It's already been three days since I returned to Volmiir and most of my time has been spent either training with Valentina or studying in the library with Lucile. If I had to say whether I've increased more in strength or knowledge, I would have to say knowledge. Why? Because Lucile is a much better teacher than Valentina. While Valentina has had me "learn by doing" as she calls it, Lucile has had a gentle, guiding hand, although sometimes I think she's treating me as though I'm a child, it's fine. I managed to gain some valuable information.
The week has gone by in a blur but I was able to retain all of the information, thanks to my increased mental capabilities after training my ability in this world. The main, most important points would be that I'm confident that I could determine the differences between over a hundred kinds of medical and poisonous plants and herbs. Lord Dreyus, the Royal vying for Lucile's hand, inherited his land from his mother and father after they died in the war against humanity all those years ago. This would give him the motive to get revenge on Verren. That is, if he even cared about them. From what I hear, although his parent were modest and kind, he grew up to be pompous and arrogant, seemingly without cause.
That is what the books in the library say. I have another source of information. I gained a lot from my little adventure with the dark guild and thanks to that, I know that the reason for Dreyus becoming such an arse is because his servant, Juren, has been whispering in his ear. Even after looking through the information from the dark guild however, I still have no clue where Juren came from, which is definitely suspicious. Someone strong enough to become a Royal's right hand man should definitely leave a trail, so why has even the dark guild failed to find any meaningful information about him? I suppose I'll have to leave that for later.
The last thing I learned that's worth mentioning is about Elsyria, the human county, and their "heroes". Whenever a war begins, a group of four people always stand on the front lines. Reading some of the names, like Tanaka, Antonio, Marco, Nobunaga, it's obvious that the heroes aren't from this world and they've stopped making an effort to hide the fact. The summoning ritual however, appears to be a closely guarded secret. I wonder if it's similar to how I was summoned, though I barely remember the actual process. From the books we've found in here, the heroes are a force of nature, compared to the likes of earthquakes and erupting volcanoes. As Lucile tells me, the heroes from the last war were even capable of going up against Verren, at least, 4v1. I honestly doubt that anyone could go one on one against Verren in his prime.
[Lucile] "Should we continue with the Alchemy books now?"
Lucile's question distracts me from my thoughts and draws my attention back to her. She stands in front of the table with a stack of books in her arms labelled with various titles, all relating to alchemy. As useful as alchemy might be, even I get exhausted if I've been studying from dawn till noon.
[Kai] "Perhaps we could take a break from studying?"
The silver-haired girl gently places the stack of heavy books on the table, causing it to scream under the weight. Considering I've already used a
[Lucile] "Then, will you be going to spar with Valentina?"
She asks the question with an innocent tone but it still sends a shiver down my spine. To think, even though Lucile is a much gentler teacher, she doesn't know when to stop. The same could be said for Valentina, although since my return from Solben, her lessons have become far more spartan. I need to think of a way out of this.
[Kai] "Actually...I was wondering if you would tell me about that book."
Her head tilts in a cute, questioning way. I suppose I was a little too unspecific with my question though I'm glad I seem to have caught her attention.
[Kai] "The one written by your mother."
I try to speak softly, as though I were trying not to spook a small, woodland creature. At my words, her shoulders tense and I can hear her heart race.
[Kai] "If you don't want to, it's fine. I just wanted to learn more about the mother you always speak so highly of."
[Lucile] "It's...fine. I'll go and get the book."
She begins to walk towards the door before turning to face me.
[Lucile] "Will you meet me in the garden?"
[Kai] "Of course"
She smiles softly before leaving the room. I let out a sigh, realising that I've most likely put her in a tough position, though I will admit, I am happy that she's willing to share such an important item with me.
Having made my way to the garden, there seems to be no sign of Lucile, so I walk closer to the mana blossom in the centre of the beautiful field. When I do however, something strange catches my attention. The ring that Ilima gave me begins glowing with a faint green hue, mixing brilliantly with the blue glow of the flowers all around me.
[???] "That ring..."
A familiar feminine voice softly muses to itself from behind me. Slowly turning my head, I see the figure of Lucile's mother, Astrid, with her head on my shoulder and gazing intently at the ring on my finger. Her green, ghostly colouring alerts me to the fact that she's still a spirit, though I didn't realise she could leave the tree. I clear my throat in an attempt to gain her attention to no avail. Her attention is focused solely on the Grave keeper's ring.
[Kai] "Nice ring, isn't it?"
[Astrid] "Indeed..."
It takes awhile but eventually the spirit turns to face me. Our eyes meet and for a moment and we simply stare, seemingly into each other's souls, though I'm sure that's not hard for me to do since I'm literally looking at her soul.
[Astrid] "You can..."
[Kai] "See you. Yes."
[Astrid] "How?"
[Kai] "Before that, would you mind moving your head from my shoulder?"
She looks around, taking note of our position before a mischievous smirk appears on her face, slightly alarming me.
[Astrid] "Like this?"
In an instant, her head moves from my shoulder and reappears through my stomach, looking up to me.
[Kai] "Very funny."
[Astrid] "I thought so."
[Kai] "
The spirit's body seizes up for a moment as a strange, gargled noise escapes her pale green lips. I take a step away from her, just far enough that her body is no longer inside my own.
[Kai] "So it effects ghosts. Good to know."
[Astrid] "Was that...really necessary?"
I let a smug smirk show on my face before shrugging nonchalantly, which seems to annoy the spirit.
[Astrid] "Has anyone told you that you've a horrid attitude?"
