Chapter 13 – Matriculation

So a few days passed since the 18th. The next day, Sanya unexpectedly called me.

"Toshirooo…" She said with an uncertain voice.

"Yes, Sanya? What's the matter?"

"I… I did it… With Eila… All out… And…"

"Wait, wait… Why are you calling ME? Why are you calling anyone for that matter?!"

"Because… I wanted to thank you…"

"For what…?" Toshiro asked a bit dumbfounded.

"For helping our relationship… Both in Britannia and Romagna… And I've heard that you somewhat contributed to my birthday… Thanks… Again, heehee… Maybe it wasn't as good as the ones you took part in, but I still had fun…"

"I guess even a funeral would be fun if Eila is by your side, right?"

"Depends on the one being buried, but most likely yes… Oh, I have to finish? Toshiro, I have to go now, Gundi wants to have the office for her private matters…"

"Sure, sure… Have a nice day."

Today is the 22nd, and it's supposedly the last day of my course. And after that I'll probably move my sorry ass from Adi's nice home to some barracks in the Rosario High Tech Research Institute… Not fun… I made myself cozy here, and I've grown accustomed to being served breakfast by Adi… Not to mention I'm very fond of seeing her in the morning, heheh…

The conversation at breakfast of course veered over to that topic immediately. Well, at least Adi was decent enough not to bother me just after I've woke up…

"So, Toshiro… Happy that your days under Sperrle's whip are over?"

"Yes and no, Adi. It's truly a bother but… I'll be missing you in Rosario…"

"Dawww… Toshiro, don't say such things or you'll make me blush…"

"You're blushing either way."

"Heh… But I'm sure you'll get along with Ursula and Helma just fine. And the professors Einstein and Von Braun will surely want to teach you some rocket science, heheh…"

"Einstein and Von Braun are at Rosario?! No shit!"

"There since Operation Bifrost… They are really putting their backs into researching new weaponry… I believe Einstein said something about a new bomb type…"

The nuclear bomb… So in this universe, that will also be developed… In that Alternate Earth, those bombs would be already developed and used by this date… I hope they won't try to use it as some last resort… Maybe… Maybe I should… Hmmmm… This could be good…

"Bomb or whatnot, I'll still miss you, Adi. Not every soldier in the Wehrmacht has such a beautiful boss, who lets her subordinate sleep in her own home and even makes him breakfast every day, haha!"

"Ah… Well… I'm not going to lie that I won't miss you too… You were a nice companion around the house and at the times we were together at home…"

"But wait, Adolfine… Why are we talking like that as if it was already decided that I'm going to Rosario first thing tomorrow?"

"Because that's the likely course of action. I can't tell you the details, but if you were a diligent student, you should have your papers in order by 2000 today."

"You and your secrets… Every day a new secret…" Toshiro sighed. "But hey, on the average, I was always pleasantly surprised! Maybe this time that will also happen…"

Adolfine smiled mysteriously and said, "I guarantee with all my authority that there's at least one thing that will make you smile today."

"Go Adi!" Toshiro shouted and laughed.

They finished breakfast and went on to the HQ. After Toshiro reached the classroom and after the usual greeting, Sperrle said, "Today, there's a little change of plans, Oberst…"

"Oh, is there, Herr Lehrer?"

"Most certainly. Class ends one hour earlier tomorrow."

"Yeee…"

"Don't open the Champaign just yet, Oberst… At 1700, you will be taking your one and only but final exam."

"An exam… If I may ask, how it will look like?"

"Simple. Forty questions, multiple choice. You'll get question sheets and an answer sheet. You put down your answers, then after you're finished or the allotted hour passes, I take the answer sheet and use a template to check your answers. Thirty out of forty is a pass."

"I see…"

"Then let us commence with the last lesson… As mentioned yesterday…"

And so, it went on and on as usual. But, since this was the last one, Toshiro paid even more attention than usual. When Sperrle finally let him go to dinner, he wasn't even tired. That didn't escape the attention of Adolfine during dinner.

"Say, Toshiro, you look really energetic today. Normally you would just slouch down and moan how terrible it is."

