Familiar Name

Waking up, I could feel and overwhelming amount of warmth attacking my back as after a few moments, I remembered, Luna had joined me in bed. We must of moved around in our sleep as her arms are now wrapped around me, pushing her body up against my back. It felt just like how I remembered when Kaede used to do this with me. It feels like as the days go by, the more Luna reminds me of Kaede that it scares me, like she is slowly, little by little replacing her, and I'm starting to question whether I still hate it, but after waking up like this I can't help but smile, placing my hands over Luna's as I let her sleep for a little longer, listening to her soft breaths against my neck.

Time passes, when I felt her move behind me, with her arms slowly moving away from me, but I don't let her, keeping her arms there with my hand.

Ellen: "Good morning"

Luna: "...G-good morning"

She sounded embarrassed having her arms forced back in place with my hands, as she accept the situation.

Luna: "Sorry. I didn't mean to cling onto you like this."

Ellen: "Don't be. It made me happy waking up with you around me"

She giggles before embracing me from behind more tightly.

Luna: "I'm glad. But we do need to get ready. Early day remember"

Ellen: "Ah You're right!"

Noticing the room was lit up from the sunlight, I sit up abruptly, brushing Luna's arms past me as we both get up. I was too immersed with Luna that I completely forgot what was happening today as we quickly get dressed and do our hair. I always had my hair in a ponytail as it became a habit from me not wanting to cut my hair short, but wanting to have it not get in the way. I still did it for Kaede, even now.

We decided to skip breakfast, only quickly making a simple sandwich that had jam inside before grabbing our stuff and heading to the training area. Running now felt like I was back in high school in my old world from all my days training, however I didn't want to leave Luna behind so I ran at her pace until finally, we arrived at the training area, Luna panting heavily with me not even breaking a sweat.

Kendal: "Right on time you two. They are about to arrive shortly"

Ellen: "I'm glad. We completely lost track of the time, sorry"

Kendal: "It's okay, you're not late so there is nothing to apologize for."

Looking back at Luna, she was still catching her breath as I can't help but let out a small chuckle. Maybe I should do some exercises with Luna one of these days, help her build up that stamina so she doesn't get exhausted this quickly.

Some time passes, with Luna having finally caught her breath when the headmaster, along with 5 people arrived. 2 of the people's faces I recognized immediately; Alice and Nickolas, with the other 3 completely new to me. "So Alice and Nick did in fact fight that dragon." Today was a combined class of the knight and mage classes, so hidden amongst the crowd, I saw my brother Fabian.

Headmaster Lucien: "Good morning everyone. Thank you all for coming. Kendal here will be the teacher for this combined class so everyone treat him with respect. I'll leave these guys with you Kendal."

Kendal: "Yes sir"

Lucien then walked away, leaving the 5 people in the hands of Kendal. Alice's gaze looked straight at me, giving me a soft smile. It was good to see her, even though it's only been like a week.

Kendal: "Right everyone. I'd like you all to listen to what these people would like to say regarding the fight with the dragon. Feel free to ask questions."

Stepping forward, there was a guy who had a long scar on his face.

?: "Hello students. My name is Rick Kaiser, and I was the assigned leader of the force that defeated the dragon. Here I have brought with me a few notable individuals who showed great performance in the battle.

Alice: "My name is Alice Farlight. I supported the frontline during the fight."

?: "My name is Henry Stone. A mage that was part of the team to restrain the dragon."

Nickolas: "My name is Nickolas Warridge. Part of the frontline."

?: "Roland here. I'm... also part of the frontline..."

They all introduced themselves. I'll most likely forget their names, but Roland seemed to be quite nervous introducing himself. Maybe he isn't used to speaking in front of a large crowd like this. I'm hoping I can speak with Alice after this.

George: "Was it difficult keeping a dragon restrained?"

Henry: "Yes. It was a massive beast so it took a lot of work with many mages trying to keep it down"

Classmate: "How big was it?"

Nickolas: "Think of it as tall as that building. Whenever it moved its wings, it sent us flying back with the amount of wind smashed against us"

Students continued to ask question towards the 4 of them, as I absorbed all the knowledge I could. I still couldn't believe that Alice and Nick actually fought a dragon, and to think there was no casualties is insane.

Ellen: "How did you guys have no casualties?"

