Chapter 12: White Sky, Red Flame

 

 

 

Chapter 12: White Sky, Red Flame

 

THE tanzanite Oriana had tucked away like a cursed item now glimmered brightly atop her wand.

There was no school for the two days following the ball, so all the students were spending their time leisurely, basking in the afterglow of the event. The temporary lull was a nice reprieve, especially since they’d have to start seriously seeking out job opportunities beginning next week.

“Yana, let’s go eat some ramen,” Oriana whined.

“Oh? Is ramen on the menu today? I wonder if they have salt flavor.”

Having tired of their room and the lounge, Oriana dragged Yana toward the cafeteria. There was a crowd surrounding the signboard outside. They must’ve all been anxiously awaiting this day.

After all, ramen is king.

“Only salt and miso flavors today? Rats, I was hoping for pork cutlet,” Oriana grumbled.

“What will you do instead?”

“Well, I’ve never had the salt before, so I guess I’ll go with that.”

It was a mundane conversation, the likes of which they’d shared many times before. But Oriana knew this wouldn’t last forever.

As she lined up with the others waiting for salt-flavored ramen, Oriana slipped her hand into the sleeve of her robe. She traced the item she’d tucked away there, reminding herself of its presence. After the ball, she’d started carrying her wand and a sheaf of papers with magic circles already drawn on them.

Students weren’t allowed to use magic outside of class, but knowing what danger awaited, Oriana couldn’t allow herself to be weighed down by such rules. She didn’t care if the teachers scolded or even expelled her. Vincent’s life was literally on the line.

Having said that, Vincent actually wasn’t at Lagen Magic Academy right now. Despite the overwhelming anxiety threatening to swallow her whole, that was the one glimmer of relief, since Vincent had died inside the Academy last time.

The security here was high enough that almost no outsiders could slip inside. Even the private detective she’d hired confirmed there were nearly no crimes that had been committed within school grounds by people from the outside. Whoever it was that had murdered Vincent in these halls might try to follow him out to the city, but Vincent was a duke’s heir. His personal security was second only to royalty.

There were apparently some methods one could kill by that Oriana couldn’t even begin to guess at, if Professor Heinz were to be believed. Vincent’s chances of survival were much higher if he returned home where his status mattered rather than staying at the Academy, where he was treated like any other student. Plus, this time, Vincent knew he was in danger. He would surely be more careful than usual.

Oriana had even told him when he left on Flower Day that the day of his death was approaching, so he needed to be even more vigilant. He’d warned her against getting involved with that business, but seeing the desperation on her face as she implored him, he agreed without argument.

A letter had arrived from him earlier. Apparently his father, whom he wanted to meet with, had to leave suddenly on business, and Vincent’s return to the school would be delayed until Seed Day afternoon.

His letter read: I’ll return when classes are over. Wait for me like we promised.

Oriana’s eyes had taken in the words dozens of times.

Oriana and Yana took their seats at the edge of the classroom and slurped their ramen. The seat beside Yana was conspicuously empty, but Oriana was even growing used to that—as much as she hated herself for it.

“This bamboo is delicious.”

“I like the onion.”

Oriana scooped out a spoonful of broth containing onion and sesame seeds. She was beginning to wonder if perhaps it was time to admit that pork bone broth wasn’t the only pinnacle of delicious ramen cuisine. As she swallowed her last sliver of bamboo, boys began spilling in through the cafeteria entrance. They numbered less than ten in total, and for some reason, they were all wearing work clothes. They also had what resembled a huge board in one hand and a glove in the other.

“Oh? What’s that?”

“A new club that started up this year. It’s called Magic Ball,” said Oriana.

Since the same event occurred in her previous life, she knew all about it already. One of the first-years, who was a passionate fan of the sport, had negotiated directly with the school to be able to form the club.

“Apparently, that magic paper they’ve pasted to their board makes the ball fly into the distance.”

“Interesting. Ete Karima has that as well. Golphy, we call it. I assume they’re the same.”

