The Sly Fox

The academy's senior area was a swirl of colors and merriment. But amidst the jubilation, a predator was on the prowl.

Kaleidos strolled with an unassuming gait, moving seamlessly through the crowd. His tunic flapped against the evening breeze, as he deftly navigated the chaotic revelry. While most eyes were drawn to the dance, the song, or the magic on display, his were razor-focused on his task. Even though he appeared like just another partygoer, Kaleidos was anything but.

He took a step, and his fingers brushed against the pouch of a mage deep in conversation. The mage didn't even notice the lightened weight by his side, but Kaleidos was already a few steps away, the pilfered coins warming his pocket.

"Sorry, sorry, my bad," he murmured, feigning clumsiness as he collided with another attendee. The woman adjusted her ornate cloak, never noticing the now-missing pendant that had previously adorned her neck. As he continued onward, a sly grin crept onto Kaleidos's face, the stolen pendant gleaming between his fingers.

He repeated this dance of mischief several times, the orchestra of the event covering his silent, precise thefts. Every bump, every seemingly innocent brush against someone, was calculated. It was an art, and he was a master at it.

"Security here is so easy to deal with~," he mused, his thoughts echoing his earlier boast. With so many distractions around, it wasn't just about stealing material items but also about understanding the ebb and flow of the crowd. To him, this wasn't just thievery – it was a performance.

However, as entertaining as pocketing the valuables of the academy's elites was, it wasn't his primary goal. He was after something far more precious: techniques. His eyes darted around, assessing potential marks.

"Let's see where my prey is~" His gaze landed on a young mage, displaying a spectacular light show for a group of admirers. "Not that boy," Kaleidos mused, "He's too popular." A crowd meant too many eyes, and while he was confident in his abilities, he wasn't reckless.

He shifted his focus, spotting another potential target. The mage was burly, with sharp eyes that constantly scanned his surroundings. "Not that guy either," Kaleidos thought, "too vigilant."

Walking further into the senior area, he continued his search. His steps were like that of a cat – silent yet deliberate. Every mage he observed, he assessed, taking in their stance, their posture, their interactions. All these gave away little secrets, hints at their magical abilities and their guard level.

But as he ventured deeper, he couldn't help but feel a pull, an intuition. Someone powerful was nearby, someone whose techniques would be the ultimate prize. His heart raced with anticipation.

The night was young, and Kaleidos was just getting started. Each theft, each observation, was a brushstroke on the canvas of the night. And he was determined to paint his masterpiece.

A soft glow emanated from a corner, drawing his attention. "Hmm... Who might that be?"

Kaleidos's predatory gaze lands on a solitary figure bathed in a muted glow. There's a woman, leaning nonchalantly against the towering statue of the phoenix fox. Her very presence both entices and dares.

She's undeniably striking. Long, dark red hair cascades down her back, shimmering subtly under the light. Her pale, pristine skin starkly contrasts her clothing. She's dressed casually yet elegantly, in a form-fitting black top adorned with intricate silver embroidery. Dark leggings, resembling liquid night, accentuate her slim and athletic frame. Every so often, she opens her eyes, revealing irises of a dark red, but with a lighter shade for the pupils.

It's not just her looks that catch his attention; it's the large sword by her side. Its ornate hilt speaks of her skills and strength. The crowd seems to naturally keep a distance, as if they're wary of her aura.

Kaleidos grins, intrigued. "Hmmm~ How scary~ She's all alone, and everyone seems to not care about her~" he muses silently. He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a set of large, dark bracelets. The surface of the bracelets shimmer with ancient runes: they're 'Manabinders'. They not only impede the flow of mana and aura, but once they're around someone, they become unbearably heavy.

Finding a spot, he settles down to observe her from a distance. A server walks by with a tray full of wine glasses, and without missing a beat, Kaleidos nabs two. He sips from one, savoring the rich taste. "Oh, this is quite good. I've heard this Academy bans wine most of the year, but they really go all out on festivals, huh," he murmurs.

His attention snaps back to the woman, noting her peculiar behavior: she opens her eyes every minute and 27 seconds. It's a small detail, but it could be crucial.

"Now, how am I going to make her take the drug?" Kaleidos wonders, twirling a small vial between his fingers. "I need her to pass out. Once she's incapacitated, I'll tie her up and threaten her if I can't find any techniques on her."

Kaleidos, appearing every bit the quintessential academy student with his intricately designed tunic and a hint of youthful mischief in his eyes, meanders towards Riya with a casual swagger. The bustling festival is the perfect backdrop for his elaborate ruse.

"Such a fabulous night, isn't it?" he begins with a disarming grin, holding up the glass of wine as if to toast the stars above. "I was at the academy's exclusive wine-tasting event earlier, and this particular blend," he waves the wine glass gently, allowing the deep red liquid to swirl, "is said to be the rarest. A vintage reserved for special occasions. And seeing you here, alone with that majestic phoenix fox statue, feels like one such occasion."

She attempts to cut him off, "I'm really not in the mood for-"

With exaggerated shock, he cuts her off, "Oh! Look at that!" He points towards a nearby stall where a server is arranging a platter of ornate chocolates. "Those are the famed 'Lunar Delights'. Only crafted once a year during this festival. They're filled with wine - the same vintage I hold in my hand. It's one of my favorite academy traditions!"

Without waiting for a response, he dashes over to the stall, picking up two of the chocolates and returns, presenting one to her. "Here, for you. They're best enjoyed with a sip of the wine it's infused with. The pairing is... magnificent."

She eyes the chocolate with a lack of care. Meanwhile, Kaleidos subtly adds a drop of the drug into one of the chocolates he holds. In his theatrical enthusiasm, he swaps the chocolates, ensuring she gets the tainted one.

