stone

SPIRITUM

𝚁𝚊𝚢 𝙷𝚘𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚜

---

Ray laughed. It was a good day. The Sun was out, the air wasn’t too hot, and his friends were all enjoying themselves. His laughter was cut short when the truck hit another bump and gave a stomach-turning bounce, sending his less-massive compatriots flying.

“Whoa now! Hold onto yourselves, ‘cause we’re in for a rough ride. If anyone needs a cushion, my arms are ready and waiting.” He sprawled outwards in the truck bed, leaning against the side and taking up a majority of the surface area with his legs and torso. Asa handed him a bottle of Heorot Whiskey.

“And what do you expect me to do with this, eh?” He laughed again, the booming sound overpowering the rumble of the engine.

“Drink all of it, pussy.”

“Watch that mouth of yours, Asa! If you’re any more hostile, I just might retaliate with force!” Ray threw back his head and downed the rest of the bottle. “Good stuff. A bit weak, but it’ll do for now.” Being big had its advantages. Sure, he always got the lowest marks on stealth exercises, but winning drinking contests was far more important. He burped and leaned past Asa to talk to the cabin’s inhabitants, dodging shards of glass as Sam broke his bottle on the roof of the truck.

“Hey, Sabrina, borrow me a bit of that stuff you got there. I need a chaser real quick.” Ray held out the empty bottle.

Cardinal Rift

𝔽ort 𝔹raemur

---

“Oh, good, you’re here.” The clerk sighed with relief as the Captain stepped into the room. “Please, sit down.” He gestured to one of the chairs.

“Sadly, General Felt was unable to attend due to a slight stomach bug. I am his secretary, and will be briefing you in his stead.” He ran his fingers through his thinning red hair and adjusted his spectacles. “Ahem. As part of the newly instated Project Plover, you two will be transferred to the Infantry Corps. West Division. I have here your papers of transfer as well as your travel documents. Ms. Sid, your pay stubs for the job are also contained within this packet. Once you arrive at the West Division’s base, you can hand them the one for next week as well as a small report of your developments.”

“Oh, of course, you need to know what your job is.” The clerk set down a packet of papers on the desk in front of the two. “More specific terms are outlined within, but the general idea is thus: Ms. Sid, regardless of your past and… interesting physique, you are an accomplished inventor and an asset to Northern Croania. We would like you to travel with Captain Holdt here, learn the ins and outs of a Kothlin power suit, and work on enhancing and developing it in any way you can. To further this task, the two of your will head to the Dalris front and engage in direct combat.”

He nodded. “Be grateful. This will be the first large-scale combat Croania has seen in centuries. It is the prime time to enhance and develop our technology. Of course, there will be benefits. Captain, your stipend will increase by 50%, sent directly to your immediate family. Your wife, I believe.”

“You two have… one day to prepare and make goodbyes. I would not recommend dallying. The train from here to West Blackston leaves once a week- the day after tomorrow for you two. Pack for a longer journey, I’d say a couple months. Any questions?”

_{@banjoanjo@GreenGoat}

Silver Gate Academy - Interest Check [Negima inspired magic school RP]

I hate to say it, but I think I'm the same. Sorry ;-;

STONE'S REPOSITORY OF MAGIC

The totally-not-expy James León - Killing Is Unreasonable

smash reference boi

The Mystery Brain

Name: James León (León Rivers)

Appearance: 5'9, right about average build- not particularly athletic. Always-messy dark hair. Wears flannels over t-shirts and jeans most of the time. Always smiling.

Personality: Laid-back most of the time, gets extremely worked up and passionate about writing and mysteries. Hides anxiety about his writing by constantly using excuses. He’s confident about everything else, though, and always takes the initiative.

Backstory: While James’s closest relatives have nothing to do with crime, the León family certainly has its roots in the drug cartels of Mexico. Thankfully, James grew up under the perfect influence of his parents, María and Juan León. The two lovers, determined to leave the family history behind, abandoned the high-stakes life of their ancestors and moved to the United States. They... may have taken some money with them, though. The two worked as lawyers and continued saving, eventually having James.

James Juan León was born on November 2nd, 2003. His parents raised him like any other couple: with lots of love and high expectations. But, James had other ideas. He decided (in secret!) to write his own crime and mystery novels, enchanted by the stories his grandmother would tell him over the phone. James took on the pen name of León Rivers and wrote a fiery hit novel Dawn Enchanter, a mystery novel based on the past escapades of the León family. The out-of-nowhere success of a previously-unknown author dazzled the mystery fiction community. They eagerly called for more León Rivers, more of the exciting tension and complex mindgames.

