Transportation.

The Sunday of that week Gaius was with Akai, watching magical girl shows. They were discussing whether Madoka, Usagi, Nanoha, or the Pretty Cures were really similar enough to be considered a genre or if they were more of a setting where the authors put the genres they wanted.

“And I'm saying that cosmic horror story and military magical sci-fi epic are not a genre. Aside from girls doing magic and having an animal, or in one case shapeshifter, companion they have little in common. They are more of a setting, a world building tool, than a genre, a set of literary characteristics.”

“And I'm saying that is a genre and you misunderstand what a genre is.”

“Why is that?”

“Because worldbuilding is also part of a genre. Like fantasy or sci-fi.”

“Let's agree to disagree.”

“Very well.”

They fell silent and kept watching their anime. While Yuki Yuna is a Hero was showing Akai began speaking about work.

“Gaius, I need a favour.”

“What is it?”

“Can you be part of the prisoner convoy tomorrow?”

“Why? A teleportation from here needs no guards.”

“Some are part of organisations that can intercept our teleportation. For those we have to transport them the mundane way.”

“I guess that you want to be the detector?”

“Not quite. We've got enough people that that won't be a problem. There has been a new development in the Awakening front.”

“Finally?”

“Yes. Recently people we had watched as suspects have attacked our facilities and the other associations in town. Even the Blue Leaders.”

“Is that an actual attack or a misdirection?”

“I believe the second, we have taken way bigger losses than the Blues.”

“That is a concern. Are they still undetectable?”

“Yes. We have not tested Senjutsu against it though. It's because of that that I want Kotone and you there, we can detect other ambushes but not awakenees.”

“I shouldn't bring the others along.”

“No, you shouldn't, Akihiko and Ryuunosuke are still too weak. Your students are mister I am learning to control my evil side and mister I am rethinking my life, not suitable for a delicate mission. I have words to say about your treatment of Kishi by the way.”

“What are they?”

“I agree with your message, he did need to stop being a stick in the mud. My problem is how you did it, you were very harsh.”

“He pissed me off. I have no excuses to make.”

“That is good.” Akai turned to Gaius and smiled at him. Gaius returned the gesture.

“My anger?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Your knowledge of what you did wrong.”

“I'm not sure I was wrong, he wouldn't have listened had I been more lenient.”

“Be that as it may that harshness should have been a last resort, not the first thing you did.”

“Actually the first thing I did was hope interaction with Kotone and Terui would make him better. It worsened him.”

“Waiting doesn't tend to be a good approach.”

“Neither rushing. I was harsh because I deemed that was what was needed.”

“Then I have no problem with how you handled it. About the job, you only need to stay in the vehicle and detect things so you don't need much of a briefing.”

“Where are we bringing them?”

“Kyoto. It has the most expansive and secure prisons in Japan. Aside of the Forsaken Realm that is.”

With business finished they kept watching their series for hours. In order to take a breather they left the room they were in. Gaius stumbled when he went through the doorway and couldn't help but he nauseated.

“Are you alright? This is only the fifth time you are here, take it easy.”

Gaius spoke while getting his bearings.

“Should we even use an accelerated dimension where we age at normal rates, meant for fast coordination, to watch more series?”

“It's mine, I do what I want with it. Either way it would remain there and just gather dust so this way it has a use beyond being there. We didn't have enough time to update you to the most recent fiction at normal time progression.”

“Such a mundane utility. What's next, using it to take breaks between work time?”

“Not next, previous. I use it to have more free time by both working and resting within. A pity it can only be used for four outside hours a day without negative consequences.”

“That is sixteen within hours right? That sounds very useful.”

“It is. What do you want to eat?”

“I still haven't tried an specialty of the modern world.”

“What is it?” Said Akai with expectations.

“Hamburgers.”

“What?”

Next morning Gaius headed to the park where the prison was found. There he found twelve trucks, one for the prisoners and eleven for the escorts. Each of them could house at least twenty people and all were filled to the brim. With ten prisoners and two hundred and thirty guards the importance the Waning Moon gave to this relocation was blatant.

The park was bustling with activity and Gaius was stopped before the entrance.