"It's the last straight, Adolfine. Maybe six hours and I'll have this course behind me. Of course if I pass the exam that is…"

"You'll ace it, I'm sure…" Adolfine said. "In last resort you can probably use Yuki to help you a bit, she probably learned one thing or another herself…"

"Yuki?" Inge, who was sitting with them as usual asked.

"Toshiro's familiar. It's a veeeeery rare one, she's almost like a second being inside of him."

"Hmmm… Weird… Unsettling even… Doesn't it bother you, Toshiro?"

"Bother? A bit… I can't do any hand work, because she's always watching… If you know what I mean…"

Inge's usually pale cheeks flushing like mad was a clear sign she knew.

"Sorry, I really had the urge to crack a lewd joke… Well anyway, I think Yuki is one of the women that influenced my life the most… For better or worse."

"False praise won't get you anywhere…"

"You know I'm praising you honestly, you stubborn snake…"

"Yes, yes… Thanks…"

"Anyway, good luck, Toshiro." Inge said. "I don't mind you not having officers training, but if you would be demoted because of the lack of it, I might get a bit sad… Not to mention the rest of the club members and non-attached members…"

"Then I'll give it my best. Just for you, heheh…"

Dinner ended, and Toshiro returned to class. After two hours and a few odd minutes, Sperrle finally said, "Well, Oberst, I hope you're mentally prepared, because it's exam time."

"A True Soldier of Karlsland is prepared even when he's dreaming of his Heidi in a non-ambiguous situation, Herr Lehrer." Toshiro said with a smile.

A small smile cracked on the usually stern face of Sperrle and he said, "That is true. Now excuse me, I'll be a bit loud… Begin the exam!" He yelled.

Immediately, two men entered the room. But it weren't just two random men, but Field Marshalls – Keitel and Kesselring. The first had an envelope with him, and the latter had a box akin to the Telemetry Device Toshiro used a few times to get readings from Strikers.

Toshiro almost jumped up to salute, but he was quickly waved down by Keitel. As Toshiro sat down, Keitel started explaining himself and his comrade.

"An exam has to be performed before a three man commission, that's why Albert and I joined. In this sealed envelope are – the question sheets, the answer sheet and, in another envelope inside of it – the answer template. The device Albert is carrying is a… precaution…"

Toshiro tilted his head slightly, and Kesselring started explaining.

"This device is a Magic Emission Detector. It's mostly used to see if a Striker engine is not leaking, but if set to a high sensitivity, it can detect the use of magic overall. Now, why would I lug this device with me you might ask…? It's because, from what I've heard, most of your powers don't manifest themselves when you use them. That's why we took precautions."

Toshiro furled his eyebrows, but before he could utter a single consonant, Keitel said, "I know, I know… You're a moral paragon when it comes to it, but ordnung muss sein. Now, Albert, turn on the device."

Kesselring turned a few knobs and said, "Ready, nothing detected. Oberst, please, use whatever magic feat you can, we need to see if the device works."

Toshiro sighed, and without moving a muscle, he projected a small shield before his right eye, mocking Sperrle's monocle.

The device started beeping and Albert said, "Okay, you can stop now."

Toshiro stopped projecting the shield and the device silenced itself.

"Yuki, I wonder if the device will pick up us talking to each other."

"No chance, Toshiro. We are connected beyond simple magic. As you can hear, that box didn't even peep right now."

"So will you help me?"

"Yes, yes… I guess it can't be exactly considered cheating, since I'm an integral part of you."

"Okay then." Sperrle said. "Let us begin. Wilhelm, open the envelope please."

Keitel ripped open the sealed envelope, and a few sheets of paper and a smaller envelope dropped on the desk. Sperrle took all of it and looked through them thoroughly.

"Everything is in ordnung. Oberst, approach us and take your sheets."

Heheh…

Toshiro stood up and walked forward. When he stopped before the desk, Keitel took the sheets of paper and gave them to Toshiro.

"Good luck, Oberst. Maybe one day you'll get your red epaulets…"

"This is a step in the right direction." Toshiro replied and went back to his seat.

After he sat down, Kesselring leaned back on the Sperrle's desk, and Keitel started walking around. But Toshiro was concentrated on the exam. The gods must have smiled upon his this day, as the questions were something he could answer even without this course. At least most of it. It took him only a third of the allotted time and he said, "Done."

