Bell winced, almost dropping his spoon as his chest burned up with pain. Taking a deep breath, he let it wash over his mind before tightening his grip on it. Still, despite his hoping, somebody noticed that little flinch of his. Syr leaned down, frowning with worry as she held her tray close to her chest.
"Are you alright?"
"Just some muscle ache, I'm fine," he replied, laughing it off. While their injuries were still present and thus prevented them from doing some dungeon diving, at least they all were healthy enough now to move around in town. A part of him felt a bit awkward for being in the Hostess alone, but everyone else had other business to attend to. Besides, he kind of felt bad he was 'neglecting' Syr as much as he did. Sure, they lived in different worlds so to say but that wasn't an excuse. Speaking of which, maybe he should pay Nyx a visit one of these days. He didn't hear of her lately, so maybe she was out of town?
"If you say so," Syr stated with a small pout, dragging him out of his inner thoughts. She put her tray down before putting her hands on her hips. "Honestly, you really overdid it."
Bell winced at that before scratching the back of his head.
"I didn't exactly have much of a choice?" He said in a weak tone. The alternative was flat out not fighting and as if he would do that when his Familia was getting their faces kicked in for victory. Fortunately Syr seemed to see his point at least as she let out a sigh.
"It's the only reason I'm not complaining too much!" Her features softened up and she nodded at him with a small smile. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Well, I had good trainers. And the food helped."
Bland taste aside, it actually had a surprising recovery effect on him. Maybe Syr had a Falna after all and had some sort of cooking ability, to exchange taste for special properties? Fortunately for him, she couldn't read his mind, instead giggling as she puffed out her chest with pride.
"Good to hear that!" She proceeded to sit down, as the Hostess was rather empty at the moment, given it was midday. She wiggled her eyebrows at him as her cheeks were supported by her palms. "Soooo, how was being alone with two gorgeous girls~?"
Bell blushed and he looked away. But as quickly as the... scandalous images appeared, of certain body parts and how their outfits seemed to cling a bit too much to their bodies after a workout, he let out a long, suffering sigh as he recalled his interactions with Ryuu outside of sparring. Lyra liked to tease them and call it weird flirting, but Bell knew it was not a good thing at all. Their relationship was a shadow of what it was before the Ishtar debacle, despite what they promised each other. Sensing his down mood, Syr's teasing smile disappeared, replaced by a look of concern.
"Oh. You still didn't clear the air with Ryuu?"
"W-Why her specifically?" Bell asked nervously, avoiding Syr's eyes. The maid raised an eyebrow before crossing her arms with a frown.
"Because everyone knows Lyra has her eyes on the Braver." She paused before clearing her throat. "Errr, figuratively speaking." Licking her lips, she shook her head at that slip of the tongue and continued on. "I noticed what you and Ryuu were like after what happened in the Entertainment district soooo... " She gave him a pointed look, smiling, yet with eyes that were like a predator's. "Care to share?"
Bell blushed but remained silent. The memories of that night still burned in his mind and heart. He could remember every detail of it. And still, he had no idea what to do with those thoughts. Until he could... it didn't feel right to share-
"Do you like her?"
He choked on his food. Coughing violently, he hit his chest a few times, wincing at the pain of his scars. Taking a few deep breaths once the food was out, he stared at Syr with wide eyes. He thought she was teasing him, but what he faced was an expression devoid of humor. She was utterly serious in her question. Wiping his mouth, he said the first thing that came to mind.
"I-I-I don't dislike her!"
"Why not just try it out then?" Syr asked, her tone weirdly gentle. Bell gulped, a feeling of dread entering his gut.
"T-Try out what?"
"Dating."
He processed the blunt words said to him. Repeated it in his head a few times. Then, once he realized what was just said... he could only gape at her, horror and embarrassment filling his expression.
"Ehhhh?!"
"Honestly, a man should be more determined!" She wiggled her finger at him, as if chiding a child. "Worst case, you just go back to being friends!"
"Is it that simple... ?" He muttered to himself. Dating was a way heavier thing to him than Syr made it sound like. A date was a commitment by itself. It was the first step to something more and he wasn't sure if there even was more. Yes, the current situation was bad, but what if only one of them developed real feelings and was rejected? Wasn't that worse? Before he could spiral down that storm of anxiety however, Syr put her hands against his cheeks, forcing him to look her in the eyes. Yet her expression was soft as she smiled at him.
