Descendants of Time (Role-Play Act 5: Revolutionary Moment)

Cinia Pacifica · 2014-12-02T18:25:26-01:00

Update: As of Act 4, many updates to the system was done and it's revamped enough hopefully. You can check the mechanic changes in the List of Profiles doc. Some other docs have more specific information too. If you want to catch up to the story for more recent contents, we've written review posts that goes through the majority of the important story parts of the RP based on each Acts: - Act 1 Review - Act 2 Review - Act 3 Review - Act 4 Review Spoiler: A lost country. A new country. An old country. What is true? What is false? So much has happened. From the sands of time they had arose. When the four representatives of the stars gathered… The wind had brought forth with it steam. Steam that brought with it soot, as well as dirt hated by those wishing to keep up an illusion – their appearances. When the eight representatives of the stars pointed blades… The wind had brought forth with it change. Change that brought with it inventions; elaborate usage of electricity, and fuels – providing more to grasp – so that they may hold onto their delusions. When the twelve representatives of the stars clash… The wind would bring forth with it a miracle. Miracle that would bring with it a gate. Yes, the gate beyond which the infernals live. Or so the prophecy had stated. I wonder if that is worthy of the word †˜miracle.’ Four had already met. As so did the eight. The meeting of the twelve had yet to take place. People have taken this prophecy for granted. O magi – wielders of power beyond the comprehension of mundane – those who suck mana from the realms’ air – are you certain that all the horrors and tragedies are from these Descendants of Time? You people – the magicians sworn to keep the world’s balance in correct order – should you be taking up your armaments against the bearers of the Zodiac? Has conflict truly been the only possible answer? Surely, their meetings had brought forth winds that shook the status quo. Yet I am willing to believe – that all have their reasons. For good, I hope. Instead of taking up blades and staves, take a moment – at least – to put up your hands – for prayers for those who have long passed away, for the mundanes and comrades alike. Don’t they mean anything to you all? Or is the process of generations – and heirs taking up your place – simply a means to extend your ambitions and desires to continue on in the material world? My duty – was never to rally against those descendants, but to be the beacon of peace and stability. I truly wish someone qualified could take my position. However, I too, hold a selfish ambition. I wish to find the answer. The answer to what is true, and what is false. This is the best position to navigate from – for the answer. So what if the Old King had stolen countless hearts of women and left countless hearts of men to cry? So what if the Countess had terrorized masses of people? Or of the matter at which the King of Knights lost his people’s trust? Or of the incident when the voice of the Fortune Teller told of the future that none wanted to know? What of the Thunder Emperor who fought to fend off the colonists to protect his herd? What of the tale of the Heart-Breaker Queen? She now suffers the fate of being locked away in a far, far land. Haven’t we humans done wrong ourselves? Are we to cast a deaf ear to the roars of wars we ourselves fought among each other? Mage’s wars. Civil wars. World wars. I, for one, am rather tired of these. Are we magicians implying that we are allowed to shed blood – so long as we raise our blades against one another? Nay. One should simply look from various directions. Let us look for what lies beyond what was seemingly obvious. Had we all not had our own reasons? The time of steam. The timeless zone. The time of future. And the modern time… Again, what holds the truth? How do we distinguish it – from what is false? If we claim that those from the past eras are but illusions… what of the country – from the modern era that we once knew? Were they real? Had they not disappeared – sunk into the sands of time? Do they even exist anymore? It is truly a mystery – one which I wish to solve. The prophecy spoken by the father of magi claims of the coming calamities to be brought forth by the Descendants, as if paying no care to the many conflicts to come for humans. Would one not see it as mockery? Was it truly a message to the magi, or the Descendants themselves? He who held the power to peer into the future – spoke not a word for the future of man or magicians. The calamities he spoke of were to be brought forth by the warriors of time. Each meeting of a group of them – would bring about great changes. The first would take time away. The second would accelerate time. The third would reverse time. And the fourth would bring about the infernals. Through the gates of hell would darkness come forth. The differences in the described events are rather strange, and do not match up. Magicians may find it credible due to the matching occurrences. I am yet to believe it blindly, however. Far from it. The father of magi cares only for the descendants. He cared not for the mundane. He never did, yet it was addressed to us – as if to use us. It might’ve been a message for the Descendants all along. That is my conclusion on the subject. – Queen Victoria’s Memoire, 1st Entry, 1857, August. ↑Prologue↑ Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my next Role-Play (RP), the Descendants of Time RP. It was originally inspired by my old Time Warrior RP. At first, I had planned for a simple †˜reboot’ RP, but soon I came up with new ideas based around the concept of †˜Time Warriors’ itself. After which, this RP came out as a result. As such, it is not a fanfiction RP, and anyone with little experience in RPing are welcome to join. This RP may start out a little… mysterious yet normal. However, don’t make a mistake – the story is undoubtedly of a dark fantasy genre. †˜Happy’ moments may seem more scarce than it may be. If you’re looking for some of those boring happy-go-lucky high school RP; kindly switch your computer off. I’ve spent quite a lot of time preparing this RP, for at least a month now. Not everything is done, but it’s good enough for this thread to be up, so that prospective players may submit their character profiles. It’d take at least about one or two weeks before this RP officially starts. Players will still be allowed to join after the RP starts. I’d recommend one to join before it starts, regardless. So this time, I’m incorporating Ars Magica 5th edition into the mechanism of my RP. It’s not fully Ars Magica the tabletop RP game, but it is for the most part – simply tweaked and changed to suit the online RPing style more. You do not have to read the book of Ars Magica, as most of the mechanic is explained in the guidelines below. If you’re a beginner, I don’t think you have to delve into the complications. Just knowing the basic will do. Now, a little about the kinds of character available for play: Time Warriors, this time, are based on the Zodiac Signs. There are twelve kinds of Time Warriors known throughout the world as is the number of Zodiac Signs. Each has features representing their Sign, and must work towards concealing their identity, for the mages are eager to find and kill them. Albeit, Time Warriors are immortal, so they are rather hard to kill, as they’re only killable when using their Time Freeze ability. Then we have the mages. Apparent guardians of the world’s balance. Spiritual balance, to be specific. They refer to the magical dealings and undertakings as part of the †˜Magic World’, which is just a way to separate the mundanes from their activities in context. Otherwise, the Magic World consists of Magic Organizations, and other Organizations that hires mages and participates in the activities of said †˜world’. Most mages have forgotten the main purpose for which they took up this responsibility, and simply practice magecraft for other purposes. However, they do wish to hunt down the Time Warriors. They follow the Father of Magi’s prophecy which implies that Time Warriors will bring ruin to the world. Lastly, we have the mundane members of the many societies throughout the world. The mundanes do not know of the Magic World, and it is only an urban legend or rumors to them. Few mundanes often come to learn of the Magic World and the many magicians who’re a part of it. Those planning to play a mundane character – in other words, an ordinary character – should be striving for such an archetype. Finally, you have the option to start from one of three countries – England, Japan, or Russia, and they have their own settings. England is in the 19th century timeline and has a steampunk setting. Japan is in the 23rd century, and is futuristic. Russia has no sense of time at all, but has a steampunk setting too. Other countries outside these three are still living in the 21st century in the modern era. Rules: To join this RP, you must submit your character profile to me through a Private Message (PM). If you're new to RPing, give the old RP Guide a read, if you feel inconvenienced with reading so much, at least check out the Munch section, please. No spamming. Please don’t post any comments, questions, or a profile in this thread. Use PMs instead, or some other place, as RP posts will be made in this thread, after the RP starts. Write in the Third Person Format, because no one likes to be confused. We’ll be writing in a Google Doc in real time, so First Person Format may confuse other participants and readers. Make sure you have some time throughout a day to be able to write. An hour is preferable, but other participants have to be around at least. You don’t necessarily have to be around every single day. Make sure you have Skype because it will be used for communication. Character Creation: Spoiler: Write up your character profile by filling out the necessary details in the character profile sheet and send it to me via PM. If you have questions, or want to submit a draft profile with a PM for my opinions, go right ahead. So, below is technically two profiles, but merged into one due to my laziness. Basically, you must decide what kind of a character you’re going to play. There’s Time Warrior, Mage, and the Mundane, in other words, the Ordinary. Time Warrior slots are limited. Some of them are NPCs, and the rest are †˜new’. Two of the †˜old’ Time Warrior slots are already taken. Not exactly taken, but my friends are gunning for them. Throughout the profile, you’ll notice something that only applies to either Time Warriors or mages. Exclude the parts meant for the type of character you’re not going for. The character profile sheet is as follows: Basic Information: Name: Your character’s name. It’s not limited to names of a country since your character’s nationality may be from anywhere. Alias: If your character has an epithet or a nickname he goes by; it goes here. Age: Your character’s age. Time Warriors may opt to have their original age hidden here. No characters may be younger than 16 years of age. Birthday: The month and day at which your character was born. Gender: State whether your character is male or female. Nationality: Which country your character originates from. Handedness: Is your character right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous? I personally feel that everyone should not go for ambidextrous. Appearance: How your character looks. Provide an image. It may not be a screenshot from an actual anime episode, however. A fan-image that is original is most preferred. You may add any descriptions via text to make distinctions from the image. Character Type: State whether your character is a Time Warrior, Mage, or a Mundane. New or Old: State whether your Time Warrior is one of the newer ones, or the older ones. This only applies to Time Warriors. New Time Warriors have a limit of 300 years while old Time Warriors have no limit, and they must be at least 700 years old. Legends: This applies only to Time Warriors; state your character’s names of legends, achievements, and events of fame (words that defines them). All of them. Remember that you will have to write about them in your character’s background. Affiliation: Which Organization, or Magic Organization your character is affiliated with. Regardless of whether his loyalty is sincere or not. To be a part of any organization, your character must have an appropriate Flaw or Virtue for it. Country: You may pick one of the following: England, Japan, or Russia. Your character will be starting in the country that you state here, when the RP actually starts, so the character may have differing nationality. Personality: How your character acts and whatnot; the quirks of his everyday behavior. You must explain how his mind works, which includes both his demeanor and his inner mind. You must also explain the Personality Flaws that you took for your character here. The actual cause of the chosen Personality Flaws are best described in the background. Background: Your character’s backstory. In other words, his past. Explain how he had lived up to the point where the RP starts. You must include a piece of information about his origin – home, family, bits of his childhood life. You must explain here – how your character got to either England, Japan or Russia (whatever you picked above in †˜Country’), since regardless of his nationality, he must somehow get to the chosen country before the story starts. This is where you may write out why your character has the Virtues, Flaws, and the Abilities (possibly spells, if they may apply) that you chose during this process of character creation. After all, these things shapes your character’s very life. Other than that, you should sum up what your character expects of his life, and what he wants out of it – if he has it all decided, anyway… it may help me to come up with some events later. For the Time Warriors, they’ll have to write about their character’s legends too, and how the actual events differed from the legends told by the textbooks and online webpages. You have most freedom in changing whatever legend you pick for your Time Warrior. Technical Information: Zodiac Sign: This only applies to Time Warriors. State your character’s chosen Zodiac Sign. Not the one from birth, but the one your character is a Time warrior under. Statistics: Your character’s statistics, it measures your character’s general capabilities. You have 35 base Statistical points to spend on the stats listed below: Strength: Your character’s physical prowess. Your character will mostly need this for raw physical damage, or pulling off feats requiring brute strength. Dexterity: How fast your character is physically. Generally, your character would be able to use it to run away from all kinds of dangers with this, as well as outrun others. Endurance: Grants your character 30 HP per point if he is a Time Warrior, otherwise your character gains 20 HP per point. This shows how much stamina and physical tolerance your character has. Mana: It grants 20 MP per level. This is only available to the Mage type characters. Ordinary characters may or may not have it. It measures how much mana your character is able to harness from the appropriate realm to cast magic. Spirit: It grants 20 SP per level. This is only available to Time Warriors, Spirits, and those with only Supernatural Abilities (sometimes Mundanes may have this stat too). It shows how much spiritual energy your character possesses. Intelligence: Your character’s mental capabilities. The five senses all pertain to this, because your character’s brain must process information fast enough for him to react. It also encompassess memory and knowledge. Wisdom: In other words, willpower. Your character’s ability to keep things together instead of going insane and not wetting his pants. This allows your character to resist lies and befuddlement, as well as casting spells. Getting tired lowers it; if this goes down to 0, your character will faint. Charisma: Ability to charm, socialize, approach to simply speak anyone, or catch the attention of the peers with venerating aura of reverence. If it is high, the right people may just come to your character on their own. This is sometimes necessary to talk with certain kinds of people, especially the nobles of England. Luck: Obviously, your character’s luck. When there is no better way to crawl out of a dire situation; luck may be your character’s greatest salvation. However, lady luck is a fickle mistress; it is very unpredictable. The base limit of this stat is 5. If your character is a Time Warrior – you may not use any of your Stat points to boost this stat up. Instead, your character is provided a default Luck stat point (completely free stat points), which you may check in the List of Zodiac Signs below. Flaw: Write up the names of your character’s Flaws that you picked. The points may amount to 10 at maximum. Whether it is free, minor, major, or special should be informed in parenthesis. Virtues: Write up the names of your character’s Virtues that you have purchased with the points you achieved from picking Flaws. Again: whether is it free, minor, major, or special should be informed in parenthesis. Abilities: Write up all the Abilities that you purchased, including their levels just beside the names. Abilities are bought with the base Ability points provided for every characters, which is 35. More may be gained via purchasing Virtues or Flaws, but they may be restricted to particular types of Abilities that you may spend them on – Heaven’s Commandment Virtue, for instance, provides 10 Ability points, 5 of which may only be spent on Time Warrior type Abilities, while the rest may be used freely. If your character specializes in a particular Ability, put “(+1)” beside the original number of level. Keep the Abilities in order. I.e.: General, Academic, Arcane, Martial, Supernatural, Time Warrior. Specializations: Your character may specialize in 3 Abilities. State the specialized Abilities here. Arts: Your character’s Arts – this includes the Techniques and Forms – must be listed here. This only applies to Mage type characters. Certain Techniques are gained from certain Academic Abilities, while certain Forms are learned from the Lore-based Arcane Abilities. Primary Technique: It is the first Technique your character started learning magic with. The first 5 spells that he learns must be under this particular Technique, combined with the primary Form. Primary Form: It is the first Form your character started learning magic with. The first 5 spells that he learns must be under this particular Form, combined with the primary Technique. Other Techniques: Through buying and leveling up certain Academic Abilities, your character may gain access to other Techniques. Other Forms: Through buying and leveling up certain Lore-based Arcane Abilities, your character may gain access to other Abilities. Mage’s Sigil: This only applies to mages. Every mage has their own unique qualities mixed into them. Even if they all use the same spell; there will be a small difference. Someone may cast Aurum spells that blows with wind but leaves a rose scent as an aftermath, another may cast a Terram spell and the earth would be controlled in a very orderly manner. Or a mage casting an Aquam spell could cause the water to glow and turn to ice at one point regardless of her wish. There are many kinds of sigils mages have, and they become more and more apparent as a character gains more Warp Points. Equipments: Information about your equipments must be provided here. Weapon: Depending on the type of weapon your character wields, a base damage is provided. Your character may use a weapon if he has the appropriate Martial Ability to use it. Each Martial Ability is bought for each type of weaponry. Minimum base damage of any weapon is 5. You may purchase the Relic Virtue to have a mythical weapon (usually owned by Time Warriors), but you’d have to talk to me about it before picking a weapon. Otherwise, you may pick the Magical Item Virtue. Attire: Most people don’t really wear armors anyway, they happen to wear enchanted clothing instead. No Ability, Virtue or Flaw in particular is required to have an armor, and the enchanted clothing provides a default 2 Defense value but may break easily from taking damages, while the invisible armors donned by Knights and Dark Knights usually provides 5 Defense value. If you want your character’s attire to be special, pick the Magical Item Virtue (it only lets you pick one item from the list). Treasure Item(s): Usually, crafters and alchemists happen to have these as they make them. Otherwise, you’d need a Virtue that makes your character wealthy to be eligible for having at least one of them. Each social status proving your character’s wealth and power allows 1 Treasure Item. Otherwise, Magical Item Virtue lets you pick one. Confidence Score: Every characters starts with 1 score, but a Virtue, or story events may raise it. Each score raises the point limitation by 3. The limitation may be surpassed temporarily by the effects of a Flaw or a Virtue. Confidence Points: Every character starts with 3 points, but a Virtue, Flaw, or story events may raise them. They may be used to make a dice roll check pass even when they fail. However, they’re lost forever once used, and must be gained anew. There are other ways to gain them, refer to the mechanism section below. Reputation Type: State the type of Reputation and its level your character has. This may only be gained through a Virtue, Flaw, or through story events after the RP starts. Spells: List all the spells your character had learned – this is only for Mage type characters. They must be listed chronologically, but the spells from your character’s primary Art comes first, before the rest. We don’t want things to be out-of-order, especially when we have to look up what spells your character has learned later on. Please put the Technique and Form name combination over the class of spells. I.e.: Write †˜Rego Corpus Spells’ then list off all the spells of Rego Corpus that your character learned. Mages have no real limit to learning spells, but characters are limited by Magical Education and Magic Theory Abilities. List of Zodiac Signs Available: (Update: No more Time Warrior slots available.) Spoiler: This contains all the Zodiac Signs your Time Warrior character may hail from, along with some basic or useful information about them. The full information about the powers will be sent via PM to the player by me. Zodiac Signs that are not taken before the RP starts will be used to make NPCs instead. To be honest, all these Zodiacs except for Aries and Libra are being targeted by my friends already… try taking your pick, anyway. Be careful, though. Once you get the actual full information about the chosen Zodiac Sign; you may not change to another Zodiac Sign. [size=15]Aquarius:[/h] Symbol: The Water Bearer. Color: Blue. Classification: Knight. Element: Water. Physical: Cool and Balanced. Realm Affiliation: Faerie Realm. Ruling Planet: Uranus. Lucky Stone: Amethyst, +2 Luck. Time Ability: Seeing a vision of the target’s past. He must sin after using this power. Vice: Your character’s sin is taking pride in his accomplishments. He is unable to boast, nor is he allowed to make statements that distinguish between †˜positions’ of himself and another. Time Span: January 20 - February 18. [size=15]Aries:[/h] Symbol: The Ram. Color: Red. Classification: Rogue. Element: Fire. Physical: Hot and Active. Realm: Infernal Realm. Ruling Planet: Mars. Lucky Stone: Diamond, +5 Luck. Time Ability: To go to the future. He must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is showing rage and anger through speech and words. He may not raise his voice beyond the ordinary level of speech. Time Span: March 21 - April 19. [size=15]Taurus:[/h] Symbol: The Bull. Color: Brown. Classification: Vanguard. Element: Earth. Physical: Active and Warm. Realm: Infernal Realm. Ruling Planet: Venus. Lucky Stone: Emerald, +4 Luck. Time Ability: Aging. Your character grows older by three years despite being immortal, in an instant. This ability only works if your character sins. Vice: Your character’s sin is hatred. He is disallowed from expressing any form of hate. He is disallowed from speaking words of hatred in any way. Time Span: April 20 - May 20. [size=15]Gemini[/h] Symbol: The Twins. Colors: Sky Blue and Emerald Green. Classification: Summoner. Element: Air. Physical: Cool and Move. Realm: Infernal Realm and Divine Realm. Ruling Planet: Mercury. Lucky Stone: Aquamarine, +3 Luck. Time Ability: Your character constantly see what would happen five seconds into the future. Vice: Your character’s sin is greed. Every time he finds himself fulfilled from self-satisfaction by completing an ambition – he has sinned. This only applies if your character had to step over some other person’s feelings of any kind to accomplish it. Time Span: May 21 - June 20. [size=15]Cancer:[/h] Symbol: The Crab. Color: Silver. Classification: Assassin. Element: Water. Physical: Cool and Passive. Realm: Magical Realm. Ruling Planet: Moon. Lucky Stone: Moonstone, +2. Time Ability: Acceleration of the process of something in an object, say, a cancer, for instance. Your character must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is rest. She must not rest or stop to relax in any case. Even when she has nothing to do, she must find something to occupy herself. Time Span: July 21 - August 22. [size=15]Sagittarius:[/h] Symbol: The Archer. Colors: Purple. Classification: Archer. Element: Earth. Physical: Cooling. Realm: Magical Realm. Ruling: Jupiter. Lucky Stone: Turquoise, +3. Time Ability: Unwind reality – your character is able reverse the time of something. Your character must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is lying. She is not allowed to lie in any way, even about something trivial. She must answer any and all questions truthfully and faithfully. Time Span: November 22 - December 21. [size=15]Capricorn:[/h] Symbol: The Goat. Colors: Black. Classification: Warrior. Element: Wind Physical: Cool and Strong. Realm: Magical Realm. Ruling Planet: Earth. Lucky Stone: Garnet, +2 Luck. Time Ability: Your character may completely stop the time of something. Forever. He must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is food. He must not express his hunger in any way, nor he show his desire to eat. Time Span: December 22 - January 19 Character Features: Spoiler: Flaws, Virtues, and Abilities: The system of Flaws and Virtues provides features to your character that makes him or her unique after you put them all together. When you’re making a character, you should pick Flaws and Virtues, first. A minor Flaw or Virtue is worth one (1) point, while a major Flaw or Virtue is worth three (3) points.. You are limited to 10 points when taking up Flaws. The accumulated points of the Flaws you took for your character grants you the same number of points required to buy Virtues. So if you buy Flaws equivalent to 10 points, you basically gain 10 points to buy Virtues. A Flaw is defined as a kind of issue in your character’s life that is sometimes considered not preferable. However, it is not always exactly †˜bad’. Selfishes is sometimes frowned upon, but it may be endearing for parents. Kindness is often seen as a good trait to have, yet it isn’t always necessarily good for a particular person to always show kindness. You must take the Vice Flaw to play a Time Warrior. Or the Blatant Gift to play a mage A Virtue is defined as something arguably helpful or nice to have, but it can make a person’s life harder. Work, responsibilities, power. They seem nice, but they add a weight to pressure to a person, most of the time. There are times when one may wish that they weren’t particularly skilled in something. You must take the Heaven’s Commandment, and the Mythic Blood to play a Time Warrior. Or take The Gift, or the Gentle Gift, to play a mage. If you wish for your character to be an ordinary, mundane character who is going to delve into the Magic World after the story starts; do not take the Heaven’s Commandment or The Gift (or any of its variations). Instead, take a Virtue or Flaw that justifies your character having supernatural connections. I.e.: Ghost Warder, Guardian Angel, Plagued by Supernatural Entity, etc. Please note that you must pick at least one personality Flaw, and one Social statue Virtue/Flaw during the character creation process for the profile to be legitimate. After you’re done picking Flaws and Virtues – it is time to look towards the Abilities. There are 35 base Ability points provided when creating a character, but several Flaws and Virtues gives extra points, albeit in some cases they may only be spent on particular types of Abilities. You must note that Academic, Arcane, Martial, and some Supernatural Abilities are locked. To unlock them, you must take a particular Flaw or VIrtue. You will come across various Flaws or Virtues allowing you to unlock them during the process of character creation. However, to unlock the few Supernatural Abilities – your character must be a Time Warrior. To buy Abilities, you must spend Ability Points; 1 Ability point per level, up to level 4. For levels 5 or above, you will have to spend 2 Ability points per level. For levels 8 and above, you must spend 3 Ability points per level. Do not forget that certain Flaw, Virtue, or Abilities may have you specify their type in the very names. Here is the list of the Virtues, Flaws, and the Abilities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZfRWOvsSi4dOYDP-NUt5FjfouSXXDsC9VY1UMtf0-tI/edit# Abilities your character has not learned may still be used unless it is marked with a * mark. The list may go through small changes as time passes. Arts and Spells: Mages practice the Arts to be able to cast spells. An Art consists of Techniques and Forms. Only by combining a Technique and Form, can a mage cast a spell. The first Technique and Form your character learns is his primary Technique and Form, as they are the first he had studied and understood. Hence, your character’s first 5 spells must be from that particular combination of Technique and Form. A Technique arises from studies of different fields. They’re not particularly related to magic, but they do grant one knowledge and wisdom. Techniques are a set of beliefs that tries to connect with a mystical Realm. Theology, for instance, teaches the Techniques of Creo and Rego. Techniques may be gained from certain Academic Abilities. There is no limit to learning Techniques for any characters. A Form is an element. Through the studies of a particular Realm may one delve into its properties to manipulate it. By mastering a Form, one may draw the mana of its affiliated Realm to fuel a spell. The Mana stat only determines how much Mana your character is able to harness before he drains himself out. A Form may be gained from the lore-based Arcane Abilities. Here is the list of Techniques, Forms, and Spells: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rbbnHP_X3AI4dBK80Db-vFq2xMxiffEWw7bwbLtbNWs/edit# The list may go through some changes as time passes – I may add more spells… I may not, too. We’ll see. Equipments: Weapon, attire, and Treasure Items – the set of equipments possibly usable in game terms in this RP. Your character may start with any ordinary weapon and clothing, but they may be enchanted. It is possible to have a Treasure Item from the start – but your character has to be wealthy to be eligible. A weapon is obviously a tool meant to wound and kill a target. For it to contain magic, or be a mythical weapon with special properties – you must buy the Magical Item Virtue, or the Relic Virtue, respectively. Weapons usually provide a base damage, which adds a number of damage into every normal attacks your character makes with that weapon. Ordinary weapons comes with 5 base damage. A Strength roll adds more damage to it. To have an absolutely ordinary weapon, say, a sword – you simply need to have a Single/Great Weapon (Sword) Ability for it. An attire is what provides protection up to an extent to your character. Mostly from the prying eyes, however. Ordinary dresses or attire of any kind comes with 2 Defense value. These attires may break as soon as your character is hurt, however. You must pick the Magical Item Virtue or the Relic Virtue if you wish your attire to have enchantments or special protective properties. Defense rolls allows a character to gain lowered damages. A Treasure Item is an enchanted item that usually comes with various effects. They are crafted by Crafters or Alchemists, and usually has mysterious effects. You may pick one from the list if your character is wealthy in any way. The most dangerous yet commonly seen Treasure Items are ones that possesses vis, usually worn by powerful mages. Vis is raw magic that may power up spells, by the way. You may pick more with Magical Item Virtue. Those under Relic type may not be picked during character creation, unless you use the allowance from the Relic Virtue. Remember that the Relic or Magical Item Virtue may not be picked twice. To dual wield a weapon (I.e.: two identical guns on both hands), your character must have the Martial Ability Single Weapon or the Ranged Weapon Ability at the appropriate level (4 for Single Weapon or, 3 for Ranged Weapon) of that particular type of weapon (I.e.: gun.). To use two different kind of weapons at once (I.e.: sword and wand on both hands), you must pick the Multiple-Weapon Martial Ability. However, you will have to purchase Single Weapon Ability or Ranged Weapon Ability (or Great Weapon/Thrown Weapon Ability) appropriately. So if you wish to have your character fight with a sword and a wand at the same time – you’d need to buy Single Weapon (Sword) at level 1 at least, and Single Weapon (Wand) at level 1, at least. Note how this Ability had to be bought twice, but under different type of weapon. You may justify four weapons if your character is an android or a marionette (after buying appropriate Virtues) by claiming that two weapons are fitted into legs or other parts of the body, while the rest are in both arms. Of course, you’d need to invest quite the number of Ability points for them. Those who wants over four weapons should just shoot themselves. Here is the list of Weapons, Attires, and Treasure Items: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLNCLQ3geMOHgkFGrlff7E7wTugJNVw7jEJCHz9eSV0/edit If there’s any grammar issues or major game-related issues, don’t hesitate to tell or use the comment function. Protip: Use ctrl + f to find something specific. You may use the Table of Contents add-on to navigate easier, especially for the spell list. I have the Table of Contents set up on most docs.

