Yuno and the others made sure to round up the ones that were still standing, were rounded up and tied as they had to decide on what should be done with them, once everyone's wounds were taken care of. The Water Mage that had been put in a comatose state had been taken by senior Magic Knights, to be treated once he was taken to the Capital. Salim and Dak didn't even bother to fight against the restraints as they knew they were beaten.
"I still can't believe the lengths you would go to." Morwyn said, "You did all this, so you could get payback, shame on you. And you call yourselves Nobles!"
"Fafanar was right, you guys couldn't be trusted." Arfau said, "Though I'm glad we were able to expose you all--Again!"
Feodora soon looked over to Yuno as she had a look of slight concern, "Are you sure you want to let them go? We could just charge them and let the Parliament deal with them."
"No--This way is better." Yuno said, "As long as they don't come near Hage again, there's no reason to take them to the Capital."
Feodora sighed, as she shook her head, "You're still the same old Know it All."
"You heard him--" Klaus said before undoing their bindings, "--You're free all free to go. Don't ever try anything like this again."
"If you do we'll give you a whole jar of some ass whooping!" Fafanar said.
Morwyn added as she gave off a threatening aura, "Don't think we won't. Because we'll know."
Dak shook as he started to sweat, "He-Hey now, we were just playing around that's all! Right?"
The Mages had said in unison, "Ye-yeah, totally!"
Salim on the other hand gritted his teeth as he didn't look the least bit happy, "You're just a peasant."
"Huh?" Most of them said.
Salim soon stood as he reached for his grimoire, "Getting you to let your guard down was all part of my plan!"
"What?!" Most of the Mages, even Dak exclaimed in confusion.
Salim soon opened up his grimoire as he readied to attack.
"God of Lighting Rising Sali--"
"Water Creation Magic: Holy Strike of Love!"
Before Salim could even finish conjuring up a spell, Salim was soon met with a fist made from water, as he flew right into a tree. Turns out it had been from Sister Lily as she had regained consciousness from earlier. "Stop this!" Sister Lily said, "Show some remorse for what you've done!" She soon turned over to his other comrades, "The same goes for you!"
"Y-YES MA'AM!" The Mages and Dak said with a bow of their heads.
Morwyn said with a laugh, "Serves you guys right"
"I almost want to scout the Sister to be a Magic Knight." Klaus said.
"Personally Four Eyes, I don't blame ya." Feodora said.
"I can see why you guys like her!" Fafanar had commented as he nudged both Yuno and Feodora.
Arfau soon said as he took Sister Lily's hand, "Did I tell you how much your beauty excessed you?"
"This crap again?" Feodora said with a monotone expression.
Morwyn's eyebrow twitched before she took out her grimoire and used a spell. "Star Magic: Point Blank Hit."
She shot her fingers at Arfau's arms and legs as they suddenly became floppy much to everyone's shock. Morwyn soon said with a huff, "Be lucky I didn't hit the other pressure points."
"Sis, how could you be… So cruel?" Arfau said with a groan.
Klaus soon cleared his throat, "In any case we should take them to the Royal Capital."
"I guess--" Fafanar said before he asked the men, "--By the way, where did your other friends go?"
"We don't know, we swear!" The Fire Mage replied.
"Knowing those two they probably bailed out." The Ice Mage said.
"It seems like they're telling the truth." Mimosa said.
"Good--" Feodora said, "--All that's left now is to find out where Pri—Primrose is."
"You said she was separated from you right?" Klaus asked Yuno, "I'm assuming Karasu is looking for her?"
Yuno nodded, "She might not be too far, so we should hurry and--"
"There's no need to search."
The group soon saw that the voice had been from Karasu as they noticed he had been missing his Black Bull robe. "Hey there you are." Feodora said, "You missed out on all the fun."
"Hey Feo--" Karasu said with a wave, "--Good to see that your boyfriend came and saved you."
Feodora couldn't help but turn red, "N-Not my boyfriend!"
"Sure he's not." He said.
"Did you find her?" Mimosa asked with worry.
