It's a sunny day, oddly enough, where I'm out with my seven Shades… Technically. Kaa-sama and Nee-san, after the talk we had a few weeks prior, wanted to visit Midgar Kingdom, and that's what's currently happening. We're in a carriage—we are Kaa-sama, Nee-san and I. Where are my Shades, then, if I'm out with them? Well currently they're nowhere to be seen, but I assure you, they'll be the first thing I see once this carriage stops moving once we reach Midgar Kingdom.

"Why do we have to go there again?"

I asked. I'm not really against the idea, but it just happening is enough for me to be questioning the whole thing. We are to go there for the day and leave after a couple of hours. It's far, and being in a carriage is, by itself, quite slow. If magic was used to increase the speed of the travel then maybe, since the shades and I traveled there and further at speeds thanks to magic!

"Baldie is currently there. He arrived a few days ago and told us that he found something interesting, an artifact to be more exact, that he'd like Claire's and I's input on this."

"So he found one?"

I asked, curious.

"Yeah, he did. A barrier, to be more specific. When modified, it lets those with a specified wave-length go through, but since it's "cheap", the seller said that it could be easy to decipher with the help of an expert."

So the language used then is a simple one. The more complex you use the language as, the harder it is to decipher. The more complex the language and higher amount of magic used for said artifact, the harder it is to use/decipher. In these last two weeks my Shades and I have made some stronger restraining magic cuffs, and they do their purpose, which is restraining my magic, and it allows me to further feel my condensed magic. And with it, Eta and I further understood Artifacts. We even made one, albeit weak. A barrier that surrounded the hideout. It was made by my magic, but since we were still experimenting, it was done weakly with intention, but it served its purpose.

When the language takes effect, you're able to determine the height and width of the barrier as long as you're making said barrier with said height and width. How you made the barrier is how the artifact will function, pretty much. Eta named this barrier, "Shadowy Barrier", and that's lame, but who am I to judge? "Magic Weapons". Pathetic naming sense! Cid! I have to do better! But honestly I don't care much about naming sense if whatever I do looks cool.

"Is that so?"

Nee-san and Kaa-sama were wearing red and black dresses, respectively. Nothing really out of the world, except gems and such that went around their dress.

"Plus, while the Academy is well known and its location too, it'd be beneficial to have you both know where you'll be studying in the future, so we'll also go there after Baldie is done showing us his new prized possession."

Kaa-sama has thought ahead of time what we'd do. Since we were pretty much going to be there for less than a few hours, we needed to be quick. An in-and-out, if you will. Of course, knowing Kaa-sama and Nee-san, we're still going to be late, since, after Gamma, they're the most interested in shops and what they have within.

Speaking of Gamma, she had asked me if I knew something that bakeries could sell, and while bakeries in this world already sell what they can, such as y'know, bread, I went talking about chocolate, coffee, tea, and all that. She seemed to be madly writing down everything as I talked to myself on how materials were made, and how it could be beneficial for my own personal use. What will she use this knowledge for? I don't know… if she even uses it for anything, which I highly doubt.

But she, alongside Epsilon, is the most interested in clothing and such… although Alpha and Beta have also shown interest in things as such, albeit they're a bit more closed when it comes to those topics.

"Doesn't modifying an artifact take time, or at least a good amount of knowledge?"

Yeah that's true. Epsilon, Eta and I were able to modify the cuffs, and while they're no artifact, since the language itself is simple, and the amount of magic within is mediocre at best, we still modified it. You can do so, by removing language, magic, or adding more language or more magic. How can you remove a language? Well you can't if it's carved into the material, but you can remove the function by neutralizing the magic of certain words. Not removing magic though. That's different. If you remove magic, you remove it from both the object and the language, until it reduces the amount of magic within the object or there's no magic left.

"I don't know much about that, Claire, but artifacts are ancient language. You remember the merchant, Cid?" I nodded, "What was it that he said about the language itself?"

"Something that most scientists don't know how it works and have given up on…"

And I don't know why. While it's limiting (the artifacts, I mean), it's true. I don't understand why they gave up… I mean it took Epsilon's input for me to figure out how they work and Kaida's book was a massive amount of help, but those books were written years before. If Kaida had it, someone else could have it. Can't they just go asking around? Or is it intentionally being hidden?

