Tabitha stays up late into the night in an attempt to find a fix for hers and Michael's accidental connection.

The next morning, Michael and his comrades leave with Professor Colbert to recover the stolen Staff of Destruction from Fouquet.


Exchange

Books strewn all around, Tabitha searches for an answer to the connection she forged between herself and Michael.

Eyes heavy with sleep, she squints at the next candidate under dim candlelight.

Unfortunately, this volume doesn't hold any worthwhile answers either.

"Nothing, next one," she utters in a soft voice, feeling heavy from an intense lack of sleep.

One of the many hundred tomes she requested delivered here from the Galian palace has to have an answer of some sort. Or a short-term remedy at the very least.

Actually, there is one particular book.

An especially weighty article bound in black leather with a reversed hexagonal insignia on its front cover; the specific item sticks out as a foggy image in Tabitha's mental sea.

The particular volume details the dissolution of magical pacts.

"The opposite to the one I learned the binding spell from," the the noble notes at a whisper, nodding to herself. "Now, if only I could actually find it..."

Setting aside the book in front of her, the blue-haired mage climbs down from her bed. Then, adjusting her glasses to see clearer, she begins searching through the pile of books nearest to her.

When she doesn't find what she needs, Tabitha lets out another, larger sigh.

For the longest time, books have been precious realms of escape.

Lacklustre items containing new information... but devoid of color enough to fill her lonely life with passion.

And now, when she needs one specific book most of all...

"There are too many." Words the Galian never thought she'd utter. They almost taste sour on her lips.

Then again, all of these books truly just diversions, distractions from the homeland she was ordered away from when her uncle poisoned-

"No, don't think about it," the girl cautions herself with a shake of the head. "Just focus."

Looking up to one of the piles in front of her, Tabitha decides to begin scouring that one.

Advanced Magical Application. Fire Magic Theory. A Lady's Guide to Modern Courting.

Cover after cover, the mage flips through each book, sifting, searching. Looking for anything and everything related to the spells placed on her and Michael, and those associated with breaking magical bonds.

A Historical Account of Postmodern Germanian Politics. Perfecting Your Summoning Ritual. Ornithology for Practitioners. The Seven Brides of Jean LeSaint.

Without even caring what she puts back or the order of the stacks, Tabitha continues grabbing and removing books to sit on the floor with, all while continuing to flip through them furiously.

None of these, none of these.

Another minute, and only more negatives.

Sighing, the mage pushes the stack of books away and sits on the ground to massage her throbbing head.

"Tired... Can't keep this up much longer," she mumbles with a heavy breath, before immediately pushing herself back up and onto her feet. "I need to sleep..."

Looking back towards the bed beside her cluttered desk, Tabitha exhales wearily.

As tired as she may be, the mage is all too aware that she needs to fix this before it begins to cause problems.

Not that Louise's familiar seemed angry with her.

And the hugs they shared by her door afterwards were... nice.

A release from her isolation. A reminder of physical connection.

Cheeks heating as a vivid recollection of how warm his grip was around her body crosses through her mind, the blue haired mage gulps, slowly shambling in the direction of her bed.

Reaching out her right hand, she places it against her pillow and headboard, using it for support while she plops down on top of the soft, finely crafted sheets.

Then, closing her eyes, she focuses on the faint but unmistakable sensation.

A heat. A warm that is as much alien as it is... comforting to her.

Michael's lifeforce glows inside the blue-eyed teen, burning like an ember in a freshly lit fireplace. Warm and welcoming. Inviting her. A safe and magical touch, an unbreakable sense of safety.

Guided along by her empathy and spiritual senses, Tabitha's hand drifts up to her chest.

Focusing harder, the familiar's heartbeat is as clear to her, beating ever faster with a near rhythmic and metronome-like consistency. A pulse that echoes within the improvised mage like the deep song of war drum, inviting her, drawing her to it.

And with it, a selfish twinge grips her chest.

A want. A need.

Both are sensations she's been devoid of for so long.

Cheeks inflaming, and now sensing herself rise along with the steady pulse of Michael's heartbeats, Tabitha wipes a forming tear from the corner of her eye.

