Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

The whole class was talking about our class outing when I went to school on the following day. It was supposed to happen on the day after the ball, but since everyone suggested moving it to a different date, the class president was obliged to reschedule the said event. 

If you might recall, the roleplaying event that we have established during the second day of the Foundation Week celebration was a big success for us all. And in that accord, the whole class agreed that the funds that we have earned from that event will go to our class outing.

And speaking of that event, that is what they are planning about the moment our class professor for our last subject came out of the classroom.

"It would be such a lovely idea if we trust our funds in doing something educational. Like going to the Royal Auditorium near the famous themed park of Bartholomew." said the known nerd and prodigy of the class named Cailin Matthews. She then raised her hand up and fixed her thick-framed glasses.

"In that way, we could also have fun at the park before or after we watched some stage play at the auditorium." she quickly added, looking shy, and immediately went back to her seat.

The class president seemed to be pleased with her suggestion, for he might have liked watching stage plays himself or going to the themed parks. But even with that brilliant suggestion by a brilliant student, it still did not escape the scorns of the imprudent Jill.

"Very educational indeed," she stated in an overly sarcastic manner. "But also quite tedious, if you ask me." 

"No one asks for your opinion, Jill." the class president cuts her off right here and there. 

"Cailin's suggestion is exceptional, I must say," I complimented to boost the girl's confidence before writing it on the board along with my other classmate's suggestions such as horseback riding, going on a picnic beside a lake or ocean, and going to the art museum.

I saw Cailin smile in my direction.

"I can't believe such a man of the elite society would take heed in mere commoners such as that girl." Jill snapped, eyeing Cailin with contempt before slumping herself back to her seat.

I almost rolled my eyes at her childish behavior but then it is best to keep my annoyance within myself.

"Now, let's resume our business, shall we?" the class president said, trying to gain back the attention of the whole class from the scene that Jill caused a while ago.

In the end, Cailin's suggestion won the most votes. So, it would only mean that we will spend half of the day at the auditorium and themed park. Most of the class seemed delighted by the final decision, but there are some, like Jill's kind, who looked at the idea with great envy and contempt.

Classes are over and it is time for us to clean the classroom. You might have an idea that I am currently assigned as part of today's cleaners, and you are definitely right.

But this time though, Jill is conveniently not part of the group, but she has been replaced by Cailin, the student earlier who bravely suggested the themed park and auditorium earlier to the class. Currently, I could see her holding a broom and gently sweeping the floors of our classroom. 

The others, well, being the rich, young brats that they are and living like Jill herself, haven't the slightest conscience to help the girl out and continue chit chatting with themselves. Maybe it has been this way since the beginning, but I was too wrapped up in my own life problems that I tend to overlook situations such as this. 

Even I noticed her presence just now.

"Cailin…." I called out gently, which made her stop sweeping for a while, spun around, and turned to look at me.

"Ms. Vice president," she said with a bright smile plastered on her face, making you convinced that everything is alright with her life.

"Why are you the only one who is doing all this cleaning?" Then I snapped my head to look at my other classmates. Well, I happen to be the leader of this group, so I must have the authority to chastise these lazy people to get back to work.

"And you," I spat, glaring at each one of them. "Why are you not doing your part? We are a team here. We should share the same workload." 

"Nah. Cailin is willing to do all the work for us." One of the girls with curly, red hair. "Isn't it right Cailin?"

Cailin, looking quite nervous in her place, almost flinched when the girl spared her the look. I can't help but furrow my eyebrows at that.

"R-right." she barked the words like she is supposed to do. "I can do all the work, ms. Vice president. You could also rest if you like--"

"No," I got the broom from her and let her have the rest that she deserves. "You rest while I do the cleaning. I will have to send a report to the homeroom adviser, if I must."

I glared one last time at my insensitive classmates before I started the sweeping. I was just finished wiping the windows, and this should not be a hassle at all.

The next few days, I can't help but feel worried and at the same time attached to Cailin, that is after I knew that she is also the same as me… a mere commoner who is born into a not -so-blessed family and a scholar of this academy.

That must have been the reason why some of my classmates treat her indifferently.

But even after I extended all my efforts in befriending her, she doesn't seem to be interested in having me as her friend… nor anyone in this class for anything of that sort. I wonder why that is.

"A salon will be opening up tomorrow near our school," Ariella said during our break time at the cafeteria. "Care to join me for a girl bonding? You know, before our scheduled class trip this Saturday happens."

"Totally on it!" Maggie burst out in glee. Then it was time for them to look in my direction to see if I will be coming or not.

"You know I can't, right? Too expensive for me plus there is--"

"Your grandmother, we know," Ariella gave me a sympathetic smile. "We understand if you can't come."

My lips quivered as I gave them a sincere apologetic look, "I am really sorry guys. I will just make it up to you in my vacant days."

"Sure," they both said in unison.

Aww… I have such genuine and caring friends.

A few minutes before our scheduled return for our first-period class in the afternoon, it was also the time when nature chose to call. 'Ah, great.' I thought sarcastically. 'Right on time.'

And so I was forced to go to the washroom to relieve the call. 

"You have us reported to the homeroom adviser, you ugly loser!"

I almost flinched the moment I heard a female student bellow angrily like that inside the women's washroom. It took all my force to peek to know what is currently happening inside. 

It was then that my eyes almost widened upon witnessing a scene where Cailin is sprawled over at the floor, dripping wet for some reason that heaven only knows what on earth did these female bullies did to her. 

And by the looks of these bullies, they happen to be my classmates, also known as Jill's disciples and wanna-be's.

The tall girl with broad shoulders and almost manly-structure (my guess is that she is from the sports club of the academy) lifted her right hand up, and was about to smack the poor girl in her head after cursing at her earlier when I decided it's time for me to enter and interrupt this awful scene.

"Incarcerous!"

The moment I chanted the spell out of instinct, a blast of light came out of my right palm that hit the target almost instantly. Ropes then started to emerge out of nowhere that starts to bind both of her hands at the moment.

"Hey! Who did this to me?" the bully cried out. She then snapped her head up, until such time that she was able to see my face, smirking in her direction.

"Why you little--"

"Didn't your mothers tell you that it is not right to oppress anyone, nor use their weakness against them?" I stated, raising an eyebrow at all of them. 

"I was the one who reported you to the adviser for not helping with the cleaning duties the other day. Why must it be that you had to take all the blame to this poor girl who did nothing to you?" I quickly added.

The leader's fellow oppressors started raising their palms and looked like they are ready to attack me any time. But the girl motioned her head to stop, and so they did. Okay, that is very generous of her.

"Be glad that someone cares enough to tell us not to harm you, nor touch any strand of your hair. Or else, you'll be good as dead right here and then." 

Huh? I wonder who could that someone be.

The bully was able to unbind herself afterward as they made their exit from the washroom. But I did not miss the chance to see her menacing eyes looking in my direction before she totally left the place.

Now that they are all gone, I rushed to Cailin's aid as I helped her get back to her feet and dried her at the same time with my magic.

"Are you hurt? Do you want me to bring you into the school infirmary to have you checked?"

But the girl did not speak, yet managed to shake her head to her sides. 

"You know, I'm here," I said, causing her head to meet my gaze. "If you feel alone... if you feel that there is no one to help you with what you are going through, I am here to help you. If you will let me, of course." 

Cailin was not able to contain her emotions inside of her any longer. In the next few minutes, I already saw her wailing at my shoulder as she tugged the fabric of my uniform. 

"Thank you…" she finally managed to say through her tears. "... my friend."