Multiple Settings Anima Studies

[Yakov011001]

Why was it he always ended up here? The Foundry was someplace Nikklaüs always considered a second home, but that’s just because he always had so many reasons to try and stay away from his first home as often as possible. Even now, condemned as it was, he continued to run away to here whenever his cowardice reared its ugly head. A place where he could find comfort in the certainty of steel, a strength untethered by fettering emotion. If only there was a furnace he could hide away in: a place for him to cook out his imperfections, a way to hammer out the kinks in his head.

Nikklaüs hissed to himself as his labored breathing pushed through his clenched teeth. His Anima continued to jet out in a pulsing current of ultraviolet energy, and he couldn’t get it to calm down. Not for the fifteen or so hours since it started. So he continued to train, today was the exam after all. Yesterday reminded him that he wasn’t in Anima Studies to make friends; he was studying to become an Arcanist after all, and he was done getting distracted.

He was in the rolling mill at the exit point of the furnace. With his experience in the foundry he was able to get the mill up and running again and had primed the furnace with some amount of scrap metal for the rolling mill to wedge into cables and spool up for distribution. At least, that’s its intended purpose, but Nikklaüs needed to work on his defense even still. He was up against frighteningly fast adversaries, demons even he was having a hard time keeping up with. Suitably he had rigged the rolling machine with a metal wedge between some of the roller gates that would force the cable into a cobble, that is to shoot out wildly, dangerously in many directions at speeds he had never needed to respond to before he stepped into the halls of the academy. Now he would have to, or risk getting skewered by a 925 C metal cable traveling at 7.5/sec. Cobbling did have failsafes of course, but it wasn’t anything he didn’t know how to override. Honestly, he’d already been at it for some forty-five minutes at this point.

Some extra cable came at him almost directly in the face, something he deflected to his right with a swipe of Zantetsuken. As its front end flew out to the side, the cable contacted the ground and caused the cable to flex in a way that bent back towards his torso. Ready for the possibility, Klaüs cleaved through the cable with a quick downswipe that made the cable’s new end veer left instead. Predictably it bent back in the same way much lower this time, threatening to take him by the ankles. Twisting his body violently out, he let his amplified legs kick him into a wide sideflip that let him sever the cable again. Upon landing, he watched as the cable buckled at hitting the back wall straight on and shooting an arc of hot metal into the air where it coiled into a large cluster before coming down over him.

Open up.

Unsheathing Zantetsuken, Nikklaüs eviscerated the entire coil of cables before it made contact with the ground. Something that created just enough space for him to slip between the cracks.

Good, that will show them. Show them? Show who? Marianne? This isn’t her fault, it’s mine. I pushed too hard trying to help her. You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped, what was it all for? I just wanted to repay her for the kindness she showed me. Kindness, is that what I call it? Sure, I do, I have to, right? She was someone who helped me cross the threshold into a life I wasn’t ready for. Thanks to her, now I am. Thanks to her? Thanks to me! I don’t need help from her. I saw her struggle with Amplification, one of the most basic of fundamentals. She couldn’t deal with even a Rank I without putting herself out of commission. All I need is to look around me, and see what all I can do now. I understand now that she is below me. No! That’s wrong!

Nikklaüs’ thoughts were interrupted by the rolling mill producing one last sputtering meter of cable that shot out and took him by the right tricep.

“Fuck!” He shouted, clutching his tricep where it had made a nasty gash. “You are fucking kidding me.”

Hey, hey students, today’s the day, so make sure to arrive with time to spare to the main entrance or else the examiners will get mad at both of us.

Nikklaüs clicked his tongue at Jaquie’s timing, his brow furrowing in frustration and annoyance. This guy’s voice pisses me the fuck off. But I suppose that means I shut all this down and leave. I’ll have to stop by the Cintas kit before I do though.

Taking a short moment to stop the rolling mill and quell the furnace, he stopped by one of the offices where they kept a wall mounted first aid cabinet where he retrieved some burn spray and gause to fix himself up on the way out. That path led him through the scrap floor, where the furnaces took metal in for refinement. It was a wide room and the center had been cleared out, leaving only two large bloodstains smeared across the negative space. It was something that caused Nikklaüs to instinctively bring his hand up and hold the scar under his pec. Those were the only two casualties of the accident that condemned this foundry, and he almost made three. The fact he was alive was a statistical anomaly, though it would’ve been even more of one if he did die. Just him and those two, it would be too coincidental, too poetic. He never did figure out what they were doing there that day, but it didn’t matter anymore.

He only wished that didn’t still control him.

---

“Has anyone seen Nikklaüs?”

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Nikklaüs hadn’t bothered stopping anywhere else between leaving the forge and the Academy’s front gate. That meant he was simply in the same clothes he was the day before. Red joggers with zippered pockets and a black, sleeveless undershirt. That meant this new bloodstained wrapping on his upper arm was open for everyone to see. Though it was hard not to be distracted by Zantetsuken’s hilt jutting out of his chest, he hadn’t been able to calm down enough to get it to dissipate since stepping onto campus grounds.

As he walked, his Anima outstretched its boundaries in a most invasive way. It was like a pressure that weighed down on anyone that passed through it. He settled on finding a secluded corner away from everyone, careful not to cross Marianne’s line of sight. There, he settled on his knees and closed his eyes. It was something he would’ve called meditating, if he wasn’t stewing on the spiteful negativity that festered inside him.

 

[Solirus]

Preparation
Verite November Witch Tiguidi Juju Yakov011001
​

"Hi Valerie." Jaquie dryly responded to the enthusiastic girl, his focus still sharply focused on his cards, then back to Terrance. "Give me your eights."

Terrance remained utterly silent, no hint of communication nor motion was present, yet Jaquie seemingly grew annoyed, as he reached toward the deck, taking the top card. Mariana would then arrive at the main entrance, yet since she did not address Jaquie directly, he remained glued to his game.

"Go fish." Jaquie responded, as if Terrance had seemingly just spoken to the man. And just like clockwork, Terrance would reach out and grab the top-most card with extreme care.

"Morning." Jaquie was quick to reply to Cobalt's own greeting. "I'll take your kings" Jaquie stated, prompting the silent man to hand over two kings toward Jaquie who now had a visible smirk on his face. "Cheating? I didn't cheat!" Jaquie exclaimed, at the apparent accusation thrown his way.

Terrance remained motionless and expressionless, to a normal person, Jaquie would appear mentally unwell. "You're more likely to cheat than me. Oh, don't get sassy with me, mister, the wording has nothing to do with it." Again, Terrance was less lively than roadkill.

At Marianne's question, Jaquie waited for a second until the man himself walked through the door, "He's there." Jaquie stated before returning to his game with the statue of a person known as Terrance.

Shortly after, the shut door behind Nikklaüs slowly opened as Isaac entered the main gate. Quiet as ever, Isaac moved to an unoccupied wall and leaned on it. His anima was as anxious as ever, but the usual tinge of pink was different today, evidently more so when his gaze landed on Mariana. Momentarily darkening the anima before returning far more vibrantly. Isaac would then stare off into the window to avoid any potential eye contact with anyone.

"Ok, you're going to need to relax for a second there, mister." Jaquie demanded as Terrance carefully set down his hand of cards and stood up from his chair. Grabbing the leg of the chair, Terrance seemed ready to bash the thing right at Jaquie, "Stop, don't do-"

Jaquie turned around as he felt a new presence approaching.

"Heya!" an ambiguous voice exclaimed. None of the students would recognize the voice, except for Nikklaüs, who could instantly tell from whom the voice came from.

​

"Hello Aster-" Jaquie welcomed, as Terrance slammed the chair directly into Jaquie, shattering it into pieces while Jaquie remained seemingly unaffected, but highly annoyed. "Are you done?" Jaquie asked as Terrance took a seat. "Goodness, you're such a sore loser. Anyway, Aster, what's up, got bored with your previous look?"

"You know it! I was getting tired of that previous style, felt too artificial, you know?" Aster explained as they brushed their hair to make it messier, "I also just looove how this color looks… So what are you all up to"

"Today's the rank 2 exam." Jaquie responded, pointing back at the students.

"Really? Oh my goodness" Aster brimmed with excitement and joy, their anima a soft and vibrant cloud, "I had such good memories of the exam, we had such a fun party afterward! Wait, you guys should totally hold a party after the exam or maybe some sort of celebration, then we attend, and you'd get to hang out with the rest of us. Oh, Roderick would love that so much." Asters anima surged with giddiness and excitement, seemingly too much.

"Celebration is fun, but is there a reason you were here?" Jaquie asked, Aster, before they got too excited.

"Oh, I'm just passing by. But guys, we should totally hold a celebration, I'll be available later if you guys have any ideas." Aster continued walking past the other students in rhythmic strides, as if their very walk was a dance. "Oh, I can't wait!" Aster's voice could be heard until they finally left the vicinity.

"Before any of you get any ideas of celebration, try to focus on the exam... but don't stress over it too much, you'll all do great, I'm sure." Jaquie commented before moving towards the door. Some students seemed to be running late and others seemed far more down than others. "I'll leave the door slightly open for any latecomers, so don't close it when you walk past, capiche?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

With that, Jaquie opened the door, a warm breeze washing into the room. Walking past the doors, the students would be met with the brightness of the sun and the song of chirping birds. Grass painted the ground, a beautiful pasture dissected by a smooth stone path. Trees meticulously placed in the surroundings, either individually or in groups, to provide shade from the sun. It was more than obvious that the place they stood on now was a simple and inconspicuous park.

A man wearing simple office attire sat on a nearby bench next to the door, reading a newspaper. The man turned to face Jaquie and the students who passed through, and raised an eyebrow at Jaquie. "Don't worry, some are just going to be a little late."

"In that case, I'll wait." The man continued reading his newspaper, while slowly reaching out for a suitcase under the bench.

 

[Verite]

Valerie Vu - Whoa Mama
Interactions: November Witch Tiguidi Yakov011001 Juju

​

With a delighted smile, Valerie spun around enthusiastically at the sound of Mariana's voice announcing herself. As the other girl greeted her with such familiarity, carrying herself with just a bit more self-comfort to her since the semester had started. It was nice to see; as extroverted and social as she was, Valerie liked to fancy herself the kind of person who was intelligent enough to not pull someone too far out of their comfort zone too quickly if they didn't want it, but it was heartening to see Mariana step out like this.

"Me? Excited for a test? Well, I guess this is the first school where I could ever fathom it!" She giggled at Mariana's words, playfully taking the other girl's hands and idly squeezing them. "You still have the ring on you! I'm so glad you like it!" Valerie practically squeed, giving a wide grin.

"Anyway, I'm sure it won't be so bad. We're all in this together, and especially after all the training we've been putting in, we're sure to make it out with flying colors!"

As the room gradually began to fill up while Jaquie continued to play his game with Terrance, the girl giving a smile and a wave toward Nikklaüs, Marianne, and Cobalt as they too walked in, Valerie couldn't help but idly scratch her cheek as she saw the state of the former two. She was honestly tempted to make a crack about them looking like they had a long night, but with the heavy pressure that their auras were exuding, even she thought better of it.

With that, as an unfamiliar voice announced themselves to the room, Valerie spun around and blinked in surprise at the new presence, an alluring figure whom she couldn't entirely figure out. As the individual introduced as Aster said their peace and left just as quickly, Valerie leaned over toward her other classmates. "Was that a guy or a girl?" She mumbled to them. "... 'cause they were really hot either way."

Probably by design, judging from their shared words with Jaquie.

From there, as Jaquie led them through the door that would take them to the site of their next exam, Valerie winced slightly at the sudden natural light that shined in her face, but she was used to all this enough now that it didn't surprise her too much. These anarcists seemed to really like their theatrics. She'd fit right in.

Rubbing her gloved hands together, Valerie spoke up. "So, what's this exam gonna be? Fight off another messed up scary monster?" She mused, looking over at the strange man's suitcase. "Solve the Sphinx's riddles three?"

 

[November Witch]

Mariana Mirror

~{Two Sides of the Same Coin}~
​

Status: Nervous & Determined
Location: Main Entrance
Interaction(s): Solirus Juju Verite Tiguidi

While waiting for Valerie’s response, her hands moved to the pockets in her unzipped jacket. Her gaze remained on her, only moving when others entered, which would be only seconds after she had last spoken up. First up was Cobalt. He didn’t offer much besides the usually good morning greeting. But Mariana offered him a smile and a simple greeting as he entered. Crimson was nowhere to be seen, meaning she was likely still housed within Mariana for the time being.

“Morning.”

It was then, she felt her hands get grabbed. Her gaze was torn from those entering, and back to her front where Valerie held both her hands. She jumped in surprise, not used to being touched at all really. A slight blush appeared on her face, and she stammered out an answer.

“W-Well, yeah… I-If someone gets me a gift, o-of course I’m gonna wear it! Otherwise what was it bought for?”

As her hands were released, she again placed them into her jacket’s pockets, and her blush slowly disappeared. She really never knew what to expect when being around Valerie.

“I think so too. I-I’m not sure about flying colors, but I think we’ll all make it through.”

Mariana said, but as the next person entered the room, she was found second guessing that statement. Oh Marianne… Mariana had been worried about her for months. Since the day they had spoken. She hadn’t quite gotten the courage to approach her again after how their talk ended. But now? Well, she couldn’t help but approach her. She didn’t seem like her usual self at all! Thanks to Crimson’s guidance, she could see the other’s anima. It was also alot different than normal. For someone so concerned with how they held and carried themselves, this was way out of what was normal! Her worry for her classmate and concern for her wellbeing overpowered any shy or awkward feelings she may have felt.

Mariana left Valerie and approached Marianne’s side, placing one hand on Marianne’s arm as she swayed. Whether it was enough to fall or not, it still worried Mariana alot. Was Marianne really planning on taking the test like this? If it’s anything like the exam before, how did she expect to complete it safely? She moved her hand away as Marianne seemed to become a bit more stable. Her right hand rubbed the hem of her jacket between her fingers nervously, her eyes searching the other girl for anything else that could have possibly been wrong.

“Nikklaus?”

Mariana echoed, confused. Why was Marianne worried about him? She should be more worried about herself! She chewed the inside of her lip as she thought about what to say to Marianne.

“You should be more worried about yourself Marianne. Did you even sleep last night? Did you even eat or brush your hair this morning?”

Mariana, brown satchel was still slung around her shoulder. Where she kept her school supplies, and some other daily items. She removed a pristine brush and offered it to Marianne. At this time, Klaus also entered the room, and Jaquie had pointed him out, so Mariana didn’t bother responding. Her grip on the brush was oddly firm. As the previous anxiety of the test was only built upon with the revelation of Marianne’s condition. What in the world had happened to her?

‘See? You’d have ended up in a similar way if you had listened to her that day.’

Crimson said from within Mariana’s mind. Her tone sounded… Almost amused though.

“This is how an arcanist leads themselves to an early grave…”

Crimson said using Mariana’s mouth. One of her eyes had turned red, showing that it was likely Crimson. It had been said softly, quietly, by Crimson. Only Marianne could hear it.

“C-Crimson!”

“Your new pet won't protect you from yourself, you know…”

Again, just barely a whisper from Crimson.

“A-A what?”

Mariana asked, only for her other eye to return to the normal purple, and her brow to furrow in confusion. Her expression changed to one of concentration, as it seemed an internal dialogue was going on in her mind between herself and Crimson.

“I-I don’t know what Crimson is talking about, but are you sure you’re up to the challenge?”

She asked, worried for her classmate. Again, her hands fidgeted with the hem of her jacket nervously as she asked.

“M-Maybe you should stick with someone this time, j-just in case…”

Mariana didn’t pay any mind to the game of cards happening between Jaquie and Terrance. She barely looked up when another unfamiliar face popped in. Aster. She didn’t really catch any of what was said, being too caught up in her worry for Marianne. She would stay close to the girl’s side as the group moved to the door, through it, and the other side was revealed… Mariana hated how deceptive this place must be… It seemed so peaceful and serene. Yet being here for a test meant only one thing…

As for Crimson, she was on high alert now. It was the first time they had left the school in a few weeks. While not exactly paranoid, she was certainly wary of that demon that cursed her showing back up. She wasn’t worried, as she assumed Jaquie would also be on high alert, knowing it could use Crimson’s senses. It could essentially track them. Meaning it could drop in on the exam if it really wanted to. Basically all her effort was being put into detection and her guard being up. She’d let Mariana handle things until she had to step in.

 

[Silent Child]

​

Leander's footsteps echoed through the labyrinthine halls of the academy as he raced toward the exam location, urgency coursing through his every stride. To him, it felt like he was maintaining a steady, manageable pace, but anyone who happened to glance his way would undoubtedly notice the tension etched in his movements. The relaxed demeanor he usually wore had evaporated, replaced by tight, deliberate strides that betrayed the anxious fluttering in his chest. His heart thundered—not just from the exertion of running but from the tight knot of apprehension that twisted in his stomach. He couldn’t be late. "Not for this. Not now."

Behind him, Mittens bounded with delight, its fur shimmering as it leaped enthusiastically in sync with Leander’s hurried pace. The little cat thrived on the excitement, darting playfully just two steps behind him, its tail flicking with uncontained joy. While Leander's thoughts spiraled into a whirlpool of nerves, Mittens reveled in the thrill of the chase, its tiny paws tapping rhythmically against the cold stone floor, creating a soundtrack to his mounting anxiety.

"What if I miss the start?" The questions ricocheted in his mind like a chaotic symphony. His palms felt clammy against his sides, and his breath quickened as he pressed on. "And what if my method isn’t enough?" He had devoted countless hours to mastering his self-amplification technique since its discovery, but this was the moment of truth. It wasn’t merely theoretical anymore—today, he would put everything to the test. The weight of that realization gnawed relentlessly at his resolve.

Finally, the confines of the hall opened up into the glorious expanse of the outdoors as he burst through the door, sunlight flooding his vision and momentarily blinding him. He blinked rapidly, his eyes struggling to adjust to the brightness, and in the distance, he spotted other students flowing through the spatial door leading to the exam site. Just as he emerged, he caught a glimpse of the last foot slipping through, disappearing into the unknown.

Panic surged within him, and he quickened his pace, legs burning as he dashed toward the door. "I really can't be late for this one." Mittens, ever intuitive, sensed the urgency in his demeanor, momentarily racing ahead before playfully bouncing back to him, its light-hearted spirit a stark contrast to his fierce determination. Pressure mounted in his chest, each step feeling heavier with the thought of being late.

Leander slipped through the slightly ajar door, falling in line behind Nikklaüs, his heart still racing from the mad dash through the winding halls. Though his breaths came in quick succession, he struggled to steady them, not wanting to draw attention to his near tardiness. The moment he stepped through, a warm breeze enveloped him, carrying the fresh, earthy scent of grass and the soothing sounds of chirping birds. It felt surreal how tranquil the park appeared—a striking contrast to the tension that vibrated within him, amplifying the anxiety about the exam looming ahead.

As he cast a swift glance around, the sunlit clearing revealed a serene landscape. The stone path carved a deliberate line through lush green fields, and carefully arranged trees offered pockets of shade from the bright sun above. It felt more like a peaceful retreat than a battleground designed for testing their skills. Yet, the oppressive weight of the challenges to come anchored Leander firmly in reality.

His gaze landed on a man seated casually on a bench, engrossed in a newspaper, dressed simply but exuding an undeniable air of authority. As the last of the students filtered through the door, Leander overheard the soft exchange between Jaquie and the man.

“Don’t worry, some are just going to be a little late,” Jaquie assured with an air of casual confidence.

“In that case, I’ll wait,” the man replied, his tone relaxed as he slowly reached for a suitcase tucked beneath the bench. His calm presence did little to soothe the tumult of nerves churning in Leander's chest.

A soft sigh slipped from Leander’s lips. "Just made it."

Mittens trailed in just behind him, its tail flicking in time with the gentle breeze, moving with an inquisitive bounce. Although less energetic than usual, the cat’s curiosity shone through as its eyes flitted around the peaceful surroundings.

As he fell in step behind Nikklaüs, Leander couldn't help but notice the alarming state of his friend. The bloodied bandage wrapped around Klaus's upper arm was impossible to ignore, and the ominous hilt of his sword protruding from his chest added to the concern that gripped Leander's heart. A wave of worry washed over him, but he masked it with a calm expression, determined to keep his concern from showing too much. Instead, he gently tapped Nikklaüs on the shoulder as they walked.

