My steps were careful as we walked down the hallway, she was taking me somewhere and I didn't dare go against it.
If I would take a guess it's most likely the infirmary.
But the revelation that I was inside the body of a banshee, a being that's not human was rather difficult to fathom.
Despite my poor memory, I don't ever remember choosing anything that's non-human.
The reaction of those we passed by, the disgust and the hint of fear on their faces, I don't know if I can handle it long-term.
System...
Why would you put me in this body?
These people don't even seem to care about my visible injuries as I literally have blood on the crook of my neck.
But banshees... Aren't they predominantly female? I'm a male...
Also, does that mean I have the most annoying scream? What's it called? I think it was keening.
Once I'm alone, in an area where no one can hear it, I'll scream my heart out to test it.
But I do wonder, how was this boy named Luden conceived? Who are 'my' parents?
I have so many questions!
Whether they're both banshees or how rare male banshees are! But one thing kept creeping in my mind...
Was Luden suicidal because of the way these people treated him? And this girl, why is she sticking up for me, fully knowing I'm an omen of death?
She did say I saved her, a human.
Sigh—
There's so much to learn...
I felt a sudden headache...
» [SYSTEM]: Memory Fragment Triggered
» [SOURCE]: Deep rooted Trauma within Luden's cognitive.
In a flash—
A child's voice, "You Monster! Get away!"
A bunch of junk hurled at me, "We don't want your kind in our city!"
That's insane...
And the same girl protected me, I appreciate her kind gesture, but why does it make me mad that Luden wasn't fighting back?
In my eyes, his so weak.
Perhaps I'm just being short-sighted.
» [Fragment Ended]:
I felt lightheaded after that—I already know that I'm gonna be experiencing it multiple times, I'll just have to mentally prepare myself.
"Are you okay, Lud?" she asked. She must've noticed my headache.
---
I still couldn't speak properly, all I could do was offer a warm smile. Given my fairly handsome face, I was confident it had some charm.
Still, she looked a bit taken aback, was she not used to this kind of gesture from Luden? Even so, she smiled back at me.
"We're almost there. You can patch yourself up in my room."
Where not going to the infirmary? That's a surprise, Not that I was complaining. The idea of being in her room made my heart somewhat... race.
Was this normal for Luden?
Although we don't seem to be in an intimate relationship, She's more like a caring friend, and there's not a single sign of us being a couple.
Unless I'm being dense as hell... and this is just how she shows affection.
Still, assuming things can be dangerous. One wrong move based on a false assumption could cost me.
---
In the hallway, there were some stone steps, we moved up but we were met with the same repulsive gazes from the students descending.
I don't think I'll ever get used to this...
But I'm grateful that I have yet to hear any harsh comments, They mostly focused on avoiding us rather than participating in any form of confrontation.
Banshees must have a negative reputation in this world...
!!!
Interesting—why can I taste their fear the moment they lay their eyes on me?
And strangely… it's tempting. An instinctual urge to feed off that fear.
I can feel my mouth, filling with saliva…
» [WARNING]: Player, restrain your instincts. Do not risk your destiny…
But the longer I stay slung over this girl's shoulder, the more the craving fades.
It isn't really me resisting—it feels like a lingering remnant of the original Luden's nature, one that dissipates whenever she was near.
I managed to calm down...
I still don't know her name, but I'm impressed, she doesn't seem mentally and emotionally affected by the people around her. I'm not sure how old she was, but her mental strength was formidable.
I want to see her stats...
» [ERROR]: I cannot scan living beings—unlock the blasphemy crest for scanning such things.
But you can with items and objects, right?
» Yes...
I see, I'll set aside my curiosity for now...
As we walked, the second floor was scattered with fallen leaves. I stepped on a few, hearing the crunch beneath my feet.
Their colors… I found them oddly charming.
But I must say, if it weren't for the oppressive atmosphere, this place would've been peaceful and serene.
This entire place pulls from a mix of Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-20th-century British influences...
But how do I know those terms...?
» [WARNING]: I advised to not dwell on such Irrelevant thoughts.
» Would you care to redirect your focus to the scenic view of the school grounds?
...Sure... Why not...
» [NOTICE]: A wise decision...
The system, it's neither with me nor against me.
I don't have much control over it. It has a mind of its own.
Ahem—
The second floor overlooked the outer grounds. From here, I could make out the narrow streets past the university buildings, and it's people from students to teachers going about their day.
The air was fresh. Tall trees stood high, soaring through the upper floors. I lack information about the seasons, but if I had to guess, it would obviously be fall.
Though, aren't we in a tower?
I'm interested in how the day and night cycle works in this world.
Or are there even stars and other planets in the endless sky of the tower?
Hmmm, interesting. Why do I feel like I already know the answers to my questions? I just can't remember them when I need them.
...Wait...
My eyes find themselves distracted... The girl, as I walked beside her, her red-pink hair complemented the current season.
It's as if I'm viewing a painting...
