Sorry for the wait! But I hope you like this even though it's just filler but next chapter won't be a filler! Oh by the way don't mean to crush all yalls hopes but the summoning ritual aint happening for a good amount of chapters. On a side note the incantations aren't set in stone yet and i'm gonna be taking inspiration from the Assclass cards in regards to Nagisa and Karma's demon forms. Nagisa is differently going to have snake attributes.
Akari was over thrilled at the notion that Manami, her best friend, would be able to spend her summer with her and Aguri. Akari dug around her pudding shaped purse for her traversal communication projection orb or T.C.P.O for short also known as The Pearl. It was round and it resembled a round compact eyeshadow container with an alchemic star in the middle. Finally fishing it out of her bag she opened it. The small crystal orb was positioned very much like a pearl was in a clam. The orb levitated upwards like a rain drop falling backwards, it very much resembled a perfectly round pearl when hovering in mid-air.
"Rogans Pro Communicationem Pythonissam Aguri Yukimura Signum Ipsum."
The orb started glowing, a translucent white. A light beam shot forth and projected Aguri's smiling face in full color and high definition. She was still like Akari remembered; short black hair with side swept bangs that fell just above her light brown eyes and a kind smile.
"Hey there Akari-chan! How's my favorite little sister doing?" Aguri asked with a smile.
"Aguri I'm you ONLY sister."
Aguri giggled at her little sister's statement.
"Actually I wanted to call you for some time." Akari confessed.
Aguri's fiancée, Shiro, rarely let anyone come in contact with Aguri….Akari hated Shiro… He was abusive, condescending, and manipulative….Not knowing what was going on and being unable to contact her sister always left Akari worried for Aguri's wellbeing, she knew Shiro had violent tendencies.
"Is…he anywhere around here?" Akrari hesitantly asked referring to Aguri's fiancée. Aug to think that jerks going to be my sister's husband!
"Who…? Oh! Right, no you don't have to worry about him ever again." Aguri said with a giant smiled….Aguri was always a very cheerful happy go lucky woman, but today she seemed to be even more overjoyed than usual.
"Huh? What do you mean…? And you look so happy to? Don't tell you finally got rid of the bastard!" Akari exclaimed happily.
"Oh he wasn't that bad…" Aguri said a she waved her hand dismissively.
"No he was worse!" Akari exclaimed.
"Well yeah…actually you see Koro-kun got tired of seeing me get hurt all the time and he kicked the jerk out of my house! He's been gone for some time now actually and I've never been happier! I don't have to worry about bruises anymore!
I've been meaning to tell you but I've been busy trying to steady myself economically…I've been taking up more job requests to get myself back on my feet and….Akari…? Are you okay?" Aguri asked her eyes filled with concern as she saw tears slide down her little sister's face.
"I-I'm fine…I-it's just I'm so happy!" Akari said with a smile. "I'm gonna have to thank that Koro guy for saving you….Wait…! Is this Koro guy your new b-boyfriend..?!"
Aguri blushed.
"O-oh! No….Remember Koro is the name of my familiar…uh…and I-I mean he's cute and kind and…b-but he's just my familiar!" Aguri stuttered. Akari grinned.
"Hehe you like him….~" Akari teased.
"W-wha…? No that's not…"
"You know it's not unheard of for a witch to marry her familiar~" Akari continued to tease.
"M-Marry..?! Oh no I…it's all happening so fast…I uh…" Akari giggled as she saw her sister turn a deep shade of red.
"Well yeah you got a point there. After all I got to give this Koro guy my blessing first!" Akari stated.
"Oh yeah! You still haven't formally met my familiar have you?" Aguri realized. "Well I'm sure you two will be able to bond over the summer when you come over." Aguri said with a smile as her red blush died down.
"Oh….yeah about that…"
"Huh…? Is something wrong…?" Agruri asked.
"Oh no, no! Everything's fine! It's just the reason I called you was to ask you a question."
"A question…? Sure what is it?"
"Well you know Manami, right?"
Aguri nodded in response fondly remembering the shy witch.
