Second try of the story, constructive reviews are welcome.
[ ] = Device Talks
Chapter 1:
Uminari City… This place can be considered as borderlines between nature and human residence. Buildings, offices, and department stores are all over the places yet the city is surrounded by the mountains on its left and the ocean on its right. It is currently daytime, morning to be exact. Many people hastily walk pass each other focusing on their morning agenda, but there are two people; an adult and a child to be exact, they are taking their time while walking towards Seishou School.
The child is a 7 years old boy with a deep purple medium-long hair which the length is at his shoulders. His irises are royal purple with a faint tinge of blue. He is wearing a normal school clothes with a small black backpack attached to his back.
This other person is somehow different from the boy. She has a long jet black hair which is the same as her irises. She has an average height along with beautiful smile on her face. She looks really young despite the fact that she is in her late twenties. The boy's name is "Shu Shirakawa, and he is currently living with his mother Minori Shirakawa. His mother is the only family he has or knows, because his mother refuses to tell him anything. She promised that she will tell him everything once he is more mature mentally and physically.
The two reached the Seishou School which consists of both Elementary and Junior-High School level of education. The woman gave the boy a hug and watched him walk towards the schoolyard.
"Take care, Shu-chan." She smiled and waved.
"I will, mother." Shu smiled as he waved to his mother while walking into the school yard.
The boy walked to his class, and set his backpack down next to his desk.
He is currently learning on Year 4, Elementary (According to Japanese Level of Education) that is usually for 9-years old. He did take the elementary entrance exams, which left the teachers gobsmacked. Thanks to his mother and her pre-school teachings, the school needed to place him on higher educational levels. In summary, he is the youngest student in the class at the moment.
At first, he had some problems with a group of students who thought that he doesn't belong here due to his younger age, but it is solved due to the replies that somehow left the group with nothing but shame.
-Flashback Begins-
"Hey! You! New kid!" The tallest of the bunch called.
"Sempai, what is it that you need?" Shu replied politely.
"This class is not for a kid like you!" The chubby one said.
"Oh? And why is that?" Shu asked in neutral tone
"Because, you are a 7 years old midget, so go back to Year 2 you shrimp!" Now most of the class looks at the new kid with pity. They really want to help but they don't want to take a chance against these so called "Class-Bullies."
"So, all of you are 2 years my seniors then?"
"Of course you wimp!" The leader one replied with a smug tone.
"Then, why don't all of you start acting like one?" Shu replied with a neutral tone. Many of his classmates have their eyes widened. Does the new kid have a dead wish?!
"What did you just say!?" The chubby one said.
"Sempais, do you feel like y'all are accomplishing something?" Shu asked in all honesty.
The group becomes silent. Of course they can't answer this kind of question.
"Sempais, are you proud? Are you proud of forcing the person who is 2 years younger than you to leave the class?"
"That's-"
"Do you feel the satisfaction by picking on the weak?"
"We-"
"Do you really think that everyone will respect you for what you've done?" Now that hit the nail on the head real hard.
"…" The group is silent. They don't know what to say, since the new kid's words strike brutally on their ego and pride.
"Do whatever you wish Sempais, but know this. Things that all of you are doing, will never get any respect from anyone." Shu said clearly tired of dealing with the problem.
-Flashback End-
His classmates start to arrive, and he greets them with a short gesture as usual. The so-called class bully group has stopped their activities, but they still dislike the idea of Shu attending to their class. Shu doesn't mind that though, why would he be concern about people who doesn't like him?
The teacher walks into the class, and the lessons begin. Shu helplessly hope that the class will end as fast as it started, so he could go to the School's Chess Club.
He was introduced to this addictive strategic game by his mother, and it is so addicting that he wants to learn more about it rather than learning about educational topics in class. He is still not good at it, but he is making a very astounding progress considering that he is only 7.
"Alright class, remember to do your homework!" The teacher packed up his materials and left the class.
"Finally, time to go." Shu packed up his things and move with unbelievable speed towards the clubroom. He hastily ran through the corridors and doesn't even realize that he ran through a group of girls.
"Hey! Watch it!" The girl with dark blond hair exclaimed. Unfortunately, her object of irritation doesn't even notice her retort.
"Arisa-chan, calm down." Suzuka convinced her friend.
"Calm down!? That guy just rudely-"
"Arisa-chan, just let it go. I'm sure that he doesn't mean it." Nanoha said but she did saw something strange leaking from the boy.
"Fate-chan, did you sense it?" Nanoha asked telepathically.
"Yes Nanoha, I felt some strong magic from him." Fate answered warily.
"He doesn't seem to notice that his mana is leaking. I'm guessing that it is from his emotions." Nanoha speculated.
"Hopefully, he won't run into "them." Fate said with a pity.
"Un.." Nanoha agreed. They are currently talking about encounter with the Wolkenritter. Many TSAB mages have their linker core stolen by this group. Nanoha and Fate fought against them for some time now, but the conflict is yet to be resolved. Also, there are two masked-men who constantly interfere with their operations, but right now there is nothing they can do about it.
"Nanoha! Fate! Are you girls listening to me?!" Arisa said loudly.
"A-Ah! Sorry Arisa-chan, I'm thinking about something." Nanoha stuttered.
