Princess? Please, I don't need an oaf like you to remind me that I'm royalty. I already know it. Let's just get one thing straight, I'm not a princess, I'm a QUEEN.
Princess? Please, I don't need an oaf like you to remind me that I'm royalty. I already know it. Let's just get one thing straight, I'm not a princess, I'm a QUEEN.
*****
Disclaimer - (Cause fanfiction is tricky ground and I hope not to offend the creator of the original story and get sued)
I do not own "The Beginning After The End", it belongs to its original creator TurtleMe. This is only a fanfiction that I was inspired to write by the original work. Please support the official release. Most of the media - such as the art and illustrations, gifs, video's, etc. used in this fanfiction - are from the web. Thus, most of them aren't mine (because I really, really can't draw) unless mentioned. To fit the story, images are also edited by various apps and websites. So they aren't mine, just edited. I get much of the text, especially the fight scenes and thought, aside from my oc's, from the original novel, which can be found on Library Novel. Please support the official release.
Also if you own a picture or Video that I found online, and you either want your name added, or me to take it down. Please contact me and we can talk it out. P.s. I also ask that you do not copy my work and publish it onto any other website.
If you're gonna use my idea, please ask me (If you ask nicely, I for sure, will agree). If I don't contact you within a week, then just assume I'm giving you the all clear and go for it. Just remember to credit me.
I will be writing out scenes even if my Oc isn't in them. As long as she's mentioned, or influencing the characters in some way. This may seem a bit annoying. But that's just how I write. I like to embed my characters into the story line. Because of this, most of the dialogue/scenes will come from the original work.
Playlist
For the playlist you can go to my YouTube channel, which is under "Anime-lover-forever-1127" and click on the playlist titled "A Woman With Vision {Arthur Laywin}". Or you can use this link watch?v=GYlAaNM7WS8&list=PLVKYkztH1Zd8bdl2_a1C8F6u8gPPwfa6D&ab_channel=7clouds
Warnings: Spoilers for Chapter 28 of the Novel, Fighting
*****
Today's Special
I'm not a princess
I don't need saving
I'm the QUEEN
I got this handled
~ Unknown
*****
{Third P.O.V.}
"Crying won't work! Shouldn't you be used to water by now, Sylv?" Arthur asked, struggling to hold the dragon down.
Morgana laughed openly at the scene she had just walked in on.
Who could blame her?
She had seen her husband, rule a kingdom, lead armies, win countless wars, and here he was. Unable to give their daughter a bath.
Her laugh drew Arthur's attention, only for his arms to lose strength, and his knees become weak, nearly giving out from underneath him.
He has already known Morgana was planning on dying her hair silver, but the bright, brilliant amber eyes?
They were a complete unexpected punch.
The lenses had taken away the sharpness in her eyes which had given them a jem like sparkle, but the amber burned bright, like a flame.
She looked a lot like what he had seen in her childhood pictures. With her long silver locks, and bright molten eyes, she looked just like an…
"Angel" Arthur couldn't help but let out breathlessly.
Feeling his grip slacken, Sylvie looks for this chance to escape with all her might, making a break for it. Too bad for her though, Morgana had grabbed the towel hanging loosely on the door and caught her with it.
Arthur pouts as he sees Morgana effortlessly catch the black dragon and walk her back to the tub. But instead of dropping her back into the water, she uses her wind to levitate the bond above it. She then uses a current to flow the water directly to Sylvie. Within seconds she had washed all the reaming soap and grim of the little black dragon, and has dropped the water back into the tub.
She turns over her shoulder and sends her husband a smirk. "That's how you do it."
Arthur opens his mouth only to close it again. He couldn't argue that she had an unfair advantage, because in that regard, he has all four elements. But her control, especially over her wind. Was simply out of this world. He could only hope that she hadn't-
"Oh as for the Angel comment, thanks, but that's not what I am, I'm a goddess, not an angel."
Arthur was left alone in the bathroom, dripping wet, as Sylvie ran out of the room on her mothers heels, laughing all the way.
*****
{Arthur P.O.V.}
Wearing nothing but a simple t-shirt and pants, I took one last look at the room I had been living in for the past few months, imprinting the image. I put on my glove and ring, packing the coat and mask along with a few other necessities into my bag. I strapped both Dawn's Ballad and my short sword to my waist before walking out.
