Rise of the Crusader

128 Project for the future

Raphael had only taken a few steps out of the psychic domain when he saw a woman standing in front of him.

With her hand folded across her chest, Serena had a stern expression on her face as she glared at Raphael.

A light frown appeared on Raphael’s face when he saw the look on Serena’s. He knew Serena to an extent, and they had only been two moments whereby she had this sort of look on her face.

“What is it?” Raphael asked.

Serena’s lips curved inwardly, and she said, “I should be asking you that question.”

“Are you alright, Raphael?” With her hand still folded across her chest, Serena took a step forward and asked Raphael, a question that he didn’t want to hear.

At least for now.

Serena then continued, “I know the psychic domain is a little messy and can get things that you want to keep buried in your head out, but...”

Before Serena could finish her words, Raphael shook his head and also waved his hand at her.

.....

“It’s fine, Serena. I’m alright.” Raphael said, and then walked toward forward.

Serena, however, wasn’t buying any of the words that were spoken by Raphael. As Raphael walked past her, she knitted her brows and said.

“Get back here!”

While it was just a few words that left Serena’s mouth, the power that it contained was immense. To the extent that, Raphael was pulled back to his previous position by an external force.

Raphael glared at Serena, “What do you think you’re doing?!”

Raphael spoke in an icy tone. The expression and aura that he had, showed that he was displeased with the stunt that had just been pulled by Serena.

In the face of Raphael’s harsh look and tone, Serena wasn’t fazed. Not even in the slightest, she didn’t back away from his glares, and instead, she faced him head-on.

“I know, you have a lot on your mind right now, but you need to listen to me. And tell me what’s really bothering you.” Serena exclaimed.

“Edgar has complained that you are disobeying him in the office, what’s that all about!” Serena paused, “You might think those sessions are useless, but they are not.”

“It’s really helpful, if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have agreed to it when Edgar suggested it.”

“Helpful?” Raphael sneered. “None of this is helpful. None! This wasn’t part of the arrangement, Serena.”

Serena wanted to retort to the words that had just been said by Raphael when his voice rang out.

“The deal was I come here, you provide me with equipment for gadgets and the rest. Not these missions, classes, training, or therapy sessions. What the hell!” There was rage written all over Raphael as he spoke.

“I didn’t sign up for this bullshit! And mostly, you said the academy will help treat my mother. Tell me, how is that going? I have been here busting my ass for you all, whereas, the main reason why I came here, hasn’t been done.”

“The last time she was here, I was the one who brought her to her feet. She wouldn’t have been able to walk again if I depended on you.” Raphael said.

“I need an answer right now, Serena. You made the promise, so are you going to fulfill it, or should I just pack my bags and leave? I have been taking care of my mother’s health for the past few years, trust me, I will figure something out.”

Raphael paused, with his eyes glued to Serena. After the words he had just spoken, he didn’t utter any other thing, and instead, he waited for her to give him a response.

A few seconds passed, and there was still no response from Serena.

Seeing, the stupefied look on Serena’s face, Raphael sneered.

“Goodbye, Serena.” Raphael blurted. “Do not appear before me, ever again.”

Serena’s body shook when she heard Raphael. She knew better than anyone that he wasn’t joking, and as he moved past her, her eyelid trembled, and tears streamed down her eyes.

“Raphael!!!!”

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, as Raphael took a few steps forward.

Raphael, however, didn’t turn around to listen to what Serena had to say, he continued to charge forward. He applied even more pace, but before he would cover much ground, Serena appeared in front of him.

Raphael stared at the training ground exit that was only a few meters away, before then moving his gaze to Serena.

“Hold on, Raphael,” Serena said, holding both of his shoulders.

“I know, I have let you down, but you have to believe me when I say this. I have your best interest in mind.” Serena stated.

“The promises I made to you, I will get it done, I can assure you. Your mother’s treatment is already being arranged as we speak, and only some final setup is left. As for the equipment, I have already created a building space of your own.”

There was a bewildered look on Raphael’s face as Serena spoke.

Did he believe any of what she said, Raphael wasn’t so sure. He continued to listen to her, and after a few seconds, his voice rang out.

“Then, what is all of this about?”

Serena flashed a rough smile and said, “The academy insists that the building space, and all other funds, should be assigned to you when you get to the second year.”

“My hands are tied as it is, I have tried every means necessary, but they insist that those resources are only given to you when you get to the second year.”

Serena’s mouth then opened slightly, she seemed to want to say something but after giving it a thought, she changed her mind.

Raphael was quick to notice it, and he asked.

“Is there something, you’re not telling me.”

Heaving a deep breath, Serena spoke, “For some reason, I think the academy doesn’t entirely trust you. I think they are worried that once you have the resources, you will disappear.”

“I’m not exactly certain, but I believe this is also the reason Yvonne’s treatment is taking that long to arrange.”

Gus, who was quiet the entire time, let out a snort when he heard Serena.

Raphael raised an eyebrow at the owl that was on his shoulder. Gus’s snort earlier implied that the academy wasn’t wrong for thinking that way, as Raphael could really leave if he had all that he needed.

“Then, what’s all this training for, and special treatments for?” Raphael couldn’t help but ask.

This was what baffled him the most.

If the academy doesn’t trust him as Serena had said, then what was the need for the treatments he had received lately? He had personally been told by the academy that he was considered a project for the future.

They had high expectations of him and even offered some substantial gifts.

Serena had a confused look as well on her face. “I don’t know the exact details of it, but they consider you to be a project for the future.”

“My theory is that they want to trust you even though they don’t. And for not allocating the building space yet, I can say a reason or two why they chose not to.”

“As a first-year student, one who is also not in the tech division or any force, it would do more harm than good for you. Even though the academy backs you fully, they wouldn’t do it openly.” Serena said.

“How will that change in the second year... I’m still not going to join any force, so what’s the difference.” Raphael said.

“It’s a dumb move for me, if they don’t trust me now, what makes them think, they will trust me in the second year.”

For some reason, a smile appeared on Serena’s face this time around.

“You will see.”

“I know you came because of the equipment and Yvonne’s treatment, which I promise I would help with. But, the academy sees more than just someone standing behind a table in you.” Serena said.

“They won’t treat you unfairly, you simply have to trust the process. Or better still, I need you to trust me.”

Serena took hold of Raphael’s hand, she placed it gently on her left chest and stared deep into his blue eyes. “I know I have wronged you before, but it’s never going to happen again.”

“I will always have your best interest, and about Yvonne, give me a few more days,” Serena said with a light smile on her face.

Serena’s face was able to put both the moon and sun to shame and at the moment, any being that stared into those teary eyes would find his or herself lost in them.

Raphael shook his head, and then took a deep breath.

“Alright, Serena,” Raphael said.

The smile on Serena’s face widened when she heard Raphael. She was very much relieved that he decided to stay and unable to contain the excitement, so she hugged him tightly.

“Thank you,” Serena mumbled.

A few meters away from Raphael and Serena, Elisa stood with her hands clenched into a fist. She bit her lower lips hard, and her eyebrows were lowered.

“You asked her for help, and even told her how you feel. Yet, she seems to want to take him away from you.” Melinda exclaimed.

...

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