SilverPaw

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

	Location: Kikka, in the Coliseum Interactions: / Mentions: /

The first pair of tests done and over with, the testing grounds were leveled flat. Brooms were passed out, and assuming it would be simple flying test, Solveig thought this might be boring. Upon receiving her broom, she set it into flight mode with a mere curl of her finger, a near invisible tendril of magic released into the implement. She hopped onto the broom, standing on the handle, positioning herself with the right foot in front, the left to the back, the right side of her body facing forwards.

She perked up when she heard the rest of the rules, a sharp smile creeping onto her face. She withdrew her arming sword from its sheath while her broom floated a few feet above the ground. She was still behind the line, of course, but ready to take off. Several participants moved away from her, and a few gave her what they thought were stealthy side-eyes.

Given the rules, this was going to be a free-for-all battle royale where 350 participants would fight it out to catch and keep 100 flying objects – which Sol named Angel Spheres. Anything but killing was a go.

It would be pure incarnate chaos.

Again, Solveig made use of the same spell she had in the first trial. This time, however, she fed it her own magic until she formed a dozen or so flaming whips. They varied in length, but each was about as thick as a finger. She wrapped a bunch around her sword – which did at least have a basic heat resistance enchantment – to give it a burning edge. Another group formed a small floating circle in front of her broom. The last of the bunch curled into a larger floating circle by her left arm – a mock ‘shield’ which rather than blocking would be used to fend off any potential attacks with blazing force.

She was ready just as the signal was given.

On the command of ‘GO’, she blasted off into the air, eyes affixed on the chest of Angel Spheres which were released at the same time. She chose one ball to keep track of, and pursued it with a single-minded focus.

Despite most of her attention being on her target, part of her awareness was on the turbulent surroundings.

When a hail of arrows rained overhead, she slashed a path through with a blazing sword.

When a localized storm was formed, her ball getting caught up into it, she braced herself, and charged right in. Her flames flickered and hissed and their glow might have diminished a tad, but none died.

When the ball took a sharp turn, she drifted through the air with grace born due to her tight magical control. When it dived, she dived, when it flew straight up, she grabbed onto the broom handle with one hand and veered right up after it.

One opponent sent chains launching at her target, aiming to restrain it. The flames from the smaller circular field in front of her broom suddenly erupted outwards, tendrils of fire lurching forward to intercept the chains.

One person managed to catapult themselves at her. She caught sight of them from the corner of her eye. When they nearly hurtled into her side, she nudged her broom upwards, laid her palms on her cannonballing opponent, and vaulted over them, her broom still sticking to her feet. As she pushed off the reckless person’s back, she sent a gust of flame into them, destabilizing them enough so they’d not pose a problem in the next few seconds.

Which was enough time for Solveig to finally make her final push. She closed in on her angel sphere. She was parallel to it. She whipped her left hand out, snatching the ball from the air.

As soon as she captured her target, she cast her Dragon Scales spell, covering her left fist, wrist, and forearm in a layer of bright, mostly see-through scales. She still had her blazing whips active, ready to attack any offender who'd aim for her sphere.

With her target secure, she could now easily oversee the whole battlefield, cruising above the havoc and weaving by sudden outbursts of magic.

Sol didn’t see anyone that’d pose a challenge to her – or rather, there weren’t all that many who’d want to or had a reason for it.

She supposed until such a time that a stronger individual, or a coordinated group attack came her way, all she had to do was…

Wait. Fly, fend off direct attacks, avoid stray spells, but mostly wait.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Edin & Wulfric

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---

The grand opening of The Royal Curd was coming to a close. Wulfric gave a polite goodbye to every member of his table when they departed. He, however, remained behind. The majority of the crowd had dispersed, and since no one was waiting in line to meet the king anymore despite his father still being present, Wulfric concluded Edin must have already met with all those he would permit in his presence.

