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Why ? Why are you doing this for me?
Something like that should be obvious! You re my student, Lana! I won t abandon you, not as long as you call me Ms. Rae ! Mustering all my strength, I pulled her back. She fell toward me just as the barrage of magic ended.
You you idiot, she mumbled.
I get that a lot.
Why won t you let me die? I did something terrible to your children.
And you ll be chastised for that dearly later, Claire said.
Lana began to cry, even as she smiled faintly. The twins rushed over to her.
Lana, you did something bad, May said.
You re supposed to be scolded after you do bad things, you know? Aleah said.
They put their hands on Lana s back and pushed, saying, One, two, I m sorry, as they lowered their heads with her.
Hick guh waah! I m sorry I m sorry! The dam finally burst, and Lana sobbed, bowing profusely all the while.
May and Aleah comforted her as she did so. It was a strange sight in that moment, they looked far more mature than the much-older Lana.
Perhaps Lana s mental growth had been inhibited somehow. I couldn t be certain, but if Lana had been experimented on like Lilly and her mind had been controlled by Salas, then it wasn t unreasonable to think that, as a result, she might indeed be mentally younger than May or Aleah.
Don t cry, Lana
If you cry, then we ll start to cry too
The twins began sniffling, the terror of being kidnapped perhaps only now finally catching up to them.
Mama!
It was so scary!
The two girls threw themselves into Claire s embrace. Claire began to sob as she held them tight. She must have been worried sick, despite the brave front she d shown me.
It s all right, dears Everything s all right now She wore a look of relief as she tearfully hugged them. It felt like our ordeal was finally over.
No more barrages of black beams came after that, and we were able to return to the capital. And so came an end to the kidnapping incident.

Afterward, Lana was privately questioned by people from Bauer. Kidnapping was a crime, of course, but Claire and I didn t want to file a report with the empire s authorities.
According to her, she had been one of Salas s human subjects, like Lilly just as I thought. She and the other subjects had been made to compete with each other and raised to be dependent on Salas.
After his success with Lilly, Salas abandoned Lana and the others until a year ago, when someone calling themselves a representative of Salas approached her.
I was so happy. I thought I was needed again, Lana explained. Salas took advantage of her loneliness to control her. She had long come to dearly treasure her only gift from Salas, a white headband. Of course, it was actually a magical tool he used to manipulate her, but Lana had only known it as proof of his trust in her.
Like with Joel, Lana and Eve were both to be sent back to Bauer. The two would receive more thorough questioning there and assist with Salas s capture.
We spoke a bit before they departed.
Thank you for being my teacher, Ms. Rae.
It was a pleasure to have you as a student, Lana.
Papa ordered me to say I liked you, but I think I ve come to really like you now.
I can t return those feelings, you know?
Ha ha, I know! Lana smiled. Ms. Rae, Ms. Claire, I m really sorry about what I did. I don t deserve to be forgiven, but I ll at least try to make it up to you one day. If I can ever help you with anything, please, let me know.
Those words alone are enough, I replied.
Indeed. Rather, please focus on capturing Salas for now, Claire said.
Right. It s time I overcame my Papa. While I could tell Lana felt guilt and regret for what she had done, part of her sounded as though she d been freed from something holding her back. C mon, Eve. You say something too.
I don t even know how I can begin to apologize, Eve said uneasily. She was to return to Bauer temporarily, and from there she would go to Sousse at Manaria s request.
You re not at fault either, Eve. The only one to blame here is Salas, I said.
But had I been stronger-willed, I
No, Eve, Claire interrupted Eve s self-disparaging comment. Magic is a powerful force. It isn t something one can resist by will alone. None of this was your fault.
Still
If there s anything you need to reflect on, it s leaving my sister without saying a word to her. Make sure you have a nice, long talk with her when you return to Sousse, Claire said.
I ll think about it. Eve grinned wryly. She still had some reservations, it seemed. Her relationship with Manaria was none of my business, but I really wanted to help somehow.
We ll be departing soon, the coachman called. It was time.
So until we meet again, Ms. Rae. Later, Lana said.
Thank you for everything, Eve said.
Be well, I said.
Stay safe, you two, Claire said.
We shook hands before they left.
The moment before she boarded the coach, Lana turned as though she d just remembered something. Hey, Ms. Rae? Can you tell the twins something for me?
Of course, I replied.
Can you tell them I m glad I got scolded in the end.
I ll tell them. I nodded, which made Lana smile broadly.
Claire and I watched as the coach faded into the distance.
Miss Claire?
Yes?
Salas is a monster.
He is indeed.
I despised him before, but this incident was the final straw.
I couldn t agree more. Claire nodded deeply.
We ll capture him won t we, Miss Claire?
Absolutely.
The two of us wordlessly yet resolutely nodded at one another. We would bring that man to justice no matter what.
Shall we return? I asked.
Yes. To where our beloved daughters await us.
Having learned from this incident, the security around the Bauer dorm was strengthened. May and Aleah were also never left unattended again. At that moment, Dole was watching them.
I wouldn t let what happened that day happen ever again.
Never again.


