Blue: The God of Shadows?

Velvet: Yep! He is very menacing, Erebus has tasked me to stay with you because it is what he wants.

Blue: Are you just stuck in my head then?

Velvet: Well I can always leave your head and enter the human world but it's best if I don't.

Blue: Hmmmm

Velvet: Also do you not bother to clean yourself up? You're bleeding still!

Blue: I....I don't care

Velvet: Of course you don't, come on! Smile more! I'm a Demon and I'm more happy than you!

Blue: Don't worry about me

Velvet: Well excuse me, but I have to! Anyways your clothes are screwed up and Erebus wants to reward you for impressing him.

Blue: Reward me?

Velvet: Yes like I said, that tree gives special things to those that Erebus finds worthy. Now.......grab my hand.

Blue:......What?

Velvet sighs and rolls her eyes before grabbing my left hand with both of her smaller hands. I was confused until the tree shifted a bit before a branch extends itself and I was going to move away but the tree was faster.

It stabs me through the chest and just like last time, I coughed out more blood and felt weak, dropping to one knee. Velvet grasped my hand tightly once she sensed that I was weak.

Velvet: Just stay awake, the pain will be only momentarily.

After a few minutes, the branch pulls itself from me and I felt stronger and managed to stand up on both of my legs. I felt a sudden burst of energy and mana inside of me, my injuries disappeared and my clothes were replaced.

Velvet: Oooooh looking snazzy!

Blue: W-What...was that?

Velvet: Well Erebus has decided to increase your power, speed and the durability of yourself and your shadows.

Blue: Why is he helping me?

Velvet: Like I said, he is taken a interest in you. Come on Blue, keep up!

Blue:......Velvet

Velvet: Oh I like how you say my name, say it more~

Blue:......I want to ask you if Erebus has any plans for me

Velvet: Oh you're getting bold aren't you? I don't even know, that's his business. I'll see you soon Blue, and who knows I might talk to you in your head!

Blue: Wait-

Velvet: Byyyyye!

She taps me on the chest with her index finger and I'm returned back to the real world. I look outside and saw it was night time.

What the hell was that?

I can tell it was real, do I even trust Velvet? Or this God of Shadows?

......I'll see if Yami got my mask fixed.

I unlock my door and walk downstairs to the lobby, I open the door and saw everyone celebrating.

Blue:....Why are you all celebrating?

Asta: We protected the Kingdom!

Blue: And we almost lost a captain....

Magna: Hey Blue! Why the hell do you wear that mask?! You look so good!

Vanessa: I agree~ Even with the eye covering, I just can't contain myself~

Gauche: Hmph, he isn't as good looking as Marie

Charmy: Come eat with us!

Luck: And then fight me!

Noelle: Did you change clothes?

Magna: Yeah he has, he has always kept that same outfit on so what changed?

Blue:......It was torn

Vanessa: I could've repaired it

Blue: It's okay, Yami, did you get my mask fixed?

Yami: Sorry but the guy isn't available today, tomorrow he should be there

Blue:.....Dammit

Finral: Hey Blue! I know many girls that would like you and your face!

Blue:....What are you on about?

Finral: I'm going to a mixer tomorrow night so I was wondering if you want to come with me? I'm taking Asta as well!

Asta: Yeah come on! I heard there is food and we talk to girls! But mostly food!

Blue:....Why would I talk to a random girl?

All: How is he so dense?!

Asta: I don't know but maybe we could make more friends!

Blue:....What are friends?

Asta: EEEEEEH?!

Noelle: You don't know what friends are?

Magna: Sadly no

Vanessa: We have been trying to teach him but he avoids us

Blue: Finral, I'm not going

Finral: W-What?! Come on Blue! Just this once! You won't have to do it again!

Blue:.......Fine, but if it's a waste of time then you will regret

Finral: Okay! Even though you have no emotions, I'm sure some girls will like your face that I'm definitely not jealous of!

