Class VII had finished doing their monthly investigation of the Old Schoolhouse as the evening sky of bright orange and red seized the skies. The calls of crows and different birds were interrupted by the sound of the Old Schoolhouse's main entrance creaking open followed by the cheerful conversation of students from Class VII. The one leading the group was Rean Schwarzer, the blue-haired student known for giving pep talks, practicing his swordsmanship, and helping people out.
"Again, I really appreciate you guys helping me," Rean said. "I couldn't have done this floor without any of you here."
The ones receiving his thanks this month were none other than—
"Don't mention it Rean," a small redhead said, "We're friends."
"I'm glad to have helped. I'm sure the others would agree to that." A tall and robust nomad nodded.
"What Elliot and Gaius said," a blonde archer said, "I'm happy to pitch in."
"I bet it's a nice change from the Lacrosse Club," Rean said, giving a friendly chuckle.
The mentioning of the club made her sigh and shoulders droop ever so slightly. Not the reaction he was hoping for.
"Still having troubles befriending that other girl, Alisa?" A strong blue-haired swordswoman asked.
"You bet." Alisa sighed, "I'm out of ideas on why she's so… uncooperative with me. I still haven't made progress after so long. I say one thing and she thinks it's an insult. It's so frustrating."
"Come on, I'm sure we'll think of a solution this time."
"Laura, don't tell me you're suggesting—"
"— brainstorming at Kirche's cafe again, yes." Laura smiled, "I'm sure we'll think of something that'll be successful this time."
"We might need another brain." Alisa looked over and saw the class president, "Hey Emma, wanna come with?"
"Me?" Emma pointed to herself, "A-are you sure?"
"Of course, with your brainpower added to the mix, I'm sure we'll think of something. Besides even if we don't think of something, I wouldn't want you feeling left behind."
"W-well, if you say so. I'm in." The class president smiled.
"You boys have fun without us." The three ladies diverged from the main group.
"And there they go," Gaius said. "I think I'll make a few adjustments with my latest art piece."
"You're still working on Winds that guide the Ice Prince and the Warm Commoner?" Rean asked.
"Indeed, I can't seem to get the atmosphere or lighting right," Gaius said. "The sketch went well at least."
"You might want to ask Jusis if he knows any stories or art pieces about Royalty and Commoner joining hands," Elliot suggested.
"That sounds like a nice suggestion. I'll see if he's still at the Horse Riding Club. See you two later. May the Winds guide you two."
"Bye Gaius."
"Good luck."
Now it was just Elliot and Rean in front of the Old Schoolhouse. The two began walking back to the academy as they normally do. Elliot, on the other hand, had a different plan in mind, that is, if Rean would be okay with it.
The redhead's heart bumped with anxiety. He checked the ARCUS, it showed the link between Rean and him were still strong.
Good, the link isn't severed. I just need to speak up. I've talked to Rean before, this is like any other conversation. Calm down.
"Uh, h-hey Rean," Elliot said nervously.
"Hm," Rean turned his attention to Elliot, "What's up?"
"I was w-wondering if you wanted to hear my latest song."
"Sure, I'd love to. Let's go to your dorm right now."
"Actually, I was thinking if you'd want to hear it at the top of the school, instead of my dorm," Elliot said.
Rean gave him a confused look. Elliot's heart half-sunk at that expression he caused.
"It's a nice day after all." Elliot quickly said, "It's rainy one day and humid the next, we might not get weather as nice as this for a while too."
"Since you put it like that, sure." Rean smiled, "I'll get some food for us so after you play, we'll have something good to eat too."
Elliot mentally wiped the sweat off his face.
"Should I invite the others too? It could be a mini-concert and picnic."
"Let's not get too hasty!" Elliot rejected the idea, "Just the two of us, yeah?"
"Okay okay, I was just teasing." Rean put his hands up in a joking fashion.
"You, teasing people?" Elliot repeated in mock disbelief, "I guess Crow's been influencing you lately."
"That'll happen to anyone after an afternoon of Blades with him."
The two shared a laugh. Without much else to say Elliot went to his dorm to retrieve his instrument while Rean went to the cafeteria to purchase a quick snack that wouldn't ruin their appetite for dinner.