"...I don't want to sever it," she confesses softly, turning on her side to lie down against her bed and snuggle a pillow against her aching chest.

The action slows her breathing and strengthens her connection with the familiar. Not just their shared emotional tie, but a genuine feeling of his life pulsing through her body.

"I like this. It's been so long since... Since I've felt this warm."

After several more moments like this, Tabitha smiles sadly.

She may not want to break it off, but she doesn't have a choice.

And so, once Fouquet is dealt with and the Staff of Destruction returned, she will continue searching through the piles of books pilled all across her room. She will return to the library and try to find solutions to their... unique problem if one cannot be found here, also.

If none is found even there then she will return to Galia during Autumn Break and see if the book still resides in the library of her family estate.

Letting loose a soft, almost pained breath from her lips, the bespectacled girl allows herself to drift nearer and nearer the land of dreams. As she does, the pulsing life of Michael's magic radiating within her becomes more intense, granting her an unprecedented comfort.

With it, she finds the strength to muster a tender smile.

Her first genuinely happy smile in a very, very long time.


A groan falls out of me and I blink once, twice, a third time.

My vision is foggy from tiredness, and a warm weight holds my body to the mattress.

Turning my neck with a dull ache, the weight on my right leg shifts slightly. My ears fill with the soft breathing of a peaceful sleeper.

Laid partway across my chest, is Louise.

I smile at the sight of her.

My moody, but likewise wouldn't wish away, mistress.

Loose strands of pink hair trail down her forehead as she's fallen asleep. Her arms are around me like a pillow, holding me for support as she sleeps.

Reaching up a hand, I delicately pet her head and enjoy the pleasant sensation of her hair beneath my fingertips.

"...Michael," she mutters with her lips curled into a half-pout in her dreams. "...Idiot... Michael... Always so difficult."

Letting loose a tiny laugh, I pet her hair a few times more. "Yeah, I know," I agree with a smile.

My voice is calm, as I continue to slowly thread the outer part of her pink hair between my fingers. And slowly, sure enough, my own eyelids begin sagging a little bit, growing heavier and heavier with each passing moment.

Yeah, I could sleep a little longer...

Just as I'm about to drift, however, Louise stirs, taking in a deep breath and moving her head so she can gaze up at me. Eyes bleary from deep slumber, she's silent for a moment, before seemingly recognizing where she is. And, just as quickly, her pale cheeks flood with colour.

I crack another smile at the familiar sight. Even without saying a word, I can tell her mind is going a million miles a minute right now, wondering just how we've gotten tangled up like this.

"Um... This isn't... This isn't at all... At all... what it-" she starts, shaking her head, almost whimpering as her head-feathers ruffle. "It's not what it looks like."

I simply press a finger to her lips, smile, and peck her cheek.

"Sorry I upset you last night, Princess," I say softly, retracting my digit. "...Whatever it was all about."

Still too-embarrassed to speak, Louise buries her face into her collarbone, pouting for several seconds as her blush-dotted ears show.

Then, after a moment, she sighs.

"O-Once more, Michael," she whispers so gently I barely hear the words leave her lips. "You may kiss me... Just one more time. If you do... I'll forgive you."

My heartbeat quickens and my body heats up.

Looking into her eyes, I pull her close, whispering close to her ear, "You sure it's alright, Louise?"

The last time I really, seriously kissed her, she warned me I went too far.

And, just like I expressed to Tabitha last night, the bond we share is already pretty close.

Louise shudders, biting back a whimper. After a minute, I feel her nod into my shoulder.

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise, idiot," she softly insists with another, needier shake of her head.

Then, deciding she doesn't want to say anything else; she raises her head back up towards mine.

Nodding, I move to cup her chin again and go for it.

Our lips meet, and I lean into her.

As a spark runs down my spine, I revel in the softness of her mouth and relish in her taste. It feels surreal. Electrifying. And by the way she shudders with feeling, I think she enjoys it, too.

Allowing herself to melt into it, Louise softens against me, letting out the tiniest purr as she squeezes me, pressing her dainty fingertips into her chest. I grin and lay into it further, continuing to deepen the lock on her lips as best as I can without hurting her.

