Chapter 8: A little break

The girls that were left inside the room were talking over their trainings and of course their own mentors as well became a hot topic of the group. Laughing and giggling filled the room but then a sudden knock on the door disrupts their enjoyment.

"Excuse me. Visiting hours are already over. Please leave the room immediately." A nurse opened the door and said to the group.

"We're going to leave now, Philomina." Vian said and stood up from her seat followed by the others.

"Get well soon Philomina." Reine and Greta said at the same time and went out of the room to be followed by Vian.

"Remember Philomina, no sneaking out to train!" Yen said in the most motherly voice that you ever heard making Philomina giggle at her friend.

"Don't worry I won't." She replied back while waving her right hand slowly, saying goodbye to her friends.

"Oh before I forget Philomina. Good luck with sir Paimon!" Yen exclaimed and leaving immediately before Philomina could make a response.

'Good luck? What for? Why do I need a good luck to my mentor?' She thought to herself, going back through all of the conversations that they had just a while ago, she has a hunch that her friends are hinting something about her mentor but she couldn't comprehend it.

"You should rest right now, miss Philomina." The nurse said to her as she closed the curtains of her room and left the room. Philomina was left alone inside with the calm silence enveloping her, she looked around her room; a while ago it was filled with noise and laughter but now it calm and quiet. She laid down on her bed and stare at the ceiling, still scared to close her eyes because she might those visions again. She sighed and then slowly closing her eyes and let the calm and silent room envelop her into dreamland.

After a few minutes, a silhouette is outside Philomina's room, sitting by her windowpane, looking over her in her sleep. The silhouette was about to turn around but then a grunt was heard inside the room and the silhouette saw Philomina's face, her face is starting to look pale and she is sweating like bullets from her forehead going down to her neck and her breathing is ragged, like she is struggling to breathe, trying to find air. The silhouette turned back and quietly entered the room, with a snap of his fingers, the room was filled with warm and calm air. Sensing this warm sensation, Philomina calmed down and her breathing went back to normal, sweat has lessen, complexion went back to normal. The silhouette sighed and then when he looked at Philomina's face; a small yet warm smile appeared on her face.

'That smile.' The silhouette thought and then he quickly grab his sketch pad and opened to a specific page and drew fast. And there, at last, the previous sketch of a girl without a face, is filled with a warm smile. Looking at the sketch would make you feel its warm, radiance and calmness. The silhouette kept his sketch pad and looked at Philomina's face once more and then went out of the window, without forgetting to close it.

THE NEXT DAY

"I wonder how is Philomina right now." Vian said to herself and then suddenly an arm went around Vian's shoulder and beside her is Yen. Yen is the tallest girl within the class, she is around 5'2 in height while Vian is 4'10, Reine and Philomina both have the same height which is 4'11 and Greta is 5'0 in height; being tall sure has its perks like putting an arm around your with ease or patting their heads. Yen and Vian are walking towards their classroom and then Yen said,

"You're still worried about Philomina, don't you?" Vian just stared at Yen and then she just sighed at looked straight ahead.

"Of course I am. But I know that it will come to us, I mean we are training, so this is what we signed up for." She replied back to Yen.

"How about we visit here again later after class?" Yen suggested, trying to ease Vian's nerves about their friend Philomina.

"That would be nice. Thanks Yen."

"No prob! Well, I was actually planning to go there after class anyways, hehe." She chuckled a little and Vian sighed and then smiled towards Yen.

"Let's go ask Greta and Reine if they want to join." Vian said and then both girls nodded at each other and continue their way to their classroom for their first morning session."

IN THE CLASSROOM

"I'm sorry I can't go with you guys later." Reine apologized to Yen and Vian. Guessing that she is busy with her training with Lugh that she couldn't go visit Philomina.

"Same here actually. I'm sorry. Send my regards to her." Greta join in the conversation and then Yen and Vian nodded their heads,

"Its alright, it seems that you guys are busy with training."

"We both understand that. We'll send your regards to her later after class."

"Thanks." Greta and Reine in chorus and at the same time the bell of the school chimed, signaling the first subject will start right now.

AFTER CLASS

"Let's go Vian!" Yen excitedly said to Vian while going out of the classroom and Vian just followed her from behind.

"Take care you guys!" Reine exclaimed while waving goodbye to the two of them. Yen is walking fast while Vian is just following behind her, trying to catch and match with her pace.

'And there they go.' Reine thought as she is looking at two of her classmates running of to the hospital.

"Don't worry about Philomina. I know that she can pull it through." Greta reassured suddenly appearing beside Reine,

"I know she will." She replied back and the two girls went to their separate ways to continue with their training.

AT THE HOSPITAL

"Thank you very much." Philomina said to the nurse as she is about to exit her room.

"Just doing my job Miss Philomina. Please have some more rest." The nurse replied with a smile and then slowly close the door. Philomina is now left alone in her room after the nurse did a daily check - up. It has been 2 days since she lost consciousness during her training. And since that day she hasn't seen her mentor, sir Paimon, ever since.

'Maybe he's busy. After all, he is also the leader of an idol group. And I know for a fact that being in the entertainment industry is demanding and stressful.' She thought to herself and tried to relax her thoughts. And since that day, Khione's past still haunts her inner thoughts. She sighed once more just thinking about Khione's name. And her thoughts were cut-off when a knock on the door was heard.

"Come in." Philomina said loudly and then Yen opened the door and Vian is behind her.

"Hii! Philomina, how are you?" Yen said cheerfully and then Vian just sighed and said,

"Yen, we're in a hospital. Lower your voice."

"Oh right. Sorry, sorry." Yen chuckled lightly while scratching her nape. The two girls entered the room and closed the door behind them. Philomina smiled at her two classmate. Yen and Vian went near Philomina's bed.