"Yeah I did--" Karasu replied, putting his hands in his pockets, "--She's been taken back to the Capital by a--Comrade of ours."
"The Capital?" Sister Lily said shocked, "But why?"
"She was injured when we got separated from one of their spells." Karasu replied, "Our friend thought it would be best if she was treated by a couple of professionals. No offense to you guys."
Fafanar couldn't help but tear up a little as he said, "At least she should have said goodbye next time."
"She couldn't exactly say that since she's an unconscious squirt." Karasu said as he bonked him on the head, "Two of their buddies were apprehended too. They'll be seeing them in the capital."
"That's good but--" Klaus said before he asked, "--What happened to your robe?"
"I loaned it to her raptor friend." Karasu replied, "He got injured too, so he needed it more then me. Speaking of--" He soon turned over to Sister Lily, "--We should get her back to the Church before they're any more surprises thrown at us."
"My thoughts exactly." Morwyn said as she started to drag Arfau along with her crying brother, "Let's go Sister Lily."
"Yes, thank you." Sister Lily said with a bow of her head.
Klaus as well as Mimosa soon picked up the Mages, Dak and Salim as they kept them tied up this time; though the only ones that had been left had been Yuno, Feodora and Karasu himself as they chose to stick around just for a bit longer.
"... Am I to assume you sent word to Captain Yami?" Feodora asked.
"I was right to do so." Karasu replied, "Since she fell into that Trance and took that guy's mana. If she stayed in there any longer, who knows what could've happened. You're not upset?"
"Nah--It was the right call, this time." Feodora said.
"So your Captain ended up taking her there?" Yuno asked.
"He said it was for her own safety." Karasu replied, "The two that almost got away recognized her from the bounty. They even said Brenin had to go. So he's probably halfway there by now."
"... It's to be expected." Yuno said with a sigh, "Seeing as how Brenin is really Prism's Familiar and given her status. Though she's probably gonna be upset when she wakes up, since she wanted to spend more time with me."
"Knowing her she will." Feodora said, "Though they're aren't exactly rules about going to go and see her, now is there?"
Yuno couldn't help but smile, "Yeah."
Karasu couldn't help but chuckle as well, "You two really are good friends huh?" He soon gave them both a nudge, "Come on, let's get back to the Church."
***
The group soon returned to the Church, as Brenin hadn't been found, just as Karasu had said. Though everyone within the residents had been relieved to see that Sister Lily and Feodora had both been safe and sound. And yet despite the celebration, Yuno couldn't help but wonder what exactly it was he saw. He knew his eyes weren't fooling him, he saw Feodora's body; life had been out of her.
She was dead.
She wasn't pretending whatsoever.
Though the last thing he should do was panic, and most importantly he had to keep his mouth shut about the whole thing, until he was alone with Feodora that is.
As of right now, everyone had been celebrating in a feast of pot potatoes as a way to show their appreciation.
"Thank goodness your both safe!" Father Orsi said in tears as he hugged both Sister Lily and Feodora.
"Yeah, yeah geez." Feodora said while patting his back, "You're getting snot on the robe Old Man."
"Thank goodness!" Aruru said.
"Goodness!" Hollo added.
"You're awesome as usual Yuno." Nash commented.
"Well he is a Magic Knight." Recca said.
"Klaus, Mimosa, Fafanar, Arfau, Morwyn, Karasu--" Father Orsi said, "--Thank you all so much for your efforts."
"Please, don't mention it." Klaus said.
"Yeah, I barely did anything." Karasu added.
"Those jerks were behind the whole thing in the first place!" Fafanar said, "It's the least we can do as Magic Knights!"
"Please, help yourselves to as many tatoes as you want." Father Orsi said, "They've gotten a bit cold, but please, eat as much as you like."
Klaus soon let out a sigh as he took a piece of a potato as he the moment he took a bite, he immediately grabbed a glass of water as he took a big sip from it. "It's not bad." Klaus said.
Mimosa couldn't help but giggle, "You're not really honest are you?"
"You sure you don't want any meat to go with them?" Morwyn asked.
