Chapter 3. Read A/N.

And, I was working on the second season for my Recreation of a Hero, didn't have much time to work on the fourth chapter. My way of working is to have multiple chapters pre-typed, reread, proofread, just so I can update them at my scheduled time.

"Test for you...?"

I put my hand in my pockets, "Yes!"

"Then...then I, Kirin Toudou, will challenge you, Ethan-senpai, to a duel." Our badges shined and I nodded gravely.

"By the way...what if I decline?"

"..." she looked to her left with her eyes, "It's the end. But there's nothing I can do." I sighed.

"Then I'll just accept."

"Thank you, you're kind, Ethan-senpai." She dropped the cloth covering the scabbard, "I can't afford to lose, though."

I smiled, drawing the hilt of Murasame, twirling it nimbly in my fingers and pointed it at Kirin. Then the sword activated and put itself together, "Me too. For me, and you." She held the sword in front of her and I tapped the badge.

"I accept your duel." Julis and Ayato appeared in the crowd, along with Kirito. They walked over to Yabuki.

"Wh-Is that Kirin Toudou?" Kirito asked. They looked at Yabuki.

He laughed and focused the camera he held more, "Yes, you should have come earlier, Ethan actually revealed some of his powers. True power by the way. Even this far, it was intimidating." Julis widened her eyes, "I'll show you after this. I want to record the duel of a lifetime." Julis nodded. Then watched me.

"KIRIN!" Her uncle yelled, "Don't get cut by Murasame, ever, you'll be in huge danger if you do." I smirked and nodded at Kirin, she returned the nod. "Also, show no mercy. You too, Ethan." I stopped and stood. Genuinely surprised that I'm not trying to mislead her, Kirin also stood straight.

"If I do, she won't have a chance!"

"You insult her and the Toudous' abilities?"

I shook my head, "It's just tha-"

"Then go all-out."

"It'll be too much, even for...all Page Ones to handle!" I protested, "I'm going to push myself to Genestella attributes if possible and that's final!" I faced Kirin again.

"Here I come!" She took one step and charged, I widened my eyes as she was suddenly to my right. I swung Murasame upwards and parried the slash then made a horizontal cut at her. It grazed her shirt and she heeded her uncle's warning, dodging it completely.

"Tch, it feels uncomfortable, I don't like this style," I muttered.

She swung again and I leaped back, then jumped over another. I swung at her hair midair, cutting some off and she blinked. When I landed I rolled backwards and looked up, "So different than the barbarians I fought. They'd jump and stab at the ground while I was rolling." She blinked and thrust her katana forward. I knocked the blade down and tried to hit her throat with my palm. She noticed the move and pushed backward by using my hand as the base.

"You're powerful, Ethan-senpai."

"Same to you, Kirin."

I charged for the first time and swung, but stopped halfway and jumped back, leaping to her side to attack instead. She blocked the blade regardless, pushed me back and made a horizontal cut. I made a front flip, landed on the blade and backflipped. That caused the katana to dig into the ground and me to recover. "You saw me change my area of attack."

Nodding, "Your breath, movements barely revealed it. Your eyes, however, didn't show anything. You show mastery at this."

I smiled, "You also, I use the same things to monitor your movement, and they are hard to read. Maybe our families fought?"

"Maybe," she readied again, "But the expert swordsman..."

"...reads every opponents moves," I finished. She charged and swung, I blocked the attack and then had no time before she assaulted Murasame. I grunted as everyone meters behind me gasped. I heard a familiar voice mutter.

"The pressure's on Ethan?"

I 'tsked' and saw the blade fly and I moved my Lux to catch it. Kirin gasped as I swung forward with Murasame and as she moved her elbow, I twisted Murasame so it's point faced me and I struck her arm with the hilt. Letting go of her katana, I slammed my palm on the floor and flipped backwards. She recovered, "Never seen someone do that."

Laughing, "I needed space, so I was willing. Besides, your sword isn't as deadly as Murasame, I don't have to worry about cutting myself then dying."

"Deadly?" she wondered.

"Poison, there's no way to clean it. Apparently, there's also no antidote. So that's another reason I didn't cut you then." I slid my hand on the floor and watched the blood, then looked up. Breathing in, I saw things more clearly and felt stronger, faster. Well, Genestella time. I covered the distance within three steps swung, she dodged it mostly but her clothes were cut at the sleeve. She swung in return and I grabbed it, she widened her eyes at the lack of blood.

"Sakamoto Style Defense Technique, Stone Guardian!" She removed her blade and swung again, cutting at my badge, but I moved my arm and her katana hit the arm, sending sparks. She struck again and I parried each slice, then we clashed our blades together for a moment before she aimed down, making me stumble. She swung vertically, and it cut my throat, chin and as I brought my head up, my face. She gasped, but I looked up, unharmed.

"Stone statues won't be affected, don't worry about me," I leapt backwards, breathed in, and charged, covering the distance in three steps. I swung the flat of my blade and she raised to block it, then suddenly changed direction, aiming for my chest.

[End of Duel. Winner Toudou Kirin]

She sheathed her blade, "Why'd you do that in the end?"

Scratching my head, "Well, I thought you'd block that, I purposely left myself open, didn't think you'd take that chance. Amazing, even with that little time to react, you chose the correct path." I hugged her and she blushed, "That was fun. You, other than Kirito, made me go beyond what humans can do."

