Chapter 30: Every (Blue) Rose Has Its Thorns

Lars was cooped up in his room, at his desk, reading a letter sent to him by the Wizard King detailing his next mission. "This makes absolutely no sense to me," he muttered. "The Blue Roses? Why? What do we gain from this mission? What do I get from this mission?"

It had been around two weeks since the attack on the Royal Capital, and Lars had been doing small missions here and there, like escorting a noble from the Noble Realm to his villa all the way out in the south, assisting townsfolk with repairs, and taking down troublesome rogue mages.

With Kirsch currently on a quick mission and Captain Dorothy doing what she did best, the Wizard King had kindly taken it upon himself to take on the administrative duties of the Coral Peacocks' missions while the two leaders in the team were away. Instead of sending letters to the Captain or Vice-Captain, who would normally then pass the details of the mission down to their subordinates, he decided to send them straight to the recipients of the mission.

Lars leaned back in his chair. "Well, at least I get to do something interesting for the first time in a week."

Lars sighed as he scanned the letter again, hoping a second read-through might make the mission's purpose clearer. His gaze fell on a list of names, and one caught his attention, bringing an aghast expression to his face.

Mission Brief

From the Desk of the Wizard King, Julius Novachrono

To: Lars Mertens

Objective: Conduct reconnaissance along the southern border of the Clover Kingdom with the assistance of Blue Rose Knights. Intelligence suggests unusual magical activity near a known smuggling route. Investigate and report.

Collaborators: Zoe Halcourt, Amaryllis Armstrong, Lucia Moreau

Lars froze, feeling a chill crawl down his spine. Zoe Halcourt. That name was seared into his memory for a good reason. He had met her once before, during a formal dinner the Mertens family attended with the Harcourts, and it hadn't been an evening he remembered fondly. Zoe had a way about her—cold, intense, and quiet, with an air of quiet strength that intimidated him even though she'd barely spoken a word to him. It wasn't just her demeanour, though; her Ink Magic was infamous among the Blue Roses, its dark, flowing shapes lethal and precise. He'd seen it in action at that dinner when she had drawn out an intricate scene with a flick of her fingers, each detail of the ink twisting and curling as if it had a life of its own.

"She has to be one of the scariest people I've ever met," Lars muttered, slumping forward and burying his face in his hands. "What in the world did I do to deserve this?"

The thought of spending days alongside her on a mission was downright terrifying. Her gaze alone could pierce through stone, and her silence carried a weight that felt suffocating. She seemed to see straight through him at that dinner, and though he'd only exchanged a few words with her, he could still feel the intensity of her stare even now.

This was already shaping up to be his worst nightmare.

And then his gaze dropped to the second name listed in the letter—Amaryllis Armstrong. He could practically hear his hopes crashing down around him.

"Amaryllis?" he groaned, almost laughing at the absurdity of it. If his relationship with Zoe could be described as fear-stricken, his relationship with Amaryllis could be summed up as antagonistic at best. She was talented, of course—her poison magic was already infamous in the Coral Peacocks, despite her joining not a long time ago—but their personalities clashed more often than not. Amaryllis wasn't exactly known for her patience, and Lars had a habit of testing it.

The last time they'd spoken, they'd barely agreed on which route to take during a simple escort mission, and things had devolved into a loud argument. To be assigned to a mission with her, along with Zoe, of all people, felt like the ultimate test of his patience and his nerve.

"Great," Lars said with a defeated sigh, sinking further into his chair. "So, let's summarise: I'm about to be stuck with the icy, terrifying Zoe Halcourt, who could probably kill with just a look, and the prickly Amaryllis Armstrong, who would have no trouble actually finishing the job. All without Captain or Vice-Captain around to keep the peace."

He tossed the letter onto his desk, feeling its weight as if it were a punishment. "Is this some sort of endurance test from the Wizard King?"

The mission itself was straightforward, but the thought of actually having to work alongside these two was daunting. He could already picture Seraphine's cold disapproval if he made a single misstep and Amaryllis's scathing remarks if he suggested anything she didn't like.

