I have to say that the current situation is so bad that our jaws are literally dropping to the ground. The students are hyped, and teenagers are always hyped about stupid things. It is the most absurd scene ever to happen in Black Book High.
A red boxer in the middle of shining, bulging muscles. Steve is literally glowing in the middle of the gym hall. His white teeth are flashing, and to make it worse, the students are taking shots of it like paparazzi. Everyone screams in exhilaration.
Alyssa whistles and glances at me, "Are you jealous?"
"What? No. Are you taking this thing seriously? This is real bad for us you know?" I say.
When this is out to the public, our school's reputation is really going down. Oh, what do you know, this is streamed live now on Inst*gram apparently.
Alyssa shrugs, "It's too late now, Senpai. Might as well not worry about this. Though..." Her eyes study her childhood friend and back to me. "He never did something like this. I get that he sometimes is too egoistical. But never an exhibitionist. Wonder what drives him to this? It can't be rejecting him too hard, right?"
I shake my head as my nose wrinkles. "No. It wasn't you or your kinds' fault." It can't be humans...
"My… kind?"
"Something feels off."
Alyssa rolls her eyes, "Yup. As if it's not obvious, Senpai. Something really is off. Wanna hear my crazy theory?" She points at Steve, "That's Steve's double."
Despite Alyssa and the other students seeing this as a joke, I see something terrifying. Something I wouldn't like to be true. If Ayane is here, she also would know what I'm thinking right now. Every exorcist should have tell what's going on by a single glance.
The obvious man has his eyes red and unstable. Has wrinkles tighter despite his young age. And drool dripping from his mouth. Steve is not himself.
He has been charmed by a hell creature.
Steve opens his chest to the world and shouts, "EVERYONE! ALL HUMAN EVERYWHERE! HEAR ME, THIS HUMBLE SERVANT!"
The gym amplifies his already booming voices, making our ears tremble.
The students reply, "WE HEAR YOU, SENSEI!" "AH, SENSEI LOOK HERE!" "HOLY SHIT THE MAN IS CRAZY!" "SENSEI!!" as expected, these teenagers only knows how to add fuel to the fire.
Alyssa pokes me from behind, "You okay, bro?"
"No. And don't call me bro. It feels weird."
"I'm already weirded out by all this, bro."
"Alyssa."
"Anyway, have you check the group message?"
She must indicate the group for all the staff at Black Book High. I find myself holding back from looking at my phone. It'd be a bad example if another student saw me they'd assume me follwong the others taking shots. So I just asked Alyssa.
She replies, "It sounds like Madam is coming with the school guards." She bits her bottom lip as she takes a look at Steve. "I'm afraid this guy's going to get into big trouble."
But she perceived them wrong. It's a lot bigger problem than she expected now. That someone did this to him. One of the hell creatures. As far as I know there are only certain types of them who can use charms--and they are very rare to meet.
Succubus. Kitsune. Siren. Pixy. Demons. Lich.
Vampire.
My heart twists.
The image of a white haired Gothic loli appears in my mind. Laughing. Not threateningly. But I couldn't think of anyone else than her now. No. The cross is still up, she's supposed to be locked in the room.
…
But what if the vampire is stronger now after she drinks my blood? What if she's already overpowered the artifact's seal.
My feet are turning cold.
I was the one who gave her the blood.
Just to satisfy my guilt. Just to deal with what I promised.
And because of me, the vampire who'd try to ruin the world now has escaped. Because of my selfishness. Because of my wish to be normal and good.
My fists are trembling. Alyssa tries to call me but her voice is so distant. It's as if the world is already ending.
I shake my head. No. This is only a guess. Only a probably. It could be another story. I wish.
Remelia. Vampire's princess.
I... I better check on her now.
"Bro?" Alyssa tilts her head.
I touch her shoulder and give it a gentle push, "I'm sorry, Alyssa. I have to go somewhere."
"Oh, okay. But I don't think that's a good idea. Madam wants us to--"
I turn away and start to walk away. There's no time to hear what Alyssa is saying.
As soon as I almost reach the entrance, Madam and her guards are already here. Completely blocking my way. Madam has deep furrows in her face.
Luckily it wasn't for me. Madam looks over me and uses her lung to blow out her voice. "ATTENTION EVERYONE."
The whole gym becomes silent as they all turn to the old woman. Madam always appears kind and loving. But she can also be this scary.
"I AM THE PRINCIPLE OF THIS SCHOOL. I ORDER EVERY STUDENT TO LEAVE THIS GYM IMMEDIATELY!" She says.
The teenagers stay on their feet.
Madam takes a deep breath, "OR I WILL PUNISH EVERY OF YOU. I'LL COUNT TO TEN AND EVERY STUDENTS I SEE WOULD HAVE MY WORDS.
"ONE!"
One is enough. The students scurry past us with their heads bow and their phones buried in their hands.
Realizing the opportunity, I try to join the crowd. But probably because of my lack of cloth, Madam hawks at me.
O--o, oh.
"Now, where are you going my dear?" Madam shows me her smile kind, "I told you to stay in the group message."
I turn around and Alyssa gives me a shrug as if saying 'told you.'
I smile wryly, "I… just need a restroom right now." I pull my knees together.
Madam smiles, "Be a man and hold them down."
"But."
"Hold them, Sensei."
It's a good thing I don't really have to use a restroom now. I couldn't imagine holding them down for real.
I sigh, defeated.
This is a disaster. And now I'm stuck here. I have to find another way to sneak out.
The attentions are averted from me to Steve who's laughing hysterically now.
"New ears! Look at me! The messenger!" Steve shouts.
Madam and the guards try to close their distance from him. Madam starts, "Steve. You've made a big mess today. And I had enough. You have a lot to explain."
Steve laughs again, "Oh, woman. I do have A LOT TO EXPLAIN! I even put up this much show to get more ears to hear me. This will be a thing to be remembered! Everyone will talk about me on the internet. WHICH IS BETTER. WHICH BRINGS THEM TO A KNOW WHAT I'LL SAY. YEs. AHhahahahaHAHA."
Madam shouts, trying to assert her dominance. "STEVE!"
Steve goes silent for a now. He stares at us… and begins welling up tears. Steve is there. He is suffering. His consciousness is here but not his body. Steve wants help. The charm is biting him.
I. .. want to help. I do. But I can't do anything with this much public eyes on this room right now.
Madam slows down her voice, "Steve, I know you're in a lot of stress. We can talk. Come here and turn off your phone."
Steve glances at his phone. On live.
And he chuckles. And laugh. Bigger laugh. His muscles are twitching. And his tears are gone. "It is time!" he says.
And then, "ALOIMIHOMIPOHUJOIHUJOMIMUMIYIYUGOGJOuyygfGYAnbifeg."
Steve starts to speak with his tongue swirling crazily.
Alyssa mumbles in normal language, "W--what's wrong with him?" Even the apathetic Alyssa begins to feel panic in her heart.
And so does myself.
Steve is speaking in a familiar language I've only heard back when I wan an exorcist. The hell's language, which no human can understand. Which only they can understand.
Madam orders the guard, "Stop him now!"
And the guard rushes toward Steve. They hold him down. They stop his body.
But not his voice.
I silently back away as the scene becomes more messy. But before I get to leave the gym, Steve lets out his final speech.
"You can't stop us! You can't stop HER! THE HUMANKIND DAMNATION IS NEAR. HER PLAN WILL SUCCEED. All HAIL DRACULASSS."
Dracula.
My teeth slam down my jaw.
And my eyes are burning.
So this is all her work.
My body feels lighter.
But my heart is heavy.
As I thought to myself.
The vampire is a threat.