Bell tried his best to suppress his coughs as the office they were located in was filled with smoke. He could barely see a thing as both the smoke covered the area as well as his tears made his vision blurry. Not that he would've seen a lot, since this room was sparse. Only the bare necessities were inside, beyond some pictures of girls here and there in the same style Brunhilde and the rest of the Valkyries seemed to like. At least he wasn't the only one bothered by the smoke as all the present ladies plus Kojiro also showed their distaste for the dirtied air. If Odin noticed, he didn't show any care as he inhaled and exhaled from his cigar a few times. Tapping out the ashes, the one eyed god put the cigar aside and folded his hands. Leaning forward from his leather chair, he smiled slightly with a nod.
"Artoria. Lusserina." Closing his eye in satisfaction, he leaned back before opening it again. "I have to thank Hades for sending two of his strongest. I only expected one of you."
Shaking her head, Artoria moved forward. With a click, the window opened and the smoke started to escape through the opening, allowing the other inhabitants of the room to take delicious, fresh air into their lungs. Once the air cleared, the knight stepped back to her previous position and nodded politely as she folded her hands behind her back.
"We are allies, Lord Odin."
The god chuckled and leaned forward, arms leaning on his table.
"Heh. That we are." His smile vanished as he frowned. "I assume you want the situation?"
Before anyone could say anything, Lusserina snapped her fingers with a wide grin. Yet a shiver went down Bell's spine. Unlike before, her eyes just seemed so empty. As her body was pipetted by a foreign force while she shut herself off from the outside world.
"Oh, I believe we can make a wiiiiild guess." She sighed, closing her eyes. Her body shivered a bit as she curled her hands up into fists. "Managed to get past your security, which means hidden entrances you aren't aware of."
The armored gauntlet rested on her shoulder, causing the elf to freeze up. Artoria smiled encouragingly, causing Lusserina to close her eyes with a shaking breath. After she shook her head, she grinned weakly before stepping back. The knight turned back to Odin, her smile falling as she frowned thoughtfully.
"They took their time to establish themselves. It could've been weeks or months until they made their move."
"It seems things have cooled down for now. But you know how rats are," Odin muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. It caused Bell to gulp nervously. To imagine such... evil forces to have so much time? Potentially at least. It was a sobering thought. It only showed that the world was moving even if one wasn't. Still even at the odds stacked against them, the inhabitants of Yggdrasil and the Empire didn't seem too down. Artoria looked completely confident as she nodded stoically.
"We keep our eyes open, Lord Odin."
"Reginleif and Randgriz will brief you on our intel," Odin said before lowering his head in gratitude. "Once again, thank you."
As always, Bell bit his lip at the sight. Something about gods lowering their heads just made him feel uncomfortable. From the way the two Valkyries and Lusserina reacted, they felt the same. Yet Artoria didn't seem that bothered as she calmed raised her hand and held it as a fist against her chest.
"No need. We are merely doing our duty." She turned to Kojiro with a wry smile. "We will be quite busy, Kojiro. Hopefully we can catch up in the future."
"I am a patient man," Kojiro responded with a chuckle. Bell cleared his throat and clenched his fists in front of him as he took a step forward.
"G-good luck!"
He hoped he seemed at least a bit supportive. Maybe even encouraging and manly if he were hopeful. Yet the reactions he received were... not exactly what he wanted. Instead of just casually thanking him, they let out an adoring coo. Every single one of them. The Valkyries, the elf, even the Radiance herself did it a bit! Lusserina herself began to squish his cheeks as he turned red, smirking teasingly as she began to pull and push them.
"D'aw, what a cute kiddo!"
Ah. Bell wanted to disappear right now. The chuckling of Brunhilde. The way Hrist was trying to cover her smile but failing to do so properly. Artoria shaking her head mirthfully. Grandfather would've told him to be happy about the attention but he wished he never said those words out loud! Fortunately his inner prayers were heeded at last when the Radiance stepped forward with a sigh, patting Lusserina on the shoulder.
"Alright, alright, let's not shame him any longer."
"But look at him! He's like a little rabbit!" The elf sang, ignoring how Bell let out a small whine in objection at the term he was being called at. But then Artoria raised an eyebrow as she took a step back, crossing her arms.
