While his classmates were all completing their tasks to prepare for the Carnival, Ketsu went to seek a Quest of his very own, having already taken the aptitude test before returning to the Student Council's room soon after.
As a Class Captain, they have access to more than just an increased share of the educator's responsibility, but also a slew of benefits, chief among them being Custom SoulGear commissions, a sizable stipend and an automatic Guardian ranking assessment.
His mind had taken some time to settle, as he believed that for once, his antics would come with little surprise when he met with Henrietta, who after a brief moment of intense scrutiny where she stood up and walked around him, before she called on him to speak with the President.
"Student Council President Elldra. He is here."
"Ms. Vermillion, if I didn't know any better I would think that I was being expected. Oh, what's this now?"
Upon entering the room, Ketsuiko is able to detect the anomaly, in the form of an enormously magical energy. Coming off in visible waves that were restrained to only a few inches above his flesh, with such intensity that it was warping and altering his very appearance.
From that sight of the steaming aura around him, he felt something warn him on an instinctual level. To Ketsuiko's surprise, Henrietta closed the door shut before walking past him to stand beside him.
"What's this…ah yes, the Captain of Class 1F. A pleasure to meet you."
"Student Council President, Elldra Drucariium. I'm surprised that you would be familiar with me."
"Well of course. I am aware of all students under my purview. But with regards to you, you might say I have a vested interest."
"I can't imagine why." Kestuiko's words felt coarse coming out of his dried throat. Feeling hot but he didnt not sweat, blinding but he could not look away, but he could do nothing aside from stand in place.
"If you would, Mr. Adrados, could you step forward–" Before he could finish his command, a wave of black and crimson colored aura exploded out of his body, setting Henrietta on her guard as she rushed to defend the seated Elldra, entirely unmoved by the display, instead, finding himself more curious.
"With all due respect, Student Council President Elldra. I would prefer Ketsuiko. I have not shared that name, and so I grant you no use of it." Stepping forward, with vibrant electric crackling around him.
"Stand down! I won't ask you again." Henrietta was already between him and the desk when she issued the warning. Noting the buzz of thunder dying down, she then raised a single hand, as if to offer a signal.
"Well then, Ketsuiko. If you will take your seat, we can then begin."
"Begin? I'm only here to receive clearance for a Quest."
"Oh another one, seems like idealism is the trademark of the failing class. Well, you'll be disappointed to know that this, not a request. You have desirable talents, and I intend to put them to good use." The vivid aura around Elldra thickened, now taking the form of a disorienting mirage.
"Hmph, enjoy the rest of your day, Student Council President." As he made for the door, four figures appeared out of thin air and descended upon him, before Ketsu could reach for the handle, four blades interlocked around his neck...only halting at the sign of Henrietta's hand.
"Ms. Vermillion, are we permitted to discard this disrespectful child." A shadowy figure requested to move on their assigned target.
"Ha...ha...ha...ha"
"Do you take this situation so lightly, First-year?" The largest figure boomed behind him, gripping his shoulder, with a thick scaly red hand that began to radiate the same fierce haze.
"It's quite alright. Tell us, Captain of Class 1F. What do you find so amusing?"
"It just makes sense how you barely look bothered by the goings-on in this room, whether your Student Generals are brawling it out or even having one of my classmate's barge into your office making demands. With just a blink, you can have them put down before they know what hit them."
"How did you–" The figure behind him questions.
"I didn't but I do now. My next assumption was that even if they got past Ms. Vermillion, you would probably deal with them on your own."
"Now this is intriguing. Then am I correct in assuming that you can see it?" The Student Council President finally got up from his seat. As if out of instinct, Henrietta stepped between the group apprehending Ketsu and the desk.
Once she reached them, she clapped her hands together, and a white light flashed the entire room.
In an instant, the wall behind Elldra as well as those beside him were blown away. Though the smoke and smoldering remains of the charred room, the group can be seen gasping for air, all of them unable to shake the trembling that made their hands unsteady.
Despite the shielding of the white flash of light, they could still feel the stifling heat that was rising, making it even more challenging to breathe, as for the first time, a look of distress could be found on Ketsuiko's face.