“Probably. I guess so?” Oriana avoided giving a definitive answer, since she’d never even seen Magic Ball or Golphy for herself before. “Professor Quicee is their advisor. I hear they’re practicing in the middle of the forest.”

“If it’s a sport that involves making a ball fly, wouldn’t it be inconvenient to play in a forest?”

“They’re having trouble coordinating a practice area, so I hear they’re arguing with the school about where to do it.”

Oriana knew of the club’s existence in her first timeline, but she’d never known the particulars of it. When she glanced at the male students, their trays were loaded down with plates.

“They sure have a healthy appetite,” she said.

“Exercise does empty the stomach after all.”

Oriana dipped her spoon into her soup. The noodles were already gone, but she still hadn’t found the bottom of her bowl.

I wonder what he’s eating right now…

It was obvious who she was thinking about, especially since her cheeks turned red. Oriana never thought she’d be able to fantasize about him like a lover again—not in this lifetime.

He told me to wait for him. And I…want to wait.

Oriana and Vincent were to meet up tomorrow after school. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how she would spend the intervening hours.

It’s vexing that I can’t remember how many days after the ball it was that Vince died. It’s also terrifying too. But if we work together, I am sure we can overcome it this time.

Vincent had told her in his letter: Wait for me like we promised.

Oriana reflected on the words over and over. She had read his letter so many times she could even vividly recall his penmanship.

She put her spoon down. Although she couldn’t stop wolfing the soup down before, her heart was so full of love now that her stomach couldn’t fit anything else.

❦❦❦

“WHAT?! You like a girl?”

And here I thought he’d be a bit more serious about this…

Although his head ached and he felt dizzy, Vincent continued standing stiffly as he nodded.

The Amethyst Dragon Duke had a luxurious estate in the capital. The entrance was large enough to accommodate multiple horse-drawn carriages. The carpet leading to the marble front hall changed with the seasons, and the main staircase within was always freshly polished. It was also equipped with a sitting area and reception hall, both of which other nobles in the capital eagerly hoped they would receive an invitation to during a social season. This place had belonged to Vincent’s family for as long as he could remember, and it was his to protect and pass on to the next generation.

Currently, Vincent was standing in the study, and opposite of him was the man to whom this room—or rather, the entire mansion—belonged: the Amethyst Dragon Duke.

Light spilled in from the cracks in the curtains, reflecting off the mahogany desk where Vincent’s father had put out his cigarette on an ashtray. The duke motioned for Vincent to take a seat, but he insisted on standing.

“I would like to start thinking about my future with this girl,” he continued.

“Why do you say it like that?” asked Vincent’s father. “Is this some kind of declaration? Are you going to tell me I better permit your union, or you’ll run away from home? Is that it?”

It was hard to believe, but this man really was the one true Amethyst Dragon Duke.

“Oh, goodness no! Dedicated and well-behaved boys like you are so apt to brooding and then spiraling out of control.”

“I said nothing about running away,” Vincent reminded him.

“Yes, you’re right. My bad. I wasn’t being serious either. I understand, you know—just how hard you have worked, trying to put our lands and our house first. Did I hurt your feelings? I’m sorry.”

“Enough of your—” Vincent snapped his mouth shut, clenching the hand he’d had resting on his hip.

Stop, he chided himself inwardly. Don’t let him drag you into his nonsense.

“Can we speak seriously?” Vincent asked instead.

“Be my guest.” The duke—whose face much resembled his son’s—smiled, his eyes crinkling shut.

The words were like tar, glued to the back of Vincent’s throat. He silently cursed. Thanks to his father’s theatrics, he’d lost some of the nerve he’d built up.

“I am hoping to make her my wife—my duchess, in the future. There could be no better peace of mind for me than if you agreed with my decision.”

“Now hold on a minute. For you to say something like that, I assume she must not be a noble girl. If she is, you need only say the word. Whether she be the daughter of a viscount or baron or even from an impoverished noble family, I will be happy to take care of everything and permit your relationship.”

Take care of everything—those were heavy words. Especially since Vincent’s father had the power to follow through. No one could really oppose him, regardless of the circumstances, and yet his promise of support extended only to nobility. Nothing was more important to the nobility than pride and prestige, and the best way to uphold that was through good breeding and a solid lineage.

