The woman nodded to her. "You look better than you did before. Apparently you've discovered some good things to report back to me. Do it when we're done." The woman said, and a game of chess began.
As she had said, she was trying to test a new strategy, so the game lasted a little longer than Mia had thought (only 3 minutes longer); even so, Mia soon lost.
When she did, the woman in front of her sighed. "You've gotten good at chess, Mia." She praised her, and Mia sighed.
"I think it's because that strategy doesn't suit you, Lady Charlotte. I'm sure offensive strategies are what you are best known for. This is a tremendous change from your previous strategy," she said, and Charlotte smiled in front of her.
"I can't refute that. But I can see that your mind is in a better state than last time. Come, have some tea, and tell me about it." Charlotte said and poured some tea for her personally.
Mia Holmer was stunned to see this. It was the first time she had ever served her tea, so she quickly got up to grab it.
Then she returned to her seat to relax with a good sip of the tea.
'...Drinking tea from that guy has made me realize how amazing this tea is. It still feels better than his.' Mia thought, willing herself to enjoy this taste.
A moment later, she decided to speak.
"Miss Charlotte, lately, I have met an amazing person. He has so many talents that I sometimes think of you when I see him, although I think you are still several steps above him," she said, and Charlotte paused from drinking tea and looked at her briefly.
"Is he the vampire that has been mortifying your head these days?" she asked.
Mia Holmer's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she nodded softly. "I didn't think you knew that already, but yes, it's him. He's not alone; there's a woman with him, and they seem to be lovers. I think they're both vampires; it's possible they're that duo the Grand Sorcerers have been looking for." Her words made Charlotte's hands pause, and she frowned slightly.
But after a few seconds of thought, she smiled slightly and nodded. .net
"I understand, Lady. Don't worry, I'll be sure to do as you told me. I hope to see you soon." She said, getting up a little startled.
Charlotte smiled a little. "Don't be scared; it's not a threat. It's just advice since I don't want you to die. So try not to get in trouble with people you shouldn't."
Mia Holmer gave her a quick nod. "Thank you very much, Miss. I know what to do." She replied, and after that, she said goodbye and left the place, leaving the mountain shortly after.
At the top of the mountain, Charlotte sat back down as usual and looked at the chessboard on which the chess pieces were scattered.
A King, Queen, and other pieces were arranged in different places, and she moved them around with a calm expression.
Soon, even though they were all in disarray on the board, Charlotte smiled and stopped. "Spirit Mountain, huh." She said, smiling.
Before her eyes, this chessboard really wasn't one. It was more like a mountain range, snowy.
Charlotte moved her hand to one of the chess pieces arranged on top of the board and gently pushed it without peeling it off. "You got off well. Keep it that way, and your string won't break." A sadistic smile shone on her face as she said this, and she moved her hand to another figure—this was the King figure.
"A little caterpillar who thinks he has power due to a bit of luck, eh... I wonder what I'll do with you. Since you like to play with fire, how about I let you have a little taste of the fire?" Her sadistic smile became more pronounced. Her gaze on this chessboard could strike fear into anyone who saw it.
It was so frightening but, at the same time, so beautiful that anyone would fall lost before such a gaze.
Still, soon afterward, she grew bored and lay back, gazing at the horizon pensively.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind at that moment. 'So you have a girl now, huh... Something in you is starting to change? Should I be happy about this? Or curse myself for my guilt?' And a long sigh finally reached her mouth.
.
Mia Holmer clutched her neck doubtfully, suddenly feeling sick. 'What a strange feeling.' She thought and tried to relax on her trip back to the Academy.