"I-It has fused with the black strands..." The voice responded in bewilderment.
"Oh, it already fused? Then, I guess it all works out." Peony responded nonchalantly.
"That beast is an ancient being..." The voice warned.
"I know. He's been around for thousands of years too." Peony replied with a sigh, "All the more to connect with him."
"You don't have the capabilities to contract him..."
"Huh? Is that what the strings said?" Peony raised a brow, "I am not as knowledgeable as you with the strings of fate, but even I know what it means for the strings to fuse together."
There was a moment of silence before the Lady sighed in disappointment, "Very well. With the matter of the soul, I have reached out to the Shroud family. Are you ready?"
Peony nodded her head quietly, "I shall arrive after the headmaster and we shall speak separately."
"Princess Peony. I advice caution. The Shroud family is on edge."
"As I expected." Peony responded bluntly, "This matter, after all, was meant to have been a secret and delicate matter."
"I shall also be present."
"Very well." Peony responded unperturbed.
"I wish you the best of luck... Princess."
"Thank you..."
Everything was as she expected. All that was left is luck. With this in mind, she pulled out the small and pitiful blue flame from her ring. It flickered warmly and softly in her hand as she shielded it from the wind. It wasn't long before a loud explosion could be heard that Lotus took a deep breath and sighed with a soft smile, "Don't worry... Everything will be fine. After all, this is your brother we are talking about and your parents... Do you really believe that they left you for sure?"
The flame flickered quietly as Lotus sighed, "A parent bears unconditional love for their children. A parent that bears no emotion to their children is no parent at all and may not even be living. A person that can not feel emotions is unfortunate. The most treasured possession to living is emotions. If someone can feel hatred, then they can feel love. If they can feel sadness, then they know what it means to be happy. To know coldness, they must know warmth. If having been given the resources to live in this world is a gentle support, then these are part of the harsh truth in life."
Listening to the soft whispers of the flame, she smiled, "Can you really say it's impossible and be satisfied with that without even having tried? To know success, you need to know failure. Even the most sucessful people failed many times again and again before stumbling upon success. There are those who succeeded for many times before coming across failure. Life has its trials. Perfection is a flaw as well. Just as white is a stain to a black background. Even the most bitter tea as a pleasant and sweet aftertaste."
With this phrase, the flame flickered again, "Once you reunite and regain a body, you can taste the bitterness and sweetness again. Everything is a process. Don't rush. Don't fret. Your current worries will become a nostalgic memory in the future. One you wish to cherish as it slips away. So, cherish it now and allow it to slip by when the time comes."
With that, she returned the flame into her ring before hurrying to the Ramshackle dorm.
.....
Upon arrival, Lotus could see that the dorm was in shambles! In fact, it was close to collapse! There was large holes caused by explosion all over the walls and they weren't small at all! Lotus looked this over with a huff of dismay. Looks like the shroud family will be handing in a large donation in the coming future...
Upon entering the dorm, she was surprised to find a large hole in the louge and Yuu struggling to carry Ace out of there. Deuce, likewise, was unconscious and brought out by Epel.
"Lotus..." Yuu gapped in shock upon seeing her.
"Put the kids on the sofa and call the nurse over." Lotus responded bluntly, "Epel, There's a first aid kit in that drawer. Can you bring it over to me while I assess these two."
"R-right!"
From just a glance, she could tell that these guys only had minor injuries. So, they'll wake up in a couple of days. Thinking this, she decided to think of a meal plan since these guys will be having a weak metabolism in a couple of days. Lotus pondered to herself in deep thoughts before she heard Rook's voice.
"Will they be all right?"
Lotus nodded, "These kids will wake up in a couple of days and Vil would be treated for his wounds there. They won't harm Vil anyway. They may just have him and Jamil use their magic, but not enough for an overblot. Just to see how much blot he and the others can make after a certain amount of time. If they make Vil overblot, they'd have to bear full responsibility."
"Those guys?" Yuu questioned in relief, "That's good. They also took Grim."
"I'm not surprised." Lotus frowned and heaved a sigh, "However, no matter how rough and harsh their group is. Don't forget that they are also mortals. Live, eat, and to feel emotions. Vil and Leona are around the same age as Idia-senpai. Research and obligations aside, they aren't monsters."
"It sounds like you've met them before?"
Lotus huffed in exaggeration, "One of the parties I was dragged to by a potential, well-connected employers back then had one of their representatives appear and gave out a speech and powerpoint video regarding their purposes. The ones running that speech was the Shroud family. Since they care so much for their son, they would not try to bring harm and ill intention to other children or against the guardians. I've seen the leader once. No matter what title a family has, it's good to see that they still act and care as a family and a parent."
She paused in hesitation before she sighed, "It's just unfortunate for that tragedy to occur upon them..."
"Tragedy...?" Yuu looked to her in confusion.
Seeing this, Lotus quickly shook her head, "You should go find the nurse and Mister Crewel, Yuu. I'll stay here and keep watch of the situation."
"Mister Crewel! That's right! I'll be right back!"
"We'll meet you in the infirmary." Lotus responded and turned to Kalim, "You can keep trying to look for the other dorm leaders. If they're not here, you can try the vice-dorm leader unless they are busy organizing the chaos. Last I saw, Trey-senpai was still in the glass dome with the other club members. Epel isn't weak nor has bigger responsibilities aside from Prefect Yuu and Dormleader Kalim, so Epel can help us carry these two to the infirmary."
"Get them, okay! Let's go, Yuu!"
The two rushed out the door as Lotus took this chance to flick Ace's forehead in annoyance.
"That tragedy..." Rook whispered quietly in confusion.
Lotus shook her head, "That is not for me to say for it is a private matter. You may have to find that out for yourself. However, you'll have to be very lucky to get anything out of those guys. an organization like theirs prizes on keeping a tight lip. However, you should be able to get something with your skills. So, there's really no need for me to say anything."
It was then that her phone rang and she picked up the call.
"Lotus! Where are you? I need you over to the equestrian area right now!"
"Understood." Lotus responded, "We have two students in Ramshackle dorm unconscious. I've tended to their surface wounds. They tried to engage in combat with the intruders and was soundly beaten but unharmed internally. I'll have them brought out of the building as it is in bad shape. I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Do what you must." He responded in approval, "Don't forget to take record either."
"Yes, sir." Lotus responded and hung up, "I'll see you later."
She turned to them and said, "I'll bring out the mats and we'll use that as a blanket for them outside. with the building's current structure, it's not safe for them to be in here or upstairs."
"Got it!" Epel responded as the two of them began to move the two outside.
She then left them after seeing that they would be all right before hurrying to the horse back riding club.
"Lotus!" One of their members called out in relief upon seeing her, "Thank the god you're here!"
"Is everyone unharmed?" Lotus glanced over to the others as she muttered bitterly, "Stupid question. How's everyone else?"
"They're a bit shaken but they're all right." A junior responded firmly, "Lotus, Dormleader Riddle was taken away and Silver and Sebek have ran off."
Lotus nodded, "Don't worry about the two of them. They're given the role to protect their dorm leader for more reasons than just their backgrounds. Our first priority is the wounded."