Chapter 7 The Arrival of Velsaria
Kamito, Claire and Rinslet are having a meeting after class.
They're talking about the last member of their team now that Ellis can't join them.
"I see, this is troublesome indeed. We still need to find 1 more member." Says Claire who is petting Scarlet on her laps.
"I forgot to take her Sylphid Knights friends into account as well, what a blunder." Rinslet is feeding Fenrir with dog's food.
Kamito is fine with them thinking about it thoroughly, but the way they're doing it didn't look a little bit serious at all.
He can't help but sigh.
"The team should consist of 4 to 5 members if I'm not mistaken. 4 is okay, 5 is better. However—"
"We don't have the luxury of looking for 5 members, isn't it?"
Claire and Rinslet speak simultaneously.
Truth be told, they're strong.
But the real hurdle is the fact they're coming from the Raven Class which is a class for the problem children.
No one wants to team up with them precisely because of their infamous names.
"If only there's a way to lure someone into our team..." Kamito closes his eyes as he think.
Then, he heard some chatters.
"Did you hear? Velsaria Fahrengart is back!"
"Really? We clearly couldn't miss that!"
"I know! Let's hurry!"
"... Velsaria?" Says Kamito after hearing a familiar name.
"Yes, I also hear it. Velsaria Fahrengart is the strongest elementalist in Areishia Academy! Let's go too, Kamito!"
"O-Oh!"
"Hey, don't leave me behind!"
Without waiting, Kamito and the girls leave the cafeteria they're sitting at and rush to the spot.
.
..
...
"What? My sister is back?"
"Indeed, Ellis. You should visit her don't you think?"
"Y-Yeah."
It's been a while since the last time she saw her sister's face, so she's not sure of how should she face her.
Because ever since she moved into Areishia Spirit Academy, she no longer stays in her house. She has to live by herself.
Back when she's young, she would visit her sister every week. But her sister, Velsaria couldn't do the same. She got a lot of work to do and she also have to train herself to make sure her skill will not dull.
That's why Velsaria rarely shows up in the academy which makes her appearance today special.
"... I wonder how will she look at me now..." Ellis whispers in a voice no one can hear.
With uneasiness filling her heart, she advances to the place where her sister is.
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..
...
Kamito and the girls see a lot of people grouping as if they're seeing a celebrity.
Truth be told, Velsaria is one of the most famous person in this Academy.
Anybody would want to meet her at least once in flesh.
Velsaria, I never thought we will meet her again.
Fufufu, it seems like things will get interesting if she saw you, Kamito.
Velsaria is one of the people who knows Kamito's crossdressing as Ren Ashbell.
It's not like his disguise was off nor out of place, but it was more like Velsaria's intuition is just too sharp in this matter.
Which is why he don't really want to meet Velsaria again due to his embarrassment.
"Kuh... If only that witch didn't force me to crossdress..."
It's not like you can help it, Kamito. You destroyed the institution back then and you need to conceal your identity to avoid more attention than needed. ...Hm?
Yes, we were seriously lucky back then that they weren't on guard so we could destroy it with minimum risk. They really shouldn't underestimate our power, Fufu.
But... No matter how I think about it, don't you think it was quite off? How can Kamito's small body back then handle our Divine Power? With his Divine Power back then, he shouldn't be able to control both of us for even 10 seconds. But he did, not to mention it was more than 5 minutes. To make it worse, he didn't even respond to my calls at that time, just what exactly happened?
Restia doesn't seem to want to give any answer which puzzles Est.
Kamito himself doesn't understand how he destroyed the institution back then because his memory is blurry even though he's dying to know. However...
"Restia, are you hiding something from us— No, me?"
I don't understand what are you talking about, Kamito. Fufu.
No matter how many times he pressed Restia for an answer, she will keep on avoiding the matter.
"..."
After hearing her answer, Kamito feels like there's no more use in asking.
It's not like he distrusts Restia, they've been living for quite a long time now, distrusting her is obviously out of question. But, he doesn't like how Restia keeps everything for herself without telling him anything.
"Kamito? What are you doing? Hurry up!" Claire pulls Kamito's hand who is left behind.
Then, they could see a pretty woman with blonde hair and crystal blue eyes in armor.
"Oh my." She says.
Kamito's eyes meet with the woman, Velsaria.
Then, she smiles and walk toward Kamito in a gallant way like how a knight does.
Claire and Rinslet are bewildered by the sudden approach, but Kamito knows they're not the one Velsaria's putting her eyes on.
"You are... Could it be?"
Kamito shakes his head a bit.
Seeing that, Velsaria knows what he meant.
"My apologies everyone, I need to have a private chat with this man. Would you be so kind to give us a place to talk?" She says to all of the audiences.
Hearing that, the audiences all move away without letting their eyes off her.
As thought condemning Kamito for stealing the attention of Areishia Academy's star from them.
