Disclaimer: I do not own Accel World or any other works by the author Reki Kawahara. Any relation to actual people, locations or concepts and ideas belonging to similar fiction is purely coincidental. The only thing I do own is this story and its OC characters.

To Misaka 20,001: Well this chapter does establish the story as being set some time after Taku transfers into Umesato Junior High and before the incident regarding the 5th Chrome Disaster though I wouldn't be surprised if Alabaster Master knew about the Chrome Disasters...

To HazekuraAya: Well see if I can come up with an elegant solution to this and thank you very much for your kind review. I'll read your story should I have the time.

Author's Note: Apologies for the late chapter, had some personal problems of late and to a particular someone, I don't know if you do read this or not but know that I am sincerely sorry for how I came across. Now all I want is my dearest and oldest friend back.

Login 10: History

Everyone gathered at the tables outside a snack cart selling German sausages, each one eating a stick of the sausages being sold. Tenma Godou was grinning in Kizaki Minami's direction. The blond noticed almost immediatly. She met his grin with a very angry glare with an equally angry question, "Why are you so happy?"
"I heard you cried when my head was being disintergrated by Queenie."

"No I didn't!"

"Thats not what Hideo-san said."

She growled slightly at Hideo Tarou who simply shrugged and replied non-chalantly, "Well he asked me what happened when he recovered and I just told him ."

Now, it was Kizaki's turn to grin as she turned and spoke to him sarcastically, "So you were worried about me? I'm so touched..."

"What? Who would ever worry about a pompous brat like you!"

Everybody else laughed as they continued their argument over who was or was not worried. Narajima Ayumi smiled as everyone bantered cheerfully while eating their sausages. Kagama Gen then decided to bring the spoils of their encounter, *Ok, Hideo-san, what was in the data you got from the Obelisk?*

*Well, its mostly raw data so I'll need about a day or two to process it into something meaningful. However I did find out what they're trying to create using the Obelisk.*

*Do you have any idea what it is?*

*Well Kagama-dono, based on the raw data's prefixes and suffixes I'd have to say it's some kind of GM level item.*

*A GM item? Do you know anything else about it?*

*Not until I process this raw data. Until then there's nothing we can do.*

There was a very visible look of irritation on Kagama's face, *So we're stuck for now...at least we understand abit more about whats going on. I was however hoping that it wouldn't turn out this way.*

Ayumi was curious about the last sentence as Kagama fell silent with a thoughtful expression. As she continued looking intently at Kagama's face, she recognized a very familiar figure.

Chiyu ran towards Ayumi before hugging her in her chair, "Ayumi-chan! I never expected to see you here. With Kagama-sempai, Tenma-san and Hideo-san no less."
The mentioned waved in reply as Chiyu smiled back as she continued, "Anyway I never would have seen our potential captain as a Kizaki Hikari fan."

"Well I guess I just saw the CM's on the net and got curious..."

Chiyu immediatly had a very sly look as she crept closer to Ayumi, "So you worked up the guts to ask Kagama-sempai?"

"What? Well I...wait a minute. What did you say earlier?"
"About working up the guts to ask Kagama-sempai?"
"Before that."
"Our potential captain liking Kizaki Hikari?"
"What? Potential captain?"
"You didn't hear? We're having a mini kendo tournament to decide who's the next captain since Ishida-sempai is stepping down."
Kagama immediatly became interested, "Ishida-kun? I heard he was interested in a high school in Tokyo?"
Chiyu nodded, "He still is. The only problem is that his grades aren't great so he's stepping down to focus on studying."
"Well he did admit his English and Maths are bad..."
"So thats why we're looking for a new captain. Hopefully before the friendly match next month. Sensei didn't tell you?"
"Well the friendly is news to me. Who is it with?"
"We're going to a school in Tokyo's Suginami ward...let me see...Umesato Junior High."
"Hmm I heard that a prefecture finalist just recently transferred there."
"Mayuzumi Takumu? I saw one of his matches on the Global Net, he was a powerhouse."
Ayumi had heard of Mayuzumi Takumu, in fact he was quite famous within the junior high kendo circuit for winning all of his kendo matches. However she had also heard rumors that after his transfer to Umesato he was not as overwhelming as he once was, "I heard some rumors about him too."

