The Ouroboros Potioneer - Book 2: Chapter 23 (Patreon)

AN: #2 for November for Tier 2!

Beta'd by plum - thanks dude.

Book 2: My Life With An S&M Maid Teacher

Chapter 23: Loopholes

"Your Majesty." Kama knelt at the center of the room, fist held over his heart.

The agent’s axes were missing, and his clothes were torn from the damage control, yet not a single trace of filth dirtied the carpet as he knelt, his focus directed on the man standing before the painted glass floor-to-ceiling windows.

King Toma’s face was carved from stone, tired eyes staring out at the expanse of his capital, the sun slowly rising in the distance and illuminating the faint trails of smoke still rising.

Half his city had spent the night pretending the light show from the Merchant District was a festival, a convenient excuse he had his men propagate.

The other half had thankfully slept through the entire event, unknowing of the small war that had taken place within a short hour.

“Is the cleanup complete?” Toma asked in a heavy tone, having forgone sleep while he dealt with aftershocks of last night’s operation.

“Every Blackvein operative still breathing has been apprehended, the deceased processed for burial, and the surrounding debris cleaned up before the sun rose.” Kama reported methodically. “We have declared mishandled Lacrima storage as the cause for the building’s destruction and current cordon.”

A snort worked its way through Toma’s throat.

“It’s always a Lacrima storage error.” His lips twitched in amusement as he turned to face his top agent. “And the information we sought?”

“Retrieved.” Kama pulled a thick file from his satchel and presented it, its surface covered in rock dust. “The Sixth Zodiac with The Hunter delivered it intact during the chaos.”

Toma’s gaze lit up at the sight of the file, his mind already conjuring the weeds that would soon be cut from his garden.

'Could it be a gift from Ouroboros for supporting his student?' The King mused and walked up to the kneeling man, showing nothing of his thoughts. “We owe her a token of gratitude then.”

The far shorter man placed a warm hand on his best agent’s shoulder. “You’ve worked hard, Kama.”

“It is my sworn duty.” Kama kept his head low.

“It is an honor to have one such as you with me.” Toma chuckled and patted the man’s shoulder twice, then gestured to the desk.

The shorter man hopped into his straight-backed leather chair, ready as Kama placed the file before him.

“And what of the Blackvein elite?” Toma asked as he carefully opened the folder, brushing aside a bit of debris with a slight tick of his lip. ‘Rambunctious young mages; is the building even standing?’

“Apprehended in individual cells, emergency medical care has been administered to keep them alive.” Kama reached into a satchel and pulled out fresh photos of each criminal.

“These operatives fall under the label of ‘Cask’, with the lower number reporting greater value. Casks #15 and #16 are confirmed Gun Magic users and only have superficial wounds.”

The couple was shackled with iron manacles and sitting on beds in their cells, seeming more confused than upset.

“#17, a brash Takeover Magic user, is abrasive and uncooperative, yet he also suffered nerve damage from lightning magic.”

A big man was seen twitching on the ground in his cell, with a Mana-Suppression cuff strapped to his ankle.

“#13, a Copper Magic user, has been cooperative and remains uninjured.”

The dark-skinned woman was laughing in her cell, somehow eating a bowl of ramen that an agent fetched for her, seeming perfectly at ease.

Toma noted she wasn’t even shackled.

“#12, a Shadow Magic user, has remained silent despite damage to his core.”

The thin man with a cuffed wrist was huddled up beneath a blanket, staring at the Lacrima light with wide eyes.

"#11, a Teleportation Magic user, will require recovery time until she can speak. The Hunter wasn't merciful."

Toma winced at the picture of the bandaged woman, covered nearly head to toe, glaring fiercely all around her despite the Mana-Suppression cuff on her ankle.

The King tapped the picture. "Were these injuries done deliberately?"

A profile was forming of the young man who led this operation, and although Toma appreciated skill and talent, he was not one for needless sadism.

“They appear to be a result of combat.” Kama observed without a trace of sympathy. “To catch a teleporter, The Hunter applied barbed wire. The tactical deployment was admirable.”

“I didn’t ask for your appreciation.” Toma rolled his eyes.

“I would not label her wounds excessive.” Kama answered directly this time. “She was harmed more by her struggle to escape rather than by the trapper’s hand.”

“Very well.” Toma waved it off, trusting in his agent’s judgment. “Continue.”

Kama pulled out the remaining three pictures. "#10, a Shield-Make Magic user, the highest-ranked Cask on site; his wounds are largely internal bleeding and have been treated to the best of our ability."

An unremarkable man sat cross-legged in his cell, chest wrapped in bandages, back straight and deep in meditation.

"This was their highest-ranked operative?" Toma eyed the man's image curiously. "Has he said anything?”

“Nothing.” Kama confirmed. “He woke not long after treatment and has been like that since.”

Toma hummed and gestured for the next one.

"Vance Holleran." Kama placed a picture of the distraught middle-aged man, pale-faced and looking like he wanted to yell in anger and cry at the same time. "Manager of the branch."

“I am familiar with Mr. Holleran.” Toma’s eyes narrowed in displeasure. “And the numerous complaints against his conduct among the high-end businesses throughout my capital.”

The man had been one of many jumping ticks stuck in Toma’s garden, and he was happy to finally pull this one free.

Now the file before him was the cherry on top; Toma grinned at the multiple layers of corruption Vance would unintentionally help him reveal.

'The cowardly man was at least good at taking notes.' Toma mused, gesturing for the last image. "Has he said anything?”

