Lia stood in front of an unconscious Yura, who was laid out on a hospital bed. The entire left side of her body, from the neck down, looked charred. It was quite obvious that she wouldn't walk again. Her left leg was charred a deep black. Purple magic seemed to course through it, making her body twitch.
I'm her mouth was a large tube, and her chest had multiple bindings around it, probably where her ribs were cracked. Lia realized how lucky she ended up being. Her body was left with a tattoo and nothing more, meanwhile, Yura's body was ravaged. If it looked this bad on the outside, how awful were her internal injuries?
Saro interrupted her thoughts. 'You're not going to save her, are you?'
Lia shook her head. 'No. It's unfair of me, hell, there's only a small chance it would work anyways. I don't know her all that well. We'll see what happens to her in the future."
Saro nodded. 'Indeed we will.'
Lia didn't stay in the room with Yura for very long. She began making her way back to her bed. Supposedly, she was going to be released later today. At this point, Lia had been in the infirmary for a full day since she woke up, and she felt great.
She rounded the corner and moved the curtain obscurring her bed. Silvana was sitting there, teacup in hand. She smiled at Lia.
Lia sighed and moved to sit down in front of Silvana. Hysteria was in her sword form resting on her hip. When Lia sat down on the bed, she transformed and climbed onto Lia's lap.
Lia stroked her hair softly and waited for Silvana to speak.
"I see you're feeling much better." Silvana's voice sounded carefree, almost aloof.
Lia nodded as Hysteria leaned into her hand. "Much much better. What ended up happening in the tournament?"
Silvana paused. "Your team barely passed. Overall, you had killed most of the orc generals and had captured the second in command. That alone is worthy of a 70%."
She smiled at Lia. "However...a team member went berserk and nearly killed everyone. Your teamwork throughout was also below average. It'll be -2% for the berserk team member and -3% for the below satisfactory teamwork. Putting your score around 65% overall."
Lia's eyebrow twitched. She stopped petting Hysteria. The girl grabbed Lia's hand and began trying to use it to pet herself as Lia spoke. "I suppose it makes some sense. Still, though, I handled the situation as best as possible. At least, I thought I did. How are we supposed to even deal with a possessed team member?"
Silvana seemed to think for a moment. "Hmm...fine, I'll give you the two points for the berserk member. Putting you at 67%."
Lia sighed as she began petting Hysteria again. "Fine, I guess. When's the next event then?"
Silvana smirked. "Tomorrow. The winning student will earn some privileges in the academy. It's going to be a dueling competition. All of the academy seats are filled now, so there's no fear of failing the tournament. If you lose. This portion is merely for student placement."
Lia nodded. "Sounds good."
There was a sudden loud shuffling at the door.
"I! Hav! Ack. Let go. Of Me!" There was a loud crash as Lacey's voice echoed in the hallway. She was fighting, or maybe resisting arrest? Lia was pretty sure it was the latter guess.
She sighed and strode toward the door, sliding it open. Her voice softened when she saw her. "Lacey."
Lacey stood up and rushed towards her and jumped. Lia was knocked to the ground with Lacey straddling her. Lacey was...sobbing.
Lia pulled her into a hug. "I'm okay..see? I didn't even get that hurt. Stop crying."
Lacey moved away and immediately planted her lips on Lia's. Lacey was hurriedly and frantically kissing her. Her tongue slipped into Lia's mouth, entwining in a very teasing way.
Lia pulled back very suddenly. The heat of the moment nearly got to her. There was a soft *DING* in her head as she pulled away.
Her face turned a light pink as she spoke. "Erhm. Lacey, can...you move?"
The girl in question, Lacey, was staring at her with a lust-filled expression. There was a moment of silence before she quickly stood up. "Oh...er..."
Lia sighed and sat on the bed in front of Silvana. Silvana had the weirdest expression, an almost unreadable one. Regardless, she stood up and nodded at Lia. "Well, you'll be moved from the infirmary directly to the waiting area for the next stage tomorrow morning. Make sure You're ready." She left immediately after saying her piece, closing the door behind her.
Lacey moved and sat down in front of Lia. She didn't say anything, merely looked at Lia. Hysteria had watched their "exchange" and sat down on Lia's lap.
She looked up at Lia. "What were you doing?"
Lia looked at her, clearly confused. "Kissing? That?" She pointed to her lips.
Hysteria nodded, and Lia continued. "Uh, it's. like, hmm... You do it to feel good or confirm love for one another. Either one is a valid reason."
Hysteria nodded. "I see, Master. Thank you for enlightening me."
*SLAP* Lia facepalmed. "Hysteria...where did this 'Master' stuff come from?"
The girl in question tilted her head. "You are my owner, therefore you are my Master. Is there another term you would prefer I use?"
Lacey held back a laugh and Lia sighed. "Yes. Please just call me Lia."
Hysteria nodded. "As you wish, Mistress Lia."
Lia facepalmed and Lacey burst out laughing.
She was trying to speak in between laughs. "M..Mistress? Ahah. Per-Perhaps I should call you that."
Lia smiled as Lacey's laughter died down. It was nice to see her this way. Laughing and having a good time. 'She's pretty when she smiles' was the only thought running through her mind.
"I guess you all are having fun." A voice cut off the happy laughter.
Lia sighed. "Hello, Father. What brings you here?"
"I had some business to attend to within this city and decided to stop by. You were injured, yes?" Her Father stepped into the room and smiled at her.
Lia nodded. "I'm largely fine now. Is mom here wi-"
She was cut off, as her mom rushed into the room and picked Lia up in a hug. She was fawning and saying things like: "Oh my baby girl was hurt? Are you okay now?! Please tell me if anything is hurting!! I can't bear the thought!"
Lia smiled. It was always nice to see her parents. Hadn't they changed quite a bit though? Lia was pondering that thought before she spoke. "I'm fine, Mom. Please put me down."
Her mother obliged. "I'm glad you are alright! Now who are these two?"
Lia sighed. She pointed to Hysteria. "This is Hysteria, my weapon. She's a sentient weapon."
Hysteria merely nodded curtly.
She moved to introduce Lacey but was cut off before she could.
"I'm Lacey, Lia's girlfriend."
"Eh?!?!?!"