Bright Red

I, Silva, sighed at my current predicament as Vernal stood from across me to... tutor me. After a third month of trying to teach the bandit kids, she gave up and decided to focus on me because I at least tried to pay attention when she taught her classes when I decided to attend a few times out of curiosity. She mistook this as a desire to learn more, and Raven ordered me to humor Vernal to make her feel connected to the tribe. Sheesh, Raven calls me her little brother in private, then treats me like her direct subordinate most of the time, but now she acts like my mother in this instance.

I looked at Vernal and asked her a long-overdue question that had been on my mind.

" Vernal, why are you so intent on teaching? And why we're you Kuchinashi in the first place?"

I may have known her for three months already, but I have not really tried to get to know her. Vernal paused for a few moments, then had a look of melancholy on her face and told me.

" It's a long story Silva."

" I got nowhere else to be."

I am hoping to do this to get out of her lessons, and learning more about her is a minor plus. Vernal sighed, then took a seat on a cushion and told me in a tone of melancholy.

" Well, to start, I was attending school with little to no interest in being a Huntress and often tutored my friends in the subjects they were weak in. But one day, I suddenly found myself with this power with no explanation, and I was excited at first and showed it off."

Vernal then frowned as she continued with slight anger in her voice.

" Then Headmaster Lionheart shows up and explains my situation in private and convinces my parents to let me attend Haven Academy without my input. My parents and friends were "happy" for me to become a Huntress when I wanted to be a teacher instead..."

Vernal sighed and looked up at the tent roof as she continued her story.

" When I was told about the Maidens, magic, and "her," which made me wish I didn't have these powers. Because I revered held a weapon before in my life, the training I was put through was grueling. But I did gain something I am grateful for from my time in Haven."

Vernal smiled as she told me her eyes glowed a sunny yellow from her usual blue eyes.

" My Semblance, Soul Archive. It lets me manage my memories and knowledge in my mind that I did not think was possible. I remembered things I did not even realize I forgot; I could perfectly recall all information that I only heard in the background and then some."

" Sounds useful."

I was being sincere in my opinion with her Semblance as it could help her become one of the smartest people on the planet or, at the very least, the most knowledgeable. Vernal thanked me before she continued.

" Thank you, Silva. But my teachers at Haven thought otherwise as it had limited combat capability. After staying at Haven for over a year, I became more and more isolated as I could no longer talk with my friends and family. I managed to find out why. They were all dead by "her" hand. Lionheart kept this hidden from me and let them die so I could not be lured out with a hostage situation, so I ran away."

The look of sorrow on Vernal's face as tears came out of her eyes. I wiped her eyes with my paw as she sniveled, and I told her with a bit of sympathy.

" You don't have to continue Vernal if it's too painful."

" Thanks, but I want to talk to at least someone."

Vernal wiped her tears away and put a resolute expression on, then continued.

" After I ran away, I remembered some of the rumors and stories I heard about Kuchinashi. I decided to go there to hide, but I soon realized what sort of town it was the hard way. I nearly got raped on several occasions and killed in others in the few years I stayed there. Then you saw my situation when I met you and Raven. And when she made her offer, I decided to take a chance because I was sick and tired of Kuchinashi."

Vernal then smiled as she then said.

" And here I am."

I nodded then tried to call it a night.

" It's getting late, Vernal. Why don't we head to bed?"

As I got up, Vernal grabbed my paw to stop me and said with a knowing smile.

" Nice try, Silva. But my time at Kuchinashi taught me a few things about misdirection and distractions. So let's start with the history of various former feudal states of Mistral before being unified."

Well, crud, I guess I won't be able to pull a fast one on her anytime soon.

***

Vernal jammed math, history, Grimmology, science on plants and animals, and geography of Anima into a few hours until she finally let me go as I groaned from Vernal's lesson and sprawled on the floor of my tent feeling mentally tired. She then comments on my state.

" Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad, Silva."

" Screw you, Vernal."

I may have a better understanding of Vernal's character now, but she is like that annoying older sister I never wanted, you know. Vernal flicked my forehead in my reply to her statement, and I glared at her in return. I got up and told her.

" I am going to sleep, so good night Vernal."

As I went to strip down in front of my bed, I felt Vernal hug me from behind and say.

" Thank you, Silva, for listening to me and putting up with my tutoring sessions."

" Fine, whatever."

I shrugged as I replied to her gratitude nonchalantly. As Vernal continued to hug me, I asked her.

" Um, Vernal, mind letting me go? I want to go to sleep."

Vernal kept quiet for a few moments then asked me.

" Mind if I stay here for the night?"

" I only have one bed, so we would have to share. Are you fine with that?"

Vernal just hugged me tighter as she replied.

" No problem, no problem at all, Silva."

I moved her arms away from me and got down to my boxers, then crawled into my bed. I then saw Vernal strip down to her underwear as well. Shame my body is not old enough to appreciate the view fully, but I kept quiet as I watched her strip down and took in her graceful and lithe figure. Her womanly curves made me wish I was older, but it's still a long way away before puberty hits me... SH*T, F*CK, H*LL, I HAVE TO GO THROUGH PUBERTY AGAIN! JUST BLOODY FREAKING PERFECT! RAGING HORMONES, CRACKING VOICE, UNCONTROLLABLE BONERS.

Realizing this makes me feel depressed to go through the agony of puberty again. Though maybe it will be better in another world? Who am I kidding? I might be worse, thanks to Aura and Semblances and whatever else. Vernal her in bed with me and wrapped her arms around me like a body pillow, then wished me good night.

" Sweet dreams, Silva."

I grunted in reply, still feeling despondent at my future. I guess a second life is not all it cracked up to be. Well, it's only for a few short agonizing years that I have dealt with my second puberty in my not-so-distant future as I am ten going on to eleven years old. I close my eyes as I try to sleep and put my puberty in the back of my mind. I felt Vernal's soft bosom against me as her breathing became calmer and slower, and I soon joined her in dreamland.