Episode 7: End of the First Day
"Umm, hello?."
Ichika awkwardly spoke when he's starting to feel Lux and Yoruka's stare. The sound of clashing steel drew him in and now he's in an awkward situation where almost everybody is staring at him. Thankfully, before the situation could get anymore awkward, Maya who had noticed Ichika breaking off from their group arrived.
"Orimura-kun, please try not to stray too far from the—ara, Yoruka-san."
Maya noticed the black haired Habakiri immediately. Yoruka sheathed her twin kodachi in her sleeves and wave at Maya with a smile. Seeing that the spar is apparently over, Lux also sheathed his own sword. The white-haired European magician wondered who they are. He tried to get a feel of them through his senses and immediately blinked in surprise from the result.
"Maya-san. If you're here then, I take it these are the guests we're expecting?"
Maya nodded. As a prominent member of the Habakiri clan, especially in military matter, Yoruka had been made aware of the arrivals of the Relic-user team. She had heard of them before and that one of them is actually using their old prized relic, the Ame no Habakiri, that was the origin of their name. No doubt the old men up in the mansion will be seething at this fact but there's nothing they can do about it. Turning back to the other spectators, Yoruka clapped her hand to get their attention.
"Sorry everyone but I'm afraid I have to cut this lesson short."
Many of the trainees look disappointed but it is Yoruka's decision. Fuma thankfully nodded in understanding and ordered the trainees to disband and get back to their practice. With the show unfortunately over, everyone got back to what they were doing before. While this is happening, Lux walked up to Yoruka and whispered to her.
"Yoruka-san, who are these people? I don't sense any magic from that Maya person and the others are… odd."
Lux said to her. Of course that would be the first thing he noted. One of the most basic ability of a magician is an extra sense that uses their internal magic energy to connect with mana in the air. All living elements in the world has mana in them, from the ground to fire to water and trees and even the air itself.
By connecting their internal mana with the mana in the air, they basically join their senses with the world to create an extrasensory perception. Normal humans without magic is easily identified by their miniscule amount of mana that is unmolded while a magician is identified by the systematically flowing mana inside their body like blood in veins and arteries. Just by feeling alone, Lux could immediately identify Maya as a non-magician.
Though apparently relic users are different matter entirely if what she senses is anything to go by, but that's not a matter she should concern herself with. That's more like something a scholar would be interested in, not her.
"That is because Maya is just a normal person, Lux-san. But the other three, they are not normal people but they are also not magicians either."
Yoruka answered the European knight. Lux was surprised that there is a non-magician in the village. Normally, a non-magician or mundane people are kept out of magical settlements and if one managed to find their way in, they would have their memories erased and sent back. That is only in recent times though. If it was two centuries ago, any mundane people who found magic would be killed immediately, especially after the Salem Witch Trials that saw immense culling of the American magical society.
Due to the burning of many female magicians, population fell with the low birth rate following the tragedy with most prideful male magicians refusing to marry mundane females even if it is to preserve their population. As a result, some female magicians marry multiple male magicians in a reverse harem but it is impossible for one female magicians to pop out children constantly. Fortunately, most of them eventually swallow their pride and marry mundane girls to preserve their population, although it was nearly too late as by then, there are not many American Magicians left due to inbreeding and Witch Hunt Tragedy.
Maybe Maya is the wife of a magician here? That would explain her presence here. But what about the other three? Yoruka mentioned that they are not magicians but they are also not normal people. Lux had never met people with their energy signature before so what are they? Unknowingly answering Lux's unasked question, Maya introduced the trio to Yoruka.
"Let me introduce them to you, Yoruka-san. As you might suspect, they are our Relic Users. Starting from the oldest, we have Amou Kanade-san who wields the Relic Gungnir."
"Yo."
Kanade casually waved to Yoruka. Lux's eyes widened when Maya mentioned what they are. Relic users. Lux knew about Relics. Legendary items of immense power found throughout human history. They are as rare, or even rarer than Divine Dragrides and their power is unmatched by any Dragrides. They are also notoriously difficult to use. So these three are Relic users. They are certainly different.
"Then we have Kazanari Tsubasa-san who wields Ame no Habakiri."
Unlike Kanade, Tsubasa did not say anything and merely nodded. Lux looked at the blue haired girl. Ame no Habakiri. He had heard about it before when he studied Japanese history and legends before coming here. Can it be…
"And last we have Orimura Ichika-san, wielder of the Relic Durandal."
Ichika wryly smiled and waved, still feeling embarrassed for interrupting Lux and Yoruka's spar. Lux heard Yoruka muttering something but he didn't quite hear it. Yoruka then stood up straight and execute a perfect bow as she introduced herself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, Relic users. My name is Habakiri Yoruka."
Yoruka's introduction caught the attention of Tsubasa, specifically the name she introduced herself with.
"Habakiri? Then you are…"
"Yes, I am the daughter of the clan head."
It might just be him but Lux felt some bitterness in how Yoruka mentioned that fact. Her smile is also a little bit crooked than usual as if it is more forced than it already was. Lux only noticed it because he was trained to have the same business smile Yoruka had been using. No one else appear to have noticed though.
"I see. Then, it's a pleasure to meet you, Habakiri-dono."
Tsubasa offered a handshake which Yoruka half-reluctantly take. Does Yoruka not like Tsubasa even if this is just the first time they have met? It seems so, though Lux could guess why. This Tsubasa wields Ame no Habakiri after all. He doesn't know the full story but something must be up with that. The question is, should he bring it up with Yoruka or not?
