6 – Twisty Day Off 

Sup! If you like the story please shoot –insert Gollum voice here- MY PRECIOUUUUSSS power stones. I really like it if you comment more as well.

Thank you all and have fun!

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It has been two months already as Kaplan was sleeping on his bed peacefully. But, like any beautiful thing, it had to end as well.

Kaplan's sleep interrupted because of his ears perked by footsteps on his room, not soon later he woken up by his maid's angelic voice. "Wake up, master," Mira woken him up as usual. "Before I prepare your breakfast, you might want to bath," she then added sweetly.

Kaplan opened his eyes slowly. "Morning, Mira," he yawned. "What time is it?"

Mira beamed to her master's voice. "Good morning, master. It is 10:00 AM," she said softly. "Today is Sunday, so you do not have any training; but you have lessons with Mistress at evening," Mira reminded him.

"Hmm," Kaplan nodded. He was still sleepy. "Thank you, Mira. Good morning to you, as well," He yawned again and smiled at Mira. Mira, after she saw Kaplan's smile, smiled with joy. "You are welcome, master!" She said cheerfully.

Kaplan smiled and waved Mira before he went bath to shower. After a quick bath, he went to his room sit on the couch and open the TV.

"Mira should come with the food soon. Let's watch TV for now," he said and look at the channels. He searched a while until he saw a blonde haired, blue eyed chef yelling at people on the kitchens.

In the show, there were two kitchens; one is red, one is blue. The one who was yelling them named Rordon Gamsey; and he was the founder of the show, Hell's Kitchen.

"It's fucking raw you donkey!" He was yelling one of the red team's girls.

'Interesting. Let's record it,' Kaplan thought and pressed the record button. After he ensured he did right to record Hell's kitchen, he surfed to the channels until he saw the news.

'Hello, everyone. I am Lester Holt on Mistral TV. The final of Mistral's 'preteens' tournament is starting at 11:00 AM, and the new contestant showed her talent as a rookie this year." The anchor said. "Pyrrha Nikos has break a new record. She is the youngest finalist of the tournament. Her rival is the winner of the tournament by straight 2 years, the Michael Darkle. Please do not avoid the tournament folks. The kids know how to fight."

Kaplan looked at the screen. A young girl around her age was fighting on a tournament, and she was a finalist. It was interesting.

"Pyrrha Nikos," Kaplan murmured her name. It was a good name. "I wonder if I can join the tournament in the future," he said to himself. He was wondering how he would fare against her, but incoming breakfast smell changed his focus. Smell alone made Kaplan hungry as he dashed towards the door and opened before Mira even managed the knocked.

Mira pouted. "Master, I have to knock before you open the door," she said sadly. She was playing of course, but Kaplan did not need to know that.

"I'm sorry, but this smells heavenly," Kaplan said with a grin. "Come in, hurry," then he added as he gestured inside.

Mira smiled in instant with that compliment and went inside. She prepared the breakfast for Kaplan, and she was learning how to cook by the head chef Rordon Gamsey. Rordon was not at the mansion much, but he had to prepare breakfast for the mistress. Hence, Mira learned how to cook while watching him.

Mira went to the desk to gotten closer at sitting Kaplan and saw the news. "Pyrrha Nicos is the Darkhouse of the year. She did not even get hit once during the tournament," she said with amazement.

"Hmm," Kaplan put his hands on his chin. "Not even once, eh?" He commented suspiciously. It was a bit spicy, she got to be hit even once, but not even a single hit. "What is her semblance?" Kaplan asked.

"Unknown," Mira said. "She did not use it so far," then she added as she poured tea on the cup.

"I bet it is her semblance," Kaplan said. "Well, whatever. Thanks Mira, your breakfast as beautiful as ever," he praised.

"Thank you, Master," Mira said with a slightly frustrated face. Mira's face was beautiful for her age already, but when her cheeks became slightly red; it was the cutest scene ever.

Kaplan was also thinking that. Seeing that she averted her baby blue eyes in embarrassment with a slightly pink cheeks in nervous expression started an urge to pinch those cheeks. Hence, he went for it unconsciously.

