Get Off!

I explained briefly to them, leaving the important details for next time since Rosalyn is with us.

"Is that so?" Lily said angrily next to me, attempting to separate Rosalyn away from me that's clinging in my body since the beginning. Lily has been pulling Rosalyn even with the use of mana, but Rosalyn won't budge. But at the same time, I'm quite astonished how Rosalyn can manage to cling to me the entire time. I can't shake the image of a monkey on Rosalyn.

"Nnnnngh! Get off him!"

"No!" Rosalyn voiced out her rejection of the idea.

"Ugh! Kuff! Kuff!" I grunted in pain because Rosalyn tightens her embrace, squeezing my stomach.

"Geeet off! And, why you two not helping me?!"

"I-I... This looks interesting, I'm not going to lie." Adelle outright said it to Lily's face, despite the hesitation at first. Next to her, Clara just nodded along. Both Lily and I looked at them with contempt. In a desperate attempt, I also helped Lily on removing Rosalyn from my body, but my actions are only making it worse as Rosalyn's nails are slowly digging their way into my flesh.

"Aw, aw, aw, all right! I won't push you away! Lily stop it! Aw, aw, aw, it hurts!"

I can tolerate pain from an open wound, but Rosalyn's nails are too hot. It's like she's injecting lava inside. It's melting me from inside and out. The pain is too much for me to handle. Gladly enough, Lily listened to me and backs away. She tilts her head while looking at me. I smiled wryly and mouthing. 'I will handle it.'

Rosalyn climbs up and hugs me in front of me, laying her head on my shoulder happily. Then she whispers in my ears. "Thank you, Claude, ♥"

"S-Sure..." I shivered.

"Mhmm~♥" Rosalyn hums joyously.

Despite what happened earlier with us, I can't shake the creepy feeling vibe coming from Rosalyn. Outside, she's like this pure, innocent little animal, but on the inside... Something is looming, ready to be unleashed. My instincts are screaming to not mess with it. Was it the power of the phoenix? Or way worst? I can't tell.

Lily's reaction was written all over her face because of her curled lips. "Tsk, then let's go."

"Eh, where?"

"Accompany me. No asking."

"O-Okay...? But... Right now?"

I glance back to Adelle and Clara. "It's an important business that she needed to attend to. She said you're the only person she can bring." Adelle explained.

"Is that so? Ooooh! I get it now." I walk next to Lily and she rolls her eyes. "What?"

"I thought you will handle it? Why is that thing over your neck?"

"Threesome?"

"No! Didn't you listen to what Adelle said to you? Are you even listening?"

"Yeah. It's an 'important' business. And I'm the only one who can accompany you. I heard them clear and loud."

"Noo! It's a real meeting, okay?! It's between two parties, okay? A civilized meeting!"

"Ohh, you should've said that sooner. You know that I don't usually attend those stuff nor get those kinds of invitations."

"Are you serious...?" Lily left her mouth hanging.

"Fufufu..." Adelle behind us was holding back her laughter.

────────────

Because of Rosalyn, we're garnering too much attention from people. Well, not only because of Rosalyn but also because the princess from Askar kingdom is walking side by side with me. Or perhaps because of two's uniform. Either way, I need to focus on getting Rosalyn to act normally without the need of clinging to my body.

"Lily."

"What?'

"I'm surprised that you're the only person who reacted normally, unlike the other two."

"Do you think Clara would care? As long you care for her and give her attention, it's enough for her."

"You're right... Well, Adelle..."

"For Adelle... I don't know what she's thinking. Grr, I'm so upset! When will that thing stop from clinging to you! Look at her, she's in her world! No one exists other than you! She hasn't moved since the beginning!" Lily points angrily at Rosalyn.

"Ignore her. Treat her like a ghost—" My face was pulled and soft lips smacks against mine. "Puha—! Rosalyn?!"

"Don't treat me like a ghost!" Rosalyn burst into tears.

"E-Eh...? N-No... I'm not... All right, all right, calm down now." 'Why do I get a feeling that I'm taking care of Tsuki for some reason...'

Lily at the side was giving me the long face then she snap. "Aaah! I can't take it anymore." Lily releases a tremendous amount of man to the surrounding, freezing the ground and the walls around us. On her hand, she summons a sword made out of ice. She glares at me, specifically at Rosalyn.

"Uh, Lily... Don't cause a problem please..."

"You can endure it right?" Lily smiles at me.

"N-No... Yes...? That's not a question you ask for someone, you know?"

"I know, but it's you. So I don't mind."

