Hello it's been a while lol

Let's just get right to it, shall we?

Chapter 4: Friends

"Count Mott, forgive my intrusion!"

The soldier gave a deep bow as he entered the dining room, where his lord was currently being attended to by several women in various states of dress.

"Speak, my time is valuable." Count Mott said, shooing off the women that were beginning to take off his collar.

"A woman has arrived and wishes to speak with you."

"Oh?"

Hm, that's a surprise. The maid I negotiated for, Siesta, was not to arrive for a few more days. Ah, perhaps I will have to reward the academy for delivering her so quickly. After all, I could always use a bit more fun.

"Excuse me. Ah, please entertain him while I go."

The soldier who had delivered the news quickly found himself overwhelmed at the attention, and succumbed to their charm as Mott left, marching to his audience hall without having bothered to redress himself, lacking his cloak and his fluffed collar. As he took the steps up to his chair, the woman who was robed, hiding all of her features, fell to a single knee.

"Siesta, was it? Ah, guards, leave us."

The guards left immediately, although they seemed a bit jittery. No, not jittery. They were a little too mechanical in their movements. But… something was off. And not just his movement. No… the air felt much more suffocating. Like there were hundreds, if not thousands of people in the room with him.

If he had known anything about Ahnenerbes other than strictly how to use his, he would have been prepared for what was about to happen.

"You understand what is to happen to you, yes?"

"Yes. I will be yours to command, serving eternally."

"I did not command you to stand, Siesta." He said as the woman rose.

"I'm well aware of that, but I am not Siesta. You have no power over me."

"Is that so? A royal investigator, perhaps?"

"No, just… someone passing by, out of sheer coincidence as I go visit a friend. Now then, speak. I will bear witness to your last words. I will not fall to your waters, drowning in ecstasy until all sanity is washed away, replaced only with depravity. Much like all of the others here."

"Your arrogance… I'll rip it from your throat." He growled, wondering how this woman knew all of that. Had she been watching him...?

"Really now? I believe there's only one word you'll rip from me. To show you how low you truly are."

"And what would it be?" Mott said, preparing to summon his relic. This woman, she would soon succumb to to him. He could afford to take his time with, a single, normal human, no matter how much she knew, even if she were a mage—

"Yetzirah."

We end up encountering Kirche in the hall the other day, but she doesn't say anything to Louise.

Fine with me, really. We'll see what happens when I'm not around, though. Although, I am curious about the other lone soul.

Tabitha, this small, blue haired girl who sits across the way. I've seen Kirche hang around her, but Tabitha doesn't seem to show anything about it. It's likely a way of shielding her off from Louise. If Louise and Tabitha are both loners, it is entirely possible they'll naturally seek each other out. By putting herself near Tabitha, Kirche effectively isolates Louise more.

It's a cruel system. But it works for what it's meant to do.

Regardless, I'm curious about her. I think I understand why she does not undergo the treatment that Louise does, in that she is practically capable, that is to say, she can actually cast magic. But she seems to disassociate with any other students. Now that I can effectively intimidate Kirche away, perhaps this might be a good chance to get Louise to talk to her.

I'm not psychologist, but this is just me thinking about things. Might be why Sheffield and I were drawn to each other. Birds of a feather flock together. Besides, it'll be good for Louise to have someone to talk to other than me.

As usual, I leave Louise to her own devices in the dining hall and walk outside. Since it's been a while now, Siesta is back to working, but they put her on familiar duty since it was likely I'll be there in case shit goes down.

"Ah, good morning, Ahn!"

"Oh, hey Siesta." I say, returning the greeting wave. "You seem to be in a good mood."

"You didn't hear the news? Ah, well, I suppose I shouldn't be too happy about it."

"Hm? What happened?"

"Count Mott's mansion burned down and he apparently died in the fire. Or at least, that's the rumor circulating around."

"And you're happy because…?"

She looks a bit nervous, if not slightly disgusted when talking. "Oh, um… my contract was sold to him, and he has some nasty rumors about working for him…"

"Ah, I see. Well, if you aren't allowed to be happy about it, then I suppose I can be. Glad to know you won't be heading anywhere."

