[IC] A World of Progressive Magic: The Magical Peace Corps

[Doctor Wizard]

Danny, a student finally decided to take action he moved forward then noticed someone sitting and wondered if he was dead seeing lots of blood. He looked around, almost immediately shot a lighting bolt at a man with a glowing hand eyeing him down. Danny suddenly appeared in front of a downed man, and he was starting to look paranoid and a little nervous mainly because now he saw he was very much alive unsure what to do now, he carefully walked over to the man. Luckily for Danny nobody had come after him, he knelt down and asked the man how is he doing with an unemotional face, in a hushed voice.

" I'm not doing well, I don't know if i'm going to make "

Danny noticed his bullet wounds in his shoulder so he took him to a safer area and started to tend to the wound
( Sorry for any confusion its glitching up )

[Renny]

Nao and himself was left shocked, bewildered. Before their very eyes, Alexandria had vanished, popped out of existence. Nao wasted no time in finishing off the two zombies that were left behind, a blow to the head and thrust that pierced the others throat had ended them. Myriad on the other hand was frantic in his search, his militant boots carrying through the barren land. "Alex!" he yelled, suddenly tripping over onto his face.

He pushed himself up onto his forearms, blood trickling down cyan-hair, dying it a dark purple. The ground felt damp itself, moist with a mystic type of plasma, some residual scent of iron plugged his nose. Turning around, he caught the sight of a dismembered arm, partial sticking out for the bloody stump. His lids narrowed before he kicked it away and raised back to his feet. I need to find, Alexandria.

"Alexandria! where are you?!" he called out again, his own face straining with his pleas. She had vanished to only god knew where. Nao soon joined his search the both of them searching for Alex, their teacher, and their comrades.

[Letter Bee]

First up, the Prisoners. Jonathan, it seemed, used the other, slightly more uncomfortable variant of Suppression Cuffs, rather than the more expensive, harder to craft models made with All Nine Schools of Magic. The boy decided to take it as a sign of the man's thrift, another one of his hidden (sometimes too well hidden) virtues. In the meantime, the remaining MPC vanguard members, breathing sighs of relief that the fighting was now over, were healing the captives, preparing to send them to the Baler Police.*

Ascot smiled at Jonathan's words; yeah, he shouldn't feel so down. True, the enemy now knew who he was, as well as how he can be manipulated, as well as held weapons that, in the right circumstances, can kill him, if that was what they wanted. But, the boy had also accomplished his main obejctive, to help clear the market so that it can be repaired. He watched as Danny tended to the wounded man; the new recruit was a kind person, a boy scout indeed. Perhaps there was hope for the MPC after Africa, he supposed. He sighed; the MPC was intended to be his and Amelia's happy endings, a soft posting where they can do good and help people, and it was that, for a while. Then came the ArcU War.

The boy had PTSD from three sources - the first was the lead-up to the Rider War, where...bad things happened to him, the second was the Rider War itself, and finally, the ArcU War in Africa, where the Magical MegaCorp sought to use the Congo's Demesnes and Shadowlands to try and take over the world, forcing a coalition of several countries to unite and take them down, leading to a brutal war in which ArcU had slaugthered many Regular Peace Corps members for Human Sacrifice. Gyah, Ascot still remembered those times, still hurt inside from - no, he was not going to stew in angst, rather, he was going to deal with his PTSD the best way that he can, through throwing himself in work and helping others.

So, with his adeptness in Energy, the boy projected a hardlight hologram detailing the Baler Public Market's architecture, which was different from its 21st Century incarnation in several respects, the first one being size - it was much larger than the market before. He then used a spell of Postcognition - not a misspelling! - to show what happened in the past. As Baler's remaining police came to scoop up the terrorists, some of them came to watch what Ascot was doing, which was showing where the explosions first began, as well as what caused said explosions in the first place. Basically, someone had used incendiaries - ones made from ordinary, non-magical materials, in order to blow up the east and west portions of the Market...

Then Ascot noticed Myriad and Nao still looking for Alexandria; who had begun to wake up, and was now looking around the battle site, surprised at being alive. When the young woman saw the two at the far side of the market, she began running towards them, yelling:

"Myriad, Nao! I'm all right! Although I'm going to have nightmares for a while, I think," she said a little jokingly, trying to shrug off her experience. Ascot, while multi-tasking, approached the young woman, while at the same time keeping up his spell. He then spoke:

"Make sure to report to the therapist afterwards; being bitten by a zombie, even though you survived, is always a harrowing experience. Sorry to sound overprotective, but, well, PTSD is PTSD." Before anyone can ask just how a kid like him knew about PTSD aside from books, Ascot was now away.

"Okay, guys," he spoke loudly, mildly amplifying his voice with Energy, "Fight's over; we're going to hand the terrorists over to the Baler Police so that we can finally do what we Magical Peace Corps members are supposed to do - build things!" he spoke with enthusiasm. "We're going to split into two teams - one clears away the rubble and corpses, the other helps put up a new building." And with that, Ascot stomped on the ground, and an entire concrete column reconstituted itself. At the same time, more MPC members were arriving at the scene, with minature construction and fabrication machines in tow. Now was the time to turn metaphorical swords into metaphorical plowshares, at least temporarily. Now was the time to rebuild.

*This is an edit.

[Letter Bee]

((Accidental Double Post))

[Aqutanama]

As stated before Jonathan loved doing this kind of work. It kept his mind and body busy. He continued to look for survivors and clearing areas once done. He worked almost like a machine and more people joined in as he did. His hands began to bleed from not wearing gloves, from things sticking into him. He had sweat for a few hours now and the day seemed to be getting hotter. He walked over to the watering truck and drank down what seemed like gallons. He let out a sigh of relief as he leaned on the vehicle and only then did he notice the people looking at him. Earlier he had taken off his coat and over shirt. Some would call him strong and well-toned. Although he was nowhere as strong as others he has seen. Not without the help of his blood magic. He used it in ways that made others guess as to his superhuman characteristics. He has never revealed that he could use blood magic to anyone that is still alive.
He could see that Ascot was using magic to materialize and/or reconstitute matter.

“Hey that’s cheating. Work up a sweat kid.” He joked as he walked up and slapped a sweaty hand on Ascot’s back. He seemed more cheery after doing this kind of work which was scary to some. He gathered his things and the Glyph came and allowed him to shower. His ship was almost like a house. Once done he put on some jeans and a cotton shirt. His long hair fell down his back getting the shirt wet. He left most of his things on the ship, although he kept his Katana and his guns with him. He had two different guns as well as the tranquilizer on him. He also had gotten new socks and a cross between hiker shoes and tennis shoes, they were a brown mixture in color. He also had a bag slung over his shoulder as he moved about handing out Gatorade like drinks.

