"Just where did they go?!," Allen said out loud, as he exited the auditorium. "How are they moving so fast?"
With the dinner of the afterparty in progress, Allen and his friends sat at a table all together so they could talk while eating the great food served. However, some strange figure had walked by and apparently stole Allen's sword! Allen wasn't about to let that slide, and had quickly got up from his seat to catch the individual.
Looking around just outside the auditorium, Allen tried to predict where the strange person might have gone. Not many students were outside, as most of them were currently eating, which left the halls empty. Allen assumed he would see the person in the hall one way or another.
If they're not in the halls, is there somewhere they could've gone?, Allen thought, trying to draw a conclusion. Perhaps…
Allen looked towards an open doorway, which seemed rather suspicious. The door was about half open, as if someone had swung it open to quickly get through. Is this where they went?
Only one way to find out, Allen thought, as he looked inside.
There was no room at all inside the door, but rather a staircase, presumably leading up to the rooftop. Allen had never gone through this way before, nor has he been up on the rooftop of the academy. He didn't even know if students were allowed up there at all.
Well, if they went up there, there's no use thinking about it, Allen decided. If William chews me out later about it, so be it. Getting my sword back is more important.
Allen ran up the stairs as fast as he could, leading up towards the rooftop of the academy building. The door to the roof was already conveniently opened, as Allen saw the light coming in from above.
Finally arriving on the rooftop, Allen quickly looked around for where the strange individual could've gone, but with no luck. Were they even on the roof?
Wait, Allen thought, getting a strange feeling. They are-
Looking behind him, he finally noticed a figure on top of the roof access building. He was relatively Allen's height, with brown hair. However, his eyes were different colors, with a brown right eye and a black left eye. But, the strangest and probably most concerning trait about him was his mischievous grin he wore, which almost inhibited no signs of actual happiness to it.
His eyes were focused on Allen's sword in his left hand. He looked as though he was examining it through and through, looking at the blade, and then to the hilt. Just what did he want? Why was he on the rooftop? And has Allen seen him before somewhere?
"Hey!," Allen shouted, getting his attention. "That is my sword you are holding, I would like it back!"
The unknown individual finally turned his attention towards Allen, a curious look in his heterochromia eyes, as though he was trying to read Allen's thoughts. He looked at Allen's sword one last time before turning his attention back to him.
"Greetings, Allen Fleming. You may call me Julian," the strange man introduced himself. "I am a member of the Triumvirate, and the secretary to the esteemed Solomon Windblade himself. The pleasure is all mine"
Julian did a dramatic bow, before his curious eyes once again landed on Allen, awaiting for what he will say next.
"What are you doing with my sword?," Allen asked, trying to not sound intimidating, but still somewhat assertive.
Allen didn't know what Julian's intentions were, and wanted to proceed carefully. With Julian introducing himself as a member of the Triumvirate, and close with Solomon himself, he couldn't mess up here.
Could this somehow be related to what Edmund warned me about, awhile ago? Or simply a coincidence?
"Don't worry, young Allen. I mean no harm, and simply wanted to get a good look at your sword," Julian tried to assure him. "I have to say though, very interesting. A sword like this? There has to be no others like it!"
Just what is he getting at?, Allen thought, confused. Is he trying to make conversation, or is there more going on here?
"It was a gift, from a good mentor of mine," Allen explained, still remaining cautious. "It means a lot to me"
"Hmm, I can tell," Julian nodded. "I watched your duel against Solomon's child. Your sword could cut through his magic. Very interesting, I have to say!"
Julian grinned as he held Allen's sword up, as though to emphasize his point. Allen kept his gaze on both Julian and his sword, trying to figure out what to do. Should he try to fight for his sword?
No I shouldn't, I don't know what he's capable of, Allen pointed out to himself. Besides, without my sword, this can be difficult.
"Anyways, I think I'm done for now," Julian nodded. "You can have your sword back!"
Before Allen could say anything, Julian quickly sheathed Allen's sword away and then threw it at him, and Allen managed to catch it safely. Without another wasted second, Allen attached the sheath back to his side, as if to make sure he wouldn't lose it again.
