Annabelle’s Bastion

Anna told Aria a few days ago that Thagrin wanted someone capable of lifting and confidently swinging his axe. It might have been solely for his amusement, but she could take advantage of it.

Partnered with what little Aria knew about Barbarians, she should be able to grab his attention without having to change anything about her behavior.

Finding the Barbarian was easy; Aria saw him many times on the island due to his impressive stature, and he’d always be hovering around the Colosseums.

Getting through some of the staff was tedious, but there weren’t any rules stopping a student from doing something stupid. Most of the normal teachers didn’t care to impede her, so they let her through. Although, they did chuckle as she entered as though she was a naïve child.

Thagrin was indeed in the stands, sitting as wide as possible and polishing the blade of his massive axe. A weapon taller than her and likely made of materials unknown to her. She could feel the brutality of it, even at a distance.

What kind of destruction could Thagrin bring with that weapon?

She stopped shortly before him, looking up at him from the ground. This was what he liked; imposing over everyone, regardless of status.

From there, she only needed to speak the truth.

“Tell me about the martial path,” Aria said.

Thagrin placed his axe atop his shoulder and jumped off the stand, harshly landing on the dirt before her. The dirt on her pants was slightly annoying.

He towered directly before Aria, likely expecting a cowardly reaction out of her.

One he did not receive. 

“The fuck did you just say to me, pipsqueak?”

“Tell me about the martial path,” Aria repeated, her tone unchanged.

Thagrin lifted his head and boisterously laughed. He continued for what seemed like a minute, exaggeratingly laughing toward the sky. Once that annoyance was done, he shook his head and glared down at her. “You have a heavy set of balls on you, girl. I outta snap a few of your bones for that tone alone.”

Aria met his glare. “Let me swing your axe.”

“Hoh? You think your dainty little hands can even lift my mighty axe?”

“Easily.”

“‘Easily.’“ Thagrin snorted, then walked behind her and gently placed his axe against the ground before sending her a challenging smirk. “Pipsqueak, if you can even lift my axe, I’ll tell you how glorious the martial path is—academy rules be fucked.”

It was that simple. Alisha often had difficulty with this man due to how easily his morals shifted when it came to challenges and feats of strength.

Aria didn’t wait; she had no need for fanfare.

She called her mana, and golden rings shined around both her wrists. 

“An eerie color you got there,” Thagrin said, and even he sounded shocked by it. Good.

The axe looked menacing, but she had no worry about her ability to lift it.

Mana poured into her arms, and a surge of power flooded her muscles. Anna once described it as the feeling that she could destroy a boulder, but it wasn’t that intense; that was just a lack of experience and adrenaline. It was a common error in the Earthling humans.

She leaned down and wrapped her hand around the pole. Instantly, she could feel how challenging a task it would be just from how heavy it was to grip. This wasn’t just an axe.

If it were anybody else, Aria had no doubt they wouldn’t be capable of meeting Thagrin’s challenge.

Aria maximized the power of her enhancement and carefully lifted the axe, rotating it so that she could stand it on its pointed base. It was difficult to keep it steady, but she did it.

“I’ll be damned.” Thagrin squinted at her muscles and grip around the axe. “You surprised me more than that pipsqueak, and you got a strong enhancement.” He smirked. “Now, swing it at me with the intent—”

Before he could finish, Aria lifted the axe and whipped her body around for a horizontal swing. 

She realized then that she wouldn’t be capable of swinging it as a weapon—in her current state—as it nearly sent her spinning. It was like it gained immense weight when she took it off the ground.

However, the axe froze. 

Even expecting it, Aria was stunned.

Thagrin’s large hand grabbed it by the blade of its head, instantly killing all of its momentum without budging at all.

No magic, no special technique—pure strength.

He ripped it from her hands without a bit of struggle, almost pulling her to the ground had her reflexes not been outstanding. “You got serious guts, Human. Congratulations, you’ve impressed me.”

Aria dismissed her enhancements, and her rings shrank into her wrists. “I wish to know what you can tell me about the martial path.”

