Chapter 90: Debrief

The walls were constructed from massive stone blocks, expertly hewn and fitted together with mortar that has long since hardened to a dull gray. Lantern sconces protrude from the walls at regular intervals, holding flickering flames. High above, a vaulted ceiling stretches overhead, its wooden beams exposed and intricately carved with patterns of leaves, vines, and mythical creatures, revealing the craftsmanship of some skilled artisans. The floor was made of wide, uneven planks of oak, polished smooth by centuries of use.

In the center of the room stood a massive oak table, its surface scarred with nicks and stains from countless meetings and meals. Around it are arranged several high-backed chairs, their frames also of oak, adorned with intricate carvings depicting coats of arms and scenes of life. Each chair is cushioned with faded velvet, now threadbare and worn thin in places. Currently seated within the chairs were Knight Captain Asaun, Professor Eugene, Captain Ysabel, and her second-in-command Ingrid.

"Love what you've done with the place, Asaun. Very comfy," Ysabel thoughtfully murmured, nodding her head in approval.

"You're too kind, Captain Ysabel," Asaun stated with a smile. "And let me once more offer my gratitude for the knights of the first platoon coming to our aid so quickly."

"No gratitude needed, Ser Asaun," Ingrid spoke up, her face as straight and serious as ever. "It's our duty as knights to offer help where we can."

"Fufu~ Look at you all noble-like," Ysabel giggled from beside her, she got a gauntlet fist to the head for her idiocy.

"Gah!"

"Anyway, thank you, Professor Eugene, for coming to this small and brief meeting," Ingrid turned her gaze to the professor as she continued. "There is only a few things me and my captain wish to confirm."

"It is no problem," the professor briefly uttered.

"Well, it's mostly to do with your students," Ingrid admitted.

"They are quite the unique bunch, eccentric even," Asaun supplied with a smile.

"Yeah, and to think Galadriel would get its second Inheritor," Ysabel commented, resting a foot on the table much to her second-in-command's annoyance. "And the princess is one too according to the crest on her mana."

"Crest?" Professor Eugene questioned, Asaun obliged with an explanation.

"Every competent sorcerer is able to detect and see mana, however, a knight's senses dwarf that of a sorcerer," he began. "And as you know, despite losing the ability to use magic, we are far more in tune with mana as a whole, which comes with many benefits. For instance, how much easier we can weaponize it and how perceptive we are of it. The five Inheritors of our country all bear the crest of their God or Goddess. It is the same with young Agatha and Mirabella. The former is already awakened while the latter lies dormant."

"I see, is that how you scout more Inheritors? But despite knights being all around the world, this information is no doubt sensitive," Professor Eugene noted.

"Well, giving some information is the least we could do, seeing as how helpful you and your students were," Asaun smiled at the professor with gratitude.

"I presume these students will be participating in the festival," Ingrid surmised.

"They will, the reason I, along with them, was sent here was for a curriculum to get them ready," Professor Eugene clarified.

"Sheesh, Galadriel's got some crazy kids," Ysabel chuckled. "They're all interesting, but one in particular caught my eye. The masked one, Makoto? Meketo?"

"Mikoto," Ingrid supplied.

"Yeah, Mikoto!" Ysabel exclaimed.

"He was a rather interesting fellow," Asaun agreed. "There is beauty in mystery."

"I heard he fought Selwyn," Ysabel stated, catching Professor Eugene's attention.

"The crown prince?" He questioned. "I was not aware he was part of this attack."

"According to the spawn of Octavia and the princess, he was," Ingrid stated as a thoughtful expression crossed her face. "Still, though, there was a large amount of destruction situated far north from here. That was where those tremors no doubt originated from, we had sent our court mage to investigate, but she is easy to distract so who knows what she is up to," Ingrid finished with a sigh.

"Chaosmaws were attacking the city too, but the only person who could cause that kind of destruction would be the dear crown prince," Ysabel deduced. "And little Mikoto was fighting him." An eerie smile grew on her face. "Tell me, how did Galadriel come across such a monster."

--------------------

"And that's the last of it," Mikoto murmured as he restored a chapel back to its former glory. Mikoto heaved a breath at a good day's work.

