---

“A dragon, you say?” Alicia perked up. “Hmm, I'm actually not sure if I could use my ability on such a creature. I have to decline then.”

“Unless…” she continued with a smirk. “Unless you allow me to test my ability on you, dragon boy.”

Their conversation was soon interrupted however by some guy just rudely walking over to Nidgardt and declaring his interest on joining the tournament.

She knew who the guy was. Aegus Reister. A big braggart and perhaps the most annoying person at the academy. Apparently, he was very rich and he just kept flaunting that fact.

She knew the truth however. She had cursed him once and although the love effect didn't seem to be that effective, it was enough for her to discover the “agreement” he had with his parents (from a letter in his bag of all places). It was enough for her to discard him immediately. They only lasted for a day.

He was just the kind of guy she would hate. So, as a parting gift, she gave him bad luck for a week.

Nidgardt accepted him unfortunately, which made her want to join in the team even less.

Then, an outrageous thing happened. An explosion occurred inside the classroom. Thankfully, the epicenter was near the doorway so the effect was minor to her. It only moved her chair and desk slightly, making her hair flutter. Her skirt's hem was also blown up, exposing even more of her black panties. This time however it was really unintentional, and the girl herself didn't notice, especially as she was captivated with what happened next.

Well, that's certainly an interesting sight to behold — she thought to herself. So two people were somehow fused into one body. Such a curse is certainly beyond my capability.

And at least the boy stays positive, even though little Sasha failed to lift the curse.

She wasn't the only one impressed in the room however. Nidgardt immediately stated his interest in the holy magic Sasha had and the double soul problem the boy had.

He probably is going to try to recruit them too, knowing his thought process so far.

The explosion attracted yet another person to enter the classroom, asking what just happened and if anyone was hurt.

“We're fine,” she answered. “Please leave us. We're in the middle of a meeting.” She gave him a smile.

---

---

The Dragon-looking boy thought over Aegus' proposition while nodding, and presumably figuring out how to address a man of such stature - before accepting his offer. And of course the Rustics would accept his involvement in their recreations! They had little choice! If they truly wished to shove their opponents into the dirt, they required someone of class. Someone who didn't just swing their weapon, or magic, or...claw...wildly around the battlefield and hope to strike a winning blow.

The other boy stood up, his extra height over Aegus easily emphasized. Hfft...the meek still do not realize to stoop in the presence of their betters, he scoffed inwardly, but of little toil I suppose...perhaps I can teach them proper etiquette while they are cheering me on during this tournament..

"You'll be the first member of the team then."

"Only naturally.." Aegus said as he looked at the raised hand with an unpleasant look, reminiscent of how a wolf raises its lips to reveal its teeth and deliver a snarl.

How dare he even suggest...Gah. The lack of manner is almost unbearable.. he thought, feeling a little queasy at the thought of shaking Nidgardt's hand.

However - Aegus' attention soon turned elsewhere before he could decline the hand. Close by, another savior was granting a gift. Though...it seemed this gift would be transferred through physical contact, not the likes that Aegus would allow himself to commit. The voluptuous girl he had seen as he had been eavesdropping seemed to be using her powers on this other person, who had entered the room shortly before the Equip-user.

Soon enough though, after the girl's action, ghostly chains soon surrounded the shy lower-person..

BOOF!

A lusty, thunderous noise boomed as the chains blew apart, sending nearby classroom objects across the room. Books, flyers, papers - one of which flew straight into Aegus' face, who was standing quite close by - all sent tumbling through the air by the sudden release of power. The short boy's long white hair was blasted out of place as well, now looking quite unruly as he reached up to peel the parchment from his face and throw it away.

The dust was cleared - and the first thing the boy noticed was one of the spectral chains was uncomfortably close to his face - as he hadn't moved backwards even a step. His hand slowly rose up from below, forming around the ominous glowing chain, though without touching it. Then he looked past it.

"Oh..?" It had seemed...the one person become...two? "Peculiar.." he pondered aloud.

But suddenly, during the other student's bouts of joy, the chains rattled and pulled handsomely away from Aegus, reforming closer to their charge, then emitting a bright flash.

And then only one was left..

...I must admit...even if they are peasants...some of their powers are oddities of which I am intrigued by.. Aegus conceded to himself.

His thought was interrupted by another student rushing from the hall, asking if they were all okay.

"Of course I--" he started to say, but someone else beat him to it.

“We're fine,” they said. “please leave us. We're in the middle of a meeting.”

Aegus looked to the speaker. It was a girl he had met recently after he had arrived to this school - Alicia. He was never quite sure why he had hung out with her, but people did call her a Witch on a daily basis. Perhaps her looks had distracted him from her lower-caste level long enough for her to plant him with a spell? In any case, it was of little significance. They hadn't hung out for long. Merely a day.

