No kidnapping

Hubris got used to living around the base rather quickly. He maintained a normal morning routine even though it could sometimes get chaotic.

Ciel and Hubris took lessons and trained with Natoru in improving their elemental powers and abilities. Although Ciel wasn’t a fan of getting help from Natoru, he listened to him.

One question remained with Hubris throughout his training.

“How does he know so much about Tenso?” he asked Ciel.

“Don’t know; he never told me, but then again I never cared to ask.”

[RAIDEN WINS... FLAWLESS VICTORY]

"You really suck at this," Hubris said. He has beaten Ciel twelve times now. I’m not sure this can even be classified as fair.

"I'll win the next time," Ciel said, starting the thirteenth rematch. "Let's go another round."

They started the game again with Ciel playing as Scorpion while Hubris played as Raiden, but they were interrupted by Natoru, who blocked the screen.

“The time is right; you three have trained to a level where you can accomplish your next task,” he said, looking a bit too excited.

Ciel responded by showering him with flames before saying, “Get out of the way.”

Natoru didn’t mind the flames, and they didn’t affect him. “That’s hot,” was Natoru’s remark as he stepped out of the view before continuing.

"As I was saying, I've hit a rock on what to do next." Natoru said, "The next element I was planning on kidnapping – I mean recruiting – is pretty liked by everyone, unlike you two loners, no offence."

"Offence definitely taken; I had a friend," Ciel said, sounding unsure.

"Continuing on, she also has a family," Natoru said, "and besides what you may think, I am not that heartless."

"So you know limits," Hubris said; he thought for sure Natoru would have just kidnapped her.

"So the new plan is you three can meet her and talk to her about it." Natoru said, "If she doesn't want to join us, then kidnapping is the next best thing."

"How about we leave her be if she doesn't want to join us?"

"Let's go with that then," Natoru said clearly, still thinking of other plans. "One more thing: she's a high school student, so you are going to be infiltrating a school."

What is he having us do? "Isn't there any other way?" Ciel asked. “I am not a fan of schools.”

“I speedran mine, so I have no idea what to feel about it.”

Natoru snapped his fingers, and three pairs of school uniforms materialised on the table. “Tell Trixie about it when she finishes her magic practice.” He said before leaving the room.

Hubris looked at the uniforms. High school, how long has it been?

***

Natoru isn't at the base the next day.

“He said he had something to do, and he trusts we can take care of it,” Trixie said. She is always the first to get up in the morning.

They got into the school uniforms, although they had made some adjustments to them, and now they are ready for the infiltration.

Hubris said. "We want to do this without forcing her in any way; let's show Natoru that there are other ways besides kidnapping."

"Sure," Ciel replied; he is another victim.

With that, they left the base.

The trio reappeared in an alleyway close to the school they were heading to.

"Do you know how the door works?" Hubris asked Trixie since she has been here the longest. “Natoru said it’s a different space.”

Trixie said. "There are many spaces around the world linked to the space within the base. Once you have the desire to go somewhere, the door's space connects to the spatial opening closest to where you wish to go as you walk through it."

Around the world? Hubris turned back to where the door had been. How long would that take?

"We should get going," Ciel said.

"Yeah, the faster the better; I was in the middle of making a potion."

They made it to the gate of the school but were stopped by security.

"I haven't seen you students here before; may I see your IDs?" the guard said.

"What do you mean? We've already given you," Trixie replied and snapped her fingers.

"Oh, you are the new transfer students. Sorry for the inconvenience; please enter."

"No problem," Trixie replied. As she entered, Ciel and Hubris followed after.

The school was large and looked very prestigious as well.

"How are we going to find her?" Ciel asked, looking around at all the students, "Should we just go around all the classes asking if they know the girl?"

They got to the school’s courtyard.

"No need for that; it's best if we keep a low profile. Natoru said her name is Lilith, but he said he knew nothing about her class." Trixie looked around.

The students around were all glancing at them. Three students with unfamiliar faces are bound to draw attention.

“It’s best if we split up for now; my magic will only work on so many people,” Trixie said. “Plus, we will be able to cover more ground.”

They split up as the bell for break rang.

***

Ciel's path took him to the back of a classroom building, where he finally stopped.

"I suck at this," Ciel said to himself. He hadn’t asked many students about her because he knew how bad he was in a conversation. The only detail he managed to get is that she is in class 2-B.

Exhausted, he took a seat at the edge of a bench placed behind the block. He didn’t notice that it was already occupied by a girl who was in the middle of her lunch.

“Um, excuse me,” the girl called his attention.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” Ciel said, noticing the girl and getting up.

In front of him was a lone girl eating alone; she had long blue hair. She wore glasses, so he couldn't see her eyes clearly, but her features were beautiful; he could tell that much.

"Why are you alone?" He said it with no concern whatsoever; it was like he said it just because he could.

"What?" the girl asked, confused by his question.

"Why are you alone?" He said it again much like the first time; "Sorry, it’s just I’ve always pictured high school girls eating with friends."

"Do you hate me?" she said in a very timid voice.

What kind of question is that? "Why would I hate someone I know nothing about?"

"So you don't hate me; you really don't."

What is up with this girl? “I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry. Do you know how to get to class 2-B from here?”

“Yes, you go up the stairs by the right wing, then…”

“Thanks for the directions.” Ciel turned to leave.

"Wait, hold on," she managed to say before she tripped on nothing and fell flat on her face.

This feels familiar. "What is it?" Ciel asked, reaching a hand out to her.

"Could I maybe tag along with you?" she said as she grabbed his hand to get up. "Thank you. Something weird is happening to me in this school, and you don't seem to be affected."

"If you want to, it's fine." Ciel just barely sensed divinara [divine energy] coming from the girl. I don't know what her deal is, so it's best to stay with her for now; plus, with her by my side, I should get less attention from the staff.

"So why did you ask if I hated you?" Ciel asked the girl.

"Because everyone in this school does."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean literally everyone hates me, even people I have never met before, and I have no idea why."

"Has this always been the case?"

"No, it began a month ago; everyone's attitude towards me changed. They started avoiding and bullying me."

It must have something to do with the Divinara coming from her. It isn’t hostile, but it also isn’t hers, Ciel thought.

"Do you know anyone who it might be, you know, like someone who said they will ruin your life or something like that?. They might have decided to spread rumours about you." He asked.

"Not that I can think of, no."

"Ok, so have you had any experience with anything supernatural?"

She paused for an awfully long while, and they walked in silence.

"No," she finally replied.

"Did you just lie?"

"..."

"Well, if you don't want to tell me, I won't push you for the truth."

"Th-thank you for not asking."

I am curious, though. "I’m sorry, I forgot to ask your name. My name is Ciel. What about you?" Ciel asked.

"Oh, my name is Lilith."

Ciel stopped. “What?!”