A/N: I've made an insta account solely for story purposes(already have one but it's for my arts lol), if you wish to be updated and maybe spoiled a bit on upcoming chapters you can follow me @yumekaxx_wp. Ah, Also happy 1k reads! (°0°)!!
Thank you all for the support (ˊᗜˋ*)♡
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Just as Shiki said, the two of them went in after Remus and Rei. Once the silver wide door open before them, they immediately caught the attention of many.
Luna's grip tighten and squeeze over towards Shiki, her eyes wondering around as she firmly clutched onto his sleeves. She expected alot of people to have attended, but did not expect to be THIS many, it felt like the banquet hall was almost quite full of people. As the theme—everyone including them wore masks.
Though, none of them see their faces they still kept on staring at the both of them as their gazes follow their every move.
Suddenly, she felt a hand tap her clutched arm and realized it was Shiki. He leaned in to her ear which made her to move closer unconsciously—probably because as Dizian, she was too used to Anthony's whispering during classes which eventually them ending up being thrown a chalk. Also with Eva who often whisper a secret to him.
"Are you ok?"
His question made her eyes widen and raised a brow as she slowly glance up at him. She was perplexed as she pressed her lips together and looked forward.
"Yes, I'm fine— completely fine. Just uncomfortable with all the attention we're getting." Luna answered as her firm clutch loosen as they catch a glimpse of two familiar faces—Remus and Rei, waving at them at the corner, already seated at a round table coated with fabric and utensils placed on top of it.
They hurriedly went to the two and sat on the two vacant chair. Every table consist of either five or four chairs, in each side of the hall was a long table where countless trays of food lies.
“Ugh, Seriously why is it that she just had to be my partner.” Remus groaned as he complained and glared at Rei.
Whereas Rei leaned onto her chair and rolled her eyes at him "Like I also want to be your partner, I'd be more delighted if I was associated with Shiki rather than you." She said, as she looked at her brother with a widen eyes, "That to say, why would you rather partner me with this dofus?"
"For your information, it was Justin who partnered us all, none of it was my fault." Shiki answered unfazed.
A waiter then served them a bucket with ice containing two bottles of wine together with four glass to pour them in.
Rei pouted as she took out one of the wine from the bucket and pull out the cork as she take one glass and pour it in and took a gulp.
Luna adjusted her mask as she felt it slipping down. She quickly reached for the back to tie it firmly, until Shiki suddenly ask her to turn around. She then felt him untying the knot of her mask and tying it as he ask if it's too tight or not, Luna gently shook her head as a response. After that Luna muttered her thanks.
She felt such uncomfortable gazes in front—which was coming from none other than Remus and Rei casually drinking wine as they give Luna looks.
"What?" She can't helped but asked.
"Nothing." The two said in unison averting their gaze as they sip through their glass.
Luna just shook her head and also pour a wine on an empty glass.
Leaning back on the chair, Luna couldn't help but to be reminded of the brooch pin attached to her hair. Was it really a tracking device? If it was, that would pretty much freak her out.
Glancing at Shiki who was also drinking wine next to her, Luna couldn't help but wonder what was going in through this man's head. He was really unpredictable—well almost all of them, but Shiki has more of the mysterious aura than the others.
Ah.
'No, there's one more.'
A picture of the man with pink hair and golden eyes appeared in her mind which made her eyes furrowed and heaved a sigh. That man was in fact the most mysterious person she had encountered through this game. Moreover, she forgot to check his information.
Information screen would only be available if the person you wish to read was nearby or within your sight.
Once again, Luna sighed.
Suddenly, a loud static noise echoed through the room. All of them glance up on the balcony above. There stand a man with a glass of wine on his hand and a microphone on the other— he has a black mask and a sinister smile.
"Welcome to our humble party, we are glad that all of you are able to attend in such a rare occasion." The man started, as the crowd started to applause. "Let's not take this greetings any further. Ladies and gentlemen, Zachary the Sub head of Black Arts Organization!"
With that, another man came out wearing white shirt overlayed with a black jacket, a black slack and shoes. The atmosphere became rather tense as he showed up and went beside the speaker. His eyes were visible behind the mask—its as if they were glowing and glaring down at the people below him.
"The Sub head? I guess the Head won't just carelessly show himself on such a party." Remus muttered, also looking at with a frown on his face.
Rei clicked her tongue, "Just as I thought I wouldn't see the Head!" She then bit her finger as she look at the man who was introduced as the Sub Head of the so called black arts organization.
Luna gulped as she felt a sweat glide down through her face. What's this tense atmosphere? Just the Sub head presence was overwhelming, what more if the head showed up?
【 Zachary Axel Lauvern
Age: UNKNOWN
Date of Birth: UNKNOWN
Race: UNKNOWN
Magic: UNKNOWN
Background: UNKNOWN
-MORE INFORMATION CANNOT BE DETERMINED- 】
Her eyes twitch as her eyebrows furrowed at what she had read. Cannot be determined my ass!
Zachary's data was...Blank— it's all unknown rather. It seems to her that, she might have encountered someone who will make her life a living hell in this world.
Luna's gaze landed on the previous guy.
