Cleo Williams, after she had returned from RIU, lay down that evening and tried to fall asleep, just as she had the day before. She still couldn't believe she had made such wonderful friends on her second day at university. Liza, Akira, Zhenzhen—they all seemed extraordinary, not merely in how they looked, but as if some unseen aura wrapped around them. Something magical had finally happened to her!
She felt lonely sometimes. Living quietly, blending into the background, being too shy or "too ordinary" for the surrounding people. Some tried to bully her. Others befriended her for reasons that never felt true. But she felt it all. The lies, the sincerity. She didn't understand it then, but some part of her had always known how to sense evil or insincerity, like a gift waiting to be named. Thoughts, intent, and things about to happen right in front of her. She didn't know why. A mystery.
One day, one small choice changed her entire life. She had always dreamed of traveling—Japan, especially. To a city called Ryoto. In New Zealand, she faced a decision: participate in an exchange program and journey across the ocean to a place she only knew from images.
Something whispered from deep inside her.
Destiny.
Such a strange word—destiny. Like fate. Like doom. Yet all of it had been waiting in front of her all along, shimmering in the golden gleam of her unusually bright eyes.
She remembered it all, just like that—the people who had been cruel, and those who had shown kindness. But the new ones... they stood apart. Her friends. They weren't just people she met. They felt like family. Not by blood, but by spirit.
She drifted off with a smile. The journey, the first meeting with Akira, it all felt like a dream she had longed for. Destiny. Yes... Maybe that was the word for it.
But her bright mood shattered the moment she fell asleep.
Thunder. Chaos.
A furious storm swirled around her. Purple clouds like smoke-cloaked wraiths clawed at the air, reaching for her with ghostly arms, trying to drag her far away—to a place she might never return from.
Her brow twitched.
Cleo: "What is this place...?"
She was afraid. But not for herself. Never that. Her quiet courage always attracted people, even though she never understood why. No—what she feared was never seeing her friends again. Never hearing Liza's wild laughter.
Cleo: "My friends..."
She giggled softly to herself, shy even now, standing in the dark.
Then something brushed the back of her head. A whisper tickled her ear.
Unknown: "Noble maiden. Yes, you. Follow me. Don't be afraid."
A small light glowed behind her and began to float away, swelling like a portal or a window to another world.
She ran. As if chasing a dream. As if chasing her friends.
Cleo: "They... they might be waiting for me."
Unknown: "Don't stop. Follow me."
A shadow rose from the swirling clouds—another ghost, larger and darker than the rest—blocking her path. But Cleo didn't stop. Something inside her burned clean, full of light. She chased the vision, the portal.
Then, she saw it: green fields stretching wide, and tall trees bending in the breeze... and two high towers—twin spires—connected by a vast stone bridge, arcing between castles older than time itself. The sky above was bright and endless.
A new world. A realm. One she had never seen—but somehow knew.
A dream... and something more. A part of the Dreamscape.
Unknown: "Don't look back. Follow the light."
She ran faster than she thought possible. Her little shoes shimmered—tiny golden wings sprouting at their heels. Something was helping her now. Guiding her.
At last, she reached the glowing vision—and saw him.
The boy who had whispered to her all along.
He looked familiar somehow. A memory she couldn't place.
A youth clad in armour of silver and gold, with a deep blue cape hanging from his shoulders. A golden laurel circled his brow. His hair was blonde, cut short, and tousled. His skin was pale, his eyes calm, and his expression—serious, composed, and noble.
Wearing his gauntlet, he reached for her — and with a firm grasp, pulled her into his realm.
A young man stood before her. Far away from them stood a stone archway reminiscent of a castle wall, lush green trees, and flowering bushes — a peaceful yet mysterious setting. Like a royal garden... or a forgotten corner of an ancient kingdom...
He let out a weary laugh.
Arthur: "Finally. My fair lady, you are truly a brave one to enter the in-between realm unprepared!"
He gave her a warm smile as he released her hand, standing there, gazing at her.
Cleo: "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Where am I?"
Arthur: "It is understandable, Milady. We are meeting for the first time, after all. My name is Arthur. This is a knighthood realm, called Twin Spires."
Cleo widened her eyes, observing the place.
