A Fool's Study into Witchcraft
Chapter 4: Experiencing some Failures
"D-Diana?!" Akko exclaims. "What are you doing here?!"
The ace student huffs as she stares down the trio with suspicion. "Originally I wanted to speak with you privately, Akko. While looking for you, I caught the sight of you sneaking into the woods," she says as her eyes narrow. "So naturally, I followed you, and..."
Akko rubs the back of her head. "I think I can guess the rest. You saw, didn't you?"
Diana nods. "Indeed. I saw your call out your summon. I saw it do something to the fallen memorial tree... And I saw you all just leap into the trunk and vanish into thin air."
"Oh?" Sucy eyes the surrounding area. The place all around the tree trunk it's littered with spell-books. "You were trying to figure out how we disappeared, weren't you?"
"I just don't understand," Diana sighs as she collects her books. "I originally thought that you had somehow opened a Ley line and left the campus without permission. But the lack of even a trace of magic proves otherwise..."
"So you can't see it, Diana?" Akko questions, "the entrance that I made?"
"See what? What are you talking about?" Diana asks curiously, "all I can see is empty space."
Sucy smirks wickedly. With a taunting shrug, she replies in a sarcastic tone, "Diana. Are you saying that you, a Cavendich, are unable to see something so obvious? I guess you aren't all that special after all."
"What do you mean by that!? Again, what are you referring to?!" Diana asks, her anger rising.
"That's something you don't need to know," Sucy replies mockingly. With a shrug she continues, "telling you would just be a waste of time anyway. It's not like you can do anything with that knowledge," as she walks passed Diana she beckons the other two to follow. "Come on, Akko, Lotte. Dinner is waiting."
"Hold it!" Diana interrupts. "While I cannot force you to divulge how you left, you all have still violated school policy and left campus without permission. As a student of Luna Nova, I cannot turn a blind eye to such blatant disregard for the rules."
"Eh?!" Lotte finches back in fear.
Sucy suddenly turns, her uncovered eye staring daggers at Diana, the hardness of her gaze surprising the honors student.
"Try it," Sucy threatens. "You already said you can't find even a trace of magic. You can't even prove that we went anywhere. Try it. I dare you."
Diana meets Sucy's glare with one of her own. "My word alone is more than enough to convince-"
"Oh, you're going to play that game," Sucy says, a wide smirk stretching across her face, "then I wonder what people would think if Akko's photos managed to find their way onto the internet. That outburst in the cafeteria could just blow over given time, but with photographic evidence…"
"Y-You wouldn't dare!" Diana exclaims as she flinches back.
"You're the one that started it," Sucy looks back unflinchingly. "You hit low, I will hit lower. Is getting us in detention really worth the world knowing about your dirty little secret?" Sucy taunts with a chuckle.
Realizing the tension in the air, Akko quickly steps in to interrupt, "hey, hey! Everyone just calm down alright?!"
"...Akko," Diana quickly responses. "H-How about we make a deal? I will pretend what happened here never occurred, but in exchange you give me every photo of that Shiny Chariot performance that I had appeared in."
"Eh?!" Akko finches back. "Oh… I get it! You are trying erase those precious memories aren't you?" the brunette exclaims in shock. "I don't get it. Why are you so embarrassed of other people knowing that you're a fan, Diana?!"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"
Akko takes a step back, "D-Diana…?"
"Of course I am a fan of the Shiny Chariot! Her performance was the whole reason for my love of magic!" she responds, a tear streaming down her face. "But I can't… I have an image to uphold and expectations to meet. I just can't let something so childish ruin my reputation. I have already been made a laughing stock once!" she glares back at Akko. "I can't afford to have it happen again!"
Akko, stunned by the sudden outburst, just blankly stares back at the British girl.
Diana's gaze softens as she glances at Akko, a pleading look in her eyes. "If it's just Luna Nova I can keep it from reaching the public. Please… just give me the photos. Maybe I can buy them from you? How about I offer you free tutoring-"
"No," Akko declines, her voice toned with worry, "you are letting your negativity consume you, Diana! You need to calm down, let loose a little! It's dangerous to-"
"Oh, that's too bad," Sucy taunts, "looks like you won't be getting those photos."
With that, Diana clenches her teeth and gives the trio one last glare before storming off with her books. Her expression hidden by her hair.
"Diana no! Wait! Come back! I am not done-"
"Don't brother Akko," Sucy stops the brunette, "insufferably smug people like her need to be taught a lesson every once in awhile," she says as she walks off. "Let's go to dinner."
Lotte walks up to Akko. "I get where she is coming from, I really do, but I think Diana is over reacting. I don't think people knowing would hurt her reputation as much as she thinks it would," she frowns. "I just hope Diana won't come to hate us…"
"Me too. She said her love of magic came from Chariot too, right?" Akko smiles. "In a way she's like me. Maybe if I had bumped into her during that show all those years ago, we could've been friends by now?"
"Who knows?" Lotte nods. "But that probably would've been the start of a beautiful friendship."
As Akko and Lotte follow Sucy back to their dorm, she ponders about a creeping suspicion in the back of her mind.
"Aradia. Please don't tell me-"
"Keep thine eyes on her and Cognitive Luna Nova," the Persona groans in annoyance, "that child had too much negativity and repressed emotions for her own good. Knowing our luck, Thou have no doubt that trouble is brewing..."
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After dinner and a trip to the showers, the exhausted trio returned to their room. Within ten minutes, they're in their pajamas. Both Sucy and Lotte flop onto their respective beds, their energy all but spent. Despite their fatigue however, they are somehow unable to fall asleep.
Akko chuckles at the condition of her friends. "You guys are down already~? Both of you are in serious need of a workout!"
