"So it's a relief when you said the test gotten easier." Master smiled.
Suddenly, I recalled the tests I had gone through and couldn't help but voice my confusion. "Mmm... Me too... But how come the tests are so weird?"
"Weird? How? What do you mean?" Master inquired, curiosity evident in her voice. She seemed genuinely interested in understanding my perspective.
"Well... Like planting flowers, smelling clothes, eating food and drinks, washing clothes, breathing weird substances, lying in the room, not moving, and so on," I listed the various peculiar tests I had encountered. As I reflected on them, a realization struck me. 'Now that I think about it, they do seem rather unconventional and perhaps even a bit kinky.'
"And? Those were your tests. Nothing wrong about it," Master said confidently.
"Huh?" I was even more perplexed now. 'How are those seemingly mundane tasks related to tests?'
Master observed my confusion and smiled knowingly. "There are poisons in them," she revealed, her words sending a shiver down my spine.
Then, I pondered for a moment, and the realization dawned on me. "Oh, I see now. So those seemingly ordinary tasks were actually designed to test my ability to detect and handle poisons." The pieces of the puzzle started to come together.
"But what about lying in the room without moving?" I asked, curious about the purpose behind that particular test.
Master responded nonchalantly, "I had Lady Nozomi release some poison gas inside your room to test your resilience and ability to withstand toxic environments." Her casual tone made it clear that such tests were nothing out of the ordinary for the House of Aum.
"I could have died while sleeping," I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of shock and frustration.
Master simply smiled and replied, "A peaceful death, they say."
I sighed heavily, realizing the gravity of the situation. "With a Master like you, no wonder all your previous disciples met unfortunate fates," I muttered, a tinge of resignation in my voice.
Master shoved the last piece of cake into my mouth, silencing my complaints. "Let's stop talking about sobbing story and move on to the cheerful part." Master continued. "As a reward for your outstanding performance, I'll let you visit your friends."
My eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?! I can meet them? Really? Masta?!" I couldn't contain my joy at the thought of seeing my friends again. I hoped around Master in joy.
Lady Nozomi chimed in, amused by my enthusiasm. "Oh my. Look at how excited young lady Llyne is. I can practically see her tail wagging like a cute little puppy."
Master smiled and gently pinched my nose. "Yes. Though you have to be careful. It's dangerous out there. There are many nasty people who might harm you."
I shrugged. "Ok, ok. I ain't a kid, you know?"
Lady Nozomi chuckled. "Well, I hope you remember your promise when you're out there causing mischief with your friends."
I grinned mischievously. "Oh, you know me too well, Lady Nozomi."
Master and Lady Nozomi exchanged amused glances, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and gratitude for having such unique and caring mentors.
Master smiled as I expressed my gratitude. "I'll leave Lady Nozomi to tell you the rest of the details," she said.
"Wohoo! Thanks, Masta!" I exclaimed excitedly. With a smile on my face, I left the room, eager to hear the details from Lady Nozomi and to reunite with my friends.
As Lady Nozomi closed the door behind her, she asked, "Are you going now, young lady Llyne?"
I looked up at the darkening sky and considered the time. "Should I? Nah... Maybe tomorrow."
"Alright then," Lady Nozomi responded. "See you tomorrow. Have a pleasant dream."
"Thanks. You too, Lady Nozomi," I replied with a smile.
Lady Nozomi bowed gracefully and walked away, leaving me to embrace the serenity of the moment. I made my way back to my room and opened the window, inviting the gentle night breeze and the soft glow of the moon to envelop me.
I laid next to the window, basking in the soothing moonlight that cast a tranquil aura over the surroundings. The night sky was adorned with countless stars, shimmering in the velvety darkness. The peacefulness of the scene washed over me, calming my mind and rejuvenating my spirit. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and let the moon's gentle radiance wash over me.
Hours passed, and sleep continued to elude me. Frustrated by my restless state, I tossed and turned in bed, huffing and puffing in exasperation. "I'm too excited for tomorrow that I can't sleep," I muttered to myself, acknowledging the source of my restlessness. Determined to find a remedy, I recalled the age-old method of counting sheep.
