Half Moon Rising

by ninjamouse1

There's a fine line between human and fiend and when Class VII is formed with ten members instead of nine that line will stretch to breaking point. When an experimental project is already blurring the lines between commoner and nobility, magical and mundane, one more chaotic element couldn't possibly hurt. What does it mean to be human? And is it worth trying to understand?

5. Chapter 5

Chapter Five

"Whatever happens in there," started Evander, as he stood outside the Trista Chapel with Rean and Laura, "don't be alarmed. And don't blame yourselves. I should have faced this a long time ago. I've been running too long. Just…just give me a minute." He was pale and shaking like a leaf, sweat dripping down his forehead. Even his new quartz didn't seem to offer him much comfort, he was still weak at the knees and dizzy.

"Take your time," said Rean, "I don't quite understand what is scaring you. But I can tell this is difficult for you, so don't rush it."

"I have been in a church before," admitted Evander suddenly, "I can just barely remember it. I must have been very young. My parents were gone, both dead, and I was a ward of the Septian Church for a few years. Until I was two, or three years old perhaps. At least that's what my adopted father tells me, I only remember fragments. Sunlight steaming through the stained-glass windows, the scent of incense, the soft murmurs of prayer. And most of all, this intense sense of unease. A fear. A discomfort. A loneliness, like I didn't belong. Then there was a long journey to the family farm, a travelling priest took me. To be with people…like me. And I've never been back since, not in Celdic, or anywhere else. Because if I was already unwelcome in the church when I was an infant, then what fate would await me now? After I grew up, got…addicted to something wrong, something foul and against the will of Aidios."

"Evander, I don't pretend to understand exactly what you are going through, or what this addiction you so fear is," said Laura, "but I will ask you one question. Do you think of yourself as wicked? As irredeemable?" Evander took a long time to answer, far too long probably, but eventually he shook his head.

"No. I think there is some good in me. I live by a code. I follow rules. I honour my word."

"Then if you can see the good in yourself, trust me when I say Aidios will see it too, and welcome you in her house."

"Thank you, that means more than you can ever know," Evander reached out, as if to shake her hand or something, then seemed to think better of it, and let his hand drop. "I've changed my mind. I think I can go in alone now. And I don't want you see me… see whatever I'm like in there. Please, just wait out here for me. I'm sorry for burdening you like this." Evander squared his shoulders, jutted his chin out defiantly, and strode through the church doors and out of sight. Rean waited for a moment before speaking.

"That was a good thing you did, Laura, encouraging him like that," he said. "I wasn't sure he was going to make it through the doors, in the end, he was so scared. But I always got the impression you were a little wary of him. Not necessarily that you didn't get on, but that you didn't quite know what to make of him. But you still helped."

"I would leave no one to suffer in the grip of such fear, if I could alleviate it in any way," said Laura, "and… as much as it shames me to admit it. I do want to see what affect the chapel has on him. There is something wrong about him, a wound of the soul. Maybe it will be healed today. Maybe it will just start to heal today, even that would be preferable to leaving it to fester and rot. Now, let us wait for his return, and then you may report your success."

Scene Break Here

Evander stood in a church of the Septian faith, a chapel dedicated to the worship of Aidios, and was not struck down. He stood before the altar, illuminated by a ray of multifaceted coloured lights coming through the stained-glass window. His knees trembled, and a great weight felt like it was pressing down on him, but he stood all the same.

"Please," he begged the empty air, "if there is any chance, any chance at all, that I can be a good man, a decent human being, let me know. Give me a sign. Please don't reject me, Aidios, I'm begging you." Silence greeted him, a dead stillness of both sound and air. He fell to his knees and clasped his hands in prayer. "Please! I'll do anything. I'll even face the sun, if it proves that I want to be better, that I don't want to be a fiend anymore." He reached over to his arcus and unslotted his Eternal Night Quartz, letting the sun unleash its full fury on him before resuming his prayers. As though the glass mural was magnifying the sun's profound effect on Evander, he rapidly began to undergo a disfiguring transformation. His skin began to blacken and peel back, rotting away in a matter of minutes until the boy kneeling before the altar looked more corpse than living being. His senses, usually so sharp, dulled until he was almost blind and deaf. And even his constant companion, the hunger, the thirst for blood, faded into the background. He didn't know how long he stayed like that, time seemed to stand still, but there came a point, right when he thought he could take no more, that the pain stopped. His symptoms progressed no further and strangest of all, a sense of calm, a peaceful serenity descended upon him. And then came the voice of Sister of Ornella, so calm, and yet so commanding at the same time.

"Rise, Evander, half-human, half vampire, yet a child of Aidios still. Still worthy of Her love. Rise and be healed, I am sick of seeing a good man brought so low." Evander sprang to feet, suddenly possessed of energy once more, and whirled around, eyes wide as dinner plates in terror and confusion.

"You knew!? You knew what I was and still spent time with me. Taught me about reading and proper use of language. You knew!? Did Sara tell you?"

"I did not need to be told, child, I knew the moment I clapped eyes on you. As all with true faith would. I knew what you were, and I was not afraid. Because your blood is not who you are, Evander. Only you can decide that, not an accident of birth, nor a curse of any kind either. You were a child who needed help, so I did what I could. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I want to talk, figure this out, but can I put my quartz back in? You shouldn't have to look at me…" he trailed off and gestured helplessly at his disfigured face and body, "like this."

"Do not be ashamed of those marks Evander. Wear them with pride, because they mean there is enough human in you to withstand the sun. No true vampire would have withstood that light. That you are not a pile of ash, merely marked, is a testament to your humanity. There is another side to the church that few know about. A side that knows of your kind, deals with them. What you have just faced is known as The Ordeal of Light, a trial a dhampir may undergo to prove his inherent humanity to the church. You have passed, be proud, you have your answer, the sign you begged for."

"Thank you, but still, I'd rather not look like this… If you'll forgive me some vanity."

"Be at peace, child, I will not judge you. Use your quartz as you wish." Evander nodded and slotted the time quartz back in. The effect was near instantaneous, and he began to heal. Within a minute or two, he felt well enough to talk.

"I'm afraid you don't know the whole story, Sister, you know what I am, but not what I've done. I don't drink blood anymore, I gave my word, and it would probably just about kill me to break it. I've certainly never tried before. But that's something I chose to do, to pay a debt, and so I could attend this school. My family, my clan, doesn't abstain from blood like I do. They teach us never to kill when we feed, and only to drink sparingly and always cover our tracks so as not to attract undue attention. But they didn't teach me abstinence, and it is new to me, and painful. Before this, I drank blood, I attacked people, so many people, that I alerted the church. I almost got myself, and my family killed, over my uncontrollable hunger. I was addict, and I was nearly destroyed for it. Forgive me, but I do not think I am worthy to stand here."

"You are worthy, whatever your doubts. You have made a change to better yourself; you have passed the Ordeal of Light. But I am unsure how I can convince you of this, you must believe it yourself, for it to have any meaning. There is one thing I can tell you, that might help," offered Sister Ornella. "You were a ward of the church once, and there is still a file on you. It does not say much, not that you should hear from me anyhow, but there is something. You were given your name by the church, not your birth or adopted parents. They picked it for two reasons. The first, is mundane, and not mine to share. But the second, is because Evander means a 'good man.' They knew what you were, and still picked that name for you. Because they had hope for your future, a hope you will one day come to have yourself."

