Counter 8: HaUNTED
Fifth day of Sapta’xahr, 4044 AOT
Headmaster’s Office
The yellow-orange tint of the setting sun passes through the window.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
The usual noise of the students’ small talk is nowhere to be heard.
“No idea.”
“You’re not even trying.” The headmaster picks a stick of cigarette from a pack inside his coat’s pocket. “I want to prevent some problems as much as I can.”
“Good luck on that.”
“Let me finish talking!” He coughs. “I need your cooperation, Azalea.”
“Ah-” She pauses for a moment. She moves her hands in with comical gestures. “Is that why you are talking as if we’re about to uncover some… conspiracy~”
“You can drop the goofy act now. You know you don’t have to pretend in front of me.” He pulls his drawer open and then fishes out a white folder. “You have to clean up after your mess.”
She lets out a heavy breath full of disinterest. “Sounds like a pain.”
“I already know that this kind of thing will not suit your taste.” The headmaster stands up. He walks closer to Azalea and then puts the white folder down the small table. “You may not like it but you have to face it.”
Azalea spares the folder a single glance before fixing her eyes back at the headmaster.
“For now, I have blocked everything related to you from being accessed inside the premises of the academy. As long as the person searching for these articles is inside Nalkad Island, it will be blocked from appearing in search results.” He leans on his table while facing Azalea.
He observes her blank expression as he is trying to get a read of what she feels about the matter. After a while, he continues while playing with the cigarette spinning it around his fingers. “Most of the students attending AB Academy are not too involved with HC’s affairs but I decided to take few actions as insurance anyway. However, everything I blocked is still accessible outside. My power does not extend that far.”
Azalea picks up the folder while listening to the headmaster. With a serious expression, she starts skimming through the pages. Eventually, she starts chuckling to herself.
“All it needs is one person to start spr--” The headmaster is interrupted when Azalea suddenly bursts out into uncontrollable laughter. He is about to reprimand her but he is taken aback after noticing the grim tone of her laughter. It is sad, melancholic, the sound of someone losing their sanity. He cannot help it but stay quiet.
“Look-” Azalea exhales with a wide smile. She opens the file facing the headmaster so that he can see it. “This is definitely news to me. Wow…”
The headmaster takes a quick look at the article. The headline says in bold letters, “Aesbyl in Peril! Azalea “The Witch” is Starting a Big Revolution.”
She scoffs as she glances back at the papers. “Damn. Why are they inciting the people? Well, since I left the place, the issue probably just died. How amusing.” She continues to flip through the pages.
The file includes so much news that is only being publish in the country of Surus. One of which entitled “A Hunter Hunting Plantations: Destroying up Our People’s Livelihood!” became a big deal in the middle of her stay in Aesbyl. It is not entirely false. However, there are things she would rather not talk about.
She pauses at two news articles that catches her sight. “Unfortunate Twist of Fate: The Witch is Slaying Demons and Allies Alike” and “A Hunter or a Witch? Slaying for Money” are news published early in her demon hunting job. It is not uncommon for some hunters to betray their party after slaying the demon. There are different ways to achieve this. One is to prepare a trap in their camp that will activate once they return from the hunt. Another one is to lure them into a supposed to be safe route but is actually a monster territory. Then, there is that one where someone lures a large number of monsters towards the party of weary hunters flooding them while they are barely able to defend themselves. This is usually done so that there will be less people to share the rewards and loots with.
“What killed most hunters aren’t demons, but human greed and envy.” Azalea suddenly remembers her master’s words.
All of these articles are written without her side of the story. Although, that is understandable since it is nearly impossible to trace her whereabouts. However, she believes that they are written in an overly dramatic way. For her, it is easy to see that they were not written to inform but rather to simply entertain people with a short and spicy bedtime story.
“Wow, these are nostalgic.” She chuckles with a grim tone. “Brings back a lot of memories.” She then puts it down the table. “Feels like someone is slapping me all these stuff I did back then.”
“Does it upset you?”
“Upset?..” Her low toned reply is followed by a long silence. “Say, headmaster… Have you ever stared into a demon’s eyes? Have you ever felt the sharpness of their claws? Have you ever known the bone-shattering strength of a single punch? Have you trembled uncontrollably under their ear-piercing roars?”
“Um.. No-”
“You wouldn’t want to.”
“Huu-?”
“Of course, as weak as you are, why would you dare to?” Azalea continues with a half-smile and ludicrous tone.
A vein pops on the headmaster’s forehead. “That’s true, but shouldn’t you refrain from insulting me openly?”
“I’m not insulting you, I’m stating a fact.”
“Stop dodging the subject.” The headmaster brushes Azalea’s comments. “Your foolish antics is a making me lose track of our main topic.”
“Ah- right. Is it upsetting, you ask…” Azalea responds with ease. Then the half-smile she keeps starts to wear off. “No. It’s… deplorable.” Upon uttering those words, the atmosphere in the office suddenly feels heavy and dark.
The silence is uncomfortable. To break it, the headmaster forces a cough to clear his throat. “I see. I am offering you a way to clean your name. I can ring some of my connections to help take all these down and deal with those who are responsible.”
“What do you want me to do?” She asks; her brow rises while she wears a cunning smile. “Go out there and explain everything to them? I prefer letting those issues die on their own rather than fanning their flames more.”
“Are you really fine this way?” He then sits at the vacant chair close to Azalea. “Or perhaps, are you so benevolent that you’ve already forgiven them?”
She lets out a cold laugh. “I’m not fine… but I have to be.” The bogus smile she is wearing has now turned into a blank. “My forgiveness has little to no value. They’ve wronged not only me but these young heroes who gave everything they got to protect what they cherish. These stupid articles also hurt their loved ones who are still grieving.”
“Doing nothing doesn’t solve anything.” The headmaster tells himself.
“At the very least, they should be grateful…” Her tone becomes grimmer. “That I’m not displacing their heads away from their necks.”
“That’s-…” He blurts out but stops himself midway. He feels like the light and dark side of this confused child is having a fierce battle. In his mind, he ponders trying to read the situation.
“Her expression isn’t one that bluffs. What could happen in the moment she succumbs into this insanity? Not good. Can we still save her? I have to at least limit the factors that could make her fall even farther.”
The cold silence in the room is starting to make the atmosphere awkward.
“Azalea.” The sound of her name rings. It almost brings the light back into her dead eyes. “Aesbyl has fallen in chaotic times. If it continues without progress, ICA will get involve.”
“They should have a long time ago.”
“Those articles are putting you in an unfavorable position.” He stands up. “What I’m trying to say, at least smooth things over Aesbyl’s press.”
“How? Write them a novel about the dark side of their country?”
“Exposing the truth should be very easy if you get the right people behind you.”
“The truth.” She chuckles. “Headmaster, have you ever been to Aesbyl?”
“I have.” He walks back to his table.
“Have you seen the slums outside the city’s circle?”
“Well…” The lawless zone is not a place for a person in his position to casually waltz into.
Azalea grabs the folder and then flips the pages to a certain article, “The Witch Conspiracy: Azalea Backed by a Huge Organization!” It is something that stirs up quite the talk but that’s all there is to it.
“If only they sincerely care for the wellness of their people, then they would have known the kind of shithole they are living in. If only they spared a little time to investigate the root of this, then they wouldn’t have time to think of such amusingly twisted stories.” She looks directly at the headmaster. “Aesbyl is bound to fall into chaos whether I interfered or not…
Although, I do admit that my actions helped speed-up the process.”
“So…” He returns her gaze. “Do you believe that you did the right thing for Aesbyl?”
“Not really.” Her eyes are blankly staring down. “You know, destroying those plantations and stuff… I didn’t really think it through. I was impulsive and reckless, taken over by my emotions. That’s why it all ended in such a mess.”
“Do you regret it?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I do… Sometimes, I think it’s for the best too.”
“Don’t you think that clearing your name in Aesbyl will help settle their problem?”
“Well… The press does not care about me or what I do. They are only interested in what kind of entertainment they could create out of what I’ve already done.” Azalea stands up still holding the folder. “There are a number of people who know the truth in Aesbyl but they are keeping their silence. If I get involve again, some might take that opportunity to use my name and divide the people further igniting the flames of chaos. I must not trouble them anymore. Aesbyl can fix itself better without me.”
The room falls in silence again.
“She’s on the right track but the truth about her-”
Azalea throws the folder in mid-air. A magic circle flashes and then the folder starts to burn, turning it to ashes in a matter of seconds.
The headmaster stares at his unlit cigarette stick. “If those cases reach the ears of the board of directors, you’ll be thrown into the red-zone.”
“I don’t see any problem with that alone.”
“What if they get exposed to the entire student body?”
“I’ll somehow deal with it.” She smiles with the same cold eyes. “The problem with most people is that they are quick to open their mouths yet they are never willing to open their minds.”
“I see,” he sighs. “That’s just how you deal with it.” He turns and then walks back to his chair. “Don’t you want to change it? The way all these ‘partially true’ rumors get exaggerated and dramatized…”
She goes back to her seat. “Sounds like a pain.”
“Even though you went through all these for Aesbyl?”
“I didn’t do it all for Aesbyl.” She notices her reflection on the table’s glass. “I did it for those kids… and also for myself, I guess. I wanted to open an opportunity for them to save themselves. It just so happens that Aesbyl might benefit from it… if things go well.”
The headmaster chuckles, “I understand a little now. In the end I got rejected, huh?..”
“As much as I hate to say it, you’ve already achieved something.” Azalea notices a crack in the gem on her hand. Meanwhile, the headmaster gives her a puzzled expression. “You brought me here,” she adds. “I wanted all those rumors about me to just die down. I cut myself away from people. You have no idea how much effort I put that time to hide away… but you just have to be that one smartass to get the job done.”
“So, you do appreciate my good will to help you.” His eyes lights up like fireworks blooming in the night sky. “Are you that grateful that I led you into this academy?”
“Of course not!” Her flat out reply makes the headmaster frown. “This place has problems of its own. In many ways, it’s also a pain to stay here.”
“Ungrateful brat,” he mutters. Then he pauses and stares at her. “Haven’t you been looking more and more tired these days?”
“Hm?..” Azalea suddenly lifts her head and fixes her eyes at the headmaster. She lets out a forced laugh. “Does it really look that way?”
“Don’t get too worked up about it.” He advices with a tender yet confident tone. “Whatever’s coming, the academy can deal with it. Furthermore, our students may not be as polished as you are now, but I assure you, they are strong enough to take care of themselves. You don’t have to keep carrying everything on your own. Have some faith in us.”
She stands up and then she takes a deep breath. After calming herself, she wears her business smile back on. “I’ll try.” She walks towards the door and then waves goodbye before leaving.
The headmaster watches her leave. Once she is gone he then relaxes on his chair as if he is thinking about something deeply.
“I guess that’s good enough.” He talks to himself while looking at the dimming sky outside his window. “Bringing her here… I also have my doubts. Is it a good thing?.. or a bad thing?”
Additional Information:
The Mana Circuit
The Mana Circuit - Location of Vi along with some explanation how the 4 classes are classified accordingly. This is just an introduction to the story's magic system. More explanation will be coming bit by bit as the story continues.
"Vi" is the center of mana found in the body of living organisms. Those who have awakened their Vis can use/control their mana.
The 4 Classes of Reveils are classified depending on which Vis have awakened in
their mana circuit. These Vis awaken during puberty, though there are few exceptions.
Power Scaling
In terms of measuring how powerful characters are, there are a number of factors to consider. Every class has its way of identifying their levels. Each of these factors needs to be considered when trying to measure how strong a character is. For example, aside from the following scales/leveling, one has also consider a character’s intelligence both in academic and combat arts, their experience, weapons or armors used, etc. MER or class level alone is not enough to tell the full power and limits of characters. This is simply meant to be a guide in order to help the system make a clear image of the power balance in this world.
MER (Mana Evaluation Result)
-> MER is used to refer to one's overall level regardless their class.
-> There are 3 factors that are being considered when ranking a reveil's ability. 1] Stamina (how long they can last using their powers), 2] Control (the consistency of their power output as they use their abilities), 3] Accuracy (how close to the target/intended result).
-> A reveil can have high class level while having low MER; however, they cannot get a high MER if they have low class level.
Rank E -> weak in all factors
Rank D -> has average mark in at least 1 factor. D- for 1 factor, D for 2, and D+ for all 3.
Rank C -> has excellent mark in at least 1 factor. C for 1 factor, C+ for 2.
Rank B -> excellent mark in all 3 factors.
Rank A -> superior mana capacity, huge stamina to keep up with their mana capacity, the ability to use their ability continuously for 24(+) hours, has exceptional control and accuracy.
Rank S -> using their power is like breathing to them.
Mage – Magic Spells Power Level
Mages identifies the level of spells by observing the magic circles that glows when magic is used. I will include how destructive each level is, however this is just a sample so that imagining the difference of each level will be easier. Please take note that not all magic spells are destructive, e.g. healing, barriers, support magic etc.
Low-tier magic -> 1 simple magic circle. Basic spells, can wound/bruise.
-> In terms of healing, it’ll be the opposite, can heal bruise or shallow wounds. This level will not be able to heal deep or severe injuries such as deep blade stabs or broken bones. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
Mid-tier magic -> 1 detailed or intricate magic circle. Stronger spells, can kill.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal severe injuries such as deeper stab wounds, broken bones, larger cuts, etc. This level will not be able to regenerate or reattach severed limbs/body parts. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
High-tier magic -> 2-5 magic circles, can be simple or detailed. The caster must have high level of mastery of the spell. This level can destroy concrete 1 story houses.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal multiple severe injuries and life-threatening injuries, and it can also reattach or regenerate severed limbs. This level will not be able to heal multiple people at the same time. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
Elite-tier magic -> 6-9 detailed or intricate magic circles. This level can destroy 3+ story buildings, or a small village.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal multiple people with varying injuries, can also do area heal (ranged healing). This level will not be able to (while healing multiple people at the same time) regenerate or reattach severed limbs/body parts, as well as heal mortal wounds, e.g. destroyed heart, lungs, and the like. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
God-tier magic -> more than 10 detailed or intricate magic circles. This level can destroy a city or flatten a mountain.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal pretty much anything, in single person or multiple/area healing. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells. (this level is extremely rare)
Esper – Ability Types and Power Level
Ranking espers’ ability highly depends on how well they are able to use their ability to its full potential. Each ability has different scopes and limits.
Different types of abilities:
Level 1 -> Can bend a spoon. Seriously, punching your enemy is more effective.
Level 2 -> The ability can be used conveniently in everyday life. Can wound enemies.
Level 3 -> The ability can be used in combat. Can either kill or save lives.
Level 4 -> The ability can eradicate, protect, move, help, etc. a whole village.
Level 5 -> The ability can eradicate, protect, move, help, etc. a city, or something larger.
Ki Master – Power Level
It depends on how resilient or destructive they could make their ki. Ki Masters can amplify their power by using some equipment or weapons. The following power scaling is based on individual output alone.
First Degree -> Can only create a spark or a small ball of light at best. Pretty much just an ubliss with a lighter that ran out of gas.
Second Degree -> Can shoot weak lasers that can cut paper or burn a twig at best.
Third Degree -> Can shoot stronger beams that can pierce the flesh.
Fourth Degree -> Can shoot very strong beams that can pierce through steel. Can use Ki layer to cover a part of their body or an object (usually a weapon) to protect it or to make it stronger. The time they can do this is limited to a few minutes and won’t exceed an hour.
