Author's Note: It's Feeeeeeeeed…...back…gaming...welcome back, you guys. Now I know that some of you thought I died or wanted me to die due to the lack of uploads, but I can explain! I'm sure that some of you are aware by now, but if you're not, well, some great La Plata man took time from his cattle herding and came to me with an offer. He said that he wanted to translate my story into Spanish, so that all the burrito guidos of the world shall read my glorious fanfic! Of course, I told him that he could, but only if I could revise my earlier chapters, since they're all lesser compared to my creations now. Well, my revisions are now done, and you can check out this man, NecrosX, and his story Little Witch Academia: Little Wizard Academia. It's just amazing that someone wants to do this! Also, I just graduated from high school, so I had to deal with the parties and graduation all that, but now it's done! And a good thing too, I was starting to fear for my life over here:
"Its been a month,come one break just started i want my update."
"I should have your head on a platter, if you don't update! :("
Dang man, all of that sounds pretty scary. I didn't know that ISIS fighters were reading my fanfic.
"Seems like there's just so much passive aggressiveness to the Diakko fandom in your author notes that's slipping into your stories even. Not sure if it's a guilty conscience reaction due to a realization that you're toxic to a LWA fandom. Well the writing is passable as always. Theodore calling Akko such racist things was a good eye-opener to the kind of character he is. Good effort indeed."
Well man, you're righter than my right hand here. I sure am toxic to a LWA fandom, just not this one *dabs into 4000 years of forced child labor*. And thank you sir, I put a lot of effort into my passable writing.
Well boys and girls, it's time for this long awaited story.
I'm sure it'll be worth it!
"You are on the thinnest of ice, young lady! If I were in your situation, I would've drowned myself in the cold water from shame alone! Do you understand me?!"
"Y-yes…"
"Why, in all my years of teaching, I have never had the displeasure of teaching a witch with so little consideration for others! It truly is a shame that you would even consider yourself worthy of witchcraft!"
This time, Akko says nothing, her head hanging low in shame.
"I have tried to follow the phrase: 'No matter how much trash their is, it's still trash', implying that no matter how many struggles we face, it's still conquerable, but dealing with trash like you on a day to day basis has completely destroyed my faith in that quote! Back in my day, if one of us were so foolish as to strike at a fellow student, we would've been dealt the same blow three fold as punishment! It's a wonder how you're still in this school You would've been black and blue by now!"
Akko manages to tilt her head up, facing the wrath of Ms. Finnalin, a few tears in her eyes.
"I...I didn't mean to…" She barely manages to eek out, shame, regret, and fear grinded into her sorrowful face.
Upon hearing this, the once loose and furious face of Finnalin becomes hard and concentrated.
The teacher narrows her gaze at the young student, intense anger radiating from her focused vision, all focused on Akko.
"I don't believe you." The teacher mercilessly hisses out.
"Now Ms. Finnalin…" Principal Holbrooke interjects, sitting in her chair. "I think you're being a little hard on the young one."
The teacher spins around to face her superior.
Although I can't see the teacher's face, her tone shows anything but respect.
"A little hard? A little hard?! Why, I'm surprised you haven't sent her packing yet, after she pays for her crimes of assault that is!"
"She says she didn't do it." The principal holds firm, still giving the same aged smile she shows to all staff and students alike.
"And you're believing her?!" Ms. Finnalin questions.
"While she might have her fair share of accidents and rule breaking, she's not one to lie."
"Oh come now! How can you fall for her lies?! She's the worst student this school has ever had!" Ms. Finnalin claims, pointing at a mourningful Akko as she does. "She hardly pays attention in class, and when she does it's either to crack jokes or ask when lunch is!"
"Even so, that still doesn't mean she has the capacity of not only assault, but lying about the case as well."
Ms. Finnalin turns her head to me, addressing me for the first time since I dragged Akko over here.
"You, Theodore, you were there. What happened? Did Akko attack Diana?"
I grimace as I recall the details of the event.
Diana and I were just talking about a future date, and then Akko strikes her with a spell.
"All I saw was Akko look at Diana with rage, she had that face the whole time we were training." I explain to them. "Then after the session, Akko attacks Diana with a sickness spell."
This was true, Akko had always had a disdain for Diana, probably jealous of her overwhelming skill and magic and vast superiority to her.
