We walk through the forest together, I stay closer to Virgilia for protection.
"I've heard that you're a magician, is that true?"
"Y-Yeah, that's what Oswald and Sol said to me."
"Who are they to you?"
"Sol is... Well, was my friend. And Oswald is her father. They're not native to our village. Oh! And he gave me this knife!"
"Hm... So did you fight a magician? I know you managed to kill your dad, but I can only assume that he was an ordinary human."
"Yeah! Oswald said that we had a draw as I only hug-tackled Sol"
"What kind of magic do you possess?"
"Something time related; I can kinda slow down things, and when I get excited, I feel so light. I don't know."
"Hmm... Two curses at once... Well, I can see why you weren't able to beat that magician. Temporal powers aren't particularly offensive on their own."
"... What's your magic, miss?..."
"Please, just Virgilia. I specialise in floral magic, more specifically - I have domain over shrooms. I can grow berries or foliage, but I have far greater control over fungi."
"Huuuh..."
"The world of magicians is vast; and believe me, we'll encounter some unorthodox specimens in our way. I bet my Troupe alone will surprise you."
"... Speaking of which... When are we going to arrive? This forest seems endless..."
"Well, because I didn't want them near residences for their safety - they're quite far away. Believe me, we're going to walk a lot, so suck it up: I thought villager children have more fortitude than that."
We continue to walk through the forest, walking over foliage and obstacles alike. I didn't know that the forest could get so dense... I look over Virgilia once again.
She is TALL, just short of being tall as Johann, and he was a very lanky man as is. She is rather disturbingly pale and her eyes... They looked so hollow... I wonder if this woman is even alive.
"Listen up. Given that you're possessed by a daemon - having someone with a Daemon inside of them puts not only a huge amount of distrust amongst our group, but brings a lot of unnecessary attention to us. We can't speak up about this."
"Huh?! Why?!"
"Your Daemon... All of us got lucky that that thing got too cocky and lenient for their own good. These seemingly invincible daemons seem to delude in their invulnerability to the point of having no guard whatsoever. Immediately I had to act before it could even do anything. I don't even do such extensive rituals in the first place - and I can tell that it's merely a bandaid solution to the bigger problem."
Huh?
Of course! If it wasn't for your weak will, I would've splattered this hag all over those prison walls! Remember, I am a DAEMON of LUCK: the fate dances atop of my palms!
"Eastern Seals of Invocation... Sporic Suppressor... Restriction Endoparasite... Hallowed Spores... All to serve to weaken your body and by extension - its. If not for them, you would've been nigh unstoppable at this point."
"..."
"That doesn't mean you should be slacking. If the prison records I've received are true; you somehow managed to suppress it on your own: so it's about time for you to hone your will to suppress the daemon's influence. It will feed on your desires, so keep yourself focused at all times."
"... A-Alright..."
"... Tch, back then I exorcised ordinary civilians with no intention for them to join my troupe; you are pretty much an exception. Just tell the crew you're here to get rid of particularly nasty curse: exorcism usually means that, possession is just a rather complicated form of it."
"..."
So cold... Will I be alright like this?...
"Oi! Get the carriage ready!" - She then yells - "I've got our new recruit!"
"Aye!" An old voice then comes out "Émile and Aden are getting feisty!"
And soon we arrive at the clearing. I see two teens annoyingly wrestling with each other while a tall figure sets up the carriage - it's my first time seeing one in real life. There are other people gathered as well, but they seem to have their own carriages.
""Virgilia!!"" The teens perk up and rush towards us.
"Oi-oi-oi!---" Virgilia tries to stop the and...
*THUD!!!*
I regret everything
"Oh! A new kid! He looks so small!" One teen pops out and begins circleing me "Yo, what's behind that lock--?"
"Hands off!..." I yelp and that... Thing backs off "Oops, it's just I'm so excited to finally meet a weirdo like me! Though I suppose I'm not exactly a fan of people looking at my affected areas, hehe..."
"Don't mind Émile, kiddo." A red haired kid approaches "They're just stupid and dumb and mean."
"Hey!" Émile barks and, wait a second - "They?" who's they?
