Extra Of The Magus Academy

News of Elma's actions quickly spread over Campus.

Before long, every single student was talking about what happened, and it soon became the talk of the Campus: a commoner like Elma having the gall to kill a member of the Four Noble Households, as well as a hundred guards.

This was far bigger news than The White Death.

And a far graver crime.

It was precisely due to this reason that Raven Nightshade had made an appearance, taking the unconscious Elma into custody as he and his hooded subordinates disappeared into the shadows once again.

Needless to say, this big reveal had some negative effects on the Academy as a whole.

The members of Alpha Class solidified their prejudice regarding commoners, particularly the ones in Beta Class.

"We let one of them among our ranks and look what happens!"

"No Commoner should be allowed in Alpha Class, period! This is insane!"

"Why do we even let them learn Spirit Arts?!"

The rift between both sides became a lot more pronounced, and everyone could feel tension brewing beneath the surface—waiting for the perfect moment to erupt in everyone's faces in a devastating manner.

Through all of this, however, Ash remained calm.

'I already expected all of this to happen, and while it's a big step away from the direction of the story, it was necessary.'

He had to eliminate Elma, and the sooner he did so… the better.

'I have no idea what is happening to her now, but it's no doubt something horrible like torture, since those Shadows will do everything in their power to extract all the information they can from her.'

A good example… was 'Motive'

'I'm sure they're going to be curious about why she would do something like that… and how.'

Unfortunately for them, they wouldn't be able to trace the whole thing back to him—at least, not definitively. Even if they suspected that she was under some kind of Soul Contract and couldn't reveal the full scope of her plan or accomplice, the investigators still wouldn't be able to link anything to him.

'That's why I decided to make the Contract with her otherworldly Soul… a Soul that wouldn't be found unless they were looking for it specifically.'

However, Elma would never be able to reveal her second Soul, or anything about being a Transmigrator, to the authorities, so he was safe in that regard.

There was a little feeling of uncertainty that weighed down on his mind, though.

Despite doing his due diligence and covering his tracks in the utmost manner, he couldn't help but worry about any loose ends he perhaps didn't consider. Considering how Elma was now in a secure facility, far from his reach, it was impossible to control her or what would happen to her from this point on.

'Such a pain…' Ash sighed.

He would have really preferred it if she died.

'It's too bad the current Seth is a pacifist who won't resort to killing unless pushed to the very brink…' He shook his head. 'Everything would have been so much easier if he struck her down right there and there.'

By sparing Elma's life, he had prolonged the matter, causing his brother distress.

'Oh well…'

Ash kept both hands in his pockets as he inhaled deeply and enjoyed the fresh breeze that blew against his face as he took his nice, peaceful wal—

"Ashfelt, you bas… you…!" A sudden loud voice caused him to slowly come to a halt as he felt a presence approaching him from behind.

A small smile crept up on his face, but he quickly hid it.

"You… you… I've been looking everywhere for you…" Amidst heavy breathing and a muffled tone, the voice continued.

Ash turned to face the boy that had approached him, his face perfectly stoic.

"Oh, hey… it's been a while, Dustan."

"A while?" Dustan wiped away the beads of sweat that formed on his face and took a few steps closer to Ash. "What the hell are you talking about? You know what? Forget that! Why don't you give me an explanation on what is happening?!"

"Ah… you mean Elma's the murder of Gerald Lawcroft?"

"Yes… I mean, no! She didn't do that… and you know it… so why? What's going on?"

"...."

"Say something!" Dustan screamed. "You didn't tell me things would end up like this… that an innocent person would get involved in this… and—"

"Okay, slow down." Ash raised both hands to calm the boy down.

Then, he placed his hands on his shoulders.

"You're literally making no sense right now." He sighed. "Why don't we go somewhere more relaxing to talk? I would have offered my room, but… Alpha Students aren't particularly feeling considerate towards Beta Students right now."

"Let's go to my room, then!" Dustan shrugged Ash's hands away from his shoulders. "You have some explaining to do…"

"Explaining? I'm not sure… but I'm sure we'll have a productive conversation."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Ash maintained a light smile as they both walked to the Beta Student Dorms.

There were many students surprised to see him, but as expected, none dared to speak a word against him—not even a small whisper. Right now, the commoners were in a precarious position, and it would serve them well to maintain decorum.

The whole campus was looking for even more scapegoats, so no one dared mess up.

"Okay… start spilling." As soon as the two of them arrived in Dustan's room, the boy closed the door and spoke.

His sour expression was enough to show how serious he was.

He wanted—needed—answers.

"Why is Elma being charged for the murders you committed? Why is the Academy's Special Security getting involved? You didn't tell me you were going to kill so many guards… all those people… they're people too! You only said you wanted to kill Gerald Lockwood because he was the true White Death, so why all the casualties? I have so many more questions, but I think you should answer the ones I already have."

Ash sat on the bed, watching Dustan keenly as the boy looked at him squarely.

"Tell me the truth! What's happening right now?"

"The truth is that Gerald was never the White Death, and I just told you that so you would help me kill all those people and frame Elma for their murder."

"W-wha…t?"

Dustan's eyes widened the moment he heard those words.

He had already suspected something similar, but this was far worse than what his imagination fed him. The horrid news caused him to take a few steps backwards.

"I'm sure a lot is going through your head already, and—"

"You… you're a monster!" Dustan yelled, pointing at Ash. "You used me for murder, and now an innocent girl is going to die for it!"

"Hmm… I wouldn't call her innocent."

"What?"

"Forget about it… but more importantly, what are you going to do about it?" Ash remained stoic as he looked Dustan in the eye.

"I… I will…"

"You can't tell them the truth, else that would make you an accessory to murder. You also can't involve me, since we already made a Soul Contract that helps protect both of our interests and secrets."

"I…"

"Face it, Dustan…" Ash rose to his feet and approached the trembling boy, placing one hand on his shoulder in order to pat him.

"... You're not going to do anything."

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[A/N]

I am curious about your perception of Ashfelt at this point in the story.

Do you despise him? Has he grown unlikeable? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments… thank you.