"Lusserina, should I tell your boyfriend about this?"
The elf immediately stepped back, raising her hands in the air with wide eyes. Her mouth moved a few times but no sounds came out at the face of the neutral looking Artoria, who patiently waited for any sort of comeback. Yet none came as her sharp ears began to turn red.
"Wha-I-" She coughed loudly a few times, before clapping her hands together loudly with a forced laugh, trying to hide the fact her face was turning as red as Bell's. "N-no idea what you're talking about! Let's just go!"
With those words she practically escaped. Opened the door and slammed it shut an instant after. Silence reigned in the room, the occupants turning to Artoria who smiled in victory. It was then that Kojiro began to chuckle, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"She really is easier than any of the other Casters."
"So much easier." Artoria shook her head before extending her arm. Kojiro didn't hesitate to take it and shake it once more with her, both smiling. "I better go after her before she does something foolish in her embarrassment."
"Good hunting."
With those words exchanged, the knight left as well. Odin sighed, leaning back in his chair as he rubbed his eye. Then he scratched his beard as he eyed his guests, causing the two men to straighten up a bit more.
"Well, at least now we can spend some time showing some proper gratitude," he mumbled to himself. Snapping his fingers, he pointed at the two men while looking at his Valkyries. "Brunhilde. Hrist. Teach them magic."
A girly squeal sounded in the room. Everyone turned to Bell, who slammed his hands on his face, but he couldn't help but keep letting out a giddy giggle. One of his greatest dreams. If one thought of a hero, of their stories, magic was a cornerstone of its foundation. To call upon the storms, to let fire rain down from the sky. Without a Falna, gaining magic was practically impossible for humans. Even for other races it was apparently rather hard to gain any powerful magic before getting the blessing of the gods. The chance to gain a part of what he always dreamed off... how could he not start bouncing where he stood?
Meanwhile Kojiro just let out a short hum. As if he didn't really care. Then again, considering his Tsubame Gaeshi... still, it was an opportunity to learn so he started to tug at Kojiro's sleeves, eyes sparkling in excitement. Seeing that, the swordsman let out a small laugh.
"Very well, we accept your offer."
Weirdly enough, Brunhilde did not seem that excited at the prospect of teaching. Clicking her tongue she turned to Odin with a conflicted expression.
"Do I have t-"
"Naturally!"
Of course she was the only one who felt that way. Hrist folded her hands and nodded furiously, eyes shining with flushed cheeks as she jumped at the opportunity as she interrupted her sister. Bell blinked at the thought. Were they actually blood related? He just called them sisters in his mind and Hlökk did call her big sister, but was that a term of affection or something else? Still it was a bit weird the way she looked at Kojiro who blinked in surprise. Meanwhile Brunhilde let her head hang with a deep suffering sigh.
"Ugh, fine." He turned to Bell and jabbed her thumb over her shoulder. "C'mon kid, let's see what that little skull of yours can do."
While he wished the woman was a bit more excited, it didn't stop him from following her as she walked towards the door. But just as she reached the handle, a strong voice sounded from behind them.
"Wait."
The god stepped around his desk, looming over Bell now. It was surprising how much taller than he was. It just added to Bell's shame of treating him like a regular old man. Strong hands clasped around his shoulders as Odin went down on his knees to make eye contact with the albino. Gravely, he nodded slowly, closing his eye with a deep breath.
"Bell Cranel…"
The young man gulped nervously. Odin smiled softly before patting his shoulders a few times.
"Do you desire to be an idol?"
The tense atmosphere disappeared in an instance. Bell stared at the god in an incredulous manner. He shared a look with Kojiro who tried his best to hold back his laughter. Meanwhile the Valkyries slapped their foreheads at the same time. None of those things helped Bell comprehend what was happening right now.
"Eh?"
"You have a pure soul. It truly is one of a kind." He raised his fist and Bell gaped when he saw that it shook as Odin choked on his words, as if at the verge of tears. "With such clarity, it is only a matter of time until someone, like a certain whore, will try to get you! Join me and you will be untainted!" He stood up and looked towards the window, as if seeing a faraway dream as he actually shed a tear while keeping a strong hold on Bell. "You can become the first cross dressing idol, removing the boundaries of gender itself! The peak of entertainment, as you unite the wishes of men and women alike!"
