An unfamiliar ceiling. As soon as I open my eyes, that was what's revealed to me.
"Where am I?"
"You are at the sickbay located in and owned by the Headquarters."
It was only supposedly a mumbled to myself, but it was answered by a voice coming from the side of the bed where I found myself lying. That voice; that serious sounding voice. That voice that I always hear when I was still on a desperate state of not being able to do anything as a child. That voice is…
"Master…"
…the voice of my master whom I was reluctant of meeting. Seriously, if I was well and sound… I would have run away the moment I heard her rule-bound voice.
"It's been long hasn't it?"
She said without even changing her stern expression as she closed the book that she was reading. She was sitting cross-legged on stool. As she put down the book to the table near her, she removed her glasses and shifted her eyes on me. Wait, why is she even wearing one. Her eyesight was supposed to be good if not best.
"Even so, you got pretty trashed out there, didn't you?"
I looked away refusing to meet her dull gaze. The shame of being beaten in front of my master is filling me up. I know I'm not the best out there, but there are times that I don't wanna be seen in my weakest state; like when my sister or my master was around. My pride as my sister's protector and a disciple is hurting. The blunder of the student reflects on the refutation of the master. Though, only few people know about me being her disciple, the fact that I was pathetically beaten up will be remarked to her. I'd hate that.
"Oh, come on. Don't be like that. You did your best. Things just went south a bit but all is well. No one died and though you are injured, you are well and breathing."
She said. But that's not it, master. I'm not upset because of any reason you are thinking of. And also… it won't be convincing if the one who is saying that had never blundered even once. Master Alfreeja de Arc has never once failed.
"Come on. Look at me. Geez. It's been months since we last meet and you're not even looking at me? It's making me sad, you know!"
I shifted my body even more, my back literally facing her.
"My, you're sulking? Fufu. How cute."
She found me out… There was a screeching sound, most likely from the stool where she was sitting before. The sound of the heels ticked on my ears as it goes nearer to where I was lying helplessly—and then before I could react, she was there messing with my hair. Geez. Just how long are you going to treat me like a child. I had my mouth shut not because I cannot handle her outgoing personality—it's just… the guilt of not being able to do things properly is hitting me deep inside. As I tried to avert my gaze further, she held my face still with her cold palm as to not look away from her and caress it gently.
"You don't have to dwell on it, okay? I understand completely. That Claudia, was it? Yes, she explained everything to me. You don't have to mind me. Being able to protect someone is amazing—all the more when you get hurt by doing so. That's the Gleren I know after all."
She really knows how to smooth things over doesn't she. When training, she is demonic—but outside that she's as soft as she could be. Well, hardly we talk outside of training, though. What can I do when she put it like that? I nodded to her. Even I am surprised with how meek I am today. One thing, though…
"Master, how long has it been since the incident?"
I mused.
"It has been a day. Today is the second. You have been asleep since then. I tell you, Sofy was really worried."
She must be. If the situation was reversed, I could have gone crazy with the thought of her not waking up for a day long. I got it pretty bad, really. It has been long since I was last wiped out like this.
"About the academy…"
"Oh, that. Jin was able to return yesterday. Everything there is pretty much patched up. No casualty and the injured had been healed perfectly, too. Though, the classes had been suspended for a while. I heard that next week, school will be back as usual. Well, I wonder about that, though."
I know. Being involved in this kind of incidence once will make your perception of things change. At least that was the case for me. A person involved in the harsh reality of this world will not be able to attain peace anymore.
"I see… I'm glad."
I said in a weak tone.
"Are you really glad? With that kind of expression?"
She knitted her browse.
I kept my silence. It's no surprise to doubt the contradiction on my words and expression—after all, even when I hear that everything is fine now, not being able to fulfil such certain promise I made is rather eating me slowly. Miss Claudia. I wonder how she is. She must be really down in the dumps…
"Well, I shall take my leave now. Hogging you all to myself will birth jealousy after all."
Now I don't have any idea what she's on about.
"You sure are loved, my dear disciple."
She laughed lightly, looking at the direction of the entrance. There, a woman with a long golden hair stands, shying away with her somber expression. Speak of the devil; miss Claudia.
"She had been there since the day you lost consciousness. Speak to her, okay?"
She has?! Seriously? How about food? Did she not consume any? Anyway, my master being considerate to other people aside from me is quite refreshing. I look at her with eyes filled with doubt and amusement.
"What?"
She gave my reaction a skeptical look.
