Charter 1: An bitter goodbye and an new contract
When he opened his eyes, he saw a blue sky all around. There was not a single clouds in the sky. When he tried to stand up. He noticed that when he looked down, he saw that he was standing on water.
He tried to look around to see if he could find anyone. He saw a girl with blond hair, she had mostly short hair on the side of her head, but on the back of her head, the hair was much longer reaching all the way to her hip. She had on the right side of her hair a small red ribbon tied to to the side of her head. She had on a school uniform, she turn to look at him, he notice that she has pure purple eye.
He was about to call out to her, but before he could, the sky turn dark. Dark wind suddenly appeared, shaking the once calm lake, dark waves was crashing down on it. The lake clear blue water was slowly turning into a dark yellow that was slowly polluted the once peaceful lake. He try to keep his footing, but the waves crash him down to the lake.
Before he could sink into the "lake". The water was suddenly starting to be sucked up into the sky by an unknown forced, he try to looked up, he saw what could only be described as either a black hole or a black sun.
The "black sun" was slowly sucking the polluted water of the lake into its endless void. It was then that he remembered about the girl that was with him, turned to her only to see her slowly being pulled by the "black sun".
He tried to call out to her, but something stopped him, it was like something just cut off his voice and he could no longer talk.
The girl reached out but he was too far away to take her hand, she disappeared into the "black sun", then his mind "shattered".
His eyes snap open, and immediately sit up and was breathing hard and sweat was ruining down his back, put his hand on his forehead to try to stop his headache.
"Wha-what in the world was that?" Arata asked himself in confusion.
The door to his room was suddenly slammed open so hard that he thought the door was going to fly off.
"Arata are you ok" the person that slammed the door open yelled out in worry.
The person that yelled out was a young slender young woman with short blue hair and a single ahoge on top of her head. She Light Blue and was looking at him with worried in her eyes
The person's name is Hijiri Kasuga, she is Arata's cousin and also his childhood best friend.
"Are you ok Arata?" Hijiri asked again in worry.
"Yea it's fine, it was just a dream, that all Hijiri." Arata says with reassure smile.
Hijiri still did not look any less worry and she look like she was going to ask more, but stop and thought better and nod at Arata with a slight frown then said
"If you say so Arata, I trust you, but if you need anything, at all please tell me, I will try my best to help you. You know that right, Arata." Hijiri asked in a worried tone.
Arata smile at Hijiri in thank.
"Thank Hijiri, don't worry so much it was just a bad dream nothing more."Arata smiled at Hijiri in an attempt to ease her worry.
Hijiri smiled slightly at Arata, but still was slightly worried about Arata, then she had a idea that was slightly embarrassing and ask
"Arata ca can I still here tonight to make sure you are ok?"Hijiri asked with a slight blush on her face.
Arata had a smile on his face when he heard Hijiri's question, but then that smile turned into a sly then a pervert smile that sent shivers down her spine.
"Sure Hijiri come aboard" Arata said with a thumbs up and a pervy smile on his face.
A second later he got a fist to the face, star were in his eye and a fierce blush on Hijiri face who was stuttering
"No-not that kind of stay!" Hijiri yelled at Arata while her face was red with embarrassed.
Then it was decided that Hijiri stay in Arata room for the night.
(POV Arata)
When morning came and Hijiri got up to get ready from another day at school. Hijiri was in the restroom getting ready for the day, so I made breakfast waiting for Hijiri to finish dressing for school.
When Hijiri finished, I was almost done with making breakfast. Hijiri walked to the table and we each ate in silence for a few minutes before Hijiri broke the silence of the table with a question.
"So Arata, what kind of dream did you have last night?"Hijiri asked me with a slight worry expression on her face.
I frown, trying to remember my last night dream, but for some reason I could only remember part of it.
"I don't really remember, something about a lake or something, and a "black sun" or something like that." I explain while trying to remember more.
I noticed that Hijiri stiff and her eyes change slightly when he said "black sun." There was a look he has never seen in Hijiri eye before, there was a slight cold look in her eye that seen to cause the air to suddenly stiff. I felt like the stiff atmosphere was pressing on me as if the air was frozen.
"He-hey Hijiri are you ok, do you know anything about it?" I ask to try to get rid of this tense atmosphere.
She suddenly blink as though out of a trance.
