Draconic Hero Studios presents
Footsteps on a wooden floor.
Based on the work of Yuki Tabata
A door opens to the glow of a sunshiny morning.
And Code Geass creators Ichiro Okuichi and Goro Taniguchi
A woman with well groomed black hair and indigo blue eyes steps outside. Her heeled boots crunch the grass below. A book is strapped to her back in a harness tied around her waist.
With assistance here and there from Goshinzilla and Megasxlr
The woman puts a hand behind her head and gazes up at the sky as wind blows at her tight shirt, hair and pants.
THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION
Marianne Lamperouge gazed around outside. It was a normal day in Underlot Village, where she was born and raised. The daughter of a widowed mother due to an attack on the village by the Diamond Kingdom, she gazed around at the world outside her home, a wooden house near the center of the village. Her mother was currently doing laundry. Village children were playing and running around. However, Marianne Lamperouge had more important things to worry about.
She turned towards her mother. "Mom, I'm off."
"Good luck, sweetie. And remember, Underlot will always be your home."
Marianne nodded and strolled off, before breaking into a sprint. She didn't even look back. Goodbye backwater village, hello Magic Knight status. She wasn't the least bit concerned with failure. After all, she had a very interesting grimoire to aid her. Marianne's grimoire had a gold front and back cover. However, what was printed on her grimoire wasn't a clover, but a maple leaf, positioned upside down on her grimoire. This wasn't considered anything taboo. Many grimoires did not bear the symbol of their kingdom. Some even bore letters or other symbols, like skulls.
At 15-years-old, Marianne raced into the merchant district as she had done months ago, eager to show up early to the exam. There was quite the turnout this year, but that was to be expected. The Magic Knight entrance exams were a big deal in the Clover Kingdom. And, this year, it was Marianne's turn to show her capabilities as a magic knight.
The current wizard king was a woman by the name of Cecila Milanova, the 26th Wizard King. She had long, flowing reddish, almost orange hair with eyes to match, and a smile as radiant as the sun. She wore a mostly white outfit, cropped at her hips like a leotard, with gold trimmings at the chest area and shoulders. She wore high, tight white boots and a golden tiara in her hair.
Flanking the Wizard King were two of her finest Grand Magic Knights: Conrad Leto and Julius Novachrono, leaders of the White Serpents and the Grey Deer respectively. But they were not the only magic knights seated for the exam. Next to Conrad sat Acier Silva, the leader of the Silver Eagles, arguably the strongest woman in the kingdom after Cecilia herself. Sitting to Julius was the current head of the Crimson Lions: Vulkan Vermillion, the Volcanic Lion. Elsewhere in the stands, Marianne also recognized the visage of Andreas Darlton, the head of the Sandstone Giants, Kaiser Granvorka of the Violet Orcas, and the current head of the Blue Roses, a woman in her early 30s named Sonyia Jedariah.
Marianne stood in the crowd, gazing up at the giants among men gazing down at her and the crowd. Also present was the actual king, or rather emperor of the Clover Kingdom: Charles zi Britannia. In days gone past, the 17th Wizard King, Carl de Britannia, rose to power and shook the status of the Clover Kingdom forever. In an attempt to de-corrupt the nobility, he joined in power with the Silvas and the Vermillions and ousted the Clover bloodline directly from power, ascending the noble Britannia family to undisputed royal status. Having the Britannias in power did nothing to change the status quo among the noble court and Carl de Britannia seceded his position to a non-Britannian once his time as Wizard King had concluded. It was merely noble political theater and nothing more.
To a family like the Lamperouges, this change to the status quo hadn't impacted their family at all even as Wizard Kings came and went. Even as Charles zi Britannia became Emperor King, notably the most ruthless in the succession, it did little to affect the populace at the lowest parts of the food chain. But Marianne wasn't here to recall the days and weeks she spent studying Clover Kingdom history. She was here to show off and climb her way to the top. After all, as her tough gaze met the faces of the captains of the magic knights, she only had one desire. Soon, one day, somehow, some way, Marianne Lamperouge dared to become a Wizard King.
Once the appropriate hour approached, Emperor King Charles stood up and addressed the populace. His long, flowing sandy brown hair accentuated his thick beard and deep purple eyes. "My royal subjects," he said in that deep baritone of his. "Today you are all merely young men and women looking to become magic knights, but in the future, you could one day be ruling this country with the power you wield! All men and women are not created equal! But no matter your birth, this country allows those with the talent and the drive to rise to the top!" He clenched a fist and roared, "Show me your resolve, future knights! Let nothing stand in your way and become the heroes that this Kingdom needs!"
A triumphant roar came from the hopefuls, though Marianne herself remained quiet. In her mind, the louder the cheer, the weaker the person. She merely smiled politely.
With a gesture, Charles calmed then masses and then cleared his throat. "And now, our Wizard King would like to say a few words."
As Cecilia stood next to Charles, the 5'4" Cecilia was petit compared to the looming and broad shouldered 6'6" Emperor Charles. The contrast was staggering. She barely stood a head taller than him even as the man sat down.
Cecilia, was 26 years old, one of the youngest Wizard Kings in Clover Kingdom history. She was the younger sister of Lovilia, the vice-captain of the White Serpents. She smiled at the prospective magic knights in the audience.
"All of you, please give it your all," she said in a kind and gentle voice. "Do not worry if you are not able to make it past the exam, the fact that you are willing to try is evidence enough that you are willing to lay down your lives for the kingdom." The messages she and Charles were sending could not be more different. "Emperor Charles may believe that power separates one mage from another, but I believe it is heart, passion. Without passion and drive, one cannot grow. Without heart, you cannot connect to those you would protect." She held her hands together in prayer. "That is how I found myself upon this stage, a Wizard King appointed at only 22 years old." She smiled at the crowd. "May all of you, whether you are appointed as Magic Knights or not, find peace in your destiny. Now! Let the exam begin!"
A triumphant roar echoed from the crowd as the exam was put underway. The first test, of course, were broomsticks. And Marianne did not even bother to hide how skilled she was. She didn't just fly into the air on the broom like it was a skateboard, she spun around on it too, like she'd just leapt off a half-pipe, or performing spins off a ramp. With a smirk, she began zipping through the crowd, causing those struggling just to control the broom to fall.
"A bit wild that one," Vulkan said, stroking his beard.
