Season 2, Chapter 11,
Fire.
Millie startles awake and lets out a big, heavy yawn before slowly looking around herself. Her face draws into surprise and confusion, as she sees everyone looking at her. 'Uh, is there something on everyone's minds?' Millie asks quietly.
'Well, you were making noises in your sleep,' Lydia tells her.
'Noises, Miss?' Millie asks. ('Wait, I actually fell asleep? I must be more tired than I thought,') she thinks to herself. 'How long did I sleep for, Miss?' she asks.
'A little over an hour.'
'An hour? … I see,' she utters and looks around the room. Her eyes stop as they fall on something in the middle of the space in the room and she narrow her eyes at it before her gaze turns back to the group.
'Well, my magic has returned, so it is about time to head back now anyway,' Finral tells everyone.
'Right,' Asta says and picks up Millie from his lap, placing her on his shoulder before standing up, and the rest stands up as well.
'Man, I had plenty of fun,' Magna says, stretching his arms towards the roof.
'Despite losing, you did well,' Haze teases.
'Oh, shut it. I was just going easy on you guys. Besides, you didn't win any of the rounds either,' Magna spits back.
'Please calm down, you guys, and let us just go,' Finral utters before opening a portal.
'All right,' Magna says in a half-complaining tone before walking through the portal, and the rest follow.
'Good grief,' Noelle utters at their silliness before walking through the portal as well.
On the other side of the portal, they all stand by the gate to the royal capital, looking at the big buildings with impressive carvings and design.
'This place is as impressive as always,' Asta says, starry-eyed.
'I suppose so,' Lydia mumbles. 'I guess we don't need our coats anymore.' She mentions and takes it off, placing it inside her satchel. The rest do the same as well.
'Well, time to head for the Wizard King's quarters and relay the intelligence,' Sebastian says, adjusting his glasses. Soon, the group walks through the capital's streets.
Moments later, they all are standing in the Wizard King's office, telling him everything that has occurred in the frozen forest.
'I see. That is quite the tale. To think a mere man could orchestrate and control those spectral wolves and take the key too. I would never have guessed that the one behind the wolves is also interested in the key,' Julius thinks out loud.
'Wizard King,' Marx mentions.
'I know. This will mean he is most likely after the chest too, so we should bolster security around it, as this, might be bigger and more complex than we originally thought,' Julius says.
'I will get right on that, sir,' Marx says and heads out the door.
'And now to the way the man got away, was it special magic?' Julius asks.
'I am not sure. I blinked, and he was just gone,' Noelle explains to him.
'Well, either way, the barrier around the capital is impervious to any kind of spatial magic like that, so we should be fine on that part,' Julius mentions, thinking things over.
'Now, I would like to hear more about the Reaper you mentioned. It is quite impressive to be able to make a pocket dimension to imprison something huge like that,' Julius continues.
'You might find out more about that in here,' Lydia says and hands Julius the journal that she got from Millie.
'I see, thank you,' he says and flips through the pages, skimming through some of them. 'Now, this is most impressive. It makes me wonder,' Julius thinks out loud.
'What is on your mind, sir?' Sebastian asks.
'Maybe the chest was created in that village, since the key could be found there. I mean, if they managed to make something this impressive,' he mentions.
'What do you mean, sir, that there could be more secrets to find? Because if so, I am sorry to say that most of the knowledge got lost when that place came crashing down,' Finral adds.
'It is too early to say, and even the reason why the chest was made in the first place. It must contain something truly extraordinary,' Julius says intrigued.
'Okay, so what do we do about the man that got away?' Magna asks.
'Well, the description isn't exactly much to go off, but I will tell the rest of the Magic Knights to be on the lookout for him, especially since this is clearly the start of some kind of bigger plot-'' Julius trails off as his expression grows more serious.
(''Could it be another attack on the kingdom is brewing? No it is too early to say for sure I will need more information, and having people worry about another threat will only strain everyone's minds, especially now that the kingdom is only halfway back on it's feet after the last attack. No I will need more information before announcing anything like that'') Julius thinks to him self.
''A bigger plot to what?'' Noelle asks
''It is nothing for now, just be sure to be on guard, everyone,' Julius tells them.
'Sir,' everyone replies. And Millie narrows her eyes. ('That man's magic, it can't be,') she wonders to herself as their conversation goes to the background. ('But if it is, then no, remember the mana felt different, despite it acting exactly like her magic. I don't like this feeling, like we are missing something big,') Millie thinks to herself.
'Well, after an expedition like this, I know you all must be tired, so I implore you all to take the next couple of days off. Now, you are all dismissed,' Julius tells them all.
'Sir, yes, sir,' everyone except Millie says in unison and gives a clover salute. Soon, the group is outside, ready to tell each other goodbyes.
'Well, I don't know about you guys, but when I get back to the Blue Rose Knights' hideout, I am so taking a hot bath,' Lydia says and stretches her hands up above her, taking in the warmer weather compared to the frozen forest.
'That actually sounds pretty good about now,' Noelle replies.
'I will see what I will do. I am pretty sure that Captain Jack has something for me to do when I arrive,' Sebastian says with a sigh. 'Plenty of paperwork,' he adds, adjusting his glasses.
'Well, regardless, it was nice working with you all, and we better be off too,' Finral says with a friendly smile.
'Right, so I suppose we will see each other some other time,' Sebastian replies, and the teens say their goodbyes to each other. Finral opens up a portal, and the Black Bulls go through it, ending up outside the hideout.
'Finally, we are back. I am totally beat,' Finral complains and walks towards the entrance with lazy steps.
'Well, I, on the other hand, am going to Ahh!-' Magna screams as he is kicked in the side and sent a few feet.
'Haha, I knew I sensed you, Magna,' Luck laughs.
'What the, I haven't even gotten through the door, and you are already up for a beating. All right, lightning boy, bring it on,' Magna dares, getting up.
'Ha Ha, I would like to see you try,' Luck teases.
'Okay, you asked for it!' Magna yells, bringing out his grimoire and begins to fire after the lightning mage who laughs and runs, and Magna goes on pursuit.
Haze slowly blinks a couple of times. 'I don't know if I will ever get used to their insanity,' he utters.
'Well, for one, I am going to take a bath, and-' rumble Noelle utters as her stomach makes noise.
'Right, I should probably eat first,' she says and blushes before walking in.
'Well, I will relax with some training,' Asta says happily, and Haze looks to him. 'Training is relaxing to you?' he asks.
'Yep, do you want to join?' he asks.
'I am good,' Haze says and heads for the entrance too. Asta shrugs his shoulders, and Millie spreads out her wings in her cat form and flies from his shoulder to her usual branch and sits down in time to watch Asta run into the woods.
A feeling of cold runs through her, and she shakes a little before lying down to rest. ('I suppose the cold haven't gotten out of me yet. Cold is not my thing,') she thinks to herself as she lets her gaze wander the tree-line of the forest until her eyes fall on something between the trees, and she takes a deep breath.
('Of course, you have been getting closer lately,') she thinks to herself and rolls up to a ball to relax.
The clouds above in the blue sky float on by as hours of time passes, and she can't seem to fall asleep, but it is as expected. Millie lifts and ear as she hears Asta's footsteps come closer, and she stands up, stretches, and brings out her wings. She glides over to his shoulder as he is on his way inside the hideout.
