[center][h2]South Of Zauberheim[/h2][/center] [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (ENI) ~~~[/center] [quote=Enishi][color=00aeef]"Fow now, though, I think it best to return to the Citadel and speak with Athos-san. I imagine he'll want to hear about how today's event have transpired."[/color][/quote] "[color=lightyellow]Right. Come on, I'll take you there.[/color]" Vitalion proceeded to escort you. "[color=lightyellow]Say, what's your history with this Hisana fellow? I heard you were a bounty hunter or something but surely you've got a deeper reason for chasing her this far and this long.[/color]" The Head Captain asked. "[color=lightyellow]Not that I don't appreciate you helping to take down a career crimainal. I'm just curious, is all.[/color]" "[color=lightyellow]Is the bounty on her head really high or something?[/color]" [center][h2]???[/h2][/center] [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (HIS) ~~~[/center] [quote=Hisana][color=9e005d]"So, your Varjan huh?⭐ I imagine you've got yourself caught up in this whole drug this too. I recall a mercenary asking me if I wanted to use enhancements in order to boost my strength as well.♣️ Honestly I don't care about the whole thing, but I can't imagine someone as strong as you needing them. From what I've heard you're quite the prodigy, excelling at all subjects at the prestigious Seraph Academy. I also wonder what a school boy would want with little ol' me?"❤️[/color] [/quote] "Like I said, dabbling in those illegal substances was a mistake of mine. My recklessness has almost... ruined everything." Varjan said. "But I have been given a second chance, I shall not waste it. I am now clear of mind and fully prepared to execute my plans." "And you have heard right. I am said to be a prodigy in the magical arts in all fields." Varjan continued. "I intend to prove them right. Prove them all right, that I am the greatest mage of Razelia." He declared not only to you but to himself as well, his gaze steered of you and into nothingness. As if he was having some sort of vision. "That I will change the world, and immortalize my name throughout history." His eyes returned to you. "You are in the middle of history, Hisana. So I ask again, do you want to become more dangerous? To have more power to exercise?" Varjan asked once more. "And no, drugs will not be involved. Rather, it'll be my own spin of magic." [hr] [center][h2]Seraph Academy & Luminous Citadel[/h2][/center] [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (LIS), [@CitrusArms], [@Rune_Alchemist] ~~~[/center] [quote=Lisianthus von Zauberheim][color=fff200]"Mira, you all seem to know quite alot about Varjan and his familial affairs. Could you perhaps elaborate a little more on the exact nature of his relationship with his kin?"[/color][/quote] [quote=Lumina Lusteria]"That is quite a curious bit, isn't it?"[/quote] The trio, having realized they mouthed off some of their delicate secrets, looked at each other for the next course of action. Knowing there's no going back, Ecthel was the first to speak. "[color=dodgerblue]Should we tell them?[/color]" Alicia and Mira nodded. "[color=red]Yes. I think there's no point keeping this hidden anymore. Besides, I think they deserve to know.[/color]" [center]-[/center] [quote=Seleth Thenri][color=0076a3]"Why was he using drugs? And why did he come ask me to kill him at the cathedral? Was it something to do with his parents?"[/color][/quote] Athos was silent for a moment, taking in your words. He hung his head before replying. "[color=darkslateblue]It's worse than I thought. Far worse than I had expected.[/color]" The old sage lamented. "[color=darkslateblue]What have I done? I was... am, such a fool.[/color]" "[color=darkslateblue]Yes, Miss Thenri, it has everything to do with his parents. And the rest of his family, and I suppose us too.[/color]" Athos began his long tale. "[color=darkslateblue]The Caldeyron family was not a renowned, famed house a long time ago. No, they crawled and clawed their way to where they are now. Unlike some noble families, they appreciated what they achieved. They did not take it for granted.[/color]" [center]-[/center] "[color=darksalmon]And that soon became a problem of theirs. They so appreciated their achievements that they became very protective of it, fiercely defensive of what they have. They jealously guarded their reputation and status from anything. Criticism was seen as attack, advice would get you suspicion. Even accidents demanded retribution.