Breaking Silence (ch1)

EARLY RELEASE FOR HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS!

Since Croix was revealed in the trailer, I'd wanted to do something with her, Akko, and Diana. But I couldn't until I at least saw her in the show, heard how she speaks, and seen how she acts.

This is just a little scenario I wanted to throw out there, though I know canon will never go down this route. I just had to try it, though.

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Breaking Silence

												 Chapter 1. Revelation

Professor Croix is not Diana's favorite person on campus. That much has been made very clear.

From the very second she'd revealed herself with the usage of her ridiculous-looking 'brooms', Diana had been speechless simply by the highly unconventional nature of her so-called "magic."

Croix called it modern.

Diana called it preposterous.

Diana wanted absolutely nothing to do with this new professor, or her methods of using magic. It goes against everything Diana has ever known - it goes against tradition. She'll never be able to accept this form of modernized magic.

But of course, there were plenty of students who were drawn to it like moths to a flame.

One in particular.

The entire school now knows just how enthusiastic Akko Kagari is about her new modern magic classes with Professor Croix.

It's only been a few weeks since the new labs have been opened up on campus, but already, Akko has been exuberantly and excitedly attending every available class, with a vigor and determination she'd lacked in any other course up until now.

She was even beginning to have private lessons with Croix, which had affected Professor Ursula in the worst of ways.

The once-cheerful, kind professor has become reserved and wary.

After all, Akko's infatuation with Croix had all but meant she'd essentially chosen her over Ursula. At least, that was how it appeared, even if Akko never intended to do that.

Diana can see the change in Professor Ursula just as clearly as anyone else - other than Akko herself.

At the conclusion of one of their lectures, Diana witnesses the professor very obviously making her way toward Akko with a smile on her face. But the oblivious girl simply grabs her things and scurries out the door to find Croix without even noticing.

The look of rejection on Professor Ursula's face hurts Diana so much that she actually goes up to her afterward to ask her a few questions she already knows the answers to about today's lesson, simply so she can have the professor focus on and talk about something else.

She can tell Professor Ursula's smile is only half genuine, and the other half is a tight, plastered kind of smile Diana herself often wears. Nonetheless, she listens attentively to the professor's response, and politely dips her head and thanks her in earnest.

"I appreciate it very much, Ursula Sensei."

And the smile Ursula shows her then is small, but it's a real one.

"You're very welcome, Diana. Well done today."

"Thank you very much. I enjoyed the lecture immensely."

And with that, she turns to exit the room.

As Diana goes over her schedule in her mind, she realizes she doesn't have any hallway monitoring or sentry duties to perform this evening. On one of her rare nights off, she'd typically retire to her dorm room to study as much as possible.

However, today there's another idea tacked to the back of her mind. Perhaps she should pay a visit to Professor Croix and see exactly why Akko enjoys her classes so much.

Diana can't possibly imagine that kind of "magic" being enjoyable. As far as she's concerned, it isn't genuine magic at all. It might require a bit of intelligence, but there's no actual spellcasting behind it, no actual effort beyond simple memorization and the tapping of a few tablet buttons.

She parts with Hannah and Barbara at the cafeteria, only briefly glancing inside to scan the room for signs of Akko, but doesn't find her. This just confirms where she's gone, so Diana heads off to the new wing where the modern magic labs are located.

Though there's been a new addition to the building in order to construct this wing, Diana feels it was poorly done. There are plenty of windows, but an adjoining building prevents most of the daylight from shining in.

She goes slowly, ensuring the silence of her footsteps down the otherwise-empty hallway. There are a few doors on her right side, one of which is slightly ajar. Two unmistakable voices are leaking through.

"Waow! This is so neat, Croix Sensei!"

"I knew you'd think so."

Diana pauses a good several feet away and presses her back to the wall. She breathes deeply but quietly, trying to keep her stomach from heaving from the anxiety.

She's never been one to eavesdrop, not until recently, and that is only because there are very important and potentially-compromising situations at hand.

