After the meeting with Akko, the one that will be fateful.

Good reading ^^

Metamorphosis class. Today the young witches had to show their skill into transforming a little mouse. Lotte changed it in a marmot, Sucy in a bat and Diana in a horse. Hannah and Barbara immediately praised her, and looked at Cassandra and Akko with snide looks. Since the argue two weeks ago, the three witches sort of established a competition between their leaders. Who of course, couldn't care less. Akko turned to Cassandra.

" Show them what you're made of !" she said.

"Akko for the bazillion's time I don't care about being better than Diana." sighed Cassandra.

"But you're better than her ! You were the only one who encouraged me in achieving my dream, and didn't mock Shiny Chariot. It's all thanks to you that I could improve myself. Plus you're even defending me against those stupid girls so …" said Akko.

"I only did half of the work concerning your skills. But all the work was made by you. Ah, excuse me it's my turn." cut Cassandra.

She marched toward the mouse.

"Metamorph fosciess."

A leopard appeared, sparking oooh and aaaah ! behind her. Cassandra undid the spell and simply went back next to Akko.

"Very good miss Sullivan. That makes you ex aequo with miss Cavendish." said Badcok.

Akko gave a mocking look to Diana's friends. The professor was about to end the class, when Barbara reminded that Akko didn't do it.

"Remember what I told you : clear mind, concentration, deep breath and …" remembered Cassandra.

But Akko didn't listen to her. She was already in front of the mouse. Do I need to tell what was next ? Cassandra let a slight sigh. When will this girl learn patience ? Given the result Akko was constrained to work in her room instead of going to the party hold on the evening.

"Waaaah how come it ended like that ?!" she complained at the end of the class.

"Because you don't listen as always." responded Cassandra.

"I need to practice more with my wand. So Cassy, why don't we start using it more during our private lessons ?"

" We will if you learn to concentrate. I've noticed you manage to cast some spells when you're in a particular state of mind. If you can reproduce it maybe that should do the trick. By the way, you did a wonderful job for the enchanted parade."

" You mean it ?"

" Am I the type who would lie about that sort of things ?" retorted Cassandra.

Akko smiled and was about to respond, when a voice interrupted her.

"Thanks for the fun Akko !" called Hannah.

"Yeah ! I got to admit you chose the right animal for … gulp !"

Cassandra turned herself with a dark expression. Barbara ate her words.

" Get lost." she said, coldly.

"D-don't order us around !" responded Hannah.

" Leave I said."

Hannah made a step back. The other students around them were watching. Was a fight about to break ?

" Stop it now, everyone. We got other things to do than fighting." intervened Diana.

"Thankfully for you, your friend has a more efficient brain than yours." responded Cassandra to the blonde's sidekick.

"WHAT ?!"

Cassandra turn her back on them with contempt.

"I'd like you two to stop your little game." said Diana to her comrades.

"They have to stop it ! Always bragging although you're stronger than her !" retorted Hannah.

"She isn't bragging. You two are the ones always provoking her. Now come, we have to be ready for tonight."

Meanwhile, Akko and her friends were outside. Akko was still fulminating about Hannah and Barbara.

"But it seems you really bonded with Cassandra." noticed Lotte.

"Yeah. At first, I thought she was just like Diana, but after a while I realized she's really different from her. She didn't laugh when she knew about my dream, nor she spoke ill of Chariot. And she's funny too : when I miss a spell she always cracks a joke. And as you saw, she defends me as well." explained Akko.

"Yeah. I remember how she saved you from Fafnir the other day. Which reminds me how impressive is her physical strength. She just gushed forth and kicked him in the wrist. And it really hurt him. How strong do you need to be to hurt such a huge creature ?" resumed Lotte.

"I don't know, but I know she could totally beat the crap out of Hannah and Barbara." Said Akko.

" But it's obvious she doesn't care about them, so what don't you as well ?" intervened Sucy.

"I can't ! I can't let them have their way !"

" That, we noticed."

The evening arrived. All the girls were aligned to greet the guests. The fanfare begun to play, as the guests were coming.

"Oh my. Someone please explain them that a broom isn't to be stuck in the ass." said Cassandra, low voice.

"SNORT ! Pfffff ! Well aren't you a funny one." made Amanda, beside her.

" Of course I am. The world would be really sad without laughter."

"I couldn't agree more. This party will certainly be boring." added Amanda.

"And what's wrong with his shirt ? Don't they have enough money to buy one to the right size?" resumed Cassandra.

" Tee-hee ! Maybe he's just nervous." suggested Amanda.

"Maybe."

A little while after, Cassandra found Akko's friends at the buffet. She already ate a plate, and has taken an empty one.

"Hi girls."

"Hi Cassandra." greeted Lotte.

" So, how are things going on your side ?" she asked, filling a plate.

"Normal. But there's so much delicious food, and poor Akko can't even taste it."

" Don't worry. I planned to bring her some." announced Cassandra.

"That's very kind of you." smiled Lotte.

