Giliath demands your power stones let's try to get over 500!
*
"Still, to think you would become a Teacher over the time spent where we last clashed. Didn't think you'd have it in you, Zin. Really reminds me of our old days.", Walter said, only to grin at Zin while taking another puff of his cigarette.
"Hmph. Those old days are no more thanks to you.", Zin immediately retorted with a scoff.
"Hahaha. Point taken.", Walter replied, shrugging his shoulders. After all, Walter was the one who killed their master to further strive on the martial arts path he was currently going through. The two hadn't seen each other since their initial clash as rage tried to consume Zin, causing Walter to leave entirely on a journey of his own, unable to stop Walter. As for Zin, seeing he was alone then, he eventually wound up becoming a Bracer.
Along the way, he just happened to meet a certain prince and picked up a disciple of his own, Sherryl Sky. Even Zin was surprised to see him teaching another, but he found the effort worthwhile. He now has a clear path forward of his own martial arts to take.
After Walter said that, Zin and Kilika saw Walter turn around, and started to crouch down.
"Well you know where to find me, Kilika. Call me if somethin' interesting happens. From the way it sounds, it's still going to be a while. With time to burn, might as well check out the casinos here.", Walter said, only to do a large leap of his legs, easily jumping onto a rooftop nearby, acting as if it was nothing to him.
It didn't take long before Walter was out of sight, jumping from rooftop to rooftop in the shadows of the night.
"Walter really just does what he wants to do, doesn't he?", Zin said, only to shake his head, letting out a sigh seeing Walter gone now. Hearing that, Kilika smiled.
"Fufu, that free spirit of Walter's is part of why I fell in love with him. Even if he is currently treading a broken path. If he ever falls off of it, I'll be there to pull him back up.", Kilika responded with a smile.
"Right...How's that going, anyways?", Zin wondered. He knew Kilika liked Walter, but he never did ask how far it went between them. The moment Zin asked that, Kilike could only shrug her own shoulders while sighing.
"Not far I'm afraid. Walter's too hellbent on that destructive path to do anything romance related. Still, there will be a day where he'll hit a wall. But can you promise one thing for me, at least for now?", Kilika suddenly asked Zin, drawing his interest.
"Sure. What's up?", Zin asked with interest.
"If Walter hits that wall while my person is not present at such a time and you are present there instead, can you knock some sense into him?", Kilika asked as her eyes turned serious.
"Haha, that much I can do. Consider it a promise.", Zin said, nodding his head, which caused Kilika to smile. Zin was aware that Yin was still present here, who had stayed quiet during this short conversation. Zin proceeded to look at Yin.
"With Walter gone now, what are you going to do? I still find it hard to believe that this piqued Yin's interest.", Zin asked, wondering to himself. Hearing Zin ask that, Yin stayed quiet for a moment before they responded.
"Finding potential prospects.", Yin said, keeping their words short. "I'm currently acting as Yin temporarily. Master's clash with the Steel Maiden took too much toll on his life force and doesn't seem to have much time left. But if I don't find anyone, I will probably be inheriting his position.", Yin explained, describing their situation a bit.
"...I'll pretend I didn't hear that last part. But as expected, the Yin line is as mysterious as ever. Will you be lurking around Heimdallr then for a while like Walter will?", Zin asked Yin.
"Yes.", Yin said, only to nod their head. Yet as Yin explained the situation, a glint of light streaked across Kilika's eyes. The more Yin talked, the more familiar Yin's voice sounded to Kilika, despite it being distorted.
"Well, if you're in town, perhaps we'll come across each other. I don't think this will be the last time we come across each other.", Kilika responded with a playful grin.
"...", Hearing that, Yin didn't say anything, only to proceed to turn around and leap up into the air, quickly disappearing into the shadowy night. Thanks to their dark cloak, Yin vanished completely. Seeing Yin now gone, Zin only looked back at Kilika with a look of interest in his eyes.
"Why does it strike me that you seem to know who Yin is?", Zin decided to ask.
