"Slow down, already!" I call out to Larishazza as we walked down a mostly empty street. It wasn't like the city was empty. Everyone was just indoors enjoying meals or entertainment. But, me and her weren't here for any of that. She just came up to me and said she had an answer.

So I was very excited as a statement as cryptic as that only had one answer. And it was to what I had asked her not that long ago! During the party! And now, it was finally here...

The woman I loved would stop with the suspense and we could be together. I also refused to look at this matter with any form of pessimism. I would not be presumptuous about a loss. I was only going to look forward to her reply.

'I love you, too!' is what I was going to here. The Nin that once held a knife in his hands no longer had to worry. Someone had finally come for him... Yet, there was something that was confusing me...

I could see her clearly, dancing and playing. She should've been her normal loud and cheery self. But, for some reason, I was struggling to hear her. She wasn't even that far away...?

"Lari, slow down!" I call out again before I move forward to try and snatch up her hand. I get that this was an exciting, tense moment. But, she wasn't the only one feeling this way! I could barely hold it in myself!

However, I became very worried when Lari's hand just slipped out of my grip. It wasn't like magic had been used or she was secretly coated in butter. She just phased straight through my grip...? Had Einervaene been teaching her new magic...?

"SOMEBODY HELP ME!" Lari then screamed out of nowhere. And, all of a sudden, we were no longer in a open street. But a maze of tight alleys with blood-covered walls. Then, without much thought, I just charged forward.

That was her voice! Those were her cries! And this was surely her blood! Yet, when I finally saw her...

She was impaled against a wall... Blood flooded the ground around her and her smile was gone... And before her, was a man with a smile that could be seen even through his cheeks!? A bloody sword was also in his hand...

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"LARISHAZZA!" I roared as my body suddenly lurched forward. Something weighty had also been thrown off. My bed was also straining from the sudden exertion. And it did not take long before I started to spasm about as tears formed.

"This isn't going to work, is it?" Vadei asked just after the lights suddenly came on.

"WHA- What're you doing here!? Where am I!?" I ask her as I start to fall out of the bed. Tearing apart the quilt and blankets until I was back to my feet.

"N-Nin! It's your room! Your dorm room!?" she reminded me as she stood before me. She was mostly naked for some reason yet she did not seem to care. Was this a dream...? Had the smiling man...

No... That was the dream...

But that still didn't explain why she was here, "What're you doing in here...?" I asked her. Completely confused as to why she was in here.

"Seriously, Nin, it hasn't even been an hour since we agreed to this..." she complained as she turned to the clock.

It was decently late but not well into the night, "Agreed to what...?"

"Well, remember, when Tobaballe was first destroyed? You started being a lot more... Aggressive in your appreciation for women... So we decided, you included, that we would rotate sharing your bed until you calmed down..." she started to explain, but it only made me angry. What kind of ludicrous plan was that!? I didn't recover from my concerns about Tobaballe through lechery!

"Calmed down...?" I asked her with a low growl.

"Yes, Nin, calmed down. You are not eating properly and you aren't sleeping well! The doctors are tryi-"

And I interrupted her by activating a spell, "He is stopping them..." I remembered as a blue fire covered my fist.

"Can you please be quiet in here..." Einervaene mentioned nonchalantly as she walked in. Clearly not tired at all. Let alone recently awakened...

"I'm going outside..." I mutter before I try to get past my friend.

"Nin, no, it's too late for that. Go back to bed." Einervaene firmly told me as pushed back against me. And, I wasn't sure how, but, she was doing a very effortless job. When did she get so strong...?

"I'll go get something to drug him with..." Vadei complains before she is let aside by a red-cheeked Einervaene.

"Let me go..." I complain tiredly as Einervaene slowly puts me back into the bed.

"Nin, I know that what has happened has bothered you a lot. But, you need to look after yourself..." she told me, her voice full of worry.

"No... I need to make sure she is okay... She's not safe..." I hysterically remind her as my eyes suddenly shot towards my window. I heard the sound of liquid splattering on glass, but it was only rain... Yet, despite that, all I could think about was when that blood suddenly covered the glass...

When the doctor walked out and it became clear not even he could do anything. But there were guards in that building... Other doctors... I was watching...

How did that happen...?

"Nin... Nin!" Einervaene snapped gently as she held on to me tightly. But when did she even get into this position...?

"I'm not tired..." I tell her as I also realise that we were both in the bed. All tucked...

"I'm the one who is meant to be there, but, I think I will take my bed for the night..." Vadei commented before she left a glass behind.

"Goodnight." Einervaene said to her.

"Yeah, whatever, strap yourself in..." Vadei replied before she yawned.

"Come on, drink it up." Einervaene tried to encourage cheerfully. But she was nothing like Larishazza. It felt all forced when she tried to do it. What even was this stuff, anyway...?

"Wha..."

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"Get off me..." I demanded from Einervaene as she snuggled up against me. Yet, as I was impatient, I forced my way out of her grip. Both waking her up in the process and making it all the harder to get out of bed. I was even partially kicked out of the bed for my troubles...

"E-Eh!? S-Sorry!" she tells me as she helps me stand up again. But it also did not take her long to realise that her pyjama buttons were undone.

"See you at breakfast..." was all I had to say to her before I left my room. And, from there, I slowly thudded down the stairs with a dry mouth. A headache was also coming.

However, those were not what bothered me the most. It was with how quiet it all was... Larishazza should've been here to brighten the place up... She should've been dancing about, much to her sister's annoyance...

Yet, that same sister was quietly walking down the stairs. Formerly behind me, and now in front without so much as a complaint. It made me angry and I could not take my mind off of it. It was not fair in the slightest...

And I couldn't help but glare at Motrtha's bracelet as that thought came by. Why did they let this happen to her!? What had Larishazza done to deserve this!? Oh, right, nothing!