He forced himself to sit up, steeling himself against the dread clawing at him. "Alright, Lars," he muttered, trying to sound convincing. "You're a Coral Peacock, and you've fought Diamond Kingdom troops before. A single mission with Zoe and Amaryllis is nothing."

Yet as he stood and took a deep breath, the memory of Zoe's ink-black tendrils curled across his mind, and his stomach lurched. He hadn't been joking when he said she was terrifying, and facing her would be like entering a battlefield on its own.

"Well, at least this week won't be boring," he said, forcing himself to smile as he grabbed his gear, half-wishing he could delay his departure. But he knew that, if nothing else, he'd face his fear head-on.

…

It had been a 30 minute broom ride to the Southern area of the border. Lars sat on his broom cross legged, and Amaryllis rode on hers like a surfboard. Naturally, they had been arguing the entire way, starting with a small remark, and then devolving into a full on slinging of insults, swear words, and general disrespect.

At the border, Lars spotted Zoe Halcourt waiting with her usual quiet intensity. She was a slender, graceful woman with ink-black hair falling in sleek waves just past her shoulders, her pale complexion contrasting against the darker Blue Rose robes she wore, which were adorned with elegant silver accents and intricate embroidery. Her striking grey eyes held an unyielding, almost unnerving focus, as if she could analyse and dismantle any situation or person in a heartbeat. There was a commanding aura about her that made Lars shiver—she carried herself like a silent storm, her Ink Magic swirling faintly along her paintbrush—her weapon of choice. Looks can be deceiving.

Beside her stood another Blue Rose knight, Lucia Moreau, a stark contrast to Zoe's ominous presence. With shoulder-length red hair pinned back by an array of small silver clips, Lucia's look was vibrant and approachable. Her sun-kissed skin and warm smile were matched by her vivid green eyes, which sparkled with a hint of mischief and charm. She wore her Blue Rose robe with casual elegance, the sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms wrapped in protective bandages, hinting at intense training. On her back was strapped a bow, finely crafted.

As the two Blue Roses happened upon the two Coral Peacocks. Zoe's usually dull eyes turned even duller. "Oh…" she said, looking to the side, obviously disappointed. Lars was shocked.

"The heck you mean, 'Oh'? We haven't seen each other in two years! You could at least say hi!" the mind mage yelled, really pissed off. "So disrespectful!"

"Why so loud?" the ink mage asked, not turning her gaze. "This is why people hate you."

"Word," Amaryllis simply said. From that point on, Amaryllis Armstrong and Zoe Harcourt became fast friends over their shared hate of Lars. The Mertens' face fell and he crouched in a corner far away from the three girls, muttering over and over "woe is me" to himself.

"Don't worry," Lucia laughed. "Zoe hates everything. You seem kinda cool, actually." Lars, after hearing that, smiled and scratched his head sheepishly.

"Alright then," Lars said. "We have a mission to go on. I assume you all know about the smuggling ring that we're supposed to bust. If Lady Luck is on our side, we'll be able to severely disrupt their operations in at least a week. I know one of us is an extreme perfectionist," he said, glancing at Zoe, who stuck her tongue out in response, "so I'd aim to get this finished in no more than five days. It's Sunday now, so I'd make the most of our time and see the sights of the town just ahead. It's a good base for operations. Zoe, just a quick note, sticking your tongue out makes you look so undignified."

The normally stoic calligraphist's face turned slightly red.

Lucia cut in. "The town over there's called Magnolia! I used to go there with my parents a long time ago. It seems like a peaceful town, so why are we investigating a smuggling operation there?"

Lars held up his copy of the letter he had gotten from the Wizard King for the three to see.

There was a P.S. at the bottom of the letter.

P.S. Your base of operations is in Magnolia! It's a peaceful town by the seaside and probably has nothing to do with this, but the pies are delightful!

