Magic Ascension - Chapter 001: Suppression

"Oh, sorry 'Suza! I forgot my own strength. Mom said she had an explanation for my growth spurt because I don't get how this happened either." Nicori released Asuza and gently placed her back on the floor, smiling nervously. "Speaking of Mom, I think she's waiting for us to tell us more about that cursed girl. Yeesh, I kinda feel sorry her. I heard that there was a wizard working super hard day and night to help free the girl from her curse."

Nicori scratched his head, pondering about the thought of what type of curse it might be. He knew he was not allowed near the girl according to Z but he never understood why. Olivia's voice caught his attention which made him walk towards her and easily tower next to her. When he smiled, all he showed were rows of razor sharp teeth.

"Hey, you're a new face. You gonna join 'Suza's group or are you here to lift the curse?"
 
“Huehuehue…” Liza made a creepy smile. “You may call me Liza… nice to meet you, Olivia.” Liza stared at her attire—she definitely is not from Paradice. “A helper huh… I guess we will find out when the Magic Council calls us in.” She looked at the other group, seeing that the others did not change too much, well, aside from Nicori approaching them. She waved towards Vox, who addressed her.

“Hey kid, it’s quite rude to talk to people during a conversation.” Liza said. “Well, I guess you’re not a kid anymore… this is Olivia…” Liza said. “She says she’s a helper.”

“Is this everyone…? Seems kind of small.” Bob rubbed his chin. “Unless they always called an selective group of people?”
 
Vox says "It may show how sensitive this job is or the job may only need handful of people."
 
"H-hello," Olivia greeted the rest quietly, sweating slightly at the sight of Nicori's teeth. What kind of creature is he?! She thought nervously. She also was unnerved by Liza's demeanor.

Asuza dusted herself off once she was put back down, noticing Liza and Olivia arrived. She furrowed her brows and frowned a bit when she realized how different Liza looked compared to when they last were all together. Asuza wondered if that was because of what Todasul revealed to them or because of what she might have seen when she was sucked into the Negative Eye. Either way, it was a noticeable change.

"Well, even if you're flying solo, welcome aboard." Asuza said. "I'm Asuza, that's Vox, Bob, and Nicori." She gestured to each person respectively since Liza already introduced herself. "We'd be a little better off with two more people but..."

"Maybe they don't want people too spread out for the job?" Olivia wondered. "If we have to be traveling, it would be best if we weren't split up."

Asuza crossed her arms uncomfortably. "...Yeah," she mumbled staring off into space like she was thinking about something. "It'll all be clear once they let us in..."

=====

Okawa entered the meeting room of where the Magic Council was supposed to convene with the ones waiting on standby. "Alright, now to see if we've got all our eggs in the basket before we kick the plan off."
 
Two people were fixing up the room of the meeting; a Faun with snow white fur, long horns, and short stubby tail. Lix had a cat-like head, snake-like body, and human-like arms with large claws. He had a collar around his neck with Z's name on it. Faunix and Lix were inside the room where the Magic council is to be held, fixing and preparing some things to make everyone comfortable. Faunix stared at the clock on the wall and whispered to Lix.

"Hey, shouldn't everyone be here by now? I think Nicori slept in again..." 

"Then go wake him up and bring him here. Today is an important meeting discussing the circumstances of the cursed girl." Lix said emotionlessly. "I'll take care of the needs of the Council."

"Right..." Faunix nodded. "Alright, I'll go and get the group."




Nicori seemed to be flexing his muscular arms, trying to see what he can lift with his newfound strength. Before he had time to test it on anything, Faunix appeared before the group, his face in its usual worried manner.

"There you are Nicori! I thought you slept in again." Faunix said as he glanced at the others. "Ah, I remember your faces. Master Z never stopped talking about you guys."

"Yeah, that's because they're awesome, duh." Nicori snickered. "So why did we need to get up so early, Faunix? Didn't Mom want to tell us something?"

"Oh yes! All the Elite mages and wizards have requested the help of the Magical Society. Lady Okawa is already waiting for us so we must hurry along. I assume everyone is here so please follow me."

Faunix was quick on his feet, so he lead the way but occasionally stopped to allow the others to keep up with him. He wondered if Z made it to the meeting yet but knowing how she's always late, he doubted it. He stopped when he reached two large doors and turned back to the group.

"Alright, once you're in there, we have a set of rules!"

"Oh boy, here we go..." Nicori groaned. "He always does this..."