Morgana is already waiting downstairs for me. She had changed out of her nightwear into simple black leggings, and a white shirt with the blood red cloak hanging from her shoulders. She had a black bag swung hanging across her body. Her sword was strapped loosely to waist.
"Trust in Jasmine when things get rough. She may be the youngest but don't doubt her strength and experience as an adventurer," my father advised as he pulled me into one last—firm—hug.
"Why are Brother, Sylviee, and Morgana leaving? No! Stay here!" My sister was now struck with the realisation that I wouldn't be home for a while. She was clutching my waist and refused to let go as she used the weight of her body to anchor me down.
"Honey, your brother will be back, okay?" My mother attempted to console her. "Morgana and Sylvie as well."
"Nonononono! Stay!" my sister demanded. She had refused to listen to excuses and began shouting with tear-filled eyes.
Kneeling down, I wrapped Ellie in my arms as I patted her back. "I know you're a big girl now. Can you protect Mom and Dad while I'm gone for a bit, Ellie?"
"UUuuu…hic…I can protect them…" she replied in a muffled voice, burying her head into my shoulder.
Letting go of her, I studied my baby sister's face, wiping the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Atta girl. Your big brother is going to be gone for a little bit but I'll be back. I feel a lot better that we have someone strong like my little sister here to protect the house."
"Yes!" she seconded eagerly, her eyes filled with a newfound determination.
Patting her head, I gave Mother and Father one last hug.
"We'll miss you. Don't forget to keep the ring on your finger, okay?" My mother squeezed me tightly.
"Stay safe and know your limits, Arthur." Father placed a hand on my shoulder and stared at me, waiting for a response.
Knowing my limits, I repeated to myself, giving my father a firm nod. I then turned my gaze to Morgana who was giving her own sister one last firm hug. 'Now only if she knew hers.' I thought as I remembered Sylvie's story on how cool she was at dealing with the king and queen.
After the partings were finished, Morgana and I made our way down the front stairs to where Jasmine had been waiting.
I waved them one last goodbye, gesturing to my sister, who was waving both her hands as she bit her lips to keep from crying, to cheer up.
"Take care, alright!" Morgana shouted to them one last time.
"Let's go, Jasmine," I declared while putting on the mask and coat.
She replied with a terse nod as we began heading downtown to the Adventurer's Guild Hall.
*****
The Guild Hall was not what I had expected it to be. A vivid image of a place filled with thugs seated around wooden tables downing beer was what I envisioned. Instead, it was a building filled with prestige and luxury. A marble structure towered over us like a sacred museum. Once inside, it was clear the amount of work that had been put into the intricately designed interior. There were tables made from metal where I could see other adventurers giving us a passing glance. The whole place had an ambience of extravagance that didn't suit me, much less some of the barbarian-looking adventurers here, but I simply continued my stride.
"Welcome! How may I help the two of you?" The female receptionist's rehearsed smile gleamed a pearly white.
Before I had the chance to reply, Jasmine slid a piece of parchment towards the woman. "I would like to sponsor him for a rank examination." Her face remained expressionless as she said curtly.
"Y-Yes! I understand," the receptionist answered, nodding her head fervently as she handed back the piece of paper. "Please, come over this way."
Getting up from her seat, the women opened the door beside us from the other side. As we entered, I couldn't help but notice the hushed murmurs around us.
"Oy, there's someone taking a rank examination," someone whispered.
"It's just two girls and some masked midget, though," another hoarse voice mocked blatantly.
I held in any questions I had and simply followed the clerk in silence. Though I had to grab Morgana's hand to make sure she didn't decide to go show those men what being a girl really meant.
Passing through the door, we were led past the row of seats behind the glass counter where the receptionists were stationed and into a small room.
The office was minimally decorated with two leather couches positioned to face each other. On the far end of the room was a dark, wooden desk facing the door; a slender man was seated behind the pile of neatly-stacked papers, jotting down something with a quilted pen.
Roused by the sound of his office door being opened, the man looked up to reveal a sharp and angular face. The head of black hair I had been staring at was parted down the center and reached just past his thin neck. Behind his rimless and thick glasses were a pair of sharp eyes that regarded us intently.
"A-Class Adventurer, Jasmine Flamesworth has requested this…" the clerk's voice trailed off as she eyed me cautiously. "…young lady and gentleman to be taken in for a rank examination."
"Yes, I'm quite aware of who Miss Flamesworth is. You may wait outside, Mary." The slender man waved her away as he stood up from his seat. "Miss Flamesworth, how are you these days? I met with your father not too long ago."
