Tosho Meikyuu:Volume1 Chapter4

356 Pages until Memory Loss

◇◇◇356 Pages until Memory Loss

You are caught.

"…Pardon this teacher for asking, but there are rumors spreading of inappropriate male and female intercourse that have reached this teacher's ears."

The Doctor Magna, reclined deep in her chair in the student guidance office, asks in a very low voice.

It has been no more than eight lines since your escape, and you, running on the corridor, are whisked here, not knowing anything as you answer flusteredly,

"H-Huh…? I thought I was on the corridor just a moment ago…?"

"It is an emergency, so pardon the rudeness, but this Teacher brought you here with spatial transportation magic (teleportation)."

It appears you were transported to this student counseling room through a powerful space manipulation spell.

"Apologies for bothering you right after teleporting, but this Teacher wants to ask about illicit sexual relations between both of you."

"E-Erm…Teacher, may I know who spoke of those ru…?"

"Four or five students said so. Since this Teacher knows of it, rumors probably reached the entire school."

The long lunch break at the ‘Apothecary’ might have backfired against you. It appears the students who had witnessed this magic duel had just played an epic game of telephone.

"The rumors involve…well, both of you are of this age after all. With so many boys and girls together, there’s bound to be some romantic development."

"…We’re doomed. Teacher’s going to lecture us to death…!"

(W-What do you mean ‘lecture us to death’!? What’s going to happen to us!?)

"In any case, there might be, erm, such instances between boys and girls. But the problem is about you two doing so at school! You can only do such things when alone together!"

"We’re no match for such magic. We’ll be caught in an instant. We’re doomed…!"

(It’s really scary! You’ll end up in another space altogether before you know it!)

The murderer is shivering in fear. Perhaps it’s due to her outstanding magic skills that she can imagine the power level difference between her and a Doctor Magna.

"Engaging in sexual relationships to fulfill your desires are a bigger no go! If rumors are true, this Teacher has to punish you severely despite much reluctance. Is there anything you wish to say in defense?"

"…I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything…"

"I-I swear by all the gods of the Heavens and Earth that I didn’t do anything impure either!"

"…Then, Okutsuki-kun, what about the rumors that you were all over Eri-chan and ripping at her chest?"

"It’s a misunderstanding! O-Okutsuki-kun was pulling at my chest because…"

"Because mur…she said her heartbeat suddenly felt irregular, so I was was trying to check it out for her!"

"…Heartbeat? That is troubling then. Then, what about the rumors that you used magic during your lovers’ quarrel?"

"It wasn't a lover's quarrel!"

"Yes! We were really trying to kill…a mock battle!! Yes, that’s definitely it!"

"It’s written in the school rules ‘magic use is forbidden except in moments of emergency’. Using magic for pranks too is forbidden, let alone magic duels. But you…"

Teacher Yuzu's eyes narrow sadly as she continues with a disappointed voice,

"This Teacher never expected that the son and disciple of Teacher Okutsuki would have such a magic duel…"

"…T-Teacher Okutsuki's son…!"

(…I-If Teacher Yuzu says so, then Murderer isn’t Murderer after all. She’s actually Father’s disciple…)

Though still terrified of the Doctor Magna, you glance aside at the Mmurderer's profile.

Even after witnessing your Father’s talisman, you can’t believe it…yet even his colleague, Teacher Yuzuriha Daphniphyllum Walla says so.

This murderer…or rather, Erika, most certainly is a disciple of Kai Okutsuki.

"Erm…T-Teacher! That magic duel was my fault! It’s not Okutsuki-san’s fault. It’s just my misunderstanding…!"

The (ex) Murderer Erika mutters so in your defense.

"But school rules are school rules. If you do something wrong, you have to be punished."

"…I-I'm sorry…"

The ex-Murderer lowers her head apologetically, pinching the edges of her horns as she reeled back.

The sight of her terrified self really makes it difficult to imagine she was that Murderer prior to this…but she does seem apologetic for trying to kill you, stabbing you with a pencil, and trying to petrify you.

