A Fool's Study into Witchcraft
Chapter 14: Broom Relay Insanity- Preparation
"We're going to have a broom relay at the end of May?"
"That's right, Akko," Lotte nodded, pointing to the poster on the public message board. "It's a tradition in many Witchcraft academies and Luna Nova is no exception."
She cheered as she read the poster in detail. "Teams of three race towards the finish while passing along a baton… sounds like it's going to be super fun!"
"Why are you excited?" Sucy deadpanned. "Isn't it obvious that this event is entirely out of your league?"
"Hehe!" Akko turned to her skeptical friend, waggling her finger. "Just you watch Sucy! I'll master my broom just in time for this!"
"Yeah, I totally believe that." Sucy said with a roll of her eyes. "Whatever, this is just the school trying to advertise itself. I got better things to do than spend my Sunday on that."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Use your brain, idiot," she point forward. "Look at the fine print."
Akko squinted her eyes. "Do your best! All magic is allowed so long as it is non-lethal... Wait, what?!"
"The Broom Relay is an unofficial official sport for witches. Like how Soccer and cricket are for England or Basketball for the Philippines. A lot of Witches will take this very seriously." Sucy shrugged. "This Relay is 100% going on live TV, and people are going to watch it, meaning so are other academies. Having your best students competing, showing off their magical prowess is like the ultimate way for the school to show superiority and promote itself."
"Really huh?" Akko took in the explanation. "So everyone is just going to boost their speed with magic? I could have Aradia cast Sukukaja so we wouldn't be far behind!"
Sucy and Lotte eyed each other and then back to their friend with an innocent expression.
"Ah… have you ever seen a race before, Akko?"
"Actually… no I haven't." the brunette admitted. "I wanted to experience the Magical World with a fresh set of eyes, so I didn't really look into a lot of the stuff about Witches outside of some ads on Luna Nova and things about Chariot. I wanted my time as a student of magic to be filled with discoveries!"
"Are you serious…?" Sucy deadpanned, massaging her temples. "Wow, just wow… that actually explained why she was so clueless until now…"
Lotte sighed. "Well… I guess we should show Akko the reality of it, right Sucy?"
"Yeah, we are. Oh you sweet, poor innocent girl… Thinking a Broom Relay is going to be fair."
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Akko hadn't really known what to expect, but whatever it was it certainly wasn't what she had just witnessed. The sheer magical prowess was staggering, truly a spectacle to behold. But the brutality of which that magic was used, it sent a shiver down her spine.
"See? Professional Broom Relays are total bloodbaths." Sucy explained, "It's more akin to combat racing than an actual race."
"I mean, I believe the school wouldn't let things get too out of hand," Lotte reassured, turning off her crystal orb. "But everyone will be doing whatever they can to get the lead. It's a contact sport after all, like football."
"The girl in the full body cast would beg to differ..." Akko said nothing, and for a few moments her friends thought they had scared her too much before a smile appeared on her face, her eyes burning with excitement
"That. Was. AWESOME! It totally reminded me of those old danmaku games!" she gushed. "So everyone's bringing their A-game, huh? I'm totally entering now! We're going for gold!"
"Well… good luck with that, you do you," Sucy sighed.
"But Sucy…! The relay needs all three of us!" Akko begged. "We need to do this as a team!"
"Let's see... What are the prizes for winning?" Lotte pulled out a copy of the registry form, "The trophy of course… together with a special prize prepared by Professor Lukić."
Sucy's head turned a near full one-eighty, before snatching the waver out of Lotte's hand. "A prize from Miss Occult herself...?"
Lotte winked to Akko with a smile, flashing her an okay sign.
The brunette smiled back, sending her a thumbs up.
"Alright Akko. You better be flying by then," Sucy said with a serious tone, "In the meantime, I'll be whipping up something… fun. Kekeke...! They won't know what hit em."
"Fufu, the spirit of competition..." Aradia commented with a amused chuckle. "Perhaps mine presence will make this race even livelier?"
"Huh?" Akko muttered. "Aradia, you can't be serious! Isn't using a Persona for something like this beyond overkill?!"
"There's no such thing as overkill in a competition, especially when magic is involved Akko. Use every advantage available to you to ensure victory," the false goddess tempted.
"Since you're muttering to yourself, Aradia must be saying something." Sucy noted. "If she's asking to be used at the relay, you totally should." she chuckled again. "Because me and Angitia are going to steal the show."
