Couldn't Believe...

Chapter 72

"What's all this?"
"Where is Miss Black Akari?"
"That's me. What do you want?"
"You are accused of infiltering the castle and letting a prisoner escape. Please come with us"
"Where's her Majesty?"
*approach* "I am here"
"... My, my~ I got to meet her Majesty the Queen twice in the same day! It's something to celebrate!"
"... Arrest her"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. That's not a way to talk to me."
"Ha? What do you mean?!"
*wave her hand to show the ring*
"!"
"Careful."
"You! how dare you steal-"
"Steal? Isn't this mine? After all I'm-"
"STOP!"
*smirk* "Take your guards and leave, or else, it'll be the end~"
*angry* "... Let's head back, everyone"
"Bye, bye~"
*woosh*
"Black Akari, what was-"
"Nothing. Go back to what you were doing."
"What-"
*woosh*
"!"
"She left with Luka and the Lady"
"... And Diane"
*turn* "What are you doing here?"
"And where should I be, traitor?"
"You-!"
"Yamel, let's go" *glance*
*wink*
*blush* *smile*
*glare* "Maria, where are you looking at?"
"Me? Nowhere! What about you, Sally?"
"Same"
*chuckle* "Let's go, Hexy"
"Yes"
*woosh*

...

In the house...

"Here we are"
"It's huge!"
"Yes. You'll be staying here with Diane and Luka"
"Deal. Thank you, dear"
*nod* "I'll be going now"
"Where to?"
"I have some stuff I need to take care of. I'll come back later."
"Okay!"
"Oh, and before I forget, here" *hands over a box*
"What is this?" *opens*
"A watch and a card. Luka will explain everything to you. I'll go now"
"Thank you"
*nod* "Luka, I'll leave the rest to you, got it?"
"Yes! You can count on me, sis!"
*nod*
*woosh*

...

In Blackie's office...

Now that I found my brother and mother, I can focus on the others. But I have to think wisely from now on, because their doubts are multiplying by the day. Eluma's bewitching Maria and Sally, which is good. Regarding Leo and Nick, I thought that instead of making them fall for me, I have to leave them alone, and let Maria and Sally break their hearts. I, on the other hand, should focus on Yamel. This guy's obsession is getting bigger and bigger every day. Now that I think about it, we'll be third years soon, so Monica must've already chosen a profession and a college. Ever since my return, I didn't have a proper conversation with her-

*tok tok*
"Who is it?"
"It's me, master"
"Diane?! Come on in!"
*clack*
"What brings you here? Did something happen? Are mom and brother okay?!"
"No, that's not it"
"Hm? Then, what is it?"
"... Master, I..."
"?"
"... I want to train a little"
"All of a sudden?"
"Yes, please"
*sigh* "Sure"
"Thank you"

I know Diane. She wouldn't ask to train all of a sudden if nothing happened. She also did look troubled.

...

On the training ground...

*clang clang*
"So, tell me. What is it?"
"What?"
*clang*
"Why do you want to train? I'm sure there's a reason"
"... I'll tell you once we're done"
"..."
*clang*
"!"
*points sword*
"I win"
*stands up* "Looks like I still need a lot of training"
"It's okay, master. You learn pretty quickly, so I'm sure you'll get there soon enough."
"Yes. Now tell me, what is it?"
"... Master, I-"
"Blackie!"
"... Hexy"
"..."
"Blackie, it's been a long time since we last trained together- ... I see you're training with her" *glare*
"!"
"Hexy, mind your words"
"... Sorry, but now that I think about it, I've never really seen your power, Diane"
"Do you want to see it?"
"!"
"Yes! I want to!"
"Okay, then. Let's do a duel. Tomorrow, here, at this hour, the two of you will fight each other"
"Master!"
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then"
*woosh*
"Master! Why did you do that?!"
"Because I want him to stop looking down on you."
"... I don't care"
"What do you mean?!"

As far as I remember, I did read in my diary that Hexy, Diane and the other holder have the different sides of me as their own personalities, that's why they're all different. But how come she's not bothered by this?! I would've been furious!

"... Master, it's not that I'm not mad. It's just that dealing with this kind of people would be a real pain"
"!"

I see... so she has this indifferent side of me. But still!

"... And I was sad because of him"
"You mean Hexy?"
"Yes."
"Why? Did he tell you anything?!"
"... No. It's more... his action."
"His actions?"
"... Master, am I really needed here?"
"!"

The same as Hexy, huh. These two would be a great couple.

"Why are you asking?"
"Because, I feel that ever since I came back, I'm interfering with your life"
"... Why would you think that?"
"It's just... I feel like I don't belong here. Maybe I should get back to the spirit world-"
"Never"
"!"
"I'm never letting you go there again"

Being in the spirit world means you can't stay as a human, and you can't use your powers. For a magician as powerful as Diane, it'd be a real prison.

"I need you and your power, Diane. You're always needed. So don't say that ever again"
"... I apologize"
*sigh* "Is that all?"
"Well..."
"?"
"I feel like Hexy hates me"
"..."
"Don't misunderstand! I don't care if he likes me or not, but his glare is quite... you know..."
"Annoying?"
"Yes"
"I know. Hexy would've done the same thing to Luka if he could. But don't worry, from tomorrow onwards, he'll never glare at you again, okay?"
"..." *nod* *smile*
"Good" *pat*
"Thank you, master"
"Now then, shall we continue?"
"Yes! Let's get back to some magic training"
*nod*

Hexy is going overboard this time. I'm sure that once he sees Diane's power, he'll immediately stop his childish actions.

...

The next day, at the same hour...

"Okay. Today Hexy and Diane will be competing against each other. The first one to fall on the floor for 5 seconds loses. I will remind you once again, this is a duel, so anything is allowed as long as it doesn't put the opponent's life in danger. You got it?"
"Yes!"
*nod*
"Okay then, let's start the duel"