Hidden Inside The Academy Chapter 16

CHAPTER XV

The Fake

I was just staring at the stage dumbfounded. The hall was in full cheer but I seemed to not hear them.

Everyone was in celebration. My eyes were looking for the Headmaster seeking for an explanation. He’s also looking back at me very seriously. I understood that expression; he wanted to explain.

Was I disappointed because I wasn't the ‘other half’ of the Mistress? Or was I happy because my problem has lessened?

“We expect you all to protect Victoria at all cost with Claude as the lead.”

The cheers got louder. They're very determined to protect the Mistress.

“We won’t give up the Mistress for the personal interest of the Realm. We will protect Victoria.”

All the people were smiling, even Victoria’s father was very proud of her.

“It was actually Victoria who's the other half of the Mistress. I’m so jealous!” Clover cried at me. Her eyes were also shining.

****

I’m walking by the hallway of the school and right next to me was Clover as we walk to class. I was still thinking about the announcement earlier.

At any rate, Victoria was more suited to be the Mistress. She's strong and she's one of the top Majes.

At least now, the things I should worry were reduced.

“I’ll go to the comfort room first. You can go ahead, Clover.”

“Hurry up, okay,” she walked away.

I was about to run the corner for the comfort room but I thought I heard someone calling me.

“Cenedy Aceil!”

“Cenedy Aceil!”

It came from a vacant classroom.

I got curious and entered. A child was sitting there.

“Headmaster,” it was Sugar, our Headmaster.

Then, I noticed he’s not alone. He's with Claude… and Clover?

“Why are you here?”

Claude was at the corner of the room, his hands on his pockets; while Clover was in front, smiling at me.

“Ask that snotty child. I was about to go to the classroom when I was sent here,” Clover defended. Thus, my eyes turned to Claude.

“I’m here because he said that you're here,” Claude said as he turned his gaze to the window.

So this was like a mini meeting? I asked myself. What will it be all about?

“Why did you ask us here, Headmaster?” but Sugar just looked straight at me.

“I already told Rhoanne and Aiden about this,” as we silently listened to him, Sugar suddenly changed into his adult form.

“I want all of you to patrol outside the academy every night. The Academy’s condition had been dangerous lately especially now everyone learned who the other half of the Mistress is.”

He walked slowly towards the window and looked up at the sky.

“Is Ross involved in the disturbances happening now?” Claude asked. If I wasn't mistaken, Ross was the person who hurt Aiden a few weeks ago.

“Uhm, yes.”

Claude’s hand clenched. His eyes showing that he wanted kill someone.

“I also learned that there are Sceillians seen loitering outside the Academy’s ground and they're not registered under this area.”

“Wa…wait, but why am I here? You know that I don’t have a Sceill,” I cut in. I can’t even save myself so how did they want me to save the Academy?

“Uhm, yeah, Cenedy, I think it’s a good idea since you’ve seen Ross. And I know the Majes won't mistreat you, right Claude?” he turned to Claude, who gave him a sharp look in response.

“Yey, we've got Ceny! I won't be left out then!”

It was good that Clover was happy, at least. She was even jumping as if we're to go in a party.

“I’m leaving, old man. I've got things to do,” Claude said. Then he's gone just like a bubble.

“I just have something to tell to you, Aceil Cenedy. Clover, you may go first.”

In a few minutes, the bell would be ringing, though. Clover looked at us curiously.

“I'll just give her instructions for tonight, things she may do.”

Clover’s face eased up and finally walked out of the room.

It took a while before he finally spoke. He just looked up in sky so I turned curious. Claude and Sugar loved to look at it.

“Victoria is not the real Mistress.”

A short sentence that ruled me into a lot of questions. If not, then why did Hiso (High Society) announced that she was?

Sugar mopped his hands on his face in frustration. I just noticed that he looked really tired and he seemed to be carrying something heavy inside him.

“Aceil Cenedy, I don't know who to trust anymore. I don't know who the enemy is.”

Sugar seemed so confused. His eyes already have dark circles. He even looked like crying.

“What do you mean by that, Headmaster?” I asked in curiosity. I thought I was the only one who had problems with trust issues.

“Hiso wanted Victoria to become the Mistress. They plan to make all the Sceillians follow them in all they want.”

My jaw dropped. It's the same thing those fighting against the academy wanted.

“From out there to our inside, I don't know what to do. As of now, you're the only one I can trust. The real reason why I want you to join them is because I want to know the reason why our enemies are attacking the Academy.”

I decided to do what Sugar wanted. I’ve been hiding for many years, maybe I should do something now. I don't want to be afraid of what will happen to me forever while also knowing that many people will be affected.

“Okay, Sugar, I’ll do it.”