"No… Sucy not you too!" Akko whined.
"Kekeke...! No one's going to get between me and first prize," the gloomy witch stated with no remorse. "Well, it depends on how tough the competition is really. Maybe we'll steamroll the competition without breaking a sweat, but yeah. The moment things are going sour, I'm busting out the big guns."
"Angitia! Say something!"
"She said "little Sucy's wish is my command"."
"I honestly feel bad for the other teams…" Lotte muttered. "It's a broom relay yeah, but I don't think anyone deserves that kind of treatment."
"B-But…" Akko still refused. "We're going to be on live TV! We can't show Personas off to the entire world like this… "
"What are even you talking about?"
Akko sighed in defeat.
"Remember when I first came here. I tried keeping my powers a secret. One of the biggest reasons is that I promised my Senpais in Japan that I would keep Personas hidden…"
"Yeah, you're totally doing a great job at it," Sucy sassed.
"I know! I know! But not like this! I wanted to at least keep everything within Luna Nova…"
"And how's that going? Because I'm sure not a single student will blab about it online… oh wait." the gloomy sneered. "Look, I honestly don't think you should worry about this; like at all. So what if you are going to be seen on TV? If the teachers can't even differentiate Personas from a normal summoning than your average Joe certainly won't be able to either. Just stick to that narrative and you should be gold."
"B-But…" Akko trailed, still unsure.
"It's really weird, Akko…" Lotte eyed her friend. "Are your senpais going to be really angry with you? Because it sounded like you're… scared of them."
Akko closed her eyes, sighing as she mulled over the question. "... Something like that, but that's beside the point… I don't want the world to see me and Aradia just yet…"
Seconds passed as a silence settled over the group. "Alright," Sucy began, "If you want to keep everything contained to Luna Nova, I might have an idea."
The gloomy witch discussed her idea and Akko's smile brightened.
"Sounds like I've sold you on it." Sucy chuckled. "Let's make this show ours, those suckers wouldn't know what hit them! Kekeke...!" With a smirk, she pointed out the window. "Now, go get your broom off the ground."
"Right…"
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The days passed and the girls went about their business, the race fast approaching. Between studying with Diana and hanging out with friends, Akko managed to diligently practice flight. She asked Professor Nelson for help and read dozens of books involving theory and practical application. But for the life of her she just couldn't get off the ground.
"Aurgh!" Akko threw her broom onto the ground and sulked, "I'm not going to get anywhere at this rate!"
"There there, Akko…" Lotte reassured. "Let's call it a day, you tried your hardest."
"You really are something, Miss Kagari," the goggle wearing professor shrugged. "But still, good luck in the race. Though I don't think I've ever seen summoning magic used before. Too slow if you ask me. But maybe it'll work for you."
"I hope so…" Lotte thought.
"Well, I have other business to take care of. Remember Miss. Kagari, no matter how terrible you are, as long as you wish to improve and take to the sky, I will always be right by your side."
"Thanks again Professor Nelson. Take care."
After exchanging a quick thumbs up and smile, the flight instructor walked off.
"Akko…" Lotte began, "Would you like to come to town with me? It might help you take your mind off things."
"Sure Lotte, thanks." Akko rose from her position on the ground, dusting off her skirt. "So what are you planning to do there?"
"I'm going to the Magic Item Café. The repairs on my broom should be done so I'm going to go pick it up," she explained. "It took an awfully long time. I guess the store was completely booked with the relay coming up. I'm just glad that I don't have to use school rentals anymore."
"A Magic Item Café?!" Akko gushed. "This, I got to see! It's got to be amazing if it's magical right?"
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"This isn't magical at all…"
Within the dimly lit and cramped store dubbed "Last Wednesday Society", a myriad of alchemical reagents and magical items covered the front display. But with the lighting and rather tacky decorum, it looked more like a Halloween store than a café.
"Don't let appearances fool you, Akko," Lotte explained. "This place has great service at an affordable cost, and one of the best cups of coffee in town." Walking up to the counter, the man at the register, seemingly the owner, greeted them. He was a somewhat portly man with pale skin, had shoulder length brown hair, and a slight beard and a green tattoo on his right forearm. His voice and tone was friendly though. "Welcome."
"Good afternoon, I am here to pick up my broom," Lotte responded, handing over her bill.
"Ah yes, this one… I'll be right back," the Café Proprietor nodded as he retreated into the back of the store.