"Is it that complicated?" She countered before giggling a bit, letting go. "I like seeing you two together. You just have that chemistry, y'know? It's just a shame to see you two hesitate so much when you both want the same."
Want the same... ? Bell wasn't even sure what he wanted, much less Ryuu. But he could read the subtext of her words. He pressed his lips together, hesitant as he looked down.
"Do you really think she is... ?"
"Never doubt a girl when it comes to a girl's heart, Bell!" Syr declared, patting his head with a warm expression. It made him smile a bit before he took a deep breath. She was right. Not about their feelings, whatever they were, but that they hesitated too much. They did promise to each other to deal with this after the War Game. Well, the War Game was over. Bell could use his injuries as an excuse, but that would be all it was: An excuse. Yet when he imagined himself trying it out, as Syr put it, to repeat what happened in their fake date...
"...Is it wrong if I say that I'm scared?" He muttered. He expected admonishment. He expected dismissal, that he was just being a scaredy cat. But to his surprise, Syr's smile took a sad turn, as her eyes seemed to be filled with understanding.
"Love can be scary. It hurts when it's not reciprocated." She ignored his blush and stammering, as he tried to say it wasn't love. Instead her expression hardened ever so slightly as she tapped his chest softly. "But what hurts even more is trying to lie to yourself about it."
The pain returned. But this time not from the scars but from his heart. He gulped. Maybe he should take a page from grandpa's book and be a man for once. Waffling around as the two of them did wasn't working. Determination filled his heart. Right. When they would be back at the Garden, he would confront Syr about what happened and what to do now. Anything to get rid of this awkward air between them.
"Besides, if you two get together, it'll be much easier to seduce the two of you at the same time~!"
His face turned into a tomato, any coolness he had with a determined expression crumbling away as the maid giggled as she poked his cheek with a teasing smile.
"S-Syr!"
/
"How's your leg doing?"
Solaris looked up as she polished some swords in the workshop. She looked back down on her bandaged up leg before moving it a bit. She winced at the pain but smiled nonetheless. Pain meant it was still alive. Looking away from it, past her crutches, she smirked at Welf as he worked the forge, the heat filling the room as he shoved some hot, glowing metal into the fire.
"Well, it ain't rotting off, so all good."
Welf wiped some sweat off his forehead, adjusting his bandana before crossing his arms at her while waiting for the fire to do its work.
"Geez, if it was still so bad, I could've visited instead."
"I'm not crippled, bro." She waved him off before giggling a bit and pointing her thumb at herself. "'sides, I got the chance to tell a lot of people on the streets to kiss my ass."
"You sure it's alright to antagonize people like that?" Welf asked with a raised eyebrow, not sounding too concerned despite his words. She scoffed in return, shaking her head.
"They did it first." She spat to the side. "Do some cool shit and the naysayers suddenly become yaysayers. Pfff, yeah, sure."
"Oi, don't spit on my nice clean floor."
The sister gave the brother a flat look, mirroring his expression.
"A horse staple would be cleaner than your floor."
They narrowed their eyes on each other. But after a moment of tense silence, they both chuckled in amusement. Ah, she missed this. The casual shittalk with each other, just enjoying each other's presence. Leaning back on her chair as Welf took out the metal, she glanced at him as he began to hammer away at it.
"How did they take it at home?"
"Lady Phobos was a bit sad I decided to leave, but I did promise, didn't I?" Welf replied, eyes focusing on the metal. Solaris hummed, a teasing smile appearing on her face.
"How much did she cry compared to you?"
"I didn't cry!" Solaris raised an eyebrow at that and even with the heat around him, she could tell he was blushing for an entirely different reason. He cleared his throat and looked back down on the glowing steel, hitting it with more force than before. "A lot!"
The goddess always had more of a soft spot on him. Unlike with her. Not that she disliked Solaris, but the latter always felt a sort of distance with many gods in Rakia. One she didn't feel with Hestia at least. Still, after processing the information, she leaned forward, hands on her knees as she tilted her head.
"Surprised the patriarch of our dear family let you go like that."
"He's more scared of Lord Quirinus than he is proud," Welf replied with a scoff. Returning the steel back into the forge, he grinned at her as he wiped some sweat away before it could enter his eyes. "Also gramps supported me."
"Good ol' gramps." He was like the only one with any sort of common sense without needing Lord Quirinus to beat his ass. Solaris smiled warmly at Welf as she looked at him. The way his back was more straight. The way he just seemed to glow and smiled more easily. "You look a lot more alive here."
