Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Eternal Embers
Chapter 8: Laevatein Cup Finals
A few days later, at the academy disciplinary committee...
"Avan Hardins, do you know the reason why you have been gathered here before the disciplinary committee right now?" Kluivert asked Avan dryly, as the gathered staff was glaring right at the class chair in some way or another.
"I'm well aware of what my actions involved, and what the consequences involved." Avan responded back calmly. "I understand that there will be punishment for my actions, and I am willing to accept whatever punishment I am charged with.
"In that case... I shall state your violation immediately." Kluivert answered back, before pulling out a paper. "You have went against not only the standard academic rules by going into a battlefield that you are forbidden to take action in, but you also disobeyed the direct order of Rain Craider. I assure you that these two offences are not so easily forgotten, and there are severe penalties that accompany them."
"I understand that fact clearly, headmaster." Avan nodded back.
"Avan Hardins... I'll tell you this, this kind of stunt is likely to have you expelled without plead-" Kluivert declared before Richard then strode into the room, opening the doors, surprising everyone. "Rain!? What are you doing here? Don't you have other matters to tend to?"
"Nothing more important than this." Richard responded back softly, before he then stood beside Avan. "I have waited by the door, to observe and listen to how the situation is currently proceeding. Since there is nothing more to be said, allow me to speak my part in all of this."
"Have you come here to defend your student?" Kluivert asked back with narrowed eyes. "Avan disobeyed your orders when he made his trip to Yuell."
"Unfortunately, Kluivert, that order was directly given by me." Richard answered back with a shake of his head, as the news shocked everyone in the room, even the headmaster. "Indeed, I was the one who was responsible for the deception, for lying about the intentions of the sortie of Class G-7. I told them to head for Yuell when we were out of the sight of the academic guards."
"R-Rain. Are you sure that you're speaking the truth right now?" Kluivert asked back, trying to calm himself down. "Even if it was true, we would require to know the reason why you did this."
"That I can offer without any hesitation or reluctance." Richard then slapped a hand over his chest. "Everything I will state is the complete and honest truth about the events of Class G-7's deployment, not the fabrication that I made to hide the true movements of the class."
"Go on." Kluivert answered back, gesturing for Richard to speak.
"Alright, I'm sure that you heard that my team had went to Mellvere to take care of the rebels attacking there, in order to deny them their advance through central Gallia, the town being one of the key points separating the two regions of the country, and one the most optimal places to create a forward base to assault Randgriz." Richard responded back. "However, we all know that this is not the only key-point being assaulted. Yuell was attacked as well, and it serves the same tactical value as Mellvere did. Unfortunately, Yuell did not have the luxury of either my team or Polar Star to aid it, when they are occupied with the defence of Mellvere. To solve this problem, I entrusted Avan Hardins and Class G-7 with the role of relieving Yuell, despite all warnings and rejections of the plan on the official channels. So I purposely lied to you and Brixham, to ensure that you would not be able to interfere with the plan."
"...Why?" Kluivert asked back, with a shocked tone.
"...Perhaps it's because we don't have a choice in the matter. Yuell would have fallen if Class G-7 didn't aid it. Not only that, Avan Hardins had the intention of heading there to relieve the situation to begin with, due to the distress that Cosette Coalhearth felt about her own hometown being attacked." Richard answered back. "I merely gave him the means to have the chance to complete his goals in Yuell with the support of his entire class. I do not regret what I have done, Kluivert, because, if I may speak in honesty, I refuse to sit by and let Yuell burn while the armies are caged by the royal laws, and Lanseal turns a blind eye to the suffering of Yuell, despite what may happen to it."
"...I see." Kluivert muttered back, before rubbing his forehead with some annoyance. "You would break the rules yourself, and risk your own class to save a falling town, despite the tactical value it provides."
"I have high faith in Class G-7, Kluivert." Richard replied strongly. "Enough to believe that the class has the capabilities to handle whatever rebel force is invading Yuell. I was not proven wrong, when they have forced the retreat of Audrey Gassenarl and her forces from the town, and ensured the the rebels do not have a hold on it. Combine that with the fact that Mellvere is successfully defended... The rebels have wasted their manpower and assets on this ambitious assault for nothing, making it easier to bring this civil war to a end, before more causalities rack up on either side."
"Even if the mission ended in success... Even if it's for someone like you, Rain..." Kluivert answered back. "I cannot bend the academy rules over for you, as it would set a bad example for the students here."
"Then all I ask is that I share Avan's punishment, if not take the bigger share of it. I was the perpetrator of this incident." Richard responded back. "Avan merely did what he was told to do, and carried his mission out like a proper soldier. I admit that he is not free of any blame, but he deserves less for what I've done."
"...Hah..." Kluivert sighed deeply. "Very well, then I see no point in pursuing this further. The disciplinary committee is hereby adjourned. Your punishments, for the both of you, will be decided in short notice. Until then, Avan, you are confined to your room, and Rain, you will remain in the staff room, where you will be collected, and your punishment will be performed."
"...I understand." Avan responded back, before he then left the room.
"...Sir. Thank you for considering my words." Richard saluted back, before he then followed Avan out.
When the both of them left the room, they met Brixham, who was very unpleased about the events.
"Well? How did it go for the both of you?" Brixham asked them stoically.
"I wasn't expecting to be let free for all of this, but I didn't know that this was going to be so bad." Avan remarked.
" Well, obviously. You still don't realise the gravity of what you did." Brixham answered back, before his expression creased with barely contained annoyance. "Avan, I am sorely disappointed in you. Do you have any idea why this school, this army has rules? By observing that protocol, we keep casualties to a minimum."
"...Yes, sir." Avan bowed his head down, before Brixham turned to Richard.
"And you, Rain." Brixham said, before he glared at Richard, as his eyes were slightly open, showing the anger in them. "I can't believe that you would do something as illegal and reckless, as to fabricate your own sortie request, so that you could send the class into what seemed to be a suicidal mission. It was a miracle that the only serious casualty was Avan himself. If any of them died, I will have you answer for your crimes, no matter the difference between us."
"And what did you expect me to do, Brixham? You and Kluivert could have ordered a full sortie order on Yuell, in order to fight the main rebel forces there." Richard retorted back harshly. "But you didn't. There's a good difference between being a soldier and an officer. An soldier trusts the orders he is given, while the officer analyses his orders carefully, and figure out the optimal path to follow. And that includes rising beyond the shackles of duty in order to do what is necessary, even if it goes against direct orders. I didn't follow orders when I saved the Archduchess from the APC, and bashed open the lock to her cell. I didn't follow orders when I gave her the letter that proved Borg's betrayal of the nation to the Federation, and I most certainly didn't follow orders when I charged right into heavy cannon-fire to drag a near-suicidal Alicia out. And yet, they all brought about the best outcome each scenario has to offer. I would politely ask you to remember that, Brixham."
"Truly, your wild side finally shows..." Brixham sighed deeply. "Your punishment has yet to be decided, but you both better expect the worst from all of this."
Richard and Avan both nodded, before they made their way to their respective destinations.
The next day...
Richard was being escorted through the prison building of the campus, as he was being guided into one of the solitary cells, which was stripped of everything except a simple bed with a paper-thin sheet and tiny pillow, and a open toilet bowl, with the only light being the high barred window on the back of the cell, by one of the male academy teachers. The teacher then unlocked the door to the cell, before he then gestured for Richard to enter.
"Alright, in with you." The teacher told Richard, as the dark-haired instructor did so without question or hesitation, before he then closed the door behind him, locking it, and sliding the viewing panel open. "Enjoy your week in solitary, instructor. You've got a lot to think about, regarding what you have done."
"I understand. What about Avan?" Richard asked back.
"He's fine. We moved his solitary to one of the medical wards." The teacher answered back. "He only gets that special treatment, because of his abdominal wound, which needs to be taken good care of. No-one is allowed, or even can, visit him, like you will be."
"I'm glad to hear that." Richard expressed his gratitude with a nod.
"Never thought that it wouldn't be just a cadet, but instead a instructor breaking the iron rule of the academy." The teacher remarked. "And that instructor is one of the legendary soldiers of Squad 7. Heh, I got to respect you for pulling something crazy like this without any regrets, but still, it's surprising that you only got just a week's solitary after all that. The kid too. You owe Brixham and your students, even your pals big time."
"I assume that they protested our punishment?" Richard questioned back.
