Chapter 4: Clearing Trial 0

Awaiting Class VII beyond the door was what had to be the final chamber. A large enough room with a sizable main floor that followed up to an array of stairs ending at one last doorway above them.

"Phew," Juna let out a relieved sigh. "Is that finally the way out up there?"

"The way back to the ground floor," Altina confirmed it. "It appears we've reached the designated point."

"Yeah, it seems so," Rean nodded, then noticing Shin tapping a foot. "Shin, anything wrong?"

"I can't shake the feeling we're not going to be allowed to leave that easily, going by what you said about this professor," Shin muttered, Rean giving a nervous chuckle.

"You… might be right about that."

"Sheesh," Juna grumbled. "What is wrong with Erebonians? What are you all thinking, building an insane place like this on a school campus?!"

Kurt sighed next, giving Juna a much more bemused look than Rean and Altina.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't lump us all together like that," Kurt then looked to Rean. "The professor… He really is the famous G. Schmidt, isn't he?"

"Yeah, for better or worse," replied the instructor. "Though I have no clue why he's at the branch cam—" Rean paused for a moment, and Shin also perked up. "Wait a second…"

"I hate being right," Shin muttered, already moving a hand to his sword.

"Be on alert," said Altina. "I have detected a spike in mana.

"In what?" Juna said.

"Mana?" Kurt murmured.

"Y-You guys need to get out there right away!" the professor's assistant shouted over the intercom.

But it was too late it seemed. In a flash, a dark ball of energy formed before Class VII, soon taking form into a kneeling, armored humanoid figure many times their size. The thing then stood, coming to a full height of at least 7 arge tall, its armor jet black and glowing with orange-colored energy at its exposed joints and fists.

"I-Is this thing… a Panzer Soldat?!" Juna gasped.

"No, this is—" Altina was cut off when the entity roared, the class drawing their weapons as it seemed ready to strike.

"It's a Magic Knight!" Rean stated. "An orbal golem from the Dark Ages!"

"Might I ask why it is one of them is here if that's the case?" Shin yelped.

"Professor Schmidt!" Rean shouted. "Are you responsible for this?!"

"I happened to acquire a few of these antique machines when they appeared during the civil war," answered Schmidt. "Though its output is, lamentably, inferior to Panzer Soldats, its ability to act autonomously is useful. This will be your final challenge in this trial."

"Krgh! Is he serious?!" Kurt growled.

"What is wrong with him?!" Juna spat. "This is going too far!"

"We're supposed to fight something like this on foot?!" Shin snapped.

Rean looked at his students, Shin catching he was clearly deciding on something. And seeming to have made his choice, Rean took one hand off his tachi and lifted it high.

"Heed my call, Valimar—"

"The use of a Divine Knight is prohibited for this trial," but Schmidt cut Rean off before he could finish. "Level 0 was not calibrated to account for its intervention. Were you to use it against such an opponent, the data I would receive would be useless."

"I'm assuming attempting to argue that our lives are worth more than his data would fall on deaf ears," Shin sighed.

"You do have another option available to you, Schwarzer," after a moment of pause while Rean grimaced, the professor gave a huff. "Or, if you'd prefer, you may choose to activate the new function installed in the ARCUS IIs."

"Please activate Brave Order!' said Schmidt's assistant. "Olivier—er, Prince Olivert said that you would be able to use it for sure, Instructor!"

"All right, will do!" Rean drew his orbment, and as he focused, a glow soon surrounded him and his students.

"What is this?!" Kurt gasped.

"I-I feel some kind of energy coming from him!" Juna said.

"A combat link?" Altina shook her head. "No, it's different—"

"This feels… more like some kind of empowered state," Shin muttered.

"Prepare to engage in combat!" Rean shouted, right as the Magic Knight was beginning to approach them. Rean then pointed his sword forward, right to their target. "Brave Order! Class VII: Special Operations! Put everything you have into defeating the target!"

"Might I ask about some kind of strategy?" Shin said, Rean nodding.