“He appears to be quite unstable.” Kama noted, his eyes curling ever so slightly in amusement. “It appears the maid paid him a visit in the chaos to retrieve the file.”

“Oho?” Toma tapped his new treasure with a smirk. “I’m sure she must have been impactful.”

“Very.” Kama recalled her appearance during the operation, her uniform fluttering in the moonlight. “A light presence when unnoticed, and very heavy when you attain her focus.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” Toma noted Kama’s slight caution with respect for his expertise, then his face shifted to a more serious expression. “And how is our… guest?”

Toma stressed the title given as Kama placed down the final image.

Grey and green hair intermixed on a peacefully sleeping face. Enchanted machinery stood to both sides of the bed, monitoring vitals and keeping the woman alive.

King's Agents stood at attention on both sides of the room.

“Karen Lilica, S-Class Ace of Blue Pegasus.” Kama’s voice lowered for the first time in the meeting. “She appears to have fallen into a coma.”

“A coma.” Toma repeated with a heavy tone. “I was told her situation was critical, was it not?”

A letter was already half-written on his desk to contact Master Bob of Blue Pegasus with the painful news.

“The medical personnel seemed to make an error in judgment." Kama bowed his head, feeling as if he were the one who sent back false updates. "We assumed she was on death’s door and rushed her back to base for medical treatment.”

Toma raised a brow, no judgment in his tone. "How does one mistake a death sentence?”

"Her Mana Core was cracked, Your Majesty." Kama pulled out a folder containing the medical report. "Medical personnel on site declared her life force was burned, severe blood loss from a severed limb, and her Mana Channel was twisted beyond recovery.” The man read off the report without flinching. “She had a foot in the grave.”

Kama couldn’t imagine someone recovering from such a state.

A wince left the King's lips. "A sad fate."

It was no secret how terrible a fate it was for a mage.

“She should be dead.” Kama declared as his finger fell on a lower section of the medical report. “Yet only after she was brought in did the healers discover she was healing.”

The agent watched his king take the page and read with wide eyes, then continued. “Her damaged channels mended, cracked core sealed, and her Mana Channel…”

The man paused at his own disbelief. “Has been reformed.”

"Reformed by what?" Toma sat up in his chair, his burning gaze shifting from the report to the agent. "What in Saint's name was able to reform a burnt-out Mana Channel?”

Such an injury was almost an assured death sentence.

“We are unsure.” Kama hated to admit. “However, Karen Lilica’s presence has decreased heavily. Further study has shown her Mana Core has undergone tremendous stress and shrunken.”

Toma blinked in surprise. “Mana Cores can shrink?”

“So it seems.” Kama didn’t have a satisfactory answer. “We can confirm her current state is no higher than a B-Class mage.”

“She should be glad to retain her life, let alone her magic.” Toma shook his head. “Yet it does not answer what healed her.”

Kama cleared his throat. "As the first to cross into the final battleground, I can confirm that The Hunter was the last to remain by her side before he fled, upholding the agreement. The mage left me with a simple sentence and left.”

"Oh?" Toma's lips quirked; he knew Kama was bothered if he didn't report directly. "What did our new focus share?"

[“She’s your problem now, I’m going to go sleep until I can feel the world stop spinning.”] Kama repeated emotionlessly.

"Ha!" The King slapped his desk and laughed. "The boy is a trooper, I’ll give him that.”

"That is one way to put it." Kama didn't mention just how terrible The Hunter looked, with a defeated S-Class at his feet and a hazy, deeply intoxicated gaze. "However, I believe he administered medicine of some form to Ms. Lilica.”

Nothing else made sense to Kama, as The Hunter was often seen carrying numerous vials of oddly colored liquids on his person.

“Medicine?” Toma’s laughter stopped short as he coughed in disbelief. “Let alone Fiore, even Seven with its top researchers are no closer to a cure than we are; how in the world would a young man have medicine for-."

The King's sentence paused as something clicked, and the man's pupils shrank.

"Ouroboros." Kama answered for the king, a trace of solemnity in his tone. "Perhaps the reclusive hermit is far more than we have believed him to be."

“This isn’t just being more than a brewer.” Toma was on his feet, standing on his chair in his excitement. “This is revolutionary technology! Think about what this could mean for the economy. Nay, for Ishgar! Maybe he could even cure-.”

“My liege.” Kama uncharacteristically cut off the king.

Toma froze, his excitement quickly reined in.

“Right.” He plopped back down on his chair. “This hermit remained entirely out of the picture until this point, perhaps refining their craft in an area no one could find them; we cannot afford to alienate such a mage.”

His gaze traveled to the folder on his desk. “Nor our only point of contact. I want to meet The Hunter.”

“The invitation can be delivered within the hour.” Kama would personally handle it.

"No." The King shook his head. "Diplomacy cannot be rushed for a harmonious relationship. Not to mention that their group performed a meritorious service for our kingdom; flowers of my lands bled for it. They deserve rest."

Toma reached for a fresh letter and began writing a simple invitation. “Where are they now?”

“They have returned to the Sky Lounge in the Merchant District.” Kama reported.

"The bar?" Toma blinked in surprise, then snorted a laugh. “Mages through and through, let them rest and celebrate as they wish to wake up to a new day with headaches that have nothing to do with duty.”

He signed off on the letter and slid it over. “Deliver it after they have recovered.”

“At your will, my liege.” Kama accepted it with a bowed head, then paused at a knock on the door and prepared to vacate the room.

“Stay.” Toma ordered calmly and spoke louder. “Come in.”

