The Afterlife Academy Saga

Chapter 21

21

“Ylva? Wake up… Ylva?”

“Hmmm?” Reluctantly, I peeled my eyes open. They were practically glued shut with sleep sand and drier than usual. Maybe from the midnight clover essence?

“Hey.”

Ryoko’s face appeared above me. Her hair cascaded down her shoulder and caressed my cheeks, almost like a curtain of privacy.

“Hello.”

A smile stretched across her features, one that awoke a warmth in my stomach. I could get used to waking up to this.

“How are you feeling?” Ryoko asked.

“Not too bad. No nightmares, at least, I don’t think so.”

“That’s good.” She handed me a glass of water from my nightstand and brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m glad.”

“Did you really stay with me the whole time?”

Her cheeks blushed red. “Yes, of course.”

“Thank you.”

“I promised, didn’t I?”

I looked up at her, finding twinkles in her eye. She didn’t look distressed anymore, or if she was, she was great at hiding it.

I pushed myself up on my elbows, bringing myself inevitable closer to the Dragon. Her face flushed, but she didn’t avert her gaze. Instead, she stared right back, studying the edges of my soul.

“Are you okay?” My voice was croaky from sleeping, but the water was helping.

“Yes.”

“Is there a reason you woke me?”

She blinked rapidly, as if to regain her focus. “Oh, yes. There’s a student here for you.”

“I’m busy,” I replied without missing a beat.

“She said it was urgent. The headmistress is ready to see you now.”

“Oh. Right.” I gestured to my temple. “That.”

Ryoko looked down at my lips and for a moment, I was sure she was going to kiss me. But then she broke the spell she had on me and stood up from the bed.

Disappointed, I rubbed my eyes and took the opportunity to stretch. All the running and fighting hadn’t left any visible wounds on my body, but I could feel the strain in my bones. It would be a while until I didn’t feel like my muscles were on strike.

Across the room, Ryoko had taken a seat on her desk. With her back to me, I couldn’t see the blushes on her cheek, but I could hear it in her voice. “You should probably get dressed.”

“Oh, right.” That was probably a good idea. My once-white shirt was now covered in dark flecks of dried blood, green streaks from the forest, and a strange, silvery substance that must have come from my fight with Ryuga.

I wasn’t usually prude or insecure about my body, but with the Dragon just sitting opposite me, it was suddenly a completely different matter. Surely, I could change in the bathroom, but that wasn’t nearly as exciting or tantalising as changing right here.

She’d never turn around and look, but the idea that she could… Now that was exciting.

Slowly, I buttoned my shirt open and threw the ragged thing on the floor. If I kept ruining my school uniforms at this rate, I’d have to buy some new ones or go naked. Now, inside our room that might not be a problem. But outside… Maybe not.

I didn’t have any Academy-approved shirts left, so a regular one would have to do. Certainly not the best thing to wear when I was going to see the headmistress, but I didn’t have another choice.

I pulled the soft fabric over my head and quickly changed my trousers for another set. I’d have killed for a shower, but having the cursed mark removed was more important.

“I’m changed,” I announced. Damn, I should’ve said it just a little bit too soon so she could’ve caught a glimpse of me. My, where were those naughty thoughts coming from? That wasn’t like me. And yet, something about Ryoko brought it out in me.

My roommate swallowed audibly. “You look nice.”

“It’s just a casual attire.”

She shot me a look that seemed like she wanted to say something else, something private. But instead, she scratched the back of her neck and gestured to the door. “The student is waiting for you in the hall.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Hesitantly, I crossed the room and slipped into my shoes. What were the rules for saying goodbye? Should I wave at her? Kiss her? Do a little dance? Usually, I’d just leave without saying anything. But that didn’t sound like the right option in this situation.

“Ylva?”

Hopeful, I turned around. “Yes?”

“Your bandage headband.”

