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>Please vote if you feel like it.

Character Sheet: https://pastebin.com/raw/YFxT2Qvb
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>Always looking for new suggestions.

You spend 11 mana.
Mana [54/100]
Health [4/5]

With much hesitation, you turn your head away from the -massive- legless lizard. You can feel what remains of the marble floor tremor and stridently crack, as if fragile glass, from its’ weight; the massive, serpent shadow wraps itself around yours and everyone else’s shadows: foreboding danger. You roll your shoulders and take a deep breath to concentrate your mind away from the ceiling-tall snake – the Knights will be able to handle it just fine…

Your gaze sets on Virginia’s form: it is completely burning with blinding, white fire as she practically sears and burns away the glue, oil and dust with her angelic flames. With a single kick, she lifts herself off the ground and every edge of her massive, dark-green hair strands flickers with white fire – as if she was slowly turning into an uncontrollable inferno. She grabs and grapples one massive, spectral-blue hand with a strange, beautiful strength.

However, you imagine, even she is not experienced enough to be able to fight both of the hands of the creepy magician who has all of you trapped in his eldritch “snow globe”. A second, phantom hand – with a brisk aura appearing like the chill of the underworld – quietly lifts and forms a fist a few meters above her head: ready to strike. You do not wait to see if your concerns are correct or not – you flick the wand towards the hand overhead.

“Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket.”

You shout, and your grimoire immediately overwhelms with brilliant, silver magic. From the invisible mana, thread by thread, a glimmering, gray blanket immediately propels above the ruins of the ballroom. It is fast, and precise – this wand might as well become your best of friends… perhaps you could name it? Your shake your head – just once – you need to concentrate! Before the fist can fall onto the Wardress, your blanket smashes into it with enough speed to push it away from Virginia. Before the man can act, your blanket seals it into linen bindings.

While certainly not enough to destroy the hand manifestation – it is not an offensive spell – it is enough to force it onto the ground, unable to lift up or move in any interruptive way. Virginia gives you a short glance – enough for you to spot a circle of blue, aquamarine flame in her grey eyes – before she grabs onto the cold(?) surface of the hand projection she has been battling and squeezes it even tighter. Her ring of clear-chalk fire joins and surrounds the extension of her embrace, before both she and the hand begin to literally burn inside the judiciary of heavens.

She makes quick work of the hand – and before the limit of your spell is finished and the other hand is free – she reaches her hands for it and her grimoire flips on the next page. “Angelic Fire Magic: Lance of the Cleansing Bell,” she says out loud, cold, and clear moments before a massive, yet solitary, cinder glow manifests above the hand. First, a pause and then, a pale, blinding pillar of light and fire that completely destroys the hand.

There should be a limit to have many times he can just keep recreating his damn hands, surely?

You sight with relief – you glad to be of help. However, your calmness does not last – yet another earthquake – this time even stronger than others, forces you to look back at the… -reptile-. You eyes meet its ruby ones seconds before the entire bottom of its body, and gemstone-hard tail, makes a dragging, flipping motion. The snake is slow, yet every twist of its massive body is enough to tremor every piece of the of the ballroom and even the world outside of it… the barrier of -his- magic. The marble floor is crashed, destroyed and dragged with hundreds of marble blocks tossed high into the air following the swing of the huge reptile’s tail… and everyone scatters.

The tail sweeps off and breaks, as if there were nothing but strawmen, several of the Magic Knights straight away. Cleole attempts to create a pillar of alabaster stone to block the attack but it is just not enough to resist the enormous, gemstone power of the snake’s tail; it easily breaks her magical stone barrier and the impact sends her – like Sol previously – into the wall… please don’t fall unconscious, Cleo! Sol forces her golem to protect her and take the most of the damage, but she is still sent rolling and – thus – stuck in the nasty mix of the oil and glue.

Charlotte herself has managed to foresee and avoid the massive sweep by using her briars as a supportive ropes – and allowing herself to bounce high enough to be facing the snake head on; she also throws Olyver away from the tail strike and high enough, as well, to give him free range to cast his magic; there are four more Magic Knights – besides Olyver and Charlotte – floating mid-air and holding to their grimoire in preparations to cast their spells.

The reptile, just as lazily as before, drags it’s massive, gemstone-like scale-full tail against the ground and, after a brief hiss, and before any of the Rose Magic Knights can act, it opens it’s long maw and spits… an emerald venom.

>Roll 1d100 - best of three – to avoid the snake’s venom!

>Please roll 1d10+10 – best of three – for the cost of the previous Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket.

> Use your [Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket] to try and block the sight and venom spitting motions of the snake.
> Try and assist Sol with her current struggles. If you can free her hands, she should be able to use her magic.
> Continue supporting and protecting Virginia against the hands – she is the strongest asset here ‘sides Roselei.
> Search for Cleole around the rubble and ruins of marble, smoke and the nasty glue oil. You have to make sure…
> [Write In]

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>4060240
> Try and assist Sol with her current struggles. If you can free her hands, she should be able to use her magic.

Welcome back, Melk. On with the boss fight!

Rolled 2 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4060413
Well, that could've gone better, hopefully someone else saves us from that. Here's the roll for the spell cost.

>>4060413
>Glad to be back!

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>4060240
>> Try and assist Sol with her current struggles. If you can free her hands, she should be able to use her magic.

Rolled 6 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4060235

You spend 12 mana.
Mana [42/100]

The spit reaches several of the Magic Knights first. More than half of them – excluding Charlotte and two others – scream in evident pain as the acidic venom begins to burn through the uniform clothes and then scorch their skin. Charlotte has managed to grab into the hurt, as well as some unconscious, women with her sturdy briars and land them safely on top of the ground. As if using a rubber sling, the rest of her briars toss her out of the venom’s way.

The acidic drizzle that missed the Magic Knights wheels into the air seconds before it comes raining down on the people and “rats” trapped in the gluy oil. Many of them are hit, yet not even that is enough to wake them up from their slumber. The remain few of the seared vermin only become more hostile, however, the worse they are able to do is to get themselves drenched and stuck in the glue and grease further… the mage did not think this through.

Somehow, you manage to skip above and through the tiny spots left free of any substances or magic chemicals and not only narrowly avoid the spit of the colossal legless lizard but also reach Sol. The tanned, half-dressed woman is extremely happy to see you – she has been impractically struggling to free herself from floor’s gluiness.

“Come on, little Cynthia,” she whines. The veins on her arm bulge as she struggles to unglue it from the marble.

“I’m trying, Sol,” you hiss back as calmly as you can muster – not a lot – as you use your hands to pull on hers…

Your fingers grasp into the cluster glue and drown in the black oil as your short yet sharp nails bend to cut it… You throw a quick glance back to check on Charlotte, Olyver and the other Magic Knights that are now able to cause visible annoyance to the colossus snake with their attacks. You sight with relief, take a deep breath and turn back to Sol. You concentrate and, after a few more minutes, you finally manage to break her arm free from its “chains”.

“Good one,” she compliments you brief and swiftly before her fingers crack and snap – and her open grimoire gently lifts to hover right beneath her hand. “ Earth Magic: Muck and Mud Prison”. In a single gesture, she slams her hand and the grimoire against the marble floor and forces the ground to start shaking.

At this point – you have familiarized yourself with the repeating earthquakes and now you are – more or less – able to keep your balance. However, now that you freed Sol, you find yourself stuck in the same glue she was.

Then, the marble beneath the heavy snake cracks and breaks and the creature find itself sinking deeper into the brilliant and shining stone floor – as if it was quicksand, not hard-to-break marmoreal. The serpent drily rasps in reaction to this before its cacophonic rattle pains your ears and shatters the window glasses to let the ever-cold air inside. Charlotte uses this opportunity to swing her Magic Tool into the direction of the snake and force dozens of thorny weaved briars, as if a net made for torture or execution, on top of the snake impelling it to the flooring.

Olyver and the rest of the Magic Knight do not waste time and use their own forms of restraining-like magic to secure the vermin – vapour, ice and some kind of dense form of scrubland magic. The entire body of the snake comes crashing down on the floor and the impact of it’s landing is enough to completely break the pillars and smash the supportive walls of the ballroom – the entire chamber crumbles and the fresca ceiling comes falling.

You notice a massive stone -boulder- with a high-art fresca on it quickly impending towards both you and Sol…

You try to free yourself to get out of the way but the cursed glue makes it impossible – if only you had fire magic!

You reach for your grimoire and hold it open in your weakened grip – how are you supposed to avoid that?! Your other hand grabs into Sol for reassurance and protection – but, foolishly, it only glues you two back together. Sol Marron stumbles on her feet to stand up and face the massive rock – you are simply unsure if she has the time.
> Cover yourself with your hand and just hope for the best.
> Try your hardest to pull yourself out of the glue and jump away from the collapsing fragments of the ceiling.
> Try and push Sol out of the way so that at least one of you won’t be crushed by the boulder.
> Use your grimoire to cast Weighted Blanket on the boulder to -try- and strife it’s direction.
> Use your grimoire to cast Homely Blanket on yourself (and Sol) to -try- and heal yourself after the impact.
> [Write In]

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

>>4062226
>> Use your grimoire to cast Weighted Blanket on the boulder to -try- and strife it’s direction.

>>4062226
>> Use your grimoire to cast Weighted Blanket on the boulder to -try- and strife it’s direction.
Man, we really need to develop something more defense oriented like a shield wall, or perhaps something super soft that vould absorb impacts.

>>4062226
> Use your grimoire to cast Weighted Blanket on the boulder to -try- and strife it’s direction.

With your eye barely open, you flick your wrist and point your wand directly at the massive, incoming boulder. Unsure if you have enough time or not, you quickly mumble the incantation of your spell – you only silently beg for your grimoire the follow the same rhythm. ”Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket.” Your body shivers at the thought of being squished here and today… it is extremely hard to concentrate. With your eyes completely shut, you place your second hand on your first to stop both of them from shaking – it works. In the darkness if your mind you feel your silver-white, with the nutty smell of freshly gathered flax, mana explode from the wand.

You open your eyes to see the hastily manifesting blanket expanding just enough to catch and completely wrap around the megalith. However, this doesn’t stop the rock’s descent at all. You still have control over the blanket. Your break into tears of pain as your wand denies bulging from where you have it pointed towards – the magical textile is unable to change the direction while surrounding the massive stone. There’s not enough time to focus.

“Little Cynthia!” Sol cries as she finally realizes the situation. Her voice goes deaf as you feel your body weaken. You feel her hand grab your body and the marble ground lightly tremor and then gently lower beneath your feet. In a blur, you watch as she weaves a massive spherical wall around and above you before the darkness of the shelter is the only thing you can see. There is a massive crash and a choking cloud of dirt. It repeats dozen times.

You lost 2 health.
Health [2/5]

The loud dissonance of the falling roof debris eventually quiets – but it deafly continues ringing in your head. You raise your fingers just above your ear: there is a warm, liquid… blood. You grunt and wince in pain – you are surprisingly alive for someone who had almost an entire ceiling fall on her head. Following a deep breath, you sense your grimoire and force it to open up and glow. A cold, mercury radiance dances off the dirt shelter Sol have made to protect you – however, there are massive cracks and crumbling spots all over it. Sol is not dead, or unconscious, but she is struggling to open her eyes and half of her body is pressed and covered in heavy rocks.

You crawl over Sol’s body in search of your wand only to find a part that is exposed to the outside world. Fighting your harsh breathing and bell-ringing pain you push your head further. Indeed, there is no ceiling – a vortex of beautiful yet at the same time uncanny, even eldritch, palette of blue and purple swirls above your head – the same scenery repeats outside the destroyed, glassless windows. However, there are also a long, expanding and pure-white crack literally going from one end of the horizon to another – as if connection point of two halves.

You can’t see any of the Magic Knights standing…

“Oh no-no-no-no-no!” a harsh, almost crying voice of the assaulting mage speaks and echoes – although not as strong. You hide from his view. Another pair of glowing, ghost-like hands passes above your head and to where Charlotte has been standing – in trail of spectral blue, his big unpleasant-looking head hovers behind and above.

You watch with ceased breathing as the magical hands rummage through the piles of ruins and, eventually, finally and extremely gently raise unconscious Charlotte by each of her arms. “Why did-did-did-did-did you fight my sweet, beautiful Roselei?!” He lifts the body of the Captain to his spectral ear and listens to her stomach. Alive?

> Summon Homely Blanket and heal Sol back to health. Perhaps she can finish destroying his magic.
> Point your wand towards the floating head and try to wrap your Weighted Blanket around him.
> There is not much you can do here – watch and wait for a better opportunity to shatter his magic.
> Shout to grab the man’s attention and hope there is somebody else conscious around who can act.
> [Write In]

>Please roll 1d10+10 – best of three – for the cost of the previous Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket.

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

>>4064380
>> Shout to grab the man’s attention and hope there is somebody else conscious around who can act.
> Try to slowly approach the hand holding Captain Charlotte.
> We're a tailor, not a Magic Knight, so he has nothing to feel threatened by us for.

I'm hoping we can close the distance and then use a healing spell on Charlotte.

Rolled 3 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4064393

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4064380
>> Summon Homely Blanket and heal Sol back to health. Perhaps she can finish destroying his magic.

I think that sol might be powerful enough to destroy his magic

Rolled 7 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4064380
>> Summon Homely Blanket and heal Sol back to health. Perhaps she can finish destroying his magic.

>>4064380
> Point your wand towards the floating head and try to wrap your Weighted Blanket around him.
also could we try to add the linen from our clothes to our blankets to make it more effective

Rolled 8 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4064380
>> Summon Homely Blanket and heal Sol back to health. Perhaps she can finish destroying his magic.

He just curb stomped whole squad...

You spend 13 mana.
Mana [29/100]

“Linen Magic: Homely Blanket.”

You lower yourself away from the breach in the slowly crumbling shelter. You keep your wand tightly held between your fingers as you point both of your exposed palms towards Sol’s injured body. The pages of your coruscating grimoire turn and the cursive letters engulf in pearl-grey glow as your mana begins to manifest an incandescent healing blanket which you immediately put to use to mantle Sol’s parts of the figure you are able to.

The woman’s grunts and heavy breaths begin to cease as your blanket changes into a disgusting pattern of blood red and ash-black. You make sure to keep the magical linen over Sol’s body for as long as possible – even when it begins to disintegrate. Sol coughs in discomfort as she attempts to move her body – only for the massive boulders to refuse her wish. It’s not hard to guess - she is visibly annoyed from all the trashing and humiliation she went through because of this mage. The iris of her blue eyes turns pure orange as she puts her hand on the heavy rock…

“I don’t know about you, Cynthia, but I am fed up with this freak. “Earth Magic: Cyclops’ Limb.”

Her previous shelter shatters and exposes you and Sol to the choking, dirt-filled air. The dusk light of the magical vortex of the man’s “Snow Globe” makes the ballroom appear melancholic and unnatural. The dirt begins to crumble and grind beneath your feet and it quickly turns into quicksand. From the quicksand, five massive earth fingers – each one as big as your entire body – burst and destroy the stone ruin fragments. Sol takes a firm step forwards as the fingers drag themselves under the ground and then – a colossal arm crawls out of the ground…

“Hey you, creep! What did I tell you?! Only women of the Blue Rose are allowed to touch Captain Char’!!!”

“Curse you all,” his weakening voice echoes as his ethereal-blue hands gently put Charlotte’s unconscious body somewhere safe and flat – he shows care in his mad, delusional obsession. “It’s because of you-you-you-you-you she is now barely breathing! It is your fault-fault-fault-fault-fault! I asked nicely not-not-not-not-not to fight me!”

His eidolic head lifts to hover just above Roselei’s body; slowly, it turns in watchful circles. Both of his hands slap each other to rupture the air and send a powerful mass of navy mana across the remains of the ballroom. Then, both of his hands air-dash towards Sol. By the looks of it, Sol is prepared. Her grimoire crests the massive hand under her control and then lowers itself into her hands. She tightens her hand into a fist and slams it downwards.

“Cyclops’ Limb” widens and audible cracks its fingers before it makes a complete swing and smashes both of the mage’s hands before they are able to get a hold of Sol. That is not enough to completely destroy them, and so the fluttering and unstable hands manifestations continue their attempt to reach Sol, who’s arm keeps blocking them.

You keep your head low as you crawl amongst the ruins – he doesn’t seem to care that much about a teenage tailor with no fighting capabilities – you try not to be annoyed at the fact. On your slow sneak away from Sol’s engagement you attempt to spot any Magic Knights that are either heavily injured or can offer some assistance.

You can’t find any – they are all beneath the rubble. You come close enough to Charlotte to be able to reach her with your magic and your wand: just barely. The head is going to be a big problem – you will need to concentrate to avoid it. You shift your position, roll your shoulders and grunt – you don’t have much mana left. What now?

> Use your grimoire to cast Homely Blanket and attempt to avoid the floating head to land it on Charlotte.
> Use your grimoire to cast Weighted Blanket on one of the hands and make the battle easier for Sol.
> Use your linen clothes to pick up some small rubble and toss it towards the cracks of the “Snow Globe” spell.
> Use Weighted Blanket to wrap around some heavy stone chunks and toss them towards the visible crack.
> Stand up and point your want at Charlotte to catch the attention of the mage and make Sol’s fight easier.
> [Write In]

>Please roll 1d10+10 – best of three – for the cost of the previous Linen Magic: Homely Blanket

>Our current mana is less than 29 – we have to take in fact the cost of the spell above – if you want to just roll those first before deciding on the prompt that’s understandable. If mana goes below zero you are unconscious.

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

Rolled 6 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4066267
> Stand up and point your want at Charlotte to catch the attention of the mage and make Sol’s fight easier.
this is the only option that does not take mana

Rolled 5 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4066267
>Try to sneak as closely as we can towards Charlotte without being noticed. If the head spots us, make a mad dash for her.

I'm guessing he doesn't want to damage Charlotte any further, so if get close enough he won't be able to attack us without also hurting her. Once we're right up mext to her we can try to heal her without interruption.

Rolled 9 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4066267

>>4066315
+1
if nothing else this will distract the head

>>4066315
That leaves us with 14 mana...

>>4066493
We've got one more spell in us, maybe two if we're lucky on the mana roll. Getting the Captain back into the fight is the biggest game changer we can manage with a single spell.

You spend 15 mana.
Mana [14/100]

You kneel down and keep yourself as close to the destroyed floor as you can. Like a goose, you cautiously squat over the rubble and ruins; you have your voice and breathing halted. Gingerly, you nudge your head from the destroyed ceiling pieces – you hope that the beautiful fresco artwork will be the only victim of this man today.

You nudge your head only to jolt it back – the floating head is still there. In very paranoid, but justified, fashion, his head is searching for someone like you who is attempting to reach “his” Roselei. You pray you will never get into a situation where you’ll have your own, personal lunatic admirer attempting to kidnap you. You loudly gulp down your saliva and, once the head is looking in another direction – you quickly sneak by to next big milestone.

You are now close enough to see Charlotte’s face – she is a sleeping beauty. Her face is rosy and her breathing is calm – it doesn’t look like she suffered any serious injuries, it was likely an unlucky concussion or an interaction with remains of the sleeping dust. She might not wake up even if your healing blanket does it job – you need to get close enough to shake her up. You take a deep breath – there is no where else to hide. You have to run for it.

You tighten your hold over your wand. You stand up and expose yourself to the dusk light of his magic – seconds afterwards, you make a mad dash towards Charlotte’s body. The spectral head floating above her immediately notices and turns to face you. His untidy hair flurries like flame as he stares you down with his tiny, button eyes.

“Where are-are-are-are-are you going?!” his raspy voice booms as if from nothingness and right into your ears.

You don’t answer him – instead, you continue to crazily dash with your grimoire already open and glowing: ready.