Still though, I never thought that she could do such a thing, and especially to someone that I care so much about.
Aren't we friends?
I still see it, remember it so well as if it had just happened moments ago.
The relative calm after the battle, the plans that Diana and I were forming, the flash of green, and then…
I stop, the image of Diana, so helpless and weak filling my brain.
The pain and discomfort, the illness that was brought upon her, it was all Akko's fault!
"Sh-she attacked her!" I accuse, suddenly exploding into anger.
Akko stares at me, mouth agaped and eyes wide at my accusation.
Satisfied, Ms. Finnalin turns to the principal.
"There you have it." She says.
Ms. Holbrooke lets out a heavy sigh at this, taking off her square glasses as she does.
She pinces the brim of her nose, thinking, letting out an occasional sigh or heavy breath.
Putting her glasses back on, she addresses all of us present.
"Well then, with that, this case shall surely be looked into further. Theodore is also known not to lie, but the word of any witch or wizard can be proven wrong, and I shall not punish Akko through accusation alone. Those were the days of the witch hunts, when a mere finger point was enough to sentence someone to the stake. However, in terms of further questioning and investigating, now's not the time for such things."
"And why not?" I question the principal, hands at my side in disapproval.
Akko hurt Diana. I want her to be punished.
"Well, this operation, which has successfully remained a secret to the rest of the student body thus far, is already undermined." Ms. Holbrooke says to me. "Now that Diana has gone down with sickness, throwing Akko, another able body, out of this would be a foolish decision."
"Why don't we just send one of the other problem students?" Ms. Finnalin ponders. "If I remember correctly, that O'Neil girl wanted to join in on the expedition far more than anyone else we considered. Why not ask her?"
The principal lets out a rather embarrassed grin, saying softly
"Well, I've already sent her and most of the other children home."
"You did what?" The teacher cries. "You claimed we're undermanned, and yet you send the majority of our manpower away?! That makes no sense! Explain yourself!"
"They have already finished what we asked of them." The principle explains. "I wanted the children to be able to enjoy their vacation to the fullest possible. We've already taken enough time from them as it is."
"You're way too lenient with troublemakers. " Ms. Finnalin points out, her anger now turning into a sullen tone. "The children are the reason that we're in this situation."
"Luna Nova has been in a period of economic decline for a while now." The principal reminds Finnalin. "It was going to happen sooner or later. Let us just be grateful that we caught wind of it before any talks of foreclosure could become a reality."
"So, just when did you send them home? And how many are left?" The teacher asks her.
"I excused them earlier today. Constanze and Sucy have already created a wonderful defensive weapon to be used. It's already been field tested by both Theodore and staff alike, Faralda I would assume. Amanda was instructed to provide detailed descriptions on all the creatures that are present on the island. Although her work started slow and unmotivated, once we told her she could go home once she was done, her work production grew considerably. However, Lotte and Jasminka are still present, their jobs being to gather all the supplies the expedition might need."
The principal sighs at a passing thought before saying
"Unfortunately, the plane tickets we requested are registered for only youths, so a decision between Lotte and Jasminka will need to be decided."
Really? Those are our only two options?
Diana, a skilled practitioner of magic is now sick and unable to go.
Now, the only two students that could take her place are Lotte and Jasminka?
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind spending time with Lotte. However, taking her to an island with known monsters even if the danger was leveled to be low is still a risk that makes me sweat. Additionally, she's way too soft and nice for something that could require confrontations, although her abilities to calm spirits and other supernatural creatures might come in handy. And Jasminka is, well, Jasminka. She's way too nice as well, and not to mention, maybe a bit unhealthy for this expedition.
The odds of this hastily assembled plan coming into fruition are looking dimmer as time goes on.
Before the teacher has a time to respond, Ms. Holbrooke turns her gaze towards me.
"Well Theodore, thank you for bringing this to our attention." She says. "I would appreciate it if you would give Ms. Kagari and us time in private."
"Of course. But where's Diana?" I ask, worry present in my voice. "Is she alright?"
The last time I saw her was right after the attack.
I took an ill Diana to the nurse's office and then promptly took Akko here.
"As of now, she's under the more than capable care of Nurse PagetDaPanda." Ms. Holbrooke informs me. "If you wish to see her, she's currently recovering in her room."