"Hmph, it's over. Let's go," her uncle scoffed. Kirin gave a bow and I returned it. She smiled and ran to catch up.

Julis walked over, "That's what you can do?" I jerked up straight.

"Y-you were watching?!" She crossed her arms.

"Of course, I'm glad Ayato listened to me. I thought he was fighting until I saw him walking towards the crowd too." I gulped.

"Haha...yeah."

"You need explaining, I don't see a reason why you were fighting the number one at our school."

"Long story..." Yabuki jumped in waving the tape, or data.

"No need to, I have everything recorded, from that one moment!"

"WHAT?!" I shouted at him.

As they watched the tape, I was talking to Sylvia, she pouted, "You really held back? Why didn't you go all out?"

"Well-"

"I wanted to see you win! I thought you'd stand a chance, but you lost on purpose?"

"Not really, I did lose, but because I didn't expect her to react so quickly."

"Hmph, well, give her some kudos, you know she's only thirteen, right?"

"Wait, really? She's younger than you!"

She held out two fingers, smiling, "I know." Then everyone walked in, with Julis unhappy.

"Great, now that's officially four people I can't beat. Turns out you really are serious in fighting when you want, Ethan." I laughed lightly and waved good-bye to Sylvia.

"Later, Sylvie." She nodded.

"You, Ayato, Kirin, and Claudia." Ayato looked at her, surprised.

"Claudia?"

She nodded as I laughed. I answered, "Yeah, she's number two. You should ha-"

"Anyway!" Julis interrupted, "She has the nickname 'Master of a Thousand Eyes', her Ogre Lux, Pan-Dora. Its ability let's her see the future."

"Future?" Ayato asked.

"Rumor says...she can see up to ten seconds into the future. Until today, the three of you," she referred to me, "were undefeated. You gave number two to Claudia and backed down to three. Kirin and Claudia then had to be chosen for one. Kirin got the Rank because her sword is a basic katana and she isn't a Strega." She watched Ayato, "We would have been safe, with our plan. I'm glad you didn't fight Ayato, but..."

"But what?" I asked.

"You know Ayato's abilities, and most likely, you spread the information."

I protested, "I didn't! I swear! Okay, I went in while you trained, but I didn't tell anyone!"

"Regardless, you guys have an advantage, so we'll need to rethink our strategy."

Kirito rolled his eyes, "Great. At least it'll be a greater challenge." Before more could be said, I got up.

"I need a new school emblem, I'll be back."

"Hmm, Claudia, to be honest, I've never been here before, you know?"

"Ah," she said as she turned to me, "It's pretty relaxing here, even if you have stressful work."

I looked around, "Seems peaceful for sure. I've come because I needed a new emblem."

"Yeah," she handed me the hexagonal badge with the academy's logo. Then frowned, "You revealed more of your powers again."

I looked down, "My bad. I couldn't stand what Kirin's uncle did, and Kirin was a tough fighter."

"No worries, I would have done the same. You need to keep watching your back, Ethan." I nodded. "How'd you get involved?"

"Eh, long story." We got up and walked over to the pool. As the sun was shining in front of our faces, we walked to the opposite end so it was shining on our backs. She sat down as I stood.

"Did it start with her uncle?"

"How'd you know him? I've only heard his name."

"Troublemaker he is, I would. He's an employee of Seidoukan's Parent Company, Galaxy, of the Integrated Enterprise Foundation. He's a total clout, just because he's in charge of scouting operations for our school."

"So...I just messed with one of the big guys."

"No, 'executive candidate' is more accurate," she looked up, finger on her chin, "However, he is eager to take a spot on the executive board. He's been wringing everything out of his niece."

I growled, "So everything's she's done is because he's said so? I regret not dueling him himself." I flopped down next to her and slammed my foot onto the water, splashing her. She squealed and I apologized, but she shook her head, smiling.

"Nah, I'm sure she has her own agenda too, you know," Claudia moved her feet, kicking the water. "If it makes you happy, it'll be tough for him to move up in ranks. With his greed, the Integrated Enterprise Foundation will be reluctant. They don't like people of his nature."

"Good," I muttered, smiling.

"You need to undergo many operations to remove self-interest to be one of them."

I stopped smiling, "How do you know?"

She looked at me sadly, "My mother is one of them."

I looked down from the tree I was in, hearing someone call me. "Huh?" I leapt down and looked at Yabuki, rubbing my eyes, "Yeah?" I saw who was outside the boys' dormitory. "Oh."

"Yeah, she was looking for you."

Smiling at Yabuki, then Kirin, "Yeah, I can tell." I walked with her to a room and closed the door, let her sit down and served some tea."

"Thank you for your help! Even if we were strangers, you still decided to help me." Taking a sip, I chuckled. "Even if everything became the same in the end, it made me happy!"

"Well, I didn't win in the end, so I didn't help," I saw something move under the door. I got up and walked to her. I whispered, "Start talking."

"Huh? Ethan-senpai?" I patted her head and she blushed, then I drew Murasame and she yelped. She quickly reached for her katana, but I threw it at the door, right between the jamb and opening it. The boys that were outside were leaning on the door and caused it to open inward.

"Well, well."

Yabuki laughed, "Heh, hi."

On our way to the girls' dorm, Kirin started speaking, "S-sorry for not talking at all the entire way. I-I just don't know what to say. I've never been this way with a man not my relative."