Even after I abandoned her to chase a land that no longer wanted me. She still came running after me to make sure her friend was okay. Every step of the way there and back she was there. Making sure I was okay along with everyone else...

When Vadei's fellow villagers were scared, she helped them. All she ever did was help people. Not once had she damned anyone in such a way as to be cursed. So why did it happen...?

Why did this Smiling Jhurack do it to her? Why was he still keeping her under his terrible blade...? Had I done something to upset the gods...? If so, what!?

I have looked after this bracelet for the most part! I have apologized for any grievances I might've caused Motrtha! I've paid my dues to Thurnmourer and his family! So what was it...?

"No, Nin, eat your breakfast." Einervaene aggressively ordered as she suddenly appeared in front of me.

"When did you...?"

"You aren't paying attention and your efforts to starve yourself ar- Just eat!" she started to explain before she shoved me away from the door.

"Okay..." I meekly muttered as I moved away from the sparking woman.

"Nin, I'm sorry. Just, please, eat." Einervaene quickly said to me as she sat next to me. And, soon, Liada came over with a plate of food. A look of anticipation in her eyes.

"She's learning quite quickly." Omb commented without his usual laugh or cheer. And I knew why indeed... He was Ombo, Lari's good friend... They all were and they all clearly missed her...

Yet, they were also worried for Tiyanat who was nowhere to be seen.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she gets this." Quinshuu of all people says as he walks away with a tray.

"Thank you, Quinshuu." Omb says to him before he returns to the table.

"Morning, my love." Rose greeted as she finally introduced herself for today. Yet, when she leaned in to do her usual, strange behaviour. I made sure to block it. I did not need false affection when the woman I loved was in hospital...

Rose might've said it a lot and only ever referred to me as such... But, Lari was the woman I loved. How could I ever love anyone else...? She was the only one who never saw me as anything but Nin...

She was not conscious of anyone but her friends, unlike Einervaene. She was not disingenuously cruel like Vadei seemingly used to be. She was not fickle and shallow like Rose was... And she was actually willing to try and get along with others, unlike Liada.

"So... We've been excused from our classes due to... So, are there any plans...? Maybe some sightseeing? A picnic? Just a walk...?" Vadei began to ask as she tried to disturb the quiet that filled the room.

"A walk sounds ni-" I started to say I rose up. Yet, Einervane made sure I did not leave while food was still in front of me. And, while Liada was quiet about it, she was anticipating my response.

"Any sights in particular?" Einervaene asks Vadei as her grip starts to bend me in a strange manner.

"Einervaene." I say in order to get her to loosen up. But, what made her finally let go was when I jingled an empty bowl in front of her.

"Did you..." Liada began to say before I walked straight out the door. A particularly harsh orbital-halo above as my bare carapace touched the wet brick. And, somehow, even the mud reminded me of the woman I loved... And I knew why even if it was such a strange thing...

When she first found me, she could not get me outside unless we played our game. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop until we got near our destination. And each time she would soak the ground and spray mud everywhere. She then cleaned us off with her water...

"Rain...?" I then asked myself before I realised that my nostalgia had driven me to tears. Or, rather, the fear I would never do it again with her had. So I tried to forget about it by walking. But nothing was working.

I did not have a passion for the plants or the magic I saw being practised. And what I did see only reminded me of Lari more... Of all the things to cross my mind, this was the only time I wished that she was the only water-user here. It would at least make it easier to forg-

"NO!" I roar in anger at my own thoughts. Much to the confusion and annoyance of the strangers around me. Yet, their comments and snide looks did not go unnoticed. And, maybe this was what I needed to distract myself...?

I could certainly only focus on it at the moment!

"Seriously, it's bad enough they let that thing stay here... Let alone live. But can it at least dress up normally?" one prick commented with what they thought was quiet enough. Yet, strange as my body may be, my eyes and ears worked fine. And all the little comments I could once drown out or ignore were all coming back. It was surprising how many there were.

"Oh, am I sorry, does my existence bother you somehow?" I asked one particular person with a snarl. And their group of friends backed away while they themselves went stiff.

"Try looking in a mirror for an answer." he joked with a scoff. But, the heart just wasn't in those laughing behind him.

"And I have an answer for you right here." I say before punching him straight to the ground.

"HEY!" one of his friends barked before a blast of wind was shot at me. Yet, it was so weak I that I could just power through it. I have been through worse. I have fought wyverns and earth shamans!

These pumped-up brats had no idea! And I was enjoying making sure they knew it. For all their talk and laughter from before. It was me who was currently stronger than them.

Me! The shitty little bug that once struggled to pass an entrance exam... Me, the shitty little bug who once broke down crying because their power scared them... It was me!

"STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING HIM!" one girl screamed as she tried to shoot me off the one I lashed out at.

"AND YOU PEOPLE HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT ENACT AND WISH IT UPON ME!" I roar back at her before slapping her away. Only to get blasted into a nearby tree for my troubles.

"If you wish to fight, do it in the designated areas!" a teacher barked at us. And maybe, I should fight them there as they sure were taking their time in easing this spell...

"Yeah, alright, then! You want a fight, bug!? We'll give you one!" the one I punched in the face spat out at me.

"Fight? You can do that?" I taunted him with before I jabbed him with a claw.

"YOU WANT TO GO!?" he roared at me as his magic started to flare up.

"DO NOT MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF!" the teacher yelled before he started to blast small bit of encouragement at us.

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"I suppose we are spending our time off looking for Nin..." the root who took my rightful place last night says.

"You can do whatever you wish, my obligations, however, are too my love!" I tell her as I get up and strut ahead of her.

"Fine by me, Ro." she sarcastically comments.

