"Is this some kind of spell? Stop playing tricks on me." Cyril soon regained his composure and tried to find an explanation for what was happening.
This must be a spell I haven't heard of before. There is no way I am crazy.
"Of course you are not crazy. This is a natural thing." Rhamn replied while raising an eyebrow, her red eyes showing confusion.
"How is any of this natural? Don't try to play a joke on me," Cyril replied with a frown.
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.
"Hi, Cyril. Long time no see. You hadn't told me you were going to enroll here. At least that's some good news." He said with a relieved smile and continued with a frown.
"But why are you arguing with yourself in the middle of the street?"
Edmund... Although you are one of my few friends, it's really not good to see you.
"'one of the few'? Sounds a bit too negative, you just don't need any. Everyone else is too inferior." Rhamn proudly exclaimed, hands on her hips.
Her arrogant demeanor was completely ignored by the newly arrived Edmund.
She can hear my thoughts!? What the hell is happening?
"Come on. There is nothing to hide between us." Rhamn happily nodded.
Cyril took a light breath and calmed down, paying attention again to his old friend, who was awkwardly waiting for a response nearby.
"Hello, Ed. I just never expected to be late to the opening ceremony of the academy." Cautiously replied Cyril, trying to hide any possible abnormalities.
Then he quickly asked, "But why did you enroll here? I thought you were against studying?"
This attempt at switching topics worked wonderfully.
With a face full of helplessness, Edmund started talking, venting all his frustrations.
"Of course I don't want to be here! But my dad forced me to come, saying it's finally time to make something of myself. I am really not suited for this! Fighting is your thing! I am more of an... an artist!"
"Wow, he is really annoying, isn't he?" said the mysterious woman with audible disgust.
Cyril could only ignore her for now.
"Let's talk later. I only want to rest right now," he said calmly, walking away without awaiting a response.
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."
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.
A few staff members gave him keys and papers and briefly explained some of the information about the academy.
With the keys in hand, he urgently said goodbye to Edmund. He practically ran out of the castle, heading straight for his dormitory, which had a park nearby.
Though Cyril had no mood to enjoy the sights, he entered the dorm, went past the staff at the entrance, and finally reached his assigned room.
The whole way here Rhamn didn't say much, just walking beside him with pursed lips, seemingly understanding his situation.
Cyril entered his room, dropped his small bag on the bed, and turned towards the mysterious woman.
Now she finally spoke without restraint.
"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 spoke positively, acting natural.
Cyril, though, was not in the mood to indulge her. "Tell me who you are and what you want."
The mysterious woman pointed to herself with a finger and made a sheepish smile.
"I already told you. I am Rhamn... Right now I want to visit the park outside."
"I know you want a better answer than this, but I don't have it." She lightly shrugged.
Rhamn didn't seem bothered by Cyril's questions. If anything, there was a note of joy in her voice.
"What you are saying doesn't make any sense." Cyril said while massaging his temple.
"I am not sure what to say to that, but all of this seems right, natural."
If she was only pretending this whole time, then she would be the best actress Cyril has ever seen.
Her words sounded ridiculous but truthful.
"Alright, you don't know. Let's leave it at that. There must be a reason you appeared, and I'll find it." Cyril said with conviction.
It was clear to him that he was not going to get a good answer from her, but Cyril couldn't just accept this and move on.
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." The woman in a business suit gave a thumbs-up.
Knowing that his thoughts were constantly read by someone was extremely uncomfortable for him.
"No, I can't stop doing that." Rhamn read his thoughts and replied before he could open his mouth.
I see...
With that he left for the castle again.
...
Finding the infirmary didn't take long. Cyril was given a map earlier, so all he had to do was follow it.
Approaching the closest one to him, he quickly knocked on the door and entered, inviting himself in.
Inside, a kindly looking elder woman stared at him with somewhat surprised eyes.
"To think I'll encounter someone today..." She mumbled to herself in complaint as she slowly got up from her chair, though Cyril managed to hear it.
"This old crone... How dare she complain?" Rhamn glared at the old woman.
Ignoring her, 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 quickly said.
The local healer froze in her footsteps and observed him with renewed surprise.
Cyril endured her scrutinizing gaze without batting an eye.
"Okay..." She said after a delay with a face that was a bit more serious, and motioned him to come closer.
Cyril took a seat on a patient's chair and relaxed, allowing the healer to cast all sorts of spells on his body.
No change in a human body can escape a capable healer's eyes. He thought as he felt a wave go through his body.
"A capable healer won't find a problem where there is none." Rhamn objected, standing nearby throughout the process.
