Diana Cavendish.
Proclaimed best witch in Luna Nova, who had strived her entire life to earn that title and the position she was in. Sure enough, her family's status had indeed helped her reach the point in her magical success to at least some degree - but she had still worked hard to get there, to make any magical spell look as if it were child's play to perform.
That was why it had irked her to see Akko, badgering on every day about how she wanted to be like Shiny Chariot and then she wouldn't put in the work. On some occasions she'd practice again and again but that was a rarity, Diana had seen nothing more from her so-called rival, personally she didn't agree with that not one bit, they were nothing alike.
Still, even with all that in mind; Kenji had still ended up choosing her. That was maybe the only rivalry the two witches 'had', only it hadn't gone any further than her getting flustered and embarrassed in front of him, if there was one thing she could give to Akko, it was the fact that she was much more confident than she ever would be.
All she could do was stare from the side, pining for something she never even attempted to make possible.
"I suppose it's all pointless now.." Diana mumbled to herself, as to not disturb Hannah and Barbara. She stared at the now setting sun, small bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep, going to close the case in her hands shut, sighing at whatever was inside, who would want to look at it again, that was all behind her.
Kenji would be long gone, back to his own world before she would ever see him again, and maybe...possibly relay the unnoticed feelings she'd never acted on, even if they wouldn't be accepted, not properly at least.
Akko would make some sort of fuss and try to give some spiel about her decision, but ultimately this was her duty, what she had to do for her family was more important, no matter of talking it over was going to change that.
With one final look at the distant memento in her case, never wanting to glance at it again.
Not too late into the night, Akko droopily waddled to the cafeteria, praying that there was some food left for her to eat. She had ended up staying up longer than expected due to her own personal training with using certain forms of magic, especially considering the fact that they had a test coming up that she would rather not fail...again.
"Get moving Consey can't work on the portal if you keep insisting that she needs sleep," From around the corner, Akko recognized a familiar robot scolding someone she couldn't make out, she remembered it from a week ago when she'd participated in an event with Constanze, helping to build a giant battleship; as much as she hadn't wanted to at first.
"C'mon! She's deciding to help me out, I can't just let her stay awake for my sake," The brunette perked up upon hearing Kenji reply to the automaton, she hadn't had that much of a chance for one-on-one time with him considering how busy her week had been.
'Maybe I shouldn't have broken into that school with Amanda..'
The robot sighed, not programmed to understand what empathy was, "I will...make sure Consey sleeps, is that enough to satisfy you?" It somehow spoke in a sarcastic tone, earning a soft smile of relief from Kenji, "Yes, but make sure you do it. I'm not getting hoodwinked by a robot..."
As the small bot sighed and strut down the hall, Akko did the same, "Kenji? You're up as well, must be working on the portal, right?" She questioned, going off of what she had eavesdropped on the conversation.
"Akko it's you. Yeah, Constanze has got the mains structure finished, she says she just needs to work on the inner sections and wiring of all of it. Sounds like a lot of work to be honest, I'm grateful that she's even willing to do it," Kenji responded, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
Akko tried not to show her downtrodden expression at the fact that Kenji was inching ever closer to his eventually trip back home, knowing that only made her want to spend every moment she could with him, and yet she was spending her time trying to recover the seven words of Arcturus. That was still important, but right now she had as much time as she needed for that.
But Kenji, there was a set time limit before he left, with no chance that she would get to see him again.
"Wait, what are you doing up so late? I think we all know you of all people shouldn't be staying up late," Kenji smarmily said, grinning back at her pouting face.
'Too cute..' He thought, holding back his blush.
"...No, I can stay up late just fine. But I was hungry and thought there might be some food left over in the cafeteria," Akko answered, feeling embarrassed at how ridiculous it sounded for there to be food there in the dead of night.
Nevertheless, Kenji couldn't deny the look on his girlfriend's face, despite Sucy's teasing on his favoritism. It was true, he couldn't in fact say no to her most of the time. However, once they'd opened a door into the cafeteria, they instantly spotted Hannah and Barbara there, for some reason sobbing amongst themselves, 'This can't be good, if I learnt anything from my sister...it's that you don't get involved with drama between girls'
He slightly recalled the time his sister Iina was arguing with one of her friends and he'd tried to insert himself into it. Safe to say, it hadn't gone well.
Of course, Kenji had forgotten one minute detail. That would be the red-eyed girl who hadn't thought twice about strolling over to this girls who regularly belittled her for being less than impressed at magic, "Hey you two, why are you crying...I didn't even know that was possible," Akko mumbled, earning her a light slap on the head from Kenji.
