During the midday at the Royal Palace of Tristania, our main cast together with Tiffania were in the palace's large and beautiful garden, having taken their seat by a table together alongside the Queen, and her Captain of the Musketeers, who is not really seated, but standing next to her Highness due to duty and the such, enjoying a glass of chocolate milk as mainly Aristidis was informing the latter two of everything that happened while on their mission at the Westwood's forest, all while Tiffania was without her hat on during the whole thing, most definitely being encouraged by her newest friend to do so.
Needless to say, the half-elf was rather surprised to meet more people who are not scared or repulsed by her racial trait.
"And that is how the fight ended, before safely surprising the group with the cousin fact I mentioned from the very beginning." The pitch-black Storyteller officially finishes his report, while the girls sweat drop for him having to speak of the surprise part too.
"Destiny can be something at times, indeed." Henrietta somewhat repeats the line the Storyteller used during his report as a way to agree with the fact upon hearing about the half-elf, her expression mostly calm, but still showing a small sign of surprise.
She then gets up and turns to Tiffania with a warmful smile. "Tiffania, I am sure Aristidis has already told you as much as I will tell you, but know that I shall not dislike you simply for being of elvish origin. I, along with the rest of Tristain, are more than indebted to you for saving his life, and for as long as you remain in this kingdom, you will be under my protection. I swear that upon my name, and my title as Tristain's Queen."
Tiffania is stunned for a second where she is, surprised with the zero hesitation in the Queen's words, right before getting up with a smile of her own, greatly moved and happy with the support the royal is giving to her. "Thank you so much, your Majesty. I cannot find the words for how grateful I am."
The Queen opens her arms wide. "How about showing me with a hug. Cousin."
That catches the half-elf off guard, since even she knows how against protocol a move like that is, but as she looks around at the table a bit troubled, she sees how all of them, minus the one who cannot, are smiling, with Siesta and Aristidis specifically signing/encouraging her to do so, with Agnes herself simply turning the other way with her arms folded, not disagreeing but still not wanting to show she supports the idea, and upon understanding that it indeed alright for her to do a move like that, she moves in for the hug, with the Queen obviously returning it back.
Being given such a freedom and genuine love by someone like an actual relative after so long, which once thought as a distant want, makes the blonde girl feel so great, that simply saying she is very happy is an understatement, with everyone else enjoying the heartwarming scene.
After a few more seconds pass, Henrietta breaks the hug by pushing herself softly back, before lifting a finger with a more composed expression. "Just remember, it is for when it is only us."
As the half-elf utters confused at that, the mouthless Storyteller decides to be the one to explain, drawing attention on him while doing so. "Her image needs to be respected when in sight of the public, no matter how much she herself dislikes that notion. Royal etiquette rules. What can we say?"
"O-Oh, yes, of course, I understand!" Tiffania says awkwardly as she bows before the Queen, embarrassed and troubled for not understanding it right away.
Aristidis chuckles amused with her reaction. "Worry not, for you insulted none. Do not be so overly stiff. You are after all among your very best friends, and the greatest example for existence, which is yours truly, of course." He states the last part with a hand upon his chest and a lot of pride.
While the rest sweat drop at his known arrogance, the half-elf watches the whole scene some more, and now relaxed giggles for a bit, somewhat amused as she proceeds to sit down, the troubles she had in her mind not long ago more than gone thanks to that, with Henrietta sitting down as well soon after.
The Queen looks at him. "Back to the Sheffield situation. Quite the nerve she has, trying to trick you in such a manner."
"I know, right?" The Storyteller agrees while appearing to be in great disbelief about the fact.
She then turns with a smile showing her amazement toward her childhood friend. "And the way you handled it, Louise, was extraordinary! You truly are the greatest mage of our age."
Louise blushes as she smiles awkwardly and puts a hand behind her own head. "Y-You praise me too much, your Highness."
Henrietta can't help but utter a chuckle at Louise's cute response, before turning again to the Storyteller, curious and maybe a little concerned about something. "Still, Aristidis, you plan on doing something in retaliation to that action against you, or-"
"I will let it slide, and keep on being patient." Aristidis interrupts while casually answering, as he proceeds as soon to take a sip from his white chocolate glass.
"O-Of course you will." She says while sweat dropping due to expecting him to not see it seriously again, with everyone else sharing the feeling, but Tiffania who looks back and forth confused about it, and with Agnes herself face-palming herself while uttering quietly again with this..., due to not understanding why he doesn't just force in some way to stop his enemies by using that all-powerful magic of his, it would be far more simple that way after all, no?
After that, there is a small, awkward silence, everyone, minus Aristidis who simply relaxes upon his seat, being unsure what more to talk about since the reports and issue-dealing are in a sense over with, with Henrietta specifically not wanting to dismiss this gathering of theirs just yet, but still unsure what more to add in this case.
Eventually, Siesta sees this as her opportunity, and with a smile turns to Tiffania to ask the following, and drawing attention on her that way. "So~, Tiffania. Have you decided about Aristidis's offer?"
"U-Umm, well..." The half-elf trails off out of awkwardness, still not quite sure whether she really wants to be in something that is in a sense a marriage with someone she just met, even if he is incredibly nice.
The pitch-black Storyteller gets up and decides with a jolly expression to help her out a bit. "Just remember. If you join my harem, you will have my infinite love and adoration." Says the last part while moving in the blink of an eyes right next to her, and giving her a loving hug from the side just as fast, which startles her for a moment. "Everything you wanted or never thought you will want to see/have/try, for everyday enjoyment." Says as he breaks the hug, and brings up and upon the table his now open Tome, with bright red heart-shapes, multicolored star-shapes, and black-colored, dancing musical notes move magically from one page to another, amazing her that way.
He then closes the Tome, and brings from behind him with a hand a bluish, semi-transparent surgical cap which he puts on his head. "Absolute safety and health, and of course friends from the Tome you could never imagine of making. You will never again be alone!" Tells her the last part as he gets up with a spin while stepping back and raising his hands upward with enthusiasm.
Aristidis then shrugs, his expression neutral while looking upward to the side. "You know, unless you want to."
