Chapter 15
Kagutsuchi Golden Hotel
"I'm now officially handing over the custody of Penny Polendina to you, Professor Glynda Goodwitch. Please sign here and here." Instructed Captain Kohaku.
"I understand." Said Glynda as she signed the paper.
"Alright." Said Hibiki, looked it over, and handed over one of the papers to Glynda. "Here's your copy."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Good day."
After Hibiki left, Glynda turned to Penny.
"Does he know what you- about your background?"
"I don't think so."
Penny returned to Kagutsuchi, luckily with no damage. Everything was in chaos right now, and she was ordered to standby with Professor Goodwitch for now, but Miss Goodwitch had no idea what to do with her.
"So I already heard from General Ironwood. Looks like you will be my responsibility for the time being."
"Yes. Thank you again, Professor Goodwitch. So, where should I stand by?"
"Stand by? Your teammate's room is full, isn't it… well…"
Looking at Penny, Glynda thought it over… 'This girl is James' master plan, and our backup plan.'
"You will be staying with me, in my hotel room for the time being."
"Oh, that sounds like fun! Though staying with the other students at the dome seems like a more productive experience."
'She wants to be around people her own age… or mental age. She's more human than I thought.'
"No… That way, it will be harder to hide the fact that you don't function like a normal human."
"Oh. I understand." Said Penny, disappointed.
'Oh no… did I hurt her feelings?'
"Just because you're not a normal human, doesn't mean you are less than human."
Penny looked up at Glynda.
"You're special. That's all. Just like all humans."
"I see… Thank you, Professor Goodwitch!" Said Penny, A little too loudly.
"Inside voice. Miss Polendina."
Cinder's Hideout
"Honey! I'm home!" Kval said as he walked into the hideout, holding up a silver suitcase. "And I got a present! Only for you though, nothing for the kids."
"You!" Said Torchwick when he saw him. "Your shitty info almost got us killed!"
"What? The airship? Yeah, a freaky storm took them down. Not my fault, What am I, a weatherman? You can't expect me to predict the weather you know." Said Kval with a dismissive tone.
"Are you sure about that? I remember you saying there will be "a fun festival that will shake the whole region"." Said Cinder
"Oh, that? I was talking about the huge party they were having on the ship last night."
Cinder looked at him, dumbfounded. 'Does he forget I could turn him into ash with a snap of my fingers?'
"You also told me Bloodedge would be at the cathedral last night! You snake!" Said Adam, pointing his sheathed sword at him.
"He was there." Said Kval, getting a little annoyed now. "It's not my fault you missed him."
"You human-" Angered, Adam put his hand on his sword, but before he could draw, Cinder held out her hand and stopped him.
"So…" Said Cinder. "A storm."
"Of course. I mean, what else could it be?"
"A storm that can light up the sky and no rain?"
"You believe those rumors? Over me? A credible info broker? That really hurt, like in the heart." Said Kval, with his hands over his heart. "The light was probably just lightning."
What is this, thought Cinder. 'This clown…' "And how did you know I didn't see it for myself?"
"I didn't. If you went out and saw the sky, you wouldn't utter such nonsense."
"And besides, look." Kval put his suitcase on the table, and opened it up, and inside, was a pair of black curved swords. "Your Armegis. Just like I'd promised you. Does this not prove my trustworthiness? Please?"
Cinder picked up the swords and examined them.
"It's the same as before."
"Let your magic flow through them. Try it." Instructed Kval.
Cinder did as he asked, and the edge of the blade turned red.
"Can you feel it? The Seithr?"
Yes, she could. The blades are adsorbing the Seithr in the air around them, energizing the weapons. She could feel the Seithr in the blade, and she could control it, transform it into heat and fire.
'Incredible! To think I have so much energy around me!'
Before, Seithr was a poison, something to be avoided, now, it has become an asset. And the Azure Grimoire, just imagining all that power was intoxicating.
'Yes.' Smiled Cinder. 'With this Armegis, my Maiden magic, and soon, the Azure Grimoire, not only will I have the strongest power, but also an unlimited supply of energy to fuel that power! No one can stand against me! Not the four kingdoms, not the Libraium, and not that so-called Queen!"
"Does this mean that you can use a Nox too?" Asked Emerald.
Cinder eyes lit up.
"Ah, a Nox, now that's an interesting thought. In theory, yes. In the end, Nox Nyctores is the progenitor of Grimoire. But… they also say Nox Nyctores can choose its holder."
"Oh, so now weapons can think too? Woooo, ghost in the mechanic…" Mocked Mercury.
Adam looked at his hand as he thought back to when he held one of these Nox.
"And do you know where one can find a Nox?" Cinder asked as casually as she could.
"Why, you're in luck!" Said Kval.
Cinder did her best not to look too interested. "Really. Let's have a look then."
"I mean, I am a businessman, and information is my business."
"Fine. What do you need?"
"Atlas airship. I just need a blueprint of one."
