Her gaze that was lost, uninterested, and showed no hope for salvation, now shone with life. Her eyes seemed captivated, determined, and eager to see tomorrow.
Following her words, which sounded full of bliss, instead of defeated like before. I felt a gust of wind moving inside the room.
Whistle. Whistle.
The whistling wind's sound struck my ears, and then I felt wind moving around me and Gale. Our hairs flutter, and the sheet wrapping her body, that I was holding so that it covered her, swayed.
For a second I panicked that the sheet might fly with the wind, but something unexpected happened.
Instead of flying away from my hand, the wind moved around the sheet cloth. I could not see the wind, just feel it lightly on my hands, it was moving around its surface.
And infront of me, the sheet moved like it was moving by an invisible hand, and the cloth wrapped around Gale, changing into something similar to an off-shoulder maxi dress.
Then hairs that were swaying with the wind moved unexpectedly at the top of her head, and then, from underneath her white hair, two fluffy ears rose at the side of her head, and I think I also saw a sight of a tail swaying behind her.
Her appearance changed into a cat girl with white hair, white fluffy ears at the top, white eyelashes, a white tail, and deep blue crystal-like eyes.
Looking at those ears, I got an urge to touch them but something else, a curious question, surfaced.
Arthur: "Wait. How many ears do you have?"
I blurted out loud, completely out of context, not even regarding that her appearance had changed to something different. She showed a glint of amusement, as her hand cupped my chin, and her thumb caressed under my lower lip.
Gale: "Interested? Would you believe if I say four? hm?"
The previously defeated woman, who has accepted her fate of being alone forever, now became a mischievous cat.
Trying to find meaning behind her actions and words. Deciphering the suggesting glint in her eyes, I spoke squinting my own eyes.
Arthur: "Are you flirting with me?"
Her thumb moved up to my cheek and held my face, as she peered over me again, but this time there was no threat.
Gale: "Foolishness. This not flirting, this will be just normal interaction between us, my precious one. A lower existence, with finite life you may have, but we will make enough memories that those will outweigh all the loneliness I have felt for so long."
Following her words, her appearance started to fade gradually and then it seemed to blow away like smoke. As I stared, I felt the wind wrapping itself around me and I felt it going inside me.
Feeling the weird sensation, I put my hand around my chest, above my heart. Taking sight of some appearance there, poking from the edge of the shirt on my chest, I slid my shirt to the side to look at it.
There was a tattoo on my skin. Two long wings, with details of feathers, opened in its glory, and a pattern around it, which appeared to be a gust of winds, surrounded the wings.
Instead of focusing on the appearance of the tattoo, my mind focused on Gale's words that she spoke earlier.
Arthur: "Did she say we?"
+
[You have cleared the Hidden script 'Story of the Forsaken One' as its only performer.]
+
[ Rewards have been processed. ]
+
[ Rewards: '6000 points' and a Passive Skill 'Eternal Gale Lvl.6' ]
+
[ You have achieved a great feat by acquiring two Character Skills. ]
+
[ You have earned additional '5000 points' ]
+
[ Due to the passive effect 'Evolving' of Skill 'Zoe's heart' and 'Eternal Support' of Skill 'Eternal Gale' both skill has raised each other by two Level. ]
+
[ 'Zoe's Heart Lvl.6' --> 'Zoe's Heart Lvl.8' ]
+
[ 'Eternal Gale Lvl.6' --> 'Eternal Gale Lvl.8' ]
+
Multiple messages appeared infront of me, one even more grand than the previous ones.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments "Wait but that's-" ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' comments "Hush. Hush." ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments "Interesting." ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments "I don't know if I should call him lucky or unlucky." ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' is scowling. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is looking with fondness and concern. ]
+
Even Nubeculas showed their surprise and interest. If I could read the notification, I would be surprised as well, and if I could read the messages I would be annoyed, but I couldn't focus on that.
-My precious one, I think someone is been lurking in this place without your knowing.
-You are the one who is lurking.
-isn't this something, Princess? What is your relationship with my precious one?
-Who is your precious one? He is my king.
-So the king for a princess, can you be more obvious?
'Stop it both of you.' I sent to both of them, to shut them up. My head became filled with both their voices, the sound of a slight waterfall and wind blowing was pleasant to hear, but their bickering made the mood completely sour, and it built up a headache.
Instead, I focused on what actually stunned me at first, another Character skill. I wasn't expecting that. My primary reason for clearing this script was that I wanted to minimize the damage caused by this script and get some reward that would help me gain points and a good enough skill.
