It was a sunny, bright, and productive day as Anna looked through her ledger to calculate the profits she had made. It was a bit of a rough trip but making the trek to the Monastery during the academy season was always worth the hassle, even when dealing with the fierce competition of the many fellow merchants that sought to take advantage of this time too. Thankfully the Merchant had long since worked out a deal with the authorities to allow her a spot just within the Monastery gates for the next five years, so she was already very ahead of the curve.
This business acumen along with the location of her store was how Anna also kept track of every notable individual and student that entered or exited the Monastery. It was a necessary skill when acquiring new customers and maintaining the loyalty of current customers.
That was why she had been the first to take note of the carriage that bore the Ordelian sigil. They were a house in decline and their one daughter and heir had already arrived to attend the academy. In fact, Anna had just seen her group returning from a trip up north, so whoever arrived now was new. The Ordelians didn't have much money to spare either so whoever was arriving like this had to be someone of high standing for them.
Anna moved away from her stall, leaving it to her assistant that she hired to hawk her wares, as she approached the carriage. She made sure of course to keep a respectable distance.
The door opened and a young-looking girl, younger looking than any student, stepped out of the carriage. Despite her pale demeanor and the way she wobbled unsteadily as she walked down, there was a confidence and regalness to her. She wore a bright loose-fitting robe of many colors and a strange puffy hat. Her manner, demeanor, and presence seemed to contrast greatly with her childlike form, along her luscious purple hair that was long enough to reach down to her legs. Following the girl was some sort of humanoid monster, a demon, with wings on her back and head.
Needless to say, the pair's presence drew much curiosity and some apprehension for those in the marketplace.
Anna of course saw an opportunity.
"Hey there Traveler!" The merchant said as she walked up to the strange foreign girl. "Don't seem like you're from around these parts."
"Should I be impressed that you can point out the obvious?" The girl likely had a natural voice that was quite youthful and naturally high pitched, though she spoke in a formal diction and low tone that bespoke maturity. "Why do you approach me?"
"Well just wondering if you know what to do. Things can seem… weird for those outside this nation."
"I'm well versed on the written laws of Fodlan. You will not have to worry about me devolving into criminal activity."
"Not saying that, just well speaking from a social and cultural aspect."
"Those don't matter much to me. I am simply here to check on my pupil."
Pupil? She looked younger than any of the students in the Monastery. Except for the Ordelian heir… now that was an opportunity.
"Well, have you gotten her a gift then?" Anna asked.
"A gift?" The purple-haired girl, actually woman, asked.
"If you're visiting your student then wouldn't it be polite to get her a gift. Show her your affection."
"We have," the woman replied.
The woman's red-haired companion nodded. "Thinking Lys will like that new Castlevania game. Though we never got anything for Marisa"
"Then what about something for her then? Or yourself?" Anna asked. "I'm sure someone as well traveled as you would appreciate the rare and unusual merchandise I carry."
"I'm busy," the woman replied as she turned around.
"Humor me a little and I'll let you see something interesting." It was a bit of a risk but sometimes you had to take them in order to catch a big fish.
The woman didn't turn back around, but she didn't walk away either. "And what would be enough to humor you?"
Anna smirked as she reached into her satchel and pulled out a large, cream-colored, bright stone that shone in the sunlight. "This came from another land. A magical stone of some unknown purpose. All I know is that it apparently relates to the legend of dragons."
The woman had begun examining the stone carefully. Not touching it but looking at it as closely as she could.
"Patchouli," the woman's red-haired companion moaned. "You know that we have limited funds for this trip."
"Then bargain for me. That's what you devils are good at," Patchouli replied as she looked Anna in the eyes. "If you have other merchandise like this then I'm willing to negotiate a transaction or perhaps even a trade."
Anna's smile grew wide. "I'm sure we can work something out."
Lysithea continued to furiously scrub her body in the showers until her skin became red. She still felt and smelt that disgusting, thick, musky blood of that damn worm on her skin even after returning to the Monastery. It was probably more psychosomatic than anything physical at this point. But still, tell that to a girl covered in the blood of a giant worm Youkai Beast.
After she washed off the soap she immediately soaked in the large public bath, ignoring the other girls that she shared it with. Or at least she tried to. She was a growing young woman and even if she had experienced some growth, it still didn't really compare to the mature forms of so many other women in the Academy.
"You need anything?" one of the girls suddenly asked.
Lysithea turned away, having been caught staring too long. "Nothing. My apologies." She sat there in silence, enjoying the warmth of the water before one of them decided to ask her a question.
"Heard you and that commoner Marisa went on a trip with Felix."
"Yes. We did." Lysithea acknowledged. Huh. Apparently word of that got around. Probably because of Marisa.
"What was he like? Was he a gentleman?" another girl asked.
"He was… the same as usual. So silent and brooding?"
