Chapter 2: An… Incident
After the rather quick series of events that was the introduction to their instructors, the sole four members of Class VII were brought from the main field to a path that led behind the school. Aside from Rean, they were also accompanied by the girl from Class IX, the elderly professor, and Irving.
The path eventually led them to a massive steel cube of a building that towered over the trees, yet just far enough away from the main campus one could be assured nothing that went on there would possibly be a bother. From the map Shin had opened at the time, he knew it was one of the campus' facilities. But he didn't yet know what the facility was even for.
He could only assume he and his classmates were about to find out all too soon.
"Wow!" the blonde-girl was the first to speak as they arrived. "I looked over the blueprints, but I didn't think it'd be this big!"
"Don't get so excited," the professor said, his voice all too dry. "This facility is nothing remarkable. As I explained before, much of your duties will be performed here under my direction. I expect nothing short of raw talent from a Russell."
"Yes, sir!"
Shin made sure to file that tidbit of clearly valuable information for later. He also caught his new instructor giving him and the other three a look over. While Rean's glances over the blue-haired boy, pink-haired girl, and Shin himself were brief – with the first two even glancing away – he lingered on the white-haired girl for a tad longer, and she hardly broke her gaze even if her eyes only shifted slightly.
Hmm… I wonder if that girl and Instructor Schwarzer know one another already… as Shin was thinking of possible reasons, Irving spoke up next, his voice cutting through the boy's thoughts.
"Combat Tactics and Military Finance are undergoing their orientations at the moment," said the Major. "Special Operations will be having an orienteering exercise. You must make it through this facility in one piece."
"'In one piece'?" The pink-haired girl repeated. "What does that mean?"
"What is this building for?" the blue-haired boy said.
"I assume this is why we were told not to relinquish our weapons at the gate," Shin commented. As Irving nodded at the boy's assessment, Shin also took note of something as his eyes passed by Rean again.
That being how, at the instructor's hip, was a certainly unusual sword for an Erebonian. A tachi? He thought. While the blade was sheathed and he couldn't see any details of the grip or guard, Shin was awfully familiar with such a weapon.
An Erebonian using a tachi? No way… is he one of Ka-fai's students?! As surprised as he felt on the mere possibility of that, Shin filed that away for later. He could ask questions another time.
"It's called Einhel Keep," said the professor. "It was built in conjunction with the branch campus for testing new methods of training. The interior is fully controllable via orbal technology and features variable difficulty levels. As for your exercise: you will be combatting monsters and such unleashed within the Keep."
"What?!"
"M-Monsters?! That's a joke, right?!"
"I don't think this man is the sort to go around making jokes," Shin's two classmates looked to him at his comment, and the professor only gave a huff while adjusting his glasses.
"Now I understand," Rean added. "'Special Operations' indeed. I guess this is a fitting enough exercise, given our class's name. And it's not just for my students either, is it?"
"It's good that you're quick on the uptake," said Irving. "that said, don't assume it will be the same as the Class VII you were part of. Rather than an experimental clash between social classes, this one will act as an established task force for assignments in the field. And as its instructor, you will have your students see each assignment through."
"It's all starting to come together," Rean glanced to the white-haired girl, who simply looked away.
"H-Hold on just a second!" the pink-haired girl snapped. "We did what you said and came here, but what the heck is all this crap?! This is just – rrgh! I mean, no one ever told me I was being put in some shady black ops squad!"
"… and the comments about keeping an eye on me make a lot more sense now," Shin added, his classmate gesturing to him as if he was only aiding her point.
He was not.
"Your placement in Class VII is the result of your aptitude test, Cadet Crawford. If you are dissatisfied, you have the option to pack your bags and return to the Military Police Academy."
"Grr…" yet Crawford relented anyway.
"I've yet to accept the situation, but I understand it now, at the very least," added the blue-haired boy. "Can you give us more details?"
