HP: The Arcane Thief
chapter-162

Just sitting there, holding her hand gives him a sense of peace that he has never actually paid attention to. It made him realize just how glad he was to have someone like her. Without her, he would have never known such a feeling actually existed.

Now, he would be able to send his consciousness into his unwelcoming soul and finally make some progress about making his soul a better medium for summoning magic.

'Alright, here goes,' Axel tried connecting to his soul once again. This time, he succeeded! But a frown etched upon his face as soon as he understood the situation inside.

His soul was basically a bubble of akashic records, most of which are of his suffering, lightly intermittent with the records of some good memories. No wonder the magic can't flow through it properly.

Even though he has managed to control his mind and body to be permanently affected by the things he has been through, he hasn't been able to do the same for his soul.

'Alright, let's get to work.' Axel began to try what he had learnt from the system knowledge.

He can't really do anything about the bad records, but he can arrange his records in a way that brings some semblance of balance to his soul.

The only problem is, the soul is not quite easy to manipulate as mind. He can't just adjust records like he can do memories. The process is extremely slow. He has to go through each record and patiently guide them to gradually shift according to his feeling. Even then, they might just decide that the previous location was better and shift back.

[What you are doing is already beyond the reach of almost all humans. You can't expect it be easy]

Axel could only grit his teeth and soldier on.

Meanwhile, outside his bubble of seclusion, exams took place at Hogwarts, which Axel decisively missed. Writing about basic and mostly useless information about magic wasn't on his list of priorities right now. Though, he did make Daphne take hers, which she did with extreme reluctance.

He didn't want her to miss her exams due to him. And besides, it would be quite suspicious if only two students from the same year didn't show up for exams who just happened to be former friends. That's just asking for trouble, considering the current circumstances.

Axel's alleged disappearance was now turning into an issue. It wouldn't have been a big deal if it was just any student, but since the student that disappeared is the most talented Quidditch prodigy, Axel Hunt, things have blown out of proportions.

It became so bad that the school could no longer keep it under wraps and had to make an official statement, confirming his disappearance, assuring everyone concerned that the authorities are making their best efforts to locate him.

But, that only made the matter worse. The news had spread far and wide, and now there was an uproar in the whole Quidditch community all over the world. It has to be noted that Axel is one of the most famous celebrities in the world.

Why? Because the clips of his game play aren't something that just the Quidditch enthusiasts enjoy. The level of skill, finesse and savagery is so off the charts that even someone who has no interest in Quidditch would find themselves wanting to see more of his plays.

That's why, the clips of his gameplay have quickly taken the highest rankings in watched recorded memories on the Magi-hive, exceeding the other clips' number of views by a huge margin. Especially his last game, where he single-handedly took down the Mahoutokoro team in an unrestricted format.

No matter if they were school level matches, but Axel has already been unanimously termed as the God of Quidditch by the viewers.

And now that, this person has suddenly disappeared from the face of earth, it is no wonder that it is causing waves.

People are demanding for answers, genuinely concerned for Axel's wellbeing. Various conspiracy theories have been circulating about his alleged disappearance.

There was a huge explosion at Hogwarts on the day of his disappearance, so some are attributing it to that, saying he was dead, while there are few who think he is on the run since the Minister herself was searching for him.

But theories have no end. Some say he has been kidnapped by people from another country to play Quidditch for them, while some even say that one of his female fans at Hogwarts drugged him and trapped him in her sex dungeon, and so on.

Though, Axel himself paid no heed to any of this. Daily, he would try to recover to the best of his ability while Learning Zen Focus. Just like that, the day he had to leave finally arrived.

His body was now fully recovered, save for his hand, and he was able to cast a moderate degree of magic without strain. He still had a long way to go in order to reach and exceed his previous capacity, but it was definitely a lot compared to before.

It wasn't enough, but he didn't want to delay any longer. His soul had finally calmed down enough that he was able to train the skill on his own, so staying here was just wasting time he could be spending destroying the Organisation.

,,,

'How much longer?' wondered Axel.

"Daphne, are you going to come out or not?" He asked, looking at the time. He was waiting for Daphne, who was taking forever to get ready. Today was an end term party on account of a successful collaboration between Hogwarts and Japan.

Daphne wanted to go with him, and Axel couldn't deny her this after having her sit with him for most of the time for the last few days. (Though of course, Daphne didn't mind it all. She was, instead, hugely disappointed when she came to know that it was over.)

"Just how long will it take for you to get ready?" He called out.

"Just a minute!" came Daphne's muffled voice. Inside the room, Daphne was fully ready, dressed in the same gorgeous dress she had sent him the picture of not long ago. Only, there was one little problem. She was a crying mess. She wanted to bid him farewell with a smile on her face, so she was crying right now.

Daphne wiped her tears and looked into the mirror. "Come on, Daph. He needs you smiling right now." She said, trying to smile. Quickly fixing her make up the best she could, she hurried out of the room.

