Grimoire

“Hunt me?” James laughed. His thoughts were cut short as Aria attempted to decapitate him in a single swing. Aria coated both herself and her blade in a cyan aura as she increased her speed momentarily. James' attempt to dodge failed as Aria readjusted and got a clean slash across his stomach. Mid-cut, James attempted to counter attack but Aria swiftly stepped back sneaking a kick to his fresh stomach wound.

“Haha, there is some fight to you. How fun.” Aria’s eyes narrowed as his body began to heal the otherwise fatal wound instantly. A healing ability? She analyzed to herself. As James went to punch her, Aria jumped back. His fist collided with the rocky ground shooting shards of earth into the air. The pieces of debris were immediately cut in half as Aria retaliated, her blade cut through his neck but it stopped before it could cut his head clean off. A faint dark yellow aura coated his neck and head protecting it from being cut off. James tried to punch her in the chest with an aura enhanced punch. Aria swiftly balanced herself up with the stationary hilt of her sword dodging his punch. As James used his other arm to hit her, Aria blocked with an X shape with her arms, surrounding them with her aura. Aria was knocked through the air as shockwave formed from the impact. Pulling Aria’s blade from his throat, James laughed as he held it.

“Not so tough without your sword, eh?”

Why does everyone assume I’m useless without a sword? Aria wondered silently. Rushing towards him again, he attempted to slash her with an enhanced swipe of his hand, only to be parried with the sheath of her sword. Abusing his blind spot, Aria snuck a kick aimed at his face.

"You think I hadn’t considered I had one eye?" James was aiming to break the girls leg with a counter hit. At the last second, Aria adjusted the kick and enhanced it with her aura, striking him in the kidney. The impact echoing through his body as pain resonated through James' body.

Momentarily stunned by the attack, Aria used the moment of weakness and spun around, kneeing him in the jaw. James staggered back into the wall of the mine entrance. Taking her sheath, Aria shoved it into James mouth and enhanced her leg with aura before slamming it into the back of it. The wall cracked as James face and head were smashed between the wall. Falling to the ground face first, blood dripped from his dismantled jaw while he lied unmoving for moment. As Aria grabbed her blade, her eyes widened as James began to move.

Suddenly, James Blackthorn burst into laughter, not dying from her otherwise lethal combo. Putting his hand on his jaw, James began to readjust it back into place. Both his jaw and throat began to heal as the muscles inside wriggled in a disgusting manner. “Oh you are good! I would’ve loved to run into you back in the war!”

“Had we met you’d be six feet under.” Aria replied coldly, reading her sword.

“You are an interesting one… You're not just an Easennian, you’re a former soldier? You seem pretty young to have this much experience.” James analyzed. It’s fine though. My ability is perfect for this! In an instant he effortlessly broke through Aria’s aura with a powerful punch. Wincing from the blow, Aria slide back. Her arm shaking from the impact. It’s not just healing? He gets stronger from his healing as well? Aria thought to herself. She could tell this would get dangerous the longer it dragged on. If Aria didn’t find a way to kill him soon James would keep growing until he eventually defeated her.

“Seems you’ve figured it out. In a one-on-one fight I’m the perfect fighter.” James taunted, tearing off his falling apart shirt. Layers upon layers of scars littered his body.

“Perfect huh…” Aria could gauge about how strong he was. His ability was fairly useful since healing abilities, especially one that grows your strength would be incredibly powerful. However, she knew he must have either a weakness or a vital that he can’t heal from. His ability was still bound to the laws of magic, like anyone else. Returning to her assessment, Aria knew he was probably above average for the Mage Corp. But compared to some of the soldiers she fought during the war, he was still weaker. Aria had defeated a much stronger mage in the past. As long as I avoid unnecessary damage I should win. After this, I’ll be able to help with whatever remaining soldiers are left.

“Better stay focused!” James shouted as he towered over Aria. Raising his palm, he slammed it into the ground trying to crush her. As Aria jumped to the side, James twisted himself. He predicted her dodge. James even coated his arms with his aura to make her blade not slice through it. I guess I have to use it here… As he swung into Aria. Aria’s sword began to glow. James smirked, knowing he’d win this trade. His yellow aura coated his fist as he went for the kill.

