Rae contemplated her options for traveling back to the Royal Academy. The gate would have been the fastest means, but she still hadn't mastered the ability to use the Sea of Shadows for travel.
She had flight magic, which was an option—but not an ideal one, considering she wasn't alone. Riley could fly them there, but as a dragon, she would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention.
"Hmph… I just wish there was a faster way back to the Academy," Rae muttered.
"Let me fly you there, Master," Riley offered.
Rae shook her head. "Thanks, but you're a dragon, and that kind of presence will draw too much attention."
"Don't you have light magic? You could use illusion magic to conceal me. Or can't you? Dark magic can also perform illusions, though it's not as effective."
Rae paused, realizing Riley had a point. How had she not thought of that? Still, she admitted, "I can't… not yet."
"What about using the Ethereal Realm to travel instead?" Riley suggested.
"We can do that?"
"Of course. As I've told you before, the Ethereal Realm serves as the central axis for all planes of existence. It exists parallel to the Material Plane, allowing us to travel through it. Although time sometimes flows differently in the Ethereal Realm, it usually runs parallel to the Material Realm, except in areas outside the Sister Veil, like dungeons or labyrinths."
Rae nodded, mulling over the information. "So, within the Sister Veil, the Ethereal Realm aligns with the Material Realm, meaning we can travel unnoticed to the Academy."
"Exactly," Riley confirmed.
"Then let's go," Rae decided, glancing at Cilia and Eleanor, who were still disoriented from the potent mana surrounding them.
The journey proved unexpectedly pleasant for Rae. Riding a dragon, while uncomfortable due to Riley's hard scales, offered a unique thrill that outweighed the minor inconvenience. At first, Rae struggled to see the Material Realm through the Sister Veil, perceiving only the terrain emulated by the Ethereal Realm. Slowly, however, her perception adjusted, and she began to make out people and details on the other side.
By the time they landed at the Royal Academy dormitory, Rae felt an uncharacteristic wave of relief. "Home," she murmured. It felt good to be back. Her first order of business: a long bath to wash away the fatigue of her travels.
Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, Rae prepared to meet with the principal to discuss Riley's living situation. On the way, she noted the dwindling number of students and the signs of war's toll. Volunteers—likely students—milled about, their faces set with grim determination.
The sight of the half-empty cafeteria prompted Rae to pause. Her stomach rumbled faintly. "Riley, are you hungry?"
"A bit," Riley admitted, "but I can wait."
"Nonsense. Let's eat something before we meet the principal. We need energy to function."
Though hesitant at first, Riley agreed, and they shared a meal in the sparsely populated cafeteria. Rae noted Riley's appetite with amusement but was distracted by snippets of conversation between two students at a nearby table.
"Are you still volunteering? Didn't you hear about that group ambushed by the demon army? Most were injured—only one came close to dying. That princess…"
"I know. But Princess Ivy knew what patriotism meant. Even if she dies, she'll be a hero. I want to follow her example, even if it costs me my life."
Rae froze, her mind racing. Princess Ivy? The words struck her like a blow. Without waiting another moment, she rose from the table.
"Riley, let's go."
"As you wish, Master."
Rae marched to the principal's office, not bothering to knock before barging in. "Is it true?" she demanded.
"Miss Vermont, calm yourself. What are you talking about?"
"Is Ivy in critical condition?"
The principal sighed. "There's a student in a comatose state, afflicted by a powerful curse. I can't say for certain that it's her."
"Don't you know your own students?" Rae snapped. "Is it Ivy or not?"
"There's a high probability it's her," he admitted reluctantly.
"Then tell me her location. I can save her."
"You can?"
"Yes."
The principal hesitated before handing her the location of the camp. Rae wasted no time. "Riley, take me there."
"Right away, Master."
Arriving at the camp through the Ethereal Realm, Rae demanded Ivy's whereabouts. Though the soldiers were wary and hesitant to cooperate, her claim of royal blood and Ivy's allegiance to her faction eventually granted her access.
When Rae finally saw Ivy, her heart sank. The princess lay helpless, her body ravaged by the curse. The sight brought back memories of Eleanor and her companions when Rae had first met them. Was the same witch responsible? If so, Rae vowed she would make her pay.
"I can heal her," Rae announced, "but I'll need the room to myself."
The soldiers protested, but Rae didn't waver. "Riley, show them out."
Once alone, Rae began the procedure. She knew there was only one way to save Ivy: turning her into a vampire.
Moments later, Ivy awoke.
"Lady Rae, what are you doing here? I thought you didn't want to fight for the—"
"Don't worry. I'm not here for the country. I'm here for you."
"For me? What do you mean?"
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"Ah... I remember our unit being attacked by demons from the sky. I was about to engage a black-haired woman in combat before I passed out. Wait—am I hurt?"
"You were afflicted by a curse, but now you're fine."
"How? I thought curses required light magic to be dispelled. Are you the one who healed me?"
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"I remember being ambushed… fighting a black-haired woman… then nothing. Wait—am I injured?"
"You were cursed, but you're fine now," Rae assured her.
"How? I thought curses required light magic to dispel. Did you heal me?"
"Yes, but not with light magic... I turned you into a vampire."
"Oh, you turned me into a vampire... that makes sense—" Ivy froze. "Wait, what did you just say? Did you turn me into a vampire? That would mean I'm a demon! Wait... then you're a demon?"
"Yes. I'm a vampire queen, so I was able to turn you into a vampire."
"So... you're a demon, and now I'm a demon too."
Before Ivy could process the revelation, Riley spoke up. "Master, are you done? These people are starting to look really upset."
"Wait, who is that girl?"
"Yes, I'm done... and that's Riley. Let's go," Rae said, leaving the confused soldiers and the camp behind.