The Story of the White Knight from Another World.

(a Infinite Stratos x Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari crossover)

[Chapter Three - Holy Land Academy]

Wahanly had woken up early to get a head start on her packing. She had to transfer her Seikijin onto her ship before the Swan docked into the Holy Land. This was because the Swan would be entering through a special gate that was above the Sea of Ena. At that altitude the use of Ahou based energy is impossible, rendering Seikijins inoperable. Not that she was expecting to use hers anytime soon. Actually, she had to send it to the church soon for repairs a long with Chiaia's.

As she was about to enter the hanger when she heard an unfamiliar sound in the air. She peaked in, careful not to disturb the sound's source, and there she saw in the middle of the spacious hanger was their new acquaintance, Orimura Ichika. He sat on his legs with his back straight and his eyes closed in concentration. His hands were on his lap one moment, then in one swift motion were on his sword and scabbard then slashed as he breathe out.

A distinctively unique click resounded in air, followed by whiz unlike anything she's heard before. It sounded dangerous. If she were to guess, that slash would have been more than enough to cut off her legs. But a closer look, to Wahanly's surprise, he was standing by the time the slash was complete. So instead it seemed that it would have been her head that she'd have lost, which made her cringe for a second.

She watched as he kept the pose for a moment, then in a swift succession slashed the blade downwards, as if to shake off the imaginary blood, and elegantly sheathed it back into it's scabbard. Then with the same grace, went back to his starting position and sat back down.

It was like watching a dance.

So without much thought, Wahanly applauded.

Ichika finally noticed her and smiled sheepishly. "Good Morning, Wahanly-san."

"Good Morning!" she returned the gesture. "Ichika, what are you doing?"

"Practicing Iaido."

"Iaido?" Wahanly asked, unfamiliar with the term.

For a moment Ichika panicked. Lashara mentioned that Wahanly was also formerly from Kouchi, the place where he was supposed to be from according to the rouse. And already it seemed like he screwed up already.

"Could it be a technique from another world?" Wahanly's eyes brightened up.

"Uh... yeah?"

"Wow! Did you learn it from an off-worlder master?"

"Well... I learned it from my sister." he answered honestly, thinking he had been caught already.

"Amazing! Ancestor from another world! How envious!" Wahanly exclaimed excitedly. It was rare that sword techniques from the other world to be taught to people of this world. It was even rarer to find someone of such a lineage... especially one from Kouchi.

Ichika, on the other hand, was just relieved that Wahanly's imagination allowed her to lie for him. While there was a part of him that said he wouldn't mind if people knew, the better part of his sense told him that it would be IS Academy all over again. And while he adapted to that life style quickly enough, he would have preferred not going through it.

"And your sword, it's a katana right?"

Ichika nodded.

"May I hold it?"

Ichika saw no harm and carefully handed her the sword.

"Wow! A real sword is heavier than I thought. But when you take it out of the sheath it looks even smaller than the sword Chiaia carries." Wahanly inspected the sword thoroughly. Her eyes would bulge whenever some small detail caught her interest. She noted to herself that this was probably the most beautiful katana replica she's ever seen. It was so well made one might mistake it for... no it couldn't be.

"Thank you!" she said as she returned the sword.

"It's nothing." Ichika moved over to a nearby table and picked up a towel. "What are you doing up so early, Wahanly-san?"

"Ichika, please call me "Wan"?" she asked as she looked at him sweetly.

"O-okay... Wan."

Wahanly smiled. "I was just about to pack up the rest of my things and move my Seikijin before breakfast."

"Then I should get out of the way." Ichika stood and gathered his things.

"You don't have to."

"No, it's just that..." Ichika realized he didn't really have any reason to go. But still thought that the farther he was from one of those things while someone is around, the better.

And as luck would have it.

"Ichika-san!" Angela called from the hallway as she beckoned him closer.

Nice timing Angela-san! "I'll be right there!" He told the her before turning to Wahanly one more time. "I got to go. I'll be seeing you, Wan."

"See you!" Wahanly watched as Ichika followed Angela out of the Hangar. When they were no longer in sight. She stretched her muscles a little then got started with her packing. Although a part of her mind was still on Ichika's beautiful sword. Although it wasn't a machine, the complex method used to forge a Katana was something of interest.

[- - -]

Ichika had somehow managed to save himself from another "thorough cleaning" courtesy of Lashara's servants and bathed himself this time. Although Angela had insisted on helping with the brushing his hair afterwards and putting on the rest of his clothes.

"Ichika-san, please wear this as well." To his surprise, Angela held out his katana and a white cape to him with both hands.

"Why?" asked as he took the sword and slipped it into his uniform's coat belt.

"It was Lashara-sama's instructions."

"Lashara... sama's huh?" Ichika wondered why the young Queen would want him to wear his sword and a cape. But came up with nothing, although he did think he looked cooler with them. So maybe it was to show off? He didn't know just how right he was.

[- - -]

Ichika went up to the deck to meet up with Lashara. Upon exiting the ship's interior he was surprised to see smaller vessels of different designs floating past the swan from both directions. And directly in ahead looked like a mountain city fortress with a gate of white stone. Part of it felt ancient to Ichika, yet at the same time it had a beauty that one only found in fiction.

On deck he found Lashara, the Furan sisters and a dark skin woman with sil- long ears? He was surprised. It seemed that humanity didn't just imagine elves. He watched from the entrance of the castle as the Seikijin transformed in to a green giant, when the dark skinned elf with silver hair entered it's shell, then flew to a nearby ship.

"Ichika!" Lashara beckoned him to come over. As he walked over, he took note of Lashara's clothing. Gone was the striking red dress she seemed to favored, replaced by what a robe that looked incredibly similar to a Christian nun's habit back on earth. Was this a coincidence? Or something that people before him have brought to this world.