"Indeed," Darlton agreed. "But skilled. But it takes more than riding a broom to be a magic knight."
As it turned out though, Marianne had the skills to back up her showiness. She aced target practice, turned a magic seed into a carnivorous plant in seconds, and molded the magic clay she was given into a four-leaf clover with smaller four-leaf clovers etched inside holes she'd punched in the cloves of the clay she molded.
"Wild or not, she's shaping up to be this year's MVP," Sonyia stated.
"Quite the amazing woman, wouldn't you say, Conrad?" Julius asked him.
"Indeed," the man agreed.
But, magic skill and craft were one thing. How could she fight? After all of the practical tests were over, the time had come to engage in sparring matches. And Marianne had drawn quite the ire of some of the nobility. But this was what she wanted. All she needed was a prospective noble to try and "teach her some manners".
Fortunately, she her cast line could not have drawn better bait. A young woman with tawny hair coming down to her shoulders, and sky blue eyes marched up to Marianne. "You!" she exclaimed, pointing rudely at Marianne. "You're my opponent."
Marianne smirked smugly. "And you would be…?"
"Aha! Of course some commoner from the sticks wouldn't know who I am. I am Francesca Angelica Rachel Theresa Clover XI." Despite their loss as royal status, the Clover family still lived in the lap of luxury, just further down the noble food chain.
Marianne stared at her for a bit and responded with, "You do realize most of your initials spell FART, right?"
Francesca became enraged. "You peon! I will not be mocked in such a manner!" She exclaimed, pointing at the ground.
"Well, how would you like me to mock you then?" Marianne asked with a teasing smirk. "I take requests."
Growling, Francesca grabbed Marianne by the upper arm and whipped her into the center of the arena. Marianne brushed out the single wrinkle of her nice, pink shirt before tapping her nice brown boots to the dirt. She stood there, staring at his enraged noblewoman, nonchalantly brushing some dirt off her partially torn jeans that had attached to her leggings during the previous parts of the exam.
"You may begin at any time," Cecilia pointed out. "Grimoires are not off limits, but killing your opponent is strictly forbidden."
"That's fine," Francesca said, with a deranged look in her eye. "I'll finish this in one blow. Crystal Magic: Crystal Cannon!" A massive magical crystal barreled towards Marianne at high speeds. Francesca twirled her arm and twisted her wrist before making a fist. "Crystal bomb."
The massive crystal exploded into countless numbers of sharp crystals that sped towards Marianne to try and skewer her.
However, before the crystals got anywhere close, a bright light gave off from Marianne, but not just any kind of light. This light was colored and flashed for more than a few seconds, yellower than an ear of corn. The yellow light then faded just as fast and Marianne remained unharmed. All of the crystal shards had been obliterated.
"Did you try to kill me just now?" Marianne asked with a smug smirk.
"So what if I did? And how are you still standing?!" Francesca shouted.
Marianne waggled her finger. "Naughty. Naughty. Killing's against the rules. As for how I'm still standing, why don't you ask my next attack?" Marianne held her hands parallel with each other with one palm facing the ground. Purple light began to flicker between her hands. "Spectrum Magic: Violet Ray."
A massive beam of purple light shot forth from Marianne's hands and slammed towards Francesca.
"Crystal Shield!" The woman shouted, producing a hunk of crystal to block her. The reflective surface of the shield seemed to reflect the beam of light fired by Marianne, but instead of being reflected, the light disappeared and, in the next instant, Francesca and her crystal fell over. "Wh-What?"
"Does it feel heavy?" Marianne asked, stepping towards her opponent slowly. "My Violet Ray increases the weight of whatever it hits. I knew you would try to block it. Of course, if you didn't, the sheer heat from the light itself would have burnt your flesh. Since your magic power is trying to hold up that hunk of crystal, well, now the crystal has become so heavy that you can't lift it, hence you've fallen as if the gravity itself was reflecting you."
"Gravity Magic, huh? I can beat that easily!" Francesca shouted. Within the next instant, hollow crystals attached to her wrists and ankles. "These magic floatation crystals can't have their weight increased so easily. And they help keep me floating in the air. So, what do you plan to do now?"
Marianne didn't even answer her. "Spectrum Magic," she uttered, as green light began to emanate from her body. "Green Nova!"
A spherical burst of energy projected outward from Marianne and burned away at Francesca's body, singing her clothes and skin before eradicating the crystals she'd put upon her body. She began to fall towards the ground.
"That's…impossible. What…what is this power?"
"It's Spectrum magic, dear," Marianne said as she concentrated energy to the tip of her right index finger. "Spectrum Magic: Red Beam."
The "beam" projected by Marianne's finger was more like a spread wave of energy that expanded rapidly and forced many-would be knights to get out of the way as Marianne blew the back of the colosseum to rubble.
Francesca picked herself out of it, rubble and dust sticking to her body. "What the hell…is spectrum magic?!"
Marianne suddenly was positioned right below Francesca, who was standing on a pile of raised, chunky rubble. She was so in shock at how quickly Marianne moved, now scared for her life of this woman.
"Oh nothing much," Marainne replied, keeping up her chipper attitude. "Just that the entire electromagnetic spectrum is mine to command." She drew back her fist. Dark, pitch-black energy sparked from her left hand. Marianne smirked. "Black Flash."
The attack came in, only to stop in front of Francesca's eyes, dismissed before it could launch. Marianne then pat her frozen with fear visage condescendingly on the head.
"Well, it wouldn't do to cripple a girl my age, even if you are looking down on me," Marianne told Francesca.
The girl went blank eyed with shock, foaming at the mouth and fell over, her mind having believed Marianne had gone through with the attack and reacting accordingly.
From his seat, Emperor King Charles eyed Marianne with an approving smirk. He liked this girl's style. The captains were also quite impressed.
"My, so talented for one so young," Acier complimented.
"I think we have your successor lined up, wouldn't you say?" Sonyia asked.
"Ahaha," Acier laughed, "As the strongest woman you mean? Well, maybe."
"She's quite confident in her abilities," Julius noticed. "She's a bit wild and arrogant, but her skills back up her behavior."
Vulkan laughed heartily. "My kids would love that girl. She'd whip 'em into shape too."
"Sounds like the MVP of this lot has already been decided," Darlton chuckled.