"Excuse me!?" I ask her as that comment of hers enraged me. My name was Rose'lhia! A name I rightfully earned by being the purest and greatest of my generation! She had no right to refer to me like that!

"BOTH OF YOU! STOP IT!" Einervaene screams as she slams her hands down on the table.

"Learn your place, Root." I dismiss with a sneer. Smiling slightly as that root barks its dribble as I leave. However, that unfortunate encounter had left me annoyed. So, it was best I got rid of it before I went to find my love.

If his own temperament was foul, it was wise of me to ensure mine was not. My love did not know what he was saying sometimes when he got angry. So, being able to avoid it was for the best. A meeker, reserved attitude was needed.

Don't look the angered beast in the eye as the thorns tended to say. Even the Gilded-Bark I once served spoke of similar things when he came back from hunts. If there was an animal stronger than you. Back away and make way for it, only rise to meet it under threat of death.

Thankfully, my love would never put me in such a state. At least, now that he was back to himself again. It was him after all to some extent that hurt me before. My injuries were gone, but, the fear was still in my mind.

But that was all in the past now, and I anticipated our future. Unfortunately, he could never come down this way. But, I really liked walking past the seedlingcare part of this place. It reminded me of the best part of my old role and it also was my future.

I wasn't sure who looked after these children, it certainly wasn't an Ivy-Mother. But, I would not comfort a child as an Ivy-Mother the next time I looked after one. It would be because I was a mother! Motrtha would be my patron goddess and in my arms, a little god of my own.

It made me so excited to think about such things. I wondered quite a bit about how I would be as a mother. Clearly, I would've been a good one. But that wasn't what I was interested in...

Would I spoil them like the little piece of holiness that they were? Would I be a strict mother who wanted them to be the very best? Would I let my love have just as much involvement as I did? There was so many possibilities!

"No, Spruce'endoor, back here." a voice I once loathed with all my heart said. I wasn't particularly sure why I could hear her as clearly as I did. But seeing her there with a child made me jealous. But, it also saddened me for some reason.

And I couldn't quite put my finger on it for the moment. So I just watched the Gilded-Bark's son as he waddled about with the human children. It was somewhat frightening to watch this as well. Those human children were brimming with magic in comparison to him...

It was no surprise that the wind-people shed our numbers so easily. What was once a task for us women since the Patricide. The men have retaken their role as emissaries and merchants for our flowers. At least, I assumed this applied to other ones.

We saw each other rarely and only really near our beloved garden-mounts. But, it was once again put into perspective. Humans were the creations of the gods. It was their spilt blood during the Fourteen-Headed Beasts war that they came about.

We aelenvari were a byproduct of this holy race... As were all species, really. Using magic was a trait of humanity that could be passed on very easily. Even the dragons, mighty as they were, took on human appearances.

Magic was theirs by right, a divine right we could only begin to grasp. And within this right, came places like this where they fostered that strength. To my shame as well, I could still make a reason as to why I should leave my love. Yet, I just couldn't, he was very special to me...

I did not like how I kept looking at other men... It wasn't something I meaned to do out of spite or some convoluted plan. I was just taught this way... It was also a natural response.

But, my love would not hear such excuses. So I had to prove to him that I was indeed capable of loyalty. That, as the wind people might say, jhrater'er was not enough to sway me. No great-blooded man was to come between me and Nin ever again...

And we would both prove this! Himself by becoming stronger and stronger while I kept my eyes for him alone!

"Hey! The bug is going all out in the arena!" a girl with similar magic to my love's lost friend says as she runs by. Yet, she was talking to her own friends, not me. I was thankful, however. I now knew where he was!

Yet, it left me feeling strange. Excited and terrified was how I could best describe it. Excited because this meant I could relive how I felt when I first fell for him! And terrified because a show of strength invited many challengers...

And, despite the faith I had in him. I was not blind to the truth. This place, it was full of so many strong witches. Thankfully, the overwhelming amount were women, so I felt nothing but respect alone.

I could not, however, resist the urge to watch him stand above all the others here. So I was running before I knew it with a lustful heat rising in me. Maybe he would have just enough energy left at the end... And, in a fit of passion, I'd have my son!

Even if I was to leave out an important piece of my first time...

"Oh, never mind that! Move!" I commented to myself at first before I barked at whoever was just in my way. And while they were all moving to seats afterwards. I kept myself bouncing in excitement at the lowest hanging wall. I wanted to feel as much of it as I could!

I wanted to see and soak myself in Nin's strength! Yet, what I saw disturbed me rather than enthralled me. I could not see him in this place. It wasn't him I saw...

All I saw, was an osibindah.

The savagery he was displaying in this him versus all fight was unnerving. His roars, however, scared me more, because they were full of loss. He sounded just like the Gilded-Bark did when I sent off that thief elsewhere. And that could only indicate one thing really...

And I was fully aware of it as well, "It's supposed to be me that you loved..." I let out in despair. We were meant to be starting a family. But, once again, a thief had come along and stole my love's heart...

And unlike before, I was not in a position to start shifting things in my favour. I did not know who did this to that woman. And I wasn't stronger than her anyway... She'd give him a far better son...

Yet, maybe... If I showed him that I was better than her, he'd roar like that for me! He'd fight on like that for me! Yet, maybe if I started to help him now, he'd do that anyway!

"My lo-" I started to say as I ran out to meet him in this fight. Yet, as I was running amongst others... I became a target of his latest spell.

"Don't be such an idiot." a familiar voice tells me as I start to feel their magic.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"What did you do that for!?" I ask him as he hovers there with a stupid expression.

"Look behind you, Rossie!" he tells me before he suddenly spins around me to intercept my love.

