Preparation

-----Yui's POV

Natalie: "S-so, where are we going?"

Mom had taken the carriage before we left, so I guess we're stuck walking. I don't mind though, exercise will be important for Natalie's training anyways.

Yui: "We're going to Luna's."

Natalie: "Luna's?"

Yui: "A good friend of mine. Mom gave me a letter to take to her parents."

Natalie: "I see. Do they live in the Leinhart's territory?"

Yui: "No. They live in the main city. It's quite a walk, so I hope you can keep up, haha."

Natalie: "I'll, try my best, hehe."

If I was alone, I'd may be jogging right about now, but with Natalie with me, I don't want to push her too hard. So instead, I walk at a brisk pace, not too fast, but not slow either.

After we finally exit the territory, we seem to be no longer in the sights of countless people, and have now entered more of a remote area of the city.

Natalie: "So... About, you know... The blood thing?"

Yui: "Hmm?"

Natalie: "Like how you, drank my blood the other day."

Yui: "Oh, yeah... I'm still very sorry about that."

Natalie: "Oh no, you're fine. I just had some questions regarding it. Do you mind?"

She certainly doesn't seem frightened of me which is relieving. But I'm not 100% sure on the knowledge about my situation.

Yui: "Sure. Although I can only answer what I know."

Natalie: "Thank you."

We smile as we walk, making sure that no one is in ear-shot of us.

Natalie: "So... My memory is still a bit hazy, but you need to drink blood, correct?"

Yui: "Yes. Actually, before I- attacked you... I thought it was specifically Kaede's blood I needed to drink. But my body did calm down from your blood as well, so I don't think it matters who I drink from."

Natalie: "Got it. And, when your eyes turned to that, darkish red color. What does that mean?"

Honestly, I haven't thought about it, but the reason why my eyes change probably has something to do with the fact that Kaede's blood is a part of my blood now.

Yui: "It only happens when I lose myself. Like what I did to you. I didn't realize what I was doing until I heard you call my name. It's... a strange feeling. It's like I'm in a trance."

Natalie: "Sounds scary... And does Kaede also have this problem?"

Yui: "From what I can tell, she has it under control. But she's been living with this all her life, so it makes sense."

Natalie: "I see. But then, what if you don't, or unable to get blood? What would happen to your body?"

Yui: "I'm... not sure, actually. All I know is I feel pain all throughout my body just before I lose myself, then when I wake up, I'm back to my normal self. I'm not sure what would happen if there was no one around when I do lose consciousness..."

It's actually a little bit scary to think about. I still remember the days where I was in and out of sleep, constantly in pain as if my whole body was being cooked from inside. Maybe I'd go back into that kind of state again? I'm not sure.

Natalie: "...Then. If you need to. I don't mind giving you some of my blood when you-"

Yui: "No!"

It makes me happy that Natalie is willing to do this, but after waking up to see her on the brink of death, I most certainly don't want to see that again.

Yui: "I don't want to hurt you. Even worse, kill you."

Natalie: "But you drink Kaede's blood as a precaution, right? With you now suspended, it'll be harder to get the blood you need, right?"

Yui: "True... But Kaede said she'd visit me for that."

Natalie: "Mmm, okay. But if she isn't able to visit, then just know you can rely on me, okay?"

Yui: "...Okay."

With her giving such a sweet smile to me, I can't just deny her like that. I know I just agreed to that, but I'd like to avoid that as much as possible.

Eventually, after what felt like a couple hours of walking, we finally arrived at Luna's place. Natalie did ask some other questions, like what blood tastes like to me, if I can see in the dark; stuff like that. Nothing has really changed, so I just told her that the only change I could feel was the taste of blood. Of course she then asked what her blood tasted like, to which I said that it was "Intoxicating." I didn't want to say it, but I preferred her blood over Kaede's. I can only imagine how Kaede grew up with that all her life, seeing humans as food. But I'm now making an oath to myself to never see other humans like that, ever.