Father Orsi said, offended, "Excuse you! Our tatoes are all we need!"
Morwyn said as she shook her head, "No no, too much is bad for you and the kids."
"You oughta listen to her Father." Fafanar suggested as he ate from his plate, "My sis has always been strict when it comes to diets, even when we were growing up."
Arfau said with a nod, "It's true, she even told us the difference between meals of the day."
Father Orsi said with a huff, "That may work for you, but I think we'll do just fine!"
"You guys are definitely gonna be put on a different diet." Morwyn said nonchalantly.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Mimosa asked.
Morwyn said while crossing her arms, "Of course! We want our kingdom's future to grow up healthy and strong!"
Father Orsi had argued, "Exactly! Potatoes will get the job done!"
"I'm sending you the food anyway! Once a month!" Morwyn shouted. "No use arguing because I'll send them back!"
"I appreciate it but there's no need--"
Morwyn was quick to cut him off as she told him, "Nope! It's been decided, I'll send you all kinds of food, better then pot potatoes!"
"He's as stubborn as he is proud." Karasu said as he had been enjoying what was transpiring.
Feodora couldn't help but say with a chuckle, "Looks like they've got you beat, Old Man."
She soon felt a tap on her shoulder as she could see it had been by Yuno as she could see the expression on his face. "Do you mind if I talk to you outside?"
Feodora let out a sigh as she knew where this had been going, "... It's come down to that huh?"
Feodora soon stood up as she and Yuno left the room just as everyone was distracted by the arguments Father Orsi and Morwyn were having at the moment. They didn't leave the front entrance as instead they had gone to the rooftop of the church so they wouldn't be disturbed by anyone.
They each took a seat on the slope not too far from one another as there was mostly silence between them.
Finally, Feodora spoke as she took a deep breath, "First off--I appreciate you not saying anything to the others, considering that you've always been more perspective."
"No one would believe me if I told them about it in the first place anyway." Yuno reasoned, "Though--I saw the look in your eyes, and not to mention that wound that guy gave you. My eyes didn't play tricks on me--You were dead."
Feodora chose not to comment as she brought her legs close to her body before she said with a smirk, "... You know, that's usually the part where you're supposed to be scared. I'm surprised you weren't though."
"Feo--" Yuno soon said, "--What was that? How did you even come back?"
Feodora let out a sigh before she looked to her own hand, "Well, to put it plain and simple… It's a curse."
At this Yuno didn't realtor nor did he comment on the manner; instead he sat there calmly as he awaited for Feodora to speak as he could see she had been showing hesitation.
To which she did after taking another deep breath, "Do you remember how I told you and Asta, that my grandfather tricked me into doing things I never wanted to do? Well he's a lot more devious than you think. My family, you see, felt like they were getting weaker and weaker with the years that came and went. They and especially my grandfather were getting desperate. All he cared about was the stupid name and the fame behind the Diamond Kingdom, that he was willing to sacrifice anything, and I mean anything to keep that damn family name."
Yuno could see her hand had been shaking; he soon took it as a sign of reassurance for her. She didn't even push him away this time as she took her hand in his own.
"I heard nasty little rumors about the Spade Kingdom." Feodora soon said, "That old bastard heard em to. He and a few others met with one of the rulers, along the border. I have no idea where the hell they dug it up, but the person they met with, gave them a recipe for a curse. It gives the user an unlimited supply of mana, though each time he used it on one of his followers they ended up, either dying from an mana overdose or the devil that was linked back the curse ended up taking over and drove them mad to the point where they would brutally kill themselves. He figured out what the problem was really quick, since he found out there was a mistranslation--All the people he used the curse on were all men. The curse only worked on women who had yet to be deprived of innocence."
"Feo--" Yuno said as his tone of voice changed, "--This better not be going where I think it's going."
