Once uppon a time, the marquess and marchioness of the Sakura marquisat had two children, a girl and a boy. The boy was raised as next great successor and the girl would be the next miracle lady but then the young lady was kidnapped and the family dynamic went into shambles.

But mostly for the remaining boy, who longed the connection he had with his sibling that got taken from him.

 

Being seventeen was alright, Rei thinks.

People, starting with his father, asks him what it feels like to be finally in age and if he ever felt changed.

Considering he always acted like an adult thanks to be being raised in nobility, it was barely another step to take in his everyday life. One day, his father will hand his marquess title to him so he was taught everything he needed to take on the position.

What could change at the moment would be his imminent graduation from the Noble Knight Academy if he ever manages to ace his field exam. But as we're speaking on going to field, maybe Rei should start to think more of his ambitions and get two positives results with one action.

Maybe he should travel to the Holy Land and look for the Holy Relic.

For better the already great relationship between the two empires, the young nobles from the Orchid Empire enrolled in the academy got the task to show their good will in pilgrimage all the while showing the abilities they learned from the school. For Rei, he saw it as personal purpose in also asking to see the holy artefact that allows one to see where their own bloodline went.

Because Rei and his family had lost one of theirs 13 years ago but never gave up on the idea of finding Ran back.

"You do know that said holy relic was none other than a magical artefact from another continent that the sanctuary renamed it just to spread their propaganda of monotheism, right?"

"What Shinji wants to say without sounding rude was that there're tons of supposed holy relic in the other continent."

Rei ignored the two gentlemen's digs and kept on packing his belongings as he needs to travel light but be prepared of all eventualities. Especially if he will have to call for reinforcements when helping the villagers on his way. He slaps Ryu's hand away when the latter tried to put the royal whistle in his bag.

He received it from the very same man when they first met 5 years ago in the academy because Ryu of Kujo duchy grew to him for whatever reason. Probably the same reason that it was for Shinji of Fujishima duchy.

"I think you ought to say something or they will keep on nagging you and forcing me to stay too."

Rei glances at the last gentleman in his room, who was the only one not overly interested in his business but, as he said, forced to attend to because Yuki of Kishimoto duchy had the unfortunate fate to be childhood acquaintance of the former two. Though Rei knows them only after entering into the academy, he fears that even without that, his path would have crossed them and be spending time with them because of social mondanity. At least, he was spared in childhood because he came from a marquess, instead of duke.

"I was aware of this fact thanks to your numerous tales of trip to another continent, howevere I was not as lucky to be able to travel as easily and getting the one in the Holy Empire was much closer than travelling to another continent, at the moment, don't you think?"

"I do see your point, especially if you're going there only to pretend pilgrim in a month time, but don't you think it's taking too far just to see a mere artefact?"

"If it was so ordinary, why didn't you get one during any of your trips outside of the continent? It's not like Sakura marquisat's history was a secret."

He hasn't receive any answer for his accusation.

Because in the general opinion, Ran of Sakura marquisat was as well as dead. She's been missing for 13 years, by the borders of the magical forest, no way she could have survived and be living in the wild by now. Some malevolent souls used to take advantage of the marquess and marchioness' grief to impersonate the missing daughter but each impostor got exposed really quick for the one and only reason that Rei wasn't fooled.

After all, only a twin brother could recognize his twin sister.

And a little more than a decade couldn't stop Rei from longing to reunite with his half.

"Do you intend to go by your own? I know that we have the aura to fend against the magical beasts, but it won't be enough if you encounter a horde of them, or even monster size."

"Of course not, I will seek help from a mage, the academy had already sent a dispatch to the Magic Tower."

"Oh, well, you have everything under control, it seems."

"Exactly. I thank you all for coming to wish me luck, but it's about time you take your leaves. I'm sure you have quite the business to attend."

Shinji and Ryu responded at once. "No, not really."

"I do," Yuki added his own.

"Come on, Yukkun, you'll just sit around and create new weapons."

"It's not weapons."

"One more reason to take a break."

"It's useful and urgent."

"I'm sure people can wait or would they dare pressure the son of Duke Kishimoto?"

Sometimes, Rei wonders if Yuki was also forced in his relationship with Ryu and Shinji because watching their display, he certainly believe so. Unfortunately, it seems Rei's also victim of Ryu's imposing friendship. He deeply hopes the connection will come to be useful in the future, because he's suffering at the moment.

 

"I'm pretty sure having just the mage going with me is enough."

"Maybe so, we're just in the mood to travel the continent ourselves."

"I'm not."

"Yukkun, it's good to the see the landscape! You're turning pale staying all day in your lab!"

Rei ignored the three's antics, two bullying the third into living better he supposed, and went to knock on the tower's vanishing door.

The tower's not really unwelcoming of guest, but they did found the place in really remoted and unreachable place with difficulty to get into contact. But since they had a relatively cordial relation with the academy who personally sent a dispatch earlier, there's no reason to show animosity and unhelpfulness to receive them.

Or maybe was it due to the unexpected three presences behind Rei?

After a few seconds of waiting, the shrinking enchantment dispels and the gate grows ten times bigger, opening with ceremony and music to greet the gentlemen. The knocker announced their presence, with titles and reasons, before closing behind them when they enter the lobby and climb the stairs as asked.

No one actually shows up to give them a tour but they have bright signs to show them the way and magically closed all the other accessible ways to make them understand there's no time in exploring. Which disappointed the surprise guests, though they showed differently. Finally, they reached the office of the master of Tower of Magic who received them the same way their head would receive any of them in his office for official announcements that were just formalities.

Professor Nagisa Yamamoto tells him that he heard of his request and that all the mage presents in the tower were available to accept his quest, if any of them were interested. It was a gentle way to tell him that mages of the tower did not need interaction with mere human and would live very well without their interferances. It goes both ways, which's why human also rarely seek their help except to deal with magical beast as they do not have the same ability to tame them.

They first meet the candidate of the next master of the tower but dismiss his aid as soon as they realized the man was unhinged and only want blood, whether the beasts of theirs was unsure yet. The next one was twin sisters who could charm people through their songs but only accept if they're both in the party, Rei thanked their proposition but said he had enough with the three guests party and goes to look for other mage. The healer was their best choice but this one refused to be part when they said they want to go to the holy place. Then, they stumble on the alchemist whose preference went to create magical artefact with runic spell and who was tempted by was also bonded with a project already.

Another mage bursts into the alchemy lair and starts to talk to the alchemist while ignoring them before twirling in some way and breaking down everything in the room like a display of her magic. Except, it was definitely an accident according to her guilty expression. 

At least, she repaired her mistake quick enough in flick oh hand.

"There you have it, Light! No need to brood, I would never ruin your deal like that! I may say some inappropriate things or do questionable actions, but it's not our malice! Not helping my case, mh?"

"How about you tell me when So will be back, Ran?"

The name strike a chord in Rei. But looking closely at the female mage, he couldn't feel anything but curiosity as she looks nothing like what he expected from her name. Sporting short hair cut boyishly, a pair of goggle concealing her eyes and cheeks smudged of soot. But as she raised her hand to wipe it, it leaves a trail of liquid as if her sleeve's wet. Then, seeing how a tongue of lizard flicks out from under said sleeve, Rei could put it as saliva.