With this new information, I begin to leave the room, telling the principal
"Thank you very much."
Before leaving, I can't help but cast my gaze at Akko.
She's in the corner of the room, head held low and weak as auras of sorrow, self pity, dread, and overall regret flow all around her.
Even if she made Diana become ill, I still can't help but feel a slight tinge of sorrow for her.
We were friends who got along fairly well, I recount the times we shared during school and even the sleepover that seems so distant, overshadowed by what followed afterwards.
Sensing my gaze, Akko weakly looks up at me, her eyes wet as she attempts to hold back the flood gates.
I harden my gaze at her, turning away from Akko, leaving the room.
"Enjoy the rest of the day." I hear Ms. Holbrooke tell me. "And please, don't injure yourself. We can't afford to lose another."
Walking down the hallway towards Diana's room, I can't help but have fleeting thoughts on her current situation.
God, I really do hope that she's okay.
In just a moment, Diana went from her usual self to a tired and ill will state, one that didn't even allow her to stand on her own feet.
That gave me a scare, a heavy scare that has now calmed into worry.
Like Ms. Holbrooke says, Diana is in safe hands.
I remember my first dealing with Nurse PagetDaPanda, that being when I was worse for wear after my fight with Mendacius. It was her that fixed my injuries, applying bandages and goss to the afflicted areas.
Even more so, she was able to see through my lie instantly, but still kept it a secret as to my request.
Yeah, I think I can trust her to tend to Diana.
I open her door, entering the room.
I spot a tired, worn out Diana, laying in bed, a deep and heavy sleep currently overtaking her.
I also see Nurse PagetDaPanda kneeling down next to her, a few medical tools on a nearby table.
I cautiously walk over to the two, not wanting to wake Diana up, but also not wanting to bear witness to the sick and ill girl who I care so much about.
As I draw closer, the physical changes have grown even more apparent.
The usual pale skin of Diana is now completely dwarfed by an even paler, sicker looking color, a thin layer of sweat covering her forehead. She also has the iconic black streaks of an ill patient underneath her eyes.
She takes heavy, phlegm filled, breaths, an almost pained look on her face as she sleeps.
It really does pain me to see her in such a state.
After all that she's done for me, comforting me when I needed it the most, educating and tutoring me in magic far better than the teachers could, and overall just being kind and considerate to me, she's still found herself in such a state.
Seeing this Diana, one that I didn't have time to see in the hectic time of infection, only acts as lumber to fuel the already growing disdain that I now have for Akko.
I don't care what happened between the two, Diana doesn't deserve this.
Akko is a fool for even considering such an action, an even bigger fool for carrying it out.
"H-How is she?" I ask, myself now having the courage to find out.
"She's doing better now." The nurse responds to me, putting a few medical tools away in her bag. "After giving her medicine, she was able to fall asleep. Hasn't been up since."
That's good, at least she's doing well.
I knew that Diana would be able to recover from this, even if it still pains me to see her like this, in a state of weakness and pain.
"That's good." I tell her, letting out a sigh of relief. However, I quickly find myself back in a state of concern as one question comes to mind. "But what exactly does she have? Sickness I mean. She was hit by a magic spell after all."
She lets out a slight chuckle at my nervousness.
"Well, it is my professional diagnosis, as a holder of a doctoral degree from The University of Birmingham Medical School, to say that she has...a fever."
"I know that." I tell her, a bit annoyed by her obvious claim. "I mean, what else is there? She was struck by a spell."
"That's just it." She replies, this time a bit annoyed by my attitude. "Even if it was caused by magic it is still just a fever, and can be treated as such. All she needs is proper rest and fluids. You shouldn't worry. She should be back to full health in around five days or so."
Five days or so? We leave for the expedition in two days!
"Can't you just use magic to take away her illness?" I plead with her.
I'd even act as an assistant to her if need be.
I remember when Diana acted as needed help to me, when I was making the potion to bring Lotte's dad back during Samhain.
I was in a state of heavy tiredness, almost passing out on multiple occasions.
I wasn't ready to give up, but was too weak to do anything too productive.
Diana really lent a hand to me that day.
This act of help, just another white feather that adds to the angelic wings of Diana, just another reason why Akko's actions were way out of bounds.
