[Richard's POV]
I have waited for today for a really long time now. Today is the chance for me to get a rematch with Kyrielle.
2 years ago, I challenged her to a duel, and I lost. Truth to be told, that was really embarrassing because she out done me with just one spell. That spell is a defensive spell at that!
Worse of all, it was a crotch attack! How embarrassing!
Now, I finally got a chance to have a rematch with her. This time I'm not alone either, I'm with Michael. We would cooperate our attack to take her and Gerd down.
I figured that she'd try to outsmart our tactics once she figured it out, that's why I deliberately used the same tactic during our early matches, so that she'd fall for this trick.
And that was just the first phase of this 'Anti-Kyrielle' plan. The second phase of the plan is to hide my own abilities and surprise her with it at strategic moments. Two specific abilities was hidden from her, the first is my ability to do double chanting just like she can. I can simultaneously cast two spells at the same time.
My second ability is my ability to use the Adept ranked spell, Fireball. It's firepower is unparalleled, and if I catch her off guard with it, even her would fall.
That was my plan, that's why I had just shot her in the back of the head with one of my strongest spell, a Fireball. Many would be extremely confused how I got to sneak attack on her in the first place.
Back before that, I sprayed at her with Jetstream, to which she shot out a way stronger spell, one that I had never saw before which she calls Incinerate. I tried to intercept that spell with my Jetstream but instead it overpowered my spell and made a huge explosion. How was I able survive that explosion?
As soon as I saw myself losing grounds at the rush battle, I immediately pulled out my first ability that I hid away from her, and double chanted for an Earth Wall. I barely raised the wall in time to block myself from the explosion.
I expected Kyrie to see my crest when casting for the earth wall and counter it, but to my surprise she didn't, she instead turned towards Mike and prepared her spells to fight him.
That's when I realised this new trick, by hiding my spell casting behind something like a wall or a screen of smoke, I could prevent the enemy from seeing my spells coming. Kyrie didn't saw me casting the Earth Wall just now because our blasting the two continuous-type spell together blocked the view. And then the smoke screen knocked up from the explosion also hid my wall away so she can't see it.
Since she can do some spells chantlessly, I can't out speed her casting, and I can't get through her defense. I lacked the affinity with magic to do them chantlessly, the best I could do was silent chanting. Many people can't even do that and would have to chant out loud. Tangents asides, to slip past her defence I would need to sneak attack her.
What I have now is a split second advantage since she doesn't know that I'm still here. I need to end her in one attack or else she may counter it yet again and I'd lose this once in a million chance.
As Kyrie stood there planning her attack, I stood at my place chanting silently for my final trump card, a Fireball. I hadn't even thought of how dangerous that spell might be if I hit her with it in this short range of 5 meters.
Mike comes charging out of the earth wall that Kyrie casted, and as those two were exchanging magic attacks I immediately chanted for my spell as well.
And then, with a charged up fireball I threw it out with my hand aiming directly at the back of her head.
'Boom!'
It blew up upon contact with her head and sent her flying away at least meters ahead. As soon as I saw that I finally realised how overkill that spell was. Even with just a normal Rock Sling I could've ended her, but a Fireball is just overkill!
Come to think of it, even Kyrie herself was holding back just to make sure we don't get seriously hurt. Compared to me whom have never even worried about the safety of my friends, she is way more considerate!
I was only concerned about winning, so much so that I forgo a precious friend's safety. I don't deserve to be her friend.
...what if she died? I shuddered at the thought. Worry starts to creep up to me.
I ran towards the general direction of her, but the smoke screen from the spell covered much of my sight. I searched inside the smoke, while the announcer announced me and Mike's victory. It was the least of my worries now...
I searched around the smoke and I finally see a silhouette sitting on the ground. I yelled out to her as I ran there.
"Oh god Kyrielle! Kyrielle are you fine?!"
"Cough cough!.... Ri....chard.... "
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have sent that spell!"
Her body was full of cuts, her face looks like it's full of pain and confusion, and she must have been knocked out. Now she must be having what everyone calls a concussion.
