The day had started out normally for Schach Nouera. Waking up, engaging in morning prayers, breakfast and then morning combat practice with the younger Sisters. But it had taken a strange turn when Carim had called her into the office and dropped some bombshell news in that the Church currently was housing another Kaiser: the last known member of the bloodline, Olivie Segbrecht.
‘Another Kaiser…’ The thought had been unreal to the nun.
There were two reasons she had been informed. One was that another trusted character can help support the Kaiser while she transitions to living in this time frame and help keep the cover story going. As for the second reason…
“I seem to recall that when the younger Kaiser had wandered off on her own in the complex about two years ago, you had immediately assumed the worst and confronted her with Windenschaft. Now imagine what would happen if you were to repeat that same action with our other guest.â€
Yes, she could certainly see the Director’s point. A confrontation like that would only lead to a trip to the intensive care ward and blow this latest secret wide out into the open which is something that is not desired at this point.
Schach had wanted to know what Olivie was like since it was obvious that Carim had met the Kaiser previously. Otherwise, she would not have been sharing this information. But that question had to wait since both women had to attend to their morning duties.
The nun had managed to stay focused enough not to let the news distract her from her usual routine. She still was able to go through her combat and etiquette lesson plans. And she was still sharp enough to detect misbehaving students and discipline them. By late afternoon, she had already sent Sein to potato peeling duty again and confiscated a DSAA Inter-Middle Registration package that Chantez had managed to sneak in. ‘Honestly, that girl…’
“ASTEION, FIGHTTOO~!â€
It wasn’t difficult for Schach to pick up that shrill cry from the lounge up ahead. Obviously, someone was neglecting their duties to watch one of those Belkan fantasy drama programs on television. Putting her best stern look on, she stepped into the room and got close to the individual seated on the couch to administer a verbal scolding. “What do you think you’re do-â€
She had been cut off quickly as the blonde haired female seated on the couch suddenly turned around with total excitement in those green eyes. “Come, sit down and watch this with me! We’re getting close to the best part where Tio has to outsmart Greven to save his friends!â€
“Shouldn’t you be focusing on your chores?â€
“I know but as soon as I got a glimpse of this program with Asteion, I couldn’t help it!â€
“I don’t believe that I have seen you around before. Are you new?†Perhaps that explained the lady’s poor etiquette.
“That’s right! My name’s Elina Higgins.â€
The name sounded familiar and it took the nun a moment to remember the alias that the Director said was being used. “Elina… Higgins? Then you must be…!â€
“Ah, so you know about that little secret,†said the other woman as her left eye briefly turned red to reveal its true colour. Before Schach could move back to properly greet the Kaiser with a low bow, her hand was held in a firm grip. “Now, remember that I’m supposed to be someone else here so there will be none of that. Do you understand?â€
“Er, yes.â€
A sunny smile appeared on Olivie’s face before the disguise spell went over her left eye again. “We can talk a bit later after I finish this program. Is that okay with you?â€
Once again, the same response came from Schach. “Er, yes.â€
“Good!â€
The program came to an end after another ten minutes. Ten minutes in which Schach felt quite awkward. It wasn’t just the fact that she was sitting right beside the last Saint King. It was also because said King was a total fan of the Asteion stories and clearly demonstrated that fanaticism.
‘There’s no way the last Saint King could be this childish!’ This was the mantra that Schach kept repeating in her head to maintain her grip on the Saint King’s image that she had held for many years.
“That was fun!†Olivie leaned back on the couch. “So what did you think of that episode?â€
“Uh…†She really wasn’t sure how to respond since she really didn’t pay attention to the show.
“What is that?†Without warning, the blonde woman’s hands stole away the papers that Schach had been carrying earlier.
“Ah! That is…!†She totally forgot to throw out Chantez’s registration package from the DSAA. “That’s just a registration package for a combat tournament. It’s called the Inter-Middle and it’s very well known around here for younger mages between 10 to 19 years of age to demonstrate their skills.â€
“So this Inter-Middle Tournament is what you people use to assess combat talent these days?†asked Olivie as she continued flipping through the pamphlet. Even though she couldn’t read a word of it, some of the photos showed different young girls engaging each other in magical combat.
“Yes, it is.â€
She paused for a moment as her eyes took on an odd gleam. “You know, I can probably pass for someone around 19 years of age.â€
“What?! You cannot be serious about entering the Inter-Middle! It’s not a tournament for seasoned warriors!â€
“But come on!†whined Olivie. “All those exotic and new fighting styles are out there just waiting to cross fists with me!â€
“And going out there in public using your combat style and magical powers would defeat the entire purpose of trying to keep you concealed for the time being! We have to abide by the Director’s decision on that!†Schach was really hoping the other woman would see reason.
“It really is too bad. Then again, it wouldn’t be appropriate if we older folk interrupted the fun of the younger ones.â€
Thank goodness for small miracles. “That’s true. The younger mages should be the ones to get this valuable experience.â€
“In that case, perhaps I should get Touma to participate. It will be a good way for him to get a true taste of battle and I can get involved as a coach or something!†She noticed the clock’s display. “And he should even be coming back from school any minute! I’ll go ask him now and get started on filing these papers!â€
“Huh?! Wait…!†This isn’t the outcome that Schach had envisioned for this particular conversation.
“Thank you very much!†Off Olivie went, giddy as a school girl to get her son registered for the tournament.
