To Be a Power in the Shadows! (LN) - Volume 5 - Chapter 1.5

Part 5

Claire emerges from the guidance counselor’s office and lets out a small sigh. “Well, that was dreadful.”

The head teacher just scolded her for nearly an hour, and the light streaming into the hallway is taking on hues of red.

Off in the distance, she can hear students chatting. Her footsteps echo through the empty corridor.

“Of all the classes it could have been, why did it have to be Cid’s? I have no idea how I’m supposed to look him in the eye tomorrow.” She blushes, then turns to the empty air. “And it’s all your fault.”

“Wow, rude. That was in no way my fault.”

“Then explain to me what did happen. Nobody’s going to believe me if I tell them I got attacked by some weird people in some sort of weird space and ended up falling on top of a teacher. I thought they were about to refer me to a shrink.”

“You’re better off not knowing. Once you do, there’s no going back.”

“Puh-lease. I can’t stay in the dark, not after what just happened. I’m pissed.”

“…No. I can’t put you in harm’s way.”

“I’d say I’m smack-dab in harm’s way already. Besides, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’m just going to figure it out myself. I refuse to let things end like this.”

“You’re wasting your time.”

“We’ll see about that… Aurora the Calamity Witch.”

“Where…where did you learn that name…?”

“I did my research, that’s what I—”

Claire freezes in place mid-sentence. She thought the hallway was empty, but at some point, a silver-haired girl showed up.

“I do apologize for interrupting your soliloquy, Claire Kagenou. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

The girl peers at Claire, her red gaze burning with interest. It’s Alexia Midgar, one of the Midgar Kingdom princesses.

Claire’s expression hardens. “I wasn’t just talking to myself.”

Alexia puts on a big show of scanning the hallway. “Well, I certainly don’t see anyone else around.”

Claire’s expression hardens further. “You and I aren’t friends, Princess. I have nothing to talk to you about.”

“I can tell you’re no fan of mine. Which is odd, considering that as far as I know, we’ve never talked before.”

“And we’re not going to, you royal wench, not after the way you led Cid on.”

Claire’s eyes are full of murder and steel. Alexia can practically feel Claire’s gaze burning a hole in her. “What?” she cries. Her gaze darts around, and there’s a hint of panic on her face. “There’s a whole lot of context you’re missing! At no point was I trying to lead him on!”

“Oh, really now? You can barely even say it with a straight face. I smell a liar.”

“Excuse me! Rude! I’m not a liar! And also, what’s with the attitude?! You’re his sister, so I figured I could at least try to pretend to be nice to you.”

“And there it is. A liar and a fake, to boot.”

Claire practically spits out the words, and Alexia clicks her tongue. “You really are siblings, aren’t you? You’re exactly alike, the way neither of you has a respectful bone in your body.”

“Wait, you think Cid and I are alike?”

“Th-that’s what I said, yeah. At least when it comes to disrespect…”

“Ohhh, so you think we’re alike… Tee-hee-hee.” Claire’s entire face lights up.

“What does that matter, though?”

“Wow, I guess you do have an eye for people!”

“Uh…”

Claire swings her arm over Alexia’s shoulder, and Alexia has approximately zero idea what to make of it.

“So you said you had something you wanted to talk about?”

“I mean… I did…”

“You caught me at a busy moment, but oh well. I guess I can make some time for you.”

“…Thanks?”

“By the way, what other ways would you say Cid and I are alike?”

“I—I don’t know, your hair color?”

With Claire’s arm still over Alexia’s shoulder, the two of them make their way down the twilit hallway.