The Black Serpents

**The Black Serpents**「黒蛇教団ブラック・サーペント, *Burakku Sāpento (Kurohebi Kyōdan)*?」, also known as **The Heretics**「邪じゃ教きょう徒と, *Jakyōto*?」, is a terrorist organization of sorcerors.

They believe that they have been chosen by the god Asclepius and practice the forbidden Ophiuchus Magic.

## Organization

### Structure

The Black Serpents' structure is unclear, other than that there is a command department governing its members. Among the members, notable types of relationships include fellow members, and master-disciple.

After being rounded up by the military due to the attack on Diana, only a few but convinced stragglers remain with the goal of reviving the Order to its former glory.

### Purpose

One of The Black Serpents' goal is to obtain the Rebirth Magic, which they later learned that it is in the possession of Spica Virgo.

### Symbol

The Black Serpents' symbol is a pentagram with one end line stylized into a snake's head. All members have it tattooed somewhere on their body, like Arc on her left breast or Rigel on the back of his right hand.

The boss' symbol on the right side of his neck is especially often highlighted in all of his appearances, despite the rest of his design being shrouded in mystery.

## History

### Before the Story

It is unknown when The Black Serpents came into formation.

Two years before the stories' current event, they launched an attack on Royal Diana Academy, and as a reult, cursed one of its Professor and one of the ten Magicians Claude Sirius with a very powerful Curse of Reincarnation, trapping him in the form of a cat.

After the attack, The Black Serpents returned to hiding. It is however believed by the Professors of Diana Academy that they have all been rounded up by the Military.

### Story

#### The Royal Library

On the day Spica Virgo discovered an entrance to the Book of Providence, The Black Serpents first appeared to attack the Royal Library, including its guards and Spica Virgo who was inside at the time. They were defeated by Claude Sirius, whose curse was temporarily undid by Spica.

#### Royal Diana Academy

Half a year later, another group of The Heretics sent out swarm of demonic bugs to scout on and attack Claude and Spica while they are out in the Academy's off-limit area. The bugs were annihilated. Claude raised suspicion of the bugs' source as they are not native to the off-limit area, but nonetheless he did not pursue the issue further.

#### The Winter Training Camp

During the Winter Training Camp, Arc Turus and Rigel were sent to capture Spica. Claude managed to fend off both of them, but used up his mana reseve and returned to his cat form. The remaining students of Pandora's Box tried to fend the Heretics off, before Chiron Sagittarius Aldea and Spica split up in attempt to bring back Claude. While Rigel managed to defeat and devour the students who stood against him, Arc failed to prevent Claude's return at the Spring of Selene. With Rigel catching up to Arc, he was defeated by Claude who now has unlimited mana supply.

Just before Claude could proceed with Arc, Lynx and the Professors of Royal Diana Academy arrived, and with Lynx thoroughly outnumbered and only ordered to bring Arc back, he surrendered and carried out his mission. Rigel was left behind and captured alive.

## Prowess

The Black Serpents, through its members, have access to several powerful array of Magic.

### Ophiuchus Magic

Members of The Black Serpents can utilize Ophiuchus Magic, a forbidden Magic outside of the twelve Zodiac Magics.

### Other Magic

* Demon Beast Summons: Summon demonic beasts for several purposes, including assault and reconnaissance.
* Curse of Reincarnation「輪りん廻ねの呪のろい, *Rinne no Noroi*?」: Eliminates the physical body of their target and replace them with another form. Their soul remains intact. This curse can be undone with Rebirth Magic.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 32
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chapter 8
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chapter 1