Yamato woke up at sunrise, despite how exhausted he was after the previous day. He now had enough mana to use proper healing magic on his shoulder, which was one of the reasons he could even wake up this early, as the pain made it difficult to sleep in the first place. Even if it would still take a while for it to fully heal, he could still numb the pain. The twins on the other hand seemed to sleep for a while longer still, as the poison was having a really strong affect on them even if it turned out to be non lethal. The rude girl however, would probably soon wake up, and Yamato had many questions which she would most likely refuse to answer even if she was no longer trying to kill him for the time being. He thought it was best to tie her up for now, even if that would probably not hold her, it would not be the only thing preventing her from acting out.
As she woke up, she immediately tried to stand up but failed to do so as her ankles were tied to her wrists. Looking around, she spotted Yamato just sit there looking at her.
"What is this…?"
"Protective measures."
"You did that after sleeping in the same room with me…? Where were these protective measures then?"
"Well, that was a different situation. You were confused as to why I took you with me, when I could have just left you behind with your injuries. And you were also exhausted and still under influence of that poison, so you were in no condition to harm me."
"Yeah right… You think these ropes will prevent anything?"
"No… After all, they are used already. Carrying you up here during that weather probably weakened the material so much that you would have no problem freeing yourself."
"So what are they for, if you know they aren't going to prevent anything?"
"Well, they will still slow you down enough so I could hurt those two if you tried anything."
He pointed to Lily and Andrew, still asleep and unaware of anything that happened since yesterday at the pond.
"You bastard… Is that why you didn't leave them behind, so you could use them as leverage against me?!"
"Worked, didn't it? But I'm so exhausted still… Maybe I'll have fun with you first before I ask questions."
She just gave him a determined look of defiance, seemingly not afraid at all. Even prepared for that behavior.
"That's another thing… Don't worry, I will do no such thing. I have someone who would never be okay with that, let alone that I want to in the first place. And frankly, it's beneath me. However the reason I said it was just to test something… Which brings me to my first question. What is wrong with you?"
"Excuse me…? You threaten me and those children like that and ask what's wrong with me?"
"Yes. There has to be something wrong with you. No normal person would react like that to the statements I made. Your general attitude towards me as well, that hostility before we even met. It's clearly not about the exam, so I have to wonder what it is about, and what's wrong with you."
"You're right… I don't care about this exam, or this school entirely… It's about you!"
"What do you want from me then?"
"I will kill the devil that is you!"
"…Now I really wonder what is wrong with you."
"You are everything that is wrong! You're the worst of the worst, pure evil, and your death is mandatory for the good of this world!"
"Have I not healed you? I also carried you up hear even though I did not have to. You could have died out there in your condition and the weather, y'know?"
"Who was the reason I was in that condition?!"
"You, obviously. I acted in self defense."
"Self defense?!"
"Yes? If someone asked to define self defense, our encounter would be the perfect example."
"Okay, even so, I only did that because I knew how dangerous you are!"
"Knew that from whom? Who told you about me?"
"…"
"…I guess that's about all I can get out if you for now. Just ask yourself this, what actually evil have I committed in your presence?"
"You threatened me and those children!"
"They were never in any danger. I only used them to get at you, and would never hurt them, like I won't hurt you. Didn't you do the same when we fought and threatened to kill them? But you would never have done that, right?"
"…"
"Of course, you are free to take those ropes off now. If you genuinely believe to have a reason for attacking me now, please by all means, be my guest."
"…"
"No?"
"I'm thinking!"
"Ah, but before you damage it…"
Yamato walked up to her and untied the rope, and stored it in a corner of the cave.
"It proved useful so far, so it might do again, y'know?"
"Whatever… Fine, I will trust you under one condition. I will even help you in this exam of yours."
"I don't need your help and it's your exam too, but if you would trust me that would be nice. What is your condition?"
"Eat this."
She handed him a small blue pill, which he found quite bold.
"And that does?"
"I suppose I don't have to worry about another poison… I would be immune to that anyway according to Yuki. However that is an advantage you should not just tell your opponent, or it loses its usefulness."
"It disrupts your mana circulation for 24 hours, thus preventing you from casting any spell during that duration."
"…Why would I take that?"
"So I trust you."
"If I take half of the pill, will it only last for twelve hours?"
"I guess? I haven't tried that."
"Counter offer then, we each take a half."
"And why would I do that?"
"So I trust you as well."
"I should've known you would say that… Fine, I accept."
After splitting the pill into two roughly equal pieces, she handed him one side expectantly.
"Lady's first."
"Not very trustworthy…"
"I don't even know your name."
"…Lucy."
"That's a start. I'm Yamato. You still owe me though, so you go first."
"Hardly… But I will do it regardless, because I am the bigger person."
She put the piece in her mouth and swallowed, waiting for Yamato to do the same.
"Show me your mouth."
"Excuse me?"
"You're an assassin for all I know. Show me you actually swallowed it."
"God you are paranoid."
She shoved the other piece in his mouth and held it shut until he swallowed as well. Though there was a risk remaining, and it was questionable if taking away your mana for twelve hours would be a smart choice in the middle of an exam, but if they could not trust each other it would only make things even more complicated. And they were somewhat safe up there for now at least, so he decided it would be fine and swallowed the pill. It was tasteless and his body immediately felt colder than before taking it. Yuki always described mana as warm, so that checked out.
"Huh… I didn't think you would do that…"
"Why? Because you were convinced I was a bad person?"
"Yes..."
"So you admit to be in the wrong?"
"I…"
At that moment, everything suddenly seemed off. The sound of wind howling through the canyon which was quite loud up here had suddenly come to a complete stop. As Yamato stepped closer to the edge, there seemed to be no sound at all, except for his steps. A single leaf, which must have been carried by the wind up here, was staying still in the air in front of him. Had time come to a stop? The ground suddenly began glowing and as he turned around, Lucy tried pushing him off the edge, but ended up being teleported with him in a flash of light.
As the light dimmed down again, Yamato was lying on the ground, apparently on top of the canyon walls, next to the far drop below. Next to him was Lucy, who just sat there holding onto her head as if she were afraid of losing it. Her fingers buried in her light blue hair, and green eyes staring frantically at the ground.
"…Sorry, I'm sorry… Sorry…"
Was all she mumbled to herself as she rocked back and forth on the ground. Yamato did not see a reason talking to her, as it seemed as though she would not be able to answer him in the first place.
But maybe the person that appeared to be a priest or the figure which had a surprisingly strong resemblance to Yuki could answer them instead. The woman had hair as white as Yuki's, though shorter, only reaching slightly below her shoulders, eyes equally as blue and even wore the same clothes Yuki wore when he had met her, which he assumed were angelic, which meant the person in front of him was as well. Which explained the tone in which she was talking to him.
"You must be Yamato… I can see and despise the evil in your eyes already."
"Are you an angel?"
"Such unforgivable lack of respect in front of a deity, now I am certain you are the one. I see you brought Lucy as well… That was not part of the plan, but I suppose it does not matter. However you played your part, Lucy, and are free to go. Thank you for your service. The Lord thanks you as well."
Lucy suddenly jumped up in front of Yamato, pushing him behind her.
"Wait! I don't think he is what you make him out to be! He saved me! And protected children! And most importantly, he made himself vulnerable in front of me! He trusted me! Would the purest form of evil do such a thing?!"
"Evil has many faces… Faces which scare, hurt and deceive. The latter is what causes the most doubt in loyal subjects of the Lord, such is our duty to clense the world of those who harm and lie."