After Effects
Somewhere in one of the darkest places in Afasia, a pair of bright yellow eyes sprung open. Its pupil was long and narrow like a snake’s, and a scar ran from above his right eyebrow all the way down to the middle of his cheek.
“It’s been a long time since I felt that energy.” said a deep and menacing voice. “That child should have grown by now.”
The owner of the bright yellow eyes suddenly smiled in a very unsettling manner.
“I will enjoy tearing her apart.”
***
I woke up with a gasp. I held my chest where I felt my heart beating like crazy and tried to calm myself. Images of what happened flashed into my mind and I remembered the scene where the original Luna was about to die in the hands of a demon. Fortunately, a strange power made the demon unable to do so and saved Luna.
-If I were to analyze that, Luna died after being stabbed in the chest. That glow should be my power when I entered her body and she became my host.
I stared at my hands and tried to calm myself. I needed to calm down so I could think clearly.
I don’t have any recollection of Luna’s memories. That was a fact. At first I thought it was because we were two separate entities. Her soul left her dying body and it was chosen by my spirit to occupy. I thought, she brought her memories with her when she left, but it seemed like, it was somewhere inside my head apparently.
-Does that mean the real Luna is just somewhere inside me? And that village… Aunt Zaira never told me anything about saving me from a demon attack. Wait, why did the demons attack Luna’s village in the first place? Did Aunt Zaira know about it? What was that yellow-eyed demon talking about Luna’s future? And that celestial… who is he? Why is he aiding a demon?
A lot more questions ran in my mind and I did not have any answers. I knew one person who might have an answer and I had to see her.
I quickly got off the bed, but before I could even take my third step, my vision suddenly spun and I crashed to the floor.
“Eh? Why do I… feel so weak?”
The door opened and a woman in a doctor’s gown entered. I took this time to glance around and realized I was actually inside the infirmary.
“Dr. Denaiad?” I called. “What was I-“
“Student Freya brought you here last night. She said you suddenly passed out while in the west forest. I don’t know why you were there but you scared the hell out of us young lady!”
“Eh?”
She helped me go back to the bed.
“What do you mean doc?”
“How did you even get stabbed? We asked Student Freya about it, but she doesn’t have an idea either.”
“Stabbed?”
“Yes. In your chest.” the middle-aged woman sighed. “Thankfully it was in the right side, but it did nick your lung. We were able to stop the bleeding and heal it but it definitely left a scar.”
I immediately checked the right side of my chest and saw a kind of zigzag line scar. I traced it with my finger and winced when I felt it sting.
-It’s where little Luna was stabbed. But I never had this one before…
“I already informed Professor Tresde and the Headmaster about your situation. Professor Tresde said she will talk to your aunt about your condition.”
“I see. Thank you.”
But then, I remembered something.
“Doc, what about Freya? What about my familiar Vyfal? Where are they?”
“Student Freya should be in her class right now. As for your familiar, student Kai took her since she was restless and was keeping vigil at your side.”
Her words made me sigh in relief.
“You should still feel weak. According to my assessment, you exhausted your life energy while mending the wound on your lung and chest. Also, it seems like you used a high-level mind spell before you got stabbed. You are drained both physically and mentally in a sense.” she explained.
“I see. Thank you again, doc.”
“It’s my job. Now rest up, okay?”
“Okay.”
I watched her walk out of the door. A few minutes later, I fell back to sleep. When I woke up again, it was already the middle of the night and a Magic Message from Aunt Zaira was floating in front of me.
[“I heard from Kayla what happened. I already applied for you to take the rest of the week off so I can talk to you and you can recuperate. Mildred will be fetching you from school. –Zaira”]
I swiped my hand on the floating letters and it vanished.
-At least I can finally talk to her.
The next day, Mildred arrived at around breakfast but before we could leave, my friends visited me in the infirmary for the last time.
“Uhm… Vyfal has been very worried about you.” said Kai and handed Vyfal who hopped towards me.
“Kyuu!” <”Luna!”>
“Hey. Don’t worry. I’m fine.” I said, soothing her by caressing her head. “I’m fine, okay?”
“Are you?” Kai asked. I noticed the tone of worry in his voice. “You move sluggishly.”
“At least I’m still alive, right?” I gave him a smirk. “And besides. I’m the Luna Hysi.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means… I’ll bounce back in no time whatever is thrown at me. So please stop worrying and focus on how to survive here without me.”
“Peter and Thomas already gave their word that they’ll never let me out of their sight.” he grimaced. He sounded annoyed and I had to suppress my laughter.
“Good luck then.”
After saying goodbye to my friends, which included a few cries from Andrea (seriously, I wasn’t dying or leaving forever), I left the Imperial Academy.
“You did a good job back there.” Mildred said. “A good job on holding yourself together that is. Don’t you still feel drained?”
I let out a weak smile. Nothing could escape her eyes. As expected from a senior executive of Aunt Zaira’s subordinates. Of course, she was telling the truth. As I was saying goodbye to my friends, I was trying not to stumble on my own feet. Somehow, whatever happened when I blacked out in the forest, left me very drained of energy.
“How did you notice?” I asked.
“Please. I wouldn’t be an executive under your aunt if I’m not observant.”
“Thank you.”
Mildred only gave me a smile and I started to drift off. I was so out of it (and so tired) that I woke up in my bedroom the next day. I know, horrible.
“Kyuu!” <”Luna!”> Vyfal exclaimed and started jumping up and down on my abdomen. Well, at least she wasn’t affected by whatever was happening to me.
“Hey. How did I get to my room?” I asked.
<”Mildred couldn’t wake you up so she asked someone to get you to your room. She also called Aunt Zaira about it. It caused quite a panic to everyone in the mansion!”>
I sighed and shook my head. I sat up and thankfully, it seemed like I was finally regaining my energy since I no longer felt sluggish.
“I should apologize to them later.” I reminded myself.
<“You should! The archduchess also left her paperwork to check on you. Thankfully, she said you were only sleeping, recuperating the energy you lost.”>
“Yeah. Someone once told me with great power comes great need of sleep.”
<”I don’t think that’s how it works.”>
I only grinned and the two of us burst out laughing.
A/N:
Happy New Year!!! Hope all your fingers are still intact and you don't have indigestion. :D
About the publish schedule issue, it is yet to be resolved so please be a little patient and understanding if the story is updated a little later instead of 00:00 (midnight), but I will do my best to update at an M-W-F schedule.
Thanks for the concern guys. And the support.
P.S.
I made a Webnovel account so I could like and reply on your comments. This is a confirmation that the Niche_Bezarius that replied to you recently is me. :D