Siesta gives a bright, beaming smile. "Ehehe, thank you."

"Anyone giving you any trouble, recently?"

"No, not at all." She says, shaking her head.

"Good to hear."

"Oh, I have breakfast for you…"

I have a feeling this is going to become something of a regular thing between us, as Siesta admits (with some pressing) that the kitchen staff is completely fine with her skipping out on her duties for a bit. Might just be that until things really blow over, no one's going to fuck with her unless they want to deal with me, so if she stays with me during eating hours, she's safer.

Either way, I'm just glad to know no one's going to give her a hard time for a bit.

"Are you going to train again with Lady Vallerie today?"

"Probably," I answer back after swallowing the bread I was eating. "Getting her in shape is probably the first step. Probably will mix in some martial arts, too."

"Mhm…"

"Besides, it should help her in the event she doesn't have her wand. She might not be able to take down a bunch of burly guys, but she can catch someone off guard long enough to get herself a wand."

"Can I ask something…?"

I look over at Siesta, who finishes feeding some of the familiars.

"What is it?"

"Why are you doing so much for her…"

I can feel the hesitation in her voice. I guess there really is a commoner and nobility divide here. It's nothing like back home, where even with class differences, there wasn't all this lording over the way they've got it here. As a supposed 'champion of commoners', it just seems off that I'm helping her.

I think back on that burning feeling in my hand. I felt like it was bending me to some will that wasn't my own. Geez…

"Because she was destroyed." I say calmly. "That girl… suffered a lot. I could tell, just by the way she spoke. The way she thought of herself. The way she saw the world."

I didn't care about this commoner or noble thing. All I could see the pain, the anger, the resentment. She wanted it all to end, some way or another. Hell if she had the means there'd likely come a day Louise would have snapped and tried to destroy this place before being put down herself. But there was also the way she marched on regardless despite everything thrown at her. Two conflicting ideas in her head that were tearing her apart. Who the hell wouldn't feel like they had to do something when they saw that?

"So, I want her to be able to stand on her own. Like I once had to do. You could say that I see myself in her. And I don't want her to fall to the depths like I did. They say experience is a good teacher, but there's some things you don't want to learn the hard way."

"I see…"

"I guess you could say I didn't care if she was a commoner or a noble. People are people to me, magic or not. That's all that there is to it. I probably sound really weird to you though, but it's probably because I wasn't born and raised here. I just think differently."

"Mhm."

There goes that happy mood.

With the tone of her voice, I can tell I've lost a bit of respect from her. If you wanted some absolute protector, I can't be that, Siesta. The only reason I protected her that day was because no one should've just stood aside and let that happen.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some other work to attend to."

"Alright. Catch you around, Siesta."

With that, I wave her off, watching her walk away. My instincts say I should go after her. Maybe try to appeal to her a little more. But I guess that wouldn't be living honestly.

Frankly, this whole situation is just messed up. It really does look like it's enforced that mages are destined to rule forever. As if it was a fundamental fact of life—just like how water is wet and the sun is hot. Really gets me wondering what a well placed gun would do in this world.

I end up spending the rest of my time wandering around, occasionally throwing up clumps of grass and testing my abilities again. Kind of wish I had done some more swordplay as a kid or something, it certainly feels like one.

I also think about what I could do for the familiar festival thing. Louise is probably going to bug me more about it, but what can I do, really? I guess I could ask for some stone pillars or something and slice them down. Seeing that this ability lets me cut through air with absolute ease, it's not like it should be particularly difficult.

"Hm, that's…"

I've been here for a few days, but I do recognize the flying familiars. And I know for a fact that a red cardinal is not one of the familiars. The other familiars are also in on it, as they're clearly wary of the newcomer to their group.

They back away as I walk up to it. I get ready to call upon Assiah. It's clearly eyeing m—hm?

Ah, the familiar of Tabitha. I don't know its name, but it's staying with me. I guess you've got my back? Maybe it's because I've freed your master from Kirche's influence?