James... couldn’t deliver. He wrote two more books, but both failed spectacularly. “Not enough soul,” “too cliché,” “pandering garbage," the critics said. His mechanics were there. His heart was not.

Eventually, his family moved to Cape Cove after his parents were offered jobs as legal consultants. James looked around for the best school to help him improve his skills. He contacted HAGAY, revealed his identity, arranged a payment method, and took the test. He scored well enough- fantastic on literature, English, and history, but only passable in the sciences. It was enough. He was in- unbeknownst to his parents.

STONE'S REPOSITORY OF MAGIC

Astaroth, Taker of Souls, Lord Above All, Master of the 8th Underworld Legion - Surviving in a D-tier Magical Academy

AJ

"What is it now?" The admissions officer watched the next applicant enter. Surely there wouldn't be anything quite as ridiculous as the previous few.

A young man with brown hair and an earnest face sat down.

"Hello sir, I am AJ Underfoot."

"AJ? I have an interview for..." He looked down at his paper. "...Astaroth, Taker of Souls, Lord Above All, Master of the 8th Underworld Legion."

"Erm, yes, that's me," AJ said. "My mother filled out the form. She can be a bit over the top."

Exaggerated accomplishments were par for the course, but something as extravagant as this application was surely a joke. Still, procedure was procedure. The admissions officer sighed and crumpled up the sheet. "Alright, I can walk you through the process again. Name, age, gender, nationality?"

AJ nodded. "AJ Underfoot. 15. Male. Federation."

"I can fill out these sections real quick..." The officer scribbled Appearance matches photo. A bit taller than the picture suggests, maybe 5'6"?

"Just to be safe, you are human, right?"

AJ looked down at his shoes. "Half. My mother is a demon."

The officer blinked. "Your mother is a what?"

"It's complicated. She's Vivian, 2nd ranking demon of lust."

It only gets crazier every year. He wrote down "half-demon" and continued. Despite the boy's odd parentage, the officer felt a sort of compelling desire to help and protect the boy. Maybe he was getting too sentimental. "Any physical skills?"

"Nothing much. I can do what's normal, I guess."

"Alright. What sort of magic can you do?"

"I'm a summoner. I can call beings to my aid."

The officer leaned over the desk. "Okay, kid. Procedure dictates that I ask you to show me your magic. Will it explode?"

"No."

"Will it set fire to the premises?"

"Probably not."

"Do you need a test subject? A guinea pig or rat or something?" He thought back to the previous interviewee. He'd handed the guinea pig off to the creatures handler for safekeeping.

"Nope. I have my materials right here, and they're all inanimate."

He sighed in relief. "Alright, show me."

The boy pulled out a roll of fabric and laid it out on the ground, then began to draw a circle in chalk. His lines were surprisingly smooth, and he sketched out the design with a practiced eye. The end result- a circle with a five-point star inscribed within it. The design looked rather familiar.

"So, um, I have to do a chant, if that's alright," AJ said.

"Go ahead."

The officer immediately regretted his decision to allow it. AJ began speaking in a strange eldritch tongue, spitting out syllables like hot discs of flame. It felt as if small worms were being forced into his ears, crawling their slimy way into his head and eating the soft grey matter inside. The strong scent of burning flesh and wood smoke filled the room before gradually dispersing into a strong smell of lavender.

"Oh no," AJ said. "Anyone but her, please! Why??"

A column of red smoke erupted from the center of the circle, making the officer's eyes water. Inside the smoke, he could see the outlined form of a demon. "W̵̩̾ͅH̵̦̆́Ȏ̴͓̮͌ ̷͖̂D̶̙͖͌A̴̡͔̎͠R̵̖͑E̵̫͑S̷̻̝̏ ̷̛̟T̵̮͖͐O̵̧̥̍ ̵̢́S̸̟̓̒U̸̧̓́Ḿ̴͎̠M̸̜͓͗͊O̷̰͆̆N̴̹͊͂-̴̹͆ ̷̟̂ oh, it's just you, Astaroth. Do you need something? Did you forget your lunch at home? How is the interview going?"