Since I don't know what skills I have, because I can not access my profile. The only option to get some sense is to acquire new skills. I was hoping to gain, some support from Galinthias, or her allegiance, or some skill associated with wind, or something related along that.
But a character skill, gaining a character skill is rare on its own that in my dream only some get those. I don't remember anyone having more than one, but maybe because...
A wild theory started to take root in my mind, but I held it. I need to try it to be sure, before jumping to a conclusion.
-My king.
Zoe pulled me back from my thoughts. 'Yes I am here' I replied.
-My precious one, what is on your mind?
The sound of water and wind made a pleasant sound in my mind. I decided to think afterward and put my theory for later. 'Just preparing to leave this place.' I replied to Gale.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is looking at you with concern. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is looking at you with interest. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' is looking at you with curiosity. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' is looking at you with complicated eyes. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' is scowling. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is looking with fondness. ]
+
I ignored the message since they didn't actually say anything, and I already decided not to focus on speculating.
Now sitting on the couch by the window, all alone, made no sense. Releasing a sigh, I looked around the now-empty room. With shadow shade, on the edges of the room and under the furniture over the blue, along with the crystal-like dust on the roof and on the surroundings, made the place beautiful, but it also felt lonely.
This is how Gale must have felt, along with that thought another surfaced, and I thought to Gale, 'Gale, there is something I want to ask.'
-Oh My precious one, you can ask for anything, and I mean, anything.
The hint of tease was obvious, and the sound of wind felt near to me like someone blew a wiff in my ear, one that would send a shiver down someone's spine, but it did not to me, I just felt like that.
'Then, weren't your hairs were gold-red? I mean shouldn't they be?' I remember seeing a gold-red hair-colored Galinthias, furious, burning everything, in my dreams.
But now, her hair was white in color, it was only because of her face that I recognized her, that, and also who else would I have expected to be here?
-Oh that... um, when I used every power I had to generate script, they changed. It demanded the flames in my heart.
Arthur: "Ah."
A sound escaped my mouth, as my brows raised and fell in a quick movement, with an understanding look. That actually does answer my question. Flames of the Abandoned soul, The flames in her heart, that must be all the desperation she had and the rage she felt before, that is why she was so defeated when I walked in, I deduced.
-You don't like my now white hair?
She didn't call me the 'Precious one', there was also a slight roughness in the wind sound, it didn't sound like a freely moving wind, but like it was cutting through a cliff, an obstacle.
Arthur: "You are fine Gale, white looks beautiful on you."
I spoke out loud my thoughts. The wind sound became strong like it cut the cliff in half.
Arthur: "Just like blue looks beautiful on Zoe, you both are fine."
The sound of the Waterfall became mixed with the sound of the wind, making a pleasant rhythm in my head. I met Zoe in a forest, as she emerged from the lake, if not blue what else would I associate her with? And Gale, that means wind, and if not white, what else color should be hers?
Releasing another deep breath, I pushed myself from the couch and put one hand in my pocket. I looked around the room as I brushed my hair with my free hand, which became a little messy with all the wind from earlier.
Taking steps towards the door, soon after reaching it, I held the lever handle. But before turning it, my eyes went to look through the glass placed on the door, the hallway looked the same, majestic and mysterious.
'How Am I going to get out of here?' with that thought surfacing, I pushed the lever down. Swinging the door open, I didn't need to dwell on that thought for long.
Just like a film changing, the edge of the door moving in my vision, from the corner of one eye to the other, and the scene changed. Past the open door, the hallway, which was something out of fantasy, now was just a short hallway, with two or three room's doors attached to the cherry or walnut wood.
Taking a step into the hallway, I looked around. Everything seemed like any other floor of the 'Trivia' only without any decorative.
Turning a bit, I looked over my shoulder, into the room I just came out from.
Arthur: "So that's how it is."
I mused. The room was no longer the most majestic room I have been in. It was a normal room, almost the size of my assistant room, it was completely empty, with spider webs on all corners of the room.
Closing the door of that room, I went ahead on the hallway, towards its end, there was a double door with pulling handles. I held them tightly, and pulled on them, making them open in a grand way, with a rough sound, like it was the first time in a long time they moved.
Creaaakkk...
With a creaking sound, the door opened and a hall room came into view. The hall room was not dark, several magic crystals inside the wall sconces lit the place.
