I do not own Trails of Cold Steel, fate stay night, and any other reference from any other game or anime. I do own the ocs. Constructive Criticism encouraged, no smackdowns, please. First Fanfic. Slow and irregular updates.
"..." Regular conversation
HELLO Thoughts
"Mental Conversation"
Chapter 1:
-Septim Calendar 1204-
Date: 3/31
Location: On the Outskirts of the Capital Heimdallr in Central Erebonia, 400 Selge West of Trista.
(CHUGA CHUGA CHUGA)
Speeding through metal railways, you can see a green-colored locomotive passing through evergreen hills. It's a peaceful day, bright and filled with nervous excitement. Inside, you can see various passengers, mostly filled with young boys and girls, all in green uniforms, with a few in red. Of course, we are not here to talk about them. Just one person. Sitting near a window, is a young man wearing a red uniform, sleeping peacefully with his head on his hand.
"Umm, huh?" The young man wakes up. He gently yawns, before slightly stretching his body. He looks outside.
"Not there yet, huh?"
(Ludger POV)
It's been two years since I came to this world. Two years since I made my choice, my wish to the Primordial Spirit of Creation, Origin. To choose between the world and Elle, I couldn't give up either. So I choose to save both, in exchange, I gave up my life. That moment, I understood what Julius felt and why he made that expression.
Taking out my pocket watch, I was reminded of those final words my brother imparted me. 'Go create your perfect world.'
"Meow."
Looking down to my side, is Rollo, white and obese as ever with his large, green eyes and gray accents on his face, ears, tail, and three of his feet. His white upper right paw tapped on my thigh as he demanded for attention. Chuckling, I gave him a rub on the check as he closed his eyes on contact.
Julius...my older brother...my world was already perfect when I had you, Elle, Jude, Milla, Parallel Milla, Muzet, Leia, Alvin, Gaius, Rowen, Elise, Teebo, and everyone else. I couldn't have asked for more. Elle...my daughter from the future...I love you and I wish you happiness of the future.
Bathed in the light of purification, I thought that my story was over, but it was only a new beginning. Origin and Chronos, the Primordial Spirit of Time, wanted to reward me for my sacrifice. For showing the selflessness and sacrifice that humanity is capable of, I was given a new life in another world. I was content to entrusting Riza Maxia and Elympios to my friends, so I accepted their offer to live in another world.
I woke up in some ruins on top of some snowy mountains near the country of Zemuria and found myself 4 years younger. Rollo somehow came with me, becoming younger as well. It surprised me, but I had bigger things to worry about at the time. It was pretty cold and monster were prowling in the area. Luckily, I was able to come across some people exploring the ruins. Strangely, those people were all women wearing knightly armor, so it made me wonder what time period I landed in. It came to my relief that the technology is at the same level back home, despite the difference in energy source and structure.
They took me with them to their shelter, and in return, I cooked for them. Being fairly confident in my cooking skills, I am proud to say that they loved it. It was after a few months when it was time to part, and they were pretty adamant with me staying.
I took to traveling a little bit and I ended up meeting some mercenary groups known as Jaegers. Primarily, I got in a little scuffle with the two largest Jaeger groups-the Red Constellation and Zephyr-on two separate occasions. How it happened is a story for another time, but again, my cooking somehow got me saved and they were impressed with my skills. Though, at one point, they tried to make me stay.
I spent the next two years exploring this new world and found myself in Crossbell City, where I met the Debaucherous Prince, Olivert Reise Arnor, and his bodyguard, Mueller Vander. Apparently, he had heard of me through rumors and sought to scout me. He was a terrible flirt and a fool who called himself a musician, but his ideals and beliefs caught my interest. He believed that the bridge between commoners and nobles of Erebonia can be made.
(Flashback)
Long, blonde hair fluttered in the wind, as purple eyes gazed into the sunset horizon. As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with hope and determination of the vision he describes.
