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Rosanna's P. O. V:
By the end of Aniysa's explanation, I knew I had isekai'd into the 'fictional' book I read overnight.
'Hibiscus Wisps' symbolized by Author Miroko Umi as 'threads of beauty'. A story based in alternate Earth, Ultra University which had no semblance to the one in my former reality except for the name.
It's graphic description on the University and alternate Earth was not emphasized, left for the readers to imagine.
I didn't know what to feel, suddenly coming to terms I had transported in such a world. A foreign, unsafe, confusing place.
No matter how 'alternate' it was, it just wasn't Earth. Not the land I grew in, nor the things I knew.
How to survive was undoubtedly the first thing I had to do, before thinking all else.
Holding my phone, I searched on countless things. Frightening trepidation growing in my heart as I concluded on this reality.
First thing I ingrained in my head; Rosanna Jael Graymond remained the same. But anything pertaining to her- or rather, my past, family or relatives all seems to be blank.
From my notes, I found certain clues linking that Rosanna is still Rosanna. But anything concerning the life I lived here, my family and those who I knew were missing.
Social media platforms, none. Phone book, all contacts missing. Photo album, empty. Not a single clue.
It was darn exhausting. Thinking my brain into overheating was nigh possible now. So I did that, not think. Survive first, think later.
Secondly, all my memories from the book 'Hibiscus Wisps' are correct. At least, certain general plot lines. As for those which the public didn't know of, I couldn't access.
And as I continued to recall the storyline, I noted it down on my phone now that my memory was still fresh.
Terrifying discovery knowing the future of this death filled fantasy world. Right now, the long term goal is to grow in this institution and resist the wars to come.
When optimism can't deduce a hopeful future. I sighed, for the umpteenth time today.
"What's your legal name, Pat?" Aniysa asked.
"Patrica Star." I joked. The name I was given by her. One that stuck to Aniysa during the conversation we had. In response to my 'living-under-a-rock-situation'. Something she found very odd, fortunate and unfortunate.
Fortunate I was hidden from the dangers of this world, unfortunate I might not survive with my lack of knowledge and experience.
"Real one." She deadpanned.
I chuckled, "Fine. Rosanna. My name's Rosanna. You can call me Jael, though."
"Nice name," She commented. "But I'll stick with Pat, Patty, Patrica."
I shrugged, uncaring of the name.
Aniysa and I had grown somewhat close and familiar as I shared my plight with her. Of course, excluding the 'I isekai'd' part. More like, 'I just travelled to a foreign land and I don't know much. Was never told of this due to uncertain reasons'. The truth without all the details. And little lies…
'An odd mystery', she said. And I couldn't agree more. But I could see the hidden suspicion in her eyes. Who could believe this story easily? A fool, that is. Or some imaginative open person...
A bell rang in the air. Different from the alarm but nevertheless, struck fear in my heart.
"Is that…?" I asked, uncertain of what I even wanted to ask. But I just didn't want a whole new bout of adrenaline rush and panic.
Aniysa's ears perked up as she listened, then relaxed against the wooden counter.
"White signal," She said.
"All threats eliminated. So it seems... we can go out now."
I heaved a sigh of relief. Very different from my earlier tense, depressed sighs.
And just on cue, we heard a voice. One coming from the entrance of the building.
"First year students?" The voice resounded in the empty room.
A masculine, clear and velvety voice. With a hint of some accent I couldn't identify but nonetheless made the voice more beautiful. As a professional voice con, I'm one paper away from making a trophy and handing it over.
I and Aniysa made eye contact. Before responding at almost the same time.
"Yes…"
"Yeah…"
"Apologies for the sudden situation, please make your way out. The rescue team has handled the threats."
"Thank you." Aniysa replied while I organized myself and hopefully less shaky legs to stand up.
We stood up from the counter and made our way out. There I find the source of the voice.
Leaning against the wall of the door like an ikeman- as an ikemen. A white haired fellow with crimson red eyes stared back at us.
And I almost tripped. Not because my legs were shaky but because my brain was.
Daym, fine. I whistled in my mind. Turning my head to my side when I heard a gasp.
You a sucker for eye candies, too, Aniysa?
"A-admiral Kairos!"
…huh? I stared at Aniysa with a raised brow.
Wait.
.
.
Protagonist-san?