With a ghastly chiming one of the spectral hands Sol have been battling makes a short, wave-like turn leaving aquamarine-white haze and crumbling dust behind its path. A massive translucent palm begins flying towards you with near-unavoidable speed. You make a few more mad steps to come as close as possible to Charlotte before the hand finally reaches you – your attempt to dodge out of the way fails. Its fingers hastily squeeze your body.

You gasp in pain and in search of air as the grip of his magical spectral hand stiffens even more. Despite the fact that his hand is magical, you feel yourself extremely uncomfortable. The spectral manifestation is cold: your entire skin turns pale from the winter-like chill of his hand. Heavily and with agonizing struggle you force your hand through the space between his fingers and point your wand towards Charlotte. The things in front of your eyes begin to turn into a shadow blur as his hold tightens – it is so cold now you bite your lips to keep yourself awake.

“Linen Magic: Homely Blanket.” You whisper barely loud enough to hear the words yourself… yet, your grimoire responds to your intent and command – not to your volume. Despite the pain in your crushed arm, you hold your wand steady. You feel it – the mana in your body is quickly fading with such rapid use of magic… you do not have much left. You sense as your mana leaves your form and a clod of magic begins to hastily form at the end of your wand. You concentrate, and release the magical essence towards Roselei to let it form a blanket.

“What are you-you-you-you-you trying to do? Don’t touch my-my-my-my-my Roselei with your magic, ugly!”

>I apologize for the lack of prompts this update – I don’t know if Cynthia will be conscious after this or not.

>Please roll 1d10+10 – best of three – for the cost of the previous Linen Magic: Homely Blanket.

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

Rolled 3 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4068291

Rolled 8 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4068291

>>4068300
perhaps we use our remaining 2 mana to mend Captain's clothes so she can fight in style

>>4068325
we only got one mana left

>>4068333
maybe just the cape then

>>4068333
>>4068325
>You don't need to spend mana (mechanic wise) to use basic magic. So fell free to fix or toss around linen clothes.

>>4068337
would it be possible to gather enough linen to wrap the head like we did to those bandits in kraal

>>4068349
>Probably not in the haste you'll have to. It's a big head. You don't have enough clothes and you can't, right now, find people to borrow from.

Rolled 7 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4068291

>>4068385
you tried your best

>>4068416
Ah well, not like it would've made much difference. At best we'd have like 3 mana left instead of 1, so either way Cynthia will knock herself out if she uses another spell. Assuming the creepy pervert head doesn't do it first...

You spend 13 mana.
Mana [1/100]

You gasp for breath. With a painful push back, you weakly attempt to resist the clutching of his fist. Despite the spreading discomfort in your chained hand, you continue pointing your wand in the direction you remember Charlotte laying – black blurs is all you can see. As the remains of your mana leave your body, your strength gives in and you feel your fingers release your wand. Did it work? You hear the head say something incomprehensible…

“Briar Magic: Maiden of Thorns.”

As if a balloon, your lungs are filled with air. Your mind is returned clarity. The embracing cold lifts off your body like a tossed away layer of snow. You stare with open eyes as the massive bramble bubble surrounds and impales his hand with incredibly sharp thorns. Entrenched by so many of Charlotte’s briars, his hand blows up into a ghastly mist. The thorns immediately soften and retract and then form a nettle-looking briar bed to catch you.

You are gently lowered by Charlotte’s magic to where is standing to meet you. The blue gown she wore for the ceremony is completely ruined – there are so many cuts on it she, very unwillingly, appears rather salacious. The dress is dirty from the dust and dirt and the unique weavings are smashed and barely holding on to their spot.

“Captain Charlotte,” the lack of mana and your injuries make you sound weak and tired, “Your dress, it is–”

Charlotte shows a short amazement. Her lips break into a smile, “We’ll worry about that later, Cynthia.” She says as she turns around and swings her magic hilt. From the open end of it, dozens of stretched briars smash into the heavy rubble ruins of the fresco ceiling, envelope them and then lift and toss them to free some people beneath.

“Virginia,” Charlotte’s melodic voice commands as she looks around the ballroom-turned-battlefield.

“Angel Fire Magic: Wings of the Guardian Cherubs.

From beneath the rest of the heavy rubble, a white burning glow blazes through the cracks. You watch as dozens of strange, even eldritch looking creatures made out of ivory fire emerge and lift away the rubble of the people’s unconscious bodies – all whom her magic protected are uninjured. Those creature resemble an eerie fusion of butterflies and infants. Each of the baby-sized manifestation have three pairs of massive, eagle-like wings. Like burning sky lanterns, they lift the heavy rubble higher and higher into the air and then, as gently, land it away.

In a blazing, luminous flare the creatures disappear into the nothingness. Wardress stands up, visible strained.

Virginia scoffs and, after a brief ponder, she shakes her head at Charlotte, “I leave this to you – Captain Roselei.”

The man’s voice booms with tangible happiness. You look around: his head is nowhere to be seen. “Oh, my beautiful Roselei, how-how-how-how-how I’m happy you are still so expressive and strong and vigorous, just like you were when I first-first-first-first-first saw you. My cool Charlotte… come, we-we-we-we-we can be together.”

She harrumphs, “I don’t think I made it clear to you, mud. The battlefield is my only lover. Boy, give me a lift.”

Boy? Your and Charlotte’s heads turn to… Olyver, who also seen better days – he is limping. There is a noticeable gash over the upper left part of his head. Yet, his deep black eyes are visibly sparkling with vigour – as if he is unable to hide the fact that he is enjoying this. “Of course, Captain Charlotte,” his smile beams as his grimoire hovers in front of his face. The boy points his hand in your direction and a ring of vapour forms under his palm.

“Steam Magic: Vapour Wave”

The ring he holds begins to quickly release a colossal wave of physical cold and dense steam. Under his control, the thick and blinding cloud of smoke surrounds Charlotte’s leather boots and then, the entirety of her lower body. She takes a deep breath and nods to you and Olyver. The boy gently slams the palm on the open page of his magic book. The massive steam cloud picks her up and, blasting off, it begins raising her towards the cracked sky.

“No-no-no-no-no,” the man’s voice cries and deafly echoes in desperation, “Please don’t do-do-do-do-do this!”

You watch as a sharp and long briar sword begins to manifest from her hilt. Olyver’s steam begins to turn into vapour powder and dissipate once Charlotte passes the destroyed ceiling. She continues to fly several more meters until the crack is within her reach. The woman swings her sword then impales it sharply straight into the crack – she is left hanging high above… there is another, loud noise as the horizon’s white crack breaks further.

“Oh, that-that-that-that-that wasn’t enough,” the man’s voice calms down as another one of his giant magical hands – oh come on – is born from the mana. The palm of it gently picks up Charlotte. “Now, come with me-me-”

Then, the sky begins to shatter. From Charlotte’s sword, hundreds of briars begin to form an overgrowth and from within each – dozens of crack-shattering thorns impale themselves into the fragile construction of his magic. Then, a beautiful yet blinding blue glow overwhelms the ballroom and the aquamarine nebula light begins to slide across the windows, walls and the remains of the marble floor. Then, in instant, the previously menacing vortex above and behind the windows is replaced by a calm, cloudless and sunny sky and the usual, wild forest scenery.

The giant snake and rodents are now as small as they are supposed to be, albeit squashed into gruesome puddle.

Charlotte releases the sword and rapidly comes crashing down – in panic, Olyver and you open your grimoire to forecall one of your magical spells to catch her – it is not needed. Charlotte catches herself in a soft blanket of her own, briar making and, once she is close enough to the ground, she releases it to safely land between you two…

She does not look happy. Roselei’s blue eyes dart around as she inspects several of her Magic Knights.

“Cecilia,” Charlotte’s voice one again summons and a small rubble pile lazily trembles in response.

Loudly yawning, as if a zombie reborn, a tall shape of a woman wearing purple-bluish mantle made of earthly-looking leather stands up and lazily raises her arms. Cecilia. Her hair is as eccentric as it ever was – pink- flamingo in colour, it reaches her shoulders and is weaved into several long braids: on the back of her head it is of massive, pretzel-like shape while on the front, two long pigtails drop over her shoulders. She is still wearing her absurd kaleidoscope spectacles – their geometrical shape and rainbow colour change with every turn of her head…

“Do you need anything, Captain Charlotte Roselei?” she asks as she lazily rubs beneath her eyes.

“Were you here all this time?!” you are unable to chain your disbelief, “Why didn’t you do anything?”

“Yes,” she answers you bluntly as she scratches underneath her armpit, “I was here all this time, waiting.” You gasp and look at Charlotte in shock. Is that okay with her? She just gingerly raises her shoulders. With another twist of her head, Cecilia finally stands up fully and begins cleaning her mantle off the dust and dirt. “You are very unexperienced, Cynthia Gualdo. It was predictable that there were going to be a lot of injured women after this was over – so, as a healer – I left fighting to others. Now, I did not waste my mana and I can heal everyone, right?”

Charlotte Roselei hastily begins walking towards the locked door, “Yes, Cecilia, heal those who need it most.” She smashes the door open and turns her head to those Magic Knights who are still able to stand – including Sol, Virginia, Olyver and you. “There is no way such a powerful spell was cast from far away – this intruder should still be somewhere in the headquarters – it is our duty to catch him. Olyver, Cynthia… join with Sol if you feel like it.”

Ending with those words, Charlotte leaves into the hallways of the mansion; Virginia follows her into a different direction. They are strong enough to deal with this themselves. Both Sol and Olyver, despite their wounds, rush towards the entrance. Sol slaps your shoulder on her way out and, since it’s rather clear you are drained of mana, she just gives you an understanding nod, as if saying ‘You don’t have to push yourself, you’ve done enough today.’

Several other Magic Knights leave the destroyed ballroom either alone or in pairs – you don’t know their names.

You shake your head – you still have enough mana left to use your linen clothes as weapons. You can be of help.

As soon as you approach the exit, however, a small hand grabs into your sleeve and pushes you back… it is Elvira.

“Elvira!” your say with a brief surprise before you smile and grab her hand back, “I am so glad you are alright.”

“Cynthia,” she nervously licks her lips, as if trying to come up with the right words, “You need to help me.”

“Are you injured?” you widen your eyes in a worry as you look over her body and new dress: no visible wounds.

“Please,” Elvira’s teeth chatter. She softly tightens her grip and looks at you with her deep ebon eyes, “If you find this intruder, y-you have to let him escape. Please. If he’s captured, I-I am done for, Cynthia… T-they will jail me!”

Her voice is barely a whisper – it is clearly something she doesn’t want others to hear. Huh?

You calm and measure yourself, “I don’t think I understand, Elvira. Why would they jail you?”

She begins to weep, “Please… I didn’t know it would end up like this, Cynthia. He was a weak mage, I swear!”

Trying to be as compassionate as possible, you put your hand on her – much taller – shoulder, “I need to go.”

“Please, you have to help him escape,” she echoes with a trembling voice, “I-I d-didn’t know he would do this.”

> “I don’t have any mana left to interfere with their search. I trust you to tell me everything later, Elvira.”
> “I’m sorry, Elvira, but that man has attacked and injured everyone in here. I can’t let him escape like this.”
> “I can’t. If there is something you wish to confess to Charlotte – I suggest you do it before the man is captured.”
> “I don’t know what happened but doubling-down is not the way. Let’s start this by you helping me capture him.”
> Nod. Rush to the hallway and, if you find the creepy man, allow him to escape. Tell others to go the wrong way.
> Disregard Elvira. Leave to join Sol and Olyver.
> [Write In]

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

>>4070096
> “I’m sorry, Elvira, but that man has attacked and injured everyone in here. I can’t let him escape like this.”
> “I can’t. If there is something you wish to confess to Charlotte – I suggest you do it before the man is captured.”
bruh

>>4070108
we should go with her when she confesses and try to get her a lighter punishment but this was a pretty big fuck up

>>4070096
> “I can’t. If there is something you wish to confess to Charlotte – I suggest you do it before the man is captured.”
> “I don’t know what happened but doubling-down is not the way. Let’s start this by you helping me capture him.”
>Head towards our room first, we can use some of pur crickets to replenish our mana.


Hell yeah, that was awesome!

>>4070119
Nevermind, drop the cricket part. I thought they restored mana, but it looks like they only enhance the power of spells?

>>4070096
is Elvira wearing the dress we made her?

>>4070151
Oh yeah, we should ask her what happened to Lilth.

>>4070163
this, and just in case she tries to do something stupid we should pump our linen magic into her clothes so we can restrain her

>>4070096
>> “I can’t. If there is something you wish to confess to Charlotte – I suggest you do it before the man is captured.”

>>4070218
I don't think our magic is that strong, even our spell couldn't move the falling rock off trajectory.
> “I can’t. If there is something you wish to confess to Charlotte – I suggest you do it before the man is captured.”

>>4070122
>The crickets "improve your abilities as a wizard for an hour" but you haven't tried them so you don't know what that means exactly.
>>4070151
>Yes, she is wearing Lilth's gift.

>Update will be later today.

>>4071830
Yay! Keep up the good work!

>>4071360
yeah somethings up we should definitely be ready to try to stop her if runs

A sigh escapes your lips. You tilt your head to face the anxious adult woman. “I’m sorry, Elvira, but that man has attacked and injured everyone in here. I can’t let him escape like this.” You harshly tilt your head at the ruins.

Trembling, she hugs herself with her own arms as if a blanket, “I-I know what he did is terrible, Cynthia, but– “

“If there is something you wish to confess to Charlotte – I suggest you do it before the man is captured, Elvira.”

She groans unenthusiastically and then raises her folded hands just enough to cover her face, “It’s not t-that simple, Cynthia. H-he is going to blame everything on me if he’s caught, Captain Charlotte will be fuming-mad!”

Following a short hesitation due to the inherit awkwardness of the gesture, you raise your hands to gingerly and softly touch the soft part of her hand with your fingers. “Not as mad if you don’t tell her – she is a Captain, Elvira; I am a terrible liar, but even if I do go along with your request, how long do you think you’ll be able to fool her for?”

Gingerly, she shrugs her shoulders. “I-if he lays low o-or escapes to another kingdom then she’ll never hear…”

You tighten your grip. “I don’t know what happened but doubling-down is not the way. Let’s start this by you helping me capture him. I’m sure Captain Charlotte will be more sympathetic if you play a part in his capture.”

Elvira sniff her nose and, harshly, she begins rubbing her head against her arms. Finally, she exasperatedly exhales and gulps down her sobs. She finally slowly lowers her hands and, with visibly uncertainty, she look in your eyes.

You give her a short smile before you clap your boots together and turn around. “I’ll be with you, don’t worry.”

You feel like she nodded her head. “T-thank you,” she mutters before she makes awkward jumps to catch up.

You close your grimoire and slide it in your pouch – you don’t feel like you will be using it anytime today anymore. Still, you leave the belt open just in case you will find a need to use one more spell. With that done, you take off your working uniform shirt to wrap it around your neck like a cloak – for decency, you still have your undershirt.

Charlotte’s mansion is enormous but the only real door he will be able to escape from, if he was really hiding somewhere inside the headquarters, is the main entrance… however, surely, no one is that dumb. You don’t know of any other doors leading outside – if there are any, they are well-hidden trap doors. What’s more likely is that Charlotte’s admirer is going to go for the windows – even if he will have to break one – of which there are many.

You wish you had enough mana for one more Homely Blanket, it is painful to move. You bite into your collar to silence your whines as you trail through the hallways to where you presume Sol and Olyver went to: you can’t see them anywhere. You turn to Elvira who is keeping herself silent. She looks nervous and doubtful – so are you.

You hear a thunderously resonating shatter of glass. You and Elvira stop. You two share a glance before, ignoring the pain, you hurry towards the source of the noise. Elvira follows. It’s not long until you stumble into a scene of a collapsed man with dozens of tiny glass shards pierced all over his body and face. He looks like the intruder…

Before him and a tall, destroyed window, of which all the glass is either in the man or lays cracked on the floor, stands a figure of an unknown woman. She looks about the same age as Charlotte – maybe slightly younger. Her chest is small – you only notice this because she somewhat resembles a boy because of this and her short-cut, dark blue hair which barely reaches her cheeks and chin. Her haircut is messy and rigid, although her hair is sparkling as if she just had a bath a few hours ago. She has several aquamarine moon-rune like strands and locks.

Slowly, she turns to face you. Around her, caught in a wind zephyr, float reflective shards of the stained glass. Her green-grey eyes are bottomless and full of sparks. The other thing you notice is that she is covered in multitude of thin yet long and deep scars – one goes from the top of her forehead, over her left eye and until her chin’s end.

She is wearing a brilliant ebon-cobalt gown weaved out of silk. An intricate rose-like lace neckline of the dress ineffectively hides some of her neck injuries. The long skirt of her gown is decorated with blooms of textile roses.

“Vice-Captain Lanarel?” you gasp in realization: you recognize her gown. She pauses and sheepishly smiles back.

“You ugly-ugly-ugly-ugly-ugly woman… augh!”

Elvira winces and takes a step back – she look at the man struggling in visible pain. The Vice-Captain does not mess around. You grip Elvira’s hand with one of your own; you point towards the man with another. “This person here is an intruder! He used some kind of spell to trap us in the ballroom – and he tried to kidnap Captain Char’!”

The woman’s eyes widen; she holds her mouth open. She looks at the man and furrows her brows. With a single motion, she raises her hand and her pristine-white grimoire to allow her sleeve to fall and reveal many more cuts.

A powerful gale torrents and resonates through the entirety of the corridor before a sharp wind cuts into the walls to gather pencil-thin threads of stone. She points her hand at the man and, with another powerful glow from the palm of her hand, the stonework ropes begin to firmly and securely surround and wrap themselves around him.

The man grunts and falls to the ground – all his previous vigour is gone. Lanarel winces, points her finger several times at the bound man and then, with a satisfied grin, she claps her hands – as if to herself. You awkwardly nod.

“Where have you been all this time, Vice-Captain Lanarel?”

Almost in exaggerated manner she glances to the right, then to the left and then she points towards the ceiling.

You look. There is nothing strange about this ceiling. You lower your head only to find a massive wind torrent floating in front of you and pushing you and Elvira back. After a few seconds, the airstream scatters just shortly enough for you to find Lanarel disappearing behind one of the corners. Where is she running away to now?!

You take a step forward to pursue her but decide against it. You sigh and turn to the man only to see Elvira nervously and slowly walking circles around him. You call out to her. The woman sheepishly looks back and stops.

“I believe I told you to go with Sol and Olyver, tailor Cynthia,” Charlotte voice heaves above you. Elvira gasps.

“C-Captain Charlotte,” you turn around to look at the woman face to face, “We were searching for them and…”

Her cheekbones soften as she smiles. She takes a few gracious, even amatory, steps towards the tangled man. She thrusts her hilt into his chin before a pair of briars surround and raise him on his feet. He wobbles and whimpers.

“My beautiful Charlotte, the charming rose of-of-of-of-of my heart! Please, maybe one-one-one-one-one hug!?”

Captain Charlotte grimaces and steps away – the distain is visible on her face as she refuses to even touch him.

“Disgusting man,” she sigh before looking at you. “I am sorry your ceremony was ruined because of this… mud.”

You shake your head, “I-it’s fine, nobody could’ve predicted that. You can just tell me and Olyver in private later.”

“I will do just that,” Charlotte nods. She tightens her briars and, just barely, forces him to come closer, “I see now that you have a grimoire with the mark of the Clover Kingdom, which means you are a mere bandit and not anybody important. Before I give you to Marx and the Magic Parliament, I want to know just one thing: how did you knew we were all going to be in that room in that specific time of week and day?”

The man grunts in pain. His tiny eyes glance around the room before he finally notices Elvira and chirpily smiles.