Akko looked around the tiny store, sighing in disappointment as she took in her surroundings. "This is not what I was expecting…"
After spending a minute looking through various bizarre items, some of them with questionable effects, something caught her eye. It was a broom, far longer than any of the others Akko had seen so far. Its shaft was cast of a glimmering red metal, the material making its head held an almost feather like appearance. But the most curious thing about it was that it was sealed within a steel case and bound by chains; chains that rattled every time the broom jerked and jolted in an attempt to break free.
"L-Lotte?" she called her friend over. "Do you know what this is?"
"Huh?" she asked, walking over to Akko. "Oh this? It's very famous, Akko. This is a legendary broom called "The Shooting Star"."
"The Shooting Star?"
"Yeah, The Shooting Star. It's said that once upon a time, a Witch managed to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a broom. This is supposedly what she rode." Lotte explained. "I don't know the exact details, but it was said that The Shooting Star was crafted with an unknown technique that allowed it to effectively draw what little mana was in the air to fly indefinitely. Which is a must if you want to cross the Atlantic Ocean with a broom since there are no known Ley Lines that stretch across it."
"Wow…!" Akko gasped. "So, it's a broom infused with Magic that can fly on its own?! That's so cool!" She placed her hands on the cage, trying to look at it closer-
"Hey! Knock it off! Don't touch that! It's locked up for a reason!"
Both girls turned to the Café Proprietor as he walked over with Lotte's broom. "That thing is very dangerous. It's wild, see. Uncontrollable. If it ever escaped it would never stop flying, and anyone riding would be left in the dust."
"Wild?" Akko asked, "Are you saying its alive?"
"Probably," the store owner shrugged, "It sure loves pecking me and throwing temper tantrums whenever I try to clean it."
"And you keep it locked up in a cage?!"
"Have to. Otherwise it'd just shoot off into the sky to god knows where," the owner groaned. "It's so fast it can pass jets. If it escaped it would be impossible to get it back."
Akko looked at the broom again, its shaft frantically banging against the cage.
Lotte looked down with a surprise, "A-Are her fists clenched?"
The brunette turned to the Proprietor, determination burning in her eyes. "How much do you want for it?!"
The chubby man eyed Akko's ridiculous claim. "It's not for sale, period. It's going to wait here for its owner to return." he crossed his arms. "Why do you even want it in the first place?"
"I am going to use it to win the upcoming relay!"
"No way. You? Want to ride this?" the Proprietor was honestly dumbfounded. "I said it already, this thing is wild. Uncontrollable. Nobody but its original owner could ride it-"
"I will ride it! Mark my words!" Akko argued, "I'll go look for its original owner and have her teach me if I have too! But I will succeed in riding it! So please! Sell it to me! Name your price!"
The Proprietor frowned, ready to drop the argument. However, looking at Akko's determined expression he immediate knew he was dealing with a very stubborn person. This girl was going to be extremely bothersome unless he did something to deter her...
"Alright," his face turned to a smirk as he crossed his arms, "I can't sell it to you, but I will rent it to you if you cough up £10,000. No bargaining."
Akko's eyes widened.
The Proprietor laughed victoriously. "See, I told you so-"
"This is actually cheaper than I expected..." Akko muttered before turning toward the exit. "I am going to the bank, Lotte. Be back in a jiffy!" She ran off, leaving the fat man's mouth hanging.
Ten minutes later, the brunette returned. "Oh man, the exchange rate's a little bad, but I've got the money." She took out a stack of £100 bills from her belt pocket and placed it on the counter. Here is your money, sir! Now please rent it to me!"
The Proprietor rubbed his eyes to make sure this was not his imagination. "What a madman, she actually went and did it... I guess she's not full of hot air after all."
He shot a look at the Shooting Star's case and then to the payment on his counter.
"She's not going to come back for it anyway, no harm done right…? Maybe this girl will be its new master."
Checking to see if there was anyone within viewing distance, he discreetly took the money and placed it under the counter.
"What a way to spend your parent's money… Fine, you can rent it. But I take no responsibility if that thing gets you hurt," he warned.
Akko nodded eagerly. "Don't worry! I won't cause you any trouble! Thank you so much!" She went over to Shooting Star's metal case and hefted it over her shoulder with one arm. "Let's go Lotte!" she called, heading for the door.