"Brixham went around extolling the major success in Yuell after the committee, and your friends literally did anything and everything to get you out." The teacher answered back. "In fact, Mari literally went on a roaring rampage, and swearing to pummel the headmaster into the ground for what he punished you with. However, seems like your other friend, Remi, took care of her, before she did something she could regret. Sally tried to appeal to lessen both of your punishments, but they all failed. Gus decided that he would take care of your drills for the week. As for your students... Well, let's just say that all of Class G flooded the faculty office, to beg for your clemency. Hell, even some of the other classes did the same."
"Woah, you sure that happened?" Richard asked with surprise.
"Without them, your student would be already halfway home by now, before being sent to his local hospital to nurse his wounds." The teacher responded back. "As for you, recommended by the Archduchess or not, you would be thrown out of Lanseal the instant the punishment was decided. Also, don't worry about the class, they've been let off with a warning. A lot of people have trusted you, as you trusted them. So don't make them regret it, eh? You're quite popular in this academy, you know. Sure would be a shame if we threw you out. I'll be back in a week, someone will come to bring you the rations."
"Thank you, you may leave." Richard nodded back, as the viewing panel closed, and the teacher left the area. "Heh... I guess my words did touch you slightly, Brixham... And my class... Truly they've become so close to me. I'm so proud of them."
Richard then used his sukimas to drop a few sets of training dumbells, as well as shift his bed to act as a platform, before he then warmed up his body.
"Well, since I'm going to be in here for a while... May as well do physical exercises to keep myself healthy." Richard muttered to himself.
Several days later... at the last day of solitary...
Zeri slowly made his way through the prison building, checking the numbers and locks on each of the doors, so that he could find Richard's cell. However, when he was halfway through the cells, he could hear the faint sound of Richard's huffing and panting, before it was accompanied by the sound of grunting from physical exertion.
He then made his way to the cell door, where Richard's voice was coming from, as he could hear the sound of rustling behind it. He made his way to the door.
"Instructor Rain! Are you in this cell?" Zeri cried through the door, as the sounds stopped for a moment.
"Zeri? I didn't expect you to come here to see me right now." Richard responded back. "It's not like that it's going to be long before I'm released from this cell. Tomorrow morning, I can continue teaching you guys. So why the hurry?"
"Instructor... Before I answer that question... What exactly were you doing in there?" Zeri questioned Richard.
"What do you think? I have nothing to do in this cell, so I may as well spend the time in this confined space training myself." Richard answered. "There's not much I can do, but it's better than nothing."
"I... I see." Zeri muttered to himself. "Instructor... I appealed to Brixham for me to tell me which cell you were in, and I used the moment in my break to come down here and see you."
"You snuck down here? That's odd, considering how by-the-books you are, Zeri." Richard chuckled lightly.
"I'm concerned about you. I wanted to know how you are faring with the solitude here." Zeri responded back, before he then sat down, and leaned against the door. "Instructor... I have heard the reason that you officially made in the committee for letting Avan take the class to Yuell, and I cannot argue against such reasoning. But I feel like that there's more to it than just that..."
"...I suppose that there's no harm telling you." Richard sighed deeply, before he then sat by his side of the door. "You know, Zeri, you might find this humorous, or utterly stupid... But to be honest, when I saw how desperate Cosette was, and how determined Avan was... It just reminded me of a feeling that I couldn't just let go. I just didn't want someone to feel the pain of losing something precious when their life is already at a low point emotionally."
"What do you mean?" Zeri asked back.
"...To be fair, I wasn't a citizen of Gallia in the first place. Neither were my friends." Richard responded back. "When I read the records, I suppose that they have been changed a little, because most people would freak out if they found out their legends weren't Gallian men and women. Either way, Cosette already suffered enough having the same fate as I did... And for her home-town to be attacked again... It made me feel the same as if my own hometown was attacked again, something that I wouldn't ever forgive or allow. I may not be a part of Gallia, but I know what it means to protect something with heart. Gallia was one of the places where I could feel at peace and at home with. I refuse to let any part of it suffer."
Zeri was silent, before Richard then spoke again.
"You know, Zeri... You don't have to be so uptight. Be yourself for once." Richard answered back. "Smile a little, show some joy. You won't believe what it can do for people. Maybe you'll find my advice to be garbage, but trust me on this, Squad 7 wasn't just known for its efficiency, but also its team spirit and morale. Because we kept each other company, and entertained each other, we always fought with smiles in our memories and hope for the future, with friends by our sides. It helps us ward off the cruel reality that we take steps in with each passing day."
"Is that so...?" Zeri questioned back. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Say, how is the class doing? More specifically, how's our little troop doing?" Richard changed the topic of the conversation.
"It's... It's just odd that without you or Avan, the classroom changed by a lot. Sure, it's much more quieter without Avan around... But actually, I felt like that I'm already used to him being a nuisance from time to time." Zeri explained. "I guess it's because he made things a little bit more... fun for everyone, even me."
"Heh. You have to admit, Avan's one hell of a commander. Might not be as prodigious as his brother, but he knows how to keep people's spirits up, and how to bring you all back without a scratch." Richard chuckled again. "Don't tell you don't respect that."
"Of course. He has finally earned my respect... In fact, I think that it was actually a lot earlier than expected." Zeri admitted.
"So... You better go, I don't think that the teachers will appreciate you talking to a 'convict' like me." Richard warned Zeri. "Don't worry, if you want to talk privately again, I can arrange a time for you to meet all alone."
"...I'd appreciate that. Take care for the last day in solitude, instructor." Zeri responded back, before he stood up and left the building.
In the classroom...
"IT'S GONE! Dude, someone stole the wallet out of my bag!" Lotte exclaimed with horror, with her hands to her head in panic.
"What!? You really think think it was stolen?" Rene stated with surprise, as the nearby classmates rushed to Lotte as well.
"I came back from mock battle drills... It was this awesome red wallet..." Lotte explained.
"So the people who weren't out doing drills are the most likely suspect." Sofia stated.
"Well, at least it's true someone who was out there couldn't have taken it." Alexis concluded.
"The people who weren't out drilling today were Erik and... Um, just Erik." Morris timidly admitted.
"Kampmann, huh..." Reiner hummed.
"Even the most generous person couldn't call him a paragon of ethics." Anisette scoffed loudly.
"Wait, what is going on here!?" Richard exclaimed, as he rushed over to the gathered group.
"Lotte's wallet has been stolen while we were out drilling earlier." Alexis answered back. "The main suspect is Erik."
"That's not likely. There has been no direct proof that Erik is involved in this theft." Richard stated back.
"I'm sorry, instructor, but he's in no position to complain, given his behaviour of the late." Francas replied. "He is likely to be the kind of person to have-"
Suddenly, the classroom door creaked open to reveal Erik, who heard everything and was glaring at the group.
"Were you, uh... Were you listening the whole time, Erik?" Rene asked him.
"...Yeah." Erik grumbled.
"Erik, I am willing to believe that you aren't responsible for this, but I want to hear it from you straight... Did you take Lotte's wallet, which was red?" Richard asked back.
"...No. Not that you'd believe anything that I say." Erik stated, glaring back at the other students.
"Like I said, I believe your word, despite how the others will protest it. I'm sorry for the accusation. But if you come with me and find it, it'll most certainly prove your innocence, and also help us find the true perpetrator." Richard offered. "The drill grounds are the most likely place to find it."
Erik grumbled slightly, before he followed Richard out to the drill grounds.
At the drill grounds...
Erik and Richard arrived at the drill grounds, as they encountered someone from the other class.
"Hey, we're looking for something. In particular, a red wallet." Richard asked the student.
"A red wallet? ...Yeah, actually, that does sound kind of familiar." The student answered back, before he then noticed Erik with him. "Wait a minute, it's you!"
"Hmph. So?" Erik scoffed back.
"Ignore him, we would like to ask if you know where it is. It's a matter of urgency-" Richard was about to say.
"No damn way I'm telling you, especially with him by your side!" The student growled back. "Degenerates and savages like him are just dead-weight on the academy!"
"'Scuse you?" Erik asked, his expression turning quite furious. "You wanna say that again, you stuck-up little punk!?"
"Calm down, Erik." Richard responded back, as he held Erik back with an outstretched arm. "I suppose that you have some beef with him to deal with. How about a wager then. Right here and now, you and your group against Erik alone. If he can beat you all down in a short battle... You will have to tell us the location. If you win, you've have the honour of beating the savage of Class G-7, something that you can hold high over your heads. Besides, it's not fists this time, it's guns. Surely you can beat him, if you think he's a real savage."
