Infernal Academia

Chapter 13 - The Summons of Mistress Viola

The Brimstone Memorial Hospital certainly worked fast, Cobalt had to admit.  No sooner had he been carted through the door when he was immediately rushed to Accident and Emergency to assess his condition.  Though he was still out cold at the time, a healthy dose of adrenaline was administered, whereupon he was informed that while had suffered a number of minor burns, Izzbelle's relentless assault thankfully hadn't broken any of his bones.  After a brief overnight stay, the Incubus was then sent on his way back to the school.

Not that he felt any better for it, as he had come out in purplish bruises all over his body that ached with every little movement he made.  That Monday morning, it took him a lot longer than usual to pull himself out of bed, and sleeping in a futon had done his bruising no favours.  By the time he had eaten breakfast and stumbled down the dormitory stairwell, the bell had already rung, signaling the beginning of homeroom.

"Oh no..."

Clattering down to the ground floor with all the grace of a newborn giraffe, Cobalt waved hastily to the housekeeper before barging through the front doors of the dormitory, fiddling with his satchel all the while.  As he tried to stuff a ream of documents back where they belonged, however, the Incubus abruptly slammed into what felt like a brick wall.  Crying out, he fell onto the gravel, the pages flying everywhere.

"Agh!  This is not my day..." he murmured, wincing as his bruises began to throb.

He was replied by a condescending snort, drawing his gaze to what he had just blundered into.  

Izzbelle Suyas stood in the middle of the path, her arms folded impatiently.  The Oni had been provided with a new uniform after her last one was burnt to cinders, and yet she had already torn the sleeves off the shirt and blazer.  Not only that, but she had decided to forgo wearing her tie properly, instead having it knotted around a bulging bicep.

Cobalt blanched at the sight of her.  He hadn't spoken to the Oni since their altercation, and if he was honest, he was still kicking himself for the words he spoke back then.  No matter the situation, calling upon someone's painful past was a no-go, and he had clearly stepped over the line when he used James' name to defend himself.

Swallowing hard, the began to laugh nervously as he swiped his papered back into a folder.

"M- Miss Suyas, good morning!  Running late as well, I see?" he stammered as he tried to get back on his feet.

Frowning, the Oni cast her gaze elsewhere.

"Somethin' like that..."

Clearing her throat, Izzbelle shook her head and suddenly grabbed both of his shoulders.  Her grip was firm, enough to make the burns beneath his shirt scream in pain, but Cobalt kept a brave face.  She looked troubled.

"About what happened.  I, uh... I guess I shouldn't have, uh... y'know... beat the shit outta you," she admitted in a surprisingly bashful tone.

"Izzbelle?"

"Sh- Shut up, I ain't gonna say this again!  I'm sorry, alright?  There!  I fuckin' said it!"

She shoved him back as her usual fiery temperament returned, but Cobalt could sense no malice in her actions.  With a little smile, he trotted alongside her as she turned to make for homeroom.

"It's okay, Izzbelle, really.  You've had a rough time of it, and I know you're not used to opening up.  We'll just take it slow, alright?"

Her eyes widened.

"Take it... slow...?"

Her eyes suddenly flashed with anger at the same time as her cheeks flushed read.  Shoving the Incubus back, she bared her teeth at him threateningly.