Kapitel 1592: Small Steps Forward
While willfully ignoring the conversation between Eva, Arika, and Theo, Vahn was helping Asuna prepare for her big day. Today was the last day of the school year, and, considering she was going to be traveling the world with them, it was the last time she would be attending the same class as all her friends. Though this didn't seem to bother Asuna too much, Vahn still wanted her to be able to say a proper goodbye.
Since it was the last day of school, making it a half-day, everyone had been allowed to wear casual clothes. Vahn had prepared a prim and proper dress for her, but, perhaps indicating she was about to enter her rebellious phase, Asuna surprised him by refusing to wear it. Instead, she opted to wear a comfortable white t-shirt beneath a red cashmere tank top. This suited her fairly well, but, seeing the rest of her ensemble, a number of questions sprouted within Vahn's mind as he asked, "Are you sure you want to wear that...?"
After lightly scrunching up her face into a bitter expression, Asuna matter-of-factly stated, "I don't want to have to wear dresses all the time like Arika. Clothes like this are more comfortable. Besides, don't they look cute?"
Restraining an awkward laugh, Vahn did his best to smile casually as he answered, "You would look cute in anything, Asuna. I'm just worried the skirt might be a little too short..."
Though it wasn't the first time Asuna had worn a skirt, she normally wore pants, leggings, or spats to cover herself. Her current outfit was a stark contrast to her normal wear, as, not only was her skirt much shorter, barely covering the upper-third of her thighs, but, other than her striped socks, she wore nothing else to cover her legs. This made Vahn feel slightly fretful, as, even though Asuna had 'vehemently' refused to become his daughter, he couldn't help worrying about her...
As if it wasn't a big deal, Asuna crossed her arms with a relatively casual expression on her face as she said, "You really don't have to worry so much. Even if a pervert did try to look at my panties, I would just beat them up. Besides, I'm almost five and all the older students wear short skirts. Since I'm already qualified to graduate, I don't want to continue wearing childish clothes. These are a lot more comfortable and I kind of enjoy the breeze."
Hearing Asuna's 'logical' retort, Vahn couldn't help but adopt a wry smile. She had become a lot more personable and outgoing over the years, but, at the core of her character, Asuna was still a very frank young lady. Unless you had a reasonable argument to convince her otherwise, she was the type that stuck to her decisions once they had been made. She was very similar to Aoko in that regard, and, while it wasn't exactly a bad trait, Vahn often found himself in awkward situations as a result of her willful personality.
Realizing there was no sense in trying to argue, as everything Asuna said was the truth, Vahn just plopped his hand down on her head, adopting his usual smile as he said, "I sometimes forget just how mature you are...if this is what you're most comfortable with, I won't force you to change..."
Though she was used to getting her way, Asuna still smiled radiantly when she heard Vahn's words. She actually just wanted him to start seeing her as more of an adult, and, though it was a little early, she wanted to start sculpting her future image. She had researched adolescence quite a bit so she was confident she could fast-track through all the developmental stages. It would take a few years, at the very least, but she should be able to get Vahn to recognize her as a woman by the time she was nine years old. Though she wasn't against waiting until she was ten, her instincts told her that it would be harder to convince Vahn if she didn't take the necessary steps early on...
Unaware of Asuna's forward-thinking mentality, Vahn dutifully brushed her hair before helping tie it into her usual style. He had tried to style it in other ways, but, after humoring him, she would always ask him to change it back. When asked why she was so attached to the style, she would remark that it simply 'felt' right. She even wore the style to bed, so, for more than 95% of her life, the only real exception being during baths, Asuna always wore her hair in twin-tails.
Immediately after Vahn tied the bells to her hair, Asuna hopped up from the chair, a radiant smile on her face as she gave him a quick hug, saying, "Thank you." Then, without waiting for his usual response, she dodged his hand, picking up her backpack as she added, "I'm gonna visit Grandpa Qing. I'll be waiting outside."