"Thank you for allowing me some precious time to take a look at your sword!," Julian grinned. "I shall promptly take my leave!"
"Wait-"
But before Allen could say anything else, Julian disappeared, without leaving a trace. His whole body was just gone like that, as though he managed to disappear in the mere moments Allen blinked. Just how did he do that? What kind of magic allows someone to do that? Or did he move so fast Allen didn't catch him?
"Perhaps we shall meet again, Allen Fleming," Julian's voice echoed on the rooftop.
Left almost speechless, Allen didn't know what else to say or do. Just how was he supposed to react to this sudden introduction of this Julian character? Should he be worried?
Something else concerns me, Allen thought, as his eyes drifted towards his sword sheathed away. How was he able to hold my sword for that long?
In the past, Allen had discovered that apparently no one else could hold his sword. Nathaniel had tried to take it from him during their first duel, but had refused to. August had held his sword once, but showed great discomfort and gave it back to him. And then Charles as a test tried to hold it, but threw it back like it was burning his hands.
However this Julian, had presumably taken his sword and ran to the rooftops, and examined his sword. The entire time he held it, and had shown no signs of discomfort or pain. Was it just a coincidence that Nathaniel, August and Charles could not hold the sword? Or perhaps another reason?
There's still a lot I don't know about this sword, Allen reminded himself. If it was once my mothers, and I can figure out who my real mother is, perhaps it will shed light into the properties of this blade.
Finally deciding to put these matters aside for now, Allen headed back down the stairs towards the auditorium, where the afterparty remained ongoing. His friends remained at the table, finishing up their plates. They all questioned him as Allen came back, wondering where he had gone. Allen decided to keep quiet about what happened for now, and simply told them he needed some fresh air.
As Allen finished up his own plate of food, he kept a good eye on his sword the entire time, not wanting to lose it a second time. Luckily nothing happened as dinner was finished, and everyone's stomachs were full.
As the sun began to set and evening drew near, the afterparty began to wrap up. There was some time left for Allen to chat with his friends before it ended, and even got the chance to talk to some of the other student guests.
Allen had seen a lot of people who participated in the tournament, including those he had faced before. However there was one face missing - Simon Windblade. Just where could he be? Did he even attend the afterparty?
Whether due to personal choice or family affairs, Allen decided to leave the matter be. He was secretly hoping to reconcile with him, and even talk to him regarding their duel. Allen had a lot of questions, especially concerning Simon's magic. It was hard to believe Simon could pull off that whirlwind of air magic stunt without some sort of magical artifact.
As evening arrived, the afterparty finally came to a close. Everyone had promptly left the auditorium, heading back to their dorm rooms to rest for the night. However Allen, his friends, and members of the student council all remained behind to help clean up the mess left behind by the afterparty.
As Allen was putting some chairs away and cleaning off one of the last tables, he noticed William approaching him.
"Before you go Allen, there's one last thing you need to know," William spoke rather quietly.
"What's up?," Allen asked, as he looked at William in the corner of his eye.
"There's something… important… I need to discuss with you after your class tomorrow"
"Is there something wrong?!," Allen asked, concerned.
"Keep your voice down," William shushed him. "I promise it's nothing problematic. I'll advise the others on my own, but I'll also need your friends there too"
"Wait all of us?," Allen asked, quietly this time. "What could this be that would require all of us-"
"You'll find out tomorrow, don't worry," William smiled. "Just wrap this up and you're free to go. Have a good night"
"Yeah, you too," Allen replied back to him, as he continued his cleaning.
With the last table cleaned up, he and his friends all walked back to their dorm rooms together, chatting along the way. A lot has happened throughout this academy year, and there was only less than a month left.
But with William suddenly needing to discuss important matters with all of them, Allen couldn't help but wonder what it could be. He would simply have to wait until tomorrow.
But as Allen tried to fall asleep, this Julian person kept coming up in his thoughts. Just what were his intentions? Allen had a bad feeling there was more to it than what happened. But he would have to wait for now.