He wasn't wrong. When it came time for Marianne's ascension, every captain raised their hand. She wasn't even surprised. She evaluated each prospect.
The Violet Orcas are not a bad choice, but frequently underperform according to gossip. Pass.
From Kaiser, she looked to Sonyia. Two former Wizard Kings ascended from the Blue Roses. It wouldn't be a bad choice at all. However, Lady Sonyia isn't that strong herself compared to the other captains. It would be difficult to become a captain easily under her wing. Pass.
She looked to Darlton, leading the Sandstone Giants. Captain Darlton has served the royal family faithfully, but he puts too high a value on team effort rather than the growth of the individual. Pass.
From there, Marianne had four choices left: The Crimson Lions, the Grey Deer, The Silver Eagles and the White Serpents.
Acier Silva is understandably the strongest women in the Clover Kingdom. Vulkan Vermillion matches her power. Both are strong, but if they had the chops to be Wizard King, they would have ascended by now. Perhaps the family simply wants to keep the tradition alive unless someone is of age, but if that's the case then my time spent with them won't be the path of least resistance. Besides, rivaling Acier and Vulkan is sure to lead to quicker growth. Pass.
That left just the Serpents and the Deer. At present, they were the strongest squads in the Clover Kingdom. She couldn't go wrong with either. Conrad Leto and Julius had absolutely insane magical abilities. Either one stood a chance at becoming the Wizard King. However, of the two, to the best of Marianne's knowledge, Julius had a far less emotional attachment to his Vice-Captain. She smiled. She knew her choice.
"I request, Grey Deer."
And that was the day, as she received her shawl that evening, that Marianne Lamperouge became a legendary member of the Grey Deer and its legacy.
Marianne had to wait around for the rest of the sparring matches to take place before Julius escorted her and all of the others who would become her fellow Grey Deer to their headquarters. The Grey Deer manor sat in the middle of a beautifully lush field, surrounded by trees, on the upper east side of the merchant district. It was a 20 minute jog from here to the royal quarter and the castle could be seen from here. While all of Marianne's peers were oohing and aahing at the sights, Marianne looked at things around her with a passive smile. She wasn't here to act like a tourist. She was here to prove herself.
Julius gathered the newcomers in the lobby and asked them to find a spot in the building near the six windows that lined the entrance hall. In the middle of this room, a massive dining table sat.
"I'd like to personally welcome you all to the Grey Deer," Julius stated. "For those of you that could choose, I appreciate you choosing my squadron over whichever other offers you had. For those of you that had no other choice, know that I see potential in you, else you would not be here."
Marianne looked at her peers. Generic faces littered the room. Nobody really stood out to her. She'd watched all the matches. A wealth and variety of magic coated the Grey Deer's newcomers, but even her peers knew that Marianne was basically this year's coveted recruit.
Julius continued with his speech. "I would like you all to feel comfortable here in my humble squadron. Apologies as it is only me today and my vice-captain is out. But if you have any questions, or any complaints, please do not hesitate to share them with me or one of your fellow magic knights ranked above you. We all need to get along here to better protect the Clover Kingdom."
Marianne turned her head almost in a dismissive way. Getting along? Working together? She didn't need to be part of a team. She deserved nothing less than to lead a team. Her results would speak for themselves. With her magic, and enough time and effort, people would crowd around her just to suckle at her power and charisma.
Julius seemed to notice her almost offended attitude and smiled wider. "It is first come first serve for rooms. Consider this your first assignment. Please do not break anything or you will lose claim to the room you obtained. Think carefully of how best to reach the room you desire. You lay claim to a room by placing your grimoire on the bed inside. Only doors that are unlocked are available. Don't worry, there should be plenty of room for everyone. On your marks, get set, go!"
Marianne wasted no time using her Spectrum Magic to blitz past her competition, even though she was in the back of the room. By using a low-heat version of her Violet Ray, she made her opponents fall over from the weight of their own bodies and then used their backs as springboards to buy herself precious time to find a room of her choosing. It was a beautifully designed bedroom with its own bathroom, a gorgeous view of the castle from the third floor and a soft king-sized bed. The petrified wood armoire just added to the deluxe "jackpot" feeling of the room. Marianne wasted no time placing her grimoire upon the bed.
"Mine," she declared with a self-satisfied smirk.
"Well done, young Marianne."
Marianne turned, spooked, surprised to see Julius in the room. From where had he entered? He was still in the entrance hall when she ran by him. Had he caught up to her without her noticing? She should have heard footsteps.
Julius kept his eyes on Marianne and walked over to shut the door. "I believe this will give us a fine time to chat while everyone else is laying claim to their rooms."
Marianne folded her arms, a faint self-satisfied smug smirk on her glossed-up lips. "Chat about what, Captain?"
"I have a feeling I know what your life is going to be like simply based on what I know of you already. You're eager to prove yourself, with the strength to back it up. But, you also seem to be dismissive of teamwork and comradery. You won't go far if you keep up that attitude."
"It's not that I frown upon teamwork, it's that I will accept nothing less than leadership," Marianne spoke to him with a self-assured tone.
"Leadership is born from working together. Those who respect you and are loyal will naturally crowd around you," Julius replied.
Marianne shook her head. "Leadership is earned when those around you realize you are their best chance at survival. Not everyone is fit to lead, just like not everyone is fit to be a magic knight."
"Ah, a woman after our own emperor's heart," Julius said with a chuckle and a smile. He then frowned. "But, if you don't make friends, others will become suspicious of you, even fear your power. Do you want to be a Wizard King that only rules via strength?" Marianne didn't need to say she had a bid for the throne. Julius could tell this young girl would be satisfied with nothing less than the very top of civilization.
"My strength is the reason I will never be toppled, not the means by which I rule. But I can take shortcuts to the top because of it. A weak king is easily overthrown, after all," Marianne replied smugly.
"Perhaps we simply have different definitions of what it means to be weak," Julius replied, cupping his chin with only his thumb and forefinger.
Things were silent for a bit as Julius lowered his arm. The serious stare of Julius met the smiling visage of the young Marianne. He could tell, she would not let this go.
He smiled. "Well, words can only do so much. Actions speak louder. We'll see how long you last as a magic knight with that attitude." He proceeded for the door, stopping once he was directly perpendicular to Marianne. "But Marianne," he said, glancing sideways towards her, "No ruler ever made it to the top alone. And those that did, did not last very long. Be careful out there."