"Mou! I'm inviting you guys to a Phone Shop! Didn't Fate wanted to have a phone that is similar to ours?" Arisa said.
"Ah! Yes! Let's go!" Nanoha smiled brightly.
Shu arrived at the chess club and greeted his sempai as usual. The Club President is in Junior High 3rd Year along with his girlfriend which is the Vice-president of the club. He stayed there for some time to learn on famous tactics such as Stonewall attacks, Kings Indian attack, or Modern defence.
"You are improving a lot Shirakawa-kun! Just like sponges, you absorb and adapt the tactics in such a short time." The Club President said.
"Thank you Sempai, I am quite interested in strategies and tactics. Although, I feel that this is only my first step, more is yet to follow." Shu smiled.
"Indeed my student! You have yet to beat me or my girlfriend in chess matches, but you do improve a lot!" The President said with a goofy smile.
"Oi! I told you many times to not involve me in this matter! Excuse my boyfriend's antics Shirakawa-kun." The girl pulled the President's ear while having a tick mark on her head.
"Oww~ It Hwuurts~" The President said while little tears formed at the corner of his eyes.
"It is not a problem, Miss Vice-president." Shu said trying to muffle his laugh. Most of the members have already left because it is quite late. Shu is done packing up his item and ready to return home.
"I need to return home now, or my mother would scold me. Have a good day Sempais." Shu bowed as he left the room. The two Sempais smiled and waved at him as he closed the door.
"A nice kid isn't he?" President asked his girlfriend.
"Yes, his way of thinking and intelligence is clearly not like normal 7-years old. Scratch that, he is even smarter than some people in his class." Vice-president sighed.
"He will go really far in the future. By the way, want to go to karaoke after this?"
"Hmph, do I have a choice in this matter?" Vice-president smiled as she kissed her boyfriend.
"I wonder what Mother cooks today… Maybe curry?" Shu wondered while heading home.
As he is getting closer to his house, the dark force-field like thing covered the entire area.
"What? What is happening?" Shu thought.
Shu turned around and saw nothing. "Where is everyone?! A second ago people walked passed me and now they are gone?!"
"This should be easy. I don't feel any device or refined magic from this guy." The feminine voice
"What?!" Shu's vision follows the voice and he saw a girl in a red dress. She is holding a strange hammer thing, but the point is… She is floating?! What is this, Humans can't fly?!
"I'm sorry about this, but it looks like your linker core contains a lot amount of mana. It will be very beneficial for us, so stay still!" The girl in a red dress rushes towards him, her posture signifies that she will not hesitate to swing her hammer on him.
"Move! Move you fool!" Shu thought as he rolled away from the hammer swing. The swing completely pulverized the road surface, as a large spider crack can be seen.
"Are you serious?! I would've died if that hits!" Shu got up and ran away as fast as his legs can take him.
"Tch! You think you can run away!?" The mysterious girl flew after him.
"This is bad! My legs are close to giving up. I need to either run away or use the surrounding to my advantage!" Shu tried to conjure a solid plan.
Shu ran to the closest convenient store as the crazy girl caught up to him.
"Come here! It will only hurt at first, and you fill feel nothing after that!"
"Oi! Doesn't that mean you'll just kill me if I didn't move?!" Shu shouted back.
"Shut up! I'll just knock you out real hard, and then I'll take your Linker Core!" The girl swung down the hammer.
Shu sidestepped to the left as the hammer hits the convenient store's front window hard.
"Ugh!" The broken pieces of windows flew back to her due to high impact from the hammer. Small cuts are present on her cheeks as the broken window pieces flew passed her.
"This is my chance!" Shu thought as he ran away.
He ran and ran but finally he collapsed. His legs are shaking, he is panting for air to fill his lungs.
"I can't… I can't go on…" Shu is clearly exhausted. The cold weather didn't help him at all, he is on his knees panting and praying that the crazy girl would give up on following him.
"You… You got some guts I'll give you that." Shu froze and looked up. The girl is standing in front of him as she pointed the sharp tip, which is on the top of the hammer at his face.
"She's not like normal people, and what is that Linker Core thing… I need to come up with a plan real fast." Shu thought with a hard expression.
"Before I take your Linker Core, I want to know your name. I am Vita, the Iron Hammer Knight, with the Iron Mallet Graf Eisen." The girl that called herself Vita said.
"… My name is Shu Shirakawa." Shu replied with a cold expression.
"Even without a device or proper magic training, I see that you are not giving up. I will remember you, but now your linker core is-"Before Vita can even finish her speech, many blue bolts of magic headed her way. She jumped back to a safe distance and look at the direction of the person who fires the spell at her.
"Get away from my son!"
"Mother?!" Shu turned around and see his mother holding a strange staff in her hand.
"Tch! Another one!?" Vita gritted her teeth as she look at the interferer.
Minori ran to her son and help him up to his feet.
"Mother, what are you doing here?! And what's that in your hand?!" Shu looked warily at the staff.
"Shu-chan, I'll explain later… now we have to get to safety." Minori said.
"Mother… I can't anymore.. My legs are shaking.. I-I can't-"
"Don't worry Shu-chan, I've called for some help." Minori smiled.
"E-Eh?" Shu questioned.
The ground in front of them glowed and a strange magical circle appeared. Three figures appeared out of the magical circle.