Lotte frowned when the man looked at her in utter shock. "P-Please don't look at me like that. I am just as shocked as you are... Good bye and good day." With that, she rushed to follow Akko.
From the back of the store, Amanda snapped her fingers and clicked her tongue in frustration. "Goddamn it! What kind of shitty timing is this?"
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"I can't believe it, Akko. You actually brought the Shooting Star…" Lotte commented on the way to the Ley Line Station, shying away from the looks they were getting. Not that she could blame them; seeing as she was walking next to a small Japanese girl hefting a metal box at least three times her weight like it was nothing.
"Don't worry about it." Akko dismissed. "Yeah it cost an arm and a leg but I'll have that back in no time flat. I wonder what that diamond unicorn could fetch me...?"
"Right, you're actually swimming in money…"
"Pretty much~," Akko said. She leaned in to Lotte's ear, "Let me tell you a little secret~ Most of my earnings from the Cognitive World actually go to charities and medical research."
"No way!"
"Yes way!" Akko declared proudly. "From what I've heard, they're putting it to good use. And it's all thanks to me and my Senpais' hard work!"
"T-That's incredible!" Lotte said with excitement.
"Watch! In the future we'll be the team to spread happiness and health across the world!"
Lotte smiled, but then shifted topic. "By the way, Akko. Are you ok? You looked pretty upset when you saw the Shooting Star."
Akko frowned. "... Something like that," she said, glancing at the cage. "I don't like seeing living things being restrained like this, even if it's just a broom. That brought back a lot of bad memories." She patted the side of the container, her mouth forming a smile. "Don't worry, Shooting Star! You will be free very soon!"
"Bad memories?" Lotte thought to herself. "Akko… just what happened to you?"
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Back at Luna Nova, the girls met up with their teammate.
"I think I've heard of this broom. So you actually brought it?" Sucy asked, rubbing her hands with anticipation. "That's it. We are not losing, period. Kekekeke~!"
"Well, I need to be able to ride it first." Akko reminded. "Still, the shopkeeper said it was fast, so let's go find an open field to practice!"
Taking the Ley Lines once more, they head for a station near wide open fields.
"Yay!" the brunette cheered, jumping off her friend's broom and onto the grassy meadow. "This is perfect! Let's do it guys!"
"Wait," Sucy called as she summoned her Persona. "Better safe than sorry."
"Right." Akko called forth the Fool arcana as she placed the cage down, partially unlocked. "Hey, Shooting Star. You can come out now!" She used the tip of her shoe to kick the rest of the door open.
There was no hesitation. The moment the legendary broom felt the open air it rocketed out of its restraints, feeling no other desire but reaching into the endless sky-
It felt a pulse of power and had it had ears, would have heard the shattering of glass just as a powerful claw managed to snag its chain. With inhuman force, it was dragged back down. A second later, a green wave of magic washed over its body making it feel heavier and more sluggish.
"That was close, wouldn't have made it without the chain," Aradia commented while she grabbed the broom handle.
Angitia helped out by coiling her many mushroom tentacles onto Shooting Star, further restraining the broom. Under the might of both powerful Personas, the broom could only flail within its bindings.
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The Café Proprietor hummed to himself as he flipped through the stack of bills.
"This is enough to pay for rent for the next three months. Probably not enough to renovate the café, but that's more of a long term goal," he thought while taking a slip of coffee. "Maybe I'll take a break or something…"
Then the corner of his eyes caught sight of the empty corner of the store, where the troublesome broom once sat. He let out a deep sigh.
"It'll be alright, she's just renting it, I'll have it back after the relay," he reasoned.
But would he?
He could just hear the tomorrow's headline: "Luna Nova student hospitalized after falling a dangerous height from her broom, condition critical. In other news… Commercial Airline goes missing near North Sea, over 200 passengers' fates are unknown…"
He slammed down his coffee cup harshly, almost cracking it. A cold sweat rolled down his forehead as he looked at the spot where the Shooting Star once was again, and in his distress seeing the fading silhouette of an old witch.
"I entrusted it to you to keep it safe…"
The Café Proprietor buried his face into his palms. "Oh good god, I've made a horrible mistake…"
He rushed out of the store, flipping the sign to "CLOSED" as he went. Panting and sweating, he stabbed the tip of a magical cane into the ground.
"Find me that girl! Hurry!"
The standing cane paused for a second and then fell over, its head pointing toward the distant hills.
"Oh great." The chubby man groaned loudly as he began running.