"We'll see," Marianne said with a smug smirk and her arms folded. "I plan to do things my way."
"Well, when your confidence crumbles, I am your captain. I am always here to prop you up when you fall."
Marianne nodded, her smirk fading, arms falling slack at her side. "I know I'm not invincible yet, Captain, but you must know I am well above the rank and file. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I am a match for you. If you wanted, you could have me killed, were you that type of person." She showed him an iron gaze of conviction. "But I will make it to the top, through all of the blood, sweat and tears required of someone starting at my level. Make no mistake," her serious gaze faded as she curled a finger through her hair, smirk returning, "You will one day feel honored that I chose your magic knight squad over all the others. The Grey Deer's name will be revered from my efforts."
Confident, but not overly arrogant. Strong, but well aware of her weaknesses. Passionate, but not zealous. Yes, thought Julius as he smiled at his new junior knight, Marianne, with a little bit of guidance, was going to be just fine. "Well," he said with a smile, "Do your best."
That night…
A welcoming ceremony honoring all of the new recruits was held as shawls were handed out to all of the new mages. Marianne accepted hers with gratitude, fastening it to her shoulders. It was never more official than now. She was a magic knight of the Clover Kingdom.
Dinner was fabulous with everyone eating their fill, some senior knights getting drunk. Marianne ate in silence, keeping her ears and eyes peeled for trouble. Banquets like this were not just full of merriment, but also an opportunity to break up dumb fights that broke out. However, as Marianne drank from her goblet full of grape juice, she didn't hear anything other than joyous laughter and cheering.
As she went to place her goblet on the table, someone tugged at her shawl. Marianne turned to see a girl of her peerage with rose colored hair and chestnut brown eyes. She was a bit shorter than Marianne but not by much.
"U-Um, excuse me…M-Miss Marianne?"
Marianne turned her attention towards the small girl, surprised at being called out to. The girl seemed timid in some respects, but maybe she was just embarrassed talking to someone she barely knew.
Marianne, in attempt to seem friendlier, smiled, "And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"
"Oh um…M-My name is Elizabeth Williams." She bowed hurriedly. "I-I was really impressed with your performance today. I'm not a noble either."
Marianne had to admit, the ratio between nobles and commoners was ill-tilted. The ratio was at least 3-1 in favor of the nobility. So, Elizabeth pointing this out to her was not surprising.
"U-Um, I'm not super strong or skilled like you, but um…my…my magic is really useful so um…please let me study under you! I'll do whatever you want!"
Marianne was surprised by this. A protégé on day one? Well, who was she to turn this opportunity down. See Julius? I'm being respected for my power already.
She put her hand atop the girl's head. "All right, but I'm nobody's babysitter. If we go on a mission together, hold your own out there."
The girl lifted her head, forcing Marianne to move her hand. She looked far more filled with gumption and vigor now. "Yes! Of course! Whatever you say, Lady Marianne!"
Lady Marianne. She wasn't a noble, yet the moniker felt…appropriate to her ear. Marianne smiled. "Yes, Lady Marianne will show you the ropes, Elizabeth. Just remember, do as I say, not as I do. There are perks that only the strong are permitted."
"Yes, ma'am! Absolutely!"
"Good. Then be sure to be up early and ready to attack the day. If you can, get up by dawn and fetch me a job." Marianne cracked her knuckles, flashing her palms across the table. "Something challenging, the tougher the better."
"Yes, ma'am! Count on me!"
"Awfully confident for a rookie," a sassy voice remarked from the seat to Marianne's left.
"Awfully condescending from someone who didn't see what she could do," Elizabeth huffed at the young man on Marianne's other side. He had to be no older than 17. He had blond hair swept to one side and appeared to be wearing leather armor under his Grey Deer shawl.
Marianne leaned on the table, elbow on the table, cheek on her palm, facing this senior of hers. "And who might you be?"
"Nicolas Ashford," The man responded with a friendly enough smile. He offered Marianne a red-gloved hand. "I'm a third-class intermediate magic knight. Been here for two years. Nice to meet you."
Marianne shook it, not wanting to seem rude. "So, is your snide remark out of concern or skepticism?" she asked, letting go.
"Both," Nicolas responded. "I don't know what you did at the sparring matches, but if you run headfirst into needless danger, even the best prodigies can die day one."
"Then why not come along and I'll prove myself. Having an older hand on standby if things go wrong is always a clever tactic to have at one's disposal," Marianne offered, smirking.
Nicolas pondered this, pinching his lower lip. "You know, that's not a bad idea." He put his hands behind his head. "A win's a win for me. If you mess it up, I get to laugh and say "I told you so." But if you do it, well, egg on my face and I've got a rookie I can help climb."
"Then be prepared because tomorrow I'm going to take on the nastiest, toughest and most ruthless job we have available and I will complete it in record time," Marianne remarked confidently.
"Well, hey, jobs like that pay really well, so I'll definitely come along," Nicolas responded with a big grin. "Count me in, Mari."
"That's Lady Marianne to you," Marianne responded.
Nicolas laughed. "Well, well, my apologies."
From across the banquet hall, Julius smiled, reassured. He had to admit, Marianne seemed to be a lot more interpersonal than she initially let on. Nicolas was a good kid. If those two were getting along, she was going to be juuuuust fine.
The Next Day…
As promised, Elizabeth obtained a really tough job for Marianne. They would be heading out near the Grand Magic Zone that split off the Clover Kingdom from the Spade Kingdom. They wouldn't be going into it, of course, just near it enough to slay their target. Apparently, a monster classified as a Giga-Harpie was terrorizing a nearby village periodically, but only taking cattle and rarely attacking humans. Of course, the humans that tried to fight it all met a gory death. The reward money was being paid out by the nobility instead of the village. Notes in the request pointed out that seven attempts to clear this quest over the past six months had been made. All had failed. Acier Silva herself had expressed interest in dealing with the beast, but her status prevented her from staying away from the central defense of the kingdom for too long a time for a matter so trivial. She had tried going out there to deal with the problem, but never so much as caught a glimpse of the best. She had come to one conclusion: it was scared of her.
As a result, the matter continued to be regulated to other magic knights. The monster clearly did not want to pick a fight it could not win, so eliminating it fell upon someone it would either underestimate, or was an even match for it.