As I do, she moans into my mouth, then-

"Mm! Mm!" Clinging to me, Louise squirms again and shakes her head, squeezing her eyes shut while I continue to kiss her.

Then, all of a sudden, she pulls away.

Panting, mouth parted, Louise heaves with her breaths, each and every one of them filled with a bit more force, and her entire body lit up a brilliant pink. "...That's, that's... Enough, okay?"

Takes a moment for me to mentally reset, getting back into gear to look and take in the rest of the bedroom.

Shit... I went too far again. Didn't I?

Chest heaving, I lick my lips and release my grip.

"Okay, got it. My bad." When Louise takes a bit longer to regain composure, a thought crosses through my mind.

Maybe... I should do just as Tabitha recommended and neither tell Louise about nor act on the small feelings I hold for her. She's obviously not ready.

Even in spite of the blush tinting her cheeks, and the noticeable heat in her eyes.

Maybe it's better if I wait and allow these feelings to cool off and fade on their own.

Yeah, it's probably better that way.

Any other girl I'm close to in the academy, I'm fine with getting nearer to without holding too much back.

Louise, though? She's my mistress. The girl I've promised to look out for and protect, at least until the unlikely time comes where I finally find a way back home to England...

Taking in a heavy breath, Louise eventually shakes her head and collects herself. "Where were you last night anyway, Michael? I remember falling asleep alone..."

Swallowing a lump that swells in the back of my throat, I recall the last conversation I had with Tabitha before going to bed. And the heartfelt hug I gave her by door.

"Out practicing magic with Tabitha in the courtyard, like she offered," I explain, leaving it at that.

And, speaking of which...

I shut my eyes and hone in on Tabitha's faint heartbeat buried at my core. It's there. A tiny spark nestled within the very centre of my being, a reminder of our connection.

Then, opening my eyes, I look back towards Louise.

"I don't really remember what time I got back, but you were already fast asleep by the time I did," I explain to her.

Louise furrows her brow at me. Noticing the doubt lurking behind her gaze, I ask, "There a problem or something, Your Highness? Getting a little practice in felt like a good idea. Especially since we still have to track down Fouquet."

Suddenly, Louise bites her lip and glances elsewhere. Then, huffing, she juts her chin up defiantly.

"...No, it's fine, it's fine," she mutters reluctantly, shooting daggers at me with her eyes while her mouth curls into a disgruntled pout. "I understand. It's just... I was cold last night..."

Despite her protests and refusal to meet my eyes, however, a prominent blush fills her cheeks.

Holding back a chuckle, I smile at her.

"Well, hopefully I made it up to you a minute ago, my mistress," I tease her, propping myself up with an elbow.

When she huffs and raises her nose to look elsewhere, I shake my head and climb out of bed.

After stretching my arms and back, I arch my back and collect my discarded trousers, socks and shoes.

"Hey Louise, you getting ready? Sun's already up, after all. Colbert probably wants to get moving soon."

Thoughts still stuck somewhere faraway; Louise perks up several seconds later.

"O-Oh... What did you say...? I missed that."

I resist a second bout of laughter as I grin and lower my voice, gazing teasingly at her. "I asked if you were getting dressed. Unless you'd rather go thief hunting in your nightie?"

As predicted, Louise's cheeks flush scarlet, making it immediately obvious my jab hit home.

"E-E-Excuse me?!" she squeaks with her ears flaring, nearly leaping out of bed.

Snarling, the dainty mage lobs a pillow at me. I duck it with an inch or two to spare, and then swipe my discarded shirt from atop my mattress bed. Then, yanking it over my head, I double back over and collect the pillow, sending it to fly right back across the room at her.

Avoiding it the same way I had, my young master blushes further, sputtering and glaring at me.

"Shut up, stupid familiar!" she cries with an embarrassed stomp of her bare feet against the floor.

Still grinning, I raise my hands playfully.

"Alright, alright, I was only winding you up," I insist, lowering my head in a short bow. "You get changed and I'll wait out in the hall for you, okay?"

Then, when Louise looks away and mutters under her breath, I retreat to the outside of the bedroom.

...

Leaning beside the door and huffing out a sigh, I pat my right-hand side trouser pocket.