"You look quite dashing like that!" she complimented his appearance with the addition of the sword and cape. Mexiah nodded in approval. While Chiaia just flashed him a wary look.

"Thank you." Ichika placed his left palm on the butt of the pommel and his right hand on the strap on his chest, that held the cape securely on his shoulders. "But why did you want me to wear these?"

Lashara lashed him a devious smile. "From now on, along with Chiaia, you'll be acting as my bodyguard."

"Eh?" Chiaia looked even more surprised than she sounded. "But Lashara-sama, he's not qualified or..."

Lashara turned to her with a devious smile silencing her completely. She's up to something again...

"Even as a bodyguard, he can wear a sword in within the Holy Land only for today. So I want him to wear it to increase his and, more importantly, my image." Lashara informed them of her plan.

"I see..." Ichika understood why she had him wear it. Sure it's nice to have a good image. "But-" Although it didn't answer the crucial question exactly. "...why?"

Mexiah decided to answer his question with her own hypothesis. "Lashara-chan was almost assassinated. So she has to at least make it look like she's taking precautions. She can't hire another Seikishi to serve as a personal guard. An unknown foreigner bodyguard, like you, might seem out of place and an unlikely choice, but you would be a more acceptable choice than if she were to put Wahanly in that position or another available Seikishi." She turned to Lashara. "Am I right?"

"Exactly!" Lashara said with a please yet restrained chuckle. "And then there's that damned "Permit" business..."

"Permit?" Ichika asked.

Lashara pointed at him. "Ichika! As the man who saved this new Queen's life, I cannot allow you to endure such a humiliation!"

Mexiah giggled as she realized the purpose of the cape. "I see! You want everyone to think that he's a knight like Chiaia to bypass the probation period."

"Probation Period?" Ichika asked.

Mexiah turned to Ichika, "In most upper class schools, for the protection of the students attending, newly arrived servants are required to wear a leather collar around their neck. It serves as a marker and a transmitter. It was an idea that is said to have been introduced by a visitor from another world."

Chiaia clicks her tongue to express her disapproval, but says nothing. She knew Lashara-sama had made up her mind. Asking Mexiah to stay with them until the Swan docked was just part of her scheme to get Mexiah on her side.

"I see..." Ichika twitched at the image of himself with a collar around his neck. Definitely not good.

[- - -]

As the Swan made port, it had ascended to the Enaline, the highest point in the air where the Sea of Ena fills the world. To Ichika crossing through that natural barrier was a surprising experience. Especially since other than surprise, he didn't really feel the air being different from the one bellow. It didn't feel lighter or heavier nor did it smell different. Although as the ship headed for the gate, there was now a transparent blue wake of light that moved similar to waves of water at the sides of the ship.

Seeing the question written in his face, Mexiah held onto his arm, pushing her breasts onto to him as she did. She explained to him the difference of the air that was separated by the barrier. Turns out that their choice energy source, Ahou, cannot be used above the Enaline. The Swan was currently still safe and running because it's second reactor was still inside the Sea of Ena. Mexiah mentioned that Ahou was a near infinite energy source, the only problem was that the human body cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to it. But it worked well enough as a ship's fuel.

"But then why are we up here?" Ichika asked.

Mexiah pointed at the Holy Land's entrance, a very tall white gate made out of concrete or a similar composite material. It gate was carved with some image that must have a symbolic meaning to the people of this world. It was so tall that it probably outreached IS Academy's highest point. Large pieces of the gate spread open as the Swan got near, allowing it's entry. "This is the Academy's Entrance."

Ichika quietly observed as the ship entered the gate that opened before them and made port. If he had to guess why a school was up here, he'd say that the school itself wasn't powered with Ahou or did so to protect the students from an attack with the use of a Seikijin.

"Hmph! We just arrived and already there is something unpleasant for our eyes." Lashara said with heavy annoyance.

Although to his surprise, Chiaia actually giggled with some enthusiasm. What could that mean?

Ichika followed Lashara's eyes to see a orange like... fish? No. A floating ship of orange. While it didn't look special, Ichika wondered why the sudden remark on this ship when they had passed several floating ships that looked even uglier. Was it the color? Was his sense of beauty different from those this world?

"It's the ship of Havonia's crowned princess, Maria Nanadan" Mexiah whispered. "She's Lashara-chan's cousin. And they have a rather complicated relationship. I'm sure you'll understand later."

Lashara's cousin, huh? If their relationship is as complicated as he think it is, he'll probably have to be extra careful from now on.

A smaller floating craft came out of the swan's hull, although, Ichika was sure that part of the hull used to be dirt and grass. He said nothing, but filed the question in his mind for later and boarded the small craft still with Mexiah still holding on to him.

Chiaia had controlled the craft and moved it to the pier.

"Well, this is where we part." Mexiah let go of Ichika and took over the controls of the smaller craft after the three had disembarked. "Lashara-chan, I'll be borrowing this." She then descended and disappeared somewhere without waiting for Lashara to respond.

"Let us be on our way." Lashara took the lead and walked toward the very high and very long set of stairs, that reminded Ichika of the Shinonono shrine back in Japan.

[- - -]

After the long walk up, Ichika was greeted with a magnificent view of the Academy's front grounds. The size of the lawn alone was enough to elicit a sense of awe from Ichika. For an Academy it felt unusually large, but when he added the variable for Royalty and Nobles it seemed appropriate.

Ichika was careful to keep his pace at Chiaia's left side, while she followed Lashara just a step and a half behind. He noticed that they have aroused the attention and interest of all the students in the area. From their distance he could just barely hear them.

"Isn't that the newly crowned Queen of Shitoreiyu?"

"Who is that young man with her?"

"A new knight, maybe?"

"Look at his sword. It's a Katana!"

"He looks cool! Is he a Seikishi?"