Ten feet…

Five feet…

Three fe—

As soon as I take another step forward, it suddenly becomes a ball of red, blinding light. Negh…!

A voice echoes through my mind. Sheffield…?!

"South entrance, like five minutes past it, ehhhhh, about ten, ten thirty? This world's clock is weird, it's twenty four hours but hell if I have a watch. Get a stopwatch if you don't have one yet, Ahn. Whatever, I'll be there. Don't be late!"

As the light dies down, I blink a few times, looking around. Ugh, shit, that hurt.

"You hear that…?"

The blue dragon nods at me.

"Guess I've got somewhere to be tonight."

It nuzzles against me for a second and I give it a pat on the head.

"I'll be fine. I can handle myself. If it's really my pal, somehow, she's on my side. Don't worry about it."

When I head back to Louise, I have a feeling she can tell something's up. Sheffield… if it's really her, I have so many questions. It's probably a trap, too. Normally I'd be terrified, but…

...this thing in my hand. Definitely. I definitely can fight back, now.

I'm fairly sure Louise is following me as I sneak out the Academy at night, but I don't make an attempt to lose her. It's not like I need to be hiding things from her.

Following the instructions, I already prepare to cut something to shreds when I get there. The twin moons of this world are hanging up overhead, not a cloud in sight. Light breeze that gets under the skin, but nothing major.

"Where are you…"

I tense up. The scent of blood fills the air. There's a sudden pressure that comes outta nowhere. Like you took an entire busy intersection in New York and crammed everyone into a bathroom stall then put yourself in the middle of it.

There's someone here. And it has the feeling of that thing in my hand.

"Glad to see you actually came. Was thinking you stood me up, like that time at Wendy's."

A voice that I thought I'd never hear again greets me, along with the welcome sight of an old friend who apparently learned how to cloak herself or something. Additionally, she's… the one this pressure is coming from.

"Sheffield…?" I ask at the sight of the black haired young woman standing in front of me. Her hair's still as long as I remember it, going well past her elbows, and more importantly— "What the hell are you wearing? Did you become a stripper when you skipped town?"

She immediately crosses her arms, covering (or at least attempting) to cover up her sizable bust, which is only now about half covered by a thin layer of purple cloth before her actual black dress kicks in.

"Hey! I have standards, you asshole!" she shouts. "Besides, look, this dress was comfortable and I have magic now or something to keep me warm."

"You sure it's magic and not just a vibra—"

"Ohhhh my God, I forgot how much of a perv you became around me." She grumbles, putting her right hand on her hip. "Have to say though, when I caught word of a 'commoner' smacking around a mage with a certain description, I had to come investigate."

"Already?"

"News travels fast, Ahn. Wouldn't be surprised if you were suddenly scouted for something, I dunno." She offers a shrug to go with her words. "But look-a-that, both of us brought here? Maybe I really should've proposed to you, we're totally meant to be."

"Uhhuh."

"...you still don't trust me, do you?"

I shift my stance a little bit. "What can I say, I'm a cautious man. You really expect me to believe we somehow ended up reunited across being summoned with goddamn magic and we meet by coincidence?"

"Alright, alright. Figures you'd say that…"

"Not to mention your little party trick was clearly targeting me. It wasn't just 'news' traveling fast."

In short, someone's got eyes on this school.

"Geez, forgot how scary you could be sometimes… you've got a pretty good head on you though. Well, I'm not really friendly with you, but I'm not exactly your enemy. Sorry if you thought we could run together like the old days."

"Right…"

"By the way, you can tell your friends to stop coming along."

"Fri…?"

I carefully look around, keeping Sheffield in my sights. No one…

"Hey, I can see you! Magically enchanted eyes, don't make me throw a fireball or somethin' over there! You've got ten seconds!"

"You aren't seriously going to do it, are—oh who am I kidding, of course you are."

I see some scurrying off to the side, where Louise and strangely… Tabitha? Oh, she's probably only here because of her dragon. Damn dragon, selling me out.

"You guys, honestly…"

Sheffield grins. "Didn't know you were into flat, small girls though. Should I call the cops?"