Thus, the prince stood up, and approached the king. “Father, may I join you?” he inquired. He waited until given the permission to sit, at which point he did so. Immediately, a waitress was at his side to attend to him. He ordered a cup of ginger tea, then turned toward his sire. “Your Majesty, there were some matters I wished to discuss with you in private.”

King Edin had his hands clasped and his elbows leaned on the table as Wulfric approached. There had been a deep scowl etched on his face and his gaze had been fixated on the table Lorenzo and company had once been seated at. He raised his gaze upon hearing his son’s voice. “Hello, Wulfric…” He greeted with a hearty sigh and leaned back in his chair with a tentative smile. “Is this spot suitable for our discussion?”

Wulfric assessed their surroundings once more. The guests had largely dispersed, the guards could perform their duties outside of hearing range, and the waitresses would obey just as any other servants. “As long as no one disturbs us or eavesdrops, it will suit.” Saying so, Wulfric waited until his tea was delivered. When neither he nor his father required any other services, they dismissed the help until called upon.

“The first subject of discussion is Lord Ravenwood’s ceremony last night. Have its happenings been brought to your attention?”

“No, I was much too busy prepping for my grand ceremony this morning to hear any reporting… Do tell what you know. Lord Ravenwood is the tall one… Boman, yes.”

“Roman,” Wulfric supplied. “From what I have heard, he took a strange drug for the event. Later, when our guards went to the ceremony to search for Lady Violet, he attacked them in his maddened state. One of our men was heavily injured, but he will live.

King Edin’s irritation was written all over his face as he considered Wulfric’s words. “We cannot have our guards looking weak. That makes us look weak. But no wonder Calbert still cannot find his daughter.” He scoffed then waved at him to continue.

“The injured guard was not weak, father,” Wulfric interjected. “Even a group of Lord Ravenwood’s guards were unable to stop him. This one guard was the first one to draw his weapon and stand up to the madman. His courageousness does us credit,” he asserted. Still, the irritation at their guests’ actions prompted him to continue.

Do you know how the Varians are trying to spin this disaster, however?” he sneered. “They claim that our guards had ‘intruded’ where they shouldn’t have, and had ‘disturbed’ the ceremony.” Rage ignited in his gaze. “But the worst thing of all? At their supposedly ‘safe for all, on Varian’s honor’ event, Anastasia was attacked,” he stressed through gritted teeth. He had to breathe through the anger, and took a moment to calm down. “Shahzade Farim found her unconscious, and brought her home. Anastasia and the Alidasht prince both reported having seen two men in long coats. They might be Varian,” Wulfric hinted.

“Given all that has transpired after we extended our trust in them, and permitted them to perform their holy rite, I propose we pressure Their Majesties Camilla for recompense. After his ‘slip up’, it should be their darling Lord Ravenwood who is charged with paying the lion’s share of the reparations we deserve. Unless, of course, they would prefer for him to face charges and stand trial,” Wulfric smiled darkly. Tilting his head, a stormy expression overtook his features briefly. “Oh, and whoever it is that attacked Anastasia? I will have their head. I expect the Varians will cooperate in delivering the assailant to us.”

King Edin's anger seethed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "In addition to compensation, I will decree that all Varian attendees of the ceremony are to be summoned and interrogated forthwith. Delay is unacceptable; it must be conducted at the earliest opportune moment. Additionally, the Shahzade must be brought in for questioning..." His voice was cutting as he spoke. He paused, a rare flicker of concern crossing his features as he added, "And we must see to it that Anastasia remains safeguarded and intact. We cannot have her hurt or compromised right now." His arms crossed over his chest, showcasing his resolve despite such an uncharacteristic statement.

Wulfric nodded. Knowing that the matter would be handled, his wrath had receded. All that remained was the cool determination to ensure that all went as it should. “I suggest interviewing them one by one. Shahzade Farim has already proven amenable to relaying information. I can speak to him, and he will surely come forward voluntarily,” he stressed the notion that the Alidasht prince ought to be treated as an ally. The last thing they needed was creating more ill will due to carelessly uncharitable treatment.

