Chapter 10—Professor Merkulova's Request

I completely avoided Yukiya. Thankfully, he was gone before I woke up again. I didn't really want to see him at the moment. While my anger from last night had cooled down, I still didn't want to see him. Now I was just feeling ashamed of myself. I was so rude to Yukiya and just plain mean to Katalina. This is why I'm no good for her. I'm just going to shred her to bits at this rate.

Yukiya wasn't in class. I'd completely forgotten that the full moon was in two days. This was about the time when he fell feverish and sick for a few days. I felt terrible now.

I made up my mind to try and help her without being to obvious about it. To try and make up for last night. I started by restoring her potion in Professor Merkulova's. When she turned her potion bright blue (it was supposed to be yellow), I secretly cast the spell reversal spell and changed it back to normal water.

"Elias?" she looked over at me confused.

"That was the wrong color," I told her quietly, "Stay calm and try again."

"Thank you!" she whispered back, smiling at me. I didn't deserve that smile. She went to cast the spell again. This time, it turned a yellow color. When she poured it on the dirt, the plant started to grow. It didn't flower, but it got a lot closer than usual. She's improving.

The professor noticed and went over, congratulating her on improving. He didn't even dock her points, but gave her full score because she'd improved. It's no wonder a lot of people consider Professor Merkulova their favorite professor. Instead of putting everyone on the same level, he graded them on their efforts and how well they personally improved.

After classes, I waited for her. I wanted to make it up to her, still.

"Good. You're still here." I said as she came out of the class.

She looked up, noticing me, "Elias."

"It's time for your special training." I owe her this much. She deserves help.

"Huh?" And I do guess my mood swings are confusing. Lately, I've been worse than Selene is when she's on her special time. And that woman makes no effort to tame those swings. At all.

But, instead, I try to act cool because there are parts of me that want to look cool to her. Stupid teenage boy hormones! "Why so surprised?"

"I thought you wouldn't teach me again." she said, somewhat hesitantly.

I look away slightly, "I promised I'd help you get fully admitted, right? Sorry for canceling yesterday."

"Er, ah, no! That's fine!" she smiled at me. Oh gosh that smile...it's aweing.

"I'll be more strict from now on, seeing that you were hopeless in class today." Okay, Elias, tone it down. Or you'll start sounding like Klaus. Oh gosh, what is this thing known as conversation? It seems to be a skill that entirely eludes me.

She hits me lightly on the arm, not even close to hard enough to hurt, "Ah! How mean! Saying I was hopeless is too much!"

The corner of my lips quirked momentarily, "Come on. Let's go already."

"Okay!"

We made it to the courtyard where Klaus and Selene would usually practice, where I chose to have practice today. "Okay, today you'll try to cast spells on non-living things."

"Sure thing!" She said. But then the carbuncle went and sat in front of her and squeed, like it was expecting to be used as a practice tool again.

The corner of my mouth quirked a bit. "Sorry." I told it, "You don't have to do anything this time." I could've sworn the thing pouted for a moment, but it was soon running around in another part of the courtyard, happy as ever.

Katalina watched it, "So carefree…"

"For sure." I agreed. It's a cute little fluffball. I turned to her, "Right. Try to make this book float in the air." I pulled one of the textbooks from my bag.

"Got it." she said.

"Hmm! The spell to make things float!" Grim butted in from inside Katalina's bag, making her grimace slightly. The book floated itself out of the bag, "Dear me, I'm always stuck in that dark place." I'm actually surprised she still has it.

"What, you didn't return it to the library yet?" I asked.

She shook her head, "No, I haven't had time yet."

"You'll pass the due date if you don't." I informed her.

This was clearly news to her, "What?!"

"Just return it tomorrow." I told her.

"Okay."

Grim fluttered his pages nervously, "E-excuse me? Return? You're going to return me? To that dark and dusty place? It's so cramped, I can smell the ink of the book next to me!" You are a book. You cannot smell things.

"Well, even so…" Katalina sighed, "I have to return you before the due date."

And Grim freaked. "I beg you! Please do something about this!"

"I don't think I can…"

"Please! Think of something!" the book begged.

"No. I can't." Katalina repeated, looking mildly uncomfortable. The book then clamped itself onto her leg, like a child begging to go somewhere. Oh, this was hilarious. The girl is arguing with a book of all things. "Hey!" she yelped, "Even if you do that, I can't help you!" She shook her leg, trying to get it off. I put my hand over my mouth, trying so hard not to laugh.

"Don't shake your leg! I'm getting dizzy!" Grim cried. I'm done. I can't take this.

I started laughing harder than I have in a long time. I've been so tense today, and it's like it all broke, the floodgates have opened. This is what Selene, oh-so-long ago, explained to me: a giggle fit. Oh gosh…" I can't stop! Oh gosh, my sides! They're starting to hurt!

"Elias?" I hear her say, bemused.

"S-sorry…" I sputter out, "But, haha, that's just...haha…" My eyes were tearing up. "I never…never thought you'd…quarrel…with a grimoire! Ahahaha! This is…a first!"