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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

“To think he’d give you such a trial…” the Queen’s voice trailed away as the two were walking down a different tunnel after exiting the Faerie Realm through the gates they passed through earlier. Apparently the Queen was taking him elsewhere now.

“Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. There wasn’t much choice but to accept.” Aramus said. He was already resigned to whatever was going to happen to him. At the very least, he wasn’t dead.

“You cannot live through the flames of hell unless you have holy magic to combat them, or equip yourself a protective relic… it is a harsh trial.”

“Guess I’ll have to find something that can allow me to do that, maybe one of Takeru senpai’s suits…” Aramus said wistfully, remembering how bullets bounced off his suit like they were nothing but pullets. “I don’t have the faintest idea of anything else otherwise.”

the Queen chuckled, as if Aramus was cracking jokes for her.

“Well, when there is a will, there is a way. I know the solution, but it is your trial so you must find it yourself,” the Queen replied.

“Things never come easy, do they?” He asked in response. “I suppose I’ll go dig up some more notes on Tartarus in the library or with Duchess Frederica. She should know a thing or two. I really want that suit though, it was marvelous.”

“Mn… I doubt there is any information on Tartarus specifically, but anything pertaining to hell itself may contain a clue,” the Queen stated. “I’m afraid I cannot provide a suit that is enhanced with technology like Japan, however…”

“I’m not even sure what the suit is made of but I want it, it is absolutely dapper.” Aramus exclaimed. “And thank you for the information, Your Majesty. Every little bit helps, especially for a place as dangerous as Tartarus.”

“Well, we do not have what they have, but we do have our own form of dashing suits with strong magical protection.”

“First I’ve heard of it. I know clothes can be enchanted, but I guess I’ll have to find some way to get protective garments after my robe was destroyed,” Aramus said, feeling somewhat naked without his familiar robe. “I really liked that robe…”

“Well, it is not as though I am in possession of such clothings, I am only relaying what Caroline told me earlier, that her husband’s company recently started to sell something like that. That said, I would imagine the price wouldn’t be pretty for you.”

“I definitely can’t afford a full outfit. There should be some other form of protection that I can obtain, I suppose. I’ll just need to look harder,” Aramus sighed, resignation written on his face.

“Considering the economy of Japan I doubt you’d be able to buy the type of suit Mister Takeru seems to use, either…” the Queen placed a hand on Aramus’ shoulder, showing pity. “You have it hard indeed.”

“Hardship builds character or so they say,” Aramus huffed.

“Well, one day perhaps I shall gift an appropriate garment imbued with magic, for now…” the two stopped before something that looked similar to a shrine Aramus once visited in Japan. “We have arrived. Here you shall be bestowed the Supreme magic I promised to grant you.”

“And here we go again,” Aramus said, shaking his head sourly. “Let’s get cracking then!”

When Aramus looked closely, this was actually something akin to a grave, and or perhaps a memorial of sorts? Either way, he thought he saw something glimmer in the dark, and coincidentally; Her Majesty approached it, and picked out something from the small tomb.

Atop Queen Victoria’s palm a golden earring shone strongly with magic.

“Pray use it well,” Her Majesty said, gifting the golden earring to Aramus.

“Of course, Your Majesty. This gift I receive with great honor,” he answered, kneeling as he received her gift. “I will treasure it, a sign of your trust in me.”

“I know you will. Use it when you feel the time is right,” his monarch replied. “Heaven’s Oath magic – Judgement; a spell so strong that it rends evil even before they may retreat back to their Realm… are words I carved on an ancient wall, but it’s effects are rather dependent on the target’s nature. This earring has the magic sealed into it, and once the spell is activated – by pouring your mana into it – it may never be used again from said accessory. You will, however, receive some extent of protection from evil with this earring.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.” Aramus said, rising and looking at the earring. He tried to keep the emotion of his face but some of the cheer leaked through in the form of a smile.

“With all said and done, I suppose we should return to the surface. I have to return to my other duties, and you to your various activities.”

“Mmm,” Aramus hummed, pocketing the earring for now. “I do not wish to trouble Your Majesty any further than I already have. It was a real shame our tea party was interrupted so ungraciously, maybe sometime again in the future.”

“Perhaps, we shall see.” the Queen began to walk back towards the elevator and so did Aramus. “That said, any word on when you return to the Eastern Magic Academy? I hear there are two months till the next semester begins.”

“I shall need to find a way back soon, perhaps with Elizabeth since we both need to return.” Aramus mused. “Though, there are a few things I have left unattended at the moment in England. That and a bit more digging at the library. I wonder if anything has changed since I left.”

“Well, I have a task to provide you for when you return to the Academy,” the Queen said, her voice turning solemn yet again.

“Anything, Your Majesty,” responding in kind, Aramus would strive to fulfill her direct order, especially now that it concerned not just him but the academy as well.

“You are acquainted with Duchess Margaret Alicia, yes? She is considered to be one of the oldest member of the staff employed by Headmistress Lumiere, I believe.”

“I am familiar, yes. She helped me out when I first arrived but otherwise, we have had few chances to speak with each other.”

“The Duchess who was widowed with the death of her husband. A family that harboured a cursed child. Banished for learning forbidden– no Supreme spells… many unpleasant rumours surrounded her at the time she was here. At the moment, she believes to be affiliated with the Academy more than anything, according to Mister Takeru. You must persuade her to lend her hand to our cause – to stop Virgo.”

“I understand, Your Majesty. I will do everything within my power, though I sense that she will not come easily. Partly because I am the one asking.” Aramus nodded. “Though I believe Virgo is far more dangerous than any other petty rumours that the nobility circulate.”

“You must. She is likely the only Duchess who can stand against an experienced Descendant alone.”

“A-Alone?” He gasped. “She holds that much power?”

“Indeed. She is a magician of the highest rank, and she is one of few that stands at the pinnacle of magecraft – a legitimate Archmage. After fifteen years she had mastered three Supreme magics. Which is considered a rather short period of time.”

“Three!? An Archmage as well? To think that someone of such strength would be at the Academy, I would have never imagined.”

“Well, I am an Archmage who is rumoured to know five of such spells, it is true but at the same time it is not; for I am unable to truly cast spells or use magic, unless I expend vis. However, Duchess Margaret is exceptional… we need her strength in this battle.”

“She would be indispensable in the upcoming conflict. I will do what I can, Your Majesty.”

“You will have a month at most to convince her. After the time expires, Frederica will come to pick you up, and whoever else will agree to fight with Virgo, with her you and the rest will travel to the New World. Then the battle will take place will take place at some point in the United States of America. I wish you luck.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

It had been a week, and Michael was always around the door leading to Laura’s room. Unfortunately he wasn’t allowed to be with her at some point, and was forced out by Robert, and a certain doctor he brought with him. He never even caught the sight of this so-called doctor, as he didn’t even care. He simply waited to see Laura recovered, and that’s all that mattered. He hardly even ate much ever since then, and Robert would seldom force him to have at least a chunk of bread or two.

“Michael, you alive there?” Robert asked. When Michael looked up he found his old friend, seemingly wearing a dreary look. “I have news on Laura.”

“You expression does not fill me with hope at all,” Michael replied. He tried to smile at Robert, but it made him look more morose than cheery.

“She… won’t be waking up for a while,” Robert said, closing his eyes. “We tried what we could, but it seems like she just isn’t waking up. When that vampire came out of her, luckily, its portal – or well, we believe it was a portal – was formed just beside her heart. If he’d wrecked her heart while he came out, I doubt she would be alive at all. I am ashamed to say this but, I am sorry.”

“No, it’s thanks to you we still have the chance. I was supposed to guard her, but look what I’ve done.”

“The other doctor we had recommended in mechanising her through the technology of steam, and even suggested an implementation of artificial organs. I… I suppose… well, I had to refuse. It is a rather unsafe method if you ask me. She may not be the same person she was if that would happen. In fact, we had only learned that Laura is a faerie after this incident, and her bodily structures – while the same on the outside – are different on the inside compared to humans. I’d rather not try something like gambling with her life. But perhaps she’d be awake if it’d succeed by now.”

“Thank you for that. Although, I’m surprised you took her being a faerie well, she was conscious about it.” Michael hesitated before continuing, “Did you find anything… else? Will that vampire be able to do that anymore?”

“No, we removed the taint,” Robert answered. “There was something like bad blood lurking in her,” he continued, sighing. “You know, her race was a shock to me at first. In fact, we didn’t publicise this information. The Pope, however, sent a letter that we should keep this to ourselves. So I suppose Laura is allowed to stay in the Organization without being branded a heretic. I wonder why that rumoured Mary girl would be delivering the letter, though. Perhaps the Organization is more busy than it seems.”

Michael sighed in contentment as he listened to Robert. The news of the Pope himself sending a letter with regards to this case was a surprise, but considering who got involved in the incident, it made sense. He wished he could’ve seen Mary when she delivered the letter so that he could thank her. The last time they talked just after the incident, Michael fell asleep. “That’s good. Then again, if they wanted to brand her as a heretic they wouldn’t have sent you first.”

“Well, they did not know at the time. When Mary carried her here I could only keep my eyes on that wound and how much effort I’d have to pour forth to bring her back to proper health. That said, you know how empty this Church is usually most of the time, especially at night. The priest who deals with the mundanes seems to hardly involve himself with the more important matters.”

“Well then. I suppose now’s a good time to break fast,” Michael said as stretched his arms. His hunger came in bulk as his worries became lighter.

“About time you said that, I’d been wondering if you’d die from a lack of food or from a load of worries.”

“You underestimate me. Besides, I’ve got work to do, can’t die just yet.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

“You must be wondering where I am taking you today,” Catherine said, peering through the window of the carriage. Claudia sat beside her, and the coach could hardly hear them speak. The two were bored back in the Ritz, and suddenly, the Countess suggested a trip for a change of pace. Rose refused to come, and Marco was away, busy with his… dining. Meanwhile, Ansel was tasked with preparing for their travel to Japan. A month had already passed by the time this day came to be. Apparently preparing a trip isn’t easy, and the vampires had quite a lot of elements to be cautious of. When the Queen’s Meeting had ended, many members of the Organizations were going back to their respective countries, crowding the Magic Trains, making it improbable for travel at the time.

“That was what I wondered, indeed. Where exactly are we going? Something to pass the time, perhaps?” Claudia replied, crossing one leg with the other in her seat.

“I had figured that I should introduce you to my current family and household,” Catherine answered. She seemed strangely happy, and her expression wasn’t anything devilish, how rare. “Albeit, not all of the family is in London; some are far away on the Eridge Castle. I have two sisters, and a so-called mother at my so-called home in London.”

“No father?” Claudia questioned, albeit surprised that Catherine would even consider bringing her to meet her family of all people. She wondered if she had gained her trust far enough to manage something like that.

“No, I do have a father. Lord Abergavenny, in other words William Nevill, Marquess of Abergavenny. However, he and the rest of the family reside in Eridge Castle, as previously mentioned, my dear.” The Countess looked towards Claudia and chuckled. “It is a little ironic, considering his profession and my life-long task, because he works as a lieutenant for the second Life Guards. He is taking a little time off at the moment at the Eridge, otherwise he’d be here in London.”

“As expected of the famous Countess, she comes from a prestigious family as well. I wonder if they are as… interesting as you are? That would be a sight to bear,” Claudia remarked, smirking.

“Oh, I am but pretending to be a daughter of an aristocratic family,” Catherine explained, implying that she should not get too excited about the other members of the family. “They are not aware of my identity, and I… treat them as family, for now. I have simply chosen a prestigious background in this era to maintain a public identity, both in the mundane world and the Magic World. How else would anyone know me as Catherine in the Royal Academy?”

“I see, that would make sense, actually,” Claudia said, placing a hand on her chin. “Shame, and I thought I would finally meet the one responsible for that alluring charm of your’s. I must know who you inherited that from.” Claudia seemed all too interested about that for some reason to want to meet Catherine’s real family. Truthfully, she was curious about her rather… open personality.

Catherine laughed. So much that it was not normal as she held her stomach from laughing too much. “I see, I see! You’re curious of my late mother. Unfortunately, I am so old that I do not even remember her, †˜tis a pity indeed. I always thought this charm you refer to was something I developed throughout my life. I was much more stoic in the past, mind you.”

Claudia appeared intrigued, more so than usual. “You? Stoic? That is one image I cannot see, but then again, I have only seen you as you are now – in this form, mind you. Any different would just be impossible for me to picture.”

“And you shouldn’t picture me in those states. This is an image I worked hard for, I must continue to benefit from it,” Catherine stated then looked through the window again. “Back when I was stoic, I was but a murderer, desperately looking for something I sought for long ago…”

Reclining in her seat, Claudia hummed, seeing a bit of herself in the Countess now that she heard that. Come to think of it, she hardly knew much about her employer at all besides the fact that she was known as the leader of a terrorist organization. “I see. And that something… did you ever find it?”

“Mn? Yes, yes, I did. However, I lost it not too long after that,” Catherine answered, smiling wryly.

Claudia did not know why, but that smile unsettled her a bit. She never met anyone who would smile from losing something. “I don’t mean to pry, but what was that thing, exactly?” She asked curiously, almost hesitant.

“That is, of course, love,” Catherine answered, as if it was obvious from the start.

Claudia’s eyes widened at that. Marco did say it was difficult to shoot for someone like the Countess. Apparently someone managed to grab her interest long enough so long ago. Moreover, Claudia was a little taken aback to hear that Catherine was capable of something like that. The girl couldn’t help but smile and nod at the Countess. “You become more interesting every time I speak with you, Countess.”

“I’ve married quite a lot of times in my lifetime,” the Countess revealed, continuing to talk about more her past. “However, love was as short as the life of man. Eventually, I was struck with despair, and desired sleep… so that I would find my beloved in my dreams. Pitiful, wouldn’t you say? I learned to move on at some point of course; I learned that only those who’d be able to accompany you for long are best to be close. Claudia, my dear, you are one such existence. Do you know how much I cherish a long-lasting existence – the person I made to be my Representative?”

Claudia pursed her lips. “I’m assuming a great deal?” She asked, surprised to be hearing all this now.

“You are a vampire like none other. You’re closer to what I am; you’re akin to a daughter to me, my dear.” The Countess smiled, happy, her countenance holding no malice at all, and she patted Claudia’s hair lovingly. “Oh, my, I apologise; I should not have done that. I almost ruined your hair.”

“N-No, it is fine… I don’t mind if you touch it at all,” Claudia replied, making an entranced expression. She almost let out a surprised sound when she did, too, something of a yelp. Could it be that she’d become aroused with contact of her hair, perhaps? That was new.

“Oh, is that so? I thought I heard something like a moan?” The Countess enquired. “Do pardon me, I do not mean to distress you in any way.”

“M-Me? Distressed? No, no, no. I… I am not distressed at all…” Claudia replied, feigning a false, and easily seen-passed guise. How about that, she was even sweating a little.

“I can easily see past any form of social feigns, my dear,” Catherine said, chuckling. “Are you sure you should be lying to me?” She asked, wiping Claudia’s sweat with a handkerchief.

Claudia, flushing red once the Countess’ handkerchief came in contact with her face, coughed a little at the question in an attempt to compose herself. “N-No, I apologise, Countess,” she responded with a small lapse in her voice.

“Then I’d love to hear the truth behind the ruse.” With the handkerchief taken back, she observed Claudia’s countenance. She was tense, and the Countess couldn’t be help but be amused. “Is your scalp perhaps sensitive?”

“...Along with a select few parts of my body… yes,” Claudia answered truthfully, docile at that.

“Mn, select few parts, is it?” Catherine’s fingers found their way into Claudia’s ears, then down to her neck. “Like… these?”

With a start, Claudia yelped once more, clear this time. “Y-Yes, those. Th-those especially…” she said, attempting not to lose sight of her words under her own moans.

“Oh, dear, I only meant to tease you for but a moment, I did not consider the possibility of my guesses to be correct.” Catherine laughed again, taking back her hand. “I shall stop now lest you begin to detest me for sexual harassment. I’ve already stolen a kiss. It’d be strange in ordinary circumstances, you’d likely prefer a gentleman treating you this way.”

“I... well, women are in equal value to me. It is not like I hate this, either – rather... it is an honor to be treated in this manner by you,” Claudia mused, blushing. “Is it wrong to enjoy such a depraved thing?”

“I do remember that you never quite resisted when I stole a kiss – granted I went along with the mood – but I always gave the benefit of the doubt instead of making an assumption of your nature,” Catherine said, considering Claudia’s words and taking her sweet time. “Is it wrong from your perspective? If not, then it likely isn’t. I shall treat you in this manner if you really enjoy it, however.” She giggled, mischievously as ever.

“M-My nature? N-N-No! It is not wrong, but I meet with many a person telling me that it is. I… I am glad that you would give me the benefit of the doubt, regardless. I’ve had a lot of people turn on me as of late, but I couldn’t be any happier to be...t-t-teased by you...” said Claudia, mind in scribbles that she could hardly spit out a stable word.

“Yes, yes. I see. Despite your experiences you’re still a young maiden at heart. For a vampire, camaraderie is quite rare and limited, yet all the more precious when found. People would turn on you for your apparent villainy, but telling them the truth is not the answer… performing your given duty and orders is where it is. And lastly… if any amount of teasing makes you happy, it’d be my pleasure to entertain you.”

Claudia looked on at her employer with a longing expression and brought her quivering lips to a smile. She was far more exhilarated than she thought. But why not? This was her employer, and nothing simply got Claudia’s flowing than something as scandalous as that. She could only mouth, “Oh my God,” as she shielded her eyes under her hand in disbelief for a moment, removing them to see Catherine with that mischievous smile again. “I’m so glad, Countess. I believe you just made my day…”

“Of course, as expected of myself,” Catherine said, proud. “I know you best, after all,” she added, patting the girl’s hair again with a laugh.

Holding back a moan, Claudia substituted it with a pleased sigh. “Ou-out of everyone in BLoodLuSt?”

“For now, I suppose.” Catherine giggled again. “Eventually you will get to know a gentleman. Like… Marco, yes?”

Claudia pursed her lips, pausing for a moment. “O-Oh… he told you? Or is that your well-known intuition telling you so?” Claudia asked, almost taken aback.

“I learned via observation. The countenances speaks more than mere words, my dear.”

“Was I really that obvious? You are just too amazing – as expected of you, Countess.”

“Yes, but I think it isn’t too hard to tell considering the glances you two give exchange.”

Claudia scratched the back of her head and snorted. “Of course...” she said with a defeated smile, sighing. “I was in a really frail state, that night – when I lost my arm – to the point where I needed somebody, I guess. And Marco... he's one of the good ones, too.”

