Chapter 8: Mistral

Age 14

"Ok let's see extra pairs of clothes check, First Aid check, Scroll check, Sunglasses check, Combat gear check. What else do I need?"

Checking around my room I see my closet door.

'Oh right, I might need that,'

I open my closet door, move a box, and find the notebook I have been working on for almost nine years. The outside of the book still looks new, never mistreated. I open it and see lots of pages with lyrics of the songs I had heard in the many years of writing in it.

'This brings back lots of memories.'

lots of happy, sad, weird, confusing, music I have heard.

I turn to my recent one. 41 and No. Some of the lyrics really struck something in me.

And we're running out of time

Nowhere near the finish line

And it's growing ever clear

That a reckoning is near

And we'll have to make a choice

Is this path right?

It feels like It's trying to tell me something. Like something is coming.

Usually, I would ignore this. But these last few days I have been feeling like something was going to happen.

Could be my nerves for the tournament or something else.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

I turn and see my mom enter the room.

"sweet heart are you ready to go?"

"Yea, I got everything ready. When does the train leave again Mom?"

"In two hours. Oh! Is that the notebook I got you when we got here?"

I looked at my hands

'Shit I forgot to hide this.'

"Um... Yea, I have been keeping this for a long time now." I told her weakly

"So what have you been writing about?"

I need to change this topic fast.

She quickly takes it from my hand and opens it

"Let's see."

"No wait MOM!"

I try taking the notebook away from her, but she is fast for me to reach it. Damn her Semblance.

"Oh!" She closes it and hands it to me.

"Mom, what did you read?!"

"Nothing I just want to tell you I will always support you. Just Never give up Never make her cry, and Never tell a lie to her or hurt her. Ok? We should go now." She leaves my room and closes the door.

...

...

...

What?! What the hell did she just read? And why the hell do I feel like I've just been Rick Roll?!


The Train to Mistral was boring almost nothing to do but watch outside the window. Well, at least one thing was nice.

"So you're telling me that you were a Huntress when you were young right?"

"Yes, and one of the best back in my time."

"How long ago was that?"

BONK!

"It's rude to ask people their age niƱo(child)."

"Sorry." Rubbing my head and fixing my sunglasses.

I started wearing sunglasses so people can stop staring at my eyes. I really hated that. Also, it was a gift.

"So why are you heading to Mistral?" the old lady asked me.

"Oh well the Mistal Regional Tournament is happening and me and a friend are going to participate in it."

"I see. Well, best of luck to you and your friend young man."

"Gracias(Thank you)."

"Oh. So you studied the old langue of Vacuo? I'm impressed not many people that are from different kingdoms learn it, then again that goes for Mistral as well."

Is that what it's called here? But then again Mom did say something about Mistral and Vacuo having something of a different langue too. I heard her speak it once and I just thought it sounded strange.

"You could say that ma'am."

"Oh please call me Maria."

...

I close my eyes and see a train crash into the snow.

"Are you nervous?"

"I wasn't earlier... But now I am."

"It will pass. Just don't worry about it."

"Right, thanks."

I should probably go find Mom. Just in case this train goes south.


Mistral, what can I say about it?

It's a good place to visit but not a place to live in. For what is worth the people look and act, nicer in the upper levels. That can't be said about the lower levels. I know that feeling back in Mantel.

"Here we are Haven Academy. Just think in a few years you would be able to apply here or if you want the other school as well!" Mom must really like this place. The moment I found her on the train she has not stop talking about Mistral. All about the best places to be, places to see, and the little villages to visit.

She told me that this should be a little vacation for us and try to relax ourselves, and it is.

But...

Something about this place doesn't seems right. Like something bad is going to happen.

And it didn't help the moment we enter the school.


People are all around us. From big to small to the sane to crazy, yea these are probably the competitors who are here to enter the tournament.

"Nerves?" my mom whisper to me.

Yes!

"Not really. I'm just happy that they decided to split the Adults and the teens in this tournament. Seeing these people I can say I might have a good chance of making it to the Quater-finals."

"Why not the finals?"

"Well, I'm seeing more teens with range options rather than close range."

She looks around and sees that it's true. Many people with guns, sword guns, mace guns, guns on guns, is that a gun on a stick? And ok that's just bombs?

Yea maybe my chances of winning are not the best, but it could be fun for a while.

"That may be true and you said you were still working and your weapon right?"

"Yea, but it's still not finished. Might take more time for me to get the materials, that Pietro was sending."

After a year of a hard battle on what was a better option an AR or Shotgun. I made the decision to go with the Shotgun. It took me way longer to design it too but what I opted to do was to have a Scabbard and make that my shotgun and a place where I can put my sword as well. Also, I was thinking of putting dust on my sword, but that's for later now.

"But hey at least you have your sword right."

Sure enough on my back a basic Iron sword. Sadly, this was not made by me, this was something I bought at a store back in Argus. The reason was.

I was too busy with the scabbard that I forgot.

Ok. Hey people forget things it happens. But for me, I feel like that's a normal thing now.

"Yea, that's true. Well, we should probla-"

"Miss Sapphire is that you?"

We both turn around and saw a middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard and what looks to be a tail.

"Headmaster Lionheart! It's good to see you again. How have you been?"

"Everything has been... Fine for the most part I had no idea you would be here."

"Oh that we are here for my son."

Mom steps aside and introduces me to the man.

"Your.. son?"

"Yes. sweet heart say hello."

..

..

..

For some reason, my breathing was picking up. This man was making me nervous. I don't know why. I just meet him and yet something is telling me to attack.