Tiffania imagines carefully everything that was said, and puts both hands together in front of her as her expression turns to that of wonderment and fascination, yearning greatly for all that, and most of all, sharing them with the people that care for her like the family she once had. "It's like everything I always wished for... Yes! I want to be part of this harem of yours!" She expresses the final part as she gets up, and hugs Aristidis tightly, with him hugging her back, pleased with her answer.
Louise, Siesta, Charlotte and Kirche, clap their hands in response, adequately happy for the new member, while Henrietta and Agnes sweat drop at the fact, with the Queen smiling awkwardly.
The mouthless Storyteller breaks the hug and pushes her back softly. "You literally have no idea how happy your decision makes the supernatural and majestic man standing before you."
"But, because you are obviously a complete novice at this, you will need to be fully taught about the birds and the bees/the facts of life. Be given the Talk pretty much." He then tells her seriously while pointing a finger upon her nose, confusing her that way, with the rest being the same way as well as to what he is trying to say with that, before he turns to them with a sweat drop and a bored expression, while also pulling his hand back and away from her nose. "Trust me, she is purer than Louise was before my official appearance. Not kidding here, I know very well what I am saying."
That fact surprises them all, never expecting Tiffania to have zero knowledge of such a thing at her similar-to-theirs age, minus Charlotte who appears to have gotten a better understanding of the blonde's character after meeting her.
The half-elf is now extremely confused as she looks at him. "Wait, it's true that I didn't quite understand everything else you just said, but why would you think I don't know about small animals like birds or bees?"
"It is a metaphor." Aristidis simply tells her.
Her eyes widen in response at the unexpected to her information. "There is a metaphor for those?"
"And there you have it, everyone." He states to the rest while indicating with both hands the blonde half-elf, his point made obvious even more after that question of hers, before fully turning to the rest of his official girls, while in the meantime the half-elf tries to think hard about what kind of metaphor could the birds and bees be used for. "No need to mention that you will help her with that, tell her everything about what she needs to know, and watch along with her in the Tome-TV what I have labeled as Hent*i."
The girls feel rather awkward about that plan, except Kirche who looks forward to this, and Charlotte who doesn't really think much of it, while Henrietta and Agnes look at each other confused as to what that word is/means.
"A hen with a tie?" Tiffania questions with a tilt of her head, completely misinterpreting the word, as a metaphorical question mark appears above her head, to indicate to the viewers her own confusion.
"I would call you witty, if that meme-type usage was intentional." The pitch-black Storyteller tells her while putting a finger vertical at the middle of his forehead, both in disbelief and trying to not appear amused by the accidental, silly joke.
The girl is getting more and more confused the more she listens to his incomprehensible words, resulting in getting comically dizzy in the process, with the rest sweat dropping with understanding while looking at her, since they know very well how that felt the first time they listened to those of-the-moment-unknown words of his. They can just relate to her so much because of it.
Aristidis removes the finger from his head as he remembers something that moment, and turns to her, curiosity obvious upon his face while putting a hand on her shoulder, snapping her out of her confused state that way. "By the way, since I just now remembered to ask, do you know any elven or magic-in-general spells?"
The half-elf is caught off guard by that, while also taking a step back in response, giving off the impression of fear, other than the surprise at the beginning, with the rest wondering why she reacted in the way she did.
As the mouthless Storyteller raises an eyebrow while thinking of the reason himself, a thought comes to mind, which prompts him to snap his fingers, expressing that way the more than likely correctness of the said realization. "You are a pacifist by nature, so you are afraid that I will use you in a way which contradicts that, resulting in you becoming in a sense like the men who took your parents away from you."
Tiffania is somewhat stunned by the accuracy of his guess, and a moment later nods once in confirmation, while obviously sad at the memory as she looks to the side. "Y-Yes, that's the reason, s-so-"
"You have my word that I will never treat you in a way you hate." Aristidis interrupts while raising a hand up in a swearing type of manner, which draws her immediate attention as he moves the hand back down while continuing, and folding his arms. "Usage of violence is not even my first response in anything, since I prefer to resolve things with proper talk, and diplomacy. I will use violence if I truly have to, but if it comes to that, my Tome Personnel and Louise are more than enough to handle the said situation, so putting you to do as much is simply unnecessary anyway. I ask you of your magic capabilities only out of pure curiosity. I have a very-well-known thirst for knowledge, after all." He admits with pride.
Kirche smiles playfully as she folds her arms while leaning sidewardly toward the pink-haired girl next to her, looking at her with half an eye. "You know what I have thirst for."
"Kirche, not in front of her Highness!" Louise yells in a whispering manner at her, upset and troubled with her friend's sudden show of lewdness now of all times, which makes Kirche chuckle amused with the former's reaction.
The pitch-black Storyteller's expression turns kind, his attention still on Tiffania. "No need for worries, you can have utter trust in us."
"Well, s-since that is the case..." The blonde half-elf trails off while tapping both her index fingers against one another awkwardly as she slowly gathers the courage to speak of what she was asked. "I actually CAN use magic. A single spell, that is."
That causes everyone's great interest as their attention is fully at her, and wait patiently for her to continue explaining.
"I discovered during or after I escaped years ago from the soldiers that had come for my parents." She states as she tries to not think of that awful day. "It's a spell that can make one or many people to forget stuff till a certain point. Not sure if it's only hours or more, though."
"OOH, it's like what that device does which those Tome-Men in black of yours used that one time, Aristidis! Remember?" The pink-haired girl reminds to the Storyteller mostly, with him and the rest agreeing upon remembering about it while chattering about for the moment, with Henrietta and Agnes having most likely been told about it to do the same.
Tiffania looks back and forth at all, very confused as she tries to understand what they talk about all of a sudden.
"Do not mind for now, it is something that will be explained to you soon enough during our future talks." Aristidis tells her while moving a hand before her in a dismissive manner, bringing her full attention back on him that way, before putting that same hand upon his chin, great interest still present on his face. "Now, does that spell works through chanting, or can be casted without a word needed?"
"Through chanting." The half-elf answers, and then sweat drops. "And it's a long one to utter in order for it to activate."
All the other girls appear to think hard about what they were told, seeing how it contradicts what they know of elves in general as they wonder how come and that is the case with her.
"Mother told me once how elves from Sahara, which used to be her homeland, are able to cast spells without needing to utter a word, but refused to teach me any of the spells she herself knew." Tiffania adds.
