"Looks like it's our turn to take over," said the man carrying a flamethrower.
"Haha! It's been a long time since I've smashed these little things," commented another man, who was holding a straight sword in his right hand and a pistol in his left.
"Come on, let's smash those wasps! Whoever gets stung should eat a raw egg!" a young-looking paladin carrying a rifle shouted, eager to fire.
"Paladins are... well, they're always a curious bunch," commented Élodie, who was still not used to the men's enthusiasm for using their weapons.
"They're a mixed bunch. There are warriors, normal people, and even the odd wizard among them. Look at that old man. He's about to cast a spell." Séraphine pointed to an old man who made a slashing gesture with his palm. From it came a jet of sharp aether that quickly split the Killer Wasp in two.
Sure enough, as the giant bug's green blood splattered on the floor, its brethren remaining inside the house were drawn to the scene. Under the incessant buzzing of its wings, many of these hungry creatures emerged from the cottage, seeking to devour all the flesh present.
"Nuns with light powers and paladins bringing together diverse groups of people—it's strange when you think about it. Luckily, the Tower doesn't meddle in other matters except those that concern them," muttered Élodie, watching the men laugh as they tore apart, hacked, and burned the creatures that constantly emerged.
Though they looked rowdy, the group of men was extremely orderly. They encircled their enemies to prevent escape, attacking the more aggressive ones with preemptive fire. When their numbers were down, they charged with everything they had.
This demonstrated how meticulous the paladins could be despite being a diverse group. Though they laughed constantly and made off-color comments, they did their job effectively.
"Don't look down on them. They're usually under control. But they rarely encounter such promising targets," said Sophia, defending her companions. However, the girl sounded doubtful because she didn't quite believe her.
"I've always had a question, but no one ever answers me when I ask it. Why isn't the power of Mother Light toxic to the real world and humans?" asked Élodie. Her words made Sophia narrow her crimson eyes as she looked at the police with scrutiny.
"You're very curious," she said. The jovial atmosphere between them suddenly tensed.
The blonde had heard this question before from other nuns and priests, so she simply waved her hand, trying to play it down.
"You don't have to answer. It's a question I've had since I was a child. For example, why is there no religion in Shattercrown and much of the world? It's a little strange to me, you know?
In that country of the Iron Continent, Orinthia? They seem devoted to Mother Light, yet they never use the term 'religion,' even though it exists." The blonde continued prying, accelerating her speech to avoid possible interruptions.
Sophia's lips tightened. The nun felt the urge to touch Élodie's head with her cane to see if it was hollow. Didn't she notice the strange atmosphere that had been generated?
Séraphine even patted her face, feeling that her headache had worsened significantly by simply listening to the police. However, it was the elderly wizard among the paladins who answered the blonde's questions.
"Because unbridled worship is dangerous, brat! Why do you think we deal with cults and cultists? A religion would be awful. That country, well, let's just say they did well not to call themselves a religious state, though they have all the makings of one." The old man had overheard some of Élodie's questions and couldn't help but answer her.
"Haven't you read? There are books on this subject! You can look in the library. It's common knowledge that religion wiped out the elves thousands of years ago.
Have you ever seen any remnants of the elven lineage in humans? There's nothing left!" The old man raised his voice, attracting the attention of his companions who had already finished dealing with the wasps.
"Although we borrow words like 'nun' or 'paladin,' we only have the same cultural appreciation for Mother Light as everyone else does. Building temples or worshipping her image?
Don't forget that she's a spirit world being! A benevolent one, but still from the spirit world," said the man holding the flamethrower.
"True. But aren't there other powerful beings, like the Scarlet Moon or the Lady in Grey? Even that bastard Whisperer! But even their cultists don't want to found a religion on these beings!" The man with a sword and a gun said this with a mocking tone and a disdainful smile.
"Does that answer your question? It seems that being in the army doesn't allow you to become more educated," Séraphine joked with Élodie, whose face blushed as she realized her questions had already been answered; she just never bothered to look for the answers.
"Don't scold her. The most important thing is to leave ignorance behind. There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who don't ask," Sophia commented in defense. However, from the laughter on her face, it was obvious that she was teasing the police too.
