Underneath the Silhouette
Chapter 98: Shade’s Stand

Chapter 98: Shade’s Stand

Pierre’s forehead creased in confusion. "What makes you say that?"

"Because she doesn’t improve when she’s with you," Shade stated bluntly, his smirk widening, a mischievous gleam in his dark eyes.

Eirin’s eyes widened in alarm, a gasp catching in her throat. Pierre’s mouth hung open in disbelief, his fork clattering against his plate. "What makes you say that? She’s been showing marked improvement!"

"Because she’s been—"

"No!" Eirin cut Shade off sharply, her face flushing with embarrassment, flustered by what he was about to reveal, by the intimate nature of her private training with him. "I’m just..." The hesitation was clear in Eirin’s voice as she glanced at Shade. Once she saw his unrepentant smirk, the triumph in his eyes, she knew there was no way out but to be honest.

Eirin sighed, a sound of resignation, her shoulders slumping. "Shade’s been helping me with my training," she admitted, her voice soft, almost a mumble.

Coleen’s mouth now hung open in genuine shock, a mirror of Pierre’s earlier expression. Trix, ever quick to react, immediately closed Coleen’s mouth with his hand, his eyes gleaming with amused interest as he gazed at the two, a silent question in his gaze.

"And he’s been able to help me improve... quite a lot," Eirin continued, her voice softer now, almost pleading, justifying her decision. "That’s why I was thinking if I could just train with him for now...?"

Shade’s laughter, a rare and startling sound, suddenly filled the room. It was a genuine, unrestrained peal of mirth that left Eirin with her eyes wide open, dumbfounded, as were everyone else in the room. It wasn’t a cynical laugh, or a teasing one, but a pure, unadulterated burst of joy.

Trix, who had been watching the two with such amusement in his eyes, was now left dumbfounded himself. He couldn’t even speak, his jaw slack, as he watched his long-time friend laugh like there was no tomorrow, a sight he had rarely, if ever, witnessed. Shade Cromwell, the perpetually sullen, angry Shade Cromwell, was laughing.

"What’s so funny?" Eirin nudged Shade, a hint of annoyance in her voice, but the young man simply kept laughing, even holding onto his stomach, his eyes disappearing into slits of mirth. He wiped a tear of laughter from his eye, consumed by his amusement.

Coleen and Link exchanged bewildered glances at the unprecedented display. The usually brooding Shade Cromwell was laughing his heart out; it was such a rare phenomenon that Sapphire even dropped her pen and small notebook, captivated by the sight, momentarily forgetting her earlier shame.

All their attention was suddenly snatched away by a crisp, echoing announcement that resonated throughout the entire school, amplified by unseen magical channels, even reaching the farthest, rarely used end of the second building.

"Attention all students: All students shall return to their dormitories to tidy up immediately. Inspection will commence shortly. Compliance is mandatory."

Coleen immediately clung to Eirin’s arm as they made their way towards the dormitories, shooting lingering glares at Shade who walked casually beside them, still chuckling to himself, seemingly on his own little cloud of happiness. The gang split up into their designated rooms, Coleen still clinging on Eirin’s arm, couldn’t stop pouting, grumbling under her breath.

"Are you sure you’re not in love with Shade?" Coleen continued asking, her voice muffled, even after they got inside their room, the door swinging shut behind them. "Didn’t you hate him before for bullying you? He also tried to kill you and—"

Eirin ruffled Coleen’s hair, a soft smile on her face. "I don’t like him romantically, Coco, but I don’t hate him either," she said, her voice gentle but firm, trying to soothe her friend’s anxieties. "Maybe the true love’s kiss was just a faux."

Coleen’s face instantly brightened, a wave of palpable relief washing over her. "Right? I knew it! Let’s go clean!" she said in a cheery manner, her spirits lifting immediately, completely forgetting the chaos that had transpired just moments before. She grabbed a dust cloth with renewed vigor.

The sudden academy-wide dormitory cleanup seemed to come out of nowhere, a mysterious decree from the higher-ups, but the two girls, accustomed to the Academy’s often-mysterious mandates, did not question the reason behind it. That is, until they heard a soft, precise knock on their door, just as they finished tidying their beds.

"Eirin, are you in there?"