"Don't be an airhead, you can't just say stuff like that..." Kenji scolded, sighing at her lack of social skills despite the fact that she was one of if not the most social witch in all over Luna Nova, "Anyway, back on topic. Since I'm involved now, why are you two crying?"
Sniffling to themselves, Hannah was the first to speak up, "It's Diana. She got a letter from back home to become the leader of the family and she has to leave Luna Nova, forever."
Kenji almost did a spit take right then and there, "EHH!? Why!" Kenji exclaimed, the most shocked between him and Akko.
"We don't know, but as soon as she read it, she started packing, getting ready to leave. I've already heard bad rumors about the Cavendish's as of late, now I'm just hoping there not true," Barbara added, a bit somberly.
"I don't get it either," Akko protested, "Can't she just do it after she leaves Luna Nova properly?"
"Now's the only time she can do it. The ritual is only taking place for next couple of days to initiate her as head of the family.."
"We knew it would happen eventually, but we thought it'd be after we we're done with school, not at midnight.." Barbara said, the both of them remaining quiet without much else to say. Exchanging a glance, Akko and Kenji bid the two a brief goodbye and booked it to the only place they could figure Diana would be leaving from.
To Akko's surprise, Kenji seemed even more determined than her to reach Diana.
Hoisting onto her broom, Diana took one last look at the school she'd grown so fond of. She had been reluctant to leave at first, but her family needed her and more than anything she wasn't going to let them down, especially not her mother.
"Diana!"
Turning around to a voice she recognized all too well, Diana jerked at the fact that both Akko and Kenji were standing just a few meters behind her, taking a moment to catch their breath, "Are you really sure about leaving? Quitting like this just doesn't seem like you at all, I don't really have the best idea about your family apart from that it's having trouble."
"But can't they just wait until you finish school! I mean, there has to be another way!"
As Akko continued to try and convince her, Kenji stared at the still silent Diana. Who was outright refusing to speak or even acknowledge their existence, 'Well...if she's just gonna ignore us then I'm just gonna have to use a more direct approach!'
Marching over towards and past Akko, Kenji softly tugged onto Diana's shoulder, "Are you gonna talk to us or make Akko look dumber than she already does talking to someone who isn't even going to respond..."
After a brief bout where no one said a word, well apart from Akko who was squirming about annoyed at what he'd said - Diana finally looked back at both of them, a somewhat drifted look on her face as she glanced to Kenji, that was until it all crumbled under her harsh words, "Do you two have any idea how disrespectful it is to disturb tradition. Whoever is to leave Luna Nova must do it undetected! Even speaking to either one of you ruins that!"
Kenji went to say something back, but Akko beat him to it, "I couldn't care less about tradition! I'm not just going to let my rival quit!"
"I have never once, never will think of you as my rival. You're just a witch who has no respect for rules and traditions, in fact knowing it, you probably brought Kenji along despite the how late it is, truly it's vexing how you two..."
Diana paused, holding herself back from finishing the sentence, getting on her broom about to take off.
"Wait, Diana," This time, it was Kenji to step in, not sure what anything he had to say would do to change her mind, as much as Diana wouldn't admit it, she was just as stubborn as Akko.
"Are you serious about leaving Luna Nova, you can say you don't but really...this is a place you care about. That's why you try to look after it, especially if one of us ends up wrecking it," Kenji made too sure to say the last section of his sentence a lot quieter than the rest.
"But, despite the fact that I've only been here for a few months, this is a place I can call home, I'd try my best to stop any threat from destroying it. Because really, this place has given me everything. Friends that I never got anywhere near close to back home, I've done things that are just fictional stories in my world, I even...met the girl I...l-love."
Once more, Kenji finished a much more incoherent mess, him and Akko left blushing for a few seconds.
"That's not the point. This place has meant so much to me, so I know that...as your friend that it means a lot for you as well. So, I'm asking you not as someone who just wants you to stay, not because you're some amazing witch. But because your someone I care about, just like Sucy, Lotte, Constanze and everyone else..."
"...Do you really want to go?"
"Of course, I don't!" The reply was quick and fierce, Diana now sounded much more aggravated, her fist shaking as the hold on her broom loosened, "It's as you said, I care about this school more than I can imagine...but as the proud Cavendish I wish to be, I can help people with my position, bring honor back to the world of magic, I can do...so much more away from Luna Nova then when I'm here..."
"You should just focus and getting home, my issues are trivial to yours. Akko, you should keep trying to locate the seven words, after all...you're the only one who has the ability to do so..."
