defies expectation.

With the end of the lesson, Bass and John were called back in. They had both agreed to talk more later. She wanted to investigate his powers further, and he was similarly intrigued by the idea of having some direct outside input. Especially given he could trust Bass’ opinion and suggestions. After that, however, John had other concerns. His promise to go with the healer was far more necessary.

'I need to hear Charlotte out, now more than ever,' he thought to himself as he saw the others take their seats again, now including Ember as well.

"What do we do now, boss?" Bass asked him, her tone sure.

"Let's all take a break, we've been working hard the last two days, and we earned some rest. How about we meet up around two hours from now in the mess hall?" he suggested, hoping the others would agree and give him the time he needed. To make sure he knew what he needed to do, to keep them safe as much as to help Charlotte.

"I'll be there," is all Matthew said before taking this excuse to leave. The others were more civil, and went out a few minutes later.

"See you then, John," Bass turned to the door, leaving next. Yan said nothing, but nodded as she left.

“I’m staying here. Ingrid will probably be looking for me soon,” Ember said flatly.

Charlotte took the opportunity and stood up. Facing both of them, she spoke, “g-goodbye…” the healer rushed off almost immediately.

“Should probably be leaving as well, but I’d like to talk to you later Ember,” John was just as curious about her after reading her sheet.

“Ok, I’ll come find you after taking care of what Ingrid asks of me,” the spy almost sounded frustrated. With what exactly, John wasn’t sure. He didn’t stand around for long though, walking out of the room with a simple bye.

The **** mage was waiting for him just outside, clearly nervous about the situation. She was fidgeting, but quickly dispelled that by heading for one of the nearby corridors, “i-it’s not too far, just follow me.”

John found himself following her through ever more deserted corridors. Until eventually, he sensed a foul smell from nearby. He saw the source not much later, a corridor filled with grime, rotting wood among the planks that made up the walls and floor and rusted metal in the ceiling and lights. At its end stood a door which looked much like the other classes doors, except much older, and in severe disrepair.

Concerned, John moved to ask her, "your teacher is here?” he wasn't sure anybody could study in that place, much less have their office or living quarters. It was more likely abandoned, the Gamer figured.

“S-she’s j-just in here…” Charlotte stuttered, moving towards the door. Before she could touch it, however, it swung open with a sudden ****. A woman then stepped through it. John immediately noticed her dark blue hair and generally black clothing, reminiscent of the healer’s own.

“I’m Lena, and I’ve heard of you John. I suppose it’s good that we meet. Not that I’m complaining about you bringing a friend, Charlotte, but I would like to ask why?” her voice was clearly more serious, and far more certain than Charlotte’s, but it still had youth and energy to it. It had deeper tones which conveyed some authority despite her look, which was a mixture of proper and what he could only describe as odd.

Taking a deep breath, Charlotte began speaking, her tone steady, “he’s here because I can trust him, and I wanted you to help me explain.”

“Oh, well, come right on in,” Lena turned back towards the door and passed through it.

Behind it was a much better kept space, it was the same sort of training room that Ingrid had employed for John's studies but its lighting was darker and the materials were clearly new. He guessed they were replaced or repaired recently.

As soon as they were both inside, Charlotte's teacher closed the door behind them. Speaking at the same time, "well, where do you want me to start Charlotte…” her head turned to the healer with a questioning gaze, “how much does he know?”

“Nothing,” she said simply.

“Then this will be a long explanation. First I should explain what both of us are, as you have been told there are various forms of Mana. What you might not know is that a few of them can be fairly dangerous, both to others and to oneself, for a variety of reasons. Psychics like yourself are often sought after, but they can also be extremely dangerous to those around them,” the woman started pacing around the room, her hands behind her back in a restrained manner, “however, that is balanced by the sheer potential that they have, so they are not usually prosecuted. Other Mana types aren’t always like this, and they are preferred or discriminated against based on their own stereotypes, both with usage and personality… Many even believe that those with certain Mana types are **** to act in certain ways, or can only be good or evil,” she paused for a moment, looking directly at him.