"Dammit! The Administration Bureau Mages..!" Vita cursed.
"Halt! This is TSAB Agent Chrono Harlaown, surrender peacefully or we will make you do it by force!" Chrono said as he pointed the staff at Vita. Other two agents are strange looking women with cat-like ears and tails.
"You are lucky Shu Shirakawa! Next time I'll get you for sure! Eisen!" Vita said as she conjured a red energy in her hands.
"Eisengeheul! (Iron Howl)" The mallet glowed.
Vita throws the red energy in the air and smacked it with her mallet. Spinning red wins surrounded the area and causes bright flash and noise in the area. As the light dies down, Vita is no longer there.
"She ran away again… no matter, we are not here to capture her anyway." Chrono sighed.
"Officer Chrono, Aria, Lotte, thank you for your help." Minori said.
"It is not a problem Minori-san, you are Father's friend after all." Aria said while smiling.
"Mother, what is going on? And how did you know that I'm in trouble?" Shu asked.
"I was waiting for you to return home, but I felt the Temporal Force Field on the area around the house… so I called for help." Minori said, but she is hiding something else from Shu.
"Mother, I want to know everything… I have the right to know…" Shu muttered.
Minori is having a troubled expression right now. She doesn't want her son to enter the world of constant battles and magic. But this is bound to happen considering her son's conditions. "Alright Shu-chan… We'll talk about this at the safer place. Officer Chrono, if you please."
"Roger, teleportation: Arthra." Chrono muttered. The bright light consumes all of them as they are disappeared from the current location.
Location: Earth Orbit, Arthra
"…" Shu doesn't say anything but his mind is running around the world for the tenth times.
"Please, don't be nervous." Chrono said as he led the group to a private room.
"Easy for you to say…" Shu muttered as he steps inside. The three people followed.
The room looks modern consisting of three couches which are facing towards the center in a U-shape, and there is an old-looking guy sitting on the couch that is facing the door.
"Ah, long time no see, both Shirakawas." The elder-looking guy said.
"Pardon my rudeness sir, but I don't think we've met." Shu said apologetically.
"Shu-chan, this is Gil Graham. He is my friend and co-workers back in the day. The two girls with cat ears are Aria and Lotte Liese, they are his familiars." Minori explained.
"Your mother was one of the commanding officers under my command. She is talented in those branches, but unfortunately she doesn't have much magical talents." Graham said while laughing lightly.
"With respect sir, I still don't even know what is going on here…" Shu said.
"Your mother probably wanted you to have normal life, but looks like it is too late for that now… We'll explain the situation and everything as much as you want to know." Graham sighed.
Graham explained the whole situation regarding existence of magic, familiars, device, and everything all the way to the current situation on Earth. It took some time, but with the help from Minori, Chrono, and his familiars the explanation is going quite well. Shu is absorbing all the information like a sponge. But there is one important question that Shu wanted to ask his mother for a long time.
"Mother, with all the information I got. It is not possible that I gain this largely abnormal linker core from you… Who is my father?" Shu asked.
"… I know that this day would come… Looks like you won't let this go until I explain everything… Everyone can you give us a minute?" Minori asked with a sad tone.
Graham nodded in understanding, he clearly knows what Minori is going to say. Lotte and Aria followed him as Chrono gave Shu a close-to-pity look before exiting the room.
"Shu-chan… Can you promise me that you will not do something rash?" Minori pleaded.
"Mother, all this time I have never once done something like that. But if you insist, then I promise I will not do something like that." Shu smiled.
"Thank you, Shu-chan." Minori took a deep breath.
"Shu-chan, I don't know who or where your Father is." Minori said sadly.
"Why is that?"
"Shu-chan… I adopted you as my son since the day we found you in the investigation operation." Minori voice trembled.
"…" Shu didn't say anything, but he stands up and looks at the space.
"Shu-chan I-"
"There are no need of any more words, mother." Shu muttered.
Minori have tears coming out of her eyes. She is scared that her son will leave her, but if that is his wish then she won't force him to stay with her. But she doesn't know that she will ever recover from the heart-breaking event, because she loves Shu like her own flesh and blood.
"I am angry and upset that you didn't tell me… but I can understand that why you didn't." Shu turned around.
"It is kind of within my expectations, because I don't have any traits that are similar to you, mother." Shu said. Minori is about to cry while her son is having a sad smile on his face.
"But… despite everything, you take care of me… You treated me with kindness and love that originally I may never have… Mother, I don't care that I'm not your real-blood son… You will always be my mother regardless of anything." Shu smiled brightly.
Minori's eyes widened for a second as tears flow freely.
"I love you, okaa-san. Shu smiled brightly. Minori rushed forward and hugged her son tightly as she sobbed freely over his shoulders. Shu is also crying a little as he embraced his mother.
"I love you too, Shu-chan." Minori cried on her son's shoulders.
They hugged for about another 5 minutes and Minori gave her colleagues a sign to enter the room.
"I'm sorry about what happened, Shirakawa-kun." Graham apologized.
"Don't be Admiral Graham, if it is the fact then I am willing to accept it. In fact, it makes me love my mother even more." Shu smiled brightly. Minori can feel happiness in her heart grows exponentially.
"I'm happy to hear that, oh by the way… This might belongs to you." Graham gave Shu a purple gem-like stone. It is in a perfect circular shape along with little bit of golden color streaks.
