And we are back for more in Underworld. I want to thank everyone that has been reviewing this fic. You guys give me both encouragement and insight for this story. Including knowing how to make it better going down the line.

Special thanks to TheDemonSlayer 9 for their input in helping this story going forward. Including those minute corrections I needed to tackle before pressing on.

Anyways, here we go in seeing how Kirito and Eugeo will take the news they just got from Liz going forward.

Disclaimer: Reki Kawahara is the sole owner of everything SAO related, as he is the original creator. On that note:

Thank you very much for your creativity and expansive world, Kawahara-san.

Now,

LINK START!

Chapter 4:

One's Will

Even the day following the acquisition of Kirito's black sword, the shock of hearing that a friend of theirs had been in Centoria and gotten acquainted with someone they had enlisted in a task set by a mysterious stranger had yet to settle. The boys were ecstatic to know their friend had been here, but the thoughts that followed persisted. What had happened to make Asuna no longer come to Lisbeth's shop? Did something happen on her last visit? Had Alice been with her during that time? All these questions hampered the boy's ability to practice with their mentors.

Kirito himself was out in the yard to begin practicing with his new sword, which he temporarily dubbed the Black One due to his inability to think up a name, glancing down at it for a moment and seeing his reflection on the flat of the blade. He contemplated what Lisbeth had said yesterday about Asuna being a friend of hers who visited often, trying to make sense of something so rattling. He didn't put it past her to make friends with someone like Lisbeth and especially Silica. The more he thought about it though, the more he started to come to grips with what he knew. He was going to keep pushing with Eugeo to get into the Axiom Church, rescue Asuna and Alice, and bring them back to Rulid village.

Squeezing the handle, he muttered, "We're going to make it. And we'll bring them back." He then returned to what he was doing today: perfecting the sword skill Kayaba taught him and Eugeo that could only be achieved with a high priority weapon. He had checked his black sword, and learned it had an Authority level of 46. Knowing that, he was ready to try one of the higher degree sword skills in the Aincrad style. He took a solid stance with his sword pointed out to the side. He concentrated on the particular skill, waiting for the ringing that would indicate its execution. Once it sounded, Kirito sprang into action. He cut around an imaginary target with four horizontal slashes that he executed in quick succession. As he finished, what appeared to be the slash marks from his sword fanned out from the center before fading.

Kirito relaxed his stance once he finished, taking pride in what he had just done. According to Kayaba, this was one of the sword skills that hit more than one time. Compared to something like the High Norkia style which focused on single, powerful strikes, these strikes made up for it with adding consecutive hits. In this case, Kirito had succeeded at the skill Horizontal Square. Skills like this that hit more than once required higher priority weapons, almost to the point of Divine Objects like the Blue Rose Sword. Now that he had his black sword, Kirito could execute the more difficult skills and show them to Sortiliena before she graduated. He figured it would be wise to do more practice to ensure he got the skill down perfectly each time.

So Kirito practiced subsequent attempts at skills on a similar scale to the Horizontal Square. It turned out his first attempt was more out of luck than it was pure skill. His practice had him lose his footing somehow, throw himself off by not following the skill's next strike, or even losing momentum from something he did. Whatever the case, Kirito drove himself to perfect these skills and hone his form.

But one slip he made was when he staggered in some mud on the grounds. And at just that moment, some mud splattered out and onto a passing student's uniform. When Kirito recovered, he looked up to see an Elite Disciple with a buzzed head and fierce eyes, wearing a white uniform with blue lines on the fringes. This man Kirito recognized as Volo Levantein, the first-seat disciple at the academy. And his spotless uniform now bore a smudge by his left shoulder where the mud Kirito kicked up had splattered.

Seeing his blunder, Kirito stood straight up and spoke, "Disciple Levantein, please forgive my rudeness!" But Volo seemed unaffected by the splatter on his uniform, even as he attempted to wipe it off with a handkerchief.

"A consequence of my curiosity," he regarded. "I came to see why Serlut's page was swinging his sword in this field." He then instructed, "State your name."

Giving the swordsman salute with his left hand on his sheathed sword and his right held across his chest, the youth replied, "Primary Trainee Kirito. I was just testing my new sword I had crafted by the local blacksmith."

Volo raised an eyebrow, questioning, "Blacksmith? You are referring to the swindler, yes?" Kirito grimaced at that accusation to Lisbeth. But the Elite Disciple continued, "Regardless, you are putting far more energy into your swings than simply to test your steel." Now the black-haired boy really began to worry. The situation he was in was not very optimal, but it was more about what Volo was leading up to.

However, the man simply stated, "This spot was my space for training as well as the place I intend to grant to my page once I graduate. But I am more interested in your prowess. That is Serlut style swordsmanship, is it not?"

"Unfortunately, no, Disciple Levantein," Kirito replied. "It is my style from where I am from: the Aincrad style."

This seemed to pique Volo's interest, as he asked, "A style named after the floating castle?"

