As quick as Zephyr suggested to play, she was eliminated.
"You've always sucked at rock, paper, scissors, Zeph." Sanguinex chuckled, much to Zephyr's frown. "Anyways," she turned to the soft blue-haired girl–Minerva. "Let's get to it."
Sévir stood up and leaned in-between, glaring at the two. "I'll repeat, I never consented to thi–"
They slammed their hands on his mouth, rendering him speechless. "Shut it, Sévir, I'm the only one you're taking out today." said Sanguinex, whose voice was filled with pride.
Minerva smirked. "Are you sure? It will definitely be me. You see, I need a porter to carry out my job, and who else is perfect for it besides Sévir?"
Her comment forced a deep frown on Sanguinex's face. "Why do you need him as a porter? How is he perfect for it? Can't you ask someone else?"
"Oh, you mustn't bombard me with questions! Just fight me in the game..~"
They went on without any winner sixty-three times until Sévir cut in-between them again, his frown deeper than before. "Enough! I'm not going with anyon–"
They smacked their hands on his mouth again.
Zephyr rose from her seat and cleared her throat. "How about Nex goes with Sévir for the early afternoon, and Lady–err.. Ms. Minerva for the rest?" she smiled. "I'm sure you two need Brother today, so I guess that arrangement would help!"
The two glanced at each other, nodding in agreement. Sévir wanted to protest, but knew nothing would change their stubborn minds.
…
Sévir and Sanguinex walked a slight distance from each other. The latter attempted to hook her arms on his, only for him to take it off not once, but thrice. Immediately, the air was as tense as it was awkward.
He tapped her shoulder and caught her attention. "Look, a crepe store." he pointed to her right–a small house with the typical white walls and wooden frame design of the city, differentiated just by its sign–"CREPE STORE"
She shrugged. "It looks unassuming, do people even go here?"
He nodded. "I noticed a lot of people buying crepes from here just recently, mostly students."
She perked up to his answer, speeding her walking pace towards the shop, her hand in Sévir's.
Upon entering, they were met with a soft smile from the man wearing a brown apron over the counter. "Welcome to my crepe shop! What can I get for you two?"
They observed the menu. "I'd like one strawberry crepe, please!" she said with life and excitement. "What about you, Sévir?"
"One chocolate crepe."
The man nodded. "One strawberry crepe costs twenty-eight Argentus, and a chocolate crepe costs twelve."
"So forty," said Sévir, "take it." he took out forty silver coins from his coin bag, which the man took with haste.
"I've received forty Argentus, no change shall be given." he wrote their orders on a piece of paper. "Your crepes will be prepared soon, please take a seat while waiting."
They took a seat and faced across. Sévir glanced around their surroundings, which were just more empty round tables and chairs besides the counter with a menu on top. Sanguinex on the other hand, had her gaze glued to him.
A bell rang just as she was about to lose herself in her stare. Sévir walked to the counter. "Sanguine, we're going." he said, walking to the door. Sanguinex followed suit.
"Here, your crepe." he passed it to her.
She took a bite then hovered it close to his mouth. "Come on, have a bite."
He shook his head and bit his chocolate crepe, much to her disappointment. "I don't like strawberries."
"Oh, right.." dejected, she remembered his dislike for strawberries. She stared at her crepe, biting it with a long face.
.
For a few minutes, silence shut their mouths. Sévir noticed, a sigh escaping his mouth. "Let's go shopping?" he asked, attempting to liven the air
"..Really?" Sanguinex perked up, nodding feverishly.
Fortunately I received a good amount from recent missions. "Well then, lead the way."
She grabbed his hand, dragging him with a big smile on her face.
.
They ventured through a myriad of shops, be it clothing, accessories and whatnot. Every time they stepped outside, Sévir carried more and more bags around his arms and neck.
"Ooh Sévir, look, a bookstore!" she tugged his sleeve. "Let's buy Zephyr some books." he kept silent. Curious, Sanguinex turned around, wide-eyed to the sight of Sévir's arms and neck wrapped with the straps of bags–a whole ton of them. "S–Sévir? Why are you carrying all of them!?"
