𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗚𝗘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - PROCESS

"Sorry, but I'm pretty sure if you try and escape again it will most likely result in an instant death." The woman who had originally nursed me into a sustainable health had stood by my side again. Her dark eyes watched me carefully as she studied my movements with a raised brow. Ieiri Shoko, was her name — something I found out the moment I stepped into the hospital wing of the school.

I looked back to her after staring out the window for quite some time, a solemn expression on my face. "Is it true?" I asked her quietly, my dejected tone was loud enough for her to hear me but low enough I'd still be comfortable speaking. "Your death? They seemed pretty serious but don't worry Sat — "

"Not that." I interrupted with a slight shake in my head, I avoided her questioning eyes and fidgeted with the hem of my shirt. "About... my mom..." I swallowed harshly and briefly glanced up, watching as she let out sigh. My shaky gaze remained on her as I waited for her denying words — though the way she seemed to act about the topic, I don't think I should expect something good.

"...yeah." She placed a hand on my forearm. I looked down as she slowly lifted my arm. "Let's fix you up..." I nodded faintly and kept my eyes on the ground, I didn't want to look up — I knew I would express my guilt just by a glance. I never liked my own vulnerability... I haven't ever experienced a death of someone close so what should I feel? How should I act?

There was a sudden glow from the corner of my eye, a warmth spreading through my arm had caught my attention quicker than any words. I watched with a gape in my mouth my eyes shining the reflection of the golden hues sparking from the woman's fingertips. "Reverse cursed technique." Ieiri simply said as I watched the wound in my arm begin to vanish with her light touches. "It's the most painless way to heal someone, but very tiring for the user."

"Is that what you did last time?" I asked feeling neutral towards the change of subject. "I didn't really get to..." there was a hint of amusement in her tone that lead me to think there was a subtle smile on her face. I didn't respond, my expression still dejected and silent. I didn't know what to say or think, I was completely lost and all I could blame is my past doubt — that's why I'm here all over again and with way more wounds than before.

I swallowed harshly as thoughts of my new future enveloped my mind. What should I expect? Could I too have the reverse curse technique? "Could you have — "

"No." She interrupted me, her tone stern but smooth as it overturned my hopes. She had already known what I was thinking before I could even get the words out. "Once someone's dead you can't bring them back. Reverse cursed techniques only heal the wound it can't revive anything." She stated with a firm tone, her hands retracting from my arm to finally reveal my unscathed skin. "It really did heal..."

"Not anything mentally, but yeah, it's real."

————

"You're looking better! Ieiri got you back in shape." The white-haired man skipped over to me as I walked down the steps of the property without much effort. At his voice I shrugged blankly looking aside with my solemn hues. "Yeah, I guess..." I murmured grasping my arm with my opposite hand, a nervous and awkward posture taking over my manner as I walked quietly beside the man. He hadn't introduced himself to me like a proper person would, I suppose he guesses I'll just pick up on who he is.

He didn't seem fazed by my actions and continued, walking cheerily beside me. "Anyways, about this 'new life' you've been dropped into," He began, shoving his hands into his pockets with a jovial smile on his face. "You're gonna have to try real hard to not mess up, the elders are right on your tail and one little mistake... and we'll, let's not go there." He pointed at me before carelessly shrugging aside the worry with a small chuckle. I remained silent, only listening to his words with my lip pulled under my teeth.

"You can start your first learning class today and catch up on all the new vocabulary." He said with a wide grin, his happiness had never been contagious towards anyone — especially not me. I was always skeptical about him. What really was he hiding beneath those white bandages above his eyes?

Eyes are the key to the soul, so why does he hide his?

"Why not meet the other students while you're at it." He interrupted my thoughts with his usually light tone. I wasn't really paying attention but I wasn't going to respond anyway, I remained silent and had no intention on speaking up. I wanted to sit down, enjoy the ataraxy of the breeze in the night until my lids fell shut from my quiet thoughts. "Oh and tomorrow you'll most likely receive your uniform." He caught my gaze settling off somewhere else, the distraught look on my face catching his attention. "Any concerns?"

I looked down, crossing my arms over each other to hug myself in comfort. I was cold and unhappy. "Everything's happening so fast..." Anxiousness coloured my undertone and lift the hairs on my skin to paint my body in goosebumps. "Unfortunately so..." He hummed stopping before I did. He watched me for a minute studying me similarly to the way Ieiri had done. I suppose they were trying to get used to my presence now...

"I'll show you to your dorm, you can contemplate things there."