[4th of May 2064]

[This recording is a personal reference made by Lucidia of Berendin. It recalls the night Lucas Moriarty was intended to undergo the Trial of the Crimson Hall, which had to be rescheduled due to an unexpected illness befalling The Supreme Judge.]

[Note: The appropriate dress-code for Seers meeting unauthorised human contacts is implemented at all times (mask, full-body attire, gloves, ect).]

LUCIDIA

…Dearest, you’re in no condition to hold a trial right now.

EDMUND

I concur. You look like you can barely stand up straight.

MEZIL

All will be fine after some medication. Besides won’t my health be bolstered when I enter The Crimson Hall? I see no reason why I should stay ill in a digital recreation…

LUCIDIA

You know The Jury won’t accept the results once they notice you’re not at your best. Please rest.

MEZIL

What about the boy? How is he holding out?

LUCIDIA

From what I can tell, his mental state leaves much to be desired. ‘Traumatised’ is an apt description.

EDMUND

Yeah, it’s quite disheartening to see him hit upon this low-point. It was ‘I’m a bomb waiting to go off’ on the car ride over here. And ‘Judge Thyme would shoot me dead for what I did’ after he learned where we’re heading.

[Mezil winces from a sudden jolt of pain. It’s as if the words physically hurt him.]

MEZIL

…What do people take me for? The circumstances warrant nothing of the sort. The more I hear about Lucas’ case, the more this Trial sounds like a doctor’s appointment than the usual boss fight. …For the both of us.

EDMUND

Ah, well, you know how my son Art is. The boy’s father always did paint the Magi as a cult of demon worshippers. I think he never quite accepted that the cousin he grew up with just up and left for the world of magic.

MEZIL

Why am I not surprised? …Though it is true that I had left him behind. I took his advice to become an accountant -- to have a ‘real job’ -- only to betray his exceptions a few months later by becoming The Supreme Judge overnight.

Either way, Art definitely left Lucas with some rather unfortunate impressions of us.

EDMUND

As you can imagine, he has had trouble relaxing ever since that whole mess happened. An extended preparation period would at least convince him that no one here is out to do him undue harm. He’s always been a little… imaginative with his anxieties, as much as he keeps them to himself.

LUCIDIA

Suggestion: give me time to research your candidate’s history and character. This would allow the trial to be fine-tuned to exact specifications, raising the likelihood of you two reaching an understanding in the near future.

EDMUND

Exactly. Better to have you both well-rested and on the ball for this one. I can’t see any pressing reasons to rush into things given your current state.

MEZIL

I suppose you have a point…

EDMUND

You’d do well to be less stubborn sometimes. If not for Lady Lucidia, you would’ve tried replacing sleep with caffeine and determination when you first took this job nineteen years ago…

MEZIL

I-I’m not that careless!

[Another jolt of pain strikes Mezil Thyme, worse than the last.]

MEZIL

Ugh, excuse me. I need to go again.

EDMUND

Go ahead. I’ll be there shortly.

LUCIDIA

Uncle Edmund, in my husband’s absence, I will show Lucas to his room for the night.

EDMUND

Thank you kindly. I’m gonna go make sure Mez is alright. Unless anything else needs my immediate attention?

LUCIDIA

Please don’t trouble yourself. You’re a guest of the household, and so House Berendin shall handle all matters of hospitality.

EDMUND

Very well. All the best to you… And I hope my nephew and grandson can both pull themselves together by tomorrow. Don’t think either of them are enjoying the forced wait.

LUCIDIA

Agreed. I shall go attend to your grandson now.

[Lucidia picks up Lucas Moriarty at the foyer and leads him to his guest room.]

LUCIDIA

…Amenities are indicated with signboards. Here is the manor map should you require it. Do you have any specific food allergies?

LUCAS

Ahh… If I do, I haven’t run into any of them yet…

LUCIDIA

Data, recorded. Should we expect you for breakfast or for lunch? I lack information on your sleep cycle to make an accurate assessment.

[Lucas runs a hand through his hair, his gaze wandering all over.]

LUCAS

Guess that depends on whether my appetite comes back by then. Lately, I started feeling really… queasy.

LUCIDIA

In that case, a light meal is preferred for both breakfast or lunch. Data, recorded. Last but not least, do you need assistance falling or staying asleep? It is common for guests to not rest well in a foreign bed. Yourself permitting, I can cast a spell that relaxes The Psychia and triggers relevant hormones within your body.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

LUCAS

…Uh… I think if I said no, I’d be up the whole night.

LUCIDIA

Hmm… Acknowledged. Please prepare yourself for bed. I will fetch some first-aid equipment in the meantime.

LUCAS

Alright, uh, thank you, Ma’am.

[Lucidia leaves Lucas alone to retrieve medical supplies. The Chronograph’s focus is maintained on subject Lucas Moriarty. Lost in thought, he stands around in a daze.]

