"You've got to be fucking kidding me!"
The cry rang throughout a house in the capital city of Aelmere. The cry reverberated through every brick and tile in the house, making them shake ever so slightly.
The source? A redhead who had just read the latest letter sent from home.
"Oh screw those bastards!" as she hurled the letter to the floor.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh dear, I hope not!"
Two distinct voices were heard from the lower floor before two sets of footsteps clattered up wooden stairs before stopping on the other side of her door. Of course they ran up. It had not ended well the last time she had such an outburst.
The door swung open with a creak. It was over a hundred years old but well maintained.
There were two men just outside her room. One with graying hair and soft eyes, the other with slightly darker hair and a stern expression.
However, their personas were not to be assumed so soon. After all, each had the presumed personality of the other.
Seriously. Her grey-haired master was a former apprentice of the Flame of the Winter Frost ,a group which had taken down Elumd, one of the most malevolent and formidable wizards of all time. Hence, he was far stricter than he seemed.
She couldn't blame him. When you have few equals in strength and wits, you are bound to hold the people around you to a higher standard than most.
On the other hand, her stern looking former teacher was usually firm but fair with his students. Unfortunately, he had a passion for his line of work which was borderline obsessive. Sure, it made him a more captivating and competent teacher but it often got him into awkward situations.
"Good afternoon Professor Warwick, Professor Briggins…"her voice trailed off as she attempted to remain courteous to her teachers while calming her fury from reading the letter.
"Is something the matter?" Professor Warwick asked. After all, she rarely had such an outburst unless it involved her work or the family members she didn't like too much.
Oh screw it.
Didn't like too much was the understatement of the century. She hated them with each shard of her being.
Professor Briggins butted in "Miss Uzumaki, as angry as you may be, I'd rather you keep your temper under wraps. Thank god this time it was just your magic leaking out." as he gestured to the spooked birds returning to roost on the balcony.
Well it seemed that Professor Briggins hadn't forgotten about the previous incident. His slightly fidgety hands revealed a mild case of fear. That and the visible relaxation upon seeing that nothing too drastic had occurred.
She bent down to pick up the letter and smooth it out before presenting it to the two professors. It was close enough for them to ascertain that it was a letter but not close enough to decipher its contents.
With one hand holding the letter and the other ruffling her long red hair, she answered the question as if she were admitting to liking pineapple on pizza.
"Right…Essentially I received a letter from home."
"Wouldn't most people be happy receiving one? I for one waited eagerly for letters and care packages from my family while studying in Kestramore."
"We…..have a very strained relationship."
"Really?"
"Indeed, Aaron. In the three years Koyuki has been under my care, correspondence between the two parties has been sparse. You were more likely to see her fast for seven days than to see her write to them more than once a year." added Professor Warwick defeatedly.
"Ah yes, seeing that she almost ate you into bankruptcy last year, I'd say they aren't on the best of terms."
"Correct. Communication between us has been solely one-sided. I only ever wrote to them when I was moving or just the obligatory annual letter. This is the only letter I had ever received from them. And quite frankly, the contents are even more of a red flag than the arrival of the letter itself."
After a brief pause, she loosened her grip on the letter and looked up at the duo.
"I'll read it to you but don't tell anyone about it. It's written in Japanese, I'll translate it for you.''
Steadying her breath while reading the letter she began monotonously "Dear Koyuki, I have received your previous letter regarding your graduation from the academy and am pleased with your progress. However, the flames burning the continent are brighter than ever and we require your assistance. Hence it is with great urgency that we require your return as soon as possible.''
"That sounds rather hypocritical. Seeing that they had once wanted you to stay here forever and are now demanding your immediate return. " mused Professor Warwick with the tone of someone who had lost a sock.
Waving his hand lazily, he muttered "Carry on."
"Right.