“Well, it is all well now. I’m sure Marco would treat you as you should be – as a †˜fair’ lady like he claims. I wish you two luck from the bottom on my heart.”

“T-Thank you, Countess, really, and here I thought you would be indifferent on the matter.”

“I may be a terrorist but I do have a heart for my comrades, if anything,” the Countess said, pretending to frown.

As if out of turn, Claudia laughed at the Countess’ false frown after a moment of staring at her blankly. Seeing her do it was just priceless to her in some way. It reminded her of the many overexaggerated reactions of someone she once called friend. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just that you with a frown like that is unbecoming.”

“My, no need to laugh that hard…”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

The coach walked up to open the door of the carriage after it stopped. The two ladies stepped out and looked from down-to-up and viewed the manor in all its glory.

“Welcome to my humble – official – abode, my dear.” Catherine was all ladylike in how she portrayed herself up till now. However her face turned cold. “If… if something were to happen to me, you should take shelter here,” she said, looking up to the sky with a forlorn look.

Claudia blew a bang of her hair from her eye, all the while humming in affirmation to her employer’s words. She smirked, however... “I will make sure nothing of the sort will ever happen. If my body is able in protecting you, we won’t ever have need of such a place,” Claudia said, now with a sincere expression.

“That is untrue, my dear, for this world is full of dangers you have yet to learn of, and besides, this is a good second hiding place as any.”

“Still, wistful thinking like that makes me uneasy. I’m no woman of superstition and the like, but even something as simple as a jinx is enough to unsettle me,” Claudia replied. “Then again, I think too much on things. Is it likely that your parents will find it appealing to have their home used as a place for stowaways?”

“Jinx is the most basic of superstitions, though,” Catherine retorted, laughing. “No, they love to hire maids, if anything.”

Claudia snorted in reply, realising her words were two sides of the same coin. “I’m sorry – they love to hire maids? I’m a little curious as to how many they have working under them, now.”

“Quite a lot, actually,” Catherine answered earnestly. “This family has quite the number of members so it is never enough. In fact, I planned to introduce you as someone I had already hired as a personal maid – of sorts, I suppose – to accompany me in my travels.”

“Oh my, back to stage one then, I suppose,” Claudia remarked, chortling at the thought of being a maid once more.

“Oh, don’t worry your pretty little head off. Not like I’d actually make you do any chores like a real maid, and neither do I need one” Catherine said, “It’s for show, for show.” She walked, ushering for Claudia to follow along.

“Right, right. It will be simple until they start asking questions. Gods know, I am a horrible liar.” Claudia chuckled, following closely behind the Countess.

“We’ll be just fine. That said, when I meant for you to come here if something happens… you’d simply become the next †˜Catherine’ to this family… if that is within this era, of course,” she said. The servants were already lined on both sides as the two proceeded towards the main door of the manor.

“So provided something were to happen to you – Gods forbid – I would live here… as you, basically?” Claudia asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Indeed, in name and status only, of course,” Catherine answered. “Unless you wish to take over the position of one of my so-called sisters. Be my guest in that case, except Rose. She is also a member of this family, though it is a fact that she is truly related by blood. Regardless, we have specialist hypnotists for such shadowy work of replacements to be possible… right here in this house.”

Claudia mused. “Now that’s something to come in handy. Though, basically we are visiting Rose’s family, then,” she said. “I imagine such replacing is done rather often?”

“No, it is – on the contrary – rare. We don’t over-indulge our most effective methods to gaining safe identities to have proper access to the society in general. It’d only make it easier to uncover the secret via investigation.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

“Welcome home, daughter,” a motherly figure said, her voice sounded strong and overbearing. Her hair long black and wavy, she was tall and seemed to be beautiful, not as much as the Countess, but she had the charm of maturity, along with the airs of strictness. “I see you have been out a lot. I hope you do not overindulge your stay in the Ritz Hotel.”

“It is a marvelous place, though, mother. I do not see why I should not do so,” Catherine replied, acting like a real daughter. “It’s closer to the academy, and it has – admittedly – better facilities. I’m sure Rose would agree too had she agreed to come with me today.”

“Hmph, you and Rose should learn from Violet. She’d rather travel than waste a penny for the sake of extra luxury. Kids these days really need to learn from her… ”

“Now, now…”

The conversation continued, and it seemed like Lady Caroline Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone was more than just distressed from her worries about her daughters. Claudia stood behind Catherine as the so-called mother and daughter had a talk over tea on the balcony. She was introduced as a maid Catherine hired after she revealed her plans to travel out of the country. Claudia was supposedly her personal maid, a helpful companion for her travels.

“And really! To think you’d want to travel overseas now, there should be a limit to your wanderlust. You never know what dangers lurk out there in the modern counties. I do not know how much your maid will be of use there...”

“Fret not, Madame. I will ensure – with all my might – that my Mistress will remain unscathed in her travels,” Claudia reassured, taking a note from back when she was an actual maid. Within this sentence, she even made her classic bow with both hands folded along her thighs. “I am much more than a simple maid, you see. I have a keen sense of combat, all to my Mistress’ liking.”

“Can you… really?” Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone enquired, narrowing her eyes as she analysed Claudia’s figure for the first time. “I do not mean any offense to you, but you strike me as a heiress of a noble house that went under long ago, or the likes, yet you appear to be foreign… your character is seemingly odd,” she frankly stated her opinion, with coldness and brutal honesty. That was, however, this lady’s charm. “Are you sure you can take care of my daughter? Do think before you speak. Nobles of England are the nation’s prized treasures for the future. They must be treated with utmost care, and the dangers of slavers and human traffickers are ever present.”

“Mother… you are being rather overprotective,” Catherine expressed, smiling. She was somehow defeated, but seemed to appreciate the caring mother. “I shall be just fine.”

“Indeed,” Claudia agreed. “I am well aware of the dangers of this decrepit world… slavers and human traffickers alike. I may not look it, but I am able-bodied, Madame.” Claudia’s ruby pupils narrowed and glimmered as she said this.

“You too…” Catherine shook her head, disappointed. “Such dangers are present everywhere, mother, but not as common as exaggerated as they are said to be,” she claimed, going against the views of both. “We will be just fine.”

“There you go again, being careless!” The mother disagreed with the daughter strongly, and it seemed like she shared Claudia’s opinions instead. “Your maid seems much more knowledgeable and aware of the situation this world is in.”

“On the contrary, I am neither agreeing with my Mistress or you in particular; I know in fact that this world is dangerous. At the same time, I believe we cannot stand idly by in fear of what might, or what would happen. Fear is just another deep-seated reaction we humans face – and in my honest opinion, it is also something I believe we all could overcome with rational thinking,” Claudia voiced. “Madame, I understand your concerns, as my parents were the same way – however, I cannot rebel against my Mistress’ wishes. If she wants to go, I cannot advise against it.”

“Oh, no, you are agreeing,” both Catherine and the mother said in unison, surprising themselves.

Catherine looked at her mother and shrugged. “You are essentially implying that my mother isn’t aware of dangers, while you are basically saying the same thing as she is.”

“And before you get deep on the fear topic; you’re not supposed to advise anyway. Don’t even talk about it. You are but a maid, know your place,” the mother said, strict, but Catherine smiled in return to this response.

“Mother, that is exactly what she is saying. Doubtless, no mere maid or even you can change my pursuit for adventure. This is an unmistakable trait I so possess. We are all aware of dangers.”

Claudia nodded. “That is all I was saying. Forgive me if I offended in any way, Madame.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

“That took a while to convince her,” Catherine sat down on the sofa in her room. Her room was on the third floor, and it was grand in its own way, and more personalised unlike the room at the Ritz. There were paintings adorning the walls and a vivid colour of red for the decor, just like the carpets. The bed was marvelously large, as if for a princess. Claudia’s employer sighed despite not wanting to as a result of finally getting her well-deserved rest. “You should not be so forth-coming about your experiences, my dear.”

Claudia only now entered the room briefly after following Catherine. Apparently she had the privilege to stay with Catherine even past bedtime on her mistress’ permission.

“Yes, yes. I figured if I mentioned past experiences she would only yield to allowing you to leave,” Claudia replied, scanning the room casually as if she had just walked into her own. “Though even if the outcome was the latter, I suppose that would not be enough to stop you, would it?”

“Of course not. I am dead-set on Sagittarius, and I dare not avoid an opportunity to deal with the other two Descendants that Japan has managed to have under their palms,” the Countess said, determined to crush other Descendants.

Claudia hummed, pleased to hear. “Good, and here I thought the yoke of a parent would bind the great Countess from her sworn duty. Ohohoho,” she chortled in a teasing manner.

“Oh, please, I know how to lead myself, albeit I do attempt to play a good daughter, nothing beats the feeling of a successful act.”

“I say, you are quite the thespian. It is stifling to say the least, seeing how believable you are,” Claudia half-joked, coating her sentence with an impressed applause to her Mistress.

“I used to be an actress, just so you know. You’re too young to learn… the various pleasures scattered across the world. Sex – that act of mating which you so obsess over – is mere a part of the fun.”

And with that, Claudia’s comedic applause came to an abrupt and skittering halt. She blushed red and looked to the Countess with furrowed brows. “W-Well I won’t learn any of those pleasures staying cooped up on this primitive island…” Claudia replied in a mock offended manner. She turned away and felt her burning red face and huffed. “Christ, you are so direct… almost too direct that it is polarising….

“To be fair, it is dependent on character rather than location in your case, my dear,” the Countess replied, not agreeing with her notion. “There are plenty of theatres here, for example. In fact, this is the only country where you may spend your life doing the classy theatre acting performances for a living – I’d be happy if I were you. This island is a treasure trove of things. You are missing out, young lady.”

“Acting was never my forte, however,” Claudia replied, shaking her head. “I was always interested in dancing, though I seldom practiced—let alone tried—any routines in my lack of spare time. There was always something about dancing which had me so mystified; the energy of the crowd as you take the stage which deluges into your movements, the bright lights showcasing your body in its entirety, and the ability to wow those who look on at you. It was a passion I picked up back in Paris, though, probably an idle one.” Claudia looked into the ceiling, staring somberly.

The Countess burst out laughing, so much that she held her stomach – again. “My dear, you are quite amusing. I was only providing an example. I never thought acting was my forte either, I can dance just as good as acting. I can even do fencing, and yes I did sorcery in my lifetime as well… what else? Right, sports. It’s a matter of having the time to put in the effort. That said, England is the only country where balls and court dancing hold more than just a meaning. Court dancing is heavily misunderstood in the New World. On the contrary, there are various styles out there that even I never explored. You, as you are now, have time to invest. Why not pick up a dancing course sometime? I doubt you’d regret it.”

Claudia puffed out a cheek and pouted. The Countess’ laughing burned into her skin like a molten hot brand. She sighed and evidently rubbed her forehead. “Right, yes… I suppose finding a teacher couldn’t hurt…” Claudia said, muttering under her breath with defeat laced in her voice. “I would ask you something along the lines of, †˜Oh, you play sports?’ but knowing how long you’ve lived, trying different things is a given.”

“Ahhh… I did not mean to hurt you so,” the Countess said, approaching her so-called maid and patting her like before. “Mnm… not every one of us Descendants picks up different things just because we live long. In simply twenty years you can do most of the things I did, but only if you focus on them and don’t deal with… say, family, or other little aspects of life. A year itself is a lot of time. How about… let me see; on the topic of Descendants that lived long and did not try different things… mn,” the employer considered carefully, “how’d you consider the old tale of Virgo?”

“I’ve never heard it…” Claudia replied after waving off the Countess’ apology in acceptance. “It is not mentioned a lot in the Royal Academy, but on the rare occasion it is, they only tell us of the previous Virgo’s defeat, or another mixed story on top of that.”

“Previous? Ah, yes, we only ever had one Virgo throughout the real history,” the Countess said, apparently correcting herself. “In reality, Virgo was a ruler of a certain nation that is off the map of the current world. All the other nations she conquered allowed her domain to be so large that she was undoubtedly fearsome. She was indeed defeated in battle, for everyone wished to bring her down to the level of her very heels.”

“As do they feel about every other Descendant, yes?” Claudia added.

“The reasoning behind wanting her to go down was distinctive. She was recognised as an extremely prideful and arrogant ruler. She had dozens of lovers, and no one was actually loved. The bitter feeling of never being loved back by those who claim to love you, and would even have sex for the sake of only pleasure… have you ever experienced it? Many who were related and were involved with Virgo did, and that bitter feeling was enough to aid in revolution… and the enemies beyond the kingdom’s walls simply took advantage of its inner turmoils...”

Claudia was no doubt taken aback by that. For such a trivial reason? “My, I had no idea she was promiscuous….” Claudia said to herself, placing a hand on her chin. “Had I ever experienced something like this? No, only within a few of my books. But, by the writing, I could tell the authors were feigning extreme pain; but within a few pages of text and reality is a two-way street. I can imagine how bad it feels, being treated in such a manner. Yes… but I see no reason to revolt against her for that cause.”

“I suppose she is more up your alley in terms of tastes. Promiscuous indeed, for she loved pleasure, and absolutely detested those seemingly wanting to be over her. The men united under a banner – a common belief, so to say – for they felt betrayed, and no less were they… killed. Yes, my dear, killed… so that they’d never tell her people that she engaged in depraved unions with them, so that her name would remain clean to the eyes and unsullied by her countrymen. No ruler was perfect, and nor was she, the alluring Queen of a long-forgotten country. Word spread out, of course. Virgo’s pride and open insults to other nations were much more than simple offensive, too. Humans were none the wiser, for the knowledge of the Descendants were as scarce as diamonds – I’d wager they still are in some cases – and thus people hardly knew what the Queen was. All they called her was… a monster of the battlefields.”

“A… monster?” Claudia questioned, unsure if she heard the Countess’ words correctly the first time. She raised a brow in confusion no doubt. “On what grounds was she so?”

“She used her powers openly, to be specific.”

“I see… what a tale. I especially like this version better than the one they taught us in the Academy. This would be a scandal if prying ears would find out.”

“A scandal of someone who is doubted to live? I doubt it,” the Countess said, shaking her head. “But… do you really think she killed her so-called mates she found pleasure from?”

“I would not be surprised if that were so, honestly. As depraved as that sounds, I guess that’s just my cynicism talking again.”

“Allow me to give you a hint, my dear. She adored them, even if she did not love them… she had never meant to treat them badly, for they gave her what she wished from them… yet, how did her intimates die?”

“...Oh my, they died from the sex itself?”

“Pfft, hahaha! No, silly. I had killed them,” Catherine answered. She then resumed her laughter, but it was more evil than simply finding Claudia’s guess hilarious.

“Oy…” Claudia said, rubbing her temples with a chuckle, feeling silly. “So you caused her vilification of the men around her, in secret, I’m guessing?”

“My villainy was simply a catalyst to setting the flames up among her men, in the most wrongest of ways. I caused her downfall like so, and it was a sight all the more pleasant to witness. It was a glorious day – observing Queen Victoria slaying Virgo at midnight exactly, and sealing her. Beautiful.”

Claudia hummed, not surprised her Countess would cause something like that. She was interested in this tale, regardless. “How devilish of you, Countess. Truly. I have no issue against it, but my question remains; why? The same reason you intend to snuff out the other Descendents now?”

“I kill Descendants, or cause their doom. That is my objective, and to that end…” the Countess paused, looking towards the window listlessly, and the chirping birds beyond it, “I shall accomplish it through whatever means I must adopt.”

“That is all I need to hear.” Claudia nodded, accepting of this. “Then I will be right behind you. Every step you take, every move you make, every person you kill,” Claudia paused for a moment to vocally crack her index finger once more, “I will be there to ensure they are thorough. As your Representative, I will be more than that—I will be your sword and shield… and I would prefer it if you were the hands that swung me.”

“I have high expectations of you,” the Countess said, palming the girl’s cheek. Her smile more than simply enticing. “Then, as your wielder, I’d be able to… hm, admire your form, yes?”

Staring her employer in the face, Claudia smiled with half-lidded eyes. She straightened her posture just so she could look up to the Countess. “I am your weapon. Admire me, use me, or wield me as you please. I will not mind at all…” she said, finding Catherine’s hip with her hand, tracing it with her finger.

“I see, then for the rest of the day, under the veils that are these four walls; I shall pamper you in what you would love to indulge in the most pleasurable… ways that Virgo so loved,” Catherine said, she raised her lips up to Claudia’s ears, her hands slipping into her back for a light embrace. “Offer to me your blood, present to me a sweet dream.”

“That I will, my Countess…” Claudia beamed, unbuttoning the front of her shirt partly from the very cleavage of her breasts, completely ready to allow the woman to take her. “I’m yours…”

“Very well.” The Countess’ fangs dug under the skin of her Representative as she ravenously sucked on Claudia’s blood after biting at the corner of her neck. The blood was apparently so delectable that she almost forgot to say what came next to her mind. “You may drink mine too, my dear.”

“Y-Yes…” Claudia said, complying. She bit lightly alongside Catherine’s shoulder, working her way up to the side of the woman’s neck where she dug her fangs inside. She drank copious amounts of blood that the girl’s mind nearly went blank. She still tried to process what was going on here, whether she drank the blood of the Countess, or that she was going to bed with her; Claudia didn’t know anymore. All that was to focus on was the woman in front of her, the woman who stole her first kiss, the one who accepted her when there was no one else.

The Countess, Claudia’s Countess.

“I feel strangely covetous today… you will become mine… won’t you?” Claudia found herself pushed down subsequently. Clothes? What clothes? The two were hardly covered by any form of silk or fabric objects. The Countess’ fingers traced across her navel, and it flared Claudia’s anticipation rapidly as she playfully caressed the girl. The sheepish grin that was mixed with a cute devilish look on the Countess’ face was simply priceless. “Entertain me,” she said under her breath before hearing more of her moans. How delightful her expression was. How pleasing the sensation was. How music to her ears it was.

Claudia simply hummed, pleased from the very sensation that was the Countess’ touch. She practically moaned from it – having to endure this – granted her sensitivity rather she holding it back. She wouldn't give Catherine the pleasure of the entirety of her voice just yet. “Yes, I will do as you ask, Countess. I will entertain you… I will be yours...” Claudia ran her hands along her employer's back gently, peppering kisses along the woman's collarbone. The adrenaline was starting to get to her, Claudia was starting to grow restless as she caressed the Countess with zest. “God, I can't take this anymore – just fuck me up, please. Don't tease me anymore...”

The Countess giggled. “Your choice of words are as vulgar as ever, so unacceptable to Englanders, yet so amusing.”

Something she’d never have imagined occurred as Claudia’s eyes found its way down to her employer’s crotch. Was she imagining it?

“I can make the impossible manifest,” Catherine whispered lovingly, her sweet words melting away every form of reason in Claudia’s mind. “Would you like me to take it from you? ...Your virginity?”

Claudia, who stared mystifyingly at the Countess' new manhood—womanhood—she didn't know anymore—with longing eyes. She bit her lip and gazed at Catherine, with almost an impatient expression. At this point, it did not seem like she cared any longer. “I don't believe you heard me earlier, Countess, and it was not my intention to misinform – I said: fuck. Me. Up,” she expressed as vulgarly as she could manage, gripping the woman's arms tightly.

However, on the contrary, the timeless lady who could manipulate her body to grow such a thing playfully ignored Claudia’s pleas.

“Oh, are you telling me what to do now? That is not quite how you make a request, my dear. You should help me prepare like a good girl…”

“Oh, you tease~,” Claudia said, completely entranced by this ability to shape one's body to their desire. With that, she complied, gripping her employer in a single hand. She gave a few simple breaths and a mental thought of what she read in her books before opening her mouth and taking the most of Catherine in before gagging a little.

“I suppose you are new to this, not bad, however…”

Claudia looked like a puppy as she sat on her knees and wiped her mouth clean of saliva which lingered from her lips. She looked up at Catherine with the most amusing expression she had ever seen, almost as if the girl was begging. “Please... take me now, I cannot hold any longer...” she urged.

“Very well…”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

Laura still did not wake up.

Michael no longer overstayed his welcome around Laura’s room where she slept. She reminded him of Iris, somehow, whom he hadn’t met in a while. He could hardly find the time to go to her, and even if he could, what could he say to allow his attendant to meet her? Considering that Iris was in a coma, nothing would change if he’d come to her, either. The girl would have to come to him or he’d continue to have anxieties about her. Michael spent his time doing missions. Smaller works given by the Church. Some of them involved having to kill lower ranking vampires, and even getting rid of infernals summoned via failed experiments of diabolists.

Today was one such day in which he was summoned to the Church, to the halls where he could vividly remember speaking with Laura and making reports about the lycanthrope who was apparently someone he knew in reality. The figure before him was a different woman in place of Laura. Her gaze was colder, but not in any way endearing. She held no expression. Her lone presence brought about a feeling of melancholy to the church hall somehow.

“Hello, I had been sent by a different section today,” she said. “I am the Knight of Lilies. Please address me as Lily,” she said, making a light smile. She seemed to be holding a slip of paper. The girl wore a white and blue dress, seemingly not a nun, but a knight like Laura. Armour being invisible was an issue with identifying knights.

“Michael Kallweit. Pleased to meet you, Miss.” Michael returned her smile with one of his own. “Would you like some tea? Or a snack, perhaps?”

“No, I am fine, thank you.” Lily politely declined the offer and handed Michael the paper she held. Plainly, it was a description of the inquisition he had several days ago. It detailed, in general, what were likely facts regarding the events that occurred in the Queen’s Meeting and what he knew of Claudia according to what he heard and witnessed. “You may remember where this is from,” she said as Michael read the paper. “You have a new mission, Mister Kallweit.”

“I see. I thought they gave this to someone else already, after the third Infernal,” his tone sounded like he was joking, but his face was gloomy. “I suppose you are not just here to deliver this message?”

“I have a letter for the details of the mission, would you please read it?” Lily said, handing a letter from her pocket.

Michael took the letter, and subsequently tore off the seal and took out the message. Upon reading it, he learned that his mission was nothing compared to what he had been dealing with before.

The seal, now that he thought it… yes indeed, how could he miss it. Of course it was hand-written from the Pope. He was to pursue the vampire he fought that day on the grounds just outside the Buckingham House. Claudia, he found the name again mentioned.

This was serious.

The letter detailed how he was chosen for this mission because he had first-hand experience in dealing with Claudia, the Representative vampire, after some concerns for him and Laura written out of formalities.

The mission itself involved him having to leave this country for Japan, the futuristic country, where apparently Claudia was on her way to. In Tokyo the vampire would apparently go to visit, for reasons unknown. Possibly to escape the clutches of the Church and its executors. Claudia would likely be with the Countess most of the time, but not all of the time. Whatever business they were up to was likely a good thing, for any terrorism in Japan would perhaps be beneficial to the Western Alliance somehow. However, Michael’s concern was to be solely Claudia’s execution, and if possible other vampires along the way. He’d be rewarded based on his kill count of †˜heretics’ in Japan.

Lastly, Lily was supposed to be his partner in this mission. Both of them were not given the position of leading, however. They’d have to come to an agreement every time they’d take an action and plan wisely.

“Before we get started, do you have any concerns, Miss Lily? I would very much prefer to work alone, myself,” Michael said defiantly, looking straight at Lily. His tone didn’t give any hint of mockery, nor any sign that he was belittling her.

