Phantom Hunters | Saphir Casters Academy

43 | The Master Artisan

XLIII | THE MASTER ARTISAN

    Kael peeked from behind the corner, trying to figure out a way to go past the ambush of higher years standing in front of his classroom door. Ever since he ran off on them, the girls from the higher years had steeled their resolve to catch him and coerce him into telling them everything he knew about his brother. Why they were so obsessed with knowing, he did not know nor understand, but he didn't want to share Kly's private life with people he didn't know.

    Kael tapped his foot impatiently, drawing his pocket watch from his pocket and watching the seconds tick by. The girls continued to stand in his way, laughing at one another with sanctimoniously narrowed eyes. Clearly, they were only gathered because they all wanted the same thing rather than from mutual bonhomie.

    "Come on," Kael muttered, frustration causing a guttural groan to escape. "Get moving."

    It was then that a familiar figure passed by Kael without a greeting. Kael caught the sight of Garun's deep blue hair and familiar red scarf. He jumped the chance and grabbed the back of Garun's coat, causing the boy to halt in his steps.

    "What do you think you're doing?" Garun asked, his voice low and steady but lacking the detached coldness it used to carry.

    Kael, hoping that Garun would facilitate his walk to their next class, pleaded quietly. "Look, Garun. I know we're still on a shaky boulder in terms of our friendship, but could you be a real pal and cover for me until we get into the classroom?"

    "And why is that?" Garun attempted to pry Kael's clutch from his clothes. "Why should I help you?"

    "We're friends!" Kael hissed, peeking from behind Garun and ducking away when one of them whipped her head in their direction. The murmurs stopped, and Kael was sure they had seen him. He sighed, waiting for the girls to trap him in the middle and attack him with a barrage of sensitive questions.

    "Fine," Garun said. "But this doesn't mean anything."

    Caught off guard, Kael had no choice but to begin walking with Garun as his shield if he didn't want to fall forward from the unexpected advancement. As he drew closer, he realised that the girls crowding the door had dispersed. Kael let go and straightened with a relief.

    "Oh. They're gone." He shot Garun a grin. "Thanks, bud. I really appreciate it."

    Garun snorted and entered the classroom, closing the door in Kael's face. The latter frowned.

    "That's not very nice, Garun!" Kael yelled, opening the door. He paused when all eyes turned to him, then he shrugged and shut the door. "Is there something you'd like to say?"

    Nihir rolled his eyes from the back of the room, but Kael didn't mind him. Instead, he saw his friends at their usual spot at the middle. Grinning, he walked up the familiar carpeted steps and slid into an empty spot near them.

    "I can't believe you guys left me!" Kael said, playfully frowning. "They were waiting for me again. The last time they caught me, they wanted me to tell them how much Kly made in a year, and when I refused, they dragged me around like a dog for an hour! Had to tell them a lie to finally escape."

    Tyra snorted, but reserved herself before she could burst into laughter. Wynt snickered from beside Kael, and Rita didn't hold back when throwing her head back and guffawing at his misfortune.

    Fadhia only blinked in confusion. "Oh, hello there, Kael. I didn't see you there."

    "You're way more timid than I thought, duke." Rita rubbed her nose with the back of her finger. "I thought you'd barge right through them and demand they leave you alone."