Just thinking of that name only grows the already heavy lump in my heart.
So much happened so quickly, all because of one girl's selfish and stupid action.
"Never use magic to cure things that can be cured on their own." Nurse PagetDaPanda informs me, a serious nature to her voice. "The risk of side effects are high."
I sigh at this.
Even if magic is a way to help her, with this new information in mind, I can't help but refute my past idea.
My eyes flicker from Diana to the nurse as I hear the metallic click of her leather bag locking, all of her tools now put away.
She grabs the bag by its handle, standing up, taking a moment to stretch her back.
"Well, now that she's all checked up on, I'll be leaving now." The nurse informs me.
Hearing these words, I ball up my hands, standing up with a start.
"But that's how she became sick in the first place!" I can't help but explode at her. "Ms. Faralda stepped out and Akko striked Diana! I'm sure she wouldn't have done it if the teacher was there."
Nurse PagetDaPanda takes a moment to gaze and ponder me, not expecting such a reprisal.
To be fair, it's not like the nurse was there to bear witness, but that's what happened.
Akko is one to normally act up and goof off, but as soon as a wary teacher has Akko in her eyes, the witch in training completely turns over a new face.
Akko most likely saw Faralda's leaving as an opportunity to strike.
Who knows, she might've been playing it from the beginning, not that she's smart enough to think ahead to such a degree.
"Yes, I heard that's what happened." She tells me, a bit off put by my tone. "I'm not sure where Faralda is right now though. I still can't believe that a normally nice and bubbly girl like Akko would do that."
Now realizing that my rage was misplaced, I calm down a bit, saying
"Neither can I."
With this engagement now done, the nurse gestures at a still sleeping Diana with her handbag.
"Even if she's resting well, it's best that someone would stand by her bed, in case anything were to happen."
She begins to move towards the door, saying
"Now that you're here, you can take my place. I'm sure you don't mind."
That makes sense.
Who better here to look after Diana than her own boyfriend?
Besides, I was planning on staying here anyway, I'm not sure for how long, maybe until she wakes up.
"Of course not." I tell her.
"Good." She says, showing me a smile. "I'm going to take a steam shower to wash the sick off of me. I advise you do the same as soon as you leave."
"Will do." I affirmatively tell her as she walks out. "And thank you so much for taking care of her…." I stop as a blush creeps up my neck and face. "She means alot to me…"
She stops, chuckling a bit at my confession.
"Hey, that's why I'm here." She says.
She then exits the room and closes the door, leaving me alone with a sleeping Diana.
I turn my attention back to her, drawing myself closer to her bed.
The nurse may have said that she's gotten better, but I still can't help but feel the unnerved stab of worry in my gut.
She still breathes heavy as the layer of sweat drips from her pale and discolored face.
With each gasp and wheeze that comes forth from her otherwise sweet mouth, I can't help but draw into myself more and more, as if what currently pains her is now felt by me.
I take a heavy breath as an overwhelming feeling of guilt now flows through me, almost as if I'm responsible for this.
Maybe I am.
I saw from the start the fire in Akko's eyes and knew of the disdain that she had for Diana. I even knew that the potential for another confrontation, no matter how small it was, was still there.
And yet I still allowed for the duel to take place, knowing full well what it might lead to.
I'm just as responsible for this as Akko was, maybe even more so considering I knew what would happen.
God…
After all that this girl has done for me, now she's laying sick and in bed, all because of my inactivity.
She's done so much for me, has comforted me so many times, has helped me so many times, that I think if she weren't here, I'd either be in a hospital or back home in Rome, having failed Luna Nova due to poor grades and regretting my decision of ever coming to this school.
But because of her and her love, I'm now more knowledged in magic than I've ever been, and it is because of her that I continue to learn the art...so that I may restore my family honor…
It is her doing that I might just bring the Sempronias from a place of taboo and scorn, back to a state of respect and pride.
I sigh at this, closing my eyes, saying
"I'm forever in debt to your priceless encouragement."
I hear the harsh breathing stop, followed by a faint
"T-Theodore?"
I open my eyes, seeing a still weak and weary Diana, looking up at me with slightly reddened eyes, dark streaks of tiredness underneath.
She's awake!
"D-Diana!" I cry out, myself instinctively drawing close to her.