The moment Asuna's words fell, her figure vanished into motes of magical light. This denoted her departure from the Diorama, leaving Vahn smiling awkwardly as he looked to Fenrir and asked, "Did I miss some kind of major development...?"
As if she was seriously considering her response, Fenrir brought her index finger near the corner of her mouth, pressing into her squishy cheek with a thoughtful look on her face. Then, after around a minute of reflective silence, she answered, "Asuna has always been a good girl, but she is also very clever. She already has Master wrapped her little finger, so this is probably a way to make you more conscious of her? Do you want me to check and see if she is wearing adult panties...?"
Hearing Fenrir's question, Vahn felt like his thought process had ground to a stop as he imagined the adorable Asuna following a similar route to her cousin. As Fenrir stated, she was a 'very' clever young girl, so, after Arika and Theo established a precedent, she would have grounds to argue that it wasn't a big deal if she did the same. This thought caused him to take a seat on the chair Asuna had been using, a potent feeling of exasperation momentarily overtaking him.
Vahn was well aware of the fact that Asuna had decided to pursue him, to the point he had even discussed the matter with Vesperina, but, in spite of this, he wasn't prepared for her to start taking 'proactive' measures so soon. He could tolerate her aiming for him in the distant future, but, if she suddenly became precocious, he wouldn't really know what to do. Mentally, she was more mature than most adults, so, if she got serious, she would be even worse than Tina with her ridiculous luck...
Though she would normally go to comfort her Master, Fenrir discreetly pulled out a tiny crystal to record his current state. She had become very close to Asuna over the last four years so she had a decent understanding of the fateful girl's character. She was very sensitive to anything concerning Vahn, so, if Fenrir showed his current state to her, Asuna was bound to change her approach. If she believed her actions were causing Vahn genuine duress, there was no way she would continue using the same method.
After recording the scene for a few seconds, Fenrir pocketed the tiny crystal in the pouch she had kept at her hip for more than a hundred years. It wasn't the original one her Master had gifted her, but, ever since the time she used to carry around her favorite brush, Fenrir had always kept a small pouch on her side. Her current one effectively served as a pocket dimension, as, with the exception of her collar, she had never liked wearing accessories. She kept all her interspatial rings inside of her pouch, each neatly arranged on an indestructible silver chain...
With the crystal safely stowed away, Fenrir approached her Master, grabbing his head and allowing his face to nestle into her breasts. They weren't the largest, but she was supremely confident in their softness. She knew her Master was more interested in her ears, tail, butt, and paws than her breasts, so, while others might worry about it, Fenrir didn't particularly mind. Instead, she used an unnamed transformation magic to make her body even softer, lightly humming the same tune she had stolen from Tiona nearly a hundred years prior...
---
Unaware of the piddling existential dilemma she had put Vahn through, Asuna was enjoying a few snacks as she sat atop the lap of a kindly middle-aged man. Though he had delicate features that made him appear similar to someone in their mid-twenties, there were streaks of grey and white in his otherwise long black hair. He wore ornate white robes that made him appear like an Immortal cultivator, but, much like Vahn in his previous Qinglong transformation, the man had two antler-like azure horns and long, elf-like, ears.
Though everything about the man stood out quite a bit, his azure-blue eyes, set within a handsome, cold, and detached face, were his most noteworthy features. Those with lesser willpower would find it very difficult to stare directly at the man, and, if he turned his eyes upon them, they would feel an instinctual compulsion to look away. Those daring enough to make eye contact with him would find a pair of golden slits that seemed to look straight through them, rending their soul asunder as if the Heavens themselves were about to pass judgment upon them...
Completely ignoring any intimidation factor the man might have, Asuna fearlessly dangled her feet from atop the man's lap. He had tried to intimidate her in the past, but, the moment she found out his weakness, he had little choice but to acquiesce to the pampered princess' demands.
People wouldn't think it by looking at him, but the draconic man, Qinglong, was exceptionally weak when it came to being complimented. After convincing him to allow her to sit atop his lap, pointing out that Vahn let her sit on his, Asuna had managed to pacify him with a few compliments. He was especially weak to being compared to Vahn, so, after saying his lap was nearly as comfortable as the latter's, 'Grandpa Qing' became the second person to dote upon her.
