n

n

n

"Time to set up an investigation!

" I exclaimed. My whole being was full of vigor. I was basically brimming with renewed energy that had been sucked away from the meeting earlier.

nI could ask Uno to investigate her, but that would be too much of a work for him if I asked for a thorough background search. Plus he is always on duty, so I'd rather contact a mercenary guild than impose on him.

n'I believe that there are mercenaries here…'

nIt was also written on the parchment. Nadia had contacted them before, to do dirty things for her. For example, kidnapping Estelle, and kidnapping everyone else's. Sometimes, some stupid **, but mostly for kidnapping people.

nI just need to ask Uno to bring me to one and make them do the work in exchange for money.

n'Good thing I have money, huh…'

nKuro swished five of his tails, as if he too, is also excited like me. I got up from the bed and went out of the room with Kuro hot on my tail. The five of my attendants were outside, patiently waiting, and had all stood in attention after seeing me.

n

"I'm going to meet Uno,

" I announced to them.

n

"Let us accompany you, milady,

" Erin offered.

n'It's not like I'm going outside the estate, but oh well. If that's what they want…'

nLily and Erin decided to go with me, while the rest would do their tasks that got put up when I returned. I told them that they could rest afterward before we set on our way.

nAs the three of us, err four because Kuro is with us after all, rounded the corner, Kai and Lost were both walking on the opposite. I spotted them immediately, and it was the same for them.

n'Ah! There they are!'

nWhen we got closer, I halted on my steps to greet them.

n

"Where did the both of you go?

" I asked.

n

"We were training in the forest,

" Kai answered.

nLook at this cute guy, being too passionate with his training. I thought they had gone somewhere far, that's why the people in the mansion have no clue.

n

"Can I talk to you for a moment?

" I said this to Lost in particular.

nKai curiously looked between the two of us, while Lost stares at me for a moment before finally nodding.

nHe must have seen how eager I was.

n

"Is there something going on?

" Kai inquired.

nI smiled at him and ruffled his slightly messy hair,

"Nothing you have to worry about. You should go and rest,

" then turned to Lost--

"Let's go to the library.

"

nI know that I have other things to do, but I'll just tell Uno about it later. It can wait. This issue though, if I didn't ask him today, I might forget it again. So it's better to do this now.

nLost followed me to the library, same as Kuro who always trails after me wherever I go. Both Erin and Lily retreated to give us some privacy, which is pretty much appreciated.

nNo one in this house, except Lost and the family doctor, knew about his real condition. I have no idea if Kai knows as well, but I would guess that he doesn't.

nThe two of us then sat down face to face on the sofa, and Kuro took his usual position, on the floor beside my feet.

nYou could feel the tension in the air as I was carefully thinking of how I would open the conversation.

nLost was silent and does not look like he is getting impatient. Though, I'm not sure.

n

"Uhh… How do I say this…

" I mumbled and looked at him with all seriousness,

"Can you tell me about yourself? The truth?

"

nLost blinked,

"Truth?

"

nI nodded in affirmation,

"Yes. The real you. I'm sure you have noticed that I already knew about you even before and that you have no pulse,

" I informed him.

nLost paused for a second before answering.

n

"Okay.

"

nI suddenly feel enthusiastic after hearing his answer. My long time question and wonder will now be answered!

n

"I am an Anima.

" He stated, not beating around the bush.

nI stared at him, having no clue what was that he said just now.

n

"Anima?

"

n

"Yes, an anima. Specifically, a Spirit type. Just like Kuro,

" he answered and glanced at the fox on my feet.

nIntuitively, I glanced at Kuro as well.

n

"Wait wait wait…

" I grumbled,

"Spirit type? I'm sorry I don't quite get it.

"

nIs he telling me that he is a spirit? And that Kuro is also a spirit?

n

"Animas are some sort of an entity that resounds with nature. For spirit type Animas, they are more like a guardian,

" Lost explained to me.

n

"So you're saying that Kuro is not a monster, but an Anima? A guardian?

" I confirmed.

n

"Yes.

"

nOh? I thought he was a monster because he can detect them… But a spirit instead?

n

"And you are also a guardian. To Kai?

" I added.

nLost nodded,

"Miss Nadia is correct.

"

n

"But if both of you are the same, then why is Kuro a fox, while you look humanlike?

"

nThat one part is strange to me. He said that he's just like Kuro, but they don't look the same though?

n

"It's all because of the contractor's will,

" Lost replied.

nI stared at him again, feeling a little more Lost.

n'Hehe, get it? I'm lost…'

n

"I am a wolf spirit.

