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Evangeline tapped the desk with a single, well-manicured fingernail. “There are some slight issues with having you graduate early. Not something that can’t be overcome, but something we need to deal with.” She told Seraphiel. “Considering you can fight Kaede, you have the power and the skill required. I’d say you also have more than enough knowledge, even if you don’t know every detail of the curriculum. On certain subjects, you know more than our instructors. I’d even say I’m fine with you skipping all the tests between your current grade and the final exam required for graduation, although that’s pushing things quite a bit.”
“So, what is the issue?” Seraphiel asked, adjusting herself to a more relaxed position in the plush chair, while sipping on a glass of wine. She was automatically adopting her old mannerisms.
She was still getting used to the growth her body had gone through. Considering her current form was closer to her real body, the adjustment wasn’t that hard, but the change had been rather sudden, and she’d spent many years as a child and teen. She'd even spent time as a Draenei, and being back as an Angel, of sorts, also required an adjustment. Even minor things like the length of her fingers made a difference in most things for someone who was used to perfectly controlling her body, not to mention larger things like the distribution of her weight. The adjustment wasn't a matter of days, but weeks and months. In many ways, it was harder to adjust to the physical change than adjusting to the sudden changes in her stats. Having more Strength didn’t affect her reach after all.
“Two things really. Even if you can fight Kaede equally, your level is a bit on the low side for graduation. You can dispel that issue with a public show of force, which we can arrange relatively easily. The main problem, however, is the lack of Pactio.” Evan mentioned the system Mahora was famous for. “Most things can be waved away, but our Academy is known for the Pactio system, as it is the cornerstone of our ideal to foster teamwork. Usually those who graduate, do so in full teams, with several Pactio pairs working together.”
Pactio was a magical bond that was originally created to bind a Knight and a Mage together. The Knight would gain an improvement to their physical abilities by borrowing the Mage’s mana and gaining a unique ability or tool, while the Mage would gain a partner to protect them while they were casting spells. The system had evolved a lot since the original, as not all Mages needed protectors, and not all Knights were protectors, but the original theory of a symbiotic relationship still remained. The Pactio wasn’t limited to between Knights and Mages anymore either, although that was still the most common form it took.
Seraphiel had had very little contact with Mage-track students in general, aside from those who had worked on a team with her, not to mention those who might be about to graduate. It was also a fact that most such pairs formed long before graduation, and the pair would train together for years before applying for graduation. "Is this really mandatory?" She asked with a frown.
"We've waived the requirements in some cases if one half of an established pair has an accident, the pair's relationship sours just before graduation, or if someone has a very obvious partnership waiting outside Mahora." Chachamaru, who was sitting in on the conversation stated. Pactios were often a rather intimate affair, and required a lot from a relationship, often turning romantic, though not always.
Eva continued. “It would be hard to waive the requirement considering we’re already waiving so many others in your case. If you’re an exception to all our requirements, that’s going to set a really bad precedent. You entering a Pactio would show that you’re still abiding by the most important rules here.”
"Well, this is a bit of a pickle then. I'm sure I could lure another student to enter a Pactio with me, but finding one who's about to graduate would be more difficult. Not to mention that they'd soon be left behind, as I'd outpace them with my growth speed." Seraphiel wasn't going to uphold false modesty at a point like this.
“All three things are true.” Eva nodded. “And I’d like to add that luring another student under false pretense would not be approved. Broken Pactios place a rather large burden on the body and soul. You could probably handle it just fine, but a normal student? Less likely. It would stifle their growth for a time. Even if you could most likely charm a student into thinking it a fair trade, I wouldn’t allow it.”
“So basically, you want me to enter a Pactio, but I’m not really allowed to enter one.” Seraphiel summarized. “Does it need to be a student? You mentioned an exception if there was an obvious partner waiting outside Mahora.”
“Theoretically no. That exception usually applies to people who are engaged or married to someone outside the academy. Or something similar.” Chachamaru interjected again. “Although, faculty are not allowed. So, no Kaede, even if she was willing. They would have to be around you power-wise to be approved though.”
“I may have some ideas outside.” Seraphiel tapped the stem of the glass against the chair.
Shepard was an obvious possibility, although their difference in power and levels was still too large. Even if the difference between Shepard and Kaede in levels was smaller than the difference between Kaede and Seraphiel, Shepard was still a Champion and a relatively strong one at that. As Seraphiel had shown, levels weren’t everything. Shepard also wasn’t the only possibility. With Rangiku’s recent visit, several possibilities from the Soul Society came to mind. Yoruichi was the most obvious example, although there too a power gap existed. Even Rangiku was a possibility, although that would make the relationship between them a bit weird. She’d been almost a mother figure for Rangiku for centuries.
