Five years later they were reunited, Nevra discovered that the girl who had helped him was actually the daughter of the Vampire Lord Alhire, Kirsi Alhire, a year older than him, and now he finally saw her again during an attempt to meet among the four leaders of Almalorantia.
Nevra was thirteen years old, a boy a little rickety and quite shy, he watched from afar the black-haired girl eating some sweets from the buffet, he hesitated if he should try to talk to her, she probably didn't even remember him.
'If you want to talk to her, just go' - A voice spoke next to him, turning his head he found a woman with brown hair smiling kindly at him.
'Mom, I don't know what you're talking about' - He spoke as he tried to avoid the woman's eyes.
She laughed: 'Stop joking and go meet her, we are here to negotiate peace agreements, it would be great if you could be friends to promote this'.
With that she gave the boy a slight push, making him take a few steps forward, towards Kirsi.
He approached her, standing in front of her he opened his mouth to say something but realized he didn't really know what to say... Kirsi looked at him with a doubtful expression, thinking he was mocking her, she said impatiently: 'Is there something you need?'
Nevra lowered his head, finally muttering something: "I'm... Nevra, Master Noah's only child..."
A rehearsed phrase for formal introductions, looking up Nevra saw the girl's surprised expression... - Did she recognize me?
Kirsi muttered that name from time to time, she had the feeling she'd heard it, not about the young master of pure water wizards, but at another time…
Realizing that this feeling was obviously because they had already met and since he first came to her, Kirsi smiled, pretending to make a friendship at this point, as if the others realized they were already friends they would assume they had already met before… which wouldn't be a good discovery at a time like this, holding Nevra's hand, she led him out of the hall: 'Nice to meet you Young Master Nevra, it's a bit boring here, let's play outside'.
They spent the afternoon walking around the gardens while they talked, well…while Kirsi talked and Nevra just listened. And when he left, Nevra, who was sure she hadn't recognized him, took courage and handed Kirsi a small box, looking back where the adults were saying goodbye to see if they were watching them before actually delivering.
Looking at her, he repeated: 'My name is Nevra…'
Kirsi waved with a funny expression: 'I know, I know, I get it, you're Nevra and I'm Kirsi'
Opening the little box, Kirsi smiled: 'Thank you, I'll use this, a tribute of peace!'
… A tribute of peace… Nevra could not undo this misunderstanding, the leaders had already said goodbye and everyone left for their respective territories, everyone thought that that event had been good and that they would finally come to an agreement, but that same night the Lady of the Pure Water Mages suddenly fell ill, passing away the next morning, the doctors did everything to save her, and when they failed in that, they used all the strength they had to discover the reason for her sudden death.
Lord Noah, after the death of his wife, declared that the mages and vampires of Almalorantia would never become partners and that any vampire who crossed their domains would be killed, the vampires did not like this threat, considering it a declaration of war they invaded the mages' territory, this war lasted two years before the vampire leaders called for a truce for family reasons, the mages would in no way accept it, at the end of that year, Lord Noah suddenly received an invitation that in a year, his son, Nevra, entered Kesla's college to improve his studies, making him accept the truce so that Nevra could study to enter Kesla.
Since the death of his mother, Nevra had been forbidden to leave the palace where he lived, wherever he went he should bring a multitude of servants to accompany him, knowing he would finally be free of it he locked himself in his room, passing a whole year studying.
Before, Nevra tried many ways to encourage his father to stop the war, and as he was forbidden to leave he began to read many books, looking for ways to stop a war and promote peace, one way that caught his attention was the 'Marriage Alliance '...could marriage stop a war?
Nevra was instantly excited by this idea, if they proposed a marriage between him and Kirsi things could be resolved… his father almost spat blood upon hearing his idea, Noah would never let his son have relations with creatures as vile as vampires.
After that Nevra didn't bring it up again, but thought that if he ever became the Master of the Pure water Mages, he would insist on marrying Lord Alhire's daughter, to promote a time of peace between the mages and the vampires of Almalorantia.
...
– And she didn't recognize you here in Kesla? – Raphael asked perplexed.
Nevra shook his head – I've changed a lot since that day.
Raphael raised an eyebrow – Have you changed that much in three years?
Nevra pursed his lips, nodding seriously.
