These two were the Eastern Kingdom's most unpredictable top guns... and they just happened to converge in a single location.
"Hey, Neron... what the hell is this? This power is enough to level this entire Academy--no, it'll most likely spill over and take a chunk of the city as well." Serah said with a curious gaze on the conspicuous Pilar of light that stood before them.
She then eyed Neron suspiciously.
"Hey, it wasn't me!"
"Who, then? I don't think anyone else here is capable of doing something like this"
"Well, you're half right. The guy who did this is no longer here. He left."
"And you let him?"
"Of course! It was his choice. Plus, it's not like he did any harm..."
Neron and Serah were smiling at each other and talking so casually as if the subject wasn't a serious matter that could claim so many lives.
"Who is he, then? An enemy?"
"Nah. A student!"
"Huh? A student?"
"Yep! He's my protégé. Hehehehe."
"What? You have a protégé?"
"Yep! Got one recently."
"And he did this?"
"Yeah! He's quite something, uh? We could never do something like that when we were younger."
"It's hard to believe, but... you wouldn't lie about this."
"It's the truth, though. That guy is one special kid."
"Oh? You never speak highly of another person."
"I speak highly of your chest."
"HEY!"
"Right, right... well... he's someone I owe a great deal to, after all. Thanks to his help... I can get even stronger!"
"Ehh? Stronger? You?"
"Yeah. You just watch!"
Both man and woman smiled at each other--their eyes now burning with rivalry.
"I won't lose, you know?"
"Hehehe, looking forward to it."
And then... something sparked in the mind of Serah Crimson.
"What's the name of the kid?"
In response, Neron's smile grew wide and he swelled in pride.
He had never felt this way about any child before, but... he was indeed happy to have been the Master of the boy.
"His name is Jared Leonard..."
Serah's eyes widened a bit. She recognized the last name.
"... And you'll meet him soon enough."
They both smiled, clearly pleased by Neron's statement.
"Oh? Then I look forward to that!"
The dark-haired man and the lady of crimson smiled passionately at each other. For a second, it was like the world was still and only the two of them existed.
Their faces were so close, merely inches from each other. At this distance, it was possible...
Serah's red eyes brimmed with passion and desire, and she noticed Neron's eyes had a lit flame of emotion within them too.
Was it finally time? She could sense it! This time for sure....!!!
"Smooch!!!"
Bringing her face closer to Neron's in a blur, she went for a kiss.
No pain, no gain!
She had waited so long, and now he was finally ready!
They were ready for their first time!!!
"... Not a chance."
>SPLAT!<
Once again, Neron successfully prevented physical contact by protecting himself with his Magic.
"Ow... how mean..." Serah sulked even more.
If one looked closely, they could probably see a droplet of tears appearing in the corner of her eye.
"... Meanie."
"That's enough of that. Let's get down to business."
Once Neron said that, Serah Crimson sighed; then... her change was instant.
A stern face replaced her unserious one, and her pose was upright. The air of dominance she neglected suddenly came over her, driving out any air of ease.
"So, what do you have to report? What happened here?" Serah asked in her Grand Mage mode--of course, not the genuine thing.
'Ah, much better... I prefer her like this.' Neron gave a side thought, and then spoke.
"A First Year Student in the Lower Class--Jared Leonard--confronted the mastermind of the Ainzlark Academy Invasion incident. He used this Spell to kill him after extracting as much crucial information as he could. Once he completed his task, he left the Academy to whereabouts unknown."
Neron's tone was official as well.
Everyone now understood that they meant business.
"And you witnessed all this?"
"I did."
"You fool! Why did you allow such a thing? And this Jared individual... why did you let him go? We could have questioned him as well. Even the culprit..."
"I understand, and will take full responsibility for my actions."
"Yeah, that's what you always say."
"I apologize, ma'am..." Neron bowed slightly.
As he did this, Serah groaned.
She knew he was teasing her. But, they were on official grounds.
'Hold on, what if--?!'
A thought flashed across Serah's mind, and then a smile morphed on her face.
'What if I tell him to take responsibility by k--kissing me....?'
Why had she never thought of this before? Since Neron was in full official mode, how would he escape this one?
'Hehehehe'
"We will have a complete breakdown of your actions, as well as the full details of what occurred here."
"Yes ma'am."
"But, first... I shall have you take full responsibility.
"Y--yes... ma'am...?"
Serah was blushing. Her body temperature was rising.
'I didn't want to resort to this, Neron, but... we're not getting any younger, you know? It's time to make good on your promise!'
"To take responsibility for your action, I order you to kiss m--"
"No, ma'am."
"B--but, you--"
"No, ma'am!"
"B--but it's not fair!"
"NO, MA'AM!"
"ARGHHH! I'LL KILL YOU, NERON!" Serah stomped on the ground and it trembled.
The black-haired man took this as a sign of danger and instantly launched himself to the sky.
It was time to fleeeee!!!
"COME BACK HEREEEE!!!"
>BOOOOMMMM!!!<
The earth shattered as Serah Crimson launched herself into the air as well.
Both of them began playing tag in the sky, causing shockwaves as they dribbled each other.
Meanwhile, the dumbfounded ones on the ground could do nothing but sigh. Serah's retainers moved toward the Vice Head and decided to discuss official business instead.
"Our entourage will arrive by dawn tomorrow, so we will need to--"
>BOOOOOMMMM!!!!<
A loud explosion from above interrupted the conversation, and then laughs and cries filled the air.
The retainers of the Grand Mage and the staff of Ainzlark academy all sighed.
It was going to be a long night.
