Chapter 57 - Crill & Co (2/2)

”Trade secret.”

Lydis dismissed his comment. If it really was a tracking device then why would they need to track her? Had she drawn too much attention? Did the school find out about her behavior on the border? Maybe, it was the rabbit…

Sighing loudly, Lydis's eyebrows became tightly knit together. There were too many variables to think about, especially with her death soon approaching. Two months, two more months and then her soul would explode. Life couldn't be any better for Lydis.

*sigh* ”I'm in room two-thirty-nine. If you need anything have one of your goons come and find me. Although, I would prefer if all of you properly cleaned yourselves next time we meet.”

Crill smirked but didn't really mind. They would definitely take advantage of the dorm's utilities to the fullest. Free meals, a warm roof and a chance to learn. This one opportunity had given them hope for a better future. Even when the future seemed impossible to grasp, even if they were beaten half to death, they would still crawl to the academy and fight for a chance to change their fate.

”Alright. In the future you'll owe me one so even if I make a member of the Horoscopes angry they wouldn't dare do anything.”

Lydis thought about it and shrugged.

”When children grow, they become unpredictable.”

”Why do you talk like you're not a child either?”

Lydis only smiled and whispered.

”Trade secret.”

Crill took the hit and acted as if Lydis had actually punched him. Holding his shoulder and groaning, Crill put on a playful act.

”Oh, the master is truly undefeatable!”

Lydis scoffed at Crill's actions. Although she did enjoy his acting he had said something interesting.

”Master? Why would you call me that?”

”That is because I've chosen to devote my life to you! Our savior!” Crill began to act like a hopeless fanatic. His exaggerated facial expressions and the way he said his words were obvious signs of Crill just messing around. As Crill continued to speak words of praise Lydis decided to jump in as well.

”If I am the master, then you are just a jester, so dance.”

Surprised at Lydis joining, Crill froze for a moment before continuing his act. This time his voice was even louder.

”Dance! A dance it is!”

Raising his arms, Crill motioned for all the slum kids to join in. Not really sure of what to do, Theda started to swing and dance around the children. Her laughter instantly easing the mood and soon, all the slum kids began to twirl and dance. Although they did so without much coordination the kids made sure to maintain a circle around Lydis and Crill.

Soon their laughter echoed all over the room. The nobles and commoners looked at the dancing slum kids with distaste. Could it be that they were too overjoyed at finally having people to leech off of? Or did the slum kids finally go crazy? Everyone averted their eyes as they didn't want to look at the slum kid's madness any longer. As the dancing grew more wild the circle widened.

In the middle of the chaotic dancing Crill stopped twirling and crouched low to the floor, his body hidden by the sea of other children. Lydis followed suit at the same time.

”Lydis, here. A message from our previous caretaker. They said your eyes only.”

Lydis reached for the small note and realized that it was the paper Crill was looking at before her arrival. Taking the crumpled not Lydis noticed the sweet smell coming from it, almost like flowers.

”Is that all?”

”Yeah. If anything else comes up I'll have Theda deliver it since she truly worships you.” Crill jumped up and quickly made two hand motions with his left hand. One was a quick flick of three fingers while the second was an open palm quickly curling clockwise.

Slowly the rapid dancing began to part, just enough for Lydis to walk through comfortably. Crill watched as Lydis made her way through calmly.

”I hope this wasn't a mistake. I really, truly hope that this is the turning point for us.” Another small boy appeared next to Crill. It looked like the one who had led Lydis there.

”Boss, we all trust you. Even if ya were ta lead us all to our deaths, we would never desert you.”

Crill looked at the other small boy with a sad smile.

”Even if death came for me personally I wouldn't die.”

”Crill, save your false bravado for people who care.”

”W-what do you mean? Didn't you just say you'll follow me even in death? Right Qian?”

Qian's eyes narrowed but his smile showed his true feelings. After a pause they couldn't hold in their laughter. Laughing, both boys patted each other's backs and re-entered the wild ring of dancers around them.