One of the girls actually swooned. "Wow. If only I could've gone with him."
"Are you all… interested in him?" Lysithea asked. She might've been inexperienced when it came to that topic but even she could tell that there was something going on.
"Of course we are! He's so dashing and handsome."
Huh. That was interesting. She could understand the women having interest in someone like Dimitri, even if she had no interest herself, but Felix? Apparently they could have strange tastes at times.
"And the way he swings his sword. The way his muscles flex and the sweat glimmers off his skin."
"If only he could use his sword on me."
Alright bath time was done.
Lysithea quickly stood up and got out of the water as the women's words became more increasingly graphic about their descriptions of Felix and what they wished they could do with him. Or rather he to them. She was not unfamiliar with the gossip of women, and she usually didn't mind even if she didn't participate, but Felix was someone she knew and could tentatively call a friend. So hearing him talked about in that manner made her more than uncomfortable.
Still that was mostly a her thing. If Marisa was there she'd probably just play along and use that as ammunition to tease him later. And then probably run away cackling after making fun of him, while he chased after her with his sword ready to - aaaannd now she could never think of that properly ever again.
Lysithea knew that Marisa played for both teams and that the older woman was anything but a maiden at this point. What exactly did she do with those people that would always get them to swoon over her during that honeymoon period of their relationship. before issues started popping up that would lead to the inevitable breakup? What would it be like if she took Marisa's place and was in bed with one of those people-
Bleh. No. Bad train of thought. Those sorts of thoughts were for when she was alone in her room while reading that… saucy piece of literature Koakuma had given her for those lonely nights.
As she dried herself and got dressed, Lysithea decided to instead think about the reason she had spent so much time there in the first place.
That Worm hadn't been natural and it had to have been controlled at one point to create those tunnels that the bandits used. However, any investigation about the bandits and where that worm had come from had apparently hit a dead end. In the end they had left Felix's home with more questions than answers.
The increased frequency of sightings of Demonic Beasts was already strange but also add Youkai Beasts into the mix? Things were getting suspicious, but there were no leads as to the source of these events or those responsible. There was a part of Lysithea that was genuinely curious and wanted to investigate herself, but classes and her own magical studies already ate up most of her time. It would have to be something she put off until after she had finally succeeded in becoming a Witch, assuming she would still maintain that interest so far into the future or that the issues wouldn't be resolved by then.
Lysithea wasn't a fool. She knew that once she became a Witch her priorities and her way of thinking would change, even if it was subtly. As much as they got along there was a stark difference with her and Marisa when compared with Alice and Sensei.
"Yo Lys!" Claude waved a hand as he approached Lysithea after she exited the baths. He ignored the stern look that she gave him. "Heard you guys had some fun up North."
Lysithea sighed. "Marisa told you?"
"Extensively. Kinda weird that I heard it all from her and not my fellow classmate."
"Because it's my business… and also Felix's," Lysithea conceded. "If Marisa wanted to tell you, fine, but I'm not obligated to tell you anything."
Claude put a hand to his chest in mock pain. "Wow. No appreciation for your House Leader, even after we've spent so much time together."
"My respect is earned, not given freely," Lysithea replied, her voice deadpan. "Apply yourself as a leader, treat me with respect, and you might eventually earn my respect."
"And here I was about to tell you about something interesting at the Markets."
"What you and I both find interesting are likely vastly different things," Lysithea replied as she walked away.
"Really? An Ordelian carriage isn't interesting to you?"
Lysithea froze misstep. That didn't make sense at all. "But I'm already here."
"Maybe your family sent someone else?" Claude suggested.
"But we barely have the gold to afford and who could they have se-…" Lysithea's eyes went wide as she immediately made her way to the Monastery Gates. Much to her frustration Claude was almost casual with how he kept up with her despite how hard she ran.
"What do you want?" she asked him as her feet left the ground and she started flying instead.
"Just wanted to see who could make you smile like that."
Lysithea's hand went to her lips. She had been smiling. Well, no surprise or shame considering who it was she had suspected had come.
"See you at the Markets?" Claude asked.
"Sure. Thanks for telling me," Lysithea replied before taking off to the skies and heading straight for the Markets. Being able to skip the crowds of staring students and the paved roads let Lysithea arrive at the Monastery Gates in near record time. There, hovering in the sky above, she would find Marisa and Flayn already talking with a familiar pair. One of whom Lysithea had already started diving for.
"Sensei!"
At that moment she didn't care what people thought. She didn't care if they saw her acting like a child as she quite literally threw herself at the young-looking woman who had caught her in their arms. Lysithea didn't care how much affection and joy she expressed now that was reunited with her Sensei.
Already from that long purple hair she could detect the faint smell of Lavender. It was the same shampoo Lysithea used or at least the closest facsimile of it that she could acquire while in Fodlan.