Chiyu knew exactly what she was talking about, "You mean his sudden drop in power after his transfer?"

"Well personally it seems more like he's gone out of overdrive."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean he is still winning after all...but I've heard of someone catching up to his record. He was dominating the elementary level kendo tournaments though he is going to graduate this year."

"I believe his name is Noumi-kun..."

"Just Noumi-kun?"

"Thats the name the forums keep using. For some reason they don't have his full name...oh here it is, Noumi Seiji."

"Well Tokyo seems to have alot of accomplished kendo practitioners at the middle and high school levels for some reason."
"Yeah I wonder why..."
Ayumi knew why, it was an open secret among Burst Linkers that most of the top kendo practitioners in Tokyo were Burst Linkers and that a majority of them were associated with the Blue Legion, Leonidz. However it was also an equally known fact that Blue Knight, the Blue Legion's master, frowned upon the abuse of acceleration for personal gain. Whether he actually enforced that stand was something that Ayumi was not aware of.

"Ah, looks like the concert is going to continue soon. We're heading back to our seats. See you later Ayumi-chan!"
As they took their leave, Ayumi could not help but feel that something seemed off. The feeling lasted only a split second as the group bantered about lighter topics before heading back to the concert themselves.

A week had passed since the concert and Narajima Ayumi was practising her sword swings in the school's dojo as part of club activities. That was when she heard an announcement from their adviser and head trainer teacher, "Alright everyone, gather round! I have some important news."
Everyone surrounded the teacher, all discussing among themselves what the news could be. Ayumi saw Tenma together with his group of friends, smiling smugly as they laughed. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning to face the origin of the hand, she met Takeno Chiyu's smiling face.
"Alright, settle down."
The club member soon fell silent as the club adviser cleared his throat, "As you all know we have a friendly match and training session with Umesato Junior High's kendo club coming up next week. I have selected the five students who will be going along with Takeno Chiyu -san."
He made a few gestures before he started announcing the names. As each name was called out, her heart pounded in time with the applause before she heard two familiar names, "...Narajima Ayumi and lastly Tenma Godou."
Chiyu hugged and screamed for joy. It was deafening bit she understood her joy. It was an adventure they could share together as friends. She smiled at the thought as their adviser continued, "With that I need to speak to the five of you so that I can pass to you the consent forms. I'll also need to brief everyone on the details. That'll be all."
The students scattered to resume their activities, some expressing disappointment at being chosen. Most gave their congratulations before leaving.
"Ok, as for the five of you and Takeno-san. I'll be sending you the consent forms. I've also included the iterinary in the mail. I've also gotten permission for you all to be excused from classes on Friday so that we can make it by Friday afternoon."

Everyone present opened the mail they had just received before answering simultaneously, "Yes sensei."

"Good, thats all I have. Now get back to practise."

Iron Rapier dashed forward, both her swords drawn as she charged towards her spear wielding opponent. As he thrusted his spear to strike her as she charged in a predictable straight line, she side-stepped and spun with the forward thrust. She rapidly closed the distance with the momentum of the dodge, giving her opponent no time to defend himself as she drove a sword through his neck while using a normal stabbing attack as a feint. He was desperately trying to pull the sword hilariously pierced through his throat. Iron Rapier backpedaled several steps before gripping her remaining sword with both hands.
"Heavy Strike!"
The overhead strike impacted with the spearmen's head, shattering the helmet-like armor and dropping his health to zero. She loosened her grip before sheathing her sword as the reward window opened.
She felt a presence behind her whose owner spoke, "You seem bothered Rapier-san."
She immediatly recognized the voice as Ebon Knight's, "Really sempai? Do I look that bothered?"
"Your fighting style tends to be more aggressive and decisive when you're thinking of something and its bothering you."

"Really?"