With his eyes focusing on the red burning coals that starred back, Ketsuiko finally understood. His instincts reminding him once again to remain cautious near the creature that approached, a fearsome form with a crown of blackened horns and patterns of ember-like scales across its body, a thick armored tail swooshed about, driving up the smoke-heavy air.
"Tell me, Ketsuiko, son of Adrados! Do you see it?" Another outburst, this time echoed from a louder and heavier voice, as if it had been falling from the heavens and crashing upon them, pinning the shielded group along with Henrietta into the ground, while Ketsuiko was being engulfed by the black and crimson sparks of lightning.
"I see…I see what you are, Heir of the Warbeast, Aur'ros!" Upon hearing his words, Elldra could see a familiar sight, with eyes of burning coals staring back at him.
"An adequate response." The Student Council President stood back and snapped his finger. With this gesture, all who were present awoke to find themselves on the floor, while looking upon the seated Elldra, with the same.
"Now that I am satisfied with my decision. You may be on your way."
" I don't like dealing with unknown quantities. What was all that?" Ketsuiko stood and answered with an expression that began flaring with annoyance...marked by a black and red aura slowly seeping out.
"You tasted my might and saw what I had decided for you."
"Student Council President Elldra, please! You aren't permitted to put such a strain on your Seals. Had I not intervened you may have killed us all." Henrietta pleaded with him before returning to his side, shaking off the experience.
"Worry not, Henrietta." Holding her with a sweet touch that was entirely alien to the wrath he commanded earlier.
"All of that was a test, why?"
"Because you not only saw my true nature, but you withstood an experience of it. Make no mistake, Ms. Vermillion made no exaggeration, that was a demonstration of my strength. Unbound!"
Ketsuiko held his tongue, and instead chose to focus on the events, from the moment he walked through the doors to the point he was forced to look upon those fiery eyes. He took it all in.
'He is raw, but I shall shape him. He is of adequate mettle.'
"Now, you've just given me more than enough of a reason to make use of your skills, so say yes so we can both get started."
"..."
"Whatever opportunity you are planning to make out of my employment of you won't happen if you spend the rest of the day recovering in Dr. Arturion's ward due to an 'accident'. You want to use me, and I am making use of you. If you want to change things, you're going to have to learn to stand at my level."
"...Well then guess that is decided. What would you ask of me?" Ketsuiko, watched him as he spoke, hoping to glimpse at his true intentions through his dense guise.
"Sir–Are you certain? Please reconsider." The figures were forced to hold their tongue at his command.
"You will start at the end of the week, to get a better understanding of what you can do I'll be sending you on a mission of my own choosing."
"Cough-cough. What exactly is it that we do?"
"Don't worry, I have an eager teacher ready to show."
"Henrietta, please send in the Demon Monk, and tell them we have a new First-year...and you may let her know–she's free to break this one." Everyone in the room took a step back at the sight of the Student Council President's grin.
"Oh yeah nope, I thought I heard the President call the name of that monster?"
"Eh...don't be ridiculous Jaret, now come on we...we have to report to them."
The sound of the discussion from the duo radiated inwards, capturing the attention of Ketsuiko in the dead silence before the door opened to the sound of Arno and Jaret walking in, with Jaret doing a double-check of the room, and only calming down when the coast was clear.
"Student Council President Elldra, we've received those reports you were looking for from Lynheare, both from Belliberos and the Delos. The final report from Rhyddrech has been delayed by some unforeseen circumstances, but we have been informed that we will be receiving it by the day's end."
"Arno, Jaret. Good to see you both. And thank you for bringing these to me. I'm well aware that having a report be hand-delivered is a bit archaic, though I hope you can understand that the importance of this matter requires such measures?"
"Yes sir, we understand. It was no trouble for us. We–" Jaret interrupted.
"Yeah yeah the reports can wait, Elldra, did you send in a call for that beast?" Jaret interrupted his partner with a look of concern, prompting the shadowy figures to move in until they were stopped once again by Elldra.
"Settle down." One of the shadows stepped away from Ketsuiko to confront Jaret.