"This type is called a Direwolf. As you can tell, it doesn't use weapons, but those large fists can make shockwaves whenever it strikes. Try and aim for the joints when you find an opening! And if you can't get close, hit it with Arts. Everyone understand?"

"Yes!"

"Then let's go!"

The Direwolf was the first combatant to strike, its right fist aiming for the gathered Class VII. They were quick to dash away from the point of impact, but just as Rean had said, the blow created a shockwave that narrowly missed Shin, Juna, and Kurt, while Rean took the chance to leap on the golem's arm as Altina was lifted by Claiomh Solais.

As the Magic Knight raised its fist, Rean took the chance to cleave at its elbow joint, managing to leave a decent gouge in it before leaping off right as it tried to shake him off. Altina followed this up with Claiomh Solais firing its beam, raking it across the Direwolf's chest and to the head, causing the beast to creak backwards as the line burst, yet it didn't do much beyond leaving a notable line in the armor.

As the Direwolf was rearing back its right fist to strike again, Shin was the next to respond. Bringing his uchigatana to his side, he brought his left hand just above the blade, which became alight with dark energy. And the instant he slashed, that dark glow turned into a wave that struck the Direwolf's elbow, causing it to freeze in place right as it was hit, a slight slash mark forming at the impact zone – one more shallow than what Rean had made with a simple cut alone.

Juna and Kurt followed suit just as quickly with the opening Shin made for them. Juna struck at the Direwolf's right knee, slamming the end of her tonfas to it was they burst with power in an attempt to unbalance it, while Kurt followed through in slashing with his energy-flowing blades to the same spot. But while the Direwolf did rear the leg back, it was only to kick its two attackers away, the two just blocking in time with their weapons to avoid the worst of it.

Altina dropped to the ground where Juna and Kurt landed, the two wincing as they came to a stop.

"Gather around me!" said the small girl, Claiomh Solais lowering near her while Rean and Shin kept the Direwolf's attention on them by looking for chances to strike at where they had already caused damage. "Argem Heal!"

Claiomh Solais flashed silver, Juna and Kurt feeling some of the lingering pain from the blows they'd taken ease up.

With thankful nods to Altina, both readied their ARCUSes for Arts. From Kurt's, a ball of whirling air flew forth and slammed into the Direwolf's head, leaving shallow gouges in the "helmet" it formed. And from Juna, a spear of hardened stone let loose, following from Kurt's Art and slamming into the Direwolf's head to cause further damage.

It feels like we're making alright progress, Shin had the thought as he dodged a punch from the Direwolf, wheeling backwards as he avoided the slamming blow, coming to a hard stop and leaping up to slash at the left arm joint, digging further into it but not coming at all closer to snapping it for good. But this thing is way too damn sturdy for us! Fighting a thing like this on foot, even with this Brave Order thing is nuts!

"Shin, look out!" as Rean shouted, Shin was already being flung from the Direwolf's arm as it gave a hard swing.

And when Shin was in the air, the right fist of the Magic Knight was sailing towards him. While Shin was able to bring his sword up to try and block, his arms buckled back from how hard the impact was, the boy screaming as the punch hit at near full force, sending him flying back and into the wall worryingly fast.

"Altina, help Shin up! Juna, Kurt, on me!"

Altina fell back to manage Shin as he fell to the ground, Juna and Kurt forming up with Rean as the Magic Knight roared, its aura flaring along with some of the damage done to it visibly receding as its power surged.

"Oh, are you kidding me?!" Juna's jaw dropped as she saw the damage recede, growling as she dodged a punch and responded with a hard slam of her tonfas. "Why can this thing heal itself?!"

"If it's meant to be autonomous—" Kurt stepped to the side of a follow up punch. "—then it only makes sense they could repair damage on their own!"

"So long as we don't give it time to keep it up, it'll go down!"

As Rean led Kurt and Juna in continuing to rain blows on the Magic Knight, trying to wear it down to its earlier state, Altina was helping Shin back to his feet with Claiomh Solais's healing. With the young swordsman back up, Altina gave him one more look over.