Asta bursts into the front door, and he stops in the middle of the living room. 'Woah, that was an awesome workout,' he exclaims with a bright smile before he looks around to see the living room is empty.
A short moment later, he sees Vanessa come in from the kitchen, carrying a bottle of wine, with Nero right behind her and bth girls sits down on the couch. 'Oh, hey there, kiddo,' she tells him.
'Hey, uh, where is the rest of, well, everyone?' he asks.
'Well, Noelle ate with me and just went to get a bath. Not sure where Haze went, though,' she utters.
'Okay, what about everyone else: Gordon, Gauche, Grey, Charmy and Fin-' he utters as a special portal opens up, and Finral walks through.
'Oh, Finral, there you are. Where is Captain Yami?' Asta asks.
'Oh, I just helped him get to a gamblin- I mean, a captains meeting,' Finral corrects himself and straightens up and looks at Vanessa and Asta. Then the main entrance opens up, and Asta turns his head.
'Oh, Zora, you are a rare sight,' Vanessa says.
'Yeah, what have you been up to?' Asta asks.
'none of your business short stack. I am actually here to talk to Captain Yami about something. Uh, where is he?' Zora asks.
'Well, he is-' Finral utters as the door to the hallway opens, and everyone looks at Haze as he reads a note before he stops and looks at everyone who is looking at him.
'Uh, what is it?' he asks perplexed.
…
'Anyways, yeah, Yami is away on a meeting,' Finral tells Zora, who sinks for a second. 'What seriously, ugh, when will he be back then?' Zora asks.
'Well, knowing Yami, this will take a while, so, you know,' Finral says with an awkward smile.
'Great, well, I guess I have no other option but to wait then,' Zora says.
'Well, Luck and Magna went off into the woods, and the rest is on missions, so it is only us aside from Henry, who is relaxing at the moment, and Noelle, who is taking a bath. So, I suppose we will get to take it easy in here together for now,' Vanessa says.
'Meow,' the red cat on her shoulder says, and the teens chat for a few minutes and-
Knock, knock, Knock!
'That is some loud banging,' Haze utters.
'Wait, I know that ki,' Asta says nervously.
Knock, knock, Knock!
'Should you maybe open it?' Haze asks looking at Zora.
'Huh, why do I have to?' he asks.
'You are the one closest to the door,' Haze points out.
'So?' Zora retorts.
Knock, knock, Knock! Crash!
The door bursts and falls together on the floor into a pile of planks.
'The door is still weak,' a lady with Vermillion hair proudly points out in an assertive tone.
'Big Sister Leona. What are you doing here?' Asta asks loudly.
'Yeah, I am wondering that too. What is the Royal Crazy lady doing here?' Zora asks.
'It's Meroleona!' she exclaims proudly and looks at them all.
'Eh, what do we owe this visit anyways?' Vanessa asks, about to open the bottle of wine when a fiery paw grabs her head, stopping her in her tracks. She looks up to see more fiery lion paws made of fire that stretches from Meroleona's hand and has grabbed Asta, Zora, Nero, Haze, and Finral's heads.
'Oh, no, what is going on?' Asta asks with slight nervousness to his tone.
'Well, it isn't all of you, but you will all have to do,' the Vermillion-haired lady says.
'Hey, what is the big idea?' Asta exclaims loudly with a playful panic, and Meroleona's eyes meet Millie's eyes, and they narrow their eyes in unison for a short second before Meroleona looks at the group. 'Come on, we are off,' she says, and everyone is dragged along.
Some time later, they all stand in a volcanic land surrounded by volcanoes in the far distance.
'No not this place again,' Asta complains as Meroleona lets them all go.
'Woah, this ain't how one treats a lady,' Vanessa utters and gets to her feet putting her hat back on. 'Oh, so this is the place you guys spoke about. My, it sure is intimidating to look at it,' she says. 'Meow,' says the cat on her shoulder."
"This place is insane," Haze says, looking around. "insane is one way to put it," Zora mutters, with complaint in his voice.
"Whoa, I thought I got the day off," they hear a familiar voice, and the Black Bulls turn around, seeing the Blue Rose Knights arrive. "Well, it can't be helped; this is the new training regimen, so quit the slacking and let us do Captain Char proud," Sol yells.
"Oh, giant girl, Lydia, and a few more of the Blue Rose Knights," Asta mentions. "Huh, it is the little twerp again," Sol says with the utmost indifference. "Little!" Asta exclaims. "Are you forgetting how tall you are?" Asta retorts. "Whatever, it's not like it matters," Sol responds. "Uh," Asta utters perplexed and looks to Liebe on his shoulder.
"Well, isn't that my long-term rival?" Asta hears and turns his head toward the familiar voice. "Leo!" Asta exclaims in a happily as he looks at the rest of the Crimson Lion Kings. "Hi, Asta, it has been a while," Randall utters, a man with a slim build and brown messy hair that reaches his shoulders.
"Vice-Captain Randall, it sure has," Asta says and looks at the rest of the Crimson Lion Kings Magic Knight squad, and his face lands on a girl ''Oh you I haven't seen you before, the name is Asta'' He introduces with a big bright smile.
''Oh the name is Fiola, nice to meet you'' she replies before a blond pokes her shoulder and whispers something in her ear.
Zora looks around scratching his head"Gee, there sure is a big bunch here already," he utters in a lazy tone. "Sure is," Haze agrees.
Millie looks around at the landscape around them, and she jumps from Asta's shoulder, getting into her human form and takes a few steps before stopping and looking at the fiery area; the look on her face is hard to read.
"Hi, you guys," she hears a voice say, but her eyes are fixed on the fiery landscape.
"Oh, it is the mushroom guy... eh, En was it?" Asta asks the man with long greenish hair, and he wears a praying mantis robe over a long-sleeved commoner shirt. "That is right. How is everything going?" the man asks, making a small wave with his hand while carrying a soft smile on his face. He adjusts his glasses and looks at everyone. "My, there are quite a few of us," En says and adjusts his circular glasses.
"Ha, he, what is this place?" Sekke asks with a slight hint of nervousness. "Chill out, man; this place is actually kind of cool," Nix says. "Right," Sekke says, straightening up and clearing his throat. "I wasn't scared or anything, only surprised; this place, of course, is nothing to someone like me," Sekke brags, hiding his nervousness.
Sebastian stands next to En, looks over at Sol, and slightly blushes and looks away, which Finral catches and looks between them for a moment, but Sol does not seem to really register Sebastian's presence.
"Of course, I had to see you again so soon; it is so annoying," Haze utters to Lydia, whose eye twitches. "Right back at you ass-crack, I am not happy to see you either," she scoffs and ties her arms together.
"Tsk, at least you can catch body language," Haze mocks her, and Lydia's eye twitches. "You wanna go, buddy, cause this time will end differently than at the coliseum," Lydia tells him. "As if you could ever beat me," he snaps back in a cocky tone. "You are so full of yourself," she retorts. "Says the girl who claims that she could ever hope to beat me," he tells her. "Of course I can, now that I know your tricks," she hisses. "Pah ha, you seriously think you know all my tricks all of a sudden?" Haze pushes. "You are such a piece of work," she says as they lock eyes and shoot daggers at each other. "I never intended to be to your, or anyone's liking," he tells her. "Why, you little," she grits through her teeth.
"You tell him, Lydia; show that the Blue Rose Knights are not to be messed with," Sol exclaims. "Yes, and none of us take kindly to any of our members being insulted either," Wainsley says as her brown hair slightly bounces. "That is right, so you better back off," Sol pushes.