"Oh shut your mouth." I grumble. "You want a kick to the head?"

"Heh, like you could hit me. I think you've been slacking off. You got your pasty ass beat by a couple of women the other day, or so I hear." She says, a crude smirk on her face.

I roll my eyes while cracking my neck. "Oh fuck you, they were made of metal. I'd like to see you punch one in the face and not whine like when I took your first time."

"Bitch please, I was the one who took your first time, not the other way around." She fires back, with a look on her face that says 'we doing this?'.

"You wanna bet?" I say with a look on my face that screams 'Just like old times.'

"Oh, do I—"

The Star of Hegemony

Louise was utterly confused as Ahn and the stranger immediately dashed at each other, and as soon as they were within range, immediately started to try to beat the living crap out of one another.

The girl, she thought, was incredibly fast and flexible, leading off the fight with a hop off the ground, several kicks aimed at Ahn's face. He dodged, but even so, the girl simply fell to the ground, recovered, and launched another assault.

Weren't they supposed to be friends? They seemed like they knew each other, from what she heard. They certainly weren't enemies.

And more importantly…

...just who was this girl, putting such a smile on Ahn's face? The entire time he had been here, he had a scowl or some other permanent frown or at least a neutral expression. Yet, even as he was fighting, grappling, and throwing (or being thrown by) the girl down into the mud, he seemed to be having the time of his life.

However, her lessons from Ahn were paying off. She noticed things about fighting that she hadn't before. While she couldn't make it out too well, she could at least recognize Ahn was fighting defensively by choice. He was making minimal movements, just like he had taught her. The girl, though, confused her.

She was almost wildly flailing, yet… not. It was a completely different style than she had been taught. Ahn was all about the critical strike. Wait, be patient, and the opportunity will present itself. The girl though, seemed to be purely about getting hits in, no matter how effective they were.

"Strategy."

"Huh?"

Louise turned her head towards Tabitha, who was also spectating the fight, wincing as Ahn managed to grab the girl and throw her over from behind, slamming her right into the mud before moving right into an elbow drop into her stomach.

"Hard to keep up. Making an opening."

"Oh…"

She didn't quite get what that meant, although her thought process was interrupted by a sudden burst of concern as the girl wrapped her legs around Ahn's neck and started squeezing.

Twenty or so minutes must have gone by, with a various amount of moves behind thrown at each other. By the end of it, their clothes were completely soiled, somewhat torn in the girl's case, and both were covered in bruises…

...yet, for some reason, both were laughing like kings who had seen a jester's newest routine.

The Star of Hegemony

"Agh, shit, fuck, I'm gonna feel that one in the morning." I mumble. "The hell though, when the hell did you get so strong? It feels like I'm hitting a brick wall when I punch you."

"Heh… well…"

"Guh!"

I grunt as she gets on top of me, apparently still having some strength left. She grabs my shirt and lifts me up, laughing.

"Guess I win."

I notice something sticking out of her torn dress. Looks like paper. Not exactly well concealed, either.

I quickly headbutt her, and in the confusion, take the paper for myself as she lets go of me.

"Ah, you bitch!" she grumbles as I break free. "Dammit, Ahn!"

"Hey, you got too smug." I mutter as get back to my feet. "Ah, what am I supposed to say—ah, right. Begone, witch, this academy won't be held by you today."

"Oh well that's, agh, just afhg, friggin' rude, you ass. Fine, fuck you, I was going to give you a healing potion, but you can just feel like I rode you like a horse when you wake up tomorrow."

Flipping me the bird, she starts limping off.

"Anyways, yeah, good seein' you again, Ahn." She gives a bit of a wave. "When I heard about some punk kid defending 'commoners', had a feeling it was you."

I'm pretty it wasn't that, with the way she's smiling.

"Anywa—ghah—ways, yeah, I'm just gonna… get going. Just dropped by to say 'hi', so and uh, I can fly, too, so yeah… seeya around, and like, make sure you don't cross that line, if you know what I'm saying."

"Yeah, yeah, shut up…"

I barely make it over to Louise, where I crumple down on the ground.

"Ahn!"