(…She’s actually reflecting on her actions…)

As you look at the demure profile of the ex Murderer, you feel a strange emotion welling up in you.

For five years since your Father was killed, you spent your life seeking only the Truth…if she, the self-proclaimed disciple of Kai Okutsuki, is seeking the same Truth as you, she too may have been tormented by the same despair as you.

(…I was killed on the level where Father's study is…if she’s at such a deep level in Labyrinth, was it because she was there to mourn him…?)

As noted prior to this, the level you died at is not a place where a typical explorer will venture too. Nobody else would have encountered you, aside from those with a deep connection to Kai Okutsuki.

You have forgotten about your past, and don’t know as to what happened between you and the Murderer. Given that she calls Kai Okutsuki ‘Teacher’, and has been seeking the Truth behind the assassination, it appears this gratitude runs deep.

The girl whom Doctor Magna recognized as his disciple and gave the same Talisman as the one to his son.

She may have a deep connection to your lost past.

"This Teacher still not ask you any further about the sexual misconduct, but Eri-chan will have to repair the balcony. Okutsuki-kun may not have used magic, but you are not spared from punishment."

"Eh? Ah, y-yes…"

As previously mentioned, your heart is still unable to accept magic. Since you are enrolling in the ‘Apothecary’, your homeroom teacher, Teacher Yuzu, is mostly informed of your plight.

"Erm…let’s see. Okutsuki-kun, you don't have your textbooks yet, do you?"

"Y-Yes…"

"It may be a little harsh, but this upcoming Friday is a holiday, so the Labyrinth exploration day will be a day earlier. Please use tomorrow's exploration time to unearth your textbooks."

"Eh…"

The ‘Apothecary’ operates on a generous scholarship program, and tuition and living expenses are free. (Although to be precise, it is a loan, given that after graduation, you are obligated to pay for the majority of the books you obtain from Labyrinth.)

Naturally, textbooks, supplementary reading materials, and other replicas are too released free of charge. Since you have to prepare them on your own, this probably is a light punishment as a normal student.

"So that means…I can use the ‘Elevator’?"

"Well, not the faculty’s. You can use the others though."

(…I-Is Teacher Yuzu actually…)

"Umu, it may be for your sake. Given that you cannot use magic, excavation and expansion of grimoires are a priority, so the use of the elevator is indispensable."

Of course, you sacrificed some of the remaining 1,000 pages of your precious life to pay attention in class so as to obtain vital knowledge necessary for your search, but the existence of the elevator is a big reason for that.

"Please do your best…or are you worried about entering the Labyrinth?"

"N- no, I understand! I will find all the textbooks I need!"

Realizing the Teacher's kindness, you bow deeply. The excavation of textbooks is just a pretext, and the Teacher is giving you a chance to get a set of grimoire since you are unable to use magic.

"No objections, I suppose? To prevent rumors from spreading further, you are to be confined to you room for the rest of the day."

"I-I understand. I will return to my room and wait."

"Please reflect on your actions so that you will not disrepute your Father."

"…Thank you very much….sorry to trouble you, Teacher Yuzu."

You bow deeply and open the old ebony door.

Leaving the apologetic murderer's profile behind you, you leave the student counseling room.

◇◇◇351 Pages until Memory Loss

"…Phew, managed to make it back safety…"

You heave a sigh of relief as you reach your room in the third tower of the ‘Apothecary’.

You should be unacquainted with physical fatigue now that you have the immortality of the High Daylight Walker…but your body suddenly feels very heavy, probably due to being released from your tense emotions.

"…Haa, feels like a long time ago when I walked out of the room this morning…"

"Mumu~ truly you do not feel so good…given your vampirization, memory block and rematch with the Murderer girl, these 175 pages surely are turbulent."

"This half day is way too action packed…haa, since I’m on curfew, I think I'll take a little break…"

Certainly. While you have lots of things to ponder, the first thing you should do is to be change out of your robe that has been torn to shreds during battle.