*****

It was late when I got back to Gein. After the class, I was immediately teleported to the Headmaster’s office. He told me a lot of things.

Our patrol will start tomorrow. I knew it was because of me, since I wasn't really ready yet. Everything was so new for me. He also gave me a ring that would serve as my protection if there would be any explosions to happen.

I tiptoed knowing that Clover might hear my footsteps. When I entered the room I quickly changed my clothes. I also took some chocolates because I haven't had my dinner.

When I walked to the terrace, one Claude Vyel Cynnvoc greeted me. He was sleeping while sitting on my terrace floor. What was he doing here?

I held his shoulder and shook him awake.

“Claude.”

“Claude!”

His eyelashes were really long. I felt envious. He’s on simple black V-neck shirt and jeans; far different from his usual aura that's so intimidating.

“Aceil,” he finally woke up.

“Why are you here? Do you need something?”

He stood up and walked to me. But the next thing he did was beyond my expectation.

He hugged me.

The warmth of his body was far opposing the cold of the surroundings. He smelled so good. I felt so safe when I was with him. Maybe because he’s my guardian.

“Sorry, Aceil.” Why was he even apologizing?

“What are you talking about, Claude? It wasn't your fault,” but he has yet to let go of me. He was so tall and his shoulders were broad so I felt small, myself.

“I’m sorry because I’m not watching over you lately.” So he's watching over me? Why was I not informed?

“You don't have to watch over me.”

I escaped from his arms and then looked up at his eyes. His eyes were full of concern, very different from his usual expressionless face.

“I will sleep here tonight,” he said as he strode inside my room.

I abruptly pulled the curtain in surprise because of his last sentence. Was he joking?

“Wa… what are you saying?”

“I should have done this a long time ago. I was only always outside and it was too cold!” he sulked. He swiftly jumped into my bed and then covered himself with my blanket.

“Who told you to stay outside my room in the first place? Claude just go home, will you?”

He suddenly got up from bed and sat over.

“Can you look at my eyes? The eyebags became too big after watching over you. I haven't have a good sleep yet.” And then he slumped into my bed again and smelled my pillow.

“It smells good here.” I simply watched him. This one was such a different Claude.

“Okay, now, you don't have to watch over me. That’s an order,” was he serious about sleeping on my bed? He must be going mad.

“As you wish, Master.” But he still did not get up from his covers.

“Claude, why are you doing this?”

“What do you think? Do you know that in ancient tradition, the Master and Guardian live together in the same house? Thus, this is just fine," he said while still wrapped up. I heard him sniffing under my blanket like a dog.

“That was before, Claude, maybe a few millennia ago. So get out now because I’m going to sleep.”

He didn't even move a finger. Probably—asleep? I felt guilty. He was telling the truth about his eyebags.

It should be fine. It's only for tonight.

“Hey, Claude, wake up and go to the sofa. You can't sleep on my bed,” I shook him. We can't sleep together. I wasn't even accustomed with having someone in my room.

He suddenly stood up and laid down on the couch.

“It would be nice to have your bed, but it’s okay than either the terrace or the roof of your room.”

I was guilty with that. The so-called top Maje of the school was slaved by me.

I have to go to bed now, though, since when I slept late, I'd have nightmares and started speaking in my sleep and even sleepwalk. That's why, sometimes I found myself by the terrace or by the door of my room. It’s a good thing lately that I only had dreams and no longer sleepwalking.

I wonder what will happen tomorrow? My eyes turned towards Claude who's on the couch. He was in deep sleep but I noticed he was shivering with the cold. I got up, took out the extra blanket and covered him.

As I watched him over, I still can't believe he's my guardian. I thought I would never have a guardian since I was a Scape. It was even surprisingly since one Claude Vyel became my Guardian.

It’s also another good thing that he didn't snore because guardian or not, Maje or not, I was really going to kick him out.

I was returning to my bed when I heard Claude said…

“At last I found you … A … Aceil, my Master.”

I guess, I wasn't the only sleep-talking.

Translator's Note (nier):

I'm really not fond of writing using present tenses but the author's style in writing is more suitable with it, especially since it's a 1st person POV. Anyhow, I've tried to change the tenses and if you guys found corrections, please note in the comments. Also, let me know if you want notes to know who's talking who (eg. Cenedy: Wait… or What?! (Cenedy))

The first half of this chapter was translated by seiji, just so everyone knows.

So, as we've said last time, the author hasn't finished this novel and has no update since last year. We also learned that the author was writing over her phone so there were lots of typos. Although her current chapters reached 40+, we're in a dilemma whether to continue our translations when we saw her novel status: Under Construction. Anyway, we don't know whether there will be huge changes after her 'reconstruction' but we're on the lookout while we translate the available chapters. Thanks for reading!