【Vincent Chezel Libero
Age: 27
Date of Birth: August 21, X558
Race: Human
Magic: Plant of Death
Background:
Vincent, is a 27 year old member of the Black Arts, he was recruited seven years ago by Zachary. He had also become his right hand man. Vincent specializes in a Caster Type Magic which is the Plant of Death which allows the user to cover its target with spores, a flower would bloom on top of the head once covered— once all the petals of the flower fall, his target dies. The petal of his flower consists of only five— once you're under his magic in five minutes you will die.
-Tap for more information-】
Hmm?
'It's... it's complete?! What? Why? And there's more?!'
Without hesitation, Luna clicked the bottom part and it did reveal her more information regarding Vincent.
【Weakness: Sour plums...】
'That's...why is that a weakness?'
Other Magic
•Eye magic
•Immobilization magic
•Dispel 】
Unlike the characters Luna encountered, Vincent was the first one who has a complete data. Although it seems kind of lacking and incomplete in explanation— but that didn't really concern her— what shaken her was that his magic was quite... terrifying.
Luna wondered, if they were to fight, how can they counter that Plant of death? Moreover, he also know dispel and immobilization magic.
'Does the library has a book about black arts? Or perhaps in the sacred book? Let's take a look tomorrow.' Luna thought as the screen vanished and realized that people were already at the center dancing. How long has she been in a daze? Even Remus and Rei were dancing on the slow beat—although, they were still arguing, Stomping on each other's feet.
Shiki was also nowhere to be found which made Luna to be left alone. Well, all she could do was gulp down the wine she poured.
Not a minute pass, a man wearing a golden mask approached her and asked her for a dance. All she did was look at the guy with a sour face, but he was avid. Luna, of course, kept on rejecting him but he suddenly grabbed her wrist and started to pull her.
'What's with this guy! Damn!' Luna keep on wriggling her hand away from the man's grasp but the more she resist the more firm the grasp was which eventually started to hurt her.
"Omph—!"
The man all of a sudden flew and crash on the wall, blood dripping from his mouth. Luna instantly looked behind her, hoping to see Shiki but she was wrong.
Her eyes widen to see the Sub Head— Zachary dusting himself and fixing his mask as he approached Luna and flashed a smile.
"Are you alright, miss?" He asked reaching for Luna's hand which she swiftly avoided.
"Get that bastard out." Ordered Vincent as two guards picked up the man who assaulted Luna.
Zachary, all of a sudden bowed and apologize. "I hope this will be a lesson to all of you, if a woman says no, then don't insist on taking her." He said as he looked—glared at the people especially to the man being dragged by two guards. He then turned to Luna with an ominous look, "May I...know your name?"
Luna's clench her teeth as her eyes wander, hoping someone would get her out of this situation, but seems like no one dares to step in even Remus and Rei.
Finally, she heaved a sigh and answered, "I'm sorry but...I wish to keep my identity a secret if you wouldn't mind."
She kept her head up high, yet she was honestly feeling overwhelmed. She flinch when her eyes met with his bloodly eyes as if it was glowing while looking at her.
Ah.
A hand creeped up on her, which made her to turn to her side. Fortunately, it was Shiki. He was holding her hand which was obviously trembling. She may be a man inside but this overwhelming presence was too much, moreover he's the Sub head of the Black Arts.
"Sorry to interrupt, but may I get my partner back?" Shiki said in a very apathetic manner. Without even waiting for Zachary's response he quickly grab Luna by the hand and walk their way out from the balcony.
His hand holding her was very gentle, it was as if he was holding something fragile—keeping it from breaking.
Once they've reached the balcony on the east side of the hall, Luna finally let out a sigh of relief as she place her hand on top of the a marble barricade.
"You ok?" Shiki suddenly asked, as he too leaned back.
Luna glance up at him and to the forest in front of them. "More or less. Where did you go by the way?" She asked changing the subject.
Shiki looked at her for a minute before answering.
"Went to get some information, fortunately I've got plenty." He said, Luna couldn't tell if he was happy or not, for it was a nonchalant answer. Well that's how he is.
'Hey Dizian!'
Hmm?! Luna winced as she abruptly looked up.
Agapius suddenly appear out of nowhere. Floating and smiling at her from above, he was on his original form, furthermore, his hair which was a shoulder length was now longer.
'He can play with his appearance too, huh?'
Shiki who suddenly glance at Luna who was looking above with furrowed brow also made him to look up. But there was nothing to see. Must she be seeing things? Shiki realized something, he hadn't see Luna's Divine beast since morning which was very unlikely. Or could it possibly be that thing was invisible the whole time which is why Luna is looking at the sky with that look on her face? It's just his hypothesis, but it could possibly be true.
All of a sudden, Luna jumped up from leaning while she has a frustrated and bewildered expression. Without saying anything, she all of a sudden run away.
"Hey!" Shiki shouted. He was perplexed by what Luna just did, why in the world did she suddenly ran away?
Shiki ruffled his hair, something struck him making him turn to the forest in front then above, he undoubtedly knew she saw something, or telepathically communicate with something earlier which resulted to her recent action.
He knew he doesn't need to worry for he can track her with the brooch, but why does it feel like something ominous is about to happen?