The smoke cleared. The admission officer's heart rate jumped. In front of him was a goddess- or rather, the opposite of one, perched on the side of a floating pitchfork. Wonderfully proportioned with red skin, she gave off an exuberant exotic charm. Two pointed horns stuck out from her flowing dark hair. She wore a strangely modern low-cut dress suit that barely went over her knees, maintaining modesty and sexiness at the same time. A pair of glasses perched on her nose. Her mouth had wonderfully full lips, which moved in a fashion that he oh so dearly wanted on... wait...

"Sorry, what did you say?" he asked. "I didn't, uh, quite catch that."

"I asked, has my son been troubling you?" She shifted on her seat expectantly, exposing more leg.

He tore his eyes off her and tried to look at AJ instead. He failed in that endeavor, and found his eyes slowly tracking her form once more. "Oh, erhm, not at all! He's been very, very respectful."

Her expression shifted to a sort of annoyed disappointment. "Astaroth Jonathan Underfoot! What did I tell you about being respectful?"

AJ looked like he wanted to sink down into the floor. "...That nobody will fear me if I defer to them."

"Exactly! Did you even proclaim your dominion over the territory as you stepped in the building?"

"No, Mother."

"And I suppose you didn't even try to charm any girls on the way in, did you? Nobody prettier than a hellhound?"

"There was one that was literally hot, but no."

"Don't take that kind of tone with me, young devil!" If you are to become a worthy demon, you must become bad!"

AJ didn't answer.

"Continue with the interview, human. Don't just sit there slack-jawed. Have you never seen a lust devil before? Get over yourself. I am happily married. Oh, and make it quick, for I am rather cross right now."

He closed his mouth and hastily shuffled his papers. "Ah, yes, what sort of things can you do with your magic?"

AJ didn't even have a chance to say a word.

"My son can use the circles to summon various beings and command them to do tasks. you hear that, AJ? No more of that 'asking' you do."

"Yes, mother."

"And what can these tasks be?"

"Anything within the summoned being's power, so long as a sufficient payment is transferred. For example, as payment for today's summoning, Astaroth here is grounded until he finishes an essay on how to seduce women!"

"Well, that seems rather hars-"

The devil pointed at him. She certainly did have sharp nails. "Don't interfere on family matters, or I will have your soul sentenced to the Sixth Circle. Now, AJ, treat this man like he really deserves."

"Um, you WILL let me into the academy, or I will, uh, haggle your entrails." AJ buried his face in his hands. His mother gave him a hug from behind.

"That's my little hellspawn. The threat could use some work, but the spirit was there. Did you see that? Did you see how my boy threatened you?"

The admissions officer nodded. "Yes. Last question." He was beginning to contemplate resigning. No amount of money could keep him here. "Why Fae Creek?"

"Why, only a school as perfectly horrendous as this one could suit my wonderful child! Have you never raised a demon? This is a perfect environment for him to learn the ins and outs of tyranny."

"Thank you. That's wonderful. The interview is over. I wish you luck, young man." He could not get them out fast enough.

The demon disappeared again in a flash of smoke and lavender. AJ gathered his things and left, not meeting the admission officer's eyes.

STONE'S REPOSITORY OF MAGIC

BIG DADDY RAY - SPIRITUM

Ray Hopkins

Raymond "Ray" Hopkins
21 | 6'7 | O-

_{A P P E R A N C E}

Ray has always been massive. He was the 11-pound baby that every midwife claims they delivered that one time. He's the dude that can't blend into a crowd, no matter what he tries to do. He's the kind of guy you'd never take on a stealth mission- big, strong, and loud. Concealing a 220lb man isn't the easiest thing in the world.

But, when you need a friend to help you when you're down, Ray's your man. His brown hair is perfect for ruffling. His strong arms and thick torso make for excellent cushions. And, of course, who can forget about the bear hugs?

When he's off duty, Ray wears large, baggy clothes that hide his physique along with a red fanny pack stuffed with the essentials- Mistburn meds, bandages, a mini sewing kit, antiseptic, and candy! He's not one to show off, and dislikes how his official uniform wraps his muscles so tightly. Sweatshirts and sweatpants are the bomb!

_{P E R S O N A L I T Y}

In almost all situations, Ray ends up as the Team Dad. With his powerful build and array of practical skills, he strives to protect and help his friends in any way he can. Fiercely loyal to those he loves, Ray will put his own life at risk at any moment to protect his friends and family.

