TheFallenHer0: Thanks! And I have to say that while I don't quite like how Merkulova ended up, I have to say it makes sense. In a comparison between him and MC, it gives you the different ways people in that situation end up—some people do end up becoming stronger and have a happier ending, but it's unrealistic to think everyone will end up that way, you know? Some people don't end up getting stronger at all, but break and fall to evil, or just to plain unhappiness. Does this make sense? (I always have to ask because sometimes I think I make sense, but no one else thinks I do.)


Chapter 11, Part 1—To the East Forest

The next morning, the first time I saw her was on the stairs, when she, distracted, bumped into me. She opened her mouth to apologize, but when she saw me, she turned away. She's clearly still mad at me. Fine! Two can play this game. I said nothing and walked away, heading to the prefect's office.

After that, I went to the classroom and set up my notes. She came in only a minute before the bell. We were both still ignoring each other. Why did she have to be so difficult? I mean, I know I wasn't being any better, but still…

I started actually paying attention in Professor Schuyler's class when Luca of all people asked a question.

"...Oh, it's you, Luca. You have a question? How rare?" the professor's voice conveyed that it had better not be a stupid one.

"You're so mean, professor! Treating me like a problematic kid." Luca pouted, not being at all sincere.

"What is your question?" the professor sighed.

"If you need a scale in order to make those time scissor things, does that mean that the Dragon of Time bestowed his scale upon somebody before he turned to stone?" Huh. That was actually a good question. I would've never expected Luca to actually ask something smart.

"Yes, that sounds about right. It was probably before the Dragon of Time was petrified, yes. I am not sure, but I have to say that it was probably before the First King's reign over Gedonelune. However, the creator of the Scissors of Time is unknown." The professor explained.

"Why was the Dragon of Time petrified right after it arrived in Gedonelune?" Are you kidding me, Luca? Did you not hear all the stories as a child?

"That was in order to protect Gedonelune."

"But if that were the case, then isn't it strange that the Three Mages guard the Dragon of Time so fiercely? I mean, if it's protecting the country so well, why does it need it's own protection? Can't it take care of itself?" That was another good question. The concept was a bit paradoxical, if you think about it.

"That is the story that has been passed down, and that is also certainly what is written in the history books." The professor replied.

"Well, it's awfully suspicious. There must have been some reason, right?" Luca continued, "Was the Dragon of Time really the only thing that the Three Mages tried so hard to protect? After all, the Dragon of Time is nothing more than a big rock now, right?" I hate to admit it, but he makes a good point…

"What are you trying to say, Luca?" the professor sighed, "This is a lesson on magical tools. Let's be done with this conversation.

"Why? Shouldn't a teacher be happy to answer a pupil's question?" Okay, now you just sound suspicious, Luca.

"This is your final warning, Luca. Be quiet and sit down."

But Luca didn't stop. "Or, is there something you don't want us to know about?"

"I said, be quiet and sit down!" the professor snapped. Oh professor used a primitive spell, creating a powerful gust of wind around the room. Thank goodness I'd been holding down my things. Everyone else was not so lucky.

"Woah…" Now even Luca seemed a little startled.

"Listen, Luca." the professor growled, "If you insist on wasting lesson time with idle talk, I will have to make you write an essay reflecting on your actions. Or perhaps the detention chamber might be better? I can think of a certain person who would not like that on her record because of you." That's a little harsh. Why is the professor being so suspicious about this topic? I can't help but think of what Professor Merkulova said…and who is this person Professor Schuyler mentioned? Does Luca...no, he couldn't possibly have a buddy. It's preposterous.

"All right, all right, I get it…" Luca shrugged his shoulders and sat down, but he didn't sound at all remorseful.

…. …. ….

After classes, I waited outside the classroom for Katalina. "Elias!" There she is.

"Where are you going?" I asked her. "Did you forget about the special training?"

"I promised Professor Merkulova." she said simply.

"You're telling me the truth so easily." And honestly, that made me happy that she trusted me at least that much.

"I don't want to hide anything from you." she admitted, "You're my buddy, after all."

"Is that so?" I replied, "Well then, speaking as your buddy, if I tell you not to go, will you stop trying to?"

"I'm sorry." And I could tell she was, even if she looked like she wasn't going to budge. "This is the one things that you can't change my mind about, no matter what you say." Stubborn girl. Stubborn, stubborn girl.

