Chapter 9: Count Krory

Allen could barely focus during Midterm week. Any time he had free time to study, his mind would wander back to Lenalee's kiss over break. It had been a simple peck on the cheek under mistletoe! Why couldn't he get it out of his mind and focus on what mattered: studying.

He knew the nature of his scholarship. Being an Exorcist got him free lunch and a minor discount from school fees, but Black Order Academy was still a private school. He'd gotten a scholarship for the rest of the money on the stipulation he kept his grades up. Komui had excused his rather low grades first quarter because of the newspaper incident, but Allen knew there wasn't any excuse for second quarter. He'd barely scraped by grade-wise, so he couldn't afford to get distracted and fail midterms.

At least his last midterm, Ceramics, had been easy. Tiedoll was a firm believer that tests were useless, so they put together a little "art show" for the parents instead. Allen knew Cross wouldn't show up for the show, but he put his display together anyway.

Over all, Allen thought he passed. He might not have been a shining student, but he knew he'd done well enough to keep his scholarship. He hadn't been told he'd flunked out of school, at least. That was a good sign.

When Allen walked into Chemistry the Monday after, his sense of security was shattered. Allen was, as always, the last called for attendance, but Reever set down his logbook and added, "Komui wanted to see you. Please head to the office now."

A couple Finders giggled when Allen grabbed his things and left the room. The hallways were empty except for the few stragglers who were late. They looked up from their lockers, but their need to get to class outweighed their curiosity and they returned to gathering their materials.

"Good morning, Allen!" Komui said brightly when he entered the office. "Did Reever tell you why you're here?"

"Um... No," Allen muttered.

Komui chuckled and shuffled through a few papers. "You don't have a schedule set for this semester," he explained. "We didn't realize that until we were mailing them. That's why you never got anything."

Allen blinked. And here he'd feared the worst! "So I just have to sign up for stuff?"

"Pretty much," Komui said, nodding to 65. "Talk to 65. He'll get everything set up for you." Komui hesitated a moment, then asked, "So how are things going for you? No problems?"

"Not lately," Allen replied. "Why?"

"Well," Komui chewed his lip. "We have a new Exorcist, and I was wondering if you wanted to show him around. His name's Arystar Krory. He's talking to Hevlaska at the moment, so..."

"Sure, I can do that." Something struck him as odd about this arrangement, though. "But... Don't Lenalee and Lala help new students?"

"Lala only gets them to the office so we can get them a student to help them around," Komui explained, "and Lenalee's... a little under the weather today. Not enough sleep, I think..." He shrugged. "Anyway, go fix your schedule with 65 and I'll let you meet Arystar."

Allen nodded and talked out his schedule with 65. After about five minutes of going over what was available for him to take, Allen ended up taking a music class to replace his study hall third period, a cooking class fourth period, and money management sixth.

Once that was taken care of, Komui ushered Allen into the room where Hevlaska was talking to Arystar.

The boy Allen was to show around was taller than Allen and a little lanky. He was pale, like he hadn't seen the sun very much. His hair was dark except for his bangs, which were pure white. He had pointed ears and reminded Allen of a vampire.

The boy came closer and stuttered a quick introduction. "I-I'm Arystar K-Krory."

Allen took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you. I'm Allen Walker." He glanced at the schedule in Arystar's hand. "What do you have first period?"

"Oh!" Arystar looked at the schedule. "Um... Chemistry..."

"That's where I'm headed, actually." Allen signaled for the new student to follow him.

The halls this time were completely barren, which made getting to Chemistry much faster than usual. When they entered the room, Reever was just finishing up notes for the class.

"You two will have to copy from someone else," Reever said, closing the book he'd been instructing from. "Anyone else have any questions?"

No one did, as always. With three minutes to spare, Reever signaled for Allen to sit down and for Arystar to stay at the front of the room. "Class, we have a new student. Arystar? Want to introduce yourself?"

The Exorcist nodded. "I-I'm Arystar Krory. Um... I'm sixteen-years-old."1 He seemed rather nervous, like he'd never spoken to so many people. "I-I enjoy gardening and collecting thing..."

"Like what?" one of the Finders asked.

"Um... Plants... books... Just about anything, I guess..."

Allen wasn't paying much attention to Arystar's talking now. He was more worried about Lenalee a few desks away. She looked a little paler than usual and was holding her stomach. Why doesn't she just go home? he thought, watching her even as the bell rang.

"Um... Allen..."

Allen turned to Arystar. "Sorry," he said quickly, collecting his things. "Um, what do you have next?" He glanced over at Lenalee, who was a little slower than usual in gathering her things together.

"English with Yeeger," Arystar replied.

That wasn't too far from the class they were in. "Arystar, can you hold on a second?" Allen asked, but didn't wait for a response. He'd already closed the few feet between him and Lenalee. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Fine," Lenalee replied. Her smile didn't reach her eyes though. "I think I just picked up a bug, nothing to miss school over." She finished collecting her things. "See you later, Allen!"

