Congratulations. You have reached level 16

Congratulations. You have reached level 12

The surge of raw feelings and tremors that ran through our sleeping bodies would have been enough to render us unconscious had we not already been asleep. It was blatantly obvious that while similar, boys and girls leveled up in distinctly unique ways.

Once the girl got a taste of human blood, nothing else was ever going to be sufficient ever again.It started as a craving.Her own blood didn’t count even though it was technically human.

While her parents were a local source, she did not want to tip them off to her ambitions. She was positive that would lead to further restrictions in her daily activities.

Her favorite time of the month was the day that her mother took her into town. Father went every day for work but he never took Carmilla. She was too little. A distraction.

Going with mother wasn’t much better. She kept the girl on a tight leash and didn’t even allow her to mingle with the other children in town. Her mother’s journey into town was specifically to purchase essentials that were needed back home. Things that father neglected to buy.

An accidental scratch and a drop of blood was all that it took that first time.The girl had to time it perfectly.She waited until her mother was distracted haggling with a merchant before making her move.Her target was a boy who was just a few years older than she was.

She chose a specimen that was not too young. A crying child would attract too much attention. Also, adults would likely not let her near them even if she did manage to draw blood.

The teen boy she chose was the perfect prey. She could tell by the way he stared at her that he was interested. So was she but for markedly different reasons. To get his attention, she smiled coyly at the boy. He flashed a toothy grin at her in return.

This flirtation continued for some time while young Carmilla and her mother zigzagged through the shopping district. The girl was about to give up when the boy finally made his move. Her mother had gone into the back with a merchant to discuss prices.

The boy walked across the street to approach the girl and said an awkward, “Hey.”

Unaccustomed to the proper courting rituals but needing to make physical contact, Carmilla lunged at the boy and gripped him in a tight hug, pressing her body into his.

In his initial shock at having a young maiden pressed against his body, the boy failed to recognize the pain in his side as the sharp edges of her bracelet cut into his flesh.

She had hoped for a drop of blood but the wound produced significantly more. Using her magic, Carmilla drew the blood from the wound into the flowing sleeves of her dress where she collected it in a vial.

When he finally registered the pain, the boy pushed her away and pulled back, looking at his cut shirt in shock. His sudden motion drew the attention of her mother who rushed into the room and cried out, “What are you doing to my daughter?”

The boy didn’t wait around to answer. He clutched the wound on his side and sprinted down the road. Her mother kneeled in front of her and roughly brushed the dust from her dress.

Even though mother swore that she intended to keep a closer eye on the girl, Carmilla didn’t care. She had her prize. It was far greater than anything she had ever experienced. That much she could feel.

We woke up at the same time again drenched in sweat. Kalli rubbed her eyes and groaned. Do we have to keep having the same dream every night? I think I’m going to be sick if you dream about the taste of blood.

You and me both. Do you want to have breakfast together?

I desperately wanted to spend time with Kalli. After the previous night, I needed to double down on my confession. She seemed perfectly happy when she replied. I can’t this morning Mel. I need to meet with Alex and the gang to rejoin the group for class. Do you mind meeting me for lunch instead?

Just the two of us?

She hesitated, pausing for a long moment before answering. Um, I don’t know Mel. I want you to get to know my friends.

And just like that, I was eating breakfast alone.

Or so I thought. When I left my room, I was met by three very excited dorm mates. Run patted me on the back and greeted me excitedly, “Good morning bro. Did you eat?”

Rave leaned back on the couch to look at me upside down, “Come sit down. Have breakfast with us. Joe makes amazing waffles.”

Joe knelt in front of a metallic series of gears and cranks that were attached to a tub filled with golden batter. I sat next to Rave and watched as the machine sucked up the batter into a canister that shook and vibrated. With a satisfying ding, 4 stacks of waffles dropped from a slot in the bottom onto four plates.

The technomancer scooped them up and placed them on the common-room table. He held up a bottle of thick amber liquid, “Syrup?”

Rave held his plate out to Joe and said, “Hit me with some of that action.”

The waffles on my plate were a nice golden brown color and looked like they would have quite a crunch when I bit into them. Run proved my theory when he picked his waffle up and raised it to his mouth. He tore off a bite with a satisfying crunch. From the looks of it, the waffle was nice and soft on the inside.

Remembering the previous night, I touched a finger to the waffle and pushed some mana into it. I kept the flow at a slow trickle. It wasn’t like I wanted to destroy more food by feeding it too much mana.

Unfortunately, the waffle was not glowing by the time I decided that it was saturated. One bite told me I wouldn’t be needing maple syrup anymore. More testing was needed to figure out how I made ambrosia out of the noodles. The extra mana wasn’t the only thing needed after all.

KALLIPHAE HELLQUIST HAS LEFT THE GROUP

I was on my way to wind class when she left without saying a word. There was so much that I wanted to say but Kalli was acting odd. Wendy immediately dragged me off to our usual spot when she saw me arrive in class.

Once we got there she had me practice my wind shield spell and began interrogating me. How did it go with Kalli this morning? She didn’t say anything when she left the group?

I don’t know. She refused to eat breakfast with me and wants me to come to lunch with her friends.

The look of concern on Wendy’s face began to alarm me. Melvin, I know you don’t want to hear this but there’s a chance that she may have overheard our conversation last night. She was still in the group. Even if she was in bed at the time, our voices might have woken her up.

My wind shield sputtered and blew out when my concentration wavered.

What should I do?