Mira, at that time, was averting her eyes as she felt a someone touched her cheeks. She was about to turn her head, but Kaplan pinched her cheeks before that. It hurt a bit, but Mira's too shocked to react that.

Kaplan saw Mira's wide eyes and snapped out his thoughts. "Oh, sorry Mira!" he quickly said. "You were too... Ugh... I dunno how can I explain myself, honestly..." Kaplan said in an awkward manner.

Mira touched her cheeks. She was stand there for a while with red cheeks, then covered her breasts with her arms. "I do not know my Master was such a lecher," she said with a fake sadness. "When they said I was a personal maid; they did not mention this," she shed crocodile tears.

Kaplan rolled his eyes. "Stop with that act." He chuckled. "Honestly, you need to improve your acting skills if you wanted to fool me." Then he smiled cockily. He got excited for nothing... Honestly.

Mira looked at Kaplan. 'I see... Change of plans then,' she thought and went closer to him. She bended down as she grabbed Kaplan's hand. 'Let's went with how mama teach me, then~,' she smiled wickedly in her mind.

Kaplan startled with a sudden touch and personality change from Mira. She got his hand, and placed on her developing chest, bend down to reach Kaplan's face. Their face was millimetres apart as Kaplan could felt and smell her fragrant breath.

"Master~," Mira purred. She gotten closer again as she grasped Kaplan's hand tighter. "I do not mind doing those things in the future if you compliment me like this everyday~," she said with a tone that even ashamed a succubus.

Kaplan perplexed. Who was that seductress and what she done to Mira? It was a sudden personality changed, and Kaplan could not say he did not like it. But he was not going to fell for her tricks that time either.

Kaplan's plan was simple, adding fuel to the fire. He grabbed Mira's waist and pulled her closer. "Oh, Mira~," he said softly directly to Mira's ear, his soft breath warmed Mira's sensible ears. "If you present yourself to me like that kind of attitude, how can I reject it~?" Kaplan said smoothly.

Mira's face went red as she freed herself from Kaplan's grasp. "U-uh," she shuttered. Her mother's teaching did not work! She had to think another attack plan now. "I-I'll be going now, master," she said quickly. "Take c-care!" Then she left.

Kaplan chuckled. "two - three years later, maybe," he said.

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At the evening, Irene was teaching Kaplan subjects that taught on the schools at Kaplan's age. He was a bit dense when it comes to study, but under Irene's education, he learned the subjects swiftly.

Irene, after the lessons, looked at Kaplan. "Kaplan, do you ever want to go outside the mansion?" She asked.

Kaplan tilted his head to Irene and nodded. "Yes, mistress," he said politely. "I wanted to see what Mistral is looks like," then he added.

Irene nodded in agreement. "Yes, you need to rest and enjoy your life as much as we do," she said. "Tomorrow, you will go to the Mistral with Ariel and Erza. It is your day off."

"Yes!" Kaplan cheered. But, he remembered something as his demeanour changed into a serious one. "Can I bring Mira with me?" He asked with hope.

Irene looked at Carmelina who was standing silently during the all process. She opened her red eyes and thought a little. "No," she said coolly. "She has her duties."

Kaplan looked at Carmelina with hope, but she remained the same. So, he sighed and gave up. He would show her outside when he was older, but he needed to wait a bit more.

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[Day after]

Kaplan headed towards the mansion's door with a big smile. He was about to see the Mistral with his own eyes.

Before the door, he saw his sword teacher Ariel was waiting with her arms crossed while leaning on the wall. She was wearing a white shirt and mini skirt that showed her smooth legs along with a belt with a sword on its side; Her brown hair was loosen up to his knees, and her green eyes was looking at the playing cats on the road.

Next to her, Erza was wearing a black blouse and jean. Her long crimson hair tied as a ponytail and she carried no weapon along with her. It was suspicious, Kaplan never saw Erza without a weapon in two months he was here. She was standing there while looking at the playing cats with a smile, then she sensed Kaplan came; she looked at him the way saying hurry up.

Erza got used to Kaplan's presence as the time went on. They were not close friends, but they spoke with each other now. Erza even started to smile more when they were chatting.

