"Light and darkness are of the same coin." She looked on as the blot fought against the bird which kept diverting its attention, "Perhaps for some, their belief are as naive as trusting in those who've decided this path or those who believe they only have that path. Believing there is only one path that is the best for themselves or for others. The position of the headmage and its influence with the government was only possible because the bell ringer decided to open a school after he became the new judge of the city. Even then, his concern for the people was quite strong. After saving the people and accepting his new role, he understood due to his own father's mistakes that light and darkness are in everyone's hearts. The school was created to aid the new souls on the correct path whichever path they believe while the bell ringer's new position would correct those who have strayed away and are lost, or it is used to bring justice to those who suffered injustice. The bell of solace aided him in this endeavor. He continued the practice of appointing new bell ringers to ring the bell on schedule and restructured the city's layout into a magic circle. If one day the bell would undergo a change, the headmage must activate the magic circle which would create a new barrier and power the bell with more mana. However, the bell has store too much mana and is now undergoing a change. Rather the change is good or bad is unknown. However, the headmage's role is the protection of the city and the next generation. What happens within these past three days will now change the entire system."
"Would it harm those who have done nothing wrong?" Rollo questioned warily.
"I don't believe it would. However, if there are those who cannot keep up with the new change, they do not have to do so alone." Peony shook her head, "You students may still have enough time to acclimate to this change, but the folks who have been here longest may struggle to adapt. Change comes with time. It's our job to help the people, not judge their every decision or way of life."
As she said this, this time the bell towed once again as a burst of mana erupted from the bell dispersing the blot throughout the city. The wave of mana almost pushed the vice-president off the edge had Xiao Jun not appeared and kept him from falling off the edge! She turned around and noticed a light emerge from the bell which now glowed radiating with an aura of mana! The light grew larger and larger before it slowly disappeared and took the shape of a little girl with dark black hair and bright blue eyes. Her skin was dark and she wore a cute red dress. She lay curled up on the ground sleeping before slowly opening her eyes and looked around. Shocked, they were taken aback as Peony approached her curiously, "What is your name?"
The girl looked to her nervously before looking around and her eyes rested on Rollo. She scrambled up and rushed over to him before clinging onto his robe with a big smile.
"Huh?!" The vice-president looked to him in bewilderment, "Do you know her, President Rollo?"
"I doubt it." Peony responded as she examined her with her eyes, "She seems to be an avatar of the Bell."
"What?!"
"It seems the bell has developed an ego. It's better to put it that she is basically an extension of the Bell of Solace." Peony explained, "The dark mirror also has such an avatar residing within the mirror. However, the bell has created an actual human figure as its avatar."
She pondered aloud, "It's probably due to frequent exposure to humans. However, this one seems to be quite eager to join our society. Do you already have a name of your own?"
The little girl paused in deep thought before she squeaked and made a bunch uncomfortable and unsteady voices. Uncertain, the two boys wondered if she was mute when Peony raised a hand as if having read their thoughts and the little girl finally managed an audible word, "Eh... Ehh... Emmm... Emurr... Emerenn... Emerant. Emerant!"
Peony nodded, "Then, pardon me for asking. But, do you know who you are, Emerant?"
The kid pointed to the bell and spelled out, "Me!"
"Huh?!"
Peony wore a smile and nodded, "Understood. Hm..."
She hummed aloud as Rollo looked to her in confusion, "What?"
"I'm just thinking... She probably knows I'm not from here." Peony responded, "Because she clung onto Flamme, I suspect it's because the bell can sense the mana of others. Thus, it recognized his mana and clung onto him instead of the vice-president. Still, she avoided me, which probably means she is thus a little wary. I suspect, the bell has been conscious the entire time but did not develop an ego until now. However, how much she understands is unknown."
The vice-president hummed, "Maybe some researchers..."
Peony paused as she raised a hand stopping them, "No. Right now is the most fragile times. If we are not careful, we'd endanger the bell rather than better understanding it. Instead, it would be better to care for the bell. There are a lot of people outside, after all. Someone who wear a smile on their faces but has malicious thoughts in their mind while others who have changed for the worst despite being once old friends. Instead of taking risks right now, we should help the people. Then, we can worry about this later. Can you help the former headmage escort the students back to their dorms?"