He honestly should workout more.
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Shooting Star flew off once more, sending Akko tumbling off its body and into the meadow below. Twisting her body as she fell, she angled herself and landed in a crouch.
"That speed is still impressive even though Sukunda had slow it down," Aradia commented before forcefully subduing the aggressive broom once more.
"Are you alright?" Lotte asked. After receiving a nod in response she added, "Let me try something."
"You have an idea?" the brunette looked up with hope.
"I'm going to try communicating with Shooting Star's spirit to see if I can talk it down."
"Communicating with Shooting Star?"
Lotte nodded. "It's a skill passed down in my family. The witches in my family are known as Haltija Whisperers. We specialize in communicating with the spirits of all manner of tools and objects."
"Whoaaaa… That sounds really cool!"
The blonde puffed up her chest in pride. "You bet! Anyway, long story short, any tool or inanimate object can contain a spirit. By communicating with said spirit, a Haltija Whisperer can find many hidden secrets you normally wouldn't find!"
"Oh! We have something similar in Japan too!" Akko said with excitement. "Like spirits that are born from items right? We call those Tsukumogami, there's like a requirement for reaching 100 years old right?"
"Yeah! Looks like we're talking about the same thing here, this is amazing!" Lotte nodded enthusiasm. "A tool spirit, or in Finnish a väki, is usually born after 100 years of existence. There are exceptions of course, but that's the general rule. I'm sure Shooting Star should have one since it's sentient. So let's talk to it!"
Facing the chained up broom, Lotte cleared her throat and began sing a smoothing melody, all the while waving her wand like a conductor, yet the Shooting Star remained unresponsive.
"Hmm… Let me try again... La la la..."
The soft tune went unheeded as the Shooting Star continued to struggle.
"No way…" Lotte pointed her wand forward, "Geur-Bheachd, show me the item."
Characters of the Lunar Alphabet weaved themselves around Lotte, forming three circles around her, the ones closest to her head and feet being smaller, and the one around her waist being larger. Her closed eyes scrunched up as she processed the information she was getting, the girl visibly confused.
"Something wrong?"
Lotte turned to Akko with a frown, shaking her head. "The Shooting Star isn't sentient Akko, it doesn't have a spirit to begin with..."
"H-huh?!"
"It's true. Everything it does is because of extremely powerful enchantments. It's honestly amazing when you take a closer look at it." Lotte answered. "Think of it this way, the Shooting Star is a computer and the enchantments are the AI that runs it. It's not really alive because lack a spirit- a soul."
"Interesting, to think mere enchantments are enough to make an object so lively. Witchcraft is not as diluted as I thought." Aradia remarked.
"B-But just look at it! If it's not alive why is it struggling so much?!"
"Hmm… probably just a mistake on our part," Lotte answered, "But I think the most likely answer is this; Shooting Star is still developing a spirit. It's not quite there yet, but it seems to be able to show basic emotions while running off of its instinct to fly."
"No way… Is there anything we can do about it?" Akko asked with disappointment.
"Well, maybe I can try reprogramming it?" Lotte frowned. "No, that's out of the question. I don't want to risk damaging something that rare. If we want it to develop a spirit properly, we will have to wait. And god knows how long that's going to take."
"Items gain a sense of self through the people that interact with them," Angitia slithered in, carrying her user and baskets of mushrooms on her shoulder. "Perhaps it just needs the love of a master?"
"Angitia's saying you should just ride that horse until you tame it," Sucy said, dismounting. She dismissed her Persona with a tired sigh. "Akko, how do you keep your Personas out for so long anyway? Doing it outside of the Cognitive World is so draining."
"Yeah, it takes a lot more energy to keep your Persona out in the real world. It just takes practice Sucy." Akko replied. She turned to the wild broom with determination. "Alright, Shooting Star! I'll use you until you come to life! So prepare yourself! BOND WITH ME!" she leaped onto it again, continuing the cycle of riding and being thrown off for more hours to come.
"Wait, wasn't that from the book for beginners?" Sucy sighed. "You don't actually form a bond with your broom. It was just written that way for little kids, Akko."
"I think for this case that might just be right choice for Akko." Lotte chuckled.
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As the setting sun cast its light over the meadow, the Café Proprietor, haggard and panting from running such a distance, finally found the group. "Girls… please, give that thing back to me… You can have the money back-"
The man's eyes widened in utter disbelief as Akko surfed through the sky, her feet firmly planted on the Shooting Star. The girl used the metal collar and chain as reins. Her monstrous strength more than enough to steer the aggressive broom to where she wanted to go.