"I never knew. My parents never said. I don't know what to think, about all this, any of it. But I want to thank you somehow. For trusting me, even before I took the ordeal. How can I repay you?"

"I asked you to help with Sunday School before, and you promised to think about it. I will not demand you agree to pay a debt, but I think it would be good for you. There is an innocence and warmth to the children of Trista. I feel that helping them would go some way to healing the wound in your heart. And they would come to like you eventually, because no curse is greater than the love of Aidios."

"Done. I will do as you ask."

"Thank you!" Sister Ornella laughed musically, beaming like he'd done her a huge favour. "Now I think your friends are waiting for you outside. Go, enjoy the rest of your day, and walk in the love of Aidios."

Scene Break Here

Neither Rean or Laura were exactly sure what Evander was going to do in the chapel, or how long he was going to be in there, but what had felt like hours to Evander had only been a matter of minutes in actuality before he re-emerged, looking like he'd been lobotomized.

"Are you alright?" asked Rean, "what happened?"

"I just agreed to help teach maths at Sunday school," he said, sounding dazed, then his expression grew annoyed, "I blame you for this, Schwarzer!"

"Hey! What did I do?" asked Rean, and then laughed, "well if that's the worst thing that happened to you in there, I'm glad! You walked in there like you were going to an execution!"

"Yeah, well now I'm going to be walking into something worse, Sunday School! This is all your fault!"

"Please, I should accept some of the blame," said Laura, smiling gently, for some reason, though she was still uneasy around him, she could tell something had happened in that chapel. Something that left him feeling…lighter perhaps? Freer maybe. "Consider your debt fully repaid. I would still like to duel you at some point."

"Ugh, you're like a dog with a bone! In a good way!" he added hastily, in case he'd offended her again. "I'll think about it. But I want other people there to referee and intervene if it gets bad. And it'll have to be on a day nowhere near the half-moon."

"Well I think this calls for a celebration!" said Rean, "I'm going to Kirsche's," he added, leaving out that he was on his way to report on his request. "Do either of you fancy a coffee or tea on me?"

"None for me thanks," said Evander, "I've got to get back to the dorms, I'm expecting a delivery. But thanks. No, seriously, thanks to both of you. I wouldn't have faced this without your help." Evander took a step back and bowed respectfully to both of them before hurrying away.

"Are you going to report the success of your request now?" asked Laura, once Evander was out of earshot. "Who was it for anyway? Sister Ornella?"

"No, supposedly it was just from some local kids, but there was something funny about it. They felt the need to specify that no one else was involved. Why draw attention to that exact fact unless someone else was pushing them to do it? It's just the sort of clumsy mistake a kid would make."

"Ah. I think I might know what is going on here," said Laura, "I saw Jusis talking to a group of children earlier this week, passing them something on a piece of paper. Written instructions perhaps? If I recall, he was just as suspicious of Evander as I was, only he was not as direct about it as I was."

"I think you're right, and it was him behind this. I'd bet anything he'll be lingering around the café waiting to hear my report," Rean laughed, "well I hope he's just as confused as I am when he hears it. Whatever he was expecting to happen to Evander in there, him becoming a maths teacher probably wasn't it!"

Scene Break Here

Machias and Elliot were back on the ground floor of the dormitory, trying to enjoy a pleasant conversation and being constantly distracted by Evander pacing up and down in front of the door, muttering himself.

"What exactly are you doing?" demanded Machias, "you're wearing a hole in the floor and driving me half crazy!"

"Waiting for a delivery," explained Evander, "it should be here by now. If you can't trust a man named Jimmy the Lock, who can you trust?"

"Oh Aidios," said Machias, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance, "he's doing it again. Nurse! He's out of bed again!"

"Evander," said Elliot patiently, "you do realise that there's no person called Jimmy the Lock, right? Instructor Makarov was accusing you of breaking the lock on his file cabinet and stealing the answers, that's all."

"Ha! Well, that shows what you know, because I met the very man you say is just a figure of speech. Right outside Micht's Pawn Shop. I suppose you'll say I was hallucinating the whole thing?"

"I won't say it," said Machias, "only because I don't believe in stating the obvious. And you shouldn't be hanging around there anyway, that place is shady. I think I saw Fie coming out of there with some grenades once."

"Oh please, if anything, that place isn't shady enough!" complained Evander, "Micht wouldn't even help me out with a small favour because of some stupid rules and regulations. Started raving about scarecrows or something, and people say I'm mad!" Evander's head suddenly snapped around, and he cocked it to the side, listening to something no one else could hear. Moments later, Elliot and Machias picked up on it too, a large truck pulling up outside the dormitory. There was suddenly a loud knock at the door and Evander ran over to answer it. A man in pristine bank uniform was waiting outside, behind him were two armed guards and several workers who were beginning to unload large sacks from the back of the truck.

"Would I have the pleasure of speaking to a Mister Evander?" asked the bank employee in a polished, smooth voice.

"Yes, but there must be some mistake. I was expecting someone else."

"Ah yes, Mister James Lock, you might know him as Jimmy, friend of his that you are, passes on his regrets that he could not be here in person. However the sum of money in question made it impossible for him to transfer to you on his own. We here at the Heimdallr Central Bank were happy to oblige his request to pass your winnings on to you. Of course, we hope in the future this will cause you to look upon our bank fondly when it comes time to deposit your earnings in an investment account. An orbal fund transfer would have been far easier, and required less security and other manpower. Sign here please."

"Okay," said Evander, distractedly scribbling something illegible on the from he was handed, "but I don't understand. I thought I was only getting eighty thousand mira? What's all this?" One of the bank workers nearly dropped the huge sack he was carrying, flashing the contents into sight briefly. The sack was absolutely stuffed with mira, and there were dozens more like it being unloaded from the truck.

"The gentleman is jesting of course. Eighty thousand mira is a drop in the ocean compared to the vast sums you made at the racetrack. Though I think you might look to spending a sizable chunk of it on security, and soon. You've made a great many people angry at having to pay out such ridiculous odds. While we are sure you are perfectly on the level, there have been whispers of fraud and race fixing on your behalf. Oh, and the slight trouble of you being a minor and all. I can recommend a lawyer if you like, I fear you will be needing one soon."

"Huh? Why would I want an ambidexter prowling around here!? Take all this money back at once! I only need eighty thousand!"

"I'm sorry sir, I cannot do that. This is your money. You have signed for it."

"But…but…but!"

"Oh, is that the time?" the man checked an expensive watch and clicked his tongue, "sorry, I must be going. Have a pleasant day Mister Evander, while you can." Like clockwork the bank crew got back into their truck and roared off, leaving a mountain of mira piled up outside the dormitory door.

"Evander!" yelled Machias, "what did you do!? You lunatic! Where did all that money come from!?"

"I swear, I don't know! Now help me get this stuff inside before someone sees it!"

"Oh Aidios, we're all going to jail, aren't we?" said Elliot as he and Machias joined Evander in hauling the money inside. "They call this accessory after the fact don't they?"

