World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman (Seitenkan)

by MrWii000

Akane Academy trains students that are reincarnations of White Iron and Black Magic warriors. One girl, who is reincarnated from both individual, soon reunites with two boy who were her lovers in each of her previous lives. TEASER PROJECT

Before we begin, welcome to my newest Funimation-Seitenken fanfic. Also, a couple things:

1. Suzaku Urushibara is described as a goth teen—not only dressing like a goth, but also sporting a right-arm tattoo that is basically a black/darker version of the one that the late "Survivor: Palau" contestant Angie Jakusz had on. (RIP)
2. Like my other Seitenkan fanfics, the original version of "World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman" belongs to its respective owners—Akamitsu Awamura (the writer) and GA Bunko (the imprint).

Enjoy

---

Volume 1

Prologue

'''This is the Prologue of the third legend…'''

Haimura Momoka was having a bizarre dream.

A beast-like roar across the battlefield, the miasma of iron hanging in the air, dry grit spreading through the mouth, the blood red dyeing the land…

A very vivid dream. Realistic enough that one could hear, smell, taste and see clearly within it.

Finally, the feel of a sword gripped in the hand. That's right, a sword.

Born a normal youth in peaceful Japan, Momoka shouldn't have any relationship with a weapon of war. In spite of this, the sword in her hand felt shockingly familiar. So much so that it felt like an extension of her body.

The beautiful holy sword with a dazzling mirror-like body was now dyed the same blood red as the land.

In the dream, Momoka was fighting alone on the battlefield, without companions. Literally, one against the multitude. Facing waves of the enemies, Momoka was just mechanically killing, killing killing—

Devoted fully to swinging her sword, she'd already long lost count of her kills. Unclad in armour but protected by a white aura as dazzling as the sun; with titanic strength granted by the dense amount of prana she was generating, Momoka crashed through the battleground like a hurricane.

Even so, her attitude remained calm and unhurried, as if she was a monster that was only fulfilling its killing nature.

Her brain argued that this was not her true self; yet in her heart she felt that this was her real self.

A truly mysterious feeling.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the massacre stopped—Momoka found herself the only person standing.

Surrounded by mountains of corpses the wind blew, whistling a haunting victory anthem.

Covered with wounds and with shaking legs, Momoka started on her first steps home. A lone journey to the battlefield, a lone journey back — was not what happened. From the distance, a white horse sped towards her on thundering hoofs.

On the horse rode a handsome boy.

Sparkling blue eyes, like stars scattered over the ocean.

Obviously highborn at one glance, with his elegantly cut white suit.

Ignoring high society etiquette by riding a horse in that gown, one could guess him to be a spirited, competitive personality.

"Sarasha! Sarasha Onee-sama!"

The boy called out in a stern yet cute voice.

That was Momoka's name in the dream. Momoka smiled when she recognized the person.

The dense fighting will and killing intent still coiled around her body dispersed like mist.

"Fraga, didn't you listen when I said not to carelessly come to the battlefield alone?" Like a chance meeting on a street, she nonchalantly called out to the boy.

"Sarasha, you also didn't listen. Didn't I beg you many times not to go to war alone?"

The boy— Fraga jumped down the from horse and hugged Momoka passionately. "Are we really that unreliable? Am I a burden?" Fraga complained as he proceeded to beat on Momoka's chest.

Momoka scratched her head but seemed to give tacit agreement by her silence.

"I know… Sarasha is the Guardian of the Holy Sword. The Strongest Swordswoman!" Fraga cried out emotionally in a rough voice.

"Still…even so…" Fraga looked at Sarasha with tears gathering in his shining eyes. "I will worry for Sarasha; so please forgive my impertinent remarks."

While he was crying, Fraga desperately leaned against her on his tiptoes. Momoka gently rubbed him on his head.

"It's fine. I should be the one asking for forgiveness. For you to worry and fear for me is such a sinful joy."

Momoka gently kissed away his tears as Fraga started blushing lightly.

"Do you love me?" He asked.

"I am able to fight only because of you." She replied.

This bloody battlefield they were standing in was all for the sake of this boy.

To Momoka, he was her entire world.

"Please continue to worry for me. In return, I promise you this: no matter how difficult the battlefield, no matter how strong the enemy, no matter how far we are, even if fate threatens to tear us apart —" Momoka whispered softly into Fraga's ears…

"I will always be victorious and return to your side."

Fraga lowered his gaze as his blush deepened all the way to the tip of his ears. Momoka suddenly hugged him tightly with her free left arm. Surprised, Fraga raised his gaze to meet hers.

Their faces were close enough to feel each others breath. Without hesitation, he moved his face closer to Momoka's.

As if to seal their promise, their lips—

With that, the dream ended and Momoka woke up.

---

Sarasha's senses and thoughts dissolved along with the dream.

Yawning, Momoka chased away her sleepiness and reorganized her thoughts.

"What a shame."

The interrupted kiss that was just reaching the interesting part was all a dream.

Momoka returned to reality, that is, the auditorium of the Independent high school, Akane Academy.

Although Momoka was a freshman, not a nervous vibe could be detected from her. In fact, even before the welcoming ceremony was halfway through, she was already napping in her chair. Still, it's not because she was being arrogant or anti-social.

It's just her natural state.

While this may be a paradox, she was the type that appears relaxed and casual in her attitude, but was surprisingly focused on her goals. And her small, small goal was to peacefully go through the next three years of high school without any major demerits.

Momoka was that kind of girl.

Swallowing back a second yawn, she rubbed her eyes and slowly opened them, and was immediately stunned.

Unexpectedly, a handsome face was right in front of her, close enough that they were breathing on each other.

Sparkling eyes, like stars scattered over the ocean.

These eyes were staring steadily at her as his whole body leaned over the seated Momoka as if to cover her up.

The whole situation was screaming "Let's kiss."

It was like a continuation of her interrupted dream. Blue and black — while the color was different, the boys' eyes were exactly the same as Fraga's.

Momoka quickly inspected the boy.

He was wearing the school-issued uniform for male and pinned on his small chest was a name tag written:

[1-1 (White) Ranjou Satoshi].

Momoka was also a Year 1 Class 1 student, thus it seemed like he was a classmate. Still, although it's obvious, his name was not Sarasha.

What the hell was going on? What was with this intimate distance?

While Momoka was frozen, the boy's — Satoshi's face loomed closer.

Could that regretful interruption of the dream's kiss be continuing in reality? Was that even possible?

Just thinking of the softness of those bud-like lips, her heart started to pound and a squeak escaped her throat. She reflexively closed her eyes, awaiting the moment.

"BANG"

As if using a blunt instrument, Satoshi swung his forehead back, and then forward hard into hers. "….?"

The supposed kiss, was actually a headbutt.

What was supposed to be lip to lip, was actually forehead to forehead.

What was supposed to be an expression of love, was actually a declaration of hostility.

Feeling overwhelmed, Momoka groaned in a mixture of shock, disappointment and pain.

"Are you awake now?" Satoshi asked in a sarcastic voice.

His rare, cute voice rang out like a clear bell. What a waste.

Folding his arms, the single ponytail tied on the back of his head swayed around like a whip.

"What are you trying to do all of a sudden…?" Momoka glared at him while holding her forehead.

"It's punishment. For rude people who sleep shortly into the welcoming ceremony," declared Satoshi, looking down on her while emitting intense pressure.

"Everyone has already left for their classroom, but you are still dozing away. It's simply unbelievable."

The more than 100 freshmen had already disappeared, leaving an empty hall.

"I hate people with no enthusiasm."

"Isn't a headbutt too much just for that reason?"

"I was also enraged because you seem to be expecting something else."

"About that, I apologize."

"That's right. Plus I already have someone I like."

True. No way in the world would an unknown boy suddenly come up and give you a kiss.

Momoka sincerely reflected on her expectations.

"It's not that I have no enthusiasm." After reflecting, she felt that she should explain herself.

"It's just that the principal's welcoming address was too long, and I dozed off unknowingly. I will be motivated from now, so please spare me."

"His speech wasn't that long." Although she had already lowered her head, it only resulted in Satoshi's reproach.

His upturned eyes started burning with zeal.

Momoka smiled bitterly. The boy was handsome, even when piqued his attractiveness was not lowered.

Ahhhh~. How should I appease him?

Giving up on further protest, she started musing on how to escape from this situation. But —

" The principal said this." Satoshi started orating with elation.

" 'We are the Saviors specially chosen from everywhere in Japan. Ones who possess power. Thus, we can never forget our responsibilities and duties which must be taken up! Our gifts must be used for justice….' That's what the principal said. Don't you think its valuable input?"

Satoshi, who was getting more excited as he went on, started twisting his body. Originally holding his arms, it became like hugging himself with his face flushing red.

Momoka was shocked to silence.

Cannot understand. Totally cannot understand, She swallowed back those words that she wanted to say.

Still, Satoshi noticed her cold, pitying eyes and gave a cough. Fearing the near loss of his dignity, he tried to cover it up by extending a finger upward.

"So…so in conclusion. As you are a Savior, you must be a great person in your past life? Thus, have some awareness and train yourself seriously. Since we are classmates, let's work hard together."

A totally enthusiastic statement. He must be a kind person at heart to want to have a good relationship even with those that he disliked for slacking.

Momoka scratched her head and her displeasure disappears.

"If you fall asleep again, I will start scolding," said Satoshi as he smiled brightly for the first time.

A smile as bright as the sun, like pouring out from the boundless energy in his body. For Momoka, or anyone else, they'd be charmed by that smile.

"Please take care of me from today onwards."

Satoshi stretched out his hand and Momoka held it without hesitation.

When their hands touched, suddenly — a familiar feeling shot through him, sharp enough to tear at her heart. Even so, this feeling was relaxing. Like a migratory bird returning to its' nest after a long flight.

What is this?, Momoka thought ,as she was thrown into confusion.

Satoshi's smile froze.

"My sister once said…..." Satoshi started talking as if in a trance, face flushed as if feverish.

"No matter how difficult the battlefield, no matter how strong the enemy, no matter how far we are, no matter if fate threatens to tear us apart…"

To Satoshi's words, Momoka never expected herself to reply automatically:

"I will always be victorious and return to your side."

A deep silence descended.

In the empty auditorium, Momoka and Satoshi stared at each other.

Like lovers reunited after being torn apart by fate and lost throughout time and space, they stared at each other.

That silence was broken by the school bell.

"You are Fraga right?" Momoka asked confidently.

Her first impression of Satoshi, that sudden feeling of familiarity…did not appear to be wrong.

"Are you…Sarasha?" Satoshi asked in a hoarse voice.

By saying each others name, hope turned to affirmation.

"Sarasha…Sarasha…" Satoshi looked as if his fondest dream has come true.

His tearing gaze at Momoka turned hotter, and he said: "I had a feeling that I would find you here…."

Satoshi pulled the hand he was holding towards his chest, as if a priceless treasure.

However Momoka's expression turned bitter as he looked at Satoshi, who had totally switched to gentleman-in-love mode, and said," Sorry, but I don't really have much recollection of my past life."

Momoka strongly felt that it would be dishonest and unfair to him if she didn't make that clear.

"Eh?"

Satoshi suddenly dropped Momoka's hand that he had been holding on to preciously just a moment ago.

"Really? You really don't remember? How you were praised as the best in swordsmanship and Prana mastery? The strongest Guardian of the Holy Sword in any generation? How you destroyed the armies of the Empire almost single-handedly?"

At his frantic questions, Momoka just shook her head.

All those accomplishments seemed so unreal that she never bothered to take note of them.

Satoshi paused, and whispered with a horrified face:

"Did you forget…..about me?"

"I'm sorry," replied Momoka. Satoshi's face turned white.

"Didn't they explain right at the start of the ceremony? About how much one can recall their past life is dependent on the individual. For me, I almost have no recollections," Momoka tried explaining in a vague manner.

"In certain point of view you may be right to say that I'm unfaithful. Am I…I mean Sarasha, in my past life…lovers with you?" Momoka asked delicately.

Fraga expression turns sickly.

What a waste when he so handsome…., Momoka could only bemoan silently.

Still, his childish behavior was really interesting and cute,

"No, we were nothing of that sort," Satoshi angrily turned his head to the side, with the ponytail swinging along.

"You were JUST my Sister and I was JUST your younger brother," grumbled Satoshi, still not looking at him.

"I see. Did you call me Onee-sama?" Momoka tried to remember the dream she just had.

"I can't say with that atmosphere…..we were just a pair of siblings."

"That's not true. We were JUST a normal pair of siblings."

Satoshi was emphasizing the word "JUST" again.

Their behaviours were more akin to lovers in Momoka's opinion.

Still, if he says so, it should be true…I guess? Momoka thought as she completely let her doubts show on her face.

At her expressions, Satoshi screamed out, "Irritating! We were not in that kind of relationship!"

Just when she wanted to mention that he was finally facing her again, Satoshi's eyes tightened in anger.

A full posture of denial—tightened fists, thrown back shoulders, an angry loud voice.

"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! THERE IS NOTHING! WE DIDN'T GO OUT ON DATES WHEN WE HAD FREE TIME! WE DIDN'T KISS…" He screamed out with his full strength.

"…AND WE ABSOLUTELY DIDN'T FALL INTO A FORBIDDEN LOVE!"

Momoka's mind went blank.

She wasn't looking for trouble, but she definitely had stepped on a landmine and was now stuck in an awkward situation.

She could only think that the world was playing some kind of a joke on her.

This was not the time to be fantasizing. But looking at the steaming Satoshi who was covering his mouth with both hands and a look of Oops, I said it; she could not help but recall that scene in her dream again.

"…"

Silently looking at each other, and simultaneously looking away.

Satoshi with a flustered face, and Momoka looking everywhere but him.

The mood was really awkward and embarrassing, and could not be easily escaped.

Momoka was looking everywhere in a desperate hope for something in the surrounding to allow her to escape—and she found it.

Behind where Momoka was sitting, further to the back of the hall.

Originally thought to be an empty auditorium, was another boy sitting on a chair, sleeping.

"Ummm, hey…over there."

"Ah…there's another rude person! I need to go wake him up!"

At Momoka's pointing finger, Satoshi leaped towards the new target. Like partners in crime, both were in tune with each other for a way to gracefully exit the situation just now.

Both moved quickly to the side of the sleeping boy.

---

The boy was a hunk who easily matched Satoshi. If one were to make a comparison, Satoshi would be the energetic and cheerful type, while this boy is the graceful and serene type. Even at this location, sitting on a metal frame chair, he was still very charming.

Short black hair spiked up in a gothic style, huis looks just made you want to sigh in appreciation. To the extent that one would think of him as a work of art by some master craftsman.

The name tag on his chest stated:

[1-1 (Black) Urushibara Suzaku]…

It seems that this boy was also a classmate.

Subsequently, after looking at the name tag, even if you were unwilling you would notice it. This handsome girl that was like a doll had a exposed chest that was shown by his tightly worn, exposed black tank top. In terms of its sensuality or hardness, it could not be said to be compatible with his quiet beauty. Still, maybe due to the sharp contrast, the overall image could only be called super sexy…

Momoka inadvertently glanced at a certain location on Satoshi.

It's a pity that it's not so rigged.

Strictly speaking, there were some slight curves. Yes there were. But, after looking at the muscular curves of Suzaku, you'd feel that Satoshi's slight, slight shapes are just an afterimage.

"What are you comparing, Sarasha?"

Satoshi was frowning at her. How…how sensitive!

"I'm called Momoka."

"Don't evade the question! Also, Sarasha is Sarasha."

"Satoshi, I won't reply to you if you don't call me Momoka."

"…If I call you Momoka, can I go berserk?"

"I sincerely apologize. Please have some mercy…WAIT."

Momoka's tone and eyes became sharper.

Sensing her seriousness, Satoshi lowered his raised fists.

Momoka was staring fixedly at Suzaku.

"Ummm, ummmm, Momoka? This…this boy…." Looks like Satoshi also noticed it.

Both of them concentrated on Suzaku.

His eyes are closed, but what's alarming is that there's totally no breathing motion on his packed chest. It looked like…Momoka forced down her rising panic, and rushed forward to check on his condition. Supporting herself on his chair, she lean down and put her face in front of his.

His neck is so white that one could not imagine that there's blood flowing under the skin.

You're joking. Tell me this isn't happening…

If there was no breathing, then the situation is bad…

Momoka, with no hesitation, moved her ear right in front of the motionless Suzaku's lips.

Was Suzaku still breathing?

"Sue…Saura…"

A tiny exhalation with his voice. He's alive!

Momoka is surprised, but before she can think further, her head is grabbed on both side.

Gently but firmly her face is pulled right to the front of Suzaku's face.

Having woken up silently and stealthily, his eyes are already opened.

Those deep dark orbs are concentrated on Momoka's features.

The only unnerving part was his ice-like face. While his sleeping expression was like that of a doll, when awake he's like a Noh Mask, totally no expression.

"Good morning… Sweetheart…"

Then, Suzaku's face came closer slowly.

Another headbutt?

What a lousy day this is. Momoka wanted to hold her head and lament. Still, with her head grabbed tightly by Suzaku, she can't move an inch.

At least she can brace herself for the impact—

[Chu…]

Suzaku's lips lightly touch Momoka's. What an unexpected development.

Momoka took a few seconds to realize that she just experienced what was known to society as a [kiss].

Thus, while she was enjoying the allure, temptation and physical feel of a boy's lips—

"WHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATAREYOUDOINGGGGGGGGGGGG RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR BROTHER?!" Satoshi suddenly seized Momoka from the back. Intending to physically separate her from Suzaku's side, but—

"Wait Wait Wait. In any case, both of you keep away from me." Momoka back-pedaled away from the two boys, pulling her head out of Suzaku's grip too.

No time to dwell on the lingering feeling of that kiss.

What a waste. Momoka felt like crying.

Regardless, an angry Satoshi is no joke. Like a demon, he pursued him relentlessly:

"How dare you, in front of me and to other boys, ki…ki….ki…..kiss! You…you unfaithful playgirl!"

Momoka tried to mount a defense: "What do you mean in front of you? If we are brother and sister, there's no need for you to get angr-"

"This is this and that is that!" Satoshi interrupted Momoka's excuses.

Like a sonic weapon, the assault from left and right threatened to blow out Momoka's eardrums.

What this and that? Why is Satoshi so angry? Totally cannot comprehend.

"Sarasha, that bitch! What did she do to you in your previous life…?"

"It's easier to list down what she didn't do to me!"

"Sarasha, that fucking bitch. Don't tell me she's a villain…?"

"That's right! I was driven to tears many times by her. In fact I feel like crying now!"

"Really? What an evil person…"

"Don't talk like it's none of your business! It's obviously you who did those things!"

"I already said I don't remember."

"You are talking like a politician. Are you trying to act dumb. You Heart-breaker!"

Listening to Satoshi's complains, Momoka is reaching her limits.

I'm only 15 years old. It's a first to be called a heart-breaker…. Obviously clueless, Momoka could only sigh in her heart. Being scolded fiercely for no reason, yet she couldn't do anything.

"ZZZZzzzzzz…."

"Don't go back to sleep!"

"I got into trouble because of you." Momoka could not help but palming her face.

"Hey! Wake up, you incubus."

Luckily, Satoshi had switched his target and was roughly shaking Suzaku awake.

"You! What were you trying to pull seducing my Sarasha?" My Sarasha…. How much of a brocon is he? Although Momoka had long since discarded the notion that Satoshi is a normal brother

"I mistook the person," replied Suzaku expressionlessly when he was forced awake by Satoshi's roar of rage.

"You would kiss someone you mistook?"

"I was half-asleep."

"You would kiss someone while half-asleep?"

"Why are you so agitated?"

"Even me, I've not been kissed in this life yet! How dare you jump the queue?"

Originally thinking that Satoshi would continue to rage further, instead he became a shivering, crying lump. What a temperamental boy with his rapid mood swings.

"…Really?" In contrast, Suzaku remained cool and expressionless.

His thoughts hidden, Suzaku looked towards Momoka.

"Me…?" Momoka pointed at herself.

Suzaku nodded his head, and asked:

"How were my lips?"

"Are you asking me for feedback?"

"It's for future reference."

"What are you trying to practice for? In any case, why aren't you in shock or anything?"

"Not really. It's not like I lose anything."

Suzaku replied unconcernedly, while Momoka felt her face stiffening.

Come to think of it. This person actually went back to sleep after with no care or concern. Momoka, like facing a fearsome beast, looked carefully at Suzaku.

"—It'll decrease."

"What will?"

"Your value as a boy will decrease. Please take more care."

"Your words are very amusing."

"In any situation, I believe that it'll be your words that are funny."

Although broken out of her pacing by Suzaku, looking at his calm beauty, Momoka decided that she should just let it go.

Suzaku twitched his mouth and revealed lovely dimples. Although he looked like an introvert, it was still a very bewitching smile.

Obviously a natural-born hunk, don't always keep an expressionless face. What a waste. Momoka muttered in her heart.

"Then, if it happens again, I shall try to be surprised."

"Please do."

"Like this?"

Saying that, Suzaku woodenly gave a monotone "Ahhhh", clapping his cheeks with both hands.

"That's great. PERFECT." Momoka casually clapped a few times.

"My value as a boy didn't decrease, right?"

"It went up in a straight line," Momoka replied jokingly.

While harmlessly joking around, this was proving to be quite fun. Momoka really thought that.

"Why are the two of you looking like you are enjoying yourselves? Even though it's your first meeting?"

Momoka heard this very displeased voice. For Satoshi who was temporarily pushed out of the scene, he started expelling his angst as only a young boy could, with tears in his eyes.

"How are you going to recompense me," demanded Satoshi as he turn his reproachful gaze at Suzaku.

Suzaku, as if the matter doesn't concern him at all, turned his head away.

Momoka then realized she had been setup. A setup to point Satoshi's anger at her via introducing a flammable subject into their conversation.

"Ah…no…..that is…"

How would you explain away this awkward situation? Just when Momoka was groping for words…

"Why are you so heartless to me? Onee-sama is an idiot! Dummy! Two-Faced Shape-shifter."

"Two-Faced Shape-shifter….."

"If you like that man so much, just marry him!" After that salvo, Satoshi ran out of the auditorium crying.

It ended up being a mess from beginning to the end.

"A person as tempestuous as a storm."

Regarding Suzaku's statement, Momoka could only agree.

Then—

"Shall we go? Since we are in the same class, it should be the class meeting after this?"

"I'll stay here for a while longer."

"You'll be late."

"That's my intention," replied Suzaku calmly as he leaned back on his chair. "Everyone has gone over earlier, are you the same type as them?"

"If possible, I would like to spend my school life in an orderly manner." Momoka expressed her sincere wish.

It's not easy to get into a school that provide free tuition and amenities. I cannot let this chance go to waste. This was Momoka's opinion.

"I see. It's the opposite for me."

On the other hand, that was what Suzaku said. Still, in Momoka's eyes, he did not seem like a delinquent boy. If you had to state it, it was more like he was a person ,who was extremely indolent, more specifically—a person who is weary of the world.

Hmmmm. Anyway….

She didn't really want to nag at anyone.

"So I'll make a move first. By the way, can I ask you a question?"

Suzaku nodded his head.

"Those words in your dream. Did you mentioned Sue Saura?"

"It's just meaningless sleep talk," Suzaku replied after a short hesitation.

"Really? Still, although it's embarrassing, can you listen to what I have to say without laughing at me?"

Momoka was going to scratch her head after saying that, but thought better of it. Changing her mood, she asked a question with a serious expression.

"Were you the Warlock of the Netherworld?"

Suzaku's expression remained frozen.

Like a Noh Mask, you cannot penetrate his defenses or guess his thoughts.

Still, Momoka strongly stated:

"In my dreams, I was known as (Queen of the Netherworld) The Pluto, Delilah."

Momoka frequently dreamt bizarre dreams.

According to explanations from Akane Academy, those are fragments of memories from her past life.

And, in her dreams—

Sometimes she is called Sarasha.

Sometimes she is known as Delilah.

That's right. Although minute fragments, it was undeniable.

Momoka had memories of 2 past lives.

End of Prologue

---

Chapter 1
The School of «SAVIORS»

The one, single reason why Momoka successfully entered the private Akane Academy: He is a special person.

Not in the present, but in an ancient time tens of thousands of years ago….

Not on Earth, but in a distant galaxy hundreds of millions light year away….

As a hero, battling endlessly.

A special person who had such a previous life.

With dreams as a medium to experience memories of their past life— their heroic actions, thoughts and accomplishments;

Possessors of indomitable souls that literally resisted the eons of grinding from the sands of time, until finally reincarnating into the world again, these people are known as SAVIORS.

Akane Academy is a school that only accepts and trains students who are SAVIORS, and Momoka is one of them.

Her aptitudes were discovered in her third year of middle school. After listening to explanations from the relevant authorities, she was admitted into this school.

Barely into her high school life and she already suffered a shock.

Satoshi, known as Fraga in his previous life, was Sarasha's younger brother.

To meet him again in spite of the unimaginably low odds involved in reincarnation, Momoka can only believe in the hands of fate.

Of course, it's also impossible for her to treat Satoshi as her brother immediately.

As Momoka walks into the classroom, she has eye contact with the seated Satoshi, who immediately turns his head away.

Looks like he's still angry.

Still, in no time at all, Momoka felt his hot, burning gaze on her. A boy who cannot be honest with himself.

(Really. Something really amazing happened just now after the welcoming ceremony.) Momoka can only smile bitterly.

Anyway, let's ignore all that, looks like the first class meeting is starting. Since Momoka had not sorted out her thoughts and feelings yet, she decided to ignore them temporarily.

In the Year 1 Class 1 classroom, everyone is sitting according to their class number. Momoka is seated in the middle of the last row.

There's exactly 30 students in the class, and everyone's a Savior. Perhaps due to their awareness of the importance of first impressions, everyone looked filled with confidence and ambitions. An attitude not expected from highschool students.

(In comparison…)

Momoka distractedly looked at the woman standing the lectern. An unremarkable woman around 40s, with black rim glasses and a side-parting hairstyle. An unhappy face just like that of a tired office worker.

"For this 1 year, I will be the teacher in charge of this class. My name is Tanaka Taru so let's get along."

Even the name is unremarkable. "Although this is a refresher, please pay attention. As all of you are special, please have the self-awareness and train hard during the 3 years of high school to become an outstanding Savior—"

After hastily doing her introduction, Tanaka started on a heavy topic.

Most of the students in the class were sitting upright and paying close attention on the lecture.

Momoka had never attended those private schools with entrance exams before, so she guessed that the mood of those schools is similar to this one?

The serious atmosphere is poles apart from the relaxed normal public schools she was attending up until last year, so she's having some trouble adapting. Now she is ashamed of herself for taking lightly Satoshi's warning to her not to fall asleep.

(Maybe I've been fooling around too much.)

Ok, I should buck up now.

"Universally known as the Ancestral Arts, those are the miraculous powers that everyone used in their previous life. In this life, you should ultimately be able to wield it easily and effortlessly. Maybe you will have some doubts on that since you are not able to manifest anything now, that maybe you do not have the ability? Not to worry, me and the other sensei will patiently teach you all how to access your talents. As the first year concentrates on getting the basic down firmly, the lessons may be repetitive and boring, but I hope that everyone will put forth their best efforts…"

The miraculous powers used in the previous life, known as Ancestral Arts.

Hearing that, Momoka recalled scenes of Sarasha's fight.

The pure white aura swirling around the body; exhibiting superhuman abilities and martial powers. If you really can tap into that power, it's not too far-fetched to call it miraculous.

Momoka softly clenches and unclenches her fists.

Similarly, several students were looking at their hands and doing the same thing.

Shooting a glance at the seat beside the corridor—Satoshi is busy taking down notes, probably writing down Tanaka's words.

(Sensei already said that this is a refresher. Isn't what she said already written down in the school introduction guidebook distributed before the start of the school term?)

Although he could be considered the most serious and enthusiastic in the class, his attitude is dangerously entering the realm of comedy.

"Even so, when everyone is independent, you will be solicited to enter the (The Order) White Knight Order as an official member, and help to battle the Metaphysical.

"Sensei?" A female student raised her arm.

After Tanaka determined her name in the class register and called her, the student stood up respectfully. Momoka paid attention to this student who looked to be full of vigor.

"About that so-called Metaphysical, does it really exist? Before we entered the school, the explanation was kind of vague and we were told that more details would be given in Akane Academy.

"Ah. I would like to know more too."

"Is it really giant monsters?"

"Ya. These few years, the internet is rife with various postings like {I've been attacked by monsters, any questions for me?} or {My house is burned down by monsters. My life is over ＼（^o^）／.} Are you referring to those kinds of stuffs?"

Since one student asked, various other students also jump onto the wagon. Although more rowdy compared to the respectful tone shown by the initial student, the other students seems to be in good spirits.

Tanaka nods her head as she answers the students' questions.

"Yes, about that. That information is considered classified as decided by the United Nations during secret meetings. Since this includes not letting the general public becoming aware of the existence of Saviors like all of you, of course the Metaphysical information is not widely known." Although rumors or word-of-mouth from victims cannot be totally prevented, related information is never shown on the mass media. Naturally, as people connected to Akane Academy, we are also banned from leaking relevant information to outsiders."

"Sensei, does that mean you have the relevant information?"

Tanaka nodded her head, took out and starts to operate a remote control.

In the midst of surprised cries from the students present, the blackboard at the front of the classroom split in half straight down the middle. Whirling on mechanical rails, the split parts slide to the left and the right, revealing the giant LCD screen hidden within the walls.

(What the hell. That's so cool.) Momoka was touched by this scene.

"So then, although this is only a short video, let's all have a look."

Tanaka started the display.

(What kind of school did I enter? Ah….Ah…..). Momoka rest her face in her hands as she concentrated on the screen.

A view of the ocean filled the screen.

Loud whirling sound, it seems the video was taken on board a helicopter from a rather high altitude.

(Isn't there any closer view?) — No one demanded this.

That's because one look is all everyone needed to know how dangerous the scene was.

A massive mega-tonnage cargo ship lied capsized on its side and entangled by a monster. This means, the monster is more massive than the giant ship, and is so strong that it can flip the cargo ship to one side.

A quick description of the monster would be that of a headless squid or octopus, else a starfish with dozens of limbs.

A massive maw in the middle of the body with many bloody teeth gashing together.

Those massive limbs or tentacles are undulating constantly and wrapping around the cargo vessel. The massive steel frames that were strongly designed to withstand oceanic storms are now moaning in distress, and apparently on the verge of collapse.

The view is so disgusting it makes one want to throw up, though everyone in class is staring fixedly at the screen. It may be too much for some students, as some are holding their handkerchief to their mouth.

Momoka is thinking:

So that's a Metaphysical.

A monster that does not belong on this world, any place on Earth or any other natural environment.

"In all the Metaphysical that appeared in our country, that sea monster was the biggest ever recorded," Tanaka started lecturing to the class.

"During that battle, over a hundred Saviors were deployed, led by one of the Six Heads, the White Knight Order Japan Branch Head, Suruga Ami. Even so, it was a life and death battle that took more than 4 hours before the monster was destroyed. Although up til now Metaphysical would not appear frequently, but when one does appear, only Saviors are capable of battling it. I hope all of you can engrave this into your heart."

How many people, excluding Momoka, actually heard any of that?

Most of them are watching the screen with their mouth opened.

Dozens of Saviors with bloodthirsty faces rushed to battle the Dreadnought Class Metaphysical.

They are all super-humans, wrapped in flaring auras and running on the water effortlessly, wielding various weapons skillfully. Not only that, military helicopters were hovering in the airspace, carrying many other Saviors using dark arts, raining down lightning bolts like rain.

Is this the power of Saviors? The video clip playing in front of them is too shocking for words.

Even so, in front of the Dreadnought Class Metaphysical, they all looked like ants fighting a lion.

Maybe everyone in class is imagining themselves to be one of those ants.

After that clip, the screen continued to show various other clips of other Metaphysicals.

A giant double headed snake breathing clouds of poison, a giant ape with 6 arms that emits fire and a feline that can camouflage itself like a chameleon. While they are not as enormous as the cargo-ship crushing sea monster, they are still impressive monsters with high fighting abilities.

When an imposing 4-eyed humanoid giant appeared, everyone held their breath.

[Metaphysical suddenly appeared 6 years ago. Where did they come from? What's their life-cycle? Even now we have no answers to those questions. What we do know is that they are drawn to assaulting populated areas, and that the only thing that can stand against them is us Saviors.]

The entire video presentation took about 10 minutes. During that time, the class was silent as a tomb.

What a surprise—Momoka looked around, feeling slightly depressed.

The entire class is now as solemn as a wake. Where did the boisterous high school spirit disappear to?

Fights with various strange and alien monsters. Momoka had experienced those many times in his dreams. She had originally thought that everyone here was the same, since everyone appeared so confident just now. She even felt that there might be some who would proclaim they are itching to have a go at those foes.

"Ah, my bad. I seemed to have frightened you all a little bit. Metaphysical may be strong and fearsome, but we have the advantage of numbers. We have also developed many tactics involving swarming the enemy and supporting each other, slowly and carefully whittling away at the enemy no matter how much time it takes. In this manner, it's actually quite rare if someone dies in battle. And this school is founded to train you sufficiently in those tactics. As you are special, you are important personnel of the country. We will not carelessly abandon any of you, so please do not worry—"

Tanaka pretended not to notice the change in the mood, and tried to continue the class meeting via brute force.

The initial female student sitting near the windows is slump against her seat, so demoralized that she couldn't even stay standing.

What is wrong with everyone? Tanaka is starting to become more flustered.

The strained tension in the classroom is gradually reaching the breaking point.

If the class falls into hysterics just on the first day, the future looks bleak. The cloud of unease keeps swirling around in the air…..

BAAAAMMMMMM!

A sharp bang on a desk shattered the silence.

Momoka turned her head to look. Satoshi is standing up with both hands on him desk.

"Born in XXX prefecture. Class number 30. My name is Ranjou Satoshi…."

Satoshi with shining eyes is declaring loudly.

While everyone is stunned, it seeps into Momoka that he is doing his introduction.

"I will strive hard to be the 2nd most powerful Savior in the school. So follow me everyone!"

Satoshi started to twirl his ponytail and posed proudly.

His spirit is really commendable. His action easily swept away the gloom in the classroom and apparently woke everyone out of their flunk.

This could be said to be a kind of leadership quality—

Satoshi was looking at Momoka sideways, showing a [How is it? Want to praise me?] naïve look.

Unfortunately…..nope. Are you such a big shot that you can boast so proudly? Momoka can only smile bitterly to convey that message.

(And you ONLY want to be the 2nd strongest. That's really kind of you.)

It's really comical if you think about it. Plus…

(Your words lack conviction.)

Still, from the way he was preaching to her on her nap earlier, it could be seen that he's a born busybody. With his forceful tone, the initial impression would be that he's looking for a fight.

What a waste of his kind-hearted nature. It really makes one want to cry.

The other students who heard his audacious declaration started yelling themselves.

"Why the hell should we follow an unknown wench like you!"

"That's right. You are too damn cocky."

"Uguuuu…."

Probably not expecting the negative reaction, Satoshi seemed taken aback.

"What the hell? That's because all of you are so pathetic just now, so the great me just had to take you under my wings and teach you all how to be superb Saviors. It's better if he had kept his mouth shut, but now he just poured oil onto the fire.

"Teach others…. is that something you can force on others?"

"Faggot, you think you are so great?"

"Be a superb Savior? I can fucking do that by myself if I try!"

"Don't be so arrogant! KNOW YOUR PLACE!"

Satoshi, suffering from a continuous barrage of rebuke, had long lost his head and is pushing back.

"SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP! I'll show you how great I am. When that happens don't come crying to me to beg for my forgiveness."

A great aspiration has unknowingly degraded into a childish fight in a comedy sitcom.

(Are you all elementary kids…)

Mamoka covered her face. She really cannot bear to watch anymore.

The great debate of Satoshi vs. most of the class— no, it's a fight, continued on.

"Ah, Sensei? Time is precious; can we continue with the self-introductions?" She tried asking quickly to the highest authority in class.

"Hmmm? Ah yes, everyone should treasure each other as a precious classmate. So then, let's start with the student number 1 for self-introduction."