"The better materials sure don't hurt." He shrugged, trying to act nonchalantly. "Also the dungeon is a fun place."
"Partied up with anyone special?"
Welf sent her a suspicious look, but Solaris blinked oh so innocently. He narrowed his eyes before nodding slowly.
"Well, there's Tsubaki who decided I'm her arch rival." He shuddered, rubbing his back a bit as he had a distant look on his face. "Even if she can easily twist me up like noodles."
Tsubaki... Tsubaki…Solaris hit her fist on her palm. Oh, the half dwarf, half amazon girl with only one eye!
"The other one that fulfills your fetish!"
Welf almost dropped the hot metal on the ground. Thankfully, his forging experience was essentially instinct by now, so he quickly caught himself and continued his work. But he still looked up, wide eyed and embarrassed as hell as he hit the steel with all the force he could muster.
"For the last time, I don't have a fetish for eye patches!"
"And I will never believe you," Solaris replied in a somber tone, as if she were regretful. Shaking her head, she sniffed, wiping away a fake tear. "Sorry, it's my duty as the little sis. A terrible burden indeed."
Welf took a deep breath, while he tried to will a hole into Solaris' head. But in the end, he shook his head in resignation and decided to change the topic.
"I guess she's one of the few that doesn't give me too much shit for not making magic swords for sale." He smirked a bit. "Guess my equipment spoke for itself. I was afraid people would refuse to buy from me because I didn't make some damn Crozzo Magic sword for them."
"I'm still waiting for thanks," Solaris stated, crossing her arm. The fighter made the equipment after all! If it weren't for her awesome performance, Welf would still be begging for customers! But instead of being grateful, the older brother scoffed, giving her a pointed look.
"My gear saved your butt, that should be thanks enough."
She pouted. He glared. In the end, the two laughed after a moment. Solaris let out a satisfied breath before rolling her shoulders, as energy built up in her.
"Need some help with heat regulation?"
"I'm level two by now, I like to think I can handle it," Welf said in a stern voice. He gestured at her. "Not to mention you're still injured."
"Spirit fire~!" Solaris sang, snapping her finger and summoning up a candle light. The brother stared at her for a moment before shaking his head with a wry smile.
"If you're bored just say so." Sighing, he motioned with his head at her. "Get your butt over here, Sol. No overdoing it!"
Hobbling over after pumping her fist, she soon held her arm inside the forge, whistling innocently as she regulated the fire for him and adding some of the Solaris spice. Of course, now that she was working as well didn't mean she'd stay silent.
"So. I tried my best so far, but prep work can only do so much. When will you get that goddess' ass?"
Welf spluttered, letting go of the metal. Solaris quickly caught it and gave it a little twist as she looked down at her brother with maximum smug. The young man cleared his throat before taking back his work into his hands, staring intently into the fire.
"Damn it, why can't I ever tease you like this?"
"Because I have zero interest in romantic love, remember?" She tapped the side of her head. "The cooties can't get to you when you don't understand them!" Laughing for a moment, she gave him a serious look. "But yeah, I talked you up, but you have to deliver."
"I will shove this up your ass if ya don't focus!"
/
When Lefiya got the request to help someone study magic, she wondered if there was some sort of mistake. After all, she herself was still a student. Then again, she figured it made some sense at first. Lady Riveria was a busy woman. With the events after the War Game, the executives put most of their focus on investigating Evilus alongside Astraea Familia, she being the replacement choice made sense. Of course then her 'student' explained that she only heard good things about Lefiya from Bell and asked for her help specifically. The elf wanted to call her out on that, that this was a petty lie, but right now, the Renard stared at her with a smile and wide, attentive eyes, here in the backyard of the Twillight Mansion. She cleared her throat, having stumbled over her words before starting over. Damn him, Bell Cranel! How dare he throw her off by playing nice?! Did he think she'd hold back on training if she was busy teaching someone else? How dirty! Not to mention this Haruhime girl! Lefiya gulped as she checked her over. Damn it, this girl was drop dead gorgeous! And strongly built as well! The best of two worlds! How was this even remotely fair?! Lefiya patted her own stomach, that was weak and flabby with tears threatening to escape her eyes.
"A-Are you alright?"
"Just fine!"