"Whoa, take it easy, you guys," Asta says, and the girls turn their heads to him. "Shut it, shorty!" the girls all say in unison. "Gack," he says. "Geez, they do not pull any punches," Zora says with a slight laugh in his tone.
"Careful, Missy, or you will all have me to deal with," Vanessa warns. "Meow," the cat on her shoulder says and hisses. "Eh, Vanessa, I don't think escalating things is the way to go," Asta says in shock as the girls look at them with a frown.
"You heard me; the Black Bulls girls are not to be messed with!" Vanessa exclaims. "Isn't that right, Nero and Millie?" she says and looks over to Millie, who is snapped out of her thoughts and looks at Vanessa and at the Blue Rose Knights. "You wanna go, then we can go right now," Sol challenges and looks at the two.
"I, uh, actually," Millie softly utters, and people's attention falls to her to hear what she has to say. "Yeah, let us hear it," Sol says as she slightly calms down.
"I am actually confused; what are we doing...?" Millie softly asks. "Don't tell me you actually didn't catch all that," Vanessa asks. "Well, I-" Millie utters and looks at everyone who just stops and looks at each other with a slight perplexed look on their faces. ''fine Nero?'' Vanessa asks looking over to Nero who seems to be thinking it over ''Nah, you have fun'' she tells Vanessa before she transforms into a bird and flies over to Asta and lands on his head. 'What'' she asks and the rest of the girls looks on in confusion. "It seems things are calming down," Zora utters.
"Yeah," Asta utters quietly, and a pair of hands grab around him in a hug. "Uh," he utters. "Hey, Asta, so good to see you," Mimosa says excitedly, and Asta turns his face to look behind him. "Oh, Mimosa, you are here too," Asta says as Mimosa lets go, and he turns towards a few Golden Dawn members like Litoa, Hamon, and Clause.
"Uh, but where is Yuno?" Asta asks. "He had something that he needed to do; as vice-captain of the Golden Dawn, his plate is fuller than ever," Clause replies, adjusting his glasses. "Being vice-captain really gives you a lot to do, then," Asta utters. "It sure does." Clause replies adjusting his glasses.
"Okay, listen up, maggots; the Wizard King has instructed that this should be an exercise that all the squads will be a part of to ensure everyone is in shape, so you will all be participating in a race to the top to challenge and sharpen your abilities."
"What, you expect us to climb this volcano that is on fire?" Sekke nervously says. "If you got a problem with it, then your punishment will be to deal with me," Meroleona says, unleashing a wave of orange and red-tinted fiery mana.
"Got it," they all say.
Asta smiles and reaches for his grimoire. "This will be way easier than the last time," Asta says with a grin, and Millie looks at the landscape. "If this is to be an exercise, I suppose I will run," Millie softly utters to herself.
"Huh, you are right; this will be training round two!" Asta yells.
"My, you've got the right mindset, and something tells me that you are stronger than you look based on your mana," Meroleona says, and Millie turns to the Vermilion lady. "If you can gather that much with just one glance, then you must be quite adept yourself, miss," Millie replies softly.
"Oh, it seems you are quite perceptive; you are a quite interesting kitten, that is for sure," Meroleona tells her with a smug smile. "Kitten? I have not been called a kitten in ages, Miss Lioness," Millie replies, and Meroleona grins. "Oh, what do you say to a challenge then while the cubs are exercising?" Meroleona asks.
"Maybe I would like to-" Millie utters as a hand grabs her wrist, and she is pulled along. she looks ahead at Asta's hand as they run. "No, you really don't want to spar with her; it is a terrible idea, trust me," he exclaims with ecstatic and a comedic amount of concern to his voice. Millie's gaze looks up at his back as they run. "I am confused," she whispers while keeping the pace. ("Trust") she thinks to herself as a cold shiver goes through her being, and she notices her skin feels like it is burning, so she puts on Mana-skin, emitting an aura of white-tinted mana surrounding her body.
Meanwhile, the rest watching Asta run ahead with the expression of surprise on their faces. "Well, what are you all waiting for? Get to it!" Meroleona loudly orders, and everyone looks at the lady and puts their Mana-skin on before starting to run as well.
"Come on, Blue Rose Knights, let us show these men how it is done," Sol exclaims. "Right," the girls reply and keep running.
Finral runs behind and looks over to Sebastian, who seems a little lost in thought, so Finral runs up next to him. "Are you all right? You seem a little out of it," Finral asks, snapping Sebastian out of his thoughts. "Huh, oh well, remember what I told you in the dungeon?" Sebastian asks. "Yeah," Finral says.
"Well, it has been quite a while since I have spoken with her, and I don't know if I am strong enough to face her yet," Sebastian says, keeping the pace, and Finral looks down and up at the group running ahead of them.
"Well, I suppose I am not that different; I also have someone I want to prove myself to, and to be strong enough to be someone that she deserves, and until then, I am sending letters while keeping my distance until I have become someone deserving of her hand," Finral says, thinking of a lady with black frail hair and purple eyes.
"Wait, you do? I see; I suppose we aren't that different then," Sebastian says, realizing he isn't alone in this. "I suppose so; it will be hard, but I won't give up; I will become someone worthy of her hand," Finral says, growing determined, and Sebastian looks at Finral looking ahead with determination written on his face.
"Of course," Sebastian says with a smile as his mind is easing up a little as he feels his determination to improve grow as well as the two keep running.
Meanwhile, Haze runs with Lydia. "Keep your distance; you are too close to me," Lydia scoffs. "What, you are the one deciding to run next to me; you get your distance from me, princess," Haze retorts. (I was kind of hoping I got time to do what I need to do, to find Laura) Haze thinks to himself as annoyance fills his eyes.
"Will you two quit it, your bickering is more annoying than the intense heat," Zora tells them. "Fine," Lydia says and quickens her pace, and Hazes eye twitches and increases his own speed and runs past her, which has Lydia frown a little and increases her speed further to keep up.
"That is right; you show him!" Sol yells as the rest increases their speed too. "Geeze," Zora utters as he runs.
Meanwhile, Millie looks at Asta's hand. She increases her speed, twists her wrist out of his grip, and runs ahead. She dashes past Asta, who blinks a couple of times, smiles, and increases his speed, running closely behind Millie as she charges ahead ''Oh yeah'' he happily exclaims and keeps going. ("Maybe a run to clear my head is just what I need,") she thinks to herself, pushing forward as memories float through her mind.
Flashback
She walked behind Thomsn on a wooden platform surrounding a big fancy house; the birds were chirping, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom as the soft wind carries petals as it softly brushes by.
"I will be attending a meeting with Lady Leah and the Shogun as well as other heads of this nation to go over the war preparations. I want you to be stationed nearby, as this will grow a bit more common, and you will learn to stay alert even on post; do you understand?" Thomsn asked and looked behind at Millie, who nodded. "Understood, Master," she softly spoke, and they heard a plank being chopped in two, and they both looked ahead at someone on a small training ground.
"Who is that, Master Thomsn?" she asks softly. "That is Arron, he is actually one of the few in this world that I would not want to face in a battle," Thomsn told her. With a look of surprise, her eyes went to Thomsn. "He is that strong, Master Thomsn?" She asked.