“Don’t think this is a charity you all are working really hard and these are just a small token of your hard work.” Jonathan encouraged everyone helping with the rebuilding process.

“Also don’t overwork yourselves. Working yourselves into stiff hard muscles and cramps the next day isn’t worth it.” He said probably from his own personal experiences. He made his way over to the group that had come with him, most were together.

“So how are you liking this?” he asked as he looked them all over. What was strange is the fact that he wasn’t acting like an asshole but as someone who really cares. He smiled and his eyes almost gleamed with a sparkle of true happiness.

[Renny]

The sun inside of him had lit up, shinning over his metaphorical soul as he noticed Alexandria in the distance. She called out to them, hurrying over to greet them. Myriad's slow steps hastened for a moment, before he was quickly overtaken by Nao's sprint. It was a odd feeling to watch a friend running to embrace a girl that he was unsure of. My heart is yearning for her... for some reason.

Myriad watched Nao swirl Alexandria around before giving Ascot a crude thanks. "I thought you were a goner for a moment there, Alex. I'm sooooo happy that you aren't dead. I don't know what I would had done."

He found his hand raking through his hair at the proctors question, the situation somehow becoming awkward for him. He turned from them and walked away to help out with the rebuilding. Someone had to get things done, from behind him, he heard Nao answer. "Its was a piece o' cake. The undead allowed me to vent some really dark parts of me, " He chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his dark hair. "Alex here is good with a bow, I never would had thought. Oh yea, I wanna thank you for saving us back there, we would had been toast if not for you. "

Alexandria chuckled half-heartily, her eyes focusing on Myraid's back as he walked away, the nape of his neck moist from his effort earlier. "Yea... I guess."

[Letter Bee]

((Collab Post between Letter Bee and Lucek))

Flashback

It took all Nine Sages to defeat the Riders, but now, said Nine Sages were scattered, reduced to nothing more than rumors. While they have not given up their powers, many have lost interest in the affairs of humanity, or gone to Outer Space to serve as a vanguard for the expansion of the human race. A few, such as Balthazar 'Thaz' Carlton, had risen to high positions; Thaz was the new head of the Agency.

And Thaz had warned him of a new threat, a threat rising from the Immortals, once the leaders in the fight against the Communists who had ruled China up to the Coming of Magic*, now the black ops of a secret war to take back territories deemed to be the birthright of the new Chinese Democratic Republic...or so people had thought.

"The truth is more complex than that," Thaz had spoken. "We have recieved grave news from the President of the CDR itself: The Immortals have gone rogue, and taken several of the country's assets with them. They are now independent of China, and now work for a mysterious goal, one that revovles around you, Ascot." No longer was Thaz calling him a brat; she had grown beyond that, Ascot thought.

And so, the boy had begun preparations for the coming battle. In the period of time before the Alfred Nobel began its voyage, the boy had gone through the meditation rooms, supposedly to meditate. In fact, however, he was going to do more than that; he was going to travel to the Spirit World bodily, so that he can talk to someone who could help him, one of the few Sages that had left a line for him to call on.

He was going to call upon Omega.

Opening his Spirit Portal, Ascot stepped through, finding himself in a wild world of, well, spirits. Then, he spoke:

"My name is Ascot Harper, and I ask for parley!"

Nothingness… a deep slumber… Omega slept… recuperated… gathered his strength as he knew he’d be called… He trusted a person with this task… a dear friend he fought with… one he opened his mind to… Something stirred inside him, his consciousness slowly waking, his body coming to life. The time he spent in the realm of souls or shadows cannot be measured in mortal numbers. It might have been only a few seconds or minutes… or centuries… The time of the realm of man was detached from this one, unsynchronized. Omega didn’t care for that… the call… he must heed the call…

“I am Omega and I answer the call…” His last thoughts, before he faded into nothing once more.

The room Ascot was in would grow darker, the light shrieking as if running from something or, if one looked closely, being devoured by the shadows. The room grew dark, but there were no traces of magic. Though as fast as the light vanished it reappeared just the same, as if nothing happened. Ascot would feel a familiar presence and scent behind him. Omega would sit there, in a large, comfortable armchair gently stroking the fur of his familiars. A slight smile on his face. One could see that the man wore his usual attire, however the mask that usually hid his face was moved to his chest, though it looked just right there, as if it was there from time immemorial, there was no hood on this coat but if one looked closely, it seemed alive somehow, small ripples appearing and moving through the fabric.

“Hello… my friend…” His voice quiet and slightly strained, as if unused for decades.

"Omega - Lucius!" Ascot then ran up to the man and hugged him, rare tears of joy streaming from his eyes. As he embraced his fellow Sage, Ascot let out his inner pain, his inner trauma, venting all the suffering he had gone through, and witnessed. Here was someone he had opened himself to, one who had opened his own feelings to Ascot, and, of course, one who had played with both him and Amelia in the rare periods of peace during the Rider War.

"I missed you..." Ascot said fondly, still the crybaby.

“Still.. so overly… emotional…” Omega gave a light chuckle, his voice sounding better, as if just being close to Ascot healed him. “I’m glad to.. see you too…” He took a deep breath and petted the boy’s head gently while his other arm wrapped around Ascot’s back in a slight hug. Omega smiled fondly, but he knew that if he was called it wasn’t for fun and games… or was it.. it would be good if it was. “How is everyone?” His voice now as it was before, full of energy, though there was a slight bit of magic as he spoke. Something he couldn’t control it seemed. “I gather there is a reason you called me.” He continued smiling at Ascot. Happy he can see his friend again.

Ascot smiled too, before his face turned slightly grim, but mostly calm.

"Amelia and I are all right, but she spends most of her time in the Alfred Nobel consoling lost souls, and, well, there's a slight seperation between us. However, I think that said seperation will end soon; it's pretty minor. The other Sages, they're scattered across the world, doing their own thing. Joshua and Amaya, meanwhile, are together, wandering the world - although of course, I could be wrong. As for Uncle..." Heinz Harper, the Sage of Fate and the former head of The Agency, and also the one who had caused Ascot so much pain before repenting of it. "Uncle's fine; trying to atone for what he's done the best way he knows how." The boy then turned towards Omega, and finally got to the meat of the matter:

"And, there's a new threat coming. Thaz warned me of it, and my Timespace abilities, as well as a message from Uncle, filled me in more. Apparently, the Immortals, the Chinese Equivalent to the Agency, has turned Rogue. This is bad, because, well, there are indications that they have a plot, a plot comparable with Vladimir and the Riders'. Since the other Sages are scattered, you're one of the few I can turn to."

