Luna let out a sigh of exhaustion as she stood up and washed my back one last time. "That... was too long. I haven't done a piece that large in one sitting for a while." I sat up with one arm covering myself for my sake as Luna handed me a mirror.
"It's perfect." I said as I looked at the artwork on my back the image reflected off a mirror on the wall. The phantom of a image that had been the scar and been brought out to the fullest, the petals almost looked like they were falling off my skin, the thorn branch looked like it was growing out of my skin, the main rose was beautiful, the actual scar tissue had been used as highlights and was still clearly visible, the point of the tattoo wasn't to hide it, but enhance it.
"Well, looks like that went well." Sol said as she gave me tap on the shoulder. "Here, I bought you a new dress. I know the one you lost yesterday was important to you." I took the garment and went into the back room and changed into it, the front and sides were modest, but the back was open enough that I could see the entire tattoo. The blue cloth flowed like water as I felt it. It wasn't a simple sundress that I normally wore, this was made to bring out my figure in a slight but modest way.
I stepped out and hugged Sol tight. "Thank you."
Chapter 29: Nairn Village
Luna watched as Sol and Helen left her shop cleaning the ink off her hands as her once tired smile became a look of concern, she locked the door behind the two and ran a hand through her short green hair, pupil-less red eyes narrowing as the sound of the too faded through the heavy wood. She pushed off and reached under the counter pulling open a hidden container built into bottom of the counter and puled out a ball like magic device. With one had she opened it and the low hum of communication magic opened.
"Luna, why are you calling me at this hour?" A man asked, his voice strict and deep.
"Aaron, you didn't happen to send a new magic knight plant? Young girl, black hair, keeps her tail in plain view?" She asked.
"No, we haven't. Why are you asking?" his voice full of concern.
"Then we have a problem." she said as she finished cleaning her hands and reaching back under the counter.
There was a pause. "We'll perform a search if any of us have left illegally, I'll be sending two warriors to aid you in the monitoring of this anomaly. I request you avoid direct confrontation."
She nodded as she pulled out a sheathed set of swords, the pommels marked with the same symbol as that was on the cover of Helen's grimoire, a spike half circle with a inwards barbed trident. "Yamoshi guide you." She said as Aaron returned the phrase.
The next few days went by slowly, I would spend most of them fully recovering and much like after the Dungeon my mana and strength had increased dramatically, even with out the use of my mana I was tearing through training dummies, the steel of the great sword slashing through the wood with ease, and breaking the metal strips. I looked at the weapon with amazement, but also fear at my quick growth. "Helen." I snapped to attention as Captain Charlotte approached. "At ease, I wish to speak with you."
I let my shoulders relax as I started to sink the blade tip first into my grimoire, a flame around the point of contact and my weapon. "Of course Captain, did I..."
"You haven't done anything to anger me. I take an interest in the well being of my recruits. I know you didn't have the... greatest of experience on your first mission. But you seem to be growing past it and not allowing it to haunt you." She said as we sat on a bench, her armor clinking as I lightly tapped my foot on the ground. "I remember the first time I had been sent on a mission, those days seem so long ago now."
I nodded, "You have achieved deeds and feats I can only dream of, been on adventures. Fought in duels and won battles." I said as I looked up to the mature woman. She had given me my chance here.
"Indeed. And I'm certain you will too. Helen, I won't be Captain forever, one day that responsibility may fall to Sol or even you." I looked at Charlotte bewildered, me? A future captain? "Wizard King Julius has put into effect a mandatory training regime for the Captains part in due to the invasion of the Eye of the Midnight sun, but also your rapid growth. If your curse ever is activated, it may take all nine captains and the Wizard King now."
I nodded. "I understand. I'll keep the beast from ever emerging. You gave me this chance, to be something more."
She stood up and smiled to me. "You haven't given me any reason to doubt you, Helen."
Just after she left I heard a familiar yell. Bursting into the courtyard was Asta. "HELEN!" I dodged out of the way when he skidded to a stop.
"Asta... what are you doing?" I asked as I shook my head.
"I need a ride to Nairn Village. I am meeting up with Rebecca. Right, you don't know her. I met her at mixer that Finral held, it's like a blind date where you don't know which girl you are on the date with. We talked, she has a ton of siblings, I threw a guy across the restaurant." He said excitedly.
"Asta..." I said as I let out a heavy sigh. "And this... Rebecca isn't Sister Lily?" I asked.
"Oh, don't be silly Helen, you shouldn't make jokes like that. Of course my heart is still set on Sister Lily, Rebecca is just a friend." He waved me off.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. 'Asta, you are helpless.' "Fine, I'll take you. Let me just get cleaned up and changed." I sighed as I went to quickly wash of the sweat and grime and grab a new dress and leggings. I pulled the grey dress over the white leggings ad threw my Blue Rose cloak around my shoulders.
"Hey, Helen where you off to?" Sol caught me in the hall.
"My brother needs a ride." I said. "Something about a date, restaurant and impressing a girl by throwing a man across the restaurant. Noelle, Mimosa, and now a Rebecca, and he still insists on the nun."
"Your brother is a idiot." she laughed.
I just sighed defeated. "Yes. I'll be back... I don't know."
She chuckled as she hugged me, and I blushed as I was pulled into her breasts. "Just fly safe." She patted my head as I burned up. She let me go. "See you later Helen." She said as I stood there awkwardly.
"Y-yeah. See you later Sol." I ran of to Asta, grabbing him by the hair disturbing Nero who was sitting on his head as I Dragged him behind me. "We are leaving now!"
"Ow! Ow! OW!" he shouted as I grabbed my broom dragging him onto the back and took off.
In the hour or two flight, Asta told me how he had been waiting to see Rebecca all week, but all I could do in front of him was blush from what had happened between me and Sol. Her smooth dark brown... 'NO! Don't Helen. She is your superior. You don't even know if she feels the same way about you!'
When we landed in the town Asta brought me through the streets and there we found a commoner woman, maybe a year or two older then Asta and myself, she smiled at Asta then had a quizzical look on her when she spotted me. "Asta, who's this?" She asked.
"Oh, this is my sister Helen, she kind of had to fly me since I don't have magic, and I thought it be nice to have, well at least on of my siblings meet your family. I couldn't get into the Golden Dawn to find Yuno." He started to ramble.
I shook her had as she smiled. "It's so nice to meet you."
"Indeed Rebecca, Helen of the Blue Rose magic knights at your service, and I mean scold Asta for being... well... Asta." I said.
She laughed. "I don't think that will be necessary, he's loud but I don't mind."
I rolled my eyes. "You have no idea, but hey, if I can have a day making fun of him. I'll take it." She chuckled.
"I'm guessing you grew up in the..." Her eyes were drawn to something behind me. "Marco don't." I looked behind me at a boy who was clearly her little brother who was clearly about to grab my tail.
"Asta told you about that?" I asked as I wrapped my tail around my waist. She nodded.
"Come on you guys! I'm not a monkey gym!" Asta laughed as the children climbed him laughing.
I sighed, "Yeah, it is a day off, we should enjoy ourselves."
And finished.
