> Kira PoV

We’re back at the Guild HQ building. Today’s the big meeting with the Court Wizard, I’m a bit nervous. I’ve stared down nobles before, but this one answers directly to the king.

“Good morning Ellie! And Mrs Quasse.” (Clara)

As usual she greets us the instant we walk through the door. Ellie said she was a fan of hers, so I can understand that selective enthusiasm.

“Good morning Clara!” (Ellie)

“Good morning Clara, we’re here for the meeting with the other [Sages].” (Kira)

“Of course. Right this way, please.” (Clara)

Clara leads us upstairs to one of the meeting rooms. The stairs creak a lot under Scrappy, but it can’t be helped. I expect them to send us on some urgent mission so we came fully armed.

“The other [Sages] are already inside. Since the Court Wizard requested it be just them, I must ask your companions to wait here.” (Clara)

“Huh? So the Grandmaster isn’t attending?” (Kira)

“That’s correct. He insisted, but was denied. Earlier this morning he left on an errand so he’s not even in the building right now.” (Clara)

That’s a bit strange. The Grandmaster’s presence should be required would want to be here to mediate things. Adventurers are a rowdy bunch by default so if something happens it could become an instant scandal.

“Understood. Ellie, Kelly, wait downstairs would you?” (Kira)

“Okay.” (Ellie)

“Sure thing. You let us know if you need us, yeah?” (Kelly)

Seems Kelly caught on too. It’s good the kids aren’t here, this might get messy.

I enter the room. There’s five people already here. One of them, an old, bald and overweight man in fancy robes, stands up and greets me from across the room. Probably the Court Wizard. He has that ‘in charge’ sort of air around him.

“Ah, Lady [Red Sage], thank you for coming. Take a seat and we can begin.” (Court Wizard)

His voice sounds awfully hoarse. Like he drinks gravel every morning. I take the seat he’s pointing at and sit at the large oval table.

“My name is Thorne Rutland, Court Wizard in service to His Majesty King Ferseit.

Before we begin, I must warn you. What goes on in this room is a matter of national security. Revealing what we discussed today to unconcerned individuals will be considered treason.” (Rutland)

As I thought, something big is going on. I wonder if it’s okay for Nano to be here. Ah, but he’s not actually here so it’s probably safe, right?

“Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get on with introductions. Since we will be working together, I’d like to ask everyone present to confirm their specialty. As Court Wizard, I focus on the study and application of Gravity Magic.” (Rutland)

Gravity magic, huh? It doesn’t have a lot of applications right now and is difficult to control, so it’s unpopular. Even my [Null Gravity] spell has its problems, mostly the mana consumption.

“I am Mineus, the [White Sage]. I mainly use Fire and Wind Magic in battle.” (Mineus)

Next to speak up is a wrinkled old man that looks to be at least 70 years old. And this guy is an active adventurer?

“My name is Picorio, the [Green Sage]. My research focuses on Alchemy and Life Magic.” (Picorio)

Picorio is here as expected. He’s been the [Green Sage] for a long time, it’s common knowledge around Runetap to the point where it’s not worth mentioning. His Life Magic is superb, though I've not seen many others use it.

It’s a school of magic that only the Elves can use and is vastly different from others. It directly affects the body, strengthening or weakening them. Even healing is possible, though it’s weaker than the Chruch-exclusive Holy Magic. It can also control plants and trees, making it unbeatable in a forest.

Next up is the dwarf with the braided brown beard.

“Name’s Magedon Slatepike. I’m the recently-inducted [Brown Sage] that focuses on Golems and Fire Magic.” (Slatepike)

As expected. Only dwarves work with Golems after all. Unlike Life Magic you can still teach other races how to make and control Golems, but only the dwarves can make them practical.

Come to think of it, both of them omitted their Adventurer Ranks. It’s a bit weird, but let’s follow suit. Wouldn’t want to appear pompous.

“Kiressara mil Quasse. Name is long so you may call me [Red Sage].” (Kira)

I aim that second part towards Slatepike, he nods in response. It really is a dwarf thing after all, huh?

“I focus on Thunder and Fire magic.” (Kira)

The last person here is the one I was most curious about. Sitting next to me is something truly rare - a female avian with bright yellow plumage. My guess is this is the [Yellow Sage].

I’ve never seen an avian before, but this woman is one of them without question. The body and face appear human, but the head and arms are covered in feathers instead of hair. A pair of huge wings spread out from her upper back.

As far as I know, avians really hate cities since they get shot down by ballistae and magic. Most of them don’t have a Flight Badge after all, but this one must be an exception.

“AAAaaahaaa haaaa haaaaAAA” (Yellow Sage)

She opens her mouth and starts… singing? That’s odd? A beautiful, bewitching voice fills the room.

Literally bewitching.

I feel my head getting dizzy!

“--- [Barrier]” (Kira)

I quickly bring up a Barrier, get some distance from the [Yellow Sage]. The others are clutching their heads and writhing around on the ground or in their seats.

Except for Rutland, the Court Wizard. He’s unaffected even though there’s no barrier. Whatever’s going on, he’s probably behind it.