"Certainly. Instructor Schwarzer and the four of will enter the Keep and stand by for further instructions," Irving then stepped over to Rean, and Shin could only raise a curious brow as the Major handed five small colored orbs with different markings on them to the instructor. "While on standby, they will explain their qualifications as you brief them on the use of the ARCUS II."
"Understood," Rean nodded as he pocketed the orbs.
"Bah. Finally," the professor sounded all too ready to just chuck all of them into the Keep if he could. "We can begin the trial. Disciple candidate! Don't dawdle! Everything must be up and running in ten minutes!"
"Y-Yes!"
With a few glances all around – and some shrugs from Shin and Crawford – they followed the professor into the Keep. Giving one more glance back as the door closed, Shin raised a brow as he spotted someone else coming down the path, but the doors shut behind them all before he could really get a good look at the person.
And no sooner had the group entered than the professor and the Russell girl gone head and moved to another room, likely the control center of the Keep.
And the interior was nothing short of a marvel for Shin to take in. End to end, everything was a cold steel grey or black, accented by the soft white lighting above and the few hints of red provided by segments of the walls, and with a path ahead that no doubt led further into the Keep just after the side path leading to the control room.
"A facility full of untested mechanisms certainly sounds like a playground for the professor," Rean commented, then glancing to the short girl. "So how much do you already know?"
"Nothing to specific," she answered, her voice at an almost emotionlessly even tone. "The aboveground portion is a cube measuring 50 arge on each side, and the belowground area is still being expanded."
"Are the two of you already acquainted?" The blue-haired boy spoke the question Shin and Crawford were clearly thinking this whole time.
"We are. I just had no idea she'd be one of my students. But that's neither here nor there. Let's start with introductions while everything's being prepped," Rean turned to his students, once again looking over them. "I just got here earlier today, so I'm sorry I haven't had time to speak with you three yet. I'm…"
"Hmph, why even bother introducing yourself?" Crawford gave a huff, folding her arms and looking aside. "We all know you're Rean Schwarzer, the Ashen Chevalier. The big hero who put an end to the Erebonian Civil War when he was just a student. Not to mention the occupation of Crossbell. I'm sure everyone in Erebonia knows who you are. Probably everyone in Crossbell, too."
"In addition," said the blue-haired boy. "You solved incident after incident across the empire as part of your schoolwork. Then during the Northern War last October, you worked alongside General Le Guin and Brigadier General Bardias to annex North Ambria."
"Le Guin? Like, our principal?" Crawford's eyes widened as the other part sunk in. "Wait, what?! And he helped occupy North Ambria?!"
As Crawford glared at Rean, the white-haired girl spoke up. "That's erroneous. The actual circumstances were-"
"Uhm, ahem…" Shin gave a chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. "Is it fair if I say I wasn't aware of any of this until… just now, actually? I heard a bit on the train but, all of this is rather new to me."
"Huh?!" Crawford snapped to look at Shin, surprise all over her face as the boy chuckled again. "How would you not have known that if you're in Erebonia?! Have you been living under a rock or something?! Or are you just from that far away you couldn't have known?"
"The latter," Shin's voice went flat as he gave Crawford a bemused stare. "I'm from the Far East. So, I do apologize for not knowing everything that's happened beyond Calvard's border."
"Oh, so you're… sorry about that."
"It's fine. Clearly, this is something you're passionate about."
"From the Far East? You wouldn't happen to mean the Iska states?" said the blue-haired boy.
"Ahehehe, spot on, actually. I wanted to see a bit more of the world, and on recommendation from someone close to me, decided to come to Erebonia to study. Though… let's just say this situation has come as a bit of a surprise."
Rean's gaze lingered on Shin for a moment, then turning to the other two. "Well, two of you are very well informed. Though calling me a 'hero' is a bit much. I'd still like to say a little bit about myself. And clearly, for at least one of you, the introductions will be helpful."
"Greatly, thank you," Shin nodded, and Crawford let out an annoyed little grunt at how all too polite the boy was being about things.
