Usual stuff, Mana Khemia does not belong to me and be prepared for some or a lot grammar miss etc etc.

"Reicher!"

Reicher lower his sword and face Raze with an eerie familiarity.

"Ah, Raze. It's been a while."

The rest of his group come out from forest and startled by the fact that Reicher is also there.

"You…!"

Ulrika put Uryu behind her, and Uryu too, hide behind Ulrika. Before Reicher could say anything, a couple arrow shot from the other side of clearing and pierce another red-eye creature that tried to attack Reicher. Sasha come down from a tree and head towards them.

"It's you again! You still going after Uryu!? I won't let you have him!"

Ulrika point at Sasha, still hiding Uryu behind her back. Sasha put her bow in her back and close her eyes to relax a bit more.

"No way, we got a bigger prey this time. Just go away and don't hinder us."

"Bigger prey?"

Sasha doesn't seems to lie, but Ulrika still won't lower her guard. And so is the others. Suddenly, a loud rustling sound resonated from their surrounding and another horde of the eye-creature comes flying to their direction.

"Reicher, there's no end of them!"

Sasha pull her bow and arrow again. Reicher ignored her and keep slashing at the creatures. Raze and the others too, start slashing at the creatures that rushed at them.

"Wait, they're tougher than I thought."

Ulrika smash another creature which later finished by Chloe and Whim.

"They really are. Not to mention, this number…"

Raze slash at another one who escape from Et's chain of attack. They keep the battle for a while until Whim step too far from Lily and one of the creature heads towards her way. Raze repelled one of the creature that he fight and rush towards Lily.

"MILADY!"

Lily turn her back to see the creature only a few meter from her, flying with a full speed. Both Raze and Whim are farther than the creature is. Left with nothing to protect her, she raise both of her hand in last attempt to protect herself.

But the creature just fly past her and rushed towards Reicher.

"It… ignored me…?"

Lily lowered her hand in relieve and confusion as she see the creature got slashed by Reicher. Whim and Raze got to her side immediately and check if she's okay.

"I'm okay… but those creatures…"

"They completely ignored us."

None of the creatures attacked them as Raze and Whim checking at Lily for any injury. They just fly past them.

"HEY! JERKTOWN! What are you doing at time like this!?"

Ulrika see Raze, Lily, and Whim standing still in the middle of battlefield.

"Stop fighting! They're not attacking us!"

Raze shout at the rest of party. They seems doubtful, but eventually stop attacking the creatures and regrouped.

"They really not attacking us…"

Ena put his mechanical arm away as he tried to catch his breath.

"But why…?"

"That's because you have the invitation."

A soft, yet strong, woman voice echoed clearly even in the middle of battlefield. All the creatures fly away from Reicher and Sasha, and form a some kind of barricade instead. From the opening of the barricade, a woman stepped in. She has a long blue hair and eyes with the same shade, a shade lighter than Raze's. She wear an eastern styled traditional clothing, and on her left is a long katana with dark blue sheath. She gracefully step into the clearing and stop not to far from them.

"This area is currently only for the invited one. Please leave immediately."

A few creatures flag her as she stands in the only opening of the barricade. Reicher drop his fighting stance and set his gaze straight to the woman.

"So you finally appeared, head guard. But to think a person like you is the one who stands guard in this place. Maybe I should consider myself as lucky."

The woman give Reicher an amused smile while gesturing to the creatures to close up the barricade.

"Oh, so you know who am I."

"Of course. I've been setting my eyes on you for a while, Anna Laemmle."

Sasha looking a lot shocked by Reicher's declaration. But soon relieved as he point his sword to the woman named Anna.

"Have a duel with me."

Anna closed her eyes as if thinking. Et lean her face closer to Raze (on Lily's distaste) and whisper to him. Loud enough that their whole group actually listened.

"Hey, Raze. You know her? Your face kinda said that you do."

"Yeah, I heard about Laemmle clan before. They're a clan famous for their line exceptional swordsmans. I heard that their only heir is a woman who arguably is the best swordsman around. Some doubt the word of best, but there's no mistake that she's within the top group of powerful warriors."

"Eh?"

Everyone except Raze surprised at the revelation. Ulrika step closer to Raze.

"Why is such famous swordsman is here? Don't tell me this time they're seriously trying to replace Al-Revis's alchemy curriculum with combat class?"

"I don't know. I'm confused myself. But I don't believe that's the case since that Vice Principal is still there after all. Remember, that guy teach alchemy in combat class on his own accord completely ignoring Chairman's order."

"You got a point…"

Ulrika turn around to the woman once again. She can feel sweat rolling on her face.

"We should stay calm and assess the situation. There's no use to muss among ourselves now."

Lily's voice is calm. But they can see that she's as nervous as the rest of them is. That can't be helped since they're trapped inside the barricade with a powerful warrior who is still not clear whichever she's an ally or an enemy.

Anna opened her eyes slowly and put her hands on her katana.

"As a fellow swordsman, I'd like too. But I'm sorry I have to decline as I'm currently in my guard duty. The two of you will leave whichever you like it or not."