"I don't really understand, but I guess we should move away as well. Rinslet, let's go."
"Ah, w-wait! Don't pull me!"
Claire pulls Rinslet away reluctantly. Leaving only Kamito and Velsaria on the spot.
"... How nice, to have such powerful authority to order people."
"It's no authority. I merely asked them to leave politely, Ren Ashbell."
"Whatever. So, why are you here, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart? By the way, don't call me by that name. I'm Kazehaya Kamito."
"How cold, even though you're so cute back then. Fufu."
"... D-Don't make fun of me."
"My apologies, it's just stunning that a boy like you decided to crossdress at that time."
"It can't be helped, I need to do so because Greyworth asked me to conceal my identity. Even though she didn't ask me to conceal my identity now..."
"Oh my, now that I think about it you're right. Why didn't you do so now?"
"As if. I wouldn't want to feel that humiliation once again."
Hearing his answer, Velsaria chuckles.
"Hey, what's so funny?!"
"Nevermind, I'm just surprised. Even so, a male elementalist..."
"..."
Needless to say, Kamito himself is aware that his existence is special.
Normally only young maidens who can be an elementalist, not to mention they must be pure in both soul and body.
If the world were to know about Kamito's existence, without a doubt they would come to Areishia to either see or capture Kamito for research.
"Are you fine with it? To let other people know about your identity?"
"... Certainly, I've been hiding myself these years in low profile. If I could help it, I wouldn't want to attend this academy by letting more people know about me."
"Then why?"
Velsaria seems to be quite interested.
"..."
Kamito is pondering in contemplation.
He's not sure if he should tell Velsaria or not.
"It's not like I'm forcing you to answer, so you're free to reject if you don't want to tell me."
"... It's fine, I guess if it's you maybe it's okay."
Velsaria gives a soft smile.
Being trusted by her rival seems to give her a pleasant feeling.
It's not like Kamito is keeping this a secret from everyone, it's just if he tell them his reasons without them knowing about Kamito's identity as Ren Ashbell it might cause them to question who Kamito actually is.
"It's because 'Ren Ashbell' is going to attend the blade dance this year."
"—! Ren Ashbell... I see."
Velsaria understands what Kamito meant without trouble.
"So you're trying to figure out who this impostor is, isn't it?"
"Yes. I already talked it out with my team that I wouldn't use my Demon Slayer and Vorpal Sword during the blade dance to avoid attention from the audiences. I would be glad if it's just someone who's making a prank to trick everyone, but if it's not..."
Kamito's words stop.
He thinks that this matter is unrelated to anyone but Greyworth and himself.
Because only he and Greyworth who know about the reason why he joined the blade dance 3 years ago.
"I understand, I will not pry in any further."
"—You're pretty understanding."
"It's true that I'm curious, but there are limits in getting into someone's business. "
"Thanks for your understanding, then. By the way, why are you coming here?"
"Me? I'm just visiting the place where I used to study. Well, half of it is because—"
"—Sister."
Before Velsaria's words finished, a familiar voice is calling for her.
"Speak of the devil. She's the reason why I'm here today."
"Sister, why are you here? Wait, Kazehaya Kamito? What are you planning to do to my sister?"
Ellis is approaching in an unfriendly manner, but Velsaria lifts her hand.
"He's just speaking with me, no ill intent. Hm... You've grown into a beauty, Ellis."
"W-Wha!? What are you saying, sister!?"
"Fufufu, that response is pretty cute. Say, Kamito isn't it? I will totally agree if you would be my little sister's groom."
"S-SIS!?"
Hearing Velsaria's words, Ellis blushes madly.
Of course, Kamito is flustered as well.
"You... That's not funny, Velsaria..."
"—Velsaria?"
"—Crap."
Kamito quickly covers his mouth.
But Ellis heard Kamito calling her sister by her first name.
Then, she approaches Kamito with her body leaning to him slightly.
"Kazehaya Kamito, what's your relationship with my sister? I don't remember my sister ever been so close to a man for that man to call her by her first name."
"U-Uh, that... Slip of tongue! It's just a slip of tongue!"
"I don't think so, you sounded really familiar with that name. Tell me, what are you hiding?"
Velsaria watches the two of them interact with each other while laughing gleefully.
"My, aren't you two close?"
"*Gasp*!"
Ellis quickly recovers her posture and coughs solemnly.
"What a joke, there's no way for me to be close with him."
"Oh, really? Fufu."
Kamito's relieved that Ellis doesn't pursue the answer out of him again.
He really needs to be careful in how he addresses other people.
Fufufu, Kamito's carelessness is pretty amusing as ever.
But I don't like how Kamito's being too friendly with that Ellis girl...
"It seems like I'm being a hindrance here, so I will excuse myself..."
"Wait, Kamito."
Velsaria stops Kamito from getting away.
He turns to her reluctantly.
