How to Make a Sinner Sleep - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

The masked man dropped the slumped figures that showed signs of stirring onto the ground without care, rolling his shoulders. It seemed that carrying them hadn't been entirely easy, despite how it looked. Kaden snickered to tease the man whose sharp glare dug into him.
Kaden lowered his body, checking the students' temperature and determined once again that there was nothing wrong.
He would signal the flare and call the professors over.
"Thank you for your help." He didn't forget to say to the strange person at his side, who massaged their shoulders before turning their masked face toward him.
"...it's nothing."
The cat purred at Kaden's neck, raising its lazy head slightly before snuggling closer to the human's warmth.
Kaden had almost forgotten that it had habitually draped itself over his shoulder again, looking like an accessory as its entire body went limp, softly breathing. If this was a creature from the forest... he could take it back with him, right?
The issue was that he couldn't say whether the cat would follow him back to the Academy, or attempt to and fall into danger. After all, it had followed him into the cave...
Deep rumination knitted his eyebrows and he rubbed the fluffy fur mindlessly.
Seeing the person in front of him go silent, the masked man quickly grasped the issue and said in a hoarse voice,
"Students are allowed to form contracts."
Kaden raised his head. He'd never been very informed about most matters related to the Academy, so he hadn't known.
"Really?"
"As long as it's approved." The masked man paused, seeming not to want to speak too much before adding, "You can bring it back and write an application."
Kaden nodded in understanding. How enlightening!
Not to mention, having a little cat companion—well, he'd have to research its true species back in the library. But he would never turn down a fluffy companion that doubled as a neck warmer.
If that was the case, he could also try sleeping with it so that he wouldn't trouble Noah anymore...
He would have to wait for the application to be approved first before testing it.
The masked man watched the myriad of emotions displayed on Kaden's ever changing expressions that seemed to be restrained in public, before turning away. Instead of directly disappearing, he displayed a polite manner.
"I'll be going."
"Oh." Kaden snapped out of his thoughts and naturally smiled, curving his sharp eyes to make them appear softer, matching his good mood. "I'll see you, then."
The figure froze, before nodding curtly and disappearing into the forest.
Kaden watched silently, before pulling out the safety flare and checking if the earlier water damage affected it. However, his clothes appeared dry, and even the jacket and shoes he removed earlier were back on his body.
He praised the spirits before raising his hand in the air.
Bang!
The flares were made from a special material that could only be heard by living things with a certain amount of intelligence, preventing it from attracting too many dangerous beasts.
As soon as the sound went off, Kaden heard the trees rustle, confirming the approach of one to three people coming his way.
Professor Alexander jumped down from one of the trees, landing perfectly at his feet. Although he typically wore a stoic and stern face, he presently glanced around cautiously.
"Is there danger around, Kaden?"
Kaden shook his head, explaining the general situation. "I heard screams from the cave, and found these two students unconscious inside."
The Professor calmed down and strode over, checking over the students. He sighed in relief. "They'll wake up soon, but we'll send them for a few check ups. Did you see anything else in the cave?"
"No, there was nothing else."
"I'm glad to hear that. Although these forests are relatively safe, there are some creatures that prefer to hide in the dark and may react violently if disturbed."
Kaden nodded, thankful for his rare good luck that prevented from encountering anything more sinister.
Then, he realized a problem and asked, "Professor, why were there no other teachers or supervisors in the area?"
There should be an experienced person in every area, in order to watch over the majority of the students. Not to mention, the screams had been loud and not something easily ignored.
Professor Alexander frowned, rubbing his temples. "There were some students who accidentally angered a wild creature, and one of the students tried to defend them while getting injured as a consequence."
"I see. May I ask the name of the injured student?"
"He is a friend of yours, I believe. A student named Niklas Halls."
Kaden felt his body go cold, dropping the calm facade and hurriedly asking. "What happened? Were the injuries severe?"
The Professor regarded him for a moment. He was a teacher that paid close attention to dangerous matters, and knew well of the rumours surrounding his particular controversial student, Kaden Chauvet.
Of course, he was also aware that a certain extent of the rumours were true. However, the man had often asked questions in class and behaved quietly unless provoked, so Alexander hadn't treated him with any judgment.
After all, what sort of teacher would reject such a curious student?
As for the matters when Kaden was provoked and would spit out an insult or two, he'd turned a blind eye. He shouldn't be involved with drama the students could handle themselves.
This wasn't a regular Academy, with most of the attendants having reached adulthood.