"Wow... as Expected of Shitoreiyu's queen. She's got good taste!"

"But isn't he rather young to be an Alumni?"

He tried not to react to anything they said. But their worlds certainly raised a lot of new questions in his mind.

Ichika instinctively stopped walking when the corner of his eye noticed that Chiaia had suddenly halted her advance. He glanced at her, then in front of them and saw that a young blond young man and a light brown haired young woman went down to one knee as Lashara approached them.

"I'd like to complement you on your conduct so far, Orimura Ichika." although Chiaia had not made it sound that she was complementing him. "Understand the moment you had walked with her highness, you had shown that you are a servant of Queen Lashara. Do not act in any way that might tarnish her name."

Ichika smiled. True to Lashara's words last night, Chiaia was only looking out for her. "I'll do my best."

Chiaia let out a dissatisfied hum and turned her attention forward again.

"Thank you for coming to greeting us on our arrival, Dagmyer Mest." Lashara started her pleasantries.

"I am honored, your highness." Dagmyer stood up. "I was worried when we had heard of an attack on the Swan. But, I am relieved to see that you are well." He said with a dignified smile.

"Indeed. You should inform Lord Babalun, that I am unharmed." Ichika noticed that Lashara's tone had slightly changed, "I'm sure the attack had worried him as well." to carry a hint of sarcasm.

But Dagmyer's smile remained unfazed by the subtle accusation. "I will do just that." His attention then shifted to Chiaia. "Chiaia, it must have been hard for you too. You've just been assigned your post and yet you've seen combat already."

"It's my duty." To Ichika's surprise, Chiaia had said that with held her hands together like a shy girl as she tried to avoid his gaze.

Dagmyer smiled at her, a more seemingly more genuine than the one he had given Lashara, and said, "Still, I am glad that you're safe."

Ichika just watched Chiaia as she blushed at Dagmyer's words.

Dagmyer's eyes then fell onto Ichika. Ichika noticed the glance and turned his attention to him and bowed. There was something about him that he didn't like. It reminded him of how Cecilia used to treat him before their duel. But something told him the same wouldn't happen between them. He quickly pondered his options and went for a respectful bow without saying anything. His best guess was that nobles didn't really care about the names of commoners or servants, he'd only make a fool of himself if he addressed someone who is supposed to be of a higher rank.

"I shall take my leave now, Lashara-sama." Dagmyer bowed his head to her once before he swiftly turned around and walked away.

Chiaia had almost called out him but the light brown haired young woman stood in her way. She stared at Chiaia for a moment, before respectfully bowing her head and followed after Dagmyer.

Lashara turned her attention to Ichika for a moment and said, "What's the matter Ichika? You look like you want to say something."

"Hmm?" Ichika looked at her for a moment then at Chiaia's back. "It's nothing. It's probably best left unsaid."

"Saying that makes me even more interested! I'm ordering you to say it."

"Hmmm..." Ichika approached Lashara and whispered into her ear. "Does Chiaia like that guy?"

Lashara giggled lightly. "Well it's complicated. I'll explain it some other time." she dismissed the topic with a wave.

Chiaia blushed as she shot Ichika an angry look. She probably knew exactly what he was told Lashara.

[- - -]

Ichika had now come to realize how stressful this job might actually be. It was amazing how standing behind two young girls, who were just standing an arm's length from each other, could make him feel more ill at ease than standing in front of forty girls who expected some grand self-introduction.

After a short detour to a large arena behind the school's main building. They headed up to the main building, where the headmistress' office was located. Already there was a young girl, about Lashara's age, and a young woman with silver colored hair. The young girl was about Lashara's height, long dark brown hair that was held into a pony tail by a white and pink hair bow. Like Lashara she was wearing the Academy uniform with green line markers. The young woman stood behind her, like he and Chiaia did for Lashara, she wore a white cape that was cut and held by golden buckles.

There was a long and still silence for a few minutes after they had entered the room. It seemed to Ichika that Lashara would rather stay in silence than talk to her. But unfortunately it seemed like the other girl didn't agree.

"I was worried when I heard that the Swan was attacked, Lashara Earth." she said with a graceful and dignified tone.

"Hmph! Don't say things that you don't mean." Lashara replied sounding very annoyed.

"I was worried about the people that are involved with you, getting injured." she clarified in the same tone. Then to spite Lashara more, she turned her attention to her escort. "Isn't that right, Yukine?"

Ichika watched from the corner of his eye as the silver haired nodded with only a low hum to voice her agreement. Ichika shifted his eyes to the other side and saw that Chiaia was trying her best to pretend that she was not here right now.

Could this girl be the princess that Mexiah had mentioned when they saw that ship earlier? And were they supposed to stay out of this argument?

"Hmph! How unfortunate then!" Lashara crossed her arms as she tried to control her temper.

"But, it is your nature to attract trouble. Try not to trouble Chiaia-dono too much." The brown haired had turned to look at Lashara, but noticed Ichika's presence. "Oh my... you've brought along quite a handsome young man here." She turned towards him instead and walked over, her face bright with a smile as she did.

Ichika pondered how to respond. But then Lashara rushed in between them and flipped the girl's skirt which gave him a clear view of a long lacy blue underskirt.

The brown haired girl, lightly screamed and rushed to pull down her skirt. "What are you doing!" She indignantly yelled at Lashara.

In response, Lashara laughed triumphantly with her arms on her waist. "As usual, you have such bad taste. You should wear something more suitable for children."

"Bad taste you say?" the brown haired girl stared at her with shock and irritation.

Lashara just looked at her haughtily and replied, "That frivolous lace is just a waste of expenses on a princess."

No to be trumped easily, the brown haired girl turned slightly and keep both her hands down. "This is my country's traditional lacing, even a child could make this. This is unlike your country with no technology."

"That's just because yours have no other industries."

