Spring has come again
Time has passed by, has it not?
Again, she returns
*
Viola and Amy are at the carriage heading to the academy and Viola had already fell asleep since they took off before dawn. There is much that Amy had in mind that she couldn't fall asleep to.
Since her recovery, Alabaster has continued searching for the succubus contract while dealing with the business. Boris is dealing with Yerenis's body so they could figure out how to transfigure their bodies. Amy has focused on training the innate talent that she didn't know she had even if it isn't exactly her own. She focused on training her flexibility and reflexes while improving her magic.
In this world, magic is used to fuel attacks or defense. She is not training to do that. She is training her magic to use it subconsciously to her surroundings so that she would turn it to her advantage and read the quality of a person's magic. In a sense, it's like maintaining a poker face while reading your opponent. Magic comes in flux and thus it could come to her advantage in many ways. In the original story, everyone struggled to read a person's magical readings accurately. It comes in many different forms, size, shape and density, but a person's true talent stems from their proficiency in it and that includes hiding it. One of the issues with magic is that very few people could accurately assess a person's true talent. Many characters overestimate their opponents often because of this. Aron, who initially had no talent in magic, managed to beat people who are stronger than he is for many years because he is unable to read him well. Even if the amount is extremely small, as long as a person knows what to do with it while still keeping it in check, then they could even beat someone with a much larger quantity and better quality of magic.
Another great example is Violet. She is seen as weak and useless by the audience, but she never trained a day in her life. Yet, she created the Grand Purification technique that matched many others in strength and an almost 100% efficiency. She has worked on what she is good at and created something surprising despite that.
Their resourcefulness has truly been underrated.
Amy looked at her hand. She has been training a lot that she should've shown muscle or at least a tan but nothing really shows. She has the result from her training but the story refuses to show it.
Now, she has to worry about something else. Thinking back to a previous conversation, she admits that it is difficult to know where to start.
*
Amy and Boris were surprised to hear this from Alabaster.
"Starting this year, there will be a series of murders. It doesn't limit in Solin but in all the Kingdoms. The killings were indiscriminate. Commoners and nobles are not safe from the killings. They called it the Ripper."
"I'm sorry. It?"
"The Ripper is a freak of nature. No one knows it if is human, a monster or something else entirely."
Amy is somewhat familiar with this. It is mentioned in the story that serial murders have happened over twenty years prior to the story. But she doesn't know it in detail. But it has reappeared in the story's current timeline, and it is not linked to the second Ripper. Alabaster has more context on it though it doesn't give any detail on Solin because he is not a native. To actually be a part of this is wild.
"The string of murders have lasted for three years before it stopped altogether. No one knew what the motive for all these killings are, but no matter how protected the person is, they all ended up dead. I do admit that there is something fishy about it but without any clues, I cannot say for sure."
"That's implying that you know the connection." Amy said.
"Maybe," he admits, "But I cannot be sure until we figure out the pattern."
"Do you have any idea what you're saying. That's basically saying that we just watch people die!" Boris said in protest.
"Oh relax, all these people are basically extras. I don't know for sure about Solin but in Getel, all those people deserve it." Alabaster says nonchalantly, "I will take precautions on those we are actually concerned for. Most of the people we truly have to worry about are the Anthos and the kids at the academy."
"Luckily none of us get killed so we don't have to worry too much. It "
"Everyone lived in fear back then, and it would continue on for a few years until it all finally stopped. No one knows what happened or why it stopped but no one was able to find out anything. There are conspiracy theories but none to prove right.
From what she could gather, the Anthos family is unaffected, the main characters in Solin are also unaffected. But there are chances that there are outside interferences so she will have to make some precautions. She already did and made sure that her family members are well protected. She is better off protecting everyone else in the academy where they all gather at the same place.
"Where do we start?"
*
The reason Bowen's Gizmos was created was to create a source of revenue, independent from the Anthos family but another plus is to create connections and obtain information in the right places. Alabaster has a vast information network in the short amount of time he has founded his company. The technology that she has brought is for mere convenience. The weapons and highly advanced technology are top secret and are for their own uses.
Whatever happens in the other four kingdoms, they will all know and probably figure out a pattern.
Viola excitedly grabbed Amy's hand as they stare at the approaching view of everyone at the Sun Dormitory.
Amy never felt more excited to see everyone than she does now. Everyone is not holding back on their excitement on their letters confirming her return either.
After reaching her destination, she got off the carriage only for the first thing to see is Sabina running towards her. She opened her arms though she is beginning to have second thoughts as she ran with full speed. She then slowed down to hug her tightly.
"Amy! You're finally back!" She yelled happily.
It feels good to see her again. She has been worried since they've been separated for this long but seeing her again made all doubts go away. "Yeah, I'm back!" Amy joyfully laughs.
Then everyone else joins in, not those in her inner circle but others who she befriends or at least acquainted with.
The first thing she noticed is that the boys are taller now. In the story, some of the men are extremely tall. They are in average six feet. Considering that Leon is the authoritative, powerful figure and Rufus being an extremely intimidating villain, it makes sense that they are tall, but they are shy from becoming thirteen and it wouldn't surprise her if they might be mistaken to be older than they are.
This is so unfair. she groaned.
"Jeez, you scared me after we were told you are sick. Looks like you worry us for nothing" Leon said in an albeit sarcastic tone. Though his expression shows that he is happy to see her too.
Almost immediately, Theseus, Nathaniel and Melissa all gave a group hug around her. Amy just gave in to their antics as they led her into the drawing room where they prepared food, games, entertainment and stories.