It seemed my response was satisfactory, as Aloe was beginning to grow calmer.
"Just to be safe, I'd like to have you all carry my 'Soul Brand' with you. Of course, this is simply optional. You can choose not to have one."
After explaining the relevance of a Soul Brand, and how incredibly useful it would be in coordination, my audience was more adept at it.
Of course, the kind of Soul Brand I was going to establish would not have any coercing element.
It would be as equals—sort of like how Jane and I did in the past.
"No."
"I'll have to refuse."
Two people vehemently disagreed, which was fine too.
After explaining the importance, if they weren't willing to go through with it, there was nothing that could be done.
"Since Lemi and Ciara have decided against it, I'll just do it with everyone else."
Of course, I toned down the function of the Soul Brand, so we couldn't randomly hear each other's thoughts or anything.
The purpose of the Brand was to track their whereabouts and directly contact them even if there was Interference Magic involved.
My current Magic Tools that allowed long-range communication would be rendered obsolete if someone interfered with it using Magic.
The only way out of that predicament was to use a Soul Brand.
"For those who have chosen to go along with it, I'll be sure to remove the Brand once we're done with this mission.
Fortunately, they all understood.
******************
Once we were done, it was finally time to split our team into five distinct groups.
To be honest, it was a somewhat tricky choice, considering we were a total of twelve, now that Ana wasn't present.
However, after taking everyone's strengths and weaknesses into account, I created the perfect team.
***************
[TEAM 1]
Neron Kaelid
Serah Crimson
[TEAM 2]
Edward Karl Leon
Lemi Vindiel
Ivan Smith
[TEAM 3]
Maro Smith
Aloe Vida
Asa
[TEAM 4]
Jerry Keller
Ciara Epilson
And finally...
[TEAM 5]
Jared Leonard
Maria Helmsworth
*****************
Maria's eyes widened as I mentioned how we would be splitting our teams.
She must have been surprised that I placed her on the same team as me. I had to admit, that was a bit of bias on my part.
But...
... I felt it was necessary.
'Maybe I should try spending time with her. No harm in that.'
It could have just been a reason I gave myself to ease my guilt, or perhaps I wanted to explore what feelings I had for Maria, and what feelings she had for me.
In any case, I made sure every other team was balanced.
"Does anyone have any complaints about the team arrangements?"
I scanned the audience, but there seemed to be no problem.
Ciara was even beaming at me, giving me a thumbs-up for some reason. It had to be because I placed her on the same team as Jerry.
With no one else in their group, she was free to keep fraternizing with the boy... or whatever it was that they were doing.
Even I didn't understand their relationship, at this point.
"I'll be using today to learn more about this Arcana. You can all focus on training while we spend the day. You can choose to prepare for tomorrow as well."
There was so much to learn about the [Strength] Arcana, considering it was the first one in my possession that I never interacted with in my past life.
"Well, that's it for the meeting."
After concluding the meeting, everyone slowly dispersed.
"Lemi, a word?"
"What?" The girl's response was cold.
It broke my heart to see her look at me with such eyes.
I never for one thought about acting as her replacement Dad, considering I had no right to.
What I could do was teach her and guide her in the best way I could. Of course, if it was friendship she desired, I was going to try my hardest.
Unfortunately, things didn't work out well. Lemi didn't trust me, and it seemed anything I tried to do only made things worse.
'Maybe I just suck at relationships...' I bit my lip to hold back any emotion that displayed weakness.
I couldn't afford anything of that sort at the moment.
"Nothing. Never mind." I smiled, turning away from the girl.
My sensory perception kicked in and I noticed that she stood still for a few moments, before finally leaving for whatever she wanted to do.
'You suck, Jared. You really suck.'
I teleported away from my position and decided to dedicate the entire day as a shut-in.
Distracting myself from the pain I felt by wholeheartedly focusing on a task was the best way I knew to cope.
*******************
"You were right, Miss Serah! It worked!"
Maria was currently happy beyond description.
Right in front of her was Serah Crimson, Grand Mage of the Eastern Empire, as well as the sweetheart of Neron Kaelid.
She was Maria's mentor in both Magic and Love, and her advice on how to handle Jared had finally begun to show results.
"I thought our relationship got worse, but I think we're moving in the right direction."
"I told you, Maria. You only needed to trust me."
"I'm so sorry I doubted you in the past." Maria looked earnest as she tightened both hands and prepared herself to keep working hard.
The last advance she made on Jared, watching over him when he was naked and flirting with him afterward... everything came from Serah's counsel.
Her mentor was always right in these matters, as Maria had come to learn.
'Jared finally made a conscious effort to put the both of us in the same team.' Maria smiled, her cheeks turning pink.
"But, you can't relax now, Maria. This is where the true battle begins." Serah smiled at the pure and innocent girl—ready to dye Maria once again in her color.
"Oh? What's the next step? What should I do next?"
Maria's eyes shone like diamonds as she readily waited to hear the wise words of her teacher and mentor.
Serah Crimson smiled proudly, happy to have such a diligent girl as a protege.
Just as Neron took Jared in, she decided to raise one as well.
Initially, she merely picked Maria because she showed promise and talent.
Their relationship didn't extend to much, but as time went on, the woman found herself growing attached to the girl, and vice versa.
Before long, their bonds deepened, and Serah became more of a mentor.
"Alright! Listen well, Maria!"
"Yes ma'am!!!"
Both women were glad to have each other in their endeavors.
Serah was determined to help her protege win over the one she loved... no matter what!
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