Tanaka had caught on with Momoka's intention.

Although she has an unremarkable appearance, Momoka felt that right at that moment she is acting like a proper sensei.

"Yes! I am number 1…"

Anyway, although there are some people who are still bickering with Satoshi, the depressed vigorous girl from before stood up energetically for her self-introduction.

Satoshi face lighted up as if to say "I'm saved." Looking at Momoka with his sparkly handsome eyes, it's like he's declaring "Onee-sama, I trust you forever!"

It's not like she wanted to play the role of an elder sister. With a complicated feeling, Momoka converses silently with her eyes to Satoshi not to worry about it.

The self-introduction carried on.

"I also came to this school with the aim of becoming the strongest Savior. Please take care of me everyone."

"It's a mandate from heaven to have me fight for justice and peace. I will work hard to learn all I can."

"My most pressing goal is to get a promotion to Rank C as soon as possible."

What is this? Everyone is actually pretty confident and ambitious.

Spurred by Satoshi, everyone is rushing to declare their similarly lofty goals.

"In my past life I've fought worse stuffs than that crappy thing. Metaphysical? Very well, watch me kill them all!"

"Ohhh, isn't someone sooooooo very proud of their past life?"

"Shut your mouth! We are the Saviors! Isn't this that kind of school? I'll protect the country with my own hands!"

"Hey that's not too bad. Allies of Justice, it has a nice ring to it."

Finally, the descent into past-life boasting and the catcalls that followed.

The atmosphere did become more festive, but self-introductions had been abandoned.

Momoka looked coldly at the banter happening around him, as if she had a different thinking from the rest of them.

She is definitely not laughing at the dreams and future of her classmates.

She does not dislike the boisterous mood of the class.

It's just that…listening to a whole day of "Justice" and "Saviors", she already felt like puking. Just because of this, Momoka's mood drops to the absolute bottom, and she'd like nothing better than to escape as far away as possible.

Still, if it were just because of this small reason then it would be inconsequential. The real reason is because…..

Momoka who was lost in her thoughts suddenly snapped back to awareness of her surroundings. That's because the class had suddenly turned deadly quiet.

What? Momoka looked around for the cause.

All her classmates are concentrating their gazes on a boy.

Sitting to Momoka's front and left is…..Suzakzu.

(What happened?)

Momoka was astonished. From her position, she can only see her spiky, short black hair, not his face.

Still, even if she can't see it, it must still be that ice mask?

"I say….you must be Urushibara-san? Is anything the matter?"

Tanaka is probing gently while checking the class register.

"Does your stomach hurt? Are you still frightened after watching the Metaphysical video? Or are you too shy to do a self-introduction? Maybe you have a joke to share with everyone for a good laugh?"

Just when everyone is feeling alarmed, Suzaku….

"ZZZZZZzzzzzzz…"

"You are sleeeeepingggggg againnnnnnnn!" Satoshi jumped out from his seat as he screamed out what everyone is thinking.

Momoka feels exhausted for a moment, while at the same time she cannot help but praise him. It's unknown if Suzaku can naturally fall asleep anytime and anywhere, but after the Metaphysical clip, Satoshi's fight, and the self-introduction, he still can slip off into dreamland. In a certain sense, it's not something that can be accomplished by those without a sufficient amount of guts.

(Didn't he say that he wanted to be late and go through high school disorderly?)

It's certain that he lacks drive. His attitude is completely reversed from most of the class who used the self-introduction time to toot their own horn. Why would he come to Akane Academy which is basically a training facility for Saviors? It's a mystery.

(He's really a strange person). Momoka seriously thought that, recalling the conversation with him just now.

---

"Are you the Warlock of the Netherworld?"

"Excuse me?"

No matter how much she fixated on him, his frozen mask-like face hid his thoughts and feelings.

"Are you still playing dumb? I should have been together with you in our past lives too."

Even so, Momoka continued to question him.

That's because Suzaku clearly called her Sue Saura, and also "Sweetheart" shortly after.

Momoka have memories of 2 past lives.

One of which is Sarasha, who is the protector of Fraga, and another.

She's not sure which life came first and which second, but she is very sure that the current Haimura Momoka is reincarnated on this Earth after 2 previous lives. In the other life, Momoka is called Sue Saura, the Pluto feared and hated by all.

"I have very little memories of Sue Saura, and what I do have consisted mainly of her lone battles. But…"

A major difference from Sarasha's life.

"Sue Saura had a very trusted confidant. Someone who seem to serve as her right hand as well as her consort. An exceptional man known as the Warlock of the Netherworld or The Royal Warlock. I'm sure you noticed that I don't sound very sure of myself. That's because while I'm sure of his existence, I can only vaguely remember those titles, and not his name or appearance."

If Suzaku is really the reincarnation of that warlock, Momoka would like to apologize for her amnesia.

Just like how she apologized to Satsuki.

After saying her piece, Monoka remained silent.

Silently waiting for Suzaku's reply.

"My apologies. For a while now I don't really follow what you were trying to say." And, Suzaku denied her again.

"Is that so? All right then."

Since she is getting nowhere with her inquiries, then it must be her misunderstanding then.

Wanting to apologize is only fulfilling her self-gratification.

(My apologies. Please forget what I said.) When Momoka wanted to say that—

"I heard about this before. If someone said "Have we met before", be careful of being accosted," Suzaku serenely said.

"Wait. Stop. I don't have that kind of meaning."

Don't destroy the mood! Return to me my sweet feelings of sorrows! Momoka wanted to protest.

Then, she saw the small smile on his face, and realized— he's joking.

"You are quite the joker, aren't you?" complained Momoka.

"You are really a strange girl."

"That's wrong. It's the reverse, right?. You are the strange person here."

"That's so impolite. I'm a very normal boy."

"No. I've never met a boy as strange as you…..ever."

"How can a strange person like you say that?"

"Okay. Let's stop this endless looping argument."

Momoka then bitterly left to look for her classroom.

For some reason Suzaku, who originally intended to be late also left his seat.

Curious, Momoka chose to remain silent. Along with the similarly silent Suzaku, the two of them, without any conversation, walked side by side to the classroom.

---

That was what happened just recently.

And the self-introductions came to an end. The awoken Suzaku and the ambitionless Momoka successfully go through their turn with short sentences. The last number, Satoshi, was willing to go through a second turn, but he could only retreat (with teary eyes) in the face of the class rage.

After that, Tanaka conveyed some other class matters and the class meeting adjourned.

That's also the end of the school day for that day. The time is just barely past noon.

As Akane Academy is a boarding school, you can just go back to the hostels for meals.

Momoka is preparing to go back for lunch after stuffing the distributed lecture materials into her bag.

"A moment of your time?"

Momoka raised her head at Suzaku.

Something interesting seems to be happening on the 1st day, thus everyone is taking quick glances at the two of them. Unnoticed by Momoka, Satoshi is also perking his ears at their directions.

While Momoka is wondering what Suzaku is up to, she waited patiently for him to continue.

"Do you have time after this?"

"Sorry. Since I'm in high school now I was thinking of looking for a part-time job after this."

It's a shame, but she had to turn down Suzaku's invitation.

Earn your own pocket money. You are not a woman if you do not understand that.

"It's against the school rules to have a part-time job."

"What?"

Her worth as a woman was destroyed suddenly.

"Damn it….."

Momoka cursed as she digs into her uniform pocket, looking for the student handbook to check the school regulations.

Instead, her fingers touched a cold metallic object.

"Ah right," said Momoka as she took out the object.

It is a student ID Tag made of metal.

Carved on the surface is the Academy name, Momoka's name, gender and student number.

Instead of a typical student handbook with an ID page, Akane Academy instead issued this ID Tag to the students.

When Momoka received hers, she was somewhat pissed at the militarization of that common item. Now that she remembers the feeling again, it's a double whammy on her psyche.

"It seems like some free time had cleared up."

Momoka kept the ID Tag with disappointment.

"So then, please go out on a date with me?" Suzaku asked in a calm voice.

At that bombshell, the other classmates started whispering to each other. Like watching a show they are waiting for Momoka's reply. Satoshi is pulling at his hair in frustration.

Momoka, ignoring the surroundings, replied: "Sorry, I'm broke."

A cold wind seems to blow through the classroom.

Still, this is her true current financial state.

Another more practical reason why whe wanted to find part-time work is because she's poor.

"My treat?"

"No. I cannot allow that."

"It's common courtesy for the host to treat the invited."

"If it is common courtesy, isn't it the guy who has to pay?"

"Are you trying to tactfully decline my invite?"

"No. If possible I would like to accept."

Being asked on a date by a beauty—you are not a man if you remained unmoved.

"Then, let's go. I'm interested in you. Don't look at my appearance; I've so much money that I can casually throw them into the drain. Just accompany me."

"Even 1 yen is still money. Don't waste it."

Momoka felt a bit unhappy at his casualness towards money.

Suzaku blinked his eyes at her tone.

Surprisingly, not with an expressionless face.

After thinking a bit, he readily admitted his mistake: "I'm sorry. My words were phrased wrongly."

Thinking (Do you really understand?), Momoka said:

"A date with you should be worth plenty."

"Don't degrade the feeling, now."

Suzaku's enchanting dimples appeared again. Is it really that fun to make fun of people?

"The money spent during serious talks and enjoyable chatting is definitely not a waste, don't you think?"

"Still, I can't say I'm happy being treated alone."

"Your personality is so hard to handle."

Suzaku looked upwards as if to appeal to the sky.

The girls around them are whispering fiercely to each other, "Is that girl an idiot?" "Why is she hesitating over such a hotty? What a pity." "What is there to complain about? Let me replace her."

Also, they have been staring at Suzaku's chest.

Staring at those full orbs that will shake with any soft movements. That won't change shape even when standing upright.

Everyone is guessing that the sticky situation between the two of them should continue for a while yet, but—

"Isn't it obvious that she dislikes you? A persistent man will be hated!"

A third party entered the fray.

It's Satoshi who had been observing the situation intensely with increasingly bloodshot eyes.

Without hesitation, he stalked towards them and parked himself on the opposite side of Suzaku, directly across Momoka's table.

He definitely does not look serene.

(Oi, is he going to flare again?)

The seated Momoka is looking alternatively at the 2 of them. She felt cold sweat breaking out across her brows.

Satoshi is coldly laughing softly on one side and staring challengingly at Suzaku.

In comparison, Suzaku—

"Haimura-kun, about that date…"

"Why are you ignoring meeeeeeeee!" Protested Satoshi at Suzaku who won't even spare a look at him.

Suzaku looks at Satoshi as if seeing him for the first time.

"Who might you be?"

"Ranjou Satoshi! Didn't we have introductions just now?"

"I fell asleep, so I didn't hear."

"Listen to others carefully. I did pay attention to your introduction!"

"It's fine not to pay attention to mine."

"Please make an effort to build social bridges!"

"I was born anti-social."

Compare to Satoshi who is mindlessly yapping away like a petulant puppy, Suzaku is effortlessly countering him.

"Enough!" Satoshi squeezed out that single word between his clenched teeth, and turned to glare at Momoka.

"Go out and play with me today!"

The spoiled demand from a cute younger brother— it can only be describe as thus. Although his expression and voice cannot be described as polite, it's the kind of casual, familiar communication between family members. Yes, putting aside the fact that he does not look like a younger brother, Satoshi also does not feel like a stranger to Momoka anymore.

Momoka nodded her head, and replied:

"Sorry. I already have a date." She casually reached over to hold Suzaku's sleeve.

"Onee-sama, you traitorrrrrrrrrr!"

Momoka leaked out a small voice when she was grabbed on her collar by Satoshi, who had on a really scary and terrible expression.

"Didn't you just reject a date with this boy? If so, you should be free now right? Go out and play with me!"

"That's just a breakdown in negotiation due to the lack of funds. Due to the same reasons, I cannot turn around and go out happily with you too."

(If I do that, then I really will be a dishonest traitor), Momoka thought.

"Hummuuu muuuu muuuuuuu…" Satoshi reluctantly released Momoka, and ground his teeth angrily.

"Don't you stand there and gloat with no expressions."

Satoshi swung towards Suzaku, and talked condescendingly at him:

"You are Urushibara right? You must have some guts to have ignored me just now."

"By the way, what's your relationship with Haimura-kun?" Asked Suzaku.

"Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho!" Satoshi happily declared:

"Momoka and I were together in our past lives. Not only were we true siblings, we will lovingly call each other names, like [Fraga—] or [Sarasha ]. Do you know that for both of us to reunite after reincarnation, the odds of that happening is a number so astronomically impossible that it doesn't exist yet in this dimension. THUS, the two of us are tied together by the red threads of fate so tightly that you will never comprehend it. HO HO HO HO HO!"

"Wahhhhh…." The surrounding classmates shouted in surprise.

"That really shocked me." "It's like a miracle." "That's so romantic."

Everyone started their discussions with this [I'm so touched] look on them.

"…Is that true?" Suzaku asked and Momoka nodded her head.

Still, Suzaku silently asked Momoka with his clear beautiful eyes, "What's going on?"

(Ummmm…?")

Momoka cannot seem to explain himself easily. Satoshi just declared that the two of them were together previously, and Momoka confirmed it. If this is true, then this topic would end right here and now.

BUT —

If Suzaku is also with her previously, then she is the Warlock's companion too. For Suzaku who is not aware of Momoka's memories of two lives, it's not strange for him to have reasonable doubts on Satsuki's claims.

(Weren't you lying just now too?) Accuses Momoka with her eyes.

Suzaku casually shifts his eyes away.

Maybe it's his conscience, but he does look a bit guilty and a bit upset. As if he is holding in several painful secrets.

Satoshi, not catching the delicate mood between them, makes a shooing motion.

"So we have lots of things to talk about. For the stranger who we just met, please stand to one side. Shoo, Shoo."

Ever expressionless, but a vein started pulsing at Suzaku's temper.

"….No matter your methods, I will not stand aside."

Although Suzaku's language use is not really correct, his determination is conveyed to the surroundings.

In the face of Satoshi's taunts, he swiftly set out to show his strength.

Suzaku grabbed hard onto the seated Momoka's head and pulled her towards him.

And hugged her face onto his overabundant crotch.

(OHHHHHHHH!) The students watching the show became noisy over this new development.

Satoshi's face is now stiffened in pure rage, and one of his eyebrows is twitching uncontrollably.

Momoka is stunned speechless.

Her whole face is surrounded by a mythical bump.

Even if it's through the uniform, or further through the briefs, the sensation is undeniable. Suzaku's crotch is supremely hard as he capriciously rolled Momoka's face across it.

This way, Suzaku's crotch and Momoka's head are tightly wedged together with no gap between them. Even so, it's not to the extent that there will be difficulties in breathing, but a full sensory experience of the charms of that stiff hardness.

If this is not Shangri-La, then what could it be?

"Momoka….What are you doing…?"

From Momoka's back came this soft deceptive voice from Satoshi. It appeared that he is not condemning the perpetrator [Suzaku], but the victim [Momoka].

"Ahgiganbumanyging." (I didn't do anything).

Momoka wanted to convey her innocence. But with her face stuck in-between Suzaku's legs, she is not able to speak clearly.

"Oh….Is it really that comfortable?"

(What did you actually think you heard?) Momoka shakes her head side-by-side in denial.

The crotch pressed onto her shook violently.

"Ah~."

Suzaku leaked out a sweet yet anguished sound.

"ONEE-SAMA YOU IDIOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!"

Satoshi is raging like a little kid.

"Hentai! Sukebe! Pervert! How dare you do this kind of thing in front of everyone? Do you love it? Do you really love his cock that much? Are you even willing to suffer capital punishment just for a cock?!"

As Satoshi talked rapidly, he grabbed hold of her back and started shaking her strongly.

On a side note, for Satoshi to be this flustered and condemning, it's probably due to the perception that his beloved sister is being snatched away. In the right circumstances, he should be a tender and loving individual to his loves.

But, Momoka's head is still squeezed between Suzaku's legs.

With Satoshi's rocking, Momoka's head is forced back. When that happened, the tightly stiff flesh collapsed back to its original shape, then grew again, then collapsed again. The situation is getting worst.

What kind of Play is this? The sensory overloaded Momoka is starting to feel strange.

Momoka lightly taps Suzaku's side to request for release.

But, Suzaku continue to grab his head tightly, even increasing his strength.

"That's enough, Urushibara! Don't you feel any shame at using a man's weapon?"

Satoshi finally turned his wrath on Suzaku.

"It's better for you to be quiet since you don't possess any."

"Of course I have it! A man's weapon!"

Satoshi stopped his shaking, and slapped his right hand onto his crotch.

Slapped his right hand onto that relatively～ tiny crotch compared to other boys his own age.

Suzaku, still grabbing Momoka's head, looked at Satoshi's crotch for a long moment.

"….I'm sorry, I said something insensitive."

"DON'T APOLOGISE SINCERELY AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"….Right. There are some things that can be said and cannot be said."

"I'M NOT THAT PATHETIC AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Do not worry. We are still in our growing phase."

"I DON'T WANT YOUR PITY AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

Suzaku, looking sincerely apologetic, looked away while Satoshi stamped his leg in angry protest.

"It's fine. I lend her to you for a while." Suzaku let go of Momoka.

(I'm saved.)

Momoka greedily sucked fresh air as she is finally released.

"She's not your belonging. I'll deal with you later."

Momoka's head is now jerked towards Satoshi, and buried into his crotch.

"How…How….How is it, Momoka? Is…is…..is it com…com….comfortable? Please check out the capability of a man's weapon, although we are siblings, so you do not have to hold back! Although it's embarrassing, I will bear with it. Please heal my injured masculine pride, Onee-sama!" Looks like he is serious about his rage and competitiveness towards Suzaku. Red faced, he looks like he is throwing his everything into grabbing Momoka's head hard.

"It hurt, it hurts! The ribbing, the ribbing hurts."

Momoka screamed in pain.

She meant "The rows of the zipper rubbing against my face hurts." Satoshi is still a boy. Even if his penis is not big, the unique hardness belonging to a boy's crotch is still there.

"ARE YOU SAYING MY COCK IS DROOPING LIKE AN ANTEATER'S MOUTH!"

Satoshi blew his top when he misunderstood.

It's scary when things get lost in translation.

In pain yet surround by softness, Momoka can be described as half-enjoying and half-suffering.

Why is she dragged into this dispute on the first day of school?

Originally intending to return to the hostels, many of the classmates sat engrossed as if watching a blockbuster movie. Even students from other classes walking past are sticking their head in.

The crowd is getting bigger.

"Using his face to measure the size of boys' penises, how enviable." "Plus the two of them are cute…." "Is she a noble from somewhere?" From the spectators PoV, it is truly a scene of two boys fighting over a girl.

It's Hell.

Truly a scene worth watching.

"Enough is enough!"

Momoka pushed away Satoshi's encircling arms and finally regained her freedom.

"Didn't I tell you to refrain from actions that will decrease your value as a boy? Don't pretend to be dumb now!"

Momoka scolded Suzaku first, and then turned on Satoshi: "You are banned from talking about your penis! Do you hear me!?"

"Um."

"Onee-sama is always scolding me."

Suzaku reluctantly agreed while Satoshi started complaining.

"In addition, don't drag me into a fight between boys!"

"If Haimura-chan promptly agreed to my invite, things wouldn't end up like this."

"That's right. It's because you declined your brother's invite that things ended up like this."

(Is it my fault?)

Momoka covered her face as she felt a headache mounting.

"Let's do this. The three of us will go out together, and to cool off."

"Are you fine with the finances now?" Suzaku asked.

"My bad, but can you treat us for today? As compensation for my mental damage."

"I'll be happy to. It's not a problem if it's the three of us. I have some questions for him anyway."

"If it's not just us siblings alone, I don't want that!"

"Let's forget it for today. We'll talk next time."

"…3 people are fine too." Satoshi agreed reluctantly with a cramped face.

Finally this romance comedy has ended. Disappointed, the crowd that had gathered to watch the show dispersed slowly.

"Damn playgirl. May yours break in half." Some girls also cursed when leaving.

Finally, the classroom emptied out and Momoka relaxed.

"So, let's go."

Momoka packed up her belongings and left with Satoshi and Suzaku.

On the first day of school, the day ended up becoming a date with two boys.

End of Chapter 1

---

Chapter 2
The Ideal Brother and the Unrealistic Sister

Satoshi is showering in his room after returning to the female hostel.

He had instructed both Suzaku and Momoka to gather in front of the bus station after changing out of their school uniforms.

Conveniently ignoring their protests of "Can't we just go out like this?"

That's because he'll be going out on a date with Momoka.

Their first date.

He's not willing to be in his school uniform for that special occasion.

(Ah, Sarasha, please wait for me. No, I mean Momoka~ .)

Relaxing in the hot water, he joyfully stretches himself.

Come to think of it, he was around 10 when he first dreamed about his previous life.

Originally he thought it was just a strange dream.

In it, Satoshi was a cute prince and was skilled with the sword. A majestic figure, it was the perfect, ideal image.

In addition, there was a warrior that's always by his side.

Her name was Sarasha. An invincible, beautiful and perfect sister who always treasured him.

Satoshi worshiped Sarasha.

She was his first love. Or rather, his first love after reincarnating. Sometimes he was troubled by the fact that he was in love with a dream figure, but he cannot deny his young heart.

And now—

Despite millennia and light years, he is reunited with Momoka.

If this is not fate, then what could it be?

"LOVE ! I LOVE MOMOKA! LOVE YOU THE MOST! "

Satoshi finally could not contain the excitement in his heart and shouted out loud.

The loud declaration resounded in the bathroom.

That's right. He can finally shout it out loud.

Fraga's relationship with Sarasha was a taboo love between siblings.

Although forbidden, they were madly and passionately in love with each other. Of course, they didn't receive any blessings from anyone. Having children was even more out of the question.

But, Momoka is different!

In terms of blood or family lines, they have absolutely no connections with each other.

Marriage is even legal; there is nothing to fear anymore.

(No, no Satoshi. Siblings shouldn't think about that kind of stuff.)

Satoshi is twisting his body in embarrassment as he closed the water tap.

Then, he hugged his body tightly as if in pain.

Come to think of it—

If there was any problem, it's Suzaku who seemed to have a subtle relationship with Momoka.

(Hmmp, he dared to say that I don't have a man's weapon? I will make you regret your words～.)

Satoshi wrapped a tower around his wet waist and moved into his room nude.

He can confidently do that as the hostels in Akane Academy are single rooms only, no roommate required. As a side note, for some people this was a problem as their room became as untidy as a pigsty in no time at all.

Satoshi would have preferred to wash his skin and hair more carefully and thoroughly, but that would take too much time. So he had to settle with a quick shower.

If he was late, the worst case scenario would be that Momoka and Suzaku started the date without him.

Those places that are not treated sufficiently will have to be hidden with his other strengths.

The naked Satoshi is laughing softly as he searches inside his wardrobe.

(Although mother laughed at me and said "Aren't those a bit too mature?" I guess it was the right call to purchase them in advance.)

He took out the underwear that he had prepared—black briefs.

Without a doubt, these are proofs of a sensual man. They are tickets to a glamorous world that will befuddle your senses.

—Still, if you are suddenly invited to that world, it is still a bit frightening. But, this kind of stuff is dependent on the mood. Right!

(If it's just a kiss～～～～～～ )

Satoshi clutched the underwear tightly to his chest, and continue to be lost in his fantasies.

---

Suzaku is waiting by himself at the south exit of the station. In this city, there are 2 main entertainment areas, one on the south side of the city and the other in the busy streets at the front of the station. For Momoka and Suzaku who are not locals, it's easier to meet up at the station instead of following complicated directions.

Although suggested by Satoshi, Suzaku hated to go home. So he is still in his school uniform, leaning against the wall and waiting patiently.

Unnoticeable to most, Suzaku had a small lock of hair that always curled away in its own direction. While most people would not care about that small errant lock of hair, Suzaku actually minded it a lot as he considered it to be ugly. No matter how much he patted or combed it down, it refused to remain in place. As it would draw attention if he tried to smooth it clumsily, he just gave up and endlessly reminded himself to ignore it. But, when he is deep in thought, he will play with that lock of hair as a habit, like now.

(What is happening exactly? Sue Saura…..no, I mean Haimura Momoka…..)

How many times had it been? Those questions that he kept repeating in his mind.

Thinking about it, it had been slightly over a year since he dreamed about his previous life.

That characteristic common to all Saviors is known to him through his family connections.

Thus, while he was surprised that he was also one of those super humans, he quickly accepted the unalterable fact.

In his previous life, he is The Royal Warlock, the man feared widely and condemned as the Warlock of the Netherworld.

A notorious mage highly skilled in the dark magics, and the capable right hand of The Pluto, Sue Saura. The enemy of the entire world.

He had dedicated his all to her beloved queen. Even if he was hated by the whole world, he had not a shred of regret.

And now—

Despite millennia and light years, he is reunited with the beloved queen he had longed for.

The most important thing was that, without a doubt, Haimura Momoka is the reincarnation of Sue Saura.

When he was asked "Were you the Warlock of the Netherworld," he had to play dumb due to certain difficulties.

Momoka and Suzaku were husband and wife previously—if this giant scandal were to be known to his family, Momoka might find himself suffering needlessly from the family's retribution. He had to protect her from these unnecessary troubles.

In truth, under his ice-cold façade, he is mentally shaking uncontrollably at the unexpected reunion.

If this is not fate, then what could it be?

Suzaku placed his right hand on his chest, and allow himself to feel the swelling of joy and sorrow gushing from within him.

The wind blew gently and seemingly caressed his body.

Yet, when the wind passed, Suzaku put down his hand and sighed softly.

(But…what is happening….)

Suzaku is muttering in his heart again.

Satoshi had already said this. He shared memories with Momoka's previous life as her brother. This does not match with his own memories of Sue Saura's life.

(….I want to clarify with her as soon as possible…but if I don't ask him discreetly, troublesome things may occur.)

Because his stance was to play dumb and pretend ignorance of Momoka's previous life.

Because he had to never let Momoka discovered that they were husband and wife.

---

Momoka returned to her room in the female hostel and swiftly changed her clothes. After, she strolled casually towards the station. This is in consideration that boys need more time to prepare themselves. Unexpectedly, when she reached the station south exit, she discovered Suzaku waiting, still in his school uniform.

Scratching her head and thinking "Shit. I let him wait too long," she said:

"Sorry. I'm late."

Suzaku silently shakes his head. From his unmindful attitude, you can sense his refinement and grace.

Momoka is thinking that maybe Suzaku was from a wealthy family.

Although he is an oddball who acted weirdly, his family background and upbringing cannot be hidden.

"THANKS~FOR~WAITING!"

Shortly, an energetic voice sounded from the distance.

Like a small kid, Satoshi ran towards them with his ponytail dancing behind him.

It's up to individual preference; while some people may be more charmed by a quiet, refined boy like Suzaku, Momoka did not hate the energetic, straightforward personality either.

"Did you wait long?"

"Urushibara-san should have. I just arrived."

"Ahhh. I would like to say that line myself too. But being said that line is also quite cool."

Satoshi said some strange things while catching his breath.

On the other side, Suzaku added in a request that makes one happy:

"Not Urushibara. Please call me by my name, Suzaku. We are in a dating relationship right?"

"Oh I see. Please call me Momoka too. Since we are in a dating relationship."

Momoka also request the same thing and Suzaku nodded his head softly in agreement.

"JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII…." (Staring accusingly).

Satoshi looked displeased at their banter.

"What's the problem? Your eyes are scary."

"The two of you are sure friendly. Even though it's your first meeting today."

Satoshi looked to be in a bad temper again at his sister's "betrayal."

"We are just going to call each other by name. Aren't you over-reacting a bit? The two of you can call each other by name too."

"I'll stick to calling him Ranjou-san."

"I'll only call you Urushibara."

"The two of you are sure unfriendly. Even though it's your first meeting today."

A fight between two boys is too cruel, what a waste.

Momoka narrowed her eyes at the blinding glare of the two handsome boys sparkling like jewels under the gentle spring sun, scratching her head continuously.

At that point, she finally noticed something.

"Satoshki, what in the world are you wearing?"

Momoka opened his eyes a bit wider and scrutinized at Satoshi's dressing up and down.

On his upper body, a sleeveless vest paired with a short tanktop, showing off his bulging shoulders and collarbones.

His bared navel and taut stomach is also charming, giving off a healthy glow.

Although his bust size is slightly miserable, other than that you cannot deny his allure.

For her bottom, a pair of cotton shorts. The type of design where you take a pair of very short shorts and cut it even shorter.

His tight buttocks were leaking just a tiny bit of flesh from underneath those pair of shorts.

Of course, his slender long legs are revealed totally, to add on to the overall image of health and sexiness.

"Nothing to fuss about, it's just my casual wear."

Satoshi, wanting to show off further, leaned forward and struck a pose like a model.

Thrusting his waist forward, one can catch a glimpse of his briefs peeking through his shorts.

It's a seductive black, contrasted against Satoshi's smooth white armpits.

A healthy, sexy image along with unexpected peeks into the extravagant, normally hidden parts. Momoka found that she is getting troubled.

A situation where she had no idea where to place her eyes.

Looking at Momoka's troubled expression, Satoshi showed a pleased expression, as if thinking "Hooked you."

Suzaku at the side muttered a single word:

"…Nympho."

"What did you called me? I don't want to be lectured by a dumb boy who would wear his school uniform to a date."

"While I'm not taking his side, don't you think you are dressed a bit lightly? It's still April, you know."

To Satoshi's ears, it's like Momoka was implying her agreement with Suzaku statement, and countered:

"It's already April! We are in the midst of spring! It's not cold at all…ACHOOO!"

With his cute sneeze, all his arguments broke apart.

The breeze is warm and balmy, great weather for the opening of the school term, and also a great day for a date.

But definitely not the hot temperature of summer.

Satoshi pouted for a while, and as if trying to change the subject, accused Momoka:

"What is this, Onee-sama? It's really shameful for your brother if you appear in that getup in public?"

"This is my casual wear, what about it?"

Momoka is slightly confused. She's wearing an inexpensive long-sleeve T-shirt suitable for both spring and autumn and a cheap skirt.

"That's what I'm asking you. You are going on a date with you cute little brother, but why are you dressed so shabbily?"

"Even if you say that, all my other clothes are similar to this."

"I also feel that it's better if Momoka wore something like a Polo shirt."

"That kind of thing is expensive. In addition, you have to be careful when folding it else it'll creased so it's too troublesome!"

What's wrong with T-shirts? It's a close companion of the common people.

"Even if you said it's expensive, if you go to somewhere like Uniglo, the pricing shouldn't be that much different from a T-shirt."

"There is some difference even if it is not much. As long as you can wear it, any clothing is fine. In any case, it's a waste if you spend too much money on your appearance."

Momoka was still resisting.

Satoshi and Suzaku looked at each other and both sighed simultaneously.

"All right, all right, I get it. Let's move on. Anyway, shall we get something to eat? I'm famished," said Satoshi who was muttering "Onee-sama is hopeless" just now.

Momoka wanted to protest, but she wisely set out together without saying anything more.

Shortly, a MUS burger chain store came into view.

Although located near the station, there seemed to be several empty seats. Looked like they'd be able to rest there for a while.

"Shall we go there?," Momoka suggested.

"That's unbelievable," rejected Satoshi immediately. "It's the miraculous reunion between us loving siblings! Couldn't you pick a more romantic location," Satoshi is throwing his childish tantrum again.

"Isn't a fast food joint more common as a location for a family lunch?"

That statement is correct if you are talking about a normal relationship between siblings.

"Don't use common siblings' love to measure OUR relationship!"

"Even if you were to say such incomprehensible things….."

"Let me simplify it. It's your duty to cede to the whims of your younger brother!"

Satoshi placed his hands on his hips and declared with a fierce look.

"I said before that I cannot treat you like a younger brother."

"Onee-sama is a heartless person!"

(I cannot take it anymore), Momoka scratched her head fiercely.

What can't she take anymore? What Momoka can't take anymore is her thinking: that the more Satoshi threw his tantrums, the cuter he became. It's a serious illness, seek treatment immediately.

"I actually quite enjoy rice burgers. The atmosphere is more relaxing," commented Suzaku.

Although Suzaku expressed no dissatisfaction, he still said:

"Still, please do not pick fast food just because it's my treat today."

"It's not that. I just don't like to spend too much money on food. If the price is too high, I will start thinking [Ah, at this price I could have eaten several meals instead], those kind of thoughts."

While Momoka is describing her truth, Suzaku and Satoshi looked at each other again.

"Momoka, by any chance….." Suzaku choked back his words, hesitating.

"Is Momoka's family poor?" Satoshi asked straightforwardly without hesitation.

As expected of siblings, no trace of unfamiliarity between them at all.

Suzaku threw a look of condemnation at Satoshi.

"Yup. That's correct," Momoka confirmed with no awkwardness. She had never considered her family financial state as a source of disgrace.

"Since Momoka is fine with burgers, then let's have burgers for lunch."

"Urushibara, you traitor!"

"I've never said that I'm on your side."

"No! I absolutely refuse."

Satoshi may want to protest, but it was still 2 vs 1. The minority had to bow to the majority and they entered the store.

---

Momoka waited at a 4-seater table, and the 2 boys came back after ordering the meal.

"…"

The two of them grabbed the backrest of the seat beside Momoka simultaneously. Sparks seemed to fly between them as they glared at each other. It looked like they are fighting for the rights to sit beside her.

"What? Compared to the sofa, did the two of you prefer the chairs?"

Momoka was being gentle with the two boys and intended to let them have the softer sofa seats on the opposite side.

If that's the case…..she shifted herself to the opposite side and plonked herself down on the sofa heavily.

"Now there are two chairs. Please get along."

As long as there are enough resources for everyone, wars will not be fought. Momoka nodded her head in satisfaction.

"Haiz." Satoshi and Suzaku sighed together again.

Why are the two of them sighing?

After the two boys seated themselves, their meals were delivered to them shortly.

"Are you fine with so little…..?" Momoka blinked her eyes at Satoshi's meal.

Satoshi twisted his head to one side and ignored Momoka's question. Even if he didn't want to have burgers, there's a limit to being stubborn, right?

He ordered only fries and red tea.

"Are you fine with only fries?"

"Fries are also served as a garnish in western restaurants! Isn't it a refined dish?," Satoshi gave an unreasonable explanation.

Ah well, carrot and cabbage, to one's preference I guess.

"Itadakimasu."

Momoka clapped her hand once in appreciation, and started on her burger.

This chain store is known for their rice burger. As the name suggested, it is a type of burger that used rice patties in place of bread, suitable for Japanese taste.

Momoka is eating a rice-burger with shredded roast meat as the main ingredient. Seasoned with soy sauce, the fragrance and taste of the rice is mixed with the sweet juice of the meat and crispiness of the raw cabbage. Combining all these ingredients in your mouth is the joy of eating a rice burger. [4]

"This is great! It's been a long time since I ate this."

Momoka, with great appetite, finished her burger in no time.

As she reached for her second, she noticed that Suzaku is elegantly eating by delicately taking small bites out of his burger, finishing only a quarter of it.

On the other side, Satoshi only ate a tiny amount of his fries, leaving a majority untouched.

"Ahhh, the fries are so tasty, but unfortunately I'm so full. I can't finish all this by myself."

Satoshi still refused to look straight at Momoka, but he glanced at her frequently out of the corner of his eyes.

Before she discerned the meaning of those glances:

"Don't leave behind leftovers. What a waste."

Momoka ignored Satoshi's words and got a slightly angry.

"While everyone has a different amount of appetite, I hate people who waste food."

"What…what is this? Only during these times will you act like an elder sister."

Although Satoshi is protesting verbally, it can be seen that he is panic-stricken.

That's because he had noticed the anger in Momoka's eyes, that she is being serious.

"If I cannot finish it means I cannot finish. A boy's appetite is small!"

He was chattering nonstop and giving excuses, but at Momoka's angry glare he withered and his voice became smaller and smaller.

"Do…Don't glare at me like that."

After, he lowered his head and pouted, looking at Momoka with his upturned eyes, and whispered in an almost inaudible voice:

"It's unfair that only Urushibara get to feed you…."

"Let me have some then."

At that point, Szaku reached out his demonic hands towards the fries.