"...He won't be back in three days."

"I don't have three days," he says after assuming they're still talking about So, the mage Light recommend in his place because he was the next candidate for the master position and way more reliable than the first candidate.

Ran spins her head to their direction and blinks, as if just noticing them. She blinks again when her pet lizard flicks its tongue to wrap it around her wrist. In doing so, the gentlemen have to take a step back as the tongue has an unnatural size, way different than the first time Rei glimpses at it. But Ran only tucks it with the tip of her fingers and snatches it from her clothe only to prove them it's just a sack with the effigy of a lizard. With a snap of finger, the cloth merges with her gogles to become a neat neckwear.

"What for?"

Rei's turn to blink when his eyes finally meet hers. She could have been the person he's looking for and his mission would end there, but the ressemblance're dim and she certainly doesn't show any sign of knowing him.

"I need to travel through the magic forest to reach the holy land, in the shortest period of time."

"Oh, academy's field task?"

"Indeed."

"Can I come?"

Light pulls a face, an answer telling enough.

"I'm not the one you should ask."

"Right, the headmaster."

"No, the patron himself?"

Ran looks at Rei, who shruggs. Pushing her to fight for her place.

"Oh, but if you have came to Light, it means no one's available and Light can't be in the party either because of previous engagement."

"What does that mean, I'm the last resort?"

"I don't want to be rude but you're literally stuck in your lab and only accessible when people don't know where to go. So really, you guys, I'm your best shot!"

"What a joke! You're probably the last person they should ask-"

"Shh! You don't want to go, don't ruin people's chance! Come on, let's tell the headmaster about our arrangement."

"I thought it's asking first?" Ryu asked, not sure he wants to follow the little mistfit.

"Oh, he'll accept!"

"I have some doubt," Yuki expressed his opinion with as much kindness he's able.

"I'm really able and reliable! I can fit a whole house in my purse, I can handle any beast we'll encounter, it's true!" Ran quickly adds when Light snickers. "And I can make us travel so fast to your destination!"

"You just want to visit the holy place."

"That too. But I'm really the preferable companion out of all the choices!"

"Well, we met the best mage, but he certainly was not the preferable one."

"You're talking about Al? Yeah, no, he's defo not the best choice, he's, he has some society incapacity."

"You don't seem to be better."

"Well, I did not assault you, did I, now? Wait, not appropriate, please don't withdraw the offer."

The three little dukes concerts between them before turning to Rei, who's actually the chief of the party. Again, Rei shrugs. Sure, her manners need to be review, but he really wants her to be in the party. And the person he's looking for.

"Alright! Let's ask the headmaster's advice, then!"

"He'll refuse," Light snaps before returning to his work.

"He's joking! Let's go, shall we?"

She opens the door she came in and they're in front of the master's office. The door swings open after she pounds on it excitedly and she hurtles in like she did earlier.

"Headmaster, I want to be in the quest!"

"Quit calling me headmaster. And no, you're not."

"Please! They have no one else and I'm the next best choice after Alki and So won't be back before three days!"

"I'm sure they'll find something else, but you're not allowed to go."

"Please, please! I'm really reliable and the creatures love me and so do I! I won't get us lost thanks to the compass, I'll assure that we stay alive and to bring back a souvenir from the holy place!"

The master has one way to roll his eyes that Rei finds himself fascinate. The fact the man's features were perfects didn't help.

"Those are not the issues. You could be the best mage and companion, you're not allowed to go because you're not in age."

"Please, as if we mages follow the rule of legal age."

"Wait, what? How old are you?"

"I don't know, I stopped counting after 10."

"Oh, so you're bad at math on top of it all? Rei, forget it."

"What? No! That's not what I meant! I'm 16! Almost. I think."

Well, that's not reassuring at all. And she's definitely not the one Rei's looking for.

"See, they said you can't go with them. Now, return to your unusual experiment or go bother Alki but let those guests alone."

"No! They want to go to the holy land and I will take them there! You can't pretext to not allow me to go just because I've yet to reach human's legal age! Al did his first quest at 11, officially! Futa at 12 and Light at 14, and fine, they're trained by their elder siblings but still! Manami and Minami dit it at 9, but yeah, they're together."

"And you don't know how to act in society."

"We're crossing the magic forest?"

"And going to the holy land."

"Well, I'll just stay by the forest's borders, then."

She suddenly turns to them to seek for their opinion.

Rei's torn, as human with knight aura, it's against his moral to make an underage work. If she's in trouble, it falls under his responsability. But he'd like to know more about this little oddity who doesn't know how to count and the way she does magic was quite mesmerizing if not arrogant.

Hopefully, all she said are not just bragging and she really does know the magic she promised.

"Well, if the master of the Magical Tower allows it, I don't see a reason to refuse her aid. I'm sure taming the magical beast is enough for the work."

Ran beams and looks back at the head of the tower, only to see him making a disgruntle face. Maybe the man's more eager to see Rei getting out empty-handed than actually refuting Ran's participation.

Eventually, Ran's in the party and she flew to her block to pack her bag before joining them again in front of the master's office. She comes back exactly the same.

"Where's your bag you made us wait for?"

"There!" She shows them her signet ring with the inscription of a magic circle who gleam under the light. "There's an extension charm so I can put everything I need inside! There's our makeshift abode inside!"

"You mean our tent?"

"Sure! Now, let's go to adventure!"

"It's not a playground, please treat it more seriously."

"I am! I'm always serious about creatures!"

They're just not aware of how serious was her serious for them.

 

Rei checks the compass before setting on the elk-hippo's back for good.

Now that he had ascertain the right way of their path, he's willing to let the mage do her thing like getting on the heights so she can check her own foundations. Even though to do so, she needs a prop from Yuki and magically modifies it for her own comfort, much to the inventor's affront to modify his perfect creation.

"Alright, in a few kilometers, we'll be reaching a riverside and will have to end the day here. There's cloud advancing in our direction and it's not good to be crossing it, for our own good."

"Why, magicians can't bear a little rain?" Yuki asks scathingly, clearly hostile.

"Oh, we do it just fine if it was your usual rain," Ran answers with an innocent tone as if not aware of sarcasm "but this one is the home of the blood sucker worm, leeches I think you call it, and I do not have a stock of replacement blood if we were even about to lose some. Cause they suck a huge quantity when they do caught us and even the magic foods in there won't be enough to save us."

"We got the memo and will listen to your advice. Would it be possible to ask the hybrid creature to speed up, so we won't be wasting any of our time?"

"Oh, don't worry, the riverside is the check point where we're already mid-way."

"How do you know that, didn't the master of magic tower said you never went to the magical forest?"

Ran frowns at Ryu for a moment. "Actually, Light said that. But in any case, he knows nothing of what I do of my days."

"Quite the garnement, aren't you?" Shinji comments with amusement.

"How do you think we mages toughen ourselves? Certainly not by staying all day in our lab."