"N-no of course not, I mean, how can the sun turn black right, it's probably just was a dream haha" Hijiri said with a nervously laugh and waved her hand around. The tense atmosphere immediately disappear as though it was never there. I frown.
Hijiri was acting very suspicious but I know that if it's something I need to know she would tell me, so I just shrug, and move on.
"So what do you think school will do today?" I ask Hijiri curiously. She seem to calm down because she has a thinking look on her face.
"Well I think it will be normal today at school I think. I'm pretty sure they don't have anything Special plan today but we do have homework yesterday that we have to finish yesterday for Math and science, and there is a test this week."Hijiri say till her head
I frozen at the mention of homework and test. I realize that I forgot to it do it. I starting to sweating, Hijiri must have noticed. She narrowed her eye and look at me with a dangerous look and ask
"Arata, you did finished your homework right?" Hijiri asked me with a sweet tone. Sweat ran down my back as I try to come up with an excuse.
"O-oh would you look at the time Hijiri, if we don't go now we won't be there on time right!?" I say in a nervously voice. I hurriedly stand up from the chair and hurry put the disks in the sink and got my backpack and ran to the door.
"Hey, wait for me!" Hijiri yelled at me as she tried to catch up to me.
(POV Hijiri)
While trying to catch up to Arata who ran ahead of me. I had the time to think of what Arata said at breakfast, about the 'black sun'."
While there was a chance it was nothing more then a dream but it was unlikely considering what Arata really is. I thought it over and the only thing I could think of what this "Black sun" is would be was what we 'Mage' like to call it a 'Breakdown Phenomenon'. A Breakdown Phenomenon is what happen when a powerful magic goes out of control. if a Breakdown phenomenon occur, It would leave massive destruction depending on what kind of Breakdown it is. All the people in it ranger would be in danger.
That being said, I have no idea what this 'Lake' is though. Does it have something to do with Arata being a 'Demon lord candidate'? If so, then I will have to ask Master Liber about it.
Arata was call the 'demon lord candidate'. Someone who has an Demon king element, they was said to have enough power to destroy the world if ever they turn into a full demon lord.
Of Course there are people who can compete against even their power. They are known as 'Paladin' they have fully master the realm of magic. They are the highest rank of a magus could be. Second only two a full-fledged demon lord.
The problem here is that Arata should not have known about magic, so could that mean he is awakening as a 'demon candidate'? I was going to have to ask Master Liber about it when we get back home.
When I finally caught up to Arata I glare at him, who just smile so I ask.
"Did you really need to run and if you ask I wouldn't mind helping you on it." I ask a tired tone
Immediately after saying that Arata grabbed my hand while kneeling as if he were an knight swearing his loyalty to her as stars appear in his eye.
"Really, thank a lot Hijiri, now I don't need to get yelled at by the teacher for forgetting my homework." Arata said with happiness.
"Well if you do it yourself, you would not have to be yell at Arata. I don't mind if you copy homework, but you should still do it yourself you know. I won't be able to help you on the test come up this Friday you know." I said with a slight smile on my face. At the mention of test he physically seem to deflated slightly, but still had an smile on his face.
"Yes ma'am. Though I not very good that this kind of thing. You mind helping me out Hijiri?" Arata say me with a smile.
I blush slightly at that and smile at Arata. I was happy that he considers my help.
I was about to answer him when I suddenly felt a very lager magic energy hit me like a speeding car. I stop walk slightly at the feeling. I immediately turn to try to find the source of the magic energy, when I look around to try to find it. I did not find anything that would cause the larger magic. I try to conceal my magic energy, so that who ever this was could not find us. The amount of magic I sense... it could only have come from other mages. Strong one at that.
Arata noticed my actions and with a slightly concerned look ask
"Are you all right Hijiri?" Arata asked in a slightly worried tone.
I swallow and give Arata a shaking smile and say
"Yea it's fine Arata, just thought I heard someone calling me that all." I say trying to not worry Arata.
Arata look around to see if what I say was truth. He did not look like he fully believed me but nod anyway.
"If you say so Hijiri." Arata finally says with a frown then shrug and move forwards.
I felt guilty for lying to him, but I have ordered from Master Liber to only observe him. I silent promise to make it up to him when we got back.