"Look, this is probably just a minor mix-up," said Evander, though he didn't sound very confident, "they'll come back to collect it soon. Tomorrow at the latest. We'll just stash it in my room until then. And please don't mention this to anyone else. I get enough funny looks around here."

"Evander, we are not good enough friends for me to helping you hide funny money!" complained Machias, "you better have a good explanation for this! Do you realise how it will look for my father if I'm accused of being involved in whatever crazy stunt you pulled off?"

"You're right!" said Elliot, "I didn't even think of my dad! How are we going to explain this!?"

"I'll tell them It's all my fault, you big cry-babies," said Evander, "and that I forced you to help at sword point. They'll believe it. Now hurry!"

"I want that in writing," said Machias.

"I can't write something that complicated!"

"I'll write it for you! Just sign!"

"Hey! Signing things, I didn't understand got me into this mess in the first place!"

"No, being a monumental idiot is what got you into this! And I'm not being dragged down with you!"

"Stop whining! You'd think I'd killed the emperor or something the way you're carrying on. And_ damnit, Fie's coming! Act natural!"

"What did you think we were going to do? Act unnatural? You've got that covered! And stop that side show act stuff, Fie is not_"

"Oh, hi Fie!" said Elliot quickly, laughing nervously as Fie came through the front door just then to prove Machias wrong. "How's it going?" Fie looked around the room, Evander, Machias and Elliot looking nervous as hell, surrounded by mysterious sacks, and then just shrugged.

"Okay I guess, can't complain," she said, "see you later," she proceeded to start walking off, ignoring whatever weirdness the boys were up to entirely. To anyone else this would be a good thing, but her total lack of interest apparently blew Evander's mind.

"Aren't you going to ask what's in the bags?" he said, looking baffled.

"Evander!" snapped Machias.

'Okay," said Fie, "what's in the bags?"

"It's uh," Evander scrambled for an answer, "cheese."

"Cheese huh?" Fie looked unimpressed.

"And crackers," added Evander, "it's all cheese and crackers. I'm a mad lad for cheese and crackers. I'm a regular parrot when it comes to cheese and crackers."

"Okay," Fie shrugged again, "enjoy that I guess," she turned around and walked off up the stairs, still completely uninterested in all this nonsense.

"Phew!" said Evander, "I think we got away with it, don't you?"

"Got away with it!? Cheese and crackers? You're cracked in the head is what you are!" complained Machias. "We're just lucky Fie's as nutty as you are."

"What's that supposed to mean!? I'm so sane it hurts!"

"I'd believe you more if you weren't surrounded by sacks of cheese and crackers."

"It's not actuall_"

"I know, idiot! Let's get this over with," said Machias, "and you will sign a document saying Elliot and I were forced to help. I'm not going down for this."

"How did I get dragged into this?" said Elliot.

"At sword point, remember," Machias coached him.

"With friends like you, I don't need enemies," groused Evander, "though I've got plenty of those too. Listen you two, one day we will look back at this fondly as the first ever classic Machias, Elliot and Evander Adventure."

"That will never be a thing!" snapped Machias.

"I don't know," said Elliot, "it has a ring to it."

"Less talk," said Evander, "more action. Come on, this crime won't commit itself. That was a joke by the way. Nothing illegal is happening here. Nothing at all."

Scene Break Here

It was fortunate Evander wasn't much of a decorator, his room was absolutely spartan, without much other than a bed and a desk, so there was plenty of room to stash his stolen loot. Once all the mira was brought up to his room, and he'd signed some document at Machias' behest, he proceeded to count out the eighty thousand mira he owed Fie. He stuffed the money into an envelope, drew a picture of a caltrop on the front so she knew what it was for, and headed back downstairs. Machias and Elliot had made themselves scarce, allegedly to avoid getting dragged into more shenanigans, so no one was there to see him deposit the money into Fie's mailbox.

"Ha! Two years to pay the money back? I didn't even need two weeks! Things are really going well for me," Evander congratulated himself. Suddenly, a beeping started coming from his Arcus and Evander started to panic, thinking it was a bomb about to go off or something. He held it about as far from his face as he could get and started poking it. "Shouldn't there be some wires to cut or something?" A loud bang rang out from upstairs, and Evander was so startled he dropped the Arcus unit onto the floor and it flipped open on impact, accidentally answering the incoming call.

"Evander, it's Rean here, are you busy? You took a while to answer."

"Rean!?" shouted Evander, recoiling from the Arcus unit, "how are you doing that!? Are you telepathetic too!?"

"Uh no. Did no one explain the call feature these Arcus units have? You can contact anyone within range as long as you have their details."

"Sorcery!" hissed Evander, but picked up the Arcus anyway, still holding it far from his face, he proceeded to yell into it. "Where are you calling from? The pits of hell?"

"Uh no, just outside the old schoolhouse. And you don't have to yell, I can hear you just fine without it."

"Oh sorry. I'm not used to all this stuff; my parents are pretty old fashioned, so I don't get much in the way of technology. What did you want to talk about? If Elliot or Machias said anything about millions of mira hidden in my room, it's a total fabrication if they should get off the booze." Evander heard Elliot squawking out a protest in the background and realised he must be with Rean too. "Is Elliot there? Put that clown on the line, is he talking trash about me?"

"No, he hasn't said anything about you actually," said Rean, "he's just here with me to help me out with something, and Gaius is here too. I was wondering if you wanted to help us investigate the old schoolhouse? You were pretty good at navigating your way around last time, so I thought it might be good to have you."

"Sounds good, I'll be there in five. I need to get away from the scene of the crime anyway." Evander mashed random buttons until the call cut off and then ran off to fetch his swords from his room. Meanwhile Rean shot Elliot and Gaius a confused look.

"Scene of the crime?" he asked, "do I even want to know what Evander has been up to in the five minutes I left him alone?"

"No," said Elliot, "you really don't."

"Well at least you can keep an eye on him now," said Gaius, "and he can work off some of that energy of his in the old schoolhouse. I have a feeling that fresh danger lurks within."

"Oh great," said Elliot, "this is not my day!"

Scene Break Here

Having finished whatever bizarre explosive experiments she was conducting upstairs, Fie wandered back into the front room of the dormitory and immediately noticed the little flag next to her mailbox was up, indicating she had a delivery. She wandered over in her usual unhurried fashion and reached inside to find the envelope of mira Evander had left her. When she realised what was inside her usually stoic exterior finally broke.

"That idiot! He actually paid me back! He wasn't supposed to get that money!"

"Hi Fie," Emma and Alisa had just entered the dorm and Emma greeted Fie, "what have you got there?"

"That jerk Evander just gave me eighty thousand mira!"

"What!?" demanded both Alisa and Emma simultaneously.

"He's not supposed to have that sort of money," said Fie, "that's why I asked for so much, so he couldn't pay it back!"

"I'll say!" said Alisa, "is this the same guy who walks around in a holey jacket? You'd think if he had that much money, he'd buy a new uniform jacket at least."

"That's not really the point Alisa," said Emma, "I'm more worried about where he got all that money in the first place, than what he plans to do with it."

"He probably sold all those cheese and crackers he had," said Fie.

"Wait, what?" asked Alisa.