"Fine, I'm going to savour every moment of humiliating this bastard." The student smirked evilly, before turning to his friends. "Alright, get over here and dress yourself for a mock battle! Our enemy is Erik Kampmann himself! It's time to get some well-deserved pay-back on him!"
The students immediately made their way to change into their field suits, as Richard turned to Erik.
"Alright then, you know that you're trained to be better than all of them." Richard told him. "Consider this as a legal way to vent all of your anger onto them, in the form of a spray of bullets. Have fun."
"Hmph. Don't need to ask me twice." Erik responded back, before he then quickly entered the changing rooms.
The combatants then immediately entered one of the fields, as the student group took their positions, while Erik readied himself, holding a paint-round loaded machine-gun in his hands.
"Alright, I'll act as the official judge of this match, to ensure no foul play occurs." Richard informed the students. "BEGIN!"
"Stormtroopers, charge him from both sides! Snipers, blast his head with those rounds!" The lead student barked orders, as the others carried them out, with the snipers firing rounds at Erik.
However, Erik seemed to have predicted the shots coming towards him, side-stepping the gunshots from the snipers, before he then readied his machine-gun,and did a horizonal sweep to blast the approaching stormtroopers, gunning them down quite quickly. After that, Erik easily made his way towards the snipers, dodge-rolling away from their shots, and hitting them with a close-range barrage of paint rounds.
After all was said and done, Erik stood victorious, as he was standing over the paint-covered bodies of the opposing class students.
"Feh. And here you'd got my hopes up for a decent fight." Erik mocked the students, as Richard walked down to the lead student.
"Alright, now then, you've lost fair and square. Tell me about the wallet you found." Richard told the student firmly.
"Ugh... I can't believe that we lost not only in a fist-fight, but a fire-fight with this bastard..." The lead student groaned. "Fine. I saw it in the locker room. It's probably still there."
"The locker room? Hm, seems likely that she dropped it while she was changing back into school uniform." Richard remarked. "Good thing the locker rooms are unisex. I really don't want to bother Mari, Remi or Sally to deal with this."
Richard then quickly made his way into the locker room, as he found the wallet below one of the benches, picking it up, before he then snapped it open, seeing that it had very little change in it. Finding the situation humorous, Richard chuckled slightly, before deciding to fill it up with some more ducats.
Afterwards, Erik entered the locker rooms. "Oi, instructor. Why didn't you think I swiped it?" He asked Richard.
"What, the bird-lover is actually capable of stooping that low?" Richard answered back with a teasing grin. "I doubt that you would be lying, especially when you admitted that it's not likely that you could be believed."
"Jeez, you trust me that much...?" Erik groaned. "I suppose that you've got a real bleeding heart there, instructor. It's not going to end-"
"Erik, you can stop." Richard responded back, frowning and crossing his arms. "No matter how much you try to act like you're some savage without any reason to NOT punch someone's teeth out, and spit on the concept of friendship and teamwork, I'm not going to buy it. Whatever was told about you, was only because of your outer personality. If you showed your inner personality more clearly and more often, those rumours would die out easily. To me, all that talk about it just rumours that can be easily shifted to your favour with the right circumstances. After all, like I said, you can't be bad, if a Gallian dove chick feels comfortable around you. You're just simply too good acting like you don't give a damn about the world, but I'm far better in seeing one's heart."
Erik was silent for a moment, before he then let out a simple 'heh.', which then evolved into hearty laughter, before he then stopped, his expression much more relaxed, and with a grin on it.
"Ah, what the Hel." Erik sighed. "I guess there's no point in pulling the wool over your eyes, you'll just see right through it like there's nothing there. Never thought that you would give me such a speech. Last time I got something like this, it was from my own father. In fact, to be honest, I never did admit it, but you remind me a lot about him. He never gave up on me, despite all of the stuff I did, and tried to persuade me to be a better man. He cared for me real good, that old man, and he liked animals as I did. Since he's gone, I suppose that I'm already too attached to you to deny it."
"So then... if you think you can bear the question... What made you like this?" Richard asked back.
"Well, I'll start with this. I'm just not good with words, you know? When I get mad, I punch things" Erik responded back. "It actually happened once before. When I was pretty young, some kid broke a bird's leg, and almost left that bird to die. I had to patch the little thing up. When I confronted him about that, he didn't seem to give a damn care at all. That's when I saw red, and slugged him hard enough to knock teeth out. That's the first time I got punished for my impulsive way of dealing with my anger. Things like this happened again and again, and soon enough..."
"...It got spread around the country, about you being a real savage. They don't focus on your caring side, but instead on your savage side, which you couldn't help to show each time you lost it." Richard answered back. "From there, you're given a permanent record of being a real crazy dude who punches the light out of anyone who crosses you, and didn't give two thoughts about friends and companions."
"And I couldn't stop them, because no one believes me. They just avoided me. So I figured, fine. If that's how it is. I'll just keep to myself." Erik continued. "Let them slander me how they like. If they won't believe in me, then I'm not going to trust them either. I ain't going to care about having friends who talk bad behind my back, simple as that."
"So that explains why you said you hated friendship and teamwork, because of what it requires." Richard concluded. "But you know, I can tell you this, that record of yours isn't completely permanent. Sure, you got years upon years of bad deeds to make up for, but if you keep on fixing it, your rumours will end up clean of any slander. Just stop being a real jerk to everyone, and they'll see you in a better light. Oh, and you might want to learn to control your temper. You can't just shout in their face, or sock them in the face. Here's a good idea, concentrate on something that cools your mind. Think back to petting that fluffy chick of yours back then. I'm sure that it'll keep you pacified long enough to defuse the situation."
"What? Ha ha... You got some weird ideas. I suppose that the weird ones are the ones who are the strongest." Erik chuckled. "But I hear you, instructor. No promises or anything, but I'll work on it, and I'll believe in you. After all, you're the first to do that to me, so you'll be the first I'll trust after a long, long time. And uh... thanks."
"...You're welcome." Richard smiled back, as Erik left the locker rooms with a smile on his lips.
Inside the classroom, a few days later...
"Bad news, you two!" Cosette exclaimed, as she rushed over to Avan and Zeri. "The rebels are attacking a village up in Diebal Mountains!"
"If it's in the mountains, that probably means it's a Darcsen settlement!" Avan exclaimed.
"Squad B-12 is already there, but they're being pushed back and need support." Cosette explained. "Class G-7 is the only class eligible enough to tackle this mission! We need to hurry to the briefing room!"
Gus then quickly dropped his books, before rushing over to Helmut. "Helmut, we need you to help us on the mission!" Gus exclaimed. "We need scouts to do reconnaissance on the enemy, and provide quick support."
"Wha-!? Instructor, what are you thinking!?" Zeri exclaimed, seeing Gus call for Helmut. "He's from the Empire. The ones that started the Darcsen Hunts, one of which was responsible for the destruction of your home village! There's no way that he's going tor risk his life to stop them-"
"...Understood. Let's make haste." Helmut responded back, before he then left the room.
"What...!?" Zeri exclaimed, before the sortie bells rang.
"There's the bell, guys. We can talk on the way. For now, get ready to go!" Avan exclaimed, before leaving the room.
"Instructor, you don't understand..." Zeri muttered. "You have-"
"Zeri, as your instructor, I order to cease this grudge of yours with the Empire." Gus sternly scolded Zeri. "Even Rain has forgiven most of the Empire at this point. If they're not fighting us and ruining the nation, then they shouldn't be treated so badly. If you want proof, then keep an eye on Helmut. I'm sure that he'll prove that he's above holding grudges... unlike you."
Zeri was silenced at those words, as Gus rushed out to get the other scouts ready for combat.
In the Diebal mountains...
The class managed to arrive on the field, as Helmut made his advance, using his scout rifle to take down the rebel soldiers ahead.
"We need to get those Darcsens to safety, now!" He declared to the rest of the group.
The Granoro roared into action, as it moved forward, before mowing down any enemies that were in its sight with its gatling turret, while the rest of the squad moved behind it, and provided supporting fire for the tank, by killing any lancers trying to aim for the tank, or even the enemy tanks themselves, for the class's lancers to take care of.