Feeling my Ipod's solid frame beneath my hand, a feeling of relief washes over me.

"Good, it's where I left it," I quietly utter.

A door squeaks open further to the right of me.

Glancing over, I spot Tabitha peeking out from her bedroom, carrying her staff. She yawns for a moment and then the two of us lock eyes.

Even a good few doors away, the girl's groggy expression is easy to see.

My head pounds the longer I focus on her, a dull ache cutting to the centre of my mind. The sensation is oddly unpleasant. Makes me feel... sluggish. Like I've overexerted myself.

Great... we're sharing again. Whether we want to or not.

Further jolts of shared feeling hit me as Tabitha steps nearer to me.

And, as she does, her heartbeat at my core throbs harder and harder.

"U-Uhh, hey there, Tabitha." Throwing on a small smile, I join her halfway between my room and hers. "How are you doing?"

The young mage gives me a soft smile, then says to me in a muted whisper, "Sleepy. Finding it hard to concentrate. I stayed up reading until late," she admits,

Her heart skips a beat the longer we stare at one another.

While my own continues to beat steadily in my chest, pulsing with a burning consistency, hers speeds up for every second that passes. Her cheeks redden and she lowers her head.

"...I haven't found an answer yet," she eventually manages in a small voice, gaze flickering back towards me. "As I said, I'll keep looking."

Nodding, I pat her shoulder. "Just do your best. There's no pressure, really," I reassure her. Then, meeting her gaze, my expression softens.

No matter what happens between the two of us, I'd like to think we made a connection yesterday.

Beyond the obvious and more unfortunate variety, I mean. Something small and fragile... but also genuine.

Friendship perhaps?

As Tabitha lets loose a shaky breath and nods to herself, she begins walking toward mine and Louise's room. I follow at her side.

"Is Louise awake yet?" the blue-haired mage asks, tucking her staff beneath her arm.

Shrugging, I brush a bit of morning-tangled hair out of my face. "Yeah, she's up. She should be done getting dressed soon."

Quirking a thin eyebrow, Tabitha says, "Your heartbeat sped up significantly about five minutes ago, Michael. It felt as though you were... excited," the mage points out with the faintest pink hue tinting her cheeks. "Did something happen?"

I roll my eyes as I take a deep breath to calm myself. My lips tingle with the ghostly touch of Louise's.

Okay, there has to be a way to turn that ability of hers off for privacy's sake...

"...Nothing much, don't stress over it," I brush off the question with a shrug, all whilst struggling to get my thoughts into order. "...Really, Tabitha, it's not a big deal."

Tabitha simply nods, adjusts her glasses, and leans against her staff.

A moment of silence passes between the two of us, punctuated only by the shifting of her robes around her.

Eventually, though, she breaks the quiet.

"...It is strange," she starts, in a quiet and contemplative tone. "When I wake up... I can still feel your presence. It's warm, and... it makes me shudder."

Face heating for a second, I just shake my head. "...Yeah, well... good for you."

Once more, a shy heat tickles Tabitha's cheeks. A sharp gasp forces its way out of her lungs, too.

Blushing, the blue-haired girl glances towards me with what appears to be an almost dazed look on her face.

Just as I'm about to say something else to Tabitha, Louise's bedroom door opens.

There, dressed in her school uniform with her hair hastily brushed, my mistress meets my eyes for a moment. Her gaze then shifts to Tabitha's for a few fleeting seconds before returning to me.

Then, with a nervous expression on her face, she shakily gestures for me to stand at her side. "Good morning, Tabitha," she greets the girl.

Tabitha simply nods her head.

"Morning, Louise."

My mistress casts a somewhat resentful gaze in the direction of Kirche's door next. "Now we just need to wait for von Zerbst."

For some reason, I feel a flare of anxiousness, heat and maybe even a tinge of jealousy pass through mine and Tabitha's bond. I glance to Tabitha but she simply shakes her head and brushes past Louise without saying anything. Then, letting go of a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding in; I flash Louise a grin.

"Girl's probably a heavy sleeper," I presume with a shrug. "Call it a hunch. I mean, she seems the type."