"See? Akko has it handled." Lotte explained to the chubby man. "Sir, I think we found a way to tame the Shooting Star. Please trust us and allow us to help birth its spirit!"
"The spirit of Shooting Star?" the man was skeptical. "As in tool spirits? I thought those were just myth. Are you telling me those actually exist?"
Lotte frowned, "Just because most spirits are shy, weak, and rarely appear before their owners, doesn't meant they don't exist. I can assure you they are very real."
The owner sighed at the rebuttal. "I get it. I believe you." he looked towards Akko as she looped the sky. "Man, that girl's strong. Looks like I got worried over nothing."
Having felt like she got in enough practice, Akko steered the Shooting Star downward toward the cage. With a little help from Sucy, the broom was quickly restrained as Akko leapt off and slammed the door shut before it could escape.
"Ha… I'm beat…" Akko groaned with a smile. "But that was soooo fun! It sure beat having Aradia carry me all the time!"
"Good you got the hang of it. We've got this race in the bag… kekeke!" Sucy snickered, rubbing her hands.
"Okay, Akko is it?" Café Proprietor began, rubbing the back of his head. "Look, your friend explained everything to me. So let me just say I'll allow it." he shrugged. "You're gonna help it develop a spirit right? If that's the case then I'll put my trust in you." he said with a grin. "Maybe getting one of those will make it less angry. Win win for everyone right?"
"Thank you so much sir!" Akko cheered. "We won't let you down! Shooting Star's in good hands!" she beckoned Lotte and Sucy to follow her. "See you again after the race! Bye!"
As the Café Proprietor watched the girl carry the cage away, he looked at the setting sun with a nostalgic smile.
"It took a few decades, but looks like your baby's finally in good hands. You happy now?"
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Ursula groaned as she entered her room, exhausted from a hard day's work.
Chariot's eyes snapped open from her power nap, flicking towards her other self. "Hard day? Finneran is such a slave driver isn't she?" She greeted, not bothering to hide her distaste for the other professor.
"It's alright. The relay's coming up and I've said it already, I don't mind the extra work if everyone gets to enjoy the event," the young teacher replied. "Besides, I can't blame Finneran and the other teachers. The school really isn't doing too well..."
"Oh, for crying out loud. How many times do I have to say this?" the Shadow yelled. "Stop rationalizing everything as atonement! It's not only hurting you, it is hurting me too!"
"I know…" Ursula frowned. "I'm sorry..."
The Shadow groaned again. "Curse our kindheartedness." She turned to look at the night sky. "Our dear pupil is participating in the relay too right? This sure brings back memories..."
Ursula also looked up with nostalgia as well. "Indeed, it was so fun back then. All the training, all the teamwork… Just barely winning despite all the magic being thrown around."
"We only won once anyway…" Chariot sighed. "So what are you waiting for? Go give Akko some advice, Miss Champion."
"Already ahead of you," Ursula answered with pride. "Or rather, myself? This is still very confusing..."
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The next day after class, the young teacher invited Akko to talk.
"Where are we going, Professor Ursula?" the girl questioned.
"You're a big fan of Shiny Chariot right?" the teacher began. "Well… I'll let you on a little secret."
The duo stopped in front a display case lined with about 40 framed photos and a few trophies. The young professor pointed at a particular frame before she continued. "Does that person look familiar to you?"
Akko's eyes widened. "N-No way! Is that really Chariot?!" she pressed her face against the glass with excitement. "Oh my god it is! She was a relay champion?!"
"Yep," Ursula said as a faint smile graced her lips. "She made quite a huge impression on this school. I can go check past records for you if you want."
"Really?!" Akko beamed. "Thank you so much, Professor! You're the best! It's even more important that I win now!"
Ursula smiled at Akko's enthusiasm before her eyes focused on the photo. "I look forward to your performance then. But remember, victory isn't everything- the most important thing is that everyone has fun." She looked at her student. "By the way Akko, do you want me to give you some personal tips?"
"You want to?"
"Of course. I may not look it but I have a lot of experience when it comes to flying a broom!" Ursula smiled. "In fact, anything that Chariot could have done on a broom I can probably do it too."
"That's bold claim, Professor Ursula," the girl grinned, a bit skeptical. "You want to back up that claim?"