The walk getting to the village would take a while, but thankfully the weather was nice and warm. Marianne insisted on walking in front of her two traveling companions, acting like the leader.
"So what exactly can the two of you do?" she inquired of Elizabeth and Nicolas.
"I have Iron-Forging magic," Elizabeth explained. She used magic to make what looked like molten slag in her hands that then took shape to resemble a mace and shield. "I'm really good at making weapons and armor, but, like I said, just out of good old-fashioned iron. And…" she rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not…terribly strong. Feels like kind of a mismatch. And since I can only make iron, that makes it harder to make things like cannons or arrows."
"Iron shafts do travel slower," Marianne nodded, noting Elizabeth's abilities. She looked at Nicolas. "What about you?"
"Leather magic," he answered. He held up his right arm and made a whip appear. He then lowered his arm, dismissing it as he pulled open his shawl, showing off some knives on the belt line of his leather armor. "I've also raided a few dungeons and gotten my hands on some pretty sweet magic knives. My grimoire magic might not be the greatest, but I'm really good at the fundamentals, so having a handful of magic knives can keep enemies on their toes. I've got water, lightning, gravity, and even black fog."
"Black fog?" Marianne questioned, turning her head towards him.
"It's basically like ink in gas form. Even harder to see through it. Great for sneaking around," he answered.
Marianne nodded, getting the gist of it.
"What's your magic?" he asked.
"Spectrum magic," Marianne twirled her index finger in a circle, making a rainbow of light follow her as she then made a fist. "The spectrum of light is at my fingertips, with added beneficial effects."
Nicolas whistled. "That's really something."
"She totally schooled one of those stuck-up Clover family members," Elizabeth informed him, sounding enthusiastically nostalgic. "It was so cool!"
"Magic enough to rival one of the top-tier nobles? I gotta see this. This Giga-Harpie better be as tough as it sounds," Nicolas remarked, blinking in astonishment.
"Remind me again why we couldn't fly on broomsticks?" Elizabeth questioned.
Marianne made light constructs, connected to her fingers like puppet strings, over her head. Her entire right hand was being used to manipulate the Giga-Harpie. The left hand showed a featureless humanoid. "Harpies are notoriously powerful in the air. With razor sharp talons and blinding speed, a broomstick could easily be ripped apart." Marianne's light constructs showed the Harpie smashing the broom and three humans falling to the ground with a big yellow X representing death/injury. The X then transformed into three humans on the ground. "We don't yet know how powerful it actually is, so luring it lower to the ground where we don't risk falling to our deaths is ideal." A circle flashed over the humans and Marianne dismissed her light puppet show. "Understand?"
"Brilliant, Lady Marianne," Elizabeth stated, smacking her fist into her open palm.
"Most magic knights wouldn't have accounted for that," Nicolas stated, stroking his chin with his thumb and index finger. "Of course, there are plenty of magic knights who can fight in the air too."
"The tip off is the fact that it doesn't seem to spawn whenever Lady Acier visits. The creature has some level of intelligence. Elizabeth, in case it doesn't want to deal with me, you'll be the bait."
"EH?! ME?!" Elizabeth questioned, stopping, pointing at herself.
Without even turning around, Marianne waved her hand over her head dismissively. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Well, provided you're fast enough." Marianne then lowered her arm, skipping as she spoke in a sing-song voice. " Remember, I don't do babysitting."
Elizabeth gulped.
"Better put the lucky bandana on," Nicolas said, taking out a red, worn bandana and wrapping it around his forehead, the cloth on the other ends of the knot flapping in the breeze. "Just in case."
"Didn't count you as the superstitious type," Elizabeth said.
"This thing actually saved me from a fatal head injury once. Originally I made it just to look cool, but now I always bring it if I think I might die. I mean, hey, I don't have a four-leaf clover. …Heck, I don't a three-leaf clover. …Heck, I'd kill for the stem."
Elizabeth tried to hold back her laughter, but failed. Even Marianne let out a cordial, "Heh."
This made Nicolas laugh. "Ah, our high and mighty leader actually has a sense of humor. I'm so honored."
"I'm confident and skilled, not inhuman, Nicolas," Marianne retorted.
"Well, well, my apologies," Nicolas replied semi-sarcastically.
The group eventually pulled up on the village. The Grand Magic Zone was actually visible from the village's southern entrance.
Upon seeing Magic Knight shawls, the residents of the kingdom went running towards the mages, including an old man. "Ah, bless you all. Our prayers have been answered."
"No need to stand on ceremony," Marianne said, stretching her arms up and behind her head. "Point me in the direction of this monster so I can kill it."
"Well, it's not around right now," the old man said. "I dare say, it only seems to appear when it wants to, and without warning, like it's toying with us."
"I see," Marianne responded, nodding.
"Without warning?" Elizabeth questioned. "Doesn't it shriek first?"
"It does, but by that point, it's usually already over the village and attacking our cows," the old man responded, almost groaning.
Marianne took this information into account. She knew something was up, given it avoided Acier like a virus, but able to just appear when it wanted? Does it possess some form of magic? I suppose if it came from the Grand Magic Zone, that would make sense.
"Does it have any kind of attack pattern? You know, when it appears and whatnot?" Nicolas asked.
"Usually it's early in the morning. We didn't see it today though," the old man answered.
"Early in the morning, hmm?" Marianne questioned. She nodded. "All right. I think for now we'll lay low until nightfall. If you have no spare beds, the barn will be fine. I'm not above sleeping on hay."
"Uh, sure, I believe the barn has some room on the upper floor, just be mindful of the ladder," the old man told her.
"Excellent," Marianne stated, punching her right fist into her left palm. "Then we've got this. Come tomorrow, all of your problems will be over. You just leave it to us."
That night…
"Sooooo, if it attacks in the morning, why are we out here?" Elizabeth asked, holding up a torch. It was the middle of the night, almost the next calendar day.
"I have a working theory and I want to see if I'm right. In fact, in a short while, I'm going to ask you to snuff that thing," Marianne stated, waving her hand dismissively.
"Do I have to? It's dark out here," Elizabeth complained.
"Do as I say, not as I do. I'm not a babysitter. Don't like it, go home," Marianne quipped like a fussy teacher.
Elizabeth sighed. She would comply.
Nicolas brought up the rear. "Well, if you didn't ask us to bring supplies, we're not camping. So what are we…?"
