Chapter 26：To Break Away From the Heirarchy

"You are truly knowledgeable about the supernatural beings," August said once all the children left. He had been so quiet the entire hour that I forgot that he was even there.

"I have seen many things."

"Do you know how to break away from the hierarchy?" His usual, warm and slightly smiling face was replaced with an extremely serious one.

"There are multiple ways," I replied, heading over to him so that we could properly talk.

"Can you tell me some ways?"

"Why? You are aware that breaking away from the hierarchy doesn't mean that your exempted from the rules of your race, yes?"

"Of course I'm aware," August then sighed and just as he was about to open his mouth, I interrupted him saying, "everyone has their own sob story, your's isn't anymore wretched than theirs are."

A giggle suddenly escaped his lips and I froze, why was he giggling?

When he glanced at me, he started laughing. And his laughter was truly beautiful, like that of a warm summer breeze gently nudging the windchimes [1]. It truly warmed ones heart, even one as frozen as mine.

"I haven't gone crazy mind you," he said when he calmed down, "but it's the first time I've seen your expression changed. If one didn't know better, they'd say you were wearing a mask, no?"

I sighed, collecting myself. That warm feeling was now gone, all that's left is the oncoming anger of the forest. Every time I met him, the emotions I've long lost would rise up again, only to disappear in the instant I tried to grasp it.

In the end, all I have to show for it is the forest's wrath.

"I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" August asked hearing my sigh.

Perhaps I'll just ask the Dean to replace the substitute...but...I would like to hear his laughter again. It was a nice sound, and he treated me like the human I once was. But the forest wouldn't approve.

"I'm sorry, can I make up for it?"

"I suppose."

It was then his turn to sigh, "your an interesting one."

"I'm going to take a nap," I replied, heading back to my desk. He laughed again, and I my steps nearly faltered. It was really a nice sound.

"I'll get ready for the next class then."

[1] the really large ones, for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygMWiNt1YM