#owen. shylock. cain. chloe. heathcliff. arthur. shino. and like maybe murr + akira

[curmoritor]

❛ Hmph. ❜ You don't like it... Yet, he is right... about multiple things! And you don't plan to be upstaged by that obsessive western wizard. He pisses you off quite a lot, so if you have to work with Cain this one time then you'll do it. It's not as if you hate him, but you still struggle to admit anything but vitriol out loud. What a complicated guy you are, surely one day you'll out grow that.

❛ Speak for yourself. ❜ You don't make a terrible team! But being agreeable isn't something you plan to do easily. ❛ It's not like that western wizard would have been much help anyways. He's useless regardless of his strength~ ❜ Yet, there is a mission that needs to be done and you are one of the stronger ones here.

Seriously, what a bother! Why couldn't someone like Faust or Nero also have came along? You feel like you are baby sitting.

❛ Well? Hurry up. I'm not going to wait around for you then~ The north is very treacherous. I thought you'd have learned that from the first time you came. ❜

     “  yeah, well, like it or not we're stuck together . ” you don't want to add any additional stress on the sage's shoulders . sure, owen can be a stick in the mud & impossible to understand, but he wasn't outright unbearable company . though he certainly made himself out to be more difficult than was necessary .

     “  I'd probably get lost on my own . if we find a nearby settlement, I won't be able to see them which would spell trouble if they wind up being hostile . you're the only one beside shylock who could deal serious damage, but I'd rather not leave the sage defenseless with the younger wizards, you know ? it's not like we make a terrible team, so I don't see why you're complaining . ”

[cainluvr69]

Final Chapter - 22.11 - What I Saw That Night

Previous Chapter

****TL Note: just want to say before we get into it that every single character is in their jammies in this chapter

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Haah… I'm so tired. I think I'll turn in early tonight. C'mere, Saku-chaaaan.

Sacrificium: … …!

Akira: Saku-chan?

✦✧☾✧✦

Oz: …

Nova: Oz.

Oz: …! <Vox Nox>! …!

Mithra: Hah?

Oz: ……

Mithra: Hey, don't just summon someone and then…you're already asleep…

Oz: …

Mithra: …Oz…? …Is all of that blood…his…?

Nova: It's been a while, Mithra.

Mithra: …! <Arthim>! …?! My doors aren't opening outside the manor?!

Mithra: …Wake up, Oz! <Arthim>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Rutile: Huh? What happened to Mithra? He's vanished.

Riquet: Did he get bored and leave?

Mitile: Didn't he say he had some good cards in his hand?

Rutile: Wah…!

Mitile: Parts of the roof are falling!

Riquet: I believe the rooms at the top of the manor above us are Oz's and Owen's… Should I go tell them to quiet down?

Rutile: Maybe Mithra went to visit one of them? I wonder if I can see him from the window…

Figaro: Everyone, get down!

Mitile: Dr. Figaro?!

Figaro: <Possideo>…!

Riquet: Waah…!

Rutile: There's something outside the window…?!

Figaro: Artificial wizards…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Rustica: Wah…

Chloe: Woah…that startled me. That was from the top floor, right? Do you think the Northern wizards are getting in a fight?

Rustica: …

Chloe: …Rustica? Do you want me to go check out the top floor?

Rustica: Chloe, stay next to me.

Lennox: You both need to run…!

Chloe: Huh…?! Waah…?!

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Lennox: <Forsettao Meiuvat>

Lennox: They're coming from the southern side of the manor! Escape out the window into the courtyard…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: Oh my, the manor is shaking. What could those naughty children be doing this time of night?

Murr: Fireworks! Fireworks?

Shylock: How lively. We've only just returned home today, so they should be more…

Shylock & Murr: …!

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>!

Shylock: <Inviebelle>

Faust: …!

Shylock: Faust?!

Faust: …Get out the window! Hurry…!

Murr: Did something slam you into the wall?

Faust: …Yes, something I never wanted to see again!

Faust: <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: Master Sage…!

Cain: Are you okay?! There was a huge noise…

Akira: Arthur, Cain! Something's upsetting Saku-chan! Something's really wrong…

Nova: …

Arthur: …! Who are you? State your name. Long white hair, and a scar over the left eye… No, it can't be…

Cain: …White hair…

Nova: You.

