It has been three days since the entrance ceremony as well as my conversation with Jin. Our conversation was cut short after he informed me of my next assignment. That came really a shocker.
These last three days saw nothing particularly noteworthy. As I was told, it seemed that in this mission, all I have to do is keep an eye on Maria—the vampire girl.
At first, I was utterly perplexed—but then I thought, "surely someone like her will naturally come out sooner or later considering the presence of magic, right?"
When you think about it, it's pretty normal. It's normal, right...? or not?
Well, broading about it will do me no good. For now, I'll observe the situation first.
If you asked me if I hated the assignment? Well, personally I think it's not that bad. True, stalking was not my thing, but this assignment was considerably a better option compared to any bodyguard or escort missions. After all, this Maria girl will have to transfer to our school.
Meaning there will be no more reason for me to leave Saint Ilse as long as I'm in charge to keep tabs on the vampire lass. That implies that my time with Sofy won't be compromised.
I'm currently at one of the academy's training halls. We're supposed to have a practical lesson today, I heard. So, right now, I'm doing some stretching. But I'm having trouble focusing. I can't seem to stop thinking about what Jin told me.
***
Three days ago, Jin's office—
"Huh? A vampire?!"
I quipped, surprisingly loudly with a bewildered expression.
"Oh! That's the look that I was expecting! Look Kyouka! It's a rare expression that we can only see once in a blue moon! Gleren's surprised expression. Kahaha"
"Yes, thank you very much for the treat!" (click, flash)
Jin laughed heartedly. And what do you mean by 'treat'?! Also stop taking pictures, miss Kyouka!
"Can you not?! Tsk, damn it."
I clicked my tongue. Damn this old man. That was embarrassing. He planned that one well.
"What's even interesting with my surprised expression?"
"Hm? Well, you seem to be kinda immune with surprising stuffs and never really reacted strongly to things. Aslo, you're always just nonchalant and sarcastic. So seeing that refreshing expression is a kind of treat. Right Kyouka?"
I'm not that sarcastic!
"Yes! Thank you for letting me keep a picture of it!"
I never remember letting you take one, though?!
"KAHAHA. Well then, since I've already seen something nice, let us continue our discussion…"
Ah, I don't have any choice but to give it up, do I? They never listen to me anyway.
"During the great war, you were aware that we did our best to put a stop to it, right"
"Affirmative."
I nodded.
Jin left his seat and faced the glass-paned window.
"The number of HARMONIA's members at that time was very limited—scarce even. And thus, we looked everywhere—from all over the world, for any assistance in stopping the raging war. After all, the world was on the verge of collapse. I doubt the world would have survived had the battle continued, even if we had our first Saint—SSR {Raphaela} holder, at that time." He said tracing the windows frame with his finger.
True enough. Even if the world could be healed with the first saint's ability, {Raphaela} would be rendered ineffective if the war continued. Rather, in othere words —even after the wound is healed, the cycle will continue to occur if the source of the injury or the root of the problem was still there. An infinite loop will be created.
Jin went on, "It was at that time when we arrived at their sanctuary. You've heard about the 'Scarlet Night raid,' no?"
I nodded as a response.
"Scarlet Night Raid"; a one-night raid that annihilated the radical faction whose goal was for war to continue.
"That was their doing."
I thinned my eyes, brows knitting in the process, "their?"
Jin bobbed his head solemnly.
"We made a contract with the vampires. A brotherhood pact that which states we provide each other's needs."
Vampires were mythical beings that I believed only existed in the books I've read when I was younger. So, they really exist? That's really hard to take in.
If legends turned out to be real, then they will seize to be a legend and will evolve into genuine reality. History.
"The world's undiscovered mysteries were also brought to light after the discovery of magic and ability that was related to the {Nightmare's} shards. We found evidence of monsters, werewolves, phantasms, and other mythical creatures. We called them the 'Mystics.' We then assigned them a rank, much like as we did with our own abilities. The difference was just, we assigned them with the level of danger they possess: F for Fierce, E for Threat, D for Peril, C for Menace, B for Danger, A for Imminence, and S for Catastrophe. "
We are quite taking a leap in this conversation. A huge one at that. But this is certainly news for me. The topic's got my full attention.
