When Reighll Logene heard the bell, she immediately stood up, making everyone in the classroom, including the teacher, look at her. “What is it, Reighll?” The teacher said. “The bell,” Reighll said, blankly. “We’re still not done. Now, sit down.” The teacher said with a voice full of authority. “We are, Ma’am. The bell rang, that means we are done. That’s what the Magisters always reminds us every start of school days, am I right?” Reighll walked out slowly. “How dare you? I am the teacher of this class, I will be the one to say if my class is done or not!” And the teacher lost it. “Ma’am,” Reighll stopped walking, she moved her head to the side, “What’s the topic again? Ah, right. About controlling the element of fire. Ma’am, do you think I can use that knowledge?” She clenched her fist, and her face darkened, “I’m level zero, the only level zero. There was actually no level zero around, right? Just until I showed up. Ma’am, I am different from all of you, you should know that by now. If the discussion is about combat training, I’d probably listen very closely, but since it’s about magic, something I know I will never be able to use, I’ll just go. I can’t waste my time here.” And she walked off. But before leaving the classroom, she saw how the teacher’s face shown how pissed she was, and how her teacher gritted her teeth, also clenching her fist. The sight made Reighll smirk.

Reighll decided to go straight home at Maren’s house. Well, as if there was somewhere in this world she wanted to go to. She rolled her eyes. She’ll just get herself hurt. The people of Hgerisa never liked her. But she was used to this already. While walking to Maren’s house, she was avoided by every person she passed by. She only shrugged it off.

When she entered the house, she was surprised to see the five sitting on the couch. They looked at her. “Reighll! Here, try some of these. I cooked it!” Maren said when she saw her. Reighll looked at the food Maren was talking about. It looked like the pasta with some vegetables. Reighll sighed and nodded. While she was walking closer to them, Maren put some of the pasta-like food on a plate and gave her. “Thank you,” She said and ate it. “How was it, Reighll?” Streizer asked. “It’s delicious. Way to go, Maren.” Reighll said and placed the plate on the table, then patted Maren’s head. “Really?” Streizer and Maren said. “Hey, Reighll, I helped her cook that!” Streizer said with pride. “Ahh, really? Reighll looked at him. Streizer nodded in response, smiling. Reighll nodded, “Good for you then. It’s good.” Fheliq patted Streizer’s head, “You want this, don’t you?” The others laughed. “Well, it’s unfair! Why did Maren get a pat while I don’t?” Streizer pouted his lips. “It’s obvious, Streizer. It’s because the cuts of the vegetables are too big. It should be just like this,” Reighll cut a vegetable for an example and showed Streizer, “That’s the only thing you did, am I right? It doesn’t even have anything to do with the taste. If it did, your cut has just probably made it worse. So, if I’m gonna compliment someone about the taste of the food, it should be the one who really cooked it. The one who mixed the ingredients with the exact amount of each of it.” Reighll explained.

“How did you know this, Reighll?” Maren smiled. Reighll didn’t answer. Even she didn’t know how. It’s just that something suddenly popped inside her head. Something like the procedure instruction for the food. “And how did you know that it’s the only thing Streizer did?” Rerelia asked. “I… don’t. I was just actually teasing him. But I guess it was the truth,” Reighll lied. The truth was… she also didn’t know. An image just suddenly popped on her mind, she just imagined what she thought would have happened if Streizer helped.. An image of Streizer cutting the ingredients, and Maren mixing the ingredients. Streizer can't exactly cook, after all.

“Anyway, I’ll just head to my room.” Reighll said and left to go to her room. When she was inside her room, she locked the door. She placed her bag on her bed and stripped her clothes off. She took a bath. When she was done, she decided to check her notes. Her notes about combat fighting. In this world, she was weak. Being powerless is being weak. That was why she was training for combat fighting. She didn’t even try to learn magic. She knew she wouldn’t learn to use it. After all, she was not from this world. She was different from the people surrounding her. The room was big so she can go all out for her training. She spent the remaining hours of the day training inside her room. And when night came, she took a shower and changed to her pajamas before going down to the living room. The five was still there. She stared at Maren and Dryne, and smiled a little. Those two were the only ones that can make her smile ever since her life changed. Just staring at the lovebirds. The two weren’t together, Maren had told her that already, but she knew that Dryne loved Maren. While Maren… it also looked like she felt the same way for Dryne.

Streizer turned to her direction and her little smile faded away. Streizer grinned, “Oh, she’s right there already!” He told the others. The others looked at her and smiled at her. She didn’t return it though. She didn’t know, but she can’t bring herself to smile. And when she did, it will automatically fade away when someone looked at her. It was just like her smile didn’t want to be seen.

