Consort's Path: Toa Qelsum

This is a detailed explanation for Book 1 of Toa's route, **containing spoilers!** If you want to read a more superficial synopsis, click here.

Watch the trailer for Book 1 of Toa's Consort Path below!

# Book 1: A Proud, Imprisoned Prince

## Chapter 1

MC just finished her first class at the academy and heads back to her room. She finds Toa coming from the opposite direction. He asks her if she is done with her lectures for the day and she replies that she is. MC remarks that she was overwhelmed by how out of element she was. He only nods and tells her it is to be expected.

Then, two students appear and ask where Toa is. They explain that they came to take him to his lecture while Toa only murmurs the word "tedious". Before he leaves, Toa tells MC that they don't know why she has appeared in Saligia, but that she has to get used to being at the academy. He also warns her that if she doesn't want to meet an untimely end, then she shouldn't tell others where she came from.

Rio then appears and also asks her about her lectures. She replies the same way as she did with Toa and Rio sympathizes. They talk about the difficulty level of the classes and Rio remarks that things must have been easier in Avari. MC gets confused and Rio explains that the color of her eyes marks her as a subject of Avari and tells her that he thought everyone knew that. MC can either respond by blaming it on their nerves, blaming it on their upbringing, or doubling down. MC is worried that she won't survive while having to lie as she doesn't know if her lies will be convincing, so she asks Rio where to find the Headmaster.

On her way to the Headmaster's Office, she sees Guy up ahead. Since she is afraid of Guy and doesn't want to bump into him, she stops and observes him. However, she sees Guy go to the same direction that she was intending to go, so she gives up and goes back to her room. But, she finds a group of male students that are blocking her way. They are too busy talking and laughing, so they can't hear her when she asks them to let her through. So, she decides to try a different way. However, before she can make it, one of the male students accidentally bumps into her and she almost falls off the stairs. But, someone saves her by using suspension magic to make her float in midair. The male students then realize that only an S Rank would be able to use suspension magic due to the large amount of magic it requires. The male students proceed to scan the room in fear of which of the S Ranks is there to scold them. Someone descends the stairs and it is revealed to be Toa.

Toa asks the male students what they are doing and they fail to respond. He then turns to MC and tells her that he's going to keep her floating for a bit.

## Chapter 2

Toa approaches the male students and asked them about what he told them the other day. They reply that he told them to clean up after themselves as the cleaning servants were unwell. Knight, Toa's valet, then reveals that items are missing from the refectory. Toa confronts them and asks if they know anything about those missing items. The 3 male students finally confess the truth. Toa then gives them what seems to be an exceptionally harsh punishment.

Just then, Guy returns from the tower and MC pleads with Toa to let her down, but he refuses. MC's Cat familiar suddenly appears and is relieved that he found her. They speak and Toa finally lets her down after hearing that her cat familiar was worried that she had been abducted by Guy again. Toa escorts her back to the women's dorm before asking if Guy had spoken to her. MC reveals that Guy plans to keep her by his side for the sake of power. Toa then informs MC of an alternative route to the Headmaster's office. She tells her cat familiar that she feels that Toa is a good person after all.

## Chapter 3

MC takes the route that Toa had told her about to the Headmaster's Office. She ends up bumping into Fenn who was taking a nap next to Lynt. Fenn tricks MC into believing that her choker is dirty, causing her to remove her choker. He then takes her hand and feels his magic immediately amplify. Fenn is enjoying holding MC's hand and is interested in how her power increases his magic, so he refuses to let her go. But, Toa and Knight and tell him to stop. MC then hides behind Toa, who urges her to put her choker back on. Toa proceeds to chide MC for being careless with her choker. Fenn teases MC before Knight reminds her to leave. Fenn makes fun of how MC has opened up to Toa. Lynt then wakes up and asks Fenn to carry him. After they leave, a female student emerges from the bushes.

MC reaches the Headmaster's Office and meets his familiar, Nix. He tells MC that the Headmaster isn't present and makes her a cup of tea. She consults Nix on her how she can go back to her world and he advises her to work hard.

### Perspective: Venom Drained

After leaving MC and telling Knight not to follow him, Toa walks over to the training grounds. He’s thinking about what Guy said to him (“Direct your howls elsewhere, mongrel.”) Irritated, he uses magic to lift a branch. Toa then hurls a bunch of offensive magic spells at it. He continues his onslaught until the branch turns to ash. He hears someone comment on how loud it is. Lynt had been sleeping under a tree. Toa asks Lynt to spar with him, but Lynt declines and goes back to sleep. Toa sighs, knowing he’s made the request of the wrong person. Tino approaches Lynt. He tries and fails to wake his charge. Tino starts removing the leaves and twigs that are in Lynt’s hair. Toa is unimpressed by the display and wonders how Lynt and him are the same rank. After a while, Toa decides to return to his chambers and eat some brandy cake.