"Hmph, I can do more than back it up..."
"Then please, can you help me master broom surfing?!" Akko urged. "I can almost do it!"
The teacher did a double take. "I thought you couldn't get into the air yet…?"
"Just trust me~ you'll see me on a broom when the race happens!" Akko answered with excitement. "So please! Show me what you know!"
"Alright," the professor smiled. "Let me teach you what I know."
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"Hey, Diana?"
The ace student's eyes shifted away from her book and focused at her friends. "Yes?"
"You mastered Kagari's weird summoning thing right?" Hannah began. "So we were thinking…"
"Can you show us your Summon?!" Barbara blurted.
"You want to see my Summon?"
"Yes!" both girls nodded eagerly. "Can you please show it to us?!"
Diana pondered to herself, "Would Akko be alright with this?" She looked back at her friends. "Why do I even have to ask that? Are you ready, Minerva?"
"Whenever you are, dear."
"Of course," she replied. With a smile, she rose from her chair. "Please grab a coat and follow me out, we'll need an open area."
As Diana slipped on a coat, she grabbed her broom and approached the window, Hannah and Barbara in tow.
"Tia Freyre."
Leaping out into the midnight air, the girls slowly descended from their dorm into the open field below.
"Diana, why aren't we doing this in one of the empty classrooms?" Hannah asked.
"Classroom isn't big enough for this. Beside, I think it would better for you both to see my Summon under the moonlight." Diana answered.
"Oooh, Atmospheric!" Barbara cooed.
As Diana walked into the center of the field, she turned to her friends. "Stand back, I am going to call her now." As the two followed her directions, Diana closed her eyes and concentrated.
Hannah and Barbara watched in shock as blue flame engulfed Diana's form. In a panic, the two were about to rush to her side— "I'm fine, just watch," before the ace's words stopped them in their tracks. Gusts of wind swirled around Diana, the sheer force of which causing the duo to yelp in surprise and protect their skirt. Opening her hand, the Priestess Arcana appeared in Diana's palm. And in one swift motion-
"Persona."
She shattered it with a mighty crack, Minerva manifested behind soon after, her splendor being amplified by the glow of the moonlight.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH… !"
Just like how a young Diana once squealed at the wonderful performance of Shiny Chariot, her best friends now squealed for her grandiose Persona. Hannah and Barbara rushed to her side, their eyes gleaming at the sight of Minerva.
"That's amazing Diana!" Barbara exclaimed. "She's beautiful!"
"It's magnificent…" Hannah gushed. "Just what is she...?"
"This is Minerva, the Roman goddess of Wisdom," Diana introduced.
"No way…" Barbara exclaimed again. "For real?! Like legit?! A real goddess with a capital G?!"
"S-Should we bow?" Hannah suggested, her knees already partially bent.
"N-No! Don't! There's no need!" Diana pleaded, much to Minerva's disappointment.
"I still can't believe this," Barbara marveled. "To be able to summon a goddess… you truly are a genius…!"
"You flatter me, Barbara…" Diana smiled. "But please, this is nothing special. I couldn't have done this without Akko's help-"
"Wait. Does this mean that thing Kagari had was also a goddess?!" Hannah shouted. "Like, no way, really?"
"She probably summoned the goddess of some wicked evil cult or something," Barbara sneered. "She's nothing like Diana here."
"Come on Barbara, that's enough," Diana admonished. "As I've already explained, without Akko I wouldn't have been able to learn this. She deserves respect regardless of your opinion of her."
"Fine… I understand Diana…" the blue haired girl sulked.
"Speaking of Akko… isn't she entering the relay or something?" Hannah muttered before a startling realization struck her. "Oh god, she's totally going to bully everyone with her summon isn't she!?"
"Oh my god! You're right!" Barbara panicked.
"Akko wouldn't do that, right…?" Diana thought.
"I wouldn't put it past that false goddess," Minerva commented. "It wouldn't surprise me if she shamelessly interfered with a children's contest."
The duo looked at their leader with hope in their eyes. "Diana! You have to do something!"
Diana sighed. "Of course I will... Assuming Akko does something, but until then she's innocent."