“That’s horrible... How can people do that?” then it hit him, it was exactly the same way people could judge others by every other criteria. Lena laughed, almost as if seeing the understanding going through his face.

“Worst of all of them is **** Mana. I think it’s obvious why people think badly of it, there’s a long history of those using it in the Abyss turning to terrible actions. ****, necromancy, and vampirism aren’t uncommon, to this day,” her emotions clearly showed in her voice as she spoke now. Whether they were of sorrow, regret, or anger, John wasn’t sure, “but what you need to know is that it’s not all that **** is. **** is the lack of life, which means it can also be used to restore it. To transfer the energy from one thing to another, to reverse the course of entropy, and to restore life. Unlike life Mana, it is significantly less efficient at doing so, so this use is shunned or even dismissed,” Lena’s hands moved to show the class around her, “it can also be incredibly hard to control, which means it requires more significant efforts to develop.”

’That must be why this place is in such a sorry state… I suppose it makes sense,’ John thought to himself, now sure that nothing he had learned would change his opinion about Charlotte.

“All of this makes for very few places willing to let us live proper lives. But luckily, the Council is one such place,” she continued, “I took in Charlotte when she found herself in the Gateway, a few years ago. She showed obvious potential even back then, so I’ve been training her ever since. Hoping that would help her not be outcast here of all places, at least,” she stopped again, both in her speech and in place, “that’s my side of the story, but Charlotte should tell you hers,” Lena moved over to the healer and put a hand on her shoulder, smiling at her with confidence. Getting closer to her, she clearly said something John could not hear, but Charlotte spoke herself soon after.

“W-well… T-that’s what I wanted you to tell him,” her eyes drifted through the room and over John’s, avoiding his gaze.

“Isn’t there anything else?” she asked in a louder tone, then whispered again.

“No! I don’t want to talk about her!” the healer stepped back in surprise, and an expression of both shock and grief fell over her face, "even if that is why I c-came here..." Charlotte looked away again. John had a strange feeling she was talking about her sister, and a certain temptation appeared. To reveal that he already knew, but he suspected that would only make things worse.

The sound of a hand striking a face echoed through the small room, Lena’s hand was pulled back a second later, “you came here because you wanted to tell him that, Charlotte. Get a hold of yourself,” that same hand held the healer’s shoulder now and turned her towards John.

“I-it’s about my s-sister,” she rubbed her face as she spoke, “she’s why I ended up with the Council… For a long time, I was able to hide my abilities from everyone with her help, but two months before I found myself in the Gateway s-she d-d-died. There was no way I could hide it anymore, not after what h-happened to her…” John saw a familiar expression on her face. He knew it well, it was one of pain and anger, both twisting on her face like a pair of venomous serpents. Charlotte mumbled something he could not hear and then continued after a short pause, “she was a b-brilliant alchemist, and she knew how to use that to hide my powers. And after she… Was gone, I couldn’t m-manage on my own, and I-I r-ran,” nothing further was necessary, John knew that.

“You don’t need to continue Charlotte,” he said in the softest tone he could muster. Somehow, John understood exactly what was going over her.

’I could never understand what she went through, but I know that look… I’ve had that look,’ in his own thoughts, he was sure of that.

Lena was not so forgiving, “is that all you wanted to say, Charlie?” her tone was soft, but the meaning behind the words still pushed the healer further.

“Y-you know I hate being called t-that…” she almost seemed to pout, “that’s all I wanted to tell him, r-really,” her cheeks were flushed slightly as well

Something inside John told him to step forwards slowly, and as he neared Charlotte he reached out to her gently. Touching her shoulder as she seemed to stand there nervously fidgeting. Her fingers toying with each other in an attempt to calm her down.

“W-what are you doing J-John?” the healer was immediately surprised, and as John pulled himself closer and put his arms around her she became more so. A high pitched sound leaving her mouth that was somewhere between surprised, uncomfortable, and grateful.