(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0
Chapter: 11







Chapter 15: The Summit


Chapter 15:The Summit

AND WITH THAT, our plan to change the empire is back to square one.
I see.
Claire and I were visiting Thane in the lodging provided to visiting Bauer delegates. We told him everything that had happened, from how the empire reacted to our scheming to the incidents with our students, and we even described the kidnapping incident. We d brought May and Aleah as well, though they were off playing in another room.
Thane s accommodations were far neater and tidier than our own, with a bluish hue to the furnishings that gave it an oceanic feel. We were meeting in the study.
Once we were done with our report, he nodded. I understand. Thank you for your report. There s something I must apologize to you both for, however.
Apologize? What for? Claire asked.
Thane frowned, looking uncomfortable. I apologize for sending you to the Nur Empire as exchange students.
You needn t worry about that, Your Majesty. We both understand Bauer had no other choice.
Besides, it s not your fault, I added. If anything, the blame lies with Lady Manaria for stirring the pot, or the empire for being the cause of all the pot stirring in the first place.
I wonder Thane grinned wryly, not wholly convinced. Regardless, I am the highest authority in the Bauer government, and as such, I bear responsibility for what happened. Forgive me.
He slowly rose from his chair and bowed his head.
Wha Your Majesty, you mustn t! Claire exclaimed.
Just let him, Miss Claire, I said. I m sure His Majesty wants to make amends.
It s as Rae says. Please accept my apology, Claire.
Very well, then, Claire reluctantly said.
That was when the fourth person in attendance spoke up. Why don t we leave it at that and turn our attention to what lies ahead?

Why ? Why are you doing this for me?

Something like that should be obvious! You re my student, Lana! I won t abandon you, not as long as you call me Ms. Rae ! Mustering all my strength, I pulled her back. She fell toward me just as the barrage of magic ended.

You you idiot, she mumbled.

I get that a lot.

Why won t you let me die? I did something terrible to your children.

And you ll be chastised for that dearly later, Claire said.

Lana began to cry, even as she smiled faintly. The twins rushed over to her.

Lana, you did something bad, May said.

You re supposed to be scolded after you do bad things, you know? Aleah said.

They put their hands on Lana s back and pushed, saying, One, two, I m sorry, as they lowered their heads with her.

Hick guh waah! I m sorry I m sorry! The dam finally burst, and Lana sobbed, bowing profusely all the while.

May and Aleah comforted her as she did so. It was a strange sight in that moment, they looked far more mature than the much-older Lana.

Perhaps Lana s mental growth had been inhibited somehow. I couldn t be certain, but if Lana had been experimented on like Lilly and her mind had been controlled by Salas, then it wasn t unreasonable to think that, as a result, she might indeed be mentally younger than May or Aleah.

Don t cry, Lana

If you cry, then we ll start to cry too

The twins began sniffling, the terror of being kidnapped perhaps only now finally catching up to them.

Mama!

It was so scary!

The two girls threw themselves into Claire s embrace. Claire began to sob as she held them tight. She must have been worried sick, despite the brave front she d shown me.

It s all right, dears Everything s all right now She wore a look of relief as she tearfully hugged them. It felt like our ordeal was finally over.

No more barrages of black beams came after that, and we were able to return to the capital. And so came an end to the kidnapping incident.

Afterward, Lana was privately questioned by people from Bauer. Kidnapping was a crime, of course, but Claire and I didn t want to file a report with the empire s authorities.

According to her, she had been one of Salas s human subjects, like Lilly just as I thought. She and the other subjects had been made to compete with each other and raised to be dependent on Salas.

After his success with Lilly, Salas abandoned Lana and the others until a year ago, when someone calling themselves a representative of Salas approached her.