"Don't...don't get to close." She moans out. "I wouldn't want to get you sick."
She then lets out a few ragged coughs in one hand, while the other attempts to push me away.
"Oh, you must be burning up!"
I quickly run into her bathroom, grabbing a hand towel.
Turning on the sink, I splash cold water onto it, running back to her bed.
"Don't worry…" I instruct her, nervousness beginning to grow in my voice. "I doubt it's the plague..."
I carefully put the cold cloth on her forehead, hoping to provide some relief to her fever heat.
She lets out a few horse chuckles.
"As do I. The nurse says I have Mononucleosis."
Mononucleosis?!
"Oh no! That sounds serious!" I cry out in dread.
"Relax please…" She begs me, uneasy at my extreme reactions. "It's very common and goes away overtime with plenty of rest and fluids. You might recognize it as 'Mono' in layman's terms. With the help of modern and ancient medicine, I'll be just fine."
I give a heavy sigh of relief, almost as heavy and deep as Diana's sick breathing.
That's great to here, just great. She had me so worried.
"But I could use a drink of water…my throat is killing me."
Discomfort to Diana?! Not on my watch!
I grab an empty cup on Diana's bedside table, probably given to her by the nurse.
"Right away!" I obediently tell her.
I run back to the sink in her bathroom, filling it up with water, going back to her bedside.
As comfortable as I can, I hold Diana by the back of her head, lifting in up while drawing the drink close to her.
She accepts, opening her mouth.
The cool water flows into her, herself making occasional gulps, the vibration of such a movement running through my hand.
We can't help but gaze at each other as she continues to drink.
No noise is made in the room, save for the drinking of Diana.
Oh Diana, you may not know this, but if it weren't for you, my whole would be different, and that's not just unstable and inconsistent teenage love talking.
All of your gifts you've given me, both in terms of material and immaterial, have not gone unnoticed nor unwanted. Everything you've done for me, whether it was wanted or not at the time, has only been proved to do well by me.
Within a few more moments, the cup is now as empty as when I picked it up.
I set the glass back down on the tableside.
"T-Thank you…" She tells me, voice a little less raspy due to the soothing liquid.
That sincere thank you, that small gift, is reward enough for my efforts.
"Do you need anything else?" I ask, ready and waiting for any instructions she may have.
I'm happy to give her any aid she might need, even if it was completely unrelated to her illness.
If she told me 'Jump', I'd simply ask 'How high?'
"No...I'm fine right now, thank you."
A moment of silence passes by, but ends as she lets out a slight groan, not one of pain but of irritation.
"I'm just so tired...and it's so hard to fall asleep..."
Hearing this, I stand up, saying
"If you want, I can ask Nurse PagetDaPanda to give you some sleeping pills."
"No, no, it's fine." She tells me, stopping me in my tracks. "You don't need to leave. I know how you can help me fall asleep."
Hearing this, I resume my kneeling position at her bedside.
"How?" I ask, drawing my face close to her's, wanting to perform whatever task she has in mind.
Even under the grogginess of the sickness, she manages to pull off a smirk.
"Sing to me."
I'm taken aback by this unusual request.
"Sing to you?" I ask, not expecting this.
"Yes...sing me to sleep...a lullaby. I've never heard you sing."
But, sing to Diana…
That'll be a bit embarrassing.
My siblings always told me that my musical talent leaves much to improve upon, to put it lightly.
"Let it be in Italian too…" She adds. "...For me."
In Italian too?
No, I'll do it.
I already told her, and played it countless times in my head already. I will help Diana in whatever way she needs, no matter how unconventional it may seem.
With what she's done, a song in my native tongue will be nothing, not even a dent in my debt to her.
I owe her that much.
"Yes. For you, Diana."
She smiles at this, shifting her weight as to get comfortable.
That smile alone is enough to destroy whatever worries and insecurities I might have in this task.
I take a moment to think of which song to sing, pondering on if I should make my own.
There was a song that my mother used to sing to me when I was little.
It was based on a classic and beautiful song that has been around in Italy for more than one hundred years.
It was a song she would sing to me whenever I was in doubt or, as in Diana's case, finding it hard to sleep.
I'll have to alternate the song, just as my mother did, this time to fit Diana.
Yes, I'll do that one.
