The Redo of a Novel's Villain: Moira - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

"Young Master, the carriage is ready." Owen stood by the door with his arms tucked behind his back, Elaine standing beside him.
Huey hummed acknowledgment and snapped the book he was reading shut. He slid it inside a small bag and walked out of the room to say goodbyes.
Like always, the maid spoke first. "Young Master time flies when you're here. You already have to leave!" She cried, moving forwards to hug him. Huey chuckled, patting the woman's back consolingly. "Do you have everything? Enough clothes, books, paint, money??"
"Yes I have everything, you don't have to fret."
"But why does it feel like something's missing...!" She whined.
"Calm down Elaine. I'm positive nothing's missing, and if it is it's nothing important."
Hearing those words the brunette calmed down for barely a second. "You're right." She took deep breaths, but on the third cycle she inhaled sharply. "No, no I can't! I'd better check one last time! See you soon Young Master!"
Watching her speed away despite the length of her dress (and what he presumed were heels judging from the sound), Huey shook his head in defeat. "And she's off."
Owen huffed lightly, amused. "You should see how she's like the first week without you. She was like a walking husk." The butler thought back to the state of the woman unnervingly and clicked his tongue. "Seriously, that reaction's hardly necessary. Not even half a year has passed since she began warming up to you." Not even half a year has passed since you changed.
Huey smiled. He gazed down the hallways as though the fleeting silhouette of Elaine and a bygone memory were still there. "I'm still learning, but I'll continue to improve, Owen. That promise... is mine to keep."
Owen just looked down the same hallway, not giving a response to the message. And yet a silent acquiescence formed between them and no words needed to be exchanged. The world does not stop on one's whims, the chariots will streak 'cross the sky, and the concept of time affects all even past the mortal isthmus. Even so, the butler allowed them to soak in the wistfulness of it all before draining it for the time being.
"The sun has yet to reach its peak and if you don't want to run into the more tousling hours I suggest we head to the carriages now."
Huey nodded, walking off with Owen close behind. And as they exited the interior of the estate and met with the frosty winter air an adage from earth came to mind. Parting his lips, the words escaped him with hazy clouds.
Little strokes fell great oaks.
✦ ✧
Kayson dropped his bag onto the floor beside his bed--one where he promptly chucked himself on. "Dorm sweet dorm." He groaned exasperatedly. Although Huey laughed at his friend he was not much better, already sprawled out on the bed long before Kayson arrived.
For the entirety of the week of the Winter Showcase, all lessons will be cut by half and club activities suspended. The festival energy was high even now. And as much as the two wished to stay holed up in their dorms, Headmistress Bonne ordered for all students and staff to attend the assembly that marked the official start of the Winter Showcase. But that was still two hours away, so for the time being they could do whatever they wished.
"Hey Huey~~" Kayson called out. "Go over the operations again."
The black haired youth grumbled, but did as told. "Prior to the performance we will tip off the general direction of the leak to either a staff or a third year by disguising it as a suspicion concern. After the play kicks off I'll deactivate the bombs that caused the most casualties while you stay on watch, specifically the first years so none of them run around like headless chickens and get killed."
"Ohh I recall now, but wait if someone sees you deactivate the bombs wouldn't that be suspicious?"
"We already went over it. Do you have the memory of a fish or something?" He scoffed playfully. "Obviously there'll be disguises. It's a week full of plays. Naturally, someone walking around in costume wouldn't arouse suspicion."
Suddenly Kayson snickered, "It helps you could pass as a first year too--" A pillow came flying towards him which he dodged with ease.
The perpetrator sneered, "We're the same height asshole."
"No?! I grew a half an inch!"
"That's hardly any!"
"Well it's still a bit taller than you!"
"Hah! Delusional!"
"Prove it!"
"You--!"
✦ ✧
As more and more students filed into the auditorium Mira Bonnes quickly went over her speech in her mind. She swept her fuschia colored hair behind her ears as she turned to meet the approaching somebody.
"Good afternoon Mr. Clark." She greeted the dark skinned man. He had an amiable and responsible smile on his face as he sat down beside the headmistress.
"Good afternoon Madam Bonnes. You seem nervous."