"YOU WANT TO GO AGAIN, HUH!?" my love roars at my greatest shame. Yet, the force of their blows threw me to the ground. My prior excitement was also gone... My love was not paying any heed to me!

He was going to hurt me if he kept on like this, "Please, stop him!" I begged my greatest shame. However, I would display my terror openly when my love's snarl turned to me exclusively. I had to make it clear I wasn't repeating my mistake! I needed to show him somehow!

"You need to get out of here!" my shame tells me as he effortlessly spins over Nin. A powerful blow was then struck against my love. With its blowing shockwaves making me lose my balance once again.

"NIN! PLEASE, CALM DOWN!" I beg him as the misunderstanding only made him angrier. My shame, however, was having little trouble keeping him occupied. Much to my confusion. But, I had to focus on my love at the moment!

So I tried to make it clear to him that I wasn't interested in fighting. But every time I had an opening, I was suddenly blown away or brought to safety. My shame had no intention of letting me just speak to him. He needed to go!

"WILL YOU STOP GETTING IN THE WAY!?" my shame roars at me as he twirled away from me as I started to blast him with magic. It was a risky move, but, by making it clear to Nin that I wasn't against him...

"My love..." I whispered from the ground as I watched him suddenly fall to the ground.

"You will forever confuse me with how you act." my shame comments as he dusted himself off and cleaned a small amount of blood off.

"What happened...?"

"I got you out the way and put him down." he answers before I run over to my love.

"My love!?" I nearly scream before he started to move on his own.

"I'm not out yet..." Nin spits out as he struggled to get up. My attempts to stop this, however, only led to me being shoved to the ground.

"Hey! I did not lose to you just so you could hurt Rossie!" my shame combatively tells Nin as the last vestiges of his magic burn out. My shame then sighs as I run over to Nin's collapsed form once again.

"Don't worry, my love. I can fix this..." I whisper as I hold him close. Turning my nose up at all those who cheered for the wrong person. Had they not looked around!? He merely tired himself out on greater opponents!

"Listen, Rose'lhia, I heard what happened."

"So? It's not your concern." I tell him dismissively.

"I think it is when someone I cared about was just injured by the anguish caused by what happened." my shame tells me as he suddenly forces himself upon me. His magic healed my wounds while I glared up at him. It was not his place to heal me... My Love was stronger than him, his magic would've been better anyway...

"If you are so insistent on helping me, you can carry him to where he can rest."

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"My Love?" I heard Rose say as my eyes slowly opened up again. I had the dream again. Yet, apparently, I was too beat up to move. When I realised who was near me, however, it started to not matter.

"Back for more?" I aggressively ask him as I rose to my feet. Even if I was struggling to stand and covered with open wounds. Part of me was even leaking out and staining an already dirty floor.

"B- Nin, I'm not here to fight." he struggled to say at first as he waved his hands down at me. And, perhaps, it was for the best. When I lashed out at those people, a lot more got involved. Besides, I was wasting strength picking fights...

To my disappointment, however, my mind was not occupied with pride or shame. The fact I held my own against a small group meant nothing. The laughter that must've happened when I fell did not anger me. I just felt empty and I knew why completely...

I was getting angry just to cover up the hole Larishazza left. So, maybe it was just best that I visited her at the hospital instead. Maybe she has woken up or would later today. I could somewhat have some joy in my life again.

"Why're you still here?" Rose asks Seigunfrei as he leaned on a wall in front of us.

"To keep an eye on him."

"And why would that be...?" I ask him with an aggressive chitter.

"Because I am aware of what has happened. And, for what it is worth, I just wanted to tell you that you aren't the only o-"

"I don't care what others think! All that matters is that it was Larishazza he chose to attack!" I snap as I suddenly rise. Having aggressively shoved off Rose in the process.

"I am also here to keep a promise." he growls at me after I suddenly found myself pinned against the wall.

"I repeat myself!" Rose tells him as she aggressively gets between us and him. Yet, it was odd how she did it. She stayed closer to him than me. But, I suppose it did not matter in comparison to another event.

"With all due respect, Roseli, regardless if we're still dating, I said I would look after you! And I intend to follow through with it!"

"My Love is more than capable!"

"He nearly hurt you several times just now!" he snaps down at her. And, as if to prove his point, she did not back away to me.

"Just leave already." Rose comments with evident annoyance.

"No, because I intend to speak with him." he clarifies before he nods in my direction.

"What could you possibly want to speak to me about?" I ask with a snarl. And I had every right to. My experiences with this man were a bloody fight and another bloody fight! He did not like me, and I happily returned the view!

"I am willing to offer any help I can. It clearly matters not to you, but I have known several girls killed by him. Some of which, at the time, I made similar promises to Roseli here. And I would like to at the very least avenge what I could not protect."

"Oh, so brave of you..." I sarcastically drone out as my glare narrows, "And why is he still out there?" I ask. Jabbing at his chest as this failure of his led to her state... She was in a hospital, struggling to live because our Hero over here failed!

Then, all of a sudden, he tore open his shirt, "BECAUSE I WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH!" he roared. A particularly large, circular scar existed near his upper, right arm joint. He could've easily had it healed...

"And you still clearly aren't." I scoff as I remember our last proper fight. One where he didn't shoot in after I was tired out.

"We will find out, I suppose. Now, I will not have it any other way. But I will be helping you." he tells me as he steps forward. And that was all he did, he held his ground near my display of aggression. Not once did he flinch even as my magic enveloped his area.

"And what help could you possibly provide!?"

"Unlike you, I have lived here. Actually lived here! Places where you can find rumours! Evidence! Anything! I can at the very least guide you to them if that look in your eyes means anything!"

"W-What look...? My Love, you don't intend to...?"

