Storm Approaches

-----Mai's POV

Lilith: "Mai? You're here again?"

It was Lilith's footsteps I heard as I revealed myself in her bedroom. Seems as though she's on break.

Mai: "Yes. I've come to let you know that Selene and everyone else will be coming to Yarene soon."

Lilith: "Wait... What?"

Mai: "I'm not entirely sure on the circumstances, but it seems to be quite serious. I may not be able to visit after today until they all make it here."

Lilith: "Hang on. So my daughter is coming?"

Seems as though she's still stuck in her thoughts. I'm fully aware just how much Lilith cares for Selene, so it makes sense she'd dwell on what I said.

Mai: "Yes. You'll see her soon."

I could see tears starting to well up in her eyes as I confirm it once more to her.

Mai: "Now, regarding that crest on your back."

Lilith: "Ye- huh?"

Mai: "I have discovered something, but It might already be a known thing. So I'd like to ask, how did the mages say they were going to remove the crest?"

Lilith: "I uh~ They said something about "breaking" it. I never asked for any details."

Hmmm. I can more or less guess that they'll just flood the crest with an unbelievable amount of mana until it breaks. The same way I did when I broke the bracelet when I met the Queen. In my case, I ended up shattering the bracelet along with the mana-sealing crest. If they try and do the same on Lilith, then... I'm not too sure I'd like to imagine what would happen, but it could most certainly mean the end of Lilith's life. Wouldn't be surprised if she even exploded into several pieces like the bracelet.

Mai: "No. I'll keep doing some research on it. I don't want you to go along with that plan."

Lilith: "Mai..."

Mai: "I'm telling you, don't go along with that plan. I'll figure something out."

Lilith: "...Okay."

I can see why that masked person reacted the way they did. They were shocked to see the crest carved on an actual person. Even going so far as to say that they've never seen it on an animal either. At least from this, the people in Yarene do seem to value people's lives more than Inasdale.

Mai: "Actually, could you try using magic right now?"

Lilith: "I actually haven't tried in such a long time... It's been like what, over 10 years now? I wouldn't be surprised even if this crest is removed that I've lost the ability to use magic. Plus wouldn't it be useless with this crest?"

Mai: "I just wanted to see how the crest would react."

Sure it's the same exact mana-sealing crest, but maybe it works differently when applied to a person? It's a shot in the dark, but I'd like to know as mush as I can.

Lilith: "I'll try."

I wait patiently as I move behind Lilith, placing my hand on her back, on top of the crest, over her uniform. After a few moments, I do feel the crest beginning to collect more mana, leading me to believe that Lilith can still use her mana just fine. As for the crest, yeah it looks to be working the same way as the bracelet and Kaede's shackles.

Mai: "Okay. You can stop."

Lilith: "Hah!~"

Unexpectingly, Lilith seems to be out of breath as she collapses onto the side of the bed. She didn't even use that much mana, yet It looks as though she had just fought in a war as she's now sweating buckets while laying down on her back.

Mai: "You okay?"

Lilith: "Y-yeah... Just... I need a minute."

This is quite depressing to watch. It's like this crest is eating away at her like some kind of parasite. I won't ask her to do that again...

Mai: "Just rest. Sorry I had you do that for me."

Lilith: "It's... fine."

Mai: "I swear I'll get this off you, I'll find a way."

Lilith: "M-mm."

I say that, but after seeing how drained Lilith looks, seeming to be unable to move a single muscle, I doubt she can withstand the amount of mana needed to break that crest. If there's a way to artificially raise Lilith's mana levels, then maybe she could survive, but even through my vast knowledge of this world, I don't recall seeing anything like that... Wait... Maybe that can wait until they arrive.

-----Yui's POV

While Kaede was gone, I've just been packing a few things in my room. I never really paid much attention to what mom got me since I never asked for any of it, and felt no use for these things. But now that I've grown closer to mom, as I hold this stuffed bunny in my hands, I somehow feel quite fond of it.

Natalie: "She's cute."

