Happenings on the Field Trip [9] - Mutual

The petite girl with bright brown shoulder-length hair grew more wary by the second as she looked around.

Ana was still enjoying the bonfire, along with the majority of the other students who reveled in the late-night atmosphere. The collective enjoyment made the evening even more delightful.

Beside her was the group she had been introduced to today, thanks to Ophelia, for which she was very grateful.

In just a few hours, she felt like a member of their friend group, something she had longed for so long.

"Silas?" Ana began, addressing the boy who stood gazing up at the night sky.

"Mmh?" he replied absently.

"Have you seen Quill? He said he would rest for a bit and come back soon, but it's almost midnight, and he still hasn't returned."

Silas glanced at her, concern flickering in his eyes. "Maybe he just overslept. We've been training a lot these past few days."

She nodded, unable to disagree. The training had been a burden on their bodies, especially since most of them were unaccustomed to such intense physical exertion.

"...Maybe I should go and look for him?"

"No need. I'll go," Silas offered promptly.

"Ah, yes, alright! Thank you!" she said, bowing her head slightly.

As Silas stepped away, a nearby conversation caught his attention.

"Excuse me, Emrys, but have you seen Weiss anywhere?" Silas recognized the two girls speaking with Emrys as Weiss's teammates.

"Uh...no, not really. Sorry. Maybe check her tent?" Emrys suggested, seated a bit further away from Ana but close enough for Silas to overhear. Beside him were Oliver Arc and Violeta Sol.

The girls exchanged embarrassed glances. "We would have, but... well, Weiss never showed us where her tent is."

Emrys scratched his head, looking around at his friends. "Oh, why not ask the professors? They can pinpoint exactly where she is."

The girls' faces brightened. "You're right. We completely forgot about that. Thanks!"

As they turned to leave, Silas shouted, "Wait!"

Everyone turned to him. "There's no need to ask. Weiss is currently in the forest."

One of the girls looked perplexed. "...At this hour?"

Emrys chimed in, "I mean, we're talking about Weiss Licht here. She could be in the middle of training."

The two girls exchanged skeptical looks. "We're sorry, but we need to be sure. We'll ask Professor Nadine instead."

"Huuuh," Silas sighed heavily. "I didn't want to resort to this." He clapped his palms together, bowing his head deeply. 

"I beg you, my friend Quill is confessing his feelings to Weiss right now, so please don't interrupt this moment for him!"His words hung in the air, leaving almost everyone around him with shocked expressions.

"W-What?!" Ana exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. Violeta followed with a skeptical "The heck?" and Oliver added a disbelieving "...Seriously?"

Emrys, on the other hand, simply nodded, his respect for Quill Nocturne rising as he imagined the bravery it took to confess to the Weiss Licht.

Silas looked back up, trying to appear sincere. "We all know he'll probably come back heartbroken, but at least let it happen without an audience."

The two girls were overwhelmed, confusion evident on their faces. They nodded reluctantly. "Eh, yeah, okay. T-Then we'll just enjoy the rest of the night. See you all." they said, waving as they left the group.

Silas turned to Ana, feigning an apologetic smile. "Ah, sorry for lying earlier, Ana. Quill insisted on keeping it a secret. I only found out by chance when I stumbled upon them while I was away.

Ana's tense shoulders relaxed, and a soft smile crept onto her face. "Don't worry about it! I understand. It's just... surprising. Quill never struck me as someone who had those kinds of feelings for another person."

Violeta chimed in with a smirk, "Pfff, trust me, he always has those kinds of feelings. And I don't mean romantic interest. Just be glad Weiss would thrash him if he tried anything funny."

Ana remained silent, her mind spinning with the new information.

Inwardly, Silas was sweating, proud of himself for managing the situation, yet a lingering thought gnawed at him: Why weren't the professors already aware of their absence?

To his knowledge, Weiss would be in a distant, secluded location, probably not allowed this late at night.

Did the professors simply not check their tracking tablets since dawn? But wouldn't that be too reckless? Maybe they thought Weiss Licht was capable enough to be alone? But then again, wouldn't there be suspicion about Quill being close by her?

Silas couldn't make sense of it. He glanced over at the three professors, comfortably seated outside, sipping their drinks and laughing without a care in the world.

His eyes widened as a chilling realization struck him. His heart pounded faster, sweat forming on his forehead.

Where was Erisa Nocturne?

He scanned the area frantically but saw no sign of her. 

How could he have overlooked her absence? 

Then again, she hadn't been visible for the past three days, blending into the background so seamlessly that most had forgotten she was even on this trip, ostensibly as an assistant to the professors.

Silas mentally slapped himself. If anyone would be meticulously tracking Quill Nocturne's whereabouts, it would be another Nocturne.