"Pay no mind.." said his hoarse voice. "This is my warm-up to be Minerva's porter later.."
She shook her head, pulling off bags out of his arms. "No! You should've asked me to carry them as well, I wouldn't mind." her voice was as concerned as she was.
He looked up, noticing the slow sinking of the sun. "Hey, it's nearly dusk. Let's head back to the dorm."
"Ah, right.. Minerva's up next as well.." she walked ahead. "Let's go then."
.
At last, they dropped the bags back to the dorm and arrived back down, where they encountered Minerva.
"Are you sure about this, Sévir?" asked Sanguinex, who sounded more jealous than concerned. "What if Gros-whatever-your-name-is is a succubus!?" her resentful gaze landed on Minerva, who wore a smirk.
"Oh, I might just be.. Who knows?" she patted Sévir's bicep. "Come on." she walked ahead, not bothering to wait for him.
He scratched his head, a sigh escaping. "Well then, I'm off."
"Yeah.. Alright."
Sévir caught up to Minerva, pacing beside her. "So what is this all about, Minerva?"
She clasped her hands behind. "The Octet's returning very soon from their summit in the Abresian Hegemony, we'll be getting them some welcome home gifts.. I'm sure you aren't so detached from society to forget that those types of things are courtesy, right?"
He nodded.
"Great! Then, let's go to the plaza, they have everything we need."
.
Sévir tailed her without pause, watching her buy in various shops while his carrying load increased.
He looked down his left arm, carrying bags and baskets filled with fruits, vegetables, meat and the like. "So much food."
"Everyone in the Octet has big appetites, you know? I'll have to basically cook them a feast since they've come a long way."
His brows perked up. "You know how to cook?"
"Why yes, I do. When we have occasions just between us Octets, I'm the cook." A smile grew in her face as she recalled those moments.
…
It was a bright and sunny day, the birds were chirping, the fishes were swimming, the deers were grunting, and the beavers were whining.
The trees rustled as gently as the calm breeze, carrying its slight cool despite the rising heat.
In-between these trees rose smoke, and the whines of humans.
"Minerva~, I'm so hungry~~" Meredith wrapped her arms around her waist, not out of affection but desperation. Her stomach growled for a good three seconds.
"Me too~!" Noelle joined in, wrapping her arms above her chest with similar intent, both their faces itching to feast.
"Us too, Minerva! We're about to eat each other here!" said Damon, who sat with the rest of the Octet from a distance on log benches.
Minerva chuckled. "Oh be patient, you big babies! I'm nearly done with it." she wiped the sweat off her forehead. Before her was a cauldron that stood above a blazing fire pit, and inside it was boiling liquid, brown in color with meat floating on the surface.
She stirred the soup with a wooden spoon that she held with both hands. The aroma travelled down their noses, starving them further.
…
"Must be hard."
Minerva shook her head. "I like it because they rely on me more."
He glanced at her. From the side, it wasn't hard to spot the smile on the corners of her face. I guess she's the type to find fulfillment in being relied on.
"Minerva, do you like watching duels?"
She raised a brow. "Are you planning to take me to one?"
He nodded. "We can take a little break, there's a tournament going on at Stadium Twelve."
She tapped her chin, humming. "Well.. I guess we can go." she patted his shoulder. "Lead the way, Pretty Boy."
"Please refrain from calling me 'Pretty Boy'." His brows knitted in displeasure.
.
They tread through the dimly lit hallways made of sandstone walls, their footsteps echoing non-stop.
Sévir glanced around, his face kept neutral, but deep inside, his heart soared little by little. It's been a while, Stadium Twelve.
"You seem to be looking around a lot, Sévir. Is anything the matter?" she leaned forward, her gaze up his face.
He shook his head. "It's nothing. I see stairs."
Minerva looked forward and noticed the flight of stairs as well. "Oh, finally!" She quickened her pace, reaching it before him.
They reached the peak, and to their left was a circular arena that appeared smaller than it actually was.
"Ooh, we're at the top row." she took a seat, patting the spot beside her.
