AThousandCurses

Iris Ascendis

Is that what they were doing? Chunji didn't precisely like the prospect of the request, but it would seem that there was little choice in the matter. It would've been easier if they had access to Essence, but it was a problem they would have to deal with. With a sigh, Chunji quickly approached Davil and adjusted his wheelchair before leaving the cart. "Well, we'll try our best," With a shrug, Chunji immediately hid in the chaos of the battlefield.

However, it was more challenging than expected. He wasn't a master of stealth, so naturally, some of the bandits head straight at him. Chunji wielded his poisoned scalpel in one hand and consecutively performed incisions on the bandits. The type of poison he applied was one he concocted himself during his training before his invitation to the academy. It was an amateurish cure that was based on eliminating the pathogens and all cells that were inflicted with the pathogens. Chunji had mixed some of his blood along with other remedial ingredients such as a lizard tail, rabbit fur, and some herbs that his mother grew.

It was amateurish and quickly discarded before Chunji decided to test it. The moment the scalpel melted through the bandit's Personal Barrier, it was clear that Chunji had made the right decision in not testing the poison on an innocent living being. The small incisions soon began to redden and blacken as they circulated through the bandit's body. It would seem that the Grand Lotus Serpent was entirely happy with the arrangement that one of its kin was no longer connected to it.

As his poisoned 'cure' and curse were completely independent of his body, Chunji would at least suspect that the ring wouldn't activate under these circumstances. He had no real control over what the Great Lotus Serpent's Curse did outside of his body.

Iris Ascendis

Chunji would have raised himself from his seat if he didn't have another coughing fit. Sitting back down, it left Chunji enough time to let the glimpse he had caught to simmer. An Easterner, just like himself. If he had felt any better maybe he'd try to greet the man warmly and offer him a cup of warm water.

It'd be nice to watch the man writhe in pain while choking the water down his throat.

Though as things stand he and Davil were most likely liabilities. While his swordsmanship would suffice in a basic self defense scenario, this cursed cough would leave him vulnerable in an opportune time. Seeing as neither his superiors nor peers were doing anything, Chunji was about to relax as he looked over to his peer. "Otis-"

Four bangs.

He was about to say 'stop' but too late for that. Whatever the peaceful plan was crumbled without a slightest hint of communication. Though Chunji wasn't naive to think there was a peaceful solution for this at all. At the moment of escalation, Chunji drew out a scalpel. Apply a healthy amount of deadly poison belonging from his parent's garden, Chunji was prepared to retaliate with a sneak attack.

Hopefully these carriages were reinforced enough that a massive explosion wouldn't absolutely obliterate them all.

Iris Ascendis

Chunji turned and smiled at Davil. "I'm fine, thank-" Before he erupted into another coughing fit. It was nice Davil was being considerate, unlike his grouchy roommate. There was multiple of variables that soured their relationship, but it was most likely personal incompatiability from the start. Still, it did mean in social situations he could make fun of Rio. "Yeah? You don't seem too good for yourself, Rio. Weren't you slouching more than a monosloth?" Now how would he be able to piss off Rio.

"Though as Davil said, I have been through a lot yesterday. From fighting, to running around the academy, and the stresses of it all. I have reason to be tired. You on the otherhand? All you did was bluster and have a fight with Professor Alto. You make it sound like you took a three week long jog. Or was it the fuzzy pop." A grin that Rio would find most annoying would appear on Chunji's face. He needed to sound this more dramatically than possible. What would Emelie would say in this situation?

"Wingram Student taken down by a late night fizzy pop. Said student found himself to be grouchy and irritable in the midst of day having lost his battle against carbonation. That sounds like a dramatic headline, won't you think?" Suddenly, Chunji's eyes brightened as he thought of an idea most ingenious. "I should write up a paper about the detrimental effects of pop on the human body. You'll be the prime example of it Rio, but being generous I am, I'll give you an option to omit your name from the paper." He nodded to Davil's speech about rest but his eyes laser focused on Rio. "Please drink slowly, Rio. I must make an observation for the paper."

