The Blue Moss Grotto
Isla walked within the glistening blue moss walls of the cave.
The blue moss represented years of crystalline glass decay, a famous material used by the kingdom of Listeria for producing wands magicians use.
It was an important landmark in the past, but it was abandoned.
Yet, Isla's investigation led her here to find any clues of the demons that had attacked Irauki's party.
"..." She pushed her mask down to free her nose for easy breathing, "huhh, it appears the odour was prevalent on the outside alone."
She looked around the cave as she explored
"Perhaps it was more a warning, to push away anyone foolish enough to venture within."
She walked further in and came across an underground river.
The water was clean and clear. The sparkly blue moons on the walls reflected on the surface, causing it to appear sky blue.
Isla got to the river and crouched. Then she puts her hand in to get a feel.
"...doesn't appear anything is wrong with the waters here..."
Then she noticed footsteps approaching from further within.
"Hm?" She quickly moved to the nearest cover she could find and glanced at the room.
3 figures dressed in full black cloaks entered the room.
1 of them had a pair of bloodstained, rusted chakrams hanging on his back.
The other 2 had no visible weapons on them and appeared unarmed.
"(Demons...)" Isla frowned as she attempted to eavesdrop on their conversation.
'How goes the preparations going?'
'The obsidian gem has undergone a successful test run. With the Listerians unable to cast their precious god's magic around it, I'd say the kingdom is as good as captured already.'
'Good... our years of research bear fruit. And what of the hero?'
'Hero or no, he too bears the blessings of their gods. The obsidian gem should have the same effect.'
'We'll be wise not to underestimate the hero's power. He is levels above his peers'
'The hero will be powerless against the 3 of us should it come to it.'
"(This obsidian gem must be the same Irauki spoke of...a gem that binds all magic. That will be troublesome)."
Isla analyzed the consequences of such a dangerous object to Listeria.
'What about the lord's army?'
'It pains me to admit, but we will have to rely on her commands'
'Tsk, why is our lord currying favor from our enemies? It doesn't make any sense!'
"(hmm? What does he mean?)"
'Calm yourself. She's proven to be on our side multiple times. Remember the last war? And the bracelets. It's only thanks to her that we even have a demon lord to guide us'
'...I still don't like her.'
'Understandable, she's a goddess. You don't have to like her.
"(A goddess!!?)"
Isla's surprise almost gave her position away as her feet pushed a tiny rock into the river's water, causing a small splash.
One of the demons glanced in her direction for a brief moment.
Isla had completely concealed her presence and appeared transparent.
'Is there a problem?'
'...No. It's nothing.'
She reared her head once again to keep up with the conversation.
2 of the demons were about to leave. One created a grey teleportation gate.
'We shall take your report to the lord and finalize the infiltration plans'
'In the meantime, you're in charge of our obsidian foundry. Hold down the fort until the army gets here, Sherloth.'
The demon with the chakrams nodded, prompting the other 2 to leave via the gate.
Shortly after, Sherloth went further in.
"..." Isla waited for a moment and then left the cover.
"Demons and a goddess working together? ...this makes no sense."
Isla gnawed the fingers of her thumb once again, a thinking habit.
"Lady Ferr, Nagatha, Kristie, and I are the only goddesses in the divine council... Which would mean one of the other 3..."
Isla shook her head. "No, no, I can't think on assumptions, I need to gather more information."
She stared at the area ahead.
"I think it's time to pay this... Sherloth, a visit and make sense of all this."
Meanwhile, in the Sage training room
Bisky and Habiki stood in their battle positions. The rest of the class watched from the outside
"...hm?" Naki noticed they were both without grimoires or wands.
"Maya, I get why Habiki doesn't use a grimoire, but what about Bisky?"
"She...left her grimoire at home," Maya sighed.
"Again??" Naki asked.
"Yeah. The truth is, Bisky rarely brings her grimoire along. So rare you can probably count on the fingers of one hand how many times she's used it this year."
Naki stared at her, she had a grin on staring back at Habiki.
"So, how will she spar?"
"Much like the president, Bisky is extremely talented and skilled. She has no troubles casting spells without a grimoire or wand," Jhun said, adjusting his lenses.
"Make no mistake, those 2 are the likeliest to become sages of the new generation," he continued.
"(The sages of the new generation huh...)"