"You took that hit surprisingly well," noted the short girl. "I assume this is thanks to your prior experience?"

"Ahaha, well, one of the styles I was taught in was useful for things like evasion… through truth be told it's one thing to roll with a punch and another to get flung into a wall by a fist the size of your torso," Shin rolled his shoulders and adjusted his sword. "But not the first time I've had that happen!"

"Being punched by a Magic Knight?"

"Being thrown into a wall!" Shin sighed as Altina gave the smallest hint of a smug grin. "Ah, whatever! Let's get back in there!"

Altina nodded as Shin took off, being lifted back into the fray on her combat shell while Shin charged in, managing to deflect a blow from the Direwolf heading for Kurt with a hefty swing of his blade, the two nodding at one another before jointly following up by striking the elbow joint together.

And the fight continued that way, Class VII finding chances to rain blows from their weapons or cast Arts on the Magic Knight as it routinely swung at them with its fists aglow, sometimes bringing them together to smash the ground and send a shockwave rushing their way. But as it went on, the Magic Knight was worn down more and more.

Yet the fight seemed to drag on forever, Shin feeling his lungs burning and his muscles ache. 10, 20, 30 minutes, Shin had lost track of time a while ago. Every time they seemed close to destroying the giant, it repaired the damaged and smashed their hopes with its giant metal fists. A quick glance confirmed his classmates to be in a similar state.

Sweat trailed down their faces like waterfalls. Juna's arms trembled as she struggled to maintain a hold on her tonfas. Kurt's fluid slashes had been reduced to looking like he was swinging through mud. And Altina's face was bright red and her breathing coming out as ragged pants.

Until finally, after Juna and Altina struck a joined attack that sent it creaking back, Rean, Shin, and Kurt leapt at it. Swords streaked in red, black, and blue struck home, crashing through the damaged chest armor and finally breaking it open.

The Magic Knight let out another roar as it collapsed backwards, slamming into the floor with loud thuds, and only then did its orbal glow die away. And once it was certainly done for good, the students all collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily as the adrenaline started to wear off. Rean, otherwise, hardly looked the worse for wear among the five.

"That… was far too much for… some first day test…" Shin was panting as he forced himself to sit up, using his sword like a crutch as he dragged himself to a knee. He couldn't quite remember the last time he'd had to fight so hard and for so long.

"But… somehow… we did it…" Juna was about spitting her words out, her tonfas going slack in her hands as she barely mustered the strength to stay sitting.

"I would say… barely…" Kurt added.

"Stamina depleted…" Altina murmured, Claiomh Solais vanishing. "A short rest is required."

Rean sheathed his blade as he looked at his exhausted students, then looking up as the intercom crackled again.

"You guys did amazing!" it was the assistant girl, thankfully. "The trial's complete! But you took this way too far, Professor!"

"Hmm… That was faster than I expected. I'll have to increase the difficulty next time," as Schmidt spoke, Shin ended up giving an incredulous yell towards the intercom, perhaps matched by the assistant's own grumble.

"Could you please listen to me?!"

"This trial was completely absurd," Kurt commented.

"Next time?" Juna repeated the idea with a worried lilt. "Is he gonna make us go through all that again?!"

"The probability seems high," Altina's affirmation only made her classmates hang their heads with dejected sighs.

"Perhaps we can file a complaint for attempted murder?" Shin dryly suggested.

"At least that put an end to our orienteering exercise," Rean stepped over to Juna and extended a hand, the girl giving a grumble even as she excepted the help up, then doing the same for the rest of the students.

It's downright impressive how he hardly looks winded after that kind of fighting, Shin thought to himself. I suppose that shows the difference in experience between the two of us. Just what kinds of battles has he fought to develop that kind of ability?

"Thank you," Kurt said, Shin giving a short bow of thanks while Altina only nodded.

