Coleen blurted an awkward laugh and tapped Eirin's hand, bearing in mind the grim expression on the teenage girl's face. "I-I think the illness hasn't completely left my system yet," she said and moved away. "You might catch it, so we better put some distance."
Fear crept into Coleen's heart as she scratched her fingernail and said, "D-Don't worry, I won't be a burden to the team. I only need to rest for a little, then I'll—"
"What are you saying?" Eirin's eyes were filled with surprise and sadness as she reached out her hand to Coleen. "How could you say such a thing? I never saw you as a burden. If you're a burden, what about me then?" She smiled and gently held Coleen's hand, comforting her with words and gestures.
"Also, I think I'll be fine being with you. I don't catch diseases that quick," Eirin smiled her brightest, reassuring Coleen. It was the first time Coleen McGuffin witnessed the pretty transfer student, Eirin Luxfield, smile like a child. "For now, you should lay on the bed and focus on getting well. I'll ask the manager if they could let you eat here inside."
Coleen bit her lower lip, suppressing her tears. 'She's so kind,' she thought as Eirin left the room. She immediately wiped the tear that escaped from her eye with the back of her hand.
"It's a first... someone actually cares for me when I'm sick and wouldn't scream at me instead," Coleen muttered as she smiled. "I hope I could be of help to her someday."
Eirin sighed as she got out of the room. "This is bad," she thought as she walked into the hallway, searching for the other two until she finally bumped into them on the stairs. The teenage girl didn't hesitate as she explained everything to Link and Shade about Coleen's current situation.
"I think we should send her back to the academy," Link showed such worries in his eyes that he even came up with an unwise idea, leaving Eirin baffled.
"Don't be stupid. Do you think a gullible and weak girl can return home alone? And what's more, she's ill. This isn't like you. Think rationally like you usually do," Shade said while shaking his head.
'Wait, does he sound gentler whenever he talks to Link? What's with this kind of bias!?' Eirin thought as she could not control her expression and glared at the young man.
"What are you looking at?"
Eirin shook her head after Shade stared back at her. She then told the two that she would be taking care of Coleen for now since they also needed to think about what the four of them must do to move forward with this seemingly impossible mission. Even though she said those words, Eirin doesn't know what she must do to be of help.
When she got back, she entered the room and froze as her vision followed all the different objects floating in the air. Eirin blinked thousands of times to ensure she was seeing things right. One of those floating objects was the lamp that Eirin cleaned with great care. Her eyes widened as the lamp flew right at her, almost hitting her in the face; if she wasn't agile enough to catch it, it would have hit her nose right there and then.
"Coleen, what is going on?"
Eirin's baffled expression left Coleen gloomy. She isn't aware of what Coleen McGuffin's ability could be, but she also doesn't know how to ask about it without touching Coleen's sensitive topics.
"I'm sorry... I can't control my Flair, especially when I'm sick. It's because of my unstable mana."
Coleen could not even look Eirin in the eye, which made Eirin feel guilty, as she might have poked into one of Coleen's insecurities. Eirin looked around, and the objects floating slowly fell to the floor. What she saw didn't bother her; it only gave a little surprise, but it was nothing compared to what Shade Cromwell had done before.
Eirin assured Coleen that everything was fine and that it would be better if Coleen could eat like usual, but it was obvious how weak and fragile Coleen had become that Eirin needed to help her eat. Coleen's face was pale as a blank white canvas, and her hands trembled just by holding a spoon.
"Were you liking this the whole time in the hospital?"
Coleen shook her head. "It was weird, and you might not believe it, but when I got into the hospital, even after just staying there for a day, I felt better. I don't know if it was due to the medicine they made me drink, but the plague hasn't yet been cured. Isn't that why we're searching for the Phoenix? I don't understand at all."
It was peculiar, indeed, and Eirin couldn't understand either.