Omega was glad that everyone was doing more or less all right. However if there was a threat similar in magnitude as Vladimir… Lucius leaned back in his chair… “Well I’d have preferred to be called in less dire circumstances… but I need to get back on my feet. I slept too long… way too long.” He got up slowly, as he did his two familiars jumped to his shoulders and stuck there, though they were roughly the size of really young animals, way smaller than their regular size. The chair he sat on also vanished, as if assimilating into his coat. “What’s the plan?” He smiled at Ascot.

"Well, you can literally hide in my shadow..." Ascot only half-joked. "Right now, though, that might be for the best; the Magical Peace Corps would probably not want the presence of a former assassin. There, you can watch, and wait, while at the same time, act as a brake on me whenever I prove reckless. Not merely that, but you can counsel me whenever...certain experiences prove too painful for myself to tackle alone."

“Well that is doable, still don’t expect me to just sit there and do nothing if stuff happens. I can just move through shadows if there is a need for it. Still you might be right, though they don’t have to know what I did for a living.” He chuckled and slowly sank into Ascot’s shadow, after he was done Ascot could feel him there but no one else would. ”Your shadow is roomy.” The boy would hear inside of his head.”No worries about detection technically I’m in another plane of existence, just connected to you through your shadow. Also only you can hear me, after all I’m using our connection as a line and the shadow as the medium. Though I can hear and see everything around you and more. I have a few more tricks but I’ll leave them for later.” A chuckle and the familiar presence was all that was left before the silence.

Ascot smiled, and then, his happy mood continuing, went back through the portal to the real world...

*Originally, the fall of Communist China was supposed to have occured earlier, but, well, I decided not to provoke controversy.

End of Flashback

[Aqutanama]

Jonathan could hear Nao as he walked away. The dark parts of him were suppressed with the poison of the Orichalcum within him. Sadly it was mostly sweat out of him earlier when he was really helping out. Now he looked around making sure the people that were working were getting enough hydration. Dehydration was a better killer than him and he had watched good people die from it. He made his way back to the ‘children’ He called them. Even though most were just babes compared to him, even Ascot. True they had raw power but they lacked the experience to wield it wisely. At least that is what he thought about the new recruits. Ascot was just too emotionally hindered, his weakness some would call it. But Jonathan viewed this as one of the only reasons he stuck around in the MPC.
“How are you all holding up?” He asked the group as he handed out water… lots of water.

[Renny]

Myraid glistened with trails of sweat as he overworked himself, his own way of tossing aside the emotions that slowly corroded his heart. He didn't like to feel jealous or even slightly phased by romantic emotions. It was often the cause of self-sacrificing and he'd hate to die for someone after attempting so much to ensure his own survival. Salty sweat dripped from his brow and irritated his eye, he immediately wiped it away with the back of his hand.

Dammit, He cursed to himself. I hate this feeling, this longing.

As the others begun to work as well, Myriad took his bottle from the proctor and smiled, wistfully. "Thanks, teach. I really needed this," He told him, his suit humid and damp from his obvious overexertion. Taking in a deep breath, he downed a good portion of the bottle before placing it to the ground. "Good, I think. The fight brought back some dreary memories."

[Letter Bee]

GM Post

"I'm all right," was Ascot's answer to Jonathan's question. He knew what the man thought of him, and, well, part of it was true. While Ascot was a good fighter, his emotional and psychological blocks, well, those were something he held on to, for fear that his great power would corrupt him otherwise. He was certain of this, that his emotional and psychological blocks were what prevented him from being corrupted...

After the group repaired most of the Public Market, clearing away the bodies, Ascot used further Law-Based enchantments - this time, in cooperation with other Law Magic users - to suppress the Shadowland further, so that its transformation back to a Desmene would not be interrupted. Even with magic and technology, the repairs took most of the day, meaning that, in the end, Ascot and the others, now tired, had to go back to the Alfred Nobel.

The next day, the group went to the beach...in order to clean up trash and the like that tourists left; it built character. Then, once they've cleaned up the beach, they changed to swim clothes and, well, had fun. It was to be noticed, though, that even when playing in the water, Ascot made sure to keep his shirt on, which was unusual behavior, as well as impractical.

After that, the group stayed in Baler City for a week, helping people, having fun, buying souvenirs, and, of course, helping people more by doing what, in a videogame, would be termed 'sidequests'. They repaired cars and buildings, they drove out mischevious Nature and City Spirits, they grew trees, and they helped people cross the streets. Of course, a few, mostly older people, resented them as busybodies, but they did no more than grumble.

Either way, new orders came from on high, saying that the group, should now move on; the Alfred Nobel is staying in Baler, but the team themselves were going, by truck, to Aurora Province proper, in order to help in refeorestation projects. Basically, their mission had shifted from 'being bait for terrorists' and 'repairing the mess-ups that occur', to generic 'create new forests'.

A bit boring, but necessary, because the Philippines was a nation known for losing most of its forest cover in the 20th and early 21st centuries, to the point where only 7% of its forests remained standing. While programs before the Coming of Magic had helped remedy this, the Philippine Government felt that more needed to be done. So, when the group arrived at their destination, Ascot brought out the contents of the truck...

...Instant Seeds and Seedlings. The Instant Seeds were for those who wanted to grow trees quickly, the Seedlings were for those who wanted to do things 'the old-fashioned way', as well as to avert mistakes that came with growing trees too quickly, such as growing them in the wrong place, which would result in having to cut them down, something no MPC member wanted.

"Gods," spoke Leslie, one of the MPC members, "finally, no fighting, just planting trees in peace." Ibrahim, her companion, smiled happily as he began designating planting areas for the Instant Seeds and Seedlings. His mathematical mind complimented Leslie's caring nature (of course, said caring nature went unexpressed due to her disagreements with the direction that the MPC was going).