"As you know, I'm Rean Schwarzer. I'm a graduate of Thors Military Academy's main campus. I got my diploma just last month, and I'm starting as an instructor here at the branch campus today. I'll be overseeing martial arts and Panzer Soldat training outside the classroom. Inside the classroom, I'll be teaching history. That is, of course, in addition to being the homeroom teacher for Class VII: Special Operations."
"I'll go next," the blue-haired boy said. "My name is Kurt Vander. I'm from the capital. I've heard more than just the common stories about you."
"You're a Vander?" As Rean asked the question, he took note of the fact Shin once again looked ever so mildly confused for a moment. And Shin could tell Rean was no doubt thinking it was perhaps even stranger even that wasn't something he seemed aware of despite his stated time in Erebonia. "That would make you General Zechs' and Lieutenant Colonel Mueller's…?"
"Mueller is my older brother. And Zechs is my uncle. Though I'm aware I look nothing like them – right up to my hair."
"Yeah…"
"By the way, are those glasses fake? They don't look good on you at all. You should probably get rid of them."
Shin could only stifle a noise as Kurt up and said the thought he'd had during the introduction "ceremony" aloud. Rean let out a sigh and Crawford audibly laughed.
"Fashion is clearly not their intended function," and yet the white-haired girl seemed entirely oblivious to what Kurt was getting at.
"Hagh, alright, I get it," Rean shook his head. "They don't look good. No need to rub it in. Nice to meet you Kurt," Rean glanced to Crawford next. "You're up next."
"Ngh… Fine. Oh, brother…" Crawford took in a breath before speaking. "I'm Juna Crawford. I transferred here from the Crossbell Police Academy. And honestly, I'd rather not be here… but if that's how it's gonna be, then I'll just have to make the most of it!"
"Ahh, Crossbell. I had my suspicions," Rean murmured, Juna giving a huff. "So, when you say 'police academy', you're talking about the Military Police Academy, right?"
"There was no 'military' slapped on the name before the annexation! You guys are the ones who changed it!" Shin got the immediate sense that was a very touchy subject for Juna. "Are you saying I can only call it by the 'official' title the great and powerful Erebonia blessed it with?!"
"… Miss Crawford, I can perhaps understand this topic being touchy for you, but… perhaps it's unwise to put words into our instructor's mouth?" Shin said, Juna now turning her glare to him.
"That's… not what I meant," Rean quickly cut in. "Sorry. I was being insensitive."
"W-Well…" Juna sighed as she looked between Shin and Rean. "I might have overreacted. But I still don't accept that name."
"That's completely understandable," Rean nodded.
"Alright, your turn, pretty boy," Juna looked at Shin next.
"Ah… hahaha, well, I doubt my story wouldn't be lacking for details if we had more time," Shin cleared his throat. "My name is Shin Shiraha, and as I said earlier, I'm from the Iska states, and have come to Erebonia to engage in some foreign studies. I guess you could say it was… youthful whims that brought me here."
"What?" Juna gave Shin an incredulous look, and even Kurt looked surprised. "What whim made you decide to enroll here?!"
"I… doubt it would make sense if I explained it right now. But I have my reasons for deciding to study in Erebonia. And those reasons… well, I was told enrolling in a school like Thors would make my stay here… perhaps more manageable. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."
"Didn't I hear you mutter something about 'keeping eyes on me' before we entered the keep?" Kurt asked. "I assume this has something to do with you being from beyond Calvard."
"Ahaha, spot on, Sir Vander. I can explain it when we have more time… but let's just say my attendance has some… caveats."
"I see…" Rean let out a hum, a thought clearly running through his mind. "Well, I'm sure as your instructor, I'll end up hearing all about it later today."
"I'm last, then," said the white-haired girl. "Altina Orion. Formerly part of the Imperial Army's Intelligence Division."
"Uhhh…" Juna murmured.
