A journey

The gang needed to travel to the town. Rapper though that they shall go with a style, so she picked up her cool latter jacket outfit. Then she guided them to the garage # stable, entering that place from outside, to impress the group when she will show what she have to show then. She was aiming (tried) to use her cool gangster like motor-bike, but for a plot twist in her story; she found only an empty place. "Oh F* I forgot, I let her borrow my steed. [horse/bike] (Shut!) Okay! New plan: We using the legs."

For some reason this statement triggers a divinary reaction on Priestess: "So the time finally arrived. It's a leg day."

The group quickly got into conclusion that going on feet is probably a best solution. Plus they don't even touch the topic of how they will be all riding a single bike. Especially when there was nowhere to see, anything that will look like as a carriage. Watson asked if she shall imagined something like a snow white horses caring a golden carriage for royal family in official state events. But whit no answer to that question, they just left that garage.

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As they were on the road, the trio of senior students offered for the transfer students duo the opportunity to ask questions about the school. Takanashi was the first to jump for that opportunity and asked about the school principal. Remarkably, the question was (so heavy?) for the trio that they simultaneously stop walking to process it.

Confused Gawr, was wrinkling her eyes in all direction in (Wait a second. Do we have principal?) expression. The little one got curious as she turn to others. "Isn't she?... like a dead?"

That awake Ninomae from her trans. "No, no. Shes alive. But, not really acting as a principal. Like: (I am dead to you, my dear students.); is the primary aspect of the Academy principal."

Even Mori had a problem with that question and take on what priestess said. "Ye- Ye~eah, don't count that meeting with the principal will... solve anything."

But Watson gave them a suspicious look. "Sounds like someone who is in the position only on the paper and actually don't wanted it, or don't want to have anything with that role. Like if that person nerves snapped and says: (Feck this! [Fook it!] I done with this shit and all of yours! I am leaving!) And to this time, nobody take that statement serious enough to do something with that absence."

And of course Takanashi was displeased with what she got as an answer. "What the heck?! Then why this academia having a principal position in the first place?! Maybe I shall..." 

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She only uttered the first part of the idea when Calliope shouted at her (No!!) and Gura added emphasizing the issue (The wiza~~ards!) So the Phoenix asked just who is in the charge and Ina'nis give an explanation: (That will be probably Bae Hakos a chairman of the council team.) The transfers students duo exchanged they glances in realization of how tricky that short rat girl with a smug grin, must be to hold a power over entire Harp academy.

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As they began to move again, Watson got curious. "Then what about Kronii? If I am correct, she must be the black haired member of the council."

It was Ninomae who lean to her, needing a confirmation. "Don't tell me she already somehow manage to challenge you onto a duel?"

A~and that was trigger for Gawr to shout at the blonde. "Drop it stupid!! Don't let her to trick you whit her noble woman appearance!"

Mori of course look at the issue from her angle. "Don't tel me its (Again) because me? Because she managed to win that rap battle. But she doesn't have her artifact partner. Wait, she doesn't know that Ame is a non-combatant."

But it was Takanashi who ask: "Whats wrong, with Kronii? Is she some local villain or a hidden boss?" Then she stop breathing for a second in (No way!!) expression. "Don't tell me, that she is (the) harem protagonist." Because priestess says that (It depends...); Phoenix throw herself onto Rapper neck. "Don't worry Calli, I will protect you from her bad intentions." But even now she was rejected as the tallest from them shout back (That's not it!), and pushed the hot girl away from herself.

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To make things clear on spot the white-haired shouted. "I call hacks!" Then she grab blonde's shoulder to talk onto her face. "Listen! This is not even an issue of putting a fresh meet onto a Shark den [Lion den], to show whats is in you, before academy teaching can cause any spoiling of who are you. If this will be a school to train a dungeons last bosses, then nobody can afford to pay for a full employed Kronii."