LUCAS

…The bloody fuck were you thinking, genius?

[He shakes his head and drags a hand across his forehead. After that, he let out a loud, frustrated grunt.]

LUCAS

Oh wait, that’s right, you didn’t think. You let your emotions get the better of you. Outdid your worst screw-ups in the heat of the moment. Care to dig your grave any deeper?

Ugh, guess I gotta get ready for bedtime.

[Shuffling to the closet, he continues to mutter to himself even after he kicks off his shoes and removes his jacket. His hands tremble as he takes a clothes hanger from the closet. After slipping his jacket on it, he accidentally slams the hook against the bar. A red symbol flashes in the shape of a spiral, followed by the rest of the clothes hangers beginning to float out of the closet.]

LUCAS

Oh no. No no no no no no no! We’re not doing this again. Get back in there, dammit!

[The once floating hangers rush back into the compartment. The door then slams shut in his face. Frightened by the sudden change in movement, Lucas carefully steps away from the closet.]

LUCAS

What… what the fuck?! What even am I? Maybe if would've been better for everyone if I had just let myself get taken away--

[Lucas cuts off his own words. Huddling himself, he paces around in circles, afraid of touching anything. Without anything else to occupy him, he eventually drifts to the nearest window. The view of the city catches his eye for a moment, but soon he becomes more interested in the mansion itself. He cranes his neck out to get a better look.]

LUCAS

…The place looks like a clever mash-up of past and present architectural styles. Don’t know how it didn’t become a mess in the process, like how half of every other renovated building looks.

Wonder if they got a picture of the looks on the crew’s faces when they were told they had to lift this whole mansion onto a skyscraper without breaking anything…

Unless…

[Gazing at the palm of his own hand, Lucas ponders.]

LUCAS

…They flew the whole thing up here instead? Is that even possible?

No way. I don’t believe it for a second. This place is massive. According to the laws of physics, weight is exponential relative to scale.

Damn. What a day. One moment I’m minding my own business at the mall, the next I’m in this posh sky mansion belonging to a bigwig mage uncle I barely know…

[Lucidia returns with the first-aid kit soon after.]

LUCIDIA

I believe it’s been a while since you’ve had a change of dressings. I would like to clean and bind your wounds now.

Oh? You have not prepared for bed yet. Is there something wrong? Were you unable to find the necessary tools?

LUCAS

Ah, Aunt Lucidia, you’re back. It’s nothing. I… I was just distracted by the crazy view outside.

Nevermind me. How’s, uh… Is Uncle Mezil feeling any better?

LUCIDIA

At this stage of symptoms, I don’t expect him to feel better until tomorrow. And even then, he would be exhausted from the ordeal. I’ve tentatively arranged your appointment for the day after. I apologise for the unexpected delay.

Though, Judge Thyme does remain interested in speaking to you in person as soon as possible. As your uncle and not as The Supreme Judge.

LUCAS

I don’t mind the extra day or two. It’s… Well… I figured Grandpa Ed already told you all about it. He tends to know some people better than they know themselves.

[Lucidia blinks in slight confusion.]

LUCIDIA

Pardon, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. Requesting clarification, if possible?

LUCAS

Um… Nevermind. Forget I said anything. Is the police going to question me tomorrow?

LUCIDIA

Regarding the incident, The Magus Association is discussing matters with the police as we speak. I would ask you to leave the case to us.

LUCAS

…Right. I, uh, I think your people can handle it better than any legal counsel my family could’ve hired, let alone me.

LUCIDIA

I thank you for your cooperation. Excuse me, your change of dressings is getting more and more overdue.

LUCAS

Oh sure. Uhm… G-go ahead. I guess…

LUCIDIA

Hmm… Perhaps this is the best course of action.

[Aware of his continued skittishness, Lucidia chooses to perform the whole task strictly with telekinesis, starting with the removal of obstructive clothing. She then discards the old dressings, cleans the wounds, and wraps them up with fresh bandages.]

LUCIDIA

And it’s done.

LUCAS

Thanks. Wow. You made everything seem so clean and effortless.

…Are you a nurse? A mage nurse???

LUCIDIA

Hehe, not originally. Let’s say my husband’s misadventures made it compulsory for me to learn certain essential skills.

LUCAS

I… A-heh, I don’t think I’d have dared changing these myself, unless I wanted even more injuries to take home with me. If you, uh, get what I mean…

[Through his own reminder, Lucas’ attempt to act mirthful falls flat on its face.]

LUCAS

…Sorry, I’m really not making myself clear, am I?

LUCIDIA

I do not recommend replicating what I just did without adequate training.

Please know that I understand what you’re going through. Truly. My own magic escalated at an abrupt rate when I was eight years old. Since Blue is my strongest Aspect, everything around me would float, fly, and collide into each other. It’s very much like what you went through today.