Rean made his way towards the top of the Main Building with an extra hop in his step. His hand laid on top of the handle until something ran across his mind.
It's a bit unlike Elliot to do this. Maybe he's upset about what happened earlier?
The events earlier that day played clearly in his mind.
One of the monsters got a lucky hit in, knocking Rean unconscious. When he woke up, Elliot stood next to him, incredibly ashamed, and used more healing artes than needed. Once the last of the monsters were slain, Rean asked what had happened.
Elliot just said the monster got a surprise attack.
The only reason why it got a lucky hit is that I didn't want it hurting you.
He didn't feel any malice towards Elliot. He would jump in front of an attack if it meant his friends were saved. He'd do that in a heartbeat, even if he wasn't able to draw his own sword, he'd do it.
Right now I have a mini-performance to see.
Wiping any thoughts away, he turned the doorknob and pushed it open.
Near one of the benches close to the fence stood the red-headed musician.
"Glad you're here. I was getting a little worried." Elliot said.
"I wouldn't want to miss your performance, especially when it's a private show like this," Rean said with an earnest smile.
Rean's smile caused Elliot to smile as well. He had a way of spreading that kind of joy around.
Rean sat comfortably on the bench as Elliot took his stance and checked the violin that was in the proper position.
"I hope you like this one, it's an original I've been working on for the past few weeks."
The gleam in his eyes showed only a sliver of his passionate youth.
A cool breeze brushed against them as Elliot began to play. The melody was soothing to the soul and the song put Rean at ease. Although he was worn out from fighting in the Old Schoolhouse Elliot's violin playing healed him as if he used Teara.
Maybe it was the sunlight, the atmosphere, or the song itself but it seemed as if Elliot was glowing. He played for what seemed like an eternity. When he finished Rean applauded.
"That was an amazing performance!" Rean said enthusiastically.
"Thanks a lot, Rean, I'm glad you enjoyed it."
With the performance done the two began eating the light snack. Rean finished eating first.
"I've never heard you play like that." Rean said, "I seriously think it'd raise morale when we're in a tough fight."
Elliot stared at him.
"What'd you mean by that last part?" Elliot asked.
"What do you mean?"
"The 'it'd raise the morale when we're in a tough fight' part. I don't think me playing the school's anthem with my violin while one of us is in serious danger would do much. I'm sure they'd get sick of it after a while."
"I didn't mean it like that. Even if you don't play any instruments in a fight, you're still helpful in a fight."
"You think?" Elliot's voice cracked.
Rean was about to laugh at the unexpected voice crack but Elliot's look of frustration and gritted teeth warned him otherwise.
Maybe I might've just said something to—
"My fighting style isn't as precise like Alisa's or Crow's shooting, it doesn't have a strong foundation like Laura's or yours, it's just me. Nothing special," Elliot rubbed the back of his head while giving Rean a half-smile, "I'm happy you thought so at least."
—offend Elliot.
Rean stared at his friend in confusion. The conversation had an undertone of something he wasn't fond of; the feeling of inadequacy and fear of burdening others that would gnaw on the mind during combat. Elliot failed to notice Rean's shocked expression and continued to talk.
"Lately it feels like I've been stagnant, I haven't gotten stronger even with all the training we've been doing together so…" Elliot looked to the sky as if he was searching for something, "I began to wonder if my skills and maybe even my passion for music also were getting weaker."
His shoulders dropped as his head lowered, his hands curling into a frustrating ball, "Seeing everyone get stronger is nice to see, but I'm worried I might be a liability at this point."
"You…a liability— like in a fight?" Rean said.
His stomach churned as he swallowed on what Elliot was saying.
"Yeah, like what if my healing isn't enough to save you guys, or my healing isn't fast enough, or if I'm the only one left who can fight, and I can't make a difference. And… if I can't make a difference, then what's the point of me being here…I'd be nothing but dead weight. "
"Elliot, if this is because of what happened earlier, I wasn't ready for the monster to do that, it was a lucky shot, and I'm sure that—"
Elliot's emerald eyes locked to Rean's own lilac eyes. The look of betrayal and hurt etched itself to Rean's mind.
