Unsettling

“Quit being so slow!” Ino, ahead in the forest, was covered in the feeble moonlight. Sorin used a small flame to light the path, and so did Ino, who was tracking her.

Surely she also sees what is wrong with this. Clearly there is something, but she's choosing to ignore it. What could I expect, however. She won't ever address this; that's not what Ino would do.

His mind wandered off; a heavy presence pressed onto his side, that he would soon have to reunite with. “Chikaru… she really does hate me; maybe I should just deal with the chief,” he muttered to himself.

Ino instantly stopped, took a closer look at Sorin's face, slightly red on her cheeks. “ I'm so sick of her! I wish I could feed her to the mages; they would gobble up her knowledge then kill her for all the forbidden things she has. But oh well, she's still useful and all— She's not all bad; you're going to use the network she developed. Where is this teleportation seal anyway?”

I'm already missing my Claya, oh how I'm tortured to deal with this crazy woman and a total reclusive seal fanatic. Though Ino did tell me that she's putting a lot of work into this, so I can't help but respect her.

He stepped closer to the seal, the trees around him weaving them not to set them on fire. It was dense and cold, especially with his basic pants and tunic.

I will hear her briefing on the plan, but she might be a genius, which makes sense why she would even join Ino. Such intelligence limited by people above you. That would be a terrible way for that smartness to be wasted.

A small frown appeared on his face as he finally caught up to Ino; a huge orange-hued glowing symbol was on the floor. It was in the shape of a door.

“She custom-made the design so my silly brain could remember it easier; I think she called it the ITNSOC. Or something like that.”

“What does it mean?” Sorin stepped over the seal with Ino as the orange hue quickly enveloped their body.

Ino's eyes lowered as her arms raised to her chin in deep thought. “Instant teleportation network system of Chikaru… I think…” As she finished her sentence, the orange-hued light enveloped them fully, and in a single blink they were put inside the base from earlier.

Just a simple-shaped room with a desk and tons of scribbles and notes of seals stuck all around. The only new thing that changed was that it was more cleaned up and there was a shelf with various weird goods.

“I can't believe you actually took him back.” A small whispering voice from underneath Sorin shifted the air. He took a look down, seeing Chikaru, whose red hair was a bit messy from all the nights she stayed over working on seals. She also seemed tired, with small dark circles under her ash eyes.

Sorin noticed all these details as she stayed under his legs, clearly not wanting to move. There was a piece of paper under her hand as well, and in the other was an inked pen to draw seals. “Are you doing alright… You seem rather exhausted?” His voice rang with genuine concern. He didn't need to know her to know that she was definitely not taking care of herself.

“Keep your concern to yourself. I sometimes stay up the whole night to do seal testing. That is why my ITNSOC works perfectly in just three months. I'm very proud.” Her deadpan voice, however, made it seem sarcastic that she was proud of this. “Go to the desk. I'd rather not have to keep looking up at you. Just get out of here already.”

Ino butted in. “You always shoo me out! And now you're even shooing Sorin out! How dare you, little seal maniac.” Her voice, however, had no edge to it, just clearly banter towards her. “Anyway, she's right; let's get to the desk. You're also staying here for the night and further on.”

“Don't snore,” Chikaru commented while scribbling.

From what I'm getting, Chikaru and Ino seem to be only coworkers, and she doesn't seem the type that I should be suspicious of, especially with her total disinterest in me. But I might just be paranoid because she's with Ino.

“I do need a nap, thanks, Ino.” He gave her a genuine smile.

“Fine, whatever! Three months and now you're forcing me to wait another day when my beautiful hands are finally laid all over you. What sort of student is this, lazy? I'm going to slam you with homework and tests if you keep this up tomorrow," her voice boomed across the room.

“Shut up already,” Chikaru commented again, her hands still kept scribbling.

“Don't make me cut your funding, little squirrel, you haven't left this room in days!”

Sorin took a sigh out towards the lone bed in the corner for him; that was the only change other than the cleanliness after all. He put his staff down, but his eyes lingered on the hand that was completely healed now.

That magic was extraordinary. I need to learn it; that way I can save more people.

He slumped on the bed, closing his eyes.

Just today I can rest; if anything, I did a lot. I got rid of Capolot, but I'm not happy either; he was just a tool and followed orders. I don't want to kill anyone in the Umbra squad; I want to get rid of the leader who ordered this.

He moved his hand to his side, feeling the fabric like something felt empty.

Sadly, I don't have Claya next to me like before the fight; we had a small nap together, though I could tell she didn't get a wink of rest, making sure to look out for anyone approaching. I really want to go back one day; I need to handle this entire situation.

His eyes slowly closed as he firmly pressed the fabric one more time.