"You...you have no idea, do you?!" Why was she being so difficult! I was trying to keep her safe, but she was intent on just diving right into the danger! "Ugh! Nothing. I'm done here!" I went to stomp off to the dorm. She can get hurt all she wants for all I care! It's her problem and her fault! I tried to help her and she blatantly refused!

And yet, I still felt like I needed to protect her.

No wonder Klaus immediately went running after Selene when she left.

Gah!

…. …. ….

Yukiya was still wherever he went to during his monthly illness. I never has asked him where he stays when he get sick. It's most certainly not the infirmary.

Thus, I was left to my thoughts, which were getting more guilty by the minute. I had to go help her. So I decided to try and convince her one more time, and if that didn't work, I'd accompany her. Sun knows how awful I'd feel if she got hurt and I could've prevented it.

So I waited outside the girls' dorm for her. It was ridiculously easy to sneak out of the dorms. The patrols were all at the school. The woods and dorms were left alone. Which, honestly, is a huge oversight on the school's part, and puts way too much trust in the hands of teenagers. I mean, it was a simple matter for people to sneak out of the dorms and to the woods. Seriously, what if people, or couples, snuck out to do...uh, not so, um...innocent, uh...things, yeah…?

Authoress: Oh my goshness he's so adorable and blushy and awkward! So cuuuute~!

Selene: Isn't he? XD

Go away! Authoress, stop butting in! Selene, you are currently in a different dimension! Don't start mimicking Authoress! Leave the poor fourth wall alone! You abuse it enough in your own story!

Gosh, they just can't quit, can they?

I first saw her when she lit a small candle lamp. She can't even light the end of her wand to use as a light source, how does she think she can better protect the Tower than it already is?

I reached out and grabbed her arm pulling her to the side. She shrieked, "Who is it?!" Ow...that was really high pitched… "Elias?!"

"I guess it was worth the long wait after all." I said, rubbing my ear with my free hand.

She blinked in surprise, "No way. Have you been waiting this whole time?!"

"Yeah. Since curfew." Well, since a bit after, but, eh, technicalities. Close enough.

"Why did you…"

"As your buddy, if anything were to happen to you it'd be my responsibility. Since I can't seem to sway you, we'll go together so I can keep an eye on you." Why can't I just say it? I like her, like-like her. I don't want her getting hurt. Why can't I just speak what's on my mind? Is there something wrong with my thought-to-speech translator? There must be.

"But why…"

"I said, let's go together." I sighed.

"Elias…" she then smiled at me. Oh gosh, that smile

"W-what?" I stuttered, "Don't you know it's rude to stare?"

"Thank you."

"I haven't done anything that needs thanking." I replied curtly.

"Even so." That smile is making something in my stomach twist and is making my thoughts drift somewhere they shouldn't be...oh gosh…stupid teenage hormones...just go die or something... "I just wanted to say thank you."

I felt heat rising in my cheeks at her words, and at the sudden turn my thoughts had talked. "You're so weird. Whatever…" I could see her cheeks also turning red, and I forgot why I was here. Oh yeah. "L-let's go. The East Forest, right?"

"Y-yeah." she quickly agreed.

I made sure she stayed behind me as we made our way down to the East Forest. That way, she would be less likely to notice that I was so not cool at the moment. I was trying to clamp down on my blush and force it back, and trying to keep my mind out of the gutter. Dang you thought process! Just reboot or something!

Professor Merkulova was waiting for us, well, for her, when we got there. "Sorry we're late, professor." Katalina apologized.

"Ah, Katalina. I've been waiting for you." Well no duh. He turned around to look at her, only to see me in front of her. His eyes widened in surprise. "Why is Elias with you? I thought I told you to come alone—to not tell anyone?"

"Yes, but Elias is my buddy, and I trust him with all my heart." That sent a thrill through my chest. She trusted me? "So, please, professor. You can trust him, too."

"But…" the professor seemed uneasy.

"Professor Merkulova, I am Katalina's buddy." I said firmly, "As I know that she may encounter something dangerous, I cannot possibly let her do it alone."

The professor was silent for a moment before speaking, "I understand, but you must not tell anyone else about this."

"Yes, we know." How many times have you said that by now?

"Right. Then let's set off. We don't have much time." Then maybe we shouldn't go at all. Maybe we shouldn't put the helpless, adorably naive wizardess in danger. "Katalina, can you hear the song?" the professor asked her.