SMASH SLICE

Aria had cut his hands off instantly. James’ eye widened from shock, he used enough aura to not only protect them but enhance his strike. Somehow she cut through him like it was nothing. As his blood spilt out, he looked and saw her eyes glowing. On the back of her glove was a glowing black music note ♭. Before James could retreat, Aria stabbed him in the stomach and did a rising slash. Finishing him, she stabbed her sword into his chest. As added insurance, Aria stomped on the blade making it go directly through him. Falling back to the ground, Aria sighed as she wiped his blood off herself. Going to grab her sword, she jumped as she saw James begin to stir. James began to cackle as his muscles once again contorted, bringing him back from death. “How frustrating…” Aria mumbled. His healing ability was starting to annoy her.

“Seriously? Just how many times am I going to be brought to the brink of death?!” James laughed once more, as if he enjoyed the thrill. Aria assumed he’d grow again and her sword was firmly stuck in his chest... Slamming his fist into her flat side of her sword, he broke it in half before tossing the splintered blade to the side. “That’s enough of tha-” Aria rushed and tried to kick him in the chin. As James stepped back, he felt his speed and power rise from the last near-death experience. Smirking, he knew she missed. Unexpectedly, however, his lip began to bleed. “Huh?”

James was no longer laughing as he realized Aria was just as lethal without a sword. Aria used the heel of her boot to cut through him with her aura. "You aren't laughing anymore? I thought you said you preferred Easennian women?” Aria asked, seeing him no longer smiling. “Maybe it's that you just prefer when they can’t fight back.”

“Arrogant bitch, you're still without a weapon.” He said, rubbing the blood out of his mouth. James rushed at Aria, as he swiped at her, from his last growth James was now able to break through her speed and got a slash her across the shoulders. As Aria began to bleed, she noted her position. James Blackthorn was beginning to trap her into a corner. Closing her eyes, for a second, Aria knew she had to use her ability. As James went to punch her, Aria leapt into the air. Having expected this, James Blackthorn aimed a second hit where she was jumping. Unexpectedly, Aria was able to leap again! Using her nails, she attempted to blind him but James pulled his head back so only the side of his face was cut. Overhead, Aria used James shoulder and leapt out of the corner.

Looking at the area she had leapt from, a circular platform made of cyan aura floated in front of him. “What the…” James looked over and saw Aria standing in front of the mine. Removing her glove, Aria rolled up the baggy sleeve of her blouse to her elbow. A deep blue tattoo began to glow on the back of her forearm. The tattoo was shaped like a winged sword with a deep blue crow shape at the end. A bright blue glow shined throughout the surrounding area as the tattoo took shape.

“A family crest?!” James watched her with shock and a bit of interest. Meanwhile, Aria’s eyes narrowed at him, the light began to die down as deep blue tattoo formed along the back of her wrist. “Using my family's ability against someone like you is disgraceful. However, the sooner you die the sooner I can help save those girls.”

Sophie's horrified expression was cemented on her face. As blood dripped onto her face, her copper colored eyes finally blinked. Looking up, Espoir panted as he stood in front of her. A light-grey barrier covered her as the bullet went straight through his abdomen but blocked the shot from reaching her. He had a pained expression.

"M...Mister!"

Espoir gave a strained smile as blood dripped down his mouth. "I-it's fine." He said, as calmly as possible. The bullet tore through him, piercing multiple organs. Unlike his arm, which healing was relatively easy, internal damage required him to actively apply aura in order to heal himself with his grimoire. If he did that, he'd not have enough to defeat Rachel. "It's fine..." Espoir repeated, he was unsure if he was reassuring Sophie or telling himself this. As his hand shook, Espoir used his blood and swiftly drew a small spell circle on Sophie's palm.

"There... That should hide you." The Spell was a simply cloaking ability. It acted like a form of camouflage, although moving would disrupt the illusion. Espoir looked at the Eldritch in front of him. The situation was spiraling out of control and he was running out of time. "I came here to finding the monster of Shale Cove... Now I found it. The thing possessing an innocent girl." Espoir strutted over, his eyes were erratic from the mixture of blood loss and adrenaline. I came here to stop the monster and that's what I intend to do. Making a finger gun, Espoir aimed it directly at the monster. "Ignite."