Feodora started to use her magic a little, as she manifested a mist of ice. "I'm afraid it is." She said, "The old man needed to see if it actually worked, so he got himself one little guinea pig. What better subject than someone who not only has a huge amount of mana, but someone who was on the top of the class when it came to assassins, even though they hated every minute of it. He came up with an excuse that my grandmother had a surprise for me--Like an idiot I was, I fell for it. Before I realized it he locked the door behind me and I was trapped with one of his failed subjects. Next thing I know--"
Feodora soon removed her robe before she moved a part of her shirt, revealing a part of her chest and collarbone; he had a look of horror as he noticed what appeared to be a set of scars in the form of a set of teeth that strangely had a purple shade along them.
"--I woke up with my mom holding me, the other guy that was trapped with me--Was dead like the others." Feodora said, "And he left those to remember him bye."
"He made you go through that?" Yuno asked as Feodora noticed his glare.
"I know, I hate him for it too." She said as she adjusted her top back as well as her robe, "That day everything changed, I just didn't know it yet. What's worse, the deal they made with whoever their ruler was in Spade changed the terms when he told them about the mistranslation he found. Instead of handing them resources willingly--They'd give them a bride. One who survived the first test."
Yuno's eyes widened in realization as Feodora had stayed silent once more though he could see the look in her eyes changed. He put his arm around her, as he pulled her in for a hug. "That's why your parents escaped here with you." Yuno had soon concluded.
Feodora only nodded, "... The first time I died was the night they took my parents' lives. I tripped and snapped my neck, but then two minutes later I was fine. I remember overhearing them talking about the curse. It increases my durability and I have a high tolerance when it comes to pain even when I don't enter my rage mode, but the devil in me didn't make me immortal. I can die and come back only a certain amount of times. That, what happened earlier, was save number three. So right now, I've got six of them left."
"What happens when you run out?"
"Then the next stab through the heart would kill me for real."
Yuno soon leaned his head against her own as he let out a sigh, "In that case… You need to be more careful. One of those saves could come in handy and--It can really help you in a pinch."
Feodora couldn't help but look at Yuno in shock. "You're--Not freaked out?" She asked, "I honestly thought you'd be more terrified."
Yuno only shook his head, "... Curse or no curse--You're still Feodora Helmet. Not the assassin, but that same girl Asta and I met, the day the Magic Knights brought you to the church. Nothing in this world will change that." Yuno gave her a pat on the shoulder as he leaned his head onto hers again, this time their foreheads had been touching, "This is something you shouldn't carry on your own--For now, don't try and keep things to yourself. You've got a team to help you now--Not just me or Asta anymore."
Feodora let out a laugh as she pushed herself away from. "Damn it Know it All--!" She said as she laughed, "--It's stuff like that, that gives me a reason to--" She stopped herself as she couldn't help but laugh.
Yuno gave one his rare smiles towards her before he had a thought come over him. "You didn't tell Asta about this… Did you?"
"... No. Right now, you're the only person that knows." Feodora replied.
"... Are you going to tell him?"
"Of course I am. But--I just don't know when."
Yuno soon placed his hand on her own which made her flinch; she couldn't help but turn red, "Just know--" He said, "--When you do tell him--I'll be right behind you, no matter what."
Feodora looked away as she tried to hide her blush, "... Don't say stuff like that… Idiot."
***
-The Capital; Magic Knight Headquarters-
"Prism sweetums! It's time to wake up. You don't want to sleep all day do you?"
"...Mom...?"
Prism heard voices faintly at a distance as her vision had been a blur at first as she was met with a blinding light at first though her eyes slightly adjusted as she soon realized she had been back in a familiar location as she rubbed her eyes. She saw a familiar young redhead teen with a long curly tail at her bedside.
"... Brenin…?" She groaned.
Brenin jumped slightly as she probably realized he had been sleeping. "Prism!" He said, relieved as he sat on his knees, "Thank Mana, finally!"
She sat herself up as she let out a couple of coughs, "... What in the world happened?"
"I wish I knew but, I'm just as in the dark as you." Brenin said, "You had me worried, I didn't know if you were going to wake up."