…and they restore mana or something, I don't know

…

Lucia inhaled, feeling the calm, salty ocean breeze wash over her. Magnolia felt like paradise for her, to be honest. As stated earlier, she used to come here with her parents when she was a child, but now that she was here on a mission, it felt a bit more special. She slicked back her red hair, plopping herself on the sand. She'd been training for quite a long while.

Lucia had joined the Magic Knights on special recommendation from none other than the Wizard King himself, even though she initially failed due to her performance in the other sections, rather than the combat section. Having parents who had to take her everywhere, due to the nature of their work, meant it was quite convenient for them to let her become a Magic Knight and forge her own path.

She had Card Magic, a hybrid magic derived from her mother's Dice Magic and her father's Paper Magic. She would have been the shining star of their performing act. The plan was, eventually, for her to become the ringleader of their traveling circus.

But life goes on, right?

Her gaze fixed on the horizon, she stood barefoot on the beach, digging her toes into the cool sand as she readied her deck of enchanted cards. Each card hummed with faint, shimmering magic, and as she flicked them through the air with practised ease, they seemed to dance, spinning and twirling in response to her control. She'd been on the beach alone for nearly an hour, practising with the cards she used both as weapons and as magical conduits, each one brimming with latent spells she could unleash at will.

Lars had wandered over, drawn by the rhythmic sound of waves and the sight of shimmering cards slicing through the air. After watching her for a few moments, he approached with an amused smile, hands stuffed in his pockets.

"You've got some skill," he remarked, watching as she deftly redirected a card mid-air, causing it to boomerang back into her palm. "Never seen Card Magic up close before. You make it look almost… graceful."

Lucia's face lit up with a smile as she lowered her deck. "It's not easy to get the hang of. The slightest miscalculation, and they go flying off course. When I was little, I'd end up getting bruised from my own spells. Practice, practice, and more practice," she laughed, dusting sand off her fingers.

Lars chuckled, crossing his arms as he observed her. "I get that. I still remember the early days with my Mind Magic; I'd try to throw something simple, like a rock, and end up knocking myself flat. It's only been in the past year that I've got any control." He looked at her cards with genuine curiosity. "Your Card Magic—it's more than just accuracy, isn't it? There's a strategy to each draw, like gambling. Do you know what spell's coming when you draw?"

"Not always," she admitted, flicking through her cards thoughtfully. "I can manipulate some of the spells, but there's always an element of chance. My mom's Dice Magic is even more unpredictable. She swears it's all about instinct. Maybe she's right." Lucia grinned, sending another card flying through the air where it released a burst of glittering light before returning to her hand.

Lars watched in fascination. "So you were trained by a Dice Magic user? That's got to be intense."

"It was," she said, her tone softening. "But I didn't mind. Performing is a huge part of my family; growing up in a family of performers had its perks. We travelled, saw new places every month. Magnolia was one of the few places we returned to, so being here again feels almost... nostalgic. It's strange, I'm here for a mission now, but it's nice to see it again."

Lars nodded, looking out at the peaceful waves. "I get it. Sometimes, a place just sticks with you. Good memories can do that." He glanced at her deck again, watching as she practised, each flick and twist of the cards carrying with it the experience of countless hours. "You've got serious talent, Lucia. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Lucia's eyes sparkled as she met his gaze, her grin bright. "Thanks, Lars. And you're not too bad yourself, you know. Mind Magic—it's impressive, y'know."

Lars scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I try."

They laughed together, the conversation settling into a comfortable rhythm as they shared stories of missions, mishaps, and the challenges of living up to family legacies. For a moment, the upcoming mission seemed to fade into the background, the peaceful beach providing a welcome break from the weight of their responsibilities.

…

"Ink Magic: Calligraphy," Zoe said, as her and Amaryllis faced off. She poised her brush, and began writing kanji characters on the air using ink. The first one she wrote was the kanji for fire. "Fire," she said, and a stream of fire leapt out at her. Amaryllis dodged nimbly, and fired off her own blast.