"He had all these sacks of cheese and crackers when I last saw him, there were so many Elliot and Machias had to help him haul them up the stairs." Alisa and Emma shared a look and then bolted for the stairs. Within moments they reached Evander's room and burst in, and sure enough there were sacks all over the room, piled up along the walls almost reaching the ceiling. Alisa carefully opened one and saw it was stuffed full of mira.

"Did he rob a bank or something!?" she yelled. "There's got to be millions here!"

"Uh, this really isn't good," said Emma, "I have to check something. Excuse me Alisa!" Emma ran off to find Celine, who should have been tailing Evander over the last week, to see what on earth that boy had been up to. As she left, Fie came in to replace her.

"Oh," she said, seeing all the sacks were still there, "if he's still got the cheese and crackers, where'd he get the money?"

"He was lying about the crackers," said Alisa, rolling her eyes, "do you take everything literally? It's all just money. Millions of mira. You're right, he is a jerk. All this money and he only gave you eighty thousand?"

"He wasn't supposed to pay me anything," complained Fie, "I was trying to stop him from feeling like he owed me something."

"By asking him for eighty thousand mira?" asked Alisa, "do you understand how debts work?"

"Not the way Evander does them!" protested Fie. "I caused him trouble during the orienteering exercise, then I made a joke that he took seriously, and now I've got eighty thousand mira."

"Wait, can you start from the beginning?" said Alisa, "what exactly happened?"

"It was back during the orienteering exercise…"

Scene Break Here

"Oh? All that mira?" asked Celine, flicking her tail around lazily and sounding bored, "yeah, that arrived a while ago. In a big truck with Heimdallr Central Bank written on the side. Evander signed for it and everything. What's the problem? I thought you wanted me to watch him in case he attacked someone, you never said anything about his bank account."

"Celine! You should have told me! I said to watch him for anything suspicious!"

"I thought you meant like turning into a cloud of mist and flying through a window," said Celine, "you never mentioned anything about deliveries from the bank."

"But where did he get all that money from?"

"He won it on the horses," said Celine. "I heard him talking about it with some shady guy, Jimmy or something."

"The horses!?"

"Yeah? Should he have bet it on dogs instead? I don't understand what the problem is."

"He's a minor! He's not allowed to gamble! Not to mention that he abused psychic powers to do it. Do you realise how much attention that's going to bring down on him?"

"So what? He'll get an interview on Radio Trista?"

"He'll get arrested! And that's if he's lucky! I've got to find Instructor Sara!" she ran off in a blind panic. Celine rolled her eyes and curled back up in the sun, utterly uninterested.

"Just follow the scent of booze!" she called after Emma, getting no response. "Humans," she scoffed, "can't they be normal for five minutes?"

Scene Break Here

The more Rean observed it, the more he thought there was something wrong with the way Evander was fighting. No, that wasn't it. His combat prowess was fine, he fought with skill and without hesitation or fear. It was something different that was bothering Rean when he watched Evander fight. There was something wrong with the way the monsters in the old schoolhouse fought Evander rather than anything he was doing. Sometimes it was subtle, he would notice some of the monsters hesitating before attacking, or moving slower, like they were confused by Evander's presence. Sometimes it was more obvious, like monsters not attacking him at all, ignoring him to go after the others or not even fighting back when Evander forcibly engaged them. And most blatant of all, some of the lesser monsters outright fled at the sight of him. And it wasn't just Rean who'd noticed, Gaius was watching Evander like a hawk, and must have spotted it too. Even Elliot seemed more nervous than usual, casting anxious looks in Evander's direction every so often, though that might have been related to some other weirdness the strange boy had been up to earlier.

The only one who didn't seem concerned or confused by the monsters behaviour was Evander himself, if anything it seemed to be annoying him more than anything else. The last straw was when Evander disappeared for a full minutes after having to literally chase down a whole pack of smaller monsters who fled from him and Rean confronted him when he got back.

"Alright," he started, "what's going on here Evander? Why don't these monsters want to fight you?"

"I don't know!" yelled Evander, "they must think I'm related to them or something. I've never fought monsters before this, I had no idea they'd do this."

"What do you mean related to them?" asked Rean, "that doesn't make sense."

"The King of Fiends," muttered Gaius, looking at Evander curiously.

"Excuse me?" said Rean, "is this something to do with why you and Jusis tricked me into spying on Evander and getting him into the chapel?"

"Wait, what?" asked Evander, "you were told to bring me to the church?"

"Yes, supposedly a request from 'the children of Trista.'"

"And children seem strangely drawn to Jusis…" said Evander, putting it together. "I see."

"I don't," said Elliot, "what's going on here, is this about Evander robbing that bank or something?"

"Wait, what?" now it was Rean's turn to be confused.

"Yes, what's this about?" added Gaius.

"Ugh! I didn't rob a bank! This is bad as the book burning rumour following me around! And you don't get to judge me. What right do you have to spy on me? Trick me into going into a church!"

"I apologise Evander," said Gaius, "but I had to be sure. I know what you are."

"Wait, what?" Elliot's turn to say it now.

"Yeah, well so does Emma, and she didn't play weird little games with me," Evander shot back.

"Seriously, what's going on here?" asked Rean.

"It's personal, and my business alone," said Evander, staring Gaius down, daring him to disagree.

"Peace, Evander, I will not share your secret. It is not mine to tell."

"And Jusis? What about him? I assume he knows too if he's in on this?"

"He has also decided that spreading this information is not worth it."

"More like he thinks Machias will laugh at him," Evander rolled his eyes, and Gaius laughed, lightening the mood considerably.

"Yes, I'd say so too. But I think you should tell the others soon. So there can be trust between the members of Class Seven."

"Alright," said Evander, his shoulders slumped, "give me a week, maybe two. And I'll tell everyone. I wanted more time, so people knew not to be afraid. But it's clear I've been careless," he turned to Rean and Elliot, "I promise you; you'll get answers soon. Just please wait, I need to figure this out myself. I've had a rough day."

"Can't you give us something?" said Elliot, "some sort of clue?"

"Yeah," said Rean, "we don't mean to pry. But this is pretty weird, there must be something you can tell us."

"Okay. Um, let me think. I can say that I'm very ill. I have a…condition, that causes a lot of my allergies and stuff. Like the sunlight thing. And this illness is affecting the monsters somehow. That's all I can say. Are we done here now? Can we move on?"

"Not quite," said Rean, "did you really rob a bank Evander?"

"No! Look, there was some sort of mix up. I was supposed to win a few mira at the race track and they sent over a little too much money, that's all."

"You were gambling. That's illegal you know."

"How illegal? Are we talking 'illegal' or illegal."

"We're talking about violating the underage gambling restrictions!"

"Is that bad? The man at the pawn shop said I wasn't allowed to gamble but I thought that was more a guideline than an actual law."

"Yes, it's bad! You and whoever helped you could be in serious trouble!" Elliot suddenly started laughing nervously at that, and Evander shot him a black look.

"Please get a hold of yourself. It'll all be cleared up, I swear. No one else even knows about it."

Scene Break Here

"Evander, we need to talk," said Alisa. When Rean, Gaius, Elliot and Evander got back from reporting about the old schoolhouse, the entirety of the rest of Class Seven, sans Instructor Sara was waiting for them at the dormitory. All his bags of money had been removed from his room and piled up in the front room, glaring evidence of his malfeasance.