Thagrin strapped his axe to his back and jumped into the stands, where he again sat as spread as possible. He clearly wanted everyone to know whose home it was. But Aria knew who it belonged to, and his act didn’t do much for her.

“I’d ask you to be my… student, but I hate pointless quests.” His disgusted gaze was directed at her katana. “Ask away.”

Aria placed her hand on her katana’s hilt. Thagrin seemed like he’d answer any questions, but she knew otherwise; it was against the academy rules for him to divulge too much. Despite his nature, even he wouldn’t go too far.

There wasn’t much she had to ask since her so-called path was already decided when she first gripped her katana, but the academy’s plans were a complete mystery to her.

Actually, she changed her mind—she really had no questions about the systems themselves, and this was too good of an opportunity.

“What kind of basic Sigils has the academy prepared for those on the martial path?”

“Starter Sigils that will aid you forever, such as further physical strengthening or defensive capabilities,” he answered with surprisingly little hesitation. ”Good growth potential, I hear.”

“Any elemental?”

“A few.”

He wouldn’t say what, so she didn’t bother asking.

“How many sigils can I have at my level?”

“How the fuck would I know?” He scoffed. “Oh, right—stupid humans. The average for freshies is around 6.”

Aria’s eyes widened slightly. “That many?”

Thagrin shrugged. “You’ll find that to be a negligible amount, but it will grow significantly over time. Ah, but some are strong enough to take more of your capacity to handle. Remember that, pipsqueak.”

Aria nodded. “Can Sigils get stronger?”

“Yes.” 

“How?”

“Train, dumbass.”

“Last question.”

“Good, I’m beginning to feel a little used, and who knows what I might do.”

“Can Sigils be removed?”

If so, that could save Annabelle since she seemed unsure of her path.

“Oh?” Thagrin leaned forward. “That’s touching on forbidden paths, pipsqueak. You’d be executed for even attempting to look into it.”

“Is that a yes?”

Thagrin smirked but made no other gesture.

“That’s all.” Aria dipped her head in the way she saw Annabelle do a lot. “Thank you, professor Thagrin.”

That was all she had to ask, and it was very informative. 

Thagrin would certainly get in trouble if someone found out he told her what he had. Especially the last part.

Thagrin snorted. “That pansy ass pose doesn’t suit you.” 

Aria lifted her head. “I’ve been learning manners.” 

“What?”

“It’s polite to give thanks.” 

Thagrin shooed her away. “Gross. Come back to me if you decide to throw that toy away and wield a real weapon.” He picked up a large plate behind him and began eating the large meats, acting as if she were no longer there.

Aria bit her tongue and left. If it were anybody else mocking her choice of weapon…

“Goodbye.”

While she didn’t ask much related specifically to the Martial paths, she obtained far more valuable information. 

All Aria had to do was get a basic Sigil and fight as often as possible to train it. She didn’t want any defensive abilities or to lock in an elemental choice yet. Hopefully, they had something she could use for physical combat.

Her plan was settled, and she already foresaw how her next few years would go. She’d win any tournaments, win the rewards from the dorm competitions, and take any opportunity to obtain Sigils. Then, once she graduated, she’d join Bastion as an agent and rise those ranks. She’d fulfill her purpose and then travel the myriad worlds.

Simple, straightforward.

At least, it should have been.

However, Annabelle Frost happened.

Spending all day together the last week only made them closer, and a subtle desire to stick with her edged into Aria’s heart. She hadn’t had a friend before, at least not one her age. 

Perhaps they could work in Bastion together after graduation. But she didn’t know what Annabelle wished to do, nor could she expect a definitive answer from someone so new to the magic world. Two years was not a long time; she’d have to ask at some point.

Once Aria entered the forest that would take her back to the dorm, she immediately noticed the laughably obvious intent to follow her from a few people behind one of the first trees.

Branch snapping, rustling of the leaves, and hushed whispers.

“Aria?”