".....Oh graceful one, grant nourishing force to the ones who have lost their strength and let them rise from their injuries. Healing!"
I casted a healing miracle on her. It seems that while it's scuffed, it worked really well as her wounds quickly healed up and she looks a bit relieved. But wounds like concussions can't be healed and can only go away with rest.
"Here I'll help you up..."
"...thank you..."
I grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She stood up with my support but then her leg slipped again and she almost fell down. I caught her again and pulled her close into a tight hug.
"Cough cough....! " she coughed out really strongly. It seemed that when she stood up, her dizziness started kicking in again, that's why she almost fell.
I need to carry her then... I bent down and with one of my arm on her back and my other arm on the back of her knees I lifted her up.
"...What are... you... doing?"
"I'll get you to the Infirmary!"
I brought her to the healer's camp, where Gerd ran towards us along with a few paramedics.
"Kyrie!"
"How is she?!" The volunteer healer asked for Kyrie's state. I didn't let him take care of Kyrielle because he is actually a student, not a teacher, so his healing miracles are no better than mine.
"I'll bring her to the infirmary, I just casted a healing spell on her so she should be fine... I'll have the school healer's check up on her though... "
"Right... I'll come along!"
"Its fine, you go tend to Mike. He's injured as well...."
"Ggrrh... Rick... You are too close...."
Kyrielle struggled a bit on my arm, but I held her tight so that she wouldn't fall off and hurt herself.
"Just sit tight, I'll get you to the infirmary. "
"Stop...mmm...."
I carried her into the school building and as I walked towards the infirmary tons of people saw me carrying her. I'm drawing a lot of attention but I didn't cared much.
I went to the infirmary where I set her down on a bed. She's already fallen asleep after I brought her to the infirmary.
The school's professional healer went up to us. I told him what happened and he said that she'd be fine after a little bit of rest because her wounds was already healed by me. Just to make sure, he casted another healing miracle on Kyrie so that I can rest assured.
"What have I done.... "
I exited the infirmary to allow Kyrie some time to rest. I sat down on the bench in front of it for a minute or two, before Gerd came to me.
"...You okay?"
"I screwed up... "
"...yea. But it was an accident, I'm sure Kyrie wouldn't blame you."
"I know but... I casted that spell. "
"..."
"I'm here! How is she?" Mike caught up with us after he was healed by the junior healer from the field.
"The healer said that she'd be fine after a bit of rest. "
"I see... "
A brief second of silence followed, but Mike soon spoke up again.
"You casted that spell but... It was an accident okay? You can't consciously hold back in a fight after all... "
"....Mmm. "
"So my point is that, don't blame yourself too much alright?... We'll head back to the class first and allow you some time to rest... "
"Right..."
Mike tapped Gerd on the shoulder to signal her to leave, but she stood still. After a few seconds he forcefully grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
"What are you doing?! He needs some company now!"
"Just leave him alone, the last thing he needs now is an annoying girl bothering him right now!"
"What did you just called me you jerk?!"
I could hear them arguing in silent whispers as they slowly got further away. I smiled a bit just from seeing their banters again... A duo of comedic idiots.
I sat down on the bench outside the infirmary and rested there for a while... after a bit of waiting though, I finally calmed down and decided to return to class.
....
[Kyrielle's POV]
When I came to, I woke up in a bed in the infirmary. Besides my bed is my bag for school, and there's my pocket watch on the drawer next to the bed.
I took the watch and looked at the time. It is already 2 pm, and the duel started on 11 am. I had napped here for about three hours already.
I looked around the infirmary and I saw the healer there, who's called Ralof.
"Hey you, you are finally awake."
Ah damn it Ralof! No arrow to the knees this time! (Skyrim reference)
"You were just fighting in the tournament and lost right? You got hit on the head and was knocked into a concussion."
"Yea... My memory there was kind of fuzzy though... "
"It's normal. Take a rest, you'll start to remember something soon..."
I focused and tried to think back on what happened... then it hit me.
"...You alright? Your face looks really red, is it a fever?"
Richard you god damned pervert! Hugging me so close and even princess carrying me! What the hell were you thinking?!