Now she was to him as most other students were - a simple boor.

Ivan had spent many months trying to get a grasp on the new state of the world. It seemed that both magic and science had advanced significantly in his absence giving birth to a wonder called magitech. Ivan found it hard to believe the devices that people use every day were nothing but fantasies where he came from. He couldn't fathom how a "smartphone" worked and given he couldn't even use the touchscreen, gave up quickly on learning. The culture had also changed greatly around him. Things like equality and civil rights had multiple major movements and the caste system, although still present, was widely looked down upon. This gave Ivan much to think about when addressing others. On his first day, he made the very unfortunate mistake of questing a women's place in an establishment of higher learning. He also tried to vanquish a demon believing the school was being invaded. He was looked at very unfavorably for these blunders and the guidance counselor gave him a crash course in modern cultural norms to try to prevent any future incidents. Ivan ultimately chose to hold his tongue when around others until he had a better understanding of what qualified as normal in this era. He is constantly frustrated by what he doesn't understand but wishes to rectify this as soon as possible. He cannot be rid of his curse if he can't work with people after all.

Today was different though. He hadn't been familiar with the words at first, but he had come to understand that a witch attended Zarkov Academy. This confused Ivan greatly having been taught that witches were evil beings who sell their souls for dark powers. Though he had to admit he thought the same about demons. He still needed to meet her though and find out for himself. If good witches truly did exist then perhaps there was a greater chance of being freed from his curse. However, if she proved to be as vile as the witches of old. He would not show mercy. He brought his crimson hoe to the academy today. He had been asked not to carry it around, but it was a special occasion. He needed to know for sure if his quarry was a witch and especially if she was related to the witch who cursed him.

After poking around for information he eventually got a name and a classroom. Alicia was reported to be just getting out of a World History class. As Ivan sought out the class he was drawn to the sound of an explosion ahead of him. In the distance, near the class he had been looking for, he saw a flash of light followed by a loud boom. A strong air current blew down the hall ruffling Ivan's jacket. He saw a light in the distance now, but as soon as it had appeared, it vanished with another quieter clap. It was too far for Ivan to make out the details, but he could see a small boy wearing blue and a girl wearing some kind of ornate black and white ensemble standing in the hall where the light had appeared. As he made his way to the scene an agile man, who's greatest defining trait was the color brown, bolted past him. Ivan slowly stomped up behind the brown man and heard the response to his question.

“We're fine,” he heard a woman's voice say. “Please leave us. We're in the middle of a meeting.”

It seemed he was interrupting something. His hoe was not vibrating, meaning his witch wasn't near. He became frustrated having missed his target but decided that asking if anyone had seen her wouldn't hurt.

Ivan gazed into the room and saw a young girl in a rather revealing dress sitting in front of a familiar Demon, or Dragon. Ivan had trouble understanding the specifics, but it was hard to forget the man he threatened to banish back to hell. Ivan was starting to believe that he should perhaps move on deal with the witch later. However, the other man standing next to the Demon caught his attention. He was a bit slow to catch the latest news, but he had heard many rumors about a nobleman roaming the school. The majority of the rumors were not pleasant, but few tended to respect the old ways. He decided it would be for the best if he posed his question and moved on before he was recognized.

"Excuse me. Zo any you know Alicia? Vas told devushka named Alicia be here. Important business vit her."

---

Sometimes, even the simplest of quests had unexpected turns. Such one of them had propelled Sasha in an awkward reaction, just as she was inches away from snatching another victory to the name of the Yenin. The force was mighty, for mighty was the curse, and she felt it in her flesh as she bounced off the wall, the curse making it so her posture was a postrated ridicule, the object of mockery that was her generous backside fully exposed as if a monument of defeat standing stall, her very pristine face hitting the ground.

Yet, for all small blessings, the accursed victim did not resent her failure, instead picking up the pace up to once again make the maiden crusader rise.

"...mdmdmfng...Tiramisu..." She, however, needed a few more second to get her bearings, her ears only hearing snippets of conversation around her. And then, like a revelation, the world came to be once more. More people were arriving. Commoners did love commotion, didn't they? Gossiping hens, the lot of them.

She raised her arms, prying the eager peasant's grip from her shoulders, with a firm gesture. "I do not heed the words of wicked ones, Nidfart. " She stung back, dedicating only a glance to the couple. Instead, her eyes fixated in the ever changing pupils of Kato." This curse is no small task. I shall need additional supplies. You, commoner." She added, her finger inches away from his face." In the name of the Yenin, I command, bring me forth Tiramisu from The Little Italian. Do so with haste, for your curse needs to be lifted, and my manservant Yuri is nowhere to be seen." The noble girl ordered the cursed couple of siblings, a stern expression on her face as she literally ordered him to fetch one of the most expensive dishes in Yekaterina.