“I’m sure you do. And it doesn’t need to happen now. Simply before you graduate.” Eva added. “I was under the impression that you weren’t necessarily in a rush.”
“Indeed. There are quite a few things that need to be arranged before that. I’ve warmed up to the idea Kaede had about a mercenary group, but for that to work, we need more than just a handful of people. We need resources, funding, transportation, and equipment, just to name the most obvious. Heck, I’m still using borrowed armor.” Seraphiel grunted while fiddling with a strap of her armor.
“I seem to remember you had an Armor Skill from your Paladin Class that kind of solved that last issue?” Eva asked.
“Eh, [Sanctity of the Firstborn], kind of. It means I could fight in my undies if I have to, but it’s not optimal. Also, I’d rather not.” She shrugged in response. “Anyway. We need to reach out to some contacts to maybe secure some funding. I know Shepard’s people might be interested in providing some things if we help them with their Tyranid issue.”
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“I believe there will be no shortage of buyers for decent mercenary companies willing to provide their services. Your issue with funds would be mostly solved once you complete your first contract, although the fact that there’s only three of you currently might be a bit of an issue.” Eva suggested before looking up. “Is there more than three?”
“Not currently and even Tatsumiya isn’t completely certain yet, though I’m not entirely certain who else Kaede has managed to convince," Seraphiel admitted. "My Shinigami friend might convince others to join us, but that's not something that would happen immediately. Their kind tend to work at a glacial pace. Similar to some Elves I know.”
“On the other hand, even I’ve heard of the Soul Society. They’re a sort of a mercenary problem-solving group as well.” Eva stated thoughtfully. “I suppose transportation will be your biggest issue to begin with.”
"Yeah, taking the magical equivalent of the bus isn't great advertisement for a mercenary group," Seraphiel grumbled.
"Master," Chachamaru interjected. "I would like to join this venture as well. I believe my administrative abilities would be quite useful, even if my combat abilities are not as up to the task."
That seemed to catch Eva by surprise, but she seemed to take it well. “I’m not opposed. Your sister Chachazero would be able to take your place as my assistant.” Eva had supported Chachamaru’s independence even in the past, so it wasn’t surprising she continued to do so.
“Wasn’t Chachazero a murderous and psychopathic version of Chachamaru?” Seraphiel asked with a frown.
“Basically.” Evangeline just shrugged uncaringly.
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The barracks of the First Division served as the command center of the Soul Society East. That was because the Captain of the First Division also served as the Captain-Commander, the nominal leader of the military forces of Soul Society East. The thirteen court guard divisions were not the only force in Soul Society East, but they were the most important one. Located at the heart of Seireitei, the city at the center of Soul Society, this barracks was the place where most of the large issues were negotiated and resolved.
There had been a civilian government in charge in the past before Seraphiel had dissolved it due to corruption problems.
The old Captain-Commander Yamamoto was the only person sitting, while the other twelve Captains were lined up six per side in numerical order, their Lieutenants standing behind each Captain. All the Shinigami wore the standard black Shihakushō uniform, though the Captains also wore white Captain's haori, a sort of a loose, long jacket, with the number of their division in the back. That's where the similarities ended, as otherwise, the group was a very eclectic gathering of individuals.
Old Yama knocked his cane against the floor to mark the meeting open. “Report.” He ordered simply, leaving the order of reports to the discretion of the gathered officers.
The first to step forward was a gorgeous purple-haired woman with chocolate skin and an easy grin. “Reporting. We’ve received several job offers in the last two months. When I say several, I mean tens of times more than usual. I’ve had the offers checked and they all seem genuine. This universe is reaching a period of turmoil, and the need for strong armed forces is high. I’ve also kept an eye on the other Soul Societies, and even North seems to be quiet at the moment.” The woman had the number 2 on her back. As the leader of both the 2nd Division and the Onmitsukidō, or the special forces and covert ops of the Soul Society, gathering information was her specialty. “Suì-Fēng here just returned from the area controlled by North, and they're gathering forces and establishing a stronger hold on their new conquests." She gestured vaguely at the stern-faced Lieutenant standing behind her.
“It seems even North recognizes the odd circumstances facing us currently.” A Captain wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a flower-decorated pink cape commented with a relaxed tone.
“I believe they’re running into the same problems we are.” The captain of the 12th Division, often referred to as the R&D Division, stated. The dirty-blonde and lazily dressed man stated. “Eventually, it’s going to be hard to train new Shinigami when the afterlife system of this universe works so differently from ours.” The man also looked perpetually tired and sleepy.