I walk away but Yami forced me to stay with everyone else, I didn't like it at first. Everyone was laughing, smiling, eating......having a good time, and that feeling transferred to me, although I didn't show it.....it felt nice to be here.

Is that what spending time with your friends is like?

Maybe going with Finral tomorrow isn't a bad idea.

___________________

The next day comes and I was in the forest, testing my new "gift" from this Erebus.

Velvet was right, I was stronger and faster than I was before, while I don't mind this strength, I don't know if I should place my trust into Erebus and Velvet.

Velvet: Hey! Why don't you trust me?!

Oh right, I forgot you were in my head.

Velvet: You're so mean you know?

Am I? Am I not the "Boy who doesn't know how to feel"?

Velvet: Oh don't listen to who ever calls you that, I think you're great!

Somehow I doubt that.

Velvet: Come on, we are friends aren't we?

I ignore her and go back to the base where Finral was muttering to himself about how the mixer will go, Noelle was sitting by herself. She was thinking to herself and she doesn't realise that I took a seat next to her.

Blue: What's wrong with you?

Noelle: O-Oh it's nothing.....I'm just....wondering why my sister and brothers dislike me

Blue:....Nozel doesn't hate you

Noelle: He doesn't?

Blue: No. I know what it's like to be hated by someone close to you and I can tell you that Nozel doesn't hate you. You have a chance with your sister but I'm not sure about your other brother.

Noelle: You might be right, my sister Nebra was even kind enough to collect the broken pieces of your mask and give it back to you

Blue: Yes that was.....strange.

Vanessa: I'm happy that Blue is slowly talking to us more. I can't help but think that there is still something holding him back from properly interacting with us. So Blue, are you planning to keep the mask on when you get it back?

Blue: Yes

Vanessa: Oh come on, you have such a cute face. Your eye is very beautiful as well, like the bright blue sky. Isn't that right Noelle?~

Noelle: [Blushes] W-What do you mean?! I-I mean yeah he looks cute but what are you trying to say?!

Vanessa: Nothing~

Velvet: Oh wow, both of them like you? You really a pimp!

Blue: How am I a pimp?

Velvet:....[Sighs] Nevermind you dense idiot.

Instead of going to my room, I stay in the lobby with the others until it was time for myself, Asta and Finral to go to this mixer.

Vanessa: Have fun you three

Magna: Make sure Blue doesn't steal all the girls from Finral

Blue: Why would I steal them? I'm not a criminal

Magna: A-Ah....nevermind

Finral: Come on you two! Trust me, you will have a great time!

Asta: Alright! I can't wait!

Blue: Hn

Finral makes a portal and the three of us walk through and end up at one of towns near the Royal Capital. It was night time but lots of people were still out at these places such as bars.

I don't get why people even drink alcohol, it leads to bad decisions.

Finral: Alright you two, just follow me. With the girls you just have to talk with them and get to know them.

Asta: Okay!

Blue: This is pointless

We follow Finral inside and I'm sort of glad that I'm wearing something different and I don't have my mask on. This means that no one will recognise me as the Black Bull's Shadow.

Finral takes us to three girls who were sitting down at a table, we sat opposite one girl. Finral had a girl with blonde hair, Asta had a girl with red hair opposite him and she didn't seem to be in the mood to be here.

Opposite me was some girl with silver white hair, she seemed familiar......

Oh it's Nebra Silva.

What's she doing her?

And why is Noelle here in a maid outfit? Does she work here?

Velvet: Nnnnnooooot exactly

Blue: Nebra what are you doing here?

Nebra: Hmm? I-It's you!

Blue: Yes....it's me. I came because Finral wanted me to come

Nebra: O-Oh. I just....I came because I wanted to

Blue:.......

Nebra: And it's because I'm friends with Rebecca over here. She didn't want to come so I persuaded here.

Blue: I.....see

Noelle: W-W-What?! Why is Nebra here?! And why is she talking to Blue so casually?

Finral: Well let's begin the Mixer!

Blue: [Sighs] Let's get this over with