Artifacts that exist can only be used if they're understood. You can't use an artifact with no prior knowledge, and in this case, the barrier itself. For one to be able to go through a barrier, you must understand its functions—no that's wrong. You have to modify your magic to a certain wavelength pretty much… That's how the barrier Eta and I made works. But if you modify the artifact, you can change the wavelength, making it easier… and that's most likely what'll happen with the Artifact Oto-san bought.

"We'll figure out how to deal with said artifact the moment we get there."

And everything quieted down. But yeah, that's all there is to barriers within artifacts. In these past two weeks I've been trying to "drain" magic inside someone's body… and it's do-able without needing my magic inside someone else's body… but it's a nuisance to do. Not impossible, but just really hard to do. Harder than "Magic Weapons", the Sphere, Blood magic, ancient language… it's harder than all of that combined… but it's do-able. Magic is always the same, just has different people manipulating it… so how compressed it is, how powerful it is goes by person. But magic, technically, is always the same… And that's something I didn't think about.

Actually understanding magic is something I never did, all I learnt was how to manipulate it and how to best use it. Never tried to understand it. That's why it was in my opinion, impossible to drain someone's magic. So what is magic, then? It's just particles that one can manipulate once they enter the body, allowing you to freely control where they go… is what I would say. But, together with Alpha, Epsilon and Zeta, we tried to observe and understand magic. Magic by itself are particles of dust, barely visible by the naked eye. If you grab that magic, you can make it invisible for the naked eye. It's condensed—smaller, and while smaller, more powerful it is, we've gone through this. How do you grab the magic? It enters your body, and depending on your magic capacity, it either ceases to exist, it goes to your capacity, or it begins an Overload. But, now, with all that said and done, if I understand someone's magic capacity, and the condensity of someones magic particles, whilst understanding their wave-length, and magic usage… with all of that, shooting my magic into the air with the same conditions as the ones prior, I'd be able to extract magic out of someone's body. I have yet to try it fully, since I've only done it against Delta in a mock fight, but if I were able to go against Kaida once more, and it works, then it means that not only I'd be able to drain magic, but it means that I'd also be able to block magic with more ease… and the Sphere itself would be even stronger than it already is…

It's quite interesting, to be honest. I haven't been able to fight Kaida these last two weeks, but with her help I've been able to further enhance even my senses. Without the use of magic, my eyes were enhanced—are enhanced. I can see things in detail that I couldn't before, and my ears are way more sensible, which is annoying at times, but it does wonders especially in fights. While Kaida offered to train me so I could better use my nose, I refused, because I really don't want to suffer that much. She also taught me how to regenerate a missing limb with ease, of course with the help of magic. While it comes with her, since she's a dragon, and the only way for a dragon to die is to be fully destroyed, it'd take a "Nuclear" attack of extreme levels of my own to be able to do so, and it can be done with ease from my part, but it's still quite cool to know that I can't kill her unless I truly try a bit. So, with her help I've tried to do something similar… I was left without limbs, and in a matter of seconds, I healed them. While it was TERRIFYING, it did the job, and I'm pleased to say that it's cool. Also, since I'm constantly doing Magic Overload in myself, my capacity has grown to such a point that even Kaida's feels… like nothing. It's sad, to be honest. Any attack Kaida threw at me when we first fought, I've been able to replicate them with ease, and attacks from anything or anyone I can even deter and make them harmless in a matter of seconds. I've lost all sense of satisfaction in fights, as of currently… because I went too far. For me to be able to feel satisfaction, I've been placing limits on myself, such as fighting without magic, using like 0.5% of my actual magic, only range attacks, no slime, and many others, and that's where I find the fun. Using mainly technique and practice over the years—trying to become an expert in wielding any and every weapon possible, but range, as my magic can deal with that. It's cool, seeing as Alpha developed a fighting style similar to my own, as in it reduces the amount of energy wasted… Beta had a similar style to my own, almost one-to-one, just weaker. Zeta was the one who was always trying new weapons, no matter what. Delta has been training with Kaida the most, learning how to use her power even better, which is smart, since Delta hasn't been much of a tactician. She's more raw power, no technique, and while it's something I'm not fond of, she has the strength, so who am I to judge? Gamma and Eta don't train much, and Epsilon trains with me the most, since she's invested in magic the most. Gamma, though, has been going with Alpha to Alexandria to talk with Kaida for whatever reason… something "confidential", which no-one is willing to tell me about.