"My wish is to create a new faction, one that would become a light that can break through the dark clouds that continue to build over our nation day by day. This faction will aim to do, as my comrades and I once did, and unite people of all backgrounds, regardless of status, ability, or even nationality, to push back that impending darkness. But in order to do that, I must first change the foundations of this world from the inside out. In cultivating new minds and strong believers who can think and act independently to face tomorrow's challenges head-on. They will be the ones who will push this philosophy into the future, and turn a divided nation into a united one."
He turn toward me and stretched out his hand with a charismatic smile. "So what do you say? Will you not throw your lot with mine and join me in this ever idealistic quest?"
(Flashback end) (I would like to pay homage and a thank you to YuShaJi for allowing me to use their fanfiction 'An Awakening in Cold Steel' as a framework for this flashback.)
When I took this hand, I was reminded of the seemingly impossible missions Gaius, Jude, Milla, and Rowen pursued. To unite and bring together a mutual understand between two groups. I believed in those ideals before, and I could do it again. It just that I never imagined it going with me back to school.
Looking towards the window, I was given a reflection of myself, wearing the crimson red school uniform. By the time I was applying to Spirius Corp., I was already fresh out of school. I wasn't the best student, but I never really struggled to get passing grades. Julius saw to that.
Broken out of thought, the speakers ringed, signalling an announcement.
"The Ministry of Railways wishes to thank all passengers for their patronage. This train is bound for Bareahard via Celdic. The next stop is...Trista. Trista. We will be stopped at Trista for one minute. When disembarking, please ensure no belongings are left behind."
"Almost there. Where everything begins, my journey of a thousand steps." I muttered, turning my head back to the window.
(Scene Break)
(No POV)
The train eases itself into the station through a gateway, before going into a complete stop. The doors of the train open, allowing the various students to walk out, all heading to the exit of the station.
(Scene Break)
A black-haired boy walks out of the station before stopping to take in the springtime view of the town of Trista. He wears a red uniform complete with black pants and a blue tie. On his shoulder is a red strap holding a thin package encased in purple cloth.
"Are those lino flowers? I've never seen so many all blossoming at once." The boy comments as he looks around with awe and amazement. "(I'll be spending the next two years here. Wonder how long it'll be before I think of it as home. But yeah...I think I'm going to like it.)"
"These flowers really are beautiful. Never seen these types of flora before." A male voice call out behind him.
The black-haired boy turns around to see a white haired boy with black highlights holding a long black case, wearing the same red uniform coming out of the gateway. He had green eyes with a golden ring circling his pupils and bore a friendly smile. By his side is a white, obese cat with green eyes that wore a big black bell.
"Oh, sorry for blocking your way. I should have picked a better place to take in the scenery." The black-haired boy replies with an apologetic smile.
"No problem." The white-haired boy shook his head, with a chuckle. "I would've done the same thing. After all, it's a beautiful sight to behold, seeing all these flowers in full bloom."
"Yeah. I guess that's the magic of springtime for you." The black-haired boy agrees, before raising a hand for a handshake. "I should introduce myself, the name's Rean Schwarzer. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasures all mine. The name's Ludger Will Kresnik, but you can just call me Ludger. The feline down there is Rollo." He says, returning the handshake. "It seems that I am not the only one wearing the red uniform."
"Looks like that way. Most of the students I saw on the train were sporting the green jacket. I didn't really think about it until now-I just put on the uniform they sent me." Rean scratches the back of his head.
"There nothing with that-" "Of!"
While Snow and Rean were talking, a girl with long blond hair with a pair of flower hairpins, wearing the female red uniform, walks out the station, mesmerized by the scenery, and falling after walking into Snows back.
"Owww." groans the blonde girl.
"Oh, sorry about that." Ludger holds out his hand to the girl with concern. "Are you alright?"
Taking the hand, the girl replies, "No, I'm fine. I should've been paying more attention to where I was going instead of gawking at the flowers."
Taking another look at the surrounding view, the girl continues with an awed voice.
"It's really a pretty town though, isn't it? Just like a postcard."
"Have to agree with you there." Rean responds with equal appreciation.
"I hope everything in your case is okay."