Though the carriage rolled to a stop. They weren't far in the ride, so a break shouldn't be been settled yet. Any evidence of a joking demeanor disappeared from Chunji's face. Even when he was talking, Chunji would have heard something occur outside the carriage if it was chaotic.

"If I may inquire. What is the schedule of our travel?" The question wasn't direct at anyone. He'd just follow the someone's example to react accordingly.

Iris Ascendis

Rio's bold assertion wouldn't yield a response from Chunji. While it was true Ciara deserved some sort of punishment in reparation for those she hurt, Chunji couldn't see anything good out of this. Even if she did come out of this alive, her victim complex would no doubt worsen from the entire ordeal. By the time Otis chimed into the conversation, Chunji stopped paying to the attention in the entirety. The end result of Ciara's trial mattered little to Chunji anyway. If she was let free, then so be it. If she incarcerated, then so be it. There little at personal stake for Chunji. He wasn't close with Ciara and he was only grateful for helping him rescue Davil. Though that was also a can of worms.

What Chunji was more concerned about was something else entirely. His personal health. There was a faint irritation in his eyes along with the burning sensation that permeated his skin throughout the night. His body felt as if it was on fire, but he had already performed a basic examination on himself. Everything was fine, his body didn't have any symptoms to conclude that he obtained an illness. That only led him to only rational conclusion.

A burning house. A forgotten duty. A sin bared in blood.

"Urk..." Violent coughs erupted from Chunji as he covered his mouth. Each incrementally more hurtful than the last. After the coughing fit had passed, Chunji was granted some reprieve. "My apologizes, it seems that I have caught something." A quick excuse and a swift retrieval of a mask. All he needed to do was pass through the week and it'll all be over. He could do this, he's been through worse.

Iris Ascendis

Expect a late response from me. I have two exams this week.

Iris Ascendis

"You said you were a part of nobility, correct? Buying seven carriages, one for each day of the week, that are customized by master artisans, along with hiring the chauffeur, gathering the finest horses, and more, should equate to less than 1% of your total wealth. Do not worry; you may think that it is too little. I've considered it, and the total cost will be what I said earlier but multiplied by six." A faint smug look appeared on Chunji's face as he presented the information to Steeler. He had heard brief tales about the wealth of the nobility from his peers when he passed by. Some say that they can buy houses that are as big as mountains, some say they ride a different carriage depending on their mood, and they eat the finest foods. By his estimates, Steeler should be foot whatever he had put on his list.

Wiping the sweat off his neck, that smug look disappeared as he looked at Davil. "You shouldn't thank me. Ventaura and Kyrios did most of the work. I'm sure Arillo had a hand in it as well." There was little to take pride in his part. Ciara and Iraleth fought off the Umbralist while Otis used his usual backstage tactics. That was all the credit that Chunji could give to them. Though speaking of Ciara, the topic of her soured the mood of the group.

Hildegrunde was comatose. Dayin had informed him when his peer had arrived in the makeshift treatment room. Chunji could only infer that she was incapacitated but comatose. "I'll have to pay a visit to Ms. Nachtnebel when the trial is over." It was regretful that Hildegrunde had been put into her current condition by their own classmate. He knew Ciara was aggressive when provoked, but he thought she would go this far.

"Understood." With that, Chunji would go up the carriage with Davil and their respective mannequins. Davil was still an injured person, after all, and it'd probably be comforting to be in the company of someone that wasn't an autonomous object of wood. He took his seat and waited for the travel to start. It would be an agonizing wait until they arrived.

Iris Ascendis

Ngl, I think Ciara needs a mega lawyer.

Iris Ascendis

The dread underneath his skin persisted through the escapes of sleep. Small dark bags started below Chunji's eyes, and he seemed sluggish. The mannequin had brought Rio and himself out the moment they were both awake and ready. It was a quiet morning, given their unamiable relationship. Aside from that, the entire Compact 3 seemed to arrive on time. Even the ones were confined to the clinic. Though Chloe received a gaze of acknowledgment, Davil didn't receive the same treatment.