“Hey,” Leander began, infusing his voice with an upbeat tone that belied the knot tightening in his stomach, “You alright? That looks pretty rough.” He nodded subtly toward the injury, his brows furrowing in genuine concern, but he worked hard to keep his tone light, hoping to uplift the mood. “We’ll get through this, yeah?”

Even as he tried to project optimism, Leander's mind was a whirlpool of doubts regarding his own method of amplification. Had he practiced enough? Would his unique approach hold up under the scrutiny of the exam?

Yet he pushed those worries aside for now, redirecting his focus back to Klaus, determined to provide support even as his own anxieties loomed large.

Mentions: Solirus Yakov011001​

 

[Juju]

Burning. November Witch

Marianne’s sluggish state made her a hair too slow to react to the approach of Mariana. Still clutching her aching head, she looked up just in time to see the other girl place a hand on her arm.

Instinctively, she flinched from it, the small burst of adrenaline serving to steady her stance more than a supporting touch could. Thankfully, the hand retreated, and Marianne took a half-step back in a shoddy attempt to distance herself. It was all she had energy for.

It gained the attention of Annamarie, but the shortness of the interaction meant that in less of a second she had returned to her inactive, staring state. Ruby eyes grew indifferent once more.

The cloudiness in her Marianne's eyes sharpened at the questions, the frown she tried to muster in retaliation looking more like an expression of strain. Deep plum rippled across the uneven edges of her anima, a tell-tale indication that at least something Mariana had said caused more grief than it should have.

“I am fine.” she stated firmly, avoiding direct answers.

As if it would prove her point, she lowered her hand from her head. Grey eyes flicked down to the offered brush, briefly flashing with shock and confusion. Why was she helping her? How did she think any of it mattered?

“Keep it,” she muttered in her tired declination. “I’ll have blood in my hair by the end of this anyway.”

It was then that she heard Jaquie’s answer to her inquiry about Nikklaüs. Eyes widened as she turned in place, searching for him. She found him knelt in a corner, as if in meditation, but the appearance of Zantetsuken’s unmistakable hilt was enough to answer any questions she might have had regarding his current state. That, and the bandages around his arm. Her chest tightened and violet stained the outer edges of her anima.

Crimson’s whisper drew her attention away. She rounded on her, lip curled upward in a sneer of disgust and eyes narrowed dangerously. All the hazy shades of purple that had recently invaded her anima were all at once overpowered and devoured by the usual red.

“Don’t presume you understand a thing about me…” She hissed under her breath, shooting a glare at that one Crimson eye. Her gaze narrowed at the mention of a pet, but spoke nothing of it. There was no denial, only an ominous silence left behind by the early-death comment.

As Mariana tried to speak reason to her, Marianne turned her eyes to Nikklaüs once more. By now, Leander had found his way over to him, speaking soft words she could never muster. It hit her then, the uselessness of it all. What would she even say? Every attempt in consoling another, be it Isaac, Mariana or Nikklaüs, had ended up worsening the situation.

All the willpower she had gathered from the previous night drained away. It was not the time. Nikklaüs was in far better hands now. In quiet defeat, she surrendered her watch over Nikklaüs and returned to Mariana’s conversation in full. There was an odd look in her eyes at the suggestion she should stay with a group, somewhere between maddening and ludicrous.

“I can handle myself, thank you.” She stated primly, her gaze sharpening with her words.

Up to the challenge? Does she still think there is a choice?

Anima flared up as Marianne activated her amplification, burning it as fuel through her sleep-deprived body. Her posture straightened, and her steps became as steady and calculated as they should always be. Exhaustion burned away in the blaze, leaving only the steady glow of conviction. Just how long it could be maintained was unclear, but that was what tests were for.

It is always fight or die.

She crossed the threshold of the portal and stood patiently waiting for the test to begin, arms crossed and brow furrowed as she concentrated on maintaining the focus over her amplification. It would have to be conserved enough to last the entirety of the exam.

 

[Yakov011001]

"You alright? That looks pretty rough."

It was Leander. Leander had asked about him. More than he can say he expected from him considering. It was something that caused him recollection of their connection from before, how he borrowed that Anima from him those three weeks ago. It reminded him what he found in there, reminded him that he's not whole. He'd been shattered, not even in two but three. He couldn't feel those pieces of him anymore, where did they go? And why did it feel like what he was left with was the smallest of those pieces?

"We'll get through this, yeah?" To that, Nikklaüs didn't even open his eyes. Simply remaining in his kneel.

"I always do."

Silent Child

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Sophia
Anima: Bright White light on all direction​

---

Sophia woke up with some squiggly pale reddish anima hanging over her head. These last few weeks had been pretty hectic for her as she scrambled to improve her fighting capabilities. This will technically be her first time truly fighting a demon. Finally she would put to use everything she had learned these past few months. She couldn't wait to crush their skull exorcise them back to where they came from.

Since this was a special day Sophia decided to splurge for herself a little bit before going into the exam. The thought of eating the luxurious matcha cake she bought yesterday was enough to shift her anima into a more cheerful yellow flare. One of the new habit she got ever since she got the refined vision was to make sure her anima was in shape. Just like exercising helps build a healthy body, she also must keep a healthy mind!

"Woof!" Feeling her enthusiasm, her roommate Taromaru hopped around the room with his tail wagging.

"That's right, Taromaru. If I passed the exam we will have steak for dinner!" The dog didn't know what an exam was, but he surely know everything about the word steak and it sent the dog bolting back and forth across the room with palpable excitement.

=====================

Sophia spent too much time playing with Taromaru that she was almost late to the exam.

"I'm coming!!!" She squealed as she leapt onto the exam site like a hyperactive kid. Though when she noticed the professor and the man reading the newspaper she immediately felts embarrassed and toned down her enthusiasm a little. Still, anyone who used refined vision on her would had their eyes assaulted by the bright white aura that came out of her. Regular Sophia was already cheerful enough, but for some reason her anima shines even brighter today.

"Don't worry! We will all pass the test today!" Sensing Leander's anxiety, she approached the two man and tapped the shoulders of both Nikklaus and Leander before giving them a really bright smile. "I'm sure of it!"

Silent Child Yakov011001 ​

 

[Tiguidi]

COBALT ULAR
Location: Main Entrance --> Totally Normal Park​

Cobalt could only blink as a few other students arrived soon after him. His gaze fell on Marianne, whose disheveled appearance made her look like she didn’t have a wink of sleep. Nikklaüs followed behind, the fresh bloodstained bandage on his arm suggesting he’d just stumbled out of a fight. Both of their animas reflected their current appearances -something was definitely wrong. His own anima briefly shifted to a pale yellow, the boy frowning as he scanned the two, mouthing a quiet ’What happened...?’ He glanced at Annamarie, almost hoping that the animated doll would be able to give him an answer.

As expected, an unblinking stare from her red eyes was the reply he got, prompting him to let out a knowing sigh.

He wasn’t sure what was going on with these two but it felt like pretty bad timing, with today being the Rank II examination. He exhaled slowly, watching as Mariana, Leander, and Sophia drifted toward the others, starting conversations to keep their weary classmates on their feet. Looks like they were handling things.

At least the new arrival, Aster, was able to somewhat lift the mood, their presence and anima like a jolt of energy in the tense atmosphere. Cobalt’s head instinctively tilted as he squinted his eyes at the raw positivity of Aster’s anima. Closing off his refined vision, he rubbed his temples, as if to remove all the light and giddiness that had come out of Aster’s aura. “... Never met them before.”, he replied to Valerie’s comment about their senior. “But they seem to be the party type.”, he added with a subtle hint of caution. Being dragged into a loud, crowded celebration rarely was something he appreciated. He shuddered at the thought. That said, however, he let out a reluctant sigh. “Though I suppose going up a rank would be a good occasion.”, he mumbled, though his tone made it clear he wasn’t sold on the idea.

Moving through the door, Cobalt squinted his eyes as the sunlight reached him. His expression slowly shifted to confusion as he realized where he and the rest of the class were. “... A completely regular park.”, he idly commented. He had the reflex of letting his eyes wander, idly investigating for any conspicuous buildings or structures within the park. The last quiz took place in an asylum; would this test also take place in a building? A part of him also half-expected demons to jump out of the bushes to attack the group. One could never tell with Mr. Jaquie.

“I doubt we’ll be answering any riddle to advance to Rank II.”, he stated with a quiet, forced chuckle. He didn't dislike riddles and mind games but he’d be damned if all his combat training in the last month would be wasted like that.

His gaze shifted to both Valerie and Isaac, Cobalt cracking a small smile. “... I hope at least you two had a good night’s rest. Looks like not sleeping’s starting to be the norm for some. Or, uh, fighting late at night? I’m not sure what happened to Nikklaüs...” Cobalt’s voice trailed off; he knew only the concerned students would give an answer to their current state. ... And he doubted they’d give any.

---

Solirus Verite

 

[seasonedcat]

Aries | Park?
the last two weeks for Aries had gone about, as well as the weeks he had actually been kidnapped. The grips of paranoia refused to let him go even as the wounds healed and time moved on. An unfortunate incident of Aries waking up while the nurse had been healing resulted in him being promptly sedated and placed back into his long-forgotten room. What had once resembled some sort of home for him felt alien as the first time he had found himself in this godforsaken place.

with the mix of paranoia and the rubbles of his comfort, Aries was a complete mess. Aries did everything in his power to not to leave his dorm, having hoarded a bunch of food late one night after going a few days without eating. The curtains were drawn as tight as they could go, littered with empty cans to alert him of any intruders. The door was locked tightly and blocked by pieces of furniture in an attempt to create some security. From there, Aries spent his days in hazy paranoia, any rest being done on the floor of the only room with one entrance and no windows: the bathroom. With his back against the wall, Aries fell in and out of consciousness, gripping his knife close to his chest.

♡( •ॢ◡-ॢ)✧˖° ♡

Aries looked like shit. His skin was paler than normal; the bags under his eyes had gotten somehow worse to the point it looked like he did not even know what sleep was. In his loose-fitting clothes, the tall man somehow managed to look small. Aries had lost significant weight and muscles during his 'vacation,' something that couldn't be fixed in the two weeks with little to do in his free time other than work out and be paranoid.

if not for the insistence that Aries had to be present for this damned exam, Aries would have skipped it. Sadly, that was not an option with Aries already on such a short leash, so Aries had pulled himself together enough to leave. It had taken a long time for Aries to get the tremors out of his own anxious and sleep-deprived hands and even longer to wait for everyone to leave so that he did not run into anyone on his way there. Especially not Mari, something or other, who wouldn't stop knocking on his door to check on him. He wanted nothing to do with her and that filth demon of hers.

when Aries finally managed to leave his dorm, the stench of arcanists and demon filth (thanks Annamarie and Crimson (¬､¬)) made him dizzy. He really did not want to be here. Aries's trek to the exam was slow and careful, his gaze flicking around rapidly with each step. His grip never left his knife in his pocket, his grip tightening on it with each sound or movement.

with many delays, Aries reached the designated meeting point, late as always. Thankfully, there was no one left at the entrance when he got there, or rather outside the portal. This gave Aries a moment to collect himself and prepare his already overworked heart for the amount of filth he would have to interact with. Turning his vulnerability into anger was easy and natural for him. A frantic gaze to a glare and a worried lip into a snarl.

with seemingly little care, Aries stepped through the portal, gaze taking in the new surroundings as quickly as he could, breathing in all the new scents. His glare flipped through faces as he hovered as far away from the others as he could, unable to put names on almost all of them. He couldn't help but place his focus on the two he recognized. His gaze turned harsher as it landed on the 'domesticated' demon. Amidst this rage, Aries found himself hesitating. Not, of course, in regards to the demon's need to die, but rather in regard to its owner and where her loyalties lay. She looked tired... Aries couldn't help but feel slight satisfaction in her suffering, even though he most likely looked worse.
mentions| Juju

 

[Solirus]

The Exam
seasonedcat Tiguidi Spoiled Bread Yakov011001 Juju Silent Child November Witch Verite ​

One by one, the remaining students would arrive as the man on the bench finally pulled out the rest of the suitcase. The anima the man emitted was paltry compared to that of an arcanist. The man was most certainly a null, yet through the way he held himself, the man was of import. "Very well, I shall begin with the explanation of the exam."

The man calmly rested his newspaper onto the bench and stood up, turning to face the students. "The exam will simulate the entire extent of an arcanists work involving a demonic hunt. The main objective shall be to eliminate the demons scattered around in the park. I will simulate the role of a scout, providing you all with any gathered information of the demons, both their likely whereabouts, their perceived abilities, personality, assessed threat, and ideal group strength to face them. All that information shall be given after I finish elaborating on the exam." The man continued explaining, opening the suitcase and retrieving what appeared to be a simple and small spray bottle, small enough to conceal in one's own palm.

"The sub objective to the exam is to ensure secrecy of your mission. Demons can hide in plain sight and will occasionally do so in public spaces. Clearing out public spaces can be difficult at times without raising suspicion, as such you will have to eliminate the demons and ensure no one finds out. Along with any normal civilians, there will be trained scouts who will act as civilians. If you are discovered, you are to use these." The man raised his arm forward, showing the small spray bottle, "You will all be given these. A simple spray onto a civilian and they will enter a catatonic state in which they will forget the last hour. Two sprays, two hours and so on. Be careful not to spray yourself with it. The spray bottles will not be effective against demons, so don't attempt to use it on them." The man explained the small gadget before putting it back into the suitcase.

"To review one last time, you will find the demon, eliminate them while remaining concealed. Should you be detected by any civilians or scouts, you will ensure they are sprayed, so their memories of the situation are removed. One piece of advice, however, ensure the catatonic person is in a safe location until they recover. They will wake up after about ten minutes. Once you are certain everything is handled, return to this location."

Meanwhile, Jaquie had decided to sit on the grass, prompting a slight bit of confusion by the examiner, "What are you doing Mr. Lawphel?"

"Don't mind me, I'll still keep an eye on everyone in the park. But I also feel like going bird watching." Jaquie would enter an almost meditative state, closing his eyes as his head slumped forward, appearing to fall unconscious.

With a slight sigh, the examiner turned his attention back to the group of students. "If, the parameters of the exam are clear, then I shall formally begin the exam by providing you all with the data on the demons." The man reached once more into his suitcase, removing several documents.

"Nickname: Curious. Description: Lanky bipedal demon with dark earth colored skin, bright blue colored insides and sharp claws and talons. Observed traits: curious, low attention span, shows more interest on wildlife than humans, follows instinct more than logic, does not appear to talk. Probable location: deep into the dense forests where wildlife might be encountered. Observed abilities: incredible instincts especially when shown aggression, potential sixth sense, razor sharp claws capable of tearing through trees and wildlife. Threat level: medium. Recommended group size: 2 to 3."

The man flipped through the documents to the next one. "Nickname: Deerhead. Description: Large four legged demon with a vague resemblance to a deer, while being closer in size to a moose. White quartz skin with dark patterns and highlights of pinkish red. Observed traits: prideful, rather intelligent, extremely talkative, only appears to attack in self-defense (may differ with arcanists), generally odd mannered, talks like it's a regal figure, likes to show itself to civilians (may cause issues if it becomes a local tale). Probable location: Near commonly populated areas, will occasionally retreat to the forest. Observed abilities: Strong, Fast (but not really agile), Capable of healing itself and others in a manner more efficient than typical demon regeneration making it extremely durable, has been observed moving smaller plant life. Threat level: medium. Recommended group size: 2-3."

The man once again flipped to the next document. "Nickname: Goldfish. Description (limited): Blue shark like demon with short, stubby legs to move on land. Observed traits: territorial, aggressive, shortsighted, weirdly playful when alone. Probable location: Bodies of water, most likely a larger lake. Observed abilities: Tough shell, strong bite and jaw, incredibly mobile in water, can launch water attacks such as slashes (most effective underwater). Threat level: Low. Recommended group size: 1-2"

Finally, the man reached the last document, "Nickname: eyes. Description (limited): feline and reptilian like figure (unsure), pale white skin with blue accents, large eye for where head would be, blue wings capable of limited flight. Observed traits: intelligent, silent, cunning, ruthless but cautious, deaf but incredible eyesight. Probable location: likes to stay on trees, and exact location varies as it'll move to stalk targets. Observed abilities: Incredibly fast and agile, potentially fragile, sharp and venomous claws, capable of summoning extra eyes that float around, can seemingly vanish from sight (invisibility or teleportation remains to be seen...). Threat level: High*. Recommended group size: 3-4"

The man putting away the documents returned his vision to the students: "Be aware of these reports, they're only the observed traits and abilities of the demons, it is possible they will have other tricks up their sleeves. Regardless, form up your groups and approach me when you are ready, I shall give you the needed equipment to properly start this exam." The examiner remained calm and collected, suitcase in hand, his eyes already judging and examining the students.

 

[Solirus]

Anticipation​

Isaac remained laser focused on the examiner, almost trying to ignore those around him. Careful to not miss a single detail about the exam, Cobalt's words directed at him had fallen on deaf ears. Today you can prove yourself, you're not weak, are you? No he wasn't, Isaac tried to convince himself, but he knew others likely thought he was weak. Even Leo was likely just being overly nice to him. People lied, they always did to make themselves look better, why waste time with words when actions spoke so much louder. Crimson flashed into his mind, that smug look, that pretentious thing.

Now's your chance. His thoughts guided him the exact moment the examiner finished his long and professional explanation. Isaac would be the first to step forth towards the examiner. "I would like to begin the exam" Isaac said in a practiced and monotone voice after waiting for a second to properly formulate the sentence.

"Name?" the examiner asked.

"Isaac... Soren." Isaac replied quickly, hesitating at his last name. How shameful, hesitating at the mere use of a word, if it were a blade or attack he could've been killed.

"Target?" the examiner continued coldly and with confidence.

"Goldfish... I'll be going alone." Isaac followed. Goldfish was the only option in which he could seemingly do it solo. The idea of facing a demon alone was daunting, but, a strange sense of anticipation flowed through him, this would be difficult, so why was he excited?

"Very well. You'll be going alone." the man handed Isaac the simple spray bottle. "You won't be allowed to receive help from your classmates. Are you certain you wish to go alone?"

"... Yes" Isaac replied to the examiner. The examiner letting go of the spray bottle while pulling out a small notebook and writing something down. The man then remained silent, waiting for the next student. This was Isaac's signal to leave.

Wordlessly, Isaac left the group of students, his anima surging with anxiety and anticipation. You should start looking for the bodies of water, there's likely a time limit.

 

[Yakov011001]

Nikklaüs remained silent, disregarding the words of encouragement he was offered and the hush whispers of concern for him that his classmates didn't think he could hear. Instead of thinking about the looks he was given, he thought about the task ahead. Understanding the structure of the exam was a mock-up of real job conditions for an Arcanist, he steeled his resolve. By the end of this exam, he'll be a Rank II and finally able to take up the work he needed to make money. That's what he was there for, and nothing else.

Considering each breakdown of the demons he'd encounter, Nikklaüs had quickly settled upon Curious: it was the demon best suited for his specialties. Rather, Deerhead probably would've been an easier target if it weren't for its preference of population density. He didn't want to have to deal with civilians, even if it was part of the job; and he for sure didn't want to have to deal with a demon that talks more than he does. Besides, there was no way in hell he would risk going after Goldfish, fuck no. Without at-range capabilities coupled with the double whammy of not knowing how to swim, there was no way in hell. Eyes would've made for an interesting match-up, but the examiner failed to give what Nikklaüs would consider a tight enough search area to go after the damn thing. Yeah, just around, y'know? Check—like—a tree or two, 'cause those aren't fuckin' everywhere. Fuck you.

"Nikklaüs Tenshouha, targeting Curious." Nikklaüs finally stepped up, alone. Something that caused the examiner to throw his eyebrows up a small bit as he shuffled the documents away.

"It is recommended for Curious to be handled by 2 to 3 Arcanists of your level."

"I'm well aware of your recommendations." The examiner pushed an indignant breath out of his nose, his nostrils flaring a small bit from it.

"Very well, however, should your classmates wish for it, up to two additional classmates will be able to assist you." Nikklaüs crossed his arms, his eyes shutting tight and his brow furrowing in contemplation.

"Am I required to wait for them?" He asked, eyes still shut.

"No, but undertaking this alone will not yield any extra credit on the exam." The man offered Nikklaüs his spray can, which he took gently before offering him a bow.

"Understood, sir. Thank you." His eyes coming open once more, they glowed with the ultraviolet vignette of his Anima as it scrambled in some eagerness to be let out.

With that Nikklaüs immediately amplified his legs and booked it into the the park's tree line, and he was gone.

 

[November Witch]

Mariana Mirror

~{Speaking Up}~​

Status: Nervous & Determined
Location: Park
Interaction(s): Juju

Mariana saw this coming. Marianne seemed like the kind to shoulder everything. To not tell others about her pains. She’d rather keep them to herself, and exude confidence. Or, independence at least. She let out a saddened sigh as her attempts to help were shot down. It was alarming to hear her say she’d have blood in her hair. Hers, or someone else’s? Was she that confident in her abilities? Or was she not at all confident and assuming it would be hers? Mariana shivered at the thought of the last exam. How badly hurt Marianne was then. She didn’t want to let something like that happen again.

She couldn’t bear it.

Mariana, now that she was here, trembled slightly in her arms and hands. Memories of last time flickering through her mind. She was better than the days and weeks following their first exam. But thinking about it still scared her enough to tremble. But she had to be tough. So that the others wouldn’t look down on her. So they could be confident knowing they had an ally by their sides. Mariana clenched her fists. She needed to focus on something. Right now, it was Marianne. She had finished her final line to Mariana. She thought about those words and what she wanted to say. It was odd, as her mouth almost moved on its own. Perhaps Crimson and Valerie pushing her out of her comfort zone was having an effect on her, as she spoke up and said something she never thought she would have the courage to say.

“I don’t believe you.”

Her voice was oddly steady and confident. She held the sharpening gaze of Marianne for a moment. Almost as if Crimson was speaking. One could be forgiven for thinking so.

“I-I mean… n-not in this state…”

She looked away, to her satchel where she placed the brush back into as an excuse to not meet Marianne’s gaze. Her hands clasped one another at the front of her waist after the brush was away, and she sheepishly, guiltily, looked at Marianne’s face. She dreaded what emotion or sharp words that would undoubtedly follow hers. Before Marianne could speak up though, Mariana felt like she knew what was coming, so she would preemptively speak up, and look back down at her feet, feeling her cheeks burn with shame.

Well, more like a mumble.

“s-s-sorry…”

 

[Verite]

Valerie Vu - The Sphinx's Beasts
Interactions: November Witch Juju Tiguidi

​

Valerie shrugged slightly at Cobalt's words, matching his light smile with her own. "I slept alright! This is mostly the energy drink I had for breakfast keeping me going, but... well," she glanced over at Nikklaüs from a distance as she clicked her tongue. "Yeah, not sure what's going on there. Maybe we shoulda rescheduled if some of us aren't at 100%. And then I can go back to sleeping in!"

Fat chance, but a girl could dream.

In any case, as the man in front of them began to explain the parameters of the exam, Valerie let out an exasperated breath.

"Oh god, we're playing hide and seek. You know, normal schools just give us a piece of paper and a ScanTron for our exams!" Valerie whined. A task that involved careful attention to detail in order to hunt down the target, and a degree of subtlety in order to not get noticed by normies. Two of Valerie's greatest weaknesses.

Still, what was she going to do? Not take the exam? Swallowing down her apprehension, she listened to the man as he continued speaking, now describing the demons that they'd have the chance of hunting down. On one hand, her first instinct was to go for the easiest one, but that was for pretty much only one person, and she'd rather be doing this while being able to shoot the shit with her classmates, and besides, Isaac already took that one. She saw Nikklaüs take a pick of his own and practically storm off with that; she'd brushed off his icy entrance earlier, but whatever was ailing him, she guessed it was probably best for her to keep giving him some space. Other people could go hunting for Curious alongside him, and to that, Valerie would simply say, best of luck to them. In any case, she already teamed up with him last exercise, so maybe it'd be good to spice things up this go!

Besides, she would still have time for him later.

Val had briefly stepped away from Mariana when they crossed the portal, closer toward the unknown man in order to hear him better when he was laying out the list of demons, but remained aware that Mariana seemed to be in tense conversation with Marianne. It didn't take a genius like Val to put two and two together that she was probably down in the dumps in the same way Nikklaüs was, and if that was the case, poor Mariana by herself would probably need an extra hand here.

"Hey now, what's goin' on over here?" Valerie cut into the conversation between the two girls, in a distinctly chipper tone as if to indicate she didn't actually need to hear about what they were talking about. Standing next to Mariana, Val suddenly clamped her gloved hands on the girl's shoulder and shook her slightly. "What did we talk about before, Mari? You gotta talk with your chin up! No one's gonna give you the time of day if you won't extend the same courtesy!"

Of course, even she knew that wasn't exactly what this was all about, but she figured deflection would be the best tool to save her here.

Turning her gaze to Marianne, wide attentive eyes matching the other girl's tired gaze, Valerie spoke to her next. "Marianne. Mariana's just concerned about you. You know how she is, sweet little pea," she cooed, aiming to defuse and appeal. "We know you can handle yourself. You're like, probably one of the strongest arcanists here, right? And because you're so strong, it'd probably benefit us more if you were to chaperone us and help us take down... uh..."

Valerie swirled her finger in the air like it was a loading screen as she tried to remember the names of the demons laid out to them. "... Eyes! Or whoever. C'mon, it'll be fun, probably! And take your mind off whatever's going on up there," she said, hoping she didn't end up listing the hardest demon on the list. She already forgot.

"You know what they say. Live together or die alone. And I don't plan on dying just yet!"

 

[Silent Child]

"I always do."

Leander’s heart gave a heavy thud in response to Nikklaüs's flat words, it hit him harder than he'd like to admit. A small frown tugged at his lips, and he felt a pang of worry settle deeper in his chest. For a moment, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to steel himself. He straightened his back, forcing his shoulders to square, as if that simple action might somehow bolster his own wavering confidence. Just as he began to gather his thoughts, a light tap landed on his shoulder, making him visibly jump, a sharp breath escaping his lips as his eyes widened.

He spun around, hand instinctively twitching, and found himself staring into the bright, confident gaze of Sophia. Her smile was radiant, and the way she beamed at him sent a wave of warmth through his tense muscles. "Don't worry! We will all pass the test today!" Her voice carried a conviction that Leo had been desperately searching for himself. He blinked rapidly, trying to quell his startled heartbeat, and nodded, though it took him a few moments to find his voice again. "I'm sure of it!"

Sophia's unwavering confidence washed over him, and he couldn’t help but feel his spirits lift. Her smile was like a spark that reignited his own determination, and he found himself standing a little taller, shoulders no longer burdened by doubt. "Yeah, we've got this," he echoed, and this time, his smile was genuine, mirroring hers with a glimmer of hope. He could feel his cheeks still warm from the embarrassment of being startled, but it didn’t matter as much anymore. Not with Sophia’s encouragement easing his nerves.

His attention drifted back to Nikklaüs, and just as he did, the man with the suitcase started speaking again. Leander shifted his weight, turning his head slightly to catch every word, ears straining as if he might somehow absorb the information more efficiently. As the proctor laid out the details of the exam and the possible targets, Leander took a deep breath, mentally cataloging each point. His brows furrowed, and he pressed his lips into a thin line, weighing his strengths and limitations. "I have little to no offensive abilities… I'm only really good at support, so I should find someone who either needs my help or can use it…" His thoughts spiraled as he looked around, trying to pick out the best possible candidates for his skills.

Then he saw Isaac. The other boy was stepping forward confidently, heading straight for the proctor. Leander’s breath caught in his throat, and he leaned forward slightly, a bit of worry prickling at the back of his mind. "Isaac… he’s choosing to go alone against the demon labeled 'Goldfish'?" Leo’s fingers twitched, reflexively clenching and unclenching at his sides as he fought the urge to call out, to question Isaac’s decision. But even as his mind screamed, "Is that really a good idea?" he couldn’t deny the sense of confidence radiating off Isaac.

“No… I know Isaac is strong enough for this. He can handle it.” Leo whispered to himself, barely loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. It was a decision based on faith, and Leo clung to that belief as he cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, “Good luck, Isaac, you’ve got this!” He put as much strength and encouragement into his voice as he could muster, and for a split second, he felt the weight of several eyes turning toward him. Heat rushed to his face, staining his cheeks a bright red, but he stood firm, refusing to wilt under the sudden attention. He meant it—Isaac could do this.

His moment of resolve was cut short when Nikklaüs brushed past him. Leander took a step back, almost stumbling, and instinctively reached out, fingers brushing the air as he tried to grab Nikklaüs's sleeve. “Klaus—” he started, but the words died in his throat as Nikklaüs spoke curtly to the proctor, disregarding the warning for more teammates. He could only stare as Nikklaüs darted away with a speed that left Leo staring in stunned silence. He watched, mouth slightly agape, as Nikklaüs charged forward, heading to look for the target known as Curious. The sheer determination in Nikklaüs's movements made Leo's chest tighten, anxiety creeping up his spine.

"He's being reckless…" Leander muttered under his breath, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. His eyes flicked toward the bloodied bandage on Nikklaüs’s arm, and his heart clenched with worry. "Already hurt, and he's still going to face a challenge like that alone?" He wanted to shout after him, to tell him to wait, to reconsider, but Nikklaüs was already gone, disappearing into the distance before Leo could even gather his thoughts.

Desperate for some reassurance, Leander turned to Sophia, his eyes pleading as he sought some kind of confirmation that everything would be okay. “He’s strong, right? He wouldn’t take on a challenge like that unless he was sure… right?” His voice wavered, betraying the doubt gnawing at him, but Sophia’s presence grounded him, and he managed to take a shaky breath, nodding as if her silent support was enough.

He cast one last glance toward the forest, squinting as if he might somehow catch a glimpse of Nikklaüs’s retreating figure. But there was nothing—only the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the world around them. Leo let out a sigh, shoulders sagging. “Just have to trust him, I suppose…” he murmured to himself, though he wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or Sophia... He resolved himself to imagining it was for them both.

Shaking his head, he forced himself back to the present, focusing on the task at hand. His mind raced, analyzing the potential teams, strategies, and how he could contribute. He turned to Sophia, his eyes sharper now, filled with a newfound determination. “Any chance me, you, and some heavy hitter go after Deerhead? I'm thinking your defensive abilities protecting civilians might be crucial, and I can help you strengthen them if need be.”

He paused, lips quirking into a sheepish grin. “That’s right, I hadn’t shown you yet! Sorry I didn’t pick up on your offer before the three weeks actually—I was so focused on mastering it on my own and then… well, Klaus came to help—” He cut himself off, clearing his throat, clearly flustered by his own rambling. “But I’ve got my shared enhancement down now, so I can definitely help you—well… if you want, at least.”

Leander’s words stumbled over each other in his rush to explain, but he stood there, offering her a much more awkward and shy smile than before. He shifted his weight again, rolling his shoulders as if to ease the tension that had taken root there. “I just… I want to make sure I’m useful to you. To everyone,” he added quietly, the sincerity of his words evident in the way he held her gaze, even though his own confidence wavered at the edges.

Mentions: Solirus Yakov011001 (sorta) Spoiled Bread

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Sophia
Anima: Flaring White aura​

---

"I trust them," Sophia chimed in on Leander's worried glance at his fellow classmates. "Isaac, Nikklaus, and the professor's ability to keep them safe. So let's focus on what we want to do."

"And I'm very happy that you are thinking about public safety. In order to provide the safest world for people, let's eliminate the biggest treat, let's go for the eyes!!" Sophia shook Leander's hands while her eyes were gleaming with excitement.

"Eyes elimination team here! Anyone want to join us??" Raising her hand high, Sophia raised her volume so the rest of the students could hear her. Since they were allowed to go with fewer number than the recommendation, that also means there's no upper limit on how many students go against a certain target. She wouldn't refuse anyone as every helps would counts.

Silent Child Verite November Witch seasonedcat Tiguidi Juju​

 

[November Witch]

Mariana Mirror - Marianne Montgomery - Valerie Vu

~{Three (plus two) Musketeers}~​

Location: Park
Collab: Juju & Verite
Interaction(s): Solirus

Mariana was absolutely right. An already thin patience was nearly worn away by the lost hours of sleep, and not even Mariana would be spared from such wrath. It started with a twitch of one of Marianne’s bloodshot eyes, which boiled up into her all-too common glare. Eyes narrowed into icy gray slits, and her anima twisted and churned like coiling black thorns.

She was positively pissed.

It was obvious what sort of response was brewing, but Mariana's sheepish apology was uttered before the storm could be unleashed. Marianne paused, maintaining a tense silence as she considered the girl in front of her. Just a moment ago she had been bold, but now she cowered before her as if waiting for judgment to fall. Somehow, that upset Marianne more than the slights.

“Must you apologize if you meant it? Own your words after they are spoken.” She bristled, arms crossed and chin lifted, “As for your doubts, they are misplaced. I will succeed in this test, regardless of what you or anyone else may think.”

Her burning glare lifted off of Mariana, drifting away to observe the other students declaring their hunts. In particular, she watched Nikklaüs, the heat in her stare rapidly cooling as the anger was slaked by something stronger. Once it faded, she just looked exhausted. She pressed her lips together as she watched Nikklaüs sprint off, something that completely distracted her from the conversation at hand.

Part of her wanted to pursue, but then she remembered the reason why he was in such a state and thought better of it. What did she hope to accomplish? She would only make things worse. She always did.

After he disappeared, Marianne turned back to face Mariana. Her gaze was no less intense, yet the anger was not directed towards her classmate anymore. This was hatred, defiance, a wolf without teeth. It burned as steadily as the anima fueling her amplification.

Her voice was steady, her face as expressive as a porcelain mask, “It appears that this test cannot be done alone. I have already made my selection, and I urge you to do the same.”

Marianne did have a point. Why would she say something if she didn’t mean it? Well, Mariana did mean it. But when confronted by Marianne’s sharp gaze, she couldn’t help but back away and take back what she had said out of fear. Not fear that Marianne would do something to her. But fear the other would grow tired, and fully push her away. Fully block her out. If Marianne did that, then Mariana would have no way to reach the other girl. To actually talk and try to help her. Her gaze would follow Marianne’s to the other students, and to what they were doing, before feeling that gaze on her once more. She turned to look at Marianne as she spoke.

But Mariana had already made her selection. She would choose whatever Marianne would.

She opened her mouth to reply to Marianne, only to hear another voice speak up, and a hand on her shoulder. Being jumpy as usual, Mariana let out a squeal of fear and jumped. If anything, she was more jumpy than usual due to expecting demons to be around anywhere. But seeing as though it was just Val, she let out a sigh of relief.

“I-I know…” Mariana mumbled when Val chastised her for her posture while speaking. Her gaze falling to the ground once more and fidgeting the dirt with her right shoe.

It was just… She found Marianne so intimidating anytime she seemed mad or frustrated. But she also respected the other and felt like she was lower on the social totem pole in the school than basically everyone. So sometimes meeting the gaze of people she respected and thought of more highly than herself was difficult. Her attention was grabbed when Valerie straight up told Marianne that she was worried about her. It was an obvious thing but hearing someone else say it made it embarrassing for some reason. Even more so when Valerie called her ‘sweet little pea.’

“V-V-Vee!” Mariana said, flustered, but the other went on, and she continued to fidget with the edges of her jacket while Valerie went on trying to convince Marianne to work with them.

Mariana wasn’t sure how to feel about it. It wasn’t how she would go about it. She had planned on following Marianne and interjecting, saying she would join her when the examiner asked about teams for whatever she chose. At least then she couldn’t be turned down by Marianne. But this way? Well, the opportunity was here, and Mariana wouldn’t be surprised if the twins chose to decline their offer. All she could do was look at the ground with a red, flustered face as she waited for whatever answer would come along.

“Tch…” Marianne clicked her tongue, arms crossed as she looked away from both of them.

For a moment, she seemed to be at a loss for words, silently fuming as she gave the both of them a steely glare. She didn’t lash out at them immediately, though, allowing the two friends a moment to banter.

It was the suggestion of teaming up against Eyes that made her swiftly turn heel and walk away from the two. “I have no use for that demon. I need one with intellect and speech. Deerhead is the only one listed that fits these criteria. Follow if you wish, but I will not wait for you.”

Marianne failed to elaborate why, but it was very clear that she didn’t intend to stall any longer.

“Huh? Use?” Val blinked at Marianne’s words, seemingly a bit confused by what she might have meant by that, before her usual smile returned to her lips. “Is that an invitation I hear?” She asked wryly, figuring that that was probably the best she was going to get.

With a resounding shrug, Val nodded at the offer. “Uh, yeah, alright. It’s as good as any other demon. Not really much way of knowing how much I’ll regret it compared to any of the other choices until we’re already in the shit, so…” She said, giving Sophia a passing glance at that other girl had elected to go for the Eyes.

“Maybe next time, fly girl,” she said to the blonde, giving a parting wave.

This was fine. She was aching to get to know Sophia better too, but this was fine. She still had enough time for everyone.

Playfully shaking Mariana once again with her hands, Val smiled at her. “Alright, I guess we’re doing Deerhead, if it’s all good with you, Mari? Not like you wanna keep your eyes off Marianne anyway, right?”

She wanted to fight a demon with intellect and speech... Why? Did she think it would be more of a challenge? Or maybe she thought she could just convince the demon to leave and not have to fight it? Mariana didn’t know what was going through Marianne’s mind…

‘Or maybe she wants to talk to it. Ask it some questions and gather information.’ Crimson chimed in from within Mariana’s head. It gave Mariana pause… It was certainly possible that was the case actually…

The information on the weapons didn’t really matter to Mariana earlier when it was first spoken, and it still applied to now. None of it mattered. She just wanted to make sure Marianne would be okay. She was only brought back to reality when she was shaken by Valerie.

“H-Huh? Oh, y-yes, I don’t care what demon we fight. I’m worried about her.” Mariana didn’t seem to see the double meaning behind Valerie’s teasing words. She’d not, a determined look in her eyes as she marched after Marianne with a purpose in her steps.

Marianne ignored the comments behind her, marching her way through the group of students with a dark glower on her face. It was in direct opposite to Annamarie, who followed behind with an expression of indifference.

The twins stopped in front of registration, and the more human of the two made their claim. “Marianne Montgomery, registering for Deerhead.”

The examiner looked past the two, eyeing Mariana and Valerie expectantly.

“Well, let’s not keep her waiting then. She’s probably gonna try and leave us in the dust if she gets the idea,” Valerie said to Mariana with a giggle, patting her playfully before stepping away from her, finally giving the other girl some space as she walked next to Marianne, giving a wave to the examiner.

“Valerie Vu for Deerhead as well!” She announced, chipper as ever. “We totally got this in the bag! Right?”

“Mariana Mirror, will be joining as well.” Mariana said, standing tall next to her teammates. Her hands trampled, but she placed them into her hoodie pockets in an attempt to hide it.

“We can do it together.” She would reply to Valerie with a nod, seemingly agreeing with her. “No need for any one person to shoulder everything.”

 

[Tiguidi]

COBALT ULAR
Location: Park​

Cobalt’s anima flickered in mild surprise with a faint, wavering light at the sight of Aries; his classmate had been present in the beginning but had seemingly vanished, much like some other students. And, as it seemed to be the current trend, Aries looked like he hadn’t slept in days. And never mind that, did Aries even train during his absence? Would he be alright for this exam...?

At least Valerie wasn’t a tired mess, so that was a plus. And unlike her, he liked the idea of having to search for their target. He had a feeling incessant fighting would become boring eventually if that's all arcanists ever did.

Cobalt frowned when Isaac ignored his words to him, brows furrowing slightly. “Did I... Did I say something wrong again...?”, he mumbled to himself. He really needed to work on his social skills. At least Valerie was -oh, she was already gone to see Mariana. A sigh left his mouth. Well, nothing he could do about that. For now, all he could do was listen to the proctor’s instructions. He had to remember that this was an exam -overly worrying for others could affect his performance.