"Er... " Bell trailed off, biting his lip. What was he supposed to say to that? What did the god even mean?! All he could understand was that Odin wanted to keep him here. So the young man decided to, nervously and with hesitation, say what first came to mind. "Noooo... thank... youuuu…?"
Odin stared at him, narrowing his eye as he breathed heavily. It was like facing a bull about to rush and crush Bell. The young man leaned away, whimpering. Suddenly, the deity stood up and dusted off his hands before adjusting his coat.
"Worth a shot." He shrugged, casually moving back to his chair and letting himself fall down on it. Folding his hands, he leaned forward before twirling his hand at him. "Carry on then."
With his mouth half open, he stared at Odin, Then he turned to the others in the room, with Kojiro long on his knees, not even bothering holding back as he wheezed. Meanwhile both Valkyries were covering their faces with both of their hands. Bell switched between looking at the god and the others a few times before spreading his arms in utter confusion.
"W-what... ?"
Brunhilde shot Hrist a look. The latter blinked before pointing at herself. In response, Brunhilde motioned with her head towards Bell, causing Hrist to sigh. With a polite smile, she stepped forward and gestured towards her god.
"Lord Odin has the ability to determine one's soul in terms of color, potential and what not. It is a skill one can acquire after many millennia of judging souls. I assume he liked what he saw in you." She coughed into her knuckle and looked away."He likes to use that ability."
"A lot," Brunhilde added dryly.
"Constantly."
"Without pause basically."
"At every given opportunity."
As the two sisters fired shot after shot at Odin, Bell stared at the god in awe. He thought deities weren't allowed to use their divine power? How could he see one's soul then? In any case, Odin narrowed his eyes at the barbs he received from his own children.
"Oi, you make it sound like I'm some sort of pervert."
"What was that just now then?" Brunhilde asked dryly. Odin shook his head with a scoff, leaning back on his chair.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Idolism is the purest of dreams. How dare you imply it is dirtied by perverted thoughts?"
"I never understand how you are so obsessed with this whole thing," the Queen of the Valkyries snarked with crossed arms. In return she received a pointed look by her god.
"Once you face the tainted ones as well, you would want to find the opposite too." Sighing, he looked at Bell as he pointed at his eye. "Anyway, not every god has that skill of mine. It's acquired over time if you judge enough souls and I was very good at my job. Besides me, only those who are obsessed enough with the souls of mortals have that ability."
Bell nodded. That was interesting information to know. Here he thought gods could only see through lies, but seeing one's soul? He wasn't sure how that would look like. But it must be rather informative about an individual. Still, he wondered who Odin was referring to. Seeing the questioning look on his face, Odin scoffed, stopping Bell from asking the question out loud.
"Just pray you never meet such people. They're all insane one way or the other."
"Yourself excluded?"
At Brunhilde's question he turned to her without hesitation.
"Naturally."
"Is that why we were allowed to keep our weapons?" Kojiro asked. For some reason, the god tensed up and lightened up another cigar. He made it a point to not look at the swordsman as he stared at the wall to the side.
"In a way."
"I see." Kojiro tilted his head with a casual smile. "Is that also the reason you seem to despise me in particular?"
The Valkyries and Bell turned to Odin with wide eyes. Now that he mentioned it, Odin never looked at Kojiro directly. To be more specific he always seemed so uncomfortable around him in the dome. Did he know Kojiro? However, after the god flinched, he shook his head with a sigh.
"It's not that." He glanced at Kojiro before stiffening up and looking away again as he covered his mouth. "Ugh. Looking at your soul makes me nauseous."
Everyone but Kojiro gaped at the words. A soul made him nauseous? From the sounds of it, that didn't happen too often. Bell bit his lip with worry. Not to mention it sounded unhealthy. Yet Kojiro didn't seem concerned at all, instead leaning forward with his arms crossed.
"Hoh?"
"Opposite of this kid," Odin explained, pointing at Bell. He shuddered, clenching his eye shut. "Too many colors. Too many turns and twists. It's like being drunk and watching a rainbow. While drowning."
