-A short while before when Meiying had gone to follow Fang.
Her immense level of uncomfortability showed plainly on her face, but even so, Farra had no other option except to move forward. Sadly, this was part of the plan she herself had devised, even if she wished it didn't have to come to this.
The plan itself was originally quite simple, Meiying and Farra pretend to be an aunt and niece duo and infiltrate Dragon Mojo. Afterward, the two would wait for a chance for Meiying to be able to confront Kana and Tiana. Then came the unexpected factors. Firstly, the third mage that they were planning to confront separately, Zhi-Qian 'Fang' Huang, happened to be there at the same time. On top of that, he'd brought along a non-mage. All of this is without mentioning Cacophony's arrival or the master of the dojo calling for Meiying actually to fight.
Given the situation, it was only natural that their plan needed adjustments. One, for instance, is that Farra would have to be the one to confront Kana and Tiana while Meiying took on Fang.
Walking in circles, Farra's heart pettered to the melody of anxiety.
'I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this! I knew taking the initiative like this was a complete mistake! If I just hadn't made that stupid plan! Or if I'd convinced Meiying to do this some other day! We could've had a way easier job to do. Now she's actually making me interview these two! All I do is collect information, fieldwork like this is my polar opposite! When I told that to Meiying she said something along the lines of 'Well, opposites attract so I'm sure you'll do perfectly fine.' What does that even mean?!'
Collecting herself, Farra marched over to where Kana and Tiana had been chatting. Master William had walked into the back just a few moments earlier, leaving the three ladies alone.
As Farra approached, her usual energetic demeanor was absent. Her exaggerated gait—usually filled with bouncing steps—was subdued, as though weighed down by the responsibility ahead. She cleared her throat, hoping to start strong, though the sound came out more like a wheeze.
Kana and Tiana looked up simultaneously. Kana leaned back against the dojo wall, her arms crossed, a smug yet curious smile tugging at her lips. Tiana, on the other hand, tilted her head, her doe-like eyes blinking with innocent confusion. The two were polar opposites in their composure, but both seemed completely at ease. Farra envied that.
"So then! Let's skip past all the niceties and jump right into it. I am Farra Lombardi, a ranking officer of the Second Battalion of the Magic Order.", Farra began, her hands resting awkwardly on her hips. "Currently, I am here on official business and require your cooperation for an interview. Please keep in mind that as registered mages, you are obligated to answer my questions and to answer them truthfully."
Tiana's jaw dropped as she listened to Farra's words, she even clutched her chest in a dramatic fashion. "Wait! You're not her aunt!"
"Oh... Well—No, as I said—"
A smug smirk flashed on Kana's face, "I'd figured as much. Your acting really sucks."
"Huh! Is it that bad—"
Tiana's head snapped to the side. Her expression darkened as she looked at Kana. "In my ignorance, I'd been deceived by Miss Farra's act, but it seems that you've managed to perceive the truth. In this match, I have been defeated."
Kana huffed, "I am the best after all."
For a moment, Farra's mask of confidence cracked and her face displayed her reluctance to further partake in this 'interview'.
"I see...". Farra said flatly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Anyway, let's move on to why I'm really here. Kana, Tiana—what do you know about the incident involving the leylines that took place a few days ago?"
Tiana's hand shot up as if she were in class. "Oh! There's no need for you to further trouble yourself over this inquiry! I've got the answer for this one!" she chirped. "Absolutely nothing."
Waiting for more, Farra stood in silence. As she did, her eye twitched slightly. "Oh, okay... Wait! There's no way you had all that build-up for nothing! It's like watching a Gundam series and not seeing any of the giant robots duke it out! The politics are great and all, but sometimes a girl wants to see some robo-action!"
"That's not what you wanted to hear? It's the truth though!", Her reaction was completely genuine. Tiana's simple nature wasn't fit for such a serious interaction.
Kana slightly chuckled, but she did her best to stifle her laughter. "I'm sorry about her. She might be cute but there's almost no activity going on in her head."
Instantly, Farra had a thought, 'Ah, I think Meiying said that about me one time too.'