"I'm fine… ish. Hurt like hell, but like, ugh."

"Who was that?!"

"Sheffield. Old friend of mine… guess she ended up getting summoned too, by a stroke of luck or somethin' like that. Let's get back inside, I want to bandage myself up…"

After getting myself patched up (with Louise complaining the whole way), I open up the paper I took from her.

Hey, Ahn. Sorry about the weird cover thing, but I had to get this paper to you. Not sure if I'm being watched, guy who summoned me is kind of weird like that. Sometimes pokes into my head, sometimes doesn't. Not sure if he can force me to tell everything I did, so I'm taking a huge-ass risk here. Can't say too much. Need some deniability.

Ahnenerbe. That's the name of the thing you and I have. Saw its name a few times. Is some weird ancient history thing. Was watching your fight. Don't ask how. Assiah, right? That's how I know. Second stage is Yetzirah, where you get like, to summon shit. Maybe you'll get a cool sword.

Either way I can't put too much, going to probably try leaving some dead drops or something for you. Here's looking at you, kid. Don't say I never did nothing for you.

Geez… so someone's got eyes on this school, huh? Not sure what for, though… but then again, I suppose it's filled with VIPs.

Ahnenerbe… that's a strangely familiar word to me. I don't know why, it just feels like I've heard it before.

—my mind flashes back to the memories of my mother. Mom… Alright. Wow, ain't that convenient, getting these kind of flashes. Do memories carry over or something with this formless sword thing?

Then again it's less memories and more just… gut feelings. In the area, huh…

"Hehheh… guess I figured out who did that…"

"What is it?" Louise asks from the bed.

"Just… nothing much. Figured out who must've torched that guy named Mott's place, though."

"Was it that girl…?"

"Probably. If Sheffield was around the area, well, of course she'd probably stop by. That guy apparently had a bunch of nasty rumors floating around him, too."

"Who is she, exactly?"

"An old friend. One who I share… a lot of memories with. If you ever need to credit someone for not being an asshole, you can probably give it to her. But enough about that, sleep."

Regardless of how well I slept, I still felt like ass the next morning. So much so I tell Louise I'm just going to lie here for a few more hours and then probably limp down for breakfast. Quietly admonishing me for being stupid last night, she leaves the room, leaving me alone.

Still though… Sheffield showing up, here of all places? I wonder how everyone's doing back home. Dane thinks she skipped town and probably thinks the same for me. We were supposed to be having a party too, celebrating me leaving for the military. Sorry man, looks like my past caught up with me or something, considering how this was a thing for mom, too.

"Ngh…"

I can feel my hand heating up again before it cools down. So you don't like it when I think about home, huh? What did that guy say, something about the 'next stage'? So does this ability get stronger…?

At roughly I think ten o'clock in the morning, I shuffle my way down the stairs and make my way to the familiar courtyard. It's way late past breakfast, but whatever. I've gone hungry before.

"Whoa, hey, easy on the touchy feely." I mutter as the blue dragon from last night tries to nuzzle me. "Yeah, I'm still kicking. Though you didn't have to sell me out."

It lets out a small cry, as if to say it's sorry.

"Eh, whatever. I can handle myself, anyways."

It then gestures with its head towards the table, where it then snorts at the familiars getting close to a plate. A plate with… bread, eggs, and meat? The dragon at my side then pushes me towards it.

"Siesta?"

A confused sounding noise is my reply.

"The maid girl."

It nods yes.

"I see…"

Alright, I guess even if I've taken a spill in respect, you didn't abandon me.

"Hey, Siesta!" I call out, as if to fake her out if she's watching. I think I hear someone jump a fair bit away, but pretend not to hear it. "...Alright, I guess she's not here. Regardless, thank you for the meal."

With that, I sit down and start eating. I note that the dragon keeps eyeing the plate. Geez…

"Alright, fine, you can have a slice." I mutter, grabbing a slice of the bacon—I think it's bacon?—off the plate. I wave it around in the air, watching the dragon's eyes follow it. "Hiya!"

With that, I suddenly throw it. Despite its size, it leaps after the meat, catching it with its mouth. Geez, it's like a freaking oversized dog!