"Kill that bastard? Tear him limb from limb!? KEEP THE WOMAN I ACTUALLY LOVE SAFE FROM A MAN TOYING WITH HER!?" I steadily progress until I roared into her face. And, at some point, she started to cry and shiver.

"I... I see..." she weakly says as she backs away.

"Now, first thing is first before you make the wrong decision, Nin, where were you on that day?" Seigunfrei asks me as he takes measures to console Rose.

"We were..."

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"So you lot going to order anything or will you just be occupying my chairs?" the owner of this place laughs. And, while I stared off at the building we were all originally going to go to. I found myself quietly crying under the safety of my mask. I knew something was wrong and I was too slow...

I should've left the moment something felt wrong... I should've never let Lari go off on her own... Not while she was like that. For all I know, that strange behaviour set this psychopath off!

"If you don't mind!" Seigunfrei tells the man with a smile before he taps a menu. One jingle later and the owner left. So I could only assume that meant he bought himself some lunch. Probably Rose as well knowing the two slept together.

"Nin..." Rose quietly says as she tugs at my cloak.

"What?" I growl.

"So, as you were saying, you had a meal here and went other there?" Seigunfrei asks me. And I nod as there wasn't much to say.

Yet, I still chose to speak, "Yeah, we were going to go see some group. Deadly..."

"Deadly Sound? I know them, played around with one of them for a bit. But, never worked out."

"Not surprised." I scoff.

"Nin." Rose says with a stern, warning tone.

"So did you see them?"

"No, they were later than they said they would be... And we were invited here by them after Lari..." I say before I realise something. Lari was acting even worse in the build-up to it all. Right when we met Deadly Sound for a meal beforehand...

Lari then disappeared and they were not on at the time they said they would be... Lari defeated them in the Inter-House...

"My Love!?" Rose calls out in alarm after I suddenly rose to my feet.

"THEM!" I roared at a display board before I started to assault it. It was them! This Smiling Jhurack! He was one of them or associated with them!

THIS WAS ALL JUST AN ATTEMPT TO SALVAGE THEIR PRIDE!?

"Hey! Wait!" I heard that annoying human call out before I just started running. I need to get back to the academy. They had to be there. And they would be answering my questions!

Paying the price if I really needed them too...

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"So you're trying to find inspiration?" I ask Clarman as I sewed together something. I was doing it mostly out of frustration. Because everyone kept peeling away to do their own thing so we could not spend time together as friends... I guess I understood why, but, it bothered me nonetheless.

"Yes... It wasn't hard to hear about what had happened, so, I thought maybe I could conduct a piece to be a Get Well gift or something." Clarman nervously jokes before she looks back at her group.

"Well, I will try to help however I can!" I enthusiastically say as I stood up with a smile.

"It's appreciated, Einervaene. I know we did come at you with this at a random moment, so I am sorry for that."

"Don't be! I'm sure Tiyanat would be glad to know people are there for her..." I start to say before I nervously chuckle. I didn't mean it in a way that meant I wasn't there for her... I know me and Larishazza had our issues, but I would never!

"You alright?" Clarman asks me with a smile before I realise I had turned red from mere thoughts.

"Yeah..." I nervously say as I start to press my fingers together. Only to raise a hand to block out the Orbital-Halo's light. What was that in the distance? Was there a duel going on...?

"Should we get someone involved...?" one of Clarman's friends asked as we watched this magic approach.

"Nin...?" I let out just in time for a more clear outline of him to appear. But, whatever was going on had me worried. Because I could also see aircraft from the city itself.

"Those are City Guard airships... And is that Seigunfrei!?" Clarman pointed out as green tornadoes stood out amongst the blue fire.

"MOVE!" I scream at them before a terrifying roar filled the air. I had heard that noise before... When Tobaballe was destroyed. But what brought him back to that state!?

"GAH!" Clarman screams after a thunderous boom knocked me down.

"WHY WEREN'T YOU THERE THAT NIGHT!? WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST HER!? WHERE IS HE!?" Nin roared down at a now bloodied Clarman. Yet, she was too terrified to answer.

"STUDENT NIN! STAND DOWN NOW!" a voice from inside the aircraft soon shouted as a crowd started to form.

"ANSWER ME!" Nin roared as he started to thrash Clarman about!?

"NIN!" I scream at him as I tried to get between him and her. Her friends, however, were too scared to approach as Nin's magic was out of control. Even in my lightning form, I could still feel a strange heat. It was like I was being boiled alive!

"STUDENT NIN!" A teacher then thankfully got involved and sent him flying away. Mere moments later, however, he came charging back!

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" he roared before this Seigunfrei intercepted him and blocked his charge. A sudden bang, however, seemingly put an end to it all and Nin suddenly fell down.

"Arrest that bug!" an armoured man ordered as he suddenly exited his airship.

"NO! We will handle this as this is within our right." the teacher told them as he came over to drag Nin to his feet.

"Why did you do it...?" I ask him pointlessly as Clarman cried behind me. She was badly injured, so we had to get her sorted. Yet, when I turned around, she was already being healed by the others. Hospital staff, however, were still here to take her.

.

.

.

"What you did was unacceptable, Student Nin. And to top it off, this is the second time today!" Frihdeicalkbr said to me before he slammed a fist on the table.

"They're responsible..." I growled to him as I struggled against these magic restraining chains.

"Who are responsible!?"

"FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FRIEND! TO MY PRECIOUS FRIEND!" I scream at him hysterically as I started to lash out despite the chains.

"And your proof?" he asked me with a grim tone as he sat down in his chair again.

"THEY WEREN'T THERE!" I screamed at him. How could he not understand this!? This happens after they fail to show up when they said they would!? WHAT MORE TO IT WAS THERE!?

"A claim is not proof." he sighs out as I continued to struggle. Only to lash out more when someone entered the room. It was her, the lead of that group! The one behind it all!