"So please.." The wind began to pick up, Diana raising herself up in the air to do so, "..Leave me be, become a witch worthy to awaken the grand triskelion. while you are here though, tell Hannah and Barbara my goodbyes, I'll miss them."
There was nothing left to say, neither one of them could reach Diana now and even if they could she wouldn't come back, she soon flew out of sight into the darkness, no longer on Luna Nova's campus.
'Shit..'
It hadn't taken all too long for Akko to devise the plan to instead go straight to heart of the issue and visit Diana in her home to bring her back. No one in particular had much to say about it. Sucy packed Kenji a full set of potions, without explaining what half of them did, Lotte had helped them back...well Akko pack, given that she wouldn't know what was essential or not.
Hannah and Barbara seemed surprisingly supportive of their plan, even if was for Diana's sake they thought for sure that they would at least be support opposed to their plan. Miss Ursula had warned them to stay safe, but not much else already aware that if she asked for them to stay that it would most likely not work.
So, here they were on the side of the road with a single cardboard sign asking for a ride, it didn't look suspicious in the slightest. Kenji would've flown with a broom using some of the magic from the crystal that was seeming bigger every time he would get a good look at it, but he found that he was unable to steer correctly with Akko on board.
In part due to his lack of practice riding on a broom, he still could barely control the speed and due to a certain sensation, that threw off balance once Akko got behind him, 'I'm a failure as a human being...'
"Uhhhh...I can't walk another step. And I'm really hungry," Akko groaned, slumping against a fence.
Kenji was halfway through chewing some of cereal bars he'd bought, sighing as he hand the other half to Akko," Here...you clearly need this more than I do," He said sympathetically, watching as Akko scoffed down the food, leaving a not so pleasant look on his face, 'How is she so hungry, she ate all of her food on just the walk here..'
"Thank Kenji! You know it's kinda cool that it's just the two of us, right? We never get to go on adventures by ourselves, it's nice," Akko mentioned, cutely nibbling on the rest of the bar.
Kenji pulled at his own hair, hiding his face in his other free hand, "R-Right, we've been busy lately; seems like there's just one problem after another. But we can at least spend some together before having to drag Diana back."
Akko held against replying; a certain question popping into her head. She had wanted to ask why Kenji was so adamant about bring her back, it had only taken a couple seconds after her explanation for them to leave and he was already on board with it. It would have to wait though, as the two of them stood up with a smile upon spotting a black car approaching.
Only for it to drive right past them, as if they didn't exist.
"Eh..." Kenji gasped.
Akko clicked her tongue, losing all enthusiasm, "Man. This bites!"
That was until they heard the engine reversing back to them, brightening their spirits as they both put on a smile to the revolving window. Akko's dropped as she saw that it was Andrew, leaned nonchalantly against the side of the limo, Kenji actually seemed grateful, 'At least it's someone we know, not like the guys in a bunch of horror movies'
What he wasn't pleased about was the seating arrangement, due to the fact that Akko had needed to squeezed in at the back due to her small stature while Kenji had been relegated into the front seat, 'Oh, so she gets to sit next to Andrew. I don't have a problem with the guy but damn, he way more attractive than me!'
He wouldn't admit it, but he was just a tad jealous.
"So, why can't two...witches as yourselves just fly to Wedinburgh? You have brooms, don't you?" Andrew's father questioned, not bothering to hide is irritancy at them being here.
"Well, it's a bit embarrassing," Akko replied, sinking where she sat.
"Let's just say we don't have the ability to do so, hence why we're...hitchhiking," Kenji had started confident, but it dwindled once he realized what he was actually saying.
With no one else talking, Andrew's dad switched on the tv in front of him, Kenji was both impressed and annoyed at how posh the vehicle he was in was, the reported explained how riots had broken out over a football match, "Seriously? Getting so worked up over a game, what a bunch of simpletons!"
No one said anything to his groans, although Kenji did feel a bit sick to the stomach once he found himself somewhat agreeing with the prejudiced politician.
"Hey, that reminds me, why are you going to Diana's house Andrew?" Akko questioned.
"Oh, that's simple they invited us, said they had something they wanted to show us..." Andrew replied. Kenji and Akko got a bad feeling from that, whatever the Cavendish's would want to show couldn't be good.
Andrew actually looked to the two of the since the drive had begun, "Wait, what are you two going to the Cavendish manor for?"
"That's simple, we're planning to bring Diana back to Luna Nova," Akko had smug smile on her face as she spoke, 'Akko...that's really not as impressive as you think it is..'
As the Cavendish manor came into view, both witch and wizard stared up at the giant estate in awe, ready for whatever was ahead.