“Very well.”

“We also had an agent of ours intervene; Torvi Jorviksdottir. A silver-haired woman with a wolf. I expect to speak to her soon, and I can forward you the report, or direct her to you,” he paused, letting his father have a say if he wished.

King Edin nodded, “That is the woman your mother called in, I believe. Good to know her efforts weren’t wasted.”

“After those two, you might wish to start with questioning the Varian doctors. Prince Farim mentioned he believed he saw some suspicious actions from them…if nothing else however, the medical personnel would hopefully not have taken drugs,” he concluded.

Frankly, Edin’s statement about his daughter surprised Wulfric. Anastasia was rarely on the receiving end of their father’s regard, since he had a habit of dismissing her. “...I agree, Anastasia must not be harmed. I have a plan to implement a stricter training regimen for our royal guards. However, that is a long term solution. In the short term, I intend to set covert operatives on her and on Callum,” he relayed.

“Anastasia and Callum need to be spoken to once more. The problem also lies within their stubborn desire to continue to act like teenagers.” He scoffed and shook his head, “I have Lady Ariella Edwards being brought to me tonight under the accusation of defacing my painting, no doubt Callum’s influence… And as for Anastasia, she has received a very beneficial marriage offer. If she continues such childish behavior, we may lose the opportunity at hand.”

At first, the prince only nodded, though he didn’t strictly agree with Edin’s assessment of his siblings. Even as the words ‘marriage offer’ stirred a sense of unease and suspicion within his gut, Wulfric had already shifted to his familiar mask of unaffected detachment. “Are you referring to Shahzade Farim’s intention to court Anastasia?” he queried.

“Actually, I am referring to his father, The Grand Vizier.” Edin answered, “She has garnered interest from many, of course, but for obvious reasons the Grand Vizier stands out.”

“The Grand Vizier,” Wulfric deadpanned, though his eyes narrowed. “The man you warned me about? Whom you have called a snake; the kind of man who would throw a fit just to get his way?” he reminded. “The very one who was so vehement in his claim that we are enemies?” He inhaled deeply, clenching his jaw. “Him?” he couldn’t help but bite out indignantly. At the very least, he’d managed to wrestle down the utter loathing, kept it in check so deeply under layers of armour even a metaphorical excavation project wouldn’t unearth it.

“Precisely. Having a snake as your ally rather than your enemy is advantageous, Wulfric. I expected you of all people to realize that.” Edin looked down on Wulfric with a narrowed gaze, “Keep your enemies close, son… Why do you seem angry?”

“Because I detest him,” he answered frankly, his tone matter of fact. He met Edin’s gaze head on with admirable calmness. “Aside from my personal feelings, I do not believe for a second that his intentions are genuine. If anything, it’s far more likely that he is seeking a hostage, and Anastasia would make a convenient one.” Of course, his father saw only what he wanted to see; the most desirable outcome. “It is in a serpent’s nature to strike, after all,” he remarked.

Did Edin realize at all what his words, his actions might provoke? How treacherous the terrain he tread upon?

A snake lying in wait was not an idle beast; it was an unrecognized threat. If one was so carelessly tromping around, it was only a matter of time before they were struck.

“Why not aim for his son, Shahzade Farim, who is a man of integrity? Too, he is closer to becoming a sultan than his father,” he opined.

“If his son expresses interest, I will humor it. Many have expressed interest in Anastasia. Regardless of the husband we select, the point is it is crucial we keep her safe now more than ever with such good options laid out for us.”

“Shahzade Farim has asked me for permission to court her. An Alidasht custom, apparently. I have no doubt in his interest,” Wulfric informed. “I do fear that handing her to his father instead will put her in danger rather than keep her safe.” He believed his point had been made. As for whether his father might ‘humor’ it? He did not trust that Edin’s ‘consideration’ would amount to much.

