The Dark Arts [2]


    ‘For this to work I’ll need Rosie to not have enough time to process that the blood on Lucy’s chest is actually nail-polish. Come on Julius, you’re my only hope, I need that stretcher for this scheme to work.’ They closed in on the ss. Opposite the hallway, Julius was in sight, he carried a stretcher. With a quick nce, Staxius transmitted his intention subconsciously to Julius. They both outran the nurse and Rosie, “Get the stretcher ready,” he shouted as he got in the ss first. Confused, everyone remained speechless, the n was nearly done, Silvio was still passed out, Lucy, on the other hand,ughed as she stared upon her hands. Before the teacher and nurse reached the ss, both Julius and Staxius carried the still unconscious Silvio out, they frantically walked. The sense of urgency both Julius and Staxius gave made it seem as if Silvio was going to die. It made both the nurse and teacher get tunnel vision; in a situation of pressure, one can manipte the facts more urately.


    Rosie took a quick peek inside the ssroom, saw Lucy’s bloodied uniform. Before she could investigate, Staxius called for her help, his tone was desperate. Half-way before arriving at the sick room, he swapped with Rosie and he acted as if he were tired.


    The first phase of the n was over, now time was to falsify evidence. By the school’s regtion, everyone at this academy was obliged to have a spare of clothes ready. “Lucy,e with me this instant, otherwise you’ll be next on my hit list.” Staxius returned in the ss and threatened the still clueless Lucy. With a few slightly hard ps, she was out of her daydream.


    “What are you doing?” She asked in utter confusion. “Shut up and follow me.” He asked calmly yet the hate in his voice was intense. Frightened, she gave in to his authority and followed him to the girl’s changing room, they walked hastily, time was of the essence. “Give me your uniform,” they arrived in the changing room, “-Rosie saw that blood-stained shirt with her eyes. In her mind, you’re the culprit, either you listen to me and give me that top or risk getting expelled.” He spoke seriously, the tone felt as if he subtly cared for her.


    “Y-you nned this from the start didn’t you.” She was livid. “-what do you want from me?” She asked unwillingly and stood idly. Pressed for time, he pushed her against the locker. His left hand was against the metallic door. Using his right hand, he held her chin using the thumb and index finger. She tried facing away but his grip was too strong, reluctant, she lifted her head. Without realizing it, Staxius got close to her face and whispered, “All I want from you is obedience, if you promise not to get on my bad side, we can even be friends.” He spoke softly and took his time pronouncing every word.


    Lucy’s heart began beating faster, her breathing became more vivid, she was red from embarrassment. This was the first time she was utterly humiliated and put down by a stranger who only arrived today. Feeling yful, he decided to take advantage of this situation and mess with her head. He got even closer to her ears and spoke quietly, “I’m not that bad of a guy, I only go against people who are stuck up and need a lesson in life. Now take off that top or do you want me to do it for you?” He spoke even more softly.


    “F-fine, I-I’ll remove m-my uniform.” She finally agreed. As a parting gift, he blew into her ear which in turn made her jump. Having no interest in seeing her naked, Staxius faced away and waited for her to change.


    “D-done, here.” She unwillingly gave her attire, with a quick wink, Staxius left. Exhausted by his pressure, Lucy’s legs gave up the moment he stepped out of the girl’s changing room. She breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes.


    .....


    ‘Damn, she was easy to break, now then, time to turn this fake blood into actual blood, destination, the chemistryboratory.’ Cautious to not be seen by anyone, he stepped out of the main building using the storeroom window and bolted towards the empty chemistryb. Once inside, he made a potion thatpletely dissolved the nail polish without damaging the garment and added the fake blood he had from earlier. One of the reasons he went into the kitchen earlier was to get red-coloring. It was all nned from the beginning, none suspected anything. ?Even with Lucy basically under his thumb, he wanted to make her pay more just so that his n finally ended.


    Once finished, he silently made his way back inside and headed for the infirmary. On the way there, he met up with Julius, “Julius can you do me a favor and tip off the cleaner about a blood-stained shirt outside in the bin?” He ced his hands onto his shoulder, Staxius trusted him. “What the hell have you been up too, a blood-stained shirt? It’s only been five minutes. Fine, I’ll do it as soon as I see someone.” He, in turn, patted his back.” Thanks, man, you’re the best.” He replied with a big smile and walked away.