"How are you feeling Philomina?" Vian asked couldn't help herself. She's been thinking about her friend for quite sometime now ever since she got confined in the hospital.

"I'm doing fine Vian. Thank you guys for visiting me even though you have your own trainings."

"No worries Philomina. I actually wanted to visit you as well that's why I tagged along with Vian." Yen cheerfully replied.

"I actually want to start training again. I was so close that time." Philomina downheartedly said while clenching both of her hands into a fist.

"I know its frustrating to stay here and do nothing. But you have to follow the doctor's advice." Vian stated.

"I know that." Philomina replied with a deep sigh after. Being stuck in the hospital room for 2 days sure is frustrating, and everyone is doing their best on their training. And Philomina is just stuck there, resting her ass off and nothing to do to improve her skills.

"I know that you can't move too much. But I brought you something." Vian said and then she grabbed her bag and reached inside it to reveal a thick brown book.

"What's that?" Philomina looked at the book with a confused look.

"I know that you are having problems with handling different elements and I thought that this book might come in handy." Vian said and placed the book on Philomina's lap.

"Ohhh so that's why we went to the library before coming here." Yen responded like having a eureka moment. Philomina opened the book and started to skim through the pages and her eyes to glim in joy.

"This book... Its so very detailed! And the things that I want to know about the different elements are here as well. Thank you so much Vian!" She exclaimed happily at her friend. And Vian just smiled back towards Philomina.

"You finally smiled again." Vian said and Yen nodded, Philomina looked at them confusingly.

"What do you mean?"

"You know Philomina. Ever since you came here, we haven't seen you smiled or at least heard from the nurse that you did." Vian stated a fact making Philomina chuckled lightly.

"Well, I am frustrated that I am stuck here doing nothing but with this book I think I can make up with those missed trainings." Philomina responded back gleefully.

"I knew it that you two are here." A deep male voice came from the door, opening it revealing three familiar men behind the doors.

"Sir Zagan/Amon!" Both girls exclaimed seeing both of their mentors at the door. And behind them is Paimon, who still looks quiet.

"We have to go now and start with your training. Follow me." Amon stated shortly and walking away from the door signaling Vian that she should follow her mentor. Yen and Philomina nodded to their friend saying that she should go. Vian waved shortly and went out of the room.

"We should go as well. There is someone here needed to talk to your friend." Zagan said coldly while looking at his bestfriend behind him.

"Alright. Good luck studying Philomina." Yen said and Philomina just waved good bye to her. Yen went out of the room and started to walk away from Philomina's room but Zagan is still there with Paimon, he placed a hand on his should and whispered,

"Remember what I told before. You can't prevent her from this." After whispering those words, he followed Yen. Leaving the mentor and student with an eerie silence between them.

"I think you should go inside, sir Paimon." Philomina said and broke the silence between them. Paimon nodded quietly and entered the room, closed the door as well. He went towards a chair right beside Philomina's bed.

"How are you doing?" He asked seriously while staring at her intently.

"I'm good. My body feels better now than the previous days." She said happily and with her warm smile.

"I see..." He replied shortly and then another silence enveloped the room.

"Philomina I think-"

"I'll continue my training. This is what I signed up for. I'm not gonna stop from here."

"How did you?"

"I already have a feeling that you're gonna make me stop training because of what happened." And then another pause of a moment between the mentor and student.

"Its going to get tougher than our typical training."

"I know and aware of it."

"And you're still willing to continue?" Paimon asked seriously and continued to stare intently at his student. Trying his best to convince her to stop.

"Yes." Philomina replied back and looked at Paimon seriously and her eyes glint with determination to continue the training. Paimon gave up and sighed.

'She is still stubborn. I give up.' He thought to himself and unconsciously he stood up from his seat and hugged Philomina tightly. Like he didn't want her to let go or like there's no tomorrow. Philomina, on the other hand, shocked from Paimon's action and didn't know what to do from the situation.

"Ummm..."

"Can we stay like this for a minute?" He said while keeping a tight grip on Philomina. And she couldn't go against her mentor, for she has felt many things from his hug. Frightened, anxiety, scared, worry, concern and disturbed. All of those emotions she can feel it from his hug. With it, she hugged back trying to comfort and reassure her mentor. After a few minutes in each others arms, Paimon decided to pull away from his student.

"I'll do my best to guide and protect you from now on." He promised his student and in return Philomina nodded and smiled at him.

"So, for now you should take a break until the doctor finally lets you go out of the hospital. Vian gave you a book a while ago, right?" Philomina opened the book and Paimon glanced at the book as well and it appears that he was familiar with the book.

"You can read this. I've seen this book before and its very useful especially for your training." Paimon stated and then he started to walk towards the door,

"I should get going. I still have a few more work to do."

"For the Seven Deadly Sins?"

"Yeah."

"I want to see your work." Philomina said making Paimon taken aback from her declamation.

"I can show if you pass the exam." He grinned at Philomina making her gasp, she didn't expect her mentor to agree.

"Its a deal!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"Then, see you on our training Philomina." Philomina nodded and waved goodbye to her mentor. Philomina was left alone in her and then she fell back to her bed, placed both of her hands on her cheeks; its so warm, that she can visualize her face so red. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down.

'What is this feeling?' She thought to herself as she doze herself off to sleep.

Paimon went out of her and closed the behind her and started to walk away from it. When he reached the outside of the hospital, he collapse on the ground, squatting down and released a deep sigh and had his head downward.

"I can't believe that I did that." He can feel his own warm crawling to his cheeks and looked at the sky.

'I can't deny it anymore.' He thought to himself and stood up from his position and started to walk away from the hospital.