[Salvos] 618. Scorned (Patreon)

618. Scorned

***

Oriur followed Willy as they exited the front entrance of the thin tower. It was Clayton Skyshredder’s own personal tower. It was called the Office of the Headmaster, and it was located at the corner of the Central Square of Mavos Academy.

Even while in disguise and accompanied by Centina, the baby Wyvern wasn’t allowed to wander around the campus. Instead, they had to exit by a back doorway, which led down a complicated network of alleys that eventually brought them out of the campus.

All that just meant was that this was the first time that Oriur had the chance to explore Mavos Academy up-close. He was beaming from ear to ear— which wasn’t hard, considering that he had a long mouth and sharp fangs that made up most of his face. And he was ready to skip past Willy to ogle at the unfurling architecture around him.

Unfortunately… that wasn’t allowed.

“No.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] said, and Oriur deflated. The baby Wyvern wanted to protest, but he decided against it. Uncle had already been kind enough to bring him out, so there was no reason to push for more.

“Close.”

Willy’s flames flickered as he spoke— it was a single word, but the meaning was clear. Oriur stuck close to the [Will O’ Wisp] as they walked out into the Central Square of Mavos Academy. As soon as they stepped out, they were greeted by a radiant glow.

Tall magical lamp posts lined the foyer, glowing softly in the night. Bright enough to illuminate the area, but not too bright like a blazing bonfire that it seemed like it was day. Oriur remembered seeing a sight once before— when Mama had taken him to the Beastmen Plains.

Since it was past sundown, Mavos Academy was mostly empty and devoid of students. It was a completely different sight from the bustling crowds during the day. Although, supposedly, the campus used to be even more crowded years back.

However, there were still a handful of students and members of the faculty wandering about. They spotted Oriur as soon as he stepped out under the moonlight. He brightened, before waving at them.

“Hey! I’m Oriur—”

They screamed. The baby Wyvern blinked, watching as the group of students ran away. They called for security— for the faculty to do something.

Willy just sighed.

“See?”

He drifted forward, leading Oriur away from the thin tower. The baby Wyvern looked down at himself hesitantly, before looking back. He saw the fleeing students. And he thought of the lady with glasses who had almost killed him.

“Why?”

It was a simple question. But it was so vague. And yet, Oriur didn’t know what else to ask— he turned to Uncle for guidance, however there were no answers there.

The [Will O’ Wisp] drifted on, leaving Oriur to silently follow.

—--

As the Grand Spirit and the baby Wyvern made their way through the campus of Mavos Academy, they ran into a bunch more students and teachers. There were a few near-incidents— but fortunately, Willy managed to defuse it before spells were flung or swords were drawn.

Oriur didn’t know where they were going. He had memorized the layout of the campus from above, so theoretically, he should have known their exact location in Mavos Academy. However, he couldn’t pay enough attention to his surroundings to figure that out, and that was because…

They were staring at him.

It didn’t matter who they were. Students. Teachers. Even ordinary people who worked in the campus-city. It didn’t matter what their Class was, nor did it matter if they were Level 10, 40, 70, or 100. They all were staring at him. And it wasn’t a look of curiosity. Oriur could feel their gaze bearing down on him. He could sense their terror— feel their disdain.

Not a single one of the passing Humans met his gaze.

Oriur lowered his head. He looked down at his leathery clawed hand, so distinct from the fleshy hand of a human.

“They hate me.”

He whispered, dragging his feet over the brick road. Willy replied simply.

“Yes.”

Oriur gritted his teeth. He felt his warring feelings, before looking up at his uncle.

“But what did I ever do to them? Why do they hate me?”

“Because.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] gave his usual one-word answer. But this time, it didn’t explain anything. The baby Wyvern repeated after his uncle.

“Because?”

And Willy paused. He stopped right before what looked like an obelisk. There were names etched on its stone surface. Clearly, it was a memorial. But a memorial to what, Oriur didn’t know.

Slowly, the [Will O’ Wisp] turned to face the baby Wyvern and said—

“Not Human.”

It was two words. Unlike Willy’s usual one-word replies. Although it wasn’t a full sentence either, but it was enough to answer Oriur’s question.

“Oh.”

The baby Wyvern stood there, eyes growing wide. He didn’t understand it. He knew what Uncle was saying, but it made no sense to him.

They shunned him because he wasn’t a Human.

Why? That didn’t make sense to Oriur. When he looked at a non-Wyvern, he didn’t feel any contempt or fear. All he felt within himself was a sense of curiosity. To learn more and befriend the strange creature.

But the Humans didn’t feel that way towards him. Because he wasn’t a Human. Because he was a Wyvern. Because he was a monster.

Oriur closed his eyes as his mind whirled. He grew dizzy just trying to understand this logic. But he couldn’t comprehend it. His breathing grew heavy, and he felt like collapsing right there. However, Willy’s voice drew his attention.