She walked to them “Good evening. I’ll be on the kitchen. I’ll cook us dinner,” She said and immediately walked to the dinner. Streizer followed her, “What are you doing here?” Asked Reighll. “I want to help you cook our dinner,” Streizer grinned. The boy liked her, she was aware of that. But she didn’t like him. He was too clingy, too loud, too full of pride, and clumsy for her liking. He’s helpful and kind though. But Reighll still didn’t like him. At least, that way. “Okay then.” Reighll nodded and they cooked dinner.

When they finished, they brought the food in the dining room, and found out that Dryne and Maren already readied the table. Reighll and Streizer put the plates where the dish and the rice were on the table. And they ate. The four left after dining because it was too dark already.

“Reighll,” Maren called her. “What is it?” Reighll said. Maren looked down, “I’m sorry,” She said. Reighll tilted her head in confusion. “What are you sorry for?” Reighll asked. “I’m sorry that I brought you here. I… I can see that you aren’t happy here. For the whole three years you’re here, I have never seen you smile even once. I’m sorry. You couldn’t even make friends here because they are all avoiding you. Because you are different. While in your world… I bet you’re happy there, always smiling. Loved by all.” Maren said, making Reighll sigh. Reighll stepped closer to Maren and hugged her, shocking Maren.

“You know what, Maren? I’m happy and thankful that you brought me here.” Reighll smiled. “You never saw me smile, because I never showed you.” Reighll closed her eyes. “I’m not loved there. The people of that place hates me. I couldn’t make friends here because, like you said, I’m different. I’m just an ordinary human. At least, ordinary for the people of the place I came from. But I care less, Maren. I have you. You always say that you’re my friend, aren’t you?” The whole time Reighll was in this world, this was the first time the two of them talked about this. It had been three years since the four took her here. “I took you away from your home,” Maren shook her head. “Maren… no. You actually brought me home. I may not really belong here, but I feel like I’m home here.” Reighll said. “Maren, promise me you’ll never apologize about bringing me here. Not again.”

“I… I promise.”

†

Reighll watched her classmates train inside the training room. It was an elemental training. This was the hardest of all. Learning to manipulate the basic elements. The fire, water, air, and earth. This was the first lesson. They were still being taught about how to manipulate it. All of them in this class still couldn’t produce an element by their own. They were still training to learn to manipulate it. Reighll’s friends had told her about these already. First, they were going to teach them to manipulate the elements, then how to produce an element by their own magic, then controlling their self-produced element, and lastly, reforming the element. Sections forty-six to fifty were taught these for the first quarter. And Reighll… well she didn’t even had magic inside her.

“Reighll,” Her teacher called her. She looked at the teacher, “Yes?” She said. “Why aren’t you training?” The teacher said. “Level zero, remember?” Reighll tried to keep herself from rolling her eyes, but failed. “That’s because you are not trying!” The teacher glared at her. She pointed at the training ground, “Do it! If you do, you’ll have even an E. Choose, you’ll have E or F? Try!”

Reighll sighed and walked to the training ground. Her classmates looked at her. This was the first time they saw her going to the training ground. The teacher followed her. The teacher produced a fire and placed it on the holder. The holder, as it was named, held elements. Such thing was only used by section forty-six and the sections bellow it.

In the end, of course, she failed. At least she had an E, that’s what she kept on trying to tell herself inside her mind.

Her day was done. Every fourth and fifth day of the week, the classes of the sections below forty-six ends at 17:00. And because she had a bad score, she was the last student recorded, and the last student of the last section, to go home. Anyway, she was used to this already. While walking through the hallways, she noticed that there were only a few students left. Alone, in one long hallway, she just stared at the paper she was holding. “E, huh? The first time,” She clicked her tongue,

But in the middle of the long hallway, she felt a presence so she stopped. She decided to ignore it and just to continue walking. After all, this presence was going to disappear soon. No one wanted to be alone with her in a long time.

But then, she suddenly passed out.

†

Reighll awoke, and a face of a demon welcomed her. She almost jumped, if it weren’t for the rope tied around her. Her brows shot up, a magic nullifier rope. Who was this demon that captured her? Didn’t it know about her being a level zero girl? Reighll glared at the demon.

“Finally awake, I see…” Reighll recognized the voice. It was the same as her teacher’s! Even though it was echoed by a very deep and creepy voice, she knew. This demon was her teacher. The looks of the demon told Reighll what kind of demon she was. An elemental demon. That explained how it was not very recognizable as a demon. It was a teacher for elements after all. The skin of the demon was very pale, and the eye was blue ringed with red. It can only use a sub-element, ice. This teacher had been Reighll’s teacher for three years already. So that was why she was never good at using basic elements. And her answers if someone asked her about a question about basic elements, she was wrong sometimes. She was a sub-elemental demon. That one statement explained it all. But… just earlier, this demon used fire magic. How?

“Evaron Missec… you’re not a human, after all,” Reighll chuckled. “Me? Of course, I’m not, Reighll Vervendilla. But Evaron Missec is. Oh, sorry, I was supposed to say was.” The demon laughed. Reighll’s eyes widened in realization. Evaron Missec was a teacher in this school. And this demon… it took over her body. It used the body of Evaron Missec as a container of its damned soul. But wait… Demons weren’t supposed to have souls!