The real question now is why are "magus" here in the city? Are they test some kind of spell, maybe a magic Rituals. Or was it because they somehow found out about Arata being a "demon lord candidate", but how could that be?
Only me and Master Liber, who dispatch me to this mission in the first place, known about Arata. If it was because Arata magic was leaking out, I would have felt it be now. And if somehow the information about Arata being a "demon lord candidate" Master Liber would have told me that.
...Could it be that even Master Liber did not know this was going to happen? As unlikely as that is, I should still try to contact her right away.
"Hijiri, come on we're going to be late if we don't hurry!" Arata yells, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I noticed that I was getting left behind, and speed up to catch Arata.
We were almost at school, so I couldn't contact Master Liber right now. While the magical power I felt was great and make me a little nervous, I felt confident I could hold the magus off for a little while. At least, long enough for to Arata escape. Though I still hope that the "magus" would not do anything. But the one thing I known is that I would protect this peaceful live of Arata with all I have.
(POV Arata)
I was in class trying to listen to the teacher lesson but couldn't.
My mind with back on the dream to how strange Hijiri was acting today, sure sometime she acted strange but today she seemed more nervous then usual. Like her mind is distracted on something else. We both known each other since we were kids, so I known when she was hiding something from me.
I trust Hijiri to tell her about it when she feels comfortable with it so it's fine, I guess.
Before I could try to focus on the lesson and put Hijiri strange behavior, I felt a sharp pain in my head and back. I immediately put my hand on my forehead to try to stop the pain. It felt like my whole body was suddenly burning up. Like few needles were suddenly driven into my brain.
The chair topper over as I fell to the ground pain shot though my body in waves. The teacher and my classmates try to call me, but seem to frozen as they all felt it.
A sudden 'pressure' seem to invade the normal, everyday classroom. It seem to froze all life around me. Some people even fell to their knees as if gravity were pushing them down.
Screams and yell were heard as one by one, teacher and students slowly disintegrated in black particles. looking back on it now, I probably didn't even notice any of it. Nor did I notice that the door to the classroom was slamming open by Hijiri or that she too was calling out to me.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Then the pain grew too great and I slipped into unconsciousness.
(POV Hijiri)
My math teacher was explaining to us an lesson about graphs and symmetry, but I was to distracted think about the magic signature I felt this morning.
Have you found anything about the magic I felt this morning, llias?
No. Sorry Hijiri, I try to search for the magic signature using the runes you cover city, but I found not an trace of magic anywhere. Sorry.
I call out in my mind as an soft, apologetic, voice answer me back. Ilias Fragment, one of two of my legendary grimoires that my parents give me from birth.
Whoever these guys are, they good. To be able to complete conceal their magic from even an legendary grimoire that specialty is support and analyze. Not something most mage in this era could do, at least, not this well. Thing are getting interesting.
An different voice spoke in my mind. It is an confident sounding voice that told people to beware of an trickster. Astil Manuscript or what I like to call her Sora. My second Grimoire. I sometimes admired how confident she always sound no matter in what situation. I supposed that make sense considering both Ilias and Sora are Grimoire from the old age of magic where the Gods still walk the earth.
Before I could ask her opinion on what we should do, I felt a huge flood of magic energy. The ground of the school begin to uncontrollably, I stood frozen in place at the amount of magic I felt.
Wh-what is this level of magic!
In all of the mission I have gone to, I have never felt such high magical energy before. The only person I know that could possibly rival or surpass this level of magic was the headmaster Liber herself.
Hijiri, snap out of it! You have to hurry. The magic energy is coming from Arata classroom. From the look of the magical energy, there an possibly that he is awake his Demon king element.
I immediately stood up from my seat when I heard Sora words. I ran out of the classroom trying to get to Arata classroom ever as the teacher was yelling at me.
Dozens of scenarios play out in my mind. Did the Magus do something, did something happen to Arata? What happening!
When I got near Arata classroom I felt another surge of magic outside. I looked outside and I froze at what I saw.
In the sky there was a 'black sun' Just likes what like Arata said in his dream, it was pulling buildings and people into it. Car and tree were being plunged out of the ground. Concrete were cracking. All the grass begin to turn green to yellow. People on the ground were yelling and run in panicked. I felt the life magic of the very city began to be pull inside of the 'sun'. I wonder what the 'normal' people were thinking. I doubt that any normal person would be able to see it. Consider it an concentrated mass of magic.
