Maka took a deep breath, then spoke, "Kim, we both know it wasn't you who healed my injury tonight. what actually did was one of the few benefits of a curse I have been inflicted with, it's actually pretty new, I've only been afflicted for about a week now.". Kim looked at Maka, "Maka, I'm sorry, most curses can only be removed through very potent Magic." the witch spoke. Maka said plainly, "My curse wasn't inflicted through Magic, but instead a physical attack.". Kim looked at her classmate, her face in an expression of horror.". Maka spoke again, "Judging from your reaction you've already figured it out, but in case you haven't, I am a vampire.". Kim spoke in a quiet voice, "so it was your vampirism that healed you, and you used your vampiric speed and strength to attack that werewolf, it also explains why you stumbled back after you cut him open.". Maka asked one question, "Can you keep this a secret, and play along that it was your abilities that saved me, Please?". Kim answered, "Of course, but you should tell Soul, your weapon partner deserves to know about this, because of the nature of the curse, your soul has been altered slightly, which could affect resonance." Maka then started walking out of the room, and headed home.
The next day, Maka was stopped as she was leaving the room, "Maka, I need to speak with you.", Professor Stein took her aside as the rest of the students left the room. "Maka, I've been instructed to find a way to help you control both your bloodlust and your abilities, and I think I've found a solution, we can't just keep calling you to the nurse's office or the death room just to give you blood,other students would get suspicious. So I've done some digging, and there's already medication that acts in the same way as blood, we've already stocked the infirmary with it, so after this go and get a dispensary written out." the Professor said. "Is that all Professor?" Maka asked, "yes, however I was wondering if you had any questions.". Stein said simply. "No professor." Maka responded. "I know you want it, the blood in him, you want to drink every last drop.". This was the first time in days the curse had spoken. And here I was thinking you were gone. Maka thought. "Wouldn't it be fun to give in, to take all the blood, satisfy your thirst.". Then was when Maka reached the infirmary. "Hello Maka, I see your here to get your dispensary for the blood substitute." Naigus greeted her. "Yes, I am.". The response was brief, as the whisperings in her head continued. "You don't need a substitute, you need the real thing, take it, drink.". Maka just ignored it. "There you go, one thing you need to know though, even if it's in tablet form, yo don't take it like a regular pill, you dissolve it in water then drink the solution." Naigus said, "I'll let you go now, remember to take one at mealtimes.". Maka headed to the cafeteria and sat with the rest of her friends. "So what was that all about?.", Soul was the first to ask about what had happened. "Not much, he just told me that Naigus needed me for something, so I went to the infirmary and took care of a few things.". Maka then pulled out the small box that she had placed in her pocket removing one, and dropping it into the glass of water, the tablet immediately began to dissolve, turning the water a bright red color, Maka began to drink, it tasted, different from blood, thinner, and definitely artificial, giving it a metallic aftertaste. Blackstar who had been absent earlier, getting food, saw Maka's cup and called, "Hey, what's that?", he seized the cup from Maka and began to lift it. "Blackstar I wouldn't drink that if I were you because it's-" Maka started, before Maka could finish however, he had already taken a huge gulp, "medicated." Maka finished, Blackstar spit the remaining fluid out, "yuck this stuff is awful, it tastes like iron!" blackstar said. He looked down and saw the irritated look on Maka's face. "I hope you get sick because you drank that." the scythe meister said. Lunch then proceeded as normal, except for Blackstar puking and being sent to the infirmary, a result of his body rejecting the blood substitute.
The next day, Maka didn't wake up before soul, in fact he woke up, with her alarm still ringing out across their apartment. "Maka, open up!", Soul called, there was no response. "Maka, I'm coming in!" Soul called, before opening the door. Maka was still asleep on her bed, "c'mon we've gotta get up and get to school!". Soul shook her awake, and after a solid five minutes of attempts to drag her out of bed, including one literal one, Maka finally got up, they didn't have time to eat though Maka drank a cup of water with the blood substitute dissolved into it. As they exited the building into the sunlight, "so bright." Maka muttered, "what?, did you say something?" soul asked, "no it's nothing, the brightness went away as Maka felt the blood substitute take effect. The pair reached the school, and saw Blackstar standing outside the school, "Finally, I was surprised when you weren't here early, it doesn't matter, I hope you ready because we're gonna duel!". He called.