"What is this?"
"From our analysis, it is a device. When we found you in an illegal research facility, this device is in the protection glass next to you." Graham explained.
"No offense or anything sir, but why is it not used by other officers yet?" Shu asked.
"The device is not responding to anyone… We tried to analyze the device, but it kinds of restricted its own use to every candidates." Graham said.
"Then why do you think I can use it Admiral?"
"Because the data shows that this device required a mage with excessive mana regeneration abilities along with a large linker core mana reserves. Didn't you notice? That strange knight sensed you, because you are leaking a lot of mana which means your linker core's reserves are very large despite its development stage." Graham brought up the picture on Shu's linker core.
"I don't understand, if I'm always leaking mana, then why didn't the knights like that attack me sooner than this?" Shu thought.
"You might be wondering why the knights didn't attack you sooner am I right? It's because your Linker Core just expanded recently, in the past your mana leakage isn't enough to cause any notice from them." Graham explained clearly.
"The most important question is what will you do? Shirakawa-kun?" Graham asked with a serious expression.
"… I already know about the existence of magic, running is not an option at this point. Well, there is only one choice left." Shu mentally sighed.
"I want to train, to become better… so I can protect people who are precious to me." Shu said as he smiled at his mother. Minori cannot describe how happy she is, you can say this is one of her happiest moment. But despite her happiness, there is a feeling of fear in her heart that something might happen to her son.
"With that attitude, you will go really far Shirakawa-kun. Lotte, Aria, and Chrono will be your teacher." Graham looked at the three said individuals.
Shu bowed lightly at them as the three of them approaches him.
"We haven't been properly introduced to each other have we?" Chrono smiled as he shook Shu's hand.
"I'm Chrono Harlaown, Time-Space Administration Bureau officer." Chrono smiled.
"Shu Shirakawa." Shu smiled back. The two cat girls approach him, the long haired one pet his head lightly.
"Hi there, I'm Aria Liese and that's my sister Lotte Liese." Aria pointed at her twin that has a shorter hair.
"Nyan~ He looks so cute! Can I keep him Minori?" Lotte dashed forward and squeeze the air out of the poor boy.
"Oi Lotte, don't traumatized my son…" Minori facepalmed.
"Mouuu~ you are no fun." Lotte let go of the boy.
"Ack! What is wrong with her…?" Shu thought as he is taking a deep breath.
"Don't worry, you'll get use to that soon enough." Chrono whispered as he has a terrified look on his face.
"Well, it is kind of late right now. Tomorrow, we'll arrange you to meet all of our officers then your training will begins. For now, take a good night rest and we'll see you tomorrow." Graham said.
Everyone agreed to the plan. Chrono contacted his mother about the situation and she allowed the two Shirakawas to stay for the night in Arthra's cabins.
Graham is still in the meeting room looking through some information. He looked up at the door as his familiars enter the room.
"Father, is the plan still a go?" Lotte asked.
"… Yes. The boy will not be a hindrance to the plan. We will successfully seal the Book of Darkness this time." Graham said as he close the data terminal.
"Of course, Father." Aria said as both of them return to their quarters.
"I'm sorry everyone. But this has to be done." Graham thought grimly.
-Next Day-
The two Shirakawas woke up, and prepare to go back to Earth. The Liese twins and Chrono also followed the two back to their house. They have arranged the meetings of everyone who is involved in this incident, all of them will arrive at Shirakawa's resident shortly.
"Shu-chan, are you sure about becoming a mage?" Minori asked with a worry expression.
"Mother, I will be perfectly honest. I'm quite bored of normal life, everything other than playing chess and listening to your lectures is kind of… bland." Shu explained sheeply.
"This is not a joking matter you know Shu-chan…" Minori sighed.
"In all seriousness, mother this might be the chance that I can use my talent to the max. My large mana reserves along with my love for strategies and tactics." Shu explained.
"I won't stop you from what you want to do Shu-chan, you are a smart boy… but please be careful." Minori hugged her son. She loves her son dearly.
"I promise, mother." Shu returns the hug.
Ding Dong!
"Oh! That must be them. Please open the door for them Shu-chan." Minori asked Shu as she went in the kitchen to get some tea.
Shu opened the door, and he saw Chrono standing in front of the door. Other people are standing behind him. Shu noticed Lotte, Aria, and Graham, but other than that he has no clue.
"Officer Chrono, everyone, please come in." Shu invited them inside.
Shirakawa's resident is not big, but it has a decent space. The living room is enough for 10-15 guests, which will be perfect for today's meeting.
"I hope you have a good rest Shu, because today we will begin your training. But before that I want you to meet all of our operatives." Chrono sat down on the couch.
"Ah! You are the one who ran past us at school yesterday!" Nanoha exclaimed.
"Eh? I'm sorry sempai, but I couldn't remember that I did such thing." Shu apologized.
"S-Sempai?! But aren't you older than I am?" Nanoha said. Currently Shu is a little bit taller than Nanoha and Fate, which is why she is asking the question.
"I am currently 7 years old, but usually I call people as sempai and it has become a habit, so I apologize." Shu explained.
"Eh?! 7 Years old?! Mouuu~ this is unfair!" Nanoha cried comically while rolling on the floor. Everyone is currently sweatdropping, a 9 years old girl that can use bombardment spells are having a height issue.