Akira: …!

Nova: Are you the new Sage?

Akira: …Ah…

Shino: Sage! Are you okay?!

Heathcliff: …! Nova…!

Akira: …! This is Nova…?!

Nova: It's wonderful to meet you, beloved Sage.

Akira: Wahhhh…!

Arthur: Watch out! Master Sage…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: <Arthim> …This is the third one. How many are there?! Tch…! And here's another one!

Owen: <Cure Memini>

Mithra: Owen!

Bradley: What's goin' on?!

Nero: Oz…!

Painting Snow: Goodness!

Painting White: Are they after Oz?!

Nero: Brad, Mithra, Owen! Can I leave Oz to you guys?!

Mithra: What?!

Nero: If this many of 'em managed to sneak in here, the kids are in danger! Snow, White, we're moving!

Bradley: It looks like all the lil' ones are in the courtyard! I can snipe through the window and cover them!

Nero: Do that!

Painting Snow: We must hurry! Faust only barely defeated one of these artificial wizards!

Painting White: The young wizards will be turned to stone…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Waah…!

Shino: Sage!

Heathcliff: Prince Arthur, Cain! Take Master Sage to the courtyard!

Arthur: Got it! Nova's hidden himself! Both of you, be careful!

Shino: I know! Look after the Sage!

Cain: Akira, I'm going to carry you!

Akira: …!

Heathcliff: <Repsev Aivulp Sunos>

Shino: <Matzah Sudipas>

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: They're swarming from that direction, too…!

Cain: How many are there?!

Arthur: …Cain, move! I'll be their opponent! <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Cain: …Master Sage! Don't let go!

Shylock: Cain, Master Sage! Are you unhurt?!

Lennox: Don't stop moving! It's going to fire that beam…! Don't let it hit you!

Cain: …Aghhh…!

Akira: …ah…Cain…!

Lennox: There's another coming from that way!

Faust: We're going to get caged in! I'll stop them here somehow! All of you, get to the dining hall!

Cain: …gh, I'll stay here too! Shylock! Murr! Take the Sage and run!

Shylock: Understood! Master Sage, this way…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: Shylock, Murr!

Rustica: Use magic to hide the Sage and take them to the bar on the second floor.

Akira: Chloe, Rustica…!

Rustica: You don't need to worry about us. Shylock, Murr, if you'd please.

Murr: Gotcha…!

Shylock: We're going…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: <Possideo>

Mitile: Dr. Figaro, you're so strong…! I'll help protect everyone, too! <Scintilla>!

Riquet: Mitile, watch out!

Mitile: Huh?!

Rutile & Figaro: …Mitile…!

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>!

Rutile: Lords Snow and White!

Nero: <Adnodis Omnis>!

Riquet: Nero! Nero…!

Nero: Are you okay, Riquet?!

Riquet: Nero, behind you…!

Nero: …! <Adno…>

Bradley: <Adnopotensum>! Don't cluster! They'll circle you! C'mon, scatter…!

Figaro: Take care of Riquet! Mitile, Rutile, this way!

Nero: Got it! C'mon, Riquet…!

Riquet: Okay…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: …The flames are spreading…

Rustica: Stay close to me, Chloe.

Nova: That will be difficult.

Rustica: …Ahhh…!

Chloe: Rustica, Rustica! Why did you do that to him?!

Nova: …

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>!

Nova: …Haha…

Murr: …Uwaah…!

✦✧☾✧✦

I could distantly hear everyone's screams. I'd had magic placed on me to hide me from sight, and I was huddled in a corner of the bar. Shylock had his pipe at the ready, his face taut. Nova had appeared before him… …with a badly injured Murr, broken and discarded like garbage.

Shylock: …Murr…!

His expression stiffened even further. But he flicked me a glance and smiled as if to say everything would be okay. He was going to keep me safe. Shylock stood opposite Nova and laughed, looking for all the world that he was calm and composed.

Shylock: Well now… I suppose I can indulge you. Shall we?

Everything sounded far away. Shylock suddenly fell to his knees, gripping his chest, his body curling in on itself in pain. His injury from <the Great Calamity>. His heart was set aflame, just like everything else in the manor was.