Of course, that's only if it ever comes to blows. Ray is a pacifist by nature. He always tries to find a way to cool down fights and resolve them peacefully. Still, as a member of WARDEN, he understands that force is sometimes necessary. Malice without reason is one of the few ways to set him off. Hurting his friends or family is another.

Regardless, it's very difficult for Ray to hate anyone. Contrary to his appearance, he possesses a natural feel for the subtleties behind others' motivations, and empathizes with them intensely.

_{B A C K G R O U N D}

Raymond was the second child born to Fletcher and Ana Hopkins. The happy family of four lived in the bustling city of Aporia, where his parents worked as decently well-off HVAC technicians. As a child, Ray always felt rather awkward about his large body. Sure, he was always picked first for the impromptu sports games at school, but he was maladroit and tended to be of little more use than a meat shield. Nobody treated him poorly, no, but Ray often felt as if he were a bear in an air duct.

When Ray was 8, his father died in a work-related accident. The official cause of death was "accidental fall," but something seemed amiss to Ray and his older sister, Ema. The only thing that Ray knew was that he had seen his mother dance in triumph one evening after receiving a letter, two days after Fletcher Hopkins's death. It was long after his bedtime-he'd been creeping downstairs for a midnight snack, only to see his mother kick up a fiercesome jig to a nonexistent tune. Scared, the eight-year old had scrambled back up the stairs into his bed. Afterwards, he'd searched for the letter, even going so far as to digging through the bins for a week straight in hopes of catching it, but no dice. He told Ema soon after, and she confirmed his suspicions. She herself had seen someone other than the normal mailman bring multiple packages to their mother.

Perhaps it was the impersonal way that their mother acted after her husband's death. Perhaps it was the lack of a proper funeral. Or perhaps it was the slight lifestyle upgrade the Hopkins went through afterwards. They weren't the most well off, but Ray and Ema noticed some nicer dinners here, a slightly more expensive gift there. The worst "upgrade," however, would come soon enough.

Half a year later, Ana Hopkins became Ana Wersar by marriage, and soon enough a baby was due. Fiona Wersar was the cutest thing Ray had ever seen, and he put any plans to investigate his mother on hold. It wouldn't do for the family to get shaken up by a re-investigation into Fletcher's death- not with a newborn and another baby coming soon after. The newly married couple would often go out for long nights, sometimes not even returning home for days. Ray and Ema quickly learned to take care of their new sister, and eventually their new brother as well. Ray covered the cooking, Ema the cleaning. The two worked hard as impromptu parents in order to avoid rocking the boat, deciding that their best course of action would be to wait.

Then, WARDEN happened. Ray was thrust into a rigorous new life as a hopeful, and he relished every second of it. The physical training, the studies, all of it distracted from the tiny gnawing in the back of his brain. Thoughts like "my mom might be a murderer" are hard to muster up when you have a paper due Thusday, two magic assignments, and several rounds of grueling physical training each day filling up your schedule. Ray focused on training up his naturally-strong body into a frame of truly epic proportions. He devoted himself entirely to the program, and found a second family in his fellow cadets. No longer was he the awkward boy in the back of the class. Somebody had to take care of this group of crazy-smart, crazy-strong young adults. He became a needed figure, a pillar of support and happiness, and it felt good. The gnawing thoughts faded, and Ray began to even doubt if the memory of his mother dancing was real or simply created in the mind of a grief-stricken 8 year-old. He remained close with Ema, sending her letters regularly and following her course as she made her own way through life- school graduation, job hunting, and even courtship.

With graduation imminent, Ray found himself wanting, even longing for those peaceful days in the classrooms. It was highly likely that the class would be split come graduation, so a final farewell party sounded incredible. After all, someone had to make sure they all got to the front lines in one piece.

_{C O M B A T}

Raymond specializes in protection and area control, using a combination of barrier spells and matter manipulation, as well as a bit of healing on the side. His magic requires physical motion in order to focus, whether it be hand motion or direct contact. He can create barriers of all sorts and purposes, from a watershed shield designed to minimize magic damage to a multilayered wall. He is able to maintain multiple barriers at a time, though doing so takes far more effort to the point that he is immobilized.

Ray also picked up matter manipulation spells in order to complement his barrier magic. He can raise walls of earth in order to block projectiles or ruin the terrain beneath enemy boots. His favorite strategem is to raise walls to narrow the field in order to focus fire, then protect his allies' charge with a barrier.