“Stop. We are performing an important police transport here. Move along.” Said a uniformed woman.

“I am Gaius Atiius Quadratus. Your leaders should be waiting for me.”

“Yes I have been informed of your presence. Please submit to identification protocols.”

Gaius assented and had to weather several minutes of tests. Fingerprint scans, iris scans, teeth scans, DNA testing, spiritual signature and finally several questions to answer where the protocols in question.

“Name.”

“Gaius Atiius Quadratus.”

“Birthplace.”

“The past.”

“Age.”

“Your grandfather is a toddler.”

“When were you born.”

“July, more or less.”

“Position.”

“Classified.”

“Disciplines.”

“Enough to make you seem like an animal by comparison.”

“Notable ancestors.”

“Numantia.”

“Prior affiliation.”

“My current one is a downgrade.”

“Objectives.”

“I gotta catch ‘em all.”

“Safe password.”

“I am a fuchsia penguin that likes to dance salsa.”

“Your answers are bizarre. Move along, the boss is waiting for you in the back.”

“I know, and thanks.”

Gaius went where he was directed and soon came to the entrance of the prison. He went through it to enter the prison and went to the warden's office. Once there he saw Kotone was already there. He nodded and smiled at her but she glared at Gaius in response. Understanding what she wanted to say he dismissed it and turned to the warden.

He was a blue oni, a rare thing to see in a position such as his. Normally oni were warriors and not members of administration. He could however see some overlap between warden of a supernatural prison and a warrior. His thoughts were interrupted by he raising his voice.

“Yes I am an oni in a place filled with corruption. No it doesn't affect me despite being an Evil Spirit.”

“I know that. I was wondering why an oni took such a position.”

“I’ve never liked combat, I prefer calm. Staring aside I am Shoi, warden of Kimobuchi Prison. Now, why do I get two new burdens that are not part of the usual team?”

“Orders from above.” Answered Gaius. His smiled deepened at seeing Shoi’s frown, glad to get back at him for the burden comment.

“You don't say? Why?” Should nearly growled the last word.

“I don't know if you have the clearance. I have only been ordered to tell the transport leader.”

“No problem then, he will tell me.”

“Not unless Akai authorises you?”

“Who?”

“Akai. Akairyuu. You know the Head?”

“Who are you to speak Master Kagayakashii’s name so freely.”

The rooms temperature fell as the oni stared at Gaius. While Kotone shivered Gaius looked at him leisurely.

“His friend.”

“Yeah right.” He snorted. “The actual reason for your disrespect, or I will have to report you.”

“Go ahead. Stuck up imbecile.”

The oni smiled to contain his fury and called through his desk phone.

“Master Kagayakashii it’s Shoi. I have a disrespectful man called Gaius here who…”

His voice faltered as he heard Akai’s answer, his eyes widening in disbelief. Once he was done he hanged up and glared even harder at Gaius.

“How did you fool him?”

“Such little faith in him? For being such a fanboy you have little trust in A-k-a-i.”

The sheer smugness in his voice would have made to make even the most calm of men to rage. The oni was not a calm man.

“Enough with the games! Who are you?!”

“I am Gaius Atiius Quadratus, Rank 4.”

“At your age? Impossible.”

“Maybe for a close minded fool with more pride than reason.” Gaius’ tone and body language was genial, but it was obvious from his words that he he was anything but.

Show realised why Gaius was being so confrontational and tried to relax.

“My apologies for the rudeness. Can you finally tell me who you are?”

“You aren't really sorry.”

The oni was about to burst out when Gaius continued.

“But it will have to do. I am Gaius Atiius Quadratus, Senjutsu user, Oracle of Augusta Emerita. That is my disciple, Araki Kotone. We have been sent to guard against more esoteric threats. Is that enough?”

Shoi was astonished and swallowed some saliva. Nervousness set in when he understood he had antagonised a man of similar strength to his that was not only younger but much more valuable for the rareness of his abilities.

“Master Gaius I-”

“Shut up. You are a rude idiot with an inflated sense of importance. You are a mere warden, an administrator of the day to day affairs of the prison. You're not even in charge of security. But since you can step on prisoners you feel superior.”