“Look.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] flitted towards the obelisk, his flames limning a set of golden words written onto the side of the marble. But for whatever reason, its edges were smurdged red. Oriur blinked a few times, before reading what was said there.

“In memory of those who… sacrificed their lives during the Second Invasion of the Demon King?”

The baby Wyvern frowned, before turning back to Willy. The [Will O’ Wisp] flew up the obelisk, lighting up the rest of the monument. And this time, Oriur saw even more words painted over the names on the obelisk.

It was quite evident that these words were scrawled and scratched over what was initially written on the marble surface. These words were painted red, and they defaced the obelisk. Oriur read what was written in a confused voice.

“Demon-worshipper? Cultist? Resign? I… what is this?”

Oriur’s head spun. He took a step back, before realizing that there was also paint wetting the floor. He narrowed his eyes at the large letters.

“Their blood is in your hands.”

It made no sense to the baby Wyvern. Why was a memorial dedicated to those who died during the war vandalized like this? Oriur had been there. He had seen those brave Humans fighting for their home. They should not be defiled like this.

“...and whose hands?”

Oriur wondered aloud, reading the words painted on the ground.

“Just who are they blaming for the war?”

He turned to his uncle, looking for answers. The [Will O’ Wisp] didn’t move. A cold breeze washed over the two of them, and a voice answered.

“They are blaming me.”

It wasn’t Willy who spoke. Oriur jolted when he heard the reply. Not out of surprise, but because he immediately recognized the deep voice. The authoritative tone— the commanding presence. It only belonged to one person.

Clayton Skyshredder.

Both the [Will O’ Wisp] and the baby Wyvern turned to face the Headmaster of Mavos Academy. He stood there with his wispy beard flowing with the wind. He looked down at Oriur who winced from the gaze, before he looked back up towards Willy.

“You should not be down here.”

Clayton spoke as he strode forward. Willy didn’t seem to care that he was caught down here with Oriur.

“Yes.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] replied as casually as ever. Clayton came to a halt before the obelisk, before raising a hand. There was a flash of light, and a magic circle appeared in his open palm. The dried paint staining the ground and the marble immediately began to flake off, slowly fading away.

Oriur stared at this for a moment, watching as the Headmaster of Mavos Academy cleaned the defaced obelisk with magic. When Clayton was done, he took a step back and sighed.

“These vandals know what they’re doing. They understand that they will upset quite a few folks by defacing this memorial. But that is the point— they want their message to be seen.”

Willy didn’t respond. Oriur glanced between the [Will O’ Wisp] and the Headmaster of Mavos Academy, before hesitating. The baby Wyvern raised a small hand.

“And their message is… that you worship Demons? That you caused the war?”

Oriur wasn’t sure if that was the right question to ask. He wasn’t even sure if Clayton had been addressing him. But the baby Wyvern was too curious— he wanted to know the answer.

The Headmaster of Mavos Academy shook his head as he stared at the monument.

“They are blaming me for my failures— for allowing your mother to enroll in Mavos Academy; for allowing your mother to sway Mavos Academy into joining the war; and for allowing your mother to deceive us all.”

Clayton turned to face the baby Wyvern. Oriur blinked a few times, before he opened his mouth. He tried to work his jaw, then he paused.

“...what?”

The baby Wyvern didn’t understand it. Or rather, he didn’t want to understand it. The implication was clear. But still, Clayton explained.

“Even though it was your mother who sacrificed herself to save us all, they believe that she was an agent of the Demon King. Not because they have any proof. But because she is a Demon.”

Oriur narrowed his eyes. That was ridiculous— he had seen what Mama had done for the Humans. They couldn’t have possibly believed she was secretly working against them… right?

And yet, he saw the glaring faces. He heard the cries of terror. Everything he had experienced during his walk across Mavos Academy flashed in his mind, and he realized that what Clayton was saying was true.

Because Salvos wasn’t a Human, they scorned her. Just like how Oriur was scorned for being a Wyvern.

Oriur lowered his head as the realization settled in. But that can’t be true of all Humans, right? They can’t all possibly hate me just because… just because…

He couldn’t bear to finish the thought. He looked back up towards Clayton Skyshredder. The Headmaster of Mavos Academy was staring at the monument with a melancholic gaze. He slowly looked down at the palm of his hand, before chuckling mirthlessly.

“And they blame me— for hiding the truth of your mother from them. For doing nothing. Because I am the highest-leveled [Mage] in the Human lands, they say that I should have known she was a Demon.”

Oriur’s eyes flickered upon hearing that. He stared at the Headmaster of Mavos Academy. He waited until they locked gaze. And finally, Oriur’s mouth moved.

“Did you?”

Oriur asked apprehensively.

“Did you know that Mama was a Demon?”