But I guess that's fine. I don't really have much of a reason to know anyways, I think. I'll figure it out sooner or later.

"Say, Cid." I turned to Kaa-sama, "You really haven't asked for much this year… at least you asked for less compared to years prior, any reason why?"

This year I've been able to figure out so much in such little time. It really helped in my understanding of magic and how it affects the body of a living being. Slimes were useful, my seven Shades, blood magic, ancient language, Kaida, so much in such little time… And it's all been useful to certain degrees. Especially Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Eta. With them I've been able to relax to certain extents and study in such ways that, as I have said previously, feel euphoric. I have no need for stuff other than money, because I really don't want to work.

"I lost interest…"

Human biology was fine, but when I understood it, I really had no use for it. Discarded. Magic books were pretty much useless. Discarded. Economics were quite good to read and interesting all-around, but in this age, it's rather lame to certain extents, those books are for Gamma. Ancient Language? The only good thing, and they're currently in Eta's hands. Useful, but not for my mob persona.

"I'm surprised you managed to hold such interest for so long, to begin with."

"Yeah, same here."

Kaa-sama and Nee-san teamed up on me.

"I have to spend time somehow, and that's by walking and reading random books."

Here I defend myself from the two. From Kaa-sama's accusation and from Nee-san since she knows I go on walks when everyone inside the mansion is asleep.

"You don't even look like you're reading half of the time. You look at the book, but your stare seems to be going through the book itself… especially with those magic books on your shelf."

And Kaa-sama isn't wrong, since I don't read those books anymore. When I'm "reading", I'm mainly focusing on my theories, my tests and such. The books themselves have nothing of importance, so I just open them to look as if I'm reading them.

"And what's weird is that you never implement what you read to fights!"

When I spar with Nee-san, I try to be as basic as I can, compared to her at least. Use the most minimum amount of magic, and have sloppy sword fighting. It's my go-to, but I've had to "improve" in said fights, because Nee-san has begun to get suspicious when it comes to me not improving one bit. So, in her eyes, I've improved. Not really that much, but at least I'm not as sloppy and I use a bit more magic, which pleases her to no end.

"I thought Oto-san was interested in a "strong" artifact, as in fighting… not a barrier."

I switched the topic.

"Ah, yeah, while he has decent strength, due to our position and wealth, they didn't want to sell it to us. Not because we have too much, but too little."

Well that's dumb.

"Well that's dumb."

I thought and Nee-san said. It's not dumb, but incredibly stupid.

"So baldie didn't get the artifact simply because we're not high-ranking nobles or we don't have the amount of money required?"

Nee-san mocked.

"Pretty much. But hey, an artifact is still quite the rare find, so having one by itself is quite beneficial."

And that's the truth. Ever since finding out about them, I nor any of the girls have been able to find any Artifact. I "know" only about three: The one Iris Midgar got, the one Oto-san got, and the one I made. Not even Kaida knew of any, she had the material which made Iris Midgar's Artifact, Mythril, but nothing other than.

Nee-san said nothing, but Kaa-sama continued.

"If the other one is still available by a certain period of time, then we can try again to grab it, but who knows."

The one they weren't willing to sell us, I assume. Silence ensued, and all that was heard were the wheels spinning and the horses as we continued on our way towards Midgar Kingdom.

"Burning everything down has been fine and all, but even the ashes have become more of a nuisance…"

A silver-like metal hair woman spoke as she landed before me. She had black heels, black leggings and white buttoned up shirt. Her light purple eyes switched to blue once more.

"Can't you just burn the ashes?"

"Ashes can keep fires up for long periods of time. Trying to burn ashes just ignites the fire once more."

She even spoke like him in terms of scientific stuff. They're too knowledgeable. How can I stand besides him, for him to rely on, when I am not even a quarter of what he is? Not even she, the silver haired girl before me is…. But she's still higher up… that's for sure.

"But other than that, the rubble being burnt is beneficial. Means less trouble. I'm pretty sure that with magic we can disperse the ashes around—or not even, just push them far enough that they're not noticeable from here."

"Master deserves what's best. We're not dirtying this land with ashes, nor any around. If we're to do what's best, we're going to do what's best."