Raphael sighed – And what are you doing following her like that, you look like a stalker doing it, did you know that?
Nevra covered his face with his hands and grunted – I know, but what can I do? Our people are enemies, if I try to approach her now they've used that as an excuse to tease each other, and if my father knows, I'll have to take over the clan sooner…
'In case the old man has a heart attack?' - Raphael thought.
They spent some time in silence before Nevra looked at Raphael with a serious expression.
– What? – Raphael asked.
– Never mind – Nevra sighed as he shook his head. Just then the door opened, and two breathless boys entered the dormitory.
Nevra and Raphael watched their roommates with dubious expressions, waiting until they calmed down before they heard Felipe start talking – Look what we found!
He showed them a piece of paper with a torn side, it appeared to be the page of a book, the title at the top of the sheet surprised both boys: Amulet of spirits.
Not a literal spirit amulet, but an amulet of powers, exactly, below was described the composition of this small stone that resembled an Opal, it was generated after a fusion that implied practically all the elements, but even more those elements considered pure…
– So? What do you think? – Felipe asked a bit excited.
Nevra and Raphael both looked at him before Nevra said – This has something to do with what's going on here, right?
Felipe nodded strongly – I was sure that this creature might be a power-eating demon, but who knew this creature could be involved in something like that.
Raphael frowned – Since when do you know it's a creature that was doing this?
Felipe shrugged – Since you were wrongfully accused last year, but I wasn't sure until Nevra told me that Thamy had confirmed it.
Raphael looked at Nevra, who also shrugged, asking Felipe again – Where did you find this?
Felipe smiled and replied – Under a bookcase in the back of the library!
…
Nevra asked – And how did you see this? Were you lying down?
Felipe's smile froze. The four stared at each other in complete silence for a while before Raphael clapped his hands together to wake everyone up – Right. And what are we going to do?
Felipe coughed lightly – Let's investigate!
– Investigate? – Raphael asked and Felipe nodded – Yes, tomorrow night, let's find a way to walk the halls at night, these things usually reveal themselves during this period, right? In several books I've read this happens...
Matheu agreed – I also think we should investigate, but there is a problem… what if we get caught? Veterans will realize we're not here.
– We can forge our presences with a matter spell – Felipe spoke with a triumphant expression.
– And do you know this spell? – Raphael asked.
Felipe gasped before replying with a lost expression – Of course I know, although it's a somewhat difficult spell I can still do it.
The youth nodded – Right! So we'll do it tomorrow...
...
The next night, Celine was waiting for Leila in front of the Elven Magic classroom, Harumi had gone to find Ikuto and would be back soon, the hallway was empty, the students who had finished their classes quickly returned to the dorm, today, as Harumi had been invited for a walk by Ikuto, Celine decided to wait for Leila here, Harumi didn't want to leave her alone, but Celine thought it would be great if Harumi could enjoy time with her boyfriend, so she decided to wait here.
A while later Harumi appeared, both talking quietly while waiting for Leila's class to end.
The signal was heard and the two waited until Leila left, walking together towards the library as they talked.
They spent their final hours before curfew leaving school and closing the main dorm doors reading some books.
– Girls, we're already closing – The librarian approached. The three nodded as they gathered up their books and left the library.
– I've never stayed this late, I stayed here at least until Leila's class was over, then we'd quickly go back to the dorms – Harumi commented.
– I think I stayed once already, but not until this time… – Leila replied – It's a little scary at night, everything gets so quiet.
They were halfway out of high school when Celine felt a strange sensation. Celine stopped and looked around, she felt like she was being watched.
– Celine? – Leila and Harumi who were a little further down the hall turned when they realized that Celine had stopped.
Celine didn't respond, following the strange sensation she took a few steps back the way they had come, noticing something moving in the lower corner of one of the walls. She stopped and looked at that specific place.
Leila and Harumi approached when they noticed her strange behavior.
Celine barely blinked when looking at that corner, for a moment she thought it had been her mind, but as soon as she had that thought the figure moved, it seemed to try to sneak further into the corner trying not to be noticed, but to no avail, as Celine's great visual ability allowed her to see his movements and run to chase it.
The other two young women were stunned for a moment before running to catch up with Celine, who was running through the hallways.
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