“Whatever makes you say that?” Mizuki asked in a calm voice – though beneath it she was panicking.

“Because I don’t believe in coincidence.” Sora replied as he stared into Mizuki’s eyes.

“Hohohohoho..don’t believe in coincidence…” Mizuki began laughing hearing this. “You are correct, someone is toying with you but that person is not me. I am only following the preordained will of the heavens.”

Sora was surprised – he didn’t expect his guess to be on the mark. What did she mean by someone is toying with him? And what is the preordained will of the heavens? Are those filler lines or did it have deeper meaning?

Mizuki revealed her smile as she put away the paper fan. “Let me also be blunt with you Sora, I want you.”

“Eh?”

- She couldn’t possibly mean that in that sense?

“However, before I reveal my intentions, I would like you to undertake a simple test.”

“Test?”

“A test of strength of sorts.” Seeing Sora being apprehensive, Mizuki added, “It won’t take much time or put you in any danger.”

“Don’t want to.” Sora shot back. He was going to be as unhelpful as possible. He wouldn’t cooperate with this woman one bit. She could not be trusted – not one bit. Even if she revealed her true intentions Sora was certain he wouldn’t work alongside her.

“Then, please return my items to me…” Mizuki replied with smile as she extended her hand out.

“Items?” Sora asked with a surprise.

“The eye-patch and cuffs you wear are artefacts provided by me to you free of cost.” This was a lie – the aid given to Sora had already been secured by Ai’s promise. However, Sora did not know that.

Sora raised his hand to remove the eye-patch, when Mizuki realized that he was about to remove it and spoke up, “Remember that is what is keeping you alive. Right now, the energy flowing through you is so intense, removing the eye-patch carelessly could result in your death.”

Sora stopped right there. He knew that the eye-patch was giving off a cooling sensation and lessening his burden in some way but he had no way of knowing that it was a critical life support device.

“I’ll take the test.” Sora nodded in acceptance. If a test is all it took to have such a critical item that was keeping him alive – Sora wouldn’t mind taking the test. After all, she did say it was a quick harmless test…

“Blanche! Hand me the celestial orb.” Mizuki ordered the white sleeping Mokana.

The two Mokana apparently lost interest in Sora’s and Mizuki’s conversation and perched next to Mizuki – on her divan and fell into deep sleep. The white Mokana which was resting against the black one – awoke on hearing the mistress’s command and regurgitated a white crystal ball.

Sora watched the process in disgust.

Kuro awoke along with his fellow companion, “Is he taking the test? Why make him take the test? Isn’t he just an ordinary skeleton?” he asked.

Mizuki rubbed Kuro’s head, “Kuro, plenty has happened since you brought Sora up here. A test is necessary.”

Mizuki took the white crystal ball that Blanche – literally puked out – and wiped it dry with a cloth. She then tossed the ball to Sora, who flimsily caught it.

“Careful…” She warned Sora. “We wouldn’t want to break anything.”

Sora held the crystal ball in his hand. It was no bigger than a tennis ball but was surprisingly heavy. It was azure blue in colour and completely opaque. Sora could see his reflection in the ball as he brought it closer – he smirked as he saw the reflection of a skeleton.

“Now stop playing about and release your spiritual energy.” Mizuki ordered.

“Spiritual energy?” Sora was completely lost. He had seen this type of power measuring item in animes but he had no idea how it worked.

“Do you not know the three types of energy?” Mizuki asked in shock.

Sora nodded sideways. He had absolutely no clue. No one had taught him anything about this world so far.

“You did have Guardians?”

“Yes…”

“And they did not teach you?” Mizuki asked with her eyebrow raised.

Sora nodded sideways again. The Abbe wasn’t very talkative or helpful when it came to answering his questions.

A look of concern and suspicion furrowed her brows. An ordinary guardian would have taught their master history, literature and science of this world. Yet, Sora’s guardians taught him nothing? Could it be had some unintelligent monster for a Guardian? Mizuki glanced at Sora and put those thoughts to rest – whatever the case maybe Mizuki was uninterested in pursuing matters which did not concern her. She was curious to know everything – like where are Sora’s guardians now or how did they get separated. However, none of these matters concerned her.

“Are Guardians supposed to teach this?” Sora asked.

“I am afraid in matters pertaining to the world of adventurers, I am lacking in understanding. I cannot give you a certain answer with regards to that question. However, the Guardians that I have observed and known, have always taught their masters well.”

Sora was boiling in rage. The Abbe did no such thing! Sora could argue the case that the Abbe was not a good teacher as he may not have known how to teach. However, he was an ex-Templar knight! How could he not be knowledgeable?

There was also the fact which was not known to Sora, that the Abbe was the teacher of the King of Feladonia. Only the best teachers are selected to be the teacher to the crown prince. The Abbe’s actions when it came to Sora did not match his capability. It could be considered very suspicious.

If there was any fault of Sora’s it would be that he never pressed the Abbe for more information. However, for the better or the worse, Sora now ended up in front of Mizuki – an absolute genius amongst genius, and one of the most knowledgeable beings on the continent.

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Author's note:

1. Sorry! But I had to make mention of the Abbe here. It was as if none of you were asking the really important questions!