"Hey, hey, I have to eat too, you know?" I say as it tries to cute-eye me into giving it another slice. It's not gonna work, it's not gonna work, it's… dammit, geez.

"Fine, but this is the last one, okay?" I say, pointing a very stern finger at it.

I take another slice and wave it around, getting the dragon's attention. And… ha!

Just like last time, it dives and catches the food before munching it down triumphantly.

"Geez... " I grumble as the dragon nuzzles me. "Hey, oh, you aren't getting any more from me. I gotta eat too, okay? Look, some more at lunch time or something, alright? A man's gotta eat."

It lets out a pouting-like mew before slumping down. I finish off the plate and then look around, wondering where exactly I should drop this off.

"Hey, you know where the kitchens are?"

A shake of the head 'no'. Damn. I guess I'll just wait around or something.

In between class periods, I see Tabitha coming over to her dragon, apparently also seeing that it's nuzzling me.

"Hey." I say, the girl nodding. "Uh, your dragon here is pretty forward. Likes bacon, too."

"Noted. If bothered, tell."

"Nah, it's not really a bothe—hey, hey, watch it, I like my arms."

"Sylphid."

The dragon lets out a bit of a defeated moan as it slinks away.

"It's not like… er, she, he—"

"She."

"—she was really bothering me. Just a little bit too touchy feely for my tastes. Won't really be a bother. Just checking up on her?"

"Mhm."

"Alright. I imagine Louise probably won't be too far behind."

She nods.

"You all came after me last night, too."

"Sylphid concerned. Louise outside. Unsure if able to handle herself."

"Eh, I suppose that's a righteous concern. I don't know anything about magic, so the most I can do is just help her learn other skills. Spells aren't the only magical thing, right?"

"Potions."

"Potions, huh? Well, I was never a whiz at chemistry, but oh well. I know a few parlor tricks. Tell me, how good is Louise in class?"

"Theoretics, good. Potions, excellent."

I choose to ignore the fact she left out the obvious. That professor of hers gave me a pretty good image of what she was up against, what with the whole inability to really cast magic thing. She knows all the theoretics, she's just literally unable to apply them for some reason. Figures she's decent in mixing a drink though, it's less actually casting, I guess.

Though, from what I've also heard, I would like to have an on-demand "blow a room to smithereens" button.

Maybe I should have Louise really get into that then. Maybe brew up, I dunno, like, a firebomb or something that she can throw at people. Definitely would catch people off guard.

"Ahn!"

"Oh, hey Louise. Running a bit late, aren't you?"

The pinkette (can't believe I'm calling her that) puts her hands on her hips and gives me an angry expression. "I ran to my room to see if you were still resting!"

"Oh. Sorry about that. I'm fine… ish. Still feeling sore from slugging it out, but you know how it is." I then wave my hand as if to dismiss any further talk on this. "Doing okay?"

"I guess. Are you going to make me do exercises today?"

"Yeah."

"Are they going to be out here again?" She asks, glancing away from me.

"Mhm."

I still have yet to kill that sense of shame in Louise. Until then, we'll keep doing exercises out here, where everyone can see her. She looks away, rather downtrodden about that.

"It'll be good for you. I promise."

She bites her lip, clearly unsure of what to say in reply. Alright, I'll bite the bullet.

"After today's exercises we'll go and talk about what we're going to do for the familiar festival thing, okay?" Her eyes light up a little bit, but she recognizes the obvious bait. "Works for you?"

"...okay."

"Good."

"Louise, class soon."

Tabitha nudges with her head towards one of the towers.

"Get going, you two. Don't use me as an excuse for being late."

The two of them nod and start walking off towards the tower. Good to…

"Aww, isn't that cute."

"Hmph. Rearing your head again?" I say to the now revealed observer.

"Scary."

From behind one of the pillars comes one Kirche, sauntering over like she doesn't have anywhere better to be.

"Don't you have class?"

"Oh, that professor won't mind me being absent for a few minutes. If I give him a bit of service, he'll let it slide."

Hmph.