I nodded, "Well, I really don't know what to say either. I mean, I can talk to Sylvia being she and I can sing and all, but...I'm really lost if I would want to talk to you."

She nodded, "I understand if you don't, my dad was really strict, you know."

"I see. So is the Toudou-style training, no?"

"Yes. You've heard of us?"

I smiled, "Mostly about your philosophy, like folding a crane."

"So your family is also an ancient style?"

I shook my head, "No, mostly a compilation of different things. It's normally focused on using my prana for these." I lifted me hand and played around with my shadows. "I rarely have to push myself to this point. But anyway, we use different styles of swordsmanship and unarmed combat as the...I guess the cover, the barrier for our selling points."

She nodded, a bit disappointed, "But still, you held your sword high while aiming for my eyes, and you slid on your feet after a defensive maneuver."

I laughed, "Well, I guess."

"If only you didn't make that move in the end," Kirin tiptoed on her feet, "I could have learned more! About your usual and unusual techniques!"

"Into kenjutsu, aren't you?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed, "Normally I'm a klutz and coward, but as long as I wield a sword, I'll be of use to someone. That's why I love kenjutsu."

Looking up at the sky and breathing in, then exhaling, I turned curious, "What are you fighting for?"

She looked at me, surprised, then forward, I noticed she got more serious. "To save my father."

"So just like that, you're listening to everything he says?"

"He showed me the quickest way to achieve my goal. I'm thankful."

"Even if he does it to achieve his own goals?"

"I'm being shown how to reach my goals, that's going to be his compensation." Kirin smiled.

"Doesn't seem that way..."

"Well, he does hate Genestella."

I scoffed, "I can tell."

"By the way, how do you train?"

"Huh?" She turned and we faced each other.

"Since I came here, I've been training alone, and I can't spar alone."

"Hmm, until recently, I haven't trained at all."

She gasped, "Huh?"

"Yeah." My eyes wandered up, "Since I left home, I've been just slacking, you know?"

"H-how long has that been?"

"About..." I counted down, if I was seventeen now..."Five or six years. Not since I went to junior high."

"You still fought against me that well?"

"Talent I guess. Memory too. Every single thing has been in my mind for so long," I tapped my chin. "Right? I g-"

"May I ask if it doesn't bother you?"

"Yes?"

"What did you mean by not going all-out. And that you'd win easily if you did?" I blinked, and watched her face until she blushed uncomfortably.

"Oh," I said, snapping back to the present, "I did say that. Yeah, if you'd like to see, come join Kirito and I tomorrow. I guess I can show both of you. Warning though, either of you can and will get hurt. Understand?"

She nodded firmly, "I'm willing to, if that's going to make me stronger! But..aren't you a Page One? I'm told not to be around them."

"Don't worry about me, Kirito isn't Page One either. Although, as much as I'd like to show Ayato and Julis how I can really fight...Julis is page one too."

Her face fell, but I continued, "Hey, how about a morning jog? Ayato does those and we can join him.

"Really?" I nodded in return.

"Why not?"

I walked over to Ayato and nodded a greeting, he smiled in return and I selected the Spicy Curry Special. Julis walked over to Ayato as I watched. "Can you tell me what is up with you and Toudou Kirin?"

Ayato was surprised, "Eh? Why do you want to know?"

Julis spread her hand to the left, "I just want to know what you two are doing is all!" She started as her hand selected an item. The same as mine, she stared at the receipt. As she got the curry, her arms trembled. We walked over to a round table and I smiled kindly. She and I knew it was fake and to mock her.

"I didn't know you liked spicy food too!" After I finished saying that, I took a bite and cried out. "HOT!" Then looked at her, smiling nervously, "Temperature I mean, I love spicy food." I blew off the steam and took another bite. Julis stared at me as I ate it casually, occasionally wiping my forehead. Halfway through, I dropped my spoon on the plate and looked at her.

"So, what did you want to ask Ayato?" I asked.

She looked at me briefly then asked Ayato, "What is it between you and Kirin Toudou?"

Ayato was surprised, "What question is that?"

"What is it between the two of you?" she asked again.

"Nothing!" Ayato exclaimed, "Ethan decided to bring Kirin along with us after their duel yesterday."

"Really?" Julis was suspicious and I took another bite, then answered for Ayato.

"Really. But soon, Kirin may spar with Kirito and I. I just need to ask Kirito."

Then the survivor of SAO came along, "Ask me what?" I looked at his plate and saw that he also chose the Curry Special. I smiled and nodded at his taste. Julis frowned.

"Later," I waved my hand away and pointed to Julis's plate, "Are you going to eat that? I'd be happy to finish it for you." She gave a 'hmph'.

"I can finish it own my own, thank you."

Ayato took a bite of his meal, "Are you sure? It looks really spicy."

"I chose it, so I'm eating it. Why would I choose food that I won't eat?"

I raised a finger, "If I recall correctly, you chose it on accident." She glared at me and I shrunk a little. She took a defiant bite and squirmed. She swallowed the bite with much difficulty and took a large gulp of water, then coughed.

Kirito took a bite himself and pointed his spoon at Julis, "You don't have to eat if it's that bad."