But blonde give the Shark a heavy stare for the comparison she using. Then she made a confession as she take Gawrs hand into her. "Actually she doesn't challenge me to anything. I newer talked to her. It was the Mumei girl, who said something like a warning for me against Kronii." 

The trio of regular students make this (Now I understand!) bark sound.

Then only a Priestess added some commentary. "Actually, that a very good advice for a transfer student. She must see right through you. Especially when you are technician and Kronii can be a little bit to much demanding on some stuff she using. So I adding onto her warning, that you shall never accept any work for her."

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This make Watson to grin. "Don't worry. I don't taking any build commissions. I told that to Kiara from the very start." 

The flame girl make sad but understandable noise, looking like a responsible friend. "Its understandable. I too, will chose my friend health and well-being."

Of course triggered Mori bark at Takanashi. "That's a clear lie!!" And because phoenix make this (You got me!) rascal expression, the rapper give her an angry stare. And as we can expect, Kiara wiggle her body, blushing like if she was received a passionate stare instead.

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Because Watson saw that, she was smiling wildly until returned her gaze to Gura. "What is with the focus on the fighting? And duels? Like the songs duels?"

It was again Ninomae with her wisdom who answer. "Justice means a lite, if she doesn't wield the power to enforce it."

All of them glance at her, not denying anything.

But because the detective give Shark a heavy stare for the comparison she use, Gawrs get that she got out of the though track. "Like I said before, even the sleepy one passed the academia, grinding credits from somewhere. But if you are interest what the official duels are, then it depends on the conditions. Like victory by beating the opponent limbless is futile if you don't archive the match objective. But if it is an official rated match, then you will get combat points just for the time you spend active in arena. That's why running away from Calli is a valid strategy. To look for an opening waiting for her to make a mistake, that can be exploited against her. Not that will matter much. But Kronii…" She take moment to fill her lungs with air and then released it. "Kronii is a broken build, where speed is not an answer. She is beyond a monster classification. A duelist trait. A champion of Harp Academy."

As the clues keep coming, Takanashi raised her voice as if she crack the case about the black haired duelist, but she got shocked. "Don't tell me she is a perfectionist! Just how much swagger she must have to keep that position?" Because this statement make Rapper to honestly asked (That's what is it called?), the Phoenix turn to her with straight face. "Stay out of this Calli!" It was like: (You are the one to talk! You are no better.)

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Mori time to speak come in moment when Watson asked: "Hypothetically, lets say I had to face her. Any hints?"

So the pink-haired quickly jumped in to answer. "Yeah, put a mirror in front of her."

As the group went silent for a few seconds, only shark make a desperate giggle. "That's so dumb it can actually work. Image that she can actually a steal a point against Kronii for a mental damage. By going for a nosebleed. A perfectly (Not a) pointless victory."

Takanashi, thinking to much about it got a fired up. "What is she anyway?! A fashion enterprise owner?! Or a mobster?! Now I cant get out from my mind the image of the ridiculousness, that the battle between Ame and Kronii will be."

Ninomae offered that she will help her with that Image as she put out from somewhere her book. Mori's eyes got wide open as she yell at the party to stop her, trying to reach for the blonde and cover Watson eyes. But she was late. The book opened wide and as Watson glanced at inside of the book. Then a bright light blinded her.

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When Watson opened her eyes shielding them with an arm from the intense sun light from above an intense cheer hit her eyes from the audience above her. It take her a moment until her eyes adjusted for the brightness and she realize she standing in the coliseum like arena. The seats were filled by students and lots of visitors.

Then she heard Gawr voice from up behind herself. That girl was in spotlight box meant for those directly affiliated by the warrior that entered the are by the gate under it. But the box was enveloped in some kind of barrier, so the Shark and the others cant leave it. But still she shout. "I call hacks!! We don't even know if she managed to make her artifact her partner!! Sana, did you set something to spy on us?!" 

From the box on the opposite side, that exotic girl giggle as she act as moral support for the challenger. "That will be a sure way to dull my senses. So no! This has its roots on something different."