"That might not be the case," replied Ibrahim. "Sorry to rain on your parade, but, well, there are rumors that the Yakuza have been spotted as far as this place. And, you know what happenes when our leader catches whiff of Organized Crime." Ibrahim was already forming...suspicions about Ascot and his past, suspcions that Leslie was forming too, and the woman responded:

"That boy, he was formerly a child soldier for...someone, I'm sure of it. You can see it in his eyes, his body language, and his training. I'm saying this where people could hear, because, well, what's the worst they can do? Kill us?" Leslie's face then turned sad, her caring nature actually asserting itself for once. "The kid should be in therapy; he needs help." And with that, the two went off to plant trees.

Ascot, meanwhile, was sad that he had to leave Amelia behind on the Alfred Nobel to talk to literal ghosts, but, that was also a necessary part of the job. He was also sad about...other things, and it showed on his face for a brief second, before he went to work, Jonathan, Myriad and Co, Hibiscus and Danny with him. A ragtag, unorthodox bunch of misfits, they all were, and it showed.

[Aqutanama]

Jonathan picked up a few of the sickly looking saplings and took them into a big area. He pretty much took an entire truckload with him. He placed a few special seeds in specific areas of a very large location. He was somewhat saddened that his magic had returned but he would use all the powers he had. He slowly let out a breath as his body relaxed, his eyes closed. “First create a circle in your mind.” He almost chanted out loud. “Second fill the circle with Mana.” He listed off as if recreating a memory long past. “Third visualize your objective.” He said as his eyes popped open and the ground began to move. He summoned the worms from the ground and they began to grow and tear up the ground. Moles did the same thing creating an outer layer of holes, between the areas he wanted.

The holes would help irrigate the water within this area making the trees healthy. Soon after he placed the saplings in each area. He needed water, lots of water. He looked around for a mage to assist him with the elements. Also he didn’t really feel as if he should do all this alone. Jonathan spotted Ascot in the distance and walked over to him. “Hey Kid wanna give me a hand?” He asked Ascot with a smile.

[Letter Bee]

((Collab Post between Aqutanama, Letter Bee, and Lucek - NOT a GM Post!))

Flashback One, Six Months Ago: Japan

Sometimes, Magitech broke down, causing unprecedented delays even in the World of Progressive Magic. This was what happened to the Alfred Nobel, once en route to the Philippines, but now having to make an emergency stopover in Japan, one of the centres of Magitech. There, the ship was going to be refitted and given further improvements, causing a delay.

Ascot intended to make use of said delay as best as he can. He had heard of a strange tradesman in Tokyo, a Westerner who had adopted Japanese Culture, and had ties to both the Samurai and a mysterious, emergent organization, the Twilight Fade. What was the Twilight Fade, one would ask? The Fade was a group of merchants and craftsmen who straddled the black market, but had dreams of becoming 'legitimate', and had some of the best Magitech makers in the world.

The boy was now in Akihabara, one of the world's magitech capitals, with an escort of two older MPC members, chasing down rumors of this tradesman, one...Jonathan, was it? Of course, he was not being so reckless as to ask straight for him, but rather, his questions were directed towards the kind of technology that the man seemed to specialize in, virtual reality and such.

He was now in a shop, respectfully chatting up the person who ran it, pretending to be a person who had been given a large amount of money by his parents as a birthday gift (okay, that part was true, today was his birthday, Jan. 1st, and his parents did give him money although he didn't really need it), and was searching for a VR system (now that part was not). And, yes, Ascot knew Japanese.

An Explosion in the distance, Building aflame. He was holding a package as he fell from the building. He was wrapping something to, a parachute of some kind, it became apparent when he deployed it away from the fire and falling debris. The parachute opened and he held on for his life. He made it about fifty feet from the ground and slipped. As he fell he twisted his body and used some kind of magic to sprout a vine. His hand gripped the vine and he twisted around it slowing his decent. Strangely enough the vine didn’t break the ground but grew on top of it.

Once he landed he dismissed the plant and gathered the package. He was quick to take the parachute off of the box and run away from the building. He walked into the back of the shops entrance and could hear people talking.

Ascot's face instantly became alert when he heard the sound of the explosion - terrorist acts in Japan now, or just corporate espionage? Nevertheless, the boy used magic to appear on two different locations at once (Timespace, Life, Mentalism), in order to see what happened - phew, it seemed as though the explosion was contained. At the same time, however, his original self was still at the shop's entance, assessing the new man.

The shopowner, meanwhile, spoke:

"Ah, Jonathan-san! You've finally arrived!" This instantly alerted Ascot, who was taking note of the burn marks on the person's clothing, as well as the fact that a few strands were still flaming - it would have been funny, if not for the grim-faced nature of the person. So, after a dozen shops and two dozen wild rumors, the two have finally met. With a thought, the boy dispelled his 'other self', the one close to the explosion.

“Brother, I thought I told you to stop calling me San its strange to hear.” He said as he looked around the room, only then did he realize he was on fire. He quickly pat the flames and walked through the room, eyes like a hawk on the new people.

“Besides we have customers.” He noted as he walked in the back.

"So, do deliveries usually end up like this all the time?" The boy said, using a very large vocabulary, and an adult-like tone, one that was so deep-rooted as to seem natural. There was a...presence to him and his body language, as well as, well, a slight discomfort with social interactions. It was clear that this was a child that didn't have much time with other children, and had been kept around adults for a long time, perhaps to his detirement.

“Yes we have customers looking for the things you’re working on.” Shikino the shop keeper informed Jonathan.

“Well, that sounds pretty damn convenient.” He assumed they were here for him.

“Who do you work for? People don’t walk around with goons and speak like you do, unless something happened that linked them to someone… An organization perhaps?” He theorized.

“Ma nuke! You Dumbass! Just sell them something!” Shikino scolded Jonathan who visibly ducked as if expecting to be hit.

"Sorry, Sorry." He apologized as he pulled out some things. A few devices that looked like something that someone would use for VR.
He began showing them off after setting aside the box.

Ascot looked as though he were shown a box of candy, examining one of the helmets and assesing its weight, comfortability, and how it easily covered one's eyes without putting weight on the nose - there was plenty of time to examine the more practical aspects of the device.

“These are basic and somewhat old models. Well, they are the newest in the market but I have been refining the process of shrinking the internal chips. That process is a bit of a secret.” He said as he glanced over to the box.

"It's all right," spoke Ascot, while the two MPC members shot both him and Jonathan a dark look, perhaps as a result of them being called goons and Ascot allowing that impression to form. "Anyway, I'm searching for an educational program, something that helps people learn better, as well as stimulates various real-world situations with astonishing realism, while at the same time having safeguards against, well, the possibility that a person might die in real life as a result of dying in the game world."