“I-It was me,” Elvira interrupts his confession just in the nick of time. With visible surprise, Charlotte stares the kitchen maiden down. Passively, she begins rubbing her sweating hands. “I-I told him of the planned ceremony.”

“Explain.” Charlotte demands coldly.

Elvira is unable to keep an eye contact with the Blue Rose’s Captain. She lowers her eyes to the ground but the pressure of her magic is not as simple to escape from – even you can feel it: it makes you sick. She clears her throat, looks at the man and gives in to Roselei’s order, “He’s the man who robbed me on my way to the market.”

“He?”

“But not exactly,” Elvira confesses and raises both of her connected palms in a prayer, “He tried to, but when I plead to him that I was going to get in trouble with the Blue Rose, he suddenly decided to spare me. In return, he just enquired me to tell him when all of us would be gathered in one place – so I told him of the ceremony. I did.”

“So, he did not steal from you,” Charlotte concludes and raises her free palm, “Where is the money?”

“Nowhere,” she bites and chews her lower lip, “I send it to my family in the Forsaken Region.”

Charlotte’s face looks completely grim and uninviting, as if she is looking at trash, “So you lied to all of us.”

> Remain silent, there is nothing you can do without getting into trouble yourself. She lied to you too.
> “Captain Charlotte, there is no way Elvira could’ve expected for him to be such a powerful mage.”
> “I know this will not make it any better, Captain Charlotte, but her family is struggling – Elvira was desperate.”
> “I’m sure Elvira will be happy to work with no pay to recompense her debts and wrongdoings, Captain Roselei.”
> “The night before she told me how desperate she was, Captain Charlotte. I plea to you, do not punish her.”
> [Write In]

>>4072696
> Remain silent, there is nothing you can do without getting into trouble yourself. She lied to you too.
>ask her where Lilth is
she betrayed us and the blue roses so she could pocket the spending money.

>>4072696
>> “I know this will not make it any better, Captain Charlotte, but her family is struggling – Elvira was desperate.”

we should figure out where Lilth is before we defend her, he was with her and if he's hurt that changes things

>>4072753
I support asking her about Lilth first as well.

>>4072753
>Sorry, yes, I missed the Lilth's inquiry prompt.

>>4072757
no problem, it's more dramatic this way

>>4072753
this

“I didn’t expect or want… I-I didn’t want anything like this to happen, Captain Charlotte. I had no idea, I swear.”

Slowly, as if a barely enchanted statue, Charlotte shakes her head. She uses her briars to raise the male to face Elvira. The intruder fidgets in his stone-ring chains as he continues to stare down Charlotte with admiration and greed. “Did you tell this girl that you were planning to attack us at this hour of the day, this time of the week?”

“Yes,” the man tosses an extremely short glance at Elvira.

“Y-you liar!” Elvira’s mouth opens in shock, “I knew n-nothing of your intent or how powerful your magic was!”

Charlotte clears her throat and, with another slow creep of her briars around the man’s neck, she pulls him on the floor away from the kitchen maiden. She continues to zealously and judgmentally look down at Elvira. She corks her chin and the pure pressure of the hefty mana becomes visibly glowing-green and tangible. Instinctively, you take a recovering step back. “Elvira. Instead of telling the truth right away you decided to pocket the money.”

Elvira’s hands shake, “I-I did not lie, he really did try to r-rob me, Captain Charlotte. I n-never thought it would end up like this, I swear. I d-do not know what I was expecting him to do with that information b-but it wasn’t this!”

“Do I not pay and reward your efforts fairly? Now I know the price you are willing to betray us all for – 50 yul.”

“54 yul.” She acts pedantic as she uses her hand to clumsily fix her cotton cowl. “And I d-didn’t betray you, i-it was an innocent question – w-wasn’t it? Y-you pay me enough, b-but… b-but my parents could use any addition yul!”

“How can I believe you now, Elvira? What if, instead of attacking, he was willing to give this information to our enemies?”

“I would never-never-never-never-never hurt you, my charming Roselei!” the man’s dot-eyes continue to sightsee.

“I-I know this was a mistake now. I-I will write my parents to return the money immediately, Captain Charlotte.”

Her voice turn sour, cold and dark. “It is -not- the money my concerns are towards, Elvira, but you.”

“W-what about Lilth? He gave you the gown, didn’t he? Was he with you during the attack? How is he?” You say.

Charlotte stares daggers at you for a short moment for daring to interrupt. She looks away as she quickly realizes she is worried about all of the members of the Blue Rose. Elvira’s cheeks crimson as she gasps for air – as if the sudden change of topic was akin to a hit of a blunt mace. “L-Lilth? Y-yes, he is alright but unconscious because of that strange sleeping powder. We were about to be crushed but Wardress’ magic had saved us from all of that…”

Her eyes glimmer as she look at you in plea.

> What should you do now?

> Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

>>4073661
>I am inept at linking thread.

>>4073641
Well, shit, what 'can' we do here. I'm not about to have Cynthia fall on her sword trying to bale Elvira out of trouble...

>>4073641
...Elvira you dumb bitch. What was she thinking? Did she ever told us why her parent needs all that money?

>>4073641
maybe rephrase it but we should say something like this
>"she couldn't have known that he was going to attack us. she would never try to hurt us especially not on a day this important to me"
I'm really liking the quest btw

“Captain Charlotte,” you try to squirm yourself deeper into their dialogue, “I’m sure that Elvira would never try to intentionally ruin such an important day to me. I’m more than certain she knew nothing about the man’s plans.”

“I think so as well,” Charlotte releases a short rough cough, “And because of this, I have no justification to be arresting you, Elvira.” She turns herself around to make you face her back. “Trust is like a string, however. You can pull it to its absolute limits and if you stop, the string will soon return back to normal. However, once the string snaps: it snaps forever. That string will never be like it was before. You are a good worker but my trust is broken.”

Elvira’s blinks are slow, and with every each of them the tears grow bigger and wetter. There a brief shock which is immediately replaced by melancholy. Elvira uses the sleeve of her long dress to rub away her tears. With a harsh voice, she says, “I-I do not h-hold it against you, Captain Charlotte. I am s-sorry for betraying your trust.”

“I allow you until the evening to depart, kitchen maiden Elvira. I wish you the best and to remember this moral.”

Elvira gives you a strange, hard to understand glance and then, without another word and with a very short nod, she begins walking away from the passage. You hold your tongue – there will be a chance to say a farewell. You don’t know what to say more. Charlotte’s features soften after a brief pause and she turns to look at you now.

“I will secure this man until Marx’s arrival – he’s Magic Emperor’s secondary – but that will take him a while. Find boy Olyver and come to my office in about ten minutes.” You give her an awkward nod as you rush away to find Olyver… You decide to give Elvira some time to contemplate – is it not a bit harsh? How many times have you disappointed Charlotte’s trust just this week – more than one? You think on this as you pass through all hallways.

You find Olyver all by himself – Sol have already abandoned him. You share with him Charlotte’s words and his cheeks begins to radiate with warmth – he is exited. “It’s such a rare chance to see Captain Charlotte’s beautiful office – tailor Cynthia! Usually, only the Magic Knights are allowed inside – and then, only those who are strong!”

Your own amazement by Captain Charlotte’s office – once you enter her room – tries to step in front of your worry about Elvira. The massive, bluish, and highly engraved with a texture of a magical overgrowth door opens all by itself. Unlike previously, the room basks in the natural light of the outside. The candles are fresh new (magically?) but none of them have been lit yet. At the other end of the room, hidden behind a silk, blue curtain stands an entrance to a balcony. The floor is laid in a mixture of white (representing air) and green (representing creepers and vines) mosaic. Now, in the middle of the day, the pure-white walls with golden borders are blinding to eye.

Charlotte is elegantly standing behind the table. There is a single blue rose laying on top of the patterned textile.

“Is everyone alright?” you question Charlotte as soon as you are certain she can hear you, “From the ballroom?”

“Yes,” Charlotte gives you a small smile as she puts both of the hands on her table to lean just a tiny bit forwards. “Nobody died or suffered any terrible injuries – Cecilia and Cristina will be able to nurse them back to health in two or three days – considering how strong their sleep was – I think it’s reasonable. And how about you two?”

You gently place your fingers over your pain-inducing wound, “I am just glad we had ways to survive a ceiling’s fall!”

Olyver, despite serious-looking injuries, simply gives Charlotte a royal salute, “I am all-ready Captain Charlotte.”

“First, let’s finally talk about your challenge. I have never seen you -this- motivated, Olyver, and Cynthia, you have surprised me in many-many ways, some of them, of course, negative. I did not lie, the roses in each bouquet were equal.” Her iron fingers pick up the rose as she raises it inches away from her chin, “So the final vote is mine.” She releases the rose only to catch and crush it with her gauntlet. You nearly jump upwards from this sudden display.

“You both are capable tailors – capable enough to -both- work here as Head Tailors.” She tilts her head and harrumphs. “I know, Olyver, that for you this is a stepping stone – and so it should. Despite the fact that your challenge’s ceremony was interrupted and its location completely ruined – you reacted as quickly as a real Magic Knight would. The spells in your grimoires are not meant for workshops – I wish to see you two as Magic Knights.”

Both you and Olyver look at her in disbelief – why is she daring to entertain the bizarre daydream you did not even tell her about? There is no way somebody like you -really- can be a Magic Knight, doesn’t matter what Charlotte Roselei says. In the position of a Head Tailor here you’ll be able to earn just enough to save the shop. Then again, you worry about father’s letter – you do not feel he is safe while you are so far away from him…

“But not yet – you two are not ready yet.” Olyver’s looks unhappy – even betrayed. Captain Charlotte straightens her iron back with a clang. “The Magic Knight Entrance Exam will take place in six months’ time. That is where we will get new recruits and some of them will be your age. Everyone who enters the Entrance Exam will be strong – I want you become as strong as them. Use this time to get better at controlling your spells, magic and mana…”

“So, you want us to take part of the Entrance Exam so we can show our powers and you can recruit us officially?”

“No,” Charlotte cuts him, “You do not need to take the Entrance Exam, I have seen enough. After six month, the day of the exam, I’ll officially make you the members of the Blue Rose after a short initiation trial – a challenge.”

“I don’t want to join your squad, Captain Charlotte,” Olyver gingerly smiles at her. He puts his hands in front of him as if creating a barrier between Roselei and himself, “Don’t be offended, Captain Charlotte. I just feel like I am already known as a tailor boy here and, as the only boy Magic Knight in the squad, I will still be remembered only for that. I want to start fresh… I want to take the Magic Knight Entrance Exam and join the Golden Dawn.”

“Golden Dawn?” you whisper with scepticism, “They only invite children of nobles and royals. You will have to do something absolutely incredibly insane to have their Magic Captain offer you a place as a humble commoner.”

“What about you?” Charlotte raises her hands to have only her fingers weighting down the table, “Cynthia?”

“Me?”

“Are you accepting my offer? Do you wish to stay here, work and train until then?”

> “I can’t, my father and my workshop in Kikka is in danger. This is the only thing I am able to think about.”
> “I will take the Magic Knight Entrance Exam myself, as well. I want to see how ready I am compared to others.”
> “I can’t stay here as a Head Tailor, and I make no promises, but I will consider your offer after I talk to father.”
> “There is no reason to wait six months. Please, allow me to take the initial trial right now – I think I’m ready.”
> Maybe you should ask her about Elvira? Is there a way for her to forgive her and let her continue to work?
> [Write In]

>>4075715
> accept her offer
this will definitely solve our money issue and we'll still get some good chances to improve our tailoring

>>4075715
>I really appreciate your offer Captain Charlotte. But if Olyver is going to go through the Entrance Exam, I should too.

>>4075715
> “I can’t stay here as a Head Tailor, and I make no promises, but I will consider your offer after I talk to father.”

we should go ask our dad for his opinion

>>4075715
>> “I will take the Magic Knight Entrance Exam myself, as well. I want to see how ready I am compared to others.”

>>4075874
This

>>4075874

Accept the offer but talk to father about it as >>4076031 suggests just to see his view on it and opinion.

>>4073942
She did, yeah. Bad crop season and they are turbo old and rely on her for money.

>>4075715
>> “I can’t stay here as a Head Tailor, and I make no promises, but I will consider your offer after I talk to father.”

“Your offer is extremely generous, Captain Charlotte,” you begin with a commoner’s curtsy and awkward nod, “B-but this is overwhelming.” You softly press your hand against your chest. You contemplate. “Becoming a Magic Knight, this was never my intent for coming here – and I lack the morale for it. I need to talk with my father first.”

You look at Olyver. “Besides, it will be unfair compared to all the others if I’m allowed to skip the Entrance Exam.”

“Not necessary,” Charlotte sharply cut in before Olyver, “It is not rare for exceptionally good mages to skip the Magic Knight Entrance Exam and to even decide the Magic Knight Group they wish to be a part of themselves – although it usually concerns aristocrats, nobles and royal families. I would rarely offer a boy a position of a Magic Knight in the Blue Rose, Olyver. If you decide to take the Entrance Exam, I will only raise my hand if William does.”

Olyver lets out a sharp, inhaling whistle. “I… I understand Captain Charlotte. I still want to do it the proper way.”

“The proper way…” Charlotte whispers under her breathe as she opens one of the cupboards and removes an envelope with a clearly magical stamp portraying a blue coloured drawing of her mansion. She slides it across the table towards you – it stops a few inches away from the edge. “It is your decision… And it is embarrassing to repeat. Once the dialogue with your father is finished, write me of your verdict and we can resume from there.”

Olyver awkwardly puts his fingers over the pouch containing his grimoire, “Six more months as a tailor for me…”

Captain Charlotte softly nods at the boy, approving his decision. She runs her fingers through her golden hair until she reaches the braid which she leisurely puts over her shoulder, “I have a message to send now. Until next time.”

You and Olyver both salute her in the official, although somewhat flawed, fashion. With a melodic clang and echoing of her armour, she returns a more rigid and faultless salutation. You leave without another word, still tired, dirty, injured and overtaken by today’s events. You and Olyver venture through several of the hallways until you reach the main hall. Despite the fact that you have been through it many times, it still looks very grandiose.

You notice Elvira and Lilth there, talking. You decide to come a bit closer, but not enough to interrupt them.

Elvira is kneeling just enough to make her and Lilth appear the same height.

“Are you really leaving tonight?” You can feel Lilth’s voice heave. “You are not joking?”

“I am not joking,” Elvira’s eyes redden as she fights back the tears – or she has already done crying.

“B-but why do you have to leave?”

“I-it is personal,” Elvira half-lies to your subordinate as she straightens her back and tries to smile. “Thank you very much for your gift, Lilth, it’s beautiful and comfortable. I am going to remember you, and everyone else in the Blue Rose, and all the time I have spent here, every time I will have it on.” She winks, “I am sure of that.”

“I’ll visit you,” Lilth clenches his fists as he insists, “Please, tell me where you’ll be working now so I know.”

Elvira’s tired eyes semi-widen. She awkwardly glances away, “I am not sure yet either. I don’t think Captain Charlotte, or your parents, or Cynthia here, will approve of you leaving to the other side of, say, Common Region.” With visible shyness – she is still supposed to be the adult – she touches Lilth’s head. “You are too young.” She begins, “P-perhaps I will return to my parents, or perhaps I’ll settle somewhere else. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

Lilth finally notices you standing near. His wet cheeks turn red as he look at you for explanation. You sigh.

“Lilth and Olyver,” you speak softly as you turn to refer to both of them, “Can you give us some room?”

Lilth looks at you with a pout. He continues to rebelliously stand in one place until Olyver begins to approach him. The boy steps forwards and grabs Elvira into an awkward hug, at which even she is surprised. Without another word, his eyes well-hidden behind his glasses, he turns around and runs away. You watch as he reaches the staircase, throws a short – what he might consider last – glance in Elvira’s direction and then begins climbing up.

Olyver follows.

“What about you, Cynthia?” Elvira’s voice tightens as soon as Lilth leaves. “What did Captain Charlotte tell you?”

You clear your throat, “She said she is going to allow me to work here for the next six months.”

“I-I wish I was as fortunate as you,” she whispers quietly, “You’ve got all you wanted while... I am being laid off.”

“Do you have any plans or ideas on where you will go?” you ask her.

Her tiny smile is reckless. She puts her hand into her pouch only to pause and leave it there, without removing anything from inside of it. “If I am unable to find any work, I will always have the trick I’ve learned thanks to you.”

> “I am sorry I could not do more but I don’t think it would’ve been possible to convince Captain Charlotte.”
> “You should avoid doing that ‘trick’ unless you are at risk of losing your home or need to eat straw and grass.”
> “Why did you lie about the money? If you just asked me, or Captain Roselei, I’m sure we could lend you some.”
> “My workshop in Kikka could use additional hands, Elvira, but we won’t be able to pay you much for starters.”
> “There is not much I can say, Elvira, but if you ever in serious trouble you can pay me a visit in my workshop.”
> “Your parent’s situation must be really dire, Elvira. If you need money, here – return when you can. (Specify).”
> [Write In]

> Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

>>4077441
>> “I am sorry I could not do more but I don’t think it would’ve been possible to convince Captain Charlotte.”
> “Why did you lie about the money? If you just asked me, or Captain Roselei, I’m sure we could lend you some.”

>>4077441
> “You should avoid doing that ‘trick’ unless you are at risk of losing your home or need to eat straw and grass.”
> “I am sorry I could not do more but I don’t think it would’ve been possible to convince Captain Charlotte.”
> “Why did you lie about the money? If you just asked me, or Captain Roselei, I’m sure we could lend you some.”

and we could also offer her to help us train

>>4077441
> “You should avoid doing that ‘trick’ unless you are at risk of losing your home or need to eat straw and grass.”
> “Why did you lie about the money? If you just asked me, or Captain Roselei, I’m sure we could lend you some.”
it's good to see that Elvira has not learned her lesson at all

>>4078125
also
>ask her whether or not she really didn't know that the guy was going to attack

>>4077441
We should totally hire her. She can copy stuff!

“You should avoid doing that ‘trick’ unless you are at risk of losing your home or need to eat straw and grass.”

Elvira hems and awkwardly glances away, “I-I know that. I just said it will be the last resort if I can’t find a job.”

You sigh. “I am sorry I couldn’t do more but I don’t think it would’ve been possible to convince Captain Charlotte.”

Elvira’s murmurs melancholically. “Y-you didn’t really try as hard as you could.” She shakes her head.

You clear your throat, “I realized that Captain Charlotte was decisive. It’s her home, and you were her employee.” She continues to look at you with, albeit inadvertent, censorious squint. “Why did you lie about the money? If you just asked me, or Captain Roselei, I’m sure we could lend you some. What you did Charlotte considered as theft.”

“A-and you too consider it stealing…” she prolongs. Her fingers continue to quietly clank the metal coins inside her linen pouch before she sighs, “I-I don’t know, I acted without thinking. I realized I-I could just send this money to help my parents instead of feeding Ms. Tresses another steak and nobody would know.” She shares a weak smile.

“But why didn’t you ask before this?”

“B-because you know, Cynthia, how humiliating it is to beg for money. I am already just a white sheep in this mansion, a p-peasant amongst the powerful nobles, aristocrats and talented commoners. No… I didn’t want to.”

You place your hand behind your neck, “Tell me, did you really not know the man was going to attack?”

She looks hurt by your question. She winces, “D-do you not believe me?”

“I want to hear it from you.”

“Of course, I didn’t,” the usually meek woman allows herself to furrow her brows, “Would I really pocket the money and tell everyone I was robbed i-if I knew he was going to return and cause so much problems and a-also try to make me at fault for this? I-I wouldn’t! H-how was I suppose to know he was as strong as Captain Roselei?”

