Chapter 396: Blackmail

Chapter 396: Blackmail

Noah and James stood at the top of the plateau.

I was kind of hoping youd forget about me. James rubbed at the corners of his eyes and yawned. Would it count for my pattern if I just sat down and fell asleep?

Somehow, I feel like I should have seen this coming.

Only if youve found a way to control magic while youre asleep, Noah said dryly. And, if you have, please let me know how. I feel like that would be a revolutionary new technique.

Why would I want to find a way to do more work? The whole point of sleeping is to do less, James said with a grimace.

Noah crossed his arms and studied James. It was one thing to be lazy, but James was something else. The boy had seemed pretty eager to join his class at first, but the moment Noah had accepted him, hed gone from lazy to straight up slothful.

But despite doing his best to sleep through just about anything he could, he was keeping up with all the other students. Something about that felt off. It didnt make sense to really want something, only to stop caring the moment you got it.

There was no way James would be able to keep up with the others if he was actually putting in the amount of effort he was pretending to. There was only so far that natural talent could carry anyone.

Not to mention I cant see Revin ever letting natural talent carry anyone anywhere. That doesnt strike me as his style. If he was training James, he almost certainly had a good reason for it.

You ever planning to come clean? Noah asked.

James blinked drowsily and tilted his head to the side. What do you mean?

The whole lazy shtick, Noah said. Im sure youve got a reason for it, but Im not seeing what purpose its serving.

I dont know what youre talking about. I just dont like doing extra work. Existing happily is more than enough for me.

Which I have no problem with, but the last time you showed me your pattern, it was almost as developed as Isabel and Alexandras and theyve been practicing nonstop.

Its just doing something Im good at. James waved a hand dismissively. Its quite literally nothing in every meaning of the phrase. Its logical that Id be good at a pattern Ive already spent so much time practicing.

See, thats just not true. Noah shook his head. Because your pattern isnt just sitting around and being lazy. Its doing nothing. Theres a very distinct difference between those two things. One is just slacking off. The other takes intention.

James lips pressed thin. His eyes narrowed and he let his head roll back to match Noahs gaze. Youre not going to let this drop?

Dont you think I have a right to know when youre the one asking to be in my class? You arent an official student, but Ive let you stick around anyway. Im not asking you to spill your life secrets with me. But, if youre actively working to keep me from understanding what youre doing, I dont think Ill be able to help you all that much.

James nose scrunched and he let out an annoyed sigh. I suppose thats fair enough. You arent wrong. Im not actually sleeping through class. Im just a pretty good actor.

Then why? Whats the point?

People dont pay attention to someone they dont think is a threat. You get overlooked.

Do you really think the other students see you as a threat? Or are you referring to the competition for the Master Rune?

James snorted and shook his head. Nah. The last thing Id want is a Master Rune like that. Id be fine with one that was a bit less flashy but definitely not the one youre giving out. Im sure its great and all, but it does the exact opposite of what I actually want to accomplish.New novel chapters are published on

And that is?

I love learning things, James said simply.

James looked down at the grass in shame. I dont think

Look, the love life of my students really isnt something I want to press too deeply into, but you morons literally spent an entire summer together. From what Ive seen, Emily barely tolerates anyone other than Moxie. The fact that shes still hanging out with you when youre putting on this front is probably a good thing. Im not saying you have to change what you like doing, but youre not an idiot. Im sure you can figure out a way to spend time together that doesnt involve wasting her time.

I yeah. I suppose youre right, James said. His cheeks were bright red in embarrassment.

Now show me your damn pattern and stick some magic into it, Noah said. Just not too much. Its going to be really awkward if we had this whole conversation only for you to pop yourself like a grape. You remember what to do?

There isnt much I dont remember, James replied. He crossed his legs and sat down on the grass in front of Noah. Youre not going to tell her anything, are you?

Its none of my business what you do. Just dont hold her back. Youre both capable students. Ill be honest, theres a non-zero chance shes already figured out that youre only faking being an idiot to keep her around. Shes not stupid.

James paled. Wait. Really?

Noah shrugged. Find out yourself. I dont know. Now get your head screwed back on. I really dont want to explain to Emily that you blew yourself up because you were too busy thinking about her.

James groaned and ran his hands through his hair. Can we forget this conversation ever happened?

Only if you put up a competent showing.

Isnt that blackmail?

Ive done worse and Ill do it again. Get to it.

James grimaced. He closed his eyes and adjusted his posture. His chest rose as he drew in a breath, then relaxed as he let it out. Noahs domain tingled. Shimmers of faint light swirled around the boy as he started to channel magic through himself.

He used less power than any of the other students had, but something about him shifted. It wasnt that James was any different, but Noahs eyes were drawn to look right past him. He wasnt breathing. He wasnt moving. It almost felt like he wasnt even there.

Noah blinked. For a sliver of an instant, hed completely lost track of James but there the boy was, sitting in front of him once more.

A few more seconds passed, and Noahs eyes tried to drift on their own volition again. Noahs eyes and mind were in disagreement. The eyes were convinced that there was nothing before him, whilst the mind knew there was.

If it hadnt been for his domain, Noah might have completely lost track of James. He let a few more seconds pass, then let his power snuff James magic out. The boys opened a second later.

Well? James asked. Good enough?

More than, Id say, Noah said with a shake of his head. That is officially the farthest along anyone is with putting magic into their pattern. What was that, light magic?

James nodded and rose to his feet. Yeah.

And I note youre not too surprised about my domain.

Already knew you were Rank 4. Todd looked really smug when people were getting pulled up, like he knew something they didnt. Also, I figured you had some way to protect us from pattern magic if you were insisting we only used it near you. That meant you either had a weird Shield or a domain and Ive never seen you use a shield.

Good deductions. Noah gave James an approving nod. Youve got a lot to be proud of. Seriously though, you should be the one helping Emily here, not other way around. Stop being an idiot, okay?

James bit his inner cheeks and nodded. Yeah.

Good, Noah said. Then lets get going. I need to announce the results for who gets todays points for the Master Rune contest.