Episode 6: A Match With Yoruka
-Earlier with Lux and Yoruka-
After leaving the mansion, Yoruka showed Lux around town, introducing him to various forms of their culture from trinkets to dances and entertainment as well as food. Lux enjoyed the tour as well as the various differences he noted between their culture. It has been a good learning experience seeing how people live their life in the far east. There are still similarities between their two cultures due to being part of the magical culture of the world but if he has to say, he is starting to prefer the far east than his own homeland in the west.
Well for one thing, Japan is warmer than Northern Europe that is close to being in perpetual winter. While the Atismata Kingdom is not exactly that far to the north as to experience a perpetual winter, they still see more winter than they did spring. Though he heard that summer can be quite hot in Japan but he had never experienced a hot summer before so he's not sure how it would feel.
Other than the better climate, Lux also like the smell of trees and fresh water prevalent around the town. He couldn't smell anything fresh like these in the north easily, especially in their long winters. That on top of the buildings being made mostly from woods made the town seems like they blended in with nature. It's certainly much more colorful and open than the stone buildings of the north and much more natural.
Due to the climate of his home, they have to improvise in order to live comfortably. The barrier around their kingdom that protected them from the outside world also have the added function of simulating other weathers but due to its size and the cost to manipulate the weather of an entire region, it's not as effective as intended and tend to feel artificial.
It works enough to survive in the north during long winters since they can't exactly import foods and water from the mundane world but it still left a lot to be desired. And if he were to leave the barrier even for a bit, he would immediately experience the harsh northern climate in full force. There was that one time where the barrier worked full time to simulate spring and when he walked out of the barrier, he was suddenly hit by a snowstorm. Yeah, it's not fun. But he wouldn't trade his home even for living in the east even if he has a lot to complain about. After all, home is where the heart is.
"Mmm, this is delicious, Yoruka-san! What did you call this again?"
Currently Lux is having a light snack from one of the stands in the market district. It's just a light lunch after a long walk through town. Right now he is holding in his hand a large serving of squid on a stick, the kind of food that is hard to find in Atismata. Seafood in general is a rare commodity in Atismata because they live inland and imported seafood from the magic communities near the coast of Norway are few and far in between.
"An ikayaki, a grilled squid, Lux-san. You don't have something similar in your home?"
"Seafood is hard to come by in our part of the country and those that we get are mostly fish."
"Is that so? For us it's easy to get seafood. Hokkaido is not far from the sea. We just have to go down the mountain and head to the nearest coastal town. There we can buy whatever we need. We also have our own fishermen living there that we can get sea products from."
Lux hummed in response. That's going to be another thing he envied about the Habakiri village. Unlike the Atismata kingdom which is leagues away from the coast, the Habakiri village is close enough to the coast to get a constant supply of sea products.
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking, Yoruka-san, who is your father meeting?"
Lux asked, mostly out of curiosity, especially because Yoruka mentioned that he will be occupied for the whole day. He imagined that it could be some important people from another village in Japan. Maybe he could visit another village during his stay?
"Hmm, if you're going to be staying here for a while then I suppose you will run into one of them eventually so it should be fine to tell you. Let's take a seat while we talk."
Lux nodded and follow Yoruka to a food stall. They both took a seat across each other at the table inside. Lux is having trouble sitting in seiza like Yoruka because the traditional Japanese stall doesn't have a chair so he sat with his leg crossed. Yoruka ordered something called dango for them along with two cups of tea. When the tea and dango came, Yoruka began talking.
"Now where to begin? I guess I'll start with who chichiue is meeting. Right now, chichiue is meeting with the leader of a special force created by the Japanese government. Basically, a government official."
At this, Lux quirked an eyebrow. That is an unexpected revelation.
"A government official? Like the mundane government?"
Yoruka nodded as she took a bite of dango. That surprised Lux. Yoruka just implied that their village is in contact with the mundane government and managed to establish some kind of relation. Magical communities generally avoid getting involved with mundane matters if they could help it and had stayed hidden for hundreds, if not thousands of years.