"Well, excuse me. I am not the one with a year's worth of combat experience," Sucy replies. "I don't get it... Why am I so exhausted right now? I pull all-nighters all the time and I've never been this tired. Also, how am I not asleep?"
"Me too," Lotte adds, "I feel like I just helped my dad chop an entire forest down... We didn't do much in the Cognitive World right?"
Akko mutters to herself and nods.
"Aradia just said that it's probably because your bodies aren't used to the Cognitive World yet," the brunette paraphrases her inner voice. "I was like that in the beginning too. At first I could only stay in the Cognitive World for a few hours or so before I had to leave," she says as she scratches her cheek. "And… I think that Energy Drop might be what's keeping you awake… oops?"
"That's just great," Sucy grumbles. "I really want to examine the piece of bark that Skogsra thing dropped. I'll have to wait for tomorrow I suppose."
Lotte buries her face into her pillow, "thankfully there's no homework yet..."
"Well... since you both are so tired right now..." she unzips her belt pouch. "I'll just have to distract myself," she says as she retrieves some nails from the pouch.
Taking a glance at the brunette, Sucy lazily asks, "what are you doing...?"
"I'm decorating my spot," Akko answers happily. "I didn't get to do it yesterday, so I'm doing it now."
"I was wondering where you keep your collection, considering how much of a fangirl you are," Sucy remarks just as a metaphoric light bulb lights up in her head. "Actually, this is perfect."
"Perfect for what?" Akko raises an eyebrow.
"Tell us every little detail about your collection," Sucy requests. "Listening to someone go on and on about the stuff they like is one of the fastest ways to fall asleep."
Akko frowns. "... Should I be offended?" she than shrugs, "oh well! You asked for it! Maybe by the time I'm done, both of you will be a fan of Shiny Chariot! Behold! MY COLLECTION!"
With the nails, she hangs up a poster on the top of her bunk bed. It is a colorful image of her idol riding her broom, with "Shiny Chariot Magical Festa" printed on it.
"This is the poster that came along with the tickets to the live show!" Akko explains ecstatically, "Trust me when I said you probably can't find another one these days!"
She places a plush doll of a white crow with a cross marking on its chest by her bed side.
"Shiny Chariot had a white crow as a familiar, therefore so do I! Isn't Alcor the cutest?" Akko announces as she shoves the doll in Sucy's face.
"I get it... Please get off from my face," Sucy says as she pushes the doll away, clearly annoyed.
Akko then brings out a beautifully crafted case. The ornate container has gems embedded all over. The platinum and gold metal (probably a cheaper metal with the same color) it's made of gives off a reflective sheen. The brunette quickly brings out a key to open it, revealing a deck of cards, each and every one themed after Shiny Chariot's performance and spells. Plastic covers, the ones used by hardcore card collectors cover them all, protecting them from the elements.
"And these... these are my treasures," Akko takes each card out and delicately rubs her cheek on them. "Getting these was so hard... My parents and I would argue about them. We had to make a payment plan and used five years' worth of my future allowances to buy them. All the chores... all the missed birthday gifts... All the cuts to my lunch money..." a single drop of tear appeared on the corner of her eye. "And in the end, I still don't have them all... If only I acted faster that Christmas night..."
Sucy rolls her eyes. "This is a bit much isn't it...?"
"Sucy...!" Akko dramatically declares, pointing a finger at the gloomy witch. "Of all people, I thought you would understand the most! You went so far as to apply to this school just for that chicken's poison right?! Well, it is the same for me! I would've done anything for another chance to buy the last card!"
Sucy shuts her eyes and mulls over Akko's rebuttal. "Yeah... I guess that's something we have in common? I guess we're both geeks in our own way."
Lotte smiles. "Oh, me too. If it is anything Night Fall related, you can be sure I know it."
"Night Fall, Lotte?" Akko asks while reorganizing her cards, locking them back into the case.
"Night Fall is a series of novels that's a huge hit all over the world! You've never heard of them Akko?!" Let it be known that whether it be heat or cold, rain or shine, that Lotte is always able to talk about Night Fall.
"No..." Akko asks, "it's a huge hit right? What's the story about? Maybe we can read it together if I find it interesting?"
Enthusiastically, Lotte begins, "Night Fall is about a girl named Belle, a high school science teacher, visiting a manor with her fiancée just before their wedding. But... after a strange turn of events, they manage to slip into the past! There she meets a handsome young man named Edgar... But it turns out Edgar is a vampire! And Belle gets dragged into a great feud that changes the course of history!" She finishes. "It is a tale of love, adventure, thrills, conspiracy, friendship, and youth!"
The Finnish girl finishes her speech, stars glistening in her eyes, while both of her friends try to wrap their head around her explanation of the plot.
"I heard of this series. Now that I know the plot, I'm not touching it with a ten-foot pole," Sucy remarks, disregarding the frown on Lotte's face.
"What literary travesty did I just listen to?" Aradia whispers in disbelieve inside Akko's mind. "Just what fiction has modern humanity created these days...? Truly, mankind has the potential to be the greatest of monsters."
Akko scratches her cheek. "Hehe... I will... think about it. Thanks, Lotte, for the summary."
"You're welcome Akko..." the blonde nods. "Volume 365 is coming out soon by the way. There is going to be an event. Maybe we can all go together?"
"Sure! I would definitely like to!" Akko nods and swiftly changes the topic. "Now, back to my decorating!"
Much to everyone's surprise the brunette pulls out something not Shiny Chariot related. She places five different colored figurines onto the work desk, arranging them all in a group pose.
"What? Am I not allowed to have other interests?!" Akko asks, addresses the strange glances she is receiving.
