Chapter 22: Aggravation

A problem that can't be fixed by a simple spell...

It was around five in the evening when I received a call from Akemi. They had arrived safely at a rather large hotel and were staying on the top two floors so not to draw any attention to themselves. I was relieved to hear that they were all okay, knowing what the human realm does to some of the students.

Johnny then came on the phone, saying that Akemi had to go out and order some food for they were having a small party for arriving safely. I asked about how they managed to get to the hotel with minimal injuries. He laughed and told me that Akemi had come up with an ingenious plan, but they would need me to send over a potion or two. I agreed and we said our farewells then ended our conversation.

Walking out of my room I walked down the stairs into the common room of our castle. I looked around trying to even just sense the presence of my other roommate. Sadly I couldn't find her anywhere. Noticing a note stuck on our front door I walked over and began to read.

Good mooooorrrrnnnninnnngggg!

Gomen nasai for not being here this morning N-chan, Leader stuck me with doing both Akemi and Johnny's classes. If I could ask a favor...do you think you can teach my classes for me today? Thanks a bunch in advance!

--Mika

I sighed, knowing that history was never one of my good subjects. But I'd never turn my back to a friend in need. Crushing the note into a paper ball I threw it into the waste bin and headed back upstairs to change into fresh clothes for Mika's first class. My classes are usually held towards the end of the day while Mika's are held bright and early. (-.-); Lucky me...

After dressing and finishing my other necessary morning processes I headed towards my balcony to greet the morning before I headed off to the Dining Hall for breakfast. As I stared at the rising sun I heard a soft clattering sound by my feet. Trying to ignore it to keep my focus I remained staring at the sun behind the hills. Another few 'clacks' and I was beginning to get annoyed. Tearing my gaze away from the sun, I sent a furious glare towards the ground.

"Morning Beautiful! Ready for breakfast?" called a familiar blond.

"I'll be down momentarily..." I answered with the glare still plastered on my face.

Turning and walking back into the room I quickly went down the stairs and met the infamous Michael Parker by the door.

"Dream of me last night?" he asked grinning cheekily. I ignored him as usual and continued walking towards the main castle determined to get some food into my growling stomach.

"So anyways...how're Johnny and Emi? I heard you got a call from them last night..."

I felt a vein pop but I kept walking increasing my pace little by little desperately trying to ditch the blond gym teacher.

"Hey! Last time I checked it's rude to leave a question unanswered!" Michael has easily caught up and was now keeping up the pace beside me.

"Sorry...I'm just really stressed...I have my classes and Mika's to teach today Michael so I'm not all too happy..." I answered while staring ahead at the path leading up to the main castle.

"Ouch...that sounds like it's gonna be fun..." He winced playfully "well if you need any help just ask me ne?" He winked and held open the door as I swiftly entered the castle, hastily making my way towards the Dining Hall. Mika's first class begins in twenty minutes and I'm not even sure what she's teaching about today.

To put it in simpler words...

I. AM. SCREWED!

Not even bothering to open the door to the Dining Hall, I muttered a simple spell and went straight through the said entrance.

While practically flying to the table at the end of the hall I mumbled yet another spell to assist me with this predicament. I held my hand out and caught the on coming plate and continued to walk as various foods began floating over to the dish in my hand.

I walked over to the teachers table at the end of the room and sat down in my usual spot, Michael coming over and taking the spot beside me, Hitoshi already being there and finishing up his own breakfast, I began to rush.

"Take it easy...you can be a little late to Mika's class...you need the food..." Hitoshi advised.

But of course who really ever listens to him anyways...

I ran out of the Dining Hall with a piece of French toast hanging out of my mouth. Looking down at my watch I counted down the seconds until the bell rang while I ran into the classroom.

RING! RING! RING!

Yes! I made it!

Turning to the rest of the class I growled slightly at the smug looks on their faces. Walking over to Mika's desk I took a quick look over her plans for the day. Ah so it's finally time to teach the boys about the center of the Human Realm. The center of the 'Earth' as the humans call it. This should be fun…

"Ok boys turn to page 5462 and begin reading on your own while I set up the necessary diagrams for this lesson…"

Turning to the page in Mika's copy of the said text, I let my eyes skin over the page before turning my attention back to the diagrams I needed to set up.

