I walked to the Principal's office after receiving a summons. I was still shaken up, but I had to go.
I knocked and walked in after he responded.
"Good morning, sir," I said.
"Faina, are you okay?" he asked. What's he talking about?
"Yes," I replied, unsure of what he meant.
"I received a report this morning of an attack within the school premises," he said. Oh!
"I meant to inform you," I said, and he nodded.
"We need to get to the bottom of this. Not everyone can come in here, especially with the barrier around the school." That is true. There is a barrier around the school that prevents people from coming in or going out as they please, plus there is only one gate.
"In the meantime, you'll have to leave the academy and return home, orders from your mother," he said. She knows already?
"O… Okay," I replied.
"Be safe, kid. I can't afford to lose you," he said, and I nodded. I'd die either way if I don't find a cure soon, whether by assassination or Large Worms; my clock is still ticking.
I walked out of the office and made my way back to my house. I wasn't scared to stay there before, but now I am. When I walked in, a few maids and butlers were arranging my things.
"My lady," one of the butlers approached me. "Welcome back. We're sorry for intruding, but we were told to get you out of the capital before dawn," he said, and I nodded.
"Okay," I replied and went to my room to see Tyler. He was lying on the bed in a deep sleep. I was really scared yesterday, scared that something would happen to him.
…
The moment we got out of the capital, a portal was created, and we teleported to the mansion, the place I lived in when I was younger. The transition was instantaneous, and as soon as we emerged, the familiar surroundings of my childhood home came into view. The grand mansion stood tall, its stone walls and ivy-covered façade evoking a sense of nostalgia and unease all at once.
I was surprised when I got down from the carriage; I didn't expect to be brought here. The last time I had seen this place, it was filled with happier memories, yet now it seemed like a refuge from the chaos. The mansion's imposing structure loomed over us, its windows like watchful eyes taking in our arrival.
Blair ran out the door with a worried expression, scanning me thoroughly before speaking. Her concern was palpable, and her eyes darted over me, searching for any signs of injury or distress. She approached me quickly, her steps urgent and her voice filled with anxiety.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked, and I shook my head.
"Tyler saved me," I said, and she turned to look at him.
"Oh, our dear Tyler," she said, hugging him. "Is he okay?" she asked, and I nodded. "That's good to hear," she said, standing up. "Alright, come in, let's get you out of that dress," she said, eyeing my dress. What's wrong with my dress? Why is she looking at it like that?
I cleaned up and went to bed immediately; dinner was the least of my worries.
…
I sat on the balcony with a book in my hand. I decided to study more healing magic, especially after what happened yesterday, but I did not abandon my research.
I already had basic knowledge of healing magic, so I studied the advanced topics, like healing internal bleeding and minor illnesses, among others.
I looked at the balcony and stared. My life has really changed since then.
Back then, my main worry was surviving. It still is, but I never thought I'd reach eighteen. I never thought I'd become a professor either, or be this close to finding a cure for Large Worm.
Since Large Worms work like an organ in the body with its purpose being destruction, healing it is near impossible. The vaccine I intend to make is not going to destroy it at once but work exactly how Large Worms work. It'd weaken it first before killing it.
It's so simple to say, but the ingredient that would make this possible seems to be missing from this world. If I take it like that, it'd kill me while trying to weaken the Large Worms.
The main ingredients are not harmful when used alone, but they just don't go well together and would need a catalyst to make them compatible.
It's like Alden and Rosen don't go well together, but the catalyst that would bring them together doesn't exist. Our situations are so similar.
"My lady, would you like to have lunch here?" Blair asked, walking in.
"Uh… yes, thank you," I replied.
I looked at the balcony again and sighed. What was I thinking when I jumped down from there?
"I wonder what Teon's doing. Is he okay?" I asked myself.
Blair walked in and served me lunch before leaving again. I ate quietly, letting the many thoughts crowd my head.
The mansion felt different, especially because I know that most of the people I know were killed here. It made me feel sad again.
…
My stay in the mansion was uneventful. I spent the next week studying healing magic and herbs. I spoke to Mother a few times, and she said she wouldn't be joining me here, so I'd be alone. I spent most of my time in the library, so it was a good distraction.
I was reading in the library when someone walked in. I turned and saw Blair approaching.
"My lady, you have a letter," she said. A letter? From whom?
"For me?" I asked to be sure.
"Yes, it's addressed to you," she said, and I nodded, receiving it.
When I saw the address, I was surprised. The imperial palace? Is it Teon? There's no way it'd be Teon. Right?
I opened it and scanned it thoroughly. Huh?
I was asked to come to the imperial palace by… the emperor? Why would he want to see me? What could he possibly want? What do I do? Should I go? Can I even say no? What's going on?
I dropped the letter calmly and looked at Blair.
"Blair, do you know how to use a communication device?" I asked, and she nodded.
"Yes, I've seen it before. I know how it works, but it depends on the type you're talking about," she said, and I nodded, standing up.
"Please, can you help me contact Mother?" I asked, and she nodded.