Vanessa looked in the direction of Crystalis city from the dorm's roof. "Just what is she doing so close to the city?", she wondered aloud with a frown.
It wasn't long after her spar with Arthur when she noticed two familiar presences. One is to the south of the city and the other is inside. At the moment, she is interested in the former.
Waves of magia passed by her as Ruth and Kate fought each other in their duel. The half-elf has become stronger over the past few days.
'To experience this significant growth, her curse must've held back her potential and now that it is gone it is enabling her to grow exponentially. Seventeen has come up with an interesting Code.'
She was impressed by the abilities of Code Cancel and even wondered if it could work on her. She shook her head. It's just a delusion. Her curse brought upon by the death of a god is vastly different from the one she put on Kryos 3000 years ago.
Anyway. It looks like she should deal with the one coming from the south. Plus she needs some news.
Vanessa exited the roof and went inside the dorm. It would be weird if she flew from where she stood with many people around.
She ran into Arthur on the stairs. It appears he was going up.
"Hey, Arthur. Going to the roof?", Vanessa asked with a smile.
"Yeah. I need some fresh air.", he replied but did not sound like himself. She noticed his expression.
Arthur Night looked shaken.
"Are you alright?", she asked with concern. Maybe she should've held back in their spar. "Is it because of me?"
Arthur shook, "Absolutely not. You won the spar with your skills. My injuries are also healed. I just want to get some fresh air", he said attempting a smile.
Vanessa can see he is hiding something but knows it would be useless to make him open up. Perhaps she'll ask him another day.
She smiled, "Alright then. I won't pry. Will we have another round?"
"Not today since we will have visitors. Perhaps another time?"
Vanessa nodded, "Very well. Don't forget."
Her words seemed to lift his spirit a bit and he proceeded to the roof. She made some small talk with Minerva and Flare. They were amazed by her spar against Arthur.
He was the strongest in the class when it came to combat and she was the only one who managed to beat him in combat.
"Hey Vanessa, wanna have a duel with me?", Flare asked, pumped for a round with the new student. Minerva rolled her eyes, "Jeez Flare. You really need to keep your habit of challenging others in check."
Vanessa laughed, "It's fine Minerva. I'm okay with having a duel with you guys. I will be able to enhance my skills that way."
"Please don't encourage her.", Minerva sighed but it seemed like she was also interested in her challenge. After a few more talks she proceeded outside the dorm.
Ruth had noticed her leaving the dorm and came to her after pausing her duel with Kate. "Where are you going, Vanessa?"
"I have detected a familiar presence near the city.", Vanessa answered. "Someone you know?", Ruth asked. Seventeen had told her about the Crowns and the Second Celestial war.
Vanessa nodded, "I won't be long."
Ruth furrowed her eyebrows, "Alright then. Please make sure you don't get in any trouble."
"Don't worry. I won't.", she said and walked outside the barrier around the dorm. After making sure she was out of sight, Vanessa disappeared in a swirl of rose petals.
She appeared in the skies above Crystalis city, her untied hair swaying on the wind. Her eyes locked on a small wooded area between the southern gate and the nearest town.
She snapped her fingers and a powerful barrier formed around the woods. It is undetectable and focused on containing the energy inside it.
She grinned, "Now then. Let's go crazy."
She disappeared in a flash, appeared to her target inside the barrier, and struck. But the target stopped her fist with a raised arm. A powerful shockwave rocked the trees and hit the barrier which pulsed.
"It's been some time, you damn fox.", she greeted Akira Nova who was also grinning.
"Figured you would be here, you bloodsucker."
*******
"So you have the Darkness attribute along with Fire?", Alice asked Seventeen as the three of them walked towards the Special Class A dorm.
He nodded, "I also have the Air attribute."
"So that's why I felt traces of Air magia in the Training Hall.", Jade recalled and then looked at him in shock, "Hold up. You have THREE attributes?"
Seventeen figured out it would be useless to hide it. For the time being, he'll reveal three attributes to them. If they are shocked at three attributes, people would have a heart attack if he revealed he has all the attributes.
So he just smiled, "Yeah. I have three attributes."
"From what hidden box of surprises did the Headmaster pull you out?", Jade asked. "There are only a handful of warlocks that have more than two attributes in the world and they are well known but I've never heard of you.", Alice noted.
"To be honest, even I was surprised when I found out I have another attribute after Air and Fire.", Seventeen said with a chuckle.
Alice tilted her head, "Looks like you are a late bloomer. There are cases of warlocks manifesting another attribute that lay dormant inside them. That kind of explains why we've never heard of you."