"Okay, I'm going to read more. Sorry, I just had some questions." Élodie lowered her head, trying to hide her flushed face and her urge to smash everyone with her hammer.
"But I still don't know about Mother Light's power," she muttered. Sophia looked at her companions, who shrugged.
"Come on, it's not a secret. Even the witch here should know that," said the aged wizard. Séraphine nodded since she knew that information.
"Wait, you're a warrior of civilian origin?" the witch asked suddenly, causing the others to look at Élodie with astonishment.
"That explains why she doesn't know something so simple. She's first generation," said the paladin carrying a sword and a pistol. He looked at the blonde with a certain touch of respect.
"What's wrong with me being a civilian? I joined the army and fought! Now I'm a cop!" exclaimed Élodie, touching the badge hanging from her neck.
"They weren't referring to that, but rather, to the fact that talented civilians generally live their entire lives without being able to use their abilities," Séraphine pointed out, calming the police and getting them to pay attention to her.
"Although there is no direct relation between using aether and lineage, families with people who can use this energy tend to produce talented individuals. At the very least, they make it easier for their descendants to discover their talents," the witch began to explain. This topic was one of the first things someone had to learn, regardless of the path they chose.
"Although civilians are aware of the supernatural world, they lack significant knowledge. They may know of the existence of aether, but using it? Unless they are geniuses or this power manifests itself in times of danger, they will never realize that they can use it." Séraphine's words caused Élodie to recall the first time she felt the searing heat of her aether coursing through her body.
Her memories were fleeting, but everyone could see her shiver slightly and begin to breathe shakily. Sophia rested her staff on the blonde woman's head, and a soft glow washed over her.
The light's power permeated her being and eased her discomfort. When she realized what had happened, the police nodded to the nun but remained silent, waiting for Séraphine to continue.
"In a family of people who can use aether, it's easy to detect talent. Depending on their abilities, they can choose one of three paths: Warrior, Wizard, or Witch, and Alchemist.
My parents are one warrior and one alchemist. I was trained by a witch known to my family. She taught me many things." Séraphine finished her narration, making Élodie nod.
"No wonder those rich kids in the army looked at me with contempt at first. Was it because I'm from a civilian background? After one mission, though, they stopped, and now we're friends," commented the policewoman, who smiled and seemed to have come out of her earlier sadness.
"So, Mother Light's power is different. No, it's spiritual energy with different rules. That's what differentiates those powerful beings in the spiritual world from the rest; they wield the power of rules and concepts." Sophia decided to reveal the answer the blonde wanted so much, making her blue eyes sparkle with emotion.
"Mother Light embodies purification, protection, and, broadly speaking, light. Other beings... It's not good to talk about them too much. That's why we give them nicknames. Their names have power, and knowing their true names is dangerous.
"That is why you will never hear the true name of Mother Light. It is better never to know it. But it is because of such soft concepts that certain people are capable of using the artifacts of Mother Light to channel their power. They earn the nickname 'monk' or 'nun,'" Séraphine continued, picking up where Sophia left off. Séraphine was familiar with this particular subject due to the indescribable things she usually observes in the betweenness of reality every time she activates her special Vision.
"Although there is some controversy, those 'Taoists' in the East also call themselves monks. There is even a variant of the warrior in those lands with the title of monk, so we usually call them priests to avoid confusion." Sophia finished the story in a soft voice. At last, Élodie's doubts were satisfied.
"It seems that I really must read more," said the policewoman, making the paladins laugh because, in a way, they could relate.
"Reading is boring! You have good muscles, girl. Why don't we train one of these days?" asked the man who fought with a sword and gun. But Sophia whacked his head with the staff in her hand.
"Jonah, stop picking on the girl. Can't you see she's exhausted?" Sophia scolded in exasperation. Then she began to criticize her fellow paladins' unprofessional attitude.
"They seem to be getting along quite well," said Élodie to Séraphine in a low voice as they watched the nun beat her men's foreheads with what should be considered a holy artifact.
"They're a fun bunch. You'll get used to them if you keep dealing with supernatural subjects. By the way, welcome to Blume, Officer Duval," the witch said with a mischievous smile, holding out her hand to the blonde. She looked at it for a few seconds before smiling with her full set of teeth.