Shooting my hand up, I asked a question that popped in my mind. I would imagine a beast like a dragon surely would of killed many people, so my curiosity was piqued.

Alice: "Everyone knew their part to play. So working together as a unit was a big reason for us to lose anyone."

Nickolas: "That and also we had a strong, light magic user on our side. She definitely made things easier for us, specially when I got severely injured. I could of easily been the first death"

Looking to my side, I could see Luna's face was extremely worried with tears starting to build in her eyes after hearing her brother's near death. I'd feel the same way if that were to happen to Alice, but I'm glad he is okay.

Classmate2: "Why isn't the light user here?"

Rick: "I tried, but she was strongly against coming here. Specifically to Inasdale."

Suddenly many students shot their hands up, all wanting to ask the same question.

Classmate3: "Why did she not want to come?"

Rick: "We don't know. She left before we could ask her."

Strange. Someone not wanting to come to Inasdale, and that someone capable of wielding light magic. It sounded like they were an important part of the subjugation of the dragon, so I can't help but wonder why.

More questions were asked, as they talked about the fight with the dragon until finally, classes could return to their normal routines. Luna and I however made sure to catch Alice and Nick, so after asking for permission to Kendal, he allowed us to talk with them.

Alice: "It's good to see you again, Ellen"

I went to hug Alice with Luna jumping straight into her brothers arms.

Luna: "Now... What the hell happened?! Nearly died?!"

Nickolas: "Haha, I knew you'd react to that, but I swear I'm fine. I owe my life to that light user. Right when I got attacked, she was right there, healing my wounds."

Alice: "It was scary Nick, don't play it off like that. There was so much blood, it looked like you were already dead before she came."

Luna began to tear up even more after hearing more from Alice as she smacks her fists into Nick's chest.

Luna: "Don't be reckless!"

Nickolas: "I'm sorry"

Her brother wrapped his arms around Luna, trying to calm her down as she continues her assault on his chest.

Nickolas: "It was cute though, Seeing Alice crying over me. It's been a while since I've ever seen you cry"

Alice: "I did no such thing! I don't know what you're talking about"

I'm truly thankful they were both okay. I thank who ever it was that had saved Nick's life, I wouldn't like to know how Luna would feel if she had lost him.

Luna: "What was her name?"

Nickolas: "Hmm?"

Luna: "The woman that saved your life"

Nickolas: "Ah, she's actually around the age of you guys. Her name's Kaede"

Ellen/Luna: "..."

Alice: "Yeah when I first saw her, I thought it was strange seeing a young girl like her with us fighting a dragon, but when I saw her fight, I was glad we had her with us."

Luna and I remained silent. My heart felt like it was being squeezed dry when I heard the name. "It can't be..." There is no way the Kaede I knew was here right? She should be still in my old world. It must be a coincidence. Luna had now stopped hugging her brother as she looked towards me, her face shocked just like mine along with the tears from before.

Alice: "You two look like you've seen a ghost. Do you guys know her?"

I had to tell her, but I couldn't say it in front of Nick can I? I grab hold of Alice's hand, dragging her along with me a bit away from Luna and Nick.

Ellen: "Alice. Remember my secret that I promised I'd tell you one day?"

Alice: "Yes"

She put on a serious face, probably judging from how my face looked as she awaited for what I was about to say.

Ellen: "I remember a life before this one. A previous world. The language you said I spoke when I was sleep talking was a language from back then."

Her face was becoming more and more shocked after hearing me out. I'm glad she isn't laughing, as my serious face is likely helping.

Ellen: "And just now... That name you mentioned; Kaede. She was in my old world, who I left behind when I was murdered."

Alice's face turned bleak along with shock as I continued my story.

Alice: "You, were killed?"

Ellen: "Yes"

Nickolas: "I guess we have something in common then. Both of us saying hi to death..."

To my surprise, Nick and Luna came up from behind me, seeming to have overheard everything. Well, the cat's out of the bag now.

Ellen: "Y-yes"

Luna had now come up behind me, hugging me from behind as Alice remained speechless in front of me.

Ellen: "Kaede was... she's my."

Luna: "They were lovers"

I was too scared to actually say it, but Luna took the initiative and helped me say what I wanted. "Thank you". My heart was nonstop pounding out of my chest by this point, all of my emotions were starting to boil at the thought that she was actually here. Even if it's not the same Kaede I know and love, I have to know if it's really her. I have to meet her.