“Do you know anything regarding Japan? I haven’t been there myself, but I know their mother tongue,” Lily said, completely unfazed, and instead introducing a possible disadvantage of working alone. “The country is isolated in more ways than one, and information on it, scarce. We’d be allowed to live in the Eastern Magic Academy—as informed by the letter—for the course of this mission, and I doubt you alone can handle this monstrous heretic that you are to take down. Considering the fact that you have already once failed.”

“Very well, then. I had never thought I would be going to Japan, so I never learned the language,” Michael replied, backing down. “The problem with the vampire was it seemed like she was strange—even for a vampire, it seemed like there was something else.”

“All the more reason to not take it on alone,” Lily smiled, replying, her hand brought forward for a handshake. “Camaraderie is never a bad thing along the way of a mission, and I doubt the Pope is unwise enough to lump us together randomly. I look forward to working with you.”

Well, that is, until we find her. “Same here,” Michael replied as he shook her hand. “I suppose now’s a good time as any to get familiar with each other’s capabilities, don’t you think?”

“I suppose.” Lily gave a nod. “The trip to Japan is in a month, until then we may even formulate a strategy for how we’d deal with her after finding her. On the note of the trip, though… your passport and legal documents are still being formed and fabricated. They shall be delivered when they are ready in time.”

“I suppose I should describe her first. That vampire enjoyed dealing pain. I probably wouldn’t be here if she focused on just taking me out. She showed the ability to summon beasts and is a bit tough, but it seems that she can be susceptible to Mentem spells, seeing how effective Penance Stare and Frighten were to her,” Michael spoke, highlighting some things he noticed while fighting Claudia. “Ah, aside from those two spells, I prefer to use a gun and my sword. That is, if I’m not able to prepare traps beforehand.”

“I see,” Lily said. Half-way through Michael’s explanations of his experiences she already had a notebook out with her hands scribbling with a pen. “I suppose this ability to summon beasts is her power as a Representative… sounds dangerous.” She then looked up to Michael from her notebook. “I feel like your capabilities in terms of magic are quite limited. You should learn more spells. Granted, guns and swords are not ineffective, but a greater repertoire of spells will always help immensely, and expand your options.”

“I’d find it easier if I just learned it on the fly, but I see your point. I don’t suppose you can teach me?” He replied jokingly.

“I can teach you,” Lily answered, seriously. “I am quite studious, and am also capable of teaching.”

“That would be extremely helpful if you do,” Michael said, smiling at her. “If you do not mind, what do you specialise in?”

“ReHe spells, using wood to immobilize a target, or commanding a tree to attack is within possibilities. Otherwise I employ my blade to do the work. I do not use traps, but I am fairly experienced in carrying out ambushes.”

“I see. That’s good, we’ll need to stack up our advantages if we are to go against these types.” Michael tried to recall any more information he could bring up, but he figured Lily would know about the basics with regards to vampires.

“What kind of areas would you prefer for setting traps? To best utilise my spells we’d need greeneries to some extent, however a common place like that in Japan would be… a park? That would far too spacious and open for traps, I’d think.”

“That, and we’d probably have to lure them out in order to bring them there in the first place. That being said, given enough time, I could set up some in most places,” Michael said, pulling a thin piece of wire from his sleeve. “You think we can gather some intel at the Academy?”

“We can ask around, and check out the landmarks given time,” Lily answered. “There is hardly any information in here, so I suppose we can only come up with strategies, half of which may not even be applicable due to the nature of the areas.”

“Hmn, I suppose so. When we finally go to Japan next month they’ll have had a month ahead of us, at least. We should consider that too.”

“Claudia still lurks in London, but perhaps not for long. We do not know when they depart,” Lily answered. “I think they are avoiding facing her in England, hence we’re going to be following her to Tokyo.”

“Oh. If that is what they want, then it will be so. Well then, I believe you said you could teach me a bit more about magic?”

“Yes? I can, what kind of magecraft interests you?”

“Ignem spells, mostly. It would be helping me a lot. I’ve managed to use a few here and there, but I don’t really have one at my disposal.”

“Are you sure about wielding Ignem spells? Some may brand you a heretic considering the roots of the spells involve drawing mana from the Infernal Realm,” Lily warned. “Some even theorise that the mana of the Infernals are corrupting the world at a slow rate.”

“I find it efficient in dispatching the actual targets, the few times I’ve used them.”

“That does not change the things, however… besides, there are other useful Arts, or Forms, if you are so interested in them specifically. Vim is often employed by priests, especially the spell of Exorcism. I hear they affect the Infernals like vampires.”

“Oh, I’ve heard about that spell. It sounds really useful, but I haven’t had time to learn it. I think now’s a perfect time to learn it, actually.”

“I see, then I suppose you’d like me teach that? Do you understand the Form of Vim, however?”

“Haven’t got a clue.”

“...I suppose we’re starting from the basics.”

“Yeah, sounds like a plan.” Michael scratched his cheek as he laughed awkwardly.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

After Michael’s learning of the Form of Vim had started, and he started practicing the spell of Exorcism, he did not have all that much time to hang around England, but once in awhile he would think about Iris, and what may have happened to her. A week had passed since he met Lily, and now he was rather lost as to how he’d find her. Iris used to come to him from out of the blue in the past. She’d never talk about where she lived, but she did mention the state of her household. A maid was her caretaker and she was something akin to her guardian for some reason. She did not know who the cloaked man was but he used to deliver something once every few months. After Michael shot her that night while he fought Bram, the body of Iris was brought to the Church by Michael. The Organization in turn took Iris in for a short period of time before sending her to her appropriate residence. Of course they made sure to treat her as best as they could. After handing her over he was no longer involved with her transfer so he never figured out her location.

Michael could only turn to his friend for information. Who else would know? Now that Laura was gone and most were out on missions, Robert was the only person on-the-know of things. He resided inside and checked up on Laura periodically.

Knocking on his room, Michael beckoned for him. Moments later he came out, dressed in his usual attire —a set of black clothes—but with ruffled hair.

“Good morning. It’s a little too early to be bothering me… did something happen?” He asked.

“Good morning to you too. I wanted to ask you something, something about that girl I brought here a few months ago,” Michael stated.

“You mean that person who never woke up again?” Robert asked, scratching the back of his head. “You know how much trouble Laura faced because of that mistake? We went through hell from the upper-brass.”

“To be completely honest, I didn’t plan on a girl suddenly appearing and taking that bullet. But I apologise, either way,” Michael replied. “So, you know where I can find her?”

“Well, yeah, no one intends a mistake, but our higher-ups only look at results… anyway, why do you want to find her? I’m asking this so I can lump the blame on you, because if you come back to tell me you shot her to death I’ll know what to report next,” Robert said with a grin.

“I think that would work if you didn’t tell me first,” Michael replied, sighing. “Well, I want to apologise, for one. And maybe ask why she did that in the first place.”

“Hm… well, alright, I need to look it up to be honest. I kind of forgot it myself. I’m not even sure if she’ll hear said apology though,” Robert said, going back to his room. “Come in.”

Inside the room it was very clean and organised, or rather, spacious due to a lack of things. The only messy place was his desk, paper notes all over the place. He opened the drawer and looked over some notebooks before he found one where it seemed like addresses were listed.

“Found it,” he said, “the cheap housing district, eh? Alright just scribble it down or something and be on your way.”

“Thanks.” Michael picked up a piece of blank paper and wrote Iris’ address there, then handed back the document back to Robert. “I’ll be going there now, in case anyone wants to find me,” he said as he left.

“See you later then.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

The house was surprisingly big. Michael looked up to find a two-storey house which was moderate for even a middle-class family. A class of people that was rather low in London considering the poverty stricken people and the rich, wealthy nobles were in far greater numbers. A surprising irony for the district in general. This house could probably hold a family of five or more.

The priest rang the bell and waited for the caretaker to open.

The maid – about whom Michael had heard little of – opened the door and looked at him, from up to down, and noticed his cross.

“How may I help you?” The maid asked with an icy cold gaze from behind her spectacles.

“Good morning, miss. I’ve come from the church, to check up on Iris,” Michael greeted with a smile.

“The Church has no business with Iris. Please leave.”

“Can’t I at least say hi?”

“Say hi to a sickly Lady in a coma?”

She’s still in a coma, huh. “Well... yes. My name’s Michael Kallweit, by the way,” he replied while offering a handshake.

The caretaker completely ignored it, and was about to close the door, but something stopped her.

“Now, that would be rude to our guest,” a familiar voice said, and Michael’s eyes widened. Iris was just behind the maid, healthy, hale, and awake! “Nikita, it is alright. Let him in.”

“Tch.” The caretaker named Nikita spat under her breath but complied, opening the door wide open and stepping aside for Michael to enter.

“Thanks,” Michael said as he entered, smiling at Nikita as he passed by her. “Good day to you, Iris, I am glad to see you’re okay now. Physically. I mean, not in a coma.”

“I am glad to see you are well, too,” Iris ushered, and Michael followed her to the living room. They both sat opposite on sofas. “How have you been faring?”

“I would like to say it has been going well but...” Michael paused, recalling the recent incidents he had to deal with. Whilst the knowledge that Iris was okay now filled him with joy, his face showed a melancholic smile as he continued talking. “A lot… a lot happened. W-While you were gone I meant. I… I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Iris giggled. “Alright, if you don’t want to talk about things, that’s fine. How did your business go with… that man you were tailing?”

“I finished my job. Actually, one of the reason I came here was to ask something regarding that,” he replied. He glanced towards Nikita’s direction as he spoke.

“And that would be?”

“Back then, why were you there. Why did you do… that?” Michael didn’t speak in specifics, as he was conscious of Nikita’s presence.

“I was curious about him, you see. But it was my own fault, so don’t blame yourself over the incident. That night, I snuck out to explore the town—childish, isn’t it?—and saw this man with a mysterious air about him. I could not help but be curious, is all.” Iris then faced Nikita with an apologetic face. “I did say sorry.”

“Just… curiosity?” Michael asked, completely surprised. “It is dangerous at night, more so here in London. I… I almost kil–” he stopped himself from speaking any further and kept his mouth shut and frowned.

“Well, that’s all in the past now. What’s done is done. Do not dwell on it. I was but a child… anyway, is that all you wanted to talk about?”

“Mostly,” Michael replied, sighing. “You seem different.”

“Really? I wonder about that.”

“You do. Quite a bit more different than when we watched that play.”

“Perhaps.”

There was a phone ringing, and the maid swiftly took out an Engine phone and handed it to Iris.

“Excuse me, Michael.”

Michael then heard Iris speaking with a steam phone.

“Yes… ah, I will make sure that the packing is done… no, not yet. Everything shall be in order soon. I shall be prepared by the morrow. Alright. I shall see you soon.” Iris then hung up and handed the phone back to her caretaker, and got up.

“I’m afraid this is it then. Michael, please take care; you are often very reckless. I must tend to other business around the house with Nikita. So I do not think I should keep you here any longer; you should go back to the Church, lest you miss another mission.”

“Ah, sorry to have taken so much of your time. I should indeed get going, I have yet to prepare for a trip in Japan,” Michael said as he stood up.

“I see… that eastern country, is it? Well, good luck.”

“It was really nice to see you well again. I hope that we get some time to talk to each other again soon. Be seeing you two, God bless you both.”

“Thank you, please stay safe.”

Michael made sure to smile at Nikita as he left.

The maid shut the door after she saw the smile, and Iris chuckled at her reaction.

“But… Japan, is it? How perplexing,” Nikita said, facing Iris. “What do you intend to do?”

“Nothing,” Iris answered without a thought. “Whatever he has to do has nothing to do with me. We just have to follow what she says, yes? Isn’t that why you’re here in the first place, to keep me in check?”

“That is correct.”

“Then I will simply do my part, as payment for my life that was saved.”

“I am glad to hear that. Let us hope your efforts are not wasted.”

“I do not think my skills have rusted. No worries. I shall craft something worthy of the Countess’ Representative...” Iris said, walking away from her maid.

This is it, I suppose. Farewell, Michael. May God bless you, and keep you save.

Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki

9 years ago

That night, Michael was patrolling the streets of London. He bit into the piece of bread he was holding as he stopped walking, trying to find the tallest structure he could climb in the vicinity. It was a while since he had patrolled the streets, and the last time he had Iris with him. The talk they had earlier that day felt different to him; he looked forward to her cheerfulness, but what he found was something colder than he could imagine. He shook his thoughts off as he took another bite of the bread and started walking again, shoving the rest of his meal into his pocket. He turned his head, hearing the tip-tapping noises from behind.

Someone was running.

In the blink of an eye the figure almost passed him by. Strange, he thought. He tried to trace the figure, and the platinum blonde was clear in the air. It was reminiscent of that person who saved Laura by carrying her to the Church.

What was she up to now?

Tossing aside the plans he had for that night, Michael decided to chase after Mary. If something’s bound to happen tonight, I’m sure she’ll get involved. Michael sprinted in order to reach Mary, running alongside her barely as he reached her. “Good evening, Miss Mary. Lovely night for a jog.”

“Good evening, Michael, fancy meeting you here,” Mary said, but stopped and turned. A second passed and there were gunshots. Mary swung her arm and a blade as black as the dark sky cut the bullets in half. The two resumed their jog.

“Yeah, I was just on patrol. So, what’s with the bullets?” Michael asked, taking the bread from his pocket and biting a small piece from it.

“A devil possessed some people from the military,” Mary explained between her breathes. “I can’t seem to shake them off. Considering they are mundanes I cannot injure them either.”

“Oh. How many are chasing us at the moment?”

“A total of seven.”

“Yeah, this could work,” Michael said, pulling a piece of wire from his sleeve. “Circle a few more times, and then lure them into that alley over there. Since you said you’d prefer not injuring them, at least.” Michael took a quick turn into the alley when they passed by it.

“Will do.”

The two split up. While Michael was setting up the snares he heard gunshots for some time. The constables would be moving soon; they’d need to take care of this fast. Mary, on the other hand was driving the pursuers around in circles as instructed, taking turns that lead her back to the same road where she found Michael for about three times. Since the troops were mind-controlled to shoot and kill Mary, they weren’t thinking straight.

When Mary finally entered the alley, it took some time before the military members jumped down from the houses and came in pursuit of her.

“Sorry for turning you into the decoy, Miss Mary,” Michael spoke as he appeared beside her. In his hand he held a loop of wire he had used in making the traps, which littered the entrance of the alley. Since he had expected Mary would be passing by first, he decided that he’d manually trigger the trap for when the men in pursuit would walk under it. True enough, as the men dropped down the rooftops, they immediately got pulled upwards with their feet up making them drop their weapons as they hung around helplessly. As the moonlight shone on the alley, the various lengths of wire holding the men up glittering like cobwebs.

“Since you’re the priest, you should wake them up. A slap would do,” Mary said with a big smile.

“Hmm, I kind of want the Yard to find them here like this. That seems nice,” Michael replied as he started eating his bread again. “Want some?” He asked.

“No, I am fine. You should have your own meal,” Mary said, politely declining. “Too bad, I thought it’d be amusing to see them wake up like this.”

“It’ll be hard to explain how they got there, and why we’re here,” Michael replied, finally finishing his meal. “So, what happened? You think we can still catch that demon who did this?”

“Hmm. I don’t feel it anywhere now but… I think we’ll be entering that Boundary if we try to do that again,” Mary answered. “Eventually it’ll come to me and I’ll get to exterminate it.”

“I don’t like it, but I’ll have to trust you on that. I don’t have a way to go into your Boundaries, after all.” Michael shrugged. They exited the alley, leaving the men behind. “Thank you again for saving Laura, by the way.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine as always. How is Miss Laura doing now?”

“Still in a coma. I believe that she’s on the road to good health, though,” Michael replied. “Iris is up from her illness now, too. She’ll probably fare better than when she was with me now.”

“Huh… it’s like they swapped places. Well, Laura, as a faerie, had strong bodily constitution. I’m sure she’ll be back very soon. Her body was strong enough to handle something like Marco the Noble Diner coming out of her, after all.”

“The Noble Diner, huh? It sounds as bad as his intentions.”

“Well, sometimes it is Noble Diner, or sometimes it is the Diner of Nobles. People says different things nowadays.”

“We’ll see about that.” Michael’s tone hinted at his anger. “He will be dealt with soon enough. After that, I will have to fulfill my promise to Mister Stoker.”

“...Ah, Mister Bram, huh… I see that you haven’t given up on that, but regardless, I should visit his grave sometime.”

“I cannot go there, not just yet.” Michael stopped walking. “Did you know about his… condition?”

“The thing about him turning into a lycanthrope?”

“Yeah. You think there was something else we could’ve done?”

“I would if I could have. I could clearly see the problems in his body… yet I was hoping he’d somehow live by.” Mary sighed, looking up to the moon with a gloomy look. “I have to say sorry to him… that I couldn’t save him. I thought he’d be back to normal one day but I think his condition was made possible by some kind of a drug.”

“A drug that causes lycanthropy? That is dangerous if it’s true,” Michael stated. “BLoodLust again?”

“Yes, that is what I believe. However, I did not confirm it yet,” Mary answered. “I think the Countess is having many kinds of experiments run across the world, and Mister Bram was likely a very small part of it.”

“All the more reason to stop them,” Michael said, clenching his fists. “Any small blow would eventually stack up. Even if I cannot deal a decisive blow, I’ll do what I can.”

“Well, I do not think we’ll get to stop them within our lives… but I’m the same, I guess; I’ll do what I can. You’re still too reckless, though.”

“What I am doing… is still not enough.”

“You’re just one person. It’s never going to be enough.”

“I will… I will make them kneel. If one person isn’t enough to stop them, I will make them bleed until the one who can appears,” Michael said, steeling his resolve.

“There is really no need to make such brutal proclamations, Mister Michael,” Mary said, laughing. “Lighten up. You’re starting to sound like them.”

Mary’s laughter calmed Michael down as he realised he got too emotional. “Apologies, Miss Mary. I guess these past few days have been quite stressful,” he said, smiling at her. “So, aside from being chased by possessed men, what are you up to tonight?”

“Nothing much. I was going home and then I was ambushed.” Mary sighed. “Then again, this is just the usual. I suppose I am occasionally looking out for Claudia too,” she said, lowering her tone.

“Sounds like you know her,” Michael said, noticing Mary’s tone. “Was she a friend?”

“That’s right,” Mary replied, looking down. “She was a strange one; liking men and women indiscriminately, often acting lecherous… but I did not think she’d succumb to something far dirtier than simple depravity.”

“Depravity indeed. It might’ve been that same strangeness that let me live last time,” Michael said matter-of-factly. “I suggest letting me deal with her, Miss Mary. Whatever she is now, she was still your friend.”

“No, you may have the official mission, but that won’t deter me, just as you won’t stop from getting involved with my business. I won’t stop you from going after her either.”

“Seems fair. So I assume you’re going to Japan too, then?”

“Unfortunately, I do not intend to chase her so far, but I am certain that I will meet her again one day… how should I say it? I suppose I am bound to England at the moment.”

“Meet her again one day, huh.” I wouldn’t count on it. Michael smiled at Mary. “Yeah, I am sure you will.”

“You speak the most silliest of lies.”

“Who knows what might happen,” he replied, shrugging. “However, I don’t intend to fail.”

“As you said; who knows. I do not necessarily think you’d lose, but Claudia is in a league of her own now… not that I think she can take me down,” Mary said with a laugh, apparently confident. “I speak in jest, she’ll certainly be strong enough to kill me one day. I cut an arm after the Queen’s Meeting, but I may not be able to do anything next time.”

“Are Representatives really that strong?” Michael asked.

“Of course they are. Having even a bit of power from a Descendant is enough to make you something akin to a weapon of mass destruction in the Magic World.”

“Interesting. Doesn’t that mean losing a Representative is akin to losing a weapon of mass destruction, too?” Michael pondered.

“Well everyone wants to be rid of them, so…”

“They aren’t exactly a peaceful bunch to begin with. Or so I’ve heard. BLoodLuSt isn’t helping their case too.”

“Some of them were peaceful until provoked. The Magic World, admittedly, hunted them while they wanted to be left alone, too.”

“I feel like if we were to trace where this all started, we’d be back at paradise with the serpent,” Michael said half-jokingly while sighing.

“Possible.” Mary sighed along with the priest, finding the notion quite plausible.

Michael fell silent after that, although he had something he wanted to ask Mary, he knew she would not answer him. Bram Stoker’s final wish kept bugging him for a while, along with the numerous mysteries that seemed to revolve around Mary. He had managed to keep these thoughts and questions at bay, but now that the girl in question was here talking with him, he felt as if there was a dam in his mind that was about to burst. So Michael kept silent, but he failed to realise he was now staring at Mary.

“...Is something on my face?”

“...Huh?”

She stopped and faced Michael. “You’ve been staring… at my face, for a while now,” Mary said, averting her gaze, a little nervous.

“I can’t help it– I mean I was thinking about y–” Michael cleared his throat. “I mean, you have been on my mind for a while now.”

“Eh? I-I’ve been… on your mind?”

“Yes, quite a lot actually,” Michael said, pertaining towards Mary’s many mysteries.

“And?”

“And I think you’re a fascinating person.”

“...In what way?”

“It is like you’re draped in a cloak of mysteries, and unraveling one just brings more questions.”

“I see.” Mary sighed. “Well, you’re certainly not the first. All of Magic World questions my activities after all.”

“That seems plausible, considering the circumstances with your eye.” Michael pointed towards his own eyes. “I’m more curious about what Mister Stoker said.”

“Probably nothing important. Stop thinking about it,” she said, brushing it off boldly with a frown. “Jeez, he was always one with a big mouth,” she whispered to herself.

“I think it’s important, considering how hard it was for him to–” He hung his head as he recalled the playwright’s final moments. “...I want to help.”

Mary looked down. “...You can’t do that. How do you think I’ll face Miss Laura if something happens to you?”

“I don’t think I can just drop this issue. I am sure Laura would understand.” Michael faced towards Mary.

“You have no idea what you are saying, Michael,” Mary replied, shaking her head. “You have no idea how much a maiden suffers from the pain of their beloved. I’m sure you experienced it yourself when the incident with Marco took place.”

Michael knew what Mary was saying was true. If he wanted, he could just pretend he didn’t hear Bram’s last words. But he did and he was not about to back down, because it was his duty.

“Even so.”

“Idiot…”

“I guess I am.” Michael grinned at Mary.

“And? Exactly what did Mister Bram want you save me from?”

“A demon that haunts you. That’s what he said to me.”

“I don’t know what he was talking about then… I’ve faced countless demons by now, and came out as victor.”

“Then it must be something you cannot see, but he could. I doubt he would waste his last breath in something he did not believe was true.”

Mary smiled in defeat. “You’re so persistent… I was making the silliest of lies, just like you. In truth, I know what he was talking about.”

Michael returned Mary’s smile, happy that he managed to somehow convince her. “So, what was it then? Where is this demon?”

“He is my master, and I do not consider him a demon in the slightest. I think Bram was speaking a metaphor. I am but a faithful servant, and I do not think you have to exterminate him, or anything. However, if you go against him and I am commanded to stop you… I will have no choice but to obey. So, watch out for that.”

“And… how did you got into that predicament? Seems like you owe him for something really heavy.”

“He saved my best friend’s life. Ever since then I have been working for him.”

