Book 3: Chapter 1: (3)

Book 3: Chapter 1: (3)

Infiltrating the school of the deceased Norune? We cant do anything else with our current situation. Its unorthodox, but not illegal. I want to investigate Norunes personal relationships. How about McBee? Tony? Hm

In the case of infiltrating as a teacher, fellow investigator Tony McBee might have been a good fit. Matoba thought so as well. Tony was well educated, and he was well mannered. He probably would be able to become popular with the students pretty smoothly.

However, Tony and his partner investigator Godonov were not present at the time. They were at a restaurant in Diego Avenue, meeting with a small fry gangster. Their investigations for other cases had been piling up and for a while now they had been killing themselves working on various matters.

Nah Tony cant do it. Besides, teachers are morning people, and his cases all take place at night. Hed die from exhaustion. What about you, Austin and Estefan?

The two female investigators sitting in the corner: Jamie Austin and Cameron Estefan, were being addressed.

Were going to be working on the raid of the Chinese prostitution ring, so we dont have that spare time I see

All other investigators were in similar situations. They especially were not interested in the school aspect of it. Because of their Vice duties, their time to sleep was from around dawn until noon, in the morning. Infiltrating a school would mean working 24 hours with no sleep.

For fucks sake. All of you are pretty much useless

Said Zimmer, as he fleetingly cast a glance at Matoba. It wasnt a glance that was simply asking for help, but rather a dramatic one. Immediately afterwards, he directed his eyes towards Tilarna, and trying to avoid being direct, he raised his eyebrows at Matoba in a gesture that said:

Wouldnt this kid have a chance?

He was just talking last week in the smoking area with Matoba about Tilarnas integration, so Matoba guessed what he was aiming for right away. With the right undercover mission, he could have Tilarna learn a few things, and with that appearance of hers, it was hard to get a good opportunity to do so. It was just a matter of doing what felt right.

Matoba nodded just slightly. And with that, Zimmer replied with a Should we have her do it? gesture. Im at a loss. Im also stuck working on an investigation in the morning so

He baited Tilarna, expecting her self nomination with a In that case, isnt this a job for me?. Tilarna seemed to not have noticed the makeshift ploy between the two adults yet.

Absolutely. I have no clue

Matoba and Zimmer both crossed their arms. After a short silence, Tilarna made up her mind and spoke up.

I- in that case, Ill do it What was that? I could pass for a Farbani professor. I also have plenty of other skills that could be of use. Besides, Im relatively free in the morning hours. If its just taking the time to go undercover as a teacher, then Ill manage somehow. What do you say? Hmm

At Tilarnas heated words, Matoba and Zimmer started making careful interjections. Jamie and the other investigators who guessed that it would turn out that way, started showing some subtle expressions.

If shes even saying that, then isnt Tilarna just right for the Job? Said Matoba

Yeah, youre right. Then lets have her do it. Said Zimmer.

Then suddenly, Tilarnas face brightened. A school with a looming drug scandal. Infiltrating as a teacher was a difficult task. She was thinking it was the perfect scenario to prove her worth.

Alright, Exedilika. Its up to you.

Nobles have noble issues. No matter what she said, a plebian like Matoba would never be able to understand them.

She first headed to the principals office, handed over some documents and explained briefly. She received the school curriculum, and was introduced to the specifics of the institution. What to look out for, and what not to do. After the explanations were dealt with, Mr. Claude, the principal, addressed Tilarna

These are the things you have to take care of as a student

Principal Claude was a man around his fifties. His skin was pale, his cheeks were sagging, and he was looking up at her with the eyes of someone who has had injustice itself fall upon him.

The death of Norune, her cause of death, the pressure her dad was putting in, the secret investigation from the police department, his collaboration after the incident was discovered It was one nuisance after the other. This principal was probably already exhausted.

However, it seemed like what was wearing him out the most was not his students death, but rather the crisis that was about to hit the school.

This school Sherwood High is undoubtedly a prestigious school with great opportunities within the shallow history of the city of San Teresa. Its a school that has adopted several aspects of the Japanese school system, where noble students enroll, with a passion for education. The students are brought up in an environment surrounded by economic and social discussion, and the student body is filled with overachieving students with great academic results. I you to have that completely clear. Being that the case, what do you want from me?

Said Tilarna, who didnt understand the need for the roundabout words of the principal, and wanted to start working right away.

Ah Investigator Exedilika. I would like you to refrain from carrying weapons with you. No, I am not doubting your status as an investigator. But rather, the problem is that, if for any reason this undercover investigation were to be discovered, the fact that an armed official was acting on school grounds without the parents permission would be a great source of trouble. Their trust in the school would be severely damaged Isnt it damaged already?

Said Tilarna harshly.

Mister Principal. If there werent a drug scandal being carried out within this school already, then I wouldnt be right here looking like this. This is your failure for not grasping the reigns of your students with enough strength. Are you saying this is my fault? Excuse me, young lady, but as an institution we cannot meddle in our students private lives. We can punish those who break the rules, but there is no way we are going to get involved with whatever goes on in their weekend parties! Hmph. Why not? You ask why?

Tilarna kept rattling on to the puzzled director without any restraint.

Listen here, you Dorini principal. When I was a student they were pretty strict to me. My sleeping schedule, my dinner procedures, my praying etiquette, every single detail. Those who neglected the small details would get harshly punished by our masters. The immature must be treated like that and corrected. Do you know why? Because humans were cast the curse of sloth by Meda Lehba, one of the nine evil gods. And until they are summoned to the realm of eternal spring, humans will never escape sloth. That is precisely why we must fight sloth from when we are children until we die. Uh If you abide by this logic, Mister Principal, then search the students belongings at once. Manage everything about their appearance with a firm hand, take every single one of their luxury items away, forbid them from going out at night, and punish all of the infractors collectively. Take it as a piece of advice, from my civilized self to you. This school is not the Marine Corps! I dont know what that is, but if these are things those Marine Corps do, then that seems like a good educational institution. Im sure theyre educating some soldiers who stand above the rest.

While that was pretty much correct, the nuance behind it was completely wrong. Matoba, who could have pointed it out to Tilarna, was at that moment right outside of the school inside his car, in the middle of doing some paperwork.

Investigator Exedilika. Please forgive me, but right now, I am starting to have my own doubts about you actually being an investigator for the San Teresa police department. What, cant you believe what an alien is saying?

She blurted out the slur that earthlings repeatedly used to refer to Semanians.

Absolutely not. Thats a discriminatory term. And we also have Semani students at this school. However, to be honest, I was thinking that even among Semanians, you were somewhat eccentric. Not at all. Its just that other Semanians have been poisoned by Earth Oh I see. Be as it may, going back to our conversation, I just wanted to say that you being armed was a problem. In that case, theres no problem.

Tilarna looked confident as she showed a smile and puffed her small chest.

I dont have any weapons with me. I swear.

Within the bat case hanging on her shoulder, was her Vyfert class Krge, a close combat weapon, with an unparalleled killing power, that fit in perfectly. But she wasnt thinking for a single moment about informing the man about it.

Well then, Ill be going to class or whatever. Was it the chemistry classroom? Let me take you there. Thats not necessary. Ive learned the layout of the school by heart.