Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Online. Nor Megaman. Nor Tsubasa Chronicles. But I own Fey, and that's all that matters! 8DDD

Capítulo 1

The girl who drew his attention

A whistle was enough to make all the boys around the courtyard stop whatever they were doing. They stood around in a line. Brother Chris, a Champion teacher of physical training, gave a big smile to all of them.

"Very well, you all! Good morning everyone! I hope you've all eaten well this morning, as we're going to work hard today!" he clapped his hands, smiling. He was young, and didn't seem to be older than 30. From his expression, anyone would conclude teaching was something really amusing. "Today we're having a hard training session, and I recommend you all pay attention. There'll be a group lesson with the Abbey bunch.

A light chatting began. The teacher clapped again, calling the monks once more.

"As all of you already know, the job of a monk is not limited just to reading books, fighting and shooting spheres around. To the contrary: the one who decides to walk this path must reach everyday the limits of his body, mind and soul, so that he's always deep in harmony within nature and all the Elements. That's exactly why the basis of our studies is the discipline and the self-control, as if we lack any of them we'll never be able to reach the equilibrium."

This time nobody spoke; he grinned in a satisfied way, and blinked to his class.

"Well, if everyone agrees, I guess we can get started… after all, the earlier, the better!"

Brother Chris whistled again, and a line of monks came through the same door he used to get to the courtyard. They lined up the same way the first ones did. Each one of them had an air of superiority, excellence, and even, in some of the cases, pride.

Xavier skimmed the row. Would he pair up with an older, more experienced monk? Would he learn something special? Maybe he would even impress them. He was training so hard those days… he even summoned two spheres at once. Maybe if he put all his effort into it…

"I believe all of you know each other from the acolyte years, so I won't waste my time introducing you all. But before we choose the pairs, let's have a demonstration. Let me see… you!" he pointed one of the younger monks. "Vermont, why don't you help us out? C'mon, boy..."

Lucas Vermont, who was two "monks" away from Xavier, stepped forward, positioning himself where his master had shown him.

"And to finish… how about you, Finnigan?"

One of the monks in the other row made a slight bow. He stood right in front of Lucas, smiling.

"Lucas Vermont, this is Edgar Finnigan." introduced the instructor. "Finnigan, how about starting with something simple?"

Edgar nodded. He stretched his arm, whispered a prayer and summoned a sphere.

"Cool down, it won't hurt." he said, catching terror in his partner's eyes. "I'll attack. Just tell me if I hurt you, okay?"

Lucas agreed. They greeted one another.

"Ok, let's go..." warned Chris. "Ready… NOW!"

When he shouted, the monk pulled the younger one in to a wrench, throwing him as lightly as possible on the sand floor. Then, he aimed with the other hand and blasted the sphere, making it hit a few inches away from the boy's face - not too close to risk his appearance, nor too far to give him relief. The ability opened a hole in the floor, making some sand hit Lucas' cheeks.

The class clapped, cheered. Edgar helped his partner to stand up, and bowed again. Finally, he went back to his row.

"Okay, perfect! If it was your true intention, you could hurt somebody pretty easily using that technique. However, gentlemen, always keep in mind that we don't ever use our strength and our magic to hurt, but to protect people. Once more, a perfect show, Finnigan, and thanks for helping, Vermont. Please go back to your place."

"I guess this gives you a small idea of the kind of training we have in the Abbey. We must learn how to focus our power, concentrate power without letting it control us and making us do evil things. That's the base of a monk's power: equilibrium and control.

"But enough chatting. Split up in pairs to practice. Each one of the monks here already knows what to teach you, so don't worry. As we have one missing, Yaki, you'll be with me. Finnigan and Vermont really did great, so I'd like you to stick together. Hills and Verne, Grecchi and Alves, Light and Terrin…

When the name reached his ears, Xavier got petrified. He glanced again at the other line, and noticed one of the monks, right in the end. He would recognize that 'you're a loser, I'm much better than you, you asshole' smile even in the dark. It was Fey.