“She’s a…commoner.”

“Hah, I knew it! Well, considering she’s dating you, I’m sure she must have some guts,” said the duke as he leaned back in his chair.

Vincent flinched and awkwardly mumbled, “No…”

“Hm?”

“We’re not…dating yet.”

For a moment, the duke’s mask slipped as he gawked. Vincent had never seen him like this ever before.

“Come again?” His voice grew louder. “Really, what is the matter with you? You’re being far too rash. Is this your first love? It is, isn’t it?”

“Enough. We aren’t discussing that.”

“No, that’s precisely what we are talking about. Now hurry and take a seat. Explain things to me. Okay?” Vincent’s father motioned again to the couch across from where he was sitting.

Vincent reluctantly sat down before explaining, “I didn’t want to date her if we might have to break it off later.” The words sounded far more juvenile and anxious than he’d intended.

For Vincent, getting married in the future was a given, and he already knew he was in no position to choose his partner. He’d been engaged to Sharon when they were younger, but then her family had a scandal. Their family had done everything to suppress the matter on the surface, but of course, his parents had canceled their betrothal. The metaphorical seat at his side had remained empty since, and his parents had likely decided that when the time came, they’d be the ones to choose who filled it.

But the only person I want to occupy it is Oriana.

“Has this girl agreed to your proposal?”

“What?” The word came out almost strangled as Vincent feared his father had seen into the very depths of his heart.

“Even if you do start dating her now, maybe she only wants to be your girlfriend while you’re still at the Academy. Maybe she doesn’t want more.”

Vincent paused before saying, “No, there’s no possible way—”

“Okay, hold on, hold on.” The duke’s expression turned gentle as he tried to placate his heated son. He lifted himself up and walked over. As he settled down beside Vincent on the sofa, the leather cushions sank beneath him. They hadn’t sat this close together since Vincent was a boy—well, granted, seventeen was still young enough to be called a boy, but nonetheless.

“Since you were young, you’ve always poured everything into your studies without a single complaint, and I probably put too much on your shoulders because of it. Now that I think back, I realize you always had a strong sense of responsibility. Too strong, one might argue. You are allowed to experience love with one or two or even three girls while you’re at the Academy.”

“Have you forgotten that all the girls at the school are unwed? Even if I made promises to each of those girls and their houses, I would only ever be able to take one as a wife when the time comes.”

“This is precisely what I mean! Your sense of obligation is too strong! When that time comes, you play stupid. Obviously.”

“Father…are you a degenerate?”

“He called me a degenerate… My beloved son just called me a degenerate…”

The duke buried his face in his hands as he lamented. A butler, who’d been standing in the corner of the room, walked over and offered Vincent’s father a tissue. Apparently, he wanted to keep up the ruse of a sobbing parent.

“I have never been dissatisfied with my role,” said Vincent. “Nor have I pushed myself past my limits in working to fill the shoes you will one day leave me. Even when it comes to marriage—”

“Well, for now, why don’t you bring her to meet us on your next holiday? I will speak with your mother on your behalf. We can take this whole marriage thing step by step. Don’t look so anxious. There are loopholes we might use.”

They most likely wanted to meet Oriana and evaluate her to determine whether she was worth the risks that came with using said loopholes.

But that level of commitment is more than enough.

Satisfied with leaving it at that for today, Vincent took to his feet. He glanced down at his father, who was still seated on the couch.

“I will return with her during our next break then.”

“Yes, please do so. I will be looking forward to it.” His father’s lips curled into a truly genuine smile.

Sometimes Vincent didn’t even know which side of his father was the real one.

❦❦❦

WHEN he left the study, the butler who’d been waiting inside followed him out. Vincent was the one who’d requested the man be there when he spoke with his father. If he were left alone with the duke, he knew he would too easily lose his cool and be swept up in his father’s antics.

As they started up the stairs, the butler hesitantly called up after him. “Lord Vincent?”