James' mind began to connect the dots. The ability to create solid mass with aura and a crest on her arm. “A raven?” James' eye narrowed at her. “HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! So I get the honor of taking a raven? I thought all of you were killed? I guess my visit to this bumfuck town was worth it after all!” Rather than dignify a response, Aria's aura caused her tattoo to glow a cyan color. The usual glow that she used to protect her and enhance her attacks began to centralize at the palm of her hand. A blade made of cyan aura manifested as the aura became solid. Wrapping around the end of the sword guard was a pair of wings on each side, each feathered as it went towards the hilt. The mass of the blade was a thin transparent cyan color. Aria had made a replica of the sword she lost during the war.

"Go on little birdy, let's se-” As James began to taunt, Aria closed the gap between them once more. Her aura blade was lighter and sharper than the now-broken sword that she used. As Aria slashed through him multiple times, James tried to power through the attacks with a knee to her abdomen, Aria used her free hand and punched him in the in the rib. The force of it was far stronger than it should’ve been. James began to cough blood as Aria’s punch collided with his side.

Aria’s Spell Art, [Aura Sinfonia] allows her to artificially adjust the aura of herself and others through creating notes. This ability allows her to; after meeting specific conditions, increase her damage or decrease her opponents defense through adjusting their aura. By default the damage increased or decreased is 1-1 to the amount of aura she applies on each note. Rarely can an ability affect others without a steep Cost/Condition to it. However, for Aria this is as natural as breathing air. The second ability she uses, channeled through her family crest, is the Corvo signature ability: Aura Construction. All magic is fueled by one's aura. The Corvo family being renowned for their unique talent of creating objects using their aura. The foundation of this ability almost defies the typical rules of magic, as aura functions within an individual to both perform magic and enhance their abilities.

While some advanced applications include being able to create barriers at a distance and using aura to warp the objects through Transmutation. Aura Construction is the apex of aura manipulation. Aura Construction isn’t exclusive to their family, the Corvo family is unique in producing multiple generations capable of weaponizing their aura to such an extreme degree. This distinctive ability has fostered a deep understanding of aura and its applications through Corvo traditions. Nicolas Corvo, Aria’s father, was renowned for his ability to construct an entire army to fight on his behalf using his Aura Construction. Aria’s form of construction is unique. Though she is limited to creating objects like weapons and platforms, her constructs maintain their shape without requiring constant fueling. Additionally, Aria can channel spells through her constructs.

As Aria barraged James with a series of slashes and stabs, James Blackthorn began to falter. He felt useless, weak, it was a feeling he only felt one other time… As he began to fall to his knee, Aria sliced his eye patch off revealing a cascading scar around the eye. Tree-like lines went off across the side of his face. The eye itself was gray and hazy, unlike his other eye. Around his pupil was a star pattern. Before James could notice his eyepatch was gone, he saw Aria in front of him before she stabbed his other eye.

James Blackthorn recalled that day. The day he felt true fear.

Being considered a prodigy and the “perfect soldier” by the members of his family, alongside some officials. It only felt natural he’d assist in the war effort. His family, the Blackthorns, were powerful politically within the inner circles of Albion, known for history as donors the militaries efforts. Naturally, James was the pride of the Blackthorn family. His ability alone made him a powerful asset, landing him in the Mage Corp early into the war. Due to this status, he was granted certain privileges lesser soldiers couldn't have. Power, money, anything so long as he maintained his use to Albion. It was during the later stage of the war that James felt fear...

James was enjoying some personal time with two beautiful women when he met him. Walking into his tent, the young man eyed James and the two women that were with him with complete disinterest. “You two. Leave.” He ordered, his voice had a commanding tone. The women hastily covered themselves as they ran out the tent. The man looked at James for a moment with an unreadable expression. “Outside. Now.”

As James quickly put some pants on, he was thrown to the ground in front of the rest of the Mage Corp members. Embarrassing for someone like him to be treated so lowly. “What gives?!” James Blackthorn demanded, not knowing why he was interrupted or what this person wanted. To barge in and ruin his allocated free time was unheard of. It's not like what he was doing was frowned upon by Mage Corp members.

“Are you a soldier for Albion?” The man asked James. His tone was low and full of silent judgement. James Blackthorn looked at the person before him like he was stupid. “Is this some kind of joke? Of course I am! Do you not know my family?” He asked with his usual confident smile.

“You claim to be a soldier for our nation, yet you sleep with women from the land we’re at war with… How can you serve this nation while laying with our enemies?” James recalled the cold, deep blue eyes that peered into his soul that day. The mans tone, despite being low and almost respectful, carried a murderous edge beneath the surface. James will never forget the uncertain feeling he felt. It felt as if one wrong move would get him killed.

Naturally James found this conversation humorous at the time, he was on display for doing something natural. James burst into laughter at his interrogation. To him, this was likely just a jealous youth angry that James slept with someone he fell for. It wouldn't be the first time something like this happened to James. “What? Are you mad that I was getting a little action in between battles? If any of those girls were yours then you could just say so.”

The man threw a small pistol at James' feet as he examined his own sword; it was a thin saber, the kind used in a cavalry. “Use that gun and kill yourself."

James' eyes narrowed at the gun, confused why he was being challenged to a fight. James knew this person was competent, to be this young and an active soldier would mean the military knew his strength. “What are you so mad about? It’s natural to have sex! It's not even like I forced myself on them. If you wanted them for yourself by all means, I can find someone else.”

James recalled how strange that man acted. So cold and yet there was something else... James felt a strange anger, being told to kill himself by someone younger and less experienced then him. “Like hell I'd shoot myself over that!” The man clicked his tongue as James crushed the gun beneath his foot. The broken metal and bullets splintering across the ground.

"How can you call yourself a man of this nation and lay with the enemy over a basic urge?" The man eyed James for a moment before letting out a small sigh. “Natural huh? I suppose I made a mistake. You see, I someone who called himself soldier for Albion was human and could be reasoned with. The only difference between us humans and the animals we surround ourselves with is that we are aware of our actions. A human weighs the pros and cons of a decision before we act. An animal lives and dies without that feeling of consideration, they simply act on their whims, doing what's natural to them. Seeing as you rejected my offer to die as a human..."

“What the fuck are are you talking abou-” Before James could finish his sentence his jaw had been sliced from the bottom up. James didn't even have time to register he drew his sword. Clutching at his face, James tried to scream from the pain but his tongue was cut in half. Blood began to flood his throat as he desperately clutched his throat.

“Words are for humans.”

That afternoon, James Blackthorn learned the curse of his ability. Spell Arts that can heal is one of the highest forms of magic. For this reason healers were highly coveted by Albion’s military. James’ Spell Art [Overdrive] gives him the ability to heal and regenerate himself as long as his vital organs aren’t completely destroyed for an extended period of time, and his brain still functioned. Additionally, he grows in strength temporarily as a result of his healing. Under normal circumstances his ability coupled with aura reinforcement would make him unkillable for most mages. However, he still feels pain from both the damage dealt and the process of regrowing his limbs. As the man before him cut through him like it was nothing, James was helpless as he was sliced through over and over and over again.

Soon James lost track of time as he laid in the middle of the grounds with his arms open. His body was riddled with scars from being cut and brought to near death countless times. James' mind was on the verge of collapse from the constant pain, the feeling of blood filling his lungs, the inability to move or use his limbs. His opponents' attacks were perfectly aimed to not kill him. “P-p-please. Please kill me…” James pleaded, his voice was raspy.

Rather than comply, the man James was fighting simply stabbed the sword through his throat again. “We already established you’re not to use human words…” He said bored. As if this were a chore to him. James' mouth once again filled with blood. It felt as if he would drown from his own life essence. Slowly James' tongue began to regrow once more.

“Please kill me.” He repeated, his usual black eyes were hollow and glassy. A result from being brought to the brink of death countless times that day.