You interrupt your tired thoughts, take off the ragged robe, and toss it onto the bed.

"W-wait…puya!"

"Ah!"

"What are you doing, you fool!?"

You have completely forgotten that Arteria is hiding inside the robe.

The silver-white bat slips out of your clothes and gives you a reproachful look.

"S-Sorry Arteria. I had things on my mind! You alright?"

"Grrrnnn…the nose hurts. Now I am reverting to my old form, lay out the clothes! "

"Eh? Clothes…ah!? You stuffed them all in here!"

You found that your removed clothes are a little bloated, and then you realize Arteria’s silk veil is dangling from the hood of your robe. She has prepared a change of clothes to prepare for the transformation of mass when a bat metamorphsizes a human body.

"I-I have no choice, no? Even a True Ancestor cannot transform along with her clothes…"

"Then don’t use my clothes as a storage place! Can’t you just hide yourself in the shadows and change secretly just as when I pull out the ‘book’?"

"Wh-wha!? Do you wish to see me change my clothes?"

"No, I don't! I'm not such a pervert! Hurry up if you want to change!"

"…Hmph, a cliff I am anyway…"

You unfurl the fabric that has a few holes pierced through it, and the bat flies in, giving rise to smoke.

A slight ruffling of clothes can be felt on the skin, and the High Daylight Walker regains her original form.

"Haa…it certainly is tiring to remain diminutive."

Arteria collapses onto the bed behind her and stretches out her arms and legs to enjoy the feel of the mattress.

"Ohhh, a human bed feels decent. Ah paradise paradise, it is~…"

"…You can lie down all you want, but don’t flail around in that outfit."

You avert your eyes from the skin being revealed through the collar gap, and sit down on the chair.

"Phew…"

(…It’s been so troublesome today. Really, it’s so different from the boarding school life I imagined about the ‘Apothecary’.)

Yes, it was. Since the moment you woke up this morning, you found yourself killed by the murderer, saved by the vampire, and having lost your memories, you were completely naked while sleeping on the same bed as a completely naked True Ancestor…

And while you decided this would be your battle against your Father’s enemies, this is your first duel to the death.

"…I was so close to dying, huh."

You mutter to yourself, remembering the fear you felt during the magic duel. In this battle where life and death was on the line, magic could instantly end a person’s life.

(…I swear to become someone who can save others…yet I fought against Father’s ex-disciple…and almost caused Arteria’s death.)

You vowed to yourself on that tragic night five years ago which your Father died..

You swore that you would never again allow anyone within your reach to be harmed.

(…There’s a very high likelihood that the enemy who assassinated Father is a magical criminal. Since I, as a witness, return to Library City Alexandria, it’s very likely that the enemy wants me dead…I’m prepared to engage in magic duels, so I resolved to get stronger so that nobody else can get hurt.)

And yet your body was paralyzed in fear, your mind imprisoned by flashbacks, your resolve easily crushed by a warhammer. You almost let Arteria die, just as the situation with your Father.

(…Arteria risked her life to save me when I was in peril…Arteria knows every well that she lost her power as a True Ancestor, and could have died.)

Lying on her bed with her eyes closed, Arteria look so cold and serene that one might have assume she is dead..

Only the faint vermilion streaks across her cheeks and her slender shoulders that heave with her breathing prove her survival.

Her angelic, innocent profile shows no signs of the regality as implied from the name of the strongest species.

(…Of course…Arteria lost her immortality after all).

You unwittingly clench your fingers on the armrest of your chair.

(…I don't know why Arteria lost pretty much all of her ability as the strongest species…and could only avoid petrification by sucking my blood.)

As per the prologue of this ‘Last Prayer’, given that she has the power to parry aside stone spears with a single strike, it is impossible for Arteria to be stabbed by the petrifying black spears. She should be able to resist the venomous petrification with her immortal body that can regenerate internal organs from fatal wounds immediately.

The assumption being that if the High Daylight Walker still has the powers of her prime.

