The Flower Mage stood up and leaned over to the center of the table to place her hand on the Map Crystal. The device's color switched from green to pastel pink as it showed the group the list of forms of Astria's Original Spell: Royal Crystals.
"All of the forms of her Original Spell are of the offensive kind. We sparred against each other back in the day, and I would propose I have the best chance at taking her down in a duel. But, on the other hand, I know her like the back of my hand, so I..." murmured Rina as she ate the cake.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" asked Mavislin.
"I have to if you command me. I'm still your Spearman Pillar."
"It doesn't work like that, dear child. You are of your person and take command of what you choose to do. Astria was your friend, was she not? And you're okay to fight her? I doubt any sane person would do such a thing," added Ysabeau, shaking her head.
Rina looked down onto her lap and clenched the hem of her dress tightly.
"She is no longer my friend nor the sister I grew to love in that village. In my eyes now, she is nothing but a killer who takes children away from their parents. As a parent who lost my child not long ago, I refuse to think of such a person as a friend. However, I will bring her head if need be."
The Valkyrie widened her eyes and blinked twice before sighing.
"If that's what you think, I have no qualms if you want to help out with this case. However, this is not my call as the Headmaster yet to give his verdict on the matter. Moreover, the Pillars have no command of the Urnsfield Domain. That's up to the Galaxian Mage to decide."
Mavislin pointed at Z, who inhaled his dessert without a second's thought. Clement blinked rapidly as he inched away from the hungry man.
"You don't have to trouble yourself. Since I was responsible for her anger and betrayal, I think I would be the best for this Mage. Besides, Astria Faust goes by another name... Estelle; Crystal Princess of Urnsfield, which is my Domain. Don't mind me, and I'll be alright in this mission."
"Wait! Allow me to aid you in your mission to find her. I swear, I shall be of use to you in this task to find the Crystal Princess," argued Rina, with desperation in her voice.
Z was taken aback by the sudden request of the Flower Mage.
"I... Don't want to put old friends to fight against each other. Unless the fight is between Old Man Pond and Gillian, I don't like to see such a thing unfold in front of me, so I-"
"As I've said, she's not my friend anymore! I want to see and know through my eyes what she has become. And if I hadn't taught her how to fight, she wouldn't have become the monster that kidnaps children in Urnsfield. Like you, I am partially responsible for influencing her."
"So, please, let me be of use to you in the task of locating Astria Faust."
Z sighed in defeat as he nodded at the eager Butterfly Girl. Z was surprised that he got the Valkyrie's permission for her Spearman to help him out.
"But let's see what this Princess had done to be part of six Mages here," proclaimed Z, scrolling through Astria's profile.
"Astria Faust was a teacher in a school at the heart of the Urnsfield Domain. She still is, but until a few weeks ago. Then, she withdrew from the workforce and now is in hiding. But her last appearance, according to the live feed, states she's still in the Domain," read the Galaxian Mage.
"So, her way of getting the children is by stealing the ones in the school?" asked Raiyen, finishing the dessert.
"Astria doesn't exactly 'steal' the kids like Vastra luring children into the shop. Instead, this teacher handpicks a naughty kid each day and sends them to the 'Repent Room.' After the kid enters, the kid changes into a 'better person.'"
"A better person... The kid becomes an emotionless husk that goes to school without a problem. But parents have been complaining that their child has been turned into another person and launched a protest at the school. It was the problem I went to last week."
"That Crystal Mage must've fled before I got to the scene since I couldn't sense her Elemental Aura. But I hadn't realized she would have the power to create copies of other living beings. As the Queen of Sand, the kidnapping has been one per day," said Z, stretching out his arms.