---
"We're here! Make yourself at home."
Time flew by in an instant, and before I knew it, we were standing in front of her dorm room. It had bear-like designs on the outside.
Does she like... bears?
We stepped inside and to my surprise, it felt… relaxing. I expected something overly feminine, but instead, I was met with a cozy place.
The interior resembled a small cottage.
She seems well off, definitely not poor, but not extravagantly wealthy either. I'm still unsure if she's a noble, but with looks like that, she easily be one.
She guided me to sit on a wooden chair beside a matching table. At its center sat an adorable plush teddy bear holding a heart.
Another bear.
That's adorable.
"Here..." she handed me biscuits on a plate. They were sweet and crisp—the crunch was noticeable and oddly satisfying.
What brand of biscuits is this?!
They're god-like!
Though… there's a damn bolt-action sniper rifle hanging on her wall! Ammunition on her desk, are those bear traps? Is this American?!
(The bolt-action sniper rifle looked similar to a M1903 Springfield.)
I never would've guessed she was a hunter or a sniper. She was so caring, I was convinced she had to be a medic!
"Wait here," she said, heading over to a small countertop tucked in the corner of the room.
She began to brew coffee. The aroma was enticing. In just a moment, she returned and handed me a clean brown mug.
It's caramel coffee. How nice.
"You can rest in my dorm for now," she said.
"How's your throat? Can you try saying anything?"
I placed my index finger on my neck, trying to gauge if I could speak now.
The girl sat beside me, watching closely—waiting for me to say something.
All of a sudden, I was nervous...
Why was she looking at me like that? Her light purple eyes were… mesmerizing.
What was I even supposed to say?
I opened my mouth and just went with the first thing that came to mind.
"You're Beautiful."
... The silence was loud...
» [NOTICE]: Bold decision player—but why...
What do you mean by 'Why?!'
---
She looked a bit taken aback, but not offended, which was a relief.
Still, I have to admit, I didn't expect my voice to sound so… smooth.
I was bracing for something hoarse, maybe even unbearable—being a Banshee and all.
"You never once called me that. I didn't know you were capable of… complimenting people, Luden," she said, a smug expression playing on her face.
To her, that must've been completely out of character for the original Luden.
"You did save my life just now. Thank you—" I replied.
That's a safe line… right? But she kept staring at me... I think I might've made a mistake...
"Lud…" her voice was flat...
Am I picking the worst possible dialogue options?
» [SYSTEM]: Indeed you are.
No need to tell me. How about helping me out for once?
» [SYSTEM]: ...
No reply. As expected.
---
She sighed before speaking. "Remember when you saved me?" she said.
And just like that, I had the perfect chance to gather some context.
"Can you remind me what happened that day?" I asked.
She smiled, sitting nonchalantly on her chair. "That day's burned into my memory: me and my father running from the Karthalem, being chased by ghouls…"
…What?
…Ghouls?
"I was so young. The Karthalem had attacked the outskirts of the Leon Kingdom. My father and I, along with some of our subjects, were helping the farmers."
...Karthalem?
"There were so many of them. The ghouls tore through the village. Some tried to fight back… but I watched my father die. He was devoured right in front of me."
…God.
...That's awful.
...But how does Luden tie into all this?
I stayed silent. I didn't want to say anything that might pull her out of it.
"I ran into the woods and found an abandoned mansion. I didn't realize I'd wandered into the territory of the banshee queen…"
The WHAT?!!
Wait...
...Did I just make her relive a trauma?
"But then you showed up," she said: "A banshee."
"I thought it was the end. I really did."
"But then you raised your wand… and wiped out the ghouls with your Arts."
Do I have a wand? WHERE?!
"A banshee saved me that day."
…So that's why she's so attached to the original Luden...
...I felt guilty that she had to repeat that memory...
...I should've known...
---
"I'm sorry you lost your father that day..." I said. I was still waiting for a natural moment when she might say her name—it felt rude to ask directly.
Considering we might've known each other for years.
But to my worry she didn't respond. She was just staring at me, strangely.
Was she... suspicious of me?...
Already?...
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
...
..."No…"
..."Not at all—"
There was hesitation in her voice.
She sighs again.
"Lud, get yourself ready. You're supposed to meet the king later, remember? I'll guide you there," she said, abruptly standing up.
The atmosphere suddenly felt… wrong.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I'm heading back to the guest room where you... you know?" she said, her tone was awkward.
"I need to clean the mess: the broken mirror shards and you left your belongings there. I'll go grab them."
"Ah. I see."
I woke up in the guest room?
But I remember—the papers on the desk… the wand she mentioned… Luden's belongings might tell me more about him.
She turned toward the door, paused, then said:
"Lud, I can trust you, right?"
» [SYSTEM]: Say "Yes."
???
"Of course. You can always trust me—" I said, though I knew I was just following the system's instruction.
She gave me a small but soft smile before turning to leave.
"Good."
"Do your best, Mister Banshee."
Chapter End.