(…If I had tried to get to know Arteria instead of just determining her as a mere ‘vampire’, would I have known earlier that she had lost her immortality?)

With a creak, the mortises joining the wood of the chair together seemingly chastise you.

(…In that case, it’s my fault. I always assume that vampires are the natural enemies of mankind, that they’re dangerous monsters, that a vampire would have malicious intentions when saving a human, always thinking of fighting the murderer…that’s why I almost let Arteria die.)

You feel a sharp pain from deep within your heart.

If, as you guessed, Arteria is the strongest Nosferatu, and the immortality she gave you is merely out of childishness to relief her boredom, that the love she professes to is merely pity for the weak, you would be thankful to her for saving your life, but you will not be suffocated by guilt.

For the High Daylight Walker Arteria is a monster who endangers the human race.

She probably does not have a ‘heart’ to be considerate to others..

(…But I’m wrong. Arteria’s not immortal, she’s kind, and caring for my sake. She knows she was kind, and she was thinking of me. She knew she might die, … and yet she still took the petrifying stake in her body for me.)

You gaze at the vampire lying there, tormented by regret.

The contours of her shoulders have a tinge of lingering childishness. The faint lines of ribs appear at her delicate chest. Her feeble, slender pelvis and waist appear so thin, it seems they might snap if one is to embrace her firmly.

For you refused to believe in this ‘love’ the vampire spoke of, and never tried to understand the vampire, Arteria took the venomous petrification, and nearly became a cold stalactite..

"…Arteria…why did you…"

Stumbling on your words, you try to inquire the vampire's heart...

"…Hmm? W-what are you looking at? I sense a wanton stare!"

"!!"

Arteria's embarrassed voice interrupts your words.

"I-It is day, and a little nap I took. Have your beastly desires been aroused just being with me?"

"N-no, Arteria, I just wanted …!"

"L-Lie not to I! Those eyes of yours are a little abnormal!"

Arteria's cheeks flush with embarrassment and she hugged the thin blanket.

Feeling a little remorseful, you look at the body that is thoroughly injured because of your own feebleness, yet she has assumed mistakenly that you are looking at her with sexual interest.

"I-I would never think my cute angelic sleeping face would bewitch my own kin!"

"Don't call yourself cute, and that's not what I mean, Arteria! I’m just wondering if your wounds have recovered fully!"

"Wounds!? D-Do you wish to give in to your youthful lust, pushed me down and leave a wound upon me!?"

"Absolutely not!"

"If-if-if you think of such insolence, then I shall suck your blood with the power of True Ancestor to suck out all your blood!

"…You don't have such power right now!"

You push down the True Ancestor (Arteria) who is rampaging in confusion. The body of the 'Silver Night', the strongest vampire in the Labyrinth, is easily pinned onto the bed.

"Punya! Wh-what intentions do you have!? Let—go—of—me!!"

"Shut up and calm down, you stupid vampire!"

"Auu!? Nghh, it hurts, I am angry, I shall suck your blood!"

Arteria, who has been rolled over, lashes loudly at you. You hold her slender arms to the wooden bed frame to stop her rampage.

The High Daylight Walker, mistaking this as an attempt to violate her, verbally threatens you with grandiose, yet makes no attempt to break free.

…For even she knows.

As befitting of her apparent age, the girl resembling ten years old can’t possibly push you aside with your the strength and weight of a fifteen year old.

"…Why didn't you tell me, Arteria?"

"I-I do not know what you are talking about!? Enough, let me go!"

"Why didn't you tell me that you lost your power as the High Daylight Walker?"

"Fu…!!!"

You interrogate with a soft voice, and the strongest vampire of the Labyrinth squeals in fear..

"…Wh-What do you mean? I-I do not know what you're talking about."

"Then why didn’t you push me aside? Since you can cut through a hail of stone spears with your strength and knock away a doorknob with a shockwave, you should be able to easily nudge aside my body, right?"

"…T-That is…"

The crimson eyes, seemingly filled with fresh blood, ooze a tinge of anxiety.