" As he said that, his amber eyes began to glow. His irises then started to transform into slits, like the wolves.

n

"Wow…

" I marveled,

"Cool…

"

nThat looked so weird and amazing at the same time! I didn't know that he could do that! Is that why he acts like he understood Kuro most of the time? Because they are both spirits? Makes sense to me...

n

"Sir Kai is my contractor, and it depends on him how I would appear to everyone. I am only acting according to his psyche, which is why I am the way I am right now.

"

nHmmm… He is saying that his outward appearance depends on Kai. Kai must have wanted him to look like a human, and he complied. So Kuro, could assume human form if I want it to?

nI gazed at the black fox who was also looking at me as if he understood everything that has been said inside this room.

n'You do understand me. I thought you are just a smart cookie…'

nImagine Kuro transforming into a human. Should he be a girl or a boy? Hmmm…

n

"Does he know?

" I asked Lost again.

nHe shook his head from side to side,

"He does not remember.

"

nOh. Right, he told me that before…

n

"You said something about a contractor. Does this mean that there is an existing contract between the two of you? Spirits could get contracted?

"

n

"Yes, but only if the Anima is willing. Kuro chose you to be his contractor because you saved him. For me, it was because he accidentally contracted me by offering a gift.

"

nOohhh… I remembered the time when Kuro was whining like crazy. How did I save him anyway? He wasn't injured when I discovered him in the forest...

n

"That happened when you were young? I mean, Kai?

"

nI was pertaining to the contract thingy between them, by the way. Because I saw both of them together when Kai was just 11.

n

"Yes.

"

n

"How old was he? Do you remember?

"

nLost thought for a moment,

" It was only a couple of days before you found us.

"

nWait. So when they were living in the streets before, Kai must have thought of a companion. Hence, Lost took form into a human as per Kai's will…? Was that it?

n

"Oh?

"

n

"Sir Kai was weakened, which is why I appeared as a child in accordance to his state.

"

nThat makes sense, I guess. He was having such a high fever that I got scared for his well-being. And why Lost suddenly shot up to puberty real quick, and had become a young man. It's because Kai recovered.

nIf so, why did Lost not appear in the book? That's still a mystery to me…

n

"You said you're a spirit type, right? Are there other more types?

"

n

"There are three types of Animas, but I have no idea what they were. Though I can surely say that Miss Nadia has one,

" he says.

nMmm. He must have meant Kuro…

nSpeaking of this fox, the reason why he is still in a fox form might be because of my adoration for animals… Furry animals…

n'Is that why he is so furry now?!'

nOr maybe I am just reading too much into it.

n

"And about my missing pulse. Spirits don't have a beating heart, which is why I am not able to replicate it,

" he added.

n

"Ohh, okay. I thought you were sort of a vampire or something, but that would be silly. You don't feel cold…

" I mumbled while chuckling.

n

"Vampires exist, Miss Nadia and they are not necessarily cold,

" Lost stated.

n

"What? Really?

"

n

"Yes.

"

n

"They're not cold? But aren't they undead?

"

nBecause that's what I read about anyway, some even sparkle…

nLost's brows furrowed,

"Undead?

"

n

"Yeah, like they are dead but not entirely dead. They roam around, but not as a zombie either… You know, just missing a beating heart but still breathes...

"

nWhat the hell am I rambling on?

n

"I don't understand…

" Lost responded.

n

"Oh, nevermind! It's not important right now,

" I brushed it off--

"But, are there vampires here in Rosenthal?

"

nI just wanted to know. What if they were lurking around? Though I have not heard any news of some people having their blood sucked dry and left for dead… Just want to make sure, that's all…

nAnd probably start locking the windows too…

n

"I don't think so…

"

nMhmm… Okay then.

n

"Thank you for being honest with me, Lost.

"

n

"Of course. Miss Nadia is Sir Kai's benefactress and savior. It is only natural,

" Lost answered formally.

nAwww, come on. I did it on my own will!

n

"Are you going to tell him?

" I asked in regards to Kai.

n

"He will come around sooner,

" he said.

n

"Okay then. Thank you again, Lost. You were a big help,

" I uttered with sincerity.

nLost nodded and said nothing afterward. I got amused. He clearly is not the type who talked a lot.

nBut wow, I have no idea that he is a spirit and a wolf kind at that.

nI got to learn something from this talk with him. About the Anima and that vampire apparently exist…

nNow all I have to do is to research more about them, especially spirits and Animas.

n