➨ "Didn't I tell you to keep your creepy ass dolls out of my presence?"

You knew the voice before you even had to turn around. A strong part of you wanted to keep your back turned, so you could focus on the task on hand. That being cleaning around the main hall. It was always dusty, and you had the creation magic to help out with it. So why not use it to your advantage?

The 'doll' in question he had mentioned, was actually one of your puppets. One of the many you can summon at somewhat will.

You didn't necessarily find her creepy at all. She had on a pretty white dress with puffy sleeves. Even a pair of cotton gloves with matching gray medical crosses. The same cross that was sat on display on top of her nurse hat.

Of course she had the strings that were attached to her ball joints, and those did move on their own as if a ghost were controlling her.

Oh, and can't forget the horns sprouting from her head.

"She's not even bothering you," you replied to him.

Indeed she wasn't. While her primary function was healing, she was very good with cleaning and even cooking if you wanted her to.

"That doesn't matter." Then you heard him take several steps forward until his aggravating figure popped into your peripheral.

"If it doesn't matter, maybe you shouldn't be in Sylvania's presence," you said lightheartedly.

"Oh please, it has a name?" Langris scoffed, "to think you couldn't get any weirder."

"What's wrong with it?"

He pointed a finger at her head. "Look at her face."

Sighing, you did. Not like you haven't seen it multiple times. Sylvania had completely white eyes and a pale porcelain complexion. There was black all around her eyes giving her a sunken look.

"You're one to talk about beauty," you sneered and turned your head directly towards him.

Langris grumbled and took furious steps towards the peaceful puppet. He raised his hand and a purple mass emerged and crackled in his palm. Before you had a chance to stop him he thrusted his arm forward, and his spatial magic pulsed right through her core.

Within moments her strings snapped and her body crumbled and turned to dust. You could feel a quick searing spark of pain run through your abdomen. It was a sort of pain synthesis. "You just can't ever mind your own damn business huh?"

"You just can't listen when your captain tells you to-"

"Vice captain." You strongly reminded him. "You're second, not first."

"That's still a higher rank than you'll ever be," he spat back. "Now, maybe you can clean without the undead giving you assistance. Do us all a favor and keep them away."

You rolled your eyes. "Nah, I'm good."

"Insolent." He muttered.

In the background, you heard footsteps coming up from behind you. All you needed was someone else to join on the bandwagon of telling you off, and asking you to respect your squadmates. Which you wholeheartedly do, it was just like 3 or 4 of them that had issues.

Actually, just 3 or 4 that verbally express their distaste towards you.

Instead it was a monotone voice. One you knew you didn't dislike. "Langris, Captain Vangeance, is requesting to speak with you." Yuno stepped forward with Sylph hovering next to his ear.

"Oh good. Someone worthy of my time. Can't spend the rest of my day mingling with the two peasants." With that, he turned on his heel and took his leave. Finally.

You glanced over at him. "Vangeance really has patience of steel to deal with that shit. What do you think they're talking about?"

Yuno shrugged. "I haven't seen him all day. How should I know?" He looked in the direction that Langris had walked off in. "Why's he always bothering you anyway?"

"It's a different reason every time he opens his mouth. He's scary. But I mean like Jack in the box type scary."

You and Yuno had been on good terms since you joined the Golden Dawn. You took on the Magic Knights Exam the same time as he did except not every captain raised their hand at the time. Actually, the only other one to raise their hand was Captain Yami.

"What were you doing out here anyway?" You asked him.

"I was actually about to leave to do some training-"

"-That is unacceptable!" A new voice cut into the mix. "You can't go out now, the Star Ceremony is in a few hours."

Klaus and Mimosa walked up from the hallway side by side. Klaus was always very strict when it came to a schedule. Even if nobody knew what schedule he was following. Must've been mental or something.

"So?" Yuno bluntly replied. "I can be back before it starts."

"That is not the point! You need to have enough energy saved to attend. Not roaming around wasting precious energy."

"It doesn't start for like another 6 hours. What's the difference?"

"The ceremony starts in a few hours. But the Festival is way before that." He told him. "We are in no position to be tardy to such an event."

You still didn't understand the whole thing but the best summary to your knowledge was flaunting stars. Or, valiantly displaying each team's accomplishments with shiny golden symbols.

Mimosa agreed. "Also, aren't you the highest earner among all the Magic Knights? You pretty much have to be there on time and be presentable."

"Oh yeah." You nudged his shoulder with your own. "You're a bigshot around here now. Have you been practicing your model walk?"

"No."

"Well when you fall, don't say I didn't warn you." You shrugged. "But on a real note, you're like a role model for all the commoners in this Kingdom. I mean how many of them get Golden Dawn and the highest earner all in half a year?"

"Don't put me on a pedestal."

He was too modest for his own good.

Most times anyway.

Mimosa giggled, "he's just so happy he doesn't know what to do with himself."

Klaus agreed. "Besides, you don't need training right this moment. You need to focus on getting ready. We're leaving early. We need to be there before the sun officially sets."

"Okay okay." He raised his hands in defeat.