And both times, she'd been listening in on one of Akko's conversations.

It is no secret to Diana that Akko will play a major part in all of this, whatever it is. In fact, everything will revolve around Akko, considering she is the undisputed wielder of the Shiny Rod, and the only one successful in using it. She may not know its link to the Arcturus Forest and the Seven Words as Diana does, but that is all the more reason for Diana to keep a close watch on her.

Even if it means she has to resort to eavesdropping.

It is for her own good...

She tells herself as much by means of justifying her actions. She closes her eyes and listens to the sounds of movement from inside the classroom.

"You're doing very well, Akko," Croix praises her. "Just about at the top of my class."

"Really?! I've never been at the top of any class before!"

"You have a knack for this stuff. You're a natural."

"Heehee~ Aw, shucks~!"

Normally, Diana might've been impressed or felt happy for Akko to finally be finding her comfort zone in terms of magic.

But she feels neither of those things now.

She can tell Croix is lying through her teeth - sweet nothings.

Diana can't stand those kinds of people.

The kind who are never genuine.

The kind who purposefully lie in order to hurt others.

That kind of deception is what does the most damage to the emotions of those closest to you.

That is why Diana has made a vow to be brutally honest as often as she can.

Even if people see her as harsh, it's far better than being a liar.

But she's getting the sense that there isn't anything of major importance being exchanged between the two inside the classroom at this time. Therefore, Diana prepares to take her leave.

But just before she can step away, Akko's random babbling narrows down to a much more specific phrase.

"It must be because of the Shiny Rod!"

Diana stiffens. An awful sensation shudders up her spine, and it feels as though she's just slipped down a flight of stairs.

No-

She can hear the shock in Croix's voice.

"Did you say... Shiny Rod?"

Akko, you fool-!

"Yup! Oh, that's right, I don't think I've told you yet, Croix Sensei! I'm the proud new owner of the Shiny Rod! Shiny Chariot's magical staff!"

"Ohh?" she drawls. "That sounds pretty amazing. Do tell."

"Well, there's not much to tell. But I found it in the Arcturus Forest on the day of initiation! And I can actually use it, too! Sometimes..."

"Hmm? That's... that's really something, Akko."

"Eheehee~"

Diana has half a mind to barge into the room and put a stop to this conversation immediately. She's got to make up some kind of excuse, tell Akko the Headmistress wants to see her, anything-

"Say, Akko." Croix's voice drawls, and Diana can hear the dangerous smile on her lips. "Do you wanna know a secret?"

"Secret? Ooooh~ what, what? Tell me!"

There is a brief pause, during which time, Diana can feel her heart thudding through her back, against the wall behind herself. She fears it's given her away.

But she hears no footsteps coming her way, so she dares to stay put.

After a moment of suspenseful silence, Croix continues:

"Would you believe me if I told you... I used to know that Shiny Chariot?"

Diana feels a tightness in her chest, something that claws at her insides. She can discern Croix isn't lying about this. But her reasons for revealing it certainly aren't good.

Diana can't see Akko's expression for herself, but she can very clearly envision her jaw nearly hitting the floor, and her eyes sparkling like a new constellation.

"R... Really?! Croix Sensei, you knew Shiny Chariot?! Are you serious?!"

"As a heart-attack!" she replies. "Me and Chariot were pretty close, actually."

"R-Really?!" Akko shrieks. "W-What was she like?"

"Hmm... she was interesting, that's for sure. A little clumsy, but cute. You remind me a lot of her, Akko."

"I... I do? Y-You're not just saying that?"

"Of course not. I see a lot of that old Chariot in you. Especially if you've got that Rod of hers for yourself..."

There's a moment of silence. Diana truly fears her pounding heart is going to give her away, so she takes a step away from the wall.

She doesn't like this. She can't let this conversation go on.

She's gathering her bearings now, truly about to burst through the door and demand Akko come with her to the Headmistress' office, anywhere away from this woman-

"Hey, Croix Sensei? Do you know... why Chariot left...?" Akko's voice drops into a saddened tone. "She just disappeared and no one knows why. You wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

More silence.

