The Invitation

-----Kaede's POV

Yui: "So, what was that back there?"

We finished dinner and headed back into our room. It seemed like Olivia and Gabriella did actually start to talk more. I know I was a bit forceful, but I really just wanted this to end sooner.

Kaede: "I didn't charm her if that's what you thought."

Yui: "Then what was that?"

Kaede: "Well, at first it came out instinctively. I'm not entirely sure what I did either, but I guess I made her feel fear when I was sending my mana towards her."

I realize now that I shouldn't have done that, but again, it happened instinctively and by the time I realized what I was doing, I may as well just continue until she accepts to try and get along with Olivia.

Yui: "So now Gabriella fears you?"

Kaede: "I guess... I do regret doing it."

Yui: "As long as you know what you did was wrong, then I'll let it slide."

Kaede: "I'll be sure to apologize when I see her next."

Yui: "Mm."

We snuggle up in bed as Yui now shuts her eyes. I guess I feel pretty tired tonight, so I may as well try and get some sleep as well. I bring myself closer to Yui as we both slowly fall asleep in each other's arms. 

The instant the light broke into the room from the windows, I wake up and begin getting changed.

Yui: "Mmm?"

Kaede: "Good morning~"

Yui: "Morning... Why are you up so early?"

Kaede: "I wanna catch Gabriella early before we head to class."

Yui: "...Isn't she just next door? We can hear when their door opens."

I... didn't think of that. Even in a daze, Yui still has her wits as she slumps her head back into the pillow.

Yui: "I'll get up soon... 10 more minutes~"

I'm honestly getting a bit hungry now, but I suppose I can wait till Yui wakes up. Also I'll need to give her some of my blood just as a precaution.

And so, after getting ourselves, it's time for breakfast. I sink my fangs into Yui's neck, and just like all the other times, her blood still tasted the same. It's a bit stressful to think that one day, her blood might taste different, but at least for now, she still tastes like human.

After feeling satisfied, I heal her neck before stabbing my palm with my nail. Unlike yesterday, Yui didn't hesitate as she began to drink my blood in a relaxed manner. I like how she's accepting of me, but it still weirds me out seeing Yui drink blood. Makes me contradict my thoughts to whether Yui is a human or not.

Suddenly, I could hear a door open from outside. I immediately rush out of the dorm room in hopes to catch Gabriella, but what happened instead was an awkward collision between me and Olivia.

Kaede: "Sorry!"

Olivia: "Ah- no. It's fine."

Gabriella: "..."

Before I could react, the person who I wanted to talk to began to run past us, heading straight for the stairs.

Kaede: "W-wait!"

She didn't stop at my call and continued to run. I could just chase after her, but I don't think that'll be a good idea. I sigh in defeat as I watch her figure go down the stairs. She took a moment to look back at us as our eyes lock onto one another at a distance before she walks down, disappearing from our sights.

Yui: "Unlucky."

Olivia: "Did you want to speak with her, Kaede?"

Kaede: "Yeah... I wanted to apologize to her for making her feel uncomfortable."

Yui: "You think you can talk to her? And mention that Kaede would like to apologize?"

Olivia: "Mmmm, I don't know. I felt like we were getting along at dinner, but when we got back to our room, she just went silent and didn't want to talk with me. But I'll try my best!"

Kaede: "Thank you."

It's hard to tell if it's because of me. Actually it could truly be because of me since I was there during dinner. If I wasn't there during dinner, maybe Gabriella wouldn't have opened up to Olivia at all. Either way, I have to apologize.

It was then that Luna had come out from her room as she starts to make her way towards us, and after greeting us, we all head downstairs as a group. Eventually it came to us having to separate to go to our classes, and just like yesterday, I monitor Yui as we separate further from each other. After seeing that she's okay, I break line of sight of her before heading to my class.

It'll be too awkward to find Gabriella in the cafeteria and apologize, since she'd probably prefer to be somewhere private, so I suppose I'll try and catch her after classes finish. For now though, I'll focus on my main goal.

Kaede: "Good morning~"

Violet/Collin: "Morning."

I have to hurry up and get on these guys' good side. I have to somehow try and meet their parents since they'll be the most important piece. I can befriend Violet and Collin all I like, but I doubt their parents would let them run off to Yarene.

Kaede: "Sucks that we didn't get to summon anything yesterday."

Collin: "Yeah. Hey but at least another student managed to summon their familiar, so hopefully we can continue further as a class."

Kaede: "How do you guys usually train? I doubt you could have summoned that scorpion because of this academy."

Violet: "We have a tutor back home."

Collin: "2 tutors actually. One for the both of us."

Violet: "Mhmm. My brother's tutor is more sword training focused, and mine is more summoning focused."

I'm aware that tutors are a thing, even Yui has one, but 2 tutors? Their parents must be quite rich to afford that.

Kaede: "So do you guys normally head back home during the weekends?"

Collin: "Well, yeah. But we also go back everyday."

Violet: "Yeah, we don't use the dorms. We sleep back home."

Now that makes sense as to why I've never seen Violet in the dormitory. But I wonder why? They seem rich so they should be able to afford living at the dorm, so... Actually nevermind, I can already guess as to what the reason is.

Kaede: "Is your house close by?"

Collin: "It's about a 10 minute walk, so yeah it's a little close."

Violet: "Actually did you want to come over one of these days?"

Huh? Wait. Did I hear that right? I was just thinking about a way to meet their parents, but now Violet's asking me if I want to come over? I can't let this opportunity slip by.

Kaede: "But isn't it wrong for a commoner to visit a noble's household?"

I try to contain myself, acting what I think a commoner should react.

Violet: "It's fine~"

Collin: "Yeah. You're one of the academy's champions now. Our father talked about you at home after you won. I'm sure he'd love to meet you."

I wonder if I didn't win the tournament, would it be this easy?

Kaede: "Okay. I'll take you up on that offer then."

Violet: "Yay~"

Julius: "Alright everyone. Please take your seats."

Right on time, our teacher comes in as I move back to my seat. I didn't get to ask when they'd like me to come over to their house, but I'd assume they'd approach me about it.

Julius: "Now, a couple of you are still having some struggles, but I'd like to move onto other types of summoning magic."

Yes! I feel bad about the two students who are behind, but finally! I get to learn something else!

Julius: "Besides your familiars, other forms of summoning magic aren't dependent on the element you possess. However, let's say you want to create a construct, like a golem, then it will take the form of your mana type."

Interesting. So that golem I fought while coming to Inasdale, their master would've been an earth mage?

Julius: "In general, the larger the monster, the more denser the crest needed to summon it. So I'd like for us to learn how to summon a simple bird. Now you can add nuances to the crest in order to summon a particular kind of bird, but for now we'll focus on the core part of the crest."

The teacher begins to write on the blackboard, detailing what the crest for a bird looks like. He said it's simple, but it looks just as complex as when I had to draw a crest to summon Mai. I begin to copy what he's writing down into my notebook, making sure to even add what stroke order he used as well just in case that matters. I'm glad Violet told me about how summoning works beforehand, so when it does come around for us to summon the bird, I'll be sure to use just enough mana as I need in order to pull it off. I'm not about to just summon something crazy again, it's bad enough with Mai.