Lysithea didn't see it, but she could feel Sensei smile. "It's good to see you again Lysithea… you've gotten taller."
"Oh my," Flayn commented. "You two certainly get along well."
Lysithea let go and stepped back. She realized then that she and Sensei were now at the same height. That meant she was as tall as Marisa too. When did that happen?
"What are you doing here?" Lysithea asked. "I never thought you'd go far from your library."
"It was about you actually," Sensei's lips lifted slightly as she looked up at her. "You've been having a very eventful year and there's only so much I can discern from a crystal ball."
"Oh well…"
"It's been interesting," Marisa commented. "Must've been really worried if you and Kao made the trip all the way here."
"The Shrine Maiden also wanted me to check on you," Sensei told her.
"Really?"
"Yes she said to keep an eye out for any more distortions like the one that brought you here. And she's warning you not to start an interworld incident."
"Heh," Marisa chuckled. "Sounds like Reimu."
"She also says you owe her some souvenirs."
"Of course she did. Anyone else coming or is it just you two?"
The door of the Ordelian carriage opened again, this time a familiar blonde figure with a pair of floating dolls following her as she stepped out. She had some significant bed hair and was yawning deeply as she got out of the carriage. She blinked her eyes in the sunlight as she slowly began to process her surroundings before fully awakening and focusing her gaze on the three of them.
"Couldn't have woken me up?" Alice asked, visibly annoyed as she began to quickly fix up her clothes and hair. It didn't take long before she looked as impeccable as always, with very little evidence of her previous disheveled state remaining.
"Since you were so insistent on sleeping everyday despite being a Witch, I felt it would've been impolite of me to interrupt," Sensei replied shamelessly.
"Spare me the lecture," Alice sighed as she walked to them. Like that the four Magicians, or rather two Magicians, aspiring Magician hopeful, and human who insisted she be called a Magician, were now reunited… Along with a Flayn as a tagalong. "Not everyone has to be a shut in like you."
Marisa opened her mouth.
Hourai took out a comically oversized lance for its size and pointed it at Marisa's face.
Marisa shut her mouth.
"So this is Garreg Mach," Alice commented. "The architecture is… interesting. Certainly reminiscent of other religious institutions."
"It was built all in worship of the Goddess!" Flayn chirped happily.
"Hmm. is some magic coursing through the air," Sensei observed. "Not as much as Gensokyo but significant for most other worlds. Did you already tap into the Ley Lines Lysithea?"
Lysithea nodded. "My room and lab's set up right on top of one."
"Good then we can see about harvesting from them before we leave."
"How long are you going to visit?"
Sensei raised an eye. "We're all going to-"
"Wait. You're Lysithea's teacher!?"
The four of them turned and looked at Hilda's rapidly approaching form. Behind her was Claude who was now looking at them with that troublesome look in his eyes that only meant trouble. Huh, Marisa had that look too.
"Well introductions first," Marisa quickly took command of the situation. "Claude, Hilda, this is Alice and Patchy. Let's go and show them off to the rest of our classes."
"Um Marisa. I'm quite certain that my brother's permission will be needed if we're going to show them around without issue," Flayn informed her.
"Ah crap," Marisa sighed. "Don't really want another lecture from Seteth."
"That's fine," Sensei replied. "There's something I need to discuss with him anyway."
Hmm. Well hopefully their discussion would be quick. Lysithea couldn't wait to show her Sensei around.
Patchouli sat in the office of Seteth, the apparent administrator of the Academy. There was age, history, and experience in the way he held himself. Years expressed through appearance, actions, and mere presence. Likely much older than her. However, she was no greenhorn to be intimidated by beings much older and potentially more powerful than her. If she was then she would've never gotten anything done in Gensokyo.
"It is good to finally meet you Ms…"
"Knowledge. Patchouli Knowledge."
"Ms. Knowledge." Seteth nodded. "Marisa and Lysithea have said quite a lot about you."
"I imagine they did. Let's drop the pretenses and get to the point," Patchouli replied as she lifted a finger and the room suddenly lit up. Seteth tensed, looking ready to pull out that spear he kept under his table, so she raised and exposed both her hands for him. "Silencing spell. Ensures privacy."
Seteth shifted in his seat, likely releasing the grip on his weapon. "And why would that be necessary?"
"You and I are both not human, though I will admit that you are likely several times my senior," Patchouli replied. The man's poker face was quite impeccable, but there were cracks in the façade that she could discern.
"And what proof do you have of these accusations?" Seteth asked.
"Intuition mostly. I've lived along Youkai long enough to discern them from humans. You are a western dragon I believe? Not quite a god but a certain level of divinity and power though it does seem quite subdued." Patchouli continued despite the stern look he was giving her. "I am a Witch. A being of magic, ageless. As the youngest currently in this room and your guest, I'm willing to give you the necessary respect. But let's not waste time dancing around this fact. Neither of us are human and we should be willing to converse as such,"
"… Do I have your oath that none of this leaves this room?" Seteth asked.