Beep- Beep- my brain was processing this information.
Quite the coincidence. But thinking further, his features were very similar to how it was described in the book.
White messy hair that reminded me of Kakashi in Naruto, straight thick eyebrows, slanted golden eyes, straight nose and thinly pressed lips. Along with that sharp jawline that complemented his face. All aligning in good proportion.
He was the typical, Asian beauty with European ambience. Would've been my type if his entire being didn't reek of bloodlust and danger.
It could've been my imagination. But protagonist san was indeed not the kindest. Eyes glinting with sadism, lips hooked in mischief. A little smile but definitely wasn't a smile. And this lackluster aura that didn't seem to have an ounce of compassion.
He didn't seem like a bad guy. But definitely wasn't a good one. Just the type to… be freakishly grey. Daym I despised grey stuff.
The few seconds it took for me to accept the fact that this was protagonist-san, Aniysa had regained her composure.
While white haired dude just stared. Stared at me in an eerie way.
...we met before, dude?
??
"So…" I started up a conversation. One I couldn't lead. In an attempt to shake off the weird vibes that didn't help the problems shoved at the back of my head.
"What next?" I asked to no one in particular.
"Well," Admiral Kairos stated.
"Any injured?" He asked. Scanning our bodies over but the little eye check incited a weird, different feeling over me. Must be my imagination but of course, what happens when a handsome dude checks you over. And you like handsome dudes.
I shaked my head 'no', and Aniysa replied, "No."
"Then make your way to your designated dormitories and await your classes resumption." He said, taking a swift turn and leaving. Having done his job and not wanting to waste time chit-chatting with strangers.
"My gosh, Patty!" Aniysa exclaimed.
"He is way prettier than they said."
I nodded my head in response as we began walking out the building.
"Fangirling is not my thing but I just got to appreciate good looks."
Definitely me.
Aniysa and I were fated, and it made me grin. Finding a sense of similarity in this foreign setting.
But that grin fell off as we exited the building. The stench of blood engulfing our being.
I didn't know how to describe the feeling. For one, it was horrible. My senses seemed to blur. And like I could almost taste it on my tongue. It just seemed suffocating. Gone was the clean air, what left was something putrid and vomit inducing.
Was this the demon's special effect? The nature seemed… contaminated. And my insides tingled. In a bad way.
"Miasma." I heard Aniysa say.
"Low leveled one though. Anywhere with concentrated demonic energy reeks of Miasma. A contaminated poisonous air that could be harmless or harmful varying on level of concentration. I advise you hold in your breathe while we walk pass this area. It could weaken your senses if you don't have a standard spiritual wall."
"Thank you." I whispered.
Removing my jacket and blocking my nose with it. This might not help to completely eliminate the effect but it certainly reduced a bunch.
There were blood stains on the ground and I hoped it was more of demons than humans. The area had no corpses and I assumed it was all cleaned up. Well, partially.
"I'm going home." I said to Aniysa. Feeling insecure but I had to bear with it for now.
"Not living in the dormitories?" She asked.
"No. But I'll see if any's still available. That demon attack just made me feel like I could get attacked on the streets, and won't have any life saving grace then. Staying in the University campus is better."
"Ah, I see." She replied, pausing before addressing me.
"Hey,"
"Yes?" I responded, head lowered as I pondered on many things.
"If you can't find any open dormitory… Consider getting a bed and move into my dormitory. The dormitories here are usually for single persons and large enough for two. Tell the dormitory head and they can consent. More like, they will if I persuade them a bit. Just call me up, yeah?"
Ignoring the odd aura and emphasis Aniysa made on 'persuade', my heart warmed and a smile blossomed underneath my jacket.
"Another life saving grace, Aniysa."
"Don't mention. I find you quite interesting and my wolf seems to like you very much. Mama bear kind of protective instinct."
…wolf? Alright, no biggie. It's a fantasy world, what's a werewolf? Normal. Perfectly normal.
Which made me do some thinking. I guess most people avoid direct confrontation with demons even when having powers. It could bring unwarranted attention, and be a disaster if one didn't have the necessary skills or faced a higher levelled demon.
I'm perfectly sure Aniysa could've been more safe if she didn't look after me during the crisis.
"Thank you, once again, Aniysa."
She smiled at me while stretching her hand out to ruffle my head.
"You're welcome, Patrica