“I'm going to ignore you using people words to ask this: Why would I kill you?” Hoping off his face, James’ opponent crouched down to meet him at eye level. His legs and arms were currently cut along their tendons. He rendering him immobile as the muscles painfully tried to heal with what little aura he had left. As he asked him why he'd kill him, James felt afraid. Truly afraid.

He raised two fingers up as he began to speak to James in his usual calm tone. “There are two reasons why a human would ever kill an animal. Both being it fulfills a purpose. One reason is if it has something of use. Be it for food or a material. The second reason we kill is if that animal poses a threat to them, their loved ones, or as an act of kindness to the animal… You fit neither of those categories so I won't kill you." He looked James in the eye. Those same cold eyes were once again looking down on him in silent judgment. “I’m not killing you because there’d be no purpose to it.” James would go on to understand why he left him alive that day. In the face of overwhelming strength, even someone like James Blackthorn was insignificant to him. Just as humans feel nothing for stepping on an ant, the person before James felt nothing after cutting him all this time. To him, killing James would be acknowledging his existence. He wasn’t even worthy of that.

The man let out a dry laugh as he sheathed his saber. “Sorry… I got carried away talking. For a minute I thought I was speaking to another human.” The man began to place his hand over James’ left eye, “It is interesting though. Your ability to heal and grow in strength is enough to boost you a whole letter grade. As long as your vitals aren’t destroyed you should be able to heal from anything. Makes me curious…”

Despite being nearly dead James Blackthorn began to feel truly helpless and completely terrified as he saw him cover his eye. He’d have screamed if his voice allowed him too. "W-wait! Just kill me!"

Every generation of magic has at least one person whose strength stands out among the rest. For the generation before the Calamity, known in Albion as the Worst Generation; that person who defined their era was Nicolas Corvo. The generation following the Calamity are the ones that not only grew up during the return of the Eldritch but fought in the war in Easenna also. This generation became known as the Lost Generation. James Blackthorn being one of the many who fell into it.

As Aria pierced his eye, James Blackthorn retaliated immediately with a lethal punch. Aria swiftly made a wall in the air with her aura and kicked off it, sending her backwards. Pulling her blade out of his eye as she jumped back, James sclerae was dyed red as he yelled in anger. His fist smashed Aria's platform as she rolled to a kneeling position. "This feeling... I haven't been this angry since I lost my other eye." James' eye reformed as he felt his power spike once again. "No... This is perfect. The anger I feel because of that man. The humiliation... I'm reminded of it all. I'll enjoy tearing you limb from limb!"

"I... almost killed that girl." Eliza repeated, seeing her hands shake. Charles groaned as he sat by the entrance. Both the Silver Grimoire and the Monster were locked in a viscous battle. Every Spell he threw at it did nothing as it barely missed its counter attack. His body glowed green as he used his speed to keep himself out of its range. Creating a red sigyl, he sent a crescent blade of fire only to have the monster shatter it. As it tried to strike him, Espoir slide back as he kicked off its hand.

"It can't be helped. She's allied with those monsters." Charles mumbled, watching the fight. "We became soldiers for that reason no?"

"If that's true... why would the Silver Grimoire willingly protect that girl?" Eliza asked out loud. She thought about witnessing him push the target down and willingly let himself be hurt. It made no sense that a monster she learnt about all her life would do something like that. "He said the monster was innocent... What if he's right?"

Charles let out a dry laugh. "How could you think those two are innocent?" As Eliza watched them fight, she couldn't help but notice both of them fought like they were desperate. "The way they fight is so... human." It's almost like the Silver Grimoire is scared of losing...

As James used his increased speed to close the distance between them, Aria's thoughts turned to how she can defeat him. He uses his aura to fuel his healing. However, it's not automatic. I can either hit him with one strong attack and hope it destroys him, or force him to burnout his aura with consecutive attacks... Aria didn't want to risk the former, since she needed to conserve her aura in case Espoir needs help against the other mages. If she used her Notes to amplify an attack, she might be able to break his healing. Aria felt her aura reserves were dwindling as this fight dragged on. If she ended it now, Aria knew she'd have enough to assist Espoir. Dodging his first attack, Aria snuck a quick hit into him as she sliced the ground with her sword. Covering his eye, a small cloud of dirt obscured James vision.

