Game of Monsters - 154 (Patreon)

Forgive Me My Weakness

[Ravel Phenex]

She was a little annoyed… but mostly worried.

Joshua was in a bad condition and she wasn’t able to do anything. That was the main source of her frustration. Another was that not everyone involved in that mess had been dealt with and they had gotten away. All of it contributed to her foul mood, because how dare they?

Ravel had already asked about it and Joshua had agreed to let her pull some strings in regards to those people. Unfortunately, the rather condescending tone with which he’d said that was… warranted. In hindsight, she should have known that anyone that owed him had already been questioned when it came to that… Khaos Brigade.

The reason for her worries was pretty simple and it was just as related to all that. Joshua had been… not hurt, but he’d certainly been affected by the whole ordeal. He’d been basically resting for a few days already and she’d barely gotten a few visits in. All that she’d been able to do in that time ws organize his schedule as best she could so that he could start again once he felt better, which was a little complicated, since she didn’t have precise information.

However, she’d do her best anyway.

Joshua had taught her a lot, after all. Maybe he’d done so unknowingly and unintentionally, but he had. Ravel had started applying his “teachings” as it were, and she’d already earned quite a bit of favor with some of Riser’s peerage members and the staff of her family. Small, in the grand scheme of things, but she’d learned that just being kind could be greatly useful.

Ravel had a feeling that her “teacher” wouldn’t appreciate her looking at it like that.

“You are overthinking again,” the aforementioned man told her, a weary smile on his face. All his expressions were like that as of late, she noticed, and that was part of what had her worried. Every time she’d seen Joshua, he’d been this unshakable pillar of strength. He always moved and talked with that quiet, humble confidence of his.

And now, his face was paler than usual. His hair was more of a mess. There were dark bags under his eyes. His expression was weak and his posture slumped. It was like someone had taken the man that had sat across her parents and stood his ground and left him powerless and exhausted.

Ravel didn’t like that.

She was yet another victim of the path of kindness, after all.

“And you are underthinking again,” she mumbled, checking over her notes. This was going to be a tense moment and she needed to make sure it went smoothly. There was precedent, of course, but things hadn’t gone too well that time. Maybe she could help-

“Maybe,” Joshua commented with a weak chuckle that just validated her worries. “I guess that is what I have you for,” he added, planting his hand on top of her head. It was exceedingly insulting to be treated as a child like that. However, it helped Joshua feel better, so Ravel allowed it, just this once.

She wasn’t pouting.

She wasn’t enjoying it either.

Ravel had no idea why Cheshire was staring at her like that.

“Ahem, so,” she started, coughing behind her fist and looking away from Joshua’s smile. “House of Water has recovered surprisingly quickly and Director Waterhouse wants to start operating as quickly as possible. However, I have to insist that Mr. Davis isn’t ready to be teaching classes once more in the state-”

“I’ve told you. I’ve taught while recovering from magical exhaustion. Arguably a worse situation than right now,” the man interrupted, looking both happy and frustrated at the same time. “I can cast magic and move around just fine. I just tire easily and am a bit out of sorts. I should be fine so long as I have people keeping an eye on me and don’t push myself too much.”

“That’s where I come in, I gather?” Ravel asked, putting on her best professional expression. She was, internally, very happy to know that Joshua trusted her with such a duty. She wondered if he realized how much of a big deal it was that he allowed her to look after him in his moment of weakness.

It sounded like the kind of thing he’d have an odd outlook on or otherwise outright not be aware of the significance.

“Indeed,” he confirmed with a smile. “You and the Stars,” he added, which slightly dampened her excitement, but not too much. It made sense. The Stars were the actual experts in what Joshua taught, or as much of an expert as anyone else could be, really. “Levi should be good enough to cover if I slip up in the theory. It’ll be good practice for whenever I have him take over the classes,” Joshua finished with.