“I-”

“Shut up. You are a disgrace to the association. Rude, arrogant, foolish. I will send a complaint to the higher ups, they will investigate your behaviour. I hope your incompetence only shows in your treatment of allies, for your own good. Where is the convoy leader?”

“In the third block waiting room.”

“Good. Let's go Kotone.”

Kotone nodded and hurried after him. Shoi collapsed as he was leaving, his confidence broken.

While they were walking to the third block Kotone began speaking.

“Between this and Kishi you seem very angry lately.”

“I have always hated arrogance. To believe oneself perfect is to deny one’s flaws. If you deny your flaws, if you make them out to be normal or even good, you will be at least an ass, like the warden. At worst you will become a monster but this wasn't the case in both these cases.

The warden needed to be reminded he is only one man. Kishi needed to be reminded that he was just a bratty child. The best way to deal with pride is to crush it. Break their perception of themselves by shoving their weaknesses in their faces. Haughtiness must be broken. At least true pride.”

“True pride?”

“Think of it in noble terms. A true pride would be the noble that considers his subjects dirt and abuses them as he desires. This is harmful and must be eradicated. False pride would be Noblesse Oblige, the noble believes himself superior and thus his duty is to protect his subjects. This is beneficial but can lead to arrogance induced mistakes, the noble must be taught he is not perfect and has flaws. The humble way would be for the noble to understand he is a just a man given authority and responsibility, he is aware of his flaws and works to mitigate them. This is ideal.”

“So returning to the previous matter. Kishi was arrogant and you broke that arrogance. How was he arrogant?”

“Did you know he considered you lazy? Inferior because you didn't train as much as he did? That he envied you and actually hated you a little for surpassing him while being inferior?”

Kotone stopped right in the middle of the stone passage, making the guard following them to stumble.

“He what?” Her voice was mortified and shaky. “I knew he had problems with his growth but I didn't want to make him-”

She began to tear a little.

“Don't.”

She was startled out of her sadness.

“Don't what?”

“Don't blame yourself for his assholeness. He didn't hate you through any fault of yours, it was all his own arrogance and foolishness.”

He approached Kotone and looked at her in the eyes.

“I know you have issues with wanting to be loved Kotone, but this wasn't your fault. You mustn't feel bad because Kishi is a douche.”

“Isn't that too harsh on Kishi?”

“No it isn't. He was insulting you because of his feelings of inferiority. Do not pity him, he brought this on himself through his own actions. If you want to help him become a good person that’s fine, but don't justify him. Being an asshole is being an asshole, no matter the reasons.”

“I thought you believed in forgiveness.” Said Kotone aggressively.

“One must want to seek redemption, to regret their actions, in order to be forgiven. And that has nothing to do with remembering his actions. I will hold no Ill will towards him, I will help him in becoming a better person. But I will not forget his actions. Forgive, don't forget. And justifying others is in direct opposition with forgiveness. To forgive you must acknowledge the other did harm to you and not hold it against them. If you justify them, rationalise their deeds, you are dismissing that harm. You are enabling evil. If you justify you are an accomplice.”

“That’s a bit ranty.” Kotone laughed nervously.

Gaius relaxed and put his hands on her shoulders.

“Kotone you are a good girl. Do not let that goodness be abused by others, you must not allow your compassion to allow evil, to be abused.”

“Isn't evil a but strong here?”

“Maybe. But the thing you were doing for Kishi is what you would allow others to take advantage of you. That must be curtailed now that it hasn't caused much harm.”

Kotone began to try and answer, but she couldn't think of anything.

“Can I think this through?”

“Always.”

They did the rest of the walk in silence. Kotone didn't even realise when Gaius introduced them and stated their function. Her reverie was only broken when they left the prison and boarded the trucks. They were placed in the same one as the leader’s for ease of communication.

“Kotone.”

“Huh?!”

“Pay attention, we must be alert.”

“Sure!”

Having been chastised she began to pay attention to her surroundings. The travel went smoothly until they reached the outskirts of the city. Once they reached them Kotone lifted her head and looked at Gaius, who nodded. He then turned to Uda Mishima, the leader.

“Uda, I feel a spiritual disturbance nearby.”