Chapter 6 Ellis Fahrengart II
"... That said, I don't even know what kind of move should I make. Should I go with the direct approach?"
"Stop it, Kamito. Even I am not sure how to not to run when you approach me without any warning. For the first time that is."
"You don't really have to say it that way, holy spirit. Fufufu."
"... You are hurting me in more than a way."
Kamito is currently discussing about the method he can use to get closer to Ellis.
Since discussing with Claire and Rinslet would've been embarrassing to him after talking like he could do anything, he decided to discuss it with Est and Restia instead.
But they don't get anywhere yet because they are more interested in teasing him rather than having a serious discussion.
"I will go out for a bit, you guys wait here."
Finally feeling that things won't get anywhere worth the time, Kamito stops the discussion and walks out of the room to get some fresh air.
"... Things sure get noisy in a short time."
Back then there's only him and two of his spirits.
But now he got Claire and Rinslet with him.
Not that they belong to him, but those are the people he will keep on seeing almost everyday from now on.
Due to that, he rarely gets a time where he can enjoy life by himself.
He always want a time when there's no one near him where he can think about things by himself in serenity.
Who knows why he walks to a tree near the dormitory at night like this, but he gets the feeling that this place is where he can feel at peace for now.
He leans his body to the tree and takes a deep breath.
"*Sigh* I wonder what should I do..."
"Are you pondering over something, Kazehaya Kamito?"
"Yes... This is pretty tricky."
"I see, would you mind to talk it out with me? Though I still feel reluctant because you're a man... But maybe it's something that I can help as a Sylphid Knight."
"Well, you see... I need to get close to Ellis, but I just don't know how to do it."
"Wai— Eh? THAT Ellis...?"
"Yes, you're not wrong. I need to get close to Ellis Fahren— Eh?"
Just when Kamito's turning to face the girl that he's talking with, he realized that he's currently talking to THAT Ellis herself.
"Getting close to me... Of all people...?"
"Wa-Wait, I can explain!"
"I don't need your explanation—!?"
Ellis' footing slipped when she's about to leave.
Seeing that, Kamito couldn't stop his body from moving.
"Watch out!"
"Ah—"
Kamito quickly pulled Ellis' right arm and get a firm hold of her left shoulder.
Almost immediately, her face turns crimson red.
"D-Don't touch me!"
"Oh, I'm sorry... But are you okay?"
"... I'm okay."
"I see, thank goodness."
Kamito smiles gently to her.
Which puts her into a confusion.
"—Why?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Why are you being so kind to someone who's not fond of you? Didn't you hear me that time when I opposed your enrollment to this academy before? Not to mention I was also being quite rude to you?"
"... Well, I guess now that you say it..."
Ellis is one of the maiden in Areishia Spirit Academy who never gets in contact with other man except for her father before.
It was almost natural for her to feel repulsive toward the existence of another man here.
But her curiosity takes over that feeling.
Because deep inside, she also wants to know just what kind of person Kamito is.
"I don't know, it's just I don't want to see a cute girl like you to get hurt, I think."
"C-Cute—"
He's handling the conversation smoothly like how a demon king of the night would do.
Fufufu, Kamito is a man after all. Every men dream to be able to say that to a cute girl at least once.
Kamito could hear Est and Restia's voice inside his head.
Who knows how long have they been watching, but that's not his concern at the moment.
"Y-You thought you will win me over by calling me cute? How naive of you! I still don't approve of you!"
"Uhm... That's not why I call you cute, tho."
"*Cough* Either way, why do you need to get closer to me? I don't plan on getting close with a man, for your information."
"..."
Her guard is so strong, isn't it? But she swayed the moment you called her cute.
Don't steal my line darkness spirit.
Kamito's well aware that it won't be easy to get Ellis to accept him.
But it's still worth a try.
"That aside, why did you join the Sylphid Knights?"
Ellis is dumbfounded by Kamito's sudden question.
But she soon regains her composure.
"... It's none of your business."
"I'm sorry if I touched you the wrong way."
"... It's fine."
Saying that, Ellis leaves the area.
Not even glancing at him.
"... I wonder why is she acting like that."
The behavior Ellis showed him just now clearly means that something is wrong.
Which piques his interest in looking into it more.
"...? By the way... I think I've heard that Fahrengart name before..."
After trying to recall it, finally Kamito remember where that name comes from.
"Velsaria Eva Fahrengart... No way, that Velsaria? Could they be sisters?"
Took you long enough to notice.
We've already noticed that for quite a time, but we don't plan to tell you right away, fufu.
"S-Shut up, I'm sorry for being bad in memory, okay?"
Velsaria Eva Fahrengart.