Jasmine simply gave a terse nod, that barely resembled a bow, as the man approached us. Her expression had gotten sharper since coming into this room, but at the mention of her father, Jasmine's hands clenched into fists.
"Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you two." The man shifted his attention to us, finally acknowledging our presence. "My name is Kaspian Bladeheart, and I am in charge of this branch. I take it that you must have some sort of close relationship with Miss Flamesworth. Is there a name I can address you by?" His gaze darted up and down as he quickly assessed me.
"Kuu!" Sylvie answered in my stead.
I had made Sylvie transform back into her original form during my time as an adventurer so her horns protruded and her red spikes were visible.
"I go by Note," I answered gruffly. The name didn't mean much and was made fairly mindlessly based on the blue streak that went through the left eye slit; it had reminded me of a single half note.
"You can call me Vision." Morgana answered cheerfully. She was purposely putting on an extra bright and cheerful front. Smart, the more your enemy underestimates you, the stronger your advantage becomes.
Kaspian's eyes widened in surprise but he quickly recovered, responding with a casual smile. Other than that, seeing a mana beast didn't seem to surprise him, which I assumed was because of his line of work. "Yes! Well… Mr. Note and Mis. Vision , we will proceed with Miss Flamesworth here as your sponsor. Do you know how this will work?"
Shaking my head, I let him explain. "An Adventurer of B-class or higher has the right to sponsor a new adventurer for an examination. Depending on how well you do, this exam will give you the opportunity to be placed into a suitable rank. This way, you can avoid the needless struggles of starting from the very beginning. The rank exam will consist of only a practical portion. Now, judging by your weapons, I can assume that you are either a fighter or augmenter, yes?" He looked quizzically at the black stick tied to my waist below my short sword.
"Yes."
He then turned to Morgana, "But your, Mis, are a?"
"Augmenter as well." Morgana answered.
"Okay! Usually, there would be a quick application along with an inspection of your mana cores before the exam but since it is Miss Flamesworth here sponsoring you, I will waive that," he continued as he opened another door at the far end of his office. "Mary, take these two to the examination hall."
"Y-Yes!" The receptionist, who had been waiting outside the room, entered hastily and led us toward the back door. "Please, Mr. Note, Mis. Vision, Miss Flamesworth, right this way."
I peered at Jasmine through my mask as we made our way down the long corridor. Was this the reason why she wanted to be the one to follow me? The Flamesworth House was mentioned with a fair degree of respect, but what exactly was the Flamesworth House?
I nudged Morgana, but she just gave me a sheepish smile. "I know I know I've heard the name before, but I just can't remember where."
I let go and continued to walk. I was forced to squint as my eyes tried to adjust to the sudden change in brightness as we exited out of the dark passage. I could tell Morgana was as well, by her rapid blinking. As the blinding glow subsided, I was able to make out the details of the hall we were in. The brightly lit area was an indoor, dirt-floored arena with standard theater seats that appeared more like exaggerated stairs. While most of the seats were empty except for the scattered ten or so people, there was a tense atmosphere as everyone's eyes focused on the two people at the center of the arena.
"Please, follow me to your seats. There are quite a number of examines today so if you remain seated until the examiner calls your name, it'll really help speed up the process." The receptionist gave us one last, quick, bow before scurrying back down the rows of stone seats. Morgana took a seat next to Jasmine.
Placing Sylvie between Morgana and me, I leaned forward to get a better view of the two fighters about to duel. Jasmine simply leaned back in apathy with her legs crossed.
"Haht!" the larger, bald man roared as he swung down his polearm. It was obvious that he was at a disadvantage against his opponent. The man he was fighting was of average build with short black hair and a jagged scar that ran down his cheek, but he was easily dodging all of the bald man's wide swings.
The scarred fighter had an apathetic expression much like the one Jasmine had. He didn't even bother using the broadsword he had in his right hand as he continued weaving around his bald opponent's brash attacks.
Face red in frustration, the bald fighter bellowed, "Take this!" The fact that he had announced his next attack meant that he was either confident or he was simply an amateur. In this case, it seemed to be the latter.
"That's just dumb." Morgana sighed, as she moved Sylvie to her lap, and leaned against my shoulder.
The polearm he had brought up high above his head suddenly began glowing a dim orange as a heat wave surrounded his weapon. The scarred man's expression changed from boredom to mild surprise.