That made sense. He wanted the student to take over, with his incredible talent when it came to theory. Eliphas Levi would be a great source of power for Joshua too, even if he likely didn’t realize that. He’d basically be getting all the favor the classes gave him without actually having to teach them. On top of that, Levi was someone that knew the only reason he’d have any importance and any favor was because Joshua had given him the chance.

Without Joshua, the student would have continued to be disregarded for his lack of talent when it came to practical use of magic.

It was a masterpiece of a plan that Ravel was awed by. Somehow, the fact that Joshua likely hadn’t taken into account half of the entire meaning of it all just made the whole thing impressive.

What a scary man she was following, to have people dancing in his palm just because of virtues.

Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Kindness and Humility.

And meanwhile, there Ravel was using the opposite of them all, for the sake of helping him.

Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Envy and Pride.

“Shall we go in?” Joshua asked her, turning towards the door of his classroom and starting to walk in already. ‘Not only are you odd,’ Ravel thought to herself as she followed him. ‘You also make others odd.’

[}-o-{]

[Eliphas Levi]

“That’s why you have to be careful with hexes,” Professor Davis lectured, leaning back on his desk as he stood, like it was any other day of classes and not just a few short days after they were attacked. He looked like a strong breeze would make him topple over, but nobody was fooled and those that were quickly found themselves silenced. Several of them had seen similar things happening before and nobody wanted to poke the weary dragon.

They’d already found out what happened if they fucked around, as it were.

Not that Levi would have ever dared, but the Stars were wary of the rest of their classmates. Even the less… reckless – to avoid saying stupid – of the student body could slip up at times. On top of that, Phenex had talked privately with them and asked them to look out for Professor Davis. His current state didn’t only leave him exhausted and weak, but also affected his mind. Thus, they’d be responsible for picking up anything that might need correcting.

It was a duty that especially fit Levi’s skillset and he knew it. The devil had actually singled him out from the very beginning. He found it to be an honor, truly, but it was also a huge weight on his shoulders. It was an opportunity as much as it was a threat, in a way.

Still, he wouldn’t fail.

“Never try to make a hex play nice. It’s just not in their nature, just like a hawk can’t be asked to stay on land or a wolf to live in water. Hexes are mean and they’ll always be, regardless of how much you try to contain them, so don’t. It’s better to use wards if you are going to try something like that. They are less… driven, as it were,” Professor Davis explained and they all took note of everything, including the displays he made appear over the boards.

“They are unstable,” George whispered to them and it took a moment for Levi to notice. Indeed, it was barely noticeable. If it hadn’t been pointed out to him, he might have missed it entirely. The edges of the illusions seemed to be less vibrant, like a ghostly sight compared to the rest of it.

“We might need to draw attention away,” Meredith whispered back, acting as if nothing were happening. “Can you keep an eye on that, George? We’ll take care of the rest if it gets worse.”

“Of course,” the Recovery Magic user replied instantly with a firm nod, even as he continued taking notes. His eyes kept darting to the illusions though, never faltering.

The entire interaction only fueled Levi to cover for his duty. The others could keep an eye on Professor Davis and the class. He’d look out for any mistakes in the theory. It was his strength and he wouldn’t fail, not when he could finally do something.

“So, hexes are better used for ruthless purposes. Targeting trespassers, for example,” Professor Davis continued explaining. “Not to say there aren’t other uses, but even the most… soft approaches at using it will end up being rough and blunt. As such, it’s better if you focus your efforts into applying them in the way they are supposed to be. Otherwise, it’s like trying to use fuel to put out a fire. It just doesn’t work that way. Now, let’s go a little more in depth in regards to this, shall we?” their teacher asked with a smile as he pushed himself to a fully standing position and then paused.

‘Is he…?’

“Professor Davis?” Meredith called, hand in the air.

“Yes?” the man replied, visibly gathering his thoughts.