Although the class had only veterans, Fey had turned into a monk less than 1 year ago, and the job seemed to enlarge his snobbish smile. As he carried the same name as the Madre Superiora, it seemed to give him pleasure to use it as an advantage. He and Xavier were always warring with each other, and usually Xavier won, except for the times when the Madre would rescue her beloved nephew.

Fey also reacted alike when he heard his partner's name. He laughed in amusement, poked someone by his side, laughed again and crossed the courtyard, reaching Xavier.

"Well, well, Xavier… I almost didn't notice you. You seem so much more like a loser since last year... I thought you were the trashcan!"

"No, Fey, I'm sorry, I guess you were mistaken…" Xavier also started to approach his opponent, feeling his blood start to burn. Normally he would just stay calm and retaliate with another insult, but he was already fed up with him since their last fight, when his aunt saved his skin in the last minute. "Are you sure you weren't looking in a mirror? Although if you were, your monkey face would make it break before you could even take a look…"

They reached each other, tensed. You could almost touch the negative energy in the air.

"Ok, everybody's ready?" said brother Chris again. "Let's begin with a simple task: immobilize the opponent, leaving some space for him to escape. I want to see your reaction and the time you take to do it. Keep in mind that no one should be hurt by the end. When I tell you, one will attack and the other will try to flee. Bow to each other… 1, 2, 3…

But even before he blew his horn, Fey grabbed Xavier's arm with force, twisting it and throwing him face down to the floor. With his face being smashed against the sand, he tried to break free.

"Mother f…"

"Terrin!" Chris horned again. "Don't think I didn't see that. Let him go."

"Sorry, sensei... I just got too excited…" grumbled Fey, releasing Xavier. "It won't happen again, I promise."

"I hope so. Get in position again, everyone. Bow to the opponent. On my signal..."

They bowed as quickly and shortly they could, so as to not lose the minimal eye contact with one another. There was a little sand stuck to Xavier's cheeks.

"You're gonna fuck yourself up this time, asshole." said Fey, clenching his teeth. "I'm a monk for one year now, and I've learned much more than you… you really think you can beat me?"

"Aren't you a man without this kimono, Fey?" Xavier whispered back. "You believe you're a monk just by dressing like one?"

The anger and the hate was transparent in both faces. Chris prepared the horn.

"1, 2, 3… GO!"

Fey immediately repeated the ploy so fast that there was no way Xavier could block it. The boy was taken to the floor again and, as soon as he fell, he tried to release himself. Laughing, the other monk twisted his arm even more.

"What's the matter, you filthy brat? Where's all that bravery now? Can't you even get rid of my ploy?"

And he twisted his arm a little more. Xavier clenched his teeth in pain, controlling himself. His anger was growing more each second.

"Laugh while you can, you arrogant bastard, because as soon as I get free, I'll break all those teeth of yours…

"Oh, you will? You and what guild? By the way, all that mud in your face really suits you! This way it's really obvious that you're nothing more than dirt yourself!"

The younger one snorted in fury. He stretched his legs as much as he could, kicking his opponent, throwing him off balance and earning a loophole. He turned around, grabbed Fey by his clothes and threw him over his head. After that, he jumped up and sat on his lap, punching him in the face.

"Wait a minute, what the… stop it! STOP IT!" shouted brother Chris, whistling again. All the couples stopped. He ran in Xavier's direction, but when he was about to reach him Fey pushed Xavier down and beating his face in the same way. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? TERRIN, LET HIM GO NOW!"

The monk just halted when the sensei grabbed him by his elbows, pushing him away from Xavier. Even so, he tried to stand up to fight again. 3 monks were eventually needed to hold each one of them back.

"I'll break you, brat!" screamed Fey. "Who do you think you are?" I'm a monk!"

"Oh, really? You don't deserve your own kimono! I know exactly how you passed the exam! Just wait! I'll…"

"You'll what? You'll what?! You just can't hit me!"

"You think so?" the boys restraining Xavier had to put some more effort in their arms to prevent him from reaching Fey. He was almost slipping through their arms. "Mark my words, one day or another I'll just permanently dent your face using only my fists! Just let me get outta here!"

