Haa....... today is yet again, another day where I have to do my best.
"Ah, wait. That's wrong! There's no need to use that much flour! Over there, fill the dough slowly with the chocolate extract while maintaining your pace!"
I was running around in the classroom facilitated with cooking utensils, trying to teach the girls who havent cooked for their entire life along with the teacher in-charge. It seems the numbers are too much to handle for one person so I and the few who could cook decided to help out.
By the way, this place is a separate kitchen next to the one in the cafeteria. It had deformed into a battleground where exploding stoves could happen at any given time. It's very surprising to see a day where I have to put my life on the line like this.
"I'm sorry, Miss Augmund. It seems I am truly incompetent..." Teacher Valery bowed down with apologetic looks.
God, she's a damn beautiful woman yet why is her voluptuous figure did not match her personality? I'm not even sure how she grew up to be a timid but immoral character!
Or rather, isn't the ratio of bishounens and bishojous in this kingdom off the chart!? It really irritated me that so many beautiful people with glimmering atmosphere flirted around and Fei often hung out with the prettier ones too!!
"Wait, that's not the point! Hey! Lower the fire, over there! Do you want to have your soup blackened and dry?!" I tried to reassure the teacher but failed as I saw another problematic student.
In the end, I was left with less than enough time to cook for myself. Uuu... I guess I'll whip up some snacks for myself. Cookies are easier to make more than cakes anyway.
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Once the crash course ended, I heaved a sigh while bringing a bag of cookies with me. Some are a bit too sweet and the other too salty for my taste.
"Un... unfortunately, I can't show anyone failed product like this. I didn't have enough time." I mumbled in disappointment.
Eh, wait. Maybe it's just me lacking skills. So what if I don't have enough time? I shouldn't have complained.
"But if I keep up like this, I think my job will change to patisserie..." I expelled out a troubled sigh.
While the season is at spring, it felt a bit cold in Raumia. I looked outside and saw flowers blooming both at the garden tended by students and at the trees. Somehow, it does have a nice atmosphere for flowers viewing.
"...I should find a place to rest and clean up these cookies." I decided. It's not like I have any class for the next two hours, so...
I walked through the hallway, exiting the school building and finding my ways. The park from before might be good but I'd prefer a place that suits the mood of the season.
Then... I guess the yard behind the Knight Course's building. It seems there's a nice spot if I trusted my gut.
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It wasn't long before I arrived. There were trees neatly lined up, patches of green grasses rustled as the wind carried over and falling leaves scattered, producing a picturesque scene.
But... Among the many trees, there stood one particular larger and taller tree. Beneath it was many uprooted roots and from the looks of it... it's definitely hundreds years old.
"...somehow, it reminded me of something." I tilted my head in wonder.
Unfortunately, my head doesn't seem to be able to work well. The hazes inside my head told me another result from my seal acting up.
"How troublesome..." I sighed. "Why can't I remember anything?"
I don't like the feeling of forgetting important things. If some Soul Essences leaked out, memories began to resurface before being counteracted by the seal right after.
This caused me to have confusion and a little headache. If this state persisted, I'm sure I will fall into a relapse. Looks like I have to calm down and accept things for now.
I heaved a sigh as I approached the tree. Once I found a stable place to sit, I munched down the cookies, savoring the odd taste each cookie had.
"This Academy sure is something. How many trees like this exist huh?" I looked up.
The Academy ground took about half of the middle layer. It's seriously big. As big as mammoth school with the largest numbers of noble students attending. It makes one to wonder how many years and wealth are used to expand the school and keep it afloat.
"Hmh... this place does feel relaxing." I mumbled as I started to feel my eyelids growing heavy.
I only ate half the cookies. Maybe exhaustion caught up to me. Even so... so sleepy.
"Nn..." I lied down on the dry root of the tree, curling into fetal position.
While staying half-conscious, I remembered what Instructor said for some reasons.
I... don't have any talent to be strong. Although it's more like me unable to attain the top position. And if I were to quote his words...
"...I don't have enough strength, not excelling in tactic and not even adequate to hold my ground against superior enemies who have mastered their abilities." I repeated what he meant in one breath, causing me to exasperate in tiredness.
Hah. Thankfully, I can kind of accept it. I know at least that much and Fei is a being standing beyond the boundary.