Kana continued speaking, "Farra, was it? Look, we really don't know much about whatever you're investigating. We're just students, you know? Of course, as mages we couldn't be considered to be your average everyday students, but trust me when I say that you'd have difficulty distinguishing us from them."
Farra looked at Kana with a hint of skepticism but allowed her to continue speaking.
By now, the reigns of this interview had been snatched right from Farra's hands. At this point, it was simple for Kana to control where this went. All she had to do was tell Farra that they didn't know anything. Even if she was the Mystic Database, without Meiying's iron will to guide the interrogation, it was pointless. It was the main reason that the pair was so effective together. When separated, they both were incomplete.
All of this being said, Kana was sick. She had a special kind of illness that affects every single one of us to some extent.
It was a sickness called hubris. At this moment, she truly thought she could do no wrong. That was her one and only mistake.
Kana smiled, pulling her phone out of her pocket. "Hey, since you're investigating odd happenings around this city, you should see this." She tapped on her phone a few times before holding it out to Farra.
On the screen was a grainy video recorded from a building's security camera. It showed two figures falling down a skyscraper before one caught the other and landed perfectly.
"I often browse paranormal accounts and this video has just begun circulating. Right now it's not too popular and honestly, I doubt it'll make too big of a splash. Still, it was apparently recorded in this city. But hey, it could totally be fake."
Analyzing the video, Farra leaned in closer, her brow furrowed in concentration. She tapped the phone screen to replay the clip, then again, studying the details with a keenness that contradicted her usual airheaded demeanor. Her fingers hovered as though tempted to pinch and zoom, despite the grainy quality.
The figures were difficult to discern, mere silhouettes against the dim backdrop of a sprawling cityscape. But their actions were unmistakable—an impossible leap from a height no ordinary human could survive, followed by a smooth, almost graceful descent. The taller figure caught the other mid-air with a precision that betrayed inhuman reflexes. It was captivating, no matter how hard Farra tried to pretend otherwise.
She inhaled sharply, her Mystic Database instincts kicking in. "The movement looks too fluid to be animated," she muttered. "And the shadow detail matches the surrounding environment too well for it to be composited without top-tier expertise. If it is a fake, it's the kind that Hollywood studios would envy."
For a brief period, the aura surrounding Fara completely changed. It was like all of her being was working toward a singular goal. She was analyzing and breaking down every pixel of the video. She compared it to her well of knowledge before cataloging the video itself in her mind.
Kana merely sat back and confidently crossed her arms. She thought that she'd successfully thrown Farra off their trail. Unknowingly, she'd actually given Farra Pandora's Box.
Once she concluded her analysis, Farra sent the video to her own phone.
"It might not be anything, but I'll look into it anyway.", Farra meekly noted.
As the file was saved to her phone, Farra couldn't help but glance at Kana, who looked far too proud of herself. Hubris radiated from the girl like an aura, filling the room with an almost palpable sense of superiority.
At that moment, Kana believed she was in control, that she had proven herself smarter, savvier, and more in the know than the ranking officer standing before her. She had no way of knowing she had just made a grave, monumental error.
The video was undeniable evidence of events that were supposed to stay hidden in the shadows of society. And worse, it wasn't just any occurrence. It was a video of when Cacophony and Veri had jumped from the top of a skyscraper and dived through the night sky.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All three of the women turned their heads to look toward the source of the sound.
Meiying marched through the dojo, making her steps unheedingly loud. Her expression was utterly neutral, clearly tired of today's events.
"You all done here?", Meiying asked.
Farra replied, "Yup. We can go now."
Kana's smirk didn't fade. She looked utterly unbothered, clearly convinced she'd handled the situation like a pro. Tiana, oblivious to the subtle power struggle that had taken place, simply waved enthusiastically as Farra backed away.
"Thanks for your cooperation!" Farra added in a singsong voice, the joy of finally being done with work for the day filled her body with energy.
"Yeah, yeah. You kids stay out of trouble", Meiying added, "Or next time we really will be here to arrest you."
As the two of them were walking out, Cacophony and I were just entering.