"Hell Smash!" the bald man roared as he hacked down. Just like how conjurers chanted spells to focus their intent, many augmenters also chose to do something similar, like vocalizing the name of their attack. However, for such a simple move, it seemed excessive.
Even from up here, I could make out the scarred man's derisive sigh as he simply held up his broadsword to take on the attack.
The sharp ring of metal meeting metal echoed throughout the arena. However, the sight of the polearm spinning up high in the air made it fairly easy to determine who the winner of the exchange was.
The large cueball of a man was gawking down at his empty hands, apparently surprised that his ace attack was so easily dealt with.
"Your skills as a polearm wielder are nonexistent and your battle senses are lousy… and that's me being nice. You depend too much on physical strength compared to your mana reinforcement, which throws your attack's balance off. It says you've just turned thirty-five but you're now only at the dark orange stage. I would normally put someone of your caliber at E-class but seeing how you have a fire affinity, if that little heater move you just did can even be called fire, I'll pass you as a D-class…barely." The scarred examiner's assessment was curt and to the point, but I couldn't have agreed more with him.
"Next! Diane Whitehall!" the scarred man bellowed as the bald examinee dispiritingly made his way back to his seat, picking up his polearm along the way.
"Yes! Coming!" A woman on the other side of the stadium scampered down the rows of seats, nearly stumbling along the way.
She was a freckled girl that looked to be well into her teens. She had her curly brown hair tied back and was wearing a standard conjurer's robe that looked more like a fancy bathrobe. She fumbled to get her wand out of her belt, but managed to get in position without dropping it.
Snickers and giggles spread through the arena from the scarce audience, shrinking the girl—Diane—even more so in embarrassment.
"What a waste of time. Just fail this girl," a boy's voice to my left caught my attention just in time for me to see him mockingly shake his head.
The boy didn't look much older than me, which surprised me. I hadn't expected there to be someone so young trying to become an adventurer. While he was also wearing a conjurer's robe, it was on a different level; it really did make Diane's robe look like a bathrobe in comparison. With his embellishments and other fineries, it was apparent that he was a noble. With medium-length blond hair that covered his ears and was trimmed to set just above his dull, green eyes, it was easy to tell that he was an attractive boy. By the permanent smirk plastered onto his face and the way he lifted his chin just a tad so he was always looking down at everything, I'm sure he thought of himself as a superstar.
However, what caught my eyes was the polished white, wooden staff that was by the boy's side. Embedded at the very top of the staff was a large ruby-colored gem that sparkled in the stadium lights.
Morgana followed my gaze, only to stick her tongue out in blatant disgust.
He was a fine example of someone that rubbed both of us the wrong way, so I chose to turn my attention back to the stage and gently run my fingers through Morgana's head, as she followed my action and turned her gaze back to the middle.
The scarred examiner that had examined the bald augmenter was sitting down, replaced by a woman. The person, who I assumed was the conjurer's examiner, wore a conjurer's hat in the shape of a large cone that set a shadow covering most of her face.
Tilting her hat back, I was able to see the instructor's pale face. Her thin eyes darted around at the audience before she let out a loud cough to have everyone settle down.
"Ahem! Diane Whitehall, age eighteen, a conjurer at the solid orange stage with a single specialisation in water. Let us begin." The female examiner threw the notepad towards the scarred examiner and held up her grey staff.
Once a conjurer had reached the orange stage, it was apparent where his or her speciality lied. Instead of wasting time trying to be adept at all four elements, it was much more efficient to focus solely on the element of their highest affinity. Single specialisation, in her case, meant that she relied primarily on water spells. Dual specialisation and up, there would be a strict test to see if you really were adept at two elements.
Instantly, the freckled examine murmured a spell, conjuring a bubble of water to surround her.
The basics of battling as a conjurer was setting up defensive measures. They did this since most weren't proficient in reinforcing their bodies with mana.
Diane's examiner, however, didn't cast a defensive spell but instead chose to go on the offensive.
"Sandstorm!" the pale examiner shouted as a gale of sand whirled around the freckled girl and her defensive water bubble.
The gust of sand merged with the water, turning Diane's defensive spell into a large orb of mud.
"Release!" The mud bubble burst at the examinee's command. Jumping back, she muttered another spell while a pressured ball of water began forming at the tip of her wand.
"It's an Aqua Cannon!" Morgana exclaimed, sparkles in her eyes. This caught the attention of a couple of people around us, but Morgana completely ignored them as her eyed reamined fixated on the attack.
