Chapter 363: In mind

Chapter 363: In mind

Noah and Jalen returned to find that Lee had taken over the class and had everyone stretching in positions that looked like they definitely shouldnt have been possible for any human to achieve without snapping a few tendons.

Well, this is horrifying, Jalen observed. What are you doing to your students, Vermil?

Dont look at me. This is all Lee.

Were stretching, Lee filled in, turning her head a full one hundred and eighty degrees to look straight back at them like an owl. Thanks for the orange juice, by the way. Do you have more?

Jalen nearly choked on his own saliva as he tried to suppress his laughter. No. I do not carry around bottles of orange juice.

Oh. Lee frowned, then turned her head back but she rotated it the wrong way, finishing the full circle instead of following the path shed taken to look at them. You should.

Jalen looked from Lee to Noah, then shook his head. Your criticism has been duly noted and ignored.

Orange juice or not, some proper introductions are in order, Noah said.

If thats an excuse to stop stretching, Im taking it, Todd said, unwrapping himself and clambering to his feet. He brushed the grass off his pants and shook himself off, as if trying to throw the memory of what hed just had to do to the side. Im Todd.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

This is

Jalen. Just Jalen, Jalen said, cutting Noah off before he could even properly start his introduction. Noah caught himself as a small frown passed over his face.

Jalen wants to hide the fact that hes the Linwick Family Head? I mean, I wont blow his cover, but I didnt think hed be concerned with keeping students from finding out who he is. Maybe he doesnt want to get stuck signing autographs or something. Hes got the wrong idea of who these kids are if he thinks theyll give a shit about the Linwick family, though.

Pleasure, Isabel said, standing up along with everyone other than James. Her tone was considerably less friendly than Todds was, though not so far as to be rude. Shed raised her guard. Im Isabel, and the one whos pretending to sleep is James.

Alexandra gave Jalen a small nod but made no move to introduce herself.

And Im Emily, Emily finished, nudging James not-so-gently with the tip of her foot. He mumbled something under his breath and made absolutely no move to stand up. Emily let out an exhapserated sigh. Sorry. Hes unbelievably lazy.

I can respect that, Jalen said with a smirk. Dont mind me. Vermil and I are just old friends. Very close. Practically attached at the hip. Please, continue with your lessons and pretend that Im not here.

Youre laying it on way too thick. Weve played darts once.

Right, Noah said, clearing his throat to get everyones attention back on him. He couldnt help but notice that Moxie hadnt said much to Jalen. She was probably still pretty pissed about how Jalen had functionally kidnapped him, and Noah didnt blame her. If hed been in her shoes, hed have been furious. Lets get back on with the lesson, shall we? Theres more to cover today, and Ive got an announcement for the end of class.

Whyd you have to tell us now? Todd asked. Now I want to know the announcement. Are we getting a pizza party?

Youll find out at the end of class.

I think its a pizza party, Lee said.

Its not a pizza party, Noah said. Now pair up with someone you didnt spar with yet. Were sparring again.

***

Jalens face was externally flat, but his heart was beating harder in his chest than it had been the last time hed tried to ask a woman out to dinner and that had been just about three hundred years ago.

The woman in question had promptly rejected him and had evidently been so motivated to escape his presence that she promptly vanished into secluded meditation to try and advance to Rank 7.

Then shed vanished.

For that matter, he hadnt really been all that excited at the time. But this this was excitement. It took every single fiber of self-control Jalen had to keep his expression under control. Vermil was teaching children Formations and somehow, he was actually succeeding.

By the time hed mustered himself again, Lee had eaten not drank the entire bottle. She licked her lips and grinned at him. Thanks. I like the way it crunches.

She headed back to the rest of the group and poked Todd in the back as she passed him, causing him to trip over his own feet and fall face first on the ground. Todd lunged forward and grabbed Lees ankle, pulling her down with him as the others all burst into laughter.

Jalen was confident Lee could have avoided the attack if shed wanted to. Hed seen her glance down and notice Todds lunge. Her reaction speed was ridiculous for a Rank 3. Shed chosen to let Todd grab her, likely to motivate his studies.

It wasnt just Lee something about Vermils entire group felt different. He couldnt quite place what it was, but it was more than just the Formations. They had power, yes, but there was more to it.

What do you think? Jalen was pulled from his thoughts as Moxie walked up beside him, her arms crossed. He could feel the muted hostility from the woman, even though she was doing a fairly good job at concealing it.

Shes mad that I took Vermil away to speak with him? Im still not sure why a Torrin cares so deeply for a Linwick. It makes absolutely no sense. If it had been someone from my generation, sure. Ive had my share of fun with the Torrins they can do some great stuff with those vines. But now? The families hate each other so much that I cant see how they even would have met.

Its interesting, Jalen said, choosing his words carefully. Everything he told Moxie would doubtlessly go straight to Vermil, and he didnt want to sour the relationship. Vermil was more than just interesting. He was fascinating. I havent seen anything like this taught before.

No, Moxie agreed. Its unique to Vermil. Wed like it to stay that way.

Is a Rank 3 warning me off? When she knows who I am? Marvelous.

Not a word will leave my mouth, Jalen promised, and he genuinely meant it. Something as rare as this could not be permitted to fall into the hands of the moronic noble families his own included. It would only be wasted. I am only here to observe, as I told Vermil.

You arent helping with our little problem, then? Moxie asked, tilting her head to the side.

A flower that cannot grow on its own will wither and die when abandoned.

And all the hot air youre blowing up your own ass might come out your mouth, Moxie countered. People are going to get killed because some psychopath is obsessed with my family. You can do something about it.

I could, but that would rob you of the experience of doing it yourself.

And it could end in someone here dying.

That would actually be quite the shame. I wont handle Vermils problems for him, though. It will stunt his growth.

It may, Jalen allowed. Many people die. And you do realize that, if I directly interfere, the others of my generation will be liable to do the same? It could make the situation worse.

Im not asking you to kill the asshole for us, Moxie said. But finding a little information shouldnt be impossible for you. Vermil might not care about letting you watch this class, but Im well aware just how valuable what youre seeing here is. Youre in his debt.

Well, damn. Shes right.

A smile flitted across Jalens lips. You might be one of the boldest Torrins Ive ever seen. Howd you meet Vermil?

What does that have to do with anything?

Answer the question if you want my help.

Moxie pressed her lips together, then sighed. I insulted him in the library.

Jalen cackled. Somehow, that doesnt surprise me in the slightest. Very well. I will look into this but nothing more. Satisfied?

Moxie tilted her head to the side, then gave him a short nod. No, but itll do. Dont kidnap Vermil again. I dont care who you are. If youre going to pretend to be our ally, then act like it.

And, in that moment, Jalen finally realized what feeling the group had been giving him. The amount of care they all showed for each other, and the ferocity that had no power to back it up other than will they werent just a random assortment of mages. They saw each other as a family.

This is what we started the noble houses for.

You know what? Jalen asked. Ill keep that in mind.