"However, after seeing his sister in danger, Duncan quickly switches his emotion to save Midori. His bottom line is his sister. Any other person's wellbeing is nothing to him—he kind of functions like me at times. I don't care others too much if I'd be honest with you," explained the Headmaster.
Tomoe and Bryan came bursting out of the Old Chapel holding stacked boxes. They made their way to the group and placed the boxes on the ground. Gillian looked confused, while Tomoe was shocked to see the deceased Marksman standing in front of him.
"Why are you here?!" chimed Tomoe and Ashley, pointing at each other.
"It's amazing that after so many months of not seeing each other, you guys still talk in unison," commented Baldwin, with an impressed look on his face.
"Why hello, Ash, it's been a while since we met. So you've been doing well?" greeted Bryan, waving a hand at Ashley.
"Yea, I've been quite good lately. The show you put on during the mission in Albion was fantastic, truly a feast for my eyes. It's a shame that I wasn't there to see it myself. It would've been better. And I see you took on the title of the Slayer Pillar. So what's with that?" asked Ashley.
The Marksman Pillar smiled at the Slayer as both worked together.
"Ah, Lady Roydon said that I should take your place, but I denied. It didn't suit me at all. I don't particularly appreciate using long-ranged weapons so that I couldn't be a Marksman. I'm like a Jack of all trades but a master of none person, so Lady Roydon gave me the Slayer Pillar title."
"That's fair enough. Unfortunately, we are missing a Slayer Pillar."
Baldwin and Z widened their eyes when they heard the two men striking up a conversation. It was like old friends catching up with each other. Tomoe could only continue his help of laying down the food with a defeated expression. The fox looked like his best friend had been stolen.
"Why'd you come back? And how'd you returned to this world? I thought Lady Roydon said it would be impossible to call upon you again?" asked Bryan.
"Mavislin called me to aid on the training session of these bright, young souls. As the initial First Seat to be recruited into the Barren Pillars, it was important not to miss this chance. And no one said it was impossible; I said it would be doubtful. There's a difference."
"But there are some setbacks if I'm being called upon at will. In short, I am part of Mavislin's weaponry brigade. Thus, in this form, I am summoned as a helper and protector to these kids, just in case something goes wrong. In this condition, I cannot fight difficult enemies."
"Let's say, if the Corrupted One strikes again or Old Man Pond comes knocking, I would be summoned back to Euphoria. It's up to Mavislin if she wants me to be deployed to kill, but she must send me back first. I'm not ready to fight at full strength."
"Ah, that's quite interesting... Wait, I thought you were the first Mage to be in the Barren Pillars?"
"No, I'm not the first. Mavislin had got a few offensive Mages within the Barren PIllars before I came along. But their powers aren't as complex or strong as ours. They can fight, but they are ranked as the lowest, learning only the basics. They're like rejects from the rest of the Arks."
"That's quite a harsh way to put it... I feel sorry for them..."
"Don't be. Those Mages are not interested in being in the Arks in the first place. Most of them were criminals or troublemakers, causing a stir in the Domains they were in. Mavislin didn't have a connection with them, so she didn't nominate them as any seat in the Pillars."
"So, when the PIllars are fully established, where will these guys go?" asked Bryan.
The Angry Man was hauling a cauldron filled with lemonade as he arrived. He placed it down and took out something from his cloak pocket. He unfolded the item and revealed it to be a large blanket. With the help of Bryan, the two laid out a mat for everyone to sit on.
"In the grinders. Why do you think the food made in the Old Chapel tastes so unique and nice? Those criminals are just fuel for us," added Baldwin, with a straight face.
The children screamed as Gillian proceeded to give his friend a divine whack on the head. Z could only sigh and shake his head at his friend as Bryan tried calming the kids down. Duncan was the only kid not to cry as he tried his best to calm his twin sister down.