“Mandrakes, hagsbane, witch’s warts, highland eyes. All are ingredients found in the Academy’s herb’s garden imported from faraway lands and specially curated by renowned alchemists and herbologists in the Academy’s employ. These ingredients are vital to both further the studies of the Academy’s students, but to also be cultivated and sold to apothecaries throughout Arteria and its neighbouring cities. Of course, a small portion of the ingredients are also given to church healers. We must be charitable, after all.”


    - Dr Almenia Klare, Academy of Arteria - Department of Science (Naturalist Branch), “Herb Garden, Memo”


    <hr><hr>


    Framed by a large brooding manor like building to the left and a hybridized elven Arterian building that had been refurbished and painted a vibrant green and white. Between the two was a large walled off section, the aging stone reaching up just under one story tall. The hearty thumps of arrow on targets, slapping of armour and thudding of practice sworfds brought a strangely tense feeling to wash over her. Her senses tingled as the familiar beats of battle flowed back throughout her body. Aryana curled her lips at the sight and Sophie felt the redhead grab her hand, the calming touch soothing her frayed nerves but also sending her heart racing.


    It distracted her long enough for them to arrive at the entrance to the training grounds, the small little entrance dwarfed by the shadow of the elven building behind them. One Academy staffer and guardian were posted by the entrance, the two of them casting questioning glances at the duo. The staffer seemed to roll his eyes at their approach and gestured lazily at them to approach the entryway.


    “Name and business?” He drawled, “And neither of you are in uniform.”


    “Uhh, Sophie. I’m here to see Eva- Evaline Rosengart.”


    “Aryana. Following her.”


    The staffer seemed wholly unamused at their responses but did do a double at the mention of Eva’s name. “And how do you know her?”


    “Maidservant.” Sophie replied.


    He looked a little confused but brushed it off, “Then are you two new students?”


    “Yes.” Goddess, he doesn’t seem very happy about that answer.


    “Is it already time for orientation?” He grumbled.


    “Uhh… no…?”


    He sighed and rolled his eyes, “And you’re here because…?”


    “To see Evaline Rosengart.” Sophie tried to sound confident.


    The man clicked his tongue and traded a tired glance with the guardian, the soldier remaining as apathetic the best he could. The staffer looked even more despondent before facing the duo again.


    “So what reason do I have to let you in?” He asked, “Unless you’ve got something that clears you for training, weapon use, practice, or class…”


    Sophie’s shoulders sagged when her ears suddenly perked up. She reached into her sidepack and unfurled the slightly battered weapons license at the staffer, the man’s eyes visibly perking up for the first time in their interaction.


    “And that’s… really yours?”


    Sophie nodded.


    “How’d you get it?”


    Sophie licked her lips trying to think of an appropriate answer, “Was knight, sorry, still am. I’ve also worked with the Adventurer’s guild before.” Honesty, let’s hope he doesn’t pry too much.


    The staffer let out a small whistle and stroked his stubble, “For real?”


    “Yes sir.”


    He chuckled to himself when he nodded at the guardian, the soldier suddenly lunging forward.


    Sophie was caught off guard but quickly pushed Aryana behind her, dropping into a low stance ready to dodge the blow only for it to never arrive. The soldier merely leaned forward but in reality stood his ground, his foot planted firmly where he stood.


    Sophie casted a wary glance at the staffer who only nodded approvingly.


    “Sorry, was just curious. It’s been a while since we’ve had a student here who was a proper fighter. Heh, I hope you’ll forgive me.” He sheepishly smiled, “Nice reflexes though.”


    Sophie growled but tepidly nodded.


    “Alright, well I’m confident that you can at least handle yourself. So you can go in. I’m not supposed to let unauthorised students or untrained ones without an instructor see? So you seem good enough, aye?”


    Another nod.


    “And her?” He gestured at Ary.


    “I’ll make sure she’s safe.”


    “Sophie!”


    The staffer grunted and scribbled something down in his entry booth when he waved them along. “Alright then, in and out as quick as you can then.”


    “Thank you.” Sophie bowed and dragged the pouting Aryana along.