"Is she your... girlfriend?" Arystar asked.

"No!" Allen said quickly. "We're j-just friends!" He grabbed his charge's arm and pulled him along. "L-let's go before we're late!"

As always, Allen had to fight his way through the other students to get to his next class. No one ever seemed to be going in the same direction as him, and when he tried to follow someone who was, they'd turn off into a classroom and leave him on his own to push forward. It didn't help to be pulling a new student behind him. How Lenalee ever managed with him his first day, he didn't know.

They reached the class just before the bell rang. Yeeger told Allen to go to his seat and Arystar was once again asked to tell the class about himself. This went just as well as the first time and ended with him sitting down next to Allen with the class giggling.

Class went the same as it ever did, and the bell at last rang, releasing them to third period. Allen led Krory to his class, History, and then had to find his way to his new class, Music Theory. It was down a hallway Allen hadn't ever been down, and he almost missed it. If he hadn't spotted Lala heading down that hallway, he'd have walked right past it.

The music room was large and semi-circular. Allen noticed lockers on the side contained various cases for instruments Allen couldn't identify. Along the free walls were xylophones and other instruments Allen assumed were for anyone to use. There were chairs with an attached desk that could be swung around and out of the way in curved rows. Most of the students were already sitting down, so Allen took the last free seat, which was next to the seat at the end.

"Good morning, Walker."

"Oh, good morn—" Allen stopped mid-greeting when he recognized the person he was sitting next to. It was Howard Link, the one who'd helped Lvellie ruin Allen's reputation.

Link smiled and offered a hand. "I'm afraid we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Howard Link. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Allen was confused. The other boy seemed almost friendly. If it weren't for the fact he and Lvellie had published that article about him, Allen probably would have liked Link. "Um... Nice to meet you, too?"

"All right, everyone!" Lala called from the front of the class. The chatter died instantly. "Welcome to Music Theory and Appreciation! In this class, we'll be listening to music from different time periods and places. I'll also teach you all how to play a couple easy instruments and how to sing. If you hate music or don't have an open mind, I suggest going to the office and switching classes." She paused, waiting for those who didn't want the class to leave. Since no one did, she continued, "Great! I want everyone to be friends in this class, even if you can't stand each other otherwise, so I want everyone to say their name, what instrument they play if they play any or what they're favorite instrument is if they don't, and an interesting fact about them. I'll start, and then it'll continue down the rows.

"I'm Lala, but most of you know that already. My favorite instrument would have to be the harp, though I enjoy singing most of all, and an interesting fact about me is that I'm a living doll created by Komui."2 She pointed to the person at the end of the row, and the questions continued.

It reached Allen at last. He stood like the others had and quickly introduced himself. "I'm Allen Walker. I... don't play any instruments and I've never really had an opportunity to hear many, so I don't really have a favorite either. Um... Interesting fact about me... I used to be a clown when I was a kid."

A couple people whispered to each other. Allen knew they wanted to hear about his scar or strange hair color, not about what he did as a child, or maybe they wanted to hear about his "Noah" father. Either way, Allen didn't want to tell them. It wasn't like that was any of their business, anyway.

Howard Link stood next. "I'm Howard Link. I enjoy listening to pipe organ music. I want to one day become a pastry chef." He sat down after his rather brief profile.

The introductions continued until the entire class had gone. That led to some free time, since they only had four minutes until the bell after their introductions.

"Allen!" Lala called, gesturing for Allen to come over to the large grand piano. She took him by the shoulders and forced him to sit on the piano bench. She sat next to him. "You said you haven't heard many instruments?"

"Yes," Allen replied, not quite sure what she was getting at.

Lala played a few notes on the piano. "Lenalee mentioned that you liked the piano."

"Er... Yes, when Marie played it the one time."

Lala played a few more notes, this time playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," a tune Allen was all too familiar with. "Want me to teach you how to play it?"

"No, that's okay," Allen said. "I don't really have the time to learn."

"The music wing is always open," Lala pointed out. "I'm a doll, so it's not like I need breaks or weekends." She smiled. "If you can't come after school, I'm free for private lessons on Saturday."

Allen's heart sank. Lala wasn't about to take no for an answer. "I don't have money—"

"The cost is included in tuition, which you have a full-paid scholarship for, if I remember correctly." Lala tilted her head thoughtfully. "How about just one lesson. If you don't like playing, you can stop."

The bell rang, and Allen stood to leave. "Think it over!" Lala called after him.

Allen nodded and went to Arystar's class. Allen then dropped him off at his next class, Math. Allen then ran over to his next class, Cooking.

"Hello!" Jerry called to the door. "Have a seat at one of the tables, Allen sweetie!" The class giggled. Apparently, Jerry embarrassed those who were late.