[Kai] "Nope. Mainly because the people who'd say that are dead. Well, more-so than you are now."
Astrid sighs, unable to comprehend my actions at a glance.
[Kai] "Honestly, with everything Lucile has told me about you, you're more of a friend than my friends' mother."
[Astrid] "You treat all of your friends like that?"
[Kai] "Only the ones I find amusing. And won't kill me if I go a bit too far."
[Astrid] "Oh?"
The spirit walks closer with a wry smile on her face. Her body language, swaying from side to side, makes me suspicious until I feel my body seize. I can't move, can't even speak. She walks closer, placing her fingers beneath my chin, pulling my head closer to hers. Our faces draw near and I can feel the cold air around her in full, right before she lets out a small, stifled laugh and backs off again, releasing me from my binding. Directing my gaze over to her, the image of an older Lucile, giggling with absolute joy reaches my sight. It brings a mix of happiness and annoyance to mind.
[Astrid] "you're right. Teasing your friends is hilarious."
I let out a small grumble as she continues laughing.
[???] "Kai? Are you okay?"
[Kai] "Hm?"
Turning around, I see Lucile with her mother's book held close to her chest and a worried look on her face.
[Kai] "Ah, Sorry. I was just thinking about an old hag. I'm fine."
As I insult her, Astrid's fist goes through my head. It feels cold but otherwise, it's just a little annoying. Payback for her teasing from earlier.
[Lucile] "Oh, alright. Then, shall we sit?"
She motions for us to take a seat beneath the Mana Blossom. Taking a closer looks her, she's definitely nervous. She's shaking quite a lot and while trying to open her book, she almost fumbles it. Luckily, I managed to reach out and catch the valued book before it lands in the dirt.
[Lucile] "Th-Thank you."
[Kai] "No problem."
The golden-eyed girl opens the book and clears her throat, as her mother gently places her arms around her daughters' shoulders, reading along with her. The nervousness from before is erased from existence when she finally begins reading. A warm, if not slightly wistful look on her face as she reads.
[Astrid & Lucile] "The rose's thorns trickled with the blood of lovers. Their vows complete and recognised by the spirit of the forest. One, a vampire of Royal blood, the other, a man of low birth. Each entwined together by fate. They would stand side by side for eternity, even if the very heaven's sought to tear them apart."
Reaching the end of the book, I can't help but think the story is like a fantasy Romeo and Juliet, if it had a happy ending that is. Regardless, it's a good book that we've read late into the night. In fact, I think Dawn may break any moment now. Lucile reaches the final page and chokes up, unable to speak the words as a tear falls from her glistening eyes.
[Astrid] "To my beautiful daughter, Lucile. No thorns shall keep me from your side."
Astrid's hug tightens to the point that her arms begin to go through her daughter's shoulders. I let out a sigh, realising that I would probably regret what I'm about to do someday.
[Kai] "Hey, Lucile?"
[Lucile] "Hm? Yes?"
When she turns her head to face me, her glistening eyes shine brighter with the light of the breaking dawn reflecting off of them.
[Kai] "Give me your hand."
[Lucile] "...Eh?"
For some reason, she shuffled back instinctively, while hiding her face from me. What? Oh! No! I didn't mean it like that.."
[Astrid] "Aww, young love. How sweet."
[Kai] "You shut it!"
My outburst attracts Lucile's attention and curiosity as Astrid starts giggling uncontrollably.
[Kai] "Sorry. Please, there is someone here you should meet. To do that, I need you to hold my hand."
She seems to be more taken aback by holding my hand than she was with the marriage misunderstanding. Nevertheless, she gently places her right hand in my left. Her hand is remarkably soft. If I could, I feel like I would never want to let go.
[Kai] "
The runes on my ring begin to glow as the light encompasses both of our hands in a green aura. Looking back to Lucile, her eyes have gained a ghostly, green glow and she seems to be surprised about something. I guess it worked.
[Lucile] "Mother?"
Yes. I would say it worked.
[Astrid] "Lucile..."
The two vampiress' faces may have just made my day though. Astrid, with a warm, motherly smile and longing eyes, while tears begin to stream down Lucile's face. She lets go of my hand to wipe her eyes but when she does, the green glow in her eyes fades.
[Lucile] "Mother? Where...where did you go? What happened?"
Before she can panic any further, I quickly reach out and take ahold of her hand, reconnecting and bringing the glow back to her eyes. Unfortunately, due to Astrid's worry for her daughter, when they are able to see each other again, Lucile is spooked by the presence of her mothers' face directly in front of her own. She lets out a short yelp before falling back, bringing me with her. Picking ourselves up, I let out a grumble when I hear the mother of, presumably, one stifle her own laugh.
[Lucile] "I-I'm sorry, Kai."
[Kai] "Don't worry about it."
Helping each other up, without losing grip on each other's hands, we face the old hag again.
[Astrid] "My apologies, Lucile. I simply wished to get payback on my friend here."
[Lucile] "...Eh? Kai?
Lucile looks at me with curious yet accusing eyes.
[Kai] "She took my body, I tricked her into thinking I was friends with god, we have an interesting friendship to say the least."
[Astrid] "How is that spirit by the way?"
[Kai] "We don't talk."
[Astrid] "Oh? Trouble in paradise?"
[Kai] "Remember, I can hurt you."
[Astrid] "And I know how you feel about my daughter."
[Kai] "...Touché."
[Lucile] "I'm here too, you know!
A silence fills the room after the quiet girl's outburst which causes Lucile an endless amount of embarrassment.
[Astrid & Kai] "Sorry"