Chapter 26
"Yep, that's him," confirmed Maria, watching the boy perform some type of lightning spell that created a lightning blade from his hands, only to stab it into the beast he was fighting. Releasing a surge of electricity through its body, he fried it to a crisp.
"I'm done here." The lightning blade disappeared and Gilbert promptly left the stage.
"Uptight jerk." Maria heard Mai mutter as both girls returned their eyes back to Julian's fight, only to see him still being chased around by the Snake Earthworm.
"Oi, Julian, stop running and fight! Fight! Fight!" Mai cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled out to him.
'Easier said than done, Mai-chan!' Julian mentally screamed when the Snake Earthworm tried to swallow him whole, knowing that running was not going to save him unless he did something. He stopped and a purple-pinkish spell circle appeared in front of him.
"Bloodline Magic: Marionette Master-M.M!" he called forth. Appearing from out of the spell circle was this adorable girl that looked to be the same age as Julian with light blonde hair kept in two twin-tails tied at the back of her head and blue eyes. Her attire consisted of this super cute sweets-themed lolita style dress and accessories.
"M.M? No way...?! Is that really the same doll as before?" There was a legit reason for Mai's skepticism, seeing how the last time Julian introduced them to M.M she resembled more of a doll and less like a human.
"At first, I didn't really understand Julian's Bloodline Magic; now I can conclude that it allows him to create and, more than likely, control dolls. Sorta like a puppet master." Maria came to an understanding, paying closer attention to Julian's match.
"How can I be of service to you, Julian-sama?" she affably asked him, using an adorable voice, filled with nothing but affection aimed towards Julian.
"M.M, sing Happy Candy Song!"
"Okie dokey~!" She did a cutesy wink as out of nowhere the surroundings suddenly changed as this upbeat music suddenly began to play, and the doll started to sing and dance.
A desk, a pocket
Or even inside a bag
It's always there, unforgotten.
Which should we choose?
Wait, wait, wait a second
Happiness is born
The sweet atmosphere is soft and fluffy
We can live and not be angry
"What's with this cutesy upbeat song?! When I listen to it, I can't help but feel... happy!"
Mai shouted with uncertainty. Maria found herself moving to the beat of the song; all of her fears disappeared and
Down on the stage, the doll was basically putting on her own little concert, sending the beast's mind to a wonderland of sweets and happiness.
CANDY CANDY CANDY CANDY CANDY
SWEETIE SWEETIE GIRLS LOVE
CHEWING CHEWING CHEWING CHEWING CHEWING
CUTIE CUTIE CH-CH-CH-CHEWING LOVE
From upstage, Maria could see the beast mind was becoming entrapped in the emotions that the song surged from within, happily nodding its head along with half of the audience who were watching. M.M continued performing, doing her cute little dance numbers, twirling, and having Maria question herself when she saw the doll pull a huge pink lollipop from nowhere.
A smile never left the doll's face; once it became noted that the beast's guard was down, she leaped into the air, wielding the large lollipop.
"Candy Punishment!"
M.M slammed the lollipop on top of the Earthworm Snake's head, and next, she knocked it out of the ring like a golf ball. The Earthworm Snake was officially down for the count, but this couldn't stop others from being dumbstruck at what they just witnessed.
"W-What power..." Mai said with awe in her voice. Maria nodded her head in agreement, mirroring Mai's and half of the student body's exact expressions. Releasing a sigh from his lips, Julian's shaky heart was able to calm itself down.
"Thank you, M.M!"
"Anything for you, Julian-sama~!" M.M happily gushed as Julian released his summoning spell and M.M disappeared. Making his way back towards his friends, Julian was caught off guard by the hugs they ambushed him with.
"That was awesome, Julian! I didn't know you had it in you." Mai playfully punched his shoulders while offering him a big bright smile.
"I always knew you were strong, Julian, you just had to discover it yourself." These words from Maria made Julian deeply happy, even though it was baby steps of improvement, slowly he was showing growth, and he had his wonderful and supportive friends to thank for that.
"Thanks."
Maria sheepishly patted his cheek, the three taking their seats as the next round of names were called out. Only this time, Maria paled a little when she heard her name announced.
"Looks like it's finally my turn. Oh, my stomach." The b.u.t.terflies swirling in her stomach did not make her feel any better as she felt a hand land on her shoulder.
"You've got this, Maria. You may not know this, but you're stronger than you think. So go out there and show everyone what you're made of!" cheered Mai, loudly enough to catch a few others' attention, who glared at her, not that she was paying them any attention.
"Mai is right, Maria. You are strong. So we know you can do this." Julian offered his support, and Maria honestly felt like tearing up for having such supportive friends. Taking deep breaths, Maria thanked them and made her way down, only to sense another person at her side.
"You should just give up. Diamond Academy is not a place for failures," cruelly mocked Alan whose name was also called out. In the background, Maria could hear some of his fangirls rooting for him.
"Looks like you still have it out for me." sighed Maria, tired encountering Alan and dealing with the negativity he had towards her.
"For five years, you did nothing but embarra.s.s me and cling to me like a leech. Becoming nothing more than a thorn in my side that I detest, but more than that you tried to hurt Sofia. You may have your friends fooled, but I know deep down inside, you are still that selfish, spoiled ojou-sama who cares only about herself."
After having spoken his true feelings of discontentment that were aimed her way, Alan walked on ahead as Maria felt both confused and glooming, a gray cloud settling over her head.
"Who is the heck is Sofia? Ah, just when my spirits were up, he sure does know how to knock them down," she muttered dejectedly, descending down to the stage.
Activating the appearance of her caged magical beast, Maria once again did a few breathing exercises, and once finished, her emerald green eyes gleamed with determination. 'I trained like h.e.l.l in that forest where I was left alone to survive on my own."
Memories of Maria being chased and toyed with day and night by low ranked beasts still haunted her to this day.
'Even though it was scary and there were days I wanted to give up, the thought of letting down those who cheered me on and not wanting to disappoint them, kept me going. No longer am I that fragile little girl from before.'
"Ruby! Celestial Convergence!"