The undead king known as the 'Silver Night' is frightened by the strength of a mere mortal.

"…You've lost your powers as a True Ancestor, and your abilities are just on par with a human of similar appearance, right…!? You didn’t have the means to resist that venomous petrification…!"

"It hurts…!"

Feeling extremely remorseful, you grab the High Daylight Walker by the wrist, and her body tenses immediately. For you, a mere kin who remains far inferior to a True Ancestor, even a stab through the heart may feel only ticklish to you.

"…It hurts when you’re wounded, and you’ll die when you get stabbed…so why did you protect me and took on the petrifying black stake for my sake?"

"…N-Not at all, I-I did not intend to deceive you…"

"Then answer me, Arteria, why didn’t not tell me you had lost your immortality?"

You keept interrogating Arteria as the latter tries to excuse herself like a toddler.

For you are are frustrated. You cannot forgive this.

You can't forgive yourself for doubting the vampire's love, for hurting her, and nearly causing her death through petrification.

(…Arteria risked her life to protect me. She even lied to me to save my life. I can’t continue to let her bluff me out of selfish interests…!)

"…Tell me, Arteria…why is a vampire (you) doing so for a human (me)…!"

"…For you are a fool, no? You are a fool who will fight to save I, and even disregard your own life! So foolish you are that I had no choice but to lie!"

"Say, Arteria, this is a serious question! So you should be serious too..."

—Clink.

The gold chain of the talisman lets slip a little small metallic sound.

"Ah…."

Arteira talks out the crystal talisman from within the robes that you removed.

"…If not, surely you shall sacrifice yourself just as this talisman does.."

The crystal has lost the glow of the Man sealed within it, leaving behind an empty translucence.

"…I am sorry. I know this talisman is left behind by your Father, and means so much to you."

Arteria's fingertips caress the rounded, inverted triangular crystal.

This gesture can activate the added function of the talisman, which is to display a video communication with your Father. Now that the crystal has lost its Mana glow, the crystal shall never be able to display the afterimage again..

For you have depleted your Father’s magic power to save Arteria from the petrifying black stake.

"…A fool you are. If you have known I have lost immortality, surely you will be worried. If you say the truth, surely you will be reckless as a fool again…!"

Arteria murmurs in a muffled voice with her nose buried in the blanket.

The anxious words, unbefitting of the strongest species, cut and torments your heart like a blade.

"…Say, I’m really getting angry, Arteria…you’re savior. You lent me your strength, and that’s how I survived. That’s why I…!"

"—That power!"

"!!"

An anguished shriek interrupts your words.

Arteria closes her eyes with remorse, pinches the blanket firmly, and whispers with a quivering voice.

"…The power that saved you was originally usurped from you. That is why I decided to save you without draining any blood memories…but I am nothing but a vampire (monster) who can only steal powers from others."

"…So you gave up on sucking blood knowledge for my sake…"

From this monologue that resembles a confession, you realize the vampire's mental state.

The talent eater Arteria has known that you always view her as a monster. Through her absorption ability, she knows that you don’t trust the High Daylight Walker.

That is why Arteria has been so determined to prove the genuineness of her love for you.

And exposed herself to the petrifying black stake with her body that has lost immortality, without taking power from others (you).

"…So you think I’ll be angry because I’m forced to use the magical power of the talisman?"

"That is because, because I know. You carry your father's talisman around for it represents the bond of your father's teachings. I know, and yet I…I…!"

"…Listen, Arteria, you're right, I really treasure the talisman. I’m really sad that I can’t see Father's face again. But I…"

"I-I knew it! So you do cherish the talisman more than I! That is why you did not use the magic sealed in the talisman within the prologue of that ‘book’ (Me), no!?"

"I-I just didn’t think about it back then!"

At the prologue of this story, when you were attacked by the murderer, you did not use the talisman’s function.

Without your Magitzkveins, even if you had activated your talisman, the situation might not have differed much…it appears she assume herself to be of a lower class as compared to your Father’s talisman.