Chunji's eyes locked on his almost-killed classmate from yesterday in a most intense stare. There were answers that Chunji desired, and who better to ask than the prime victim of the incident yesterday? "Davil. Steeler." A greeting was issued to both of them as they were wheeled up to the group. They seemed better than before, but Chunji knew better than to judge the book by its cover.

"I see you are both looking better than the last time we saw each other. That is good." He needed to figure out how to get rid of the mannekins, so that he could talk in privacy. Without his magic or Ethos, he'd need to find a course of action. "Also, Steeler, I have compiled a list of demands as you requested. As of right now, there are fifty items I have decided on. Additionally, the list may become larger as time goes on." It was a mixture of basic necessities or outlandish desires that Chunji came up with as he awaited for sleep to take him.

For now, he was intent on staying close by to Steeler and Davil. He didn't want to particularly associate himself with his other classmates more than necessary. That goal had already burned to ash when everything fell apart yesterday.

There was one other person that would join with them, but Chunji paid him no mind. The man already state his purpose of being here and if the rest of the faculty agreed, then Chunji found no will to argue about it either.

Iris Ascendis

The way back to the dormitory was met with complete silence. Otis and himself didn't exchange any words as they were escorted into the respective rooms. Unlike Otis, Chunji was greeted with a familiar yet unfriendly face. Rio, as expected, didn't seem entirely happy that Alto managed to catch up on his return trip. Where Rio went was not Chunji's concern; he didn't get involved in a perilous situation like Davil or Steeler.

"Soft drinks are ill-advised to be consumed prior to rest," Chunji began. Yes, Chunji was more concerned about Rio's diet than he was about where he went. "It is common knowledge that soft drinks tend to contain high concentrations of caffeine and sugar..." For the next ten minutes, Chunji elaborated on the health issues related to consuming soft drinks before bed. Connecting the fact that most soft drinks, including 'Feemie's Fizzyfun', have around 40% of sugar for daily consumption to the body's reception of sugars and caffeine. In conclusion, Rio will have a harder time sleeping.

For the past ten minutes, Rio was forced to listen to the elaborate explanation of why sugary drinks are bad before sleep. If Rio was intuitive enough, he could detect ill intent, but Chunji didn't display any in his tone or expression.

"I would suggest consuming water or any substitute that doesn't have amounts of sugar in it." Finally, the obvious conclusion came. Chunji finally decided to lie down on his bed and closed his eyes. However, the act of resting didn't mean the immediate state of unconsciousness. There were a few minutes of silence before Chunji spoke up again.

"Steeler and Davil were stable the last time I saw them. I will not question your whereabouts as they aren't my concern. What is my concern is the wellbeing of individuals I am aware of. With two students being attacked, another being held under suspicion of being an Umbralist, and another incapacitated for the foreseeable future, I thought being prudent was the best course of action. That is all." With that, Chunji spoke no more. Rio didn't care for reasoning, but reasonings were all Chunji could provide. The only reason Chunji explained himself was to alleviate the sense of stress he now endured.

While he could no longer use essence, the feeling of snakes slithering through his skin became more prominent. No matter how much time has passed, no matter what obstacles sealed them away, they were always with him. Thicker than blood, the covenant that was made at conception was eternal.

His blood boiled, yet his skin felt as if it was cold as a corpse. Nausea swept through his stomach, and his eyes began straining from a non-existent light source. Although Chunji was impassive, there was a certain feeling in his heart. Fear. Fear for not being able to fulfill his life-long contract, fear for the loss of connection, and fear of failure.

His breaths evened out as he calmed himself. It was only seven days. At the end of those seven days, the nullification ring would come off, and everything would return to normal. Then, he'd find himself a routine to immerse himself in. Talk to Professor Lumyr, study at the library, and attend classes. That is all he had to do once everything returned to normal.

Iris Ascendis

Birds of a feather flock together.