"Still!"

"You've been training to be stronger, so with that reason—"

"Why are you so impatient?!"

Lily didn't respond but instead took her usual sword stance. "Just a little scratch would do."

"Hell no!" I swipe my hands in the air and manifest four magic circles with each different geometric drawing.

"Zzzz..."

Lily and I's conversation was abrupted by the sound of someone sleeping. It was so close since it's the person sticking on my body, earlier, is now asleep on the floor. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. Lily and I withdraw our hands, giving students around us some room to breathe now.

I look at Lily and said. "Oh... That's convenient... Let's get her back to her dorm then go to your meeting?"

"Y-Yeah..."

────────────

After going back to the female dormitory and putting Rosalyn on her bed, I waited for Lily outside. Just like before in Stephanie's class, some of them approached and some of them eyed me with disdain like I'm a plague. Since it was Lily accompanying me. I didn't entertain them because I know what will happen if I do so. Every hair in my body erects from just imagining it. When Lily saw me, she immediately drags me away.

"What happened to her? Is she still sleeping?" I asked.

"Yes. Let's get out of here before that woman wakes up."

"I'm pretty sure she will be asleep until tomorrow." The mana on Rosalyn's body is unstable since last night, so perhaps that's the reason why she suddenly fell asleep out of nowhere.

"I don't care. Let's get you out of here."

"Yes, mam."

We exited the campus and are now on our way to a far distant place. Looking at the rich scenery of the grass, trees, and plants. I can't help to wonder what kind of placing we're heading on.

"Where are we heading? And who are you talking to?"

"Don't talk to me."

"Hey, come on... Rosalyn isn't that bad."

"Not bad?! She's a crazy person, Claude! I will knock some common sense in your head! Who in the right mind would associate himself with a psycho? Tell me, Claude. Tell me. Her obsession could turn into a possessive one and that's where the real problem occurs, Claude."

"..."

"So? Did you bite your tongue? Things will be hard if you're too late to respond to it, Claude. Why are you so stupid? Does your dick think for you?" Lily continued berating me.

"Ouch..."

I skip my way next to Lily, but a sword welcomes my neck. "I'm still scolding you."

"I know, I know. But do you have any clue about the phoenix?" I can feel the sweat forming around my forehead.

"The spirit? The twin's spirit?" Lily pulls her hand, as her sword melts.

"Yeah. Are you familiar with it?"

Lily's expression soften. "Hmm... I do. According to the books that I've read from the far-western continent, there was once a civilization living in prosperity from their cultural and magical development. It was once held as the greatest civilization to ever lived, said on the diary from one of my ancestors. And phoenix is among the thirty-three spirit gods."

"Wait, a diary? How old is that? Thirty-three?"

"I'm not sure... I only skimmed through it."

"Is that so?"

"Father told me that our library consists of the greatest history of the world. Although when I'm reading it, I'm not sure about its authentication since it's too surreal. I mean, spirit gods leading a civilization? A spirit? Even a god? Isn't that too surreal?" Lily giggles.

"Y-Yeah..."

"Right? Hear me out, I also read a story about how our world before had gods that we worship. Not one god, but gods. Isn't that ridiculous? Imagine hundreds or even thousands of Gaias' around the globe. Nevertheless, it's really interesting for a book."

Lily continues. "Although there are parts that I don't understand... All creations shall ascend to a higher realm? Then next to it, all sins shall be purified and something about misery. Are you interested in it? I've read a few of them back then, but lost interest since I thought they're books for children."

"Yeah... It's in your royal library, right? Can I go there? Am I allowed?"

"Of course, I'll talk to father... I'll surely annoy him."

(Diana.)

(We need to go there. Perhaps it also holds some important information that we needed.) Diana screams in excitement.

"Anyway, what about the phoenix? The phoenix is among the thirty-three gods, correct?"

"Indeed."

"Are there more information about the phoenix after that?"

"Yeah. According to the text, the phoenix was definitely the kindness and benevolent god among all of them. No god even came close from its love to its people. The phoenix willingly gave up its wing to its people, and then his heart. They call him the flaming sun of hope."

"Sun of hope, huh?"

"I don't know." Lily shrugs. "Oh wait, we're here."

"Wait, can you please continue?"

"That's everything I have. I told you, I only skimmed through it. There's nothing really important written there that would benefit me. If you think this is related to the twin's spirit. Sorry, but I don't think you can find any spirit's origin from books."

"Ah, I see. Thank you for telling me." I lock my gaze on Lily's back.