[Galadriel: Luminare Academy of Arcane Arts]
"Are you certain of this, Headmaster?" Within the confines of the top-floor room, the headmaster's office, a concerned Professor Eudora directed her gaze at Headmaster Aleister as she posed her question.
"Come on, Elizabeth, why so formal? Just Aleister is fine when we're alone," the headmaster stated too casually, at least casually enough that rumors might have spread had others heard his words. She sighed as she spoke.
"Headmaster Aleister, Ruby and William, I can understand to some extent. Ruby, while rather uncouth, has a talent for complex magic. Her skills in healing, teleportation, and, as unsavory as it is, hexes are one in a million. Someone like her would no doubt be a very large asset if we train her properly," she started. "William, while he pales in comparison to his sister, has a natural talent for all types of magic. We might be able to improve him, but that all depends on him. But I must ask, are we really going to send them to the Festival?" Aleister hummed.
"Me and James discussed it. Barring those already selected for the curriculum, Ruby and William held the most talent, even among their older peers," Aleister explained. "Though I would have liked to have a full team for the Festival, seeing as this will be the last. Alas, Ruby and William aren't improving fast enough. Though perhaps they can improve some more and surprise me."
"So we exclude them from the Festival?" Professor Eudora surmised, as Aleister nodded his head. "But what about him?" she questioned.
"Adrian Graves, huh?" Aleister rubbed his chin as if in deep thought. "He is a must. His unique talents make him as useful as Lucinda, and since he's a third year, he definitely has the experience."
"But still..." Professor Eudora frowned. "Must we include someone like that in something as sacred as the Festival?"
"If we want a guaranteed victory, then yes," Aleister stated. "We have to pull out all the stops if we want to succeed." Aleister spoke with a glint in his eyes. "Of course, if it weren't for my curse, I'd be fighting too," he said with a sigh.
"Knowing you, Aleister, you would fight even with it," Professor Eudora surmised.
"Ha! You know me so well. Alas, worry not, I won't go about fooling around," the man informed. "Besides, I have too much paperwork," he half whined.
"You're not a child, Aleister, so try not to complain," the headmaster just shrugged as she continued. "Though with that being said, those children's training is progressing at a steady pace. However, most professors here at the Academy are not fit to improve their combat prowess, safe for me, Alexander, and Melisande."
"True," Aleister agreed. "I would like to train with them myself, but as a spawn of Aragorn, the aspects I gained are not fit for training. But I suppose I can call in a favor. I doubt we can get Guinevere here again; she is no doubt too busy as the court mage," he hummed in thought.
"Aleister, though the training of these children is important, why is it that you saw fit to include young Juliana?" She could not help but ask. "Her situation is sensitive. You are not seeking to include her in the festival, right?"
"Of course not," Aleister denied. "As a spawn of the Demon God, we'd be branded heretics for including her."
"Then why train her?" Professor Eudora questioned.
"Hmm, you'll soon see. Patience, Elizabeth." At that, Professor Eudora could not help but sigh.
("Aleister, you and your secrets.")
-------------------
[Verdantis: Briarwick]
Mirabella sighed as she leaned her head on her hand while back at the inn, which was now slightly empty. She was seated at a table along with Lucinda, Fiona, and Victoria. She had partnered up with Fiona, while Victoria and Lucinda were made a duo. Professor Eugene remained alone, while Agatha was partnered up with that masked bastard.
"So far, Victoria and I had not seen anything suspicious east of the town," Lucinda was the first to speak. "It was only a few Astrothians we ran into, nothing that suggested cultist activity."
"Same with us," Fiona spoke. "We looked into various caves and other places that might have served as a hideout, but they yielded naught."
"I must say, though..." Victoria started. "Agatha looked rather disturbed when she and Mikoto returned."
"It could be possible they came across something. It's probably why Professor Eugene and Mikoto are conversing in his room," Lucinda stated.
"What the hell could they have seen?" Mirabella questioned. "It must've been some disturbing shit." Agatha usually just held the same expression most of the time; not much bothered the girl. Yet, like Victoria said, she looked disturbed, horrified even. Just what did she see?
