A Simple Stroll

[The Designer]

OoC: I will be handing out EXP

Walking down the corner of his office, through the Azure Halls of the Alchemy Class rooms, across the Crimson Courtyards of the Summoners, next to the Vermillion Corridors of the Qi-Users stood Maedallus, taking a simple stroll through his school...

For a while, he was locked in work... Unable to go out and enjoy the beauty of his school. Well, some of his work cleared up, and he felt as though it was time to go take a walk about the school and observe things. He was hoping to meet up with a few students and talk to them, but he knew that most kids these days don't stop by to talk their their teachers.

Well, right now he was at the entrance courtyard of the school, sitting down on some nearby bench as the cherry blossoms that the school were able to acquire from the Monastery bloomed above him, sending petite leaves all over him...

"So, here I am" The Headmaster said to himself. "It's so peaceful here.... but it feels as though..... Something big is going to happen..."

[Syril Ænari]

Syril was sitting in a tree. Not for any particular reason--since when had he needed a reason to validate all of his actions? If he felt like climbing a tree, then he would damn well climb it. All the better if it was cherry tree in spring though, because those delicate pink blossoms made them some of the most beautiful of all flora. Syril liked it up here; it was quiet and peaceful, a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of academy life. Settling down comfortably in the crook of a branch and disturbing a few petals, which tumbled gently to the ground beneath, Syril let out a contented sigh, inhaling the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms. He liked it here.

Tranquility was not to be however, because Syril's reverie was soon disturbed by the familiar rhythmic tapping of footsteps. His first reaction was to ignore them and hope they went away, but that hope too was quashed when the sound began to grow steadily louder, indicating that the owner of those feet was coming nearer. Syril rolled his head, green eyes opening lazily to glance down at the intruder in mild curiosity before snapping wide. Startled, Syril sat up quickly and shifted a few more of the cherry petals, which tumbled down to land on Academy Headmaster Maedellus himself--the man who had just settled down on a bench directly below him.

Syril had met this legendary figure twice before: once at the combat exams at which he was announcing, and once prior to that, when he had been recruiting for the aforementioned exams and had come to Syril's dormitory. He seemed a nice enough fellow, despite the constant aura of incredible power which exuded from him. Syril pondered the situation for a mere two seconds before a mischievous grin came over his face.

Syril heard the headmaster mumbling something from below, but he wasn't listening--he was too busy contemplating the opportunity presented to him. Maedellus may be important and powerful, but that didn't exempt him from practical jokes... at least, not in Syril's book. Moving softly so as not to disturb any more petals, Syril crept along one of the lower branches, thankful to be hidden by the dense cluster of pink blossoms. Then without warning, he hooked both knees around the limb and let himself fall, so that the next thing Maedellus saw would be Syril's face bobbing merrily two inches from his own, upside down and grinning from ear to ear.

"Hello Headmaster!"

[Raiden Matsutani]

Good time for a stroll right? Raiden only had to question himself once about that idea. To him it was a great idea to get out. Today was a nice day and all so why go out and enjoy it. Well, the best place in the school to get out and enjoy the splendors of spring is the courtyard. Raiden strolled out into the court yard and breathed in the fresh air through his nostrils. Nice day today... Raiden's sensitive nose caught scent of many other students currently occupying space in the courtyard, but it was a large enough place so it didn't both Raiden. The fact that others were here as well didn't bother the demon anymore.

Another scent caught his nose as well…a very memorable and wonderfully familiar scent. Raiden had once remembered catching a whiff of such a fragrant smell just about 400 years ago. Raiden decided to best explore the scent. Raiden step by step closed in on the scent and found himself standing in front of a familiar site native to his eastern homeland…the ever beautiful Cherry Blossom tree. It was a beautiful and nostalgic site to see. Raiden felt at home by just standing by the tree. Raiden walked over to its trunk and placed a hand on it. Wow...thought I never see another one of these...makes me feel homesick...