The war between the Senju and the Uchiha has reached an unprecedented scale. In an effort to end the war ,allies from all around the continent have been pouring into both sides. It is with great regret that we humbly request your return. The Senju have requested our assistance and will be expecting you and a few others in a matter of months.
When you have completed your studies, you are to return home as soon as possible. I hope you can respond to us and give us a timeframe for that date. I'd rather you give us a prompt statement as the Senju view anything less as treason.
Who knows? You might be the hero to end this cursed war. I eagerly await your return. And so do the Senju.
Your grandfather,
Ashina Uzumaki
Daimyo of Uzushiogakure
And that's it." she replied resignedly.
"Judging by the tone of the letter, I'm guessing they're not giving you too much of a choice."
"Obviously, Professor Briggins. The part about treason makes it terrifyingly clear. Quite frankly, I wish they would just DIE!" she roared as her arm reeled to punch something.
"Calm down!" barked Professor Warwick as he slammed his hand on a nearby dresser.
A wave of forced calm washed throughout the room. It was as if time itself had stopped as the inhabitants of the house were immediately silenced.
Enchanted speech. Damn it.
After what seemed like an eternity, Koyuki 's irritated voice broke the silence "Well, now what?"
"We now have to ascertain what their motives are and what role you are to play in this war of theirs. Quite frankly there's not much you need to fret over. I'm confident you have few equals among your peers."
"Emphasis on few, Professor Warwick. Somehow, every generation, an absolute beast shows up among us. That's the last thing I want to encounter on the battlefield."
"On the bright side, you may be assigned a role as a medic. That's the safest role you can get in such a situation. Although if you really don't want to go, couldn't Professor Warwick do something on your behalf?"
"Aaron, I have little to no interest in engaging in a full scale battle with her family. The negotiations might escalate into a fight. Worse comes to worse, an international conflict. Besides ,I doubt Koyuki would ask that much of anyone."
" It would be much easier to ensure my safety during the period I will be at war. The roles the Uzumaki have assumed in past wars weren't restricted to medics. Based on past precedent, a few of us have taken up jobs as intelligence operators with some even straight up entering the battlefield. I have a feeling my hands will get dirty one way or another."
"Miss Uzumaki, I don't mean to sound insensitive but how do you know such information? Also, shouldn't you be paying some attention to your career seeing you should be receiving your certification in around six or seven months?"
"To answer your first question, Professor Briggins ,it's called raiding the ancestral library because you had no friends. As for my career, oh shit… " as her expression gradually deadpanned.
"Koyuki, I suppose you have to forego your dream of handling expensive equipment. In addition, you will be transferring to the Independent Magic Research Division 5 years ahead of schedule."
"Arghh…..my education, my career path….."she moaned.
"Miss Uzumaki, just make another two or three clones when you get back home. You have an endless store of energy anyway. The only thing I will pity are their food reserves."
"Right…..I'm just extremely reluctant to spend who knows how many years serving a bunch of people I don't know."
"Not to worry, Koyuki. I'll do my best to continue your training long distance. No worries, you can come to me for help anytime, be it danger on the battlefield or problems with work. I'm still your teacher. The minute you return here, you can submit an appeal to transfer to the Department of Magic Research."
"Alright, I'll go. I'm just reluctant to risk my life. It's likely I won't be a medic. Again, I'm probably overthinking but I do have a few reasons why.
She raised her index finger.
"Firstly, healing is not my specialised field. I would be practically useless there."
She raised a second finger. "I'm more or less unknown throughout the entire continent. No one would miss me."
Another finger.
"The reason some of us become medics are for the ones among us who are engaged to the Senju to make a good impression on their future in-laws. In a society where women are viewed as innocent and pure, fighting is an optional skill as those are openly skilled in that aspect are called she-wolves or savages. I was always a source of shame for my family. They'd never want me to be aligned with the Senju. They'd take this opportunity to rid me from this world."
She paused but was now shaking "I'm scared that after finding myself, I'm going to lose it all, in an endless war. Those two have been fighting since who knows when."