It was when she eyed Aegus, with a glance, her face showing evident distaste before ignoring him. Such newly arrived upstarts to the noble families. Better not to talk to him, lest she caught something.

The new man, however, seemed a bit lost, and had a very bad case of dry skin. "Seek her not, commoner. For she deals in curses and absolutely raunchy black loincloth." She indicated with her stare towards Alicia, before shaking her head in disapproval, before returning to stare back to Kato.

Her belly also requested the tiramisu, too. Insistently.

"Wait, really?" Kato's head snapped around to look at Nigardt. Maybe the scary lizard man wasn't so bad after all! Books and their covers and all that. With the progress, however temporary, they'd just made, maybe they were finally onto something. Kakra was so excited that the newcomers who burst onto the scene faded totally into the background. Except, wait, was that one made of st-

"Huh, Little Italian?" Sasha's demands brought them back to reality. "I've, uh, never heard of that..."

"Kato, help!"

"I know where it is..." Kato tended to pay more attention to their surroundings, being the one who actually interacted with them most of the time.

"Oh good! Er, can we afford it?"

". . ."

"Kato?"

"Not remotely..."

"Shit."

"Uh... ummm... that's actually a bit pricey for us, err-" Kato swallowed hard.

"What's tiramisu!?"

"Basically cake."

"I-I think they cafeteria got some pudding recently. Umm, could I get you some of that?" They were sweating hard at this point.

Nidgardt

Alicia had appearantly lost interest on the offer of meeting his father however, since she was intending on using her ability on such a being. What ability would that be? He began to ponder, then hearing Alicia continue talking. She wished to test this ability on him? What kind of ability would that be though? He figured it was best to just ask her.

"Unless? What is this ability of yours?" He asked, knowing fully well that it was surely something not overly good. But at the same time, there was very little that could likely prevent her from using it anyways. She had the rumor of being a witch after all. How would he or anyone else be able to tell the difference, unless her powers bore a visual effect to them it would be impossible. The young demondragon guarded his mind.

I must be on my guard. She could potentially cause much harm with her ability. Not mainly to me, but to the school and also the others in it. Nidgardt looked around at the mess which had moments ago detonated in the room, some of the objects had flung at him and bounced off his thick skin, it wasn't overly uncommon however. And the school janitor had the power to mend any structural damage if needing to, given enough time.

Repairing wounds to students or teachers were more tricky, but not impossible. The school nurse had great mending powers and so did several of the teachers, and even some students. It also appeared that Aegus was indeed interested in becoming the first member of the group, this pleased the demondragon. To most Aegus may have appeared to just be a big jerk or a powerful combatant, and even both. But to Nidgardt he saw a work in process, one which he wanted to start working on as soon as possible.

Then came the guy whom had in the past said he would banish him to the hell. Nidgardt had at the time discarded it as just prejudice, it was to be expected. He wasn't expecting people to accept someone of his blood easily or at all. Such would take time. The demondragon was patient, he had to be. Otherwise he would prove to them that he was the monster they were claiming him to be. That's why his powerful urges had to be contained, and common sense and diplomacy would be favored.

Even his father had told him that he needed restraint, to not lose himself in his gifts. His father's interest was just to make him stronger, but also be in control. He cared little about things such as friendship or politics. His father was after all a dragon, with very few enemies and those whom were his enemies he held a strong rivalry with and did not forget. Nidgardt don't know just how old his father were, but suffice to say that he was old enough to be included in children's books about monsters.

Several times knights on steeds had set out to fight against his father, most of them had been able to return. But badly beaten and having the spirit taken out of them to never try it again. Nidgardt did however ponder on the possibility of his father actually having eaten one or two of them aswell. But he never saw any reason to ask his father, as he would have likely not remembered such a thing anyways. As it was of little concern or worth to memorize for something of such a magnificent stature as himself.

The demondragon got out of his thoughts and spoke out to Alicia, loud enough to let Ivan hear. "It would appear you have some more buisness your way." Nidgardt could also hear Sasha talking back to him, saying she wouldn't heed words of wicked ones. Aswell as attempting to ridicule the name his father had bestowed upon him.

The demondragon caught unto some of her words nontheless. Raunchy black loincloth? Nidgardt thought to himself and looked over to Alicia.

---

“Hmm? You want to know what my ability is?” Alicia said with a smirk. “Now that's something you only ask a lady after you know her better. You don't ask a girl you just met her chest size or her panty color, do you?”