"Why are you stealing other people's food?!" Satoshi jumped up and raised his head while glaring at Suzaku, who is calmly munching on the stolen fries.

"Didn't you say you can't finish?"

"Uguuu…those words are not for you. I wanted Momoka to eat them from me!"

"I see. You should have clearly stated what you wanted faster before I misunderstood."

Suzaku smiled while reaching for more fries.

"I…I…I…I'm always clear on what I want."

His ponytail swung as he turned his head away again.

"The fries are so tasty. What a delight."

"Right? Right? As long as it's potatoes, Onee-sama will love it."

When Satoshi heard Momoka's words, he became happy and smiled widely.

"How did you know that I love potatoes?"

"Huh? Isn't that what you liked in your past life?"

"I see," Momoka sighed softly. Looks like she even inherited Sarasha's taste.

"It's truly tasty."

"How much are you eating, Urushibara?! Momoka's share is almost gone."

"Hahahaha. Don't mind. Don't mind."

"I'll mind! You need to be more aware, Onee-sama!"

Just when Satoshi is putting on a determined look…..

"Ah?"

"Oh."

Momoka and Suzaku touched their hands together while reaching for the fries.

"Hahaha, when these kinds of things happens it's quite embarrassing."

"I actually think it doesn't feel too bad."

"IT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL!"

Satoshi screamed, squeezing his eyes into a cross look and waving his arms wildly.

What a large amount of anger. What a waste of energy usage.

Until a growling noise sounded from his stomach.

"No! That's not it. I didn't hear anything!"

Satoshi, red-faced, sat down rapidly as if to hide his stomach.

Due to his cutesy actions, Momoka cannot help but laugh.

"See, I told you so. Just that small amount is not enough for you."

"I'm already full! You heard wrongly!"

Satoshi waved his arms as he protested.

"I heard clearly."

"Me, too."

"I heard nothing!"

Just how much is he going to force himself?

"Do you want to eat my teriyaki chicken burger? I haven't taken it out of the wrapper yet.

"I've never eaten that kind of thing before and I've no intention to," declared Satoshi unwaveringly.

"Is Ranjou-san a rich boy who never stepped out into the world before?," asked Suzaku as he daintily dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. Implied in his tone is "If that's the case, then it cannot be helped."

"Daddy is a normal white-collar worker. But I'm a prince in my past life!"

"Oh? You were a prince?"

While Momoka was shocked, she quickly accepted the idea. She remembered the elegant suit Fraga wore in her dreams.

"That's right! Can't you sense my royal presence looking at me now," Satoshi questioned while twirling his ponytail.

Momoka reflectively compared the two boys in front of her.

One is dressed in high-exposure clothing; hugging his arms and swinging his legs while leaning back against the chair.

One is dressed in the gothic school uniform, daintily and elegantly eating his burger.

If Satoshi really was a prince previously, what exactly happened in the interval?

Was it pride? Or a difference in upbringing?

"Don't look at me with regrets, Momoka!" Satoshi covered his head.

"Wait. If that's the case, then I was a princess?"

If they were siblings, it was logical to think so.

"Obviously! Without royal blood, it's impossible for one to become the Guardian of the Holy Sword."

"Even if you say obviously…."

For Momoka with almost no memories of her previous lives, it's like listening about other people.

Regardless, as she was born with a normal background, even if she's called a princess now, there is no feeling of credibility.

"As long as you believe on the inside, it doesn't matter what's on the outside!" Satoshi clutches his fists as he continued to claim his royal blood.

"You don't have many friends, do you?"

"Don't speak like I'm always alone!"

At Suzaku's retort, Satoshi blamed him for spoiling his reputation.

"I have them! Friends or whatsoever, I have hundreds of them easily."

"Please try to name for me 2 or 3 of them?"

"Hiri! Elue! Danapora!"

"Those are not Japanese names."

Most likely those are all his servants' names in his previous life.

"So what? They have declared many times that "We are friends of the prince.""

(Looks like I guessed correctly with that "prince"…)

Satoshi leaned towards Suzaku, as if to whisper to him secretly, but continued to talk in a loud voice:

"Although they were commoners, they were never afraid of me or my status as a prince."

"That's because they were sick of you, so that's logical."

"Shut up. I heard that!"

"I intended for you to hear that."

Satoshi banged on the table this time.

"Don't misunderstand! As long as I have onee-sama, I do not need anything else!"

"But you are overreacting."

"You are making fun of me, right?"

Satoshi angrily held him head. Playing with his ribbon, he petulantly declared:

"As long as Momoka can stroke my head every day, and hug me once in a while, it's fine for people to say I'm forever alone."

"I give up."

Momoka, by now, is dumbfounded by all Satoshi's words.

She is starting to comprehend how difficult it is to handle this brocon brother that suddenly dropped down from the sky.

Let's try to stroke his head now and love him like a little brother?

Nope. Impossible. Can't do it.

Momoka definitely cannot treat him like a little brother.

To him, Satoshi is only a normal boy.

For this boy to declare continuously his good opinions of her, it is a big problem to her.

"What a waste, what a waste….."

In this bittersweet and awkward atmosphere, Momoka is chanting those words softly.

"Mouu! Even Momoka is making fun of me. That's so rude," Satoshi complained with dissatisfaction on his face,

With that, he aggressively grabbed Momoka's teriyaki chicken burger off the table and ate it with large bites, as if giving up on himself.

Not only is he adept at tearing the wrapper away, he is eating the burger very naturally.

(Instead of "believe on the inside, doesn't matter what's on the outside", it's more like "leaking out what's inside, and not noticing on the outside.")

"Hah…."

After Suzaku leaked out an amused grunt, Satoshi finally realised his gaffe and froze.

By that time, Momoka was laughing uncontrollably.

Satoshi was flushing red all over his body.

"Look, the tomato sauce is staining your hands."

"What kind of food critic are you?"

Momoka continued laughing, tears rolling down her cheeks.

---

How long can you last with only a cup of coffee? How long can you laze around in a shop?

Every student should have challenged that question before.

Is the food culture in a fast food joint similar to a bar where one can nurse a drink for hours?

Momoka absentmindedly pondered this question. To the business owners, is the coffee drinker or the bar drinker more disruptive? Since both kinds are time-wasters, the one who ordered the cheaper coffee should be causing more loss to the shop in general as compared to…..

"Both types are troubling to the owners."

"Guess you are right."

To Momoka who proposed this thought experiment during a lull in their chatting, Satoshi slammed down this conclusion.

Possibly due to Momola laughing at his just now, his tone is still cold.

"Do you want another cup?"

"No thanks. I'm not finished with this cup yet. Don't waste it."

Momoka declined Suzaku's offer and continue to sip at her lukewarm coffee.

"I'll go get mine."

"Get one for me too. I'll pass you the cash later."

"Hmm, everyone's rich," Momoka shakily complained as she collapsed on the table.

Suzaku returned from the counter, and their drinks arrived shortly.

Red tea. Red tea. Coffee.

Momoka's share was ordered too.

(Am I allowed such luxury?)

Momoka sighed internally at her puniness, and appreciation for Suzaku's generosity. After all, coffee tasted the best when it's piping hot.

Just when she downed the dregs of her first cup:

"Can I clarify something," Suzaku casually asked.

He is expressionlessly studying the tea in his hands with his exquisite eyes.

"Momoka and Ranjou-san are familiar to each other in their past lives?"

"We are not only familiar with each other! We were siblings! The world most loving and close siblings," Satoshi loudly declared before Momoka had a chance to reply.

(I wish that he will stop yelling scandalous phases like loving siblings.) Momoka nervously glanced around her surroundings.

"The world we were born in was dominated by an evil empire! As the Guardian of the Holy Sword, Sarasha challenged the empire all by herself. As for me, I was the prince supporting her from the background. While it took us almost our entire life, the two of us tied together by love finally overthrew the Empire!"

Satoshi continue to describe their actions in their previous lives happily:

"Although the empire armies numbered in the tens of thousands, they were no match for Sarasha!"

"Even when a noble male warrior known as the Light Speed challenged Sarasha, she defeated him immediately in an instant, stylishly."

"When you refused to aid my Onee-sama, your country was destined to be destroyed."

If you allowed him, Satoshi can spend hours describing how great Sarasha was with no pause.

With his watery eyes, flushed face, exaggerated gestures, he is generating "I love Onee-sama" vibes everywhere.

(What is this..this overblown…..)

For Momoka with no memories, she really cannot agree that those were actions done by her.

What is this heat on my face? Ah, it's so embarrassing I want to plug my ears.

Conversely, Suzaku is totally absorbing the tales silently.

Only after Satoshi paused did Suzaku asked a question:

".…took your entire lives?"

"Yes. The empire was huge. Plus, the emperor was cunning and difficult to deal with. It took decades."

"…I see. It really was a majestic tale. Thank you very much for telling it."

After Suzaku thanked Satoshi, he absentmindedly played with a spikes of his hair.

A look as if he was in deep thought.

Sensing that it's better not to disturb him, Momoka remained quiet.

"Ho ho ho ho ho, I see you are speechless at the tales of Onee-sama's greatness. It's o.k. to weep in awe. I will not laugh at you! Ho ho ho ho ho!"

Satoshi did not catch the mood again and laughed arrogantly.

Thanks to him, Momoka did not catch the soft muttering of Suzaku's voice, looking as if he finally figured out something.

"….Ancient Dragon."

Still, even if Momoka had heard it, she wouldn't have understood this fragmented and unknown phrase.

She only lost a chance to clarify with him.

"Don't look as if you understood everything! My Onee-sama's heroic tales aren't over yet!"

Satoshi, as if to overwhelm the noise around him, started another round of storytelling in a loud voice.

Even if the shop is spacious, he was still attracting the attention of other customers.

As the scenes he's describing are too ridiculous, other people thought he was talking about some fantasy game.

Still, seeing as some customers looked irritated, Momoka decided to put a stop.

"We hear and understand the heroic tales already. Please lower your volume."

"If you are asking me why, that's because my Onee-sama's heroic achievements is beginning the next chapter now!"

Although Momoka was waving her hand to catch his attention, the overexcited Satoshi never even heard her.

Instead, he even stood up and leaned forward to hold Momoka's waving hand with both of his.

"Momoka will also save this world, right?"

His eyes filled with stars, and passionately continued:

"Do you know? Now, this planet Earth is targeted by the Metaphysicals. While we do not know their purposes, since you saved that previous world, you must be here to save this world too! So we need to fight. And this time, we won't let you go off alone; I will also try my best. For peace, for justice, for saving this world, that must be the reason we reincarnated here!"

As Satoshi spoke more passionately, the colder Momoka's eyes got.

The hotter Satoshi's hands , the cooler Momoka's hand between them.

"I've absolutely no intentions of battling the Metaphysicals."

Momoka rejected Satoshi's speech in a cold tone.

"…Huh?"

Not only Satoshi, even Suzaku looked surprised.

"Wh…Wh…What is going on? Why did you come to Akane Academy then?"

"Isn't it your intention to join the order?"

Both Satoshi and Suzaku asked Momoka at the same time.

"Of course I want to join the order. It is an international organization with great salary and incentives. Uncle and auntie will be proud of me if I got in, and I also can support them financially as my gratitude for raising me."

"Did you say uncle and auntie?"

"Not your parents?"

"My parents died 8 years ago. I was raised by my uncle's family."

The two boys sucked in a deep breath at the same time

Satoshi is gripping his ponytail with both hands tightly; Suzaku is showing his condolences on his face.

Momoka knew that both of them will show that kind of expressions if they knew, so she had been trying not to say it out loud.

Still, even if she wanted to keep her mouth shut, she was not willing to lie to the two of them.

Momoka scratched her head and continued:

"I heard about it in the pre-school briefings. If you get a good result by the time you graduate, you can join the order as part of the clerical staff. For that position, you are only required the minimum skill in the usage of Ancestral Arts. My aim is that."

After hearing that, the two of them changed expressions.

"I see. Please work hard to reach your goal."

Suzaku seems to be cheering her on sincerely and nodding his head. It's as if he is agreeing with her that It's great to work hard for your current family and The two of them must be great people.

"You are lying," screamed Satoshi in denial.

He released Momoka's hand and pushed himself backward.

Suzaku observed Satoshi's unbelieving face, while Momoka did not dare to look at him.

Satoshi started scolding loudly, "My sister— Sarasha was an ally of justice, she'd never say such fucking pathetic words."

Momoka replied him as if confessing her sins, "I am now Haimura Momoka, not Sarasha."

The easy atmosphere between them shattered.

As if an invisible crack appeared between them.

Silence…

Satoshi angrily stared down at Momoka while standing.

Momoka was still not looking at him.

Suzaku placed his cup of red tea on the table.

The knocking sound is especially sharp.

The silence broken, Satoshi opened his mouth again, and spoke in a lecturing voice:

"Onee-sama is a Savior, you know."

Momoka took a very deep breath, and sighed out heavily.

"I not someone so amazing that I can be called a Savior.

Both of them were glued to their opinions, refusing to give way.

Satoshi's face was twisted with loneliness and sorrow, and was forcefully holding back his tears.

Momoka's chest was throbbing in pain. She didn't want to create this mood, and just want to continue enjoying the date.

But on this point, she will not let go.

It's impossible for me to be an ally of justice, or someone amazing like a Savior….

End of Chapter 2

---

Chapter 3
The Guardian of the Holy Sword

The female hostel of Akane Academy is a modern building completed around five years ago.

When one describes a female hostel, an image of a blissful, pretty building will emerge, but this building is different.

Designed like a high class hotel, even the entrance is modernised with an automatic sensor gate.

Momoka's room is located on the third floor, a carpeted room with western interior design. Momoka had long wanted to live in a place without tatami flooring and on a real bed. She was fairly dancing in joy when she moved into this room.

Momoka woke up to the alarm clock on the second morning of her high school life.

She sat up and blurrily looked around her room.

In addition to the bed and a study desk, the furnishing included a wardrobe, LCD flat screen TV, a bookshelf, a small fridge and a folding table. These were school-issued seeing as how they are everyday necessities.

There is even air-conditioning. Also, a high-end laptop computer with free, unlimited internet access.

To Momoka who came from a poor family, every item in this room is an expensive luxury item that she had longed for her entire life. She was deeply touched when she first realised she could use all of them.

For her, who came to school with almost no personal belongings, in a single night she had turned into a high school student with a fulfilling life. How much investment was poured into this school? While she contemplated that question, she was cheerful. "It's great to have entered this school."

Momoka climbed out of the bed and switched off the alarm.

Then she noticed the letter she had placed on the table.

"I'll need to remember to post this on the way to school," she muttered as she confirmed the address and name on the envelope. The address is her uncle's home, which was where Momoka was living until now. She had promised to send a letter home after the end of the welcoming ceremony.

As stated before, her uncle and aunt who raised her are not considered well-off financially.

Nevertheless, they did not hesitate to take in the orphaned Momoka who had nowhere else to turn to. A very kind couple.

It is because of this kindness that Momoka wished to be courteous to them in return. If the couple had just been slightly relaxed or showed some small weakness to Momoka, the extremely well-behaved Momoka might have acted more like a playful child her age.

Although not as close to them as a real family, Momoka still liked and respected the two people who bought her up.

And because of that, Momoka was not willing to add to their burdens and was going to abandon a high school education. She wanted to enter society as soon as possible as a working individual so that she could repay them.

Of course the two of them objected strenuously, and wanted her to go to high school, and even University if possible. In her last year of middle school, they would discuss the matter with her almost every day.

The turning point was when she took a strange test in school. After passing the mandatory test required for all students in her year, she was declared a Savior.

Soon after, some high level executives from Akane Academy came and begged her to join their high school. Their sincere attitude, along with their unreserved explanations of the advantages and dangers of the academy, was able to generate some good will from Momoka.

Plus, it's a boarding school, with all expenses waived. Basically, everything in the school is free, that's the main draw for Momoka.

More importantly, with some hard work, she will be employed in an international organization upon graduation immediately. At that point, she can start to repay her guardians.

In the end, there was absolutely no reason for Momoka to refuse the invitation.

Since details pertaining to Saviors and Akane Academy were classified, her class teacher was sent to his uncle and aunt with an assurance of "It's a great school." Pleased, the two of them did not raise any objection for Momoka to attend the school.

"I will work hard," promised Momoka aloud to the letter.

Scratching her head, she contemplated the truth of the saying: You'll talk to yourself more when you live alone.

Ok, lets have breakfast. Wearing her sleepwear come house wear, she proceeded to the cafeteria in a T-shirt and shorts.

She was not worried about her attire as there are mostly guys in the cafeteria, and all of them were her peers.

The cafeteria is a huge room that can seat more than a 100 people at the same time.

The meal attendants will serve you after you queue in the line with your meal trays.

Breakfast for today is rice, Miso soup, fried lotus roots, egg rolls and grilled fish with salad as a side dish.

(A 3-dish meal early in the morning, how extravagant.)

A great situation for Momoka who was always hungry like any adolescent.

If her current life could continue like this for the next 3 years, she'd be living her dream.

(Still, the taste is not quite as good as Auntie's cooking.)

Momoka daydreamed as she ate her breakfast. It'll be a lie to say that she is not homesick.

(Just like the saying, Home is where the heart is.)

Suddenly depressed, she quickly finished her breakfast.

Back in her room, she gave her face a quick wash and tidied her appearance. Now she's ready to go to school.

Opening her wardrobe, she took out her school dress hanging inside.

The photo that was placed on the top shelf was revealed.

That was the last family photo she took with her parents when she was in elementary school.

Momoka lived with her family in a small countryside town. Her parents, in partnership with the local agriculture farms, operated a small eatery with fresh products and ingredients.

When Momoka was seven, her parents drove a small truck out to the farms to stock up.

And a traffic accident occurred.

Momoka was in school when the school received the notice, she rushed to the hospital, along with her class teacher.

Her parents were in critical condition.

"The critical issue is that they lost too much blood," the doctor explained to the teacher in a low tone, ignoring Momoka who was a small child.

But Momoka was smart for her age, and understood their conversation.

As her parents were a rare blood type, a rural hospital did not have any stocks on hand. Even if some were rushed down, it's unknown if it can reach here in time—

That was basically the situation.

Once she understood the situation, she unhesitatingly rushed to the adults, and cried out "Use my blood."

She knew that she had the same blood type as her parents.

But the doctor shook her head. Momoka was too young and she cannot approve a blood transfusion using her.

Momoka begged and screamed. As she cried, she held onto the doctor and begged continuously.

She wanted to save her parents from the bottom of her heart, regardless of the price.

"Please pray then. Pray that your parents make it through," the doctor replied coldly, even till the end.

The blood did not reached the hospital in time, and her parents both drew their last breath at almost the same time.

Momoka was not able to save her parents—

Remembering this painful memory, Momoka bit down on her lips.

Eight years had passed since. It had taken a lot of effort before Momoka could control her emotions when she looked at the photo of her parents.

Near the end of the date yesterday, she fought with Satoshi.

The barely healed emotional scars were torn apart again.

But, it was not Satoshi's fault. The fault lied with…..

She looked at the girl in the photo.

The girl looked back at her with irritated eyes.

In the photo, her mother was hugging her, an elementary school student then, from behind. Due to that, she was exhibiting an unhappy and embarrassed expression.

To the current Momoka, that expression looked as if the girl was condemning her.

"Hah… don't glare at me like that, I understand clearly," muttered Momoka to herself.

"I can't even save my parents, so how am I supposed to save anyone else?"

If she met with someone who suffered the same past as her —

If that someone were to boastfully declared: "I am a Savior", Momoka would have definitely stepped forward and punched her. After which, she'd lecture the person for her arrogance and presumptuousness.

---

Akane Academy and most of its associated facilities are located on top of a hill.

It was a hill that's shaped like a pudding. While the top of the hill was very wide, the hill was not really that high. Unfortunately, while the route from the bottom to the top was short in terms of distance, it was a steep slope. This made waking to school rather quite a difficult and arduous chore.

(Why are the hostels located at the foot of the hill? Since there's so much space at the top, why not construct it within the academy?) This was a common complaint amongst the students.

Momoka, as if encouraged by the summer wind, was challenging the hell slope.

(It's not too bad now, but when the summer heat arrives it'll be a killer.)

Just as she was thinking to herself, she spotted a familiar ponytail at a distance in front of him.

It's Satoshi.

She hesitated for a moment to consider if she should call out to him, but since she was not willing to drag out the awkward mood from yesterday, she chased after and caught up to him.

"Ah, I'm so sorry about yesterday. Even when you took time to play with me," said Satoshi hesitantly, after he stared dully at Momoka for a short while.

"I… I didn't mind. I went, just a little bit, overboard with what I said," Momoka smiled after she said that. Reconciliation successful.

After, the two of them continued on side by side. Their steps were light, no assistance from the wind required.

"For me, I thought about it late into the night," Satoshi, as if he could no longer take the silence, spoke ambiguously.

"I did my best to re-evaluate Sarasha as a person."

Due to their difference in height, Satoshi looked up to Momoka proudly.

"Momoka, you don't remember much, right?" He sounded very satisfied about his ability to remember his past life, as if it was a great honor.

"I thought about it carefully last night and remembered; Sarasha was not the type to spout things like [I fight for justice] or [I will protect the world] from her mouth. She'd just disappear into thin air and stealthily travel to the war zone himself, winning the battle single-handedly regardless of any injuries. That's what she did until the end, when justice prevailed and the world was protected—that's the kind of person she was."

Even if Satoshi said all that, Momoka did not know how to reply. As she hesitated, Satoshi held out a single hand, indicating that she did not need to speak.

"It was my fault yesterday. [Sarasha] is [Momoka]. Regardless of what may happen, I believed that Onee-sama will definitely fight beside me," smiled Satoshi.

Blinding pure white teeth, a pure straight smile who no crookedness.

"You think too highly of me."

"It's fine as long as I believe. Don't be so modest! As you are my Onee-same, be more conceited."

Satoshi smilingly flicked Momoka's nose with a finger.

(Hah….I just cannot say no to him.) Momoka thought darkly as she rubbed her nose.

But, there was no feeling of unhappiness.

---

Lessons officially commenced on the second day of school.

Theories were conducted in the morning. While subjects on the Saviors were touched on, other courses similar to a normal high school were also held. This was in consideration to the fact that not all students will be able to join the White Knight Order, so a decision was made to help those other students to enter the University of their choice after graduating from here.

Even if special and secretive, Akane Academy is still a high school.

In addition, since English is the common language in the international White Knight Order, language lessons are more comprehensive than most other schools.

After lunch, it's finally the practical lessons—

In other words, training to use Ancestral Arts.

Even if you aim to do clerical work in the order, a minimum skill level and knowledge was required.

Thus, Momoka was full of enthusiasm when she arrived for the lesson.

All the first years were gathered in the First Training Arena. A round building with a bowl-shaped interior, the ground level is an extremely spacious training ground and surrounded by rows of seats. The first row of seats was raised very high above the ground level, thus the training area was surrounded by high walls.

"This is impressive."

"Thi…this is nothing right? I guess the size is only barely adequate. With this, us siblings can rampage to our heart's content, right?"

"There are 2 more buildings like this."

"!?"

Momoka, Satoshi and Suzaku were chatting loudly as they walked through a set of opened gates.

This set of gates leads to a tunnel that goes under the seating gallery and into the arena.

"Oh….."

Steeping onto the arena, Momoka suddenly felt a wave of sleepiness.

After a few seconds, the sleepy feeling dissipated.

"Wha, Wha, What was that just now?"

It appeared that Satoshi had the same experience, and was hugging himself protectively.

"The interior of the arena is linked to a pocket dimension created by a unique Ancestral Arts. To describe it simply, the pocket dimension is similar to being in a [Dream World]. We just passed through the boundary, so we have all [slumbered]," Suzaku calmly explained while walking briskly in the tunnel.

"Why…why was there a need to create something like a pocket dimension?"

"Inside the pocket dimension, even if a hole is blown through your stomach, you'll be fine immediately once you stepped out of it. Just like being shocked awake from a nightmare. With this assurance, you'll be able to rampage to your heart's content, right?"

"I don't like this….I don't want to imagine it…" Satoshi was holding his head in fear after being frightened by Suzaku.

"Hmm….It is assuring though," Momoka concluded.

If any normal school were to have such a huge and majestic building as a sport hall, it'll be their pride and joy. But [forming a pocket dimension within] is beyond anyone's expectation.

The three of them continued to chat as they walked down the tunnel, and finally emerged onto the arena ground.

4 teachers and their classes had already arrived, and the combined students were gathered together in one group.

When the school bell rang, Momoka and the rest of Class 1 gathered in front of Tanaka-sensei.

Everyone were not seated neatly according to their student numbers like in their classroom, but scattered around sitting or standing as they liked in a loose group as they prepared for Tanaka's lessons. Momoka, Satoshi and Suzaku were sitting together naturally.

One person who was sitting slightly further away caught Momoka's attention.

A female student who gave off the impression of a wolf.

A small amused grin on her face, she looked as if she despised everyone around her while she surveyed her surroundings. A brutish aura that caused everyone to be wary of her.

"Okay. Listen carefully," Tanaka said. With that, the lesson started and Momoka shifted her attention back to the sensei.

Another side note, the students and the teachers were all dressed in battle suits specially designed for Saviors. While the battle suits were extremely light and easy to move around in, the design revealed a lot of skin, embarrassing some of the more conservative students, thus it was not popular among the male students.

Anyway, the class listened attentively to Tanaka.

"Hm. As was taught in the morning, saviors are generally separated into two groups. One group are the warriors that possess great physical abilities called (Light Saviors) Users of Light Techniquesand the mages called (Dark Saviors) Users of Dark MagicsSince the names are too long to be used conveniently, in Japan, we call them White Iron and Black Mage."

Momoka compared his memories of Sarasha's battle scenes with the knowledge she learned from her lessons in Akane Academy.

The power to crush thousands single-handedly. Arms with the strength to cut apart a fully armored knight armored in one stroke. The speed to rush all over the battlefield like a whirlwind.

Those are all Ancestral Arts abilities used by White Irons — Light Techniques.

"Also, since Sensei is a White Iron type; for the practical today I will be teaching you the usage of Light Techniques. For those of you who are Black Mages, please observe carefully from the side today. Don't pretend that it doesn't concern you and slack off."

Some students put on a helpless expression as if Tanaka had read their minds.

"Lazy," Satoshi frowned.

"It's fine. Ranjou-san is not "big" enough to discipline them," Suzaku replied him.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the future of your penis."

"Stop lumping it!"

"The two of you, please pay attention seriously. If you act like this, how are you qualified to criticize others?"

Scolded by Momoka, Satoshi crossed his eyes.

"Won't it be more efficient to have separate classes for White Irons and Black Mages?"

"In a battle with a Metaphysical, it's impossible to win in a one-on-one fight. Thus, teamwork and cooperation is very important. Therefore, we need to understand the capabilities of each other first. The lesson plans in the future are also all team-based activities."

At Suzaku's conscientious explanation, Satoshi nodded his head as he understood the concepts. At this, Momoka added her comment from the side:

"Plus, for those people who can use both Light Techniques and Dark Magic, if you separate the lessons, they won't be able to decide which classes to go to."

"Uhhh?"

Her comment seemed to shock Satoshi for some reason. Momoka simply thought what she stated was common logic.

Satoshi anxiously pointed a finger upward and faced Momoka.

"Onee-sama, since you have lost most your memories, I won't blame you for not knowing. In our previous world, there were only White Irons, remember?"

"Now that you mentioned it, I don't remember fighting any mage-like characters."

"Conversely, in a Black Mage world, there seemed to be only Black Mages around. It's said that there are no previous worlds where both types exist together.

So, a Savior that can use both Light techniques and Dark Magic don't exist.

It's impossible for one to exist.

"Hmmmmmm," Momoka lowered her chin in thought after Satoshi's explanation.

"Okay. Please look at Sensei now."

Tanaka-sensei suddenly clapped her hands together for attention, and Momoka was forced to stop her contemplations.

"First, let me do a demonstration."

Tanaka-sensei spread her legs apart and bent her knees.

"KUKUKUGUAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Although she had on a serious look of concentration, she let out a funny cry.

Yet, with the increase of her presence—

Tanaka's body started simmering as if giving off heat waves.

Was it a dark grey shade? It felt like an aura of iron-like dark grey.

The aura that Tanaka-sensei was generating started to shake like a solar prominence.

For Momoka who grew up reading manga, it's like [generating an aura field].

The battle suit made of special materials started to resonate with Tanaka's plana and grew to cover more of her body, changing its shape and color.

Those suits were great items that will adapt itself to the need of the users as according to the user's characteristics.

"Did you catch that? That's Sensei's Prana."

The students let out a cheer of wonder.

Momoka was clutching her fists so hard that it started sweating. In Sarasha's memories, a warrior wrapped in Prana is a common sight everywhere in her world. That should be the case for all the other White Irons, right? Still, in this modern society, it's exciting to see this happening in front of her eyes.

"How did you do that?" "Please teach us." "I want to learn that too."

The students were prompting urgently.

"I will be teaching you the methods now…is what I would like to say. Actually all of you should know how without any instructions from me."

Tanaka-sensei put on an evil grin.

Several students were stumped by her words.

"All of you have access to your past memories and experienced this in your dreams. So, recall the sensations in your dreams to remember how you accessed your prana."

Ah…all the students seemed to understand the hint immediately.

(Once she gave the hint, the question that was asked just now seemed quite idiotic.)

Before Momoka came to the academy, she had never felt the experiences she had in her dreams actually happened in her previous life. Thus, she never had the whims of [since Sarasha was like that, I can be a superhuman too!"]

"Right. Let me try that!" "Me too!" " GAHHHHHHHHH!"

The students were all making various poses, and tried to release their energy.

No one was having any success and many were making comical screams.

Some of the black mages observing from a distance were rolling on the floor laughing. (ROFL)

Although Suzaku, who was a black mage, was daydreaming expressionlessly.

"It's not coming out! Why aren't you coming, my invincible prana!" " GUAAAAAAA" "Something else is going to come out from my arse."

The White Irons were bogged down in a hard struggle.

Even if someone were to tell them to remember the sensations, looked like it's not that easy. Until now, no one was able to access their prana.

(If it was that easy to imitate their dreams, there would be no need to set up this school.) Momoka realized that she must take this seriously and not be careless.

"White Irons have seven Prana Gates in their body which are the source of their energy. The gate in your habitual hand will be the easiest to open, so try to concentrate there first."

Although Tanaka-sensei gave more suggestions, no one reached success yet.

"HO HO HO~"

In the crowd, Satoshi raised his head proudly and stood up.

Strong looking students who looked as if they will activate their prana immediately by going "RAWWWWWW" were still concentrating. Momoka was also confounded by her lack of success.

Satoshi, looking as if he is silently gloating, was leisurely doing warm-up exercises.

But he discovered that, except for Momoka, no one was paying any attention to him.

"Look carefully! This is the true power of the great one who you all looked down on," declared Satoshi loudly, spreading his arms and looking upward.

"You are still holding a grudge from yesterday."

"Shut up, Momoka just need to stand one side and watch carefully."

Satoshi opened his eyes wide and concentrated.

With a poof sound, both of his arms glowed like lanterns.

While the glow was not really strong, nor was he emitting it from his whole body like Tanaka, the golden glow was his prana without a doubt.

"That's so great." "Not from one hand, but two?" "Did you figure it out immediately, Ranjou-san?"

The classmates who were just fighting with Satoshi yesterday were all paying full attention to him now.

Satoshi raised both his arms, and replied in exultation:

"When I heard about the Ancestral Arts during the pre-school briefings, I was thinking [That's so cool. Let's try doing it just like in the dreams], and I started training and finally resulted in this. HO HO HO HO HO HO HO."

After laughing happily, he beckoned to Momoka to stand up.

"Will you let me do an experiment on you?"

"Not a problem, but please be gentle on me."

"I know."

Smiling, Satoshi grabbed hold of her right flank and right leg. At this time, Momoka had a bad feeling.

"Hhhhhhhhhoooooooooo…"

Momoka was lifted up into the air like a placard.

Effortlessly.

"Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaa…" The observing students started applauding.

It was simply too unreal that the slim Satoshi with his thin arms could effortlessly lift up the tall Momoka, as if he's filled with great strength.

"Isn't this great? If you filled your arms with prana, this kind of things can be done easily."

"Hm. Very well done, Ranjou-san. That is an application of one of the basic light techniques:

Titan Strength Link"

Receiving Tanaka's praise, Satoshi spin around, still holding Moroha, as if dancing in joy.

"I feel giddy, put me down."

"Ah, sorry."

Satoshi made a mischievous face and put Momoka down.

Just when she took a relieved breath…..

"Try and break out using your strength!"

Satoshi wrapped Momoka from the back with the prana-enhanced arms.

"Dummy, what are you doing?"

"Don't call me a dummy, I'll get mad! If you are not happy just try to break free, Onii-sama."

Although Satoshi is just playing a small joke on her as her brother, Momoka cannot take it.

That's because it's touching her. That thick thing.

Although Suzaku took every opportunity to ridicule his penis size, but to a 15 year old female, it's still a deadly weapon.

"Damn it, I can't move at all…"

"Well, it's not your fault. It's impossible for you to break free without using Titan Strength Link.

"Fine. I got it. I surrender, I give up. You are amazing, so release me."

"HO HO HO HO HO," Satoshi finally release her while laughing.

Momoka went back to where Suzaku was sitting and sat down beside him.

Just as she was wiping the cold sweat from her brows, Suzaku suddenly hugged her tightly from behind, and breathed seductively into her ear:

"Mine feels better, right?"

The huge penis was pressed in-between her crack.

The erect penis keeps changing shapes against her, entrancing a person even though the feeling was dulled by the battle suits.

"What kind of reaction are you expecting from me," demand Momoka as she glared behind. Suzaku just revealed his dimples as he smiled slightly.

"Stop playing these jokes that's bad for the heart."

Momoka shrugged him off while smirking at him to tell him of his failure of getting a reaction out of her.

On the other side, after showing off the results of his hard work and abilities, Satoshi is still laughing. After sweeping a look at his classmates, he coughed a few times and said to Momoka:

"Ho ho. So, Momoka? Do you want your gentle brother to teach you some tricks?"

Saying that, he threw another glace at his classmates. Before Momoka could say any affirmation:

"Ah, so there is a trick to it?" "Please teach us too, Ranjou-san." "We'll appreciate it."

The male classmates surrounded Satoshi like waves.

The female classmates were more stubborn due to their pride, so they did not join in the entreaties. But they did look at Satoshi with envy.

"It's fine. Let me teach it to you! It's a special service today, so you'll all have to give me your gratitude. HO HO HO HO HO"

"Thanks so much, Ranjou-san."

After being sufficiently flattered by the boys, Satoshi was getting more proud of himself. He took several glances with a happy expression at Momoka as if saying [Aren't I great? A brother that you can be proud of].

True. At this moment Satoshi is really dazzling.

"Let me start my lecture. This is a special training method taught to me in my past life by the male warrior who introduced me to swordsmanship. First you forcefully open the hand of your strong arm as wide as possible."

As expect of a (previous life) prince, Satoshi put up a majestic pose.

The boys surrounding him followed his instructions. The females who originally faked indifference also secretly followed.

Momoka also did the same thing. Suzaku sitting at the side tilted his head as he looked over.

"Next, you form a fist with all your strength."

GGGGGAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

"Now, try to execute both actions at the same time."

You cannot open your fist even if you want too. You cannot close your hand even if you will it. Inevitably, your hand will start shaking.

"Ah, my hand is getting warm!" "I remembered this sensation in my dream." "Just a bit more and my prana should come out." "This is so frustrating."

The boys were all crying out while following the instructions.

"It'll take some time before you will be able to access your prana. You can only keep practicing until you got it," Satoshi leaked this information out reluctantly as if embarrassed.

Momoka was pondering deeply instead.

(Is it really so troublesome?)

Although Satoshi's method is like adding on a training wheel when learning how to ride a bike, Momoka thought that this method was beating around the bush too much.

And—while listening to Satoshi, somewhere in the depth of her brain, a "SCREECH~~ SCREECH~~ noise was heard."

That's not a description of her being impatience, but a literal sound.

It's as if there was a wall of glass in her mind, and a fingernail is scratching on the surface, giving off an uncomfortable and ticklish feeling.