"Nothing."
I shrugged.
"Oh, and one more thing… if you already feel like taking my virginity, don't hesitate, got it?"
She leaned forward, completely taking me off guard. Then on my forehead, a soft sensation can be felt along with her sweeping my forelocks. Her faint smell—the sweet aroma of her perfume hit my nose…my eyes widened—she gave me a kiss on the brow.
"?!"
She winked as she back away. Aw come on! I don't have the strength to talk about dirty jokes right now… This out-going master of mine!
"Ahaha. You've let your guard down! That blank expression of yours is always worth seeing. I shall take my leave now. Really. Bye now!"
Just go already! Geez!
As she went towards the door, she passed by miss Claudia who was standing there like a statue, she propped to her and whispered something before finally going out. What was that all about, I wonder?
"…"
A silence. In the room, only I and miss Claudia remained. Remembering that I talked big to her and failed to do so embarrassed me… this felt awkward… really.
"Gleren…"
Miss Claudia finally spoke. Her sad expression did not change nor she move from her initial spot. Honestly, looking at her makes my heart ache. I am the reason why she's like this. I failed to meet her expectation. After talking big game, I failed to fulfil our promise. What a petty excuse for a man I was.
"I'm sorry, Gleren. Because of me…"
She said, tears rolling from her eyes. An apology? I sure did not expect that, especially from miss Claudia. Ahh… she's crying harder now. Come one! Don't do that. I am not used to seeing women cry. I don't know how to deal with such…
But even so, she apologizes even before I could. She beat me to it.
"No… I'm the one who should apologize… I'm really sorry, miss Claudia."
"No! No…"
She declared strongly as she shook her head from left to right. Her hair sway as she moves and her tears falling with her motion… Please, stop crying already.
"If I just listened to you and I did what you told me and stayed away… You would not have been injured…it's because you saved me that you… and my Lady Maria was taken away. If only…"
She sobs.
Humans… rather, people are creatures of regrets. They would always look back to their past mistakes and would contemplate; "What could have happened if…" and then there builds anxiety. But for me, that is just a part of life. If you have regrets, then that only means that you are thinking—that you are alive. As for me, as a person who had lost the memory of my past—my childhood—regret is only a word.
"Miss Claudia, I will definitely bring her back."
I roused my body to sit and look her straight in the eyes. Her eyes widened a little. I must have taken her by surprise. But you know… I might fail once, or twice, or more than that…nonetheless, the fact that there is still the promise that I had swear to fulfill, I will never give up…
"But…"
She held her thought, unsure how to put things to words. But the things that she was compelled with, and with doubt does not matter. It does not at all… and besides.
"I was not able to fulfil my promise to you. I remorse that from the bottom of my heart!"
"Why is that. There should not any merit for you to humor my request—what's more, that selfish promise I made…"
She asked, puzzled. She must have thought that it was a one-sided gain. Well, if we look from her perspective, then that might have been the absolute truth…But that's not it! As such, raising my first, I said to her—strongly, so that she would never forget.
"I still haven't touched your boobs however I want yet!"
Her face beet red and her eyes widened even more than before. Heh, you thought that I already forgot? Well, sorry but, that is one thing I cannot let go! I will bring back Maria, rampage a little, then pay back that bastard who turned me into a skewer—and finally and the most important part! Play with miss Claudia's magnificent boobs!
Ah… she was speechless. Her blushing even reached her ears.
***
After miss Claudia's visit—or not really visit since she stayed here since the first day, the next one to enter was a man in his mid-forties… Jin.
"How are you feeling?"
He asked, looking troubled.
"Terrible."
I said curtly.
"I'm really sorry Gleren. We were really incompetent this time."
I felt like this day, I just keep on hearing apologies. Honestly, I'm getting tired of this. That's not what I was expecting to hear from him.
"Forget that. So? What's the plan?"
"…"
He was silence for a moment, but then seemingly realizing that there was something even more important than dwindling, he voices stalwartly.
"Of course! Princess Maria of the vampire clan is now proven important to us. The fact that the Sacred Omen had set their eyes on her is troubling. As such, we will be arranging a rescue party to get her back—safe and sound. So, Gleren… what will you do?"
He asked. He was in his working mode, so his expression has his usual stiffness and his serious aura.
"That's a funny question… obviously, I'll go!"
There's no need for second thought… I will take her back. Definitely! It's just I hoped that miss Claudia was able to hear our conversation. It would have taken at least a bit of her worries.