Worst of all is that I thought he was cool! God damn it no! Get out of my head!
"...You okay? Still feeling dizzy?"
"Yeah yeah... I'm fine... I think... I'll just rest for a little longer though...!"
I quickly picked up the pillow and hid my face into it to hide my embarrassment. I lied on the bed like that for a minute with a blank mind before I sort out my head.
This is the first time I have lost a magic duel in this school.... And not just that, that damned Richard touched my body in places that he shouldn't be touching! I still remember the sensation of his hand on my legs and my back, it's disgusting!
If I remember correctly we were drawing a lot of attention when we walked in the hallway as well!
How could he be so dense?! You don't just princess carry a normal friend! People are gonna misunderstand! Ahhh I could very well die of embarrassment right now!...
...I think I'll just head back to class now... The class should finish in just half an hour though...
I picked up my school uniform from my bag and changed my torn sports wear into my school uniform. After that, I picked my things up and then headed back to my classroom.
I opened the class's door, and entered. The class was in session, as usual.
"Oh, you are back Kyrielle! How are you feeling now?" The teacher asked me.
"I'm feeling fine thank y- "
I glanced around the class and my gaze met with Richard's.
When I saw his face, the image of him princess carrying me flashes in my head. I got extremely flustered again.
"Kyrie you are back!"
"I'mSorryButI'mNotFeelingWellSoI'llHeadBackHomeForNow!"
I ran away from the class and headed home for the day. I'll have to go buy another cheap sports uniform again...
(The next week after 2 days...)
Once again I headed back to school after a weekend rest. Normally I would head out to play with my 3 friends during the weekends but yesterday I rested in my home instead because I was just extremely exhausted.
I reached the class as usual. It seems that only Mike was here.
"Yo Kyrie. "
"Yo." I set my bag down on my desk and took my seat.
"How was your rest? Did you recover nicely?"
"Yeah I did. "
"Right... You had us worried because you didn't said anything to us and ran home 2 days ago... You weren't perhaps angry with Richard are you?"
Obviously I'd be! Who knows if he got a touch or two on my body?!
"Yes I am very furious at him! However, it was a fair duel, and he got me in the end, though I don't know what exactly he did. It was just an accident, and I had already expected to take damages like these the moment I took this position as a Security Ensurer."
"I see..."
"Boo! " Gerd jumped up behind me and latched onto my shoulder.
"Oh hi Gerd."
"Come on, no reaction at all?"
"Yea it's just that I'm more worried about something else... "
"Hmm, that something else is here though. "
"!!"
I immediately looked behind me. There's Richard behind Gerd, he must likely met Gerd on the way to school as well.
"H-hi Kyrie... "
"Mmm... "
"Are you fine now? "
"Yeah I'm... Thank you..."
"...ah. "
Damn... This is really awkward....
"Sigh..." (2x) Gerd and Mike both sighed at the same time.
(3 hours later, during lunch break)
I ate my lunch and went on to do my duty as a Ensurer, which is to patrol the hallway of the school.
And just like usual, beside me is Richard. Well, there's a problem though. Things is really really awkward now.... We have never talked at all besides when we greeted each other.
I need to say something about this... He must be feeling weird after what he did as well... If I didn't know him, I'd have called him a molester.
"...Richa-" " Kyriel-"
Ah... How awkward, we had both spoke at the same time!
"Y-you can go first." I offered him the chance to talk first.
"Yeah.... I know what you want to talk about and.... I just don't know how to apologise.... "
"...I see..."
"I acted in the heat of the moment and just did what I thought was right... But you got hurt in the process so I regretted it.... I'm sorry!"
Well... Calling it hurting me is a bit too much... At most it's just embarrassing, maybe a bit disgusting as well getting touched by a boy. But he's my close friend so I think that's fine, and it's also a bit of an emergency situation.
"...I understand. I will forgive you."
"...Thank you! "
"You should learn your lesson now! Don't touch a girl so easily! Besides, princess carrying a girl is really embarrassing and is only something you do towards girls that you like! Next time you should also ask for consent as well!"