The next day came; the sun shined brightly like any other day, and the clouds filled the sky. It was a fine day to stroll outside, but Link decided that Coleen should rest in the room while the three searched for clues about the Phoenix. Link, as the brain of the group, had talked about their plan and how the three of them would commence it.
"Remember, we are in an unfamiliar place, unaware of the people's traditions and stuff. Let's stay respectful."
Link particularly looked at Shade after he said those last words, but the young man wasn't even listening, causing Eirin and Link to look into each other's eyes with worries filling their heads. As they got out of the lodging, Eirin's forehead creased. Unlike the first time they arrived in the village, there were more people— no, there were TONS of them. The streets were filled with stalls they never witnessed yesterday, and the people looked thrilled and excited as if awaiting a celebration.
Link didn't hesitate to approach the villagers, but they were ecstatic that they could only speak of the upcoming celebration. These villagers didn't mention the kind of celebration. It was vague.
"I'm worried. How are we going to find clues this way?" Link sighed and scratched his head as he turned to Shade, already walking away. "Where are you going?"
Shade continued walking away, having no response at all. His smug expression made the impression that he didn't care about what Link said. Link and Eirin were left in the middle of the village's plaza, swarming with people in a cheery mood.
Link sighed again. "I guess it's on the two of us now." Eirin followed the young man as they decided to observe the surroundings as they couldn't ask the villagers, afraid of souring their joyous state.
Eirin immediately looked behind as she felt someone's gaze on her. However, the people were minding their own businesses, not caring about a stranger at all. This made Eirin move closer to Link, hugging her arms as shivers ran down her spine. The peculiar energy she sensed frightened her. It was as if someone had been watching her every move. That's when Eirin noticed that half of the people in the plaza had animal-like ears.
"I should already learn about this, but are those people what we call Ligmas?"
Link turned to Eirin and nodded. "I think they are, but I'm unfamiliar with what kind. Guessing from the animal-like ears, they must be beasts. You've seen it, right? The chief has wolf-like ears, so maybe he's a werewolf."
Remembering the village chief, Link decided to walk towards his house, searching for clues. However, when they finally arrived in the vicinity, Link stared at Eirin, confusing the teenage girl.
'Wait a minute... was it wise to bring Eirin here? I'm not a combat expert like Shade. How am I going to protect her if things turn to worse?' Link hesitated, leaving them no progress at all. Those thoughts made Link dislike asking the village chief; remembering the aura surrounding the old man gives such an eerie sensation.
"We've been walking for a while now, and it'll be lunch soon. I think you should go check on Coco for now. I'll chat quickly with the village chief and return soon after."
Looking at how high the sun had risen in the sky, it was certainly time for lunch. Eirin agreed and walked back towards the lodging, passing all the stalls and people offering her some food and beverages, leaving Link alone in front of the village chief's house.
The temperature was getting warmer, and sweat broke out of Eirin's forehead and back. When she arrived at the lodging, her forehead creased upon seeing the empty reception area. She walked to the stairs, tiptoeing so as not to create much creaking sound.
'It feels weird to be so loud when the place is empty,' she thought as she reached the second floor. It was as empty as the moment they left; however, before Eirin could grab the doorknob into their room, it suddenly turned, and the door was about to open.
Bewildered, Eirin ran and hid behind the corner of the hallway leading to the stairs. Her instant reaction left the teenage girl baffled, and she soon chuckled, knowing that there could be nobody else coming out of the room except Coleen.
'Seriously, what am I doing? If someone saw me running like that, it would have been so embarrassing,' Eirin thought as she shook her head.
However, her laugh stopped, and her body stiffened, as if someone had poured cold water all over her as she watched the unknown person leave the room. Her hand grew cold as she covered her mouth, trying her hardest not to create the faintest sound. What was a beast-man doing inside Coleen and Eirin's room? What about Coleen McGuffin, then? Questions filled Eirin's mind as her heart thumped so loud it was the only thing she could hear.
The wooden floor creaked, causing Eirin's heart to almost stop.