For a moment, there was nothing other than silence.
Then—Corelia's body jerked slightly.
A faint glow pulsed from the water before slowly fading away. The dark streaks that had been spreading through the water gradually disappeared, dissolving like ink washed away by the wave. Mishell exhaled shakily as she pushed herself up, her hands gripping the edge of the pool.
She looked exhausted, drained but alive.
Lydia, still clutching the now-empty blue vial, blinked in disbelief.
"…Did I just save two supernatural beings?"
Mishell dragged herself out of the water, her clothes soaked and clinging to her skin.
"You followed instructions," she corrected flatly.
Lydia placed a hand dramatically over her chest.
"No, no… let's not downplay this. I faced magical poison, possible suffocation, emotional trauma and fish transformation. I deserve recognition."
Mishell stared at her like she had just discovered a new species.
"…Are you always like this?"
Lydia straightened proudly.
"I would like it to be known that I did not faint again." She raised one finger. "That shows growth".
Mishell blinked slowly. "Barely."
Lydia ignored her and nodded to herself.
"I am glad I saved your lives. Truly heroic behavior from me."
Mishell just shook her head and muttered. "You nearly died of shock two times."
"That is irrelevant," Lydia replied confidently. "The important part is that I didn't."
Behind them, the water rippled gently.
Corelia's tail glowed faintly as her body slowly shifted back, scales dissolving into skin as her legs reformed inside the water.
Her fingers twitched weakly and her eyes fluttered open.
Lydia gasped. "She's waking!"
She rushed forward, kneeling beside the pool just as Mishell was already helping
Corelia sit up carefully.
"Corelia," Mishell said softly, holding her hand. "Can you hear me?".
Corelia blinked slowly, her vision unfocused. She looked from Mishell… to Lydia… then to the unfamiliar setting.
"What… happened?" Her voice was weak and confused.
Mishell gently helped her out of the pool, wrapping a towel around her shoulders.
"You were attacked by Noctyra," she explained calmly. "The toxin attached itself to your magic. It was feeding on your power."
Corelia frowned slightly, trying to remember. "I… don't recall much."
"You were trapped in a mental loop," Mishell continued. "Your magic kept fighting the illusion, but every spell strengthened the poison."
Corelia nodded faintly. "That explains the exhaustion…"
"It will take a few hours before your strength fully returns," Mishell added.
Corelia glanced toward Lydia.
"Why are you here?".
Before Lydia could respond, Mishell spoke up.
"She helped, not much but we survived..".
"Not much? I almost died". Lydia interrupted.
"That's why I mentioned we survived". Mishell corrected.
"You helped?". Corelia looking a bit shocked.
Lydia immediately placed a hand on her chest again. "I risked my entire existence."
Mishell rolled her eyes.
"She followed basic instructions."
"I breathed through magical pressure!" Lydia defended. "Do you know how hard it is to breathe when breathing is not cooperating?!"
Corelia smiled faintly. "Thank you, Lydia."
Lydia softened instantly."…You're welcome."
Then—Mishell looked at Lydia, her expression suddenly serious.
"Time's up."
Lydia blinked. "…Time's up for what?"
Mishell cracked her knuckles casually.
"Your memory."
"…Excuse me?".Lydia starred at her in confusion, not understanding the situation.
"It is time to wipe it," Mishell said calmly.
Lydia shot to her feet immediately.
"NO WAY."
She took three dramatic steps backwards.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
Corelia looked between them, confused.
"What is happening?"
Mishell folded her arms.
"She knows too much already".
Lydia pointed aggressively. "oh really? I know just enough!"
"You were only informed so you could assist with the potions," Mishell continued calmly. "Now the task is complete."
Lydia's jaw dropped.
"YOU USED ME???"
"I told you," Mishell added casually, "normally I would have erased your memory without informing you."
"I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED NOT KNOWING THAT?!, I thought betrayals was only among humans, I had no idea fishes do the same"
"Stop calling us fish". Mishell instructed.
"You have tails, no difference". Lydia added.
"Maybe I should just go ahead with wiping them".
Corelia frowned slightly.
"Mishell…"
Lydia hid behind Corelia instantly like a
child avoiding vaccination.
"Stay away from me and my memories, all I did was help you people not die!" She pointed toward the pool dramatically.
"I have seen fins! Actual FINS! Do you know how hard it is to unsee fins?!"
Corelia tried not to laugh. "She has a point".
Mishell tilted her head. "She is still a liability, can't you see that?."
Lydia stepped forward defensively.
"I am not a liability, I am an asset."
"Barely," Mishell replied.
Corelia sighed softly. "She stayed, she did not run or expose us. That counts."
"She fainted twice". Mishell informed Corelia.
"The last one doesn't count". Lydia corrected.
"That's cause I woke you up, and their a seal currently over us so she can't run even if she wants to".
Mishell seems tired already, hoping to get it done and leave.
" I understand Mishell but in this situation she helped save my life, it won't be bad to keep her". Corelia said convincily.
Lydia nodded eagerly.
"Yes, I am very good at keeping secrets. I once kept a crush secret for three years. THREE."
Mishell did not look impressed. "That explains nothing."
Corelia looked at Lydia gently. "Thank you… truly."
Lydia softened again. "…You're welcome."
Then she quickly pointed at Mishell.
"But tell your mermaid friend to stop threatening my brain."
"Mermaid friend? See she is already slipping out," Mishell muttered.
"You literally turned into a fish with glitter."
Mishell slowly looked at her.
"It is called scales."
"Still fish-adjacent."
Mishell groaned and stepped forward slowly.
Lydia raised her fists immediately.
"Just so you know, I am not a black belt holder in karate for nothing."
Mishell actually laughed, a short amused sound.
"Are you aware I do not need to come close to erase your memory?".
Lydia froze. Her fists slowly lowered.
"Well you have a point.....I would like to formally apologize for the karate comment."
Corelia finally laughed weakly, the sound soft but genuine.
For a moment, despite everything, things felt strangely normal again. Well as normal as things could be…
After discovering your classmates were supernatural.
"Let's trust her this once".Corelia said. "By the way no one would believe her even if she told someone".
"I don't care". Mishell replied.
" Mishell..."
"Okay fine, now I'm the bad person..." Mishell finally agreed. "But the moment you reveal our secret to another, that day would be your last".
Mishell's threat hung in the air, Lydia could hardly even swallow her own saliva.
"I need to rest and regain my energy, see you in the room". Mishell snapped her fingers and the veil covering them disappeared as she made her way to the entrance.
"Damn, she is scary". Lydia added.
"Trust me you don't want to take her threat for granted".
"She is not bluffing?".
" Your memory would have been gone if I didnt stop her, so in all you do never reveal our secret". Corelia said weakly.
"Trust me I won't let you down". Lydia said with all seriousness.