This was all too close a shave for him, he felt off and felt as if he could see a flickering coming from within the child’s shadow. Something dark but he shrugged it off knowing that everyone carried around darkness.

“You know an offal lot about my work. Whoever sent you must know me. Do you have a name? I could probably offer a discount.” He lied but it wasn’t obvious.

“As for your friends you can tell them to stop looking at me like they want a piece. Else I will remove them and they won’t like how.” He warned them, eyes looking like that of death.

"All right, all right," replied the boy, "but you started it by calling them 'goons', anyway. Also, my name's Ascot Harper - Magical Peace Corps troop leader. We're with the ship that just docked here some days ago. And, well, yeah, we've been seeking you." He then placed his hands behind his head casually. "Happy to meet you, Jonathan - I mean it." The child then gave a big smile.

"And, before you start asking, we really are with the MPC," the boy then pulled out a badge from his pocket, a badge made from the same unknown Magical Material that most credits were made from, with the image of the Phoenix, rising from the ashes.

He grunted as he listened to the boy, Ascot.

“Shikino could you go into the other room?” He asked his brother, who bowed and then entered said other room.

“Am I to assume you’re here to arrest me for my past?” He asked thinking about that building he just blew up.

Ascot sighed.

"On the one hand, you're a mass muderer," the two MPC members, a man and a woman, glared at Jonathan at that. "On the other hand, arresting you would be a waste of time, effort, and finally, talent. That, and the MPC isn't in the business of arresting people - The Agency and Interpol are the ones who do that. There's also the fact that a lot of the people you eliminated were...inconvinient for US Interests."

"Anyway, point is, you've been tried remotely, and, well, you've been sentenced to...community service, community service being helping us rebuild the US' prime ally in the Far East and helping block the resurgence of the Chinese Democratic Republic. I, well, had to have my uncle and his successor pull a lot of strings to do that, but, well..." He smiled again, "I wanted to give you a second chance, personally."

"Oh, gods," spoke the MPC woman, "this was not what I signed for when I joined the Corps. Dang ArcU." ArcU was widely blamed for the 'militarization' of both the Regular and the Magical Peace Corps, as well as various other 'humanitarian' organizations, due to their widespread targeting of said humanitarian orgs to conduct human sacrifices and vile experiments with. Some people remarked that this showed that human nature sucked, sucks, and always sucks, even with hunger, want, and disease being eradicated. Nevertheless, the MPC was still Technically Pacifistic, and that was all that mattered.

"You don't believe in second chances, Leslie?" Ascot questioned.

"I don't believe in twisting the law," the woman responded back. "Gods, if not for the fact that you still believe in not killing, I would have ditched you long ago."

“Yes, I’m sure that we all have killed in rage.” He said looking around the room. “But as you stated I have more experience in it.” Once again he looked at the two glaring at him. His hand began to twitch as he gently rested it on his hip. It was as if he was resting it on top of a sword hilt but there wasn’t one. After hearing about the US and other areas he started laughing, a long winded laugh. He started laughing even louder and harder when the woman spoke.

“Worry not I don’t kill for no reason and it takes a lot for me to strike a woman.” He said smiling at her.

“The US is dead to me, why do you think I came to Japan?” He asked looking at everyone.

“I’m not going to even try to regain their trust. Although I would be willing to join someone if the pay was enough. We have been trying to make an organization that supplies everyone around the world. But only have a few locations around the world.” He said looking at the box.

“This was something that was going to be made into a weapon by some old “Evil” Organization.” He said patting the box. “We will use it to make something great, not a weapon.” He smiled as he looked around the room. The tension from him was gone and replaced with a strange feeling. The feeling like you wanted to trust and like this guy, it was strange considering what he had said earlier.

Ascot winced a bit at Jonathan's remark about the US, but then smiled, again.

"Considering that you're rich already, your defention of 'enough pay' might be different from mine," the adult vocabulary was falling from the boy's lips as though it was natural. "Nevertheless, GuttierezCorp, the main funder of the MPC, is willing to pay a million credits for your services, as well as, of course, the Alfred Nobel's Magitech Workshops. And, of course," he joked, "you'll have my company, and who doesn't want that?"

"Gods, Ascot," spoke Leslie, "you're much better off in the military - you have the charisma for it and the lack of scruples." The man with her didn't reply; he was being stoic.

Jonathan enhanced his legs with blood magic and moved in front of the stoic man, in a blur. “Is this one going to be around as well?” He asked pointing to the man with his thumb.

“Because he is so lively, I would love a pet like him. I actually had a pet rock once.” He joked as he looked back at the stoic man. Jonathan used his life magic to keep his Blood magic in check. Then and only then would a small amount of his power be revealed.

The Stoic man rolled his eyes, and finally spoke, in a weary tone:

"Look, are you going to be with us, or not? I don't have Ascot's charisma, or Leslie's, well, sense of morality, so I just listen. A lot. I'm just here for the sights and sounds of Akihabara. Oh, and my name is Ibrahim. Ibrahim Khan." Ibrahim Khan was someone who joined after the ArcU War in Africa, and so held no illusions or nostalgia about and for what the MPC had become now. That, and, well, the fact was that his life had been saved by the MPC in his youth in Bangladesh, and he still had a scintilla of gratitude for that.

“Khan? I think I will make you my underling. You said one million?” He questioned Ascot as he walked over to the boy. “As long as you are my little brother.” He joked with a smile, he knew that with the funds from MPC he could get Twilight Fade into action. He held his hand out to Ascot, to Jonathan this was their contract.

Ascot grasped his hand with his usual smile, and spoke two words:

"Thank You."

End of Flashback

[Lucek]

((Collab Post between Letter Bee as Ascot, Lucek as Omega, and Aqutanama as Jonathan))

Flashback Two

Mysterious happenings were, well, happening on-board the Alfred Nobel. Broken Magitech was suddenly repaired without it being taken to the workshops, Magical Materials were missing without any authorization from the quartermaster, and even broken screens and holographic projectors were suddenly being repaired. Some suspected a poltergiest, and thus Amelia, but, well, Amelia was often asleep when it was time to ask.

That, and the ship was warded against Ghosts, anyway. Same for most spirits.