The door cracked open, and the head butler stuck his head in. "Your Majesty, another messenger has arrived from the Magic Council."

“Of course there is.” Toma sighed exhaustedly and waved a hand. “Archibald, have them rest with the others; I will address them when there is time.”

“Understood, I will prepare another private room in the cheese storage cellar.” Archibald, the head butler, smiled kindly and closed the door behind him without another word.

“Ah, I always love how he understands my pain.” Toma chuckled, then recalled the message and frowned. “You would think my own subordinates would recall who they serve.”

“Shall we look into it?” Kama offered without hesitation, ready to work despite his long night. “They often reject official investigations.”

It was no secret that the Magic Council of Fiore often butted heads with the other departments under the Crown, attempting to issue orders as if they had jurisdiction.

"I allowed them some rights due to the need for secrecy." Toma didn't reject the idea, yet neither did he confirm it. "They've been hounding me all night for answers on what had happened in the capital, and their incessantly strong requests to send in their Rune Knights to investigate are getting out of hand."

It was the main source of Toma's current stress; while the king knew he could brush them off until other work was done, he couldn't stay silent.

He wavered for a moment before his eyes flashed with a hard light. “I’ll handle them for now. If they don’t back down from sticking their nose into royal business, then it will be time for an official audit.”

Kama nodded in respect. “Understood.”

“Good, now, I have to revise my message to Master Bob. Poor man will be devastated." Toma shook his head, genuinely saddened. "The scars of my predecessor’s era run deep.”

Toma’s father was not the wisest of rulers, and his time as king faced numerous challenges Toma was thankful not to have to deal with.

Yet, that did not mean the transition was painless.

‘Esme.’ Toma’s gaze drifted to the prized picture frame set on his desk.

Kama’s grip tightened as he noticed his king’s focus.

“You have brought peace to Fiore, my liege.” Kama spoke with a trace of fire in his tone. “The flowers flourish only with a strong gardener.”

Toma stiffened at the words, his inner pain pushed deeper as he smiled warmly. “Using my own way of speaking against me.” He chuckled and leaned back, firm as a titan ready to hold up the weight of his kingdom. “Law is written in ink and blood; it's simply the cost of reality."

Acceptance settled over him, born of duty and justice.

“Your Majesty." Kama hesitated to speak.

“Speak freely, Kama.” Toma waved away formality and returned to the thick file on his desk.

"If Ouroboros could cure a crippled Mana Channel." Kama stopped, his gaze shifting to the picture frame.

Toma's hand froze, a barest tremble in his arm, then continued to methodically parse through the file. “Hope is a dangerous thing.”

Kama knelt. “I apologize for overstepping-.”

Toma cut him off, holding up a hand.

"I didn't say hope was bad." Toma's eyes blinked back moisture. The King took a deep breath. "Make sure that invitation arrives on time."

“On my life, my liege.” Kama stated firmly.

“Perhaps not with your life.” Toma chuckled softly and gestured for the man to leave. “There will be others more deserving of that cost soon enough.”

Vance Holleran’s file was not thin.

“By your will.” Kama saluted, turning away with fingers itching for his weapons.

Soon, the King's Agents would have new information to act on, and this time, Kama's executioner axes wouldn't be deflecting debris.

A cold glint crossed the agent’s eyes. ‘Someone will die for hiding such corruption.’

0000

At the same time, somewhere across the city, in a lounge with very good soundproofing and plush couches, someone was dying.

Possibly several someone's, judging by the groaning.

“Shut up already!” Dante snapped out from the bar, bags under his eyes as he twitched from a combination of alcohol, medicine, and caffeine.

The holy trilogy.

“Ffffuuuuccckkkkk.” Bacchus groaned, shivering on his couch and covered in bandages. “Moooorreeee drrruuggsss.”

"This is terrible!" Jenny exclaimed, her reflection gleaming in the mirror she'd turned her foot into, her eyes scanning the heavy burns under the bandages. "Burn scarring is so not my category of bad girl, Dante, faster!"

"…" Laxus just scowled, saying nothing, jaw clenched, as he sat in a chair with his arms crossed, but his eyes carried the message to hurry the fuck up.

"I will turn this bar around if you all don't fucking go to sleep already!" Dante threw a ladle in their general direction, then turned back to his ominously glowing demonic cauldron and stirred the brew like a demented imp. “You can’t rush art!”

He was out of his healing brews, and each of them was suffering from different types of wounds.

"I admit, this isn't what I expected." A calm, half-amused voice came from a few seats down the bar, where Leo twirled a rocks glass, back in his fitted suit.

“What did you expect?" Dante side-eyed the golden lion spirit, who had refused to return to the Celestial Realm just yet. "A certain overpowered someone fucked us up."

“You still mad about that little love tap?” Leo shot him a cocky smirk.

“The love tap that sent me through multiple floors of a reinforced building?” Dante flipped him off. “Not at all. I was more focused on the whip that hit like a truck.”

“Heh.” Leo barked a laugh. “You’re durable, I’ll give you that.” His gaze shifted to the rest of the room. “All of you are pretty durable.”

“They’d be more durable if they listened to instructions!” Dante spoke up over his shoulder.

A round of groan, whine, and glare was his response.

“Reckless little shits.” Dante grumbled.

His response this time was a trio of deadpan stares.

“Go to sleep!” Dante didn’t bother turning around, instead turning back to the lion. “And you, why are you still here?”

"I needed a drink." Leo raised his glass, gaze sliding to a side room where two pink-haired spirits were talking on the other side of a glass door. “And I wanted to ask Virgo something.”

