I decided to skip css today, I don't need to be in a pce so dull and full of stupid people. So I headed to a cafe on a rooftop, where I found a comfortable spot looking over Central Park.

  Hmm... unlike the original owner of my pce, this cafe, The Hidden Garden, serves real drinks, not the powdered stuff. But I just got coffee with condensed milk, nothing too fancy.

  "Oh.", I look at my waiter. Those eyes, as if they are the windows to the universe, belong to only one person I know.

  "Hi, Asteral. I didn't know you would be here.", I smile.

  "Hello... Charlotte. Aren't you supposed to be in css today?", he spoke in a low tone as he pced down my order. Oh, and a small dish of cookies.

  "Yes, but I skipped css. I was thinking about doing something more fun instead of getting to know other people.", I shrugged.

  He put the tray away, sitting down in the opposite chair.

  "Same. I just don't feel going to the academy until everything is settled.", he compined, "I want to get to know more people... but I get nervous."

  I chuckled, "Aren't I supposed to be the one compining?"

  "Sorry...", he blushed.

  "Well, I get what you mean to some extent. It's certainly taxing when you have to talk to new people.", I don't have that problem though.

  I guess I am an extroverted introvert. I don't start conversations, only end them.

  "Charlotte...", he blushed a bit, "Would you like to go to the concert with me?"

  Concert? Right, we have that. I originally won't be going, instead, I was going to stream during that time... ah, I have an idea.

  "I have other pns that day. I'll be going around alone, so we might bump into each other.", I wear a mischievous smile, "I might also be singing if they allow me to."

  "You can sign up for the talent show, showing off your power or tell a story.", he stated.

  "Like this?", I snapped my finger, creating three swords made of Justice Mist in the air, pointing at him.

  "Please don't point weapons at other people.", he frowned, lifting his right index up— forcing my swords to point away.

  Gravity manipution is such a neat ability. I dispersed the mist, returning them back to me.

  I stirred my drink, then took a sip at it.

  "I like to threaten people, it's what makes interacting with me fun!", I ughed, "Heha~ but I only do it if someone ticked me off."

  "I hope I don't ever tick you off.", he said to himself, looking up to the sky.

  Then he stood up, "There's a new customer, I'll see you ter."

  "See you.", I waved as he left. I took another sip... hmm, very sweet.

  I opened up my phone, checking my emails... death threat, death threat, spam, death threat, nothing new— oh, there is an email from Ataraxia here.

  It's an invitation to join the talent show.

  I quickly added my information and submitted it. I applied for blindfolded archery, with my feet no less, while standing with my hands.

  To be honest, I am doing this to spite that Robin Hood girl. Spite is the best form of motivation after all.

  Hm? A new mail just dropped. Let's see... a colborative event with Lux Academy in Irend? The one run by Setana Uvrid, the Gem Holder of Cú Chuinn? Damn...

  I took out my phone, "Mom, I need help."

  And Seria appeared right in front of me in a puff of red fme, wearing casual clothing, a red shirt, and bck shorts. Her crimson red eyes stare at me with a bemused look, her smile slowly creeping up.

  "Uhh...", it was Asteral who broke the silence, looking at Seria, "What can I get for you?"

  "Whiskey if you don't mind, I'll pay for the whole bottle!", Seria ughed, "Ice and some lemon soda, any brand would do."

  "I'll see what I can do.", he nodded and went away.

  Seria put her elbows on the table, using her hands to support her head as she hunched down. Her eyes stare at me, reading my slightest of facial movements.

  "So~ my dear daughter, what do you want me to help with?", she asked with a pyful tone.

  "Ataraxia and Lux is having a colborative event. Do something about it.", I pinly said.

  She tilted her head, "Okay, Imma need some more context here. I know you fuck over other people for a living, so who do you want me to fuck over? Titor or Setana?"

  "Titor."

  Seria nodded, "I'll see what I can do. 'Cause it seems fun! Hehehehe~ I'll inform Selen, who's the Dean of Libertas by the way, to make arrangements. She likes causing trouble... not sure why she was nominated to be honest."

  "I thought every problem in Libertas starts with you.", I was genuinely surprised.

  "Hey~ I am on the Academy board, but I don't make outndish regutions! Like, you can assassinate your cssmates. Not literally, no, just to train everyone to have their guard up at all times.", she sighed, "And the ongoing faction war? It's even more of a shit show than the Parliament!"

  "So why didn't you send me to that pce?", I frowned.

  "My dear, we both know what would happen if you were in Libertas.", she bluntly stated, as if it was fact, " You would ruin what makes Libertas special, and I don't want that."

  That's fair. I would probably be alone, isoted, and run around ruining whatever bance they had.

  "Anyway, enough about academy this and that. Tell me about your friends!"

  I replied with a smile, "My first friend, Hoa, who I met all the way back in Las Vegas... she's a Herald. She's someone who points out my crazy doings, pretty straight ce for a bloodthirsty Vampire. Then there is Mitsuki, she's a ball of energy for someone who is so cold she can freeze time itself. Also, she might have Dissociative Identity Disorder. Those are my two friends, living with me now."