"Already?" Sperrle asked. "Are you positively and ultimately sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Then come on and give me the answer sheet."

As Toshiro was approaching, Keitel said, "You don't have to wait for the results passively, Oberst. The Kaiser requested your presence in his office after you finish."

"Really? Thank you for the info, Herr Generalfeldmarschall. I'm of then."

Toshiro exited the room and walked up to his uncle's office.

"Hey, Toshiro, how did it go?" Inge asked.

"I think I passed… Uncle wanted to see me?"

"Indeed."

Toshiro entered the office and saw the Kaiser sitting behind his desk and the photographer sitting on the couch before a covered easel.

"Ah, Toshiro! How did it go?"

"Dunno, I probably passed, unless those were trick questions."

"Good, good. As you already know from the loose-tongue Adolfine, we wanted to honor your late mother somehow… This is where Adolf comes in…"

"Hmm, yes…" Adolf cleared his throat and stood up. "This is a piece I have been painting during the last two months, but only thanks to the photograph that your late grandmother left you, I was able to finish it... This, is my masterpiece…" He said and unveiled the painting.

At first, Toshiro thought that this was another rendition of the Pieta – the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of her crucified son, Jesus Christ.

But then, he saw it.

It was not Mary, who was holding a dead body, it was his own mother, Akiko, eighteen years younger, just like on the photograph, with long raven black hair, looking down with a glad look and with her jet black eyes shedding a single tear.

The one she was looking at wasn't Jesus, nor was he dead. It was him, with his black hair cut in a standard, navy way, looking with his black eyes at Akiko. His head was supported by hear right hands, and Toshiro's right hand was busy, gently, with one finger, caressing Akiko's left cheek.

Their left hands were bound together, but not with their fingers interwoven like lovers, but simply softly grabbing their palms together. Toshiro was almost naked, but like in the Pieta, his loins were covered with a cloth.

The whole scene had an eerie feeling to it, as they were surrounded by monolithic darkness, but at the same time they were basked in big ray of golden light, as if the gods shone a giant spotlight on them.

Toshiro didn't knew what to say, or even what to think, so much has this painting hit him.

"Judging by your facial expression, Toshiro, you're moved." Franz said softly.

"Uuuh… Uh… Yeah…" Toshiro barely managed to say.

"This painting will be hung in the museum in Buenos Aires. You don't have to attend to the unveiling ceremony, since… well, you should be at work with Ursula Hartmann on your gear."

"Y-yeah… I should…" Toshiro shook his head violently and said towards Adolf, "A truly stunning masterpiece. Thank you…"

"Well, your recognition is all I need right now… It was nice to paint it, I like such challenges."

"Now, Toshiro, go back, I want to know if I have to disown you or not."

"Huh, what?!"

"Kidding, kidding, ohohoho!" Franz laughed gruffly and slammed Toshiro on the back a few times. "Now shoo, everyone awaits the results."

"Will do!"

Toshiro ran down and to the classroom. In front of it, Toshiro found Adolfine.

"Go in, Toshiro, I believe they're finished."

"Adi… Did you see that painting?"

"Yes, Toshiro. Its Adolf's meisterwerk, no doubt about that… Are you content?"

"Bah! I could shower the guy with gold, but I'm too skimpy right now, heheh…"

Toshiro knocked on the door, and after hearing a choir of "Enter!" he entered the room.

"Oberst Edelweiss, please, stand before out desk." Sperrle said and pointed out.

Toshiro stood in the spot that was pointed out, and Sperrle yelled, "Hab acht!"

Toshiro immediately stood into attention. The two Field Marshalls stood beside Sperrle as he started his monologue.

"Oberst Toshiro Lucas Edelweiss, this commission certifies that after writing the exam with all answers correct, you have hereby cleared your officers training in flying colors and in accordance with all the requirements."

Sperrle put his hand forward and said, "Congratulations, Oberst."

Toshiro grabbed his hand and shook it saying, "Thank you, Herr Lehrer."

Kesselring and Keitel also gave him ago at hand shaking, and afterwards, Sperrle gave Toshiro a paper.