She is one of the strong elementalist that Kamito defeated as Ren Ashbell.
Not to mention she's one of the people who knew Ren Ashbell's true identity.
"... If she is really Velsaria's younger sister I think I know why she's joining Sylphid Knights."
She's trying to be like her sister.
"Don't steal my line, Est!"
"... Kamito, to be honest... You look like you're talking to yourself for quite a long time."
"Oh, Claire! Good news! I think I can get even closer to Ellis!"
Kamito beams at Claire as he speaks excitedly.
"Really?! You've found a way!?"
"Nope."
"But don't worry, I've got the most vital point to know her better. All that's left is how I execute it."
"Oh, really..."
Claire clearly doubts Kamito.
But Kamito could care no more.
He is just too excited imagining what kind of plan he will use to Ellis in order to get close with her.
.
..
...
'Why did you join the Sylphid Knights?'
Kamito's words still linger in Ellis' mind.
Back there, she almost blurted out the reason which is why she can't bear to stand there any longer and left the scene.
Why does she feel like that?
Why did she think that it's okay to talk about it to Kamito?
She couldn't understand herself.
That's why she ran away.
"There's no way I can say that..."
The reason she joined Sylphid Knight is—
To defeat Ren Ashbell in her sister's stead, as a proof that she has surpassed her sister.
...
-3 years ago-
Ellis was watching her sister's fight with Ren Ashbell.
Strong as she was, Ellis thought that Ren Ashbell will fall before her sister's power; the Silent Fortress, Dreadnought.
Up until now, no one in Areishia can get close to Velsaria's power.
She always came victorious by a one-sided battle.
That was why never she expected Velsaria to lose in a battle.
But reality hit her hard.
Ren Ashbell won almost just when the battle started.
Even Velsaria seemed pretty shocked when the battle ended.
"I-Impossible... My sister... Lost?"
Velsaria had always been the idol for the young Ellis.
So to see Velsaria lost in such a one-sided battle which was the complete opposite of what had always happened was just incomprehensible.
"Sister!"
"—Oh, Ellis."
"Why? Why did you lose?"
Velsaria was surprised, but she smiled to Ellis.
"It was a one-sided battle, I know. But you know? At least he didn't treat me like a trash. He even told me where my weak points are after the battle ended."
"He?"
"Oh, I mean she. My bad. Anyway, it's okay. I just have to train harder so one day I can be a worthy opponent for her."
"But... I can't accept this..."
"One day you will understand, Ellis. You don't have to understand it right away."
Velsaria patted Ellis' head and held her hand.
Even though Velsaria didn't seem to mind her defeat, Ellis couldn't accept it.
Velsaria didn't feel the need to get her revenge, but it's different from Ellis who couldn't accept her beloved sister's defeat.
That's why from that moment, she swore that she will become stronger and be the one to defeat Ren Ashbell, the one who defeated her sister.
.
..
...
The next day, Greyworth summoned Kamito, Claire and Rinslet to the headmaster's office.
"What is it, old hag?"
"Old-!?"
"*Sigh* Rinslet, it's okay. That's just how Kamito behaves in front of the headmistress."
Claire who has resigned herself from correcting Kamito can only sigh after hearing Rinslet's yelp.
"I need to inform you all that the blade dance is pretty near. So I would like you to team up with each other, but of course you have to find the last member."
Cheeky witch. Kamito thought.
No wonder, if they're going to find their own team it would take a lot of time and they won't have enough time to practice.
Not to mention Claire and Rinslet have reconciled, so they won't have any problem teaming up with each other.
"The last member... Are you thinking of what I'm thinking?"
"Obviously."
"You don't say."
Rinslet and Claire nod with a firm determination.
The last member they're trying to find is obviously— Ellis.
"It seems like you've decided on your team, if you want I can order Ellis to team up with you in a way she can't refuse."
"No, that won't be necessary. I would like her to agree with her own concern."
Oh, a gentleman indeed.
Kamito is being unusually gentle to that girl now that you say it.
Kamito ignores the voices inside his head and leaves the room together with the girls.
But just when he's about to step out of the room—
"Wait a second, Kamito. I have something to talk to you."
"... You two go first. We will meet in the class."
Although they're curious, they have no choice but to leave.
After closing the door and making sure there's no one outside, he returns to Greyworth's desk.
"What is it?"
"Regarding that 'Ren Ashbell', what do you think about it?"
By that, Kamito knows what Greyworth is trying to say.
There's no Ren Ashbell except for Kamito.
So by saying that it means that someone is taking Ren Ashbell's identity for a scheme.
"I doubt some random person will do that. Besides, she's quite a daring woman to do something that bold. That's why I'm pretty sure she got the power needed to disguise herself as Ren Ashbell."