Reicher does not looking disappointed nor upset at her rejection even for a bit. Instead he looked really happy as if he just hit a jackpot.

"That's fine. I already got a confirmation anyway."

"What confirmation?"

"A warrior at your capability is here means that it's really here, right? That mana."

Anna's expression is still the same, but her aura shift slightly. To an even fearful aura. As if she's mad.

"I don't know what are you talking about."

"Don't act dumb. It's here, right? The most powerful mana, Mana of Wish."

Everyone else, including Sasha, is taken by a surprise again. Sasha was told that the prey is a very powerful mana. Even worth more to hunt than Uryu, but never been told what kind of mana it is.

Anna still stand at her ready-to-attack stance. Not flinched even a bit.

"It's only a fairy-tale. There's no such mana in reality. What do you want to do with that kind of mana anyway?"

"That's none of your business."

"Looks like there's no more thing to discuss here."

Silence ensured and Reicher take the initiative to attack first. He swing his swords towards Anna. Anna pull her sword and parry Reicher's attack with one hand and counter with the sheath in her other hand. Reicher saw this and pull back to evade the hit and charge again.

"You do realize that the moment you decline the duel, this fight has become 2 on 1, right?"

"That has nothing to do with me."

Anna repel Reicher's sword away and put a stance for her next attack. Reicher leaped away to evade her next attack.

"Sasha! Support!"

"Leave it to me!"

Sasha immediately shot several arrows towards Anna. Anna realized the arrows and slash at them without missing even one. While she's distracted with the arrows, Reicher slash at her from her back. Anna barely dodged that attack.

"You're not as strong as the rumour make you, huh?"

Reicher smirked as he know that they manage to put her in the corner that fast. Anna just return the moke with a smile.

"To be honest, I underestimated you and your partner. Still, I thought you are the prideful type who don't like his fight got interrupted."

Anna moked Reicher in return, referring to Sasha's support.

"As now, eradicating Mana of Wish is more important than a fight with you."

"Wiseful. But if it's indeed the strongest mana, then what can you do against it if you can't even beat this random swordsman who is not even the strongest?"

Reicher charge to Anna again with full force.

"Shut up."

Anna simply sidestepped, slashing Sasha's arrow that come to her, and leap away.

"But it is true that the two of you are remarkably strong. I'll fight properly this time."

Anna throw the sheath away and grip her katana with both hand.

"She's not fighting properly up until now?"

Et whispered to Ulrika in the back. She's just too scared to disturb Raze as he watch the fight intently. It's unfortunate that Ulrika still has not moved from her spot near Raze and thus become the second closest one from Et.

"How should I know?"

Ulrika hushed Et. She's not a battle maniac, but it's just very hard to take her eye off the fight. They watching intently as Anna exchanged blow with Reicher while at the same time dodging and guarding against Sasha's attack. It last for a while until Anna reached too far in and got her Katana flung away by Reicher. Reicher already feel triumph as he finally get an upper hand against Anna, but that feeling only last for less than a second as he realize a pink small ball floating in front of his face and Anna already leaped back.

The ball explode and produce an unbelievable smoke coming from such a small object. Reicher got completely covered by the smoke and Sasha trying to shot an arrow at the rough direction Anna leaped to. She's about to release her arrow when a small glint coming from inside the smoke. She quickly stepped aside to dodge whatever coming to her, but the object still manage to graze her forearm.

The smoke dispitate and Anna coming out from the smoke to launch a surprise attack against Reicher, which is completely predictable by him. He was about to slash at her, but his hand just won't move the way he want it to. In the end, all he can do is just to dodge enough for her attack to simply scratch him.

Reicher attempt to charge at her again, but all of his energy just seems to disappear from his body and he slump on the ground. He turn his head to see that Sasha is in the same state.

"... what…?"

Anna looming over him. Her left hand hold some of those small pink ball while her right hand hold several throwing knives. Some kind of liquid dripping from the knife's edge.

"Philomele's Secret Recipes #253 and #198, Miniatur Paralyze Bomb and Cheer-Cheer Goodbye Medicine. Still work as fine as always."

Anna fold her hand as if she's hugging those dangerous weapon like it's a wonderful present from a precious person. Sasha manage to move a bit and choke some word.

"Are you not… a swordsman…?"

Anna looking at her in surprise for a second and smiled brightly instead of being insulted. She waves her hand to make her wide sleeves fly around and gave them a glimpse of what she hid inside. It's not very clear, but there's no mistaking that they see several round object and some small vial inside her sleeve.

"As long as I stand in this ground, I'm simply another alchemist who happen to be able to swing a sword quite too well. Please don't misunderstand me."

Anna said proudly. No shame even for a bit. She walk away and retrieve both her katana and the sheath. She then extend her right hand and one of the creature descend slowly into her palm.

"Now, let me escort the two of you outside. Don't worry, I'll send you to nearby village. The medicine's effect should wear off in a month or so."

"A MONTH!?"

Everyone in Raze and Ulrika's group just yelled reflectively. They soon shut their mouth in fear of enraging Anna. The said woman just smile in return to reassure them.

The creature in her hand dissolved into two smaller black orb which she send flying towards Reicher and Sasha. The orb expand to engulf both of them and then shrink until they disappear. Along with the two intruder.