I was so happy. I thought I was needed again, Lana explained. Salas took advantage of her loneliness to control her. She had long come to dearly treasure her only gift from Salas, a white headband. Of course, it was actually a magical tool he used to manipulate her, but Lana had only known it as proof of his trust in her.

Like with Joel, Lana and Eve were both to be sent back to Bauer. The two would receive more thorough questioning there and assist with Salas s capture.

We spoke a bit before they departed.

Thank you for being my teacher, Ms. Rae.

It was a pleasure to have you as a student, Lana.

Papa ordered me to say I liked you, but I think I ve come to really like you now.

I can t return those feelings, you know?

Ha ha, I know! Lana smiled. Ms. Rae, Ms. Claire, I m really sorry about what I did. I don t deserve to be forgiven, but I ll at least try to make it up to you one day. If I can ever help you with anything, please, let me know.

Those words alone are enough, I replied.

Indeed. Rather, please focus on capturing Salas for now, Claire said.

Right. It s time I overcame my Papa. While I could tell Lana felt guilt and regret for what she had done, part of her sounded as though she d been freed from something holding her back. C mon, Eve. You say something too.

I don t even know how I can begin to apologize, Eve said uneasily. She was to return to Bauer temporarily, and from there she would go to Sousse at Manaria s request.

You re not at fault either, Eve. The only one to blame here is Salas, I said.

But had I been stronger-willed, I

No, Eve, Claire interrupted Eve s self-disparaging comment. Magic is a powerful force. It isn t something one can resist by will alone. None of this was your fault.

Still

If there s anything you need to reflect on, it s leaving my sister without saying a word to her. Make sure you have a nice, long talk with her when you return to Sousse, Claire said.

I ll think about it. Eve grinned wryly. She still had some reservations, it seemed. Her relationship with Manaria was none of my business, but I really wanted to help somehow.

We ll be departing soon, the coachman called. It was time.

So until we meet again, Ms. Rae. Later, Lana said.

Thank you for everything, Eve said.

Be well, I said.

Stay safe, you two, Claire said.

We shook hands before they left.

The moment before she boarded the coach, Lana turned as though she d just remembered something. Hey, Ms. Rae? Can you tell the twins something for me?

Of course, I replied.

Can you tell them I m glad I got scolded in the end.

I ll tell them. I nodded, which made Lana smile broadly.

Claire and I watched as the coach faded into the distance.

Miss Claire?

Yes?

Salas is a monster.

He is indeed.

I despised him before, but this incident was the final straw.

I couldn t agree more. Claire nodded deeply.

We ll capture him won t we, Miss Claire?

Absolutely.

The two of us wordlessly yet resolutely nodded at one another. We would bring that man to justice no matter what.

Shall we return? I asked.

Yes. To where our beloved daughters await us.

Having learned from this incident, the security around the Bauer dorm was strengthened. May and Aleah were also never left unattended again. At that moment, Dole was watching them.

I wouldn t let what happened that day happen ever again.

Never again.

(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0

Chapter: 11

Chapter 15: The Summit

Chapter 15:The Summit

AND WITH THAT, our plan to change the empire is back to square one.

I see.

Claire and I were visiting Thane in the lodging provided to visiting Bauer delegates. We told him everything that had happened, from how the empire reacted to our scheming to the incidents with our students, and we even described the kidnapping incident. We d brought May and Aleah as well, though they were off playing in another room.

Thane s accommodations were far neater and tidier than our own, with a bluish hue to the furnishings that gave it an oceanic feel. We were meeting in the study.

Once we were done with our report, he nodded. I understand. Thank you for your report. There s something I must apologize to you both for, however.

Apologize? What for? Claire asked.

Thane frowned, looking uncomfortable. I apologize for sending you to the Nur Empire as exchange students.

You needn t worry about that, Your Majesty. We both understand Bauer had no other choice.

Besides, it s not your fault, I added. If anything, the blame lies with Lady Manaria for stirring the pot, or the empire for being the cause of all the pot stirring in the first place.

I wonder Thane grinned wryly, not wholly convinced. Regardless, I am the highest authority in the Bauer government, and as such, I bear responsibility for what happened. Forgive me.

He slowly rose from his chair and bowed his head.

Wha Your Majesty, you mustn t! Claire exclaimed.

Just let him, Miss Claire, I said. I m sure His Majesty wants to make amends.

It s as Rae says. Please accept my apology, Claire.

Very well, then, Claire reluctantly said.

That was when the fourth person in attendance spoke up. Why don t we leave it at that and turn our attention to what lies ahead?