That wasn’t what I hoped she’d say. Disappointed, I accepted the cloth and wound it around my head. At least it was a good thing she remembered. I’d have walked out without and exposed myself. Again.

That didn’t solve my goodbye problem though. Ah, why did everything have to be so awkward?

“I’ll see you soon.” I could’ve facepalmed myself the moment I said that. Wow, that was terrible.

She smiled politely, any hints of teasing or flirting gone. “See you soon. Be safe.”

“I will.” At least, if the person on the other side of the door wasn’t Master Ryuga. That wouldn’t end well.

With my keys in my pocket, I stepped out into the hall. “Oh. Hey, Oda.”

The girl waved enthusiastically. “Hi. Flavia sent me. I’m escorting you to the headmistress.”

I frowned. “Why did Flavia send you?”

“Oh, Professor Brynhild asked her, so she asked me. Shall we walk?”

Nice. No time wasted on idle chit chat that didn’t mean anything and just made things uncomfortable.

I nodded, gesturing for her to lead the way.

Apart from the pleasantries, we didn’t really talk. We’d spent quite a bit of time together in Flavia’s room, but I didn’t really know her that well. She was always very distant and focused on making sure Flavia had everything she needed. Between that and the lack of click, we just weren’t very close. And that was fine by me, as long as Flavia liked me. That was the most important connection for my career.

The hall of the main building was buzzing with chatter and talk. Almost all students were either going to class or leaving. The noises and hurried walking was a stark contrast to the silence of the forest, and it wasn’t hard to say which I preferred.

It’d be so much better if the school was silent instead of bursting with life. Although this was more in line with how I imagined Academy life to be. It was just a shame I’d gotten used to the quiet.

“Professor Brynhild said she’d meet us here.” Oda pushed herself up on her toes and peered into the crowd. “Ah, there she is.”

“Where?”

She gestured to the main exit. “There.”

“Ah, I see. I’ll go there now.”

“Okay.” As Oda walked away, she seemingly changed her mind and paused. “I’m glad you’re okay, Ylva.”

“Me too. I’ll come and explain everything later, if Flavia has time.”

“She’ll make time.”

We exchanged a rare smile before she strode off and disappeared into the sea of students. That was nice of her. Unexpectedly so. Maybe we were becoming friends after all.

I walked up to the teacher, reaching up to tighten my tie, only to realise halfway through that I wasn’t wearing one. Right, I was in casual attire. I’d gotten so used to the uniform that it was weird to be in normal clothes, even if that was what I’d worn for my entire life.

“Professor.”

Brynhild turned, her signature stern expression in place. “Ylva.”

“Is the headmistress back?”

“She is, indeed. Follow me.”

My teacher strode away from the main building, leaving me a little confused. Where was she taking me? If this was another Ryuga situation, I was going to scream. I wasn’t in the mood for another fight over the Shadow magic.

The noise and chatter died down as we walked further away from the main building and towards the North part of the campus grounds. Half of that was woodland, which I’d been getting familiar with. More or less. I was using it as a gateway to the Forest of Illusions. The other part was the ice lake, which wasn’t nearly as big as I thought it was.

“I thought the headmistress’ office was on the fourth floor?”

“We’re not going to her office.”

“Then where are we going?”

“Underground. Hurry up.” She quickened her pace and we marched to the edge of the ice lake. The white mirror sparkled in the faint sunlight, tempting me to run on top of it. It just looked like it would be a lot of fun.

Despite the frozen lake, it wasn’t actually colder here than by the castle grounds. No breathy clouds, no frost on the grass, not even a chilly wind. Strange, but then… It was the Academy.

“Over here.” Brynhild marched to one of the many small fishing sheds and pulled open a shrieky door.

“That’s her office?”

“No, just one of the many entries.” She lifted a plank from the floor and a latch sprung up. Shrieking in its hinges, the trapdoor rose and automatic lights sprung on to illuminated a steep staircase leading deep underground.

She gestured. “After you.”