## Chapter 15

In Chapter 15, Toa is in charge of selecting combatants for the Academy's tournament with the help of MC who, to thank Toa for all that he's done for her, makes him a picnic basket with a lot of sweets. Toa gets surprised, probably because no one has ever done anything like this for him, and smiles at her; they eat and the MC asks why he's not participating in the tournament to what Toa replies that he's not allowed to since it violates the oath the king of Qelsum swore, stating that should Qelsum ever lose it would bring a great shame to the kingdom. MC gets mad that they don't allow Toa to prove his own worth and tells him as much, he takes her words to heart although he seems sad when hears it and confronts Guy when he takes the MC to the woods. They fight and Toa loses, with the MC offering her powers to him so he could win, he denies and fights on but loses due to exhausting his magic.

## Chapter 16

In Chapter 16, Toa is in the infirmary for passing out from his injuries and the MC accompanies him. She thinks about everything they've been through and realises she loves him, that's when Toa wakes up and they talk briefly, with MC taking her choker off and replenishing Toa's reserves of magic, for which Toa smiles and thanks her. He then offers to accompany her to her room as they always do but MC panics, because of her recently acknowledged feelings, denies saying Toa needs his rest and runs away. Buying Toa's perspective for this chapter, you can see how Toa himself acknowledges his feelings for MC and how she gives him strength when he needs it, saying he has a picture of her smiling in his mind at all times.

### Premium Interlude: Vulnerable

MC and Toa return to the carriage. MC's attention is focused on the brooch she had just received. As they descend some stone steps, a dog and one of the children in town cut in front of her causing her to fall. Toa tries to slow her fall, but he ends up falling on top of her causing his hair to be tangled in one of the buttons of her blouse. He offers to cut his hair to release them from this position, but MC refuses. Instead, she spends time untangling his hair from the button and they go into a conversation about his braided hair. She compliments Toa on his gentleness, his mannerisms, and confirms his kindness when he offers and holds her hand down the flight of stairs in case she falls again.

## Chapter 23

The day after MC's fight with Toa, she returns to her lectures, but is unable to perform any magic. At the end of the lecture, a group of girls insult MC saying that she perform badly on purpose in hopes of getting more private lessons with Toa. Rio and Sherry speak up on her behalf. Headmaster Lou summons MC to his office where the rest of the S Rank princes have gathered. Lou then tells MC to remove her choker. He comes to the conclusion that she has lost all her magic. Lou asks MC if there was something that occurred that caused this to happen. MC refuses to reply, but throws a knowing glance at Toa. They then ask the Headmaster if MC would still be able to remain in the academy. Lou replies that he would keep an eye on her for a while. Afterwards, MC leaves the room in uncertainty, unsure of where she belongs now.

### Perspective: Determination

After MC leaves the room, the rest turns to Toa for an answer. Toa remarks that he has some idea of how and why her magic has suddenly disappeared, but did not believe that their argument was enough to cause her to lose her magic. The others suggest that he might have hurt her feelings deeper than he had thought. Guy makes a statement about how pathetic Toa is for letting MC's power disappear despite his close watch. Lynt and the rest of the princes note that they sensed a change in Toa; they noticed that he has started acting on his own will and seemed less tense. Toa wasn't certain of the approval from the other princes but he recalled MC's joy as well. He left the room determined to fix things between MC and him.

## Chapter 24

Toa goes against his usual behavior and goes into the female dorms to speak to MC. She lets him in. But, upon letting him into her room, she panics and runs out of the room using the excuse of making tea for the both of them. When she returns, he reminds her to wear her choker. He states that her unique eye color would bring about unwanted attention. MC worries about her magic disappearing and is disheartened. Toa asks for her permission to try something and he attempts to kiss her. He shares with MC that he will be returning to Qelsum shortly and presented her with a gift. The gift would help her to return to her world. However, he stated that he would have to erase her memories in order to bring her back to the moments before she lost her magic. This way, she could channel her magic to bring her back to her world. MC felt uneasy about Toa's suggestion.

## Chapter 25

Toa shares that once he removes his sigillum arcanum ring, he will be able to perform the task. He remarks that it won't be good for him if he returns to Qelsum without her. He states that if she fails to return to her realm after she tries, he will perform his memory magic to prevent any competition over her. MC confirms that even if she had her magic, she would not be happy if she had to return to Qelsum with him. He then states that he is not interested in spending time with someone who intends to leave. MC felt saddened that their memories meant so little to him and quickly agrees to the plan. She was shocked when he says that he will perform the magic the next day and then leave for Qelsum. She asks if he will remember and Toa replies that he is a busy man with many duties. After Toa leaves, MC reminisces about tonight as her cat familiar asks if she was going to forget about him. MC reassures her cat that Toa is a good man who will not make her forget about her cat.

## Chapter 26

MC finds herself having difficulties sleeping as she reminisces about the memories they shared. She decided to write down her thoughts in a letter to Toa.

