Nocturnio (18.10.9973 AS)
“Are you ok?” a beautiful girl asked Erenesti who was lying next to the leftovers of a wall. “Yeah, kinda” He answered. The girl scanned the explosion site with her big black eyes. “Good” She said while putting on a smile on her full lips. “Do you know what happened here?”
Ernesti, who had been bewitched by the beauty of the fourteen years old looking girl finally, came back to his senses. “Abigail!” He shouted. The eyes of the girl wandered back to Ernesti. There were just signs of the once handsome boy’s face. His face was pale and full of dirt. Blood was pouring out of his thin nose.
“Who is Abigail?” The girl asked, taking out a tissue of her backpack. “My sister.” Ernesti tried to stop the bleeding with the tissue the girl had given him, while tears started to form in his big brown eyes. “My sisteh” He repeated over and over again.
“By Fors! Someone was in that building?” The girl shouted. She turned around waving her black hair she had bound in a pony and looked at the remains of the old training hall. It was impossible for someone to have survived that explosion. As she was turning around she saw a shadow in the dust the explosion had caused.
She ran towards the shadow. There she found Laura kneeling, trying to push away the rubble. “There is someone here under this” The exhausted Laura declared.
With the help of the girl they managed to excavate a body out of the rubble. Laura turned around fighting the urge to vomit. What they had excavated was Annemarie’s burned body. “She is still breathing, but still this looks bad” the girl mumbled while searching something in her backpack.
The girl took out a flask and opened. She poured the contents of the flask on Annemarie’s burned skin. The wounds slowly started to close. The girl had used a healing elixir. Against the common misconception healing elixirs not only worked after drinking them, but also when applied directly on the wound.
After realizing that the body she had found was Annemarie’s body, Laura had lost interest in it and again started to look for her friends. “Abby! Trist!” She called out again and again looking around, while tears welled up Laura’s green eyes.
The Principal suddenly landed in the middle of the remaining of the old training hall next to the crying Laura. “By Fors!” He was taken aback. “What on earth did cause this devastation?” He turned towards the crying Laura. He did put his hands on her shoulder. “What caused this?” He asked.
Laura stared for a few seconds into the cold black eyes of the principal. She hesitated about telling the truth. Then she took out the piece of paper Annemarie had given them this morning. As the principal was reading the contents of the paper Laura started to point towards Annemarie.
The principal walked towards the girl and Annemarie. “Sabrina, what are you doing here? I thought you knew this area is off limits for students.” The girl became pale as she saw the Principal’s intimidating face. “And shouldn’t you be getting ready for your first patrol?” Sabrina sighed trying to avoid answering his questions. “Ah, Gramps, nice that you are here! Could you help me tend this girl? I’ve already done everything I can to save her, but she still is in a life-threatening condition.”
The Principal stared at her and smiled too. “Oh, yeah, good job, but don’t even think you are out of it yet” He then channeled mana through his ring on his left hand and a green light enveloped Annemarie’s body. He used one healing spell after another. ‘I hope they arrive soon.’
After hearing the explosion he had told Miss Doctri to go and get Meddie. He had then activated his ‘Fly’ skill and hurried to the ruins.
Finally two women landed in next to him. “Meddie please, I’m no expert!” He pointed at the girl he had been trying to heal.
He showed the piece of paper he had gotten from Laura to Miss Doctri. “Fors damn me! How could I be so blind?” The principal put his hands on her shoulders. “More importantly, is this the only one of your students in that condition? If not, we will have to find them ASAP!”
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“Where are we?” Abigail asked Tristan again. ‘How should I answer that question? Should I tell her this is part of ‘Rüsten’ as an active? If this was the case ‘Rüsten’ wouldn’t be classified as the weakest active.’ The dumbfounded Tristan stared into Abigail’s brown eyes.
‘Why did she even ask such a question, in this situation no less? I knew it, I should have let her die in that explosion!’ Tristan closed his grey eyes.
‘Lately I have been relying way too much on this power. I wish I wouldn’t end up in situations where I have to use it. One thing is using it for the research or when it kicks in automatically, but it just feels wrong using it out of my free will.’
Abigail freed herself from Tristan’s hug and exhaled deeply to calm herself down. She wiped the tears from her red cheeks. She tried to stand up, but she couldn’t. One of Annemarie’s explosions had hurt her legs. She then sat down and inspected the unfamiliar room she was in with her big eyes.
“This room is creepy. There is no light source, but I can see everything clearly. And there is nothing but those weapons and us in this room, nothing but emptiness. Do you think Annemarie used an item to send us to another dimension?”
“I… I don’t think so…” Tristan brought out some words. He had used his passive to figure out if he should reveal his powers to Abigail and if yes to what extent.
“I brought you here.” He smiled wryly. “Promise me, promise me you won’t tell absolutely no one about this place.” Abigail looked confused. “Why?” –“Because… you know… We are friends…. So just promise it.” Again tears started to flow down Abigail’s red cheeks.