"Poison Magic: Salmonella!" she launched a fast missile of poison at him, which was no more than a minor inconvenience to Zoe.

"Ink Magic: Paint it Black!" She swiped her brush in one casual arc, turning the sludge blast into ink, which was absorbed into her brush.

Zoe's brush glided through the air with effortless precision, her movements both fluid and deliberate as she countered Amaryllis's attacks. Her Ink Magic manifested in elegant yet deadly forms, each stroke precise, each spell honed to perfection.

As Amaryllis's sludge missile morphed into ink and was absorbed back into Zoe's brush, Amaryllis raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Gotta say, your control is impressive," she remarked, brushing her fingers together to create small globs of poison that floated around her, ready to be launched. "But can your ink keep up with this?"

"Only one way to find out," Zoe replied coolly, flicking her brush as if issuing a challenge. She traced the kanji for "shield" in a swift stroke, and in seconds, a dense wall of ink rose from the ground, solidifying into a dark, gleaming shield.

"Not bad," Amaryllis commented, launching her poison globs at the shield, testing its durability. The globs sizzled against the barrier but couldn't penetrate, leaving only faint acidic smears.

Zoe, unfazed, continued her counter. "Ink Magic: Piercing Shadows." She slashed her brush in Amaryllis's direction. Thin, arrow-like streaks of ink broke off of the shield and hurtled toward her with pinpoint accuracy.

Amaryllis dodged and retaliated with another spell, shouting, "Poison Magic: Venom Bloom!" Purple, thorny vines sprouted from the ground and shot toward Zoe, laced with poison and ready to entangle her. Zoe sidestepped, her brush moving with eerie calm as she drew a swift counter-spell.

"Ink Magic: Severance Slash!" With a single stroke, a wave of ink shot forward, slicing cleanly through the venomous vines.

They both paused, breathing hard yet exhilarated. The intense sparring had each of them smiling, despite their differences in personality.

Zoe lowered her brush, nodding with approval. "Not many people can keep up with me in training. I respect that."

Amaryllis shrugged. "I'm used to people underestimating Poison Magic. Glad you're not one of them."

They took a break, settling down on the edge of the training grounds. For a moment, they sat in silence, catching their breath as they watched the breeze ripple through the grass.

Zoe glanced at Amaryllis, her usual stoic demeanour softened slightly. "You're not a noble, are you?"

"Nope," Amaryllis replied easily. "Born and raised a witch. Probably why I've got more bite than politeness."

Zoe nodded thoughtfully, a slight furrow in her brow. "I envy that, in a way. Growing up in a noble family, expectations were… relentless. My family wanted nothing less than perfection. My skills had to be the best; any failure, even a small one, was unacceptable." Her hand tightened slightly around her brush, a flash of irritation crossing her face. "Ink Magic has been in my family for generations, and they expect me to uphold that legacy, to prove that I can wield it with the same precision and control they did."

Amaryllis listened, intrigued. "Sounds rough," she said. "Must be exhausting having to live up to those standards all the time. But, for what it's worth, you seem to be doing just fine."

Zoe managed a faint smile. "Maybe. But it's hard to shake the feeling that it's never enough. If I fall short, even by a fraction, I'm letting them down." She glanced sideways at Amaryllis. "People think nobility's all privilege and luxury, but they don't see the other side—the pressure, the scrutiny. It's suffocating."

Amaryllis gave a nod, understanding. "So, is that why you're… not exactly friendly with most people?"

Zoe smirked, a glimmer of humour in her usually stoic eyes. "Partially. But mostly, it's just… people like Lars." She said his name with a slight roll of her eyes, as if it left a bitter taste.

"Lars?" Amaryllis chuckled. "Isn't he a little… harmless for your standards? Sure, he's loud and has no filter, but he's got his strengths."

Zoe sighed, shaking her head. "Harmless isn't the word I'd use. He's cocky, inconsiderate, and just… obnoxious. When we met at that dinner, he was all loud laughs and hollow compliments, trying to charm everyone with that smug grin. It was irritating."