He would simply have to find other ways to deal with the matter. For now, he still had something he wished to speak about. “Regarding the church ceremony this morning, there was that odd influx of commoners. I had the event investigated, and it turned out that the man behind rallying that group was Alexander Deacon. One of Marek Delronzo’s employees.” Wulfric paused for emphasis. “Father…Your Majesty, I must know about Delronzo, and the Black Rose. Please.” He stared at Edin earnestly. If that’s what it took, he’d beg, he’d plead, he’d convince, force, or manipulate. He needed to know, and based on their last conversation, his father had to know something.

King Edin did not stir with surprise upon Wulfric’s revelation. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly as he considered his son's request.

"Very well, Wulfric," he began, his voice low and measured. "But understand that what I am about to tell you must remain between us. This knowledge is dangerous, not just for you, but for anyone who is told."
He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, his eyes darting around the room to ensure their privacy. "The Black Rose controls much of the underworld in Eromora. Their reach is vast, encompassing the black market, ringfighting, drug sales, and other illicit activities. All this activity is shrouded under their guise as an everyday merchant company."

Edin's gaze hardened, and he leaned forward, his tone becoming more intense as he told him lowly, "The Black Rose has been a significant force in maintaining the balance of power within our kingdom. Marek's influence extends far beyond what most realize. His organization helps keep certain elements in check, elements that could threaten the stability of our rule. When you are King, you will need to keep him as your ally, rather than your foe. Doing otherwise will significantly endanger our people, your siblings, and the very throne you sit on."

He rose from his seat, eyes locking onto Wulfric's with an unyielding intensity. "You must cease your snooping around, Wulfric. Before you cause irreversible damage.”

Wulfric nodded. He wasn’t terribly surprised either. Ever since the after party debacle, and the conversation with his mother, he’d been thinking. What Edin confirmed happened to be the worst case scenario he’d entertained. “Do you still consider Marek an ally, even after the memory-erasing ‘drugging’ debacle?” he asked with quiet intensity.

Edin’s gaze slid away, however the intensity in his own gaze was visible as well as he said lowly and coldly, “ … I’ve never considered him an ally.” With that, he rose. “Should we be on our way now, son?” His heir replied with a simple, “Let us,” and followed.

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

That's cool. Just wanted to check.

@Remram

Out of curiosity, would Ludo have gone for it? I'm thinking he'd enjoy messing with all the competition and showing off, but the Kreszenz part of the equation...?

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

Hm, fair. Buut: a noble guy is an under-represented group since we have none XD Though this convo also made me wonder just what the noble-commoner ratio *within* the magic knights is.

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

Still making my character, but, would you guys like to see an upbeat type character, or something different.

@RoadkilBanana

im also looking into a making character here (the naive type)... mostly just lurking and reading the story so far.

@ReusableSword

As it happens, my plan is also a cheerful person from the boonies because I noticed how generally moody the current crowd looked lol

@Sylvan

If any of you feel like filling up the 'there's fewer of that type' quota, there's also relatively few nobles among the PCs right now XD

Also, Solveig: "What do you mean moody? My backstory doesn't define me.
...Yeah, my family kinda is, though."

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

<Snipped quote by Remram>

I love meathead activities

@Expllo

It was fun :D Blood for the combat junkies and muscles for whoever wants to ogle? I see what you're doing XD

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

I'd just like to clarify somehting, since Camilla's performance has been brought up twice now.

Camilla's performance was anything but impressive. In fact, it would be more accurate to say it was staggeringly mediocre. At least as far as the floating tile target-portion is concerned. Camilla didn't destroy particularly many of her targets, nor was her control and use of the magic bullet anything to write home about, it was actually not that good at all, seeing as she hadn't done or used that sort of spell and maigc in (most likely) several years.