I shook my head. It doesn't matter right now. Only that Arata could be in danger right now.
Before I could go Ilias call inside my mind.
Wait, Hijiri look outside again, there something wrong with the breakdown. As hard as it sound, it almost feel like something is restricting it.
I listen to her and look outside. I realized what Ilias was talking about an second later. Even though everything around the school was either being pull into the black sun or turning to black particles, the 'Breakdown Phenomenon' was moving far slower than it should with the amount of power it has.
Not only that, every normal human that have weak magic should have disappear the second the 'black sun' materialized. Yet it has already been few minute since the 'Black sun' made it appear. I frown slightly I thought before shaking my head.
I would normally question it but right now Arata needed my help, so I moved past it and to Arata classroom. Arata class in this prides was the third flood where my was in the two
However, when I reach the stairs. An classroom door bust open.
"Hijiri, jump!"
"Watch out!"
Both of my grimoire yell at the same time. I stop in my tide as instinct took over. I jump back just as an dark claw cut though the air an second later. I saw dozens of 'silhouettes' like monster seem to walk out of the class. Some took form an human, some an form of beast, some took form of monster that has never been seen in the modern time, only found in the legends of the old. I step back but stop when I heard growling behind me. I was surrounded.
"Ilias, how many?"
"There are ten in front of you and an another twelve more up stairs. About eight behind you with an dozens more come. We should retreat for now, hijiri. At your current level, even with us helping you, you won't have enough magic to get yourselves and Arata." Ilias spoke in an panicked voice.
I see.
I understood what Ilias was saying. At this point, I may be enough to get through the 'Demon', but it debatable whether I will be able to survive. It would be logical to follow Ilias idea. Beside, there two other mage from this morning. They might be able to stop Arata. I understood that, yet...
If I did that, Arata would be in an risk of being consume, and if the mages get to him first, they might just eliminate him to stop this 'Breakdown Phenomenon'. And in an way, that would be the 'right' thing to do. After all, my order were to kill the 'Demon candidate if he awake. But ever so...
Could I really do that. Could I really leave Arata like this? Could I leave him after all the time spent together. Could I really be satisfied with myself if I save myself and leave everything to other? I known the answer before I even ask it. So what if I not strong enough, so what if I will die and disappear and never see him again. So what? Am I really an 'mage' with such weak conviction?
Two small knife appear in my hands.
"Ilias, Sora. Please lemme your strength."
"B-but..."
"Hahahahaha. I suppose your not the kind of person who would just abandon your loved ones. I would have been little disappoint if you did. So now that you chose your path, what is your orders, master?"
Even under these circumstances, I let out an small, fearless, smile.
"I understand that this is risk, but can you lemme your power once more, Ilias."
"...I-I understand, Hijiri. I will support you as much as I can, but please be careful."
At that moments an wolf like demon howl and change at me. Time slow down as the wolf cross the distance in seconds. I sidestep at the last second before it claws could reach me. I raise my knife and bought it down with all my weight. It stab into it skin. It howl in rage. Of Couse, I known that just stabbing it like this wouldn't amount to nothing. After, this was a demon from another world. It was on an level where it could survive even an shot from an rocket launcher.
I once heard that few months ago from master Liber, that there was an mage that lose control to the point they summon an 'General class' Demon. It decimated all the mage that was sent by Akasha Academy to hunt it down. It got to the point where they decided to launder an laser bombardment.
Of Couse, these Demon were no where near that level, but nonetheless, convenient weapons won't be enough to kill these Demon. However...
The knife suddenly glow with blue light. The demon howl in pain as it disintegrate into black particles. An demon shape bear swing it large paw to squish me.
Just before the paw could reach me, an blue magic circle appear before me. Once the paw touch the circle, it bounce back harmless. The blessings of Balder. While I have yet perfected the spell, it was still more then enough to block attack from demons on this level.
"Vegtamskvida!"
The magic circle glow as dark spear like tendrils impel all demon around me. I stumbled at the amount of magic the spell consumed. I swallow and begin to move frontward to the stair. Before I could clime to the third floor. Two shapeless silhouettes appear in my way. They charge and was upon me in an second when an blue light illuminate the stair way. The silhouettes were push back as if the light burn them. Before they could response, an blue light pierce their chest. They roar in pain as they disintegrate. In front of my was an sliver hair child.