Allen sat next to Lenalee, who was at a table with Miranda and Lavi. She looked even worse than she had that morning, and she was still gripping her stomach. "Maybe you should go home, Lenalee," Allen suggested. "You really don't look well."

"I'll be fine," Lenalee muttered.

"Ya know, Allen's right," Lavi said. He glanced at Jerry, who seemed to be preparing some demonstration, and turned back to Lenalee. He touched her forehead. "You're a bit warm..."

Lenalee smiled weakly. "Remember the last time I was sick?"

"Right..." Lavi laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes. He still watched Lenalee worriedly.

"What happened?" Miranda asked.

"You don't want to know." Lavi leaned back in his chair.

"I'll go home if I still don't feel well after lunch," Lenalee promised.

"I'd say head home now." Allen was getting worried. She really didn't look well.

Lenalee shook her head. She winced and gripped her side again. Allen could understand why she was being so stubborn, but if she was in that much pain, she should see a doctor.

"All right, everyone!" Jerry said, drawing their attention back to what he was saying. "Check your bake-ware cabinet and make sure everything you need is in there!" He handed every table a sheet of paper with a list of cookware. "All right, now get to it."

Lenalee went to stand, but Allen pushed her back down into her seat. "We'll handle it," he said. Lenalee nodded and rested her head on her arms on the table.

It didn't take long to sort through the cabinet and make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. They ended up spending the last five minutes sitting at their table and waiting for the bell to ring.

Even though the bell rang and he needed to go help Arystar, Allen didn't want to leave Lenalee alone. She looked worse than she did at the start of class. She was still gripping her stomach, even as she stood to leave.

"I'll keep an eye on her," Lavi whispered. He knew exactly what Allen was thinking. "You go help the new kid."

Allen nodded. "I'll be at lunch in a few," he said before dashing into the hall and pushing past people. He was really worried about Lenalee, so worried that he didn't want to leave her on her own for any length of time. She was important to him. Very important.

"Allen, you look out of breath," Arystar commented when Allen arrived.

"S-sorry," Allen panted. "Where do you have to go next?"

"Lunch."

"Then let's go." Allen led Arystar through the hallways. Everyone was pretty much in his or her classes, so it was easy to get to the cafeteria. The bell rang just as they entered.

"Over here!" Lavi shouted.

The cafeteria had two types of tables: small round ones seating four people and a few long rectangular ones that sat eight. This semester, Lavi had been able to snag one of the larger tables and was waving them over. Kanda, Daisya, Marie, Lenalee, and Miranda were sitting with him.

Allen sat next to Lavi and Lenalee, who was somehow looking even worse than she had a few moments before. Arystar, meanwhile, sat between Marie and Miranda on the other side of the table.

"So," Lavi started conversationally, "you're the new Exorcist, right? I'm Lavi, nice ta meet you, Count Krory."

Arystar blushed. "Um... M-my grandfather's the count. I'd rather not be called that..."

"A count? Really?" Miranda's eyes widened in shock. "That's amazing! I've never met a count before and—"

"It's not a big deal, really," Lavi said, slurping his noodle soup. "There are a couple Finders that have important relatives. It's what's expected of an academy like this." He grinned. "'Course, none of them are Exorcists like Krory."

"A-Arystar's fine," Arystar mumbled, even more embarrassed.

Once again, Allen wasn't paying attention to the current conversation. He was watching Lenalee pick at her lunch and then push it aside.

"Want me to help you to the nurse?" Allen asked quietly. The others were too busy talking with Arystar to notice him talking to Lenalee.

Lenalee gripped her side again. "I can get there on my own," she said. She stood up and left the cafeteria, dragging her feet as she went.

"Lenalee finally decide to go home?" Lavi asked, watching Lenalee leave.

"Yeah."

"Good," Lavi said, finishing his soup. "She's been looking terrible all morning."

"Um... do you think Lenalee will be all right?" Miranda asked.

"She probably just has the flu." Lavi frowned. "Though... she was holding her side..." He looked thoughtful a minute, then shrugged. "Probably nothing."

"What do you think it is?" Allen asked seriously.

"She wouldn't've come to school if it was what I was thinking," Lavi said, standing. "Allen, might wanna get your food and all before lunch is over."

"Right," Allen muttered. He took one last look at where Lenalee had left from, and then headed to the cafeteria line.


1 I changed Krory's age to make life easier in the AU known as Black Order Academy. He's actually twenty-eight in the manga, but we can't exactly have a twenty-eight-year-old in high school, so I adjusted his age.

2 I realize Komui didn't create Lala, but it's the only way it works into the story.

Ending it there for today. Hope you liked the chapter at least a little. I know it's a rather uneventful chapter, but what I really wanted was Krory to show up and to have Lenalee not feel well for next chapter. Hopefully I'll have time to write the next chapter for you all. Sorry if this chapter seemed a little more rushed than usual.

Thank you for reading! Oh, and could you please check out my new one-shot "Before I was Me"? It's all about Lavi. It's good. Honest.