Cleo: "It is so beautiful... but it cannot be real. This is a dream, right? I fell asleep not long ago. Very strange."
Arthur laughed softly again, this time from relief.
Arthur: "Truly, you are not here by wish. This realm is called the Dreamscape, and I am your protector, your sword, and shield within this world. I am your inner self."
Cleo stood there in shock. Dressed in a navy-blue sailor-style female uniform with a pleated white skirt, dark brown belt, and burgundy bow tie. The "RIU" patch was still pinned to her jacket. Her golden eyes widened further.
Cleo: "But I cannot understand... fair knight. Is this reality, or a dream?"
Arthur: "It is something in between. A place where actions have weight — they ripple into the waking world. The place you came from is known as the in-between, a chaotic and dark crossing. Ars Goetians like you usually avoid it."
Cleo shook her head in disbelief.
Cleo: "I cannot believe all this is happening to me. Ars Goetians..."
Arthur: "It is hard to believe at first, fair maiden. But you are not alone. I will protect you with my life, no matter what!"
Cleo muttered and shook her head harder, as if trying to wake from a dream.
Cleo: "I cannot... Protect me from what?"
An icy crack burst through the dimension behind her newfound guardian, and an evil presence stirred beyond it.
Cleo: "Sir Arthur, behind you!"
Arthur glanced over his shoulder.
Arthur: "Again, you foul ruler of the dead..."
He was cut off — the crack absorbed them both, pulling them in as if they were no more than visions.
A sinister force, stronger than anything, reeled them in.
Arthur spoke through her thoughts.
Arthur: "Don't be afraid. I'll always be with you, fair maiden."
She found herself trapped inside a vast ice chamber. Yet she couldn't move a muscle.
Before her stood a giant block of ice — shaped like a colossal egg — sealing off the path.
Cleo's Mind: "I can't move... can't even open my eyes."
Arthur whispered into her thoughts once more.
Arthur: "We've been pulled by a malevolent force, Milady. I think I can break the invisible chains that bind your body."
She blushed faintly each time he called her Milady, but remained too shy to say anything. She didn't want to offend a noble soul like him.
Cleo introduced herself.
Cleo's Mind: "You don't need to call me lady, sir knight. My name is Cleo Williams."
Arthur let out a chuckle.
Arthur: "Glad we introduced ourselves properly, Lady Cleo! The only thing that did darken our meeting was the intrusion of an evildoer... one such as Hades."
Cleo's Mind: "Hades? Lord of the Underworld?"
She couldn't believe she'd gotten herself into some fairy tale nightmare. The Lord of the Dead, straight out of Greek myth, is trying to kidnap her? Impossible.
Arthur: "Here..."
He thundered in her head.
Arthur: "Ars Goetia, Dissolution!"
She finally opened her eyes. Before her stood the same block of glacial ice Akira and his allies had seen earlier. She froze, stunned. It was them, right behind the ice. She couldn't believe they were here, so close. She began to wave at them, a flicker of fear creeping in. Maybe this 'dream realm' was trying to deceive her.
Arthur: "Fret not, your companions are real, Lady Cleo. Though I think they will try something dangerous to release you."
In her mind, Arthur stood surrounded by a purple mist, shaking his head in disapproval after speaking.
She jolted.
Cleo: "I cannot believe it's them! Liza!"
She waved her hand rapidly, but could barely hear them. Then, to her surprise, Zhenzhen materialised from the air in a clash of fire and ice as they all advanced toward her.
Cleo tried to shout, but her voice was faint, barely louder than normal speech.
Cleo giggled softly. Liza was shouting something she couldn't quite make out. Akira tried to gesture to her from beyond the icy barrier.
Arthur: "Very peculiar young man, he is."
Cleo: "His name is Akira. He's my friend too!"
Arthur: "There's something dark in him—not like the darkness that surrounds this place... The evil that regrets... Very interesting indeed."
Cleo: "I don't understand, Sir Arthur. I think you're mistaken. Akira helped me return my book; he's a good friend."
Arthur: "I believe you, Lady Cleo, but be careful. Your honesty leaves you vulnerable in both worlds—the Dreamscape and reality."
Cleo stood on tiptoes, trying to make out what her friends planned.
Arthur: "I advise you to release me, Lady Cleo, and stand back. I will protect you if their plan fails and this icy barrier collapses, sending spikes our way."