Haruhime flinched and Lefiya held back a silent scream. Why was this girl so nice anyway?! Lefiya had nobody to vent her frustrations on now! For a martial artist, someone closer to Bete's role, she was like a frail flower right now, muscles ignored! Shaking her head, she exhaled slowly. Then she crossed her arms, looking down at the kneeling Renard.
"As I was saying, that covers the basics of magic. The flow and the focus to keep that flow stable. What path it may take is up to the caster and the spell, helped by the words we chant." Lefiya frowned a bit. "No offense, but you could find this sort of information from books."
"Uhm, I did read them. But... well, I learn better with several sources of knowledge," Haurhime explained, touching her finger tips awkwardly with a complicated expression. For a moment Lefiya felt a surge of empathy for this girl, her mind returning to the academy days. Furiously she shook her head.
Never again.
"But I was led to believe you had magic for a long time already," Lefiya asked, trying to keep a neutral tone in her voice. Haruhime laughed awkwardly before looking away as her ears dropped down.
"I only had support magic and that was rarely necessary so... "
"What kind of support magic?" The elf asked, curiosity rising. Support was a rather broad term all things considered. But the way the girl in front of her paled told her more than enough. She raised her hand before Haruhime could stammer her words out. "Familia secret. I understand." She crossed her arms. "So this time you have an offensive spell?"
"Y-yes, but it's still a rather long chant so... " Haruhime cleared her throat, blushing a bit. "I lack experience in... actual formal magic training."
Lefiya frowned. That sounded a bit weird. If she already had support magic, why didn't the other residents of the Stardust Garden help? There was Mr. 'Better than Thousand Elf' Cranel after all, but Lefiya figured their magic styles were too different. At the memory she felt a vein pulse on her skin. She still needed to give Bell a piece of her mind! Anyway, she moved on mentally, tilting her head at Haruhime.
"What about the Royal Gale?"
"She focused more on Bell." Haruhime shrugged nonchalantly. "And her philosophy is more similar to that of a warrior than a mage."
Focused more on Bell. Right. They were also training together for the War Game. Lefiya's mouth thinned. She wasn't an expert in relationships, but she could spot awkward when she saw it. Her mind went back to the quest, where Bell confessed that he kissed Ryuu. It was a ludicrous thought, that he would get it on with one of the top five beauties in Orario (non official). But what Lefiya saw spoke for itself. And for some reason it made her more angry than the fact he was hyped up more than herself. She had no idea why though. Not her business who he was making his moves on, even if it seemed to have failed.
"Uhm, Lefiya?"
Haruhime pointed at her hand. Lefiya glanced down, realizing she seemed to be gripping her staff a bit too tightly. Whoops. Lefiya took a deep breath and frowned at Haruhime, going through her sentence once more in her head.
"Isn't that good for you? You are a warrior."
"Oh no, I'm just faking it until I am making it. I'm a terrible warrior."
Silence reigned between them. Haruhime, casually pointing at herself as if she was speaking about the weather. Lefiya, wide eyed and a slight gape. She remembered the War Game. She remembered when Haruhime fought a weretiger twice her everything essentially. She remembered how Haruhime actually beat that monster while looking like Bete on a bad day. Seeing her disbelief, the Renard giggled politely, covering her mouth. Oooookay then. Ignoring that. Lefiya cleared her throat before raising her finger, trying to recall her own lessons."
"Okay! The first thing to keep in mind is that it's alright to feel anxiety and fear! The important factor is having control over it and not letting it control you! Focus is the bread and butter! That's why we medi-"
"Oh, that's going to be impossible then."
Lefiya did a double take. She stared at Haruhime who was waving her hand in dismissal.
"Excuse me?"
Haruhime smiled at her, eyes completely empty.
"My teacher called me a living ball of anxiety."
"Err-"
"I would be the goddess of anxiety if I was a deity. Mediation didn't work as much as it should have during my training."
Lefiya winced. She raised her hand weakly, trying to stop this flow of words.
"Ooookay, but-"
Yet the Renard had no mercy, instead continuing on, ignoring the fact she was awakening repressed memories in Lefiya at the same time.
"In fact, the only reason I can do martial arts is that I drilled the forms into my body so that it's in my subconscious now. Separation of training and my panic addled mind."
"..."
"Sleepless nights spent to learn a singular move to be applied in combat. Over and over and over again, beating back against my inner demons that just seemed to grow. A lot of tears. I had to be quiet however, since we shared rooms." Haruhime let out a sigh, sounding wistful. "So yes, controlling my anxiety pretty much never works."