Diana's about to take her chance. But just before she can step for the door, Professor Croix gives her vague response.

"Say, Akko. You have Chariot's Shiny Rod, right?"

"Hm? Yeah."

"Well, I knew her back in the day. I've seen her use that staff before. Maybe if you bring it to me, I could try to use it. Maybe we could find her, or at least find out what happened. I think it's worth a shot. What do you say?"

It's too late.

Diana can't move now.

Not when it'll be made obvious to Croix that she's heard this much.

She can only stay put, feeling the pang of dismay in her chest as Akko gives a joyful reply.

"R-Really? You think we could figure something out about Chariot? Yeah! I'll definitely bring it! I can bring you the Rod, Sensei!"

Diana presses a hand to her mouth to stifle her breathing. Once more, she hears that deadly smile in Croix's voice.

"Excellent."

Diana forces her feet to start moving, though she takes extreme care not to make a sound. She can still hear Akko's voice.

"D-Do you want me to get it right now? I can go right now!"

"That's all right," Croix says smoothly. "You can bring it tomorrow. I'll need tonight to make some preparations."

"Okay! I'll bring it tomorrow then!"

If anything, that provides Diana with a bit of relief. At least she has one day to try and figure something out, to convince Akko not to go through with this.

So now, she runs.

Down the rest of the unlit hallway until she's turned the corner.

I cannot allow her to do this. I-

She's so absorbed in her thoughts she fails to notice the pattern of excited footsteps running up behind her until Akko's slammed full-on into her back. With a shriek and a gasp from each of them, both girls tumble to the floor.

"S-Sorry! I wasn't look- huh? Diana?" Akko sits herself up and scrambles off her classmate. Diana uses the excuse of being knocked over to justify her frazzled appearance and restricted breathing.

"W-Would you... mind being more careful?" She attempts to make a verbal jab at Akko as always, but her voice lacks any conviction or support. Akko shakes her head and pushes herself to her feet.

"Sorry. I was just really excited about something." She offers Diana her hand, a wide smile across her lips.

Diana remains frozen for a moment. This could be her only chance to say something.

She reaches up her hand, until their fingers almost brush.

"Akko-"

"Oh? What's this?"

Professor Croix emerges from behind the corner just then.

Diana instantly retracts her hand and pushes herself up without ever touching Akko's fingers. She smoothes out her uniform as Croix looks her over.

"Oh, the Cavendish girl, huh? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

There's a snideness behind the comment, one Diana is used to. She hardens her eyes, but can't look at the woman directly.

"I was merely patrolling the new addition to the school," she says. "As the Headmistress ordered."

"Oh, and then this one bowled into you, huh?" Croix chuckles and puts a hand on Akko's head, ruffling her hair.

Diana flinches. It's much more than an innocent, joking gesture.

This is a clear declaration:

She's mine.

Diana takes a step back, and says nothing. Croix all but smirks, though her tone remains light.

"Geez, Akko, what am I going to do with you? Your klutziness does remind me of someone I once knew though." She shares a knowing look with Akko, one they assume keeps Diana out of the loop.

Diana promptly excuses herself, turns away, and begins strutting down the hall. Akko quickly scampers after her.

"H-Hold up, Diana. Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"I am fine," she snaps, more out of unease than anger.

But Akko interprets it the wrong way and takes offense.

"All right, geez! Sorry for asking!"

Diana's heart sinks. She turns back around, an apology already halfway out of her mouth.

But Akko's already turned away and gone back to Croix.

Diana feels as though she's being stung by hornets from the inside out.

But she keeps walking nonetheless.

She can't let this discourage her. She has to stay focused.

No matter what, she cannot allow Akko to bring Croix the Rod.

She's got to think of some way to stop this.

And she only has twenty-four hours to do so.

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A/N: I'm not sure if Croix is really at Luna Nova specifically for the Rod but I feel that has to be a part of it, so I decided to do my own little twist on how she might obtain it.