"Thank you for working with me. I hope we will continue to be good partners in the future, consultant Rohan" Élodie reciprocated the handshake, and thus, they both recognized each other as future allies.
After going through so much together and fighting side by side, they had developed an understanding of each other, finding a certain trust in each other, especially because of the synergy they had demonstrated during the conflict against Mirian.
This simple moment would become a priceless memory in the future, and the gesture between them would become a true bond that would unite them for a long time, perhaps forever.
𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝
"Do you want to lend me your books?" asked Élodie curiously as they rode in the car, being transported by Tania.
"Yes, if you want to be a police officer, it's important to know. I don't want to be the typical witch who acts like an encyclopedia every time we work together," answered the witch, who was sitting in the passenger seat with her legs crossed and her eyes closed.
The policewoman sitting in the backseat puffed out her cheeks slightly in a childish gesture. Tania looked back using one of the rearview mirrors and burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! Finally, someone feels the same way I do!" the brunette scoffed. This caused Élodie to roll her eyes.
"Did she make you read or something?" the blonde asked. Tania nodded as she focused on the road.
"Séraphine doesn't like being asked about things she knows; you know? She gets exasperated." The girl's answer reminded Élodie of the times Séraphine scolded her for various reasons.
Sometimes it was because of her impulsiveness, but the policewoman recognized that other times it was because of her lack of knowledge. It was obvious that the witch didn't like having to deal with those situations.
"Looks like I won't be able to listen to that program on the radio tonight," muttered Élodie sadly.
"Reading nourishes the soul. It's good for improving your strength. Take it as an exercise," said Séraphine, cleverly hiding the fact that it was an extremely slow process that hardly caused noticeable changes over time.
Technically, though, she had not lied. This was one reason why wizards and witches were obsessed with knowledge: they could improve their souls through learning.
"You sound like my mother when she wanted me to eat onions," complained Élodie. She sensed that there was something hidden in the witch's words, but she couldn't identify it.
"My mom used to trick me that way, too! But she used peppers!" Tania added, and the atmosphere among the three girls became more relaxed.
"I still don't believe that strange cocoon contained the Werewolf woman's husband," commented the policewoman, making Séraphine feel sad when she thought about it.
"Imagine degenerating voluntarily for your lover, organizing a sectarian cell, being possessed, and starting a ritual, all to save your husband, and in the end..." The witch didn't finish her sentence, but Tania, who had heard about the affair, did.
"All so that the person you loved and sought to save would become a being completely corrupted by spiritual energy and transform into a monstrous spider." She still couldn't quite believe the convoluted situation her friend had gotten herself into.
It started as just a task to find a cheater and ended up leading to such a problematic affair. This was especially true because of Miriam's final words, as well as the notes and diary she had left behind.
How did Tania know? When she went to pick up Séraphine, she easily learned all of this from the witch and one of the snooty paladins she knew from working at the O'Connor bar.
"Even I know better than to trust unsupervised rituals or promises from spirit creatures," commented Élodie, who remembered Miriam's final moments.
For the first time, she felt that her duty as a police officer was about more than just defeating enemies or imprisoning people. Their purpose was protection. This experience served as fertilizer for the future growth of both the witch and the warrior.
For those who listened to her, the whole situation was a clear warning: no matter how good or attractive something in the spiritual world may sound, always be cautious. Realizing that the subject had become obscure very quickly, Séraphine chose to chat about trivial topics, making the return trip more enjoyable.
As they returned to the city, the sun began to set. The darkness, dimly illuminated by neon lights, stood out the most. Blume had a different charm at dusk, but today was not the day for them to appreciate that.
When Tania's car arrived at Séraphine's detective agency, the three girls saw another vehicle parked nearby. The witch easily recognized it as belonging to her client, Elizabeth Schwan.
"Hadn't we called earlier to let you know what you are doing here? I thought she'd be home," Tania muttered as she got out of the car.
"I hope it's money," Séraphine replied dryly. She didn't want much contact with Mrs. Schwan right now because, despite having accomplished her task, the whole situation left a bad taste in her mouth.
