Abyssal Awakening

It didn't take long for Ria to come back from the space that Kaden prepared but her expression didn't look well.

Her face was pale and she didn't want to talk just yet. She simply apologised to Alice before returning to her room, causing Alice to wonder about what Kaden even showed her for her to be like this.

Once she was sure that Ria was safe and back, Alice made her way out of the dorms and towards the campus.

Just as she stepped out of her room, she remembered a question she should've asked Kaden.

'I should've asked her what's up with the principal's appearance.' Alice sighed.

[If mine master wishes to know I can answer that for you.] Cayla spoke up.

Once again, Alice was reminded just how nice it was for Cayla to be awake. A lot of her questions that she couldn't get answers from could now be answered because she was here.

[The Crimson Witch of Ruin is a vampiric type of beast who can be considered to be the best at using Blood based powers below the level of Lord. They take attributes of whoever's blood they drink and the stronger their opponent is, the more potent this attribute becomes. For the principal, I can only assume she drank Allura's blood at some point when I was sleeping.

[Knowing what Allura is like and her powers, it's only natural that her appearance hasn't changed in years since none of the blood she drinks would've been potent enough to override the influence of Allura's power.] Cayla explained as she lay lazily on her bed.

'I see… So what happens if she drinks my blood then? Would she look like me since my blood is basically concentrated Abyss Blood?'

[She'll probably die.] Cayla replied bluntly.

With Alice's blood right now, having Abyss Lord souls mixed into her spiritual heart, anyone who comes into contact with her blood through ingestion would die in due time. Even without Sigil powers, her blood was akin to a poison with no antidote.

In essence, similar to Famine's power though Alice's blood can be forcefully expelled with enough power.

'Speaking of drinking your blood, what do you think happened to the b*tch that killed Lilia?' Alyss asked as Alice's expression turned dark.

During her fight against Gallard, she had poured her blood into the mouth of Bella, the one responsible for everything that happened to Ria. Gallard also got some blood but compared to what she fed Bella, it was nothing.

[I'm assuming her state wouldn't be good. But the potency of your blood only began to shine after your second Sigil. Before that, it's comparable to impure Abyss Blood so she's probably suffering from side effects but she's still alive to some degree.

[Plus I doubt Theron is someone who'll let his wife die to something like this.] Cayla recalled as Alice was surprised she knew them.

[Allura mentioned them when you were sleeping and I overheard. I know about Theron, he's an Abyss Lord of one of the central territories. His title is a bit unique even amongst Abyss Lords. When the Will grants a title to a Lord, it's usually their authority followed by the moniker of Abyss Lord. However, his title is simply [Slayer].

He's someone who reached the realm of Abyss Lord through martial arts and physical reinforcement and honestly, the worst match up for you.]

Hearing this, Alice furrowed her brows as her revenge seemed so close yet at the same time, so far. With Bella being guarded by an Abyss Lord, a physical fighter type at that, it's going to be hard for her to achieve her desired goal.

'Why did the Will even give him the title of Slayer? I thought it would've called him Abyss Lord of Slaughter or something.' Alyss folded her arms.

[Because he reached his current level by killing three Abyss Lords while he was at six Sigils.]

After fighting against Abyss Lords herself, Alyss knew what kind of danger they posed, especially if they didn't have the absurd ability of stealing powers and Sigils like her and Alice.

So for Theron to have killed three Abyss Lords and even for the Will to grant him the title of [Slayer] then it's not a revenge they can treat lightly.

Killing Bella means making an enemy out of Theron.

'Why hasn't he made a move yet then?' Alice asked curiously while taking the train towards the Research Department. She received several strange glances mixed with fear but she ignored that for now.

[Because of Allura and Gin. Theron is an old… acquaintance. They can't be considered friends but they've done jobs for each other. Theron knows that coming to kill you means incurring the wrath of both Allura and Gin, something he can't afford unless he's willing to die with everyone.

[I'm guessing he's going to try to bargain with you if the two of you ever meet and you try to kill his wife.]

'I'll pass. I'm not letting Bella live.' Alice narrowed her eyes. She refused to let the killer of her first friend off like this.

Hearing this, Alyss grinned as she was of the same thought.