"To new experiences and academy traditions!" he toasts, popping the chocolate in his mouth and taking a sip from his wine. 

She drops the chocolate with a slight thud, the delicacy hitting the cobblestones below. Her cold, crimson eyes lock onto his, a silent challenge evident.

"I don't like chocolate," she states flatly.

Kaleidos, masking his momentary surprise with a flourish, leans back dramatically, pretending to be utterly taken aback. "Ah, but of course! How could I assume? It's the wine inside, isn't it? A swordswoman such as yourself must prefer it straight from the glass."

She narrows her eyes slightly, voice firmer, "I believe I made myself-"

He cuts in yet again, with exaggerated excitement, "Ah! My mistake. How stupid of me! Clearly, you're a beuty of refined taste. You need something more... exquisite." Spinning on his heel, he motions to another stall showcasing an assortment of fruits glistening with a sugary glaze. "The famed Celes Fruits. Dipped in rare nectars and then coated with a glaze made by marinating them in dense mana. Only the most elite at the academy partake."

She seems slightly more intrigued but remains wary. "Listen, you bas- sophomore, I've entertained your bulls- charade long enough, but-"

He quickly interjects, voice dripping with exaggerated sorrow, "Oh, but to leave without trying the essence of the festival? It would be a travesty!"

In one fluid motion, he snags a skewer of these fruits, all the while deftly dripping his drug onto the juiciest looking one. He holds the skewer out to her, the fruits gleaming enticingly.

"For you, a gift to make up for my earlier presumption," he says with a flourish.

Her crimson eyes dart from the fruits to him and back again. There's a tense moment of silence, the air thick with anticipation. The soft hum of the festival and distant laughter are the only sounds piercing the stillness between them.

Her piercing gaze remains fixed on the fruit skewer for what feels like an eternity before her fingers, adorned with silver rings, reach out to take one. With a nonchalant grace, she raises it to her lips, taking a bite with a deliberate slowness, all the while maintaining that icy stare on Kaleidos. Each chew, each movement seemed calculated, almost as if she were savoring the moment.

Kaleidos smirks internally. "What's with her vibe? She acts like a queen examining a jester... But in the end, she fell for it. As expected of me~" His internal triumph builds with each passing second.

The effects of the drug are swift. Her confident demeanor wavers slightly, her grip on the fruit loosens, and the crimson glow in her eyes dulls. She reaches out, almost instinctively, to the statue of the phoenix fox for support, but the strength ebbs from her body rapidly.

Kaleidos springs into action. Just as she's about to crumple to the ground, he swoops in, catching her in his arms. Her body is limp, and her breathing is shallow, but there's no doubt she's alive. The silent night is briefly pierced by a murmur of concern from nearby festival-goers, but the merriment soon drowns it out.

Holding her securely, he moves swiftly, looking for a secluded spot to carry out the next part of his plan. The sprawling academy offers numerous locations, but he needs somewhere out of the way, where they wouldn't be disturbed.

"I can't go back to the dormitories," he thinks, the weight of her body causing him to adjust his grip. "Too many eyes there... Ah, the old observatory!"

The academy's observatory, once a hub of activity, had been replaced by newer facilities years ago. Now it stands neglected and largely forgotten. Perfect for his needs.

Maneuvering his way through the labyrinthine academy grounds, he thanks the festival for the distraction it provides. Most students and faculty are busy with celebrations, their attentions far from the observatory's rusted gates. As he approaches, the silhouette of the ancient structure looms in the distance, bathed in the moonlight.

The observatory's entrance is slightly ajar, the rusty hinges groaning in protest as he nudges the door open. Inside, a layer of dust coats everything. Old bookshelves line the walls, and at the center stands the abandoned telescope, now devoid of its former glory.

Carefully, he lays the unconscious Riya on a sturdy table, making sure her sword is out of reach. The drug should keep her out for a few hours, but he doesn't have the luxury of time. Quickly he binds her wrists and ankles, ensuring she can't fight once she awakens.

"Now, let's see if you're carrying any secrets," he murmurs, beginning to search her belongings for any scrolls or notes on advanced techniques. But as he sifts through her possessions, a nagging thought gnaws at his mind.

"What if she doesn't have anything written down? What if her skills are all passed down orally, or simply learned by rote memory?"

-

Kaleidos is deeply engrossed, sifting through Riya's possessions, the muted moonlight filtering in through the dusty windows, when the faint echo of footsteps reaches his ears. His heart skips a beat, and he slowly straightens up, turning to face the entrance of the observatory. The atmosphere grows tense.

Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the ghostly glow of the moon, are two figures. Their attire, a mesmerizing blend of stark white and deep black, makes them appear almost otherworldly. The suits wrap around their forms flawlessly, reflecting a perfect balance between functionality and style. But it's their masks, half-white and half-black, intricately designed, that truly capture Kaleidos' attention. They hide the wearers' features entirely, exuding an air of mystery and foreboding.

While their attire is identical, the difference in their stature and build clearly distinguishes one as male and the other as female. They stand side by side, their presence commanding and daunting. Despite the festival's merriment echoing in the distance, in this moment, inside the observatory, an oppressive silence reigns.

Kaleidos gulps. Annoyance is the first emotion that crosses his mind. "Of all the times for someone to interrupt," he thinks, tightly clutching the vial of the drug he had used on Riya. His mind races, trying to discern the best way out of this situation, but the figures stand there, unmoving, their masked faces impossible to read.

He decides to play it cool. "Can I help you?" Kaleidos ventures, trying to keep his voice steady. "This area's off-limits. Didn't you know?"