"What is it?"
"I still have something to talk to you after this. Would you mind to follow me?"
"Huh?"
.
..
...
After talking with Ellis, Velsaria takes Kamito to her room to avoid unnecessary attention.
Obviously, Kamito refuses at first. But he couldn't think of a place that's more private than Velsaria's idea which is why he complies.
"Sit wherever you want."
"... So, what are you going to talk about?"
"This is about your spirits."
...
...
Both Restia and Est turns quiet hearing what Velsaria's about to say.
"My spirits?"
"Yes, are you aware of your spirits' origin and history?"
"Obviously, my Demon Slayer, Est Terminus is used to be a sword who defeated the Demon King and my Vorpal Sword, Restia is the sword with immense darkness power."
"Precisely. Which is why I started to question— Kazehaya Kamito, who exactly are you?"
"... What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. As the owner of those spirits you know more than anyone else how strong and how exhausting it is when you're using them. Then, how could you control two of them easily back then?"
"I'm not that special you know, even I am pretty exhausted after using them for 5 seconds—"
"—When did you feel it exhausting?"
"Of course, it was after the—"
Kamito stops talking.
(That's right... After the blade dance 3 years ago I didn't have any chance to use both Est and Restia which is why I thought I'm getting rusty... But— I was already feeling exhausted not long after the blade dance is over. It was like... I lost my power after Restia's wish was granted.)
"... I'm sorry, I don't know it myself."
"..."
Velsaria stay quiet for a moment before letting a sigh out.
"It's okay, it's not like I'm doubting you. It's just I heard that a certain kid destroyed an institution of research not too far from here about... I think 6 years ago?"
"!?"
Velsaria doesn't miss Kamito's expression.
"... Judging from your face, I think you know what I'm talking about. No, maybe it's more appropriate to say that; you are the one who destroyed that institution."
"... How did you know?"
"It's just my prediction after a thorough research of your spirits' origin and your real sex. Certainly, no one would believe a kid destroying the whole institution single-handedly. But after considering the spirits' power, it just might be possible to do so. But, why did you destroy it? No, it's more like what were you doing there? Why were you brought there?"
"..."
Kamito can't give any answer to Velsaria.
If he gives Velsaria the answer he fears that Velsaria will doubt his identity.
Truth be told, he only knows that the institution was there to train assassins.
But what was their intention in doing so, who created that institution, he knows nothing about it.
Not to mention he can barely remember what had he done at that time.
He only remembers the institution being burned behind him.
It's as if it's not him who controlled his body.
"—My apologies, I don't mean to pressure you for an answer. But you don't have to worry, no one but me knows about this. I don't plan to tell anybody if you don't want me to."
"... I'm sorry, Velsaria. And thank you..."
"You're most welcome. Oh, and... Ren Ashbell..."
"What's with it?"
"... No, I think it's just my feeling. You're allowed to go now. I'll talk to you next time."
"...? Okay...?"
With question marks filling his head, Kamito leaves the room.
"... Ren Ashbell... That name reminds me of a certain name..." Velsaria whispers.
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..
...
Ellis is waiting in front of Velsaria's room.
She's being cautious because Velsaria almost never speak to a man before.
"Kazehaya Kamito... I wonder what is his relationship with my sister..."
Ellis doesn't realize that she looks like a girl who's trying to stalk her boyfriend who's hanging out with another girl.
Her innocent action invites smiles to those who watch the scene.
-Creak.
"! Kazehaya Kamito!"
"Woah, Ellis!? You surprised me..."
Ellis storms into Kamito which catches him off guard.
She is waiting outside this whole time?
Fufu, are you jealous, holy spirit?
Look who's talking.
Kamito ignores the voices inside his head who are silent when he is talking with Velsaria.
"You!"
"Yes!"
Ellis yells at him and he responds as if he's a soldier being called by the commander.
He understands that she's not being impolite but impatient.
(She must be dying to know my connection with Velsaria.) He thinks.
"You... How are you being so close with my sister? Since when did you two know each other?"
Kamito doesn't plan to tell her, but rejecting her right away seems too harsh.
And then, Kamito gets an idea.
"... Oh? Do you really want to know?"
"Hurry and tell me!"
"Of course, but after you join my team."
"Wha!"
Kamito doesn't mean it.
He's just trying to play around since he found Ellis' behavior cute.
And Ellis also realizes that she's being toyed with.
"Guu... Just tell me already! Hey! Wait!"
"I don't know, if you really want to know why don't you just ask your sister?"
"I will hit you!"
"Oh my, I'm so scared!"
Kamito laughs and runs away happily as Ellis chases him.
Kamito is laughing...
Fufu, he looks like he's enjoying his time. Let's not disturb him for now, I also found that this girl named Ellis is a little cute.
Humph...
Oh? You're not disagreeing?
Be quiet, darkness spirit.
To be continued.
