It's been quite a while since we've done anything big.
After we've sufficiently recovered, we began taking on more low-key commissions while moving villages, akin to the mystery of the shepherd. They tend to be quite grizzly, on account of involving murders and spiriting aways, but it's nothing too difficult - especially compared to THAT incident.
I've got to know my team a lot more better now; Aden is generally like a big brother to me now. He tends to be a little bit silly, but his heart is always in the right place, even if... Well, in one event where we met a fellow magician...
~
"ASSHOLE!!! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE SHOOTING AT!!!"
"S-Sorry kiddo!!"
"I'LL FUCKING FRY YOU ALIVE!!!"
~
To be fair he always apologizes for his outbursts to me afterwards. Overall a swell guy.
Émile is still much more colder to me, but they're still warming up to me. It's clear as day that they distust me, but it might be because I'm a new hire in a long while; kind of like how my sister described that I was favoured much more because I was the youngest one.
Their combat style has definitely became much more refined from that confrontation with "that prick" they've been rather bitter about - something about sole survivor and such. Oddly enough when I do try to dig deeper, they become much more hostile towards me. Maybe some things are better to be not known.
Though in the time I find them much more... Serene, they're oddly more amicable to speak to, even if they're heavily reserved, and in attempt to learn information once again, they show signs of visible discomfort, asking me if I really should know.
And they seem to be focused on my closed golden eye as well... Oh no.
While I'm allowed to talk about the possession, I can't tell the sheer severity of my condition. Inside of me... Is a powerful Daemon. A Daemon who had birthed me, to use me as his pawn.
And if that word gets out, there will be an issue of trust.
Maybe that's why Argent is my enemy.
Because they will unravel everything.
Still, I have to hold my chin up; considering while the money's not been too great - learning the sum of my bail was pretty crazy, and the worst part I can't even tell if Virgilia's faking her bafflement or not on that price.
And given that those commissions offer an opportunity to train, I've been making Carmine happy as well...
Speaking Carmine... I like her a lot! More than Virgilia!
She's cranky, but in oddly amusing way. She is of course my mentor for now, but I feel like I'm learning much more through her than I do with Virgilia. It's clear that in spite of everything, she is ultimately extremely kind person; and in events where we go for exterminations together, even if she drains the bodies of daemons and adherents (monsters), her look is always solemn.
~
"I have to feed, kid. I feel like I'm withering."
~
Sure, Aden seems to be perpetually distrustful of her, but she is otherwise a beloved figure on the team, even if she finds their affections "corny" and "foolish".
And when I get exhausted from joint missions, she would always carry me in her arms.
I'm sorry, but I jive with this type of person! I would like to know more about her!
Bijou has been quite distant, but it seems a lot has been weighing on her mind. The villagers don't trust her either, calling her a "filthy corvid", and losing her crew, save for her jockey must've been a gut punch for her.
It seems she doesn't even drink much, just standing at the distance, smoking cigarettes. I asked if I could use one, to which she jumped away in recoil and said that cigarettes are very bad for children... And adults frankly.
~
"Please, kiddo - don't get any habits from Auntie Bibi, okie~?"
~
I think I saw her go to one building several times on occasion, but every time I tried to get in here, somebody would stop me, saying I genuinely shouldn't snoop here. Virgilia, Carmine, Aden and even Leonid were opposed. And with Émile they would switch to their serene persona and just say "Don't."
Weird.
Anyhoo, Leonid is as distant as usual, it seems he views his partnership with Virgilia as purely transactional. He's been consultating with local hospitals and apothecaries to no avail. He would occasionally join to smoke with Bijou, even if smoke coming from the helmet is a funny sight.
We don't talk much, but with him I feel oddly safe. Like in spite of his professional detachment... He still cares about us as a crew.
He is also seen training local defending swordsmen. Oddly enough, in spite of what I heard from Sol, it seems there aren't too many magicians in the areas we did visit. Come to think of it... Could I be the first magician of my village?
Or maybe it would be my dad because he made a pact with the daemon inside me.
Yes he would. He had you all by his thrall.
Shut up you, I was just pondering.
Either way, he is a curious sort.
And now Virgilia...
Honestly, I have extremely mixed feelings about her.