He glanced around, nobody was in sight. He put down the luggage and sat a meter away from her. Though she noticed, she rested the case, her exhaustion evident through her weak sigh.
Above the arena were four and floating white shards as big as a mini pig, radiating bright light down the place.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, our ten minute break has concluded, we'll be resuming the tournament shortly." A man's echoing voice emitted from the shards.
"They have these shards as well?" she pointed at them. "We have those at the Magiaville Stadiums."
"Magiaville Stadiums? What are those?"
"Oh right, you're a new student." she took an apple from the basket beside her, its red filled with life and vividness without a single hint of molds or bruises. "We use the Magiaville Stadiums for tournaments against other academies." she squished the apple. As she expected, it was hard and firm.
Two men appeared from the dark gate on opposite sides. To the right, a big and muscular man, his right hand gripped a battle axe. Its handle was black, and its blade dark silver, tainted with marks of blood.
To the left, a much smaller and meek-looking man, a long and wooden bo staff hanging off his lower back. His dark attire was nothing flashy, for it was stealthier–no skin but his chin was exposed, which above was a hood that covered the rest of his face.
Sévir's brows perked up, surprised as a wave of familiarity flushed by. Gale? Is that Gale?
"To the right, a fierce warrior who dominated the last season with his sheer strength, his unrivaled magic potency, and his handy battle axe! Everyone, welcome Steer!"
Steer raised his arms up, a confident smile on his face.
"And to the left, a mysterious man who I peg as an assassin, dominating his side of the rack with just his staff and air magic.. Will he beat the two-time champion, Steer!? Everyone, welcome Gale!"
I knew it.. Is this his mission or something? Sévir eyed him intently.
"3! 2! 1! GO!!!"
Steer raised his axe with both hands and swung it down, the ground splitting away like an earthquake upon impact.
The aura around Gale glowed green, he dashed to the right as fast as a cheetah, the wind whooshing along. The former twirled to the right in full force, sending pillars of earth flying towards Gale upon finishing a revolution.
Gale shattered the pillars with punches, much to the crowds' surprise.
"Oh, you're not bad, kid!" said Steer's raspy voice, a chuckle escaping afterwards. He swung his axe up, earth erecting around Gale's lower leg. "TAKE THIS!!" with yet another swing, a huge pillar of earth erupted from the ground and left a hole behind, flying towards the trapped man.
The latter pulled out his bo staff in the nick of time with its ends glowing green. He poked the pillar, sending it to the left, away from him.
.
"How do you think this duel will conclude?" asked Sévir, who was in the middle of speculating himself.
She hummed. "This Steer man is aggressive, while the latter isn't. It's a little hard to say right now, but I have an inkling that Gale will win." She leaned forward, her clasped hands below her chin. "Simply put, Steer looks like an egotistical guy, if Gale continues to deflect his attacks and show no signs of folding, it will wear not only Steer's pride down, but his mana. Then again, that much is common sense."
She narrowed her eyes, her observation spiking up.
.
Steer sent pillars upon pillars and cracks upon cracks, yet the nimbler Gale rendered them ineffective with his quick reflexes.
This boy is a little too fast for my liking, but I can't let it get through me. He's agile, but moving like that is potentially much more exhausting. He raised his right arm, aiming down the ground. "BERSERK!!" he punched the ground, sending forth intense waves that forced out tall and huge spikes everywhere.
The two launched themselves off the ground. Just because your speed is out of my comfort zone, doesn't mean I haven't fought people like you. He swung his axe up, launching forth a pillar of earth that slammed to his guts, sending him even higher up the sky.
A smirk grew in Steer's mouth, only to disappear as a tornado erected before him, engulfing Gale and sending Steer off hard to the ground.
He grunted upon landing, his body feeling shockwaves everywhere. Oogh, he got me good– He looked up, wide-eyed as he noticed Gale flying right at him.
.
Minerva walked out of the stadium with Sévir just behind, not a smile nor a frown on her face.
"Is there anything else we need to get?" asked Sévir, his face as straight as ever.
She shook her head. "That's all."
