The Breaker (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #2)(4)

“Not unless he was here really early,” Natalie chipped in, swallowing the last of her breakfast.

“That must be it—he always likes to eat early.” Jari nodded, as if that made perfect sense. “We’ll see him in first period anyway, won’t we?” He smiled cheerfully at his two friends before turning to the rosy apple in his hand, lifting it to his lips and biting into it with a loud crunch.

Natalie passed a secret look of concern over to Alex, but Alex could only shrug; there was nothing they could do. Jari was determined to remain optimistic, and who were they to stand in his way?

Jari chattered happily as they left the mess hall and headed to their first lesson, previously Professor Derhin’s but now belonging to the rightful victor, Professor Nagi. Outside, they waited with a few of the other students, discussing the texts they had learned the day before, preparing for the session.

After five minutes, Professor Nagi called them in. They bustled into the lesson, ready to see their friend and former classmate. The last time they had seen him, he had been happy to be in their company again, if still stressed out by the line on his wrist and the new information in his head. The three of them had expected to be greeted in much the same way—at least with a smile or a whispered welcome—as they entered the classroom.

However, it did not seem like that was going to be the case. Aamir stood at the front of the class, dressed in his sleek black robes, the sleeves covering the golden line the three of them knew to be there. He addressed them politely, asking them to take their seats, as he turned and began to write on the blackboard. He wrote much quicker than the sluggish Derhin ever had, his lettering curving and curling elegantly, but the words seemed familiar somehow, as if taken from the very same book Derhin had used.

Alex glanced at Natalie, frowning. It didn’t look like the lesson’s format was going to change at all from Derhin’s dry style. Jari, however, could not be swayed from his optimism as he watched his long-time friend with a grin, trying to get his attention at the back of the classroom. He sparked up a small shower of fireworks when Aamir turned back to them with the instruction that his students copy the given information and attempt the spell if they had time. His voice, usually so bright and rich with the flavor of his heritage, was stern and dulled as he ignored the flurry of golden sparks at the back of the classroom.

The other students did not seem surprised by this change in Aamir. There was a quiet murmur of casual gossip, whispered in low voices, before they simply began the work they had been set, their fingers moving quickly across paper, copying out the information. Even Natalie and Alex set to it, but Jari was determined.

“Aamir?” Jari raised his hand.

The room went silent.

Aamir turned in Jari’s direction, a look of frustration passing across his face. “Please, stop what you are doing,” Aamir said, addressing the whole class. Everyone looked up, pausing in their task as they tried hard not to look at Jari.

“This is a note for all of you,” Aamir began calmly. “This class is now taught by me, in replacement of Professor Derhin, and you will all address me as Professor Nagi from now on. I will neither accept nor tolerate any other term of address—I am no longer your classmate. I am your teacher, and you shall speak to me accordingly, with the appropriate level of respect.” His gaze focused for a moment on every single student, hammering the message home. His voice was stern and steady, his intention clear, and completely devoid of the warmth his friends were used to. Instead, there was a silent threat, bubbling just beneath the surface.

“Yes, Professor Nagi,” every voice in the room chorused. All except one.

“Now, continue,” Aamir instructed, turning again to write on the board.

“Aamir?” Jari raised his hand again, his tone bold. The room froze, everybody’s eyes snapping to the blond-haired boy with his hand up and a mischievous smile on his face.

Aamir turned very slowly, his stern gaze resting on his best friend. “Jari, you will address me as Professor Nagi,” he insisted. His voice was even, though Alex picked up on a tiny hint of something like regret in the way he said ‘Jari.’

Jari frowned. “I just need some help,” he said, his cheerful voice tightening. Alex noticed Jari’s hand was shaking.

“Very well,” Aamir sighed, making his way through the desks toward Jari.

Aamir stopped beside the desk, waiting impatiently for Jari’s question. A glance of panic passed from the younger boy to the older, but Aamir only tapped his foot on the stone floor, the noise echoing across the room. “Aamir, I just—” Jari began, but Aamir cut him off sharply.

“You will address me as Professor Nagi. I will not tell you again,” Aamir snapped, the students in the room shifting in their seats with discomfort.

“Aamir, I—” Jari tried again.

“You will address me appropriately, Jari,” Aamir growled, his voice low.

Jari sat back in his seat, biting back tears as he looked up to his former friend. “I just wanted to ask you a question,” he said quietly.

“What is it, Jari?” Aamir said, very impatient now.

Jari shook his head. “I forgot,” he answered miserably, dropping his gaze.

“You forgot?” Aamir sighed heavily. “In future, make sure you have a question, Jari.” Aamir strode back to his place at the front of the classroom.