"ENOUGH!" shouted Chris again. They finally stopped talking, but still continued to struggle. "What the hell is happening here? This is unbelievable! Did either of you even hear what I said before? Don't the words equilibrium and discipline have any meaning for you both? Honestly, I'm seriously disappointed! Off you go, you two! Right to the Principal's Lounge! I'm not your supervisor, but I'll talk about this event with the Madre Superiora, Light! And you, Terrin, shame on you! Is that the example you what to spread around? Of being an intolerant without any kind of education? Off you go, c'mon! Irineu, please, take care of the class until I get back!

The champion took them out of the courtyard, while another monk tried to catch the attention of the class. The three kept going up the Cathedral's stairs, until they reached a room in the last floor, with white double doors. Chris knocked on it.

"Come in." came the answer from inside.

He went in, pushing the two fighters inside. A woman slightly short, with brown hair in a bun and wearing a pince-nez raised her eyes to look at her guests. In her lap, comfortably nestled, there was a black cat. She squeezed the cat's head, and it jumped off the chair when she saw the teacher and the two injured students.

"May I ask what in the name of Christ does this mean, brother Chris?" she shouted immediately. The cat jumped away in fright. "I thought your class was about martial arts, not wrestling! Explain yourself at once!"

"Madre Superiora, please forgive me if I'm being rude, but what makes you think I'd allow such behaviour in my class?" he pushed the boys again, making them take a seat in front of the woman. "That's exactly why I brought them right away from the moment it all started! It's unbelievable! In a simple immobilization exercise, they started hitting each other as if they were dueling the Demon!" he crossed himself. "I demand a reason for such savagery!

"And I take his words as mine." said the Priest. "Explain yourself, now!"

They both started to speak at the same time. Within a moment, they had began to shout insults again, and in less than a second Fey was already rolling over Xavier again. Chris was required to intervene as he grabbed hold of Fey, and even the Madre assisted, as she summoned a Safety Wall around Xavier. Then, she muted them magically.

"That's a complete disgrace! Two exemplar students like you struggling against each other just like a horde of dogs? I don't even want to hear your reasons! That's unacceptable! This is the House of God, it's a place for youngsters who really wish to walk in the Lord's Path! I'm warning you, don't think this will be forgotten! Oh my Goodness… you just prepare yourself for a heavy punishment this time, Mr. Light! I won't tolerate this kind of behavior in my Church! And I expect the same from you, brother Chris. I can't punish Mr. Terrin, as he's your student, but I hope you'll give him an excellent lesson!"

"Just wait and see, madam!"

"Very well…" she breathed, trying to get calm. "What a disgrace… brother Chris, please, go back to the Courtyard and take care of the rest of the students. The whole class can't be punished because of these two who can't behave properly."

"Yes, madam. But how about the punishment?"

"As I said, brother, I'll leave Mr. Terrin in your hands. Just make sure that he gets what he deserves. Now, please, go and take Mr. Light with you. Leave him in the infirmary."

"Yes, madam."

"And you, Mr. Light… take care of that disgusting scratch you have and come back to my office before lunch time. We'll have a serious conversation about that. Now, please leave, you two, as I want to talk with Mr. Terrin for now."

Both teacher and student bowed and headed to the door. The Priest pushed her glasses closer from her eyes and headed slowly towards the boy in front of her.

"May I just ask what the hell were you thinking?" she shouted, passing by him and going straight to the door. "You, as my nephew, should be a good example! What kind of a monk are you? You need some discipline…"

All of a sudden, she stopped talking and put her ear to the door, not hearing a thing. Then, she walked back to her table, got a silver pot and filled with water a cup and a common glass; she gave the glass to the boy, and drank from the silver cup.

"Oh my Goodness, I've never seen such a dazzler… c'mon, just drink it." As soon as he finished drinking, she touched her face, whispering a prayer. "Heal!" Miraculously, all of the scratches and cuts in his face healed without complaint. "That's better…" and she sat down again. The cat jumped on her lap again, happy, as she looked for something inside a drawer. She took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "Now, can you just tell what the fuck happened downstairs?"

"What else? That Xavier dude thinks he rules the world! Can you imagine? He tried to beat me up… beat me! I'm a monk!" Fey took another great gulp, while his aunt lit her cigarette and drew on it with a satisfied face. "One day or another I'll break his face, and not even you'll be able to help him, aunt Dolores!"