"It is only a hunch, but not confirmed. But aside from that point, you had interest in stopping by Heimdallr's branch again right? I think I can tag along with you for now. I'll probably end up pulling a drunk Walter out of a casino later tonight anyways.", Kilika said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Sounds good to me.", Zin responded, nodding his head.
"And while we're at it, you can tell me about that disciple of yours. She seems like a pretty cute girl to me.", Kilika said with a smile. Hearing that, Zin only looked at her before the two decided to leave the alleyway nearby Dreichels Plaza. Seeing the RMP was around they successfully evaded them, making their way back onto the main streets.
Yet as the two soon joined crowds of other people who were experiencing the night life in Heimdallr, a sole orbal car began to drive inward toward the entrance to Valflame Palace. The moment the RMP Officers saw this last car arrive, they couldn't help but blink at the emblem on the car. Even Claire hesitated as she finished directing the traffic of nobles inside the Palace.
"I recognize that emblem...", Claire said, musing to herself. It didn't take long for the car to stop near the remaining RMP Officers. The driver's door was first to open, revealing another butler, only to proceed to walk to the other side of the orbal car and open the passenger door. A single figure stepped out, and this figure appeared to be that of a woman with long and lush silver hair. Though contrary to the other noble girls that arrived earlier, this woman wasn't wearing a dress herself, but rather a white tuxedo, opting for a more boyish look. Still, a resolute look could be seen in her eyes. This woman was in her mid twenties now, and had graduated from Thors Military Academy a few years back.
To Claire, this woman would be considered her senior.
"I didn't think you'd make it in time, Lady Aurelia.", Claire said, giving the woman a salute. She was of course Aurelia, a woman of bolstering strength and power. But this time around, she also developed a keen sense of mana. It was unknown whether or not Aurelia had learned any spells thus far.
"It is good for having enough time to spare. Ever since I graduated Thors, a certain someone invited me to a rather distant village. I haven't seen much publicity since visiting Her Majesty's birthday celebration in Liberl a few years ago. Thankfully there was some time to spare and seeing that His Majesty is hosting a ball for tonight, I might as well attend it to kick off the next century. A little bird just so happened to pass along a message to me that I'd meet an acquaintance of mine here as well.", Aurelia said, giving a smile to Claire.
"So that's why you've been pretty quiet lately. The Le Guin estate hasn't been causing much of a ruckus unlike other nobles have been recently, so it is a good outcome, I'd say.", Claire said, nodding her head at Aurelia's words.
"Still, are you not consumed by the work you're currently doing? It must be quite difficult managing student life and the RMP. It hasn't been long since we've met each other, but it's clear that you are serious in the work you do, miss Icy Maiden.", Aurelia said, revealing a grin as she said that.
"Haha, I'll leave that up to you to decide. It took a while, but I've found a good balance, at least. I wouldn't want to waste any more of your time though. We've got the perimeters secured here tonight so our guests can enjoy the dance. As for who you are looking forward to, he is most likely present, considering he was having a private banquet with His Majesty earlier.", Claire said, explaining the situation a bit.
"Oh? It's been a couple years since we've seen each other, so it'll make due for a good visit. The dance hasn't started yet, has it?", Aurelia asked. Hearing that, Claire shook her head.
"No. It will be starting here shortly, though. But with your presence here, Lady Aurelia, please try not to crash it, alright?", Claire said as seriousness appeared in her eyes.
"Hahaha, we shall see. It would depend if His Highness is willing to keep me company tonight.", Aurelia responded with a playful grin herself.
Still, after Aurelia said that, she dismissed her butler and the orbal car started to drive off, away from the plaza. Aurelia found it nice to see Claire again. They've crossed paths a couple times after Aurelia graduated from Thors, and it was a nice surprise to see Claire now attending Thors herself. Claire gave Aurelia another salute before she returned to her duties in protecting the peace surrounding Valflame Palace, along with the other RMP officers while Aurelia proceeded along the large bridge, eventually making way inside Valfame Palace herself...