"What are these?" Lotte asks.
"These are figurines of Phoenix Ranger Featherman! A series of live action TV shows that are super popular in Japan!" Akko explains, "I am not surprised that you guys don't know them though. I think they only air in Japan."
"What's the show about?" Lotte asks.
Akko smirks and strikes a dramatic pose.
"In the year 200X, earth is attacked by an alien force from the planet Clarion! To protect earth, the director of the Earth Administer Forces (EAF) developed the Feather Factor! Transforming five of their officers into the guardian of planet Earth... the Phoenix Ranger Featherman!"
She matches her poses to all the figurines on the desk, while name dropping each character.
"Red Ranger- Feather Hawk!"
"Yellow Ranger- Feather Owl!"
"Black Ranger- Feather Falcon!"
"Blue Ranger- Feather Swan!"
"Pink Ranger- Feather Argus!"
"TOGETHER, THEY ARE PHOENIX RANGER FEATHERMAN!"
"Death must not be needlessly feared. But it must not needlessly be desired as well. Face it and fight, Featherman!"
Akko relaxes and smiles at her friends, "pretty cool huh?!"
Lotte claps energetically, "that's really cool, Akko!"
Sucy sighs and looks away. "Yeah, not touching this one either..."
Akko just smiles at Sucy's reaction while continuing her explanation for Lotte. "Phoenix Ranger Featherman is one of my favorite series from my childhood- especially the V series. That was the best season in my opinion! Out of all the members, I like Feather Argus the most because her bow reminded me of Shiny Arc!" she says as she mimics notching an arrow, "some of way I fight is copied from how they fight in the show too! I can't be more grateful for the influence they had on me!"
"So who else besides Shiny Chariot do you idolize, Akko?" The blonde asks further.
"Well... I like a lot of magical girl anime, especially the PreCures. I also like the Phantom Thieves."
"Hm... I don't think I've heard of them... Can you tell us more about them?"
Akko looks at the Finnish in confusion. "Ok, I can accept that you guys don't know much about anime, but you've had to at least hear about the Phantom Thieves?"
Lotte shakes her head, "I don't think I heard of them."
Sucy shakes her head also, "doesn't ring a bell."
"Alright, let me tell you everything I know about the Phantom Thieves. Their backstory is so cool!" Akko begins explaining, "about two years ago a group of vigilantes appeared in Japan. They called themselves the "Phantom Thieves of Heart". As their name suggest... they steal the heart of the people they target."
She puts on a red baseball cap with the Phantom Thieves logo on it; a gentleman's top hat over a masquerade mask with fire burning out from the left eye.
"They steal hearts?!" Lotte exclaims, "s-so they kill people?!"
"That's metal," Sucy adds smirking.
"Nononono...!" Akko quickly denies. "Not the actual heart! The metaphoric one!"
"Oh... Why do they do it then?" Lotte asks.
"In their words... to change them. Which makes sense because their targets are only ever really, really bad people; like the kind of people the law can't touch," Akko elaborates, "once they steal their heart, the target would turn themselves to the police and confess every crime they have ever committed! It's incredible!"
"... Sounds like powerful mind control magic to me," Sucy responds, "the magical world would've prosecuted the living daylight out of them if they tried it in England."
Akko shrugs. "Of course, a lot of people don't like them. Some people are even terrified of them because one of their targets actually died on live TV. Although one of their members made a post online saying that they didn't kill him. I don't know if it's true or not."
"Huh... So why did you like these Phantom Thieves again? Don't tell me you like alleged murderers," Sucy asks, "I didn't know you had such edgy tastes."
"... I like them because while I don't necessarily agree with their methods. It's a fact that they did a lot of good," Akko smiles, "just go to any forum dedicated to them. They really helped a lot of people by changing people's hearts."
She pulls out her Shiny Rod and points it up, the gems glistening in the light.
"I really like the idea of changing someone's heart; but unlike them, I will do it by becoming the next Shiny Chariot! I will create a performance so wonderful, anyone that sees it would want to fill the world with goodness and joy!"
"Well… good luck with that," Sucy deadpans, closing her tired eyes. Even she didn't have the heart to ridicule a wish so naive and foolish.
"That's… a noble goal?" Lotte whispers, trying her best to phrase it without hurting Akko's feelings.
Akko puts away the Shiny Rod and hangs up her Phantom Thieves hat, a determined smile spread across her face. "I know you guys don't believe me… That's okay. As the second coming of Shiny Chariot, I make sure my dream comes true!"
"Whatever you say…" Sucy rolls her eyes yawning, "... are you done yet?"
"One more… The last thing I am going to show you…" Akko reaches into her pouch, "...is my friend!"
From the bag emerges a strange teddy bear around the size of the Alcor plush. It has large eyes, thin blue fur, and is clothed in something reminiscent of a red jump suit. A zipper wraps around his "neck", hinting that the plush toy can be opened.
"Friend?" Sucy raises an eyebrow.
"He's my friend from the town I lived in," Akko explains. "This doll here is a replica of himself. He made it from his own fur and gave it to me as a good luck charm."
"You lost me," Sucy says, her mind trying to comprehend the information. "So you are trying to tell me that you have a sentient teddy bear for a friend?"
"Well... Technically he's human but it is complicated..." Akko ponders. "You know the bottomless backpack and pouch I have? He's the one that taught me how to make them."
"Really?" Lotte exclaims, "he is also a magic user?"
Akko shakes her head. "Actually no. The items he makes aren't really magical..." she explains, "I didn't explain earlier, but if you craft items in the Cognitive World they can actually gain supernatural properties if your Believing Heart is strong enough!"