“And how long do you plan on working for him like this, exactly?”

“Don’t know… probably for the rest of my life.”

“I understand. I see what Mister Bram was talking about now.”

“And that would be?”

“The Lord saved us all from sin when he died on the cross for us. We did him wrong, but he asked for nothing when he saved us,” Michael said, eyes closed. “I don’t think saving one life warrants a life of servitude from another. Mister Stoker probably thought so too.”

“Not everyone is a God, Michael. His examples are perhaps excellent, but human beings have different values, even if they are not ideal. He may have asked for my services but it was I who eventually chose to work under him.”

“This is the guy we saw in the Boundary, before Marco appeared?”

“Yes.”

“And you willingly and honestly want to serve him, for the rest of your life?”

“Mhm.”

Michael just stared at Mary, looking as if she just told him that she could make pigs fly through sheer willpower.

“That is my resolve. I will do anything for my best friend.”

“I can see that. Your willingness to work for that guy in exchange for him saving her just proves it. But even so. I still think that it’s too heavy a price. So I guess I will not be helping you. I will be doing this because I think it is wrong.”

“If that is the case then so be it,” Mary said, closing her eyes, and taking a moment before speaking again, “But I already told you what the results may be. You are free to try whatever you want.”

“Yeah, I will.” Michael sighed before smiling at Mary again. “Try not to kill me,” he teased.

“We’ll see.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

“Welcome to my humble abode, Mister Sherlock,” Frederica greeted.

Sherlock came to Frederica’s manor. A grand establishment, paled in comparison to the Buckingham House but still large enough for him to open his mouth agape as he’d look up to its top spire. The establishment was mostly empty with the exception of decorations and other furnitures. Frederica was the only person living here aside from a couple of servants. The house held a gloomy air despite being kept quite clean. Moreover, the servants seemed wary of Sherlock. As expected, a shady man in a noble lady’s house—who lives without a family—put the servants on alarm.

Frederica was a lady worth the fame and title. A Duchess in every right. She commanded strong magic, and was often interviewed by The Times. When Sherlock checked, her name was indeed known far and wide by both members of the Magic World and the mundanes. The Silver Wanderer, some called her. It seemed like she had a habit of donning silver dresses. Her favourite colour, apparently. Furthermore, a spell she invented herself seemed to radiate with the same colour, which was the cause of her nickname’s creation.

Sherlock looked down to the table before him. The so-called desserts served before him looked good. A conversation over high-quality tea was always a pleasant treat. He could see a portrait of her late husband on the wall before the Duchess aside from the intricate decor. The maidservants were excused, and the two were left alone.

Sherlock motioned to take a seat after giving a short bow to Frederica. “I thank you for inviting me. Quite a wonderful place you have. Your reputation holds true.”

The two sat down after the exchange of pleasantries.

“Why, thank you. Having an afternoon tea time beside this window like this is quite the luxury, wouldn’t you think?”

“I must say, this is essentially the best way to spend an afternoon. And these biscuits,” Sherlock said as he picked up a scone on one of the numerous plates on the table, “they look like an exquisite complement to the tea. Did you bake them yourself?”

“Yes, since I bake every day,” the Duchess answered, proud of her own work. “Give them a taste, would you? I am always delighted by the expression of those who enjoys my creations.”

Obliging to her request, Sherlock bit down on the scone he was holding. It was slightly crispy thanks to a perfectly thin apple glaze that was baked onto the top. The inside was fluffy, and surprisingly warm; Sherlock wondered when the scones were made. “Wow,” Sherlock said in subdued surprise. “This is likely one of the best scones I’ve tasted yet. I’m impressed.”

“Glad to hear. So, how do you do now? That day a month ago; in the Queen’s Meeting you seemed to have quite a headache almost at the same time as I.”

Finishing what was left of the scone, Sherlock responded, “Nothing has come over me since then. At least not to the degree of what happened before. I nearly blacked out then. It makes me wonder what you could have possibly been dealing with.”

“Well, at the time I was sensing immense spiritual waves,” Frederica replied. “I am glad that you are fine, but I’d regardless wager that your true nature was the cause of your blackening out.”

“So you still believe I’m a Descendant then?”

“Of course,” Frederica said, smiling. “Well, do not mind my beliefs. It is not as though I’d force you to speak regarding your identity or force you to prove what you are. I am not going to speak about this to the Queen, either.”

“So long as the issue is approached with a level head, it hardly matters if I am a Descendant. In fact, I’d say it plays into your favour, but I thank you regardless. You are one issue, the Queen knowing is another. I’d like to keep my head on my shoulders. Anyways Frederica, what is the occasion? Have you gathered your end of the deal?”

“You’re welcome. I suppose we are both attentive of our surroundings, and must often pay heed to others’ personal space, too. Regardless, I suppose you have kept your end of the deal; you wish for the information of Olivia, yes?”

“Indeed,” Sherlock said succinctly.

Frederica passed a letter to Sherlock as she sipped her tea. Sherlock tore open the letter impatiently. What was inside was a slip of paper detailing an order of execution. The writing and the paper itself seemed somewhat old. Someone hired to kill a particular person called Olivia.

An order by The Society.

Made to kill the very woman he so loved.

At first, Sherlock held the letter almost absentmindedly. The words didn't quite register. His eyes glossed over the letter, quickly scanning over it several times, but each time it felt like none of it was sticking to him. Was it that surprising? No, not to Sherlock. The Society in general was always a suspect in his mind. However, just suspecting them was hardly enough to prevent him from wanting to vomit in disgust. His mind spiraled down into a momentary void as he recounted the fact that he’d been helping the enemy he was chasing.

Sherlock shut his eyes trying desperately to find solstice at least in the cold, rational darkness of his mind, but it was to no avail, not when it came to Olivia. He flashed through his life with The Society and cursed at his blindness. In hindsight, the threads he’d found while working in the Society had never bore fruit. Wasn’t that strange? How was it possible that he had made almost no headway into Olivia’s case. The answer was in front of him the entire time, and he was too much of a fool to realise it.

The glossy, dazed look in Sherlock’s eyes vanished, and a seething rage replaced it as his hands tightened on the letter. Was he being manipulated yet again? It was possible, but at this point, Sherlock would need to take risks on who to trust and who not to. In the absence of hard evidence, hedging his bets was all he could do, and in this case, his bets were on Frederica. I need to keep a cool head first. How many more times must I fail before I learn to not be triggered when Olivia is brought up? The meeting with the old man has taught me that much.[i] Sherlock took a deep breath and then put the letter down onto the table, and asked coolly, “And I assume your sources are reliable. Is there anything else you’ve found?”

“I suppose I have,” Frederica said. “Olivia was originally an ancestor of mine, or sorts, but she had capable brothers and sisters, and was thought she’d be wed to a noble. A baron, perhaps. Apparently, she dabbled into the underworld at some point in her life.”

Sherlock’s curiosity was piqued. “The underworld? What does that even entail?”

“Use some common sense to fill the void. It’s what The Society controls, the world of all the illegal exchanges and activities, which also includes the black market.”

“You know, that was a lot more disappointing than I expected. I mean, considering I saw an angel in the sky the other day… forget it. Back to the matter at hand, if The Society wanted her to be cut down, and if she was indeed doing some digging of her own, then that begs the question, what was she doing? Why was she doing it? Were you able to find anything about that?”

“No, I know not what Olivia was doing, but the way the letter worded the command to the ten Agents, she seemed to have held something quite valuable that they could not tolerate. To shake the composure of the entire Organization that way is rather odd.”

Sherlock couldn’t make much sense of it. The image of her as a quiet, peaceful librarian was starting to be clouded. [i]What were you looking for Olivia? What were you trying to do? “Rather odd indeed… Anyways, you mentioned that she was an ancestor of sorts? Was she a magician?”

“Of course,” the Duchess answered. “Every child of every family of mages are trained. I doubt she was an exception, and I doubt even more that a mundane could shake The Society the way she did.”

“Have you found anything else about her?”

“In terms of particulars to secrets, this is as far as I went. I can tell what little I’ve heard of her life… but I doubt that is a necessary piece of information to you?”

“It can’t hurt to learn more,” Sherlock said with curiosity.

“Simply put… she was considered a talentless girl,” the Duchess said with disappointment, sighing for once. “Olivia was a mage, and her only talent was apparently scheming, but she was never seen with positivity. She was often mocked for lacking talents but her mother seemed to have loved her regardless. Her father had a different form of thinking, and only wanted her married. At some point in her life she somehow led herself astray. I suppose by this time either someone tricked her into the darkness of England, or she herself descended into it. Lady Olivia was said to be receiving enormous amounts of information from various agents, and was guarding a certain secret sector of the library she decided to work in—again, for reasons unknown. After that, we both know that she was murdered. You seemed to have met her after she started working in the library. That said, most of this information I got is from Her Majesty, so you should be thankful.”

“The Queen, huh? Yeah, I’ll have to thank her then. But for even the Queen to know about Olivia, that’s a little odd. And a secret sector you say. It’s been a while, but do you know if the library is still standing? I wonder if she’s left something behind. In a way that no one else would realise.”

“That isn’t quite odd, the Queen keeps logs for the noble families so she has detailed journals and records on them.” The Duchess shook her head. “Unfortunately, the library is long gone now, reconstructed and all.”

“Keeping detailed records of every noble family… alright then. Well, questioning how your Queen conducts business would be hypocritical, so I’ll leave it be. So, I’ve hit another dead end then. However, I don’t think whatever she was guarding would be buried so easily. I’ll be paying a visit soon to this new building. What do you plan to do from here?”

“Nothing related to this case I suppose? I am going to be honing my skills, as I will be sent to the New World soon.”

“Well, that sounds like quite the adventure. Considering the current situation though, don’t you think it’s a little dangerous for you not to be around here?”

“There are many strong noble men and women around this country, I believe. Two others of similar rank to mine will also be sent to the New World… we have a bit of a campaign to run, I suppose.”

“If you believe so, then so will I. This †˜campaign’ sounds interesting though. Anything you can divulge?”

“...You’re gonna see it happen anyway, so I suppose a little is fine.” The Duchess gave a shrug. “You did not hear this from me. Yes?”

“As far as I’m concerned I’m just here to taste your baking and to talk of the weather. Anything else is private, you have my word.”

“A Descendant quite straight-forwardly proclaimed that they’d target some of the larger and more influential countries of the world, and so the Queen has decided that she must be stopped at all costs.”

“Wow. That’s either bold and confident, or foolish and arrogant. So she’s sent you and some others to hunt her down then?”

“I think Her Majesty intends to send quite a lot of magicians there, and apparently there was a recent change in the law of magic; forbidden spells are made valid against the Descendants. Of course, practitioners of such spells must be higher-ranking nobles, Magisters, and others are great magician titles, still, a dangerous change of rules.”

“The Queen is serious then. I don’t know about all of this though. Something about all of these Descendents confronting each other feels off, like someone is scheming something. Don’t die out there, Frederica.”

“My, are you worrying about me?” Frederica playfully replied. “I shall be fine. I’ve already been in a war-zone before. This is nothing new.”

“You’re the best client I’ve had in awhile, I’ve no choice but to worry,” Sherlock replied in jest.

“It takes a little more than flattery to win a woman’s heart.” Frederica chuckled. “I suppose you have no other business to attend to here?”

Sherlock cocked his head and closed his eyes for a bit in thought. There’s a lot to do and a lot to ask, but rushing things is not the answer. I need to work things out and think about how I approach The Society on my own before I can ask Frederica anything further along those lines. She also still suspects me of being a Descendent which works both for and against me, so at least she’ll be in contact. “Yes, I think I am done here. It was good doing business with you Frederica.”

“Duly noted, thank you for your time and work. I appreciate the results back there. Let us stay in contact for the times to come,” Frederica replied, shaking hands with Sherlock. “Do take care.”

Sincerity was not something found too often in his line of work. A bit taken aback as he shook her hand, he replied, “You too Frederica. And, I do mean it when I say be careful. When do you leave?”

“In a month or so,” Frederica answered. “But ff there are signs showing that Virgo is appearing any earlier, I will be dispatched immediately.”

Virgo huh? And it’s a she. I wonder if the old man knows anything about her. Sherlock wondered if he could help Frederica, but cast the thought aside immediately. He had plenty of other things to worry about. “Alright then, farewell. The next time you need someone to taste something, you can call on me. Maybe you can take some ingredients back from the New World.”

“Perhaps. We’ll see about the ingredients; there would be much to learn. Regardless, stay safe and Farewell.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

Aramus sat behind a table, and it seemed like all kinds of confectioneries and sweets were placed before him by a maidservant. It was safe to say that the manor he entered was the kind that made him feel unease. The servants all gave a glare as if they were letting a criminal into the house. He felt that the house was too big for just two female individuals. Frederica was the only one living here till Sophie was taken up, and that seemed to have been recent. To think the Duchess lived here all alone with the servants before the adoption, Aramus could really feel the gloom around the rooms. This particular room was decorated with quite the number of portraits, and before him was a large window.

Moments later, the door was opened and his reverie broke. Frederica entered and sat before the aforementioned window.

“Good day to you, Mister Aramus. Did you come to check up on Sophie?” Frederica enquired, not knowing the reason behind the certain visit after a month.

Aramus had been busy in all manner of personal search for knowledge. He had been digging into the dropped case of his late mentor, who died a year ago while he was away on Japan. The poor Magister could hardly find much information, aside from learning that he died of illness, and a rumour that he was conducting odd experiments. The Magister had then visited his mentor’s grave, developed his own new spell, and finally started checking out the various books from the libraries to learn about the Gates of Tartarus. He hardly ever learned anything about the Gates of Tartarus in the end, it seemed.

“Good day, Duchess Frederica. I’d like to say that but I’m afraid this is more than a social visit. There have been some matters that have come to the fore and I require a little of your expertise, my own search at the library did not prove fruitful in the slightest so I thought that you might be able to help,” Aramus explained with a wave of his hand.

“I see. How may I help you, then? Is it related to the Descendants?”

“Somewhat. Due to some circumstances, I am now required to travel to Tartarus. It’s a quest of sorts. My own research to find a way to get there… unscathed came up short,” Aramus said worriedly. “Nothing short of a relic would help me and those are a little hard to come by.”

“Um… are you working for The Society, now?” Frederica said, looking suspiciously at Aramus now.

“What? No, why would you ever think that?” Aramus raised an eye in return, feeling a little puzzled as to why she would ask that.

“The Tartarus Project – is the biggest objective of The Society to date, Mister Aramus,” Frederica answered. “Only they would want the gates of hell opened.”

Sighing was insufficient and Aramus palmed his face. “Figured they would do something like that. No, I was tasked to retrieve a relic from beyond the gates. Either I make it or die trying,” he said simply.

“Mn… well, currently there is no way to get past the gates simply because no one knows where its kept hidden. They say that the Gates of Tartarus require a key, but no one – also – knows what that is either. It was hinted that it is a live sacrifice, however. The alternative to reaching the Infernal Realm, however, is to use a demon, I believe.”

“That complicates things. A live sacrifice or a demon, not exactly the best of choices.”

“You may fall under trouble both ways,” Frederica stated, shrugging to the matter. “Live sacrifice, well you can see the issue with that, but using a demon means summoning one, inciting the wrath of Church. You’d be branded a heretic if you’re caught in the act. Moreover, the demon summoning may not even guarantee that you’d safely venture into said Realm.”

Aramus wanted to lie down somewhere and forget about this quest. The Queen must have known about this, all things considered, but perhaps left it up to him to find his own way. “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t,” he muttered to himself.

“I do not know myself how the summoning process of an Infernal demon is performed. So you are truly on your own there. You may have to find a forbidden tome of Infernal magic. The modern ones have spells such as Ignem or Imaginem, but these are commonly practiced spells approved by Her Majesty.”

“Ugh. Yeah, she would’ve known,” Aramus mumbled again, voicing his thoughts. “So your advice would be to find a tome to somehow get a demon… I’m not killing anybody so this would probably be the only option.”

“Likely. Even if you prepare a sacrifice, it is not as though you’d know where the gates are hidden. However… there is another rumour I believe may be of interest to you.”

“Let’s hear it then. I’m willing to take any help I can get, even if it’s baseless,” Aramus answered.

“You have heard of Mary, yes?” The Duchess tried to remind him. “She is more famous in the Magic World than she herself believes. However, it is not purely because of her neutralism and strange contacts she has that can put a stop to many issues, it is also because she is said to be often pursued by demons.”

“Huh, that’s news to me. Perhaps I could persuade one of them to jump ship.”

“I doubt that. They’d have jumped ship on others by now if they wished to but didn’t. They are solely attracted on this Mary apparently.”

“So she has some special quality that draws demons to her. I see, hopefully she’ll be free to talk before
I leave for Japan. Also troublesome, this quest is extremely important to me.”

“I wish you luck. Seems like this relic retrieval mission is quite important to you indeed. I’m afraid this is the most I may do to help, however.”

“Quite alright. Now that’s over and done with, how’s Sophie been adjusting the past month?” Aramus asked with a smile.

“...” Frederica averted her gaze. “Let’s just say that… it is going well. Yes, well. Well indeed.” A moment later, Aramus heard from afar, the painful noise of a plate—or was it glass?—falling on the floor and shattering, along with something like a loud yelp. Frederica, one who liked to be prim and proper, sighed, however rare it was of her to do so.

“Good that she’s been adapting well,” Aramus said, grimacing at the sound of broken china. “Does she talk to you, and I don’t mean in the †˜wow, you’re a noble’ way.”

“Hmm.” Frederica wondered herself, placing a finger under her chin. “She has asked considerable amount of questions regarding how she should be behaving as a noble girl, and has for some reason been making enquiries about when I am home and when I am not. Not that I understand what is up with her. I have hired tutors for her, so it is a little mysterious why she’d ask me instead of her teachers.”

“Well, it just shows that you mean much more to her than any of those tutors if she asks for your input,” Aramus pointed out. “She seems to be more keen on becoming a noble that you approve of, is that not wonderful?”

“Mn, is that so? Well, you understand more about the kids so I shall believe. Let us hope she grows up as wonderfully as we’d want her to.”

“You flatter me. Is she free now? I’d like to speak with her if that’s possible,” Aramus enquired. It had only been a month but even so, he wanted to see how she had changed.

“You hear that noise?” The Duchess asked in return. “Not completely pleasant yet but it is going to get better soon enough. Sophie is learning to play the violin at the moment.”

“A month and you’ve already started her on an instrument? Well done, if I must say so myself.” Aramus answered with a raise of his eyebrows. “Well, give her time. Mannerisms and etiquette can be taught but it will take time for someone unaccustomed to it to adapt so quickly.”

“Of course, I am aware of it all; considering I’ve been through the exact same process at her age. Only difference is that she wasn’t born around here and is thus a few years behind. That said, we have discovered that she may learn to use magic.”

“She has The Gift? I don’t have a good eye for these kind of things so I would’ve missed that. Will you be planning to take her under your wing in the magic arts?”

“Yes, but not naturally,” the Duchess answered. “Assuming I come back alive after the battles, I shall continue to have her master the mundane skills that she is required to have as a noble. Perhaps it’d take a few years before she is taught any magecraft at all, unfortunately.”

“Walking before running eh. Well, I’ll go take a look at her progress if you don’t mind?” Aramus answered, getting up from his seat.

“To be honest, I’d rather you do that at a later date,” the Duchess plainly refused. “I’d prefer her to not lose focus. The music is starting to become pleasant… slowly. Now is not that time yet, Mister Aramus.”

“Very well.” Aramus nodded his understanding. “Then I shall be taking my leave, Duchess Frederica. Thank you for entertaining my sudden visit, I hope I didn’t cause any inconvenience with it. Perhaps I shall come by to see Sophie one last time before I return to Japan if my schedule allows it. If not, I leave her in your capable hands.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

With well wishes, Svetlana was sent off to the Headmistress’ office. The Headmistress was back days after the Queen’s Meeting in England, and ever since, she was busy with various tasks for which Svetlana could not have an appointment, so she was glad to be standing before the office after an entire month instead of almost two months.

Knocking on the door, she heard the Headmistress beckon her inside, and thus Svetlana opened the door, stepped in, closed it behind her, and faced the principal. The principal had a gorgeous figure from what Svetlana could see, and she seemed friendly as she greeted Svetlana with a big smile.

“Svetlana Astakhov, yes? I have heard that you wanted to join the staff of my academy as a teacher. I am the Headmistress of the Academy as you know it, Lumiere. Nice to see you.”

“Hello, Headmistress Lumiere, it’s a pleasure to finally get to see you, and yes, I would like an opportunity to become a part of the staff for the academy.”

“Well, I do remember your face since you are a graduate. Any particular reason you are interested in teaching here?”

“I just thought it would be a different experience from what I had compared to jobs in Russia. Since over there, I was always like on the go, having a job at one place would be nice for once.”

“Hm, well I’d be more than happy to have you on-board. Considering you have studied here for six years, you should be used to the rules and regulations here.”

“Thank you very much, Headmistress Lumiere,” Svetlana said happily as she bowed.

“Well, what fields do you intend to take?”

“Well anything under Faerie Lore is fine with me, I could also teach Infernal lore but overall I’d rather stick with Faerie lore.”

“There is the Faerie Lore class, I suppose. For now, why not teach first and second years the Faerie Lore? The rest of the years will be handled by Mathilde as usual.”

“Thats works fine by me,” Svetlana said happily.

“Well, that is only one class that students may choose to take. I’d like you to consider other options. How does teaching Aurum, Aquam, and Herbam in their respective classes sound, for the first year?”

“That’s perfectly fine with me, Headmistress Lumiere. I’ll be looking forward for it.”

“Alright, I too look forward to your work. If you have any questions or concerns from here on out you may approach me or Mrs. Margaret Alicia. I believe Mrs. Alicia will brief you on the rules meant specifically for the staff members soon.”

“Understood,” Svetlana said as she gave a bow.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

Today, like usual, Svetlana was led to Isabelle’s room by a maid. It had become something like a habit to visit Isabelle now. The two were relatively close, much to the delight of Alicia. It seemed like only Svetlana was given the privilege to visit her. Even maids were not allowed to stay inside the room to simply converse with the child. Alicia was rather overprotective when one would stop to think about it. She didn’t make it seem like it, but she was almost silently watching over the child whenever she had no other duties to tend to. It was admirable, and even the maids looked up to their employer. Which was also the reason why they watched out for their lady’s health, for Alicia would stay up really late even after Isabelle would go to sleep. Svetlana often heard maids chattering among themselves about how the Duchess would keep reading the same book over and over again, and stay up past bedtime to keep an eye out for Isabelle.

In what seemed like almost a month, Svetlana was an expected visitor for Isabelle at a few times a week at least. Of course, the girl herself expected her often, too. Isabelle was sometimes cold even now but had opened up so much that Alicia once expressed jealousy openly. Svetlana hadn’t seen the demonic side of the girl coming out even once since the last time Isabelle went berserk, so things were looking good for the most part.

“Hello, Miss Svetlana,” Isabelle greeted as Svetlana entered the room. The girl was still on her bed, sitting as usual, almost looking like a patient in a hospital. She hardly ever left the bed, they said, unless for the toilet. “Do you have any offerings– ahem, candy for me today?”