"Is that the wife of the guy in rehab at the Tower? She looks pretty rich," said Élodie to the witch in a low voice, causing her to nod.
Elizabeth Schwan had gotten out of her car with the help of her driver and started walking toward the trio of women. Unlike several hours ago, she was wearing makeup and a beautiful red evening gown, as if she were about to go to a party.
"I just wanted to thank you in person, Miss Rohan, for your service." After approaching, Elizabeth said those words to Séraphine. Although she looked sad, there was a relieved smile on her face.
"You don't have to do that. I was only doing my duty," the witch replied, waving her hand to play it down.
"Never mind. Now that my husband is in treatment, I hope everything can go back to normal. Here, I know it's trivial to reduce everything to money, but I don't know how else to pay you." Elizabeth rummaged through her expensive purse and soon pulled out a check she had prepared in advance.
At first, Séraphine wanted to decline. She had already received her payment, and although she wanted the money, she felt it would be improper to accept it. However, when she saw the amount, she held back her words and smiled genuinely as she gripped the precious check tightly in her hands.
"Don't worry, this is fine," the witch waved her payment, happy to have made an extra profit. She ignored the strange looks Tania and Élodie were giving her.
"Well, I must go. I have a banquet to attend. By the way, do you have my number? I'd like to invite you to my house one of these days." Mrs. Schwan's tone at the end of her words made Séraphine tense slightly. With a somewhat stiff nod, Séraphine replied,
"Yes, that would be a good idea. I won't keep you any longer. Have a nice evening." After saying goodbye, Elizabeth waved to the two women next to the witch and got into her car.
It was only when the car turned and disappeared from view that the three girls finally felt comfortable talking.
"Did you see how she was ogling you?! The rich are decadent." Tania clicked her tongue as she complained. She had never liked that woman.
"Was that a married woman flirting with you? I thought she wanted to be nice!" commented Élodie, making Séraphine frown.
"It was me being nice. While I admit I'm a bit attracted to her, perhaps she misunderstood. I wouldn't get involved with a married person," the witch replied, carefully tucking the check inside her hat.
"Does she get your attention like that? She's so smug!" Tania approached Séraphine. Because of the height difference, Tania had to stand on tiptoe to meet Séraphine's gaze.
"Aren't I better?" the girl asked in a mocking tone. Séraphine put her hand on the girl's head and pushed her down.
"You'll make Élodie misunderstand our relationship," the witch pointed out to the policewoman, who was watching their interaction curiously.
"Don't look at me; we barely knew each other today." Noticing how the girls were watching her, Élodie fought back, not wanting to be dragged into whatever was going on between Tania and Séraphine.
"Come on, you fought alongside Séraph; you can be trusted." To prove her point, Tania approached the policewoman, slipping her arm around her neck in a hug that only close friends would share.
"You protected her. That makes you important, you know? Otherwise, I'd miss the chance to go to her house today!" the brunette commented, making Élodie blush as she understood the subtext of her words. Meanwhile, Séraphine coughed slightly.
"Looks like you got too excited. I just wanted to hang out with you; nothing weird." Séraphine excused herself, but this only made her smile more aggressively.
"I thought you kept seeing my butt before!" The girl partially turned her body and spanked herself, making the situation even more comical.
"Is this how girls get along outside the army?" muttered Élodie. Séraphine moved closer to her and put her hand on the policewoman's shoulder.
"Sort of. It seems you've wasted a lot of time in the army. We need to organize a trip together one of these days." The witch's eyes lit up at the thought, and even Tania raised an eyebrow when she heard her words.
"Would you like to take her to meet the boss? Or would you like to visit Francisca's casino?" Tania asked in a low voice. They were still on the street in front of the detective agency, and she didn't want someone else to overhear them talking about it.
"Taking her to Francisca's would be weird. Isn't her casino illegal?" said Séraphine, not caring that Élodie was a cop.
"Hey, they can't talk about that in front of me. I have a hard time ignoring it," the blonde complained. Tania burst out laughing and lightly tightened her embrace around the policewoman's neck.
"Everyone knows about Lady Zhang's casino! I've even seen the police captain visit it. After all, the owner is an alchemist." The brunette's words made the policewoman briefly go blank.