Ray is no slouch when it comes to close-quarters combat. He is skilled in throw and strike-based martial arts, and prefers to disable his opponents instead of crippling them. He wears metal gauntlets during battle to keep up with bladed weapons as well. Any enterprising foe looking to take out the protection around Ray's allies will find a tough foe facing them, provided they can make it past the barriers in the first place.

_{N O T E S}

Skills (Beyond what WARDEN soldiers normally learn)

• Cooking
• Embroidery
• Sewing
• Can play percussion

Ray's siblings are as follows:

• Ema - 4 years older (25) - Hip, chic architect based in Aporia. Engaged.
• Fiona - 9 years younger (12) - Cutest thing in the world. Early-onset gun fanatic.
• Derek - 10 years younger (11) - Bundle of joy. Reads more than the rest of the family combined.

_{R E L A T I O N S H I P S}

Galahad - "Oh, he's great. People tend to think he dislikes everyone, which isn't true at all! Get to know Gal a bit better and he's just a softie on the inside like everyone else. He's got a sharp tongue, too. Plus, I never have to keep an eye on him in combat sims- he's got the whole field mapped out in that blonde head of his."

Asa - "I keep a small vial of pepper oil in my pack for Asa. She's all about the spice. Suits her, really. Never a boring moment when she's around. She's from Aporia too, a real high-class girl. I'm just glad that my cooking seems to satisfy her. When she eats something really good, she sometimes makes the cutest expression that just makes you wanna grab her cheeks and smush them together!"

Samdihier - "Sam's hilarious. Real joy. Plus, he's got a good head on his shoulders. He sorta... gets the feel of the room, you know? Always saying the right thing. He can get a bit wrapped up in antics sometimes, but doesn't everyone? Oh, and he's pretty good at protecting himself, but I can always spare a barrier for him."

Sorin - "She's so nice! I want to get just as good as her at knitting, too. Though, I felt kinda bad when she needed three whole spools to make a scarf for me. Rin said it was okay, but that's just the kind of person she is. We don't get a ton of money in allowance."

Lance - "Zak's a total inspiration. When I first met him, he was this small kid who barely came up to my chin! He's still only up to... here, but now he's definitely not 'small.' He's put in so much work to get where he is, I can't help but feel proud. Is that weird? I think that's a little weird."

Betelgeuse - "She's had a rough time getting here, but I think Bete's all the more amazing for it. She's always blasting forward at a crazy pace, it's hard not to fall behind! Yeah, Bete can get set off pretty easy, but otherwise she's lovely. Wanna know my secret? If you let her vent it out in a safe place, she gets back into the game real quick."

STONE'S REPOSITORY OF MAGIC

BIG DADDY REL - HILLHAVEN

Man on the Mountain

DAMN BOI HE THICC

Rel

^{"Peace is truly the greatest thing."}

---

Census Profile

Full Name:
Rel
Age:
Fifty-eight
Gender:
Male
Race:
Human
Birthday:
14th of Dimertu
Appearance:
A massively muscled man of incredible presence. The only part the gives away his age is his white hair. Bears a scar over one eye. Wears various pelts of animals sewn in a patchwork fashion, or a red cloak on holidays.
Job Title:
Woodsman, Wild Man, however you want to slice it
Residency:
4 Seasons - he was the man they sent to catalogue and document the area before settlement

---

Social Profile

Positive Traits:
Courageous ; Clever ; Skillful
Negative Traits:
Boisterous ; Overbearing ; Impulsive
Likes:

• Meats
• Vegetables
• Woodcarving - He's especially good at making heroic sculptures
• Alcohol
• Campfires

Dislikes:

• Speeches - Everyone just takes too damn long to say one thing!
• Sand
• Guns

Hobbies:
Rel enjoys woodcarving, swimming, fishing, melee hunting, hiking, and all other sorts of physical activity one can do in the wild. Sometimes, he sits on the side of a mountain and eats food as he just watches time go by.

---

^{Heart Meter}

• Cresta Dustwallow - ♥♥♥♥♥
• Iz Ah Bel - ♥♥♥♥♥
• Alastair Doppler - ♥♥♥♥♥

Surviving in a D-Tier Magical Academy - Always Accepting -

〜❤ AJ 💙〜

---

^{@blackdragon | Gertrude of Wilmette}

AJ reached the top of the steps and stopped at the door. The girl introduced herself as Gertrude.