Of course, that doesn't mean he's like That. I mean, Fei's not a Youmu. Also...
"If my body limits my reach, then I'll find another way." I nodded and clasped my hands.
Although I'm growing drowsy, I reminded myself what I wanted. What I desired. What I wished for... There's no way I will let go off them.
If I lack the strength, then I'll compensate with skills. If I lack skills, then I'll use my wisdom. And if I have nothing, then I will break the limits, shattering the Seal protecting my soul and unleash all of my Soul Essence.
"Even using this life is..." my voice trailed away.
......but... I don't want to abandon everything... At the very least...
I want... to live with him. With the person I love... until my last breath.......
...I wonder... how...? How in the world am I supposed to do to achieve that...?
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When I woke up due to the cold, I realized that the surrounding was as dark as the Abyss. Huh... I overslept!?
"Oh no...! And it must be past the curfew!" I got up and was about to jump off the spot.
"She woke up." An unfamiliar voice echoed.
Eh? I turned to the right only to see something strange.
Heck, that word couldn't even describe it. I saw three colorful halos shining dimly and I felt the difference of warmth each halo gave out.
Wh... what are these? Floating neon lamps? Enemy? But I don't feel anything like hostility from them... eh, wait. My cookies are gone!!
Did they eat them all?!
"Un. She woke up." The gray halo said.
"Is it good now?" The white halo tilted.
"Ask. Let's ask her." The black halo floated up and down.
Then the three odd things flew around me, surrounding me with their light and presences. For some reasons, I felt like they were nostalgic for a moment but a pang of pain caused me to groan.
It came from my chest... This pain... and this dizziness...... It's the relapse... but putting it in another words...
"...th... the seal is... acting up...?" I slowly inclined my gaze toward one of the halos.
"She smells familiar." The white halo commented.
"She's the same." The black halo added.
Uuu...? I don't get this... just who are they? What do they want??
"Hey, who are you?" The gray halo floated in front of me.
For some reasons, I imagined the halo as a child with innocent gaze directing a question to a stranger. It was way too vivid that I stayed still for a few seconds before I snapped back to reality.
"I'm Charlotte." I answered without thinking.
Whoa, I didn't even hesitate to say 'I am me' now. So my self-recognition has reached this level.
"She answered." The black halo said in surprise.
"Indeed. Even though she's a human... or is she really?" The white halo circled around me as if scrutinizing me.
...what the heck? What are these guys? I don't have any idea but... the closest thing I could relate them to would be...
"Are you spirits?" I questioned.
"Ah. We're found out." The gray halo flew back to make a line with the other two.
"Why is that?" The white halo tilted from a side to another.
"Because she's the same as us." The black halo said.
Mh... these guys... I can't tell their intentions. From their conversation, they seemed to recognize me as their kind but how? Why?
After the banter between the three ended, I found the dark halo floating in front of me.
"Hello," it said with an androgynous voice like the other. "You're one of us. No? With that soul of yours..."
...what?
"...how do you know...?" I asked, shaken for my true identity was uncovered.
"We took a look. Your body doesn't match your pure soul." The black halo shook up and down. "Only Divine Beings and Spirits could have such souls."
...seriously? But that doesn't explain how they found out..
Just as I wondered with a frown, the black halo trembled and let out a circular wave of black light. It passed through everything including my body but when it went through me...
*PING!* Something inside me reflected the light like a stone reflecting sonar. Albeit the light and sound produced turned different. The color was golden and the sound was like a chime.
What's more... it felt like I heard some strings of words. And the message was...
[See?] The black halo let out another wave of light.
When I received it, words resounded inside my head.
[Our souls resonated. Usually, no living beings other than our kinds can Resonate.]
...I... I see. To think spirits could do something like this. What's more, just by experiencing it, I came to learn how to do this 'Resonance' thing.
I closed my eyes and focused at the core of my existence. With the soul as the foundation, I began to dilute a tiny amount of Essence and spread it out with my mana.
A golden wave of light struck the three spirits and my thought was conveyed.
[Like this?]
This caused the three to shake and they each sent out a Resonance to me.
[You're a fast learner.] The white halo said.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
[Amazing! Amazing!!] The gray halo shouted.
But only the black halo didn't seem to be happy. He instead said, [Not too shabby but you are being careless.]
