Chapter 43: The Hole In The Wall
Leyhna didn't speak a single word. I followed her out of the dorms, and further out into the campus. I didn't know where we were going, but I was too afraid to ask.
("We're... going pretty far...") [Solace]
As I trailed behind Leyhna, more and more students began to appear frequently in the path we traveled.
("...Do they think this isn't weird?") [Solace]
You would think people would look at you strangely if a weird floating thing was following you, but nobody batted an eye. Maybe it was a common occurrence in this world.
"Hey, over here." [Leyhna]
She called over to me, which brought my attention back to reality. Apparently I had begun to drift away, though not that far due to my thoughts.
("A... wall?") [Solace]
Leyhna pointed at a brick wall on the side of the school building. Now that I was paying attention, I could tell we were at a rural part of the school due to the lack of... students.
("Is this the back of the school?") [Solace]
I wanted to question her, but all Leyhna did was wave at me and make gestures to hurry up.
("Fine...") [Solace]
I drifted over to her, just to see what she wanted.
("Well?") [Solace]
I bobbed back and forth weirdly, trying to ask her a question.
"...Can you just return to your original form? It would be much easier for you to speak." [Leyhna]
I sighed with my imaginary lungs. Heeding her words, I undid my mimic.
"Dispel |Mimic|." [Solace]
A little bit of mist appeared, revealing my humanlike spirit form.
"So? What's this about a wall?" [Solace]
"This is where I'm going to educate you." [Leyhna]
"Educate?" [Solace]
Leyhna then clenched her fists and faced the wall.
"|Physical Boost|! |Toughness Increase|! |Enchant Flame|!" [Leyhna]
A flash of yellow and blue appeared around her, then her fist caught fire.
"Woah! What are you doing?!" [Solace]
"Martial skill, |Blazing Fist|!" [Leyhna]
"You have acquired the martial skill, |Blazing Fist|." [Spirit Guide]
She struck the wall with her... you know, blazing fist. I mean, it was literally a punch that was on fire. Like, who named these moves?
("What the hell is even going on...") [Solace]
The wall crumbled before Leyhna, revealing an empty room behind it.
"Wha-?! Why did you just do that?!" [Solace]
I was flabbergasted. As I remained surprised by what had happened, Leyhna shook the flames off her hand.
"Come on. We need to get in before the wall regenerates." [Leyhna]
"Huh?" [Solace]
Now that she mentioned it, I could see the wall slowly building itself up.
("It kind of looks like one of those lego games...") [Solace]
"Hurry!" [Leyhna]
Before I even realized it, Leyhna had already entered the room.
"O-oh crap!" [Solace]
The wall was piecing itself up quickly, so I sped through the hole before it closed.
"Phew... Made it. Wait, why did I come in? We're trespassing!" [Solace]
"Stop worrying. Just take a look around." [Leyhna]
Just as she said, I took a glance at our surroundings.
"What... is this?" [Solace]
A long, long room. The floor was unlike any other I've seen in this world. Simple wooden planks were all it was. Not marble, not stone, and not any other rock.
("It reminds me of my home...") [Solace]
My home was a simple one story house. Not very big, but enough to accommodate a family.
"How do you like it?" [Leyhna]
I scanned the room some more. I saw a few racks that held wooden imitations of weapons on them, which also reminded me of a dojo documentary I saw on television.
"It's... nostalgic." [Solace]
"Nostalgic?" [Leyhna]
"Ah... nevermind." [Solace]
While I was pondering my thoughts, I saw a person at the end of the hall.
"Huh? There's... somebody there." [Solace]
At the end of the hall sat someone wearing a black suit paired with a very classy bowtie. He remained on an old wooden chair, as if he was asleep.
"That's... give me a moment." [Leyhna]
She inhaled deeply, which gave me a warning to cover my ears.
"Wake up, uncle!" [Leyhna]
The person across the room jolted awake. They seemed surprised by the sudden yelling.
"Geez... Let's go, Solace." [Leyhna]
She took me across the room to her... uncle? Then introductions came into play.
"This is my uncle, Vincent Reid." [Leyhna]
As she introduced her uncle to me, I took some time to inspect his appearance.
("Black hair... Brown eyes... Pretty normal to me.") [Solace]
His hair was combed to the side, and he wore a gold monocle on his left eye. I had to say, the man had style.
"Hello, my name is... Vincent Reid, as my niece has said. I take it that you are Solace?" [Vincent]
"Nice to meet you, I'm- eh? How do you know my name?" [Solace]
"Ah, I was informed about you beforehand. Did... you not know?" [Vincent]
I stared at him blankly. I had most definitely not been informed beforehand.
"Leyhna... You need to stop doing this..." [Vincent]
We looked to Leyhna who was now doing an apologetic smile with her hands together.
"My bad." [Leyhna]
Vincent sighed at her, but he didn't seem mad. In fact, he smiled.
"What will I do with you..." [Vincent]
He rubbed her head with a melancholic smile and then turned towards me.
"Sorry about that. I heard of your situation. From now on, I will be teaching you the basics of... everything? Common knowledge, magic, martial arts, and manners." [Vincent]
I looked to Leyhna for an explanation, but she avoided my gaze.
"Now, where shall we begin?" [Vincent]