"N-Nin... It wasn't us! I swear it! We just got the time wrong is all! We did perform! We can show you the record-"

"STOP LYING TO ME! YOU WEREN'T THERE! AND WITH YOUR WOUNDED PRIDE! YOU TRIED TO KILL HER!" I interrupt before Frihdeicalkbr suddenly smashes a glass orb on me. Whatever was in it, it had that magic from a long time ago in it. That magic they used to suppress emotions... Unlike last time, however, I could not break free of it.

"Look, I will make this clear for you! You are at the very edge of the mountain and it is starting to break! If anything like this happens again then you will be expelled from Suhurlodst Academy of Arcane Learning and Understanding! The protection your tenureship offers will be gone and you will be exterminated by the proper authorities!" my Head of House warns before he leans back with a sigh.

"I can't just leave this as is." I say to him with a calm tone as I tried to hype myself out of this state.

"And you will need to! Not only is vigilantism illegal in Thrurstradtur! So is interfering with a maximum priority investigation! You will be killed, Student Nin!"

"My life matters very little without her..."

"HOW DARE YOU!" the woman shouts, "YOUR FRIENDS HAVE BEEN WORRIED FOR YOU NON-STOP! EVEN THE SCHOOL WHICH RIGHTFULLY HATES YOU HAS SYMPATHY AT THE VERY LEAST FOR YOUR SITUATION! STOP BEING SO SELFISH AND DON'T THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY!"

"Student Clarman, that's enough." Frihdeicalkbr tells her before he gently guides her out the room.

"Selfish...?" I ask myself before I am left in here on my own. What was selfish about what I was doing...? I was trying to save my friend. The woman I loved...

I wanted to help her, to save her. Like she did for me so many times. She brought back my will to live and made sure I would escape my unfair entry terms. Even if you boiled it all down, I was doing this for someone else.

There was nothing selfish about that... But, I guess, for now, I had to bide my time, somehow. Maybe I just had to somehow go about this calmly...? Yet, I wasn't sure how that was going to work.

This was not something one could go about calmly... When that blood suddenly spurted on the glass at the hospital. I could tell I was being taunted... That man knew I cared for her...

So was this a personal vendetta against me...? But I did not see how that worked out...

.

.

.

"CLARMAN!" I called out as she came out of the hospital, "I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY!" I cried as I just didn't know what to do. Nin was accountable for his own actions, but, she did not come to me to be attacked! Let alone in such a malicious manner!

"Y-You don't need to apologize Einervaene. And, I know this basically ignores what happened. But, see? I'm fine!"

"Clarry! You were nearly killed!" their drummer nearly shouted as he suddenly got up in her face.

"Anzhub, I know, and I am rightfully terrified. But-"

"But nothing! You can't just let it slide like that!"

"Clarman, it is okay to say that you have an issue with it. What he did was completely unacceptable!" I tell her, arguing on the side of Anzhub.

"Einervaene, you more than anyone should be able to tell a lot is going through his head at the moment. Frankly, in hindsight, I can see why he thought we were to blame! A simple mistake on my part has opened up the idea that we were involved."

"NO! Do not even for a minute try to contemplate that drop-bound boulder of lies!" Anzhub sternly warns as his finger spears the air before her.

"Contemplate it? I just want to make it clear to him that we were not involved with the attempted murder of our friend!" she bites back with.

"For the gods sake, Clarman!"

"I'm the lead of our band, Anzhub! It is my responsibility to protect all of you! From lies, misinterpretation on top of the actual...!" Clarman reminds them before she starts to jab at the air with a frustrated groan.

"She has a point... This isn't the first time she's made a point of resolving bad press." one I did not know the name of said. But, I believe I recalled her using a string instrument. Which, did not help me recall her name if I did know it.

"Bad press!? She was attacked by that damn osibindah the staff stupidly let in!"

"I was attacked by a friend grieving for his friend!" Clarman snaps.

"No! Fine! If you want to die so much, go speak to that damn bug yourself!"

"I already have for a matter of fact." Clarman comments with a sharp snort. Yet, she then turned a downtrodden gaze to me.

"Is something going to happen to Nin?" I ask her. While I wanted to punish him, I was more so worried for him. That anger I saw... It meant nothing good.

"The Head of House has made it clear that if Nin does not rein it in, he will be expelled from..."

"I see..." I acknowledge quietly as she places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I am confident you can get through to him. You've been there for him before. Through every kind of situation. Blood, sweat and tears built your relationship, it won't break that easily."

I smile a little at those words, graphic as it might've been, "Thank you for letting me know... But..."

"Don't worry about it! Just focus on making sure your friend is safe." she says to me as she starts to pat me away from them.

"O-Okay!" I say before I start to head back to the dorm. I wasn't sure where Nin would be right now. However, I could predict where he was going to end up. Eventually, he would come back there.

Yet, I would prefer to find him before he got back. Just so I could talk with him alone. So I could try and make it clear what we were going to do... It was going to be hard, but him suddenly being separated from us all would be worse.

I might've wanted to forget that period of my time here. But, it was the city we were so close to that wanted Nin dead first and foremost. It was their prisoner overalls he wore, their guards that tormented him for weeks upon weeks... Hostile as it may be at times, it was the safest place he could be.

"Ah, Student Einervaene. I was hoping to find you." our Head of House greeted as I was walking along.

"Is it about Nin?" I quickly asked as he was there when they took him in.

"It is, so, if you would kindly?" he asks of me as he starts to physically guide me towards a quieter part of the school. I could only really see teachers and staff around here, so it must've been one of their areas.

"Do we have a chance of stopping him from being expelled?"