"Uhm… Miss Orion, that doesn't sound like something to be said quite so openly," Shin said what he, Juna, and Kurt were thinking, the other two nodding along with him.
"My affiliation with them ended upon my enrollment here… on paper. Please, think nothing of it."
"That doesn't quite do enough to assuage the thought," Shin closed his eyes as he muttered. "Or that I don't think we should even be aware of it, in fact."
"Agreed," Kurt nodded. "I feel as if we shouldn't have heard that at all."
"The Intelligence Division is pretty hardcore, isn't it?" Juna added. "Hold up! What do you mean 'on paper'?!"
"Slip of the tongue. Oops."
"'Sure, it was," Shin's surprisingly quick retort to the obvious snark got a somewhat surprised look from Rean.
"Th-Thank you for waiting!" with a brief keen of the intercom, Russell's voice echoed across the room. "Preparations are now complete for the Level 0 Einhel trial. If you haven't already, please set your ARCUS IIs now!"
"Is that the girl from earlier?" Juna hummed.
"Same voice, so it must be," Shin nodded.
"I was under the impression she was a student like us," said Kurt.
"Understood! Give us just a moment!" Rean reached into his coat's pocket, drawing his own ARCUS II from it. "Each of you were given one of these, right?"
"Ah, that," Kurt said.
"I was sent one, but I haven't turned it on yet," said Juna.
"I've turned mine on, but…" again Shin put his hand behind his head. "Well, this model of orbment is rather new to me. I haven't used a model from the latest generations though."
"Really now?" Juna hummed. "Well, latest-gen combat orbments have some pretty handy functions."
"I am sure they do."
"Well, now's a good time as any to explain," Rean chuckled as his students drew out their own devices, each opening up with a quick press of the side switches. "It's a battle orbment. Normal battle orbments are personal devices that link with their user and can produce a variety of effects. They can improve your physical abilities, and allow you to cast orbal arts, among other things. But this is the newest model – the ARCUS II. It has a few additional functions."
"Interesting…" Kurt hummed.
"It's a little different from the Enigma models in Crossbell," commented Juna.
"To be precise," began Altina. "They are the product of a collaboration between the Reinford Company and the Epstein Foundation. I assume these models are combat ready?"
"Yeah, I'll explain how they work," Rean reached into his coat again, this time pulling out the five small orbs Irving had handed him. "Now, each of you take one of these."
The five orbs in Rean's hand were all of similar shape but stood out by all but two being of different colors, while each bore a different gold marking to them.
Juna took the amber orb depicting a sword and winged shield. Kurt the green orb depicting a cross. Altina picked the dark black orb displaying a heart shape. And Shin took a moment to look between the last two, a red one depicting a burning blade, and another black orb depicting an armored figure seated on a throne.
"Not sure what they are?" Rean asked, Shin nodding. Giving a chuckle, Rean picked out the second black orb and dropped it into Shin's hand. "This is called a Master Quartz."
"So, we get master quartz off the bat?" Kurt hummed.
"The Enigmas had these," Juna said, seeming a bit more in-tune to the idea of the new orbments.
"The model I used before now definitely didn't make use of quartz like this," Shin chuckled.
"Go ahead and insert it into the central slot," Rean said.
"Yes, sir," Kurt was quick about it, Juna and Shin exchanging a look as they looked over the lower portion of their ARCUS IIs.
"Right here?" Juna pointed to a central, circular slot on that lower portion, Shin taking note how while one slot of the other segments surrounding the central one was open, the rest were closed. He also noted how a slot right below the central one was present, but also closed.
With a nod from Rean to confirm it, all of them inserted their assorted master quarts into their orbments. And Shin was surprised as he was immediately struck by a feeling of something washing over his entire body the instant the quartz was inserted, a brief, warm sensation running along him.
"Whoa…!" Juna gasped, sounding almost impressed.
"Well… that's a new sensation," Shin chuckled.
"I can feel it working," Kurt said.