“She is right,” Virginia’s authoritative voice can be heard above you; her incredibly tall shadow blankets you. Virginia’s gaze is stoic and fault-finding. She holding a strange, iron staff in her hands – it’s as tall as her and is decorated with strange – both brass and silver – engravings. At the very top of it is an empty purplish glass globe: as big as a person’s head. The glass orb is decorated with celestial and otherworldly looking engravings over it.

Elvira takes a step back as her eyes meet Virginia’s. The two wither in the uncomfortable silence.

“Wardress Virginia?” you cut the heavy air with your raised voice, “What do you mean? What is that?”

“A Dark Magic Tool,” she monotones, “It seems the man has used it to amplify and strengthen his magic – from what I could learn how it works. Even if he used it for his ‘Snow Globe Magic’ it would not be as strong as it was, however.” Her gauntlet gently press against the glass surface, “There was another magic and mage at play here.”

“W-why are you telling us this?” Elvira perks her head uncomfortably, “Isn’t this something to be kept private?”

Wardress Virginia takes a loud step towards Elvira. She slams the blunt end of the staff against the ground, “You are correct.” She repeats, “But I want you to know the reason Captain Charlotte is reacting the way she is. That person is not a mere madman, he is working, or in contact with, somebody dangerous whom watched over him.”

Elvira’s eyes begin to tear up, merely at Virginia’s bursting mana and overwhelming presence. “S-sorry.”

Virginia lifts the long Dark Magic Tool and, slowly, she moves it towards Elvira, “Do you wish to have it?”

Elvira’s lips quiver, “H-huh? Y-you want to give it -me-?”

“If you want to, imagine how much powerful your magic is going to be if you use this Magic Tool. A parting gift.”

“C-can I really have it?” Elvira’s hands tremble – she lifts them towards the staff – and her eyes sparkle.

As soon as she touches and grips the staff in her hands, however, Virginia pulls it away from her. A short glimmer of angelic fire sparks in her eyes. “In the place of this man it could’ve been you, ex-kitchen maiden. Think on that.”

Without offering another word, and with every new step the heavy, pressuring presence of her mana dispersing, she leaves you and Elvira standing alone. You chew on your cheek trying to find a way to break the awkwardness.

The woman’s face is bleak, her knuckles crack as she, angrily, squeezes her fists. “I-I… h-have to… f-free my b-bed… I-I… am… H-hope e-everything turns out w-well f-for you… Cynthia…” She concludes her final farewell.

“I hope it does for you, too, Elvira,” you yell towards the woman who is already half-way of escaping the hall.

Is she going to be alright?

You conclude the day by giving everyone your final farewell. After today Pero and Lilth are going to be returning to their usual job of working under Olyver, and potentially you, as the same team. Those kids are not ready for a hostile and competitive environment yet, so that is for the best. Tugela, Alice and Tresses are still away on their special mission so you are unable to say farewell to any of them. Despite her expressionless demeanour, Cleole is extremely sad to see her “great friend” depart so soon: she even gives her of her hot-to-the-tongue sweets. You reassure the woman that you will probably be back. The last person you meet before you depart is Sol Marron.

“Remember the grimoire ceremony?” Sol reminds you smirkingly, “I told you being a Magic Knight suits you best.”

“Did you trick me with the Head Tailor position to come and see that?” you pout, “I need to talk to my father…”

Sol climbs on top of one of the ruins and then directs an order to one of the few Earth Golems she has in her command to toss and move away the destroyed monoliths, “Tell him I’ll beat him up if he tells you ‘no’, alright?”

Your chuckle is harsh and nervous, “Please don’t beat up my father, Sol. I hope to see you soon.”

With that, you depart. You decide against going to the baths to save yourself some time – it’s not safe for a young girl to be flying at evening dawn all be herself: so, you hope to reach Kikka by day-time. You put everything in a massive bag Charlotte kindly provided to you. You practice flying the new magic broom on your way back…

There is no comparison to Adeliza’s doddery carpet sweeper – this is the first time in your life you own a magic broom of your own! And what a broom it is: stable, easy to control, and fast! Perhaps… perhaps… In absurd recklessness, unlike your usual reserved self, you grab the broom’s shaft with both of your hands and then, you jump to place both of your feet on top of it. You take a deep breath and close your eyes – you ride your Magic Broom like a Magic Knight would – standing. You have no problem finding the balance and even speeding up.

The flight back home is much quicker, yet it still takes some time. You no longer have the problem of Adeliza’s broom of having to keep flying low to the ground – you can raise as high as your lungs allow you, even above the gathering thick clouds: it will be raining. You use the free time you have contemplating on everything that has happened this week, and how absurdly dangerous but also exciting and eye-opening it was to you, a tailor girl…

You fly above the giant yet welcoming stone walls of Kikka – you forgot how huge and populous your city is compared to Kraal and Mizu. Far on the horizon stands the Kingdom’s Palace. The Magic Emperor (and the King) live and watch over the kingdom from the tallest towers and palaces of it. You pass by several of the streets until you reach the market and then – the High Street. You find your luxurious and exclusive – only the type allowed to stand on the High Street – workshop: a two-storey stone house with a massive, scissor sign hanging from top of it.

It seems your father has managed to repair the door – a new one, slightly cheaper in design, stands in its place. You look closely: the doorframe still has marks of char, ash and burns over it. This might not be too comforting for the clients. You might have to tell your father or go and buy some paint to do it yourself. Or, you can ask Nicolai!

File: latest[1].png (1.24 MB, 1420x880)

1.24 MB PNG

You take a deep breath: it now feels strange to be returning. You push the door open to enter the shop wing. Four faces turn to look at you in alarm and surprise. Two of those faces are Francis – your father – and Nicolai. One of the others is Flavius Navika – an almost aristocratically dressed man with white-gold epaulette shoulder pieces. His hair and long beard with upper-class moustache are all dark-brown. His calm, red eyes overlook you. The second man is neatly dresses, but not as fashionably as Flavius – he must be his assistant or working under him.

“Cynthia!” your father gasps in relief once he sees you on the doorstep, “You’re back!”

“You are back,” Flavius echoes Francis’ words, but not the tone, almost mechanically, “Your daughter.”

“Yes,” Francis harshly slides his hands over the table’s surface, “Now I’m certain this shop is no trouble!”

“For now,” Flavius removes a tissue from his suit’s pocket and, once his glare completely burrowed itself through you, he looks away and approaches the door. He takes the door handle using the tissue and turns it open, “But times are changing, Francis. Soon, the High Street will be shared between the White Yul, and unless you join under one of them, I would really prefer if it was the Navika family, you will still have to eventually sell it to one of us.”

Francis keep a stern glare on the man. Flavius hems and smiles as he leaves. The second man leaves after him.

They do not close the door. Angrily, you approach and slam it shut – the nerve of those people!

“What is going on?” you turn to your father and Nicolai, who gives you a sheepish but welcoming smile.

“You are asking me?” your father gasps as she hastily approaches and locks you in a tight hug, “You tell us!”

> Tell your father the complete truth. Tell him about how ‘thief of Kraal’, about the Labyrinth and the battle.
> Tell your father the short truth, make the dangerous and life-threatening moments loss notable and remarkable.
> Tell your father about the wage of a Magic Knight. Tell him that the problem of the shop is fixed if you join them.
> Admit to your father that, despite loving the workshop, you want to becoming a Magic Knight to travel around.
> Ask your father if the culprits behind the arson were found. Say that you can ask Captain Charlotte to enquire.
> [Write In]

>>4079348
>> Tell your father the complete truth. Tell him about how ‘thief of Kraal’, about the Labyrinth and the battle.
>> Admit to your father that, despite loving the workshop, you want to becoming a Magic Knight to travel around.
>> Tell your father about the wage of a Magic Knight. Tell him that the problem of the shop is fixed if you join them.

Maybe gloss over the part about the theif, or at least avoid implicating Nicolai.

>>4079411
Support and let's avoid mentioning the mixer.

>>4079411
+1

>>4079348
> Tell your father the short truth, make the dangerous and life-threatening moments loss notable and remarkable.
> Tell your father about the wage of a Magic Knight. Tell him that the problem of the shop is fixed if you join them.
>jokingly mention Labrys' offer as another option

>>4079348
>> Tell your father the complete truth. Tell him about how ‘thief of Kraal’, about the Labyrinth and the battle.
> Ask your father if the culprits behind the arson were found. Say that you can ask Captain Charlotte to enquire.

You wait patiently until your father finally breaks the hug. You smile, cheekily but merrily. It’s good to be home.

“You won’t believe the week I had,” you peak his curiosity, but before you can begin unraveling the complete truth of everything you went through, he stalls you by turning around and creaking the door leading to the kitchen.

“You must be hungry, come, I’ve been experimenting with some recipes I borrowed from Adeliza Sharon - they are tasty.” He pauses and looks you over, “It might take about ten minutes to reheat. Wash your face and come down.”

You harrumph but the quiet grumble of your stomach betrays your enthusiasm. Your father is right, your story is going to take a while to retell - you might as well do it with a washed face and full stomach. You nod in agreement before you begin to climb the steep stairs. Your entire house is miniscule compared to Roselei’s mansion, but it is especially noticeable at how much bigger the staircases are in the Blue Rose headquarters. You pout at the realization your father did not notice your amazing, new - and very expensive - flying broom. Come to think of it, your father doesn’t have or once used a magic broom himself. You wonder: should you brag a bit about your own?

After placing the heavy bag on the edge of your bed, you take a deep breath and look around - despite the fact that your room looks slightly cheaper than the one provided by Captain Charlotte during your stay, all the small things you have accumulated through your entire life make it look more comfortable and nostalgic. You take off your used clothes (but because of your magic they look fresher and better than some brand new ones) and instead, you put on your favorite, homely garments: a size-bigger white shirt (you like it that way) and gray trousers.

On your way back from the bathroom you spot black-haired Nicolai standing by the doorframe of your room. He is wearing the exact same uniform Lucius used to… You are still conflicted about the things he did, and what he is doing now. His green eyes, as if a pair of cloudy emeralds, spot you as he straightens his back and waves: ‘hello’.

You shield your chest and stomach with your hands, “Were you peeking at me?”

“What? Gosh dang, no!” he pouts and awkwardly slams his arms down in the air, “There is just something I need
to flippin’ tell you… and I wasn’t sure Francis would be happy to hear it.” He sighs, “Since I started working in Kraal I have been practicing using my grimoire-” He pauses as he notices your skeptical and somewhat judgement glare, “I didn’t freakin’ steal anything since that night!” Nicolai scowls childishly, “Y-y-you won’t tell Francis, will you?”

You smile and shake your head. “No, let’s keep it a secret if the laws of the church have nothing against it.” Your eyes widen as you stare him down in half-shock, “I just realized your magic is perfect to peek at undressing girls!”

“Geez! My mother would never freaking forgive me if I used it like that!” he shouts, clearly to self-defend his pride.

You exhale and smirk, “Really… It’s a good thing such magic ended up with someone so moral and right-minded.”

He sheepishly chuckles and then rubs behind his neck, “Well, during one of my breaks I noticed a suspicious effing pair of cloaked men stalking your workshop. I decided to follow them, cloaked by my Soulseal Magic. Not for long, since there is a time limit and I didn’t want to end up caught.” He continues, “They arrived at a fancy-looking house that is, as I later crudely learned - a residence of Flavius, his daughter-”

“Patricia,” you hiss the name of a girl who is more annoying, rude and self-centered than Tresses.

“Yes,” Nicolai blinks at you, “B-but please don’t interrupt.” He frowns, and you frown back. “As well as a boy who your father told me used to work here - Lucius. After this, I stalked their freaking residence (was there not a single mage there powerful enough to sense his presence?) and the things I learned are… I don’t know why you made such an enemy but they really-really have it against you, Cynthia. The Magic Knights that are assigned to guard this ‘High Street’? The Purple Orcas? Of freaking course they are corrupt, the bandits and the Magic Knights are all paid by those gosh darn people - to your surprise probably, but not mine. Shoot, that’s how all darn rich people are!”

You lean on the wooden wall as you close your eyes. If Navika family are paying the Magic Knights to completely ignore the practically-criminal ways they are buying off the High Street, it is only a matter of time until another arson, robbery or something worse happens to your workshop. And Lucius? The boy is now working for Patricia?

“Cynthia. Nicolai! The food is ready!” your father’s voice echoes and wakes you from your thoughts.

Nicolai begins climbing down the stairs. He turns to look at you, “I don’t know if you want to tell him or not.”

> Tell your father what Nicolai shared with you. It will sour the night and your decision to become a Magic Knight.
> Tell Francis about the arsonists and the Magic Knights. Avoid talking about Lucius - he really liked the boy.
> Tell your father nothing. You will take care of everything yourself, there is nothing for him to worry about.
> [Write In]

> The previous prompts will be used next update, so if other people wish to add more please do.

>>4081270
> Tell your father nothing. You will take care of everything yourself, there is nothing for him to worry about.
>information captain Charlotte about this when we eventually give our answer

>>4081270
>> Tell your father nothing. You will take care of everything yourself, there is nothing for him to worry about.
>inform captain Charlotte about this when we eventually give our answer

Interesting, I wasn't expecting for the arson to have been from a rival merchant family. That really does make it seem even stranger that Lucius was working with them. Maybe we can try to find and confront him at some point.

>>4081270
> Tell your father nothing. You will take care of everything yourself, there is nothing for him to worry about.
> Inform captain Charlotte about this when we eventually give our answer
Is it against Clover Kingdom's christian faith to curse?

>>4081664
His speech pattern is kinda awkward, isn't it?

“Thanks for telling me this, Nicolai,” you follow him down the stairs towards the kitchen area.

“I’ll be frank and honest: I am a bit miffed you didn’t tell me about all of this when you invited me to your workshop,” he tells you as he lifts his hand off the handrail, “I was hoping for a straightforward life now.”

With a short hesitation, you smile, “I was hoping the Magic Knights here would do their job for once, and I was expecting the arson to be a one-time-thing. I am happy you were here to keep an eye on my father, Nicolai.”

The boy flusters, “If I am going to be working here I might effing as well make sure this place doesn’t burn down.”

You smile and nod, “Of course. We might not be able to pay you much but it will change soon, hopefully.”

“What do you mean?” he instantly stops and turns around so hastily and suddenly you nearly bump into him.

You take a step to the left to tread around him, “I’ll tell you too after lunch,” you brisk, “Or is it dinner already?”

He shakes his head, “Technically, it is still lunch. I think it will be dinner in about an hour.”

You sigh; your question was solitary and rhetorical but the boy seems to relish in back-talking.

You enter the kitchen first – a small dining table made out of cherry wood stands in the corner of the kitchen with one of its sides propped against the stone wall. The table is just big enough to host three people – and there are three chairs here. They used to be shared between you, your father and your dear mother. As you continue to stand there – staring at the empty chair in melancholic reminiscence – Nicolai sneaks by you. Accustomed to the ways things work here he takes a plate and places a piece of a fresh roast, some boiled eggs and baked potatoes.

Nicolai aims to leave the kitchen area afterwards. You look at the boy in confusion.

“This seems like a very freaking personal business between you two. I’ll go eat in my room so I’m not prying.”

“It’s fine,” you tell him with a smile.

“Nonsense,” your father confirms, “It’s been a very long time since this table was full. Come sit, Nicolai.”

The boy’s eyes dart from you to Francis and then to the table before he lets out a defeat sigh and takes a seat.

You join the two males by the table and, after placing some of the food on your plate – you elegantly dig in: Nicolai’s presence forces you to eat the food sophisticatedly and not without care like you used to. After finishing half of the plate, you finally begin retelling the events of the last week – what you hide are just very small details.

You tell them about your arrival and the conditions imposed by Charlotte’s challenge. You share a little bit of information about Lilth and Pero – your boy aides. You tell about their reluctance to assist you at first, and the massive trouble Pero got into because of the wine bottle gifted to you by Tugela. You reassure your worried father that you had no intention of drinking the wine after being forced to take a sip and heavily disliking it.

You recall the confrontation between you and Olyver, and Virginia because of Pero. You tell them about Tugela’s offer and the position you were forced to take to rescue the boy from being sacked from his role. Nicolai nearly chokes and apologizes and continuously slams his chest when he realizes the part of the story you are retelling.

You keep the part about chasing the “Ghost of Kraal” short: you make sure not to mention either Nicolai’s name or the extremely unique magic of his grimoire. You conclude by the fact you managed to catch the thief.

Nicolai looks a tad bashful you decided to mention the whole event at all but he’s not angry. That is good.

You proceed. You mention how much of a disadvantage you had compared to Olyver, and how you had to constantly find ways to improve how you repaired you dresses. You tell both of the males about the kitchen maiden you managed to befriend – Elvira – and her unique and powerful magic; despite her mana-lacking body.

Eventually, you reach the part about Charlotte’s Labyrinth and how you entered it with Tugela - an extremely powerful Magic Knight – to find a Magic Knight banned from it – only to end up being separated by a briar wall.

Your father’s face pales when you enthusiastically tell him of all the life-threatening dangers you faced in the labyrinth before and after you found and began working together with Alice Phetocruel. You share with them the embarrassing fact (for Alice) that she had failed the labyrinth for dozens of times until that fortunate night…

However, when you tell your father about the new spell you acquired in the labyrinth and show it to him on the pages of your grimoire, his expression quickly turns from worried to joyful and proud. Even Nicolai looks curious when you begin to explain the effects of it. Sadly, because of your mana you are unable to show it for them...

You continue with the story. You tell about how unhappy Charlotte was with your exploits (your father annoyingly nods when you mention Roselei’s tribunal) but how, despite the fact, she rewarded you with a huge amount of money. You make sure to use this opportunity to mention that what she gave you is only a small fraction of what even Junior Magic Knights earn in a single month. With just the money you have now, workshop will be repaired.

You tell them some of them unimportant day-to-day moments, too.

You completely “forget” to mention the mixer – while your father might wish for you to marry someday, you wager group dates with men above your age and alcohol are not something he’ll approve of. However, you do mention Labrys: your father is well aware of Adzefrene family and he knew about the fact that their son left the High Street to pursue his own goals. However, it seems he did not know he became a Magic Knight. Your father’s face sours as he contemplates Labrys’ story. You continue retelling your short trip to Mizu – a town which suffered the aftermath and became a battleground of a failed invasion. To your own surprise, your voice breaks when you mention how happy and grateful the residents were when you were extremely successful in healing their wounds.

The time of day turns to night as you reach the part regarding the “Pink Ash Forest” and the “Oracle Beast”. You share with him the rumours which the boys and Tugela shared with you. Nicolai reacts curiously; he even asks a few questions of his own. The “Pink Ash Forest” is located not too far from Kraal, so it should not be surprising the boy have heard about the enchanted forest and the rumours of a future-predicting beast. When you mention the tower-sized grizzly bear, Francis reacts with shock and fear and Nicolai reacts with a fairly arrogant scepticism.

Francis reacts with a mix of relief and frustration when you tell him you were “unable” to see your future. Why?

You mention the crystal traps and their originator – a powerful mage from the Diamond Kingdom. You mention how the man has managed to shatter the crystallized bear with a single touch of his hand and how he intended to destroy all of you and the boys too. Again, your father is concerned and anxious… perhaps this is too much for him? However, when Charlotte appears in your story and rescues you from death he slams the table happily.

Finally, you reach the final day of your challenge – the conclusion. You retell the same emotions you felt when you entered the ballroom, and how ridiculous and unnecessary grandiose Charlotte made the whole event. A bit cheekily, you make sure to mention how both of the judge-bouquets had equal amount of roses in them. It’s something you should be proud of, you think. When Charlotte’s decision is interrupted by a powerful rogue magus, even Nicolai cuts his snarl and is completely invested in the story. Perhaps you should be a bard instead.

