Valeriana was confused at the sudden request of the king's brother to speak with Zander. It wasn't only her, though. Even Coral and Cail had their knickers in a twist over it.

With everything going on, they still refused to 'smile' as Lienhard requested of them. It was unreasonable, anyway.

PC Class ended and so did her other lessons for the day. Valeriana navigated the long hallways of the Academy when she had her name bouncing off the halls all of a sudden, leaving her too stunned and bewildered to continue walking. As she looked behind, she saw three familiar faces coming at her like a speeding car.

"Miss Valeriana!"

"We missed you!"

"You're really back!"

They were not different from little kids just then. Quincy, Zoel, and Poulette were a sight to see. They halted right in front of Valeriana and bowed at the waist briefly before looking up at her with big grins. Poulette had a salute ready when he stood.

"You'll be glad to hear about the progress of our official support club!"

"Well, hello! I missed you guys too! Sorry for not telling you I was leaving. It wasn't exactly something I could say." She chortled. "What's up? What support club?"

"Of your supporters, of course!" Zoel pulled up a paper in front of Valeriana's face and revealed writings scribbled over it.

'Roaring Tiger Support! Let us show the fifth-ranker is not just any weakling!'

Val coughed out a laugh. The catchphrase wasn't exactly catchy--a bit on the overused and corny side but it brought her good mood.

She was sort of glad the hallways were wide enough that they did not crowd it too much. With classes dismissed, the presence of the students in the hallways was the farthest thing from scarce.

"You guys come up with the weirdest things." She told them fondly. "What else were you up to while I was gone?"

"Practicing the team chant!" Quincy squealed. "Quick! Quick! Show her what we practiced!"

"Before that!" Poulette pulled somebody from behind them and nudged a girl around their age forward. "She wanted to become your aide, too!"

"Oh." Valeriana smiled at the familiar face, although somewhat shocked at first. She quickly recovered and responded. "Your name is Hayne, right? The one from before?"

The girl froze, her eyes widening as huge as saucers. The exaggerated reaction made her seem like a deer in the headlights until Poulette gave her another push that snapped her out of the state she was in.

"Y-YES!" She exclaimed so loud her voice reverberated. "IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND TO TAKE ME IN AS YOUR AIDE, I WOULD BE H-H-H-H . . ."

If it wasn't more amusing, she began to look like a frightened cat.

Valeriana grimaced, but felt amused. She never felt so loved. "Aren't you just adorable?" She giggled, reaching out to give the girl a huge hug. "Why the heck not! It wouldn't harm anybody if there's another addition to the group!"

"Yes!" All three chorused. "Hayne's a member!"

"Now to practice the chant!" Quincy squealed.

They grouped and formed a straight line. Out of nowhere, drum beats echoed and a chorus of voices sang.

"Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oah! Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oah! You're gonna hear her ROAR! "

People were watching.

"Okay, guys!" Valeriana clapped. "Save this one for later since we're getting weird looks." She told them, winking. "Not to mention I still have a meeting to attend to. The Summer Festival's preparations are up to us, so we're a little busy. If you guys are up to it, we can find the time to watch your chant!"

They seemed a little defueled when she started talking, but when she finally finished, they were elated.

"Sure thing, Miss! Tell us if you need help!"

"I sure will!"

-*-

The fourth dropped by his room to grab some documents he wished to present before the Headmaster. During the course of his action, he caught sight of the piles of notes he had found himself pinning on his walls.

Charles had a handful of mysteries in hand waiting to be solved. The most interesting subject had been no other than the fifth-ranker herself. So far, with so many questions, there were two main topics he wanted to get to the bottom of.

Who is Valeriana? If she is a Valemnian, how did she end up on Earth?

If that wasn't big enough of a mystery, there was still that other problem.

Why is she being targeted by demons?

In the notes he managed to jut down during the midst of the mystery, he had found many clues waiting to be pieced together.

First was her soul sensitivity which eventually developed into her ability to see auras.

Second was her enigmatic father who supposedly died two years, human time, before her arrival in Valemnia. Janus Kerrigan was supposed to be his name.

Third was her bracelet which had the trademark design of Valemnia. When it came off, it revealed a slightly improved aura than when she first joined the academy. Supposedly, this artifact was given to her during her fifth birthday. As to why it was given, aside from a gift, Charles had his doubts.

Fourth was her Direct Control.

The fourth-ranker leaned back on his seat, feeling frustrated. He already had a bunch of theories listed down inside his notebook, but he needed more clues in order to gain a firmer standing. Everything around him seemed to be in utter turmoil, in fact, the problems just kept on popping. With the Summer Festival situation still unsolved, there was still that disturbing discovery they made in Prelurèsia and that strange infection that infected Cifaro's pack.

Standing up and heading out if his room, he decided to pay the Headmaster a little visit before the Gathering started.

His walk to the office was fairly uneventful, save for the time when he arrived. The fourth was surprised to see the young lord Corvan present as well. The sight was not strange, but something was amiss.

"Lucky, is it not?" The Headmaster smiled. "Lord Charles arrived not a minute later after Lord Corvan had."

Charles exchanged looks with the first-ranker and gave a brief sigh. With how things were going, he might not be even able to call Corvan the first anymore. However, if things take turn for the better on his side, he might not be called the fourth any longer. The smallest smirk appeared on his lips too briefly for the two to notice. Hiding the clear emotions within his eyes behind his glasses, he reached up to fix the accessory and moved further into the room.