Stepping off the train, Alice could see the Research Department that she had visited since she was helping Arunya with her experiments.

Figuring that she could probably ask Arunya to introduce her to her head of Department, Alice made her way up to Arunya's labs.

Knocking on her door, Alice could hear the sounds of movement from behind as it was soon unlocked with a click and Arunya opened the door.

"Ah… It's you. Have you rested up after your incident in the Inverted World?" Arunya asked monotonously as usual but Alice could tell that she was worried.

"Yes I have. What about you? I know you were trying for the Special Class test right?" Alice asked as Arunya invited her into the labs.

"Don't remind me. Because of the incident with the Inverted World, the exams were postponed for now. Those that were going for the Special Class exams like me will be evaluated at another time."

Hearing this, Alice coughed awkwardly since she was the source of the abnormalities with the exam.

"Tea?" Arunya offered as Alice thought for a moment before nodding her head.

She could see that Arunya had just finished an experiment.

"So how may I help you today? Or are you here to borrow some equipment? I can see that you've undergone… some changes after going into the Inverted World. The crown's disappeared and your left eye has changed." Arunya asked.

Their contract was long fulfilled and there was no reason for Alice to be here today unless she needed something that Arunya could help with.

"Ah I'm not looking to borrow equipment today. I was wondering if you could introduce me to the Department Head of Theory. I had applied to the Combat Department before but after the Inverted World, I wanted to do more research regarding Abyss Blood as a focus rather than fighting." Alice scratched her cheek.

Even with her side effects preventing her from expressing her emotions and forcing her to speak in a monotonous tone, Arunya stared at Alice for a long minute before letting out a sigh.

"Are… You sure you wish to see the Department Head?" Arunya asked hesitantly.

"Is there an issue?" Alice tilted her head.

"She is in love with the Abyss, beasts and blood. By love, I don't mean as a hobby. She is a deviant when it comes to that kind of thing. Seeing as how your eye and crown changed, she'll be very interested in finding out about that."

Thinking about it, Alice figured that it shouldn't be too bad. It wasn't like she didn't see the Department Head of Theory during the exam and when she did, she seemed fine.

Seeing Alice's expression, Arunya sighed inwardly as it was probably better for her to see Elara for herself before judging.

"I don't mind introducing you to her, but I suggest you see her for yourself before making a decision. You can still borrow my equipment even if you go to the combat department so it's not like it's impossible."

Finishing her tea, the two left the labs while Arunya locked the doors behind her.

As per usual, she made her way to the food court to pick up some lunch for Elara so that she didn't starve, confusing Alice since Elara is a grown adult.

She should be able to take care of herself to some extent.

However, Arunya simply replied saying that Elara gets a little carried away when she finds something she likes and forgets to eat or sleep.

"It's not like she can't survive without food but it'll be a pain if she dies." That was her main reason.

Taking the train to Elara's Labs, Alice was surprised to see the Department Head living in this kind of space, detached and tucked away in the corner of the Academy grounds.

The same was true for Xinbei, making Alice wonder if this was the standard between all the Department Heads.

Knocking on the door, Arunya cleared her throat.

"Professor, I'm here. I've brought a guest so please make yourself presentable." Arunya shouted out.

"Ah! Send them away. I'm… Ah! A little busy right now." Elara shouted back as Arunya froze up, realising that Elara must be exploring her own body again.

Glancing back, she could see Alice looking clueless at what the sounds were and sighed inwardly.

"Sorry Alice, seems like she's… busy with experiments for now. I'll arrange another time for you okay?" Arunya sighed as Alice nodded her head, grateful that Arunya was willing to arrange a time.

*BANG!!!

"?!?!"

At that moment, the door was kicked open as Arunya jumped in surprise despite her neutral expression.

She could see Elara with her hastily put-on clothes and a flushed expression.

Upon seeing Alice, her legs trembled before she tried her best to compose herself.

"Ahem. Did I say I was busy? I mean sorry, give me a moment to clean up after my… experiments. I'll be right with you." She smiled before slamming the door closed.

At this moment, Arunya couldn't help but feel as though she sent Alice into the tiger's den.

The only reason for Elara to have this kind of reaction is…

Her pupils shrunk as she snapped her head towards Alice's direction.

'Oh f*ck.'