Abigail didn’t expect Tristan to call her a friend. She had never seen him as a friend. At best she had seen him as a rival, but not as a friend. “I promise!” She said causing Tristan to smile.
“You see ‘Rüsten’ isn’t really my active. My active is called ‘Gates’. This allows me to open gates at will that lead to other dimensions. I even got three dimensions that belong just to me!” Although, it went against his logic of hiding everything from everyone, his passive had advised him to tell Abigail everything.
“Why would you hide it?” -“That’s complicated. Long story short, I was chosen by the ‘gods’ to save this world.” Abigail looked in Tristan’s big greenish grey eyes. All she could see was earnestness. “You are serious aren’t you?” Tristan nodded and told her everything about his powers and its origins.
Abigail suddenly started to laugh out loud. She hadn’t been so amused since long. “I’m telling the truth. I promise!” Tristan reassured. “I know, I believe you, it’s just… Ever since I met you I’ve been trying to compete with you. I’ve been trying to surpass you! And now you tell me that I never will be able to surpass you!”
Abigail put on a sad expression. “You know, I really hated you… You see, ever since I met you I’ve hated you. I just couldn’t stand the fact that you are so nonchalant about your abilities. The fact that you saw them as given just drives me crazy. You know, this really made me hate you.”
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Abigail looked away. “And then you even came to save me. You did so, because you considered me your friend. Although, all I did is being mean to you… You even went so far as revealing your biggest secret to me. This is just so unfair! Why can’t you be a bad person? Why can’t you be someone worth hating?”
Abigail smiled bitterly. “But… You know, I won’t say sorry. I won’t apologize for being a bad person. No, I will even shamelessly ask… Even if it means I can’t surpass you… Please allow me to walk beside you. Please allow me to become your tool. Even if in the end, I probably will just end up in your way, please take me with you on this journey. Please lead me to new highs; please lead me to places no one has ever been.”
Tristan didn’t expect Abigail’s emotional outburst. But still he felt like a giant stone had been lifted from his shoulders. ‘It sure feels great having someone to talk to, but is this ok? I wonder if I could tell my secret to other people besides Abigail.’ As he was thinking about it, he got the feeling that it was a bad idea. Tristan smiled bitterly.
“Then from now on we are partners in crimes?” He asked Abigail. She answered with a bright smile. “But please keep it a secret from everyone, you can’t even tell Ernesti.” Abigail nodded.
Tristan petted her head. “I think we should get going or the others will start to worry.” He opened a gate and walked through with Abigail in a princess carry.
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Miss Doctri, and the Principal had found the unconscious bodies of Richard and Seria. They were now using their healing magic on them. “There should be two other students of mine, but we haven’t found them yet.” The principal nodded. “The five years old genius I have heard so much about, is under them right?” –“Yes.”
“Can you tell me what happened here?” Sabrina smiled at Laura. Laura wiped the tears from her rosy cheeks. “I’m Sabrina by the way, Sabrina Kuro from the final third year and a fresh military course member.” Sabrina introduced herself with a cheerful voice.
Laura glared at the black haired girl. How dare she? How could she act so cheerful after Laura’s friends had just died? “So? What happened?” –“None of your business.” Laura replied annoyed. “Come on, don’t be like that! I’m sure you’ll feel better if you talk to someone. So I will do you the favor and listen!” Sabrina smiled even brighter as before.
Laura just continued glaring at the girl. “So, you don’t want to talk about it? I guess it can’t be helped, but you know” She smiled even brighter.” Talking to others makes things so much easier to bear.”
-“BEEEEEEP”-
An ear-splitting noise echoed through the ruins.
-“BEEEEEEP”-
There was the sound again.
“What was that?” Laura mumbled holding her ears. Sabrina pointed towards her. “Your pockets, the sound is coming from your pocket.” Laura took out the item Tristan had given her before their attack on Annemarie’s gang.
-“BEEEEEEP”-
The item gave out the sound again. “Impossible. Trist said he would activate it only if when he had saved Abby!” Laura shouted. She stood up and started to search her surroundings with her blue eyes.
After a few seconds she finally spotted the shadow of someone carrying somebody. “See, you can be pretty cute when you smile” Sabrina pointed out, but Laura didn’t pay her any attention. The only thing she cared for now were her friends.
Laura ran towards them, but Miss Doctri had been faster. She was hugging the both of them with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! If I was just a better teacher! I’m so relieved you both are ok!” She continued sobbing and crying while hugging them. “Lina! We are the adults here! So, behave like one!” The Principal who had arrived second scolded Miss Doctri, but she didn’t care and continued hugging Tristan and Abigail.
Meanwhile Ernesti joined Laura. Both of them were standing a few meters away from Tristan and Abigail, still they waited patiently till the adults were done questioning them.
Nocturnio (21.10.9973 AS)
“They are finally gone?” Meddie walked into the room. “Negotiations with that Explo woman are always exhausting. Just because her sister is the wife of that poor boy she acts like she is Dunkler Schatten.” The principal looked annoyed.