"That he is, his technique is quite special," Thomsn told her. "Special technique?" Millie asked. "That is right, he has developed his own way of fighting, and his magic is quite unique and scary as well," Thomsn said as he stopped by a door that he opened and he looked at her for a moment. "Is there something you need, Master?" she asked, her voice soft and accommodating. "No, just make sure to be around," he told her and heads on inside. "Of course, Master," she softly replies, as she watched the door close behind Thomsn, and she starts to walk a little away from the door, and she watches Arron train for a moment. (Why is it like I have seen and felt this guy before?) she wonders to herself.
The birds chirp, and she looks around at the trees and the well-thought-out land within the palace's walls. (This place is so much warmer and more peaceful than the training facility) she thought to herself.
She is snapped out of her thoughts and looks down the wooden floor, and her eyes narrow before turning around and walking a little. "Oh, Millie, you are here," a familiar voice said, and Millie turned her head and she saw Simon coming from the direction of the door where the meeting was being held.
"Oh, Simon, if I may ask, what are you doing here, sir?" she softly asked.
"I just dropped off some intelligence regarding the sea border and such," he explained. "Oh, I see. What will you do now, sir?" she asked. "Well, not much right now. I was actually supposed to have the day off today, but the intel must be delivered regardless, so it can't be helped, especially with the growing tensions at the borders," he said with a fake smile before his face drops a little.
"Simon, sir, is... your heart hurting?" she asked, "No, I just... well, I am just tired. As this land is either in war or under a temporary peace treaty. And I doubt it will end, as both sides have a lack of trust in each other for any peace to actually last," he told her.
"So this land is in quite a bit of conflict," Millie softly asked. "Yes, and both nations seem to be quite evenly matched, so I doubt it will end anytime soon," he explained to her, and her face drops a little as a hint of worry grew on her face. "What is it?" he asked. "No sir, it is just war seems so unreal for some reason," she told him, her voice still soft.
"That is right. I keep forgetting that you are originally from Clover. Why did so many of you move over here all of a sudden anyway?" He asked. "That is a long story, sir," she softly replied.
"Anyways, there isn't much else to do but to keep going; otherwise, this conflict will be sure to end us all," Simon said as his eyes looks into his own memories, and Millie looked at him and her eyes grew softer.
''Sir, you do not have to answer..'' she kindly utter and he looked at her.
''what is it?'' he asked.
''Sir, you look like you have lost someone too'' she told him and she turns her head and her eyes meets his as he looked to her.
''...I guess there is no denying it'' he replied and inhaled a lot of air, looks up at the sky before he calmly lets the air out of his nose, ''it has been a while now but, it still hurts a little'' he said with a brave smile.
''Do you hold lingering tears for them?'' she asked and his face turns to her with a look of confusion ''Lingering tears?'' hes asked and Millie looks at him for a moment before her eyes goes to the trees with the sakura-blossoms.
"It is something my mother taught me a long time ago... She told me that tears are our heart showing the world how much someone means or meant to us, and the stronger the connection and bond you had with someone, the longer the tears you shed for that someone will last. So lingering tears, in short, mean the hurting of a strong connection," she told him as a gentle breeze blows by, carrying pink petals with it.
"That sure is some sentiment, and yeah, it holds true. Some I do cry for more than others. I used to feel bad about it, but the way you put it, the longer the tears linger, the more some people meant to us," he says and looks up at the cloud-filled sky.
"Sir, there is no reason to feel bad about that. We can't always choose what our heart does, especially when it comes to loss," she says and lifts her eyes.
"Well, over to something less depressing. How is your training going? I mean, I know Thomson has really cranked up on being a hard ass," he says a bit more cheerful.
"It is strict, and sometimes, it is like he wants to kill me, but I trust him. And so far, I have gotten a lot stronger because of it," she replies.
"You sure have. I mean, I had my doubts when you first got here. I mean, a familiar and a spirit that can't control her magic at all—I mean, who knew something like that would even come into this world?" he says with a smile, and Millie's cheeks grow red as her eyes fall a little, remembering so many of her own kind telling her something similar.
("Seriously, you have disobeyed and scorched your soul, went along with a devil, and now you are a useless familiar who can't even use her magic. I mean, a spirit without mana control should not exist, so why not just do us all a favor and end yourself?") their words ring through her as her hand goes up to her broach and clenches it tightly.
"Well, yeah, who would have known that would happen," she softly replied with a brave smile. ("Getting that increased mana thing that Casimir put on me when he died really screwed me up on that part.") she thinks to herself.
"But you have come a long way in a few months, and now you are decent," Simon told her, and her eyes light up a bit. "You really think so?" she asks with such hope. "You have. I am sure you will become strong enough that you will even find your own style of fighting," he spoke, and her perplexed face looks at him in awe. "You really think that I can?" she asked. "Of course, I think so. I mean, the amount of work you are putting into your training and everything, there is no doubt in my mind. Just make sure to keep at it," and she looks at him, taking in every word before a warm, friendly smile comes to her face. "Right, thank you, Simon, sir. Those were some really kind and much-needed words," she thanked him before the two keep chatting. And unknown to her, Arron is watching them.
Flashback end.
With the golden dawn members Mimosa Letoile, David and Clause runs together. ''yes let us press on guys, the golden dawn must show that they are not inferior even when it comes to something as brutish as this'' Clause tells them.
''Yeah, well I am sure the hassle will be worth it at the top'' David encourages.
''my Asta is getting quite some distance'' Letoile says and Mimosa blushes as she keeps the pace before a surge of determination comes to her and Mimosa increases her speed and runs ahead, and Clause looks at her as she does. "Mimosa, careful, don't run so far ahead," Clause yells with an order. "It is fine," she tells him and sprints ahead. "What has gotten into her all of a sudden? she is usually so complaint" he asks confused.
Litoa, who is running next to him, smiles before she lets out a small laugh. "You wouldn't get it," Letoile says. "Huh, get what?" Clause asks. "I won't tell you," she says.
Meanwhile, Mimosa runs as fast as her feet will carry her while keeping her mana-skin on (plant magic swift flower legs'') she thinks out the spell and petals appear on her feet as she runs even faster. (''This is my chance, to spend some time with Asta and I am taking it, I Will not loose to Noelle'') she thinks to her self as she pushes as hard as she possibly can. ''Damn he really is fast, if I didn't have my magic I would never stand a chance of catching up to him'') she things to herself while slowly decreasing the distance between them.
After a few minutes, she catches up to Asta and she smiles relived.
"Asta, hey," she lets out, and he turns his head to look behind him. "Oh, Mimosa, what's up?" he asks. "Well, I, uh, let us do our best, Asta," she huffs, running up next to him. "Yeah!" he exclaims with a bright smile.
(Oh my gosh, we are actually training together now) she thinks to herself and blushes. While they run, they strike up a conversation about their most recent missions and such.
Millie is running ahead as a big lava golem comes up from a pit and aims for her. She touches her bell and brings out her purple spear with a diamond-shaped tip, and she infuses it with her magic and slashes through the monster. As it falls apart, she jumps over it and lands on the other side and keeps running while her mind wanders back to the palace.
Flashback.
Like previously, Thomsn seemed to be in his own mind, focused and silent as they walked, and he stopped by the door again. Millie looked up at him as he turned to her.
"The meeting will take a while, so don't do anything stupid while I am gone," he told her and headed through the door.