Careless? Of what?
[Do you think only divine beings and spirits noticed your Resonance?] The black halo questioned. [It seems that the Weapons of the kingdom noticed it.]
I nearly jumped hearing that.
Weapons...!? What weapons!? Is there even a weaponry mechanism installed that could detect spirits?
"Forget it," the black halo returned to his former speech pattern. "Don't use Resonance for now. It will be problematic and now we're running out of time."
"Uuh...? I'm sorry..." I bowed down my head.
"It's nothing. Just... you. Charlotte, watch out when around the Weapons." The black halo warned before fading away alongside the other two.
But... just what does he mean?
"What do you mean by the 'Weapons'? What are they?" I asked.
Before vanishing, the black halo sighed, "You might not believe it but they're inexplicable. Also disgusting."
D-disgusting...? Wait, since when are you talking so fluently or is my hearing getting better?
"What do you mean by that...?" I asked back.
"They are scary things. Really scary. They liked to deceive everyone. Their existences themselves are full of deceit. They even dared to blend in with our community once and kidnapped our Mother." The black halo replied.
Haa!? Isn't that a crime?!
"Anyway, stay away from them. They're always drawn to us just because they lacked heart. The one who is bound with you is also dangerous."
"What...?"
Then they vanished. Nothing remained as if it was all a dream. However, I... I was stunned still. I don't even know what to say.
That was when I heard rustles of leaves. I jolted in surprise as I didn't even notice it! I turned my head and I saw a figure exiting the bush...
"...Fei...?" My voice reached his ears and the young man replied.
"...Milady...? Why are you here...?" He gazed at me.
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Before I knew it, I was swept by the flow and was walking with Fei to the dormitory.
Somehow, the atmosphere was eerie with cold silence. I don't even understand why the air seemed cold despite it being at spring.
...the black halo said the Weapons are nearing, but... I encountered Fei instead.
Could it be... he's the Weapon?
My heart tightened and I looked down while walking. It was hard to pay attention to anything as my mind was bogged with various things.
Then, the ice was shattered, "Milady... what were you doing this late?"
I don't know what to answer now. This is bad... I can't tell him I overslept after eating snacks. Holding empty bag of cookies, I wanted to bury myself in a hole.
"That's... not your concern, right?" I finally said.
The young man could not help but to sigh. He looked at me and he said, "It concerns me."
Really? Why is that? I replied but was greeted with silence. Fei turned away and only then did he answer.
"...it makes me worried."
I was speechless hearing that. Him? Worried about me? Now that is rare... or is it really? Could it be... this is related to the thing at the hot spring?
"...do you see me as nothing more than a weakling?" I asked.
"That's not possible. I know how levelheaded Milady is when it comes to competition." He answered.
Ouch. Do you really have to word it that way? This guy really doesn't know how to be gentle to women.
I grunted as I sped up, but I soon realized Fei was keeping up with me and not trying to outdo me.
"...you sure have some consideration now. Where did you learn it?" I narrowed my eyes while interrogating questioning him.
"...do I need to explain?" Fei replied.
Haa. I sighed as I slowed down. I think I had enough of this farce. Besides, I don't like this kind of method and it's the best chance.
So...
"Fei. Are you still planning to go to the ruin?" I stopped my feet and delivered the main topic.
Halting his steps, the young man turned a glance at me, "...yeah. Don't tell me Milady still wishes to go?"
I nodded down. Seeing that, the boy breathed out and turned around and faced me. I was overwhelmed by his stern gaze that I nearly took a step back.
"Don't do this, Charlotte. It's too dangerous for you." Fei said.
His words were powerful. But at the same time, it hurts me. It felt as if he's saying I'm too weak to accompany him. Is it really? Am I really powerless?
"Am I... so useless to you?" I asked but Fei shook his head.
"Please, Charlotte... I don't want to see you get hurt." He said.
I looked away from his strong gaze. There's no way I can possibly confront such gaze when he conveyed all of his worries.
It was sudden, yes. But he probably meant it as last resort. I knew Fei isn't someone who will stop others and he doesn't really care what kind of choice they will make.
But once in a while, he always showed me sincerity. Only at this kind of moment will he say such thing. Then... this must be the last turning point.
Will I give up then? Will I nod down and accept my weak self? Am I supposed to sit down while seeing the person I love injured?