Clayton was silent for a long moment. He closed his eyes as the wrinkles left his wizened face for a moment, and he spoke softly.

“I knew she wasn’t a Human.”

That made the baby Wyvern’s eyes grow wide. His racing thoughts came to a halt, vanishing in an instant. He licked his lips and asked.

“And you still let her into Mavos Academy?”

“Yes.”

Clayton said without any hesitation. Oriur stood there in silence, his thoughts finally resuming. But they were no longer that of doubt— they no longer told him that he would be scorned by every Human he spoke with.

Instead, he found… hope. A semblance of it, at least. Enough for him to believe that he could befriend someone. He nodded to himself as he looked between Willy and Clayton. Finally, he opened his mouth.

“I understand—”

“And now.”

Clayton interrupted the baby Wyvern. He crossed his arms, his demeanor suddenly changing. It was like he was towering over all of Mavos Academy.

“Remind me again: why were you freely wandering around my campus?”

Oriur froze. The baby Wyvern shrank as he tried to muster up his voice.

“I… um… that’s—”

He turned to Willy for help, but the [Will O’ Wisp] just snickered. Oriur looked back towards Clayton, speaking in a small voice.

“...sorry?”

And the Headmaster of Mavos Academy sighed.

“I don’t want you causing any more trouble down here. I heard that even my [Secretary] nearly killed you. For your own safety, and for the peace of my school, return to my office. Now.”

Oriur wanted to protest. He wanted to argue as he did with Willy. But Clayton was nothing like the [Will O’ Wisp]. There was no bargaining here. The baby Wyvern’s shoulder sagged, and he nodded defeatedly.

“Y-yes, Mr Skyshredder.”

***

Willy watched as Oriur disappeared back up to the top of the tower. The baby Wyvern rode on the elevator with Centina, Novis, Bellu, and Kron. The latter three were huddled in a corner of the platform, trembling in fear as the formermost yelled at Oriur for what had happened.

The [Will O’ Wisp] didn’t head back up with them. Clayton had requested to speak with Willy alone. So the two stood at the bottom of the elevator, neither speaking for a moment. When it looked like the magical platform reached the top, it was the Headmaster of Mavos Academy who broke the silence.

“I understand you care for the Wyverns, but you cannot do this. Even if you are a Grand Spirit, I cannot allow you to do as you please in my school.”

“Mhm.”

Willy barely gave a verbal response. Clayton frowned as he turned to face the [Will O’ Wisp].

“What happened today cannot happen again. It was reckless and irresponsible. Especially what you did.”

“Mhm.”

Again, Willy didn’t say much, just making a sound of affirmation. The Headmaster of Mavos Academy shook his head.

“Do not allow this to happen again. Do you understand?”

Clayton warned the [Will O’ Wisp]. But this time, Willy spoke a single word.

“No.”

A simple response of defiance. Clayton narrowed his eyes at that, clearly not expecting it.

“No?”

“Yes.”

“And what exactly do you mean by that?”

Willy flitted back and forth as he thought of an answer for a moment. When he came up with one, his flames turned blue.

“Lonely.”

“Lonely?”

The Headmaster of Mavos Academy blinked, repeating after Willy. The [Will O’ Wisp] looked up towards the top of the tower.

“Oriur. Still lonely.”

Willy explained, and Clayton slowly nodded.

“Oh.”

It wasn’t something that needed to be explained by words. It was a feeling everyone understood. It was a feeling that Willy himself was incredibly familiar with.

His flames flickered as he thought of his [Summoner]. It was so long ago. And yet, it was still fresh in his mind. To be treated like a partner— rather than as a tool. It was the first time Willy had ever experienced something like that in his life.

He looked back towards Clayton, explaining simply.

“Need to find right Human. Need to find friend. Then won’t escape.”

“For Oriur?”

The Headmaster of Mavos Academy raised a brow. He scoffed at the idea, folding his arms across his chest.

“And who in their right mind would want to befriend a Wyvern?”

Willy floated there, his flames changing colors. He thought about it for a long moment. And he finally sighed, stumped.

“Don’t know. Need to find out.”

***

And as Willy and Clayton wondered about how to prevent another panic from breaking out on campus, rumors of the incident that night spread throughout Mavos Academy, until it eventually reached a curious young girl.

“Wait… what?”

Rachel blinked as she heard a passing student whisper something about seeing a monster on campus. And not just any monster— but a Wyvern. A baby Wyvern.

She narrowed her eyes, coming to a halt in the middle of the crowded corridor. Everyone was talking about it. Even the teachers. Some were scared, while others wanted to hunt it down.

But Rachel? She just looked down at the book she was carrying. The Story of Salvos written by The Thrilling Bard himself. The young girl had already read through it three times now, and she memorized every single detail by this point.

And the book’s details about a trio of baby Wyverns popped into her mind.

“Huh.”

That was all she said.

Author's Notes:

What thonk?