“Yes, I know. I’m not such a child that I believe everything he said.” Vincent scowled.

When he was younger, he simply wanted his father to smile. The duke always wore a happy face when he did his best. As the oldest of his siblings and someone well respected and loved by all the people around him, his father knew how to inspire others to do as he willed. And of course, his father had used that to his advantage.

“My father is no saint, but he is not a villain either.”

The duke wasn’t kind enough to let things pass simply because it came as no loss to him. On the other hand, he would be willing to overlook things, provided it benefited him somehow. That meant he would permit Vincent’s marriage to Oriana, as long as it held some kind of merit for him.

Maybe if I told him that I was fated to die, but Oriana managed to save my life, he might reconsider…

No, if Vincent said that, his father would either think he had lost his marbles or was so insincere that he’d stoop to lying to get married. Either way, it would only hurt his father’s opinion of him.

Even without Oriana, Vincent intended to protect their territory and keep top grades at the Academy, as befitting someone of his status. But for as accomplished as he was, the only thing he had to offer was his time. It looked like he had everything from the outside, but in truth, none of that power was his to freely use.

Vincent originally planned to offer up his time to his father when he brought up the subject of marrying Oriana. If it meant spending a future together, he was willing to become his father’s puppet for five or ten years—however long it took. That said, he wasn’t going to say as much openly. Vincent knew if he stated his conditions outright, his father would force him to stick to them, regardless of how he really felt.

Ultimately, it ended without him having to offer. His father freely agreed that the two could be lovers, despite her common birth. His attitude wasn’t befitting of a gentleman, but that was beside the point. Vincent felt as though he’d won a huge gamble. At the same time, clouds still hung over his heart.

“Maybe she only wants to be your girlfriend while you’re still at the Academy. Maybe she doesn’t want more.”

Those words hit him where it hurt.

Vincent’s love for Oriana was special. He thought he would spend his life never knowing love and marry whomever his parents picked, then spend his days protecting his family and their lands. Yet his passion for Oriana was like destiny. He was sure Oriana felt the same—no, he was pretty sure she felt it even stronger than him.

Lately, it was clear that Oriana was seeing him as Vincent, rather than as Vince. She’d spent her whole life worrying about his well-being, so he blindly believed she shared his feelings. The possibility that she didn’t never even crossed his mind.

After graduation, she might not even bother to look my way anymore.

Oriana had her own house to worry about. He didn’t think her father was the type to prioritize some nobody over an engagement with the duke’s son, but then again, stranger things had happened. Namely, Oriana living through two timelines. That was proof that the impossible was actually possible.

“My father was right. I suppose I am being too rash. Perhaps she hasn’t given marriage to me any thought.”

He launched into self-deprecation after they entered his room, and the butler began helping him change so he could return to school. Specifically, the butler was helping him slip his arms through the sleeves of his jacket. He would normally do this by himself, but he always had numerous servants to help out when he returned home.

After the butler finished fastening the buttons, the crow’s feet on the edges of his eyes deepened as he smiled. “Then I would ask that you listen to what I have to say. If you find it unhelpful, you need only pass it off as the idle ramblings of an old man.”

“I would never do such a thing. Please, speak freely.”

This butler had looked after Vincent since he was a young boy. He was practically part of the family, though he was already pushing over sixty.

“Let us assume that this young lady doesn’t desire the same as you. If you were to play off your feelings as only being casual, it would only destroy that future which you wish for so dearly. However, if you are determined enough to stick with how you truly feel, you can only stand to benefit.”

Vincent’s shoulders stiffened. He glanced back at the butler.

Basically, if Oriana really did only want a fling with him while they were at school, it wouldn’t pay for him to pretend he wasn’t serious about the relationship simply to impress her. He was the only person capable of changing her heart, assuming she wasn’t serious. That would be impossible to do, however, if all he sought from her was casual dating to begin with.

“I am reminded once again how much I need you to stay in good health. I hope you’re looking forward to your birthday this year.” Vincent shot a wry smile at the man.

Every year, he and his sisters gave him a present. As far as the butler was concerned, both Vincent and his father were probably still nothing more than troublesome children.