I glanced back at her. "Hold on." she said, closing her eyes and listening. A moment later she spoke, "I can hear it!" The carbuncle, which was on her shoulder, started humming what I assumed was the song.

"Is it humming along?" The professor seemed confused.

"Yes." she nodded, "It always gets like this when it hears the song."

The professor tilted his head back and forth a few times, thinking about the information, "Right. Katalina, would you mind leading the way?"

"Okay." But I stopped her.

"Let me go first." She looked surprised, but let me keep in front of her. "Professor Merkulova, please cover us from behind. I'll take the front."

"Right." The professor agreed to that a little too quickly, don't you think? Shouldn't he, as the trained, adult wizard, try to take the lead and keep us from getting hurt, particularly since he's the one trying to get us to do this?

"Are you sure that's okay, Katalina? There's some powerful magic at play in this forest. Shouldn't the grown up wizard go first?" I said, thinking, which is why WE SHOULDN'T BE HERE. Sigh...you and your thick head are the cause of this. If you'd've just listened to me…

"It's all right. As long as we go in the direction of the song, the magic shouldn't have an effect on us." The professor inserted, "But we must stay on the song's path at all costs."

Katalina nodded, then tilted her head, eyes closed as she listened. Oh gosh...the moonlight shining down on her makes her look so ethereal...get back on track, Elias!

She shivered and flinched as she took a step forward.

"Focus." I whispered, taking her hand and squeezing it gently.

"Elias?" she opened her eyes, which glanced at our hands briefly before looking up at me.

I looked away, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "This is just for the time being. Don't start getting any ideas." Ah, gosh, I can't just say what I mean, can I? I want to hold her hand. I want to comfort her. I don't want her to be scared.

She was smiling at me. I could feel it. "Let's go ahead."

The East Forest was thick with trees, exactly like the other two forests the surrounded the academy—the North and South—but unlike them, it held a foreboding aura, and the moonlight barely penetrated between the gaps in the leaves. The mist was thick, and it was hard to see more than a few feet in front of us. Everywhere we were seemed the same as the last scene, and Katalina muttered something about how she felt like we were going in circles, and it was really eerie.

"They probably built the Tower of Sorrow in this creepy forest deliberately to stop people from going near it." I agreed. Or maybe that was the enchantments on the forest talking. Who knows, maybe it was once like the North Forest and it's fairy-like quality between the old, thick trees, or the South Forests with it's many clearings and meadows. But it sure as heck wasn't now. The carbuncle, for one, didn't seem to care about any of it. It was still on Katalina's shoulder, humming happily. It was the one thing that convinced me we weren't going in circles. "Must be nice to sit carefree on someone's shoulder."

"I guess so." Katalina's voice trembled slightly, and her hand had a death grip on mine, and had been so for a while now. I didn't mind, seeing as she wasn't all that strong and it didn't hurt, but I knew she was scared. I wished I could do more to comfort her. And if holding my hand made her feel better, she could hold it all she wanted.

It didn't hurt that it made me feel a bit better, too.

"Both of you stop where you are." the professor suddenly commanded.

Katalina looked behind us, "What's the matter?"

He shushed us, "I think I can hear something."

"Huh?" Like Katalina, I didn't hear anything more unusual than normal. "Elias, can you hear something? All I can hear is the song." But then I started hearing something.

"Yeah. I can hear something. It sounds like a beast's heavy breathing." I said with slightly gritted teeth.

"Wha…?!" I clapped a hand over her mouth before she could shriek. Suddenly, there was a growl, followed by a large, black wolf-lion beast that lunged out. I pulled Katalina behind me as she screamed.

"Watch out!" I yanked

"This beast is…" the professor seemed startled.

The, with a pained noise, it collapsed at our feet.

"What just happened? Something's wrong." Something is seriously, deathly wrong.

Katalina yelped, "It's injured." And of course that's what she of all people would care about.

"The wound looks deep." The professor said. The beast, who apparently heard him, struggled to its feet, growling as it swayed. Then it lunged, trying to reach the professor. "Ack! Scutum Ventos!" A shield of wind surrounded him, sending the beast flying. It hit the ground with a thud, and whined pitifully. Katalina gasped—I felt bad for it at this point, too. But it was still dangerous.

"Quick! Use retraining magic!" But the beast was up and lunging before I could raise my wand. I just barely managed to dart to the side, dragging Katalina with me. Those claws had gotten a little too close for comfort.

"It's no use!" The professor cried out.