The push was fairly slow, due to the snow in the area, and the enemy presence in the area, but the group managed to make their way to the destination in one piece, capturing the enemy main camp, as the class drove off any remaining rebel stragglers, taking down those who refused to retreat.
"Alright, guys! Let's get those villagers to safety!" Avan cried out.
"Understood." Helmut responded back, before he then made his way around the town, before noticing a shivering Darcsen boy in the snow. The Imperial scout immediately pulled out a blanket from his back-pack, and wrapped it around the boy, who warmed up quite quickly, as Zeri watched with shock, as Helmut took good care, checking the boy's body for wounds.
Eventually, the boy came to, as he sniffled a few times from the cold.
"Hmm. I don't see any serious injuries. Can you stand, son?" Helmut asked the Darcsen boy calmly.
"Y-Yeah, I'm okay. Thank you." The boy responded back slowly.
"No thanks necessary. Go see the medic there. She'll patch you up. And take the blanket with you." Helmut responded back, before helping the boy to his feet, as the child made his way to the medic with the scout's directions.
"Why are you helping them?" Zeri asked, approaching Helmut. "They're Darcsens and you're an Imperial."
"I'm a solider. I have my orders, and I'll carry them out." Helmut responded back.
"So, it's because someone told you to." Zeri stated. "You wouldn't bother to help them otherwise."
"Take it as you please." Helmut neutrally replied back. "I will grant you that, I, like many of my people, am not very fond of you, Zeri. But my thoughts on the subject have no place in this operation. I am a soldier and I will fulfil my duty."
"Even if it's Gallia cracking the whip." Zeri remarked with disdain.
"Formality or no, my presence here serves to solidify the ceasefire." Helmut said. "As such, it falls on me to obey whatever orders Gallia sees fit to give. That is what I can do for my country. I don't ask that you understand. We may be squadmates, but you are still a Darcsen. Precious little hope for understanding exists between us."
"I'm inclined to agree. We'll never forgive what the Empire did to us." Zeri admitted. "But I also won't forget what you're doing to help this village now, nor will I forget your stance."
"Hmph." Helmut grumbled, before Gus came over, seeing that Zeri and Helmut has calmed down between each other.
"I'm fairly glad that the both of you are going fine." Gus commented, looking at Zeri, then to Helmut. "I suppose that I owe it to you to finish what I told you before we were interrupted."
"There is no need. The mission must come first." Helmut responded back to Gus.
"No, I insist. You must hear what I have to say." Gus strongly stated. "As I told you before, there was a time where we met Imperial soldiers, and that one time, we weren't enemies, just fellow victims of the war. Back in the Kloden Wildwoods, we were ambushed by the enemy. Welkin, Alicia, Sally and I were separated from the rest of the group by a mortar shell. It took us a while to find a cabin to rest and recover ourselves. We encountered a dying Imperial soldier, who limped into our cabin. We tried our best to save him, despite us being enemies, and we gave him peace in his final moments. The next day, we encountered a Imperial squad, who found and mourned the loss of their squad-mate. The officer seemed to be a idealistic man, as he pitied the fact that we were dragged into this war, and hoped for our health and well-being."
"...I do not understand what you expect me to feel, telling me this." Helmut bluntly stated to Gus.
"All I want you to know, is that we have seen what the Imperials are truly like, you're human just like us." Gus responded back. "For that, there's no reason for me to discriminate you and your people... Even if it's a few, there are people who are willing to put aside what your country has done, and embrace peace and unity with your people."
"...I see." Helmut responded back. "There is not much hope of success... But, your tale... It did help me feel a sense of respect for you, respecting both duty and honour... If you'll excuse me."
Helmut then left the area, as he helped the operation of assisting the panicked and wounded villagers.
In the classroom, a few days later...
"A large rebel battalion has been sighted moving south." Brixham informed the class. "Their march has left towns and farmlands in shambles in its wake. Lanseal has been given the order to deploy, to combat the threat. Follow Avan's instructions and be ready to go as soon as possible. Dismissed."
The class then immediately rose up and left the room, all except for Marisa and Reiner, as the latter approached the former.
"Instructor, please convince Avan to take me along." Reiner requested. "If their battalion is that big, there's a good chance Sigrid's in it. I have to find him and talk some sense into him."
"Of course. It'll be easy. Hope we'll find him out there." Marisa answered back. "I'll come along to ensure that nothing bad happens between you two."
"If we don't, that just means I'll keep looking and looking for him." Reiner replied back. "But the hard part will be when I find him, possibly not as a casualty. I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't come around."
"He can't possibly ignore your advice." Marisa assured Reiner. "If he's truly your best friend, he would have to believe your word above the rebels'."
"Yeah... I... You're right. Okay, let's get ready!" Reiner exclaimed.
At the Arlem region...
Marisa helped to bring Reiner along the edge of the battlefield, as the rest of the class combated the enemy force, with ruthless efficiency and skill, with cannon shells flying and exploding on enemy tanks, while the gunners were mowing down the rebel soldiers down like grass with their hail of bullets.
"It seems that we're not needed for this fight..." Marisa remarked, looking around, before they managed to reach a area, where they could see the rebel force entirely. "Well, better hope that Sigrid is not among these unlucky bastards... Because he's going to be dead in no time flat, if he is."
"I hope not... Sigrid..." Reiner muttered in worry.
"Reiner? Reiner? Is that you?" A male voice was heard, as Reiner seemed to recognise the voice, as he whirled around to face the speaker.
"Sigrid!?" Reiner exclaimed, as Marisa turned around, seeing that Sigrid took the rebel soldier helmet off, revealing his full face, as he had dark blue eyes, and a skin-deep scar that was wide, and covered a large part of the left side of his face, and over his eye. He had a scout rifle raised, which he quickly lowered.
"I had no idea it was your unit we were fighting." Sigrid remarked with shock.
"What are you doing with them!?" Reiner exclaimed with horror and betrayal.
"It's for Gallia... To bring her peace!" Sigrid declared, before placing a fist in front of his chest in a gesture of will. "The country's in chaos! It's the leadership's fault! A regime change will end those abuses and let Gallia prosper again! As a member of the revolution, I can shape Gallia's future myself. I can keep everyone back home safe, Reiner, like I promised. You should join us! Come take Gallia back with me-"
Reiner then grabbed Sigrid by the arm, dragging him across the ground, before placing him in view of one of the smoking towns, before flipping an arm out to point at the town, with a horrified and outraged expression.
"Open your eyes, Sigrid! Is this the peaceful Gallia you want to make!?" Reiner exclaimed. "By destroying houses, burning fields and killing innocent people!?"
"Revolution always comes at a price. If this is the cost of peace..." Sigrid responded back, as his tone was shaky, as if his resolve was crumbling apart at the scene.
"Then you're willing to pay!? And Elena? Was her death part of the price!?" Reiner roared back. "Why did she die, Sigrid? She was like a little sister to us! A child! Until she was killed by this insane war... And you'd tell me her death was a sacrifice in the name of peace!?"
"I... Urgh..." Sigrid muttered weakly.
"We swore an oath that day. That we wouldn't lose anyone else." Reiner told Sigrid. "Whose peace are you fighting for, Sigrid? How is someone who can't keep his home safe going to protect a country? I'm fighting for Lanseal, to keep my town safe. What are you fighting for in the rebel army?"
Sigrid was finally silent, as he let his arms drop down.
"I know you'll remember the promise we made. I have faith in you still, Sigrid." Reiner finally stated.
"Reiner... I..." Sigrid tried to say, before losing the will to speak, as he simply turned away and left, placing the rebel helmet back on.
"I guess that all we can do, is have faith in him." Marisa remarked. "All I can say, is that you struck deep in him. He's got to change his own views back to what it should have been to begin with..."
"...Thank you, Mari... Thank you for helping me to reach Sigrid." Reiner thanked Marisa.
"It was all I could do to help." Marisa admitted. "Come on, let's get back to the others. They're almost done mopping up the rebel forces. The rest will retreat safely, and so will Sigrid."
Reiner nodded, as the both of them left the town.
In Lanseal's library...
Magari was in her usual routine of reading books, before she was interrupted by the library doors slamming open, while Elma came in rushing.
"Magari, we've got orders to move out to Leanbluff!" Elma exclaimed. "This is the opportune moment to contact Mr Gunther to show us where the cerulean scarabs are!"
"I see... What could Mr Gunther have possibly meant?" Magari stated. "The cerulean scarab's migratory patterns are contained within the Empire. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of the species would know that."