First of all, I'm mad at her for endangering out lives like that; sure there were a lot of things that were out of her control, but still... We almost ended up dead on that day.
Second of all, she acts so cold towards me: like I'm a burden to her! I get that after what I've learned through others, I wasn't even supposed to be with the group, but still. For someone who was supposed to be my guardian, and for someone who is sold as a saint amongst the group, I simply can't see it.
Yet... Thirdly, there's still something deep underlying.
She does try to find any sort of solution to my condition. She leads me to churches and other exorcism specialists on free days, and especially with priests she seems... Tense, as if she's trying to get used to talking to them.
And in those attempts to get that bastard away, when each time I felt like my control was slipping away... She was disappointed. Not at failed exorcists, but at herself. Like it was her fault.
I genuinely wonder what's going on inside her head, and yet I was advised again and again to not dig deeper... As the last time someone did... When someone tried to get inside her heart...
That's when her crew died by her own hands.
---
"Attention, everyone!!! Signing up forms for the annual magical tournament is now open!!! If you're a qualified magician, come join us for battle of wits and strength!" A man in strange white uniform began to exclaim. He's certainly not from around there...
"They began to host tournaments in Grinwicke now? I suppose this is the second most available country for them to play their silly show..." Virgilia scoffed, asking Bijou if she has any cigarettes left on her.
"You know who this is???"
"Not particularly know per se; moreso his affiliation. In Surgire, there is a contest of magicians of all sorts held every year. Heard that from my former crew."
"Hmm... And why a contest?"
"Because they want to flaunt their superiority, damn it." Carmine butted "You know how magicians are so flashy and cool... That sorta junk."
"You aren't any better, Carmine. Stop whining." Virgilia shut her eyes in annoyance and Carmine sulked "Tch, sure."
"Like Carmine said: it is mainly an opportunity to showcase one's combat and showmanship's skills. It is also a great opportunity to earn some money if you get good placing. The entry fee isn't too expensive, and you need to qualify as a "magician" to enter it."
"Huuuuuuhhh~~"
"So, would you like to try? Daemons are creatures governed by their impulses - by what's "present"; rival magicians however are another story. They will predict your next move - the moment you become too predictable, your weaknesses become amplified by magnitudes. That's why rival bouts as violent as they are; our innate pride will not let others to walk all over us.
It'll be a nice practice I feel. Don't worry, these events are not lethal; and killing your opponent earns you a death penalty as well."
"Nice to have a safe environment at least..." I mumble
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to be present. I have... Certain notoriety among people, so I would like to not draw attention."
I look towards Carmine and Bijou and they raise their hands in denial.
"Nuh-uh, they're lead by Meredithean scum! I ain't riskin' my life being confined in their laboratories."
"U-Um, as you know - I'm still a crime-lord by technicality, so I would rather not deal with law - thank you, mon ami~"
"Ehm..." Well this is awkward, I would rather not throw myself up to the unknown like this...
"I'll come." Leonid barges in, still stoic in his approach.
"Huh?" I look up at him and he directs his gaze through his helmet at me.
"I do not have a fame that precedes me. I'm merely a lonesome knight, alone on his pilgrimage."
"O... Kay...?"
"Did I hear something about a tournament?!" Aden rushes in and after a bit of elaboration, he smiles.
"Fortune's gonna be partner? Sweet! I was about to sign a form by myself, but to learn that little Fortune's gonna be my partner is quite swell! Shame Émile can't join because, well, rogue experiment and whatnot, not that they would even qualify as a magician."
"Be careful out there. The facilities should be able to provide treatment for injuries, but it's better to not have an injury in general. Oh, and do not make your affiliation known - pretend that you're both locals. We'll follow you guys later." Virgilia warns and we both approach the white-clad man before he leaves.
"Oh? So this village HAS some magicians raring to try their luck at the magical tournament. Please write your credentials here..."
It's been a while since I wrote something. Hopefully's my handwriting isn't that bad...
"Err... Fine. Are there any guardians following you?"
"I am." Leonid shows up behind us, spooking all of us with his large frame.
"G-Great! Now follow me into the carriage."
The carriage before us was spacious and intricate. I wonder if this is the luxury Sol and Oswald used to see every day...