Louise returns a small frown and nods. "Given the droves of suitors she entertained before you arrived, that remains quite a strong possibility, actually."

Then, almost as if talking about the Germanian summoned her, Kirche's bedroom door creaks open. There, with her hair spilling down her back and uniform slightly wrinkled in places from what is probably hasty dressing, stands the beautiful redhead. As usual, she flashes a pleased grin my way that speaks volumes without her even needing to.

"Good morning, Michael, and you too, Louise," she says while trotting out of her room and waltzing to my side. Nodding to the shorter girl at my left, she then casts a smirk towards the girl that summoned me. "Oh my, would it kill you to spare me from your grumpy frown just once?"

I let out a nervy breath. Louise just huffs, then snaps back, "My scowl is perfectly justified when you and I are made to work together for the good of the school, von Zerbst."

After an anxious moment passes, I decide it's best to join Tabitha while the two other girls break out into their usual squabble.

As I do, I sense the smallest shred of irritation pulsing inside my blue-haired companion.

"Ah, so you do get sick of seeing those two bicker," I comment in a low voice, walking with Tabitha down the hall. "That makes two of us."

"Yes, it becomes tiring. Especially this early in the morning," Tabitha confirms verbally, sighing under her breath.

I chuckle at the response.

"Makes me wonder if the they do it as some weird form of messed up friendship," I suggest, to which Tabitha tilts her head in bemusement.

...

The sound of Louise and Kirche's bickering dies down a good few minutes later. Tabitha and I are already a good ways ahead of them in the courtyard by the time they start picking up the pace, though. Then, as they catch up with us, I shift my gaze toward the school's outer gates.

Professor Colbert stands by them, a staff under his arm and a pocket watch in his hand.

Once we're all a good ways closer, the instructor gives our group a small smile of acknowledgment.

"Good morning, ladies, Michael," he greets us with a bow of his head.

I, meanwhile, respond with a more casual, "Hey there, Professor."

Returning the bow respectfully, Louise asks, "Professor Colbert, have you received anymore information relating to Fouquet's activities since our meeting?"

"I'm afraid not," the professor admits with a shake of his head. "Our sole lead is that she waits for us in Lenore's surrounding woodland, as before. That said, we shall begin on our way there now."

Then, after setting a brisk pace, Colbert leads our group out through the school's open gates. They close magically after each one of us is through with a weighty bang.

As the five of us round a slight corner, the Academy recedes a bit, shrinking until it is dwarfed by the vast expanse of the green countryside surrounding us. In the distance sits the township of Lenore.

Seeming sluggish, Tabitha falls to the back of our little band. Then, as if confirming my guess, I'm hit by another wave of her tiredness.

...No doubt due to staying up late last night, probably, after what happened between us earlier.

Noticing my lingering presence at her side, she meets my worried gaze. To my surprise, she gives me a small smile.

"I'll be alright," she whispers, her words only loud enough for me to hear.

Regardless, I slow my road and fall in next to her.

"Professor? Do you know how much longer we'll be?" I ask.

But the Professor shrugs, clearly a tad concerned. "Another ten minutes and we will reach Lenore," he initially answers. "The woodland trail to its east will take far longer to traverse, however."

"Got it, thanks," I say with a quick nod.

Colbert returns my smile, perhaps relieved we still have a good grip on the situation. Then, moving closer to Louise, he tries striking up a conversation with her about the Staff's importance to Tristain's military and political power. While the two chat, I keep my attention firmly on Tabitha.

"Lean on me if you start feeling too tired," I insist.

Tabitha quirks an eyebrow, gaze returning to mine.

"I'm not going to slow you down."

She says this in a flat, reassuring voice.

Unconvinced, I raise my hands. "If you start feeling fatigued, lemme know."

A few paces ahead of us, Kirche glances back.

"Just how much did you read last night, exactly...?" I ask Tabitha, lowering my voice to a whisper.

Tabitha, currently taking care to walk evenly alongside me, shakes her head at first.

"I, er... can't really recall," she admits with a look of deep thought on her face. "At least ten tomes."

My eyes widen and I give an impressed whistle.

"Wow, someone likes her reading," I muse quietly.

