"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Cyril said with a deep frown.
This must be the work of some spell I don't know about.
While he was yet to cast a single spell, he received prior education about magic. There existed countless spells and new ones were being developed every day. No one could truly say what was and wasn't possible.
"I'm Rhamn." The woman nodded, freely letting him know who she was. "I don't think I am a result of a spell."
"Don't try to play a joke on me," he replied, looking around.
Quickly he noticed awkward stares coming from some of the passing students. They treated him like one would a random drunk on the street, by warily pretending they can't see him.
This is ridiculous.
As he was feeling frustrated, suddenly he noticed a familiar person coming closer.
It was a handsome, blond-haired man in extravagant clothing. There were some dark circles under his green eyes.
"Hey, Cyril. Long time no see." The man casually waved as he approached, fighting against the urge to yawn. "I didn't know we are enrolling in the same place. At least that's some good news."
He nodded, somewhat satisfied, then raised his brow at him.
"Also... what's wrong with you? Why are you arguing with yourself?" On his face was a look of someone ready to hear some gossip.
Edmund... Although you are one of my few friends, it's really not good to see you.
"Then tell him to get lost. He is probably a terrible friend anyways." Rhamn pointed accusingly at the newly arrived Edmund, staring at him as if at an obstacle.
Of course Edmund didn't react as an astonishingly beautiful woman sent him a despising look.
Cyril glanced at her momentarily, trying his best to ignore her. But her ability to seemingly read his thoughts weighed heavily on him.
"Yes, I can read your thoughts. It's not like there is anything to hide between us~"
"Tsk."
"What?"
As Edmund turned even more confused, Cyril took a light breath to calmed down.
"Ed." His voice turned flat. "It's not your concern. Shouldn't you be elsewhere?"
They knew each other from an early age, though gradually grew more distant as the time passed. Unlike him, Edmund was perfectly satisfied with the life of a noble and didn't seem like the type to enroll here.
"Of course I don't want to be here!" Edmund replied with a helpless face, clearly used to Cyril's somewhat cold manner of speaking.
"My dad forced me to come! Like what gives?! I don't need this, nor am I suited for this!"
As if finally allowed to vent, he emotionally complained with his eyes growing infinitely more tired.
"Fighting is your thing! I am more of an... an artist!"
"He is really annoying, isn't he?" Rhamn said, her voice palpable with disgust.
He ignored her.
"Let's talk later." Cyril turned around and began walking away, completely ignoring his friend's venting.
I don't have time for idle chatter. First I'll move in, and then, hopefully, there will be a private place for me to figure out what is happening.
"Yeah, a private room sounds nice. There is no way we'll share a place with some idiot."
"..."
Desperately trying to pretend nothing was wrong, Cyril hurried on, leaving Edmund behind.
The blond-haired nobleman could only hurry up after his friend with a helpless expression.
...
Having entered the castle, Cyril didn't take his time to enjoy the grand sights of its halls, with floors of marble and walls of dark wood.
As quickly as he possibly could, he went through with the formalities of enrolling. There few staff members near the entrance waiting specifically for late arrivals like him.
They briefly guided him around the castle and gave him all the necessary items for his enrollment.
With a bag in hand, Cyril briefly said goodbye to Edmund and hurried out of the castle.
Following the map he navigated the spacious academy grounds, trying to find his assigned dormitory.
Thankfully, it wasn't too far. All he had to do was pass a small park located near the castle and the dormitory number one was already right in front of him. The building was ancient looking, much like the castle itself, but it still incorporated latest magic technology.
As he approached its entrance, the double doors opened on their own, having scanned something on his body.
Completely used to such things, Cyril entered the dorm, went past the staff at the entrance, and walked down the corridor, before finally reaching the right door.
The whole way here Rhamn didn't say much, just walking beside him with pursed lips, seemingly understanding his situation.
Cyril entered his room, found the bed and dropped his things on it. Without looking around, he glared at the mysterious woman that seemed to haunt him.
Rhamn smiled at him and looked around in his stead, marveling at the size of the room.
"This is a great place, pretty spacious. We have a nice big bed, a desk, and several chairs. There is even a kitchen and a bathroom!"