Of course, she had no intention of telling him what her ability was or how it functioned. You would be foolish to tell any stranger you met of such an important fact, especially when your ability, like hers, relied a lot of the opponent not seeing it coming.

“But I do promise this. I would dispel its effect immediately when I knew that it was effective. And the other ladies and gentlemen in this room could be the witness to that,” she glanced to the others.

"It would appear you have some more business your way."

“Hmm?”

Alicia looked at the newcomer who just mentioned her name. From his accent, he seemed to be of Russian descent.

“That would be me. I am Alicia,” she said with a smile. “What business might you have with the Witch?”

She then noticed Sasha's new pose after she had fallen over from the explosion.

White with a teddy bear. Cute.

She always had a fondness of looking at girl's panties, simply out of curiosity. It was easy to do with her ability. A little bad luck and skirts would flip. From the wind, from the person falling over, etc, etc.

Really quite childish though. From all the panties I have seen, only three other girls wore that pattern.

Sasha then rose up, before demanding tiramisu and warning the Russian not to seek her out.

“Oh?” Alicia spoke with Sasha with a smirk. “You seem to be really interested in my 'black loincloth’. If you want, I could lend you a pair. Though perhaps they wouldn't fit your generous… asset as they were custom made to fit my measurements perfectly.”

It was true. Her every clothing was tailor made. It was a luxury she allowed herself to have, even with the financial situation her family currently had.

As Ivan posed his question he couldn't help but overhear Sasha mention the word curse. She spoke with authority and demanded supplies she needed for the cure. He didn't know the item, but it sounded like she wanted something called 'terror soup'. He did not know what 'terror soup' was or how it could help cure a curse, but he could tell the boy seemed troubled by the request. As he pondered this Alicia spoke up.

“That would be me. I am Alicia,” she had said with a smile. “What business might you have with the Witch?”

Ivan was confused by this proclamation. He glanced at his hoe, then back at Alicia. There was no reaction. He checked again, but still, no vibration could be felt. Sasha spoke next advising him against speaking with Alicia and proclaiming that she cursed people and something about black loin clothes. This caused Ivan's eyes to furrow.

He looked at Sasha and while pointing at Alicia and said in a matter of fact tone, "She no witch. I know dis. Know not vhy she claim to be monstr, but if she vere I'd know " He then narrowed his eyes at Nidgadt, "Maybe she vants make rumor reality. I know not." He then turns to Kato, "I her you need supplies for curse. Know not vat vexes you, but vhere I from, ve help a comrade." Ivan then reaches into his coat and produces a solid gold coin. He holds it out to Ivan and says "I hope dis enough for 'terror soup'. I know vat curse be like. I live vith every day."

---

---

Aegus looked down at his watch after turning his eyes away from the witch. Ugh. I've spent far too long in the presence of these people. I wouldn't want to start smelling like them...I should take my leave. he worried.

But before he did so, he thought to himself, Ah, well...actually. I should allow the commoners at-least a way to contact me, since I'm not sure exactly when this tournament is...

He begrudgingly drew a fancy pen from his chest pocket and, grabbing a scrap piece of paper that hadn't blown away, scribbled a few digits on the sheet and folded it simply. He then held it out to Nidgardt between his index and thumb, as if the two touching the same object would sicken him - literally.

As the DragonDemon took the slip of paper, Aegus released it and turn towards the door, only to see another student blocking the entrance.

...

He seemed to be searching for a witch - but Aegus didn't much care for the commonfolk's conversations, usually. He provided the two in the doorway a wide girth, before slipping past.

Before he left however, he saw the newest arrival - the one with skin made of stone, from the looks of it - draw out a gold coin. It looked genuine.

I will have to remember that...perhaps his cover does not match his contents. Aegus pondered. ..or he's another commoner and it's more fake wealth.. thought his more pessimistic self.

The shorter student then continued his way out into the hall, making his was to some unknown classroom while trying seemingly very hard to not let anybody touch him on the way there.

---

Sasha stood there for a bit, pondering the back and forth of her newly acquired manservant. It was then when the she-witch decided to open her sultry mouth and give one last jab at it. She could only give her barbs, so that was all she did. "I am -not- fat. My body is the result of knightly training, she-witch!" She quipped back, ignoring Ivan's remark of her not being a witch. Witch, sultry women. They all were the same!