“I was just curious as to what you’d consider a soft approach to hexes,” the girl said, putting on an act that was truly impressive. At the same time, Levi noticed most of the Stars were very much paying attention. All but George, who had his eyes glued to the illusory displays.

“In a bit, Meredith. We’ll be going over all of this in more detail, as I said,” the Professor replied with a smile directed their way that told them he knew exactly what they were doing. Then he gave them a nod, and Levi liked to think that was him telling them that he appreciated it. “Actually, let’s do something first,” the man said, running his fingers through his hair.

It looked just as natural Meredith’s acting, but Levi noticed and judging by their shifting, the other Stars did too. The man dragged on the gesture for just a little longer than usual. There was also half a second where they could see his expression dropping when it was mostly hidden by his arm.

“Levi,” Professor Davis called and he sat straighter on his seat. “You are the best at theory and you are likely ahead of everyone else here except me… maybe,” the man commented. He didn’t seem to be annoyed or anything of the sort as he said that. Was that a joke? Could be, but then why did he look… proud? “Can you tell us your opinion and thoughts? I’ll correct you if you mess up, which I rather doubt, and I’ll explain further if I think you missed something. As it is… everyone, I’d take notes of anything he says as if it were me. He’s much more orthodox than I am, which I hear is easier to learn from for those that aren’t used to my more… free approach.”

“Of course,” he replied, mulling over what the teacher had said for a moment.

That was a bit of an understatement. Few people could follow Professor Davis’ positively wild way of magic. Geniuses couldn’t really explain their ways to the normal people, after all. It was such a break from the usual paths, that it had taken a while for people to truly get it. However, Levi could safely say that being in his classes was a privilege he’d never take for granted.

For an increasingly higher number of reasons.

[}-o-{]

[Kunou]

“Damnit!” the fallen across from her cursed, unable to get the shape of the flower quite right with her purple flames. To Kunou, it looked like a good enough job, but she’d learned that Raynare was a bit of a perfectionist. Kind of like her dad, she supposed.

“Dad doesn’t like it when people curse in front of me,” she chimed, making the fallen do a full body flinch instantly. That was another thing she’d learned. Raynare seemed positively terrified about displeasing Joshua or otherwise disappointing him. Kunou could kind of relate.

Her dad had a very strong disappointed look, even if he was a pushover.

“I’m sorry, Miss Kunou,” Raynare said, bowing and all. She reminded her of some of her mother’s servants… when they were new, at least. Absolutely terrified of messing up and going above and beyond to make up for their “transgressions”. It had long since stopped being funny, especially because it made Kunou feel that much more apart from people.

She didn’t feel too bad then and there though. Raynare was… odd, but she could be kind of cool when she relaxed a bit. So, it was just a matter of getting her used to things, she supposed. Just like how servants at her mother’s place eventually got the gist of it.

However…

“Dad said you were a meanie,” she commented, staring right at the fallen. She got more or less the reaction she expected, with full grimace and a flinch, her face paling. Normally, she’d have felt bad about that. That wasn’t a normal situation though. “He said you helped take away his family.”

“I… did,” the woman admitted, still grimacing, if less so than before. At least she was honest. Joshua had also explained more than that, of course. He’d told her that Raynare had been deceived, even if she wasn’t quite what one would call good. He’d seemed sad about the fact that he’d been mean to her and the other one that wasn’t around anymore, Mitel or something.

Joshua had said he’d made sure to try and make up for that. He’d put on a good word for the other one with the fallen and was now helping Raynare. Still though, what they had done wasn’t nice, and Kunou was kind of angry herself. Those were family members she’d never get to meet now.

However…

“You helped us with the meanies at home,” she commented, still staring at the fallen. She wanted to understand things better and for that she needed information. Both her mother and her father agreed that one needed as much information as possible when trying to make a decision. “Why?”

“Because…” Raynare started before pausing.