The Human Realm or Earth as the said beings call it is the unstable barrier formed around one of the Universe's greatest powers. Earlier in the chapters of this text you learned about the punishment of souls that have sinned before they are reincarnated. If the said souls cannot handle the punishment, wish not to be reincarnated, or if the souls are so damned that they are refused a body…their soul is sent to the center of the Human Realm where the spirit is converted into the raw Power that will be used once doomsday comes. The Power is highly unstable and if unleashed before the necessary time, would destroy the Universe as we know it. But if used for the said time the Power will restore all life in the Human Realm. (Note: After the defeat of the Dark Lord, nearly all of the spirit energy of his soul was sent to the center of the Human Realm, making the 'Power' far more powerful than anyone could ever dream of.)

As I finished setting up the last chart I looked around the class room and watched as some of the students' hands raised into the air, waiting to be called on.

"Yes Wyatt?" I asked while sitting down at Mika's desk.

"Thanelly-sensei…if this power is strong enough to save the humans from destroying themselves…why hasn't one of our race taken it to save us instead?" The lights in the room flickered for a moment.

Another student snorted, "Who cares about 'saving' what about just taking the power for power!"

What a foolish child…

"No one has succeeded in taking that power because—"

Mystel cut me off. "Because on each of the levels of the Human Realm there are specific challenges that are meant to stop whoever tries to get to that power…" He answered.

I sent the Egyptian a warning glare. "Mystel is right; there are four layers to the Human Earth. Three of those layers have been enchanted by the faculty to protect the Power. The Fourth and Last layer was designed by the Head Master himself…no one has yet to get past it…"

"Didn't the Lord of Nightmares get past all the layers once before…Thanelly-sensei…?" Mystel asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Mystel…" Sarcasm dripping from my words ",the Dark Lord was stopped far before he could reach the Power. The Head Master had an army waiting at the Fourth layer and he was destroyed like any threat should be…" I sent an innocent glare.

"…How did he get to the Human Realm Thanelly-sensei?" Mystel seemed too intrigued in the topic of the Dark Lord so I promised myself that I would get back to the lesson as soon as I answered his question.

"Traveling through the darkness to the Human Realm is a simple task for those of High Magic Capacity…" I explained "One simply has to know the correct spell for such a task…"

Reciting the encantation in my mind I willed my body to pass into the darknessthen reappeared beside Mystel, smiling all too happily at the students.

And so the room erupted in whispers as I walked back to Mika's desk in the front of the room.

As I turned to my diagrams I was once again cut short, but this time by a different source. I sighed…

The bell rang…

The students began to file out of the classroom leaving only awkward silence behind. I packed up my things into my bag and turned to leave when I saw the blond Egyptian still in his seat. He stood and flashed me probably the most pleasant smile he could muster. "I really enjoyed today's lesson Thanelly-sensei…thank you…" Again an eerie smile. And then he disappeared into the darkness.

I shook my head and walked out of the History room, beginning to make my way towards the lower levels of the school where my Potions class would begin shortly.

Suddenly I froze in my tracks.

Dim realization began to dawn upon me as I promptly turned and began running towards the Infirmary.

"Didn't the Lord of Nightmares get past all the layers once before…Thanelly-sensei…?"

Foolish…how could I be so foolish…?

"…How did he get to the Human Realm Thanelly-sensei?"

"Hey babe where are you going so fast?" Michael asked while running beside me. I ignored him and tried to run faster.

"I really enjoyed today's lesson Thanelly-sensei…thank you…"

I burst into the infirmary to find Vega's bed empty, but a red liquid dripped down the wall in a message that made my blood boil in fury.

'I'm back…and I've come to take back what's rightfully mine…'

Michael stared at the wall in shock then fled from the room. I could hear the pounding of his foot steps as he made his way to Leader's quarters.

A loud growl escaped my throat before I let out a frustrated scream.

My name…is Nora Thanelly…I may be the stupidest person in the world right now…but I swear upon the demon blood in my veins that I will not rest…until there is retribution…