"Are you really going to drink more Camille?" Shooting her a sharp glare I responded.
"Should I not?"
"N-No I was just asking."
It's only my sixth glass, I don't understand what the fuss is about. Being the daughter of a count meant I had to constantly deal with those of lesser status than me sucking up to me.
Quite frankly it was draining. As such, I made the bold decision to make acquaintance with a bottle of aged wine instead.
Little did I know that would be my undoing.
***
Gasp
'Where am I.'
I vaguely remember hearing the headmaster saying something but I couldn't make it out. As a matter of fact I couldn't make anything out, the world was spinning for me....and it still is.
Attempting to circulate my magic energy through my head only barely eased the stabbing sensation I felt. My eyes were still somewhat blurry but I could discern that I was in a forest.
'I can't rely on my sight. Damn it, why did I drink so much today.'
"Orinth." I whispered barely above a breath.
Orinth, a spell I created after researching the way sound and vibrations operate. It functioned by imbuing my voice with magic energy and uttering a word.
The magic infused vibration would then spread throughout the area before turning into mana.
Said mana would still be faintly connected to me through by a constant steam of a bit of my magic energy flowing out; creating a state of equilibrium that would alert me anytime something obstructed the vibrations of the mana.
It was a spell I prided myself upon, a direct substitute for those who relied on expensive detection magic tools. Unfortunately I couldn't utilize this spell to it's full potential due to my current state; At most I could muster a two meter detection range, a huge decline from my usual five meter range.
'It's taking almost every bit of my concentration just to maintain this.'
Refusing to waste any more time I got up. It made no sense sitting around hoping to get rescued. Laertes is practically the safest place on the continent aside from noble estates and the royal palace.
I doubt they'd be so incompetent as to let students be kidnapped under their supervision. Not to mention the headmaster's specialty in spatial magic, so I can only assume this is intentional.
'I can't sense anything here so I guess it's safe enough.'
.
.
.
I made my way through the forest mentally mapping it out as I moved. I felt as if I'd barely covered much ground though, since my mobility was still skewed from being intoxicated.
Weirdly enough in the entire thirty minutes I'd been walking around I hadn't ran into a single person, or beast.
All the trees looked the same to me and the ground didn't offer much variation. If not for Orinth I'd think I'd been moving in circles.
All good things must come to an end though.
Having to circulate my magic energy through my head just so I could function was becoming too taxing. Each step I took I felt my reserves coming closer and closer to the halfway mark. And I needed magic energy for any unexpected situation that might occur.
Fixing my resolve I cancelled my spell.
'Why couldn't I be teleported near one of those idiots. At least then I wouldn't have to expend so much effort.'
Grrr
Right. I didn't eat anything at the ball because of those pests that were swarming me like flies. I can't very well just ignore my stomach by telling it to shut up. And I have a feeling if I don't get something down then something else is going to come up.
Fortunately lady luck happens to have favorites; and I'm her number one. In my vision was a shrub of berries that looked particularly appetizing.
If not for those idiots I wouldn't have to stoop this low to eat wild berries like a pig. 'Well at least it didn't taste bad.'
I decided to rest for a little bit while I ate.
Only to realize.
I wasn't one of that bitch's favorites.
RRRRT HUFF HUFF**
I heard rustling and growling from the bushes ahead of me, instinctively alerting me of my non human company.
'Just what I needed. From one type of mutt to the next.'
I readied myself to engage in combat
Grey fur with red streaks on its ears. An almost unnaturally long snout and almost the size of a bear. 'Direwolves.'
"My voice as a catalyst, I am one who commands and thou art the ones who follow. Heed my voice and KNEEL!"
Although chanting is not necessary for spellcasting, it can enhance focus and sometimes strengthen a spell. I had no choice but to chant due to my condition, I needed all the focus I could get.
I immediately backed away while the Direwolves were still under my influence. However, I knew better than anyone else, I couldn't outrun these mutts while stumbling like a fool.
I had no choice but to fight.
These three seemed to be separated from the rest of their pack so it should be doable. I have to make it quick though; I can't afford to let them be alerted.
"My words are power, my tongue is sharp. As I speak my voice becomes a blade, Sound Scythe."
A barely visible arch flew towards the wolves which were still pinned to the ground. The blade of sound produced a noise akin to that of a red hawk's scream. Although loud it was one of the only attack spells that I could afford to use currently.
"AWOOO!"
I didn't know if I had killed the Direwolves or not; but, my magic energy reserves were running on empty and I couldn't let myself be entrapped by more of their pack.
Chomp
***
Camille, whom was unable to be completely aware of her surroundings, was unsurprisingly oblivious to the direwolf that had snuck behind her whilst she was busy fighting it's companions.
She paid for this negligence with a bite to her shoulder, luckily she shot a sound scythe towards the wolf before it could cause her further damage.