Bell pressed his lips together. He wasn't an expert on souls, so what was said went over his head. What did having a pure soul, or a chaotic soul like Kojiro, even mean? Honestly he wanted to have an explanation from the god, but he didn' seem to be in the mood for it. Besides, as he glanced at Brunhilde who was tapping her arm impatiently, he realized that there were more important things to do. Like learning magic!
"We will leave then."
"Have fun," Odin grunted, turning his back to them. With that done, the group of four swiftly left the office, following the Valkyries as they led the way.
To say that Bell was vibrating was an understatement as they finally arrived at their training spot. Well, not that it took long, five minutes at most, but for him it felt like a week or so! Either way, he shuddered at the wind that brushed against him. Looking around, he blinked in surprise. The wide open area, with the ceiling missing, was devoid of any sort of plant life unlike other areas of the luxurious mansion. It was unreal how there was only a flat surface on the ground, with some metallic target dummies in the distance, with an aura that seemed to draw in the snow itself, as if desiring to be attacked. Bell could only assume it was for safety reasons that this place was so scarce and spacious.
Reaching the middle of the room, Brunhilde cracked her neck, keeping her right hand on it, as she turned to Hrist with a raised eyebrow.
"Alright, so how do you-"
"I will take care of Mr. Sakaki!"
They all blinked at the sudden outburst. The woman blushed a bit and tried to cover herself up more with the coat hanging around her shoulders. Kojiro then shrugged nonchalantly before putting his palm on his chest.
"Please, call me Kojiro."
"I-I could never!" Hrist immediately rejected, waving her hands frantically as she stammered her words out. "Y-You are an honored guest!"
Bell had the feeling something was happening. It was at the tip of his tongue, he could hear his grandfather laugh loudly in the back of his mind, but for some reason, his brain did not want to make the obvious connection. Maybe it was the thought that Kojiro out of all people would have... He was shaken out of his musings as Brunhilde quietly groaned next to him, massaging her temples.
"Very well, suit yourself." Kojiro smiled sheepishly as he sat down and crossed his legs. "I must warn you, I am not particularly interested in the arts of magic."
"T-that's just fine!"
"Err... "
Brunhilde didn't respond to whatever question Bell left unasked, at the face of the blushing maiden that was Hrist. Instead she grabbed his shoulder and began to lead him away as she had her eyes closed, as if contemplating her life so far.
"Don't talk about it. If we ignore it, it might go away." She inhaled sharply through her nose. "Lord Odin is gonna pop a vein when he finds out about that... " Once they reached a good distance away from Hrist and Kojiro, they came to a stop, in front of a blackboard. Gesturing for Bell to sit down, she cracked a smirk at him. "Ready to learn some magic?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Good motivation. Let's see how long it'll last." She pulled out a piece of chalk from her cleavage, causing Bell to blush a bit. Thankfully she didn't seem to mind or notice his embarrassment, instead starting to draw on the black board. "First off, theory. Boring to most people but it's necessary."
The young man shook his head, even as she turned to the board to draw. There was no way he would get bored whatsoever with this! It's magic after all! He began to seesaw back and forth, with his diary and a quill in hand, waiting for Brunhilde to finish what she was writing. Once she was done, she took a step to the side, revealing two words, with a man in the middle just a bit underneath them.
"There's two types of magic." She tapped the two words. "Congenital magic and Acquired magic."
"Both require Mind to use, the energy that is made from your mental power." She filled out the man with the chalk. Then she started to erase the white color of the body, starting from the head to demonstrate her point. "Run out of it, you will suffer from Mind Down and you will be knocked out, or worse, die."
Bell gulped. The thought of dying from his own magic and actions... the albino burned the picture into his mind. No overusing magic if he could help it. Seeing his expression, Brunhilde nodded in approval before turning to the board and drawing once more. Underneath the word to the left, the Congenital magic, she drew more figures, this time adding some other features to them.
"The first is magic that is based on one's species and own ability. It's how we used magic in the old times before the gods descended." She pointed at the sharp eared drawing. "For example the elves required intense training and rituals, as well as systemizing the chant all from scratch over centuries in the old age." She drew out a lot of circles and more figures gathered around those. Then she added a less-than-sign between the two words. "Naturally, it is nowhere as effective as the other time of magic. Acquired magic, magic you gain from a Falna."