“How,” asked Reighll, “did you steal her body?” The demon smirked darkly, showing its sharp fangs. “It was simple. I killed her.” It said. Reighll shook her head, “I know more than you think! A soul can’t kill a living human! And demons don't have souls in the first place!” She exclaimed. “That’s right… It’s because I killed her first before destroying my body. I let my Demonic Crystal grow inside her body, making it mine. ” The demon held Reighll’s cheek. “But why… why would you get rid of your body if you don’t want to die?”

The demon shook its head, “Enough questions from you, little girl. It’s my turn now,” It eyed Reighll and a chill ran down her spine.

The demon held her chin and stared straightly in her eyes, causing the hair all over her body stand, “Why do you always want to fail?” Reighll was taken aback of the demon’s question. She suddenly felt infuriated with the demon's accusation, “Want? You think I want that? No! If I can, I want to never fail!” Reighll said. “But what can I do? The place where I can feel home is not really my home. I can’t use magic, because I am not from this world. I’m different.” Reighll held back herself from shedding a tear.

She never showed her fragile self to anyone. And planned to have it that way even to anything, especially to a demon.

The demon wiped her tears. “I can feel your sorrow. Don't you dare cry in front of me!” It glared.

Reighll managed to break the rope around her without her knowing how. But she was thankful it did. The rope fell off, and before the demon noticed it, Reighll already drew a punch on its face, "And I don't plan to!" Her hand hurt, but at least it caused the demon to take a few step back. Reighll immediately stood up and landed a kick right on the demon’s leg causing it to fall on its knees. Reighll attempted to punch it again, but it stopped her hand. The demon squeezed it tightly, making Reighll scream in pain. She could feel her bones almost breaking. Using the other arm, she found her little knife stuck on her uniform on her back. Thank God, it didn’t fell off. She used it to stab the demon’s hand. The demon released a screeching sound, and Reighll closed her eyes while covering her ears. She was pushed back because of the demon’s swinging of its arm.

The door broke open and five figures stood right on it. Reighll secretly smiled before closing her eyes.

†

Maren was getting more worried each passing second. It was 18:00 already! Reighll’s class was supposed to be done by now! Reighll never walked around Hgerisa. The door opened. Maren’s smile appeared, but as quick as it did, instantly disappeared. It was not Reighll!

“Hello! Maren?” It was Streizer. “Oh! Reighll’s in her room?” He asked. Maren looked stared at him, her eyes full of worry. “Streizer… Reighll… She’s still not home.” She said. “Streizer, I can’t help but worry.” She looked down on her hands.

“What?!” Streizer instantly panicked. “Where on Eirxia is she?” He said. He clenched his fist. “Maren, I’ll head to their school building!” He said. “I’m going, too!’ Maren said and Streizer nodded.

“Who’s going where?” Dryne’s voice appeared, and at the same time, Fheliq and Rerelia appeared right in front of the door. Behind them was Dryne. “We’ll look for Reighll.” Streizer said. “What do you mean?” Rerelia said. “She’s still not home, Rel.” Maren said with a hint of worry in her voice. “I’ll teleport to their school building!” Streizer said with finality.

“Stupid brother,” Rerelia muttered. “If you’re going to look for her, don’t teleport!” She rolled her eyes. “We’ll run. We can look around while running. At speed.” She said. And that was what they did. They didn’t see her, though. They reached the school building for the sections below the forty-sixth section.

“Is Reighll Logene Vervendilla still inside?” Rerelia asked the guard of the building. She said the whole name. She knew the guard already knew who she was talking about. Reighll was a known girl in the whole kingdom of Hgerisa, after all. Well, who wouldn’t remember a peculiar person? “We never saw her walk out of the building’s door yet, Lady Samvielor.” The guard said, respectfully. The Samvielor family is one of the high-ranked family in the whole kingdom. They were pretty famous and respected. Streizer clenched his fist. Why would she stay in the building? A teacher or professor asking for a student’s help was nearly impossible here. Reighll had no reason to stay late in this building. She wouldn’t stay here for long! Streizer was sure she wasn’t even going to take a step inside this building if it weren’t for her classes!

Streizer immediately ran inside and the others followed him. They eyed every inch of the building. But they couldn’t find Reighll.

“She’s not… here?” Fheliq said.

“No,” said Dryne. Everyone looked at him. Streizers’s eyes widened when he realized what Dryne meant. He didn’t let him speak more and ran with a flashing speed to the building’s underground room. The others had kept up with him. Before reaching the door, they heard a screech coming from inside. Streizer didn’t wait any longer and kicked the door open.

They saw Reighll inside with an elemental demon. The demon had something stuck on its hand and Rerelia realized it was a small knife. Reighll tried to fight. Stupid girl. Did the weakling really think she can live after fighting a demon?