The sphere of water burst out in a blazing speed towards the pale examiner.
Rather than defending against the spell, the examiner nimbly dodged the water sphere. Thinking back, I had realised that this was the first time watching a duel between two conjurers. This mock fight would be a good way to study the differences in fighting styles between long range conjurers and melee augmenters.
"BURST!" the freckled teen screamed while she swung her wand down. The condensed ball of water exploded just as it zipped past the examiner, filling the stadium in a cloud of dust.
The noble brat that was mocking the girl earlier was shaking his head in disdain.
"She's not bad," Jasmine mumbled.
Morgana nodded her head, agreeing she complimented, "That was amazing!"
The small dust cloud that covered the instructor from view began clearing up to reveal that she wasn't there.
Suddenly, the examiner emerged up from the ground behind Diane, and her staff lightly thumped the top of the examines head.
"Eek!" Diane jumped forward in surprise.
"I must say, your control is quite decent, Miss Whitehall. You were a little overconfident in your last spell chain, not preparing any defensive measures, but overall, the efficiency in mana control and cast speed was good. C-class!"
Diane let out a sigh of relief. Being a C-class adventurer at her age was a feat she could be proud of.
"Next! Elijah Knight!" The Conjurer examiner announced.
"Here…" A couple rows away to my right, a boy that looked even younger than the blonde noble, stood up. He looked somewhat unapproachable, with short-trim jet-black hair that came down to cover half of his forehead. He had a very serious expression underneath his framed glasses that made him look more mature than his actual age. The boy wore a simple beige long-sleeve and black pants and didn't have any sort of weapons on him. I half-expected him to be an augmenter but the fact that the examiner didn't switch out meant otherwise.
Suddenly, a clerk that was keeping notes at the side ran up to the examiner and whispered something into her ear.
The pale-faced examiner's thin eyes widened before quickly regaining her composure.
"Elijah Knight, age ten. I have been just notified of your special status. As of now, you are a B-class adventurer."
B-class at his age and he didn't even need to get tested?
I could see looks of disbelief on everyone's faces. Even the augmenter examiner's face was in surprise as he craned his neck to get a better view of the boy in question.
The solemn boy merely made a small bow and sat back down without a word.
"Next! Lucas Wykes!" the examiner continued.
"Hmph! Guess it's finally my turn!" The blond-haired noble boy jumped up from his seated position and leisurely made his way down to the stage, staff in hand.
The examiner looked down at her notes but this time, her voice sounded evidently surprised.
"Lucas Wykes, 11 years old. Conjurer at the…. light orange stage! Single specialisation in fire."
What? He's already at the light orange stage? How is that even possible?
Without even bowing, Lucas leaned lazily against his staff.
"Let us begin," the examiner declared, obviously a bit vexed by the boy's lack of respect.
At her signal, Lucas immediately jumped back as he chanted a spell. "Arise, my protector!"
"Flame Guardian" Jasmine mumbled. Morgana and I turned to look at her. I could tell she was confused and was about to approach her, but Morgana just shook her head. "Leave her be. I just have a gut feeling that it's best to leave her be right now."
I nodded, Morgana's instincts were usually always spot on.
I turned my gaze back to the fight where a pillar of fire erupted in front of him, fading to reveal a two-meter tall humanoid made of flames.
"Looks like we have a special little talent today. As expected of someone from the Wykes Family," the augmenter examiner whistled in awe.
The flame guardian sprinted towards the examiner, leaving smouldering footprints in its path as Lucas started to cast another spell.
So he does have some skill to back up his ego.
The female examiner was obviously a bit impressed but she responded skilfully with a wave of her grey staff and a few words to ignite her spell. "Earth Tomb"
Three triangular planes of solid earth shot up from the ground, trapping the fire guardian inside a pyramid of rock.
It was a good response. The flame guardian would naturally disappear once it used up the limited amount of oxygen inside the tomb.
Lucas chortled in response, however, as he finished his chant. "Too late, Miss Examiner. Ember Wisps!"
The ruby stone embedded on his staff shined a dazzling orange as a spark burst up in the air. The seemingly harmless spark exploded like a firework, separating into dozens of small, floating tendrils of fire. The tendrils remained afloat all around the stage, surrounding the both of them.
"The boy is good," Jasmine complimented, giving a rare sign of approval.
The examiner's face turned serious now.