The young man let out an 'ohh'. So that was how people had magic before. Here he thought it was a natural ability given to some species. But it seemed even they had to work hard to make things work. People in the times of old really had it rough. He wondered how people in the age of Argonaut or the great hero Albert managed to get by without a Falna. Anyway, Brunhilde drew sharp lines around a person, as if they were combusting. Then she drew three wiggling lines, each being smaller than the one before. Turning to Bell once more, she pointed at them.
"Acquired magic has less chance of suffering from Ignis Fatuus, the explosive and damaging reaction caused by failing to control one's magic. Not to mention the chant times can be way shorter and are naturally more powerful."
Shuddering, Bell leaned away. He didn't know there were so many dangers with magic! First passing out with Mind Down, now actually blowing up! He was growing an entirely new respect for mages! They really risked their lives just as much or even more than regular adventurers! Nodding a few times, he jotted down the notes with focused eyes. Brunhilde chuckled at that before turning back to the board. Next to a figure she wrote the numbers one, two and three down.
"Either way, a person usually only has three 'slots' available for learning magic. It ranges from one to three for a person. There are ways to increase your slot or make learning easier, but we won't be doing that here."
Bell stopped writing. Looking up, he tilted his head with a confused frown.
"Why not?"
"It's for losers." Bell almost fell over at those words. With a scoff, Brunhilde crossed her arms before raising her hand with a smirk. "Also because making Grimoires and buying them are time consuming and expensive too. One time use as well. So be careful what books you find or you might piss people off."
Pouting, Bell crossed his arms. Well that was just common sense, wasn't it? It wasn't like he was that foolish to just take and read other people's books without their permission... right? He blinked to himself, scratching the back of his head. Then again if he didn't know about Grimoires he might actually... He blushed a bit. Okay, maybe the warning was warranted.
"Anyway, as I said. Three slots. There are exceptions, like the Thousand Elf and Nine Hells, but they are filthy cheaters."
The growl caused Bell to lean away with wide eyes. Raising his hands in defense just in case, he laughed awkwardly as Brunhilde seemed to seethe as she was biting her thumbnail.
"C-cheaters?"
"Fuckin' royalty and other elven bullshit," the Valkyrie muttered to herself, veins bulging on her face as she utterly ignored Bell. "You'd think after the Empire saved their asses they'd at least share more about how Chant Connection works, but nooooo, just keep it to yourself." She spat to the side before chewing on her thumb once more, actually starting to draw blood out of frustration. "Don't need that shit anyway, we research and learn and teach the hard way you pointy eared slu-"
"Miss Brunhilde?" Bell asked carefully, raising his hand. Fortunately that did the trick, somehow, as the idol blinked and turned to him with a glare.
"What?" The situation seemed to have caught up with her as she blinked and coughed into her fist, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. "Oh. Sorry. Ahem."
Bell politely pretended that nothing was wrong, burying his face into his diary as he took extra time to write his letters neatly. Once the woman clapped her hands, he looked up again, seeing that the board was put away to the side as she folded her hands behind her back as she began to pace back and forth while looking at him with an appraising eye.
"Anyway, what we're trying to do is figure out if you have the potential for Congenital Magic. Since you are a human being like me, the odds are against you." Bitterness entered her voice as she looked away with a flare. "Our species isn't known for having strong magic after all…"
Gulping, he nodded at her words. He didn't expect that learning magic was going to be easy. However, he frowned a bit as parts of the lesson resurfaced in his mind. Raising his hand, he waited for Brunhilde to nod at him before asking his question.
"If Congenital Magic is usually inferior to Acquired magic, why-"
"Congenital Magic will get enhanced by the Falna automatically and 'fix' the issues it might have," she explained swiftly, interrupting him. Then a smirk appeared on her face. "And I believe in learning early."
She adjusted her skirt and knelt down in front of him while putting her hand on her lap. Bell winced at the sight. While he saw it often enough in the Far East, he couldn't believe anyone would take on such a position for an extended period of time.
"First things first. You need to enter a sort of trance."
"Trance?"
Brunhilde nodded at his question.
"Hm. A Grimoire would brute force it, so we have to do this the hard way." She raised her eyebrow at him. "Ever done mediation?"