Raiden's reminiscent thoughts were interrupted as his ears picked up someone talking on the other side of the trunk. Hmm? Raiden got a little closer to the trunk and peered around it slowly to see who it was. As he looked at the man…he honestly had no idea who he was. Raiden’s never met the guy before…or at least smelled him… Just then Raiden ears picked up distinct rusting in the trees. Raiden raised an eyebrow as he looked up to see what was stirring. W-What now? Suddenly some guy popped out of the tree upside down. Raiden was more interested on what the guy addressed the man as. “H-Headmaster?” he said in his usual small voice and sometimes barely heard voice.

[The Designer]

"Hello there student" Maedallus said, taken back from the sudden appearance. "Fine day today isn't it?"

So it seems one of the students decided to go talk with the Headmaster, to which filled the man with a sense of glee. After all, it was his mission t find out the state of his school, and what better way then to converse with one of his students. Just before he was going to say something, he heard a very slight noise behind him. Flickering his eyes, he saw the good Demon that he admitted into the school.... After all, Demons were quite the rarity..... Most of them go off and join The Rosicrucian Alliance or the Blood Society. Turning back around, the Headmaster kept his smile upon his face as he moved over to allow his student to sit...

"So tell me... What exactly do you think of the Arcane Academy?" He asked quickly, his face still serene....

[Tristan Knightrhode]

Tristan was walking around the academy, memorizing where every thing was. He'd been here long enough to know the basic layout, and some of the finer details, but the place was so huge it would take forever to memorize every specific detail. Igneus was back in the dorm, still out cold as it was becoming his custom when Tristan and he had no assignments, whether class, mission, or otherwise.

The hunter entered one of the courtyards of the school, and had relatively soft foot steps along the gravel path. Soft for steel toed boots any way. The heavily armed man had been here several times before, so he wasn't looking around until he heard the shout of a vaguely familiar voice, refering to the one man who would know the school inside and out: Headmaster Maedallus.

Naturally Tristan looked over and saw three people: Demon boy, the headmaster, and someone Tristan had seen on a mission once. Deciding to forgoe his search about the school in favor for a conversation with the ever illusive head master, Tristan walked over to the cherry blossom tree, which dropped a few delicate petals in Tristan's path. "Well, well, well. If it isn't our fair headmaster." He said in a normal voice, bowing his head to the man.

The headmaster was a rare sight indeed. It had been this long already in the academy, and Tristan had only seen the man three or four times. This being that third or fourth. The hunter stopped near the tree, and relaxed against the trunk. Any day in which you could have a conversation with such a powerful mage, let alone one rumored to use the same style of magic as yourself, was a good day. And the weather had already made it so pleasant.

[Syril Ænari]

Syril's face fell a bit at Maedullus's lackluster reaction, both figuratively and literally as the branch flexed. He had been hoping for at least a start of surprise.

"Aww, you are no fun."

Ah well, this was the Headmaster of Arcane after all. It was his honor-bound duty to be completely serene and composed, and Syril had been foolish to expect anything less. The Headmaster then scooted over to allow him a place on the bench. Well, that was nice of him; Syril didn't mind if he did. Flexing his abdomen to set up a quick swing, he let go with his feet, unleashing another shower of flower petals as the branch recoiled. Using his momentum to turn a graceful flip, Syril flopped down on the bench in a perfect sitting position, as if he had been there all along. This was followed by a respectful nod; he would have bowed formally, if he weren't sitting down.

Smiling at the Headmaster's query, Syril rested his elbow on the bench's armrest and propped himself up, staring out over the expansive school grounds as he pondered his reply. Somehow, he got the feeling that Maedellus wouldn't mind if he didn't maintain eye-contact; despite the necessary sense of patronization that came with a position of power, the man exuded a sense of understanding and of patience, almost like a father figure. It gave Syril a sense of comfort, like he could open up and talk to this person about anything and have him listen and sympathize; the verbal invitation added to the effect.

"'Tis a good place. The classes hath information, the missions excitement, and I permission to practice my art undiscovered. I like it here."

It was the genuine truth. For the past three years, Syril had lived out his life as a secretary in northern Sweden: hardly the most glorifying of lifestyles, and by the time a letter from the Academy had arrived, he had grown pretty fed up with it. Life at the Academy offered him an escape from the lifestyle of boredom, and best of all it allowed him to practice the thing he loved most: his cherished magical art.

Lost in his thoughts, Syril hadn't even noticed Raiden's approach, and only acknowledged the other student with a grin and a wave. After all, he had addressed the Headmaster, not Syril. He chuckled softly to himself; it seemed Maedellus had come out to the grounds to get some peace and quiet, yet here the poor guy was, beset on all sides by curious students.

[Raiden Matsutani]

Raiden made a slight noise as he watched. It appears that the Headmaster noticed Raiden past the other guy. Raiden simply nodded as he watched the Headmaster and the other guy converse with one another as suddenly someone else entered as well. Raiden turned his head to see Tristian, the guy whom he fought before. Raiden watched as Tristan also apporached the Headmaster and knew exactly who it was.

Now Raiden was feeling a little left out with everyone converserving in front of him. Raiden stepped out from behind the tree trunk and walked over to everyone. "Hello..." he said as he topped it off with a bow. This is the guy who allowed me to join the Acadmey... Raiden judging by appearance saw nothing wrong with the guy. By judgement he could see how he even passed Raiden and allowed him in this place. That could only mean some had good opinions of Raiden even if he's a demon. That could be just about the happiest thought Raiden has ever had.

[The Designer]

"Right it is" The Headmaster replied with a simple smile, his face calm and serene as usual. "Pleasant day today isn't it?"

Maedallus then turned over to Syril, his face still the same. He had read a report on the more... unusual students in the school. This one here came from a hidden city somewhere off in Europe, or so goes the report anyways. Regardless, he had rarely been able to see this student's magic art in practice.... Something which greatly interests the head master..... Anyways, Maedallus just nodded his head to Syril's response, his soft smile still on his face.

"Is that right" The man replied. "Good then. You see, I have been fearing that the Academy has been slacking in competition to the other great groups of Magic.... However, I am somewhat relieved to know that at least a few mages find the school glorious as the day I was made Headmaster. Forgive me, but your name is Syril correct?"

And finally, the man then turned his head toward that of the new visitor, the demon that he admitted into the Academy. Unlike that small percentage of Teachers here that hated demons, Maedallus held no prejudice against them. Hell, he was even good friends with Halsephea, the Demon teacher on.... Well, Demons. Anyways, bidding the boy to sit down, Maedallus just smiled at him.

"Good day young Demon" He said, his tone calm....

[Tristan Knightrhode]

Tristan looked up when the man responded to him. "Indeed it is...Theres a bit of a strange feeling in the air though." The hunter noted. There was a feeling of eminence, like something was going to happen. It was a similar feeling that one gets when you loose sight of your quary and have the feeling it's right behind you, only without the panic and adrenaline rush.

A thought occured to him, that he'd been meaning to ask one of the higher ups. The hunter took a couple of steps forward, leaned in, and whispered to the headmaster, "I've been meaning to ask, sir. Does the name 'întuneric Angelus' mean anything to you?" He was refering to the only other, naturally birthed Crusnik, remaining, a powerful man who could be considered an infernomancer in many circles, only he wasn't currupted by demonic powers. He was well over four-hundred years old, and last Tristan knew, lived somewhere in Tibet.

After he posed his question he straightened up, and looked into the single eye of the master infront of him.

[Syril Ænari]

Smiling to himself and nodding slowly, Syril listened to the Headmaster's reply. It was good to know that the school had a headmaster who cared deeply about the work he did, and for the students he presided over. Syril even reddened a little bit at the Headmaster's acknowledgment--but when Maedellus uttered the conclusion to his reply, Syril took in a sharp breath. Of course, he had forgotten to introduce himself! Turning back around with eyes closed apologetically, Syril replied quickly:

"Indeed, how rude of me! You are quite correct. If memory serves, we hath encountered one another befo..."

Syril had just opened his eyes, and noticed that the Headmaster was already engaged in conversation with the other student from before, who had leaned over to whisper in his ear. He had been interrupting, and thus he would do the polite thing and be quiet. But that was all right, Syril didn't mind a short wait, and something else interesting had caught his attention; the third student who had approached from behind the tree. More specifically, he was interested in what the Headmaster had referred to him as.

