TUP(OLD)

"All right! The net is done!" Susie exclaimed as she tied the last knot before erecting the net in the dirt.

"Oh, so quick! That's cool, Susie!" Mikhail said with a grin as he struggled with his knot.

"Want me to help?" Susie asked as she beamed at Mikhail expectantly.

"Pfft- You struggle even with this? Lame." William said as he tossed his possibly thousandth net into the bin where they were placed in for the competition.

"What was that?!" Susie yelled as she threatened to grab his collar.

Almost instantaneously, a blade was pressed to her neck. William excelled in speed as he had specifically went out to learn the ways of the assassins ever since he was young.

His personal aide was a member of the elusive House Varley which excelled in assassination. Xander permitted this exchange as both parties could gain favour of each other.

William then grinned as Susie loosened her grip and pushed him away from her. She really despised William for his vile words towards Mikhail and hostile attitude.

"Tsk. You scum. Why don't you f*ck off?!" Susie said as she gritted her teeth.

"Hmph. Well, there's nothing much to see here anyways. Later losers. I can't wait to win this match and watch the sorry look on your faces." William said with a smug grin on his face as he walked off towards the barracks.

Mikhail stared at William's receding back before turning towards the net in his hand. The string was messed up and tied to the wrong compartment. He frowned as he bit his bottom lip.

This is only my fifth net... Even though William says such snarky remarks... He's not wrong... He was up all night making them. I saw him...

"Mikhail, don't worry about what he said. I'll help you."

"No... It's fine. I'll do it myself. You should take a break." Mikhail said with a slight smile as he tilted his head upwards towards Susie.

"Are you sure? I don't mind."

"No. I'm sure. I'll see you when I'm done."

"Well... Okay then..."

Mikhail's facade faded as soon as Susie left. He gripped the net in his hands as he unwinded the strings. He had to restring it again. His lips pulled to a frown as he furrowed his brows.

I need to do this myself! If they can do it... I can as well!

***

"I'm giving you three a task."

"Of course, Father! Whatever you ask for, I'll complete it with perfection!" William said as he bowed respectfully.

"Oh, sure!" Mikhail replied with just as much vigor but in a simpler and more affectionate manner, earning a irritated gaze from William.

"What is it?" Susie asked with little to no respect.

"Susie! You verm--- I mean, show some respect!" William growled as he glared at Susie who rolled her eyes at him.

"Haha! That's fine. At least you three are showing some spirit!"

The duo ceased their bickering as they turned towards Xander. They calmed themselves as they distanced themselves, standing away from each other as Mikhail stood between them.

"You know, 'Wisp Le Festival Fantomatique' is coming up, right?"

"What's that?" Mikhail asked as he tilted his head.

Susie glanced at him a little shocked while William merely snickered. Susie glared at William but only got a scoff and eye roll to reciprocate her icy gaze.

"What a bumpkin." William muttered beneath his breath as Xander glared at him.

"William! What was that?"

"Huh? What was what? I didn't say anything."

"I'm certain you said something about Mikhail." Xander said with a disapproving shake of his head.

"Oh... I was saying there would be lots of pumpkins." William said as he brandish his signature smile.

"Is that so? Well, why don't you tell Mikhail about the festival then? You two could even team up this year! I can't wait to see you both return with the golden wisp!"

"Gold... wisp?" Mikhail repeated Xander's words as he turned his gaze towards William.

William noticed Mikhail's gaze in his direction and knitted his brows. If he wants to please his father, he would have to comply with his wishes.

"Well, I'll brief you on it later." William said as he turned away from Mikhail and faced Xander again instead.

"Excellent. Now... Regarding the task... It's customary for royalty to make the net for catching the wisps. I know it's tedious work but you only need to make a hundred. I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Well, it makes sense for both of them to do it. But why me?" Susie asked as she folded her arms.

"You should know why. You burnt down the greenhouse! I thought you were practicing your water magic?!"

"Well, there were some setbacks... Anyways, weaving the net, huh... Sure. No biggie. I'm certain I can weave a thousand!" Susie said as she placed her hands on her hips and grinned awkwardly to get Xander off the topic.

"Heh, a thousand was it? Then... I'll rise the target to a thousand nets from each of you."

