Summoned and Unwanted

After spending some time conversing with one another, Vincent paid Byron and looked at the cabin. “I name you Pocket Cabin.” He said before storing the cabin.

Byron smirked when Vincent named the cabin. It made him remember his younger days when he named a few of the early buildings he was in charge of.

*Emerald Lionheart Mansion*

Vincent returned to the mansion. He went to meet and chat with everyone before going to Sakura as it started to be the normal way to spend a Sunday.

The great responses and the smiles of the children made his heart relax that another safe week had passed. The mansion remained a place where one could relieve any concerns.

As he entered the kitchen, Sakura eating an apple, entered his view. It was a unique sight since she normally locks herself in the workshop.

Sakura grabbed another apple and smiled at Vincent. She winked at him and left from the kitchen’s back door. “Looks like she wants me to follow her.” He said to Yula.

Yula smiled and moved her head, signaling to go after Sakura.

.....

‘This feels a little embarrassing, to be honest. Do I have privacy left anymore?’ Vincent pondered while leaving the kitchen and meeting with Sakura.

“I heard something happened.” *Munch* “Could you tell me in detail?” Sakura asked while taking a bite of the apple.

Vincent explained what happened on the way to the workshop. His poker face of everything was fine waned, and Sakura noticed Vincent was sad about what happened and worried about Kazumi.

“I hope Kazumi can recover soon. ” Sakura said. She opened the door and continued, “Let me lift up your spirits.”

“Huh?...”

*Bam!* The workshop door closed after a demon pulled her prey inside, and the building did its best to resist what was happing inside.

A few hours later...

Vincent sat on a chair and showed Sakura the paintings. As he expected, Sakura looked sad she wasn’t in the picture with them. However, Kazumi had suggested an alternative when the event with Jun Ye Rim didn’t happen yet.

“A figurine of me made out of wood?” Sakura’s eyes were sparkling with the inspiration to create a masterpiece. One where Vincent could remember her at the slightest glance.

*Tap* Vincent placed his hand on her shoulder and said, “The figurine doesn’t need to be perfect. How about giving me a wooden figurine made in one hour?”

“But...”

“It doesn’t need to be perfect, Sakura.” Vincent shook his head. “What happens when a perfect object is made?”

“Keep it safe?” Sakura guessed.

“Yep. Think about it, Sakura. How can I place a masterpiece in a visible location if it is so precious? How can people see you then?”

Sakura blushed. She became happy to hear how Vincent wanted to place a wooden figurine of her for people to see. Her heart fluttered, and the subject on the figurine flashed in her mind.

It was the happiest moment of her life and the most stressful as well. A memory she could never forget.

Sakura quickly grabbed a log and a very sharp knife. As the knife touched the hard surface of the wood, the blade cut like a slightly dull knife cutting an apple. Not too soft, yet not too hard.

Vincent spent an hour watching. He wondered if the wood was a fake, yet he saw the log turn into a wooden figurine of a woman with horns.

The face wasn’t detailed, yet by the composition of the quickly carved eyes, shaped nose, and tiny slit making a mouth, the face resembled that of a beautiful and feminine woman.

The figure wore a dress with a long skirt, making it seem like a wedding dress. In her arms was a bouquet of flowers as well.

“One Sakura. Two Sakura. Hmm... now I can’t decide which is the real one.” Vincent joked.

“Is it that good? I feel it didn’t come out too well.” Sakura felt it wasn’t perfect enough. But the smile on Vincent’s face eased her worry that her work wasn’t good enough.

“Yes. I love it.” Vincent praised.

Sakura decided to concede. Watching Vincent stop looking uneasy and anxious because of Kazumi made her glad the ordinary quality figurine pleased him.

“It’s great that your expression looks better now. You look like the Vincent I know now.” Sakura expressed how she felt during their time together.

“I tried to hide it since we don’t have much time together. I am sorry for making you...”

“I understand. Kazumi means a lot to you. I also understand you couldn’t show a lot of hostility, or the others might let anger speak for their actions.” Sakura interrupted.

Sakura, “It happened to me once. But you helped me decide to give someone a second chance. Now I am happy to take that chance instead of choosing death.”