This is the first time something like this happened for Momoka. Plus, the feeling came on too fast and too sudden.

Although Momoka is trying to pay more attention to Satoshi, the SCREECH SCREECH SCREEN noise is getting more serious.

She's starting to develop a really serious headache.

(What's happening to me?)

Momoka closed her eyes, and as if in deep meditation, shifted her consciousness deep within herself.

Suddenly, something seemed to flash across his mind.

A familiar voice was heard.

{I do not know who you learn this from, but you will never improve if you continue like this no matter how much time passes, Fraga.}

A cold and aloof tone, but still filled with love for her brother.

Like listening to a recording of your own voice from a long time ago, a feeling of discord and self-derision—that's the kind of mysterious feeling felt by Momoka right now.

{Don't force your strength, that's a hindrance. It's best to be natural.}

Hearing that, Momoka awoke.

This should be the territory that's known as self-realization.

Momoka had reached that territory.

It may be close to you, but you may never find it your whole life—those are the prana gates in your own body.

"grrrrrrrr…."

"Momoka?" Touched on the shoulder by Suzaku, Momoka returned from her thoughts.

She slowly opened her eyes to find that her right arm is glowing with a white aura.

Compared to the amount generated by Sarasha in her dreams, it's super dim.

But this is definitely the glow of prana.

(I did it. No…I should be able to do better.)

Momoka's left arm lighted up next, followed by both legs in quick successions.

Since she gotten the knack of it, she cannot stopped herself now. Solar plexus, heart, forehead—

In a flash—

Momoka's entire body glowed brightly in a white light as the seven prana gates in her body are thrown wide open.

"…is that, the same as Sensei's?"

Momoka gave a thumb-up at the shocked Suzaku as she stood up. As if to check the conditions of her body, she tried moving her body slowly and gently.

"You will be healed if you go outside, right? What about the building itself?"

"No matter how much damage is sustained from the inner side, it'll repair itself in a few hours."

"I won't be scolded then."

Momoka raised her right knee, and holding on to a strong intent of Shatter in her mind, drove her leg into the ground.

Destruction. Shattering.

The reinforced cement floor beneath her was totally destroyed, and spiderweb-like cracks radiated to a distance of 5 meters around her.

That was the Ancestral Arts, Light Technique Titan Strength Link.

While the same technique, the output between Satoshi and Momoka is vastly different.

"Momoka…I can't believe it…..That's so powerful…." Satoshi was staring with wide eyes.

In addition, the other boys being tutored by Satoshi were turning their heads towards Momoka.

"Hey, Haimura-chan. Did you open all seven gates so quickly?" Tanaka took a quick look at the group of boys with their jaws hanging, and praised Momoka while clapping.

Ignoring all class boundaries, all the first year students were looking at Momoka.

Momoka was instantly surrounded by pressure with all the gazes. If it was anyone with slightly less courage, she'll probably have suffocated under all that peer pressure.

(This is bad. I overdid it.)

In that frozen moment, Momoka scratch her head.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA", screamed a boy in the class.

As if waiting for a signal, time flowed again.

"Haimura-chan, how did you do that?" "So there was really a trick to it?" "Please teach it to me."

The boys surrounding Satoshi were all rushing to Momoka like an avalanche.

"WE ARE CLASSMATES RIGHT!"

The boys all surrounded Momoka and started shooting out questions at her rapidly.

There were even some who took advantage of the confusion to grope her body; it's already beyond the level of simple sexual harassment!

Still, being surrounded and pressed on by the soft bodies of young nubile boys, Momoka cannot help but feel comfortable.

"STOP THAT! THAT'S MY ONEE-SAMA!"

A cross-eyed Satoshi pushed through the boys and squeeze to Momoka's front.

"Momoka is really great. You don't even need me to explain anything."

"Is..is that so," Momoka shakily replied as she caught hold of Satoshi who was throwing himself into her in a bear hug.

A slim boy's soft body twisting around in her arms; a nice fragrance waffling from his hair, Momoka cannot help but feel her heart beating faster.

"It's great! Do you know how many months it took me to access my prana from 2 arms? Ha ha ha ha, you are making me look bad now."

Is he happy or angry, cheerful or sad? Please stick to one emotion.

A boy with an extremely fast mood swing.

Still, in Momoka's eyes, a boy who was also extremely cute.

"Satoshi, did you remember what you did just now?"

Momoka suddenly felt like teasing him a bit and grin unpleasantly at him.

"Uh," Satoshi lifted his teary joyful eyes at her.

Momoka pounced onto this defenseless prey who had not realized his doom.

She held fast onto Satoshi's waist with her right hand, and used her left hand to tickle him.

"Hahahahahahah, don't…don't tickle my side. Hahahahahah, it's…its…cheating to go for the armpits."

"You can try to break free if you cannot take it."

"Hahahahah, evil. Onee-sama is so evil."

Satoshi, who only opened two gates, was obviously not able to escape from Momoka who opened all of his. Thus, Momoka was able to continue exacting her revenge to her heart's content.

Just then,

"This is surprising. There actually another capable character beside me."

A strong yet rough voice shouted out.

Momoka, still holding on to Satoshi, stopped her tickling and looked toward the owner of the voice.

At a far distance from the students sat the girl, who Momoka noticed earlier, with her legs thrust straight in front of her on the ground.

The girl with the cold smile who gave a deep impression of a crazed wolf.

Her shoulders were wide, even sitting down you could see that she had a very well trained body.

Her name was…Isurugi Gen.

Due to the fact that she was staring coldly at Satoshi's group while they were practicing, it was thought that she was a Black Mage.

With everyone's attention on her, she arrogantly stood up.

When she stood up, it was realized that she also had a very noticeable body, maybe around 190cm.

No matter what her past life was like, she is giving out a savage feeling as if she was ready to fight anyone right then and there.

With a "foom" sound, Gen's eyes filled with power.

The muscles under her battle suit expanded.

Momoka had a sudden illusion that the surrounding was filled with the smell of blood.

That's because that was the color of Gen's aura, a blood like dark crimson.

Satoshi, Suzaku and the other students drew a quick breath, and compared the two girls who were quietly emitting prana from their whole body.

On one side, Momoka was still holding Satoshi and in standing in a relaxed natural state.

On the other side, Gen was rolling her shoulder aggressively with wide eyes.

Two people who are polar opposites. Under this tense atmosphere:

"I remember that you are the third year, Isurugi Jun's….." Tanaka sighed deeply and spoke coldly.

"Yup. Jun's my elder sister."

Even under that unnatural atmosphere, when the word "sister" was heard, some people started whispering to each other.

"It's very rare for sisters to be Saviors together. Even in this school they are the only examples," softly explained Suzaku to Momoka from behind her.

Momoka had also heard in the morning lessons that there is perhaps one savior out of every 10,000 people. So she had to agree that sibling saviors were really rare.

"I asked Jun to teach me Light Techniques from two years ago when he first entered this school."

Due to this miraculous advantage, Gen is bragging at her ability to open all of her prana gates.

"You are called Haimura right. So you also learned before entering this school like me?" asked Gen willfully.

"No. I'm learning about prana for the first time today."

"Stop lying. Even for me, it took me an entire year before I can open all seven gates. This is not something that can be learned instantly. Stop pretending and tell the fucking truth!"

Gen refused to believe Momoka and continued to press her for the truth.

Satoshi, still in Momoka's arms, started retorting before Momoka could reply.

"So what if you used a year. Don't use your pitiful knowledge to judge my Onee-sama's greatness."

"What did you say? The half-ass fella who can only light up two arms should go to one side and keep quiet."

"What did you say? Stop describing me like a fluorescent lamp, it's unforgivable!"

Momoka held back Satoshi who struggled as if he wanted to rush at Gen.

(Haiz, what a rash person.) Momoka smiled bitterly at Satoshi who was panting in anger.

"Hey, the both of you. Don't try and fight in front of Sensei. You should all know this; Saviors are banned from using their abilities for personal reasons. I do not know about other schools, but Akane Academy takes a very strict stance on violence and the punishment is very harsh indeed."

If Tanaka-sensei had not put in those words, Satoshi should have rampaged by now.

Momoka released Satoshi who had suddenly turned well-behaved.

Gen also grunted and released her tension.

"Let us continue the lesson. Since we have the rare opportunity of three people being able to release their prana, let me teach you something additional. The three of you, take out your student ID tags."

The three of them followed that instruction.

"This is considered a weapon for White Irons."

"This small thing?" Satoshi and Momoka looked at each other in confusion.

Gen is sneering at them as if saying: "You don't even know this simple stuff."

"Imaging the weapon that you want to use, and inject prana into the ID Tag."

"Oh…..is any weapon fine?" Momoka asked.

"This required a very strong imaging on your side. For your target, you need to strongly and clearly remember the weapon you used in your past life. The weapon that had the strongest connection and compatibility with you in your past life."

Listening to Tanaka, something seemed to burst into fireworks in Momoka's mind.

With a bonus headache even worst then the one she experienced previously.

This time, without Momoka's concentration, the familiar voice resounded in her head again.

A familiar scene appeared in front of her eyes, as if she's daydreaming.

In a solemn shine far beyond the solar system, under a winter sun long gone in the past, Momoka and Fraga were facing each other.

Fraga, in a white prince suit, was hugging carefully a longsword in a scabbard.

"I will not talk about other matters, but please allow me to say this—May the fortunes of war be with you, Onee-sama."

Fraga look at Momoka with puffy, tear-filled red eyes.

Momoka calmly and silently took over the longsword.

A hilt painstakingly designed in the most exact details fit into her hand perfectly, as if to proclaim that it was not a work of art, but a partner for victory in the cruel battlefield.

With a ringing sound, the blade is drawn into the cold air.

The blade with a mirror-like finish, as if a masterpiece created by the gods.

Without testing, one can discern that this blade is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece forged and reforged countless times until perfect was finally achieved.

The sword is a priceless artifact all by itself.

Its name is Saratiga, the holy sword that Momoka is the guardian of.

At this point, the daydream broke apart.

With a light dizziness, Momoka returned to herself.

Why can she hear the voice of her past life? Why can she remember her past life via daydreaming instead of dreaming it while asleep? Was it the same for the other Saviors? Momoka was now seriously confused.

But, she had definitely gotten a reliable clue.

Now, she had to summon that holy sword to the present.

Momoka clutch the ID Tag tightly.

"Ahh…..Ahhhhh…..It's surprisingly difficult to inject prana into an object."

Although Satoshi was complaining bitterly in his own struggles, but Momoka did not even hear him in her deep concentration.

This proved how much effort she is pouring into imaging the details of the holy sword—her previous partner.

(Come, Saratiga…..)

Momoka released her prana into her ID Tag.

After a flash of light, the ID Tag in glowed brightly as if red-hot, and lengthened like sugar candy.

The hilt with the easy grip, the solidly built hand guard, the long blade, the sharp edge…all of these materialized as the sword lengthened. Her previous partner was being summoned into this world.

Finally, a sword appeared in Momoka's hand.

But, compared to the holy sword with the mirror-like blade and detailed body, this is a rather normal looking sword.

(Was my imagination lacking?)

Momoka disappointedly raised the sword and checked out its condition.

"Grats, Momoka!" "That's so cool." "It's so striking."

Still, the boys were screaming like fanboys with Satoshi as their lead.

Momoka became happier gradually as she regained the long lost feeling of holding onto a sword and started to think that everything is fine like this.

(Please take care of me again, Saratiga.)

Momoka slowly stroked the sword body, and decided that this shall be her beloved weapon from now on.

End of Chapter 3

---

Chapter 4
The Boy Named Ranjou Satoshi

At the start of the next day, the atmosphere in the class changed.

When Momoka stepped into the classroom, she was shocked as all the boys turned their heads simultaneously to look at her.

With very warm and affectionate looks.

Momoka as usual, sat at her seat in the middle of the last row but now with a cramped face.

"Ah, Haimura-chan."

Just as she barely touched her seat, one of her male classmates rushed to her side.

The atmosphere suddenly turned ugly as the air was infused by masculine grudges of [Don't jump the queue!], but as Momoka had shifted her attention to the boy in front of her, she failed to notice it completely.

He was a cute boy who seemed confident of his appearance; with a sailor hat on his head that suited him a lot.

If not for the existence of Satoshi and Suzaku, he'd probably be the most noticeable person.

"Do you have time after school? If possible, I would like you to help tutor me in Light Techniques. I have many areas to need your help on. Of course, as thanks, maybe we can have dinner or something together after that..."

To the word "dinner", Momoka's mouth twitched slightly.

Although Momoka lived frugally due to her financial situation, she had never let anyone treate her before. She still had that much restraint.

But she had no qualms about accepting food in return for a favour.

Just as she was about to break into a smile of acceptance…..

"…Momoka already has an appointment."

Like a phantom, Suzaku suddenly appeared behind the boy and grabbed his shoulder, whispering softly to him.

"I….I….I'm sorry!"

The boy retreated hurriedly with an expression as if he was having a heart attack.

"It's just not possible to let down one's guard."

"You are the same," retorted Momoka as she stared dreadfully at Suzaku who appeared out of thin air.

"You just caused me to lose my dinner."

"Doesn't the hostel provide those?"

"I'm in a growing phrase. Eating a 2nd dinner outside is hardly an issue."

"I could treat you to dinner, all you can eat."

"I don't like to eat free meals."

"Teach me light techniques then?"

"Aren't you a black mage?"

"You are so dense," sighed Suzaku. "Ranjou-san is glaring at me, so I'll be returning to my seat," and he left.

Glancing out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Satoshi, who had just opened the classroom rear door, staring at them from across the room.

Since Momoka pretended not to see him, he gave a "hmmp" and went to his seat.

Ignoring the grudge filled air generated by jealous boys.

They were in that condition because they knew that Suzaku had a date with Momoka two days ago, so they were all regretfully muttering things like [He got ahead of us] or [I was too slow].

In such a complicated atmosphere —

"This pisses me off."

From the front door of the classroom, the large body of Isurugi Gen appeared.

She swept her gaze around the classrooms once, and all the boys who were dreamily looking at Momoka tried their hardest to avoid looking Gen.

Even the girls, who were originally embarrassed by the delicate mood of the boys, strived not to look at Gen in the eyes.

"Isurugi-Chan, good morning to you," greeted some of Gen's cronies who had attached themselves to her earlier.

Gen continued to look around the classroom with dangerous eyes, proceed to her seat beside the windows and sat down heavily.

"As I said, this pissed me off," Gen leaned against the windows, and purposefully said that in a loud voice.

"It's strange. Why are the looks being thrown to me and Haimura so different ?"

Looked like she just wanted to vent some frustration. After saying those stuffs, she seemed to lose interest and deflected, losing the will to bitch anymore.

"That's because you keep saying those childish things, that's why you are being looked down upon right?"

Satoshi was saying something outrageous again.

"What did you say, faggot?"

Gen, fully roused from her previous lethargy and stood up again. Momoka could not help but cover her face with her hands.

Gen looked at Satoshi with death in her eyes, while Satoshi fearlessly stared back with scorn.

A death-match … did not happen.

"Huh. There's no point in messing around with a weakling."

Gen changed her mind and sat back down in a relaxed manner.

Although Satoshi scream "WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Gen was already ignoring him.

With that, the class that regained peace…did not happened either.

"Haimura, let's have a duel and determine who's the No.1!"

Gen with a maniac look in her eyes said some nonsensical things.

"This kind of thing, it's better to decide it earlier."

What did you meant by [earlier]? What was [better to decide]? Momoka could understand.

"The No.1 is you, lets decide it that way," Momoka replied indifferently.

Momoka had absolutely no interest in her position in the school hierarchy.

Compared to this, the bigger problem was that she already felt sleepy before morning lessons.

"You bitch…."

Temper throbbing and giving off a ferocious look. She's already the No.1, what was there for her to be dissatisfied about?

"What are you saying, Momoka? Don't you have any pride?" Satsohi was pulling his ponytail in exasperation at the unbelievable words from Momoka's mouth.

"Being honest and admitting your defeat is also something to take pride about. Isurugi had been practicing Light Techniques since two years ago, so she's obviously above me in abilities.

Momoka replied that absentmindedly as she yawned widely. She's really going to fall asleep. This is really bad.

"Che, you damn coward. How are you a Savior like this?" Seeing the unmotivated look on Momoka's face, even Gen gave up after clicking her tongue once.

Another reason was that the bell had rung and Tanaka-Sensei walked into the classroom.

(I'm not a Savior.)

Momoka struggled to contain her yawns while she sat up straighter.

"Unbelievable," said Satoshi as he left that one word before returning to his seat.

---

Lunch Time—

As the cafeteria was crowded, Momoka, Satoshi and Suzaku decided to have their bread lunch at the courtyard lawn.

The weather was good and the springtime sun was comfortable.

"My good mood was destroyed by you," complained Satoshi.

Suzaku looked at Satoshi displeasingly.

"I won't shut up. Anyway, Isurugi was running all over you, why did you remain silent even so, Momoka?"

"Because the topic of "who's the best" is dreadfully boring."

To Momoka, lunch was the most important thing right at this moment. She eagerly tore open the bread packaging.

"Don't you feel any defiance when other people ridicule you?"

"Nope, none whatsoever," replied Momoka as she stuffed her mouth full of pizza toast.

"I guess Momoka is more in love with money than power?" asked Suzaku straightforwardly from her side.

"[Love] is not the appropriate word to use. I'm not a miser or anything. I just felt that it's hard to go through life without money, and I also cannot repay my Uncle and aunt. I don't want that."

"I do not know if I should describe you as being realistic or something else. What a hard woman to understand."

I have desire for money, but no desire for fame. That should be what Suzaku meant, I guess?

"That is why I feel that it's best to keep a low profile. Although money is important, I don't really want to be rich. As long as I can be someone that Uncle and Aunt can be proud of, I'll be satisfied. Other than that, I don't want to reach too high above my station."

"Is that so? I see."

Although Momoka wondered if she was being too obstinate, luckily Suzaku seemed to understand.

After that, the sensitive Suzaku stopped talking and concentrated on opening his tea packet.

"If Onee-sama is not the No.1, then I won't agree to it. Definitely not."

And there was the self-proclaimed little brother who cannot read the mood, sitting on the other side of her.

"I was so angered by you that I couldn't concentrate on the lessons the entire morning."

"No, you had better concentrate on the lessons," countered Momoka. "I'm not asking you to study till you spit blood out, but since the fees are free, please don't waste the chance to get a good education."

"This….I will admit that I am at fault on this matter," said the embarrassed Satoshi as he played with his ponytail after being scolded by Momoka.

"Momoka is really an outstanding student."

"I'm not up to that standard. After all the efforts my uncle spent convincing me to come to high school, if I were to leisurely pass my time here without making an effort, I'll be so ashamed that I'd punch myself."

Even though she was not putting any financial burden on her Uncle right now, Momoka felt that she might as well study hard instead of wasting her time. If she were to do that, she might as well go find a full-time job.

"AHHH~~AHH. I still feel so frustrated."

Was it really that unbearable for your sister to be laugh at by others?

Satoshi had taken out a sandwich from his bag and was chewing through it savagely as if to vent his anger, while continuing to complain.

"Weren't you the one who was complaining that Hamburgers were low class food? So Sandwiches are fine?" Suzaku quickly attacked Satoshi when he saw an opportunity.

Satoshi choked on his food and quickly gulped down some packaged orange juice.

"Sandwiches are elegant food invented by nobles!"

"How stubborn."

"And this orange juice is not cold at all, so irritating!" Satoshi tried to shift the topic away clumsily.

Yes, it was a fact that lukewarm orange juices are terrible things. The increased acidity will stung the tongue and also leave behind a sticky aftertaste.

"Here, pass it over. I'll cool it for you."

"Huh? What are you doing, Urushibara?"

Satoshi tilted his head as his orange juice was taken away.

Suzaku took over the juice with his left hand, and was pointing at something with right hand.

『TRACE—』

Suzaku said that word significantly in a solemn voice.

Something seemed to electrify in Momoka's mind.

『Oh Child of Ice, Oh Child of Snow, lend me your breath, and freeze this with your small exhalation』

While Suzaku was chanting something like an aria in a singsong voice, he seemed to be tracing something using his the tip of his right forefinger. .

That's right. He was not pointing at anything just now. As if there was an invisible board hanging in the air, Suzaku's graceful fingertip was writing a series of glowing glyphs.

A language that never belonged on Earth.

The language of the realm of magic.

Following his aria and gestures, the surrounding seemed to darken slightly. At their location in the centre of the courtyard with a cloudless sky overhead, it was a mysterious phenomenon. Suzaku was increasing the amount of mana within his by absorbing energy from the natural surroundings, and molding it into the form of energy he wished for.

Only a few seconds had passed.

While Suzaku was writing the glyphs, Momoka and Satoshi were mesmerized.

When he tapped strongly on the last glyph, that single line of characters seemed to rotate and disappeared into the juice package.

"Here, Its cold now."

Suzaku casually push the package against Satoshi's cheek, causing Satoshi to jump away in fright.

"Step One Dark Magic 《White breath》. Did you adjust it to a low powered version, Suzaku?

"Dark Magic? The power that Dark Mages used?"

After hearing Momoka's confirmation, Satoshi screamed as if crazed while Suzaku just nodded his head.

"That's not allowed! Ancestral Arts can only be used for justice. The school rules also stated clearly that you can only use it during training, or in a desperate emergency."

"It was a desperate emergency to chill orange juice."

"Don't crack this kind of bad joke, Urushibara."

"Hey, don't be so stubborn about these matters. It's not as if we had troubled anyone, and you were helped, isn't that great?"

"The me just now, who thought you were a model student, was an idiot," Satoshi sighed exaggeratedly.

"Forget it, there will be no next time. I don't want to be disciplined for breaking the school rules."

Looking off to the side, he sucked greedily at the orange juice.

"Ah, it's so tasty."

Hearing this clumsy thanks, Momoka and Suzaku can only smiled bitterly at each other.

Following, the two of them also took out more bread from the bags.

"Hahahahahaha," laughed Satoshi suddenly while pointing at Suzaku's bread. "Curry bread? A boy is actually eating curry bread? That's so damaging to the grace of a boy. Hey, why is it a curry bread? Is it because it's yellow? Are you the yellow ranger in a Sentai show?"

Although Satoshi was hard while holding his stomach, Suzaku just ignored him and continue to eat his bread calmly.

One look and you can see who was the more graceful boy between them.

"I heard that the curry bread in Akane Academy is pretty famous."

"Really? I should have chosen that if I've known."

Although the hotdog she is chewing was tasty too, Momoka started to crave for a taste of the curry bread.

She also suddenly realized something: Except for her and Satoshi, Suzaku don't seem to have much interaction with other people, nor seemed to have any other friends. Still, once and again he will provide information and intelligence when needed. It's really unfathomable.

"Do you want a taste, Momoka?"

"Thanks. Let me share some of mine with you."

"Here, say Ahhhhhh…"

Momoka took a bite out of the curry bread that Suzaku held over, and Suzaku, with another Ahhh, took a bite out of Momoka's hot dog in her hand.

"What are you doing, Onee-samaaaaaaaaaa."

"It's tasty!" Momoka replied while looking at Satoshi who was clutching his head, chewing all the while.

The pairing of soft bread and crispy skin gave the outer layer a sweet taste, which combined with the exciting mature tasting filling; it was the perfect blend of sweetness and spiciness.

"You said "AHHHHH!" You actually said "AHHHHHHH!" And an in, in, in…indirect kiss!"

"What indirect kiss? Are you an elementary school child?"

"How could you do that when you already have a brother, you heartless playgirl!"

"Heartless? Playgirl? Is that something you said to your sister in the past?"

"I wouldn't say that! Ah~ah, to think Sarasha was so gentle last time. She will go [Ahhhhhh] and feed me every day. How did she change into such a philanderer?"

"Then let me feed you now…..?"

"She would go [Ahhhh] to feed me, yet she would mischievously kissed me on the face when I closed my eyes."

"Were the two of you really siblings?!"

Facing Satoshi who was grinning foolishly while reminiscing and even drooling a bit, Momoka cannot help but look suspiciously at him.

On the other side, Suzaku calmly said:

"I had already kissed Momoka directly. At this stage, there's really no point in making a fuss about indirect kissing or anything like that."

Satoshi who was in his personal daydream suddenly snapped into his demonic face.

"How could I not make a fuss? How many times had I said this, this is a major event for a boy!"

"It's only a touch between lips."

"What do you mean by [only]?!"

"It's not like she'll get pregnant."

"PRE….PREG….PREGNANT?!"

Hearing the word spoken calmly by the expressionless Suzaku, the innocent Satoshi blushed all the way to his neck.

"It's unbelievable! For a boy to be unaware of the importance of kissing, it's really unbelievable!"

Satoshi, shoulders shaking and hugging his arms, turned his head away with a hmmmp.

His cheeks were puffed out, rounded like a dolphin's head.

On the other hand, Suzaku's dimples were showing up on his face. He must be feeling happy about teasing Satoshi.

The single organism that was straight-laced Satoshi had not notice that yet. Suzaku was still better at this. Looking at this, Momoka could not help but smile.

"I'm full." Momoka clapped her hand together in appreciation and thought about how peaceful the day was.

Of course, she would only come to regret her naïvety later in the day.

---

After changing into the battle suits inside the changing rooms, the three of them walked together towards the tunnel.

For the afternoon practical lessons, they came to the first training arena again.

Possibly due to them being slightly early, very few students from the four classes had arrived. None of the four teachers had arrived yet either. Momoka's group walked toward their classmates.

Isurugi Gen was there too, and seemed to be saying something in a loud voice.

"My elder sister said that the threats from the Metaphysicals are increasing every year, and the White Knight Order will not be able to cope if they don't increase their war potential more."

Three girls were surrounding him and were attentively listening to every word she said.

She had already found some followers quickly, looked like she'd be forming her very own clique soon.

"But, Isurugi-chan, isn't that bad? That won't be a good situation to be in."

"Don't be ridiculous. It's great for us as it'll be the best job security guarantees. If we can be as active as my sister, we'll go far in the future. This is all thanks to the Metaphysicals."

Her statement did make some sense.

But only in a twisted manner, similar to the logic of a thief.

"Ah, so that's it. Isurugi-chan is so clever. That's great."

Gen was shamelessly declaring her views, and her cronies were clapping and cheering her on.

The rest of the class was frowning but since the strength of Gen was undeniable, no one got the courage to argue with her. In fact, seeing Gen's group being so extremely conceited, they actually felt ashamed for them.

"I actually thought about this, that it's better for a Metaphysical to turn a city into a sea of fire. If that happened, the country will have no choice but to increase the funding to the order."

"Wow. If that really happen, our salaries will keep rising!"

Gen's group started laughing outrageously.

Their wretched, obscene expressions were harmful to the eyes.

(Instead of calling them Saviors, it's more accurate to call them thieves.

Momoka ignored that group and sat down on the ground. Suzaku did the same.

"You….you…..people….." Satoshi said with an emotional expression.

Narrowed eyes, farrowed forehead and a trembling mouth. A face full of wrath, all the more remarkable due to his handsomness.

"You people are all trash! A disgrace to all Saviors!"

Before Momoka could stop him, Satoshi had already walked toward Gen's location.

"HUH? What nonsenses are you spouting out since yesterday!?"

Being scolded by Satoshi, Gen's temper also flared up and she stood up quickly.

"I had let you off many times since you are a boy, but it looked as if you are getting too full of yourself," declared Gen as she used her superior height to look down condescendingly at Satoshi.

"Trash is trash. Am I wrong to say that?"

"HUH? Who do you think you are? What rights do you have to look down on me, you damn shorty?"

"You are so dumb if you need to ask that? Remember what you were laughing about just a short while ago."

"Ah, what about it? Are you my parents? Oh, I know, you didn't like my words just now right? Well, we are humans too. We need to eat too, okay? Understand now?"

"My point is your aspiration is despicable!"

"Don't tell me you are one of those "We are allies of justice" types? Listen to me, go back to kindergarten. Okay?"

"Same to you. Trash is smelly, please jump into an incinerator."

"What did you say? I'll jerk your cock."

"Why don't you die and reincarnate again? If that happen, you may become a slightly better Savior."

A duel using lips and tongues as swords.

Satoshi and Gen's insults were getting worst and worst.

Everyone was staring at the two of them.

"Shall we help her, Momoka?"

"That'll only complicate matters."

Suzaku also understood that, so he nodded his head silently upon hearing Momoka's answer.

The situation will only get worse if you blundered clumsily into it. It's a different case if one side was to strike the other, but as they are still in a verbal war it's better to observe at the moment.

Just as Momoka came to this conclusion—

"What is this commotion about?" The class teacher of the 2nd class demanded as she entered the arena.

Gen displayed a "Another interruption" expression as she clicked her tongue in irritation.

For Momoka, this should have been the end of this matter and she had relaxed herself. She was too naïve.

"Sensei, these two had already released their prana. It's so impressive." One of Gen's cronies commented with an innocent face.

"Ah. I saw that yesterday. To reach this level barely into the curriculum, it's really impressive."

"So~~if possible could we have the two of them give a demonstration duel for the rest of us?"

"Oh? If possible I would like my students observe too. If the two of you are willing, how about it?"

Momoka clicked her tongue in irritation this time. So this was what's going on. Just as she was about to restrain Satoshi—

"It's fine. Let me teach this ignorant goon what a Savior should be!" Satoshi declared first.

"HEH HEH! That's good. Then show me the strength of your justice."

Gen accepted of course. An expression that she had been waiting for a chance like this.

(Damn it. Satoshi, you single cell organism.) Momoka ran out of excuses she could have used since the teacher approved the practice duel.

She could only looked on helplessly as the teacher of the 2nd class gave clear instructions for the preparations.

All the 1st year students were seated at the viewing gallery

Only three persons were standing on the training ground.

The referee, Tanaka-sensei, and the spirited Satshi and Isurugi Gen.

As they were standing in front of authorities, no more insults were being thrown between the two of them. But the two of them are glaring at each other with grudges.

"Ready, Start!" Tanaka gave the signal. Satoshi and Gen released their prana simultaneously.

Satoshi's arms were emitting a golden light, but Gen's whole body is awash in a blood red aura.

Next, the two of them materialized their weapons from their ID Tags.

Satshi's weapon is a small double-edge sword. He wasn't able to do this feat yesterday but was able to successfully materialize it today.

He must have practiced hard in the hostel yesterday. Although Satoshi loved to make many declarations and talked big, but he also had a hardworking facet in him.

And on Gen's side—a giant fierce looking axe.

The observing students felt the oppressing will of the combatants and cannot helped but shiver.

Momoka also prayed that Satoshi remained safe.

"There's no need to fear any injuries in the arena. You'll be fine as long as you reached outside."

"I'm not worried about that, Suzaku."

Momoka did not want Satoshi to feel any suffering. Concentrating on Satoshi, She continued to pray silently.

"I'm Coming, Isurugi."

Satoshi sounded a bit nervous, but he set his determination and attacked with a strong pressure.

"TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA." With his shout, he raised his sword in both hands and swung down with a beautiful strike.

Only, Gen continued standing in place motionlessly. Or was she unable to move? Shouldering her axe, she remained motionless.

Satoshi's sword arced once.

This was a strike enhanced by 《Titan Strength Link》. If you were to take in such a blow victory will be decided immediately, right?

A blunt sound rung out and something was thrown into the air.

That thing kept spinning and a curve path, and struck upright on the ground behind Satoshi.

It's Satoshi's sword.

"…What happened?" Suzaku asked but Momoka had only seen a quick shadow.

Gen who had been foolishly standing like a motionless statue had done something with an incredible speed.

Looming at the results, she must have knocked away Satoshi's weapon with her axe.

"AH….uhhh…..?" Looking at his empty hands, Satoshi gave a confused look.

This meant that Gen's movement was so fast that Satoshi was not able to see and realized what had happened.

Victory had been decided in an instant.

Satoshi and Gen had a huge difference between their fighting abilities.

"Pick it up," said Gen confidently as she tapped her axe lightly against her shoulder.

"We can't continue the duel if you have no weapon, right. So pick it up."

Being pitied on by her, Satoshi could only tremble in shame where he stood.

"You don't have to go easy on me. We are just having a demonstration duel. Prepare yourself anew and we'll start over again."

Gen's words were filled with sincerity and generosity.

And because to this, all the more insulting it was.

Due to rage and shame, Satoshi's face color had already gone past red and into a blue-black shade.

"Hey hey, you need to buck up a bit more. It's not good if an ally of justice retreat just because of a small setback."

"I'll definitely make you cry and apologized to me…."

To pick up his sword, Satshi strongly turned his body and ran toward it.

Gen's lips twisted upward in a despicable smirk.

Rushing forward, she swung her axe downward towards Satoshi's unprotected back.

No blood splattered. Satoshi did not suffer any injuries.

In replacement, the clothing on his back was sliced apart with just the correct amount of strength. The cloth on his back was cut apart.

The white skin of his back was displayed fully to all the 1st year students.

"Noooooooooooo!" Satoshi cannot helped but knelt down. The skin of his back was slowly dyed red.

"Ku…HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA." Gen was laughing to the extent of having tears in her eyes.

Momoka had already rushed out. With unbelievable speed, she had jumped out of the viewing gallery and landed onto the training ground. Running to Satoshi's side, she quickly covered him with a coat.

"Oi oi, Haimura? We are in the middle of a duel, you know? Don't interfere okay. It's despicable right?"

"…"

Facing Gen's taunts, Haimura did not reply at all. She was too furious to form any incoherent words.

"It's also not right to bully those weaker than you too, Isurugi-chan." At this point, Tanaka-sensei gave a word of warning to Gen.

"A demonstration duel is one thing, but a private fight is disallowed!"

"Don't you have any awareness of what being a Savior means?"

"As one of the chosen, how could you…."

The class teachers of class two, three and four also arrived on the training ground and started lecturing strictly.

A wall of human bodies separated Gen and Momoka.

"Ah my bad," Gen apologized in an insincere tone, and turning her body to squeeze through the wall of bodies, continue her follow up "attack" at the still shaking Satoshi:

"Ranjou, did you hear that? It seems you are a weakling!"

Hearing that, Satoshi's body jumped once.

"Shut up!" Although Momoka was unreservedly releasing her bloodlust, it did not even register at all on Gen standing near the teachers.

"Aren't you Isurugi Jun's sister? Why don't you learnt a bit on how to conduct yourself like your outstanding sister…." While Tanaka-sensei tried to advise Gen, Gen is still exultantly ridiculing Satoshi.

"Ranjou said it herself that we are all Saviors and that for peace we had to battle the Metaphysical. If so, isn't weaklings like Ranjou here the ones that's disgracing all Saviors? He may be good at shooting his mouth off, but he's such a loser in reality."

Gen laughed heartily holding her stomach.

Kyaaaaa, screamed Satoshi sharply.

Next, he ran out covering his ears.

"Wait, Satoshi." Momoka wasn't able to catch him, her voice didn't even reach his ears.

Satoshi ran into the connecting tunnel under the eyes of the entire year one student body.

"Ha ha ha ha, remember this! Weaklings should surround and serve the strong."

"Enough is enough. Know where to draw the line, Isurugi-chan!"

Gen continued to laugh hard. Even when the 4 teachers continue to admonish her, she treated their words as wind.

"….Isurugu." Momoka glared at Gen again.

But, right now—

Satoshi's small back had already disappeared from her sight as he ran outside the arena. She cannot but helped but to worry for him.

She wanted to hold his shaking delicate shoulders.

She couldn't ignore Satoshi.

Momoka did not hesitate and chased after him.

---

Satoshi was in the courtyard.

He sitting, hugging his knees, near the grassy area where they had lunch not long ago.

As all the students were having practical lessons at the moment, no one was around.

Except for Momoka.

As he had ran out of the arena, Satsohi and Momoka's clothings had reverted back to their original state. Momoka noted that she'll need to cover him with a coat again.

"Only Momoka is not allowed to come near..."

"Why only me…..?"

"Because I don't want you to see my pathetic face right now." Satoshi replied weakly, eyes puffy and red from crying.

He kept silent after that.

Seeing his lonely back as he sat hugging his knees, Momoka found it hard to follow his instructions.

