How to Make a Sinner Sleep - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"Permission to enter the main city?" Professor Raymond narrowed his eyes at the request, frowning deeply. "Considering the lesson we just had, it's in my best intent to decline your request."
Kaden politely smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. The previous somber atmosphere had yet to dissipate in the room that the students hurried out of, their world-views shattered.
Of course, the Professor had issued a vague warning in the beginning, but none had really taken it seriously.
It was only now, realizing the severity of their danger, that panic ensued.
The real question Kaden would've liked to ask was why they didn't warn them thoroughly from the beginning, though from the conflicted and warped expression, he concluded there was some reason behind it.
That's why he didn't mention it, and instead changed the topic.
Corpus was the capital of the Kingdom and where the castle was located. Of course, he had no intention of going to the castle where his presence was disliked.
However, he wanted Arlo to see further out into the world before he couldn't take the child around anymore. That's why he made haste to request permission—students weren't allowed to leave without making a request.
The nearby town where the bar and festival had been held was the exception. The town of Perro was small, and within the vicinity of the Academy.
Now Kaden wondered if the unneeded permission was due to that fact. Because the Academy could monitor them within that area.
"Are you testing me, Mr. Chauvet?"
The Professor could recognize the questioning and curious probing in the man's gaze even in his silence. That was the reason he suspected other implications from the request, despite Kaden not voicing it.
"I'm not." His unmoving smile was almost eerie. "I don't question anything, Professor. It's not my place to—in the end, I follow the commands given to me."
"I don't believe in the rumours—"
"They are not rumours. Professor, I advise you keep a close eye on the Crown Prince, my eldest brother."
Raymond wrinkled the skin between his eyebrows. "I cannot suspect a student without reason. To begin with, my strong warning to you students should not have happened, if not for the recent incidents."
"I want you to live, Professor."
The room went silent, an unsettling and morbid sort of quiet, where one might hallucinate whispers or sounds when there were none.
Raymond's gaze grew solemn after recovering from his slight surprise.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, as you warned me, I'm warning you. Anyway, do I have permission?"
Raymond reluctantly pulled up the paper slip, and stamped his seal of approval onto it as he glanced up behind his gold-rimmed glasses. "Do you really not have any questions to ask of me?"
"None in the slightest."
"Not even one? Aren't you a little curious in regards to the information?"
"Do you want me to ask questions, Professor?"
The Professor realized his persistence and cleared his throat. Being of a naturally curious nature himself, he believed others were the same. He was also a little curious what sort of questions the student in front of him would ask.
Not that he wanted to be asked any questions—yes, he wouldn't be able to answer them, would he? Another curiosity unanswered, he supposed.
Oh, but he really didn't believe in the rumours regarding his students. They were obscure and strange, and twisted in many ways. Even if they held some semblance of truth, he would not base a person's character on a stranger's tall tales.
Really... how could this student not have any questions? It was really perplexing...
Kaden watched patiently as the Professor's mind drifted off in thought in the middle of the conversation. It was a habit of this man, to think of other things and get distracted from the task on hand.
In dire situations, however, this unreliable Professor became the most useful and loyal ally. Kaden really didn't wish to witness his demise.
"Then, I have one question, Professor."
Raymond's eyes lit up as he lifted his head. "Yes? Wait—I may not be able to answer it, I hope you're aware."
"I wanted to ask if you would face repercussions from showing us those photos?"
"Ah..." Raymond thought about it, pushing his glasses up slightly as he took on a thoughtful pose. "Well, that shouldn't be the case. The Academy would have you warn you at some point due to the rising cases."
"Cases? Of injury?"
"Yes, that and the missing students or those who suddenly experienced Reversal—"
Raymond hurriedly widened his eyes and slapped his palm over his disobedient mouth, as Kaden smiled politely, his eyes cunning.
"You weren't supposed to tell me that, were you?"
The Professor cleared his throat and pretended it didn't happen. He had faith in this controversial student of his, yes, he wouldn't worry. If he didn't remember saying anything, then it didn't happen, right?
"Here's your sheet of approval." He resolutely changed the subject.
Kaden went along with it. "Thank you."