Amaryllis grinned. "You mean he wasn't intimidated by the Great Zoe Halcourt?"

Zoe's lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile breaking through. "Apparently not. He seemed completely oblivious to the atmosphere. While everyone else was cautious, formal… he treated it like it was a casual gathering. I remember him trying to talk to me about the 'artistry' of my magic, completely oblivious to any subtleties. It felt… insincere."

Amaryllis raised an eyebrow. "Maybe that's just his way of trying to be friendly."

"Maybe," Zoe admitted reluctantly. "But there's a line between being friendly and being disrespectful. He seemed… careless about everything. It's like he didn't even consider that someone might not want his 'charming' commentary. Some people actually work hard for the image they present."

Amaryllis leaned back, grinning. "Maybe he'll surprise you on this mission. Who knows, you might even end up… liking him."

Zoe gave her a flat look. "Unlikely. But I suppose, if I must, I'll tolerate him. It's only a mission, after all."

Amaryllis laughed, giving Zoe a playful nudge. "We'll see."

…

"You're quite unique, y'know what? I've never seen anyone launch cards from a bow," Lars said, as the two flopped onto the sand, lying down together.

The blond haired girl blushed, turning away from him to hide it.

Lucia laughed softly, her cheeks still pink as she looked out over the ocean, fingers digging into the cool, gritty sand. "It's a little unconventional, I know. When I first joined the Blue Roses, some people looked at me like I was crazy. I mean, who combines Card Magic with archery?" She paused, biting her lip. "But… it works. And I like being a little different."

Lars chuckled, folding his arms behind his head as he gazed up at the sky. "I think it's brilliant, honestly. I'd give anything to have that kind of creativity. Most people think Mind Magic is predictable. It's nice to meet someone who takes a risk, even if it's… different."

Lucia turned to him, her blush deepening. "Thanks, Lars. I guess I just… didn't expect someone to understand it like that. People usually either find it weird or weak."

"Are you kidding?" Lars replied, his gaze warm. "I'd say it's one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Besides," he added with a grin, "we could all use a little weird. It keeps things interesting."

Lucia looked down, smiling to herself. "You're a good guy, Lars," she murmured, still looking at the sand. "Even if Zoe thinks you're annoying."

Lars laughed, rolling onto his side to face her. "Zoe's a tough one to crack. But I'm glad she's got you around. Who else could talk her into having a bit of fun once in a while?"

Lucia smiled, looking back at him. "Yeah. I think I'll keep trying. And who knows… maybe one day she'll see that even the strangest combinations—like Card Magic and archery, or Blue Roses and Coral Peacocks—can work out."

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, eyes skimming the waves lapping at the shore. Finally turning her gaze back to Lars, her cheeks still faintly pink, she said, "Took a long time to figure it out, but it's… my own, you know?"

Lars nodded, an easy smile spreading across his face. "It suits you. Not many people can make something so… original work that well."

They shared a quiet moment, the sounds of the beach filling the comfortable silence between them. Lucia shifted slightly, her arm brushing against his. She didn't pull away, her lips curving into a shy smile as she glanced up at him. "You don't really fit the typical Magic Knight mould either," she murmured, her voice soft and almost hesitant. "There's something different about you, too."

Lars chuckled, stretching his hands behind his head as he looked up at the sky. "Guess that makes us both oddballs, huh? Not a bad thing, though." He stole a quick glance at her, their eyes meeting for a beat too long. Neither of them broke the gaze, and in that brief, unspoken exchange, there was a hint of something more.

A/N: FINALLY! I get to build my writing skills by introducing ROMANCE!

I think I might take a break soon. One day of uploading one chapter for 29 days has exhausted a lot of my writing ideas, and I can see the quality of my writing is slightly depreciating because of it.

I don't want to make you guys disinterested in the fic, so let me know if I should take a break to try and make my chapters better. It won't be long, like one week or something.

As always, make sure to follow, favourite, and review! Your reviews help me improve and fix any plotholes or issues you might have with the story.