"You're right…"

For everything he has done for us, I need to take this one step far, and then seven further. Nothing can be dirtying his land, nor anything should be nearing it. This is for his sake, as he has laid his life in thorns to save us, and any other that may come our way.

"Anyways, girl." The silver-haired girl turned to another one of us, who seemed to have some papers in hand, "How're the blue-prints going?"

The girl in question is Gamma. She had brought all the coins Lord Shadow had given to her, and she had all his knowledge in Economics, architecture, labor, food, and such written down in a notebook. With a bit of help from Beta, who together with Zeta and Epsilon went to Midgar to search and buy books related to crafting and such, they were able to do a multitude of blue-prints for what's being done here.

"Alexandria has to be huge. Lord Shadow said that there might be even thousands of possessed like us, so we have to prepare for when he decides to save all of those who're in need of saving."

"I agree with you, Gamma-girl."

The woman nodded as she crossed her hands under her bust. She turned around.

"Where is the cat-girl?"

"Zeta is currently on a mission. Lord Shadow had said that some bases lurked under previous ones, filled with information not known prior, and she, together with Beta, were searching through."

"And dog-girl?"

"She's in the hideout, currently with Epsilon training."

"Alright then, it's up to us, Alpha-girl. We're going to remove any and every ash without disturbing what's around us."

I blinked. She wants my help?

"You're Master's subordinate, are you not? The second in command from Shadow Garden, and whilst trying to strive for peace, you all have a similar goal. I won't let Master's right hand grow weak over time. Come."

She started walking away, and I was quick to follow her. She's right. I want Lord Shadow to rely on us, to rely on me a bit more. He does so, especially with Eta in terms of investigations and such. But he grows stronger, and stronger. His power and knowledge continue growing far and then further, something that… not even Kaida can comprehend.

We walked towards the center of all the ashes. Mountains of ashes was all that could be seen, truthfully. Quite the nuisance.

"We're going to do something similar to Master's attack. He removed matter from existence with it, and whilst according to him, even, it shouldn't be possible… he broke the laws of science—chemistry to be more specific."

Lord Shadow has been prohibited from coming this way from yesterday—to here, Alexandria. The only way he'll be able to meet with Kaida, the silver-haired girl, is by meeting in the Hideout… wait.

"You mean to use an attack as powerful as Lord Shadows?!"

"Hahaha! No! We can't do such a thing!"

She knows her limits, and is proud to stay there. She knows that Lord Shadow is a powerhouse that can't be copied. Imitated? Sure, but copied? No. So far no-one can, I believe no one will ever be able to.

"Not as potent, at least. To remove matter from existence? I can't do such a thing, but we can make matter become the tiniest of particles, so that the wind itself takes it far from where we currently stand, and that's what we'll do."

"So you mean to break down the ashes to particles?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Even then, for something that sounds so simple you need to be powerful enough, have such control and be a complete master for it to work! I mean, it's Kaida, so I believe that she's able to, but it's still weird that she wants me to help… or does she just want me to observe?

"I want you to do it, though." She turned around and looked down at me, "You have the power and the technique. If anyone from Shadow Garden can do this, it is you."

I stared up as her eyes looked to the sky for a minute.

"Neh, tell me, what do you think of Master?"

I blinked at the sudden switch of topic… but it's about Lord Shadow, so who am I to complain.

"I owe everything to Lord Shadow… He's the one that was there for me when no-one was. He's the one that taught me how to take care of myself, and for others in such little time… He has given his life to save us without asking for anything in return, and is still doing so… I want to stand with him, by his side…"

"That can't be all."

I blinked.

"I've seen the stares, I've seen all seven of you and how much you adore him." Kaida grinned as I grew embarrassed, "For people so young, you're too fast thinking 'bout love."

"Yeah, you're right. We adore him, I personally love him… But I don't want to get in the way of his mission. He's out there sacrificing himself on a daily basis since before he even saved me, holding onto information that we never knew. Details that could cost him his life, yet he's still here for us, saving us, helping us, and giving us a reason to continue…"

It's been over a year since I've been with him. It's been over a year since I've seen how friendly he is, how kind hearted he is, and how devoted he is to helping us. I… can't say how much I love him. I'd go mad, honestly.