"Rule Number 1! You are to address every mage and wizard by their title! Master Z is the Grand Sorceress so you will remember to call her so! Rule Number 2! No talking back to the higher ups! Rule Number 3! Refrain from questioning unless asked to do so! Rule Number 4---"

"I'm sure 'Suza and the others get it, Faunix... Besides, Mom loves 'em! We're just gonna listen to what the big wizards and mages have to say, not prepare a speech for the King." Nicori giggled. "Just relax Faunix."

"I see your spoiled tendencies have yet to outgrow you. Fine, but please remember that Master Z may be your mother but she still has a title to uphold, you know." Faunix smiled gently towards the group before opening the double doors to the large meeting room. "Please behave yourself, Nicori..."
 
The Magic Council meeting room was a huge area—appropriate since it holds the strongest mages in Paradice. To accompany Okawa in the room, Ballows and Tort had entered as well. 

Ballows, after her success in holding down the Brotherhood in Shine’s absence, was promoted to take Shine’s place as the overseer of Black Magic, took a seat on the Magic Council Dias. The construction of the Dias has four seats—the largest chair is reserved for the leader. 

Tort came in as well and took his seat. He looked towards Faunix and Lix bringing in the people from the waiting room. “We should begin in a minute. Where is Z? She’d absent.” 

“No idea.” Ballows narrowed her eyes at all the magicians that entered the room. “These are the capable Mages we’ve agreed upon. And that girl…” She stared at Olivia. “We cannot commence the meeting without the Grand Sorceress.”

Bob was in awe at the construction of the building. “Man, they really lively up the place. This room is huge!”

“Fitting for the big wigs, I guess... huehuehuehue…” Liza commented on.
 
Olivia quickly averted her eyes from Ballows, staring nervously at anywhere else besides her directly. Her face flushed red from anxiety. Please don't stare, please don't stare... she chanted to herself. "W-well it is a pretty big institution... maybe she got lost?"

"She is pretty tiny. Wonder if she got stuck inside an air vent," Asuza took her own seat and simply looked over her black nail polish. "But she's always got that pencil with her, so not even that might be a big deal. What's taking her so long?"

"You shouldn't be cracking jokes about the Grand Sorceress," Okawa gently scolded. "Even if you've come in close contact with her." But it was indeed true, Z wasn't in the room yet. She stippled her fingers as she waited, looking at the individuals before her with curiosity. "Might be a last-minute checkup on the child for all we know."

"Tiny? But that empty chair over there is so large! Surely it's to scale," Olivia said, trying to lighten the mood in the meantime.

"I assure you it's not." Asuza chuckled. "The pencil's length is probably 3 times her height."
 
Vox thinks "Not my first dance with nobility." 

Vox says to Bob, Liza and Asuza "I must agree with all three you."
 
"Where's Z, Lix? She was supposed to be here by now!" Faunix whispered to the serpent. "This is one of the first meetings she summoned and she's late to it?!"

"Calm down, if she's not coming out then I'll bring her out myself," Lix whispered back as he gently shoved Faunix out of his way before standing in front of everyone in the room. "Please excuse me while I fetch Master Z. Pardon us for the delay." The cat-serpent bowed his head before slithering towards the door and closing them behind him.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my..!" Faunix sweated. "Whenever it's his way, things tend to break..."

Nicori kicked his feet as he impatiently waited for Lix to come back with Z. It would only be a few minutes before the sound of a low rumble echoed throughout the area. Nicori frowned knowing fully well the type of relationship Lix had with his Mother. The noise grew louder and louder as it got closer to the door until it finally stopped right before entering the room. The two doors shot open as Lix arrived with Z tightly clasped within his over muscular hand, no doubt crushing her tiny body. He showed some obvious hostility towards Z but silently slithered towards the center of the council and held her up so everyone can see her.

"Master Z, you kept the council waiting... again." Lix hissed.

"Yes, yes, I know~ I was on the verge of taking a nice nap too...~"

Lix snarled under his breath and reeled his arm back to throw Z towards the High Chair but the imp was caught by her trusted OmniPencil. The pencil circled around the room before gently rolling Z on to the Main Seat. Z rubbed her eye and glanced towards all who were in the room.

"Ah, welcome everyone, I assume we are all accounted for, yes~?"

"Yes, Master Z! Everyone called has been marked present!" Faunix said.

"Good, now then, shall we begin~?" Z clapped her hands once and her OmniPencil emitted light from the tip to showcase everything the group has discovered over the months. "As we all know, there is a young girl harboring a curse within her body~ I believe Lady Okawa has a better understanding of the situation thanks to her dedication to the girl~ You may take over, Lady Okawa~"
 
Back
Top Bottom