“She’s almost done.” Dante kept his focus on his work, idly feeling Virgo’s intent.

“Dude, you didn’t even look.” Leo dropped his chin on a palm with a wry smile. “Do you even sleep with the connection on?”

Dante’s hand paused for a moment as he asked. “You can turn it off?”

Leo choked on a sip of his drink. “I was joking. Has it been on this whole time?!”

"Of course it has." Dante continued his work, unbothered. "Didn't know you could turn it off, though."

Leo opened his mouth, unsure what to say, and could only scratch his head helplessly. "Does that not get awkward?”

“Should it?” Dante hummed as magic circles flashed beneath his palms, the liquid within the cauldron churning.

Leo simply stared for a long moment before shaking his head, sipping his drink. “I’m glad Virgo found you.”

Dante’s gaze flicked over. “I’m glad she saved me.”

“You…” Leo’s eyes widened. “Did she?”

“No.” Dante tapped the side of the cauldron, cursed green flames roaring to life as the Ashen Maw feasted. “There is more than one way to remember.”

The green flames danced, reflected in Dante’s pupils as he felt the ever-encroaching presence of the endless blackness, his soul permanently tainted by his exposure no matter how much he grew.

Leo stared at Dante like one would a fascinating creature, his lips momentarily frowning at the cursed flames before shrugging it off. “Fair enough. Not much I can say if you found a loophole.”

Dante scoffed, calming the cauldron with his will before placing a row of shot glasses on the bar. “So much for the leader of the Zodiacs.”

"Hey, that's just an official title." Leo stabbed a finger at Dante. "I don't go looking for more work; I just do what I'm supposed to and then enjoy the rest."

"I can respect that." Dante oddly agreed. He controlled the liquid within, letting it float out, separating it into portions, and filling the shot glasses. "What will you do now?"

“Ain’t that the question.” Leo’s expression dimmed, the light inside his soul seeming tired. “I’m thinking it might be time for a vacation.”

“Zodiacs can take vacations?” Dante blinked in surprise. “I thought you guys had to keep taking contracts.”

“Loopholes, man.” Leo chuckled and downed the rest of his drink just as the side room doors opened, Virgo and Aries returning from their chat. The golden lion stood and brushed himself off, shooting Dante a wink. “More the fool to you if you never use them.”

He headed for the pink-haired duo. “Virgo, a moment of your time, please?”

The maid tilted her head, her blue eyes meeting Dante’s back at the bar, where he shrugged without turning and left the choice to her.

“Very well.” Virgo waved to the side room. “Obstruction of my time, #2, please step into my office for your consultation.”

“O-Obstruction?” Leo missed a step, unsure of what to comment on first.

“Of course.” Virgo held the door open, about an inch. “I could be at my master’s side.”

“Seriously, do you guys ever turn off that connection?” Leo scratched his head. “How the hell are you two sane?”

The door shut, Virgo's last sentence reaching Dante's ears. "Why ever would we desire such a thing?"

A huff of air left Dante's lips, his amusement mingling with his lover’s. 'Why indeed?'

He turned with a tray of shot glasses in hand, mixed colors from the brews he had been working on since they got back. “Order up, drug addicts.”

A watching Aries flinched in surprise.

“Finally.” Jenny groaned from her couch, arms covering her face as she pointed a manicured finger at the martial artist. “Please shut that mutt up already.”

Said mutt was doing his best to wolf-whistle his excitement.

“Wooo.” A groggy Bacchus raised a shaky fist. “Hit me, drug man.”

"You're an idiot." Dante dropped a dual portion in his palm. "No booze in this; sip it and don't blame me if you rush."

"Ew." Bacchus made a disgruntled expression and pushed himself up into a better angle. "How are we supposed to celebrate without booze?”

“Heal first, get fucked up after.” Dante smacked the back of the guy’s head. "And listen to instructions next time; you could have crippled yourself taking all the doses at once.”

Even when Dante made the custom orders for each of his friends, he had an inkling something might go wrong and devised a recovery route for each, just in case one of them decided to be an idiot.

And he was glad he did, as Bacchus toed the line his brain could handle, the incredible amount of input straining his entire nervous system in a way that would cripple a lesser man.

“Bah, I’d rather do both at the same time.” Bacchus twitched his hand, pure will restoring motor control as a shot glass flew up, liquid flowing like a stream to land directly in his mouth. "Cerberus’s Lullaby was wild.”

“I’m sure.” Dante rolled his eyes and kicked the guy’s foot when he went to chug the second shot glass. “Slow down or no good shit. Drink these when you’re done.”

He laid a few more shot glasses before him, each tailored to his injuries.

“Ya, ya.” Bacchus grumbled and sipped the glass with a disgruntled expression.

Dante simply stopped before the lightning mage and put a few shot glasses of varied colors on the side table. “Follow the rainbow, Sparky.”

Laxus’s gaze slid to the potions and then up to Dante. “How the fuck am I supposed to know what the order is?”

“Use your imagination.” Dante silently tapped the left side of the table. “And stop to enjoy the next rainbow you see.”

“Jackass.” Laxus grunted, slowly reaching up with a wince at his broken ribs to take the leftmost shot.

Dante chuckled and stopped before the beach blond. “Order up, madam.”

“No ma’ams here, server.” Jenny peeked through her crossed arms. “Only drug addicts.”

“Shove off.” Dante placed the rest of the tray down and sat on the edge of the coffee table. “You only need to drink two, but I’ll use the burn heal for your leg.”