"It's been, what? Two months? Three? I don't recall, but compared to you, it hasn't been much, but I see what you mean. He rarely shows himself as an arrogant person that all he does is think about himself, quite the opposite. He has the strength to destroy the world if he pleases to, yet he shows himself as nothing but a weak guy when he isn't fighting. It's quite amusing, and genuinely a thrill."

"What do you think of him, Kaida?"

"What do I think of him? He's my Master…. I'm waiting for him to be older, that way I'd be able to date him."

She shrugged without shame.

"Not even centuries ago was there someone who could beat me in a fight. Dragons are—or were, the strongest beings in all existence. Over time, we started dying, and I've been the last one standing, to my knowledge. But even back then, there was no being stronger than I, so Master is genuinely amazing."

"Other dragons existed back then?"

"As Beta-girl said. Dragons went extinct. I am the sole-survivor. I have no knowledge as to why, but I'm pretty sure that magic played a huge part in it…"

"What do you mean?"

"Imagine being a being of power—not magic, but prowess and maybe able to throw fire in the midst of battle. With that said and done, imagine magic being introduced into the system. Having to grow accustomed to something new is hard, and genuinely quite the nuisance… But since I was a mere baby dragon and there was already magic, I had to grow with it. Other dragons, especially older, didn't."

"What do you mean "introduced", and how old are you?"

"I am three million years old… And, listen, I don't know if what I say it's true. I was a mere baby dragon when most dragons were dying. And even then, there weren't many Dragons remaining…"

"And what do you mean by "Introduced"?"

"Before my parents died, they told me that when they lived, magic didn't exist. Something—a beast of sorts introduced it to our world… But how true can it be? I have no clue. They said that Dragons being persistent and not adapting to magic is what led to their downfall. But I repeat: I have no knowledge as to why, I just believe it's magic due to what my parents told me."

So wait, are there "Beasts" from outer space? Is that what Kaida is trying to imply here? That magic was introduced only because another being had it?

"Do you mean from space? That's where the "beast" came from?"

"Who knows. I've never seen any, so I have no evidence as to what could've happened or why."

…

"Anyways, magic, you, ashes. Let's get to it."

"Alright, how am I supposed to do that?"

"You can use an overwhelming amount of magic. Remember your last attack in our first battle?"

First attack because the Seven Shades and I have been coming to Kaida pretty much daily to train. Kaida has even mentioned how much stronger we've grown compared to how we were in the first fight. That it would take a lot more of her effort for us to actually beat her.

I nodded to her question.

"Then after training with both Master and I, it's safe to say that you can do an attack somewhat similar. With all the strength? Of course not, since you used your magic, Beta-girl, and Epsilon-girl's magic too. But, you can do a version of it with almost the same output."

"With all my magic?"

"All of it."

I closed my eyes and concentrated. Lord Shadow had told us that magic could be felt, almost as a muscle if you had enough control over it, and he's right. It's almost like moving a finger, of sorts.

I felt it just stop moving inside my body. Ever since Lord Shadow saved me, all the magic has done is grow controlled. It grows steadily, but even then, it's nothing to the lake of Kaida and the… I don't even know what to classify Lord Shadow's reserve as. Just know, there's a lot. And it all immediately went to one point inside my body.

"That's it. Now, try to minimize the feeling of it; try to make each particle have more of a reaction."

I did so. It felt dangerous; the particles felt as if something was going to happen… but I continued to do so, anyway.

"Release."

All the magic traversed through my body and went out with ease. If it was an attack from someone else coming my way, it would've taken all my slime to be able to defend that amount of magic.

"Could've been better, but I assume that's all your magic, no?"

I opened my eyes. I saw a brilliant light-blue shine through the day-light. It traversed through with ease and it hit the target: the ashes. Some exploded and turned to even tinier particles, others were blown as if wind had hit them.

But I think it served its purpose, no?

"It could've been a lot better, but that's really good, especially on the first try."

Kaida wasn't this nice to us. Only to Lord Shadow. It took her time for her to be this cool with us, and it was mostly Lord Shadows doing. And while I thought she was annoying at first, she has grown on me.

"This is how it's done…" She closed her eyes… wait a minute.

"Gamma! Run!"

I began running away as fast as I could with what little magic I had. It's not that I don't trust Kaida, nor anything across those lines. But… there's no way I can survive her max amount magic output!

"H-Huh? Alpha-sama?"

Gamma was seated in the ground, with a multitude of papers. She saw me sprinting her way.