"I have been watching your fights ever since you installed Brain Burst, its only natural I pick up on this."
Although it was not apparent as a duel avatar, she felt her face heat up in embarassment. Whether Ebon Knight knew this or not, he did not show it.
"However I am still surprised at how merciless and vicious your skill set is. On top of this you're going into a deep specialization for piercing."
"Is that bad sempai?"
"Well it isn't. In fact its quite an asset but it does make me concerned."
"Concerned?"
"Our duel avatar's appearance is generated based on how we see and perceive ourselves in our deepest subconscious while abilities and attributes stem from our traumas and, in very rare cases, strong wishes. In fact the very systems that creates and drives our duel avatars stem from our psyches."
"I don't really understand sempai..."
"Perhaps it is difficult to explain like this...where are you diving from?"
Ayumi was temporarily taken aback by the question before she answered, "In the cafe across the street from school."

"Alright, dive into the Unlimited Neutral Field tonight at around nine o'clock and meet me at our fortress's Leave point. We'll continue this conversation then."

Iron Rapier sweeped her gaze around the Leave Point chamber, looking for Ebon Knight's large armored form. She absently rested her hand on the hilt of top most sword on her left hip, one of a set of three with her right hip having a matching set. Despite the fact that each sword could be drawn and wielded seperately, it was still treated as a single item. She still did not fully understand why Six Avengers, her enhanced armament, was given to her though she had a feeling that she might be in denial about it. She pushed her thoughts aside as she saw the black, armored form of Ebon Knight.
"Sempai!"
"Sorry I kept you waiting. Did you wait too long?
realize that this was playing out like a date. Getting embarassed, she remained silent as Ebon Knight gestured for her to follow.
Their path winded down several corridors before exiting into a garden. The garden itself appeared to be on one of the multitude of balconies that dot the walls of the Legion Fortress which gave it a rather magnificent view of the Unlimited Neutral Field, which was currently a cold frozen wasteland.
"I didn't know there was a place like this here."
"I can understand your surprise Rapier-san...not too many in our Legion know about this place. However this is the perfect place for what I'm about to tell you. Do you remember what I said earlier today?"
"About our psyches being a source of power?"
"Yes and having an understanding of that source allows one to manipulate the system to your advantage."

Ebon Knight held up a gaunleted hand and clenched it. This seemed to cause his fist to glow with black energy. Iron Rapier noted that the black energy seemed to have a slight blue tinge to it though it was barely noticeable.

"The ability to visualize your desires and manifest them into the Accelerated World."
She stood in silence as the black energy dispersed. She thought back to all the duels and battles she had fought, realizing that none of her opponents used any abilities that glowed the way Ebon Knight's hand was glowing. The energy faded as he unclenched his fist, "That ability, to incarnate our desires is called Incarnation."
"Incarnation?"
"Its an ability that defies the very rules of Brain Burst and, depending on the strength of your will and visualization, be extremely powerful."
"If all it takes is willpower then why doesn't everyone use Incarnation? Rather why haven't I even heard of it before?"
"The existence of Incarnation is supposed to be a secret that only Legion Masters and close aides of the said Masters are privy to although only Legion Masters usually have a full understanding of Incarnation."
"Then why is sempai telling me this?"

"There are two reasons. The first is that Navy Brawler and Ruby Princess have reported that several members of Predatory Carnival, most notably their Generals. Secondly, I have a feeling that you might have the potential to use Incarnation."

"The first part I partially understand but for the second I have to say that well...to be honest how can I have the potential to use a skill that I never even knew existed until thirty seconds ago."

"You don't need to know about a skill to have the potential for it."

"That's not the point sempai...I mean you have so much faith in me even though I know nothing about all this..."

"I believe in you simply because I want to."

"Sempai, you're starting to sound like the main character of a romance comedy manga."