He didn't get to finish when Marianne held her hand up. She lifted her head, appearing to be listening for something, but all that Nicolas and Elizabeth seemed to be able to hear was the sound of the wind.
"Off," Marianne commanded, turning her wrist like one would turn the knob on a stovetop.
Elizabeth did as she was commanded. As the group's eyes adjusted to the darkness, Marianne stared up at the stars.
Nicolas put a hand on Marianne's shoulder, speaking in a whisper. "Mind sharing this theory of yours?"
"Only if I'm wrong," Marianne said. She pointed her finger at the sky. "Spectrum Magic: Detector Web."
A wave of light emitted from Marianne's finger, black mostly, but with a red outline, patterned with stars.
"That's so cool," Elizabeth exhaled, doing her best to keep her voice down.
The semi-circle of light then began to rotate above Marianne's head, like a radar sensor.
"What are you doing?" Nicolas asked.
"Seeing iiiiiif…aha…there," Marianne pointed with her other index finger and then used her magic to turn the semi-circle into a semi-sphere. "There. See that?"
"See wha—OOH!" Elizabeth exclaimed, but Nicolas covered her mouth in time.
Hovering many feet above the ground was the biggest, nastiest, ferocious looking flying creature any of the three had ever seen. However, it appeared to not be moving. It appeared to be…resting inside some kind of…invisible object, like a barrier.
"It's like it's…sleeping inside some kind of egg," Nicolas commented.
"Well then, let's give it a rude awakening," Marianne remarked, throwing her hair out behind her. "Elizabeth. Can you forge me an iron ball?"
Elizabeth nodded and Nicolas stopped covering her mouth. She forged a heavy iron ball and handed it to Marianne. She was floored when Marianne then pitched at high speeds up and directly at the Giga-Harpie. To the shock of everyone but Marianne, not only did the magic ball break the barrier, it also bonked the creature on its leg, causing it to wake up with a loud screech.
Whatever magic was being used to cloak itself from view came undone and now the big, red-feathered, black taloned monstrosity was awake, and angry.
Marianne smiled at it, turning her body. Her right arm remained at her side while her left arm was raised as a means of keeping the monster's talons from directly clawing at her face. "Over here, big girl."
The monster shrieked at her, clearly not liking Marianne's blatant disrespect for its power and dove at her.
"Watch out!" Elizabeth shouted, but she hardly needed to shout this at Marianne.
"Violet Ray," Marianne spoke with all the calmness of a teacher giving a lecture, and all the smugness of a casino watching a dealer collect a man's life savings. The beam from just her fully extended index finger shot out and consumed the Giga-Harpie whole, making its body too heavy to fly as it crashed into the ground. The monster was able to get itself to stand up on its legs, but it couldn't lift its wings. It shrieked and squawked and strained. Marianne didn't show any mercy as she strolled forward casually with all of the swagger of a noble. Then, she performed some rather interesting hand gestures.
She held up her left hand, crossing her right index finger under her middle finger. She then held up her right palm towards the sky, a ball of white light gathering in it. A beam of white light shot from her left-hand fingers into the ball, expanding it rapidly in size. Elizabeth looked intrigued as the monster looked absolutely terrified.
"White Purge."
Lobbing the ball into the air with one hand, Marianne then spiked it like a Volleyball with her left, sending the ball hurtling forward towards the monster. The blast seemed to denoate at the center of the monster's ribs and then shot outward, expanding rapidly with a bang so loud it would make dynamite seem quiet. The rapidly expanding energy was then controlled by Marianne's hand gestures, detonating into a column of white light that eradicated everything it hit. There was nothing left of the creature as a big crater was also formed, both sky and ground pierced by the cylindrical column of white light.
Nicolas could hardly believe his eyes. A hole that big, against a monster reputably that powerful, and a blast that tall…Marianne went beyond prodigy. A Giga-Harpie would give a seasoned intermediate knight on the cusp of becoming senior some serious trouble…and Marianne had wiped it out in the span of seconds. With two spells!
Who is this woman? He thought. He swallowed. Regardless of who she is…I want to stay on her good side.
"Over already?" Marianne wondered aloud. "Oh well." She stretched. "Guess we can get a good night's rest then and tell the captain about our success."
"Y-Yeah…" Nicolas stuttered.
Elizabeth ran right up to Marianne, steam shooting out her nostrils, eyes sparkling with healthy hero worship. "That was amazing, Lady Marianne!"
Marianne caressed the top of Elizabeth's head as though stroking a hyperactive puppy. "I'm just glad you and Nicolas didn't get hurt."
"With you around, I don't think we will have anything to worry about!" Elizabeth saluted. "I am your loyal underling from here on out!"
Marianne smiled gently. It was as she thought, power drew a crowd. She needn't be personable with those around her. She need only show off just how strong she was, and the weak would congregate under her protection naturally. She glanced over her shoulder. Nicolas looked positively awestruck. Him. Elizabeth. Soon there would be more. She just had to keep at it, one step at a time.
It had been two weeks since Marianne first became a magic knight. In that time, she'd never left past the merchant district except for missions. She hadn't even been home. Her mother would understand. Marianne's whole dream had been to be a magic knight. If she wasn't home, she had definitely succeeded.
Marianne checked her belongings as she prepared to head out. She had everything she needed as she pushed open the door to her room, an enthusiastic Elizabeth already waiting for her.
"It should come as no surprise to anyone that you made it to your very first possible star award festival," she said, bristling with energy.
"But of course," Marianne responded smugly. "Fourteen stars in exactly as many days. Obviously Lady Cecilia would want to commemorate it."
As the two walked down the hall, Elizabeth could do nothing but sing Marianne's praises. "I think you're the fastest growing mage the Clover Kingdom has ever seen!"
"No, I wouldn't call it fast growth."
Elizabeth turned sharply as Marianne turned casually to see Julius hanging on the lobby of the floor below, sitting in the middle of the room with a big book.
"Ah! Good morning, Captain!" Elizabeth exclaimed exuberantly with a salute.
"Good morning to both of you as well," Julius responded with a smile. "But yes, as I said, Elizabeth, Marianne's merits are the mark of growth, it's a mark of skill. Quite frankly, I am quite surprised. All of young Marianne's efforts are due to skill she produced long ago. I don't believe any single enemy she's faced in the past two weeks have actually been a challenge for her at all."