Yuki has to bite back, feeling attacked. "Not sure your friend would appreciate."

"Pff, Light would probably just blow me a raspberry but he knows the truth. He's more of an alchemist than an actual mage. Which's a shame, his big sister's such a great adventurer and meets her mate this way."

"Oh, interspecie partners? What kind is her partner if I may ask?"

"Maybe to the concerned person? I'm not sure I'm allowed to divulgue this info."

"Why mention it, then?"

"Just to make conversation! Why are you guys so hostile to me?!"

So she does notice some of their hostility.

"Maybe if you were older, you would get it."

"Come on, Rei's the chief of the party and has accepted me, why are you so touchy about it?"

"Actually, we're not a party. It's a solo task but they chose to go with me without my consent."

"And mine."

Ran ignored Yuki's addition. "So you guys aren't even part of the quest and you're belittling me?! I should let you walk with your own foot and let you deal with the beasts instead of benefitting of my taming."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Watch me!"

"Just ignore them. The beast's back if big enough for you to sit far from them."

"Wish it was my case."

Rei pulls the young mage to the front of the hybrid's back and let Yuki brood in his corner, but still has to suffer the two extroverts young dukes yadda yaddaing.

"So, Rei, what's that sudden need to cross the magical forest to get to the holy place?"

"It's a school mission, pilgrim to the holy place to show the good relationship between the two empires."

"I see, some society convention, you're calling it?"

"Sure."

"It's for establishing contact, you ignorant outcast."

"Don't involve yourself in our private conversation or I'll deaf you! Temporarily, of course, or you'll get yourselves eaten without senses."

"Too bad I can read lips."

"I'll blind you, tragically eaten be damned! You'll deserve that!"

"Can't you just cast a magical barrier between us?"

"Great thinking!"

"See, that's what you got from living reclusively, half-assed think-"

The rest's drown by the raising and covering magic barrier. Ran looks really proud of herself, which's kind of endearing.

"So, societal norms. Because as society, you should entertain relationship. Diplomatic?"

"More like politics. The Holy Empire isn't actually well received by people of the main land, hence why they established themselves on the other side of the magical forest where it's complicate to cross without specialists. Though there are also some other people residing in this rough area."

"There are?"

"Weren't you the one who already explored the place on the sly?"

"Well, I guess it all depends of what kind of people you're talking about."

"The Holy Empire would regularly sent priests to our Empire of Orchid, in hoping to convert most of the civils."

"Are you one of those believers?"

"No. I only believe in myself, and my parents to some extent."

"Oh, not even your emperor? Or king?"

"We do call him emperor, but there are also king from neighbouring kingdom. But no, where I come the Emperor had little control over so my family and me are basically doing everything by ourselves."

"Like the Magical Tower!"

"I guess it could be comparable." After a short pause, Rei throws in, hoping to glean something. "Say, I have an inquiry. Were you there for long? When did you enter the tower of magic?

"I can't remember! My mother left me there when she felt I had a lot of magic in me! I don't see her much now a day but mys sisters would drop by their place from time to time and she's as stern from their tales!"

Rei doesn't laugh with her, his hope crumbling immediately in hearing about her family. So, she's really not hsi sister, if she already has several sisters.

"Are your sisters are also mages?"

"Yeah, they're even twins! I really admire the way they do magic with only chants, or anything, really!"

"Ah, I think I have met them."

"Sure you did, they're always eager to go into the forest and bring souvenir of any beasts they met on the way and they're doing it wondrously!"

"Mh, I didn't feel like dealing with them in addition with those three behind us."

"I sympathize with that. I can barely speak with them for only a morning."

"Sadly, it does not get better."

He receives a pitying look that Rei feels appropritate. At least, Ran's lucky to have to endure them for a month or shorter while Rei will have to bear with them monthly, weekly if he's unlucky once he'll be officially working in the high-society.

Eventually, they reach the checkpoint where they have to part with their mount who gives a wet lick to his tame-master for o short period of time. Rei tries not to be too judging when Ran ended up drenched, clothes included, because he, like the gentlemen behind him, were too shocked by the river's appearance.

"You couldn't have said the river was a river of lava?"

"Well, it's a flux continuous of liquid. I do not see the problem in that."

"It'll melt us instead of wet us?!"

"It's not like we'll be crossing it, chill."

"I'd like to if we're not sweating bunker because of the heat!?!"

"And do you expect us to take a break just near a potential death trap?"

"Well, if you were expecting a river of water, you should also see it a death trap because sea beasts are more mischievious. And no, we're not staying there, give me just a sec to find my secret passage."

"You should have lead with that. But just in case, wasn't there any other path?"

"You were the one who was guiding us with the compass! The other paths would have take more time, anyway."

"I'm not sure this one won't take more time of our life either."

"Stop being prissy, what are you, four?"

Then she stops laughing at her own joke and found the entrance of her passage in the ground.

"A tunnel?"

"Why? You thought it'd be a bridge? It'll melt, as you said. And will you hurry? The cloud of leech's there!"

She pushes them in the descending passage that as hot or hotter than staying near the lava flow as they fear for a moment the passage will manifest magma at any moment.

"What are you waiting?"

"Just a sec, it's always a spectacle to see those worms landing on the ground."

Saying that, she finally wipes away the saliva of the hybrid but instead of drying herself, her actions seems to smear it further on her whole being before collecting the liquid in a compact heap. Rei's really glad that it doesn't smell because he won't be bearing it for long. Neither Yuki by his gaggind noise.

"Does the elk-hippo's saliva becomes a slime?" Ryu has to ask.

"Not a regular slime! It acts as cream that has magical properties and could render the wearer unnoticed as long as the product's not removed, like the creature it comes from."

Right, the reason she tames the hybrid elk-hippo beast was because she said instead of putting all the others under her spell, it's be faster to just ride on an unnoticeable mount to not delay their trip. Then, she reaped a really weird looking fruint that had the shap of mouth and did something with her magic before announcing it's be their lunch. Needless to say, Rei did not ask what it was and that it was tasteless but filling.

A sudden hail of tiny beasts come down from the sky. 

Ran had best noticing them first hand because normal people would have assumed it was hailstones that could suck the life out of you, because it was raining worms and not water. Nothing's made of water, anyway.

"What kind of worms are those? Do they have legs??"

"No! It's just the way their skin are made bumpy that you think that, it's an easy way to sting and suck blood. See, with the slime, they do not at us."

Hard to say is they're even glanced at since those bumpy skinned worms have no eyes. But multitude opening to catch any prey of theirs. Though the scene before them's chilling, the gentlemen couldn't help but fanning themselves because the heat of their underground passage is just too strong. If Ran got her clothes dry from the early slobber, the men were now the ones soaking though their fabrics.

"Alright, I see your troubles, let's progress further and actually have a break for the day. And stop fanning yourself, it'll be quicker if you just let things go."

"And dehydrate ourselves?"

"Well, if you're stalling even a second more, you'll lose all the water of your body. And like blood, I do not have a stock of water in my super extensive purses."

"You said you have everything!"

"You said you have prepared yourselves for the trip! Now, let's walk on."