"Oh, Y/N, the girls are getting ready together. Do you want to join?" Mimosa said to you.

"Well you know I would, but... I don't think any of them besides Letoile like me. So I think it would be an awkward setting."

She frowned. "Are they really still upset?"

"Of course. When the Royal Capital is attacked, the best scapegoat is the poor puppeteer with the dead daddy from Spade." You put your hands on your head dramatically. "Don't worry though, I'll catch up with you at the festival though."

They're always going to hold that over your head. At this rate there isn't anything you can say or do that'll convince them otherwise. Besides, you didn't need to be friends with everybody on the squad, you just had to tolerate them enough.

"Okay. Shoot, I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was still that bad. But I promise to stick with you there, alright?"

"Don't worry about me, you go ahead, we'll see you later."

She then turned away and started going up the stairs. In a way you did want to have a connection with more of your squadmates, but it just seemed impossible. Plus, you weren't going to strain yourself with one sided relationships.

"Y/N, why don't you talk to the Captain about the mistreatment?" Klaus suggested. "Everybody listens to him. It might not be so hellish if you did."

"There's no need. At the end of the day we're all on the same side whether they like it or not. If they believe I somehow conjured up the undead and attempted to seize the whole damn capital let them."

He deadpanned. "The more you say it so freely the more they're going to hold it above you."

"And?"

He rubbed his temples. "You and Yuno are unbelievable sometimes."

------------------

As the time passed, it was eventually time to head down to the festival. As Mimosa promised, she joined up with the three of you when everybody arrived. Klaus had you guys on a strict itinerary and it was apparently set up so you could do everything, and still make it to the ceremony in time.

"I really just wanna eat." You groaned and trudged behind Klaus. "What number is that on the to-do list?"

He hummed. "Number 4 out of 5."

Your jaw dropped. "What are the 3 spots above food?"

"Patrolling the grounds, a quick rest, another lap around the grounds, then a quick snack." He said calmly. "Of course, 5 is to attend the ceremony."

So apparently, the goal is to walk, stop, walk, and... snack.

Mimosa pat him on the shoulder. "Aw c'mon. We can't just not do anything else. We have to play some games too!"

"We don't have time to-"

"Hey Klaus," Yuno interrupted him. "I bet I can beat you in that shooting game over there."

"I- the what?" He looked around extremely confused until he laid his eyes on the stall a little farther down. "Hmph. You forget who you are messing with. There is no way you would."

Yuno smirked and started walking towards it. "Wanna bet?"

"I don't bet."

"So you're scared."

"Far from it!" He declared and caught up to him. Before you knew it, they were standing in line waiting for their turn.

Currently, Asta, Noelle, and two other people you weren't familiar with were up to shoot. You figured out that you needed to use magic in order to create the bullets. So Asta was struggling... a lot. You actually found the kid to be quite amusing despite that setback he was given in life. Though, he never let it stop him to your knowledge.

You sighed happily. "Thank God because I was not making 2 laps around this place without doing anything at all."

Mimosa nodded. "Same. Plus, I think I want more than just one snack."

After that group was finished, Yuno and Klaus stepped up to aim. "Who do you think is gonna win?" You asked Mimosa.

She glanced at you from the side with a knowing smile but didn't answer.

Yeah.

They both fired quickly. Klaus took the first point. Since they wanted the higher score, they were both going for the same targets. Yuno got the second and third points. Klaus the fourth.

That's when Sylph jumped from Yuno's side and flew in front of Klaus, blocking his vision.

"Hey you can't do that!"

"You will never beat my beloved Yuno!" She said, waving her arms dramatically.

Yuno took the opportunity and got the last few shots in, winning the game. He stood up with a silent victory. Sylph fluttered back over with a loud victory. "Hahaha! We are unstoppable!"

"You cheated!" Klaus retorted.

"Technically she cheated, not Yuno." You pointed out. "All in good fun. You wanna try, Mimosa?"

"Sure, I think I have a pretty decent aim. Don't go easy on me!"

You stood behind the fake gun and put your hand on it. Emitting mana through your fingertips and infusing it to create the bullets that appear from it. You looked through the scope and waited for the signal to start.

The man rang the bell and you pulled the trigger on the first target you laid eyes on. Then you moved down to get some of the smaller ones and rack up easier points. Mimosa had missed a shot, and the bullet ricocheted through the backwalls.

"Oops... I thought I had that one..." She mumbled and stood her ground.

You sniped another bullseye and glanced at the points. There was a decent sized gap between you and Mimosa, but she could pull through with the rest of the remaining objects. For just a few moments, you purposely missed a few shots and waited for her to catch up.

Once you saw the numbers were even you rapidly fired the last ones remaining.

"Oh man!" She exclaimed once the game was over. "I was definitely winning. Did you see that?"

You nodded. "You were."

She giggled. "I'll get you next time."

---------

After a while of patrolling, playing games, and just leisurely walking around the festival, Klaus did reluctantly allow a much needed break. For something longer than a quick snack. The food was pretty good. A little on the expensive side, but you were thankful that the Golden Dawn gave you enough money for such activities.

