"Ohhhh, how I love this…" Seiichi said suddenly. The grin turned his black-coffee eyes a bright green. The eight unknowing were confused. They HAD to know what he loved.

"Y'know, I kinda wanna play a prank on the ones coming in… Wanna roleplay a bit while the Seven Shades hide outta sight, Minoru?" he asked. The Shades, now knowing the truth… gave an okay, after all, what could still shock them at this point? Oh, the regret that they will have…

Minoru just grinned anticipatorily. "What do we do?" Seiichi whispered in his ear and their grins widened.


Mostly Claire Kagenou's POV


Claire was suddenly yanked from her reunion with her family. Sure she was in a bad mood, but that was probably because the Viscount who kidnapped her was long dead when she found him.

She wanted to find the killer and give him a piece of her mind, since she was intending on torturing him… just to be disappointed. Now, she and her parents, along with a hooded person wearing a black hooded (obviously) cloak. Next to that person was perhaps the curviest woman she had ever seen. She had violet eyes, a mole under her right lower lip, and violet hair. She wore a semi-purple black dress, a long caped coat, and long sleeves reaching her hands with gold decorative silhouettes. Her dress in general is that of a shady woman, leaving her medium neckline uncovered with a green jewel on the neck, with golden-yellowish silhouettes of a green jewel on the right-centre side above the abdomen, attached to a long 2-layer skirt, which raises the front part a little that covers the knees, and dark purple heels.

The Kagenou parents were kinda worried about the fact that they had been kidnapped- considering the circumstances, rightfully so. The violet-eyed woman looked around in curiosity, having been somehow taken from her prison. The hooded person lowered her hood, revealing a beautiful Elf with refined features and a voluptuous figure. She has long platinum hair, blue eyes, and near pale-colored skin. Claire growled a bit more, since she was not happy that she was outranked in beauty by two people- How wouldn't Cid react to them!? Even Baldy had to be restrained by her mother! Unseen and unheard, the Shades gasped a bit. She looked so much like Alpha-sama! Minoru raised an eyebrow, was it some kind of lost relative thing? He could see Alpha looking away.

The elf wore a black robe with tattered edges, a white bikini top, and black short shorts. She wears a leg stocking on her right leg from just above the ankle to the middle of her thigh, while her left leg is bare save for two straps. She also wears a jewel-adorned hairband and a necklace with what appears to be a sapphire. The slut! Speaking of which, where was Cid? She swore she saw him wearing a strange outfit a moment ag-

Claire froze, there was the sound of an explosion and she turned around… and almost fainted. She saw Cid. She saw CID FIGHTING A FUCKING DRAGON WHY WASN'T SHE FIGHTING ALONGSIDE HIM ALREADY!?

Grabbing the sword that was somehow coincidentally there, she entered the fray, mind racing with questions for which she'll surely pry the answers from him later

… only it was to avenge him, as he was hit with a strike so hard he flew away in a bloody tornado that was originating from his mouth. It looked like he had bruises from when the fight started which was not calming her down she was furious as it was.

The newcomer elf, who was looking around curiously,removed her hooded cloak completely and joined in with Claire (who wouldn't admit she was thankful) as they started to do battle against the dragon. It moved gracefully as it avoided the damage being dealt by two mid-high-level Magic Knights- she had to admit the elf was strong- and they were losing. Almost like they were soul siblings (ironically enough), they loaded their swords with the absolute limits of their mana… only to be held back when they unleashed it. And it wasn't by the dragon either.

Nope, it was CID WHY DID SHE STRIKE AT HIM SHE COULD'VE KILLED HIM WITH THAT STRIKE! The dragon was docile, but that didn't matter, Cid was her priority.

"CID! What the ACTUAL FUCK WERE YOU THINKING!? YOU COULD'VE KILLED YOURSELF WITH THAT STUPID ACTION! AND WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING THE DRAGON!?" she screamed . It was unholy. The Kagenou couple looked like they were wondering how their son was even standing there with a calm expression as she shook him. Even the mother was shaking in her boots, which said something when Claire feared her.

Seven figures stood around him in a flash, all fussing over him and wanting to know how he managed to be calm when he lost that much blood.

"Calm down, girls" That got Claire looking more intently at them- they were all beauties beyond her! How is she supposed to compete!? The violet-haired bitch ( Quick AN- pun totally unintended ) stepped closer to him as she answered.