"Oh, don't worry about that. It'll be fine." The girl reassures with confidence. She takes a moment to notice that both of the boys are wearing the red uniform. "...Hey, you both got the red uniforms too, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess that we're a minority, seeing how the almost everyone else on the train were wearing the green uniform." Rean points out.
"Yeah, there've been a few others porting them too, so I doubt it's a mistake." The girl ponders before smiling. "Maybe it means we'll end up being classmates."
"I suppose we will."
"Hehe. Anyway, I should get going." The girl smiles at the two boys. "I've got a feeling we'll see each other again at the entrance ceremony, though!"
As the two boys watched the girl leave after giving their partings, Rean turns to Ludger.
"...I totally forgot to ask her name."
"It's fine. Besides, we'll have another chance to talk again soon after the ceremony."
"True. But she is right, though. It IS weird that there are so few of us in red. Are there even enough to make a class?"
Rean takes out a silver, red object from his back pocket and gazes at it.
"And that orbment they sent with the uniform is pretty strange too. It sure looks a lot fancier than your standard-issue orbment, that's for sure."
Orbments. These devices are powered by 'Orbal' energy and is used for a variety of areas. Light, heating, communications, weaponry, transportation, you name it. They're basically the equivalent to the spyrix back on Elympios, that harnesses the powers of spirits. The difference is, orbal energy is in abundance here and can be extracted from the septium, which is a renewable source of energy.
"It's most likely a new model, so it will a bit different the current orbments. Someone will probably explain it during the orientation"
Rean puts the device back into his back pocket. "Guess there's no point in wracking my brain over it."
"Thors Military Academy's on the north side of town." Estimating the direction, Rean points towards it.
"We could head on over now, but…" Ludger trails off.
"Since we still got some time, we could take a look around." Rean finishes.
"That would be nice, but it's probably better to arrive a little early than being late."
"Yeah, it'd be pretty awkward to be late the first day." Rean readjusts his bag. "Shall we get going?"
"You read my mind."
"Meow."
(Scene Break)
(1st POV)
Walking towards the direction of the Academy, Rean, Rollo, and I passed by a park surrounded by Lino flower trees. We stood there for a moment to taken in the view, and honestly, it breathtaking.
"This place seems like the perfect spot to catch a breather, what with all these shops around." Rean comments while looking around.
He wasn't wrong, considering the fact that the square was edged with shops of different varieties. And Rollo seems to like it, considering the fact he's been scanning the area, as if looking for something. Looks like you found your new napping area, huh, Rollo. Taking a moment, I felt a presence behind me, in which a soft yawn came from that direction.
"Mmngg…"
"...Huh?"
Turning around, we saw a petite girl with short, silver hair lying peacefully on a bench under the rays of the sun. She wore a red uniform as well, but somehow, she looked familiar. Where have I seen her...
"...Nngh…"
The sound of her voice brought me out of my thoughts, but it still begged the question…
"Why is she sleeping here?" Rean questions as he approaches the sleeping form. Is she a new student? She's got the uniform and all...
"The ceremony's going to start soon and I would rather not leave a girl in a defenseless position like this." I said. "Should we wake her?"
Right before Rean could answer, the girl suddenly awakened, revealing yellow eyes, and slowly got up with a small .
"Mmmrgh…"
Despite the sleepy posture, I could tell that her eyes were quick and attentive to all of her surroundings.
"U-umm…" Rean attempts to make a conversation, the girl seemingly ignores him while in favor of talking to herself.
"Mmm...Guess I better go."
She gets up from the bench, her eyes landing on me for a moment, before running towards the Academy.
Was it just me, but...does she know me? I thought. There was no mistake in the fact that her eyes widen when she saw me. And I get the feeling that I know her from somewhere...Wait...Was that..? But, why is she here?
Gazing towards the direction the girl went, I was split between the feelings of happiness and confusion.
(3rd POV)
Similarly, Rean was looking towards the same direction, except was confused by the girl's actions.
She's sure a strange one. Like a stray cat of something. He thought.