"Mn, thanks, Dante." Jenny shot him a brief smile that worked hard to hide her emotions underneath. "For everything.”

The emphasis she put on it wasn’t lost between them.

Jenny knew Dante wouldn’t have acted if she hadn’t asked.

Dante’s lip ticked.

“Don’t get all girly on me now." Dante flicked her leg, making her jolt with a hiss. "The Nosy Cat I know has more sass than that."

“You shit!” Jenny slapped his shoulder with a half-pissed, half-smiling expression. “I can be girly and sass you, thank you very much.”

“Good.” Dante nodded in approval, rolled his shoulder, and waved to the awkwardly standing ram-horned spirit. “Oi, you. Come here.”

Aries looked behind her, blinked, and then pointed at herself.

“Yes, you.” Dante made a come-here gesture.

Aries gulped and quietly approached. “Uhm, I’m sorry, my name is-.”

"Aries, yes, I know. Virgo adores you." Dante cut her off, having felt Virgo perfectly fine during the two women's talk. "I'm Dante, Virgo's lover and partner."

Aries flushed and poked her pointer fingers together. “L-Lover…”

“Don’t act like a virgin, woman.” Dante deadpanned at her, having clearly seen through her little shy persona earlier. “I need you.”

“E-eh?” Aries blinked as if struck before her whole face lit up like a cherry with steam escaping. “EH?! I’m sorry! You’ve got the wrong spirit!”

“Get your head out of the gutter!" Dante flicked a pretzel at her fluffy shoulders, where it bounced off as if hitting cotton, and pointed at the curiously staring Jenny, who was clearly interested in juicy gossip. "Restrain her."

“Excuse me?” Jenny snapped her gaze to Dante. “Why would you-!?”

A mountain of soft, warm flesh and fluffy cotton cut her off.

"Er, am I doing it right, Sir Dante?" Aries asked hesitantly, having followed the order without questioning it, and leaned over the couch to hold down Jenny's torso.

“That’s perfect.” Dante nodded in approval, and even the other two guys peeked over at Aries using her generous bosom to smother Jenny’s face. “I need to heal her without her jerking about.”

"MN!" Jenny waved her arms and legs around, only to have them captured in pink, fluffy cotton balls Aries threw out.

"Please stay still, Miss Jenny." Aries asked politely in an apologetic tone, not realizing the position they were in. "Being healed is important."

Dante raised a brow at the seemingly oblivious spirit and whispered. “No wonder you’re Virgo’s friend.”

“I’m sorry?” Aries tilted her head in confusion, yet her eyes couldn’t hide her intent from Dante’s experienced gaze.

"There are two of them." Dante rolled his eyes, his bond flaring as Virgo returned the equivalent of a mischievous laugh. "Just stay there."

“Understood.” Aries saluted, unintentionally pressing Jenny deeper into her cleavage.

“Damn.” Bacchus whistled while Dante unwrapped Jenny’s leg bandages. “How do I get that treatment?”

“You get it by not using the last of my burn heal brew.” Dante commented over his shoulder, revealing a nasty third-degree burn going over Jenny’s thigh.

Jenny growled in her entrapment and threw up gang signs in Bacchus’s general direction.

“Shit, is she swearing vengeance in that deaf language or something?” The martial artist sweatdropped. “I pissed off a group of those before. Weird day.”

“Pretty sure that’s Zentopia sign language; didn't take her for the religious type." Laxus idly commented, enjoying the show while he sipped his medicine like a responsible adult. "Oh, that one means you're getting rammed in the ass."

“Why is that a religious symbol?!" Bacchus raised a hand in defeat. "I had my entire back flash boiled when we got jumped; give me a break."

“Silence from the peanut gallery.” Dante shushed them and carefully spread the deep red potion version of the burn heal over the wound.

His fingers tensed, moving like he was controlling strings as he intricately guided the liquid to seep into all the affected areas without diluting, targeting the worst spots and letting it dig deep.

Jenny's leg spasmed wildly as her nerves were rapidly repaired and reconnected, her voice vibrating in Aries’s chest, but the horned spirit quietly soothed her while her gaze stayed locked on Dante's actions with fascination.

Dante hummed as he worked quickly to ease Jenny’s pain. "And for the record, Bacchus, I used the brew version on your burn. Probably stung more."

“Fuck ya!” Bacchus flipped him off and downed the rest of his shot. “I demand good booze as an apology. Booze! Booze! Booz-!”

A weak electric bolt hit the martial artist, making his eyes roll up with his current wounds.

"Thanks." Dante waved over his shoulder, and even the incapacitated Jenny gave a thumbs-up and half-heart in the blond’s direction.

“Hn.” Laxus waved two fingers back, a sigh of relief on his lips as his injuries rapidly healed. “I can finally breathe without feeling like I'm being stabbed."

“Broken ribs are pretty nasty.” Dante finished off his work with a satisfied nod. “Always makes me feel like I’ve got a bunch of sharp knives floating inside me.”

“And the fact that you know what that feels like is bullshit.” Laxus rolled his eyes. “Did you even treat your own wounds, Orobo?”

“I made my own portion.” Dante waved the veiled concern off. “You can let up, Aries.”

“Understood.” Aries responded respectfully, starting to rise as Jenny took a deep breath, only to seemingly trip on thin air and collapse back on top of the beach blond. “Oh, I’m sorry. Let me remove the restraints.”

The horned spirit climbed atop the couch, physically reaching for the fluffy pink clouds she restrained Jenny’s limbs with, all while smothering the woman underneath.

“…” Dante sat a few feet away and stared.

