OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 300: Black Tears

Chapter 300: Black Tears

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"We want to create a club!"

Elijah's and Aria's request was that.

They wished to create a new club.

"And we want you to be our club adviser!"

And they wanted to throw the responsibility of managing it on Emir's already heavy shoulders.

"Can you do it?... Please."

But was he the type of man to say no to such a cute request?

"You guys made up?"

Yes, he was.

His question echoed multiple times in the room as he silently stared at them, waiting for an answer as if he heard nothing of what they said.

Aria then spoke up before the confused Elijah could:

"Um... Do you remember me, Professor Emir?"

Emir nodded.

"Of course, still remember it like it was yesterday, one of my biggest paydays..."

Her smile began to disappear as soon as she heard his words.

"And I even saved a cute kid like you as a bonus."

But it was only a tease, as it returned brighter than ever.

"Hehe... you better be... grateful."

If one didn't hear her words, they might've thought that she was being appreciative, which she technically was, but in a more twisted way.

It was as per the rules of those one would call tsunderes.

"I am grateful to have saved you, princess... Now tell me, you guys made up?"

***

A Few Hours Earlier.

Elijah was practicing his CQC in the same training room as before.

And he was alone... Again.

Well, he 'was' alone, 'was.' An influx of students had arrived at the training center on the fourth floor sometime after he did.

Usually, they would've gone to the main training building, booked a private SS-Class room, and enjoyed their privacy. Yet after Emir displayed his might, the students grew excited, so they crowded the place, taking every room available.

Now with none left and their blood still boiling, they had to make do, even stooping as 'low' as training next to a Reaper.

And so... they trained and trained, quilling their excitement with each passing minute, until eventually leaving the training grounds, leaving Elijah alone once again.

But not completely, Aria remained, she watched him from afar, staring, surprise coloring her face as she saw the way he moved.

He was completely different. Not even comparable to the man she knew before.

Purpose adorned his every strike, his black daggers an extension of his being, they screamed killing intent.

His path truly was that of a Reaper.

"Elijah..."

Aria whispered, her voice unheard as Elijah was too focused, repeating the same attacks, courtesy of Lyra.

Gathering her courage, she got closer to him, and only then when she was a few steps away did he notice her.

"Hey you!"

Elijah stopped, and looked behind him, locking eyes with whom he used to consider his best friend.

"What?"

Her brows flinched at his dry reply, yet she didn't relent.

"A-Apologize!"

He tilted his head.

"Ha? You want me to apologize? For what?"

Aria snapped her head down, seemingly regretting the word that had escaped her mouth as if she hadn't intended to say it.

Elijah sighed, indifferent to whatever expression she wore, or at least trying to be. He refused to entertain her any longer; he was no dog, a promise he made to Emir.

But just as he was about to return to his training, she stuttered out:

"I-I'm sorry."

And the rest was history.

***

"Y-Yes!"

A blushing Aria stuttered out her agreement, while Elijah simply nodded, still confused about why Emir said no, used to getting spoiled by the family.

Meanwhile, the man himself quietly stared at her, feeling nothing in response to the obvious display of a maiden's puppy love.

Even though the way she acted reminded him of a younger but dumber Lily, not a single disturbance occurred in the lake that was his consciousness.

His mind had long since left the realm of normality, yet it didn't stop him from wondering...

Wondering if he would ever feel something like that in his life.

'That,' being the feelings she wore on her sleeves, which showed themselves too pure to be

sullied.

Emir didn't know.

He couldn't know.

As smart as he was, he wasn't able to navigate this arena.

Not because of his own inability, but because it was simply impossible.

After 'awakening,' his mind changed to house people into two categories, and those in the

distant category would never cross over to where his emotions presided.

Yet even those near couldn't cause such a change in him. So no matter how much one would

try, there was no changing him.

But... his blood family was an exception to that rule.

Somehow, they left those categories and crossed to the other side, if only slightly, their hands

reaching over the border.

How ironic was it that only his 'strength' made him vulnerable?

Emir chuckled while shaking his head.

"Big brother... Are you alright?"

Elijah's voice surfaced, questioning the long silence.

'Hm. Guess he forgot where we are... I'll give him a lil scare.'

"Deem me as your professor, boy. We're at the academy, not at home, do you understand?"

The boy flinched, looking in horror at his brother, never expecting him to utter such a string

of words.