"That's not true. Like I said, we need to show you, before you'll believe us." Elma replied back. "I'll go tell Mr Gunther the good news. And I'll also ask Avan to let us scout ahead. All we have to do is sneak past the rebels, and get there safely."
"...Understood." Magari responded back, as she laid her books down, and followed Elma out of the library.
At the Leanbluff Forest...
Elma and Magari slowly made their way through the area, as they used the tall grass and abundance of trees to their advantage, taking cover behind them, and hiding from rebel patrols in the area. It made both of them tense each time they drew near, but the rebels didn't suspect their position at all, with how quietly and carefully they hid themselves. They quickly moved through the safest route they could find through the rebels, before managing to escape the patrols undetected.
They soon made their way to the rendezvous point, as they found that Welkin was already there, as he armed himself with a side-arm, in case any rebels stumbled upon the point by accident. He then smiled when both engineers were in his sight.
"Ah, there you girls are." Welkin warmly greeted them.
"You beat us here, Mr Gunther! That's... amazing!" Elma remarked with awe.
"Just what do you intend to show us? The cerulean scarab is..." Magari tried to argue, before Welkin moved aside, as he gestured to the trunk of the tree, where there was indeed a cerulean-coloured beetle scampering on the trunk of the tree. "B-But how? They's not supposed to be in Gallia this time of year!"
"That's the theory. Anyway, keep watching..." Welkin advised, as Elma leaned in close to see as well, as the beetle moved a little bit more, before its hide changed to a greener viridian colour.
"This is... Now it looks just like a viridian scarab!" Magari noted the change.
"That's right... Mr Gunther told me that this is their migratory period, and this is their mating season." Elma recounted. "Because they eat oak, they stop by here, as the Leanbluff forest is packed with oak trees to feed upon. Its colour changed from its own diet, from being full with oak... This is when they're read to breed with other scarabs."
"So by the time they return to the Empire to spawn, their colour had reverted." Magari finished the explanation. "So the colour change led people to mistake them for a different species...? I never thought that..."
"Exactly! Nice job!" Welkin praised Magari, before they all backed away. "I did a lot of biology fieldwork during my university days. So, Magari. What do you think, after seeing this?"
"...I'm shocked. It was so much better in person, than from the picture in the book..." Magari remarked with awe.
"That's good to hear. I think it's great that you read so much." Welkin stated. "But the world is filled with things you have to see to believe. Just like this scarab."
"Yes, sir..." Magari remarked, as a smile appeared on her face, and a light blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Spreading your curiosity beyond books lets you learn so much more." Welkin stated. "Then you can take that knowledge and write books of your own to pas it on. Just like the people who wrote those books you read did before you."
"Yes, that's right. Magari, there's a whole new world for you to see and explore for yourself." Elma added. "If you think that the library will have a lot for you to know, the world... it's basically a cache of knowledge for you to tap into, filled with information even the most astute of people can't find..."
"Um... Would you mind teaching me more of what you've learned sometime?" Magari asked Welkin.
"Not at all, Magari. You can pay me a visit any time." Welkin politely answered back. "Anyway, I'm sure that the two of you need to get back, and make your reports on the rebel presence here. I'll find my way back myself. See you two later."
Welkin then walked through the line of trees, as he disappeared. The two engineers looked at each other, before they smiled and nodded, before heading back the way they came, which was much less dangerous than earlier before.
In the classroom, several days later...
Isara was looking around the class, as she wondered where Mischlitt could have been today, since she never saw the reclusive Darcsen around the campus at all. This concerned her, as Mischlitt is usually easy to find, and she thinks that her words to her fellow Darcsen was too harsh and confronting, which might have left Mischlitt quite upset and demoralised, and it might have shown its effects today, after what might have happened to her. She hoped that it wasn't another moment where she was slandered as a Darcsen again.
However, her worries were dispelled, when the door was slammed open by Mischlitt, as she was panting and huffing hard, with most of the class turning to her direction.
"What's wrong, Mischlitt? Did something happen?" Avan asked with concern.
"P-Please, class chair, I... I need to ask you all for a large favour...!" Mischlitt pleaded with a very desperate tone. "Louvere, the village I grew up in is under rebel assault as we speak! My family and some of my friends still live there. I want to keep them safe. But I... I can't do that alone. I'd like to ask you to join me in the field. Please... Please, I..."
Isara rushed to Mischlitt immediately, as she embraced her fellow kin with a tight hug, as Mischlitt was shocked by the gesture.
"You don't have to say anymore... I know that you're scared of what could happen, and afraid of losing your loved ones..." Isara assured her. "Even if no-one else will come, I'll go with you no matter what the consequences will be."
"Geez, here we go again... Well, I'm sure that Brixy won't mind us saving a village just nearby." Avan sighed, before he then smiled. "Mischlitt, you're our squad mate. Of course we'll help you without a single regret. Right, guys?'
"Right! We'll do whatever we can, Mischlitt!" Cosette agreed strongly.
"Yeah! It's, like, all for one and one for the rest or whatever!" Joachim responded back.
"W-We'll all work together!" Raymond added with some courage in his voice.
"Heh... I suppose that I've got to start somewhere, if I'm going to get you guys to trust me a bit more..." Erik muttered under his breath. "Count me in. I'm not going to let someone like her lose her own family."
"I won't stand to see my people killed off without a fight!" Zeri declared strongly.
"Mischlitt, please let me come as well!" Magari exclaimed. "Although I'm only an engineer, but I can't just sit by when our people are in danger! I'll fight as well!"
"Everyone... I..." Mischlitt muttered back, as her tone was slightly shaky with emotion.
"See, Mischlitt... No matter who you are, everyone would help you all the same." Isara comforted Mischlitt, smiling warmly. "You underestimate the strong bonds of Class G-7."
Mischlitt then covered her face, as tears ran down her cheeks, and she tried to hold her sobs. "Thank you... Thank you, all of you...!" She cried.
"Alright, we first get Brixy on the notice. After all, it's fair play to deal with village attacks with our experience!" Avan exclaimed. "Let's move! Prepare for combat, double-time!"
In the Diebal Mountains...
The class immediately rushed back into the mountains, as the Granoro provided everyone with heat from the mounted heating unit, making it easier for the group to operate. Isara, Zeri and Mischlitt led the charge, as the former two led the charge with their shields raised to block enemy fire, while Zeri was positioned between them, shooting while he advanced in the cover of the shields.
As for the enemy tanks, the lancers were already positioned to deal with the enemy tanks, as they fired lances that scrapped any enemy tank that tried to take aim on the advancing Darcsen trio. The others provided support, as they shot down any enemies that were away from the path of the advancing tank and the Darcsen trio.
Eventually, it didn't take long for the enemy to fall, as the class were thorough with the extermination of the rebels, and rescuing any of the Darcsen villagers that were isolated and hiding from the rebels. Afterwards, the class immediately spread out, as they searched the area for any rebel stragglers, while Isara and Mischlitt were left alone.
"Thank you, Isara... My family and friends are safe now." Mischlitt stated.
"I'm glad to hear that. Thankfully, there has been minimal causalities, with our timely assistance." Isara responded back.
"...Isara, I want to admit something. You were correct when you said I had erected a wall around myself, something that I believed was also the same for the majority of our race..." Mischlitt replied with a guilt-filled tone. "I had convinced myself of the impossibility of being friends with non-Darcsens, even though you proved otherwise, and that there were other cases, like Elma and Magari. That led me to avoid all contact unconsciously. But when I saw that everyone came without any hesitation to my rescue... I felt like that they have vaulted over the walls that were too tall to be climbed over. The bonds of Class G-7... are too strong for any wall that I erected to sever between me and them."
"That's right... I could say that you were sort of like Rosie before." Isara remarked. "That was the person that I was talking about. It was only when Rain risked his own life to save me, and when she saw the truth about the Darcsens inside Fouzen, did she turn her view of us around. I knew that even though you were convincing yourself that the others can't be friends with you, there was a way to turn you around. After all, hope is something that is very hard to remove from any person."
"Indeed. I swear that I will not give up on others so easily again." Mischlitt answered back. "And I also have... you've given me a dream. I would like to help build a world where people can live beyond their races."
"That sounds nice. When it comes to fruition... I'll be there to see it." Isara nodded back with a warm smile. "And I will be proud of what you have done to help achieve it."
