CHAPTER 58 - FINAL NAIL OF THE COFFIN
LUKE HODGES
This new uniform was something I didn't expect to wear after the first day of school. It was different from what the normal uniform was. This was something that appeared to be similar to the Lance's military uniform. It consisted of a black dress shirt and a dim gray vest. As my fingers traced on the material, it was clearly different from cotton. The special engravings of gold and bronze made it stand out more, but it was clearly some form of protection for whoever was wearing this.
Damn that Director…she knew I didn't like to stand out but she wanted me to either way.
Realizing my own mistake, I just decided to enjoy my 'normal' life if that was the case here…
"BUT I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION!" I let out, my eyes widened in frustration towards the looks of what scream 'Look I'm a rich boy who out-ranks you all!'.
Director Goodsky just sat there taking everything I said like it wasn't much or was she expecting it? Her eyes were calm and her hands were interwinded, perhaps she was thinking about something else?
"My…was it really that bad? I mean you look handsome with those clothes, they might even compare you to Arthur Leywin in terms of beauty." She giggled while waving her hand like a fly was around her. "In any case, you might be able to reveal your role here in this academy. However, only to those who are in a certain level of authority. Like the professors and the groups we have to defend this academy."
Cynthia Goosky stood from her seat and walked around her room. Almost like she was looking for something. Something that wasn't in the room and more like in the atmosphere.
Instead of saying something, I just stood there thinking of ways to turn down the uniform but still have the role. If I were to be honest, this role gives me the authority to train with the professors who initially have experience.
Then again, I just want to live a normal mage student life.
"Question…" I asked, not turning an eye away from the couch in front of me. "Do I…are there other people aside from me with this role, or who is a Guardian?"
"No… It is solely you." Her voice and tone simplified it for me to understand even without having to ask anything.
"Is there a reason as to why there is only one Guardian?" This time I looked at her.
"Hmm…What do you think about me giving authority to four people? What do you think might change in this academy to those who have different beliefs and what not?" Her elemental affinity started to form four different people with different gender and appearance, except for one. "If I were to give these four people the role and authority of the Guardian, with time they might change their reasons to protect this academy, more importantly the students inside. Giving power to the wrong people might bring misfortune to this academy. Even a bloodbath between Guardians might start."
The four wind figures then moved against each other, fighting and cutting each other like they were nothing. It was a scene which reminded me of what King Grey's old world was like. Being described from the novel, I would have thought that this was something similar to it if I hadn't read it.
After what seemed an eternity of watching the wind mannequins fight each other, only one came to be the victor of the Guardians. Coincidentally, his appearance was similar to mine. Long locks and glowing eyes which symbolized red crimson eyes, to me at least.
Director Goodsky then closed her hands like she had finished a tragic story book, the wind element flushed around the old and delicate hands. My eyes still were attached to the scene which brought many thoughts, and many of them were not good either, yet it was a topic that she wanted to share with me for some time.
"I guess now I know the reason why there is only one Guardian…" I said in a jokingly light tone. With a wry smile and caution filled eyes, I turned to look at the Director. "Are you going to inform everyone about the 'Guardian'?"
"Is that your desire?" She replied with an eyebrow up.
"No…not at the moment…Maybe when the time is right but yet these clothes are quite the attention grabber…" I pulled some of my clothes with my fingers, almost like they were wet. "Maybe there's a different way for me to identify as the Guardian?"
Director Goodsky took a moment to reconsider this situation. At first glance, it was obvious that she wanted to display me all over the academy campus, on the other hand, it meant that many students might target me for the role and authority.
"Hmmm… No, that is not going to work. How about this…instead of keeping you confidential, how about we reveal it to the whole academy?" Her hand was placed on her chin like it was a great idea but it was missing something more. "Perhaps revealing that you are a Quadra-elemental mage with this authority may cause those who wish to forcefully take this role from you to think twice."
"Hey! I am not some indestructible soldier who is going to duel every mage in this academy for the sole reason of protecting the Guardian role." Letting her know in an irritated tone but firm, I was ready to forfeit it if necessary.
"No you are not…" Cynthia spoke, this time in a more intriguing voice than before. "But you are this academy's most powerful person in terms of magic and even core…so fighting kids your age or older should be a piece of cake."