Two doors at the opposite end of the room, some cushion chairs, no carpet, and cobwebs at the edges of the roof. But that is not what differs the hall room from other rooms.
Several eyes turned in my direction, fifty, no almost hundred sets of eyes darted at me. All the people that were inside the glass cell were present here. And If some weren't present here I could have easily missed them but from students to professors, at least those I saw inside the cell were there.
Silence seemed to descend inside the hall room, different sets of eyes looked at me differently, with hesitation, reluctance, relief, and gratitude.
?: "Sir Arthur."
One of the boyish voices hushed in the silence. People looking at me who were uncertain, whether I was really infront of them or not, regained their senses and broke first. A horde rushed at me, a group of almost ten, or twelve students.
?: "-were worried-"
?: "-you feeling? you aren't hurt-"
?: "-look at those dried blood-"
?: "-glad you came back safely."
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' Comments "Star moment.!" ]
+
Some asked about where was I? and some asked about, how I was feeling. Some showed concern, and some showed gratitude. Students flocking to me made me a little awkward, professors didn't approach me and remained at the back.
I assure some of those pressing me to say something, and that's when Regina approached us.
Regina: "Alright everyone, stop bothering Assistant Professor Arthur, now."
At her words, students died down and stepped back from me, some muttering under their breath things like-
?: "We weren't bothering him."
?: "He isn't saying so though."
?: "-just concern is all."
Nonetheless, none argued back with the Professor of the Sixth and seventh-year course, and Regina also didn't react to the murmurs. She came and stood between me and the flock of students, raising both hands, motioning to push forward.
Regina: "Alright. You all also had a rough couple of days, some more than others. Everyone head back to their dorm rooms and get a good rest. You all will have all the time in the world tomorrow."
Several students eyed each other, and most of them nodded to each other. It really was a rough couple of days for them, and almost all of them wanted to rest in their beds.
Students at the far back turned to move toward the two doors, that were on the opposite edge of the wall, where the double door I came from was. I saw a tall man wearing a red shirt with gold embroidery, and glasses resting at his nose, Kurtis Allen, the one who was missing. He went towards one of the doors to open it.
I became curious as to what had happened to him, but I decided not to dwell on it. I was trying to live without interfering with the lives of others too much, more than I already had, so I don't care.
Onto the next one, a woman wearing a loose gown, under a long jacket, not quite fitting both attire. She was on the other door, opening it, to guide students like Kurtis was doing. The only feature which stood out to me was her Graphite hair with white at ends, and long gold ornament on her ears, very similar to the student named Alison Brown.
I eyed the surroundings and spotted Alison, on the line that formed on the door where Kurtis was standing. I also spotted Amanda. Locking eyes with me, they both showed a smile and turned back.
The group of students who were infront of me also glanced at me once before turning to leave the room.
Kurtis: "Don't roam around afterward. Go straight to your rooms. If we find anyone outside the dorms, you will be sent back to your households."
Kurtis said so, as people inside the room went, one by one out of the doors, which from the looks of it led to a short balcony-sized area, the one that led to the entrance on the sixth floor.
Magnus: "If you tell them not to roam around, that is exactly what they would be tempted to do, don't you know that, oh intelligent professor?"
Magnus who was standing beside Kurtis, said to him in a sarcastic tone. But maybe because Kurtis was too tired to argue, he simply said.
Kurtis: "After what happened, I doubt they will have the energy physically, or mentally, to do anything."
Magnus: "I wouldn't count on it."
Kurtis: "...Then you are tasked to see all the male students go straight to their dorms, and Professor Wale can see that all the female students get to their dorms."
The other professor that was at the other door, whom he called Professor Wales, her name is Carol Wales, nodded her head at his words, complying with him. On the other hand, the sarcastic expression fell from Magnus's face.
Magnus: "What? I need rest as well. Don't you know how shitty it was to be locked like that?"
Kurtis glared at him sharply, to which he scowled, but didn't refute any further.
I saw all that, as the number of people inside the room became less and less. Then I felt two silhouettes approaching in my direction. Regina moved towards them, seemingly to tell them to get into the somewhat unreformed line that was marching out of the room.
But I lightly touched her shoulders with my fingers, it was a light touch, but maybe because she is a battle course professor, she felt that connection and turned to me.
Arthur: "It is alright, Professor Yates, let them come. I know them."
As I assured her, The ones that were approaching us, were Valerie and Ducas, both wore concerning expressions.