“Tch, she’s faster than I thought.” (Rutland)

I reach up and activate the ear cuff. The [Yellow Sage] is still singing and looking at me with a bewildered face while the her victims are screaming in pain.

“Ellie! Get up here right now! Kelly, go outside!” (Kira)

Barrier Magic is something only humans can use, it looks like the bird lady didn’t know about it. It’s one of the few things that can hinder the flow of mana. As a result, her song has no effect on me right now.

“----- [High Beam]” (Rutland)

*VOOOOM*

Rutland fires a thick white [Beam] spell at me. My barrier blocks it for a split second before crumbling, but it gives me time to dodge the rest of it. The spell wrecks the wall behind me.

“Haaaaa aaaaaAAAaa!” (Yellow Sage)

The song is invading my head again!

“--- [BarriAAARRGH!” (Kira)

No good! I can’t focus! The pain is too intense!

“Nano! Run! Have to ARRRGH!”

{Ellie, grab Kira and run outside! ASAP!}

At Nano’s words, Ellie arrives in the room, picks me up and leaps out through the smashed wall in an instant. She lands on the road behind the building and starts running.

“AARRRGH!” (Kira)

The pain won’t stop! I don’t hear the song with my ears anymore, but it’s in my head!

{“What’s going on?”} (Kelly)

{Seems to be some form of mental attack with magic. There was a song, we don’t hear it anymore but Kira’s still screaming in pain.}

“AAAAH AAAAH!” (Kira)

{“Ellie, use an [Impact Pellet] on Kira!”} (Kelly)

“Okay!” (Ellie)

*Ting*

Ellie crushes one of the glass beads in her hand. The clear, almost bell-like sound instantly washes away the song in the back of my head.

“*Haah haah*, I’m okay! *Haah*, Ellie, take us far away from here. Nano, guide Kelly to us.” (Kira)

{“What happened back there?”} (Kelly)

{By the looks of things… the Kingdom of Ferseit just declared war on us.}

* * *

We regrouped with Kelly shortly after and started pooling our information.

“Okay, Nano’s outburst was a bit dramatic, but not entirely wrong. That bird-lady and the Court Wizard cooperated to attack and subdue the rest of us with no warning. Their preparations were lacking so I managed to escape.” (Kira)

“That bird lady’s an Avian right? That lot’s voice does nasty things to people. That’s why nobody likes them, not because of the flying thing.” (Kelly)

{What reason do they have for doing this?}

“Nothing legal, otherwise they’d use the Guild or guards directly. For some reason, their plan seemed to involve gathering and subduing the best mages around.” (Kira)

“It’s not subduing, Red. It’s controlling. Given enough time that bird lady can brainwash them into mindless dolls.” (Kelly)

Ellie's face seemed to distort and break at Kelly's last words.

“HuhuhuhahahahAHHAHAHAHAHA!” (Ellie)

She lets out a rather disturbing laugh… It’s honestly scaring me.

“As expected of that old fart! Even in another world he’s still the same old piece of SHIT! Maybe he’s just pure shit down to his very soul!? Huhuhuhu!” (Ellie)

“Calm down Ellie! They’ll find us if you’re this loud!” (Kira)

We’re just hiding in an alley with some warehouses around, it’s not like we’re completely safe. What actually worries me most is that really intense outburst. Every word she said was dripping with bloodlust.

“Wait, you know that guy?” (Kelly)

{Not exactly. His face is exactly like the old fart that tortured and imprisoned Ellie when she was a kid.}

““What?”” (Kira and Kelly)

“That’s right, that’s right! Not just the shitty face, even the shitty brain is the same pile of-” (Ellie)

“Ellie please… you’re scaring me!” (Kira)

I put my hands on the shoulders of the person in front of me. I lightly shake her, trying to wake my wife up. This isn’t her, this is someone I don’t know. This must be how Ellie was before… the one that ‘died when she met Kira.’

“Ahhh! Ah! No, Kira… I’m… I’m sorry! I…” (Ellie)

Good, she’s come back to her senses. I wrap my arms around her and try to comfort the still-shaking Ellie.

“Shh, it’s alright. I’m here.” (Kira)

A few moments later, she calms down. I let go of her. I don’t want to, it pains me to do it, but this is an emergency.

“Kelly, will the [Impact Pellets] work on them like they did on me?” (Kira)

“Yes, they should. It’s not a curse, so it shouldn’t harm the victims, but I can’t be sure. You didn't feel any side-effects?” (Kelly)

“No, when Ellie did it earlier, it just felt like the voice instantly stopped and the pain abated.” (Kira)

“Hmm, then, perhaps it’s worth considering. On second thought, it’s our only option. Those frail mage types might die if we seriously go at them. Especially Picorio.” (Kelly)

“Good, then let’s do that. How many pellets do we have?” (Kira)

“Scrappy has twenty.” (Kelly)

“Twelve. Here, Kira doesn't have any right?” (Ellie)

She hands me six pellets, I tuck them away in a pocket.

“Thanks. Then our goal is to get close and hit them with it, but it's not going to be so easy.” (Kira)

“Blocking that woman’s voice is going-” (Kelly)

{Butler's down! The kids are in danger!}

As an excuse for tricking some of you, have an actual new chapter :^)