There was an announcement that the Ceremony was starting soon, and Klaus told you guys to wrap it up so you could head over. As you threw away your trash, you heard a soft voice coming from behind you at one of the stalls.

"But mommy please, I just want one garlic bun!"

"Yeah please just one! We'll split it like usual!"

"I already told you guys, I don't have the money for any extra-ness right now. I'm sorry, but money is tight. That's why I'm here looking for work."

You turned around and were met with two little boys who were tugging the bottom of their mother's dress. Both had blonde hair, the taller one had the brighter shade. She had a few pieces of paper in her hands and her tone was hinting at exhaustion already.

The boys frowned, but eventually gave up and quietly stepped away to give her some space.

Without thinking too much about it, you opened up your pouch with the remainder of your money in it. There was a decent amount. Probably enough to buy about 15 buns if they really wanted to.

You walked up to the mother, not wanting to bother her too much from what she was focused on. "Excuse me."

She turned around, the glint of aggravation seeped away the moment she laid eyes on you. Or more so, your uniform. "A member of the Golden Dawn? Oh I'm so sorry if I did anything to offend you."

Shaking your head. "No no not at all. I overheard your boys saying they wanted something to eat-"

"Were they complaining too loudly? I'm really sorry!"

"No..." You answered with a raised brow. It's an event outside with a bunch of people. Isn't it supposed to be loud anyway? "I just wanted to give you a little something for them. Yourself as well. Here, I have some money left over."

Her eyes widened and the grip on her papers faltered. "I-I couldn't take this from you. I really couldn't. See, I just got let off from my previous job for not being able to work night shifts. I truly don't deserve any type of free compensation for my negligence."

Not working the night? If she's a mother of two kids, why would she be able to work all damn night? Do they really expect that to be possible?

"Y/N!" A voice called out. Klaus and Mimosa were waving from beyond the crowd. Probably telling you to hurry up.

"I insist." You told her and placed the money pouch in her hand. "I have to go, but as far as jobs go, I know the cafe at the Western edge of the capital has a really flexible schedule. I was passing through the other day and they're actually on the look for morning and afternoon shift takers. The owner is also so sweet, I'm sure she'll let you bring them in if you have no other choice. Whatever works for you."

"Wait, but are you-"

"I'm positive! Don't stress too much over it. Enjoy the night with your kids!" You waved her off as you ran off in the direction of your group, not being able to stay and hear what else she had to say.

As you joined the three of them again you were ready for the scolding. "What was that about?"

"Nothing much. I was just plotting my next evil plan to spawn the devil and take over the Clover Kingdom."

"See, and this is why you're scaring people." Klaus adjusted his glasses.

"Eh. It's not fun if I'm not convincing."

Yuno had to go up to a different section of the miniature castle where all the people were gathered around to watch the beginning of the ceremony. So you guys decided to stand in the opening and watch from there, instead of getting too close to the other people. Unfortunately, joined by Langris and Alecdora.

A few minutes passed by before the Wizard King started talking and the crowd started cheering bashfully. It was obvious. He was the true pride and joy of the Kingdom.

He briefly covered The Eye of the Midnight Sun, and the attack on the capital.

"Maybe the Eye of The Midnight Sun just got lucky." You shrugged.

"Lucky?" Alecdora echoed. "They critically injured Captain Fuegoleon. You need more than luck to do that."

"Yeah, but you also need more than a couple of low-rate zombies too."

A sinister laugh came from next to you. "You know those puppet creations of yours are exactly like those low-rate zombies. Who's to say you aren't aligned with them at all?"

"If I was, I promise you would've been nearing the top of my hit list. And..." you glanced over at him. "...Sadly you're still standing. So I guess I'm not."

His grimoire appeared in front of him and he raised a hand towards you. "You must want to be full of holes, huh?"

"Spare me and be quiet. Yuno's about to walk the stage."

There was another loud cheer and you turned your head to see what you have missed. Looking up at the projection, you noticed your squad was on top this year. Yet again, from what you heard previously.

Now you wanted to pay attention because Yuno was finally about to make his debut as the highest earner.

Just to make his two biggest haters in the room upset, you made sure you cheered extremely loud for him.

Afterwards, you listened for second place, not knowing who would've risen enough to be nearly just as good as the Golden Dawn.

When the name appeared, your eyes widened.

"The Black Bulls?" You grinned. Then you cheered loudly again. "Oh this ceremony really is fun."

"How the hell did those misfits get second?" Alecdora grumbled. "They never do anything right."

"We're already on top, why does it matter who comes after?" You asked.

"Because second belongs to a group with more class and standard. Like the Silver Eagles."

"Well then the Gray Birds should've stepped up. Stop expecting everything to be handed to them."

"You can't talk about other squads like that-"

"So the Black Bulls are exempt from your preaching?"

First he glared at you. His eyes conveyed many things he probably shouldn't say out loud. Then, he muttered something and ended up crossing his arms and walking away from you with heavy steps.

"A temper tantrum? Classy and very much up to standards."