After eating a few of the animal crackers that Grandpa Qing had prepared for her, Asuna displayed her most radiant smile as she said, "Thanks for the snack, Grandpa Qing. Your baking skills improve every time I taste your cookies!"
Hearing Asuna's compliment, Qinglong's long ears twitched slightly as he averted his cold gaze to the side and remarked, "It is to be expected...I have put a lot of effort into improving..."
Resisting the urge to laugh, Asuna just nodded her head, an even wider smile on her face as she added, "I can't wait to try the next batch. Though I still like Vahn's best, your cookies are getting pretty close to his. I'm looking forward to the day you are able to bake just as well as him~."
Though it was very subtle, a slight smile appeared on Qinglong's face as he heard Asuna's words. He used to feel troubled by her referring to him as a Grandpa, but, after dealing with her antics for the last month, she had grown on him. She was also important to his Master, so, even if he wanted to correct her behavior, he had learned to tolerate her. Rather, he felt she was also pretty cute, and, though she lacked the dignity of a Dragon, she was still very impressive...
Just as Qinglong was about to question Asuna about the results of her training, Qinglong smoothly transitioned her from his lap to the floor as he rose to his feet. He sensed the subtle fluctuations in the surrounding space the moment it had been initiated on the opposite side, so, by the time Vahn, Eva, Arika, and Theo appeared, he was already on his feet. His dignity as his Master's most powerful subordinate did not allow him to disrespect him in any way. Unless Vahn directly gave him leniency to sit, Qinglong would never be caught idle in his Master's presence.
Cupping his hands in a highly reverential manner, Qinglong bowed low as he said, "This lowly Qing greets the Supreme One..."
Having already grown accustomed to Qinglong's greetings, Vahn cupped his hands politely in turn, a casual smile on his face as he answered, "It has been less than a day since our last meeting, but it is good to see you in excellent health, Qinglong. Please, raise your head. Tell me, did you notice any rats skulking about...?"
After raising his head, Qinglong gave a very slight nod as he explained, "Though there has been an increase in the security presence around the estate, it has not deterred several people from trying to scout the perimeter. As per Master's request, I have ignored those with the wherewithal to stay outside the estate. Fortunately, after the last batch was dispatched, none have been foolish enough to enter the premises directly..."
Nodding his head in understanding, Vahn turned to Theo, a concerned look in his eyes as he lightly stated, "After today, this will be your matter to resolve...just remember-"
Before Vahn could continue any further, Theo grinned wide enough to show her teeth as she flexed the muscles of her right arm, saying, "I'm not a dainty maiden, Vahn. Just you wait, I'm going to turn the Empire on its head after I return. At this point, I might even be able to give that idiotic gorilla a run for his money~!"
Though the odds of her defeating Jack were very slim, Vahn knew there was a fair amount of truth behind her words. He didn't know how strong the man had become since their battle, but, if he was the same as before, the current Theo wouldn't be helpless against him. Her Pactio might even allow her to directly contend against him, and, if she managed to awaken her Zanpakuto, she might even be able to win outright...
Understanding Theo was trying to prove herself in her own way, Vahn just adopted an affectionate smile as he extended his hand to caress her head. She had worked hard to continually surpass her limits over the last four years, so, while it was easy to forget at times, Vahn knew she was already one of the strongest people in the world. He also knew she wanted him to trust her, so, while he couldn't help but worry, he could, at the very least, keep his concerns hidden...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Asuna is scary o_o...','Tsundere Dragon','Vahn still has trust issues after more than 270 years xD...')
(A/N: Regarding Asuna's comments about being 9-10 years old. This would make her between seventeen and nineteen-years-old in a world where it is 'normal' for people much younger to get married and have children. Mundus Magicus might have advanced technology, but, unless you are born into the privileged class, accessing it is almost impossible. Depending on the country, between 25-30% of people don't even survive until adulthood. This is a world where exiting your walled city or village, even for a few hours, might very well end in a violent death. Even foraging in the woods is extremely dangerous, as, at any point in time, some magical creature might make you its lunch xD...)