"I do not know why you are so surprised. The dragon was clearly playing, as was this Cid you were speaking to. Weren't you?" she peered into his eyes, as she looked for something in his eyes.

Minoru didn't have much of an issue shrugging the girls off as he gracefully met and matched her gaze. "Yeah, we were just playing a prank- that was clearly not supposed to go as far as it had- but whatever. My name is Minoru Kageno, but due to circumstances, I am now also known as Cid Kagenou. I believe we'll be discussing said circumstances soon anyway. Who may you and the elf over there be, I wonder?" His noble aura exuded confidence, his voice had a cadence that none of the Kagenou family members were familiar with. At least, not when it comes to Cid himself. Minoru was oddly dismissive of his family, though he did glance at them once or twice. The Shades were slightly rigid.

"My name is Aurora. I am not sure who that elf is, but would you mind terribly if I stayed a bit away from her? She reminds me of someone I oh so horribly despise." Aurora asked politely, but her voice was tense.

Beatrix felt a slight animosity too but was willing to keep her peace. "My name is Beatrix. I have been on a long journey, however this place seems strange. Why have we been brought here?"

Minoru was about to answe-

"Minoru, that was… GREAT! Nice Bloody Tornado! And I love how everyone forgot you as the two battle-manics clashed with me! You gotta teach me how to do that later!" The dragon, who had changed to a human form, grinned happily as he approached. Claire practically turned into a mama bear at that.

Minoru felt a bit uncomfortable as his sis half strangled him and half strained his spine with her arms, a chilling glare present, "First off, WHAT!? Second, if someone doesn't tell me what's going on this instant, I'm taking myself and Cid outta here," then turned to him, only he suddenly broke the hold she had on him, and pinned her on the ground. She never stopped glaring.

Aurora and the elf blinked while Aethra finally showed herself, Seiichi persistently asking Minoru questions mentally if his expression and the shades wince was anything to go by, Claire stunned still. "I'd hate to interrupt," they turned to her, the Kageno couple feeling oddly relieved.

"But, we can't let a fight break out, can we? Also, Seiichi, can it, please?" The man merely pouted. "Anyway, explanations apart, I'm sorry for the commotion, I couldn't intervene earlier because I was busy."

Aurora smiled, feeling her over with atomic levels of mana and blinking as Aethra was unfazed, Delta grinned when Beatrix bowed.

Minoru said it first "Sorry about my sister, she can be a bit of a blockhead…" sheepishly- as if he wasn't holding a struggling Claire back.

"Alright then." she flicked her forehead as Claire blinked, then yelled as information of the past "episode" rushed in, screaming curses. In reality it was mostly a summary and Claire overreacting to the pain.

While Minoru was happy to be free to act as himself, Aethra smiled back to the baffled parents, "Who's next?"

Beatrix stared while Aurora chuckled.

"Er, Nee-san, have you calmed down?"

"Yes, now let me up," Claire ordered, trying to hold on to Cid's arm while Aurora stood close, the shades were relieved the situation was resolved, though Baldy was relieved and mom was just happy they had a "reserve" option, Alpha and Beatrix… still didn't see eye to eye, or rather, Beatrix couldn't see her face properly- the effects from before still active, but Claire insisted on keeping Cid in her sight.

Cue the issue of who sat on the other side. Don't get them wrong, mostly everyone there wanted a go (Beatrix because she felt he seemed easy to talk and Aurora curiosity, since she felt their mostly equal power, discounting Diabolos), but since Minoru didn't care and the shades wanted a fair situation, they played a game of rock paper scissors with the girls involved, Aethra shrugged and simply went to the back (coincidently behind Cid) and the Kagenous opted out entirely.

Alpha won, as the Seven Shades surrounded the siblings. Further beyond are Beatrix and Aurora, on either side, naturally.


Normal POV


Now that things were calm, Seiichi coughed, Aethra floating near, the seating arrangement stable, "Anyway, introductions. My name is Seiichi and this is Aethra, just think of us as beings beyond most of your imagination. Now, you five are here because you're in a- 'how do I-Oh yeah'- lucid dream. What you five will do is react to Minoru, that is to say, Cid, and his seven closest buddies" the Shades and Claire growled at that- The Shades were not his buddies- they are his harem, while Claire didn't like that some women she didn't even know had gotten their hands on HER little brother.

