Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １２-𝓜𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲'𝓼 𝓓𝓮𝓼𝓹𝓪𝓲𝓻

​In a silent office, the fey woman drinks her tea. It wasn't just any tea, but a mix from the land her ancestors hailed from. Feys often have a lot of time for themselves. They do not miss a face or forget a name. Which is why Ceralle wasn't expecting a visit from a familiar face.

​A hooded figure in a red cloak approached her.

​Master (?): “Hello, Ceralle”

​Ceralle: “It's been a long time, Master. Or should I say, Admin?”

​The figure stood in silence and gazed at her tea.

​Admin: “This is Luna's Heart Tea, yes?

​Ceralle: “You are correct. This, after all, is my favorite tea. What business brings you here?”

​Admin: “I am here for an anomaly event. It's happening. Again.”

​Ceralle: “Ah yes… it must be her again. I am sorry for being careless.”

​Admin: “No, it's fine. One of the seals must've been acting up again. You did your job. Now I will do mine.”

​

​Penny has never feared anything to the point where she is certain she will lose, let alone die. Not when she was challenged by her father, not the monsters, not the headmaster, not even her betrothed. All with higher stats are a great challenge to her. But this? This is not a challenge.

​This is a death sentence.

​She swore she saw her life flashing before her eyes. But even if this isn't a challenge, she wouldn't go down without a fight. She grits her teeth and shakily points her wand forward.

​Mana seeps out of her, and she concentrates everything she has on the Void. And with enough concentration, she blasts as much Void as possible.

​Flora, on the other hand, was oozing mana all over. It was as if she wasn't able to contain it. So when the energy flows into her, her hand trembles greatly. But as if blind, she didn't notice. There was no incantation exchanged, just screams. And then a blinding light invaded the room, and-

​Admin: “I see I was late.”

​There stood the cloaked figure in the middle of the room as everything else froze in time. There was one exception, however.

​The man freed the dog from the invisible grips.

​Mochi found himself on the ground, relieved but puzzled at the same time. He looks up at the cloaked figure.

​Admin: “I really don't like dogs, but… I could use you.”

​-What a strange statement. Use me?-

​Mochi was unsure how to feel about the stranger, but he doesn't seem like a threat.

​-He freed me too. What is going on-

​Mochi notices the man walk past him and crouch down to Penny, whose body collapses to the ground when he snaps his finger.

​Admin:” I wonder if I should erase your memories? You weren't supposed to see that.”

​He mutters

​Admin: “Hmm… but I do want her to learn her lesson… so many choices.”

​He looks down thoughtfully.

​He puts his hand on her forehead and closes his eyes, focusing. A light was pulled from her body, flowing to his hand.

​He then walks to Flora's side and snaps his fingers. As her body falls, he catches her.

​Admin: “Flora… why do you always make me worry? I'll have to erase your memories this time.”

​He says softly as he puts his hand to her forehead, doing the same thing as before.

​He snaps his hand again, and the room is rearranged back to how it was before. Taking Flora in his arms, he walks toward Mochi before a dark shadow from his cloak suddenly grabs Mochi by surprise.

​-What are these black things, cloak human?-

​Mochi barks, hoping to get answers, but of course he was ignored.

​He snaps his fingers again, and a portal appears.

​“I swear this time, I will make you happy,” he says softly before disappearing with the two of them.

​

​Penny felt a handshake to her. She groaned, asking for 5 more minutes, but then recognized the voice.

​Penny: “Serif?”

​Serif: “Yes, your Highness. It is me. Are you alright?”

​Penny grips her head, feeling a headache.

​Penny: “My head hurts, but I am fine… Where am I? How did I get here?”

​Serif: “That was a question I wanted to ask you. But it matters not. I have some things to discuss with you.”

​Penny: “With me?”

​Serif: “Yes. I have heard reports about you and some accomplices participating in bullying.”

​Penny frowns.

​Penny: “That's not true…”

​Serif: “On the contrary, we had a confession. It seems you have a vendetta against Flora Fall. But I must say sending threats to students is unacceptable.”

​Penny: “What's so wrong about giving orders? I am the princess.”

​Serif: “And this is an established school with established rules. You cannot waltz into a territory and make it your playground.”

​Penny: “And you would refuse your kingdom?”

​Serif was taken aback for a bit, but then scoffed.

​Serif: “You mortals are always the most hypocritical, egotistical beings. That was the most hilarious joke I heard today. If it weren't for the fact that I lack patience, I would already laugh.”

​Serif glares.

​Serif: “Do not assume that your presence is absolute. You stand in front of a veteran who experiences many kinds of power and knowledge. Much more power than what the king can handle. We may run our business in your father’s kingdom, but Red Moon is absolutely independent and will not tolerate any bullshit.”

​Serif stood up.

​Serif: “So if you want to invite us to war, go ahead. Call out to the king with lies. But just so you know, I will protect my students. And I will not tolerate more threats. Do I make myself clear?”

​Penny bit her lips like she had lost the battle.

​Penny: “Yes…teacher. I won't do it again.”

​

​Mochi found himself in a burning building. He remembers playing tag with Aya. Or at least he thinks so. He would run, and Aya would chase him. It wasn't hot at all, and the air didn't hinder the smell. In fact, it smells familiar, like home. He was out on his leash and sprinting back and forth. But he also stops and turns to make sure she is still chasing him.

​Aya: “Mochi, stop! Get back! I have to put on your leash!”

​Mochi saw her getting close and sprinted again, making sure the distance wasn't too much. But then suddenly he heard a rumble and heard something fall hard behind him. He stops in his tracks and turns around. The next part sends him into a panic.

​Where Aya was supposed to be, there were huge boulders that fell on top of it. Mochi rushed to the rocks, barking and clawing at them, hoping it would pry them off. But no matter what he does, nothing would change. He could feel tears in his eyes, and he howled in vain.

​“Mochi”

​He jolted and turned around, seeing Aya, but this time she didn't look right. With half of her face scarred and covered in blood.

​Her eyes look at him dead.

​Aya: “It's because you didn't listen to me. You didn't behave. This has to happen”

​She says coldly

​And then her body suddenly crumbles to the ground, and the building starts to collapse. He could barely care if the entire place crumbles, but he obsesses over Aya and the details. The way her body disappeared into nothingness.

​-Did I do this… did I do this to Aya?-

​He felt his tiny body struggling to move as he felt more pulled to the ground. He desperately claws his way to see if there are any remains left of Aya.

​-Ah… I don't deserve to be happy because I did all of this. Please give her back… I promise I'll listen… I promise I'll behave this time…please. GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE-

​“MOCHI!”

​-AH-

​

​He woke up to see a worried pair of silver eyes as the blueberry-haired girl stared down at him worried. Genuinely worried, he can see her tears falling down his nose.

​Flora: “Y-your screams woke me up… I couldn't tell if you were having a seizure or a nightmare, but you wouldn't wake up, and your body was twitching so much, and you were crying. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to call my sister, but… I thought if I went away for a second... you'll disappear!”

​She chokes up sobbing.

​-Ah. I still have her…what was her name again? Flora…right? At least it feels safe right now…with her-

​Flora makes scratches behind his ears as taught by her sister. The way he likes it. He could feel his breathing steadying. He felt his body shaking less. She wipes the tears and snot from his nose

​He was then suddenly pulled into a hug.

​Flora: “You're okay now. You haven't done anything wrong.”

​She says this to let him know she didn't mind if he needed to cry anytime, but this alone gave him enough reassurance.

​-Thank you… Flora-