"I definitely made the right decision," Sucy says, "you're one in a million, Akko..."
"What is that supposed to mean…?"
"Wait, what time is now...?" Lotte asks. "It's nine..."
"...I actually sat and listened to you talk about your interest for an entire hour..." Sucy frowns, "what's happening to me these days...?"
"Akko... as much as I like talking to you..." Lotte says before yawning, "... I don't think I can stay awake for much longer... Good Night..."
"Well... do you guys want my Persona to help you guys sleep better?" Akko asks.
"...Huh?"
Akko calls forth the Priestess Arcana, and bringing forth Silky.
"Silky has a spell called Dormina, it puts people to sleep," the brunette explains, "sleep induced by Dormina is actually more energizing, and on top of that it literally heals you! Want it?"
"... Are you sure it is safe...?"
"Yeah, I cast it on myself all the time," Akko reassures, "Dormina sleep is amazing! …Unless the Shadows do it to me, than it is not."
"You should've said so earlier… But… sure..."
"Alright, Silky. You know what to do!"
The green maid does as she is ordered. She raises her palm and blew out a cluster of bubbles. Once the bubbles reach the tired girls' faces, they burst, covering the girls in a milky white aura. Within seconds, Lotte and Sucy fall unconscious. A peaceful smile settles across their faces as restful sleep claims them.
"Thanks, Silky!" Akko remarks before yawning herself, "...now it is my turn..."
The Persona nods as she helps her summoner tuck into bed. The Japanese girl holds her beloved Alcor doll closely, her head full of happy thoughts.
"I can't wait for tomorrow...! I'll finally get to do magic and ride a broom...!"
Silky's Dormina makes contact and the Persona user falls into a blissful sleep. Her mind wondering what dream she will get tonight...
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"Welcome to the Velvet Room."
"Oh…" Akko looks around the blue court and then releasing a brief sigh of disappointment. "...Hi, Igor-san, Lavenza-chan..."
"Greetings to you too, Accused," Lavenza responds with a bow. "Master Igor has summoned you here. He wishes to speak with you and offer you some advice for your upcoming journey."
Akko looks at the mysterious residents before nodding, "okay. But can I ask you both some questions as well?"
Lavenza nods, "of course. You are free to do so after Master Igor has spoken."
"So Accused," Igor begins, "do you believe in fortune telling?" With a wave of his hand, a deck of tarot cards appears on his desk. Despite her distance, Akko can see the cards clearly.
"I do, Igor-san," Akko agrees. "Witches do it all the time. I think I have a class on that tomorrow. I can't wait to learn how to do it!"
"Very good." Igor replies. With a wave of his hand, the cards spread out across the desk, seven of which form a hexagonal pattern. "Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the result is always different…" he chuckles. "Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?"
"Aradia told me something similar. She said that "the arcana are the means by which all is revealed" Is this true?" Akko asks.
"Ah yes, very true indeed. Now, let us see what your future holds then…" Igor flips the first card, "Ah... The Death, in the reverse position."
"Doesn't that symbolize... Resistance to change...?" Akko wonders. "That's strange? I am very susceptible to change! Why is that the card...?"
Igor flips the second card. "The Hermit, in the upright position."
"What...?" Akko ponders. "Soul searching... loneliness...? How?!"
With that Lavenza speaks up. "Impressive, Accused, your knowledge of the Arcana is surprisingly vast."
With an embarrassed grin, Akko rubs the back of her head. "Thanks, Lavenza-chan! Aradia forced me to memorize them all... I'm glad I did though! That means one less obstacle to deal with in Luna Nova!"
Lavenza shakes her head. "While your knowledge is impressive, I would advise you to stop interrupting Master Igor. Would you please allow him to finish the reading?"
Akko finches back. "Oops! I'm so sorry...!"
After a brief pause Igor continues. "It seems you will encounter some resistance to change, and your journey would be one of self-discovery..."
"Is that... bad?" Akko whispers.
The man chuckles again. "As the residents of the velvet room, it is our duty to assist you so that misfortune does not befall you. In the end however, everything that transpires is dependent on the actions you take, Accused."
"I… I think I understand, Igor-san..." Akko nods, "while I don't know what exactly the future has in store for me, but no matter what it is I'll definitely be ready for it! Thanks for the reading!"
"My pleasure," Igor responds positively, "now, with that out of the way, Lavenza and I will do our best to satisfy your curiosity."
"Yay!" Akko cheers, "so, Igor-san, Lavenza-chan, just what this place? This Velvet room...?"
"As master Igor said during your last visit. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter," Lavenza answers, "it is a room that only those who are bound by a "contract" may enter."
"A contract, huh…?" Akko wonders, "I don't remember signing anything recently though… Aside from Luna Nova's application form… I guess?"
"The manner in which the contract is established matters little to us," Lavenza states. "What matters is the fact that you are bound to one, and it is our duty to assist you with the best of our ability."
"Thank you guys so much then! I am in your hands!" Akko cheers with a nod. "Anyway, on to another question… Can you both explain to me what the Wild Card really is? I know it lets me use multiple Personas, but I could really use a more detailed explanation… Aradia's wasn't very informative and my friend doesn't know the exact details… I heard his senpai is also a Wild Card."
Igor chuckles. "Compared to that of others the Wild Card it is indeed very special, as it is like the number zero, empty, yet holds infinite potential. As the Wild Card, you are capable of unimaginable growth."
"I can get even stronger?!" Akko exclaims in disbelief.
"The ability of Persona is the power to control one's own heart… And the heart is strengthened through bonds," Igor explains, "as you form bonds by becoming involved with others, your own Social Links will gradually develop. The power of these Social Links is what will determine your Personas' abilities."