Ursula arrived close to them, and asked about Akko. Lotte and Sucy told her. Cassandra added that she'll visit her later. Ursula nodded. Cassandra filled a plate while the dancers were performing, and headed to Akko's room.

"Akko ! It's me Cassandra. I've brought you some food." she said, knocking at the door.

No answer. The teenager opened the door to find an empty room. She stepped in. Where in hell did that girl go ? Cassandra approached the desk to put her plate. There, she noticed a card.

" Polaris fountain ?" she read, taking the card.

Apparently, it was located in Luna Nova. Cassandra close her eyes.

" Seemingly, I'll have to teach her to stop getting in trouble as well."

Cassandra rushed out the room. She stopped by hers and catch her broom, before exiting by the window.

Meanwhile, Diana was leading a tour of the school to the guests. The discussion between them wasn't frankly friendly. Cassandra was flying above them, and considered the idea of warning Diana about Akko's escapade. But the guests didn't have to know they couldn't handle one of their students. So she continued for her search. She was hoping to find her before she gets in trouble again. Maybe tying a bell to her wouldn't be a bad idea. Or tie her down, anything to avoid her causing problems.

On her part, Akko was dealing with Andrew. That is, making him grow donkey ears and tail. Way to create imperishable memories. Akko decided to continue looking for the Polaris fountain to fix her mistake. Then again, not without adding some major trouble to the case : she disturbed the guardian of the fountain, a giant white bear. The beast offered her a mess hair up greeting.

" What a great school !" exclaimed Andrew, running away beside Akko.

Thankfully for them, the size of the beast slowed it down. Suddenly, as they were approaching a room with a ladder, Andrew and Akko saw another girl running toward them. She leaped in a formidable jump, passing over them.

"Yaaaaah !"

She then shoot down her fist right in the forehead of the beast. Arcas, the giant bear moaned and then collapsed on the side … knocked out. Akko sighed in relief. She opened her mouth to thank Cassandra, when that one turned to her looking angry. That instantly shut up the Japanese. Cassandra walked to her. An aggressive aura emanated from her, making Akko feeling quite small.

" What the hell, the heck and the fuck are you doing this time ?!" she yelled.

"Huh … err … well I was … looking for the Polaris fountain. You know, for the metamorphosis."

"And I'm sure you knew that there was a guardian ! How did you plan to pass it exactly, pray tell ?"

" I … didn't really think about it." confessed Akko.

"Of course you didn't ! That's the problem with you Akko, you don't think before acting ! Didn't I teach you anything ? Do you even realize what you did ?" continued Cassandra, still angry.

" I'm sorry ! It's just that …"

"Now shut up ! You've done enough. Go to the damn fountain while Arcas is still unconscious and go back to your room !"

Akko just left with her rabbit ears down. Cassandra sighed.

" Well, thank you for your help. You saved us miss …" said Andrew.

Cassandra turned her head to him. Andrew always thought that witches were different. But that one … she was scary. Even him could feel power coming from her. What burning eyes ! She seemed angry at him too, but why ? He didn't remember to have done something for that.

" My name isn't something you need to know." she responded.

"Huh ?"

Well that sure was unusual to him. Most of the girls were too happy to introduce themselves to him. Or at least, answered in politeness.

"I heard you earlier with Diana. We … welcomed you with courtesy, shared our food with you and did our best to please you. Yet you dared insult us under our very roof." continued Cassandra with a calm yet cold voice.

Andrew understood then he might have gone too far. And given what kind of witch was standing in front of him, it was probably not a good idea. This one … wasn't like Diana. Definitely not. He could guess she was the fighting type. And he sure as hell didn't want to fight with someone able to knock out a giant bear with one punch. Still, he wasn't ready to back down already.

"Well sorry if you can't handle the truth. But last time I checked we were still in a country where we can express ourselves." he said.

"Looks like Akko did a good job with her magic, for once. So I suppose you won't mind, if I say that your father is like every politician man : an incapable, a liar and a crook." retorted Cassandra, with a soft voice.

Andrew winced.

"Ok touché." he granted.

"Also, about what your friend said concerning old things : wanna know how are they useful ? They're testimony. Of our past, our history, our identity. Testimony of people's life before, their hardships, hopes and dreams, and teachings. Everything that makes us what we are today. They possess value. A greater one than the money one."

"Maybe, but I still fail to see how magic is useful today." resumed Andrew.

" Follow me."

Cassandra grabbed Arcas by a back leg and pulled him behind her. Andrew blinked : seriously what kind of witch was she ? Cassandra brought the bear back in his room, throwing him like an old rag inside. Then, she repaired the door.

" Cite someone who can fix that door faster than a witch." she said.

"…"

"You should also look for a certain Amelia Brookstone. She's a doctor, using magic to cure people. And guess what : when someone need surgery, her failure rate is zero. Because she uses regenerating potions which avoids operating. It's as efficient if not more than modern medicine. There's also Michelle McField, a cop. Uses magic for investigations and got faster results when it comes to find clues on a crime scene." continued Cassandra.