  "How's living with other people?", she repced her fake smile with a genuine one.

  "It's fun, I like having them around the house. Their energy really brings life to my home—"

  A dark pce crossed my mind— cold and tense—

  "—I was enjoying life...", I spoke aloud...

  She changed her seat to the one next to me, she hugged me...

  "You are still a child, Charlotte. No matter what anyone tells you, no matter what you think. You are a child, so embrace that naive nature. You may know a lot about the world, you may possess an adult mind. But you don't need it, not now at least."

  She was... being genuine. I don't know how to feel about this...

  This is weird.

  No— don't sympathize... I don't want it...

  "You had a horrible childhood, one you don't even remember...", she continued.

  Don't speak anymore. I don't want to feel these...

  "So you deserve to live the best life, growing up in the best environment.", her whispers were sweet and sincere.

  You people put me in there... You don't have the rights to say that.

  "You can hate anyone, you can love anyone. That is your rights, your freedom."

  Shut up...

  "Don't be like me, I lived a horrible life. I want the best for you, that is what I want... and my promise to the other you."

  "SHUT THE FUCK UP!", I created a knife out of the mist— which I used to stab her in the throat.

  "Oh fuck!", Seria reeled back. And fire began to envelop her neck, regenerating the wound. You bitch!!

  "I don't do well with other's emotions. Don't project your wishes and dreams onto me! I am good on my own, I don't need other people to point me where the correct path is!!"

  For fuck sake, I am the Akasha! I know what I want, I know what is correct, I know what is wrong...

  I took in a deep breath, calming myself down.

  I furrowed my brows, showing how uncomfortable and angry I was, "Sorry... I... argh... just... don't touch me."

  "It's okay, Charlotte.", she patted my head with a bright smile, "That was my fault, you don't need to say sorry. Hm~ empathy and kindness are your weaknesses, that's interesting."

  "Shut it, Seria.", I grumbled.

  Then my eyes snapped at Asteral, who was staring.

  "Umm... I'm bringing what she ordered.", he replied, looking between me and Seria, "I can come back ter..."

  "No, no~ just put it on the table! I'll handle the rest.", Seria stopped him from walking away.

  He nodded, pcing the Whiskey bottle and the rest of the things she ordered on the table. Then he left.

  "What a polite boy, don't you think?", she got to the other side.

  I nodded, answering in silence. He's pretty cute in that regard, like a pet.

  "Anyway, I'll have a drink here and then return to America. But I'll be meeting you here in a couple of months, something about searching for someone who can merge Relics together.", she huffed, looking into the sky, "I sure do miss her."

  ...Wait.

  "Were you and Sincir lovers?"

  Seria just gives me "that" stare. Like I just uncovered an embarrassing secret I shouldn't have known.

  "Yeah, she was hot okay?! There is nothing wrong with kissing a sexy seductive girl!!", she got all defensive.

  I just frowned, looking as if she was the worst scum in the world. Just a disapproval stare. Sincir is me, even if she's a messed-up psycho from another timeline. She is still me.

  "So the reason you adopted me was because of her?", I am not angry.

  "Charlotte, did I ever tell you, you look scary from time to time?", her smile faltered.

  My eyes sharpen, locking on her.

  "Did you adopt me because of her?", I am not angry.

  "Not at all! You are pretty interesting yourself—", she stopped talking as I jumped over the table, my hands gripping both sides of the chair.

  I got in closer.

  "Answer. Me.", I am not angry.

  And finally, Seria relented, "Okay, okay! Yes, I adopted you because Sincir suggested it! But it wasn't completely because of her, I took you because you are special and pretty interesting!!"

  "I know you are faking being scared.", I am not angry, "So I can rip your throat out—"

  Hm? I am floating. Ah, Asteral is still here.

  "Sorry for interrupting, but please refrain from doing things like that.", he pointed at the table, which I was standing on, "It could damage the furniture."

  "Oh... sorry.", I stepped down.

  Asteral nodded and left.

  "Well, at least you know how to be polite.", Seria quipped.

  "I am not finished with you—", she reversed the situation in an instant, hugging me once more.

  "You are still a kid~ hehehehe! You don't need to understand adult retionships just yet.", she kissed me in the back of my head.

  "I am Charlotte Silvi, Master of Mankind—", she shut me up, covering my mouth with her hand.

  "Don't unleash your power so casually!", she yelled at me.

  "I was just fooling around.", I peeled her hand off.

  We stayed silent for a while, enjoying the comfortable trance of the wind...

  "This is nice."

  "Yup.", Seria agreed with me.

  Fortunately, it is time for me to go. I got out of her embrace, stretching a bit. Having the st sip of my drink, I stare at Seria.

  "I'll be going now.", I pulled up the hood of my trench coat.

  "Have a safe trip!", she waved at me.

  Then I hopped over the railing, going down...