Vincent, “Do you think I should give her a chance?”

Sakura, “You ripped her clothes. Then saw her without clothes. That means she has become bound to you by her race’s rules. But Vincent, do you want her as your woman?”

Vincent, “I don’t think she and I see each other as lovers or future lovers with what happened.”

Sakura, “The future isn’t set in stone. You mentioned how she has no one wanting her since she is a Soulmancer, and she has no place to go.”

Sakura, “I feel both of us aren’t that different. I don’t know if my family wants me. My blood isn’t pure anymore.”

Sakura shook her head to stop thinking about the past. The present time is important now, she believed.

“Why don’t you let Kazumi decide? If she doesn’t mind the elf’s actions, I will respect her wishes. ” Sakura proposed.

These words help Vincent understand how no one should truly remain alone. After becoming the leader of the pack, the support from those around him allowed his troubled mind to reach a decision.

Vincent, Lupa, Lilith, and Plow returned to team ten island.

They headed inside and saw Nick, Clair, Vivid, and Pussy eating in the kitchen. It was a surprising sight. Clair didn’t look afraid of Nick anymore. However, as expected, the four of them knew what had happened.

Nick, “Jun Ye Rim was fortunate to meet with you guys when she fell and broke her arm.”

Clair, “Jun Ye Rim must have felt a lot of pain. I will cook healthy food for her.”

Vivid, “I am ashamed I couldn’t assist master’s teammates.”

Pussy, “The injury looks severe. I wonder what kind of fall she fell from.” *Purr*

“Fell?... ahh, yes.” Vincent understood Ester and Iris lied about Jun Ye Rim’s condition. It made him wonder if Jun Ye Rim had woken up yet since the four of them were lied to so easily.

Vincent opened Jun Ye Rim’s bedroom door and saw Jun Ye Rim awake. He became surprised to see her awake.

“Vincent, you returned.” Both Ester and Iris said with a smile.

“Yeah. Can I talk to Jun Ye Rim alone?” Vincent requested.

Jun Ye Rim nervously trembled when Ester and Iris left the room without the slightest hesitation. As if they believed their man wasn’t going to assault her.

Vincent sat on a chair. He crossed his arms and said, “I have thought about it, and I decided that Kazumi will be the one to accept your apology or not. However, even if you feel bound to me as your man by the elven rule, I do not care about you as my woman. So live however you wish.”

“Rest and take it easy. Tomorrow, we will have the test. I hope I am not showing too much mercy after what...”

“I-I apologize!” Jun Ye Rim unexpectedly interrupted.

“I thought I would help someone for the first time in my life... but I made a mess... I am a cursed elf, much worse than you are. I bring trouble where ever I go like when I came here.” Jun Ye Rim looked depressed. She held her pained arm and regretted trying to make her life at least a little bit meaningful by saving someone from possession.

Vincent stood up and approached the door. He looked back and said, “Jun Ye Rim. We learn from our mistakes. I hope you can comprehend the importance of speaking to somebody before doing something big. That was your mistake. ”

“Good night, and try to speak more. ” Vincent said before closing the door.

“Huh?... Why am I... crying...” Jun Ye Rim couldn’t understand why her tears slid down her cheeks. She couldn’t understand how a few words could let her heart suddenly feel peaceful.

Vincent later learned from Ester and Iris what happened that day.

Ester and Iris mentioned how Jun Ye Rim became less stressed and nervous after they told her how they met Vincent and how they lived together after following him.

Jun Ye Rim even agreed with Ester’s lie of falling and breaking her arm. Still, she looked remorseful about what happened all the time, like a person waiting for her judgment.

‘Even if she wanted to help, Kazumi almost died, and I broke her arm. I want to hate her, but when I think how it was an act of help, I feel guilty for crushing her arm like that.’ Vincent pondered as he went to sleep. He hoped Kazumi’s voice would wake him up tomorrow.

*Day 112 – 29 September – Monday*

Monday morning arrived, yet Kazumi’s voice didn’t greet him like usual. He understood the saying of understanding what you lost after losing it.

Vincent and Lilith had a lot to prepare before going to the gathering area as the student academy card flashed to gather for an announcement.