He sighs, "You have no idea how difficult it has been for me to keep him here... If this happens again, or even the slightest incident happens, he will be expelled. Pragmatic want for research only allows me to stretch it so far. And it quickly reaches the end when others are needlessly endangered."

"I understand, I will make sure he and everyone at my dorm understand this."

"I can only pray you are successful. Student Nin is excessively dependent on Student Larishazza for emotional support." he sighs, but, those words were hurtful even if it was not intended to be so. Why couldn't Nin trust me as much as he did her...? I know we've had our ups and downs... But, where even she was too scared to go, I went and saved his life!

"So he is in here?" I soon ask him when we reach a secured building. One that pulsated with the magic stuffed into its walls.

"He will be coming out with an armed guard, so make sure you can do what you can to ease him out of here and back to your dormitory."

"Understood."

.

.

.

"N-Nin! Can you come in here for a moment, please?" I heard Einervaene call as I fiddled around with a tablet. And, not wanting to be dragged into this, I put it down and went in. Frowning deeply as I had a strong, firm idea of what this was going to be about. Everyone was here...

Even Deadly Sound...!?

"Sit." Omb quickly tells me before his superior strength casually puts me down onto my rear.

"Okay, to start with, Clarman..." Einervaene says nervously before she moves closer to Tiyanat. Who, seemed to be worried about something. It was obvious what it was, but, I knew from experience that one issue often let others in...

"Alright... Alright. Nin... We were not responsible for what happened to Larishazza."

"DO-" I started to shout before Omb's grip slammed my jaw shut. He wouldn't even budge even as I slammed my fist into him over and over.

"Nin! Please!" Einervaene begged as she came over to help him keep me down. What was this!?

"As I just said, Nin, we were not responsible. We had no involvement with it, okay!? We just got the time wrong. That is all." Clarman frustratedly sighs out. Yet, what reason did I have to believe them!? Did they have any proof!? How could this not just be them smoking their actions!?

"It's true, Bug. If you want proof, here." the large male grunts before the table trembles under a sudden new weight. Tablets, a pile of tablets is what he put there. And, they were starting to slowly show me their contents...

That was Larishazza's handwriting alright...

"See? She wanted to have some fun with how we discussed it and we traded tablets! We both lost our train of thought over and over again, see!?" she desperately pointed out as I started to calm down... Okay, if this was the case, then I was wrong. But, that still did not separate them entirely...

"Nin, they did not do it. So, please, calm down." Einervaene begs me as her grip starts to soften.

And, at first, I growled until Omb's hand left my jaw, "Duly noted..." I tell Deadly Sound. Let's say I went along with this, that they and Jhurack were separable. All that did was was remove one target of my anger... It was all going to go back to he who wielded the blade, after all...

"And, there's one more thing, Nin..." Vadei explains uncomfortably before more tablets were put down. However, unlike the last lot, they were given directly to me. They were rules... A list of terms and conditions put forth by the school's top lot.

If I attacked another student like I did with Deadly Sound... If I used my magic beyond the relegated areas... If I interefered with Thrurstradtur's law enforcement again... Or even left the ground of the school on top of many other details...

I would be expelled, just as Frihdeicalkbr said. A target would return to me and I would be shot until dead. A final end that not even Undwote's father could undo. My existence was a lucky circumstance to begin with.

Rose then sits in front of me, her claws in her hands, "My... Nin... We need to make it clear to you. If you don't get it for some reason... We do not want you to go after this killer."

"Yeah! Larishazza wouldn't want you to risk dying like this just to keep her safe..." Vadei tells me. Something that makes me snap my gaze to her. Because what right did she have to incite that name...?

"And even then, Nin... Please, don't go any further with this. They can handle it, okay? Just keep yourself safe so Larishazza can see her friend when she gets out..." Einervaene says before she is brought to tears.

"That man is holding her hostage, you all saw that! What he did in the hospital!?" I point out as I started to struggle against Omb again.

"People are aware, Nin... And, for better or worse, our father has found a solution." Tiyanat suddenly says as she stands up. Tears in her eyes before she looks down at me.

"Well?" I impatiently ask.

"Someone is coming to fix this... My sister will be back and it will all be fine... Just don't make it harder on her and them than it needs to be!" she nearly screams as she points at my friends. Einervaene, Liada, Rose, Vadei... They were all nearly driven to tears by the current situation.

And, I don't know why, but, I felt depressed seeing that... And I lowered my head in shame... I was just going to be like them when I got here... And I did not want to fail my friends...

I did not want to be alone again... And, unfortunately, going after that man meant being alone... Yet, Tiyanat's words were comforting. If Larishazza's dad had found a solution, then it would be solved...

I didn't really have much to go on in regards to it. But, I trusted the idea of a dad doing all he could for his children. Even if I never really knew mine to the point I struggled to remember them. More so, however, I trusted my friends...

"I'm... Sorry..." I let out quietly as I hid my face in shame.

"It's okay, just promise me you won't leave me alone?" Liada asks me as she quickly swoops in to take Omb's place. And with this sudden freedom I had, I brought her in close.

"I can do that..." I quietly promise as people started to leave until it was just me and those four. The four who have been with me at my worst moments. When I first became a bug, when I escaped that hive, when I was trying to get back to Tobaballe and all that...

"We understand this is difficult for you, Nin... But, please, don't make it worse." Einervaene pleads as I start to get swarmed by the girls. It was clear, abundantly clear that I was making the wrong choice. So, I took the advice their hearts were so openly suggesting. And, I pulled them all in closer as tears built up in my eyes.

Lari would've probably wanted this indeed... For her friends to be happy and safe.

"Now... I understand that it is not much, but..." Vadei began to utter quietly after she suddenly left to get something.

"A flower...?" I question as the pot is put in my hand carefully.