As the explanations were told, Cobalt raised a hand to stroke his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. So the exam was about killing demons -no surprises there, although there was the added bonus of knowing more about the demons beforehand. The sub-objective of wiping memories from non-arcanists made Cobalt purse his lips. While spraying people to remove their memories wouldn’t quite count as social interaction, it still made him feel somewhat uneasy.

That said, Cobalt became much more attentive while the proctor gave out information on the various demons that were in the park, his posture straightening and his eyes adopting a more focused gleam. This kind of task would require planning, and Cobalt would need to pick the right opponent and teammates based on the demon’s attributes. He closed his eyes as he weighed his options.

Curious already felt like a good first choice. Far from humans and hidden deeper in the forest. While his Soul Flames wouldn’t actually burn the trees, any fire he spread would still linger on the leaves and branches for a few moments, which could give him more opportunities to control the environment. Curious’ sixth sense wouldn’t be a problem if Cobalt’s Art blocked off all exit points.

Deerhead was a hard pass. If that demon liked to be near civilians, that would prompt Cobalt to put a lot of effort in restraining his fire so it didn’t touch bystanders. That was enough reason to not attempt it.

Ironically, Goldfish would be a good opponent for him, despite the initial thought one could have with using fire against water. Cobalt’s Anima Art didn’t use oxygen as fuel so water wouldn’t put it out, not to mention that the damage from the flames would bypass its hard shell.

Eyes would be tricky but doable, depending on his teammates. Its reported speed was concerning but if it was as fragile as stated, perhaps it wouldn’t need a lot of exposure to his flames before it succumbed. The ability to summon floating eyes wasn’t too concerning as Cobalt could shoot them down if needed.

Concern deepened when Nikklaüs walked up and announced he would take on Curious, without teaming up with anyone prior. Cobalt opened his mouth to interject and try to call Nikklaüs before he bolted away, but was too late. His anima flickered again, despite his face remaining composed.

He shook his head. ’Focus.’ So, Nikklaüs was currently going alone after Curious; he’d need at least one more teammate. Deerhead was covered by Marianne, Valerie and Mariana. He wasn’t worried about them; despite Marianne’s state, he was positive Val and Mariana (well, Crimson) would pull their weights. While Goldfish probably would’ve been Cobalt’s choice, Isaac had been quicker and more decisive than him in choosing it as his target. Isaac was normally so reserved and meek so Cobalt wondered if he’d be okay alone. Not that he could go and help him anyway since Leander and Sophia were currently the only ones targeting Eyes, the demon with the highest danger level. They’d probably need some help too.

He rubbed his temple. Making a choice would be more difficult than expected. Opening his eyes, he glanced at Aries, who also hadn’t made his choice yet. Nikklaüs, as well as Sophia and Leander were the ones in need of an additional teammate. Could he trust his... less-known classmate to go help with the demon Cobalt didn’t choose? Aries’ capabilities weren’t known to him so he had no idea which would be the optimal choice. “Urgh, this is tougher than I thought...”, he groaned. Cobalt hadn’t realized it but he’s been frozen in place for a few minutes, lost in thought while the others already teamed up and were about to move out. He should do something.

His anima momentarily dulled to a grayish blue color, but it soon returned to its soothing reddish coloration after he took a moment to rid himself of all his thoughts and breathe. Nikklaüs had shown many times that he was capable and could take care of himself, even while wounded. Cobalt would choose to trust him on that.

Forcing a smile, he took a resolute step toward Leander and Sophia. “I’d like to join you two if possible.”, he said, his voice steady. “With what I’ve seen of your Arts, I think it’d be best to have someone with more offense like me, especially if Eyes is the target.”

---

Silent Child Spoiled Bread

 

[seasonedcat]

Aries | Park
at the sound of the new voice, Aries' gaze flicked up to meet the face of the null, eyes narrowing at the unfamiliar man. A null mixed in with the arcanist world, something Aries had hoped was that simple. Now, he wasn't so sure. Could this man be in league with his kidnappers? Could the reason that he was gone for so long really be because the school knew and didn't do anything about it? Could they have been a part of it?

Aries felt his heart rate pick up at the thought, the already rampant paranoia somehow growing worse. Aries could be surrounded by enemies right now or, even worse, innocents mixed with them. Aries knew he couldn't attack the students or their pet demons, and he knew he had to take part in this damned exam, but it didn't make him want to tear them apart any less.

as Aries' focus shifted back to the instructions, he realized he missed most of it except for the beginning and the end. Aries clicked his tongue at the idea of having to work with any of the others but just hoped he wouldn't be stuck with one of the demon filth buddies. Aries let the others go before him, doing his best to avoid being invited to groups by moving past them to the examiner.

the scent of the null's scent filled Aries' nose, making him relax slightly; it wasn't one he recognized. Even with this reassurance, the weeds of paranoia were hardly affected. Aries let out a sigh, complying with the rules by saying the only demon he actually heard the null say, having no real clue who else was on the mission, "I'll kill the Curious demon." he did not bother to listen to the null if he said anything; all he did was take the offered supplies and leave in the mentioned direction, letting his nose guide him from there. For the first time that day, excitement replaced the paranoia. Aries couldn't help but smile at the promise of a hunt; his blood thrummed.
interactions | Solirus

 

[Tiguidi]

Aim for the Eyes
Collab with Silent Child and Spoiled Bread ​

As Leo listened to the flurry of discussions around him, his thoughts whirled, attempting to balance his racing thoughts. He’d already been thinking about Deerhead as a potential target, but Sophia’s enthusiasm was magnetic. His eyes flickered nervously as she raised her voice, rallying for others to join her "Eyes Elimination Team." The uncertainty from before bubbled up, and Leo’s mind churned over the options. He internally questioned if Eyes was the right choice.

Still, the energy radiating from Sophia was undeniable. Her hand shook his, gleaming with excitement, and for a moment, Leo found himself nodding instinctively. Before he brought himself to say anything else, he saw Cobalt approach, his usual calm demeanor still in place, though his Anima flickered in a hue that betrayed a deeper internal struggle. Leo glanced back at where he last saw Nikklaüs, who had disappeared into the forest, biting his lip in hesitation before shaking off the thought and returning his attention to Cobalt.

Cobalt's voice was steady as he addressed both Leo and Sophia, but Leo couldn’t help noticing how the other boy’s posture shifted, like he’d been wrestling with a difficult decision. “I’d like to join you two if possible. With what I’ve seen of your Arts, I think it’d be best to have someone with more offense like me, especially if Eyes is the target.”

Leo’s own hesitation faded quickly. Despite his initial plan to go after Deerhead, Cobalt’s offer sealed the deal in his mind. He straightened up, drawing in a deep breath to still his racing thoughts. “I’ll adapt. Eyes or not, we’ll make this work.” He muttered before looking up again.

Without a second thought, he grinned at Cobalt, eager to accept the new course. "We’d be lucky to have you, Cobalt," he said, his voice steadier than it had been earlier. "Offense is exactly what we’re gonna need. Sophia’s got defense covered, and I’ll support wherever you both need it." His hand gestured to Sophia as if to include her in the plan, reinforcing the resolve he felt building inside him. The lingering doubt about Nikklaüs and Isaac was pushed aside, at least for the moment.

Now fully committed, Leo felt the tension in his muscles start to unwind. His mind, still buzzing from Sophia’s enthusiasm and Cobalt’s sudden appearance, started to assess the challenge before them. “Eyes is fast, unpredictable, but supposedly fragile. Sophia can keep the pressure off while Cobalt handles the offensive blows... and I’ll make sure your strengths are amplified when it matters most.”

Leo nodded, first to himself and then to his teammates. "Alright then. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a solid team. Let’s make sure we’re prepared." His voice came out stronger than expected, surprising even him. He could feel the nerves settling into a determined calm now that they had a clearer goal in sight. “I assume this is what our whole team is going to be?” Leo glanced over to Aries with a raised eyebrow, not knowing much about the student he’d rarely seen, but he visibly shook for a moment as he amused the idea of attracting his attention.

“Welcome to the team, Cobalt! We are happy to have you!” Sophia greeted the newest member of their brand new group. She almost felt bad for Leander since she was the one who just suddenly dragged him into her reckless idea, but looking at him with such confidence and being assertive about the strategy made her happy. Maybe everythings will turn out just fine.

“I can do some offense too if I need to. I have been learning swordsmanship these past few weeks!” Sophia pulled an object from her pocket. It was something that she had always been carrying ever since she enrolled into Anima Studies, but she never had any chance to actually use it. It’s her metallic flashlight.

She swung the flashlight around to demonstrate her training. Slashing an invisible enemy on her right before quickly lunging to her left and then jumps and performs an overhead smashing motion. Her movement was definitely sharp and quick, but what she just demonstrated wasn’t swordplay at all, she was simply doing tennis footworks. It at least seemed to amuse Leo, eliciting a small chuckle from him.

“Let’s register our team to the tester… Is Bullseye a good name for the team?”

“Nice. Thank you for having me.”, Cobalt nodded at the two, lips curling into a small smile. “Heh, I’ve already been on Team Flashfire with Nikklaüs and Valerie. Looks like I’m the lucky one getting all the cool team names.”, he commented with a huff of amusement.

He let out a hum as Leander assessed the situation. “If Eyes relies on its speed, I believe we might actually have a good chance if we use Sophia’s barriers and my flames to limit its movements. Maybe funnel it somewhere it can’t escape. Having our capabilities buffed with your Art will be important.”, he added, giving Leo an encouraging glance, to which the boy smiled gratefully.

Cobalt curiously looked at Sophia as she pulled out her flashlight, half-expecting the light to turn into a lightsaber or something similar. His shoulders slumped in mild disappointment when he realized she was just showing off her techniques. Not that her movements weren’t impressive -even though they seemed vastly different from the moves Nikklaüs had shown with Zentetsuken. “It’s good to know I won’t have to shoulder being the one stuck in melee at all times...”, he said. He didn’t want to be overconfident like last time and assume his fire cloak alone would protect him from all danger. Good coordination would be their best bet in avoiding damage altogether. On that note, however, Leander would most likely be amplifying him with his own Anima Art.

With their team complete, all they needed to do was to officially register and begin the exam. “Well then, no time like the present I suppose...” After glancing at Leander and Sophia to make sure they were ready, Cobalt walked over to the examiner, expression resolute.

“Name?”, the proctor asked once Cobalt approached.