Regina looked into my eyes for a few seconds, I became somewhat perplexed by her stare. It was like she wanted to say something. I didn't know exactly, but I thought it may be about the fact she and I actually saw the message, that appeared when the Miscellaneous script was cleared, she knew that I also saw that Lisa's full name was visible as Lisa Hart, and not Lisa Yates.
Thinking that, I matched her stare, with an understanding and little plea nod.
Arthur: "We can talk later, yes? Are you free tomorrow for lunch?"
+
[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is sipping his wine. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' is looking at you with raised eyes. ]
+
Her eyes widened a little at my suggestion, a small group of students who were near us, eyed us suggestively. I ignored them since they didn't know what we were actually talking about. Regina refocused, hearing slight murmurs, and nodded at me once, and walked forward.
Regina: "C'mon everyone, make a proper line, don't fan out like a herd."
At that time, Valerie and Ducas who were standing, waiting for my conversation to end, walked closer to me.
Ducas: "Sir Arthur, there is some much b,blood on you."
Valerie: "Let me check your condition, Sir Arthur."
Valerie already had her Dashboard in her hand. I could only assume, that she was checking some of the people's conditions before I walked in.
I held a hand infront of me to halt the Ducas's approaching hand towards me. I glanced down, I had no blood on my hand or on my skin I had already washed them with the frost that was lying around me when I woke up before.
But spots of dried blood on my clothes were still present, forming black patches all over. I looked at both of them, with relaxed and the normal stoic expression that I usually wore, as much of which I could show now, and spoke.
Arthur: "It's alright. I am completely fine."
Their concerned expression then turned weirdly, they looked like angry frowns, or maybe a frustrated one, certainly a dark one though.
Most of the people were out of the hall room. I looked around, Valerie traced my gaze and Ducas was looking at me intently, like he was trying to see through me for any sign of wounds.
As the last of the students went out, Magnus and Carol left to follow them, Kurtis and Regina were in the corner, talking to Lisa. Our eyes met, and then she sent them, and any other, out of the room. They left but not before looking at me, I gave a nod to them to which they returned one right back.
Soon only five, including me, left in the hall room. I was about to tell Ducas and Valerie, that I would be on my way as well, when Lisa walked towards us.
'I should tell her that as well.' thinking that, I stayed, looking at her as she walked in a stroll.
As soon as she reached closer to me, a little too closer in my opinion, but I didn't let it give me the little unsettling feeling, but maybe I should have. Because reaching me, she suddenly grabbed my lower jaw, moving my head first left and then to right, in a quick fashion, looking for something.
She also looked at me in the eyes, searching in them, and left the hold on my jaw. Before I could say anything, she grabbed my hands, where most of the blood was soaked, turning them, and looked at my wrist up and down.
Arthur: "Miss Li-"
I couldn't complete my words, as she touched the side of my torsos, rubbing at them, to feel my flesh. Then she suddenly unbuttoned my shirt in a swift motion, two more buttons to be specific not all, just enough to see half my stomach.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' is looking at you. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Guhimo' comments "I need to take a screenshot of this." ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is looking at you. ]
+
Arthur: "Miss Lisa, there are children present."
I said so, to lighten the mood while eyeing Valerie and Ducas. But they ignored me and paid attention to Lisa's movement, as she checked for any wounds on me.
Lisa made eye contact with me, her's were cold and frustrated, and my remark gained no attention. She eyed the tattoo on my chest, pulling my shirt outwards, and then her eyes wandered to look for any other wounds, but there were none, thanks to Zoe and her recovering me.
I didn't resist, and once she was content, she let go of me and stepped back. Her eyes looked at me intently, they were still frustrated and cold, but I saw a hint of concern and relief.
+
[ The existence 'Lisa Hart' is feeling relieved. ]
+
[ The existence 'Ducas Wynfor' anxiety has decreased. ]
+
[ The existence 'Valerie Davison' has eased. ]
+
I got the messages, but it didn't give me any reassurance, because despite those messages. The expressions on Valerie and Ducas were still of concern, and I think I saw Lisa's hand shaking a little. I felt like if I was alone with her, She would have slapped me across the face.
For some reason, I felt my cheek burning with red, like it already happened. Shaking the bashful feeling, I spoke to all three of them.
Arthur: "I am fine. I am not hurt really."
I spoke looking at three of them, trying to convince them I was really fine, but a tired sigh left my mouth because I was tired.