Rhamn acted positively, also with slight unnaturalness. As if someone trying to keep the mood light amid an uncomfortable argument.
Cyril, though, was not in the mood to indulge her. "Again. Tell me who you are and what do you want?"
"Are you an enemy of my father? Someone who owes him money? You won't get any by taking me hostage."
Rhamn's smile twitched as she sheepishly pointed to herself.
"I already told you. I am Rhamn... Right now I want to visit the park outside."
Cyril's face twisted in frustration, before quickly calming down as he rubbed his temple.
"You must be kidding me..."
"No."
"..."
She behaved completely innocent, as if he was the weird one for doubting her in the first place. It was clear he wasn't going to get a good answer from her.
I should go to the healer. Maybe they can help.
"There is nothing wrong with you, but let's go! It will be a nice tour of the academy grounds."
Mind reading was rather inconvenient. On one hand, he didn't even need to speak with her for them to communicate. On the other, he didn't have any way of hiding his plans from her.
"Sorry, I can't stop doing that..."
"I can pretend to not hear your thoughts if you want."
...No need.
And so, after spending a brief few minutes inside of his room, Cyril stepped outside again, grabbing only a map with him.
...
Finding the infirmary didn't take long. The closest one was located right there in the same building.
Ailanthus clearly didn't spare any expenses. Healers were rare and they had more than a dozen in their employment.
Cyril knocked on the door with a painted red cross on it, heard a 'come-in' and did just that.
Inside of spacious office sat a kindly looking older woman stared at him with widened eyes.
"To think I'll have a patient today..." she mumbled to herself in complaint , slowly getting up from her chair. Although her voice was quiet, he managed to hear it just fine.
"This old crone..."
Ignoring Rhamn's angry mutter, Cyril slightly bowed in greeting and approached.
"I would like to have a checkup. Particularly see if there is any spell or curse active on me," he said without wasting any time.
The local healer froze in her footsteps, observing him with renewed surprise. She almost looked impressed that a student managed to get such concerns.
Cyril endured her scrutinizing gaze without batting an eye.
"Okay... Did someone play a prank on you? Some upperclassmen can get naughty." the old woman said after a delay.
"Perhaps."
With a bit more serious face she motioned for him to come closer, towards a particular chair in the far end of the room.
Cyril took a seat on a patient's chair and relaxed as the woman cast all sorts of spells before him.
No change in a human body can escape a capable healer's eyes.
He felt wave after wave go through his body. With magic curing people was more than simple, however it did take a considerable amount of talent and effort to learn.
"A capable healer won't find a problem where there is none," Rhamn complained, standing near him throughout the whole process.
After a while the old woman was done casting spells. She pinched her chin, observing Cyril with a contemplative expression.
"Why did you think you were cursed, young man?"
She didn't discover anything wrong?
He contemplated telling her the whole truth, but, for some reason, he was reluctant to let anyone learn that he suddenly started hallucinating a beautiful woman around him. If it was a spell, then she should discover it any way as long as he nudges her in the correct direction, right?
"...I've been seeing something out of the corner of my eye lately. Something that's not really there," he replied, a frown emerging on his face.
"Thank you for calling me beautiful," Rhamn said, suddenly disappearing from her spot. In a moment she reappeared, visible just out of the corner of his eye.
On her face was a mischievous smile.
Right...
Ignoring her antics, Cyril focused on the healer.
A look of realization appeared on the old woman's face.
"Don't worry, you are in perfect health, young man, at least in the physical sense."
"Most people your age tend to experience a great deal of stress during this time. What you need most now is to relax and acclimate to your new situation."
The old woman quickly rummaged through the cabinet nearby. Taking out a vial of potion from there, she put it in Cyril's hands.
"Take this and take a sip once per day. This should help you," she said with a kind smile.
Cyril stood there, holding the potion with a blank face.
"To think that this pile of old bones would call you crazy!" Rhamn exclaimed with anger.
"She clearly doesn't know anything about her job. Let's just leave, this was a waste of time." She huffed and crossed her arms with hostility.
Calm down, she is clearly trying to help. I should be grateful.
Cyril swallowed his frustrations and took a light breath.
"I don't think so," he said after a moment.