Streizer, using speed, ran to Reighll. He carried her to the outside of the room, “Fhel,” He called and Fheliq knew what he meant. Fheliq ran to them and Streizer ran back inside.

The demon flew back as Streizer punched it on its stomach. “You’ll pay for hurting Reighll, demon!” He muttered.

The demon laughed, “Hurt? Did I? Really? Fools! You’re all fools! You don’t even know who that girl truly is!” It yelled.

“I care less of what or who she really is! I love her, and that’s all I know!”

Everyone was shocked because of what they heard. They thought that all this time, he was not serious about Reighll. They didn’t thought of him loving someone like Reighll. Well, of course, the girl was lovable, but romantically? They had never thought that Streizer would love someone like Reighll, romantically.

“Oh. Don’t you want to know what that girl is? In case you’re curious, you can ask me.”

“I’m not. And if I ever am, I’d choose to ask Reighll than some unreliable demon.” Maren said. “Unreliable, huh. Yes, I am an unreliable creature. But do you think I’ll lie to you about who that girl is?” The demon said and eyed the back of the four where Reighll and Fhel were.

“It’s not impossible,” Rerelia tilted her head.

“Oh, yes, but I won’t.”

Dryne clicked his tongue, “I have no time for this. Let’s finish this right away. I wanna rest for the Gods’ sake.”

He swung his hand and the demon tumbled to the direction his hand swung to. Lightning sparked in Streizer’s hands as he ran to the demon and punched it straight on its face. The demon, once again, flew. It stood, but at the same time, received a very painful kick from the same man. Streizer pointed his hand to the demon and from his hand, a lightning came. The demon screamed in pain. The sound that was supposed to hurt everyone’s ears didn’t came as Streizer controlled the soundwaves of the demon’s scream. He added water around the demon, and everyone could see that the demon felt more pain because of it.

“That,” Streizer slowly walked to the demon, “is for what you did to Reighll.” The water and lightning both disappeared. Using the power to summon things, Streizer summoned a sword and sliced the demon’s head off.

Everyone was surprised of what they saw. They weren’t used to seeing Streizer like that. Even his twin, Rerelia, couldn’t believe of what she saw. Her twin had always been that joker and cheerful guy, full of patience, careless, but at the same time, kind. He had never killed anything. He had killed demons, but those were only illusions in the training room. He was too kind to do so.

But now, Streizer killed someone… without any hint of hesitation written on his actions. The demon disappeared into black ashes.

This wasn't supposed to happen. Streizer, the kinf Streizer wasn't supposed to kill anyone, anything. The effects Reighll had to Streizer was worse, more frightening than they could have ever thought.

“Streizer!” Dryne, Maren, and his twin called his name. He turned faced them. “You’re so wrong to do that. Oh, Gods! We were only supposed to show it to the Magisters. You weren’t supposed to kill it.” Maren said. “You’re too good it pisses me off,” Streizer pouted his lips. “That demon hurt the most precious girl for me. I can’t stand to see it live.” He rubbed his nape and smiled, “I’m sorry. I lost my control the moment I saw Reighll lying on the floor unconscious.” He walked pass them and went to Reighll. He carried her and teleported away.

†

Reighll woke up in a very familiar room. She was in her room now. She recalled what happened to her. She only felt the fear right now. What does that demon want with her? It couldn’t be food because according to what she remembered when she read book about the demons, elemental demons weren’t carnivorous demons. The sub-elemental demons, of course, belonged to that kind. The demon’s question popped inside her mind.

“Why do you always want to fail?” It had asked her. What she told the demon, it was true. She never really wanted to fail. She failed her classes here, not because she wanted, but because that’s her limit. That was all she could do, and she knew that. “That’s because you’re not trying!” Another accusation from the demon just earlier this day. Could the demon be right? It’s just all because she never even tried? Earlier, she didn’t really tried. She just pretended that she was trying so she could at least get a score higher than F, even if it’s just an E.

“Do it! If you do, you’ll have even an E. Choose, you’ll have E or F? Try!”

Why did it sounded like the demon badly wanted to see her try? All the people around her didn’t know that she wasn’t from this world, so the demon might also not, right? And it just got really curious about how strong or weak Reighll’s magic was, when the truth was… she didn’t have magic inside her. But she got this feeling that the demon knew something she didn’t. What was it?

Reighll’s head was throbbing because of the questions flooding in her mind. She really had to stop thinking about it all. She decided to go out of her room and she did, only to find the lights closed. She sighed and opened the switch. The lights were used with magic and can be opened by just a command of a magic user, but since she couldn’t use magic, Maren decided to put a switch right on the wall beside Reighll’s door outside her room. Reighll walked down and figured that it was already night time. She never got the chance to look at her window back in her room, after all.