Kunou glanced to the side, towards Cheshire in a corner of the room. She wondered if the fallen knew the familiar was there. Either way, she turned her attention back to Raynare, trying to read her as best she could. She wasn’t as good as her mother, or even her father – which was a little frustrating –, at using Senjutsu to feel other’s life energy. However, she was good enough to read that woman and Cheshire would help her too, just in case.

“Because I care about Davis,” the fallen finally said and Kunou was surprised that she was… actually honest, from what she could tell and from what Cheshire could tell, more importantly. “There’s many reasons, but I think that’s the one you want to hear about the most,” the woman added, further proving that she was being shockingly truthful.

“I see,” she replied, more because she didn’t know what else to say than anything else.

“He cares a lot about you,” Raynare continued and Kunou perked up the smallest bit. It was always nice when someone said something like that regarding her dad and her. “So, helping you is only natural,” the woman explained simply, bluntly, as she turned towards her flame construct and continued trying to perfect it. “You are his daughter, so you must be protected.”

Kunou hummed, a smile on her face.

“I think I like you,” she replied, beaming at the woman. The fallen, for her part, seemed taken aback by her words. So much so that the flames she’d created went out completely, unlike before when she just messed up a little. “The guards and servants always say unnecessary things. But you are direct. I like that.”

She giggled, watching a strange expression on the fallen’s face.

“I think dad likes that too,” she added, which seemed to catch Raynare even more off guard.

“I don’t think he cares,” she denied. Kunou didn’t really disagree with that, but there was something positive about that. Or, at least, she thought so.

“He doesn’t care quite as much, no,” she agreed with a nod. “But I think that’s actually kind of good for you,” she added, drawing a confused look from the fallen, which was fair. “When dad cares, he’ll try to keep you safe, try not to put pressure on you. But he doesn’t care as much about you, so he won’t hold back on your account,” she explained, making the woman blink.

“... I see,” Raynare replied slowly, making a small purple flame appear over her palm absently. “There’s something to be said about that, I guess,” she mused out loud, but it seemed like she was talking more to herself than to Kunou.

That was fine. She’d said her piece, after all. Dad needed all the help he could get, but he was always reluctant to ask for it. So, if he had someone like Raynare around, Kunou would feel better. At least then he’d have someone to rely on for things he would normally do by himself.

“You are a smart one. As expected of his child,” Raynare said, and Kunou’s thoughts were derailed by the joy she felt at that comparison. Giving her a smirk, the fallen turned to continue trying to mold her flames to fit Kunou’s illusions.

“Thanks, Auntie Raynare,” she replied cheerfully, giggling as the woman’s fire flickered out.

[}-o-{]

[Asia Argento]

She hummed softly, her dirt-stained hands working on her plants.

Her garden was a safe place, and Asia found that she needed some peace, after the troubling events that her… friends had gone through. Everyone had been in danger and she hadn’t been able to do anything. It was frustrating, but such was the life the Lord had designed for her. She’d wait for them to come back alive, so that she’d help them recover.

That was Asia’s fate and she liked it, even if she found it… depressing, at times.

She dared not be ungrateful, least of all complain. After all, she had been given plenty, especially as of late. Some people’s design was to be where the danger was and some others, like her, were meant to be there when danger was over and people needed to recover. Everything and everyone had their role and Asia was grateful to have one at all.

“Something the matter?” Joshua asked from behind her and Asia sighed. It was never easy to hide things from the man, especially when he was close by. She didn’t know why she tried, other than maybe sparing him worries. Alas, she couldn’t manage to do that.

There was no use, just like there was no use trying to steer Joshua away from his question.

“... I just wish I could do more,” Asia answered, sighing. “Is that greedy of me? Maybe proudful?”

“I very much doubt it,” she heard him say and she turned to see him smiling amusedly at her. “That was kind of a vague statement, but knowing you? You probably wish you could do more to help others, and that’s commendable, as far as I’m concerned,” he added softly, his smile dimming the smallest bit.

