"Albert?"
"Where's my sister?!"
"I-I don't know? What are you doing here?"
"Not here?!" Albert then starts cursing himself and turns his back on us. He didn't really explain what's happening with her sister, but just asked us her location. He didn't even bother to look at Stephanie in my arms as if she didn't exist.
"Hey, Albert."
"Huh?!" Albert turns around with a frown on his face.
"Are you not feeling jealous about this?" I shook Stephanie in my arms.
"Idiot... Ask about her sister, not me!"
"What? I'm genuinely curious because every time he sees us being chummy with each other, he would often show his hatred to me. But, he didn't even bother to look at you or me when he got here."
Albert glares me in the eyes. "I'm not obligated to answer you because you're the sole reason why my sister has been acting weird. You're the person that I detest the most. You're at fault. If something ever happens to her, I'll kill you myself."
I raise an eyebrow. I was taken back by his words. Not because he hates or blames me, but how he cares for his sister. The fact he said those words and prioritized his sister more than anything earlier. The image that's been engraved in my brain completely crumbled. I even ask myself whether I'm hearing things or not. I even began doubting whether he's Albert or not.
Yet, seeing the familiar heat that he exudes—it's without a doubt, Albert. Moreover, the intensity of it was hotter than anything I experienced. He's genuinely threatening on killing me. Veins are popping out of his head while clenching his fist.
"I don't even know what I did for her to act like that, but instead of blaming me care to tell what's happening to her? Your sister."
"I will not be here chasing her if I know."
"That doesn't really answer the question, you know?"
"I don't know! Fuck off, already! I don't have the luxury to waste time now." Albert runs back to where he came from.
I tried following him but got stopped by Stephanie with her arms on my chest. "Let him be. Asking him questions will lead to nowhere when his mind is in that state. I-I'm surprised at Albert showing concerns about his sister... It's the first. Throughout my time with the twins, I haven't seen him acting like that... More than anything, he treats her as air."
"It seems impossible, right? Don't you also think the way he also looks at you too?"
"What do you mean?"
"He... Nevermind." 'Earlier, I saw Albert's eyes passing over Stephanie. The looks on his eyes... How do I say this? Loathe? Am I seeing things?'
I spit on the ground. My spit was mixed with my own blood. The metallic taste of my blood was still all over my mouth. It's a disgusting taste. At that moment, I remember Adelle. "How does Adelle find this awful taste, tasty?"
"Is your mouth okay?" Stephanie drags my face closer next to her face and opens my mouth. "What did she even do?"
I remove her hands away from my mouth before answering. "She bit my tongue and... Ate a piece of it... I think..."
Obviously, Stephanie was filled with disgust. "Seriously?"
"Let's forget about it. I don't want to get into the specifics. I'd forget that horrendous memory of mine."
"Oh, poor you." Stephanie pulls me into her breast, stroking my hair gently. I felt at home when she does this. We eventually sat on the grass beneath us. Because of the warmth that I'm receiving, I fell asleep in an instant. I don't know how I can be this defenseless around them.
Opening my eyes slowly, I saw Stephanie's majestic eyes staring afar with her hair fluttering from the wind. I put my hand inside of my pocket, grabbing the amulet and giving it to her. Without saying any words I hand it to her, she laughs. I also smile back. Even after what happened earlier, we just smiled until the day is over. Regardless of our smiles, there's still uncertainty that's clogging my chest.
"What's this Claude? Where did you get this?" After handing out the amulet, it glows as soon it touches Stephanie's skin.
"I got it from the headmaster. That's pretty expensive you know?"
"You bought it?"
"Nope. I didn't spend a single penny on that."
"You wasted your reward for this?"
"What waste? I'm giving it to you, duh..."
"That's what I—Okay... Thank you."
I smiled brightly.
────────────
After that day, I haven't seen Rosalyn—for now... What's more frightening about that was Diana's anger. She's really not happy with how I handled the situation and kept bothering me to least slap her or something. Honestly, it isn't a bad suggestion since I'm thinking of ways to make her hate me, but got a feeling it wouldn't work.
Luckily enough, Tsuki manage to enter Rosalyn's astral space for a few seconds when she press her lips against mine and found a dormant spirit lying inside—the phoenix. Diana also shared her insight about Rosalyn. (Sharing one soul into two bodies. That's a peculiar way. Hearing it first, I would find it unbelievable but with the evidence already in front of me... It looks like it is plausible.)
(Well... We're inside one body too... So, it's not really that surprising.)
(No, no, it's too peculiar considering the phoenix's soul must be astronomical if its soul needs two people... Splitting its soul in half to reside in two bodies. If a single body can't contain its soul... I don't how monstrous its soul is. Plus, it's not possible... A soul is a manifestation of one true self. We can't replicate or take a piece of our soul. It's just impossible. The twins must have some sort of connection between their souls which makes sense a lot.)
(Really...? What do you think of this Tsuki?)
(Bright and hot! I hate it!)
(...)
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I went to the headmaster for information and help.
"I'm busy, you know? Go report it to the Disciplinary Committee."
"We had an agreement."
"Tsk, you just got back to your class... This is why handsome like us, had a hard life. Next time, don't deal with weirdoes, okay? I know, I know, we're not at fault for attracting girls." Headmaster Winster nods to himself.
I gaze at him with a deadpan look on my face.
"The twins, huh? I'm not familiar with its spirit since it's the first of its kind, but I've known its myths. The phoenix represents the everlasting flame of the world. And some, also said, it represents the sun above and beyond us, where no man can ever reach."
