The World Of Sally

Chapter Seven: The Solution to the Problem

“What happened here?” Felix asked. He rushed towards Athena and saw her injuries. “You’re hurt. You must go to the infirmary.” He added with worry.

“I’m fine, brother. But Sally, she turned into a child.” She said as she looked back at Sally who’s still crying. The child stands up and held to the table to support herself.

“Don’t go, child. It’s better for you to remain in your position. The medical and magic personnel will come and help you.” The professor said to her. Sally stared at him and nodded her head. She sits on the ground again and gazed at them, especially to Helios. They heard him kicked his tongue before he approach her. “Don’t touch her, Mr. Grandalia.” The professor hurriedly muttered to stop him.

Helios snapped his fingers and Sally’s messy hair and wet torn clothes became neat and decent once again. She looked like a doll with her long sleeve maroon dress. A black ribbon was tied around her small waist and there are black ruffles on both hem and the end of the sleeves of the dress. She’s wearing white silk stockings and heeled black shoes while on her head is a red ribbon with a sparkling silver gem on the center attached to her hair black hair. She’s floating beside Helios and he walked away from the fluid which was scattered on the floor.

‘I was about to report it first before helping Ms. Esther. Never mind.’ The professor thought and sighed. Little Sally landed on the ground safely, with her cheeks stained bright red, she raised her head and looked at Helios.

“Thank you, Sir.” Sally muttered in gratitude as she bows down. She smiled widely as she looked at the others. “This place is different from where I came from. Did I get lost? Then I must return now! Goodbye Sirs and Miss.” She turned around and was about to exit the messy room when Helios called her.

“Ms. Esther, don’t go anywhere and stay here.” He ordered. Sally turned around and faced him with confusion written on her face.

“But I’m not going anywhere, Sir. I’m just going home.” She answered back. Helios looked down at her. Sally thought that she’s talking to a giant because of how tall and big Helios is in front of her. A mocking smile formed his lips as he asked her,

“Then, do you know which way you will take for you to go home?”

She was taken aback from his words. That is a huge problem for her little self to take. How can she go home when she didn’t even know the way?

‘Silly me! How can I go home now?’ Surprisingly, a genuine laugh came out from her mouth. Helios’ eyes slightly widen for a second.

“Silly me! I ignored that thought!” She said between her laughs. She held her stomach and wipe a tear from her eye. “Why thank you, good Sir.” She thanked her and smiled sweetly.

“Stay here for a while, until the problem is solve.” Helios said as he make her float again with his magic. Sally was confused at what he meant. Was it the mess in the room or that she doesn’t know the path of her home?

The medical and magic personnel entered the room and settle the whole area. The professor reported what happened and Sally was put in a huge bubble. It is a kind of magic that examines the whole body if there’s any abnormalities in both the outside and the inside of the patient. After a while, Sally fell asleep inside.

“We will take her to the infirmary for further observation, and she also needs to take a few tests for her mental condition.” The doctor said as he stared at the girl inside of the magic bubble.

“Will she be alright?” Felix asked him.

“I can’t say for now. Excuse me.” The doctor answered and excused himself from them. The bubble where the sleeping Sally was taken in followed him like a dog. Helios stared at her before the door was closed behind them. Athena who stared at them went to talk to the professor.

“Sir, is there any way for Sally to return normal?” She inquired with a distorted face. “I have to do something for her. It’s, it’s my fault that she turned into a child.” She admitted her mistake bitterly.

“You don’t have to blame yourself, Ms. Robia. It was an accident and thanks to Ms. Esther’s bravery, no one was hurt. For now, I’ll cooperate with Mr. Bolton for the solution of the victim’s condition.” The professor explained.

“Alright, Sir, but if there’s anything that I can help please tell me.”

“Alright.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Athena forced a smile and went to approach Felix and Helios.

“Athena, let’s go to the infirmary. You need to be treated as well.” He said as he held her arm gently.

“I’m fine, brother. I’m worried about Sally.” She answered with a crestfallen expression.

“Go treat your wounds.” Helios ordered. “She won’t blame you for what happened.” He added. Athena looked at him with a tearful expression.

“Your Highness… Yes, I’ll do as what you say.” She smiled at him and Felix sighed in relief. Athena went out from the room to go to the infirmary to get her wounds treated. Felix and Helios remained in the room for a while.

“Do you think it will be solved, Sire?” He asked to Helios who was staring at nowhere.

“There has to be a way. Every dumb shits has every hole to pass through, you know?” He answered as they went out from the room. “That woman attracts trouble or maybe, she’s the troubler herself.” He said in a complete disappointment at what happened today.

‘And I don’t understand why I’m feeling burdened by now.’ He thought as he brushed his hair harshly. His neat, red hair was now messy and his eyebrows furrowed.

“Ms. Esther is a strong woman, I’m sure she’ll get through this situation, and the academy is making their move to help her.” Felix stated while following him behind. Helios remained silent but his heart keeps on pounding like crazy.

He’s nervous over something and he can’t understand a single thing about it. How can he feel so anxious over someone whom he just met recently?

‘That’s insane.’ He laughed at his own thoughts and his self. ‘Is it because I’m curious of her? Yes, that may be the reason why I’m feeling so disturb right now.’ He added.

---

A day has passed and they didn’t receive any news about Sally who turned into a child. It’s like nothing happened. Athena became more troubled so she decided to approach the teacher again.

“She’s fine, Ms. Robia. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“But Sir, it’s been a day since the last time I saw her. I’m dying to know her condition.”

