Chapter 207 - To the Infirmary

"Lacrymae?" Anakin asked. "What's that?"

Faustina blinked as the professor began to announce; and so, before she could answer Anakin's question, "you only have thirty more minutes left before the submission of the results,"

"Oh," Anakin stood up. "It seems like we have to test yours now."

Faustina nodded.

"I'm sorry I'm not really sure what Lacrymae is. I haven't seen a gem like you—I mean, yours—too," Anakin coughed as he covers his lips, averting from Faustina.

He was red on his cheeks, which spread to his ears.

**

Faustina stared at the skies as she finished conjuring each of the spells. It was a good thing that they were required to use every element, aside from having to label which element they are most compatible with.

Lacrymae.

It was an odd name for a gem. The word lacrymae is derived from old Mystisch that meant 'tears'. The language of old Mystisch isn't usually encountered given of its archaic origin, and it wasn't commonly studied as well by the common-folk or the nobles. Only linguists would take the time to take a look at this particular language.

Faustina turned towards her staff—its broken cyan gem. It had intricate inscriptions etched on its surface as if it was carved by a craftsman so tentatively.

When she opened the book given to her by Ezekiel, she immediately saw the gem by chance. The gem, lacrymae, according to the book, was said to be from the tears of a goddess that were crystallized and meant to be kept on the core of Earthland. It was an old, unpopular tale—given Faustina have never heard of it. She doubts other knew it too.

The cyan gem was said to be only in the core of the world, meant to be concealed so that the goddess wouldn't be able to see her sadness materialized.

But tales of a certain goddess was an unpopular religion in Earthland, given the church have more influence in the entirety of the world. The church harnesses the said body of a god that was the creator of the universe—the one 'Above'. Even Goldenfag and Folkmanor only quoted the One Above, the tale of Lightbearers and Darkwielders.

Never had she heard of a goddess.

The gem lacrymae, unfortunately, wasn't mentioned to appear in staves. It also didn't state elemental compatibility—only a history.

In the end, Faustina didn't get the answers to her question.

Whereas to why it was broken, why is it that she has such an odd gem, and truth about the undead maid's words?

The undead maid's words.

A warlock's staff.

Even now, Faustina still has mixed feelings about that certain statement. If she harbors a warlock staff, then there might be infernal blood on her… however, if that is the case, then why hasn't Orwell, the King, Sheila, or any mage have detected it?

"Faustina?"

Instead of having her questions answered, Faustina only ended up being confused even further.

'What are the secrets about me, and about all of this?' Faustina's thoughts drifted to the image of a certain person. 'Eula,'

"Faustina."

Faustina blinked as Anakin held her by both of her shoulders.

"Are you alright?" Anakin asked. "You look like you're going to collapse any time. You're so pale. Do you want to go to the infirmary?"

Faustina stared down at her arms; her veins were protruding once more, much similar to what happened on the dungeon. She held her arms, trying to calm the pulsating veins.

She only conjured magical spells that were considerably average, yet her body was unstable still.

Professor Ramsha eyed Faustina, and then Anakin.

"Mister Disfiegro, you are Miss Faustina's partner, no?" The professor asked, approaching the two. Anakin nodded. "Can you escort Miss Faustina to the infirmary? She looks pale. I can also see the leaking mana in her."

Faustina's eyes widened as she stares at the professor, whose eyes were set to Anakin.

"I understand, Professor," Anakin said. "Shall we go, Faustina?"

**

Anakin and Faustina walked side by side to the main castle of Magierstadt. Professor Ramsha had already teleported the two to the main castle, so that they wouldn't walk too far ahead.

"I have no access in the teleportation portal to the infirmary, given it's a private place we couldn't just go back and forth to. Can you take it from the main castle?"

"Yes, Professor. Thank you."

--

"The professor wasn't that timid at all, huh?" Anakin started as they walked to the stairs. There weren't many students out now—in fact, there was none to be seen at the current moment given the fact that it is considered to be an hour for class.