Fifth Degree -> Can create large explosions that can destroy a one or more two-story buildings. Their Ki layers are stronger and last longer, an hour at the very least.
Sixth Degree -> Can melt steel easily. Their destructive power could eradicate a city. Their Ki layers can last for half a day at the very least.
Seventh Degree -> A legendary level, some believes that it does not exist. They can keep their Ki layer 24/7 and has the destructive power of annihilating a country.
Contractor – Different Types of Yahou and Power Level
Yashou type and power can be completely random based on luck. In some rare cases, a child can inherit their parent’s or a relative’s yashou type. Most of the time it is just random and unpredictable.
Three Types of Yashou:
Power Level:
Level 0 -> A yashou that basically does nothing. No power or ability. They just kind of exist.
Level 1 -> Can fight a little. Will probably be able to make a kid cry.
Level 2 -> Has a skill or power, it can at least wound/cut the target
Level 3 -> Has a destructive power that can kill or destroy some concrete walls.
Level 4 -> Has a destructive power that can destroy three-story(+) buildings, or small villages at best
Level 5 -> Has a destructive power that can destroy a city or flatten a mountain.
Uncategorized -> A legendary level that only appeared in history during the Age of Kings. A yashou that can part the ocean and displace mountains.
The Mana Circuit - Location of Vi along with some explanation how the 4 classes are classified accordingly. This is just an introduction to the story's magic system. More explanation will be coming bit by bit as the story continues.
"Vi" is the center of mana found in the body of living organisms. Those who have awakened their Vis can use/control their mana.
The 4 Classes of Reveils are classified depending on which Vis have awakened in
their mana circuit. These Vis awaken during puberty, though there are few exceptions.
Power Scaling
In terms of measuring how powerful characters are, there are a number of factors to consider. Every class has its way of identifying their levels. Each of these factors needs to be considered when trying to measure how strong a character is. For example, aside from the following scales/leveling, one has also consider a character’s intelligence both in academic and combat arts, their experience, weapons or armors used, etc. MER or class level alone is not enough to tell the full power and limits of characters. This is simply meant to be a guide in order to help the system make a clear image of the power balance in this world.
MER (Mana Evaluation Result)
-> MER is used to refer to one's overall level regardless their class.
-> There are 3 factors that are being considered when ranking a reveil's ability. 1] Stamina (how long they can last using their powers), 2] Control (the consistency of their power output as they use their abilities), 3] Accuracy (how close to the target/intended result).
-> A reveil can have high class level while having low MER; however, they cannot get a high MER if they have low class level.
Rank E -> weak in all factors
Rank D -> has average mark in at least 1 factor. D- for 1 factor, D for 2, and D+ for all 3.
Rank C -> has excellent mark in at least 1 factor. C for 1 factor, C+ for 2.
Rank B -> excellent mark in all 3 factors.
Rank A -> superior mana capacity, huge stamina to keep up with their mana capacity, the ability to use their ability continuously for 24(+) hours, has exceptional control and accuracy.
Rank S -> using their power is like breathing to them.
Mage – Magic Spells Power Level
Mages identifies the level of spells by observing the magic circles that glows when magic is used. I will include how destructive each level is, however this is just a sample so that imagining the difference of each level will be easier. Please take note that not all magic spells are destructive, e.g. healing, barriers, support magic etc.
Low-tier magic -> 1 simple magic circle. Basic spells, can wound/bruise.
-> In terms of healing, it’ll be the opposite, can heal bruise or shallow wounds. This level will not be able to heal deep or severe injuries such as deep blade stabs or broken bones. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
Mid-tier magic -> 1 detailed or intricate magic circle. Stronger spells, can kill.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal severe injuries such as deeper stab wounds, broken bones, larger cuts, etc. This level will not be able to regenerate or reattach severed limbs/body parts. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
High-tier magic -> 2-5 magic circles, can be simple or detailed. The caster must have high level of mastery of the spell. This level can destroy concrete 1 story houses.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal multiple severe injuries and life-threatening injuries, and it can also reattach or regenerate severed limbs. This level will not be able to heal multiple people at the same time. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
Elite-tier magic -> 6-9 detailed or intricate magic circles. This level can destroy 3+ story buildings, or a small village.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal multiple people with varying injuries, can also do area heal (ranged healing). This level will not be able to (while healing multiple people at the same time) regenerate or reattach severed limbs/body parts, as well as heal mortal wounds, e.g. destroyed heart, lungs, and the like. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells.
