Back at the Academy
Trixie lay motionless on a hospital bed while Mr. Simon checked her vitals.
"You do realize you were in critical condition, right?" he said.
She didn't answer.
He rubbed his temple. "Silent treatment doesn't work on me."
Trixie shifted her body away from him.
Mr. Simon's patience thinned. "You weren't even in combat. If this keeps happening, you're going to become a liability. It's best if you st—"
"If you want me to stop, I won't," she cut in sharply. "And the only reason it got this bad is because we passed the intended time."
"Then give me one good reason you're pushing yourself like this," Mr. Simon shot back.
A knock interrupted them.
Akira peeked in. "Sorry... I was looking for Mikage."
"It's fine. Seems you can walk again," Mr. Simon said.
Akira chuckled. "Yeah… still feels like my body weighs a hundred tons though."
"Give it time."
"I'll get out of your hair then," Akira said, ready to leave.
"Wait… can you stay with me for a bit?" Trixie asked suddenly.
Akira froze. His heartbeat spiked.
He looked at Mr. Simon for help.
"Don't worry," Mr. Simon sighed as he walked past him. He grabbed Akira's wrist and whispered, "No funny business. Door stays slightly open."
Akira laughed nervously and stepped inside.
Trixie greeted him with a bright smile.
"What's with the smile?" he asked.
"Nothing. Just glad you're okay. How are you feeling?"
"Well, apparently all my muscles shredded themselves when my mana jumped a level…" Akira said.
"I'm so sorry. I wish I could've helped in the fight."
"It's not your fault. Besides—you're the one in a hospital bed. I'm the one standing."
Trixie chuckled. "Do you mock me, mortal?"
"I would never. A mere servant would never mock a goddess," Akira said dramatically.
"You were cool yesterday," she said suddenly.
"…Sorry?" Akira blinked.
"That armor thing you did—it looked good on you."
"Shucks… you're gonna make me blush."
She grinned. "By the way, exams start soon."
Akira's smile vanished instantly. "You're joking. I literally just started school."
"Nope. You've been here over three months."
"…I'm screwed."
Trixie burst into laughter. "Oh my God—your face! The way your smile died!"
She sat up, still laughing. "Don't worry. I can teach you—if you're willing to make me your personal instructor."
Akira quickly turned his head away, face burning.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Trixie asked.
"It's nothing," he muttered, trying and failing to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks.
Mikage sat cross-legged in the center of the arena, shirt tossed aside, eyes shut tight. Steam curled off his skin, and his face twisted with discomfort as tiny sparks of flame flickered across his body. Little by little, his consciousness drifted away, swallowed by a blinding white space.
When he opened his eyes, countless white silhouettes stood scattered around him like silent witnesses. Somewhere in the distance, a baby's cry echoed—thin at first, then growing louder.
Driven by instinct, Mikage rose and sprinted toward the sound until he abruptly stopped. A bed sat before him. On it, a white figure gently rocked a baby in her arms.
With a soft, feminine voice she whispered, "My baby boy… all he does is cry."
Mikage's chest tightened. "Mom… is that you?" he muttered.
Before he could take a step, bells rang sharply through the void—dragging him back to reality.
The arena was drenched in steam, sprinklers raining down to cool the scorching heat.
"Did I lose control?" Mikage asked, breath shaky.
"Nope," Yukiko said flatly behind him. "You had perfect control."
He tilted his head to see her kneeling behind him, both palms pressed to his back, pouring cold mana into him.
"Looks like you're finally done daydreaming," she added.
Mikage glanced around the soaked arena.
"Don't worry, I got to you in time," Yukiko said.
He buried his face in his hands. "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to."
"I know you're struggling with your fire right now," she replied, "but I didn't realize it was this bad."
"What brought you here?" Mikage asked quietly.
"Mr. Oliver told me to help ease the stress so you can burn Dracula's blood out of your system."
"Thank you," he said.
"You can thank me by buying candy."
Mikage let out a weak laugh. "So a pack of diabetes, then?"
Yukiko smiled in annoyance and yanked his hair.
"Oww! What was that for?"
"Focus. Healing time."