I was a little confused on the purpose of those floating embers, but my question was soon answered.
"Expulsion!" Lucas raised his staff above his head as he continued dashing backwards.
Suddenly, the dozens of fire tendrils radiated a bright red before shooting out beams of fire at the examiner.
The examiner aimed her staff down at the ground below her as she calmly continued chanting. The surface around her glimmered a bright yellow as multiple pieces of earth began emerging from the ground. "Stone Shard Field"
The glowing rocks darted into formation to block the lasers of flame. Only, it didn't just block the lasers, but redirected them towards Lucas.
"Release!" Lucas paled as he desperately yelled. The wisps in the air disappeared but the flames that were already shot out were still heading towards him.
Pointing his huge staff at the multiple trails of flames rapidly approaching him, he let out another spell. "Fire Twister"
A cyclone of fire just large enough to surround him generated from the ground. The trails of flame got caught up in the vortex of the fire tornado, merging into it.
"Pierce," the examiner commanded with a fluid motion. The rock shards that had redirected the flames wobbled before they shot forward at the flame tornado Lucas was hiding within. The large shards of rock bulleted through the fire tornado, shredding it out of existence. The shards stopped just short of the angry but trembling Lucas, who was shielding himself with his staff held in front of him.
"How dare you! This preposterous lack of decency for a mere rank exam should be recorded and dealt with accordingly!" Lucas cried out with baleful eyes. His once creamy complexion was a few shades lighter as a layer of sweat covered his body.
"Calm yourself, Mr. Wykes. I have enough control to keep myself from skewering arrogant little children," the examiner calmly reassured, leaving Lucas to silently utter curses at the woman.
"Your control and creativity in the combinations of your spells are excellent. As long as you stay cautious and know your limits, you will have a great future ahead of you, Mr. Wykes. I think it is safe to say that you can be placed into B-class. Do you agree, George?" She turned to the augmenters' examiner.
He gave a simple shrug in response, indicating he had no problems with it.
Whatever wrongful actions Lucas had accused the examiner of seemed to have disappeared into thin air as Lucas, once again, wore a smug grin at the final outcome.
"Woah!"
"Another little monster!"
"Damn, I want to just go home!"
"What is with today's crowd?"
The few members of the audience all cried out and complained in envy, as some of the other audience members that have already taken the exam murmured excitedly amongst their peers.
"What did you expect of blundering apes? Did you guys think I was on your level?" Lucas taunted aloud as he dusted off his robe.
He made his way back to his seat before the examiner, who wasn't even tired, switched places with the augmenter examiner named George.
The scarred man got up, stretching his body like a lazy cat. Casually high-fiving the other examiner as he walked past her, he stared at his notes.
"Next examine, Vision!" The man who had just switched places called.
Morgana sighed and stood up, stretching her arms high above her head as she walked down the steps.
"All right then, princess, let's see what you've got."
I froze mid-yawn and my eyes widened in panic. No way in hell this was going to be pretty.
Morgana hated it when people called her princess, heck, even I couldn't get away with calling her that on most occasions.
*****
{Morgana P.O.V.}
I felt my blood begin to boil at the title. Oh hell no. If I wouldn't let my husband call me that, what chance do you think you have?!
"Three seconds." I called out.
The man looked at me confused, but when he said I wasn't going to say anything else. He shouted, "Begin."
Without a moment of hesitation, I raised my hand, my fingers extending out.
1
I began to create various wind currents around the man, until they all were raising him off his feet and high into the air. The man moved around frantically, only to begin to panic as a full blown tornado formed underneath him.
2
Without giving the man a chance to gather his thoughts, I closed my fist, dropping the man at once. He tried to get up, only for a barrage of wind currents to force him to his hands and knees.
3
Bending down to look at the groaning man on the ground, I let his watery eyes stare into my icy, dark ones.
"Princess? Please, I don't need an oaf like you to remind me that I'm royalty. I already know it. Let's just get one thing straight, I'm not a princess, I'm a QUEEN."
*****
{Arthur P.O.V.}
I sighed, well I couldn't exactly expect her to keep calm after that insult. She is a queen, so how could she stand anyone treating her as anything but that.
"Next examine, Note! Please come down!" he bellowed without looking up.
Jasmine placed a hand on my shoulder. "Good luck."
Giving a firm nod in response, I walked down the steps, leaving the worried Sylvie in Jasmine's care.
