❝ 𝚈𝚘, 𝚔𝚒𝚍, 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚗𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎. ❞
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Mash is standing in the judging room as the divine visionaries arrive, each of them voicing out their opinion about Wahlberg's decision of letting a magicless person into the school.

He has passed Ryoh Grantz's test, but unfortunately, the other visionaries don't agree with him.

"The regulations exist to rein in those with differing ideas. If we allow exceptions, the system fails." Orter Madl, the desert cane, mutters as he adjusts his glasses. "Furthermore, bowing to our emotions as peers of the realm sets a bad example. We'll be admitting there are special exceptions. He not only hid his lack of magical ability, he enrolled in Easton Academy."

He finishes, "Death is more than fitting."

Mash widens his eyes at the desert cane's words and falls on his knees. Orter stares at him, "If it makes you feel better, consider the decision is anonymous."

After Mash is being childish and refuses to go with them, Orter has enough and threatens him with his magic. Ryoh immediately steps in, his wand pointing on Orter's neck.

"You still haven't heard my opinion," he murmurs as the desert cane side-glances him. "Your opinion is not important here." Ryoh grips his chest dramatically, signing that he's offended.

However, before any of them can continue, a large sword- or rather a partisan -is sent on their way. Orter and Ryoh jump away from the place as Mash glances at the large sword in which he recognises.

"Oh.. this sword..."

All eyes turn to the headmaster and the sword cane, along with the crimson cane who smiles and waves her hand cheerfully at them.

"Mr. Wahlberg!" Sophina Biblia exclaims when she sees him.

Mash wonders if the headmaster is an important person, and Ryoh answers his question, saying that the headmaster himself was a divine visionary back in his youth.

"When he talks, you listen." He finishes, and Mash hums. But his eyes are on the familiar but unknown figure that just arrived.

He swears he has seen her before, but he can't quite catch up on where he met her.

However, when (name) turns to look at him, he immediately recognises the playful grin on her face. He blinks his eyes wide, "You..."

(Name) makes a peace sign with her hand as she sends him a cheeky grin. "Yo, kid, long time no see." She says playfully. "How are you doing in Easton so far, hm?"

"..." Mash stares at him blankly for a good thirty seconds, successfully making her nervous as she sweatdrops before he speaks. "You said you will help me, but I never saw you until now. Is the deal nothing at all?"

"It's not like that!" (Name) immediately exclaims as she panics. "I just have some errands to do, y'know? Damn, you and Rayne are somehow similar..." she mumbles, earning a glare from the latter.

"How come you know him, (name)?" Sophina asks, curious. The crimson cane smiles, but before she can reply, the headmaster beats her to it. "She was the one who recommended him to enroll in Easton," he reveals, shocking the visionaries.

Kaldo puts his hand under his chin as he smirks amusedly. "Now this is rare," he mutters. "Why would you do that, (name)?"

"Helping an unmarked person enrolling in a magic academy is an offense, (name). I'm sure you know it very well," Orter comments, his eyes narrowing at her as he adjusts his glasses. "You know you can be taken to the government because of that, right?"

(Name) just smiles at him as the headmaster takes off his hat and bows. Sophina immediately panics, "Mr. Wahlberg, please don't bow!" She exclaims.

"It is true that he can't use magic. But he has a kind heart that might sway this world to change into something better." Wahlberg mutters. "That is what I like about him." He then glances at (name) as he nods his gratitude at her. "You brought someone who has the potential to change the world to me, just like I asked you to. Good job, (name)."

(Name) smiles and returns the nod as she bends her head slightly. "I was just doing my task." She murmurs.

Orter stares at the headmaster silently before parting his lips. "I respect your opinion, but-" he cuts himself off when Rayne gets to Wahlberg's side and gets on a knee. "I'm asking you as well. I agree with the headmaster's opinion."

He spares a glance at the crimson cane who raises an eyebrow at him before he lowers his head. "(Name) did a great job on choosing Mash Burnedead. He has proven that he's worthy."