"Okay." I tell her, standing up so that she may hear me clearly. "Just promise not to laugh."
I hear her let out a few chuckles at this, saying playfully
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
Just hearing her say 'Hope to die' after what just happened, even if it is in a common expression, sends a few shivers up my spine.
But no matter to my over attached state!
Diana wants me to sing, and a song I shall sing to her.
Without further ado, I take a deep breath and close my eyes, beginning my hymn to her.
"Salve, o popolo d'eroi.
Salve, o Patria immortale.
I tuoi figli, che ancor non son nati
Nulla conoscono di lei.
Del suo eroico valore,
Della sua santa virtù,
La sua visione,
Che oggi inspira ogni cuore.
Diana, Diana,
Primavera di bellezza!
Della vita nell'asprezza
Il tuo canto squilla e va!
Dell' mondo nei confini
Lei fu rifatta.
Dio la rifatta.
Per quest'oggi glorioso,
Per l'alba del domani,
Per il passato e il brillante futuro,
Per la gogna di coloro
Che la nostra amata eroina osano rinnegar!
Diana, Diana,
Primavera di bellezza!
Della vita nell'asprezza
Il tuo canto squilla e va!
Diana, Diana,
Primavera di bellezza!
Della vita nell'asprezza
Il tuo canto squilla e va!
I poeti e gli artigiani,
I signori e i contadini,
Con orgoglio solidale
Giuran fede a lei.
Non v'è povero quartiere
Che non mandi le sue schiere
Che non spieghi le bandiere
Nel nome suo!
Diana, Diana,
Primavera di bellezza!
Della vita nell'asprezza
Il tuo canto squilla e va!
Diana, Diana,
Primavera di bellezza!
Della vita nell'asprezza
Il tuo canto squilla e va!"
As I finish, I open my eyes, once again bearing witness to a sleeping Diana.
However, this one is far different than the one I saw when I walked in.
On her pillow, her head lies peacefully, not at all suffering from the sweat it once had.
A light, not heavy or painful, breath now slips from her lips, her stomach rising and falling in tune.
Her blonde hair rather cutely covers parts of her face, a bit off to the normal prim and proper Diana.
She curls up with her pillow, her body fitting well with the flow of the blanket.
Peacefully she fell asleep, and now a peaceful sleep she was given and is currently reaping the benefits of, the benefits that I gave her.
It feels good to do right by her.
The water and cold towel was one thing, but this is something else.
Singing her to sleep, that's something you'd expect to see in some movie or a fanfiction, not played out in real life.
I was able to give her temporary relief from her illness. Now she sleeps soundly and well, because of something I did. I was at least able repay back some of what she's done for me.
I can't help but feel a sense of delight while looking at the sleeping Diana.
She'd look so much more cuter if she was always this relaxed, not constantly in a state of tension due to the stress of being seen as a perfect student, never doing wrong.
That must be a nightmare to deal with.
On another note, talking with her, caring for her, was truly enough to make up for how short this encounter we had was.
Even if it was brief, it was still precious.
"Buonanotte." I whisper to her, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
"A lovely song for a lovely lady." I hear someone behind me say. "I'm almost a bit jealous. I wish my crush would sing to me like that."
With my heart leaping into my throat and my face exploding into a thick shade of red, I quickly twist my head around.
I see Faralda, cooly leaning against the doorframe, a smirk on her face.
"F-Faralda?!" I cry out, embarrassed by her unknown viewing. "How long have you been s-standing there?!"
She lets out a single chuckle at my embarrassment.
"Awhile."
While I'm still suffering from a pounding heart and a beat red face, Faralda walks over to the bed, taking a glance at Diana.
"So, how's the tea drinker doing?" She casually asks.
"Hey, you be nice!" I demand, her insult to Diana shaking me back to normal. "She's very sick with a terrible cold!"
I grumble a bit, muttering
"Something that you're to blame for…"
She lets out a moan at this, taking a seat at the couch.
"Trust me, I already got an earful from Finnalin." She lets out another chuckle. "I think she even loosened up one of my tooth fillings."
She exaggerates her pain by digging a pinky into her ear, saying
"Honestly, I think she learned a bit of screaming magic from Mr. Brink."
Mr. Brink?
Oh yeah, the American exchange teacher. I wonder what became of him.
