"If anyone oppresses you, try not to retaliate. Also, try to find a way so that they don't have a reason to bully you. Because once they hurt you and you can't hold your pain, I'll avenge them. If you don't want me to touch them, you have to think a way."
"It will be tough for me," Katie said with a sob. Why does the man tell her to do the impossible thing?
"I know. Therefore I will reward you. If you succeed, I will enroll you in Trinity school, and also I will tell you how to get rid of this curse and become a normal human."
Thump!
Is there a way to be a normal person? She doesn't need to worry that her emotions will affect nature? Why didn't her Umbra say so earlier?
"Why didn't you say so before? Then can't I be normal now? Tell me right now. I don't want to be the Red Queen or so whatever. I don't want to have this curse. Please tell me how." begged Katie as she squeezed the arm of the Umbra.
"You can't do it now. Getting rid of curses isn't as easy as you think. There are risks you have to endure, and your body isn't strong enough to hold the ritual. At least we have to wait until you're sixteen."
Sixteen? Does that mean four more years? Katie didn't want to wait anymore, but she didn't argue and continued to obey him.
Since then, Katie, who used to be lazy to practice with her Umbra was now diligent. After being entirely determined for months and receiving training from the man, Katie was becoming increasingly skilled in her new role.
Her eyes were now more alert about her surroundings. Her body reflexes were also improving. Every time someone wanted to stumble or spill something on her, she could avoid it well. She could pretend not to know the 'trap' set up by the bulliers. At the same time, she could pass it without problems.
Of course, sometimes, there were still some who persistently trample her life. They tore her textbooks or hid her workbooks and throwing them away in the trash. And every time she gets angry or felt sad, she immediately tried to remember her memories in Louisiana.
She closed her eyes and imagined what games she played the first time. Remembering her time at Louisiana could make her happy even create a smile and amused laughter in her mouth.
Her classmates, who saw her weird behavior, thinking she was crazy and chose not to deal with her. Strange enough, Katie no longer cared about her loneliness. It's better this way than she had to hear that her friend was injured. She wanted no one to get hurt just because of her or her 'curse.'
In the end, Katie spent her middle school life with no friends. She was more often aloof and introverted. Even when entering the last year of school, no one else was even bothered her. They all focused more on studying for their final exams and high school entrance exams that they wanted to go to.
Of course, Katie was also preparing to take the Trinity school entrance exam.
There were several special classes in different fields at Trinity School. Communication, arts, and science fields. Katie wanted to enter an art class with a major in music.
There were two kinds of examinations to enter the music department, such as science theory tests and playing a musical instrument. In her case, it was her singing would get scored.
She could pass the theory test as long as she studied hard. The problem was the singing part.
With her abilities, there was no doubt Katie would be accepted. Although she had never taken a course before, she often practiced and imitated professional singers' style.
Katie often took part in singing competitions and ended up being winners. Because of that, her talent as a singer could undoubtedly be well received.
The problem was every time she sang, the birds would approach her. Even flowers that were not yet time to bloom would blossom beautifully, and butterflies would come to her.
During the competition, she would make sure the contest was in a closed room. That way, no animal would come in and made people wonder or suspect.
It would be a different story if she sang in school. She would sing in front of the teacher at least once a month. Sooner or later, they would realize the presence of little animals every time she sings.
Therefore, before she officially becomes the student of the Trinity school, Katie had to get rid of the 'curse' of this red queen. She could not wait to undergo the 'ritual' to be an average girl.
She also couldn't wait for the reunion of her sweet childhood red-haired boy.