"How absolutely interesting!" Aristidis exclaims as he clasps both his hands together out of excitement, drawing attention on him, and then looks at everyone else with an expression that slowly turns serious. "I was planning to share the info at a much latter day, but with what she said now pretty much offering more than enough to reveal what she is, I do not want to appear as the one who did not know once you figure it out."
As they try to understand what he is talking about, he proceeds with the said revelation while turning to face the half-elf once more. "What you see before your eyes, is the fourth and final Void mage."
That causes everyone to pause from the incredible surprising they have just listened to, before all the girls, but Henrietta, exclaim to express the feeling at its fullest extent while getting up at the same time, as everyone else turns toward the blonde half-elf, never expecting her to be one of the Void as well.
"And yes, she indeed inherited it through her father's connection with the Albionian family, which by the way technically also makes her the true heir of Albion's throne, as the only one remaining from the official royal family." The mouthless Storyteller adds with a raised finger, with the new fact shocking everyone even more than before, before turning to look at his group with a greatly amused expression. "The universe sure has quite the sense humor. A person who possesses part of the Founder's Void magic, meant to be ruler of a strictly human continent, and who is also part elf? Imagining your world's reaction to that, is sure a treat."
While the group comes to terms with the newest fact, the half-elf snaps out of it, and turns to him very concerned. "B-But, we are not going to tell anyone that, r-right?"
"Obviously not, I am just stating the most incredibly, likely possibility." He tells her with a neutral face. "Your roots and element will remain a secret till I have the entirety of my power back, for proper safety reasons, and reach the point where I get to teach the world how to have an appropriately open mind to things. You know, so they will not mistreat you just because of your racial characteristics. All will go the way you want, have no fear or concern about that."
That reassures the blonde, and makes her happy, while also looking forward to the day she will walk wherever she wants while treated as any other fellow citizen and person in general by all.
The Queen approaches the half-elf, drawing attention on her, and with a kind smile raises up the back of her hand to show in two fingers each of the two royal rings in her possession. "Under normal circumstances, I would have given you the Ruby Ring of Wind that was passed through Albion's royal family, right here and now. But, that will have to wait till our exemplar Aristidis is able to do everything he said he will do for Halkeginia to be more understanding toward you and everyone who need just as much." She says the last while indicating the Storyteller with a hand, which needless to say makes him feel rather pompous about.
Tiffania keeps on looking at the ring for a moment longer, only to shake her head with a smile. "I appreciate your support, your Highness, but I have to refuse."
The girls are surprised to hear that, as she then proceeds to continue while now facing downward. "Becoming something like a Queen myself, sounds like too much work. And thinking of what happened to my parents that were in that position..."
That causes them to feel bad for her, being reminded of her traumatic childhood.
The half-elf bows apologetically. "I'm sorry if that causes troubles for you! Please understand."
Aristidis steps next to her, and puts a hand upon her shoulder, causing her to straighten herself up to look at him curiously, looking at her with a kind face. "Your choice will of course be respected, my dear. Although, I would not be so quick to take such an important decision to heart so soon if I were you. I say you give it a proper thought while you spend your days with me and the rest at the Academy Of Magic, so you can be absolutely sure about it. You might decide you like leading people around to bring into existence what you deem as an ideal future, after all." He says the last part while turning his head and putting a hand on his chin as he imagines the very idea with much of interest.
Tiffania sweat drops while feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought, because despite him putting it in a way that makes the idea somewhat more likable, it still has all the things she said she would feel better not dealing with. "Well-"
"Not hats on while in the academy, by the way." He interrupts while pointing a finger at her.
That out of nowhere demand catches the blonde off guard and shocks her. "E-Eeh?!"
And as for the rest, they somehow don't look all that surprised with what he said.
The pitch-black Storyteller moves both hands back, and continues. "Just because we need to keep the Void fact hidden, does not mean there is a need to keep the racial one as well. Not to mention that it is unlikely anyone will bother themselves with questioning why there is suddenly a half-elf at the institute, which is also member of the Storyteller's harem. I mean, yes, there WILL be talks about the subject, but still no one in their right mind will truly be bothered by it." He states the last part with a shrug, and finishes it with a dismissive wave of the hand.
Tiffania takes two steps backward while covering partially with both hands her pointy ears, frightful at the thought of her revealing them to more humans. "I-I don't think I should..."
"And hiding here till the end of times is a better option?" Aristidis asks her with a raised eyebrow, which ceases her previous reaction while minding his words.
The pink-haired girl turns to her. "He is right, you cannot do that forever, Tiffania."
"And I mean, people have seen a very charming and polite elf named Legolas once already, not to mention the far more bizarre people contained in our love's Tome." The redhead explains with a smile to Tiffania
"Yeah!" The black-haired maid exclaims in agreement with the previous facts, as she then proceeds to speak of her own opinion in the matter. "There is no reason to be afraid. You literally couldn't be safer with him! Not to mention that you will miss all the great things dear Aristidis provide us with every day if you don't come, and that will be sad."
As the half-elf listens carefully to them, at the end she feels an elbow nudging her once from the side, where she then sees Charlotte being the one to draws her attention in the said manner, looking at her with that known stoic expression of hers.
"Be brave." The blue-haired girl simply tells her, before giving her a small smile to reassure her.
Tiffania looks at her for a moment longer, and then at the rest, her hands slowly lowering themselves from the ears as her composure returns, their reassuring words getting to her, and feeling safe enough to seriously consider the idea of revealing herself to that degree, a smile once more forming on her face while thinking about it.
After all, she always wanted to show her true self to others, and never having to lie again about her identity. Not to mention make true friends without the chance of discrimination and danger holding her back.
Henrietta and Agnes smile for her, thinking of how lucky Tiffania is to receive the great support she was denied all this time.
"There is only one thing for you to truly decide here." The pitch-black Storyteller begins as he points with a finger downward at her. "Whether you will keep it as a reminder of the parts you consider as annoying from your past, or rid yourself of it to symbolize your want to stop looking at them back."
While he was saying most of it, the half-elf looks down at where he points, and notices much to her surprise how she now holds the white hat she used to cover her head and ears with, wondering how did it suddenly end up in her hands, since she is sure she left it upon one of the top sides of her chair's back.