"Weren't we in Hage?" Prism asked as she rubbed her eyes, "Why are we--'' She soon started to panic as she took hold of Brenin's shoulders when she realized something, "--Where's Yuno!? What happened to Feo?! And Sister Lily! Please tell me they're alright!"
"I don't know." Brenin told her calmly as he took her arms, being careful not to accidentally cut her with his nails, "The Silva that brought me earlier, he told me to wait here with you, he didn't tell me anything else. Judging from the smell, they put guards at the door too. We've been here for a whole night."
"A whole night?!" She exclaimed before she coughed again, "That's how long I've been out!?"
Brenin soon shushed her gently, "Just take deep breaths, it's going to be okay."
"But the others might be--" Prism started to say.
They soon heard a couple of knocks at the door. A moment later the door soon opened revealing it to be--
"Yami?" Prism said surprised.
"Morning Lizard Girl." Yami said as he looked to be holding what appeared to be a delicious aroma in a paper bag he had been holding, "got you something."
"Yami—What how—" Prism started to say but was soon cut off as she was distracted by the aroma, "—This smell… It smells like apples and bread?"
Yami tossed the bag at her as she was quick to catch it. He told her, "are you gonna gak all day or you're gonna eat?"
Prism still looked confused before she opened the bag. It looked to be a pastry of some sort, though she could smell the butter and apples coming off of it.
"What is this?" Prism asked.
"It's an Apple Pastry. Got it a couple hours ago." Yami replied while grabbing a chair the room had provided.
"They make these into pastry now?" Prism said in awe, "Live and learn I guess."
After taking in the aroma again, she soon took a bite from the pastry; immediately her eyes started to sparkle. "It's so good~!" She said.
"Glad you like em." Yami said as he took a puff.
"Wait a minute--" Prism said as she stopped eating, "--What are we even doing here? We were on an escort mission, stopped in Hage, and Feo and Sister Lily were kidnapped! We have to go back to--"
Yami soon told her calmly, after smacking her on the head, "Easy. Quit acting like Sword Boy. They're both fine."
"Really?" She asked.
"Yeah, they rounded up the guys that did it." He replied, "But a couple of them recognized you from that bounty poster, so we had to bring you and your friend here as a precaution."
"Precaution?" She said confused, "Wait--Were you following us on that mission?"
Yami told her "What? No, I was just passing by when I saw you unconscious in the forest, which by the way--" It hadn't been a moment later before Yami started pinching Prism's cheeks making her squirm, "Are you trying to make this harder on me?
Prism pleaded, "It hurts, I'm sorry!"
"No." Yami told her.
"Is that really necessary?" Brenin asked.
Yami merely replied, "yes it is."
Prism soon managed to pry his hands from her face as she rubbed her face. "Ow--" She groaned before she noticed something off on her arm--The scar of her burn had been back.
"The scales--!" Prism exclaimed, "--They're gone?!"
Brenin couldn't help but look confused while the look on Yami's face changed. "Scales?" Brenin said, as he sat on the bed, "What do you mean scales?"
"There were scales on my arm--" Prism said trying to explain as she moved her sleeve to get a better look, "--They looked kind of like Adrien's but--They were more rough like the dirt, and a bit sharper--I think! I don't know!"
Brenin soon examined her arm, feeling her scar noting how it felt. "It looks normal to me." Brenin said, "Are you sure your mind wasn't playing tricks on you?"
Prism shook her head, as she started to panic again, "I swear I saw them, they were on me--! I don't know how, but I grew them!"
"Are you sure?" Yami asked.
"I think, maybe--" Prism said before she groaned as she couldn't help but kick her legs, "--I don't know! Ana latta as me!!"
"Easy Prism--" Brenin told her calmly, "--You might bust up a vein. Soeh, soeh."
Prism took a couple of deep breaths, "Thank you, ebrath."
"Anytime, ebrath." He said, giving her a pat on the back.
Yami soon wondered before wehe got up and said "I'll be right back. I have an important battle to take care of."
"A what?" Prism and Brenin said, confused.
Yami said with a wave of his hand, "Don't worry about it, just stay here and don't sneak off."