“Hi hi, Isabelle, of course I brought some, when wouldn’t I?” Svetlana said as she took a small bag out of the rather big bag she had brought over. “But you know, Isabelle, one day you gotta do me a small favour for bringing you all these sweets.”

“Oh? And that would be?” Isabelle asked, eyes already set on the bag of sweets.

“That you would let me do anything playful to you is all I ask,” Svetlana said with delight as she handed Isabelle some candy from the bag.

“Define †˜playful,’ please,” Isabelle asked, unwrapping the candies impatiently before consenting to the request.

“Well I’d rather keep it a surprise, but it’s nothing bad. You would still be getting your candies along with the cakes.”

“That doesn’t answer the question, there are so many strange concepts that you speak of…” Isabelle said, chewing on the candy while looking lost.

“Don’t worry about it too much. It would be for later anyways. Well, anything you want to do today, my cute little Isabelle?”

“I told you before, but I’m not cute – I’m beautiful,” Isabelle boasted, placing a hand on her chest. “Ohohoho,” she laughed haughtily. “Even if you ask that, though… nothing really comes to mind. Hide and seek? Board games? Or… mn, reading books?”

“Well, any book you would like me to read for you?”

“I-If… it isn’t much trouble, there was this book I used to read a lot… it was about fairies.”

“Would you happen to have the book here, or is it somewhere in the mansion?”

“Um, my m– that woman used to read it for me as a bedtime story, now it’s… I don’t really know where it is. Maybe she knows.”

“I see. Well, then I suppose I can ask, but tell me, is the book is in English? If so, I won’t be able to read it,” Svetlana said with a small laugh.

“You can’t read English? There are people like that?” Isabelle asked, tiling her head. “Well, I can read it, so I suppose it does not matter.”

“I wasn’t born in England you know. I only know Russian and Japanese. My English can barely be called English,” Svetlana said as she headed towards the door. “Anyways, I’ll be right back. Let’s see how things go.”

“Huh… see you,” Isabelle said, but then she wondered to herself, Hasn’t she been speaking in English all this time? That’s weird.

Svetlana re-entered the room after a few minutes passed and was holding the book that was nostalgic to the young girl.

“Woah, you actually found it, where was it kept?!” Isabelle inquired.

“One of the maids gave it to me after I asked them.”

“Huh… so they lied to me.” Isabelle looked down, becoming somewhat gloomy again.

“Is something the matter?” Svetlana asked as she went to sit next to Isabelle.

“When I asked the maids to bring the book to me before, they said that they left it back in England… everyone in this house is liars. You’re not a liar, right, Miss Svetlana?”

“I’ve got no reason to lie to you. Though, the maid that gave me the book seemed rather lost. I wonder if she was new? All she said was she had found the book recently in a box in the attic.”

“I… see,” Isabelle responded, but she kept is to herself that she had asked the head maid who literally knew more or less everything about what was kept where. “Well, anyway! Let me have the book.”

“Here you go. I looked it over and I can’t read a single word of it,” Svetlana said with a laugh, handing the book to Isabelle.

“You should learn English sometime, as Britain is the best country in the world. It is a necessity to know the language,” Isabelle said, acting smug. She then opened the book after feeling the cover with her very palms, looking back at distant memories. A smile naturally floated into her facial features as she looked over the depiction of fairies in the pages of the book. They were drawn rather beautifully for an old book. However, after some minutes, Svetlana could see tears running down from the eyes of the young girl.

“Hey, what’s wrong? I hope those are tears of joy because you get to read your favorite book,” Svetlana said, reaching into her bag and pulling out a handkerchief to wipe Isabelle’s face, but a black wind began to flow around her, and she couldn’t reach the girl anymore.

“I… I killed her…” Isabelle said, staring listlessly at the depiction of the fairies on the page that her tears were staining.

The door behind Svetlana was opened with a loud noise as Alicia rushed into the room.

“Svetlana, take the book away! Hurry!”

Svetlana complied, immediately turning back to Isabelle, and tried to reach the book with her arm, but the wind blocked her hand, instead she was blown back from the vicinity of the bed.

“That’s right… I killed– I killed my mother… you, who are you?” Isabelle said, turning to Duchess Margaret Alicia. At least the one who went around with that identity. Was she really the real Alicia? Isabelle showed a disgusted face. “You liar. You… you poser!” Her voice turned demonic, eyes fiery, and her hair blazed.

“Listen to me, Isabelle. I am your mo–” Alicia tried to say, but a ball of flame launched forth from Isabelle’s palm, impeding her as she blocked it with her bare hands, saved by what little mana she gathered to protect herself.

Svetlana pulled herself up and found Isabelle on all four over her bed, howling, facing Alicia with blood-shot eyes and a cringe that revealed fangs that were unlike any human being.

“Here I thought I wasn’t going to see this again,” Svetlana said as she sighed. Quickly clapping twice; she began chanting an incantation. A whirlwind formed below Isabelle lifting her up and sending her backwards.

Despite the force pushing her back, Isabelle – in her demonic state – broke the wind with pure magic as she sent a wave in all direction mid-air, and made a proper landing to the floor behind the bed. She shot a toothy grin at Svetlana.

“I know how to deal with that now,” the devil in the young girl said. “I really loathe you, it is hard to feed on her negativity due to you.” The devil raised a hand forward toward Svetlana, and a stream of flame was approaching her soon enough. Before Svetlana was hit by it, Alicia pushed her away.

“How long will you keep this up till you’re satisfied?!” Alicia yelled, questioning the devil. In return the devil still smiled.

“For as long as I can,” was the answer. “Besides, she is right; you’re a liar.”

“Tch, you make it sound as if all lies are bad. Even though some are necessary,” Svetlana said as she stood up and dusted herself and stretched out really quick.

“Like hiding the fact that she is not really her mother? Hahahaha!!” The demon laughed heartily, but due to this laughter, it was too late to retaliate.

Alicia’s fingers brushed through the air as she made hand gestures, and was moving lightning fast. She then took a stance, her middle and index fingers joined and pointed upwards.

“Earthly Cleanse magic…” she stated, her body radiating an aura of bright mana.

Svetlana had never seen anything like this before, not even from qualified Magic Magisters. Such magic were completely new even to her as a graduated scholar of the academy.

To Isabelle, a magical circle appeared to the left, one to the right, one to the front, one to the back, one above her, and finally one below her. These golden circles encaged the demon, whose laughter was broken, and instead it appeared to be enraged.

“Damn you!” The demon raged, so loudly that the windows broke behind her.

A bright light emanated, and before Svetlana knew it, Isabelle was passed out on the floor.

“Tch, and here I wanted to take it out,” Svetlana said as she then approached Isabelle. “But I will say that was pretty amazing. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“Ever heard of the legendary Supreme Magics before?” Alicia asked. She clearly looked exhausted as she looked down on her daughter. “I was banished for learning them, from my country, but I’ve never once regretted it, until she came to resent me.”

“Well I still don’t understand everything that’s going on and I won’t blame you if you don't tell me. You have your reasons, and no, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of those magic before, but I don’t see what could have made her resent you, for it didn’t seem dangerous to me, yet that was only one spell, I suppose.”

“There are many such magic indeed, old and forgotten, but powerful spells. I’ve learned a few, but they are very powerful, and dangerous at the hands of the wrong individuals. Remember the rule of the Magic World which forbids one from wielding forbidden magic? I was subject to it. Her Majesty did not publicly brand me a breaker of the law, but she sent me away from the country, hence I was banished. Since there was no other guardian to look after Isabelle, she was brought here with me. The reason why I am resented by her is because I stole her homeland from her, in a way.”

“Well, when it comes to the rules of the Magic world I know only the basics,” Svetlana said with a smile. “So anything beyond the basics I know nothing about. Well from that one spell, I didn’t see anything forbidden about it. Not like I really care, I suppose. As long as you’re not doing it for horrible things, it’s fine. As for Isabelle, well, she’s still young. As she grows older she might be able to forgive you.”

Even though the clause regarding forbidden spells is one of the basics… ? “Ahaha, perhaps she will. As for why it was forbidden… well, I suppose you don’t care,” Alicia said with a defeated smile. “You are amazing, in a way… anyway, we’ll take care of the damages to the room. The bed sheets were burned due to her powers so we’ll have a lot of cleaning up to do. Moreover, the girl needs rest. I think you should go rest yourself, too.”

“Well, since Isabelle can’t really rest here, where is another room I can take her to? If it's fine with you, I can just rest there with her too. Might be good for her as well, in my opinion.”

“Understood. I was about to offer you to stay overnight here, so I suppose it works out.” Alicia chuckled, motioning for a maid to assist Svetlana. “I shall permit you to sleep with her. The maids will lead you to another room.”

“Alright. Also, can you have the maids bring over my bag? I had brought some clothes for Isabelle to try out. I might as well change her into something for sleep in the meantime, considering her clothes are a bit dirty after that.”

“Well, the maids would have just done all of that for her, but I suppose it is fine regardless of who does it. You heard that, yes?” Alicia turned and the maid supposed to help lead Svetlana to the other room gave a nod.

“Yes, ma’am. It shall be done as requested.” The head maid then approached Svetlana, and picked up Isabelle. “Please follow me to the other room,” she instructed. Another maid soon picked up the big bag and they soon left the room while the rest of the maids began tending to the messy room.

Alicia picked up the old worn-out book from the burnt bed. It wasn’t damaged badly, but there was a bit of a black burn mark on the back cover. “I see you’ve endured yet another hurdle. Just like me…” she mumbled to herself.

“Oh yeah, one more thing. Maybe if you ever have any time you could teach me a trick or two to handle that demon. It doesn’t have to be forbidden magic since I doubt you would teach me that anyways. But I can’t expect you to be here all the time if that demon ever shows up again. I think I’m limited in what I can really do against it. She might not see me as one, but I think I’m starting to feel like her older sister.”

Alicia gave a very motherly smile, turning towards the short-looking faerie. “I see. Very well, I shall think about it. I am not sure what I can teach you, since I’ve learned Supreme Magics to fight demons and the Descendants of Time. Other tricks aside from these are borderline ineffective. You will have to sacrifice some of your time that you use for visiting her, unfortunately. Is that okay, big sister?”

“Since it’s for her, I don’t mind. I’ll just make it up on the days I actually come to see her. Well, it’s up to what you to teach me and whatever you decide is fine. To protect her I wouldn’t mind breaking some rules.”

“I like your spirit. Come see me tomorrow.”

“Understood. Now then, time to have some fun and see her reaction when she wakes up,” Svetlana said happily as she then went out for the room Isabelle was being taken to.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

The next day, Svetlana was in the backyard of the manor. Apparently Alicia had no class to attend to this early in the morning and had a few hours to spare.

“Pardon, I meant to do this a little later, but I felt time should be valued more,” Alicia said with a chuckle. She offered tea over a white table. They sat under the morning sun that was blocked by the clouds. Despite the presence of said sun, it was rather cold. Alicia said as much.

“Please, this is nothing compared to Russia,” Svetlana said happily as she stretched out, then sat down and drank the delectable tea.

“Alright. The reason why I’m not already teaching you anything yet is because I wished to have a word with you first… you use Ignem, yes? What other Forms do you use?”

“Yes, and I also know Aquam, Aurum, and Herbam.”

“Hmm, that makes it difficult if you wish to specifically combat a demon. Vim is the most effective Form against them so far.”

“Well it’s not like I thought I’d one day be fighting demons. But nothing I can do about that now, unless I start studying it, though that would take a while to learn.”

“I suppose that means the Earthly Cleanse magic is simply not suitable for you,” Alicia stated, closing her eyes in thought. “But fret not,” she said, showing confidence, raising her index finger to accentuate her point, “I have learned two other such spells.”

“Oohh, and would the great Mrs. Alicia tell me about them?”

“I am only willing to teach one of the three Supreme Magics I know. Not because I want to be greedy and keep them to myself – mind you – but because each one takes years of practice, patience, and perfection to completely master. I doubt we have such luxury. I know not how long you’d take to master this one spell I decide to teach you; know that it depends on a number of factors, including latent talent, race, gender, strength of will, and much more. Basically, it’s all up to you,” Alicia said, giving an encouraging smile. “I’m sure that you will pull it off.”

“On that you can count on it. Once I focus on a task, I make sure I don’t stop till I have it down,” Svetlana said with glee.

“I see, you sound like a reliable big sister indeed,” Alicia said, nodding. The two finished tea and at the Duchess’ beckoning, they walked over to the field of grass beside the table.

“Before we begin, I must inform you what it means to be learning this spell from me…” Alicia began, patting Svetlana almost thoughtlessly, but with a bit of melancholy. “Sevvy-chan, was it?” She said with a chucklet. “If you’re a big sister to Isabelle then you’re akin to a daughter to me,” but then her expression turned icy cold. “And that means you will be inheriting one of my sins.”

“To protect Isabelle, that’s fine with me. If it helps to get rid of the demon inside her one day, even better.”

“I don’t know if it will, but let us pray for that… that said, always practice this spell around this manor. We have a barrier here. Those who can sense magic will not sense your use of this spell if you practice here. Now, shall we begin?”

With Svetlana’s nod, it began.

The sky’s color changed, and that was the first thing Svetlana noticed, as Isabelle’s mother closed her eyes to concentrate. Clouds gathered ominously at the center of the cloudy sky above them. Thunder rumbled. Then the sky turned pitch black, and the Duchess took a stance; her fingers ran through the air as she performed hand gestures again. Svetlana could feel the tremor of the earth. The air around the Duchess completely changed, and it was as though Margaret Alicia was ready to take on anything in the world, be it the king of the underworld or her maker. That was the type of resolve she displayed as she performed the gestures. This time, Alicia did it considerably slower than her previous time for Svetlana’s viewing pleasure. The index finger and the middle finger were once again joined, but for both hands. Before her chest, the fingers from both hands were linked – one hand horizontal, the other vertical – and a small red magic circle formed in between the linkage.

“This spell may be done with incantations instead of hand signs like these… but I use hand signs for a reason. I use them because they are considerably faster, and it makes it harder for enemies to discern my actions. It is a more higher level style of magic usage, but I assure you that it is worth the time to learn. You take this magic circle to the tip of one of your middle finger, like so,” she said, and the red circle traced along with her right middle finger as the union of fingers was broken. “From there it is simple.”

The finger that held the red tiny disk was pointed towards the dark vortex that formed in the sky. Svetlana could see something like a hollow hole.

“And lastly… you bring it down.” Her right hand was swung down towards the earth, and Svetlana could see a large ball of fire emerge from the sky.

“Dark Celestial Body magic – Metéora.”

However, Alicia brought her finger up again, and the blaze stopped coming down. She then rested her arms back down – and allowed the oxygen from her lungs to escape as she exhaled – resulting in the black clouds beginning to dissipate, along with said meteor. The sky was regardless cloudy, but no longer looked like there was going to be a storm.

“I couldn’t actually let it land here; otherwise everyone would die,” she said with a chuckle.

“Umm, wouldn’t it be bad if I actually hit Isabelle with that even if the demon is controlling her…?” Svetlana asked after being a bit startled with what Alicia said.

“Not when the demon is in control, no,” the Duchess answered. “Actually, I’ve already used this on her before. Do not underestimate it, whatever it is that possesses her.”

“Well I suppose that’s okay… but since it has that kind of destructive power, what would you say would be the best time to use it if I ever actually need to if I’m able to master it?” Svetlana asked as she was worried about using such a spell at the wrong place.

“To be honest, I’d prefer to teach the Earthly Cleanse magic – Holy Encasement – which I used yesterday – but your alignments are different. Ignem’s root lies in the Infernal lore, and the Infernals are not quite peaceful with their conduct often. You will have to be quite sensible about this spell. There is the destructive force to consider, but there is also the possibility of people seeing the casting of a forbidden spell. You’re an adult; I’m sure you will find out the right timing. Needless to say, this should be your last resort in any life and death combat.”

“Understood. Though, I suppose if I can make time I should at least try to learn another alignment if possible, but that might prove a bit hard soon. All I can do now is give it my all to learn this.”

“Mhm, as I’ve previously mentioned, I know you can do it,” Alicia said, patting Svetlana again. “I would suggest Vim. The spell of Exorcism sometimes work effectively against demons if anything.”

“Alrighty. Now then, can you show me the movements for the spell again? Not like I can memorize it from only seeing it once.”

“Before that, I should explain the workings of the spell so that it is easier for you to remember the specifics.” Alicia then explained the background details of the spell. “The hand signs are replacements for the incantations.” She slowly did the hand gestures for Svetlana to follow with the details. “The signs translates roughly to †˜O Asteria, lend me thy strength and vigor’. The spell was centered around Asteria, the Goddess of stars, and that is exactly why this spell summons forth a meteor. Fascinating, is it not?”

“Oh, that’s pretty amazing. By the way, Mrs. Alicia, I would still have to clap twice first to start the spell, since it seems I have to do that for all my incantations…”

“You do seem to have such a condition. I wonder why,” Alicia said, a little confused. “Was it something to do with Mathilde-sensei’s teaching, or is it something else entirely?”

“I’m really not sure. At first we thought I couldn’t use magic, till for some reason I did that and was able to cast a spell.”

“If I remember right; some magicians need to fulfill a condition to attune properly with the Realms from which mana is drawn. Perhaps that is the reason. Regardless, there is only one way to deal with it; do it really fast, and for this case, you’d simply need to keep practicing so that you may blend in the clapping with the rest of the handsigns smoothly.”

“Guess it's gonna be a bit of an annoyance for me for a while,” Svetlana said with a laugh. “But oh well, I can only practice till I get used to it. Now then, I’m ready to listen to more, teacher.”

“Very well then, let us move on: there are certain rules pertaining to these powerful spells that you must never break,” Alicia continued with a nod. “If you break them, I know not what would happen, only that something terrible may befall you. This spell has two rules that you must abide by. First, you must never use the spell at the two solstices of a year. Second, it must clearly be aimed at someone you believe is evil. The very idea surrounding the creation of this spell in the first place was using the appropriate †˜medicine’ against the †˜poison.’ As the saying goes; purge evil with evil. If you are in any way forced to battle someone you believe is good in some way in nature – you must never employ this spell, under no circumstances. The effects will be unpredictable, and more importantly, unfavourable. Be wary that you should avoid casting the spell fully till you master it. There is no proof to my belief, but I suspect the drawbacks involve eyesight issues upon incomplete usage.”

Svetlana let out a small chuckle about hearing what the drawback could be. “Well honestly at this point, that kinda drawback would just finish half of what I already lost, but I will do my best to follow everything.”

“I don’t think it’d be an issue for someone as young as you, but it seems I get higher blood pressure every time I use such magic,” Alicia said, crossing her arms. “I wonder if I’m simply growing old… that can’t be, right?”

“Well Mrs. Alicia, I can’t answer that since I haven’t experienced using the spell myself yet but I’ll make sure to let you know once I master it.”

“Mhm.” Alicia gave a nod. “Now, the next thing you need to know is the position of the sun when casting it,” she continued with the explanation. She then entered the stance again, the right hand’s index and middle fingers joined – like the left hand – but the right arm was pointed forward, while the left was pointed simply to the left. “Did you notice what’s in the space in-between the position of my hands? I am basically covering one-quarter of a compass. The sun’s location in the sky must be confirmed within said quarter. With all those clouds you may only locate its position from the time of the day. That said, when the sun is not around, this spell is impossible to cast.” She paused and continued. “Stand beside me and aim for the tree for the spell. As long as you don’t fully cast the entire spell its law will not be broken. Just watch and mimic my movements.” She then started to perform the stance and the handsigns.

“Okay,” Svetlana said as she followed along. She then felt an incredible surge of mana flowing through her. The ground started to shake again. Having never felt this before, Svetlana lost balance and fell to the ground.

“Oh dear, are you okay?” Alicia said, offering her hand.

“Ehh, what was that?” Svetlana said as she reached for Alicia’s hand.

Alicia pulled Svetlana up. “Well, you weren’t able to handle the amount of energy that Asteria from the Infernal Realm responded with. That just means you have to try until you are used to it.”

“Oh, didn’t imagine it would cause something like that… Guess this will take a while to learn like you said,” Svetlana said, laughing. “Oh, by the way, Mrs. Alicia, you wouldn’t happen to know other spells I could learn on the side especially more from Faerie lore?”

“Well, I do know a few off the books. What kind of spells would you prefer?”

“Well both offensive and defensive are fine since it would be nice to have more options when in a fight.”

“Hm, what would your opinion be of something like this then?” Alicia performed several handsigns, and saw blades of ice grow out from the earth. The ice curved and coiled, eventually becoming a sphere. “This is defensive, but,” she flicked a finger towards a tree, and swords of ice were shot out that stabbed said tree.

“Oh, I’ve never seen such a spell before, that was amazing,” Svetlana said with excitement

“Alright, do you wish to learn with hand signs, or shall I teach the incantations?”

“Is it too greedy of me to say both?”

“I believe it is natural, but I guess I was looking for an excuse to laze.” Alicia laughed. “Very well. But, hmm, I suppose I should show you this too.” With a flick of her wrist her sphere of ice was dispelled. She performed her hand signs, but Svetlana could note some glaring differences than the last spell she cast. From her finger what was released were utterly destructive forces of flames, but it was pointed to the sky due to the danger of burning the forest. “This is one of my original creations; a combination of fire and wind, the Blazing Wind spell.”

Svetlana’s eyes sparkled with amazement as she watched Alicia send out her spells. “You have to teach me those two spells too Mrs. Alicia! Pretty please~!”

“So I shall, but they cannot be mastered in a day. I suppose we have almost month before the next semester… you will likely be able to master these two spells by then.” Alicia was scribbling something in a note. Was she going to manage Svetlana’s training schedule? “What else is there that you’d be learning throughout said month?”

“Suppose that’s all I’ll study. I can work with Vim on my own since I can do that by myself at least. Would ask to teach me something but till I get the understanding of it, it’s not like i can use spells for it.”

“Duly noted,” Margaret Alicia the Duchess answered, “These three spells shall be more than enough for now.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

Aramus was heading back to Duchess Caroline’s manor. Even after all this time he was still under such kind people’s care. One could say he was blessed. The Magister searched for Mary Shelley all day across London. The lady with the golden eye was apparently easy to find, but it didn’t seem to be the case today. He couldn’t find her in the Royal Institute, and that was literally the only thing he knew about her other than the myriad rumours after her. Mary was supposedly a scholar in the Royal Institute and she was considered a studious scholar. Perhaps she was studying at home? The information about her residence was not known to him so he didn’t have the choice to visit her.

Thinking about how tiresome and boring the day was, he finally stopped still on the street and looked ahead. The street that was once full of people was suddenly deserted and Aramus swallowed. A sudden stillness was never a good sign and he looked around for who was responsible, if they deigned to show themselves. Fog had descended as well and it made searching frustrating for him, his footsteps the only sound on the street as he continued walking.

However, his said footsteps didn’t seem to last long as the sole noise in the place. The Magister started to hear growls of beasts from some distance. Believing that it was coming from ahead, Aramus ran forward, but stopped, did he really run, yet he felt that he jumped? He looked down at himself, thinking something was very, very wrong.

Aramus’ body was that of a large toad.