"So basically I just need to go make more friends?!" Akko beams, "already working on it~!"
"Is that so? Then I look forward to see where your journey will take you..." Igor chuckles once again.
Suddenly, Akko's vision starts to go blurry. As a sudden wave of drowsiness washes over the girl, she grabs the sides of her podium in an attempt to stabilize herself and barely maintaining consciousness, "b-but I still… have so much… I want to ask…!"
"Our time is coming to an end it seems. It cannot be helped," responds Lavenza as she waves her goodbye. "The next time you come, we will discuss the services we will be offering."
With a wave of his own, Igor bids Akko his own goodbye. "Until then… farewell."
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The next day begins smoothly with the first class being Magic Astrology. Much to Akko's delight, Professor Ursula is the instructor for the course. While she hasn't actually attended one of Professor Ursula's lessons yet, she's been hoping so ever desperately that the class would be a river of interest in a desert of boredom.
So excited for class that day, she even arrived earlier than the rest of her classmates, taking Lotte and Sucy with her. Waiting for class to begin, the trio sat in their assigned seats, helping themselves to some freshly baked bread from the cafeteria.
"Cafeteria's bread tastes so much better fresh out of the oven," Lotte remarks, swallowing the last piece of her plain breakfast. "It's all thanks to you, Akko. That was one of the best nights of rest I've ever had! I feel like I can reread the first 100 volumes of Night Fall at lightning speed!"
"No problem, Lotte! With this, maybe we can get Sucy to be less gloomy!" Akko cheers.
"Not happening," the gloomy witch beside her grumbles, but with how glossy her skin looked and how her eyes lacked any trace of dark bags, she don't exactly hate the idea.
Sucy's train of thought is cut abruptly short as Diana enters the room, Hannah and Barbara in tow. Compared to Akko's group, the British girl looks out right terrible. Her hair is disheveled, if only slightly, dark heavy bags hang underneath her eyes, as if she hadn't gotten any proper sleep, and the make-up she's using does nothing to hide the fact. She looks at the trio, seemingly surprised at the fact that someone other than her group has arrived early for class.
"Good morning Diana!" Akko waves earnestly.
Putting up a façade of indifference, she drily greets the brunette. "... Good morning to you too, Akko." As they head towards their seats, Hannah and Barbara both shoot a nasty glare at the trio before huffing and continuing on their way.
"Rude," Sucy deadpans.
Akko frowns. "Hm... Diana looks so tired. Maybe I should have Silky go help her out later."
"I really doubt she wants to see your face all that much right now," Sucy comments.
As time passes, more and more students fill up the lecture hall. Professor Ursula arrives just as the class fills up, hefting a few text books and an astrological projector. Akko waves warmly at the woman upon her arrival, and while Ursula couldn't exactly return the greeting out in the open, she did send a warm smile at the brunette.
"Good morning class. Today we will begin Magic Astrology, let's go over the introduction." The teacher announces, opening a large textbook to begin the lesson, "Magic Astrology, in its essence, is the observation of the stars to predict the future. It is the foundation of many styles of fortune telling. By the end of this year, students are expected have memorized the majority of the zodiac constellations along with all of the important stars, as well as becoming adept at using tools like tarot cards and crystal balls."
With a flick of her wand she activates the projector, filling the classroom with a simplified map of the northern sky. Akko lets out an amazed gasp, earning her multiple looks from her classmates.
"To start off simple, can anyone tell me the name of the brightest star in the Big Dipper?" The constellation lights up in the projection.
As Diana raises her hand to answer the question-
"ME! ME! ME! Let me answer that Professor Ursula!" Akko beats her to the punch with ease, waving her raised hand excitedly.
The teacher nods, "you may, Akko."
"The brightest star of the Big Dipper is Hokkyoku Sei- Polaris! It can be found using the other eight as the guide!" she states as she counts them off on her hands, "the other eight are: Tanrō Sei- Dubhe, Kyomon Sei- Merak, Rokuzon Sei- Phecda, Bunkyoku Sei- Megrez, Renjō Sei- Alioth, Bukyoku Sei- Mizar, Hagun Sei- Benetnasch, and last but not least, Ho Sei- Alcor!"
"The Japanese names are not really necessary. But you are entirely correct, Akko." Ursula nods with a smile. "Excellent work."
"Thanks, Professor Ursula! It took me a really long time to memorize them all!" she replies as she rubs the back of her head, a proud smile plastered on her face.
As the class continued on, Akko displayed a surprising amount of knowledge on astrology. Professor Ursula asked question after question and almost every time Akko raised her hand to answer. The sheer amount of knowledge she had on the subject was astounding. But what was truly surprising was how silent the Diana was. Throughout the class she had barely spoken up, only answering one or two questions. Thanks to today, the class' perception of Akko's Charm has increased.
"That was satisfying," Aradia's voice echoes in her mind. "All that hard work I had spent on you has finally paid off. My little girl is growing up so fast…!"
"EW, EW, EW!" Akko exclaims in her mind. "Don't talk like Kaa-san! It's so cringey coming from you!"
"All right, my little imoto then." The scary witch says in Japanese.
"ARADIA!"
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The next class had Professor Badcock teaching Culinary Magic. The lesson divided the students into groups at different tables, each having their own bowl of apples, oranges, and a myriad of other different household fruits.
"Culinary Magic is the art of enhancing food's flavor. To start off the year, we will begin by increasing the sweetness these fruits," the short woman instructs.
Presenting an apple to the class, she recites a short incantation, "Bouden Dariard."
With a flick of her wand, green energy dances around the fruit. Despite there being no visible changes, the class could tell the magic did something.