"How do I look?" She asked as she did a 360 turn for him.

Axel took a second longer to answer that. "Really pretty," he praised sincerely, causing Daphne's face to light up, all smiles.

But Axel had a troubled look on his face. "Can't you just let me do it?" He asked for the umpteenth time.

Daphne shook her head firmly. "I told you. I have made my decision."

Daphne adamantly refused the treatment of her curse, even now that he had recovered.

Daphne frowned. "Don't bring it up now. I told you I'm not going through with it until you return safely."

Axel sighed. "You and your weird reasoning..."

"You shouldn't worry. The curse is only a threat if you don't safely return," she said with a sweet smile.

Axel clicked his tongue. This girl… she is taking herself hostage in demand of his safe return. If something happens to him, the curse will activate and he won't be there for the cure.

"You don't have to do this."

"But I do. Anything to increase your chances of survival," she said brightly. "Now, are we going or what?" she asked, linking arms with him.

Axel turned both of them invisible to others, and off they went. As always, the Party was in the Great Hall. It's a place that can be moulded into any place to fit the occasion. Axel suspected it might even turn into a huge dormitory someday of emergency for all the students to sleep.

Right now, the place was decorated in a sort of Japanese plus English theme for the occasion. The ceiling was decorated with a blend of chandeliers and lanterns. Japanese shogi armors were instated right alongside the knight armors, making for an interesting view.

The walls were decorated with pictures and descriptions of the events that had taken place in the year and the guests were also dressed in Suits and dresses or Yukatas and kimonos.

In the music area, English and Japanese songs were intermittently being played and the students of Mahoutokoro and Hogwarts danced together as one.

"You should have worn that suit," said Daphne, looking around with bright eyes. Axel, who was wearing his travel attire, shook his head. "I'd rather leave as soon as I can. Besides, no one can see me anyways."

"Well, you do look good in whatever you wear, so it's alright," said Daphne.

Both of them were not in the mood to celebrate like the last time, so they just spent the last few moments of their time wandering along, trying dishes and enjoying the vibes.

A lot of students were bidding farewell to each other, many of them being couples. It wasn't just a day of farewell for Axel. Mahoutokoro was leaving today as well.

The party was wild, but Axel and Daphne enjoyed it at their own pace, completely invisible to the rest of the world.

In the end, they met up with Akiko and Martina, who were sitting in a corner under their own secrecy wards.

"Axel!" Martina stood up as soon as she saw him. They had been keeping correspondence over the Magi-mirror, but she was still relieved to see him in person.

"Are you really recovered?" She asked.

"No, not completely. But it's enough to get me going. Trust me," he assured.

"Are you really not taking us? We don't mind the risk, really," said Martina earnestly.

"I'll call you over if I need you," that's all Axel could relent. But he was firm about his decision to go alone. He was more of a solo player at heart.

Martina's shoulders drooped in disappointment. But she took what she got. "You have to call us as soon as there's the slightest bit of trouble. 'Some' of us can help,' she said, glancing at Daphne.

Axel sensed the tension between Daphne and Martina. "Is everything alright?" He asked.

Daphne and Martina both smiled at him.

"It's nothing."

"It's alright."

Axel was certain something was wrong now, but he didn't pursue the matter further. It didn't seem serious.

He turned to look at Akiko. "I thought you would be more forceful about coming along."

Akiko shrugged. "Well, you aren't going to listen anyway."

"…True," Axel admitted, but he still looked at her dubiously. She had this look on her face that seemed similar to the one she used to get in their trainings when she had something up her sleeve.

The three of them sat in silence, watching the party. Soon, the party was over, and it was time to leave. Dumbledore and Yujiro came upon the stage for their speech.

"This year has been a great success, and you students have worked hard in learning the extra subjects. Don't be despondent, because this is, by no means, the final parting—"

"You!" While Dumbledore's speech was still going on, someone stormed right up to their corner, pointing at Axel. "You are here! I have been so worried and no one would tell me anything!"

It was, surprisingly, Rose Potter, who removed her invisibility cloak. Now that she was in their bubble, the four of them became visible to her.

Axel frowned. "How'd you find us?" He was sure she didn't happen to come to the most secluded corner alone. They should have been invisible to others eyes.

"I sensed her darkness," she said, nodding at Akiko. Ever since the ritual, she has been able to sense the darkness better than ever.

"But that does not matter! What the hell are you doing relaxing here while there is a country-wide search going on for you?!" Asked Rose.

Axel face-palmed. "That shouldn't be of any concern to you. Rather, you shouldn't be sneaking to places under your invisibility cloak without protection. If you're caught by Voldemort again, it's over for us all."

Axel was furious with Rose's recklessness. She can allow Voldemort to access this world, and here she is, wandering around without protection.

"You shouldn't worry about me. I can take care of myself... Now more than ever," she said, as darkness started to circulate around herself.

