ReThree: sisterhood

"The next supporter I want to introduce is Tonatrum. The Angel of Thunder..."

I rested my head on the desk. The coldness of the bench touched my cheek and gifted me its coolness.

'This is Arina's sponsor.'

"Tonatrum is strong yet generous. He loves all the people on Earth. That's why those who have his support are very likely to have Tonatrum residing within them so he can interact with humans, inform them of his beliefs, and give them material and spiritual gifts. However, Tonatrum only manifests in those who have a pure soul and a healthy heart..."

'So Arina was chosen correctly...'

"The next sponsor I want to talk about is Benedicto. The god of grace and generosity. The god of changing seasons... The magic I just performed is all thanks to him..."

'Hmmm, so that flower and thorn that came up was because of the deer that was supposed to help Manson marry my dad and together convince Arina to leave her test to Samal and then...'

Scratch...

'And then...'

Scratch... My ears were irritated. I came to myself. I quickly opened my eyes and sat up straight. The classroom was empty and dark. The sunlight found its way through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating parts of the classroom.

Scratch...

My gaze fell on the teacher who was writing on the board in such a way that her nail was also scraping against it, creating an unpleasant sound.

"Finally awake, Miss Baz?" she said without stopping her work.

I swallowed hard.

'She always ignored my existence. What happened?'

I couldn't read the texts on the board. They were vague and incomprehensible to me.

"The class isn't over? Where did the kids go?"

"The class is still ongoing, Miss Baz."

She stopped writing and placed the chalk in front of the metal surface connected to the board. Finally, she turned to me. The darkness in the classroom prevented me from seeing her face. Unconsciously, my fingers intertwined with fear and stress. I could hear my heartbeat near my ear. The sound of her heeled shoes broke the silence as she came into the light, but again, apart from the smile on her lips, all her facial features were swallowed by the darkness. I gave a nervous smile.

'Well, anyway, her skin is dark; it's natural that she wouldn't be recognizable in the dark.'

She was approaching me slowly.

"I-I thought you said the other kids were gone."

My attention was drawn to the cane in her hand. For a moment it looked terrifying to me. As if she was about to reprimand me with it.

"..."

She didn't answer me. She just moved closer.

Closer...

And closer...

Now she was right in front of me, beside my desk. Her face was still hidden. For a second, the smile didn't leave her lips, which were stained in reddish hues. My jaw locked, and I couldn't speak. I even felt like I wasn't breathing anymore. Suddenly, she began to twitch. I wanted to pull back when she firmly grabbed my shoulder. The tone of her voice changed. It had become deep and thick. She continued twitching, and with that same hand pixelated, she was crushing my shoulder.

"Of course, you could say the class has just started..."

She raised her other hand. A knife had replaced the cane. It resembled the knife I used myself. Her grin bared all her teeth.

"This is your exclusive private class. The famous Azima!"

And she plunged the knife down.

"Angela!"

I gasped and froze in my seat. Terrified, I looked at the nuka next to me, who was holding my shoulder.

"Why are you so pale? Did you have a nightmare?"

I was panting and my face was drenched in sweat. I looked around. The classroom was empty.

"The class has been over for a long time, Angela. You were asleep for 85 percent of the time..."

I took a deep breath and wiped my wet face with my sleeve.

'I fell asleep in class again...'

"But I'm really curious. Why doesn't the teacher pay attention to you? You can easily do whatever you want. I envy you."

"Let me recover from waking up first, then you can start your chitchat."

"Hey hey hey... weren't you the one who wanted to focus on your studies?"

I got annoyed. I stood up and brushed past him after nudging him.

"Wait, don't get angry now..."

***

These many high steps that connected to the bell tower couldn't tire me out. 

I could never last in the courtyard because of all the noise. A place where, without paying attention to your words, they just keep arguing. That's why after ditching Nuka, I made my way towards the tower. Unlike other places within the school, this place was completely old and ruined. Its wooden stairs were broken and rotting, making loud creaking sounds under my feet. The stone walls were full of cracks. Despite all this destruction, I didn't understand how it maintained such a tall tower. Finally, I reached the top. The large bell in front of me, which seemed to be made of gold, was ten times my height.

"If it suddenly starts moving, I think the sound waves would shatter my bones."

As I took my eyes off the bell, my attention was drawn to the man in front of me. He wore a white shirt with suspenders, the straps dangling from his shoulders, leaning against the wall and looking down. He had a large straw hat on his head. His stubble and tall stature suggested he was at least in his 30's. His features also hinted that he might be a peasant or something.

'If after years of living, I don't understand the difference between a peasant and a noble, I should just kill myself."

I chose a corner and sat down. I opened the notebook I had brought with me. I was going to devise a plan to keep Arina away from potential dangers. I took a pen in my hand and started writing.

*Plan A: Her failing the advisor's exam* *Result: Failure*

I can't say I had a hand in her failing, but I prayed a lot to God that she wouldn't pass. Perhaps because God loves me so much that He resurrected again, He might have taken this request of mine into account. But unfortunately, it had no effect.

*Plan B: Issuing permission for knighthood.* *Result: Uncertain*

I've been thinking about this plan for a long time. Despite its risks, it still makes sense. The idea is that after seeing her knight training, we could think of other strategies. From the research I've done, the knighthood process takes four years, and during this time, the knights only train and prepare. So, Arina's safety is assured. During these four years, I can think about what I can do. 

*Plan C: Becoming Arina's shadow* 

*Result: Unknown and simultaneously discouraging.*

This plan has just come to my mind. It involves allowing Arina to become a knight, but using my powers to protect her, going everywhere with her so that nothing happens to her. But this is riskier than the previous plan. Because this world is not like the one I lived in before. Most things happen with magic, and there are monsters that I have yet to face. 

Of course, I would give my life for Arina. But if I don't have the power to confront the dangers ahead, if I lack the support and strength within me to fight, even giving my life may have no effect, and I would once again witness the tragedy of the past.

I massaged my temples. 

"I need to look for other plans."

"What has so occupied your mind, young lady?"

I immediately looked up. The man who had been observing the view below was now standing above me. When he was standing further back, I couldn't see his face clearly. But now that I see him, the first word that comes to my mind is attractive. The sun had completely tanned his skin. His dark hair covered his forehead. His angular and muscular face perfectly conformed to the standards of a girl. And he had elongated hazel eyes. 

'Ha! Look at how God made a peasant, and then He messed up something like me, His chosen one.'