Akko directs her gaze at her own apple with joyous anticipation. "Looks easy enough! After I learn this, maybe I can get my own plums to taste better?" Following the instructor's example, she casts the spell. "Bouden Dariard-!"
Instead of a gentle wave of energy, however, she gets a small explosion. Akko and her friends back away from the reaction, examining the results only after the mist dissipates.
At first the apple seemed fine… that is until the shiny red skin began to sag. Within seconds the entire apple liquefies into a puddle of slurry abomination, releasing a foul odor that fills the classroom.
Everyone but Sucy immediately covers their nose. The smell is absolutely foul, comparable to some of Professor Lukic's worst concoctions.
Sucy groans. "You moron! Your spell caused a chemical reaction with the cyanide in the seeds!"
Professor Badcock sighs and shakes her head. "Indeed, Atsuko Kagari. Now be responsible and clean that up, would you? There's a mop and bucket in the-"
Akko frowns. "It's okay, I got it covered…" she reaches out her hand. Much to everyone's surprise, blue light radiates from her body as the Chariot arcana appears. "Slime!"
The grotesque blob of green manifests and drops onto the table. It didn't take long for the creature to soak up every drop of the foul liquid and rid the classroom off the terrible stench. As it does, parts of its body change from green to purple.
"Can you go to the nearest bathroom and get rid of that for me?" Akko requests with a clap. "Thanks!"
Slime's "face" emerges, and moans affirmatively. The creature slithers off the now clean table and out of the classroom.
About five minutes later, a terrified scream echoed out from the first floor's bathroom. A few seconds later, more astonished cries and yelps reverberate from the hallway loud enough for the entire school to hear.
"Very interesting," a chubby girl with pink twintails comments to her teammates while stuffing herself with all the fruits on her table.
Professor Badcock groans. "Jasminka Antonenko, you will not get any more fruit to experiment with if you eat them all. So please stop it!"
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The next class has Professor Woodside, a middle-aged woman with dark green eyes and light green hair, teaching some Basic White Magic. With a stoic expression, the one she always wears, she begins the class.
"Does everyone have their statue?" the teacher asks, a mass produced replica of renaissance artist, Michelangelo's "David" in her hand. "Now, break off the head."
The entire class does as they are told, snapping the head off with ease.
"Now we will reattach it, like so. Sosomme Tidiare." She flickers her wand. Both pieces of the statue flew up and connect, once again becoming whole.
"Oh! Useful!" Akko flicks her wand, "Sosomme Tidiare-"
Just like the last time, she completely and utterly failed at casting the spell. Instead of seamlessly reattaching the head to the rest of the statue, she had annihilated it entirely, reducing it to dust.
Akko coughs as the dust clouds her vision. She frantically waves her hands to get rid of the dust cloud. When the dust settles she asks. "... What spell is needed to fix this?" her finger pointing at the pile of fine powder before her.
"You've somehow managed to completely pulverize that statue," the green haired teacher deadpans. "Only best of the best white magic user can fix something that has been reduced to sand. So unfortunately, it is irreparable."
"I am sorry…" Akko apologizes. "Let me clean it up right now…" she stretches out he hand as blue light radiates from her body. "Help me out, Silky!"
From the blue fire came the green skinned maid surprising the rest of the class who were expecting something either nightmare inducing or disgusting.
Silky places her hands on her waist as her normally closed eyes slightly open in irritation. She huffs, expressing her anger as she gestures down to the mess Akko has made.
"I am sorry alright?! Please help me clean this up!" Akko clasps her hands and begs.
Silky sighs and moves her fingers. Cold air condenses around her hands and rapidly condensing into a broom, brush, and a dustpan. Silky then tosses the dustpan to Akko while she begins sweeping.
"Yes, ma'am..."
On the other side of the room, a short girl with navy blue hair can be seen with a screwdriver tinkering with the statue.
"I saw that," Professor Woodside declares pointing at the student. "Machinery is not allowed in class, Constanze Amalie von Braunschbank-Albrechtsberger. Please put them away."
The now dubbed Constanze glares at the teacher with distaste as she reluctantly puts away her tools.
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Later in the courtyard, a professor wearing a pair of pilot's goggles sets foot onto a platform, standing above the students so she is visible to the entire class.
Adjusting the aviator's cap underneath her witch hat, Professor Nelson begins. "Good afternoon, students. Broom flying class is now in session and the day will go as follows; new students will have a special class on the basics while others with experience will practice how to gain speed." She claps her hand and the rest of the class split off. "All right. Begin!"
"It's finally here!" Akko mutters under her breathe, gripping her broom in anticipation. "This entire day may not have been too good, but now is the time. Once I'm in the air everything will be A-OK!"
"Broom flying is the most basic magic for a witch, but you must be very careful or you will get hurt. Understood?" Professor Nelson lectures both her and Sucy.
"Yes!" Akko nods affirmatively and listens closely, not wanting to make any mistakes at this crucial moment.
"Alright then. First, hold the broom."
The brunette does exactly as she was told.
"Pay respect to the broom, then get on."
She does an over the top salute to the broom, showing absolute respect. Sucy beside her raises an eyebrow at the unnecessary action.
"Imagine yourself flying in the air, cast the spell, and take off."
The professor levitates with ease and so does Sucy. It's show time.
"Alright! TIA FREYRE!"
Akko's chant echoes out into the air, spoken like a declaration to the world. Her words are filled with so much hope, happiness, and excitement. At long last, after an entire decade of waiting she will finally get to fly on a broom just like her idol! No longer will she need Aradia to help her travel! No longer will she have to feel the embarrassment of being carried like a baby! No longer will…-
"…"
"…..."