Shylock: …kh…

His face was twisted in agony. Sparks fell from between his fingers, inviting ever more destruction into the manor. Nova stepped towards Shylock, silently but purposefully. This was, I was sure, what the Reaper's footsteps sounded like. I wanted to rush out and help him, but I had no strength in my body anymore. All I could do was continue to hide unseen in the corner, without letting my screams or sobs be heard.

Akira: (Shylock…!)

Nova knelt down and reached towards Shylock. He was going to kill him. But when that thought passed through my brain… Nova pressed his hand against the flames at Shylock's chest. The look in his eyes as he watched Shylock's face was frighteningly gentle. It meant something. Surely the softness of his gaze meant something. The flames upon Shylock's chest slowly, gradually, began to die down in Nova's palm. With all the kindness of someone treating his wounds.

Shylock: …What…?

I was called the Sage, but I hadn't been able to do anything for him. Oz was called the world's strongest wizard, but he hadn't, either. But Nova had granted Shylock's wish. And then he simply disappeared.

Akira: …Huh…?

✦✧☾✧✦

Nova and his artificial wizards had all vanished in the blink of an eye. Even Oz had managed to hang on despite the severity of his wounds. Arthur was grieving over his wounds, and the Northern wizards were trembling. What had they come here for? Why?

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: What a terrible sight… When Oz wakes up tomorrow morning, we shall have him clean everything up.

White: His wounds have always healed quickly. He'll be all better by tomorrow.

Arthur: Lord Oz…

Heathcliff: Oh, Prince Arthur… You must be so worried about him…

Owen: They left things half-finished. They almost kill Oz, they almost kill the Sage, and then they just leave? What in the world did they come here for?

Snow: That's a very good question…

Snow & White: Ah…!

Akira: Snow, White?!

Arthur: Where are you going?!

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: It's not here…!

White: It's vanished…!

Lennox: If something's missing, then… Did they steal it?

Riquet: First they leave the manor in such a terrible state, and then they resort to petty thievery on top of that? Unforgivable.

Akira: Snow, White. Just what is it that's gone missing?

Snow: Surely you should recognize it.

White: They took the Goblet of Judgment.

The Goblet of Judgment. That was… That was what I'd used in the ritual to summon new Sage's wizards.

Akira: … But why…?

✦✧☾✧✦

Murr: …

Murr: What a naughty one you are, sneaking about like this in the middle of the night.

Murr: Shh. I'm here to steal the Sage's jacket.

Murr: They'll be worried, you know. If such a tragedy played out within their very room, and they were powerless to stop it? Goodness.

Murr: This isn't a tragedy.

Murr: Mu…

Murr: Monch. Gulp. … This is a poor excuse for a comedy.

[agirlattea]

Sincerely, a Rainbow of stories for you: 

Please Tell me the story of the rainbow: Part 1

(Location: ???)

???:  Even if the sky above me isn’t one that has fully cleared of rain, I can still see the rainbow, painted in gentle colors.

The sound of the wind flowing. The faint ringing of a bell. I engrave the images into my mind and draw the impressions they leave behind. 

A story that began with a bundle of tattered parchment.

…Hey, Roxy. You were the only one who ever stuck by my side. 

I don’t want to lose anything else. That rainbow color, the sound of the bell… because this place is my own special world. 

Please, please don’t disappear. Because you’re the only one…

(Location: Magic Manor’s Foyer, Central Kingdom, Daytime) 

It was a sunny afternoon, and we were all gathered in the Magic Manor’s foyer. 

Snow and White: Sage

Akira: Snow, White. Is there something you’ve gathered us all here for?

Snow: Yes, but before we explain, let us do a roll call. 

White: First the Central Wizards!

Cain: Alright. Arthur is away on official business, but everyone else is here.

Riquet: I went to see him with Cain, and Oz came with us too.

Oz: ……..

Snow: I see. Next, the eastern Wizards.

Faust: We’re all here. Did something happen? Why have we all gathered?

Heathcliff: Maybe it’s a group mission… 

Nero: I hope it isn’t anything annoying. 

Shino: Is it a big task? If so, leave the combat to me. 

White: Hohoho, rest assured that there is nothing to worry about. 

Snow: Next up are the Western Wizards… but I don’t see enough people.

Shylock: Everyone was here but a moment ago. 