Still,

"If I cannot look at you, I can still stay at your side, right?"

Supporting her head with her arms, and positioned her back toward Satoshi.

Satoshi continued to remain silent.

So it means that she can stay at his side, Momoka forced herself to interpret his silence as that.

The weather report had stated that the spring season for this year will be a good one. As proven by looking up into the sky, the mild sun was gently shining on and warming up the two of them.

"I don't think that you have anything to be ashamed of." Momoka, taking the sun as a role model, gently consoled the depressed Satoshi.

"I may not know the meaning of the existence of Savior in this world, but compared to the strong ruling over the weak, isn't the side working towards a noble goal more impressive? In my opinion, Isurugi is the disgraceful side."

Still, Satoshi continue to remain silent.

(I've ran out of ideas.)

Momoka decided to observe the sun and wait leisurely.

She may be scolded by the teachers later, but she cannot bring himself to care at the moment.

Compared to lessons, Satoshi is more important right now.

---

How many sheep-like clouds had she counted floating pass in the sky?

"I wanted Onee-sama to praise me." Satoshi said mumbled suddenly.

Momoka was shocked lightly by his sudden utterance.

The feeling of wanting to be praised, she also strongly desired that. She wanted the deeply respected guardians who raised her to say to her [You had done very well].

And, she wanted to repay them too.

In a certain sense, she chose this school precisely for that reason.

Being on the same wavelength as Satoshi, Momoka continued to wait silently for Satoshi to continue.

"Due to misfortune, the towns I lived in were attacked one after another by Metaphysical. Due to this, until my 3rd year of middle school I was forced to move house 12 times.

"If you keep moving around, isn't it hard to make friends?"

Momoka felt Satoshi nodding his head.

"Still, I wasn't lonely at all. I had Fraga's memories and dreamed of Sarasha every night when I sleep. To Fraga, Sarasha was his world and everything. To me, it was the same."

He confessed all that in a mournful voice and a soft tone. To Satoshi, his beloved Onee-sama is a supremely important existence.

While temporarily ignoring the fact that Momoka was that beloved Onee-sama for the moment, the loyalty he displayed toward that love wwould make anyone feel touched by him.

"After I passed the test and found myself a Savior, and informed that I'm not the only one who had memories of their past life, and that there is a school that gathered Saviors, I had a thought…."

Momoka felt Satoshi's gaze behind her back.

"I came here on the off-chance that I can meet up with Onee-sama."

Momoka silently continued to listen to his confession with her back to him.

"That was the only reason I entered this school."

Satoshi breathe in deeply through his mouth and nose.

"Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

He sniffed through his nose, and forcefully tried to stem the tears gathering in his eyes.

"Truthfully, [justice] or [save the world] are only secondary to me. I was only trying to act tough in front of Onee-sama, and wanted her to praise me. And, I wanted to fight by Onee-sama's side. No matter the opponent or reasons, this time I will be by my Onee-sama's side to witness her fights. That was my only wish."

He revealed the truth and real feelings hidden in his heart.

"So I was only trying to act tough and being stubborn. When Onee-sama said that she did not wish to fight in this life, I became distraught and then got angry."

He revealed the guilt hidden in his heart.

"My goals are not noble at all. I actually had no rights to preach to Isurugi, because I'm the same as him. Looking at him, it was like looking into a mirror and seeing my ugly side. I cannot resist myself and challenged her. And I lost…even when those fellow laughs at Onee-sama, as your brother I cannot even protect your honor. I am so useless….."

His voice started shaking and break apart as he talked, and after reaching the end he started crying again.

Hugging his legs, he rolled his small body even tighter into a ball, looking even smaller.

A vulnerable boy was crying silently.

"I beg you, Onee-sama. Scold me just like you used to. I am fine with any reprimand."

He cried harder as he begged her.

So.

It's enough.

Momoka turned her body to face him and held his shaking, delicate shoulders, and asked:

"Do you like me? Not Sarasha, but me?"

The suddenly frozen Satoshi lifted his head.

"Eh…..what?" Satoshi asked with a doubtful expression.

Then, his face spoiled by crying was blushed a faint gentle red.

Momoka continue purposefully:

"I will also be honest with you. I cannot treat you as my little brother, for I have very little memories of my past life. So, even if you go Onee-sama this or Onee-sama that, I will only be at a loss."

BUT.

"The strength of your yearning, feelings and love for your [Onee-sama], I already know them well."

Momoka purposely smiled a smile, [you brocon].

About justice, about Saviors, Momoka had no interest at all. In fact, she cannot match Satoshi's frequency most of the time actually.

So Momoka had no rights to lecture Satoshi.

Momoka felt happy now though.

For she is joyful at finally understanding the boy named Ranjou Satoshi.

And she liked him even more now.

"So, if you really liked me, I will receive your feelings."

As Momoka earnestly said out every word, Satoshi's face turned redder and redder.

"You said re,re,re,re,received? How are you going to do that?" Satoshi tried his best to ask while stammering. Even so, at this point Satoshi felt that steam was coming out of his head.

"AH~." To allow time for Satoshi to calm himself down, Momoka paused for a while.

Satoshi abandoned his previous pose, and unconsciously leaned his body forward.

Momoka, with her utmost feelings, replied:

"I will try my best to treat you as my little brother."

Satoshi revealed a complicated expression.

"Ah? You are not willing?" Momoka tilted her head and felt surprised.

Satoshi also paused for a while, with his face twisting for a split second.

"How could I not be willing? Isn't that my wish all along?"

With a half-crying and half-laughing expression, Satoshi threw himself into Momoka's arms.

Going with his momentum, Momoka fell down and hugged him tightly.

The two of them lay on the glassy lawn hugging each other tightly.

Sure enough—

Even if she treated Satoshi like a little brother, the crime-like softness of his body, the sweet smells like a forbidden fruit from his hair, the warmth of his velvety skin were all a severe burden on her heart.

Momoka was trying her best to suppress her worldly desires, because the Satoshi who was wetting her chest is that pure, that warm.

This is a brother, Momoka had to continue to remind herself in her heart.

---

After school, an obscene voice resounded in the school corridor.

"I say, that crying face of Ranjou was simply marvelous."

"From now on, he won't be able to show off in front of Isurugi-chan, right?"

"If not for that interfering Haimura who was acting tough, I would have shamed him more. What a pity."

HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA

The deplorable conversations between Isurugi Gen and her two followers who were not even trying to hide their rotten morals.

They were pushing aside other students, and walking arrogantly down the corridor.

Suddenly, their footsteps stopped. Someone was blocking their way.

It's Momoka with the setting sun behind her back.

With the backlight, she was using a pair of somber eyes to look at the group.

"What. Are you here to seek revenge for that boy?" Gen coldly laughed.

Momoka remained silent.

"I'm asking you what you are here for!"

Even when Gen started shouting, Momoka remained silent. She only looked back at them with her ever increasingly deepening and darkening fearsome eyes.

(This girl… can actually give this kind of look…)

Gen could feel sweat beneath her clothes.

"Momoka, you fuck! Don't be so full of yourself!"

One of Gen's cronies rushed toward Momoka angrily.

Just when she was about to grab Momoka, she found her face grabbed by Momoka instead.

Momoka's fingers were emitting some creaking sounds and were deeply forced into that crony's face.

That person cried out in pain but she wasn't able to free herself. She was finally thrown away like rubbish to roll her way to Gen's legs.

"Haimura, do you think you can leave unscathed after you bully one of my girls?"

Gen helped to lift up the fallen person, and used a rough and deep voice to growl out her displeasure. Even her followers started shaking at hearing that voice.

But, Momoka just continued to glare at them.

"It's surprising to me….." Momoka finally opened her mouth.

"Do you think you can leave unscathed after you made my little brother cry?"

This was said in a normal voice that will not cause any fear in people hearing it.

Yet Gen's cronies were so scared that their faces turned white.

"If you have the will, then I'll accompany you to the end. We'll see which of us is the No.1." Gen savagely howled.

"I'm not interested in the position of No.1, but I'll have you kowtowing to Satoshi for forgiveness." Momoka announced coldly.

Since both side refused to back down, a fight is imminent.

Tension rose in the air of the corridor.

As if one is locked inside a room with of explosive.

The other students had long disappeared. Gen's followers were retreating as far as they can.

It's imminent.

The tension filled air was disturbed by an untimely cough.

"Ah…ah…cough. How many times do I need to repeat myself before you all understand? A private fight between Saviors is not allowed."

Gen roughly turned her head behind her.

When did this happen? Without anyone's notice or awareness, Tanaka-sensei is leaning against the wall near them.

"Still, it's not like I don't understand your feelings. So let's change locations. So why don't you let me handle this matter? If you listen to me, I guarantee the two of you will get to fight as much as you want." Tanaka-sensei said as she wiped her black-rimmed glasses with her handkerchief.

Gen, intrigued, nodded her head. Momoka appeared without dissension —

In this way, the curtains raised for the battle stage between Momoka and Gen.

End of Chapter 4

---

Chapter 5
The Dragon In Human Form

Around 30 minutes later, Momoka resolutely proceeded to the battlefield.

The time was still in the evening and the location was the First Training Arena.

To open up the slot, Tanaka-sensei wrote it down as [after school special training].

Thus, there were several people scattered around in the viewing gallery.

Many teachers were also gathered together in the gallery, and were loosely standing around the rim, right at the edge.

"Momoka, where were you? I ran all over looking for you. How did things developed into something so serious?"

In the tunnel underneath the viewing gallery, Satoshi looked very frustrated.

"On only the third day of school, there are already two girls who can open all seven prana gates. This is the first time this had happened in the entire school history. And now the two girls are going to have a duel. It's understandable if the teachers will follow this event with great interest."

"I still totally don't get it!"

Suzaku was calmly analysing the situation; Satoshi continued to exclaim his questions continuously.

"Well, as a woman, I also have some yearnings towards being the Class No.1."

"Don't say this kind of shoddy lies that are easily seen through!"

As Momoka humorously chatter while doing warm-up exercises, Satoshi looked worriedly at her.

In the afternoon lessons, Satoshi was disgraced in front of all the Year 1 students. Following that, won't Momoka suffered an even more malicious disgrace—

"Cheer for me." As she continued to stretch herself, Momoka winked at Satoshi.

It's useless to lie to Satoshi. Since that was the case, she also will not be able to ease Satoshi's anxiety even if she acted confidently in the face of certain defeat. Momoka was really unsuited to lying or bragging.

So, Momoka changed her viewpoint instead.

For Satoshi to be so anxiously worried for her, she should be happy.

She shall use that as her source of motivation.

"Um…I got it…. I will cheer hard for you. Your little brother will be your god of victory."

Did Momoka's thoughts reach Satoshi?

In the end, Satoshi forced himself to squeeze out a smile.

That's enough for now.

To change that refreshing smile into a real one, Momoka needed to pull in all her efforts.

As Momoka stretched her body strongly, she shapely looked towards the end of the tunnel. The loud chattering of the crowd, the hot atmosphere and the anticipation of the duel, all were blown into the tunnel.

An energy-charged breeze blew past and heightened Momoka's spirit.

Her physical preparation was completed; her will and spirit were focused.

"…Ne?" Suzaku stared intently at Momoka and beckoned to her.

Hmmm? Momoka stopped her warmup and Suzaku said into her ears:

"If you win, I'll reward you with a prize. Something really great that will make Momoka really happy."

"Oh?"

"You'll just need to fantasize all sorts of possibilities while looking forward to it."

"What did you say?!"

While it was a private conversation, Satoshi who was eavesdropping screamed from frowning.

"No. You don't have to react so exc….."

"What is [something perverted] that will make Momoka happy? What [fantasies]? It's…it's….it's…so perverted!"

What did you thought you heard?

Momoka and Suzaku looked at each other in the eyes.

"See! You can even talk with your eyes alone! Obscene obscene obscene obscene!"

Looking at Satoshi who was scolding them and stomping his feet, Momoka wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, but—

"I,I, also have a thought!" Satoshi brainlessly said some strange things.

As if to compete with Suzaku, he put his mouth next to Momoka's ear and whispered in a barely audible voice:

"…if you win I'll give you a kiss."

A hot breath breathing into his ear, Momoka cannot help but feel emotional.

"…Are you crazy?"

Momoka opened her eyes wide and asked him, to see that that Satoshi was blushing all the way to his throat.

"We…we are siblings right?! Don't, don't think of anything perverted!"

"Perverted…but, it's a kiss right….?"

"This kind of thing is common in the western countries! Common!"

"If it's western, I see."

Even though we were Japanese. Momoka stared widely at Satoshi, while Satoshi as if to escape her stare turned his head sharply to his side.

Even if he was still as red as an apple.

Momoka observed Satoshi for a while, and turned to look at Suzaku.

(Am I the most conservative person here?)

Momoka suddenly and forcefully hugged the two of them to her sides.

With her as the centre, their faces were stuck together closely next to each other.

Influenced by her sudden and unexpected action, Satoshi was blushing even deeper, and even Suzaku was frozen.

"I'll look forward to both of your rewards."

Momoka's tense body and spirit was successfully relaxed in the best possible way.

Thanks to the two boys, she felt prepared and able to adapt to any situation.

Currently, Momoka was optimised to her best battle conditions.

Walking out of the tunnel, Momoka stepped onto the training ground.

At that moment, Momoka felt several waves of pressure washing over her.

Bloodlusts.

Gen was standing in the middle of the ground.

That unforgivable person. Satoshi's enemy.

She had already surrounded her body with her blood red prana, and was resting her long-handled giant axe on her shoulder.

As if she was a cat facing a mouse, she had on a confident smile that proclaimed her total belief she'll be the only victor.

Momoka quietly glared back at her.

"Haimura-chan, are you ready?"

Of course, Tanaka-sensei as the referee was on the training ground too.

The calm Momoka never took her eyes off Gen. She determined Tanaka-sensei's position just by the sound of her voice.

Momoka nodded her head and walked toward the center.

Every step she took, the white aura around her became purer, stronger and more dazzling.

Momoka opened fully all the prana gates in her body and drew out more of the power that reached the realms of the gods.

(Come, Saratiga….)

The ID tag gripped tightly in her hand transformed and a sword materialized.

The distance to Gen had shortened to around ten steps away.

"Then ,ready…." Tanaka-sensei raised her arm—before that happened, Gen moved.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Gen roared out strangely and jumped over in one giant leap, swinging her ominous giant axe over her head.

It's a pre-emptive strike.

Plus it's the same level as what she did during her duel with Satoshi, a strike so fast that you cannot see it.

It was obvious that Gen was trying to finish this in one single blow.

A powerful and fast blow was swung towards Momoka's head.

Fu—Momoka lightly but sharply drew in a breath.

The sword held in her right hand started to move.

The delicately but accurately controlled sword strikes the axe away with a [clank] sound.

"Wha….!?"

Gen opened her eyes wider in shock.

Momoka, with no hesitation, followed up with a roundhouse kick into Gen's stomach.

A kick enhanced by 《Titan Strength Link》.

A blow that's beyond human limits. It blew the huge body of Gen up into the air as if she was as light as a pile of sawdust.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Gen, like a stunt actor, somersaulted a few times in the air and landed on the ground with a loud noise. Still, the impact must have hurt since she was holding her stomach in pain.

Momoka successfully won the first round.

The technique Gen used for her high speed strike was possible with one of the basic Light techniques:

《God Speed Link》

By filling your legs with prana, a White Iron gained godly speed and jumping strength.

When Momoka saw Gen using this technique on Satoshi, she compared it with her memories of Sarasha's battles and remembered.

Sarasha also knew how to counter it.

Filled your eyes with prana, and gained superhuman vision:

《Sky Eyes Link》

Another of the basic light techniques, Momoka used that to capture Gen's superhuman speed.

Momoka, who only learn about prana yesterday, executed this technique perfectly without anyone teaching her.

"It didn't seem like…a lucky blow," Gen grounded out between her teeth while holding her stomach.

"You are the one who shouldn't look down on others." Momoka coldly replied and readjusted her stance.

Holding her sword in her right hand, chest forward and a half-step forward on her right leg. An experienced and adaptive stance.

"It's my turn now, right?"

Momoka's body suddenly turned blurry.

With a speed unreachable by normal human limits, she rushed forward in a straight line.

"Grrrr, that's too slow." Gen grounded her teeth tighter and prepared her stance, holding her axe closer to her body.

Gen had devoted herself to training the prana hibernating within her body since two years ago. She took one year to learn all the basic light techniques used by the White Irons.

Of course, that included 《Sky Eyes Link》.

"Hey, are you trying to compare our 《Titan Strength Link》?"

Eagerly anticipating Momoka's sword, Gen swung her closely held axe lightly.

Like in the first round, the sword and the axe clashed sharply—

Gen's plan was in naught.

Just when Momoka's body was struck by the axe, it vanished in the blink of an eye.

"You're wrong. We are comparing 《God Speed Link》."

Momoka, with a speed vastly beyond what Gen is capable of, appeared behind Gen's back.

"You're joking….."

Gen had spent two years to mold her current strong and prideful self. Now her face was twisted as if she's living in a waking nightmare.

Momoka mercilessly sliced down Gen's back.

With a surprisingly blunt metallic sound, Gen's body was blown forward, rolling to a distance of five meters before she came to a stop.

If Gen hadn't hardened her body with 《Diamond Skin Link》, that strike would have ended the match.

Gen knelt on the ground with her face downward, panting in pain from the strike on her back.

"You are really a hard one."

Momoka complimented her, while standing at the same place and examined her sword for any signs of chippings or bending.

"Is this the time to take it easy, HaimuraAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Gen angrily stood up on pure pride alone.

"I'm gonna kill you. I will slaughter you. I will slice you slowly into pieces, and chop you to death after you begged for forgiveness."

Gen leaned her body forward as she struck the shaft of her axe repeatedly into the ground, as she threatened Momoka with spittle flying from her mouth.

"I guess you can talk all the talk you want."

"DIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Gen impatiently rushed forward blindly, swinging her axe widely.

As long as you increase your speed using 《God Speed Link》, even if you are rampaging without thoughts, you'll still have the destructive capability like a hurricane.

Still, if your movement was too straightforward, any dangers could be anticipated and avoided.

"It's slow. No, it's extremely slow."

Momoka jumped into the center of that hurricane without hesitation. Dodging the wild axe swings, she strike Gen in the stomach again.

"GYAAAAAAYEWMUTHAFUCKAAAAAAAAA"

Eyes bloodshot, Gen was so frenzied that she couldn't form any coherent words and only kept on screaming.

"Can we converse in Japanese?"

With her back to Gen, Momoka executed a back-flip.

With 《God Speed Link》, Momoka gained the leg strength to somersault over Gen's head.

Landing behind Gen again, she converted the potential energy while falling into an overhead chop into Gen's shoulder.

Clank!

Suffering another unexpected blow, Gen was forced flat across the ground. Another humiliating pose.

"Didn't you say that weaklings are a disgrace to the Saviors? Tell me, are you being a disgrace right now?"

At the moment she landed, Momoka savagely kicked Gen in the arse.

Gen rolled across the training ground again, a pathetic sight.

"Before exhorting the greatness of being a Savior, try tasting how a weakling feels."

By chance, Gen rolled to the front of where Satoshi was sitting in the viewing gallery.

Her position on the ground resembled kowtowing to Satoshi for forgiveness. This made her trembled in shame.

A three dimensional battlefield is the reality when a White Iron used 《God Speed Link》in a high speed fight.

In this dimension, Momoka's battle ability was far beyond Gen.

On the surface.

In truth, Momoka was actually at her limits.

She was not handling Gen as effortlessly as she appeared.

After all, she only awakened to prana two days ago, plus this was her first fight using light techniques. It's not wrong to say that she was operating on half-gleaned knowledge and lacked experience and mental preparation.

Proud, confident, underestimating her enemy and handling Gen with ease and skill. Momoka was not that great.

"Wait."

The referee Tanaka-sensei gave that instruction. Following, she went forward to confirm the state of the collapsed and trembling Gen, to see if she can continue the duel.

Momoka regulated her breathing as she calmly observed the two people.

When Gen hardened her body using 《Diamond Skin Link》at Momoka's initial sword strike, Momoka had analysis the battle conditions and made the following conclusion:

The duel may turn into a long battle needing dozens of hits before she can defeat the enemy.

For Momoka who lacked battle experience, it was difficult for her to predict any unforeseen elements that may happen during that time.

So, before any disadvantageous elements entered the duel, it was better to cut away at Gen's confidence.

That was why Momoka adopted an attack plan where she'll loudly proclaim and showed off her "superiority".

Although she also satisfied some minor urges for revenge, it was more important to prioritize victory.

It'll be great if she had eroded Gen's will to fight.

"Isurugi-chan, there's too much gap between you and your opponent's abilities. If you continue, won't your injuries only increase? The worst case scenario would be that the reputation of your sister will suffer…" Tanaka-sensei, bending her knees, said that into Gen's ear.

If Gen was a common hooligan seen everywhere, or a bluff who had self-inferiority complex, even a despicable person who bullied the weak but fear the strong, the battle would had ended there and then.

"SHUTTTTTT UUUPPPPPPPPPP!"

Gen knocked Tanaka-sensei away to one side and stood up.

She's an unyielding warrior who refused to give up even after seeing Momoka's power up close with her own two eyes.

This was probably the results of her two years of training and teachings from her elder sister.

Momoka observed all this from her side and readied her stance again, holding her sword ready in position.

"TAKE THIS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Gen's enormous body leaped straight up like a rocket.

Reaching the bottom of the high up ceiling, she flipped over her body and pushed off the ceiling.

Forming a tremendous force with the aid of speed and gravity, she cut across the air like a meteor towards Momoka. With her axe straight out in front of her, it was a blow consisting of raw power.

Because of this, it's inadvisable to meet her head-on blow for blow.

Momoka agilely jumped backward to evade.

Gen, ignoring everything, swung her axe with all her might and smashed into the ground.

(I was seen through.) Momoka cannot help but clenched her teeth.

Gen's powerful blow shakes the entire building and surprised the teachers in the gallery.

The smooth training ground was completely shattered, spider web-like cracks radiating from the point of impact.

Even the building materials underneath the floor were twisted and bent; the reinforcing steel plates are scattered, and the steel foundations were poking out of the ground.

The destruction this time was incomparable to that done by Momoka's test yesterday.

Momoka established her balance on the still shaking floor and sharpened her eyes.

Within the dust-filled air—

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

Gen's laughter resounded.

When the smoke cleared, Gen's huge body reappeared and, opening her right eye exaggeratedly at Momoka, elatedly laugh at Momoka:

"You'll have nowhere else to run to this time, right?"

That's right—the grounds had been broken up. Even if you processed superhuman speed, there will be some decrease due to terrain obstruction. It's the same as in the boxing ring – to use speed to disturb and confuse your opponent; the tactic can only succeed if you are overwhelming in speed to your opponent.

On this unstable ground, Momoka had to give up on her tactic of using speed and movement.

Momoka had worried that Gen would do something like this.

For if the situation had been reversed, Momoka would had undoubtedly used the same plan as Gen.

Because of the halt called by Tanaka-sensei, Gen gained the time to think and came up with the plan.

"HA HA. Let's go blow for blow now like real women!"

Gen lifted her giant axe high and happily rushed forward.

Momoka blocked the blow with the sword in her right hand.

Both had strengthened their arms with 《Titan Strength Link》. Sparks flied as the sword and axe crashed together.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Gen attacked continuously without pausing.

Momoka, like a precision machine controlling her right hand, use her sword to block, to disengage, to sweep aside, and to redirect.

10 rounds, 20 rounds, they kept going to and fro like generals in an ancient battlefield.

"How about this!" Gen raised her axe about her head.

That ominous shaped axe slowly was dyed in a blood red colour.

The weapon was wrapped in prana.

"HAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Gen swung her red and black axe over.

Momoka raised her sword horizontally, intending to block the swing.

The two weapons clashed.

An unbelievable force blew Momoka away uncontrollably backward.

(What was that amount of force just now?)

Momoka narrowed her eyes suspiciously after rolling across the floor a few times.

The shattered floor, the exposed reinforcement bars and the weapon-like foundation rods jutting out of the floor slashed across Momoka's body like a grater.

Using 《Diamond Skin Link》to harden her body, she avoided any serious injuries and leaped upright from the end of her roll after calculating the correct timing and force.

"Die with this last blow!"

Gen ran over heavily to follow up with a victory, her readied axe glowing with a blood red shade.

(That's it!) Momoka answered her own question.

Sarasha fought like this in her dream too.

While filling her whole body with prana, at the same time, letting prana flowed into the body of the holy sword.

(Can I do that too?)

Momoka tried flowing prana into the sword from her right hand.

The body of the sword glowed weakly.

Compared to Gen, that white glow was definitely unstable and unreliable.

(Che.)

Momoka swung her sword to try and counter Gen's attack. The two weapons crashed again.

(Geh!)

Her wrist suffered an unimaginable strong impact. As expected, Gen's bloodaxe was still better at a higher level.

Momoka jumped backward, and took a few more steps back to decrease and level out the excess force of impact. In other words, she was completely driven back.

"It took me two whole years to learn that technique! Do you think you can grasp it that easily in the middle of a fight?"

Gen, sensing her imminent victory, regained her cocky self.

《God Speed Link》and the other Link skills are basic light techniques that strengthened the body beyond human limits.

Above the basic techniques, there are the advance techniques that strengthened the attack power of weapons—this particular one was called 《Venus》.

The results of Gen's continuous efforts and training over a long period of time.

Momoka looked at her weakly glowing sword and felt deeply the great difference.

(Truly…If I want to master this, I'll need around two weeks.)

She only achieved this little effect. Compared to swiftly filling the small ID Tag with prana, the principles in filling a sword with a larger volume is different. Momoka lacked practice.

"If you understand then die!" Gen attacked again.

She cannot block with her sword, it's impossible to counter and hit Gen first. Momoka will had to give her all to land an effective attack on Gen, while Gen will definitely be willing to take one strike from Momoka to get a chance to trade blow for blow with her.

If she were to take on 《Venus》 directly, Momoka will definitely lose. That attack power wasn't something that 《Diamond Skin Link》 can endure.

Momoka jumped to one side without hesitation to dodge the blow.

But, the cement floor she stepped on crumbled and caused her to falter for a split second.

Momoka's chest was sliced by that terrible axe dyed in red.

It was only a shallow wound that sliced apart one layer of skin.

Even so, a shockingly large amount of blood sprayed forcefully from Momoka's chest and dyed her entire torso red.

The true essence of 《Venus 》 was not simply to fill and surround your weapon with prana to increase it's destructive force.

You have to also refine your prana and convert it a pure destructive energy.

While enhancing the attack power of weapons to cut, stab or strike, the refined prana was also forced into the target's body. The refined prana, once injected into the body, will act with an effect similar to poisons or toxins.

In other words, once you are cut by the weapon, the prana will destroy the body from within.

When her chest was sliced by the bloodaxe, Momoka painfully became aware of this.

Following the cut of the wound, her chest was being destroyed from the inside. If this continued, a [light scratch] will become a [critical wound with massive blood loss, exposing raw flesh and bone].

In the instance her chest was cut—Momoka's mind was flooded with Sarasha's memories and mindset. Cross-referencing the information, she remembered that the technique known as 《Venus 》 in Akane Academy had two effect. At that point, her body reacted instinctively.

Adapting 《Diamond Skin Link》 as an application, Momoka used her own prana to suppress and neutralized Gen's destructive prana inside her body.

Thus, she managed to lower the amount of damage to a lower level.

While she lost more blood as compared to a [scratch], she escaped from a critical hit.

From this, it was understood that Momoka, who had the past life of an outstanding hero, processed a rare natural instinct for battle.

Still, she cannot defeat the enemy in front of her with instinct.

She needed a more explosive [power] to win.

Satoshi, heart in his mouth, was intently watching Momoka's situation.

Momoka was at an advantage originally, but after the training ground was destroyed, she became disadvantaged.

Momoka started suffering due to her lack of abilities and could only take evasive actions, even rolling across the ground once.

When blood sprayed from her chest, Satoshi cannot helped but turned his face away.

(Momoka….is it the end? Are you losing….?)

Satoshi's right hand continuously played with his ponytail nervously.

He never noticed that his left hand was tightly gripping Suzaku's hand beside him.

Momoka's battle suit—the red area on her chest was gradually becoming bigger and bigger. She was still bleeding badly.

Since she was moving all over the ground so violently, she doesn't have the opportunity to tend to her wound.

Although it's difficult to determine from a distance, but Momoka's face colouration seemed to getting worse and worse.

(Please win…quickly…quickly…)

Satoshi prayed strongly in his heart but heaven did not hear his pleas.

While Momoka did tried to attack Gen a few times when she was careless, they were just light strikes at best. Just like the jabs of an out-fighter boxer keeping her distance, it's impossible to end the match early with a KO blow in the short term.

Unless, the match ended early with Momoka's loss.

(At least, if the bleeding can be stop….)

Satoshi lowered his head as he cannot bear to watch further. The tears he had held back fell and wetted his knees.

"Please continue to worry for me….."

If not for his promise with his Onee-sama in the distant past, he would have run out a long time ago.

"Satoshi-san, raised your head."

Suzaku said in a rare strict voice.

Satoshi raised his head in surprise.

"You should know this very well. Momoka may act like she's joking, but she is fighting for you now. Thus, you have the duty to look at her until the very end."

Suzaku warned Satoshi while never moving his eyes from the battle.

"I will not allow you to avert your eyes."

Satoshi felt that every word from Suzaku was whipping him.

"I'm sorry…."

Who was he apologising to?

Who was the one who declared that he will stay at her side, to watch her battles and to follow her back?

Satoshi opened wide his teary eyes and fixed them on Momoka, and determined that he'll never miss another moment.

If Momoka was fighting for his, no matter the results, he will hold on till the end.

Suzaku was sitting beside Satoshi.

(I envy him.)

He could only hide those words and feelings inside him.

Of course, Momoka was in a desperate situation. It could even be said to be despairing.

It had reached the stage where you'll want to stand up and screamed [STOP FIGHTING].

But, Momoka will never give up.

This is not a normal duel, but a fight for revenge putting her pride as a man on the line.

So, no matter how desperate the situation was, she will never give up.

Momoka continued to dodge the consecutive attacks that will KO him with one hit, just to bet on a minute chance for victory, and suffering more wounds in the meantime. Enduring enormous psychological pressure just to seek out any minor weakness and continuing to fight in this horrifying match.

All for Satoshi.

How could he not be envious?

(…What should I do?)

Suzaku continued to play with his errant lock of hair and tried to sort out his tangled feelings.

He had already formulated a plan for a counterattack in his heart.

A plan for Momoka's victory—no, a plan that MIGHT lead to Momoka's victory.

Why not tell her?

It was not due to his jealousy of Satoshi or any other type of selfish reasons. Compared to his strong hopes of [I wish for Momoka to win], those selfish reasons were insignificant.

If that plan was executed, Momoka's school life will be turned upside down.

Because he knew this, he cannot decide if he should say it.

(…What would Momoka do?)

Looking in front, Momoka was trapped by construction materials.

At that point, Gen fiercely chopped her axe at Momoka.

At the very last moment, Momoka blocked the axe with her sword but her body was blown away and crashed into the high walls surrounding the training ground. It looked like her accumulated injuries are disabling.

Her body was numbed to the point of paralysis.

Gen was laughing: "You are pathetic."

Even so, ah, even so Momoka refused to give up.

Biting down on her teeth and desperately trying to move her body.

She still wanted to continue the fight, still wanted to claim victory.

Seeing Momoka's desperate struggles, Suzaku dashed from his seat without any conscious decision.

He ran to along the perimeter of the gallery wall and arrived on the spot directly above where Momoka landed.

On top of Momoka's head, on top of the wall, he cried out to his queen.

"Did you forget? You should have another [Power]!"

Suzaku used his left hand to point at Gen, who was standing in the middle of the field as stolidly as a mountain.

"Remember quickly! You can do it! I guarantee it! So stop hesitating! Quickly!"

Abandoning his expressionless mask, he had on a face as if desperately longing for something—

Hearing Suzaku, Momoka subconsciously raised her left hand.

As she had impacted the wall with great force, she could only move slowly.

Even so, she forced herself to point her finger toward Gen who was strolling closer, confident in her victory.

"Uh?"

Gen stupidly pointed her own finger toward herself.

"What about me? Are you knocked stupid?"

Momoka cannot even summon the effort to be angry, and was putting her whole effort into moving her numb fingertip.

Following what Suzaku said, following what she had [remembered].

In the depth of her mind, something was madly rampaging around, roaring in anger:

"Your strength is not limited to this! Release it quickly!"

Momoka conquered the rising impulse and pain increasing in her head and forced himself to calm down. She took a deep breath.

『TRACE—』

And, aria:

『Purgatory of Hell, Conflagration of Gaia

Fire burn good and evil without prejudice, purifying all in its intense mercy

All beings revert to bones at death, Let the cremation rites begin』

While singing the aria in a hoarse voice, at the same time—

Momoka's fingertip, dependent on distant memories from tens of thousands of years ago, traced out the language of magic.

In thin air she traced out the trajectory of multiple glowing characters and completed three lines of complicated glyphs.

A process that allowed no room for errors in either her recollection or her writing.

Gen was getting closer.

(That's it…..)

With the last of her strength, Momoka lightly tapped lightly on the floating, glowing characters.

The three lines of characters warped slightly.

That was all that happened.

(Did it fail…)

Momoka already had problems standing upright, so she leaned her back against the wall and slide down into a sitting position.

"Haimura, you understand the feelings of a weakling now? How would I know such a thing, I-idiot. How dare you lecture me? Let us begin the autopsy show that will induce horrifying screams from the male audience!"

Gen licked her lips with her tongue and lifted her axe with one hand.

"Looks like I'm the No.1, Haimura."

"How boring…."

In front of the exhausted but bravely smiling Momoka, the warped lines of characters rotated into a swirl.

Slowly at first but picking up speed quickly, it finally spins at a high speed while throwing out sparks.

While absorbing the ambient light of the surrounding, it also shined brightly by itself.

Gen who was not paying any attention to it originally finally noticed it.

"What is this?"

Bending over, she looked intently into the rapidly rotating swirl of light.

In hindsight, even if she was taught by her genius brother, it was too harsh to blame Gen, who just entered school, for her [carelessness].

The swirl—

Suddenly turned into a mass of flames radiating a huge amount of heat and energy.

The flames swallowed up Gen like a living monster.

「—！—！—！—！」

Set afire over her whole body, Gen rolled on the ground in pain.

Her large body shook in convulsions and she was rolling around on the ground frenziedly.

Even worst, the flames were drawn into her body by her indrawn breath, resulting in her lungs being cooked evenly and thoroughly. Even her rights to death cries were denied to her.

The pain was unimaginable.

Even if you harden your body with 《Diamond Skin Link 》, you won't be able to endure that amount of heat.

Even if you rolled on the floor, even if you activated prana throughout your body, you won't be able to extinguish the flames created by Momoka's mana.

To take away the life of its pitiful, pitiful prey, Step Three Dark Magic 《Incinerate》 merrily burned.

That's right. It's mana, the Dark Arts that Black Mages used.

The protector of Satoshi in her past life, Sarasha who fought in the battlefield was a White Iron.

The Queen of Suzaku in her past life, Sue Saura who ruled the world was a Black Mage.

Due to Momoka having two past lives, she was able to use both Light Techniques and Dark Magic.

"Emergency!"

As the shout of the referee Tanaka-sensei, the teachers in the viewing gallery leaped down in a rush.

Teachers that were Black Mages extinguished the fire on Gen using water Dark Arts and Tanaka-sensei carried her blackened body out.

Momoka, still leaning against the wall, stared absentmindedly at the scene.

(So this…is a real battle.)

Gen was a strong opponent who cannot be defeated using immature Light Techniques.

Without Suzaku's instructions to use—to learn to be able to use black magic, it would be impossible to grab victory from near defeat.

Anyway—

(You…were really an incurable idiot till the very end.)

A despicable sadist who loved to insult other people arrogantly. Who make fun of and laughed at Satoshi who was weaker than her.

The inferior personality characteristics all revealed in the duel.

In the very end, Gen screwed up her victory all by herself.

That was her difference to the final victor Momoka, with never gave up and fought to the very end.

