Chapter Text
The crowned Wizard King-to-be, or rather Wizard Queen, on the day before her coronation—vanished without a trace, but a single letter left on her table in which she stated who she approves to be the next Wizard King.
Julius Novachrono, captain of the Grey Deer, was appointed to be the next Wizard King. When this letter was heard by the Magic Knights of the kingdom, there were only a few oppositions. Most found the man stated to be the most competent, resilient, and powerful. It was no surprise as to why she chose him; he was the second candidate next to her anyways. There was no doubt in Julius Novachrono rightfully claiming the title. However, the council did not approve the request, as she had only been designated and had not yet undergone the coronation to have the official claim of the title, Wizard King. Simply, she had no right to make such a request, and even if it was allowed, her parents had raised a protest and refused to have her statement ever considered. They did not wish for someone who has tarnished their family name to hold a position of superiority over the council.
Upon hearing her letter, Novachrono could only smile and chuckle at it. He wondered what could have been her plan in making a request she knew would not be approved. Still, even with her letter being disregarded, Novachrono proved to the entire kingdom why he was worthy to be the Wizard King in his own way.
Ten years have passed and Clover Kingdom has flourished ever since he has been crowned. Attacks, while it never seems to be absent, were quickly controlled and defended. Citizens feel more safer than before as they knew to depend on the Magic Knights for their courage. The number of Magic Knights continues to grow, even allowing the common people to join, which was disdained before, and each squad captain was a loyal and strong follower of the Wizard King. From someone who has been away for a long time and experienced the worst, she knew that the kingdom had changed for the better, and it made her conflicted from choosing whether to stay or run away once again all because of a difficult past and the fear of being judged.
Once a vow to never return—ended up with just a foot away from entering. This time, however, her mana was gone and the grimoire that hung around her waist was replaced by the weight of a sword. It seems she has long since abandoned magic.
★
The church bell rings as the clock strikes twelve in the afternoon. It was a sunny and bright day, just the right temperature for strolling around the square, and so the citizens did. The market place was crowded and busy; people attended to their work, while children ran around and played. Within the capital, a conference meeting was held between the Wizard King and Magic Knights Captains; some were accompanied with their vice captains that they deemed appropriate to bring with them. The annual Magic Knights selection was approaching, only six months from now and the Wizard King had a feeling that it would be quite eventful based on his secret adventures running around town observing magic in disguise; he always thinks every selection is eventful, as long as there's new magic he hasn't seen before. They talked about preparations, readiness, and of course, reminders to be aware of their surroundings as always. Casualties may not be strong, but it shouldn't excuse the knights to act sluggish.
"That will be all. This meeting is adjourned. Do be reminded once again, my captains. Please remain vigilant in protecting our kingdom and its citizens. It is your duty after all.” A slight smile planted on his lips as he saluted to which the men and women around the table returned the salute back, except one person.
The Wizard King throws a slight glance towards the captain of the Black Bulls, Yami Sukehiro, who looked quite preoccupied in his own mind. Days prior to the date of the meeting—the grungy man with a team known for its poor reputation, announced that he had finally found a worthy vice captain to serve the squad. It's not that none of the members weren’t worthy enough before as Yami already knew their potential and strength, but more so that, in terms of personality—they weren't responsible enough to hold that title. When the magic nerd heard this news, the only thought that popped first into his head was who could it be and what new magic spell have they created for their captain to acknowledge them; with sparkling eyes present.
“By the way, I made the chef prepare a banquet, so please help yourselves.” The Wizard King announces once more as trays and carts enter the room with plates quickly occupying the table.
“This guy is way too kind sometimes.” Yami grumbles underneath his breath and puts out his smoking cigarette into the ash tray in front of him. While a complaint towards his character, it was not a complaint at all towards the feast given. After all, Yami knew that he would eventually devour the entire table right this instant—if not for the one thing that's been bothering him throughout the whole meeting.
As mentioned before, the captains were welcomed to bring their vice captains. Yet, here is the captain of the Black Bulls, without his, after he so proudly shared his acquisition of one.
‘I knew we should've gone together. ‘I'll catch up’ my ass.’ With eyebrows furrowed and one leg constantly tapping up and down against the marble floor, he proceeded to only get more tense.
‘No way they would do something as lame as ditching after how-’
“What's wrong, Yami? By now, you should be eating like a pig.” Jack the Ripper, captain of the Green Mantis squad, interrupts his thoughts. The long-haired lanky man took notice of Yami’s strange behaviour, and somehow managed to puzzle the pieces together.
“I'm full. I've already eaten before coming here.” That was a lie.