She slumped onto a nearby chair, head cradled in her hands.
At this, the professors stood in silence, staring at her with a mixture of pity for her and disgust for her family.
"It's ok, Koyuki."
"It's going to be ok."
"You have your familiars with you. I'll give you a beacon. If you're ever in danger ,break it. I'll be by your side to save you anytime."
"Besides, Miss Uzumaki, you have this unkillable cat with an insatiable appetite. Pretty sure it can help you quite literally eat your enemies." chimed in Professor Briggins holding up a black cat with white paws which just stared at her confuzzledly.
Koyuki smiled as she felt a heavy warmth in her body. It wasn't completely because of their reassurance.
It was also because her 100 pound dragon had mysteriously made its home on her lap.
"Besides, if you somehow die, we'll go with you after delivering the news to your friends." replied a raven which glided into the room, a snowy white owl by its side.
"You idiot! That is in no way reassuring!" the owl butted in after smacking the raven with its right wing.
Koyuki shook her head and burst out laughing, tears in her sky-blue eyes, devoid of fear and anger.
"You guys…..thank you."
Professor Warwick sighed and raised his right hand, "I hate to disrupt this heartwarming moment but we have a more difficult task ahead of us."
"Informing Isabeau and the others? I got that down. I'll tell them personally."
"Not that. Informing my colleagues on the Board of Education you will be transferring to the Independent Magic Research Division immediately .The temper tantrum they'll throw is worthy of an acting award."
"I'm not telling them that. You do it."
"Ok. Just show up. The next meeting is in 3 days. Your training will begin in 90 minutes. Get ready."
Koyuki slowly got up and waved to Professor Briggins before returning to her seat. She then proceeded to take out the latest edition of "Spell Modification and Improvement" and started dissecting the book's contents.
Professor Warwick calmly closed the door and gestured to his companion.
The two professors then began their descent down a long winding staircase.
"Professor Warwick, do you really believe she'll be alright in the end?" asked a frowning Professor Briggins as he gripped an ornate handrail.
Professor Warwick stared at an uncertain point ,with an expressionless mask permanently etched on his face.
"More or less. It's been a few centuries since I've seen someone with her skill and passion for learning. She even managed to perform Muspelheim and Niflheim last week."
"At the same time ,unassisted ?My god ,if that's so ,she's truly a genius."
"She performed them consecutively, not simultaneously. I had to assist her with around a fifth of the casting sequence. She still managed to perform a freezing spell on a large pond before proceeding to slump down on the floor. She kept her consciousness until the end of the day. I wouldn't exactly marvel at it."
"Professor Warwick, I'm 45 years old and I can't even perform Muspelheim without having to get around in a wheelchair for the next day. Sure I was awake, but I was partially delirious. It's the sole reason I got over my addiction for sleeping medicine in my youth."
"It's not a feat I would marvel at but it's pretty good progress. The battlefield will provide her with unique training opportunities which will help her blossom into a wonderful sorceress. Besides, I'll ensure her safety the whole time. Hence I don't think there's much for me to worry about."
"If you say so."
A faint ding interrupted the conversation. Professor Briggins looked down at a tattered red wristband snuggling his left wrist.
He gently tapped on it and examined the glowing display screen which popped up.
Upon examining the contents, his expression softened and a smile started to form on his face.
"I must be going now. Ella's making her famous rice pudding. Shall we continue our discussion of my new papers next week?"
"Alright. I'll see you at the academy tomorrow morning."
Professor Briggins nodded and walked towards the door and slipped on a pair of brown shoes. As he walked through the old steel gate, the door swung shut behind him. He turned around and waved at the old brick house. He then walked away with a spring in his step and a briefcase swinging in his hand.
"Hmm…Miss Ella's rice pudding, I want some. Hopefully Professor Briggins will bring some over." mused Koyuki, briefly looking up from her work.