...
......no. I don't want that. I hate that even. The thought alone disgusted me and hurt me thousand times more than being rejected.
So what if I don't have any time left? So what if I must cough up blood and swim in the mud? So what even if I have to be rejected by him? For me... losing Fei is the only thing I am going to regret. So...
"...There's no way... I will give up. I won't back down, Fei." At the last moment, I looked up and met Fei's gaze.
I have to see him directly else I won't convince him. I have to tell him my resolve if I want to move forward, along with him.
"Fei... I won't make any excuse. I won't lie to you this time."
Yes. I want to be with him. That's what has been driving me to move.
"I... I want to fight with you. I want to share your pain. I want to ease your burden." I leaned as I confessed my true feelings.
However, Fei didn't move. He was wide eyed and only staring at me. His shoulders shook once and that was when I repeated my words to convince him.
"...please... let me fight with you. Fei."
"........."
Silence wrapped the air, wind scattered blades of grasses as the clouds hovering over the night sky were brought away. Fei broke off his gaze and raised his head up.
His lips didn't move. As he stared at the twin moons reigning the dark heaven, the young man then expelled a sigh.
"...I understand," He said while lowering his head. "I'll let you accompany me to the Ascheral Ruin, Charlotte."
At that, my heart leaped in joy. I was about to smile wide if Fei did not lower his eyebrows, smiling bitterly.
"...just... once. This time only, I want you to heed my words and not to go out of your way risking yourself." He requested.
Is that clear, he reaffirmed. I could feel the pressure and bitterness in his voice. It sounded as if he was trying to hold back from spitting out blood.
...I have no choice now. This is the result of my selfishness. I have to accept the consequence else I will regret it.
"Un. I promise." I nodded down.
Fei spun around, "Then, tomorrow morning nearing afternoon, let's meet up in front of the Academy's gate."
"Got it. Is there anything that I must bring?"
Fei shook his head.
"For now, preparation is our top priority. I also have to restock some supply so why don't we go to the town first? The end of the month is still two weeks away,."
Oh. That's a nice idea. This sounds more like a Quest than what I took before. Well, in fantasy world like this, something like blacksmith or alchemy store existed so the thought 'gearing up' popped inside my head first of all.
Hm. I guess that knowing this kind of game term isn't weird. My other classmates used this term too before I reincarnated so yeah... I guess it's pretty common.
"Also. Other than your swords, just make sure you're on time. Lately, Milady seems to like dozing off after all." The Black Hero flashed a smile.
What!? Ho-how did he know...?! Could it be I was seen? Did he notice I tried to take a nap when history lecture went on? Do I have drool stuck at the corner of my lips!?
I was fervent red in panic thanked to his comment and yet Fei went back to his dormitory.
It's so sudden that the mood was literally blown away. To think that I even failed to follow up meant... My approach was unsuccessful?
".........uh..."
I crouched down, hugging my head and wailed.
"Uuuu...! Idiot! I'm such an idiot! At least be a little more blunt, this dummy!" I hit my head and shaking it around.
Damn it...! I was shaken by his words so much I let the chance vanished! I should've shrugged off all thought and confessed! What am I supposed to do with it now...!?
"And his defense is just damnable hard! Does he even have an AT Field?!" I half-shouted in the middle.
...in the end, I realized staying still will just cause more chaos and suspicions... I have to get back.
"Haa... So embarrassing..." I groaned as I wobbled to the female dormitory.
Of course, when I arrived, Yukine-san gave me a harsh scolding. Somehow, it felt like all of my energy had gone to waste right then and there. And when I crawled into my bed...
"Guuu... it's hard to sleep after I dozed off for too long..." I growled.
However, upon further retrospection late at night...
"Eh? Go out? Only the two of us? Tomorrow morning?? ...Isn't that a Date...?"
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A/N: Anyone who read the front page would notice that the interval is getting shorter. I've made 10 Chapters of this volume. Also, it's already holiday though my scores... aren't... really. Well. Urgh. Arts faculty is difficult and extremely competitive.... At least I didn't fail but the scores are probably C or B-... Gah. Talk about poor starter.
Well, setting that aside. I guess it's finally the time... - 'IT'S HAPPENING!' - is what I can say. Starting from next chapter, have some sweets and cakes and Anfles~