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Kapitel 1593: Gifts, Promises, and Partings
Though the actual graduation was only for Senior students, there was a small ceremony at the end of each school year to celebrate the successful completion of the grade. It was also one of the only days throughout the year where outsiders were allowed to enter the Academies, so, compared to the norm, there were quite a number of people moving about. As a result, Vahn found himself being pestered by quite a number of profligate families and minor Nobles, many taking advantage of the fact he had advised their children to try and foster a positive relationship with an 'Ancient Dragon'.
Fortunately, with very few exceptions, most of his students were able to dissuade their parents from trying to pester him. They had come to venerate and admire him quite a bit, so, for the most part, it was the families of his fans that pestered him. This included quite a number of people who wanted to hire him as the private tutor for their children, but, as Vahn had no interest in such things, he did his best to 'politely' refuse them. In most situations, this was more than enough to deter people, as, after 'purging' quite a few disreputable Nobles, there weren't many who wanted to offend him.
The only families Vahn didn't immediately send away were those of the students he had counseled over the last few months. This included the family of Naomi, who, upon learning of his impending departure, spent nearly every lunch period in his office. She had gradually opened up to him about her problems, and, to the best of his ability, Vahn helped to rebuild her confidence. She still had a long road to recovery, but, after talking through her problems and making an effort to become one of the best students in her year, she was able to smile a lot more than before...
Though he wasn't too surprised, Vahn had a wry smile on his face as he hugged the crying Naomi in his arms. Her mother, father, and grandmother all had similarly wry smiles, but, more than anything else, they had sincere gratitude visible in their countenance. Though they would have preferred not to experience such a tragic sequence of events, their family had prospered from Naomi mustering up the courage to ask for Vahn's help. All of their debts had been absolved, and, most importantly, their daughter had received a number of blessings to ensure a prosperous future. Not only was her schooling completely paid for, no matter how long she wanted to stay, but, out of consideration for the trauma she had experienced, the Grandmaster had promised Naomi a position as an Associate Professor once she decided to graduate...
After a fair amount of coaxing, Vahn managed to get Naomi to stop crying long enough to say, "It is good to cry...emotions aren't something that should be bottled up...Still, I don't want you to feel sad about our parting. Rather, I want you to see this as an opportunity to show me just how much you can grow without my help. You are a smart girl, Naomi, and, believe it or not, your heart is very strong. If you continue to look forward, there is no limit to what you can achieve. When I return to Ariadne in the future, I want to be able to praise your accomplishments...do your best, not for me, but for yourself...okay?"
To punctuate his words, Vahn hugged Naomi's trembling body tightly, gently caressing her small back until she managed to calm down enough to answer, "I'll do my best..." in a meek, sobbing, tone of voice.
Hearing the young girl's response, Vahn slowly released her from his embrace, a radiant smile on his face as he said, "I'm so proud of you, Naomi...here, I want you to have this. It isn't much, but, whenever you feel lost, it will help show you the way forward..."
As was often the case when someone received a gift, Naomi's mood improved quite a bit as she looked at the curious octagonal pendant Vahn had given her. She noticed it had a clasp on the front, and, after opening it, the interior revealed a peculiar compass. Instead of pointing towards the direction of North, however, the red arrow seemed to be pointing directly at Vahn no matter how she moved it.
Noticing the direction of the arrow, Vahn issued a light chuckle before explaining, "This is known as the [Sparrow's Wayfinder]. In the hands of a skilled user, it will allow them to locate everything their heart desires. Here, without looking, try and focus on your mother while staring at the red arrow..."
Having developed the habit of always listening to Vahn's counsel, Naomi stared at the red arrow while doing her best to imagine her mother. Though it continued to point at Vahn for the first few seconds, it began to gradually flicker the more she focused on her mother. Then, pointing through her, the arrow locked in on the location of her mother, bringing a happy smile to her face as she looked toward Vahn for praise. This caused the arrow to immediately snap back to him, but, as she had managed to follow his instructions properly, Vahn lightly chuckled before ruffling her raven-black hair...
