Episode 8: Beginning of the Second Day

-Second day-

A pair of wooden swords clash with each other. One is a bokuto wielded by Tsubasa making some quick and clean slashes at her opponent. The other side, wielding a larger wooden sword shaped like a zweihander, is Ichika fending off Tsubasa's slashes with minimal movement and trained precision.

Ichika counterattacked with a powerful swing that forces Tsubasa to step backward. Ichika follow up with an uppercut that Tsubasa sidestepped, giving her a chance to counterattack with a stab. Ichika quickly bring down his sword to deflect her thrust. While he managed to deflect it, he left his body open to a kick, which Tsubasa capitalized.

The kick broke his stance and Tsubasa swung down her sword. Ichika quickly parried by forcing his arm to move but Tsubasa slowly push him backward with a flurry of attacks, keeping him disoriented. Ichika is feeling the pressure and he knew he can't keep up with Tsubasa's speed. That's why he solidified his defense, regain his footing while focusing on defense so he can find an opportunity to counterattack and broke Tsubasa's rhythm.

Tsubasa smiled. He is starting to get the hang of solidifying his defense. When he first started, Ichika treated his sword like he would a katana. It was a mistake as he tried keeping up with her in speed. It can be forgiven though as he was only ever familiar with kendo. Durandal is a zweihander, and it is also not a normal sword with its size and weight so it does not handle like a shinai or even a katana. But Ichika is learning and is focusing more on his defense than trying to match speed with her.

"Ohh, you're doing good out there, you two!"

Kanade cheered from the sidelines with Maya watching. The IS pilot is amazed by what she is seeing. While to Kanade and the two teens sparring, what they are doing is normal, Maya sees it differently, mostly because the two of them are moving at a speed that no normal human should reach on their own.

All Maya see is a blurry sequence of movements, especially when watching Tsubasa who relies more on speed and precision compared to Ichika who is like a solid rock wall. Actually, this is a lot like seeing Yoruka spar with some of the other knights. The speed of their movement, their uncanny perception, even the craters made whenever Ichika missed a downward slash that she's trying to ignore are all familiar.

"Umm, is this how relic users normally fights?"

Maya asked a little bit nervously. While she is somewhat used to seeing people with superhuman strength from watching the knights train, it still baffles and scare her that people like these exists without needing any technological aid to accomplish some impossible feats.

"Ehh, this is like a warmup exercise."

Kanade answered nonchalantly. If this is a warmup exercise, then Maya doesn't want to know what real sparring and real combat is for them. About ten minutes later, Kanade decided to end the morning practice since they still need to have breakfast.

"Alright kids, it's time for breakfast! Get up there and shower before we eat!"

There's a chorus of affirmation from Ichika and Tsubasa as they both obey and went back to the villa, leaving Maya with Kanade. The remaining Relic user scratched her head when she looked at what have become of the backyard. Holes dug by sword slashes riddle the ground everywhere and fixing this will be difficult.

"I'll need to call someone to fix this."

Kanade muttered.

"Umm, why don't you just magic it back?"

Maya supplied after overhearing what Kanade muttered to herself. The eldest Relic user turn to the IS pilot with raised eyebrow before realizing that she's probably under the impression that Relic users are similar to Knights who can use magic, except they don't use Dragrides but Relic instead.

"Well, I can't. Relic users, or more precisely Symphogear user in our case, are not exactly magic users."

"You're not?"

Maya tilted her head in confusion. She probably doesn't know about the technical stuff considering that she's a soldier but Kanade doesn't really know how to explain this. That problem was taken off her hand when another, rather familiar voice started explaining.

"They're not. Or at least not in the same way as the magicians you know. You see, Relics doesn't really need a magician to be used and there are two kinds of Relics. Full Relic is what Orimura Ichika-kun has. A full Relic produce, absorb, and channel its own magic and can share it with its user. But while the Full Relic itself uses magic, the user does not necessarily have to be a magician. Therefore, while the user can use magic through Relic and has magic in their body as a result, it is crude and unrefined and they can only cast magic through their Relic. The second type of Relic is Symphogear. Symphogear was made from fragments of broken Relic that would otherwise be unusable. Symphogear is even further removed from magic as you know it as they are powered by Phonic Gain, the energy produced by an Attuned through singing. Phonic Gain is very different from magic and still under research so whether it can replicate magic or not remains to be seen."

Sakurai Ryoko explained as she arrived at the backyard. She then pointed her finger at the ground and a small magic circle appear. When it did, the ground began to shift and the holes started plugging itself back, reversing the backyard back to its former condition.

"Ryoko-san! You're back?"

