The carriage wheels ca to a gentle stop as they arrived at the Academy grounds. Reinhard stepped down first, his boots eting the familiar cobblestone pathway.
The grand building of the Academy was on display with familiar arched windows and the sprawling courtyards where students moved between classes.
Marie hopped down next, followed by Joseph, who stretched his arms above his head with a satisfied groan. Janus descended more carefully, his expression relaxed despite everything.
Brunhilde walked down with a faint smile, and Rosaria erged last. Her silvery-lavender hair flowed behind her as she surveyed the Academy entrance. Her crimson eyes swept across the familiar surroundings before settling on the group before her.
"Marie, Joseph, and Janus," Rosaria said, her voice carrying clear authority. "Go with Brunhilde to Principal Klaus’s office."
Joseph blinked, confusion crossing his features. "What about Rein?"
Marie tilted her head, her light-gold eyes sparkling with curiosity as she looked between Rosaria and Reinhard. Janus simply chuckled lightly, as if already suspecting what was coming.
Without warning, Rosaria reached out and grabbed Reinhard’s arm firmly. "I’m taking him to Celestia for a checkup. Now, on your way."
Before Reinhard could protest, Rosaria was already pulling him away from the group. He had just enough ti to see Marie giggling behind her hand, waving goodbye with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Joseph joined in with his own wave, grinning broadly, while Janus added a more subtle gesture. Brunhilde stood behind them all, her smile growing with clear amusent at the scene.
Reinhard sighed, the sound carrying both resignation and acceptance, but he didn’t fight against Rosaria’s pull. His feet carried him forward as she led him deeper into the Academy.
The corridors stretched before them, familiar and bustling with life. Students filled the hallways, all wearing the sa black and white uniforms that marked them as Academy mbers. The fabric rustled as they moved, creating a constant whisper of sound that echoed off the stone walls.
As Rosaria walked, sothing remarkable happened. Students parted before her like water before a ship’s bow.
So simply stepped aside with knowing expressions, creating a clear path. Others actively waved at her, their faces lighting up with recognition and respect. Still others bowed slightly, their movents reverent, beaming at her with obvious admiration.
Reinhard found himself truly seeing Rosaria’s reputation and popularity for the first ti. It wasn’t just respect but also genuine affection mixed with awe. She wasn’t simply a teacher here but soone these students looked up to with absolute trust.
They turned down several corridors, passing classrooms where lectures were in progress, training halls where the clash of weapons rang out, and study areas where students hunched over books and scrolls.
Finally, they reached the dical Section of the Academy.
The atmosphere changed imdiately. The walls here were painted in softer colors, pale blues and gentle creams that promoted calm. The scent of herbs spread in the air, mixed with sothing else that Reinhard couldn’t quite identify but found soothing nonetheless.
Rosaria led him to a room at the end of a quieter hallway before she pushed the door open without knocking, as expected.
Inside, Celestia was already waiting.
The head doctor stood near a window, light streaming around her in a way that made her seem almost ethereal. Her hair was a cascade of white mixed with gold that flowed over her shoulders. She wore an indigo hood with intricate patterns across it that resembled constellations against the velvet expanse of a night sky. Stars seed to twinkle within the fabric itself.
Beneath the hood, a dress swirled in cream and white silk, the material so fine it appeared to float around her form. A deep navy bow cinched at her waist, providing a striking contrast. More celestial patterns danced across the skirt, visible with each movent.
Celestia’s face brightened imdiately upon seeing them. "How are you doing, Reinhard?"
"I’m doing fine," Reinhard replied, stepping further into the room as Rosaria closed the door behind them with a soft click.
Celestia nodded before saying. "Well, Rosaria gave the gist of what happened during the carriage ride back."
Reinhard blinked, surprise flickering across his face. "When were we sleeping?"
Rosaria nodded without hesitation. "It was to save ti. And maybe to see if Celestia could look up any similar cases like this."
Reinhard raised an eyebrow, a hint of incredulity entering his voice. "You really find it hard to believe I’m fine?"
Rosaria’s response ca swiftly and pointed. "If it were Klein or Anna, would you be fine with just them saying they were fine?"
The question made Reinhard fall silent. He thought of his siblings and imagined them falling into that crimson-black tide, being exposed to billions of curses and sins. The re thought of accepting "I’m fine" from them made his chest tighten.
He sighed, the sound carrying defeat and understanding. "No. I wouldn’t."
Celestia giggled softly before saying. "Well, after hearing what Rosaria told about you falling into a crimson-black tide that held billions of curses and sins, I can see why she’s so worried." Her expression grew more serious, though the warmth never left her eyes. "I didn’t find anything exactly similar to this particular situation, but I did find information about curses in general. So curses hide deep within a person before appearing later down the line, or they erupt when specific conditions are t."
Reinhard nodded slowly, absorbing this information. "I don’t think that would be a problem because Angra Mainyu should be able to stop it."
He raised his right hand, the movent deliberate and asured. His fingers found the edge of his Mythic Key gloves, and he peeled them off. The glove ca away to reveal the back of his right hand.
There, in stark contrast against his skin, was a new symbol.
A crown sat atop a sun split perfectly in half, the division running clean through the center. A mask covered the sun’s face, hiding whatever might lie beneath. A serpent looped over everything, its scaled body winding through the design in elegant curves. Chains wrapped around the serpent, binding it in place. Two wings spread outward from the crown, extending toward the edges of his hand.
Rosaria and Celestia’s eyes widened simultaneously, shock registering on both their faces.
"You gained another one?" Rosaria muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Disbelief colored every word. "And this ti it was from the source of the curses itself?"
Reinhard nodded before saying. "Although it was very unexpected."
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