Even Mori raised her voice. "Just pick anyone else from us instead of her. We will take her place. Even all four of us at once, If you wish."

But a loud step from the arena redirected Watson attention on another person that was there with her.

It was the black haired Ouro who stand against the blonde as the challenger with two (clock hands swords?) on her hips. "No! It must be done! Show me what you can do!"

Then a voice of Hakos sitting in the seat of match overseer, reach the arena. "Ranked friendly match between challenger Kronii Ouro and Amelia Watson will begin shortly. The victory conditions for Watson from her Challenger are to show whats are in her. Amelia, because you are a technician; you have the right to use the (Tool box) to prepare yourself. You have 10 minutes!"

As the blonde turn in direction on witch the rat girl was pointing, she noticed that there was a spacious tent set on side, but not near the wall. So one can speculate that you had been allowed to weaponize even the tent itself. Plus a duo of staff girls was standing in front of it in case that the contestant will need an another pair of hands. And of course they were doubling as the judges, who will make sure she will not make something (dangerous?) or not allowed."

So the detective entered the tent with the duo and few minutes passed.

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Then one of the staff girl vent out pushing a levitating trail. A suspicious tool box on it give up a clear aura that it contain a lot of secret, know only to the technical types. One can speculate that this box hold in itself a power of entire factory and warehouse in the reach of hand. Maybe that thing itself was an artifact that answer only to those with an engineer trait. Anyway as the first girl was taking that thing away, the other staff girl signalized that the contestant is ready. As Hakos give a permission for the combatants to begging the fight, the staying staff girl signalized to the challenger to approach the tent.

Ouro dint intent to let her guard down and cross place one hand on one of her weapons.

As she was with steady speed approaching the tent; the staff girl removed that tent from where it stand as if it was a pulling into air a white blanked to reveal what is under it.

There was another smaller tent, like the one that you can find on company activity on beach or such. Just temporal and spacious enough for the actors to change for the next scene. What catches attention was fact, that the smaller tent only partly covered this restaurant dinner like table covered by a white sheet. Plus there was a chair.

The staff girl said that she will reveal the rest of the scene, only after the challenger will sit onto the chair and wait.

Ouro risen her eye brows fully knowing that this is like asking her to dropp all her guard. Especially when she will be in position from where she cannot effectively draw her sword in case of surprised attack. But she was curious and sit on the chair anyway, awaiting what will come next. We shall note that she look like a regular high-class customer on dinner table.

Then a high tech noise occurred from behind the white wall.

A few seconds of silence passed until someone in the tent whistled a signal.

Only then the staff girl pulled on the tent sheet and revealed to all what was to this point kept as a secret.

If we can speculate; anyone can assume that in terms of giggles, the moment that blanked will stop blocking the view, Kronii Ouro will stay to starring into the dark deeps of the maw of stupidly fat wide cannon. And the knot was already burned all its way onto the body bringing the flame onto the gunpowder.

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But no! It got revealed, that on the other side of this dinner table; there (is?) someone. Somebody was siting against the challenger. It was another Kronii Ouro.

It was just a second or two, until Kronii noticed the glass like surface put onto a ram. "A mirror?"

But… … The (mirrored?) image, answered in the same voice as Ouro. "Yes indeed. It feel like I am looking onto a mirror." That simple sentence make the real one raise her eyebrows in amazement.

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Then Watson wearing a butler outfit pushed a food trailer, bringing it near to the table. The blonde make an honorable waiter like bow to the (pair?). "Ladies, I am Watson, and I will be serving you for today."

It was enough to grab attention of Ouro, but this skilled duelist still look at the staff girl standing at side. 

That girl definitely understand that the black haired contestant want to know an answer on a question if her opponent is serious about this. So she said that miss Watson was properly informed, that using poisoned or spoiled food is against the rules. Then that girl give a sing for Kronii that she is allowed to response to her opponent. On spot she turn and leave the area.

