Some Minor Interrogation

“Hey, what’s going-” John started, but was abruptly cut off as the redhead he only knew by name pointed her warhammer at him.

“These grounds are under the protection of the Order of the Golden Rose! You have till the count of three to explain your purpose here, or else be slain on the spot! One!”

“Woah! Woah! Woah!” He held up his hands as he took several steps back. John’s heart felt like it might explode as the whiplash from seeing someone else with powers had been immediately followed up by a direct threat to his life. And from the cold gaze that she looked at him with, she *really* didn’t seem to be making empty threats.

“I just wanted to test out this power, okay!? Really!” John began as he breathed heavily. “I just woke up with these abilities today, and have no idea what this Order even is, okay?! I’m John Newman, just another student here like you!”

Moira’s expression had been judgmental as he’d spoken, up to the moment where he mentioned his name. It was then that he saw a flash of recognition in her eyes, and that hardened expression then softened… just a little. It was at this moment that the young man couldn’t help but be slightly thankful that he had a reputation in the Academy, even if it was a poor one.

“Newman… so you claim to be just a Latebloomer then?” She asked, her eyes practically boring into his soul. John couldn’t help but gulp as it felt like he wasn’t out of the woods quite yet. His gaze flickered to the warhammer in her hand, and a disturbing image flashed in his mind of his head being on the receiving end of it.

“I-I guess? If Latebloomer means what I’m guessing it means? Like I said, I just woke up today and was able to start seeing things like they’re a video game. I got the Create Barrier Skill from a Quest, and was just testing it now, that’s all. I didn’t know this area was protected, okay? Or that there were even other people with powers until just now,” he explained, hoping it was best to just be honest and put all his cards on the table.

At the same time, John caught himself taking a half-step back. Just trying to talk normally had been hard enough, but his ears were still roaring as his legs trembled a bit. Yet something deep down told him that running could be seen as an admission of guilt. Along with the shield and warhammer in her hands, she wore armored greaves with a long chainmail hauberk. Emblazoned on the shield itself was a sigil of a rose painted in gold.

However, there was something more to it as well that made his brain scream “paladin”, an archetype known for smiting first and asking questions never. It wasn’t her equipment or even her attitude, but as he stood before her, the very air around Moira Brighton felt… intense. John couldn’t explain it logically, but it truly felt like he was in the presence of some divine judge who’d see right through any lies.

A few painfully long moments then passed as she scrutinized him. It looked like she was weighing his explanation, though it was hard for John to get a read on what she could actually be thinking at that moment. Though she hadn’t immediately accused him of lying or simply charged him with her weapon, so that was a good sign, right?

In between his worries, he had the thought of whether he should try to use Observe on her. But it was just as quickly dismissed. If she could also just barge into this space created by his Skill, then who knew if she would be able to sense his other Skill as well. So he’d rather be safe than sorry when it came to using Observe on another magical person.

Slightly, Moira lowered her warhammer. “Very well, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. But only on two conditions. You will refrain from further use of magic while within the bounds of Ashcroft Academy. Then, after classes are done today, you will join me in a visit to Brighton Manor. There, we can see how to scrutinize your story under the eyes of the Lady.”

She said the last words with a bit of stress while still holding his gaze, as though gauging his reaction. On the inside, Jonn felt his stomach twist a bit as he considered it. It wasn’t like he exactly had much choice in the matter, but being asked to come alone to someone else’s manor in these circumstances felt… unnerving. The only thing he could immediately recall about the Brighton family was that they stood out from the rest of the local rich families because it wasn’t that long ago that they had moved to Springfield from Britain. Something which could still be heard in the only somewhat subtle accent Moria spoke with.

“...Alright,” John simply replied. He just truly didn’t know of any other way he could have responded to that. But then, just as Moira nodded and began to turn away, the young man couldn’t stop himself from blurting out one thing on his mind.

“Are there others? That can use magic, I mean?”

Moira glanced back, an eyebrow raised. “Yes, you’ll see plenty more after school. If you are just a Latebloomer, plenty will be explained to you soon enough. Just stay out of trouble until then, and don’t be late.”

On that note, the red-headed woman fully turned away and pressed her warhammer against her shield, where the former then disappeared. Yet with her back now to him, John found his gaze going downward. Despite the adrenaline that still coursed through his veins, his eyes locked onto the athletic thighs that remained uncovered between the chainmail armor and greaves.

He glanced over to the nearby clock on a wall and couldn’t believe that classes had only been in session for a couple of minutes now. Had that heart-racing encounter really been so short? His idea had been to see if he could open a row of Barriers to simply ditch classes for the day and explore his abilities some more. At least that way, he’d be guaranteed not to have to deal with Frank anymore today. But with that date with Moira now cemented, it wouldn’t be wise for him to leave school at all, in case she somehow found out before the end of the day.

Yet as he sighed, John found himself smiling a little. That surprise confrontation with Moira had nearly made him crap his pants there and then. However, something about it was also exciting. He wasn’t just some freak of nature that had possibly gone completely insane and couldn’t even realize it. There was a whole new world out there for him to explore and learn more about. A magical world, where he couldn’t even begin to imagine what he might soon discover.

But for the time being…

John rolled his shoulders as he went over to his first class of the day, even if he was already late. It was the first day back out of the break, so if he went now, he shouldn’t get too much more than just a mild remark from the teacher as he took his seat. It was hard to imagine that with what he had to look forward to later, he’d be able to pay any real amount of attention to Literature or any of his other classes. But he would have to just wait the clock out and coast.

The young man got to class, and as predicted, got a remark about being late and to take his seat. Which he did, to then pull out his textbook and flip over to the right chapter so that he could at least pretend that he would be paying attention. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t try to use Observe or see if he could potentially unlock any other Skills in the meantime. He had no idea if Moira would be able to find out if he did, but he figured it was better to play it safe for now.

And so, John Newman prepared to sit through what very well might end up being the slowest eight hours of his life.