"However, the school semester is still ongoing. Do you mean to take a leave of absence? Or did you simply intend for a few days during the weekend?"
"The latter. I simply want to take a friend to visit the capital with me."
Raymond observed Kaden deeply as he nodded. He didn't question whether Kaden intended to visit the palace, well aware of the turmoil behind doors. Even if most could only speculate of the royal relationships, all knew it couldn't be simple.
But the wonderful and spectacular Crown Prince treated his adopted brother with such respect. Such a rumour made Kaden laugh.
The only wonderful thing about Reed was his ability to act.
Regardless, there was another reason Kaden wanted to visit Corpus. He wanted to sign an agreement with the mercenary guild, to allow him to pick up various jobs, giving him an in to various activities throughout the kingdom.
He needed a means of money, and Reed would request for his involvement at some point regardless, due to the usefulness of having ties to the guild.
A mercenary could pick up off jobs legally in the guild, but once reputable, they would receive invites to underground meetings. Darker and more sinister deals—that was likely where the announcement seeking for rare blood came from.
Kaden contemplated it before asking the Professor a question. "Professor, while we possess means to use powers from the Watchers, don't normal swords masters and mercenaries have access to certain abilities as well?"
Mana manipulation was a thing learned by most fighters of all kinds. To use their mana, the energy stored within, as a shield to protect or a sword to kill.
Raymond adjusted his glasses as his eyes glistened with knowledge. "What a wonderful question! Mana, or life energy, is the source of all powers and whatever we deem as such."
He took a sip of water from a clear glass and continued. "The Watchers are unknown beings that the living cannot determine. However, our powers, or blessings, are simply another manifestation of mana usage."
"Typically, one can only shape mana to form most commonly, a barrier to protect ourselves, or a layer of sharpness to our weapons. While we, those blessed by Watchers, can shape mana in strange and dangerous ways. However, it is still mana that we are using."
Kaden nodded, painting the picture of an obedient and curious student, which sparked Raymond's urge to speak more.
"It's actually a good idea to explore outside more often, Kaden. We get confused as we spend time within the Academy walls, however, what is normal here is not normal in regular society. Different races do not mix. Watchers are a secret."
Kaden nodded again in agreement. Indeed, he'd forgotten about how prevalent discrimination was on the streets, and the foolish rivalry between races that stemmed from pride.
Had he not entered the Academy, his and Noah's life would likely have never crossed. The idea of that sent a sharp sting to his chest as he frowned in dislike.
Honestly, he'd taken it for granted—the time within this school.
And he'd never stopped to consider things more deeply. In reality, Noah was somebody who had to hide himself away from the world, fake the persona of a human to be accepted, or live with being feared.
It wasn't that other species couldn't mingle in human towns; it was a common sight to behold. But they would be judged, ridiculed or feared.
All the more reason to take Arlo to see the world, for its dirty deeds and beautiful wonders. But also to see how society worked, what was deemed right or wrong. Kaden hoped for the young boy to develop a mature but realistic understanding of life.
Of course, understanding the way things were and agreeing with injustice were two different things.
The man's mind kept running further off track, digging into curiosities about Noah. For the dragon, he was minimizing his true form and taking on a humanoid figure.
How did it feel to be judged for what he was born with?
Kaden wondered what features Noah hid behind the icy facade. A pair of dark wings that stemmed out from his sculpted back, spanning far and wide? The eyes of a beast, naturally imprinted in the black pupils, sharp and deadly?
He felt the inexplicable urge to ask.
Raymond was still speaking, already lost in his world of information, not necessarily minding whether the other party listened or not.
Kaden chuckled lightly to himself as he watched the bright and curious eyes of the Professor, a person who never judged others without reason. That man was far too curious in analyzing a person to make assumptions upon sight.
The Professor stopped in his speech, as his eyes curved gently with a soft smile. Over the time, his student's restrained or over exaggerated expressions became more natural.
That fact made him glad, extremely so.
Kaden raised his gaze and tilted his head as the sudden smiling face of the other man. "Did I do something?"
Raymond stared for a moment and shook his head with a smile. "I can see that your mind has also begun to wander, so I'll let you go, Kaden. Feel free to come ask me if you have any questions—I will do the best of my ability to help you."