Ana, noticing the sudden shift in Silas's demeanor, asked, "Hey, Silas...is everything alright?"

"No...I mean yes. I—Let me just go get some... some water," he stammered, turning around hastily.

He collided with a figure, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing before him was a slightly shorter young girl with dark black hair and piercing red eyes.

"Miss Nocturne," Silas breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. Those behind him quickly stood up, paying their respects.

"Please, don't let me disturb your well-deserved rest. I merely needed to inquire with Student Silas about a healing potion that has been requested." Erisa's voice was calm, but her presence was commanding.

The group's gazes shifted to Silas, who struggled to maintain his composure.

How could Erisa know about the potion unless Weiss had told her?

She must have been involved at Weiss's request.

His mind raced with possibilities.

"I trust there won't be any issue in providing me with two of those exemplars," Her red eyes bore into him with an intensity that felt like a coiled snake, ready to strike at the slightest misstep.

Silas had no option but to give her what she asked for. He reached into his pocket and brought out two tubes filled with red liquid.

"Thank you very much," Erisa simply added, turning her back and walking away, seemingly in the direction of the camp infirmary.

/||\

The lights were glaring, harshly illuminating the room, far too bright for Quill's taste.

His vision was still somewhat blurry, but he could distinguish the stark contrast between this infirmary and the students' tents.

One might assume the infirmary would be more luxurious, but it was quite the opposite.

The room was painted a sterile, institutional green, with the only semblance of decoration being a plain grey carpet. Everything else felt cold and utilitarian, designed for functionality rather than comfort.

After Erisa had brought them here, she dismissed the staff, granting them a brief rest. Although Erisa didn't wield the authority of a professor, her presence commanded immediate respect.

Quill lay on one of the rigid beds left from him, the unconscious Weiss in the bed to his left.

The only other presence in the room, if they could be called such, were the robotic assistants meticulously cleaning the medical instruments.

Their silver heads and modern forms screamed high technology, yet their antique suits and tiny top hats provided a jarring contrast.

Quill moved his right hand toward Weiss, a sharp pain in his head reminding him not to make any sudden movements.

He pressed the button on his gauntlet, hidden beneath his uniform, and a thread shot out, aiming precisely at its target.

"Camouflage," he whispered, sinking back onto the bed.

He couldn't help but think how much more convenient it would be if he had a second gauntlet for his left arm—a thought that had surprisingly never occurred to him before.

The entrance to the infirmary flapped open, revealing the imposing figure of Erisa Nocturne.

'...Wow, she's lightning fast. It hasn't even been five minutes... I think.'

Quill wanted to sit up, but any movement sent waves of intense pain through his body.

Pain that his body only now fully recognized after coming to rest.

Erisa approached, holding two tubes of a reddish, glowing substance.

She opened one and poured its contents into Quill's mouth.

A warm sensation spread through Quill's body, and thin wisps of smoke rose from his skin. Surprisingly, there was no pain—only a comforting warmth.

It felt like a tight hug, enveloping him in its embrace.

Within seconds, the pain dissipated, and his face returned to its handsome state.

Sitting up, he shook his head, fascinated at the process and the apparent lack of side effects...

Well, except for the side effect of becoming literally addicted.

In the novel, Silas's potions were a powerful support when used correctly, but the author had cleverly limited their use by adding a subtle but dangerous side effect. 

Anyone consuming multiple potions would develop an addiction. Without them, their bodies would deteriorate, leaving them unmotivated and weak.

Quill, having already consumed his second potion, felt an unease settle within him. 

Though he felt relatively normal, he hated that seemingly two uses were already wasted.

Similar to Erisa's rapid healing ability, Silas possessed a unique trait: his potions had no adverse effects on him. He could drink them endlessly without fear of addiction or bodily breakdown.

The characters of this world had their Gifts and their traits. However, unlike Quill, they couldn't choose or control these attributes, nor could they see them listed conveniently before their eyes.

If the novel's plot held true, Silas remained oblivious to the darker side of his potions. His father, fully aware, had exploited this knowledge, using it to addict others and amass wealth unscrupulously.

Erisa approached the unconscious Weiss with measured steps.

"Wait," Quill commanded, his voice firm. "Before you give it to her, I should warn you. She'll probably come at me the moment she sees me. I can handle it, but if things get out of control... step in."

Quill knew the risk he was taking. Weiss's reaction was uncertain, but he hoped her initial shock would make her more clear-headed and less driven by blind rage.

Erisa gave a curt nod, then uncorked the second potion, carefully pouring its shimmering contents into Weiss's mouth.

The potion's effects were immediate. Smoke began to rise from Weiss's body, and her injuries started to heal at an astonishing rate.