"How did they find you?"
Lux asked as he finally took a stick of dango from the plate between them. All communities have barriers, wards that protect and hid their existence from the world around their territory. The wards are constantly updated and the latest version could even hide them from thermal sight and satellite cameras. So how did the government find them?
"The Abyss."
Lux tensed at the mention of those monsters.
He of course knew of the Abyss. They are monsters that occasionally appear from time to time, usually from somewhere close to ancient ruins around the world. But at most, they appear in twos or threes and quite rarely. Although, he heard that the Abyss' appearance had increased in frequency in the last decade. Did the government encounter a number of Abyss being battled by a dragride and thus led them to encountering the village in the process?
"I don't know whether you knew or not but Abyss activity have been increasing in the last decade. The worst of all is when there was an Abyss outbreak in Canada that was fend off by the world government using IS after suffering substantial casualty. After the incident in Canada, the world government became aware of Abyss and geared themselves for war against them utilizing their Infinite Stratos."
The western boy frowned. He didn't know about that. Something that big happened in Canada and it revealed the existence of the Abyss to the world government. Did the Queen know about this or is she also unaware of this development like him? Lux slowly took a bite of dango as he listens to Yoruka.
"In the midst of all that, someone appeared to aid them, an alchemist who knew of the ancient knowledge. She offered her support in the eradication of the Abyss. She originally came from the west but she had recently set up shop here in this country. She specializes in Relics and that was how she found us."
"Relics."
Lux muttered the word, knowing what she is referring to. Relics are powerful weapons from the old age said to be even older than dragrides themselves and are extremely powerful. Legendary weapons and objects of great power that match or even surpass the Divine Dragrides, the most powerful type of dragride in existence.
Of course, Lux is not sure about that since Divine Dragrides are extremely powerful, able to take down ordinary dragrides by the dozen, but it's not like he had ever seen a Relic in action. That's because while Relics themselves are already rare, people who could use them are even rarer to the point that they are only mentioned in legends.
"Who is this alchemist?"
He inquired.
"The name she currently adopted is Sakurai Ryoko but her original name is Fine."
Fine? Lux felt like he had heard that name before and should know it but couldn't remember from when and where. Maybe he could ask Fugil when he returned home.
"Sakurai-san came to Japan several years ago to look for a Relic, and that Relic was the broken Ame no Habakiri."
"Ame no Habakiri?"
Lux inquired, not really familiar with what Yoruka is referring to as he is not familiar with legends and stories from the east.
"It was a sword used by our ancestor to defeat and seal the Yamata no Orochi, a monstrous eight-headed serpent. In popular myth, it is known as the sword the Storm God Susano'o used to kill the Orochi. Of course, the real story differs from the popular legend but the sword itself is real. It is where our name came from. It is our prized heirloom."
That is an interesting story. But from what Yoruka said, the sword is her people's treasure, even if it was broken. So that means this Fine came to steal their treasure?
"Of course, when she found us, we denied her request to take our treasure. But something happened that made us unable to refuse her request."
Yoruka paused a bit there for both dramatic effect and to finish her tea.
"She spoke a phrase that made our broken Relic react and came to her despite the barrier we put around it."
"A phrase?"
"Yes. She spoke a phrase and the Ame no Habakiri just reacted to it."
That is… Lux actually doesn't know how to respond to that. Her clan's prized possession responding to someone else who is not even Japanese. It must've been surprising to them and humiliating. He imagined it being like if someone outside his family use their prized Bahamut Divine Dragride, just several times worse because Relics are even rarer than Divine Dragrides and very particular about its wielders.
"Since Ame no Habakiri came to her out of its own will, we can't really stop her, not when she has the backing of the world government. That is why we are now working together with the Japanese government. We don't have much choice. Though so far it has been a tense but fair relationship. If you see some non-magical people or people in military uniform around, those are people from the mundane government operating here. A fair warning, there is a team of Infinite Stratos pilot stationed in a base nearby. Try not to pick a fight with them."