"Okay," said Evander, "so actually, everyone knows about it. Sorry Elliot."

"Why are you apologising to him for?" asked Alisa, "is this his money?"

"Yes," said Evander, with a heavy sigh. "Elliot robbed a bank."

"Hey!" said Elliot, "stop that!"

"Oh alright, you still can't take a joke. Calm down. It's mine. My true name is Evander Millionaire, Founder of Cheese and Crackers Incorporated. And I'm also royalty, the Schizophrenate Potentate."

"Excuse me?" said Laura.

"It's a type of ruler," explained Emma, because she really was pathological, "potentate I mean."

"That's not the point," said Laura, "be serious Evander. Where did you get this money from?"

"Alright, I'll tell you. But first I have a confession. Hi, my name is Evander, and I'm a gambling addict."

"I'm going to kill him," said Machias, "I'm going to bloody kill him."

"Fine! I won it on the horses okay! A friend of mine made the bet for me."

"You have a friend?" asked Fie, eyes wide and innocent to conceal her sarcasm.

"Oh ha, ha!"

"Gambling?" said Jusis, "you fool. You must have known that was illegal. And how many of your horses had to come in to make this much mira?"

"All of them. Every horse racing that day, I got all their placings right."

"All of them!?" Jusis nearly had an apoplexy.

"Is that bad?"

"Bad!? Do you know what the odds of that are?" Emma opened her mouth, "quiet Millstein!"

"I told you I was psycholexic," said Evander, smirking.

"That's not something to be proud of," drawled Alisa.

"Anyway," said Laura, "Fie has something she needs to do."

"Oh right," Fie walked over and returned the envelope full of money to Evander. "I can't accept this because it's the proceeds of crime or something."

"You didn't need to add the 'or something' on the end," complained Emma.

"Huh? What do you mean you can't accept it!?" demanded Evander, "I did it for you in the first place!"

"I never asked for all that!" said Fie, eyes flashing in anger. "That's crazy talk!"

"You literally did ask me for that!"

"Because I thought you'd never get that much. You idiot. I was trying to be nice."

"You were…being nice?"

"Yes. Sara told me to make friends, so I was trying to be nice."

"Oh, well there's your problem. Sara's a bloody lunatic. Never listen to her."

"Speaking of Sara," said Machias, "where is our illustrious instructor? I thought you were going to find her, Emma."

"I did find her," said Emma, "she was just, uh, indisposed."

"Drunk, you mean," Machias scoffed.

"Maybe a little tipsy, yeah. I don't quite think she understood what I was telling her. When I said Evander had millions of mira stashed in his room she just said 'next round is on him then!' and laughed hysterically.

"I've made a right mess of this, haven't I?" said Evander. "This day cannot get any worse!" There was a pounding knock at the door.

"RMP! Open up!"

"Quick, hide the bodies!" joked Fie.

"Fie!" scolded Emma.

"Machias, open the door," ordered Jusis.

"Why me!?"

"The RMP are your father's reformist lackeys, aren't they? Tell them to go away."

"Why you little punk! Neither my father, nor the RMP are corrupt!"

"Ugh, do I have to do everything around here!?" demanded Evander, stalking over and throwing the door open. A full squad of RMP officers waited outside, eying him coldly. "Whatever you're selling, we're not buying anything."

"Evander?" asked the leading officer, "we'd like you to come with us and answer some questions."

"I don't have to go anywhere with you. I know my rights! Machias, tell them my rights!"

"Why me again!? I mean, what is he being accused of, officers? A citizen is entitled to hear any charges against them before an arrest is made."

"Very well. Mister Evander is being investigated on the suspicion of underage gambling, betting fraud and race fixing resulting in illegal earnings of up to several million mira."

"Listen I'll admit to the underage gambling. That's on me. But what's this nonsense about betting fraud and race fixing?"

"Did you not provide an individual with this list?" asked the officer, showing Evander the list of horses he'd marked the race positions on. "This list was given to someone hours before those races took place. You knew where the horses were going to place before they'd even left the stables to head to the track. If that's not race fixing, what is it? Can you explain your knowledge sir?"

"Luck?"

"No one is that lucky."

"Fine, I'll tell you. I'm_"

"If you say telepathetic, forget Machias, I'll kill you," said Alisa.

"Sheesh, does no one have a sense of humour around here? Look, I'll give it all back and we can forget about this," Evander tried to hand the officer the eighty thousand mira envelope he was holding, only for the officer to back away.

"Are you trying to bribe an officer of the RMP sir?"

"Depends. Is it working?"

"Sergeant, add attempted bribery to his list of offences," said the squad leader coldly.

"Hey now! There's no need for that!" said Evander hastily.

"Then will you come with us quietly? Our superior is waiting for you at the train station."

"That's blackmail! I could have you on charges for that!"

"Sergeant, add threatening an officer to his list of offences."

"Don't you dare! If you write that down, I'll come over there and_"

"Sergeant, add resisting arrest to his list of offences."

"Evander! For the love of Aidios stop talking!" said Elliot.

"Okay! I surrender. Take me to your leader," snapped Evander. "Uh, could I trouble one of my fine classmates to tell Instructor Sara where I'll be?"

"I'll go," said Rean, "hold on Evander, we'll get you out of this." Rean sprinted off towards Kirsche's Café where he assumed Sara was still getting blitzed, and the RMP officers closed ranks around Evander and marched him off, with one staying behind the warn the rest of the class.

"A team will be around soon to retrieve the proceeds of crime," he said seriously, "none of you are to touch, or go anywhere near that mira."

"Lame," said Fie.

"Fie!"

Scene Break Here

"Instructor, I don't think you understand what I'm saying," Rean was trying to get through to Sara, but it was quite difficult given the state she was in. "Evander was caught with millions of mira he made in illegal gambling and was arrested!"

"Evander has a million schmillion mira?" slurred Sara, "then tell that stingy bastard to come over here and buy me a drink!"

"No, you don't understand, he's been arrested!"

"Ah," said Sara, nodding seriously for a moment before raising her glass, "a toast to absent friends! Alas poor Evander, I knew him well. Taken too soon."

"Ugh! He's not dead Instructor!"

"You said he was at rest? What are you shouting at me for?"

"Not at rest, arrested! Why are you drinking so much anyway!?"

"Haven't you heard? Instead of happy hour, they're having happy day! Half price drinks all day! Woohoo! Where do you get these ideas, Fred?"

"Funny you should say that," said Fred, the bar tender was looking a little concerned, "a nice young lady from the RMP gave me the suggestion. Said some of her officers were in town and would appreciate the good deal. But I haven't seen any of them in here yet."

"Huh?" Sara seemed to sober up nigh instantaneously, "RMP? Did the woman have blue hair? Did you catch her name?"

"Let me think," said Fred, "was it Blaire? Flare?"

"Claire! Captain Claire, was that the name!?"

"Yep, that's it. You know her?"

"Know her? I'll wring her neck! Ugh, played like a two mira punk! And she didn't even have the guts to do it properly!"

"What's going on here, Instructor?" asked Rean, starting to realise that there was something bigger going on here than just Evander's bad judgement.