"Now that you've inserted your master quartz, you're synched with your ARCUS units," said Rean. "You should be able to notice a significant difference in combat."
"All right."
"Oookay, now this is new."
"… definitely something to get used to."
"How long do you intend to keep me waiting?" and the irate voice of the professor blared from the speakers next, the group quickly closing their ARCUS units and pocketing them.
"Sorry, Professor! We're ready!" Rean called out.
"Then let's not waste any more time. Level 0 begins on Floor B1. The trial will be considered completed once you return to ground level."
"Professor isn't that red leve – Sir, you shouldn't use that!" whatever Russell was protesting, they could only guess.
"Oh, don't act like you have a lick of common sense. You're Albert's granddaughter! It's time we saw what Class VII: Special Operations is made of. I'm curious to see if you can survive with a passing score."
"… so does anyone else suddenly have a bad feeling about what this professor has planned for us?" Shin commented, a few nods going around. "Good to know it wasn't just me feeling that sense of danger…"
"I'd suggest you watch the floor!" Rean said, all but Altina giving him a surprised look.
Just in time for the floor to suddenly buckle underneath them all, turning into a ramp and sending them all sliding down all too quickly.
"Right yourself, and brace for the landing!" Shin just heard Ren calling out to them, but Juna and Kurt's surprised screams mixed with his own almost drowned the instructor out.
This… may end badly… was Shin's first thought before they went careening through an opening, a series of thuds sounding as they finally landed who knows where.
After that brief shock, Shin felt himself slowly coming out of the ensuing daze that came with it. Only to find that when he opened his eyes, he was faced with a surprising mix of darkness and… bizarrely soft sensation mixed with the feeling of cloth over his face, plus some subtle warmth.
"… Sir Vander… are you there?" Shin muttered his voice ever so slightly muffled as he also heard Juna groaning.
"Yes," Kurt replied, his voice a slight groan too. "Seems we all had a… rough landing."
"Might you be so kind as to tell me… exactly the kind of situation I have landed in… against all odds?"
"Uh… wh-what happened anyway?" Juna murmured, Shin giving a slight groan of distress. "I remember that professor talking… then the floor opened up…"
"Well…" they heard Kurt murmur. "Let's just say that… it's certainly a landing for the history books."
"… lucky me," Shin grumbled, another unamused groan following. "… Miss Juna?"
"Huh?"
"I… don't mean to cause you any distress, but uhm…" Shin made sure to screw his eyes shut as Juna seemed to be realizing what was happening. "It seems you have unintentionally used me as a landing pad. And we have ended up in a rather unfortunate position. So… may I kindly ask you to… remove yourself from atop me? You're not heavy but… considering the, uhm, position… I can barely breathe."
Juna could only stammer in shock as her face took on a deeper pink shade than her hair, Kurt sighing from beside them. And also, just in time for Rean and Altina to arrive.
"Well then…" Rean muttered, and going by his tone, Shin could only guess the instructor was… familiar with this sort of happenstance occurrence.
"The floor appears to be padded, so bruising should not be an issue," Altina commented. "How strangely like the obscene positions you often find yourself in, Instructor Rean."
"Please don't say things that'll give people the wrong impression. Oh, wow, I'm surprised you're already calling me an instructor."
"That is your current designation."
"… I'm glad you two are getting along, but uhm… please?" Shin mumbled, sighing in relief when Juna finally scrambled off of him, the boy sitting up and taking in a deep breath. "Thank you."
"Rrrrrrgh…" and yet Juna was glaring down at Shin with all the frustration in the world, perhaps made worse by Shin's awkward, downright innocently stilted grin as he chuckled.
"Could we perhaps… call this for the accident it was and simply… move on from here?" Shin glanced to the side as Juna's muttering turned into outright growling. "Apparently not."
"It seems intent is irrelevant in this situation," Kurt commented, Shin awkwardly chuckling again. "Shiraha, perhaps you should simply accept what's to come next."