    Inside, they found a squat square shaped stone building, likely the main training hall. Besides it were two sets of training grounds. One where a few students with padded vests were practicing archery under the watchful eye of a now bemused instructor at the sight of the duo. On the opposing side were more than two dozen practice targets and also more than two dozen students currently sparring against each other.


    It was only now that Sophie had begun to get an idea of why there was so much emphasis on saints and saintesses. Though the students each wielded weapons different from each other; such as spears, swords, daggers and the like, they all moved just that much more unnaturally than other warriors that she’d seen before. Compared to the average soldier she’d seen fight, the outlanders all seemed to operate at a baseline nearly comparable to that of the average templar that she fought alongside at the Barrows. Though their coordination and skill were lacking, they had the speed, strength, and reflexes to make up for their weaknesses. For all intents and purposes, though she had often been told about the glory of the Astral church’s saints, she now understood that they were simply all blessed with abilities that could put even her to shame.


    What made Sophie gulp nervously however was the sight of not just Eva watching over her students, but the two that seemed to stand beside her. One was dressed in the blacked leathers of the inquisition, the other was the ork that she had remembered seeing back in the cathedral. Both had noticed her arrival but simply watched her now timid approach without alerting Eva.


    A few students had now noticed her arrival as well and Sophie felt their intense gazes tracking her every move.


    “Aki, Hiro, focus. What the hell are you guys looking at…” Eva turned and froze, “Sophie?!” She exclaimed in disbelief, rubbing her eyes to double check. “Sophie!”


    “H-hi Eva!” Sophie smiled awkwardly, shifting under all the attention.


    “Sophie!? My God, you’re here! I mean wow, you’re here!” Eva smiled.


    As if on instinct, the two shuffled forward and wrapped each other in a hug, the sounds of sparring growing softer as all the outlanders turned to stare at this new development.


    “How’d you get here?” Eva asked, “Why are you even here?”


    Ah right, Freddie’s message. Sophie spent a moment collecting herself before leaning dangerously close to Eva. “Fredie told me. Also told me to tell you behind the library after eight.” She whispered softly, making sure the inquisitors couldn’t hear.


    “Oh… oh! That rat bastard!” Eva squeaked, “Couldn’t tell me himself could he?”


    Sophie shook her head. Eva responded with a goofy grin before pulling away and giving Ary a small curtsy, the redhead answered with a tiny bow of her own.


    “She’s cute isn’t she?” Eva whispered mischievously.


    Sophie jumped at the sudden words, a furious blush erupting onto her cheeks.”Uh… yes?” She managed to mumble.


    She heard Eva’s stifled giggle and found her mistress staring back at her with an amused expression on her face. “Well then!” Eva announced to the crowd, “Since my friend Sophie’s visiting, how about we get her involved, eh?!”


    “Ayyy!” The students cheered.


    “Huh?!” Sophie squeaked.


    “Aww c’mon Sophie! You’re here! Might as well get some practice here, right?”


    “Wha-what?”


    “Heheh, just pretend we''re having a mock fight. Or we''re cosplaying two warriors on opposing sides, eh?”


    “Huh?! We?”


    “Mmhmm.” Eva gestured at one of the outlanders and Sophie spied the girl a black haired ponytail like hers running forward. Suzuki if I remember correctly.


    The girl flashed her a winning smile and Sophie found the padded leather vest being transferred to her, the somewhat sweaty armour being put on without resistance as her brain tried to comprehend the situation at hand. “Huh?” She muttered.


    “Alright Soph! What’ll be your poison?” Eva beamed.


    “Weh? What?”


    “What weapon will you use?”


    “Ummm.” Sophie’s mind raced in confusion, “A shortsword?”


    “Hmmm, shortsword it is then. Aoi!” Eva called another girl forward.


    I recognise her! She was at the Grand Library cafe!  Sophie found herself nodding hello and being handed a wooden practice sword. It felt dingy and light in her hand, a weak imitation of the real product, a weapon nonetheless, but just barely. Sophie felt her hand clenching and unclenching around the hilt of the blade, her breath slowly growing faster as her muscles pulsed with the memory of combat. Dark memories flood her body and she could barely process the laughs and words being said around her.