"They have prepared themselves, I was not."

And Rei could sympathize with Yuki because he looks like he'll fall over any second, now. He's not really physical to start with, so less water ratio than the other three who were a little more athletics, but dehydrating a such fast pace would be the death of him. Ran sighs and lights up the tip of her fingers before grazing the back of the martyr.

"You wimp," she has to add as she pushes him through the passage.

As they progress, the heat would waver from supportable to suffocating, which means they reached the summit of lava flowing above them, before it becomes bearable again to much more livable. Yuki loses all pretense as soon as Ran stops supporting him with her magic and fell on the ground, under the other three pitying looks. Especially because the soil's dirty. From her tiny purse, Ran pulls out a vial and doubles it for the four of them before handing it.

"Here, health restoratives. I told you I prepared everything."

"Just not the most vital ones."

"I. Do. Not. Know. Your. Blood. Type."

Poor excuse, but they're lacking too much water to argue and keep on advancing to a more livable emplacement to pass the night.

The first night's in this dark cave with cobwebs taller than them but Ran assures them they could spend the night and they all got their own makeshift bed made out of metamorphed leaves that will turn back to a leaf after six hours (a good way alarm clock) while she sleeps on her sleeping bag hammock. Looks like she likes to be in altitude, probably to compensate her small height.

As they woke from a unrestful night, Rei was uppish when they stumbled on a village full of welcoming townspeople who accepted the gentlemen's aid with pleasure. Ran accompanied them with tight smile on her lips, not as overjoyed as when she was around creatures and they wondered if her quirkiness included bad with humans. After a full day of helping right and left, they're invited to the feast happening in the only inn in the place. Drinks and foods flowed soon and laughs and conversations burst forth and back that Ran asked to go on the stage and suggest showing her talent of singer.

However, merely opening her mouth and letting out vibrant voice, all the villagers fell like flies and she had to ask the gentlemen to wake up.

Rei sucks a breath as he opens his eyes in panic to Ran's heady singing voice. No sound comes out of his mouth and watching over his human companions, they're in the situation. Forcing himself to calm, he finally raises his eyes to where Ran's supposed to sleep in to find her still chanting words and locking eyes with several ones just above them.

A huge spider with hundreds pairs of eyes was watching any of the men's actions while his body was restrainted by the enchanting sound of Ran's voice. She ceases her spell after making sure they were all awake and up and puts away their stuff in her purse with a clic a tongue before finally facing the arthropod.

"Good day, great spider, how are things going with you in this fine day?"

"You sure it's day?" Yuki can't help but play on the word.

Not mentioning that she's speaking to an animal, even magical one.

"It is, just check your beds. It's leaves."

"I have to admit that the day starts very great for me. Imagine my surprise to see tasty food waiting for me first thing in my lair? And I would have feast it by now if a witch of your calibre didn't stop me."

Disturbed that the beast endow with speech, Rei had to admit that Ran was definitely up to her words of being a great mage.

"I apologize, it's not my intention to upset you. Unfortunately, I like myself very much alive as we still have a long way for today."

"That does not suit my taste. Do you perhaps have something to leave in exchange of your life, then?"

"Alas, another bad news, but we're empty hands. Mayhaps, you let us go fetch some for you?"

"Not happening, no."

"I assumed so. Which is why I will offer you some of my restorative potion, with a little mix. Here, feast on it!"

The spider opens its huge mouth that could swallow them all and a tongue as long as a snake strung out to catch every drop of the flying potion, the effects of the potion are immediate. As the name said it, it restored the health of the drinker, but with the little change that Ran improvised, the beast doubles its size. Or more like, its main member that contains web swells and has the threads bursting out of the body uncontrollably.

"You think it wasn't big enough for you to change it like that?"

"It wasn't suppose to double its size, but the adrenaline fruit mixed in made the change. And anyway, it did the job, let's sneak out when it's busy!"

They scamper off of the den and hurry in getting rid of the cobwebs they got stuck in the rush. As they leave the shooting web lair behind them, Ran has to explain them that the spide is bestow of the properties of its victims. Human speech from human, venomous tongue from the basilisk and multiple pairs of eyes from its other victim when it doesn not have peculiar abilities.

"Why didn't you kill it?"

"Why should I?"

"It tried to kill us?"

"Keyword, try. I do not end life just for the sake of ending it when nothing bad happened. The incredible food chain of the forest could take care of it by itself. Besides, we're the one who ended up in their place, they had their rights to protect it."

According to her words, they only deserve to be devored since they're adventuring in the forest in the first place. Then again, that's the reason why Rei recruit a mage's assistance.

For today, she tames an eagle that could change its size and they fly above all the giant trees for a peaceful trip for once as the eagle could gobble everything that comes it way. Well, that was peaceful till there was a beast that could the height the eagle was flying. And beast girafe looks to be carnivorous as it tries to take bite of them, letting the eagle go. They fall from very high but are saved from flattening themselves on the ground because the marsupial there tend to hang net in the middle of nowhere, hoping foods would fall from the sky like leeches do.

"The magical forest sure in an interesting place."

"I know, right?"

Despite being wrong last day, Rei still thinks that Ran could not detect sarcasm and would take every comment at first degree. Anyway, the marsupial's a mother kangaroo which pocket looks more like a shell that could protect them, something Ran used the oppotunity and tamed it to recover the bit of road they have to take because of the girafe chasing after them. Then, as if the kangaroo has an internal clock, it fell asleep as soon as the day wane and they're forced to stop their progression there.

The following day, same adventure and unexpected situation happens and they could only get out of the forest two days later.

Rei mentally calculates the date and misses the sign recovers by roots that tells them they're arriving to the last stop before getting out of there. So he's really surprised to be welcomed by warm and smiling villagers after crossing the bamboo barrier. Though a sense of déjà vu was telling him to keep his guards up. Something that Ran's polite smile approves.

"How rare! Visitors! You must have had a hard time getting through the forest! Rest assured we have everything to sustain you and us all! Everyone, let's bring things to help the guests relax!"

"Please, do not bother for us. It's obvious you lot need those rations more than us, we do not wish to impose ourselves," Ryu takes the lead, always one to use words so greatly.

And despite not knowing of his dream, Rei feels like the gentleman's not fooled by the warm approach of the leader of the villager. Or, he's genuinely thinking about the poor as he did those annual scouting in the Kujo duchy as successor of the dukedom.

"My friend's right. Please do not bother for us, if any, we should be the one to do the job and help you for your warm welcome," Shinji goes on.

Both Ran and Yuki stay silent, in a rare moment of tacit observation before acting. Rei's just on edge. He has already experienced it, despite only being a dream produced by the spider's sting to drug its victims before deveoring them. They're still in the forest and should expect traps everywhere they step on.

So Shinji and Ryu start to chat their way in and probably gleaning some info before getting out of the forest, but they quickly realize that the villagers are trying to keep them here really hard. Yuki finally turns to the specialist.

"What is it, they're cannibals?"

"Oh, no. I mean, they probably do eat human, but they're definitely not human themselves. As I implied to Rei, I doubt there are any human presence in the forest, except if it's another party of adventurer with mage included."

