After the exhausting training, the students all dragged their exhausted bodies back to their dormitory.
All except Yvonne who lagged behind them. She was given the privilege of a day rest because she just recovered from coma.
That's actually all thanks to Raphael who stood in protest to Lord Thomas and Mr Collins statement of "If she was injured on battlefield, do you think they would allow her a day rest after treatment?"
After series of arguments and logic from both Lord Thomas and Mr Collins. Raphael triumphed and Yvonne was granted a day rest but she had to stay and observe the students training to learn.
Thus, Yvonne has more than enough energy for her escape plan that night.
After what seemed like a eternity, everything finally quiet down as the students settled into bed, most already lost in dreamland.
Yvonne jumped up, soaked herself in water, threw on a cloak, and slipped out quietly.
Seeing the hall was clear.
She ran.
At the door, she melted into water and slid under, hiding behind flowers before reforming.
Taking a deep breath, Yvonne nearly collapsed in pain. Her legs shook but she forced herself up. She can't afford to get caught.
Endure. You are almost out. Yvonne encouraged herself.
Then headed straight for the stream behind the training grounds. it is quite far from the building with small forest surrounding it.
Upon reaching it, Yvonne threw the cloak into the forest and dove in.
She dissolved into water once more and let the current carry her away.
Free.
The word echoed inside her.
She laughed.
Actually laughed.
The academy walls grew smaller and smaller behind her until they disappeared beyond the trees.
She had done it.
She was finally free.
Beaming, Yvonne resurfaced after reaching far enough away from the Academy.
Transformed back and leaned against a rock planning to rest for a while her limbs was already trembling in exhaustion and pain, her knees buckled as the river's cold lingered inside her bones.
Dammit! She still can't use her Ember for as long as she wanted. Yvonne cursed sighing, closing her eyes.
"Alessandra?"
Yvonne jumped back in fear, heart nearly stopping as she snapped her eyes open.
Eric stood a few feet away, brows drawn together.
"You've got to be kidding me," Yvonne snapped. "Are you a ghost? Why are you everywhere? Are you stalking me?!"
"Stalking?" Eric raised a brow, a smile almost appearing on his cold face. "Do I look like I have nothing better to do than stalk you?"
"...."
Yvonne mouth twitched. That sentence seems kinda familiar.
"What are you doing here?" Eric asked, his eyes taking in her exhausted state. "What are you doing far from the Academy?"
"What are you also doing far from the Academy?" Yvonne asked , voice laced in anger. " Why are you butting your nose in everything? Can't you mind your business?!"
"....When do you start becoming hot-tempered?" A speechless Eric questioned. "Also, it's my duty to know....."
"Please. Enough with the duty stuff." Yvonne cuts in impatiently while Eric brow furrowed.
This seems to be the third time this girl has challenged his authority.... Or, is it the fourth time?
"If you really want to do your duty, then please, kindly move further away from me. Very far away from me and mind your damn business." Yvonne continued angrily.
"Alessandra..."
"Or do you want another rumor?" Once again, Eric was interrupted by a very angry Yvonne.
A vein throbbed on Eric forehead as he gazed at the girl before him. He really wants to gets angry but found himself amused instead.
Before Eric could respond, the distant academy bell rang.
"Damn it," Eric muttered grabbing Yvonne hand. "We need to go."
"No!" Yvonne jerked her hand back. She is going nowhere. Not when she was finally leaving this place.
Eric turned and froze, his expression turning serious as he raised a finger to lips silencing Yvonne protest and pulled her behind a boulder.
"What is it again?" Yvonne asked in expastration.
"Quiet." Eric ordered, his gaze focusing on the source of the sound, then saw them.
Three Ghouls.
Eric blood ran cold.
"Ghouls again?"
"Ghouls?!" Frowning, Yvonne looked at the direction and saw them. "Seriously!."
Why is this happening when she was just about to escape? Oh goddess!!
"We need to...." Eric starts to speak but was interrupted by Yvonne.
"Is that their masters?" Yvonne whispered.
"Ghouls don't have masters," Eric answered without thinking which caused Yvonne to stare at him flatly.
"Then why are they bowing?"
Eric followed Yvonne gaze and saw a cloaked figure standing before them.
Narrowing his eyes, Eric turned to Yvonne. "Let's leave first."
Leave where? Nah! She is escaping. Today she must leave this place.
Taking a deep breath, Yvonne faced Eric. "You leave first. I will keep an eye on them."
"Are you insane?!" It was Eric turn to be enraged. "Do you hear yourself?."
"Of course I do." Yvonne answered with a smile. " Someone has to keep a eye on them till the guards arrive. What if they escape? Especially that cloaked figure."
Eric stared at her. "And you think you're the perfect person to keep an eye on them?"
"Of course yes. Don't worry about me. I will hide well and make sure they did not escape." Yvonne smiled. "Trust me."
Trust her? He'd sooner trust a Ghoul than this stubborn girl.
Eric brow twitched. "Shut your mouth and follow me quietly."
"No!." Yvonne protest.
What's wrong with this lunatic?! Why can't he just leave!
"Alessandra..." Eric had barely started when the figure covered in cloak turned towards them.
"Who is there?" A woman voice rang out as both Yvonne and Eric hid behind the rock.
Female. Eric eyes narrowed.
Before he could react, one Ghoul lunged.
"Move!" Eric shouted, both splitting apart just as claws tore through the space between them.
The other two ghouls joined instantly.
Eric barely kept up—dodging, parrying, positioning himself between Yvonne and the creatures.
He hated using his fire here. It's could draw unwanted attention like last time.
But he had no choice.
Summoning his inferno Ember Fire.
Flames erupted—
One Ghoul screeched and vanished.
The remaining two… changed.
There eyes turned gold.
Evolution.
"Damn it," Eric hissed.
Grabbed Yvonne's hand and activated invisibility.
They both ran.
Toward the academy.