Kanade was surprised that Ryoko is back. Well, she shouldn't be but Ryoko did not return last night so she assumed she won't be back until much later or they will have to fetch her and Genjuuro when they go to the base. Their vacation is also part work after all. Ryoko chuckled and waved at Kanade.

"Hii! Sorry but Genjuuro and I just got back."

"Someone is giving you guys a rough time?"

Kanade inquired, because that's usually the case when Ryoko and Genjuuro have to meet an influential person. Bureaucracy is just like that and people in power like to draw out meetings just to feel more important, though that's her personal opinion. She had participated in that kind of official meeting when she was first introduced as a Relic user. It was long and boring and there are even repeated questions. Ryoko though shook her head.

"No, it's not that. The clan head is pleasant and interesting but we do have a lot of important matters to talk about. There's the increased sighting of Abyss not only in Japan but throughout the world so we have to talk about how we would proceed in the future. There are of course other things but those are political stuff that the clan head is not too fond of either. Old man Fudo also told us to ask the clan head if we can get his daughter to pilot an IS and be our Representative pilot."

That's a new one.

"Huh, the old man asked that? Why?"

"From what I heard, the one that will be chosen as the Japanese Representative pilot will likely be Sarashiki Tatenashi. You know that the Sarashiki is the Kazanari's political rival. Originally, Tsubasa was supposed to become the IS representative pilot but since she is a Relic user and he cannot overrule my decisions on Relic users, he's pushing for the clan head's daughter who is one of the strongest Dragride pilot in Japan to take the place of a Representative pilot. He figured that the skill would translate from Dragride to IS since it's not very different in his opinion. He'd rather have one of our own as Representative pilot than one of the Sarashiki. You know how he is."

Of course Kanade knew how Kazanari Fudo is. He had never met a man more patriotic, selfish, and power hungry than the head of the Kazanari clan. And Fudo particularly hate his rival clan, the Sarashiki. Mostly because they're the right bunch unlike him who is… well, unsavory would be an understatement.

"Well that's enough with the unpleasant talk. Let's go back. Breakfast is getting cold and Genjuuro and I have to leave for a bit later. For formalities' sake, I have to ask the clan head's daughter herself if she want to be an IS pilot. I'm sure she would refuse but at least this way I can say that I tried."

Kanade sighs. It's always troublesome dealing with Kazanari Fudo's requests but he is one of their most prominent backers in Japan. Displeasing him more than necessary will only make him even more troublesome to deal with.

-Habakiri clan mansion-

Sleeping in what the Japanese called a futon had been an interesting experience for Lux Arcadia. He had never slept in a bed like that, rolled up directly on the floor. Can he even call that thing a bed? It is actually more like a sleeping bag in his opinion, but with more room and so much more comfortable. Despite the initial discomfort, mostly coming from the unfamiliar sleeping arrangement, he slept quite well. Maybe he should bring one home as a souvenir.

After he woke up, some of the mansion's servants then took the futon out to be aired since it is summer. Now he is being led by Yoruka for breakfast together with the clan head and the heir and of course, Yoruka herself. The black haired girl slides open a door that led to a room where two people are seated side by side on cushions in seiza with food in front of them served on a small portable tables.

He and Yoruka took their seats right across the clan head and heir, Yoruka's father and brother. Served to them are food placed on the same miniature table that consists of rice, eggs, grilled fish, and miso soup with a hot cup of tea as drink. It's a traditional Japanese meal set just like bacons and eggs are considered common American breakfast. The food itself looks good and from last night's dinner, Lux knew it will taste good too. And he won't say no to seafood since it's hard to get it back home. There is however one small problem.

This would be the second time he's eating like this with the first being last night's dinner when he ate together with Yoruka. It's very different from how he eats back home with a high table and chairs, and of course spoons and forks, which are absent on his table. Instead, the utensil he is seeing right now is a chopstick. It still baffled him how people in the east can find a way to eat using a pair of sticks.

"You know you can ask for a knife and fork if you want to."

Yoruka whispered to him when she saw him looking at the chopsticks with trepidation. She knew that Lux can't exactly use it well. Last night, when they were having dinner, Yoruka forgot to tell the servants preparing the food that Lux can't use chopsticks and to give him a spoon, knife and fork instead. It ended up with Lux wondering how to eat until she showed him how to use one. She had offered Lux to call for a more familiar utensils but he refused, saying he wanted to learn how to eat using chopsticks. It took him at least one and a half hour to not have his food fall from the chopsticks.

"It's fine. I'll manage… somehow."

Lux replied. To be honest, he'd prefer not to, but he figured it would be rude to ask for a change in utensils now. That and it would give a better impression if he were to eat in the same way as everyone else does. Thankfully, he knew how to use one enough thanks to Yoruka's teaching, and he's a fast learner. It won't be comfortable or quite right but at least it won't be as bad as last night… hopefully.

