The Queen stepped onto the pool’s surface, her feet melting into the water as if they were one and the same. “Azarat of the Seven Blades,” she said, “I would be honoured to hear of your exploits in your own words rather than through the whisperings of the waters, but my world requires my attention. I would suggest, however, that you work to strengthen your students mental defences as it would appear they are easily influenced by the most trivial of illusions,”

“I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty,” said Mr Haan, not once taking his eyes off the ground, “I would also like to apologise for my failure…”

“Too many seek to apologise today,” said the Queen, “You did not fail. The evidence suggests that this golem’s appearance was planned to take advantage of your weaknesses. There was nothing you or your staff could have done in your current condition,”

“It came out of nowhere!” interrupted Phantasia, “I got attacked by one before. They just sorta grow outta the earth without much warning!”

“Still, our defences are below acceptable standards…” began Mr Haan, “Had that creature been immediately hostile…”

“That is the harsh reality of the world you live in,” said the Queen, “You yourself have wandered it and should understand this as much as any human. The focus of your strength is not sensing, but acting. Your quick reactions helped protect your students,”

The Queen’s body began to melt into the water’s surface. Mr Haan continued to avert his gaze, his powerful aura compressed like packed dirt. Ms James was busy kicking around the soil remains of the golem.

“Princess Phantasia, Lady Faye,” began the Queen, turning to face them as the water reached her chest, “You should learn from these humans. When you stand alone your weaknesses are exposed. Help each other, protect one another, and learn to turn those weaknesses into strength,”

The Queen left the brief impression of her sweeping hair across the surface of the pool for a few seconds after she vanished, then Mr Haan and Ms Clarke rose to their feet and hurried over to Phantasia and Faye.

“You are the new student then?” asked Mr Haan.

“It is not my intention to show up your students,” replied Faye, “I shall restrain my inhuman nature with more vigour than Princess Phantasia,”

Mr Haan chuckled. “She hears as much as Payne told us she would,”

Ms Clarke stepped forward and held out her hand. “I’m…”

“Laura Clarke,” said Faye, “Twenty-eight years old, teacher of the human-devised logic system known as mathematics and resident nurse of Torsten Academy, specialising in transmutational healing powers. I can assure you that, as ethereal beings, neither myself nor Princess Phantasia require medical assistance and so your concern for our physical well-being is both illogical and unnecessary,”

Ms James waltzed over, brushing golem-dirt off her hands and with a suspicious look in her flickering eyes. “How much does this kid know, exactly?”

“I am aware that you are a demon,” said Faye – Ms James cringed – “As is Princess Phantasia. I do not believe she is aware this is a secret known only to the Academy staff, however, and that you would prefer it kept that way,”

“Is it that obvious?” whined Ms James.

“It’s all in the eyes,” said Phantasia.

“And no, we do not hate you,” added Faye, replying to an unheard question, “You did not succumb to corruption, but were rather born a demon. I would also bring to your attention that a shift in mental energies suggests another illusion has been activated,”

Azarat Haan shook his head, as if discarding the false memories. “Another gas explosion,” he said.

“They don’t have much originality, do they?” said Ms Clarke.

“I wish it were an explosion,” said Ms James, casting a sorrowful look back at the golem’s remains.

As the dust settles, the storm clouds gather!
Next: the truth was recorded…?!

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Chapter 41
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