Aria was the same; while brief, she knew him not to be like this.

"Professor are-"

"I'll check the club application tonight; expect a positive answer by tomorrow as long as your

goals hold merit."

Elijah stood up slowly, then, with a shallow breath, he asked:

"Professor Emir, is your health in any danger?"

"No, it's getting late; you may leave."

But he was shut down.

Meanwhile, Aria, wanting to check the time to form a response, took a glance at her bracelet, which showed a watch-something quite unusual, as most just used a digital clock-Tick.

Tock...

"...Let's go."

Aria, who didn't know what was going on, got dragged off by an angry Elijah, leaving Emir

behind, relaxed in his chair.

He stared at their departing figures with a blank face.

'Ayaaah... or whatever Mag says.'

He massaged his forehead while leaning back, ordering the door to close.

'Why the fuck does everyone look at me like I'm some sort of villain? I just wanted to teach

him a lesson...'

Just as the door closed shut, a voice resounded in his mind.

[Emir, you alright?] [Yes, I am... Tried to get the kid back in line, but I think I took it too far.]

[Don't care about that. I'm asking about you, you sure you're fine?]

[Yes, yes, no problems here.]

[Should I come?]

[No, keep your watch on those diving, we can't be losing more people this week.]

[I really should, shouldn't I?]

[What brought this on? I said I'm fine, so why are you so persistent?]

[Oh, this is bad... I'm coming.]

[Why?! And no you won't.]

[You didn't notice yet? I suggest you go look in the mirror.]

[Just show me a picture.]

[No... You're better off seeing this yourself.]

Emir slowly nodded and complied, heading to the bathroom.

After a few steps, he crossed the door and stared at the reflecting glass.

Moments passed yet he remained still, gaze unmoving.

'Why?'

His unblinking eyes had tears escaping them.

Black tears.

They trailed down his cheeks, a single drop at a time.

'This... what happened?'

[Lyra.]

[See? Should I come?]

[No... just send me a summary of all that happened in my office in the last ten minutes.]

[Done.]

It took Emir no more than a second to go through all the information.

He talked with Amon, and then as Amon left, the kids arrived.

They sat without touching or doing anything weird, and neither did Amon as he departed.

Elijah requested something, Emir rejected it, then Aria and he talked.

Emir paused in thought for a little while, then after his 'prank' against Elijah, the boy angrily

grabbed a confused Aria and left.

Had they done anything else before leaving?...No.

[Check complete... No missing links... I think it might just relate to my innate corruption.]

[I still think I should come.]

[No you shouldn't. You know that I'll have to check out the club next, and we can't afford to

miss it because of some fucking black paint.]

[But-]

[Follow my words, Lyra. Or are you rebelling? Should I have done what Rag-]

[STOP! Okay, okay... just stop, I'll listen.]

[Good... Sorry.]

[...Humph!]

Emir sighed, not liking what he said either, but he felt forced to do it.

Shaking his head again, he leaned on the right armchair with his elbow, his hand supporting

his chin, as his thoughts flowed from one to the next.

'Black tears though? Is my corruption becoming worse? And why then? What caused it? What

was the spark? What was... What was the...' 'What was the what?'

'Hm... What was I thinking about?'

'... Oh yeah, those two showed an obvious convergence indeed.'

'But it's more or less a natural result caused by my interference, or maybe even my existence.'

'And Amon huh... He certainly knows how to play the game.'

'I got one over him, but he still won in the end... Guess I've got some refreshing to do.'

'Or maybe the very thought of winning against him was a false hope that he gave me?'

'No. Doesn't matter. I didn't tell him much, so he doesn't have concrete information.'

With that concluded, he nodded his head, turning his attention to what was next. 'Right, now, let's see here...'

Emir pulled a pamphlet out of his pocket, revealing it on the table.

After a glance, he muttered a few words that only he could hear.

His eyes then turned and met the window, scanning the darkness outside.

"A bit more to go."

...

Fourth Floor Of The Tower, Clubs Hall.

Emir had arrived at their specified location a minute past twelve with a mask and trench coat

on.

The mask was grey and plain, while the coat was similar, only black, the same as the t-shirt

and pants.

He stood alone outside the club's door, awaiting their permission.

And finally, after another minute or so of waiting, came an expected question from a robotic

voice:

"What do you seek?"