Lux nodded. He understood why Yoruka went to all that trouble of explaining things to him. While the people around here have been well adjusted, he knew that generally magicians, especially Knights, dislike the thing called Infinite Stratos. Many of them see those machines as cheap knockoff to their dragrides. Western Knights are especially sensitive about IS. Yoruka is worried that he will pick a fight with the IS pilots stationed nearby. It is a valid concern knowing how some people in the west are like.
"I understand. I will not pick a fight with them. I have no such desire in the first place and it would be rude of me to cause disturbance when I'm just a guest."
Yoruka smiled, satisfied with Lux's answer. With their talk done, they finished their dango and another cup of tea before leaving the stall.
"Now then, Lux-san, where do you want to go next?"
Yoruka asked. Lux gave the question some thought. He had seen most of the city by now. Not everything but enough for now. Then out of the corner of his eyes, he saw someone passing by with a sword hanging on his hip. It is not an ordinary sword but an ornate sword that cannot be anything other than a sword device. That gave him an idea.
"Hmm, back in Atismata we have areas dedicated to training Knights. Do you have someplace like that here? I would like to see it, if I'm allowed that is."
"We do have a place like that. Very well, please follow me."
Yoruka led Lux to a clearing just outside the village (town) but still within the confine of the barrier. Along the way, he is starting to encounter more and more Knights coming and going, or the Japanese equivalent of Knights at least. That is enough proof for him to know that they are indeed heading towards the training area. He could already hear the sound of clashing steel and magical explosion. He could even see spells forming in the air, alerting him that there are at least a pair of Knights sparring with their dragride.
"We're here."
Yoruka informed.
"This forest is where we practice. There are five clearings overall that we use as arenas. Three of them are used for dragride training, one is for basic trainings and drills, and the last one is used for personnel combat."
"Heh."
Lux had an interested look. Yoruka then led him to the clearing used for basic training. There Lux saw around a several dozen men and women jogging around or doing some other kinds of drills. Some are practicing their magic control and some are trying out some spells, probably a spell they have just learned because he just saw someone who got a spell blew up on their face, a usual sight when practicing new spells.
It's different from the west. In Atismata, they have several specialized indoor training facilities and a large battle arena for training Knights. It seems that in here the training is done outdoors. Other things that caught his attention are what appeared to be an obstacle course since he saw someone running through a small gate into the forest. That gate seems to act as a starting line since the moment the person entered the forest, he could hear several sounds on the other side.
As he observed the training method used by the eastern Knights, he really needs to ask what they call themselves here, he saw one of the knights, a middle-aged man wearing a sleeveless kimono, approaching them.
"Yoruka-sama, it's rare to see you here. Looking to training with us?"
The man asked in a joyful tone.
"Nothing like that, Fuma-san. I'm just showing Lux around."
Yoruka replied while pointing at Lux with her thumb. The man named Fuma now noticed that Yoruka is not alone and is accompanied by a foreigner he had never seen before.
"A foreigner huh?"
"Yes. A visitor from Atismata Kingdom in the west. Lux-san, this is Fuma-san, the instructor in charge of basic training."
Yoruka introduced the man to Lux. Lux was about to offer him a handshake when the man bowed to him instead. Then Lux remembered about the different custom.
"Hajimemashite, Lux-san. I'm Fuma. As Yoruka-sama had said, I'm the one in charge of training all these people."
"Ahh, a pleasure to meet you, Fuma-san."
Lux also bowed. He needs to get used to how people do things around here if he were to stay for some time. As the saying goes; if you're in Rome, do as the Romans do. Well, he's in Japan so he should do as the Japanese do.
"By the way, Yoruka-sama, since you're already here, why not give a few demonstrations to the newest batch of trainee? You are after all the strongest warrior in your age group."
Fuma said. Now that Lux took a good look at the people assembled in the training field, he noticed that most of them are quite young, younger than him in fact. Well, combat is an essential lesson in a magician's life so every magician all over the world started combat training early when compared to normal people who needs to be of a certain age and pick the career path of a soldier. Other than that, there's one other part of what Fuma said that caught Lux's attention.
"Yoruka-san, you are the strongest in your age group?!"
No wonder she's tough. Lux had only traded a few blows with her when they first met but he could tell that she's a match to him and she didn't even go all out. Lux himself is one of the strongest Knight in his own age group back in Atismata and his match record in the academy is perfect. Is Yoruka someone on his level? He's actually curious since they didn't finish their fight before.
"That's right! Yoruka-sama here is very strong despite her young age. Every seasoned warrior here has acknowledged her strength and she'll only continue to grow stronger! Impressive, right?"
Fuma proudly bragged. Yoruka lightly blushed in embarrassment due to Fuma's bragging and coughed into her hand.
"Enough with the nonsense. I'm sorry Fuma-san but I have to show Lux-san around but I'll drop by some other time."
Yoruka promised. Fuma look a bit disappointed but he understands. Yoruka is showing the foreign guest around after all. She can't exactly leave Lux alone. His disappointment disappeared though when Lux speaks.
"Why not give them a show? I don't mind. Besides, I'm a little curious. I'm also in the top of my year back in Atismata so why don't we go for one round?"
Lux propsed. Yoruka was surprised by what Lux just said and he said it all with a smile. While Lux doesn't normally challenge people out of nowhere, and it's usually him getting challenged, he is curious about what Yoruka can do. Besides, it's an opportunity to face a strong opponent in a foreign land. It's not a chance he could get everyday and the timing is good. Seeing that Lux is quite eager and Fuma did ask for a show, Yoruka sighed and relented.
"Very well. But no dragride and we stop when someone get first blood."
Lux nodded. He's more interested in Yoruka's martial skill anyway, not her piloting skill. With that settled, Fuma called the trainees as the two fighters took their position. Lux drew his sword device, revealing the black sword form of his Divine Dragride. Lux wield the sword with one hand, pointing the sword towards his opponent.
Yoruka also drew her weapon from inside the sleeve of her kimono. Lux detected a trace of magic coming from her sleeves. A pocket dimension. Useful spell to carry things around. What Yoruka drew is a pair of Japanese blades. They look like a katana but shorter. Lux search his memories about Japanese swords and finally remember that such blade is called a wakizashi. Yoruka held her right hand wakizashi in a normal grip while her left is held in a reverse grip.
"Brats, you're going to get a real treat today! Yoruka-sama have agreed to spar against a European Knight that came to visit so pay attention."
Fuma told the spectators. They have all stopped training to watch the impromptu spar. The trainees have gathered into a crowd and are now watching them from the sideline, close to the trees to give the two fighters some space. As the mental countdown in both their head ended, they made their move.
Yoruka moved like a blur. She's fast, faster than in their previous clash. But her course is straightforward so Lux managed to block her first attack, a simple lunge, with his sword. But Yoruka quickly followed up with a spinning kick aimed at his head. Lux brought up his left arm to defend.
He defended himself from the kick but Yoruka moved again, spinning on her feet as she made a diagonal downward slash with her left blade. Lux parried the attack, managing to do so only because of his sharp reflex. Yoruka though spun again and slashed down with her right blade. Lux barely managed to jump back to evade the attack.
'She's fast!'
It appears that Yoruka is a very fast and very agile fighter. He had faced fast opponents before but never one like Yoruka who is both fast and agile, chaining her attacks together using her dual blade to keep him on toe. Her strength is also nothing to laugh at. While she holds her blades with one hand each and even hold one of them in reverse grip, the striking power behind each blade is equal to someone holding a sword with two hands, maybe even more than that. While his striking power is still stronger, especially when he decided to use both hands, it's not much of an advantage against her rate of attack.
Lux is solidly on the defensive side. She is not like those other speed-type opponents he faced before. Those who focus on speed tend to lack strength behind their attacks. Not her though. Yoruka is truly a high-class opponent Lux had never met before. In swordsmanship alone, she could even be superior to him with how smoothly she chained each attack without leaving any opening he can exploit.