"She was ordered to get me out of the way drinking here all day so they had a clear shot at Evander, but she didn't want to do it so she tried to tip me off. All those officers in the RMP and she personally comes here and uses her real name to set this up? She wanted me to know she was here so I'd come and stop her. Like I needed a clue or something! If there's one thing I can't abide it's being pitied! I'll get her for this! Rean be a gentleman and handle my tab, would you? I've got some ass to kick!"

"Instructor!" yelled Rean after her as she stormed off. "Where are you going!? What's going on!?" His only answer the café door slamming shut behind her.

"Tough break kid," said Fred sympathetically, "I didn't get much of that, but is it true your friend Evander got arrested? He's been in here with Sister Ornella every morning since term started. Seemed like a nice kid, if a little weird. What'd he do?"

"Won millions of mira gambling illegally on the horses." Fred's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Millions!? How'd he do it!? Do you think he'll tell me?"

"I have to find him first," said Rean grimly, "did Captain Claire tell you where'd she be setting up while she was in town?"

"Yeah sure," said Fred, clearly distracted, "they've got a RMP Armoured Train parked at the station. Couple of locals saw it arriving. Look, about these millions of mira_"

"What do I owe you?" Rean cut him off, "I'm kind of in a hurry here." He couldn't leave Sara to handle this on her own, she'd been three sheets to the wind mere moments ago. Going up against the RMP would take a clear head.

"Huh. Nothing. The captain said Sara's drinks were on her. You know, not one of my horses came in today. And that kid won millions? You've got to tell me how he did it!"

"Another time maybe," said Rean, "I've got to go!"

"Please, just one clue. A single word even!"

"Um, telepathetic!" blurted out Rean, and then ran out the door, heading for the station.

"Telepathetic? Is that a horse?" Fred reached behind the counter where he stashed all the racing pages and scanned them. "There! Telepathic Titan! Look at the odds on him, I'm going to be rich! Thank you, Evander!"

Scene Break Here

Evander was trying to put on a brave face, but when he was marched into the train station and saw an armoured train waiting for him he started to panic that they were going to ship him off somewhere before someone could get him out of this. He tried a joke to lighten the mood.

"Oh look, is that the party train to Ordis? I've been meaning to book a ticket for years, I hear the caviar in the dining car is to die for." None of the officers escorting his said anything in reply, just kept marching him towards the train. Evander wondered if he shouldn't try making a break for it and started looking for an opening. "Could you boys loosen up formation a bit?" he tried, "you're all over me like a cheap suit."

"Sir, is he trying to compel us?" asked one of the officers.

"Be quiet corporal."

"But you wouldn't let us wear sunglasses. If he looks us in the eyes_"

"I can't do that, you moron," said Evander, "if I could cast compulsions on people do you think I'd be in this situation?"

"How dare yo_"

"Corporal, do not engage with the suspect!"

"But he called me a moron!"

"And so will I if you don't shut up!" snapped the commanding officer as they stopped beside one of the train cars. "Step on board Mister Evander, Captain Claire will address your concerns inside."

"Who's she? The assassin here to kill me?"

"No, I assure you Mister Evander," Captain Claire stepped out of the train to personally reassure, "you will come to no harm on this train. We here at the RMP only wish to assist you. I am Captain Claire Re_"

"Iron," said Evander suddenly, cutting her off, "there's too much iron in your blood. Are you ill?"

"Excuse me? Is this your psychic gift at work?"

"I think so. I'm getting a message, 'The Icy Queen has too much iron in her blood, it's making her sick.' Does that mean anything?" Claire frowned, pursing her lips and looking at Evander consideringly.

"I am sometimes called the Icy Maiden," she admitted finally.

"Maiden? Seriously? No offence, but you're kind of old."

"Show some respect!" snapped the RMP corporal from earlier.

"No, it's alright," said Claire, laughing, "I think the name is a little silly myself. I mean, I'm in my twenties after all. Will you come with me if I give my word no harm will come to you Evander?"

"I have no choice but to trust you. I appreciate your word, but most people have a considerably easier time breaking it than I do. I'll come with you." Claire stepped aside and allowed Evander to enter the train before addressing her troops.

"When Sara Valestein shows up to retrieve him, do not get in her way. Stall her if you can, but don't physically engage her. Are we clear?"

"Yes ma'am!" the whole squad saluted, which Claire returned, and then headed back onto the train. Evander had already taken a seat at one of the windows and after a moment observing him, Claire sat opposite him.

"First off, I'd like to apologise for all this. It's not my style at all, but I have my orders."

"I understand. I think I've figured out what's going on here. But do you have some sort of powers too? How did you know to send an agent named Jimmy the Lock after me? Do you have a source in the school? I was thrown off guard at the name and thought he was a real gangster because I'd heard of him in class. I should have realised he was a plant way sooner."

"That was a pure coincidence," said Claire, "a strange one, I'll admit, but we picked the name at random."

"And who else was in on it, Micht at the pawn shop?"

"No, he's as much of a victim as you are. We had several options laid out for how best to entrap you, and Agent James was to tail you until you tripped into one. When you found out about horse racing we moved immediately to trick you. I was informed that if we could implicate Micht in this well, due to his connections to a certain guild, that we should go with such a plan. I must inform you that if our meeting does not go well he is the one who will take the fall for submitting a bet on your behalf. False witnesses swearing it was him and not one of our agents, will come forward."

"You're far too honest and forthcoming," said Evander, a sour expression on his face, "are you sure you are a spy? I mean, telling me about Micht is an obvious manipulation, but not telling me at all and letting him take the fall whatever I do in this meeting would be better for your ends. Instead, you're trying to appeal to my better nature, so I'll play along to save him. Is that in the spy playbook?"

"Actually, I'm not a spy. I work for the RMP, not the Intelligence Division."

"Then why are you here and not one of them? This is one of their moves, right?"

"Evander, you must understand why any sort of spy would not want to be in the same room as a powerful psychic, don't you? I have a lower classified clearance, and immense mental fortitude besides. I was considered the safer bet for this meeting."

"I'm not that psychic, and I don't usually read minds. I don't know where you got your information, but until I started training at this school, I could barely use the gift at all."

"Yet you picked every horse race result perfectly," said Claire.

"I've been wondering about that," said Evander, "myself. My gift came in unusually clearly all of a sudden, right at that moment. And I think someone gave me a boost. There's another psychic at the school, much more powerful than me, and it was her who sent me to that pawn shop in the first place. But I know she doesn't work for you, so I can't see what she would be playing at putting a hex on me like that."

"I'm afraid I can't speculate as to that either," said Claire, "but shall we get down to the point of this meeting?" Evander nodded. "The Imperial Government would like to offer it's assistance to you, Evander."

"Excuse me? What the hell does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"Assist me with what? Going to jail? How was any of this for my benefit!?"

"Trust is hard to come by, it was felt if we offered our help to you without some sort of leverage first, you would reject it out of hand. You would not trust us, and we would not trust you."

"You couldn't trust me!? I'm not the spy here! I can't break my word, it's impossible."

"Have you ever tried?"

"Yes! And it hurts like I'm dying, in my head, like it's going to explode."

"That can't be verified, we had to make sure you had more incentive to accept our offer than just your word that you agreed."