After that, I was afraid of everything. Any objects. The walls. The floor. My loved ones. Myself. I so desperately wanted someone to hug me, yet I feared that they would be crushed upon a single touch.

It was my birth father who taught me not to fear my magic. Instead, he taught me to control it, like how you would use any other limb on your body. Eventually telekinesis became a part of my daily life.

Every day in day out, professionals perform tasks that other adults would struggle with. That is because they’ve mastered them through repeated practice and application.

LUCAS

I… I see. Sounds like I need a teacher, huh?

LUCIDIA

I could give you some magic lessons tomorrow.

LUCAS

That means you’re sure of it then? Well… If you think we can train safely. I don’t want to have a repeat of… whatever’s left of that store, you know?

LUCIDIA

I am certain, as the lessons will be compulsory for your own safety. We can start after breakfast. But first…

[Lucidia lifts Lucas with the power of telekinesis, hovering him slightly above ground. Unbeknownst to the lad, she activates her Eyes to scan him.]

LUCIDIA

As I have suspected, you have not yet brushed your teeth. I cannot send you to bed without completing your dental regiment.

LUCAS

Wha?! It’s just one night, I’ll be fine!

LUCIDIA

Request denied. The care of your irreplaceable and impeccable adult teeth is of critical importance. Since you are afraid of doing anything while your magic remains unstable, I insist on providing direct assistance.

[Lucidia gets her way to clean up Lucas. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, and changing him into a pair of guest pyjamas, he is tucked into bed. She then uses magic to put Lucas to a sound sleep. After he dozes off, she scans him one last time to make sure his vitals were not deregulated in the process. She then leaves the room as quietly as she could, taking the wastebasket along with her.]

[After properly disposing of Lucas’ old dressings and returning her medical supplies to storage, Lucidia approaches the restroom where Mezil is at. Edmund waits outside while Mezil continues to toil behind closed doors.]

LUCIDIA

Uncle Edmund, Lucas has fallen fast asleep. He should be able to rest for the night.

EDMUND

That’s good. Lord Almighty knows the boy needs it.

LUCIDIA

Mezzy, are you alright?

MEZIL

…Nothing out of the ordinary. Anyways, any updates? Hnnng!

EDMUND

You know, why don’t you concentrate on the toilet business first?

MEZIL

I’m fine enough to listen, thank you very much.

LUCIDIA

I have confirmed his Aspects. Major: Red. Minor 1: Blue. Minor 2: Cyan.

In addition, Lucas has agreed to let me teach him the basics of telekinesis starting tomorrow. A mix of practical and theoretical courses should serve him well, preventing accidental activations going forward.

MEZIL

I… Hnngh… think that’s an excellent idea. Thoughts, Uncle Edmund?

EDMUND

It’s a sound plan. After all, he’s been taking his newfound abilities seriously enough. Best to have him get a feel for his abilities in a controlled environment. Also, I do say it’s quite intriguing how he’s expressed more of an interest in honing his skills, rather than wanting them locked away.

LUCIDIA

Query: How did Lucas’ parents manage to hide a Red right under our noses? A fully-grown adult in the line of Winston, I should add.

The Magus Association cooperates with public and private schooling to scout for potential candidates, especially those with a Red Psychia, therefore he should have shown up on our radar years ago. Unless… he’s been homeschooled his entire life?

I hypothesise this has to be a conscious and deliberate attempt to conceal his existence. Do you agree?

MEZIL

What were their jobs again? I remember Art was pursuing a career in information technology. Did he stay in that field?

EDMUND

Stayed? Went deep, more like it. His company probably made the security features on your phone. Bet his wife coded them too.

[Mezil groans even harder from beyond the toilet door.]

LUCIDIA

I see. Then, their professions and expertise match my hypothesis. They have protected the identities of their children exceptionally well.

MEZIL

And it worked until the proverbial bomb went off. Lucidia, could you arrange a Psychia testing appointment for Lucas’ siblings? As you know, this power is often hereditary. If their brother is a Red Major, there’s a high chance they’re Red Minors at the very least.

EDMUND

If I may interject? I’m wondering if you should push for Lucas’ cousins to have earlier testing appointments as well. Just to make sure that they didn’t all inherit that from me.

MEZIL

Good point. …I sincerely hope they’re not all Reds. It’s a power too great to bear, especially in this day and age.

EDMUND

It’s certainly a far cry from when I first stepped into that Crimson Hall…

LUCIDIA

Acknowledged. I shall make the necessary arrangements. What will be the next course of action should the parents refuse to cooperate?

MEZIL

Then I will drag Art in by the ears. Personally.

EDMUND

No. You’ll get one ear, and I’ll take the other.

MEZIL

A fine deal. Nnnargh--!

[Mezil’s suffering on the ceramic throne intensifies.]

LUCIDIA

…Dearest, you’re in no condition to pull anyone’s ears.

EDMUND

I concur.

[END TRANSCRIPT]