---
After finally seeing off Naomi and her family, Vahn rejoined Eva, who, for quite a while, had been staring at him from the side. She wasn't really mad, but, with a serious look on her face, she didn't hesitate to ask, "Was that a good idea? If other people find out about the use of that Artifact, there is a good chance she will be targetted."
Though there was some truth to Eva's words, Vahn shook his head, smiling wryly as he asked, "What Artifact are you talking about...?"
Hearing the unexpected question, Eva frowned deeply as she considered lambasting Vahn for how casually he was treating such a serious subject. The moment she tried to recall the Artifact, however, she was surprised to discover that she couldn't actually remember what he had given away. Rather, she couldn't even remember who he had given the Artifact to...
Understanding Eva's confusion, Vahn took the initiative to explain, "It is an ancient magic spell from another world, one known as the Fidelius Charm. It is a spell designed to conceal a secret within the Ego of an individual, making the contents of the secret impossible to discern. Unless they are able to pry the information from me, nobody will be able to recall the function of that Artifact or who I had given it to. Even her family would immediately forget about it the moment they look away, so, unless something unexpected happens, she should be safe from harm."
Though he had placed a number of other enchantments on the Artifact, Vahn didn't feel the need to mention them. He obviously wouldn't give such a powerful item away at random, so, after failing to use the unique compass to locate the Mage of the Beginning, Vahn modified it to protect the girl whose bravery had saved hundreds. Though he would have always discovered what the former Arch Dean was up to, there was no way of knowing how much time would have passed before then. She might not see it that way, but Naomi was a hero to the students who had suffered alongside her...
After trying and failing to recall who and what they were talking about, Eva eventually released an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms as she said, "I sometimes forget how ridiculous you are...is that charm in one of the books we have in the library or is it something floating around in that endless expanse you call a mindscape...?"
Without commenting on Eva's barb, Vahn pulled out an ancient-looking text with the words, 'How to Keep a Secret' written across the surface in golden-leaf. Then, before he could hand it over, Eva snatched it out of his hands with a greedy look in her eyes. She had always been the type to put a considerable amount of effort into her magical studies and research. Without this quality, combined with her genius-level intellect, Eva's life would have been 'a lot' harder...
After stowing away the text in her own pocket dimension, Eva turned to Vahn, a teasing smile on her face as she asked, "So, how much longer are we going to idle around here? Don't you have a big fan meet to attend? Those brats would be disappointed if you didn't show up."
As it was already common knowledge that he would be leaving Ariadne at the end of the school year, Vahn's fan club had been planning a grand event for the last two weeks. To make matters even worse, it had been officially sanctioned by the Grandmaster. It was even on the brochure that was being passed around to visiting parents, designating two hours of time immediately following the graduation ceremony taking place in the main venue.
Though there was still more than half-an-hour until the graduation ceremony was supposed to start, Vahn decided it wouldn't be the worst idea to attend. He was very aware of his popularity, so, if he could make the day special for the graduating class, there was no harm in attending. They had helped contribute to the growth of his power in the Akamatsuverse, so, while it would certainly be a little troublesome, it was the least he could do in return.
Deciding there were no serious downsides, Vahn nodded his head, extending his hand to Eva as he said, "Shall we alight, my beautiful Fiancee~?"
Hearing Vahn's address, Eva lightly snorted through her nose, but, rather than refuse, she dutifully extended her own hand. Then, earning quite a number of envious looks, she walked alongside him as they went to retrieve Asuna...
---
As it was impossible to have any proper interactions when Vahn was around, as he quickly became the center of attention, Asuna had been alone with her classmates for much of the morning. Some had gone off with their parents to visit Vahn in his office, but, for the most part, everyone gathered together for one final celebration as classmates. They had all put in a considerable amount of effort to become the most prodigious class in the entire Academy, so, while there was still a bit of tension between some individual students, everyone generally got along well with each other.