Turning around in his seat, Syril greeted the demon with a smile and a wave. The prospect of meeting another type of being fascinated him, as he had had no prior contact with anyone inhuman. Syril regarded his appearance, wide emerald eyes fixed in open curiosity upon the marvel before him, noting details like the clawed gauntlet and glowing red eyes. There was no trace of fear or hostility in Syril's stare, merely the childlike look of someone who is experiencing something new. After a while though, he realized that he might be being rude--it wasn't polite to stare as someone for so long. Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Syril turned away to face Maedellus and the other again, waiting patiently for the Headmaster's response to the whispered question.

[Raiden Matsutani]

With a few simple words Raiden felt suddenly a lot more relaxed now. Before the Headmaster had spoke to Raiden, he was a little tense on whether he should join or not. The Headmaster's welcoming persona changed that though. Raiden nodded at the Headmaster, and even accpeted his invitation to sit down with everyone.

Raiden sat down next to the guy who was named Syril. Raiden's head turned though as Tristan mentioned something. Tristan pointed out that today feels a little strange. Like the the serene calmness of the sea before a storm. Raiden felt this as well. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up at the mentioning of such a thing.

Raiden thoughts were interrupted as he felt someone was staring at him. Raiden had a radar for things like that. Raiden turned to see Syril staring intently at him. Raiden does his best to get past people staring at him, but it couldn't be helped. Raiden now felt embarrassed with Syril staring at him like that. Well, Raiden hoped someone else would say something to take his mind off it.

[The Designer]

"Forgive me Tristan, I have no heard this name" Maedallus said with a slightly sad look....

He then looked over to Syril, nodding at what he was saying while Raiden took a moment to sit down. The Headmaster thought to himself about what interesting company he had.... A Demon, a Hunter and a Isolated Mage that came from under Mountains; Very interesting guests. However, that was the Academy, a boiling point of all kinds of weird.

With that, the Headmaster leaned back, relaxed.... before suddenly, he felt something. It was his eye, the one under the eye patch he had one. It started to hurt..... then the pain twisted as the eye revealed things to him.... dark things of the future...

"What in the name of God?" Maedallus called out, his body trembling in pain and fear....

[Tristan Knightrhode]

"Hmm...It's no problem. I just figured one of the higher ups of the school may have heard the name." It was indeed an idle question that had no real quandry behind it. The old man didn't pose a problem to any one, but it would be interesting to find that the Academy had known of Crusnik's all along, despite the fact that the hunter had to fill out a species description on the Vampires of Vampires when he enrolled.

Tristan took a step back and looked up before the head master said something odd. He glanced toward the one eyed man, seeing the expression of shock and fear, then spun around to look where his eye was resting. There was nothing in the sky or in the courtyard out of the ordinary, so Tristan's first question was, "What's wrong? I don't see any thing." His left hand began to float up toward his shoulder, a natural reaction on behalf of his training to go for his weapon.

[Syril Ænari]

Sitting idly and listening to the conversation, Syril was completely taken aback at the Headmaster's sudden exclamation. Frozen suddenly to his seat, Syril stared at the man. Something was desperately wrong here. Maedellus was a mage of high caliber, the most powerful in the entire school no less, and here he was trembling like a child who had just seen a ghost. And although Syril's face remained pleasant and open, only registering mild surprise, he was worried, and very much so. Laying a hand on the man's shoulder, he spoke out softly.

"...Sir? Are you well?"

Noting that the Headmaster was staring blankly forward, Syril turned his head to follow his gaze, just as the tall student nearby did exactly the same. Syril's eyes narrowed; there was no nearby influence which could have caused a powerful mage such as Maedellus to act in such a way, and Tristan clarified this with a spoken phrase. He didn't see anything either--but perhaps something was there that they could not see. One sleeve of Syril's robe shifted, revealing two extended fingers crackling with emerald mana; a discreet preparation for whatever was to come.

[The Designer]

Maedallus shot back up, his face twisting his slight pain or fear, it wasn't clear which was what, as he looked at the two. His face eventually calmed down though, as he tried to hide his growing fears....

"I'm alright young ones" Maedallus began, "Although.... I just got this vision from my eye....."

The Headmaster really didn't want to scare his students with this talk of of what he saw, although it may be best to reveal what he had seen of the things to come....