"Run!"

Her eyes widened.

Kaa-sama, Nee-san and I walked together with Oto-san. We headed to some shop. We walked through the streets with ease.

"The shop is a few more feet ahead. It's a bit shady, but it's where I found the artifact."

Oto-san said. He was ahead of us three. I was in the middle of Kaa-sama and Nee-san. Since I was so "bland", according to Nee-san, I had to be holding her hand. If I were to be just one step behind, I'd disappear into the crowd, and I'd never be seen again.

"How did you find an artifact anyways?"

"Pure coincidence. This man happened to be showing some interesting products, and I entered the store out of curiosity. I found it there, and asked about it. Told me it was an artifact that could make a barrier, but he himself didn't know how, but someone by the name of "Fenrir" had thrown it around the market, saying that it was "useless"."

"Is that the case?"

"Yeah. Oh, there's the store!"

I turned, and it's like I had said prior. Lame. There was glass and behind said glass there were blades, there were guns, even, and there were bows…. Almost as if it was a shop specifically made for weapons.

We entered, and there was an oldish looking man wearing glasses. He didn't even have an ounce of Magic Overload, making me wonder if all the possessed were mostly women… because not even Oto-san felt like had Overload. Sure, he had a bit more magic than Nee-san, but it didn't grow like the girls nor I.

"Hi there, Daric Kagenou. I assume you've come back for the artifact, as you said?"

"Yeah. Where's it at?"

The old man bent down and reached for something. After a second, he pulled out from under his table a long stick, wooden at that, with a metal sphere in one of its ends. I could feel magic from there, and see language engraved into it. Meaning that that is the artifact.

"That right there is the artifact!"

Oto-san placed a hand on his waist as he turned sideways and pointed to the artifact.

"I have a question, old man." I spoke up as I took a step in front of Oto-san. "What was Oto-san looking for or interested in before he found the artifact?"

Oto-san froze, and seemed to be lagging behind as my question reached the old man's ears. The old man himself chuckled at the disrespect and questioned itself, I believe.

"He was interested in–"

"Don't you say anything!"

Oto-san covered the man's mouth with his own, but the old man continued to grin.

"He was looking at some cans that made your hair grow." The old man pushed the hand down and said, with the artifact pointed in a certain direction. There were some cans, and the label said "Short on hair? Grow it then!"

"You dirtbag!"

Kaa-sama and Nee-san began chuckling as the man and Oto-san began having a fight.

Who's Fenrir and why would they just throw a barrier into the market without a care in the world? That's quite suspicious if you ask me… that or the man is just stupid… if it even is a man, I can only assume so. I did the same with Kaida and I was wrong tho…

Taking a good look at the artifact, it's similar in strength to the artifact in our hideout—shadow gardens hideout I mean.

"So that's the artifact."

Nee-san walked as dust covered the fight of the two men. She held the artifact and looked at it in wonder, and was surprised by its weight.

"Its power surpasses my own…"

She muttered as she felt the magic within the object.

Whoever made this was clearly stronger than most people, that's for certain. I mean I'd assume it'd be the same for all artifacts, so it's nonsense what I'm trying to say currently.

"Hm? Artifacts aren't that easy to make, you know? It takes knowledge and a butt-ton of power."

Yeah I've known this, thanks for the explanation Old man. Continue your wrestling match.

"Is that so?"

"How much is it?"

The man answered Kaa-sama's question.

"Three Million Zenin."

THREE MOTHER FUCKING MILLION ZENIN?!

Gamma had all my money so I don't got that! I could make a barrier, Kaa-sama! I can make an artifact! Give me those three million! Please!

Kaa-sama pulled Oto-san from the fight with a plunger that she had stuck in Oto-san's head.

"You're going to pay, Baldie?"

"Oh, right."

He pulled a pouch from his pocket and pulled out three hundred coins…! So much money going on something that I could craft within seconds…! And that goes without saying that they also have to learn how to activate it and modify it to allow them to go through… meaning more money!

The transaction was done, though. We had a possession in our disposal, and the man was now three million Zenin richer. I feel scammed.

Where are the Shades, by the way? I thought I was supposed to meet with them today?

"How are we supposed to decipher this?"

Nee-san asked as she looked at the thing—at the Artifact.

"That, I don't know."

The old man said as he dusted himself.

