[ 3RD POV ]
The streets reeked faintly of ramen and bustled with the few civilians across the town. Above, the "Slash Dog" sign sputtered a purple light, with each flicker casting fleeting shadows around it.
'This is it' Rei awed by the hideout of Team Slash Dog with the neon glow reflecting in his wide eyes 'First step into…this unknown plot'
Bennia stood behind him, her usual outgoing posture replaced by a slight alertness. Her golden gaze, sharp and assessing, swept the alleyway. He could practically feel the hum of her suspicion radiating off her, a silent counterpoint to Azazel's unnerving nonchalance. The Fallen Angel leaned against the graffiti-scarred wall, looking more like a bored tourist than a leader of powerful organization.
Azazel pushed open the door, a tinny bell above jingling like a startled nerve. The wave of sound and scent that washed over Rei was a sudden assault: the low thrum of music he couldn't quite place, the clatter of glasses, and a surprisingly homey aroma of roasted nuts and something vaguely alcoholic. It wasn't what he'd pictured.
The dim lighting inside cast long shadows, painting the mismatched furniture. Behind a long, scarred counter, a guy with short black hair and pale grey eyes, that seemed to miss nothing was meticulously polishing a glass.
'So he is Tobio'
"Good evening, Azazel-san" Tobio greeted in a laid-back voice with a smile over his face. A quick nod passed between them, a silent acknowledgment on both sides "Who are they?"
Azazel offered a lazy smile as he gestured towards the duo to introduce themselves.
Tobio's gaze flicked to Bennia, a flicker of something akin to curiosity in his sharp eyes before settling on Rei. There was an immediate confusion there, as if he felt nothing from him.
"So, what's with the… new guests" Tobio asked, wiping down the counter with a deliberate motion with his eyes still on Rei.
"Actually," Azazel continued, his tone shifting slightly, a hint of purpose entering his voice "I was hoping to catch the rest of your crew. Lavinia, specifically. Is she around?"
Tobio sighed, the sound carrying a hint of weariness, "Nah, the others are out chasing some exorcists causing chaos downtown. Lavinia's the only one here playing with her cat in the other room. Is it something important enough to drag you all the way here?" A playful jab laced his words.
Azazel chuckled softly, a sound that held a hint of amusement "Indeed. Just need Lavinia's… particular skillset for a…little help with something" He subtly inclined his head towards Rei giving a silent cue.
Tobio's gaze sharpened, his attention fully on Rei now. A flicker of intrigue danced in his eyes. Azazel reached for his phone, sliding it across the counter towards Tobio "Watch this and give me a rating out of 10. For me that's a 10 for sure"
Tobio picked up the phone, his usual composure momentarily flickering as he watched the short clip. The overwhelming burst of light in the woods. He handed it back to Azazel, a thoughtful expression on his face. Tobio watched looked at Rei with a genuine surprise etched on his face "Whoa. That… that was you? Seriously? That almost would have nuked the whole town"
Tobio grinned, extending a hand towards Rei "Tobio Ikuse. Leader of this fine establishment, also known as Team Slash Dog" He whispered " If that white-haired punk Vali gets a whiff of this… you'll never hear the end of his 'strongest being' ramblings."
"Va-kun?" a voice like chiming bells echoed from a back room, cutting through the low hum of the bar.
Every head turned to her. Emerging from the shadows was a woman who seemed to carry her own soft luminescence. She was a beautiful, buxom young girl with long flowing blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes. She was dressed in a standard Magician robe with a hood. This was Lavinia Reni, and she moved with a graceful confidence that drew the eyes on her.
"Azazel-sama. Greetings" she greeted, her voice melodic and warm. Her gaze then landed on Rei and then to Bennia, her violet eyes widening with what seemed like genuine delight "Ara Ara"
Before Rei could process her appearance, Lavinia glided forward with surprising speed, her arms wrapping around both him and a slightly stiff Bennia in a surprisingly strong embrace. "And who are these two delightful individuals?" she murmured, her cheek resting briefly against Rei's. He caught a faint scent of lavender as he found it both awkward and good at the same time.
Azazel and Tobio exchanged a look - a mixture of amusement and exasperation at Lavinia's characteristic lack of formality. But they were used to it so they just went along with her antics.
"I'm Lavinia Reni. It's nice to meet you"
"I… I'm Rei," he struggled under her embrace with her face almost close to his "And I'm here to… learn from you"
Lavinia tilted her head, her blonde hairs cascading over her shoulder "Learn?" she repeated, her eyes sparkling with innocent curiosity as she finally released them, though she kept one their hands nestled in hers.
Azazel cleared his throat, stepping forward slightly. "Yes, Lavinia. Rei here has… a rather unconventional way of expressing his inner energy." He pulled out his phone, the small screen displaying the chaotic burst of light in the woods.
Lavinia's eyes widened as she watched the clip, a soft gasp escaping her lips. "Oh, heavens… that's… quite the sight, isn't it?" Her gaze returned to Rei, now filled with a keen, protective eyes.
