Chapter 22: "Seeds of Doubt"
"We're almost done eating," Lucius said as he grazed his knife on the grilled spiced pork on his plate. He paused his actions, "But I'll wait for you 'til you get your portion. Can you walk to the counter?"
"I think I can, but-"
The Vampire Servant grabbed her arm before she could even stand up, "Sit. I will get your food."
The Master thanked him as he stood up and walked to the end of the line.
Arcea followed Sigmund with her gaze as he stood in line before looking at Ivory, "Your Servant has been acting weird ever since you came back. What if he acts obediently, then leaves you again like the last time?"
"We already did the Contract Ritual, so I think I'll have nothing to worry about," she smiled. "He's also been encouraging me to do well in the academy and train hard."
"Hmmm… if you say so," she puckered her lips before turning her head to Lucius, who was sitting at her side, "Lucius, what do you think about her situation?"
Lucius recalled the conversation he had with Sigmund in the field that day, and it really seemed like he's determined to make Ivory strong. If he had saved Ivory and her siblings from the fire the other night, then he's a capable Servant. The only flaw of this Vampire was his arrogance. If he could eliminate that attitude of his, then everything would be fine.
As he stared blankly on the table, he wondered if all Vampires were like him.
"Hello, Lucius? You there?" Arcea waved her hand in front of his sight.
Lucius blinked twice upon noticing her hand, "Huh? What?"
"I was asking what you think about Ivory's situation," she tilted her head while waiting for his response.
"Sorry, I spaced out," Lucius said apologetically. "If you ask me, I think she should give him a chance. If he willingly did the Contract Ritual, then it means there's a budding trust given to her. I think the same goes for Ivory."
Arcea nodded her head at him before looking at Ivory again. "By the way, Ivory, there's this strange rumor going around about Sigmund. They say he's a Spirit Servant? So what's the truth?"
Ivory's eyes wavered. She wondered if she would tell her friends about it, but remembering how seriously Principal Arthurdane explained the situation to them yesterday, she decided to hide the truth. "It's… it's true."
Even though Arcea believed her, Lucius didn't. The General's son had been taught to observe a person carefully and based on her little reactions, she's definitely lying.
Sigmund finally returned from the long line and gave Ivory's portion. On her plate was a scoop of mashed potato, chunks of steamed carrots, and a thick slice of grilled pork.
As the three of them ate, Sigmund just stared at his Master. Having superb hearing as a Vampire, he heard their conversation as clearly as a bell despite being in line to the counter. He was relieved that Ivory chose to believe in him and took Lucius' words as support to the both of them.
He then glanced at Arcea Knightwing whom he considered as a problem. Even if she was Ivory's friend, he would never forget how she had planted seeds of doubt that could endanger his Master's trust in him. He felt the urge to take the knife from Ivory's hand and cut off Arcea's tongue, but of course, he wouldn't. However, the next time she does it again, he would make sure she would regret spouting nonsense.
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Finally, after a long week, the weekend came. Sundays were the only free day for the students of Qawiun Academy, and Sigmund and Ivory were asked to be present at Omegalion City to meet with Principal Arthurdane at his house.
His home was found in one of the townhouse lanes in the city. A maid assisted them to get inside and asked them to wait for Principal Arthurdane in a small meeting room. There was a round wooden table at the center part of the room and as they sat on the wooden chairs, Ivory looked around, in awe of the interior design. The walls were made of huge stones while the ceiling had planks of finished wood. There was a large carpet that occupied almost all the area of the room. A head of a deer was hung on the wall, and a huge peacock replica was placed under a wide painting of a scenic view of the mountains.
Sigmund, however, ignored the beautiful interior. He had seen more intricate designs and more expensive displays in the Silverblade Castle in the past. At that moment, what captured his attention more was his Master who kept looking around the stone room. He kept staring at Ivory. She was so interesting to him that she didn't bore him in any way.
"Good morning," Principal Zwain Arthurdane said with a cheerful voice as he entered the room. He pulled a chair and sat across the Master and the Servant, "Have you had breakfast? Or would you prefer brunch?"
Ivory got startled on his entrance. "No, I am fine, sir. Thank you," she shyly said.
'What was that… that was cute,' Sigmund side eyed her as he thought.
"Alright, then I will just tell them to prepare lunch for later."
The same maid entered the room with a tea set trolley. She placed the two-tiered tray at the center of the table and arranged the assorted sweetened biscuits. With the help of another maid, she started pouring mint tea in their porcelain cups.
"Sir Arthurdane, the rumor about Sigmund being a Spirit Servant had spread. Was it you who started it?" Ivory glanced and smiled at the maid who just poured tea in her cup.
"Yes," he grabbed the biscuit tongs, took two pieces of sweetened biscuits, and placed them on Ivory's saucer. "Aside from the three of us, no one else knows about this information. But... I am planning to tell this to your Educators. What do you think?"
"I don't mind. As long as you think you can trust them," Sigmund responded.
"I also hid the truth from Lucius and Arcea," she fiddled her fingers. "It was hard, but I know I had to."
"Good decision. We need to be careful who to trust. And by the way," he took out scrolls from his bag placed on the other chair, "I found these old scrolls at the city library yesterday. These are the very old versions of our Master's guide scrolls back when the Servant Classes were still complete."
"You mean…" Sigmund looked at the Principal.
"Right before the Vampire class was banished."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone