I just stood there. My expression froze as I tried to make sense of the situation. Where did I go wrong? I could have sworn that I would be chosen. As I stood there at a loss for words, Mary started to walk forwards towards the heroes and other companions. She looked nervous as all those present watched her walk to the stage. She began to twiddle her fingers together, looking towards the ground so as to avoid meeting the numerous gazes. When she finally arrived at the stage it hit me. I really wasn’t chosen.

I looked over to Hina. She had taken the opportunity to choose from the church’s nominees, so for what reason did she choose Mary over myself? Looking over there I could see Hina beaming smile aimed at Mary, a gentle look in her droopy eyes. Don’t tell me it’s because she thought she looked cute?! We’ll see how cute she looks after I burn her face off! My anger began to bubble up from deep within my stomach, and I could feel my eye had started to violently twitch, while my smile had turned ghastly. I never was good with dealing with my anger, or any emotions really.

It’s strange really. Such a small thing triggered the gushing forth of almost twelve years of pent-up, negative emotions. I’d always hidden them behind my smile. But my smile was starting to crack. The corners of my lips started to tug downwards, as my hand began to itch.

I really need to kill someone. As painfully as possible, as soon as possible. Who better than my former comrade, Mary and the foolish twit, Hina? Shouldn’t they take responsibility for their actions? Life isn’t fair, I’ve always known that, and I think it’s for the best that I let others know it too.

I started to circulate my magical power in preparation to unleash the tier 5 spell, Solar Flare. Everyone had their focus on the front where the heroes and companions had begun to chat, getting to know one another. The twit looked over to my position and gave me an apologetic smile. I felt something snap. I could feel a downwards tug on my lips. My smile broke. However, just as I was about to unleash hell on the room, I felt something interfere, something holding me back, something making me calm again.

Cyne don’t do this, control yourself! Committing such actions now doesn’t hold any benefit to you. Think rationally.

My rapid breathing slowed as I heard Serenity’s words in my mind. The smile was still broken for the moment, my face expressionless. I don’t care whether I maim or kill those in this hall, but Serenity was right in saying it would hold no benefits. In fact I would probably be subdued by the representatives and executed on the spot. My emotions had neatly tucked themselves away again, deep inside me. Hopefully they won’t come out again anytime soon. It was an unpleasant experience. I had finally returned to my sense and slowly forced a smile onto my face. Luckily no one had been paying enough attention to notice the internal struggle I was caught up in.

Thank you Serenity. You’ve calmed me down, you really live up to your namesake, hehehe.

I’m glad to see you’re fine. I’ll be resting now; it took up a significant sum of my gathered magical energy to restrain your spell. Please keep in mind that I also live in this body… keep yourself safe. It may be a few days before I fully recover.

With that Serenity became silent. I couldn’t help but feel grateful to her. If she hadn’t been here, who knows how things would’ve gone. I’ll have to find a good way to thank her… I’ll just ask her what she wants when she wakes up again.

I once again refocused my attention on the front. The entire exchange had only taken a matter of seconds. I was able to see the reaction of the other two heroes to Hina’s choice at the time, but had been too dumbfounded to pay attention. Now that I think about it, they too had looked quite surprised, I guess I wasn’t the only one Hina had caught off guard with that decision.

Yuki looked conflicted, most likely happy at yet another cute, female companion, but also guilty at having not chosen the one who had encouraged them earlier. Rin on the other hand looked completely opposed to the arrangement, probably scared of her title of cutest and most vulnerable being stolen away, hehehe. She looked over to me as I observed the group, meeting my gaze. Her eyes widened as she saw my smile. She blushed and looked away, before turning back to mouth ‘sorry’ to me. I can use this! Hope is not lost!

I just smiled at her, giving the most understanding and empathetic gaze I had in my arsenal. I mouthed the words ‘It’s alright, it’s not your fault’ over to her. She looked away quickly, but I had the chance to see her expression before she managed to. She had guilt clearly written across her face. Perfect. Now that I’ve planted the seeds of guilt, all I can do is wait. If nothing comes of it then I’ll just arrange Mary’s death by unfortunate accident.

The banquet quickly continued on, and a multitude of people went up to congratulate the new companions. After a few minutes, during which Rin had spent the majority of the time looking uncomfortable and stealing glances at me, she looked like she finally realised I wouldn’t go forth to congratulate the new companions or interact with her or the other heroes. It looked like by ignoring her and the others, I was successfully growing the seed of guilt. It should flower soon.

As the banquet began to end and the hall slowly emptied of the guests, my work finally showed some results. I saw Rin pull Yuki to the side and began a hushed discussion. I liked where this was going. After a few minutes of talking, and a determined looking Yuki. They made their way over to the other party members. Yuki quickly called for everyone’s attention.

“Sorry to trouble you all, but Rin and I have been talking it over and think that we should’ve done the selection in a different way.”

Hina narrowed her eyes at the statement, while all the companions froze, worried looks flitting across their faces. Having been chosen as a member of the heroes’ party none of them would easily give up the position. Yuki noticed their expression, and quickly went on.

“As you know, there was only one nominee from the royal guards, Deane. The result of my inviting him to the party was me not getting the ability to contribute to the selection process. Not that I’m unhappy having Deane as a companion! But I think I should’ve gotten a little more say.”