"I see, so that's what you thought."
"What about you?"
"... I have a hunch of who's trying to disguise herself as Ren Ashbell. But I'm still not sure."
"... I see, I don't think it's someone I know."
"Maybe not, you never really care about other people after all."
Greyworth inhales slowly and sighs.
Thinking that nothing can be talked about anymore, she dismissed Kamito.
On his way back, Kamito's reminded of the past back when he won the blade dance 3 years ago.
"... Say, Restia?"
Yes, darling?
"Stop joking, I'm serious now."
Fufu, what is it?
"Back when we won the blade dance, why did you change your wish?"
...
Truth be told, the reason Restia is cooperating with Kamito is to kill all the 5 Elemental Lords.
But 3 years ago...
.
..
...
Now, state your wish.
Kamito was looking at Restia who was standing before the Elemental Lords.
Restia also did the same with a gentle smile.
This was the decisive moment where Restia's wish would come true.
Which also the reason why Restia was hanging with Kamito.
After she stated her wish, everything will be over.
However...
"My wish is... To live as a mere spirit without having to receive any orders from anyone but Kamito."
"—What!?"
!? Darkness spirit, what are you talking about!?
Even the composed Est was shocked by the wish Restia stated.
That was not why they were cooperating.
Your wish shall be granted.
"Wa-Wait a sec—!?"
A blinding flash of light blinded Kamito's eyes.
After the light subsided, they were back to the human world again.
With Restia smiling to him.
"I'm sorry Kamito, for doing this without talking to you about it."
Restia left it at there, without any intent to tell Kamito why she changed her wish.
.
..
...
Good question, I've also wondered about it all this time.
Fufufu, you guys sure are curious. But... Nope, I don't plan to tell you at all. At least not now.
Kamito couldn't understand why she did that, so he can only wait until the day when Restia feels like telling them.
On his way, Kamito sees Ellis who's leaning on a fence.
She looks like she's pondering over something which piques his interest.
Because of that, he decides to call out for her.
"Hey Ellis."
"Kyaaa!? Ka-Kazehaya Kamito!?"
She screams the moment Kamito calls her, judging from her crimson face Kamito is sure that she's daydreaming.
"What are you doing here? Why don't you go to the class? I think class is in session now."
"The-The same goes for you!"
"I got called by the old— I mean the headmistress."
"Oh... I'm sorry for accusing you... Wait, did you just call her 'old'?"
"It's just your imagination."
"No, my hearing is pretty good."
"Nevermind that, anyway what are you doing out here?"
"—It's none of your business."
"Really? I thought you looked pretty depressed just now."
"I-Impossible, I'm not thinking about Ren Ashbell—"
"Ren Ashbell?"
"*Gasp*!?"
Slip of tongue.
Ellis never thought that she will be this careless.
She covers her mouth in reflex, but Kamito has heard it.
"So, what is it about this Ren Ashbell?"
"I-It's just your imagination."
"No, my hearing is pretty good."
"Uuurghh..."
Kamito is using the same sentence Ellis used just now.
Which really annoys Ellis.
"Say, have you got a team yet for the blade dance?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Who else is here?"
"..."
Ellis turns quiet.
It seems like she's having a trouble answering Kamito.
"I... Have it. I will team up with my friends from the Sylphid Knights."
"Oh, I see..."
Seeing Kamito who looks down, she couldn't help but be curious.
"Why are you asking me, anyway?"
"I planned to ask you to join my team. But it looks like that has to be cancelled."
"... Huh, what makes you think I will join you? Don't tell me you forgot that I don't approve of your existence here?"
"Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt to ask, right?"
"... You could be right."
After saying that, Ellis leaves.
Kamito who's watching her back quietly smiles a bit.
Why are you smiling, Kamito? She just shot down your offer.
Fufufu, maybe Kamito's finally awakened as a masochist?
"Shut it, I'm not a masochist."
Kamito is just glad, that it seems like Ellis is slowly opening up with him.
But deep inside, he's still curious what does Ellis think about Ren Ashbell after her sister's defeat.
Kamito already made sure that Ellis is trying to surpass her sister, but he's still not sure of Ellis' feelings toward Ren Ashbell which is him himself.
Is she seeing me as an enemy? Or is she seeing me as her sister's rival? – That's what Kamito thinks.
Though he wouldn't want to imagine just what might happen if Ellis found out that he IS that Ren Ashbell she wants to defeat.
"*Sigh* Girls sure are hard to handle."
Liar, you can handle them just fine.
He even managed to handle us, isn't it? Fufufu.
With that in mind, Kamito returns to the class where Claire and Rinslet are waiting.
Chapter 6 Ellis Fahrengart II End