"Er…" she didn't seem to know what to make of this. To be honest, neither did I. But at this point I was too far gone to care. "This is kind of shameful…"

"How awkward…" Grim winced.

"Wh-why do you sound embarrassed now, Grim?"

"Pf, hahahahah! Are you two trying to make me laugh?" I roared, the laughter only getting worse. I nearly fall over I'm shaking so hard.

"N-no! I'm not!" she sounded mildly pouty. I just kept laughing. Oh gosh...my sides! I can't breath! Oh gosh...oh gosh…

Eventually, my laughter finally starting winding down, "Sorry, just wait a moment for me to calm myself." She nodded. I sat down on the grass, trying to catch my breath again. Eventually I sighed in contentment, "Being with you is never boring."

"Eh?"

Oh gosh...did I really just say that? "Ah, well, I mean...It's nothing." Great cover up Elias. Just great. I could feel that dratted blush coming back, so I turned away.

"Uhm, about yesterday…" Katalina began. Sigh...why'd you have to bring that up? I looked back over at her. "When I came back with Yukiya."

"Right." I could feel some of that wretched jealousy come back.

"Actually, we had been near the East Forest."

My eyes widened, "The East Forest?" Why? That place is extremely dangerous, even Luca admits it."

"Yeah." she confirmed, "Don't worry, we didn't go inside. We went and stopped at the entrance, following the sound of that song."

I remember her talking about that earlier, last week. "Song? Right, you mentioned something about it before." But nothing about it since, at least in my earshot.

"Yes. Ever since I've come here, I've heard this song every night. I don't understand the words, but it seems that not everyone can hear it. Yukiya can, and that's why he invited me along. He wants to know what it is—he thinks it's coming from the Tower of Sorrow."

Oh great. Now I feel terrible. Why didn't Yukiya just tell me about this? Curse that man for being a man of as few words as possible. "So, did you find anything?" I ask.

"I didn't find anything." she admitted. Then her eyes widened like she remembered something. "Ah, but there was a time when carbuncle had run away. I chased after him, and ended up near the East Forest. Then, I saw Professor Schuyler and the woman I saw when I got the Persona Mirror walking together. I hid and watched them. Then they both went into the East Forest."

"Really?" This is unexpected. "That woman, was she the one you thought to be a ghost?"

Katalina nodded, "She seemed to know Professor Schuyler well. And he seemed to know her, so I'm pretty confident at this point that she's not a ghost."

"But then who is she?" I mused. Oh, I wish Klaus was here. He'd probably know.

"I don't know." Katalina sighed, "But maybe the song, the Tower of Sorrow, and those two are all related, somehow."

"That story, is it true?" We both jumped, and turned to see Professor Merkulova. When the heck did he get there? "I apologize for surprising you. I happened to pass by and couldn't help hearing your story."

"N-no, it's okay."

"Elias?" He looked at me.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Would you mind if I talked to Katalina for a moment?" He asked.

"No, sir. Go ahead." I told him.

"Could you come with me then, Katalina?"

She nodded, getting up. He led her to a nearby hallway. I wondered what he needed her for that I couldn't know about. I quickly, yet discretely, pulled out my wand and cast a spell—one I learned from Klaus, incidentally. I had been frustrated at being left out of the "adult" conversations when I was younger, so he taught me it to allow me to listen in—unlike father, Klaus believed I was mature enough to hear them. I closed my eyes and listened.

"-lova?" I barely caught the end of what Katalina had said.

"Sorry for disturbing you guys." Professor Merkulova apologized, "Could you maybe tell me a little more about that song?" Why would he want to know about it?

"A little more? I can hear it, yes, but I don't know much about it otherwise—other than it seems to be coming from the general area of the Tower of Sorrow." She paused, but then spoke again, "And that Professor Schuyler and that woman went inside the East Forest together."

"I see." he responded, sounding a little worried about something, "This might turn out to be troublesome."

"Huh?" She said. I'd like to know, as well.

"In fact, Professor Schuyler has been behaving strangely for a while."

"Oh?" If he has, I haven't noticed.

"It seems he has been researching various things on the Tower of Sorrow." And just how would you know that? "Professor Schuyler might be trying to uncover the hidden secrets of the Tower together with that woman."

"Secrets?" It is rumored that the Tower contains the greatest some of the greatest treasures and of the kingdom, and the royal family.

"Yes." the professor said, "Both the existence of not only the academy but also the Kingdom of Gedonelune itself might depend on the content of those secrets." Exactly why it's best to leave them alone.

"There are secrets like that in the Tower?!" Clearly this was news to her. Then again, Katalina did grow up thinking the Tower of Sorrow was a fairy tale.

"Shh…" the professor hushed, "This is very confidential information. It would be bad is anyone found out." Confidential? Like I said, most people know the Tower contains very important and highly guarded 's why it's so well guarded. What motive could he possibly have for lying to her like that?

"Ah, got it…" Katalina whispered.

