The day after comes and Rayna collected Madelyn and me and takes us to the Mage's Academy. It's the best for privacy, especially since it's over the weekend. We went for the Headmaster's office for the added security as he was there on weekend duty along with a handful of other staff.

Steven: "So, Rayna.. what's so important that we need to do it somewhere private? Especially the Headmaster's office?"

Rayna: "A presentation of sorts. This is what I wanted to show everyone."

She unwraps a cloth held in her hand revealing thumb-sized, rhombus-shaped, red gem fixed on top of a cherry wood receptacle.

Steven: "What is it?"

Madelyn: "Could it be a ruby?"

Rayna: "No, no, no.. it's a red diamond."

Headmaster: "Where did you find a red diamond?"

Madelyn: "Do you know about them, Headmaster?"

Headmaster: "They're incredibly rare diamonds that have unique properties. A normal diamond has a 1 to 1 channeling efficiency. Red diamonds are unique as they not only give a 1 to 1 but even amplify the magic."

Steven: "Seriously? How much would something like this go for if I wanted to buy one?"

Rayna: "None."

Steven: "None?"

Headmaster: "She means priceless. They're that precious."

Rayna: "Yeah, that. Red diamonds are so rare that the only other one that I know of is owned by the Corian Matriarch."

Headmaster: "It's the centerpiece of her tiara."

Coria is the country between Esnia and Phia in the north. There's not a lot to say about them as they're similar to Phia. They both have liberal ideals and even promote equality with demons. The most interesting bit of info would be that it's the only country in Gennisi Archi to be run by a woman.

Steven: "Well, what do you need a red diamond for, Rayna?"

Rayna: "I found a feasible way to do Shadow Leap without having to slit our wrists every time."

Steven: "Uhh.."

Madelyn: "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Wait. A. Minute! You cut yourselves!?"

Rayna: "Yeah, it's not like we use a lot of blood."

Steven: "This is why I don't tell Joan we use blood magic."

Headmaster: "Blood magic? You just coined a new term there, Steven."

Rayna: "He's been using it for a while. He even got me saying it occasionally."

Madelyn: "HELLO!? Are we seriously going to gloss over the fact that you cut yourselves!?"

Rayna: "I'm careful not to use too much of my blood. Why? Does it bother you?"

Steven: "I.. only did so a couple of times.."

Madelyn is upset and now I'm starting to feel bad for hiding it.

Steven: "I'm sorry, Madelyn."

Headmaster: "Miss King, settle down. I understand how taboo it is and your views on self-harm, but what Rayna is doing is for the better, is it not?"

Madelyn: "Tch."

She crosses her arms and sulks.

Rayna: "Well, with this red diamond.. I should have the ability to use Shadow Leap without the use of blood. With another I have set up in Elinila Castle, we should be able to travel to and from there nearly instantly."

She lays it on a table in Livia's study area and begins to channel her energy into it.

Rayna: "A pedestal would be better, but this'll work just as well."

Headmaster: "How much of your energy would you have to channel?"

Rayna: "Very little, actually."

The diamond started glowing, emitting a sparkling red light making all of us instinctively shield our eyes.

Dai-tai: "Ta-da!"

Headmaster: "Have you spoken to.. perhaps Loremaster Hugo about the legality of this?"

Rayna: "He's actually sponsoring my research. Something like this would help connect all the islands on the archipelago and help the First Marines reach their objectives around the world faster."

Headmaster: "I see. You should also make the light more bearable."

Dai-tai: "Heya, Headmaster!"

Headmaster: "Hello.. who are you?"

Dai-tai: "I'm the great Dai-tai!"

He leans against his chair and smirks.

Headmaster: "Dai-tai.. Right. You're the demon I heard about."

Steven: "Dai-tai.."

I haven't seen her in so long that I almost didn't recognize her. It might be because she changed her appearance! Her hair was now set into a tight bun and her clothes were "upgraded". She went from her rags to a hooded dress made of a smooth black taffeta and accented with ornate brocade in a damask pattern.

Dai-tai: "Hey, Steve.. I missed ya."

Steven: "I missed you too.. but, where did you get such a dress? You look amazing!"

Dai-tai: "Phia; there's a lot of demons that love fashion as I do."

Steven: "And I can see it."

Dai-tai: "Where's Kanna at?"

Steven: "She can't be here. This is between Twilight."

Headmaster: "Hasn't she swore an oath?"

Steven: "No, Hugo said it would be best to wait until they're 100 percent sure Madelyn is clear of the Witch's Burning."

Dai-tai: "Say.. where is Madelyn?"

Madelyn: "I'm right here?"

Dai-tai takes a few moments looking at her until it clicks that Madelyn no longer looks recognizable.

Dai-tai: "What?! Aren't you supposed to be a tomboy? Why are you wearing a skirt?"

I started laughing uncontrollably but stopped soon after as an angry Madelyn pinched my arm.

Madelyn: "It's what I wear now. How's Lilith?"

Dai-tai: "Good. A little distant, but good. She should be here soon."

Rayna: "Now is the time for the next one to show."