"Thank you, Professor." said Kaden, and he meant it.
He recalled his first life, and the man who had treated him without prejudice.
Raymond would eventually die after involving himself deeply in the Crown Prince's schemes, refusing to turn a blind eye regardless of what was as risk.
As for what it was in particular, Kaden wasn't aware. A dog couldn't know too deeply of their masters plan, and Reed has stuck firmly to that idea. However, Raymond's death would only occur after Kaden's graduation.
There was still time; more time than he knew.
He eased his palpitating heart and the anxiety that threatened to overflow.
There was an entire list of things he needed to do, and an even longer list of what he didn't know, but needed to. Most events happened after his graduation, when Reed was waiting for the perfect time.
And when Noah's capture brewed a deeper animosity between the humans and dragons, the divide between races grew further.
What exactly was Reed's final goal?
"Kaden."
The man looked up, his head dizzy and gaze slightly dim. "Yes?"
"Your friend's here to pick you up, it seems." smiled Raymond softly.
Confusion was the first thing to flash across Kaden's features as he slowly turned his head, startled at the sight. The dragon leaned against the door frame with an air of sleepiness as his dark gaze landed on Kaden's surprise.
There was no softness in his firm frown, but he stood in silence, wordlessly as he waited with what seemed to be endless patience.
The chaos in Kaden's mind simmered, slithering back.
Noah studied Kaden's face and tilted his head, loose white strands brushing against his face. "What nonsense are you thinking of now?"
Kaden smiled, a cheeky and mischievous grin. But his words sounded flat and uninspired. "Are you that eager to explore my mind, Bellamy?"
"And if I said I was?"
"...what?"
Noah stepped forward without moving his gaze, a low creak on the floorboards. The air of mightiness from his blood enveloped his surroundings, lapping off every cell on the man's body.
He had stayed behind to wait for Kaden due to the uncomfortable nature of their lesson. He wanted to check if the disturbing content had bothered the fool who liked to pretend otherwise.
And seeing the dull sheen over the viridescent eyes deeply bothered him.
Raymond observed the scene, and adapted to reacting quickly, nodded once at Kaden and slipped out of the room. It wasn't his place to interfere.
He trusted his students ability to resolve a disagreement.
Noah didn't pay any heed to the professor, focused on the current matter on hand. He stopped right before Kaden, not leaving any space for the man to run away.
"Do you want to know what I think?" wondered the dragon in a low voice.
Kaden glanced sideways and smiled. "I can't say I do."
However, being the stubborn and utterly rude dragon that Noah was, he dismissed Kaden's words, much to the latter's despair.
"I want to take apart your mind and find out exactly what ridiculous things you're planning. I want to have you undone and exposed, somewhere you can't keep running away behind that foolish facade."
"That sounds utterly unappealing, actually—"
Kaden, who had turned away felt his head forced to look back up at Noah, a punishing grip around his jaw.
He was met with an expression of deep resentment and anger.
Noah gritted his teeth, eyebrows knitted together furiously. "Chauvet, what the hell do you want to do? And what side of you do I trust?"
It was as if a string of sanity had snapped, and the growing frustration Noah felt released in an instant. With every teasing comment that was a poor attempt at hiding Kaden's emotions, Noah's irritation grew.
Kaden fell into a simmering silence as he stared at Noah's sharp features, and an anger he hadn't recalled seeing before, despite everything.
He felt at a loss of what to do.
He opened his mouth to tease and joke about what a random burst of anger it was, but couldn't speak as he felt the hands gripping his jaw tremble.
Instead, he smiled calmly and looked up at the dragon's addicting stare.
"You should trust what you see."
Noah felt a flare of annoyance probe his mind. "And that entails?"
Kaden reached his hands up, using a surprising amount of strength to pry Noah's hands away from his face. A line had to be crossed, walls had to remain standing. Noah's sympathy could destroy everything in the future.
And Reed's curse... Kaden stroked the back of his gloved left hand in silence. If that man were to realize that Noah's initial disdain had changed...
No, Kaden couldn't ruin that dragon any further.
"I have, and always have been, " started Kaden as he stood in the doorway, standing tall and arrogant as he always did. "The last person you should trust."