Deane looked visibly more relaxed as he figured out that he was in a relatively safe position. Hina however, looked troubled by what Yuki had said.

“But, you agreed to it, so isn’t it a bit strange for you to start complaining now?” responded Hina with a challenging tone. It looked like she knew where this was going.

Yuki had been rendered useless by this simple, logical sentence. I suppressed a sigh. Couldn’t he have a bit more conviction? Luckily Rin came to his rescue.

“Well when we were all talking before, we all said that we would choose Cath from the adventurer’s nominees, so in reality I didn’t really get that much of a decision in the choosing process either.”

Catherine displayed a happy expression, looking pleased that all three of the heroes would have chosen her as a companion. She didn’t really have any competition, so why is she looking so pleased with herself? Surely she didn’t think the heroes would choose one of the gorillas… did she?

In contrast to Catherine, Mary became visibly unsettled by the situation. The conversation was obviously about the choice from the church nominees. Hina started to show an angry expression and stood in front of Mary.

“I stand by my decision in choosing Mary!” she said.

“It isn’t your decision alone though. We are a team. I think we should vote for who we want from the church nominees!” countered Rin.

Hina had no way to argue, and after a moment, gave her consent with a disgruntled nod. Hehehe, she looks pretty downhearted. It can only be expected, after all, both Rin and Yuki definitely won’t choose Mary.

“I choose Mary” began Hina.

“”I choose Cyne”” stated the other two.

Beautiful play! I can only pat myself on the back for that. A job well done, yet again. It really was a good thing I didn’t blow up the room earlier on. Mary looked a bit down, but not as much as one would expect in such a scenario. Hina looked over to her.

“Sorry” she said in a barely audible voice.

“I-It’s okay! You don’t have to be sorry. I probably wouldn’t be that helpful anyway. Cyne can do lots of things I can’t, so it would be better if he went with you.” Replied Mary.

Strangely enough, she ended up consoling the now thoroughly depressed Hina, after which she bid her farewells and went on her way. She was taking it rather well. Mary, I have a new found respect for you. You’ve officially entered my good books!

After the conversation had ended and Mary had left, I was called over and the change in the situation was explained. I showed a happy smile to everyone present as I was told the news that I’d become a companion, but then changed it into a sad one.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity and will do my best as your future companion. I feel bad for Mary, but knowing that she held faith enough in my ability to graciously step down, is comforting and inspiring. I look forward to being in your care.”

Both Rin and Yuki looked towards me with admiration in their gazes, whereas Hina was throwing a scowl at me. What’s that for? I mean really, according to your knowledge none of this was my doing. My new companions gave me an appraising gaze before introducing themselves. They didn’t look to have any particular opinion on the switching of a companion, but Deane kept giving me a suspicious look. What he was suspicious about, I don’t know. I mean I’m just your typical super-friendly, polite inspector of god… I guess I really am suspicious. I decided it would be best to make a good impression on them early, and put on a sincere smile in preparation to flatter them.

“Miss Catherine, and Sir Deane, I look forward to working with you in the future. You both have a very capable air about yourselves, of which I can only be envious. In comparison to your experiences out in the real world, my meagre supply is rather pitiful. I am however pleased to see such traits in my companions, as I am sure the heroes are too.”

Catherine started to show a big goofy grin at the praise, and even Deane seemed to relax his suspicious gaze at me. It looks as though I’d have to watch out for Deane and Hina in the future, but the others are easy enough to lead by the nose.

“Hahaha! Don’t worry about it! You might be lacking in experience but you look like you’ll get the hang of it easy! Till then you can rely on me whenever.” Said Catherine.

I gave her a grateful smile as she started to slam her palm into my back… what frightful strength. This wild woman was evidently very friendly and quick to trust others, contrary to her dangerous and predatory appearance. I guess you can’t always judge a book by its cover.

“I think we should all get to know each other some more! Our new companion here hasn’t been around for much of the talk so far. So let’s take the time to talk some more tomorrow, after the revealing ceremony!” suddenly suggested Catherine.

The revealing ceremony was where we would learn about the individual powers of each hero and their speciality. Personally I didn’t know much about it; the church records only ever mentioned it.

Hina was still sulking over the loss of Mary and Deane was still performing his cool and quiet guy act, but both Yuki and Rin looked eager at the suggestion from Catherine. Yuki was discreetly glancing at the well sized breasts on Catherine, while Rin kept glancing over towards me… Dammit, is this one going to get attached to me now? That would be awfully troublesome. Rin seemed too nervous to agree, whereas Yuki was at the moment mesmerized by Catherine’s assets, so I took the lead.

“I think it’s a great idea” I said, after which everyone agreed with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

By this time, it had already entered the late stages of the night, the sun having set long ago. The banquet had officially ended and a number of servants had come to show the heroes where they’d be residing for the time being. I bid my farewell to the heroes, receiving a glare from Hina. Rin however made a suitable response, albeit in a nervous and stuttering way. Of all of them, Yuki achieved the most points in my book for being able to properly say goodbye.

The banquet having properly ended and both the heroes and other companions having left, I headed back to the church for some much needed sleep.