Magnostadt Academy of Magic

Chapter 9: The Clock That Has Begun Ticking

"Aine? Can we talk? Alone?" Erina mumbles quietly, fiddling with her sleeves. The girls were visiting Erina to make sure she was alright. Although there were no visible marks on Erina now, she was still forced to stay in the infirmary room until she was in the clear. Aoi, Riko, and Shinoa got the message and got up from where they were sitting.

"I'll bring you some tea tomorrow Erina." Aoi said.

"I'll bring myself...I mean I'll bring some flowers!" Shinoa hugged Erina before heading to the door.

"I'll make a workout you can do while in bed." Riko said, waving to Erina.

The girls assured Erina that they'll visit tomorrow and any time they could until she was released. Erina gave a faint smile and waved to them as the left the door. Once

the door closed Erina brought her hand back down. While Erina was quiet, Aine took a seat on a chair that Riko sat on and waited for Erina to start a conversation. However after a few minutes passed, Erina said nothing so she decided to start it instead.

"They're so nice." Aine said, smiling at the door.

"Mmm." Erina stared at the wall in front of her not saying anything more. Aine just sat silently waiting for something to happen, and that something was Erina speaking.

"...I hate it."

"Hate what?" Aine questioned.

"That I couldn't stand up for myself! That I couldn't bring myself to tell you guys! I hate it...when she started using her magic on me..I didn't do anything. I DID NOTHING! I could've fought back or...or report her! But I couldn't bring myself to...I hate this." Erina shouted as tears began falling from her face, gripping the sheets as she tightly could to the point her knuckles turned white.

Aine could only rub her back in comfort although she did understood her pain. All too well...the feeling of like you couldn't do anything when you have the power to do it, she understood it. Perhaps that's why she stood up against Diana and challenged her to an Aruse... perhaps she understood Erina's pain like it was her own.

Aine got off the seat and hugged Erina softly. She heard Erina gasp softly before crying harder than before. Aine didn't mind that her jacket was getting wet, she just wanted Erina to get it out of her system, that after this she'll feel better and understand that she was not weak or useless.

Outside of the door

Aoi, Riko, and Shinoa never really left. They were in fact eavesdropping on Aine and Erina's conversation on the other side of the door. It was both Riko and Shinoa's idea to hear what the two girls inside were talking about. In an attempt, Aoi tried to tell them it was a bad thing to do but Riko assured her it was only because they were worried about Erina.

"...I hate this." Harsh wails could be heard after that and after some time it turned into sobbing and hiccuping. All three girls wore a sad expression on their face when they started hearing Erina's wailing, it was heartbreaking to say the least. They knew Erina as a strong and independent girl who was never backed down without a fight from the short amount of the time.

Aoi tapped the other two girl's shoulder and nudged her head to indicate that they should start walking. Silence fell over as the girls didn't know what to say, or let alone do. Aoi decided to break the tense silence by asking the girls a question.

"Hey...how about we go the town and window shop? We can try to find something to bring to Erina tomorrow." Aoi said, hoping to lighten the girls' moods as they looked sad about Erina's situation.

Aoi smiled when she saw Riko and Shinoa nodded their head slightly. She grabbed each of the girls' hand and began to run at her full speed. Riko and Shinoa stumbled slightly as they didn't expect Aoi to start running but could only smile when they realized that Aoi was only trying make them happy and they knew that they could only show her their gratitude by going with her and have fun with her in town.