You tell them about the “Snow Globe Magic”, about the dream dust and other horrible litter the man – you realize you do not even know his name – started pouring and throwing on your heads. You explain the man’s “reasoning” to try and kidnap Captain Charlotte, ‘the most beautiful woman in the Clover Kingdom’. You mention the massive, oversized rats and a colossal snake that eventually broken the ceiling of the room and collapsed it on top of you.

Your father listens with vexed intensity – he knows that you survived but that doesn’t mean he’s worried. He practically breaks the plate he is holding when you mention Virginia’s magic and how awesome Captain Charlotte was when she reached past the collapsed ceiling and destroyed the man’s magic with her powerful briar sword.

“And that should be all,” you cork your eyebrow. You stare at the ceiling for a fraction of a second, “I think so.”

“So who did this Captain of yours effing vote for in the end?” Nicolai asks. He has his hands are on his knees.

“Since she is back I imagine it was not her,” Francis smiles, “You have nothing to be regretful about, Cynthia.”

“Actually, I was offered the Head Tailor position by Captain Charlotte,” you tell him with a ginger smile, “Me and Olyver both, she said we both were extremely good tailors to pick only one. Father, if I’ll work for Charlotte as a Head Tailor I’ll be able to earn so many yul coins you won’t have to worry about the rent or the White Yul… ever.”

Francis’ voice turns woeful and dejected, “But then you will have to stay away from our workshop, won’t you?”

You timidly rub your hands. You take a deep breath as you slightly lean on your palms, “And after the six months are done, Captain Charlotte – personally – has asked me to become a Magic Knight of her group – the Blue Rose.”

His eyes widen as he gasps for breathe, “You clearly know how dangerous the job of Magic Knight is, Cynthia!” He continues heavy-heartedly as his grasp quivers the table, “Do you realize that you might just –die- on a mission?”

You look away scruffily, “I have no intention of dying, father. I will be reasonable, cautious and safe. I promise.”

“No,” he mutters to himself, “Please don’t make me tell you ‘No’, Cynthia. Please, reconsider this – I can’t lose you too. This workshop needs you. Together we’ll be able to pay enough without you havig to risk your life or live away from your home town… you love it here, don’t you? It’s a good town.” He clears his throat as his voice trembles in worry, “In a few years you’ll find a good husband and, when I get older, you’ll inherit this workshop.”

> “Father, this workshop is yours and mother’s dream, but it is not mine. I want to be a Magic Knight.”
> “I love this workshop father, but I will feel caged if I stay a simple tailor here. Please, let me do this.”
> “I am tired of Kikka and High Street, father. I want to save and help people; I want to travel the world.”
> “Captain Charlotte is incredible and powerful, father. I am certain she will make sure to protect me.”
> “Father, the High Street is corrupt. To protect you and this workshop I –need- to become a Magic Knight.
> “It might be safer for you to have me stay here for the next months but I will depart after to be a Magic Knight.”
> [Write In]

>>4083299
> “I love this workshop father, but I will feel caged if I stay a simple tailor here. Please, let me do this.”
> “Father, the High Street is corrupt. To protect you and this workshop I –need- to become a Magic Knight.

>>4083379
this

>>4083299
supporting >>4083379 as well

>>4083379

has my support.

>Update will be late today!

“Father, the High Street is corrupt. To protect you and this workshop I –need- to become a Magic Knight.”

He clears his throat and looks at you with a brief – yet a slightly understanding – surprise. “What do you mean?”

You cough on nothing in particular. Those problems, you will take care of everything yourself, there is nothing for him to worry about. “What you said in your letter: how the White Yul is trying to take over every shop in here.”

“It is most likely corrupt,” he hesitates, “But I see no reason for you to become a Magic Knight yourself over that.”

You shake your head, “It’s been a week since we told the local Magic Knights about the nearly-successful arson attempt… have they found either one of the bandits or Lucius?” He shakes his head. “That is what I heard…” You softly nod to the window leading to the evening outside, “Once I am a Magic Knight that will not happen again.”

Your father visibly hesitates at your brash enthusiasm. He disagrees. “This workshop might be important to me and your mother, Cynthia, but I’ll care way more about your safety that the safety of this building. Even if it’s destroyed, I’ll be happy you are not risking your life. We can personally request another Magic Knight Squad, perhaps the one you’ve just returned from – or even the Magic Parliament to look and investigate this crime.”

You toss a glance to the floor for a second to lament on and gather your thoughts.

You look back at Francis, “I love this workshop, father, but,” your voice hesitates, “I will feel caged if I stay a simple tailor.” You look away again, your heart wavering. You raise your fist to your chest. “Please, let me do it.”

Francis flinches, his eyes lower down. He allows heavy seconds of silence to hang in the air. His fingers fall on the table with a slow strike. He stands up from the table despite still having some food on his plate. Instead of throwing it away, like some of the noble Magic Knights in Charlotte’s mansion do, he puts the plate aside and covers it with a towel: for later. He exhales, raises his chin and looks at you, “Cynthia, let’s wait until tomorrow to have another discussion about this. You should sleep on it. You are just still in awe of that grandiose Magic Knight ambience.”

“Father, I am ready now,” you stand up from the table so suddenly it wobbles: the plates on it clang and tremble.

Francis quickly reaches the steps and pleadingly asks you, “I’m sure you are tired by today as well. Good night.”

“Father!” you push your chair away and in half-run half-walk you approach the stairs to yell in his direction. For a moment, the man pauses once he reaches the top of stairs – but not for long. He resumes and disappears inside the corridor before you hear the door to his room quietly open and close. Then the lock loudly turns and clicks.

You stand there in front of the steps in awkward silence until Nicolai approaches you. He follows your gaze.

“I did not know you weren’t already “Magic Knight in Training” when I effing met you. I don’t think he approves.”

You harrumph and scoff. “How am I supposed to convince him I am planning on being careful and not dying?”

“I don’t flipping know,” he sighs sympathetically. He sighs, “My mother was also like this when she was around.”

“And what did you do? Didn’t you say your grimoire was feared by the Church and your mother?” You ask him.

He glances away self-consciously. “I practiced my magic in secret, and I hid the things away from her I knew would worry her. She never learned how my magic worked, exactly; she just thought I was zealously keeping it unused.”

“That will not help me,” you wince at the unpleasant thought.

He frowns, “I did not want to argue with my mother… The other darn way is to convince him not to worry at all.”

You ponder if you should try to continue the dialogue today, or if you should just wait until tomorrow morning…

> Wait until the morning. Perhaps it is your father who needs to sleep on such a – honestly – sudden request.
> Knock on the door to your father’s room: ask to listen to you. He will continue to avoid this discussion for sure.
> You don’t want to make Captain Charlotte wait for an answer. Ask if Nicolai can help you get in his room to talk.
> [Write In]

>Sorry for the delay.

>>4086044
> Wait until the morning. Perhaps it is your father who needs to sleep on such a – honestly – sudden request.
we don't plan on giving up being a tailor as a magic knight but right now we need this for the store

>>4086044
>> Wait until the morning. Perhaps it is your father who needs to sleep on such a – honestly – sudden request.

>>4086383
One question to consider is: is Cynthia going to be tailor who is also a Magic Knight, or a Magic Knight who is also a tailor?

>>4086044
>> Wait until the morning. Perhaps it is your father who needs to sleep on such a – honestly – sudden request.

You throw a long, silent glance at the staircase before you sigh and, shaking your head, you give up. You wish Nicolai a safe and calm night before you depart to your room. You free the small box with five enchanted crickets inside of your bag and place it on the table. Loss in thought, you place your fingers inside your mouth… You shudder at the fact that you are actually supposed to eat them! How will their crunchiness improve your magic?

You put your wand on the table and then your incredible magic broom against the wall. With the assistance of a small-scale mirror standing on the table, you remove your mother’s yul necklace off your neck. Finally, you fill the bottle encrusted with crystallized moguro leafs on the inside with fresh water as you had to free it earlier today.

You put on your nightclothes and tuck yourself into the feather filled sheet. You contemplate on what you will have to do if your father is still just as reluctant and unwilling to give you a positive answer in the morning as he was today. Your father was always very trusting of you, but like any father is, he is understandably parental.

Soon, your thoughts are replaced by a blurry mist of clouds and aching tickles as you nippily plunge asleep. The dream that, once again, repeats in your mind – the alien landscapes engaging your wildest curiosity with every step – only steel your choice. Perhaps, just maybe, going to the Blue Rose’s headquarters was a mistake. For all you know, your father is correct and you are just agasp about your experience. Francis needs to understand that the shop needs you to become a Knight, but… that is not a complete truth either. You wish for it too, for yourself.

You wake late in the morning with a headache: the events of yesterday are still painfully ringing in your head. Your muscles ache. The dark-blue bruises and cuts you have will ruin your chances as a woman. Fortunately, you have been blessed with healing magic. You take out your grimoire from your pouch and – without much haste – you open the correct spell and whisper the incantation. Your Homely Blanket immediately heals the worse of your wounds but you can still feel some of the cuts and internal injuries. If needs to, you can heal them as well, later.

You put on your casual clothes and your mother’s necklace before you enter the kitchen. It is empty, have you overslept breakfast time? You put a slice of bread and a piece of cured ham into your mouth to clench the hunger before you enter the workshop floor, where you find Nicolai – still dressed in Lucius’ clothes – struggling with his work. You walk around the boy to try and not interrupt him. Your eyes fall on a piece of a shirt he is working with.

“You have to keep your needlework consist and on the outside,” you can’t help but voice your opinion.

Nicolai grumbles as he angrily punts the shirt against the table, “It is on the outside, I turned it outside out.”

“It’s not,” you approach him closer to spread the shirt properly, “If you look inside the original stiches are there.”

“Geez,” he frowns, quickly finding himself unable to argue with a Head Tailor. “Darn, I ruined it completely.”

“Not really,” you smile at Nicolai as you put your hand on top of the shirt and let your magic loose. Your mana enters the linen clothing until every thread of it is filled and glowing with your magical essence. You close your eyes and lowly raise your hand to allow your magic to begin healing and removing mistakes Nicolai has made.

“Here, you can try again now.”

Once you remove your hand, Nicolai takes the shirt into his hands and frowns, “Couldn’t you just freaking repair it completely?”

You shrug your shoulders and prolong, “I could, but next time you will still be struggling with another shirt again.”

He glances away and grumbles something under his inaudibly. He turns the shirt outside out and continues sewing.

“Do you know where my father is?” you ask after a short while after you finish looking through the workshop.

“I believe he said he went to the effing attic,” Nicolai speaks half-patiently, his eyes dead set on the shirt.

“All right, thank you. Make sure to keep the stiches small,” you annoy him a tiny bit as you leave to the stairs.

You –do- have an attic, but it is a rarity for either you or your father to ever go there. You just put junk there. Why would your father be there now? On the second floor, at the end of the hallway, you do find a small hatch above the ceiling – the entrance to the attic – open. There is a swinging ladder you are forced to climb to reach the top and awkwardly lift yourself up.

The height of the attic forces you to bend your head. There are several windows here but they are quite cloudy and allow only insignificant and spread-out sunshine to enter. The dust sparkles in the light as it hovers in the air. There is a single, centre plank of wood that goes until the end of the attic. On the left and right sides of the plank, you notice long-forgotten items that haven been injured or wore of. Old-fashioned clothes and styles are her too.

“Cynthia,” you find your father standing in front of a massive wooden chest. It is opened. In his hands he is holding something that is, likely, he took from inside of it. His voice is contemplating and gloom. “Good morning,” he mutters underneath his breathe. You soon notice he is holding a very dusty, yet originally white, gown. “Have you,” his clears his throat and repeats with a much louder and clearer voice, “Have you… changed your mind?”

You shake your head, “No.”

His sigh echoes through the dust-full attic. He lifts one of his hangs to motion for you to come closer.

You do so. You overlook the beautiful dress unsure of why he is holding this one in particular. You ask him.

“This dress?” he smiles gingerly as he lifts it just high enough to allow it to spread out and let its bottom edges to reach the ground. “I don’t think you will remember it now but it was the first dress I made for your mother.” He ruminates. “I don’t want to brag, but she originally left her home town because her friend purchased my dress.”

“And she was so envious of her friend having a dress you made she found you just to have you make one – better one – for herself,” you nod with the same, brief smile. “She had Linen Magic yet despite that, she was a much worse tailor than you: a man with Scissor Magic. Yes, I remember her story. Is that… the dress you made for her?”

He nods, “This is the first dress I made for her, Cynthia. She fell in love with my work so much she decided to completely leave her town and became my apprentice. Her one and only dream was to be an incredible tailor.”

You awkwardly clear your throat.

“But you are so alike her,” he reminds himself, “Yet so different, as well. You are death set on this.” He sighs and, rather honestly, he admits to you, “I was trying to figure out what would Etwilla’s answer to you would be…”

“…I don’t think her dress is going to tell you the answer, father,” you say with a soft jest.

“No, but I think I know anyway,” he folds the dress neatly and then offers it to you, “She would say ‘Go for it’.”

You accept the gown in your warm embrace – it is almost your height. How old is this dress? You look it over, despite the dust you can still see noticeable faults in it – curse your tailor eye. How old was your mother when she received this dress? Was she much shorter when she first met your father? Perhaps, you will continue to grow!

You close your eyes and allow your magic to cleanse the white gown until is it fresh and near-sparkling. You feel a sudden, warm chill rush through your hands and the rest of your body as an alien sting squeezes your veins. You don’t know how to explain this feeling. It’s as if your mother’s mana is still there, loosely hanging inside the gown.
“D-does that mean you are fine with me becoming a Magic Knight?” you hesitate with your question.

“Yes,” he says. Before you can break your jaw with the biggest of smiles and hug him in a tight, thankful embrace, however, he adds. “But I want you to promise me a few things.” He nods, “I know you will be busy once you’ll become a Magic Knight, but you have six months up until then. If you will be working all the way in the Blue Rose, I want you to visit me at least once a week during your breaks to help with work and make sure you are healthy.”

“I do not intend to stop working as a tailor, father,” you reassure him, “And this place is still my home.”

He closes dusty chest from where he took the gown; he leaves it lockless. “Now, help me with this order!”

*** *** ***

File: 9781974700400_blackclover.png (948 KB, 800x1200)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq1LRoXItF8

>While you will now be busy with working as a Head Tailor for Charlotte and assisting and keeping an eye on your father, you will still have more than enough time during those six months to get stronger and improve your magic.

>However, your time is limited. You will need to make sure your use of it is worthwhile.

>Each activity below will cost you one or more months. I might have to allow this update to linger for more than one day to have more people join the dialogue. I would prefer if you all decided together for a best set of options.

>Total: [0/6 months]

> [4 months] Improve your physical health with daily push ups, lifting heavy (medium) weight and other activities.
> This will grant you 1 HP and +10 DR to your punch.

> [2 months] Visit the struggling villages and towns of the Clover Kingdom to assist sick, ill and injured denizens.
> This will grant you 1d10.000yul – best of three rolls – for your troubles in terms of rewards and donations.

> [2 months] Travel to the linseed fields and spend the time there growing the flax flower with your magic until it they are ready to bloom. After the flax bloom is collected, make an awesome battle scarf from very magical linen.
> This will improve your basic magic and will open a way to offensive spells.

> [2 months] Siegfried Cogenum is the most gifted healer on the Hight Street – ask for his help.
> This will add a new healing spell based on your [Homely Blanket] spell and Siegfried’s teachings.
> This option will cost you 5.000 yul because Siegfried does nothing for free.

> [2 months] Study and practice under Sol’s guidance for a way to reshape your spells into the trap variety.
> This will upgrade one of your already known spells into a new Trap Form spell – similar but different.

> [1 month] Spend your free time practicing hiding items in your grimoire.
> This will allow you to storage and then take out physical items from inside your grimoire.

> [1 month] Visit the edges of a nearest magic zone to meditate and concentrate while you are there.
> This will improve your ability to sense mana and mana traps.

> [X month(s)] [Write In] If you guys have any other idea on what you would like to tackle, I am open to discuss it.

File: Cynthia Gualdo.png (271 KB, 564x500)

271 KB PNG

> You can decide to either improve romantic or friendly relationship with one of the characters. Please specify.

> Usually, chewing moguro leafs only improves one’s mana by a very small amount. Moguro juice is a highly concentrated extract, but expensive and also lacklustre way to improve one’s mana. However, because you have access to a special kind of moguro bottle, you are able to continuously drink and grow your mana every week. There is a limit to how much you can expand your mana reserves however. For a commoner, it’s no more than 50.
> Please roll 1d50 – best of three – to see how much mana you were able to rise thanks to your moguro diet.

> While you will receive a much bigger wage working for Charlotte as her tailor, most of it will go to paying for your workshop in Kikka and monetary assisting your father. You will have 12.000yul at the end of six months for yourself.

Rolled 27 (1d50)

>>4087475
>> [2 months] Siegfried Cogenum is the most gifted healer on the Hight Street – ask for his help.
> [2 months] Study and practice under Sol’s guidance for a way to reshape your spells into the trap variety.
> [2 months] Travel to the linseed fields and spend the time there growing the flax flower with your magic until it they are ready to bloom. After the flax bloom is collected, make an awesome battle scarf from very magical linen.

improve friendly relationship with sol

Rolled 30 (1d50)

>>4087480
>>4087475

>> [2 months] Siegfried Cogenum is the most gifted healer on the Hight Street – ask for his help.
> [2 months] Study and practice under Sol’s guidance for a way to reshape your spells into the trap variety.
> [2 months] Travel to the linseed fields and spend the time there growing the flax flower with your magic until it they are ready to bloom. After the flax bloom is collected, make an awesome battle scarf from very magical linen.

Witness my power.

Also agreeing with >>4087532 . Sol needs someone to keep her balance and I like the banter that bounces between us.

>> [2 months] Siegfried Cogenum is the most gifted healer on the Hight Street – ask for his help.
> [2 months] Study and practice under Sol’s guidance for a way to reshape your spells into the trap variety.
> [2 months] Travel to the linseed fields and spend the time there growing the flax flower with your magic until it they are ready to bloom. After the flax bloom is collected, make an awesome battle scarf from very magical linen.

Don't know how to roll on here so just voting

>>4087718

dice+1d50 is what you put on the options portion of the post.

Rolled 29 (1d50)

>>4087480


> [2 months] Travel to the linseed fields and spend the time there growing the flax flower with your magic until it they are ready to bloom. After the flax bloom is collected, make an awesome battle scarf from very magical linen.
> This will improve your basic magic and will open a way to offensive spells.

> [2 months] Siegfried Cogenum is the most gifted healer on the Hight Street – ask for his help.
> This will add a new healing spell based on your [Homely Blanket] spell and Siegfried’s teachings.
> This option will cost you 5.000 yul because Siegfried does nothing for free.

> [1 month] Spend your free time practicing hiding items in your grimoire.
> This will allow you to storage and then take out physical items from inside your grimoire.

> [1 month] Visit the edges of a nearest magic zone to meditate and concentrate while you are there.
> This will improve your ability to sense mana and mana traps.

>>4087532

Now that I think about it we can probably learn traps through Sol later down the line. So

>>4087736
supporting the two one month choices here.

>>4087475
> [2 months] Siegfried Cogenum is the most gifted healer on the Hight Street – ask for his help.
> [2 months] Study and practice under Sol’s guidance for a way to reshape your spells into the trap variety.
> [1 month] Spend your free time practicing hiding items in your grimoire.
> [1 month] Visit the edges of a nearest magic zone to meditate and concentrate while you are there.

>>4087475
> [2 months] Travel to the linseed fields and spend the time there growing the flax flower with your magic until it they are ready to bloom. After the flax bloom is collected, make an awesome battle scarf from very magical linen.
> [2 months] Study and practice under Sol’s guidance for a way to reshape your spells into the trap variety.
> [1 month] Spend your free time practicing hiding items in your grimoire.
> [1 month] Visit the edges of a nearest magic zone to meditate and concentrate while you are there.