“This is a first,” he croaked, trying to examine himself only to find that his eyes now made it very difficult. If Aramus could sigh, he would have. All that action succeeded in doing was puffing out his sac and releasing another long croak. As a toad, Aramus could hear other beasts roaring and growling, and as a fellow animal, for some reason, he thought that they were uttered not from confusion or the joy of finding prey, but was from pain.

He tried to take a step forward but forgetting that he was a toad, it didn’t end very well. The legs that were made for hopping took an awkward flop forward, unbalancing himself and with a very guttural wail, he fell face first into the cobblestones. As a man, the shame he would’ve felt would’ve prevented him from being seen in public for an undetermined amount of time but as a toad, the feeling of cobblestones on his face was strangely comforting. He gave a short ribbit of horror at the disturbing thought. He would’ve palmed his face but unfortunately, his new arms did not reach that far.

When he pulled his face up, hoping that the pain would soon subside. He noticed that the painful noises subsided. He croaked, tilting his head with confusion, wondering if his animal buddies-to-be had left him behind. How strange, he felt lonely. The wind shifted and the fog was cut through from the sky as a slim figure landed from above sharply. Aramus – the big toad – barely leapt back from the blade that struck the pavement mercilessly as he clung to his dear toad-life. Looking up, the gold glint in the fog was unmistakable.

It was Mary, pointing her black sword at him.

“Why hello, Lady Mary. How nice of you to drop in.” Good lord, Aramus thought. First, he sounded horrible as a toad. How did a toad even speak? Second, had his transformation regressed him so much that he was making bad pun jokes? Did she even understand him or was she only hearing croaking?

Mary tilted her head, looking innocently at Aramus.

“Wait… you’re…” Mary stared intently at Aramus for some seconds, and then lowered her blade. “Ah, Mister Aramus Valmark the Magister. Good evening,” she greeted. “I cannot understand your words, but I suppose I can still see through your mind.”

Aramus croaked happily if one could count it as such. “Excellent that you can. Pray tell, do you know who is responsible for my predicament?” He said, indicating himself by licking his eyeballs. Hoping that he wasn’t going to do anything worthy of disgust was useless by now. “Also, I am glad you missed but why did you try to strike me down earlier?”

“Of course I’d strike you down,” Mary said, smiling. “Since you’re a Magister, I hope you’re going to be understanding and let me hit you properly, Mister Valmark,” she said, pointing her black sword straight to his eye.

Aramus flopped around on the ground repeatedly in response. “Here I was hoping to thank you for saving Sophie that day from the fire. I suppose it’s for naught now?” He said after finally coming to rest. Looking at the black sword pointed at him though, made him sweat. Or at least he would have if a toad had sweat glands.

Instead of hearing a reply, all Aramus could remember was Mary’s blade dancing.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

“You awake yet?”

Aramus found himself on the same cobblestone street he was in earlier, but now in his human form again.

“Are you alright, Mister Valmark?” Mary asked another question yet again. Her sword not held at all, but he could see the same fog even now.

“Yes, yes. I suppose,” he answered, holding a hand to his head. There was a buzzing in his mind that persisted and he cringed slightly. “Care explaining to me what just happened, Lady Mary?”

“We’re currently inside the area of effect of a spell called Noah’s Exhaust. Something The Society cast to experiment, and I’ve been going around returning people to normal; since they turn into random beasts upon entry to the fog,” Mary explained. “I apologise for the rough treatment, Mister Magister.”

“You have my thanks,” he said, rubbing the sore spot where she had smacked him with her blade. “Is there any way I can help as well? If this fog is the cause, perhaps blowing it away would remove the effects of the spell?”

“You probably cannot dispel it permanently, but I would appreciate the favour; my job for the night here would be over.”

“Then I shall attempt to do so.” Aramus said, brandishing his fan. Though it was brief, Aramus still had an urge to hop instead of standing up like a human did when he tried to get up. He shook both his head and the fan vigorously to clear his thoughts, hoping that the effects of the spell wouldn’t affect him any further.

Thankfully, there weren’t any other undesired after effects and he swung Paimon’s Fan, putting all the confusion and shame he had experienced over the last few moments into the motion. The result was a gale with winds that cleared the fog effortlessly. It howled for a few moments, visibility quickly returning to the area. Aramus hoped that no one else would have to experience what he had just gone through.

“Thank you very much,” Mary thanked, expressing her gratitude. “This sure helps, really.”

“Not at all. The least I can do after you returned me back to normal, I wouldn’t have enjoyed being a toad any longer than I already did.” Aramus said, laughing at his own transformation.

“Then, it is almost curfew hour. I assume you are returning home about now? Albeit that seems like a district for the rich down the street…”

“Oh no, I was actually wondering if you had some time to talk? There is a matter I would like to discuss and it’s of great importance to me,” Aramus answered, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly at the mention of where he was putting up. “I am currently staying there on the generosity of someone else. Someone like me wouldn’t be able to afford even the smallest property in that district.”

“Well, this is likely not a time we can go relax at a café and have a leisurely conversation? If it is important than I am all in ears, Mister Magister.” So Magister Aramus Valmark was indeed as poor as I had heard, but at least he knew kind people who’d shelter him. Not that I am jealous or anything. Yes, I am not jealous at all!

“As I mentioned before, I’d like to thank you for saving Sophie that day alongside the other children. Even if it was just one more life, I’m glad,” Aramus said with a smile before becoming slightly uncomfortable as he thought about how to broach his next subject.

“Um, Sophie… ah, the orphan you left under my care?” Mary asked after reminding herself of the chaotic day almost one and a half months ago.

“Yes, that girl. Well, I’m incapable of taking her with me to Japan when I return, nor do I have any means to support her, so she has been entrusted to someone that I know will ensure she grows up well.”

“I see. That is a fantastic solution to her misfortune,” Mary stated, smiling. “I wish her all the best.”

“Yes, she is truly fortunate. There is one more matter I’d like to enquire about and it’s… a touchy subject.”

“Yes? How may I help you?”

“There is a matter I must attend to, for that I will need to travel beyond the Gates of Tartarus and having done a bit of research, there weren’t any methods found that were feasible but one. That pertains to demons and I guess it led me to you. I apologise if this offends you but it means a lot to me if you would be able to provide any guidance.”

“...How did it lead to me? I am but a scholar of the Royal Institute, I have no hand in summoning demons or the like,” Mary replied, cool and composed.

“There has a been a rumour circulating that you happen to be chased by demons. Normally I would not be one for them but in this case, I cannot afford to lose any potential leads. Again, I apologise.”

“I… umm, well, rumours are but rumours…” Mary said, taking a step back hesitantly, her smile all convincing… seemingly. “I really have nothing to do with any demons. Really.” With that, the scholar turned tail and dashed out across the pavement. Her speed surprising even Aramus.

“Hey, wait!” He shouted, immediately running after her. This response made him even more interested in what Mary had to say about the matter, if she would even answer him at all but he wasn’t going to give up until then. Too bad not many people liked a persistent guy. Mary was fast, but Aramus was able to keep pace with her, his wind magic coming in handy as it provided him with a speed boost.

Mary looked to the side and found Aramus walking over the very walls of the houses quite literally as he rode the wind with magic. How ridiculous. Taken aback from this feat, she couldn’t react in time when the Magister leapt and landed just before her; blocking her path.

“Leave me be,” Mary said, frowning from being halted this way. “Nothing good will come out of this.”

“That it may be, Lady Mary, but I must find a way to Tartarus.” Aramus replied, face set. “I don’t want to make it more unpleasant than it already is either.”

“Tch,” Mary turned and ran again.

Aramus gave a dash again after sighing, and he repeated, by jumping and standing before her. However, the moment he landed before Mary, the world around him changed in an instant.

Floor of steel, a town that looked quite literally dead somehow, yet similar to the London. A clear yet dark sky. The Realm had changed, and Mary was visibly afraid.

“Oh, what is it now!” Aramus yelled, throwing his arms up in exasperation.

“That’s why I tried to get away from you,” Mary shouted in return, blaming the Magister for following her. “You should never get involved with me.”

“So the rumors are true then? All this is by demonic means?!” He shouted back, indicating the area around with a sweep of his hand.

Mary ignored the questions, and instead stared at Aramus before pulling him by his hand with unnatural strength, and throwing him behind her. A blade from her gold eye was swiftly drawn and it clashed with a gigantic skull momentarily.

“Run!” Mary shouted again before kicking the crude thing away.

A blast of wind was what she got in response, the gust flowing all around yet not harming Mary as the gale smashed into the gigantic skull, sending it crashing into a nearby building. It fractured on impact, spiderwebs forming across the surface with a sharp crack. The skull, however, floated up with zeal and rage. Aramus could see a deep red light within the eyes of the demonic thing.

A clash of steel could be heard a moment later, and he found Mary blocking the fangs of another similar-looking skull behind him at the same time.

“These things don’t take a hint, do they?” Aramus snorted before loosening another gust of wind. This time, things did not go as expected. The skull opened its maw, splinters of bone falling away as it seemed to swallow the gale up. Once it was done, it peered back at Aramus with its glowing eyes, seemingly gloating at him.

Mary then gave a horizontal strike, and the skull she fought was cut in two and fell; turning to dust.

The other skull made way towards Aramus to bite his head off for good. Aramus huffed, keeping the fan and pouring mana into his arms. A sphere formed in his palm, the air spinning wildly as it was compressed into the shape he wanted. Aramus could feel the strain of his newly formed spell as he tried to control it, sending the sphere flying at the oncoming skull with a thrust of his arm.

The spell hit it straight on, the sphere expanding as it struck bone and began to shear away at it. A moment later, the expanded bubble collapsed on itself in a flash. The skull fragmented even further, breaking and turning into fine powder as the shockwave travelled through it. The spell finally expired itself with a loud shriek, sending whatever remained of the skull flying. “Not too bad for a first attempt.” He hissed, flicking his hand back and forth in agony at some of the backlash from the spell.

“Sasha, is it?” Mary looked up, and so did Aramus.

A blonde child was afloat the air, consuming an apple. An eerie-looking grim reaper was lurking behind her; its face a skull, covered with a black robe, also consuming an apple, holding a scythe.

The girl named Sasha gave away an ominous feeling to the Magister below, and he reckoned that Mary might’ve felt the same.

“Mary…” Sasha said, lazily. “Would you give up your Golden Eye to me at last?” She questioned. “I am very, very hungry tonight.”

“And what if I refuse?” Mary asked fearlessly.

“Then all I can do is…” Sasha yawned, “eat it from the socket directly.”

“Wait! Wait! Before you do any of that, can I ask if you’re a demon?” Aramus yelled, waving up at the little child. “If your answer to that is yes, how do I go beyond the Gates of Tartarus?”

“Huh…?” Sasha tilted her head, only now noticing that there was a man beside Mary. “What… no one told me you were being courted, Mary.”

“I-It’s not like that! And it’s none of your business!” Mary snarled, flustered with a red face.

“Huh… is that so?” The child looked at Aramus with an extremely bored look. “It has been eons since anyone brought up the Gates of Tartarus… but do you really call yourself a magus while you can’t even identify a live demon?” She curiously asked back. Perhaps the humans really just got lazy to learn how to identify us…

Aramus shrugged as he was unable to bring up any defence, merely looking quite displeased at none other than himself. “I suppose that would be my failing, yes. I’ve never been adept at discerning what are the nature of my opponents. I figured demons would be more…” Aramus made clawing motions with his hands. “Demonic.”

“You fail as her man.”

“I said he isn’t.”

“Right, I forget.”

“Can we get this over with…?”

“But I uhh… wait, did someone asked a question or…? I forgot.”

“Tartarus,” Mary said, as if to remind her, palming her forehead.

“Ooh. Right. Tartarus. Yes, Tartarus… wait, what was that?” Then, the grim reaper behind her kindly whispered to her something akin to a reminder. “Ooh. The Gates of Tartarus… human,” she turned back to Aramus again, “It is impossible to go beyond the Gates. Don’t bother.”

“There has to be a way to go beyond!” Aramus yelled, looking between Mary and Sasha. “One of you must know something!”

Mary simply averted her gaze and ignored Aramus’ desperate pleas, but she looked at Sasha and shook her head.

Sasha, however, grinned in return. “You see… mn, how should I say it? The Gates of Tartarus has a very specific requirement to be brought forth, and it is quite impossible for most men. Even if you succeed, your world shall meet unavoidable danger. Are you willing to fill your world with chaos?”

“Well, to go that far…” Aramus thought back to the words of Duchess Frederica, would he be playing into The Society’s hands if he did succeed? Shaking his head, he looked back up at Sasha with a steely gaze. “Tell me, I have to go beyond.”

Immediately, Aramus felt the cold steel just before his neck. Mary was ready to kill him there and then.

“I knew it. It is always splendid… watching humans having to kill each other.”

“I cannot let you do that, Mister Magister. Regardless of who you are, you must never make that mistake. Even if it means the sin of homicide—I will carry it out.”

“Just knowing the means is punishable by death, Lady Mary? Come now, show a little faith in your fellow man,” Aramus said, turning his attention to her.

“Do you think the stability of the world getting threatened is a joke, Magister?!” Mary enquired, and her blade pressed against Aramus further, blood lightly trickling down his throat.

“If I did then we’d all be in trouble, no?” Aramus answered. “From the way you are reacting, it seems you do know the answers. You didn’t wish to give them so I must seek them from another source.”

Before the two knew it, the demon was just before Aramus’ face. She pulled the sword away with ease, and thrust her palm at Mary without any effort, pushed her away.

“I will tell you what you need to do,” the child said, taking a bite of her apple as she moved back and ascended slightly above. She gave the most twisted smile ever momentarily.

“Bring about eight or so Descendants in one place and have them fight each other. The climate of the world will be affected in such a way that it will be treated as a sacrifice to the Gates of Tartarus. After the Gates are manifested, they will change forever a country and distort its time. How glorious, wouldn’t you agree?”

Aramus looked let down by the answer he was given, sighing deeply. “Perhaps that has happened before, hence why certain countries don’t seem quite right. This method won’t do for me nonetheless, I thank you for informing me, demon.” Looking at Mary, Aramus looked sour as he spoke. “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“But there is another way,” the demon girl said. “Why not make a contract with me?”

“A contract, are you mad, Sasha?” Mary questioned, picking herself up.

“Now why would I want to do that, demon?” Aramus said, scrutinising Sasha or more precisely, both her and the reaper at her back.

“Because I can easily send you to the Infernal Realm if you are contracted to me?” Sasha answered in a rather confused manner, as if the fact was obvious, she appeared bored all over again, however.

“Well, that’s surprisingly convenient.” Aramus remarked. “But unfortunately, I can’t do that. As much as I’d like to, consorting with demons is forbidden. Thank you for the offer nonetheless, Sasha. Not everyday I meet a demon who offers a contract.”

“Then I guess you’re not going past the Gates,” Sasha said, finishing an apple and immediately taking another out from the reaper’s robe. “Meh. Whatever. Good luck entering it through the Hell’s Fires,” She floated past Aramus slowly as she spoke, the Grim Reaper groaned as she left him as if it was disappointed. “Now… where were we?”

The Grim Reaper again, whispered to her, and she remembered. “Right, your delicious Golden Eye. Come on, Mary, you know you want to give it.”

“No way in hell I do,” Mary still refused, and the two begun to clash in combat, as the Grim Reaper fought for Sasha, who kept munching her apple. The Grim Reaper was agile and deadly, the scythe it carried cut any walls and structures—all of which was seemingly made of steel—without fail, but Mary seemed to be able to parry almost perfectly.

Aramus walked up and stood beside Sasha, watching the reaper try and slice Mary. He was more than a little hesitant to speak about it before he decided to try. He would help Mary in a bit. “So, what’s up with you and Mary? You been after her for some time?”

“When I’m bored or hungry,” Sasha yawned as she murmured a response. “Apples don’t help hold back my hunger for long.”

Aramus looked confused. “You plan to eat her? Is that what this is all about?”

“Her Golden Eye, doesn’t it simply look extremely sumptuous?”

“The apple of my eye? Something like that? Maybe that’s the reason why you eat those apples?” Aramus muttered. “Is that eye really that attractive to you demons? I’d reckon you aren’t the only one after it.”

“Of course not… most of the demons are enticed by its scent,” Sasha answered, licking her lips with anticipation. “Almost every day there is a different one coming to face her.”

Aramus recoiled slightly, looking back at Mary with newfound respect. “She’s caught up in this every day and yet she still manages to fend you all off. Her strength is profound. I think you’ve just piqued my interest to see what lies behind the Golden Eye.”

“It is a power of the Representative, but it is the only power that is manifested in a material form,” Sasha explained, yawning again. “It mysteriously beckons our unsated stomachs to give it a taste. Yet its wielder uses the very power of the eye, and she does so… perfectly.”

“You haven’t put a thought whether it would piss off whoever she represents?” Aramus asked.

“Nope,” Sasha said blatantly. “We’d simply run back home. Why’d it matter? …Hm?” She looked down, and a black sword was buried under her chest.

Mary struck home.

Sasha vomited something like black blood, as she staggered. Mary took back her sword, the Grim Reaper dispersing behind her, she seemed to have attacked both of them in one strike.

“Not bad…” Sasha said, holding her mouth, and dropping the apple.

Aramus hmm’d and picked up the fallen apple, placing it firmly in Sasha’s hands. “You’re going to need this for some time. Also, tell me where I can find the Hell’s Fires? If that doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll look for you again.”

“...Very well, since you are so kind unlike this lass on period, I shall tell,” Sasha coughed as she spoke, slowly retreating to the air. “It lies in somewhere called California, where it is used to raid… the city and its people… over and over again…” She then vanished into thin air.

“Hmm. For a demon, she wasn’t half bad.” Aramus murmured to himself before turning to face Mary. “I didn’t know you faced them on a daily basis.”

“You didn’t need to, she and her big mouth…”

“Bah. We’re all in this together, I don’t see why you should have to keep all these problems to yourself. Well, you can trust me to keep my mouth shut now that I’ve found another way to get into Tartarus.”
Aramus said, putting a hand on his chin. “Surprisingly, Sasha didn’t seem too malevolent. Like she was just here to kill time or something.”

“Not all demons are the same,” Mary huffed. “However, she’d be eating people if I weren’t here.”

“She just told me she ate apples to sate her hunger but she’s actually that kind of demon?” Aramus said. “At least she told me where to go.”

“...Whatever the case, as a religious person I cannot trust them.”

When Aramus blinked his eye, the two were already back to their world.

“Well, thank you very much for the wonderful evening, Lady Mary. Seeing as I have obtained the information I needed, there will be no need to trouble you further. I trust you will have no problems returning home before curfew?” Aramus queried.

Mary sighed. “I am probably not returning home any time soon, however comfortable the sound of sleeping seems. Homeworks be damned. I still have work to take care of. Since I am sort of used to this already; you need not worry, Mister Magister,” Mary answered with the same smile she gave him as when they first met tonight.

“Will you require any help with that? It is sad to say that the only assistance rendered was when I spoke to the demon long enough for you to stab her.” Aramus offered with an outstretched hand.

“My work is… unfortunately the kind you wouldn’t want to see,” Mary said, looking away, gloomy. “Please send my regards to Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Ah, I see. I personally don’t mind, there hasn’t been much I haven’t done, but I’ll be on my way if you don’t require any. I will definitely send your regards to Her Majesty, and thank you very much for your assistance tonight. Even with your reluctance to answer, not only did you save me from an unfortunate fate, but you also provided an avenue to get the information from elsewhere.” Aramus lowered his head to Mary, offering her both his thanks and respect. “I am grateful, Lady Mary. It seems I will be in your debt.”

“It won’t do if a Magic Magister bows down to a mere scholar of the Royal Academy, so please,” Mary said, sighing, then she turned. “Regardless, I am a little glad that you got to know what you needed to. I will not ask what you hope to accomplish in the Infernal Realm, but I wish you luck. We will likely meet each other in the New World if you are participating in the battle with Virgo. Till then, take care,” she said before walking away, waving as she did so.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

Almost two months had passed. Natsu spent it doing her works, however much she could, and practiced her skills while she could in her free time. When Takashiro told her that she had a month to spend before the new semester; she tried as best as she could to enjoy her career, but it wasn’t so easy considering she felt the rift between herself and her manager after the ordeal of massive schedule adjustments. He seemed to be stressed from these occurrences. It was as though he caught a clue as to something big going down Natsu’s life, yet he never once asked anything about it.

It was business, as usual.

Eventually, she waved farewell to her old life. She was to face a new beginning now.

Natsu was aboard a car, along with her luggage and what belongings she bothered to bring along after saying goodbye to her family.

Beside her sat a seemingly cultured girl. So exceedingly cultured that she could be considered an endangered species under protection. Such people were rare in Japan nowadays. Outfits worn by girls – or rather, mikos – in shrines and temples were seen; she was undoubtedly a shrine girl, yet the air around her seemed to give off a more elegant and haughty feel. She seemed perfectly dignified. It somehow felt similar to Alice’s level of dignity, yet somehow different. She remained quiet, and cold, as she viewed the passing buildings outside the window, ever since she boarded the car halfway into her journey to the academy.

Natsu hadn’t spoken to the girl and only gave an initial bow with her head when she came in. She wondered if this girl beside her was cosplaying. She seemed to be in her teens, similar to her age, even. Apparently in Japan a lot of people around her age seemed to cosplay. However, Natsu reminded herself that she was treading upon the Magic World now, ever since she boarded the car.

Regardless... she wanted to break the ice now but didn't want to disturb the girl too much. To test the waters, she led with a simple greeting.

“Um... Hello there…” she started awkwardly. Natsu could see the girl's face clearly through the reflection in the window, but the girl hadn't once turned to face Natsu yet during this car ride.

“Greetings,” the shrine girl said. She turned to Natsu as she responded – perhaps out of courtesy – and gave the same bow, just as the time she came aboard, yet her expression was as icy as Natsu had seen from the window’s reflection. “Is something the matter?”

Natsu was relieved to finally be acknowledged by the girl, but her somewhat cold demeanor still unsettled her a bit. “A-Are you transferring to the Academy, as well?” Natsu inquired, trying to spur some sort of conversation.

“I am going to enroll there,” the girl curtly answered. “It was decided last year that the Hime Mikos would also be sent to the Eastern Magic Academy, other than the Exceptions of the Shrine.”

“Exceptions?” Natsu tilted her head after hearing that. What sort of conditions would exempt them, she wondered. It was then that Natsu realized she hadn't really introduced herself to the girl. “I’m Natsu, by the way. Nice to meet you!”

“My name is Ame Matsurika. It is a pleasure to meet you,” she introduced herself. She spoke in a very respectable dialect, which sounded rather old-fashioned to Natsu. Last she heard such dialect was probably from some film depicting an era from centuries past. “Hm? You are not familiar with the Shrine? Are you with the government, perhaps? One of the marionettes that are more than just guards? Regardless, I shall inform that an Exception in the Shrine organization is a Shrine Maiden who is born with a unique trait; some have a spirit close to them, and others have weird birthmarks, or special abilities, and we treat them differently. They were the only ones sent to enroll in the Academy since they’d not fit with the Shrine’s usual training provided to the ordinary Shrine Maidens.”

Ame's slightly haughty attitude threw off Natsu. She hadn't heard this manner of speech anywhere in real life, and that quip about being a †˜marionette’ sounded a bit rude. However, Natsu didn't want to make assumptions yet. Perhaps this was just the way Ame spoke all the time, she thought. “I see. You're a Hime Miko, though, right? What exactly makes them different from other mikos?”