Bell thought back. The first time he saw Kojiro cross legged, separated from the world itself. Such focus that he even ignored the pokes of Bell when he was a child. Since then he mimicked these things, to help relax himself and also to do something with his teacher together. Not to be too prideful but he thought he was pretty good at it. With an excited nod, he flashed a smile.
"I have experience!"
"Good, then I don't need to explain. Once you clear your mind, we go through an old and tried routine to try and get you your personal magic."
"Why not teach us pre established magic, like those from the elves?" Bell asked. Brunhilde raised an eyebrow at him, causing him to scratch his cheek sheepishly. He figured the answer already but it was always better to double check. The idol sighed.
"If there is any Congenital Magic for humans, I don't know them or they are utter shit." She gave him a pointed look. "And as you already figured, you can't use Congenital Magic that was created for other races." She shrugged nonchalantly. "Rituals be shit like that."
"Alright." Brunhilde cracked her fingers before rolling her shoulders. "Close your eyes."
Bell did so, taking his time to focus solely on his breath. To take in the world with one breath. To release it with another. To become one with his surroundings, in order to isolate himself and his thoughts. Soon enough, he didn't know how much time passed, pure darkness remained in his mind. As if sensing that, the Valkyrie continued on.
"Listen to my voice. Imagine you are in a void. Nothing is there. Only complete darkness faces you."
She paused, giving him a bit more time. Then, she breathed out slowly as well.
"Now, imagine a face. Just the face. No hair, no neck, only the face. Like a mask. Ears. Nose. Eyes. Mouth."
It began to form. From the depths of the eternal shadows, it appeared. The features of a human formed. For some reason it seemed familiar to him. As if he saw it plenty of times before. Yet Bell couldn't place it.
"Its eyes are closed. Its hair is the same as yours. Short, white hair... Slowly... ever so slowly... you realize... "
Ah. Bell would've smiled if he wasn't deep in his own mind. Of course he knew that face. If there was a reflection, he would see it.
"It's you. As it opens its red eyes... it begins to ask you a question."
His own face opened its mouth. The voice of Brunhilde was distorted, using the mask as its mouthpiece, sounding like a mix between Bell's own voice and that of hers.
"What is magic to you? Define it as best as you can."
Magic. His first instinct was ignorance. He didn't know what it was. He read stories about it. He saw plenty of examples in this world, especially in Yggdrasil. Yet, as he looked at his own face... he knew it was something immaterial. Something that one couldn't just grasp. A mystery in a sense, that has to be brought to the world by one's willpower as a physical thing.
It was power. Something to push one's existence to a higher level. May it be for combat, for protection or for healing. It was power beyond physical strength, speed or endurance. It was something to carve the path for his weak self.
"Now, what kind of form does magic have to you? You have to see it clearly. May it be lightning, fire, a healing spell or protection. Picture it."
By now he didn't hear Brunhilde anymore. All he heard was his own voice speaking through the face in front of his inner eye. The moment the question was asked, memories resurfaced.
A beautiful light created by a Renard.
The furious dragonic form of a human.
And while it wasn't magic... the three strikes hitting at the same time as they defeated a superior opponent.
Those three aspects, those three pictures, immediately mixed together and was practically devoured by the mask. If he had more time, or maybe in another life, Bell would've considered fire. But this was not that time or life. Here and now, his personal experiences shaped what magic looked like to him.
"Finally... What do you seek with magic? What is the dream you chase after with it?"
What did he seek? Strength. Speed. Like lightning soaring through the sky perhaps. But those were only tools he wanted. No, what he sought was... the strong backs. Of those that were at the top. He wanted to climb up that mountain. He wanted to keep those strong individuals in his sight. No, he wanted to stay by their side and see the view they were seeing.
The view of a hero. May it be a hero that brought piece. A hero that brought glory. Or a hero that did something as simple as taking care of a foolish naive boy.
"Whatever your answer is... internalize... that is all you. For that is what magic is. A part of you. A mask of you. A representation of you."
The mask stared at Bell. As if asking 'is this what you want'. The young man smiled, causing the mask to smile as well. The answer was simple. The mask seemed to mock him in a good natured way. He could hear it saying 'you are such a child'. In response he could only shake his head, as the mask began to disappear. Maybe he was. Just like the voice said…
That was just him too.