After the short introduction, Lux and Yoruka part ways with the Relic users. Yoruka brought Lux back to town for lunch and continuing their tour. But ever since they met the Relic users, Yoruka's tone had changed slightly. Lux decided not to bring it up though. It is not his business and his brother had taught him to not stick his head into matters that doesn't concern him. But even so, he wanted to help Yoruka, even if it is just through listening to her.
After parting ways with Yoruka and her companion, Maya let out a sigh of relief, not really realizing until after the fact that she had been holding her breath. Kanade and Tsubasa who have their back towards Maya did not notice but Ichika who is beside her did.
"That went better than I imagined."
The IS pilot muttered. Ichika caught what she said and asked out of curiosity in a whisper since it appears to be a sensitive topic.
"Is there a problem with us meeting her?"
Noticing that Tsubasa and Kanade have started talking with each other, Maya decided that Ichika should know, so she whispered to him in a low voice as if talking about a secret.
"I don't know if you already know or not but the Ame no Habakiri Relic originally belong to the Habakiri clan. It's where their name came from and while the Relic was broken long ago, it is something like their heirloom and sacred treasure. When Ryoko-san came here searching the Ame no Habakiri, let's just say that she didn't leave with the best impression with the main house."
That would explain Maya's worry. Ryoko coming in and leaving with something as precious as a Relic which was their heirloom wouldn't endear her to the Habakiri clan. Even if an agreement between them have been reached, the Habakiri clan, particularly the main family, will definitely not be happy with anyone who wields the Ame no Habakiri as they will see it as someone stealing their heirloom.
"Then why did you introduce Tsubasa-nee to her like that?"
Ichika questioned. It's not the best idea if what Maya has been implying was right. Maya look down in shame and apologetically said.
"I kind of forgot that Yoruka-san is part of the main family."
Forgot? That shouldn't be possible. Yoruka and Maya appear to know each other well enough to be on first name basis. Ichika looked skeptical and it showed on his expression. Maya sighs and explain.
"Yoruka-san is… a special case. I don't know the specifics but she is always at odds with the clan elders. While she is part of the main family, she's always distant with them. She's actually closer to the common people than her own family that it's easy to forget she's even part of the clan. I only remembered when she introduced herself earlier."
Ichika nodded in understanding, much to Maya's relief. It is not a really pleasant topic and Ichika understand what Maya is implying. More clan politics. Old families sure like to play this game. Being a close friend with Tsubasa as fellow Relic users to the point of considering her as his surrogate elder sister, Ichika knew a bit about clan politics. The Kazanari family is after all an old family that has a large influence in the Japanese government and military.
He even had the displeasure of meeting the Kazanari clan head once when he was introduced as the wielder of the Relic Durandal. And he thought that Tsubasa was too serious and uptight. It seems that even in a more magical society. old clans are really troublesome, particularly the elders. Yoruka's relation with her clan elder is probably like Genjuuro is with his own father, the clan head. It's best if he doesn't poke the hornet's nest, which clan politic usually is.
"Wait, if the clan elders are not happy with us, then is it safe for us to be here?"
Ichika asked, now feeling worried about their safety now that he knew better what the clan's opinion about them is like. Maya thought and nodded.
"Umm, it should be fine. While it's true that the elders particularly dislike us, The people and the knights have accepted us. The clan leader himself is a more progressive and understanding man and the clan heir is nice. Ahh, the clan heir is Yoruka-san's younger brother. Anyway, Ryoko-san had visited the village many times in the past and nothing happened so it should be fine. Besides, I heard that a single average Relic is worth a dozen IS. You should be fine."
Maya reassured. What she said does make sense and it alleviated some of Ichika's worries. Hopefully nothing happens and they can enjoy their summer vacation in peace, even if it's also part work. The group then continued the tour and head back to town just in time for dinner.
-Habakiri clan mansion-
While the two groups are having their respective tour, deep inside the halls of the Habakiri clan mansion, a meeting is taking place behind closed door. The meeting consists only of clan elders in a dimly lit room with the clan head currently entertaining Ryoko and Genjuuro in the military base.
"So that damnable woman have returned."
"Yes, and this time she brought children with her. From what our barrier detected, they are Relic users. One of them is in possession of the Ame no Habakiri."
One elder informed his compatriots. Hearing the name of their prized treasure in the hands of outsider, everyone's expression morphed into a frown. A few even grind their teeth while holding back their anger. To see their prized Relic, even if it was broken when in their possession, be in the hand of outsider, it is simply intolerable.
"To think that that woman dared insult us like this."
"We won't stand by this any longer. We have endured this humiliation long enough. I believe that we are all in agreement, right?"
Everyone nodded in unison at the question, knowing what their compatriot spoke of. The tension that had risen moments earlier stabilized, replaced by grim determination and excitement.
"Then we will go through with this. In two days, we will release the Yamata no Orochi. It is time that we put that abominable witch and her minions in their rightful place."
...just say it, I suck in writing villainous meeting and plotting. I'm better with open conflict and full warfare anyway.
So, this is chapter 7 and it's admittedly short. Originally, I wanted to add a spar between Ichika/Tsubasa vs Lux/Yoruka but I can't insert it without making it unnatural. But I might insert it on the second day. Other than that, there's not much I want to say.
TheEmeraldMage: Well the original Symphogear series is close to a magical girl series so Relic users being all girls is kinda the theme there. And an OC? I don't think I have introduced any OC. If you mean Yoruka then she's canon Bahamut character and main heroine of the Bahamut side. And sorry if Lux and Ichika's meeting is underwhelming. I try to do things a bit realistically and I don't think they will talk much or get into a fight in their first meeting.
Hakuryukou79: Sorry if the meeting is not how you expected it to go. But they will see each other again in day 2 and I can set up some more interesting interactions. The timing is just bad right now. As for Ichika's pairing... wow, you're on the spot and your thought is similar to what I have in mind.