I haven't read his book in awhile.
"Well to answer your question…" I say, referring to her earlier inquiry. "She's doing better now. I think this sleep will do wonders for her."
Faralda takes another glance at Diana, grimacing a bit as she does.
"Honestly though, I should say I'm sorry." She sighs out after seeing Diana for herself. "I never thought this would've happened. Akko normally gets mad, but it's rare for her to lash out. And to this degree, impossible."
"Yeah, sure." I uncharacteristically mutter, not wanting to even talk about her. "Thanks, but it should be Diana that you're apologizing to. She's the one in pain after all."
She lets out a weak sigh, putting her hands to her hips.
"Yeah, I'll do that when she wakes up. I just really wanted to call Ursula."
Taken aback by her claim, I turn my gaze from Diana to Faralda.
"Wait, you said you were leaving to get food."
Isn't that what she said? I'm sure of it.
Now it is her turn to turn a few shades redder.
She fans her flaming face with one hand, trying to collect herself.
"Yeah...well...maybe that was a bit of a fib…"
She continues to be flustered, choking on her words as she does.
I don't think I've ever seen her act this way. She's normally so confident and calm that seeing her like this is rather off putting.
"Go on." I tell her, an eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"Okay, fine." She says, pausing for another few moments to gathering her thoughts, taking a breath through her nose. "I was going to spend Christmas Vacation with Ursula, but I was recalled back here to train you little ankle biters for Filicudi. I was telling her that I think I'll be back in a few more days."
I thought it would've been something deeper, something that would've required deception.
"If it was that, then why did you lie?" I ask.
"Well, I didn't want you to start thinking things...besides, if Finnalin heard that I left you three to have a call with Ursula, I think she would've really laid into me."
She lets out a few chuckles at the mention of Ms. Finnalin, saying
"It's funny, even if I'm a teacher like her, Finnalin still sees me as a reckless student."
"You had Ms. Finnalin as a teacher?" I ask.
"Oh yeah." She casually responds. "She taught both Ursula and I."
"On another note, I really admire the loyalty you have for Diana." Faralda informs me, now changing the subject. "It reminds me of when Ursula and I were in school together."
"You two have known each other for that long?" I ask, a bit surprised.
I knew the two of them were close, but nothing like this.
I figured they met up during their teaching years.
"Oh yeah, I was with her." She tells me, before flashing me a smile. "I even cheered her on when she was still Shiny Chariot."
Once again, in only a few words, Faralda takes me completely by surprise.
"You know she was Shiny Chariot?" I ask.
But doesn't most of the wizarding world treat that name with disdain?
I for one don't care much for Ursula's history, and I guess Faralda doesn't either.
"Oh yeah, I know all about that." She informs me. "She even told me that you know now, catching her off guard during that whole dragon fiasco."
I recall the details of that event in question.
I was running outside, while the dragon was making its way towards the top of the tower, trying to reach The Sorcerer's Stone.
I heard a screech, and someone was falling from great heights.
Using magic, I managed to stop the person from splattering on the hard ground.
And who was it?
It was Ms. Ursula, her normally blue hair now red.
After that, she confessed her secret identity to me.
"As for me.." Faralda continues, also recalling the events of that day. "I called in sick. Spent a bit too much time with Jack Daniels, if you know what I mean."
Who's that? One of her friends perhaps.
Maybe he was ill, and simply passed it onto Faralda by mistake.
"In any case…" Faralda tells me, getting up from her seat at the couch. "It'll take a few hours until Diana wakes up from her nap, and personally, I don't want to stay here for that long. A teacher leering at a sleeping student for hours on end is a bit too scandalous for me. Plus, I have things to do."
"And just what things?" I ask her, raising an eyebrow.
She flashes me a smirk, saying
"I'm hungry."
Getting her meaning from earlier, I say
"Well, I won't hold you hear. The food must be good."
Another chuckle comes from her.
"Very." She says, agreeing with me.
I take a glance at the still sleeping Diana, saying
"I'll tell you when she's woken up. You can say your peace to her then."
She lets out a happy huff, saying
"Well thank you for your permission."
She then stretches a bit from her sitting, before making her way to the door, leaving the room.
Once again, I'm now alone with Diana.
I take another glance at her.