"... Give me something more information that's relevant, okay?"
"Geez, I'm here giving you information about the phoenix, you ungrateful brat. I'm still not finished by the way. Information about Rosalyn... Let me see... Oh, the potions."
Headmaster Winster spins around his chair like a child. "From what I remember, his father, the Earl was a known alchemist back then. What's more, the Mora Family was also known for their innovative healing potions and they're the main distributor of it across the Maiveil Kingdom."
"I already know about that."
"But did you know about the phoenix healing abilities?"
"Yeah... Someone did mention about the phoenix's regenerative abilities."
"But did you also know that their blood can also be a cure to all illness?!"
"Huh? The twin's blood?"
"Aha! You didn't know about that, didn't you?! Hahahaha!"
I brush off Headmaster Winster's annoying personality. Yet, I was out of words upon hearing it. No wonder they looked malnourished last time, adding their lifeless eyes. It all makes sense now. "That fucking piece of shit. He's doing something to his child? So, ironic. Hahahaha..."
"Eww, why are you laughing like that? Are you going to kill someone?"
"..."
"Anyway, that's all. Now, shoo."
"Seriously? You're going to kick me out?"
"I don't have any information anymore, other than that. Plus, you already used your one request."
"Oi! I didn't say I will only ask you once!"
"You're lucky that you can even step foot in my office and ask me for private information! That's quite a big deal, you know?!"
"Nah-uh. I don't remember saying about one request!"
"Hey! I have already given you important privacy information about a student! That's enough!"
"I refuse!"
"Greed can be bad, Mr. Claude."
"Being a fraud is also bad, Headmaster Winster. And... I saw the poster in the town, the other day..."
"I don't have anything to say to you. Those matters are academy matter which you're not a part of. Call me a fraud, all you want. I'll just give one last request, okay? So, get the hell out of my office. I'm busy." The tone on Headmaster Winster became serious. I could only comply and leave his office.
But, as soon as I was about to head out, he spoke once again. "Mr. Claude. Here's a helpful tip, ignore everything that's happening outside of the academy. Your future is bright, so don't play the hero."
"Who said I will play the hero?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Haha, then ignore what I said."
"There are no heroes in this world. No one will protect the people in my life or even me, other than ourselves."
"Yet, you're here, caring for those people who died."
"That's called sympathy."
He shrugs my answer off. "If you say so."
I click my tongue. "Old man."
"Oiii!"
I close the massive wooden door on his face.
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Somewhere in the hall where no sunlight could ever reach, there's a man and a woman hiding in the dark. If any passerby would see a man and woman hiding here. They would surely gossip some nasty things about the two. Yet, Adelle and I are here not-minding whether we would be seen or not. Moreover, at how my clothes are loose and my chest at the display for them to see—There's no doubt they would think it as such. Also, add Adelle with her mouth on my neck, drinking my blood.
After a few seconds, I'm getting light-headed. I gently pat her head. "Adelle... I can't anymore."
Adelle pulls out her canine teeth. "Oh, sorry... It just tastes better than usual. I lost control."
"It's fine. It's been a while since the last time you drank my blood. Just to confirm, the sensation of sucking blood is better right?"
"N-Nooo..." Adelle averts her gaze away.
"Why would you even lie about that? You're so easy to read." I flick her forehead.
"Because you would find it creepy."
"Creepy? Really now? Whenever we're in bed, I swear that you order creepier stuff than this."
Adelle bits my neck again.
"Aww!"
"Don't follow Stephanie's footsteps!"
"Hmph!"
I rub the pain out. "I'm quite sensitive too..."
While tidying up my messy clothes, we heard a sound not far from us. Adelle and I nod at each other. We approach the origin of the sound which is just behind the pillar made of stone. When we take a quick look behind it, I immediately put Adelle behind me. "Geh, Shikta?"
"H-Hey! The tides of fate bought us together, huh?!"
"What are you saying?"
Shikta's eyes are going all over the place, as she sweats profusely. Adelle was standing while giving me the looks next to me. From Shikta's face, I could easily discern that she had witnessed me and Adelle from how beet-red she is. The sudden realization also hit Adelle when she saw her face.
"I-I-I... D..." Adelle was eating her own words.
"Oh, what are you doing here, Shikta? Taking a stroll? Fresh air?"
"Eh?! N-N—Yeah! I do!"
'No? What does she mean by that?' "You saw it right?"
Shikta's gaze went to the ground and mutter. "P... You... tain... sed..."
"What?"
"Nothing... I-I'll just go ahead... I won't say a thing, I promise." Shikta's pained expression caught our eyes. Adelle approaches and embraces her head. Shikta was caught off-guard, looking at Adelle with a puzzled expression. She didn't know why Adelle is doing this. Even I'm surprised by her.
"It's fine." Adelle pets her head. "You look like my friend back home. Keeping everything to herself."
"Uh... Shikta... It's been bothering, but did you take a fancy on me?"
Shikta looks at me in disgust. "Eww, no way."
I'm not sure whether to feel happy or hurt. I definitely heard a crack inside my chest—my dignity as man crumbles down right before me. If this two are not here, I would tear up. "Then... Let's go somewhere, okay?" I said with a smile, but my eyes are definitely not smiling.
'Relax, relax... She's the sister of old Claude's friend. She might even just be too embarrassed to say it out loud. So for now, let's go somewhere where we can talk it out.' I thought to appease myself.
However, when we were heading out we came across a group of people.