Feeling Tabitha's faint throbbing heartbeat pick up, I flash her another brief grin. When she fails to return one to me, I feel a duller heat begin to fester within my cheeks.

"Why yes, Michael," says Kirche. She looks back briefly with a teasing wink, causing me to clench my jaw. "Tabitha here is a rather avid reader. In fact, I would say she is our school's most accomplished bibliophile."

"I just like books," Tabitha says in a tiny, shy whisper with reddening cheeks.

"Nonsense, dear," says Kirche with a wag of her index finger. "Somebody who merely likes books wouldn't have the fortitude to read seven volumes of Germania's Cultural Celebrations in one weekend."

"...I enjoyed learning about the differences between your home and mine," Tabitha says with a soft blush. "They're really nothing alike, and it shows."

Kirche gives a sweet giggle.

"So much so that you propped one of those volumes on a stool and read it whilst you bathed," the gorgeous, dark-skinned girl reveals with a wink. "Don't think I've forgotten."

"I-I was just investigating the way Germanians celebrate the summer solstice."

Another soft, adorable smile plays out on Kirche's soft features as the redhead lowers her tone.

"Well, whatever your case for getting my books wet, I'm just glad you enjoyed our last summer break, Tabitha. Really, I am," Kirche says, her gentle voice sounding both sombre and hopeful. "Those were some good times, I must admit, and a well-deserved respite from all the examinatio-"

Before she can finish speaking, however, Louise jabs her thumb toward a thick forest.

A crude cobblestone pathway cuts a course through its trees. Several sets of boot and horse prints can be seen in the dirt coating its rough surface.

"Is this the place, Professor Colbert?" Louise asks.

The teacher considers the wood for a few moments.

Eventually he gives a short but firm nod.

"Yes, this is the beginning of the forest path," he confirms, stepping off the main road. "From here, it will be a further twenty minutes of walking straight until we reach the markers I left here. With this in mind, please stay as close together as you can, all of you."

...

The moment we pass into the woods, I'm struck by another fatigued wave from Tabitha. This one is so strong that I wobble for a moment.

Noticing my loss of balance, Louise gapes at me with a frown on her delicate face.

I lean sideways and set a hand against a nearby tree. Then, as I lift my legs for a minute, I wait for my vision to clear.

"I'm good, I'm good," I assure her with a thin smile. "Just a little wiped out, is all."

Louise relaxes her posture a bit.

"Odd... usually when it's bedtime you sleep like a stone," she says. Her gaze narrows on me for a second longer, and then she shrugs. "Whatever. Just be careful, Michael."

I give her a quick bow.

"Got it, Louise."

Placated, the dainty mage continues following Colbert and Kirche.

I however remain at the rear of the party, firmly beside Tabitha.

"You're exhausted, clearly," I whisper to my blue-haired companion.

She just casts a faintly displeased look my way.

Ignoring her silent rebuttal, I ask, "Are you sure you don't want me to help?"

I offer a hand.

Tabitha just shakes her head, an embarrassed look on her face.

It's official, I've finally met somebody as stubborn as me when it comes to accepting help.

Wow, now I know how Dad used to feel back home when I soldiered on alone.

I just push out a sigh and keep on going.

"Fair enough, you do you," I relent, raising both hands and turning my gaze forward.

Tabitha just fixes her eyes ahead as well.

We carry on this way, following Colbert for what feels like a good ten or fifteen minutes.

Finally, we arrive at a small pile of magically glowing red and blue stones.

Colbert indicates to it with a hand, then nods ahead.

"Good, these here are the marked stones I left. Now, once we turn left ways from here, we should shortly arrive out by a clearing. That is where I expect Fouquet waits for us," he informs us, wearing a grim expression.

The four of us nod, our expressions set in firm resolve. Then, with Louise and Kirche leading the way, the five of us pass the stone circle and cut a branch to the left.

Just as Professor Colbert indicated, we soon arrive in a wide-open clearing. At one end stands a large wooden hut with smoke billowing from its rooftop. And, off to its left-hand side, are large piles of shattered rocks and stones.

Standing at the centre of the clearing is a stranger.