"Got it, how do we shrug them off?"

"Only way I can see, having them exposing themselves."

Ran then walks in and impose herself like she did in his dream. But instead of showing off her singing skills, which the gentlemen already witnessed, she showed the childish side of her that glaringly obvious, which was the only thing Rei's acquaintances are so against her involving in the mission.

"So, at three, everybody froze as I say to! One! Two! Three, froze!"

No one freeze because she changed word from her own rule, so when she's done with her little spin and start shooting ice charm on anyone, they all deviate the aim and turn on her. The appearances pull off really fast and they're all decrepit flesh on skeleton. Walking carcasses that start roaming on them as soon as the act dropped.

And this time, instead of coming to their help, the mage levitate and ascends to the sky. "Leaving the hard work to you, knights, mssrs! I have to scout the surroundings, in case we're getting trap again."

"A head warning would have been nice!"

That said, Ryu pulls out his retractable sword and start to fend himself against the army of corpse that want human flesh. Shinji does the same excepte with an arbalet, while Rei has to use the weapon he finds on the way. Yuki, being the ingeneer of the group, had to pick from his toolbox and let's say none of the item as of real help, so the three others have to watch their back and his.

When they think they're done, a last undead corpse attack from their back and they only got saved by the mage's last minute intervention with her long distance weapon. Mag-, wait no, that's no magic.

"Did you use hair as whip?"

"Well, it works. And don't worry if you think it's unhygienic, those are my hair."

"You're not going to wear them again, are you?"

Ran's insult look was the most appropriate reaction she ever has. Then, she opens her mouth. "Of course, I am. It's a wig I use regularly to pass as innocent maiden."

"Please tell me you're joking."

"Alright. Or am I?"

A collective sigh from the gentlemen before Rei recovers first, getting to the point.

"So, the scouting?"

"Right, there's other bunch of imposter right after, but you just have to ignore them. After that? Just trust me."

"Very well, after the time we spent together."

"Was is all it takes for you to trust me? A week together?"

"Absolutly not, but you're our only choice."

Ran with disappointed face but nods. "Fair."

So they advance and do come across a bunch of wandering human looking beast who tries to get their attention. Knowing their education, it's a little difficult task to ignore, but they listen to their mage's advice and walk on without stopping, making the act vanish for the human figures to change into little light much like fireflies. As they fly away, Ran explains that it's the exact same flies that mislead their sense with the living dead horde.

"Now, what?"

"There's a seemingly cliff right at the end of the path, but don't worry, you just have to fall in and you're be out."

"Out of this life, yes." Ran has to roll her eyes at Ryu's retort.

"Really, you think I deceive you after everything we did?"

"More than ever."

"Fine, I'll go with you." She huffs, getting close to him and opens her arms. "Here."

They all watch her for a long moment, a little confused by her position, before they have to come a conclusion.

"Are you asking me to, embrace you?"

"Well, it's the only way to reassure you that I did not send you to the other world, going with you, right?"

"Is there no other way? Levitate me like you levitate yourself earlier?"

"Why do you think I don't use the way more? It's because I have not mastered it yet. And you expect me to do this for each one of you? Now, come on, what are you scared of? Me stabbing you on the back?"

"Well, I wasn't but now I am. It's just, male and female, whether in high or low society, do not get close that easily."

"That's why I'm asking for your permission. You did not see me jumping on you, now?"

Although knowing she's been inappropriate yet again, Ran keeps her arms open and inviting. Ryu looks at each of the three gentlemen who look him back before squinting their eyes when he does lean to get even closer to the young mage. Who jumps and wraps her arms around his shoulders, hopping in a way that shows her young age.

"Done, now what?"

"Wow, you do have muscles! Wait, don't drop me! Just go to the cliff's edge, and you all better follow."

As they approach said location, they have to admit the sight was worrying and with the wind blowing, a gust could made them do the last leap. But as they keep on advancing per the instruction, they realize that the ground's magically extending under their feet. Just the moment they think it will keep on, the ground disappears under them at the same time Ran let go of Ryu much to his betrayed look and they fell from some height before stepping on soil again, only to see the sky darkening.

"Are we inside of a beast's mouth?"

"Correct! It's a magical whale that swallows the passengers from one side to get them to the other! Because under is just the ditch were all the waste goes as the forest does its own cleaning when the carcass does not his job in biodiversity. And don't waste your energy, yes, we getting out by the way the whale defecates!"

"It's disgusting!"

"It's life! Oh, look, we're in luck, there's a shortcut!"

A gust of magic wind throws them out through the blowhole.

While in the air, they could feel being tossed around by a mischievous soul who eventuallly lands them softly on the ground.

"Well, if that isn't just a wasteland. I rather go back to the lively forest!"

Rei couldn't even fault her for saying hurtful things as the truth was the Holy Empire contains more wasteland than people want to admit, especially if it nears a dread place like the magical forest. The reason why a lot of noble aristocrat do not believe in the theos the priests of the holy land sent over to their soils is because they knew those foreigners only want profit from their believers.

But commoners have less ability in handling their life than the aristocrats and need a being to help their everyday life, so the apparition of the people that found the holy land is welcomed. In exchange, the noblemen that welcomed them on their territory just need to offer them a small sanctuary so they could perform their little miracle that cheer the poor. By any mean, they're not saying they're charlatans, it could very well be a real holy presence in their continent, but in theirs, it's nothing more than a god that means nothing for those of the nobility.

The progression was way slower now there's nothing as predators behind them, but also because there are null ressource to help them going in on. It must be pretty terrible for those living in the shack right there, who could not hope for improvement despite their hard belief in this invisible being.

"Well, I don't want to ruin the mood further, but it's getting late, we should seek shelter to those people."

"They probably don't have enough place for themselves."

"Well, I have magic and hammock for myself, but high and mighty gentlemen like you wouldn't like another night on the floor, now, would you?"

"Maybe we should collect some offrand to thank their hospitality."

"Sure, be my guests. If you ever see anything to scavenge."

Looking around, there were only plains and maybe seldom rocks.

"They need more food than anything else."

"Tough luck. The only infrastructure's the magical whale that you lot were irked and the desert on the other way. And well, I think you all know what we say about the oasis of the desert."

"There's an origin in that, meaning it does exist."

"By all means, be my guest."

"It's not even your place, why you acting all condescending."

"It's as if you discovering my true persona. Joke's on you, I'll always been self-centered! But I can give them restorative potion if that's what you're implying."

Way to destroy her self-center image.

The poor family with only hollow cheeks boy and a bed ridden mother were thankful for the vial that puts the woman on foot for the night to greet her guests but not enough to fill empty stomach. Then, displaying their shameful way to receive their one time savior they start to refer at the followers of the saint, they apologize deeply for not being able to provide them a mount for tomorrow as they want to reach the main sanctuary of the holy land.

After a night under the star, because Ran chose to play the hermit outcast till the end and settle on the roof of all places, the mage wakes everyone up with a sack of gold coins.