Closing my eyes, I imagined a flock of fluffy white sheep jumping over a fence, one by one. "One... two... three..." I began the mental count, focusing on each imaginary sheep as it leapt over the fence. However, despite my efforts, the rhythmic repetition failed to calm my racing thoughts. Each sheep seemed to stir my excitement rather than soothe it. "Nothing works. Dang it!"
Growing increasingly frustrated, I abandoned the sheep-counting method and sat up in bed, pondering other strategies to induce sleep. The anticipation of tomorrow's meeting with my friends kept my mind buzzing with excitement, making it difficult to find tranquillity. I glanced at the clock, realizing that time was slipping away with each passing moment. Perhaps a different approach was needed to quiet my racing thoughts and allow me to drift off into much-needed slumber.
Growl~
Hearing my stomach growl loudly, I couldn't help but let out a frustrated wail. "Oui... I'm hungry again. I just ate a few hours ago," I grumbled, feeling a pang of annoyance. "Maybe Master is right, I am a shrew."
The persistent hunger seemed to overshadow my attempts to find sleep. It was as if my appetite had no limits, constantly demanding sustenance. With a sigh, I realized that satiating my hunger might be the key to settling my restless state and finding some peace of mind.
I decided to make my way to the kitchen, hoping to find something to appease my growling stomach. As I walked through the quiet hallways, I couldn't help but think about the upcoming day and the much-anticipated reunion with my friends.
"Only a few hours left, and I'll finally be able to meet Isaac, Rona, and Ronald," I whispered to myself, a smile spreading across my face. The thought of reuniting with my friends after such a long time filled me with anticipation and joy. I imagined the laughter, the shared stories, and the warmth of their presence. It was a comforting thought that helped alleviate some of the restlessness and hunger that had been plaguing me.
As I reached the kitchen, I began rummaging through the cabinets and refrigerator, searching for something to satisfy my voracious appetite. I found a few leftover snacks and a bottle of refreshing juice, which I quickly devoured, grateful for the temporary relief it provided.
With my hunger momentarily appeased, I made my way back to my room, hoping that the combination of a full stomach and the excitement for tomorrow's meeting would finally lull me into a peaceful slumber. I nestled under the covers, closing my eyes and allowing the anticipation of the coming day to wash over me, lulling me into a state of tranquillity. As I drifted off to sleep, my dreams were filled with visions of joyful reunions and cherished memories yet to be made.
The following morning, I awoke feeling exceptionally fatigued, having only been able to snatch a few hours of sleep. I stretched my back and let out a deep yawn, attempting to shake off the remnants of sleepiness. "I'm utterly exhausted..." Nonetheless, I mustered the determination to rise from my bed and ready myself for the day ahead. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the presence of dark circles under my eyes and the redness in my eyes. "Look at those dark circles and red eyes, I might scare off all those chubby cheeks, kids."
As I walked out of my room, I was greeted by Lady Nozomi, who had a warm smile on her face. "Good morning, young lady Llyne. Don't forget to greet Master and eat your breakfast before heading out." Lady Nozomi reminded me. I rubbed my stomach and said. "I know. My stomach called me up early even though I wanted to sleep a bit more." Lady Nozomi chuckled softly as I made my way to Master's room to greet Master before heading to the dining room.
I opened the door to Master's room and was taken aback by a swiftly flying needle.
Whoosh.
I quickly dodged to the side, and the needle shot past me, grazing my neck and leaving behind a stinging pain. I felt a trickle of warm blood streaming down, staining the ground beneath me. Shocked and trembling, I recoiled and glanced around the room, my heart pounding with fear and confusion. "Master, do you hate me that much? Hic!"
Master turned towards me, her expression stern. "If you don't want that to happen to you, you should always knock before entering." Her words carried a hint of warning. I sniffled, feeling a mix of fear and disappointment at my own carelessness. "Okay..." I whispered meekly, making a mental note to be more cautious in the future.
Master's face relaxed as she chuckled softly. "I thought you were an assassin for a moment. Anyways, good job at dodging."
"Why would I be an assassin?!" I exclaimed, slightly annoyed.
"Assassins don't knock," Master replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Assassins don't use doors, Master," I sighed, trying to make her see the flaw in her logic.