And once again, Schach was forced to go back to her mental mantra to keep her sanity.
‘There’s no way the last Saint King could be this childish!’
‘Another Kaiser…’ The thought had been unreal to the nun.
There were two reasons she had been informed. One was that another trusted character can help support the Kaiser while she transitions to living in this time frame and help keep the cover story going. As for the second reason…
“I seem to recall that when the younger Kaiser had wandered off on her own in the complex about two years ago, you had immediately assumed the worst and confronted her with Windenschaft. Now imagine what would happen if you were to repeat that same action with our other guest.â€
Yes, she could certainly see the Director’s point. A confrontation like that would only lead to a trip to the intensive care ward and blow this latest secret wide out into the open which is something that is not desired at this point.
Schach had wanted to know what Olivie was like since it was obvious that Carim had met the Kaiser previously. Otherwise, she would not have been sharing this information. But that question had to wait since both women had to attend to their morning duties.
The nun had managed to stay focused enough not to let the news distract her from her usual routine. She still was able to go through her combat and etiquette lesson plans. And she was still sharp enough to detect misbehaving students and discipline them. By late afternoon, she had already sent Sein to potato peeling duty again and confiscated a DSAA Inter-Middle Registration package that Chantez had managed to sneak in. ‘Honestly, that girl…’
“ASTEION, FIGHTTOO~!â€
It wasn’t difficult for Schach to pick up that shrill cry from the lounge up ahead. Obviously, someone was neglecting their duties to watch one of those Belkan fantasy drama programs on television. Putting her best stern look on, she stepped into the room and got close to the individual seated on the couch to administer a verbal scolding. “What do you think you’re do-â€
She had been cut off quickly as the blonde haired female seated on the couch suddenly turned around with total excitement in those green eyes. “Come, sit down and watch this with me! We’re getting close to the best part where Tio has to outsmart Greven to save his friends!â€
“Shouldn’t you be focusing on your chores?â€
“I know but as soon as I got a glimpse of this program with Asteion, I couldn’t help it!â€
“I don’t believe that I have seen you around before. Are you new?†Perhaps that explained the lady’s poor etiquette.
“That’s right! My name’s Elina Higgins.â€
The name sounded familiar and it took the nun a moment to remember the alias that the Director said was being used. “Elina… Higgins? Then you must be…!â€
“Ah, so you know about that little secret,†said the other woman as her left eye briefly turned red to reveal its true colour. Before Schach could move back to properly greet the Kaiser with a low bow, her hand was held in a firm grip. “Now, remember that I’m supposed to be someone else here so there will be none of that. Do you understand?â€
“Er, yes.â€
A sunny smile appeared on Olivie’s face before the disguise spell went over her left eye again. “We can talk a bit later after I finish this program. Is that okay with you?â€
Once again, the same response came from Schach. “Er, yes.â€
“Good!â€
The program came to an end after another ten minutes. Ten minutes in which Schach felt quite awkward. It wasn’t just the fact that she was sitting right beside the last Saint King. It was also because said King was a total fan of the Asteion stories and clearly demonstrated that fanaticism.
‘There’s no way the last Saint King could be this childish!’ This was the mantra that Schach kept repeating in her head to maintain her grip on the Saint King’s image that she had held for many years.
“That was fun!†Olivie leaned back on the couch. “So what did you think of that episode?â€
“Uh…†She really wasn’t sure how to respond since she really didn’t pay attention to the show.
“What is that?†Without warning, the blonde woman’s hands stole away the papers that Schach had been carrying earlier.
“Ah! That is…!†She totally forgot to throw out Chantez’s registration package from the DSAA. “That’s just a registration package for a combat tournament. It’s called the Inter-Middle and it’s very well known around here for younger mages between 10 to 19 years of age to demonstrate their skills.â€
“So this Inter-Middle Tournament is what you people use to assess combat talent these days?†asked Olivie as she continued flipping through the pamphlet. Even though she couldn’t read a word of it, some of the photos showed different young girls engaging each other in magical combat.
“Yes, it is.â€
She paused for a moment as her eyes took on an odd gleam. “You know, I can probably pass for someone around 19 years of age.â€
“What?! You cannot be serious about entering the Inter-Middle! It’s not a tournament for seasoned warriors!â€
“But come on!†whined Olivie. “All those exotic and new fighting styles are out there just waiting to cross fists with me!â€
“And going out there in public using your combat style and magical powers would defeat the entire purpose of trying to keep you concealed for the time being! We have to abide by the Director’s decision on that!†Schach was really hoping the other woman would see reason.
“It really is too bad. Then again, it wouldn’t be appropriate if we older folk interrupted the fun of the younger ones.â€
Thank goodness for small miracles. “That’s true. The younger mages should be the ones to get this valuable experience.â€
“In that case, perhaps I should get Touma to participate. It will be a good way for him to get a true taste of battle and I can get involved as a coach or something!†She noticed the clock’s display. “And he should even be coming back from school any minute! I’ll go ask him now and get started on filing these papers!â€
“Huh?! Wait…!†This isn’t the outcome that Schach had envisioned for this particular conversation.
“Thank you very much!†Off Olivie went, giddy as a school girl to get her son registered for the tournament.
And once again, Schach was forced to go back to her mental mantra to keep her sanity.
‘There’s no way the last Saint King could be this childish!’