Mikage exhaled and closed his eyes again as steam began rising from his skin.
After a moment, Yukiko spoke. "Why did you use it?"
"Use what?"
"You know what I'm talking about."
"No, I don't. Say it."
"Why did you use Sun State—one hundred percent?"
Mikage stayed silent.
"You know it's dangerous without the tattoo," she continued.
"It was the best course of action," he finally answered.
"You could've died," she said.
"If I didn't do it, all of us might be dead."
"And if it failed, you would've burned alive—and the rest of us would've followed right after."
"Why are you coming at me? You did something similar with your Ice Hide," Mikage replied.
Yukiko's eye twitched; she grabbed his ear and yanked.
"Our situations were never the same. When I used it, you were right there keeping the strain off my heart. But with you? I couldn't reach you in time—and even if I did, I still don't know how to quench fire that mimics the sun."
"Ow—ow—okay! I get it, just let go of my ear!" Mikage winced.
She sighed and released him. "I'm not judging you. I'm telling you not to risk your life like that again."
"…Fine. I'll admit it. That was reckless."
Yukiko gave him a small, relieved smile.
"Oh—please don't tell your granddad I helped you activate your Ice Hide. He'll kill me," Mikage muttered.
Yukiko chuckled. "He'll find out either way. And he'll definitely come for you."
Mikage groaned. "Wow, so reassuring."
"Focus on burning Dracula's blood out of your system," Yukiko said, placing her hands on his back again. "If you slip, my cold will freeze your heart."
"Yes ma'am," Mikage replied as steam poured off his skin.
The next morning
Students crowded the dorm windows, shouting and buzzing with excitement.
Akira stepped out, half-asleep. "Please… it's too early for all this noise."
"What's happening?" Mikage asked.
One boy turned. "That bully is finally leaving."
"Which bully?" Mikage blinked.
"Who else? Kane Ironclad."
Akira's eyes widened. "You're serious?"
"Come look."
They approached the window. Outside, a sleek black car waited as men loaded Kane's bags.
"Was he expelled?" someone whispered.
"I dunno," another replied.
Kane turned his head.
The other boys ducked, but Akira and Mikage stood their ground.
Kane met their eyes through the glass. His expression tightened—then he forced a small smile and walked away.
"…It's gone," Mikage whispered.
"What is?" Akira asked.
"The fire in his eyes."
He started walking.
"Where are you going?" Akira called.
"Just follow me."
Inside the girls' dorms, the cheering could be heard clearly. Yukiko and Trixie watched silently, unmoved.
Mr. Oliver approached behind them.
"I didn't expel him," he said. "He dropped out."
"Why? Because he lost his arm?" Mikage asked.
"I'm not sure. He looked… defeated. And nothing I said could bring him back."
"But—" Mikage tried to protest.
"Listen." Oliver cut him off.
"Those cheers you're hearing—from boys and girls—they say enough. His leaving is for the best. Stop dwelling on it. Focus on your exams."
His tone was cold, final, as he opened the door for them to leave.
Mikage clenched his fists and walked out. Akira followed quietly.
Inside the car
Kane stared out the window, thoughts spiraling.
In a few months… you surpassed me so easily, Akira. And you don't even enjoy your own power. What are you?
His mind shifted to Mikage.
Why do you pretend to care? Just admit you never liked me. My leaving is a burden lifted from your shoulders…
Cheers echoed in his memory.
No one wanted me here. Edward didn't even come to see me off.
He touched the empty sleeve where his arm used to be.
I tried to act tough… but I froze the moment I saw real power. I'm pathetic…
SANGUINASTRA
The crimson sky stretched endlessly. Wind howled through the outskirts where an orphanage stood. Children ran across the yard as a dark-skinned woman chased them with tired laughter.
Two figures approached the gate.
"Diana Morvain," the woman said.
The caretaker froze, turning toward them. Veins bulged on her hand.
"…Who are you? How do you know that name?"
"We mean no harm," the woman replied gently. "We're here to fulfill Charles' final wish."
She handed Diana a bundle of letters.
"I was an acquaintance of Charles," she added softly. "My name is Rebecca."