English Translation – Part 29: Strange Grouping II
Part 29 – Strange Grouping II
From Henry's Perspective
Cough.
I forced my eyes open.
Because of the smoke and black dust filling the air, it was almost impossible to see. My whole body ached from the explosion, but I managed to stand.
"Ahh…"
I brushed off my clothes, looked around for the others. No sign of Tam. No sign of Agnes.
Then I spotted Denrys. I rushed over.
She was getting up. I offered my hand.
Denrys: "Thanks." She stood.
Denrys: "Where are Tam and Agnes?"
Me: "I don't know. I was looking for them when I found you. Maybe Den knows?"
"I don't know either."
By the gods—who was that?
I turned. It was Den, walking toward us.
Den: "Are you okay?"
Me: "Yeah, I'm fine, family's fine, are you fine, family fine?"
Den: "What…?"
Me: "Idiot. You see me standing, you see the situation. No sign of Tam or Agnes. And you ask if I'm okay?"
Den: "No, listen—"
Me: "What?"
Den: "Henry, what are you even looking for? Honestly, I pity you."
Me: "Pity? For what?"
Den: "Because Tam's gone, and instead of focusing on that, you're mocking me."
Me: "By the gods! You, a follower of the Church, say that to me?"
Den: "Don't drag the Church into this, or I'll—"
Me: "You'll what? What can you do?"
Den: "The gods help me, I'll make you regret it!" He grabbed my collar.
Me: "You grab me? I'll grab you too!" I seized his collar.
Then—clapping.
"Bravo."
What!?
I turned. Instructor Ziar stood with the other teachers and students, watching.
Us: "Sorry, Instructor Ziar."
Ziar: "No, continue. Like little children. Shame on you."
Us: "Sorry, Instructor."
Ziar: "Sorry? You've not only humiliated yourselves with childish fighting, but disgraced your families in front of everyone."
Me: "Instructor, don't make this about race."
Ziar: "Silence! After class, both of you will come to the Headmaster's office."
He turned to the students.
Ziar: "Now, do you understand? You've seen the result of Tam and Agnes's grouping."
Den: "Instructor, I didn't see. None of us did. Even you didn't—there's no sign of them!"
Ziar: "Idiot. I meant their battle with the maw."
Den: "But you said Ziar—you meant yourself, not Tam and—"
Ziar: "Shut up!!!"
Den: "Yes, sorry, Instructor. Please continue."
Instructor Ziar: "What can I say of the gods… I'll keep it short. Tam took Agnes to the infirmary because her condition wasn't good, and there were no physicians here. You all saw that our groupings were correct. Wind magic is both offensive and supportive, while fire magic is purely offensive. Together, they create a combination beyond your imagination. Just like Den and Rez—Den attacks recklessly, while Rez does not. Their combination of brute force and intellect is also beyond your imagination."
Instructor Ziar: "Now, do you understand my point?"
Students: "Yes, Instructor."
He left.
Instructor Ziar: "You two idiots, come with me."
And so we followed him to the Headmaster's office.
From Tam's Perspective
"Huff… How is she?"
The physician, a woman writing a prescription for another patient, replied:
"She's fine. She'll wake soon. The problem was lack of oxygen, but she'll recover. Don't worry."
She left.
I walked out of the infirmary, exhausted, ignoring the heavy stares of others, and sat on the ground.
Gods, how miserable I am. I must not let anything happen to the main characters. I must protect Agnes and Adriana, or else… Only William worries me. Behind that innocent face lies a cruel antagonist. That's It. Enough.
But… no. I'm too tired to think. I should head to the Headmaster's office.
In the Headmaster's Office
To my surprise, Den and Henry were already there with Instructor Ziar.
Me: "Why are you here?"
Den: "Well, it's like—"
The door opened, cutting him off. Agnes entered.
The Headmaster, Jarf Jamron, a middle-aged man from the Academy's board, supported by the court and the Flor family, read from a file:
Headmaster: "So, Tam Breach."
Me: "Yes, sir."
Headmaster: "You're the famous Tam Breach?"
Me: "Yes, sir."
He checked my records:
- Name: Tam Breach
- Father: Anthony Breach
- Mother: …
- Status: Peasant, church worker
- Guardian: Tam's grandfather
- Education: None
- Supported by the Church and the Hyper family
Headmaster: "Correct?"
Me: "Yes, sir."
Headmaster: "And now, Agnes Melodia. From the Melodia family. Father: Bard Melodia. Mother: Ann Melodia. Status: heir to the Melodia family. Trained by her father. Supported by the Melodia family. Correct?"
Agnes: "Yes."
Headmaster: "So, Instructor Ziar's grouping was correct. Today you saw the results. Any objections?"
Agnes: "No, sir."
Headmaster: "Tam, any objections?"
Me: "No, sir."
Headmaster: "Good. Then you may leave. But as punishment, you two will remain in the same group for one month. You will also conduct a research activity outside the walls. Otherwise, this grouping will remain permanent."
"What!?"
I left the office, Ignoring them.
Gods… look at me. Compared to Agnes, I am nothing. No noble status, no clear mother's identity, only the Church and Hyper family's support—as long as I'm useful. No. I must try. I must survive. I will survive.
End of Part 29