“Miss,” a meek but familiar voice of a girl resounded in the classroom. When Carolle saw the same glassed girl she met on the rooftop raising her right hand, Carolle immediately recognized her. She was sitting in the left corner of the second row.

Inside the classroom, the chairs and tables were aligned with eight columns and four rows. Though it was messy when Carolle entered, the students were still aligned on their own. But didn’t bother to pick up the thrashes littered beneath and surrounding their seats.

“I am the class president here, and Melissa is the Vice President.” She answered. “Aaron Dante is the treasurer.” She also gestured to the guy sitting beside her. Like her, he was also wearing glasses and had bangs that almost covered his eyes. He simply averted his gaze when Carolle looked at him.

‘Hmm. Melissa? Isn’t it the name of the girl I brought to the clinic? So both of these girls are part of this class.’

“What is your name?” Carolle asked. 

“It’s Jannah Geva,” the glasses girl answered. 

“Then I’m Carolle Linette, just call me Ms. Carolle everyone.” Carolle faced the whole class this time. “And as you might already have known, I’m your new subadviser for six months until Ms. Ricaforte returns from her maternity leave. Do any of you have questions?”

One of the girls sitting at the right corner at the back raised her hands. She had stylish short hair and her face had thick make-up. She was also wearing dangling earrings. “When will this class be over? And no offense, but I don’t want to have a teacher that is as plain as you.”

One of the girls sitting at the right corner at the back raised her hands. She had stylish short hair and her face had thick make-up. She was also wearing dangling earrings. “When will this class be over? And no offense, but I don’t want to have a teacher that is as plain as you.”

The whole class except for the class officers and most students in the front row of the classroom burst into waves of laughter.

The whole class except for the class officers and most students in the front row of the classroom burst into waves of laughter.

“And who are you?” Carolle still remained unfazed. She knew too well of herself. And getting pissed at some kiddie remarks was not really something she did. Well, in the first place she was not even simply bothered by it.

“I’m Cindy. Cindy Lux.” The girl said with haughtiness in her voice.

“Alright Cindy Lux,” Carolle said with an unchanging smile on her face. Seeing this calm reaction, the students were somewhat agitated and started to creep out Carolle. “I’m thankful for your honest remarks. As in exchange, I have something for you.” Her eyes glinted with mischief.

“What can that be, Ms. Carolle?”

Carolle smiled seeing the haughtiness in Cindy’s eyes. ‘So she must be the class queen here or something.’ Then she turned to look at Edna and her group, ‘the smart kids of the class.’ Then she turned to the left corner where there was a guy sleeping. ‘Hm, the quiet kid. And the rest of the kids are the ordinary and athletic type of kids.’

Carolle, walk toward Cindy. Then she stopped in front of her.

“What are you looking at? Are you going to yell at me? Scold me for saying something rude to you?”

Carolle shook her head. Then brought out something from her pocket. She grabbed Cindy’s right hand then handed her something. Cindy immediately yanked her hand out of surprise. 

“What are you doing?” 

But Carolle simply walked back to the blackboard and picked up an eraser. She started erasing the letters on the board.

Cindy looked at the thing that Carolle gave her. It was simply a small chocolate bar. 

“What’s this?” She asked, confused.

“The thing I said for you to have. What do you think it would be?” Carolle contained erasing the letterings on the board. But in the end, she gave up due to the slimy stuff that was on it. ‘Everything here will need serious cleaning.’

“Now, we are done with my introductions.” Carolle faced them once again. However, when she saw Cindy’s expression, she was not smiling anymore. Maybe it was due to the fact that her taunt had no effect on Carolle.

“I have a whole hour to be with you, Class 2-F. And I only have one task for all of you. Clean the whole classroom.”

“Clean?” Cindy and some of the girls stood in protest. “We are not the janitor to do the cleaning here. We are at school to study and not to clean.”

“And are you studying?”

“Of course,” Cindy said with confidence.

“Then if one of you answers my question correctly, the first period will be your free time and I’ll do the cleaning instead,” Carolle said.

“How would we know that it will not be a difficult question that is on a college level?” One of the students raised her hand in protest. The other students also agreed with her.

“Don’t worry, you can assure that it will be one of the topics already discussed with all of you.” A mischievous grin escaped Carolle’s lips.

***

Meanwhile back to the World of Illahayah.

Iris was tapping the table with impatience. “How long has it been since those two disappeared?”

“Three days,” Lila said. She was on the verge of crying. 

“I’m not too surprised with our Captain anymore to be gone for how long she wanted. But now, she was not the only one who was gone. But Oliver as well,” Iris said with an irritated tone of her voice.

“Do you think they run away together?” 

With that question, Rhyme received a crisp smack at the back of his head.

“What if those red mask cult got them?” Hyun Jae asked with worry. 

“Those two will not be easily abducted like that,” Rein this time spoke up as soon as he appeared from teleportation. 

“What happened to your investigation in the palace?” Iris asked.

“As expected, the last time those were seen was with the prince. However from what the prince had said, both Lady Malaya and Sir Oliver use a talisman to return, After that, there is no other news and information of their whereabouts.” Rein explained to the whole group.

“Just where in the world, Lady Malaya has gone this time?” Dorris said.

“No one knows.” Iris sighed in annoyance. “The only thing we can do right now is investigate further about those Red Mask people. Their strength is no joke.”

“In the desert as well, I met someone like them.” Rein said which earned the attention of the crew. “He told me to join them for some reason. And of course, I refused.”

“When did this happen?” Dorris asked, quite confused.

“The time when you left to check the ship. That guy disappears as well, just in time when you return.”

“Hah, they’re trying to recruit you? Then incite a war? cause mass murder and illegal experiments in a faraway village. Then cause another massacre among those villagers and knights sent by the prince.” Iris said as she started counting with her fingers. “It seems we are really dealing with something more villainous than the previous enemies we fought before. But how come, they try to recruit you Rein? Do you have any idea?”

“I have no clear idea of their intention either. But I got the feeling that it is only one thread to something bigger. They can even do such extreme things without being involved directly, what more can they do if they decided to do things on their own?” Rein said.

“Then that will be our goal for now. Until our captain returns, we will make sure that we already wipe out those red mask cult.” Iris said as she stood up. “First thing first, I’m gonna meet that siren, who put everyone to sleep.” She brought out a talisman from her right pocket.

“Why do you need to meet him?” Dorris asked. “He caused danger to Lady Malaya!”

“His power is incredible,” Iris said. “And I don’t believe that it will only end up with making people sleep. You can’t heal the root cause of those people affected by that Miracle powder right?” Iris glanced at Hyun Jae.

“Yes, their bodies are fine, but the flow of their magic is not something I can heal that easily. No, I have never learned to heal when it comes to irregularities of magic.” Hyun Jae clenched both her fists in her lap and glanced down.

“It’s alright,” Iris said. “Your healing magic is already as strong as it is. But we can never really do anything if there are things that are out of our jurisdiction.” 

“And I need to see that Siren, or who knows already what Kayden had done to him. Out of all the people here, that guy is the one who is unhappy with our Captain’s disappearance. I’ll return as soon as possible..” Iris tore the talisman and disappeared.