The Curse That Binds

I finally returned to Allegria while holding the wand which was the key that I needed to pass the second phase.

I remember leaving Allegria before the second phase. Once, Allegria had been a desolate place, its trees withered and its magic dormant. But now, it was alive. The once dreary and lifeless landscape had bloomed before my eyes, a spectacular sea of vibrant green, magical plants twisting and reaching toward the sky. Colors and lights danced in the air as the forest seemed to awaken, its pulse synchronizing with mine.

Did I do this?

The thought was fleeting as exhaustion consumed me. Every ounce of mana I had poured into reviving the forest had left me drained. My legs gave out, and I collapsed, barely able to hold myself up.

I could barely hold my head up as I looked around, my breath ragged. The forest was no longer just a collection of dying trees—it was a living, breathing entity once more, full of magic and wonder. But there was little time for celebration. My energy had been spent.

I looked up, barely able to keep my eyes open, and saw figures approaching.

“Gosh, the forest’s curse…” The teachers—Hecate among them—murmured in shock and disbelief as they observed the revival of the forest. They didn’t know the truth, though. They didn’t know I was the one responsible for this.

None of them knew it was me who had brought this transformation to life.

None of them except one.

Master stepped forward, his gaze steady, his expression unreadable. But his eyes... they were filled with worry.

He knew.

"Rest, Val," Master said, his voice calm but laced with something deeper, something I couldn’t quite place. "You’ve done enough," he said softly, patting my head with a quiet tenderness.

Riri jumped from his arms and pressed itself against me, its tiny frame trembling with concern.

“I’m back, Riri,” I whispered, brushing a kiss against its fur.

Darkness closed in, and I let it take me.

***

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Tabitha’s beaming face and Dion standing nearby with his usual calm demeanor.

“Valkyrie, thank goodness!” Tabitha squealed, practically bouncing with excitement.

“You’re finally awake,” Dion added, his tone flat, as though I’d just woken up from a nap rather than a near-death ordeal.

And then it hit me—his slap.

Without hesitation, I swung my hand, delivering a stinging slap across his face. The sound echoed in the room as Dion staggered back, looking utterly flabbergasted.

“What the hell!” he shouted, clutching his reddened cheek, his expression a mix of outrage and disbelief.

I leaned back with a smug grin. “Now we’re even.”

Tabitha burst into laughter, while Dion just glared at me, his pride as bruised as his cheek. I savored the moment. It felt so good.

***

“So, what happened with the final selection?” I asked, my voice still weak but laced with curiosity.

“Well, the three of us passed,” Dion replied casually, as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

Tabitha chimed in, her tone more animated. “The second phase was about facing your darkness—your fears—and conquering them.”

If only they knew. The second phase had nearly killed me.

“By the way, you’ve got a huge wound on your—” Dion began, pointing at me, but before he could finish, the door creaked open.

Master entered, carrying Riri cradled in his arms. The little creature looked cozy

I guess Riri was not allowed here. I glanced around. The room felt like an abandoned clinic, its sterile air mixed with the faint scent of herbs and age.

“Sir!” Tabitha and Dion stood and bowed in unison, their movements sharp and respectful.

“How are you feeling, Val?” Master asked as he approached, his voice gentle but tinged with concern.

Before I could answer, Riri leapt from his arms, landing squarely on my lap. It clung to me tightly, purring as if it had been as worried as the rest of them.

I gave my little baby a soft pat and smiled.

“Please leave us for a moment. I need to speak with her,” Master commanded Tabitha and Dion.

“Of course!” They responded in unison, disappearing without hesitation.

The room grew heavy as Master turned to me, his eyes narrowing with a sharpness that could cut steel.

“Now, Val…” His gaze was so intense, it sent a chill down my spine.

“Eek!” I flinched, unable to mask my discomfort. He could be terrifying when he looked at me like that.

“What happened to that wound?” he asked, his voice low and measured. “It’s not something you’d get from simply tripping in the forest.”

“Well…” I hesitated, trying to find the words. Should I tell him the truth? That I’d been attacked by a demon?

“There was this demon named Asmo—!” Before I could finish, an invisible force wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air.

What’s happening?!

“Don’t ever speak his name!” Master roared, his voice reverberating through the room. It was the first time I’d ever heard him yell.

The strangling sensation finally subsided after what felt like an eternity. I gasped for air, collapsing slightly as I clutched my chest.

“Hah… hah…”

“You’re cursed, Val,” Master said, his tone dark and foreboding. “You encountered a demon during the second phase, didn’t you?”

I lowered my head, my fingers instinctively gripping the emerald necklace hanging around my neck. Its familiar weight offered a strange comfort.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to tell me,” he said, softening ever so slightly. “But listen closely. The wound on your shoulder is no ordinary injury. No healing magic can cure it. The curse will spread through your body, and eventually, it will kill you.”

“What?” My heart sank. That demon… He’d said he wouldn’t harm me… yet? He tricked me!

“You have to find him,” Master continued.

“My magma spell didn’t work,” I admitted, my voice trembling with frustration. “If magic like that doesn’t work, then...”

“No,” Master said, his mana flaring so fiercely that the room felt like it might explode. “I’ll kill him myself.”

“Master, no!” I exclaimed, panic rising in my chest. “I can’t drag you into this. I’ll handle it myself!”

Before we could argue further, a low, resonant chime echoed throughout the space, signaling the start of the final phase.

“The final selection is beginning,” Master said, his voice firm but controlled. “You must pass, or Hecate will claim you.”

Ah, yes. The bet. If I failed, Master would lose me as his student.

“Master, you actually care about me—”

“Of course, I care! How dare they covet my dishwasher and firewood collector!” he blurted out, his voice tinged with indignation.

I gawked at him. I’ll kill you someday, Master!

With a flick of his hand, he cast an ice spell on my wound. Frost spread over it, numbing the pain and halting the curse’s progress. Despite myself, I was amazed. His magic was flawless, as always.

He handed me a fresh black robe, its pristine fabric a stark contrast to my torn one.

“Here. You can’t represent me looking like you just crawled out of the Underworld,” he muttered.

“We’ll talk later,” he said, gently lifting Riri from my lap. The small creature chirped softly in protest, but Master’s touch was firm yet careful. He stepped back, his gaze steady. “Focus on finishing the final selection.”

“Thank you, Master,” I said, smiling softly. Beneath his gruff exterior, I could see his concern. It was comforting in its own strange way.

As I turned to leave, determination burned in my chest. The battle wasn’t over. Not for me, not for him.