A man Aria didn’t recognize stepped out from her front; she didn’t see that one. 

He was taller than her, with a rougher-looking face, large build, shaved brown hair, and hazel eyes. Late twenties, most likely. His posture and eyes did not reflect an intent for conversation.

Once he was on the path, those hiding came out from their spots behind her. They didn’t surround her, but they stood by the side of the path like animals waiting for their master’s order.

From her right, the man, Jack, emerged with venom in his gaze and the most obvious violent intent she had ever felt.

“I warned you,” she said without looking at him.

“So you are Aria, then?” the man—their leader—asked. 

That gruff voice was unpleasant.

“Yes.”

He took a few measured steps forward, clearly somewhat trained. “We’ve been trying to get into contact with you and Annabelle Frost all week.” 

A lie. It was simply a matter of meeting them when they obtained food. Or they could send a messenger.

“Why?” 

“You know why.”

The fight meant far more to them than it did to her.

“She has things far more important than a few pathetic egos.”

Jack and the man she recalled as Jared looked ready to pounce but were pulled back by their sensible partners.

However, the man in front of Aria was calm and watching her closely. He knew she wasn’t to be underestimated. Good; it might be an interesting fight.

The man Annabelle believed was the ringleader, Ashton, wasn’t part of that crowd. It was surprising how much their group had grown within the week to find people willing to go this far. What could be their motivation?

The man squinted. “So important that you couldn’t spare a measly ten minutes for a fair fight?”

“The fight is meaningless. If they’re so desperate to salvage their fragile ego, they can fight her tomorrow.”

Tomorrow was their combat classes, and Thagrin would be more than happy to allow a rematch. But that option wasn’t on the table for them, and Aria knew that. They wanted to hurt Annabelle more than they wanted a fair fight.

Were Earth humans so petty as to go that far over such a meaningless fight? If Annabelle had returned before her…

It made her blood boil.

“Why, though?” He took another step. “As Frost herself stated, it would be better for us to save our mana on class days.”

“I don’t care.” Aria shook her head. ”If you attempt to strike me, I will kill you.”

She couldn’t believe she had to resort to threats rather than directly cutting the problem at its roots.

Jack and Jared both flinched. 

Aria had asked about it long ago; what would happen if somebody attacked her outside the confines of an arena? The answer was that self-defense was permissible. In fact, some teachers even told her there’d be no problems if accidents happened—something these assailants likely knew.

“Kill? Over this?” He shook his head, unafraid. “We just want a fair fight, Aria.”

“I don’t care.”

“Did you know, Aria?” Another step. “On the surface, this is a peaceful place for education, but they’re actually quite heartless.”

Obviously, she knew that. The existence of the arenas should have proved that to all humans from Earth.

The stupid man was already close enough for her to cut down if she wanted to draw her blade. It’d be an instant, and he wouldn’t have time to think about how to evade before he was cleaved in two.

But she couldn’t pull it for something like that.

“You knew that, of course.” He smirked. “But did you know they loosely enforce the rules on unsanctioned fights?”

Yes, she did. The idea was that they should be able to solve their own problems without an authority figure. However, the arrogant man must have gotten that information from a more radical teacher. The academy wasn’t entirely unified on such matters. If Aria or Annabelle reported it to the right one, the men before her would get in trouble.

Two women, too, still hiding behind a tree with another male, likely in case they needed a surprise attack. Eight people for an ambush.

These people always loved to hear themselves speak; it was getting annoying. But she was on thin ice—she could not get the first strike.

“You’re threatening me,” she said.

He took a final step, then stopped with his arms crossed over his chest. “I heard you’re not actually adept at magic like we assumed. You awakened at the same time as all of us and weren’t allowed anywhere near magic during your time on this island.”

“Correct.”

“Good, then I’ll happily teach you your place.” Gone was his fake diplomatic smile, replaced by a scowl. “Nobody threatens me and gets away with it, you arrogant bitch.”

Finally, showing his true intention. They didn’t want Annabelle; she was guilty by association.