Julis watched him and adamantly said, "If I chose this, I must eat it, I can't let it go to waste." Ayato looked at Julis and started speaking when a girl walked up to the table, causing our attention to be diverted. She looked back and I turned my head in that direction but her voice made me return my attention to her.

"Ethan-sama, can you come with me?" Looking at Julis and Ayato, I pointed at Julis's food then got up, but the girl spoke again. "Also, Kirito-kun, can you come too?"

As Kirito got up, he mumbled as the girl walked ahead of us, "Why do you get a respectful title?"

Laughing, "I am the known vice-president, even if it's only self-proclaimed."

"But...it's not even real."

I put my hands in my pockets, "Well, Claudia said it herself, and everyone seemed to accept it, and I worked with her since she and I attended junior high, so it's practically a position, although not approved my the Enterprise or heads of Seidoukan." We arrived at a table of girls, causing Kirito and I to look each other nervously. I dared to ask.

"So, what's up?"

They were silent before one girl blurted out, "Are you two twins?" This caused the food court to go silent. I looked at her, then the rest. It was silent for a few more minutes then I burst out laughing. I leaned on the table for a few minutes as everyone watched, heads turned towards me. I didn't notice as Kirito watched amused and the rest of the students watched confused.

I recovered and wiped my tears, then looked at them impassively, "Why the hell would you think that?"

She nervously pointed, "Y-you two have the same style of hair, and your smiles are so similar. Your height...and build...the only difference is your eyes."

I looked at Kirito, then said, "Well, okay, I guess. We look immensely different with our eyes, but even if we were similar in the other ways...We. Aren't. Siblings. Understand? Our build isn't the same by the way, I had it built like this for my own purpose. It's nothing similar to Kirito." The girls around the table nodded furiously.

"Good."

The klaxon rang as Ophelia continued screaming. I don't know what happened, but she's losing control. I knew that, everyone but Ophelia knew that. I gathered shadows and formed an extremely thick barrier around be, just in time as energy exploded from her, blasting apart the compound, killing everyone but me. As I dispersed my barrier, I saw that only the base of the walls were left. No test tubes, no wiring, no suspending capsules, it was only Ophelia and I, here. I was scared, but I had to control her.

Her eyes were glowing a bright red and her teeth gleamed as she smiled at me, ready to kill, thirsty for blood. Her maisma rippled outward and trees withered, then turned to dust. The grass died, and flowers withered. The soil even died, if it was possible, turning to clay, sizzling as if there was heat constantly raising its temperature. "Ophelia!"

All I got in reply was a roar, and a hand rose form behind her, slamming down at my location. My own hand of shadow came up to counter hers. When they caught each other, it was a huge game of arm wrestle...with my life gone if I lost.

Two fists came fat me from my sides, but I pushed them away with my mind, recalling the lessons on a mystic flow of energy called "The Force" from science-fiction novels of Star Wars. I wondered how they were able to implant that ability into me, but I found it useful. Very useful. As the arms continued wrestling, I ran to Ophelia, who looked up and screamed, trying to force me away.

I didn't. I ran in front of her and immediately the air became stuffy. I knew it was the poison she has, but her mind isn't in the right state to cause me any true damage, in contrast to my full efforts to filter oxygen into my lungs and keeping the poison out of my system.

I grabbed her shoulders and she resisted, trying with her full efforts to push me away. I hugged her and called her back, and she stilled. Her beat a steady pace as she was stiff in my arms, the arms she can create fading and the poison disappearing. It may not, but at least the air was becoming pure. "Ethan...?"

"You're back," I simply said, laughing in relief. "I knew I shouldn't have given up."

She looked at the wreck she had created, "I did all this?"

"Yes, not sure what happened, but your mind broke a few minutes ago."

"..." she stared.

"Ophelia?" I pulled away and she looked at me with her sad look.

"You have to leave now, Ethan. People are coming."

I was surprised and stumbled back, "Wait, what about you?"

"I will go with them, but you should follow your own path. I want you to prove me wrong," she gave a small smile and I wasted time staring at her. "Go. Now." At that moment, a limousine drove up and large men in suits walked out, holding weapons.

A voice spoke from inside, loud and clear, "Get both of them." I ran to the outer walls as the men moved towards us. One went for Ophelia, who gave no effort to resist, and two aimed for me. I saw the gate had another man and doors slammed as even more men joined the chase. I never stopped, grinning as the man started turning at the sounds of running footsteps.

There was a flash and I shouted and I saw people standing over me, but I recognize nobody. One girl with a pony tail, extremely long pony tail, looked worried.

"What's wrong with him?"

A white-haired man with coldness in his eyes and an expressionless face shrugged, turning to the snowy-haired girl beside him. "Akeno, you said that there was a chamber, right?"

"Yes, but Ethan couldn't have gone to another dimension. He isn't in that room. He and I went to another universe only in the vicinity of the altar."

The man sighed, "Guess we'll have to wait then." A white haired loli came in and I wondered, What's up with the white hair?

The little girl flinched and looked around, then said, "Kenji, problem."

"Yes?"

"Ghost...or Shirou Hyoudou really sent a package, and it's for Ethan."

The man named Kenji stroked his chin, "Well, how did he know? Koneko, just put it aside for now."

"Got it."

I heard the old man's voice, seemingly talking to me, impossible as it seems, "This is where you belong boy...Not here, not Asterisk, not in this time..."