"Get back to work." butted in the raven.
"Shut up, Pikachu."
"Whatever."
"Man, I just hope their reactions won't be theatre worthy when I tell them the news."
What a way to tempt fate.
Just after training, Koyuki took out an object similar to a hexagonal prism. She pressed the red button on it and dialled a series of numbers.
47890645.
Isabeau Warren.
56004790.
Alabaster Williams.
12344578.
Anna Roberts.
38901236
Emily Carter.
"40983—,oh wait Professor Warwick is already here….."
She hurriedly deleted the last sequence and tapped an icon on the bottom which displayed "Begin Call".
Within seconds, a glowing screen was projected from the prism, reading "Dialling….."
Koyuki leaned towards the mahogany table, a slender finger rhythmically tapping her right cheek.
Within seconds the display was replaced by a pale face with emerald eyes framed by golden hair which shone like the sun.
Koyuki leaned back and exclaimed "Ah, there we go. Calm as always, Lucy?"
"Come on, Athena. Life is nice, no need to get riled up over nothing. Besides, did you know that Frederick proposed to me? We're getting married next year!"
"Good to hear, Lucy. I'm glad you've found happiness."
"So why did you call me? You haven't said much which is rather unlike your chatty self." Isabeau smirked.
"I actually called you and three other people. If they don't answer, I'll tell you. They're all picking up right about…..Now!"
The screen flickered as the faces of three people came into view.
Two women and a man.
"Good evening, everyone. You're likely all wondering why I gathered you all here today."
"Is that a reference to multiple books and memes? Your humour is one of a kind." Alabaster stated.
"In both ways, yes. But…it's an announcement I want to make to you guys."
"You got a big fancy promotion?"
"You're charged for murder?"
"You're actually a descendant of Japanese Royalty?"
"You're the daughter of a powerful dark wizard?"
A flurry of responses sprung from the four individuals.
Koyuki sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"You guys know only half of those are true and it's because I told you guys."
"Yuzu, what happened? It's usually never something good if you choose to call all of us here."
Koyuki sighed, this time more deeply," As you all know, I will be receiving my certification as a fully fledged sorceress by the end of the year.
The others muttered in agreement.
"After my certification, I had originally intended to work at Aelmere's Department of Magic Research. Unfortunately, a few people had to ruin it."
"Who?"
"You wouldn't believe it, Emily. My own family. The Uzumaki have ordered that I return home after I receive my certification."
"Say what? At least they're not making you do anything immoral and ethical."
"Unfortunately, Anna, I'm going to fight and get my hands dirty from the ongoing war with the Uchiha and the Senju."
"WHAT?!" they all yelled in unison.
"The two cats and dogs that have been going at each other back and forth for centuries?"
"That's the one." Koyuki said resignedly as she slammed her head on the table.
"I'm telling you guys this because if I die in this silly charade, I want you to be mentally prepared. When I return home, everyone gets letters every month but just be prepared for a death certificate for the foreseeable future. Worse comes to worse, I become a total psycho."
"Sigh, you couldn't just poison them all?"
"Anna, that's illegal on multiple levels."
"So, let's just swap recipes and life stories?"
"Might as well. I still have six hours of time left. We could all talk."
And they did.
Until the sun rose the next day.
"Bye, everyone, I'll be in touch soon!" Koyuki waved cheerfully as her black pullover sleeve swung back and forth like a pendulum.
As the faces on the screen were slowly replaced with blank black ones, she smiled.
Well, that was easy, she thought.
It was daytime. The sun was rising.
Time to get to work.
At least she could tell them.
At least they wouldn't find out in a way that was designed to hurt them.
Her familiars would follow her home.
Everyone was waiting for her back in the west.
She was going to emerge from this alive.
But now, there was a more important task ahead of her.
Getting her certification.
She then put the device away and got up, Professor Warwick's shrill voice bidding her to get changed ringing in the background.