Lilia's Tale: Freyja's Endeavor

Chapter 55: Severed

"My dear Lilia.
I have found a proof for the existence of different types of magicules. I will come to the academy soon to showcase it to you. I plan to arrive at the academy on the upcoming Sunday to prepare everything.
I'm looking forward to hearing all you've succeeded in.
Kouji Jirou"

...Part of me was relieved that Father would be coming directly to the academy, since I wasn't allowed to leave. However, chances are he isn't aware of my current situation, and I was afraid of his reaction upon learning of it.

I took a bit to collect myself. The decision was already taken, so there was nothing I could do. I had to accept it as it was and prepare accordingly.

I deeply wanted to go outside, both for some fresh air and an activity. However, as I was forbidden from getting out of the dormitory, it was out of question. I opened the window to breathe and ponder, eventually deciding to talk to Jor and Alice while waiting.

"Jor, are you here?"

...No response. I called Alice as well, and there was no response either. I started panicking and tried to feel any sort of connection to anything, hoping I would be able to figure something out.

There was no connection. Rather, by using summoning magic on myself, I could feel what normally would be my connection to my familiars. It was severed.

I got up in a rush and started pacing around in confusion and fear. What could have happened that I lost my connection to my familiars? Are they okay? They didn't die, did they? Is there any way to fix those connections?

I kept asking myself all sorts of questions before settling on one thing in particular. I had to find a way to restore the connection.

I started racking my brain over everything I knew of, grasping at any straws I could find. I was interrupted by Mark telling me lunch was ready. I looked at him for a moment before getting up.

"...Is everything okay?"

"No," I coldly replied.

"Can I help?"

"I don't think so. Maybe Koko-sensei could though..."

I simply left towards the cafeteria to eat. I didn't feel hungry but I knew I had to eat. I felt stared at but was far too mentally busy to care. I grabbed food, sat down and started eating on my own.

"Lilia, you're up?" I heard Sayuri ask.

"Yeah," I replied without even looking.

I heard her sit down with me as she asked:

"Are you okay enough to move?"

"I should be fine. Say, can you tell Koko-sensei to see me after class?"

"...Is everything okay?"

"My connection with Jor and Alice got severed."

"What does that mean?"

"Basically, I am no longer connected with them."

"...Is that bad?"

I dropped my fork upon hearing it. I was utterly baffled that she asked that, having to rationalise myself that she couldn't know as is.

"...Yes, yes it is. Imagine if I suddenly disappeared from your life and you had no way of contacting me no matter what."

"That does sound bad. You can go talk to Jor though, right?"

"Obviously not. I'm stuck inside the dormitory, and on top of that he's in the forest and we aren't allowed to get out of the city."

"I heard he's been standing next to the south entrance for a long time now. You can see him from anywhere in town."