She said, after serching through her purse that she enlarged just for show, she found the bag she took from the group of bandit they took down while in the forest. Since they're sure the priests were not greedy people, they're not going to offer them it, so she thought of leaving that to the mother and son. 

They part with the two citizens and they have to question her where the gold come from.

"From the rock I extracted. There were part ore and changed the ordinary metals to gold."

"Alchemy. Why didn't you do it earlier?"

"Meh, we're so numerous and they were doing their best to accommodate us, that's the least I could do, since I don't see the use myself. And don't worry, it'll stay gold even when they give it to those priests. The change are permanent, it's not like I appear it out of nowhere. Though, they'll receive raised eyebrow when not recognizing the currency of the coins. It's plain pieces of gold with no inscription."

"That's how moneys go. Gold, silver and copper coins. You mages really do not do anything like others."

Considering the fact they could restore their life force with mixture, eat tasteless but filling food and could conjure elements of nature with a snap of fingers, they do not need money transaction.

"We're going to ignore the part where you implied you intend to deceive the priests by making them accept fake gold, just so we could say you do have a heart."

"It just goes more to the creatures than the human, don't worry."

Oh, they're not.

It takes two days to reach the city centre and seeing the shining buildings encrusted of gemstones, they feel like stepping in an other world. No wonder they need money.

The rare citizens they come across all wear the same clothes, grey or white robes. Grey for impersonality like they expect the believers to act but to pray for their god and white for followers of the holy place.

The priest have a robe with gold touch and Ran start to regret for making gold coins instead of chunk of gold so the holy servants could just melt the metal and embroider it on their robes.

Because Ran's not that concerned by Rei's mission, even promising to the master of magic tower that she only go with them through the forest, she leaves them before entering the sanctuary to visit the holy land by herself as she was intending in the first place.

Part like this, Rei feels like missing something but shakes himself up when he comfort himself they'll reunite quick enough after he's done with his pilgrim and transacting with the relic he came for.

The pope of the sanctuary receives him with pleasure, even giving them a tour and makes a show a writing the recommandation letter for Rei's graduation. Then, because it's a sanctuary to help people, they stay in the visitors part to show how the priests bless the believers for their constant following of act to pray their god.

Sadly, in the absence of the saint, they could not perform any healing.

Rei recalls of the healer in the magic tower and would like to appropriate the disgust look he gave him when hearing about their destination. The holy place and their noble servants were certainly dirty people. 

Eventually, after a good night of sleep and really tasteless and unfilling foods, Rei's allowed to see the Holy Relic and even grant the access to use it for his personal goal. He studies the gold bar displayed in the centre of the room, in the middle of basin full of questionable liquid and remindes him that if the person he's looking is no longer in this world, the surface of the water will just remain intact while showing off the remaining living member of his blood.

Taking out the dagger he kept with him from the fake village, he slices his finger and let three drops drip on the gold bar, making the blood traces the inscription in another language before the liquid flow and mixed into the holy water.

He looms over the basin and holds his breath as the image warps to show him the truth.

 

They reunite with Ran later in the borders of the city centre.

She's like a changed person, wrapping her cape around her with her hair flying around her slight figure.

"Don't tell me you put your questionable wig on."

Ran blinks innocently at Ryu before smiling shyly. Which does nothing to reassure the gentlemen. She ignores each of them to turn to Rei.

"How did it go?"

Rei watched her for a long moment without saying anything.

"Rei? Didn't it go well?"

She looks concerned now and, for the short time they spent together, Rei doubts it's an act either but...

"Didn't you say that you have parents and siblings?"

"Yes? Is there a problem?"

"...What's your blood type?" 

"Huh? That's sudden, why the question?"

She glances at the three other gentlemen who do nothing to help her and are just watching how the conversation will unfold. Then, her eyes fall on Rei's finger where the cut has not scar yet. He has already get rid of the tissue the pope offered him earlier, but it seems it's deeper than he thought. But anyway, it gives him a reason for his inquiries.

"Don't worry, that quantity of blood loss isn't enough to need a transfusion. Here, I even have what to help you!"

Ran hands him a vial of potion she pulls out from her purse that shrunk again and beckons him to hand his wounded member. He does so, internally musing that he missed his chance when she heals the cut with just a drop of the potion. Healing potion, then. Yet, he tries again.

"Didn't you say that the blood sucker worm could take a huge quantity of blood? Is it possible that each worm would only suck one type of blood."

"Indeed, that's the case! Actually, when in need, us mage could request their help by squeezing out the blood they digest to help in blood transfusion. But as I said, your cut isn't that serious-"

"What if I got suck by a worm, would you give me your blood to save me? Hypothetically speaking."

"Wha- No! I told you it won't be enough! And I do not have stock of blood! If need arises, I will have to catch every worm to find the one matching your blood type, however in that short amount of time, you could very well pass away from blood loss! So do not test that hypothesis of yours!"

"But- maybe we have the same blood type and it..."

Rei suddenly stops, abruptly aware they have an audience of three absolutly aghast young lords. Ran also looks at them before returning her entire attention to him.

"I'm not sure what you want to say, but allow me to ask a question of mine, too. Are you sure you're OK? Did something go wrong at the sanctuary?"

A polite way to wonder if he has not lose his mind after cutting his finger out. A fair question because Rei's not sure if he has not lost it when he saw what the holy water showed him.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it did. I also went to one not long after we part and let me tell what I saw was just unacceptable! The priests and followers of the sanctuaries preach a total belief in the god of theirs, that could miracle like always being there for them and provide healing and food too, yet none of the high rank like the cardinal have any healing power or could do anything when a believer ask for something as measly as bread. They give them a mere blessing and that's it!"

"I know, I saw you argue with that blond cardinal."

"What, how? when? Wait, what-?"

"Ran? Is that you?"

They're interrupted by a new female voice and Rei curses mentally of the intrusion because he could have gone more in depth about their conversation. Instead, they all turn to greet a very tall woman who approach them, but looking at Ran specially.

"Tomo! Were you in quest?"

"Indeed, I just brought a covey of priest that needed to return to the holy land. There were holy knights among them so the trip was quick. What about you? I heard from my brother that you were in your first quest?"

"Oh, yeah, I escorted those gentlemen through the magic forest so they could pilgrim to the holy land. We're about to be done...right?"

Her uncertain look was amusing in the context when you knew what Rei saw in the holy bassin, but it's not his purpose to make her uncomfortable so he nods to reassure her. Miss Tomo seems more delight by his confirmation.

"Is that so? Then, the timing's perfect! I was also about to go back by passing through the desert, would you all like to join me?"

"Absolutly! As I do not know any other way than the magical whale and those gents didn't like it, I wasn't really anticipating for the way back."

"I feel you. Actually knowing that's a magical beast isn't pleasing. And maybe walking through the desert won't be a better experience but you certainly won't run into any there. Or maybe you're in hurry? It's for the academy mission, right? I think it's about only a few weeks long?"

"It extends to a month. We still have some time left."

"I'll make sure to note it! Spending time in the desert could be quite timeless!"