Where the pillar test is concerne,d I suppose you could call it "impressive". But really, there're likely plenty other applicants and candidates who could do the same level of damage as she did, if not more. Do recall that CAmilla's got an issue with people whore' "try-hards" or "ambitious", and as such she wouldn't exactly put any significant effort into her own actions - even for something as (supposedly) important as the Magic Knight Exam.

Now, if anyones characters are remarking on her being impressive for pacing herself or not using needless amounts of mana to cast her spells, that's fine. If someone picks up that she doesn't seem to be going all out or even trying to put on a good show, that's also fine. But her actual practical performance has been anything but noteworthy.

... But perhaps people are just noticing her because of... Certain anatomical reasons... xD

@Xaltwind

It's also the whole PC-focused narrative. We haven't yet seen NPCs perform, and since the players are usually more interested in other players and their characters...Well, that, and you can always write it off as 'this person considered it impressive bc xyz'

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

	Location: Kikka, in the Coliseum Interactions: / Mentions: /

Solveig was, due to her detour, unfortunately at the tail end of the crowd. However, they all had to crane their heads up, front row or back row, because the captains were all up above on the balconies. The nine magic knight captains, in the flesh! Sol cheered, caught up in the fervor of the crowd, her own excitement expressed in each shout, clap, whistle, and foot stomp.

Each of the captains had their own charm, and they all oozed power. While she respected them all, her heart was set on two squads. The Golden Dawn, because it had been they who had come to the rescue when her home city’s defenses had faltered. The Crimson Lions because it was somewhat of a family tradition, and she knew her father greatly respected the captain (though he also saw him as a rival), while she in turn admired her father.

That last captain was the truest surprise, however. An elf! Solveig’s intrigue was piqued, and the Black Bulls suddenly became one of the tops squads to look out for.

This was all for later, however! First, she had to do her very best. Only at the end of the exam would she see whose interest she had aroused.

The captains’ introductions over with, the exam began. Officials came in to cast protective spells, set up their first test, and explain the rules.

During the first round of participants called forth, Solveig intensely watched the competition, observing how they approached the tasks, what spells they used, and how well they did.

However, there were altogether so many people, she could only really memorize those who stood out.

Besides, just standing there and watching wasn’t only making her antsy, it was inefficient too. It occurred to the young noble that no one had said that they couldn’t prepare themselves before being called upon.

“Flammea Fluenta,” she intoned. The spell started off as just a few strands of flame flickering into existence, attached to her at one end, freely floating at the other. It made it seem as if searing red ribbons had been tied to her, gently swaying in the breeze.

With this great mass of people casting spells, freely expending their mana, the atmosphere was soon over-charged with magical excess. It stoked her flames much like a rainfall of oil would to a wildfire.

As time progressed, the flames grew and multiplied. Soon, it was as if blazing crimson feathers had sprouted from her, cascading down her back, and enveloping her in a searing shroud. Some of the more easily spooked participants had edged away from her. While the molten mantle might give the illusion that she and all those in her vicinity were at risk of being consumed by an igneous eruption, that was the farthest thing from the truth. She had the magic completely under control.

Granted, she sported a manic grin, and might have cackled once or twice. She was riding the most powerful high of highs ever, adrenaline coursing through her veins, mana flowing all around her.

There was

so much

mana!

Was this how those immensely blessed by mana felt all the time?

No wonder some of them went bonkers.

Despite there being several testing stations, it still took long minutes before Solveig was called upon. By the time she was, she was a walking inferno, and even one of the officials gave her a strange look.

She paid it no mind, however, and approached the testing station. During the countdown to the starting time, she took a deep breath, and focused.

On the mark of, “Start!” she immediately unleashed the fire gathered around her in one great torrent. It twisted, it turned, it roared as it veritably ate through the tiles. The first few floating targets were destroyed completely.