With that, Yami left the two confused teens in the room, as he took a puff from his cigarette. He gave out a sigh as he told the two guards, "Keep an eye on those two till I get back, will ya?"
"Yes Captain." The guard said.
Yami soon went down the hall, going in a certain direction as he had a thought, "This is getting more troublesome by the second. Yukiko and Cadfan couldn't have known about this in the first place. Not even the kid or Familiar knows about it. Somehow I have a bad feeling about this.."
-Research Facility; Fifth Floor of Magic Knight Headquarters-
Yami had arrived on the fifth floor faster than anyone ever thought possible. When he entered the place had been of course lively as usual. Books had been practically floating from every corner of the shelves that had been present within the room. Each of them had been left to their own devices and had looked to be studying magic items or the blood from a Magic Beast.
He wasn't at all surprise when he heard a--
BOOM!
"Whoops.. Another one.."
"By the Mana! I told you not to mix that fomural with that stone you got from the Black Market!"
Yami saw the commotion had been from a man and a woman. The man looked to be in his early thirties as he had been in a wheelchair that had been powered by magic itself. He wore a standard white lab coat with a dark green v-neck shirt with brown khakis and black shoes as his eyes were of orange and cobalt blue hair that was tied into a low ponytail.
The woman beside him had been the one that caused that explosion, she appeared to be in her early 20s, had pale skin, dark navy hair that extends to her hips with a few hair clips and blue eyes, she donned a pink sweater vest with a green-viridian skirt and white shoes.
Yami could see that Julius had been waiting to speak with them.
"Ah, Yami--" Julius said, noticing him, "--How nice of you to drop by."
Yami said to Julius with a casual wave, "Hey. Let me guess, it's another experiment."
"I'm afraid we're gonna have to wait until they're done." Julius said with his usual smile.
"I told you to mix the powder stone instead of that ghastly thing, but as usual you chose to ignore it!" The man said before he gestured to their work station, "Now look at the mess we gotta clean up!"
"Hey! First of all, I got it at a good price, second, how was I supposed to know it was gonna blow up?!"
At the station, there was a young man who appeared into his mid 20s, had a short afro which transitioned into a fade, wearing blue contact lenses, a gold plaid shirt and teal pants, she coughed as he said "Hannah, I warned you it was a bad idea."
The woman named Hannah argued, "Come on Ringo! It worked out didn't it?"
"MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES!!" The man in the wheelchair shouted, "IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR DAMAGES IT'LL BE THE DEATH OF ME!"
Hannah had yelled to the man, "AGAIN IT WORKED OUT IN THE END DIDN'T IT?!"
"But at what cost?" Ringo asked.
Yami soon cleared his throat as he had gotten their attention. "Wizard King!" The man in the wheelchair said, before he bowed his head, "Forgive us your majesty, we forgot you were there."
"That's alright Samlet." Julius reassured him, "I can certainly understand how invested one can get in their work."
"And by Mana's grace, I wasn't expecting a Captain to visit us as well." The man in the wheelchair--Samlet had said, "It's been too long, Captain Yami."
Yami had said while scratching his head, "Let me guess, the Experiment girl did it again."
"Yes, Hannah here thought it was a good idea to take a gem from the black market and mix it with very dangerous chemicals." Samlet said, "Thankfully she didn't get anyone hurt--This time anyway."
Hannah had said with a glare, "I said it worked out didn't it?"
Samlet told her with a huff, "Just so we're clear--That's coming straight out of your pay."
Hannah yelled as her jaw dropped, "EHHH?!" she turned to Ringo as she she pleaded "R-R-Ringo-"
"No." Ringo told her.
"You didn't let me finish!" Hannah shouted "Ringo you meanie!"
Samlet soon cleared his throat, "Anyway how may we be of service to you today? I assume it's in regards to the--" Samlet looked around before he whispered, "--The Young Princess?"
"Indeed it is." Julius replied. He soon took out the black and silver scale from his robe pocket before he showed it to them. "Captain Jack and Nozel went to look around where she was found. The black scale was found within the roots and as for the silver scale it was found near the princess herself."