“Oh, yeah? Where's your vice captain then? It would be a waste of food for them not to eat.” Jack taunts. There it was, a mention of the VC, and Yami sat uncomfortably in his chair. It was only told to the Wizard King himself, but it seems the news reached someone else as well.
“Ha??? Are you kidding me?” Yami groans. The man could really use another smoke after just putting out his cigarette. “Rumours spread fast around here.”
“So, it’s true! To think you'd find someone competent enough in your squad.” Jack's eyes widened, curious as to who, followed by a fellow white-haired man with braided bangs retorting in disapproval. “Competent enough? The meeting had already ended and they couldn't even come on time.”
"I didn't say anything about bringing them anyway! Damnit, I'm taking a chicken leg!” The other captains were surprised at his outburst for the miniscule teasing. Usually, it would be the shabby man who goes on teasing everyone; rarely would he ever get pissed back, unless it was—personal.
It wasn't a fear of being judged, ridiculed, or made fun of by his peers. Yami, of all people? The feeling was nowhere near that! It was more than that—the words he had shared with his newly appointed vice captain were to be kept, but not yet fully promised by the latter. He remembers the frequent display of uncertainty on their face that led him to think how at any moment, they would disappear without a trace once again. Yami understood that they had their own troubles, but he couldn't afford to let them leave. The words he said at the bar… Was everything he has done not enough? Or was it that they really could not bring themselves to face the Wizard King? Nobody knows, don’t they? That his vice captain not only meant something to him—but also to the Wizard King.
A concerned sweat slid down from his temple. It was quite a surprising sight to see for the Wizard King himself. Although Yami may not explicitly show it more and seems to be holding back, the WK knew him well enough. ‘I’ve never seen him this tense and stressed out before. What for? Don’t tell me it's about the VC…’ He didn’t expect him to take it so seriously. Perhaps he wanted to show off. ‘Well, Yami sometimes can still be a bit childish, haha.’ The Wizard King did want to meet the new vice captain of the Black Bulls, but because of an apparent misunderstanding with Yami and his VC, he’ll come to see them at a later time—or soon enough—or right now.
“Is this the right room?”
“Now, now. Please don't fight.” The Wizard King sat up from his chair. “As much as I would like to stay, I'll be taking my leave first. Duties attend, of course.” He gives a reassuring smile, and as he turns to open the door, he notices that it was already opening towards him.
"Oi, old man wait-" Yami calls out.
Before the door could slam onto him, he caught it with his hand, and a panicked voice yelped from the other side.
“Oh! I'm sorry…” The latecomer’s voice falters once they realize the man in front of them, whereas his lavender eyes widened and stared back into theirs—remaining in contact for a minute as if they both were trying to figure out whether the scene was reality and not a dream. With the years gone by, his perception of them was slowly fading; the shade of eye colour turned dull, the face became a memory, and the voice went faint. However, with just a single second of their presence, those fading characteristics resurfaced.
"Oh." They whispered. The Wizard King steps back in astonishment and they let themselves in, receiving some gasps from the captains. There revealed a woman clad in armor with a long flowing cape, a sword resting on her hips, a bag tied around her waist, and the signature Black Bulls robe planted on her shoulders.
"I-it’s you." In all that he has presented himself to be, who knew that the Wizard King could even stutter? Whispers around the room started to fill upon the arrival of the unforeseen face. Everyone within the room knew who she was, whether it was through seeing her personally in the past or through records made about her. The supposed twenty-eight Wizard King, if not for her withdrawal, returns after a ten-year long disappearance.
“I'm sorry for coming in so late. I came back from a mission and got lost. I've forgotten how big this place is.” She acknowledges the faces of the captains and vice captains, and waves at Yami whose mouth was full.
“Fanali! Yor layt!” Yami muffled through the food. “Yeah, I already said so and why.” There was a hint of attitude.
“Umdmwry!” It was unintelligible, so she could only respond with a slight chuckle at the man. At last, she turns towards the still stricken Wizard King. To her, he still looked the same: the short wavy blonde haircut looks to be untouched, his confident stance and posture was consistent, and the gentle lavender-colored eyes remained; only a few wrinkles grew, and a blue thin hexagram on top of his left eyebrow. Her heart was trembling. All that mustering up and delay behind the door was apparently useless, as she finds herself having trouble on what to say to an old but cared-for friend, but despite the heavy-beating heart, she speaks.
"Hey, Julius.” Eventually, the Wizard King was taken out of his trance and recognized that this was reality, and that she was truly present in this moment. “Remember me?”
Julius couldn't contain his smile—even his smile was still the same.
“[Yn] [Ln].” Her name rolled off the tip of his tongue so easily, as if he's been saying it for years.
“How could I forget?”