She's still curled up, completely undisturbed.
Smiling at this, I take a glance at the clock, only now realizing that it's five PM.
With this new information in my mind, I can't help but let out a yawn, only know realizing how tired I am.
Today has certainly been an eventful day, from training to the principals and eventually to Diana's room.
I can't help but wonder what's become of Akko.
Most likely, she's still getting shouted at by Ms. Finnalin while Ms. Holbrooke attempts to act as a sort of peacekeeper between the two.
And I haven't seen Lotte or Jasminka all day today, themselves probably too occupied with their contribution to see me.
A shame, I wonder what would be Lotte's outlook on the whole scenario.
Speaking of the other students, I shared Ms. Finnalin's ignorance in the leaving of Amanda, Sucy, and Constanze. It's a bit strange that they would leave without so much as a goodbye to us, but I can understand. They probably want to get home back to Christmas and their families as soon as possible, not wanting to interrupt our training and work would also play a role.
I just hope that once we return from Filicudi, Diana will be over her sickness and the two of us can return to Rome and celebrate Christmas together with both Anchovy and my family, especially Romana, Diana and her were beginning to finally get along.
But these events seem so far away, despite them taking place only a few days from now.
Here in Luna Nova, there is no family or Christmas, only stress and preparation for what's to come.
Only here, Diana and Lotte are the two that I could consider family the most, the two that I would enjoy spending Christmas with here if it came to that.
I take yet another glance at Diana to ensure that she is in fact all well and still sleeping.
When she woke up, she was thirsty and burning up. Most likely, this will happen again.
Not wanting to leave Diana just yet, I move towards the couch that Faralda once occupied.
Taking a seat, I lay my head on the arm rest, getting comfortable.
I let out another yawn, moving over on my side.
Closing my eyes, I let the sounds of Diana's light breathing guide me towards my own sleep.
Author's Note: I've been wanting to create this chapter for a while now. I just can't wait to see the comments of Ted's singing coming in! The song in question was based off of the Italian song 'Giovinezza', meaning 'Youth' in English. While I recreated the song, I didn't translate the song into Italian. That credit goes to the great guido darkdragon97. Make sure to love him for his contribution! And if you want to know just what Ted sang to Diana, I shall leave a comment, giving the English translation. I know right, leaving a comment on my own chapter, talk about fake views!
Onto the Ironic Diakkos that I owe you guys, I haven't forgotten. Nightcore Miku is still making his story perfect, and once this arc is over, I shall follow.
And that whole casting call club idea that I had? Well, it's made!
The title of it is: 'An Unexpected Guest' on Casting Call Club.
Make sure to check it out and audition!
But because of all the flip flop from the casing call, I'll make it up to you.
I myself bought Little Witch Academia: The Chamber of Time. I haven't played much of it, only about an hour. I'm going to play more later. Anyway, I found the character stats and decided to make one about good old Theodore! Now keep in mind, these stats are Theodore at the end of the story, in his prime when it comes to magical power. Also, some of these stats I had to make up and guess due to them not being shown in this fanfic like drop luck. I never even thought of that for him. Also, some of the numbers were made with the idea of Burn Temperature taken in, comparing the percentage of how strong Ted is compared to Diana at the end of the story helped me come up with them.
Here they are, boys:
HP: 130, MP: 221, Attack: 11, Defense: 6, Crit Chance: 10, Crit Evasion: 11, Drop Luck: 5, VIT (vitality): 12, STR (strength): 5, INT (intelligence): 13, AGI (agility): 6, LUK (luck): 4
Strong Attack: Ballista Barrage (He'll learn this later. It's basically the spell 'Belga Veeda' with a Roman twist to it.)
Normal Attack: Jupiter's Thunder (Just Ted's classic lightning spell.)
Weak Attack: Poena's Pugio (Just his little 'Roman Kitchen Knife', as WayWard puts it.)
Defensive Spells:
Healing: Blessings of Apollo
Shield: The Testudo (Just his standard ward spell.)
I hope you boys enjoyed that little information list I gave! Consider it both for just cool spells, and a bit of spoiling for just how Ted will fair compared to all the other students!
Don't forget to comment, follow, and fav.
I'm starting to run out of ideas for an outro, and make sure to wash up after reading this, get all that toxic stuff off!