[I have new rules!] Void bellowed, his face contorted in disgust as he frantically wiped away the remnants of slimy substances from his body.
[You are never to put me in a slime, or anything that looks like a slime, or that deliberately covers itself in mud for fun…]
"That's a lot of rules," Octavius pointed out, interrupting Void's tirade.
[Is it?] Void shot back. [How about you be the one entering mammals while I stay ten feet away from you as you're doing?]
Indeed Octavius stayed ten feet away, keeping a safe distance from Void's slime-covered form. Earlier, he had instructed Void to enter one of the creatures - a slime that inhabited the nearby swamp. It was the only available option, given the strict orders from the Wysteria authorities, forbidding anyone from leaving their homes. The highest authorities had issued the decree, and compliance was mandatory.
Octavius had a nagging feeling that the authorities' actions were somehow connected to the incident involving the men who had posed a threat to them (himself and Void). He found it increasingly strange and had good reason to suspect that a sinister conspiracy was indeed brewing against his family from someone in the council.
It only summed up the reason why whenever something went awry, people were quick to assume it was the work of evil entities - and, more often than not, they laid the blame squarely at his family's doorstep.
No one would typically make such deep assumptions or judgments about another person unless they shared a close bond or felt an intense animosity towards them. Now he just needed to find out who and why. And why they were trying to frame it on Thorne and his family.
If something sinister was happening in Wysteria, he was going to stop it and make whoever that has plotted hard to make his family take the blame, pay.
"Maybe we should just stop," Octavius said finally, as he observed a flower. "This isn't going to work. It won't work or get us anywhere, let alone the academy." He paused, thinking aloud. "I'll figure something else out. Maybe start shooting arrows... or—"
But before he could continue, a feminine voice cut in. "Don't do that."
Void's eyes, which had been focused on extracting a sticky substance from his ears, snapped up in delight as he heard and caught sight of Amy. A wide grin spread across his face, and he forgot all about his slimy predicament.
Amy strode over to where Octavius was standing, her arms folded across her chest.
Octavius wondered if she had overheard him talking to himself and was about to question him. But instead, she nodded toward the nearby flowers.
"Don't pluck at them, It took me a while to grow them."
Octavius hadn't had any intention of touching the flowers in the first place, but he nodded reluctantly, not wanting to waste time debating the point.
He figured it was easier to just acknowledge her warning, rather than explaining his lack of interest and potentially sparking an unnecessary conversation. So, he simply nodded, and let the matter drop.
But she didn't plan to leave just yet.
"Why are you here anyway. Isn't this place too dirty for your kind? I heard you like neat spaces."
[That's very true, ] Void said with a big smile. appearing between Octavius and Amy, although she didn't acknowledge his presence, because she couldn't see him so she was oblivious to his sudden arrival.
"I've got limited mobility thanks to the decree," Octavius responded. "So I made do with it. End of story."
"At least you're not leveling the rude allegations,"
Void shook his head and waved his hands in a dismissive gesture. "No, no... let's stay on the pleasant track," he said, attempting to steer the conversation toward more agreeable topics.
Realizing she couldn't see him. He turned to Octavius. [Let me in. I know how to woo girls.]
Octavius was already slipping away, his gaze captivated by something else in the surroundings, not bothering to respond to Amy or Void.
Octavius's hand trailed along the wooden plate, his fingers tracing the multiple stab marks that cratered its surface. It was a detail he and Void had overlooked since their arrival.
Void appeared beside him. [If you keep acting like that, you're going to chase her away, ] he cautioned, his gaze directed toward Amy, who had been following reluctantly.
Amy, sensing the need to explain the state of the wood, spoke up.
"I was practicing for the Passage Rites," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness.
"You want to be in the Leviathan faction." It was more of a question than a statement.
Amy felt the need to clarify.
"Not exactly." she started. "I just practiced all because I want to fit in, so I don't look out of place or like a newbie if I am finally assigned to a fraction."
"How's your practice to apply for Talents going?" Amy asked, suddenly steering the conversation in a new direction.
Seeing how she was trying to start conversations with Octavius, Void told him, [On second thought, keep going – I like your technique.]
Octavius turned to Void, but to Amy, it seemed as though he was staring into space. "Terrible," he said, his voice deadpan. "The animals are refusing to succumb. I'm starting to think their main purpose is to make sure I don't get into the Academy."
Void scoffed in disbelief at the reference.
"Maybe you're going too hard on them," Amy reasoned.
Void turned to her, a hint of gratitude in his voice. [Thank you!] However, Amy didn't respond, still oblivious to his presence.
"I understand how the approaching Passage Rites might be causing you tension and making you expect quick results," Amy continued. "But maybe you should start by having fun with it."
Void's expression turned wry, and he whispered, [What? Don't tell him that—]
Octavius, however, turned to Amy, his interest piqued. "I'm listening."
"Try to enjoy the moment rather than expecting too many results and putting the creatures in distress," Amy said. "Maybe you should retrace your steps and start off with what you began with."
Void's eyes widened in dismay, and he whispered, [No…]
But Octavius countered, "Yes, that sounds like a good idea."
Void scoffed, knowing Octavius was purposely saying that to rouse him.
Amy continued, her words filled with conviction. "And whatever you do, see it through to the end. You can try other methods, but commit to them fully. You'll never know how far you'll go if you stop halfway or run away."
Void exhaled dreamily as he gazed at Amy, captivated by the words of encouragement she had offered Octavius. He turned to Octavius, a sly glint in his eye. [It's time to make your move, now that she's shown interest. Say—]
Octavius smiled charmingly at Amy and grasped her hands, his eyes locked on hers.
Void's eyes widened in alarm. [Oh... not too much now, ] he whispered, taken aback by Octavius's bold move.
But Octavius paid him no mind. "That meant a lot. I'm off to practice. I wish you well for your upcoming rites." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Amy looking stunned and Void frustrated.
[I said make a move... not move!] Void yelled after him in exasperation.
He turned to Amy and said. [There's no hope for him.] before bolting after Octavius.