...Huge gap when considered Erza was digging grave on his head on the first day Kaplan was there.

Kaplan went next to them with a smile. "Are we ready?" He asked happily.

"Yes," Ariel said with a bit smile. "Honestly, it has been a while since I left the mansion. I need a fresh air one for a while," then she added.

Erza next to her smiled too. "Last time when I was out was two years ago," she said. "I want to see the city again,"

Ariel whistled as a black limousine came next to them; with a faint smile she turned her head. "Come in."

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Mistral, the capital of the Kingdom of Mistral, was a beautiful city. It was between two mountains; on the mountains many buildings were covering the scenery to the summit towards the foothills. Heaven Academy, one of the biggest and prestigious academies of all Remnant, was standing top of the city spanning across peaks of the mountains, which themselves were part of a wider mountain range.

The main roads were stone stairways and people were smiling and calming happy bird sounds could heard at the centre of the city. The city itself merged with nature, and it showed a beautiful and naturel view.

Kaplan looked around. It was indeed beautiful, and he would fell for it if he did not know what kind of place Mistral was. The Mistral itself divided into layers; the lower you get, the riskier it gets. At the lowest part, there was the pit. Kaplan's previous 'home.'

Kaplan narrowed his eyes. He was no hero, but he did not like the pit. It was personal, and he wanted to end the one who was controlling the pit. It had been hell of two weeks for him, and only god knows how many more got hurt because of them.

Ariel put her hand on Kaplan's shoulder. Unknowing to Kaplan, he was stiff and focused on the lower levels' intensely. Ariel saw that and scowled. She was not a best person when it came to the solving a person's personal issues if it was not killing, but she wanted to help her discipline.

She was an orphan who lived her life as an illegal peoples' bodyguard. She later hired by Irene, and Irene saw the potential she had. She taught her how to use a sword more efficiently, and Ariel sworn herself as her employee.

Irene was like a big sister she never had. If Irene hadn't had a personal disorder, she would be open more. But she was afraid to anger Irene. Hell, only two people did not afraid of her in the mansion and they were Scáthach and Belserion; since Scáthach was almost strong as Irene and Irene had no mark on her, and Belserion was her family butler since she was a child.

Ariel was a bit jealous of them, but it cannot be helped. At the very least, she could help her disciplines. That was a thing she could do; even if she was a dense when it came to that.

"It is okay. They cannot harm you anymore," Ariel said with a slight hint of worry on her voice. She did not want to mess it up. It was her second discipline since Erza was agreeing on learning again, and he was learning fast. He was not as talented as Erza nor her, but he was good. Better than his peers mostly.

Erza, in the other hand, heard Ariel's comment and startled. 'Harm?' She thought. She knew what kind of place the lower level of the Mistral was, and she understood based on that Kaplan came them from there.

Erza sighed. She acted like a brat when she first met him. Kaplan brought there by her mother, and she thought Kaplan was a merciless killer like rest of the people Irene brought. She observed Kaplan to saw what kind of person he was, and she felt guilty to act cold towards him at first.

'I guess, now or ever,' she thought and got closer. She grabbed Kaplan's hand. "Come on," she said softly. "Aren't we come here to have fun?" she asked.

Kaplan glanced Erza and grabbed his hands to hold Erza's hand tightly. She then turned his head to his teacher, Ariel. "Thank you, teacher, Erza," he said. "But do not worry. I am just angry," he said. He smiled softly and turned his head towards Erza. His personality changed quickly. "And as Erza said. Let's have fun!"

They left there to have fun...

...Behind them, in the dark streets couple of masked people was lurking around.

"There you are," the leader said with excitement. "We found them; Now order for the next stage," he ordered.

There were five masked people. All of them was wearing an animal mask.

The leader was wolf; and the other four were fox, dog, cat, and bird. They nodded in unison and said. "Yes, wolf."

Wolf laughed cockily. "Councilman Derek payed us good. We will kill the girl, kidnap the boy, and if it is possible capture that woman," he said wickedly.

Fox tilted his head in confusion. "Councilman really wanted the woman?" he asked.

Wolf laughed. "No, my dear friend. She is for me~," he said with excitement.