“I truly am blessed,” said the butler with a grin.

Vincent was glad he’d asked the man to come along during his meeting with his father.

Once he finished changing, he grabbed his robe. No sooner had he turned toward the door than the servants standing there opened it in anticipation of him.

The butler took a deep bow and said, “Lord Vincent, please be safe.” His voice was accompanied by a chorus as the other servants joined in. Vincent’s eyes crinkled as he looked at them all and finally nodded.

“Yes. I’ll be off now.”

❦❦❦

SINCE Vincent had already informed the Academy ahead of time that he would be late returning due to household affairs, the faculty didn’t scold him. That didn’t stop him from being in dour spirits at how late the hour was upon his return. It began raining on the way, and his carriage got stuck in the mud. He and the driver had to work together to push it out, which they’d succeeded in doing only after they were thoroughly drenched.

Once he arrived, he changed into a spare uniform and headed straight for the lounge in the eastern building. Along the way, lightning danced across the sky.

I wonder if she’s all right.

Oriana was probably alone. Imagining her trembling by herself in fear of the lightning made his heart ache. For the first time in his life, Vincent started running through the halls.

Professor Wilton noticed him at a distance and tried to scold him, only to freeze in place upon recognizing who Vincent was. Likely, the teacher never dreamed Vincent would be the student brazenly breaking school rules. He shot right past her without thinking twice. Time was of the essence right now.

I need to hurry to her immediately. And then—and then what? What do I tell her? How should I say it?

His face puckered. As part of the nobility, he never thought a day would come when he would have to convey his feelings to another person.

What about “I adore you”? Is that too casual? Then “I love you”? Or is that too clichéd?

The words raced through his mind one after the other. As far as he could picture, Oriana would be delighted no matter how he phrased it.

It doesn’t matter anymore. Instead of planning it ahead of time, I will look her straight in the eyes and tell her what I think in the moment.

The thunder roared outside. Shortly after, the whole sky flashed white.

I need to hurry. And when I get there, I’ll take her in my arms.

When she was frightened by the storm before, all Vincent could do was sit beside her. He told her to seek him out when it happened next, but since there hadn’t been another storm after, he’d never had the opportunity to be there for her again.

But if there had been a storm, would she have sought me out?

Although he knew how much she feared the lightning and thunder, there was a part of him that hoped for it, if only for the chance to console her.

❦❦❦

WHEN Vincent finally reached the lounge, he was gasping for air. He threw open the door and immediately found Oriana. He could see the back of her head jutting up from the sofa where she was seated.

His legs almost trembled from a rush of nervousness and relief.

“Oriana, I apologize for being late. You must’ve been frightened.”

It was a miracle that his voice didn’t waver.

Vincent started toward her. She was planted on the sofa he always occupied by himself. Her eyelids were firmly shut.

“Oh, you’re sleeping?”

That’s a relief, he thought. Then you didn’t even notice the thunder and lightning.

Vincent let out a soft sigh and plopped himself into a chair that sat perpendicular to where Oriana was. When he glanced at her, he noticed a wand in her hand, crowned with a purple jewel.

A chuckle slipped past his lips.

“And here you said you were going with the ink type…”

At some point, she must’ve put that enormous tanzanite on it. Vincent recalled the time he overheard her and their classmates. It was quite clear that she’d added it out of affection for him. It glimmered in her hand, as though Vincent himself were already nestled right against her side. That made him smile.

It’s been a while since I last saw her sleeping.

That time, she’d been painfully moaning, her entire face contorted from a combination of the fever and past regrets. Now, however, she looked peaceful. One could even say she was smiling. Her expression perfectly conveyed how anxiously she’d been awaiting his return.

---

---

“I adore you.”

The words slipped out before he even realized he was saying them.

“I’d like you to consider having a future with me.”

Vincent rested his elbows on his thighs and buried his face in both hands.

“I’ll say it all again when you wake up.”

Could he actually do that? His face was so feverishly hot that he second-guessed whether he could summon the courage to do so.