"Eh?!" The trio exclaimed at the same time as Xander grinned and waved them to leave.

The trio left the room soon after and walked down the corridor as William finally turned towards Susie. He had an angry expression and knitted brows as he poked at Susie's shoulder.

"Look you dog. You did this." William growled as he glared at Susie.

"Hey, come on. I didn't mean it that way."

"Now, now..." Mikhail said as he tried to calm the two.

"Don't act like this doesn't concern you! With your skills, I'm sure you'll slow us down! You are terrible at almost everything! To think I have to work together with you even after making the nets makes my stomach boil!"

"... I'm... sorr---" Mikhail started as he looked apologetically at the ground.

"Don't even finish that sentence! I expect you to complete it all by yourself! Don't even think of asking the loyal dog next to you. If you fail... You're dead!"

William then turned on his heels and left for his chambers after telling Mikhail off. Susie grumbled to herself as she glared at William's receding figure.

"Well now... Even if he says that, I'm sure he'd ask for help from his partner as well. I'll work with you."

"... Thanks for your help... Anyways... About the festival... what's the contest about?"

"Oh, yeah! Damn that prick never did explain it to you, huh.... Basically it's something like a treasure hunt."

"Treasure hunt? Oh, I think I've done that before!"

"... I'd be worried if you hadn't. Anyways, this wisp like things always appear during this time of the month. There are theories that they are spirits of the dead but that's not the point. The point of the contest is to catch as many blue wisps as you can."

"Oh... that sounds simple."

"That's not all. Once the golden wisp appears, it symbolises the end of the contest. The group that catches it are blessed with a great future and prosperity. There aren't many that manage to catch it due to its illusive ways but that is the tale. The blue wisps are generally much easier to catch. So it'd be fine if you focus on catching them."

"I see!" Mikhail replied excitedly as his lips pulled to a grin. It sounds like fun!

"Looks like Xander has already paired you up with that annoying prick. What a letdown. If you don't want to team up with him, you can always come looking for me. His aide is really a handful as well."

"Haha... I'll keep that in mind. I guess we need to start with the weaving?"

"We can do that tomorrow! Let's hang out." Susie replied as she dragged him off towards the dining hall.

Mikhail had excused himself and walked down the halls to find a bathroom when he noticed William sat in a dimly lit room weaving his share of nets. He marvelled at William's diligence before running off to find the bathroom.

***

I will get this done by myself... If those two could do it with ease... then...

"You know..." a voice said as Mikhail jumped.

"H-huh? W-William!"

"Half of these six you made can't even be used."

"E-eh? Really? ... ... Oh... You're right..." Mikhail said as he stared at the badly woven nets.

"Sigh... I'll help you out. It's close to impossible to do this by yourself."

"B-but you said..."

"I'd hate to even imagine what father will say tomorrow when you're stuck on six nets."

"Ah.... S-sorry..."

"Forget it. Watch my hands. Then follow after me. It's not that hard if you keep practicing. I've been doing this since I was young so it's nothing."

"O-oh... ... Alone?"

"... It used to be my mother and father... but as I grew older they both got more busy. Anyways. Move your hands not your mouth."

"R-right!" Mikhail said as he watched William's movements and copied it.

***

"Well, you're doing much better now. We're also down to the last 50. Let's get a drink for now. Quick break."

"But..."

"A break is necessary every once in a while. I bet you can't even focus on the net at the moment. Take a break while I'm nice."

"R-right. ... Thank you... Will--"

"I'm going to stop you right there. Don't even mention my name with those lips of yours. Just because I haven't said anything since earlier you have been running your mouth."

"S-sorry..."

"... Just call me Zacharias for now. I'll let you call me by my first name when I deem you worthy."

"Ah! Sure! Thank you Zach."

"Z-Zach?! ... Sigh... Nevermind. I'll accept your gratitude for now. Let's get a cup of apple cider for now."

"Sure!" Mikhail said as he beamed.

Susie glared at the scene unfolding before her as she bit on her nails. Her eyebrows twitch as she narrowed her eyes.

"Dammit! That hypocrite! I would have helped Mikhail regardless but he managed to arrive before I did! Grrr!"