"Well, since we'll be together for awhile, everyone, meet Tomo, So's elder sister and as you got it, she's a great mage often in expedition! Sister Tomo, they are Rei, Ryu, Shinji and Yuki!"

They go through the desert by bypassing the ravine. Despite being a long distance they arrive before nightfall and even manage to reach their checkpoint. Way different than with Ran, but the fact they don't run into any creatures plays.

"It's an abode found specially for mage in expedition! There are already people there, I hope you don't mind!"

"Not at all! The more the merrier!"

Said people were mages from the magic tower that Ran grew up with and saw them as older siblings, as she had displayed familiarity with mage Tomo.

"Brother Isa! Sister Lena!"

"Hey, Ran, heard that you got your first quest where you officially go to the forest."

"You know me, sister Lena. It was such a great discovery!"

"Right, little imp. Try this with their brother, or mine, but we're old soul, you cannot fool us."

"I did to the headmaster!"

"I hate to break it to you, but he probably doesn't care."

"Oh, he does not, but I'm alright if he doesn't say anything."

"He won't if you don't call him headmaster."

"Thank you for reminding me, brother Isa. I do tend to forget, which would have probably cost me the quest if I didn't insist."

"I bet you did. But anyway, Ran, you never officially meet Nina, right?"

"Indeed! I heard so much about you, sister Nina! Thank you for saving sister Lena's life that one time! Light would like to thank you too!"

"Would you lot like to take a bath? We'll prepare you the meal in the meantime."

Rei almost jumps when Tomo calls for their attention while Ran's busy catching up with her acquaintances. Because they had to walk a lot and only got to wash up quickly during the passed week, the gentlemen and Rei agree easily to the tantalizing proposition. Besides, it's not like Rei has any more chance to bring back the ealier conversation with Ran so busy.

After a nice warm bath, though shared, in the hot spring that was in the middle of the desert, the boys return to the common place they left the others, in new clothes their host left for them. However, only the mage named Isa is present, seemingly waiting for them.

"Ah, you're done. You can start digging into the dinner first, the girls went to take their bath too after Ran complained she has no more stock of water drop. I assume that's how you used to wash up for the last week, I hope it wasn't too inconvenient."

Rei's quick in defending his partner in fulfilling his mission. "It's certainly the best we could have asked. We were crossing the Magical Forest, after all. And she was way more prepared than we thought."

"If she was more considerated, she could have cast a washing spell on you all, but I guess she never felt the need as she could content with the water drop too."

"We really do not mind," Ryu keeps on, also in defense of the young mage, showing how he starts to grow on her. "She did a pretty good job for a first quest and communicating with people other than mage after sixteen years." 

That makes the older mage chuckle, recalling the saying about mage being quirky and unfit to live in human society.

"If you don't mind us asking, would you happen to be related to Tomo? And So?"

"Indeed, I'm the oldest out of the siblings, but there's also another one after me and before Tomo. Did you see the likeliness?"

"More because of what miss Lena said, your younger sibling, as in miss Tomo and you. While miss Lena is alchemist Light's elder sister."

"I'm sorry to cut the conversation short, but would you know when did Ran enrolled the tower of magic?"

They all turn to Rei who's showing sign of impatience when mage Isa was taking sweet time before answering. Him studying him as if to probe his intention.

"Around eleven years? I think it's about the same time Takeru chose to go the Noble Knight Academy..."

"Is that true that she's not in age yet? She says being only sixteen."

"Is that what she said? I have to admit that I never really asked about my peers' age. If they're not around mine, I just assumed they're around my sibling's. Or my parents, for that matter."

Since he has three younger siblings, Rei's not sure what that means.

"Now that you seem to have finished your questions, let me ask my own. You bear some ressemblance to her, would you happen to be related or are you only trying to take advantage of a young maiden that doesn't know the world?"

Before Rei could even be offended, a new voice intervenes in his favor.

"My, Isamu, you say some harsh words. I'm sure Ran won't be fooled that easily, or that the Tower of Magic would deal with some scummy people, especially when they're from the Noble Knight Academy."

"Well, the tower of magic only accepted the quest because of the treaty, but not all students from the academy are impeccable. Most of them are corrupted nobilities."

"What about nobility?"

And now Ran's showing up.

"Wait, I know it's not the moment, but did you really went bathing with your wig? Or did you put it back? Either way, it's unhygienic!"

All the elder mages study Ran for a moment, confused, while Ran herself tilts her head, not much more knowing about Ryu's accusation.

"Did Ran cut your hair? I remember you always keep it long," Tomo comments by passing a tender hand in the long brunet hair.

"Oh! Yes, I dit cut it for a moment. But the priest who blessed me made it grow again! That's why I was critisizing the way they work! How do you even manage that? The mistake is too huge to be done, seriously! And they said it's holy water..."

"Maybe they made a deal with a faulty potioneer who passed themselves for a mage of ours? I doubt the holy water of theirs could do such thing."

"That's why I said they're all scammers! That reminds me, Rei came out with his finger cut from the main sanctuary! Did they also trick you with their blessings?"

"No, they- I ask for it. Actually, now that we're talking about it, there's one thing they didn't lie is about the holy relic they keep with actual holy water if I may call it.... That's also why I asked about your blood type, because the relic and water showed me your image."

"Back up a little, I'm so confused right now. What does the holy relic and water have to do with me?"

"I think what he means was fthat you two are related. Twin if I may add."

Rei doesn't know if he should thank or blame miss Nina for her intervention when Ran freeze up, unable to show a proper reaction to the news. All of her elder sibling figures showed various look of surprise and incredulity, checking between him and her for actual ressemblance. Despite mage Isamu having already point it out.

"Wow, Ran, you're related to a noble? What title?" Lena whistles, impressed.

"Marquess. They're children of marquess Renji Tsukihana of Sakura marquisat."

Mage Tomo put the dots together quickly too. "How about you three, then?" 

"Sons of duke."

"I doubt that means anything for Ran, though. Then, again, that does not explain why Ran never knew any of that."

"My exact thought. But considering Ran never show any sign of recognition and even thinking that the twins Manami and Minami being her siblings-"

"-and her not even knowing her actual age-"

"-we could assume she had a traumatized younger and had memory loss."

"That and she's been adopted by the twins family. Their mother did show up a couple of time and totally see her as her own child."

"Or could there be another inside plot? Despite not knowing the marquess back then, we heard him putting a lot in the research of his last daughter. Surely, Ran's adopted mother should have been aware of the search party."

"I guess it's best to ask the concerned people."

"Isn't there a magic that could check the memories?"

"There is but not a lot of mages practise it. Brain is a really complicate part of the body, for mages especially since we have a slightly more knowledges than humans. The only one I can think of would be Alki."

"And no one want him to test on Ran. We're not sure if he won't use the opportunity and manipulate our dear youngest."

"Maybe his father the master of the tower, too, but I doubt he'll help."

"Wow, the best candidate for the next master of tower of magic is the son of the actual master? Are everyone related in this tower?"

"Most likely. Mage usually come from family. Though, of course, they are cases where only a member show magical aptitudes.""

Like Rei and his twin Ran.