Without the distraction of Vahn, Asuna was the center of attention, especially with her peculiar style of clothing. She wasn't the only one wearing casual clothes, but, unlike her classmates, her clothes seemed to be imported from Mundus Ventus. This stood out quite a bit, as, for the most part, even the children of rich and affluent families still wore old-fashioned clothes made from cotton, linen, or wool. Only a few people could afford clothes made from silk and synthetic fibers, so, despite their relatively simple design, Asuna's clothes seemed like 'high fashion' to most of the impressionable young girls.
Asuna didn't particularly enjoy being the center of attention, but she had always done her best to try and make as many friends as possible. She wasn't able to understand the behaviors and thought processes of some of her classmates, but, for the most part, she had figured out how to get along with most people. The key seemed to be simply listening to their concerns and showing an interest in what they were interested in. A surprising number of people just wanted to be heard, so, even if you didn't actually care about what they were talking about, simply showing an interest was enough to win over even proud and haughty Nobles...
After being pestered about her clothing for quite a while, Asuna perked up slightly when one of her classmates, a girl that started wearing her hair in twin-tails a few months prior, asked, "Aren't those different from your normal bells, Asuna...?"
Though she had been smiling the entire time, Asuna's face brightened up when someone asked about her bells, happily answering, "Vahn gifted them to me just this morning. I'm glad someone noticed. Thank you, Amalia~."
Hearing they were a gift from Vahn, nearly ever girl surrounding Asuna eyes the pair of golden bells framing her twin-tails. Amalia even seemed like she was on the verge of trying to snatch them, but, knowing there was a drastic difference between Asuna and herself, she stayed her hand. It was well known that Asuna was a Princess of Vespertatia, so, even if she was tempted to use the status of her family, Amalia knew the only thing she would accomplish was disappointing Vahn...
Restraining the urge to chuckle in response to her classmates' greedy eyes, Asuna adopted a casual smile as she said, "There is no need to fret. Knowing Vahn, he has prepared gifts for the entire class. You just need to wait until he shows up..."
Toward the end of her statement, Asuna's ahoge twitched in a tell-tale manner. Everyone who had been listening to her instantly turned their heads to the entrance of the classroom, their expressions lighting up as Vahn stepped inside. Then, like a school of fish shoaling, they all migrated over as a singular mass to surround Vahn and Eva. This was par for the course whenever Vahn entered the classroom, but, triggered by Asuna's promise of presents, they were even more eager than normal. Fortunately, as had been prophesied, Vahn had, indeed, prepared presents for everyone in the class, teachers included...
To prevent any kind of argument or infighting, Vahn had procured high-quality magic brooms for each member of the class. These were more advanced than anything on the market, and, unlike the traditional variety, consisting of a simple wooden handle and bound straw, they were more practical and stylish. Not only were they curved in a way that made them easier to sit on, but, unlike most of the commercial brands, they had hinged footrests to allow for greater balance and control. This was typically only seen in brooms designed for racing, but, as it didn't really make sense not to include them, Vahn made sure to incorporate them.
Though some of the students weren't too enthused by the fact their presents were brooms they weren't even allowed to use, their mood instantly improved when they found out Vahn had made each of them by hand. Not only did they have his Maker's Mark embossed into the side, but, unlike a traditional magic broom, they were all B-Rank items with several powerful enchantments placed upon them. This included anti-theft and auto-pilot functions, but, most importantly, they came with B-Rank 'Shock Mitigation' and a toggleable 'propriety' function that obscured the view of anyone looking up at the girls from below. He had also discussed the matter with Sidra, so, unless they got into an accident or caused trouble, everyone in his class was allowed to freely ride around the city after completing a mandatory course on broom etiquette. Once they learned about this, the only thing preventing Vahn from being stampeded by the excitable horde of students were the brooms themselves...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Stay strong Naomi (T ^ T)...','Asuna is very meticulous (O x O)...','Vahn just became an enemy of every tourist lingering around the female Academies of Ariadne xD...')
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