"Yeah... It's a... Well, back home, we call it a Get Better flower." she explains before she twirls a claw near one of the petals. And, the plant reacted by shimmering with magic that jingled on the way out.

"It's a very relaxing sound..." I say as I hear what sounded like gentle bells ringing.

"Mom used to steal these from my garden if something bad happened. She's put them in our bedroom flowerpot and they'd help us sleep."

"Thank you." I say to my friend as this might help. But, I had no way of telling if it really would given what had happened... Every night had been the same thing...

That man smiling over her bloody body.

"So, uh..." Liada suddenly began to say before she started to drag me to my feet.

"You made something?" I ask her as I sniffed the air. And, I smiled slightly at her nervous nod and the way she scrunched her hand up near her mouth. It was very cute. But, it became somewhat funny when her toe-claws reminded me of how deadly she could be.

"No one mentioned any gifts!" Einervaene quickly complains when she catches up.

"This is just dinner..." Liada corrects with a stuck out tongue before she happily sits next to me. To her disappointment, however, Vadei came slinking up onto my lap.

"Looks good." she says as her tail blocked out my face. At least, until she moved it over with a mischievous giggle.

"Hey! Stop! It's not for you!" Liada complains as she tries to shove Vadei off. But, as the gap between them was still so big... A gentle breeze was what we essentially felt.

"Come on, open wide!" Vadei continues to tease after she shoves Liada away.

"Not a child." I remind her before she took the opportunity to make a mess of my face.

"Oops." she lets out with a snicker.

"R-Rose'lhia!?" one of them then exclaims as Rose makes a point of licking the mess up.

"That's disgusting." I comment.

"True, but, I can't stand you being tainted by roots." she tells me before she casually flings Vadei over me.

"HEY!" she barks as her claws start to fill with magic.

"You two!" Einervaene interrupts with a stomp of her foot and flash of lightning.

"Sorry..." Vadei mumbles.

"So, Nin, is there anything in particular you want?" Rose asks me. And while it confused me, I was happy it was my name she used. None of that pretentious lie of hers...

"Peace and quiet?" I answer as I let Liada get me something to eat. However, I had to make a point of it to Rose as otherwise she would try and stop her.

"Honestly, I don't see how you can tolerate these roots. They're weak and unappealing." Rose scorns as she looks at the other two.

"I guess Nin and I could ask the same of you." Einervaene jabs herself as she hugs me from behind. And, I had to admit, watching Rose flinch the way she did was new. It was so simple that it was genius!

"W-Well... Uh..." she struggled to get out before Einervaene giggled and stroked her hair.

"Don't take it so seriously!" she quickly exclaims nervously as she likely catches up to her tongue.

"Shut up!" Rose then snaps in my face as I cackle at her reaction.

"Hey! What about my..." Liada impatiently complains.

"Alright, off. I'm hungry." I tell Rose before I sigh at the food. I was hungry because I just hadn't been feeling it. I knew that I needed to eat to stay strong. But, Lari's state made it hard to focus while eating.

I struggled even now, but, I could hide it at the very least amongst the bickering. Through what was playful and what was just mean-spirited. Liada's food wasn't bad, I just had a lot on my mind. And, thinking about this morning, maybe there was some truth to it...

Well, just playing around with their boobs wasn't going to solve it. But, spending time with them would help me keep my mind off of it. Maybe, though, I should seek some divine help. Motrtha has given me help before, maybe she would now to.

Or, this help Tiyanat said was coming, I could pray for them. The emotions packed into such a thing would surely get the gods' attention? They'd be willing to pass it on for me, right? I mean, I was in a funny position where I could cite some sort-of friendship moments with them...

"So, Nin, I was thinking... Maybe you'd like to help me with something, tomorrow?" Liada quietly asks me while the other three got on with a fight.

"Maybe I would, what is it?" I tell her with a slight smile. Letting mine grow as her face lit up.

"Well... You know how I said that I have spent most of my life on board an airship?"

"Yeah?" I just say rather than asking ahead of time. She would tell me what it was that was on her mind. No need to waste words guessing.

"I didn't get to do much in the way of recreation, none of us did. But, I heard some of the humans talking before about swimming in a nearby lake?"

"You want to go swimming?" I ask her, leaning in a bit closer as this did interest me. Only problem was, however, that I did not know how to swim. Her situation wasn't much different from my old life as a low-floor citizen, after all.

"Yeah... Or, rather, I'd like you to teach me."

I huff quietly, "We'll have to teach each other, then." I inform her.

"Fine by me!" she giggles quietly before she flinches at how close Vadei was.

"Swimming..." she repeats slowly and loudly.

"Swimming?" Einervaene says with some fear as she sparks reactively.

"What an excellent idea!" Rose exclaims as she stands up and swivels her hips, "Believe it or not, I have plenty of outfits that go well in the water!"

"I can believe that." I say with a straight face as I remember our journey to this place. I was stuck carrying an absurd amount of clothes. Her room probably had more stock than a clothes shop!

"So, Nin, what do you say? Interested in seeing this body in a revealing, soaked one-piece?" Rose asks me seductively with no self-awareness whatsoever.

Then, I look at Einervaene, "I wouldn't mind at all!" I wink.

"NIN!" she screams as as she suddenly turns red. Yet, she quickly lowers her guard and pushes her front out. She was certainly contemplating it.

"Heh heh." I let out as Liada starts to frown.

"Aw... I just wanted it to be us two..." she complains as she sticks her face between my shoulder and neck.

"I'm sure, we can figure it out. Besides, Einervaene can't go in the water, Rose prefers showing off and Vadei doesn't like water." I tell her in order to comfort her.

"I don't hate wat-"

"Skedah!" I suddenly let out after flicking a glass of water on her.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Vadei screams at me as I fall off the chair laughing.