Other four laughed. Their boss fancy another woman again. They hope she would not break soon.

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The day went fast as the night came up. Kaplan had fun with Erza on amusement park like every child at their age. That was the first time he gotten closer with Erza as well. On that day, Erza for some reason, really opened him up. Kaplan wondered why; she was usually not that much open with him.

"Today was fun," Erza's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, it was. Thank you for accompany," Kaplan said softly. "But, may I ask a question?"

Erza looked at Kaplan and nodded. "Sure," she said as she focused on him.

"Why the sudden attitude change?" Kaplan asked. "I mean it's not like I do not like it, but you were not that friendly with me for past two months," he added.

After Kaplan's statement, Erza averted her eyes with a sigh. "I-I am sorry," she said dejectedly. "I thought you were like the ones my mother hired," she said.

Kaplan tilted his head in confusion. "First, Apology accepted," he said with a smile. "Second... Whatever, I understand," he sighed. Irene was Irene. She was a devil mastermind behind that friendly and easy-going attitude of her. So, it was understandable the people who went the mansion were bad guys.

After the conversation, they walked a bit with Ariel on their back. Ariel was observing around sneakily. After sometimes later, Kaplan looked at Erza with a smile. "So, Erza. How about start again?" he asked with a grin. He extended his hand towards Erza and said. "Hi, I'm Kaplan. Nice to meet you!"

Erza looked at Kaplan like he was an idiot for a bit, then sighed. "What is that? So lame," she said softly with a chuckle. "But, I guess it is acceptable." She grabbed Kaplan's hand. "Nice to meet you to, I am Erza."

(AN: Yeah, Erza is a bit OOC. Well, the way she raised is different.)

Kaplan, after sometimes later, laughed. "Damn. It is indeed very lame," he said cheerfully.

"Told you so." Erza smiled. She was about to say something, but a sudden sound of air cutting picked her interest.

She could not even change her head as Ariel dashed in front of her and hit the arrow that was aiming at Erza's head. "What?" Erza dumbfounded. She did not even see the arrow, just heard. She was not sure what to do or think at that moment.

"Erza, Kaplan, stay behind me," Ariel said seriously. She put his sword on her right hand and made a defensive stand.

Five masked men surrounded them in instant. They had animal mask on their faces. Every one of them also wearing robes that surrounded their bodies completely.

Kaplan looked around and saw there was no one there at that moment. He could smell a faint blood on the air. Did they kill the people around sneakily? Just how long will it last? He concluded they had to finish their business fast, and since they showed themself like that; they were confident that they could take care of them.

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Scáthach went to Mountain Glenn to search Merlot. The area was full of grimms, but Scáthach did not feel fear towards them; As an experienced person who killed countless grimm in a hearth beat, she felt calm.

'If you don't attack them, dont fear them, and remain unseen, they would not attack you,' that was what she was teaching Kaplan. Kaplan had his semblance to hide himself from grimms, but better safe than sorry.

Scáthach searched the arena for a while. Merlot Industries was inside of the Mount Glenn and secured tightly. Scáthach was sure Merlot was not an idiot, so why he came back to the place he would be find easily.

'Suspicious. A high likely trap waiting me there,' she thought. After she observed her surroundings, she called Irene.

"Irene, this is Scáthach. I found Merlot," Scáthach said with a voice that devoid any emotion.

"Hn," Irene grunted; her eyes were cold and calculating. "Where is he?" She asked.

"Mountain Glenn," Scáthach told. "He left more traces than usual. This is a possible trap," she then commented.

Irene nodded her head. "Want me to send Ariel as reinforcement?" She asked seriously. "I do not want to lose another friend as well."

Scáthach looked at Irene indifferently. "You will not, and not enough time for reinforcement," Scáthach said. "I will bring Merlot to you; possibly alive, but I cannot promise you that," she said coolly.

"Understood," Irene said. "If possible, please find Belserion as well," then she added.

Scáthach looked at Irene. "I will try," she nodded and left the call. She jumped on a tree to find a location to enter Merlot's base. Not much time later, she find a human shaped shadow.

"Found you," Scáthach said coldly. "Show me what you've got, Merlot. Fail and your life is mine."

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