Forty

Amber stood nervously before her esteemed master, Alana, in front of the imposing classroom door. The atmosphere was charged with a palpable sense of importance and mystique, causing Amber's heart to race with anticipation. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, a mix of curiosity and apprehension coloring her words, "Master, what is it?"

Alana, her face exuding warmth and wisdom, smiled at Amber. "I simply wanted to wish you a good day, Amber," she replied kindly. The sincerity in Alana's words filled Amber with a surge of gratitude, but beneath the surface, a yearning for something more lingered in her eyes.

In that moment, Naoka, another student in the class, stepped forward to Alana and bowed respectfully. "It is an honor to meet the demon queen," Naoka greeted Alana with reverence. However, Alana's responsibilities called her away. "I must go, I have work to attend to," she explained, a sense of urgency in her tone.

As Alana departed, Naoka bid her farewell, leaving Amber alone with her. Amber's heart pounded in her chest, uncertainty swirling within her. She was unsure of what would unfold next. Sensing her unease, Naoka offered a formal invitation, saying, "Well, I shall allow you to enter the room now."

Naoka gestured towards the door, signaling for Amber to open it and accompany her inside. Summoning her courage, Amber took a deep breath and approached the door. With Naoka by her side, she crossed the threshold and entered the room.

The teachers inside turned their attention to Naoka, surprised by her presence but also respectful of her authority. Amber reminded herself to remain composed, not allowing her nerves to overwhelm her. She whispered a mantra to herself, "Stay focused, don't let the stress show. Look at them, introduce yourself."

Naoka broke the silence, taking charge of the situation. "I present to you the new girl. You may step forward now," she announced, her voice exuding an air of authority. Encouraged by Naoka's words, Amber took a deep breath and confidently moved forward, her eyes scanning the entire class.

With all eyes fixed upon her, Amber knew it was her turn to speak. "Hello, my name is Amber, and I have just arrived. I hope to have a wonderful year with all of you," she greeted the class, her voice a delicate blend of hope and vulnerability.

The teachers acknowledged her introduction, offering comforting reassurances. "Welcome, Amber. Everything will be alright," they assured her. One of the teachers pointed to a girl named Alice, who raised her hand in a friendly gesture, inviting Amber to join her. "You may go and sit next to Alice," the teacher suggested.

Grateful for the warm reception, Amber made her way to the vacant seat next to Alice. The genuine warmth emanating from Alice's smile eased Amber's worries. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Amber," Alice greeted her, extending a hand in friendship.

Amber returned the smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Likewise," she replied. Sensing her vulnerability, Amber took a chance and asked, "Can I sit with you? I don't have any friends here."

Alice's eyes softened with compassion as she considered Amber's request. "Of course, don't worry," she reassured her. "But just so you know, the seat you're in right now is usually occupied by Eloise."

Amber nodded understandingly, realizing her temporary occupancy. "Oh, okay. When she comes back, I'll find another place," she replied, making a mental note of the arrangement.

Curiosity got the better of Alice. "I wonder what Eloise is doing now," she mused. "I bet she's still fast asleep."

Meanwhile, in another corner of the realm, Eloise found herself engaged in a playful banter with her younger sister, Mia. Their laughter filled the room, creating a joyous and carefree atmosphere. Eloise suddenly sneezed, catching Mia's attention.

"Someone must be talking about you," Mia playfully accused, her mischievous tone mixing with concern.

Eloise's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly reassured her sister. "No, don't worry. It's just a saying. And stop calling me a pedophile, I'm your big sister now," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Unfazed, Mia stuck out her tongue, showcasing her childish defiance. Eloise couldn't resist the opportunity for some sisterly mischief. "Come here," she beckoned, her eyes brimming with mischief. Embracing Mia, she initiated a tickle attack, filling the room with contagious laughter.

Between fits of giggles, Mia pleaded, "Stop! Eloise!" Yet, the laughter continued, strengthening the bond between the sisters and infusing the room with warmth and affection.

Finally relenting, Eloise released her sister from her playful grasp. They caught their breath, their faces radiating happiness. "You have to say the magic word," Eloise teased, a mix of affection and authority in her voice.

Mia, still giggling, managed to compose herself and blurted out, "Please!"

Eloise, satisfied, ended the tickling assault. "Finally! Now, tell me, what would you like to do, Mia? What is your dream?" she asked, her voice gentle yet brimming with genuine curiosity.

Mia's eyes sparkled with hope as she shared her aspirations. "I would like to open a restaurant for the orphanage. Sometimes, we don't have enough food because of the lack of money. So my dream is to have a restaurant where the people in the orphanage can always have enough to eat," she expressed, her voice reflecting her determination and compassion.

Eloise's heart swelled with pride and admiration for her sister's selflessness. "That's a wonderful idea," she exclaimed, her voice brimming with encouragement. "We will build that restaurant, but first, we need to gather the necessary materials."

Mia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she envisioned the endless possibilities that lay before her. "Yes!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with eager anticipation. The thought of making her dream a reality filled her with a newfound sense of purpose.

As Mia's enthusiasm soared, Eloise's mind wandered down memory lane, retracing the arduous path she had walked as a dedicated monster hunter. She couldn't help but think about the countless missions she had undertaken, the battles fought, and the bounties earned. Now, those hard-earned funds would finally find a purpose in fulfilling her sister's dream. Determination burned brightly within Eloise as she realized that her accumulated wealth could be a catalyst for something truly meaningful.

Lost in their thoughts and aspirations, the sisters were suddenly interrupted by their mother, Lucy, calling them for lunch. Startled from their dream-filled conversation, Mia and Eloise exchanged excited glances before making their way to the dining room.

As they stepped into the room, their eyes were immediately drawn to a peculiar sight—a purple dish emitting vibrant green smoke. The captivating display piqued their curiosity, and they exchanged puzzled glances. Mia couldn't help but whisper, her voice laced with both curiosity and a hint of concern, "What is that thing?" Her gaze naturally turned towards Eloise, as if seeking answers from her experienced older sister.