While Ione wasn't exactly enthused about the classes being combined, she was more concerned with how merging the classes would look. From what she understood, the girls focused on child rearing while the boys were mini soldiers; how would that be combined?
She imagined super soldier mothers and fathers, running into battle with babies strapped on their hips. She snickered to herself. Then questions filtered through her mind.
Will Coranne teach both classes separately? Will the dolly room be even worse than what it is? Or will all the children go outside?
Ione was curious, but also nervous; she had settled into a nice routine with her own group and was nervous about group dynamics being affected.
Ah yes, good ole’ social anxiety.
In her own class, she was left alone for the most part. She wasn't shamed for not participating in games because the girls already knew the kind of person she was. The strange but quiet elven girl that would hang around the forest. There was no expectation of her. Then, when she would participate, it wasn't a big deal. She knew these thoughts stemmed from her time on Earth, and thought best to keep an open mind.
Until she saw Kine sitting to the right of Coranne, in her seat.
She quickly shuffled to the unoccupied seat next to Fellis. The white haired girl suddenly felt apprehensive that Kine’s attention was still on Coranne after what she found out.
Fellis brightened when Ione sat down and whispered, “I saved a spot just for you, since I saw Kine take yours I figured you'd wanna sit next to someone you know.”
Ione gave a tight lipped smile, grateful but annoyed at the situation, “thanks Fellis, appreciated. I thought you'd want to sit next to Kine, though.” She waggled her brows at the red haired girl.
Blushing as red as her hair, Fellis exclaimed “stop it! You told me not to!” Then giggled while she helped herself to more eggs.
“That’s right I did.”
Ione grabbed some food as well; there was some oatmeal, eggs, some type of berry muffins and slices of meat that looked similar to ham. She could technically not grab anything, her [Hunger Resistance] making it so that she barely had to eat at all, but Ione still wanted to retain some semblance of normalcy. That, and she had to keep up appearances. It'd be weird if they saw her eat nothing burgers all the time.
Despite the exuberant atmosphere, a storm raged in Iones’ mind. As she ate, she kept sneaking glances towards Kine and Coranne. His demeanor appeared happy and upbeat. She couldn't hear the conversation, but she saw Coranne chattering away excitedly while Kine interjected with whispered questions.
What are you asking?
She turned on [Prey Sense], hoping it would provide the boost she needed and it did.
“...and that's why we've combined classes. If there weren't…certain incidents happening, more people would want to be nuns. As a result, now I've got both classes. Which is wonderful! I'm not complaining.” Coranne smiled.
Kine gave her a blank look, “incidents? Like the nuns dying?”
Coranne whipped her head at him, a frown marring her features, “well, yes. I didn't want to say it like that but…yes. It's all very unfortunate. But we have to look at the bright side, we're all together now and isn't that nice?”
Ione snickered, Coranne didn't give any shits about Sannie and she was barely close with Neve, her lackadaisical attitude bled through her words. Kine didn't pick up on it.
“I guess so.” Kine responded absently, his mind clearly on other things.
“I should have everyone play a ‘get to know you’ game, everyone is getting along well but I see some stragglers being left out” Corannes’ gaze swung to Ione and before she could look away Coranne gestured her over.
Fuuuuuuuuck. Why, Coranne, why?
Ione cautiously made her way over, Kine’s black eyes followed her every move, like a hawk following a mouse. She pointedly ignored him.
“Hi Coranne…” Ione trailed off, annoyed at Coranne too. The nun knew how she felt about Kine, she was there the day she had that conversation with Fellis. What was the point of this?
“Hey Ione! I was going to head away for a bit so I figured you and Kine can talk, you two have a lot in common.”
It took nearly every muscle in Iones face not to react to a statement like that. Besides the offense she took at that, she realized there was something in the way she said it that rang alarm bells.
What exactly do we have in common?
Ione sat down in Coranne’s seat while the woman walked to the kitchens. The little girl was silent. Then she had an idea.
“Hey, I think one of your buddies wants to talk to you, I'll go grab him,” Ione made to get up, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She felt indescribable rage at being touched by him, but looked at Kine as his hand retreated and she sat back down.
“Actually I wanted to talk to you.”
She narrowed her eyes and cocked her head, “why?”
“Why not?”
Ione sighed, and then made to leave again before he exclaimed, “wait! Wait okay, jeez, you’re kinda stuck up.”
“I’d rather people were direct.” she said in a flat tone. “You can believe whatever you want.”
She knew that was hypocritical, but she didn't care.
Kine’s face showed amusement for the first time since she came to the cafeteria, “Fair. Okay, so I wanted to talk about Sannie.”
Ione turned on [Deception].
“What about her?”
“Did you like her?” His eyes bore into hers. She didn't look away.