But once fully hearing the Storyteller's choices she was given, while also understanding the hat placement was his doing, and contemplating on both her past and her new friends' words, till she eventually makes her choice as she smiles satisfied, and in somewhat playful manner tosses the hat toward the side, where it ends up falling straight at the hypothetical camera, with it as soon as it makes its pass, automatically changes the scene to the Magic Academy of Magic during the very late in the afternoon, half the sun still lightning the area around.
The few students who were still outside, were already on their way to enter the main building, to head straight for their beds so they may prepare the next day's classes.
While at it, one of them looks back for a moment, and stops as soon as he notices something peculiar that draws his attention toward yet not too high upon the sky, but just before he can even proceed to inform the rest about it, the said object comes rushing with great speed as it comes to a near-instantaneous stop above and before them all, greatly startling the said students, with one or two losing their balance and falling down because of the suddenness of the whole thing, as it draws their attention with both its big form, more than noticeable rise of the wind it comes with, and a thunderous roar that it produces continuously.
The thing appears to be a metallic, oddly-shaped saucer of olive color, with its front resembling in a sense a crab's pair of pincers of the same color. [The Millennium Falcon from Star Wars]
The spacecraft slowly and carefully descents at the open field as everyone present watches, with Professor Jean Colbert coming to view through the open doors of the main building to see what is all that commotion about, only to be surprised like the rest due to the unique flying machine before him, and once it lands properly upon the grassy ground as the machine's roaring comes to a stop soon after, with a platform then descending from below it, and almost as soon, many known figures exit from it, being Aristidis, Louise, Siesta, Charlotte, Kirche, and one more that as soon as she comes to view, truly shocks everyone watching, due to the very clear view of the pointy ears at the sides of her head.
Tiffania, which they will come to know as the only known half-elf of Halkeginia, and which belongs to the Storyteller's harem.
Truly the talk of the time, and definitely the days ahead as well for both students and teaching stuff.
~The Next Day During The Midday~
The sun was at its highest point, and the students were already roaming free around the academy to enjoy their free time before the next class.
Of course, most of them instead of doing that, were watching from a distance curiously, and trying to act as natural as possible, toward a specific point of the vast courtyard, where Aristidis, Louise, Siesta, Kirche, Charlotte, and Tiffania are seen seated around a table with a beach umbrella stuck in the middle to cover the group from the sun, with the students obviously being interested about the latter of the said group.
Well yes, she is the biggest center of attention, but actually there are some more unique characters sitting along with her there.
Four of them actually, and quite similar to the blonde half-elf, looking as if they are of the same age too, due to the obvious pointy ear fact they share with her, even in a sense since most of them are of full-blood of the elven species they come from.
The FIRST one is a long-haired, blonde elf with medium-sized breasts, who wears a white short-sleeved shirt which leaves her stomach exposed, and a belt that fastens thin blue jeans which don't completely cover her legs and red shoes, and a red band around her neck, the SECOND one has long blonde hair as well, with some parts tied in a braid, and wears a green tunic similar to the one Tiffania wears, with similarly large breasts, the THIRD one is a slender, in the chest department too, and tall elf, a little taller than the rest of the current elven group actually, with soft-green hair that is long in the back and short in front, with two braids at the side, wears a green sleeveless archer corset, shorts, a pair of uneven black gloves, knee high boots and a hood, and the FOURTH one has long brownish hair tied into a twin-tail hairstyle, wearing a maid outfit, and unlike the last three, she is a half-elf like Tiffania. [In the same order, Tuka from GATE, Shera from How Not To Summon A Demon Lord, High Elf Archer from Goblin Slayer, who like the rest in that Anime she was never named, and Myucel from Outbreak Company]
The reason for their appearance being the fact that Aristidis thought as a start to be more appropriate for Tiffania being introduced to elven fellows from the Tome, so she will both make new friends to who she will have an easier time opening up to, while also not feel like being alone in the institute she stays with all those humans around.
And so far, everything seems to be going just fine, with them chatting, sharing stories, and of course enjoying the drinks provided by both maid Cinderella and Alfred Pennyworth, like always.
While at it, our blonde half-elf notices from the side and behind her at the distance how some boys, among the gathered student rabble, are eyeing her bare thigh of that side, which is rather exposed due to both the shortness of her elven tunic's lower area, and the sitting position that has uncovered it some more, with a small part of the cheek also being obvious, with their varied, lecherous expressions showing to like the view quite a bit, right before she proceeds to calmly pull the part of the tunic to cover her area better, while also turning her chair enough to cover those boys' view, much to their disappointment.
That move is not something Tiffania would normally do in the past, but there is a good reason for this change.
During the night of the previous day, a small party made for her inside the main cast's room took place, to celebrate her becoming part of the Storyteller's harem, which our main group obviously enjoyed, and after that, she was officially introduced to the adult world of the Tome-TV, while being given explanation by mostly Louise and the rest of the girls about stuff of sexual nature, purpose of each action and of specific body parts, and even mildly perverted situations that she might encounter in her everyday life, so she may be more aware of people's varying actions, which made the half-elf mimic the color of a common tomato with everything she both witnessed and listened to that night, her embarrassment skyrocketing while doing so, due to her innocent nature and all.
But thanks to that, she became more aware of others' intentions, and how to properly react to each of those.
She still cannot believe most of the stuff she learned about, but is thankful toward her new friends and man for the knowledge they have given her, considering how important it is for girls of her age.
Nonetheless, Tiffania feels rather awkward about as she is seen fidgeting in place at times, because one of these days she knows she will have to do the stuff she witnessed in that Tome-TV with Aristidis, just like the rest of his girls have most definitely already done so, since like she was told, just like with general affection, that too plays a rather important role in the type of relationship they all have.
The blonde half-elf looks down at her drink, and thinks of how she was also told that there is no rush and that she can take as much time as she needs till she feels ready for it, which she appreciated, but at the same time she feels a bit bad for making him wait for that decision, especially since she already agreed to being part of this harem of theirs.
"And that's when I tell him how one day I will take him along and show him what a true adventure looks like." High Elf Archer finishes part of her story she was sharing with the rest, with Tiffania's attention snapping once more back to her and the group in general, which intrigues the rest.
