Trial of Anemia

-----Yui's POV

We finished lunch as I made my way back to training area 2. Kaede was still worried about me, but I'll do my best to win my match, I don't want her to blame herself... We're in this together. I recall the moments when we were in the stall together, thinking back on what we said.

(Yui: "Hey... You think if we keep doing this, I'll turn into a vampire like you?")

(Kaede: "I hope not. I wouldn't want you to feel this pain every day.")

From my understanding of vampires in our old world, don't humans turn into a vampire when they get bit? I'm not too sure on how it works, I might ask Kaede once I- A stinging pain cuts me off as I feel my vision wavering, becoming blurred for a moment as dizziness attacks my head, barely managing to make it to the bench at the training area. "She really did drain me for a while back there... I hope I can manage."

Otho: "Everyone's here? Okay shall we just kick things off with our next match shall we?"

My attention shifts over to Otho, my vision had now faded back, but the dizziness was still present in my head.

Otho: "Can I have Ellen von Leinhart and-"

Oh crap... not now, can I just wait a bit longer? I feel like if I stand right now, I'll just collapse straight into the ground. However my opponent looked to be ready as they headed out to the center of the area, waiting for me.

Otho: "Ellen? Is Ellen here?"

Yui: "Yes- I'm here, sorry."

I do my best to stand up, where I feel as if the gravity was pulling down on my body twice as hard. After a few moments of just standing, I slowly walk forward using my rapier as a make-shift walking stick.

Otho: "...You feeling alright there Ellen?"

Yui: "I- I'm fine."

Otho: "You can concede whenever you like, don't push your-"

Yui: "I said I'm fine. I can fight."

I bring the tip of my rapier off of the ground, trying to regain my composure as I face my opponent. That was when I noticed her worried expression as she looked my way. All I can give her is a smile as I continue to focus on steadying my body.

Otho: "Well then, please make your way to the opposite sides so we may begin."

More walking? It can't be helped I suppose. I take my time to walk to the opposite side of my opponent, my back resting up against one of the columns as I wait for Otho to start our match. My body has regained some of its strength as I didn't need to use my rapier to walk, but I still felt as if my body was on the brink of collapsing, my breathing becoming heavier as I wait.

Otho: "...Start!"

I could faintly hear Otho yell that last word along with the sudden bang from his magic. In an instant, I give it all I can to use the last remaining energy I had to rush my opponent. She casted some kind of water magic at me, but my vision became a blur. Not knowing where to dodge, the only thing I had up my sleeve was 'my' magic. In the next instant, I concentrate just enough to take control of whatever spell that was and launch it to the side while continuing my rush towards her.

It was then, when I had gotten closer, I could see her figure a lot clearly. I ready my blade before I finally get within my rapier's reach before thrusting it at my opponent, the tip at her throat. I wait patiently for Otho to give the call that I had won, but to my surprise there was nothing. Looking closely, I was actually nowhere near her as it looked like I still had 10 feet to go before I could reach her. She took this opportunity to cast another spell, sending a water blade in my direction.

At this distance, even with my vision clearing up now, there was no way I could dodge it as I immediately do the same thing as before, swiping my hand to the side, bringing her water strike with it as it flies by me. The look on her face was that of fear as I close the remaining distance, properly bringing my rapier to neck.

Otho: "Okay! Well done! Th-that's enough..."

Finally hearing Otho declare my match to be over, all my remaining strength left my body as I begin to fall. However my body didn't hit the ground like I was expecting, instead I was caught in the arms of the person in front of me.

Girl: "Sir! She's-"

Otho: "Take her to the infirmary. I'll continue with the rest of the matches."

Girl: "Yes sir!"

Thankfully I wasn't unconscious like last time, so I can properly apologize to her and thank her for doing this for me.

She helps me walk, letting me put a lot of my weight on her shoulder as she guides me out from the training area.

Girl: "You're too reckless Miss..."

Yui: "I'm sorry."

Girl: "It's okay. I'm actually happy that I can be useful to you like this."

Huh? Did I hear that right? Do I know this person? I slowly move my head to not make the pain any worse as I catch a glimpse of her face. "Brown eyes... Long orange hair." Yeah no, I don't know this person.