In reality, Hazama doesn't really need any blueprint, he just wants to make this trade look authentic.
"Deal." Easy, Cinder thought.
And with that, Kval took out a picture of a small figure in a brow coat.
"You see that thing on the person's back? That's a Nox Nyctores, and they're in the city right now."
"Are you sure about this? That person looks like a kid." Said Emerald.
"Either that or you can try tracking down the Hero of the Ice Blade."
"Emerald." Said Cinder. "Can you handle this?"
"Sure."
"I'll update you on its whereabouts later." Said Kval.
"Alright, but!" Cinder stared at Kval. "If you're lying to me," She lifted her hand, and fire surrounded Kval. "I think you get the picture."
Looking at the cowarding Kval, Cinder always knew she couldn't trust him. But then again, she didn't trust anyone. Cinder only trusted one thing, fear. And as long as he feared her, she had no fear of him.
Ronin-Gai- Shinobi Mansion- evening
Jin opened his eyes, and the first thing he noticed was that he was laying on a futon, looking at an unfamiliar ceiling.
"You're awake." Said a voice beside him.
Jin turned to his left. "Specialist Schnee. Where am I?"
"My place." Said another voice to his right.
Jin looked over, and saw two people, a man and a woman.
"You." Said Jin, looking at the man. "I remember you."
And he then tried to move, but couldn't.
"You're still hurt." Said Winter. "Don't try to move."
"You can't anyway." Said the other woman. "You are under a binding Ars. It's for your own good. Mr. Bang will dispel it after your wound has closed."
"You." Said Jin to the man. "Why did you not kill me?"
"So, the great hero remembers me." Said Bang. "Make no mistake. I do intend on avenging my master, but! If I sink to the level of attacking a wounded man, it will disgrace me and my master."
"Are you sure you are a shinobi?"
"Rest, once you are healed, we shall have our deal. That was the condition I made with your friend."
Jin looked over to Winter.
"What? I had no choice."
"Mr. Bang, could you go and get him some clothes?"
"Of course, Miss Litchi."
And Bang left the room.
"You can trust Bang." Said the woman. "After all, instead of killing you, he saved you."
"And you are?"
"Litchi Faye Ling. Just a doctor."
"A doctor who uses outdated treatment."
"Outdated?" Asked Winter.
"Ars is more efficient, and faster. It saves energy, resources, and more importantly, time." Answered Jin.
"Yes, Ars is faster, and great in an emergency, but I disagree with treating patients with Seithr, if I have a choice. My "outdated" method is slower, but safer."
"And I'm sure you know all about that." Retorted Jin.
Litchi only smiled, and got up.
"I'll leave your medicine with your friend."
And left the room.
"Do you have to antagonize everyone you meet? Even the people who saved you?" Asked Winter.
"She claimed Seithr is unsafe, yet that woman reeked of Seithr."
"What?"
"you can see them if you focus your Aura on your eyes."
"I know that. I just don't go around checking people for Seithr."
"You should. The best way of telling combatant and noncombatant apart here, is by Seithr."
"And see enemies at every corner? That's not a good way to live."
"That's the good way to survive in this hellish world."
They stayed quiet for a moment, and Winter broke the silence.
"So, what's going on?"
"That is what I like to know."
"They… Capetian Hazama said you might be working Sector Seven."
"Hazama… Sector Seven! Laughable."
"But why would the NOL think that? The accusation couldn't come out of nowhere."
"I do not know."
Winter looked at him dubiously.
"Believe me or not. It matters less than nothing to me."
"Then let's begin with what you know. Last night."
"Why do you care?"
"All the Atlas ships crushed. Never mind that I have friends on those ships, we might also even be on the verge of war!"
Winter took a moment to collect herself, and begin again. "Besides, not like you have anything to do, besides laying in bed."
Later…
"So you were attacked by Adam Taurus? Are you sure?"
"Horns, red hair, mask, and a shikomizue."
"Shikomizue?"
"A straight sword, normally a concealed weapon, like in a cane."
"Why would one of the leaders of the White Fang be there at the cathedral?"
"Don't know. Don't care. He's irrelevant."
Winter looked at him with her eyes wide open.
"Irrelevant? What? White Fang is a terrorist group!"
"Not my problem, not anymore."
In all honesty, even though he was now a wanted man, it was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulder.
"Right, all you care about is Ragna."
Jin's eyes snapped open.
"What?"
"You were talking in your sleep."
"What did you hear?"
"Nothing much, just "Ragna", and "brother", and "kill you"." Said Winter. "So…"
Jin looked around for his sword, but then remembered he was still paralyzed.
"Look, I don't know your history with Bloodedge, I can guess, but still, going after him alone was foolish."
'Does she think… whatever, it's not my concern to correct her. '
"You're done? I've already told you everything I know. Now I need some rest."
"You're still hiding something, but fine." Winter got up. "I'll leave. Make sure you really get some rest, and not just saying that to get rid of me."
'Like I have a choice.'
To be continued