"What the fuck?" Axel and the girls were, of course, understandably surprised. Now that Axel looked at Rose again, he could indeed spot some things in her that were different. There were black streaks in her red hair and the bratt-ish vibe about her was gone.

Something about the darkness around her reminded him of Voldemort.

Curious, he casually probed her mind, only to be sent back by a huge force.

'System, what the fuck?!' Axel was more than a bit surprised. So, only does she have this explainable power, she also has mental protection. How is that possible? Rose was weak as fuck just a few days ago.

[The Ritual has deepened her connection with the Netherworld. She now seems to be able to access the Magic of Netherworld much more directly. A unique and unprecedented case.] The system presented it's analysis to Axel.

Rose dispersed the darkness, satisfied that she was being taken seriously now. "What the fuck indeed. Now, can you tell me what the hell is going on here? I have so many questions..." She all but begged.

Rose was just so... confused. First she is trapped in some ritual circle to summon dark creatures. When she wakes up, some extremely powerful men come along and take Axel. Then she is sent to the Hospital wing where she faints again.

Waking up, she finds that Axel has been brought back but she can't even meet him to thank him for saving her life, neither can she find Akiko and Martina. Even more strange, she now has some really strange and scary abilities.

A few days later, Axel disappears again, and this time, no one tells what happened to him.

Now that she has spotted him again, along with Akiko and Martina, she desperately needs some answers.

"Just… sit down, Rose. We'll explain," said Martina, looking at the girl with some pity. She had completely forgotten about Rose who had to go through such a huge event.

Martina explained the situation to Rose. About what happened and why Axel can't reveal himself.

"So, there are more terrifying people out there like those guys who are after you. And you are trying to play dead so that they don't come after you?" Rose was having trouble wrapping her head around the whole situation.

"Exactly. He didn't mean for the situation to turn out like this, but now if he reveals himself, more Kraken members would be dispatched to Hogwarts in hopes that some of us might know where he is."

Rose nodded her head slowly. "That does make sense. So, what you going to do now?" She asked Axel, looking worried. She felt that Axel's situation was quite similar to hers.

"Destroy the Organisation," said Axel like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"...What?"

"Yep, anyways, it's time to leave," said Axel, getting up.

"Wait why are you—"

"Save it, Rose. You can't stop him," said Daphne helplessly.

Rose could do nothing but follow the party of four out of the party. Daphne grabbed Axel's hand, knowing that she would be doing that in a long while.

Soon, they were out of Hogwarts wards and Axel stopped walking.

Martina hugged him tightly. Separating from him reluctantly, she gave a small ring.

"Here, I've been busy for the last few days as well. I've packed everything necessary into this along with instructions on how to use them. I've made the ring as untraceable as I could, in case you become a hostage again," she explain meticulously. "Make sure to check it out."

"It also has some sealing scrolls, explosion seals, weapon, and other stuff," said Akiko. She stepped forward and surprised him by hugging him as well. "I'll see you soon. Stay alive till then."

Axel finally turned to Daphne.

"Well, I'll be back in a bit," said Axel.

Daphne tried, she really did, but she couldn't holding it. She hugged him and cried.

Axel ran a hand through her hair. "You did a job holding them till now."

Daphne cried for a while, but she had to let him go eventually. "You have to take care."

"I will."

"Don't be reckless."

"I won't."

"Make sure to eat and sleep properly."

"I will."

Daphne sighed. She used Occlumency to calm herself and smiled at him. "Farewell."

"You guys make sure to keep an eye on her," he said, nodding at Rose. "I don't want to come and see Hogwarts destroyed."

"I told you, I can take care of myself, Hunt," huffed Rose, who had been seeing Axel hug three girls one after another. Was she jealous? No way! Did also expect one? Well Maybe… but she would rather not! Seriously!

"Seriously, be careful," he warned.

"Now, I have something to give you guys before I leave."

He extended three of his fingers and produced three wisps of memories that the system transferred to him.

[Mission: Make Rose an Ally.]

'System, you can be a bitch sometimes,' Axel complained, but extended another finger, causin another wisp to be created. The wisps slowly turned to balls which floated in the air and transferred into the girls' forehead.

!!!

Daphne, Rose, Martina and Akiko were surprised when the following information appearing their minds.

[Do you agree to be Axel Hunt's Ally?]

[yes/no]

When they thought yes, an explosion happened in their minds, caused by a huge influx of information.

[Congratulations, you can gotten the class…]

"You guys can't reveal that information to anyone," said Axel while they were still disoriented. "Well, take care, my allies. And make sure to train whatever you get. I'll leave before you guys start bombarding me with questions."

"Wait—"

"Matte—"

"Don't you dare leav—"

"Hey—!"

And Axel was gone, leaving them at a massive cliffhanger.

...

A.N.: So, this is the end of Vol 2.