Yui: "What's your name?"

Girl: "You didn't hear when they announced our names?"

Yui: "No sorry, my head was in a lot of pain."

Girl: "Well when we get to the infirmary, be sure to rest up. I'm Olivia, Olivia Wilde. My family works under your parents."

Works under my parents? I do recall our family having our own territory for ourselves, but I didn't expect to actually talk with the people living inside it. Is that why Olivia had a worried expression when she saw me?

Yui: "Thank you Olivia."

Olivia: "You're welcome Miss."

Yui: "Ellen... Just call me Ellen."

Olivia: "You sure? I don't think I have the right to-"

Yui: "It's fine~ I insist."

Olivia: "Okay, El-... Ell- I can't do it, sorry."

I smile at our little exchange as we continue our walk to the infirmary, with me still putting most of my weight on her. My family must be good people if the people living under us went out of their way like this for me, although it may be mainly my mother as she was the head of the family, always busy with work as I grew up.

Eventually, we arrive as she helps me sit up on one of the beds.

Nurse: "Ellen? Again?"

Olivia: "She's been here before?"

Nurse: "Yes, and looking at the state of her I can already tell that she's anemic."

Olivia: "Anemic?"

Nurse: "Lack of blood."

Here we go again... But this time I brought an outsider into my own problems, and looking at her face once more, her eyes began to water up, becoming visibly worried.

Nurse: "She needs food, could you go to the cafeteria and grab some egg rolls and any sort of meat you can find? Like boar meat."

Olivia: "Yes! I'll be right back!"

She dashes out of the room, leaving me with just the nurse as she comes my way, her eyes staring deep into mine as I try my best to not break eye contact.

Nurse: "So... What's the deal?"

Yui: "What do you mean?"

Nurse: "This is the second time you've been here, and again it's because of your anemia. Do you have some kind of disease or something?"

Yui: "No, I'm perfectly healthy."

Nurse: "Then care to explain?"

I couldn't tell her the truth, there's just no way. But what could be a good enough reason for losing blood? I can't really say I'm reckless and get into fights all the time, that'll only look bad on me and potentially my family as well. Struggling to think of a lie, I remain there seated on the bed, silent.

Nurse: "Well if this keeps going then we'll have to look into it. I'm guessing it's something you can't tell just anyone judging from the look on your face, but you can tell me okay?"

Yui: "... I'm sorry, I can't say."

She lets out a sigh, clearly disappointed in my response.

Nurse: "Well whatever IT is, please be more careful. And since you can't tell me, I'd like you to come in when you're better so I can take some of your blood, to make sure there isn't any underlying cause. Can you do THAT for me?"

Yui: "Yes, I'll come and see you tomorrow or-"

Nurse: "No, after your final match this week. I am worried, but I don't want to take time away from you during the tournament, so the end of the school week will do just fine."

Yui: "Okay-"

Olivia: "I'm back!"

Bursting through the door, the panting Olivia came up to me with a tray of food.

Olivia: "Is this good?"

Nurse: "Yes, good work. Here, eat up."

The nurse passed the tray of food to me, laying it on the bed before I go to stab a piece of meat with a fork. It was a bit cold in my mouth, but I guess these are somewhat like left overs so I can't complain.

Nurse: "You have your match coming up?"

Olivia: "No, actually I just finished my match with Miss Leinhart here."

Nurse: "You fought like this Ellen? That's quite a reckless thing to do."

Olivia: "I know! I told her that as well. Right after she won, she just suddenly collapsed on me."

Nurse: "She won?"

Olivia: "Uh- Yes, she did."

I was too focused on eating to try and get some of my energy back so I withheld to join in on the conversation, letting Olivia speak for me. Looking up at her, she looked a little bothered as she spoke, her face seeming to be uneased as she looks my way. "Fuck!" I suddenly remember what I did in order to win, but there was no other way right? I had to control her magic so-

I let out a sigh as I eat, accepting the fact that I'll have to explain it to Olivia. I hope she can keep it a secret, but didn't everyone else see as well? It might be too late for that...