Arcanum - Chapter 157

“I’ll show you my room…” Scarlet offered.

“Scarlet….. You’re not gonna scare them into picking nothing are you?..” Paul questioned chuckling.

“Okay fine….. Pick what you want.” She reluctantly agreed sitting back down going back to cleaning her armour facing her back towards Paul like a sulking child.

“Emilia… you can show them.” Paul smiled.

“Are you sure…. Scarlet seems a little upset…” I questioned not wanting to upset her.

“Don’t worry…. Scarlet I’ll let you bring back however much and whatever you want.” Paul sighed.

“Really?!! She looked back at him with a joyful smile like a child given choice of all the toys in a toy store.

“Yes…..but within reason!!!” Paul sighed.

“You can pick anything you want!!” She gave us all permission and a genuine joyful smile.

“Okay…. guys… follow… me?” I hesitantly asked everyone to follow me to Scarlets room.

“Are you sure?..” They asked following me.

“Yes before I change my mind.” Scarlet replied.

As soon as the door closed I quickly rushed to Scarlets room, “You really need to see this!! It’s amazing!” I squealed in excitement, with a big heave I opened the door revealing to everyone the absolute treasure trove of Scarlets collection….. It was like those scenes in a movie when a group of friends enter a rich friends walk-in wardrobe…. we all stared in awe walking in looking at all the different things she has collected.

“My word…. this is more extravagant then my own…” Helen said in shock.

“Wow…” Daisy just stared in awe… instantly running to visible dresses.

To my surprise even Grace looked a little excited at seeing everything, “Okay so I’m sure the pyjamas section should be near the clothes section.” I smiled walking toward the area that seemed to be for clothes.

“Okay….. Pyjamas..” I said ruffling through things and checking wardrobes.

“What is a pyjamas?..” Helen and Grace asked….

“It’s comfortable clothes that you wear for sleeping.” I tried to describe to them.

“Ohhh so night wear.” They smiled and began rummaging again.

“How about this?!!” They pulled out sweat pants and a baggy hoodie….

“Well they are comfortable.” I smiled as they pulled out similar matching pieces to put on.

“Emilia…..” Paul whispered into my head.

“Yeah?….” I answered.

“Make it fast please…. I can literally see steam coming off her body.” He chuckled.

“Okay okay!!..” I said giving Helen and grace the nod to take those.

“Daisy over here fast!” I whispered to her to come here and pick something, I quickly pulled out two tank tops and two shorts for me and Daisy. “Let’s go I think Daisy is getting angrier by the second.” I warned them making us all rush out and close the door quickly.

“We quickly scurried into Paul rooms…. “Ahh you’re back!! Get changed in my room and the kitchen.” He smiled pointing to the rooms.

We all nodded quickly getting changed to let the others get the chance to get changed as quickly as possible. We slowly made out way quietly to sofas and took a seat hoping to not annoy Scarlet further.

“Thank god you are all back.. You can cut the tension with a knife.” He whispered his clothes already changed.

“Scarlet can you get the plates and glasses?…” Paul requested politely. “I sense Ashley arriving…. Ohh and two more plates I think.” He added.

“Sure…” She begrudgingly agreed walking into the kitchen.

A knock came at the door “Foods here!!” Ashley voice called out to us.

“Ohhh the food, Daisy can you give him a hand please.” Paul requested smiling.

“Sure!” she smiled jumping up eager to help.

“I’ll help.” I instinctively added jumping up and following her.

“Ohh Heyyy Daisy!!!! And Emilia!!!” Ashley’s unwavering optimistic smile beamed towards us.

“Need a hand?..” We asked noticing his hands were not as full as we expected.

“It’s alright I brought friends.” He smiled walking in.

“Yo! Good to see you again.” Yuna greeted me with a smile popping her head out.

“I’m here to!!” Sven’s voice spoke from the back also popping his head out to greet us.

“What’s the hold up??!! I’m hungry here!!!” Scarlet yelled out.

“Alright… alright. let’s go in.” Ashley instructed allowing us to return to our seats.

“Ohh Hey Yuna!!! And Sven!!” Paul greeted them both as they entered. “Come in come in don’t be shy….” He smiled.

“Commander are you sure?…” Yuna greeted him with a very serious tone like a solider standing to attention.

“Please…. Paul would do… I don’t like titles, first time on the S-Rank floor?” he smiled.

“Ummmm yes Lord Paul… I mean Paul….” she tried to said trying to adjuster herself.

“House Leader.” Sven nodded.

“Sven!!! Thanks for helping out today.” He smiled

“It’s my duty…..” He smiled but his smile quickly dropped as both Yuna and Sven shakily turned to see Scarlet exiting the kitchen with plates and cups.

