131 Wounds (2)
I pushed Hiro aside and brought Noel into my embrace.
Blood accumulated in his mouth and a large patch of blood appeared on his clothes. I healed them all, but there was nothing I could do about the loss of blood.. Fortunately the amount lost wasn't life threatening. For the blood that remained in his throat, I forced it all out using complex water magic, ensuring his windpipes remained opened and unblocked.
A pool of blood could be seen on the ground. His eyes remained unfocused.
"Why did you hurt him.."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know it would have this effect?!" Hiro spoke in a flustered,.
But that question wasn't directed at you-- it was for her. You didn't think you could hide from me could you?
She's fortunate she has time to run and hide as my current priority is Noel. I expect a good round of 'hide-and-seek'.
"Excuse me, student. Please calm down and move aside, let me check on his condition," A person dressed in a white uniform called out. Though he looked nothing like the doctors with coats, I could tell he was one of the healers.
I parted from Noel. The bloody splatter on his clothes dirtied mine. I was afraid to admit the fact that the scent of his blood was dizzyingly pleasant.
The healer examined Noel and then turned to me with a stunned expression.
"You can.. heal people?"
It was inevitable my abilities were to be found out. I intended to keep it hidden. There wasn't any merit to revealing my magic to begin with.
I never thought too much about this week's special quest-- now however, I regret not deciding to forfeit it earlier, not heeding the severity of the challenge it brought. Things wouldn't have ended like this. The trajectory of my life with Noel will change from hereon.
Maintained my silence, which could mean both yes and that I didn't hear his question.
"His condition is stable. Stretcher team!"
Noel was then brought to a stretcher and then carried to the infirmary building located in the school courtyard.
Laying silently on the clean white bed-- curtains surrounding us. His condition was stable, injuries weren't life threatening.
"If anything, you can press the bell button but-- he should wake up in time. Please don't worry, miss."
I nodded to the doctor's words.
"How exactly did this happen?" Tsu-sama, who for unknown reasons accompanied Noel here, asked.
"Lyndia," I gave the name of my prey.
"Lyn-dia?"
Ignoring her, I remained silent.
"I'll get to the bottom of this matter. I'll take my leave first. Send Noel my regards when he wakes up."
She left, and becking the healer, the two of us were given some space alone.
Noel in bed, me sitting in a chair. A ticking clock on the wall-- 30 minutes had passed since the incident. An uncertain atmosphere hung in the air.
Something was wrong-- really wrong.
The wounds we're the most worrisome part of his condition-- I felt as if there was something deeper to the damage he was inflicted with.
"What happened?!"
The curtain was split apart, revealing the figures of Prune and Nine.
"What the hell? Why's he unconscious.. and that blood.." Nine's face contorted.
"Look after him for a moment-- I have something I need to do," I stood up.
"What do you mean? Where are you going? Liliath? Liliath?!"
"What's going on?"
Though their words pricked my heart like thorns, I left the infirmary promptly. Nine could have grasped my wrist if my evocation was a beat later.
I teleported into the passage of the school. Now-- her presence shouldn't be too far-- a few classes ahead.
The halls were empty as everyone continued to busy themselves in their respective departments. It was unknown how Nine and Prune caught wind of the news-- that however didn't matter at the moment. They should take care of Noel when he awakens.
So my prey ended up inside the counseling room? How queer.
Knocking twice, I opened the door without first waiting for permission.
Lyndia~
You didn't think you could escape me could you? A smile surfaced on my face-- almost instinctively, I understood that my horns had manifested atop my head.
She froze on the couch, opposite her, First Lieutenant Sander, Tsu-sama and teacher Glib.
"Liliath, calm down," teacher Glib's voice was stern-- that didn't deter me however.
"I understand. I came here to observe the situation after all," I said, smiling. "Lyndia sweety~ Why did you do that?"
Lyndia-- that beautiful fear-ridden expression of hers. I felt a pleasant shiver run down my spine.
"What did he ever do to you? You understand the consequences don't you? Was it fun to hurt him? Was that feeling nice? Seeing the blood leak from his body-- his expression of anguish and pain~" Noel did nothing wrong. HE DID NOTHING WRONG!!
"Lieutenant, prepare to hold her down if she does anything," I heard teacher Glib's inaudible whisper. It would've been too soft to notice if not for my enhanced hearing.
Lyndia started shedding tears, those sweet tears. I almost wanted to lick them. I held back only because there were uninvited guests here-- how unfortunate.
"I-I'm sorry.. I-I.." She stuttered with her words. How cute.