The Kagenou parents were curious as the "information" gave them a general idea, but they still didn't understand how they related to Cid. Aurora smiled, finally some answers, albeit she didn't remember ever meeting the kid.

The elf nodded, "That still doesn't explain why I'm here. I've been looking for my niece, who I'm told resembles me a lot" the Shade stared at the screen, shifting slightly, "and yet you drag me here?"

Aurora concurred "I feel the same… While I am curious about what's going to happen here, I feel as though I shouldn't be here…"

Beta pursued her lips, confused as to why Seiichi would pull her, then Seiichi spoke, "Right, I brought you two because you're connected to Minoru in the future. You might as well watch this too."

Aurora creased her eyebrows while Beatrix nodded, the rest curious.

Then he remembered something, continuing, "I think it's clear now that the rules state that there is no violence more serious than a fisticuff between frenemies that is to occur. Cid and Aurora are the enforcers- since neither Aethra nor I can be bothered to do so- so you two better enforce the rules. BTW, most of the stuff that occurs is real, but that is an alternate universe, where the only difference is Minoru's thought process." 'Also, you and the Seven Shades can just talk to each other mentally as long as you're in this realm. Y'know, to keep the Alternate Universe the ruse' he projected to the eight. Delta smiled widely.

Minoru nodded silently, understanding that Claire needed to be restrained, and that he was being given a way to really be a Shadowbroker…

Aurora nodded as well, she knew that conflict could arise easily with a powder keg like Claire.

"Alright then, let's get this show on the road!" Seiichi and Aethra chorused


A quaint countryside shot, with the castle-like manor that overlooks it. [Minoru] monologues his lines from the previous episode. He looks like his past life, but younger. Probably aged 10-12. He's wearing his usual olive suit with yellow trimmings. Behind him, [Alpha], face blurred, stands in a nun's habit minus the headpiece, as she holds a book to her chest. She confirms some info to him. He says his catchphrase and recalls his obsession. Right before he calls her gullible. Cue OP with [Alpha]'s features obscured.


Alpha glares at the back of Minoru's head, he was the gullible one. The Kagenous were worried about the danger that Alpha was talking about. Claire grabbed his arm rather tightly there. Minoru just flexed to get rid of the strain.

"So you know about me then?" Aurora mutters. Thankfully she isn't overheard. Beatrix is thinking about the hidden group that she was talking about- like whether they held her niece or whether said niece was killed by them.

Claire was just furious that her brother was blockheaded enough to ignore signs of the truth in another universe.


[Minoru] reveals the update of his previous life… by voice-overing the damn news. Snap to a baby [Minoru] and the Kagenou estate's exultations. Listen to his confusion. Poor baby's confused because he's an adult in a baby's body. He doesn't cry- what baby doesn't? He corrects that mistake as [Claire Kagenou], the two-year-old munchkin, appears to grin at her new younger brother. He comes to terms with his reincarnation, and is ecstatic at the gaining of magic… only to poop. Cue tantrum.


"Wait, so you were aware of everything around you even then?" Claire asks, gripping his arm tightly. Her smile scared demons away. The Seven Shades talked around the siblings through the mind, mostly about how their lord was sensitive to everything around him even then. Aurora was sparkling at being able to talk to someone about a different world. She really was eternally curious.

Beatrix was watching intently, as she could find her niece anytime through this recording. She made a point of visiting the Kagenou region soon.

Minoru replied as if nothing was hurting. "Yes, I was really scared of how many dumb things you'd do- I really hit my limit at the dumb stunt you pulled when I was six. Then again, if this is going to show everything, then I can't really talk."

That was the understatement of the year, Claire pouted at him, but conceded the point.


Info dump on the current Kagenou estate and Magic Knights. See that [Minoru]- now [Cid]- talks about being an average Magic Knight apprentice while [Claire] is the heiress. All this while the divide in their talents is shown, in a demo as they're doing one day. Or is it? Later that night, [Cid], dressed in a black hooded outfit, attacks some bandits- psychopathy fully on display. He's shot at, but he dodges and proceeds to 'slice and dice' with his slime weaponry. They, of course, die in seconds. Though he keeps asking them for money. And comments on the slime's workability.


Claire is shocked at Minoru's power (but weirdly not the psychopathy, she probably had a similar mindset). Hell, even the parents are shocked. She slowly turns to stare at him, only to see the calm, analytical expression on his face. He's muttering stuff about the way that fight had gone and how he could've killed them better. They were even more shocked that he would critique that fight- it was beautiful fighting, even if a bit gory.