They pulled up on a line of butlers and maids, from inside the car they took notice of some presumed members of the Cavendish household, they all had distinct looks of their own and yet they all heavily resembled Diana, 'There all pretty as well, must run in the fami-'
Akko kicked him the stomach from the beside him, "If you like them so much why don't you go talk to them!" She whined, yet again pouting at him with a sour look on her face.
"Sorry...c'mon Akko you know that you're the only girl I think looks the best," Kenji complimented trying to diffuse the situation, opening the car sneaking a now much less moody Akko stepping out, it was ridiculously easy to get her to her usual self with just a few compliment, not that he didn't mean them. They slyly followed behind the two who were actually supposed to be present, a single maid being the only one to notice what was off.
Reconvening inside the main hall of the building, they were met by three of the same Cavendish's all mainly focusing on Andrew, fawning over him, "I truly do appreciate you coming, especially you Andrew, you've certainly grown into your looks haven't you."
The woman's eyes eventually met with Akko's and Kenji's, her face creased as she did, "And who are you two?" She asked, clearly not actually bothered or caring. Although, Kenji couldn't help but notice that they were mainly fixated on him.
"I'm...Kenji Otsuka, first male student in Luna Nova, nice to meet you. I have heard quite a bit about the Cavendish's," Kenji introduced himself in a strangely polite manner, even Andrew was taken aback by the shift in personality.
'Just be polite, if you piss of rich people they'll come for you, and these ones can perform powerful magic...'
"Oh, so that's you? I heard of your exploits at the Samhain Festival. I must say it is in fact nice to meet you, I expected Luna Nova to have some decorum on who they let into their school, I'm glad to see they let in a respectful, good-looking boy," The woman shook Kenji's hand for an uncomfortable amount of time, feeling a set of eyes boring into his chest, the two sisters on the stairs glancing at him.
Akko intervened on whatever was happening, slightly annoyed on how Kenji was getting the attention today, "Nice to meet you! I'm Atsuko Kagari!"
"Akko? K-Kenji!?" Diana exclaimed, struggling to speak.
All three of the platinum blonde witches grinned at the opportunity to tease their sibling, "So these are your friends, I must say you've done well for yourself, although I'm not surprised that you haven't snatched this one up yet, you never were the type..."
Ignoring the flashing red on her face, Diana approached the two of them, "W-What are you two doing here, do you not listen to anything I have to say! I bet you even forced Kenji to come here-"
"Actually, I was more onboard with the idea then Akko," Kenji admitted, laughing a little as he did, "I'm pretty persistent as well."
Truthfully, Diana's heart softened at that, but it wasn't enough to falter her serious demeanour, "How many times do I have to you two, I won't come back, no matter how persistent you get!" Diana stated a matter-of-factly, huffing with her arms crossed, only serving to get the brunette even more riled up. Andrew was already leaving at this point, being escorted to his room along with his father.
Suddenly, all three of the sisters surrounded Akko, looking more peeved than anything, "Excuse me. But are you really her friend? I understand that this boy is rare occurrence for magic, your last name doesn't remind of any witch family I know."
"That's because I'm not from a witch family," Akko retorted just as quickly, a goofy smile on her face.
Of course, given their upbringing and status they were bewildered to the fact that there was witch daring to join Luna Nova without even so much as an inkling of power from any kind of witch heritage.
To put it simply, they were aristocrats.
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to ask you to stop," Kenji placed a hand in front of the girls, an obviously angry glint in his eyes, "If you're just going to make fun of her cause she's not as rich and spoilt as the rest of you and has to work for her ability in magic, then there really no point in talking with you. For the record, I'm surprised if you would even be excepted into Luna Nova."
"Kenji you know you didn't have to do that.." Akko said lowly, slightly enjoying the fact that he had tucked her in a protective hug.
"Yeah, it might have been a bit far, but I think I should've still done it.." Kenji defended, smiling down at her. He didn't take to much notice of it, but he was quite a bit taller than her.
The women were left in shock of his outburst, just about to throw him out of the manor if she would have to. That was what would've transpired if not for Diana involving herself in the argument, "Please don't threaten my friends, I'll be showing them where they'll be staying so if you don't mind, we're leaving.."
Taking each of their wrist in both hand, Diana pulled them away from the possible confrontation, "Sorry Diana I did think that I went too far? I thought I was getting better at not just yelling at people...guess that's out the window now."
"Don't feel too bad, my...aunt and cousins can be fairly cruel and abrasive. I think what you said should put them in their place for now," Diana assured him kindly, going to pat his shoulder, reeling her now red knuckles back just as quickly.