That made sense. He was still recovering, after all. Asia regretted the fact that her Twilight Healing couldn’t manage to do anything in regards to that. Instead, there she was, throwing her troubles at him when she should be trying to alleviate the weights on his shoulders.

“Why is your mood getting worse?” Joshua asked her. Before she could answer, or say anything, the man stood up from the stone bench he’d been sitting at, leaving behind the notebook he’d been working on.

“You shouldn’t strain yourself, Mr. Joshua,” she mumbled, wringing her hands worriedly.

“Standing and walking isn’t a strain,” he told her, waving off her worries. “So,” he continued, reaching her and sitting beside her. “What’s the matter?”

“... I should be helping, and instead I’m making you worry,” she whispered, turning back to her plants.

“And I should be helping everyone, but instead I’m worrying them too,” he told her, making her look at her once more. “Are you saying I should feel guilty about that?”

“You should think about those that care about you before doing dangerous things,” she mumbled, not looking at him. “But you are not wrong. I’m being silly.”

“You are being kind,” he replied and Asia felt his hand being dropped on top of her head before he ruffled her hair. “Too kind, as usual. You are allowed to want things for yourself, Asia. You are allowed to not think about others on occasion. Love others as you love yourself also means you have to love yourself, doesn’t it?” he pointed out to her and Asia paused.

She had never considered that line like that. She’d always thought about it in the sense that she should care about others. She had thought it meant for people that were selfish, trying to steer them towards more selfless thoughts. However, could it really be taken the other way around? For people that were too selfless, trying to steer them towards selfishness? It sounded wrong but-

“You are just as important as everyone else, Asia,” Joshua told her softly. “Too much of a good thing is still bad,” he added for her and she turned to see him smiling at her. “I guess I can try and help you be more selfish.”

“You can’t corrupt me, Mr. Joshua,” she mumbled, turning away and continuing her work. She’d be a liar if she said she wasn’t smiling, however.

“I can try,” he replied jokingly. “Anything I can tempt you with?”

Plenty of things, Asia knew. She’d had many desires, especially as of late, but they were all selfish, greedy. She shouldn’t indulge such thoughts. And yet…

“Have you thought what you’ll do once things calm down?” he asked her all of a sudden, making her blink. “You are here for your protection… and for other reasons too. What’ll you do once that’s over?”

“I… I guess I’ll go back to the Church, not sure where, specifically,” she answered, and she wondered why it felt like her chest hurt. The Church was her home, after all. They’d given her everything she had…

Except, had they? Because the garden in front of her, the plants that populated it. Those had been given by Joshua, right? He’d had no need to do that, but he had done so anyway. Just like the many delicious meals he’d prepared for her. Or the lavish room where she resided at the moment.

“Do you want to go?” Joshua asked her. “Because you know you are welcome to stay if you want to, right? The Church and Heaven can be convinced and I certainly don’t mind.”

“Wouldn’t that be asking for too much?” she whispered, looking at her plants even while her hands stopped.

“Of course not. You are practically part of the family,” the man told her, as if she were silly and that fact obvious.

Her hands trembled.

“Then could I…” she started, but the words got stuck in her throat. There was silence then, where she couldn’t say what she wanted and Joshua waited patiently. Eventually, one of those facts turned untrue. “Could I be family… for real?”

“... Asia Davis,” Joshua commented and she felt the knot in her throat come back with a vengeance. “Doesn’t have a terrible ring to it, don’t you think?”

“... No, it does not.”

“Then, I guess you are actual family now, huh?”

“... Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

[} Chapter End {]

Hey guys! How’s it going?

Why did I feel the need to write an entire chapter from other people’s PoV? I have absolutely no idea. I just did, so I wrote it. The Muse do be fickle like that, I guess. Sometimes it just wants things and I’m but a slave of her whims.

Such is my fate.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Discord Link: discord.gg/UTDransjJZ

Random Question: Any favorites from this bundle of PoVs?

See you.