Even then the residents of the ship could sometime overhear hushed whispers from corridors with malfunctioning systems. “..so busy… so busy..” or “..so much to do…” were ones that they could make out albeit rarely. However the eerie moving shadows would sometimes make them have shivers, though most of those were believed to be tricks of light rather than something on the ship. This didn’t change the fact that some areas were repaired faster than others, especially those rarely gone to, whereas those often frequented to took more time. It’s as if the one or ones repairing it preferred not to be seen by others. Either that or there were areas which were prioritized.

Jonathan hadn’t been able to sleep for many nights now. His paranoia was in overdrive as to who the culprits were. Although fixing things within the ship didn’t really hurt, it was strange to him that it would be happening after he arrived on the ship. At first he thought that maybe it had been him who had fixed the broken magitech but after a few months of this… He began to wonder if he was losing his mind. Then again he had been on the brink of oblivion before, perhaps this would push him into the vortex. His usually clean, brushed hair was a mess and somewhat sticky. He didn’t really know what was going on with his hair but it looked like a giant spider web. He ran his hand through his hair and it stuck to the other strands making it look as if he had been wearing a helmet. His eyes were bloodshot and wide, he looked somewhat insane.

Ascot, meanwhile, knew exactly who was repairing the ship and various Magitech pieces, but didn't pay it any mind, and in fact was glad for the repairs, until he noticed that Jonathan had been losing sleep over who was doing the fixing. So, he thought, he'd better ask the man to meet in a private place, so that, well, he can introduce him to the secret member of their misfit team.

Once the boy 'conicidentally' ran into Jonathan, he spoke:

"Unable to sleep? Sorry about that; perhaps some work at the Magitech Workshop would soothe your nerves?" The boy, meanwhile, sent a telepathic message:

I have a secret to tell you; something big, in fact. Let's just say that it's partly my fault you're losing sleep, and, well, I'm sorry."

Jonathan jumped as his back was to Ascot. Slowly his head creaked as he looked at the young man. His eyes were a sight to see, the bags under his eyes were very dark. His skin was almost pale and very slimy looking. A small somewhat crooked smile crossed his face as he touched the young boy. As if he had been seeing things that made him think he was insane. His mind had wandered into the worst possible things to think about. Next would have been intense hallucinations. His eyebrow rose slightly as he thought that perhaps he was hallucinating. But he nodded after Ascot asked for them to go to the shop. It was all in Jonathan’s mind and if Ascot were a phantasm he would find out there.

Ascot led Jonathan into the Magitech Workshop, a place filled with strange-looking tools and equipment that he was hard-pressed to name or even describe without magic. Once he had checked, through both magical and mundane means, that there was no one listening or setting electronic bugs so that they can listen, the boy then spoke:

"Before we started our trip, I recruited another person, one with a darker past than you have, but, strangely, with a more innocent heart. He is a master of Magitech, like you, but he's also experienced in the ways of Death as well as Fate. Omega," the boy spoke gently, "You can come out of my shadow now."

The shadows stirred slightly at Ascot’s words as if reacting to them. The room got a bit darker, but it was mostly around the boy’s feet. His shadow expanded behind him and is seemed a shape started slowly rising out of it. Though it lasted only a few seconds what appeared couldn't be called a man as it was… a cat. The little animal looked at both of those present and meowed happily. It walked past them right behind Jonathan. If they turned around they’d see the little one jumping up onto Omega’s lap to cuddle up with its counterpart, the fox that was already there. The man just sat there as if he was there all the time. However he couldn’t have as they’d see him, same as the chair he was on. Like before he wore his robe, with his mask on his chest, his hood down as he looked at the two before him, lightly petting the two animals. At his belt the pale light of his magic cloaking device indicated it was on, hiding his magic from being sensed as he used it. “You called?” He asked quietly, slightly smiling.

“And here I thought I was going even more insane.” Jonathan said as if everything was now explained and fine. He used his life magic to reduce the physical effects on his body from being sleep deprived. “I had been using all of my attention to try and figure out what was happening.” He clarified with a somewhat sleepy voice. He rubbed his eyes removing a few layers of unsightly eye goop that had formed.

“Hello.” He said mildly as he held out his hand to the shadow apparition. At this moment in time he was far too tired to be even a little mad. He just wanted to sleep.

"Sorry about this deception, but, well, Omega's presence would be more controversial than even yours, sadly," spoke Ascot. "Anyway, you two are guys I'd like to be friends, or at least, allies. Think you can manage that?" Ascot smiled.

Omega shook Jonathan’s hand and shook it briefly. “Sorry for making you loose sleep, I just can’t leave things alone, better they work than not.” He smiled, then went back to the two little ones on his lap. “Well I think there will be no problem since he knows that I exist.” He chuckled lightly. ”Though how this relationship goes only time will tell.” He moved his attention from Ascot to Jonathan. “Also if you need anything from me just call me, all shadows are connected and I am told when I am called.”

After finding out that there wasn’t any danger around his body went limp. As if the weeks or months that this strange occurrence had kept him awake the entire time. He fell forward landing onto Omega, rather roughly. All that could be heard from him was the slow breathing, his eyes closed. As the darkness took him over, deep sleep finally took him.

As Jonathan started falling towards Omega, the latter wasn’t alarmed nor did he seem to move, after all the fall of the former was stopped by many shadowy tendrils, holding the former up. “He really was tired. Let’s let him rest.” He whispered as he moved Jonathan onto the bed pulling a blanket over him after doing so. “If you need me call me.” Were his words before he just faded away, returning to the shadows. ”More explanations can wait till he’s rested and wants to talk.” After that he said nothing more.

End of Flashback.

[Letter Bee]

GM Post

"Of course!" spoke Ascot; he can only create as much water as his own body weight, but, well, he hoped that would be enough. He smiled at Jonathan; despite his dark past and darker deeds, the man was well on his way to redemption. Not merely that, but he, by mixing Matter and Energy, can bring up water from underground in order to further nourish the plants Jonathan was tending; of course, he was going to make sure that he didn't bring up too much water; he didn't want to drown the young trees. Leslie, meanwhile, sighed; at times like these, Ascot seemed almost like an 'Orthodox' MPC member, which, she mused, the boy did want to be; while he was a good fighter who liked fighting, something she didn't share...

...He was still someone who worked very hard to help people.