"Isara, would you... I would like for you to have this." Mischlitt answered back, as she pulled out her Darscen doll charm.
"No need." Isara refused politely, before she pulled out her own Darcsen doll charm, except it was one of Richard. "I have made my own. I decided that I would make one for the person who I felt the most indebted to, as he was a guardian who slays evil and protects the innocent, like a folk-tale hero. I gave one of these to him when we were still in Squad 7."
"You must be truly good friends with him." Mischlitt chuckled lightly.
"Come on, let's head back to the others. We've got to help you start making some friends." Isara said.
"Lead the way, Isara." Mischlitt nodded, before the two of them made their way back to the rest of the squad.
In the back of the courtyard...
"Phew... today's training session hit pretty hard..." Zeri remarked, as he was sweating all over his head, sitting with Avan in the shade of the building, fanning his head strongly.
"Yeah, it's the middle of the summer and we're running laps with 50-pound packs! I mean, it's fair considering that the instructors could carry far more without breaking a sweat..." Avan groaned. "But it's making me feel like my brain is boiling out of my skull and making my scars ache like Hel!"
Suddenly, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps, as they saw Richard come over, holding a passed-out Alliase, who was in her black hooded garb, her entire face red from the heat, in a bridal carry.
"A...van... Rain..." She muttered weakly in her unconsciousness.
"Whoa, she's passed out like that!" Avan exclaimed, suddenly standing up.
"She doesn't seem to look alright. No-one would wearing this kind of getup in the middle of this summer heat. It's suicide for the body." Zeri sighed.
"Avan, Zeri!" Cosette exclaimed, as she rushed into the back of the courtyard, before she then noticed the three of them, plus the unconscious Aliasse. "Oh, Rain and Ali's here. Did you guys hear? They opened up the pool for student use!"
"Are you serious!?" Avan exclaimed with anticipation, before he let out a loud whoop in cheer. "Woo hoo! I am going there! What are we waiting for?"
"That does sound tempting. A brisk swim would feel refreshing right now." Zeri agreed.
"Why don't you guys come with me? I could use someone to swim with." Richard suggested. "Although, you might want to explain what the pool is, to Aliasse. She's not going to be educated on that, unfortunately."
"I have an extra swimsuit. I could take it in to fit Ali in a jiffy." Cosette offered. "We can do it when she wakes up from passing out."
"You sure?" Richard remarked, before he then examined Cosette's figure,and compared it with Aliasse, all without being too pressing on his analysis. "Hm. It'll likely work. Come on."
The five of them made their way to the pools, first to the changing rooms, to get themselves changed into proper swim-gear.
Inside the student pools...
Cosette was stretching herself up, as she was dressed in a pink swimsuit with neck-straps, as Aliasse watched her with some interest, holding a large rubber pool ball over her torso, as she was dressed in a simple orange swim bra and swimming briefs.
"C'mon Ali. You too!" Cosette encouraged Aliasse, who let out a 'huh?', as she released her ball, and followed Cosette in stretching. "And one, and two... Great, yay!"
They then did a few stretches, while not noticing Richard enter the pool quickly, dressed in simply black swimming trunks, before he then picked one of the empty pool lanes, before then doing a few laps of free-style on it, as he tore through the water quite easily and quickly, as if he was experienced with swimming.
"I think you're getting the hang of it!" Cosette remarked, as they were back-to-back, as they pushed each other back and forth, with one of them leaning forward, as the other leaned back. However, when it came to Cosette after a few times, she accidentally leaned too forward, as Aliasse was stuck on Cosette's back, as she panicked and flailed her legs with a cry.
Cosette immediately noticed this, as she put her down quickly. They turned to see Richard swimming across the lane, before their eyes turned to Juliana, who just breached the water surface at their end of the pool, shaking the water off her hair, as they could see that she was dressed in a black swimming bra, before she then came out, as her lower half was covered by black swimming briefs.
"Quite an entrance..." Cosette remarked, as Zeri came over, just finished changing, wearing a black swimming brief like Juliana, and having shaded swimming goggles over his eyes. He saw Juliana for himself, as he was slightly astounded by the beauty of her soaked figure, as she made her way to her bench, in order to pull out a towel to dry herself off.
"Alright, ladies? Who's joining me for a swim?" Avan remarked with a smile.
"Well, I would if I knew how to swim." Aliasse answered back.
"Oh, there's nothing to it, really." Avan chuckled, before he then turned to Zeri, before preparing to kick Zeri in. "You just kinda... dive in!"
"What the!?" Zeri exclaimed, before he splashed right into the pool, as Cosette and Aliasse closed their eyes to avoid the water spray.
However, when they did, Avan ran towards them, before grabbing them by the waist with his arms. "You're next!" He deviously stated, before he then stepped onto the edge of the pool, and leapt over it, while the girls cried in shock, as Avan was letting out a cry of joy.
Zeri just breached the water surface, before he was hit by the spray of water, as the others entered the pool, with some of it getting through his nose and mouth. As Avan and the girls rose above the water surface, Avan was chuckling, and Cosette was keeping herself up, and Aliasse was panicking, trying to stay above the water surface, and almost failing, before Cosette decided to hold her up.
Zeri took the moment to cough and snort the water out of his head, before growling at Avan. "Avan...!" He snarled.
"Come on, Zeri! You gotta be a good example for little Ali here!" Avan spoke with a whimsical tone, gesturing at Zeri.
"Very funny, now then, could someone teach her how to at least float!?" Zeri exclaimed, before Richard came over to them, and then stopped by them.
"Let me. After all, I know how to teach the basic forms of swimming." Richard offered, before turning to Aliasse. "Here, let me show you how to float in the water. You should learn this, before you cause a commotion in the water by wildly flailing around."
Richard then took the moment to slowly teach Aliasse to swim, as the other students took the moment to play around the pool. Surprisingly for Richard, Aliasse was actually learning to swim quite fast, as she was able to swim well enough to go back and forth on the swimming lane, and with her superhuman physique, she was swimming for quite a while.
Eventually, Isara came to the pool with Corrin and Elma, as they heard that the pool was open, and Richard invited them in quickly, to play with Avan, Zeri and Cosette.
After some time, the entire group left the pool, as Richard dried himself off, while Avan, Zeri, Cosette and Aliasse was sitting on a row of pool benches.
"Ahhh, that felt good. Man, this is why summer rules!" Avan spoke with great cheer.
"How did you enjoy your first time at the pool?" Cosette asked Aliasse.
"My body was all light in the water and it felt like I was flying through it. It was really fun!" Aliasse smiled back. "Pool, planting flowers, soccer... You guys have shown me a lot of new things."
"New discoveries serve to broaden your horizons." Zeri declared.
"Huh?" Aliasse blurted out, in confusion.
"Ugh, don't listen to Professor Complicated." Avan groaned, shaking his head. "He's saying that playing with a bunch of people means a lots of new things. The more you play, the more you learn."
"Ooh! I want to play more! I want to learn more!" Aliasse said with excitement in her voice.
"My my, I never thought that I would find you here at the first day of the pools opening." Juliana remarked, as she came over to them. "I suppose that the summer heat is too much for you all as well."
"Hello to you, too, Juliana." Zeri answered back.
"And the same to you, Zeri. I suppose that you're relaxing yourselves, before the finals come in a day or two?" Juliana stated, before she smirked. "I assure you, you will be in for a fight when that day comes."
"You should play with us, too!" Aliasse offered, as she stood up, and tried to grab Juliana, which surprised the class chair.
"Wha-?! Keep your hands to yourself, you urchin!" Juliana exclaimed, as she tried to stop Aliasse.
"Come on, let's swim!" Aliasse exclaimed, as she continued to try grabbing Juliana.
"Let me go this-" Juliana scolded Aliasse, before the girl's hand found ground on her own breasts, which made Juliana let out a squawk, with a mighty blush as well. "HEY! Watch where you're grabbing!"
The nearby students were surprised, as Richard heard the commotion, and saw the scene, before he then looked towards Corrin, who nodded back, before Richard then walked over to Isara, and covered her eyes, much to the Darcsen's surprise, while Corrin did the same with Elma, who reacted the same way as Isara did.
"What's going on!?" Isara exclaimed. "Why are you covering my eyes right now, Rain?"
"Best to just not look for the time being. Trust me on that." Richard answered back calmly.
"Ah ha ha ha, here we go!" Aliasse cried in cheer, as she dragged Juliana into the pool, as the both of them splashed inside of it.