Momoka glanced toward the ramnants of the smoking flames born from vengeance on the ground and sighed. She felt really tired and her whole body hurt. Now that her tense nerves were relaxed from her battle state, she was just sitting in a half-conscious state.

At this time, two voices shouted down at her from above:

"Momoka!"

It's Satoshi and Suzaku.

Satoshi jumped down directly from the gallery, ignoring the height. Suzaku hesitantly debated taking a huge detour to the tunnel leading to the training ground, but in the end decided to remain in position and looked down from above.

"Is it painful?"

Satoshi wanted to touch Momoka's chest, but drew back his hand.

As long as you concentrate, prana will increased the natural speed of healing and stanched her bleeding. But it's probable that it'll be impossible to fully wash away that patch of red dyed into the suit.

"It hurts like hell; can you stroke it and say [Pain, Pain Fly Away]?"

"If you can still joke, looks like you are fine."

"I feel that my body is going to scatter. Really, I don't think I can move yet."

"Idiot….."

Satoshi knelt down, and ignoring her dirtied clothing, hug her gently.

A protest of [Satoshi-san you idiot, that's unfair] came from above him, but Satoshi conveniently ignored it. Hot tears gathered as he looked at Momoka.

"Once again, you…kept our promise, Onee-sama. Even though it was such a far,far away promise."

A time very,very long ago. A promise from the past life.

Only those words can Momoka remembered.

"As long as you worry for me—"

"—Onee-sama will always be victorious and returned to my side."

Even if they had confirmed the promise several times, it still caused them to be emotional anew every time.

"So, we have to fulfil the new promise made today, right?" Satoshi closed his eyes and silently pushed his face closer.

(I think…I made a really…ridiculous promise.)

I'll give you a kiss if you win—that's what Satoshi said.

Momoka's heart beat faster unconsciously.

She wanted to break away, but it felt like her body was paralysed. Well, the reason for the paralysis was that half of it was literally true due to injuries, and the other half was just an excuse.

Satoshi face came down so slowly that it made one wanted to scream in impatience.

His sweet and hot breath was assaulting her nose.

Momoka cannot stop staring at his luscious lips.

(It should be better if I closed my eyes?)

If she doesn't do that, her heart will burst from the visual excitement.

(This is common in western countries. This is common in western countries. This is common in western countries…..)

Momoka waited with her eyes close.

Waited.

After waiting for ten seconds, thirty seconds, the kiss never came.

Momoka forced herself not to open her eyes even if she felt tempted.

Even if it's Satoshi, he would need time to prepare his heart. If she were to do any actions that look as if she was rushing him, she'll lose face as a woman. After that consideration, the kiss finally arrived.

A small and soft feel was pasted onto Momoka's lips.

While she knew that Satoshi was on the petite side, even she was very surprised to find his lips so small.

It felt like the lips of a child. Was there so much difference between the body makeup of a boy and a girl? The human body was simply mysterious.

Plus, the act of kissing was original a hot and exciting action!

When she was ambushed by Suzaku, she was not touched at all due to the lack of anticipation and surprise.

From the gap between the lips, it felt as if a stream of energy invaded her body.

That stream of energy made Momoka's temperature rise, disolving the pain throughout her body like mist.

Kiss BANZAI!

Although it was hellish fighting a deathmatch with Gen, Momoka was receiving a heavenly reward now.

Then, the lips were pulled away from her in an unpleasantly simple manner.

She felt reluctant at the parting of their contact.

Momoka, savouring the aftertaste of the kiss, opened her eyelids.

A small boy around the age of 10 was in front of his face.

"Who are you?" Momoka cannot help but blurted that out.

The blue eyes of the little boy seemed to be smiling mischievously.

Looking at him closely, he was a boy as cute as an angel, especially with his blond hair, blue eyes and radiant smile.

"Did the pain fly away?"

The boy asked Momoka that. And without waiting for an answer, ran away from her with a "pita pita" sound.

He ran to hide fully behind a male teacher who had been standing there for an undetermined amount of time, and only stick his head out from his hiding place.

The handsome blond haired teacher with blue eyes, who looked to be ten years older than Momoka, was carefully looking at her.

Wearing a figure-hugging male suit with a pointed-hat like the one worn by Yen Sid; the handsome person can only be described as strange looking.

Where's Satoshi? Looking around, she discovered him struggling to break free from being fully tied up. By a rope made of some strange material that's moving around by itself like a snake. A part of the rope was forced between his teeth to prevent him from speaking and even his eyes were covered up.

"Impure relationship between genders is no good." The handsome adult threw an impish look at Momoka.

"Principal…why…?" Momoka was shocked into silence.

That's right, this handsome blond haired, blue eyed men was the principle of Akane Academy.

"The interaction between mana and prana can be very interesting. Normally they work in opposition to each other, but if you were to use your head slightly and think about it, the two forces can be made to support each other instead." The principal candidly talked to her in a conversational tone.

"This child just sent some of his mana into your body though your mouths. Your prana reacted to the "invasion" and raised its defensive levels, which also in turn increase the healing and regenerative effects of your body."

What? So it was just a medical procedure?

Frankly speaking, she was feeling a bit guilty over sharing a kiss with a child this small. Luckily, if the reason was as innocent as this, then she felt better in her heart.

"Do you need a more detailed explanation?"

Momoka shaked her head.

Because the principle did not appear in front of her to give her an educational lecture.

"I see that you have good observation skills."

The principle used the brim of her his to hide the expression of his face.

And said in a very serious tone:

"You are an Ancient Dragon, right?"

A question that changed Momoka's fate.

End of Chapter 5

---

Chapter 6
Rank C Promotion

If she revealed the identity of the person on the other side of the telephone conversation, she'll probably lose her life.

The Year 1 Class 1 teacher of Akane Academy, Tanaka Sensei, was reporting to [her] in a very respectful manner.

"Yes, it's unmistakable. An [Ancient Dragon]. One was finally discovered in the academy. Yes, I had long marked her to be quite exceptional and she didn't fail to live up to expectations."

For Tanaka-sensei who often looked tired and uninspired, it was quite unimaginable that she can actually put on a serious look and converse solemnly.

"He's called Haimura Momoka, right? I want her battle records." The [her] on the other side gave a clear order.

"I understand. I will send you the recording of the whole battle. I'll also send you her detailed personal information and those closed to her."

"Remember to send it covertly."

"Yes, no one will find out."

When the line cut off, Tanaka-sensei continued to bow at the waist to the empty air.

If she were not to do that, she won't be able to contain the dread occupying her heart.

---

Why was she called to the principal office just barely into the school term? Momoka asked herself while sighing heavily in her heart.

This is the day after she defeated Gen, during lunch break.

There was a very high class looking work table made of polished wood in the office. The principal was sitting behind it with his hands resting in a cross position on the table.

He's still wearing the triangular-brim Yen Sid hat that's like his personal trademark.

Standing closely behind the principal was the little boy who had kissed Momo…given medical treatment to Momoka. Come to think of it, he was holding on to the principal's arm tightly too during the welcoming ceremony.

From the resemblance, he should be a relative of the principal. Who was he exactly? And was it fine for him not to be in elementary school right now? While feeling puzzled over these side topics, she directly asked a question:

"What is an [Ancient Dragon]?"

She was summoned to this office because of this issue.

"In Japanese, the meaning would be [A dragon from ancient times].

The principal gave a mysterious smile while resting his chin on his crossed hands.

"I can get that kind of definition by checking a dictionary."

"It's a kind of jargon among certain Saviors. Some people in the Japanese branch office of the White Knight Order also named it [The Eldest Heroic Spirit].

"The…eldest, heroic spirit…?" Momoka carefully repeated this phrase softly.

"That's right. [The Eldest Heroic Spirit].

The principal subtly lowered his chin and voice, concisely began his explanation.

There was a thesis that was put forth within the White Knight Order in the past.

Every [Savior] were individuals who possessed the memories of their past life.

If that's the case—

Since it was proven that a soul can reincarnate once, it's theoretically possible for a soul to undergo a second reincarnation.

Thus, isn't it possible for a [Savior] with two past lives to appear, and able to wield different [Ancestral Arts]?

Still, a Savior that will validate this theory never appeared.

Another theory was proposed to explain this:

It's a common belief that a soul will need at least a few hundred thousand years to reincarnate once.

Only those souls that lasted through the ages without damage and in pristine conditions will be able to successfully reincarnate into bodies again.

In other words—

For a soul to go through two reincarnations into a third one, it would require the soul to have an indestructible will to last though almost a hundred million years.(TL: 100,000,000 years).

For such a huge and powerful soul, can the measly and frail container known as the human body contain it?

It's another case if you are talking about the bodies of Celestial Beings or mythical creatures from a fantasy world. Thus, the theories were completely farfetched.

Finally, the Order made the following conclusion:

If a Savior with two completed past lives really appear, she is not human at all.

She'll be like the legendary Heavenly Emperor that ruled over all fantasies since ancient times.

She'll be a monster like a dragon.

"Is it really rare for a person to have two previous lives?"

Momoka was still at a lost even after hearing the origin of that name.

"Since a person had reincarnate once, it's not strange for her to reincarnate again…something like that."

"As explained previously, you are the only person proven to have an indestructible soul that lasted a hundred million years. Not only in this school but in the entire world, throughout history you will not find a second example."

"Muuuuuu." Momoka placed her hand against her face.

Although she don't really had any feelings on being called a monster, nor does she think the entire matter is a great deal to fuss about, at least she understood the term The Eldest Heroic Spirit.

"So, what's going to happen to me?"

Since she appeared to be an extremely rare sample, would she be captured and cut apart by some mad scientist? Momoka cannot help but shivered when she think about it lightly.

"Nothing will happen to you. Except for our eager high expectations for a student with limitless potential and possibilities. Please learn as much as you can in this school, and complete great goals and accomplishments in the future.

At the flippant answer accompanied by a mischievous wink of his eye, Momoka cannot helped but feel slightly disappointed.

"Truthfully, I would be satisfied if I can just be part of the clerical staff in the order."

"Haven't you heard of the phrase With Great Powers Comes Great Responsibilities?"

The principal replied with a slight rebuke in his tone, but did not pursue the matter further.

Momoka cannot be bothered to argue further, plus she had no intentions for others to understand her thoughts, so she maintained her passive expression.

"Well, it doesn't matter. I'm also a wizard. With experience that wizards are similarly held as an object of fear, I'm going to give you a fair warning. I think that you'll be targeted by various people from now on, without regards to your willingness or thoughts.

The principal playfully rotated his hat and added:

"The only important thing is—protect those you care about and don't lose your way. Understand?"

Momoka honestly nodded her head.

Because she felt that this is very valuable advice.

"That's all I have to say. Do you have anything to add?" The principal glanced toward the boy at his back.

The boy who shared a kiss with her nodded his head after an [Ah!] sound.

"You will have misfortune with boys romantically. Be careful."

He was saying something preposterous while giving an angelic smile.

"It's the type of misfortune where many boys will make you suffer, and will also be driven to tears by you."

"Don't say something so absurd while smiling so radiantly."

"To add on, Mayaa is also a boy, so please make me cry anytime."

"Age. There's too much difference in age."

"So you are not denying that you'll make boys cry? *Pita*?"

There's nothing amusing about this…

Another strange person appeared. Aren't there too many strange people in this school?

It's more than enough to make her feel cold sweat gathering—after saying her pleasantries, she escaped from the office.

Once outside, she found Satoshi and Suzaku waiting for her. They only relaxed after Momoka told them that nothing major happened inside.

"Still, I never heard that Onee-sama had memories of two past lives…" Satoshi narrowed his eyes.

"It's not like I was purposefully hiding it. I just never found the opportunity to say it…"

"JIIIIIIIIIIIIIII…"(Staring)

"I'm sorry, but it shouldn't matter right? The fact that I'm your sister and you are my brother will not change. I've already promised you." Momoka frantically tried to muddle her way through.

"That's right. It was important in the past, but it's even more important in the future!"

Unexpectedly, Satoshi became cheerful suddenly.

Hands clasped behind his back, twirling round and round on the tip of his right foot on the ground.

"We have more and more promises…" Satoshi raised his face toward Momoka.

That's right—

The initial promise to always return to his side.

The promise to try her best to treat him as a little brother.

Or the promise to give her a kiss after her victory against Gen.

The new binding between their relationships is steadily increasing.

(I made a regretful promise with him though.)

Momoka shifted her eyes away from Satoshi as if to escape from his gaze, scratching her head.

It's too cute to be looked at directly.

How could there be such as cute [brother] in the entire world.

While she was feeling awkward, a ringing tone from a phone sounded.

"EH? You had a phone, Momoka? I thought you didn't have one."

"Ya, I received this yesterday." Momoka replied as she answered the call.

"Hello?" "Hello?"

You can hear the voice answering from nearby, because it came from Suzaku who was standing like a shadow behind the beaming Satoshi.

"Don't make prank calls." Although Momoka seem to be voicing out a rebuke, she was smiling gently.

"You received it yesterday…Could it be, Urushibara…?"

"Didn't he say that he'll give me a present if I defeat Isurugi? I've always wanted one of these but it's hard to ask uncle to buy one for me. I was so happy last night that I unknowingly talked for a long time using the phone."

"To be able to chat with Momoka in my own room, I'm so happy."

"That's too unscrupulous. Don't think you can jump ahead just because you have some cash!"

"You are wrong. I won that phone previously as a prize. It even came with 3 years free talk-time. Unfortunately, I'm already using a smartphone, plus that free phone isn't really that user-friendly, so it's difficult for me to use. It's such a "waste" if I throw it away, right?"

Suzaku used his ultimate attack—Momoka's favourite word.

"Is that true…?" Satoshi had a suspicious and doubtful look.

"It's great that you did not waste anything. And I got what I always wanted."

Conversely, Momoka with an expression of a child playing with a new toy started talking excitedly into the phone.

"How about this, let's exchange numbers, Satoshi."

"Really?"

Satoshi became cheerful again, a cute look similar to a dog perking up its ears.

"Of course."

The two of them are friends, right? Even as siblings they are no reasons not to exchange numbers.

Momoka naively push her phone forward while Satoshi happily do his preparation on his side. After, they completed the procedure clumsily using their unfamiliar skills.

"All right, now I've a second contact after Suzaku."

"I also have a third contact after papa and mama."

"…Momoka, Ranjou-san, congratulations on your tear-jerking level up."

Suzaku congratulated the both of them while pretending to be sobbing.

"It's fine if I'm forever alone!"

Momoka accepted her fate but Satoshi appeared to be unhappy.

"I'm just joking, Ranjou-san. Here, why don't you exchange numbers with me too?" Suzaku took out his smartphone.

"Don't wanna."

"Are you a kid? Learn how to behave from Suzaku." Momoka poked Satoshi softly.

"You actually supported Urushibara instead of supporting your brother!?" Satoshi protested while exaggeratedly pressed against his head where he was poked.

"That's obvious."

Well it's well-known that the both of them did not have a friendly relationship, Suzaku was the more matured side this time.

"Mu,Mu. My telephone number and Email address are very precious. So I can only give them to special people!"

"Ah, my hand is automatically deleting the precious telephone number and email address."

"I'm soooorrrryyyyyyy. I'll exchange details with Urushibara, so please forgive meeeeeeee!"

Satoshi held out his phone with teary eyes.

"Don't wanna."

Suzaku imitated Satoshi's earlier words and hid his smartphone behind him.

"Why! Didn't you asked to exchange contacts just now?!"

"Ranjou-san? Don't you know that prices and emotions are always fluctuating every moment?"

"And you actually put on airs?!"

"My telephone number and Email address are very precious, so I cannot give them to your freely."

"Heyheyhey, you are taking advantage of me now although you are a rich person—!"

"Ara? It's because these things are done that we became rich."

"I don't want to listen to this twisted logic—."

"Hey, Suzaku? Are you also a kid?" Momoka slightly poked Suzaku who continued to bully Satoshi.

The corner of Suzaku's mouth edge upward slightly, revealing the dimples on his cheeks.

Of course Momoka understood that this was Suzaku's style of making a joke.

Still, Suzaku looked very happy at being slightly poked for some reason.

"For that person, you should use more strength when punishing him!"

"Do you want to try it again?" Momoka glared at Satoshi and he swiftly turned his head away.

Ultimately, the two boys finally exchanged their phone numbers and email addresses.

"Oh no. My hand slipped and deleted the data—"

"I'll take you on anytime if you want a fight, Urushibara!"

"—of the tattoo parlor I often visited."

Suzaku continued his sentence as if nothing had happened, all the while showing a hint of his dimples.

Satoshi's face was frozen from the point where he yelled out "Urushibara".

"I'll just enter it again later. Oh, What's wrong, Ran•jou•san?"

Suzaku asked the stiff-faced Satoshi in an upbeat tempo underlined with sarcasm.

(It took so much time just to exchange contacts.)

Momoka cannot help but smile bitterly, but with admiration in her heart.

"Momoka, why are you smiling….?"

Satoshi questioned Momoka when he spotted her reaction with one of his eyebrow twitching.

"Hmmp." Satoshi who unlocked his frozen state turned his head away childishly.

"In times like this, the sister should agree with the little brother, Momoka you meanie!"

He rushed to stand before Momoka in a rush.

"Still, as I'm a gentle and understanding brother, I will forgive you. Be happy that you have a great brother like me!"

With that, Satoshi suddenly stood on his toes, swiftly and softly put his lips onto Momoka's cheek.

Momoka was struck speechless at being kissed.

"What's with that expression? There's nothing to be surprised about. I, I'm also fulfilling my pro..pro...promise for you beating up Gen."

Satoshi was trying to justify his action with a red face and, shrugging his shoulder, walked back to the classroom. Even if he said had nonchalantly said [nothing to be surprised about], he was in an unnatural manner, even move the arms and legs of the same side of the body simultaneously.

"He's cute but strong, a strong rival." Suzaku sighed while saying that. After throwing a meaningful glance at Momoka, he left and followed Satoshi.

Momoka looked at the retreating backs of the boys and shakes her head. In the end, she never said anything like [I thought it would be mouth to mouth].

(On the face...well, we are siblings I guess).

Even so, there was a residual warm feeling left on her face which felt really comfortable.

Momoka may be stingy and thrifty, but she was definitely not a greedy, stubborn person.

---

And so, with this, Momoka leisurely passed her school life for around ten days or so.

As the first years gradually got used to their everyday lives in the school, the time came to the later part of April, when students discussed how they were going to spend the upcoming Golden Week.

After her duel with Gen, the looks Momoka received from her classmates became warmer and more passionate.

The boys' eyes were warm with yearning and admiration, while the girls' looks were passionate with jealousy and fear.

On a side note, Gen never appeared in school after that.

It was rumored that she was [recovering] from her injuries at home, but since all injuries, no matter how severed, disappeared the moment you left the arena, that rumor was too illogical. In addition, based on hearsay from Gen's followers who visited her, if Momoka's name was mentioned she would fall into a panicked state, shaking uncontrollable on the bed and refusing to step out of her room.

In some way, the class temporarily resumed a peaceful state—on that afternoon when everyone was thinking that way, a visitor to their class by a certain personage caused a huge disturbance.

"Is Haimura-san here? I've something to discuss with you."

An upperclassman asked into the class from the entrance in a deep voice.

The upperclassman was very tall and from her well built body, appeared to be strong and agile. Although she had on a serious expression, it was also an honest and frank face.

On her nametag: [3-2 (White A) Isurugi Jun]

Its Gen's elder sister.

Oi Oi, is she here to take revenge for her sister? The class descended into chaos.

Snatches of conversation can be heard throughout the class:

"That person looks to be really strong." "What's her rank?" "She's one of the top characters in the Japan Branch Office." "Oh, is she stronger than the official members of the order?" "It's rumored that she won against multiple opponents" " Really? Isn't she a student?" "It seems the teachers are learning a lot from her." "Haimura-chan run away quickly….."

"This is bad, Momoka…..," said Satoshi in fear just as they were leaving for the cafeteria.

"I don't think she looked that scary." Momoka replied him honestly, but Satoshi shook his head while shivering.

Even if advised against, Momoka will proceed forward bravely by herself, but—

"My bad. Can Urushibara Suzaku-san please come along too?"

Suzaku shot a glance at Momoka, hinting to her to [run away if there's danger].

With Jun leading the way right in the front, the three of them reached the rooftop.

AN AMBUSH—did not happen.

It appeared that she just wanted to talk to them alone away from people. She probably chose this open but empty location so as to reduce any mental pressure in their discussion.

Jun stood before the fence surrounding the rooftop and started talking while looking over the courtyard.

"Haimura-chan, I'll be direct with you. I'm here to recommend you for promotion to Rank C."

As expected, she was not here because of her sister.

In Momoka's eyes, Gen was a rotten person at first sight. On the other hand, her initial impression of Jun was that of a somber and steady nature.

"What is Rank C?" A phrase that seemed familiar yet unknown to Momoka.

"…The White Knight Order classified all Saviors into a few ranks for convenience. " Before Jun opened his mouth, Suzaku murmured an explanation for Momoka in an uninterested tone.

Most students of Akane Academy are Rank D. The "D" for Disciples.

After successfully graduating and entering the White Knight Order, they will be promoted to Rank C, which is the "C" for Common.

"Oh, but I'm still a student though. Graduation is three years down the road..."

"Even if you ultimately failed your graduation a few years down the road, as long as one has been judged as possessing abilities beyond the average, you can be promoted to Rank C even if you are still enrolled in school. In the academy, there are 12 people, including me, that are promoted this way. So, the academy had made a decision judging you to be eligible for promotion." Jun replied Momoka's question.

Even if Momoka was listening to Jun, she just grunted a reply with flagging interest.

"You may not know this as you've just entered the school, Rank C Saviors are none other than [The True Swords of Justice], a position that everyone in the school look forward to..."

"My apologies, I really have no interest in Senpai's topic. Is there any incentive in promoting to Rank C?

"Ha ha. You are a really practical person. Incentive...Let's see, It's practically a given that you'll be accepted by the White Knight Order when you graduate. Frankly speaking, it's possible to go far in your career in the future"

"Anything else?"

Leaving aside the issue of being accepted by the order automatically, for Momoka who only want to be a clerical staff, it's troublesome if she was made to go too far above her station.

"Ah, there's also a scholarship grant. It may be old-fashioned but the recipients are all grateful for it."

"Isn't everything free already in Akane Academy?"

"Ha ha ha ha. That's right. Calling it a scholarship is just a cover. In other words, it's a monthly salary."

"You'll get that even as a student?!"

In a school that banned students from having a job, the word "salary" had so much allure.

"What about the disadvantages?" Momoka suppressed this ultimate temptation, and continued her questions.

"Why would you think there's any?"

"If there were only incentives, you wouldn't be here to "discuss" the matter with me."

"I see. Not only are you powerful, you have an agile mind as well. I wish Gen would learn more from you."

Jun could only smile bitterly. Turning around to face Momoka straight in the face, she asked in a solemn voice:

"If you are promoted to Rank C, I would like you to join the group under me, the Combat Corp [Strikers].

Another unknown phrase appeared.

The main mission of the White Knight Order is too destroy any Metaphysical that appeared as fast as possible, right? For most of the students who are Rank D, they basically will not be sent to the frontlines. But for us Rank C and above in the combat Corp, fighting against the Metaphysicals is also a part of our training."

"And you want me to enter the Combat Corp?"

"Right. We really hoped that [The Eldest Heroic Spirit] would join us."

No matter the incentives or disadvantages, Jun explained everything in an honest and straightforward manner.

"We'll activate once or twice a month on an average, but will conduct special combat training every day after school without fail. So, a lot of time will be required from you. Don't even think about joining a club. From the founding of this school, there had already been several sacrifices. As the literal meaning of that keyword, you need to have the determination of risking your life. So I will not force your decision."

"Guuuuu..." Momoka used a fist to support her head and thought hard.

Time was not an issue. It's the same as taking a job.

She's not particularly fearful of [risking her life]. After experiencing Sarasha's battles, Momoka may have developed an illness similar to "not being afraid of heights." Anyway, that was that kind of feelings so she was not particularly resisting for that reason.

The main thing was, can she really be of use? Momoka was very concerned about this.

"I don't think I'm really that sort of person that you can trust so unreservedly."

"It's unfortunate for you, but the value of a person is not determined by herself, but by those around her."

"What if I dragged the group down?"

"Please leave the team then. We are all risking our life too, so we don't have the luxuries of bringing along dead-weights."

Since she had already discussed so much with this seemingly straightforward and honest girls...

"Just as a reference, how much will the salary be?"

Isurugi without any evasion gave a clear and concise amount.

An amount that far, far exceed that of the initial salary of a new university graduate.

"I did it, aunt!" Momoka cannot help but raised her arms and cheered.

"Is this kind of incentive really that great?"

"It's really that great because of this kind of incentive."

On one side, the worried looking Suzaku was trying to get Momoka to reconsider, but Momoka just smiled serenely.

Since she can received such a high salary, she can start sending money back to her guardians even before she joined the White Knight Order.

"Senpai, please take care of me from now."

Of course, if she really dragged everyone down, she would leave the corp without hesitation. She will not do such unscrupulous things like sacrificing the lives of others just to repay her uncle and aunt.

"My sincere thanks and welcome. I'll handle the paperwork for your promotion to Rank C. From today onward, please proceed to the Third Training Arena after school for group training."

Jun put forth her right hand and Momoka gripped it strongly.

"I guess, I'll start attending today too." Momoka was startled when Suzaku suddenly said that.

"Have you made up your mind too? Since it's rare to find outstanding Black Mages, this is great."

Jun also held out her right hand to Suzaku while smiling.

"Wait a minute. Is Suzaku promoting to Rank C too?"

"No. According to all reports I've received, he's not at that level yet."

Momoka also felt that was the case too.

In the practices for Dark Arts, Momoka and Suzaku are learning Step One Dark Arts, the same as the other students. While Suzaku exhibited reliability when tutoring Momoka, most of the other times he was just not motivated.

If this kind of Suzaku was an outstanding Black Mage, what went wrong in the middle?

"I had previously asked Urushibara-san to join us as a reserve member," Jun continued explaining. Momoka simply cannot believe her ears.

"UH?"

"For people who are near Rank C ability, they will be asked to join us for training as sparring partners after school. For them, this was a rare chance for further practices, plus when they promoted to Rank C in the future, they will be able to integrate to the team smoothly. This is the so-called reserve members."

"Suzaku...wanted to be that?"

"...Due to family circumstances, I had started Black Mage training since one year ago."

"This was known to the principal, thus he recommended Urushibara-san to us."

"Could this be an example of "Don't judge a book by its cover?"

Could the reliable side that Suzaku exhibited when tutoring me, be only a small glimpse into his abilities?

Momoka was shocked into silence.

"Personally, regarding lessons or being a reserve member, I've no interest."

"If so, why..." Just when Momoka was asking a question, she stopped.

Because, his beautiful eyes seemingly carved by a master dollmaker was looking at Momoka's face.

A naked and sincere look was concentrating on Momoka.

That was truly a stupid question. The hand that Momoka raised to scratch her head—

"PLEASE LET ME JOIN TOO!"

—was frozen.

A rude masculine voice resounded in the spring air.

Momoka, jerking like a rusted automaton, turned jerkily towards the owner of the voice.

It's Satoshi who had arrived on the rooftop without anyone noticing.

No, he had probably followed them from the start secretly and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"No matter the Combat Corp or reserve members, please allow me to join in too." Satoshi forcefully rushed towards Jun.

"Ummm, who are you?"

"I'm Ranjou Satoshi, a classmate of Momoka. A White Iron type," Satoshi made his self-introduction energetically, causing Jun to become hesitant for a moment.

"If Momoka and Urushibara are going to train after school together, I must not lose to them!"

"Uh...I admit you have the drive. I'm just not sure of your abilities..."

"His ability is such that he got beaten badly by your sister."

"Urushibaraaaaa!"

Suzaku revealed the cruel truth, causing Satoshi to scream in rage and glared at him.

Jun's face changed.

"Even for Gen, my estimate is that she'll still need at least half a year before she can be considered for reserve member status. If you have such a huge gap in skills with her, I'm afraid I must decline you."

"Why...how..."

Satoshi looked like his world is ending.

His natural exuberance was cruelly destroyed without a trance left. "

"Not to worry. It's not like I'm rejecting you from joining permanently. First, you'll need to increase your abilities. I hope that we'll meet again to discuss your membership."

Isurugi Jun gave some words of encouragement to Satoshi, but he didn't seem to have heard her.

"We'll depend on you." "See you all after school." After exchanging a look with them, Jun left the rooftop.

A cold wind blew across the rooftop.

Passing through, it left behind an unpleasant silence.

Momoka wanted to say some consolations to Satoshi but she cannot seem to find the right words. She decided that the most important thing was to break the silence first:

"Hey, Satoshi —"

Momoka reached out her hand to hold his shoulder.

"I...I'm not depressed or anything!"

Satoshi sprung away as if repelled by magnetism.

"Of course I'm not up to One-sama's level. I'm very clear on that. I'm just frustrated that I've being evaluated as being weaker than Urushibara. I will definitely catch up with him in the near future, so look forward to it, Momoka!"

Satoshi tried to act unconcerned while squeezing out a very forced smile.

"It's because I will definitely become much, much stronger in the future. Strong enough to stand beside you and watch your battles. HO...Ho..hohoho?!"

Satoshi continued to say out his prideful words and even laugh out loud.

In the face of his strength and will, Momoka found herself speechless.

Because, except for believing in him and waiting patiently for him, doing anything else will just be a form of insult to Satoshi….

---

Fast forward to after school.

Momoka changed into her battle suit and walked toward the third training arena with Suzaku.

"Let me welcome the both of you again, Haimura-chan and Urushibara-kun. Welcome to the Combat Corp, [Strikers]."

Captain Isurugi welcome them personally.

There were already about 30 other students gathered, consisting of either the main members or the reserved members.

Everyone gave off a fearless look, processing the presence that far exceed that of a normal high school student.

There was no simple atmosphere of a normal sports club. Instead, it felt like the group is like a lazing lion that was simply not hunting at the moment, or something like that.

A strong organisation with power as the main criteria.

That was Momoka's first impression.

"Those third year—the same year as Isurugi-senpai, are known as the Golden Era." Suzaku whispered.

"All the most powerful Saviors are gathered here. The number of Metaphysicals they destroyed is more than any other people in the Japan Branch Office. Originally, considering that the Akane Academy's combat corps comprised mostly students, there should be very little opportunity for them to be activated. The golden era defied that logic and destroyed Metaphysicals left and right."

As usual, Suzaku was fulfilling his role as the information kiosk.

"Which means that those people over there are more powerful than the adults in the White Knight Order?"

"Yes. Most of the members of the golden era are established as Rank B."

Most of the Saviors in the order are Rank C.

With great accomplishments, one can be promoted to Rank B, or the elite rank [Breaker].

"The current Combat Corps is not considered a student group, but as one of the main war potentials of the Japan Branch."

"That's hard to imagine."

"It's similar to a high school baseball team being mixed into the Professional League for the championship."

"They are really monsters then." Momoka cannot help but whistle at that.

"And there is the queen of the monsters."

It's easy to know who Shizuno was referring to.

It's Isurugi Jun.

The gallant woman in the center of the monster's nest.

She's identified as a Rank A White Iron on her name tag.

The A for [Ace].

Even in the whole of Japan, she was considered as one of top Savior in the Japan branch of the order.

"So, Momoka-chan. Let's enter the main topic for today."

The Queen of the monsters started talking in a dangerous tone.

"While I was able to catch your duel previously, the rest of the group said they wanted to witness the strength of [The Eldest Heroic Spirit]. So can we depend on you?"

The content of her talk was also dangerous.

"I don't think I'm able to show anything too impressive?"

"You can use either Light or Dark. Just use your most powerful attack on me."

While Jun was talking, the air surrounding her started moving slowly. A pale yellow aura tinged with white radiated from her body like a heat wave.

A Prana colour that brings to mind, the stabbing violence of ruthless lightning.

The Battle Suit on her body had reacted and shifted into a design that carried several sharp angles in the cut of the clothes.

Even her slender body seemed to have grown bigger by a few sizes.

Something in Momoka's mind seemed to be blaring an alarm.

Suzaku was clutching Momoka's sleeve tightly.

Showing that amount of aura pressure just by opening her gates, it's unfathomable.

"It's not even an exam, is it safe?"

"Yeah, it's pretty safe—for me."

Isurugi displayed an unshakable confidence that she can take on anything that Momoka could throw at her.

Momoka wanted to whistle again, but abandoned the thought in consideration of the courtesy towards her upperclassman.

Once Momoka agreed, all the upperclassmen moved from the training ground to the viewing gallery.

Everyone was displaying an attitude of happily watching a great show. Still, there was no feeling of revulsion towards them, as everyone here was a strong person in their own rights. Thus, any single one of them has only pure and uncomplicated feelings to seeking strength, the so called desire for self-improvement.

"It's no good if we affect the surrounding. Can someone help to take care of Suzaku?" Momoka asked the upperclassmen.

The upperclassmen were all surprised and looked at each other.

Momoka was thinking that "Aren't all of you too relaxed?"

"All right. I'll take care of him safety." A short hair boy immediately stepped forward and volunteered himself.

"You are a good woman, aren't you?" The boy winked at Momoka while passing her, causing Momoka to be at a loss on how to respond to him.

"Momoka, are you fine?"

"You hear her too. I'm quite safe." Momoka waved her hands and sent off Suzaku who was displaying an uneasy expression.

Eventually, the only people left on the training ground were Isurugi and Momoka.

"Senpai, aren't you summoning out a weapon?"

Momoka was holding her ID Tag in her right hand while armoring herself in her white prana.

A relaxed and natural stance, able to adapt to any situation.

"I'm just going to take on one attack from you." Isurugi replied seriously.

"I see. So I'm starting?"

"Please." Surrounded by her lightning-like aura, Isurugi strongly nodded her head.

Treating that movement as her start signal, Momoka launched her attack.

She jumped straight up into the air with God Speed Link.

The superhuman leaping strength carried her all the way to the top of the arena that was more than ten meters high.

(You said you watch our match, right?)

Momoka flipped over and planted her feet against the roof of the arena, and launched herself downward.

The leaping power of God Speed Link plus the kinetic energy of gravity.

Momoka was duplicating the fearsome attack displayed by Isurugi's younger sister a few days back.

Streaking through the air like a meteor and targeting the Strongest Savior in the Academy.

(Come, Saratiga.)

Momoka injected Prana into her ID Tag and summoned her beloved sword…and she continued to inject more prana into her right hand.

Saratiga began to glow with a white aura.

Venus

After her duel with Gin, Momoka spent ten days to master this technique.

With all that, Momoka also threw in her pure muscular strength from Titan Strength Link.

"HHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."

Momoka concentrated all the techniques she learnt up to this stage into this swordstrike, and swung at Isurugi.

"Guhhh."

Isurugi crossed her arms and took on the attack from above squarely.

With the bracers formed by her battle suit and injected with her lightning prana.

Momoka's attack and Isurugi's defence connected directly, and with a crash generated a shock wave.

In that instance, sparks flew all over.

A typhoon-like disaster seemed to explode in the arena.

And…Momoka's sword was blocked by Isurugi's bracers.

Even so, the floor of the training ground was shattered into several pieces.

Previously, Momoka accomplished this level of destruction by attacking the floor directly, but this time the same amount of damage was done via shock waves only.

The entire arena started creaking alarmingly and continued to shake.

The viewing gallery was not spared either and shook continuously. Even Suzaku who was protected by a upperclassman let out a soft yelp.

Momoka, who only started school for two weeks, had demonstrated her strength and exquisite control of her Light Techniques.

Standing right in the eye of the Prana tornado, Isurugi who had blocked the sword with her crossed arms, said one word as if nothing had happened:

"Wonderful."

Ah—Momoka also fearlessly smiled back in return.

(I've haven't done anything deserving of praise yet.)

She was not in the least shocked or surprised that her all out strike was blocked.

Since her attack was blocked, she pushed hard with Saratiga and flipped far away backward.

Pulling a distance away, Momoka re-establishing her stance.

『TRACE』

Holding her sword in her right hand, she traced out magic characters with her left forefinger, displaying a higher speed and accuracy incomparable to what she displayed during her match with Gen.