"Indeed," Azazel agreed. "He possesses significant potential, but as you can see, control is… shall we say, a work in progress. Given your… unique understanding of magic circuits and their flows, both magical and otherwise, I was hoping you might be willing to guide him"
Rei stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Lavinia, a raw plea in his eyes "Please, Lavinia-san. I really need to get a handle on this. The thought of accidentally… well, you saw what happened. I don't want to hurt anyone. I'm willing to do anything. Gruelling training? . I won't complain."
Lavinia's eyes softened as she looked at his earnest face. She squeezed his hand gently, a thoughtful expression clouding her features. "Hmm… alright, you adorable little Rei-kun. Here's my proposition. First, we're going to dabble in some fundamental magic. See if that spark of yours can play nicely with the magic arts. If you can master a few basic spells and pass my… rather tough test, then I'll gladly delve into helping you channel this… energy of yours."
Hope surged through Rei, a tangible warmth spreading through his chest "Really? Thank you so much, Lavinia-san!"
"Excellent," Azazel smiled as he heaved a sigh of relief.
Lavinia's grip on Rei's hand tightened. "Come along then. We should start now" She then summoned a shimmering, intricate circle of light that had materialized on the floor beneath them.
"What about Bennia?" Rei asked, glancing back at her 1 week trainer.
Lavinia's smile remained bright as replied "This is your journey for now, Rei-kun. No one is allowed beside you. Especially not for the initial assessment."
Rei nodded, understanding dawning. He offered Bennia a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be okay, Bennia. I promise."
Bennia's expression was still a mask of concern, but she gave a curt nod. "Don't do anything reckless, Rei-chin. We'll meet again for sure"
With a deep breath, Rei stepped into the swirling light with Lavinia, the world dissolving into a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues.
Opening his eyes, Rei felt air thrummed with a palpable magical energy, raising the hairs on his arms. The sky painted in shades of bruised purple and sickly green. Bioluminescent fungi pulsed with an eerie light, illuminating a landscape of twisted, thorny vegetation that looked both beautiful and menacing at the same time.
"Welcome to a little corner of the Fallen Angel territory in the Underworld" Lavinia announced, her voice cheerful against the strange echoes of creatures here "My personal playground for magical mayhem and potion perfection"
A sharp whistle pierced the air, and a shadow blotted out the strange twilight. A magnificent wyvern descended, its leathery wings beating with a powerful whoosh, its reptilian eyes glowing with purple glint. Rei stared, with a mixture of awe and sheer excitement. It was far larger and more imposing than any depiction he'd seen in fiction.
Lavinia, unfazed by the monstrous creature, grabbed Rei's hand with an excited smile "Come on! Let's go for a spin!" She practically dragged him onto the wyvern's broad back, settling behind its powerful neck with practiced ease.
As the wyvern soared into the sky, the landscape unfolded beneath them in a dizzying panorama. Twisted, glowing trees dotted the horizon, and bizarre, multi-limbed creatures scuttled through the strange undergrowth. The air whipped past Rei's face, carrying the scent of surprisingly sweet and tingly sensation.
Lavinia reached back, gently patting his head. "Why so Serious? I won't let anything nibble on you. I'll take good care of my new little apprentice"
They descended towards an oddly charming dwelling nestled amidst scattered forest. It looked like a storybook witch's cottage that had been transplanted to another dimension – crooked walls, a moss-covered thatched roof, and wisps of fragrant smoke curling from a stone chimney. The garden surrounding it was equally bizarre, with deer sporting glowing antlers grazing peacefully and brightly colored, exotic birds perched on the roof.
As they got off of it, Lavinia flicked her wrist, and a large chunk of raw, glistening meat materialized in the air. The wyvern snatched it with a satisfied growl and launched itself back into the strange sky, leaving them to themselves.
"Home sweet home!" Lavinia announced with a flourish, leading Rei towards her eerie cottage.
Stepping inside felt like stepping into another world entirely. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of dried herbs and simmering potions. Shelves crammed with ancient-looking books leaned precariously against the walls, interspersed with glass vials filled with liquids that shimmered with an inner light and jars containing… things that Rei didn't want to identify too closely. A large, bubbling cauldron sat in the hearth, emitting fragrant steam. A winding wooden staircase disappeared into the shadows of the upper floor.
Lavinia gave him a whirlwind tour, pointing out her cluttered potion-making station, her towering library filled with leather-bound tomes, and a collection of peculiar artifacts that hummed with faint magical energy. "So, Rei-kun," she said, turning to him with a bright smile, her violet eyes sparkling with anticipation "What do you think of my humble abode?"
Rei grinned, any lingering nervousness replaced by genuine awe "This is… incredible, Lavinia-san! It's way cooler than any of the magic houses I've seen in movies or comics!"
Lavinia's eyes widened slightly, a genuine smile taking over her face "Oh?" she said softly, her smile widening. "Well, I'm absolutely delighted that my little sanctuary meets with your… enthusiastic approval, Rei-kun!" She then clasped her hands and said innocently with a smile on her face "Now, get naked"
"Hah?"