Ichika could already foresee what was about to happen. The question was, what he was going to do about it? Seeing that Lashara has already taken steps to prevent him from facing a foreseeable humiliation. He felt inclined to act to protect her. Still, he wondered if his action will actually be of help or serve only to aggravate the situation. He was suddenly leaning towards inaction when he spotted a thick brown leather collar.

I'll definitely save her, he thought desperately.

He watched carefully as they two argued about the differences between their two countries. It was puzzling how a skirt flip could trigger such a stream of arguments. Then Ichika saw the moment the brown haired girl was waiting for. Lashara was on the roll with her counter insults and had dropped her guard.

He moved his hand to reach for Lashara's skirt, intending to pull it out of the brown haired girl's reach, when he felt the silver haired woman's hand on his shoulder that prevented him from moving. It also pushed his body to the side enough to get a full view of Lashara's frilly translucent purple underskirt.

Lashara's feeling of triumph was cut when she rushed to pull down her skirt.

"Purple, huh? Isn't yours a little too daring?" The brown haired girl teased.

"Unlike you, I am the ruler of my country!" Lashara almost yelled out indignantly.

But the brown haired girl didn't back down. "An unpopular one, who was almost assassinated."

Ichika curiously turned to look at the owner of the hand on his shoulder, who let go and returned to her former position without so much as a word or glance. Although she actually looked stiff and a little flushed... is she sick? He straightened himself and he sighed, wishing he had considered her stopping him a variable in his plan. If he had then they probably wouldn't be argu-

He suddenly realized that the two had stopped talking. He turned his attention towards them and saw that they were staring at him.

"Ichika! Which do you prefer?" Lashara asked as the two of them raised their skirts again, revealing their underskirt.

Ichika just blinked in response. How did he get into this argument?

"Now tell us, truthfully, which one you prefer." Lashara said as she walked closer to present show him his underskirt. Adding, "I won't be angry even if you chose Maria's."

Chiaia, being little miss obvious, whispered to him with an sadistically amused smile, "She'll definitely get angry." Chiaia, what ever happened to not participating?

Ichika looked at Lashara's skirt. Then to Maria's. He found it odd. These weren't underwear exactly. At least not the type that he's familiar with. And yet looking at them elicited the same embarrassed feeling when about seeing a girl's panties. And they were still kids for heaven's sake.

"It's alright. Just answer truthfully." Maria said confidently, But then added, "Even if you picked Lashara's, I know it'll be out of loyalty to your hopeless master." effectively negating the value of the honest choice out all of a sudden.

"Restraint is unnecessary!" Lashara followed, but that smile on her face told him otherwise.

Ichika quickly turned an eye to Chiaia to somehow ask for help; only for her to look away.

He turned at the two again; there were only two choices. Damned by a stranger if you side with your boss and damned by your boss if you side with a stranger. The choice was obvious.

He opened his mouth to answer, but he suddenly felt the silver haired woman tap on his shoulder. He turned and watched as the silver haired woman, pushed part of her white cape aside, raised her right knee slightly, bent down a little, letting her hand brush her leg as pulled her black skirt up till it passed her knee revealing her plain cut translucent pink underskirt.

Ichika was speechless as his head had quickly turned the shade of a tomato. He turned away and covered his eyes with one hand upon realizing how excited he was. It's just a skirt. It's just an underskirt. It's just a translucent underskirt. Why is it so sexy?

"I guess Yukine is our winner." Chiaia muttered.

Yukine blushed and let go of her skirt. Suddenly feeling a bit foolish and embarrassed by her own actions to stop the two girls.

The two girls let go of their skirts and sighed in disappointment at the sudden pointlessness of their previous actions.

[- - -]

Wahanly was in her campus workshop happy to find the package barring the ceremonial outfit, that she will wear tomorrow, ready and waiting for her. She had a lot to be happy for too. She was able to meet Shitoreiyu's new Queen, battle tested some of her inventions, to a commission for an invention request and she was going to become an official Seikishi soon. Everything seems to be going well for her.

She heard someone knocking on her door. She quickly answered and regretted it.

[- - -]

The audience with the academy's headmistress was rather uneventful. As per Lashara's calculations, making him look like her knight, saved him from the fate of wearing the collar. Ichika was silently thankful for that.

Lashara, despite being of higher rank, was processed second. It which only served to heat up her temper. But she behaved enough until they left the headmistress' office. Once out, however, Lashara didn't restrain herself from berating Ichika.

"Couldn't you have been more considerate?" Lashara grumpily asked.

"Huh?" Ichika had noticed that she was still angry, but why was it directed at him now?

Fortunately, Chiaia decided to save him the trouble of figuring it out by himself and told him that it was about the underskirts.

"Ah!... Sorry. I was going to pick yours but, that Yukine person caught me off guard."

"Hmmm..." Lashara started at his face for a moment and asked, "Is she your type?"

"Not, exactly." Ichika pondered about that. He's never really given type or beauty much of a thought. Just that if he like a girl, then he liked a girl.

"If I had to explain it..." He looked at Lashara and Chiaia's face and saw that they gave him a look that told him to explain it. "The way she lifted her skirt kind gave me the feeling that she'd welcome an advance."

Chiaia blushed for a moment, but then, burst out laughing. "Ha! So that's why you were blushing so hard! Pervert."

Ichika blushed shamefully. "Please, let it go." On the bright side, Chiaia was starting to warm up to him. It sure beat the cold shoulder by a long shot.

Lashara sighed. "To interfere when Maria and I are fighting, Maria's attendant Yukine was just as inconsiderate."

Ichika gulped nervously, as he realized that he had done the same. "She probably did so because I had also tried to stop things from escalating."

"eh?" that caught Lashara's attention.

"I realized that Maria-sama was waiting for a chance to flip your skirt as payback. I was going to prevent her from doing so. But Yukine-san caught and stopped me."