"We all know I'm going to agree anyway, because the alternative is awful, so why don't you just tell me what it is you want already?"

"First, your word that nothing I'm about to say will leave this room."

"You just said you couldn't trust my word."

"Forgive me, I didn't want to be so crass to outright say it, but it's not just your word binding you to your promise. But the potential imprisonment of yourself and others should you violate it."

"Others? Micht? And who else?"

"We know about the Half Moon Clan." Evander swore loudly.

"They haven't done anything! I swear, they don't kill when they feed!"

"I know, and I'm sorry. But you must understand your kind would not find much sympathy in any court, would that their true nature was revealed."

"Damnit! You have my word. I won't tell a soul about any of this, our agreement is between us. Now talk, we don't have much time."

"Ah… you can sense her?"

"More like smell her. She's on her way."

"Okay. By now you must be aware that Class Seven will be engaged in the unique curricular activity of Field Studies, and you are going to learn your destination next week after your practical exam."

"So what? You want me to report on all our activities or something? It's a field trip! You can't be going to such lengths to spy on one of those."

"Keeping us informed of events during the course of your field study is one of our requests, yes. But not the only one. Certain locations might require special intervention on your part, such as during your first field trip. You will be heading to Celdic, where a conspiracy is afoot. Your first instructions are to ensure that this conspiracy to stifle the Grand Market is investigated and resolved as a result of your field study. The RMP will assist you in this, but you are authorised to request the aid of the Half Moon Clan in your investigation as well. You will be provided with a communication device and further details on your mission closer to the date should you accept it."

"Fine, I accept. Is there anything else?"

"Yes. You must understand that what you did at the racetrack cannot be repeated ever again, and your word as such will not be enough. We have prepared a device that will suppress your psychic abilities to almost nil," she slid what looked like an ordinary wristwatch across the table. "It has two hidden quartz of immense power concealed under the face. The first, the Mirage Quartz Clouded Mind is what blocks your psychic abilities. The second, a Space Quartz called Inviolable Will is designed to prevent the wearer from removing or tampering with the watch in any way. Once you put it on you will not be able to remove it unless someone uses an authorized password known only to the Intelligence Division who may have use for your gift in the future. Do you agree to wear this device?"

"Ugh," Evander looked physically pained by the decision, "I've had this gift my whole life. I use it to help people. Can't I just promise not to cheat on exams or horse races anymore?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Alright. I don't like it. But for my family, I accept," with a heavy heart, Evander took the watch and clasped it around his wrist. It would be hard to describe the loss of psychic power to someone who has never had it, but to Evander it was a bit like all his other senses dulled the moment he put it on. His sight dimmed, his hearing dulled, even the table surface beneath his fingers felt less real than it had a moment ago. "Will that be all?" asked Evander, his voice tired and suddenly weaker than before, not as musical.

"Not quite, could you please make me a drink?"

"Excuse me?"

Claire laughed.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little thirsty. I could get it myself if you want. I just thought you might want to stretch your legs before Instructor Sara puts you under house arrest."

"Fair enough," Evander stood up and walked over to where a table of refreshments where kept. His hand reached for the coffee pot, hesitated, and moved towards the tea urn, then the pitcher of juice, then the jug of water, and then back to the coffee pot. "Ah," Evander turned around and observed Claire staring at him intently. "You were testing me. Seeing if I instantly knew what your favourite drink was. Did I pass?"

"Yes, I believe your gift is suitably suppressed. You weren't faking, you genuinely have no idea what to make me."

"I liked being able to do that," said Evander sadly, "it made people so happy. Oh well. What should I get you then?" Claire blinked at him owlishly.

"Uh, you still want to make me a drink?"

"Yes? Why shouldn't I?"

"I was tricking you when I asked for one. And I'm the one forcing you into this horrible plan."

"You didn't want to do this, any more than I wanted to agree. I could tell, before I put the watch on. None of this was your choice. Don't feel bad. We all have our orders."

"I…don't deserve such understanding. Thank you. But why don't you let me make you a drink instead? I owe you that much. Coffee, right? Loads of sugar, milk, cream, and honey?"

"How did you? Does the Intelligence Division have_"

"A file on your coffee preference?" Claire laughed, "no. I just asked Fred while I was in town. That's what you can do in future, sometimes just asking works better than any form of psychic gift. Speaking of which, I have to ask. You didn't spend any of the mira did you? I'll be getting a report on the amount retrieved from your dormitory soon, but it doesn't hurt to ask you directly."

"Spend it? I couldn't give it away. All I have is this," Evander fished out the envelope containing the mira both Fie and the RMP had rejected. He put it on the table without a hint of regret. Neither that, or the millions in the dormitory had meant anything to him. He'd only been trying to repay a debt, a debt he didn't even really owe for that matter. "But why did you wait so long to move on me? You could have arrested me the moment the money turned up. Why risk me spending it?"

"A couple of reasons. First was that my superiors felt that if you had time to spend some of the illegal funds, it would increase your sense of guilt and make you more malleable. We couldn't wait too long though, because the Intelligence Division is on the hook for retrieving the full amount and returning it, so you don't suffer any consequences for winning it in the first place. Part of the…incentive to work with us, was the fact we would return the money and protect you from the angry bookies and the authorities. And secondly, we wanted to be sure that Sara Valestein was well and truly inebriated before making an attempt to arrest one of her students. She can be…volatile and a chaotic element in any plan unless she is otherwise accounted for." Claire finished making Evander's coffee and brought it over to him. "Is there anything else you want to ask while we have time? Further mission details will come in time, but I'll answer what I can now. I want this to be as transparent as possible."

"You really are the nicest blackmailer I've ever come across," said Evander, a touch coldly. Only a touch though, and he regretted it when a brief hurt look crossed Claire's face. "I'm not going to bother asking if I might be required to hurt people or commit other crimes, because if this was on the straight and narrow there wouldn't have been all this nonsense. But I suppose there was one thing I was wondering. Was the man who tricked me really called James?" Claire nodded. "Why'd he pick the false name Jimmy? That's just an informal version of his real name."

"We weren't sure how powerful your abilities were. If he was going to lie to you, it was decided it should be as close to the truth as possible to try and prevent anything tipping off your psychic intuition. A wise precaution as it turned out, because you performed beyond all our expectations. We never expected you to win so much mira. The fact you'd gambled at all was enough to coerce you, the amount you'd win was considered irrelevant."

"Oh. Is it really all going to make it back to Heimdallr safely?" asked Evander.

"Absolutely. I put my own men on it. RMP. Some of the Intelligence types can be a bit flaky, so I'm handling this personally." There was the sound of shouting outside and then someone was hammering on the door. "Ah, here's your instructor," said Claire, standing up and opening the door.

"Get your hands off my student!" yelled Sara, bursting in, wild-eyed, "what on earth are you doing to him in here? What deranged tortures have you subjected him to, you harpy!"

"The coffee is a bit bland," joked Evander, "and this watch they gave me looks kind of cheap. But that's about the extent of the torture."

"Wha…?"

"Sit down, Instructor, you're drunk."

"Ha! I come all this way to rescue you and that's how you treat me!" huffed Sara before turning her gaze to Claire, "and as for you," she took a step towards her only for Evander to leap in between them.