The darkness began to drift away, giving away to a dulled light. Bell faintly realized it was the sunlight against his eyelids. Opening them a bit, his vision was blurry. He noticed he was sweating a lot, as heat built up in his chest. Breathing heavily, he could barely take notice of his surroundings.
"Hm. I do not feel any different. It was quite relaxing though."
He heard their voices. But they didn't matter. He felt so hot. Grasping the hem of his chest, he started to breathe heavily.
"It-it is normal. A-after all, you are only starting."
He didn't know when he did it. But he felt the familiar grip of his shorter blade, of the Daisho set, in his right hand. Yet it just felt right. The heat began to subside just a bit. But it wasn't enough. The flame in his heart flickered, as if desiring to burst out. Yet Bell knew it needed a trigger. He thought back to the mask. He thought back to the images that fused together into an unrecognizable mess.
No. It wasn't that. He knew what it was. And he knew its name. The name that desired to break out, to leave the imagination of a young boy and enforce its existence to reality. Bell took a deep breath.
"Same with the kiddo. Gotta do this a few times until shit-"
He unsheathed the short blade, cutting upwards. At the same time, his eyes shot open, clarity seemingly returning as fast as the words formed and flew through his throat out of his mouth.
"Dragon Fang!" He screamed.
As quick as clarity came, a static shock ran through his brain, causing him to wince in pain. For a moment, he could've sworn there was a phantom like veil appearing from above his cut, rushing against his very own blade and forming a jaw. But it was just for an instance. As he collapsed down on his four limbs, Bell chuckled awkwardly. He had no idea what happened. But he knew that it had to be disappointing.
"Ah... " Shaking his head, the pain vanished slowly and he looked up with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head with his left hand. "It didn't wor-"
He stopped. Blinking in confusion, he took in the expression of the others. Kojiro was the least affected, merely raising an eyebrow in surprise. The Valkyries on the other hand were almost scary. With wide eyes, Hrist was covering her mouth, her skin turning pale. Brunhilde on the other hand was pointing at him, shaking violently as her eyes seemed almost bloodshot while hyperventilating. Bell leaned back nervously as Brunhilde stammered silently. In the end, she slapped her cheeks as hard as she could and then pointed at him with a more steady hand.
"What the actual fuck?!" She yelled at him, causing him to flinch.
"Eh?"
"You just used magic!" She paused before giving him a death glare, her finger jabbing against his chest accusingly. "You did this the first fucking time?"
"Y-yes?" The words caught up with his brain and his eyes widened in shock as he pointed at himself. "Wait, I used magic?"
It was like he slapped the woman. She stumbled backwards, falling on her bottom. As she breathed heavily to regain her composure, Hrist stepped forward, carefully as if Bell was a rare specimen.
"That... that's unbelievable." She shook her head and looked him in the eyes. "D-didn't you see it?"
"See what?"
"The copy image that appeared from above. It mirrored your sword swing," Kojiro explained, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He cracked a smile as he nodded in approval. "Are you trying to copy me, young master?"
Bell felt a warm feeling well up in his chest, yet it felt unreal. He didn't just imagine that ghostly presence he saw? Before he could process what was going on, he felt Brunhilde's hands latch onto his shoulders. He winced at the grip strength before he was shook around a few times.
"Did you feel any sort of mental pain?!"
"I-I guess I felt a shock?!" Bell answered in a panic.
"Fuck a dog on a stic-" Her volume increased. "You got any great mages in your bloodline?!"
"N-not that I know of?" Hrist pulled her sister back, giving Bell some needed breathing room. He looked down at the ground, shaking his head slowly. "Is... is this such a big deal? I mean it was so... small."
"So sma-" Brunhilde threw her hands up in the air and turned her back to Bell as she began to pace around in order to calm herself. "High as fuck standards, I swear to…!"
"You have no chant. Only a single word. By all means, there should be... " Hrist smacked her lips before staring at him with wide eyes as sweat ran down her skin. "There should be nothing to show. Merely the mind usage would be a hint that you would've used magic at all with such a chant."