"Wait. What are you talking–" I got cut off.
"I know many things which you are hiding, Luke Hodges. For instance, you are hunting those that are not from this Continent during and after your Adventuring time." Director Goodsky's eyes narrowed to me as she released a type of barrier around the room. "More specifically, Alacryans. My people. Sent by the leader, the high sovereign, Agrona Vitra."
"I–"
"You don't need to worry, I too wish for nothing more than for this Continent to grow into what it is supposed to. But my curse forbids me from saying anything more. Even now, I feel the pain that it comes with just mentioning him." Clutching and clenching into her robe, on top of where her heart would be, held tightly by her hand. This was the curse that she had during the war arc.
She was putting herself in this situation just to give me a better position for when the time came. Now I get it. All this time, ever since my first encounter with her, everything was different and now I knew why.
"So the reason for this role, this name of Guardian was to…"
"That is right, they will soon start their plan, and this place will be affected first." Gray and white, her hair moved in a single and opposite direction. "And you are the one who can fight them when they decide to get rid of me. So please, be the Guardian that protects Xyrus Academy. For the students, for the families and for many bright futures."
I stood there, confused about what to say even though there were many things to say or even questions. I, for one, wanted to live my life here in the academy without any regrets, any fights or things that make me different from the students my age.
Living a normal life before I head into the hell that is to come.
That was my original plan.
But now…
"Sigh…Are you sure I can take command of those who are capable of at least staying on par with someone inexperienced like me during battle?"
Director Goodsky nodded. "Yes. Professors and even the Student Council or the Disciplinary Committee. As long as their future is protected away from his hands and plans. And if there were something to happen to me, you will be the acting Director until I've come back."
My hands clapped and stuck together, all ten fingers pointing towards her. "Okay…now that is too much for me to pull."
"My…so having the entire academy's life and reputation on your shoulders is a piece of cake but being the step in Director is a bit too much?" Cynthia giggled, moving her head horizontally.
"Well yeah…being a leader is not my strong suit." I admitted.
Letting out a gentle hum, Cynthia Goodsky said, "And that is coming from a boy who led the elven Lances during his raids in the Beast Glades?"
"Okay…you are wrong there, I never led or will lead the Lances in any way," This time I sat down on the couch, crossing my left leg on top of my right knee, my hands spread from my sides to the top of the couch. "Why are you trying so hard? You might not win this debate."
A smile was forced on her face. "I just want to secure the shield of my long lasting academy."
Again, I let out a deep sigh. "I'm really being guilt tripped, aren't I?" I said to myself, shaking my head from any doubts. Then I shot up instantly, shaking off any dust I had in my uniform. "Well, I concede. I will protect your academy and the students inside. Even if you and I were away, getting here will be a pain in the rear, so don't expect me to fight in my full condition."
"Thank you." Director Goodsky sincerely said. Grabbing my hand like I was some type of savior.
Spoilers, I wasn't.
"Well, what do I do now?"
"How about we head towards the auditorium and reveal the great Guardian so that students know who is their protector?"
I gave a suspicious look. "Are you sure? Or do you plan on showing me off?"
It took a second and that gave me the answer I wanted, "Yeah."
"Sigh… Alright, I will follow your lead."
"That would be great." She said with a much warmer smile.
***
Upon entering the auditorium from the back. The cheers and whistles could be heard even before entering the building. Cynthia Goodsky gave me a 'That may be you in less than three minutes' smile. Her hand pointed towards me and later to the stage where the Disciplinary Committee stood.
Not saying anything, I tried to reason with myself and the nervous sensation that entered my body. For some reason it felt like I was presenting a very powerful slideshow that could be the very end or the beginning of a bright company.
Then again, I never worked in my life so this example wasn't very good.
In my past life, my parents would send me an allowance every week of five-thousand-dollars for my everyday needs. Eventually it led me to get my dream car but I initially didn't want that. And instead I got my dream car and an apartment away from my parents.
Still, they would send me money and I didn't treat it any different from when I was in their house. And eventually, they found out where I lived and purchased the whole apartment and left it only to me.
Not something I would be complaining about but still, there were times where I wished I could live a normal life like a normal struggling twenty-year-old who is still in college.