"Yeah... home sweet home." None of the lines seemed to have worked. AJ swallowed, then carried his bag inside and set it near the door. He moved to open it, but the clasp caught on his hand and tore the bandaging off.

A plume of lavender smoke burst from the back of his hand and spread quickly. A tiny, pint-sized version of his mother arose from his tattoo.

"Astaroth! How dare you silence me for two whole hours! What if you had been killed?"

AJ groaned and tried to cover the tattoo, but the small Vivian pushed his hand away easily. "Don't you cover me, young hellspawn! What do you-" She caught a glimpse of the room. "Oh my. That is a nice room. And, you've scored yourself a woman already?" Vivian squealed. "I forgive you, Astaroth!"

SPIRITUM

Ray Hopkins

Raymond "Ray" Hopkins
21 | 6'7 | O-

_{A P P E R A N C E}

Ray has always been massive. He was the 11-pound baby that every midwife claims they delivered that one time. He's the dude that can't blend into a crowd, no matter what he tries to do. He's the kind of guy you'd never take on a stealth mission- big, strong, and loud. Concealing a 220lb man isn't the easiest thing in the world.

But, when you need a friend to help you when you're down, Ray's your man. His brown hair is perfect for ruffling. His strong arms and thick torso make for excellent cushions. And, of course, who can forget about the bear hugs?

When he's off duty, Ray wears large, baggy clothes that hide his physique along with a red fanny pack stuffed with the essentials- Mistburn meds, bandages, a mini sewing kit, antiseptic, and candy! He's not one to show off, and dislikes how his official uniform wraps his muscles so tightly. Sweatshirts and sweatpants are the bomb!

_{P E R S O N A L I T Y}

In almost all situations, Ray ends up as the Team Dad. With his powerful build and array of practical skills, he strives to protect and help his friends in any way he can. Fiercely loyal to those he loves, Ray will put his own life at risk at any moment to protect his friends and family.

Of course, that's only if it ever comes to blows. Ray is a pacifist by nature. He always tries to find a way to cool down fights and resolve them peacefully. Still, as a member of WARDEN, he understands that force is sometimes necessary. Malice without reason is one of the few ways to set him off. Hurting his friends or family is another.

Regardless, it's very difficult for Ray to hate anyone. Contrary to his appearance, he possesses a natural feel for the subtleties behind others' motivations, and empathizes with them intensely.

_{B A C K G R O U N D}

Raymond was the second child born to Fletcher and Ana Hopkins. The happy family of four lived in the bustling city of Aporia, where his parents worked as decently well-off HVAC technicians. As a child, Ray always felt rather awkward about his large body. Sure, he was always picked first for the impromptu sports games at school, but he was maladroit and tended to be of little more use than a meat shield. Nobody treated him poorly, no, but Ray often felt as if he were a bear in an air duct.

When Ray was 8, his father died in a work-related accident. The official cause of death was "accidental fall," but something seemed amiss to Ray and his older sister, Ema. The only thing that Ray knew was that he had seen his mother dance in triumph one evening after receiving a letter, two days after Fletcher Hopkins's death. It was long after his bedtime-he'd been creeping downstairs for a midnight snack, only to see his mother kick up a fiercesome jig to a nonexistent tune. Scared, the eight-year old had scrambled back up the stairs into his bed. Afterwards, he'd searched for the letter, even going so far as to digging through the bins for a week straight in hopes of catching it, but no dice. He told Ema soon after, and she confirmed his suspicions. She herself had seen someone other than the normal mailman bring multiple packages to their mother.

Perhaps it was the impersonal way that their mother acted after her husband's death. Perhaps it was the lack of a proper funeral. Or perhaps it was the slight lifestyle upgrade the Hopkins went through afterwards. They weren't the most well off, but Ray and Ema noticed some nicer dinners here, a slightly more expensive gift there. The worst "upgrade," however, would come soon enough.

Half a year later, Ana Hopkins became Ana Wersar by marriage, and soon enough a baby was due. Fiona Wersar was the cutest thing Ray had ever seen, and he put any plans to investigate his mother on hold. It wouldn't do for the family to get shaken up by a re-investigation into Fletcher's death- not with a newborn and another baby coming soon after. The newly married couple would often go out for long nights, sometimes not even returning home for days. Ray and Ema quickly learned to take care of their new sister, and eventually their new brother as well. Ray covered the cooking, Ema the cleaning. The two worked hard as impromptu parents in order to avoid rocking the boat, deciding that their best course of action would be to wait.