"Well her family is away on some business thing and she didn't have anywhere to go for the summer so I thought 'hey, you should come hang out with me!' so long story short I invented her to join us for the summer….Is that okay…?" Akari nervously asked.
"Of course it is! Oh it's been a while since I've seen her, how's she doing?" Aguri asked.
"She's doing fine…No better than fine! She's made some great progress with her casting magic!"
"That's great."
"So it's fine if she stays with us for the summer?" Akari asked again…just for some validation.
"Yes of course, she's a family friend." Agrui said with a smile.
"Great! I'll tell her the good news!"
"Okay, see you later!"
"Bye."
"Bye." Akari said as she waved goodbye before the 'pearl' shut of the light beam that projected the image of her sister.
I can't wait to tell Manami the good news. Akari thought happily as she got ready for bed. She had promised Rio and Manami she would get a good night's rest today because tomorrow they would be training some more for the Bonding Ritual. The last thought Akari had was: I hope I get a demon as powerful and as kind as Aguri's…
Akari lazily opened her eyes and let out a yawn before stretching her arms up towards the ceiling. She smacked her lips together trying to create some more saliva to re-hydrate her slightly dry mouth. She squinted; her eyes still trying to adjust to the bright room. Once she was no longer blinded by the light she got out of bed and went to fix her hair.
She idly walked down the dormitory's hallway, slightly dragging her feet across the long narrow red rug that lay over the dark chocolate wooden floors. She was heading towards Okuda's room intending to eat breakfast with her friend in the dining room before class.
"Oh..! Good morning Akari." Manami said with a cheerful smile as she exited her room door.
"Morning." Akari responded happily. "Want to go get a bite together?" She asked.
"Sure. That's sound nice." Manami responded with a smile.
Once they started walking a comfortable silence loomed over them lovingly. Akari decided to initiate some small talk, because although she enjoyed the comfortable silence she also enjoyed socializing with her bestie more.
"Hey okay…Sooo I called my sister last night and she said she was totally cool with having you over for the summer." Akari informed Okuda.
"R-Really… Oh wow! Thank you so much…" Okuda said her eyes gleaming with happiness and excitement.
"Hey no problem!" Akari said as they sat down on one of the long dining tables. "Also I just realized how perfect all of this is!"
"What do you mean?" Okuda asked as she carefully reached out for a floating dish and placed it down on the table as eating utensil flew over and set themselves down on the table as well….Looks like its omelets today.
"Well remember how I told you Aguri has a demon familiar." Akari said as she mirrored Manami's previous actions.
Manami simply nodded in response as she began chewing her food letting out a hum to signify her yes.
"Well if we do get demons as familiars then Aguri would be able to help us. She's had that Koko..err… Kako…that demon familiar guy for ages, she probably knows all kinds of tips and tricks. You know so our demon familiar doesn't turn against us and maybe she could teach us how to synchronize." Akari said before turning her attention to her fluffy omelet.
"Y-you really think your sister can teach us Synchronization." Manami asked wide eyed after she swallowed her food.
Synchronization was the act of synchronizing your magic with your familiar's magic to create a strong hybrid of magical energy. It can only be achieved when a familiar and a witch have a strong close bond. It's something very hard to do, because not only does it require the strong bond between the witch and her familiar, but also strong magic and patience.
"I think she could at least help us by giving us tips don't you think." Akari said after taking a bite from her warm omelet.
"Hmm…You have a point…" Okuda said before giving her full attention to the omelet.
After breakfast the two girls made their way up the hill on their broom sticks and then put their broomsticks away in their provided lockers.
"Oh hey I just remembered something!" Akari exclaimed as she and Okuda walked down the castle's hallway towards their alchemy class.
"What is it?" Okuda asked.
"There's going to be a fair down town celebrating the town's creation!" Akari said.
"Wow…really? D-do you maybe want to go?" Manami asked shyly.
"Yeah sounds like fun….maybe after training you, me, and Rio can all go enjoy ourselves at the fair." Akari said.
"Yeah I would love to do that." Manami said with a smile.
She knew she should probably be working on her incantation but a break now and then would be good...After all the Bonding Ritual wouldn't matter if she died of sleep deprivation or over exhaustion.