Someone was pulling their strings; a teacher. A teacher who disliked Aria but couldn’t make a move themselves due to how much attention Bastion had on their staff. 

Sadly, it was a helpless situation.

Aria’s stay on the island was controversial, and some went so far as to vehemently reject her entry into Bastion itself. However, she didn’t know the names or faces of them since those conversations were relayed to her afterward. In other words, she had nothing to go on.

Then, what was their goal? Because even if more Earthlings came after her, she’d take them all out. Perhaps it was just to be as annoying as possible.

Finally, dark green rings expanded around the man’s wrists and ankles as he—rightfully—jumped backward.

Aria followed suit, and her golden rings shined—hers were faster. In that instant, she decided to run them at a lower capacity.

He smirked. “You’ll regret not drawing your—”

“Shut up.” Aria launched toward him. Why did so many people love conversations during a fight?

The man’s scowl deepened, and he turned toward the others. “Do not fucking interfere! I will kill this bitch myself.”

A mistake.

He raised his arms and twisted his body, taking on the posture of someone familiar with melee combat. His muscles tensed, and he shifted weight.

Aria reached him in less than a second, her light footsteps barely audible on the ground.

He swung his fist in an arc to meet her arrival, and his enhanced arm sliced through the air—an audible sound. Admittedly, that would probably hurt.

She lowered her upper body and aimed her own blow at his side, her movements swift and precise.

A blow he, unfortunately, managed to perfectly dodge with increased speed.

So he wasn’t completely stupid. If he had blocked, his barrier might have shattered. At the very least, it would weaken considerably.

That was precisely the issue with the barrier in melee combat; it didn’t care if you blocked a blow—it would absorb the impact and lose stability. Maybe it could be solved with control. She’d learn it, eventually.

His rings whirred violently as he constantly seemed to adjust the flow of his enhancements, likely to only exert more when necessary. It was a good way to conserve mana, but he wasn’t nearly fast enough for it.

Thus began a back-and-forth of fists and kicks, each movement accompanied a swift retreat or dodge.

Neither party managed to land a blow on the other in a game of close dodging, waiting for the other to slip. Aria ensured she kept an even flow of motion, her breathing controlled and steady.

Aria adjusted her flow—raised it—to what she believed perfectly matched her opponent during the midst of combat.

She twisted her head to her right, dodging another punch. Those blows probably wouldn’t shatter her barrier, even if they did land. Not that she’d give anybody that satisfaction.

A few more blows followed before the man jumped back.

Aria didn’t follow.

Her opponent was getting frustrated and would soon tell the others to assault her.

It was time to end it; she got everything she wanted from the fight. This man was likely among the best of the Earthling combatants. With that, she could be certain that nobody would best her without actual magic in play.

“Damn it, you slippery bitch!”

The man hopped forward and whipped his leg through the air in an arc aimed at her neck.

A stupid mistake.

Aria flooded her arm with energy and snapped her hand upward to grab his ankle. Even that sent a golden wave along her arm as any force was absorbed, the barrier shimmering and crackling upon contact.

He wasn’t about to let that happen, and he showed surprising flexibility as he pushed forward with a jab at her face. The punch cut through the air, but he sent another, aiming straight for her wrist.

However, Aria wasn’t easy to frighten away.

She shifted her weight and prepared for the next move, her eyes locked onto his, capturing the exact moment he realized what was about to happen.

“Greg, wait—” Jack shouted.

He knew from experience. With a potency on Aria’s level and an even further enhancement ability, it was never a fair fight.

The man, Greg, didn’t stop it in time, and he was lifted into the air as Aria flooded mana into every ring she had to their maximum capacity.

“Let me—” He tried to twist his body, but it was too late.

She spun her body similarly to how she tried to swing Thagrin’s axe; he was far, far lighter. The arrogant man flew toward the tree without much resistance.

The impact was a resounding thud as his back slammed into the tree trunk, sending leaves fluttering down in a gentle rain.