“Cobalt Ular. I’d like to target Eyes.”

Quietly nodding, the examiner tilted his head, giving a glance to Leander and Sophia behind Cobalt. “And you?”

Leo was the next to step up quickly, with a bit of a pep in his step as to not waste time. “Leander Locklow. I'll be teaming with these two for eyes.” His hands motioned towards Cobalt and Sophia in that order.

“Sophia Hughes!” Sophia chimed in after Leander.

“Very well.”, the proctor nodded as he handed over spray bottles to the three of them.

Cobalt let out a soft hum as he examined the small bottle. So they were supposed to spray these on civilians so they wouldn’t remember anything should they be witnesses to the hunt. “Hopefully, we won’t have to use those...”, he mumbled with a subtle frown.

Stashing the spray bottle in his pocket, Cobalt glanced at his two teammates before walking away from the starting spot. Eyes was said to prefer clinging to trees, so searching for it would be difficult. If the small group was lucky, they’d hopefully be able to notice floating eyes or the demon itself before it struck. From its described traits, Eyes felt like an assassin-type one would encounter in games.

The key would be to stay on guard and be especially reactive if something were to happen.

 

[Solirus]

• Curious
• Deerhead
• Eyes

• 
  
  Curious
  seasonedcat Yakov011001 ​
  
  Venturing into the treeline, the bright and sunny day was enveloped by a myriad of trees, their leaves a shield against the sun, darkening the path ever so slightly. The further one went into the forest, the more uneven the ground became, covered and littered with dead leaves and branches. On the soil itself, specks of anima were scattered, differing from the typical ambient anima. Specks that moved cautiously but with interest, with a small but faint greenish hue, one could give a fair guess that these specks of anima were that of curiosity.
  
  With his far more eager approach, Nikklaüs would be the first to encounter a small patch of land overflowing with curiosity, all converging around a small bird's nest atop a tree. Though empty, the anima seemed keen on surrounding it. Yet what seemed concerning was the lack of demon nearby.
  
  Aries could tell instantly the anima of curiosity had come from a demon, the scent of the thing clear and repugnant, intensifying as he drew nearer, and so too did the hideous smell of an arcanist grow stronger. His supposed teammate for the exam.
  
• 
  
  Deerhead
  Juju Verite November Witch ​
  
  Searching for a demon that did not bother to hide itself didn't appear much of a challenge. Anima of vanity lay scattered like a trail, almost leading the students to their target. They'd quickly find a gathering of people, families who'd brought along their dogs to meet and play with each other, while the people would sit on weathered picnic tables chatting and occasionally checking up on their pets.
  
  Among them, sticking out like the sore thumb that it was, a large moose sized demon with the resemblances the examiner gave was slowly walking around the families.
  
  
  ​
  
  The families appeared utterly oblivious to the walking demon, as it seemed to be pondering something. Finding the demon had shown itself to be incredibly simple, and yet it would be difficult to deal with it while near four families were around the area. Why it didn't show itself seemed to be rather strange. The demon even turned to face the students as they approached, only to seemingly ignore them and return to its thoughts.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Eyes
  Tiguidi Silent Child Spoiled Bread ​
  
  Search for a demon that hid in the trees? The limited information given by the examiner seemed quite an oversight, but if it was smart and cunning enough, then it was more than possible it was aware to never stay in one place. Still, the team would have to start looking for it if they were to ever wish to complete the exam.
  
  Their effort would begin slowly and fruitless, finding no traces of any demon for a matter of fact. The walk was peaceful and tranquil, filled with novelties: the occasional athlete running past them, an elderly person throwing crumbs of bread to needy ducks, and even the chirping song of birds. Such peacefulness was snuffed out as they felt themselves being watched. On a tree, there was a dark blue eye hovering just above a branch. Immobile as it seemed, the eye followed the movement of the students carefully and even when spotted the eye made no attempt to hide itself.
  
  Yet more concerning was the lack of tracks, Eyes must've supposedly left to place an eye there. There was no sign of the demon, only of the eye.
  

 

[Yakov011001]

Fuck, this thing really knows how to lay it on thick. Nikklaüs could feel the pervasive anima wash over him as he crossed the threshold. It was here, that was for sure. Using his refined vision, he could see the spiral that formed in the area as the dense energy was drawn to a single focal point. A bird's nest. Finally loosing Zantetsuken from his chest, he brought it down to his left hip in a bit of a standby mode. Pushing anima to his legs, he forced himself up some of the adjacent trees: hopping back and forth in the same vein as a wall jump. Arcing up and over the nest in question, he was able to see that the nest was empty. On the landing, Nikklaüs had some thinking to do.

The distinct lack of a demon within line-of-sight was concerning. Only made even more concerning by what was obviously a trap. Well, maybe trap was a strong word. The proctor didn't say anything about Curious' particular level of intelligence. Was it smart enough to come up with something like a trap? I can't take any chances, but what else is there for me to do? Wait? Fuck that. Not when I'm most definitely on the clock. Rather than risk what could happen if he shattered the nest, Nikklaüs jumped up to make a rising strike upon the branch that held it aloft. It was when his attack whiffed unexpectedly that he flinched, quickly kicking the tree in an effort to put distance between him and it. That branch definitely moved. Resetting his stance once he hit the ground, Nikklaüs looked up to see it.

Spoiler: It was Curious.

It scuttled higher up into the tree in a spiral pattern that gave Nikklaüs pause. It was fast, but he could be faster, surely. Holding the nest up to its face, it's eyes darted between it and Nikklaüs for a short moment before it tossed the nest aside. He watched the nest as it fell to the ground where it fell to pieces on impact, the Anima that had surrounded it dispersing and coming still for a fraction of a second. That is until it swirled into a storm around its new target, even stronger than before: at the center of it was Klaüs. Looking back up to the demon he saw it almost fully outstretched from its perch on the tree, as if it were putting every muscle it could into getting a good angle to study him from. Its eyes bore into him, not looking at him but into him.

"Fuck."

Nikklaüs dipped down into an aggressively forward stance before darting up to the tree. He couldn't afford to play as passive as he normally does, not when he was so unsure of the demon's abilities. He would need to be the one to aggress. Simultaneously to that, he couldn't make the mistake of trying to chase the thing up the tree and risk meeting it in the air where he didn't have the footing to leverage his strength. He needed it down on his level. Winding up for as wide a swing he could get, Nikklaüs plunged Zantetsuken into the tree. Still, even with his amplification, he didn't have the energy stored up yet to carve clean through it. It only got stuck half way in. Releasing the sword, he sent his shoulder into the tree to push it over the edge.

"Tsu!" He hissed a breath of strength with the strike, as he toppled the tree over.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Sophia
Anima: Flaring White aura
Silent Child Tiguidi​

---

It's literally an eye. After they spent time combing the park the clue they found was a literal eye floating on a tree. For a moment the girl and the eye simply stared at each other, acknowledging each other's existence.

"It's probably like a CCTV for the demon..." Sophia said, though she didn't sounds like she was talking to Leander or Cobalt. She was talking more to herself. She would then start spacing back and forth while her hands move around as she passionately explain her line of thought.

"Unlike arcanist, demons are entirely made of anima. So if it leave a piece of itself here means it can connect this part and the main body somewhere. If this line can somehow be detected then the main body can be found, but the demon has been really good at hiding itself and the line can't be seen, if we can't see the connection..."

As if a bulb suddenly switched on inside her head, Sophia's eyes glimmered as she grabbed both of Leander's shoulders.

"Leo, can you try to use your anima arts on our little eye here? If this is connected to the main body, the real eye's anima might fluctuate, do it repeatedly to catch it of guard. Then, Cobalt, let's open our refined vision and look for the anima fluctuation!"​

 

[Silent Child]

Leander’s eyes darted between the floating eye and his teammates, tension building in his chest as he processed the oddness of the situation. "A literal floating eye", he mused, his mind momentarily wandering before snapping back to focus. The proctor had warned them, and yet, seeing it in front of him was still unnerving. His thoughts kept drifting back to finding the main body, "There has to be more, right?"

Sophia’s voice broke the silence, her words drawing an amused chuckle from Leo. "It's probably like a CCTV for the demon...", she had said. The image it conjured up in his head was almost comical, with tripod-mounted cameras where the lenses were replaced with single, blinking eyes. He could almost hear the camera crew shouting directions at the "demon," urging it to adjust its angles. His smile faltered, though, as he quickly reminded himself of the task at hand.

Sophia continued, pacing back and forth, her arms making grand gestures as she spoke. Leo watched her with raised brows, thinking to himself, "She's a visual thinker... or maybe she just thinks we are." Either way, he found it interesting, mentally filing it away for future reference. But he quickly tuned back in as her words shifted into something more important, her tone growing more serious.

"-demon has been really good at hiding itself and the line can't be seen, if we can't see the connection..." Her sudden movement caught Leo completely off guard. He barely registered what she was saying before her hands grabbed his shoulders, shaking him from his thoughts. His face flushed deep red in surprise.

His heart skipped a beat, his brain struggling to catch up with the sudden physical contact. "W-wait, what’s going on?" The unexpected gesture made him stiffen, eyes wide as he stared at her, trying to maintain his composure.

"Leo, can you try to use your anima arts on our little eye here? If this is connected to the main body, the real eye's anima might fluctuate, do it repeatedly to catch it of guard. Then, Cobalt, let's open our refined vision and look for the anima fluctuation!"

Sophia’s request snapped Leo out of his flustered state, the logic behind her plan quickly registering. "Ah- Y-yeah! I can try!" He managed to stammer out, still feeling the lingering heat in his cheeks from the sudden touch. "Focus, Leo", he scolded himself internally. This wasn’t the time to get flustered over something like this. The plan was solid, and his part in it was crucial... He extended his arm toward the floating eye, squinting as he focused his anima. A small, almost pencil-thin tendril of energy began to form, slowly coiling out from him. It stretched out with surprising speed, aimed directly at the eye, attempting to latch onto it. His focus narrowed, the world around him fading as he urged his anima to connect with the strange entity before him.

"Come on... time to see if I can flicker this ability like she wants..." He mentally encouraged his anima to amplify the floating eye, hoping it would create the fluctuation Sophia was expecting. His brow furrowed in concentration, every fiber of his being focused on this.

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