Lashara looked at him for a moment bewildered at his confession. "You were going to save me?"

"I tried to. Sorry."

Lashara smiled. "Then I'll forgive you..." Then crossed her arms as she leaned in towards Ichika. "If you answer one question."

Ichika nodded. "Which is?"

"What do you think of my underwear?" Lashara asked with a small blush on her face.

"I think it suited Lashara-sama perfectly!" Ichika answered honestly, as he thought that it wasn't such a big deal.

To Chiaia's surprise, Lashara blushed and looked away as she thanked him for the compliment.

Chiaia leaned towards and whispered "How could you say such things with a straight face?" she blushed as if it were her underwear that was being talked about.

Ichika looked at her a little puzzled. "But she asked me answer."

"Chiaia! There you are!" The three of them heard a familiar voice call out to them. They turned and saw Wahanly rushing towards them. She had almost ran passed them, but recovered and held onto Chiaia's hands with a pleading look on her face. "Please, be the witness!"

"Witness?" Chiaia repeated. It took her a moment to realized that Wahanly had been challenged to a duel.

[- - -]

Ichika carefully observed the preparations for the duel with some interest. It had surprised him, that a stone floor had appeared where a freshly trimmed lawn had been earlier. It reminded him of that smaller craft that appeared on the swan earlier. To each side of the stone floor, a shed revealing an awkward looking armors. The two looked completely the same, save for the shoulder armor which had been colored differently to mark the competitor. Wahanly's being colored blue and her opponent red. Upon seeing the armor, Ichika now realized this was probably that Dynamic Armor that Lashra had mistaken his IS for.

"Ichika," Lashara called his attention and patted the stone bench that she was sitting on, urging him to sit down beside her. He did with no reservation. "How similar is your... uh"

"I.S." Ichika supplied, as he was having the same thoughts.

"yes, IS... is your IS similar to that Armor?" Lashara asked in hushed tones.

"Hmmm... probably only the size is roughly the same." Ichika had answered quietly, as he leaned closer to make it easier for them to hear each other.

"What is it's power source?"

"I can at least tell you for sure that it's not powered by Ahou."

"What do you mean?"

"There are two main components of an IS. The Frame and the Core. How to create a Frame is open knowledge. Anyone with enough founds can develop their own type. But a IS frame will not run without a Core. The core is responsible for the armor's direct interface with the pilot, the supply of power to all its systems, flight, weapons, shield and with enough time Evolution. And fortunately or unfortunately, there is only one person who knows how to make one a and what its made of."

"Hmmm... I'm only guessing, but that thing on your wrist is not that core thing?" Lashara asked as she pointed at his right hand.

"Nope. It's just what we call the closed form."

"And what was that you said about Evolution?"

"Hmm... in simpler words, the armor might someday transform accordingly to its accumulated fighting experience and the pilot's fighting style."

"Whoa! That's incredible."

"What's incredible?" Mexiah asked as she poked her head in between the two of them.

"Mexiah!" Lashara nearly screamed in surprise as she drew away from Ichika and her future teacher.

"Mexiah-san..." Ichika too had almost jumped, but Mexiah already had her arms around his shoulders and had pressed herself onto his back.

"What are you guys talking so secretively about?" Mexiah asked, pretending to be pouting at them.

"We're not really..."

"Nee-san!" Chiaia exclaimed.

"Call me "Sensei"." Mexiah answered as she let go of Ichika. She stood and crossed her arms together. "At least while we're in the Holy Land."

True enough, Mexiah actually looked like a teacher. She wore a burgundy suit, over a cream colored shirt with a green necktie and a red rose over her left breast pocket. She had also tamed her hair into a single curled tail that hanged off her left shoulder. She look was different. But the air she gave off felt so familiar for a moment.

Feeling a little rebellious, Chiaia decided to drop calling her anything and just stated her question. "What are you doing here?"

But a man with long blonde hair walked over to Mexiah's side answered for her. "There are a lot of duels around this time of the school year. We're just watching over them."

Everyone then noticed that Ichika was staring at Mexiah with a befuddled expression.

"What's wrong, Ichika?" Lashara asked.

"Huh? Eh?" Ichika was shaken out of his reverie and passed a confused look at Lashara, then Chiaia and Mexiah. "W-where you saying something? Sorry, I wasn't listenting."

Chiaia answered on everyone's behalf. "We were just wondering why you staring at ne- Mexiah-sensei with such a strange look."

"Ah... um..." He looked at Lashara who only gave him the same curious look Chiaia gave him. He realized that he wouldn't get out of this one either so he answered. "For a moment, I thought I saw my older sister."

Everyone was surprised by the response.

Mexiah wrapped her an arm over his shoulder again and said, "Then I'd really like it if you started calling me the way you'd call your sister."

It was becoming increasingly clear that she would never let it go. He wasn't really against the idea and saw it no harm in referring to her like that. Just that everything has been sudden. Suddenly in another world. Suddenly in a queen's service. Suddenly very welcomed. It wasn't a bad feeling and decided to resign his resistance to the idea.

"Mexiah...nee." Ichika declared, with a slight blush on his cheeks. Yes... it definitely didn't feel bad to call her so. But it felt, kind of, licentious.

Mexiah smiled and hugged him closer as she lightly squealed with joy. "Ah! What a nice sound! So this is what it feels like to have a little brother!"

'Now that, definitely, felt licentious.' Thought Ichika.

The two combatants had either their armors and were being moved into the arena. Ichika listened as Mexiah told explained the functions of the armor, the long cable on its back, the stone plate battlefield and the duel weaponry. He was relieved to know that the beam saber that it was wielding wouldn't do any actual damage to the unit. He remembered how he had to decimate Cecilia's weaponry to end their duel, because he didn't want to remotely risk hurting her even with the absolute defense shield of the IS.