“Ohhhh I smell food!!!!” Scarlet said with a jolly smile like she completely forgot she was angry just a few seconds ago, happily walking towards us unaware of the affect she has on Yuna and Sven as they slowly backed off step by step quietly like a prey trying to escape.

“Wow… her aura is terrifying even at this distance…..” Yuna uttered in complete shock unable to recover from being close proximity to her.

“Ohh shoot…. I forgot….” Scarlet gasped in shock quickly running to the other side of the table giving Sven and Yuna some time to take a breath.

“Umm if you guys wouldn’t mind could you let them use your coin if they still have a change left.” Paul requested.

“Sure.” I said standing up taking my coin out of my pocket.

“Use mine.” Daisy smiled taking hers out quickly before everyone else could.

“Here use these…..” I said passing one to Yuna and Sven.

Shakily clutching it in their hands they closed their eyes concentrating and like us I could see their nerves calming… and their bodies relaxed. “So that’s why everyone has to stay a good distance away from her….. I thought it was only rumours…” Yuna commented still remaining in the same spot.

“I’m so sorry!!! I can’t help it….” Scarlet apologised profusely.

“It’s okay I’m sure you didn’t mean it.” Yuna quickly replied looking scared at her apologetic nature still afraid of her.

“Well that explains why she’s never accompanied by other students…..” Sven answered also remaining in position.

“Okay everyone shuffle along make room for those two.” Paul smiled edging them to take a seat.

“So what is it that makes the terrifying aura?..” Yuna hesitantly asked.

“Sadly it’s the side effect of how powerful she is…… she is so strong in fact that your body instinctively reacts fear… like how prey will always be afraid of a predator, despite your brain knowing she is friendly… your body knows what all that could change in an instannt” Paul explained.

“How comes you’re unaffected?…” I asked Paul.

“I’m not unaffected…. It’s just my body and brain know she is not hostile.” Paul smiled.

“Then do you have a similar aura?..” Yuna asked Paul.

“Nope….. I’m a gentle soul.” He smiled causing us all to look at him weirdly like he didn’t just open the gates of hell and devastated an entire Dark Elf army.

“What?… I said gentle…. not clean….” He replied noticing all our reactions.

“Yes Paul only kills when he has to…” Scarlet answer dishing out the plates and filling glasses without asking what anyone would prefer.

“Yes….. You guys haven’t seen it yet….. But his ability to see the best in other is truly astounding.” Ashley agreed sounding slightly cynical and began unpacking the bags for food.

“Foolish if you ask me….. Set an example and non will dare to cross your path.” Scarlet commented.

“Everyone makes the wrong decision at one point in their lives…. I truly believe everyone deserves a second chance.” Paul smiled looking at me directly in the eyes convoying that statement to me.

“Ummm… Paul.. I’m vegetarian.” I whispered to him hoping not to interrupt anyone.

“I know…” He smiled giving Ashley a look.

“Ohh yeah..” He said taking an extra bag out and passing it to me.

“As the Lady ordered food that came from plants… in separate packaging.” He smiled bowing his head.

“Thanks!! You’re awesome Ashley.” I smiled in glee plating the strange vegetarian food he packed for me.

“A toast!!!” Paul said raising a glass, causing us all to raise a filled glass, “To the prosperity and good fortune of Atlantis!!” He yelled clinking cups with everyone.

“To Atlantis.” We all yelled smiling.

“Let’s eat!!!” Scarlet said with a giant smile and began devouring her food unlike everyone else eating their food with a bit more poise.

“So Yuna…. tell me what has your house leader been up to?…” Paul asked with a grin.

“Ummm permission to speak freely?…” She questioned.

“Don’t worry you can trust everyone here..” Paul smiled.

“Well….. He spends most of his free time training in the simulation room.” She answered.

“Ahhhhhh must be his hunting ground” Paul chuckled.

“Or he’s training to defeat you” Ashely suggested.

“Yeah but there’s no way he can beat me.” Scarlet laughed.

“That is true…..” Paul began to ponder.

“Ummm Paul….” Grace hesitantly asked for his attention.

“Yes….. Grace…” He answered taking a slight pause.

“Umm where can one buy a drink or a meal for other students?..” She inquired.

“Hmmm well…. If you would like… You can take a pick out of anything in my storage….. If nothing tickles your fancy…. you can always put an order in the Great hall during breakfast lunch or dinner….. Deliveries to the school arrives on Fridays… so if it doesn’t arrive on the nearest Friday it will arrive the follow Friday.” He answered her.

“Sorry… but what is a Friday?..” She asked looking confused.

“Ohhh sorry…..umm…. what was the word again… Fredas.” He smiled.

“Ohh okay thank you…. Paul…” She replied still a little unsure if she use a title or not.