“As I said, Miss, she’s fine.” The teacher left her without satisfying her curiosity. She needs to see her no matter what. She skips her class and went to the infirmary, however, the doctor told her that Sally was not confined in the infirmary, instead, she was treated under Sir Bolton’s care.

“Thank you, doctor.” She replied at him and went out. She met Felix and Helios on the way.

“Athena, you don’t have a class?” Felix asked her.

“No, I skipped class today.” She answered truthfully at his question. “I’m worried about Sally. It’s been a day since the accident happened and we still didn’t hear anything about her.” She added.

“… She will be fine. We just have to put a little trust to the academy’s personnel and teachers.” Felix comforted her. Athena showed a small smile. It’s not enough to stop her from worrying. Her eyes went to Helios who was staring at the forest outside the academy’s walls.

“Your highness? Is something wrong?” She asked. His amber eyes shifted towards her.

“Nothing. I’ll be leaving now, I still have things to do.” He left them alone. Athena was a little disappointed because she thought he would at least try to comfort her just like how he cared for her wounds the last time.

“Athena, you shouldn’t skip your classes again. What if you got failing grades? What will father and mother say?” He asked her.

“I know. I’m sorry, brother. This will not happen again.”

“Alright, I trust you. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Yes, goodbye, brother.” After bidding their goodbyes to each other. The two separated their ways. Felix had an hour vacant before his next subject. He decided to take a stroll at the back of the academy. It’s still as pretty as the front. A few of trees were planted and on the further part is a plain grass field where white bed sheets were hanging. A memory just played in his mind and he can’t help but to sigh. Like what Athena felt, he’s worried too.

His eyes fell to a small figure a few meters away from him. Her plain white dress flows with the wind. Her black hair was neatly braided. Her face was pale and her silver eyes were soft and frail.

“Ms. Esther?” He called. The little girl’s eyes went to him. He approached her and stopped in front of her. He bends his knees and see her face clearly. “What’s wrong? You don’t look so well.” He asked as he put his palm on her forehead. He flinched and immediately carried her in his arms. “You’re burning! I’ll take you to the infirmary…”

“It’s alright, Sir. There’s nothing to worry.”

“No, I’ll take you to the infirmary right now.” He insisted. Sally did not answer because her head is aching and her vision is starting to become blurry. Felix arrived in the infirmary. Thankfully, the doctor is present and he immediately applied first degree of healing magic to her.

“She’ll be fine now. I’m surprised that she has this high fever. She never told us.” The doctor muttered while staring at the sleeping child on the hospital bed. “She’s very lucky that you found her, Mr. Robia.”

“I just happened to be there. I was surprised that she handled her situation well despite her small body.” Felix answered while looking at sleeping face. He’s relieved now that the girl’s in good hands now. “It’s been a while since she became like that, doctor. When will she return back to normal?” He inquired.

“You’re the third one who asked me the same question, Sir Robia.” He smiled. “I never thought that her existence is significant to some people here.” He added.

“What do you mean by that, doctor?”

“Well, I always saw her with no one else.” He replied at his question. Felix became silent as he stared at her with pitiful eyes. He thought that she’s been going through a lot of tough times and handling a high fever is just easy for her.

‘What did she even do to deserve this kind of treatment?’ He recalled her sweet and bright smiles, and her sparkling silver eyes as she stared at his blue ones. Her manners are perfect and she’s already mature. She has unique way of putting things but that was what makes her special amongst the rest. He can feel that she’s different in a good way.

“Excuse me but there is something I need to do.”

“Yes. Thank you, doctor.”

“My pleasure.” He walked out from the room leaving the two behind. Felix debated in his mind if he’ll stay until she wakes up or leave her for a while and just return later, and he decided the former. He’s a little drowsy due to the cold air entering from the open window and the silence which seemed like lullaby in his ears. He was about to close his eyes when he heard her muttered a few words.

“… I promised…” As those words came out from her mouth, it were filled with so much sadness that made his heart throb. He held her cold, small hand and looked at her.

“Please don’t worry and sleep well. You deserve it.” He whispered in a delicate manner.

---

Athena and Ethan sit on an empty table near the glass window. They just went out from the academy with the use of a permission slip and must return before one in the afternoon. Cups of tea and desserts were served in front of them. Despite the adorable and relaxing ambiance of the place, Athena’s face was a complete contrast. She keeps on sighing and her face is somber ever since they entered the café. Ethan noticed it and asked,

“Is it because of Ms. Esther again?” He decided to call her by her surname since he doesn’t want to hurt Athena’s feelings for being rude to her friend. Athena looked at him.

“I’m worried about her. I’m afraid she didn’t return yet to her original form.” She answered as she sips her tea. Ethan remained silent and listened to her. “It’s because of me that she became like that.” She added.

“Don’t blame yourself. It is not your fault to begin with. Anyway, what kind of potion spilled on her?” He asked as he put the teacup on the plate.

“It’s a potion which can make someone a child again.” She replied. He touched his chin and close his eyes for a while before speaking.

“It is easier than I thought.” He mumbled.

“I beg your pardon?”

“That potion was dangerous since it can make someone’s physical body weakened or worse, paralyze.” Athena’s face paled. “But, there is a cure for that. Oh, Ms. Robia, what will you do without me?”

“What? You mean you know a solution for my problem?” She inquired further. A wide grin plastered his face and open his arms as if showcasing himself in front of her.

“The very solution of your problem is already in front of you, lady.” He proudly muttered. Athena’s eyes widen and she suddenly stands up grabbing his shoulders.

“Thank goodness! Finally! Come on, stand up.”

“What? Where are we going?”

“We’re going to return my friend back to normal.” She answered as she dragged her out of the café.

***