As if knowing what Rean is thinking, Rollo puts his paw on Rean's leg and meowed at him, as if agreeing with his thoughts.
"Meow."
Coming out of thought, Rean turns towards Ludger.
"If she's headed to the school, I'd that's our cue to pick up the pace."
(Scene Break)
Continuing to walk towards the school, the two plus cat took the time appreciate the blooming flowers that lined up against the street. It was as if spring was welcoming them for the new year and the lino flowers were the confetti. It was also then that Rean noticed a large chapel with a stone gateway.
"Hey, Ludger. Do you mind if we take a minute to stop by the building?" Rean asks.
"It should be fine. We still a fair amount of time before the ceremony." Ludger says. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, it's just that I wanted to get in a prayer for the start of the new year. Thanks, though." Rean rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"No, problem. We got time."
(Scene Break)
The group entered the chapel and walked towards the entrance of the main sanctuary. It was a building made of stone, wood, and a number of other materials. At the end of the podium was a colorful glass mural that depicted a woman in a dress.
So this is the town chapel...Rean thought as he scanned the sanctuary. Seems like it's about the same size as the one back home.
He then walked up the stairs leading towards the inner sanctuary, with Ludger following suit, Reaching the entrance, they both stop to see another student wearing the same red uniform kneeling in prayer before the podium with a tan case next to him.
Oh, I guess someone's already here. Ludger thought. And he seems to be sporting the red uniform too.
Right after that thought ended, the kneeling student rises from his prayer. Rean and Ludger looks on with slight surprise by the sheer height of the student. Wearing the uniform in a loose manner with rolled up sleeves and small purple cloth tied to his belt, the tall boy had a rather exotic tan in comparison to the more Erebonian pale skin. His long, dark hair tied in a man bun only added to his foreign looks. In addition, the two could see the red tattoo on his left arm.
Turning towards the two, the tall boy speaks with a low voice. " Sorry. Am I in your way?"
Snapping out of stupor, Rean quickly attempts to diffuse any misunderstandings.
"Oh, no, not at all."
"Good, good. If you'll excuse, then..." Walking past the two, the tall student exits the chapel.
That's one tall guy. And judging by his complexion, I don't think is from Erebonia. But he's wearing a red uniform too, just like me and that girl...Rean thought before turning back to the podium to kneel. Oh well. While I'm here, I might as well get in a prayer for the start of the school year before I take off.
Ludger sits down on the one of the wooden pews, along with the feline rolling up next to him, and waits for Rean to finish his prayer.
(Scene Break)
"Thank you for waiting."
"We have time until the ceremony starts, so no problem."
Continuing on walking towards the Academy, the two youths and the feline stop to see an elderly man in an ornate blue butler uniform with white pants handing a large case to a girl with long blue hair in a red uniform. The elderly butler speaks with a kindly voice.
"I shall take my leave here, milady. I pray you find victory here in both your studies and your training."
"Thank you, Klaus." Smiling at the words, the girl takes the case. "I'm leaving everything in your hands while Father is away."
"Understood, milady."
With the conversation ended, the girl walks toward the gates of the Academy and the elderly butler gives a bow towards her. Looking with a kindly twinkle, the butler notices the three presences behind him.
"Oh! Please excuse my rudeness, young sirs." Klaus smiles with a bow. "It truly is a splendid day, is it not? The start of a new chapter in the lives of so many promising youths! Allow me to express my sincerest congratulations on your admittance into this fine academic institution."
Monetarily taken back by the words, Rean and Ludger gave their thanks. Giving one last final bow, the butler departs for the train station.
"...I'm guessing he's a butler? He certainly looks the part." Rean couldn't help but say. Despite being the 'son' of a noble, he rarely seen the presence of butlers in his household. It wasn't a surprise since his father, Teo Schwarzer, was only a baron and was very humble, in which Rean grew up like a commoner. 'Nobles should live among the common people, not above them' as his father would say.
