging open.

As a young girl from the staff team entered the hall. "Greetings." She had a giant, unsettling smile on her face.

’’What’s wrong? Is there anything needed from us?’’ Edward asked casually.

"Oh yes, you got it right, Mr. Eden,’’ as she opened her arms wildly. ’’The event has just ended, meaning the final points will be revealed soon.’’

"And?" Lumiel asked, annoyed. ’’It’s just a small school event. ’’

But the woman shook her head. "No, no, you’re wrong; after all, it’s going to happen inside of here, the Great Hall.’’ As every single candle of the room ignited at once.

"In front of the whole school,’’ she added quickly as she composed herself, ready to leave.

"Why is that?" Lumiel asked, flashing steps beside her.

"It’s pretty easy to explain; the results are just so interesting, and with the combination of every diamond student’s early loss, Ms. Trellen asked the principal for it."

As the giant door closed behind her with a loud bang, the room filled itself with quietness and disappointment.

As Steven was already cursing out Elizabeth.

This demoness truly couldn’t resist ruining his day even more.