"Not at all, actually," Marianne responded with a smug smirk. "I'm just getting started."
In the past two weeks, Marianne had exterminated all manner of man and monster. If they were a threat to the Clover Kingdom, they had been mercilessly cut down. Nicolas and Elizabeth had always been at her side to witness her grand achievements, and both could barely believe that Marianne was only fifteen and performing such incredible acts of strength.
"Just don't get a big head over it, Marianne," Julius warned. "I'd hate to lose my best rookie."
"You won't be calling me rookie for much longer," Marianne said as she prepared to walk out the door. She waved goodbye without even looking at her captain. "Once Lady Cecila commemorates my achievements, I'll be far and above any rookie ever."
Julius chuckled and then looked at Elizabeth with a smile. "Do make sure she stays okay."
"Of course, Captain. Will do!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
Nicolas had personal business to attend to, so he wasn't able to attend Marianne's ceremony today. It would be Marianne's first time in the noble district as she waltzed through with her and Elizabeth getting side-eye from the nobles all turning their noses up at the poor.
"Wow, do we really seem that out of place?" Elizabeth asked.
"Ignore them. They get off on looking down on others. If it becomes more than gazes, I'm perfectly content with giving back whatever violence they dish out," Marianne stated, balling a fist.
"Y-Yeah," Elizabeth stuttered. Despite Marianne's reassurance, the ugly stares still made her uncomfortable.
The ceremony had many mages lining its halls that day, none of whom could claim to have accumulated 14 stars in as many days.
Cecilia was present, of course, but so was, much to the surprise of those around him, Emperor Charles. It appeared the Emperor took his job very seriously, liking to have a hands-on involvement in such matters. Still, his gaze was quite stern and he didn't speak a word as Cecila went around, tapping the mighty sword, Elsdocia, to the shoulders of each mage deserving of its honor.
She stopped in front of Marianne. "To Marianne Lamperouge of the Grey Deer Knights, for her fourteen stars, I grant the title of Intermediate Rank, first class."
It was the kingdom record for highest jump ever recorded.
"If such actions came from a more seasoned veteran, I would have had no trouble making you a senior knight."
She put the blade of Elsdocia to Marianne's left shoulder and then to her right one. She then planted the blade into the ground. "You are a proud knight of the Clover Kingdom. Stand tall!"
"Yes, Lady Cecilia!" Marianne exclaimed, standing tall.
"Preposterous! Some no-name commoner gaining fourteen stars in her first two weeks as a knight?! How much time collecting them was spent down on your knees?!"
Cecilia turned her head sharply as Marianne gazed around the woman's shoulder. A portly, bald man with an orange mustache stood in showy purple robes, holding a pocket watch in his right hand.
"Such disrespect for us hard working folk cannot go unchecked! I, Oliver Bartholamew Edison Siegfried Edmund Kira, cannot allow this!"
Marianne gazed at this man with copious amounts of shade. "You do realize most of your initials spell obese, right?"
"See?! This is exactly what I am talking about! A woman of such blatantly disrespect for her betters has no place in the magic knights." He pinched his nose. "And from where did you come from? The gutter? You reek of poor!"
"Underlot Village, not that that's of any concern to a highly substantial individual like yourself," Marianne stated truthfully, but sarcastically.
"Sir Oliver, I will not have you turning my audience hall into a battlefield, especially when the chefs are on their way to bring food out," Cecila told him.
"This will only take a moment. Besides, I wouldn't want the food to suffer at the hands of this low-born commoner filth!"
"Hey! We've done nothing—" Elizabeth began to cry out in indignation.
Marianne put a hand in front of her to silence her, without even turning to look at her.
"Oliver is it?" Marianne asked, gazing at the shawl around his body. "From the Violet Orca t'would seem." She stretched her arms out in front of her, cracking her knuckles. "Tell me, when you acquired those four stars you were commemorated today," she smirked, lowering her arms as she asked, "How much of that time was spent begging?"
Oliver took out his Grimoire and released a multitude of chains from it. The chains were coming from all manner of direction, but did not seem to be darting at Marianne directly.
"Mana Zone: Chained Dominion!" Oliver declared. "Within this special zone created by my chain magic, all spells cast from anywhere other than my Grimoire, will fizzle out and be destroyed. Now, if you don't want me to shame you," Oliver added, causing four chains to snake around Marianne's legs and arms, I suggest you get on your hands and knees and beg for mercy."
Cecilia rolled her eyes. She could stop this at any point, but she knew the repercussions of getting involved. Making an enemy of House Kira would be such a headache.
Despite this, Marianne didn't seem the least bit bothered. "So as long as I don't cast magic, I can still move, is that fair to say?" Marianne asked.
Oliver chuckled. "Obviously, but you better—" He was cut off by a wheezing sound effect ejecting from his own mouth as saliva and bile spewed out of it.
Only a few had seen Marianne even move, and even fewer had seen exactly what happened. In a flash of an instant, Marianne had crossed the distance between her and Oliver and punched him so hard in the stomach it knocked the wind out of him.
"If all my magic is blocked, then there's nothing wrong with simply good old fashioned martial arts," Marianne said with a cheeky smile as Oliver collapsed on the floor on his back, prone.
With Oliver's consciousness in flux, his Mana Zone deteriorated. This allowed Marianne to cast her own magic, summoning a giant suit of armor with an equally sized sword, made of bright yellow light. The suit of armor acted as a familiar of sorts and it crouched to one knee, pointing the sword at Oliver's face. Marianne sat on Oliver's stomach, staring at the terrified nobleman.
"What's the matter? I can't hear your apology from all the way down there." She stuck her mud covered boot in his face. "Lick the sole of your superior."
Oliver sweat, his failure beyond his comprehension.
"What's the matter? The one who has the power makes the rules, right? Therefore, since you lost, you're now my bitch. Isn't that how it works?" The hard light sword pressed to Oliver's throat. Marianne gazed at him with a disdainful, merciless look. "Lick it."
"All right, I think that's enough."
Marianne suddenly found herself being scooped up from under her arms and set down off Oliver. She gazed at the person that had picked her up. This was Acier Silva, Captain of the Silver Eagles.
"Hmph, about time someone with some decency got involved. Captain Acier, tell this petulant child to—"
Oliver stopped talking when a liquid steel lance was pointed into his face. He gasped, going pale at the sight.