"Eh?"
"What? Did I not make my point?"
"No it's just that I was talking about me shooting you in the back of your head with a Fireball..."
"...Huh? Haah?! "
"...."
This guy... He embarrassed me in front of everyone like that and he wasn't even aware of it?!
"You jerk!"
I turned back and tried to walked off in a storm, but then he caught my arm.
"Wait wait, I'm sorry! "
"Don't touch me!" I yelled as I swung my arm to get his arm off, but he is holding me really tight, and I struggles a bit to free myself from his grip.
"Besides, you are sorry for what?! You didn't even know what you did wrong!"
"No, now I get it! I shouldn't have hugged you like that! Come to think of it that is actually really embarrassing...!"
"Now you know! These 2 days I have been extremely embarrassed and troubled just from that! Besides, I am not a whimpy girl who shows up at duels expecting not to get hurt, the moment I step foot into the field I and already anticipated myself to take damage! And yet you instead humiliated me in front of everyone by sexually assaulting me!"
I violently swung my hand and I finally swiped his arm off. Then as I prepare to walk off with a pouted face...
"Wait! I'm sorry, I really am! Please let me apologises properly!"
He quickly walked forward again and this time he grabbed me on the shoulder.
"If you are truly sorry then stop touching me!"
"Oh, my bad..."
"Sigh..." Well, I can't be angry at this guy all the time. He's a good friend of mine after all.
I turned around again, this time looking at his face properly.
"So, what do you have to say?"
"I'm truly sorry! I won't touch you like that again, so please forgive me!"
"Hmmpt!" I turned my face to the side with a pout on my cheek.
"I'll even treat you to a meal!"
"...Now that's better. As long as you have learned your lesson then it's fine, I'll forgive you."
"Thank you Kyrie!"
However as soon as we have made up, gossips from people to the sides of the hallway was heard. We must not have heard it because we we're arguing so loud....
"Look! It's a lover's quarrel! They are really in heat aren't they?!" "How romantic, the boy friend is trying to get forgiveness for touching her weirdly!" or gossips along the lines of that was heard.
The crowd had gathered to witness our arguing, this misunderstanding only grew even worse as the moment passes.
Embarrassment once again flowed in, and I nervously played with my hair.
"L-lets just go Rick!"
"Y-yea..."
After the lunch break our patrols were over so we headed back to class.
"Welcome back." Mike greeted us again.
"Yeah." (2x)
I sat back down on my seat right next to Gerd. After I sat down, I felt a weird pain on my lower abdoment, as if someone is pinching my muscle... I think I am having a cramp.
"Kyrie you good? " Gerd noticing that asked me out of concern.
"...I'm fine... but I think I'm having a cramp..."
"Kyrie you are bleeding! Blood is dripping down your leg!"
"Eh?"
I looked between my skirt, and indeed, blood is flowing out from between my leg and leaked onto the chair that I was sitting on. The source of the blood came not from my leg... but from the nether region. I think I know exactly what this is... every adolescent girl dreads this after all.
"What's wrong? Did you get hurt or something?"
Mike asked really confused as to what just happened, but that's just because he is a boy.
"Kyrie is having her first period!" Gerd loudly exclaimed.
"Eh?!" (2x) Mike and Rick groaned in response.
(Later that night)
I'm sure that everyone will remember those nights. You know, those nights where you just can't fall asleep no matter what. You just twist and turn your body around not being able to even rest properly.
You try your best to fall asleep, and gets worried about not getting enough sleep if you don't sleep soon. But then the anxiety makes it even harder to fall asleep. This is that kind of night.
Right now I'm lying on my bed and thinking about everything that had just happened recently. It's about 9pm I think, a time that modern people would think it's very early. People here sleep earlier as a way to deal with the overall increased darkness because of the lack of electricity to provide lighting.
My sister, now a 4 years old girl, is sleeping on a bed next to mine. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about what exactly happened just these few days.
I don't know if it's because of that incident with Richard, or if it's because I'm actually hitting puberty, but recently I have been getting much more jumpier than before. I'd flinch at the slightest touch, and get easily flustered.