"It's nothing, I've taken care of this school for the past twenty years and yet my nerves still come back to bite at me. It'll be over and done with soon enough, but less about me how are the students?"
"Procrastinating, bemoaning work, what else?" The two laughed and Bonnes felt her jittery emotions slowly ease away.
She spoke, "I heard the problem child in your class has changed?"
Mr. Clark bristled. "You mean Huey Astaseul? I suppose, but he's still a trouble maker. Everywhere I go I see or hear news of him fooling around. Even developing a hobby in the arts. I've taught all three Astaseuls in the academy and each and every one of them are handfuls and capricious. But this sudden change... I can only wonder what prompted it."
"A fateful meeting perhaps?" The woman chuckled, wrinkles forming around her mouth.
He ignored her. "Regardless, he's still my student."
"Yes, they're all our students." She casted a glance at the sea of students trickling in through the door. The roar of chatter blocking out their voices. She turned her attention back to Mr. Clark. "And as the adults in their life it is our duty to guide them, I'm just not sure if I'm doing it right." And it was a lie if she said she wasn't worried, scared even. She repeatedly told herself it was just a precaution, that the courses they ran at the academy were for the greater good... but what was good about all of that...?
A low baritone voice snapped her out of her reverie.
"Humans are adaptable creatures, Madam Bonnes. Just as the students are still learning, so are we. We're merely guiding them as the ones with more experience, but ultimately what they do with their life is up to them. Our roles in their life are simply that of educators."
The woman shook her head, not sure how to take the comment. "Are you comforting me?"
Mr. Clark didn't respond.
Mira let out a curt laugh, a hand going up to her mouth. "Thank you," She said before turning to face the audience once more. She quickly stood up. "It seems all the students have gathered. Let's talk later Mr. Clark."
"Break a leg." The man called out to the headmistress quickly but elegantly moving towards the podium.
She casted her magenta eyes unto the audience who's noise level soon settled down from her appearance. The hype and excitement of the showcase thrummed in the air, so evident it was practically humming in her ear. Mira began counting down in her mind.
3.
2.
She raised her arms.
1.
"Welcome Glory Academy students and staff! All of you have worked hard especially after midterms are finally over. I'm sure many of the students, however, still wish to be at home." Some people laughed. "But now that your break is over it's time for the long awaited week that comes once a year! I'm sure excitement and anticipation is high, but as per protocol I will go over the history and the events of the Winter Showcase."
She gestured towards the holograms that appeared behind her.
"I'm sure many of you already know so I'll keep it brief, but the Winter Showcase's origin stems all the way back 189 years ago, soon after the academy was first established. The second headmaster, Keyaan Rollins, was leading a school trip to the Neytem Regions now better known as Niey Park. During that moment, a student—his son—had gotten lost in the local wilderness in the middle of the night. Unable to sit still and wait for a response Mr. Rollins ventured deep into the forest to search for his child firsthand. After many hours of endless trekking and waning hope, an ice spirit aided him, brought him to his unconscious son who was protected from the merciless cold by the beings, and led the two back into the clearing where they were safely reunited with the rest of the staff. Afterwards, in order to express his gratitude and commemorate the encounter Mr. Rollins started the annual plays based on the encounter and it became the practice it is now. Although many decades have passed and the Winter Showcase has gone through and will continue to go through changes, the love and joy Glory Academy students put into the plays will forever carry on. Which brings me to the actual events."
She cleared her throat. "Every day when the clock strikes eighteen a play written and cast by the first and second years will be performed in this very auditorium. All the times before that will be centered around games organized by the third years. The games can be found in the main courtyard, and there will be special food selections in the cafeteria. All the students have to do is have fun and enjoy the duration of the week. Now, without further ado. Let the Winter Showcase... begin!"
The auditorium exploded into a wave of claps, yells, and chatter as the barely contained excitement of the students unleashed. Nicholas looked particularly excited too with the way his eyes seemed to glisten with stars.
"Nicholas, are you acting in a play?" Kayson enquired, the three of them were already up and trying to wade through the crowd.
"Nothing major, I'm one of the background characters." The blonde answered. Huey could barely hear his already raised voice over the raucous so frustrated, ushered the three of them out by sheer will.