"I think I can infer what comes next, and that I'm not going to like it!" Shin countered. "And as I said, it was an accident! Why should I accept anything when it wasn't my fault?"
"Oh, so that's what you have to say after having your face all up in my chest like that?!" Juna clenched a hand into a fist, Shin and Kurt both having a brow twitch out of concern. "You know, the way you talk, being all old-fashioned and polite sounding and stuff, is actually kind of getting on my nerves! Despite how you sound, I bet you actually enjoyed that, didn't you?!"
"… at this point I doubt anything I say will be believed. But I also feel letting someone hit me solely so they can feel better is not serving any purpose either."
"Keep talking. You're just pissing me off more," Juna cracked her knuckles as Shin stood. Both gave chuckles, one awkward the other threatening… and then Juna threw a punch.
But rather than letting it even hit him, Shin stepped to the side, his right hand flying up as Juna's punch passed by, guiding her first forward, and letting her sail past him. Juna stumbled forward a bit as she failed to connect, Shin already stepping back with his hands raised in a defensive stance. Juna meanwhile was seething as her fist shook.
"Rrrgh… why'd you step out of the way huh?!"
"As I said, I am not keen to let someone hit me solely so they may feel better about something that was the fault of neither of us! I understand your embarrassment, but if you want to be angry at anyone, be angry at the professor who threw us down a hole as part of this test!"
"Why you…!"
"Alright, break it up!" Rean stepped between the two before Juna could try and throw a punch again, Shin letting out a relieved sigh. "Juna, I understand how you feel, but Shin is right. It wasn't his fault, so don't take it out on him."
"Of anything I'm surprised he dodged that punch so well," Kurt remarked. "That deflection was clearly a martial arts form."
"Clearly you're more well trained than assumed," Altina commented.
"Ahaha… Not far off the mark. I'm certainly trained in a few forms from the East. My basics are good, but I'm far from being more than a beginner."
"So, it seems," Kurt hummed.
"You were just a bit unlucky," Rean said.
"Well… if I'd been more prepared for something like that, I'm sure I could have made a proper landing," Shin said. "While it was a surprise for sure, I should have been able respond accordingly. And, while I won't say it was explicitly my fault… I do bear some of the responsibility in my classmate's embarrassment."
"I concur," Kurt added. "My landing was far from ideal as well, though unlike these two I was… more fortunate, I suppose. But I still lack the expertise needed for a proper landing. Were mine and Shiraha's places switched, I too would accept some fault for it."
"I-I see…" Rean had a face expressing surprise at the maturity on display from the two boys.
"Geez, Erebonian boys are just… ugh," Juna let out a groan, Altina glancing at her.
"I doubt their nationality played any factor. And Shin isn't even Erebonian."
"Well, minus some wounded pride, the four of you look fine to me," said Rean. "So, it's time to begin storming the Keep. But first, I'll need each of you to show me your weapons."
"This whole thing is a joke, right?" Juna said, even as she put a hand on her weapons. "Do we really have to play along?"
"I doubt we'll be given the chance," Shin sighed.
"You're not off the hook, so don't push it," Juna bit, Shin raising his hands.
"I know the professor," Rean stated. "And he isn't the type to joke around. He's serious about measuring each of our abilities. I want to learn everyone's combat styles so we can work together and get out of here safely."
"Understood. These are my weapons," Kurt was the first to volunteer, drawing the swords at his hips. Shin couldn't help but take the details of the tools in. The sword in Kurt's right hand was a standard length, while the left was a degree shorter, and yet both weapons were effectively identical in appearance. Elegant yet simple, the centers steely white, while the inlays and edges were a bright shade of bronze. The otherwise traditional looking blades were given an extra flourish by the blades having the lower portion extend over the otherwise typical cross guard as well.
"Two swords?" Juna commented.
"A rather uncommon choice in arms, from what I know of Erebonian swordsmanship…" Shin said.
"That takes skill," said Altina.