Suddenly, the audience stayed quiet. That made me put my attention towards the podium where the Disciplinary Committee, Student Council, and the Director of the prestige Magic academy stood.
"Today, as you have witnessed, will be the first time in generations. Where this academy has first handily picked every member of these groups, to be the main reason why this academy stands in the very top. To give hope to those who have lost it before trying. The Disciplinary Committee is to stop students from hurting one another, The Student Council is to make this school great for everyone who joins it, but the question still stands."
Students one another spoke in silent voices about what the Director might be on. Some would even give confused gazes.
Just like the students, the Disciplinary Committee and the Student Council both looked at each other, confused and seemingly curious where this was going.
Director Goodsky continued. "Who will protect the students along with the academy? Truth be told, it should be us the professors and I the sole Director of this Academy, perhaps even the adventurers or the Lances. But here I am to tell you they have bigger things at hand. Not saying that they might leave us stranded but saying that if there is a case where they can't get here in time, who might help us protect the academy?
"However, I was lucky to secure our shield, our protector and Guardian of Xyrus Academy." Cynthia Goodsky gave a smile like she was excited to show off her new toy to other people who didn't know it was a limited edition.
Tessia and Arthur looked at each other before looking to the side of the stage, where I patiently waited for my queue.
"Please Welcome our one and only Guardian: Luke Hodges!"
[Ghost Walk]
I silently walked towards the middle of the stage, where Director Cynthia had moved to give me the chance to shine even brighter. Arthur and Tessia, even everyone who was on the stage with me, struggled to keep eyes on me while I had activated my technique.
They would look behind me where my mana signature was but not at me truly.
At this moment, I stood in front of the podium. Ghost Walk was still active and students who didn't know about it started to whisper loud enough to each other about the location of the guardian, me.
My hands laid bare at the wooden podium, where at the same time, Ghost Walk was relieved of its duty.
The multitude of students gasped at my sudden appearance where only the two highest groups stood along with the Director. My eyes didn't stare at the multitude of people who were my age or older but at the reddish wood that stood in front of me.
I waited for the students to quiet down but it seemed like it was a never ending moment. Their surprised voices and comments brought a piece of understatement to which teachers in my old world would feel after their students wouldn't quiet down.
Seeing as this wasn't going to work by itself.
I activated a spell that Director Goodsky used during the first day of the academy. It wasn't the same but it was similar to it, keeping the people around me quiet and letting only myself speak.
The bubble expanded from my lifted palm into the crowd and later to the whole building. The loud comments and expressions died down instantly but not their facial expressions. They all had the same reaction that I expected. Confusion.
"Don't worry, this is something similar to what you've experienced before on the first day of the academy. It is not the same as the Director's spell but it is something similar." My words were firm but gentle. My crimson eyes tracking every single one of the students except for the ones behind me who I felt a fiery glare from multiple places. "As you may have heard from Director Goodsky's speech, I am indeed the Guardian. The shield of this academy for the remainder of my time here. And to be honest with every one of you, I didn't think I would have this role in this academy. I just wanted to be some normal mage living a lame and basic life here but fate had other plans for me."
I let the words linger a little longer before continuing.
"I don't expect you guys to believe that I am fit for this role of the Guardian, or whether I am stronger than anyone here, no. That is not my taste and will not be for a long time. I'm not some great boy with a great past or future but I will make one thing come true. If there is a great threat or the academy itself is in danger. I, Luke Hodges, will defend this place to the bitter end, even if the price is my life. Whether it be mana beasts or even the Lances, I will fight until my last breath and that is not a promise but a guarantee."
By this time, everyone's attention was pointed at me. Not a single eye was away from me. No mouth was opened or moving. Every student's head was facing in my direction.
That gave me some safe feeling that my message went through their immature heads but there still needed to be an extra nail in the coffin.
The mana in my core strictly went into the two objects that hugged my middle fingers. In them were the two perfect weapons that were the final nail to this coffin. The two perfect blades that were with me ever since the beginning of my Adventuring career and will now accompany me to the end of my days, shining like a bright nova was the sword on my left hand and the reflectionless black, almost like the void itself, was held tightly by my right hand.
"With these two swords, I will protect this academy. And so as the Guardian of Xyrus Academy, I ensure that there will be no threat!"