Valerie: "But Sir Arthur. That's a lot of blood, and please do not say it is not yours. Everyone told us you fought some creature while coughing up a lot of blood."
There was a concern and sternness in her voice. But I couldn't help but roll my eyes thinking, 'They have already started talking about it?'
I could not ponder on that thought for long as Lisa said.
Lisa: "You-"
She held whatever she was about to say, and I felt relieved at that. Because at that 'you' and her eyes felt colder towards me, and then releasing a sigh she said.
Lisa: "You appear fine, there are no wounds."
I felt the corner of my lips curled, but halted as she continued.
Lisa: "But there could be some internal problems. You need to see a medic."
I resigned as I nodded my head and said.
Arthur: "I will. I will see one first thing in the morning."
All three of them squinted their eyes at me, lips opened in two to say something, but a boyish voice was heard first.
Ducas: "Sir Arthur, you should see one now. Look at those stains, that is a lot of blood. Please let's go now."
'But I had even more stains.' I thought, 'Thankfully I cleaned them. They are reacting so much only for this.' Keeping those thoughts inside, I spoke looking at the blue eyes.
Arthur: "Ducas, I am fine. Also, it is late and everyone is tired."
Ducas: "But Sir-"
Arthur: "I will see one tomorrow."
This time I spoke with a strong voice, with a little authority, to show that I wasn't feeling any less. He tightened his jaw but then resigned as well.
Ducas: "Then I will get one, first thing in the morning."
Arthur: "Sure."
'But I said the same thing earlier.' I grumbled inside. Lisa eyed me, and then soon releasing a sigh turned around, Valerie and Ducas followed. Taking some steps they turned back.
Lisa: "Why are you not coming?"
I looked at them, some steps ahead, half-turned. I haven't moved at all.
Arthur: "I am a little tired Miss Lisa. I will rest here for a while."
Valerie and Lisa frowned a little, I could comprehend them thinking that, maybe my condition was not as good as I led them to believe. Ducas was about to say something but I spoke to him first, cutting him.
Arthur: "It was a rough night. Let me rest alone for a bit."
My eyes turned to Lisa and Valerie.
Arthur: "I will be right behind you all."
They seemed reluctant at first but nodded once before they left without refuting. Maybe they really did believe me, that I had a tougher night than them, and deserved a little rest alone.
Looking at their back descending the stairs that was visible through the door, I went and sat on one of the cushioned chairs.
I sat in a lazy and comfortable manner, with total disregard to the etiquette. My legs fanning out, my hands hanging, shoulder weighing on the back of the chair, and head raised above towards the roof, resting on the headrest.
I took out the total isolation from the storage ringing, and grabbed it on my fist, so that it doesn't slip from my hand, falling to the floor.
+
[ item: Total Isolation.]
[ You have used Total Isolation. You are now isolated from the outside world. ]
[ Effect of the item will be for one hour for a day. ]
[ Duration left: 27 minutes. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' is scowling. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments "Does he have to do it every time? ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' comments "It has been tough for him." ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' commets "Yes. That Flame cat was mean.!" ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments "The story of the Hercules savior was interesting." ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' has turned and sipped his wine. ]
+
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' is looking in your direction. ]
+
Arthur: "So... Why are you so silent?"
Releasing a sigh I said so, to the only other existence inside the room beside me, Persephone obviously.
She was sitting on the chair just beside me. Her elbows were on her thighs, her raised arms were making a bride, with her fingers joined together, and she was resting her forehead on her joint finger, her eyes closed.
When I walked into the hall room, she didn't look at me once, just stayed sitting like this, even now. When I focused on any foreign feeling inside me, I felt much of multiple feelings that I couldn't make any sense of.
I moved my head to look at her, but then I felt suffocated. Her closed eyes were not closed, but were glaring at me, through the corner of her eyes.
'Am I going to get scolded? Or Am I dead already?' I didn't know, I felt a chill going down my spine.
Sighhh....
She released a deep sigh, after taking a long breath. And then lifting her head, she stood up, walked a little farther, and stood with her back towards me.
Persephone: "It was a long night. You should rest."
I was stumped for a moment. I thought that I was going to get an earful but her reaction was completely different.
'Is she angry?' I thought, but I disregarded it just as quickly. It couldn't be the case, she sounds more like a queen telling her soldier to take a rest after coming back from a battle.
Since it was convenient for me, I took the opportunity and didn't antagonize the goddess infront of me.
***
+
[Some Nubeculas want the barrier to be removed.]
+