The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster

Chapter 10 Betrayal I

Buji was forced to a stop by the words that reverberated from the voices across the room. He wanted to keep listening to kill his curiosity. He heard what Mr. Zin had said and put a smile on his face.

'A good place. Wonderful!'

But the voices suddenly became dim, he couldn't grab all they were saying again. As a result, he stepped closer, straining his ear to catch all fragments of the conversation, and he was shocked after hearing Emra's voice.

"I'm happy the plan is working accordingly. And, daddy, I also have the book now, and I won't be returning it anytime soon," Emra stated.

The smile on Buji's face vanished as soon as he heard what Emra had said. He tried to consume the words in him but couldn't swallow them – he was shocked.

'My doubts were right. There was something more to this invitation than I thought.'

He still listened, bringing his ear closer so he could grab more of the things they said.

"Unknowingly to him, he has been under my watch," Emra began. "Buji doesn't seem like others. There is a different aura I get whenever I'm around him. Unfortunately, he's yet to realize it."

Buji couldn't tell exactly how things happened inside Mr. Zin's room. Each of their reactions and all that, but he was sure of one thing.

The room reeked of betrayal, especially from Emra. He, however, stood at a point near the grand doors and continued to listen.

"Different how?" that was Mr. Zin's voice.

"It's kind of hard to explain," Emra admitted, clutching the book in her hands. "Recently, he seems to move like someone carrying a burden he isn't able to bear."

"I noticed it too. The incident down there in the living room made him suspicious in the eyes," Mr. Zin replied with a calm male voice.

Buji could sense that Mr. Zin leaned against his chair since he heard the creaking sound of the chair. Judging from the building's appearance, he imagined that the chairs might be somewhat made of gold or at least silver, but he was distracted by Mr. Zin's voice.

"You don't know, but Buji is suspected to have a different bloodline, abominated by the association."

Emra hesitated before asking. "And what if it doesn't reveal itself?"

"The Awakening ceremony shall tell. That was why I asked you to invite him so I could use my remaining slot," came Mr. Zin's voice.

Buji felt Mr. Zin had paused for a while. He imagined if he had put on a wry smile after what he had said.

"Whether his bloodline was going to reveal itself or not, Buji will become an asset. Or a liability."

'An asset or a liability. What does it mean by that?"

"Buji is only suspected to be the last of the bloodline that has long been forbidden to exist..." Mr. Zin cut his words short. "That book you hold will reveal more if you want to know."

"S-E-A," Emra muttered, meaning she had glanced once more at the book.

Zin however asked the question that piqued Buji's interest.

[Their Plan: I am not too sure about their plan. So, I need to make different counter plans in case. Like, their plan is all tied to me]

[The Ceremony: a pivotal event that would reveal something about me. The beginning of how Mr. Zin and Emra, or probably, the hunter's association will act towards me]

As if trying to remember something, Buji leaned back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

'And the school?' he thought.

The school was going to be the powerhouse of what would come next from onwards. So, that's the key.

"That's the key," Buji whispered in realization, rubbing his thumb against his middle finger to a snap.

Whatever Mr. Zin, his daughter, and other hunters might be planning hinged on that darn Awakening ceremony. If that's the case, then he would have to play along—for now.

He thought next about Emra. It was still unbelievable to him what she had done, but that was human for you. So hard to be trusted.

'But her voice. Unlike the confident Emra he had known, there was something with her voice. Was it... whatever it was?

He smirked and said. "That being the case, two can play this game, Emra."

Buji finally resolved as he neatly folded the paper and tucked it into a book, placing it back in his drawer.

He wouldn't confront Emra yet. He was going to use her as his informant.

'I only hope she will last wrong around me.'

Just as he was about to lie down on his bed for rest, he heard a soft knock at his door. His heart skipped a beat.

With cautious steps, he approached the door.

"Buji?" Emra's soft voice called from outside the door.

Bro reluctantly placed his hands on the doorknob, he hesitated for a while.

'Why is she here? Okay, Buji, calm down, pretend as though nothing happened.'

Buji tightened his jaw. He opened the door to meet Emra's gaze.

"We need to talk," Emra retorted.

"About?" Buji asked with a calm but guarded voice.

Emra turned backward, observing her environment as if to ensure no one was listening. Then, she turned back to Buji with a usual expression of hers.

"The ceremony," she replied simply.