"You just stop right there." she stared at him. "How did you just call me?"

"Oh, of course. I'm sorry. Madre Superiora."

"That's much better." she gave a proud smile, squeezing the cat's head again. She loved to be called by her title. "Now, about this brat…" she reclined on her chair, smoking a bit more. "I have to admit that he's starting to piss me off. I don't know why, but I've got a feeling that I should keep an eye on him… something within me says that he's about to try something…"

"Just calm down, Mother Superior." Fey put his feet on her table. "With this fight, I doubt he's going to escape. There'll be no one to help him. Everybody saw it, he's guilty… yeah, he's really fucked up this time!"

"Don't be such an asshole. Fey. If he gets fucked up, so do you. I'll have to think of a really great way to get you off your punishment this time… did you get someone of the Abbey to our side yet?"

"Of course… brother Beline has been quite interested in our 'benefits'."

"Great. Now it's just finding a way for you to be 'punished' by him… and everything's ok. I mean, almost everything…" and she drank some more water, emptying the cup. "This Xavier… I guess it's about time to make him understand who he's really messing with."

"Hmm… what do you mean? What's the big deal?"

"I don't know yet, but if he's our enemy, it's about time for him to be treated as such, if you get what I mean…"

"Are you sending him to the basement?!" the monk jumped off his chair, his eyes shining. "Please, say you'll do, please…"

"Yes, I will." she grinned in a evil way, and Fey celebrated the good news. "I just need to find a plausible way to do it…"

The High Priest stood up again, carrying the cat with one hand and the cigarette in another. She pushed the pince-nez again and looked through the window, concentrating.

"Ah, Madre, it's not that hard…" sighed Fey. "We just need to think on something that'd make him fall once and for all. He's not Mr. Perfect... everybody has a weak point, even him…"

Suddenly, the woman smiled. She gazed at a dancer hopping in the Central Square, attracting thousands of boys, who clapped hands enthusiastically.

"Yes, he also has a weak point… and I know exactly how to take advantage of it…"


One week has passed since the fight in the class. There weren't any more double classes in all those days. Xavier spent more than 3 hours just hearing the Madre Superiora – he was forced to kneel until midnight in front of the Church's altar; missed all of his classes; lunch and dinner (although he was still required to attend mass); and to finish, he heard more lectures when the penitence was over. When he finally went to bed, by 1 o'clock in the morning, he still had to stand hunger, some acolytes laughing at him and an unwavering pain tormenting his knees, which weakened him for the rest of the week.

The worst of all was that he didn't know if Fey was punished or not; the rumor was that the Madre shouted at him, too, but as he didn't have any job in the Church he would have to be punished only in the Abbey, and that was not any kind of guarantee. This enraged Xavier even more. In fact, instead of paying attention to the Magic Control lesson, he was just laying over the table, drawing on his notebook just like a kid.

'Damn son of a bitch…' he thought. 'I bet he turned into a monk just because he's Madre's nephew. He wouldn't even hit a punch properly, for God's sake… maybe if I had had some more time, I'd…'

At last, the bell rang. Lunch time.

"Ok, guys, put your material away and go have some food IN ORDER!" shouted sister Lana. "And practice today's exercise! You never know when I'll have the idea of a test…"

The students left the room, saying goodbye to the teacher. Xavier was one of the last, although he sat in the middle of the room. He just climbed down the stairs calmly, until someone stopped by his side.

"Hey, X!"

He turned around. Standing beside him, was a blonde knight, named Albert. The man seemed to be really careless. A yellow tuft of hair fell around his helmet, hiding his blue eyes a little. They had both been friends for a long time now.

Albert carried a pile of books in his arms, and had a funny smile in his lips.

"Hey…" they greeted each other. Xavier noticed the absurd amount of books, and found it a little weird, as he was not the reading type. "What's up, helping the library to move?"

"Nah…" grumbled the other one. "Homework. Iris's almost killing me with so much work…"

Albert was being trained to be able to work in missions along with the Crusaders, and to aspire to a better job in Prontera's Chivalry. Some subjects were taught in the Cathedral. Iris was the priestess in charge of the training, and he was completely in love with her.