Meanwhile, in the music room, Toa stares at a blue pen before Knight comes in. Knight confesses that he had shared 2 secrets with MC which were about Toa's upbringing and about him learning to make tea from Roy. He asked if Toa really intended to leave MC behind and praised MC for being positive and a good person. He also mentioned he noticed that Toa trusted her. Toa reminded Knight not to hide any secrets from him anymore. After Knight leaves, Toa mutters his own praise about MC.

The next morning, Toa goes to her dorm to wake her up. She notices that he has removed his ring and was surprised when he asks her to follow him somewhere else to perform his magic. MC secretly agrees that it might be better to lose her memories of him somewhere else.

### Normal Interlude 3

Toa brings MC to the music room and she asks him for a few moments in order to reminisce. He is in a rush, but agrees. MC recalls the letter she has written and contemplates about giving it to Toa. However, he acts distant and cold and reminds her once again that the ship to Qelsum is leaving soon. MC throws the letter away and thanks him once again. With his full power, Toa slowly performs his magic to remove her memories of him. MC starts feeling drowsy and her mind slowly goes blank. The last thing she remembers seeing is the anguished face of a gentle looking man with beautiful blue eyes filled with tears. She feels something soft and warm brush her lips before losing full consciousness.

## Chapter 27

MC finds herself visiting the pier over the next few days. Her cat familiar finds her and shares his anxiety about not seeing her. He urges her to return to her room which she does, but finds herself restless.

MC recalls finding herself fast asleep outside the women's dorms just a few days ago. She was disoriented and was taken to the Headmaster's Office by Lynt and Roy. The Headmaster proceeded to ask MC a series of questions, which she answers. Her answers flabbergasted both Lynt and Roy. Her magic had still not returned and the Headmaster suggested that she take a break in the medical chambers. All memories of Toa were completely gone from her mind.

The other S Rank Princes discussed about MC and about Toa's departure before Tino comes in panicking and looking for Lynt who reappears shortly after.

Meanwhile, in Qelsum, Toa gets into a small disagreement with Idina about his behavior. She chides him for not following instructions and for being useless. After she leaves, Toa questions himself.

## Chapter 28

MC spends the next few days in the infirmary, and her cat familiar advises that she rest some more and MC jokes that studying is not that tiring. She recalls that someone would be upset with her if she is idle, but she can't remember who that was. Sherry and Roy visit her and Sherry offers to bring her books next time.

Fenn notices Lynt disappearing into a room and enters Toa's music room for the first time. Fenn asks Lynt about the room and Fenn mentions that it is very unlikely for Toa to randomly drop a key. They wonder about Toa. Fenn then accidentally knocks the bin over and discovers MC's letter.

That evening, Sherry, Fenn and Lynt visit her. Sherry finds a brooch on MC's table and decides to bring it to her as well. MC starts to cry when she sees the brooch, but she can't remember anything about it. Fenn slips something in between MC's books and was caught by Lynt. Fenn tells him that it is written by Toa. He then asks Lynt if he trusts him and the latter nods.

Meanwhile, in Qelsum, Toa faces an exhausting day and shares that he hasn't been sleeping well with Knight. A bird with a letter comes to Toa's room. Toa's eyes widened as he read the letter.

## Chapter 29

Roy visits her every day and extends an invitation to her regarding the party that the academy hosts. He offers to get her a gown and asks if she has a preferred style or color. Her answer seems to surprise him.

MC attends the party where everyone is dressed beautifully. MC feels disoriented in the party and decides to leave. Roy apologizes and she assures him that she just needed a little break.

MC leaves the party and goes to sit by herself in the garden. Her cat familiar finds her and she reflects on the color of her blue gown. She wonders why the color blue makes her feel so secure and protected. At that moment, a song plays in the hall and becomes the key to unlocking her memories. She finally remembers Toa and everything that has happened. She feels conflicting emotions between joy and sorrow; she remembers everything he has done for her, but she feels a sense of loss at the same time. In the end, she decides that she doesn't want to regret anything and that she was going to go to Qelsum to look for him and confess her feelings to him.

As she prepares to leave, someone calls out to her from behind.

## Mischief Ending

There is a knock on MC's door. When MC opens the door, it is revealed to be Toa. He invites MC to a celebration in which the students are commemorating a successful ball. He gifts her a gown, telling her that she shouldn't wear another man's gift as she had previously worn one of the gowns gifted to her by another prince.

She is in the middle of asking her cat if she looks good when Toa appears to pick her up. He tells her she looks beautiful and she replies by complimenting him back and saying that he looks like a prince. Knight appears and interjects saying that it's because Toa is an actual prince. MC is surprised and asks Knight what he's doing there. He replies that he goes wherever Toa goes and tells them to enjoy the party.

Toa offers his hand to MC and escorts her to the event. After arriving there, a flock of students surrounds them asking if the rumors about Toa returning to the academy are true. He tells them that the rumors are true and that the Headmaster has reinstated him as of present. They cheer and tell him they are happy they can take his lectures again. While they are all busy cheering, Toa tells MC that they should move to a more secluded location.