Her eyes fluttered open, momentarily blinded by the harsh infirmary lights. She rubbed her temples, trying to orient herself. Her gaze finally landed on Quill, and the fury within her reignited.

In an instant, Weiss leaped from the bed, summoning a spear of light and thrusting it toward Quill's neck.

But just before the impact, she felt an itching sensation on her neck, causing her to halt.

Her eyes narrowed as she reached up without breaking eye contact with Quill. Her fingers brushed against a thread wrapped around her neck, its end trailing back to him.

"Who do you think is faster? Your spear piercing me or my thread slicing through your neck?"

The message was clear: her life was as much in his hands as his was in hers.

Of course, he wouldn't kill her—doing so would render everything pointless—but Weiss didn't know his true intentions. To her, Quill was a coldhearted monster, capable of anything.

Confusion clouded Weiss's features. Why was she still alive? Why hadn't they killed her in the forest? And why had Quill let her beat him without resistance?

Her dark blue eyes locked onto Quill's red ones, simmering with hatred that no longer boiled over.

The heat from her spear was tangible, and the sharpness of Quill's thread pressed against her neck was a constant reminder of the threat.

"I know death doesn't scare you," Quill said, his voice slicing through the tension. "But tell me, do you care about your brother, Oscar?"

Weiss's anger flared anew. "How dare you even utter his name!" she snarled, the spear trembling in her grip.

"Do you want revenge or justice?" Quill shouted back, his own anger rising. "Is this for your brother, or are you just selfishly feeding your own rage?"

"...!"

Weiss was momentarily stunned into silence, unsure how to respond.

"Will this change your brother's death? Will it bring him back? Will I? No!" Quill's words were harsh but true, each one striking a nerve.

Weiss's hands trembled, her resolve wavering as she teetered on the edge of action.

She wanted to end this, to let her anger drive her, but something deep inside urged her to listen.

"The only thing you're going to achieve is making the world forget about him. No, worse—he'll just become the forgotten brother of a vengeful villain."

Her spear lowered slightly, her frustration breaking through as unshed tears glistened in her eyes.

"You seek justice? Rebuild your family, take control yourself. Then confront the Nocturnes and give your brother the honor he deserves."

Frustration gnawed at her, a bitter edge to her voice. "Do you think I haven't tried? I've done everything I could!"

"...I'll help you ascend within the Licht family. I swear," Quill's voice softened, his offer genuine.

Quill was choosing a path that completely deviated from the novel's plot.

He didn't even know if Quill was canonically dead at this point, but he knew that Weiss had never become a politically powerful figure. Her brother's death had remained a mystery to the public till the end.

Yet, he had the standing to change that. Quill aimed for a symbiotic relationship: he would help her achieve her goals while using her as his knight.

Weiss let out a bitter laugh. "You really think I'll accept your help?" She pointed her light spear back at his neck. "Help that guarantees a stab in the back? You think I'm that naive?"

Quill released the thread around her neck, showing a gesture of trust. "The only way to know for sure is to see it through. Anything is better than the consequences you'll face if you kill me tonight."

Weiss furrowed her brows, despising the fact that, of all people, Quill Nocturne was making sense.

It was true—killing him wouldn't accomplish anything. Not only would she die or be captured by Erisa Nocturne immediately after, but her brother would never get the justice he deserved.

Quill was her primary target, yes, but so were the elders who had refused any help, cutting Oscar out due to sheer fear and greed.

Quill's gaze remained steady. Whatever Weiss chose next would alter both their fates.

The spear dissolved into thin air, and Quill let out a subtle sigh of relief. "Quill Nocturne, consider this an act of mercy. I don't know what you're plotting, but if I find out you've broken your promise, I will end you." Weiss turned her gaze to Erisa. "And don't be foolish enough to think I'll be this weak when it happens."

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the infirmary, followed by another, and another, reverberating from all directions.

Screams of young men and women pierced the night. Quill leapt from his bed, sprinting toward the entrance. "Erisa, they're here!" he shouted, bursting through the tent flap.

Erisa moved with swift precision, retrieving a belt filled with vials of red liquid from a small fridge. Strapping it on, she turned to Weiss, who was already on her feet, her face set with grim determination.

"...What's going on?" Weiss demanded, her voice tight with tension. Although her question wasn't directed at anyone in particular, Erisa answered regardless.

"I suppose it's time to prove how quickly you can make your words come true," Erisa said, referencing Weiss's earlier threat of surpassing her. "Channel your lingering frustration on the Spawns. There are supposed to be quite a few of them."

Without a word, Weiss walked outside, her resolve hardening with each step.

Erisa followed closely.

The night was far from over, and the real battle had just begun.