"I am willing to sign a blood oath about it."
Seteth leaned forward on his chair, his elbows on his desk and his hands held together. "Then yes. I am not human and I am a dragon. I will not go into further detail about it."
"That's fine," Patchouli conceded. "Then as Dragon and Witch, I have to ask. Why have things become so dangerous in this nation?"
"I'd say Fodlan is quite peaceful as it is right now," Seteth replied.
"Really? Because my observations say otherwise."
"The number of Demonic Beasts sightings and the presence of these Youkai Beasts… have been quite concerning," Seteth admitted. "We've been sending the Knights to investigate but have been coming up with little."
"And you won't do anything yourself?"
"I… personally only have a fraction of the power that I once had. To preserve my mental state you see. And even if I did… it is within man's right to rule themselves with certain conditions.
"And yet you don't see an issue with how man's kingdoms are letting these beasts run rampant?" Patchouli asked. Mankind was foolish, prone to self-destruction and irrational hatred. She had seen it, experienced it herself as a persecuted Witch, so no she did not have much trust in Humans. So to have this dragon, much older than she was, trust in them so much was strange.
"I have sent the Knights to investigate and assist as needed, but I will not overstep the Church's authority," Seteth replied. "That would have to be a command from Rhea herself. Otherwise, so long as the nation's conduct is consistent with the teachings of the Goddess, I have no right to question nor interfere with how they rule or their methods in resolving the current situation."
"Then you'll likely see the nations collapse or go to war," Patchouli argued.
"Do you know much about the politics and current situation of each of the three kingdoms?" Seteth asked.
"I do not."
"I don't either," Seteth admitted. "What I do have is hope that they will surpass my expectations."
"Tch." Patchouli shook her head. "Nevermind. But the reason why I bring up the dangers of this land is because my student currently resides here. When I let her come to this academy I was under the assumption that she would be safe or at least capable of the trials she would face. But the monsters, unrest, and lack of information that either of us have… there's too much that is left uncertain. Including Lysithea's safety."
Seteth's expression softened. A glint of sympathy in his eyes. "… You wish to take Lysithea von Ordelia out of the Academy for her safety."
Patchouli nodded. "Yes."
"Do you even have the authority for that?"
"Acquired from her parents." Patchouli shrugged. "We're close in a way."
"I'd imagine so. So you wish to remove her in the middle of the semester?"
"I also wished to see the Academy closed entirely, at least for a temporary basis. The limited evidence and data I have received makes me believe that this is the best course for the safety of your students."
"And why do you worry about them if you have so little hope for humanity?" Seteth asked.
"… This world is precious to Lysithea. I do not want to see it collapse or be destroyed even if that is what I expect to happen. If she is going to become a Witch like me I do not wish her to leave behind any regrets from her time as a human."
Seteth raised an eye. "You wish to make her like you?"
"It's what she desires. What she needs to do due to personal reasons that are not my right to speak of."
Seteth relaxed his posture and leaned back in his seat. "You care for her. I can understand that… but is leaving the Academy the best thing for Lysithea? Would she even want that?"
"I'm sure I can convince her." It wouldn't be difficult, she was the girl's Sensei after all.
"Truly? Or will she just follow along with it because it was an order from you?"
Patchouli's eyes narrowed. "What are you insinuating?"
"It has been brought to my attention that I can be… overbearing when it comes to my family," Seteth informed her. "It is not something I had thought much about until I received some… outside perspective."
Patchouli raised an eye. "And?" She wasn't quite sure where this was going.
"I wish to provide that perspective to you. Spend two weeks here. Spend time observing your pupil and her classmates. For those as long lived as us, that is quite a short period. Isn't it?"
"It isn't," Patchouli conceded. "Although I don't see the point in this experiment."
"Just a chance for you to see things from my perspective, my reasons why I believe the Academy and its students should remain." Seteth replied as he reached into his desk and took out a set of forms that he showed to Patchouli. "Two weeks. And we'll resume this discussion here again. If you still desire to take her out of the Academy then the documents will have been signed and you can leave with her that day. The only thing that I ask of you is to have an open mind during this… experiment of ours."
Hmm… Patchouli didn't quite see the point, nor did she expect to agree much with his way of thinking… but he was surprisingly reasonable for a leading figure in a religious institution. And certainly much less of a hassle to be around compared to other Youkai his age, whose age often had a direct correlation with their arrogance.
This man on the other hand… What was the saying again?
Ah. Down to earth.
"I will accept your proposition," Patchouli eventually replied. Once two weeks passed though she very much planned to take Lysithea back to Gensokyo with her. It was too dangerous here for a young girl of her potential to remain here.