Turning back to the direction of the girl, Rean made a curious expression. 'That means the girl with him must've been a noble. She did have a certain dignity about her. I wonder if she's from a famous military family or something…'
"You know, as much as I would like to spend time looking around, I think we should start moving don't you think?"
"Yeah, you're right."
"Meow."
(Scene Break)
Finally reaching the front gate of the campus, the group stop to take in the scene.
"So, this is it…" Rean speaks with excitement in his voice.
Before them at the center of the campus is a large, two-story school building with a bell tower. Surrounding the school building layed a number of other buildings and a large field. Finishing the view are a decoration of lino flower trees, giving the academy a beautiful sight. Looking around, Rean continues with a hint of awe.
"Thors Military Academy. Founded by the legendary Emperor Dreichels himself…"
"An institution founded by a legendary emperor, I've got to say, the campus looks damn impressive. What do you think Rolo?"
"Meow."
"You too huh? Guess we're gonna have a good time."
HONK HONK HONK!
Turning around is surprise, the group moves out of the way for an expensive looking limousine stopping at the entrance. Coming out of the driver's seat, the limousine driver opens the door of the passenger seat.
"Thank you for your patience, sir. We've arrived at the academy." The driver speaks with a professional tone.
"Much obliged." Responds a calm voice.
Emerging from the passenger seat of the limo, appears a blonde-haired youth with posture that screams nobility. The most surprising feature of this image is that the young man was wearing a red uniform.
"Please, if you'll allow me to take your luggage." The driver attempts to take the luggage from the youth, only to be turned down.
"That won't be necessary. I'd prefer to avoid standing out too much."
"B-but, sir…"
"This isn't open for debate. Take whatever rest you need, then return to Bareahard."
"...As you wish. I shall be departing then, sir." The driver concedes, before giving one last bow to the youth. "May your time spent in these hallowed halls be all you've hoped for. Please take care of yourself."
Giving a nod at the request, the blonde youth walks past the front entrance onto the main campus. Watching the limo drive away from the academy, the group watches with slight awe.
"Wow...an orbal limousine. And one of Peinford's fanciest models, too." Rean finally speaks. "Looks like even Erebonia's upper crust send their children here."
"Yup, though I have a feeling we will be seeing him around, seeing how he was wearing the red uniform instead of the white uniform the noble students wear." "Wonder how well this plan of yours will go, flower prince."
(Scene Break)
Finally passing through the front gate, the group is stopped by a cheerful voice calling out to them.
"Welcome to Thors Military Academy!"
Turning to the voice, the pair plus cat stop to see a petite girl with long brown hair wearing a green uniform with an armband along with a chubby young man wearing a yellow outfit with a set of goggles walking towards them.
Stopping in front of them, the girl looks at a clipboard before looking at them again with confirmation. Looking a little closer, the girl with the shortest out of all of them and looked a little younger than them.
"You're...let's see...yes, you're the last of them!...That'd make you Rean Schwarzer and Ludger Will Kresnik, right?" Inquires the girl.
"Uh...yes, that's us. It's a pleasure to meet you. But...how do you know us?" Rean ask with a confused look.
Giggling at Rean's expression the girl answers.
"Ehehe...It's a long story. Don't sweat the details right now."
While Read continues to look confused, the girl turns to the cat next to them.
"So this must be Rolo correct? We were told that you had special permission to bring a pet." While the girl maintained a professional stance, Ludger could see some kind of glint in her eyes while looking at Rolo. It didn't look ominous, so he just let is slide.
"Are those your weapons you've got wrapped up and cased? I'll need to hold on to those for the time being." The chubby boy cuts in with a friendly smile.
"Oh, right. It mentioned something about that in the guidebook." The two hands their respective cases to the chubby boy.
"Thanks. We should be able to return it to you before long. You'll hardly even miss it."
"The entrance ceremony is going to be held in the auditorium. Just head straight back - you can't miss it." The petite girl points to the second largest building on campus. "Anyway, I hope you enjoy your first day at Thors!"
"We're glad to have you. I hope these next two years will be a fruitful time for you." The chubby boy chimes in.
Happy New Year Everybody! ^_^