Yui: "Mm."

After holding it for a bit longer in my hands, I put it inside my enchanted bag that Kaede gave me.

Natalie: "Hehe, so you do have a cute side."

Yui: "Maybe, haha."

Natalie: "Wouldn't mind seeing you act more like this sometime."

Yui: "Sounds like you want to do more combat training."

Natalie: "...Please, hehe."

We chuckle between one another as we continue to pack more stuff into the bag, at least the stuff that can fit through the opening of the bag.

A knock on the door causes both of us to stop what we're doing as Natalie immediately walks over to answer the door.

Natalie: "Yes?"

Butler: "Sorry to disturb, but Kaede has returned."

It was then that Kaede appeared next to the butler as I send a smile her way.

Yui: "Come in!"

With Natalie closing the door after Kaede, I move in to greet Kaede.

Yui: "So? How did it go?"

Kaede: "You're mom isn't here?"

Yui: "She's still out, yeah."

Kaede: "I have something important to tell her."

Natalie: "What did you find out?"

From how Kaede is talking, it does seem to be something troublesome. And the fact that Fabian isn't with her tells me that he's likely not coming. Then again, classes should still be going, so there still could be a chance.

Kaede: "I can explain it more when Iris gets back, but to put it simply. Fabian thinks that Iris is some kind of leader, bringing people together to fight nobles."

What? Sure mom is getting people together, but it's not to start a war. Mom's just trying to get these people a better life, and offering them a chance to get away from Inasdale. It's not to start some kind of rebellion. I can only imagine that father convinced Fabian through lies, but that doesn't explain why he was acting weird with me before.

Yui: "So was that why my brother was acting weird?"

Kaede: "Hmm? Oh, then yeah. He did mention that the reason for being distant with you was because he doesn't want you to see your mom differently. He clearly cares for you."

Yui: "Huh..."

I guess that makes sense. So he was avoiding me for my sake? And that was the reason why he never elaborated during our fight? Even though he's clearly corrupted by father, there's no way I can hate him for that.

Yui: "Did he tell you anything else?"

Kaede: "Not really. He stormed off back to class after saying that. I'm not sure I can convince him..."

Yui: "No, you did great! At least now we know that Fabian has just been fed lies."

Natalie: "True, but this does complicate things. When we leave for Yarene, there's a high chance you'll never see him again."

Maybe back when I was little I'd be fine with that, but after everything that's happened, it kind of feels sad to leave without at least saying goodbye. If only I wasn't suspended then I could easily meet with him today after class...

Yui: "Hah~"

Natalie: "It'll be okay, Ellen."

Yui: "I hope so."

What's worse is that if a war does end up coming, then Fabian and I will be on opposite sides, not to mention our other friends. But I do understand that we do need to leave soon, especially now with false information being spread by my father.

Kaede: "So what happens now?"

Yui: "I guess we continue to pack? Have you got everything?"

Kaede: "Yeah, I keep everything in my bag. But I was just wondering how we're going about picking up Sicily and the rest of them."

Yui: "I'd assume we'd be following the main road, stopping at Azalea along the way?"

Kaede: "You think that they'll know?"

Natalie: "I'm not too sure who these people you're talking about, but if Lady Iris knows of them, then I'm sure they've already been notified."

Mom doesn't really know Sicily, Lillian or Mell, so they probably weren't notified directly, but Fleur and Faye most certainly did. So I don't think there's anything to worry about.

Kaede: "I guess I can ask Iris when she's back."

Yui: "Mm! Now if you have a free hand, do you mind helping me pack?"

Kaede: "Hehe, sure."

With the 3 of us now packing away my things, it becomes a lot more easier as we end up finishing pretty quickly. Some things couldn't fit inside the bag obviously, so I left them inside the room. But that mainly consisted of my bed, wardrobe, dressers, table, chairs and the mirror. I'm sure that where we're going, they'll have those things for me so I'm not that worried. I did however stuff the pillows and blankets from my bed into the bag, leaving just the empty bed in my room.