Once the dust cleared, James saw Aria's crest began to glow. Lining her feet, Aria's aura blade began to reshape. The wing-like guard coiled around reforming into a circular spiral around the hilt. Holding her blade to the sky, the previous long sword had been reshaped into a rapier. As Aria brought the blade back down, her eyes focused on the man before her. "Composition One. First Dance: Allegro."

"I got you now!" James put his full power into another punch, rather then dodge it, Aria used the sole of her boot to absorb the impact. Using her other leg, Aria enhanced it with aura as she kicked the back of it. Breaking it. Crying out in pain, Aria sliced him across the chest and she landed a barrage of stabs with the sword. After the third attack, a series of black music notes began to form across his body.

[Allegro] is a Spell Aria developed. While active, Aria cuts off access to her other spells in favor of heightening her speed. After landing three hits, Aria can create a music note that can adjust the damage he will receive once activated. The multiplied damage is based on the number of consecutive hits Aria lands within the activation of the spell. If she drops her combo for more then two seconds, the multiplied damage will be set until she activates the note with a non-spell attack using aura. Additionally, as per the condition of the ability, Aria cannot use aura on herself while using [Allegro].

As Aria pelted him with stabs, James's mind began to race. Dodging a knee, Aria stabbed the blade into his chest and kicked upwards into the hilt. This feeling... James thought to himself, despite his strength being raised to that of an A class mage, Aria was effortlessly beating him. Dodging another heavy strike counter attack, Aria pulled the sword out of him before slicing him around his arms and ankles. Falling to his knee, Aria stabbed the sword into his back. As he turned to strike her with the back of his hand, Aria once again dodged and got a kick to his blind spot. "No... Someone like me dying like this?!" Ripping the sword out of his back, Aria sliced him twice across the chest. Feeling his power grow again, James tried to grab Aria. The swordswoman swiftly stabbed the sword into his head ending her combo.

Crying out, his grab whiffed as Aria leapt off his shoulder into the air. The notes Aria gained began to glow as a silent melody hung in the air. The moons glow fell onto Aria as she gracefully repositioned herself mid-air. As James saw her above him, his first thought was of the day he lost his eye. That same feeling of inferiority resonated through him.

No way... Is that? James could've sworn he saw that man in the air for a moment. Blinking, he soon realized that it was instead Aria Corvo. Aria had hit him while using [Allegro] a total of twenty times. This meant the damage multiplied would be increased by 100%. Slamming an aura enhanced stomp into the end of the rapier, a small shockwave was sent through the air as her aura blade went through James Blackthorn.

Looking at the fallen Mage Corp member, Aria saw he was slumped over. Blood dripping from his head as he didn't get up. Letting out a sigh of relief, she released her Aura Constructs as her crest returned to normal. Rather then stick around, Aria began to race to the mines to rejoin Espoir. As she was leaving Aria tried to sheath her sword out of habit. She quickly realized it had been broken during the fight. "Roxy just gave me that..." Aria felt bad that her gift had been broken so quickly.

Espoir was struggling. While he maybe could defeat the monster in a fight, that was not his goal. His goal was to save girl that the Eldritch resided in. Dodging another bite, he was beginning to falter. Come on... "Rachel! I know your not a monster." Sidestepping a pair of elongated claws, Espoir threw up a barrier as they cut into the cavern ceiling. Stalagmites began to fall as Espoir winced. His aura reserves were beginning to reach their limit. between the two mages he fought, as well as this Eldritch he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep fighting. As the Eldritch raised its appendage at him, Espoir extended his hand out. "Cyan Winter!" Both his water and air symbols 🜄🜁 appeared on his hand as he prepared his Spell. Shooting a combination of water and air, the two streams collided freeze the arm of the Eldritch.