"This is a certificate that you've finished your training. Frame it or something…"

Toshiro took it and said, "Okay, sure!"

"Now, go eat some supper in Adolfine's home, since it's your last. Tomorrow at 0900, you'll be taken from the military airport to Rosario." Keitel explained. "Understood, Oberst?"

"Jawohl, Herr Generalfeldmarschall!"

"Dismissed." Keitel said.

Toshiro nodded and he went out of the room.

"And? And?" Adolfine nabbed him just as the door barely closed behind him.

Toshiro just pulled the certificate before her with a wide grin. She ogled it, and mumbled, "A perfect score… Jelly as hell…"

"Heheh, what, did you have 39 out of 40?"

"Yes…"

"Awww… I beat you… Sorry, Adi."

"Meh… Come on, let's eat supper. I believe you know what will happen tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah. What we discussed about this morning…"

"Onwards then…"

They stopped before the front lobby.

"Hey, Helga, give me that package I left."

"Sure thing, Adolfine."

Toshiro looked curiously as Helga gave Adolfine a rectangular, slim package.

"Thanks, Helga. Bye!"

"Bye, Adolfine. And goodbye, Toshiro. The past two weeks and a bit were fun."

"Yeah… I'll miss you a bit, Helga."

"Me too…"

"Hey, want a hug?"

"C-Can I? B-But you have a fiancé…"

"Yoshika has nothing against a friendly hug…"

"Well, okay…" Helga mumbled and stepped forward from behind her counter.

Toshiro grabbed her and lifted her from the ground.

"Waaaah!" Helga screamed. "N-Not so fast!"

"Hey, I want you to remember this, heheh…"

"Well, okay…" Helga murmured and embraced him. "Woooah… You sure feel nice…"

"Every girl told me that… Oh, crap! I didn't say goodbye to Inge…"

"Did you call?" Inge's voice sounded suddenly from the stairs. "C-Can I have the same treatment as Helga?"

"Suuuure! I like to hug beautiful women, hahaha!"

"Yaaay! Helga, move over!"

"Okay, okay…" Helga slipped out of Toshiro's grasps and went to her spot behind the counter. Inge immediately jumped into Toshiro's arms and hugged him.

"Heeehee, I'm hugging a movie star…"

"Just don't try to kiss me…"

"Awww… I was going to…"

"Well, maybe a quick peck on the cheek won't do any difference…"

Inge immediately went to action, and gave him two quick pecks on both cheeks.

"Now I'm satisfied. Goodbye, Toshiro."

"Bye, Inge. It was fun to eat dinner with you for the past two weeks."

"Heh… Likewise…" Inge said and dropped down on the floor. "Now I have to run back!" She shouted and ran up the stairs.

"Finished with the pleasantries, Toshiro?" Adolfine asked.

"Probably…"

"Then let's go home." She said and gave him the package. "It's your little request fulfilled."

Toshiro knocked in the middle of the package, and heard the sound of glass.

"Ah, thanks, Adolfine."

They returned home. Toshiro undressed himself, and ripped open the package. The frame was made to spec, containing everything Toshiro wanted, just as he wanted. He placed it in his chest and went down. Supper went on normally, but after taking a shower, Adolfine peered out of her bedroom, dressed in nothing but a black laced bra and fitting panties and she dragged him inside. She immediately kissed him passionately before Toshiro could protest. She threw him on her bed and pounced on him.

"Adolfine, hold on! I know that we want to, but…"

Toshiro was immediately silenced with Adolfine's hand.

"But we can, Toshiro… That was what Yoshika said to me on the phone… We can do it one more time, and this is the perfect time, since you'll be in Rosario for the next few days, and probably never return to my home…"

She took of her hand off Toshiro's lips.

"I see… So that's why you were so red while talking to her… So you have some shame left in you…"

"She surprised me… But… Enough with the small talk, Toshiro… Let's do it…"

I should carry Yoshika on my hands to Helvetia for what she's doing for me… Thanks, Yoshika… And now, time to relieve that sexual tension!

And if you want to praise/rant about my story, please leave a signed review, so we can continue via PM's. Seriously, I don't bite. Unless provoked :]