“…” Laxus put his next shot down and watched.

“…” Bacchus rolled one eye back down to look, unconsciousness be damned.

A gasp of air came from between Aries’s bare thighs, where a flushed Jenny scowled at the being atop her. “Aries! You can’t keep doing this!”

The three males pinched their chins as one.

"I'm sorry?" Aries asked in confusion, having been examining Jenny's now-smooth skin where the horrid burn had been, and sat up on her heels.

“You know what you’re doin-! MN!” Jenny’s eyes twitched violently.

“I’m sorry!” Aries looked behind her and met Jenny’s eyes. “Your leg is healed, Miss Jenny.”

Jenny’s eyes narrowed as her flesh began to shift into metal.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Dante finally intervened and picked the spirit up by the back of her collar. “Don’t make my patient use magic.”

Two empty shot glasses slammed into Dante’s back in protest.

He absently caught them and flung them back without looking, Laxus casually catching his while the half-unconscious martial artist got nailed in the forehead and really passed out.

“I’m sorry.” Aries pouted like a child who had their toy taken away, dangling in Dante’s hold.

“You’ve been smothering me for years!” Jenny growled and sat up, snatching the dangling spirit from Dante’s grasp and trapping her in an embrace. “I’m already grown up, Aries.”

The sinfully soft spirit sank into Jenny’s tight hug.

Aries’s gaze flickered sadly for a moment before she smiled softly. “So you are, dear.”

“Hmph.” Jenny rested her chin on Aries’s shoulder and glared at Dante. “That stung.”

“Healing isn’t always pleasant.” Dante shrugged. “But at least there’s no scarring.”

"Thank you." Jenny stretched her leg out, smiling at the soft, unblemished skin.

Dante looked over and caught Laxus staring, shooting the lightning mage a smirk that got a glare similar to Jenny’s from the guy.

“Laxus is right, Dante.” Jenny’s comment made Laxus sweat at the idea that he was caught. “You’re ignoring your wounds.”

Laxus sighed in relief.

“I’m perfectly aware of my state.” Dante waved the concern away for the second time. “I’ve been torn up worse than this training under Virgo.”

“That’s not an excuse.” Jenny argued.

“Training under?” Aries voiced her own question.

“Virgo is my contracted teacher.” Dante answered the spirit first, and for the first time since meeting her, Dante witnessed the First Zodiac shift between shock, a deep blush, and sympathy.

“Oh, dear.” Aries commented as if scandalized.

A pink cloud floated over and patted Dante on the cheek.

“You really are her friend.” Dante’s brow twitched as he flicked the cloud away. “And Jenny, I’m fine. See?”

He opened his shirt, showing a deep red liquid sticking to his chest, bubbling against the deep wound Karen’s final strike left on him.

“Are you keeping that circulating?” Jenny asked in surprise. “My burn healed in less than a minute.”

“It was a deep one.” Dante casually covered himself, internally bothered by how long the wound was taking to heal. “Her last strike was really aiming for the kill.”  

“I’m sorry.” Aries bowed her head, genuinely apologetic this time. “Lady Karen’s whip was capable of channeling her mana into a deep strike, using her own mana to stall an enemy from recovering.”

"That whip was fucking broken." Dante's comment earned nods from every wounded mage present. "Who the hell made that thing?"

“Lady Karen had it crafted while on a job in the neighboring nation, Seven, quite a few years ago.” Aries tapped her cheek with a finger. “I believe it was a rising crafter, a nice young man named Mr. Kreuz.”

Dante frowned at the familiar-sounding name.

“Kreuz?!” Jenny exclaimed in surprise. “Karen knew the founder of Heart Kreuz?”

Even Laxus blinked at that one. "I've seen stores for that place cropping up everywhere; we just got a branch in Magnolia."

The image of a certain redhead summoning enchanted armor flashed through Dante's mind. "Huh, wonder if he takes requests."

His first knife from Malba was his favorite, but Dante kept breaking new ones; no matter how much money he spent, they just couldn't stand up to his current scale of battle.

Not to mention, his trapping equipment could use an upgrade. Dante knew he was barely adequate at crafting from raw materials, having only been good enough to make snares from scrap wood for mundane animals.

"Good luck with that." Laxus scoffed. "Dude's the most well-known smith around; I've seen some of his pieces go for crazy prices."

“I’ve been trying to contact him for ages!” Jenny grumbled and snuggled her plushie spirit in annoyance. “That bitch had a direct line and said nothing.”

Aries said nothing, faintly amused, and let Jenny embrace her.

“Well, that’s interesting.” Dante stood up with a yawn and rubbed the bags under his eyes. “Now then, unless anyone has any more complaints, I’d like to take a nap.”

He’d been up for over thirty hours, through a long operation, edged the line of life-and-death, drank enough liquor to put him on the Quatro Cerberus wall of fame, and then brewed a bunch of potions while suffering the aches of his wounds.

He was dead on his feet.

“Not so fast!” Jenny stuck up two fingers and pointed between her eyes and Dante. “What the hell is inside you?”

“Excuse me?” Dante blinked at the woman, not sure if he was hallucinating. “I’m a taken man.”

“I believe the correct term in regard to Virgo would be a 'Claimed' man." Aries helpfully added in.

Dante shot her a flat look.

“I’m sorry.” Aries acted shy.

“You know what I’m talking about.” Jenny shook the spirit like a teddy bear. “You had some creepy fucking monster in you when you almost died.”

