Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series-Chapter 140: Orchestral Symphony [5]

The walk across the academy grounds was eerily quiet.

The sounds of distant cheers and the occasional clash of magic echoed from the dueling arena, but the halls leading to the Headmaster's office were empty. It was strange, almost unnatural, how silent the main academy felt compared to the excitement outside.

Aiden followed Professor Anwar through the towering archways, his boots making little noise against the polished floors.

When they finally arrived at the grand doors of the Headmaster's office, Professor Anwar turned to him.

"This is where I leave you," the professor said. "The Headmaster will be expecting you. Whatever he asks, answer truthfully. Tell him everything."

Aiden hesitated. "You're not coming in?"

Anwar shook his head. "This summons was for you alone. And I have duties to return to."

Something about the way he said it made Aiden feel suddenly isolated, but he nodded.

"Alright."

Without another word, Anwar turned and strode away, his coat billowing slightly behind him. Aiden watched until he disappeared around a corner, then exhaled and turned back to the door.

He reached for the handle- only to realize he had walked in without knocking.

Cursing under his breath, he stepped back, raised his fist, and knocked. Not that it mattered. But he hoped that the Headmaster could forgive for his small lack of discipline.

The sound echoed in the stillness.

Aiden waited.

No response.

Frowning, he tried the handle again. It turned without resistance.

Aiden hesitated. That was odd. He had never known the Headmaster to leave his office unsecured. But there was no point in second-guessing now.

Stepping inside, he found the room empty. The grand desk at the far end was neatly arranged, and the warm glow of enchanted lanterns cast soft light across the shelves of ancient books and artifacts.

Nothing looked out of place.

Still, a strange feeling settled in Aiden's chest as he crossed the room. He lowered himself into one of the seats, his muscles still tense, as if expecting something- anything- to happen.

He glanced toward the door one more time.

Still unlocked.

Aiden sat stiffly in the chair, his fingers drumming against his knee as he tried to stay still. But the longer he waited, the heavier the silence pressed against him.

His eyes wandered the office. The bookshelves, the old artifacts, the large desk- it was all so neat, yet something felt off. His gaze finally settled on a small cylindrical bowl-like object near the desk.

It was barely noticeable at first, but now that he focused, he could hear murmurs. Soft, almost indistinguishable sounds, like whispers carried by the wind.

Curiosity got the better of him.

Glancing toward the door once more- still unlocked- he slowly rose from his seat and approached the object. It was filled with a fog-like liquid that swirled inside, shifting restlessly as if alive.

Aiden leaned in.

At first, he saw nothing but swirling mist, but then, images began to form.

There in one scene, was a cliffside. Or at least, it looked like one. The edges were jagged and steep, vanishing into darkness below. A person, faceless in the haze, was falling. Their limbs flailed as they plunged into the abyss. Aiden felt an unexplainable chill crawl up his spine.

Before he could focus on the details, the image shifted.

Now, there was a cloaked figure standing in front of someone. The other person, though their features were obscured, was shouting. Their voice was raw, desperate.

"Kill me!"

The words echoed in his head.

The cloaked figure remained still. And then, their cloak fell away.

Aiden leaned in further, heart pounding. But just as he tried to make out their face, the image blurred.

"Finding something interesting?"

Aiden stiffened, his breath catching in his throat. He turned sharply.

Standing by the door, watching him with knowing eyes, was Headmaster Kairos.

Aiden barely stopped himself from flinching. He quickly straightened, stepping away from the strange bowl, and turned to face the Headmaster properly.

"Headmaster," he greeted, schooling his expression into neutrality. He gave a slight nod of respect before swiftly returning to his seat, sitting rigidly with his hands clasped together on his lap.

Headmaster Kairos shut the door behind him with an almost casual ease, though his sharp eyes flickered toward the bowl Aiden had just been peering into. He smiled warmly.

"Curiosity is a powerful thing," the Headmaster mused as he made his way to his desk. "Though it often leads to answers we may not be ready for."

Aiden said nothing. He only kept his posture straight, waiting, unsure if he was about to be scolded or questioned.

Kairos sat down, lacing his fingers together as he regarded Aiden thoughtfully. Then, he tilted his head slightly.

"Now, tell me, my boy," he said smoothly, "what brings you here today?"

Aiden took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Headmaster, Professor Anwar told me you wanted to see me, but he didn't actually send for me."

Kairos raised a brow but said nothing, waiting.

"It was Emmeranne who told me to come here, saying Professor Anwar was looking for me," Aiden continued. "But when I arrived and asked him, he was just as confused as I was. He told me to come to you regardless, so here I am."

Kairos remained silent, watching him carefully.

Aiden clenched his hands together. "I think Emmeranne is dangerous."

Kairos exhaled softly, but his expression remained unreadable. "A strong accusation. What has led you to this conclusion?"