She seems to think it was because she was treated lower than the father's talisman:

"…It-It-It is all I fault! I apologize! I apologize to…!"

"Listen, Arteria! I’m not thinking of you as a monster anymore…!"

"I apologize, so! So please do not hate I!"

Seeing the tears in the vampire’s crimson eyes, clinging desperately to you—

"Ah goodness…I get it, calm down already, you stupid vampire!"

You flick at Arteria's forehead with your finger.

"Oww…!? I-It hurts! Why do you do so to this forehead of I!?"

"It’s because you say stupid things! I don't regret saving you at all! It’s my decision, and you’re not responsible for it!"

"Y-You…fmyu?"

You grab the frightened Arteria by the shoulders and declare with a serious look,

"I think you’re more important than Father’s vestige! That’s why I used the magic of this talisman! It’s not your fault, I wanted to do this!"

It is true that your Father’s afterimage, of which there are only two left in the world, is very important. But even if his image disappears from your memories, his teachings will not.

You have decided to abide by Kai Okutsuki’s teachings and repay Arteria's trust with trust.

"Umu…I-I…I…!

"If I have to say this until you understand, I’ll say it! If you still don’t believe, then suck my blood!"

You crudely embrace Arteria and bring your defenseless neck to her mouth.

All so to convey your feelings towards the ‘Talent Eater’ who feeds on the blood and knowledge of others.

"Arteria, I’ve decided to believe in you."

"….Youuuuu…."

The restless, faltering thin arms embraces your back firmly.

"—I too! I too believe in you! I believed in you ever since you saved me! Ugh, ueeeee…!"

"… Don't cry, stupid Arteria. Your snot’s getting all over my shirt"

"Shut up! Si-Since it is from this cute I, even my snot is cute! Now that you can make new ones out of ‘Origami Paper’, this shirt isn’t needed anymore!"

Arteria continues to bury the tip of her nose into your clothes, rubbing her cheeks on the fabric.

…The 'Silver Night' of the Library, the talent eater Arteria. She has always lived in the eternal solitude of immortality, so surely the trust of others is of extremely special value for her.

"Y-You…!"

"…Now do you understand, Arteria? I don’t care about the talisman as long as it’s for your sake. I don't care if I lose the Father's magic if it’s just to repay you for what you’ve done to me. If you’re still worried about the talisman, I'm willing to throw it out the window."

"N-N-No! Perhaps I should throw it out of the window if you are going to throw it away."

"You want it…well, I don’t mind, but there’s no point in you having it, right? "

"There is!"

You glance aside at the lighting window, and Arteria hastily calls you while grabbing the talisman, gently bringing it to her chest to prevent you from snatching it away.

"…This is something I took from you. I cannot return it all, but I still wish for you to receive it.."

Arteria mutters, and gently kisses the crystal.

"…Starting from this moment today, this talisman shall represent the bond of my love."

Click! A shrill sound can be heard, and she imbues into your talisman the Mana that she has stolen from you.

"!…You’re putting mana into this talisman…!"

"Unu…since you say you believe in I, lower your head a little more."

Pinching the ends of the broken gold chain, Arteria gently calls out to you.. She imbues the silver-white mana she has absorbed from you back into your Father’;s talisman.

"This shall be proof. Proof of my love to you, and your trust in I."

"…Arteria…yeah, I understand."

You sense Arteria's intentions, and obey the True Ancestor.

"…I won’t doubt your trust again. Even if my memories are gone, even in the face of trouble, I won’t ever forget what you have done for me."

To repay the deep love of this kind vampire who risked everything her life to save you,

"Arteria, I believe in you."

"…Umu!!!"

Arteria nods, looking completely pleased at your reply.

And then, she ties the crystal talisman that sparkles with silvery white mana firmly upon your neck

"…Mfu, mfufu♪ Now you belong to I~♫ for surely♡"

"…Well, as far as I can remember, there’s two times you saved my life. I’ll make sure to repay the favor."

