Chapter 10: Lamb To Slaughter

Radiant semi-translucent wings unfurled behind Yanael's back. That took one step. During the next, a golden halo lit up above her head, showering her golden locks in a glorious light. Time seemed to slow down as Yanael strode through the hall toward the stage, stepping over the seats, students, and familiars toward Zach.

Yanael's maid dress rode up as she extended her legs, showing off smooth ankles and the base of her calves.

The sleeves on her dress also slid back slightly, revealing two simple golden bands around her wrists that looked like they were part of her skin. The golden bands lit up for a moment before transforming into a sword and a shield.

Yanael lowered her sword and, as she got closer, began slicing upward at the chandelier. The shimmering, razor-sharp edge of Yanael's sword cut through the air before parting the chandelier in half like it was originally two separate pieces.

With a slight, imperceptible twist of her sword, she pushed aside the two halves of the chandelier. After all, cutting it in half wouldn't do anything if both parts still fell on Zach.

Yanael then wrapped Zach in her arms, protecting him with her body and shield. A faint golden barrier also appeared around them, making the defense against the rain of crystal and chain and metal fragments airtight.

Almost the entire hall froze. It had happened too fast. One second, everyone was reeling from Zach's speech, the next, a chandelier fell on top of him. In the third second, a light purple wave spread out and caught all the fragments flying toward the nearby spectators before disappearing like it was never there.

The shattered remains of the chandelier rested on the broken stage without having inflicted as much as a scratch on anyone in the auditorium.

Zach's mind had blanked about the moment Yanael flashed forward. It was only a few moments after the dust settled that his thoughts started moving again.

'Uhh…?'

He looked around as much as he could with Yanael's arms and shield wrapped around him. The golden barrier didn't obstruct his vision even before it faded.

'I knew things had been too calm lately.'

Zach sighed and shook his head slightly. He had almost died by suspicious accident for what felt like the thirteenth time since his fifth birthday.

"Thank you, Yanael. We can get up now. It usually doesn't happen more than once per incident, so it's fine now."

Yanel nodded but still looked around and toward the ceiling with a wary gaze. However, as Zach had said, things were fine now. Her sword and shield became golden bands around her wrists again and the wings and the halo faded. Yanael became an ordinary maid again.

The crowd and most teachers were still shocked but no one was injured.

The principal quickly took the stand by jumping over the broken chandelier. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"It seems like there's been an accident, so we'll be cutting the entrance ceremony short. I don't think anyone got hit, but if anyone is worried or injured, feel free to take the rest of the day off or visit the infirmary. Thanks for coming and for remaining calm, everyone! See you around campus."

The principal waved and dismissed everyone. Since it was so silent, the principal's voice was enough to get everyone moving, though, people immediately burst into lively chatter as soon as the shock cleared.

Gradually, the rumors of Zacharia Evandiel, the misfortune magnet, spread around campus. With his ostentatious and boastful speech, people started calling it divine punishment to try and get him to learn some humility.

Meanwhile, Zach followed the principal and the purple-haired instructor, who had saved the bystanders, to the principal's office. Jarron also had to tag along.

Zach was curious about the other instructor and what he could squeeze from the principal. Jarron felt like a lamb on its way to slaughter, even if he was only responsible for forgetting to tell Zach about the speech he had to give and had nothing to do with the accident.

Jarron endured the bitter chill of walking in silence behind two of the strongest in the Academy. It felt like ages, but it only took a few minutes to reach the principal's office.

The principal sat in his fancy leather armchair. The purple-haired instructor stood on his side, slightly behind him. Jarron stood in a corner, facing the wall. Zach sat opposite the principal with Yanael at his shoulder.

The principal leaned forward and clasped his hands together as he looked at Zach.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I got the impression you were unprepared to deliver a speech during the entrance ceremony today."

Zach nodded.

"The first I heard of this place even having a freshman representative was when you mentioned them giving a speech."

"Hmm." The principal's expression was serious as he hummed. Jarron felt a chill run down his spine.

"Well, we can settle that later. For now, how are you feeling, Zach? Is it okay if I call you Zach?"

Zach nodded.

"I'm as well as can be, given the circumstances. As you can see, no physical harm done, thanks to my lovely angel." Zach held out his arms to show that he was as untouched as the day he got the uniform.

"Yes… Your angel is certainly capable." The principal glanced at Yanel, who stood with a composed expression on her slightly angled downward face. It was like she was a doll with how little she seemed to care for the conversation.

"However…"

Zach leaned back slightly and rested the back of his wrist against his forehead in anguish.

"...My heart, it ails. I'm not sure I will ever overcome this deeply frightful and traumatic incident. I may never be able to stand beneath a chandelier again, much less hold a speech or stand in front of a crowd beneath one." Zach uttered his worries as if he was merely venting or complaining out loud.

But he was fully aware of his audience.

The principal nodded with a grave expression to match Zach's. The instructor behind him wasn't as skilled at controlling his facial muscles.

"Certainly. Add to that the burden of having to come up with such an impactful speech on the spit, I have put you through a lot of trouble today, Zach. Please do tell me if there's anything I can do to alleviate your concerns."

Zach glanced at the principal from behind his hand.

"Really?"

The principal nodded.

"I am not in the habit of lying, especially to young students."