Aiden hesitated but pushed forward. "It's not just a feeling. Lopt told me too. And then there's what happened before, with Savion Ilmari. When we first overheard a conversation when we were... uh, lost, we overheard something about how it was a Magi responsible for his death. Not an animal. But the more I think about it, the more I believe Emmeranne is involved."

Kairos's fingers tapped lightly against the desk. "That is a serious claim, Aiden."

"I know," Aiden admitted, looking the Headmaster in the eye. "But there's more. I think she's connected to Karro."

That made Kairos still. His expression didn't shift much, but Aiden noticed the slight narrowing of his gaze.

Aiden pressed on. "I don't know how, but I feel like she could be working with him. It makes sense. She's strong, she's ranked first, and she never lets anyone close. What if that's intentional? What if she's hiding something?"

Kairos leaned back, clasping his hands together. "And what exactly do you believe she is hiding?"

"That she's on his side. That she's dangerous."

Kairos was quiet for a long moment. Then, he exhaled through his nose. "I see."

Aiden waited, feeling his heart pound in his chest. He expected a reaction, maybe denial, anger, or disbelief. Instead, Kairos merely regarded him with an almost knowing expression, his gaze sharp and assessing.

Finally, the Headmaster spoke. "You have given me much to consider, Aiden Chase." He stood up, looking out the large window of his office. "And I suspect you are not wrong to be cautious."

Kairos turned back to him, his expression once again unreadable. "Tell me, my boy, what do you intend to do with this suspicion?"

Aiden hesitated. What did he intend to do?

His gut told him Emmeranne was dangerous, that she was connected to Karro, but what then? He wasn't a Hunter like his father. He couldn't just go after her. And he didn't have solid proof, only suspicions.

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"I-"

He faltered before gripping his knees. "I don't know."

Kairos studied him, his gaze unreadable. "A wise answer."

Aiden frowned. "How is not knowing wise?"

The Headmaster clasped his hands behind his back and paced toward the bookshelf. "Because certainty is often a mask for arrogance, and arrogance leads to recklessness."

He glanced at Aiden. "You suspect Emmeranne, and you might be correct. But what if you're wrong?"

Aiden opened his mouth, then closed it.

Kairos nodded, pleased. "This is why I asked what you intend to do. You have knowledge, now you must decide what to do with it."

"I don't trust her."

"And that is within your right," Kairos acknowledged. "But trust and accusations are different beasts."

Aiden looked away. He hated this feeling. He knew something was off, but he wasn't sure if he was just grasping at shadows or if his instincts were leading him true.

Kairos walked back to his desk and sat down. "I will take your words into consideration, Aiden." He steepled his fingers. "And as for Lopt's words- he may be a mischief-maker, but he is not a fool."

Aiden tensed. "So you do think I'm right?"

"I think," he said slowly, "that you should tread carefully."

That wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either.

Kairos leaned forward slightly. "I will keep an eye on Emmeranne."

Aiden didn't feel as relieved as he thought he would. Instead, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest.

"Do not let suspicion cloud your judgment," Kairos continued. "But do not ignore it either."

Aiden stood. "So… what now?"

The Headmaster smiled faintly. "Now, you return to the Solstice Trials. We wouldn't want you to miss your own matches, would we?"

Aiden nodded stiffly and turned to leave. But as his hand touched the door handle, he hesitated.

Something about this conversation left him with more questions than answers.

Aiden hesitated before turning back to face the Headmaster.

"Can you really see the future?" he asked, the words slipping out before he could think them through.

Kairos chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Ah, the age-old question." He tapped his fingers against the desk. "Some say I am time itself."

Aiden almost snorted. That was exactly the kind of ridiculous line Adrian would say. In fact, he could hear Adrian's voice saying it, exaggerated and dramatic, just like when they first boarded the Helios Ferry.

"Do you know what happened?" Aiden pressed. "And do you know what will happen?"

Kairos tilted his head, his golden eyes gleaming. "Time is a curious thing, Aiden Chase. It is both fixed and fluid, stubborn yet ever-changing. Some moments are set in stone, while others shift like sand beneath the tide."

"That doesn't answer my question."

The Headmaster's smile was cryptic. "Doesn't it?"

"If you do know something, why not just tell me?"

He merrly smiled. "Because knowledge is not always meant to be given- it is meant to be earned."

Aiden grit his teeth. He hated answers like that. It reminded him too much of his father's teachings, of lessons with half-truths and riddles meant to make him think rather than act.

Kairos turned back to him, expression unreadable. "You came here seeking truth, but tell me, Aiden, are you ready for it?"

Aiden didn't answer right away.

Was he?

"I just want to know what's really going on," he finally said.

Kairos studied him for a long moment before nodding.

"Then watch. Observe. And when the time comes, decide for yourself what to do with what you have learned. But make sure to tread carefully and to keep yourself safe."

Aiden wasn't sure if that was a warning or an invitation. But he had a feeling it was both.