"Seems you've been stuck repairing the city as well," Mikoto took note of the familiar voice of Agatha. He watched her approach him but immediately took note of the flying creature behind her.

"What the hell is that thing?" Mikoto questioned as he pointed at the flying creature.

"Thing!?" Despite the small size of it, its words were annoyingly loud. "Excuse you! I am not a thing! I am the great fairy Cor'nella. Guide to all Inheritors of the Goddess Isadora!" She proclaimed. "You should be respecting me, you brat!"

"This thing's pretty loud."

"I agree," Agatha stated with a deadpan expression.

"Hey!" Cor'nella whined, the two ignored the fairy as she went on a tangent.

"Anyway, you were stuck with construction too?" Mikoto asked.

"Creation Magic is useful when it comes to repairing," she folded her arms as she glanced at the chapel he repaired. "But it seems like you've been doing a better job."

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

"Well, I'm just good at anything I do," Mikoto humbly stated, the edges of Agatha's lips nearly quirked up.

"As egotistical as always, I see," Agatha stated dryly as her fairy companion pulled on her cheek to get her attention. She was ignored.

"Is it egotistical if it's true?"

"Probably," she shrugged.

"Hey, stop ignoring me!" The two finally turned to the writhing fairy.

"What is it?" Agatha asked, deadpanned as ever.

"Hmph! Never mind, you're too busy talking to your little boyfriend so you can forget getting any of my help," Cor'nella exclaimed.

"Okay."

"Okay!? You should be sad, devastated even!" Cor'nella said with a pout and an angry glare that looked more cute than anything.

("This fairy is easy to piss off.") Mikoto chuckled to himself. ("Just like Hinata.")

"And what are you laughing about!?" Cor'nella angrily blurted out.

"I think this thing might grow on me," Mikoto mused.

"It's Cor'nella! Not 'thing'!" She flew to him and through a flurry of 'extremely' 'devastating' punches at his cheek. Mikoto merely pushed her away with his index finger.

"So I heard you're an Inheritor," Mikoto stated as he continued keeping the fairy at bay. "Moving up in the world, huh? Imagine the look on your old man's face when he finds out you're way stronger than his grumpy ass."

"Hm, it will be... satisfying," she admitted with a small smile. "But maybe I am stronger than you now too."

"What? No way," Mikoto just waved her off. "You've got a long way to go, kid."

"We're the same age," she dully stated.

"Meh," Mikoto finally let go of Cor'nella who had quickly grown exhausted from throwing rapid punches, hence the fairy flew back and took a seat on Agatha's shoulder, catching her breath. Mikoto just stifled a laugh at the exhausted fairy who swore revenge.

"You seem as though you're in a good mood," Agatha noted. "It's more genuine than usual, your happiness always seemed so dull, but it's different now."

"More genuine, huh?" Mikoto murmured, it was true. He had hope after all, with so many dead ends there was actually a light at the end of the tunnel. A chance to return home, how could he not be happy? "I guess so, but you seem different yourself."

"I do?" Agatha asked with a tilt of her head.

"You're less emo."

"Emo?"

"Less edgy."

"Edgy?"

"You aren't as dull as you used to be," Mikoto clarified. "More light in your eyes, it's a good look for you, Agatha." Agatha stared at him for a few seconds.

"Thank you, Mikoto, your words mean a lot," Agatha mumbled. "I haven't changed much, but it won't be long now. I'll shed this sad, pathetic girl I used to be, I'll become someone new... with Cor'nella's help."

"Hahaha!" The fairy gave a triumphant laugh.

"Well, I look forward to seeing the kind of person you'll become," Mikoto mused. "No more boring old Agatha, huh?"

"You really have no tact, huh?" Agatha said with a small snort. "But that is fine, I suppose, it does fit you, Mikoto." A small tranquil smile decorated her features.

"You really think so?" Mikoto hummed as he looked at the bright skies. "Well, thanks, Agatha."

And thus their stay at Verdantis came to a close. After this, it was back to Galadriel, and then it was going to be the festival. He would learn Arcane Ascendance, and then he would get back home, he would finally get to see them after all this time.

("Just wait a while longer, mom, Hinata. I'll be back soon.")