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The butler Watson, already manage to put on table: A small flower vase with a single artificial rose flower. On opposite to her, near the edge, but not so close that it can fall from the table, she place an ignited candle, so the flame will not obstruct the view between the dinning pair. And of course she put down a fine wine glass on the table. Then the blonde carefully take a wine bottle onto her hand and show her to Ouro. "My lady I hope that this humble wine will suffice for today dinner." 

Because Kronii make a smile, the butler poured the liquid onto the glass. Curiosity wins over the black haired girl and she take that glass into her hand to evaluate the liquid. Then she notice that the mirrored her already take that glass near her nose to smell the wine and in short it take a sip. All that while the original stay still. Ouro then notice that this mirror dint show her background, or mirror anything on the table. It only show her. ("It is quite a time, when I last deal with this kind of mirror mirage. [Illusion] And she was able to pull it out without a magic?")

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Next Watson step was when she place on table a dining tray plate with dome-shaped lid on it. She wait for a moment to be sure she catches the attention of her customers. Only then a counter bell make a ring and she lift the lid. "Today menu is a pizza. Watch out, its still really hot."

Ouro widened her eyes staring onto the circled meal as it was sliced on triangles right before her. The scent of it tickle her nose and her taste cells. She giggle on the entire scene she was on. "This look like a good fun."

Her mirrored image agreed to it with a smile. "You tell me! I am the one here who is on defense."

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As finishing move the blonde show the pair a violin. "My ladies if I may? Can I provide you with a music during you launch?" Whit simple OK gesture from Ouro, Watson putt back side of that music instrument under her chin and start playing like a pro. 

And those two Kroniees? They were chatting while enjoining a (dinner?), in a middle of the coliseum, watched by many spectators. While the butler has been plying a violin solo.

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It take some time, but Ouro eventually finished her meal.

So Watson like a pro waiter make a bow. "My lady. I humbly thank you, that you chosed our establishment."

The black haired lady stand up from the table and her mirror image make a lady lake bow to her for a good spend time. So she keep smiling. "You served me well. I will now take my leave." She only take a few steps away from the table until she stop. "Is that, what you expected from me to hear? Amelia Watson?" 

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The body of still bowed blonde jitter under that question, but she raised her head anyway.

Ouro not making any moves glanced back with corner of her eye making (I saw through what you doing.) expression. Whats more her hand was resting on one of hers weapons. "Anyway, this was just a friendly match and you managed to amuse me. So for now, I willing to put you of the hook. Just make sure, that nothing will happen." After those words she truly walked away.

At this moment Hakos shouted from her overseer post in excitement. "Unbelievable!! It was unexpected, but Amelia Watson, managed to pass the trial bestowed on her from the Harp Academy champion, Kronii Ouro."

The audience of the coliseum exploded in cheer or whatever and with the noise a blinding light overtake the scene.

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Watson, just like the rest of the team, was awaken from a (day dream?) by a sound of someone loudly closing a book. She realize that the five of them are on the road to make some shopping. But she notice that others had the same experience as her. For that she yell. "What the heck?!! I newer touched violin in my life. So how the heck I was able to play it? I am a rebel, not some noble flowerpot flower."

Ninomae was the first one to react to that statement. "Just how far can someone push (A rebel) concept? Especially on this environment?"

But Takanashi was reacting on Ina's entry. "Something telling me, that there was a to low amount of people, who can actually keep the pace with you. No wonder that Calli close friends are such powerful personalities."

Second one to react onto blonde complain was Mori. "A rebelling on a rebellious state of life. Do you think I care? Anyway for the sake of my sanity and yours survival, I putting a ban on this technique until we all (verbally on the place to use) agree to use it. I don't wanna get to catch onto something weird."

And the last one to say something was the Shark. "Lets put away the issue of staining the story with personal opinions! Do we want the shopping hunt be done today or in this century? Lets mo~ove!!" Still holding onto Watson hand she began to pull her.

And the party continue to walk.