The Cure

'Huh…'

Soul kept staring at Ji-Hye with boring eyes. He knew that he had to choose his words carefully; if he played his cards badly, they'd brand him as a spy working for the Demon Queen – though, that accusation wouldn't be far from the truth.

First, he needed to know what kind of leverage they had against him.

Of all the students, he was the one Professor Yuu asked for. It wasn't a coincidence, he was sure. He needed to think of something fast – a lie that should hold its plausibility before he could think of a better one, at least.

"The Demon Queen? You mean that woman – what was her name… Milian?"

"Lilith." She corrected him. "Yes. That Demon Queen."

"But…"

"Hey. Talk to Professor Yuu, not me. He's waiting for you in the library."

"At least let me clean myself…"

"No time, shithead. Come on."

On the way to the library, he pondered countless ways his conversation with Professor Yuu might unfold.

Ji-Hye was walking behind Soul. He couldn't see her, only heard her footsteps echoing in the empty and big corridors. Her sheathed weapon kept clunking to her leather belt's metal part.

'If Yuu's intent was to accuse me of helping Lilith, he wouldn't have acted this relaxed. They'd have apprehended me in the training grounds…'

He stepped inside through the open door. There, Professor Yuu was sitting on his chair, Ayame Katto standing next to him, reading a book about chemistry and its prevention of misuse.

When Soul entered the library, Ayame closed the book's cover and put it back on the shelf and smiled at him.

That wasn't the welcome he thought he'd have.

"Soul. Great to see you." Professor Yuu said. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Professor." As usual, his words had no emotion behind them. "How are you, sir? I heard your scars are fully healed."

"Yes. I'm good now. Thank you for asking, Soul."

He shifted his gaze from Ayame to Ji-Hye, and finally settled on Professor Yuu.

"Why – was I summoned here?"

Ji-Hye shut the library door.

"As you know, Soul," Professor Yuu began to explain, "someone used teleportation magic in here. We barely escaped the high elves thanks to them."

"Yes, sir. I was teleported to a back alley, barely alive. I already told that to the authorities."

"Yes, I know…" He tapped out a short melody on the table with his fingertips before standing up. "I suspect – we weren't alone when those elves attacked."

Those weren't some normal 4/4 music melody. Each tap had different energy – different sound. Soul knew a thing or two about higher level illusion magic and how it worked. If his memory served him right, what Professor Yuu just cast was called the 'Detection' spell. It could detect anyone using an invisibility magic around five feet radius. Since the area it covered was small, it was often used in close-quarters situations where precision was key.

Soul resisted the spell, but it looked like they didn't notice. So he just opted to hide that fact.

"Someone was using an invisibility spell here – while we were busy fighting off the high elves. I couldn't sense that at that moment, I was distracted. But now that I think back… there was someone hiding in the corner of this very room. Watching us. I am sure."

'Shit. He's talking about Liana.'

"As you know, Soul, Hero-God Take's, bless his name, artefact was stolen. It had Lilith's soul in it." He sighed in distress. "I fear… the one that was hiding here was her. Lilith."

"Why would she be here?" He asked. "And how can you be so sure, sir?"

"If we were teleported, who killed the high elves? Also, the moment the teleportation magic started, I felt an incredible amount of mana in the library… it was potent and demonic."

'That was Liana, too, killing the elves…'

"Hmm. But I still find it weird, sir. Why would Lilith hide here? And why would she help us? How would she even escape that artefact? Doesn't make any sense." He moved closer to him. "Though, I have my own theory."

"Oh? Please, Soul, do tell us."

"There was an attack at the boys' dormitory – three Nethraxes. From what I heard, they were surprisingly easy to take down. Someone, from the shadows, killed them with only a single hit. I suspect that person might be the one you sensed in here, sir."

"So what you're saying is – it wasn't the Demon Queen?" Professor Yuu asked, his tone a mixture of relief and disbelief.

"Yes, sir. I think whoever stole that artefact from Hero-God's sarcophagus was just a skilled thief. Probably he has no idea what to do with it right now."

"Okay – let's say your theory is correct, Soul. Then who killed those Nethraxes and the high elves?" Professor Yuu stood up. "Teleportation magic is a max level spell, mind you. Even I have difficulties using level five spells."