Her brow furrowed as she considered my question. You should probably give her some space. She might just need time to process everything. She likes you, Melvin. Kalliphae will come to you when she’s ready.

It was difficult to concentrate in summoning class. Mrs. Peletier made me summon multiple items and graded me on accuracy. The class seemed to fly by while I worried about Kalliphae and lunch with her friends.

Once class let out, I dragged my feet in the general direction of the cafeteria that Kalli told me to meet her at. I could tell that she was already there with the usual assortment of friends. The same friends that had always laughed at me.

Kalli startled me when she communicated for the first time since morning. Mel, are you coming? I saved you a spot.

Yes. I am on my way.

She felt concerned. What’s wrong?

I swallowed hard as I struggled to put my feelings into words.

I get nervous in big groups. It’s worse because your friends don’t like me. I’ve been around kids like that all my life and it never ends well.

There was a long pause before she replied. They apologized. Please give them another chance. For me?

Kalli hit me in my soft spot and she knew it.

Fine. I’ll be there.

Neither Wendy nor Ki were present when I made my way into the cafeteria.Kalliphae stood up and waved me over.She motioned to an empty seat next to her.

Alex stood to greet me the moment I sat down, “Welcome, Melvin. No hard feelings about the other day I hope.”

I looked at Kalli who nodded reassuringly, so I said, “Sure, no hard feelings.”

Most of her friends already had food in front of them but Kalli did not. When she climbed to her feet I started to rise to follow her. Mel, I have a surprise for you. Just wait here with Alex. Get to know these guys. They really are nice when you get to know them. I want us to all be friends together.

The pressure mounted when I watched her walk away. I turned my attention to Alex, “So, how do you like The Academy?”

The smiles were gone. Five guys stared me down before looking to Alex. I held my breath and waited for him to speak, “Melvin. I’m glad I have a moment alone with you. Let’s be honest with each other. We will probably never be friends. If you knew what was good for her, you’d let her go. She doesn’t need a nerd like you holding her down. You’re nothing. You aren’t even from a named family. I am. I come from the proud and illustrious oof…”

A flash of red light that I hadn’t seen coming smashed into the side of Alex’s jaw sending him flying into the boy next to him. Looking up, I saw Kalliphae towering over us. She was on fire.

Angry red flames covered every inch of her body. The rage emanating off of Kalli made my skin tingle. How could I have missed feeling that much anger through mate chat? She screamed at Alex, “How dare you say those things to Melvin. How could I ever think that you were my friend? Get up, I want to hit you again!”

A loud voice boomed across the cafeteria stalling the fight, “Put that fire out right now. The use of magic is not allowed outside of class.”

We were sent to the headmaster’s office. Alex and his friends sat at the opposite side of the hall from us. Fire still burned in Kalli’s eyes as she glared at them.

Without taking her eyes off of the boys, she spoke to me in mate chat in a voice that she struggled to keep calm. I’m sorry Mel. I really wanted it to work. I’ve never had friends and they were so nice to me. I didn’t know he was going to say those things to you.

I thought you left.

She blushed. I see and hear everything that you do.

Her admission reminded me of the previous night and my discussion with Wendy about telling her that I loved her.

Did you hear what I said last night?

Kalli finally stop glaring when she turned her attention to me. Her sad expression made my heart sink. I heard everything. I’m sorry Melvin. I don’t see how it could work between us. We both know I have to go back to Gaia. I don’t think I’ll be able to return after that. Do you? You summoned me by accident. Remember?

I forgot how to breathe. We stared at each other in silence. Her eyes gleamed as tears formed in them. This was the time when I should have said something cool but my brain refused to function properly.

I remember.

Kalliphae, on the other hand, was on a roll. Wouldn’t it be better if we just stayed friends? That way it will hurt less when I have to go. You can date Wendy if you like. I don’t mind. I’ll always be your friend. I promise. Just hearing you say that you love me is enough.

The tears were flowing down her cheeks now. I vaguely realized that I was crying as well. Alex and his friends sat across from us with looks of confusion on their faces. I had to say something. I had to fight.

I don’t agree, not at all.

I swallowed hard dreading her reaction to what I knew I had to finally say next.

I love you. I loved you from the moment I summoned you.

Her face was an emotionless vault as she blinked at me. I couldn’t tell what she was feeling through mate chat either. Perhaps it was my own storm of emotions that was drowning her out. Even without the vital feedback I so desperately needed, I continued.

I will summon you again. If I have to become the greatest summoner of all time to bring you back, I’ll do it.

Alex and his cronies were gaping at me as tears began to stream down my cheeks. Our silent conversation must be comical to them. I wondered idly if Kalli was still in their group, listening to their words mocking me as I struggled to tell her how I felt. I pressed on desperately.

I can’t date Wendy because she isn’t you. You are the only one…

My speech was cut short when Kalli began sobbing and threw herself into my arms, burying her face in my shoulder. Damn you, Melvin. I was trying to avoid this. I love you too. You know this isn’t going to work, right? I have to leave. I don’t have a choice.

I wrapped my arms around the slender girl. Normally, I’d be embarrassed to cry around my classmates but now the only thing I cared about was right there in my arms.

Suddenly, Mr. Ramsey opened his door. He looked back and forth between us and the boys on the other side of the room, possibly trying to figure out why we were both crying. With a bit of a sigh, he made his decision, “Miss Hellquist and Mr. Murphy. How about we start with the two of you? Please come into my office.”