The Shinigami, or Soul Reapers, were, at their base, people who had died and been sent to the Soul Society themselves. They were spirits of the dead, whose original job was to function as psychopomps and to maintain the balance between the living and the dead. They also eradicated threats to both the living and the dead in the form of Hollows. As the afterlife system in this new universe worked very differently from their old universe, their role as psychopomps had been taken from them.
The blonde Captain of R&D continued. "As the Captain of the 4th Division can no doubt confirm, we essentially became living people when we transferred to this universe, though not in the same way as most people of this universe. While we may look Human, we are not. We are still spiritual beings. That means we have to approach things a little differently.”
The Captain of the 4th Division was a very motherly figure with her long hair in a thick braid tied in front of her, instead of her back. “Captain Urahara is correct. Almost all of our old techniques meant to heal and affect only spiritual beings still work. That said, if we want more Shinigami, we need to get them the old-fashioned way. We also need to limit casualties.”
Even in the past, the souls in Soul Society were capable of procreating, although they tended to do so more rarely as they aged much slower. "Another issue is that now all the souls in Soul Society need sustenance because all of them are considered spiritually active due to the System." The female Captain continued. In the past, only the Shinigami needed to eat because they were the only ones with any spiritual power, the maintenance of which required sustenance.
“Well, it’s a good thing someone rammed through all those reforms back then.” The relaxed Captain in a pink cape commented. “Otherwise we’d be facing a lot of starving people right about now.”
Back when she'd been a Captain, and eventually Captain-Commander, Seraphiel had forced several reforms that increased the general wealth of the otherwise impoverished souls outside Seireitei. Most of the souls lived in the four segments of what was known as the Rukonkai. The further away you went from the Seireitei and into Rukonkai, the more impoverished and lawless the area became. Or that's how it used to be. Now, two of the Divisions were primarily focused on patrolling the Rukonkai to maintain law and order, while most of the more sparsely populated areas had been turned into farmland. The funny thing about Soul Society was that it was as large as was needed. So, if they needed twice the area for massive farming projects, that could be done. That simply meant more area to protect from Hollows. Incidentally, that had meant more training for the Shinigami and a large increase in their numbers.
"Someone else claimed those reforms were indulgent and a waste of resources." Another Captain with snow white hair added, smiling a bit towards the Captain-Commander, clearly teasing the old man. Only he and the pink-caped Captain were able to tease the old man due to their long shared history.
“They were until we came here.” Old-man Yama grunted gruffly, before relenting. “Although I will admit they worked to improve things even before.”
“There might of course be other ways to get more Shinigami.” The head of R&D interjected, keeping things on topic. “We did get a report of a new Zanpakutō spirit from Ōetsu Nimaya.”
The youngest among the Captains, another white-haired Captain who looked like a late teen stepped forward and spoke in a cold and emotionless voice. “I sent my Lieutenant to investigate as instructed, and she recently returned. She didn’t even want to share her report with me, preferring to wait for this meeting.”
"Oh? Now I'm intrigued." The purple-haired woman smiled invitingly at Rangiku.
“Reporting! I traveled to the source of the new Zanpakutō, which was one of the roving academies, known as Mahora.” Rangiku reported while keeping her eyes cast down. She couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice though, which was picked up by several of the Captains.
“Good news I assume?” The Captain with the pink cape asked. “If I recall, there’s been some talk of that academy lately. Something about dealing a serious blow against one of the most aggressive Locust species.”
“Turns out the owner of the new Zanpakutō was one of the students.” Now Rangiku looked up. “It’s Seraphiel! My old Captain is back!”
Everyone seemed stunned for several seconds, and the first to react was the purple-haired woman. She turned to the Lieutenant behind her. “You’re in charge Suì-Fēng.” Before vanishing faster than anyone could follow. She wasn’t called the Goddess of Flash for nothing.
The next one to react was a Captain who had torn the sleeves off his haori, and who looked like a ruffian, with his long hair styled into spikes. He ran out of the room laughing maniacally.
“I suppose it would’ve been too much to stop those two with news like this.” Old man Yama muttered, before turning towards his Lieutenant. “Ichigo, go after Kenpachi and make sure he doesn’t cause a diplomatic disaster.”
The orange-haired young man nodded. "What about Yoruichi?" He was referring to the woman who had vanished first.
“You won’t be able to catch her. Besides, it might be better to have this confirmed, and Captain Yoruichi will be able to make sure.” Old man Yama decreed.