“It’s warm in here. Let’s damp down the fire a bit.”

Although he knew no one was listening, Vincent still made excuses for himself as he stood up. He grabbed the poker, thrusting it into the raging flames.

“Hm…?”

Noticing something bizarre, he prodded a bit more. He used the poker to pull whatever it was from the fire, scooping it and a pile of ash into a steel dustpan.

“What…is this?”

What had been burning in the fireplace with the rest of the firewood was a bright, smoldering branch. The moment he fished it out, a strange scent filled the air. It was so sweet, as if all the flowers in the world had been boiled down into a thick concentrate, overpowering enough to intoxicate even a dragon.

Vincent’s brows furrowed as he eyed the branch. Any mage would recognize the difference between a normal tree branch and one from the Dragon Tree in an instant. And this was definitely a Dragon Tree branch. It burned so bright, almost like magma.

The fireplaces at Lagen Magic Academy used ordinary firewood. Caretakers would periodically inspect the fireplaces and leave the necessary wood for the students to use. Occasionally, they would find a letter some student had crumpled and thrown in or a test with a bad score someone had discarded, but Vincent had never heard of someone burning a Dragon Tree branch in the fireplace before.

It’s making me dizzy.

As he stared at the branch, his body started to lean to the side. A cloying sweet smell rose up from the branch, burning as it went down his throat. The effect was similar to alcohol; he could feel the strength fading from his body.

Vincent decided to put some distance between himself and the branch. He turned his back to it.

In that instant, the whole room flashed white. A loud clap of thunder followed only a few seconds after. The earth rumbled with it, sending vibrations through the floor beneath Vincent’s feet.

“There was thunder that day… The day someone precious to me died.”

For some reason, he could still vividly recall what Oriana told him that day when it was storming.

Oh no, he thought. I have a terrible feeling about this.

Vincent took long strides over to the couch where Oriana was resting. He would feel bad for waking her, given the weather, but he wanted to suggest they take their leave of this place.

“Oriana? Ori…ana…?”

As Vincent put his hand on her cheek to wake her up, he froze. Oriana was ice cold. Panicked, he put his hand over her mouth.

The strength left his legs. He collapsed on the floor beside her.

“Oriana?”

She wasn’t breathing. Her skin was as frigid as stone, and it was clear that any life had long left her body.

All of the blood drained from Vincent’s face and his body began trembling.

“But…why…?”

Wasn’t I the one…who was supposed to die?

Vincent’s heart hammered. He put his ear against her chest, but there was no sound. He couldn’t believe it—any of it.

He threw his arms around her, drawing her into his embrace. The wand she’d been holding clattered as it fell on the floor. He clung to her body, as if he thought he could share his own heat with her—as if then she might open her eyes for him again.

“Oriana… Oriana!”

Vincent pulled her down from the couch, letting her body rest atop his legs. He didn’t want to share her weight with anything. He wanted to be the only thing to support her.

The expression on Oriana’s face was so sweet, as if she was locked in a dream. He checked her over, but there were no signs of anything on her neck or beneath her clothes. He even slipped his fingers in her mouth to check, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

The world turned white again as lightning filled the sky.

“I hear they sometimes call thunder ‘the Dragon God.’”

Vincent remembered what Oriana had said to him. He opened his eyes and stared at the bright red Dragon Tree branch by the fireplace. It was the only thing amiss in this entire room.

“Don’t tell me…”

It continued to smolder, bright as magma, invoking the same fear as the dragons it was named after.

A chill ran down Vincent’s spine.

Thunder roared outside like a dragon’s cry.

“Is this really a dragon’s curse?”

Vincent glanced down at Oriana. The intoxicatingly sweet smell swelled in his nose until he could breathe nothing else, and his vision began to grow hazy. Everything around him faded rapidly until he couldn’t even make out Oriana’s face anymore. He wanted to see her even a second longer—to feel her. He cupped his hands around her cheeks. His own body grew so cold that he couldn’t even register the chill of her skin anymore.

Creaaak.

There was a sound like hell’s door cracking open.

And then everything went black.