"Who's he?"
"I serve our Student Council President. And you will address him with the appropriate degree of respect."
"All right, spooky. I don't have any time to waste on shadows. Are we clear?" Holding the shadow at sword point with his own blade, stunning the shadows, before flipping the sword over as if to hand it over before crushing it in his grip.
"You still have no shame in your lack of decorum, Jaret Reider." Henrietta's words cut him with a sharp sting.
"Shame is the least of my concern after hearing that your 'boyfriend' just summoned that whirlwind of death."
"B–Boyfriend!" She stuttered, with her avoidant gaze shying away from Elldra.
"Jaret, you asked if I sent for the Red Queen, that is correct. They'll be here soon to help introduce our young freshman over there to the inner workings of his role that he will be committing to."
"So it's true. The Demon Monk is coming?" The look on Arno and Jaret said it all with a bead of sweat running down.
"Yeah, I didn't wake up today, only die at that monster's hands. All because of that stupid kid, I swear every time I see one of you from 1F it's always a headache." Jaret pulled at his hair out of frustration.
"Jaret, we need to leave as soon as possible. Sir, we'll send the updates on the reports through to your Notebook. If you will excuse us. Jaret!" Arno tried his best to speak frankly with his trembling clear to see.
"What the hell are we waiting for, are you insane, they're probably going to take the stairs...." Jaret answered with a boot already outside the window before being joined by Arno as they leapt out.
"Eh...I can assure you...they are exaggerating, the Red Queen... her name is more...Hmmm"
"Well if they're coming then we will be on our way sir" Not hearing Henrietta 's order for them to listen before they all disappeared in a jet-black mist.
"Alright, what exactly is a Demon Monk, and the Red Queen for that matter?" Ketsu was interrupted by the sound of exuberant knocking on the door.
Looking back at the pair, Ketsuiko caught Henrietta now standing behind the President's chair, doing her best to avoid eye contact.
"Good morning Student Council President Elldra and you Secretary Vermillion. I heard you wanted to see me?" Entering the silent room and speaking as though addressing an officer, her resolute posture and stern tone kept the air of the room vibrating.
"Ms. Seyta Cruz, we are Guardians, not soldiers, you don't have to stand at attention every time we speak. I called you in to meet someone new that will be joining us." Pointing to the silent Ketsuiko, Elldra gleamed a hint of satisfaction at the thought that her arrival had finally quieted him down.
"An Iotena, from the East no less? I see, you're the Demon Monk? From Olmolune aren't you?" In a single breath, Ketsuiko let out his thoughts, unaware of whether the room would hear.
"You know us?" Seyta stepped back to ask. Towering above him with several inches to spare, her ashen hair tasseled above causing the crimson shine of her eyes to shimmer as she drew nearer.
"Sir, if she kills a First-year, the Headmistress will have a fit." Henrietta whispered desperately.
"That's true, however, if she does plan on crushing him, I don't think stepping in is going to help. The last time she fought Jaret, the Student Council had moved onto the campus because they demolished the Council room at the South Residency."
"Let history not repeat itself." President Elldra deflected as he loosened the grip of his tie.
"Well, you're pretty far West from your homeland. Besides, eight foot tall, ashen haired giants that live guarding the Kingdom of Olmolune are the only ones I know of with the title of Demon Monks."
Ketsuiko remained in his usual demeanor, however, he was still confused as to what the Student Council President had planned for him and now even more so when it involved her.
"I've only met a few people in Falsetti that know of my home, let alone my people, is that why you do not cower?" She responded, finding the tiny human interesting each time he speaks.
"I've spent enough time around your people to know how important duty is to you. Very few can match your devotion, especially in battle."
"You speak so highly of us, for a Melodorian. How is it that you know of us so well?" Finding her curiosity tempted even more as they spoke. Their interaction even drew the prying eyes of the President and Henrietta.
"Eh...that is a good question. I-I guess I traveled a lot as a kid, I didn't see much of the other continents but I spent some time here and there. Anyways, the President said something about a mission" Ketsu changed the subject as he stepped out of Seyta's gaze towards Elldra's desk.