What is that dream?...I can't remember anything? This is strange. Suspicious even, what's going on? I got up and pulled on my shirt when the door opened and Claudia walked in.

"Oh my, Ethan!" Embarrassed, I turned and she giggled.

"Let me put on my pants, lady!" I quickly put on my boxers and Seidoukan Academy uniform then turned, face returning to its normal color. "What's up?"

"Ayato and Kirin were attacked."

I stared, "...What?" She nodded to the door and we ran out, she explained on the way. This morning, Kirin and Ayato were attacked by lizard-like creatures and they fell into a sinkhole, forced to fight another. Right afterwards, Kirin said something happened to Ayato, where he was caught by chains and it seemed to seal him. The construction crew only found them when they saw the hole.

We ran into the medical ward and I went to Kirin's room, she looked up and smiled when she saw me. I nodded and sat down, "What happened?"

"Well, we waited for you and when you didn't come, we started our jog. We stopped at a spot and I asked Ayato to duel, because I wanted to spar and you weren't there today."

"My bad, I was having a nightmare."

She squeaked, "Nightmare?" She grew concerned and she looked at me in the eye. I wondered what she was doing until a moment passed, and I understood, she wanted me to elaborate on it and explain what happened to the fullest. Not that I'd remember anything anyway. All that came back was the flashback from before. My head still stung from that butt-stroke from that shotgun as I ran out the gate. I didn't stop then. Never did, so they were left to shooting me directly instead of warning shots. I smiled inwardly as I touched my stomach and back. The spot where I took a direct shot from that same shotgun. I blacked out for a moment, but after half a year of improvement, it didn't take a week for me to recover, instead I recovered after a few minutes, and easily handled the people that were restraining me. Of course, they didn't expect me to recover quickly, so naturally the chase continued again.

"Yeah," I nodded absently, "But I don't remember anything anymore, strangely. Continue."

"So, after a few minutes...the lizards attacked us. Each time we cut them apart, they regrew, but I noticed a core and I targeted that, which allowed me to destroy them."

I murmured, "Ayato didn't do anything?"

She blushed, "No, no! I'm sorry! I talked like I did everything, he helped!"

I patted her head and she gasped, "Don't worry." After giving a smile, she whimpered and nodded.

"We soon fell into a hole and faced a much larger lizard, maybe the leader or queen. I couldn't cut through it, but Amagiri-senpai managed to do it. After it was killed, it looked like he was sealed. Then when he woke up after a few minutes, we talked."

"Really? Just talked until the construction crew came?"

She was blushing furiously, "W-we...Well, our clothes w-were wet, s-so we took them off...? AHH! We didn't do anything else though!" I see, she was embarrassed about talking naked. I mean, any girl would, wouldn't they?

I laughed, "Ah I see. I don't mind, not your fault you fell into water with no extra clothes. Well, stay well Kirin, this is going to be a while before I see you again."

"Why's that?" she questioned.

"I have a lot of work to do with Claudia."

"Enfield-senpai?" I nodded, "Oh, I'll see you soon, Sakamoto-senpai..." She seemed a bit sad and I couldn't put my finger on why. Anyway...

"No need with formalities, just Ethan is good."

"H-hai! Ethan-senpai." I face faulted and she ran to me, crying out.

Days later:

"Claudia...what do you think of those lizards?"

She stood looking out the window, then sighing, turned, "Very troublesome, it seems left and right, the front-runners of the Festa are being targeted."

"Oh, you have a point." She walked up to me and I took a step back, "Claudia?"

She smiled her smile, "At least you weren't targeted yet, my Ethan. Only caught in between the crossfire!" It was true, sort of. I witnessed the first attack on Julis at the first day Ayato came, then the attack on Saya and Julis, then finally, I got injured helping Ayato and Julis.

I sniffed, "True, I just hope they don't go for me next."

"Yeah, you are in such a vulnerable position, I don't want you to participate in the Festa, but you seem to have a purpose, why?"

"Well, it's pretty much a whim, I have no reason as of yet."

Claudia looked worried, "You know you are hunted, right? By...them for escaping. Dirk still wants you to be in Rewolf, at least to have you and Ophelia together."

I nodded sadly, "This is why I've gotten stronger with my Dante powers. Ophelia has an easier time because she follows her goal. I didn't, and I'm going to show her that I mean my promise."

"Oh, so you have a goal," Claudia stated and I stared at her. I laughed casually and covered my mouth.

"Whoops, slip of the tongue. Anyway," I walked to the window and she turned to look at my back, "You know I left because I didn't like my fate, but Ophelia accepted it. It was saddening, cruel. She embraced it, I was disgusted, that kept me from becoming like her."I looked over my shoulder, "Not insulting her in anyway by that statement, don't misunderstand."

"I see, you just didn't want her to become...a slave to say the least."

"Before I escaped, she and I talked, and she asked me to prove her wrong that escaping fate would lead to a better life, a good victory, outstanding victory and all, glory, fortune. I plan to win the Festa so she can see, I won't rub it in her face or anything, most likely, I'll just tell the whole world that I like Sylvie and ask her out when I win."