"What's an alchemist doing running such a place?" the policewoman asked incredulously.
"Money, connections, and regulation. It should be her than a gang. Plus, it allows her to get the materials she needs with relative ease." Séraphine answered her question before continuing.
"You should know, but an alchemist consumes a lot of resources. If I, as a witch, manipulate the aether with gestures and cognition, then you, as a warrior, empower your body with this energy.
Francisca, as an alchemist, uses it to provoke various reactions in materials. That's damned expensive." Séraphine's words revealed a stark truth that the rookie cop had not yet faced but was learning firsthand.
Money is the basis of everything: problems and solutions alike. But at the time, Élodie did not dwell on that point, instead pondering the witch's words. Wanting to show that she was not ignorant, she answered,
"Yes, I know that. We resonate our souls to produce the aether, and depending on our affinities, there are the 'three paths.' Considering what I heard earlier... Sophia's resonance allows her to channel the power of Mother Light. Looking at it this way, it sounds so simple."
Élodie scratched her head. She wasn't dumb, but it was clear that the army hadn't covered her cultural bases well.
"Hehehe, Aether is an interesting topic, but I'm bored. Shouldn't we have some fun?" Tania asked in a languid voice. She lightly touched the gem embedded in her forehead before speaking to change the subject.
Both Séraphine and Élodie noticed these gestures, but they decided to remain silent and play along. Why would they berate her about this? The time and atmosphere were not right for broaching personal subjects, so the girls finally entered the detective agency.
In her office, Séraphine quickly gathered a couple of books containing many basic concepts generally known in the spiritual world. However, when she saw that the tower contained only four thick books, Élodie felt afraid.
"Aren't there any finer ones?" the blonde asked, holding out a little hope, but Tania's laughter and Séraphine's refusal made it clear that there weren't.
"If you want to learn, you must make an effort. Don't worry; there are plenty of illustrations," Séraphine said with a small smile. This made Élodie tighten her grip on her hammer.
"You think I'm foolish and reckless, don't you?" the policewoman said between her teeth.
"You're a cop; that's the lowest for you," Séraphine attacked. Élodie had to take deep breaths to calm down.
"You're attractive, but your hurtful comments ruin it," replied Élodie. The witch simply folded her arms under her breasts and shook them.
"Are you going to cry about it? Are you going to read, or do you want me to narrate?" After Séraphine asked that question with disdain, the conversation fell into a stony silence until Tania guffawed again.
"Ouch! I feel like I'm going to pee! HAHAHAHAHA!" The girl's outburst made Séraphine sigh and made Élodie shrug, resigned.
It seemed the police had to read it, whether she wanted to or not.
"Don't worry. I'm here to answer any questions you have. If I'm not with you, you can call my house or the office. Believe me, it will come in handy at some point." After some thought, Séraphine decided to be more considerate of Élodie, so she spoke to her in a calmer tone.
"All right, I'll show you how good I can be when I put my mind to it." Full of determination, she picked up the first book but then realized something fundamental.
"Do I have to read here? Can't we just hang out and have fun? I can read at home!" the policewoman exclaimed, causing Séraphine to smile. Then, she reached for a radio she had plugged in nearby.
"I thought you wouldn't notice! We've fought a lot, and we're tired. It's killing my head, but nothing a good song won't solve." The witch quickly tuned a station, and soon, the sound of a soft saxophone filled the office.
"I like that song!" Tania approached Élodie, took her in her arms abruptly, took her hammer with ease, and began to dance with her.
"Wait, my muscles hurt from all that bracing!" the blonde complained. Although she tried to wriggle free, she soon realized Tania's unusual strength.
In another situation, she would have enhanced her body's performance with aether to free herself. But she wasn't being attacked. Besides, it was just dancing. Despite her body's protests, she quickly began to dance under Tania's guidance.
Séraphine didn't join them. She wasn't lying about the migraine she had from using aether to cast spells. She simply watched them dance while organizing her schedule for tomorrow.
'I must visit Francisca tomorrow and buy her new potions, maybe some ammunition or other interesting objects. I also have a client tomorrow afternoon, but luckily, it's in the afternoon,' mused the witch, shaking her feet to the music.
