Couldn't Believe...

Chapter 146

A few weeks later, in Blackie's office...

It's been weeks since the letter came, and nothing happened. I knew he was bluffing. I got worried for nothing.

"Well, we will soon graduate, and I have yet to choose what I will be majoring in. I was thinking of illustration or fashion design, but I'm still lost. After all, I will be working in the field for at least thirty years."

Regarding Scarlet and Aster... it's going well, I guess. I mean, they became friends, but she has yet to fall for him, and she's always on her guards around him. However, he already likes her. This wasn't really what I originally planned, but at least now he's not flirting with other girls anymore, so I guess it's a win-win.

"When it comes to my powers, I've been practicing a lot, and I can even master them without the spirits' presence... except Scarlet. I can barely handle my magic while she's present, and that's pissing me off. I can transform, but for no more than ten minutes, and it's pissing me off! And Scarlet wouldn't even help me! Why?! Does she hate me that much?! Or am I just not worth it in her eyes?!"
"Because you're weak."
*gasp* "Scarlet?! What are you doing here?!"
"I was bored, so I came to see what you were doing."
"Oh, I see. You should've knocked on the door, though."
*glare*
"I, I mean, I wouldn't have been this scared."
*sigh* "I knocked, but there was no answer."
"Ah."

To be honest, I can't say anything when it comes to Scarlet. She's way too scary, and a lot more powerful than me.

"True, I am."
"!"

And she reads minds all the damn time.

"Because it's fun."
"You do know that people's thoughts are part of their privacy, right?"
"So what? I don't really care."
*sigh*
"By the way, what were you talking about earlier?"
"Earlier-" *gasp*
"You were nagging at the fact that I'm not helping you?"
*gulp*
"Alright, then, let's go.
"To where?"
"The training ground, obviously. You want me to help you, right?" *smile*
*gulp*
*woosh*

...

At the training ground...

"So... what do we do?"
"First, transform."
"Ah, yes."
*woosh*
*the Red Flame's sign appears behind Blackie*
"By ember's glow and fire's might,
I call upon the flame's delight.
Reddest hue that burns so bright,
Transform thy form with mystic rite."
*Blackie transforms*

This transformation is truly beautiful.

"Of course, it's mine after all."
"..."
"Alright, now, attack me."
"Huh?"
*sigh* "Didn't you hear me?"
"I did, but how do you want me to attack? Using one of the two swords, or magic?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Eum... okay." *sword appears* *attacks*
*smile* *dodge* "Missed."
*attacks*
*dodge* "Missed."
*grit* *attacks*
*grabs the sword*
*gasp*
*drip drip* "Not quite."

She hurt herself!

"You're way too innocent and weak to use my powers."
"!"
"Proof is, you're worried about your own opponent."
*grip*
"Rule number one, do anything to win, even if it means putting yourself at risk."
"I can't do that! I'm not immortal like you!" *gasp*
*glare*

I messed up-

*woosh*
*gasp*

She... she suddenly pointed the sword at me!

*kick*
*BAM* "Ouch!"
*woosh*
"?!"
*grab* *throw*
"Agh!"
*woosh*
*glow*
"By the flames of scarlet shade,
I call upon my power, displayed.
From the depths where the fire resides,
Let your magic shine and rise."
*Red flames appear in Scarlet's hand*
"!"

She wouldn't-

"I would, and I will." *attacks*
*dodge* "I barely did it-"
"You didn't."
"!"
*woosh*
*BAM* "AGH!"
"Rule number two, don't let your guard down."
*cough cough* "You're not fair! I was worried because you hurt your hand, and it's bleeding! And I felt guilty for reminding you of your immortality!"
"You said it, though. I'm immortal."
"?"
*the cut disappears*
*gasp*
"I'll heal instantly. And you know that I'm well aware of my immortality, and that I don't care at all."
"..."
"That's why I never taught you. Hexy, Diane and Aster all went easy on you. They never hurt you, which led in not showing you that no matter who your opponent is, they can all of a sudden turn against you and attack you-"
*gets up* *attacks*
*punch*
*BAM* "Eugh..." *cough cough*
*smirk* "And attack you like you're their worst enemy."
*grit*
"I, on the other hand, is not this merciful. I don't give a fuck about what might happen to you, because you're nothing but another wizard added to me list of funerals I'll sadly have to attend."
*freeze*
"Don't forget, Blackie. You might be my Master, but you'll leave this world before I do, so I really have no reason to be attached to you."
"..."
"Not gonna lie, tho, I'm impressed."
"... Why?"
"You endured a lot, yet you're still able to get up."
"Well, your attacks were great, but not enough to kill me-"
"I was not talking about now."
"..."
"But know that your power will never be enough if you don't work harder."
"Then what do you propose?"
"I'm just telling you the truth. I personally have nothing to propose."
"..."

I hate to admit it, but she's right. I never realized how well Hexy, Aster and Diane treated me during our training. Even if they sometimes attacked me by surprise, they always made sure I wouldn't deeply or gravely get hurt, but with Scarlet, it's different. She's not attached to me, she doesn't care whether I am injured or not, and she certainly doesn't mind me hating her. She's fearless, heartless, emotionless, but this makes her stronger than any of us.

"Can I strike a deal with you?"
"Which is?"
"Teach me."
"Huh? You want me to teach you?"
*nod* "Help me become stronger. I want to be just like you."
"You mean heartless and emotionless?"
"..."

She read my mind.

"No, I meant fearless and strong."
"... Alright."
"Eh? You sure?"
"Yep. This place is boring, so this will be quite a good hobby."

She just considered my serious training a hobby...

"And you don't want anything in return?"
"I do have one wish, and you know what it is."
*freeze*
"And I am pretty sure you're working on it right now. I don't know how, though."
"..."
"Anyways, call me when you wanna start the lessons."
"..."
"See ya."
*nod*
*woosh*
"She better not find out my plan to help her, or else I'm dead."
*knock knock*
"Who is it?"
"Blackie, it's me."
"Come in, Eluma."
*clack*
"Morning."
*pale*
"... Eluma, are you okay?"
"..." *hands over his letter*
"What's this-!"

This...

"My uncles sent me this warning a few weeks ago."
*opens* *reads*
"... I wasn't planning on telling you about it, but them sending me this kind of letter and suddenly disappearing is weird, but I thought that I have to inform you about it anyways."
*looks at the date* "..."

The date matches the one from Kuro's letter.

*grip* "This is not a coincidence."
"What are you talking about?"
*hands over her letter*
"... You received a letter?"
*nod* "From my father. Same day as yours, same warning."
"!"
"Don't you think that this is very fishy?"
"... Do you think they are planning something?"
"Most likely, because this isn't a coincidence."
"What should we do?"
"I don't know. I'm barely keeping up between the others and the Academy and my training and Scarlet and now this. It's just too much."
"..." *approach*
"What?
*hug*
"!"
"I know this is tough, but we can do it."
"... 'We'?"
"You're never going through this alone, alright?"
"..." *nod*
*kisses her forehead* "Don't worry. Plus, looks like they backed off since they didn't come."
"You must be right-"
*BAM*
"!"
"What was that sound?!"
"..."

This can't be...

*looks out the window* *freeze* "... You talked too fast."
*approach* "What are you talking about-" *glance* *gasp*

... They really came?!

"Black Akari, come here right now!"
"Eluma, show yourself!"

This shit has to end once and for all.

"Let's go."
"... We have to confront them."
*nod*
*woosh*

I'll show you what it means to challenge me, father.