She giggled, "My, what a small thing to ask for for the Enterprise." I smirked and nodded. Of course, with(almost) any wish that can be granted, who wouldn't ask the Enterprise for a huge reward? Money? Land? Technology? A position in the Enterprise themselves? Honestly, even if I won, I wouldn't know what to wish for, the possibilities were too huge. I couldn't ask them to eliminate Dirk, as it would put me in trouble, and I had nothing against him personally. You see, it isn't Dirk that created the me currently. It was actually a faction in Allekant, but after an accident Ophelia and I caused, Dirk tried to take us both in, but me wanting to be free and be myself, l ran out on him. Although if it wasn't for that, I would have never met Claudia.

"Really, if you find someone you can be comfortable with, I believe nothing else matters." A screen appeared, "Kirito?"

[Hey, let's go to the training room, the others are asking us two to test our teamwork]

"Huh, when did this happen?"

[Sometime after the lizard thingys]

"I'll try, if I don't get there within half an hour, tell them we can't."

[No need, they just heard everything]

I felt like Kirito was smirking. I laughed, "Well, less work for you, lazy kid." I hung up before he could protest.

I felt arms from behind me and a purr, "Well, I'm comfortable with you~" I froze and Claudia continued, "You know, I've used to see you as a simple boy who worked hard, after the homeless boy who ran away, then a friend...until I fell for you~"

"R-really?" I didn't believe it. Not in a bad way, but now I have to explain to Sylvia about this, not that she minded. She was amused when I told her about my possible relationship with Kirin, but I assured her I only saw her as a friend and student. Or was I the student? Either way, we taught each other.

"Of course," Claudia said softly.

"When?" I asked, curious.

"Well, our years in junior high is when I got to know you and all. Then near the end of junior high, we spoke more often, I really forgot how. You were one person who I could just speak so freely with. I didn't even know that it would work. I was a student president, and you were a transfer, always helping me with my work whenever you got as you had nobody else to socialize to. At the first year of highschool here at Seidoukan...I saw you as a friend, but you really broke my heart when you left me to start building bonds with the other students."

I laughed, remembering her sadness and small tears, "Yeah, my bad. Well, you've been in that district quite a while, so when I came here, I hoped to start new relationships, bonds, and friends."

She gave a smile, "No need to explain again, I understand. Well, after that...I pretty much fell in love with you when you comforted me. I listened to you when you told me about your childhood, you were a natural."

I bowed, "Thank you. Though...it seems as if I've always been."

"Even kissing~"

I turned, confused, "I did?"

She giggled, "Yes, it was full on the lips."

My mouth made a circle, "Oh...I did."

"Yes..."

"Oh, well...I guess I did?" I scratched my head in confusion, trying to remember. It took me a moment, "Oh. I did, but that was on the way back, not on that rooftop."

"Regardless, you did," she had a dreamy look, "It was blissful." I shook my head at her bluntness, but she was always pretty outwards at telling her feelings, unlike say Julis. Turning, I hugged her and gave a peck making her grin.

"Though, it was you who wanted a kiss" I pointed out and her eyes gleamed, "Well, I'll go now."

Kirito and I went back-to-back, as the robot gathered and the starting timer counted down, "Kirito, our problem is that we both use swords, so we have disadvantages at range."

"I thought..." he started arguing, stating otherwise.

"Shh, better if they don't know, it's going to be my trump card."

"I see," Kirito declared purposefully, "So we just hack and slash?"

"It's probably not going to be that simple, one of us must watch the other's back, while they are going offensive."

He nodded and shifted as the timer counted down, "Ah, who is going to play which role?"

"I'll be the guard, you are handy with dual blades, and this thing kills in one shot," I held the blade up and watched Kirito as he gathered the attention of all the robots. As they leapt, he cried out 'Double Circular' and spinning the two blades, destroyed the robots. I sliced upwards and grazed a robot and it flew over Kirito, knocking down other robots. As one jumped on my back, I 'tsked' and flipped, landing on my back and making the robot release its grip. I pushed up with a hand and stabbed downward.

More robots jumped and I waited until they were within arm's reach before making a wide arc. I shouted, "Kirito! Regroup!"

I heard him shout, "Meteor Fall!" I knew he did it for me to pinpoint his location and I went towards the direction of which Elucidator flew up. I hacked and slashed in that direction as he held his ground. He nodded and said, "Got carried off, did you?"

"Nah, got attacked and lost you in the crowd." He chuckled, "Quite famous aren't you?"

"Yeah," he stabbed upwards and shouted, "Slant!" cutting through multiple robots. One robot flew right in front of him and he raised his swords, but another sword flew at it and impaled the abdomen, if robots even have one. Then it suddenly flew back, Kirito cocked his head, "How?"

"Believe in the Force, you must," was my simple reply. I looked up and realized we didn't have much time.

"Few seconds left, let's have a field day." In those final seconds, I saw Kirito create a complex sequence of moves and I shook my head at the complexity of SAO, and myself started simple slashing, as Murasame's poison would handle everything after the cut. When time was up, he twirled his swords and replaced them to their respective scabbards, then looked around.

"Oh." I was confused by his statement and realized he was missing his partner. I laughed and deactivated Murasame.

"Missing your partner there?"

"Who needs a partner? Go solo all day, everyday is what I say!" We walked over to the group and saw Saya grumble. Kirito asked, "What's up?"

"You guys do better than us, and you even met a few days ago..."

I laughed and put my hands on my hips, "We just met, but we work well on our own, which is why even if we were separated, we did considerably well, in fact, I think we destroyed more robots on our own than as a team." I gestured to our score which was a respectable '122', twenty-nine behind Ayato and Julis's.