Eirin’s ears perked up, recognizing the familiar, calm voice of Miss Welkins. She rushed to the door and opened it immediately, a small hopeful smile on her face.

"Miss Welkins," she greeted the lady, her voice light. "You came exactly on time. I have a question about the deliveryman—the one that delivers letter or items to the Infirmus." The thought of Bright Goodwin still tugged at her.

Miss Welkins smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "We shall talk about it on the way. I just came to remind you that Miss Jenkins is waiting for you in the laboratory in the second building. I shall guide your way." Her tone gentle, but firm, leaving no room for argument."

Eirin had only just remembered that Queen Regina had told her to meet Scarlett Jenkins after class, but she had been far too distracted with the continuous, chaotic events brought or induced by Trixtan Laxford, the unexpected transformations, and the general uproar.

"I should go with you," Coleen said, putting down the broom she was holding, a look of concern on her face, her eyes fixed on Eirin.

Miss Welkins shook her head gently, a polite but unyielding refusal. "The Miss ordered not to let anyone tag along. I apologize, Miss McGuffin."

Coleen, left with no choice, stayed in the dormitory, her shoulders slumping slightly, a worried frown on her face, while Eirin, a prickle of apprehension in her stomach, followed Miss Welkins towards the second building, its rarely used halls now seeming to hum with a quiet, purposeful energy.

Shade, who had returned to the second building after being instructed to clean up there, spotted Eirin with Miss Welkins from a distance, his dark eyes narrowing. He watched their progress with a brooding intensity.

"I apologize for not being able to inform you sooner about your meeting," Miss Welkins said as they walked, sensing Eirin’s quiet contemplation. "I thought you were too busy with everything to think of it," she added, trying her best not to offend the teenage girl.

Knowing how incredibly busy and burdened the lady could be, her days filled with endless tasks, Eirin didn’t press any further. She simply nodded, only reminding Miss Welkins, with a quiet urgency, that she wanted to be informed immediately if the deliveryman ever returned from the Infirmus, a small, persistent worry in her mind.

Shade, from his vantage point, raised a brow, staring intently in the direction they were going, his gaze following their path. He rolled his eyes, a familiar gesture of annoyance, before stealthily following them from behind, his movements fluid and silent, like a shadow detaching itself from the wall.

Miss Welkins left Eirin in front of the laboratory’s imposing door, offering a small, encouraging smile before turning and walking away. Eirin took a deep breath, composed herself, her heart giving a nervous flutter, and knocked before slowly pushing the door open, stepping inside the quiet, sterile space.

"As far as I remember, I told Anna to bring only Luxfield here," Scarlett Jenkins said, her back facing Eirin as she stepped inside. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet of the lab, tinged with irritation. "Why is there another pest?"

Scarlett turned around, her eyes narrowing into a fierce glare that instantly landed on Shade, who had unbeknownst to Eirin, slipped in behind her, melting into the shadow of the doorways. This caused Eirin to look behind her, and she flinched, startled into awareness of the young man’s unexpected, silent presence.

"Leave. I have to talk to Luxfield, alone," Scarlett’s voice was cold, a clear dismissal, a dismissal that brooked no argument.

Shade, stood just inside the doorway, a shadow against the stark light. He didn’t budge. A low growl rumbled deep in his chest, a sound that seemed too primal for a human, even a teenage boy. "Don’t you dare try that with her again," he snarled, his eyes, usually blazing with uncontrolled magical fire, now held a dangerous, simmering resentment. A faint tremor ran through the air, hinting at the force he was suppressing.

"You used her, remember?" Shade continued, his voice tight with accusation. "For your twisted little experiments." He stepped fully into the room, placing himself deliberately between Eirin and Scarlett, his posture a clear, unyielding challenge.

The air thickened, charged with an unseen tension that felt almost physical, a silent battle of wills.

Scarlett’s cold expression, initially one of irritation at Shade’s defiance, suddenly flickered. Her eyes, usually narrowed in calculation, widened almost imperceptibly as they swept over Shade’s form, taking in his increased height, the sharp angles of his jaw, the familiar, surly set of his shoulders.

A ghost of a smile, unsettling in its faintness, touched Scarlett’s lips. It was a smile of pure, detached curiosity, like a scientist observing a remarkable specimen.