But then, as more and more tiles appeared, or when they floated into positions out of reach of the first stream of fire, Solveig split it off. First one, then two, then three long, violent, serpentine streaks of flame were dancing around the testing station. She directed each stream in a complex winding pattern, covering as much of the area as possible while also actively redirecting them when necessary to hit the tiles. While she did aim for the bulls-eyes, she prioritized swift destruction of as many tiles as possible, so her accuracy was lesser. As soon as one tile was summoned, she’d nudge the closest current, the flames whipping into the tile to crash it to the ground.

One could easily imagine her flame as a multi-headed dragon; a flaming hydra lashing out and biting at its foes.

Well, the spell wasn’t quite at that level, but nevertheless, Solveig destroyed all the tiles created for her during the 1 minute. She had no idea how many tiles she had scored because she’d lost count. The crowd was raucous in its cheering, though, so she figured she must have done pretty damn well!

She merely smiled in the audience’s general direction, still busy keeping the remaining flames under her control.

For the floating platforms, she’d used up about half of the reserve of fire she’d built up during the waiting time. Now, she recalled the currents to her, and they followed her movements to the reinforced column.

Solveig rejoined her multitude of currents into one. Then, without much ado, she sent it charging at the column. The large infernal snake assaulted the base of the column, then immediately wrapped around it. She kept it spinning around and around the lower portion before she directed it to start climbing up and up and up. When it reached the top, the stream of fire was at the end of its life; about as thick as an arm and shorter than its target. Even so, Solveig gathered it, and attacked the ‘head’ of the column with a final gust of flames, giving the target one last push.

A moment passed. A second stretched into infinity. The section of the audience who had been drawn to watching her held their breaths.

Then slowly, creakingly, the column tilted, the thicker upper three-quarters broke off…and toppled to the ground with a resounding thud!

A loud applause followed, and Solveig broke into a grin. She walked up to the felled column, stood onto it with her left leg, and withdrew her sword with her right hand, raising it high into the air. Another round of cheering followed.

Chuckling, Solveig sheathed her blade, and walked off the testing area with one last look at the column. Honestly, it was still mostly intact. The bottom quarter had been thinned significantly, which is why the pillar hadn’t been able to support the remainder of its own weight. Then, there was one narrower winding groove from when her flame had twisted around the column going upwards. At the top, there was about a head-sized chunk missing.

It wouldn’t have killed a demon, but it was what she could do right now.

“Whew,” Solveig exhaled, and began stretching. Several officials were going around, offering glasses of water to those who were done. She gladly accepted one with a heartfelt, “Thank you!”

Perhaps to some, it would look as if she’d ‘wasted’ most of her power on the very first test. In truth, she hadn’t expended all that much mana; most of the magic for that spell had been gathered from her surroundings. Controlling all of that had taken an effort, however, so the short reprieve before the next task was just what she needed.

She relaxed, hanging back, and observed those remaining participants who were called after her. Solveig was smiling softly to herself, feeling accomplished after the first challenge, yet eager for more.

What would be in store for them next?

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

Impossiblé!? Not a single new post anywhere while I was at work? Are you guys slacking off? Murricans? Are you slacking? We talked about this, 'member? *giving you lot the evil eye*

@Xaltwind

Patience, patience. The writing process can take time

Black Clover: Fool's Arcana

<Snipped quote by SilverPaw>

Sorry, I meant that each "player" has their own "station," on the two sides, not that literally one person is taking up each entire testing ground at the time! The Officials are constantly replacing the tiles and columns as they're destroyed, so neither section will run out.

Think of it as like, there's an official standing there, the Player walks up, a set of the tiles floats over, and they're replaced as the player destroys them. Some distance away, there's another official, watching over another person, doing the same thing. On the other side, one official might be watching multiple columns, but if somebody's gonna use a big boom spell the officials will clear others out of the way, etc.

@Zeroth

Ah, gotcha, gotcha, I misread that, thanks for clarifying! Either way works for me :P