Lefiya let out a choking noise. She forced the tears back from her eyes before she took a deep breath.
"Okay, so how do you cast your support magic?" She asked with even words. Haruhime blinked before nodding politely.
"Oh, it's essentially a prayer. That sort of calms me down, if only because it looks like I'm begging for a miracle from the gods, so anxiety fits that rather well actually."
"You... seem awfully at peace with your... mindset," Lefiya replied with hesitation. Haruhime giggled, devoid of any warmth as she stared straight at the elf.
"You get used to it."
"That's sad." Lefiya knew that was unprofessional, but she couldn't help it. She figured her eyes were empty as well, as she felt a sense of comradery with Haruhime, while putting her hand on her shoulder. Said Renard looked to the side, smile still in place despite the sigh she let out.
"I know."
"Well, I suppose I can teach you some of the techniques I learned and see if that helps?" Lefiya let out an awkward laugh. "I... know a thing or two about... mental issues... "
"My condolences."
"It's been a long time... " Lefiya muttered before clearing her throat. "Let's start with what thoughts put you at ease. A landscape. A moment in your life. Someone."
Haruhime's eyes widened in wonder. The elf cheered in her mind. Progress! As Lefiya talked her through breathing exercises, though having to skip a few since the Far East seemed to have similar things, a nagging thought pressed against the back of her mind. At first it was nothing more than a tickle. But now, after Haruhime seemed to be more relaxed, actually relaxed and not the front she put up, Lefiya couldn't withstand the scratching in her mind.
"By the way... " Haruhime opened her eyes, tilting her head as her fox ears twitched. Lefiya suppressed the urge to touch them and instead focused on the question that plagued her mind. "W-what do you see in Bell?"
"What do I see?" The Renard asked, frowning a bit.
"Yes!" The emotions boiled over and Lefiya pointed at herself with a pout. "Does he have a big head from being told he's better than me?!"
Haruhime stared at her before smiling politely.
"Oh no, he respects you a lot and believes that you are his superior in magic."
The thoughts froze in her head. Wait, so he didn't make them say that for his entrance... ? She blushed a bit before letting out a huff, smiling with pride as she puffed out her chest with her hands on her hips.
"O-Of course I am! He isn't hopeless after all!" She sat back down on the grass, grumbling with crossed arms. "Stupid Valkyries... "
Altena always was jealous of her! She should've known Bell wasn't like that! She looked up, noticing the look of pure amusement in Haruhime's eyes. Lefiya raised an eyebrow at that. What was so funny? Noticing the look she received, Haruhime cleared her throat.
"He holds a lot of respect for you. In a sense, you are yet another goal he wants to reach."
"In his dreams!" Lefiya shouted, feeling heat rise up to her cheeks. "As if I'd let him catch up that easily! He wants me beneath him, he's gotta try harder than that!"
Haruhime covered her mouth for some reason, making some weird noises. After a moment, she looked back at Lefiya, smiling softly.
"As for what I see in him... I used to have a crush."
She puffed her cheeks up. Aha! Lefiya knew it! This guy was practically cat nip for blondes! First the Royal Gale, then Aiz, now Haruhime! And he told her he wasn't like that! Just because she wasn't in his target zone, he pretended that he had no skills to use on Lefiya! Not that they would work anyway! Or that she wanted to be in his target zone in the first place, as much as it damaged her self esteem! Still, in the end, she pegged him right after all! A shameless flirt that could gather women around him just with some nice words and nice guy act! His devious charm, his good looks, a nice personality, his surprisingly well formed bu-
The elf did a double take, cutting off her line of thought. Hold on, something about what she just said was weird.
"Used to?"
The Renard nodded in confirmation. Looking at the sky, she exhaled slowly.
"Now he's my friend I want to stay alongside. To see his path right with him." She shrugged before looking back at Lefiya. "You could say it's admiration. Honestly, I almost forgot about my feelings for him until you brought it up. I was more busy becoming stronger, to live up to the promise I made with him."
In that moment, Lefiya didn't see a Renard. She saw herself. An elf that looked up to the veterans of her Familia. Who saw Aiz instead of Bell, yet having the same feelings as Bell. Well, minus the former crush part. At least Lefiya believed that. Of course it was ridiculous to compare Aiz with Bell but... she nodded slowly at Haruhime. The two of them weren't so different, huh? Still, she felt heat in her chest at the thought that Bell earned those feelings from a cute girl like Haruhime.
