THE FORTUNIST

36. Leurayssa

“Cryfix magic cannot work in the Tai Forest. It cannot work outside of Albeny.”

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When Leurayssa wakes up next, she does not open her eyes. She knows the feeling of peace is a temporary fluke that will shatter the moment she does. She is nowhere near finding Anarella and to compound that, she is stuck with someone else's identity. An identity she can no longer easily rid herself of.

"Open your eyes."

The voice is gently compelling and she obeys it. The bedsheets under her are soft and white. The ceiling above her head seems to be even whiter. A face blocks the view. The face is blurry at first, but Leurayssa blinks back her concentration. Her vision clears and she cannot help but draw a harsh panicked breath as she shoots up from the bed and rushes towards the only door in the room which she hopes is the exit. The door does not budge. She sags against it.

"Where do you think you can run to? You're an Albenarum student. As such, you are under my care golder 22306, Ciara Mulden."

Leurayssa opens her mouth but is clueless what to say. She shuts it back.

"My name is Denpo Xhell and I am in charge of student affairs."

"I thought…," her throat feels dry, "I thought you were in employment."

"That too, I screen potential workers to make sure they have what it takes to fulfil student needs. Calm your distress Ciara, I don't bite." There is a certain wryness in Denpo's tone that makes Leurayssa certain that she hasn't forgotten. "Yesterday, I thought you were avoiding me. I really didn't want to miss your final testing. What did you score?"

Leurayssa remains mute, rightfully suspicious of Denpo's motives. Denpo moves to the empty bedside stand and taps her fingers along it.

"Fine, don't tell me. Was it a zero?"

"No," Leurayssa denies.

Denpo raises a brow at her and folds her hands. "Which is it really, Ciara or Leurayssa? I'm guessing again that it's Leurayssa. Now Leurayssa, if you stole a token it's only a matter of time before you are found out."

"I'm looking for my sister."

"Right, that. But she isn't here, I told you that much?"

"I need to know where she went after she left here. I know you can stop me, you can kick me out right now, expose me. Please don't."

"I know you know that this is a grave situation. No one has lodged a complaint for their token being stolen. Makes me wonder where the actual Ciara Mulden is."

"I didn't do anything to her."

"I believe you."

"You do?"

"But who else would, hmmn? Ciara Mulden missing and you giving them a wacko excuse like 'she's the one who willingly gave it to me'. No one would believe that. Lead token maybe but gold?"

"If you knew I was avoiding you, why'd you let yourself be avoided until now?"

"Well, I figured we could help each other. Did you hear about the exciting news, the banea in our midst?"

Leurayssa feels her mind shut down with dread. She doesn't know what to think anymore. "I heard about it," she admits.

"I'd do anything to get my hands on a banea, believe me. Fortunes know I need my own fortune, stuck in this place looking after children."

"Why exactly are you telling me this?"

"That's because you'll look for the banea for me."

"I…"