I met Morgana half way and smiled at her, "Nice."
She smiled sheepishly, "Kind of overdid it. But-"
"It wasn't your fault." I finished for her, laughing.
She huffed, pouting a bit, "Well, you of all people probably wouldn't need it, but good luck."
"It seems you're here to be tested under special conditions, seeing as there isn't any information here written about you. Okay! Let's see what you're made of." George regarded me with a curious and firm stare, trying to look through my mask's eye slit to see who I was. He was slightly rubbing his back.
The examiner smoothly unsheathed his sword, as did I.
"Begin!" he announced while lunging at me. The thrust was aimed directly at my head, most likely intended to scare me.
Instead of dodging back or ducking, I faced the incoming tip of the sword and took a step forward, willing mana into my legs. Tilting my head just enough for the flat of the blade to graze harmlessly past my mask, I brought my sword up in one, swift motion.
George's sharp eyes widened by my counter as he desperately retracted in hopes to make it in time to block my swing, but the tip of my sword was already pressed against the man's throat. The examiner immediately stopped, afraid that any sudden movement and my blade might actually embed itself into his neck, regardless of mana reinforcement.
"Enough," a voice interrupted. "Stand down, George. I'll be the one to test this particular examine."
Turning my head, I saw the thin, bespectacled man named Kaspian walking toward us from the corridor Jasmine and I had come in from.
"S-Sir? You will be personally examining this participant?" George backed away from my blade as casually as possible, but a bead of blood rolled down his neck.
"I apologise if this sounds presumptuous, but is there really a need for an AA-class to lower himself to test an examine? I will be more than enough to assess this applicant!" he continued, quickly wiping the blood off with his hand.
Kaspian's gaze lowered to George's neck, silencing the examiner. The man, regardless of what he assumed was a simple blunder on his part, was visibly baffled by the fact that the head of this branch would be the one to test me.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised as well. Someone classified as an AA-class adventurer was at a much higher level of strength compared to an A-class. As the class ranks increased, each jump was exponential, meaning that compared to D-class to C-class, the jump from A-class to AA-class was incomparable. Being an AA-class adventurer signified that you had the strength of ten A-class adventurers, and that was just a rough estimate.
He should be on a whole other tier of strength compared to other humans. I was curious as to what stage his mana core was, but there was no way for me to see without him finding out.
"His sponsor has deep ties with me so I feel obligated to test him personally. I am just upset that I couldn't test Mis. Vision as well. And seeing as Geroge forgot to give her a rank, let me do it in his place." He then turned to Morgana in the bleachers, "You are clearly A rank. My only regret is that I do not have the power to give you anything higher until you go on any adventures." he then turned to me and chuckled as his right hand reached towards a thin rapier on his waist.
Waving away George, the two of us stood at the centre of the dirt arena.
Despite his lax words, I could tell he was on guard, probably after seeing Morgana's fight - if you could even call it that.
'Don't worry', I thought, as I took my own stance, 'I'm not nearly as hot-tempered as my-' My thought was cut off half way through when out of the corner of my eye I saw the blond haired boy approach her, 'OH HELL NO!'
"Let us begin."
*****
I noticed that a lot of you had a pretty strong reaction to the scene between Morgana and Tess. Damn, if that's your reaction to a little teaser, I can't wait to read the comments on the actual cat fight.
Also, disclaimer in advance, I dO NOT hate Tess. In fact I totally ship her with Arthur. It's just for the sake of the story, I will be amplifying her worst traits by like x10. Don't worry, I'll only have Morgana bash her around a little - well actually a lot. But eventually, after that, Morgana will give Tess one last reality check, opening up her eyes. And then the two will actually become pretty great friends.
But, I've read the latest manhwa comic chapters, and I gotta say all the Arthur and Tess moments are like a stab in the chest.
Like before writing this fanfic, I would have loved them. But now I wanna love them, but I can't because I love Arthur with Morgana even more. Because she's practically my baby!
Is that just me?
Or did I ruin it for other people too?
If so, I sincerely apologise.
Thanks for listening to me rant! :)
P.s. So far I've shown you how unreasonable and jealous Morgana can be, I feel like it's time for the little jealous green monster on Arthur's shoulder to shine. (also note how I use the word jealous and not envy. Because jealousy is over something you have, well with envy, you don't have them.
(AND CAN I JUST SAY THAT THIS CHAPTER WAS OVER 6.5 K, I think that's a new record for me!)