Chloe: Wait, Rustica? Rustica is gone! He was right next to me just now though… 

Murr: Maybe he left on a whim, or maybe he’s playing hide and seek. I love hide and seek! 

Rutile: No matter the job, we will do our best! Right, Mitile?

Mitile: Yes! It’s so exciting for everyone to finally get to work together! 

Snow: It seems the Southern Wizards are already motivated. 

White: How reliable.

Figaro: Yes, and as their teacher I suppose I also have to meet those high standards.

Lennox: I will help as well. If we encounter a difficult task, please leave it to me. 

…By the way, does anyone else smell something burning? 

Mithra, Owen, and Bradley: ……..

Akira: Umm… the three of you… your clothes are singed… are you all okay? 

White: It looks like you got in some good shots, Oz. You must have had a hard time.

Oz: There were no difficulties. 

Bradley: Huh…

Mithra: Hmph…

Owen: Is that so… 

Akira: (Somehow, the air seems to have gotten heavier. I’m getting a little anxious…)

White: They’re all hot-blooded guys, after all. 

Snow: Well then, let’s announce today’s challenge!

The drifting bloodlust in the room, stemming from the Northern Wizards who seem to have just lost a fight against Oz, seemed to focus on the twins. 

Snow and White: Today we are cleaning the Magic Manor! 

Heathcliff: Housecleaning…? 

Chloe: …Together?

Snow: Yes. 

White: That’s right. 

Snow and White: <Noscomnia> ! 

The twins cast their spell, and suddenly cleaning tools appeared in everyone’s hands, accompanied by cute popping sounds. 

Mops, brushes, and brooms. Before I knew it, I was holding a dishcloth. 

Owen: What? We gathered here for something like this? 

Mithra: Did you not just say that this was an important mission? 

Oz: I heard him say that as well. 

Bradley: Generally speaking, it doesn’t make sense to dedicate a day to cleaning. If you’re a wizard, it’s only natural to keep your surroundings neat. 

It’s careless to even leave a single hair around, since you don’t know what it could be used for. 

In any case, there should be nothing to clean. 

Snow: Well, you are right. However, that's besides the point! What’s important is that we join forces and work together towards a common goal! 

White: The two of us have determined that what the Sage’s Wizards lack is harmony. 

Snow: Cooperation. 

White: Since we’re living together, once in a while we have to cherish our interactions. 

Rutile: That’s right! If we all work together, not only will we finish our tasks faster, but we’ll be able to clean every nook and cranny that we wouldn't be able to reach on our own. 

Shino: I’m disappointed it's not a battle, but I’m good at cleaning. Leave the garden to me. 

Nero: Then I’ll take care of the kitchen. I’ve been waiting for a chance to reorganize the pantry anyways. 

Murr: I want to be in the kitchen too! 

Nero: Huh? 

Shylock: Oh? That’s an unusual request. Are you expecting spills?

Murr: There’s that too, but mostly I want to try the recipe for a new potion that I found the other day. 

Blackened, mushy, magma-like bubbly stuff made with blackened newt and mandragora! 

Shylock: That… sounds like a troublesome dish. 

Please obey Nero and behave. Don’t make too much of a mess. 

Nero: What….

Owen: I don’t really care what you do, but don’t touch the pot used for making sweets. I don’t like it when smells are transferred between dishes.

Cain: Nice try, but that pot still might not be safe… 

Mitile: Nii-Sama, why don’t the two of us clean the library? 

Rutile: Right, everyone has brought in more books lately, haven’t they. 

Riquet: I’ll help too, as I often use the library. 

Familiar places should be kept clean, and lately I’ve felt like the shelf in the back has been getting messy. 

Mithra: It’s best not to get too close to that place. I put a magic book that I couldn’t keep in my room there. 

It bites when it’s in a bad mood. It may suddenly run out and attack you. 

Riquet: What?! 

Mitile: Please don’t leave dangerous things in a space everyone uses. 

Rutile: But I am a little interested in Mr. Mithra’s book. 

Snow: Everyone is motivated.

White: Sage, we’d like you to give the starting signal. 

Akira: The starting signal? 

Snow: Something like “Let’s go! We can do it, everyone!” 

White: A chant can boost morale! Or at least, that’s what the previous Sage said. 