The western knight smiled. It's rare to find someone his age able to push him like this. The spar has become even more interesting.
Forcing magic out of his sword in a manner similar to a burst, he parried a slash from Yoruka using pure strength and then thrust his sword forward, breaking her rhythm as well as counterattacking. Yoruka easily dodged by moving her body slightly and performed an uppercut slash with her left kodachi. Lux dodged and move his sword to cut her from her waist but Yoruka's righthand kodachi intercepted the blow.
Yoruka then follow up with a slash to his chest which he jumped back to avoid. Lowering his body, Lux dashed forward for a low slash but Yoruka leaped over him to avoid it and when she landed, she immediately continued her offensive which Lux quickly react to by bringing his sword to his back to block her first attack and then reposition himself to a better stance. By now, he's also gotten used to Yoruka's speed and movement.
He put some distance between him and Yoruka and using burst of magic, accelerate himself to match Yoruka blade to blade, increasing his speed and strength but at a risk of tiring himself faster by expending more magic. Yoruka's eyes widened when she felt his speed and strength increased. In response, she also upped the level of physical enhancement to her highest possible limit of her body, moving at three times her base speed.
Yoruka also noticed another thing. Lux stopped blocking all the time and has started dodging more than before. She knew then that he's gotten used to her speed and movement. She grinned. Lux is definitely an opponent she has never faced before. Nobody her age could compete with her in the village. But Lux proved that he can be a match to her as they continue to clash. She had not used all her martial skill against him but she felt that in pure martial aspect, Lux is the closest thing she has to an equal. So should they proceed to real magic battle?
Their eyes met as they clash blades again. No, this is a battle between sword masters. Beyond physical enhancement, they will not use any magic in this spar. The two continue to clash at very high speed, dodging and countering each other's attacks. The audience were awed by the display as not many magicians, even adult ones, could maintain physical enhancement magic at the level they are doing. Anyone who tried will likely strain their muscled in the first half minute.
Just as they're about to clash again though, Yoruka noticed something, so she stopped which also prompted Lux to stop. Lux followed her line of sight and saw a black haired Japanese boy looking at them.
"Lux-san, it appears that we have a spectator."
Lux tilted his head as he stared at the unknown boy who was not part of the original spectators. Who is this boy that made Yoruka pause their sparring match?
That was when Lux Arcadia first met Orimura Ichika.
So here's Lux's side so with this out of the way, the next chapter will be the official meeting between Lux and Ichika. By the way, the kodachi Yoruka uses are not Sword Device.
Eitr: Thanks. It's worth all the work put into it. And while there's a little bit of action here, there will be more in the future like at the climax of this arc where we'll finally see Symphogears and Dragrides deployed.
TheEmeraldMage: While there is a possible pairing with Tsubasa, I have no one who would hook up with Chifuyu. As for Kanade, the next arc will be the equivalent to the incident in Symphogear episode 1. Let's just see what her fate is.
FanNasuVerse93: About Ichika's pairing, here's what I will say. 3 Tsundere, only 1 winner. That's Ichika's relationship here. As for Symphogear Durandal being cooler than DxD, well, don't expect cool weapon designs from a harem series. Also, I won't be featuring Noise in this story. Anyway, about your doubts. I mentioned that Tabane herself send additional IS cores to the UN some chapters ago. Canada and USA obtain replacement cores from the new batch. For the relation between world government and magical societies, they are simply ignoring each other most of the time but further details and interactions will be revealed in future chapters. As for the Anti-Abyss IS squadron recruitment criteria, they must be a graduated pilot with at least Representative Candidate status with 2 years of experience on the field or particularly strong. Recruits always come from graduates and the IS Academy have no hand in Anti-Abyss squad training. As for IS fighting against Symphogear Relics and the Symphogear series villains, I never said they could. Relic is the most powerful weapon in this story even above Dragrides. IS can contend with lower and middle tier enemies but against monsters like Adam and Carol? Not really. But IS will have its uses.