    “Sophie?”


    “Ah!” She grimaced, “Yes?”


    “You good?”


    “Ah…” She sighed, it’s for Eva, “yeah.”


    “Alright, come on then. Best out of three. Get your blade to a vital point and pin me, or me you. Or push one of us out the ring.”


    Sophie wordlessly followed Eva to a small circle where the students now surrounded them. Aryana was a few paces back and held up a reassuring thumbs up. The inquisitor and the orc just watched apathetically from their post, barely having moved an inch since the duo had arrived.


    “Alright. Head to each end of the ring!” Suzuki ordered.


    Still bewildered, Sophie at least found some comfort in how striking Eva looked with her form fitting armour. It stole her breath away for a moment, her mistress looking more composed than ever before brining out an even more confusing within her.


    “Ready!”


    Eva’s graceful for brought her blade in front of her, the edge of the blade drawing Sophie’s attention to Eva’s face. The calm being exuded making Eva look ever more like the heroes in the adventure novels, like Aurelia.


    “Steady!”


    At last, Sophie’s brain finally caught up. I’m… fighting Eva? I’m fighting Eva! Oh by the Goddess!


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    “Go!”


    Huh? Wha…


    Before Sophie could process what was said, Eva dashed forward like a whirlwind, her mistresses speed defying comprehension as the training blade ended up less than a breath away from her neck.


    “Point!” Suzuki declared, “Contestants back to stations.”


    “C’mon Soph, I believe in you.” Eva grinned.


    Looking into her eyes, she found a supportive expression welcoming her and nodded. She would do Eva proud. Sophie exhaled her confusions and steadied herself, clearing her mind with only the fight taking over. Easy does it, just a practice round, like with Sir Taurox.


    “Ready! Set!”


    Phew, lighter blade, lighter blade.


    “Go!”


    Once again Eva was like a blur, but this time Sophie was prepared. Her own blade was raised just in time to counter, the force behind to clash surprising even her at how powerful Eva’s attack was. Sophie grimaced from the strike and pivoted on the spot, bringing Eva against her left. Before she could attack Eva had already brought another slash against her. Sophie barely deflected this attack and forced through a counter attack, launching her own body against Eva’s. She could feel the resistance and was shocked at Eva’s strength, thankfully the surprise attack caught Eva off guard as well and in but a second she could feel herself lifting Eva off her feet. Seizing the moment she managed to press her blade against Eva’s neck as they fell.


    “Point! Reset and back to stations.”


    The two of them just stared at each other for a moment, Sophie detecting a glimmer of respect in Eva’s eyes. Their gazes lingered for another second and Sophie almost collapsed at the smile on Eva’s face. It wasn’t just one of joy or mischief, but something else. And it made her heart race beyond comprehension.


    “Reset!” Suzuki repeated.


    At last the two separated and returned to their position, Sophie now even more confused than before.


    “Ready! Set! Go!”


    Their blades clashed once more. The wooden swords smashed against each other sending splinters flying at the weight of the impact. Sophie was forced back by the attack and moved to pivot when she felt Eva lean sideways for an attack. Panicked, Sophie jumped backwards and almost losing her footing. Shit, shit. Eva remained relentless and hammered her with a few more slashes, the speedy attacks leaving no room for a counterattack. Sophie tried to regain some momentum and hurled her blade against Eva’s flank, hoping to creature some breathing room. But Eva was no slouch, replying by immediately dodging out of the way, effectively setting their positions back to a neutral state.


    Eva knows what she’s doing, she’s fought before. But who? Why? Sophie grunted as she deftly moved out of the way of a strike, her mind growing fuzzier as distractions continued to penetrate her thoughts. Focus, focus! She waited for an opening but Eva’s were tiny, her mistress twisting and shifting so quickly that Sophie could barely spot any breaches in her defences. She wiggled out of the way of another strike and retaliated with an attack of her own, her lunge catching onto Eva’s blade and locking the two combatants in place. Sophie frowned, not just from exhaustion but also the look on Eva’s face, she''s angry about something, Sophie shuddered.