However, Kaden also seemed to often behave in a cold matter, with a smile that didn't always reach his eyes. Seeing him so worried about his friend made the professor slightly relieved.
"Niklas has been sent back to the Academy, but there were no serious injuries recorded. He should be going through a brief checkup, that's all."
Kaden nodded, relieved. Had this been the same incident that happened in the past? Although he didn't know how Niklas was involved this time, he suddenly regretted not helping out.
He could've prevented any injuries.
No, he couldn't be ridiculous and overestimate his abilities. Interfering could've also led to a worse results. Regardless, the issue had already been resolved.
Why regret something unchangeable?
And not to mention, he'd rescued the other two students from the cave. Kaden dismissed the negative thoughts from his mind.
Soon after, Professor Raymond hurried into the scene, flicking his head left and right before he saw the calm Alexander, and calmed down in return.
He pushed his glasses up, worriedly glancing at Kaden. "Any injuries?"
"No, nothing serious happened. I was worried about the state of the two students who have passed out."
"Passed out?" Raymond crouched down, inspecting the students carefully. "Were there any creatures or humans nearby? In what location did you find them—indeed, there are no injuries, and yet they remain in this state... is it a psychological shock... hm, perhaps I should've studied some medicine to increase my knowledge..."
Seeing Raymond in a state of mutterings, Alexander solemnly glanced over and shook his head. There was no interrupting the curious Professor when he was in that state.
For a moment, Raymond granted his fellow professor a moment of attention. "Alex, don't tell me it's a result of another Re—"
"Ray." said the stern Professor calmly in warning. "Mind your words."
Raymond blinked twice, and turned his head to Kaden, remembering that he was in public and not in his book-filled room, researching and discussing various topics. For a second, his face flushed before he smiled amiably at Kaden.
"You didn't hear anything?"
"....." Well, he wouldn't have suspected much if that question hadn't been asked. However, Kaden couldn't tell his Professor that directly and shook his head. "I heard nothing."
"Are you certain? You're not even questioning my words presently—"
"Ray." repeated Alexander again, rubbing his temples. "Your habit is showing, again. Please confirm the students' health and safety first."
Raymond zipped his lips and turned back to the students, soon losing himself in his own thoughts once again.
After confirming there were no serious injuries, the students were soon recalled. It was earlier than promised, but with a total of five students almost facing a dangerous matter, the professors decided to end the exploration.
It was rare for even one injured person, considering the amount of supervisors keeping an eye out—so five had raised the alarms.
Kaden returned to the Academy, getting the professor to vouch for the clinging cat that refused to pry away from his shoulders, and made his way to the medical bay.
He'd confirmed that Niklas's injuries weren't severe, but that didn't mean he didn't want to double check. It was a friend he'd made after so much trouble... he didn't want any harm to come to them.
Knocking on the door, Kaden directly entered and saw Niklas sitting on a spinning stool, spinning round and round with a bandaged leg.
"...do you really have a death wish? I'd be happy to help you fulfill it." said Kaden with a sigh as he stepped inside.
"Kaden! How I've missed you!" exclaimed the other in response, spreading his arms out wide in an exaggerated manner. "Have you rushed over in concern for your darling friend?"
"I came to make sure you weren't death."
"I believe that's the same thing, isn't it? As you can see, I'm quite alive."
Kaden wore an expression of disgust and almost turned around in that instant, having regretting worrying at all.
Niklas, having learned to read Kaden's expressions that were at times a mask of nothing, quickly called out, "Come back, come back! I'll die of loneliness."
"Then die."
"Ah... I think my injury is acting up...!"
Sighing, Kaden pulled up a regular stool and sat in front of Niklas. He stared at the bloodied bandages at the rolled up pants, frowning. "Is it serious?"
"No, it hurts a little to walk but it's nothing much. It was just a poisonous snake species, so it's a bit inflamed. Thankfully it was treated quickly."
Seeing Niklas's nonchalant attitude, Kaden really thought that he had a genuine death wish.
Another knock on the door distracted them, but unlike Kaden, the person waited for a response before pushing it open. The expressionless Noah walked in, casting a deep gaze onto Kaden before Niklas's injured leg.
"You already received treatment?"
"Yeah, it'll take a week to heal up properly, but the worse is over."
Noah nodded, stepping inside and leaning against the wall. "What was the situation? The forest shouldn't be dangerous at this time of the year." The dragon glanced at Kaden. "You were also involved in an incident."
"What?!" Niklas almost jumped up with wide-eyes, before jolting in pain. Even the hair on his arm stood up in shock. "Hey! You never told me that!"
