Outfit of the day:

Ittindi walked down the halls of another disgusting hallway of dust, he was seeking to join another college to expand his education beyond destruction. Why he had chosen the College of Augmentation, well he had considered buffing himself with magic after some of the more embarrassing moments against Colonel Tōga and his Young Master. Though he hadn’t found any staff here, or anyone for that matter. The college seemed as dead as his dreams of finding a second mentee. His cat Sylvia paws made a cute patter sound as she followed behind occasionally stopping to sniff at different locations. He hadn’t expected her to be so adventurous, but she fit in well with Naki constantly cooing over her as much as Ittindi. Not to mention whatever experiments the Ministry of Research had done created an aura from Sylvia that helped with his guns.

His outfit was anything but elegant today, he had opted for a rougher appearance. Hearing that the college was full of meatheads and brash adventurers, he figured that there’d be some kind of trial by combat. While his armor could cover his outfit, he expected to see someone like Sir Brone or the Young Master heading such a college. The idea of having one of his suits ruined might lead to a disproportionate reaction. He of course was still wearing designer overalls and jeans from Christian Rosailles fall collection. The silver clasps and the waistband accentuated his figure, while he opted for no belt finding it would be to flashy for the occasion. His dominator was tucked in his front chest pocket, he had adjusted the outfit with it in the pocket, so its outline wasn’t obvious to the untrained eye.

You know Ittindi you have become quite muscular as of late, are you thinking of being more of a melee fighter over your guns. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your late nights with the spear, I can see that you’re conflicted.

Ittindi would chuckle out loud even if it were a little crazy if anyone was around, then answer Naki back in his mind. Telling them that it was about balance, he still preferred range combat, but the Darkfang battle showed him the need for having more options when faced with an enemy up close and others he had to protect. He was to used to fighting selfishly, he was part of something greater and using his full abilities would handicap his allies. Though, he knew if it were just him and Colonel Tōga he wouldn’t mind the handicap, but he couldn’t assume the same without practice with the other high ranking Rune Knights.  After wandering the hallways for a couple minutes Ittindi would finally shout with a calm and steady voice.

”IS THERE ANYONE IN THIS DUSTY COLLEGE?”

The library of the College of Augmentation was a sprawling space, filled with towering bookshelves covered in dust and cobwebs. Shafts of dim light filtered through cracked stained-glass windows, illuminating motes of dust that hung like a mist in the stale air. Tsukishima had been poring over a particular book detailing physical augmentation spells and techniques. Behind him lay a pile of similarly themed books and some on martial arts. All with the goal of conditioning his body and returning it to its former statue back during his prime. A time long before he was enticed by the demon king’s machinations and turned into a Lich. When the faint echo of footsteps reached his ears, Tsukishima froze. He instinctively slipped into the shadows, an old habit born from centuries of survival. His crimson eyes narrowed as he observed the intruder through the gaps between bookshelves. It was Ittindi, a Colonel of the Rune Knights. Tsukishima recognized him immediately, the man’s presence as commanding as it was when they last met, though now softened by a rather peculiar choice of attire. The designer overalls were a far cry from the martial regalia Tsukishima had expected, but the aura of confidence and purpose around the Colonel remained unmistakable.

"He hasn’t changed," Tsukishima thought, though the same couldn’t be said for himself. He recalled their prior meeting, a chance encounter back when Tsukishima was starting to get a hang of the powers being a Lich had granted him. Now, here he was in a similar position, just grasping what his new vampiric status could do. As the Colonel’s calm yet assertive voice echoed through the library, Tsukishima stepped out of the shadows. His dark cloak flowing like liquid behind him. His expression softened into something that resembled a smile, though it was faint and restrained.

"Colonel." he said warmly, his voice smooth but tinged with a weariness that hadn’t been there before. "I’m surprised to find you here, of all places. Rune Knight business I take it?" The faintest glint of amusement sparkled in his eyes as he gestured to the Colonel’s outfit, though his posture remained relaxed. For the first time in centuries, Tsukishima realized he wasn’t masking his true feelings or intentions. This meeting wasn’t about manipulation or survival; it was simply two individuals crossing paths, each with their own burdens. And yet, something struck him as odd. "Or perhaps, you're here for the same reason I am," Tsukishima continued. "Seeking strength and knowledge in a place that feels as lifeless as its halls look?"

Ittindi was surprised by a familiar voice, he didn’t expect to see one of his failures face to face with him. The last time they had run into each other was at the beach party that the Young Master had in celebration of his new role as a guild master. He seemed please to see Ittindi so, he’d take it as a good sign as he listened to Sir Higurashi,

” No, not Rune Knight business personal enrichment I’m afraid. Unless you have a crime to report?”

Ittindi’s voice was more sarcastic in his last sentence, he didn’t expect there to be any crimes at the academy. It was rare that they’d offer neutral ground for any mage legal or not, there wasn’t a likelihood of anyone wanting to break that peace. He’d laugh as Sir Higurashi stumbled upon Ittindi’s true intentions. Ittindi would respond in kind after making a short bow and saying.

”Guilty as charged, I was looking for a teacher or professor of the college. I’m assuming from your statement that you were seeking something similar. Do you know much about this place? I was looking for some help on increasing my physical prowess along with learning how to use defensive magic tactically in combat.”

Ittindi wondered what exactly Sir Higurashi was looking for when he sought his own strength. When it came to Sleeping Calamity members their struggle for power could take to many forms for a guess. Even when he was in the guild his assumptions were often proved wrong when he talked to the members individually thinking of Skald or Hassan. Something about Sir Higurashi also looked different than the last time he saw him, it must have been finding his home. A shame it wasn’t with the Rune Knights he would of made a fine officer. Ittindi was still on the hunt for the right type for the Ministry of Research he needed an inside person to report on their disturbing experiments.

Sylvia meanwhile tail had floofed up at seeing Sir Higurashi, but after seeing her master speak to him it started to become more solidified as she would emerge from one of the pillars of books moving slowly towards Sir Higurashi. Ittindi knew trying to control her would only create more problems in the future, but if the man was allergic or didn’t like cats he’d use his stern voice.

” How do you feel about cats Sir Higurashi?”