Cleo: "Release? What must I do? You stood before me just moments ago, and now it seems you are inside my mind, Sir Arthur."
Arthur: "Deep within yourself, you potentially know what to do, Lady Cleo."
After Arthur whispered once more, deep within her mind, she closed her eyes again and suddenly saw him standing before her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.
Arthur: "Call it, Lady Cleo."
Cleo's Mind: "I don't understand... Call wha..."
Arthur: "Ars Goetia, say it, Lady Cleo."
She opened her eyes without thinking. There was a fierce glow inside them, a golden ring of flame wrapping around her. Something was in her hands—she looked down to see a sword, like it had just appeared from the cold air itself. The hilt was gold, detailed but not flashy. At her side hung a solid shield with a diamond-shaped golden emblem catching the light.
She had never shouted in her life. But now, something ancient surged through her—this was it. Her destiny.
She thundered with her timid voice.
Cleo: "Ars Goetia: Prince Arthur!"
Arthur materialized right in front of her, her eyes glowing gold with fierce intensity, and his eyes glowing blue, as they both were forces of nature — he was the storm, and she was the thunder.
Akira startled a little but was ready to strike the ice block.
Liza yelled.
Liza: "Who's the blondie boy? Her boyfriend?"
Merlina: "Very funny, girl, it's her 'inner-self', Prince Arthur!"
Liza: "Holy roller, girl! I thought she was in danger there! But she somehow found herself a striking wander boy to crush this ice slab from within!"
Zhenzhen kept quietly landing small punches.
Zhenzhen: "We need to focus, keep your chit-chat to yourself till we crack the barrier open."
Merlina and Liza spoke in unison, both faintly embarrassed, yet let it out with a roar. They were still standing there—Merlina charging her staff, and Liza backing her up.
Merlina and Liza: "Aye, aye, Sir!"
Akira was prepared to strike the ice.
Akira: "I hope she and this knight understand what we are trying to free them."
Zhenzhen: "I don't feel any hostility toward us from him, so we should be fine."
Akira shrugged, still holding his sword above him, ready to strike.
Zhenzhen: "I'm ready."
He straightened up and invited Akira with a palm gesture.
Zhenzhen: "Let's attack as one; I'll handle half, you'll make the crucial cut with your sword."
Akira nodded, still holding his sword.
Akira: "Understood."
It was an amusing show to watch. Both Arthur and Cleo tried to break free from within, and Akira and the others tried to free them from outside. They struck as one.
Liza let out a battle cry.
Liza: "Let's wreck this thing, Merlina!"
Merlina squeaked like a startled mouse.
Merlina: "A-Aye!"
The large ball of fire they had conjured above their heads surged forward, quickly melting the ice block.
Akira struck the ice with his sword, carving a split, while Arthur did the same from behind the frozen barrier. Zhenzhen punched it—just once—with a dull thud that echoed like a war drum.
The right half of the ice block melted and broke away from the left. What had seemed an indestructible barrier now lay cracked in two, the right side half-melted and barely holding its place.
Liza and Merlina finally stopped channeling their power and let out tired sighs, both resting their hands on their knees.
Cleo and Arthur cooled their powers; Cleo's circle of fire vanished, along with the glow in their eyes, then Cleo dashed toward her friends.
Zhenzhen lowered his guard.
Zhenzhen: "Finally."
Akira lowered his sword.
Akira: "You don't say. I told everyone before, this slab of ice is not natural."
Zhenzhen shrugged at him with a friendly grin.
Zhenzhen: "It's Dreamscape, after all."
Akira nodded, mirroring Zhenzhen's expression.
Cleo hurried down the narrow opening left by the shattered ice egg.
Cleo: "Friends! I cannot believe what just happened..."
Cleo couldn't finish.
Liza rushed at her, hugging her like a plush toy.
Liza: "Cleo Holly Roller Williams! Don't scare me like that, girl! Why... I don't even know where to start. How did you even get here in the first place?!"
She squeezed Cleo like a lemon in a juicer.
Cleo stood before the cracked ice egg, with Liza hugging her tightly. Arthur followed close behind, stepping down from the split ice block.
Cleo tried to speak while Liza hugged her.