"You, young red haired lad, seem excited at the prospect of participating in a tournament - may I inquire why is that?"
"Hehe, honestly it's my first time actually! It's just my fellows before me that were all hyped up! I saw their performances in the past and they were pretty mesmerising."
"What about you, young blonde lad? What is it about you?"
Okay, time to lie.
"Erm... I brought here thanks to this guy here... H-He's my close friend..."
"Yeah!"
"And you mister?... Who are you to them...?"
"Adoptive father."
"Ah I see... Well, makes sense - this village didn't have any outward magicians, and the region itself seems to have rather poor opinion on the magician populace, so I find your decision to take them under your wing commendable."
"..."
...
We arrived at some sort of building, which the man in white calls "coliseum"
That's the most amount of people I had seen so far in my life. We were told to hold each other's hands to not get lost.
"My heart is poundin' right now! It's so cool!" Aden exclaims as we continue to navigate the coliseum. We're forced to separate from Leonid, as he is merely a spectator; while we're led to a some sort of changing room.
"These are your "headquarters"; this is where you prepare for the battles at hand - here you can see all the accomodations for treating wounds and replenishing your mana." The white man points towards the potion and first aid kits counter.
"You may take a shower before the battle preparations. Please note that if you do not show up during your call within five minutes - you're automatically disqualified. Understood?"
""Yessir!""
"The roll call will begin in 45 minutes. Please use the accomodations accordingly."
The white man leaves us and Aden turns to us.
"This is our rare chance...
Let's take a shower while we're at it."
"H-Huh?!"
"Come on, get ready!"
"H-Hey!!"
We removed our clothes and I noticed when Aden removes his gloves and socks; there are holes piercing through his hands and feet alongside his usual battle scars. Aden noticed my disturbed stare and nervously laughs.
"Eh don't pay too much attention to them. Old stuff."
"H-How can you stay calm like this..."
"We've seen worse injuries, come on let me unwrap you..."
Aden removes my bandages and he sees the seals on my chest.
"Damn... What the hell happened to you, bud?"
Should I tell him?...
"... I'll explain. Just don't tell anyone."
...
"I see... Well, I'll leave them be then. Ahaha..."
Knowing there is a bastard inside of me who is probably ecstatic over seeing naked boys does make things a lot more awkward. It's a peeping tom that you can't get rid of—Hey?!
"I mean he inhabits your eye, right? If I cover it with my hand, it should be fine - right?!"
"I-Idiot! He can still feel everything! Besides I can see through that hole in your hand!"
I ended up covering my own eye.
"Now let me wash you proper... I don't think you can do much with one hand, ehehe..."
"S-Shut up..."
Washing away the blood and grime, from the shower I felt pretty refreshed. I helped Aden wash his back as well. Strangely enough, this whole procedure feels extremely intimate, with us being bare like that.
Probably because my sister refused to help me bathe, so I had to learn it myself or have some assistance from my mom early on. Or just seeing naked people in general makes me flustered.
"Ahh~ so nice~
I wish I could stay here for eternity~"
"Aren't you a fire guy?"
"Well, cooling off is always a good thing! I just feel so soft and fuzzy. Let me dry you up now!"
"Y-You know I can handle things myself, right?!"
Aden seems to be oddly attached to me, always trying to help and explain things to me.
I wonder if he views me as little brother figure of sorts. He did mention having younger sisters after all... Whatever happened to him to end up being Virgilia's ward, it seems he misses being able to show his affection like this.
I wonder if he's even in lo—
"Hey, bud, are you getting—?..."
*BONK!!!*
"Shut. Up." I sternly warn him and he dries himself up next.
"Oh hey! It seems while we were away, some sort of cleaning magic was used on our clothes. God this place is awesome!"
"I'll bandage myself." I say and he sulks a little in disappointment.
Heh... That bastard wants to coddle you so hard; if it's taken any further, I would be in the front seat for—
SHUT UP!!! You're disgusting!!!
"Bu—Ah yeah, the bastard. God, now your zoning out moments make a whole lot of sense now..."
"Please don't spell it out like that, geez!"
After some... Troublesome preparations, we're called to the arena.
"This is it. Our first tournament. I feel so pumped now!"
"Hoping for the best outcome..."
The showdown... Begins now.
To be continued...