"I'm sure it has to be someone from Class A. Probably a Minra-blessed student." Soul crossed his arms. "Goddess of Wisdom's power would let them use teleportation magic without too much mana. Also, praying at one of her altars gives temporary blessings to her subordinates for five minutes, making them regenerate mana indefinitely in that timeline."

He paused for a moment to ensure they grasped the explanation. What he stated was no fabrication; Minra's subordinates were renowned for their remarkable mana reserves. They could cast at least twenty more spells consecutively compared to others. She is the daughter of the Uinerva, Mother of all gods, after all.

Although Uinerva perished in the First World, where skyscrapers pierced the skies and machines like cars crowded the roads, her name still held significance to this day.

"The Nethraxes died to a single shot," Soul continued, "I'm sure that person, whoever they are, used Blast Arrow – a level one basic enchantment spell. Of course, with regenerating mana on their side, they charged the spell an absurd amount of times. Killing those Nethraxes with a single attack."

"There's an altar near the boys' dormitory and it belongs to Minra… you might be right, Soul. But why would they hide their power?" asked Professor Yuu.

"Maybe they don't like attention. Maybe they have their own reasons. Who knows? I'm glad they didn't hide like a coward and actually took action, sir."

He ran his fingers through his long, white beard, a pensive expression settling on his face. His eyes bore into Soul, silently weighing the significance of his statement.

"Gods… now I have even more questions." Professor Yuu said. "Thank you, Soul. For taking the time and talking to me. You may go back to your class. I shall… I shall think more on this."

"Of course, sir."

As he was opening the door, Ayame stopped him by saying, "Hey," with a worried voice. Soul didn't turn around to look at her, he just stood there, hand on the door handle, waiting for her to continue. His mind raced through the possible questions she might ask: Where were you when the Nethraxes attacked? Why did Nia Katav go looking for you? Where did you stay last night?

"Nia told me that she charmed you accidentally. She was so ashamed of herself." Ayame lifted her head and smiled. "Must've been a har… rough night, huh?"

"Hmm. You two knew each other?" In reality, he didn't care if they knew each other or not. But for the sake of avoiding any suspicion, he had to act normal – caring. "I didn't know."

"Yeah, we stay in the same room." Ayame explained. "She was cold to me at first but – eh, she's alright. I don't know why Nierman chose to bless her, though. She's just… so aggressive."

"Hmm."

"So, why did you guys fight anyways?"

Her gaze pierced him like a blade, probing for any sign of deceit. Soul felt as though he was under interrogation by a seasoned guard, feigning friendliness to gain his trust while subtly laying breadcrumbs to lead him into a trap.

'I can't just say, 'Oh, I resurrected the Demon Queen, that's why she got angry. My bad'.'

"If she didn't tell you, I won't, either."

"Oh… why?"

"You are her roommate. If she didn't even tell you why we fought – then I'll respect her decision."

"Ugh, fine. Okay." She shrugged. "Was worth a try."

"Hmm. Is that all?"

"Another quick question? Please?"

"I need to catch up with the class."

"Please?" Ayame pleaded, her tone softening slightly.

He sighed, "Okay. Shoot."

"I heard you could only use enchantment spells. Is that right?"

"Yeah. My mana pool is so low that I can only cast enchantments."

"Wow… that's – I'm sorry to hear that. No wonder why you weren't able to cast a water spell when you caught fire." Ayame remarked sympathetically, her voice carrying a mix of empathy and understanding.

"Hmm," Soul grunted noncommittally.

"That boy who lit you on fire – He is dead, you know that, right? Guards found his body near the boys' dormitory," Ayame added, her voice laced with a subtle undercurrent of suspicion and inquiry.

'There it is again. She's suspicious of me. Why, I wonder? Did Nia tell him that I'm a blood magic user?'

"I heard it. Such a shame."

"Yeah… it is." Her eyes narrowed. "Nethraxes killed them. That's what the authorities believe."

"What do you believe?"

"Me?" She faked a smile. "I don't know. I just find the whole thing sad, that's all."

"Hmm." He put his hand on the door handle again. "May I go now?"

"Sure, sure. Thank you for chatting with me, Soul."

"Hmm…"

He exited the library and closed his monotonous eyes. He successfully manipulated them into thinking that the attacks were orchestrated by another third party… or so he hoped.