Except nothing happened. After a handful of seconds had passed she was still on the ground.
"Ehhhhhh?" her eyes widen in shock.
"Try concentrating! Concentrate on the broom!" the flying teacher encourages.
"TIA FREYRE! TIA. FREYRE! TIAFREYRETIAFREYRETIAFREYRETIAFREYRETIAFREYRE…!"
Her broom does not responded to her. She chants the spell again and again all the while leaping up and down like a madman. No matter how many times she cries out the spell, the fact of the matter is she is simply not flying.
"Urgh!" Akko yells, grabbing her broom and violently shaking it. "WHY. WON'T. YOU. FLY?!"
"Could you speak up, I don't think the rest of the school heard you," Sucy remarks. "And what happened to all of your respect?"
Professor Nelson frowns. "I don't know what to say... I've never seen a witch incapable of flight before, Miss Kagari."
Within the minutes, the news of Akko's inability to fly spread amongst the class like wildfire. As the girl struggles with her bloom, a number of students pass by to mock and laugh at the Japanese girl, probably as a form of petty revenge for what Aradia did to them at the entrance ceremony.
Akko shakes her broom one last time before letting a determined expression spread across her face, "NO! I won't give up yet!"
She rises her dominant hand and the familiar blue light surrounds her body for the third times today.
"ARADIA!"
The mocking laughter died down almost immediately as the card shattered and the terrifying Persona manifests itself into the physical world, making both Professor Nelson and Sucy back off. Many of the students flee in terror, doing everything in their power to make sure that they are nowhere near the Persona.
"Sukukaja, now!" Akko orders.
The Persona crosses her arms and give her summoner a look, the faceless expression and body language forming a wordless: "Are you serious?"
"Yes! It has to be!"
The Persona, seemingly sighing in exasperation, lazily waves her scepter and causing a wave of green energy to wash over Akko.
"Perfect!" The brunette cheers as she mounts her broom again, "Now… TIA FREYRE!"
Yet again, nothing happens.
The Persona approaches her summoner and gently pats her on the shoulder. With a shrug, she shatters away, leaving the shell-shocked Akko to wallow in her despair.
"Miss Kagari? What did you have your summon do, exactly?" the instructor asks.
Akko sulks, "I had her cast Sukukaja on me… It didn't work…"
"Sukukaja...? I have never heard of that spell before. What does it do?"
"It makes me lighter and faster..." Akko answers, before going off on a tangent, "I DON'T UNDERSTAND! I'm light as a feather and can move faster than a speeding arrow! But I still can't fly! Why?! What is going on?!" Finishing her rant, Akko runs off to attempt to take flight once more to no avail.
"Well, if that's the case. Then you have a problem, Miss Kagari," the professor remarks. "Because if you can't fly even with other magic helping you, then you are officially the worst flyer I have ever seen in my life-"
"Yahoo!" All of a sudden, everyone's attention is taken by the blur zipping around the sky.
In the air, performing a myriad of different aerodynamic tricks is a student with red hair and green eyes. Flips, drops, spins, the girl does it all with ease. The sheer flashiness of some of the tricks causes some of the students to watch in awe.
Professor Nelson blows her whistle. "Amanda O'Neill! No acrobatics during class!"
The girl now known as Amanda groans as she stops her broom in midair and rests her body on it. "Yeah, yeah, you sure like ruining my fun..."
"Don't sleep on your broom either!"
Meanwhile, Diana continues her own practice session, a bit of sweat forming on her brow as she crosses the finish line. "How is it, Hannah…?"
Hannah stops her stopwatch, her face is a frown. "... 11.4 seconds… Not your best Diana."
A group of students nearby start to gossip.
"What's up with Diana today? She's been really quiet."
"She looks so tired… maybe today is just not her day, she's only human after all..."
"I can imagine with what happened yesterday! I'd be having a bad day too if my embarrassing secret got out to literally everyone in the goddamn school…!"
"HEY!" Barbara yells as she rushes in to interrupt them. "What are you bunch of bottom feeders talking about?!"
The gossiping students groan and fly away from the black haired girl, resuming their discussion once they're out of earshot.
The honors student massages her temples before walking away to grab some water, barely managing to hide her distaste.
Professor Nelson frowns after witnessing the scene. "Diana of all people? I can't believe this. What's going on today…? I hope this doesn't affect her performance in the upcoming relay..."
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"So Miss Kagari is having trouble performing any kind of magic?" Headmistress Holbrooke asks in disbelief.
"That seems to be the case," Professor Badcock replies, adjusting her glasses. "The way I see it, she has trouble applying the right amount of magic, either using too much or too little. I believe with practice she should be able to overcome this problem."
"But that doesn't explain why she can't fly a broom," Professor Nelson adds, "even inexperienced witches can at least levitate. I have never seen a witch who couldn't fly at all before. What's more, even when she had her summon support her with magic she still couldn't get off the ground."
"This is... very concerning," Professor Finneran frowns in disapproval, "to think the first summoner we've had in decades is only at this level is quite disheartening. While there is no doubt that she is very proficient at what she specializes in, the complete inability to do even the most basic of traditional witchcraft is a disgrace."
"I suppose that would explain why her application states that she is from a magic-less family," Holbrooke frowns, "let us hope it is just a phase, and that with hard work and proper guidance from us she can still improve."
Professor Finneran turns to Professor Ursula. "While I don't personally approve of you focusing all of your time on only one student, I do wish you the best of luck at tutoring Miss Kagari-" she does a double take. "... Are you crying, Ursula?"
"... Excuse me, Finneran. There are some sand in my eyes..." Professor Ursula denies, wiping a few tears from her face, putting up a false smile, "what were you saying just now?"