("What was that about?") she wondered to herself and walked the rounds of the palace. She stopped as she saw Arron training. ("Someone strong enough to beat Thomsn, huh? He must be incredible") she thought to herself. Before she knew it, she had stepped on the training ground, and she stopped as Arron turned towards her, his thick black hair with bangs falling to each side of his eyes, which are dark brown. "So you decided to meet me after all," he said like he was expecting the encounter, which had Millie stop in surprise.
Arron bends over, grabs a gourd flask, and takes a sip of water.
"What do you mean, sir?" she asked, and he looked her up and down before looking off to the side at the sakura trees where its branches slightly moved in the wind. "Just, I figured you would come; you seemed a little bit too intrigued last time you were here," he told her and turned his face towards her, locking his dark eyes with her silver gaze.
("Intrigued? I am not sure what he means, but I want to ask him to teach me his technique, so") she thought to herself and opened her mouth. "No," he said. "What, sir?" she asked.
"I may have a hard time reading you, but the look on your face is an obvious one," he said. ('Read me, what does he mean?') "I won't teach you my technique," he told her. "May I get the reason as to why that is?" she asked. "My technique is far from suitable for everyone. It takes a vast amount of training and studying and practice to even attempt it. Although you have some potential, it is far too weak to get to the level it needs to handle my technique."
"How would you know, sir? We have never sparred, and I have gotten far when it comes to handling the powers that I have been given, so please, if you could reconsider," she softly asked, and he narrows his eyes at her.
He looks off, thinking it over before his eyes go back to her. "Fine, if you can land one strike on me, I will teach you," he told her. "Really?" she asked. "Yes, so get ready," he told her, and so she readied her magic, and he got into a battling stance, still holding the flask. His eyes watching her like a hawk, and they both waited for the other to make the first move, and it all lasted for nearly a minute before she swiftly formed a shielded orb and shot it at him.
And he threw the water flask. Millie blinked right before her orb hit, and her eyes widened as he was gone, and he was right next to her. In a moment that felt like forever, she locked eyes with his sideways gaze before she felt a punch in her gut, arms, and thighs. She fell backward, just before hitting her head on the ground; he grabbed her shirt, and she looked at him before he placed her down.
"This actually couldn't be more perfect," he said and took a foot on the other side of her. He took out his left hand and grabbed the flask, and he crouched down with his butt hanging over her chest. He looked down at the surprised look on her face.
"I have been meaning to have a proper chat with Thomsn's newest project," Arron told her, and she looked at his eyes. "Why can't I move?" she softly asked.
"I just shut off your ki circulation. The one thing about your kind is that you are so much more connected to the physical that some parts of you are pretty similar to us," he told her. Her eyes darted between his eyes as he reached into his pocket, never breaking eye contact. He pulled out a kunai with a ring at the end of its handle. He held it in his hand while he rested his arms on his knees in his crouched position, letting the kunai dangle from his finger.
"Now tell me why my mind magic doesn't work on you?" he asks, and her eyes widened for a second.
''Mind magic, Sir?'' she asked.
''I ask the questions'' he said and flicked the kunai's handle into his hand before he stabbed her shoulder, and she let out a yelp in pain.
''now be open and truthful or I will have to get real friendly with you'' he orders as his eyes darken ''Got that?'' he asked, twisting the kunai.
''Gah, yes, sir'' she softly responded through the pain, looking into his eyes as he held a serious expression on his face.
''Good now tell me, when I used my magic on you, I was able to control you but not read your mind why is that?'' he asks in a serious tone.
''I do not know, sir truly'' she told him, and he shoved the kunai further in, and she yelped out in pain, but his gaze still watching her to catch any sign of deception.
''Interesting, normally people scream at this; you must be used to pain'' he says in a melon tone tone of voice, and their eyes meet once more. She sees his eyes are piercing her eyes now, and he narrows his eyes at her and thinks the whole interaction over before he moved on.
''Fine, then tell me what is with the shadow following you?'' he asked, and Millie's eyes widened in disbelief and fear.
"You can see it too, sir?" she asked, and he frowned and moved the kunai, and she let out another yelped in pain. ''I am the one asking questions, remember'' he corrected her ''Y-yes, thank you for the correction, sir'' she replied gently through her pain. "I saw something when I possessed your mind. Now what is it?" he asked.
"I do not know, sir. I swear," she pleaded, and his eyes looked at her face for a moment. ''are you certain?'' he asked. ''Yes sir, I do not know what it is'' she tells. "Fine," he said and removed the kunai.
He took a deep breath and sat down on her belly before letting out a heavy sigh and looked up at the cloudy sky above for a moment before he turned his eyes towards her, like thinking about something before he took a big swig off his gourd flask.
''I don't know why, but there is something about your eyes that I am not sure about'' he told her.
''Sir?'' she uttered carefully.
''What I do know is that since you passed Thomsn's test to even be under him means you have will power and stick to your word, meaning you are trustworthy, but I am not that naive. I still keep my guard up around everyone. You see my job is to keep Lady Leah safe I swore I would, and that is exactly what I intend to do, so whatever that thing is you must know one thing. You will have to go through me to get to her'' he says in a serious tone almost threatening. She looks into his eyes and she smiles, which has him frown. ''what is it?'' he asked.
"I just realized something. You have the same eyes as me," she told him, and he raises an eyebrow. "We both have a promise to keep."
''A promise, don't tell me you are going this far because of a promise?'' he asked.
''Is this not how far you are going with it?'' she asked, and he looks her over before he smiles in irony. ''I suppose so, but...'' he uttered before thinking his words over.
''fine, if you are serious about it then you should do something about that naivety of yours'' he told her, and her face falls to confusion.
''I heard you talk with Simon, and I have heard what you said about going into this war without taking lives'' he told her.
''yes and we intend to'' she softly spoke.
"it is idiocy. You can't win a war without taking lives; that is a fact. Thomsn may have tricked you into believing it, but—"
"No, we can do it. I just have to get stronger," she defended.
"There is no use, toots."
"There is; I just have to get stronger than Thomsn, and I will—"
"Thomsn, I highly doubt that he will attempt that with you."
"He will, sir. We made a deal," Millie told him once more, and he looks at her for another moment before opening his mouth. "What makes you so sure that he will do that?" he asked.
"Because he said he was tired of it, so if there is a way, we will find it together," she told him with certainty and kindness in her tone, and Arron narrows his eyes at her.
He looks at her before looking up. "What is he thinking?" Arron whispered to himself.
"What, sir?" she asked, and Arron's face lowered as his gaze landed on hers again. "I am still not sure about your eyes, but so be it. You seem too naive to be much trouble yet, but mark my words. I will keep an eye on you, as is my promise to keep Lady Leah safe, no matter what," he told her and put his kunai back into his pocket.
RoaR!
Millie is snapped out of her memories and looks ahead at a giant lava monster. She moves to slash it down but senses mana from behind. She jumps to the side while running, and a bright green beam swoosh past her, tearing the lava monster apart. She looks behind to see where it came from and sees Mimosa with a big flower in front of her that shot the beam, which slowly stops.
("So, the flower packs a punch,") she thinks to herself, seeing Mimosa undo the spell and keeps running. "That was way awesome, Mimosa," Asta exclaimed. "Th-Thank you, Asta," Mimosa respond, and Asta lookes ahead and his gaze meets Millie's eyes, which slightly widens and she flicked her head forward as Arron's voice rings through her.