"This guy really has some charisma, huh... ?" She huffed, as her mouth twitched with a small smile. "Hmph, I'll show him... "
"Charisma?" Haruhime asked in a light tone. Realizing she talked out loud, Lefiya blushed furiously as she shot up, pointing down at Haruhime.
"I-I can inspire people too! Can't be that hard!" When the Renard smiled at her in a weird way, it only made her face heat up even more. "F-Focus on getting a sense for your magic!"
"Hai, Lefiya-sensei."
... Lefiya-sensei. She liked the sound of it.
/
On top of a certain wall in Orario, Aiz looked at the horizon. The arena of the War Game was still there, looking like ancient ruins and not the battlefield it was a few days ago. Yet it looked fitting. A place where legends were made. And legends were made in her eyes at that day. Of fire burning brighter than ever. Of a beast emerging. Of a pure soul giving birth to a White Dragon. And last... She heard the footsteps. Turning around, Sasaki Kojiro waved his hand casually. His movements were a bit stiff, but more fluid than she would have expected of someone that was closer to death than most days ago. She gave him a cordial nod as the man sat down, his back against stone. She sat down in front of him as they enjoyed a simple silence.
"I was surprised when I received the request," Kojiro spoke up after a while. He chuckled a bit, arms crossed. "I am not sure what I have to teach a level six like yourself."
"Don't tease me," Aiz responded, frowning a bit. "I saw your match."
"I believe many did." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I suppose it's my fault your alias changed then, Wind Princess?"
Aiz nodded slowly. It caused quite the uproar. To have her name changed after such a long time, after it was imprinted in the mind of many. There were many stronger than her. But they didn't have her singular focus on the sword. Sure, there was the Radiance for example, but she was out of reach. Outside of Orario, outside Aiz' mind. Not to mention Aiz always felt she could catch up to her. But not Kojiro. Her decision was set in stone. Lady Loki tried to persuade her to keep it, but it was the first time in a long while that Aiz ever begged. So in the end, in the last Denatus, her name changed according to her wishes.
"I asked for it," Aiz responded, shaking her head with a frown. "With you around... it felt like a lie."
"My apologies."
He lowered his head, only causing her frown to deepen.
"Don't. You are strong. Stronger than me. Don't apologize for that."
He opened his mouth, about to object. But he kept it shut, realizing the heat behind her eyes. Maybe if she used Tempest she was stronger. Fight him from a distance with wide destruction blasts that no amount of skill or prediction could overcome. But then... she wouldn't win as a swordswoman.
She would win like a rampaging monster. The thought made her sick, as the image of that damned hound appeared in her head for just a moment. Her hate and her hate for that hate grew. She forced herself to take a deep breath. Returning to the presence, she was Kojiro humming in thought.
"Well, I am still officially on sick leave." Before Aiz could show her disappointment however, Kojiro raised his hand. "I suppose I can share some of my experiences however. Please show me your swordsmanship."
Without hesitation, she drew out Desperate. Taking a deep breath, she held her sword in one hand, pointing in front of her. Soon, she saw them. The monsters of the dungeon, numerous and endless. Then she moved, without using Ariel. Narrowly dodging at the last moment. Putting all her strength into her counter blow. Never retreating. Never on the defensive. Her arm was a whip of destruction as she mowed down the beasts in front of her, torn apart violently not only by the edge of her blade, but by the raw power behind i-
"Stop."
She ceased movement immediately, realizing she was slightly out of breath. How long did she fight against those shadows. Turning around, she noticed the sun was not lower than it was when Kojiro arrived. Maybe she moved for a few minutes? Maybe only seconds? The man hummed thoughtfully, rubbing his chin at her.
"A Monster Slayer. Interesting." The way he said those words struck a cord in her. As if he saw plenty of her. Not adventurers, but individuals that made monster killing their life. He continued on as he stood up, walking around her with an evaluating view. "Maximum risk for maximum gain. A style that risks your life for the most power to take down a beast. A tactic that works more often than not against entities of instinct." He stopped in front of her, his smile disappearing. "But warriors, who can plan and such? You are liable to be defeated by them, when your 'brute force' doesn't work out." He shook his head. "You do not know how to fight those that were born weak."
"Born weak?" Aiz asked, trying to keep the awe out of her voice. He figured it out in such a short time? Her strengths and her weaknesses? Still, she didn't understand what his last words meant.