Beatrix understands that bandits had to be culled. She's accepted that. What she couldn't accept was that a kid had managed to cull bandits that fast at that age. Even she would have struggled at the same age.

The Shades- Epsilon repping them asked him one question mentally 'Was this a test run of the slime suits?'

'Yes, well, this was the most successful one of them. The control method required to maintain the other models was a pain...' he replied, a grimace forming at the reminder of his past failures.


The leader attacks him, foolishly revealing that he's a master of the Royal Bushin style of swordplay… though he had been informed seconds ago that he was to entertain [Cid] for at least 2 minutes. He manages to slash [Cid], but the defensive properties of the slime is just as good as the offensive properties. [Cid] butchers the pitiful co-called master-who was stronger than [Claire]- and looks through his loot after thanking the merchants for it.


"Something you want to say to me, Cid?" Claire asks Minoru, clearly not that happy with that comment on her skill level.

"Whatever do you mean?" He retorted back and she huffed, Claire could defeat him, thank you very much (not really).

Their mother sighed.


As he does so, he finds a monstrous-looking mass of live meat. He remembers about the {Possessed}- cueing an infodump- and determines correctly that it is simply a case of magic overload. He casually comments that he's on the verge of one himself, like it's nothing to worry about.


Everyone was alarmed at that information. Claire shook her brother and tried to make sure he was alright, all while the Kagenou parents looked his body over. They only sighed in relief when they saw that he was alright. Thenthey proceed to sermon him on keeping such dangerous secrets. They really needed to get a clue

Beatrix wondered how he was alive. Males who were {Possessed} simply exploded in a gloriously gory shower immediately. It was a messy thing. She also felt pity for the {Possessed} girl on screen. If only she knew…

Aurora looked down in regret. She didn't really mean to cause so much damage with her rebellion, though Diabolos was happy to do so, she was one for peace.

The Shades were battering their master with words of concern… if only they knew…

Alpha though, felt a weird sense of deja vu, something about that blob was familiar…

Cid smiled, he still remembered fondly this moment, ah, the experiments…


He realizes he can use it. Thus he decides to experiment with it. Because he's a mad scientist like that. He tries various stuff to figure out how it works and how to control the rampaging magic. He even manages to figure out how to tame the magic he's been working on and improved so much- to the point where he gives himself multiple magic overloads and increases his pool. As a back-of-the-mind thought, he also saw if he could improve his self-healing.


"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO YOURSELF!?" Everyone , even the Seven Shades, asked Minoru as he just shrugged and refused to comment. His grin intensified.

It was always useful to review the past to improve on the present.


Then, one month later, the containment was successful- for the meat-mass, that is. He managed to control his latest procedure with the clues he got only the night before.. Cue same-age elf female with no clothes on. And blurred features. He's surprised that he can even free the elf, then rolls with it. He's excited for his first LARP-acid trip. LARP-trip?


The Shades deadpanned… His first scene as a shadowbroker? Sometimes their master can be a dork. They even project as much.. To his annoyance. Then again, he does start the entire journey here… how does he cover this? The others are spellbound and listening intently, none moving so much as a nanometer.

Still… Cid felt himself getting glared at, "You wouldn't happen to be mad, would you, Alpha?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Minoru. I'm grateful for being freed," she said drily, a bit dismayed that his healing her was a low-priority only to pretend otherwise. Of course, since then he has put them first in his priority, so she let him off with a glare. Minoru gave her a sheepishly apologetic grin.


As the elf awakens, he sits on the crate in front of her, leading to the cool scene. Proceeds to ad-lib about a {Cult of Diabolos}. All this time, he didn't even bother dressing her up… and using clues in his sight to nail deets. Why did he talk about a curse? Because it's free real estate. He spins the tale, not thinking that everything could be true. Give the devil his due, he guessed it right! He then states that they must keep to the shadows as their enemies are also hiding in the shadows. And coincidentally introduces himself as Stylis-no, that ain't it. Ahh, [Shadow]!- as he flares his {Purple} mana. All for a light show. He asks her if she's prepared to throw everything away to join him in the shadows. A syndicate to counter them.


Alpha realizes it faster than the others. She keeps her mouth closed though. No wonder Minoru likes roleplaying or being all-knowing (lol). It's got a certain appeal to it.