"So, what's the complaint for? I thought you had a crush on her…"

"And who said I don't?" all of a sudden, his eyes started to glisten. "In my opinion, there's no one who can overcome her. But, you know… she won't even look at me… they said she even has a daughter…"

"Hmm, I always thought priestess weren't allowed to marry…" wondered Xavier. "At least here in the Cathedral, we're all forbidden to date. And now she's got a child…"

"A foster child. Seems she's just raising her… they both live here, didn't you know? She should be like what, 11, 12 years old now…"

"Coming to think about it, I've heard something about that…" considered the monk.

"Ok, leaving this aside…" answered the other, trying to hide his disappointment on the subject. "How's the week of the Lonely Ascetic going?" he made a weird stance, pretending he'd shot a sphere.

"So, so... it's been a little complicated to train, the guys are getting a bit stronger…" the monk stretched his hand, observing his own palm. "It'll be pretty tough to turn into a Champion. I can't even summon two spheres at once…"

"Oh, and by the way, what's all that stuff that you just beat someone to a pulp?" asked Albert, curious. "Is it true that you really screwed him for once?"

"Wow, you heard about that?" Xavier grinned. When they say the news really spread away as fast as the wind, they really mean it…

"Cut the crap! An aco girl who I met mentioned something about that. Then I just had to do some "research"… I heard you spent the whole day on your kneels! Fucking hell…"

"Yeah… but even so, I bet that asshole just got out of it. You know, the Abbey's protecting him…"

"Humph! If it was me, I would have done the same thing. That is, if I hadn't pulled my sword and opened a big hole in him…" he hit his sword's handle with the elbow just to show it. If he had his hands free, he'd probably have pulled it and made some sort of movement. "I wouldn't just let things by! Hey, what now?"

They both arrived on the first floor. However, there was a big mob by the stairs, and they couldn't pass.

"Dunno… guess someone new arrived. Usually that's what happens when all this mess begins…"

The student's interchange was something common in the Cathedral.

"That's a complete lack of organization on the Madre." grumbled Albert, strict. "That old hag's just so messy… now no one's able to pass! They should put Iris as the new Superior, honestly…"

"Sure, it just had to be Iris..." the monk gave a big laugh.

"Ah, no, Xavier, cut the crap! Iris's got this right. I mean, she's extra competent, despite being wonderful… honestly, have you ever seen a woman more beautiful than her? Tell me the truth!"

Right at this moment, the crowd just dispersed a bit, and Xavier could find out what was motivating the hubbub. It was really an interchange group; you could notice by the anxious looks in everyone's faces. There were at least 20 unknown acolytes, which the monk hadn't ever seen even being from a different class. Moreover, there were 3 priestesses welcoming the group, not to mention the Madre Superiora.

However, something drew his attention immediately: one of the acolytes within the group. She was the last of the row: she carried the trunk and the notebooks in an almost painful way, as if her arms wouldn't bear the weight for much longer. She had a pale skin, and a straight pink hair, which fell over her shoulders giving her an angelical manner.

"I guess I just saw one, Albert…" whispered Xavier, absent-minded. The girl was thrown off balance by the excessive weight, and the monk stretched his hand forward, willing to help her, forgetting he was too far away; she was helped by one of the priestesses: sister Synesta, Xavier's supervisor.

"Who're you talking 'bout?" asked the knight, looking curiously towards the crowd. He followed his friend's gaze, and soon found the little girl. "Ah, that one… hmmm, dunno, you know she's not that strange to me? And she's not all that stuff. I'd rather pick…"

All of a sudden, his voice disappeared. He choked with the wind; simply pointed to the other side of the mob, trembling.

"Albert, you ok? What's the matter, swallowed a fly?"

"It's her! Look there, Xavier!" he pointed again desperately to another priestess. She had softly tanned skin, and long brown hair, which went beyond her hips. "Oh, shit, I thought she was up there…"

"Ah, yeah, Iris… yeah, I knew it was her. We've got a subject with her, too…"

Iris turned around and saw her student. She gave a cute grin and nodded. The blonde guy tried to do the same, but in the rush he ended up dropping all the books. He blushed, while the instructor laughed at him.