“We Hime Miko are born into the bigger, and more influential families that have controlled the Shrine Organization for generations. It is our powers and lineage of natural talents that separate us from the other shrine maidens. We’re often born with special traits like the Exceptions, except that it is expected for us to be have such abilities unlike the Exceptions.”

“Oh, wow, that's incredible!” Natsu hadn’t realized she was in the presence of someone with some importance in the Magic World. “Did you have some kind of special training of your own, then?”

“Yes, we Hime Mikos are indeed provided special training.”

“If you did, why do you and the other Hime Miko need to go to the Academy?"

“Well, there are secret arts and lessons that are only given to mikos that the academy can never give – that the Exceptions are simply not eligible for due to the position of their family – but at the same time the academy offers a treasure trove of knowledge that is often lost to even the Shrine’s elders. The academy’s offer encompasses knowledge, skills, and spells from both the eastern and western side of the world, which would naturally lead to a greater growth to a respectable mage such as myself.”

Natsu nodded her head, indicating her understanding of Ame's situation. “That’s really cool! You’re already knowledgeable about eastern magic, but you're also expanding it by learning about the West!” she said, seemingly impressed. “I've only recently discovered my... aptitude... as a mage. I have a lot to learn. Hopefully the Academy can help me learn faster so I can keep up with everyone.” Natsu took a pause to explain her introduction to magic without revealing her identity as a Time Warrior. Takashiro had told Natsu that the Shrine could be trusted to protect her, but it still seemed like it wasn't wise to openly state her status as a Time Warrior.

“I see,” Ame replied tersely. Cool? What’s that supposed to mean? Regardless, I sense hesitation and untruth. Ame shrugged internally, ignorant of the modern world. “Are you entering through scholarship too then?”

“Well... I'm being sponsored by the government…” Natsu told Ame with a guilty-looking smile. She would have offered to help pay some of it, but everything had been taken care of very quickly before Natsu could even suggest it.

“Ah, the so-called †˜donations,’ I suppose. Well, that’s how the majority of the people enroll there, after all,” Ame said, sounding disappointed. “So you’re with the government. I suppose you are a member of the Library of Geneva?”

"The... huh?" Natsu had never heard that name before.

“...So you’re a marionette after all?”

"I... Hm..." Natsu turned her head to the side to think for a moment. "I'm not sure, honestly... I guess I am, then? They recruited me because I'm...unique..."

“I see.” Ame snickered. I’ll know for sure soon enough, considering the rumors I may roughly guess… “If you say so.”

“Hehe…” Natsu chuckled somewhat nervously. “So, is this going to be your first time at the Academy? Or have you already done a year, since that decision was made?”

“Oh, no. I have only turned sixteen this year, thus I have only become eligible to enroll this year. Hence I shall be starting as a freshman; it’ll be my first time there after this trip.”

Natsu's eyes lit up a bit when Ame told her that. “Really!? Then we might be classmates! That’ll be fun!”

“Perhaps. Does it really matter?” Ame asked, a little bewildered about the excitement surrounding the idea of being classmates. What was so delightful about being classmates, or being from the same year at all? As a girl who wasn’t even sent to school before, and was only educated at home, she was completely oblivious.

“Sure it does! We could be friends, and help each other out in our classes and stuff!” Natsu replied, her enthusiasm not dampened by Ame's reaction.

“Friends, huh?” Ame thought out loud. Do people only make friends with others from the same year… or with only classmates…? she wondered, but pushed her thoughts aside for now. “S...Sure. I am okay with that, I suppose.”

Natsu smiled brightly at Ame's answer.

The car then stopped, and Ame looked ahead, shifting her focus from Natsu. “Ah, we’ve arrived.”

The driver exited the car and opened the door for Ame and Natsu to exit.

When Natsu got out of the car she saw a road of the ward they were in. They were literally parked in the middle of the street. Everything was foggy, but they were clearly in the middle of Tokyo, and she could only see some office buildings and nothing close to resembling an academy. However, one thing she never took note of was the fact that there were no other people other than themselves in the vicinity.

“Uuuuuuuum... so... Where do we go from here...?” Natsu was half expecting that they'd need to walk through a certain wall of some sort like in a certain fictional novel, but no matter the method, it had to be beyond her normal sense of reality.

“Well, I suppose you are clueless to the walls of the Magic World. It cannot be helped,” Ame said, placing her hands on both sides of her hip. She gave the driver a glance, who in turn gave a nod and handed Natsu her luggage, and the Hime Miko her bag. Ame then grabbed Natsu by the arm and dragged her, walking straight ahead towards the fog.

Natsu, who had no idea what was going on could only follow along, not knowing what to expect amidst the road. She looked behind her and saw the driver with his head bowed towards them as they were going farther and farther away from the parked vehicle. The fog enshrouded them as they proceeded, and the street, driver, and the black car were all but lost from view.

She felt something like a strong gust of wind, and instinctively closed her eyes fearing dust in the air, but when she opened her eyelids and looked ahead, she could not believe the new world she found before herself.

The road under them was of sparkly white marble floor. There was a fountain ahead with the picturesque statue of an angel. Behind it was a large establishment, which she assumed was the main school building. There were some other buildings of note visible, perhaps they were the dormitories? Regardless, the place was impossibly clean and beautiful, and particularly for Natsu, everything was new. The architecture was innovative, and nothing like what she had seen before in Tokyo. Were these western designs? she thought.

Not many students could be seen today considering it was Sunday. Classes were not scheduled to take place today, and if what Takashiro said was true, the next semester was in but a few days.

“You seem to be in a daze,” Ame commented, taking a peek at Natsu after checking out the landscape herself. “Well, I suppose anyone would be.”

Natsu could hardly speak; she was still in awe of the beauty and magnitude of the school. “This is incredible! Such a place was hidden in my hometown...?” She continued to look at everything around her in amazement.

“No one told you, I see,” Ame said, apparently having figured something like that was the case. “The Eastern Magic Academy, built in Japan to cater to the eastern side. They wanted it to be safe from possible wars and other dangerous activities, so the academy was built on a land safeguarded dimensionally, in other words, beyond a Boundary; in a Realm of its own. Let’s just say that you’re in Tokyo but not in Tokyo at the same time. I’m sure this academy will eventually teach about Realms and Boundaries, but I got to learn beforehand,” she explained, flaunting her knowledge.

“Whoa, you're already so knowledgeable! I hope I can keep up... I didn't even know much of anything until very recently…” Natsu praised Ame.

“Well, you’re gonna go through all the known facts and terminology around magic anyway, like it or not. Same goes for me. I’m still going to learn some things I already know…” Ame said, sounding bored already. A revision of common knowledge at best… “Ahem. Well, why don’t we go and meet the Headmistress first? Hm, but maybe we should drop the luggages around the dormitory or something before that.”

“That sounds good,” Natsu nodded her head in agreement. “Was the headmistress expecting us?”

“If the government sponsored you, she has to be… I believe? In my case, I was told that the Headmistress would be expecting me considering all the document works were completed.”

“Alright, let's go together then, after we drop off our bags. Where's your room?”

“...Let’s find out. I have no clue.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

An hour had passed and Natsu was waiting outside the Headmistress’ office. Ame went inside first. Apparently both weren’t supposed to go inside together. Perhaps there were details discussed that would be better off taken place in private. Especially for Natsu, considering her disposition as a Time Warrior. Time passed rather slowly ever since the wait begun. The pace of events were fast ever since she entered the campus grounds. The dormitories were larger than they thought when they approached it at first. Asking a passersby student made things easier for figuring things out, and they had to call up on the dormitory’s caretaker to realize that they were both supposed to share a room. Time could only tell if this was a ploy of fate.

“...Careful, that person is a tanuki, or a fox, or whichever one one would consider,” Ame said with disdain, exiting the office.

Natsu’s reverie was broken as she saw Ame wearing a rather frustrated expression.

“Anyway, she is waiting on you.”

Natsu gave a nod and went inside. The room was spacious, and she could see quite a lot of gadgets and items from Tokyo laying around the place. It wasn’t a very clean and organized room, and the Headmistress who sat behind the desk seemed to be playing a game on a phone. The Headmistress was quite literally glowing with the sunlight coming through the window from behind her. Her flowing blonde hair particularly glistened, and her amethyst eyes gave a look of enthusiasm.

“Hello there,” the Headmistress greeted rather casually. “The government did well to set everything up promptly that I did not even realize your notice of enrollment till I returned from England.” The Headmistress placed her cell phone on the desk, as if to shift her focus completely to Natsu now, as she placed her chin over the back of her hands; turning serious. “Welcome to the Eastern Magic Academy, Time Warrior Natsu.”

“I guess Takashiro-san told you about me, then…” Natsu wasn't surprised that the Headmistress would know. She was supposed to be safe here, so the Headmistress was meant to make sure Natsu stayed that way.

“Well, I do not know about Takashiro-san, but I was greeted by the Prime Minister who personally requested me to let you into my academy,” the Headmistress replied. “The staff members knew about you even before that, though. The battle that took place – I’m sure you know which one I’m speaking of – had more or less allowed quite an amount to hear of your retaliation in combat.”

Natsu gulped. That battle was certainly a memory she didn't want to be reminded of. “A-Are you sure I'll be safe here? Was there anyone in this school that... participated in that battle...?” Her mind returned to that teacher who pleaded for his students' lives, as well as some of the faces of the students themselves. What if some of the survivors were enrolled here? What would happen? Natsu suddenly felt uneasy about her new school life.

“Most of the people you faced were from this academy,” the Headmistress answered with a smile, one that seemed rather scary considering the context. “In fact, only three people – that organized the group – were not from this academy. Some staff members were given commands from their home country, and some western studying scholars were recruited for the campaign to eliminate you. Rest assured, my staff members – despite having Magic Magisters – are professional and competent. They will never break any of the laws and nor will they attack you regardless of their country’s opinions. After all, my academy is the neutral ground. Everyone will have to get along here, regardless of wars or grudges.” And what would she be scared of? A Descendant who can fling off magic like it’s nobody’s business shouldn’t be so concerned about security…

This was unsettling news for Natsu. She would much rather have preferred to be isolated from the people who tried to take her life, not put herself in closer proximity of them. It didn't make any sense to her.

“T-there isn’t going to be anyone who may... y’know... act on impulse?” That battle resulted in many casualties due to Sagittarius’ intervention, and Natsu felt like it was very likely that there'd be some amount of people who'd hold a grudge against her for that. “Why are they here, anyways? I thought many of them came from England... Does this school have some sort of collaboration with a school in the West?” Natsu asked, believing this to be the only viable reason for this to occur.

“I am sorry if you feel endangered, but this is not a school catering specifically to the Japanese; it is an international academy, and it is the only one in the Eastern side of the world. There is no collaboration with a western school, westerners may simply apply from abroad and study here. The dormitories exist so that they may transfer, live here, and study. One may indeed attack on impulse, human emotions often make one do something irrational at least once in a while, after all. The staff members will protect you at those times. It isn’t just the English, however. we have many Japanese here, and other people who are not related to the war. If anything, perhaps your fellow countrymen will protect you if something goes awry.” Lumiere shrugged as she said that. “You are an idol, yes? I’m sure there are some who’d recognize you, or may even be your fans.”

“Oh, do I have many fans here?” Natsu started to feel more at ease since the Headmistress kept insisting that the teachers would keep her safe, and that even some of her countryfolk might step in, too. Also, knowing how far her influence reached as an idol was always a comforting thought. To think she may be popular even within the world of magic was astounding to her.

“I wouldn’t count on †˜many’ before checking. I am simply taking a guess, but our scholars often go out of the academy to visit the city for various reasons – even as far as going for shopping, it is possible with permission from a teacher – and they may have seen a performance or two. Who knows? You do seem to have natural beauty, and if you were chosen to be a Descendant of Time, perhaps it is due to your qualities. The rest of the world may hate them, but the Japanese seem to adore them.”

“I see, I see…” Natsu's feeling of pride subsided with that, but, at the very least, she was now less anxious about her decision to be at this school. “So, have my parents been informed of living arrangements? I mentioned it was just a possibility, but…” Natsu’s voice trailed off as she explained. She had, in fact, let her parents know that she was transferring to a new school and may need to live on in the campus. They trusted Natsu enough to allow her to do just that, but, as her parents, they worried about her.

“They know more about you than you think,” Headmistress Lumiere revealed, her lips widening further. She was about to reveal what she was supposed to not speak of. “Did you know that your father was once a member of a long-running family of shamans?”

Natsu’s eyes widened. Her parents were usually open with her, but she had never heard of anything like this. “...W-what...? R-really?” Natsu stammered. "So, my father is a mage, too?" she asked with a shocked expression. These past weeks have been one world-shattering revelation after another.

“That’s right. Your father stopped years ago, however, so he is likely rusty with his skills. Your older brother, however, is an excellent shaman. Some of the talents and qualities may have come from your father. I do not know everything of the matter, but apparently only your brother was told the truth about the ancestry of mages.”

“My brother, too!?” Natsu said with even more surprise. “He’s always so... tired though!” she told the Headmistress. She was being polite to her brother, but a better, more blunt way to describe him was †˜lazy.’ Whenever Natsu saw him at home, he was always idling around at his leisure.

“...Tired? I hear he has made quite a lot of accomplishments, though. Well, that’s what the prime minister said; don’t ask me.”

“That's amazing! I didn't know…” Her brother was often away from home, too. Natsu assumed he was tired from schoolwork from college or something, not something this grand. If he’s this accomplished, than he deserves all the time he spends slacking off at home, Natsu thought. “What exactly do my father and brother do as shamans, then?”

“Who knows? Exterminating bad spirits or something? They also defend the country from western enemies, similar to the ones that fought you.”

That seemed like a non-answer to Natsu. The Headmistress must really not know, Natsu thought. She shrugged it off, interested in learning about a certain something now that she had learned about her family's heritage. “Does my brother happen to come to this school?”

“Sixth year,” the Headmistress answered. “He is a sixth year student. He is termed as an Exception by the Shrine members.”

“Whoaaa... he's been here for almost six years... Ever since we moved back to Japan...?” Natsu's head was spinning. She almost couldn't believe it. “Oh, an Exception? Ame-san told me about those. So my father and brother are members of the Shrine?”

“Your father is an ex-member, and I’ve already answered about your brother.” She somehow came back to the same question… are her inquiries on a rotation? It was hard for the Headmistress to keep up the business smile with all these personal questions coming at her, especially about people she wasn’t even acquainted with. However, Natsu wanted to know. She could quite literally feel her curiosity, and couldn’t help but tell what she knew.

This was, once again, a lot to take in. Natsu didn't know what else to say. She took a moment to calm herself down and return her focus to her current situation.

“So, with that aside…” Natsu paused again. It was still a bit of a shock. “...What is this Academy like? What will I be learning, exactly?” According to Ame, this Academy apparently taught a wide range of magical skills from all over the world. Natsu imagined that there could be classes where she could learn about various cultures and their use of magic, as well as the history behind them too, perhaps.

“We cover literally almost everything that has been known about the Magical World, the mystical Realms, the know hows; spells, skills, we even have combat lessons. I suppose I shall explain since you asked, but in such Magic Academies, every student is referred to as a scholar. They study, but at the same time they have the option of researching upon joining a teacher’s research group – this requires good grades, excellent performances, and more. How you decide to progress is – for the most part – up to you, Kazehaya-san. Aside from the main – mandatory – classes starting from 8:00 am, almost every classes is optional. This includes Faerie Lore, Infernal Lore, Dominion Lore, and even the Magic Lore classes. Same for the fighting lessons. We also have separate classes for specifically learning different kinds of spells. Unfortunately, learning spells wouldn’t be an option for you for an obvious reason, but you are free to join whichever other classes that interest you. Excluding the combat lessons, a combination of your choices may go up to a maximum of two. If you decide to partake in the combat lessons, the time-period for it is particularly exclusive, so you’d have a third class after the mandatory classes if you pick it. Otherwise, you’d have two extras aside from the main classes. I know this is quite a lot to take in but… well, any questions?”

It was indeed true that one could only choose to partake in two particular classes for the year aside from the mandatory classes. However, scholars would have to make their decisions every year, instead of only the first time after they joined. This was because there were different levels of lore and spell-learning classes across the academy. A scholar could choose the Infernal Lore and Faerie Lore classes for the first year and pick Faerie Lore and Dominion Lore class in the second year, which would result in them going to the first year class of Dominion Lore and second year class of Faerie Lore. The reason was simple, each tier taught different kinds of things. This, however, did not apply for spells. In regards to spell learning, each Form – Aurum, Aquam, or Ignem, for instance – which were elemental equivalents of nature, had their own classes, but retaking an Aurum class at the start of a new year would simply imply that the scholar wished to hone their Aurum spells even further. They may not even learn a new spell if they couldn’t master the last one they learned. This was simply a rule of thumb followed among mages sometimes, especially in Academies such as this.

“There’re a lot of choices... How flexible.” Natsu nodded her head as she tried to absorb as much of what the Headmistress told her as possible. “How forgiving are each of these courses? The timing for my idol work is sometimes unpredictable... I need to keep to the schedule Manager-san has for me. I might need to miss a few classes…” she told the Headmistress honestly. Natsu was a relatively good student, but balancing her idol work and her schoolwork was difficult regardless. It had gotten her in trouble on occasion.

The Headmistress picked up the phone and typed a message as she replied. “While we are aware of your circumstances, I do not think you may leave the academy unless a major event takes place where you’d have to perform,” the Headmistress informed, quite certain of her own words. “I was told that your schedules were all transferred for late hours past the school time. This is a fact. I do not know what schedules your Manager-san has planned, but the government is strictly managing your career at the moment. To answer your question, however, I do believe the courses aren’t so forgiving. I’m afraid this just isn’t your ordinary school, Kazehaya-san.”

“Ah, that's right. Takashiro-san mentioned something like that... It put Manager-san under a lot of stress,” Natsu mumbled, again feeling regretful for her manager, for various reasons. Returning to the topic at hand, Natsu asked, “Are there combat lessons that specifically focus on particular skillsets? I wonder if there was a place I could practice my archery.”

“For that you’d have to personally approach an instructor who is proficient with projectiles. I know you wish to learn to use your powers, but make sure you do not destroy the institution in the process.” The Headmistress placed her phone down and there were a set of knocks heard from the door. “Come in,” she beckoned.

“I am here as requested,” an unfamiliar voice said. Natsu turned to find an individual who seemed to be absolutely different compared to anything she had seen before. The pink-blonde hair was hardly ever seen aside from cosplaying in her country, but something about the quality of the woman simply pleased her eyes. Namely the fineness in skin and primness. It was an indescribable impression.

“Alicia, there are some tasks I have to attend to, would you please give our latest scholar a tour?”

“Very well, Headmistress. I must return to my daughter after this; please do bear that in mind,” Alicia said with a chuckle.

“Again, really? Here I thought I could finally invite you out to drink tonight…” The Headmistress sighed heavily. “Anyway, look after her for me.”

“Mhm, leave it to me,” Alicia said, very assuring. Her business smile made Natsu realize that this person was very professional at work, which was admirable. “Shall we be on our way, Kazehaya-san?”

Natsu stared at the woman for several seconds before reacting to her question at all. “Oh, ah, yes. Alicia-san, was it?” she asked, making sure that she got the woman's name correct. Natsu stood up and faced the woman, ready to follow her around the school.

“For you that’s †˜teacher,’” Alicia said, chuckling, leading Natsu out of the office. When Natsu exited with Alicia, Ame was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she went back to the dormitory room.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

9 years ago

Alicia showed Natsu around the premises.

The years were divided by the number of floors, which was simple and easy to follow. Natsu’s classroom was shown, the class was 1-A. Apparently there were up to †˜E’ from †˜A.’ So, each year had five classrooms, apparently. Natsu figured that they required quite the large staff to attend all these classes simultaneously throughout every week. The combat lesson room was shown next. It was at the corner of the ground floor, somewhat away from the lobby and the cafeteria – also located in the ground floor – where Natsu saw countless doors across a hallway, and eventually a stairway leading underground at the end of the corridor.

“There are one-hundred and fourteen combat practice halls in total,” Alicia said grandly, and pointed towards the polished wooden floor below them to let her know that the rest of the rooms were located underground. “The first one here is different. Well, technically it’s the first one, I suppose. In total I suppose there are one-hundred and fifteen rooms.” The title on the green plate above the first door simply said †˜first room,’ it seemed. “The first few rooms are only ever used for combat lessons that are hosted by the teachers. As for the rest, students may occupy them and train in there in their free times.” She then pointed towards the name-plate of the first room. “The nameplate is green now, but if you enter it and use any form of magic or spiritual skill, it will turn red, letting outsiders know that the hall is in use. Neat, don’t you think?”

Natsu nodded her head. It sounded very useful. However, now that she thought of it, Natsu's powers weren't technically magical, were they? “The Headmistress told you about my... circumstances... right? If I practice some spiritual or physical abilities, will the nameplate still change? Or will I need to do that manually?"

“As I had just mentioned; yes, spiritual energy should similarly cause the change, too,” the teacher answered.

Next, she was shown the lore classes. They were located in a different building beside the main structure. Apparently the lore classes were placed rather randomly there for some reason. Alicia advised to use the map that could easily be found in the lobby right after entering said building. Since time was short for the day, Alicia recommended Natsu to check it out on her own some other time.

There were three elevators in the lobby of the main building where they were in currently, but Natsu wasn’t sure if those would be enough considering each year had five classes. She was shown the cafeteria too. Apparently there were other magic classes divided for magical †˜Forms,’ something Natsu did not quite understand as the teacher explained. Perhaps she’d learn in class, but they were also scattered across the floors in the other building where the lore classes were located.

Walking across the halls, explaining and showing classrooms of extracurricular activities, Alicia eventually stopped.

“I suppose that concludes my tour. I apologize, but I must return home soon,” she said, turning momentarily. It was still morning, despite all the time that had passed after so many events. To Natsu it seemed like she went through quite a lot of things today already, but for everyone else the day was only starting. It seemed like the few days before the next semester put the entire Academy on break, however. Which explained why there were so few scholars across the area at the moment. “I was told that you were a Descendant of Time… otherwise referred to as a †˜Time Warrior’ by the Japanese. I would like to hear it from you yourself: is this true?”

“It is. I am the host of Sagittarius,” Natsu stated affirmatively. “Thank you very much for showing me around, Mrs. Alicia-sensei.” She gave a small bow to show her gratitude.

“I see… I shall promise that we, the members of the staff, will do what we may to keep you safe and protected, but know that it may go both ways, Kazehaya-san. If our scholars come to harm due to you, I could say the same for them, and shield them from you,” Alicia said with great determination.

“T-Thank you, and I understand. I hope it never has to come to that, though…” Natsu held a great deal of respect for Alicia, and was satisfied with her ideals, even if it meant that one day she'd need to face off against her.

“I hope so too,” Alicia said, giving a rather motherly smile as she patted her head. “I do apologize if I startled you, but I had to get this off of my chest.”

Natsu returned a small smile of her own. She trusted Alicia. She had a sinking feeling, though, that Alicia could seriously kill Natsu if necessary. She felt something powerful within Alicia.

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