After walking a few meters from the elixir store, I stared at Health elixir in my hand for a brief moment, then called out, "Aika?"
A second later, I heard her annoyed voice. "What do you want?!"
It was loud.
I winced and spoke quickly, "Can you please come out for a sec?"
When I didn't get an immediate response, I thought she wouldn't, but a few seconds later, wisps of black smoke flowed out from my sleeves. Then dark feathers converged in the air before Aika finally materialized.
She looked like a typical shut-in, dressed in an oversized white shirt. Her beautiful black hair was bushy and unkempt, and she had dark circles under her eyes like someone who hadn't slept for a week and subsisted only on stress.
I reached out and handed the Health Elixir I held in hand to her. "Here."
She looked at it for a moment before reaching out to take it, then asked bluntly, "Why are you giving me this?"
I pointed to her arm, then replied simply, "It bothers me."
She arched a brow in silent scrutiny. Though after a moment, she opened the vial and drank it all. Then she shuddered dramatically and smacked her tongue. "Bluergh. It tastes like rotten cinnamon mixed with week-old goat milk."
'Huh? How the hell do you know what that tastes like?'
She wiped her mouth with her wrist, and a look of deep offense crossed her face. I then smiled and said, "Don't worry about the taste. I'll give you something better to wash it off."
When she turned to me, I pointed towards a liquor store in the distance, just a few meters away.
At that moment, her face brightened and I could see a large smile slowly form on her face.
Then I grinned and added. "I promised you some good alcohol right? So, what do you say about us going on a stealing spree?"
Aika turned to me, and grinned widely in response. "Now we are speaking the same language."
Ha…
***
The next few weeks passed by really quickly.
During this time, I became a regular of the Trading Centers, gaining as much Negative Karma points as I could without getting caught. I didn't just end with stealing basic elixirs, I even stole basic necessities like sleeping bags, oil lamps, and other basic survival gears. Now, not only was I fully loaded with stuff, I also managed to acquire up to two thousand Karma points.
Since I had less than six weeks to prepare for the trip Beyond the Veil, I had to make sure that I was really ready to survive before journeying to that cursed realm.
Asides from stealing, which I preferred to call "Non-Consentual Asset Acquisition," I spent most of the days in the important classes absorbing as much information as possible and comparing them to my already existing knowledge.
In the evenings, since Aika's arm got better after drinking the Health Elixir, we spent most of our time in the private training centers dueling against each other using dummy weapons in an attempt to get better at combat.
Bonds, after they manifested on their bearers, weren't naturally versed in combat, and so they had to train alongside their Dominants if they wanted to improve their fighting prowess.
So… I wasn't the only one benefiting from our duels.
The good thing was that Aika as my Bond also had access to my exclusive attribute, and so she too could use combat tutorials.
When we both used it during our duels, a screen would appear for me, guiding my strikes, dodges, and movements, while a mirrored screen also appeared for Aika, coaching her in the exact same manner.
After a consistent series of training sessions nearly every evening, I began to master the basic principles of combat. More importantly, I developed a crucial sense for Aika's way of fighting, which rapidly improved the synergy and teamwork between us.
And so, even though I can't say that I'm now a good combatant, at least now, I know how to wield a sword. To be specific, two swords.
As for my exclusive skill, even though I kept practicing with it every night before I went to bed, I still hadn't managed to level it up.
Of course I was deeply frustrated by this, as my survival also hinged on it. But I understood that this slow growth speed was normal. After all, if it was that easy to level up skills, every cadet would have had theirs at max level already.
Nevertheless, I refused to let the slow progress hinder or stop me. I clung to the ideology that even though the skill didn't level up right now despite using it almost every night, my hard work would eventually pay off, and it would undeniably level up when I needed it most.
Over the weeks, life was a bit different at the academy. I didn't have anyone bully me anymore because while some were now wary of me, some were too busy preparing themselves for the imminent Lunar Eclipse.
This development was really a relief, as I was tired of the cliché of the weak side character being constantly bullied and targeted by the strong cadets.
Asides from that one time I saw Leon to hand over the document of the Dean, I didn't really see him around a lot.
Maybe he too was busy preparing himself for the Lunar Eclipse.
I also did not see Levi or Celeste around. It was as if they were both deliberately avoiding me. To be honest, I couldn't care less about them. They were not my siblings but rather Cedric's, and they did not treat him any good, so they could both go to hell for all I care.
The only person I saw around a lot was Audrey, as we were in the same class and even sat next to each other. Though she really didn't say much most of the time, her face always looked like she had questions to ask but didn't know how to, so she kept to herself. Maybe it was because of her timid nature, but I was happy that she did not ask me any uncomfortable questions.
When we spoke, it was either just a quick exchange about a class assignment, a mundane greeting, or her nervously asking how I was adjusting to life at the academy now that I had my Bond, and if I needed her help with anything.
Although I wasn't keen on making any friends so as not to get attached to anyone, I found Audrey's calm presence and genuine kindness to be unexpectedly endearing.
I sometimes even found myself hoping that she too would somehow survive the trip Beyond the Veil.
That aside…
The weeks flew by really quickly, and before I knew it, it was already the eve of the Lunar Eclipse.
Since it was our last night at the academy, as tradition, the school decided to hold a dance ball, and just like everyone, I too was given an invitation.