『All Beings revert to bones at death, let the rites of cremations begin』

The Aria for Step Three Dark Art 『Incinerate』.

The magical flames that threw her younger sister into the abyss of death in a single strike were now rushing toward Jun like a tidal wave.

Different from a physical attack from a sword, this is an immaterial heat energy attack that cannot be defended against even with Diamond Skin Link.

"Hmmmmm…."

Isurugi's relaxed expression was twisted into a frowning face.

A long, broadsword suddenly materialized into her hand.

Raising it with both hands, she slashed down with great strength, making a screeching, piercing sound.

As the broadsword cut through the air, a strong wind pressure expanded.

Hitting the wall of air, Momoka's Incinerate detonated harmlessly without reaching Isurugi.

Light Advance Technique Jupiter. One of Isurugi's favorite moves.

After eliminating the magical fire, the left over pressure continued towards Momoka.

(How powerful…!)

Momoka quickly covered her face with both of her forearms and protected her whole body with Diamond Skin Link.

Even if weakened, the remnants of Isurugi's Jupiter was not to be underestimated. If Momoka doesn't increase her defenses with Prana, it highly probable she'll be blown away by the wind pressure.

An explosive sound sounded through the arena as the forces collided across Momoka's body. While withstanding the Prana Vortex, Momoka cannot help but whistle in admiration.

Still, regardless their perception of time, only a few seconds had passed since the start of this "demonstration".

After a short while, the vortex expanded itself and the arena returned to a silent state, as if to silently protest against the excessive use of force by the two of them.

Momoka and Isurugi dismissed their weapon materialization and restored the original form of their ID tags.

"Didn't I say I will take only 1 attack from you?" Isurugi admonished while smiling bitterly. "It's against the rules to add a Dark Magic on top of a Light Technique."

"Since it's nothing that's secretive, I was thinking I might as well demonstrate from both side." Momoka nonchalantly scratch her head.

"In addition, Senpai…in comparison to defense, you are actually better at offense, right?"

In Momoka's head, screeching sounds can still be heard. Similar to how one can determine if a runner is a short distance sprinter or a long distance marathoner by observing their muscle build, Momoka display her ability to judge other people's skills just by observing their prana aura.

"Even if I asked you to fight with a weapon, it seemed likely that you'll ignore me? Senpai should also demonstrate a little bit for us to see," Momoka smilingly replied, as if a small child doing a prank.

"…and what have you seen?"

"I see that it'll be very strenuous to keep up with Senpai…I'll really have to put in more effort."

"Hmmm…it looked like there was value in letting you see then."

Isurugi's initial cold unfriendly smile changed to a bitter helpless smile and she forgave Momoka's naughtiness.

Is this the pride of an A-Rank Savior?

By this time, the other students have descended from the viewing gallery.

"You REALLY are a good woman!"

"If it's you, there's absolutely no problem sending you to the actual battleground. Since the 3rd years graduated, we welcome anyone that is strong."

"I originally though that it over-hyped that you can use both sides and underestimated you, but it's amazing that you can wield both side at such a high level."

"That's right. You can use Third Step Dark Arts already, I really want to learn from you."

"It's only a matter of time before you'll be promoted to B-Rank right? I'm so jealous."

Momoka received rave reviews for her performance. Since the goal of promoting himself seemed successful, Momoka let out a sigh of relieve.

It would had been really sad if the group had said "We don't need you" on the very first day. Looks like she'll be able to keep her position for at least one payday.

Momoka looked towards Suzaku.

He is observing her with his usual expressionless face.

Still, it feels like a posture of "Don't make me worry". Could it be her misunderstanding?

"It's been a long time since I felt so happy, Eldest Heroic Spirit." Isurugi came over and comradely put her hand on Momoka's shoulder.

"Now that we have someone like you who can use both Light Techniques and Dark Arts, I'm feeling excited as the front line commander. Haimura's greatest weapon is that I can use you everywhere."

"You mean I don't have a specialized position?" Momoka raised an eyebrow.

"It's your versatility," Isurugi explain in a clear and concise manner.

"In a battle where light techniques is more effective, you can be deployed as a White Iron; Conversely, if more dark arts is needed, you'll be activated as a black mage. Wait…No, if it's you, you can accomplished what other black mages cannot do, which is to cast dark arts right at the front line. With Haimura-chan, how much can my tactics expand? I cannot wait to test it out."

It seemed like she got praised unreservedly by Isurugi. Momoka's versatility is a rare part that can make the organization more responsive and adaptable.

This is an undeniably useful asset.

(Looks like I'll be able to receive 3 salaries before being fired.) Momoka scratched her head with a bashful face.

There's really no need to be embarrassed—Misunderstanding Momoka's thoughts, Isurugi solemnly nodded her head.

"So, let's start today's practice then."

"Captain, the arena floor is still a wreck."

"The battlefield may not always be in an undamaged condition, right?"

At Isurugi's reply, the rest of the team could only smile in agreement.

Everyone gathered in a circle and Isurugi shouted in a loud voice:

"WE ARE THE SAVIORS!"

And the team shouted out in reply:

"WE ARE THE STRIKERS FOR OUR PEOPLE, OUR PEACE AND OUR JUSTICE!"

Everyone was shouting at full strength and stood up straight. Just like real soldiers.

"Ummm, can I skip that?" Momoka discreetly asked Isurugi a little bit after that.

"Nope. Everyone should be of one mind. This is mental training for focusing on our noble goals so it's very important. I hope that you can memorize it by tomorrow."

"Geh…since it involve my salary, I'll do it." Momoka vaguely replied.

Still, on a practical note, the atmosphere around the team had suddenly turned more heavy and serious, as if a switch had been flipped. Maybe it's a form of self-hypnotism.

---

The training of the Combat Corp was harsh.

Normally, as a student, one will have to spend the entire day attending the standard curriculum, now she had to attend a punishment gam-no, bonus level where everyone else had vastly more experience and training then a Year One student.

Basically, training with the elites of elites in the entire country was very tiring.

Tactics, Formation and Teamwork – the 3 pillars that the harsh training focused on.

For example, setting up a defensive formation , holding the front line, supporting from the back with dark arts, prevention of gaps in the formation, learning to switch position with exhausted members. There was also scenario training where in the event of bleach in formation, having everyone separate into 2 groups and commencing an effective pincer movement practice, or doing an orderly retreat with the 2 groups supporting each other.

In an ideal situation, it was hoped that the power of 1 + 1 = Power of 3 or 4.

Helping each other, covering for each other's weakness, handing any situation, raising everyone's survival rate, the training aimed to fulfill these goals.

Against the Metaphysicals, one on one is definitely impossible.

What the Saviors hold as their advantages are their numbers. Thus, they have to keep capitalizing on that.

Or so was she drilled on till her head felt like exploding.

When finally released, the sky was already turning orange.

"This is the most tiring day since I was born." Momoka listlessly walked out of the school gate with heavy footsteps.

"Luckily I know how to slack during busy periods," remarked Suzaku in his usual expression while walking beside her.

"…Please teach me how to do that next time?"

"I don't think it'll have any meaning for you to learn it."

"Why?"

"Momoka is not a person who is good at accommodating and work with others, right? So it'll only increase your fatigue."

"UH? Don't describe me as someone who is self-centered and selfish ok?"

"On that note, I'm very proficient in accommodating others."

"Don't ignore me. Please agree with me."

While Momoka was protesting, Suzaku increased his footsteps and escape.

And so they reached the main gate while playing with each other like this.

And, an unexpected person was waiting there for them.

"SO FUCKING SLOW! The only person who is allowed to make me wait so long is Onee-Sama."

Arms akimbo and with an impatient look, it's Prince Satoshi. "We didn't ask you to wait for us." Momoka smiled and jokingly retort him.

Still, considering the feelings he had while waiting for them, Momoka cannot help but smile at him.

"I've asked a friend just now. Apparently there's a great okonomiyaki shop around here. "

"You mean you check the web right?"

"Shut Up! Anyway, for me who had lived in both Osaka and Hiroshima, it's information that cannot be ignored. Thus, to thoroughly investigate, come eat it with me?"

"I've no money."

"No worries. It looks like you can eat it for only 300 yen."

"Really?"

"Definitely. In return, you'll have to cook it yourself though. Still, you can depend on me for that. It's super cool to be able to cook okonomiyaki in Osaka, so I've practiced very hard."

"Really?"

"Your vanities is of use for the first time."

"You should be happy that you can eat food made by your own brother….."

But, as if in opposition…..

"Sorry. If you want to go, go by yourself."

Suzaku rejected Satoshi with his expressionless face.

"Uh…?"

As if not noticing Momoka's bewildered expression, Suzaku continued in the same flat voice:

"Momoka and I are both tired. Thus, we would like to go back early and rest."

"Ummm…no, I'm not really that tired…"

"We have to practice in the days ahead too. Getting rested for tomorrow training is also part of the job."

In front of Suzaku's cool but correct statement, Momoka was forced into silence.

"I….I see. I didn't….didn't know that it was that tough. I'm sorry, I lack consideration."

Satoshi bowed his head in apology while twisting into knots the ponytail behind him.

"You aren't in the wrong. It's just that, we'll probably be training till late tomorrow too. So, even if you were to wait for us again, we'll probably have to reject your invitation.

"…hmmm. I got it." Still bowing his head, Satoshi replied in a small voice.

"…Then, can I asked you all out during the holidays?"

"Thank you, Ranjou-san. We'll be happy to accept if that was the case. Right, Momoka?"

Satoshi accept with a small nod of his head, then turned and ran away with all his might.

"Hey, wait Satoshi!"

"Goodbye."

Until the end, Satoshi never raised his head. Even when Momoka called out to him, he never took a glance back.

"Why did you have to say such hurtful words?"

"I don't think those words were meant to be hurtful," Suzaku replied in his normal expressionless way.

"Do you really need me to say it?"

"You are the one who won't understand if it's not said."

Momoka glared at Suzaku with smouldering anger in her eyes.

Suzaku match her with his serenity and clear eyes.

"Momoka wanted to earn money by herself right? Buy, you also felt that Ranjou-san is cute also right? In consideration that you are unwilling to give up on both, I'm just stating out the facts, even if wise advise are hard on the ears."

Within those artificially looking doll-like eyes, a strong will gleamed forth.

It's like…a loyal retainer, even knowing he will displeased his ruler, stating forth the ugly truth and pure facts without any honeyed words.

This gaze is hauntingly familiar to Momoka.

"You…Are you sure you are not the Warlock of the Netherworld?"

"I should have said this before. I do not know your past life."

"Let me ask you another thing then. Ishirugi…when I was duelling the younger sister, you shouted out to me to use the dark arts, right? How do you know that I can use it, that I have 2 past lives?"

"I can answer that. Remember the incident with the juice cooling? With one look you correctly surmised that it was done with an adjusted 『White Breath』. If not for a certain level of familiarity with the dark arts, it's impossible to figure that out."

Huuu, Momoka was cornered into silence.

Well, it's not a big deal if he wanted to continuing deny it. Momoka concluded while shaking her head.

"Regarding Satoshi, didn't I say this several times already?"

"Don't bully Ranjou-san?"

"Don't decrease your value as a boy."

The expressionless Suzaku shook slightly at her reply. Without keen observation, no one would have noticed that he had widened his eyes slightly in surprise.

"About rejecting Ranjou-san…you are not angry?" Suzaku asked anxiously. Apparently even he is aware and ashamed of his actions and finally leaked out some emotions.

"I already said that that's not it. What I hated was your willingness to be the bad person in this situation. I am thankful for your help, but I hope that you'll remember this: If a boy has to sacrifice herself for me, I wouldn't be happy about it at all. I'll prefer it if you make me happy with your smiling face," Momoka urgently press her words against Suzaku who slightly flinched.

(Can you understand?) ( Can you comprehend?) Momoka secretly observed Suzaku's face.

In the end…Suzaku hid his true feelings with his expressionless face as usual.

(Really, what a troublesome boy…). Momoka thought as she scratches her head.

"Anyway, think about it for a while. I need to go chase after Satoshi."

Since this is an emergency now, even if she didn't convey her feeling swell enough now, she can slowly have a long talk again the future.

While Momoka was thinking of that, and ready to wave goodbye…

"…I knew you would say that."

"What was that?"

Suzaku's sudden words were too soft and Momoka didn't really catch them.

"Did you say something just now?" Momoka slightly bent down to stare into Suzaku's eyes.

At that instance, Momoka was ambushed.

"HMMmmmmmMMMM!?"

Momoka's soft and warm mouth was abruptly sealed by the lips of Suzaku's.

It was a strange feeling, in addition an indescribable sweat breath enter through her mouth.

"What are you doing?"

Momoka came back to herself and jumped back to escape from Suzaku's strange action: A soft kiss.

Still, this little kiss was enough to set her heart pumping uncontrollably.

"Did my value as a boy decrease again?"

The boy who kiss him for the second time, smiled mysteriously with his dimples showing.

"What are you thinking about? I don't understand…"

Facing Suzaku's dazzling smile, Momoka hurriedly place her hand over her heart and attempted to regulate her ragged breathing,

"It's fine even if you don't understand."

"Hmm? Why?"

"Else my little enjoyment of teasing you will disappear."

"What…?"

"I mean it's your worth as a woman."

What is going on here?

"By the way, aren't you going after Ranjou-san? It's better if you hurry."

Without further explanation, Suzaku pushed Momoka's back.

Taking strong action that's against his normal behaviour, Momoka can only be confused by him.

Still, Momoka had to listen to him. If she had to continue staring at Suzaku's face, the warmth lingering on her lips will never be able to cool down.

Momoka bid "See you tomorrow" to the disturbing self-sacrificing boy.

---

"Did something went wrong somewhere?" Satoshi depressingly trudge down the hell slope and mumble to himself.

The only reassurance are the streetlight illuminating the roads. If you were to trip, you'll probably be rolling all the way to the bottom."

"I finally got to meet Onee-sama…I thought that she'll praise me…"

A handsome, invincible Savior possessing vast prana.

One who would only showed that incredible strength in the face of evil in the name of justice.

Everyone in his class will look up to him, everyday Momoka will hug him every day and say [That's my little brother], [I've fallen in love with you all over again]…..

The super Satoshi that he planned at the start of the school term has dissipated without a trace in just 3 weeks.

This is the cruel reality.

Momoka, Gen and Suzaku have displayed a high level of personal ability, showing the potential to be Saviors that are above the norm.

Satoshi himself? Instead of vanquishing evil, it would be more accurate to say that he was shamed by evil instead.

The fateful reunion with his beloved sister, the sister he loved the most had abandoned him to undergo special training with another men.

He wanted to cry at how far his dreams were from reality.

"Kuuuuuu…"

Satshi sniffle his nose alone.

It's painful, but what hurts the most was his own uselessness.

Momoka, the sister he loved the most, met his dream expectation perfectly.

Right at the start of the school term, she had already made a name for herself.

She became a noted person in class and enjoyed high popularity among the boys.

She was discovered as the first and only [Ancient Dragon] in history and will without a doubt become a core member in the Strikers. No one in school will ever look down or underestimate her.

Satoshi is not jealous, but proud of her. He is growing even more and more infatuated with her.

But, it hurts deeply not being able to stand beside her.

He is so lonely that he wanted to wail and cry.

"Kuuu…even…sniff…Urushibara…had properly….hic…hic…followed beside her…."

Satoshi forcefully swallowed back his tearful whimper back down his throat and refused to weep.

And…a ringtone came out from his phone.

Satoshi hesitantly took out his phone.

The caller is Momoka!

While he is at a loss on what to do…losing to the loneliness in his heart, he answered the call in the end.

"He…hello? Momoka, what is it?"

His unexpectedly choked up voice was a shock even to him.

"I…I'm not crying! So don't jump to conclusions! Ah…it's really serious. The pollen allergy this year is really bad. It's really hellish!"

Before anyone could asked, he clarified himself.

"Liar."

There were two female voices.

One from the phone…and one from behind.

Satoshi turned around sharply and felt his knees go weak.

Momoka was standing right there on the slope with her phone pressed against her ears.

"Your eyes are red and swollen."

At Momoka's words, Satoshi hurriedly covered his eyes with his free hand.

"No…Nonsense! You shouldn't be able to see in the dark…"

I've been had! Satoshi was so embarrassed that he trembled uncontrollably.

"What are you doing here!?"

"I suddenly craved okonomiyaki."

"I thought you had no money?"

"300 yen is an acceptable range."

"It's around 300 yen! Not exactly 300 yen!"

"I'm sorry. Can you borrow me 50 yen? I'll repay you next month."

"Irritating! Weren't you tired? Why don't you go back and sleep early?"

"Hey hey…."

On the slope, Momoka unabashedly smiled at him. Taking the phone away from her ear, she relaxed her arms by her side.

Standing proudly yet impishly, it was a posture that suited her very well, this sister of his.

Staring at Momoka, Satoshi gradually forgot the tears wetting his face.

While Satoshi stared spellbound at Momoka, she cannot helped let out a satisfied grin.

At that point, she unashamedly declared," It'll be too much If you do not let me taste a delicious okonomiyaki, I may die and leave this world full of regrets."

And jokingly added: Because I'm born spoiled.

Satoshi nearly fell down.

Where was the serious atmosphere from just now? Satoshi narrowed his eyes.

"I got it. I take you there. You must be thankful to this gentle brother of yours!"

"Then you'll have to cook it well and make it more delish."

"I give it my all. It'll be so good that you will not be able to live without my okonomiyaki ever again."

Momoka and Satoshi were side by side by then.

Both started walking beside each other.

The night wind gradually dried Satoshi's tears. Raising his head, he discovered the moon is already high up in the sky. To him, this is a really special and beautiful evening.

"Hey, Satoshi. Since I've a phone now, can I call you before bedtime?"

"You…you are really a brocon, Onee-sama. This is really tough on me."

"Isn't it fine? Don't sweat the small stuff."

"Hmmmm…Okay. Although I'm busy myself, I'll accompany you three times a week on the phone."

"Oh, three times a week is it? I'm very thankful."

As Satoshi chatted happily with Momoka, he slowed down his walking pace to a stroll….

---

It was said that when God creates, she gave everything an inescapable fate. Of course, no one knows if this is true.

Still, when someone meets misfortune, it is undeniable that it happens not because of their fate, but due to the malicious will of a third party.

This is a commonly held opinion of [her].

The screen was showing the highlights of the practice match held among the combat corp.

"Her" secretary commented after watching the video: "As expected of the current combat corp, when put among them her presence seems to be a bit lacking."

Sighing, the secretary continued: "[The Eldest Heroic Spirit] has finally appeared, but could we have been overly optimistic in our expectation?"

In regards to the regretful tone, [she] replied:

"If an appropriate Metaphysical appear, then the real capability of Haimura Momoka could be judged fairly. "

This seems to be a practical and normal point of view.

"Please stop joking. Such a convenient Metaphysical will not pop out of the blue so suddenly, would it?" The secretary replied with a faint smile.

"Ah, you are right. There won't be such a convenient coincidence." Saying that, [she] smile at the same time.

"In addition, a half-arsed metaphysical will be swiftly eliminated by Jun's team without fail."

"Truly, if the opponent is half-arsed, the [The Eldest Heroic Spirit] won't even have a chance to enter the stage."

[She] laugh mirthlessly.

Even if tens of thousands of years passed in time, even if the location is shifted hundreds of millions of light years away—the misfortune of women is always planned out in secrecy.

End of Chapter 6

---

Chapter 7
Hell Fire, Reside In My Sword

"Hello? Urushibara? It's me, Satoshi. Will you go out with me?"

"I'm sorry. I've already have someone I liked."

"Who is confessing to you! I meant to go shopping with me!"

Thus, Satoshi and Suzaku met up outside.

This was the Sunday on the same week that Momoka successfully joined Strikers.

Unfortunately, the sky was overcast on that day. No matter how you cut it, it's not a good day to go shopping.

"The sky is strange today," complained Satoshi while Suzaku tilted his head in puzzlement.

The atmosphere was uncomfortable as if the humidity was high. Goosebumps easily broke out over their skins.

Still, they can't change the rest day. They could only go out that Sunday.

They took a 30 minutes ride on the public transport towards a newly opened shopping mall.

Newly launched just the previous year, everything still looked new and shiny. The complex formed a "コ" shape if viewed from the sky, with a garden in the middle. Complete with an artificial pond, artificial grasses and shaded seats, it was a popular spot for people to take their meals.

Unfortunately, this picturesque view was dampened by the overcast skies.

Satoshi forcefully shake off his gloomy thoughts and readjusted his mood.

"I'll like to buy a gift to celebrate Momoka's promotion to Rank C!"

"…I'm a bit carsick…" Suzaku, with a pale face, replied gloomily as he held a handkerchief to his mouth.

"Irritating! You really know how to kill the mood!"

Still, even if Satoshi complained with his mouth, he still gently massage Suzaku's back.

"...why did you chose shopping district so far away? Isn't it fine to shop somewhere nearer?"

"When I spoke of plans in the classroom yesterday, Tanaka-Sensei recommended me this place."

"…you found this place on the internet, right?"

"EVEN IF IT'S ME, THE TEACHER WON'T IGNORE ME OKAY! IT'S TRUEEEEEEE!"

Satoshi was twisting around in anger and denial, unknowingly indirectly admitting to the fact that he has no friends.

"…so, what did you want to buy as a gift?"

"I've no faith in my ability to pick a good gift, so that's why you are here!"

"...please don't make that kind of statement so proudly."

"That's because, last time as a prank I presented to Onee-sama some glass shards that I picked up at the roadside as a present. In the end she happily accepted with an "I will treasure this my entire life" and really did that."

"If you are trying to show off your love life, I'm leaving."

"Uh? Why? I trying to say that regardless of what I gave her, she'll happily accept. This actually troubles me, you know."

"…Can I go back now?"

While the bickering went on, they diligently look through the stores.

It's common for boys to spend a long time when they are shopping. After walking one round, they will need to discuss their choices and make up their mind. So they decided to take a break for lunch and rest.

After some planning, they decided to have lunch at the open garden and walk towards the center.

"It's not…..going to rain, right?" Satoshi muttered to himself while looking at the overcast sky and queuing to buy a crepe from a portable outdoor outlet.

Large amount of dark clouds were covering the sky, giving a feeling of oppression.

The previous heavy humidity in the air had completely disappear, so it didn't appear that it's going to rain, but…

For some reason, the prickly feeling on the skin in increasing along with a rising dread.

(Uh? What is this feeling?) Satoshi is starting to unreasonably feel a rising sense of discomfort and panic.

Seated at a outdoor table, even when overlooking the beautiful pond from the balcony and eating delicious crepe, he cannot calm herself. Thus, he asked Suzaku in a serious tone:

"Hey. Leaving the weather aside, don't you feel that there's something strange in the air today?"

"Strange? What do you mean?" Suzaku tilt his head curiously while holding on to his own crepe.

Apparently, only Satoshi is being sensitive to a rising danger. He attempted to explain his feelings into words to convey his thoughts.

"I think you are the strange one," Suzaku replied with a pitying look.

Facing this person who is strangly dull today and instead said irritating words, Satoshi was about to say something to rebuke him —

DONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

A roar like thunder resounded.

Satoshi's thoughts froze over.

Amid huge torrents of water suddenly pouring from the sky, Satoshi stood stunned on the spot.

Luckily, after being drenched by the cold water, Satoshi came back to himself.

"What is this?!"

Rain? Sudden Squall? No, it's wrong.

Suzaku turned his head towards the pond with his mouth hanging open.

That's because there was something there that caused this infuriating, irritating yet graceful maiden to reveal this dumbstruck look.

GRRRRrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRR

No, not something. It's some creature.

When he heard that growl, Satoshi understood immediately.

After being blown on by a breath full of blood scent, Satoshi understood immediately.

When he look upon that gigantic body, Satoshi understood immediately.

What was it that had a gigantic body, bloody breath, heavy shadow and deafening noise?

What did large torrents of water to suddenly fall from the sky?

Obviously, the answer will become clearer if he just raise his head and take one look.

But, it's too terrifying. His body was paralyze and his hair stood on end.

Even if he is a savior, the familiar memorized battle tactics and preparation vanished from his head in an instant. All because of this fella.

Like a silent dark tsunami, creeping towards him endlessly.

Being surrounded by that evil presence, he felt that he had turned into a small, insignificant and powerless rodent, trembling uncontrollably.

Satoshi stared at his hands placed on the table and tried to order his fingers.

(Move…please move. Move a bit…just a little bit…please…)

Even if only a single finger twitch, it felt like he'll be able to break free of the trance caused by terror coiling around him.

Sadly, his fingers remain frozen.

At this moment, the area around his darkens as an enormous shadow loomed over his.

At this moment, the scent of blood grew stronger around his.

At this moment, the growling became louder around his.

Panicking and trying to remember how to move his fingers, the feeling of despair cause Satoshi to be unable to open his eyes.

And because of this, he can instead hear clearly—

"GUWAHHHHHH" "HELP MEEEEEEEE" "Mummy I'm scared!"

The tearful crying voices and screams of children.

Satoshi's eyes snapped open and he jumped up from his seat.

By himself, he stood off against that fella, staring at each other.

It's a giant snake.

It's a giant snake that had broken up to the surface from underground, arching its neck like a scythe. A giant snake with a single eye.

The torrent of water from the sky was caused by this snake breaking out from the ground and throwing all the water from the pond into the air.

A monster that does not belonged on this world, any place on Earth or any other natural environment.

It is a Metaphysical, the natural enemy of all saviors.

Why did it appear here? — Satoshi have no answer to that even after thinking furiously.

He knows the reasoning very well though.

Those creatures known as Metaphysical, are more sudden than Natural Disaster and are more cruel to the inhabitant of the world.

Satoshi who had lived in cities devastated by Metaphysical know that very well.

The terrifying yet strangely majestic giant snake rear up like a tower stabbing the sky, with that single eye glinting right at the front.

Looking deeply into that fearsome, monstrous single eye, Satoshi—

"Come! The great me will be your opponent. Be thankful to me!"

—screamed out his defiance and challenge with false bravado.

With his golden prana surrounding both arms and summoning his slim sword, he attempted to control his shaking legs.

And, terrifyingly, the snake seemed to smirked at his. As if it understood human speech.

"Right. That's a good child. That's right, your opponent is me. Don't distract yourself with other inconsequential people."

Satoshi, trying to force out his courage, spoke out roughly:

"Urushibara, can you hear me? Snap out of it and wake up!"

"I'm sorry. I'm fine now."

Suzaku who just shook himself out of his stupor, as if trying to salvage his dignity, brush back his silky wet hair back and stood up elegantly from his seat.

"Is that so. That's good. Please contact the Academy for reinforcement immediately. After that, lead everyone to evacuate—try to save as much...no, lead everyone to safety without fail.

"And Ranjou-san?"

"I will try my best to pin down this fella here."

"But…to fight a metaphysical by yourself….."

" [Victory lies in numbers and teamwork], the iron-clad rule of saviors right? I knew that from lessons, but I don't think we have time for that kind of preparation."

Satoshi complained while taking on a stance with his sword.

The mono-eyed snake seemed to be happily looking at the slightly pathetic looking Satoshi, while swaying with it's scythe-like body.

"…please stop saying ridiculous words."

"If I were to escape too, who knew where this fella will rampage next."

If they were to leave this monster alone to rampage as it wills, how many people will be injured?Even worst, how many people will be sacrifice?

The surrounding will definitely turn into hell.

He will definitely not allow it to happen.

(Of course I'm scared…..Don't want to die….)

Still, if he ran away to preserve himself, he'll undoubtedly will turn into a false savior.

(Right! If I run away, I won't be worthy to be Onee-sama's little brother!"

Satoshi forcefully squeezed out a smile.

What, isn't this for me the best reason to fight? Satoshi tried to convince herself.

Following the curve of his jawline, water dripped from his chin.

At the same time, filled with resolution and determination, Suzaku stepped up beside Satoshi.

"If that's the case, allow me to fight alongside."

"Uh? Reinforcement? Evacuation?"

"I've already sent a message to Momoka and the school. Everyone is evacuating correctly, so no one needs to lead them."

"It's enough with me alone. I don't need any burden." Satoshi screamed out loudly.

The delaying battle that's going to happen next can be said to be a suicide mission. Satoshi do not want to drag Suzaku...his friend into it.

Even so…

"Who are you calling a burden? I am the [Royal Warlock] respected and feared by all. It's supremely easy for me to do a little thing like supporting you," replied Suzaku loftily while smiling with a bit of dimple showing.

『TRACE—』

Glaring intently at the giant snake, Suzaku wrote out glowing glyphs in the air with his fingers:

『Oh Darkness of Ice, Oh Spirit of Snow, lend me your breath, and freeze this unto a silence deeper than death』

Suzaku's surrounding drop into a darker gloom than that cast by the dark sky or the snake's shadow.

The magic he cast greedily swallow the light in the area and absorb the ambient energy in the surrounding to power itself more.

Satoshi was shocked into silence.

Suzaku's magical skill is excellent. Even Satoshi who became a savior for only a short time understood this.

Suzaku's slender finger tranced out enough power as if to freeze the world into silence.

After writing 3 lines of glowing glyphs into the empty air, Suzaku gently tap them with the tip of his finger.

Ancestral Arts, Step Three Dark Magic 『Frozen Shade』.

The smooth and glossy scales unique to a snake was covered by a layer of frost, the giant snake over 10 meter in length started trashing in pain.

Suzaku, who had never shown anyone the full extent of his skills, revealed his full strength for the very first time.

(How powerful…!) Satoshi was deeply shocked.

Suzaku actually hid the fact that he has as much, if not more, power than most Black Mage teachers in the academy.

And thus there is nothing more reassuring than this as support. Thanks to him, Satoshi regain his courage and determination to win.

"My turn," with a battlecry, prana gathered and swirls around his right leg.

Kicking off the ground strongly, Satoshi dashed towards the giant snake with the speed of a bullet.

He started his fight immediately with the God Speed Link that he just learn recently.

"HAH! HA! HAAHHH!"

With both arms enhanced by Titan Strength Link, Satoshi chopped at the giant snake's body unhesitatingly with no finesse.

Coupled with the explosive power of God Speed Link, he avoided the blood sprays.

It's hard to describe his fighting movement as being elegance. Still, Satoshi had long abandoned those childish impulses.

The giant snake was originally staring at the trembling Satoshi as if to verify the freshness of its lunch. Now unexpectedly it is being counterattacked furiously by that would-be lunch. Facing this, it abandoned its laziness and fiercely baring its fangs.

Satoshi was the same and was focusing strongly on avoiding the fast darting jaws attacking him.

During this time, Suzaku was shooting off multiple 『Frozen Shade』, causing even more pain and suffering to the giant snake.

Unable to withstand the pain of frostbite, the snake finally extended it's neck to attack Suzaku, but had its head kicked away by Satoshi. He had not forgotten his duties as a white iron to protect the helpless black mage during spellcasting.

(Could it be…that this could actually work?)

Just when he felt a shiver of hope and leaked out a tiny smile—

Like saying [I was waiting for this moment], the cruel fate awaiting the two boys descended.

DOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

With a loud crushing sound, another giant snake broke out from underground.

"…you are joking, right?" Satoshi could only smile bitterly.

That's because, an unbelievable scene continue to unfold in front of them.

CRASHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

CRAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Just like being in the middle of a bomb explosion, the loud crashes continued to resound.

With every dust cloud explosion, a snake appeared on a scythe like body.

Giant snakes over 10 meters in length kept popping out.

The suddenly insignificant Satoshi could only stared helplessly at this surreal scene that's like a CG re-creation of a Hollywood movie.

From the very first mono eye snake to the last 9 eyed snake.

A total of 9 Giant snakes.

No, it's even worst…

"This is...a multi-head?"

A 9 head hydra.

The category of Metaphysical where the number of heads is linked to the overall power exponentially.

In the case of the giant with 7 faces and 8 arms that appeared last year, it took a task force of over 100 saviors to take it down. Satoshi learn that during lessons.

And this fella had 2 more heads than that giant, a total of 9.

"This...this is impossible..."

His sword had slipped from his nerveless fingers.

It sounded sharply as it hit the hard ground.

"Satoshi! What are you doing!"

A harsh reprimand from Suzaku came from the back.

And from the front, the 9-eyed snake opened its maw and approached.

Suzaku cast 『White Breath』at it. Due to the sudden situation, he had only time to cast the significantly weaker Step One magic.

The 9 eyed snake brushed aside that attack effortlessly like nothing and continued to press forward.

From point blank distance, the snake breathe out a grey cloud.

Suzaku swiftly grabbed and push down Satoshi, covering him with his own body to protect Satoshi.

Unfortunately, the defense level of a non-White Iron like Suzaku is limited. The two of them were brushed lightly by the cloud.

Satoshi reflectively squeezed his eyes shut, but there wasn't any feeling of pain anywhere.

No. Specifically all feelings below the knees have vanished.

Both his legs—were grey and petrified.

In addition, the petrification continued to creep up his legs invasively.

"Increase your prana output and resist the petrification curse!"

Satoshi, caught in a tangle with Suzaku on the ground, nodded sharply and followed Suzaku's instruction.

Luckily, he's able to prevent the curse from advancing further at great speed, but it's impossible for him to stand up on his legs.

No, even so —

The 5 eyed snake moved forward and licked Satoshi's neck. Satoshi prepared for his death mentally.

"You…you…you…"

Even if he was pressed down on the ground by Suzaku, Satoshi still reached out and grab his weapon and desperately swing his sword widely with his limited reach.

This is only a weak defiance pushed by his fear of death and not really a wise or deliberate choice.

The 5 eyed snake, giving an impression of [Ara, how scary, how scary], leisurely pulled back its head.

That's right, for some reasons these monsters can mimicked human expressions.

Even if they are snakes. Even if they are monsters.

The 9 snake heads continue to jeered and laugh at Satoshi, playfully sliding their bodies all around the two boys, causing Satoshi to fall deeper into panic. They even took turns to reach forward and poke Satoshi with their head playfully.

"Come at me then! Taking turns or all together, I'll take you on!"

Satoshi raised his sword to the front, like a fur-bristling cat driven to a corner.

This is only a facade of bravery of someone driven to a corner and had given up.

Seeing this, the 9 snake heads happily open and closed their jaws.

It's very abnormal—no matter which head it was, they don't seem to have any intention of seriously eating them.

After the passing of time, even Satoshi was able to calm down somewhat and felt that small suspicion.

What were they thinking? What were their intentions?

Satoshi cannot comprehend the goals of this metaphysical.

"Hey, what do you think?" Satoshi asked, but receive no reply from Suzaku.

This was when, Satoshi discovered that not only his legs, but Suzaku's entire back was petrified by the cursed breath.

To resist the curse, he is forcing out mana as much as he can and had slipped into a half-conscious state.

"AHHHHHHHH"

Satoshi was frantic. Even if they were not swallowed up by the snakes, the slow petrification will still finished them off. It could be even that for the metaphysical, the twisted expression of the two boys due to fear and despair was the real delicious meal for them.

The giant snakes had happiness glinting out from their multiple eyes. It was simply terrifying.

Satoshi had already lost his will to lock eyes with them, and with no resistant slowly close his eyes.

At this time, his mobile rang.

It was a specifically set ringtone.

The ringtone set for Momoka.

Satoshi snapped open his eyes and prayed.

Amidst the despair he saw a silver of hope.

Thus he prayed hard and grabbed onto that hope to break free of his despair.

"Momoka…"

---

Taking a hot water bath whenever she felt like it, it was truly heaven.

For the happy-go-lucky Momoka, for some reason she cannot calm herself down today. For that reason, she left the bath early and went back to her room. After drying her hair with a towel, she checked the mobile on her desk.

There was a text message from Suzaku.

As this was the first text message she had ever receive, she had a pleased smile as she checked the message.

Reading the message, her smile froze.

Satoshi and Suzaku were under attack by a metaphysical and the situation is desperate.

Momoka changed into her battlesuit in record breaking time and flew out of his room.

{A metaphysical had appeared near the academy. Due to this emergency, all students are to gather in the mess hall. Repeat…}

A broadcast was sounded immediately from the speakers.

This must be part of the procedure for emergencies.