"You are too kind Diana…" Hannah sighed, but that smiled. "But then you wouldn't be our leader otherwise…"
"Ah whatever, can we move away from Kagari, please? We're here too look at Diana's summon, not talk about that nuisance," Barbara said before facing Minerva. With a curtsy, she spoke. "Greetings. My name is Barbara Parker. It's an honor to meet you, o goddess Minerva…"
"I-I am Hannah England, it's an honor to meet you too, o goddess Minerva…" Hannah nervously squeaked.
"This is awkward…" Diana thought to herself. "They're trying to worship a facet of my personality…"
Minerva's marble lips curled into a smile as she reached forward. Hannah and Barbara couldn't help but flinch at first as the large hand approached, only to relax as Minerva gently patted their heads. Despite being made of marble, her hand was warm and soft, reminiscent of a mother's touch.
"She has accepted both of you," Diana noted.
Hannah and Barbara looked at each other as their faces were flooded with joy. A smile spread across Diana's lips at the sight. Maybe telling them a little more wouldn't hurt. "Girls," she began, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "I've got some secrets to share with you."
Her teammates were in awe as Diana explained the basics of her newfound superhuman abilities, their jaws almost dropping when Diana picked up a nearby small rock and crushed it with nothing but a squeeze of her palm.
"Of course I will be refraining from using my newfound strength without reason," Diana assured. "It would be unfair to everyone else otherwise…"
"Oh my god…" Barbara muttered for what had to be the tenth time.
"S-so what are you? Some kind of saint…?" Hannah asked, "Then again, you are descended from one…"
"Hannah, Barbara. Please. Nothing's changed between us. I am still your friend, regardless of how strong I get or what other strange powers I learn." Diana urged.
It was only then that the duo noticed their leader's labored breaths, and the lack of color on her skin. "D-Diana?!"
Their concern was only amplified when Minerva shattered without warning.
"... Sorry…" Diana gasped, trying to not fall over. "I'm still not quite used to how draining this technique is. Akko didn't exactly give me much warning..."
"Did that idiot do a half-assed job teaching you?" Hannah groaned. She sighed and shook her head with worry. "You'll be ok, right...?"
"Yes I will… While unexpected… I believe… this fatigue is… normal…"
Hannah and Barbara moved to help Diana, each placing one of her arms over their shoulder.
"C'mon, let's go back to dorm." Barbara said. "So much for having superpowers…"
Diana just chuckled.
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"GOD DAMNIT!"
Amanda yelled, harshly throwing a pillow onto her bed.
"Superpowers on top of having a Persona? And she even bought the Shooting Star?! That's not even mentioning whatever bullshit Sucy and Diana will be pulling! How is this even remotely fair!?" she ruffled her hair, a noise between a growl and a sigh leaving her lips. "This is hopeless!"
Constanze looked at her angry friend with a frown. Even she agreed that the game was practically rigged and their chances for victory were slim to none.
"But Amanda weren't you going to use the Shooting Star against everyone yourself?" Jasminka asked, throwing a chip into her mouth.
"That's different!" Amanda rebuked. "I at least wouldn't send a freaking goddess after the competition!"
Constanze crossed her arms, sending a hard glare at Amanda as she tapped her foot.
"Yeah… you're right Stanze," the red head said, taking a deep breath to compose herself. "Okay. I'm calm," she sighed. "But seriously… what the hell are we gonna do? What options are there...?"
Both she and the tinkerer turned their gaze towards Jasminka.
"Nope. Not happening," both girls nodded in agreement. They didn't want to imagine the damage that particular option would cause.
"Okay… I think we're just going to have to wing it," Amanda declared. "So Akko, you're bringing a Persona to a broom race, huh? Well, two can play that game." She cracked her knuckles as a grin split her face. "I am done being left behind."
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WARNING
The Spirit of Competition is in full effect.
Beware when traversing Cognitive Luna Nova. Powerful Shadows will appear.
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AuthorNCS: Thanks Satou...
I mean, that Shooting Star manga chapter's kind of a recon... But it's the good kind of recon because it helps this story create plot~
Yeah, LWA broom relay got a massive upgrade. You guys will see when it happens but I am shifting the sport away from your usual Harry Potter quidditch rip off. Get your sh*t together J.K. Rowling.
Café Proprietor is tall order to make interesting. He need to be written as side character without me putting in too much OC stuff that he became unrecognizable... But after some heavy brain storming, I think I got it.
See'ya all next time~!
06/1/2019 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.
(WARNING: ANNOYING SHILLING, BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND.)
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Want to see more LWA contents where we picked up where TRIGGER left off?
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