"Don't kill her instructor! It's not worth it!"

"Huh? I wasn't going to kill her. What kind of world do we live when my own students think so little of me?"

"Instructor!" Rean burst through the door, "don't kill anyone!"

"Sheesh! You too? I wasn't going to kill anyone! The Captain and I are just going to have a little chat. Evander, Rean, wait outside please. Oh and before you go, my memory is little foggy, but did I end up leaving you to pay my bar tab?"

"Uh yes. But the RMP covered it so we're fine."

"Ugh!" Sara glared at Claire, "as much as I hate owing you anything. Thank you for saving my dear student's wallet. See you outside, you two, and Rean, don't let Evander do anything else stupid for today okay? I'm holding you personally responsible. Think of it as building your leadership potential."

"I prefer to think of it as you dumping extra work on me," said Rean, thoroughly annoyed that he'd run all this way only to find everything under control. "Come on Evander. Let's go."

"But I didn't finish my coffee…"

"I think Instructor Sara needs it more."

"Fair point."

"You kids are awful! Get out!" Rean and Evander left and then a long awkward silence stretched between Sara and Claire, which the RMP Captain finally broke.

"I just want you to know that I didn't have anything to do with what happened to the guild_"

"Save it," said Sara, "I don't care to hear your excuses. I'm not here about that. I suppose you've sworn Evander to secrecy about what happened in here?"

"Yes," admitted Claire, "but in case that isn't enough, there are… other things for him to consider before he says anything."

"Blackmail you mean," scoffed Sara, "I suppose you threatened the Half Moon Clan?"

"That's classified. But I heard you were once hired to destroy the Half Moon Clan yourself?"

"That's classified," said Sara in a sing-song voice, smirking. "But if I was, I rejected the request when I met them. They're good people. I suppose you're going to say they're not people at all though?"

"I wish you wouldn't think so little of me. I would never say that. But you understand, they drink blood, if that's not a crime I don't what is. And do you really think Evander's word would have been enough without the threats? You trust him that much?"

"If I didn't, do you think I would let him anywhere near my students, or the others at the academy? Evander does not drink blood anymore, and never will again. He would rather die than break his word."

"He seemed to think he would die if he broke it."

"That's just one of his quirks. His sister dismantles furniture and reassembles it compulsively. His father has a phobia of the number three and his mother refuses to enter buildings unless invited. I think a compulsion to always keep your word is quite harmless in that light."

"Should you have just blurted that out?"

"I'm a little drunk, okay? Thanks to someone in this room."

"Are you all finished with these people, Captain?" the officer who'd arrested Evander poked his head through the door. "Only we need to be back in Heimdallr soon, and the half breed is making people nervous with all his skulking around."

"Yes, lieutenant, we're all done here. And please, refrain from such derogatory language in future. If you would escort Instructor Sara and her students out of the station, as a courtesy gesture, that would be appropriate."

"Typical," said Evander loudly from outside, "first they drag me here. Now they're throwing me out!"

"Can it Evander! I'm still mad at you!" Sara yelled back.

"He heard us!?" yelped the lieutenant, "I mean, yes ma'am, sorry ma'am!"

"Hmph," huffed Sara, "if only my own students were so obedient. I swear out of all the kids at this academy I got all the weirdoes."

"That's not even close to being true," said Evander from outside again, "there's Munk from_"

"Stop doing that!"

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"You put that much money on Telepathic Titan to win?" A second-year student in a green uniform was talking to Fred about his recent gambling tip. "Rookie move man. There's no way he's even making a podium finish."

"I've got a good source this time Crow," insisted Fred, "the kid I'm talking about won millions at the track! He won so much they arrested the guy for being so good he drove all the bookies broke. He's probably still in protective custody now."

"Seriously? I heard the RMP where in town, they came for him then I suppose. Did you catch his name?"

"Evander. He doesn't have a last name, I suppose that's to hide from all the people who've lost money to him."

"Ah, I've heard of him. Sounds like an interesting guy, in Class Seven if I recall. Kids I spoke with think he's a vampire."

"You know, that's weird. I had the exact same thought when I first saw him," admitted Fred. "But if he breaks my losing streak, I don't care what he is!"

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Instructor Sara told Evander to wait outside when they got back to the dorms and went inside with Rean to find, as she'd predicted, the rest of Class Seven eagerly waiting for news.

"Where's Evander?" asked Fie, "is he dead? Did they kill him?"

"No. And that's a little morbid isn't it?" complained Sara, "he's just outside. Before he comes in, I want to make it clear that he can't talk about what happened and you're not to ask him about it. Are we clear?"

"Yes Instructor," said Emma, "we won't mention it."

"Good. Come in Evander."

Evander barely got a step through the door before Fie ambushed him with the exact question she'd been told not to ask.

"What happened Evander? Did they kill you?"

"Fie!" said Emma.

"How could they have killed him? He's obviously alive," scoffed Machias. "Do I need to send your sworn affidavit that you forced Elliot and I to hide the money to RMP HQ or are we in the clear?"

"Not you too Machias," said Emma, "she said not to ask about it!"

"Hey, I'm involved in this!"

"I wouldn't bother with that affidavit anyway," drawled Jusis, "are you aware of the meaning of non-compos mentis?"

"Yes of course," snapped Machias, "not of sound mind."

"Then you know that anything a lunatic signs, Evander for example, is worthless."

"Wow, nice to see you too Jusis, so glad you were worried about me," complained Evander. "It's alright Instructor, I can tell them what happened. The RMP invited me over for a cup of coffee and then gave me a new watch, see?" he held up his wrist to show them the new accessory. It looked perfectly ordinary, but Emma could feel the power radiating off it. What had they given him?

"Oh I call BS on that," said Alisa, "get real Evander. They took your money and told you to stop being a moron. That's what happened. You're lucky it wasn't worse."

"Took my money!? No way! I just invested it into the RMP. They were terribly underfunded after all."

"Actually, they're one of the most elite units in the army," said Elliot, "so they were probably good on funding."

"Fine, I donated it all to a charity called the Bored Nord Hoard. They raise money so bored Nords can come to Erebonia. How do you think Gaius got here?"

"I came by train actually," said Gaius, lips twitching in amusement, "but one day I hope there is such a charity, so more of my people can visit this land."

"The point is," Sara cut in, "that Evander did a very bad thing, he's learnt his lesson and he won't do it again. And none of you are to copy his example."

"Of course Instructor," said Jusis, "if it helps, I would have to be kicked in the head by a horse before I could follow any example of Evander's."

"Hey! Are you going to let him talk to me like that?"

"Hmm." Sara thought about it for a moment, "I believe I'll allow it."

"Typical! Well, I won't. Jusis, outside right now. Duel me!"

"Declined," said Jusis, smirking.

"Ha!" said Laura, "the shoe is on the other foot now, is it not, Evander? How do you like it?"

"At least I can wear a pair of shoes, your feet are so huge they leave craters in the ground," said Evander, "and Alisa, your hair is dyed. And Fie reads worse than I do. And Emma smells weird. And_ Huh, why are you all advancing on me like that? Get back! Ahhh!" And so Evander burned off most of his spare energy being chased around the dorm by his angry classmates for the rest of the night, and that was the end of that sordid chapter of his life. For now.