"Yeah, she's just so cute that she makes you look like a dork." smiled Xavier, helping his friend. "You are as worthy as a zero, Albert… completely useless!"

"Oh, c'mon! If I'm useless, you're an asshole! I mean, a big asshole! No, a giant, an uber, a mega asshole! You should've had a talk with your little angel. Maybe at least find out her name…"

"Nah, I'm not sure about it..." sighed the monk, watching the girl go away. Now the crowd was finally dispersing. "I doubt I'd have any chance …"

"Well, you'll never find out until you try. Maybe she also crushed on you…" they kept walking towards the dining hall. "It's worth a try, isn't it?"

"Look who's talking… have you ever even tried to talk to Iris about something at all?"

"I…" Albert shut up, blushing again. He stared at the cover of the book in the top of the pile, sad. "My situation's different… she's a teacher, my teacher… I guess she wouldn't pay attention to me even if I had doubts in the subject…"

"Is she such a bad teacher?" replied Xavier, heading to a table far away. "Well, as long as you don't try, you won't find out if she hates you or not. And, until then, don't give me any personal advice…"

"Sure... but I guess I've got advice which'll help you perfectly this time."

"And what would it be, my Loyal Counselor?" the monk put his hand in the older boy's shoulder, asking in a solemn way.

"If we don't get something to eat now, we'll starve to death... and I don't want this to happen. Not today. We'll have fighting practice with the crusaders later…"

"Really, starving again?" Xavier leaped out of the chair. "No, thank you very much, I've already had my punishment with the Madre…"


Albert's foresight almost came true: they were the last ones to get a decent meal. Even so, this was not as much as guarantee, as they lost so much time staring at the newbies that they lost almost half of the lunch break. As a consequence, the knight went to train tired and hungry, and Xavier was laying down at the same table, dreaming about dinner. Although the blonde knight had already left (his break started earlier), the monk still had some free time, and was not fancying the idea of watching all the classes starving, but the delicious smell of food in the place was not of much help.

However, what blew his mind was not the food; he himself didn't know what was happening. He never felt so attracted to a girl before, especially when he had only seen her once in his life. Even so, few were the chances of them to really have any kind of contact; she seemed to be much younger, and the lunch times were different for certain ages. Still, the girl with an angel face and the pink hair wouldn't leave his mind.

A sudden noise of scratching wood made him wake up; he looked around, and saw the Madre Superiora standing in the small stage in front of the tables. He stood up, too.

"You may sit down." everyone sat back again. "I require a minute of your attention, please. Forgive me for disturbing your meal like this, but I promise I'll get straight to the point."

"Madam, you could interrupt even the Pope, and everyone would stop to hear what you have to say." said brother Michel immediately, raising from one of the tables. Xavier laughed on the inside; he knew the priest just said such a thing because he envied the Madre. Deep inside, what he really meant was 'you'd better shut the fuck up and get the fuck outta here right now, you silly bitch'. "Please, take your time."

The high priestess thanked the compliment, greeted all the students and teachers and went to the door. When Xavier was about to play with the spoon again, she came back, bringing someone by the hand: the girl. He opened his mouth, stupefied, and almost dropped the whole dish on the floor.

"As everybody should know by now, a new group of students arrived earlier today. They come in great part from Lutie, and came to take the admission exams to become priests and monks. Well, please, welcome our guests."

Xavier didn't notice, but the other newbies also came in along with his pink-haired angel girl. The Madre went introducing one by one, and as their names were called, each one would step forward, greeting the veterans. In a certain moment, the lady called her: "Valeska Terrin". The monk recorded the name in his memory.

The girl made a small, shy bow. Xavier noticed more men staring at her voluptuously, and he suddenly felt like covering her with a blanket, so he could punch them all.

"I hope you all treat not only these newcomers well, but also every visitor we should be sheltering in the following years." said the high priestess, watching each one of the students. "And I also hope you to make the most of this opportunity, making new friends. Now, my children, you can go and have lunch. Valeska, dear, you too."

