Chapter 356: Cuts

Chapter 356: Cuts

Can I come out now? Moxie asked through the door of the bathroom, nearly startling Ulya out of her chair. Despite how it may appear, I dont actually enjoy sitting in here.

Yeah, Noah said without waiting for a response from Ulya. When she shot him a look, he just raised an eyebrow in response. What? You cant think Moxie is the one doing these attacks. If you did, it would have been pretty dumb coming here on your own.

I didnt say that, but shes a Torrin. The chances of the culprit being from her family are abnormally high.

The door opened and Moxie stepped out of the bathroom. I was functionally exiled from the Torrins. If they had some murder strolling around Arbitage messing with shit, I can assure you that they wouldnt be very well disposed toward me.

Ulyas features paled. You could overhear our conversation?

Its a bathroom door, not a soundproof wall, Moxie said dryly. Though sometimes I certainly wish it was.

Relax, Ulya, Noah said. Moxie is who she claims to be, and we havent been apart for anywhere near long enough for her to go around killing people and replacing them with puppets. I know all of her Runes as well none of them would allow them to do what you were describing to Will. On top of that, shes still just Rank 3. Theres no way she has the ability to do what youre claiming, even if she wanted to.

That didnt seem to completely sate Ulya, but her shoulders relaxed slightly. I still want to test her.

No, Noah said. I dont trust you enough to let you near Moxies neck with a dagger. If shes willing, I can do it myself.

Moxie tilted her head to the side. Cant say Im a huge fan of it, but Ill try everything once. Well, most things. Dont use that against me.

Im definitely using it against you.This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.

Moxie glared at Noah and pulled a dagger from her side. Noah took it and turned to Ulya. Is this going to be enough? Because if youre going to complain about it later, then Im not even going to bother. Were only doing this for your sake.

Just make sure I can see the blood, Ulya said flatly. She rose to her feet, her fingers twitching at her sides. Noah wasnt sure if she could actually do anything without a puppet present, but there was no point pressing the issue.

Moxie pulled her hair out of the way and Noah carefully pressed the dagger against the back of her neck, drawing a thin line across it with just enough pressure to draw a droplet of blood. He lowered the blade.

Happy?

No, Ulya said. But I suppose that will work for now. At least for the duration of our current conversation, Ill believe that neither of you have been taken over.

Damn, shes suspicious. I can hardly doubt her given the circumstances, though. This is a pretty serious issue, and even knowing that its Wizen doesnt help me all that much. We never found out what he wanted, who he really was, or what he can do.

You next, Noah said. Not that I actually think youre a puppet, but at this point its just a matter of pride.

Ulya huffed and pulled her hair back, turning around and running a dagger along the back of her neck where there were already several other small cuts. It drew a line of blood. She turned back to them as she sheathed the dagger, expression flat.

Whats the plan, then? Moxie asked, taking her own dagger back from Noah and sliding it into a sheath at her waist. Did you just come here to tell us that you need our teachers help?

And yours, Ulya said. It seems like the person who killed Will has some degree of interest in you, Moxie. I dont know why, but its basically the only lead we have to go off. When the Enforcers get involved, well all need to work together.

No. He wasnt actually a professor, Ulya said, looking slightly surprised at the change of topic. He was a researcher. A good one. We invited him because of how much hed deduced about Rune theory on his own.

Do you think it was possible he was targeted? Moxie asked. Was he working on anything special?

Im not sure. I think he was studying artifacts recently, but nothing that should have made him a target, Ulya admitted. We were friendly, but Will was pretty secretive with his work. I can speak with Gero and the other advanced track professors, but Im not sure how much information well get from any of them. Oh, speaking of which youre all in, if that wasnt already obvious. None of you failed the tests, and you pretty much all outperformed them.

Thrilling, Noah said. Do we get anything upon entry?

Theres a meeting tomorrow, Ulya replied. You can ask then. Normally, it would be a little more exciting than this. I dont suppose youd be able to get your teacher to show up?

I was under the impression we were trying to keep things on the down low, Noah said, stretching his arms over his head. Hed been standing around for too long. He wanted to do something. This wasnt at all how hed pictured the morning going.

The advanced track is not a cohesive unit, Ulya admitted reluctantly. A lot of us are how would you put it? At odds.

Reassuring, Noah said.

Its just how things are when you put a bunch of competent people in one room, Ulya said as she raised her hands in a defensive wave. Half of them think youre worthless and cheated your way up somehow, and I dont even want to get into what the others think. I was one of them, if Im being honest but you cant cheat your way through crushing one of my puppets like that. Right now, the only ones I can properly trust to not be the murderer are you two and Gero.

Moxies eyes narrowed. Wait. Are you saying you think the person that killed Will might be another part of the advanced track?

I dont know, but its possible, Ulya said. Thats why any support we could get is vital. If your teacher could show up and just attend, Ill cover for it. The sooner we can all meet, the better, Ulya said.

Ill see what I can do, but no promises, Noah said. As Ive said, it can be difficult to get in contact with him.

Ulya nodded, then let out a sigh. This is not how I pictured any of this going. For what its worth, Im sorry youve all gotten wrapped up in this. Getting into the advanced track should be something to celebrate.

Weve dealt with worse, Moxie said with a dry laugh. Vermil can be a bit heartless, but he does have a point. Theres no point getting distracted by what you cant change. Just focus on what you can.

Thanks, Ulya said, but she didnt seem too convinced. Sorry again about how rough the introduction to the program has been. With any luck, well be able to handle this easily and things can continue as normal. Im going to go get back to fixing my other puppets. They took quite the beating.

She didnt wait for a response before slipping out the door. Her small puppet pulled it shut behind her with a gentle click, and Noah listened her footsteps fade down the hall before he spoke again.

Well, that was something.

I dont suppose you planned it? Moxie asked.

Unfortunately not. I think our friend from the survival exam might be back, Noah said, starting to dig through his bag. I dont like it, but I think I know what the next steps are.

Jalen? Moxie guessed.

Probably worth trying, but I cant speak with Jalen until he shows up, and thats not for a bit longer. Theres another source of information that could be useful for this, Noah said. He pulled a folded slip of paper over, uncreasing it to reveal a Rune on its surface. Im going to speak with Father.