"Great job, class," Rean had a proud look on his face as he scanned over the students once more. "You all handled the first test of Brave Order very well. I'm proud of you. There are some areas each of you could improve on, but you just need to tackle them one at a time. I'm sure today hasn't instilled you with much faith in the idea of Class VII. Your class size and this trial are bound to raise some red flags. Then you have an instructor who's only just graduated. What if he doesn't know what he's doing? Like I said: If you want to transfer to Classes VIII or IX, I swear that I'll make it happen. But it's something I want you to decide for yourselves. Think hard about what you believe, what you want to accomplish, what kind of future you want, and—most importantly—who you are. Only you can figure out if Class VII is the right place for you. Take all that to heart, and I know you'll have your answer."

The students quietly looked amongst themselves for a moment, processing Rean's little speech. After they had clearly given it through, the first to speak was Juna.

"Juna Crawford, reporting. From today, I will be part of Class VII: Special Operations."

"Really?" Kurt sounded suitably surprised.

"Willing to go through with this despite your earlier comments?" Shin gave an amused grin, Juna giving him a glance before she looked back to Rean.

"Don't get the wrong idea, okay? It's not because I want to. I never wanted to come to this school. I'd much rather be back in Crossbell. I don't like Erebonia, and I don't think much of you, either."

"So it seems," Rean chuckled.

"But…" Juna continued. "throughout the entire exercise, your guidance was clear and accurate. If you weren't with us, we never would've beaten that thing. Honestly, it's infuriating, and I'm annoyed I couldn't show off what I learned at the police academy. That's why I'm going to stay in Class VII until I can prove myself. Until I can show up an annoying hero like you, Ashen Chevalier."

(She's ridiculous…) Kurt whispered.

(At least she's consistent in her ridiculousness,) Altina murmured.

(Ah but it makes things more fun that way I'd say,) Shin quietly snickered.

"The 'annoying' part aside…" Rean sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment. "You really don't need to keep calling me a hero. But you know what? I respect that kind of determination. Welcome to Class VII, Juna."

"Got it!"

"Kurt Vander, reporting. I will also join Class VII. That said, I have no definitive reason for doing so."

"Oh?" Rean raised a curious eye to Kurt's statement.

"I simply have no objections to the branch campus' decision to place me in this class. If anything, I'm grateful for the chances it'll give me to test my skills in real combat. I couldn't face my family if I allowed the blades I inherited to rust."

"So, they're heirlooms?" Juna said.

"Metaphorical," Altina corrected. "He mans the will of the Vander school."

"I'm also interested in seeing what the Eight Leaves can do," Kurt added. "So far, I'm not impressed."

"Whoa! That's way out of line!" Juna gasped.

"I do not believe you're in any position to say that," Altina snarked, Shin shrugging.

"Pot meet kettle, as the saying goes," commented the Iskan, Juna shooting him and Altina a look. "Also, I'd guess our instructor is at least at the intermediate level, going the execution of his techniques."

"Haha, I appreciate the statement, but I'm still learning," Rean stated. "Just like you guys. Welcome to Class VII, Kurt."

"Thank you."

"I'll be joining this class as well," Shin said. "I lack the perspective on Erebonia that Miss Crawford has, nor the ties to tradition of Sir Vander. But I don't have a reason to see my placement as incorrect, however. If anything, I believe I now understand well enough why I was chosen for this class. So, from now on, you may consider Shin Shiraha a proud member of Class VII, Instructor Schwarzer."

"Hehe, glad to have you, Shin," Rean nodded. "I look forward to seeing what you and I can learn from each other, as fellow users of Eastern swordsmanship. Your style is… well, I'd say almost eerily similar to the Eight Leaves. I'll admit, you have me curious as to what that means."

"The same goes for me, Instructor," Shin chuckled. "Just as I hope to learn much from you, I'll happily answer your questions about the styles I learned back in Iska. As a martial artist, I see it as the least I can do."

And that of course left only Altina. Once the girl realized she was now the focus of everyone's attention, she gave a mildly puzzled look.

