They Call me Vox

Interlude 2.1

I release a sigh as I enter the room I had been assigned when I asked for place to set up a workshop. It's nothing much, a little larger than my room. There's a few tables and cabinets lining two of the walls. All in all, not that bad.

'Wonder what Artoria would think?'

I repress a wince. This morning, I had woken up with my head nuzzled under Artoria's and her arms wrapped around me. I didn't really have anything against it, and Arty looks adorable when she's sleeping, but it was still an awkward morning. We ended up deciding on two things: that we are taking this slow, and that we're keeping this to ourselves for the moment.

I shake my head, take another look around my new workshop, crack my knuckles, and get to work.

Timeskip(brought to you by the Chaldea staff meeting Gil for the first time... there was much confusion from the many magus)

"And done!" I exclaim, hands on my hips and tails swaying happily as I admire my handiwork, "What do ya think, Sionnach?"

Sionnach yawns from the little bed I had set up for her in the - if you were looking from the doorway - front left corner.

"Gee, thanks," I roll my eyes.

I had done away with all of the cabinets. Runes line the edges of the walls, allowing for enhanced durability along with climate control. All the furniture is created using natural materials, using no man-made products since I've found that runecraft is best used in an environment with as few man-made things as possible. Of the furniture, there are a couple of chairs in the back left corner, a few supply lockers are against the right wall, and against the left wall is a long bookshelf. In the exact center of the room is a miniature birch tree, surrounding which is an elaborate circular wooden table with multiple runes carved into it.  All in all, I'm quite satisfied with my work.

I walk around the center table and stop at a runic circle on the floor, against the back wall and initially hidden from view by the birch tree. I look over the four-foot diameter circle and study some of the runes that make it up. Honestly, I don't quite understand what half of them mean, since I had to use knowledge from my magic crest to make the damn thing.

I carefully step over the outer layer of runes and sit in the middle of the circle. I take in a slow deep breath, and slowly exhale as I, for the first time in however many years, undo all of the illusions and limiters placed on me.

My lip quirks into a smile as all nine tails unfurl and I can practically feel the magical energy humming through my circuits. I allow myself a few more seconds to indulge in the feeling before beginning the process.

I close my eyes and place my hands on the smaller circles on either side of me, pushing mana into them. My mana spreads through the rest of the runic circle, and it glows so brightly that I can see it through my eyelids. I continue pushing mana, and the glows brighter and brighter. I can feel the ritual sucking up my mana like a sponge, draining me until I'm barely above what my limit is when all my limiters are active.

And, suddenly, it's over. No more glow. No more feeling like my circuits are on fire. No more feeling like my very life force is being drained from me. Instead, I sense a burning supernova forming into a new star, standing out from all the others.

I open my eyes and smile at the trio of Saint Quartz that lay before me. I remember the knowledge my mother planted in the magic crest: one Quartz for every three tails. With a sigh, I reset all my limiters and illusions, aside from the ones I no longer use, and gather the Saint Quartz into my satchel.

...I already miss my tails.

"Yip!" I look down to see Sionnach sitting at my feet.

I smile and pick up my familiar, holding her up, "You always know how to cheer me up, don't you?"

"Yip yip," Sionnach leans forward and licks my nose, causing me to laugh as I settle her on my shoulders.

"You hungry, girl?" I ask as I exit my workshop, the large Algiz rune covering the door glowing briefly before fading back into obscurity.

Sionnach nods vigorously, and I laugh as I walk towards the cafeteria.