"My experiences are too vivid, it's definitely magic. Is there someone else I can talk to?"
I have to find out what's wrong.
"You can just trust me..." Rhamn tiredly whispered to the side, "I am on your side."
The healer frowned as he finished speaking, pinching her chin in contemplation.
"Our academy has a lot of capable people. Let me consult with them about this matter."
"Don't worry, I won't mention your name or how you look."
...
This will have to do... Cyril tiredly thought as he was walking back to his dorm. On the stone path illuminated only by the magic lamps, there was not a single other student.
At the beginning of September, the temperature was already starting to drop, so his pace was hurried.
Cyril wasn't exactly thrilled with the healer's plan, but in the end he agreed. His mind was in a mess from this situation. He didn't know what was happening, and that made him anxious.
All I can do now is wait.
He thought, staring at the potion in his hand. The healer insisted he still try it, just in case.
"Please, don't act like this." Rhamn's voice from the front interrupted his thinking.
Turning his head there, he found her sitting on a bench right under a lamp, patting a seat to the side.
"Sit down, relax a bit. Why are you so upset? Don't you feel this is how we are supposed to be?"
Cyril frowned, staring at the source of his troubles.
At least one of us here is truly delusional. You are an intruder in my mind, I won't rest until you are gone.
Rhamn's eyes widened as she recoiled in her seat. "How could you even think that?!"
Easily, as any normal person would.
"But- but I am on your side. I am a part of you!" She desperately exclaimed. "I am the furthest thing from an enemy to you!"
All you are is an arrogant wretch, a parasite that I will get rid of.
Rhamn's face froze. She weakly pursed her lips and remained silent.
You won't be able to deceive me.
Cyril shook his head, and walked passed her. He didn't have the mood to entertain her moronic games.
But, suddenly, he felt a sharp pain coming from the middle of his chest.
As if someone stabbed him with a sword and twisted the blade, the pain was vivid and unbearable.
Cyril dropped on his knees, panting.
His back was quickly drenched in sweat as his vision started to darken. Death was swiftly approaching.
"Are you alright?!"
As soon as Rhamn's concerned voice reached his ears, the pain was completely gone.
It left like it never happened in the first place, leaving only a vivid memory behind.
Cyril got back up on his feet, recovering his breath. In a few moments, he felt just like normal.
What was that?
He warily looked around and scanned his own body, confused over the source of the pain and scared it would come back at any moment.
Eventually his gaze landed on Rhamn, who stood nearby with a guilt-ridden face.
"I am sorry. I think that was my fault."
"I got a bit angry and accidentally... did something. I think that was what you felt," she explained in a quiet voice.
Cyril walked to the bench from before and sat down, taking a few seconds to process what just happened.
What do you mean by 'something'?
Rhamn twirled a strand of her black hair and sat down at his side. "I think I moved."
Moved?
Cyril repeated the word it in his mind, putting a hand over his chest. She moved and the feeling came from inside of him? That didn't sound too wholesome...
"It wasn't my intention, honestly! This is all new to me as well. Hurting you will never be my goal!" Rhamn hastily said, bowing at a perfect ninety degrees. It was a stance fully conveying her deep feelings of remorse.
That remorse was so strong in fact, Cyril practically felt it emanating from her. It even affected him as well, making him feel inexplicably guilty.
Sure. I don't blame you. He thought almost on reflex. And I am sorry for calling you a wretch, or parasite.
"Thank you! All water under a bridge then!" Rhamn happily exclaimed, raising her head to look at him. On her face was the most radiant smile. As soon as it appeared, it was like a sun was raised directly in his soul, making his mood brighter.
Cyril absentmindedly nodded, turning to look at the night sky above. He sat like this for a few more minutes, recovering. Only a few stars were visible up there, but it was already more than one can see back in the city center.
You've said you moved and I felt something unusual. Without considering... how, this should imply you are not a figment of my imagination... I think.
"It must be so. I think so too." Rhamn nodded in complete agreement.
Glancing at her optimistic behavior for a few seconds, Cyril sighed and got up from the bench.
Strangely, this makes me feel a bit more at ease.
Musing to himself, he slowly headed back to his dorm, his footsteps no longer as heavy.