Around the duel platform, Ichika could sense that the students that have gathered were not really there for the duel. He could see a lot of the girls looking towards the and whispering amongst themselves. It reminded him of his first days in IS academy. It made him feel like a rare fish.

"Mexaih-sensei! Please behave yourself, there are students around!" Chiaia scolded her older sister, who was still clinging to Ichika, with little to no effect.

"More importantly, you customers are waiting." Mexiah pointed at the two armored duelists.

Chiaia gave up and turned her attention to her task. She formally asked if they were ready, to which both signaled with their unit's free arm. "Then -Begin!"

Both unit's activated their beam swords and began to lunge at each other. To Ichika the fight between two Dynamic Armors was much more tame when compared to an fight between two IS. But it looked like a much fairer fight. Or so he thought at the start. Wahanly's unit was moving a little sluggish compared to her opponent's and was slashed at the arm.

"See where the armor was hit? While the weapons are simulated, their movements will be restricted in accordance with the damaged received." Mexiah commented.

But Ichika had something else in his mind. "Mexaih-nee, are both of the armor's abilities the same?"

"Hmm?" Mexiah smiled as her interest in the young man grew even more. "Normally they would be."

Lashara made an angry noise similar to a grunt, but said nothing. Chiaia on the other hand started watching the match more closely, to see if what Ichika had noticed was true.

"Well done, not many would have noticed that someone has changed the control settings." Mexiah quietly praised.

"I've seen Wan in her Seikijin during the last attack. Compared to that time her movements in that Armor is just too sloppy."

Wahanly's movements really looked bad for a moment. Her machine looked like it was being toyed with and pushed around till she reached a corner of the stone plate. Cornered with nowhere else to run, Ichika realized what she had in mind. "I see, so that's Wan's plan."

"She's cornered!" Chiaia argued.

"But, so is her opponent." Ichika replied.

They looked at him for a moment and wondered how he came to such a conclusion.

Wahanly's challenger made her move. She charged with the end of her sword, as if to stab Wahanly. Wahanly's response was to jump high over her opponent and land on her feet. Then to add an enticing bait, Wahanly made it look like she lost her balance and made the armor fall to its knees. Not even the least bit suspicious, her opponent charged at her again to deliver the finishing blow. But before she could, Wahanly's unit stood and tackled her unit out of the battlefield where it fell on its back unable to move without Ahou in the air.

"The match is over! Victory goes to Wahanly Shume!" Chiaia declared proudly to the crowd.

Mexiah looked at Ichika, even more impressed that he foresaw Wahanly's victory.

Chiaia approached her sister and asked, "Mexiah-sensei, what will we do about the cheating?"

Mexiah looked at Wahanly, who was waving happily to the crowd who cheered over her victory. "It seems that a reprimand will be unnecessary. Isn't that right, Ulyte-sensei?"

The blond haired man beside her nodded. "Well, they've been lost already. I suppose we can skip it unless, Wahanly-dono files a complaint."

Chiaia didn't look too happy about it the decision, but said nothing. In the end Wahanly, even at with a disadvantage, she had proved that she was a skilled Seikishi and worthy to be in Lashara's employ.

Wahanly walked over to the Lashara and bowed. "I've won, Lashara-sama."

Lashara nodded. "You did well, Wan. But it was careless of you to get into a sabotaged unit."

"Ahahaha!" Wahanly nervously laughed. "I didn't think it was obvious."

"It wasn't." Lashara pointed her to Ichika with her eyes. "Ichika, pointed it out for us."

"Eh? Really?" She turned to Ichika, with fascination. "That's amazing for someone who just arrived from Kouchi."

"I was just lucky that I've seen you use a Seikijin to make a comparison." Ichika reasoned.

"If you think that was amazing." Mexiah interjected. "You should have heard how confident he was that you'd win, while we thought you were cornered."

Wahanly blushed and looked at Ichika who just shyly scratched his cheek.

"Well... it was a guess." Ichika muttered shyly.

"Thank you!" Wahanly happily smiled at him.

Since the match had ended. The crowd of students were beginning to break up. Some seemed like they had wanted to approach them, but gave up and went elsewhere. Wahanly had left for her workshop to get something, although she promised to head to Lashara's villa immediately after. The blond teacher had left as soon as he oversaw the proper clean up and return of the Dynamic Armor.

"Lashara-chan," Everyone turned their attention to Mexiah. Who, they now realize, has yet to let go of Ichika. "May I borrow Ichika-kun?"

Lashara wasn't exactly surprised with the request. "What for?"

"I want to bond with a new little brother." Mexiah said as she rubbed her cheek on Ichika's.

It was a joke. At least Ichika hoped it was. Chiaia didn't look like she'd agree to being related to him. But before she could say anything. Lashara gave her answer. "Well it would give Chiaia and Wahanly some peace of mind while they do their final fitting. Just have him at my villa before dinner."

"Alright, I will!"

Ichika had a very bad feeling about this.

[- - -]

After they had parted ways with Lashara and the others, Mexiah took him underground. Ichika had seen earlier that ships were entering the lower gate of the Holy Land, but he wasn't expecting such a large facility down here. There was even lighting to match the time of day on the surface.

When they boarded a small floating transport, that looked kind of like a small van, Ichika finally felt the need to ask Mexiah where was she taking him. "Mexiah-nee, Where are we going?"

"To one of the Seikijin hangers." She pointed towards a large cave in the distance ahead of their ride's flight path.

Ichika was beginning to worry that they were going a little too out of the way at first. But to a Seikijin Hanger of all things. "Why exactly?"

"To administer a impromptu aptitude exam. To see if you're capable of piloting a seikijin."