Cleo: "I'm sorry I made you worry, Liza. I don't even know how I got here... or why. Why are you all here too?"
Arthur spoke softly while observing her comrades.
Arthur: "I made her worry a little. I'm glad Lady Cleo is finally among her trusted companions."
He planted his sword's blade firmly into the snow before him, the hilt rising to chest height. Crossing his palms over the hilt, he stood still, poised and silent.
Liza released Cleo and pointed at Arthur.
Liza: "He speaks! W-w-who's that?! Cleo, you got yourself a boyfriend inside the Dreamscape. I thought you were my rival! And you were after Akira!"
Cleo stood before her, stunned. Liza took hold of her by the arms, firmly, as she spoke.
Cleo's eyes went as wide as they could.
Cleo: "B-b-boyfriend?! What are you saying, Liza? I... We're friends—with Mr. Akira, I mean! Not like I don't consider him to be... I mean, we are friends, all of us, right? Haha!"
She stumbled over every word, face redder than a watermelon's heart.
Akira: "You've got a VERY colorful imagination, for sure, Liza."
Zhenzhen faintly giggled under his breath and toed at the ground.
Zhenzhen: "Girls..."
Liza pointed her long-nailed finger at him.
Liza: "Hey!"
Merlina came forth.
Merlina: "Now, now, children."
She stood between Liza and Cleo, resting her hands gently on their shoulders.
Merlina: "I told you, we didn't come here by accident."
Akira let out a loud cackle.
Merlina gave him a death stare, but Akira laughed even harder.
Merlina hissed with a tsk.
Merlina: "Jerk!"
Zhenzhen bowed to Arthur, palm and fist crossed.
Zhenzhen: "I greet you, noble knight, and must thank you for helping us release Miss Cleo."
Arthur: "Oh, thank you kindly."
He bowed in return, still crossing his palms over the hilt.
Arthur: "But I didn't do much, Master Monk."
Zhenzhen offered a soft grin, tilting his head.
Zhenzhen: "And I'm no 'Master' either—yet."
A quiet chuckle escaped Akira's lips.
Liza: "I cannot believe he speaks! How is it possible? I thought I could only speak with Esmi in my mind!"
Cleo looked at her in surprise.
Cleo: "Who's Esmi?"
Liza waved her hand.
Liza: "It's my 'inner-self'. Her name is Esmeralda, right, Miss Merlina?"
Merlina: "Yes, and I forgot to introduce myself to our noble lady here."
Cleo blushed even harder in her presence.
Merlina: "Hello, little one. My name is Merlinaza—or Merlina for short. I'm Akira's friend and companion..."
Akira cut her off with a grin, arms crossed, his sword floating in front of him.
Akira: "...And a hazard Sensei."
Merlina snapped.
Merlina: "WILL YOU EVER SHUT UP, YOUNG ONE!"
Akira chuckled loudly.
Akira: "Can you just drop the dramatic intro already? We need to move. Now."
He paused with a sigh and turned to Cleo.
Akira: "Hello again, Cleo. Sadly, there's no time to explain everything. But long story short—I hope Arthur already explained the basics..."
Arthur interrupted.
Arthur: "You somehow know me, dark warrior?"
Akira let out a tsk.
Akira: "Just a warrior. I'm already tired of being called dark, evildoer, etcetera. Anyway, we're all trapped here. I never wanted any of you involved. This is my fight. My quest. The Lesser Key. Yet thanks to that cat over there and her destiny/fate speeches, here we are."
Merlina gave him a wide-eyed, puzzled stare.
Merlina: "Excuse moi?!"
Akira didn't even blink.
Akira: "I propose we press forward and find the source of this instability—whatever's blocking Merlina and me from teleporting."
Zhenzhen: "Strange that we were summoned here, yet can't break out."
Akira faced Zhenzhen.
Akira: "I'm sorry for summoning you here as well, Zhen. I hope you're not mad at me."
Zhenzhen faced him in return with the same friendly expression.
Zhenzhen: "I gave you my Bracer for this very reason, Akira. I'm glad I could help you in your time of need."
Akira gratefully nodded.
Akira: "Aye. But, much as I hate to say it—and repeat Merlina—we're here for a reason. So our priority is to find and neutralise the teleportation block."
Cleo, still overwhelmed, spoke softly.
