I let out a deep sigh and collapsed back in my chair. Of course, she had heard our entire conversation. The woman had the sense of a beast.
"Two to three years as well. The guy selling me the world wasn't too clear about the time. I just told Thorne this, remember?"
The Blood Witch didn't speak and instead stared at me quietly. "Vale, you know why they call me the Blood Witch, right?"
Of course, I did. This wasn't just a silly nickname students had come up with on their own for her. This was the title given to her after her brutal win in the Diamond League Championship.
"Because you like to explode people's insides and then use their blood for weird rituals."
The Blood Witch slightly smiled. "My affinity with blood makes it easier for me to sense the fluctuation in one's heart rate, making it easy to check if anyone is lying to me."
She leaned back in her seat. "You didn't buy any world last night, did you?"
Listening to my lie being exposed, I only let out a defeated sigh. "Whatever, I hadn't expected for it to go so smoothly with her either. Besides, Thorne has already left anyway."
I slowly shook my head. "No"
"Why did you lie to him?"
"Because that idiot would have been worried for no reason if I hadn't."
The Blood Witch nodded in understanding. "So what did you spend all your money on?"
"Credits," I replied honestly. "I was able to get somewhere around 45,000. I figured those should somewhat increase my chance of survival."
The Blood Witch narrowed her eyes. "You used a broker?"
I nodded again. It was illegal to directly transfer credits among divers and people who had yet to dive. That's why brokers were necessary—because they could exchange the money for items that could be sold to the Association and then sell those items on your behalf, in a way indirectly transferring the credits to your account.
"So, in the end," she slowly shook her head, "you are still going with the world in your basement."
I nodded again.
She didn't speak for a while and instead sighed deeply. "When your mother left, I begged her not to leave you behind. But she wouldn't listen. She was as headstrong as you," she spoke in a somewhat scolding tone.
"Still. I know she loved you, and so did your father. That's why I know for a fact she wouldn't willingly let her son's life be in danger."
I wanted to say something, but in the end, I didn't.
She looked at me, her gaze softening a bit. "How long are you planning to stay?"
My eyes suddenly widened.
"Oh, don't make that face. Thorne is already gone. Do you think I don't know how much you want to dive in at this very moment? You were probably thinking of escaping right after our talk."
I gulped nervously. The woman had seen right through me. No way was I that predictable.
She stood up from her seat and walked towards mine. "Whatever you do, make sure you stay safe." She slowly began ruffling my hair. "And don't forget everything you've learned at the Academy. These things are taught for a reason. Seriously, if you had just copied those books yesterday like I told you—"
Seeing that she had begun going on another one of her rants, I too quickly stood up, "Don't worry about me. I might not be as strong as the Great Blood Witch, but even I—"
All of a sudden, she pulled me into a hug. "Don't call me that. Not right now."
"I, uh..." Once again, I didn't know what to say. So, instead, I did what felt natural. I raised my arms and hugged her back. "I'll miss you, Aunt Mira."
---
After I left Aunt Mira's office, I decided to go back to the classroom. I didn't plan on taking any lectures; I just intended to take all of my stuff out of my locker before leaving. It was break time anyway, so that worked out fine for me.
Reaching the empty classroom, I directly moved to the back of the room where the lockers were located and began retrieving my stuff, shoving it inside a leather bag.
"So, how did it go?" A voice behind me caused me to jump.
Turning around, I saw it was Vega standing there with a shit-eating grin on her face. "Packing all your stuff in such a hurry. Is she chasing you? Or has she finally decided to kick you out? Oh, by the way, did you figure out where Thorne is?"
"Shhh!" I hurriedly placed my palm over her lips. "Don't speak about Thorne. Also, if anyone asks about me, do not tell them anything."
"What? Why?" she asked, bewildered.
"Look," I spoke with a grave tone, a trace of panic on my face. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this, but the truth is a week ago, Thorne and I accidentally crashed into Atticus Nixel's car."
"Nixel? You mean...?"
"Yes, that Nixel, the biggest mob boss in Epsilon City. Luckily, he wasn't in the car, but his son, Ron Nixel, was driving."
"Wait, you mean—?"
"We accidentally killed Ron Nixel," I whispered, my voice quivering in fear.
"You...You're messing with me right now, aren't you?" Vega pretended to be enraged, but her trembling lips gave her away.
"I wish I was." Tears began sprouting out of my eyes. "I swear it was a mistake. We were just a little drunk. It was super dark. We didn't know. We had to make it look like a gang hit, so we stole a briefcase full of silver dust from inside the car and escaped." I began shoving things inside my backpack more frantically.
"Is that why Thorne... Vale, where is Thorne?"
"They already got him," I collapsed on the floor, weeping. "They got him last night. That's why he didn't come today. He's never going to come back, ever."
"N-No way, why didn't you go to the police or your families, you idiot?"
"Surrendering would have... We didn't think it through, all right? Listen, the Blood Witch called me in today to tell me about Thorne and ask if I knew something about it. You are the only person I've told this to. Please do not mention this to anyone, or they might come after you for the briefcase location."
"I'm going to leave now. If I don't come to the Academy tomorrow, then assume that they have gotten me as well." I tightly grabbed her face, sandwiching her cheeks between both my hands.
"Whatever you do, do not ask anyone about me or Thorne. I repeat, DO NOT ASK ANYONE. Not even the Blood Witch. Do not mention us at all. Remember, this is for your own safety, all right?"
Vega hesitatingly nodded, but I could see tears moistening up the corners of her eyes.
"I know we never had a good relationship. Still, I want you to stay safe." Saying so, I turned around, zipped my backpack shut, and rushed out of the classroom door, leaving behind a shaking Vega.