>Is there anything else you think I should consider regarding the timeskip that I have missed so far?

>>4089247
An index of people we met and our relationship with them? Something for future threads.

>>4089247
hows ours cricket farm?

>>4089361
> I'll consider that.

>>4089432
> Here's the thing, it would be possible to breed a lot of them if Melk properly and constantly cares for them, but once they are too much of them they would be impossible to keep all of them in her box or in her room.
>How does 30 crickets she is able to keep. Perhaps she sold the rest on the Market and she got some coin for it?

>>4089449
you mean Cynthia?

>>4089449
could we shave of month from one of the task if we would use crickets to restore our mana?

If not I'm ok with selling them for extra change

>>4089467
> Yes, I did. My bad.

>>4089484
> Sadly, the crickets do not work that way - they do not restore mana, they make magic casting easier.

>>4089487
Or maybe eat some of them to be more ok with idea of doing it in dire situation

>>4089510
I'd love to see a scene of Cynthia trying to force herself to eat one. It'd be hilarious.

I'm also interested in the character relationship summary that was mentioned earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJm1IKP03eQ

You look at yourself in the mirror. Your red hair is even longer now. You are still the same height, yet your body looks a bit harsher now. Working in two workshops and constantly traveling between them proved to be a bigger challenge than you thought. You managed, somehow. Today is the day of the Magic Knight Entrance Exam; it is also the day that Roselei marked for you to come and visit her for the Blue Rose Magic Knight Initiation Ceremony.

You lift your hands to the necklace made out of dozens of polished to absolute whiteness yul coins – an incredibly tacky relic previously belonging to your mother. While those coins will probably be refused by any shopkeeper, they still hold value – the hard struggles your mother had to go through to earn them. You take a step back away from the mirror and turn your hips to gently shake the white dress you were now wearing. No, as much as you love her, it isn’t your mother’s dress. You – with some help and advice from your father – made your own, similar one. You made it so more exposed, leaner and freer – it was a gown designed to be used in battles and missions.

You turn around to gently take off your scarf from the top shelves of your wooden cabinet. As soon as you gently touch the surface of the scarf, every thread inside of it is illuminated. Like an enormous, yet obedient snake, the scarf slides down the cupboard, then on top of your offered hand and then it surrounds your neck and falls down.

This iron-hued scarf is incredibly fluffy: it softly rubs your chin and neck. All across it there are decorations of strange white roses made entirely out of sharp triangle shapes. Despite the wooliness of the scarf, those roses are visible from afar. One of the roses amongst the many is made out of aquamarine- embellished knitting thread.

This scarf is something incredible; it is a work of several months of labour. This time consuming process will be impossible to repeat on a bigger scale, however. You began the weaving of this scarf by paying a visit to a big, male-less family – they live in the middle of the wilder parts of the Common Region. They had massive fields of flax – their life’s work. This family has a good relationship and business contact with your father, so it was not hard to convince them to offer you a small place in the fields in exchange for some discount and clothing repairs.

As many times as you could visit, you feed and nurtured the seeds of the linen plant with its motherly magic. After a few weeks, you had formed a connection with its glowing flowers. Usually plain, they dimly glimmered like moonstones during cloudless nights. The oldest of the daughters had assisted you with gathering of the flax and then, it took about two more weeks for them to turn the flax into a lengthy sheet of linen. While average looking at first, you could feel it from a distance; without having to touch this linen cloth, you could send mana into it.

This enchanted linen was something in-between the regular linen cloth you were able to control and the linen you created by your grimoire using your mana. You were able to control and fly it around with your wand like an obedient wyvern. Without much hassle, by using only your hands, you managed to weave and decorate the cloth into an incredibly long, multi-layered scarf. It is not as strong as an offensive spell, but now you have a weapon.

You pick up a pouch from the top of your bed – you won’t be sleeping in this room again anytime soon. You take out your grimoire to make sure it is inside – it is. You open the book to list through all your spells. Your new healing spell “Cloths of Solace” was something that took a lot of practice, patience and training under the man who is, at the same time, greedy and grumpy yet also is the most gifted healer in the entire trade district…

Siegfried Cogenum.

He agreed to do it, but not out of the kindness of his heart. You paid him 5.000 yul coins to allow you to study under him. In addition for taking your money, he made you assist – if not outright do it yourself – many of the high-end merchants and even some nobles of the local regions. Sometimes, the members of the White Yul family visited as well – healing them made you feel humiliated. Thankfully, neither Labrys or Patricia visited – you avoided that. He only offered an hour or two of real training. He did not offer you much help besides that… You needed to continue practicing, but you needed an idea. You started watching Siegfried use his Calamine Magic.

Constantly using your magic made it much easier to control your mana. While your Homely Blanket only had so much healing magic, you learned to infuse even more of your own magic into it to make magic stronger. Unlike you, Siegfried’s magic had been spread between dozens of calamine bubbles – he could treat several people at the same time. It took you several long weeks trying to split your healing blanket into multiple equally smaller ones.

And one day, you did. Identical in healing magic, flowing length as well as all under your direct control: a new spell was born from your old one and another page in your grimoire was now filled with archaic symbols and letters…

You close and slide your grimoire back into the pouch before you shut and lock it. You put the belt over your head and on the opposite shoulder. You look over yourself one more time. You slap your pouch – yes, everything else you need is now contained inside your grimoire. It also took several weeks of practice to get it right as it was incredibly hard to follow Tugela’s complicated guidance. Eventually, it became extremely casual for you to do it.

You pour yourself some juice from your Moguro Bottle – this has been your daily ritual now. Until a few months ago, you were able to practically fell your mana reserves growing with every sip. Eventually, however, that feeling became weaker and weaker and in time stopped – there is only so much those leaves can do. It was not hard to fill the bottle with water and just continue drinking the juice, so you did. Just maybe, there was some effect...

You climb down the stairs to find Nicolai working on some orders - his personality barely changed in those six months but he improved his tailorship quite a lot. He was now allowed to work and even complete some of the hardest orders all by himself. He is rude, but very fun from time to time to talk with. Using his Soulseal Magic, the boy would every so often spy on the bandits, Magic Knights as well as the White Yul families in the High Street.

“Hello Nicolai,” you comment as you pass by. You look over his shoulder at the shirts – he steps to block you.

“I have to finish this darn shirt by today,” he mutters and mumbles. “Who needs so many lilies on their sleeves?!”

“I see you are busy as ever,” you smile at him.

He turns and, as if an innocent church acolyte, lightly blushes. “And you are wearing a frilly dress, I see,” he rubs his lips with the sleeve of his shirt. You frown; you did your best to make the least frilly and girly gown possible. He clears his throat and glances away, “It’s a bit busy, Cynthia,” he looks outside the windows, “What about you?”

“Not busy, yet,” you hem and silently whistle, “I have a few hours. I was planning to see father before leaving.”

“He went to the effing market, he should be returning soon,” Nicolai comments before he returns to his work.

You nod to him. He does not see it. You pause, “Have you ever thought about being a Magic Knight, Nicolai?”

He ponders and barely avoids cutting into his skin with the needle. “Yes, but now I am not interested at all.”

“You have been practicing and improving your magic, haven’t you?” you ask.

“Yes, but it wasn’t because of the Magic Knight Entrance Exam. Because of all the church sermons I visited, it was freaking easy for me to meditate and connect my magic with my memory. So I just grew my magic from there.”

You spin your palms around each other in the air, “And now you can make a portal in every place you’ve been to?”

He shakes his head, “No, only those I can remember with absolute clearness and no longer than two days ago.”

“That is still incredibly useful,” you congratulate him again. “Spatial Magic is more valuable than Healing Magic.”

“My mother would never approve me becoming a Magic Knight,” his lips barely lift into a smile, “I think I’m going to effing enjoy this tailor work for a while – a gratifying and peaceful life.” He knocks his head to the entrance door, “Besides, you will need to somebody else besides your father to watch over him and the workshop.”

You nod, “I just… I am just very nervous, and I don’t want you to be… begrudging me here.”

“No, I should be thankful,” he awkwardly twists his shoulders, “Geez. After my mother died I did not know what to do. Even though you lead bandits to my house, crushed its walls and then nearly set it on fire,” he recalls every point by closing his fingers. You uncomfortably twitch your body. “But now I know what I was doing was effing ridiculous. Compared to all those nasty ‘noble’ Magic Knights you will be a good one. No need to worry, Cynthia.”

You put your hands behind your hips and nod, “Thank you, Nicolai. This High Street deserves better than this.”

“If your all-woman Squad needs help for something my magic can be of darn use for – you can just ask me.”

Again, you nod. With his attitude, it will be hard to convince Captain Charlotte to allow Nicolai to assist you…

Abruptly, you turn towards the door. In your free time, you have been visiting the edges of the closest mana zone to Kikka – Ultime-Volcano Mountain Trail: a mouthful. You did not try walking between the erupting, incredibly volatile and hot volcanoes, of course, you are not yet ready. Instead, however, you meditated to improve your mana senses. Even from so far away, the air around was heavy to breathe and burning hot. It was very difficult.

You could now feel and spot the mana of other people – even if they tried avoiding using it. They had to be close, of course – you are no Tugela – but that was still an amazing feeling: as if you had another sense now! Now, from behind the door of your workshop you suddenly felt an outpouring of a swelling bubble of mana. You place one of your hands on your grimoire and rush to the door to open it. Is it an enemy?! On the front steps of your entryway you find Sol agonisingly holding your father captive by his twisted arms. Sol’s eyes widen when she notices you.

“Little Cynthia,” the woman speaks with glee. Forcefully, she makes your father bow even more than usual, “There was a suspicious man walking around your workshop when I arrived. Don’t worry, he’s caught now!”

“That’s not a suspicious man,” you sheepishly smile at your father, “That’s Francis. He’s my father, Sol.”

“Oh,” Sol keeps her mouth open. Francis looks at her with expectations and disappointment. Scoffing, Sol releases your father from her clutch and allows the man to make a few silly steps forward before he straightens his back. Sol raises her chin and crosses her hands, “Are you sure? It’s a good thing you didn’t inherit much from him then.”

“And you are?” you father grunts towards her. He probably knows, she is wearing the cloak of the Blue Rose.

Sol Marron – during those six months she had been incredibly helpful and friendly to you. While not always educational, she often visited you between the missions to have you repair her clothes without much problem.

She points her finger to the emblem on her cloak, “I’m a Magic Knight, and I’m here to accompany your daughter.”

Your father turns to you, and you nod. You were not expecting Sol but you are very happy to see her today.

> Go to the Coliseum where the Magic Knight Entrance Exam is being held.
> Go to the Blue Rose Headquarters where Charlotte promised to hold an initiation ceremony for you.
> [Write In]

> Item Acquired: [Yul Coin] [12.000ea] [Wage]
> Item Acquired: [Yul Coin] [3.000ea] [Muti Cricket Selling]
> Item Spend: [Yul Coin] [5.000ea] [Siegfried’s Payment]
> Item: [Yul Coin] [16.850ea] [Current Total]
> Item: [Muti Cricket 30ea]
> Mana [130/130]
> Health [5/5]

> New spell acquired: [Healing Form] [Linen Magic: Cloths of Solace].
> [Healing Form] [Linen Magic: Cloths of Solace]: Cost:1d20+10 mana. 3 HP or poison effect recovery. With an open grimoire, you create a single blanket with a pinkish thatch colour in front of yourself which you then break into three equally-long cloths you are able to control separately each. Powerful healing magic is split equally between the “bandages”. By concentrating all of them on one person, you are able to heal most of their wounds. Additionally, you are also able to either heal minor wounds or remove poison or similar with a one of the cloths.

>>4089898
>> Go to the Blue Rose Headquarters where Charlotte promised to hold an initiation ceremony for you.

> Go to the Blue Rose Headquarters where Charlotte promised to hold an initiation ceremony for you.

But I also want to see the recruits afterward in the coliseum if there's time afterwards.

>>4089898
> Go to the Coliseum where the Magic Knight Entrance Exam is being held.

Let's avoid accusations of favoritism and etc

>>4089898
>Go to the Blue Rose Headquarters where Charlotte promised to hold an initiation ceremony for you.

>>4089898
>> Go to the Coliseum where the Magic Knight Entrance Exam is being held.
This was a really good update, Melk, it was comfy. I really like the detail of Cynthia basing her combat dress off of her mother's dress. I also found Sol detaining Cynthia's father in his own home quite amusing, it feels like something she would do.

>>4089898
> Go to the Blue Rose Headquarters where Charlotte promised to hold an initiation ceremony for you.

>>4089898
> Go to the Coliseum where the Magic Knight Entrance Exam is being held to wish Oliver good luck
> Go to the Blue Rose Headquarters where Charlotte promised to hold an initiation ceremony for you.
is our test after or before the magic knights exam

>>4091330
oh and just in case we see Dorothy we should bring up the growing magical flax as something that we could do for her blanket

>>4091345
Oh shit, I totally forgot about that. We could have used part of the timeskip to work on that

File: Naamloos-2.jpg (35 KB, 600x600)

35 KB JPG

>>4091351
I doubt she's losing any sleep over it

He falters. He gives you a short glance and hushes his voice, “Are you sure you want her to accompany you?”

You briefly and awkwardly smile at him. Your father is unable to answer your unexpected hug because both of his hands are full with groceries. You don’t mind, it’s less embarrassing in front of Sol like this. You nod; you are sure.

Your father lets out a sigh before he puts the provision on the floor and tightly hugs you afore you can react.

“Make sure to stay courteous, eat healthy, not to risk your life too much and to visit me from time to time.”

You take an awkward step back as you rub your neck. You blush, “Don’t worry, father, I am going to be fine.”

He does his best to hold down his tears as to not disconcert you further. “Good luck out there, Cynthia.”

You nod with thankfulness. You remove your grimoire and you gently bump its cover from below to allow it to gently float into the air. You lift your palm above the pages of the grimoire and allow the book to engulf in your mana. You push your hand inside the liquid-acting pages and, after a brief exhale, you take out your broom.

The parchment pages flap and soon regain this rigid and solid consistency. After putting and securing the grimoire in your pouch, you toss your Magic Broom on the ground in front of you and, carefully balancing, you put one of your legs in front of the shaft and the one below it. You infuse your broom with mana and it lifts into the air.

“Don’t forget to write!” your father shouts from down below as you continue to rise higher above the sky.

You give one more, final wave towards the disappearing figure that is your father until a sudden, heavy wind strikes your face. Your Magic Broom is forced to make several desperate circles until you calm it and push it to lift even further. The damp air and icy veil gently pummel your face as you fly through the cloud until you’re above it.

You sniff your queasy noise before you begin to observe the endless horizon high above the kingdom’s cloud-line.

Shortly after, Sol – who is riding her own Magic Broom – joins you in the sky. She comments on how impressed she is by your flying abilities before challenging you to a race. While not a good idea in a sense you might get tired and use some of your mana – you accept. It’s less of a competition and more of a friendly challenge. You lean in…

It is not often you push your Magic Broom to its limits – it gets harder and harder to keep your balance standing. Eventually, you are forced to sit down and appropriate the normal and regular way of using a Magic Broom. You are not completely sure how Sol’s Magic Broom compares to your own, but it does not look that much better or different. Despite this, she is now flying a far distance away from you. You close your eyes and take a deep breathe; your release your mana inside the wooden handle of the broom until the engravings are shimmering.

Another powerful gust of wind smashes into your face and forces your long, red hair to drift in the air like comet trail. Gathering ever more speed, you make several absurd and more than unnecessary rotations through the air until you finally catch up with Sol… who, just a few moments ago, have arrived and landed before the gates…

“It’s my win, little Cynthia,” she says with pride as she points her finger to her chest, “But… you were close.”

You sigh. You smile and give her a congratulating nod. “I am still not there yet. Maybe in the next six months.”

She responds with cheeky grin, “Perhaps, little Cynthia, perhaps. Come on, Captain Charlotte might still be here.”

You watch as Sol exposes her open palm towards the massive, gilded gates. The iron entrance grinds and, slowly, it begins to open. You wonder if you’ll be allowed to use those gates in the same way once you are a member of the Blue Rose… You shake your head as you follow the extremely quick and hurried Sol to the door leading inside.
Inside the beautiful main hall you find Captain Charlotte patiently standing with an unknown man. This man has a short fluffy, lily-hued hair and innocent, blue eyes. He is about the same age as Charlotte but a lot plumper than her. He is wearing fancy clothing and he has a long cape that is insignia-less. You and Sol approach them closer.

“I was about to switch you for somebody else, Sol,” Captain Charlotte tells the tanned Magic Knight with a mild, dismissive annoyance. She notices you and her lips widen into a brief, apologetic smile. “Cynthia, for a moment I was thinking you was going to join Olyver in today’s Entrance Exam.” Olyver, the boy had quit his job as a Head Tailor a few weeks ago to dedicate all his free time in preparation for this exam – you haven’t seen him since…

“We should still have a few hours until the exam is to take place, Captain Char’,” Sol speaks all-confused like.

“Yes, we should,” Charlotte’s retorts in frustration as she turns to the man, “Portaport, what is the urgency?”

“I thought you would like to avoid flying all the way to Kikka,” Portaport tells Captain Charlotte without lowering his smile, “As you remember, you need to meet up with the rest of the Magic Knight Captains before the Exam.”

“I do remember, Cob,” Captain Charlotte sighs and shakes her head, “Sol, get ready to accompany me. This will take at least three, maybe four hours, Cynthia. Wardress Virginia will be able to carry on with your initiation test.”

> “If you don’t mind, can I join you and Sol? I would like to see how Exam happens for myself, and to see Olyver.”
> “I’ll see you after the Magic Knight Entrance Exam then, Captain Charlotte, Sol. Where is Wardress right now?”
> “I have a lot to catch up with. Perhaps I can take the initiation test with the future recruits once you’re back?”
> [Write In]

>>4090546
>Thanks for the kind words!
>>4091345
>The flax is nothing special if you don't have Linen Magic, you could say it is tailor-made for you. You did do a few things for Dorothy's blanket you'll see soon. Timeskip was a bit too much to include everything so some flashbacks will be required later.

>>4091373
> “I’ll see you after the Magic Knight Entrance Exam then, Captain Charlotte, Sol. Where is Wardress right now?”

>>4091389
>ask Charlotte to wish Oliver luck for you

>>4091373
>>> “I’ll see you after the Magic Knight Entrance Exam then, Captain Charlotte, Sol. Where is Wardress right now?”

>>4091373
>> “I’ll see you after the Magic Knight Entrance Exam then, Captain Charlotte, Sol. Where is Wardress right now?”

>>4091392
I really want to participate in the Exam but I don't think I'm in the majority. So let's at last ask her to wish Olyver luck.

“I’ll see you after the Entrance Exam then, Captain Charlotte, and Sol. Where is the Wardress right now?”

Charlotte nods. “You will find her in the garden. Make sure to remind the Wardress to go easy on you, Cynthia.”

Before you can ask, a sudden magical burst interrupts and catches your attention. The man’s grimoire floats by his side engulfed in white flame. He extends his hand towards unparticular location in the dining hall. A golden-white bubble leaves his palm and, as if a confined whirlwind, it begins to manifest into a glowing silhouette of a massive gate. Cob lowers his hand and the gate begins to slowly lose its glow until an iron, gold-gilded door is standing instead.

Then, the door swings open to reveal a mist of white-blue celestial nebulas. The portal thrums as if beckoning them.

“See you, little Cynthia,” Sol lowers herself to be able to meet you on your eye level. She waves her hand.

“Captain Charlotte,” you turn towards your future Captain, “Can I ask you to wish Olyver good luck in my stead?”

“Captain Char’ is not going to show some boy favouritism in front of all those other attendees, Cynthia!”