"Do I have to?" Ichika started to feel nervous. Lashara had mentioned that it would be troublesome if he could pilot one. Were males who could pilot them being used as data samples like he was? "I don't want to be a Seikishi."

"Unfortunately it's a mandatory exam, that is if you're planning on staying within the Sea of Ena."

For a long moment Ichika didn't answer. Being reminded that he wasn't from here, or even from the place he was claiming to be, had hit a sensitive spot... he didn't really have a home anymore. The fact that he was living comfortably after just coming here was thanks to his luck meeting and saving Lashara. In essence, she (and what little possession Chifuyu-nee able to smuggle into his IS storage) was all he had right now.

"Ichika-kun?" Mexiah looked over to him.

"You know I can't go back home."

"Sorry, I didn't mean it that way." Mexiah flashed him an sympathetic smile. "But it's just the way our society works. It's not really a bad deal. If you become a Seikishi; you get peerage, wealth and even a partner."

It sounded a little tempting to Ichika, even if it meant little to him, he was only human after all. But that last part confused him. "Partner for what?"

Her sympathetic smile turned playful. "Marriage."

"Marriage?" Ichika gawked in shock.

"That's right. In this world, the Seikijin is the ultimate weapon. To ensure the births of children with high abilities, the countries manage the marriage between Seikishi. Although female Seikishi who fulfill their duties are usually exempted from this. Male Seikishi, who are few in number, are not given such an opportunity."

Ichika sighed, feeling for pity for them. "So that's why Lashara-sama said it would be troublesome if I could pilot one..."

"Lashara-chan must really like you if she said something like that." Mexiah giggled. "But worry about it after we've gotten the results. As I've said it's extremely rare for a males to have the ability. In all likelihood we're just doing this as a formality."

"Okay." Ichika nodded, and hoped that it would turn out to be just that.

The crew stationed at the hangar was surprised to see the two of them. But their arrival was a welcomed distraction from long boring hours of watching the skies.

"Mexiah-sensei!" A young woman dressed in blue robes was surprised to see her step out of the floating bus, along with Ichika. "What brings you where?"

"Annalise, I need to borrow the Seikijin for a moment."

"I personally don't mind but..." The young woman, Annalise, gave Ichika a curious glance.

"Don't worry, it's just for a impromptu test for him." Mexiah pat Ichika's shoulder.

"Is he?" Annalise's curious expression was mixed with surprise.

"We don't know yet." Mexiah giggled. She knew very well what thoughts passed through the other woman's mind. "He just arrived from Kouchi and busied himself by catching the eye of Shitoreiyu's new queen."

"Really?" Annalise seemed to have found that even more interesting.

"She's made him her knight already." Mexiah playfully flapped Ichika's white cape, which also revealed his sword. "Look! Cape and sword!"

"That is impressive." And she was impressed. But more importantly, It would be a great story to share to her colleagues later. After all the new queen had just been crowned, how lucky did one have to be to just suddenly met her after arriving from such a isolated place as Kouchi. She looked at him intently. Although, Ichika didn't really understand why she was.

Then she smiled and shrugged. "Well, I suppose there's probably no harm in it."

"Thank you." Mexiah pulled Ichika towards the inactive form of the Seikijin. "Now, Ichika-kun. I want you to press your palm against the shell."

Ichika thoughtlessly looked at his right hand. "What happens then?"

"If it reacts and pulls you inside, then you have the ability to pilot."

"If nothing happens?"

"Then you won't have to worry about an arranged marriage anytime soon." Mexiah joked. And Ichika would have found it a little funny, if he wasn't the one going though with this test.

Ichika shrugged off anxieties for now, deciding it was best to get it over with.

He walked over to the skeleton like giant encased in a translucent green egg and reached out with his palm to the shell as Mexiah had told him.

The shell had felt odd in his hands. Soft, yet, firm and a little warm. It almost seemed flesh like. Thankfully it didn't have a "that" special shape that might have incited a wrong reaction.

A few seconds passed and nothing seemed to happened. Ichika sighed with relief.

Until the shell started to lose its form and proceeded to melt away starting from the top of the egg. The shell dripped onto the floor, yet, most of it poured towards Ichika.

"Ichika-kun! Let go!" Mexiah ordered, her voice mixed with panic.

Ichika did as he was told. And to their surprise the shell stop melting. It hardened to the viscosity prior contact with Ichika but did not revert to the egg shape.

"That was strange..." Mexiah muttered.

Ichika noticed that everyone looked even more confused than he was. "Has that ever happened before?" Ichika asked.

"Not to my knowledge." Mexiah walked towards and touched the untransformed part of the Seikijin's shell. As a Seieishi, a special Seikishi that has undergone a contract with the goddess, she had the power to repair the Seikijin by hereself, without the need to send it to the church. She had meant to enter and repair the unit so that they could try again. But the Seikijin would no longer respond to her.

"EH? It's not responding!" Mexiah tried again, but still it didn't budge.

Annalise walked over to Mexiah's side and tried her luck. But no matter how long they kept their hand on the shell, the Seikijin nor its shell would not respond.

Mexiah then had a thought and asked Ichika to touch it again. Ichika, was a little wary, but reached out to it again. And just as Mexiah had thought, it responded to him. But this time, it started melting the moment his feet got close to the already melted shell.

Not wanting it to get any worse, Mexiah told Ichika to back off before he could touch it.

"What's happening?" Ichika asked.

"We're not sure. Something like this has never happened before." Mexiah paused to gather her thoughts. "The Seikijin is definitely reacting to you, but not in the expected way or favorable way."

"Sorry." Ichika apologized. While he was glad that it wasn't working for him, he did not wish anyone trouble.

"It's not your fault. I was the one who pushed this." Thoughtfully, Mexiah gave him a pat on the shoulder and turned to Annalise.

"I'm sorry about this mess, Annalise. I'll inform the headmistress and your superior about this." She said as she headed towards a panel by the wall that distinctly looked like a cordless phone.