Cleo: "I still cannot believe this is happening to me..."
Akira: "I know it's all new for you, Cleo, Liza. But we don't have time to explain. We each have a role. Zhenzhen and I will take the front. You two stay back. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."
Cleo: "Fight?! I... I could fight if I had to! But fight what?"
Liza beamed, still holding her arms.
Liza: "Beats me, sister! I got trapped here yesterday and had to fight scary gargoyles!"
Cleo: "Gargoyles?! Like... stone creatures?"
Liza: "Yeah, crazy, right?"
Cleo lowered her head.
Cleo: "But you never told me..."
Liza: "Well... we'd just met. If I told you I'd fought stone monsters in a dream realm, you'd think I was crazy!"
Cleo: "I would never..."
Liza grinned like a monkey.
Liza: "Save it, Angel-face. I mean—look around! This frozen wasteland feels like some crazed video game!"
Merlina muttered.
Merlina: "In this game, we can actually die if something goes wrong."
Liza looked at her.
Liza: "Mel? What was that?"
Cleo gasped.
Cleo: "That can't be true! All of this—"
Akira cut in.
Akira: "But it is real, sadly, Cleo. So, like I said, I hope Zhen agrees—we'll scout ahead. Merlina will guard the rear."
Liza: "Senpai! I can protect myself just fine! I wrecked that ice slob! Not a big deal!"
She grinned.
Akira sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Akira: "If you say so. Just be careful, Liza, like I said..."
Liza: "Oh, stop fussing! We've got this. Like you said yesterday—together!"
Zhenzhen grinned quietly.
Zhenzhen: "She's got a point."
Akira shook his head.
Akira: "Not you too, Zhen. I figured at least you'd be mad that I summoned you here."
Zhenzhen gave him a mischievous grin.
Zhenzhen: "Never. Let's survive this place—together."
Akira sighed heavily and nodded.
Akira: "Fine. But we protect Cleo. No exceptions."
Arthur: "There is no need. I will not let anything harm Lady Cleo."
Akira gave him a wary look, but nodded.
Akira: "I hope you mean that, Sir Knight."
Arthur raised a brow.
Arthur: "Have we met before?"
Akira: "When Merlina said she knew you, I didn't think she meant that Arthur—of the Round Table. Strange that we all meet here."
Arthur: "Not a coincidence, I'm sure. But before we go, may I see your inner self, young man?"
Akira muttered.
Akira: "Not so old yourself."
Merlina squawked.
Arthur smiled, tilting his head.
Arthur: "What was that?"
Akira sighed.
Akira: "Is this even necessary?"
Cleo: "If he doesn't want to, it's fine, Arthur! I told you—I trust him with my life!"
Arthur glanced at her, then back at Akira.
Akira: "I'll show you. We all will eventually. It's the source of our power, anyway."
He paused, then extended his arm. A void-like circle formed beneath him.
Akira: "Ars Goetia! Come forth—Devilish!"
A dark shadow loomed behind him like a djinn.
Arthur looked up.
Arthur: "Extraordinary evil presence... yet something feels off. Miss Merlinaza, do you truly trust this boy?"
Behind Cleo and Liza, Merlina raised her nose in theatrical offence, like a noble snubbed at court.
Merlina: "Sometimes I don't even know what to say about him. He's evil incarnate, for sure."
Akira waved.
Akira: "Daring Sensei finally got her revenge, huh?"
Merlina grinned dangerously, her hat shadowing her eyes. She humorously made a pistol gesture with her finger, pointing it at Akira.
Merlina: "Take that, you foul interrupter!"
Akira giggled. The others did too. Their cranky banter was oddly charming.
Akira: "Whatever you say, cat."
Merlina made it look like she truly shot him with her finger.
Merlina: "Zap-zap!"
Cleo: "I'm sorry it came to this... I didn't mean to make you quarrel!"
Liza waved it off.
Liza: "Forget it, Cleo. They're always like this. I told you—Senpai is WILD!"
Cleo giggled, hiding her smile.
Akira turned to Arthur again.
Akira: "So, do you trust me now?"
Arthur: "Hard to say. But if you claim Scheherazade is your master... perhaps I could."
Akira and Merlina barked in unison.
Akira and Merlina: "It's Sensei!"