"Okay let's tell Rio at lunch time." Akari said just as the teacher came…Well more like made an entrance.
The spot behind the teacher's desk was filled with fuming smoke that soon dissipated to reveal their teacher standing there.
"All right students today we'll be talking about…" And so class started.
"A fair…?" Rio asked curiously.
"Yeah, down town. We were wondering if you wanted to go…you know end training a little early and have a little bit of fun." Akari explained.
"Eh…! Sure why not! I mean no fun and no play makes for a very boring life." Rio said.
"Yes! This is going to be fun!" Akari said delighted.
"Yeah but we're going to have to work extra hard tomorrow!" Rio said. Akari just groaned.
Once training ended all three girls went to their rooms to go get changed and later met up at the base of the mountain. Okuda waited patiently for her two friends to arrive. She dug around her purple silk purse for her wand, she wanted to make sure she was carrying it, she just felt safer with it. Once Okuda found it she let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey Manami!" Akari greeted as she made her way out of the locker room.
Akari was wearing a cute white blouse with small black polka dots and a yellow pleated knee high skirt with a bow on the front. On the right side of her chest she wore her citrine vessel.
"Oh! Hey, Akari you got here fast." Okuda said referring to how the young green haired witch often took a long time deciding what accessories to wear. Akari smiled sheepishly.
"I uhh see you're wearing your vessel to." Akari commented trying to change the subject. Okuda glanced down fondly at her opal pendant.
"Yeah…I really like it… besides I have to wear it often otherwise the stone might fracture." Okuda said as she gently touched the opal.
"…Oh anyway did you see Rio on your way down?" Okuda asked.
"Hmm…I don't think so….I could have just missed her…"
"Hey!"
Okuda jumped up in surprise as she felt the light weight of a warm hand being placed on her shoulder.
"Oh hey speak of the devil." Akari said as she waved hello. Okuda immediately relaxed once she knew who it was.
"P-please don't startle me like that Rio…" Okuda said. Rio just grinned.
"Ahh…But you're so cute when your startled you look like a cute little bunny rabbit~" Rio teased. Okuda just pouted in response.
The trio walked around the fair playing games and sightseeing. The first game they played was a shooting game.
"Aug! This things rigid!" Akari cried as she failed to shoot down the little target.
"Would you like to play again little girl or should I get your mommy?" The booth guy said with a patronizing smile….Akari turned a light shade of red.
"…I'll show you little girl…!" She grumbled angrily as she began channeling her magic….
"A-akari…!" Okuda said cautiously as she immediately noticed the shift in atmosphere.
Akari didn't heed Okuda….It would only be one small spell….She focused her energy on the BB gun bullet. Her magic began swirling and twisting around it like a coil….She opened her fiery eyes…aimed…and FIRED! It shot out with more force than anticipated! It shot straight through the target leaving a small hole in the center and ripped past the tent….Akari stared wide eye…opps…
"W-what….was..?" The booth guy cried….it couldn't be…magic…?! He thought….. "Well uhh…" He cleared his throat. "The target is still up…So you lose and I'm going to have to ask you to leave now….No magic allowed!"
Akari scowled and she let out a huff of annoyance.
"Come Manami we're clearly not wanted here." Akari said.
"S-Sorry about my friend…" Okuda apologized as she ran after her annoyed friend.
"Hey what's with lettuce…?" Rio asked as she came back from the shooting booth with a handful of prizes.
"Oh Come on! You won!" Akari cried frustrated.
"Uhh…Akari tried using magic and got u-us kicked out…" Okuda explained. "Y-you know Akari you really shouldn't use your magic for such things especially when you're around Normals…We don't really have a great reputation with these folks…" Okuda lectured. Akari sighed.
"I know…" She said with a pout.
"Bummer…here you can have this one." Rio said as she handed Akari a small plushy snake. Akari merely mumbled a quiet thank you as she begrudgingly took the plushy.
"Come on cheer up let's go to another booth." Okuda said shyly, hoping to cheer up her friend.