    There was one thing she did know however, and that was Eva would come out on top. Even though they were locked in place, she could feel her own strength and coordination chipping away under the relentless assault. If she were to make Eva proud and seize victory, she would need to act fast. Sophie let her arm wilt against Eva’s attack before slipping off to the right of the blade. Before Eva could react, Sophie’s left hand shot outwards and grabbed onto Eva’s training blade before lifting her own towards Eva.


    “I… that''s a point!” Suzuki called.


    The two stood still, staring at each other, Eva’s face swirling between a range of emotions. Sophie meanwhile winced from the pain, the sudden stopping of Eva’s blade having shaken up her arm a bit. For a moment, they remained as they were, Eva midway through a swing, Sophie holding the blade in place and having her own raised like some part to an adventure story; the moment when the villain has the heroine under their grasp. Wait… does that make me the bad guy?


    “... blood…” Eva muttered.


    What?


    “Sophie, you’re bleeding.” Eva stated, almost in a monotone as if she hadn''t fully registered the moment.


    Sophie’s eyes looked at her hand, though it was gloved, it appeared as if a massive splinter had torn past the protective layer and into her. Though her hand throbbed in pain, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth and power through the sensation, a dark thought having already latched itself onto her, compared to being stabbed this isn’t that bad. It was only when the confused but slowly building crescendo of clapping from the students grew more syncopated that the two snapped out of their stupor.


    “By the Goddess, Sophie!” Eva hissed.


    Her cry made both of them drop their weapons as Eva quickly closed the distance to examine the wound.


    “Eh?” Sophie half heartedly muttered, her confused mind still in a semi dazed state.


    “Sophie, shit! What the hells were you thinking?!” Eva cried out, “Damn it Soph! Suzuki-san, get everyone back on track! We still have half an hour and we’ll use that half an hour!”


    “Yes sensei!”


    “Remember the drill?”


    “Yes!”


    “Good.” Eva nodded before turning back to Sophie, “And you! Why would you ever stop a blade like that unless it was a last resort?!” Her eyes rolled incredulously, “C’mon. Let’s get you patched up.” Eva forcefully gripped Sophie’s arm and led her towards the stone building.


    “Umm…” Sophie began but Eva already cut her off.


    “Nuh-uh. None of your ‘I’m fine, it’s only a small wound’ bullshit.” Eva chided.


    “But Eva…”


    “Nah, shut it.” Eva ordered, “I’ll be in medical.” She spoke lazily at the inquisitor who nodded. The orc looked ready to follow but Eva simply shook her head and the giant brute remained back at his post. Just what is their connection? How is Eva in charge of an orc?! Wasn''t he with the inquisitor the other week?


    As Eva led Sophie towards the building, Sophie could feel a strange sense of joy bubble up within her. She remembered the moments back in the estate whenever she got injured or hurt, if she failed to hide it properly then Eva would always be the one who fussed over her until she was well. She sniggered at the thought and let herself smile.


    She cast a glance behind her to find Aryana uncertainly trailing along, the redhead looking concerned and confused in equal measure. That too, made her smile. Though she knew she was inadequate, she would strive to treat Aryana the way Eva treated her, with kindness and care. Compared to her goals of touching strange Myndiri crystals or preventing the emergene of some strange false God. This felt achievable, and it warmed her heart to catch Aryana glancing back at her, the redhead giving a worried bob of her head in acknowledgment. ‘I’ll be fine’ Sophie mouthed to Aryana, and for a moment the redhead paused, unsure of how to react to the words. A look of frustration briefly flashed across her face but she nodded once again in kind, this time followed by an ‘okay’.


    Eva and Sophie entered the large stone hall and made a sharp turn left into a side room. Here, there were lockers, coat racks, weapon racks and an assortment of other equipment. But in the corner of the room was what they were looking for, a small grouping of first aid tools.


    “Sit.” Eva commanded whilst pointing at a nearby bench.


    At the harshness of the voice, Sophie obliged. Eva then pulled out a key from her pockets and unlocked the first aid station, taking out a small package before rummaging through it and taking out some bandages and a bottle.