"Nothing serious happened, so there was no need to. I rescued two students that got lost in a cave, but there wasn't anything abnormal when I entered." explained Kaden, not mentioning the other events.
Niklas deflated, sighing loudly. "You should still tell me, at least."
"Is it necessary?"
"I'm just concerned, Kaden. What if there were issues you didn't notice, and we don't realize until later?"
"You're overthinking it. I'm fine."
Kaden frowned, confused at Niklas' dramatic reaction. Although he was a man destined to become a theatre star with his over-exaggerated performances, why did it look like Niklas was genuinely worried? Kaden had no scars or wounds to show, other than some exhaustion.
"You're not cautious enough." reprimanded Niklas, taking on the role of a scolding older brother as Kaden blinked calmly. "Next time, tell me that first."
Kaden fell silent before nodding. "Sure."
"I'm serious. I just know you attract trouble, so promise."
"I promise." said Kaden, more to appease his friend that anything else.
Niklas squinted in suspicion, before nodding, even pleasantly stretching out a hand to mess up Kaden's combed hair, before spinning once more on the chair with a solemn expression.
"Typically, creatures in the Eastern forest don't attack students. The professors believe that the creature had been provoked, but I was nearby during the scene. It had been harmonious, before suddenly it jumped out and attacked!"
"Can you determine it wasn't a naturally territorial animal?" asked Kaden, leaning in his chair with a frown.
"No, I sensed its presence from the moment I entered the area. The students were examining a certain species of berries, and it had remained silent for half an hour."
"You think something provoked it?"
Kaden easily grasped Niklas's underlying words, and the depth between his eyebrows deepened. Of course, the possibility of it being a coincidence, or that the students had accidentally triggered something couldn't be removed.
If it was true, then the situation would turn serious. What sort of person sought the harm of the other students in the Academy?
The culprit would likely be a student in that case, otherwise they would've stood out and gotten caught in an instant.
Niklas sighed loudly, shrugging his shoulders. "I should hope that I'm over thinking it, but I'm skeptical."
"Do you want to investigate?"
"I do."
Noah interjected, his low, indifferent voice disrupting the air and crowding the room. "That's not an option. There are no leads for you to work with, and you cannot conjure answers out of thin air. Even if you learn of something, where do you plan to go after?"
Although the dragon's words were blunt and harsh, they were carefully thought out and brought a sense of reality over the three.
Niklas spread his legs, leaning back on the spinning chair dangerously. "You're right, Noah. I suppose we'll have to leave it at that for now, and if we happen across anything in the future, we'll come back to this case."
Noah nodded in agreement. "That would be wise."
"Well! Regardless, shall we officially put our hands over each other with true comradeship, and mark this day as the start of our group?"
Kaden stared with confusion. "A group?"
"MO, remember? The Misfits of Obscurity, solving the strange and the odd!"
"How did you come back to this topic?"
"Since we were speaking of investigations, were we not?" Niklas grinned. "In the wide scheme of things, there is too much left unknown. We should seek the mysteries."
He stretched out a hand childishly. "The ever-changing blessed of delusions, the powerful and mysterious blessed of time and I, the wisest of them all—let's make an oath."
"Niklas, you really should stop reading so many novels."
In other words, Kaden was telling him to get a life.
"You're jealous of my ability." Niklas wagged his finger, before shaking his waiting hand in the air. "Come on now. Repeat after me, but put your hand down first!"
Kaden rolled his eyes with a shake of his head, before moving his stool closer and placing a hand over Niklas'. Noah stared silently, but after being peeked at for several dragging minutes, he unwillingly placed his hand on top of the pile.
"I solemnly dedicate myself to my companions, and swear to remain a beacon that they can eternally trust."
"You could become a writer, Niklas."
"Repeat it!"
Kaden smiled and said, "I solemnly dedicate myself to my companions, and swear to remain a beacon that they can eternally trust."
Noah, in his low voice, followed suit. "I solemnly dedicate myself to my companions, and swear to remain a beacon that they can eternally trust."
"Perfect! With your oath, you have promised yourself to our cause—in never harming the innocent, and pursuing the future in which we won't forget." Niklas laughed loudly, and grinned.
Since he was amused, Kaden said nothing and went along with the man's will, while Noah remained silently gazed over the stack of hands. The gentle breeze from outside flowed into the medical room around the three young men.
It was an air of new beginnings, of a new chapter unfolding.
"Here begins the ventures of the Misfits of Obscurity!"