"If you know what she means." Aristidis then playfully tells in a not so secretive way while nudging Kirche and winking at her, which makes the redhead giggle mischievously amused with one hand half-covering her own mouth, with Louise sweat dropping at that, as Siesta giggles mostly amused at the obvious to her joke.
"Huh?" The soft-green-haired elf utters confused, before Charlotte proceeds to whisper in her ear the other way the word can be used, making the former understand the implication while troubled about, and with raised hands toward the rest, attempts to explain herself. "Wha- N-No, wait! That's not what I meant. I don't really feel that way for him!"
That makes most of the group to laugh highly amused at her reaction, while also finding it rather cute.
As Tiffania watches slowly back and forth at the still laughing group, while the High Elf Archer keeps on trying to convince them how wrong they are, she eventually joins in with a small giggle of hers, both hands on opposite sides right next to her mouth while doing so, forgetting for the moment everything that is troubling her as she remembers and appreciates the warmth the company she has become part of has.
"S-Storyteller Aristidis!" A girl's voice calls from the distance behind him as he and his table group look toward that way, noticing a nervous and young-looking, second-year, short girl with long, blonde hair tied in twin-tails, who is known in the academy as Beatrice Yvonne Von Guldenhorf, and alongside her standing are ten of her personal and famous elite guards, called the Luftpanzer Ritter of the Grand Duchy of Guldenhorf, which are partially armored mages with metal-head staffs, and who they along with many more were recently stationed outside of the Academy for her protection due to the whole hostage situation of that time, whose legs tremble while facing the Storyteller, all ten of them obviously scared for some reason.
Everyone, including Aristidis's group, simply watch without saying anything for now, the sudden silence as awkward as it can be.
Beatrice realizing her nervousness fakely clears her throat where she stands, finding her composure enough to look at him with a more serious expression. "Listen to me carefully! Before you stands Beatrice Yvonne Von Guldenhorf, princess of the Grand Duchy of Guldenhorf, and Bishop of Founder's religion."
That causes chattering among the students about the bishop part, showing that they had no knowledge of it.
Louise is about to speak her mind about that fact, but is stopped by the Storyteller as he discreetly signs her with a hand to let the girl be for now, curious as to where this girl's dialog is going.
The blonde twin-tailed girl continues in the same manner. "I have been turning a blind eye to all the crazy stuff and everything you kept on bringing thus far, but you're truly crossing the line with your elf company you decided to force today in everyone's presence as if it's acceptable. Not to mention the one who actually comes from the desert of those fiends!" She says the last one with narrowed eyes of aversion toward Tiffania, who becomes troubled upon being treated in such a manner, with the rest of the elven company looking back and forth at themselves confused as they wonder why are they called fiends all of a sudden.
Beatrice points a finger at him as she keeps on going. "You might have the support of the Queen of Tristain for your services toward her Kingdom, but if you think someone of my position will just allow you to do as you please, then you're completely-"
"We can make space for one more- give her a seat." Aristidis simply tells someone while looking to the side as he finishes, right before Beatrice much to her startled surprise is suddenly, and magically lifted off the ground and pulled toward them, ending up upon someone's lap, but as she was about to protest about the seemingly rude treatment, she feels many bluish-colored somethings slithering around her head, causing her to be frozen in place while a cold sweat runs down her forehead.
At first, the not-yet-fully-shown figure appears someone in mage's soft-purple robes, until the scene moves upward enough to reveal the said person who holds her in a hugging manner with both his hands and arms, being a bluish-skinned humanoid with fully ruby-colored eyes, and with the lower part of his face covered in multiple tentacles, making him appear in a sense like an octopus stuck to a body, that pretty much act as his beard, which is also what the now absolutely horrified girl feels slithering around her head, with both students and her personal guards just as creeped out, the latter having no will to even bother to help their princess in any way because of it. [Cthu from the comic How To Be A Mind Reaver, here as extra, positive support]
"Thank you." The mouthless Storyteller tells him with a nod, and then turns with a kind expression once more toward the High Elf Archer. "You may continue with your story now, my two-thousand years old friend."
The pink-haired girl absolutely surprised snaps her head at him. "How old you said?!"
Despite the whole situation, it actually didn't take a lot for Beatrice to enjoy the chat, the storytelling, and the opinion offering of the odd gathering she ended up becoming part of.
That experience changed her perspective on things, which resulted to her apologizing for her previous behavior and also to meekly admit that she was never truly a bishop, and simply said what she said due to feeling jealous with all the attention the Storyteller and his group she believed they were taking from her.
The rest of the people in the Magic Academy too, changed the way they see things, letting go of their irrational fear as they understand that they are not so different from them, or at least the particular elfs in their presence, and decided it will not be bad to make friends with them since they want to cause no harm and all, which couldn't be better news for Tiffania.
To simplify, all is well that it ends well!
~The Next Day~
It is early in the morning in our famous Academy Of Magic, and within the main cast's room, Aristidis, Louise, Siesta, Charlotte, Kirche, and Tiffania were lying or seated upon their large bed, while watching at the Tome-TV the story/anime of Rosario Vampire.
Specifically one of the many session of its two central characters lovingly calling each other's name one after the other. Again.
"Moka-San" Pause "Tsukune" Another one, and repeat.
"We get it, you're in love!" Louise yells at the screen exasperated while throwing her hands up, understandably tired with seeing them both doing the exact same thing once more, with the rest of the watching group just smiling awkwardly about the scene, minus Aristidis who can't. [Right now you are saying annoyed "We get it, he is mouthless!" and to that I state calmly "Yes, but smart-a*ses who point out details at the drop of a hat, are not, not that I have seen any so far really."]
"I find it cute." Siesta admits, not as bothered by the said scene.
Aristidis presses the on the remote control next to him to pause the channel, earning the girls' attention that way, and looks at them with a kind expression. "Well, girls, I say we interrupt this program for now."
He then folds his legs with his feet below him, and springs himself off the bed while cartwheeling in midair, and grabbing/pulling with an arm the pink-haired girl by the shoulder close to him as he lands gracefully with his feet on the floor, much to her startled surprise and yelping reaction, bringing her into a one armed hug, with the rest being amazed like always with his acrobatic skills. "For it is finally time to proceed with that dentist appointment I once told you about."
