Chapter 7 Part 1: The Professor

Calm, collected. That’s what he needed to present. Yet Jun’s neck was tight, his hand clamy.

“What did you say?” he spoke, voice somehow managing to remain steady. Professor Isidor smiked.

“I suppose I should phrase that a bit differently. In short, Jun Jinshari, your people are not welcome.”

Jun stilled, mind working overtime. How would Jasper get the upper hand in this situation?

“And yet, it was Amalie Ernested who brought them here.” He looked towards Lira who bowed as she left. Jun indicated to the seats and Isidor’s smile vanished before he accepted the offer. Jun waited a bit and then sighed as he sat opposite him.

“That White Flame overstepped her authority. Even the other White Flames agree on that.”

Jun let his eyes narrow as he stared down the man. How was he supposed to take this? Amalie was one of the Ten White Flames of the academy, even if they disagreed, their priority was protecting those with sacred burns, and keeping the island safe. What was the problem with his faction staying here for a time? Especially when the Matriarch was hunting them.

His silence caused Isidor to frown before he shook his head.

“Disagree all you want, but falsified burns are not acceptable.”

Jun eyed the professor before speaking.

“I seem to recall a few White Flames who came to this school like that.” Jun hummed and the man frowned.

“A few coming through is not the same as a whole nation. Frankly this is considered an invasion amongst the professors and several have stated they won’t be teaching those who aren’t chosen. It is their right after all.”

Jun’s heart paused for a moment and he shut his mouth. Stay calm. He recalled the notes Jasper left behind, along with Amalie’s warnings. She may have found a loophole in the system to save his people, but it wouldn’t come without consequence. The best thing to do was show a calm facade when faced with challenges and choose how you react. What did he need right now? Cooperation? Assimilation? Forebarance?

“I see.” He conceded. Isidor’s face slumped. “Though if their burns were sacred, that wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Tut tut, child. It’s not so simple.”

Jun tilted his head, allowing the man to finish.

“Their burns happened after arriving. I’ve come to inform you that even should their burns turn sacred, you will find few teachers who would accept them at school.”

Jun heard a sharp intake of breath and he closed his eyes, refusing to look the hallway.

“And is this the wish of the prinicple? The Ten White Flames? Am I take it that you are their messanger?” he asked in a low voice, prayer begining to circulate. The man’s eyes grew wide as his frame shrank back.

“We cannot condone such actions. The island would be overrun with infidels, imposters, and infultrators. This is a haven for the Chosen, not the wannabes.”

“And yet the nobles send their scalded children without quip or bluster. If you want to preach to me, then make sure your methods of testing are fairly distrubuted. Do we need to call on the White Flames to make sure all who set foot on the island are so pure?”

White flicked at the edge of his vision and he noted the changing hair color. He closed his eyes as Isidor stepped back, a light whimper on his touge.

“What? I did not- you can’t be-“

Jun quickly froze his prayer, stuffing it into the organ of storage. The change was drastic, leaving him feeling cold.

“Hmph. Watch yourself, boy. Even if your servants find themselves in the good graces of the Silver Flame, they cannot stay with you.”

Jun stared at the man who straightened before pointing at him.

“On this island there is not status, station, power or heritage that puts one above other. In that, you will find no quarter. If your servants want to be taught with sacred burns, they must abandon you.”

“Get out.” Jun hissed, circulating his prayer to ignite into a white fire at his left palm. Isidor jumped before snarling as he left. Jun watched, rooted to his spot. Lira’s head poked out as the man left and she looked at his departing frame before her eyes settled on Jun. Her brows where pinched together before she brought in a few snacks. He swallowed hard before looking away.

“Mi Lord?”

His heart seized and he moved to his chair.

“Enough of that Lira. I know you heard him.”

He waited, hearing the clinking of the tray as she set it down. How was he supposed to react to all this? The hostility felt unfair, unjust. It wasn’t his fault that the Matriach had gone on a massacar. Nor had he any say when Amalie had brought them here. Yet, if he had stayed at the estate, the Matriarch wouldn’t have made her move. His absence had caused this. He slammed the table and bit his lip. Should he talk with Amalie about this? The words in the letter had left a mark, that much he was sure of. And he hated it.

As his emotions surged, he felt the prayer begin to circulate again. However, a hand grasped his own and as he looked up, he saw Lira staring at him, pinched brows now upturned.

“Jun. Even if we were forbidden from serving you, we would not betray you, or leave your side. Many would rather not participate in this school if we were forced to abandon you.”

He shook his head. Was this her attempt to comfort him? He pulled his hand away and rested his head on the table.

“It’s not that, Lira.”

“Then-“

“Just, leave. I need some time to think over this.”

The silence grew and Jun closed his eyes. Something draped over his shoulders, pulling him from his thoughts and he shifted, eyes scanning what this was.

Lira smiled and he noted the blanket on his shoulders. As he watched, she pulled a cusion over and sat down, a basket somehow finding it’s way here. Jun blinked as she began to sort the items inside, continuing in quiet company.

“Lira?” he called and she paused, smiling but shaking her head.

“We can talk when you are ready. For now, it would be prudent to make sure you are not left alone. After all, you tend to do foolish things if left to your own devices, and Lady Mei is currently absent.”

Jun felt his mouth part as she spoke, his mind still and silent as she sorted and took inventory. The seconds ticked by and he closed his eyes, resting in the chair.

“Lira?”

“Yes milord?”

“Call for Amalie or Bernard.”

“Of course, milord. Right away.”

She rose and headed to the door before waving down another servant who left in a hurry. With the message relayed, she returned to her spot and Jun let her presence keep him from spiraling into that mess of thoughts. Only one persisted. How much had the Matriarch orchestrated?