You gently lay Arteria back onto the bed, and gently caress the talisman on your chest to affirm its touch.

"At first, I was in despair that I became a vampire…but since you’re a True Ancestor, I don't mind being the kin…this time, I’ll be the human saving you."

"Mufu~♪ You really do know how to please others, minor♪ How fortunate you are♫ Surely there is no one who cares for you more than this Arteria♡."

"W-Well I think that’s another matter altogether…but you saved my life. If you’re willing to believe me, I’ll definitely repay your trust."

"Ehehe♪ If you dare to forget I, I shall pull at the gold chain from within your robes and strangle you! Prepare yourself~♪"

"…Yes yes, I’ll treat this as an important memory and have it recorded inside the ‘book’."

"Mfufufufu~♡ Now that it is decided, find the ‘Book to Cure Memory Loss’ so that you shall forever be with I♪ Now you, prepare to sleep for tomorrow’s search!"

"No no no, even though I’m vampirized now, I can’t sleep at this time. It’s still curfew time, so I can’t go out, but I can’t prepare my equipment for tomorrow…wait, A-Arteria? Why are you bringing out a coffin?

Arteria ignores your words and pulls out a coffin from her shadow. The huge box shakes the the dormitory room with a thud, opening its lid along with the impact..

"Hmmm? A coffin is a place to sleep, no? What are you talking about?"

"…Oh yeah, looks like this is how vampires actually sleep…"

Yes. There is a seriously big difference between a human and a vampire when it comes to the definition of ‘sleep’.

In the case of humans, sleep is the act of letting the brain rest and recover from fatigue. In contrast, for vampires, sleep is the act of regaining magical power through the birthplace of one’s soil as a medium.

"Now then, do you now have a coffin too? Lie within it now♪"

"I don’t have a coffin. And don’t a vampire have to sleep on the birthplace soil to regain magical power or something?"

"It is inferior to earth, but any medium related to one’s birthplace shall suffice. For your instance…see, would that trunk not be suitable?"

"My trunk luggage is big and all, but I can’t possibly sleep inside it!…Ah, wait, Arteria, why are you locking my elbows—itchy! Itchy, stop ittt!!"

She probably gained your arm strength through the body heat when she put the talisman onto you. A rash of itchiness explode all over your body, and you are instantly folded up into a pocket size.

Rustle, rustle.

*Some important knowledge for you* A vampire can be packed alive into a trunk.

"Uuu…! Somehow I have to sleep in a trunk! I hate that murderer…!"

You are compacted into a cramped sleep, quietly weeping within this small coffin. Even though you have obtained immortality as the price from the True Ancestor, you are forcibly folded along your joints. Does the goddess of fate have a grudge against you?

(I don’t just need the ‘Book to Cure Memory Loss’, I need the ‘Book to Remove Vampirization’! First thing in the morning tomorrow, I’m going to Father's study!)

You swear, clenching your fists that are (for some reason) tightly stuffed between your ankles and ears.

In order to sleep peacefully on your bed, free of itchy joints, it is imperative that you recover from being a vampire. Your Father, a Doctor Magna, may have a study based deep within the depths of the Library Labyrinth that contains ‘A book that can turn you human again’.

However, you are currently under curfew and unable to use the elevator, so you have to wait till the next day before exploring the Library Labyrinth. Given the risk of the teachers discovering you, you can’t be wandering around in the ‘Apothecary’ just to prepare. The only thing you can prepare for tomorrow is to get some sleep and regain your strength.

(…It's still too early, and I’m not sleepy…but given the remaining memory (pages) left, I can’t fail my exploration tomorrow…I need to get that ‘Book to Cure Memory Loss’ tomorrow and break this curse so that I can repay Arteria’s grace!)

You swear to yourself in your heart, and close your eyes within the trunk.

Tomorrow shall be the Labyrinth exploration day, and surely a busy one. Please rest well to recuperation and retrieve your Father’s collection of books from the dark abyss of the Library Labyrinth.

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