"So, what now? You plotting for another attempt at separating Louise from me?"

"Ooooh, possessive. Does she really mean so much to you?"

"I made a promise."

She seems to flinch with how gravely I say those words. The silence sets in for a few seconds before she breaks it again.

"What's with you…?"

"Hm?"

"You're not going to tell me to back off? To stay away from Louise?"

I elect to remain silent, likely annoying her.

"Seriously, are you really just all talk until it's too late?"

"Have you ever wondered that the world isn't always how you think it is? And before you ask, yes, I am frankly aware that the same question could be asked of me. If you think I'm some shining white knight, you're looking at the wrong person."

Besides, it would just be wrong for me to rob Louise's victory from her. If I scare Kirche away, intimidate her into permanently keeping her distance, then I will have cheapened her struggle. Ultimately, what should happen is that one day, Louise will triumph over Kirche and her antics. She's already survived without breaking just yet. She just needed someone to show her how to rebuild herself.

"Haha. Hahaha, I see."

No. No you don't.

"Though I have to wonder, when will 'too late' have been for you?" I say, turning to look her straight in the eyes. " I heard how you antagonized Vallerie at first. You act like it's all a game, like it's just all for fun. I'm fine with bullying, actually. Just enough to rile you up, get under your skin, give you someone to want to win against. Hell, go ahead, let it get to the point you throw a punch, learn your lesson or something like that. I'm sure you just see it as only to that extent, or maybe you don't. Maybe you see it as just some fun teasing that everyone's hopped along for.

"I wonder if you'd still be as cheery as you are if Louise had committed suicide because of the fact you were one of the main instigators against her. Would that have been 'too late' to do anything? But go ahead, continue as you've been doing. It will make it all the more sweeter when she returns the favor. I can't wait to see the look on your face when she kicks your ass."

Kirche falls silent at this, gives me another look, huffs and then starts walking away.

"It's no good to be so uptight all the time, you know? Well, if you decide you want to actually live instead of being a stick in the mud, you know where to find me."

I don't grace her with a response as she leaves.

"But, just so you know, if you're going to drag Louise with you into that hell of yours, don't do the same to Tabitha."

I raise an eyebrow as I see a small glint in her eye. Heh, so you acknowledge that I'm dangerous. Compared to these guys, I'm not exactly that much. I don't have magic and all that, I'm just too damn stubborn.

So you really care about that girl, though? Hm, what a surprise. I thought she might only be using Tabitha to isolate Louise.

"You do what you want, I do what I want." I say in reply.

I don't say anything else and she doesn't say anything else as she leaves. Hmph. Yeah, you do what you want. I'll do what I want, and in the end we'll see who comes out on top. Just like how Sheffield, Dane, and the rest of us always did it.

Well… I guess in the meantime, I'll try to figure out how the hell I'm going to impress people for this familiar competition…

Wew that was a fun one. Sorry it took so long, but like, even my other stories got bogged down and then nope, I was just completely out of this one. But I'm back, and hopefully writing some more now that I got my spunk and spark back.

Changing a few things along, did the obligatory Mott scene a little differently this time. No need to show it off, plus you know, gotta keep that mystery going.

Introduced Sheffield a little earlier; for anyone who knows FoZ, you likely already figured it out when the name Sheffield was dropped. Her introduction was enjoyable to write, establishing her as a compliment to Ahn and someone he's looser around. Might be a little early, but oh well.

Changing the dynamic with Louise-Tabitha-Kirche was also something I had fun doing. Sort of doing that "Kirche really does care about Tabitha, so Ahn was wrong" aspect to it, and also characterizing them both. Kirche and Ahn do whatever the hell they want, so they aren't exactly very different; although Kirche's aims are so far implied to be "for fun" but you never know. Writing Ahn's bits on how he won't save Louise were kind of fun as well, I felt like I was channeling a bit of Yuuji Kazami and Kreia, haha. That tied a bit into the bit with Siesta as well, where Ahn refuses to be "the hero".

All in all, had a lot of fun with this chapter. Feels good to be back, I suppose. Let me know what I can improve on!