"Come on, Séraph. They say dancing is good for your health. Come join us." Tania broke away from Élodie and appeared in front of Séraphine, who had to step back due to her friend's proximity.
"I really can't dance now..." Before she could finish her sentence, Tania pulled her in, deftly positioning herself behind the detective, placing her hands on her hips, and starting to sway carefully.
"If you can't do it by yourself, let us help you. Come on, Élodie. Take her hands and help me move Séraphine's body." Not wanting to do it alone, Tania dragged the police into it.
"I don't quite understand what's going on, but I'm in." The blonde approached Séraphine and took her hands. Instinctively, their fingers crossed in a strong grip.
"If you don't understand, why do I see that silly grin on your face?" the witch asked Élodie, who simply stuck her tongue out mockingly.
"I just want to annoy you," the cop replied easily, feeling that she had won an invisible fight.
Thus, to the rhythm of the music, the three girls danced together. However, Tania narrowed her eyes when she noticed the strange vibe developing between Élodie and Séraphine.
The two were staring into each other's eyes, which was normal on this occasion. However, their bodies were close together, which would initially be uncomfortable because of the way they were holding their hands.
However, the witch released her grip and put her arms around the cop's neck. The cop put her hands on the brunette's curves.
'If I didn't know they met today, I'd say something's going on between them,' Tania thought, sketching a mischievous smile.
She wasn't put off. The emotions between her and Séraphine were more like friendly flirtation than anything momentous, so she just watched this affair with curiosity and interest. Especially since the gossip about it seemed quite juicy.
"You dance well for someone so clumsy," Séraphine said to Élodie, who rolled her eyes at the witch's condescending tone.
"You feel good to be so grumpy." To prove her point, the policewoman gently squeezed her hands, causing Séraphine to tremble slightly.
"Don't overdo it," the witch warned after a shiver ran down her back.
"Don't be so mean to me. I already apologized, okay? And I'm more than you saw," complained Élodie, causing Séraphine to sketch a mocking smile.
"Yes, I saw that, but I still think you're silly. Your blonde hair doesn't help. It reminds me of an annoying person," Séraphine continued. This caused Élodie to click her tongue.
"Excuses! You just don't want to admit that I impressed you." The policewoman lifted her chin slightly, a proud gesture that made the witch unable to hold in her restrained laugh.
"Sure, I do. Whatever you say. Hey, aren't you too close to me? Seeing your face with so little makeup gives me the heebie-jeebies." Séraphine decided to attack from another angle when she realized she had been locked up and noticed her appearance.
"Says the one who kept touching up her makeup every five minutes! Do you have a collection of different lipsticks in your hat?" Élodie's question was sincere; she was curious about the situation.
"Yes, why wouldn't I have it? I keep all my makeup products in my hat. I can't imagine going out without them," the witch replied easily.
Élodie stopped dancing and looked at her in disbelief.
"You're just like they described at the police station. How could Samantha stand to kiss you? She doesn't seem like she'd get along with you!" exclaimed Élodie. Her words caused Séraphine to avert her gaze to the blonde's lips before she spoke.
"I lent her a lipstick. She asked me if it was kiss-proof, so we did a test on the spot," the witch explained. Élodie blinked several times as if she didn't believe that's how things had turned out.
"By the way, the red one I'm wearing is also kiss-proof. Shall I show you?" asked Séraphine, raising an eyebrow. Tania, who had turned away from the duo, had only one thought in her mind.
'What the hell did I just see?' The brunette still couldn't believe how things had escalated between the witch and the warrior. But, seeing how the blonde suddenly turned coy with flushed cheeks before nodding, Tania felt like she might be dreaming.
'Damn, Séraphine knows how to flirt better than me,' Tania complained to herself. In front of her, the climax of the moment took place.
Séraphine brought her face close to Élodie's and, without hesitation, kissed her softly on the lips. It was short—barely a couple of seconds—but both had closed their eyes in the process.
They separated soon after and continued dancing and arguing with each other as if nothing had happened. Both women initially treated the previous shared moment as something trivial.
However, the seed of it all was planted in this moment of dancing, and it would bear fruit in the future.