"I know you dived to protect me. You knew I wouldn't have stayed conscious if I did. You wouldn't have gotten hurt if I wasn't a burden. We know that, but neither of us would say it."
The ARCUS' link was thinning between the two. Both of them felt it.
The cool breeze felt icy now. Elliot stared at the ground, his eyes closed as if he couldn't bear to see Rean realize the weight of his selflessness.
"I'm not mad at you for protecting me, I'm just frustrated at myself, frustrated that I wasn't ready. That's… that's all."
"Elliot…" Rean said. I had no idea he felt this way. If I say anything now he'll think I'm just pitying him with empty words. Maybe this is what he needs…
Without any idea on what else to do, Rean placed his hand onto Elliot's head. He slowly patted it gently, similar to how he'd pat his little sister's head when she was upset. He kept the hand there even as he saw Elliot's understandable confusion and flustered expression.
"R-Rean?!" Elliot's voice cracked higher.
"You're not a liability, Elliot," Rean said.
"Wha—"
"You aren't a liability." Rean repeated as he continued to pat Elliot's head, "Do you remember the time we fought together with Alisa and Laura in Lunaria Nature Park and you healed everyone when Grunoja went ballistic? Do you remember that time we faced against the monsters in the Old Schoolhouse and you did the most damage since it was weak to artes? Laura, Gaius, and I wouldn't have thought to try artes. Your healing is top-notch, not even Emma can compete with that!"
"Anyone could've done that. It's my Master Quartz and ARCUS that's doing the healing."
"You've been analyzing all the enemies we've faced— we wouldn't have known their weaknesses otherwise."
"Emma can do it too. Anyone can do it once they have the right quartz installed. Face it, I'm either dead weight or replaceable. You're only saying that."
The ARCUS' link was severed.
"Look, even the ARCUS can see how much dead weight I am. Won't even let me link with you, my best and first friend from Thor."
Elliot bubbled his woes in well, but it kept building up and expanding as time went on. Now it was erupting.
"I don't think I have the right to help you guys investigate the Old Schoolhouse anymore."
"Elliot, listen to me." his hand moved from the head to the shoulder, wrapping his arm around him, "You're my best friend, nothing can change that, you're not only a valuable asset in a fight but a valuable friend outside of it and an irreplaceable asset in Class VII."
Tears welled and dripped down Elliot's cheeks. "H-how am I supposed to believe any of that? How am I supposed to believe any of this?"
"Well, you invited me and I went, didn't I?"
Elliot nodded.
"I could have flaked, hung out with Gaius, or headed straight to the dorms but I choose to be here with you. Relaxing with you at Kirche's Cafe, studying together for exams, and fighting alongside you in fights— all of it is precious to me."
"B-but I'm a lia—"
"You're not a liability, please, believe me." Rean pleaded. "Even if you were, I would still hang out with you. Your skill isn't all that defines you, Elliot. It's your heart and actions that do."
Elliot just cried in Rean's chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Eventually, he calmed down and the two sat on the bench of the rooftop, just enjoying the view. Both stared at the wondrous horizon.
"How are you feeling now?" Rean asked. "Better?"
"Better now, thanks a lot Rean," Elliot said, his voice a little hoarse. "I'm not a liability, I'm an asset to this class. I know that now. I couldn't have realized it without you, Rean."
"I'm glad to have helped."
A few moments of silence was broken by Elliot. "What was with the head patting? You could've just said all that without it."
"Ah, sorry." Rean's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, "It's just an old habit of mine is all. I just thought you wouldn't believe me if I said it normally."
"Hehe, well it worked. Thanks, Rean."
"Anytime, we're best friends. I know you'd do the same if I was ever like that."
The two looked at the evening sky, the vast horizons that reached far away, letting a gentle breeze soothe them. Eventually, Elliot spoke up.
"I'm ready to head back to the dorms. What about you?"
"Yeah, after everything that's happened, that sounds nice." Rean agreed.
The walk was silent, but the reestablished ARCUS link said it all.
Author's Note: This is a new series I'm doing. I really enjoyed the Legend of Heroes series, sooo yeah. Haven't played Cold Steel II yet. Also enjoyed Trails in the Sky 1 and SC (The only two I've played aside Cold Steel I). Feel free to leave a review of your thoughts.