"Anyway, I see that you're all done with the meal, maybe we should call it a night and talk more about it next morning? I think Ran needs the rest."

The concerned party has yet recover from the shock, still frozen in her previous posture. Rei's worried she'd be stuck like that and then he'll lose her as soon as finding her back, but mage Tomo reassured him by relaxing the yougest mage against by pulling her against her torso and whispering soothing words. 

Everyone go to sleep after that, with the gentlemen having a room well furnished for them. But as expected, sleep comes belatedly for Rei. So, the holy relic was a real one and the image of Ran showing up along his parents does meant they share the same blood. Now, he just has to find a way to bring them all together.

 

It's decided they'll go back in their way back.

For Rei to complete his mission, both of them, and for the mages to return to their first home. At this occasion, the gentlemen eventually got by what Ran meant for interspecies relationship after seeing Lena kissing Nina goodbye, before the magical being who could turn herself into sand (fitting for living in the desert) turns to kiss Tomo too. So not only interspecie but poly, too.

At first, they're not sure why all the mages choose to go back with them. If Lena jokes about wanting to know more about the drama that will unfold, she also admit that she miss her brother, while both Tomo and Isama say that's about time for them to return to their homeplace. But Rei figures they want to check on him and Ran, instead.

Mage Isamu conjures a carpet big enough for them all to sit on, then, with the assistance of his sister, they enchanted it with so many layers of spells to garantee their security and make it so comfortable it no longer looks a mere flying carpet but more of a flying carriage. Lena only contributes to the construction of the magical transport by putting a magic stone at the front of the rug, saying it'll serve at directing, before fondly calling the siblings and Ran as hardy freaks, because no normal magicians' supposed to cast as many spells as them.

Though, Ran's at the moment too out of it to even answer or show off how much mana she has in her.

Rei tried to talk to her by sitting next to her, but he only meets with a wall as Ran remained as unresponsive than last day. Her eyes still lost in the void. Though, she reacted when handed foods and even ate it docilely. The others tries to exchange as much as they could to make the time pass faster and they learn that mage Takeru was not only a noble knight, he's also a contemporary of the crown prince.

When they do get out of the desert by avoiding the forest entirely, the whole day flew by and they arrive by the tower of magic when the sun's setting down. The carpet vanished as soon as their feet step on the ground and Ran has to be lift from the floor as she did not react in time. After a quick magic wipe, she's as clean as ever.

"Well, that's how we'll part."

Unlike her brother who's in hurry to leave them, Tomo approaches them and gives them a magic tool so they could keep contact. She leaves the other one to Ran, who finally snaps out of her shock.

"For future communication, Ran, with your family."

"Right, my family. Uhhh, I don't how to say it but I have zero recollection of a life before my mum and dad and the twins. Though, I remember saying they found me with my head bloody, maybe that explains some things. As for the rest...I guess we could see again after you're done with the paperworks for your school of big name mission. With my family and my adopted family, so we could figure it all out. Yeah, right."

And that's it.

Kind of anticlimatic for Rei, but as Ran said, maybe he should treat one thing at times. Especially, he doesn't know how to inform that to his, no, their parents of the good news.

 

First, dismiss the search party with Kanon Guild that his father the marquess had in plan to send over the continent this year again, because never once did they lose hope.

Second, reassure his father that he did not in fact lose hope by his dismissal.

Third, plan the outing with his mother so whenever Ran contact him, he's ready for the reunion.

As a matter of fact, it only takes four days before the communication goes through, in which Rei starts doubting the magical device was working. Maybe the distance ceased the magic from functioning and Rei was to get closer of the tower of magic to make it react again. But on the fourth evening after his return of the mission, the item shines right at the moment as he ends his conversation with his father.

Ran appoints the meeting for the very next day, in the morning.

Despite being on short notice, Rei makes all the necessaries for the rendezvous to go perfectly. He asks his mother to clear her day for tomorrow so they could both enjoy time together, taking the oppotunity he's still in time off before having to work in the royal court thanks to his great academic and mission results. Since his father's also in the room, it becomes a family outing.

"I don't want to be out of line, father, but would it be alright to take a break when you have so much to deal for the marquess duty?"

"The marchioness can deal all the marquisat internal affairs. My only presence is required for the reunion concerning the hunting festival that's still far away. Besides, it's been a while since we ever have a family activity."

His father sends him a look, showing he's still not convinced about his poor excuse for cutting link with the guild the family regularly hired to deal their more private matters, and used the family outing as excuse to check on his behavior. Which works for Rei too, it's a family matter, he just didn't expect to be so easy to get his father in too.

Next morning couldn't come faster.

They take a carriage to get to the more impoverish part of the marquisat, that's found on the other side of the vast woodland. His father had worked since childhood to make the territory closest to the magical forest a booming place. But even after he got granted the title of marquess by his majesty, he couldn't save the village both his parents came from at the time adjoined by baron Kugi, that the successor couldn't care less of the remoted area and let the villagers deal by themselves. His father created a path from the main territory of the marquisate, that had since consumed the formerly barony, to the recluse village of his childhood but it remained seldom used but by the noble family themselves when they visit annually the domain.

This year's visit already happened a month before Rei's graduation mission, but since he just received the news that he passed, they could explain their presence by spreading the great news, and celebrating it with the villagers by handing out free foods and supplies.

The date location is the little pub in front of the clothes shop his mother invested with her childhood friend, Nao Tsukimori, and his mother insists to greet her dear friend first before anything else, as it's also the day off.

As it turns out, Ran's already here.

And it just happens that her adoptive family is none other than mrs. Nao and her husband mr. Yuuya.

Rei almost falls from the shock because he knew for sure that the couple's children, two girls were sent to a special school to learn special arts despite already being of age, which was a description that matched the twins Manami and Minami that used magic through their chant. He can't believe the truth was so close under his eyes and he never suspect anything. His mother takes it even worse, because that time when Ran vanished, it was the same time her friend Nao told her that she took in a lost girl who didn't know who she was but she was in no mood to hear that due to her sorrow.

Also they never even got the chance to meet after was because Ran was sent to the tower of magic to save her from the magic induced sleep she was put by the twins who were jealous of her status of the last child. Ran only got her life saved thanks to Alki Yamamoto, the proidgy of the magic tower who decided to save her at the condition he got to take her as sidekick and teach her magic. So much for not letting him do mental magic on her, it seemed it's already too late as he was the one who made her a powerful mage all this time.

The whole thing was too much for the two families, marquess and former marchioness of Sakura marquisate were overjoyed to find their lost daughter back but also upset that she was just brought in by someone so close to them, while mr and mrs Tsukimori were confused of their involvement in saving and raising the disappeared young lady all this time as they never got the chance to officially meet after the twins' birth.

At the very last, Rei's glad he could officially welcome his twin sister back in the marquisate before he will have to work in the royal court as apprentice chamberlain for the royal family.

Also, he better warns Ran that despite her being considered the legitimate daughter of the marquess, their mother's not the actual marchioness and that she will have to live with the current marchioness, their step-mother madam Rumi and her daughter, their step-sister lady Shizuku.