Anna gesturing something to the creatures and soon they scattered to every direction. Leaving one for each of them, including Anna. Anna walk towards them and stop just a few step in front of them and bow.

"I'm really sorry for involving all of you in this mess."

She raise her head. She then fold her hand and her apologetic eyes suddenly change into that of a mom who is about to scold her child.

"But that aside, I think it would be wiser if you just go to the academy first before went to explore. I know it's nostalgic, but if you don't alert anyone of your arrival, no one will know and search for you even if you're fainted or seriously injured somewhere."

They keep silent, too afraid to answer. In front of them is Anna who still waiting for their answer with arms folded in front of her chest.

"Uh… um…"

It's Ulrika who hesitantly raise her hand. Anna turn her head to her and she's flinched a bit. Ulrika swallowing her fear and weakly answer.

"We… we're actually on our way to the academy now…"

"Why are you taking a long way instead of going directly to the academy."

Ulrika shrink at her gaze. After her display of power, there's no way that she's going to face her head by head. On a good time, Et answered in panic.

"I swear we are on the main road just a few hours ago! We're trying to reach the academy as soon as possible, but these guys... suddenly…"

Et run out of her usual bravery before she can finished her answer. Anna sigh and unfolded her hand. Her eyes soften to a more worried look.

"I mean, why are you not going instantly to the academy using these guys and instead walking your way through the road. I can't do anything if something happens to any of you outside my knowledge."

Anna gestured towards the creature behind her with her left hand and put her right on her hips. Everyone seems to be more relaxed since her aura is not as intimidating as before. Ena stare at the creature that following him and ask that one word on everyone's mind.

"How?"

Anna put both of her hand down and sigh. She then raise one of her hand slightly as she explain.

"Everything is written in your invitation. Once you enter the border with your invitation, these guys will authenticate the invitation and will follow you as soon as they registered you as a guest. It do make me wonder why none of you read it properly."

They take out each of their invitation and start to re-read it some more times.

"There's no such explanation written."

Raze conclude first.

"Same here."

Ulrika next. And the rest just confirm that no explanation is written in their invitation which makes Anna more confused.

"There's no way… Please show me your invitation."

Anna hold her hand out and Ena, who happen to be the closest from her, hand his invitation. Anna quickly unfold the invitation and read the context.

Dear Alumnus of Al-Revis,

I invite you to attend the ceremony that will be held in the campus ground of Al-Revis Academy. Be grateful and come within 2 days or else.

Flay Gunnar
Vice Principal of Al-Revis

PS: Bring along your mana if you already make a contract with one.

Anna fold the invitation and hand it back to Ena. She sighed and bow once more.

"I'm really sorry again. It seems the mistake is in our side. Please let me show you how to instantly wrap to the campus ground."

She turn around and gesturing the creature to come closer.

"Just touch the familiar that following you and think that you want to be wrapped to the campus. Then you'll be in front of the gate in no time."

She turn around, hand is still in the creature she called familiar, smile in her face. The familiars already positioned in front of them as if eager to perform their skill. They still hesitate to touch the creature, but then there's Chloe.

"I'm tired of standing, so I'll go first."

She put her hand on the familiar, which surprisingly close it's eye like a cat getting a pet, and disappear in the same fashion as the way Reicher and Sasha did.

"I'll be heading back first, then. Don't worry and take your time. Just don't take too long, okay."

With that, Anna disappeared along with the familiar too. As on cue the remaining party put their hand on each of their familiar and ask for them to be transported to the campus ground.

And everything went blank.

No light, no sound.

No heat of the sun, no coldness of the moon.

No gentle breeze of the wind, no ground for them to hold on.

Simply, nothing.

Just a void that could make anyone went mad if they left alone too long inside.

Fortunate for them, the void only last for a few seconds.

The void opened up to reveal the nature that they come to know very much.

The light, the noise, the heat, the sturdy ground.

Raze opened his eyes and look straight into the blinking familiar that only a few cm away from his face.

"WHOAAA!"

Raze reflectively scrambled back from the creature. A laughing voice echoed somewhere from his left.

"Ahahaha you closed your eyes for far too long that it become worried."

Ulrika weep the tears in the corner of her eyes. Raze looking to his surrounding, and sure they're in the front of Al-Revis gate. The familiar fly slowly to him and start to ascend and descend as if bowing its head in apology.

"It's okay, it's okay."

Raze put his hand on his familiar's upper side as it close it's eye in glee.

"That was a quite pleasant ride. I do love to have one of these as my personal familiar."

"I'm sorry. but that seems to be a bit impossible."

"Too bad."

Chloe and Anna walk side by side from inside the gate.

"Looks like everyone already arrived."

Anna turn around and walk back to the academy for a few steps before turning around once again to address them with a brilliant smile. The hem of her traditional clothing waves along the wind.

"Welcome to Al-Revis Academy!"

A/N I wish I have a better grasp at English grammar. It's been a lot of years and I still don't have even a single idea about it. And I'm pretty busy lately, so maybe Ill post the next chapter in 2 weeks.