Flashback
She remembered him leaning forward and taking out a potion from his pocket. "Here, drink this," Arron told her, and she complied, drinking the liquid that Arron poured into her mouth.
"There, you should be good any minute now. Remember this, if you truly wish to survive in this world, you will have to learn to harden your heart and not be so damned soft; otherwise, you will drown in a sea of pain until the person that you are now dies."
"But I can't harden my heart; I have tried, truly I have."
"And yet you chose this line of work; this is beyond naïve... sure, do as you please, but you will lose who you are."
"I cannot do that-"
"You will."
"But I can't," she pushed once more.
"Why?"
"Because I gave my word that I would never lose myself and that I will stay me," she explained, and he looked into her eyes, seeing that she was deadly serious.
"If you truly believe that you can, then be my guest. You will regret it, as hanging on to your feelings like that will make the pain that you will inevitably face become so much worse than you can imagine,'' Arron told her and got off. She could move again, and she sat up, watching him walk away. ''Then that is a choice that I have taken, and I will bear the consequences for it, sir,'' Millie told him, and he stopped.
''The longer you live in this world, the more you will realize that people will betray you no matter what you do. Choosing not to be numbed in any way whatsoever is impossible and foolish. If you cannot harden your heart, then your heart is bound to bleed until you lose it; that is the way of the world," he told her.
"Then that is the road I have chosen. There is no turning back at this point,'' she told him, and Arron turned his face, locking eyes with Millie before turning his head forward again. ''Fine, choose the path of poison-dipped thorns, and earth made of glass shards'' he said and kept walking.
Flashback End
Millie's mind flows to the present as she remembers Asta's friendly smile and asking for trust. Her hand slightly shakes before she tightened her grip around the handle of her purple spear. She jumpes up high and makes a front flip over a lava pit, landing safely on the other side, and keeps going up the volcano.
("That is right; this is the path I have chosen. Mister Arron was right; Thomson did end up betraying me, and he was right about a lot of things. But he was wrong about one thing my emotions are still here and my heart is still has a role in my conscience'') her mid trails off feeling her hand almost loosing her grip on the spear, she takes a breath and focuses before gripping it tightly again ('' I just, You chose this path, so quit with the nerves already.") She tells herself, pushing further ahead as she jumps away from a geyser that shoot off lava as another lava monster comes her way. She slashes through it with both hands on the spear.
''Let us go'' she whispers to her self and presses on, unknowingly the life in her eyes diminishes.
Further back, Haze ran full speed ahead, while the Blue Rose Knights girls ran a bit away. "This heat is crazy, even with Manaskin," Haze mutter to himself as he keeps going. "No kidding," Zora utter, running next to Haze. "I thought you would stay behind to not bother with the exercise?" Haze asks.
"That was the plan, but I got a feeling if I don't, the crazy lady will come after me," Zora replied, and Haze and he looked behind them as they sensed strong mana coming their way. They saw Meroleona coming up at rapid speed, and their eyes and heads followed as she swished past them.
"I could see that," Haze said and smiles awkwardly. "Come on, Lion Kings, we got this," Randall Luftair encouraged the rest of the Crimson Lions King squad as they hustled past them.
"Isn't that Luftair? Why is he here and not the Lion Kings captain, Sir Fugoleon?" Haze asks. "How should I know? The snooty royal probably has other things to do," Zora replies in a grumpy voice.
"Come on, let us show the rest of the squads why the Lion Kings are one of the best," he encouraged. "Right," the rest yelles, following their vice-captain. In the midst of all the running, a new face among the group, a girl with white hair and clear blue eyes, ran with the rest.
Her long sleeved dress is light blue and her shoes are brown. She has the crimson lion robe over her shoulders as she keeps running with her dark blue bag holding her grimoar on her left hip.
"This place is way more intense than I thought it would be," she utter, keeping it together. "Yeah, but in time, you will get used to it," Ruben tells her. "Used to it?" she asks. "Yeah, after Meroleona was our captain for a while, and Fugeleon regained that position, they both agreed alongside our vice-captain Ragnall Luftair that the Lion Kings should undergo this training at least a few times a month," Ruben explained.
"Seriously, wait. If that is so, what do the other squads do here?" she asks, looking at her hands as a thin layer of bluish-white glowing mana encased her. "Something about bolstering morale and igniting some friendly rivalry that will burst our flaming hearts to push further," Rokken uttered on the other side of her.
"Well, that and the Wizard King thought it good for everyone to experience and train their Manaskins, as it has proven fruitful for the ones who have undergone this training before," Ruben told her.
"I suppose keeping up this steady stream of mana to protect ourselves is good for mana control," she said, looking at her hands as a thin layer of bluish-white glowing mana encased her. "Wait, where are the rest of the squads and squad members? Shouldn't there be more?" she asked, looking to Ruben.
"We can't all go at once; then there won't be anyone on patrol or keeping the capital safe," Randall explains to her. She ran with them, and after a couple of hours, they reach the summit, where she is panting heavily.
"Ha, that is what I am talking about, you guys. You were faster than the last time," Leopold exclaimed proudly to everyone in the squad. "Well, when it comes to hotheaded stamina and guts, you got us all beat there," Randall tells Leo.
"Why is Leo talking like he has been here for a while? I mean, he isn't even panting?" Fiola asks, leaning into the blond Reah. "Well, he and the ones over there usually get here an hour before the rest when they take the slower and more tiring route," the blonde responded, and the girl stopped in her tracks and looked over to him. "Are these guys even human?" she nervously asked. "Who knows," the blonde replied.
"Next time, I believe we can do it even greater, right, guys?" he encourages loudly. "Right!" the rest cheer, and Fiola looks at them and at Leo, and she blushes while remembering something.
"Uh, what are you blushing about?" Reah asks. "Nothing." ("Shoot, I said that way too fast") Fiola thinks to her self and gulps. "Well, I-" she utter fumbeling with her words before they hear heavy panting and they turn around.
''Ah we made it'' Sekke pants hevely bearly standing at all while En pants a bit with a mushroom on his shoulder he adjusts his glasses.
"Alright, you guys, the water should move in any second now, and when it does, you are all free to enjoy yourselves," Meroleona says loudly and proudly. "The water?" Fiola asks. "Yes, look," Reah utter, and they look at the bottom of a crater. They heard and felt a slight shaking from the ground, and in the center of the crater, a geyser shot up, filling the bottom with water.
"That is incredible," she says. "So, this is the hot spring the kid was talking about," Vanessa comments. "Meow," the cat on her shoulder mentioned.
"Hot spring," the girl uttered. The rest looked as the geyser calmed down, and the water stayed as a layer, moist as steam hung over the pool from the heat.
"It is so big," Millie uttered quietly. "Huh, did you say something, Millie?" Asta asked her, and she stiffened ("I talked out loud again without meaning to, why?" her mind panics.
"It is all right, Master," she uttered gently. "Uh," Asta uttered perplexed. "Alright, everyone, the water is ready for us to get in, so get naked!" Meroleona yelles.
"Alright," Millie utter, and Asta sees her hand go for her bell. She slightly flinched as he grabbed it, and her eyes goes up to meet his. "I am confused, Master; are we not supposed to get in?" she asks gently. "Uh, just give it another moment before undressing, like wait until-" and the chain forms around her neck, and she is forced to the ground where she sits on her knees.