Still, she was thankful for the funny image of him rather abruptly trying to look cool, the others were more focused on the scene, Beta writing down rapidly.


It was going to be a thorny path, he said. Leave and you can have a peaceful life, he said. Betraying all expectations, she doubled down- tripled- even quadrupled down on her decision. Even makes suggestions to expand and really counter them. [Shadow] manages to roll with the blows, then names the syndicate as {Shadow Garden}. He names his first follower as [Alpha]- finally dressing her in a slime bodysuit while at it- and her face is shown for the first time.


In the theatre, Alpha's facial features are revealed as well. Beatrix, seeing this, stands up immediately, walks up to her and stares. Intently. Alpha stares back. Just as intently. Two peas in a pod, really. Alpha also clutches Minoru's arm, deeming him to be safer. Beatrix smiles, relieved, horrified, and overall protective. She also felt jealous for some reason. Perhaps seeing her cling to Minoru was a blow against her. Though she also wanted to hold Minoru's arm. She thought it would feel nice… and maybe she should try and calm down. She sat back down. Her face was slightly pink.

While focusing on the screen, Minoru smiled calmly, thinking internally, Epsilon patting Alpha's shoulders in sympathy as she gave her a grateful nod, "Alpha?"

The elf looked down briefly, "... I'm not ready yet," he hummed, eyeing Beatrix, she seemed torn between getting closer and watching.

Ah, he's gonna enjoy watching this, Eta raised a brow at his pleased expression, Zeta sighed, they were really named after letters, huh?

Gamma winced, but remained marvelled, as expected of Alpha-sama's resourcefulness!

Delta started poking a distracted Beatrix.

(Seiichi will remember this.)


3 years pass. [Cid] and [Claire] are sparring beside a river. Apparently his lunge is weak, though he's voiceovering some info about his true skills, honed over two lifetimes with info from the age of information- compared to the new world's swordplay or martial arts in general, it far outstripped EVERYTHING... As [Cid] rushes in for an attack, [Claire] defends. His lunge is apparently weak. While they struggle, time slows down to a snail's crawl as [Cid] lets out a maniacal grin.


'WHAT THE CRAP?' was the only thought let out by the audience- minus our eightsome.

'Perception improvement- his perspective, his 'point of view. Though not even Epsilon/I can dilate time that much' the Seven Shades thought as one.

Inwardly, Gamma added, 'Ah… that's where Delta got her grin from…'

Beatrix hummed, wondering if he could teach her the technique while Aurora's eyes sparkled.


He visualizes 4 different winning moves at once and then throws the match as time resumes at a normal pace. [Claire] lectures him as she has to leave for the {Midgar Magic Knights Academy}- mandatory for all nobles. A maid informs her of the farewell party being held for her. She leaves him to bask in the glory of another perfect act- not that she knows it.


"Are you serious?! I get your obsession with being a mob, well, not really, but why did you choose this level of pathetic?!" Claire was pissed, she recognized he had talent before, but it was still not okay to lie to her like that! "I would've been more than happy to help! Do you have any idea how worried I was for your future?!" Disappointed, but still!

"I needed to be perfect!" Cid defended himself, both bickering back and forth.

The shades sighed, while Aurora chuckled, the Kagenou couple just... tired.


HOLY CRAP! She's been kidnapped the night before she's set to depart! As the Kagenou patriarch is beaten down on by the matriarch, [Cid] slips away unnoticed, followed by a maid. He calls for [Beta], only for slime to reveal [Beta] to be the maid following him in disguise. He also slightly worries about going bald like [Baldy].


Minoru exults, briefly pausing from the fight, "YES! I WAS AIR! YAHOO!"

Baldy just fell into depression from said beatdown, while his wife apologised profusely.

Beta smiled while Claire dragged them back to the argument, she wasn't done yet.

"So, was Cid the one who found Claire?" The matriarch deduced, Minoru gave her a so-so sign.

The Seven Shades suddenly remembered one aspect of that last part… Gamma and Eta resolved to find a prevention method/cure for baldness- since Minoru looked better with his hair, thank you very much.


They discuss the culprits- the {Cult}- as [Shadow] thinks about the fact that they push the {Cult} thing a lot. Then again, obsession is a hell of a drug. As [Beta] narrows it down to one base, [Shadow] throws a knife and misses. [Beta] notices that the cryptograms contained a bluff that indicated a hidden base at the point [Shadow] had struck. Luck never ceases to amaze. They were to mobilize that very night. [Shadow] praises her acting.