Momoka ran into the mess hall in a rare panic.

Everyone's reaction was exemplary. Many students were already gathered in the mess hall that can be converted into a conference hall in a pitch.

The huge display screens, a source of many fights regarding the channels to watch, was displaying a view of an unusually huge metaphysical—the 9 head hydra.

The worst situation ever.

Although the video was taken from a distance away, the menacing presence of the metaphysical did not decreased at all. Compared to the shopping centre buildings, it was easy to determine the scale and size of that thing.

That huge monster actually appeared, everyone's eyes was glued to the screen.

"Please tell me the situation!"

Momoka swiftly saw the figure of Isurugi Jun. It seems she was discussing something with the dorm head. She quickly moves to their location.

"It's horrible. A Metaphysical as strong, if not stronger, than that dreadnought class that was defeated at Tokyo bay last year appeared. The teachers have already determined that it's a multi head type. Even worst, a total of 9 heads that had never appeared before."

"Forget about that! Suzaku and Satoshi are on location right now."

"I know. Urushibara-san informed us via message. He said that to successfully evacuate the non-combatants, the two of them are keeping the target busy."

The calm analytical tone of Isurugi is causing Momoka to become more frustrated.

I don't need that kind of information. I already knew that from Suzaku's message. Let's reinforce them quickly! What I'm asking is if everyone's preparation is completed?"

"We won't be reinforcing them."

The calm voice of Isurugi caused Momoka to explode in anger.

"WHY!"

"Facing that kind of monster, it's unwise to rush in without a plan of attack. If we attack carelessly, there's a high possibility we'll be wipe out totally."

"Aren't you an A-Class? Weren't you proud of how great the Combat Corp is?"

"If this was a normal metaphysical, of course it won't be an opponent for us. But, that monster will probably require the full mobilization of the entire Japan branch to take down. That includes all A-ranks like me, as much B-ranks that can be gathered and probably as much C-ranks, with a hundred of them as a single unit, as backups. If we don't go that far, we won't have a chance."

"Then what are we to do now?"

"Currently, the principal had already request help from the White Knight Order. We are to wait for the reinforcements and prepare the formations spearheaded by us. No point in making unnecessary sacrifices."

What nonsense is this? Momoka was tongue tied.

Her brain was about to explode.

Could it be…that not only Isurugi's family, but no one around her had died even once?

That she had never experience the pain of eternal partings.

Was this why she was able to sprout these shitty words? Momoka's anger reached its peak.

"This is ridiculous. If we wait that long, Satoshi and Suzaku will be dead by then!" Momoka screamed in anger.

Isurugi seemed to hesitate for a split second, yet continue to reply calmly:

"This is a necessary great sacrifice to protect the majority."

Momoka snapped. Something broke within her.

Her heart started beating hard and erratically with an uneven rhythm.

She can hear the rush of blood in the depth of her ears.

Her anger intensified to a single point.

"Listen to me," Momoka says in a low and quiet tone.

She said this to Isurugi Jun, the monstrous captain of the combat corp, Strikers. One of the highest ranked White Iron in Japan.

"There is no life that can be abandoned easily in this world!"

Isurugi grunted once and took a step back.

The pressure that Momoka is emitting, a mix of hatred and bloodlust, caused Isurugi who was known for her steadiness and calm to panic.

"Fuck it. I'll go myself."

"Wait a minute! Don't break formation by yourself. I said it before that only the power of teamwork and organization can defeat the opponent. What can you do by yourself? Don't forget the iron rule! Don't let emotion cloud your judgement. This is an unnecessary sacrifice, it's a childish self-satisfaction. Please reconsider…."

Even if she was pushed down by Momoka's presence, what needs to be said still had to be said. Jun used her full courage to persuade Momoka.

But, Momoka just glance once at Isurugi and she was struck silent.

Momoka just silently, resolutely turned her back on Isurugi and ignored her.

"Momoka-chan. Please calm down. No matter what, those two cannot be saved already."

Isurugi plead earnestly towards Momoka's back.

"Aren't you all Allies of Justice?" Momoka coldly replied without turning around, and throw in her next line:

"If we cannot even save two boys, how are we called Saviors?"

Isurugi can only reply with silence.

Momoka had already lost any expectation with this place.

So, she can only proceed by herself.

Towards the two waiting for her; to the place besides the two of them—

---

The distance from the Academy female dorm to the shopping mall is around 20km in a straight line.

Momoka wrapped in pure white prana was running at full strength with God Speed Link.

Her battlesuit had morph into a streamlined style, helping her to speed like the wind.

If she were to follow the main road, she'll have to make a huge circular detour following the hill path.

Thus, Momoka decided to jump towards her location in a straight line.

Kicking off the tar road, she jumped onto a nearby residential roof with God Speed Link.

A height normally unreachable by normal people, she cleared it easily.

In addition,

『Feathers Dash, Light as Ash, Released me fast, From Gravity Lash』

While casting magic with her left hand, she dropped her weight magically to almost zero.

After taking lessons with Suzaku, Momoka's Black Magic ability increased by leaps and bounds.

Once she landed on the next roof, she jumped off again.

The second jump was even further than the first.

In this way, Light Technique God Speed Link works in conjunction with Dark Magic Manifestation of (Feather Weight) 『Decrease Weight』.

With this, Momoka jumped along the rooftops of the residential area and swiftly approach the shopping mall.

Every subsequent jump was further and faster, as if she was flying.

Along the white buildings, Momoka danced in the skies like a bird.

Light as feather, cutting through the air.

For a normal White Iron, it's not a difficult thing to jump over a building with God Speed Link.

But, compared to running full speed on the ground, this method loses out in speed. Jumping continuously in a straight line or running on the ground circularly, which method is faster is irrelevant as the difference is not that far apart.

But, it's different for Momoka. Only for Momoka.

By decreasing her weight with Black Magic, and then jumping with Light Techniques, this is a method out of the common knowledge of Saviors.

Pairing the fastest speed with the shortest distance—

With incomprehensible haste, Momoka rushed towards the two boys' side.

She prayed that she will reach them in time.

She worried that they are not picking up her phone calls.

She imagined all sorts of horrible scenarios and had to continually shake them away from her head, only to repeat this again.

Momoka rushed through the city center like a tornado.

The speed she exhibited was too ridiculous, the movement she displayed was too unnatural, thus no one saw her at all.

Only a few minutes have passed since she left the dorms, yet she can already see the shopping buildings.

Also, the 9 scythe-shaped body of the hydra.

"SATOSHI! SUZAKU!" Momoka roared, praying and hoping that her yearnings reached them.

Only a few more steps to reach them.

Momoka without hesitation rushed into the center of a 6 street traffic junction.

The unlucky vehicle that was just passing through had to swerve hard to avoid Momoka. Without a care, Momoka continued to swing between vehicles or jumped over them, crossing the junction without pause.

The next obstacle was a 4 story building.

Momoka leaped off the road and, kicking a tree as a jumpboard, ran up the side of the vertical building and reaching the roof.

The last jump was executed without hesitation.

Momoka finally stood on the shopping mall overlooking the destroyed center garden.

The hydra also noticed the brilliance of Momoka's white prana.

Raising all the heads, they mockingly laughed at her.

As if saying that they were waiting impatiently for her arrival.

Even under the multiple glare of the metaphysical, under the immerse pressure, Momoka desperately looked for the silhouette of the two boys.

Satoshi and Suzaku—FOUND! They were hugging each other and lying on the ground.

Surrounded by the hydra, they gave the impression of sacrifices in some ancient civilization ritual.

Suzaku's entire back from slowly pertifying, while Satoshi's was petrified from his toes to near his navel.

Was that the doing of the metaphysical? Unforgivable!

(COME! SARATIGA!)

Momoka forced Prana into her palm.

The tag in her palm reacted and morphed into her soul weapon.

The proof of a warrior standing on the battlefield.

Momoka is now a sword and the sword in her hand is Momoka.

"TAKE THIS!"

Jumping from her high ground, Momoka plunged her sword into the nearest mono eye snake's single eye.

Venus Activated.

Using Saratiga as a conduit, Momoka forced refined prana into the organ, causing it to explode from within.

The head that just lost its only eye roared in pain, and trashed uncontrollably.

Momoka stable herself using the sword stuck into the broken eye and prevented being thrown off.

Next, the 4 eyed snake rushed towards Momoka with its jaws wide open.

"Che!"

Momoka pulled out her sword and dodge by kicking off the injured head hard.

The inertial of the 4 eyed snake was too great and it collided into the mono eyed snake head, causing both to be entangled together.

Although everything was still going as planned, Momoka's situation was still graved.

Especially, the platform she kicked off was unstable, so her jump was only partially successful. She was dropping onto the ground from a height of tens of meters.

If this continues, she'll smash into the ground at high speed.

『The chains of hell clung unceasingly to all sinners』

At the last moment, Momoka's left hand trance out a line of glowing glyphs.

Immediately, dark chains seemingly made from the night itself flew out from Momoka's left arm and wrap themselves along a tree.

Using this as a pivot point, Momoka swung around like a pendulum and she successfully stabilize her balance.

The chains forged from Dark Magic disappear without a trance and Momoka landed on the courtyard.

Although she remembered the spell for 『Bind』in a split second, she was able to adapt the full effect successfully.

"I've made you all wait."

Momoka stood up with both legs steadily on the ground, protecting both Satoshi and Suzaku who were just a few meters behind her.

"I just know…Onee-sama…will come."

Resisting the spreading curse, Satoshi who was groggy with prana exhaustion still felt happy inside.

"But…Urushibara…is in danger. His pupil's…colour…is getting lighter…"

"Acknowledge. Leave the rest…"

Staring at the hydra, she resolutely straightens her stance.

"…to me."

Raising the sword in her right hand and bravely took a half step with her right leg.

With her chest held proudly forward, it brings to mind a heroic pose.

In return, the metaphysical waved their 9 heads at her threateningly, hissing at her just like normal cobras.

The enemy was much, much larger than him. And they outnumbered him.

To be frank, the situation the worst.

But, as long as Satoshi is looking at her from behind, she felt courage flooding her!

(First, I must fight numbers with numbers.)

Momoka swiftly arrange possible tactics and scenario in her mind.

Holding Saratiga in her right hand, she leap forwards so fast with God Speed Link that not even a mirage can be seen.

At the same time, she wrote out glowing glyphs with her left hand.

『Like the pavilion on the sand, fragile and phantasmal, revealed as the house of seduction』

Once the black magic is completed, Momoka's single body split into 10 bodies.

That's right, like a certain ninja art popular in pop culture, Momoka had split into several clones.

The 9 heads of the hydra seemed to wave in confusion by the sudden multiple targets, but decided to attack each different Momoka with a different head.

Just when the 6 eyed snake swallowed up its Momoka, that particular Momoka disappeared like a mirage.

At the same time, 3 other Momokas disappeared without a trance after being individually attacked.

Those that disappeared are all fakes created by black magics. Using light to create 3D images, Momoka who seemed to have multiplied, actually had cast the Step 1 Black Magic 『Phantasmal Image』.

At this point, the real Momoka was approaching her true target—the 5 eyed snake's head. Dodging the fangs, she chopped at the maw as she rushed by.

Glowing pure white with prana, Saratiga sliced apart the maw like a hot knife through butter.

The 5 eyed snake collapsed on the ground and rolled around in pain.

Still, although the attack seemed very successful, it's far from a fatal blow.

Using the internal damage effect of Venus, the destructive power cannot be underestimated. But against the huge body of this metaphysical, the damage is still not significant enough. Similar to a 3cm cut on a human adult body, even if the cut is deep it won't be a fatal blow.

Also, 4 heads that were previously distracted by the clones were turning back and attaching her from multiple direction.

Momoka cast Phantasmal Image again and scattered the clones in multiple directions.

4 heads went off to chase after the clones while the 7-eyed snake chased after the real Momoka.

Preparing to turn around and meet the attacker, Momoka's grip tighten on Saratiga's hilt…and loosens.

(There's no end to this.)

If she could release prana equivalent to Sarasha's, it'll be a different story. But for the current her, this is a long term battle like using an ice pick to chip away slowly at a large tree.

(Even so, the enemy will fall in the end…)

It's similar to the dual with Isurugi Gen, a long term battle of attrition.

But differently from that duel, Momoka simply do not have the time.

Momoka shoot a quick look at Satoshi and Suzaku.

Suzaku's situation is the direst. Although the petrification rate is slow, it was steady and all 4 limbs were petrified at this time.

She had to end this quickly, end this lighting fast.

(If that's the case, how about this….)

Momoka who was running at full speed turned around to face the hydra chasing her.

In her dual with Gen, a similar attack of the same rank ended it in one blow.

『Dance, Dance, Spirits of Thunder

No one live forever in this world, in an instant, in a flash, greed and joy

All are abandoned instantly; let the killing party commence this night』

As she sang the aria, she was swiftly tracing the glowing glyphs with a practiced hand and concluded the spell by hitting the lines with a hard blow from her left hand.

Instantly, the lines formed into multiple balls of lightnings—Step Three Dark Magic 『Ball Lightning』, and the multiple balls exploded against the huge body like carpet bombing.

This time it's the 7 eyed snake's turn to trash in pain after suffering consecutive lightning strikes and burns.

Using Ball Lightning, the area effect damage greatly increased. But the forces are dispersed over a larger area and thus the snake did not received as much damage as expected.

Of course, Momoka did not know that Suzaku's Freezing Shade was not able to deal a fatal blow either.

As these techniques were not used against human targets but giant monsters, the firepower is lacking.

In conclusion, regardless of light techniques or dark magic, both have limited effect against this creature.

[Right tool for the job], this phrase passes through Momoka's mind.

Momoka really wanted to clicked her tongue at the impasse, but she's running out of time.

That's because the 8 eyed snake is approaching her fast after "snaking" through the trashing 7 eyed snake.

(Come.)

Using superior weight and shocking speed, the 8 eyed slammed hard into Momoka with a direct attack.

Momoka gritted her teeth and cross her arms, blocking using Titan Strength Link and jumping back at the same time to reduce the impact.

But, the impact was so stong it felt as if her body was broken into pieces.

"GAHHH…"

Momoka's body was blown far up into the sky like a piece of driftwood.

(That's too powerful.)

While being blown up tens of meters up into the air, Momoka understood this deeply.

If she had not refectively jumped back and lessen the impact somewhat, she would have been really crushed into several pieces when she landed on the ground in the end.

Momoka twisted her body in the air and regain her bearings. Looking down, she looked for a landing spot and also to access the situation.

Downward—the 9 head hydra seemed to be waiting for her impatiently.

The 7 eyed snake that just took a direct hit from Ball lightning had recovered and had joined back into the battle.

(That's…cheating…)

Momoka clutched her teeth tighter.

Overwhelming in strength. Overwhelming in toughness. Even overwhelming in numbers.

So this is the so called creature that required the full mobilization of the Japan Branch to defeat — the Dreadnought Class Metaphysical.

Momoka's body was finally reclaimed by gravity, and she naturally drop down.

The metaphysical opened their bloody mouth to welcome her.

In Sue Saura's memories, there was no such convenient magic like flight magic.

It's the end.

"Gu….."

Momoka's mind conjured an image of a small boy.

A small girl that looked like her 8 years ago.

The girl was looking at her with darkened eyes.

— Of course it's impossible.

— You cannot save anyone.

— You cannot even save your mother or father.

She could see those condemnations in those darkened eyes.

"I…."

The right hand holding Saratiga was shaking.

"I…."

The trembling intensified, as if reaching a limit.

"I'VE ALREADY PROMISED HIM!"

Momoka saw it.

Behind the image of the "her" 8 years ago.

Behind the gazes of condemnation, on the background far away.

He saw Satoshi.

Satoshi was crying.

Satoshi who had witnessed Momoka being thrown up into the air was crying uncontrollably.

Even so, he did not avert his gaze from her.

Even if he was terrified and was surrendering to despair, he still looked on.

No matter what happens, Satoshi will always call Momoka's name in his heart.

Satoshi forced down the fear of the petrification creeping up his body, and only single-mindedly looked at his Onee-Sama.

Seeing the swollen red eyes of this crying brother, Momoka sliced the air once.

Momoka sliced apart the image of her from 8 years ago.

"SCRAM! I'VE NO TIME TO PLAY WITH YOU NOW!"

That's right. We've promised.

No matter how difficult the battlefield, no matter how strong the enemy, no matter how far we are, even if fate threatens to tear us apart

"I will always be victorious and return to your side!"

[Breath]

Momoka sucked in a deep breath.

Her thoughts cleared.

At this height that can caused the sight to become dizzy, conversely everything can be calmly and clearly observed.

As if waiting for offerings, the hydra was shaking its body happily.

The shopping mall had suffered massive damage. Everything was broken.

Satoshi and Suzaku are still being corrupted by the petrifying curse.

Momoka took in everything she saw, and combine [ALL] into [ONE].

[HAAAAAAAAA]

Momoka steadly let loose her breath and ready her sword.

She relaxed her body, closed her eyes and delves deeply into his consciousness.

The sound of the wind rushing past her ear disappeared.

The sound of the streets disappeared.

The only sound is the beating of her heart, the flow of her blood and her deep breathing.

And—Momoka seemed to hear the sound of seven gates slamming wide open.

Focusing, she forced the Prana dormant in her body to a high level.

The seven Prana Gates: Left hand, right hand, left leg, right leg, solar plexus, heart and brow, were gushing forth prana like a broken dam and releasing it throughout her whole body.

In the darken skies, Momoka was shining brightly in pure white as if ascending into heaven.

But, this is not enough.

"ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR"

Momoka roared toward the sky like a beast.

Being in her natural state is not enough to defeat this hydra. More power is needed.

If one does not abandoned the skin of a human and changed into an avatar of destruction, one cannot defeat a true monster.

CRACK. CRACK. Something seemed to be breaking in Momoka's head along with a feeling that something is rushing up and down inside her brain. Something is gnawing away from the inside, bringing intense pain never experience by Momoka ever before in this life.

[Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh]

While Momoka is drawing forth prana from the 7 gates—

At the same time she is refining Mana.

From certain languages, magic can be translated literally as [Power from the Devil].

Like the devil, Momoka was ceaselessly stealing and absorbing all ambient energy from the surrounding, be it light, wind, heat or any other naturally occurring sources on earth to boost the power of her mana.

The darker the world, the more powerful she became.

Momoka also nonchalantly swallowed the pure white light of her own prana.

(MORE! I…NEED MORE! MORE MORE MORE MOREMOREMOREMOREMORE)

Momoka strained heself with a low growl from her throat.

Without power, one can overcome difficulties.

Even if you prayed to God, no one will be saved.

Human Lives and Values are not so easily preserved.

For Momoka who had lost both parents, she had such a deep understanding.

The desire—for power.

The desire for absolute power that will resist fate, overturn adversaries, destroy enemies.

"I won't arrogantly say that I'll save anyone! But….."

Visions flashes through Momoka's mind.

Satoshi posing in his revealing clothes on their first date.

Satoshi desperately forcing himself trying to catch up to Momoka.

Satoshi with a red face when she is stroking his head.

Satoshi with terry eyes when he wanted to be praised.

Also:

Suzaku and their kiss during their first meeting.

Suzaku undeniable cuteness and his seductive yet daring attitude.

Suzaku and his dimples when he laughed.

Suzaku with his calm,solemn attitude and self-sacrificial but strong will.

Everything Everything Everything.

It's all precious to her. She does not want to lose anything. So—

"I...WILL DEFINITELY NOT FORGIVE ANYONE WHO WILL TAKE THOSE TWO FROM ME!"

Momoka's shout resounded through the clouds.

Prana rushed out form the 7 gates within her body, unendingly and unceasingly as if from a bottomless well.

And Momoka's mana greedily absorbs and swallowed up the prana as if a black hole.

Prana turned into light and attempt to illuminate the world. Mana diffused into darkness and tried to swallow the world.

Both fought and compete for supremacy over each other and thus, broke each other's limit.

This is the so called rivalry which raised the power of both through combat.

LOOK!

The white prana and black mana had formed sinuous lines around Momoka.

How much energy and power are hidden among those depths?

[White] & [Black].

The 2 extremely polar energy started to swirl. As if 2 tigers fighting, trying to bite each other's tail.

Almost like the symbol for Taoism.

Isurugi Jun once said this: Momoka's value was her versatility.

She's wrong. Very wrong. She was speaking as someone with a fixed mindset and no imagination.

The principal once said this: Prana and Mana can be made to work with each other if you were to think about it.

Momoka is the [The Eldest Heroic Spirit], an existence above common knowledge. One who can freely control Prana and Mana.

As if to break apart the world, Momoka's twin power burst out explosively.

『TRACE』

Taking a stance with Saratiga in her right, her left hand wrote out the magic script.

She was not able to cut off even one single head using the internal destruction of Light Techniques or the wide area destruction of Dark Magic.

Momoka understood that she cannot defeat the hydra if she continued the same method.

But, no because of this, Momoka had to think out a new and extreme alternative method, and sang the aria in a clear voice:

『Purgatory of Hell, Conflagration of Gaia

Fire burn good and evil without prejudice, purifying all in its intense mercy

All beings revert to bones at death,

For God abandoned humanity,

Let this corrupted world end, Let the trumpets sound, Let the time of judgement begin』

Aria and the tracing combined.

Something was continuing to crack inside Momoka's brain, and she seemed to hear another...her...speaking:

"That's right. Let all witness the might and power of one who is called The Pluto."

This is a dark magic that's ranked two steps above Incinerate. The Step Five Dark Magic 『Black Gehenna』.

Finishing the five glyphs lines, Momoka tapped them to conclude the spell.

Not with his hand this time, but with Saratiga held in her right hand.

Darkness—

Suddenly, a mass of black flame not natural to the world manifested.

The black flame twisted around as if alive, but gradually concentrated onto a point.

Concentrated onto Saratiga.

Blending into the prana surrounding the sword, the sword seemingly burst into black flame.

WHOAAAAAAAAAAAA!

With sparks flying out from the black flame, Momoka raised the fiery Saratiga high over her head.

She dropped down the sky like a comet trailing smoke behind her.

At this time, 8 heads were rushing towards her.

The 9 eyed snake breathe petrification smoke at her.

"ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG"

Regardless of all obstacles, Momoka slashed through with her hellfire sword. Amazingly, the immaterial smoke was cut apart and disappear without a trace.

Spinning her body, the hellfire swirl around Momoka like a whirlpool.

As she dropped down, Momokaspin the hellfire into a screw-like shape and approached the 9 eyed snake.

Piecing into the maw with the prana and mana combined sword.

And, an explosion of white and black—

Venus broke apart the internal body like a toxin creating pathways, and 『Black Gehenna』 flooded along the pathways burning everything.

Internal Destruction and Area effect destruction working together. A combined attack.

In the end, one snake of the hydra burst apart, destroyed from within.

Momoka is the only savior in the world capable of using both Light Techniques and Dark Magics.

Thus, she could forged a third path and create an all new skill of her own.

In the future, The White Knight Order will name it thus:

《Yin-Yang Ancestral Arts》 -

(The Black Sword that Sears All Heavens) 《KURIKARA》

Losing one of its heads, the other 8 heads rushed forwards together in a frenzy.

Momoka landed on the one of the snake body and majestically swung her sword several times.

All these time, her body was emitting light and darkness.

5 eyed, 3 eyed, 2 eyed, 8 eyed, 4 eyed, 6 eyed, 7 eyed—

Momoka destroyed one head after another as they attacked her.

"I am (SARASHA) The Guardian of the Holy Sword and (SUE SAURA) 『The Holder of the Forbidden Spell』! For you who have angered me, repent and burned in hellfire foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

Shouting while dancing with her hellfire sword, Momoka was like a fiery whirlwind.

Fresh blood spraying into the air were vaporised by the heat.

Surprisingly, the mono eyed snake that was injured at the very first start of the battle was the last head to be bisected.

And, the battle ended.

Momoka seem to have effortlessly and instantly vanquished the hydra.

The giant snake bodies that had lost all the heads lost all strength and flopped to the ground lifeless.

6 of the giant headless body crashed into the shopping buildings and the buildings were demolished.

Looking at the wanton destruction below him, Momoka did not relax her fighting spirit.

Somersaulting with her sword held against her shoulder, she shoots towards the ground straight as an arrow.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Momoka thrust out the deciding blow and piece the ground strongly with Saratiga.

Huge amount of Prana and Mana were pumped into the ground and the ground heaved.

The huge courtyard was broken into pieces, not unlike a cookie dropped onto the floor.

The surrounding buildings lost their foundations and were demolished.

The ground pieced directly by Saratiga exploded and a huge hole was created, revealing the enormous main body of the hydra hidden underground.

That body was pieced by Saratiga and all remaining prana and mana was released inside.

A pillar of flame shoots towards the heaven like an erupting volcano.

The enormous fiery pillar piece the high dark clouds and broke a hole in the cloud cover.

A shaft of light shine through the gap onto the destroyed shopping mall.

In a situation where no one was killed, a dreadnaught class Metaphysical was destroyed.

Haimura Momoka.

Just by the power of herself, and the feelings she held for her little brother...

End of Chapter 7

---

Epilogue

Momoka was tiredly climbing the hell slope leading to the academy.

Satoshi and Suzaku were walking by her sides but Satoshi had been nagging non-stop all the way.

"That was really dangerous! Onee-sama!"

Her ears were growing tired from the same phrase.

When Momoka destroyed the main body, didn't she destroy the entire shopping mall?

The ground broke, the buildings collapsed, Satoshi and Suzaku petrified right in the middle….

"We were lucky that the first 9 eyed snake you destroyed was the key to undoing the petrification curse and so we were able to escape on our own. If not for that coincidence, what would you have done?"

While Satoshi was venting at Momoka, Momoka was trying to defend herself:

" No...that was unavoidable. I had to bet my life just to destroy that fella. Anyway, if I had held back, there could have been worst consequences…"

"Couldn't you have given us some consideration?!"

"I'm sorry. Please let me know what I can do to make it up to you?"

While Momoka begged Satoshi, he held a contemplative look going [Let's see...].

"I would like to give thanks to Momoka instead."

Suzaku facing straight forward was saying that expressionly .

"Uh? Urushibara you traitor!"

"Momoka, thank you very much. How would you like me to reward you? How about something that will greatly decrease my value as a boy?"

"Don't take the opportunity to score points with Momoka!"

"Both of you are so energetic….."

Which side was really the one who almost turned into stone and at the edge of death?

Momoka would like nothing better than to just lie down on the roadside and go to sleep.

Still, even if she was exhausted, she had to obey the principal who called her by phone and ordered her to report back immediately.

The principal also warned her that she'll have to give a clear and concise report upon her arrival, no details omitted. Just thinking about it, Momoka felt faint.

"Ah well. It's fine, since Momoka kept her promise."

Looks like his mood turned better after venting. Satoshi was scratching his face in embarrassment.

"Anyway, shouldn't you gentlemen be the one to lavishly reward me?"

"Lavishly? What do you mean by la…lavishly?"

Satoshi shirked back in fear and came to a suddenly conclusion:

"Don't…don't tell me? You want me to also do something that will decrease my value as a boy as thanks?"

Satoshi was so embarrassed that he was red to his ears.

"Are you still desiring my soft gentle lips? Was it so unforgettable for you?"

"Wait...Otouto-sama. I think your fantasies had gone off a deviant path since a while ago."

"No~~. Stop, Momoka. We are siblings. It's too early to do those kinds of things."

Satoshi had already stop listening. He was hugging himself and twisting his body shyly as he lost himself in some fantasy world.

"Suzaku, let's go."

Momoka heartlessly abandoned Satoshi and moved quickly away up the hill with Suzaku.

"WAIT! DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND!"

Momoka turned her head to look behind and the angry Satoshi chasing them and smiled.

Suzaku's dimples were floating up on his face.

The new leaves were dancing on the winds above the road.

The gentle sun, the greenery surrounding them.

Without their awareness the weather had turned sunny, nothing better to let one relax in.

She can walk along the road to school with Satoshi and Suzaku again. She can chat and laugh along with them again.

Momoka was satisfied.

The effort she put in today was not wasted.

Right, if she were to get more rewards, she'll be frightened instead of divine retribution.

After conquering the hell slope, the school gate finally appeared in front of them.

Isurugi Jun was waiting for them.

"I could hear you guys all the way from here."

Momoka suddenly felt embarrassed when she hear that from Isurugi.

"No, no. That was meant as being amazed by your resilience. Seeing how you guys are flirting, you don't looked like you had went through a life and death battle. It's amazing that the metaphysical was destroyed just by the three of you. It's truly heroic. I'll really like to learn from you guys."

If someone else was to say the same words to them. They'll have felt uncomfortable. But only Isurugi did not give them that feeling.

"Good job. Please accept my deepest respect."

Isurugi unreservedly praised and congratulate them.

Momoka stopped walking and look straight into Isurugi's straight and honest face.

This girl abandoned Satoshi and Suzaku to their death.

If Momoka had no resentment towards this, it'll be a lie.

But, Isurugi did not apologize for that decision. And that was why Momoka decided to forgive her.

She did not apologize because she ultimately believed that she made the correct decision. Believing that Momoka would win against the Metaphysical by herself would be against the norm. Regardless of the outcome, that was the belief and judgment of one capable of leading the combat corp. That of a leader.

Momoka do not want to be someone like Jun, who shouldered the fate of many people.

Momoka can only expand her full energy to protecting those right beside him.

Thus she changed her mind. She felt that if she continued to resent Jun who bears such a heavy burden, it be too despicable of her.

"It was really tiring. I will definitely not do that a second time."

Momoka untied the knot in her heart and grinned at Isurugi.

Isurugi's entire atmosphere calm down considerably.

"Actually, I've something to tell you guys. That's why I was waiting here," Isurugi said that with a big smile.

"I would like to invite Ranjou-san to join us as a reserve member."

Momoka grunted in surprise and they all turned to stare at the named person.

Satoshi was frozen.

5 seconds...10 seconds...15 seconds...

"EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Satoshi screamed.

"Whywhywhywhy? Why do you want me suddenly?" Satoshi was screaming in confusion.

"You challenged that monster fearlessly because you were trying to protect the powerless masses right? That is courage were praising, a model savior worth emulating. Even with strength, that is something that couldn't be trained out by a normal people. It's something inborn. Someone like you who processed such a strong sense of justice is a rare gem needed by the combat corp. So I hope for you to join us."

"But…but…but…in the end I did not…"

"That's just like Isurugi-senpai."

When Satoshi was about to deny his involvement, Momoka quickly cut in and hit him with her elbow to remind him to keep quiet. Such an honest person. REALLY!

"Even if you said that, it's too much to have him join as an official member immediately, right? So you'll have him join in as a reserve member to train him up, correct? Ah, such a comprehensive plan." Momoka said in a rush with a face full of fake smiles.

Momoka had already advanced the conversation several steps in advance and said everything Isurugi wanted to say, so Jun can only smiled bitterly and nod her head. After a [Please think about it], she left them and head back.

"Isurugi-senpai misunderstood...in the end the monster was defeated only by Momoka," Satoshi whimpered softly.

"It's impossible to win one on one with a metaphysical, this is a deeply rooted common sense. If it was known that this truth was broken, Momoka would be raised to an S-class Savior," Suzaku explained this expressionlessly.

Satoshi, disturbed, turned towards Momoka and said: " Momoka really did that though..."

"Regardless of who defeated it or how many people did it, it's no matter right? Rethink what Isurugi-senpai said. She praised Satoshi's fighting spirit right? We actually think that too, so you can puff out your chest and be proud."

Momoka scratched her head and awkwardly patted Satoshi's shoulder.

"Can I really do that?" Satoshi mumbled to himself and pinched his face hard.

"Feeling pain in his cheek, he finally acknowledge that this is reality.

"GREAT! GREAT! GREAT!" Satoshi started jumping around in joy.

"I won't be pushed aside out of the circle. I can be beside Onee-sama's side. I'm so happy!"

At the end, he actually pounced forward and hugged Momoka tight naively. Momoka was feeling flustered over this.

Still, no matter what, a warm feeling flooded from her heart and she lowered her soft gaze at the Satoshi hugging her.

For now, even if it's just a tiny little bit, she really felt that this is her little brother, so she gently stroke his head.

"Remember not to become a burden to us."

"Irritating! If I promote to an official member first, don't hate me!"

Even after Suzaku tease him, Satoshi still maintained his radiant smile.

"Right! Since it's decided, Let's take a bath after we get back. And take a long nap. To prepare for the training tomorrow!"

"We still have to report to the principal though."

Wanting to escape by himself, not so easy.

Luckily he had hugged her on his own free will first, so Momoka caught him firmly.

"Guuu. Momoka was not petrified. So you cannot understand our fatigue," Satoshi complained while struggling.

"Really. My legs still felt a bit stiff. Like there's some rocks grinding against each other inside the leg. It felt really disgusting."

"Ah, I get that feeling. It's the same for me."

"Right! Right! Although it could be our imagination…"

"REALLY?!"

Before Satoshi could finished, Momoka's expression turned serious, and she knelt down.

Her left hand and right hand reached out…and groped hard on the legs of both Satoshi and Suzaku.

"WHAT?" "Ara."

Satoshi widened his eyes in shock while Suzaku put both hands on his reddened cheeks. Momoka was just concentrating on checking the conditions of their legs.

Satoshi's leg was athletic and bouncy. No matter where she touched, the flesh is rigid. It felt really good to stroke it.

On the other side, Suzaku's leg was surprisingly muscular. But it's definitely not fat. When she squeezes with her hand, her fingers would sink deeply into the extremely buff flesh. Enough to make anyone's heart pound.

"There don't seemed to be anywhere abnormal, even so should we visit a doctor and get a MRI done?"

While Momoka was stroking both their legs, she was talking seriously to them.

"Before that, maybe we should go to the police station…YOU FUCKING PERVERTED ONEE-SAMA!" Satoshi replied with one eyebrow twitching in irritation.

Momoka jerked slightly, coming back to her senses, and finally realized the crazy thing she's doing.

(I worried about you both- Really-)

Still, Satoshi was glaring coldly at her.

Maybe it's due to her guilt, but it seemed as if Satoshi's cold piecing gaze was stabbing at the hand on Suzaku's thigh.

"Ahhh ahhhh. As your brother, I feel so sad. Is there anything you want to say?"

"-It's a really beautiful leg."

"Yes, let's make a trip to the police station. It's good for you to spend a night in a cold cell."

"I would like to visit a gynecologist with Momoka someday instead."

"STOP SAYING NONSENSE OVER THERE!" Satoshi was angered beyond reason.

"Momoka! Suzaku! Both all you are too fallen!" He shouted at the two of them while pointing at them.

"The great me will spend lots of time to slowly straighten you out. So be thankful to me! Ho ho ho ho ho!"

Satoshi maintained that position and laughed shrilly.

"The two of you are lucky to have me as a training partner. You should cry in joy."

"Yes. I feel like crying now."

"As above."

"Come, let us proceed to the principal's office then!"

Satoshi energectically dragged the two of them forward by grabbing their hands and taking great steps forward.

"Momoka and Suzaku exchanged a glance, and —

The three of them smiled and chatted happily, walking forward...together.

End of Volume 1

---

Cast:

Gen Isurugi: Kikoku Inoue (Japanese); Carli Mosier (English)

Jun Isurugi: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese); Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)

Mario Shimon: Toru Furuya (Japanese); Mike Pollock (English)

Mayan Shimon: Miyu Tomita (Japanese); Veronica Taylor (English)

Momoka Haimura: Kana Hanazawa (Japanese); Michelle Rojas (English)

Satoshi Ranjou: Yuki Kaji (Japanese); Zach Aguilar (English)

Suzaku Urushibara: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese); David Vincent (English)

Taru Tanaka: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese); Leah Clark (English)

---

Thanks you so much for reading!

Unfortunately, keep in mind that this is a TEASER project...which unfortunately means (as of right now) I currently have NO plans of continuing for two reasons:

1. For Suzaku, Shizuno's male counterpart, imagine her brother, Tadanori, in a younger, gothic appearance.
2. I wanted to get another Funimation fanfic with Veronica Taylor in it.
3. Currently, there is no place that I can read Volumes 2 and 3.

Be on the look out for a briefly returning fanfic next month, and until then...

Later