A flash before my eyes appeared and I see this man attacking a young boy with black hair. I looked around and see a battle happening all around me.

'What is this what's happening?'

Noise all around me, weapons crashing with each other. People yelling and fighting all around.

Then I hear something or someone yelling.

"WEISS!"


"Seth?!"

I come back to my senses

"Sapphire Hello Seth Sir Is Name My!"

Both adults looked at me like I was crazy.

Well at this point they are not wrong.

"Ummmm... Right well welcome young man."

"sweet heart are you ok?" great now moms worried.

"How about we take this to my office? Please if you would."

"Oh thank you, sir."

Mom takes my hand and leads the way.


What was that? Was that real? Or did it happen?

Ok, let's think.

One, we are in Mistral more specifically Haven Academy. Thats fine. Still, this place gives off a bad feeling.

Two, this man Lionheart is bad news and I don't know why. Is like my heart is telling me to be careful around him. Mom always said to trust that feeling cause it could save you.

Three, Who is Weiss? I don't think I heard that name before. Then again I barely talk to people outside of my friend group which was really and I mean really small. So who is that person?

Four, where am I right now?

...

...

...

I look around me and I'm in a different room sitting right now.

'Did I blackout?'

I can hear my mom talking to someone in the other room. So I get up and walk to the door and open it.

To my surprise I see my mom sitting in a chair drinking tea in front of a desk.

"So then Rosemary just starts roasting the poor guy in front of the village calling him all sorts of names and boy I have never seen a man draw a bow as fast as him before. I swear I thought we were going to fight our way out of that village. But at least in the end we were able to make peace with them and everything went alright."

"Well yes. I remember that the village asks the school to never invite your team again after that. Thankfully Freesia was always the level-headed one. Your team was one of a kind. Sadly they will always be missed."

"Yes... I sometimes still hear them calling me their 'resident tsundere'.

Chuckled

Both adults turn around. One was surprised while the other one had a face of fear and shock.

"Sweet heart what did you hear?!" Mom asked almost with panic in her voice.

"Oh, nothing... tsun tsun." I smile at her

She falls to her knees and cries.

"Noooo! After all these years my dark past has finally caught up with me. And it came from my own SON!"

She is been dramatic.

"Hey look at the bright side Mom. At least you were a tsundere and not one of those who have an alter ego."

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?!"

...

...

OH MY GOD

"I didn't. But now I do."

"Well, it's good to see that you are ok young man."

The feeling is back. Ok just act natural.

"Yea! Sorry about that sir I guess I was tired from the train ride here; I must have been out of it. Thank you for letting me rest."

Keep an eye on him and look at his facial features.

"No trouble at all. I'm glad to see that you are alright now."

Look at his eyes and see if they look away from me.

...

They do.

'Most be hiding something.'

"Right! Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Seth Sapphire. It's nice to meet you, Headmaster."

"Nice to meet you, Mister Sapphire. Your mother has talked a lot about you just now."

I looked at my mom who was staring at me knowing what I was doing.

I mean she did teach me that.

"I hope good things."

"Why yes she said you are here for the tournament if I'm correct."

"Yea, my friend and I are going to participate in it. All I need to do is sign up and I'll be ready."

"You haven't signed up yet?" He pulls out a pocket watch to check the time.

"Yea, I was about to but that's when you meet us. Why?"

"Oh, dear. My apologies it seems that registration is about to close in 7 minutes."

...

...

...

...

I run out of the room as fast as I can.


Back in the office.

Sigh..."Even if he does make it he still needs a Parent or Guardian to enter."

The headmaster looks at the Mother just sitting in her chair drinking tea.

"Shouldn't you go with him? You are his mother after all?"

"I'll go at the last minute you know I'm fast right?"

"True but you also know that he doesn't know where he is going."

...

...

...

...

She runs out of the room as fast as she can.

Sigh... "Like mother like son."


I can't believe I found my way to the entrance. Lucky me!

I check my scroll. Good still got four minutes left. I walk up to a lady behind the desk

"Hi I would like to enter the tournament please."

"Perfect, just in time too we were about to close... Um, where is your Parent or Guardian?" she asked

I turned around and my mom wasn't behind me.

'Mom the one time I need you. You're not here?!'

"Uh, can't I sign for my parent?"

"Sorry. Since you look under age you need to bring a Parent or Guardian with you, or else you are not allowed to participate. It's the rules."

SHIT!

PLEASE GODS HELP ME!

I'll take anyone!

I am panicking right now! I don't know what to do.

The door opens behind me and I turn.

Fuck it go for broke.

I run to the person at the door.

"HeyIneedyourhelpwithsomethingplease!"

"... Umm What?"

"I need your help. I need you to pretend to be my Guardian and help me sign up for the tournament."

"...Sorry kid but I don't have time to-"

"I'll pay you! Please we only have" I look at my scroll "One minute please!"

...

...

...

Sigh "Fine. Just this alright."

"Deal!"

I grab him and drag him to the front desk.

"Here I brought my Guardian. Let me sign."

The lady just looks at me like I'm crazy

"Young man you know I saw the whole thing right?"

...

...

...

"Can I sign in though?"

...

Sigh..."They don't pay me enough for this. Very well. Name?"

"Seth Sapphire."

"Kingdon you were born in?

"Mantle."

...

"I said Kingdom, not city"

"Sigh... Atlas."

Stupid question anyway.

"Place of residency?

"City of Argus."

"And you are trying to enter a Mistral tournament?"

Don't sass her "...Yes."

"Oh well. Age?"

"14"

"Ok, last question. Name of Parent or Guardian?"

I look at the man next to me and elbow him.

...

...

...

Sigh "The name is..."