Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series-Chapter 74: Mischief and Mayhem [4]

Professor Flinders was not amused.

Professor Flinders’ class was unusually quiet that morning- or rather, it was quiet for now.

The entire class was doing their best to keep a straight face as the professor lectured at the front of the room, completely oblivious to the fact that every single one of them was trying not to burst into laughter.

Because Professor Flinders was very blue.

His usual stern, no-nonsense presence had been slightly dampened by the fact that he now resembled a walking blueberry.

His deep voice carried through the room as he gestured toward a projection of an ancient battle, utterly unaware of the way students kept nudging each other, covering their mouths, and ducking their heads to hide their grins.

Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan were seated together, looking far too pleased with themselves (or only Adrian is). Every now and then, Adrian would glance over at Aiden and Sevan with an expression that clearly said, This was the best idea ever.

Sevan, meanwhile, was doing his best to appear normal, but every time he looked at Flinders’ completely blue face, his lips twitched.

Aiden merely kept his gaze forward, though even he had to admit, it was hard to focus when Flinders looked like someone had dunked him in magical ink.

And not just any blue.

No, this was a deep, vibrant royal blue, as though someone had dunked him in a vat of ink.

The contrast against his usual dark robes was so ridiculous that Aiden had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

Adrian, sitting beside him, was not nearly as composed. His shoulders were already shaking. Sevan, on his other side, had his head turned away, visibly struggling.

Professor Flinders slammed a stack of books onto his desk.

"I expect complete silence today," he growled, his voice low.

That only made it worse.

A few students choked on their breath, pretending to cough to cover up their snickers.

Adrian let out a strangled noise that was somewhere between a wheeze and a snort, and Aiden had to kick his shin under the desk to get him to stop.

"Today," Flinders continued, narrowing his furious blue face at them, "we will be discussing the applications of magical resilience in combat scenarios. Not-" his glare swept over the class, "whatever nonsense you are all thinking about right now."

A few students nodded frantically, their lips pressed tightly together.

Rupert, who had been sitting near the front, raised his hand. "Sir, if we practice magical resilience, will we learn how to resist… certain spells?" His voice was carefully neutral, but there was a distinct glint in his eyes.

Flinders narrowed his eyes. "What exactly are you implying, Mr. Lons Dalate?"

"Nothing, sir." Rupert smiled, all innocence. "Just wondering if there’s a way to prevent… unwanted transformations."

Several students lost the battle right then and there.

A few broke into giggles, others turned away, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Even Sevan, who had been doing his best to remain composed, felt his own mouth twitch.

Adrian, beside him, had his face buried in his arms, his entire body trembling. Aiden wasn’t even trying anymore- his forehead was pressed against the desk, his silent laughter painfully obvious.

Flinders’ eye twitched.

"Detention," he snapped, pointing at Rupert. "Three days."

Rupert winced, but the victorious grin that flickered across his face made it clear that he thought it was worth it.

"Anyone else?" Flinders growled. "I have plenty of detentions to give out today."

The room fell into strained silence, but it was filled with barely-contained laughter.

Flinders exhaled slowly, as if mentally counting down from ten, before turning toward the board and beginning the lesson.

But no one- not a single student- heard a word he said.

From the other side of the room, Shiloh was watching them.

He hadn’t stopped watching them since the morning, and now, as he sat between Rupert and Jarek, he felt himself growing more and more suspicious.

They were too relaxed. Too amused.

And then there was the way Sevan had brushed off his sudden blueness with the ridiculous perfume excuse. It was stupid.

Too stupid!

He narrowed his eyes, glancing at Rupert and Jarek before leaning in slightly.

"I’m telling you, it has to be them," he muttered.

Jarek, who had been half-asleep, barely turned his head. "What?"

"The prank. It’s them."

Jarek sighed, resting his chin in his hand.

"You’re still on about that?"

Shiloh scowled. "They weren’t surprised this morning. And Sevan’s excuse was so bad."

Rupert raised an eyebrow. "So? Maybe they just… didn’t care."

Shiloh shook his head. "No, they planned this. I know they did."

Jarek turned his head slightly, looking at him with clear exasperation. "And what do you plan to do? March up to Flinders and say, ’Professor, I think those three turned you into a blueberry’?"

Rupert snorted.

Shiloh clenched his fists, his annoyance flaring. "You don’t find it weird?"

Jarek shrugged.

"I find it funny."

Rupert leaned back. "Yeah, honestly? If it was them, I kind of respect it. This is the best thing that’s happened all week."

Shiloh felt his patience snap.

"You’re just saying that because you don’t like taking anything seriously."

Jarek rolled his eyes. "And you’re only this worked up because Aiden’s involved."

Shiloh scoffed, arms crossed. "I’m mad because I know who did it, and I know exactly why you’re defending them."

"Oh, for the love of- Shiloh." Jarek turned in his seat, voice sharp with frustration. "It’s a prank. Who cares? Just because it might be Aiden doesn’t mean you have to turn it into a whole damn investigation. Plus, I think the student body needed it especially with what happened to one of ohr upperclassmen."

Shiloh’s eyes flashed. "So you do think it’s them?"

Jarek let out a groan and slumped back in his chair. "You’re unbearable."

That was when Professor Flinders’ voice rang out, cutting through the hushed whispers and laughter.

"Jarek."

Jarek straightened immediately, blinking. "Huh?"

Flinders, still looking as unamused as a blue-faced man could possibly be, fixed him with a deadpan stare.

"Detention."

Jarek’s jaw dropped. "What?!"

Flinders clasped his hands behind his back. "You’ve been bickering for the past ten minutes. Clearly, you have too much time on your hands. I’ll make sure that’s no longer an issue."

Jarek turned towards Shiloh, waiting for him to get the same punishment. But-

Nothing.

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Flinders didn’t even look at him.

Jarek gawked. "Wait. Just me?"

Flinders nodded once. "Yes."

Jarek’s expression twisted in outrage. "But he was the one-"

"-who wasn’t the one disturbing the class," Flinders interrupted smoothly.

Jarek let out a strangled noise, turning back to Shiloh, who was sitting there looking smug.

Oh, he was going to kill him.

Jarek turned back to Flinders. "Professor, with all due respect, that is completely unfair. If you’re giving me detention, you have to give it to Shiloh too!"

Flinders raised an eyebrow. "Do I?"

Jarek opened his mouth, then closed it.

Flinders stared him down. "I suggest you stop arguing before I decide to extend it."

Jarek shut his mouth, clenching his jaw as he slumped back into his chair.