"You better hurry Hijiri, the mage on the outside have probably sense that the 'core' of the Breakdown is here. I doute you have move then five minute before they get here, so do what you need to. I hold these pests off."
"Thank you, sora."
I walk past the grimoire and toward Arata classroom.
When I got to Arata classroom, I slamming the door open and try to call out to him but what I saw made me stop on the spot. Arata had two 'black wings' on his back. The 'wings' that seem to made of some kind of dark particles. They were emitting such an large amounts of magical energy that made me unconsciousness take step back. The wall of the class and tables were all nearly completely disintegrated in black particles. I felt like I was standing near an never ending tsunami that want nothing more then to devour the very world itself.
The "wings" felt like they would trying to devour everything in their way. If left unintended, it might do just that.
But suddenly, Arata collapses to the floor, and the "wing" disappears.
I shook my head out of the shock and force my body to move to Arata's side. I tried to shake Arata up, but he did not even open his eyes. Before I could try to use an spell to wake him up, Ilias suddenly spoke in my mind.
"Hijiri the "magus" are coming this way, what do we do?" Ilias voice ask in a panic tone.
I gritted my teeth.
"Ilia creates a barrier around the school for as long as you can!" I say quickly
"Understood." Ilia said in a hurry.
I quickly carry Arata to the roof of the school, but every second I feel my magic energy get absorbed into the "Breakdown Phenomenon." When I get to the roof with Arata, I collapse to the floor with Arata on top of me. I use all of my remaining strength, I push Arata off and carry him to the wall. I gently set him down, then slide down on the wall next to him. I slowly put my head on the wall and slowly took an breath of air. I could barely feel my hands. My sense are slowly disappearing. I move my head to look over at Arata.
So, this is how it feel to disappear. I wonder what will happen to my after I by consume. Will I go to 'heaven'?
I chuckle at that ridiculous thought.
I must really not be thinking straight. 'Mage' are people who would anything for their research. Someone like me wouldn't be allow to go to an holy place like that, now would I? Heaven is an place for people like Arata. People who actually deserve it.
I try to reach Arata but could barely could move my finger now. Ilia ring in my ears.
"Hijiri, the magus has broken through the barrier and is coming here right now."
"I see" I said in a tired voice. That all I could say with my remaining energy. I raise an smell book. I gently look over the book as dozens of memories of all the adventure we went though rash though my mind at once and spoke gently. "Thank you, Ilia, I have been pushing you hard these couple of months haven't I?"
"Y-you don't have to thank m-me Hijiri! Why are you saying these thing? We make it out of here like we away do, and and, we promise your parents we be with you.
"Hehe, thank Ilia
"Sora I need you to protect Arata for now on, understand. "I ask even as I am slowly being absorbed. My eyes close as I barely raise my right hand toward Arata when it lose all it energy and fell down. Just before my hand landed on the floor, an soft, small hand caught it. I slowly, painful slow, open my eyes. Sora gently hold my hand. Her yellow eyes had an hint of sadness in them.
"Ohoh, so the apprentice of the "Archbishop" is felling huh? I was hoping you would be able to go an little further. Though, I had fun. She say gently holding my hand. I smile at her. I maybe selfish, but I had one last request before I disappear.
"Please, Astil Manuscript, protect Arata."
"Got it Hijiri, I make sure he live this ones." Sora said without hesitation.
"Thank you, both of you." I say grateful
Arata was slowly open his eye. I bitterly smile and try to reach him, yet, even though we were barely inch away, it felt like we are miles apart.
"Arata I don't know if you can hear but I hope you never forget from cousin Hijiri. Remember to eat on time and sleep early to get energy ok. "I said with tears in my eye.
"Hijiri" Arata calls out to me in a sleepy tone. I smile at him one last time as my consciousness slip away
The last thing I hear was the door being blast open and a female voice
"Hey Look like we found them, boss"
Author note
Hi guy, This is my very first fanfiction I going to post, so I sorry for any mistakes that I made.I also not very good at grammar, but I will try to improve. I hope you guy enjoy the first chapter of fanfiction.
I do not not own Trinity seven or any of its of the credit belongs to it creator.