“No, no one liked her. I’m glad she's gone.” she smiled and then continued, “Sannie would hit us. She wasn't nice or kind or understanding like Coranne. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn’t care if any of us died, so none of us cared when she died.”
She faced him head on, turning her body towards him, “Coranne raised me from birth. She’s been the only mother figure I have here. You’ll like her. What's your opinion of her?”
Kine shrugged and looked away. “She’s a nun like any other, I don't really have any strong opinions about her. Very…talkative though.”
“She just wants to know you. She wants to know all of us.” Ione followed his gaze, and saw he was looking at Coranne. “She’s amazing when you get to know her. Give her a chance. She gave me a chance.”
When Kine looked back at Ione, he held an animosity within his stare that she wanted to challenge, “I don’t need to give anybody a chance if I don’t want to.”
“‘I Don’T nEeD tO GiVe aNybOdY a ChAncE iF I Don’T wAnT tO,’” she mocked. “Coranne is special. The least you can do is accept her like she’s accepting you. I bet she’s already shown she’s better than Neve.”
“Did you just mock me?” Kine looked offended.
“Yes I did. I don’t know why you got so mad at a suggestion, but whatever hangups you have, you should get rid of them.”
She turned on [Intimidation] and started to put a very slight pressure on him.
“Is that a threat?” His eyes flashed and he shifted, uncomfortable.
“No, it’s advice. She’s loved by everyone in my class and I'm sure others of yours will love her too. It would make her sad to be hated for no reason.”
“It wouldn't be for no reason” Kine mumbled.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“So, then what’s the reason?” Ione questioned.
“You don’t have to know.”
“Well then I'm going to assume there is no reason.” Ione smiled.
“How da-”
“Hello!” Coranne interrupted the increasingly hostile conversation, “are you two getting along?” She had an expectant smile.
Ione and Kine shared a look together before saying, “no,” at the same time.
Coranne’s face soured, “oh, sorry about that.”
“Yea it’s okay Coranne,” Ione dusted herself off and stood up, directing her last words to Kine, “remember what I said.”
He was silent as he refused to look at her.
She went to sit back with Fellis and turned off [Deception] and [Intimidation].
Ione was quite proud of herself. Every now and again, throughout the day, she would catch Kine looking at her while gnashing his teeth. She still wanted to question Coranne on what exactly she meant by her and Kine having something ‘in common’, but that could wait, although she had her suspicions.
Eventually, Ione was told their schedules had changed somewhat. The boys and girls still had their separate activities, but they would be outside, and their recess was longer. There was an energy in the air as all the collective kids wanted to learn about the most important thing in their lives: classes. Something Coranne had reassured Ione was that they would get their fundamentals soon, which meant her questions would finally be answered.
Once it was recess, Ione made her way to the woods, and realized that she was being followed, courtesy of [Spatial Awareness] dinging a live humanoid in her field.
She had a good idea of who it was. As she walked she made sure to note how far she was going in; Ione wanted to make sure if blows were thrown no one would hear.
She happened upon a clearing filled with wild flowers she had never seen before, in the middle was a small muggy lake. The buzzing sound of insects filled her ears as the sun danced on her skin, and she turned around to see who was following her.
Here, she can drop all pretense, not that she made a big effort to keep them up.
“Why are you following me, Kine?” Ione called out.
He emerged from behind a tree, “how did you know I was followin’ you?” He said, with a quirk to his lips.
Ione shrugged, “I just know, now you're gonna answer me, or what?”
“I’m not really inclined to answer.”
She turned on all of her skills and resistances, except [Intimidation]. She wanted to fight him first, it was just a matter of who would make the first move. If she used [Intimidation] she might scare him too much.
“Fair. You know, I hate pussy footing so I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I don't think you’re 8 years old, Kine, I think you're much older than what you want others to believe,” she saw his smile grow, “I think you've been reincarnated in this world, and that you're not a good person. I also think you've killed Neve.”
He took a few steps closer to her.
“You think you have it all figured out? I wonder, why? Perhaps, how?” He paused and pointed at her, “I think you’re like me. I think you've been reincarnated here and that you, too, are not a good person. I think you’ve killed Sannie.”
“Maybe!” She said with a grin. Neither confirm or deny.
He looked at her, and stepped a little bit closer. He was about 20 feet away now.
“How many lives have you lived?” He questioned.
“If you tell me how many you've lived, I’ll tell you.”
“I don't think that’s going to be how this works.” He took another step closer, “I ask the questions and I expect answers.”
“Nah.” Ione shook her head.
He frowned, “‘Nah’?”
He was an unknown, although she was fairly certain that she had been reincarnated more, and thus, had more skills and resistances, she couldn't deny the possibility that his skills and resistances were simply better. She won't start the fight, but she'll end it.
She shook her head, “I’m not about to stand here and tell you everything about myself. We can simply go our separate ways, granted, you don't lay a finger on Coranne, or Belan. But specifically Coranne. I was telling the truth, that she raised me. I’d rather not fight.”