Then, WARDEN happened. Ray was thrust into a rigorous new life as a hopeful, and he relished every second of it. The physical training, the studies, all of it distracted from the tiny gnawing in the back of his brain. Thoughts like "my mom might be a murderer" are hard to muster up when you have a paper due Thusday, two magic assignments, and several rounds of grueling physical training each day filling up your schedule. Ray focused on training up his naturally-strong body into a frame of truly epic proportions. He devoted himself entirely to the program, and found a second family in his fellow cadets. No longer was he the awkward boy in the back of the class. Somebody had to take care of this group of crazy-smart, crazy-strong young adults. He became a needed figure, a pillar of support and happiness, and it felt good. The gnawing thoughts faded, and Ray began to even doubt if the memory of his mother dancing was real or simply created in the mind of a grief-stricken 8 year-old. He remained close with Ema, sending her letters regularly and following her course as she made her own way through life- school graduation, job hunting, and even courtship.

With graduation imminent, Ray found himself wanting, even longing for those peaceful days in the classrooms. It was highly likely that the class would be split come graduation, so a final farewell party sounded incredible. After all, someone had to make sure they all got to the front lines in one piece.

_{C O M B A T}

Raymond specializes in protection and area control, using a combination of barrier spells and matter manipulation, as well as a bit of healing on the side. His magic requires physical motion in order to focus, whether it be hand motion or direct contact. He can create barriers of all sorts and purposes, from a watershed shield designed to minimize magic damage to a multilayered wall. He is able to maintain multiple barriers at a time, though doing so takes far more effort to the point that he is immobilized.

Ray also picked up matter manipulation spells in order to complement his barrier magic. He can raise walls of earth in order to block projectiles or ruin the terrain beneath enemy boots. His favorite strategem is to raise walls to narrow the field in order to focus fire, then protect his allies' charge with a barrier.

Ray is no slouch when it comes to close-quarters combat. He is skilled in throw and strike-based martial arts, and prefers to disable his opponents instead of crippling them. He wears metal gauntlets during battle to keep up with bladed weapons as well. Any enterprising foe looking to take out the protection around Ray's allies will find a tough foe facing them, provided they can make it past the barriers in the first place.

_{N O T E S}

Skills (Beyond what WARDEN soldiers normally learn)

• Cooking
• Embroidery
• Sewing
• Can play percussion

Ray's siblings are as follows:

• Ema - 4 years older (25) - Hip, chic architect based in Aporia. Engaged.
• Fiona - 9 years younger (12) - Cutest thing in the world. Early-onset gun fanatic.
• Derek - 10 years younger (11) - Bundle of joy. Reads more than the rest of the family combined.

_{R E L A T I O N S H I P S}

Galahad - "Oh, he's great. People tend to think he dislikes everyone, which isn't true at all! Get to know Gal a bit better and he's just a softie on the inside like everyone else. He's got a sharp tongue, too. Plus, I never have to keep an eye on him in combat sims- he's got the whole field mapped out in that blonde head of his."

Asa - "I keep a small vial of pepper oil in my pack for Asa. She's all about the spice. Suits her, really. Never a boring moment when she's around. She's from Aporia too, a real high-class girl. I'm just glad that my cooking seems to satisfy her. When she eats something really good, she sometimes makes the cutest expression that just makes you wanna grab her cheeks and smush them together!"

Samdihier - "Sam's hilarious. Real joy. Plus, he's got a good head on his shoulders. He sorta... gets the feel of the room, you know? Always saying the right thing. He can get a bit wrapped up in antics sometimes, but doesn't everyone? Oh, and he's pretty good at protecting himself, but I can always spare a barrier for him."

Lance - "Zak's a total inspiration. When I first met him, he was this small kid who barely came up to my chin! He's still only up to... here, but now he's definitely not 'small.' He's put in so much work to get where he is, I can't help but feel proud. Is that weird? I think that's a little weird."

Betelgeuse - "She's had a rough time getting here, but I think Bete's all the more amazing for it. She's always blasting forward at a crazy pace, it's hard not to fall behind! Yeah, Bete can get set off pretty easy, but otherwise she's lovely. Wanna know my secret? If you let her vent it out in a safe place, she gets back into the game real quick."

SPIRITUM

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