    “Sophie…” Eva sighed, a small but knowing smile on her face, “Sophie, Sophie, Sophie.”


    “Y-yeah?” Sophie gulped, that tone of voice, I’m in trouble.


    “You absolute dolt of a gremlin! Absolute lunacy! What were you thinking trying to block a sword with your hand! With metal gauntlets sure, but with anything else? Are you trying to hurt yourself?!” Eva raged.


    “Eva…”


    “Take off your gloves… ugh, look at that. Thankfully its not serious but my goodness, yeouch.”


    Sophie winced as Eva yanked the massive splinter out, the result of two wooden practice swords bashing against each other at inhuman speeds and the idiot hand that stopped one of them. Blood oozed from the wound and all Sophie could do was think about how this wasn’t the worse she’d seen her body. It hurt, sure, but she had almost died and did die more than a few times, a superficial wound like this felt almost comical.


    “Eek.” Sophie squeaked when Eva suddenly dabbed an liquid soaked cloth against the wound. The searing, burning pain feeling far more familiar.


    “Sit still, Sophie.” Eva’s tired voice ordered.


    “Eva… I-”


    “I know. You can handle it. But you’re here now, with me. So I handle it, yeah?” Eva grumbled off handedly as she cleaned the wound.


    “But I can! This is nothing compared to what I’ve been through.” Sophie argued.


    At that, she felt something was wrong. Though Eva was still applying pressure to the wound, she had froze mid motion, sucking in a breath as if preparing for something. Oh no, I said something stupid.


    Eva let out a weary breath before looking up at Sophie, her expression a twist between melancholy and mild anger. “So what what have you gone through?” Eva asked, “And no, I don’t what you’ve done or fought but I mean what happened. What happened to you Sophie? What happened after that night?” Eva continued, as if reading Sophie’s mind.


    “I mean… I went to Eichafen, Melton…”


    “But what happened there, what happened there, to you?” Eva frowned, “I caught the gist from Aryana that you were… different. Your body is at least, whatever that means.”


    It was Sophie’s turn to frown, her own expression a mixture of fear and worry. She’d probably believe but what then? Will she see me as something different? Someone not the ‘me’ that she knows? Sophie sighed.


    “Take your time, gremlin.” Eva let out a soft snicker, “Or well, at least until orientation.”


    Sophie met Eva’s gaze and gave a small chuckle of her own. “Yeah, yeah.“


    They immersed themselves in the moment, Sophie marvelling at how tender Eva was with her treatment of the wound. There was a a sense of care and love that she felt which reassured her of that returning to Eva''s side was worth. It is worth it. But Anna, Mila… and everyone else.


    Eva must have seen the pained expression on her face because the next thing she knew, Eva’s hands were gently stroking her cheek. Startled but not unappreciative, Sophie slowly shifted some weight before leaning into Eva, the older girl responding in kind and moving to sit on the bench beside Sophie.


    “I died, Eva. I died.” Sophie stated matter of factly, fuck, I could’ve prefaced that a bit better, she instantly regretted.


    “Huh?” Eva exclaimed in visceral surprise.


    “I… let me try again. Outside of Eichafen, there’s a ruin, super creepy Myndiri stuff. An undead stabbed me through the heart. I died, completely. One of my friends… Annalise, she’s a ranger. She watched me die. Told me I was gone. But…”


    “Sophie. What do you mean you died? You’re here now aren’t you? Unless you’re undead…?”


    “Yes, no?” Sophie winced at the memory, the vivid feeling of being impaled making her shudder, “I died. That much I’m sure of. Because I…” Sophie paused.


    “Because you…”


    “I died. I felt the life leave my body. And since then I should’ve died more than a few times but… I’m still here.”


    “I don’t get it.”


    “I’ve been stabbed, cut up, torn to shreds.” Sophie pointed across where her old wounds were, “But they’ve healed. I’ve stopped breathing, died. Yet I live.”


    “For real?”


    “Yeah.”


    “Shit.” Eva grunted, “Then how are you even… here?”


    “That’s what I’m trying to say. My body, its weird. Look.” Sophie lifted up her shirt, to point out her scars.