"Uh, sorry, I forgot about that and-"
"Earth magic, earth and wall partition," Sol yell, and everyone looked down into the crater where the earth rose in a straight line, going right across the crater, making a dividing wall for them all.
A minute passed of the men going down one side and the women going on the other side. Moments later, Millie stands on a rock looking into space while the women undresses and gets into the hot spring. She listens to the ripples made in the water from the ladies' movements. Her hand goes to her broach, remembering when Asta stopped her. ("I went into full warrior mode, without there being something serious happening. and I nearly undressed in front of everyone,") she thinks to her self in silence as her cheecs grow redder. (''What is wrong with me lately?'') her mind screams as she stands there in silence her expression hard to read. Meanwhile, Mimosa gets into the water and breathes easy.
"Oh, this is so great; the water is just right," she utters being fufilled at the moment. She leans back to relax against the stone. She looks to the sky. "Right, it is so great; who knew a place like this would exist within a fiery region like this one," Fiola says. "Yeah, it is not the same without Char, but it is nice to relax after a good workout," Sol replies, and the girls nodds in agreement and began to chat amongst themselves.
Millie keeps staring off into space as an arm comes around her shoulders. She slightly flinches and looks to her side. "What are you staring into space for? Come on, undress, and get in so we can just relax for a bit," Vanessa tells her. "Meow," the red cat on her shoulder replies, and Millie's eyes darts between the two.
"R-right, Miss" she replies, and Vanessa moves off her shoulders and stands next to Millie as her hand goes to her bell. She removes all of her clothing except for her gloves and shoes, and Vanessa's face dropps when she looks Millie over. "What has happened to you?" she asks, and Mimosa looks up and to the right behind her a little. "Oh my gosh, are you all right?" she asks, and Millie looks at them both dumbfounded.
"I am confused, why do you ask that about me?" She questions, and Mimosa's mouth slightly open with no sound for a second as she takes in all the scars on Millie's body. "Your body is covered in scars, old bruises, old stab, cut and puncture wounds," Mimosa tells her, and Millie looks down at her body. "Yes, each of them is a long story, Miss. I'd rather not get into it if you don't mind," Millie asks gently before getting into the water and sits down before leaning on a rock.
"But are you sure you are not in any kind of pain? I mean, now that I am looking more properly at you, it looks like you are dealing with prolonged fatigue, doe to something" Mimosa explains. "Oh, you must be an incredible healer if you can tell that, Miss'' Millies tone stays gentle.'' Where did you learn to read things like that?" Millie asks. "Well, I learned quite a bit from my royal trainers and even more in the Heart Kingdom. Wait, don't change the subject to me; you saying that means that you actually are in a lot of pain," she uttered.
"Well, I, not more than usual," Millie Mumbels. "Not more than usual? What does that mean?" she asks, and Millie looks at her arm. Using mana, she sent it to her eyes, and she can see a slight tiny and dark purple tint running alongside her veins.
"It is not a big deal, miss, truly. I am all right, I promise," Millie softly utter, looking into Mimosa's yellow eyes. Millie shifts her gaze to her other side of her, seeing Vanessa get in holding a bottle of wine in one hand and a wine glass in the other. "Well, if you are sure about it, I suppose it is fine," Vanessa says and pours a drink. "Now, how about some wine?" she asks and brings the glass to Millie. "No, I am good, miss. Thank you for asking," she utters hiding her growing worry.
''come on don't be a stiff, we both know that you are plenty old enough'' Vanessa pushes.
''It is all right really, I am not really into alcohol, Miss Vanessa'' Millie says trying to hide her nerves.
"Oh, well, suit yourself," Vanessa replies and takes the glass up a little bit, getting ready to take it to her face when a clink of a glass meeting hers came to her, and she lifts her eyes to see Meroleona . "Hi there, Meroleona," Vanessa said, and the lady smiled.
"Good to have someone along who can drink for once," she proudly says and sits down properly, and Vanessa smiles ''right back at you'' she says before taking a big sip, and Meroleona does the same. Millie watches them both and shifts her gaze to the water in front of her, where small traces of steam floats up from the heat. She looks up as some more girls starts to chat.
One of the blond Lion Kings' girl leans over Fiola. "So, Fiola?''
"Huh, what makes you ask such a thing Reah?" she retorts (''Shit I said that way to fast,'') her mind screams as her cheeks grow redder.
"It is just that you get all flustered and weird around him and stuff," Reah says, and the other girls including the Rose knights lean in. "That is right; you do," they utter. "No way, I mean he is a great guy and all. I just, you know, he is royalty and all," Fiola says.
"Well, that is a lame excuse. I mean, you have no trouble talking to Mimosa and stuff," they tell her. "could we change the subject?" the girl says while blushing.
"It is not a big deal. I mean, the guy is obnoxiously loud, in your face and hyper all the time, so I don't really see what you see in him, but hey, it is fine with us," the girl says. "Well, he isn't all that bad. I mean, he does have a softer side too so" Fiola mutter.
"Oh my gosh, you do like him," they tell her. "Please stop," she says as her cheeks grow to emergency red. "You guys, I think Fiola has had enough," Mimosa tells them all.
"Fine, how about you, Mimosa? Do you have any guy you like?" Selena ask. "What, me? Well, I sort of do, but I don't. I mean, it isn't like I have a high chance, as I see him so little." ,
"Don't sweat it, sweetie. I am sure your feelings will reach him eventually," Vanessa encourages her as her cheek has grown rose-y from the wine 'Meow, the cat on her shoulder says. "You really think so?" Mimosa says. "Certainly. Now tell us who it is that you like," Lydia asks.
"I will say if you tell me the one you like," Mimosa defends. "Me, I don't have any guy that I am interested in at the moment," Lydia replies ''really'' Galgeria says ''well have no fear I am sure you will fall in love some day too Lydia'' Galgeria tells her. "I don't know, maybe one day," Lydia utters as she blushes
"I don't see the big deal; they are just guys. I mean, I can do just fine without them," Sol interjects. "What, but you must want to have someone to be with in the future," the girls say. "Not really," Sol says, pointing her nose in the air being bored with the conversation.
"Aw come on," the girls say in unison. "It is fine if you don't want any guy too. I mean, live and be happy," Vanessa says loudly and takes another good sip.
"Okay, how about you, Vanessa? Do you have anyone in your mind?" the girl asks, and Vanessa slowly finishes her sip and holds the glass against her lips before she slowly holds it next to in front of her. "I do, but it isn't meant to be..." her melancholy words ring through, and everyone looks at each other.
"Not meant to be. Hey, if a guy doesn't like you, there is something wrong with him, so you go out there and get him, girl," the rose knight girls say. "Eh, that is a toxic mindset. Besides, without a man, I can go out drinking and having fun whenever I want," she cheers up and takes a good sip.
Meroleona looks at the girls getting kind of offended and is ready to defend their point of view. "Well, either way, if a man ever wants to get with me, he will have to be able to take me on in a battle," Meroleona says and extends her hand and ignites a flame in it. The girls are left quiet and in shock. "That will never happen; she will just end up scaring them away," the girls mumble among themselves.
"What was that?" she asks, intensifying her fire. "Nothing, I am sure you will find one too, Meroleona ," everyone says in unison, too scared to say anything else. "Well, that is better. Now cheers, to a good workout today, girls," she says before taking another sip.
the girls looks to Nero who quietly sits and observes everyone ''Don't even attempt to ask, the answer is already no'' Nero calmly tells them shooting them all down and they begin to chatter among them selves. Millie tunes their voices out and touches her bell, bringing out her hazel brown crystal brooch. She looks at it.