"Either way, it could be dangerous to let him do as he pleases any longer. So, the two us who know about it should put a stop to what's going on." Hold on! Wait a minute! She's a beginner wizardess, which you know very well, and you're trying to get her involved in something so dangerous?!

"Put a stop to it? But how?" Don't just go along with it, Katalina!

"We need to go to the Tower of Sorrow first, and protect its secrets." That Tower has been the most guarded thing in this country for centuries, is surrounded by generations of layered magical protection, is rumored to be guarded by a dignified magical creature—and you want to go there in the name of "protection?" You jerk! Don't lead her into something like that! "Listen, there is a powerful magic that makes those who enter the East Forest lose their way." No duh! That's why it's best left alone! "But if you can use that song as guidance, you might reach the Tower." And since Katalina can hear that song, you want her to guide you there, is that right?

"Seriously?" Katalina said, surprised.

"Well, at least that's what I read in an ancient book." Sure you did. "It states something about a mysterious song that leads to the Tower of Sorrow. And the song, which gets more complete as the moon waxes, will be complete tomorrow night, the night of the full moon. Only those who have been Fae-gifted, or those with Fae blood, can hear the song. I've heard that you can understand the language of animals?"

"Yes, I can." Katalina confirmed.

"My guess is that somewhere in your ancestry you have a Fae ancestor, or that you were gifted as a baby or young child by a Fae to have that power—that's the only way human's get such a rare talent. So the song you are hearing very well may be the Song of Guidance."

"But, you can't be certain of that, can you?"

"Did you yourself say the song seemed to be coming from the Tower?"

"Well, yeah…" Even though it was actually Yukiya's theory. Wait, does that mean he's got Fae blood or a Fae gift?

"That means the probability is very high. I can protect you from any danger we encounter, okay? So I would like to ask you to come with me to guide the way. You're very important for being able to hear that song."

"Still, there are others besides me who can hear it…" she said hesitantly. I wanted to yell over to her to say no, but then the professor would know of my eavesdropping.

"I can't trust anyone else." The professor sounded sincere, but I could detect a hint of desperation in his tone. "I can confide in a straightforward, honest girl like you and ask you for help." More like trick the naive new girl.

"But, isn't the headmaster on of the Three Mages who guards the Tower? I'm sure it'd be better to report this, wouldn't it?" Yes. Yes it would. It's what he should do, instead of trying to get Katalina to go with him to the Tower itself!

"I can't do that." Oh, and why not?! "The headmaster openly trusts Professor Schuyler. Those two have been friends for a very long time. That's why if I report it, there's a chance Professor Schuyler will hear about it." Excuses! "And so, Katalina, please keep this a secret."

"O-okay." Oi! Don't just agree!

"Good girl." The professor said, sounding pleased. "In that case, let's meet tomorrow night at the entrance to the East Forest. Don't tell anyone, okay? I'll see you then."

Not if I can help it.

He then said goodbye, leaving a Katalina completely unsure of what to do. I stood up and quickly walked over to her, "Hey!"

She jumped, then turned, "Oh, sorry! I kept you waiting."

"Don't get involved in dangerous business."

"Huh?" She looked surprised, and confused.

I held out my hand, and the little leaf in the eaves near where we were standing, which is what I enchanted to extend my hearing capabilities, floating down into my waiting palm. I casted the release spell, and the leaf popped, vanishing elsewhere.

"That spell, is it for hearing sounds from afar?" At least she's not completely clueless. "Did you listen to my talk with Professor Merkulova?" She sounds a little offended.

What I really wanted to say was that I did it because I really cared about her, but what came out was: "I'll say it again. Don't get involved in anything dangerous. It's a bother, as your buddy."

"B-but if someone is trying to expose such a dangerous secret, something has to be done!" she argued. Great time to chose to grow a spine, Katalina. Why now of all times? "Professor Merkulova is a good person! If I can do anything to help—if there's something an amateur person like me can do for the academy…"

Such loyalty to a place she's been in for less than two weeks. I was starting to get a bit frustrated with her stubbornness, particularly since it very well could put her in danger this time. "How good natured can you get? Don't you think it's dangerous?"

"Would you do nothing and let it be, Elias?" she demanded.

"That's right."

"That's terrible!" She exclaims, "Don't you care what happens to the academy?"

I sighed, "Why would it turn out like that? Calm down and think. There's other options to running in blindly."

"How can you stay so cool?" Oh great, now she's frustrated.

"Because I don't just act on every instinct and mess up, like you do." I snapped. Oh no…

"What!?" She looked hurt and angry. So hurt and angry. Crap. What did I do?

"Ugh…" We were now caught in a glaring match. What I said was going too far. I looked away first. "Do what you want!" And don't say I didn't warn you!

"Fine! That's what I'll do!" She shouted. I stomped off, trying to get a reign on my temper. Why do we always fight like this? I hate it! But I'd hate it worse if she got hurt when I could've prevented it. I've got to do something.


Fun Fact 11: I've had way too much fun with Eli's inner monologue. I mean, I really wish that we could know what Elias was thinking during his route. Hence the reason this story idea was originally born, over a year ago, when Elemental was still a baby story.