Their figure, noticeably female, wears a low-collared, greyish- black robe with a large hood drawn over their head. With them stands a floating staff with several shining gemstones inserted into the sides of its head. Beneath the hood I can tell the thief is sizing each of us up in silence.

"Bravo," the woman says, her low, cold voice echoing out through the clearing. "It seems that you are a rather punctual man, Professor Colbert. Then again, I suppose I know that already, don't I?"

Not reacting for a few tense moments, the Professor gives a small bow of his head. His right hand snakes around to his waist, passing the gap in his robes and resting upon a sheathed wand tucked into his trouser belt.

"Do spare me the needless chatter, Fouquet," he says in a dark, authoritative tone I've never heard him use before. "Your actions have brought disgrace to our academy, and placed a heavy burden on our good Princess Henrietta's shoulders. It is for those reasons that I am here. Now, please return the staff to me. I have coin inside my robes."

The lady thief lowers her hood with a disdainful scoff, revealing the visage of a pale faced young woman with long hair and sharp brown eyes.

Stroking her chin, the thief places a hand on her hip.

"Do you really expect I'll just hand over the Staff of Destruction for any mere reward?" she asks with a laugh, willing the floating staff to her side and into a firm grip. "You must think me a fool, Colbert."

Kirche grits her teeth and moves to take out her wand. "And you must take us to be as ignorant as yourself, thief!" she declares with a scowl.

Fouquet merely barks out a mocking laugh at the Germanian.

"Please, it was both foolish and careless of the Academy not to better defend something so valuable," the thief scoffs, holding a hand to her chest. "Why, if you don't mind your mouth, I may well see what this weapon is capable of here and now, Miss von Zerbst."

Kirche stiffens for a second. Realizing her mistake, the Germanian clears her throat and reluncantly bows her head.

"So, you've no intention of returning it as you previously said?" asks Colbert, his tone sharpening.

In response, Fouquet smirks while stroking a hand through her hair.

"To give up the Staff when I spent so long planning for the perfect day to recover it?" she counters, shaking her head, "Well... that would be foolish, wouldn't it?"

The lady thief narrows her eyes and smiles wickedly.

"And besides... It purely my intention to lure you out here so I might dispose of you, Colbert the Flame Snake," Fouquet confesses, gesturing with her free hand and pointing at the Professor. "With you gone, my employers will have one less dangerous obstacle to contend with when their plans come to fruition."

A scowl like no other twists the Professor's usually calm features. As his left hand moves to withdraw his wand from its sheathe on his trousers, I notice his free fingers twitch in an odd manner.

Recognizing this, Fouquet huffs out a scoff.

"Aww... Did I touch a nerve with your codename there, Jean?" she asks in a mean-spirited tone of voice. "Such a shame that your name will to go to waste like that. To think, if you hadn't abandoned your past so many years ago then my masters may well have had use for you."

Darkness honed within his stare, Colbert frowns as he uses a spell to lift a few rocks around himself.

"I sought atonement for that life, whereas all you seek is the power, clearly," he replies, gripping his wand tighter and tightening his left hand.

Shrugging the instructor's claim off with a haughty scoff, Fouquet turns her free hand toward the pile of rocks stacked up beside the hut.

"My reasons for doing this are no concern of yours, sir. And now, it is time I dealt with you and your foolish students. Awaken, my golem. Awaken and destroy these fools!"

At the sound of a magical incantation spoken with expert precision, the pile of rocks nearby begin to shift. They rumble and slide around one another, first shifting into a rough heap shape. Then they gradually begin reshaping themselves. First forming a box-shaped torso, then a long set of blocky arms and stout legs, and finally two glaring crimson eyes and gaping maw, all framed by what looks like rough, humanoid head and shoulders.

The strange construct towers over all of us, looking at least twenty feet tall.

"Spread out, students," Professor Colbert says while shoving his wand into its sheathe on his trouser belt. "Try and work together to knock that colossal creature off balance. Meanwhile, I will hold Fouquet's attention."

He doesn't wait for any of us to respond.

There's little time to, in any case.

Eyes narrowed and his left fingers twitching, the Professor begins shooting out bright bolts of fire in the form of small blasts with his wand.