Sophina hums, "You're quite right about that, but the public won't accept this." She reminds them about the possible consequences.

Now, it is (name)'s turn to get on her knee. "Then I beg you to wait," she lowers her head. "Let Mash compete to become a divine visionary. If he fails to get to that place, then you can take him."

Mash stares at her, frowning slightly as she decides his future without his consent.

However, (name) is not done yet. "You can take him and sentence him to death," she murmurs before taking a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she continues. "But you need to take me with him too."

Gasps and more shocked noises fill the room as (name) keeps her eyes closed.

"(Name)! Do you know what you are saying right now?!" Sophina narrows her eyes in disbelief. "Why would you put your life on the line?!"

"Keeping an unmarked person is an offense, so I need to be taken to the government." (Name) raises her head to look at the desert cane, whose eyes are staring widely at her. "That's the law, am I right, Orter?"

Orter purses his lips as he breaks the eye contact. Kaldo furrows his eyebrows as he speaks. "But you're a divine visionary, (name). Your absence will be a great loss to us." He points out.

(Name) closes her eyes once again as she stands up. "I'm well aware," she says curtly. "I'm not suicidal or anything, really, I promise you." She assures.

"But I can't bear living in a world that takes innocent lives just because God is being unfair and doesn't give them his gift. I just can't," She shakes her head. "I'd rather die than let another innocent life be taken. If Mash is to be sentenced to death, then so I am."

She then turns to the headmaster who stares at her, frowning. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wahlberg, but this is my last straw. I can't bear it anymore," She smiles softly at him before averting her gaze at Mash.

"I hope you won't mind that, Mash." She offers him a cheerful grin. Mash stays silent for a moment before shaking his head. "I guess. At least I'm not dying alone," he shrugs.

(Name) blinks her eyes at the unexpected answer before a hearty laugh escapes her lips. "I know you're interesting after all," she grins.

After Mash leaves, the divine visionaries also make their way to their own business. (Name) is about to go until Rayne tugs her sleeve gently, earning her attention.

She looks at him questioningly as he glances away. "..Make sure you don't regret your decision." -is all he said before leaving.

(Name) blinks as she smiles softly. "I know he cares after all." She chuckles before immediately rushes out. Her eyes wander around, searching for a certain brunette.

The rule breaker finally finds the rule obsessed who is on his way to who-knows-where. A smile brightens up her face as she catches up to him.

"Orter!" The called man glances back, not stopping his walk but slows down his steps until the crimson cane catches up to his pace. "What is it?" He asks, sighing.

(Name) grins as she takes out a book from her coat. "Have you read this one yet?" She asks, handing him the said book, which he takes. He adjusts his glasses as he reads the title out loud.

"Upon the Tainted Sorrow..." he murmurs before shaking his head. "No, I haven't." He replies, his eyes averting at her.

"Figured. This book is quite rare, you know?" (Name) exclaims with a smile as Orter raises an eyebrow, silently asking her for an answer. "This is the last book written by the author before he died. It was published long ago, I think even before I was born to the world." She says amusedly as she flips the book open to the first page, where the author's name is written.

Orter hums, "I guess I can believe you. I haven't heard of this author yet," (name) gasps, offended. "Are you saying that you don't trust me?!" She pouts.

"Maybe."

"Meanie!" She huffs, crossing her arms to her chest.

Orter reads the synopsis of the book. (Name) watches as his eyebrows lift slightly, signing that he's interested in the book. She smiles, that is what she loves about this man.

Orter Madl is lacking in expressions, but the small details on his face catch her eyes. She just loves those small expressions that even Sophina sometimes fails to notice.

"I guess I'll borrow this book," Orter mutters as he averts his gaze on her, silently asking for approval. (Name) grins and nods her head. "Of course," she replies.

The desert cane nods his head, expressing his thanks before taking his leave. (Name) waves her hand at him until he is no longer in sight before she lets out a sigh.

"Damn, this man can always drop me on my knees."