    “Miss Rosie, how is Silvio doing?” The infirmary came into view, the teacher stood outside. “He’s just unconscious, give him some time and he will wake soon.” Her face felt gloomy. “Teacher, I don’t think this is of any relevance but I saw Lucy go outside, she had something with her. Well, it’s fine, Silvio did provoke her.” He spoke and left.


    Everything was set in ce, the whole n Staxius devised gotpleted in less than thirty minutes. Everyone was back in ss excluding Silvio. Lucy had a new top on and ss went by without any interruption. At the end of the history course, set for the afternoon, Rosie apanied by the director entered the ss.


    “Miss Lucy Vireal, will you please step out, we need to speak,” Rosie called on her, Josiah apanied her to his office.


    His n was finallyplete, all the evidence pointed to one person. “Staxius, excuse me but can you exin what the hell happened?” Julius asked, Staxius created a scheme but he didn’t know what it was.


    “Well this is a taste of their own medicine, from what I’ve seen in the ss, people are forced to leave this prestigious academy because of Lucy’s ego and Silvio’s short-temper. I can’t sit idly by and let such injustice ur.” He replied, deep down he only wanted to see Lucy suffer.


    Fifteen minutes went by, the director Josiah gave Lucy an earful. She got deemed unworthy to study here, “Lucy Vireal, all the evidence proves that you’re the culprit.” He remained adamant. Having had enough, Lucy gave in and gave a false confession. “For trying to seriously injure one of yourrades, your punishment is expulsion.” He voiced his judgment without concern. ?She broke down as soon as she heard his punishment and begged for another chance, her cries were truthful but Josiah made his decision.


    *Click.* The door opened, it was Staxius, he overheard the conversation. The sight of the proud and egotistical Lucy begged for a second chance filled his eyes with pity. The job was done, he put her back in her ce. Satisfied, he knelt andforted her by giving a shoulder to cry on, she subconsciously epted. “Lucy, do you wish to stay in ireville Academy?” He whispered.


    “Y-yes.” She mumbled.


    “Director Josiah, excuse myck of manners, but I was worried about my friend here. If you would please reconsider your verdict on this girl’s action. I saw the whole thing happen in front of me, it was Silvio who provoked her.” With Lucy’s head still on his shoulder, he fabricated an intricate story that proved both the party’s innocence and guilt. He was careful to not make one responsible over the other.


    “I apologize for jumping to conclusions, if not for Staxius here you would have been expelled. Your punishment is to stay by his side until he’s ustomed to our academy life. Now after you’ve apanied her to your ss, you are to report here immediately.” Josiah voiced the new verdict.


    On the way inside the central building, tired from shock, Lucy could barely stand, her legs gave away once again and she fell. “S-sorry about this, just l-leave me here, I-I’m not worthy to stand as your equal.” She was ashamed of her actions prior to Staxius enrolling. “Bite your tongue,” He picked her up and carried her all the way inside as a princess, it made everyone’s head turn seeing the new guy helping such a beautifuldy. Of course, she waspletely red from all the embarrassment.


    “There you are, now I need to go see Director Josiah again,” he ced her on her seat. The whole ss stared in awe. “-I’ll probably be punished for overhearing your conversation, but it’s fine, just take care.” His attitude towards her changed, he altered his emotions ording to her mindset. “Thank yo…” He left before she could speak.


    “Staxius Haggard Mirabelle,” Staxius ran all the way to the office, the back and forth wasn’t hard on him. “-What the hell was that all about, I’m sure it was you scheming but for what purpose?” The director spoke, his tone got friendlier.


    “Uncle, I had to give them a taste of their own medicine, they were responsible for making new students drop out. I’vepletely broken them from the inside, so there is no need to worry.” He smirked.


    “You’re something else, nephew, even if I wanted to reprimand you, I can’t. All the evidence and testimony has been altered to make you innocent, frankly, I called you out here because of a hunch, your scheme had no holes in it. You truly are someone scary.” Josiah replied with pride in his eye, with that Staxius asserted his ce as the ss leader on the first day he enrolled at the academy.