Juliana then rose from the water surface, missing something that she didn't notice, as she spat out a large amount of water, and glared at Aliasse who looked at her.
"W-What, are you trying to drown me!?" Juliana exclaimed.
"Huh? What's this cloth?" Aliasse stated, as she then lifted Juliana's swimming bra from under the water, as Juliana froze where she was, when she saw it.
"B-Bra...!? THAT'S MY SWIMMING BRA!" Juliana roared.
Avan tried to see what was going on, before his eyes were covered by Zeri, who had his own eyes closed out of formality.
"Hey, what gives, Zeri!?" Avan shouted in outrage.
"You're not supposed to see what is going on." Zeri stoically responded back. "Don't try to get them off, I'll do it myself when the time's right."
The students were left shocked, as they could see Juliana's bare breasts, as she was quite voluptuous for her age. Richard used his other arm to shield his eyes, to avoid seeing Juliana's nudity, while Corrin was surprised to see Juliana have such a figure, and felt a sense of respect for her.
"Seriously nice form..." Cosette stated, as Juliana shrieked in embarrassment, and took her bra from Aliasse hastily, and covered her own chest with her arms, with her face almost red in humiliation.
"Y-You lecherous pigs! Stop staring! Raagggh!" Juliana roared in frustration, as she scrambled out of the pool, and into the nearest changing room she could find, with her uniform.
Richard then took the moment to release his arms around Isara's eyes and his eyes, as did Corrin with Elma. Zeri also put his hands off Avan's eyes.
"Good thing I predicted this coming into a wardrobe malfunction." Richard sighed in relief. "Sorry, Isara. I just couldn't have you doing something indecent accidentally."
"Oh, you mean that her chest was exposed...? I suppose that I should thank you then." Isara responded back.
Richard then turned to Corrin. "Did you look away?" He asked her simply.
"...Yes." She lied smoothly, enough for Richard to believe her word, as he merely muttered a 'hmph.' to himself.
"Alright, time to get changed. We've done enough damage here. Come on, Aliasse." Richard stated.
"Coming~!" Aliasse responded back, as she climbed out of the pool, and left it with the rest of the group.
In the briefing room, at the day of the Laevatein Finals...
"Well, we're down to the Laevatein Cup finals." Brixham stated, with Avan and the instructors gathered. "Frankly, I never expected you to make it this far."
"What do you mean, teach? I told you before we were in it to win it!" Avan declared. "What, you didn't believe me, when we swooped victory in just two rounds, and scared off most of the classes who were supposed to be pitted against us?"
"The world is full of empty promises, Avan. Especially in times of war. But you've made good on your word so far." Brixham remarked. "A few months ago, you all would likely have been content just to get here. But that has changed with everything that happened here, hasn't it? Thanks to you, the instructors, and some of the new students."
"We didn't get this far to take home second place. Our class is gonna take down Class A and win that cup!" Avan swore with a clenched fist.
"Heh heh. I look forward to seeing that. Now... Are you ready?" Brixham chuckled with a smile on his lips.
"Bring it on! I'm ready for Juliana and her class!" Avan roared.
"Alright then, I'll be watching you turn the odds." Brixham stated, before he then left the room.
"So, this is it, Avan." Richard answered back. "All that stands before great glory and fame for Class G-7 and you, is the defeat of Class A in the finals. I hope that you're ready to fight, because it's not going to be easy at all, even with all the training you guys have been getting. Class A are just as determined as you guys are."
"But you got here. Although it was mostly because the other classes were too scared to stand in your way for the cup... You beat one of the elite classes to get to the finals, and now it's a match between the underdogs and the cream of the crop of the academy." Gus added. "I can say that I'm proud of you for getting there, and no matter if you win or lose, I'll always respect you for trying your best to win."
"Don't worry, instructor Rain and Gus! We're going to win this one in honour of everything you did for us as a class!" Avan stated, thumping his fist to his chest.
In the drill grounds...
The drill grounds were actually packed with students, as they all wanted to witness the climatic battle between the two renowned classes, as Calvaro had the staff prepare the field for the dramatic battle.
"You have come to face me after all, Hardins." Juliana stated, with a smirk on her lips. "I suppose that you are only focused on one thing, correct?"
"Damn straight! I've been looking forward to this! We're going to put our best in beating you guys, and become the champions of the cup!" Avan responded back with great passion and spirit. "You'll know that this Hardins is on the way to being the same as his famed brother here!"
"An over-eager leader and his merry band of under-achievers. A miracle that you would have managed to get this far, but here we are." Juliana replied back. "I suppose that it's because of your teamwork with each other that you managed to get here."
"We know the reason we're here is because we worked together as a team. Even you can't say you got this far alone." Cosette added by the sidelines.
"Class A has executed my orders flawlessly. They have always been and will continue to be the crowning pride of Lanseal." Juliana responded back with a gentle nod. "That is, unless you can prove that you can stand victorious over us. However, even with the training that your instructors have given you, we will make it quite difficult for you. We won't let a team of academic rejects triumph over us!"
"Class G are no rejects. After half an year with them, I can affirm that." Zeri stated. "In a few minutes, you'll be able to do the same."
"Class A and Class G-7 chairs to the front! The finals are set to begin!" Calvaro hollered, as Juliana and Avan took position beside him.
"Alright, this is the moment, where we show all of Lanseal what we can REALLY do!" Avan exclaimed.
"We are Class A! Failure is unacceptable! But worry not, men. My command never wavers! All glory to Class A!" Juliana roared as well.
"I expect both classes to do the academy proud." Calvaro answered back, before the bell to start the match rang. "Now... take positions and BEGIN!"
Avan and Juliana complied, as they returned to their classes, in order to position themselves for the decisive battle.
Zone 1 Team: Granoro (Lavinia), Avan, Zeri, Cosette, Karin
Zone 3 Team: Nichol, Noel, Erik, Elma, Isara
In Zone 1...
The group rolled out, as the members of Class A immediately moved into action, surrounding the team, and the camp that they were occupying.
"This is it, guys! Time to show them Class G-7 is top dog!" Avan declared. "Lavinia! You and Cosette will take care of the enemy forces to our left! Zeri! Karin! You're coming with me to take care of the enemies to the right side!"
"Aye aye, Avan!" Lavinia responded back, before she then located the enemy tank in the way that she was heading. "I see you there! Go down!"
She then fired her cannon, as the tank cannon shot managed to disable the enemy medium tank in a single shot, shocking the stormtroopers, before they were gunned down by the gatling turret, as their counter-fire pinged harmlessly off the tank.
Avan, Zeri and Corrin advanced slowly, as Avan used his rifle to shoot down the enemy lancer, while Karin used her shield to block the enemy stormtrooper's submachine-gun fire, before she then knocked him out with a single strike of her blunted blade. Zeri then took his position on the piece of cover just ahead, before he twirled himself around, and gunned down the enemy units that were in his line of sight, as they tried to advance while firing at him.
It didn't take long for the group to claim the area as their own, while Lavinia placed the Granoro in front of the camp leading to the next area, to ensure that the enemy wouldn't try to retake it, while the other trio were backtracking towards them.
"Alright, that's one area down!" Avan exclaimed, before he then activated the squad's comms. "Alright, how about you guys over there?"
In Zone 3...
The group were already clearing out the enemy forces inside, as Erik was rushing the enemy, and blasting them with his machine-gun, while Noel used her lance rockets to blast the enemy cover away for the group. Isara also helped to create some make-shift pieces of cover with her sandbags, as the group took position behind them. Nichol managed to use the position to snipe out several enemy units, while avoiding fire.
"We're pushing them back!" Noel exclaimed, before she was then hit by a blast of paint rounds by Wagner, who was holding his sub-machinegun up, and was rushing the group.
"We won't let you get to our commander!" Wagner roared, before he was then beaned in the head by a very powerful shot from Elma herself, as the silver-haired girl quickly went over to Noel to 'heal' her.
"Thanks, Elma. I-" Noel was about to say, before a blunt blade struck her from behind the head, knocking her unconscious, and frightened Elma, who quickly scrambled back, to see that Juliana was on the field herself, wielding a shield and blade like Karin herself, as she was quite pleased at her success of ambushing Noel.