"""Itadakimasu."""

The three Japanese said. Lux figured that it's a phrase that give thanks for the meal and followed them awkwardly. Then they started eating breakfast, with some difficulty for Lux who need to look at how Yoruka eats so he could copy her movement.

"So, you are Lux Arcadia of the Ducal house of Arcadia from Atismata. I'm sorry that I couldn't meet you yesterday but I have an important meeting that I couldn't miss."

The clan head suddenly speaks, addressing his guest that he couldn't meet yesterday. Lux paused and nodded. He doesn't really mind if he couldn't meet the clan head immediately. While there are diplomatic elements in his visit, it is only partially official. They only sent a single letter after all and he came alone. If it was a more official matter, he would've brought a retinue with him.

"It's not a problem. I'm not here on an official capacity after all, at least not entirely. I'm sorry if I came at a bad time."

"Not at all. And I hope my daughter has been treating you well?"

Lux noticed Yoruka pausing for a moment before she continued eating, though he only caught it because he's looking at her. Turning back to the clan head, Lux put on his usual business smile.

"Yes, she has. Yoruka-san showed me around yesterday."

"That is good. I still have more things to do today so I wouldn't be able to speak with you personally until later. But as I understand it, you are here mostly for your summer vacation, am I wrong?"

"Yes. My brother, Fugil, figured that it is a good idea for me to learn about another culture. I have been studying about the other magical society so this is a good opportunity for me to gain first-hand experience."

"Admirable. If only my son is half as diligent as you are then I would be happy. Ahh, where are my manners. This is my son, Ayato. Ayato, introduce yourself to Arcadia-dono."

The clan head gestured at his son who put down his chopsticks and introduce himself. Lux expected a formal introduction from the boy like Yoruka did but he was surprised when he heard a more… emotionally colorful voice compared to the clan head or Yoruka.

"Kay. So you're the guy from the west huh? Nee-san mentioned you yesterday. I'm Habakiri Ayato. Nee, Arcadia-san, are you dating nee-san? I've never heard her talk about a guy so much. So, are you?"

Ayato asked Lux excitedly. That was… unexpected. The boy is more excitable than his father and sister combined. It actually surprised Lux, making him speechless and unable to reply immediately. The clan head though doesn't look amused.

"Ayato! Show some manner!"

He scolded his son who look away and pouted.

"It's fine, Habakiri-dono. I don't mind. Our age is not that far different either so it would be easier for us to be casual with each other."

Lux waved off Ayato's casual manner easily. In fact, he's more comfortable with being casual himself. As long as they are not speaking in an official capacity, then it should be fine to act a bit more friendly with each other. The clan head though shook his head and sighs.

"If you are fine with it then it's good. But I do hope that this boy can learn some manner. He always speaks his mind openly like that. I am not saying that it is entirely bad but he has no self-restraint."

"Ahh… I see."

So Ayato is the type who speaks his mind openly with barely any restraint. Lux can't offer anything more than an awkward smile to the clan head. Lux knew that type of children. Normally, that kind of trait is not exactly bad, but for the heir of a noble family, or a clan, the lack of manner, or proper manner expected of a highborn child, would be a black mark on their name. It is why noble children like him was tutored on manners before they made their first public appearance.

It's true that the way Ayato speaks and addressed him previously is not acceptable when it comes to an introduction between a noble clan's heir and a visiting nobility's child and if that is how Ayato normally acts, then Lux could see why the clan head is upset. Sometimes there are children whose lesson in manner just won't stick. Being a polite and soft-spoken child from the beginning, he didn't need to take such lessons for a long time and his lesson was finished when he was twelve. Though Princess Lisha complain about it a lot and she still take lessons even now.

"But isn't that his good point, father? Ayato is much cuter that way."

Yoruka said to her father with a small smile while picking up her miso soup. There is a certain teasing tone when she spoke, which is quite gutsy considering that she is talking to the clan head, whether they are father and daughter or not. He certainly had never spoken to his own father or mother like that. The clan head turn to Yoruka with a frown.

"I told you to not encourage him."

He told Yoruka sternly. The girl just smiled and continue eating, ignoring the clan head. Ayato is grinning widely while the clan head shook his head with expression of resignation. Lux awkwardly laughed as he witnessed the whole thing. There's something that he's missing here but at least there's a conclusion he can draw here. The Habakiri clan is an interesting bunch.

"By the way, Arcadia-dono, there is no need to force yourself if you cannot use a chopstick. We can ask someone to bring you a fork and a knife."

The clan head suddenly said while looking at Lux's plates, barely eaten as he has been having trouble eating while being part of a conversation. He simply couldn't pick up the fish or rice properly without looking. Lux chuckled in embarrassment and accepted the clan head's offer.