It was silent, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Anakin stared at Faustina. There were clearly bags under her eyes; she doesn't look like she have had enough sleep. Her face was also pale. "Are you alright, Faustina?" Anakin asked. Although he still wasn't that comfortable addressing people without honorifics like noble customs he learned growing up, he was adjusting to this new normal bit by bit.

"I'm… alright," Faustina answered.

But that doesn't seem to be the case. Anakin watched how her eyelids drooped down from time to time as they ambled their way to the aisle. Although he couldn't fully see people's mana or as experienced enough to see a leak (he lied at the dungeon), Anakin still knew that Faustina's disposition wasn't that good.

The infirmary, oddly enough, was several halls ahead and floors above. That was the closest infirmary that they could get into. It was how large Magierstadt is.

"Hey!"

Anakin was quick on his reflexes, as he was able to catch Faustina who had tripped to fall. "Are you okay?"

This time, Faustina couldn't really answer Anakin anymore. She was just beginning to feel drowsier as minutes passed. Her chocolate-brown eyes were dimming as her vision begins to blur. Her pulsating veins were in sync with her heartbeat.

She had no sleep, and she coerced herself to give at least good results at the activity.

Now she's just tired. She was also feeling a stinging pain on her forearms and a persisting fatigue in her body. Faustina couldn't move a muscle anymore, but she ought to. It was a good thing that Professor Ramsha immediately noticed the leak on her mana, or else she would've made a scene to the colosseum.

"…stina, can you hear me?"

It was an odd feeling, being exhausted and falling asleep to the sound of your own heartbeat. But Faustina found comfort. She was too tired of thinking.

Perhaps, she could allow herself to rest.

**

Anakin stared at Faustina's eyes which finally closed. The next thing he felt was the weight on his arms. Faustina's body is now relaxed.

She had lost consciousness—or more accurately, she had fallen asleep.

Anakin knelt down slowly as he held Faustina on his arms. She looked peacefully asleep—and so, Anakin cannot help but marvel at the sight of her slumbering to his arms. Her ash-grey hair fell loose to her face, which he gently tucked behind her ears.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Anakin's heartbeat was loud against his ears.

This was the sight he never thought he would be able to see. He then proceeded to lift Faustina up to take her to the infirmary—but then—

"What do you think you're doing?" Asked that certain gentle voice. "Anakin Disfiegro?"

**

Ezekiel had seen it—how she forced herself to hold back.

Hold back her magic.

And Ezekiel was pretty sure he wasn't the only one who have seen this. His amethyst eyes then turned to professor Ramsha who was observing Faustina to his peripheral.

And then, as she finished conjuring her last spell, he sees it.

A mana leak.

Before Ezekiel could approach her, Professor Ramsha came to tell Anakin to take Faustina to the infirmary. Ezekiel, both relieved and disappointed, stared at the teleportation circle that the professor provided.

"Ezekiel, um… you know, when you helped me on my speech, I can't stop thinking… about you… so um… I know I'm being shameless, but can I be in your side, always…?"

Ezekiel closed his eyes, finally coming up to a decision.

"So, um—"

"Professor!" Ezekiel exclaimed as he ambles his way towards Professor Ramsha.

"Oh, if it isn't the schoolmistress' heir," Professor Ramsha gave him a small smile. "What can I do for you?"

"May I go to the infirmary?" Ezekiel asked.

Professor Ramsha blinked. "And for what reason?"

Ezekiel gently smiled.

"Tummy ache."

**

"What are you doing?" Ezekiel asked to Anakin, who was holding Faustina on both of his arms.

"I'm taking her to the infirmary," Anakin answered, not liking Ezekiel's tone.

Ezekiel's expression then gradually softened. "I suppose I can do that as well, given you look like you need help."

"I don't," Anakin answered firmly. "But thanks for the concern."

Ezekiel then sauntered closer to Anakin.

"I'll take it from here. I have an access to teleportation—at least enough for some rooms. I know one that is unused that is near to the infirmary." Ezekiel smiled. "Will you hand me Miss Faustina?"

Anakin then smiled, too.

"No."