Rushing over, Espoir grabbed the other one as he looked directedly into the Erdrich's face. "Even though you were rejected, you still found connections right? How could a monster do that?" Despite having a clear opening to hit him, the Eldritch didn't act. Huh? Espoir felt as if what he said worked for a moment. As the Eldritch thrashed in his grip, Espoir used his free hand to remanifest the Silver Grimoire. Naturally it reacted to it and became more lethal. Hitting him away, Espoir had protected himself with his aura. Sliding back, the two ran towards each other. "You're not a monster! You're just a scared girl who wants to return to her family... Please work. Espoir could've sworn that in that never ending abyss that covered the monsters face, there was a glimmer of light.

"Rachel, please!"

Sophie had ran over and tackled her friend towards the Silver Grimoire. Espoir was going to yell at her to run but had no choice but to bet everything on this. The Silver Grimoires pages began to flip rapidly, Espoir started deconstructing the Eldritch hoping to find a way to reach her. His red eyes widened as he saw a path to sealing it. "Your parents, Sophie, you have people expecting you... Can't keep them waiting right?" Espoir smiled softly. Using his Grimoire, he could tell that Rachel hadn't been consumed.

"Ataraxia."

A burst of light filled the cavern as it traveled into Rachel before blinding everyone in the mine. In that light, there was a pair of amber eyes that began to blink. The darkness surround them were enveloped by the light of the Silver Grimoire.

...

As the light settled down, Espoir looked at the Silver Grimoire, the freshly made constellation looked like a mixture of a face and a wolf made of tentacles. Shuddering, Espoir closed the Silver Grimoire as he looked at the two children in front of him. Both Sophie and Rachel were lying on the cavern floor. The latter looked like a normal girl with bright blonde hair and a pair of amber colored eyes.

It worked... Espoir was relieved, although he was in no condition to fight. Feeling the adrenaline of his fight and bullet wound finally crash, he knew he was going to pass out soon. As he looked over, he saw the Mage Corp beginning to approach them. Even though I sealed the Eldritch, they may still try to kill these two anyway. Feeling his vision blur, Espoir knew he couldn't fight them. He had used too much aura keeping the bleeding down as he focused on saving Rachel.

"-spoir." Looking to the sound of the voice, Espoir noticed Aria running over from the opposite direction of the Mage Corp. That's funny... She almost looks worried for me Espoir began to fall to the ground. He almost wanted to laugh, surprised Aria was concerned for him. Despite that, he felt relieved that she was here, he knew Sophie and Rachel would be fine. "I was able to stop a tragedy this time." Espoir smiled as he passed out.

To Be Continued

Aria Corvo

Spell Art: Aura Sinfonia

Aria’s ability allows her to artificially adjust her or other people's aura. Using Aura Sinfonia, Aria can create a note that can affect herself or someone else’s aura via contact using an aura infused weapon or herself. A flat note ♭ can allow Aria to remotely weaken someone's aura output while a sharp ♯ increases her damage temporarily. This ability gives Aria the ability to create weak points in opponents that rely on aura for their combat. A caveat is that the amount of aura Aria affects must be supplied by herself with her ability alone. Ordinarily this type of magic; one that adjusts someone else's ability to use aura or magic, is incredibly difficult and often comes with a steep cost/condition. However for Aria this is as natural as breathing.

Advance Spell Art: Composition

Aria’s version of the Corvo signature ability Aura Construction. Aria transforms her aura into 3D mass. Unlike typical Aura Constructs, the ones Aria makes don’t require her to actively fuel them. Instead, Aria's family crest streamlines the ability and let's her use it efficiently. She can use [Composition] without activating the crest but it is less refined and she cannot use her spells.

Spell:

First Dance: Allegro

After landing three or more hits with a constructed weapon, Aria can create a Note on her opponent. The amount of aura affected is equal to the number of hits she lands while [Allegro] is active multiplied by 5. During [Allegro], Aria cannot use aura to enhance her strength and the multiplier will stop if she fails to land a hit after two seconds.

James Blackthorn

Albion Mage Rank: B

Spell Art: Overdrive

As long as his vital organs haven't been damage for an extended period of time, James can completely heal himself using his aura. Additionally, he grows in power in proportion to the aura used on himself. This ability can raise his strength an entire grade with enough time.