"Ehehe… Well, boys tended to kind of grow faster so don't think about it sempai." Shu explained sheepishly.
After Nanoha stopped rolling on the floor, they began to introduce themselves.
"Hi, I'm Takamachi Nanoha, it is nice to meet you." Nanoha smiled brightly.
"Fate Testarossa, it is nice to meet you too." Fate smiled faintly.
"I'm Arf, Fate's familiar. Nice to meet you kid." Arf ruffled Shu's head.
"I'm Yuuno Scrya, an archaeologist working under the TSAB. Please to meet you." Yuuno shook hands with Shu.
"I'm Amy! I'll be helping you with your device tuning and communication gatherer, nice to meet you!" Amy gives Shu thumbs up.
"Hello there, I'm Chrono's mother Lindy Harlaown. Your mother and I know each other for some time now so I'm please to meet my friend's son." Lindy shook Shu's hand.
"It is nice to meet my mother's friend too, Admiral Lindy." Shu saluted jokingly. Lindy laughs brightly from the boy's antics.
Shu stood up from the couch as everyone finished their introduction.
"I'm Shu Shirakawa, I will be in your care from now on. Please take care of me." Shu bowed lightly. The group also replied in kind while Minori took out a tray full of tea cups and set it down on the table.
"Tea is here~ help yourself everyone~" Minori said in a singing tone.
"Huuu Minori, are you being too hard on your son lately? He seems too polite y'know." Lindy teased.
"Shu-chan is always like this. It is his nature I guess…" Minori sighed happily while sipping her own tea.
"Mother… Please don't embarrass me like this." Shu deadpanned.
"Ahaha Shu-chan~ there is nothing to be embarrassed about." Minori smiled.
Everybody is laughing at the mother-son antics, but it is time to get on to business.
"Ahem, sorry but I think it is time to get on to business." Chrono said as he pulled out the mysterious device from his pocket.
"Shu, I need you to pour your mana into the device so we can know that you are compatible with it or not." Shu nodded as he took the device from Chrono.
"Amy, please monitor the entire situation." Chrono asked.
"OK! Ready to analyze data." Amy is looking at her data screen.
"Erm, how can I actually pour mana into this?" Shu sweatdropped.
"Focus… concentrate… find you linker core, it should be in your chest. When you found it, then everything should work just fine." Chrono explained as he conjures a blue orb in his hand.
Shu closed his eyes and concentrate on his chest area. He can feel it, the rush, and the energy inside. His body started to gain a deep purple outline signifying that he is trying to access his mana reserves.
"O-Oi Amy, is he alright? The amount of mana he is conjuring right now is quite massive." Chrono asked.
"His body is fine, it's because of his abnormal large linker core reserves." Amy is constantly typing on the virtual keyboard.
"Everyone, I think you should stay away from him a bit. His magic is getting much denser." Amy advised. Everyone hastily stood up and watch Shu from a safe distance.
"Shu, redirect your mana to your device. If the device accepts you as its master, then it will proceeds to the next step!" Chrono said loudly.
Shu grabbed on the device tightly as his magical aura is getting more overwhelming near his palm. Despite that they are indoors, there is some kind of wind surrounding the boy and it is getting fiercer.
"Hey! Should this be happening?!" Arf said warily.
"His body can take this just fine! The amount of magic energy is just more than expected!" Amy said.
Suddenly, a bluish purple light engulf the boy's hand. A large triangle magic circle appeared under the boy's feet. A lone voice is heard clearly.
[Recognized. Get Set]
"Device. Set up." Shu muttered. He doesn't even know why he said that, he just did.
The light engulfed the entire room. Lotte and Aria hastily put up a barrier just in case something went wrong.
The light dies down and Shu is currently levitating with a thick purple magical aura. He is wearing a semi-high collar black military-like coat which is unbuttoned. Under the coat is a deep purple T-shirt along with black jeans. Black claw gloves are on both of his hands, the device core is on the back of his right hand.
Shu slowly levitate down to the floor. "Somehow, I'm feeling energetic?" Shu looked at his own clothes.
"You should be feeling a lot better, originally you cannot control the leakage of mana, but when you used the device the leaked mana is being redirected to the device itself." Graham said.
[Brainwaves linkage complete. Wielder registration complete.] The device blinked.
Shu looked at Graham clearly demanding an explanation. "This device is very unique… We analyzed it and the High Command considered it as Lost Logia device…" Everyone's eyes widened. It's not like many people can or even have a chance to use a Lost Logia device.
"This device has the most Advanced Standalone Artificial Intelligence Program that we've ever seen so far. We have conducted some analysis, but we failed to get further information on the device because we cannot access the restricted data." Graham put up an informational data regarding the device. Shu looked at the data and saw one very interesting fact.
"So, my device can provide informations and even strategies per request?" Shu asked while feeling bewildered.
[Yes sir. I am capable of doing those things. If you require any additional information, please feel free to ask.] The device blinked.
"Shu, you might want to demand general information about your device so we can train you properly." Chrono suggested.
Shu nodded. "Can you please provide the information about yourself?"
[Yes sir. Information will be on display immediately.] A large information screen appeared.