"Please leave it to me!" Katalina? Why in heck did she sound so confident?!

"It's dangerous!" I snapped at her.

"It's okay." She smiled at me and my will wavered. "Didn't I tell you before? I can speak to animals." She slowly approached it, talking to it softly, "Hey, it's okay. Calm down. We're not going to hurt you." The creature made a half hearted noise. "It's all right." She reached out to touch it, but then it growled and stumbled to it's feet, preparing to pounce.

"Watch out!" I jumped in front of her before I realized what I was doing. I braced myself as it lunged.

"STOP!" Katalina screamed, causing a tremendous blast of wind to blow up around us. Did she just use…?!

Both of us made yelping noises and stumbled. The Beast darted back and ran off whimpering.

Upon regaining my feet, I turned to Katalina, "Just now…"

"Oh my. That Word Spirit Spell was amazing, Katalina!" the professor told her. Just as I thought. She used a Primitive Spell—wild, wandless magic.

And she clearly realize it. "Huh? Did I?"

"Yes! It was incredible!"

"No way…" Katalina still seemed a bit skeptical of the it, even though the professor had told her.

"You might just have more of a talent for Primitive Magic than Incantation Magic, hmm?" the professor mused. "It's just that Word Spirit Spells aren't part of any specific magic group, and they rarely have much attaching power, and they're difficult to control, to boot. But depending on how they're used, they can be more effective than an incantation."

Her eyes widened, "Really?"

"We aren't here to study." I reminded them.

The professor snapped out of teaching mode, "Ah, that's right. We need to hurry." He paused, "But something like what just happened may occur again. Considering the danger we're in"—no duh—"let's cast a protection spell on you both."

"A protective spell?" Like Katalina, I was skeptical. Most protection spells that were long-term took tremendous amounts of energy and skill. And Professor Merkulova wasn't the most powerful wizard.

"Yes. If anything is about to happen, a doppelganger of you will take your place for you. But only once." He explained.

"I didn't know that sort of magic existed." I said questioningly. I was suspicious. Umbra's had to be cast by the specific person. A person could only create there own, and it was a shadow replica at that.

"Well, it is a very specialized form of magic." he replied.

Now that I think of it, I've heard of something vaguely similar about a certain type of foreign magic, shiki-something-or-other, but… "I'm pretty sure I've never heard of it. Is it part of the Meldas system of magic? Or is it…"

"We'll save the details for later." he interrupted, "We need to get going. Let's start with you, Elias." He raised his wand, "Magia Kera!" I don't recognize that language. Maybe it is foreign magic.

A bunch of light particles sprinkled over me, absorbing into my skin. I didn't feel any different. Perhaps this was passive magic? I was only at the level where I could sense active magic—Klaus himself was only able to reach the level of sensing passive magic just recently. It was a lot harder to sense passive than it was active. That was the point.

"This should be enough." the professor nodded, "Okay, Katalina. Magia Kera!" Light made it's way towards her.

But then carbuncle hissed, and the light disappeared. The professor's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Eh?" That was the carbuncle that did that. Maybe it has a little more magic than I thought.

"It can't be. The spell was rejected?" I don't think Professor Merkulova noticed that the carbuncle had anything to do with it. Should I be worried?

"What?" It seems Katalina didn't realize it either. The carbuncle was pissed, hissing with it's fur raised. She noticed that, "What's wrong, carbuncle? You're acting different that usual."

The professor shook out his wand hand and then raised his wand again, "Well, anyway, let's try that again. Magia Kera!" But again, the carbuncle hissed and the spell evaporated.

"Carbuncle!" Katalina scolded, "What's the matter?"

"Oh dear." The professor sighed, "It looks like we won't be able to cast the protection spell."

"Well, is that's the case, let's carry on without casting the spell. If push comes to shove, I'll protect Katalina myself." I vowed. And I would.

The professor nodded, "All right. It may be wise to continue. I'll also keep an eye on her." Katalina tried to apologize, but he waved it off, "It's not a problem. It's not your fault. Anyway, let's hurry up. Time is short."


Fun Fact 12: I really hate it when people portray Luca as nothing but a flirty slacker. I mean, he can be at times, but not normally. He likes to tease, yes, and to skip, but a lot of it's just a front. If you guys haven't read Luca's route, I really recommend it. It puts everything Luca does into perspective. He has reasons, some of which Elias realizes in Chapter 12. You also learn a lot about it in Warrior Wizardess, my story for Luca.