“I bet she wouldn’t have the guts to come here if Lea wasn’t married to Laidir. Now I kinda feel sorry for that youngster. No wonder he searches for love everywhere else, but in his own bed.” Meddie knew the Principal would continue complaining till the next day if she didn’t do something against it.
“And what did she want?” The principal straightened his back. “She obviously wanted that her daughter continues going to school like nothing happened. She even offered two million ‘Kroten’ for the academy.”
Meddie’s eyes glowed “And you took the money of course, right? The university could use some new items and devices for the labs. I myself have my eyes set on some new items for the nurse’s office.” –“Of course I didn’t accept. Someone like her daughter shouldn’t be allowed to walk freely through our streets…”
The Principal looked out of the window. “And you see her daughter made the mistake of trying to harm my great grandson.” Meddie looked shocked at the old man. “Ares! I must totally disagree with your judgment! I know you are a family man, but the academy always needs money! Look at all the equipment we could buy!”
Ares smiled. “Do you really think I would say no to that much money?” Meddie looked confused. “You see, it would be bad for our school’s reputation if a spoiled brat like that continued staying after all that fuss she created. Thus, her powers will be sealed and she will be sent to a reformatory, where she will learn how to deal with her powers.”
“How is that different from what we usually do when the children misbehave?” Meddie asked. “You see, those children have their powers sealed for good. Even if they manage to better themselves, their powers stay sealed. Little Miss Explo on the other hand, will be able to regain her powers and be able to visit this school again if she behaves well.”
“I still don’t get how her mother did agree to that.” Meddie wondered. “Well her beloved daughter almost killed herself with her own magic, so everyone would agree to seal her powers.” Meddie nodded.
“She also wanted us to punish the five years olds responsible for her daughter’s mental breakdown. She wanted us to seal their powers too, at least until they are seven. But of course I didn’t agree with that even though she offered up to four million Kroten for that.” Meddie exhaled. “Four million Kroten? With that much money… We could-” –“Obviously I refused firmly this time.”
Ares looked at the breathless Meddie, who expected Ares to still have gotten the money after some negotiations. “This time I didn’t give her any room for negotiations. I promised Ray I would keep an eye on my great grandson.” Meddie looked sad. “But the money!” –“Money is important, but family even more, I can’t probably say no to my grandson, can’t I?” The sad Meddie looked like she wanted to say something, but decided against it.
Nocturnio (22.10.9973 AS)
Ever since said Monday Nana didn’t leave Tristan’s side. She would be always checking on him. She would walk with him and Laura to school, since her café, the Mitternacht was close to the academy. They would also walk home together. Tristan would always have to go to the café to meet up with her after school, while Laura went as usual shopping with Dolores. Therefore Tristan didn’t have any chance to progress with his item.
The annoyed Tristan was sitting alone in their classroom, as Abigail entered the room. She greeted him with a big smile and gave him a blueberry muffin. “Is Laura here?” she asked, looking around. “No, she told me Sabrina had something to discuss with her.” As he said that Miss Doctri entered the room and looked around. “Where is Laura” she looked concerned. “She is with Sabrina” Tristan answered. “Good.”Miss Doctri nodded with a smile.
Once Laura entered the room Miss Doctri clapped with her hands and said to her three present students. “It seems everybody who should be here, is here.”
After their fight in the ruins, the faculty had decided just to punish the aggressors. In this case Annemarie’s gang. Leo had been suspended for a whole month, because the teachers felt he was the one with the most common sense of the four.
Richard and Seria were both suspended for the rest of the semester. This meant they had to come unprepared to the semester exams. And they had no way of preparing for them, because their powers were sealed during their suspension.
Also, all three of them had to visit the school psychologist for the rest of the school year. If she felt they were in danger to misbehave again, they would be sent to a reformatory.
Annemarie had gotten the worst punishment of the four. Although, Meddie was a very experienced healer, she still couldn’t completely heal her: Burn scars still covered Annemarie’s body. Even her face was marked with scars. Her mother had contacted specialists from all over Umbra, but she had always received the same answer: “Maybe a Seraph can restore her face, but no Demon is capable of doing so.”
As if the lost of her beauty wasn’t punishment enough for her. The faculty had decided to seal her powers and to send her to a reformatory for an indefinite period of time.
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Since said Monday, the three of them did eat together during lunch again. “Do you guys have any plans for the vacation?” Abigail asked. “Mom didn’t tell me anything yet, so I assume not.” Laura answered, while Tristan bit his lips. “Me neither.” He forced a smile. He had planned to spend the whole month doing research for his item and maybe even finish a prototype. Now he felt his plans vanishing into thin air.
“Nice!” Abigail clapped her hands. “Daddy wanted to thank you guys for saving me, so he told me to invite you to spend the holidays with us.” She smiled. “Yesterday he sent a message to your parents explaining the details.”