Xavier looker around, and noticed there was a free chair right beside him, which Albert left behind. His heart raced. He was about to call her, when a voice on the other side interrupted him.

"Hey, there's an empty chair here!" it was Kamira, an acolyte 3 years older. Valeska thanked her and sat in the chair she pointed, while the others were taking other places.

"Well, that's all." ended the Madre. All the students stood up again, and she said goodbye, leaving the dining hall right before. Xavier looked at Valeska again, sitting right in the other side, along with Kamira and another girl with white hair, who he didn't know. For a small second she saw him too, but she blushed and looked away before he could do anything.

Maybe now he'd have a more of a chance…


When the last bell rang, at 5 o'clock, all the students went downstairs to get ready for the last mass, as well as the dinner. Albert was not there anymore; he had classes until 3 o'clock, then he'd go back to the Chivalry to do other things.

Xavier was soon sorry for criticizing his friend. He thought it'd be easy to get close to the girl, but the task was turning out to be harder than he expected. She was always surrounded by a lot of people, from girls who wanted to know where she was from, and how was Lutie's church, and if they had heating and bottled water there; to boys who wanted to introduce themselves and ask much more rude questions.

He thought he'd have some more chance when the classes were over, but this was only a mere illusion: she was even more surrounded than a thief inside the Royal Chamber. Frustrated, the monk just went on, putting his backpack in the dormitory's wardrobe and following straight to the hall. But, halfway, he bumped into someone.

"Sor…" he was about to apologize, but he stopped when he saw who it was: Fey.

"Look where you're going, brat. I know it's hard to, being a shorty like you are, but this time I'll forgive you. Just don't go doing it again, will you?"

"Humph… you're forgiving me, huh? I don't know why, but I think you are just afraid of me punching you again like the last time…" Xavier twisted his fists, snapping his knuckles as if he were to fight.

"You think you can beat me, sucker? You couldn't even hit a paralytic, let alone me! I'm almost transcending, did you know that?"

"To transcend you have to be alive, Fey, and if you keep talking, that's not gonna be true for you anymore. Of course rebirthing would fit you perfectly, maybe you'd come back with a new face other than that monkey one you've got now…"

The started to approach each other. Tension was imminent…

"May I ask what's happening?" called a voice from the other opposite of the hall.

Xavier turned around: it was Mother Superior, bringing no one other than Valeska. His heart leaped again. She seemed to be even more ashamed than before, when she had to expose herself in front of the whole Cathedral.

"I wonder if last time's punishment for fighting within the Church's walls was enough, Mr. Light?" said the Priestess, strict. "Maybe I should leave you for a couple of hours on your knees, to remind you how we treat offenders here…"

"Th-that's not necessary, madam." answered the monk, a little embarrassed. Behind his back, he felt Fey grin triumphantly. "It was just a misunderstanding. I guarantee this won't happen anymore."

"I hope so, Mr. Light. And you, Mr. Terrin, may I ask what you are laughing about?" Fey stopped smiling immediately. "Is anyone here telling a joke? Or weren't your superiors strict enough when I told them to punish you properly? Because if you're not truly satisfied with your penalty, we can arrange that immediately…"

"No…no, madam. Absolutely. There's really no need, I can assure you that they really didn't give me any sort of break in the Abbey…"

"Keep your explanations for yourself, Mr. Terrin. For now, I'd like you to follow me: I've got more urgent subjects to discuss with you."

"N-now?"

"No, Mr. Terrin, in a week." she replied, exasperated. "Of course it's now! Or do you have something more important to do?"

"Well, actually, I was going to have dinner now..." the monk shut up immediately after watching the superior's face. "But of course it can be done later! I'm sure your subject has a lot more importance…"

"I'm glad you do. Come on, I don't have the whole night. The same for you, Valeska. And you, Mr. Light: just let me find you arguing with someone again, and you'll have to buy new legs for the punishment I'll give you. Do you understand?"

Xavier agreed with his head, nervous. They followed upstairs. Not having anything else to do, the monk kept on going, heading again to the Great Hall, wondering what she wanted with Fey.