[Aqutanama]

Jonathan smiled as Ascot almost eagerly began to help. With the water it would allow him to help the saplings roots establish themselves within the earth. “Focus” He said out loud as he imagined the plants roots growing and submerging into the ground. It only took a little while for them to start to move. After a few moments they pulled themselves into the ground. He let out a sigh as they finished and settled. The worms and moles returned to their original size and went about their own business. He took out more seeds and planted them around the area. He focused on them allowing them to grow. Small little plants began to grow. These plants would ward the area against the moles. They sent out a smell into the soil that repelled the moles. He smiled as the roots began to absorb more of the water that Ascot summoned. The water would carry nutrients from the soil into the roots.

“Good job.” He said as he patted Ascot on the shoulder. He noticed the boy looked troubled.

“Something wrong?” He asked as he picked up a rock and began to fiddle with it. Jonathan looked really uncomfortable and it showed. He was use to Ascot but showing any kind of emotion towards the boy was supposed to be a joke. Something that he said when Ascot came and got him. Even though it was a joke then Jonathan couldn’t feel as if now it wasn’t. He did view Ascot as a little brother, even though he was much stronger. He felt as though he should ask Ascot and hoped it didn’t seem too odd.

[Eyeris]

Everything happened fast. She felt herself weaken as the young boy Ascot changed the energy of the land itself. Most of her own undead fell immediately after, save for her hound and the dead-woman. Once the violence was over down the Corps immediately began to reorganize and redirect their efforts.

She commanded the dead-woman and her dog to assist in recovery efforts. They were assigned to gather bodies and identify as many as possible. This took up all of her time and much of her energy.

Their teacher, the Samurai, was attentive and concerned for his teammates. He brought water, asked after them. Hibiscus accepted the offer of water, but spoke little. Thankfully he let her be as there were plenty more students to attend to. She watched the Samurai with a wary eye. Hibiscus did not yet feel she understood him. Not knowing his motives, she did not trust him. Perhaps ‘trust’ is an incorrect word. She did not feel she could predict him, and that could be dangerous.

She noticed Blueberry and his friend both pine over the Archer. They were young and passionate, entangled in a painful triangle of dissatisfaction. It was painful for Hibiscus to watch. The girl had nearly died in the battle, thankfully stronger magicians were her allies. ’So much for it being a safe training field.’ She said to herself. The Corps suffered no casualties or prolonged injuries of any kind. The people of the city were not so fortunate.

The necromancer did not go to the beach with the others. She kept to herself, with her hound and the dead-woman, whom she continued to question. Her name was Jin, she did not remember her family name, or what her occupation was. She liked fried fish and poetry. On the street Jin played fetch with the hound, Hibiscus tried to ‘jog her humanity’ but in vain. Too much had been lost, taken by the necromancer and the battle. It was a wonder the woman was still walking, the necromancer who revived her must have been very powerful. Even so, there was not much time left and Hibiscus had no need for Jin any longer. So, she allowed Jin to wander on her own. Most of the major roads had been cleared by the Corps and the survivors. Jin wound around the streets and the allies, aimlessly. Hibiscus followed closely, making sure that none interfered, the hound followed soon after making sure that none followed.

Finally Jin turned into a building, it was half-dust now, but Jin found a stairwell and slowly lumbered up, dragging her twisted foot up each step. She entered a small room, the door had been torn off and the walls were scorched, yet there were small clues, remnants, that indicated this had been a home: A teapot on the table, now cracked; the daily paper, now scattered on the floor; family photos, faces obscured by dust; laundry folded and waiting to be put away, strangely undisturbed.

Jin slogged and moaned as she reached the back of the apartment and found a couch, it’s legs were broken so the couch sat lopsided, but Jin sat down upon it anyhow. She stared forward with her blank eyes at a hole in the wall across from her. Hibiscus wondered what had been there before, but could not ask Jin, she was too weak and tired. No, no more questions, Jin deserved to rest.

With two fingers Hibiscus touched Jin’s eyelids, and forced them to close. “You may go.” The necromancer whispered and released Jin’s spirit from her control. Hibiscus felt the spirit leave and the body became truly lifeless, and Jin experienced true death at last.

Hibiscus and her hound left immediately. She found her own bed to rest in, drained from the days work and the spirit passing. Her hound never closed his eyes as he kept watch beside her.

They traveled on to the next place. They were to plant trees.

The necromancer was totally out of her element. She had a small bag of seeds, from what she understood they were magicked to grow of their own accord. The task seemed easy, but still, she felt out of place. She watched the others use their power to churn up the earth, transporting sapplings here and there, arranging them in just the right way. She wandered about, unsure where to plant. The place was teeming with life-energy, the trees seemed to stare at her, as if they knew her perverse nature. She couldn’t blame them, her undead rose and ate the flesh of the living, contrary to nature's law. The dead should stay down, become one with the earth, then the trees digest them. The trees wanted to eat her. “That’s not fair, all magic is cheating a bit, isn’t it?” She told a large oak.

“Still, I feel there is little good I can do here today.” She told her hound, touching the top of his head gingerly. This was a rare moment, a contrast to her typically brittle disposition.

[Letter Bee]

GM Post

Ascot thought about denying it, denying that anything was wrong. He didn't want to appear like a wimp, like someone who wangsted - whine + angsted, nor did he want to look like a crybaby who showed weakness at every turn. But, at the same time, he had to be honest. Telling the truth, or at least part of the truth, was almost natural to Ascot; he can lie by omission and half-truth, but today, he didn't feel the need.

"The other members, they sometimes talk about me. They talk about my unorthodoxy, they talk about my demeanor, sometimes, they talk about my psyche. And I allow them, because what they figure out...some of it is true." The boy then looked around. "I should be in therapy, but, well, this, what we're doing, it's therapy for me. Anyway," he spoke, "I'm going to talk to Hibiscus." And with that, he walked off.

Once he approached the woman, Ascot said:

"Hey, anything I can do to help?" he was smiling. Then, suddenly, there came a cry, coming from two people: Ibrahim and Leslie, the two of whom were coming towards them right now.

"Myriad is missing!" shouted Ibrahim, "so are Nao and Alexandria!" He then narrated what happened to them; Myriad saw something in the forest, then went off with Nao and Alexandria to investigate. Hours later, they still hadn't come back, and the two felt that someone had used Fate Magic - Leslie had Fate, to prolong the period of time that they had forgotten about the three. Ascot snapped into action, appearing in several places at once - the trio's section of the planting grounds, as well as the forest they had gone into, as well as back in Baler, in order to alert the Alfred Nobel.

Another part of his split selves was also flying, in order to conduct an aerial search, while, at the same time, the 'Main Ascot', the one with Hibiscus, sent a telepathic message to Jonathan.