"And that's one of you down. My my." Juliana remarked with a light chuckle, before she then slowly made her way to Elma. "Now then, Elma, I suppose that I can't have you standing now, with the fact that you are aiding your squad-mates. I'm afraid that you're going to be the next one right now-"
However, she was interrupted, when she was shot from behind by Erik, who was furiously firing his rounds at her, as she swung herself around to protect herself.
"Hrraagh!" He cried, as he unloaded his weapon continuously on Juliana, who used her shield to block most of the shots.
However, Juliana didn't notice that her side was exposed to Nichol, who loaded his rifle with his sniper round, and fired it at Juliana's head, as it managed to make her stagger upon impact, before she then twirled around to glare at the sniper, who quickly went to preparing another round to fire at Juliana. However, the second shot was blocked by her shield.
"Urgh... I should have known that you would have anticipated me to come, surrounding me like this..." Juliana remarked, before she then retreated from the field. "But I will not be taken down that easily!"
She then retreated from the area, as the squad immediately prepared themselves, as Elma decided to heal the others in the meantime with her ragna-aid.
In Zone 2...
Juliana made her way to the zone, as she expected to find the area filled with her classmates. However, all she could see was that her entire force in the area was wiped out, their unconscious bodies laying on the ground, from either being beaned by Corrin's blade, or blasted by a practice tank shell, or blasted with paint rounds.
"What the...!? How did they manage to get here so quickly!?" Juliana exclaimed, before she then heard footsteps approaching her, as she managed to whirl around and block Corrin's attack."You! A well-performed attempt to ambush me, but I will not fall easily!"
"My purpose isn't to take you down." Corrin smirked back, before Juliana could see the Granoro moving from the corner of her eye, its cannon taking aim at Juliana. "It's to keep you standing still long enough for Lavinia to line up her shot."
"Urgh... Well playe-" Juliana was about to admit her defeat, before she was blasted point-blank with the practice tank shell, as it blasted her into the air, scattering her shield and blade onto the ground, before she then fell on the ground, defeated, as Avan, Zeri and Cosette came out of hiding to check on Juliana, with their guns raised, in case she tried any tricks.
"Huh." Avan remarked. "First time I planned an ambush, and we caught their commander in it. Neat, I guess?"
"It's a shame that she never noticed our advances were split into two groups. She might have done significant damage to one squad, but as the other, we successfully pounced upon her and defeated her quickly, before she could build momentum for her class." Zeri commented as well.
"Alright, I suppose that means it's our victory." Avan exclaimed. "Oi, your class chair's down! Anyone like to surrender!?"
"Urgh..." One of the stormtroopers stated, as he woke up from being hit by Corrin's blade. "Juliana is defeated...? Impossible... Argh... We surrender..."
"The match is over!" Calvaro declared with a whistle. "The winners: Class G-7! Return to your classes immediately!"
The two classes slowly complied to the request, as they slowly collected their causalities, or casualty in the case of Noel of Class G-7, as she was being carried by Elma herself.
"W-We won!?" Magari exclaimed with surprise.
"WOO! Class G-7's number one!" Avan exclaimed, pumping his fist up.
"Avan, we did it!" Cosette exclaimed.
"I'm still having trouble believing that victory came so smoothly for us." Zeri admitted.
"Avan, man! You're the MAN!" Joachim exclaimed, before he then tackled Avan with a shove, before Reiner and Raymond dog-piled onto him.
"Waugh!? Y-You guys, stop!" Avan tried to shout, being crushed under two of the largest and bulkiest students of the class, although he was smiling as well. "You're crushing me!"
Everyone laughed at that, as Isara looked quite pleased, and smiled, as they all conversed about their great victory over Class A. However, Zeri's eyes were somewhere, more specifically where Class A was, as Juliana was being surrounded by her own classmates, as she looked like she was being pressured. He then made his way over, as he listened to the conversation.
"Class A can't... I have lost... just like this..." Juliana remarked with a devastated tone.
"Hey, what gives!? You told us your strategy was perfect! And look at what happened to us!" Wagner exclaimed with frustration.
"I can't..." Juliana responded back, her confidence lost.
"The Army looks at the Cup results when deciding on starting ranks, you cow!" Wagner insulted Juliana. "You said we could trust you to win this! What are you gonna do for us now?!"
"I-I didn't mean..." Juliana answered back, her tone shaky.
"It's your fault we lost! We never should have believed you!"Wagner shouted, before he was shoved aside by Zeri.
"Okay, knock it off." Zeri stated very strongly, before then standing between the class and Juliana.
"Why are you..." Juliana tried to say.
"She took pride in her role as leader and worked hard to win this for you. You relied on her for everything, and now you lose and it's her fault?" Zeri criticised the class with a harsh tone. "Every one of us in Class G fought the best we could, the best way we knew how. To you, that may have looked like a disorganized mob. Maybe we are. Our leader isn't perfect. Even he has flaws that no-one could easily fix, not even the instructors. But the thing is that he trusts us to fight well, and knows how to use us well in a real fire-fight. It's our mutual faith that allows us to follow our own judgement of the situation, and carry the mission out efficiently. Can any of you say that you shared that kind of trust with Juliana?"
The class was silent, as they seemed to be humbled by Zeri's words, before Isara came over.
"Zeri, the award ceremony is about to start." Isara stated, as Corrin came over as well.
"Come with us, Zeri." Corrin stated. "I appreciate the concern you have for Juliana... But I'm sure that you've said enough to make them rethink how they treat her."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Zeri responded back, before he followed the both of them, not noticing that Juliana was giving him a look of gratitude and affection.
The group then stood at the award ceremony site, as Avan was on the podium, while Kluivert was holding the golden cup and medal of the Laevatein Cup.
"I hereby present Class G-7 with the Laevatein Cup and honorary medals." The female staff accompanying the headmaster, stated formally. 'Class chair, step forward."
"Yes ma'am!" Avan remarked, before he then walked over to where Kluivert was.
"Congratulations on your victory. This cup is a symbol of your efforts." Kluivert stated, before he then handed Avan the cup and the golden medal, which was a crest of the school laurel crest, with a arch that had a bell on the apex of it, and between them were two crossed blades. "The academy hopes that the lessons of this tournament will carry you far."
"Thank you, sir!" Avan responded back, glad about Kluivert's blessings.
"Okay, dudes! Time for the commemorative snapshot!" Lotte exclaimed, as she readied her camera.
"All right, guys! Everybody huddle up! You too, instructors!" Avan called to everyone in the class.
"Thanks! You heard the kid, let's line up!" Richard shouted to his friends.
"We've got five seconds until shutter time! Nobody blink!" Lotte exclaimed, setting the camera up to automatically take the picture, before rushing to her position. "And... say cheeeese!"
The camera then went off, as it showed a picture of the class gathered together with Brixham and the instructors, with Kluivert looking at them from the side.
After the awards ceremony, in the headmaster's office...
Kluivert was looking out from his window, before the door to his office opened behind him.
"Ah, Doctor Foerster. What did you make of today's match?" Kluivert greeted the researcher firmly
"The chairs of both classes seem like promising candidates. Not only that, but Elma Delacour and Karin Novengar are proving to be quite eligible for the task of our special mission, like those two." Foerster stated emotionlessly.
"You think Avan, as well? At his entrance exam, he was impossible to assess." Kluivert remarked. "But I suppose Class G-7 is proof there's a power in unpredictability."
"I'll take any of them for now, headmaster. I'll be waiting." Foerster responded back.
"Alright. I'll try to expedite things." Kluivert answered back.
Foerster then left the room, as she left through the hallways, not noticing, who was on the other side of the doors, as there was a scowl on his lips.
"Well, well. It seems that you've finally shown your true colours, Kluivert." Richard muttered to himself. "As for you, Foerster... You won't live to turn-coat a second time, when I start hunting you down."
Richard then pulled out a comms radio from his pocket, before tweaking it to a certain frequency, as it crackled for a while, before Welkin's voice came out of it.
"Hey, Rain. Is there something you need to talk to me about?" He asked, his voice a little bit staticky.
"Get as much men as you can near Lanseal, armed at the ready." Richard warned Welkin, before he glared at the leaving Foerster. "I have a bad feeling that some real bad shit is about to go down, and Lanseal will be smack-dab in the centre of it."
"Alright, I'll do what I can." Welkin responded back. "Take care."
The comms radio then shut down, as Richard pocketed it again.
"Now then... all that's left... is to lay the foundation to ensure that there is one less death in this world as expected." Richard remarked, before leaving the hallways, in the opposite direction.