    Eva looked a bit taken a back but eventually moved in to take a closer look. “Shit.” Eva let out a breathy whisper, “And what does this have to do with uh… your body?”


    “Because in spite of all these wounds, it keeps healing. No matter what I go through, I can heal it. Ary can confirm for me.”


    “So… you’re like… unkillable?”


    “Not really, I still… uhh… well I still die just that same. I just come back afterwards.”


    “And how the hells does that work?”


    “You know mana?”


    “Yeah, the power of the arcane.”


    “Mmhmm, I recover by absorbing mana from my surroundings. It’s like a uhh…” Sophie scrunched up her face as she tried to recover the inquisitor’s words, “it’s like a mana sponge. I soak it all in when I need it and I can direct somewhat.”


    “Fuck.” Eva whistled, “That uhh… that could be pretty useful in the field.”


    Sophie nodded and leaned in, Eva hopping up onto the bench and letting Sophie use her shoulder. Sophie greedily nuzzled in and sighed contently. "Yeah."


    “Look Soph, I’ll be honest. I… I have no idea how to act or what to say.” Eva sagged slightly, “I just…” She paused, catching her breath, “I just don’t know what to feel right now.”


    “What do you mean?”


    “I thought you were gone, Sophie. Dead. Gone. Especially after I heard you were in Melton during the civil war and the last letters never got replies. Fuck… and I guess you really did die? This is all quite confusing.”


    “S-sorry. I know its a bit hard to get across but-”


    “But it doesn’t matter anymore.” Eva shushed Sophie with a finger, “You’re here now, I’m here. That stuff we can talk about another time. But now I’ll take care of you again, okay? I’ll make up for leaving you alone that night.” The expression of guilt flashing across her face also hurt Sophie.


    “Eva…”


    “Enough. Look at the time.” Eva pointed a nearby clock, “Don’t let my sappiness ruin your orientation, let’s get you up on your feet, yeah?”


    “Uhn.”


    The two of them got back up, Sophie’s hand now bandaged if still a bit numb.


    “Sophie.”


    “Huh?”


    “Before you go. What exactly happened that night? What happened when I went to talk to brother?”


    Sophie closed her eyes and dipped her head, the memory flashing vividly in her mind at the mention of the event. “When you went out, I started reading. I don’t know how long you were gone but there was a knock at the door. The next thing I knew, two guards showed up and told me to get dressed. Then…” Her head throbbed from the phantom pain, “then I got knocked out and woke up in a prison cart.”


    Rage flashed in Eva’s eyes but Sophie gently stroked her hand. “Doesn’t matter now though. Like you said, we’re here now aren’t we?”


    The fire flickered in her eyes but Eva calmed a little, giving a terse nod. “True.” She grunted through gritted teeth. But Sophie could feel that the more she cuddled up the calmer Eva got. “Gods, Sophie.” Eva’s mood changed immediately, her expression plummeting, “I’m so sorry for not being able to help you. For failing to find you and fuck! Just everything. Shit! I just can’t-”


    It was Sophie’s turn to shush Eva and this time she nuzzled her face against Eva’s. The sudden action shutting Eva up mid sentence. “Tomorrow?” Sophie asked.


    “What? I… yeah, let’s meet up tomorrow. I… we… we can talk more then. I wouldn’t want to ruin your orientation today. Sorry.”


    “Eva, it’s fine.”


    “Pfft, why did you end up being the one consoling me?! You’re the one who’s hand just got battered!”


    “Heheh, because I''m a gremlin.” Sophie grinned.


    Eva rolled her eyes, “I know.” she huffed, “I’m just being fussy.”


    Sophie matched her expression with a cheeky grin. But as the two reached the door and were about to exit, Sophie held her hand out and kept the door closed.


    “Sophie?” Eva queried.


    With a smile Sophie leaned in and gave Eva an appreciative peck on the cheek. “Thanks. For always taking care of me.” She whispered, trying her best to stay cool and hide her blush.


    “I… huh?! You! I’m the one who’s supposed to…” Eva quipped. But it was too late, Sophie had opened the door and they were back in the training, the rest of the day ahead of them.