Jonathan; Myriad, Nao, and Alexandria have gone missing! I'm going to need you to arm yourself! At the same time, the boy was now scrying, searching past, present, and future to pick up clues about their whereabouts. This time, he tried to be subtle, trying to find a way through any Anti-Scrying wards there were, instead of just ripping them apart, which he can do. He found several bandit hideouts, some not even run by Practicing Magi, and, more ominously...a Yakuza base, a secret ferry where they were herding village girls for transfer into Manila City for obvious purposes.

And, on that Yakuza base, hanging on a flagpole, were Myriad's shirt and jeans.

Outrage flooded Ascot, who had been subjected to such sights before, and now feared the worst for Myriad and the rest of the trio. But, at the same time, the boy's mind kept functioning: why would the Yakuza have an interest in the Magical Peace Corps, all of whom are American citizens? Why would they risk themselves being hunted down by both US, Japanese, and Philippine Governments? No, the Yakuza must be pawns in some greater game, and the chessmaster behind it...the chessmaster behind it knew how to best lure Ascot into rash action, by reminding him of...that time, the time just before the Rider War, as well as appealing to his sense of justice.

"Guys," he projected his voice so that it would be heard all throughout the clearing, "we're in trouble. Someone's trying to lure us into attacking a Yakuza hideout in a river crossing, by making us think Myriad's there. Problem is, there's also the only lead to Myriad's whereabouts that we have, meaning that we're going to have to accept their trap, as well as further break MPC Rules -"

"Gods, Ascot!" shouted Leslie; Ascot sympathized with her, but still thought she's wrong, "don't tell me we're going to undertake offensive action - that's technically vigilate justice, not self-defense!" And, technically, Leslie was right. "Contact a third force instead; with your 'contacts', I'm sure you have access to a PMC or somesuch somewhere..." she trailed off; not liking that idea either.

[Eyeris]

The hound turned his head to glance behind her, letting her know that someone approached. He didn't growl or show his teeth, which told Hibiscus that it was an ally. The life energy around her seemed to grow stronger, the trees seemed to be happier. It could only be one person.

"Hey, Kid." She turned toward the boy, while the hound trotted off a few feet, and began to slowly pace around them.

It wasn't a moment more before the hound barked as Ibrahim and Leslie approached, running. They had news. Blueberry & Co. were gone.

Ascot sprang into action--His body didn't move, but Hibiscus felt him split. She took a step back from the boy, waiting. The hound continued to pace, this time around all four Corps members rather than just the two.

When Ascot snapped back he sprang into a decision. Attack the trap. The others argued about the semantics of the actions. Hibiscus grimaced as she listened.

"Wait." Hibiscus spoke in a low firm tone. She was by no means in charge, but wanted more specific information before charging into a fight. That didn't work out so well last time...

"What exactly did you see? You don't know for sure that they are there?" She didn't doubt that Ascot had found a strong lead, however, all magic had it's limits. "What if they are already dead." She let that word sink in, the living were so sensitive about death, he death of friends anyhow. If they were dead the Corps attack would entirely in vain. She raised one of her dark eyebrows, peering down at the boy. "I can find out that much for you, if you give me time."

[Aqutanama]

Jonathan stood and sympathetically listened to Ascot the little boy. No, he was a man forced to become one by circumstances that probably should have never occurred. He felt bad for the boy-man that never got to be a child. He never got to have fun with friends his own age, at least not in the way most children play. He became lost in thought after Ascot left. Ascot needed friends to help him through these times. They seemed like some of the worse times for the child. Ascot’s words rang in his head as he walked around making sure the trees were growing. It seemed that some of his students were captured. Captured by the Yakuza. He made his way over to Ascot and looked at Hibiscus with a smile. He enjoyed the fact that she had such a strong bond with her pet. Oddly enough he didn’t judge people based on the type of magic they used.

“If it is ok with you Ascot I would like to parlay with the Yakuza. I had a run in with their boss back in the day. He was a little younger but I ended up saving his life. They wanted to make me a member but I had to decline. They didn’t like it but still I thought instead of you going in there halfcocked, perhaps I could try something.” He walked over to Ascot patting him on the shoulder and walked in the direction of the Yakuza building.

[Letter Bee]

GM Post

"Do so," spoke Ascot, "as for what I found out, I saw Myriad's clothing being hung as a banner in front of the Yakuza hideout - I fear something worse than death has happened - I hope I'm wrong. But, yes," he spoke, "I can wait." Once Hibiscus began her search, she would find that neither Myriad or his friends have died, although there were plenty of other ghosts in the Jungle.

"All right," responded Ascot to Jonathan's inquiry. While he hated the idea of negotiating with rapists, he also knew that 1.) Jonathan's option would save more lives, and 2.) there was every chance that Myriad hadn't been/would not be raped at all, that the Yakuza had been tricked into hanging up the young man's clothing up a flagpole. That, or paid into doing it...

So Ascot let Jonathan go, after giving him directions to the Yakuza Hideout. He then recombined with his various selves. Ibrahim and Leslie, meanwhile, sighed in relief, due to the fact that there might not be a fight after all. Reservations about Jonathan's dark past can come up later.

Minor Timeskip

Once Jonathan reached the Yakuza building, he would be greeted by several thugs, who got out their guns and pointed at him.

"Who goes there?!" they said in crude, accented English. Once Jonathan had given proof of his identity, they would smile at him, and invite him inside for some Sake - direct from Japan, and introduce him to the head of the ferry crossing; an artificially green-haired woman with piercings up her nose and earlobes. She was a Practicing Mage, but one can tell that the real source of her power was the assault rifle slung across her back, which was loaded with Orichlacum bullets. She smiled, and spoke:

"So, Jonathan-san, what is someone like you doing here with...those MPC do-gooders?" her voice was still accented. If the man would ask her about the missing students, the Yakuza woman would smile, and speak:

"I know nothing of said students, but I think I know a clue; you see, just a few hours ago, a man - he looked white, with vague body language, and two Orichalcum-loaded pistols on his hip, spoke to me, paying us an absurd amount of money to hang up several pieces of clothing up a flagpole. Obviously, I knew something was up, but there was so much credits at stake."

"The man, instead of specializing in three or four Schools, instead had weaker versions of all Nine, giving him limited resistance to Magic, which seemed to be his prime defense, along with Fatesilk and Dura-Ceramic armor. Oh, and he spoke of meeting up with several men in Manila..."