"You're using the Vander school's dual blade style, then," observed Rean. "I knew of it, but I've never met a practitioner."
"I admit, our greatsword style has far more notoriety. But that style also requires one to be born with a broader physique. These blades are better suited for the likes of me."
"I didn't realize. Well, Juna, how about you?"
"I'm still not down for all of this," giving a sigh, Juna relented, undoing the clips on the holders of her weapons. "But I get it. This is a military academy, so here you go."
With a quick flourish, Juna drew the tonfas from their holsters, and only now that the blunt weapons were drawn could it be seen they also had a segment Shin recognized as being from an orbal firearm out of diagrams he'd seen, the overall weapon blocky and mechanical, the plating done in a dark pink coloration. And as Juna adjusted her stance, they could also see the barrels at the ends of the weapons.
Compared to Kurt's simpler swords, the much more advanced looking tonfas certainly told of their place of origin, and of changing times as weapons technology continued to advance beyond the days of old.
"Another dual wielder," Kurt had a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Yes, but tonfas are traditionally dual wielded as is," Shin added. "Martial arts that make use of them encourage using two to maximize both defense and offense."
"You use side handle batons?" Altina said.
"They look a little more complicated than that," Rean noted. "What are they, exactly?"
"These are gunbreakers – special tonfa with guns installed. Developed by the one and only CGF," Juna had an obvious bit of pride in her voice as she explained. "They can switch between melee, and mid-range firing."
"An intriguing weapon," Altina noted.
"The Crossbell Guardian Force, right?" Rean asked, "Good to know, we'll see how well they work in action today. You do seem to know your way around them."
"O-Of course I do! I trained with them at the police academy!" Juna looked to Kurt, a bit of a smirk on her face. "And they'll be way more useful than a couple of weapons as old as the Great Collapse, and whatever Shiraha has in that case of his."
Shin and Kurt simply gave Juna flat looks, the girl looking away with a click of her tongue.
"We'll see where everyone stands once we've engaged in actual combat," Rean then looked to Altina. "You're up next, Altina."
"Understood."
"Hold up. There's something I've been wondering for a while now," said Juna, Kurt nodding along. "Who let a kid enroll at a military academy?"
"I've been curious about that myself," Kurt added, a glance to Shin prompting the boy to nod his own affirmation. "She claimed to be with the Intelligence Division, but surely she won't be fighting with us?"
"Well, personally, I agree, but…" Rean murmured, Shin giving a hum.
"I assume you know what she can do, right, Instructor?" Rean nodded to Shin's comment.
"There is no need for concern," Altina said. "My physical age is approximately 14 years old. I am no small child."
"'Ph-Physical age'?" Juna looked to the other two older class members, and they clearly shared her incredulity at this. "No, you're definitely small."
"I also have my weapon – the basis for my admittance into the Intelligence Division," Altina raised an arm, and right behind her, a figure flashed into form. Some kind of floating machine, its body black and accented by silver, made up of three similarly shaped "posts" forming arms and a central body, connected by glowing orb-structures and armored shoulders, with a "face" formed in the center.
"What the hell?!" Juna yelped, while Shin and Kurt looked far more curious about the object.
"That explains that black shadow I thought I saw earlier…" said Kurt.
"And it certainly makes for an interesting weapon. Is it some kind of autonomous weapon?" Shin got an affirming nod from Altina.
"It is called Claiomh Solais – a combat shell," said the small girl. "The latest version of a line of special weaponry. Further details are classified. Suffice to say, it will contribute to our overall fighting strength."
"Are… things like that normal in the Empire?" Juna asked, she and Shin looking to Kurt as the combat shell vanished again. The blue-haired boy gave a sigh, shaking his head.
"Of course not. It's my first time seeing something like this, too."
"I don't blame any of you for having questions, but we can save them for another time," said Rean, now turning to Shin. "And next, Shin. Yours is in that case so, no guesses from us yet…"
"Ah, right," Shin chuckled as he removed the slim case from his shoulder, setting it to the ground. "You may find my weapon… interesting, Instructor Schwarzer."