"How about you, Altina?" said Rean.

"There is no need for confirmation. While the details are classified, I intend to follow the protocols of the missions—"

"No, Altina, that's not what I mean. The answer needs to come from you."

"..?" As Altina tilted her head, Juna, Kurt, and Shin all had different questions flash across their face in that instant but shared in thought at the least.

Does she not understand?

"I won't accept your participation unless you chose this. I don't care who originally placed you here, whether it was the principal, the Intelligence Division, or even the Imperial Government. Why do you want to stay? It can be anything."

"And it… can't be what I said?"

"Hey!" Juna spoke up as Altina's brow knit in thought. "Why are you picking on her so much? I still don't get how you guys know each other, but you can't talk like that to a little girl who—"

"I can't think of a reason," Altina said, looking to the side with a face that was just edging into a concerned expression. "All that comes to mind is how I've supported you on all of your operations this past year. If I am to be at the branch campus, it is only right that I be in your class. It was also class VII who once stood in the way of my mission. Even if the students have changed, I find myself someone drawn to the name. Does that work?"

"Oh…" Juna murmured, Kurt giving a small gasp.

"Ah…" Shin hummed. "I assumed this had something to do with the prior history you two shared, but this is… intriguing."

"It works for now," Rean said. "I'm glad you're staying, Altina."

"Okay," Altina gave a nod. And with it finally done, Juna sighed as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Oh brother. You sure drew that out."

"It's been one thing after another," Kurt said.

"But at least it's been interesting," chuckled Shin.

"I now officially declare the formation of Class VII: Special Operations," said Rean. "Let's all work hard and grow together. Not just as a class, but as comrades."

As Rean finished, Shin happened to spare a glance above them, giving a small chuckle as he saw four figures standing at the doorway. I was wondering what that pressure I felt was… our principal really does have an aura about her… hehe, fitting for someone with a nickname like Golden Rakshasa.

And above at the exit to the main floor, as things happened, the scene below was being watched by four others. Principal Aurelia, Major Irving, Instructor Towa, and Instructor Randolph.

"That was so sweet, Rean," Towa commented.

"I was wondering how things were going down here," Randolph said, a settled grin on as his gaze went to Juna.

"Foolish," Irving grumbled. "No instructor has the authority to change a student's placement."

"If any of them wanted to transfer, I would've allowed it," said Aurelia, Irving giving her a surprised look.

"Principal Le Guin, with all due respect… not to mention our assumptions about the Iskan boy—"

"Everything worked out, so it's fine," Aurelia cut in, Irving giving a mutter. "Didn't you hear? They decided for themselves. Classes VIII and IX had a good start too. Not bad for a trash bin. And as for our foreign exchange student," Aurelia took a moment to look down, smirking as she saw Shin glancing up their way. "I think it's safe to say, no matter what we've assumed, he has a place here as much as anyone else," turning around, Aurelia moved back to the exit. "The coming days will be interesting indeed. Train our fledglings well while you can. That is, if you don't want them to be swept away by this turbulent era."

"Of course!" Towa said.

"Yes, ma'am," Irving gave a curt nod.

"Yeesh…" Randolph gave a slight laugh. "This is some school I landed myself in."


With the day all but over, Rean had to admit he thought that after the orienteering exercise, his work would be about done. But perhaps it was actually less surprising he had some more work to do in order to wrap his first day as an instructor up. But he was sure he would adjust to it all in time, and probably find it routine soon enough.

Though it was as he was finally finishing things up that, before he could leave the faculty room of the campus building, that Rean found himself being greeted by Michael as he was about to head out.

"Major Irving," Rean greeted the man. "Is something up?"

"Yes, there's actually something I wanted to discuss before you left."

"Oh, what is it?"

"It's about one of your students. Shiraha, to be precise. Since his attendance is set, it's best you are debriefed as soon as possible."

"Know what?"