Finally out of the (somehow despite being extremely spacious and grand) stuffy auditorium, they somewhat resumed their conversation.
Nicholas turned to face the both of them. "I know Huey's working behind the scenes but what about you?"
Said person scratched his cheek. At the start Kayson actually wanted to grab a minor role of one of the antagonists and signed up for an audition. But after Huey revealed what'd happen he lost practically all interest and half assed it... somehow he still got picked. Was it nepotism? Or perhaps they just needed someone to fill the role either way he knew he'd only be able to show up for one scene before it all came crashing down.
The boy grumbled. "I also got a minor role, ahh I wish I never auditioned, it's such a pain." All the lines he was forced to memorize, never to be used. And he barely even spoke! Another pang of pity hit Kayson for the main leads of the play. Their script could practically fill a novella!
Huey only laughed at their misery.
Kayson rolled his eyes and his sight lingered on the clock tower far above them. Barely through squinted vision he could see the large clock hands conveying the time. There were still a couple hours to spare until the first play of the week, long enough for them to check out a handful of activities."What do you guys want to do? Personally I think we should go to the cafeteria."
"Let's go to the courtyard later." Nicholas offered to which all three agreed. Thereafter the time passed quickly, spent on the various activities provided by the third years. It wasn't long before the trio were in line waiting for the doors to the auditorium to open.
"Do you know who's participating?" Huey asked absentmindedly.
"I think Albert is." Said Kayson, and before either could continue the conversation they were abruptly pushed forwards with the crowd.
The doors had opened.
By the time they got inside and had settled into seats the space was already filled with chatter just like a couple hours prior. On the stage was a large projection of the play's title as well as an art cover of it. In silver font, it read: Nocturnal Serenade.
Checking the time on his watch Huey saw that merely two minutes remained until the play began, and as he looked over at his friends even Kayson (who seemed uninterested by the whole thing earlier) held their breaths in anticipation. He leaned into his chair, counting down the seconds.
Excitement hung in the air as the minute hand ticked down and alas as it finally moved once again on sixteen sharp the theater went dark. Amidst the dimmed light the murmurs and whispers were blocked by held breaths. Their lungs stayed stagnant, until finally, a loud voice struck through the space liberating all.
"Halt! Contemptible beast!" A man wielding a large blade—a greatsword—emerged on stage, standing imposingly on a tall building-like structure. The spotlight shone onto him illuminating the priest-like robes of the youth with linen shade hair. The clothes Huey couldn't help but connect looked largely similar to the uniform of the templar knights the Church of Eelia held control over.
The male leapt down, robes flapping in the wind as he landed with a loud thump. He stood up, facing the shadows with a determined look. From the direction he faced, laughter with a hidden owner trickled out.
"Hunters." It snarled, snickering as the spotlight stretched into two and encompassed the figure draped in black materialized from the shadows. A clawed hand wiped a red stain off its fair face. "How dare you interrupt my meal."
The 'hunter' scowled in rage. "I'll send you to eternal damnation, vampire!"
The vampire whipped his head back and cackled maniacally until his voice heaved into a stop. He snapped forwards, lunging at other with precision and speed. "I'd like to see you try!"
Kayson mouthed a wow seeing the fight on stage. It was flashy, but also genuine-looking enough to pass as real. Clearly the both of them had adept combat experience. He squinted his eyes, the hunter looked to be a first year. He then scrutinized the one playing the vampire who was doing an extremely good job at acting as a ferocious beast driven mad by blood-thirst. A smile stretched so wide he bet the lips definitely throbbed and the crimson red against the palid makeup was especially eye catching.
He gasped and grabbed Huey's arm.
"?"
"The vampire's Albert!" He whispered-yelled, loud enough for Huey and even Nicholas (who's head poked out from beside the black haired youth) to hear.
Although it was hard to tell at first especially with the makeup and wig, the voice, the haughtiness, and the overall vibe (for some reason) screamed the Wolint young master. And suddenly Kayson, who thought Albert was honestly a bit pathetic, had gained a new respect and knowledge for him.
'Who knew he's a theater kid.' He chuckled, enjoying the rest of the play.