Snow: He also said that if you can get people to laugh at your speech, then you can be considered a fully-fledged leader.

Akira: Wait..!

Pushed forward by the twins, I stepped in front of everyone. 

Akira: Umm, it may be difficult, but in order to deepen our friendships, we should work to clean the manor together. To that end, I ask that you try to avoid using magic as much as possible�� 

Mithra: &lt;Arthim> 

Mithra languidly spun around. Following the sound of him chanting his spell, we heard a small explosion somewhere else in the manor. 

Akira: Umm, did you… 

Mithra: Yes. I’m done cleaning up. 

I’ve eliminated all the nuisances, so please be grateful. 

Mithra grumbled as he sat on the stairs, crossing his legs lazily. 

Bradley: Over in 5 seconds. 

Figaro: It’s over, is it? 

Owen: You should’ve done this from the beginning. 

Shylock: I would have prefered it to be a little less fleeting… 

Oz: Sigh

Light footsteps echoed in the midst of the awkward silence. Despite the tension, the air in the hall was soft and bright. 

Rustica: By the way, did everyone receive a party invitation? 

Chloe: Rustica! Where were you?

Rustica: I was strolling through the courtyard. The marigolds in the garden were very beautiful. 

As I watched them sway in the wind, music filled my head and I couldn’t look away. Chloe, next time I’ll bring you with me. 

Chloe: Jeez, I was worried because you suddenly disappeared. You always do things at your own pace! 

Cain: …By the way does anyone smell smoke?

Nero: Yeah, like the smell is drifting in from outside… 

Rustica: Now that you mention it, there were some ribbons of flame here and there in the courtyard. 

I erased some of them so they wouldn’t spread to the flowerbeds, is that a game someone is playing? 

Chloe: Ribbons of flame…? 

Akira: You mean  the garden was on fire?!

Rustica: Yes. Watching the crackling sparks was interesting, but it might be a little dangerous. 

Akira: Umm, Mithra’s magic just now… 

Mithra: I just turned everything that got in my way to ash, right? 

Snow and White: That way of cleaning is way too extreme! 

Mithra: Thank you. 

Bradley: No, you’re not being praised. 

Figaro: In other words, is it okay to say that our mission has changed from general cleaning to extinguishing fires? 

Cain: A fire in the manor is a big deal! We need to hurry up and put it out! 

Riquet: O-okay! The garden isn’t the only place that’s on fire, is it? 

Heathcliff: Let’s split up! Does anyone have a bucket…

Mitile: I do! 

Chloe: Me too! 

Shino: Use the water from the fountain. There’s always water flowing there. 

Lennox: Master Sage, please stay here. We will extinguish the fire immediately. 

Akira: Thank you but… 

Cain: What’s wrong? 

Akira: I think right now it’d be okay to use magic…

The wizards who were running around stopped moving. 

Rutile: …Yes, you’re right about that. 

Nero: Sorry… I guess the timing confused me. 

Faust: Me too. 

Snow: I was overwhelmed by the vigor of the young people. 

White: I as well. 

Behind the younger wizards who looked at each other and smiled sheepishly, I saw Oz holding up his staff. 

Oz: <Vox Nox>

In the blink of an eye, dark clouds covered the sky and large drops of rain soaked the Magic Manor. 

Back to Event Masterlist

[cainluvr69]

Let Me Tell You The Story Of A Rainbow - Chapter 1

???: I can see rainbows in the sky even when it hasn't rained. The colors are so vivid, but so fleeting…and so familiar. Have you paid attention to sounds you hear when the wind embraces you? Like the gentle ringing of bells, like the burst of sparkling stardust overflowing and tinkling down to earth. I'll scoop up what's left behind…all that's left when the notes have faded out, when the colors have faded to nothing… And I will paint with those remainders. I'll write a story that begins with a sheaf of rustling paper. …Hey, Roxy. Please be the one who will always stay with me. Stay right at my side. I don't want to lose anyone else. Because this is a world just for me…just like the colors of the rainbow and the sound of bells. Please don't disappear. I can't lose you…please…please…

✦✧☾✧✦

We were gathered in the manor's hall on one fine and sunny afternoon.

Snow: Sage.

White: Dear Sage.

Akira: Snow, White. What's everyone here for? Is something happening?