"Thanks. To be honest, I'm not sure how to explain this." Annalise tried to sound indifferent to the event, but Ichika could tell that she was troubled as she gestured to now malformed shell of Seikijin.

As Ichika waited patiently for Mexiah to finish her call, he couldn't help but feel responsible for the malfunction. Was it reacting like things because he was from other world? Could it be the reason why Tabane and Chifuyu-nee had to send him away? He wished he knew...

Annalise approached him slightly carefree smile. "Don't worry. It's not your fault. Feelings to reject the Seikijin isn't enough to make it go berserk. While most noble young men are willing and ready to go through tests like these, most commoners would rather keep their old lives and freedoms. While this case might be an exception, let us worry about it."

"Eh?" Ichika looked at her surprised at how she had known what he was thinking.

The woman in robes laughed, "What you were thinking was written all over your face."

Of course Ichika knew that she had not meant it literally. Still his hand had unconsciously crawled up to his face as if to inspect it for traces of wet ink. Annalise just flashed him an amused smile upon seeing such a silly reaction.

"The Headmistress said that she'll call for a specialist from the church to inspect it." Mexiah said as returned to their side.

"What'll happen to me now?" Asked Ichika.

"We'll have to wait until the specialist get here to check you and the Seikijin out." She turned to Annalise. "The headmistress told me that a replacement for this unit will arrive soon."

Mexiah then locked her arm to Ichika's slowly proceeding to drag him back into the flying bus. "Now then Ichika-kun, let's spend some quality time together!"

"Eh?" Ichika was puzzled for a moment, but recalled how she "borrowed" him from Lashara. "You were serious?"

She flashed him a dangerous smile. "Very."

[- - -]

To Ichika's relief though, it wasn't anything that he had thought inappropriate... especially for someone who wanted a sisterly relationship with him. Mexiah had taken it upon herself to get some clothes for him and dragged him into a tailor's workshop. He had intended to refuse, but she used the same excuse Chifuyu-nee had used till last year to choose his clothes for him when she had some free time. "An older sister is entitled to give her little brother gifts."

He did mention and reason that they weren't really brother and sister so she really did not have to. But instead he was lectured on how insensitive he acting and was somehow tricked into trying on some boots and shoes as well. By the end of the trip he had three pairs of shoes (each for a certain occasions), a pair black leather boots (because Mexiah thought he'd look cooler in them when he wore his IS uniform than regular shoes), and a set casual and formal wear (since apparently he needed to look good for Lashara's sake) and three to be delivered made to order copies of his IS uniform (just in case).

Just seeing the amount on the receipt made Ichika feel guilty.

"Mexiah-nee, I'll pay you back when I've earn my salary."

"There's no need. As I said those are gifts."

"But I'll feel bad if I don't give you something in return."

"Hmm... if that's how you feel. Why don't you give me something you'd give you sister."

"Like a massage?"

To Ichika's surprise, Mexiah's eyes lit up with anticipation. "You'll give me one?"

"Sure."

"Promise?"

Ichika nodded.

"Oh! But it's too late today. Let's do it another time." Ichika wasn't sure, but the way she said the later was surely not the way a sister would say it. However, he kept his mouth shut and followed her to Lashara's villa carrying his new clothes.

[- - -]

Lashara was a little surprised when they told her about the shopping. It saved time, but she had wanted to be the one to purchase them for him. She was, however, shocked to hear what had happened in the Seikijin hangar. She regretted letting Mexiah take care of him for a while, but it wasn't something she could take back. Fortunately, Ichika can't make a Seikijin work properly. If he did, then they'd really have to reveal that he's from another world to allow him to keep his freedom. He'd have callers day and night, and would probably not be able to serve her as much as she'd want, but he'll be free to choose how to live his life.

Come to think of it, why hadn't see explained that to him? Ah...yes, she needed him to be somewhat dependent on her. His arrival on her ship was very fortunate, she had needed a special piece to play against the other nobles of Shitoreiyu... It did not seem like much, but his "IS" might be her key to victory and survival. If luck was on their side, they'll have good fortune in the end. She'll apologize and tell him everything then.

[...to be continued.]

Author's Note: While I was disappointed by the lack of reviews, I decided not to let it bother me. I started this because I wanted to write this story. Thanks to everyone who did btw! And I knew before hand that the series is that I've crossed over isn't very well known despite being such a fun series (I blame the famous fansubbers for not picking it up! LOL).

This chapter came out later than I planned and longer than I had intended. I got a little stuck at one point and decided to refresh my mind by reading the translated Light Novel volumes of Campione! on Baka-Tsuki (Thanks Guys!). I only intended to read one, but ended up reading all the completely translated volumes.

I'm not completely happy about this chapter. But maybe because it was just that kind of chapter.

Terminology Notes: Because some of the fansubs seemed to be missing or using a terms that I just can't connect with... I decided to just make my own and will be explained here and if we're lucky during the course of the story. If you see terms that I forgot to mention or if you want to read it from me than searching wikipidea, add that to a review or pm me.

Sea of Ena - The Sea of Ena is the lower lands where it is filled with a magical air called Ena. The Ena can be used to create Ahou, which powers most engines and weapons without reliance on refueling as it's always present. Ahou however is dangerous to the human body and people who can tolerate prolonged exposure are small in numbers.

Enaline - The boundary of the of the Sea of Ena. It is kind of "Ena" version of waterline when referring to where the surface of the water meets the hull of a ship. Passed this boundary, anything that runs on Ena will not function. (This was originally Kissuigai, but unfortunately I cannot search Kanji for what it might mean. Romanji came out with no results. But if you want a clear picture, refer to episode 3 of Isekai no Seikishi Monogari and watch around minute 7 where the Swan enters the Holy Land.)