I knock on the door, and not too long later, the door opens as I'm greeted with the familiar face of Luna's father.

William: "Ellen! How nice of you to stop by."

Yui: "Hello."

William: "Luna told me what happened. Come inside- oh? And this is?"

Natalie: "My name's Natalie. I work for lady Ellen here."

Yui: "She's a friend of mine!"

I had to make sure to slip that in. I'm not about to just leave her introduction being someone who just "works for me."

William: "Nice to meet you, Natalie. I'm William Warridge."

They shake hands before we enter the house, with Natalie closing the door behind us.

Yui: "Where's Luna and her mom?"

William: "They actually both went to buy some food for dinner. They should be back any minute, I think."

Oh well, I guess I'll just hang around here I suppose? It's not like I can leave to see Kaede, since I'm not allowed to enter the academy grounds. Although I am worried if she does end up visiting my place when I'm not there. And speaking of the letter mom had given me, I'd rather wait for Elira to be here so I can give it to the both of them.

Yui: "You mind if I wait here for them?"

William: "Of course. After hearing what you did for our daughter, I'd never dream of turning you away."

Yui: "Heh, she was actually the one that stood up for me in the first place."

William: "I heard. You two sure are close, huh."

Yui: "Yeah."

For some reason, the way William is smiling right now makes me feel like he's insinuating something. But it also could just be that he's happy to hear the story.

Natalie: "I still think you got off lucky, Ellen. You almost killed a teacher."

Yui: "I know. It won't happen again."

William: "I'm just glad it ended the way it did. I'm sure Luna would quit the academy if you weren't there, haha."

Yui: "Maybe, haha."

It's only been a day, but it's already become a situation that we can laugh about. But as I look around the house, I feel a tinge of sadness, thinking that this might actually be the last time I see this place. Mom is speeding things up, so I wouldn't be surprised if we leave by the end of tomorrow even.

-----Kaede's POV

After summoning my Cloud Weaver, I ended up attracting a lot of the students from both my class and Olivia's class. Julius ended up telling me more about this bird, and just like Mai said, they got their name from how powerful their wings are, being able to shape clouds. But essentially, that's all it really is. It's not something that can be used for combat, although it could handle it's own against a single goblin if it wanted. However, what I found most interesting though is that Cloud Weavers have been extinct for some time now, which is why everyone was shocked to see one again.

Violet: "You have to show Ulma!"

Kaede: "Hehe, maybe."

With Yui now suspended, I think after class I'd prefer to check up on her. Otherwise, I'd love to show off my bird to Violet's tutor.

We didn't do that much after that as I mainly watched students from the enchanting class try and enchant their stones. Apparently the way Violet can just quickly summon things is similar to how enchanters enchant. They carve out their crest with their mind, filling it up as they go. I have no idea how I'm even supposed to do that, so I'll stick with manually carving it for now.

After classes finally finished, I head back to the dorm room. It's strange to know that Yui won't be staying here now, it feels wrong to be here without her.

Mai: "Finally finished?"

Kaede: "Yeah."

I slump myself onto the bed that I share with Yui. I instinctively smell her scent as it calms me down, almost as if she's here beside me.

Mai: "Did you want to go to Yui's place now? I have it all mapped out."

Kaede: "Mmmm. In a bit."

Mai: "Hehe. You've changed quite a lot."

Kaede: "What do you mean?"

Mai: "I was with you ever since you were little. You have such a dark past, but now it's almost like that's all just a dream to you."

Yeah. I'm aware of it myself. I've killed many people, and even some I felt good about. I think If I didn't reunite with Yui in this world, I might've become an even bigger monster than I already am.

Kaede: "It's not like I chose that life. You brought me here in the first place."

Mai: "But aren't you glad I did?"

Kaede: "...Yeah. It's thanks to you that I got to see mom again."

Mai: "I've noticed you stopped calling her Lilith, Selene."

Kaede: "I-"

Actually, she's right. When did I start doing that? And why did I just naturally respond when being called Selene? I guess both Selene and I have become one, huh.