'Yeah no, that should've been a clue to it all being real' Minoru chastised himself in his mind- knowing that he was privy to everything being overheard by the Shades. They really had no answer to that, though. How this one genius could miss it was a mystery.

'I'm more surprised by the fact you missed,' Alpha noted.

'Does this mean wherever he pointed at would be the base?' Was mutually thought by the shades.

'What do you mean by Academy-class, Minoru-sama?' Beta asked later, focusing on priorities. He proceeded to explain a bit about the Oscars, which leads to Beta blushing, to the others' chagrin.

Alpha blinked, suddenly even more curious. 'How advanced was your knowledge of magic, anyway? You seemed really at ease with your high mana reserves, and I never thought to ask about it.'

Beta thought it over, 'Apparently he read some magical chronicles and tomes over it, they were highly detailed.'

Epsilon and Eta stared, 'But those were fiction!' The elf was baffled.

Gamma smiled, 'Master can override reality, remember? He probably assumed their logic worked there and acted from it.'

Zeta's eyes widened while Cid nodded, Delta grinning, Aurora was definitely going to ask him about it later.

'I'm not quite sure about that, but I'll explain my theory later, now watch!' Seiichi butted in.


The kidnapper- a [Viscount Olba]- is interrogating [Claire], who is chained to the walls with anti-magic cuffs in a dungeon cell. How cliché. She's in her nightwear. As she dodges his kick, she reveals that her skills were learnt from [Cid], who doesn't learn from her… Eh, can't blame her. The good [Viscount] is also mocked back for losing in the Bushin Festival. Apparently her 'compatibility' is also going to matter soon enough. Anyway, he wants to capture [Cid] as well now. Sure enough, her Yandere tendencies break out before she's knocked out by the Viscount. Just in time, as the base is attacked. Who could go against Royal Guard class footsoldiers?


Claire grit her teeth, remembering how much her nose hurt from that punch to the face. She still didn't like the threat, but now she knew that he'd be safe.

"Claire. " The Kagenou matriarch called out, causing Claire to stiffen. " We shall be having a talk soon about manners, young lady. Really, as an heiress, you should know what's going on around you." She sighed, in irritation. Claire shivered at the implication.

Minoru was unbothered by it, though now he got why she was kidnapped in the first place, "The dots? Oh yeah, I completely forgot about them."

Alpha blinked while Claire raised a brow, "What do you mean forgot?"

"Remember that time I asked to practise stretching with you? I was bored and you showed the marks, so before you annoyed me about them, I got rid of them, plus you never reacted to their sudden dissapearance later, so I let it go."

Claire's eyes twitched, barely avoiding strangling him, she seriously assumed she was gonna die!

"Er, Minoru-sama?" He turned to Beta, "You should probably work on your tact" he shrugged, the elf wincing at Claire's death aura. Epsilon was mega glad she wasn't near, Delta letting out a whistle.


Why, it's our friendly neighbourhood syndicate, {Shadow Garden}! As they decimate the base, [Viscount Olba] is forced to confront them. Of course, since they know what's going on about the {Cult of Diabolos}, he HAS to try and kill them. Good fucking luck with THAT tall order. The [Viscount] is forced to escape, by eating a red pill and then pulling off an 'Exit, stage down' before he could be 'interrogated'. Why would he use Trigger though?


"Excellent swordsmanship. Did Shadow teach you?" Beatrix asked. She somewhat looked concerned, since Alpha was fighting a war that threatens her life. She had sworn to protect her last relative- her niece. There is no way she wasn't getting involved.

"Yes, he taught us all that we know about swordplay and the use of magic. He even gave us further wisdom to survive in the wild and profit and thrive in the world." Gamma answered, Alpha still feeling a bit conflicted. Then again, Beatrix radiated love and concern all the way to her position. Even Aurora was looking on in relief- looks like she won't be fighting the scary elf anytime soon.

Claire was watching the swordplay. Not much was seen, but what she saw was superlative on the girls' part. She was determined to learn it. It was POWERFUL.