(''Finding someone important'') her mind says as images of Meir, Leah, Thomson, Casimir, Vortex, and her mother show up. Her eyes soften, and she kisses the broach before looking at it again as it sparkles in the soft light, still tuning out the world around her.
"You seem to be in conflict," Meriliona observes, and Millie is snapped out of her thoughts. She looks at the lady with wide eyes, a mixture of surprise and confusion evident on her face. "Conflict, Miss?" she utters, surprised, as if Meriliona's words have just stripped away her walls, leaving her entire being open to the world.
"My, you are silent, but your mana is an open book," Meriliona remarks, sipping her drink and relaxing. "You really don't see it. I suppose it is hard to look at oneself," she continues. "You seem to be at war with the current you and an older version of yourself," Mereoleona elaborates. Millie maintains the same expression on her face before a bit of the life in her eyes fades, and she looks away.
"Old version of myself? I do not know; maybe you are correct," Millie admits, looking up at the starry sky. "Hm, I usually am," Meroleona says with a cocky grin. "So tell me, what is your story, really? I get a sense there is a lot more beneath the surface that you do not show the world," Meroleona inquires. "That is a long story, Miss Meroleona, a really long story... I must apologize; I do not really feel comfortable sharing it at the moment," Millie tells her, her gaze still fixed on the starry sky.
"It is fine by me. I am not exactly the most sensible person to talk to about those things anyway. I prefer to let my magic do the talking," Meroleona says, looking at the sky as well. "However, I believe you will need to figure out this war of yours soon, before it consumes you," Meroleona warns. Millie's eyes widen for a split second before she turns her face to look in front of her. She shifts her gaze to Meriliona, who smiles.
"I will heed your words; thank you, Miss Meroleona," she gently replies and looks up at the sky once more. Meroleona looks Millie over, observing her scars more closely. "Eh, you have gone through enough already to pull through," Meroleona tells her, and Millie turns her gaze to her once more ''thank you Miss Meroleona'' she softly says before looking up to the stars again. and the stars are looking back at the hotsprings and to the other side of the wall.
''Haha, this is way more my style, you see I can work out just fine but it is really beneath me'' Sekke says leaning back against a rock. ''Sure you are,'' En says with his tired eyes and lazy smile before he looks into the hot-spring seeing Claus taking relaxing overly serious as he hols a straight posture while keeping his eyes closed.
''My this is just what the doctor ordered'' Hamon says soaking nicely. ''Well well this isn't half bad I must admit'' David replies relaxing to.
in the middle of the spring Asta and Leo are facing off 'you may have won the race to the top of the volcano but that is nothing to this next challenge'' Leopold tells him.
''Bring it on Leo I can handle anything!'' Asta exclaims getting pumped.
'Allright rival whoever can hold the breath under water the longest wins!'' Leo yells.
''Ha easy!'' Asta says and they both take a deep breath and goes under water. meanwhile Liebe is flying above the surface in his small form blinking a couple of times ''That Idiot'' he mumbels to himself before a frendly smile comes to his face and he watches as bubbles comes to the water surface and both teens comes up at once.
''Hot, hot hot!'' they both yell
''So Liebe who was under the longest?'' Asta asks.
''Uh, you both came up at once''
''What really grr'' Asta exclaims and looks to Leo who does the same ''We can't be fine with a tie, okey one more time'' Leo yells.
''Right!'' Asta replies and they both take a deep breath and submerges into the water again.
(''they'll keep doing this forever I bet'') Liebe thinks to himself watching the water.
Meanwhile, Sebastian is submerged in the water, leaning back against a rock, and he lets out a sigh as he looks up at the sky. "You seem to be relaxed again," Finral mentions, and Sebastian looks to his side. "Yeah, it is hard not to after that workout," Sebastian replies, and Finral smiles. "Yeah, I kind of get it," he replies, understanding that Sebastian doesn't really want to get into the talk about Sol.
"Say, this whole thing about the chest and the key, what do you think it could mean?" Sebastian asks, and Finral looks over to Sebastian. "What it could mean? Who knows; I can't say that I have really thought about it much," Finral replies with an awkward smile while scratching his chin with his finger.
"Huh, is it about the thing you guys went on a mission about?" Zora asks, looking at them. "Yeah," Sebastian replies. "I wouldn't waste time worrying too much about it; it probably holds some old junk that no one will be allowed to use anyway," Zora tells them before leaning back against a rock and spreading his arms out, leaning them on the edge of the water.
"I agree; I don't get the big deal," Haze interjects. "I wouldn't be too sure," Sebastian says.
'Huh, what makes you say that?" Finral asks. "Well, it is just that when Nero tried to open it with her sealing magic, it drained away almost all her magic powers, and she was hospitalized for a couple of days," Sebastian explains.
"Well, yes, that chest sure has good defense put on it," Finral adds. "And then there is what Millie said," Sebastian adds, and Haze looks over to the four-eyed guy. "What she said?" Finral asks.
"Well, she is a form of spirit, right?" Sebastian asks. "Well, yeah," Finral replies. "And she said it should be condemned as that chest should not exist," Sebastian quotes to them.
"Well, I do agree it does sound weird, and then there is this thing about our mysterious cloaked man," Finral adds in, and they all turn their heads towards Zora as he lets out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, well, hopefully, it won't turn into something too bothersome, but until then, one should try and collect as much information about this thing as possible," Zora says.
"I agree; do not forget that those wolves made a lot of havoc at the border, and if that man is controlling them, who knows what could happen. The kingdom might get attacked again," Sebastian tells them all.
And they are all deep in thought, and Haze takes his hand through his grey and purple striped messy hair. Once he is done, he looks at the inside of his palm before turning it around to look at the sharp purple gem on his family's ring.
"After everything that we have gone through so far because of this, we better be ending this soon," Haze adds, and loud splashes are heard and he looks over to Asta as he just got up of the water ''Man that is too hot'' Asta exclaims. and Leo comes up after ''Man, I know I was down longer this time'' Leo yells.
''hey that time didn't count, let us do this again!'' Asta yells ''Fine I can do this all day pal'' Leo exclaims back and they both take a deep breath and goes under water again.
''How are they so relaxed with everything going on? I mean the kingdom isn't fully back on its feel yet'' Finral says.
''Worrying about it won't help, the intel is relayed to the wizard-king and the investigation unit, for now the best help we can provide is to ensure that we are both physically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead'' Randall Luftair explains. ''I suppose so'' Sebastian says adjusting his glasses.
then they look over seeing Leo come out of the water ''Man holding your breath in a hot-spring sure is different compared to normal water'' Leo complains before Asta emerges ''Hot, Hot, okey I knew I stayed longer that time'' Asta yells.
''Pha, only because I let you'' Leo retorts.
''Grr as if, okey again'' Asta says and they do the routine again.
The hot spring adventure lasts for a good while, and late at night, the Magic Knights go their separate ways and head for their respective squads' headquarters.
Note:
Thank you all for your patience; I've had my mind and hands full , I don't like chapters to be long, like this one. But since it's been such a long time, I figured it's only fair to give you guys the whole chapter at once, instead of chopping it into parts.
please I would love some feedback, what do you think of the characters so far? what could be lurking inside the chest? how will Millie handle her inner turmoil?