Ji-Hye approached from behind as soon as Soul took a step. From her breathing, he sensed her fury. With no students nearby, she didn't need to maintain her facade of being a good teacher. Her facial expression was completely different; her eyes cold as a troll's heart, and her lips pressed into a thin line of displeasure. It was as if her stare could alone break Soul's bones.

She touched his shoulder to turn him around. However, in a lightning-fast motion, Soul scratched her index finger, drained her blood from the cut and then brought his face close to hers.

"I'm not your friend, Ji-Hye." He drew more blood. "I don't want to see you until the Family Match."

"You lie like it's nothing – you manipulating bastard." Ji-Hye watched her blood floating around Soul's shoulders. "Shithead. Monster. Did you steal that artefact?"

His boring face didn't change.

"Your brother brought flowers to Ruby. You should too, that's how a decent person would act." He drained more blood, causing her to fall down. "Right?"

A small portion of her blood entered Soul's body through his dull eyes. He felt better; draining blood from others always felt refreshing to him. He wasn't a vampire, as one might guess, but he sure acted like one. Animal or human, any type of blood would replenish his stamina and heal his wounds.

The rest of the blood entered Ji-Hye's body through her eyes.

Ji-Hye stood up, but she had a hard time balancing herself. Her whole world was spinning.

He quietly walked away, hands in his coat pockets.

Ji-Hye seethed with anger. "Gods take you, shithead. Don't just slurp my blood without asking."

'Where's Lore I wonder.' he pondered, not caring about Ji-Hye. 'Hope she won't forget her promise. Ruby really could use a friend.'

From the other side of the corridor, a girl in a white shirt -like Soul's- entered. She had just finished climbing the stairs, her hair was messy and her kind eyes seemed full with pure happiness. It was as if she was happy to walk, climb the stairs, breathe, sweat – bliss.

Soul couldn't move. His facial expression changed just a split second – maybe even lesser than that. But the girl from the other side of the corridor couldn't see it; as a flurry of leaves swept in through the window, obscuring his face from view.

"Hmm?"

He opened his arms to both sides.

The girl started running toward him as soon as she saw Soul. Behind her, Liana and Melissa watched her with smiles on their faces. They seemed proud.

"Ruby?" He muttered. "How?"

She jumped onto Soul with full force. She cannoned herself with such speed that they spun around in a complete circle after he managed to catch her.

She locked her legs against Soul's back and hugged him tightly. She kept repeating his name in a high-pitched voice.

"How did you just… run?" He asked. "How? What happened to the curse?"

"I have no idea!" She yelled. "I just woke up and – felt like running. So I did!"

He let go of Ruby and looked her in the eyes. He felt like she could run miles and miles without taking a break.

"Gods… I'm free, Soul! The curse is gone!"

She started crying from happiness. It was his first time seeing her making that face.

"I'm tired and it feels awesome, Soul! I've been running like… forever. I started running from KCO and –" she took a deep breath. "Man, I'm tired. You got any water?"

"Hmm." He wiped away her tears with his finger. "I don't. Sorry."

He didn't know what to say, even though he had always dreamed about this exact moment, Ruby running toward him at full speed. Free of her curse. Happy. Living a normal life. But in that life, he never saw himself. He truly believed that he wasn't worth being close to a person like Ruby.

He didn't care if she were to hate him for that. As long as she was healthy, had a roof over her head and wasn't poor, he'd be okay with being hated by her.

'She is better off without an idiot blood magic user.'

"Hey," Soul broke the silence, "you told me you could jump higher than me if it weren't for that curse. Jump."

"Oh it's on, ya dork."

She jumped with her full might.

"How's that?" she asked in a sarcastic voice.

Soul also jumped, reaching higher than Ruby.

"Yeah," he said with a dull face, "I won."

"Congrats. You jumped higher than me, a 5'2 girl."

"What in the Nierman's perky tits am I experiencing?" Ji-Hye looked at Soul. "Show some emotion, shithead."

"Shithead? No need for nickn…" As Ruby was about to get angry, she saw the bird dropping on his shirt. "Aww… Disgusting! You really are a shithead."

"Hmm…" he looked outside from the window. "I know, right?"

Lilith was there, leaning against a tree, watching Soul. He couldn't discern her expression or see her face, but he was able to recognize her by her fully black dress.

"Let's go, Ruby. We should talk somewhere private."

"Okay. Hey, do you think I can enroll in this academy as a student? I wonder which god blessed me?"

"We'll see. Let's just get out of here first."