"Who's this "Fenrir", and why did they throw such a thing?"

I asked as I pointed at the Artifact.

"I don't know who they are either. I was quite confused too, since an Artifact is worth quite a lot. But they felt powerful… that's all there is, really."

The man shrugged.

"It was by pure coincidence too, since I was standing outside, talking with a client as they left, when this man left. He was equipped with some weird blade, long and quite strong… no other way to describe it."

"And what can we do now, to decipher this?"

Oto-san asked.

"There's an expert on Artifacts called Victor a few blocks away from here. You'll be able to see the shop, it's quite obvious. A friend of mine, actually. He's the one I told you about prior, Daric."

Oto-san blinked before he nodded. I mean, even Kaa-sama knew there was an expert, or at least that with the help of an expert, we'd (we: they) would be able to decipher it.

"Ah yeah, right, Victor-kun. What's the shop's name again?"

Oto-san had clearly forgotten.

"Victor's Hardware. It's nothing out of the ordinary, but he was a mad-lad back in the day. We studied together, after all."

"Didn't you say you two went to Oriana back years ago to study arts?"

"Totally. But it was mostly me, you see. Oriana has a lot of beauty to it. Dances, paintings, cooking, and all-alike. I went there for painting and such, learning how to do so to some level of expertise… but I noticed that I liked the blade more."

"Oh, why's that?"

"It's an unique art that can demonstrate talent and dedication whilst also being a way for one to protect themselves. Seeing young-lads grow with the same passion I once grew up with brings me nothing but joy, if I do say so."

"That's cool."

"And it seems that even the young ones from Oriana are feeling somewhat similar to me in that matter."

The man fixed the desk that Oto-san dropped and sat down on the chair.

"That's all then! Thanks for the informatio–"

"What do you mean?"

Oto-san tried to leave as fast as he could, but Nee-san's curiosity got the best of her and she asked on.

"The Princess of Oriana, Rose Oriana has been practicing with swords around two or three years ago—"

Hey that's roughly about the time I went there!

"—and she's grown fond of it. Her father isn't very proud of it, since it isn't really Oriana's main talent, one could say, but she says she saw the arts once while being saved from a kidnapping, and has come to admire it…"

The man pointed to a newspaper behind him, "That's relatively new too. The newspaper I mean. Due to the alliance, the Princess is coming to study in the Midgar's Dark Knight Academy in two years."

Hey, that's the same time Nee-san is going!

"That newspaper says something about marriage too…"

The newspaper was quite hard to see. I mean unless I used magic. But yeah, you could clearly see, these words: Rose Oriana ######## arranged marriage and ####r families try to get into the ###eal!

"Ah. Princess Rose is admired by many. Apparently she has beauty like no other, and elegance as well. Many families want their sons and such married to her, not only for her influence, since thanks to her the Alliance between Midgar and Oriana exists, but power within said Kingdoms."

Oh so that's what's going on!

"Same happens here, to some extent. Iris Midgar made a bet with her father… If Iris Midgar doesn't place first in the Bunshin Festival in the next three years, she's pretty much handed off to someone chosen by her father. There's a long line, and if she actually wins, Alexia Midgar is to follow suit… but her father, the King, has not allowed a bet like that with Alexia, not wanting for her to not marry someone of power."

That's kind of sad. I hope she'll do well whoever she is.

"And when does the Bunshin Festival start?"

Nee-san has been asking all the questions at the right times!

"Have you seen the streets?"

The man spoke as he stood up with a chuckle.

"It begins today! Look outside! Why are the streets more filled than usual—oh wait you actually don't live around here, I tend to forget."

And as quickly as he stood up, he sat down. But it was true, I (dragged by Nee-san) walked outside and saw posters (that Zeta had previously pointed too) but ten folds. Everywhere around, every corner. "The Crown Princess fights!", "Three years! Two Festivals! First one this year! Will she accomplish her goal!", "Win, or marry!". Corny lines after even cornier ones.

I ask again though, where are the shades?

Author:

Short chapter, and I'm sorry for it. Next Chapter will all be Alpha and the shades, and the tournament. I don't really have much else to say, sorry for the delay though. Normally I'd be quicker with chapters, but when FF went down, I just didn't write since I didn't know what was going on (until I checked their Twitter.) But yeah, sorry again and thank you for reading.

CTN out~!