That makes her face to slowly fill with dread as she remembers the time he spoke of how he will send her to one of his own one day.
The pitch-black Storyteller puts his now extended index of his hand to push softly her nose, making her recoil back for a short moment there, his face mischievously menacing. "And yes, you are going first, dearest Louise."
Louise is more than scared as she trembles in place. "C-Can't we leave it for-"
"Nope." He cuts her off while rushing off the screen with her, with the scene changing just as quickly to another location and time, specifically outside where a big white tent has been placed right next to the wall of the Spa Zone, as the scene zooms in toward the said tent's covered entrance, before it shows within Aristidis and the rest of the girls watching Louise who has been placed onto a lonely chair next to a table with white cloth, the latter confused and nervous as she looks at it while wondering whether she will be placed on it for the dental operation.
Kirche turns to Aristidis. "So, when will the-"
Just as soon as the question was about to be asked, she is interrupted once a man flips open the entrance's cloth to enter through, gaining everyone's attention as a result.
The man is of above-average height and medium build, has a short, light, neat hair, with a genial expression on his face, wears a Chef's uniform comprising of a light or white double-breasted jacket, a loose tie, an apron, and a tall, and a cylindrical hat, with a small, metallic emblem of a T at the upper corners of the chest his jacket and apron, and at the frontal fold of his hat, while also carrying in one hand a metal serving tray covered with a matching dome, to keep whatever is inside hidden from view. [Antonio, or better known as, Tonio Trussardi from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, here to offer his special services]
"My name is Tonio Trussardi, but please call me Tonio. A pleasure to meet you." Tonio respectfully greets the group as he then proceeds to approach the table, while the redhead tries her best to not yell about how good looking the man is.
The Chef places the covered tray upon the table and in front of the pink-haired girl, who along with the rest of the girls were rather confused as to what the chef has to do with the dental operation they have come for.
Louise turns her head toward the Storyteller, ready to question the fact. "Um-"
"Plate introduction, please." Aristidis interrupts while keeping his attention at the Chef.
"Of course. The plate of the day is... Pasta Puttanesca!" Tonio happily introduces as he lifts the dome cover after a small pause, revealing the plate of well-decorated spaghetti, which causes the great interest of all.
The Chef continues. "A dish comprised of spaghetti, pitted black olives and olive oil, anchovies, garlic, red pepper, cherry tomatos, and parmesan cheese, all properly presented upon the very former as intended, and ready to be enjoyed."
"Much appreciated, my friend." The pitch-black thanks him with a respectful nod.
The pink-haired girl turns her head once more toward him, really wanting answers. "Seriously, why-"
"Food first, questions later." He interrupts somewhat strictly while with a hand grabs and turns her head toward the plate, and then pushes with both her chair appropriately close to the table, much to her much ever-growing confusion, with the Chef placing a fork to the right if her plate.
As the rest try to make sense of the whole thing, considering the reason they were brought here, Louise while looking at her plate eventually decides to grab the fork, and try some.
Once she does so, her eyes widen and shine, before chewing and gulping properly the bit to be able to clearly say the following to the one who prepared the dish for her, her expression showing her overwhelming surprise. "I cannot believe what I taste! Chef Tonio, this dish you've made, compared to even the best Aristidis has given us all so far, is the greatest one I have ever eaten!"
"Grazie." Tonio thanks in his native language with a smile.
Siesta, along with the rest of the girls, is surprised with what her friend said, while in the meantime Louise unable to resist more, proceeds to eat more and more. "Is it really that good, Louise?"
"I need to create a new word to describe how good it-" The pink-haired girl begins after gulping the bites she took, but stops herself for a moment there, an odd feeling interrupting her, right before she lets her fork drop upon the table as she grabs/touches strongly with both hands her jaw and upper lip, something bothering her greatly, causing her to yell alarmed. "Wh-What is happening?! I feel a sudden pressure on all of my teeth!"
"Good, that means it works." The mouthless Storyteller simply tells her, as the girls look at him while realizing that was meant to happen, and snap as soon their attention back to their pink-haired friend, very curious to see the end result of this whole thing.
With Louise calming down a bit as she tries to understand what he said is supposed to mean, the feeling of pressure on her teeth almost immediately fades, and as she unhands her mouth while wondering about, the Storyteller produces and offers with a hand a mirror, while he himself is currently off the screen, with her looking before taking it in one of hers, and begins gazing through it carefully at her open mouth.
What she witnesses, is all of her teeth shining with cleaningness, and having a health like never before, which she can hardly believe. "My teeth are as clean as after I brush them, and the black lines I used to see in the middle of some are now gone!"
The rest of the girls are both surprised and amazed by what they heard, while the Italian Chef and the Storyteller, who moves next to the man, watch the scene with genial expressions.
The pink-haired girl snaps her head toward the two, the bewilderment never leaving her face. "Aristidis, who is this man?"
Aristidis begins as he indicates with a palm the man. "Tonio Trussardi is a unique example of a Chef, belonging to the story of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure."
That gets the girls' immediate attention, since they have knowledge of that story, minus Tiffania who looks back and forth at them confused.
"From the one we watched that one time?" Louise questions.
"Where those other hot guys come from?" Kirche then asks while unable to not voice her opinion on the hotness of the guys this time, before putting a finger at the side of her jaw while thinking about it. "I don't remember seeing him in the parts we watched."
Charlotte immediately after makes a conclusion. "From parts we have not watched."
"Bingo, my Charlotte." The pitch-black Storyteller compliments while winking, and then puts his index finger vertically in front of his mouth to indicate secrecy. "But I will not say from which part, as to avoid spoilers. Still, I will tell you that he is a Stand user, and also explain what his Stand is all about."
With a snap of his fingers, multiple and small monster-like beings appear floating next to the Chef, each appearing like a cross between a tomato and a pearl onion, with arms and a face, somewhat surprising, and later intriguing the girls who witnessed them come suddenly into view.
"Normally you wouldn't be able to see them, but I bended the rules for your convenience, obviously." He adds, before continuing with the expected description. "His Stand is called Pearl Jam, and the small ones you see here have the ability to infuse themselves into every one of Tonio's culinary creations, resulting in curing the consumers' ailments upon ingestion by enhancing the natural curative properties of the ingredients of their dish. And it is especially powerful, considering it can even heal normally incurable illnesses, as long as the right ingredients are involved, of course. There are times the curing process can be rather extreme, depending on how serious the ailment you can have is, but by the end of it, his customers always feel better than they have ever felt in their entire life!"