I took a step into the room-- first lieutenant's figure blurred. I took a quick step to the side and positioned myself. Seeing as he had failed to hold me down on his first attempt, he retreated to guard Lyndia. Ah, he somehow had his previously blood ridden hand healed, that was fortunate.
My prey didn't need your protection though?
"Why go so far to protect her? I don't see any reason to do so? Or did you think I would kill her? Oh my, you have it all wrong-- I wouldn't go so far."
"That's not it Liliath.. you have to calm down. Noel wouldn't want you to do something like this," Teacher Glib tried to persuade me.
"Of course I know. But he isn't here. I could break a few bones no problem. Before he realizes, all I need to do is heal it up wouldn't I?"
"No. That isn't the right thing to do, Liliath," Tsu-sama said with a difficult expression.
"Young lady, do you really have that ability?" the lieutenant asked.
"Opps.. that was a slip of my tongue. Though, perhaps I do," how careless of me. I said something I shouldn't have. It would lead to big trouble if the news were to spread too wide. "Please keep it a secret alright~"
"I'm sorry Liliath.. sorry. I won't do that ever again.. it's my fault.. I didn't think properly.. I.."
"I know. It's nothing to do with that. How should I put this-- it's for my personal satisfaction."
I saw the delightful response of fear from the four of them.
I think this should be enough of an appetizer. I should start the main course.
"First Lieutenant Sander-- could you move aside? I wouldn't want you involved in this."
"No can do young lady. If you hurt her, you're no different from a criminal. For Noel's sake, think about your own situation," he tried persuading-- and it proved effective. This is a point I can't overlook.
Perhaps this was the reason why Noel told me not to kill. It was to protect me. I think I understand it now.
"Ah, you're right. There's that too. I suppose I should do it when none could suspect me."
"You can be traced, you know?"
"All I need to do is cover up the evidence right?"
"Liliath. I told you not to kill."
My eyes jolted wide open and I turned around.
N-Noel? He woke up already?
"Just ignore her already. She's not worth your attention," an odd statement came out of his mouth.
"B-But she tried to kill you."
"I'm sorry!" my prey, Lyndia yelled.
"Yeah.. but to begin with, you should known that in the first place, my TALENT is the reason why I get entangled with all sorts of these stupid situations in the first place. If you want to take it out on someone, take it up on me… I'm sorry Liliath.. I'm sorry."
"No.. It's not your fault.."
It couldn't be.. Lyndia was the one that hurt him..
"It is. But I'm at least alive.. Liliath?"
I jumped towards his open arms
He caressed my hair. His heat felt the same, his scent was the saem, the way he carried me was the same so-- what was different?
"Good girl. Um, Teacher Glib, Miss Tsu and Lieutenant Sanders-- I'll leave this case up to you.."
"Huh? Uh. O-okay. And about your clothes.. I'll give you permission to return and change them. Liliath can teleport you to and from the apartment you're staying in, right?"
"Yeah-- good thinking. Uh, is that alright with you Liliath?"
I nodded. Head still buried in his chest.
"Then expect us to be a little late for class later-- By the way. This is just my personal point of view but, Kai might be related."
I started teleportation evocation.
"And Lyndia, don't be too hard on yourself."
Light burst forth, our surroundings warped— then we appeared inside my room.
"Sorry for worrying you Liliath," Noel said and embraced me tighter.
I stood there dumbfounded. In shock of Noel's last statement before the teleportation activated. What did he mean? He did nothing wrong.. he did nothing wrong..
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'There's no purpose in life.'
'What is life?'
'Is there a point in living?'
'Is there a point in dying?'
I opened my eyes.
"Ah, you're awake," Nine said, a
"Are you alright Noel? What happened?"
"Where is this-- the hospital or something?"
"One of the wards in the infirmary."
A doctor came through the curtain, your typical white-coat kind with a stethoscope hanging on his neck kind of doctor. Nine and Prune took a few steps back and gave him some space to work with.
"Noel. How do you feel? Do you feel pain anywhere?"
"I'm alright. I don't really feel any particular pain anywhere."
The doctor than checked my other physiological responses and stuff, checking to see if my body was working properly and.. holy fuck. My P.E. clothes are so bloody.. what the hell happened anyways?
"Noel's friend, Prune? Can you help him get a change of clothes? If there isn't any you can take the ones right there on the shelf."
"No, it's alright. I got it here. Noel."
I didn't know when Prune went to class but she passed me my uniform to change into. Looking at her caring, worried expression, a pang of guilt ran through me.
That's right. I still haven't confronted her about how she feels about me. I'm a dimwit, afraid of telling her my decision. But is it really a good idea? Would she get over me just like that? Maybe bringing up the topic of love would make her feel even worse? I don't know..
Wait..
"Where's Liliath?"
