81.Break
Days turned into weeks.
And Marcelline… was losing her damn patience.
Every clue she chased looped into a dead end. Every archive, every old grimoire, every forbidden text Victor smuggled for her… nothing connected clearly. It was like someone had sliced the truth into pieces and scattered them across the world.
Marcelline slammed a book shut so hard that dust puffed into the air.
"Useless. All of it."
Leo, sitting cross-legged on the couch while sharpening one of her blades, looked up with a wince.
"You're going to break another table if you continue like that."
"Let me break something then."
"Preferably not the table."
She shot him a glare, and Leo sighed gently.
Then, in a careful tone — the kind he used when she was especially volatile — he said:
"Maybe… you should take a break."
Marcelline scoffed.
"Break? We're dealing with an anomaly that doesn't want to be found."
Leo shrugged.
"And you haven't slept properly in days. Maybe shift your focus for a bit. You know… like attending St. Lumina University. You did take admission, remember? And the reporting date passed already."
Marcelline blinked.
Slowly.
"…Oh."
Leo raised a brow.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
"Shut up."
But yes — she had completely, absolutely forgotten that she was supposed to show up. She had gotten accepted as a cover identity, and then real chaos dragged her away from it.
Maybe…
Maybe a distraction wouldn't hurt.
She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples.
"You know what… fine. Maybe I do need a break."
Leo smirked triumphantly.
"A miracle. Write it down."
Marcelline kicked his leg from under the table, and he yelped.
But the decision was made.
---
MARCE PREPARES FOR COLLEGE --
For the first time in weeks, Marcelline stepped out for something NOT related to demons, portals, or twisted bloodlines.
She hit the mall, grabbing what she needed with her usual efficiency:
comfortable but stylish clothes
her favorite dark boots
notebooks (mostly for show)
pens she'd probably never use
a bag big enough to hide at least two weapons
a few accessories Leo forced her to buy ("Look less like a walking death threat.")
By the end of the day, she stood in her room, everything laid out neatly.
"Alright."
She dusted her hands dramatically.
"Tomorrow will be… tolerable."
Leo laughed from the doorway.
"That's the spirit."
She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
---
NIGHT BEFORE COLLEGE
Dinner was unusually peaceful — no demon emergencies, no research papers exploding into smoke, no Victor calling to flirt.
Just quiet.
After eating, Marcelline stretched her sore muscles.
"I'm crashing early."
Leo nodded.
"Get some real sleep for once. I'll wake you if something happens."
"If something happens, scream loudly."
They both chuckled and walked to their rooms.
Marcelline fell into bed, her new bag packed beside her.
For the first time in a long time…
she closed her eyes without expecting a shadow to drag her into nightmares.
Tomorrow would be her first day at St. Lumina University.
College life.
Normal people.
A little fun.
Exactly the break she didn't know she needed.
---