She went to the kitchen and got herself a cold water to drink. She felt someone behind her so she turned around after putting the glass down on the table. She was surprised to see Dryne. She thought it was Maren. Her forehead creased, “You’re still here?” She said. Dryne’s cold stare bore into her, “What do you think?” She fought the urge to roll her eyes. This man had always been like this to her, and she didn’t know why. She didn’t know who to prefer with her. An annoying, loud, cheerful, kind, and clumsy guy like Streizer or an annoying, quiet, moody, and kind, but at the same time rude guy like Dryne. Reighll shook the thought away from her mind. Why was she thinking about that? She didn’t know herself.

“Damn,” she murmured to herself, using her former language, “this man really pisses the hell out of me.”

Dryne’s brows rose, “What?” Reighll showed a sweet but sarcastic smile, “Nothing. I just said you’re so handsome that I’m worrying about you being still up at this time. You might have bags under your eyes, and get ugly.” She said, using the Eirxia’s language again.

“Do you honestly think I’d believe you?”

The sarcastic smile of Reighll didn’t disappear, “I don’t know, really. Well, that’s your choice.” She then cleared her throat, “If you’ll excuse me, but I’ll be going back to my room.”

Reighll left and Dryne didn’t said anything.

Maren went outside of her room and planned to check if Reighll was still sleeping. But the smell of something delicious came from the kitchen. She went there and was overjoyed to find Reighll, cooking breakfast for them. Her friend was finally gained back her consciousness! “Reighll!” She ran to her friend and hugged her. “Thank the Gods! You’re fine!” She exclaimed.

Reighll rolled her eyes, but her eyes sparkled with happiness, “Oh, come on! I only got unconscious because of the damned noise the demon made,” She said.

“Hey, guess what,” Maren broke the hug. Reighll raised an eyebrow at her friend, waiting for the next word to come out of her mouth. "Streizer was very worried!” Reighll wasn’t surprised of what she heard. What was the big deal about it, anyway?

“Oh, that bad look on your beautiful face,” Maren pouted her lips, “You’re not touched? Gosh!”

“What am I supposed to be touched for?” Maren just smirked of about her friend’s question. “He changed for that little time just because he thought the demon hurt you.” She said. “If you just know what had happened, Reighll.”

“Tell me then,” Reighll’s forehead creased.

Maren shook her head, “Sorry, dear. As much as I want to tell you, I can’t. I’m sorry. You’re involved in this, but we decided to never tell you the entirety of what happened.”

Reighll frowned, “Let us not talk about it then.” She muttered. “Aww, don’t be upset, Reighll.” Maren tried to stop herself from laughing.

“Ugh, just stop it. Okay, Maren? Because, I swear, you don’t want to eat burnt food for breakfast,” Reighll spun around and smiled a little.

“Oh, I forgot that you’re cooking, sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. Nothing bad happened.”

▪️

The things at school were the usual. No one was told about what a teacher had done to a student. Reighll, even now, was still avoided by everyone. She sat on her seat and stared at nothing. Even now, she was still confused about what that demon wanted from her. No one also told her about what had really happened to it after she lost her consciousness. They didn’t dared to talk about the whole thing.

She came back to reality when she heard someone clearing his throat. She looked before her and saw a woman with a beauty like the goddesses’ standing right in the middle of their classroom. She looked strict, but the smile told everyone otherwise, “Good morning, everyone!” She said, still smiling. Everyone stood and so did Reighll.

“Good morning, Ma’am!’

“So let’s all start with the introductions,” she nodded. “Oh, wait. I forgot to tell you… I will be your new teacher. My name is Sarylie Salther. It’s nice meeting you all!’

She, once again, nodded her head. “Let’s start at the front row, shall we?” She said. Everyone said their names. And for the last one. The woman smiled widely. “And you are?” She asked when Reighll didn’t spoke.

Reighll sighed rolling her eyes, “Reighll Logene Vervendilla, nineteen. Level zero.” She sat back on her seat. The teacher pouted, surprising everyone. “Tell me more, Reighll.” She said.

“I have nothing to tell you, Ma’am.”

The pout vanished within a blink of an eye, “One more thing, everyone. No one dares to call me Ma’am, understood?” She looked strict now. And her stare didn’t help a bit.

“How are we supposed to call you then?” A student asked. She smiled again, “Call me Lady Salther. As so you know, I never wanted to be a teacher. Teaching is, so far I think, the worst thing I’ve done.” The woman said, and rolled her eyes at the end of her statement. “But, yeah, I have my reasons. A reason, rather.” She winked.

“Ma’am, I mean, Lady Salther, why is it that we have to have another teacher?” A boy asked. “Oh. That’s because your former teacher did something incredibly wrong and got herself fired.” The new teacher answered her student. Her voice was full of annoyance, though, when she mentioned the former teacher of the section, confusing some of her students.