General Device Information
Master: Shu Shirakawa
Device name: Granzon
System: Belkan
Device Handling: Wearable-Type
Device Classification: Advanced-Intelligent Device
Specialized Area: Mid-Range Shooting, Mid-Extreme Range Bombardment, Area of Effect Bombardment.
Special Abilities: Gravity Control and Manipulation, Wormhole Manipulation, Dimensional Manipulation, Auto-guard Warp Field Generation Program.
System Control: Voice Recognition, Telepathy via Brainwaves.
Notable Features: Real-Time Enemy Position Firing Lock via Brainwaves, Combat Analysis Program.
"Impressive… So this is the power of a device that is considered as Lost Logia." Lindy muttered.
"I believe that this is just a tip of an iceberg. With total masteries over Granzon, I think he may even reach SSS Rank class…" Graham said grimly. Everyone is looking at Graham with shocking expressions. Even Lotte and Aria have a look of disbelief. Since the New Calendar has been adopted there are not even a single mage that passed SS Rank category. The only recorded person with SSS Rank is undoubtedly the Saint King himself.
"Sir… isn't that a bit too much?" Shu laughed nervously.
"Not at all, if a device has such an advanced artificial intelligence for combat, that should means some abilities are so dangerous that it needs such an AI to help control it." Graham nurtured his head.
"Don't get on your high horse though, the more powerful your device is, the more you have to train to master it. Remember that Shirakawa-kun." Graham said as he sipped his tea.
"Yes Admiral!" Shu replied excitedly.
"Well, you are a shooter-type mage just like Nanoha." Chrono said as Nanoha smiled.
"Aria will train you in combat magic training, while Lotte will help you on close combat posture and close range defense mechanism." Chrono pointed at the two cat girls.
"Well~ we can't train you every day because we have works to do. If we are not available then you can ask Nanoha or Fate to teach you in our place ok nyan?~" Lotte said.
"Yes, I will train you how to use cool magic! Like Divine Buster or maybe even Starlight Breaker!" Nanoha exclaimed with excitement.
"Um, Nanoha… I think that is kind of…" Fate smiled while sweatdropped.
"I'm going to stick with basics for now. I don't think it's a good idea to learn advanced spells right off the bat." Shu laughed nervously.
"Oh…. Alright! I'll give you advices on controls then!" Nanoha pouted a bit.
"Be careful when you train, we will keep an eye out because you might attract those knights again." Chrono warned.
Shu nodded and stands up ready to go out and train.
"Let's head to the park at the back of the house, we'll begin training there nyan~" Lotte slowly dragged Shu by his hands along with Aria.
"Admiral Lindy, Chrono, Amy, and I will return to Arthra to be on standby in case anything happens." Graham mentioned. The said people nodded as Chrono prepared the teleportation circle.
"I'll also go to the Infinity Library to find out more about the Book of Darkness. Perhaps there are some information that we can use there here." Yuuno said as he prepares his own teleportation circle.
"Nanoha, Fate, you got the day-off today, but tomorrow you need to go to school okay?" Lindy smiled.
"Hai! Admiral Lindy." Fate smiled. Lindy and everyone inside the teleportation circle disappeared. Yuuno waved a goodbye and disappeared.
"Fate-chan, let's text to Arisa-chan and Suzuka-chan so they won't be worried." Nanoha suggested.
"Un, okay Nanoha." Fate flipped her phone and start texting. Nanoha and Fate slowly follows Aria to the park.
The park is quite big, there is a fountain in the middle, but other than that is a grassy field. Benches and sidewalks can be seen throughout the park.
Lotte deployed a temporal force field on the area, and Shu is warming up.
"Shu-nyan, I will teach you on close range defense first because our current enemy uses close range combat, okay?~" Lotte said.
"Hai, Lotte-sensei." Shu said.
"Oh? Nanoha, Fate, can I talk to you about something?" Aria called the duo.
"Hai? Aria-san?" Nanoha and Fate tilted their head slightly.
In the background, Lotte is teaching Shu on his defensive stance, she uses her claw and slashes wildly at Shu. He uses his own claw glove and tries to parry as many strikes as he can.
"Lotte and I have a lot of things to do, so most of the time we will be counting on you guys to teach him about combats. I might ask a little too much, but can you do that for us?" Aria pleaded.
"No problem at all Aria-san!" Nanoha smiled with excitement.
"It'll be good for us too, to re-learn and train the basics." Fate agrees as all of them are looking at the spar.
"Oi! Shu-nyan, you have to keep up or you'll be scratch you know?!" Lotte smirked as her claws slashed on Shu's claw gloves.
"Gah! How can I keep up when Oof! You are moving so fast Ow!" Shu is dodging some strikes and got scratched a bit, but he is able to parry most of the strikes nonetheless.
"Shall we take it up a notch?" Lotte smirked as she is casting a bind on her left hand.
[Warp Field Guard] Granzon blinked.
The circle magic binding close in hastily on Shu, but some of them completely dissipates when they are about to lock Shu's arm. 3 binding circles successfully binded both Shu's arms to his side.
"Huuh?! What is that?" Lotte is completely lost. She is very efficient on binding spells yet most of her bindings just disappeared completely.
"Guuuuh.. Hah!" Shu broke off the binds and panted a bit.
"What in the world did I just do?" Shu thought.