"I've trained in the Elder Mountains up north and that's when my Darkness attribute manifested.". Seventeen gave a story that was close to the truth. He was after all, from the Elder Mountains.
"You trained in those freezing peaks?", Jade whistled. Those mountains are notorious for being very cold and during winter, they are unbearable.
"Well. My father always told me I have thicker skin.", Seventeen replied.
(When did I ever say that?)
'Shush.'
They talked about a lot of things as they walked to the Special Class A dorm through Cardinal Town. Zephyrus had gone back to his office, grumbling about more paperwork.
Students, staff, Knights, and visiting warlocks looked on in amazement as they passed by. Many whispered among their friends about the two Captains and the instructor.
"You guys are really popular.", Seventeen said after noticing the commotion they have caused. "Look who's talking.", Alice chuckled, "The Headmaster did say you are the most handsome guy in the academy."
She blushed, "And it's true."
"Ooh, Alice. I thought you liked Jack.", Jade teased her. "From where did you hear that?", the head of the Night Family blurted out in a panic.
"So it is true!", Jade burst out laughing and even Seventeen couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the flustered Alice Night.
Soon they reached the dorm and the sounds of weapons clashing can be heard from the courtyard. "Training for the Battle Festival?", Alice asked Seventeen. She had calmed down after being mad at Jade for embarrassing her.
Seventeen nodded, "We are aiming for the top spot in the Festival."
"Pretty ambitious considering your competition.", Jade remarked but she smiled, "But knowing this year's students and instructors, I am fairly confident in your chances of victory."
"Those reassuring words from the Sword Princess herself are definitely what we need.", he said, "Do you know the real reason for the creation of Special Class A?"
Both of them nodded, "The Headmaster sent a letter explaining about it a month after Arthur joined the academy. I must say it's a pretty ambitious project.", Alice said.
"The creation of an independent Squad of specially trained warlocks with hidden potentials despite their flaws that do not answer to any Cardinal or the Council. The Headmaster is doing a pretty bold move.", Jade remarked.
"So are you in support of this project?"
"I am genuinely interested in it and if it is the Headmaster, it's bound to have a fascinating result.", Jade answered.
He turned to Alice, "And what are your thoughts? Miss Alice."
She thought about it for a moment before answering, "To be honest, I am concerned for the students who will be in the new Squad 26. They will be having a tougher time than the other students in the academy."
"They will be taking on more difficult missions.", she chuckled, "I sound like a worried older sister. But despite that, I think the Cardinal Knights need an independent special ops Squad."
"It's normal for you to be worried, Miss Alice. But we'll make sure nothing bad happens to any of them.", Seventeen assured them both.
They reached the gate to the compound and saw Ruth and Kate in a duel. The air was cold and Selene flew to Seventeen with a disgruntled cry. He could see specks of snow on her feathers.
"How many times did I tell you not to get near the ice queen when she's using her attribute.", Seventeen said as he brushed off the snow.
The falcon just ignored him and hopped on his shoulder to peck his earring. "I haven't seen a Moon Falcon in a long time. You are a lucky man to have one as a companion.", Alice remarked as she marveled at the beauty of Selene.
"Alice! Jade!", a wave of cold washed over them as Ruth appeared in front of the trio. Her clothes were a bit dirty and her daggers emitted mist but she was beaming, "It's been a long time, guys!"
Then she looked at Seventeen and frowned, "I thought you were having a duel with Jason. What are you doing with them?"
"Well. I and Jason were having a blast with our duel but we might've gone a bit overboard. Training Hall 12 was heavily damaged and our combined magia leaked outside and attracted the attention of the Headmaster and our guests.", he said with a sheepish grin.
Ruth sighed, "I should've expected that. Also, you chose Training Hall 12 because it was near the Headmaster's office right?", she crossed her hands.
"Oh no. It was the only training hall that was free. Why would I inconvenience the Headmaster?"
"Do you want me to list the reasons?"
"You have to believe me!"
Jade laughed, "You guys are like a bickering couple."
"Absolutely not!", both of them said at the same time.
"Oh yes, you are.", Jade teased her friend whose ears were turning red, "Elven ears don't lie."
Alice was trying really hard not to laugh, "C'mon Jade. Don't straight away start teasing Ruth. We haven't seen her for a year.", she looked at Ruth, "I missed you."
Ruth's expression softened and she smiled, "Same here, Alice. You look pretty good now."
"I can say the same about you.", Alice's eyes twinkled, "Trying to impress someone?", she asked with a mischievous smile.
"Alice! Not you too!"