“I repeat, Sol. It is ‘Captain Charlotte’. I have no doubt Olyver succeeds, Cynthia, but unless he’ll manage to impress most – if not all - of the other Captains it is unlikely he is going to be invited or allowed to join my Squad.”

“I know that,” you pout at Charlotte and Sol as you watch them enter inside, “Doesn’t mean I can’t support him.”

As she enters deeper into the portal, it becomes harder to recognize Charlotte’s expressions in the kaleidoscopic vapour. Yet, you feel as if she is smiling. “I’ll make sure he’ll know he has your utmost support.”

“Don’t put it like that,” you awkwardly cough on your breathe. It’s too late. The figures of Charlotte, Sol and Cob have completely vanished in the spatial mist. Soon, the gates close shut and then the entire gateway begin to vanish like an exposed to the morning air mirage. You frown: you hope Charlotte doesn’t say anything wrong.

“Garden is it?” you ask before you realize you are talking to yourself. You shake your head and, after giving a few friendly nods to the few Magic Knights you meet on your way, you turn around to leave to the garden. Even if you exclude the ‘Labyrinth’, the Blue Rose Garden is huge and hard to navigate through – why couldn’t she just tell you exact location? You venture through the baroque boulevard – you find many exotic flower beds growing by.

The enchanted trees with glowing fruits cast their shadows over you as you pass beneath them. You look through the empty pergolas completely entrenched with hanging vines, then over the arboretum and viticetum fields until you eventually reach the parterres – a massive and royal knot garden-piece with short shrubs and symmetrical flower beds separated and connected by multiple paths. This particular parterres stands on top of several basins of water separated from the paths with highly decorated blue-iron boundaries. You can’t see any statues in here.

There is no Wardress here, but you do spot a familiar face – Tugela. Unlike usually, she is not training or destroying anything around her. She is just standing there, on the edge of the deep basin… with a baby goat…

“Tugela?” you call for her with uncertainty as you approach the woman closer. Why does she have a baby goat?

“Cynthia!” the ivory-haired woman looks at you in surprise, “What are you doing here, little tailor?” She halts in silence and tilts her head to the side in visible yet confused thought. “Or, are you not a tailor anymaore, are you?”

“I don’t think I am going to stop being a tailor until the end of times,” you chuckle, “And your friend is?”

“This is Clansy,” she raises the kid goat to her face and allows Clansy to lick it clean. “I found hima on a maission.”

“Do you intend to keep him?” You are not aware there is a special place for animals in Roselei’s Garden.

“Of course,” she grins, “I have yet to ask for Captain Charlotte’s approval but I’ma sure she won’t maind it.”

“She might,” you mutter – Tugela does not hear it. “How is your arm?” you ask with a worry as you let your eyes slide over Tugela’s right arm.

Soon after you agreed to work for Charlotte Roselei as her Squad’s Head Tailor, Tugela and her companions returned from their mission in a failure. While it was supposed to be an important secret, Tugela shared with you some details Charlotte was obviously against you or others knowing. You do know for a fact that Charlotte was extremely aggravated for what happened during the mission but she was not allowed to escalate the situation.

What you know is that Tugela, Alice and Tresses were tasked with investigating an abnormal hamlet in the middle of the Neutral Territory filled with strange cultists. Somehow, they were discovered by the leader of this cult and, as a warning to the Clover Kingdom not to trouble the settlement, she put a powerful curse on them. Supposedly, the curse magically spread and paralyzed their bodies. Tugela’s arm had been completely incapacitated now and the only way for her to use it was by the use of her mana. Tresses’ wounds were far worse, however. Most of her body had been hit by the spell and ever since she came back, she had to constantly use her magic to move around.

During those six months, Charlotte had been unable to find a strong enough healing magic or a cure for this powerful curse. Even with her incredible amounts of mana, Tresses was unable to use her grimoire, fight and simply move at the same time and instead of humiliating herself further, she decided to go away to recover.

Alice was spared by the leader of the hamlet so that she could return the message and both Tresses and Tugela safely. This was the only “special mission” Alice ever took in those six months – she continues to blame herself.

“Can I call you are little Magic Knight, now?” Tugela says with a sharp grin.

You shake your head, “No. I am currently looking for the Wardress to have my initiation trial/ceremony.”

“Oh,” Tugela’s lips twist awkwardly, “I wouldn’t suggest you do that. Virginia’s trials are not that pleasant.”

“Captain Charlotte left for the Magic Knight Entrance Exam,” you gasp, “S-so I don’t have much of a choice.”

Tugela nods. She caresses the fur of the kid goat and the sleepy animal lazily belches at her. “Yeah, you don’t.”

“Do you know where she is?” you ask.

“She should be somaewhere in the garden,” Tugela echoes Charlotte, “Try the Labyrinth?”

“…Please don’t tell mae I have to go through the Labyrinth again?” you wince.

Tugela harrumphs, “Somae of us had to go there a dozen of timaes, y’know?”

You flinch and lock your shoulders, “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Tugela kicks your shoulder with her left arm, “If you are going to be taking Virginia’s trial, I –have- to see it.”

> “You don’t really have to, Tugela. I won’t be able to concentrate with others watching. See you afterwards.”
> “I do not mind you being a spectator, Tugela – I can use some encouragement. Please don’t laugh too much.”
> [Write In]

>>4093306
>> “I do not mind you being a spectator, Tugela – I can use some encouragement. Please don’t laugh too much.”

>>4093306
>> “I do not mind you being a spectator, Tugela – I can use some encouragement. Please don’t laugh too much.”

>>4093306
Wow, that must suck. Don't really fell bad for Tresses though.
> “I do not mind you being a spectator, Tugela – I can use some encouragement. Please don’t laugh too much.”

>>4093306
>> “I do not mind you being a spectator, Tugela – I can use some encouragement. Please don’t laugh too much.”

“I do not mind you being a spectator, Tugela – I can use some encouragement. Please don’t laugh too much.”

“I won’t” - the woman chuckles lightly – “too much.”

Tugela takes a few steps forwards as she continues to affectingly scratch the baby’s goatee.

You follow the woman through the endless garden. After all this time, the garden continues to surprise and confuse you. You ponder that, perhaps, with magical secrecy, the garden shifts and changes once a month or so. That would be impossible; you shake your head. Tugela has no problems navigating through the garden grounds.

You wonder. “Did you have to go through the Entrance Ceremony, Tugela?”

“No, I didn’t,” Tugela bemoans, “And not because I didn’t want to but Virginia insisted I joined as it is.”

“You have a very good relationship with the Wardress, but I didn’t know the two of you went way back?”

“It’s a long story, and I don’t remaemaber mauch of it. She’s like half-sister and half-maother to me, y’see?”

You nod your head with an insincere understanding. You don’t want to ask too many unnecessary questions.

“Did you go through the Wardress’ trial, then?” you ask as you lean your head and perk your ear close to her.

“I did,” Tugela chuckles as she suddenly a few steps in front of you and turns in a circle to face you. “But I doubt may ceremony is going to be any simailar to yours today, little future Magic Knight, so I cannot give you any tips.”

You sigh and shrug your shoulders, nothing lost by asking questions. You venture deeper into the woodlands and through a dandelion meadow until you finally reach the stone walls of Charlotte’s Labyrinth. Tall, practically endless to the naked eye, and overgrown with wild moss – her garden maze looks just as uninviting and isolated from the rest of her garden as it was during your one and only venture here. Near the entrance, you spot Virginia.

Firstly, the towering woman warmly greets Tugela – like not for the first time today. She does not pay or offer any complain towards the kid goat now loudly snoring on Tugela’s “cursed” arm. After a minute, the Wardress acknowledges your presence too – despite not smiling anymore, she motions for you to come closer to her.

After spending so many evenings near the magic zone, her overpowering and intimidating mana is blindingly visible to you now. The white, angelic glow surrounds the outskirts of her metallic armour and conservative – even somewhat old-fashioned – uniform. With every step you take to approach Virginia, the air becomes harder to pass through – as if you were walking under the sea in the middle of storming weather. You force another step.

“C-captain Charlotte said that that you can carry my initiation test.”

Suddenly, the pressure lifts and then dissipates. Free from the weight, you find yourself awkwardly jumping and balancing on your left leg as to not accidently stumble and fall into the dirt – somehow, you manage to do it…

Virginia’s grey-blue eyes stare you down with an adamant glare. “If that is what the Captain said then – very well.”

You lift your hand to rub your shoulder with unease, “She also said to remind you to go easy on me, if you can.”

“Do –you- want me to go easy on you?” Wardress asks as she turns away from you to approach and pick up a couple of prickly blooming blue roses growing on a bush not far from the wall. From behind, her long and spiky dark-green hair closely reminds you of a fir or a pine tree. With a twist of her fingers, she wraps a string of briar around the gathering of roses to form a bouquet. Once again, she raises her eyes to face and await your answer.

“I-I don’t know?” you admit as your thoughts tangle. Awkwardly, you glance at Tugela for some guidance.

Tugela smiles, “Please go easy on her, Virginia. Remaemaber that she is not an offensive mage like you or mae.”

“Then this is not going to take long.” She makes it impossible to know if she’s talking to you or Tugela. She lifts the bundle of blue roses as; once again, her magical aura begins to battering all of your senses. You do not reply, as you find it hard to speak. “You need to keep this bouquet from touching the ground for five minutes, Cynthia.”

You try to calm your breathing. You loosen your heavy scarf and push some of your mana into the infused linen. The thread begins to glow with silver light. Like an obedient snake, the long scarf delicately lifts off your shoulders and surrounds your body in a hovering spiral. You nod. With a powerful throw, she tosses the bouquet in the air.

Despite the pressure, you manage to keep your eyes glued to the rolling roses. With a thrust, you shove and point your hand towards it. The wyvern that is your magical scarf straightens like iron and blasts towards the flowers. Before your scarf can reach the flowers, however, you are forced to pull it back as a massive wave of white fire gales above your head and between the edges of your magical linen and the rose bundle. You glance at Virginia.

Wardress’ grimoire is still safely stored away in her leather, plate-cladded pouch; it was her basic magic she just used on you. You don’t look at her in confusion, and she doesn’t explain. Clearly, she is going to hamper you here.

If you can grab the bouquet and keep it on you, it will be much easier. Until then, you have to keep it in the air.

> Try to create an air wave with a powerful swing of your scarf to send the bouquet higher. You need some time.
> Attempt to wrap your scarf around Wardress Virginia’s head. If she can’t see, she can’t hinder your actions.
> Interrupt Virginia by trying to wrap her hands with your scarf. It may end up burned to a crisp this way…
> Use one end of your scarf to attack Wardress Virginia while using the other end to grab and pull the roses.
> Open your grimoire and cast a magical spell. [Please specify which spell and in what way you want to use it].
> [Write In]

>Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8KYGeKfpt8

>>4095020
> Open your grimoire and cast a magical spell. [Please specify which spell and in what way you want to use it]
>> Cast weighted blanket and try to bind Virginia with it.

Do we have any of the crickets on us?

>>4095020
> Try to create an air wave with a powerful swing of your scarf to send the bouquet higher. You need some time.

we need more time

>>4095020
> Attempt to wrap your scarf around Wardress Virginia’s head. If she can’t see, she can’t hinder your actions.
>cast weighted blanket on top over the scarf to further disable her
>try to stop yourself from making a pun about how she should have worn layers

>>4095760
also what is she wearing, if we get close enough we might be able to disable her with her own outfit

You harrumph. Leaning on your knee, you twist your arm to manoeuvre the scarf into folding into several bends and layers before you slash and arrange into a massive tornado. The rising wind follows your movements and mightily gales upwards. The gust of wind trashes your hair and clothes before it reaches the bundle of roses and, haphazardly, sends it higher and higher into the air until it practically reaches the edges of where the wall ends.

Annoyingly, this bouquet is very tiny target to keep a track of. You need to narrow your eyes to spot if from here.

Virginia opens her palm to have the kindle in the centre give birth to a fiery white flame. She does not plan to allow you to repeat your trick. Before she can act, you slip out the wand you had concealed in a specialized pocket around your thigh and you point it towards the Wardress. A beautiful moonstone glow surrounds the end point of your wand; your grimoire hovers to your side. Loudly, its pages flip until the spell you demand of it is chosen.

“Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket.” Your silver mana flares towards Virginia like a barrage of tiny silver ribbons before more and more threads begin to manifest and form a rigid, dark-gray textile shining brightly from within.

The tall woman slides and splits her legs moments before your blanket can seize her. Before you can strike the wand to force your restraining cloth on top of her, she raises the fire she is holding in her hand to scorch through the entirety of your blanket as it flies by her. Virginia’s angelic flame breaks your blanket into two and destroys it.

“You’ll have to do better,” the woman laments coldly before she raises her hand above her head and manifest another, similar flare of fire. Without a second though, she tosses her magical angel fire straight towards you!

The bouquet should be high enough to give you some breathing room, but not for long…

> Open your grimoire and cast a magical spell. [Please specify which spell and in what way you want to use it]
> Try to spot the bundle of blue roses and use another burst of wind to send it on top of the high, labyrinth walls.
> Take out a muti cricket and – with obvious disgust – chew on one of them to improve your magical power.
> In addition to a magical spell, try to wrap Wardress Virginia with your enriched linen scarf to disable her.
> [Write In]

File: Cynthia In a white dress.jpg (43 KB, 563x656)

43 KB JPG

> Please roll 1d10+10 – best of three – for the cost of the previous spell [Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket].

> Please roll 1d100 – best of three – to avoid Virginia’s attack.

> From now on – to avoid the confusion – the special textile your scarf is made off will be called ‘enriched linen’.

>>4095146
> You have all the crickets on you – they are stored in your grimoire however. During those six months you had a lot of time to practice and run-through the effects the muti insects have on your body, magic and spell. Those are:
> Basic Magic: Linen Magic – The Linen Magic used on regular linen will last for half-a-minute longer than usual.
> Linen Magic: Homely Blanket – The set cost of your spell is 2 MP lower.
> Linen Magic: Cloths of Solace – Gives 1d10 chance to heal for 4HP if all cloths are concentrated on one person.
> Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket – Raised the DR enemy must pass to avoid from 40 to 45.

>>4095762
> She is wearing a mix of knightly iron-plated and gold gilded armour and long and loose, medieval linen uniform. A golden and thin hoop starts from her forehead like a bandana and then weaves up several times to the top of her head. If you wish to try to get close and use your magic on her linen clothes there is only a small chance of it working as it is hard to battle and control a moving, heavy and living person by their clothes against their magic.

> Please consider leaving a comment with your prompt selection.

> Thanks for playing so far.

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>4096468
> Open your grimoire and cast a magical spell. [Please specify which spell and in what way you want to use it]
Weighted Blanket
Use it as road to run up and grab the bouquet.

Rolled 10 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4096468

>>4096536
if it is possible then i back this

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4096536
this
also how long would it take to pull out broom out

>>4096566
>>4096580
>Have to run but it is possible, yes. And it will take some time but not long - enough for Virginia to do something else.

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>4096468

>>4096580
since we're so out gunned we should try to throw her off
>make a comment about Arthur to flustered her

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>4096661
yes lets do that

>Update will be later today.

>>4096661
Hell yeah, I like that idea.

Rolled 6 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4097993
Here's a mana roll since it doesn't look like there was a third one yet

> You spend 16 mana.
> Mana [114/130]

You jump out of the way and, just barely – by a few inches – you avoid the fire striking you in the chest. Painfully, you stretch your knees before quickly charging away from Virginia and towards the wall. Holding your wand interlocked between your fingers, you push your palm to hang above the pages of your grimoire to release and concentrate a cloud of mana. You do not waste precious seconds looking back at the Wardress. Catching your breath, you mutter ‘Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket’ to manifest a second piece of dimly-glowing magical textile.

Instead of turning around on your toes and using it on Virginia, you weave it into a makeshift path leading across the air and to the tossed bouquet. Struggling with your balance – the fabric is firm yet uneven – you make several jumping steps upon the elevated saturnine linen. Higher and higher, you scale up the matte-hued cloth until you reach the end of it. You find your steadiness. Despite doing all of this, the ascended wall looks almost endless…

Your gaze meets Virginia’s: in her hands there is already -another- ball of ashen fire preparing to be tossed. You glance above – with effort, you spot the bouquet of roses hastily rolling high in the air, quickly plummeting down.

Your empty hand taps the centre of you grimoire; your legs begin to sink into the disappearing cloth.

“I know this is not the right time, but I am curious – how are the things progressing between you and Arhut?”

Her grey-blue eyes widen and her shoulders rise in anxiety before she immediately calms down. Quite likely flustered, she twists her arm preparing herself to send the “divine” fire right at you. “I do not remember such a name. However, it is none of your business – youngling. You have failed to impress me so far today – Cynthia.”

Currently, you do not really care about her reply – not right now. Quickly, you spin your wand to give you one more step for a jump before your blanket completely disappears beneath your feet. Now, you are falling. Barely avoiding burning your legs, you force yourself to close your eyes and concentrate. As if cutting through the parchment, you push your hand deep inside the pages of your grimoire until you find the thing you are looking for.

With a forceful pull, you take out the magic broom from its magical confinement. As soon as it completely leaves the pages, you lift your hand to hold it up by its shaft. Obediently, the magic broom tosses you higher in the air.

Tugela’s loud whistle catches you off-guard. “Imapressive, in just six maonths you’ve mastered it, little Cynthia.”

Hanging and slowly floating on one hand high up in the air, you reach and -thankfully- catch the bouquet before it can descend further. You grimace as the nasty thorns cut into your skin. Roses have thorns... You look down at Virginia who, at least from up here, looks unimpressed. However, this is enough for her to take out her grimoire.

“Precarious. I will now have to make you drop that bouquet, Cynthia. How you are planning on avoiding that?”

> Open your grimoire and cast a magical spell. [Please specify which spell and in what way you want to use it]
> Let go of the broom the moment Virginia attempts to use her spell. Use your scarf to soften your long fall.
> Use your magic broom to rise higher and hide above the labyrinth walls. Will she be able to reach you there?
> Charge towards Virginia in an attempt to interrupt her with your battle scarf before she is able to cast her spell.
> [Write In]

> Please roll 1d10+10 – best of three – for the cost of the previous spell [Linen Magic: Weighted Blanket].

> Sorry for the delay, had to take some painkillers.

Rolled 5 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4098862
>> Let go of the broom the moment Virginia attempts to use her spell. Use your scarf to soften your long fall.

Rolled 6 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4098862
Question. Could we use our broom with our enriched scarf to fall and swing toward Virginia to kick at her? Like we wrap apart of our scarf around the broom, jump away from Virginia and maneuver our broom to swing back a her?

Or is that just too much happening?
If it’s just too much, then supporting.
>>4099039

>>4098862
No worries about delays just keep us informed and don’t go ghost, and most of us here will be happy. Feel better Melk!

>>4099387
>Interesting. Actually, I imagine you would be able to do that not only with your enriched linen but any linen cloth as long as you holding it - though your scarf is much more durable and can probably support your weight better. Still, it's a very acrobatic move so there's a chance you might miss or Virginia will dodge it.

Rolled 6 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>4099039
lets try

> You spend 15 mana.
> Mana [99/130]

You clear your throat only to reply to Virginia with silence.

“Angel Fire Magic: Lance of the Cleansing Bell”.

You can see the Wardress’ lips move in stillness before an immense heat is born above your head. You raise your head to spot a single, blazing cinder orb melting the air itself. Wait-wait-wait! As far as you can recall, no way you’ll be able to survive this spell! With visible and, you assume – amusing to Virginia – panic, you grab onto the broom’s shaft with your second hand for a swing. Counting seconds, you let go of your grasp and fling forwards.

A tall pillar of light erupts behind you – as if a flaming lightning strike. Does she not have any weaker spell she could spare on you?! Gasping, you force your magic into your scarf to tear beneath yourself in order to create a pocket of air to soften your fall. Somehow, it works and, despite the painful landing, you bond with the ground.