"I have a few inquiries I wish to make, Headmaster." He said, formality in both his aura and voice. "However, if confidentiality is required in your discussion with Lord Corvan, I'll find another time to talk to you."

"This matter needs no hiding from you." Answered Corvan as he shot Charles a wary gaze. "After all, it is very obvious you are into it more than anyone. There's no use keeping it a secret."

He raised a brow and gave his fellow ranker a questioning look. "And what is this?"

"I require information regarding the whereabouts of the Court Leader." He stated. "I figured coming here would be the best."

Kylon, who was seated behind his desk, reclined on his chair and calmly asked, "Why would you need to?"

"I have found a very important clue regarding Valeriana's origin and I wish to speak to him about it." He fingered something in the inner pocket of his outer uniform and brought out some sort of card. "If you can offer any valuable insight, it would be very helpful."

The quality of the picture was outstanding. This technology was very similar to the 'movie' Valeriana made them watch before. Even so, that wasn't the first thing that came to mind.

"What is that little contraption you have in your hand?" Charles inquired.

"A family portrait should be the simplest term. One of those amazing crafts humans call their technology. A photo of Janus Kerrigan's face has been made available."

Charles's curiosity reached it peak. He eagerly held his hand out. "May I?"

Once he was handed the photo, it felt as though he had been given a huge brick and then had it slapped right down his back.

"This . . ." He held his breath as he glared down at the item. " Never had I suspected. When I mentioned the fact that Valeriana's father could be somebody or nobody at all . . ."

"What?" The other two chorused.

"He was actually both."

Kylon stood up, the suspense nicking at his throat. "Who is Valeriana's father?"

He looked up and gave them a grin. "Well, that answers the most part of the mystery. We finally have something to start with."

Corvan was impatient. "Can you answer us straight? Who is this man?"

"It just so happens." He gave a light sigh and an amused grin. "He's a relative. A cousin of the Vernados family and the appointed official knight by the right hand of my father and grandfather. His true name? Garvyn Vernados Elgar. I'll recognize him anywhere. He might've aged but he can be no other person."

Corvan and Kylon were too taken aback to react immediately. Even Charles himself had trouble trying to wrap his mind around it.

Valeriana had the trademark color of blue in her eyes that symbolized her possible lineage from the family. The blond hair was another sign.

"What makes you so sure he is the person you speak of?" Kylon collapsed in his seat, flabbergasted.

"His alias Janus." Charles bit down on his lip. To think he was actually related to the girl in more ways than being co-rankers. "He did not just get it anywhere. He got it from the late holder of his position with the same name. They should be close. Aside from being master and disciple, they were like father and son."

"To think that wench might actually be related to nobility . . ." Corvan had trouble comprehending the revelation.

Charles gave a small chortle. "If it is as how we see it, she'll be called my second cousin."

Silence.

"I see." The white-gaired man nodded.

"It makes sense, then." Corvan spoke. "Being a knight, he might be well-versed in the manner of combat. Valeriana admitted being taught in that area. But he had another name."

"What?"

"Andrès?"

(A/N: I know I added an s but that's just because of the typo. Hard time writing on the phone. Without an s, it'll be a French name.)

"I know what that might be for." Headmaster Kylon whispered.

The two dragged their gazes at him.

"His sense of humor."

Charles and Corvan deadpanned.

The man gave them a shrug. "That man was my senior when I was studying in the academy. Although we weren't particularly close, his skills in hand-to-hand combat gained him respect. It took me a while to recognize him. He got a bit . . . wide."

"Fat, you mean." Charles corrected. "I agree."

"I prefer wide." Kylon firmly said.

"Still, that isn't the end of it." He placed the papers he carried in front of the headmaster. "These are all the results of my observations of Valeriana's case."

"You're taking this quite seriously, aren't you?" Headmaster Kylon bemusedly replied, looking through the pile presented to him. "Perhaps you enjoy filing these sort of . . . affairs."

"I have also begun on the infection case, as a matter-of-fact. The other one I'm working on is regarding the continuous attempts made on Valeriana's life, if ever this has something to do with the girl's origin or if it is something else."

"I thank the fact that this room is protected from eavesdroppers or we might have already been discovered." Headmaster Kylon sighed. "I have something to confess, anyhow."

Charles and Corvan readied their ears.

"We had Lord Lienhard check the barrier's condition and see which part of it might've been affected by the demon's entry. Instead . . . odd as it is, there seems to be nothing." He laced his fingers in front of him and stared ahead. "If there ever was a hole, the demons should have continued to attack. The archduke has found none, so far."

"There is no other way for a demon to enter the academy. With the teleportation portals heavily guarded, there is no other way to enter. Unless, of course . . ." Corvan trailed off, aghast at the emerging thought.

"A summoning has been performed." Charles narrowed his eyes. "Someone in the academy is associating themselves with demons."

"Alright. First things first, since you two are already here, I'll give you both an assignment."

"What is it?"

"I'm ready."

"Get to the bottom of this demon matter. I have been thinking about it since before, how to catch this perpetrator. I cannot easily drag just somebody into this matter as I cannot risk compromising this fact. With the Twelve all gone, I had no one to assign. Anyhow, I do not care how you do it. Just do it silently the way that it'll not cause any panic among the student body." He gave the two his most serious look and nodded at them. "I have already did some initial investigation, but I want your opinion. Who's your primary suspect?"

"The person masquerading herself as a dear friend and supporter of the girl. The only one present during duch time Valeriana was first attacked in the bath but reappeared after it was unsuccessful." The first-ranker started. "Chavi Audwin."

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