However, even as he collided with the tree, his barrier held, shimmering with a green glow. It actually absorbed the impact, though not without crackling like near-shattered ice. Cracks spread across its body.

She would only need one more punch to both shatter his barrier and kill him.

“Attack her, now!” Greg shouted as he attempted to recover his bearings. Despite his scowl, even he couldn’t hide the look of terror on his face; he knew the difference between them.

“You will die,” Aria said toward no particular person.

“Remember the fucking rewards!” His face cringed after having to reveal his motive. However, he shook his head and said, “So what if she can punch?! You’ll never have to worry about this bitch again!”

There it was—Sigils.

Greg didn’t seem to realize how much he revealed with just those words. The person after her had to have some influence, enough to have a say over Sigils or to even give them out freely.

It must have been a good Sigil, too; those words were all Jared and Jack needed to charge.

Aria shook her head and re-maximized her power.

Jack noticeably stayed behind Jared, fear visible on his face, preventing him from taking decisive action. Jared, however, looked like an angry bull, his eyes locked onto Aria.

Both were slow, too slow. 

People emerged from the trees, ready to take part. The only thought Aria had was of Annabelle—if she had been the one to return first.

Her decision formed instantly.

And she warned them.

The ground beneath her feet seemed to explode as she launched herself toward them, ignoring Greg’s attempt at re-entry.

Jared braced himself for their collision, but Aria diverted once again at the last second; Jared wasn’t her opponent. She had her target, the man she warned three times.

“Wai—” Jack’s plea was cut short, his eyes widening in horror as her fist connected with his chest with devastating force.

Jack’s barrier was unnaturally weak—likely some kind of defect. His barrier shattered like glass, and Aria felt the cracking of his bones before he was sent flying backward.

He collided with the tree, his head slamming into it after his back hit it, and fell to the ground, unconscious.

Everyone froze; Greg stopped charging, Jared stared at Jack, and the group behind the trees halted their advance.

The silence was deafening, the shock and fear palpable in the air from humans who probably never thought she’d stay true to her words. Did they not expect her to fight back to that extent?

Before she could turn back toward Greg, she found herself unable to budge.

Not by choice, but by a force so strong that Aria couldn’t move a muscle. An overwhelming pressure that felt like someone wrapped her body in steel chains and titanic weights.

The air around them took on a violet hue, and even the sounds of the wind and leaves faded.

She stopped trying to struggle—she knew that power.

“That went about as well as I expected.” 

As expected, Alisha floated above them, but Aria’s eyes widened at the girl next to her. Her fists opened, and her rings dispersed like a child caught stealing. All the power gradually faded from her body.

Annabelle, with her eyes widened and her mouth opening and closing as if struggling to find the words.

She watched her kill Jack.

However, that expression… quickly changed to one of resignation and relief rather than horror and disgust. 

Why?

“He’s going to—” Jared started to shout.

“Shut up,” Alisha commanded, her voice cold and authoritative. Jared’s mouth snapped shut as his head lowered. She descended gracefully onto the dirt path, her mask concealing her expression, making her all the more intimidating. “To think one of my mages would step so far out of line as to command my students to kill each other… and to think you would listen.”

Even Aria swallowed a lump, feeling the weight of Alisha’s authority pressing down on her. Alisha’s voice—usually playful and light—now carried the cold edge of merciless authority. There were few times Aria could recall Alisha showing just who she was, and each time left her mute.

Alisha sighed, heavy with frustration and annoyance. She scanned the stunned faces fixated on her. “I don’t care if you fight amongst yourselves, but to do it at the behest of a Bastion mage? Even a painful death is too light a sentence for you.”

The weight holding Aria down dispersed with those words, and she heard the gasps of the others—even those by the trees. They must have gotten it worse.

“Are... are you okay, Aria?” Annabelle tensely asked.

“Yes.”

“We...” Annabelle shook her head. “We were here for a while, but Alisha wouldn’t let me interfere. I’m sorry.”

Aria shook her head. “I’m fine, but why—”

“He’s... he’s dead!”