...That must be why I got so embarrassed and angry at Richard, despite it being such a small deal in reality. I'm actually cringing at myself real hard now for snapping at him over such a small thing...! Good riddance...
But one thing I don't struggle with though is the fact that even if it's technically a 2v1, they had still beaten me. Beating me in magic duels is not a feat that anyone can claim so far! Their unrelenting outsmarting, feints and my arrogance has caused my defeat, that much is true.
Richard humbled me and made it apparent that I'm not much stronger than him, since with a little change of tactics from him he outsmarted me and beaten me easily. He made me know my place with a crushing defeat.
And then he also brought out the 'girly' side of me... Making me embarrassed at being princess carried and also throwing a tantrum like a little girl right in front of everyone... and finally, spreading to the entire school rumours that we are dating...
Ahhh! How embarrassing!... And that's also besides the fact that I had my first period immediately at the same day, and I don't like the implication! It's like saying that Richard made me a girl!
If you told me this is the plot of a rom com anime I would've actually believed you. But this is real life! It's stupidly cringe for it to happen to you!
Well maybe I'm just over thinking it as I have hit puberty recently. I entered the school as a first grade when I was 6. And then, now I'm a fourth grade already, which means I'm already 9 years old. Though it's a bit early for girls to hit puberty back on earth, it is actually not as early here, and is just about the right age. After all, people in this world do grow faster.
When I was on period, Gerd brought me to the infirmary where the school nurse handled my problem like a pro. She brought me a change of underwear and even gave me a sort of cloth to wipe off the blood.... it's crazy that that much blood drips out of a girl's body every month, my respect for them only grows with each passing day spent as one.
Finally they allowed me to go home early because I was having pretty bad lower stomach cramps. Later on back at home, mom taught me how to handle periods when it happens, and that I should be prepared for when it happens.
Marielle, my little sister also offered her advice on
for me because she is a girl as well back on earth.
I stared at the ceiling as I thought of these things. The room is extremely dark, and so dark that I can barely see my outstretched arm, but even so I can still see my body well enough.
....I still and the slim body I had as a child. Now my arms are still not muscular, but my body is lean and is starting to form into an hour glass figure. My breasts has started growing out a bit as well, that's why I recently started to wear something similar to a bra.
My uniform also fits me nicely now. My buttoned shirt no longer appears to be an extra size larger, and my skirt is almost exactly the length it should be with the skirt ending right above the knee.
Sigh... Now, I don't actually feel sexually attracted to females anymore, and will get flustered by boys instead. Even if I am lying to myself that I'm still a boy, my body isn't lying by any means.
My body is showing signs of actually becoming a woman, not just physically but mentally. My body is changing my mind, and it's most likely due to how hormones actually does that.
I guess I might as well get this figured out now huh?.... Am I a boy who has grown accustomed to a girl's body, or am I a girl in mind as well? It's time to decide. What am I? Who do I belong to? Who will I love, and what role I will play in society?....
"I..."
After not even a really long time deciding....
"...I will be a girl." Is what I muttered out.
Like it or not, my body is changing and my mind is as well. If I stick to having my mental gender as a boy, sooner or later I will start to have an identity and gender crisis, where my actual gender didn't match my mental one. This is for the best of my mental health.
My mind is starting to change as well, as my perspective on the opposite gender has switched, though only slightly. And then there is the whole thing with Richard as well, which dealt the killing blow to my pride as a boy...
There's just no way around other than to accept defeat and submit to my body's will. I'm a girl, and I will accept my feminity from now on...
...that was easy. When I was small, I figured that I'd be having a lot of trouble trying to convert into the opposite gender, but it's surprisingly easy once you grown accustomed to the new gender.
Phew.... I felt like a huge load has been lifted off my shoulders. This sexuality question has bothered me for a really long time these past 9 years, so I was relieved now that I have came to a conclusion that I was satisfied with.
I dozed off almost immediately after that. I only had trouble sleeping because I was stressed out, so as soon as the source of that stress was cut off I fell asleep.
(Chapter 33 end)
(Volume 2 Complete)