Then I fixed my gaze to the photo. "So? What was the connection of all these to that vampire girl?"
Jin turned around to face me, "During the war, we owed their race rather a big deal. A really huge one. But then, less than two years ago… something appalling happened."
"Appalling?"
Jin's face dropped and his voice was tinted with both sadness and anger as he said, "The entire vampire clan was annihilated."
"What?"
Now this is what a leap literally means.
"Of course, when we heard about the assault, we rushed to their sanctuary to help. But when we reached their place, it was already too late. It was a disastrous sight. Everything there was destroyed and yet no corpses can be found."
"Nothing at all?"
"Yes. Only ashes. That only mean that it was a total massacre. When we thought that no one had survived that annihilation, a S-ranked Mystic appeared out of nowhere. That was her, Maria Vlad Valentine, the vampire princess."
This story is getting more and more complicated as we go on. But there was something I'm troubled with.
"No, wait. Wait a sec. In the stories that I've read—vampires are supposed to be immortal and they are great at blood arts, are they not? They should be strong enough to hold their ground. To be annihilated is just..."
"That's what we thought, as well. But don't you think that if their strength were written in a book, their weekness wouldn't be?"
"...!" My eyes widened.
I see. I finally understand. The enemies must have used the weaknesses of the vampires as it was recorded. What a mess.
"And the princess?
"Yes.Two months ago, her existence was confirmed."
"Wait, you're going to assign me as her monitor?! To a walking disaster?! You know very well that I am an F-ranked cadet, right? Aren't you contradicting yourself too much here?!"
He stared at me. Not as an uncle but as a military personnel who holds important role.
"Gleren, to know whether to protect or to kill the vampire princess will be the main task here. That is why I want you specifically for this."
I waved my hand—I don't want this!
"No! No can do! This is too much of a hurdle as well as very much pain in the ass. How about assigning some other S-ranked members rather than assigning me? How about you assign that haughty girl Alexandra, or that muscle head Vince? They're both S-ranked. They will do better than me!"
By taking this mission, it means that I'll be the one to decide whether she lives or dies? No, thank you! Hard pass!
"Nope. And the way you speak right now signifies how much you want to avoid this assignment. Also, F assigned to S was rather a perfect match, right? Mister Gleren?"
You're out of your damned mind!
"Perfect my, butt! Damn you, old man! I won't accept this! You hear?! I won't!"
"Heh. Hate me more, brat! Kuhahaha. How about you marry our Reina, instead? I'll consider retracting the order if you do so."
"Die, you nasty old man! You're abusing your power too much! Miss Kyouka, report this old man to the Head chief, please!"
Angry, I yelled in retort. But when I turned to Miss Kyouka, she was clutching a picture frame. Then, sheepishly, she gently revealed what was within the picture.
"What the?!" If I was surprised earlier, now I'm literally shocked.
The one in the picture was me! Wet hair after apparently pouring water over my head during P.E. class.
Why on earth does she have something like this?! I wanna know who's the idiot that took this photo. I want to give that person one quick lesson!
"Can… I have your autograph… Sir Gleren?"
Face flushed as she was shyly blushing. She stretch her hand thats holding the frame towards me. Her eyes filled with anticipation.
"..."
Guh! She's so cute! How can I confiscate this picture if miss Kyouka, a usually serious mature woman, would show me something like this kind of expression?
When I turned my eyes to Jin, he was grinning happily behind his table.
"Keh. How weak willed of you, mister playboy."
This old man!
"C-can I…?"
"Uh... Yes." I conceded.
I'm a simp for a cute older woman, it seems.
***
Back at the Training Hall—
With all said and done, that is how I'd got this complicated monitor mission. I don't know what this will become but hopefully, nothing awful.
No seriously… please nothing awful!
And one more thing. A huge pressing problem...
"Why the heck is that lass, Maria, not here yet!? She should have transferred to this school two days ago! Ahh! Such a pain in the ass!"
I complained uselessly to myself.