Within the dome
Bisky broke the silence.
"Yoo, Prez. Fancy seeing you here, eh? hehe"
"..." Habiki is giving her the silent treatment.
"fufufu come now, don't be li'dat. Out there, you can be all pompous and proper, to you know, fool the audience and all that."
Bisky spread her arms wide, "But in here, I'll like you to be yourself, be the mischievous, broken doll you are!"
"Really, there's nothing to hide. After all, you're just like me, isn't that right? Night witch?" Her eyes narrowed as she let out a menacing grin.
Habiki frowned; she clearly didn't like being called a witch.
"Oops, struck a nerve there didn't I?" Bisky teased her even further, chewing her bubble gum obnoxiously.
Outside the dome
"(That reaction. I've never seen Habiki appear so vexed before)"
"Oh crap, Bi really shouldn't have said that."
"Said what?" Naki asked.
"I don't know the details and all, but they're rumors going around about the Prez hiding some dark secrets with some questionable events tied to her nighttime escapades."
"Some say her power and proficiency in magic is as a result of the poor souls she sacrifice at night, others say she's involved in some she sucks the magic of students here to empower herself."
"As a result of many of these occurrences, she's earned the moniker night witch."
Louise concluded.
"All baseless accusations stemming from envy. I fail to see why she's letting it get to her," Jhun interjected, annoyed.
"I see..." Naki said softly. "Hm?"
He noticed Maya had a worried look on her face.
"Maya? What's wrong?" he asked, a tone less of an instructor and more of a caring friend.
"I...I dunno guys. I've been with Bisky and Habiki since year 1."
"Bisky may be mischievous or delinquent, but she adores Habiki, she's never openly condemned her actions and has shown nothing but respect ever since she became president."
"And Habiki is not the type to be influenced by rumors. She's a considerate and proper person."
Jhun and Louise were both shocked and intrigued.
"So Maya-bae, you think there's more going on between the 2 of them? Cause, far as I'm concerned, those 2 don't see eye to eye haha."
"Maybe. But the fact remains, they have to try getting along. We have to help them. I believe they'll be huge for Listeria's future."
Naki kept Maya's words in mind and turned his attention back to the dome.
Within the dome
"I see spending too much time with Emile's party has left a foul stain on you, Bi."
It was Habiki's turn to speak.
"Hm? What are you implying?" Bisky frowned
"Hm-hm-hm. Let's just say you used to be way more fun before."
Habiki chuckled and flicked her bangs to the side, revealing her bell earring glowing softly.
"But now, you've become a nuisance."
Bisky's face twisted, hands curled into an angered grip.
"Assaulting a freshman, skipping study hall sessions, breaking into the headmaster's office, and dishonouring a sparring session by intervening unauthorized, a session meant to inform our overseer instructor on the depths of our powers."
Habiki was tabling her latest offenses.
"In a mere 18 hours, you've broken more than sufficient for a dismissal. As the council president, I'm sorry to say these offenses shall not be overlooked."
"Hah." Bisky chuckled, then burst into laughter. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA"
She laughed so hard that a small tear built up on her left eye.
"Haha aw man, you're like, tots funny! Like, what are you going to do exactly? file for my dismissal?" Bisky asked, wiping off the tear, still jovial.
Habiki smiled, "That depends."
Habiki equips her lance and takes her stylish stance, the same one she did in her encounter with Naki.
"Hm?" Her stance caught Bisky's attention. She recognized it straightaway. Habiki was about to take their spar very seriously.
"If you defeat me in this spar, I shall consider an appeal on your case."
"[Habi!!? What are you doing? You realize that one is dangerous, don't you?]" Keifa protested.
But Habiki ignored her, "What do you say, Bi?"
Bisky gave her a look, both curious and concerned.
"... huhhh, I don't know what you're planning. But fine, not like I can't spend time with Emile until the war with the demons is over and all that, but-"
Bisky stretched her left hand forward, and several gothic chains wrapped around her wrist to her fingers.
Attached at the end of the chain was a small doll dressed in a black gown and glinting violet eyes. The colors matched Bisky's own.
"I have much to discuss with the instructor, which means dismissal will have to wait."
The confidence in her eyes, the style of her stance, and the tone of her voice. Bisky did not for one second consider the possibility of losing, despite coming against the prodigy herself.