Ayato nodded, "I did notice. But it's a pretty good thing to be able to do, honestly."

Agreeing, Julis added, "Especially if your partner is taken out in the Festa." She looked at me, "Say, I've noticed. They two of you both specialize in close-range, how will you handle people like me?"

I crossed my arms and smirked, "In case you haven't forgotten, I've beaten you easily, and who was ranged?"

Julis blushed out of embarrassment and cleared her throat, "Anyway, do the two of you want to go get lunch to eat?"

I shook my head, "I'll stay here, Kirito, you too." He raised an eyebrow and we said our farewells. "We have a problem."

"We do?" he asked questionably.

"Well, we don't work well together, that is a problem." He nodded gravely, "We need to practice maneuvers to accommodate for that. We need to have basic teamwork, just the basic. And, the easier way, what I did. One aggros the opponent, or opponents, and the other attacks from behind."

He grinned, "That is a good idea, do we both need to practice each situation?" I nodded and he added, "Also, we may need to practice a two on one fight."

"I was just going to say that, that will be essential, in case one of us falls."

"Finally, if you don't mind, I'll use you as a target for my ranged hits. Not my bodily connected shadows," I threw a shadow projectile, which splattered against the wall and wiggled its way back to its original spot, "But individual projectiles."

He shrugged, "Sure, but I see no reason to use your bound projectiles."

"I want to use that as my trump card, not just anything ranged. I want that specifically."

He hummed, "I see, with so many secrets hidden, you can easily surprise your enemy into defeat." I pointed out my hand and two large blobs rippled.

"Sakamoto style Illusion technique, Hero Souls!" Two skeletal warriors appeared and Kirito frowned, but understood as they took form of past legendary heroes.

I pointed to the left and I faced the right, "Commence, imitate Festa!"

"Wait!" Kirito shouted, "Why do I have to face Saber? King Arthur?"

"She's a better match for you," I said casually as he gave a tired sigh.

"I'm not any better, I have to face EMIYA, a hero of illusionary ideals. Skilled close-up and deadly ranged."

"Ah, whatever."

I drew Murasame as EMIYA, also known as Archer, changed his bow into twin swords, Kanshou and Bakuya. We stood watching each other, then I sighed as he didn't make a move, waiting for mine. We stared impassively, then I charged. He merely changed his stance to meet my low sprinting stance and I leapt to the side, surprising him briefly, but he adjusted and leapt back, slashing with one sword to knock my blade aside and cut at my throat with the other. I put my arm up and caught it, although the action drew blood.

I yanked him forward, but he stood his ground and freed his left blade from my grip and I brought up Murasame again. I thrust at his chest, where a badge should be, making him defend the spot and I violently brought my hilt to the left, trying to imitate the second option, make the opponent unconscious. Once again, his experience allowed him to catch the blade and avoid being cut by the deadly "One-shot, one-kill" sword. I grinned and drew back, but he released as he saw my smirk and I faltered as I gave away my action, "Whoops, gotta be more careful." He nodded in silent reply.

I clashed against his sword multiple times and each time he repelled my attempts, parrying and blocking, sometimes avoiding, then at one point, I got too close and he kicked me back. I landed rolling with a grunt and leapt to the side as he fired a arrow at my previous location. I threw a ball of shadow, but he simply dodged it. He quickly drew another arrow and quickly shot it, blowing me against the wall.

I panted, back-to-back against Kirito. We had lost in the end, even as we eventually did a two-on-one, trying to take out Saber as she was the more deadly opponent, but we ended up having to deal with Archer as well, good archer he was. In the middle, we tried targeting Archer, but each time, our attempt was foiled by Saber cutting into our paths. In the end, we were tired out to defeat and thanked each other for a good fight.

I sighed, "Well, this is what happens when you try to go against legendary heroes."

Kirito chuckled in reply, "Amazing, I may actually build on Saber's fighting style, and save my dual blades as a trump card."

I nodded, "That's actually not a bad idea, using your best technique as a last resort, and build upon a weaker style. I can bring Saber now and then to train you, it is actually tiring for her and Archer, wild as it seems."

"But...they are dead? And not technically real?"

I laughed, "They are as real as you can get, that's why it's as wild as it seems. Just because they are 'dead' doesn't mean that they don't need rest."

"Hey, if you don't mind, I'll go get some lunch to eat, and then take a nap for...oh, five hours," I waved my hand dismissively and he walked out. Then Claudia came in, seemingly all kinds of happy.

"That was an amazing duel, although it's a shame you lost in the end."

I smiled at her, "Yeah, not to worry, they are heroes for who knows how long."

"I see," she helped me up, "Who were they?"

We walked out through the doors. Everyone looked at us as she held onto my arm, "The lady was Saber, or...most know her as King Arthur."

"Hmm," she seemed to be thinking deeply as she laid her head on my shoulder, "But...her title suggests she is a male?"

"Ah, well, you see, you may have heard of the mythical Holy Grail Wars, no?" She nodded and I continued, "From those wars, King Arthur was portrayed as a female, Saber. Although, I can still summon both genders."

"But, won't that be confusing, having the same person as different genders?"

"Nah, they are entirely different people despite being one person, King Arthur will be the historical King Arthur, but Saber will be the King Arthur during the Holy Grail wars."