[/color]" Mira continued their tale to [u]Lumina[/u] and [u]Lisia[/u]. "[color=darksalmon]And it just got worse. Despite achieving a high status... they wanted more. They never stopped wanting, and they never stopped guarding.[/color]" "[color=dodgerblue]That continued on to this day.[/color]" Ecthel took over. "[color=dodgerblue]Varjan was the Caldeyrons' most latest pet project. Imagine birthing a child so gifted in magic in the Kingdom Of Magic. It was a miracle from the Twin Goddesses. Or so they keep saying.[/color]" The boy rogue shrugged in annoyance. "[color=red]They couldn't let such an opportunity go to waste. They began training Varjan to hone his innate abilities. He followed at first and, from what I heard, the family was relatively happy in those times.[/color]" Alicia' face then took a darker visage. "[color=red]Then Varjan had other dreams. He wanted to be a sculptor, an artist. Not a mage.[/color]" [center]-[/center] "[color=darkslateblue]You could only imagine the outrage in the family. The Caldeyrons promptly took control of Varjan's life. Restricted where he went, who he talked to, and decided for him to enroll in Seraph Academy.[/color]" The Court Mage gulped before gaining the strength to continue. His eyes were watery, the liquid glistened in the fireplace's light. "[color=darkslateblue]Then Varjan approached me. Asked for my help regarding his family.[/color]" Heaving a breath, Athos recounted his part in the story. "[color=darkslateblue]I was the Court Mage to the Zauberheim, the royalty. My word carried strength that could shake even the Caldeyrons.[/color]" He started. "[color=darkslateblue]If I told... If I advised the family to lay off of Varjan, I... I could've stopped all of this. There would've been... none of this.[/color]" Athos' tale became a confession. "[color=darkslateblue]But I didn't... I didn't. He had... he had so much potential, Miss Thenri![/color]" The Court Mage attempted to justify himself. "[color=darkslateblue]I sensed it! For him to become something other than a mage would've been a huge waste! He was--[/color]" Athos stopped himself, calmed himself. "[color=darkslateblue]No, no. There are no excuses. Forgive me, Miss Thenri.[/color]" "[color=darkslateblue]But that was how I felt during that time. That was my... 'reason' for my decision.[/color]" Athos continued, deflated. "[color=darkslateblue]But I knew what my choice led to and so, I thought it best to light-- attempt to lighten Varjan's stay in Seraph Academy. So as not to leave him wallowing in misery.[/color]" [center]-[/center] "[color=red]And that's where we came in.[/color]" Alicia motioned to her and Ecthel and Mira. "[color=red]Lord Athos contacted us about Varjan and told us the entire story and told us to befriend Varjan.[/color]" She paused for a moment. "[color=red]I... already knew Varjan then. I attempted to reach out to him several times but, approaching a loner by your lonesome was... hard. He was quiet and... it was just awkward.[/color]" "[color=darksalmon]Ecthel and I also knew Varjan, I mean who didn't? But not to the extent that Alicia did.[/color]" Mira took over. "[color=darksalmon]But we were friends with Alicia too so, why not add one more in the circle? I mean, Varjan was a loner and quiet but in time, he opened up a bit about himself. He even began partaking in activities on his own initiative.[/color]" "[color=dodgerblue]And oh man, he LOVED his bad puns. He'd always have a stupid grin when we cringed.[/color]" Ecthel reminisced, but the smile was not to last. "[color=dodgerblue]But as we became seniors, his family intruded more and more into his life. He needed to finish with a bang and what's a better bang than the Grand Academy Tournament?[/color]" The rogue continued. "[color=dodgerblue]We saw Varjan less and less ever since and now... we're here.[/color]" [center]- [@Rune_Alchemist] -[/center] "[color=darkslateblue]I... don't know what to ask of you, Miss Thenri, other than try to help Varjan if you find him.[/color]" Athos finished. "[color=darkslateblue]But you're the winner of the tournament, weren't you? You're going to need to prepare for the award and the graduation ceremonies. I doubt you'll have time for the Caldeyron matter.[/color]" "[color=darkslateblue]I hope I've answered any questions you have.[/color]" [center]- [@AzureKnight] (LIS), [@CitrusArms] -[/center] "[color=darksalmon]That's why we plan to set out and try to find Varjan. Going by Alicia, he would probably be back home.[/color]" Mira declared. "[color=darksalmon]It's several days from here so we might need to set out as soon as possible.[/color]" "[color=red]I'd ask you to come with us but... I'm sure you two have duties to attend to, right?[/color]"