"That's amazing!" The pink-haired girl exclaims, with the rest of the girls sharing the feeling, before something comes to mind that makes her wonder about, and turns to the Storyteller. "But wait, you said the appointment was with a dentist."
"I never said he was your typical dentist. Plus, your dreaded reaction to thinking as much was SO entertaining." Aristidis answers as he looks upward to the side with a playful expression and a small giggle at the end.
The girl's eyes widen upon realizing the trick he was pulling on her all this time, with the rest covering their mouth with a hand to hide their amused smiles from her, and after she fumes in place for a second, she rushes toward him, and once reaching him she jumps and grabs him with both her hands by the neck, before beginning to strangle him as she pulls him down and close to her height lever while moving him back and forth out of absolute irritation, while in the meantime he makes chocking laughing noises. "YOU~!"
The girls can't help but laugh at the whole scene, with the Louise unhanding Aristidis while turning the other way with her arms folded, and a pout on her face, as he proceeds to hug her from behind while crouched to console her.
Once the laughs quiet down, the mouthless Storyteller straightens himself up while turning his head to Tonio. "Alright, my friend, you may now go prepare the very same dish for the rest of my ladies, so their teeth may become healthy enough to keep every dentist at bay!"
As the said ladies, minus Louise who is still pouting about, cheer for the fact, while also looking forward to the sure to be great dish, the Chef bows respectfully and proceeds to do just that, while the scene zooms out, signaling the end of this part.
~The Next Day~Again~
"Question." Louise begins curiously as the scene zooms out enough from her to show her Aristidis and Siesta seated along by a table at the academy's courtyard, different drinks present before each. "About that Chef Tonio, and in general really. If we are all able to enter inside your Tome, then why have us wait until the time you have the power to summon him or anyone important, when we can simply visit them immediately by entering ourselves?"
"Because that way, we now have immediate access to his delicious and curative dishes to enjoy every day, including everyone else in the academy whose health will benefit greatly thanks to the said fact." The pitch-black Storyteller answers, before taking a sip from his cup, with both girls uttering in understanding as they proceed to chatter between themselves semi-quietly about how correct and wholesome his thinking is.
Their attention then is drawn to Tiffania, Charlotte and Kirche who are approaching them together, with the half-elf appearing to be quite troubled and in deep thought for some reason.
Some needed explanation is awaiting the Storyteller for sure.
~A Not So Clear Explanation Later~
"Co-ho-me again?" Aristidis asks seemingly for a repeating while chuckling in between, the question directed toward Tiffania obviously.
Tiffania still appears a bit troubled about, while also looking down at her large breasts now. "While I was walking along with my friends Charlotte and Kirche, a lot of boys and girls were whispering about my breasts, either commenting to one another whether they were real or not, or that they are too large to be real."
"Are they really fake?" She then asks while snapping her head to look at and stepping closer to him with both hands clasped together in a pleading manner, as she makes her elbows somewhat squeeze both her large breasts while doing so without noticing, with Kirche and Charlotte sweat dropping at the obvious hyperbole of the case.
The mouthless Storyteller just looks at her for a moment, while the other two next him also sweat drop at the girl's hyperbole, before taking a sip from his drink, placing it down again, and connecting the fingers of both his hands in front of him with a bored expression. "Sweetie, just because you are of big size, does not make your chest less authentic than everyone else's."
"That's what we've been telling her as well, our love!" The redhead tells him, happy to see they both think the same way.
"And I mean, there are far greater sizes than yours within my Tome." He adds while shrugging his shoulders.
"... Eh?" Everyone utters after a small pause, not too sure if they have heard correctly.
"Let me show you." Aristidis begins as he picks up with both hands his Tome, opens and turns it to the desired page, and with a wave of a finger makes it to magically float toward the grassy ground next to the table, with a figure then beginning to step out of it, and while at the moment Old Osmond can be seen walking in the background only to stop as the summon catches his curious attention.
The one who has come out of the Tome, is a muscular, extremely voluptuous and mature-looking woman with ivory-colored skin, black hair in a ponytail with a left bang that covers most of her forehead, blue eyes behind spectacles, her ENORMOUS bust, 120 cm to be precise, restrained behind a tight, purple apron-like dress. [Cattleya from Queen's Blade, here to be the perfect example of the case]
As the girls gaze onto the woman's way-too-big breasts with eyes wide open and mouth gaping from absolute shock, the Headmaster at the background shoots blood out of his nostrils because of the view, causing him to recoil back and fall down onto his back unconscious.
The pitch-black Storyteller with a gleeful face leans sidewardly next to the pink-haired girl. "And before you ask, yes, they are natural. And she is not the only example when it comes to breast size, just so you know." He adds the last part while straightening himself upon his seat normally again.
"Wow..." Louise trails off while flabbergasted, with the rest being pretty much the same way, and as she looks at the woman with the enormous breasts showing off herself with a kind smile through different, simple poses, showing how exposed the outward sides of her breasts are, along with how short her dress is that practically reveals the panties from underneath, the pink-haired girl leans toward the Storyteller to whisper something to him with a sweat drop. "Is that what she usually wears?"
"You should see the rest of her world's cast." He answers her in a similar manner, making her look at the woman even more surprised, trying to imagine just what kind of mindset the rest of her world has for such revealing styles to be acceptable.
Despite that, thanks to the whole thing, the blonde half-elf learned to not take too seriously comments that have to do with her body, because if at the end of the day there are people out there with more extreme measurements than hers that are considered natural, then why think of her own otherwise?
~The Next Day~Night Time~
Inside the most well-known room, Aristidis is seen lying in a relaxing manner upon the side of the large bed, capeless, looking at Tiffania who stands before him, with Louise seated close to the foot of the said bed, all appearing as if about to deal with something of serious nature.
"Believe you are ready for this?" He asks Tiffania.
"W-Well, I mean, it has to happen someday, and delaying more is just wrong for the both of us." She answers with a bit of hesitation at the start and a blush on her face, but still believing what she said.