They looked at each other.
Liza and Cleo giggled.
Liza: "Told you—nothing to worry about. Cleo, we'll melt this place like there's no tomorrow!"
Cleo blushed but smiled warmly.
Cleo: "If you say so, Liza!"
She paused.
Cleo: "But I'm glad I'm not alone."
Liza beamed.
Liza: "You bet, sister!"
They clasped hands.
Akira sent back the Devilish, and his adjusted uchigatana floated back to his belt level with his usual command.
Akira: "Follow."
He paused, observing his newfound band and adding with a firm tone.
Akira: "Don't want to play a leader role for you guys, but, like I said, we need to move."
Liza: "What do you mean, Senpai? We'll follow you no matter what! Right, guys?"
Zhenzhen nodded with a welcoming grin.
Zhenzhen: "I put my trust in Akira's hands."
Cleo: "I will help too!"
Akira: "You guys..."
Arthur: "I cannot in good faith place my trust in this 'Devilish' shadow that follows you... Yet, if Lady Cleo has entrusted you with her safety, then I shall abide by her will."
Cleo blushed, stayed red as a cherry.
Cleo: "Mister Arthur, please! You don't need to call me like that, in front of everyone! Cleo is fine. I don't have the right to command you..."
Arthur softly cut her off.
Arthur: "But you must, Lady Cleo. If you ever need me, you will know what to do. I'm with you."
Right after he spoke, he vanished, leaving blue and prism sparkles behind him.
Liza: "Merlina, you know everything, right? Now tell me... HOW IN THE HELL CAN HE TALK? Why Akira's Devilish never spoke before, what..."
Merlina: "Slow down, dear, I can answer one question at a time."
Liza: "Well, what are you waiting for?! Am I here to die from anticipation or something?!"
Merlina gave a weary shake of her hat and sighed.
Merlina: "Some of us—non-materials, or rather, beings without physical form, can speak, and even make our own decisions. I, on the other hand, unlike Prince Arthur, lived in the real world once upon a time. Now..."
Pausing, she adjusted her outfit.
Merlina: "Your 'Esmeralda' and Cleo's or Akira's manifestations hypothetically can have a conscience of their own, but they are not the same."
Akira chuckled again.
Akira: "Oh, hypothetically..."
Merlina: "Quiet, you bandit! I will smack you with my staff this instant!"
Akira turns around and pretends he's leaving them behind.
Liza: "Senpai, I need to know, where are you going?"
Akira didn't face them.
Akira: "I'm not going far, Liza. Merlina can tell you everything you need to know."
Zhenzhen followed him, and the two drifted off into their own conversation, quietly planning their next move.
Goosebumps ran down Cleo's thighs as she shuffled her feet awkwardly, trying to stay warm in the bitter cold with barely anything covering her legs.
Cleo: "Funny—I only realised just now... It's pretty cold in here."
Liza pointed her long-nailed finger at Cleo's legs.
Liza: "Your legs are literally naked!"
Merlina nudged her with an elbow and hissed.
Merlina: "Look who's talking..."
Liza fell quiet, shying away alongside Cleo.
Arthur whispered in Cleo's thoughts once more.
Arthur: "You're not feeling cold like most of them. Their equipment is filled with magic. You, on the other hand, have natural resistance to elements and my powerful aid. Our kind is different..."
Cleo appeared as she was talking to herself.
Cleo: "Our kind?!"
Liza: "What was that?"
Cleo: "Sorry, I was speaking to Arthur—he was talking inside my head, somehow..."
Liza: "I'm just like you! Although Esmi doesn't talk much. She just weeps from time to time, that's all."
Cleo stumbled a little.
Cleo: "So... Arthur, if you can hear me, please tell me—what does it mean, our kind?"
Merlina said it aloud just as Arthur whispered it in her mind.
Merlina and Arthur: "You are a paladin."
Liza: "A what now?"
Merlina: "Like I said—she's a paladin!"
Akira returned, Zhenzhen following behind, the two of them back from a quick scout.
Akira: "Do I have to do everything myself, Merlina? You're throwing around nonsense—they didn't even understand you. Paladin, witch—do you think any of that makes sense to them?"
Merlina crossed her arms, resting her staff against her shoulder.