The rest of the teachers accept her answer at face value, not knowing of the sorrow and guilt that plagues the young professor's heart.
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Akko's broom lays beside her as she lies in the grass, defeated.
"Giving up?" Sucy asks.
"Akko, you have been at it for an entire hour... Maybe you should call it a day?" Lotte suggests.
Akko gets back up from her laying position, still frowning at her inability to fly. "You're right Lotte… let's call it a day..."
"It is really surprising that you're having this much trouble," Lotte says, "I guess having Personas doesn't contribute to your magic?"
"I honestly don't know..." Akko sighs, getting up, "but I know I shouldn't sit here and beat myself over it. I need go cheer myself up before I come back to tackle this again..." She picks up her bloom, "I'll be back, you hear me?!" she childishly threatens the object before stuffing it into her bottomless belt pouch. "Anyway guys, let's go have some fun!"
"Have fun where?" Lotte asks, "do you want to take the Ley Line and go to town, Akko?"
The brunette shakes her head. "Nope. I'm going to show you both why I set up that Cognition yesterday," she points toward the woods. "To the Cognitive World!"
After a quick trip back to the dorm to grab Akko's backpack, the group makes their way to the fallen memorial tree. Upon arriving at Cognitive Luna Nova, they notice that everything is exactly the way they left it.
"We're here, now what?" Sucy deadpans. "Please don't tell me we're going to have some "fun" with the Shadows. If it is, I'm going because I just can't today."
"Me too, Akko. I don't really want to get tired today..." Lotte frowns, "we'll definitely come explore this place with you, but just not right now."
"No, no! I'm not here to do that!" Akko grins, "we are here so I can show you both the other utilities of the Cognitive World!" she reaches into her belt packet and pulls out something made of what seems to be plant balm and silk.
"What is that-?"
"Hehe!" Akko gives out a smirk, she raises the item into the air, "this is… GOHO-M!"
In a flash of light the object explodes, just like the Traesto from yesterday, blinding everyone and transporting them somewhere else.
When Sucy and Lotte reopen their eyes they are rendered speechless. The sight that fills their eyes is nothing short of breathtaking. Grass fields with stunning flowers stretch on and on as far as the eyes can see. Lush vegetation litters the hills and streams flowing with clean, crystal clear water twist and wind through the landscape. The sky is so blue and the air is so fresh that even Luna Nova's, which is filtered by magical trees pale in comparison. If someone told them this was a section of the Garden of Eden, both girls would have probably believed them no questions asked.
Akko puts a hand over her left ear and cups her mouth, imitating a train conductor making an announcement to her passengers. "Dear passengers, we have arrived at our destination. I hope you both enjoyed taking the cognitive express~" She jokes.
With wide eyes Lotte asks, "w-where are we, Akko?!"
"Welcome to Cognitive Inaba, the Cognitive World of a quiet town in Japan," Akko walks up before her friends, and spreads out her arms. "Also where I was living before I went to Luna Nova!"
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AuthorNCS: The reason this took a while it is because this Chapter ballooned to twice the normal size and I have to cut it.
One would think there are a lot more interaction in canon between Sucy and Diana. But no… Damn you 25 ep length.
Despite all reference to the Phoenix Ranger Featherman in Persona, we actually never know what the plot of the show is. So I improvise from the real TV show it is based off; Chōjin Sentai Jetman. There is also another SMT reference in it. Are you nerd enough to notice it?
You think Akko learnt from Joker's gang?! NO! It is I, TEDDIE- (We will get into that side story eventually...)
I deliberately write Igor like I am forced to reuse his past dialogues. Which will literally be what exactly the Persona developers will be doing until they are willing to give him a new voice actor. RIP Isamu Tanonaka. T_T (… Then again, it will not be the first time Igor gets a new voice actor. Takeshi Aono voiced him in P2's Drama CD before Tanonaka, but he died years ago. So RIP too.)
Making up spells for LWA is REALLY, REALLY HARD, because all of them are drawing from multiple cultures- mostly gaelic. Since I can't speak gaelic I only have the dictionary... any suggestions?
I give the white magic teacher a name; she's still going to be barely appearing, but I need to call her something at least. Named after Bruce Woodside, one of the minor writers of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. (Watch the PS4 game comes out and she gets a canon name, and make me look like a dumbass.)
It should be noted that the event of this story is set in Spring of 2018 of Persona universe. (Messing with the placement of LWA don't really matter because the show is ambiguous with the year Akko went to school, and yes I will handwave a few things so this story can exist with it's logic intact.)
What exactly does Goho-M look like? Nobody knows. At least in P5 we know it can be made from Plant Balm and Silk.
Anyway, teleporting... things in RPGs has alway interests me of what they can do narratively. I have alway want a story where a protagonist utilizes those cheap return-to-home items and expend them to the point of a global network of travel. That's also what my dream Persona game would be like, where the wild card makes friends from all over the world (Never going to happen, unless Elizabeth is the protagonist). Due to this, Akko's overworld map has both England and Japan on it. This allow me to create interesting scenarios for all the S. S. Links and joke events. It's really boring if everything are forced to only happen inside Luna Nova, you know?
BTW, it's super late past 9/6. But Happy Birthday, Lotte.
Beta-ed by RiceFieldRenigade from now on.
My cousin has been doing illustration for this story (Slowly). Go search "Artist741" on deviantart and maybe follow him, either that or follow the forum that is sitting super lonely on this site for notice. See'ya all next time~
11/19/2017 Edit: Thank the people at Sufficient Velocity for grammar checking this. Should be free of grammar mistakes now. Unless you have god's eyes and find something else, this chapter is now grammatically perfect.