“Rude.” An ominous voice responded to the claim as black lines spread along Dante’s neck, a slight pressure spreading out that made Jenny’s humor fall away. “A ‘creepy fucking monster’ am I?”

The black lines shifted as a spinning red orb rose with extreme menace, a horrifying cackle spreading from the maw of a shadowy avatar. “To call me such is an insult.”

The avatar spat. “I creeped before the first creep.”

It puffed up as its red orb spun ever faster. “I gave meaning to the word ‘monster’.”

Its arms spread wide. “And I do not ‘fuck’ like that shitty Lust.”

A sinister slurping sound rang out.

“For I am…”

The menace spiked.

“GLUT-.”

A clawed foot slammed on the top of the avatar’s head and pinned it down.

“-PUH!”

The menace vanished like it was never there.

“Glut-Puh?” Jenny questioned in a confused tone.

Laxus rolled his eyes and calmly kept sipping his drugs.

Dante simply sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. “Monty, stop bullying the demon.”

"No." Monty declared, slapping her mighty claw down three dozen more times. "This shoulder mine. Bad demon. Bad."

"Stop that!" Gluttony's avatar rolled around, trying to escape the menacing reptile. "Stop! I MUST MAKE AN ENTRANCE!"

“Monty make exit.” Monty slapped faster. “My shoulder.”

“Uhhh.” Jenny awkwardly pointed at Dante’s shoulder. “Dante, I think you’ve got… something there.”

“Thanks.” Dante dryly presented a hand. “That’s Gluttony, the demon I’m contracted to.”

“You contracted a demon?!” Jenny’s eyes opened wide. “Are you insane?!”

"Yes." Laxus answered for him, kicking his feet up on the table now that he could do it without suffering. "Watched the whole thing, Orobo got penetrated by tentacles."

““That is not what happened.”” Dante and Gluttony snapped back in unison.

"See how quickly they deny it?" Laxus grinned cockily.

“Mortal, let me eat him.” Gluttony got up to throw hands, only for Monty to tackle him back down. “Let me go! I can shank him!”

“Hmph.” Monty sat on the demon. “Monty stab first.”

“That’s about the gist of it.” Dante shrugged at Jenny. “He fits in pretty well.”

“He was eating you.” Jenny pointed out with narrowed eyes. “I know what I saw.”

“Don’t get your panties in a twist.” Gluttony shoved Monty off and stood tall, running a hand along a pair of long whiskers it decided to form out of shadow. “My contractor was dying; I simply lent a hand in temporarily mending his wounds."

“You were eating him.” Jenny accused.

“I was keeping my contractor alive.” Gluttony lazily waved a shadowy tendril. “A mortal like you wouldn’t understand. Ask the mutton in your arms.”

"A fair contract ensures as much to all of the main summoning realms." Aries agreed, staring without playing up her act as she warily watched the avatar, yet didn't seem antagonistic toward it. "If a fair contract was struck.”

“How would it be fair?” Jenny asked.

“The brewer remains free of mind, body, and soul.” Aries stated calmly. “It is a fair contract for a true demon. He would not want his contracted partner to die.”

“Exactly.” Gluttony nodded proudly. “I simply had to convert some of his cells into other cells while I held his wounds together.”

“Is that why I was pissing blood earlier?” Dante’s brow narrowed violently. “Were you eating my kidney?”

"You have two." Gluttony waved a lazy tendril. "And it's healing just fine." The red orb spun to look at Dante's eyes. "At least you're alive."

Dante’s jaw clicked shut at the last line. “Fair enough.”

“No bully.” Monty slapped Gluttony again. “Only Monty bully master.”

“Stop it already!” Gluttony couldn’t take it anymore and jumped off Dante’s shoulder, running across the coffee table to freedom. “At least I’m faster than a stupid-.”

“Sloooowww.” Monty drawled from beside him.

“Gah!” Gluttony panicked and ran in a new direction.

“Monty here.”

“Go away!”

“Hi.”

“RAH!”

The two ran off, none attempting to intervene.

Before anything else could be said, the side room opened once more.

“I think that’s for the best then.” Leo was saying, his shoulders slumped like he went through a battle. “Thanks for the help, Virgo.”

“You understand the risks; I simply provided some pointers.” Virgo shrugged, her gaze turning to fall on Dante. “Now, if you don’t mind?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Leo chuckled like an exasperated older brother. “Go make the boy a man.”

“Working on it.” Virgo’s lips curled up as Dante’s eyes locked onto her with a look reserved for her. “Safe travels, Leo.”

Leo shook his head and patted the maid’s shoulder before heading for the door. “He’s pretty durable, but don’t kill him.”

“I simply have to make him more durable.” Virgo spoke while walking up to Dante’s side. “I have returned, master.”

“I can see that.” Dante deadpanned and poked her head. “Behave.”

Virgo’s mouth opened.

“No.” Dante squished her cheeks so she couldn’t say it.

“Boo~.” Virgo declared her displeasure in a neutral tone.

Dante rolled his eyes and pulled his maid into a hug, kissing her head before turning to the leaving spirit. “You taking off?”

“Yeup." Leo waved over his shoulder and reached into his jacket to pull out a pair of glasses. “Time for the old lion to take a long-deserved vacation.”

“Where will you go?” Dante asked.

“Wherever the wind takes me.” Leo shrugged, his suit shifting into a puffy green jacket with a fur collar. “I’m not banished or anything, but I can stay here as long as I want if I don’t head home after my last contract broke.”

Dante hummed at the answer. “Loopholes?”

Leo looked over his shoulder and winked, his feline ears vanishing as his hair shrank to a shorter cut. "Loopholes."