Andrew didn't know what to answer to that.

Cassandra passed before him. Not wanting to stay alone, Andrew just followed. He thought about what she said, feeling the need to verify all of it. On the way they met Akko, who was showing a sad face.

" Looks like it didn't work." guessed Cassandra.

" No … the fountain disappeared after showing me memories of Chariot. It didn't give me the power of the stars." confessed Akko.

"I see. How about showing yourself ?" responded Cassandra, turning her head to her right.

Ursula Callistis appeared.

" How did you know I was there, Cassandra ?" asked Ursula.

"Hm !" was all she got.

Ursula then talked to Akko, explaining her that she came to the fountain too early. Then, she desired to know how they handled Arcas.

" I just knocked him out with a good punch, that's all." simply said Cassandra, as it was a common thing to do.

"You … what ?"

"You heard me."

" But … how … that's a huge beast ! It should be perfectly impossible for a young girl like you to just … knock it out with a punch ! " exclaimed Ursula.

Andrew glanced at Cassandra. So even for a witch that wasn't a normal thing. He was curious to know where that strength come from. How did she obtain it ?

" Still, this is what I did."

Akko confirmed the thing. Ursula's jaw threatened to fall until her feet. Then she regained her composure and offered to fix Akko's magic, hoping that Andrew would keep the whole story a secret.

"Very well. It will be our secret. Plus I owe one to one of your students. We had … an interesting chat." he declared.

Cassandra raised her eyebrows. Now that was interesting indeed. So before the teacher could do anything she took her wand and undid the spells, even for Akko. Diana and Franck arrived at that time.

" Did something happen ?" asked Diana to the brunette.

"No. Nothing special."

Cassandra could see that she didn't believe her. However, Diana wouldn't dig in that matter too much.

"I sure hope so. The consequences could be dire."

"Don't worry, I handled everything."

Diana nodded. She knew she could trust her classmate for that. She was as serious as her when needed. It was now time for everyone to go back to the reception.

"By the way, how did you find me ?" asked Akko in a low voice.

"You mean, apart from that you could be heard bellowing in the whole school ?" answered Cassandra.

"Ahah."

" I went to bring you food from the party, when I saw your card of Chariot. That's how I knew."

"Oh. Again, I owe you one." resumed Akko with a little smile.

" If you so wish to repay then start to use your brain."

A bit ahead of the girls, Andrew got closer to Diana.

"Say, is that common that a witch possesses a superhuman strength ?" he asked.

"I suppose you're talking about Cassandra. No it's not. However, her cousin seemed to have it as well, so I'm thinking it's in their lineage. Though I couldn't find it yet."

"Hmm, I see."

"But why the question by the way ?" resumed Diana.

" I just wanted to know, is all."

"So something really happened." she guessed.

"Sharp as always. But I've promised to keep it a secret." smiled Andrew.

" How kind of you."

"I am kind !"

Diana just have a faint smile. But before entering the hall, she waited for Akko.

" I hope you'll behave from now on." she slided.

" Eh ? What are you my mother ?!" retorted Akko.

Cassandra gave a small slap behind the head.

" Go. Back. To. Your. Room."

Akko wanted to protest, when she saw that her friend was still a bit mad. Akko didn't insist.

"Funny. You seem to be the only she really listens without objecting too much." noted Diana, watching Akko leaving.

"Looks like, yeah. I think I frighten her somehow, that must help." responded Cassandra.

"But she also looks up to you."

"Surely." sighed Cassandra.

"There's also something I'd like to ask you."

Cassandra took a glass.

"You seem to demonstrate quite an unusual physical strength, so as Emily. Where does that come from ?" interrogated Diana.

" I know it's not common at all, even unique. But why do you want to know about it ? Sounds like a threat to you ?"

" I don't know if it is one."

" But it could be Diana. I have enough of it to raze the whole school."

" So ?"

" So nothing Diana. And I'd like you to not dig in that too much. Private stuff if you catch my drift. It's not a problem as long as I'm left alone."

Diana looked at her, silently. Cassandra was the one she could see as a rival if she had to choose one. That's why she decided to follow her advice for now. When the brunette got away, Hannah approached. She requested her to introduce her to Andrew. The blonde agreed, and preceded her friend. Franck was trying to know what happened while Andrew was alone. What of course, the young man was reluctant to tell. Frank insisted, but his friend remained firm. Suddenly, he felt a look on him. Turning discreetly his head, he then discovered Cassandra who was looking deeply at him. Ah what now ? But her sharps eyes recovered a normal intensity, and a faint smile adorned her lips. Looks like he passed.

"So she was verifying if I could keep a secret. But what would she have done if I'd blabbered ?" he wondered.

Throw him a spell ? Here in presence of everyone ? Andrew wondered if any kind of silent and discreet curse existed. Probably. He was distracted by Diana, who introduced to him one of her friends. He greeted her with manners, as usual. But his eyes went back to where Cassandra were. To only find an empty place.