God-tier magic -> more than 10 detailed or intricate magic circles. This level can destroy a city or flatten a mountain.
-> In terms of healing, it can heal pretty much anything, in single person or multiple/area healing. It will have the same level of effect for other kind of spells. (this level is extremely rare)
Esper – Ability Types and Power Level
Ranking espers’ ability highly depends on how well they are able to use their ability to its full potential. Each ability has different scopes and limits.
Different types of abilities:
- Elemental type -> Can control and use a single element. They cannot transform or become the element itself.
- Psychic type -> Mind abilities. E.g. telepathy, psychometry, telekinesis, etc.
- Displacement type -> Can control time and space, has spatial properties. E.g. teleportation, dimension lock, D-shift
- Rannin type -> Abilities that are hard to classify, does not fall in any category. E.g. weight control, shape shifting
Level 1 -> Can bend a spoon. Seriously, punching your enemy is more effective.
Level 2 -> The ability can be used conveniently in everyday life. Can wound enemies.
Level 3 -> The ability can be used in combat. Can either kill or save lives.
Level 4 -> The ability can eradicate, protect, move, help, etc. a whole village.
Level 5 -> The ability can eradicate, protect, move, help, etc. a city, or something larger.
Ki Master – Power Level
It depends on how resilient or destructive they could make their ki. Ki Masters can amplify their power by using some equipment or weapons. The following power scaling is based on individual output alone.
First Degree -> Can only create a spark or a small ball of light at best. Pretty much just an ubliss with a lighter that ran out of gas.
Second Degree -> Can shoot weak lasers that can cut paper or burn a twig at best.
Third Degree -> Can shoot stronger beams that can pierce the flesh.
Fourth Degree -> Can shoot very strong beams that can pierce through steel. Can use Ki layer to cover a part of their body or an object (usually a weapon) to protect it or to make it stronger. The time they can do this is limited to a few minutes and won’t exceed an hour.
Fifth Degree -> Can create large explosions that can destroy a one or more two-story buildings. Their Ki layers are stronger and last longer, an hour at the very least.
Sixth Degree -> Can melt steel easily. Their destructive power could eradicate a city. Their Ki layers can last for half a day at the very least.
Seventh Degree -> A legendary level, some believes that it does not exist. They can keep their Ki layer 24/7 and has the destructive power of annihilating a country.
Contractor – Different Types of Yahou and Power Level
Yashou type and power can be completely random based on luck. In some rare cases, a child can inherit their parent’s or a relative’s yashou type. Most of the time it is just random and unpredictable.
Three Types of Yashou:
- Beast type -> Looks like an animal/plant/monster
- Humanoid type -> Looks like a human with exceptions of some parts.
- Sprite type -> Spirit looking, most of them have elemental attribute.
Power Level:
Level 0 -> A yashou that basically does nothing. No power or ability. They just kind of exist.
Level 1 -> Can fight a little. Will probably be able to make a kid cry.
Level 2 -> Has a skill or power, it can at least wound/cut the target
Level 3 -> Has a destructive power that can kill or destroy some concrete walls.
Level 4 -> Has a destructive power that can destroy three-story(+) buildings, or small villages at best
Level 5 -> Has a destructive power that can destroy a city or flatten a mountain.
Uncategorized -> A legendary level that only appeared in history during the Age of Kings. A yashou that can part the ocean and displace mountains.
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DEFIANT
Asylum's Counter Attack
Copyright 2020
Airam Zenemijil
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission/consent by the author.