The guy waved and walked out without another word.

A moment of silence passed as they all processed the leader of the Zodiacs declaring his desire to check out for a while.

Then a sigh echoed out.

Aries gently removed herself from Jenny’s hold and stood up. “He is in pain.”

“He likes to believe.” Virgo agreed. “Even when reality says differently.”

"Karen hurt him emotionally." Aries admitted, seemingly unbothered by the persona she presented around the woman. "It will be a while before he trusts another summoner."

“Bah, I know that look he had.” Bacchus had woken at some point, yet he continued staring at the ceiling, unwilling to move. “Dude’s going to find some ass.”

“That’s what guys do when emotions are hurt.” Laxus surprisingly spoke up in agreement. “That or drink and punch shit.”

“How mature.” Jenny blew a strand of hair out of her face. “Men.”

"Mn." Aries nodded, then paused to shoot Dante an odd look.

"Mine." Virgo stepped in front of her with a glare, fitting herself into Dante's chest and expertly hugging him without pressing on his wound.

“Hmph.” Aries huffed and looked away, not even bothering to act in front of Virgo. “I should be off as well. Unlike these slackers, I will return to my duty.”

“Off with you then.” Virgo shooed her away.

Aries glared.

Virgo glared back.

Dante stared at a wall and wondered how long he should hold his breath before he finally passed out.

"Wait!" Jenny shot to her feet and grabbed Aries’s arm. “Why don’t you come back to Blue Pegasus? You know you’re welcome there.”

“Jenny.” Aries sent the beach blond a warm smile. “I hold no ill will for Lady Karen, but I would prefer to move on.”

“B-but.” Jenny’s eyes watered. “Where will you go?”

“I shall let the Celestial Realm randomize my re-entry.” Aries shrugged. “Zodiacs will always find a contractor eventually.”

“You could come wait at the guild, though.” Jenny tried again. “Or even just in Fanta, I’m sure we could find someone.”

“You’re not a child anymore, dear.” Aries threw Jenny’s previous words back at her, reaching up to pat her cheek. “If fate wills it, we shall meet again.”

Jenny sniffled and tackled the spirit with a tight hug, crying into her shoulder as the raw emotions of the night came back in force.

Aries soothed her softly while Dante and Virgo stepped back to give them privacy, but soon the horned spirit said her goodbyes.

She smiled at her fellow pink-haired female. “I would apologize for not fighting further for you previously, but it seems that it would be redundant at this point.”

Virgo smirked and held tightly onto Dante. “No regrets.”

Aries giggled and turned to Dante, her expression shy once more. “I’m sorry. But break my friend’s heart, and I’ll break your balls. Ok?”

Dante blinked as the two other males hissed and crossed their legs, the image far worse because of the difference between the spirit's words and expression.

“Those are also mine.” Virgo planted her flag.

“…” Dante took a deep breath. “Not planning on it.”

“Good.” Aries waved at everyone and began glowing as she returned to the Celestial Realm. “Take care, Jenny.”

Jenny sniffed and waved.

Dante whistled lowly once she was gone. “She’s tough.”

He wasn’t referring to the maturity she showed, but to how quickly Aries seemed to move on from a complicated contractor who potentially abused her.

Dante knew better than most how deep some bonds could run, and Karen’s didn’t feel shallow.

“Everyone handles the passing of ages differently.” Virgo whispered into his ear as she held Dante’s hand tightly, intertwining her fingers with his. “Aries structures her life like chapters of a book, closing one to begin the next.”

“Hm.” Dante considered that for a moment as he leaned against his maid. “And how do you handle it?”

“I was asleep for a long time.” Virgo barely paused to consider it, tilting her head up to look at him. “And someone woke me up.”

“That’s it?” Dante’s lips curled up as he looked down at her.

“That’s it.” Virgo’s red lips matched his own. “Nothing more.”

“Someone should be rewarded then.” Dante leaned in, his free hand landing on her waist and squeezing.

“Someone should be punished.” Virgo leaned in, eyes gleaming with desire.

The two were inches apart when someone threw a hammer through the rose-tinted glass.

“They know we’re still here, right?” Bacchus whispered loud enough to wake the dead.

“Fucking diabetes.” Laxus refused to even open his eyes, his headphones covering his ears.

“I’m getting a drink.” Jenny didn’t know what to feel and walked off to the bar.

The moment broke, and a disgruntled couple turned to freezing gazes at the only available option.

Bacchus paled and collapsed, pretending to be out cold, tongue sticking out.

The two barely turned away when the martial artist couldn’t help himself. “I’ve got a rubber in my pocket.”

Dante sighed and pinched his brow. “I’m going to sleep.”

He turned and walked off to one of the free lounge chairs, collapsing into it and passing out in seconds.

Virgo's blank expression slowly turned back to the suddenly nervous mutt.

The building shook.

A distant watching King’s Agent called in to report one Bacchus Groh having been buried beneath the foundation.

Again.

Chapter End.

AN: Sorry for the long wait, this month has been killing me. Drama, adventure, action, sci-fi, school uniforms, my life’s been all over and back. XD.

Hope you enjoyed the chap! I’ve been writing this chapter in pieces for daaayyyss. But it’s about what I hoped for. A quick transition for a few things.

We got more Toma, more seeds, more plloottt.

I wanted to give the golden spirits their proper scene and farewell.

More Monty!

And the group won’t just magically walk off their wounds; they need magically empowered drugs for that.

Next 2 chapters will stay focused on Crocus, and then we move on.