Her gaze then travelled to the gold coin the newcomer had deposited as tithe, and then Aegus remarks. While donations to the cause were usually welcome, the presence of that idiotic entitle noble sparked a shard of dignity upon Sasha, her teeth gritted while her hand firmly pushed Ivan and his coin away. "I will not take any tithe from anyone who can barely dress themselves. Fine then, If not Tiramisu, this pudding shall serve in its stead. For I am merciful, and I shall lift your curse regardless. Commoner's pudding is intriguing too." She eyed Kato, as she began to walk towards the cafeteria.

"Besides, I tire of the company." She added grumbling, grabbing Kato by the hand and attempting to drag him with her.

Kato's eyes practically bugged out at the sight of the coin. With trembling fingers he began to reach out to take it, only for Sasha to push it away. One could practically see Kato's expression shatter like glass, looking almost like he might cry. He flailed feebly as he was then dragged away.

Finally, with the coin's mesmerizing presence gone, Kakra inside Kato snapped back to reality.

"Watch it! And stop with the commoner crap!" But as he spoke, trying to pull free, his legs wobbled and he clutched at his head. The golden color faded from his eyes, back to their normal blue. "Ugh..." Kakra had far and away pushed the limits of possession, leaving Kato feeling completely exhausted. "Um, uh, s-sorry... my sister is... uh... impatient. It's been a long time..." Kato tried his best to apologize, not wanting to squander their best chance yet.

With that, he resigned to being dragged to the cafeteria. There was a small problem. The grumpy old lunch-lady/janitor was mopping the floor.

"Mopping floor. Get out."

"Um, I uh, just need to... if you don't mind... be real quick..." Kato mumbled, inching along the far wall, "...don't mind me..." babbling the whole way until he made it to the counter, grabbed two pudding cups, dropped the needed money on the counter and quickly led Sasha outside to some weathered, wooden tables. All the while, the lunch lady glared at him with pure, burning death in her eyes.

Finally, he took a seat, set down the pudding, and laid his head on the table, half trying to hide his face and half just trying to stay awake.

Why couldn't anything be easy? This country, this school, this curse, this girl... and now a lunch lady who would probably poison his next meal. Well, the only way was forward, right?

The plan was simple. Alyona was finally going to leave this cursed country once and for all.

She had been stonewalled by a few factors: Lack of passport, her stolen paintings needing to wait before any fence would buy them, and her youthful appearance making people skeptical of any business offers. But she had taken the time and finally ran into a deal worth taking. Trading the priceless historical paintings for a one-way trip to an airfield outside of the city, where an unmarked jet would take her to Rhea. From there, she could re-debut herself. It was worth dealing with very sketchy types. Probably some kind of mafia connection. Not anything she needed to worry about, since they seemed to speak the language of money well enough.

The paintings were a good bargaining chip. She managed to convince the 'businessmen' to take her in a private helicopter as well, flying low so she could look at the countryside one last time before leaving it forever. "Finally, I can travel like the royalty I am." She kicked up her heels, resting against the closed door of the rental helicopter and looking at the buildings beneath her.

In that moment, the pilot sneezed, and biting his tongue painfully, jerked the controls on the helicopter. As the helicopter rocked with the sudden movement, the door latch briefly opened... And Alyona's body, which was leaning against it, pushed it wide open.

Alyona knew that she was the reason for this all. Her aura of terrible luck permeated anything she tried to do. But at the same time, she didn't expect things to go THIS poorly. As she saw the roof of a building coming fast towards her, she reacted as quickly as she could, spearing the roof with her lances. She used them to soften her fall, at least a little. It still hurt, but it wasn't deadly, at least. Using the spears like a gymnastics bar, she used them to swoop away from a direct fall into a less painful tumble.

That tumble, however, lead right off the eaves of the roof, into an outside lunch area. Landing flat on her back, she cracked the wooden table below her. "Oww..." She didn't want to move, for fear of revealing a somewhat familiar sensation of broken bones.

She realized that she was intruding on some people's lunch. Or specifically, her foot was intruding on one pudding cup, and her head had slammed down on another, both of which were mercilessly crushed. She was now face to face with someone she hadn't expected to see ever again. Looking upside down, she recognized the chubby face of her twin sister, Sasha. She could hear a gasp from the other end of the table, where her legs were.

"Oh great... It's you." She groaned.

Nidgardt

The demondragon stretched himself abit, making his stature slightly more imposing, despite it not being his intention. His eyes under the visor followed Alicia's every move carefully. She seems to take a particular interest in physical aspects and her undergarments.

"I don't have to ask in your particular case. I can see that quite clearly. Black and size B. B minus." Nidgardt stated as a matter of fact, as if he could have been talking about something as mundane as the weather or the vastness of the universe. But the demondragon did not want to think more of her assets or choice of attire. For doing so could tempt the darker side of him to push forth, and such would not benefit anyone.