[Master, that is the auto guard "Warp Field" program] Granzon telepathically answered.
"Warp Field?"
[Yes. The program utilizes your mana power and converts it into energy particle that will automatically shield you from harm. You can say that it is some kind of gravitational force field Master.] Granzon explained expertly.
"Hey! Shu-nyan, what was that?!" Lotte asked.
"It is some kind of auto-guard program. Granzon says that it is a force field." Shu explained.
"Hooo~ well that's good! Now I'll teach you the defensive spells!" Lotte casts different kinds of barriers and shields around her.
"Better learn quickly! Or you won't be allowed to have lunch~" Lotte smiled evilly.
Shu sighed mentally but eagerly listen to Lotte's lectures.
Nanoha and Fate look at each other and sweatdropped.
"When Lotte is done with him, I'll teach him the basic concepts of shooter-type mage and shooting spells. Other than that, I'm counting on you two." Aria smiled cattishly.
"Hai Aria-san." The two girls replied.
Fate and Nanoha deployed their barrier jacket and proceed to train on their own. Fate is practicing her swing and Nanoha is controlling her axel shooter to hit the can targets. Lotte is enjoying hitting the purple-haired boy but it is done so the boy knows what shield to use in what situations. She also taught him how to enchant his claw gloves so it would be more durable and deal more damage when he needs to counter the hits from his enemies. The spar continues until lunch time, luckily Shu has successfully learn all the defensive shield types, but didn't fully mastered them yet.
"Okay that's enough Shu-nyan! Remember that different types of shields are suited for different situations. Although your auto-guard abilities are quite cheating to most mages." Lotte pouted.
"Despite that abilities, I'm still spent here you know sensei." Shu panted. He still have some problems of casting spells with right amount of mana, not too much and not too less.
"After lunch, Aria will teach you some shooting spells, you will learn how to control your mana flow properly nyan~" Lotte sat down on the grass.
Shu collapsed on the grass, he is feeling quite exhausted although it is because he lacked stamina.
"Lotte-sensei, why do I feel like, I have more stamina than usual?" It is a good question, because yesterday he couldn't survive very long against Vita's chasing.
"You are using magical energy nyan~, mostly your mana will be consumed instead of your physical stamina when you fight nyan~." Lotte explained.
"Don't you find it strange? That knights or mages can fight for a long time without feeling physically exhausted. It's because mana provides some kind of energy for them nyan~" Lotte said while wagging her tail.
"But don't slack off on your physical training though, you will also need them for every combats." Aria approaches the two.
"Hai, Aria-sensei." Shu sighed.
"Shu-chan!" Shu and the Liese sisters turned right and saw Minori approaching them with a lot of cloth bags.
"Mother, what is it?" Shu stood up and walk to his mother. There are delicious scents coming from the bags.
"I made a lot of food for you. All of you can join too if you want?" Minori smiled as she laid down the picnic mat.
"Nyaaa~ I smell fish!" Lotte drooled.
"Why can't you get a hold of your appetite?" Aria facepalmed.
"Nanoha-chan! Fate-chan! Want to join us?" Minori shouted at the two main protagonists.
"Haaaai!" Both of them shouted as they transform their devices back into standby mode and approach the group.
"Here, enjoy yourself everyone!" Minori opened all the bento which includes variety of foods such as fried shrimp, omelets, rice, miso soups, salads, curry, etc.
"Oo-waaaah!? These look so good!" Nanoha look at the foods hungrily.
"Go on then, don't be shy." Minori smiled happily as Nanoha and Fate dig in, which Lotte already did since the bento was opened.
"Oi, Lotte! Have some self control will you?!" Aria nagged as she pulled her sister's cheeks.
"Oh! I completely forgot about school!" Shu said while in the background, Aria is shaking Lotte back and forth.
"Don't worry Shu-chan, I've already told the teacher at school that you'll be absent for quite some time. You have a lot of training to do after all." Minori smiled as she sipped her tea.
"Ku ku ku, thank you very much Vita, you free me from the prison called school." Shu smirked silently.
Location: Unknown
"Ah-choo!" Vita sneezed.
"Vita, are you alright?" The Blue Wolf asks her.
"Haa, I'm alright Zafira." Vita picked up Graf Eisen and continues to search for a target with large linker cores."
Back to the original location: Park
"But after your training today, you will go back to school, is that clear young man?" Minori smiled sweetly, too sweetly…
"Y-Yes mother." Shu stuttered a bit as he sipped the miso soup.
Everyone is enjoying the meal, especially Lotte. Minori is having a chat with Aria and Lotte about how Graham is doing since she quitted from being a TSAB officer. Shu, Nanoha, and Fate are talking about class at school, clubs, and activities.
Half an hour passed and it is time to finish the magic combat lectures. Minori packed up everything and waved them a good bye before returning to the house.
"I'll be teaching you everything you need to know about magic combat. You'll do exactly as I say understand?" Aria said.
"Yes, Aria-sensei." Shu deployed his device.
"Word of advice, Shu-nyan." Lotte whispered. Shu looked at her with confusion.
"If you think my lectures are tiring, you better prepare yourself for this one." Lotte smiled nervously.
"Come! We'll begin by having you fire off basic shooting spells at all of these targets." Aria conjured many of magical orbs and control them to fly around randomly.