"Then, let's head ba–"
"Let's take a detour." she uttered, her sly smile growing apparent, much to Sévir's frown.
As much as he disliked it, he sighed in resignation. "Just for a bit."
"Yes, yes. Follow me."
They walked beside each other in silence, their gazes darting off their surroundings–a road as silent as the houses around with just a little amount of lanterns to light up the area. In front of them was a long bridge above a calm river, its mouth too far to be seen.
Where's she taking me? It seems like we're going to the forest.. Is she going to ambush me..? He wondered in suspicion as it took longer. Though unarmed, this didn't stop Sévir from preparing himself for the worst case possible, his fists clenched, ready to punch.
"No need to tense up, Sévir." she spoke in a silvery voice, as if she had eyes on her back.
"Where are we going exactly?"
She shrugged. "It seems like you won't loosen up until I tell you.. Well, we'll be going up a cliff."
He raised a brow, confused. "A hill? For what?"
She halted, only then did Sévir realize their spot–surrounding the rocky path they treaded were not only trees, but a cliff that overlooked the mouth of a river, and across, the distant lights of houses.
"You must've noticed we crossed the North Bridge, meaning we're in Gran Lacus right now." She pointed to the right. "When the sun's up, you'll be able to see Tribus Island from here."
She walked to the edge, her hands clasped behind, her feet tip-toeing and body leaned forward. "Say, have you been to all the districts? Or is it your first time here?"
"This is my first time in Gran Lacus." He answered truthfully.
"Up north is a lake bigger than Gran Summa and Nursia combined. I've been there before, and I think it's absolutely beautiful." She held her skirt down and sat by the edge. "Sévir, do you like adventures?"
The moon was never as bright, shining down on the two and their surroundings. The autumn breeze was indeed cold, as were the calm waves beneath, for the two couldn't help but shiver a bit.
Do I like adventures..? He asked himself, yet deep down, the answer was already there.
Vivid images of him in his dark-lavender and mysterious attire flashed by, reliving his own adventures in each and every district of the south: running up roofs, slaughtering waves of men, whether appearing tattered or formal, collecting garbage, digging graves.. He already knew the answer from the beginning.
"No." his answer brief, yet spoke volumes to Minerva. What I do doesn't bring the slightest hints of joy.
She stood up, wiping the dust off her skirt. "Let's get going, shall we?"
"Please, I'd rather not carry all these."
.
Before them, stood a white double door with golden patterns: to be specific, patterns that resembled the calm waves of the sea, and above the knobs were the golden texts: Minerva Grosvenor.
"I'll handle it from here." She patted his shoulder, gesturing to him to drop the luggage, which he did without hesitation.
"Well then, as for your pay–"
"Ten Zinarius." He gestured with his hand to pay him.
An amusing smile crept up her face. "Oh, how straightforward~" She giggled, opening the right door. "You see, my pouch ran out of Zinarius, so I'll get some from my drawer." She closed the door, returning about twenty seconds later, her arm extended. "Here you go."
He extended his, receiving twelve golden coins. "A tip."
He hid the coins in his pocket, waving her farewell as he turned heels. "Bye."
She waved back. "See you."
.
Sévir descended the stairs until he spotted the text 4, walking down its hallway. He turned right, and stopped as he encountered Sanguinex outside their dorm. "Sanguine? What are you doing here?
Her arms folded and back leaned by the wall, She wore a gloomy expression. "You're back. I was waiting for you." she took off the wall, facing him. "What took you so long? Were you enjoying your time with her that much?" Her rather sassy tone caught Sévir off-guard, who frowned back.
"Quit assuming, Sanguine, that's obviously not the case. What's so fun about being a porter?"
A hot silence ensued until a sigh of resignation escaped her mouth. She got closer and wrapped her arms around him, her face buried in his chest. "Sorry." said her muffled voice.
Sévir didn't respond to her apology, nor her hug. A sigh escaped from him as well. "Come on, let's get in."
She let go and got in their room, followed by Sévir.
As the door clicked, a female figure popped out of the corner, her gaze locked to their door.