Ebon Knight laughed at the statement, casually turning to face the expanse of landscape beyond the fortress walls.
"If only our lives were like a manga..."
Ebon Knight fell silent, as though he was entering a comtemplative state. This worried Iron Rapier.
"Sempai? Are you alright?"
"Its nothing, just that my sister used to say the same thing to me a long time ago..."
"Your sister?"
"She died in a car accident..."
"I'm sorry sempai..."
"Its fine. The only one who should be sorry. Sorry that I was powerless to save her..."
"Sempai...is your sister the trauma that created Ebon Knight?"
"Thats correct...or rather its my trauma of being powerless to save her when she was just mere meters away. Guess thats why I was given a lance and a charge attack when I started."
"...because deep down, you wanted the power to charge forward and break through your 'powerless-ness'."
"That's one way of putting it, Rapier-san. However I am more curious about the kind of trauma that can produce Iron Rapier."
"Well I don't really know it myself..." Ebon Knight picked up on her hesitation to answer, hinting that there are issues she is unwilling to discuss. Ebon Knight simply sat down on the grass cross-legged, "Its alright if you don't want to talk about it. Traumas are a touchy subject to begin with, I just shared mine to prove a point. In fact you're the only other I've shared this with."
She blushed at the thought of knowing something special about her sempai. Iron Rapier sat down next to him after spending a few seconds enjoying the thought before she noticed something on the horizon. Ebon Knight replied as though he read her mind, "Looks like its about time."
"Time? For what?"
"See for yourself."
It started as a pink line stretching across the horizon. It gradually expanded into a colossal wave of energy surging across the landscape. Eventually, it swept over the fortress before Iron Rapier noticed that the terrain had changed completely. Instead of mountains of ice and hills of snow, wide open savannah and large rock formations dotting the landscape took their place.
"Sempai...did the field just change?"
"Yes, this happens at fixed intervals most likely for the sake of game balance."
"So that no Duel Avatar will ever have a long-term advantage in the Unlimited Neutral Field."
"Thats correct. You're quite smart you know that?"
"Well..."
"You have to be to be able to survive to level four."
"Is it really that much of an achievement, sempai?"
"You'd be surprised how few Burst Linkers actually make it past level two."
"Is it that bad?"
"Well I have heard rumors of Burst Linkers cannibalizing their children..."
"Cannibalize?"
"Its not whatever you're thinking it is. Normally every Burst Linker who receives a Brain Burst install from a 'parent'. The 'child', in turn, receives the distribution right to give to one person they wish to give Brain Burst to provided they fulfill the necessary requirements for accelerated mental functions. Also each duel avatar starts off with 100 Burst points so what happens is that the parent basically duels his or her clueless child till all of their Burst Points are gone. Hence he has an easy 100 Burst points."
"Thats just terrible..."
"I agree but it is the easiest method. Thankfully Master-san is strongly opposed to this and made it punishable by Judgement Blow."
She knew the weight of Judgement Blow as a punishment, implying that the crime is unacceptable in the Legion Master's eyes. Judgement Blow is a move granted only to Legion Masters that can only be used on Legion members that will remove all of the target's Burst Point, effectively executing the offending member.
She smiled at the thought, at least the laidback Hiromu Negishi was a good person at heart.
"He might be laidback and too carefree, but our legion master has a good heart."
"I agree sempai."
Iron Rapier stared out towards the horizon, she knew from her time with Brain Burst that it was a harsh and brutal game and that she was lucky to have met Kagama-sempai. She smiled again at the thought.

"So Ayumi-chan, whats your progess with sempai?"
"Progess? What are you talking about?"

"You know? With sempai..."

Ayumi merely blushed silently as Chiyu giggled. The bullet train sped past scenery of hills and rice fields, most of the morning being spent on the bullet train heading towards Tokyo so far. Ayumi estimated that they're probably reach Tokyo in time for lunch. In the aisle across from her, she could see Kagama and Hiromu Negishi fast asleep, with the one she knew as her Legion Master snoring away. She smiled again when she saw Kagama's sleeping face, to her it seemed so peaceful.

"Let me guess, you're still at the 'looking at him from across the classroom' phase?"

"If you keep that up I won't share my snacks with you."

"You're so mean Ayumi-chan!"

Both girls laughed.