Fate and Nanoha sweatdropped as they are looking at over fifty of the orbs flying around in the air.
"Yep…. Should I start regretting my choice?" Shu deadpanned.
"What are you waiting for! Start working!" Aria scolded.
Fate and Nanoha walk up to Lotte.
"Um, do you think he'll be fine?" Fate asked warily. Nanoha also has a certain look of concern on her face.
"Maa~ Maa~ he'll be fine, but just more exhausted than usual." Lotte smiled faintly.
"Just use your mana to conjure your own magical bolts! Then direct them at all the targets, now!" Aria ordered.
"Hai… Aria-sensei." Shu mentally sighed. Do you think using shooting spells for the first time is easy? Hell no!
Nanoha and Fate sweatdropped even more, but decided to say nothing.
"Lotte-san, want to have a spar?" Nanoha suggested.
"That's a good idea! I'll fight both of you at once, bring it on!" Lotte smirked confidently.
Nanoha and Fate deployed their devices and rush at Lotte. "Alright, here we come!"
Location: Uminari University Hospital
"Doctor Ishida, is Hayate alright?" A tall girl with pink ponytail asked.
"For now she is fine, but the paralysis is still consuming her body. If this continues, she might not be able to-"" Before Doctor Ishida finishes her explanation, the pink-haired girl slams her hand on the wall.
"Signum…" Another girl with blonde hair muttered.
"I am trying my best to cure her, but I just can't determine the cause of her paralysis." Doctor Ishida sighed as she return inside the said patient room.
"Shamal…." Signum said.
"I'm going to hunt down some monster's Linker Cores…" Signum muttered.
"… I will prepare everything for you right away." Shamal replied.
"For now, let's stay with Master. Vita will be back soon, and then we can start the hunt." Signum said. Shamal nodded and followed Signum into the room.
"Hayate-chan, you can stay home today, but if something happens you must come here right away okay?" Doctor Ishida said.
"Hai! I promise!" Hayate smiled.
"You two, if something happens, you must come here right away understand?" Doctor Ishida turn around to Shamal and Signum.
"Hai, we will." Signum answered. Doctor Ishida then left the room with her clipboard.
"Signum! Shamal!" Hayate smiled as the said duo helped her to get on her wheelchair.
"Vita should be at home now, should be go now?" Signum asked.
"Yes! What do you guys want to eat today?" Hayate asked.
"Hayate-chan, you shouldn't push yourself too hard. We can just order something to eat." Shamal suggested with a concern.
"It's alright Shamal! I think I'll cook the usual favorite for you!" Hayate smiled as she is thinking of Sukiyaki.
"Haaaa… at least let us help you okay? Hayate-chan?" Shamal sighed.
"Okay!" Hayate replied.
Location: Park
"Alright! That's it for today!" Aria said as she dismissed her magic. "Little advice, you can create your own version of shooting spells, for example: Fate's Plasma Lancer or Nanoha's Axel Shooter."
Shu collapsed on the ground panting. He can feel his control is getting better, but it comes with a price of intense fatigue.
"Nanoha, Fate, I'm counting on you to take him home. Sister and I have some business to do." Aria casts a teleport spell.
"Okay, see you later Aria-san, Lotte-san." Nanoha said as she is walking towards the exhausted boy.
"Take care ne~~" Lotte waved as she disappeared along with her sister. The temporal force field dissipates slowly, and Fate approaches the exhausted boy.
"Um, Fate-chan. Should I try and poke him with a stick?" Nanoha said with a worry expression. Currently, Shu is not moving, he just laid there face first on the grass.
"Uh, I don't think that will help him in anything Nanoha." Fate sweatdropped.
"Ugh, I'm fine Sempais. I just need a little rest.. My legs are all cramped up." Shu explained while panting.
"Well… at least your control got a lot better though." Fate giggled sheepishly.
"Yes, and I don't even want to imagine the next training sessions." Shu muttered as his head fell asleep on the grass.
"C'mon Fate-chan, let's take him home." Nanoha said as she holds Shu's left side. Fate nodded and took his right, slowly they dragged his rag doll-like body back to his home.
Location: TSAB HQ Graham's Office
Graham is checking his usual information regarding the Book of Darkness. Suddenly, Lotte and Aria enter his office.
"Aria, Lotte, what's the matter?" Graham asked tiredly.
"Father, we have some concern about Shu." Lotte spoke with a serious tone.
"He is getting stronger really fast. His abilities show that he might become a great obstacle to our operation." Aria explained as she shows the picture of Shu during his training on the data terminal.
"… If all of you say that, then do not train him any further. His only choice will be sparring with Takamachi-kun and Testarossa-kun." Graham said as he sighed loudly.
"Alright Father. In due time, your plan will succeed." Aria smiled.
"Aria… Lotte… I'm sorry that I dragged both of you into this." Graham closed his eyes.
"What are you talking about Father?" Lotte said.
"We are your familiars, your wish is our wish. We will do everything to make your wish comes true." Aria smiled at her father.
"Thank you… Aria, Lotte." Graham said as both of them nodded and left the room.
"…. I'm sorry, Shirakawa-kun." Graham thought with ashamed expression.
That's it for Chapter 1 folks. Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes, I'm too lazy to recheck them. If I happens to found some of them when I re-read it tomorrow, then I'll fix it right away.