“So you care about her, is what I'm hearing.”
“I have attachments to her.” she replied clinically.
The grin that split his face was creepy, “well unfortunately for you, I don’t listen to anybody. I think Coranne would like nice covered in crimson. Better than the black she wears. You as well.” His eyes widened, and started walking closer.
What a psycho. Is that pot calling kettle? Something to think about later.
He didn't stop.
16 feet.
15 feet.
14 feet.
DING! Quest Obtained! Please refer to the quest tab to get a detailed explanation.
There was no time to check.
Ione tensed, and when he launched himself at her, she was ready. She jumped high above him, his surprised face shooting up at her and she let gravity take her down, slamming the ground in a small shockwave.
He dashed at the last second, towards the forest, and she gave chase. Kine looked over his shoulder and when she shot her fist out to punch him, he returned it with his, a reverberation in the air as he flew backwards.
Kine was vastly outmatched. He’d underestimated her.
Ione felt a maniacal grin stretch her lips, her eyes wide with focus as [Predator Sense] refused to have him leave her gaze.
He was nearly flung against a tree and Kine exclaimed, “Oh fuck!”. He landed harshly on his back. She started walking towards him and he scrambled up, running away towards the orphanage for safety.
Fuck that.
She pursued him, caught up very quickly and grabbed his leg, his constipated face flashed in her vision as she threw him back towards the clearing.
Get fucked.
He landed back in the glade and she soon followed, then jumped and brought both arms above her head to pummel him, but he rolled too quickly.
Must have a dodge based skill.
A fist launched itself at her face and she used her own to block. They exchanged blows and Ione toned down her strength to make the fight last longer; the adrenaline coursed through her body and she was having fun. She couldn't afford to beat him too quickly.
Kine, very much, was not having fun. His face was a visage of consternation, and when their eyes met, he blanched. She didn't know what he saw, but it was enough to scare him, and he threw his punches faster than before. Desperate.
She kept pace, but eventually grew bored. He was getting slower, clearly running out of stamina and Ione decided to let his fist graze her face, making a dramatic twirl before falling to the ground.
He chuckled, getting a semblance of confidence back and he grabbed her hair.
If she had her [Pain Resistance] turned off, that definitely would have hurt. She knew he had [Pain Resistance] too, their knuckles were bloody, his more than hers, but no indication of pain was present.
He dragged her over to the water and she nearly laughed.
“Sorry that we couldn't work it out,” his voice was full of false sympathy, “but maybe I'll see you in the next life! Any last words?”
She laughed at him.
He grimaced.
Then he shoved her head under the water.
It was pretty underwhelming. She had both [Drowning Resistance] and [Water Breathing], so she knew she wouldn't die from this.
She acted like she was though. She kept her body still for a little under 20 seconds and then she started jerking her body, grabbing the hand behind her head and making a show of trying to pry it off. She blew bubbles.
DING! Deception Tier 1 LVL 1-> Deception Tier 1 LVL 3
Nice.
Soon enough, her body went still and she made her arms go limp. He stood above her, holding her head for about another minute before he got up. As she felt him grab her ankles, she knew that he wanted to throw her in the lake. However, that’s when she deactivated [Water Breathing], feeling the already present water in her lungs gain substance and then activated Tier 3 of [Drowning Resistance], the burden of water in her lungs lessening while the lungs of her attacker wasn't so lucky, and she felt his hands immediately release from her legs. She dragged herself out of the water, turned around and watched Kine fall to the ground, clutching at his throat and punching at his chest as the water bubbled in his lungs.
She watched him for a few seconds before she turned [Water Breathing] back on and deactivated [Drowning Resistance]. Kine’s breathing returned to normal as Ione made herself throw up some water. The rest was in her lungs, but she had to wait until she could forcibly expel it.
“What…” Kine wheezed, “the fuck…” another breath, “was that?”
“Get the fuck outta here. Go back to the orphanage.” She ordered. The sound distorted by the water.
“No, tell me what that is.” He coughed again.
She immediately used [Intimidation], at half power it forced his body to the ground and he yelped.
“Go. Back. To. The. Orphanage.”
He groaned, “no.”
She knelt down, put her face an inch away from his and he tried to lean back, “Listen very closely, I could have easily killed you. In fact, I was holding back the whole time. If you want to live, leave me and the people I care about alone. You follow what I say, and you don't question it. You have no idea, no fucking clue what I can do and what I’m willing to do for those I care about. Now, get the fuck out of here.”
Kine grated his teeth, eyes full of hostility. She stopped using [Intimidation] and he slowly got up and pitifully walked back to the orphanage, left hand rubbed at his chest.
She knew that wouldn't be the end of it, but she was glad with what she learned today.
Knowledge was power, after all.