As the case opened, Shin drew out a sword that certainly caught Rean's attention. Similar in make to the instructor's own tachi, though a fraction shorter.
The sheathe was a black lacquer and engraved with silver reliefs of eastern flowers, the top and end capped in bright silver metal working. The guard was styled to look like a pair of feathers, angled to overlap with one another in forming a slender diamond shape.
The long hilt was traditional looking, done in blue leather with white stitching, the base capped in with a tear-drop shaped bit of steel, a blue gem embedded in it while two blue tassels were looped through it, with two more small, clear gems shining at the base of the tassels.
And with a smooth draw of the blade, the slight curve of the single-edged weapon gave off a bright ebon gleam, the metal silver and blue highlights making it look almost as if it was spangled in motes of light as Shin moved it to his shoulder for a moment.
"An eastern sword?" Kurt commented.
"Specifically, this type is called an uchigatana," Shin chuckled. "It and the tachi are… admittedly pretty similar to one another, but the blade is usually made somewhat shorter. The main difference though is in the curve."
"Right," Rean hummed. "Tachi style blades have a more pronounced curve, whereas the uchigatana's curve is less so. Also, uchigatanas are worn edge upward, not downward. Despite their similarities, the way their made is usually a good indicator when you know what to look for."
"Spot on, Instructor."
"So, I take it you make use of a sword school from the Far East? You're clothing also seems from there, so I couldn't help but think that may be the case," Rean drew his own tachi as he spoke, the others eying both swords. They were similar enough in make, even if the blades showed only the slightest differences in overall length, but it was quite clear how Rean's blade had a more pronounced curvature compared to Shin's uchigatana.
"That would also be correct," Shin nodded as he returned his uchigatana to its sheathe. "I've been trained in a few different styles. Might I ask if you're a student of the Eight Leaves One Blade school? It's the only school I could imagine a Westerner knowing that would lead them to using a tachi."
"That I am," Rean nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised to learn someone from the East is even more familiar with it than anyone here in the West is."
"Certainly," Shin chuckled. "As it happens… well, I'm familiar with the stories about Master Yun Ka-fai. He's quite famous back home in the East. I can tell you more once we're done here, if you're interested."
"I'd be happy to hear any stories you might have of my master."
"… just like back then," Juna flinched. "Ah! I mean… they're just like the sword Arios used."
"Right," Rean noted. "It's not an Imperial style sword. Like Kurt said, it's from the East. Hehe, I guess the Divine Blade of Wind is pretty famous in Crossbell, huh?"
"A lot happened, but he still has plenty of fans," said Juna. "Even when a certain Empire has made him a wanted man."
"Yeah… I suppose so," Rean gave a slight shake of his head. Shin could only feel sympathy for the clear need to be a bit too careful with word choice here. "That covers everyone, then. Let's be on our way."
With everything set, the group turned to the door just head of them, the cold steel softly glowing from the orbal energy flow of the facility. Rean stepped ahead, taking point as they moved to the door.
"We're currently on floor B1," said the instructor. "If we make it back up to ground level, this little trial will be over. I'll give you some tips along the way on combat, how to use Arts, and your ARCUS units. Follow me, and proceed carefully and deliberately."
"Okay! Let's just go!" Juna grumbled.
"I'll give it my all," Kurt nodded.
"Commence mission," Altina was… rather clinical otherwise.
"I'll admit, I am a little excited that this is how the first day is going," Shin chuckled.
"If you need a bit of extra time, we can wait for a moment," Rean said, though from the looks of things, not a one of his students seemed hesitant in moving forward. "Alright, let's get going!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the door opened, the five moved ahead to whatever lay beyond in the Keep for them. Rean could only hope the professor wouldn't make things too difficult in the interest of at least making sure they could keep running through this place.
They would just have to see what was waiting.