After that the three girls went walking around the Fair enjoying carnival foods like caramel apples, popcorn, cotton candy, and they even got some honeycomb toffee for Okuda. They played a few more carnival games, rode a few rides, and had an overall good time…The only time their fun was ruined was when their highly trained ears caught the whispering sounds of gossip the Normals were saying….Apparently the booth guy from the shooting game had made sure to 'warn' everyone about the three witches….
Their constant stares ranged from disgust to fear….it really put a damper on their otherwise good mood….Okuda couldn't help but feel ashamed of her magic….If only she didn't have magic…maybe then those people wouldn't be looking at her that way…
"Hey I'm gonna get some more popcorn, want any?" Rio asked.
"Naah I'm good…What about you Okuda..?" Akari asked.
"N-No I'm fine…" She responded absentmindedly…
As soon as Rio left, Okuda and Akari found a small bench to sit in….The whispers grew louder….They weren't walking so the chatter kept ringing inside Okuda's aching ears….She couldn't move….She wanted to run…to hide….
Witch…
Evil…
Horrible…
Stop it….why are you saying those things…?! There words swirled around Okuda looming overhead like a heavy stormy cloud.
Criminal…
What are they doing here…?
Terrorist…
I'm not hurting anyone…! Their words were snaking around her, squeezing her heart tightly. Her breaths came out in short harsh bursts…
Damn witches…
They should have stayed up in that creepy ass castle….
"S-stop…" She mumbled out loud her eyes trained on the ground which seemed to be spinning.
"What was th-…" Akari froze in mid-sentence….
"A-akari…?!" Okuda cried out confused….Everything around her had stopped moving…stopped talking…just stopped….No, no, no…! I-I d-didn't mean..! I take it back I-I..!
"Tempus deduc quasi torrentem semper supra usque ad cataracta…"
"-..That you said Manami..?" Akari asked as if nothing happened….Okuda blinked
"H-huh….I….R-Rio…?"
She turned to face Rio who was walking towards them popcorn in hand. "
I-I'm sorry I didn't…I.." She bowed her head apologetically…
"What's wrong Manami…?" Akari asked…
"It's fine Okuda; besides your magic only affected the people near your immediate area…"
"I didn't mean to cast…I-I just…" Okuda said as she held her slightly shaking shoulders…This wasn't the first time something like this has happened…It has happened many times in the past….and her mind was bringing her back to that time…to the time she was small, defenseless…scared…angry….sad…
Akari's eyes grew wide….Okuda had unknowingly cast a spell…It wasn't unheard of for witches to cast spells unknowingly…
"Oh Okuda…" Akari said gently as she placed a comforting hand on Okuda's shoulder….She had a good reason to suspect that the constant hushed whispers of the Normals were what caused Okuda to cast her spell.
Unconscious spells only happen when the witch is experiencing a strong emotion…mainly a primal emotion like fear, lust, anxiety, or something of that nature….Unconscious spells can be very powerful if the emotion the witch is experiencing is a very powerful one…to be able to cast a time spell like that….Okuda must really have felt horrible….
"Come on…you didn't hurt anyone…Let's go get some more honeycomb toffee…Okay…?" Akari said reassuringly Okuda merely nodded.
"Okuda…I just have one thing to say to you." Rio said solemnly…
"W-what is it…?"
"I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!" She cried out as she hugged the petite witch…Okuda flushed at the sudden contact…
"I-I…w-what…?"
"Casting a time spell is a difficult thing to do and yet you did so unconsciously! That must mean you have immense potential!" Rio cried as she rubbed her rosy cheeks against Okuda's red cheeks…
"I-I uh….well this isn't the first time something like t-this has happened…" Okuda said sheepishly…
"Oh I can't wait for training tomorrow!" Rio said excitedly…. "Hm….It's seems you have more power when you're experiencing strong emotions…Well yeah duh….that's most witches….but you seem to like draw upon energy….like a vessel…and a very good vessel at that…not only drawing on your magic but others too! That's amazing…"
Rio kept on rambling as both Okuda and Akari could feel a sweat bead roll down their heads….But they were both secretly happy Rio was able to lift up the somber mood.
note: I just used google translation for the latin translation! Xp