Minoru simply looked bored with the combat. "In retrospect, you could've disabled both arms and feet, or gotten behind him and stabbed him in the lower spine- better to capture him. Regardless, you did well for that level of enemy. Think on that next time- our enemies hold valuable information that we can use." He reprimands the seven. 'Had I known that everything was real before, that would've been my approach to the enemy' he adds mentally, to make sure that they knew why he spoke aloud.


[Beta] asks if they should pursue. [Alpha] sensed 'him' there, and reported as such. Meanwhile, [Shadow]... is lost. That's what he gets for killing that many small fries. He manages to run into the [Viscount], who is delirious. When he unleashes magic, [Shadow] reveals that [Viscount]'s mana pool is greater than [Alpha]'s, but he lacks in control. [Shadow] proceeds to school him in combat- pissing him off due to being reminded of his starting point. The [Viscount]'s lunge is also, ironically enough, weak. As he brags about the darkness of the world being darker than anyone imagines, [Shadow] responds perfectly. "Then we simply dive deep. As deep as necessary." Based purple flaming right eye is based.


The Seven Shades snickered. 'Minoru! That was too funny! Why, oh, why did you choose to say that of all things?' Gamma repped them this time.

Minoru just grinned and answered, 'Because I've always wanted to say that? Also, it's true…. We're gonna have to dive as deep as this goes and still win. I dunno about you, but that speaks of how ready you are for this conflict.' That shut them up.

Meanwhile, Beatrix was wondering if she could join them… She also wanted to learn from Minoru…

Zeta blinked, 'You were lost? Wait,' she paused, frowning, 'Why am I still surprised?'

"Speaking of which, what were you doing during that time, Claire-san?" Aurora asked, curious, Claire kinda disappeared.

"Oh that," She was bear hugging Minoru strong enough for him to spasm, "The cuffs were tight, so I was getting rid of them then tried to walk or punch my way out, I had to run some circles. That place was huge," her parents looked somewhat strained at that.

Minoru considered it mid choking, should he put put a tracker on her?


As the [Viscount] rages, he is decimated by [Shadow], who says that playtime's over, and kills him- pills or no. Kids, this is why drugs are not allowed. [Claire] returns the next day in a very bad mood, and [Cid] plays the adorable little brother as she leaves for the school a week later. This is for recovery, which happened overnight. She bugged him the entire time. As [Cid] stares into the dusk in excitement for when he goes to the {Academy}, {Shadow Garden} appear and tell him that it's time they part. He is shaken. Cue Ending and credits.


'What the hell were you seven going to do once you left?' Minoru asks with a hint of annoyance. He seriously assumed they woke up to his bullshit based on the phrasing.

Alpha was prompt to answer. 'We were going to expand operations. And perhaps create cover identities. That way, we can track the Cult's movements easily. Delta would've been stuck at my side. And Gamma would head to Midgar's capital with the aim of creating a business front alongside Eta'

"Good, keep that plan up. Zeta should stay behind, so that I can update myself" 'on everything you managed to dredge up in the past- I wasn't really listening properly, as you can see.' He saids sheepishly.

Beta took note of that, he usually hummed his way out, she should keep it simple next time.

"Actually, I was going to go overseas, you know, collect info world wide," Zeta scratched her head.

"Yeah and me, using the upper class, they have some good gossip," Epsilon provided.

"Oh… Beta?" He was given a Salute.

"Me and Alpha-sama can try switching," Alpha gave a nod.

Well, at least that was resolved…

"Right then, I'd say we're going onto the next episode, but I have some additional information for Minoru to take in. Him and the Seven Shades only, since this is their private information." Seiichi calls out. 'That and we need to address that luck theory you seem to have.'

"In the meantime, you five" he gestured to Aurora, Beatrix, and the Kagenou family minus Minoru "can either discuss what happened, or we can show you something lighthearted to entertain you… Tonari no Totoro seems perfect… Your choice"


Ok we took some criticism and adjusted the reactions accordingly. I'm not sure how it'll go over with you lot, but please Read and Review! Also that Your choice was a Fourth Wall Break- You choose- either those 5 discuss what they saw among themselves, or they watch a movie of your choice. Or Tonari no Totoro. OR, new choice, thanks to Rol, was it? They react to shorts of interactions between Cid and either Aurora, Beatrix or Claire... Cleater's SVs is doing videos from the game, so I can incorporate that. They will be done off-screen regardless though (Did I mention that?)

Remember, reviews are used as fuel, regardless of their nature.

Seiichi and Neutral are bonkers at the races!