Lady Salther cleared her throat, “Let’s start. By the way, we’ll have a lot of changes about our schedule. By second and third day of the week, I’ll discuss about magic. Fourth day in the morning, I’ll tell you about the history of the kingdom. By the afternoon, there’ll be a quiz. Quiz, you hear me? Not a test. It’s both about magic and the history of Hgerisa. Let me tell you this, students, the quizzes I’ll be giving you might have fifty or more items. You’ll be seeing yourselves in the field doing exercises, too. Fifth day , in the morning, I’ll teach you about combat fighting. In the afternoon, I’ll see if you’ve learned the things I’ve taught you. And by the sixth day, you’ll be dueling with a classmate. If the other sections’ teachers agree, you might be duel with students from another section, too. If we don’t have enough time, we’ll continue it by the seventh day. Understood, everyone?” Every students gulped, hearing their new schedule.

Lady Salther slammed her hand on her table, “Understood?” She repeated and everyone, except for Reighll, who barely cared about them, nodded. It was not like the students had any choice. “Reighll Vervendilla,” The new teacher called, “Understood?” Reighll sighed and nodded.

▪️

A week had passed and Reighll hated the new teacher’s guts. But at the same time, she was feeling something weird. She didn’t know what to call this weird feeling. And she hated the new teacher for this.

Also, the new teacher decided to get to know everyone, and about what they’re good at. They didn’t had classes with the new teacher that week. The woman was very kind to all of them. But Reighll didn’t talk to the woman. She, herself, didn’t know why. Well, maybe it’s because of that weird feeling. She really didn’t want to be attached to the woman. Physically and emotionally.

“Aren’t you gonna eat lunch, Reighll?” The teacher went to her.

“No,” Reighll simply said, giving the teacher nothing more, even a glance. “Why? Little girl, you have to eat!” Reighll raised an eyebrow, and finally looked at the woman, “You have no say on what I do. You’re nothing more than my teacher, alright? And I’m no little girl!”

The woman rolled her eyes, “You should eat!” She grabbed Reighll and dragged her outside the building to the school cafeteria.

Everyone stared at the two, weirdly.

Lady Salther ordered a bunch of food, “Eat up!” She demanded.

Reighll shook her head, “Are you seriously telling me to eat all of these?” She said. “Yes, I am. But not really all. I’ll eat some, of course.” Lady Salther winked. The woman pulled one of the plates closer, “I’ll eat this.”

Reighll’s jaw drop, “And I’ll eat all the remaining ones? Are you fucking serious?”

“Don’t curse, young lady. And yes, I am serious. Now, eat up.” Lady Salther smiled, “You have to gain more weight after all.” Was this woman trying to piss her off? Because she succeeding! “I’m not saying you have a terrible and too very thin body. You have a beautiful one, but you have to eat!” The woman said, probably reading her emotions through her face.

“Reighll!” Maren came running to the table where the two were. “Good morning, Lady Salther!” Maren bowed at the teacher, then jumped to embrace Reighll with a very tight hug.

“How are you, friend?” Maren grinned. Reighll shrugged her shoulders and took a bite on her food. “Oh, by the way, I have to go. The Magisters called us. Bye, Reighll!” She kissed Reighll’s cheek and ran off.

Reighll looked at the woman in front of her, only to find the woman staring at her with a smile plastered on her face. It didn’t fade when Reighll looked at her. The stare only got deeper. There was something in that stare. Something like… longing?

▪️

When the class ended, Reighll was about to go out of the classroom when she was called by Lady Salther. She turned to look at the woman.

“Are you going home already?” Lady Salther asked, with a gentle smile. Reighll only nodded and wait for the lady to say something more. Lady Salther sighed, “Can I walk with you?” She asked, hopefully. Reighll was confused of what she was seeing. What was with this teacher? She was pretty weird.

An image of a memory from last week flashed on her mind. An image of the demon with that malicious look on its face. The memory creeped Reighll out. She admit, she was scared something like that might happen again.

Reighll nodded, hesitantly.

The smile on the teacher’s face widened. She suddenly hugged Reighll, surprising her. “Thank you!”

“Get off,” Reighll said and gently pushed the woman away from her. Lady Salther pouted because of her student’s action. “Let’s just go,” She said. Reighll said nothing but started walking.

Lady Salther was having a hard time keeping up with Reighll. She was just walking too fast. “Can we slow down?” She said to her student. Reighll didn’t respond in any way so Lady Salther sighed, “I won’t do what your old teacher did to you, Reighll. You can just be calm and slow down."

Reighll stopped walking and the woman also did.

“I don’t want to get close to you.” Reighll said, not even turning to the woman behind her. “Please understand that.” And she left her teacher there, standing.

Sarylie looked down, her heart aching because of what the girl had told her. She did her best to stop the tears from falling, but a tear still fell down from her eye. She immediately wiped it off.

She nodded despite knowing that Reighll was already gone. She decided to just teleport to her room.

▪️

Reighll, her forehead creased in irritation of the teacher, walked down the path made of Griezle stone. Griezle stones are one of the things that exists only here in Eirxia. It was getting dark and because of the cool breeze, it is now starting to change its color into the same color as the moon. It also shines like the moon, serving as the light of the pathway.