The mouthless Storyteller points a finger at her. "That is what the girls told, did they not?"
"Yes, but I still agree with them." The blonde half-elf answers with more determination this time, wanting to show that to be the case indeed.
Aristidis looks at her for a moment longer, and then with a satisfied expression shrugs. "Your decision, my golden beauty."
Even though he said that, he sees how she just stands there, awkwardly looking from side to side despite the previous determination she has shown.
The pitch-black Storyteller doesn't think of it for much longer, and as his face turns kind, he decides to make it somewhat easier for her. "What say you take the lead for your first time? You know, to have the experience you prefer as a start."
"Ah- I-I..." Tiffania trails off after responding with surprise, being still too hesitant to do anything more than fidget in place.
Having seen enough, Louise gets up, obviously upset with her. "Tiffania, what the hell! You cannot seriously tell you said all that, just to hesitate the last moment, did you?"
"I j-just need a moment t-to..." The half-elf trails off again, now troubled as she tries to find the right words.
"Now I see why I was needed to be here." The pink-haired girl whispers to herself after sighing while looking upward to the ceiling in disbelief, before looking at and approaching her with seriousness. "Alright, come here you hopeless-"
Louise grabs Tiffania's clothes and attempts to undress her, only for the latter to begin resisting in protest to that action, while saying how she wants to do it herself when feeling ready, which the former makes clear she has no patience for, as she keeps on trying to force the clothes off the latter, and touching her in sensitive places while trying to do so.
Under normal circumstances, or as normal as they can be in such a case, the pink-haired girl wouldn't even care about another girl having trouble with taking part in this kind of activity with Aristidis, but she cannot have her embarrass herself at such a degree and at such a point!
How things can change someone at times.
"Do I like what I am seeing..." Aristidis trails off in a flirtatious manner, enjoying the sensual to him struggle of the two.
They both stop as they are for the moment while looking at him, showing that during the struggle even the pink-haired girl's clothes were pulled somewhat off her as a result, before Louise gives him an annoyed look with a blush. "Pervert."
"Hey. You are the one undressing her in a semi-forceful manner." The Storyteller tells her playfully, and then turns his head a bit to the side with a hand on his chin, his expression now mischievous as well while looking at her with half an eye. "Not to mention the things you ended up being into."
The pink-haired girl pauses while becoming flustered at that, before the scene moves at the outside and top of their door as she proceeds upset to yell the following at him. "D-Don't say it like I was the one who told you to perform those few things during our very personal times!"
"You still said yes to those said few, miss curious." Aristidis states through the door, as the scene moves downward enough to show Siesta, Charlotte and Kirche eavesdropping at the whole thing with great interest.
Louise groans out of great frustration, hating how she just can't catch him unprepared enough to not make an embarrassment out of herself before him. "Nevermind- Tiffania, enough delay, get these clothes off now!"
Hearing them in secret from the other side, the redhead becomes rather impatient. "Come on, get to the good part- I want to hear all about her very first experience already!"
The black-haired maid, and the blue-haired girl alongside her nod in agreement with that, wanting to also hear as much, having just as little shame about the eavesdropping action like Kirche, with the scene zooming out some more to show the Playing Card Soldiers from Alice In Wonderland, and now known guards of the room's entrance, standing next to them as they sweat drop while looking at their said shameless action, with the maid Cinderella not too far while doing the same as the latter group, but with an awkward smile, since she did the same herself one or two times like the forner group.
~Some Time Later~
The scene follows Charlotte, who is making her way alone toward her room after finishing with eavesdropping, along with the rest, at the bed session inside Louise's room, ready to get some good night sleep, while wondering what their good Aristidis might entertain them with the next day.
After reaching her room, the blue-haired girl is about to open the door, only to stop where she is as she hears a distinct noise within, like a faint beating upon something.
With great caution and her magic staff at the ready in one hand, she steps back, and with the whispering of a spell opens the door from distance.
Charlotte spots as soon the cause of the noise, before a moment after calmly relaxes her stance while proceeding inside, closing the door behind her, and approaching the window, where a crow expects her, with a letter carrying a very familiar royal seal on its claws.
She opens the window, takes the letter, and the black bird flies off as soon, leaving her to read the content alone.
Once finishing with reading, the blue-haired girl narrows her eyes the moment she understands what is this about, and without losing time she calls for her bluish dragon Sylphid via whistling, before taking off onto her ride's back toward the night sky above and the location of the meeting.
While halfway or so there, a voice from above and behind her greets the girl and calls her by her fake name, making her to look that way where she sees a big, flying manta-ray-like creature descending close to her, with the one riding it being the one she was to meet.
Sheffield, Familiar of the Gallian King.
Charlotte knows she was not supposed to meet her before reaching Gallia, since that's where these meetings usually take place, so this was rather odd to her.
Very few words were exchanged, as the mission ordered into completion by her uncle and king Joseph was received.
The inheritor of the Void into his hands, and the Tome's destruction.
The pale woman also added how the blue-haired girl's mother will be given a chance to have her sanity being restored, showing a complete lack of knowledge about her actual state, before she rides her big manta into the night sky and away.
With that quick meeting finished, Charlotte flies back to the academy, moves inside her room, and after closing the windows, she undresses, puts on her nightgown, and covers herself appropriately under the blanket after lying onto her bed, ready to sleep.
While at it, she makes a turn in place to better position herself, seemingly an attempt to get a nicer feel of the bed and sleep properly, but as she does so, one of her arms moves in such a way, that it reaches the underside of the said bed, resulting in a clicking sound, before moving the arm back inside the blanket.
The scene moves closer, revealing that at the place her hand touched under the bed, was small button, showing that in the end that move of hers had an entirely different purpose.
After that happened, the scene cuts inside the very-well-known room, where it shows Aristidis inside the bed along with a sleeping Louise and Tiffania, the latter two obviously tired after the intense session they had together, with the former seen holding in front of him in one hand a similar button which was emitting a faint glow every two second.
The pitch-black Storyteller's expression was that of absolute glee while looking at it, for he knows what it is about. "The piece upon my chessboard in the end will be moved as expected. What a surprise..." He sarcastically says in the end, the screen turning black the moment the said last line is spoken.
{To Be Continued}