"Since I don't wish to waste your time this late, let's talk as we walk," Michael gestured forward, Rean nodding as he followed the Major out into the hall. "The obvious is that Shiraha being a foreigner from as far away as Iska means his attendance came with complications."

"That makes sense. Iska is even further to the East than Calvard. The Empire doesn't really have a relationship with them as a result. But why would that complicate Shin's attendance here? If he made it through the entrance exams, then why would there be a problem?"

"It's not even that he did surprisingly well on his exam in order to attend. Admittedly, and I chalk this up to ignorance on his part, his application was for the main campus. I think you can imagine why he was moved here to the branch campus instead."

"Yeah, I doubt the main campus wanted him there."

"Indeed," Michael came to a stop as they reached the main stairwell. "I'm sure you noticed during the Einhel Keep trial that he's, aside from Orion, perhaps the most experienced fighter among your students."

"He definitely knew his way around a fight better than I thought he would," Rean admitted. "And he did mention that growing up in Iska meant he had to learn to fight a lot sooner than others his age. I guess I didn't think much about what he could have meant by that at the time."

"The short of it is that Iska is an incredibly unstable nation," Michael's statement brought out a surprised sound from Rean. "While it operates under a single name, it's more apt to call it a collection of city-states that fight amongst themselves on a regular basis. And a region that unstable would be prime work for those such as Jaeger groups where their military forces fall short."

"That makes sense," Rean hummed. "But I don't see what this would have to do with Shin. Unless… wait… are you saying you think he's connected to one of the Iskan militaries or a Jaeger Corps?"

"We have due cause to believe his combat skills may be due to such an origin, yes."

"Have you considered the idea he came to Erebonia to escape the fighting in Iska? Even if he is trained and has a familiarity with military tactics, that could just be things he had to know, not because he's a soldier."

"If he wanted to do that, then why enroll at a military academy?" Rean couldn't dreg up an immediate reply to that. "However, not only did he test positive for ARCUS compatibility, the other reason there are complications is his reasoning for coming to Erebonia to begin with. During his admittance, he said the reason he's here, well… is because he feels there's some reason for him to be in Erebonia. A calling, if you will."

"What, like he was… sent here? By something, or someone?"

"I can't say. The benevolent assumption is it is merely due to some spiritual belief he holds. As it stands, though, as his instructor it's up to you to keep an eye on him and see if you can't find out why he's even in Erebonia if such is not the case. If it at all seems like he's here with some ulterior motives, I'm sure you understand what may need to be done. For now, though, it seems he's content to simply act as a student. Just be sure to keep an eye out."

"Alright, but…" Michael turned back as he was descending the stairs. "I know I just met him, but something about Shin doesn't feel dishonest. Sure, maybe he's hiding some things about himself, but it doesn't feel like there's some hidden meaning behind his reasoning."

"It's your judgment to make now, though I will be making my own assessment based on his actions under you. Though I'm sure you'll have your hands plenty full with other things, so don't think too much of it for now."

"Alright…" Rean let out a sigh once Michael left, giving it a moment to think it over while he stood around. I can admit I'm curious about him. Among all of my new students, he certainly has the most mystery. I wouldn't say he was evasive with what he said, more not telling the whole truth. And then there's how his swordsmanship is similar to the Eight Leaves… it can't be possible for him to have been trained by Master Ka-fai, and if he was another student I feel he would have said that. But he's definitely trained in a different style. Maybe it's just one that's somehow connected to the Eight Leaves.

And as he started down the stairs himself, Rean also thought back to Shin's statements on why he was so familiar with combat. And there was also how he berated himself for not catching how the Organ had played dead, that mention of a "Nee-san". Whatever the case is, Shin clearly knows people who were teaching him how to fight. I can't deny Major Irving's logic. It wouldn't be the first time I met someone who was raised by Jaegers either, if that actually is the case. But… he also didn't seem averse to talking about those things.

Rean could only sigh again. Whatever fate had decided, it seemed he had quite the interesting set of events waiting ahead of him. All he could really do for now was see where it went and do the best he could.