She was getting nearer and nearer to Maren’s house and everytime she took a step, the more relieved she was feeling. Why? It was a mystery even to her. Maybe because she just wanted to rest in her room.

When she was finally in front of the door, they were complete again. Instead of feeling more relieved though, she was now being… nervous? She wasn’t sure about anything anymore. All she knew was her heart was racing. Why though?

She pushed a button and a scanner appeared right before Reighll. Slowly, her hand shaking, she put her palm right before the scanner. She heard a click and the doors opened. First thing she caught sight of was Dryne’s cold eyes. She looked at each of them after fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

“Oh, you’re home!” Maren exclaimed joyfully. Reighll nodded and walked closer to them, “You all look… serious. Is something the matter?” She asked, not showing any signs of being worried in her face.

“None of your business, Earthling.”

Reighll and Maren eyed Dryne, but he just shrugged his shoulders before crossing his leg.

“Well, you see… uhh,” Maren hesitantly spoke, not sure if she should say the truth or if she should make an excuse. I guess she has the right to know. Maren said to herself inside her mind.

“Maren! Why must you always tell her about these things? It’s not like she’ll be able to help us with these kinds of problem". Dryne, who had his forehead creased and his eyes glaring, growled.

“Dryne,” Fhel warned. Maren hushed her twin brother and stared sharply at her friend, “I don’t tell her about these kinds of things because I need her to help me! Dryne, she may not be like us who came from this world the moment we’re born, but she’s now living as a citizen of Eirxia! Of Draxophile! She deserves to know what’s currently happening to her home!”

Dryne clicked his tongue, “Fine then. Do what you want.”

A slam on the table startled everyone. “Dryne Aurhyn, if you have a problem about me, fucking say it! Because I’m damn tired of your fucking actions!” Reighll said, her voice rose and everything she was feeling was written all over her face and everyone was surprised about it. It was the first time they caught sight of her like this. She was confused, irritated, annoyed, and mad. She felt like she wanted to punch Dryne and beat him up until he loses his consciousness.

Fhel’s eyes widened in shock at the sight. He never expected he’ll ever see Reighll like this. Not like the others had. All of them, they didn’t expected this!

Dryne just clicked his tongue, his usual action, and stood up to leave the five. He quietly left them all there.

“I’m very sorry about him, Reighll.” Maren looked at her apologetically. Reighll just shook her head and massaged her temples. Streizer touched Reighll’s shoulder, “Are you alright?” He asked, worried about how the girl he loved was feeling. Reighll, once again, just shook her head.

“Eirxia is also not a real safe place, Reighll,” Maren began. Reighll looked at her friend. She knew that. What happened with the demon alone proved it. “We all know that by now.” Maren said.

“There’s no safe place after all,” Reighll uttered. Rerelia nodded. “Yes, but what I mean is… It’s not all peaceful here like now. There are times when kingdoms fight each other.” Reighll nodded at the fact. A world with no such event doesn’t exist anyways.

“And we kind of suspect that there’s a, well, a traitor in the kingdom and is studying in our school”

“This is not surprising anymore,” Rerelia muttered. “And who the traitor is is not surprising, too.” Reighll wanted to voice out. She had someone in mind. And she was sure no one would expect it. Expect the unexpected. She had learned her lesson already. It’s not just because of that, but because it was what her instincts was telling her. Instincts are wrong sometimes, she didn’t doubt what her instincts was telling her.

▪️

Reighll sat up, panting, her eyes widening. Beads of sweat were sliding down her face and neck.

What was that? A nightmare? Yes. Yes, it had to be. It had to be just a nightmare. She shook her head. Why was she being like this over a mere dream?

She spaced out as she was reminded of her dream. It had to be just a nightmare…

Reighll watched in horror as the whole school building burned into nothing, a few students caught by the fire also turning into nothing, not even an ash. A large number of students was running pass through her, screaming, panicking. She stood as the flames spread closer and closer to her. She felt the heat of the flames and felt like she was going to burn. The burning flames reached Reighll and she screamed at the top of her lungs. She kept on screaming but she wasn’t getting burned. She was feeling the deadly heat of the flames around her, but she was not burning into nothingness unlike the other thing the flames had reached.

She was just there, standing, undying, full of burning pain.

A knock on the door brought Reighll back to reality. “Reighll?” It was Maren. She kept on calling out to Reighll.

Reighll took a deep breath and closed her eyes before standing up to open the door for her friend. She intended to ask Maren if there was something she needed but she didn’t get the chance to when Maren embraced her in her arms tightly. Maren acted like she was panicking. “Are you okay?” Her voice told Reighll the same thing. “Yes, I’m okay. Everything is. Why?” Reighll replied. Maren breathed out a sigh of relief and broke the tight hug, “I was worried! Reighll, I thought there’s something bad happening inside your room!” A tear escaped from her friend’s eye. “You were screaming so loud! I was very worried! Silence after it all didn’t help!” Maren couldn’t stop herself anymore, she cried and hugged Reighll again.