"Those who are weak, have to make up with skill. With tactics." He pointed at the dungeon, frowning a bit. "All monsters are born 'strong'. Even if they are mere minutes old, they know how to kill already." He turned back to her, arms crossed. "Not to mention, you do not want to fight humans. They are not your enemy. That blunts your blade."
She remembered the times she had a tough time. And most of them were against opponents with sapience. Yes, her fights for leveling up were often Monster Rex. But she remembered how she performed worse against human opponents. Did she see Evilus not as her enemy? Did she not see Revis as her enemy? She didn't like thinking about it. Didn't like even imagining she held back against those people.
"You are more on the path of Zero than on the path of infinity."
"Zero? Infinity?" Aiz asked, looking up. Kojiro blinked, realizing he said that oud loud. With a slow nod, he leaned against the wall.
"It has a lot of philosophy behind it, the path of Zero. Honestly I don't understand it myself." He smacked his lips before twirling his hand at her. "But at its core... you can say that if you are nothing, you can cut everything. Reduce everything to a single action of your desire. You may not be one of the void... but you only see a singular path in front of you, do you not?"
Th Black Dragon. The complete opposite to the pure white dragon Bell showed. A beast of calamity, of despair. She grit her teeth, as the flame in her heart flickered, growing. She didn't notice how her eye color seemed to flicker. How the whiteness of her hair seemed to spread just a millimeter, yet spread nonetheless. Only Kojiro's sigh broke her out of the memories. He had his arms crossed, giving her a look of concern.
"I cannot say it is wrong per se... " He shook his head at her. "But I worry. I have seen many tragic figures that were lost on that singular path after all. Who ended up dying with despair and solitude." He smiled wryly. "Bell would be quite sad if you ended up like them?"
Aiz blinked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Why?"
Kojiro blinked back. Then an amused smile formed on his face as he chuckled a bit.
"He admires you a lot."
"Why? You are better than me. If anything, he should admire you."
Not to mention... she was hideous. Especially after her encounter with that Hound. She was tainted while he was pure. What was there to admire about her? If it was her strength, she could understand, but Kojiro shook his head, rejecting that explanation.
"He does. But yet, he admires you as well."
"I don't understand why." She looked down, grabbing her arm. "I'm... "
She trailed off. A part of her was glad he looked up to her. Yet another part wanted him to stay away from her. To make sure he wouldn't get caught in the cross fire of her hate, like Tiona. If his smile, the smile he showed in the War Game, ever disappeared, she...
"Maybe ask him yourself?" Kojiro said in a casual tone, cutting off her line of thought. She stared at him, yet he stayed silent, not elaborating on his words. Aiz sighed, looking down.
"Maybe... " Then a thought occurred to her. Zero and Infinity. Kojiro was clearly of the latter. His way of fighting screamed that. Which meant... "Is Bell infinity as well?"
"The Fool. A card in tarot that represents infinite possibilities." He chuckled lightly. "I suppose it fits."
Aiz bit her lip, unseen by Kojiro who looked at the arena where he fought in. Yes. It did fit. That he was her opposite. The Infinity to her Zero. She who was single minded and only focused on killing one monster... and he who was seeing everything the world had to offer. That they both walked down paths that would never cross. For some reason the thought hurt more than she expected.
/
When everyone returned, except Hestia who was doing a late shift, to the Stardust Garden this night, they expected a lot. Status updates, both Falna and information wise, some jokes, stories.
What they did not expect was for Ryuu to walk right up to Bell, slamming her hands against the wall and forcing the young man to look her in the eyes as his escape routes were cut off. Bell stammered, confused at what was happening.
"Let's go on a date, Bell," she declared. Many gaped and choked on their drinks when they heard that. Bell's mind went haywire, thus his instincts spoke for him.
"S-sure?"
Ryuu nodded in approval before removing her hands from the wall.
"Good. The day after tomorrow, I will meet you in front of the Hostess."
With those words, she walked away and entered her room. Bell slid down on the ground, face red as he gasped for air. Besides feeling his face heat up like a volcano, Bell thought he just lost something in terms of a man's dignity. It didn't help that there was an audience, absolutely giddy at what they saw.
Unbeknownst to them, Ryuu twisted and turned on her bed, her face buried into her pillow as she let out a muffled scream into it. Why did she follow Kaguya's advice out of everyone?! This 'kabedon' was terrible!