After eating breakfast, the clan head called Yoruka to follow him for a bit, mentioning that he has something he need to discuss with her. As the two left, Lux found himself in the company of Ayato. The younger boy, and he's sure that Ayato is younger since he addressed Yoruka as his big sister and he is the same age as Yoruka, is currently staring at him with curious eyes.

"Nee, you came from Europe, right? Uhh, what was it again, Atismata Kingdom? So, what's it like there?"

The younger boy inquired. Apparently the boy is interested in learning about Europe. Since Yoruka had taught him a few things about life here in the east for their people, this would be a good opportunity to return the favor.

"Hmm, how to explain this? For one thing, it's usually cold there since our winter lasts longer. Also, most of our houses are made of bricks. I noticed most buildings here are made of wood. Other than that though… hmm, I don't know. It's my own home that I've known forever so I don't know what would be interesting.

Lux told Ayato.

"Hee… Long winters huh? Do you make a snowman and have snowball fights"

Ayato inquired, looking up to Lux with curious eyes. The European boy nodded and smiled. Holiday seasons are always fun time, especially winter holidays when there's plenty of snow around.

"Yes, we do. There was this one time that one of my friends got clever and used her Divine Dragride to throw the largest snowball I've ever seen at me. It was fun. Maybe if you get the chance, you could visit Atismata during winter and we can play in the snow together."

Lux said to Ayato. The boy smiled… but it's all wrong. Instead of a happy or excited smile that he expected, Ayato's smile looked sad as he listened to him recounting a particularly fond memory.

"That does sound fun. If only I can do that."

There was silence for a moment between them before Ayato's cheerfulness return.

"By the way, Arcadia-san, is that your personal dragride with you?"

Ayato suddenly changed the topic of their conversation while pointing at the black sword device behind him. Lux looked at the sword device and then back at Ayato.

"Yup. Well, it's less of a personal Dragride and more like an heirloom. This was supposed to go to the family's heir but my brother, Fugil, gave it to me. It's a Divine Dragride called Bahamut."

The Habakiri heir's eyes sparkled when he heard what kind of Dragride Lux possess.

"A Divine Dragride?! Wow, that's rare! Well, it's rare in Japan since there's only a few of them here in the first place and I have never even seen our own Divine Dragride. So, can you show it to me?!"

Ayato asked excitedly. Lux though shook his head much to the boy's disappointment. He would've humored the boy if it were any normal dragride but deploying a Divine Dragride is tiring.

"I'm sorry, I can't. A Divine Dragride is nothing like an ordinary Dragride. Maybe some other time."

Lux smiled and ruffled Ayato's hair. The boy pouted. It reminded him of how his own sister would pout whenever he denied her something. Younger siblings seems to be similar no matter which part of the world he's in. The two of them walked around the mansion together until Yoruka is finished talking with the clan head. The black haired girl was slightly surprised that the two are still in the mansion.

"Ara, I thought the two of you have left? Are you perhaps waiting for me?"

Yoruka asked with an amused smile, mainly while looking at Ayato. The young boy nodded happily as he walked up to his sister.

"Well, nee-san is Arcadia-san's guide. I want to show Arcadia-san around but I thought it's better to wait for you so we can go together."

Yoruka chuckled and grab Ayato's hand. The boy's smile only widened as they walk together to the mansion's gate. Lux of course caught on to what Ayato meant. He is basically using the excuse of showing a foreign guest around to spend time with his sister. Probably to skip on some duty. He had seen some of his friends do something similar before.

As he walked with them towards the front gate though, he noticed something. Some people are frowning at him… no, at Ayato and Yoruka. Normally, he wouldn't think about it too much. Elders always have something to complain about concerning the younger generations. But he knew something is off with Yoruka, and that made him wary of their look.

Lux sighs. Being perceptive has its advantages. It's why his brother taught him to always take note of the little things. But it has its downsides. Namely, you just keep finding trouble all over the place. And he simply cannot help but want to solve that trouble.

I... don't really know what to say here since it's been a while. A bit more world building and foreshadowing and all that. But there will be more action soon since this is the second day of the Summer Vacation arc. Anyway, there's finally an appearance by Yoruka's little brother who in Bahamut remains unnamed. So I decided to name him Ayato. Though don't get too attached to him. Those who knew Bahamut canon would know why.

Anyway, I found out some interesting things about Yoruka's canon Dragride, the Yato no Kami. I have to say, it has an interesting legend surrounding it. Personally, I don't really like Yato no Kami's canon abilities and had thought about giving Yoruka a new Divine Dragride but after learning about the legend behind it, well, I will still screw the Bahamut canon ability but this time, I might work closer with the real legend.

TheEmeraldMage: Dragons will appear. Don't worry about it.