After a while the old woman was done and observed Cyril with a contemplative expression.
"Why did you think you were cursed, young man?" She asked, confusion on her face.
She didn't discover anything wrong? Cyril thought with a frown.
"...I've been seeing something out of the corner of my eye lately. Something that's not really there." He replied after thinking about it for a bit.
For some reason he was reluctant to let anyone learn that he suddenly started hallucinating a beautiful woman around him.
"Thank you for calling me beautiful." Rhamn said with a smile and then disappeared, immediately reappearing to his side, just visible out of a corner of his eye. On her face was a playful smile.
Right... Ignoring her antics, Cyril focused on the healer.
Soon 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." She calmly said and continued.
"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 started speaking in a convinced manner and 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, feeling somewhat frustrated on the inside.
"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 breath.
"I don't think so." Cyril said after a moment, deciding to share just a bit more.
The old healer pinched her chin and didn't interrupt him.
"These hallucinations I am seeing are vivid, definitely not something that appeared because of stress... There have been voices too occasionally. There must be magic involved." He reluctantly said.
Telling this didn't feel good, but he also didn't know what else to do regarding Rhamn.
"You can just trust me..." Rhamn tiredly whispered to the side, "I am on your side." Though she was ignored.
The healer frowned as he finished speaking, contemplating something.
"Actually, maybe there is something suspicious." She hesitantly said, which raised Cyril's hopes.
"Maybe... you are too healthy. People can't live perfectly, there will be some defects in their bodies. That's just the nature of things." She hesitantly said.
"But your body doesn't have a single flaw to it. You are like a perfect example of a healthy young man." Then she sighed, "Though this is a bit of a stretch."
"How is being in good health a concerning point!? As expected, she is a fraud." Rhamn exclaimed from the side but was once again ignored.
Cyril calmly stared at the elderly healer, fully focused on her next words.
"Our academy has a lot of capable people. Let me consult with them about this matter." She said, then added, understanding in her eyes, "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.
At the beginning of September, the temperature was already starting to drop, so his pace was hurried.
On the dark path illuminated only by the magic lamps, there was not a single other student.
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?" Rhamn said with a warm voice.
Cyril frowned, staring at the source of his troubles.
At least one of us here is truly delusional. Do you really think your flattery will bring down my wariness of you? Afraid I might ruin whatever it is you are planning?
Rhamn's eyes widened, and she recoiled on the bench. "How could you even think that!"
"I am and will always be on your side, no matter if it rains, snows, or the whole world turns against you!" She desperately exclaimed. "I am the furthest thing from an enemy to you!"
You are an arrogant asshole, condescending to everyone around her. Why should I believe you? He thought with frustration.
Rhamn's face froze. After a moment, she weakly pursed her lips and stayed silent.
Whatever. I'll deal with you eventually. Cyril tsked and continued walking when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in 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, trying his hardest to endure.
On his forehead sweat had already formed, his vision started to darken. He felt like death was close by.
"Are you alright!?" Rhamn exclaimed with pure concern and crouched down in front of him.
Strangely, in that moment the pain immediately went away like it never existed in the first place, leaving only a vivid memory behind.
"What the hell..." Cyril quietly growled and got up on his feet.
He slowly steadied himself on the ground. Thankfully no one else was around at this time and didn't get to witness this display.
What was that? Cyril warily thought while looking around.
"I am sorry. I think that was my fault." With a guilty look, Rhamn appeared in front of his eyes.
What? He stared at her, awaiting further explanation.
"I got a bit angry just now 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'? You don't know again? He tried to clarify.
Rhamn twirled a strand of her black hair and sat down at his side. "Yes." Then send him a cautious glance. "I think I moved."
Moved? Cyril repeated it in his mind, then put a hand over his chest. Her words sounded somewhat ominous.
"It wasn't my intention, honestly! This is all new to me as well. Hurting you will never be my goal!" Rhamn hastily said and bowed her head.
At this moment Cyril felt a heavy feeling of remorse practically emanating from her. It even affected him as well.
Sure. I don't blame you. He thought almost on reflex. And I am sorry for calling you an asshole.
"Thank you! All water under a bridge then!" Rhamn happily exclaimed and raised her head, on her face the most radiant smile.
After getting a hold of himself, Cyril sat there for a few more minutes staring at the night sky, only a few stars visible up there.
His body didn't feel any different from before.
You've said you moved. Without considering how or where, this should imply you are not a figment of my imagination... I think. Cyril thought without too much confidence.
"It must be so. I think so too." Rhamn nodded in complete agreement.
Staring at her optimistic behaviour for a few more seconds, Cyril finally 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.