Tabitha and Kirche follow suit soon after, but neither of their blasts are able to create a mark on the stone monstrosity Fouquet conjured, let alone hurt it.

Louise, meanwhile, keeps out of range from a few paces behind, her hands quivering on her wand.

Girl's in the way, and I doubt she'll be of help here.

"Step back, alright, Princess?" I advise, taking the Coordinator Glove out from my trouser pocket and slipping it onto my right hand. As I do, the rune on my left surges bright green with power.

The feeling is intense but not painful, as though every ounce of magic inside me is awakening.

"B-But I want to help, Michael!" Louise protests stubbornly, rushing ahead of me and throwing her wand outwards. "I have to prove myself!"

A tiny explosion dings off of a larger stone at the golem's side without so much as causing it to crumble or loosen. It does however, get the creature's attention. As its head snaps toward us, I raise my left hand defensively and push Louise back.

"For goodness sakes, Louise, get back. You're in the way!" I scream, worry and adrenaline both ripping through me. "You can't do anything, leave it to the rest of us!"

Louise narrows her eyes and pushes past me, going straight for the golem a second time.

"I can't just surrender when given a chance to prove myself, Michael!" Louise whimpers furiously.

Before anybody else can act, the golem stretches out an arm toward us, swinging it down with one rough swipe.

Louise, by some miracle, dives in reverse onto her backside and narrowly avoids being squashed. And there, sitting on the ground in a heap, she hugs her legs to her chest and shudders.

Seeing the fear in Louise's gaze, I curse under my breath and rush to her side.

Quaking, tears spill freely down her cheeks and she struggles to take in a breath. The whole time, Louise's eyes are locked on the summoned creature casting a massive, colossal shadow over her. Which is now, thankfully, distracted by Kirche and Tabitha battering it with a combined firestorm.

"I really am a zero," Louise sobs, burying her head into her knees. "...I'm useless, like they all said..."

Kneeling in front of Louise, I cup her cheeks and stare deeply into her teary, bloodshot eyes. My expression, a mixture of concern and pity, tightens when Louise averts her gaze. But that doesn't stop me from drying her eyes.

"Louise, listen to me," I plead with the stubborn girl. "You're anything but useless. How many times do I have to bring up you summoning me here? You did that, you."

Reaching around to her back, I draw her close into a firm hug.

"...I'm here to keep you safe," I remind the blurry-eyed little mage, squeezing her with all of the heart I can muster. "Because you're my friend. Because I care about you."

Surprised by my words, the dejected girl shuts her eyes and leans her weight into my chest.

"But-...But I can't fight," Louise protests, voice rising to a shrill, squeaky whimper.

"Dammit girl, that's what I'm here for," I laugh, easing off of the embrace with her so that we can see eye to eye. "So, I want you to quit being stubborn and have some faith. You do can do that, right?"

Eventually, Louise gives a firm nod.

"Yes."

"Good. Now, you stand back and let me get started, alright?" I ask.

Louise once more gives a short nod.

"Cool. In that case, I'll be back soon."

Her agreement provided, I rise to my feet and take a few wide steps nearer the towering golem.

Prepared, I squeeze my gloved hand into a tight fist. And, as I do, the Guardian Mark on my right surges bright green a second time.

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to buckle under the rush. It's not long before a dull tingle starts prickling in my inner chest cavity.

Pushing out a strained breath, I snap my eyes open.

"Alright, Mikey, you've got this..." I growl, allowing a coil of fire to erupt up the length of my arm. Its exterior crackles and spits wildly as it slowly grows to engulf most of my limb. The heat emanating from the flame builds up steadily until it becomes surprisingly bright. Bright enough, in fact, to reflect my furious gaze.

"Huh, don't need Prodigy as a pick-me-up," I remark with a smirk, tightening my gaze on Fouquet's towering golem. "The fire's already well and truly started."

Snarling, I throw my arm out and let the flames coiling the limb unwind. They spread out over a good ten feet or so, licking my skin and searing the air before me. When the flames have spread far enough, I sweep my arm vertically, then charge straight at the golem.

And, strangely enough... there's no pain. At least, not yet.

Which means it's time to see just how far I can push myself.

To be continued...


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