“Don’t,” She whispered, “Don’t scare me like that again.”

“I won’t,” Reighll managed to give Maren a little smile. She pulled away from Maren to wipe the tears off her friend’s face. “I promise. That’s why, promise me too, Maren, that you won’t cry ever again. Especially if it’s because of me.” Maren nodded her head.

▪️

“We have to send her away from here!” the king growled to his wife.

“I don’t want to! Why do we have to send her away?” The queen disagreed. “She’ll be safe when she’s away from here, Aithana!” The queen shook her head. “There is no safe place. And I would rather have my daughter here because I know I can protect her.”

The king’s face darkened and the queen’s fear built inside her. She tried to push away all her fear, but she couldn’t. She really didn’t know the limit of the power of the man standing in front of her. But still, she managed to shake her head in disagreement.

“Just… Just how can you decide like this?” The queen’s voice shook. “She’s also your daughter, Vureighl!” The king’s fist clenched, hearing the queen’s cry.

“Aithana! I know… I know that your child is also my child. But she’s not just any simple child! She is a princess! The heir of this throne I possess, our heir. And you, of all people, you know just how dangerous the other kingdom is!”

The queen looked down at the crying baby she was carrying, her tears falling. Indeed, the king was right. She, of all people, knew most how dangerous the other kingdom is. Did she… really have to send her beloved daughter away from this place?

King Vureighl leaned his back on his chair’s backrest. He sighed, remembering the day he had a fight with his queen. He was certain, his queen now despised him because of that decision he made. Maybe she would be fine here now?

“Your majesty,” He heard the voice of his most trusted student. “Alva… Bring me a hot drink.” He ordered.

The student was a kind little girl and had the same age as her daughter. He was the one who raised this girl. A reason why his wife hated him more. “You’re gonna raise this little girl? How funny, huh, my beloved, raising another child but sending away your own.” The queen had said with a hint of dismay and bitterness in her voice. The king just sighed with the memory.

Alva knocked on the door before opening it, revealing her hand carrying the hot drink the king wanted. She was smiling. The king chuckled at the sight of the girl he once raised with his own hands. The girl just knew him all too well.

Alva placed the drink on the table between her and the King. “May I?” She asked for permission to sit and the king nodded. “Are you fine, Your Majesty? You seem pretty depressed.” She asked.

“I am, Alva. Thank you for asking. Just remembering some things.” The king said. “I see. Is it the queen and the princess?” The king nodded his head once.

“Come to think of it, Your Majesty, I haven’t seen Her Majesty for a long time,” Alva looked down at her hands. “I kind of miss her rudeness.” The king barked a laugh.

“Indeed, my wife is quite rude,” He said, nodding his head.

And then, he was staring at an empty space yet again.

▪️

Reighll entered their classroom and she immediately caught Lady Salther’s attention. The teacher had a huge smile on her face when she looked at Reighll. As usual, Reighll just rolled her eyes. Here it is again.

When the class ended, Reighll just stayed in their classroom which was unusual. It was Wednesday and Lady Salther only discussed about the history of Draxophile. She was not bored of course, it was not about magic after all. Listening to the teacher was like listening to a fantasy story, a myth. But, the truth is not. In this world, everything the teacher told the class was not impossible.

Reighll felt the familiar, annoying presence and heard a click of tongue. “You have no intention of eating once again, Reighll Logene Vervendilla?”

“What do you want?” Reighll asked without looking the teacher.

“I want you to eat, young lady,” Lady Salther answered.

“Whatever.”

“Reighll Logene Vervendilla!” The teacher exclaimed. “How many times do I have to tell you to eat your lunch? Must I told you this a million times over?”

Reighll’s forehead creased as her patience ran out, “I have been wanting to ask you that question, Lady Sarylie Salther. How many times do you have to tell me to eat my lunch?” Reighll’s voice rose, “And how many times do I have to tell you that you are nothing more than my teacher?! That you have no, in any aspect, right in everything I do! Must you always control whatever I do and whatever I should not?!” Reighll stood up and slammed her hands on the table in front of her.

The teacher’s eyes widened. Did the girl really shouted at her? And what did the girl say? No right in every aspect?

“Reighll, in all aspects, I don’t,” the teacher said with gritted teeth. “But I am your teacher! I have the right to care for you. I not only have the right, it is my obligation! As your second parent, it is my obligation! As a parent, Reighll Logene, I have every right to care about whatever is happening to you, whatever you do, and whatever you say!”

“I have no parent,” Reighll walked away from her teacher, away from the classroom, and she wished she could also walk away from this tiring life.

That was a hard blow to the teacher. She was taken aback for her student’s words. She was stunned of what she heard.

When she recovered, she sighed and looked down at her feet. “Then, please… just please, let me.”