"Interesting," she giggled, "How about that handsome man? The one who had shimmering hair?"

"Ah, he was a person who wished to be a Hero of Justice, and he became one eventually. He was a master during the Holy Grail War, fifth to be exact, and after facing himself, he continued his life built on his ideals. However, after a certain amount of years, his actions got to him."

"Then what happened?"

"When he died, his actions allowed him to be a servant, and as one, he tried to kill himself, the seventh master. But eventually, he realized his actions and let himself live. Or it was he was defeated by himself. I forgot, and that seventh master continued his life then became that same servant, looping round and round, unable to break the loop." By this time we were at the entrance to the main academy building, I waved goodbye to Claudia and left, going to the boys dorm and do nothing for the rest of the day. I sighed and looked out the window.

"I really hope that Saber and Archer are both much better than anyone in the Festas. Else, I've run into a big tum tigger in my life." I looked to my drawing of Ophelia, one from before out experiments, and one after, she couldn't care less now, but would have been slightly embarrassed if she still held emotions.

I still need to show her that going 'rouge' is a possibility.

Later at Night:

A red-haired man wearing Rewolf Academy uniform and a huge wool coat over it pressed his hand on the security panel. When it opened, the woman on the other side of the door, chained, looked up into his cold, calculating eyes with her own cruel eyes. She wore the Rewolf uniform quite revealingly, but anyone who tried to approach her didn't end up so well, from drunks to enemies. Strangers avoided her completely.

The man, president of Rewolf Dirk Eberwein, spoke almost immediately when she looked up, "So, still alive?"

The blunt reply was returned just as quick, "What do you want?"

"I have a favor for you," he said simply.

The woman gave a 'hmph', rolling her eyes, "You mean order..."

"So? Are you going to do it?"

"Whatever, yes," she answered with a huff, "What do you want me to do?"

"Compete in the Festa." Dirk threw a screen of a purple haired man with long hair and bangs, smiling at the camera, wearing a Seidoukan Academy uniform, "Destroy this Seidoukan punk. You don't have to win, but you can."

"As if it'll be easy! These tasks are always misleading, just like that one against Kichirou when he was what? Nine years old. You said he was a nine year old kid. He wasn't an ordinary one."

Dirk's face was impassive in contrast to many other people, who would smirk or gloat about a situation like that, "I never said he was an ordinary kid. I just simply told you to handle him."

"Whatever, we are all neutral as of now. So...what's so special about this one? Why not the black-haired Kichirou?"

"I don't have to tell you, but whatever, I'll answer both. The punk's Ogre Lux, Ser Veresta, will be a pain in the ass later on. I want you to get rid of it sooner."

"If that's the case, it's powerful, isn't it?" the woman glared.

"Anyone would say so if they saw it in real life," Dirk shot back quickly.

"Guess so. Now, why can't I fight the other kid...Kichirou. I'm pretty sure he won't be anything to me now."

Dirk became guarded, "He is none of your worries, we've settled this after your failure. If you encounter him, it is best to avoid engaging in combat with him. I have someone in mind to handle him, you know who."

"As if I can't," the woman scoffed.

Dirk glared, "I just want you to know that he is too much out of your league, back then and definitely now. This punk should be easy. I don't want you dying on the job, with a lot to cover." The woman shrugged and nodded.

"Fine," now the woman glared, "One last thing."

"Hmm?"

"You didn't let anyone touch my sister, did you?"

"I'll say it bluntly, she is friends with the boy, and talks to him often. I haven't let anyone else even get near her. I always keep my word."

"Well," the woman sighed helplessly while being amused, "I did say he was okay, considering his nature, I'll accept."

"Took you long enough, Irene Urzaiz."

"Ah," Irene Urzaiz stretched when freeing herself from her bonds, "It is boring locked up in here. First things first, how about a snack?"

Next Day:

When the timer went up, Kirin and Saya looked up at their score, '177'. They gave each other a high five and Julis couldn't hide her grin, "Seriously, what did they do in a mere day?"

"Guess we can't sit back and just watch, huh?" Ayato asked, with a nod from Julis.

I leaned against the wall, one foot on the wall while the other stayed planted on the floor, "Same with us." Kirito smirked and I gave a wink, we trained earlier that day, before anyone else came in. No matter who I brought up to fight, Kirito and I handled them easily, no matter the combination, from Robin Hood and Jeanne D'arc, or Odysseus and Achilles, nobody was able to handle us, the only two being Arthur, or specifically, Saber and Archer. We even decided to go against Gilgamesh, he was cocky and arrogant, but in the end, he conceded. He gave us huge trouble, because he was already two-thirds god and one-third man. Add that to his labors in the epic, well, you can tell its quite a feat.

"Really?" Ayato asked and I nodded. Claudia walked in and we all turned.

"The beginning ceremony is starting today soon."

I gave a whoop, "WOO! Finally! Let's go!"

Noticed I have a lack of, just normal narration, just...dialogue, trying my best to fix that. :P

Guest1: Thanks, I hope I can keep it interesting throughout the entire time!

ExienFrost290: Thanks too! I know you did find a great fanfic! Just kidding, I do hope you stay with the fanfic from beginning to end.

Guest2: Hmm, I'll try to do that. I'm planning to make it AyatoxKirin? Then move Julis to Ethan, tweaked this chapter and next one to fix the pairings.