Thus the task at hand was more important. At any means necessary have Alicia join. At that moment Aegus had walked forth and handed him a piece of paper. The demondragon had ofcourse taken it and on it stood the contact information to Aegus. Nidgardt offered Aegus a slight nod. "That will do."

"There is nothing that is preventing you from using your ability if I say no. If you think it can affect me, why don't you try it?" He said in a firm manner towards Alicia, not the gloating or overly arrogant kind. But that of someone whom was prepared to deal with whatever manner of hell that might come their way kind. He was not to underestimate his allies and enemies, but at the same time take into consideration of his own powers. A tricky thing to balance on but he would do his outmost to do it.

Nidgardt then set his eyes over to Ivan briefly. Hm. The Transmuter is here too. The second years have surely learnt more from the past year, perhaps I should give them a second glance. He reached his oversized clawed hand to his neck, stretching out a clawed finger to his chin, making it clear as day that he is thinking.

There's also The Rat King. He was one of the few former first year students which did not avoid him like the plague. But then again, rats are known to be bearers of various plagues so that might be the reason.

Hmm. Perhaps he is willing to join this years tournament after the last years participants failed to hold up to what they promised. Fighting each other for minor things.

The demondragon sighed softly and shook his head as Sasha left the room, dragging Kato with her.

I have alot of work ahead of me. But then again. So do all of us.

Alexei didn't mind being dismissed out of hand by the witch in the room. He was short even for his age, and was used to being rebuked by cadets that only respected seniority, rank, and the ability to look you in the eye. Besides, as standing back and observing revealed, no one had been seriously injured in the explosion of energy. The two principle agents, the grey haired boy and the chuffty blond girl only a little taller than he was, seemed fine. She got up, and the two left together after refusing the rather generous donation of gold from the tall boy.

There was something familiar about that girl that he just couldn't place at the moment. Intrigued, Alexei reached into his coat, pulled out a small black notebook, and flipped it open. It was always a good idea to have proper intelligence, and as the various first years at this school would be both his classmates and rivals, he had done as much research as possible for someone on a short timeframe working only from a list of names. It wasn't a lot, to be fair, which is why it was so notable that he recognized this first year.

He flipped through the fresh pages, mostly blank save for names and the scant details he'd managed to learn, until he came upon one that was noticeably more full. A name, a description, notable family, and most importantly a hand drawn sketch taken from a picture he'd found in a newspaper.

Sasha Yenina. A member of a VIP family, the sort of family war heroes were given the honor of guarding as a semi-retirement. He raised an eyebrow and watched her as she retreated down the hallway. That was the person that had been at the center of that blast?

He flipped to a blank page and quickly sketched out the face of the boy she was with. Possible terrorist? he wrote under the sketch, underlining it twice.

Still, that was a theory for another day. He still had some duties he'd volunteered for out on the athletics field.

It didn't take long for something else unusual to happen, however. As he made his way out toward the fields he heard the faint sound of a helicopter. That was already strange, but it was loud. Loud and getting closer. He glanced up just in time to see a low flying helicopter scrape the roof of the outdoor eating area and start to pitch towards the earth.

Acting quickly, he reached down into himself and dragged something he kept under lock and key deep in his heart. There was a crackling, sparking sound as rainbow energy began to splash out chaotically from his hand. There was a flash as the energy shot out and buried itself in the out of control helicopter, which was already a good sign. But his heart fell as there was no visible change in the helicopter, for better or worse. All he could do was sprint back into a nearby doorway as it hurtled to the earth. Alexei took cover as the blades tore themselves apart as they impacted the earth and the body slammed into the ground with a crunch.

He tensed up, waited for it to explode.

It did not.

Miracles.

After being sure that there was no chance of danger he ran forward to try and help the pilot out.

(Result 5719: Target is invisible to undead, who are also invisible to it. So nothing undead can see any part of that helicopter. Disappointing first draw.)

---

---

"Oh?"

Alicia was surprised by Ivan's insistence that she was not actually a witch. Technically, that was true. The moniker was only something others chose for her and one she embraced wholeheartedly. It's quite fun, pretend playing to be a witch.

Aegus made one last insulting comment before leaving. Ah, an obnoxious person as always.

Sasha protested against her comment before leaving as well, dragging the twin soul kid with her. Too bad. I still want to have some more fun with her.

And finally, it was back to the talk with dragonboy.

"You know, that could count as sexual harassment," Alicia replied with a smirk at his comment about her cup size and panty color. "I have to ask though. How did you guess my breast size that accurately? Boys shouldn't know about such measurements... unless they're perverts, of course," she added with emphasis.

"Very well," Alicia replied to his offer on testing her power on him. "This would sting a little bit. Tiana, do it to him."

