Chapter Six- Return of the Chancellor

Syrus bit his lip as Jaden stared malevolently at him. He didn't like the look of it and suspected that Jaden had a plant to get even with him. And I've got a good idea what it is. His suspicions were confirmed when Hassleberry came up to him as they headed for school. "Uh, Syrus? Are you really half-werewolf? Ja says he saw you turn into a wolf last night."

Syrus did not bother denying it. "Yes, I am half-werewolf. Don't worry. I'm really a gentle one. I won't hurt anyone."

"Uh, sure. If you say so." Hassleberry gave Syrus a smile but Syrus was sure Hassleberry wasn't convinced by his reassurances.

Syrus encountered people looking at him with fear and edging away from him in class. The teachers were giving him suspicious looks which told Syrus what he had suspected: Jaden did tell the whole school. It kind of hurts that everyone fears me, but I'm not going to let it show.

Syrus transformed again that night and switched to his wolf mind to keep the hurt at bay. His feelings were simpler as a wolf and he heeded to whatever his felt at any moment. He hunted, ran, and slept that night and felt joy with each hunt and run. Unfortunately, the following morning brought his wider range of emotions back as well as his human form. The only good thing was that it was Saturday. He managed to get some food for breakfast but when he tried to ask for a duel, people would flee before he could say a word. He then headed to the docks for a lack of anything else to do. He sat with his back to the wall of the helicopter pads, staring blankly at the ocean before him. He barely heard the sound of a helicopter landing as he was so lost in thought. He was therefore startled when a voice said, "Syrus! What a pleasant surprise."

Syrus looked over and jumped to his feet. "Chancellor Sheppard. Welcome back."

"Thank you. It's good to be back. So, what's been happening in my absence?"

"A lot." Syrus reported on Crowler hiring Bonaparte as Vice-Chancellor, of their reputation schemes including his promotion duel. He then related Jaden's heritage and the alarming change that had come over him. "Now, Ja's turned the whole school against me," he finished, knowing that Sheppard would ask why Jaden had done such a terrible thing to his best friend.

"He turned them against you because you're half-werewolf and can resist his magic, isn't that right?"

"Yeah, that's- what?" Syrus gaped at Sheppard. "How-how did you know I'm half-werewolf?"

"Zane told me. I've been gathering the best pro duelists in the world to invite them here to participate in a tournament I am hosting. Pros versus students. Pros versus pros. Students versus students. I was speaking to Zane to invite him to be in the tournament and I asked how he was able to keep his spirits up through his past losses. After swearing me to secrecy, he revealed that you and he are half-werewolf and told me all about it.

"You have a fascinating heritage. Zane told me about your barriers and how you want to return Jaden to normal."

"Yeah. He said Dad has a card that could beat Jaden's Fox Spirit card and that he would ask if I could borrow it."

"He is borrowing it to you. Zane told me and that you should be receiving it shortly."

"That's great."

"Indeed. Of course in order to beat Jaden's card, you will have to duel him."

"I know and I've been dueling to improve my skills. Only no one will duel me now. I approach someone and they run away before I can ask."

"I see. I can arrange duels as it is my authority as Chancellor."

"That sounds good but once Ja sees you, he'll put you under his spell too."

"Actually, he won't." Sheppard reached under his coat and lifted up a gold charm shaped like an arrowhead with a green stone in the center of the charm. "Zane handed this to me. It will protect me from the magic of all canine members and break that magic on a few people but not a large group." He put it back under the coat, the collar completely concealing the gold chain.

Syrus felt his spirits lift at this. He had someone on his side and he was protected from being influenced. He saw Sheppard looking at him curiously. "Chancellor?" he asked.

"I was told that as a half-werewolf, you would have the ears and tail of a wolf."

"I have them, but the third-level of my barrier can restrain it. It's a bit hard at times, especially since I've allowed myself to change on the full moon and whenever I like."

"You should not hide that part of yourself."

"I know but I'm not fond of my full half-werewolf appearance or changing on the full moon, even though I am proud of what I am."

Sheppard nodded. "No one should be ashamed of who or what they are. I'm pleased that you're not. Now, I need to head to my office and give Crowler a talking to. He seems more concerned with power and reputation than the welfare and education of the students. Once I've done that, I'll be sure to authorize your duels with your permission and who you want to duel."

"Okay. Thanks, Chancellor." Syrus beamed and punched the air as Sheppard walked away. The chancellor was back and on his side and his did said he could borrow his card. The only questions are, what's it called and what does it do?

"Ch-Chancellor!" Crowler gasped as Sheppard entered the room. "Uh, welcome back."

"I should have returned sooner," he replied as he came around the desk and took his chair when Crowler vacated it and stood before the desk as did Bonaparte. "I was brought up to speed of what has been going on around here. First off is putting yourself in charge, Crowler, and assigning a vice-chancellor." Sheppard's eyes flicked to Bonaparte. "I won't fire either of you but next time I leave the school, I will choose who will be in charge."

"Yes, Chancellor," Crowler said.

"Next, I am displeased that the Obelisk dorm is all white."

"With all respect, Chancellor," Crowler said. "We have a more serious problem with a student than a dorm color. Syrus Truesdale-,"

"Is half-werewolf. Yes, I know and it's not the problem you think it is."

"But, werewolves are dangerous," Bonaparte protested.

"Syrus is not dangerous. If anything, Jaden is the real problem and danger. His own heritage has made him a dark, mean half-kitsune."

"He is dark, yes, but that is who he is meant to be," Crowler said.

Sheppard saw the sign Syrus had warned him about when he reported about Jaden and his influence spell: The cloudy eyes of an influenced person.

"Jaden is using his magic to convince you to let him do as he wishes," Sheppard said, lifting the charm up out of his coat. The stone flashed green and both men blinked and shook their heads.

"Better?" he asked and he received nods. "Good. Don't let Jaden convince you again. Dismissed." Sheppard turned to the window and hoped Syrus could help Jaden before the tournament began.