Snow: Oh, yes. But before we explain, first we're doing a roll-call.

White: First up, Central Country!

Cain: Gotcha. Arthur's away on official business, but the rest of us are here.

Riquet: Cain and I fetched Oz, so I can confirm he's here, too.

Oz: …

Snow: Good. Next up is East.

Faust: All of us are here, but does the fact that you gathered us here mean that something's happened?

Heath: Are we all going on a mission together, maybe…?

Nero: As long as it ain't the Calamity, that's what matters to me.

Shino: Are we doing something on a large scale? If we're gonna be seeing some action, just leave it all to me.

White: Ohoho, put your hearts at ease. We will not be doing something so dangerous as all that.

Snow: Next should be West, but… We appear to be missing someone.

Shylock: I did have them all assembled…until a few moments ago.

Chloe: Wait, Rustica…? Rustica's not here! He was just right next to me…

Murr: Maybe he decided he wanted to start playing hide-and-seek. I loooove hide-and-seek!

Rutile: We'll do our very best no matter what sort of job we're given. Right, Mitile?

Mitile: Yep! I'm excited to find out what we're going to be doing that needs all of us.

Snow: It seems the Southern wizards are all already raring to go.

White: How very reassuring.

Figaro: Yeah, as their teacher, I'm very proud of them.

Lennox: I'll be helping, too. If you need strength, just ask me. …Although I feel like I can smell something burnt…

Mithra & Owen & Bradley: …

Akira: Um… Your clothes look singed here and there. Are the three of you okay?

White: Why thank you for your hard work, Oz. You gathered all three of them up in one go.

Oz: It was not especially "hard".

Bradley: Izzat right…

Mithra: Hmmph…

Owen: Oh, yeah…?

Akira: (…Th-the air suddenly feels like it's been electrified…!)

White: My, you're all so hot-headed.

Snow: Now then, let's get down to what we're doing today.

The twins didn't pay any mind to the bloodlust hanging in the air that was pointed singularly at them. They laughed together, and then spoke together.

Snow & White: Today we're going to be cleaning up the whoooole manor!

Chloe: Cleaning up…

Heathcliff: …Together?

Snow: Indeed.

White: Here!

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>!

The twins chanted their spell, and cleaning supplies popped into everyone's hands--yes, with cute little popping sounds and everything. Mops, brushes, and brooms for cleaning, not flying. I found myself holding a couple of dishcloths.

Owen: Excuse me? That can't be why you dragged all of us here.

Mithra: Didn't you say this was going to be a highly important mission that needed every one of us in attendance to succeed?

Oz: That is what I was told, as well.

Bradley: Cleanin' ain't somethin' we need to be makin' time for in the first place. Every wizard knows to keep their shit clean. No one's stupid enough to leave so much as a hair behind when they don't know what it could get picked up 'n used for.

Snow: True though that may be, that's not what's important here. The point is for everyone to work together for a single end goal.

White: Proud as we all are, we are still lacking harmony.

Snow: We are missing the spirit of cooperation.

White: This is a rare incidence of so many wizards living communally with one another. It is essential that we take advantage of it and mingle with those different from ourselves.

Rutile: You're absolutely right! If we all work together, then even the little nooks and crannies we don't usually get to in our typical cleaning will be spotless in no time.

Shino: I'm a little annoyed it's not combat, but I'm still plenty good at cleaning. Especially tending to gardens, so just leave all of that to me.

Nero: Then I'll take the kitchen. I was wantin' to do an inventory of our ingredients anyways.

Murr: I wanna do kitchen stuff too!

Nero: What.

Shylock: My, how rare. Are you hoping for scraps?

Murr: That too, but I found this potion recipe I wanna try out. I'm gonna be using charred salamander and mandragora root to make something as icky goopy sticky as bubbling magma!

Shylock: That sounds…awfully involved. Be sure to listen to what Nero tells you, and mind your manners. Don't leave any messes.

Nero: Whaaaat…

Owen: Not that I care what you do, but don't use the pots that are meant for making sweets. I don't want the smell from your science experiments getting in my snacks.

Cain: That's all well and good, but I don't think I want that on any of the other pots either…

Mitile: Rutile, how about we tackle the library?

Rutile: That sounds good. We've all been bringing in a lot of books.