A surprisingly cheerful smile shone through her silver veil as he wandered away.
Having gotten what she wanted from Ketsu, Seyta returned her attention to the President. Desiring to know how she could help as it seemed odd he would ask her to show him around, especially if there was a mission.
Henrietta breathed a sigh of relief as Elldra sat back down.
Informing Seyta that they have received a summons from people they can't refuse, requiring the appearance of one of the members of Class 1F specifically, Shynerai Astrapordt. Mentioning his name, Ketsuiko feigned an expression of confusion though both Elldra and Henrietta 's expression showed they weren't buying any of it.
"Thanks to Mr. Ketsuiko and his decision to send Astrapordt away on another Quest, the Holy Church of the Seven Branches has had to settle for a representative of the Class instead."
"The Holy Church, sir? Was this Shynerai involved with the Forsaken?"
"From what I've learned of his interactions with my Student General, he has no reason to betray Mortalkind. So now here we are, they want us to return to Whitewater Port and assist with the ongoing investigation."
"Is this to prove that we had no hand in aiding the Forsaken with their plans?" She wondered.
"Yes."
"But sir, why would we? It makes sense for us to do so and then proceed to stop them." Henrietta raised the point.
"That's why they want us there because someone or a bunch of important someones want a target for the blame and the Holy Church wants answers. We simply appear as the most appropriate choice."
"You say that, but what's more likely the case is how they actually managed to stop the Forsaken mage. When looking at the details, how a First-year student, alongside a Second-year proctor and a civilian managed to halt the machinations of a force of Nycerii along with a Forsaken mage that had succeeded in isolating the entire region between Melodoria and Ardyntorra is fairly hard to believe." Ketsuiko spoke up, believing there was more than what he was told.
"I think I'm starting to get it, there is still a mountain of suspicion around the Academy due to the incident so if we go and clear our name, the Holy Church can say it did its job and by helping with the investigation, it could help drive away all the unwanted attention from us."
"Very good, Seyta. It is unfortunate, however, the Holy Church cannot function by making enemies of its supporters, and Guardians cannot function without the support of the Church."
"I can understand that as annoying as it is, but am I supposed to ignore the fact of how our little man over here managed to know about this, you said he was just being introduced to what we do?" Seyta questioned while she passed around the unsettled Ketsuiko before he chose to answer for himself.
"This entire matter resulted in one of my classmates bedridden for almost a week, I would naturally have questions about it."
"What I knew the Questing Committee was willing to share with me, what they could tell us was limited to what Erai knew and even a few details that Jaret Reider was willing to give up to help paint a picture of the events."
"In the end, it was likely that they would call him in sooner or later. So I sent him away with trusted companions I know will look out for him."
"Okay, but how did you know we'd send you on this Quest?" Henrietta pressed in frustration.
"I didn't, but if it wasn't this Quest, then there wouldn't be much worry with the preparations for the Carnival, there wouldn't be much of a way for you to get your hands on him. Not really sure what would have happened if you or the Church got a hold of him but I'd rather not put my classmates in danger that can be avoided."
"Now you see why I have chosen you, Seyta, had I left him in someone else's care he would have escaped their watch before long. I know I can count on you to mark his attendance at all times or at the very least, his corpse."
"I see. Very well sir, when do we leave?"
"Hang on, am I supposed to ignore the last part?" Ketsuiko asked with a disgruntled look.
"At the end of the week, there's a Teleportation Seal that will be provided to take you there."
"Well then, Ketsuiko was it. Time to go, we have our orders, a few days to prepare and I have some more questions. For your sake, I would ask that you speak truthfully."
"Yes but–" While trying to protest, he was slowly dragged out of the room until the door shut behind them. Henrietta let out a heavy breath as she marveled at the office still being intact.
"That class, I don't envy their tendency to always get wrapped up into trouble." Sighing as she stepped out from behind the exhausted Council President.
"First-years are always troublesome, those with potential can always be molded and directed towards serving the Academy. Henrietta, please provide me with the listings for this year's Student General group, I intend to sharpen all of our tools.