"Not to mention you got that shit on the first try! First try!" Brunhild whirled around, her arms wide open. "Usually it takes months of mediation! Or years! And even then, some people might get absolute jack shit for it!"
"So I fucking ask again," she growled in a low tone, arms crossed. "Are you absolutely sure this is your first time trying this out? That you don't have someone like, I dunno, the Silence as part of your lineage? Ancient elven queen blood? Pact with a goddamned spirit?"
"...This is really happening... ?" He muttered to himself, lowering his head. "But I'm…"
Nothing special. He was just a farm boy from the mountains. Not a chosen hero. This... this couldn't be real. No matter how hard the evidence faced him, Bell could not consider it as truth. Yet as if ignorant of his thoughts, the Valkyries began to giggle at the same time.
"To have such a clear image of what magic is to you on such a fundamental level... " Hrist said in awe before folding her hands together. "Your imagination is beyond normal."
"Hahaha... Hahahahahaha!" Brunhilde threw her fist into the air. "Can you believe this shit?! Suck it, you shitty elves!" She shouted at the skies as she pumped her fists a few times. "We got a little genius at our hands here! This is a fucking jackpot! SSR baby! Humans ftw!"
"Once you gain a Falna I could see that magic becoming quite the dangerous tool." Bell flinched when he turned to Kojiro who put his hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "I see the young master surpasses me in one area at least."
The young man stiffened up. He noticed that tears ran down his cheeks. Sniffing, he shook his head. To hear such words... no, this had to be a dream. But just as the denial grew, he saw Kojiro kneel down in front of him.
"Chin up, youn-" Kojiro paused and shook his head. "Bell." The albino couldn't help but perk up at his own name. Seeing his teacher smile, he could only listen. "Dry those tears. Instead of being afraid or drowning yourself in false humbleness, instead of hiding behind your own fear... seize the talent you have discovered. Do you not wish to catch up to me? Then use this advantage I do not possess."
Unconsciously, the young man nodded. It was then that it truly clicked and he began to laugh as he wiped his tears. This... this was real. He actually learned magic! On his first try nonetheless! This was… this was... !
He couldn't wait. This spark that ignited a furious fire, he couldn't allow it to go out. Jumping to his feet, he turned to Brunhilde and bowed his head.
"Please continue with your training, Miss Brunhilde!"
"Call me Brun, cause we are about to be best friends."
"Eh?"
Before he realized it, an arm wrapped itself around his neck. He blushed when his face was pressed against her notable bossom. Yet the woman didn't care as she grinned like a maniac.
"Your ass is mine, kid! I'm not going to lose this opportunity!" A giddy laugh escaped her as she held up her fist and pulled him closer even further into her vice grip. By now any embarrassment Bell felt was replaced by existential dread. "We're going to experiment so long until you have to puke! If we can replicate whatever you can do with others, I can flip those damn elves off like there's no tomorrow!"
"B-But I could die from this!" Bell shouted, not liking where this was going. However his words were utterly ignored as Brunhilde shook her head and ruffled his hair.
"People only die when they are killed! If you worry about Mind Down, no worries, you are going to be treated like a fucking National Treasure!" She snapped her head to the side. "Hrist!"
The young man sent her a pleading look. Yet instead of the moderating force she appeared to be, she smiled just as giddily before running away.
"I'll get the Mind Potions!"
Bell let out a silent scream as Brunhilde actually hugged him and pressed his entire face into her breasts. He should've remembered Grandfather's words! That one should always have an escape route when dealing with women! How could he forget the grave warnings of a lady's iron grip?! He turned his head, ignoring how soft and good smelling the Valkyrie was and reached out desperately for Kojiro.
"K-Kojiro!"
The man stared at him before cracking a smile. Bell smiled as well. Yet his hopes were utterly destroyed when he turned his back on him, raising his arm.
"Well, clearly you have a lot to learn. I shall not interrupt your lessons then." He looked at the sky, humming in thought before smirking at his student. "If you need me I am off... saving France I suppose."
Bell could only gape at the betrayal. As Kojiro fled with such a lie, because of course it had to be since France sounded fake as hell as a location, the young man could only shake his fist violently at him as Hrist returned with what could only be a crate with potions.
"Kojirooooooo!"