"Of course, but what about the former headmage?" He questioned hesitantly.
She turned to Rollo, "I know you've only just recovered a little, but can we count on you to escort the former headmage, Flamme?
"Me?" He looked to her in surprise, "But what about you?"
"As much as I'd like to, the people have only just survived a blot attack and this situation is no different from a raid. They'd likely be more uneasy than we thought. However, the school also cannot be neglected. The only people I trust now are currently the former headmage and the student council. My attendant is also one of the people, but I will need her help with the city."
She looked down on the little girl with a deep thought before speaking, "Try taking the little girl with you when you see him. The former headmage also used to be a bell ringer when he was a student here. Miss Emerant might remember his mana from back then. So, she might be more comfortable hanging around him."
The vice-president hesitated, "Is it really okay to bring her? Those Divine Gate people..."
"Will lay low until their headmage meets us himself." She finished boldly, "Not simply myself but also the president."
"Those people are tricky." The vice-president muttered nervously, "After investigating the cases involving them, the majority of the conflicts began with them talking behind our backs and our status in the findings. It got worse after the false headmage was tried. How could someone from such a prestigious school be so terrible?!"
Peony nodded, "It's tricky, isn't it? There was such a term for this back in my birth place. Do you know how white lotuses are grown, vice-president?"
"White lotuses?"
"In the mud of swamp or lakes right?" Rollo raised a brow.
"That's right." She nodded, "Back in my birthplace, white lotuses are beautiful flowers with pure white petals or soft pink petals. Although the white petals are the most beautiful, they can only be grown from the mud of lakes and rivers and have sprouted through the mud. However, due to their beauty, people often see that rather than the mud it had came out from. Hence, the term white lotus are often used to define those who act pure and innocent but often with dark intentions. That's why you can never trust someone too much in society. You can't confirm their true intentions until they reveal their real nature. The only ones you can trust are those who care for you. Don't worry. After tonight, they'd only embarrass themselves if they try to pull something like that again before they leave. If they do, just leave. People like that around bound to drown in their own actions."
"That sounds so complicated. What if their true nature is not so mean?"
Peony wore a wide smile, "Then that just means you've met someone who is a good person in their own way. A friend is someone who not only wants to spend time with you but also ask for help. A person who intends to make use of you in the name of said help would not be good to entrust when the time for help arises. I shall return to my work if that's all. However, you may come see me if you need any help. That includes miss Emerant. See ya!"
With that, she turned around and left the tower with Little Jun.
Just as she left, one of the gargoyles returned much to their surprise as the vice-president stammered, "S-so it wasn't a dream…"
"We rarely show ourselves to others. However, it's nice to meet you. You must be Rollo's friend. All of us are gargoyles here so it'd be difficult to tell us apart." The stone figure explained, "More importantly, are you two unharmed?"
The vice president nodded, "The headmage watched out for us throughout the ordeal."
"That's good to hear. However, you should really be more careful in the future. We never expected a kid to pop out in the middle of a dangerous situation like that. We were only prepared to protect Rollo. Good thing the headmage dropped in when she did. Oh? Who is this little fella? Hm? She feels a little like… one of us?"
"This…"
The vice-president and Rollo ended up explaining everything to the gargoyle before they returned to meet up with the other students and staff.
The next couple of days was hectic, the student council and the headmage sent off their guests with gifts of apology. Seeing that the gifts were one of the school's magic barrier tools, the other guests were quite pleased with it. It was known that the former headmage's specialty had been barrier magic and he had implemented his knowledge into texts and taught his students the knowledge making it one of the most prized specialty of the school. The knowledge of the implements are sacred to the school and, thus, was kept secret. By imparting one of such prized secrets, they've managed to convey their sincere apologies to the schools they've invited. However, Axel was quite unsettled when he heard this as he questioned her in confusion in the headmage office, "Barrier magic is sacred to our school. To impart such critical information to other schools may lower our value in their eyes!"