Merlina: "Well then, fearless leader, explain it better than I do. Go on. I need a little break myself."
She puffed into her cat form.
Cleo's eyes widened.
Cleo: "Pretty kitty!"
Akira let out a hyena grin.
Akira: "Got yourself a new fan, Sensei."
Merlina raised her tail with an imperious flick.
Merlina: "Rascal!"
Cleo leaned over to pet her.
Merlina: "Hey! Well... after talking to this rude boya, that actually feels pretty nice, to be perfectly honest."
Cleo: "You look so beautiful, Miss. I can't believe you can just transform into a cat like that. Can we do that too?"
Merlina: "I mentioned it earlier—you're a paladin. Paladins usually don't shift into animals. That's a druid's job..."
Akira couldn't resist joking, as if it were his last mistake in life.
Akira: "I can try to turn her into an elephant if you want..."
Merlina glared at him and spoke very slowly.
Merlina: "Ha... Ha... Ha."
Liza and Cleo giggled while Zhenzhen smirked quietly behind Akira. Every time Akira and Merlina quarreled, Zhen tried to hide his amusement, always making a decisive gesture as he lightly kicked a rock beneath his foot.
Akira faced Cleo again.
Akira: "You can use your power just like any of us do in this realm, Cleo. But I really don't want you to. The thing Merlina speaks of - usually called types, or classes, or archetypes - whatever. It doesn't matter really, Liza awakened as a Witch in the Dreamworld, I as a warrior. I hope you already guessed what Zhenzhen is, a monk..."
Merlina tried to take her revenge on him.
Merlina: "Our 'leader' is also awakened as Sherlock Holmes, just now. A famous detective! Can you believe it?"
Liza and Cleo giggled again.
Akira smiled and continued.
Akira: "Anyway... As far as I remember what Merlina told me, paladins in this world can both be attackers and defenders, but if you are up to defend us, it's not going to be pretty, so it's my job to..."
Cleo: "I'll do it!"
She stood there, more confident than ever.
Liza appeared shocked; she could not believe Cleo could act this way.
Liza: "Holy Roller girl, what's got into you? You really are, are something else!"
Cleo startled, but tried to get a grip, still facing Akira.
Cleo: "Believe me, I can do this."
Zhenzhen placed a hand on Akira's shoulder.
Zhenzhen: "You need to step down, Akira. She won't back down from hers."
Akira: "Not you too, Zhen..."
Zhenzhen removed his hand.
Akira sighed.
Akira: "If you say so..."
He paused and continued.
Akira: "I will never forgive myself if something happens to you two guys. I know Zhenzhen can handle himself just fine, although it is hard to tell what will happen to us when we wake up, if all of us are practically trapped here."
He paused again.
Liza grinned at him.
Liza: "Let her do what she decided to do, Senpai."
Akira: "I can't, Liza, all of you are not even supposed to be here..."
Zhenzhen: "Yet we are here, Akira, all of us with you."
Akira shook his head.
Akira: "I can't believe you're saying this, Zhen, this place is utterly dangerous!"
Cleo's timid air gave way to a quiet poise, as though the trembling girl from moments before had stepped aside, and in her place now stood a soul tempered by resolve—a spirit newly awakened beneath the snow. She stood there ready, like a silent liquidator.
Cleo: "I'll do it, Mr. Akira."
She held her sword and shield more firmly than ever.
Merlina: "My-my..."
Liza's eyes popped out of her skull.
Liza: "Who is this girl? Return my friend Cleo to us, girlie!"
Cleo faced Liza with a friendly smile.
Cleo: "I'm still the same Lady Liza."
Liza let it out again, putting her hand to her forehead and shaking her head.
Liza: "Holy Roller... I'm now more afraid for our enemies than for us."
Akira finally spoke, ready to give his verdict. He sighs heavily, makes the same pose as Liza.
Akira: "Fine... But if something goes wrong, you will stay back, both with Liza, we will handle the fro..."
He got interrupted by two girls giggling and hugging each other; it was Liza and Cleo.
Cleo: "I can do this, Liza!"
Liza: "He-he, you WILD girl. I cannot believe we are here together, facing some extreme danger!"
Cleo: "So am I!"
Akira shook his head.
Zhenzhen firmly grinned at him in understanding.
Akira: "Girls..."