"Here you go!" The girls snapped out of their thoughtful looks as little Lily set a tray of hot coffee and treats on their table.
"Thank you, dear," Victoria spoke with a smile as she took a cup. Though she preferred tea, she supposed she could make an exception.
"You're a lifesaver, Lily. I could use some coffee," Fiona stated as the small girl gave a toothy smile.
"Thank you, Lily. Now remember, just don't forget about your other chores," Lucinda spoke as Lily rapidly nodded her head.
"Thanks, kid," Mirabella mumbled as she took the cup, though she did notice how the smaller girl was looking at her starry-eyed. "Uuh, is something wrong?" The princess could not help but question.
"Is it true!?" The girl asked with barely concealed enthusiasm, causing Mirabella to look at her with even more confusion. "Lucinda said you were a princess. Is it true!?" Mirabella blinked in confusion as she looked at the aforementioned girl, who just gave her a sheepish smile. So reluctantly, she nodded her head to Lily's question.
"So cool!" The girl exclaimed. "Do you live in a castle? Can you eat whatever you want? Do you get a lot of cake? Can you do anything you want? Did you ever go to a ball? I have to know!"
"Uhm...." Feeling overwhelmed by the train of questions, she did not quite know how to respond. Though she did hear the giggling of her companions, who no doubt found her flustering state amusing.
"I'm sure Mirabella will love to answer all your questions later. For now, maybe prepare yourself so I can teach you some small magic's," Lucinda quickly came to the rescue.
"Really!?" Lily asked excitedly.
"Really," Lucinda confirmed.
"Then I'll get Zavier. Bye-bye!" Without another word, the girl all but bolted away. The girls could not help but smile at the young girl's enthusiasm.
"So cute to see you all flustered, princess." Victoria teased.
"I wasn't flustered!"
--------------------
Meanwhile, in Professor Eugene's room, the atmosphere was more quiet. The man was seated on a chair near a wooden desk in his room. Said room consisted of a simple bed and wardrobe, along with the chair and desk he was using.
Professor Eugene sipped on a cup of coffee before placing it back on the desk. He directed his gaze at the other occupant of the room. Leaned against the walls a meter from him stood Mikoto, arms folded and, as always, his expression hidden behind his mask.
"How many?" Professor Eugene spoke.
"Twenty," Mikoto answered.
"Hmm, how large was the village?"
"Not too big, but I think more than twenty people lived there," Mikoto stated. Professor Eugene nodded his head.
"Indeed, either the remaining few escaped or were captured by those responsible," Professor Eugene surmised.
"Was it those cultists?" Mikoto questioned.
"It is possible. They may have been taken as sacrifices."
"Tch, bunch of psychos," Mikoto snarled. "If it was them, did they honestly kill men, women, and children for something as stupid as appeasing the dragons they worship so much?"
"I would not try to think of what goes through the heads of such heretics," Professor Eugene said. "But Mikoto, are you sure you wish to continue this mission?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"What you saw was something no child should experience," Professor Eugene sighed as he slightly bowed his head. "I apologize as well. You and Agatha witnessed that because of my negligence. There is no shame if any of you back down."
"It's fine, Professor," Mikoto just waved him off. "I won't lie and say I wasn't affected by what I saw, but I'm used to seeing corpses."
"I see," Professor Eugene merely held an unreadable expression. "Nonetheless, if it was the Drah'lurahr Cult, then we must act quickly, lest other smaller towns suffer the same fate."
"Agreed, though there is still one thing."
"What is it?" Professor Eugene questioned.
"Back at that village, at least fifteen people died due to that fire," Mikoto stated as Professor Eugene's eyes narrowed. "The five other corpses were killed by a scorching projectile. I assumed it was magic, but there were no mana residuals."
"A weapon then?" Professor Eugene questioned.
"My thoughts too. But that's all. I'll be going." Mikoto moved past Professor Eugene and exited the room.
The professor merely watched him leave as he remained thoughtful.
("Mikoto, with each passing moment, you grow more mysterious. I have no clue what you are thinking of or what your goal might be. It is clear you hold little trust for those around you. But what kind of person are you really?")