Studying kick-started as boring for Lucien and horrific for Mikaela. While Lucien was going through repeated work, Mikaela was finding it hard to stay focused. Mikaela truly despised books, maybe it was a quality he had inherited from his father.
After the children's excruciating experience, Bianca had come to a general grasp of the children's level and what they needed to focus on individually. She always made meticulous preparations for the children.
Their books were separated by clear distinction and their learning materials were arranged in perfection in accordance to their needs.
"Today's lesson will be joint group work. Now you will try to go through the pictures and details to find out which mythical being is described here. If you find it, I will give you a plus point. But remember, group work," she emphasized.
Mikaela chewed lightly on his pencil, ecstatic at the news, Lucien on the other hand felt like burying himself.
'Great, some fun at last,' Mikaela thought.
'Why?? I would rather read, on my own,' Lucien grieved.
Clearly, their thoughts said it all.
Bianca gave each of them a paper with descriptions, some could be understood while others couldn't. It depended on either's word range and understanding.
"Ask me if you have any questions, boys," said Bianca.
Her gold-rimmed glasses glared at the two with a sharp gaze that meant, 'I am watching you.'
Sigh!
Both boys sighed inwardly.
One boy didn't want to work hard, while the other didn't want to be pestered endlessly.
Seated in the joined desk, they went through the paper slips.
It held the description of the so-called mythical being Bianca has talked about. It had living characteristics or so they thought.
* Feeds on blood and flesh
* Found in the western forests
* Has an extensive length
* Active in the night
"But Lu, it said it's long, not short like that." Mikaela made it a point to exaggerate his wording to get his point across. His hands doing gestures that were somehow supposed to be understood by his desk mate.
"Ah, yes, it fills all other conditions so it should probably look similar to this right, Kaela?" Lucien responded, ignoring his annoyance.
In truth, he would have rather read the book on his own and found it even if it took days' worth of reading. The point was, he would rather be alone.
"No, Auntie wouldn't have made a mistake, we just haven't found it yet…" As he said, he looked at the animal encyclopedia as huge as a three-volume book on the table and slightly became unmotivated.
"I know, I said similar, Dummy." Lu retorted.
His hands kept flipping a book and his eyes quickly skimming over each page.
"...Hmph!"
Mikaela was grumpy but said nothing since Lu was right.
It was bound to be a long begrudging group work.
Fufu~
'Why do children think that it has to be an animal for it to be living?' She tilted her head trying to rationalize it, 'It fooled me too back then.'
A smile formed on her glossy pink lips as she walked out of the learning room. Her eyes held a melancholy reminisce of her childhood, a time she cherished most.
'I hope I can give them something similar.'
…
Ugh! Ghh! Aaahhh!
Groans and moans of pain echoed outside, one evening. It would have some junctures of ear-piercing screams each becoming more intense than the last. It was clear that the pain only became more agonizing as time passed.
This attracted the attention of Mitchell who had the most sensitive hearing in the house. He walked out only to be dumbstruck. He panicked and wanted to rush over and hold his child but he was afraid of harming him in his ignorance.
'W-what is happening. Anette didn't mention this, I haven't seen anything like this.'
In an instance of decision, he rushed to find the only one who could help the children, Bianca.
He knocked frantically at her door before going in not minding if he was uninvited.
"What is it, Mitchell? You better have a good reason to barge in my house," A low deep hoarse voice rang out. It was beyond cold, chilling.
Mitchell froze at this but he snapped to his senses soon.
"Help, M-my son is, I don't know what is happening to him. I came to call for Bianca." Mitchell explained.
"By barging in the house?" asked Merlin. It was filled with sarcasm.
Merlin walked out of the room, clearly annoyed. His emerald iris shimmered dangerously. Mitchell knew if he were any other random stranger, they would already be on their journey to the afterlife.
He gulped.
"I don't have time for this, call her! Please," Mitchell tried his best to ignore the invisible pressure weighing on him.
He knew how territorial Merlin got, but this was not the time to bicker on such matters. He didn't have time to be courteous or patient.
"Honey, take it easy on the guy, he is begging. Something must have happened." Bianca's sweet voice rang out closely behind Merlin.
Although, Merin said nothing else, he withdrew his pressure and his eyes gained some tranquility.
Bianca walked to the door, "What are you waiting for, take me to him."
She said walking out.
Mitchell and Merlin made eye contact that contained a myriad of conversations before Mitchell followed behind Bianca.
...
Mikaela was screaming in pain, at least he believed he was. It was in the middle of winter but his body could not get any hotter. Every joint, every muscle, every bone in his body was screaming in pain.
He had collapsed on the icy ground since he couldn't maintain his stance.
When Bianca and Mitchell came back to the backyard, their first sight was the tear-stained and aggrieved child sprawled on the freezing ground.
Mikaela could no longer scream or sob from the shattering pain, he was struggling enough with breathing. He lay limp, hugging himself in an effort to find comfort amidst this hell.
He felt every sensation of the changes happening to his body. His bones seemed to shatter and mend again, his muscles contracted and relaxed, and his skin was torn and mended as well. His entire body broke down and reconstructed once more.
Mikaela didn't understand why this was happening when all he had done was swing his sword like usual.