Her cat, who had been sleeping on her desk, suddenly leaped at Nidgardt and scratched him. It then returned to Alicia, bringing the trace of blood to her. She then opened her grimoire, which also had been on her desk, put the blood there, before writing, 'Nidgardt shall slip and fall over in the next five minutes.'. Of course, she hid her writing from the person himself.

Now let's see if my curse could work on a demon dragon hybrid.

The mighty rat king slumbered in this mid day, having had forgotten to set his alarm in the morning in his secret abode which was a dumpster on school property as whenever they attempted to throw trash into it, Gregor simply fed it to his rat swarms to keep his secret lair clean and tidy. Gregor was surrounded by a large number of scavenged pillows, creating a nice little hovel for him to curl up in. However, today was a day of reckoning for Gregor as he was awoken not by the subtle tones of his alarm, but a thunderous crash, as metal and glass bent and shattered. The form of a helicopter slammed against the dumpster after having crashed, sending the dumpster tumbling over a few times into the distance before it came to a stop, turned completely over.

Gregor was now very awake, and very angry as he saw his worldly possessions strewn about in a messy heap on top of him. He began to scramble, attempting to stand as his tail smacked a radio he had scavenged, and music from a cd he had within boomed out at full volume, only increased by the closed space for Gregor. It was as if the voice emanating from the box was the thunderous shouts of an angry deity directed at him.

"And in their hour of need, he sent forth unto them...
THE BERSERKER RAGE!
Now, gods of men, they rose up from the ground, screaming like wild animals.
Such is the gift of absolute power.
No blade or weapon could harm them; they killed man and horses alike!"

Pairing this with the rude awakening and the physical pain Gregor was in, Gregor felt a well of fury overflow from within. However, despite all his rage Gregor was still a rat in a cage....

As Alexei waited to make sure there was no more danger afoot, he would be able to see a dumpster flying towards the helicopter, something having thrown it as a roar could be heard by those within the food court. "Who in der right mind crashed a feeking coppah into mai fookin house, you absolute madmen?! I will demolish yew bloody space invaders, come get some prime rat rib ye mongoloids!" A scottish inflected voice screams into the air. Gregor could be seen standing surrounded by smashed electronics, clothing, and a few now ruined stuffed animals. "I will shiet down your torn open throats! No one tries to kill me and gets to just walk away from et!" Gregor declares as he picks up a jacket and slung it over his shoulders like a cape and began to walk towards the wreckage, following the dumpster.

Alexei was nearly to the chopper when he head something whooshing through the air. He looked up to catch sight of a whole dumpster hurtling towards him. He skirted to a halt and dived in the opposite direction as it slammed thunderously off the side of the chopper and into the dirt.

He rolled to his feet and saw some sort of animal man walking towards him, babbling in some strange bestial tongue. He brought up his dukes. " Sir, you are interfering with a rescue operation and, by you lack of uniform and sub-standard cleanliness, trespassing on school property. Desist or I will be forced to restrain you."

Thing seemed out of control, as though some omen of ill-fortune had passed over this peaceful day. The man didn't stop coming, and Alexei knew he couldn't help an injured man and fight this guy at once. It would be too slow.

Luckily he had just the thing to speed to proceedings along! Both his hand flared to life with cracking rainbow light. He kept one pointed at his attacker, and the other he swung once again to face the chopper.

"Deploying Wild Magic Dvah!"

The light streaked out of the hand pointed at his attacker, flying true and burying into him in a shower of magical light. It was a lot of flash for no apparent effect. It didn't even hurt.

(Effect 4233: Anyone slain by the target fossilizes instantly.)

The light on his other hand didn't even fly off. It just exploded in his hand like an overcooked grenade, sending out a dome shaped blast of rainbow energy crackling over the entire area.

(Effect 8191: 1 random mammal in the vicinity gains INT 19 and Speech. I'll leave what up to you, Tiny, to at least keep this random from my POV.)

He looked down at his hands in disappointment, then back up at the angry, much bigger than him, wild man. Then he turned and beat a tactical retreat around the side of the chopper to try and give himself some time to think up a real plan.

---

Sasha was merciful and generous, so much she even disregarded the nonsense of the cursed youth. Commoner crap? She had not seen any dung in the corridor, much to her confusion. Eagerly, she awaited for the pudding to be served as she entered the cafeteria, despite the insolent glares of the staff room. Yuri... the lunch-lady was not. She was just a crusty old hag who grumbled upon being bestowed the honour of serving a Yenin. The world was taking a turn for the insane.

But that pudding looked fairly fluffy and delicious, as she prevented herself from salivating in a very un-ladylike manner... The spoon travelled slowly, savouring the moment.