"Yeah, they deserved it. Good job Kenji!" Akko praised, pumping her fist up in the air, "What now Diana, are you coming back to Luna Nova? Also, your house is amazing! I can't really blame you for wanting to stay but still-"
"Akko!" With a harsh yell, Diana kept Akko quiet, "You and Kenji will stay here until tomorrow morning, so before then can you please behave yourself!"
Kenji went to say something, but the stink eye the maid trailing behind them was giving forced him not to, instead he parted ways with the two other girls, being shown to his own personal quarters, where he was going to be suited into a tux, with no way out of it.
'This is so tense...'
After Kenji and Akko had been fitted into their own personal outfits, Akko's more lacking than his own. Now earing an outfit that Diana wore when she was eleven, having to shut the brown-haired boy up after he'd started snickering and she had at first refused even wearing it, but by Diana's insistence and threat she had worn it to the dinner.
What they were mostly looking out for was the aunt of the Cavendish household, having been warned by both Diana and her maid about her. Personally, Kenji only saw her as snobbish as the rest of her family, but with how she was described; apparently going to bring ruin to the family if she was allowed to continue, '...So, Diana doesn't have a choice. Both her parents are gone, and if she leaves the house for Luna Nova, then she may as well be leaving her family into ruin...'
He now felt a little guilty on how he'd visited her home to try and bring her back, without knowing just how dire the circumstances were.
As they ate, albeit with some struggle at least on their end. Kenji struggled to figure what utensil he was supposed to use just to drink soup, who could blame him really, who was supposed to guess between four spoons with which one was best for soup!
Akko couldn't cut into the steak in front of her, not that it was burnt or hard whatsoever, everyone else was having no trouble and it tasted perfect, she was just terrible with the knife and fork she was using.
Andrew's father eventually spoke up, disgruntled as to why he was here, "If I may ask? What is the reason you invited me here?"
Daryl Cavendish gave a curt laugh, placing her glass down onto the table, "Getting straight to the point, how very like you. Well, to be honest we we're hoping you would want to buy some of our family heirlooms.."
You could practically see the color of anger fill her face, her eye beginning to twitch.
Akko tilted her head as more and more carts were pushed into the dining room, each one of the presumed daughters showing off each of the items, even if Andrew's dad didn't look interested in whatever they were trying to sell.
"Seriously, is this an auction," Kenji muttered, since Diana was the closest one to him and Akko was staring at the magical items, she was the only one to hear it, stifling her own laughter, she couldn't laugh not out loud in front of her family and everyone present.
Simmering down, Diana felt somewhat more at ease now, it was no surprise that it was Kenji who had managed to do it.
It just had to be him.
"And this is the tapestry of the first witch of the Cavendish family, Beatrix!" Daryl remarked proudly, unravelling the giant scroll to them all.
Diana sunk straight back into anger, shaking with fury, "Who's Beatrix?" Akko asked, Kenji nodded wanting to know the same, "It's as I said, she was the first witch to lead the Cavendish family, soon after she become one of the nine old witches."
"What!? Diana's a descendant of one of the nine witches!" Akko cried out, Andrew coughing back into his tea due to the sudden shriek, "I've never heard of them? Is it really a big deal?"
'Can't help but notice that she kept that information from us. Eh, well it's not like Diana to want to show she knew she'd just garner more attention if she did tell people about it..'
"If that is all you had to show me then we'll be on our way, come now Andrew," The Hanbridge's politely placed down their knives and forks, leaving without another word, despite how much Daryl and her daughters were pleading for her to stay.
Diana's fuse finally burst, "You've got some nerve, just how long do you intend to squander the Cavendish name!"
"Tch. The Cavendish name, what good has it really done - for tradition, for the honor of the family, without me the Cavendish name that you're so proud of would've died out years ago!" Daryl argued, snarling back at her.
"What you've done for the family!? So, selling our heirlooms, or history, that you helping our family, where is your pride as a Cavendish!" Diana continued to berate her aunt, getting nothing more the irritated sigh from her, "What did pride get your mother when she led the family? It doesn't put food on the table and keep the weak status magic has alive, accept it; those days are gone..."
Kenji and Akko could do nothing but bat their eye back and forth between the two arguing participants. Diana had no need to argue with her any further, sighing as she glazed her sharp eyelids back to her aunt, "Fine then, if this is the way that you see things, then tonight is the perfect opportunity for me to put a stop to this..."
Everyone in the room had the perfect idea on what she meant, "Tonight, we shall conduct the ceremony, and afterwards...I'll be head of the Cavendish's!"