Samlet took the scales as he examined it, "How extraordinary."
Ringo said looking at the set of scales with a magnifying glass, "They shine like a diamond, and yet they are not of any jewel I've ever seen."
"I was hoping you could figure out its origin." Julius said, "As you can see both of the scales possess the same structure. Perhaps if we can trace it back to its origin, we can find out how she ended up within the tree in the first place."
Samlet pondered as he examined both of the scales more closely, "They appear to be from an animal. Perhaps it's some sort of reptile."
Hannah added as she felt the point of the scales, "Maybe a creature like a crocodile or Salamander!"
"Do you think you can work with this?" Julius asked.
Samlet sighed, "We'll try your majesty, but it's not much information to go on I'm afraid. Even with the information you provided us on Lady Prism's recent feral like behavior it's impossible. If we had more evidence--"
Yami soon said as he waved his hand, "I might have something for you."
"Really?" Ringo asked. "What is it?
He replied as he took a puff, "As it turns out, she woke up from her Trance before I got there. I can't confirm it as of yet, but she said she grew scales."
The researchers as well as Julius looked a bit shocked. "She grew them, you say?" Ringo said shocked.
"Crow Boy told me that she put someone in a comatose state, so she must've taken his mana from him." Yami said, "Think that might be related?"
"Perhaps--" Samlet said as he pondered, "--Maybe the mana she absorbed thus far caused her to change. It might be a sort of a metamorphosis."
Hannah said as she pondered as well, "Of course, maybe this is the first step of getting her magic back, what it was back then.."
"However." Ringo said. "It might prove to be dangerous due to the nature of it, ''You said in your report she not only targeted Noelle Silva but my cousin Pluck too. Is that correct?"
Yami gave a puff as he said "Yep."
"It could be while in her Trance she'll only target those with the strongest mana." Samlet said, "Or maybe she'll attack anyone that's within range as a survival instinct if you will."
"Can that theory be true?" Yami asked.
"It could--" Hannah said, "--But unless your squad is willing to throw away their lives, the only way to confirm this hypothesis is through a literal trial by fire. And with the Trance being as random as you say, there's no way of telling when the next one will be."
Yami couldn't help but give an annoyed groan, "Damn it, so there's nothing we can do?"
"Perhaps not--" Ringo said, "--We might have a solution to the problem. Since you told us about the Trance she fell into, we took the liberty of having this developed for her. It took Hannah and I at least two months, but we got it to work."
Ringo soon went through the drawer of the workstation as he had taken out what looked to be a red headband that held a jade stone. Yet Yami could sense a faint presence from it. "I thought I told you guys, she can't wear a magic item."
"Oh this isn't a magic item--This is actually carved from a cursed stone. We had to travel to the edge of the border, and it was very pricey at the Crazy Jester. Since you said the Lady Prism possesses Anti-Magic, we figured a cursed item will help." Ringo said, "It won't hurt her mentally or physically, but seeing as how she'll continue to absorb mana, trance or no trance, it won't keep whatever is causing this sudden change at bay. Fortunately, it has its uses."
"Think of it as a warning mechanism. When she's about to enter the Trance the stone will glow." Hannah added. "Trust me, I mixed it myself."
"Which lead to a few explosions." Ringo grumbled.
"Ringo, I said I was sorry that one time." Hannah said with a pout.
"Make sure she has it on at all times." Ringo said as he handed it to Yami, "We're not sure how long the cursed item will last, but it will be handy for both you and Prism."
Yami said as he looked at the jewel, "Is that so? I'll keep that in mind."
Julius couldn't help but chuckle a little as Yami was quick to notice. "Something funny?" He asked.
"Oh nothing really." Julius said, "It's just that since the princess made herself at home in the Black Bulls, I can tell she affected you in a good way. The stories did say the young heir has this strange little talent of befriending even the most ferocious beasts. Maybe the same applies for people too."
Yami only gave him a look before he said, "the hell does that mean?"
Julius only said with a teasing smile, "Don't worry about it."