Chaos and confusion rained on top of her and her host, the pudding replaced by a face she had not seen in a while. The spoon continued its travel, hitting the soft cheek of Alyonna. That was not pudding. "Aly??" She added, poking a couple of times in disbelief upon seeing the sprawled figure of her twin sister.

Alyonna was here.

The pudding was gone.

There was an helicopter crash and a dumpster flying.

The pudding was gone.

Gone.

Wasted.

Righteous wrath bubbled inside the holy warrior maiden, as she let the spoon rest on the table, her fist tightening upon seeing the injustice and crime that was happening. Food and desserts were the daily blessings of the gods, and her otherwise lovely twin sister had prevented Sasha's hunger to be sated. And she had wasted the pudding. She opened her hand, full of anger and indignation (and the ever present pout), magical power manifesting.

"HOW DARE YOU WASTE MY PUDDING, ALY!"

The rage of a thousand suns coalesced in the palm of Sasha, burning its target with the force of a starved firefly. Or a low-light lamp which could cause you a little flash blindness if you kept staring at it. The Holy Maiden then remembered and cursed under her breath. Both Alyonna and her powers cancelled eachother out. She waved her arms frantically.

"Damnit! Move away from me so I can properly smite you!"

Alyona covered shielded her eyes from her twin's low-intensity light. "Of COURSE you care more about food than you do seeing me!" Alyona tried to scramble to her feet, but her foot being slick with pudding caused her to stumble. "And maybe you can consider this as some kind of message?! Haven't you had enough sweets for a lifetime?" Just staying near Sasha was giving her a headache just from remembering all of her childhood frustrations. Or maybe the headache was from falling out of a helicopter.

Either way, Alyona was glad she didn't have to start dodging bolts from Sasha. Maybe she'd keep a close proximity until she felt like she could make a break for it.

She eventually settled for just sitting up normally rather than slipping around on the table, which was when she came face-to-face with Kato. She narrowed her eyes as she adjusted her skirt. "Hey. You didn't look, did you." The sentence was technically a question, but its delivery was more akin to a command. Alyona hoped that he could figure out the right answer from the way she said things, but she could also just take out her frustrations on this kid if he answered wrong. It was a win-win.

It was now only him and Alicia left in the room, the rest had taken their leave. Some appearantly also were dragged off. Alicia asked how he could possibly know her measurements, to that the demondragon answered calmly. "Hm? Geometry."

He said in a half-truth sort of manner. It came naturally to him, he was part demon after all. Being able to answer truthfully but not entail everything into it. The young man had kept his stare from under his visor at the cat which had now lunged up and scratched his non-draconic formed hand. His skin was thick, so there was only a minor amount of blood.

"That's all then?" He asked questioningly before readying himself to leave, whatever ability she was doing had appearantly not worked. Though perhaps it was an effect which would take place later, he had to be ready, he tensed his body and stood up and turned around to walk and slipped on his strap that was attached to his bag, next to the desk by him.

He fell forwards, and a crackling sound was heard as something broke. Wooden by the sound of it, a desk fell over as his head collided with it, his visor getting cracked and difficult to see with. He felt his knees touch the floor, aswell as his oversized draconic arm preventing him from falling face-first into the floor. He breathed out deeply, with his eyes closed, he could feel the floor with his large claw but his other hand was not, he had managed to land on something soft. First he tried to move his legs, starting with his right. What? It was stuck as if something was holding unto it. He pressed it forwards abit but when he did he noticed he couldn't move it in that direction.

The demondragon tried to look but his visor had taken a big hit in the middle, obscuring his vision up close. It was an old pair of visors, he had to get something alot sturdier. Instinctively he grasped with his other hand to figure out exactly where he was. He felt a slight bump, he poked it with a finger. How did his bag end up way over here.

If only he could see. Oh that's right, he had the key to his visors in the bag. He generally kept it there to not lose it while fighting. His visor was always to be kept on him, so he had to do precautions to keep it there. He reached forwards abit and slid his hand down in what he thought was the outer pocket of the bag, that's where his key was, he searched around for it but didn't find what he was looking for, only finding something he didn't recall being in his bag before. Some weird button. He gave it a press but it didn't open anything. Oddly enough the bag was warm and alot smoother than he seemed to recall, even with the siden pockets. It was very smooth. Almost as if it was skin. He withdrew his hand and tried to figure out what to do next.

That's when he realized what had happened, he had fallen on Alicia. He felt a slight relief at knowing where he was, but now he had to figure out what to do next. He had to fix the situation, and knew just the way to do it. "B minus... Are you allright? I must have slipped."