Scumbag Fate System-Chapter 58: Trust You

The carriage ride back to the academy felt both endless and too short.

The turbo engines hummed beneath them, and Louis navigated through familiar roads that led toward campus. Everyone sat in exhausted silence while nursing their wounds and processing everything that had happened.

Until the academy gates finally appeared ahead with their iron bars and stone pillars marking the outside world and school grounds.

They climbed out; their bodies protested every movement. And quickly headed straight for the club building. Sirin was waiting inside the club room while pacing near the windows with papers clutched in her hands.

She turned immediately when the door opened.

"You’re back!" Sirin said while relief flooded her face, before her expression shifted to concern at their disheveled appearance. "What happened to all of you?"

"Long story," Alice said while dropping into a chair with a groan. "Tell us about the trial first."

Sirin set her papers on the table while organizing them with practiced efficiency. "The first day went better than expected. We were able to defend Yor well enough that expulsion is completely off the table now."

"That’s great!" Rika said while her face brightened.

"But," Sirin continued while her tone became more serious. "Things are getting complicated because several professors are pointing out that even if Yor is allowed to stay at the academy. She’s still fundamentally dangerous to other students."

Louis frowned while leaning his spear against the wall. "What are they proposing?"

"They want her isolated." Sirin replied while her hands clenched slightly. "No club participation, and she will have classes by herself. Basically, keeping her on campus but away from everyone else."

"That’s ridiculous!" Alice shouted while standing up so fast her chair scraped backward. "They can’t do that!"

"It’s basically prison," Rika added while her voice shaking with anger. "What’s the point of staying if she can’t actually be with anyone?"

"Exactly what I said," Sirin confirmed while nodding. "We fought against it hard, but several influential professors are backing this proposal."

Louis crossed his arms. "So we’re right back where we started. Yor isolated and alone."

Reinhard had been quiet while listening, and now he caressed his chin thoughtfully. "If Yor was able to show that she can control her power and that it doesn’t hurt others anymore. Would that be enough to overturn everything?"

Sirin’s eyes widened while her mouth opened in surprise. "Well, yes, that would address their entire argument. The crux of the issue is that she can’t control it. If she could demonstrate reliable control, then there’d be no logical reason to keep her separated."

Reinhard smiled. "Alright then, we’ll do exactly that. I have a way for Yor to gain control over her power, and we just need one day."

Everyone froze while their faces showed shock, and Yor’s hand came up to cover her mouth.

"What?" Alice said while blinking rapidly. "How? When did you figure this out?"

"What method could possibly work when nothing else has?" Louis asked while stepping closer.

Reinhard waved them off with one hand. "It involves how I got my Sigil in the first place. That’s all I can say for now."

Louis snapped his fingers while recognition dawned on his face. "That’s why your name was so familiar! You’re the person who didn’t awaken a Sigil during the ceremony! But how did you manage to-"

"It doesn’t matter right now," Alice interrupted while waving her hand impatiently. "Can you really help Yor with her power? Actually help her control it?"

"Just trust me," Reinhard said while his voice was steady and certain.

Sirin looked at Yor directly, her expression searching. "What do you think, Yor? This is your decision to make."

Yor clasped her hands together while they trembled slightly, and her voice was quiet but firm when she spoke. "I want to continue going to this club. I want to keep having fun with all of you. I want to be together with everyone without worrying about hurting people." She took a breath. "I don’t want to give up anything anymore."

Everyone smiled while warmth spread across their faces, and they nodded in unison.

"Then we’re leaving everything up to you, Reinhard," Sirin said with a smile. "Don’t let us down."

"I won’t," Reinhard promised while standing and reaching out to grab Yor’s hand.

Everyone’s eyes widened, and shock rippled through the room.

"He can actually touch her!?" Louis exclaimed while pointing at their joined hands.

It’s then they realized why Yor was able to connect with him so well.

Alice perked up while bouncing slightly. "Then it really might work! Whatever method he has!"

Reinhard chuckled while gently pulling Yor toward the door. "Come on. We have work to do."

They left the club room while walking through empty hallways. The academy was quiet during this between-class period, and most students were either in lectures or studying in their dorms.

Yor softly said. "Thank you for coming after me."

"Of course I came." Reinhard replied while squeezing her hand gently. "Did you really think I’d leave you alone?"

"I hoped you wouldn’t." She admitted while looking down at their joined hands. "But I also thought maybe it would be better if everyone just forgot about me."

"Well, we didn’t forget." Reinhard said lightly after chuckling. "And we won’t. You’re stuck with us now."

Yor giggled. "Thank you for not giving up on me even when I gave up on myself."

"Of course," Reinhard said while leading her around a corner.

"...I was so scared in that basement." Yor continued while her voice was barely above a whisper. "When the Void was saying all those things, part of me believed it was right."

"But you didn’t give in." Reinhard pointed out. "Even before we showed up, some part of you was still fighting."

"Maybe." Yor said while her fingers tightened slightly on his. "Thank you for reminding me why I should fight."

They reached an empty courtyard. The afternoon light filtered through the trees and created patterns on the stone pathways. Reinhard stopped walking and turned to face her.

He leaned in close and whispered the method he had in mind for helping her control her power. Yor’s face immediately blushed bright red, and her free hand came up to cover her mouth.

"That’s..." She started while her voice was muffled behind her hand.

Reinhard pulled back while his expression was calm, and waited for her response without pressure.

Yor lowered her hand while her blush was still coloring her cheeks. But her eyes were clear and determined. "If it’s with you, then I don’t mind. No, more than anything, I want to do it since it’s you and only you."

Reinhard smiled. "When you say it like that, it sounds very enticing."

"It should be... We can go to my room." Yor said softly with a smile. "The headmaster reinforced the walls to be completely soundproof when I first arrived."

Reinhard’s expression shifted in understanding. "So no one would come running if you had a mini explosion? So you wouldn’t hurt anyone or cause panic?"

Yor nodded while her smile turned sad. "He was trying to help. To give me a space where I could at least be myself without worrying about being overheard or causing problems."

"Then that’s perfect." Reinhard said while starting to walk again with their hands still joined. "Your room it is."

They headed toward the dormitory buildings. They climbed stairs while navigating familiar hallways until they reached Yor’s door at the end of a quiet corridor.

Yor pulled out her key while her hands were steady despite the nervousness visible in her eyes. "Are you sure this will work?"

"I’m certain," Reinhard said. "Trust me."

"I do trust you." Yor replied while unlocking the door. "More than I’ve trusted anyone in a very long time.