Riquet: I'll help out, too! I study a lot in the library too, after all. It is important to keep the areas around oneself clean and tidy. That, and I feel like the shelves deeper inside are getting messier lately.

Mithra: You should stay away from them, actually. That's where I'm keeping the grimoires I can't keep in my room anymore. If they're in a bad mood, they might snap at you or try to charge you.

Riquet: What.

Mitile: Don't leave dangerous things like that lying around…! That's a room everyone uses, you know.

Rutile: But I'm kind of interested in seeing Mithra's personal library…

Snow: My, my. It seems everyone knows what they want to do.

White: Now then, dear Sage. Declare the beginning of our cleaning spree, will you?

Akira: …Declare…?

Snow: Like, like, "let's go~!"

White: The previous Sage said doing such things is important for maintaining everyone's morale.

Snow: He also said that if you can get a laugh out of your opening line, that's what matters most.

Akira: But…but that's…!

My back straightened up at the twins' words, and I took a step forward in front of everyone.

Akira: Umm, I think getting a laugh would be hard, but… Today we're working together to clean the manor for the sake of deepening our bonds with one another. So, let's try to use as little magic as possible…

Mithra: <Arthim>

Mithra lazily recited his spell, and then I heard the distant echo of an explosion.

Akira: Um, was that…

Mithra: Yes. I'm bringing this "cleaning" to an end. I have gotten rid of everything unsightly. You may be grateful now.

Mithra languidly crossed his legs in his seat on the hall's staircase.

Bradley: Done in five seconds flat.

Figaro: Welp, that's that.

Owen: It's what we should've done from the start.

Shylock: I would have preferred to have gotten a bit more of a taste myself, but…

Oz: …Sigh.

An odd silence I wasn't sure how to describe hung in the air, only to be interrupted by light and cheery footsteps echoing through the hall.

Rustica: Oh my, everyone is in attendance. Were you all invited to a party?

Chloe: Rustica! Where were you?

Rustica: I was taking a walk in the courtyard. The marigolds were looking exceptionally lovely, you see. Watching them blow to and fro in the breeze filled me with musical inspiration. I'll be sure to let you hear what I came up with soon, Chloe.

Chloe: Jeez… I was worried about you because you disappeared on me all of a sudden. You're always doing things at your own pace, Rustica!

Cain: …So, hey, does it smell kind of smoky in here or is it just me?

Nero: Yeah, I think it's somethin' outside…

Rustica: Why, that reminds me. I saw ribbons made of flame here and there in the garden. I extinguished the ones that I saw so that the flames wouldn't spread to the flowerbeds… Were they something someone set up for a game of some kind?

Chloe: Ribbons of flame…?!

Akira: You mean they were burning?!

Rustica: Indeed. They were crackling and sparking gracefully, but I suppose they're a bit dangerous too, aren't they?

Akira: Um, Mithra, what was the spell you just used…?

Mithra: All I did was turn everything getting in the way to ash.

Snow & White: That's a little hardcore for cleaning!

Shylock: It seems your cleaning methods are a bit much, Mithra.

Mithra: Thank you very much.

Bradley: They ain't praisin' you, man.

Figaro: So basically, our mission's gone from cleanup crew to firefighting work?

Cain: The manor catching fire's kind of a big deal! We need to hurry and put it out.

Riquet: R-right! The fires will be spread through the whole building, right?

Heathcliff: Let's split up! Let's see, I need to find a bucket…

Mitile: I've got one!

Chloe: Me too!

Shino: Let's use water from the fountain. It's not like it's gonna run out.

Lennox: Please stay here, Master Sage. We'll have the fires put out before you know it.

Akira: O-okay. But, um…

Cain: Hmm? What's up?

Akira: I--I think it's fine if you use your magic for this…

My wizards froze in their flustered tracks.

Rutile: …That's true, isn't it.

Nero: Whoops… I meant t' say somethin' but I couldn't find the right timing.

Faust: Same here…

Snow: As did I… We were overwhelmed by the little ones' efficiency.

White: Indeed we were.

The younger wizards exchanged looks with each other, their grins seeming a little bit embarrassed. Behind them, Oz raised his staff.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

In the blink of an eye, the sky clouded over, and a great deluge of rain fell over the manor…

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