Virginia calmly places her iron fingers on the page of her grandiose, gothic-decorated grimoire. She smirks.

You wince in panic when you realize your bouquet had caught some of the angelic fire. Clumsily, you swing the bundle of burning flowers from one side to another attempting to calm the flames – doesn’t work. You raise the blue roses and, with gauche caution, you slap them against your knee several times until the angelic fire is dead.

“There,” you reply as you raise the somewhat-mangled bouquet towards Virginia, “That should be it, Wardress?”

“We still have a minute to go – dasher,” Virginia comments. Her grimoire raises and the page flips to the next one.

> Open your grimoire and cast a magical spell. [Please specify which spell and in what way you want to use it]
> Find and pick up your fallen magic broom and try to use it to dodge Virginia’s attack and fly back into the air.
> Toss the roses back into the air - you are not going to lose and drop them if you don’t have them in your hands.
> Send your scarf towards Virginia in an attempt to wrap her hands and head. Your efforts might get burned away.
> [Write In]

>>4099619
>Cast Cloths of Solace, use the pieces of cloth to try and wrap up Virginia from several different angles at once. Have at least one target her Grimoire to prevent her from using it, one target her eyes to blind her, and one target her feet to trip her up.

It might be a healing spell, but that doesn't mean we can't try to use it for other things!

>>4099619
>> Find and pick up your fallen magic broom and try to use it to dodge Virginia’s attack and fly back into the air.

>>4099619
>> Send your scarf towards Virginia in an attempt to wrap her hands and head. Your efforts might get burned away.

>>4099619
> Send your scarf towards Virginia in an attempt to wrap her hands and head. Your efforts might get burned away.
if we pick up the broom can we use our mana to send it flying at wardress

You bite your lips, “A minute, then.” You raise and point your wand in the direction of the Wardress.

With an explosion of sound, your scarf unravels into a lengthy cloth and, as if a long snake, it slides around your arm. Empowered with your magic, the scarf leaves the presence of your body and barrages towards the tall woman. Before she can finish her spell, the enriched cloth embarrassingly slaps into her face like a wet towel.

Visibly annoyed, she attempts to grab the edge of your scarf, only to suddenly have her wrists captured by the different end of it. For a second time, she slams both of her wrists together and, with all her adult strength, she attempts to pull and break her restraints. You clench your fist and, like a diabolic serpent, the scarf around her head begins to wrap itself tighter and tighter. Soon, the Wardress looks as if she is wearing a bag on her head.

You exhale as both your wand and your hand tremble – tightening the blanket even an inch further is impossible.

Virginia’s sudden and demeaning magic aura makes you stumble back. A small part of her mouth is now visible.

“When you become a Magic Knight, you need to prepare to continue fighting even when you break your arms, your legs and lose your eyesight,” her body finally gives up fighting as she pulls herself up and straightens her shoulders. Her grimoire is engulfed with ivory radiance and, born from several snow-white embers and made entirely out of mana, three long and flaming spear-like objects manifest above her head. “Angel Fire Magic-”

In a blink of an eye, a sharp javelin bursts through and barely misses your body – you only just have the time to shudder in shock. The air that the magical javelin went through begins to crack like dry freshly burned wood…

“Javelins of the Righteous Faith.” Virginia’s other “javelins” slowly turn to point -directly- at you, as if they were compass needles. Damn it, is there no way for you to hide from her? Quickly – while still holding onto the bouquet – you rush forward and grab onto your magic broom. You force as much mana as you possibly can release into it; you count your breathe. You feel your boots grind the earth before your magic broom darts with immense speed.

Another flaming explosion of light burns the air – you have barely avoided the second of Virginia’s javelins: only one remains. You struggle to balance yourself – having to control your magic broom while keeping a track of Virginia is no easy task. You keep your eyes glued to the woman as you manoeuvre through the winds on your broom; despite your pirouettes, the javelin carries on pointing right towards you. You take a deep breathe.

Your magic broom swiftly takes another spin and then, as if your own javelin, you target the Wardress herself. You charge towards the woman and her attack – you have no idea how painful it is going to be if you fail to avoid the javelin. As you get closer and closer, you continue to infuse your magic broom with as much mana as possible.

You jump, and then third javelin flings above your head leaving a majestic, burning white after-trail behind itself. You collapse and roll several more meters against the hard, pebble-filled soil. Despite you no longer being in control of it, your magic broom continues to glide through the air and towards Virginia. Then, a loud bang reflects from the stone walls of the labyrinth as the Wardress raises her leg to grab and stop your magic broom mid-air.

“I should’ve gone harder on you – test-taker.”

Several parts of her body are soon set ablaze in lurid fire. Quickly, you pull back your enriched textile as to avoid her destroy and turn your tireless weeks of work to ash – there is only so much of its damage you can fix. Virginia remains silent as her hands and head are untangled. With a slam, she grounds your magic broom and pauses…

“That’s five mainutes, done and dusted!” Tugela whistles, “Daman, that was a good watch, little Magic Knight!”

“Not yet,” the Wardress hisses before she begins to approach you; the clang of her iron boots makes you uncomfortable. She stops just a few steps away from you to slide her beautiful grimoire into its rightful pouch.

You shudder before awkwardly adjusting and wrapping your scarf back against your neck – you did it, didn’t you?

Virginia offers you one of her hands – after a brief stupor, you give her the slightly damaged bouquet. The woman takes it off your hands and places it in her second pouch-bag. She takes out a short cloak – no, a cape, like the one Tugela and Sol were wearing. It is the Blue Rose signature cape. This is a trick, wasn’t all this a bit too easy?

She hangs you the cape. You take it into your hands and, nervously, you try to put it on. Your scarf is on the way…

You hear Tugela snort and chuckle and your cheeks begin to burn in embarrassment. You loosen the scarf and, with magic - thankfully the cape is made out of linen – you regulate and fine-tune it so that it now sits perfectly.

To your surprise, the usually distant Wardress smiles – there is even some live in her eyes now.

“Congratulations, Cynthia…”

“Gualdo,” you add as gently stroke your cape.

“Cynthia Gualdo,” the Wardress’ greyish eyes look at you as if she was measuring your petite figure. “I hope you feel the weight of the cape. You are a troublemaker, you are naïve, and you are not a person who people will either revere or fear.” You grimace – you obviously did not make the best first impression. “However, Captain Charlotte is correct for choosing you – I am satisfied I was able to test you today, Cynthia.”

Your lips break into a smile. You can’t believe this is actually happening. “Thank you, Cap-I mean Wardress.”

Suddenly, a woman named Tugela strikes your forehead with hers – you stumble back. Ouch. “Can I now?” Tugela whines as she forces herself between you and Virginia. She leans further on your shoulders and practically collapses you to the ground. “You know what? I think we should celebrate with somae dangerous maission-”

Virginia holds and raises Tugela off you by her ear, “No. We still have a few things that need to be done.”

“Comae on, Virginia, the boring paper work can wait – Cynthia, you can’t wait to go on a maission can you?”

You roll your shoulders, “Well I… I… Captain Charlotte is still busy, Tugela. Let’s at least wait for her to return.”

The Goat Knight’s eyes widen, “You’re right; we are going to have a couple maore recruits today! Maybe a boy?”

“It won’t be a boy,” Virginia narrates tiredly, “It is extremely rare for Captain Charlotte to offer a male an invitation to our all-female Squad, Tugela.” She raises her chin in pride before her lips turn dry. She laments, “Even those rare few that do, never stay for longer than a few months. Now, go tell others about the result.”

Like an animal munching on caffeine leafs, Tugela jumps and lands on her straight legs. She pulls you back with a tight sisterly hug before disengaging and replacing you with a kid goat on her working arm. “See you then!”

“Go,” Wardress Virginia sighs and waves her hand, “We’ll be there by the time of Captain Charlotte’s arrival.”

Tugela quickly disappears behind the tall trees; you and the Wardress follow her path back to the mansion.

“Your magic broom is your property – Cynthia – but it was up to my decision wherever to break it or not. While a creative decision, in a battle, if you try to do something like this – especially in an enemy territory – you will end up without means of transportation. A good magic broom is expensive, too, so do not be careless from now on.”

“I-I understand, Wardress Virginia,” you nod.

“Captain Charlotte has a rightful dislike of men – what we did in Kraal is something that shouldn’t be talked about in the premise of Blue Rose Headquarters, while you are on duty, while you are nearby her or… ever. Capire?”

You fidget. “I was just trying to catch you off-guard. I did not know Captain Charlotte is that serious about this?”

“You will need to learn to be discreet,” she admits. She clears her throat and takes a few long steps to create some distance between you two. There, with her eyes hidden by the shadow of her hair, she continues, “I wish to thank you – supporter. It is not hard for Tugela to make “friends”, but it is hard for her to keep them. As you are aware, she is not a person anybody can easily keep up and handle – so the fact you were able to is appreciated.”

You softly lean your head forward, “She is very fun.” Your raised lips fall, “How is her curse?”

“It is as strong as it was six months ago,” Virginia replies, “I have told her to be careful but she never listens. As far as I know, she was not supposed to be part of their ‘secret mission’ and because of that Captain Roselei is now blaming herself. I understand her, there are many things I have done I still hold guilt for.” She slowly turns her head to face you, “Cleole’s curse is partly my fault as well – I am pleased you have made friends with her too.”

You glance away, “She is a strange one – with a powerful curse. She didn’t deserve to be kicked out of her Squad.”

Wardress Virginia shakes her head, “The three royal Magic Knight Squads work differently – think differently…”

Virginia passes by the earthly tropes and beneath the hanging fruit trees – she is so tall she has to bow not to hit the branches. “I don’t need to show you our Headquarters – you are already aware of where most of the important rooms are. Don’t worry, as a Magic Knight you will be given a new, better kind of room for yourself.”

You decide not to protest.

“Are you aware how Magic Knights are differentiated through ranks?” she asks.

“Maybe I can use a reminder?”

“Of course,” she leniently turns away her head, “Star Awards Festival is not the only thing the Magic Knight Squads are graded at by. Every Magic Knight has a separate ranking.” She raises one of her fingers to explain, “That way, some missions will require different powerful Magic Knights from different groups instead of the whole Magic Knight Squad,” Virginia monotones. “Let me make it simple and clear – all the members are divided into five classes, three if you exclude the Magic Emperor and the Magic Captains, and those are further divided into 5 classes. Those sub-classes are less important, but need to be passed for you to advance to a higher rank.”

You blink and nod. So far, you follow.

“Your wage and status depend on your rank. You will start as a Junior Magic Knight 5th class and your wage will be 200.000 yul for a month’s time. If you can become an Intermediate Magic Knight your wage will be 300.000 yul.

“Cynthia?” Virginia’s voice rings in endless echoes in your mind as you stand there, bewildered. There is no way…

“200.000 yul for one month?” you ask her in disbelief, “I-is that really the wage of a Magic Knight?!”

Is she kidding you?! Forget about saving your workshop, with that much money you can buy the High Street!

“I know it’s not that much,” Virginia admits, “But by the time you are my rank you will be earning 400.000 yul. You are going to have to do some very impressive and dangerous work to earn those yuls, however. Are you ready?”
“I am,” you keep your cool as you straighten your back,” So far, there are no questions.”

Virginia stops in front of the massive, gilded gates, “The Magic Knight Exam should be still going on, and so, you still have time to acclimatize. I know you wish to share the good news with everybody, but I have a favour to ask.”

You raise your eyebrow at the Wardress and nod – is it a mission of some sort.

“Neither me or Captain Charlotte have been able to convince Tresses to come back – we know how much she is suffering and struggling with her curse, so we are not evil or demanding. However, unless she continues to battle and engage this curse of her – until we find a way to fix it – a prodigy like her will end up just weak and wretched.”

You don’t like where this is going.

“Cynthia, I want you to pay a visit to Tresses Amuure and try and convince her to return. Can you?”

> “I do not think I am going to have much luck, Wardress, but if you insist I will try my best.”
> “I and Tresses are not in the best relationships. Perhaps you can ask one of her friends?”
> “I was hoping – since there is still time – to visit the Magic Knights Coliseum and cheer for Olyver.”
> [Write In]

File: Upgrade List.png (807 KB, 673x815)

807 KB PNG

> Magic Knight Rank Acquired: [Junior Magic Knight 5th Class]
> Please pick 1 out of the 5 improvements in the pic-related for Cynthia.

> Mana Control. This means a 1d20+10 mana would cost 1d10+10.
> Mana Sensing. This applies to the first spell of each grimoire you see.
> Cleverness. This means instead of 1d100 DR roll you will be roll 1d110.

> If it is no problem, do give me some feedback and questions about the quest so far.
> How is the grammar? Do you mind the way the thing is written or is there something you dislike?
> How are you enjoying the quest so far?
> What do you think about the characters so far? Who is the one you dislike and one you like the most?
> How can this Quest be improved?

>>4101425
>> “I do not think I am going to have much luck, Wardress, but if you insist I will try my best.”

I enjoy the story and i see no problem with the grammar

I want to ask something about the mana control improvement, how would it work on something that is 1d10+10?

>>4101497
> It would make it cost no random roll:10 mana alone.

>>4101504
althoug that would be good i am going to choose the mana amount improvement

>>4101423
> “I do not think I am going to have much luck, Wardress, but if you insist I will try my best.”
but
> “I was hoping – since there is still time – to visit the Magic Knights Coliseum and cheer for Olyver.”
> Mana Control. This means a 1d20+10 mana would cost 1d10+10.
I really fucking love this quest

>>4101425
i especially like how you try (and succeeds) to combine the different options us the players choose when possible

>>4101423
> “I do not think I am going to have much luck, Wardress, but if you insist I will try my best.”
> “I was hoping – since there is still time – to visit the Magic Knights Coliseum and cheer for Olyver.”
>Physical Strength

>>4101425
> How is the grammar? Do you mind the way the thing is written or is there something you dislike?
I think that your grammar is pretty solid, it's improved compared to earlier threads.

> How are you enjoying the quest so far?
I really like it alot! I've been following since the first thread and it's been a fun comfy ride from the start.

> What do you think about the characters so far? Who is the one you dislike and one you like the most?
The breadth of characters that you've created for the quest so far has been impressive. They all have strong personalities and themes without seeming one-note. I also feel that you have remained true to the characterization of the cannon characters that have been used as well. My personal favorite so far is Tugela, I can't get enough of that goat! The character I've disliked the most is, probably unsurprisingly, Tresses. I imagine that this task the Wardress gave us might be a good chance to explore her character further and maybe help to change her for the better.

> How can this Quest be improved?
I'm not really sure of anything specific you can do to improve, you're doing great so far!

>>4101423
> “I do not think I am going to have much luck, Wardress, but if you insist I will try my best.”

>>4101425
>Mana Amount

As a support this seems most important

> [Mana Amount] Improvement Picked
> Mana: [149/180]

“I do not think I am going to have much luck, Wardress, but if you insist I will try my best.”

“Of course you will,” she nods and raises her hand. The gilded gates swing wide-open with a touchless push. The woman enters the front yard of the mansion before she offers her hand, “I can put your belongings in your room for now, Cynthia. I can tell you where your room is located but you’ll be shown by the time you return regardless.”

You shrug your shoulders – all you need is inside your grimoire.

Virginia furrows her brows, “It is going to cause a problem for you finding what you need in the future if you have too many things stored that way. But, for now, let us not worry about that.” She puts her hand beneath the chest-plate and her buttoned shirt in search of a folded piece of paper she soon takes out. You take it in your hands.

“She currently lives in Hecairo, is it located between Kraal and Kikka – it is a regular township, you might miss it.”

You hesitate, “I was hoping – since there is still time – to visit the Magic Knights Coliseum and cheer for Olyver.”

She shrugs, “The exam has already started. You might have some time to catch up with the results, if you hurry.”

You smile and nod at her gratefully several times. You have to return back to Kikka’s Coliseum anyway, so the fact that Hecairo – you have never been there – lays in-between is quite lucky. Still, is she not supposed to be a noble?”

You allow Virginia to depart to take care of important matters before unfolding the paper. Most of the space is wasted, with only a small text mentioning the location of a street, the name of the street and the house number.
Beneath the text is a crudely drawn map of the city. A red circle surrounds the exact location of Tresses’ home.

You stand on top of your magic broom and allow it to raise you above the ground and then, higher into the cold sky. You make sure your Blue Rose cape is firmly placed on your neck before you tuck and wrap your scarf several more layers as to not accidently trip on it. Your iron-hued scarf, your pristine white dress and your blue cape are not a fashionable match. Perhaps you’ll need to add some bluish decorations to your dress to make it look good.

You lower yourself near the entrance gates of the town. Hecairo – sometimes called the “First Town of the Common Region” is a medium sized settlement with architectural style similar to Kikka more than Kraal. Massive stone towers and cobble houses with triangular, gable roofs appear old and blunt. The road from the main entrance leads into smaller, paving stone streets all across the city. The mayor’s house stands on a towering hill.

Some of them people you pass by notice your cape – some of them show excitement while others step away. Following Virginia’s paper, you eventually stumble into the more forgotten streets of the city. As you venture deeper into the ancient corridors of Hecairo, you finally enter a blind alley with several cheap-looking houses.

You check the map to make sure you follow it through the unknown town correctly – it appears so. You climb the rattling wooden steps of one of the houses before knocking on the door. You patiently wait. A middle-aged man with a short, blond beard and worn-out tall aristocratic hat opens the door. He welcomes you with a big smile.

“Hello,” he breathes out heavily as he adjusts his simple, commoner clothes, “Can I help you?”

You tuck the part of the cape the Blue Rose emblem is located at. “Yes, please. I am looking for Tresses Amuure.”

“Oh,” his brows rise softly before he gingerly closes the door behind himself. “We had a visit a few weeks ago.”

“I was asked to try and talk to her again,” you try and smile, “Is there a problem?”

The man pauses before he sighs and shakes his head, “Yes, Tresses lives here – she is my daughter. I don’t think those constant visits are helping her, truthfully. She is currently struggling because of the curse, and unless your Captain can return with a remedy or another way to fix it, I don’t think they should be troubling her anymore.”

> “I’ll make sure to make your concerns known to Captain Charlotte. Before that, can I try seeing her one more time?”
> “Trust me. Captain Roselei and others are working hard to find a cure… but Tresses needs to be part of it.”
> “You are a noble family, are you not? I am surprised that you are not living in Royal Region or at least Kikka.”
> “She’ll be happy to see me Mr. Amuure. Can you please call her here? There’s no need for me to enter.”
> [Write In]

>>4103171
> “Trust me. Captain Roselei and others are working hard to find a cure… but Tresses needs to be part of it.”
what's important is that she doesn't lose hope
we should try to see if Siegfried knows anything that could help

>>4103171
>> “Trust me. Captain Roselei and others are working hard to find a cure… but Tresses needs to be part of it.”

>>4103171
> “Trust me. Captain Roselei and others are working hard to find a cure… but Tresses needs to be part of it.”

>>4103294
Not a bad idea about Siegfried, but he's probably going to charge a small fortune for the attempt, even if it doesn't work, which I suspect it won't. If where they're living is any indication, Tresses might not be able to afford him.

>>4103171
>> “Trust me. Captain Roselei and others are working hard to find a cure… but Tresses needs to be part of it.”

>>4103324
I support all the other suggestions.
I think there's a mega strong healer serving Wizard King, and I bet Charlotte already tried him

Did we ever tried to use our healing spell on broken object? I wonder if we could fix something that way. Of curse broken object that isn't made of linen.

Also with that amount of money I think we should send some to Elvira. She acted stupid and completely deserved what came to her but her magic might be useful in future and keeping her as our contact might be a good idea. Also I might feel little sorry for her.