"Sir Oliver," Acier said with a smile and a tilt of her head. "I don't think it's quite polite or noble to be threatening young girls with discipline in spite of their accomplishments. I think it's wonderful that young Marianne is able to overcome the challenges of her birth and set an example for young magic knights everywhere?" She pushed the lance ever so closer. The tip was almost poking the center of Oliver's nose. "Don't you agree?"
Oliver held up his hands, sweating profusely, "Er, y-yes. Of course. Yes, of course!" He exclaimed. He nodded, stroking his chin. "Yes, glad I thought of it. Of course this youngster is of the highest caliber. Why, look at her! She is a radiant er…um…radiant…y-youth! Yes, youth!" Clearly he was struggling to try and compliment a poor commoner.
Acier dismissed her lance. "Nozel."
Her firstborn happened to be present, lifting his head as his mother, faced away from him, put her hands across her waist, folded neatly. She was still facing Oliver Kira.
"Yes, mother?" the young Nozel Silva responded. He was eight years old.
"What is the cardinal rule of being a magic knight?"
"To protect the country, and its people," Nozel responded. He would never get such a simple fact wrong.
"And what would you, a young man hoping to become a magic knight, say of a man threatening a young girl with talent simply because she was born poor?" Acier asked sharply.
"That man should be punished," Nozel responded.
"I agree," Acier responded. She looked to Cecilia. "What say you, milady Wizard King?"
"I concur. Oliver, for your atrocious behavior put upon on display just now, I hereby revoke my previously granted promotion and I also revoke one star you have received as punishment for your transgressions," Cecilia declared.
"I believe that the young lady should also be given an additional star for her bravery."
Everyone looked across the room, having not expected his majesty to speak. He'd been blending into the background, practically this whole time.
"Y-Your majesty, you cannot be serious," Oliver stuttered.
"All men are not created equal!" Charles declared, stomping his foot. "Whether it is status, Sir Oliver," he said and glared at his fellow nobleman, "Or skill. And having witnessed young Marianne display such fearlessness in the wake of her first exposure to Mana Zone, I believe a commemoration is in order."
"Holy moly, you got praise from the Emperor himself," Elizabeth whispered. "People are going to be talking about you now."
"As they should," Marianne responded just as quietly with a smirk.
"And if you cannot bring yourself to break bread with a commoner, then I suggest you excuse yourself from the dining hall," Charles remarked. "No, perhaps it is better that you do. I wouldn't want the food to catch your failure. It would reflect poorly on the chefs. Men, see this disgrace out."
Oliver was grabbed by two tall men in armor.
"You can't do this to me! My father will here about this!" Oliver exclaimed as he was dragged out of the hall. "I'm a Kira! A KIRAAAAAAAA!"
SLAM!
Charles then raised a fist to the ceiling. "If the ceremony is concluded, let our people dine to their heart's content!" he thundered.
Cheers erupted from around the room.
Marianne, having never seen much of the food on display before, picked based on smell and what she thought she would like based on its correlation to other foods she'd had before.
Whilst picking through the cold deli selection, Acier came up to her and Elizabeth. "I am so sorry for that horrible man's behavior. I hope it won't reflect badly on your impression of us nobles."
"Not at all," Marianne responded with a slight shake of her head. "Like his majesty said, all men are not created equal. Some of us are simply born better than others."
Acier laughed. "You're so competent for someone so young. I hope my Nozel learns to take after you."
Nozel hid behind his mother.
"Ah, Nozel, that's not nice," Acier scolded. "I'm sorry about him. I think he simply isn't good with strangers."
"Eh, we all are," Elizabeth responded and then gasped. "Er, I mean…er…forgive my casualness…" she bowed, raising her plate so her forehead didn't hit the food. "Miss Lady Acier Captain Ma'am!"
Acier laughed in a ladylike fashion, putting her fingers to her lips. "You're funny. Just Captain Acier or Captain Silva is fine. I like to be more casual with others when things are to do with magic knight business. This isn't the royal court, hon."
"Er, y-yes, of course," Elizabeth responded, standing up.
Marianne abruptly changed the subject. "People call you the strongest woman in all of the Clover Kingdom."
"A title I feel I've well-earned," Acier responded.
"You're older than her ladyship, Cecilia, so how is it you are not Wizard King yourself?" Marianne asked.
Acier smiled. "At the time that Cecilia ascended the position, I actually was weaker than her, if you can believe it. She's been our Wizard King for four years now. I have certainly gotten stronger since, but I wouldn't dare take her position away from her. The people love her. Some even call her a champion of the people."
"A champion, hmm?" Marianne questioned, gazing at Cecilia making small talk with Captain Vulkan. She smiled. "I'd like to be a champion someday."
"Hey, with enough hard work and dedication, you absolutely could be. I think you have what it takes. You're not bad, little Marianne, you just need guidance."
Marianne turned her head back towards Acier.
"I've been at this magic knight thing for over fifteen years now," Acier told her. "If your response to a Mana Zone wasn't simply to use your own to counter it, then there's plenty I can teach you."
"Is Mana Zone something special?" Marianne asked.
"Oh, without question," Acier told her. "It's probably one of the most powerful advanced magic knight techniques in the world."
Marianne set her plate on the serving table and cross her arms over her body, both in front and behind her. "Captain Acier Silva," she said and bowed. "I would be honored if you would train me, despite being the captain of another knight squad."
Elizabeth's face bugged out. She thought her jaw was going to hit the floor. Humility? From her Lady Marianne?
"I would be honored to teach you," Acier responded with a big smile. She reached behind her to pet her son. "Look, Nozel, you have a big sister now."
Nozel glared at Marianne. While he held no disdain for Marianne's commoner birth on its face, he really didn't like the idea of this commoner taking up his mother's time, nor muscling her way into his family life. He didn't like her cheeky smile, nor her boundless confidence. He thought it was unbecoming of a magic knight…despite the fact that those same qualities could often be seen in his own mother.
Marianne stood up and grabbed her plate. "Captain Acier," she responded with a smile. "I believe this is going to be the start of an amazing mentorship."
(A/N: And thus…Marianne's journey begins on her way to the top. What obstacles will she face? What changes to the status quo will result due to her brazen audacity? Well, I have all the answers, but I still like to ask the questions to all of you to see if you can match my insanity XD.
Until next time, of course, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)