"Eh, don't worry about it too much, kid!" Émile smiles "You can refer to me as whatever - I don't mind. So, how do I look like?" They lean close, seemingly excited for my answer
"Uh... Can't tell honestly. You just look weird in general." I point at their hair and eyes, which seems to shift in colour under different angles.
"Well, it's ok! It's not like I can do anything about it..." Émile's face drops slightly and I apologise for offending them.
"No! No! It's alright! In fact, I would argue you look even weirder than me~!" They inspect my gray eye with uncomfortable closeness and Virgilia pulls them away.
"Please... Pipe down, Émile." Virgilia sighs "This one is rather skittish"
"Oh! Yeah, I think it's about time we introduce ourselves! As you know, this is Émile - our dedicated crusher; me - I am Aden, our resident magician; this is Leonid - he is kinda our guest; this is Virgilia, our leader; and you?"
"... Fortune..."
"Sweet! Welcome to the troupe buddy!" Aden smiles and Leonid calls us to come in. "We also have other people, but they're like more of a fleet I suppose? The thing is: none of us have a magical license; but, that shouldn't rob of how competent we are, yah?"
"Magical license?" I ask as we enter the carriage and Virgilia begins to chant something outside.
"Eh it's something that allows you to legally use magic. Without it, it's not like you *can't* use magic, is that you're not counted as a magician."
"Meaning?"
"You're practically a sub-human and looked down upon as a vagrant. People like us are pretty much forced into being wandering magicians or be respected in the local community with no opportunity to leave your village - and buddy: I didn't get that honor."
"You're telling me... This is my life now?"
"Ah! No-no! Actually, even a vagrant can actually compete for a magician's license. It's really a matter of skill and your reluctance to not screw anything over."
"Hmm..."
"You know, let me give you an example: I can receive a license! Of course I have to compete in the annual magic festival, but if I end up in the top 10, I'll have it on me!
Now Émile on the other hand can't - because they're not a magician."
"Hey! I'm still peeved about it!" Émile chides and then sighs "But yeah - I can't get it as I'm not magical whatsoever. Not at all!"
"Huh? But your hair..."
"W-Well! It's a long story! But I will assure you, young Fortune: once you see me in action - you will see how much of a unique case I am!"
"Yeah, you better not anger Émile: they're far more destructive than I can ever hope to be. Oh, and don't underestimate Leonid just because he's old and definitely not a magician - he's an incredibly experienced fighter and actually has something called "fighter's license": basically what we have, but for non-magicians."
"Does Émile have it?"
"... Nah. Don't wanna, the process is too complicated." Émile folds hands behind their head "Besides, it would be quite futile for me to do."
For a moment, Aden looks particularly... concerned? But then immediately turns to me "Virgilia... Well it's not the issue of whether she could, but an issue of that she can't--"
Just as I was about to ask for clarification; Virgilia climbs into the carriage and Aden immediately shuts his mouth.
"Well, we're now ready to take off. Summoning a steed took a considerable toll on me..."
"Please rest, Virgilia! We'll promise that me and Aden won't give you any trouble during the trip!" Émile perks up and Virgilia begins to set up a bed as the carriage begins to move
"Hrm... You, Fortune. If you're feeling exhausted, then it's a good time for you to take a snooze off - it'll be a long ride. Aden, Émile and Leonid always keep their eyes peeled for danger - not to mention the neighbouring fleet, so we shouldn't face any ambushes. You need to be in top shape at all times."
"... Thanks... Guess I'll have a shut eye for now: it's been a while since I stepped outside... I wasn't very mobile during my stay."
"You can grab the bedding from these bags. Choose whatever you feel like it; I have the crew's bedding on my side."
Virgilia lies down on the settled bed, with a pillow and light blanket. She put her hat beside her, which Aden and Émile grab to play with. They look kind of old, yet act like absolute buffoons...
I settle my impromptu bed as well and drift off to sleep. This day was so stressful... Just a bunch of weirdos... Yet for better or for worse - I can't come back to ordinary life anymore.
I wonder in the sheer bustling nature of it all, will I be able to think about Sol, Carolyn, Cathy? I bet they're having far better lives than I have, now forced to serve rogue vagabonds and having a Daemon inside me.
Hah...