"Shit Shit Shit. AHHHH!"
Her neatly combed hair was now disheveled and her beautiful black dress ruined by the blood flowing out of her wound. Unfortunately for her she didn't know any type of healing magic.
Not wanting to bleed out she ripped off one of her sleeves and pressed down on the wound with intense pressure. Tears actively flowed out of her eyes as she bit her lips to stop herself from making any more noise.
She'd already made enough with her magic and when she'd screamed in pain.
'Why did I drink.'
'I'm so pitiful. Had I been in a more optimal condition I'd never have ended up in this state.'
Her thoughts spiraled as she continued berating herself.
She couldn't stay there forever though. She had to move, or else she'd end up in an even worse situation.
Her steps shaky and her breathing ragged. She could barely walk upright, dragging herself along the path, being drained of her magic almost entirely, the dizziness from being hungover, coupled with having to clutch the wound on her shoulder.
Rude or not, no one would've enjoyed seeing the girl in such a state. Still, she barely kept awake through her sheer willpower.
She refused to let herself fall here.
But alas.
Willpower alone was not enough. Her consciousness escaped her as she fell onto the muddy ground devoid of any grass.
.
.
"Camille Laife." An old man dressed in a beige silk robe addressed her.
"Yes headmaster."
The girl kept her head down. Perhaps embarrassed by her failure.
"You've failed your first assessment of the second year."
Of course an academy such as Laertes wouldn't dare put it's students in a dire situation without preparations. Everything the girl had experienced was simply a test put together by the headmaster.
Hearing his words she winced. Holding back her tears she responded.
"I have no excuses for my failure sir."
No matter how prideful the girl was, an idiot she was not. She was surprisingly honest.
Acknowledging her response the old man shook his head.
"What of being intoxicated during the exam?"
"That was a mistake on my part, the fault lies with me. A proper mage should always maintain a certain mental capacity to handle any situation."
The man smiled.
"Good. You don't try to justify your failure by including self induced factors. Frankly, had you mentioned being drunk as your cause of failure I'd have kicked you out myself."
"Thank you for your kind words sir."
"Still, you fought valiantly despite all those factors. Did you know the reason for your decreased awareness was also partially credited to those poisonous berries you ate?"
Camille looked shocked hearing what the headmaster had told her. Obviously she didn't know they weren't safe to eat. She had dismissed the discomfort in her body as the consequence for her drinking.
"In light of all of this, I have decided to give you a second chance. Take some time off to grow and come back next year for a redo."
She began crying.
"Thank you. Thank you so much sir!"
***
Dirius Hendrix.
An idiot known for fooling around with women, being a drunk and an incompetent fool. Naturally I was surprised when that idiot asked me to be his partner for the ball, but having no one else to accompany me, I accepted.
While known for his antics, he wasn't nearly as unbearable as his sister Orphelia. Plus he was also quite the looker.
'I hope I didn't make a mistake by going with him.'
He seemed extremely ecstatic hearing my acceptance, perhaps he didn't expect me to since his face also carried some confusion.
"Why'd you say yes? I thought you hated us."
"Penalty." I responded.
He seemed to catch on to what I meant quickly as he nodded. Though he gained a mischievous smirk that was a bit unnerving.
"Oho~ Can I take that as the great Camille admitting no one took interest in her?"
'Tch this annoying ant.'
"Then that means you're courting someone unwanted doesn't it? What does that say about you."
He didn't back down.
"Well, I'm also someone unwanted, so I decided to stick to someone at my social level I guess."
'Sigh. I already regret agreeing to go with this fool.'
.
.
.
"How about we go over there?" Dirius pointed towards the drink stand.
Was this buffoon seriously going to drink already?
"Seriously? You want to drink already before the event even officially starts."
While I don't like him, I didn't want him to make the same mistake I did. Think of it as courtesy for my supposed 'partner' for the night.
"Pleaseee~? Just one glass I promise."
'Just how much of an drunk is he!?'
"No." Believe me it's for your own good Dirius.
He seemed confused by my response. Well to be fair there was no explanation for why I denied him. Understanding this I continued.
"No. I can't have you embarrassing me here."
He didn't back down from my refusal.
"How about this then, we go for a singular glass and you finish half of mine?"
'Such a disappointment.'
"You really want to drink don't you?"
"*Sigh*, Fine. Don't go back on your word though."
"I swear it."
***
"DUCK!"
I shouted at the second prince, while shooting a sound scythe above his head. We were currently surrounded by multiple packs of direwolves, most likely chasing our new companion here.
I glared at the cat eared annoyance.
"Thank you, an earlier warning would be better next time!" The silver haired boy shouted at me.
'Tch ungrateful ingrate.'
"Hey hey hey, aren't we fucked here!?" Dirius shouted while shaking.
"Grow a pair pretty boy!"
I retorted.