"My prior teacher who gave me this knowledge called it that," Kirito elaborated. "Though I had not been privy to its origin until coming here and being taught by Disciple Serlut." He could tell Volo was even more intrigued by this fact. He still thought he was going to be punished for defiling an Elite Disciple's uniform. It wasn't uncommon for some Elite Disciples to exercise such power. Yet Volo was acting as if the matter was inconsequential to what he was bringing.

So, Volo then told him, "Leave at once. I wish to train here." And Kirito complied at once. He still gave a wary look back at the Elite Disciple but decided not to press his luck by asking why he wasn't punished. Suguha had once told him it was never wise to look a gift horse in the mouth, which he had learned the hard way the one time she told him. So he made his way to the dormitories to meet with Eugeo.

Kirito made it back to the dorm lobby after a quick jog. He took a moment to steady his breathing, feeling like he ran a great distance. He hadn't expected to run across Volo during his training and was worried about what he would do. Not to mention the man hadn't punished him for soiling his uniform as he did. There should have at least been something Volo would have had him do. Yet, nothing came of it.

He didn't get much more time to think on the matter when he heard someone clear their throat. He looked to his side to see the dorm manager, Azurica. She had a stern look about her, not to mention her appearance with her brown hair in a bun and gray uniform gave off an air of suspicion at most students. Though it wouldn't be the first time Kirito got into trouble with her.

"Primary Trainee Kirito," Azurica addressed, "need I inquire why you track mud into the dorms?" Kirito looked down and saw he had left footprints while rushing into the dorm. Not too many, as he counted maybe five prints from the door.

Still, he replied, "I was out testing my new sword in the fields."

Her expression unwavering, she then said, "Then you might be willing to clean your mess before venturing in more." Before Kirito could proceed with the task, she added, "And I will want you to register your new sword with me before bringing it in." Kirito begrudgingly accepted the condition, handing over his sword to Azurica while he went to a nearby cabinet and began to clean the dirt he had tracked.

Once done, he went over to the enclosure to begin registering his new sword. It didn't take long, but one hiccup was when Azurica asked for the sword's name. Not having thought of one he just went with "the Black One." Azurica seemed perturbed by such a base name, but she didn't bother with it further. So she allowed him in with his sword now that the task was complete.

Just as he was about to go up to Eugeo, the door burst open behind him. And standing in the doorway was Sortiliena, gasping for air and looking flushed.

"Kirito," she said as she regained her composure, "what have you done?"

In the training arena, numerous students filled the stands as they began to watch the duel about to take place. Word about the duel had spread far within the academy, so much so that Kirito was rather amazed by the number of spectators. This many students didn't gather unless it was for the exams.

Kirito looked across the ring to see Volo readying his sword and awaiting the start of the duel. When he heard from Sortiliena that he had challenged Kirito to a duel as punishment for soiling his uniform, he had come to expect it. He knew he had been let off easy in their earlier meeting. It was the second part about the duel that surprised him: they were to use real swords. This seemed to bother Sortiliena more than him with how distressed she sounded conveying these conditions to him. Yet he viewed this as the perfect chance to further test his sword skills that he and Eugeo had been practicing in for some time.

"What did you get yourself into this time Kirito?" Eugeo spoke up from behind him. He and Sortiliena were on the sidelines with Kirito, waiting for the duel to commence.

Kirito turned and told him, "It doesn't matter what I did. Not at this point anyway. Right now, I just have to see this through."

"Yes, but Kirito," Sortiliena interjected, "do you even realize what this might mean?"

"Aren't we just going to fight until we have to stop short of a blow?" Kirito figured

But Sortiliena shook her head, and explained, "There is a saying passed down in the Levantein family. That if you can coat your sword with your enemy's blood, their strength will become yours. He hopes that he might take the strength you possess and add it to his own."

"Even if it's a stop short duel?" Kirito questioned.

That was when Volo declared, "I wish to make it clear the conditions of this duel. This will be a first blood match. Whoever lands the first hit, regardless of severity, shall be declared the winner." Disturbed murmurings cascaded throughout the stands. A first blood duel was risky if the user struck in such a way that might take Life away from one of the combatants. It was one of the few ways to skirt around the Taboo Index's rules on not taking Life away from someone.

Eugeo seemed to pale at that, and uttered, "Kirito…"

But said page was smiling at that declaration. He then told the others, "Don't worry. This will be just like when we fought those goblins in the End Mountains. Right Eugeo?" In a way, that was true. Though Kirito knew Eugeo's counter to that would be that the goblins were after their lives at the time. So he said in assurance, "I'll be careful."

Sortiliena nodded in understanding, replying, "I trust you Kirito. And I pray for your success." And she and Eugeo made to leave.

But before they did, Volo called out, "Disciple Serlut, I request you act as witness to our duel." Sortiliena stopped and complied to the request. She took her place on the side of the ring as the two combatants took their spots opposite each other.

"This match between Elite Disciple Levantein and Primary Trainee Kirito will now commence," she announced to the crowd. "Both combatants have agreed to using real swords for this duel. The first to land a decisive blow, no matter the severity, shall be declared the winner. Swordsmen, draw your swords." And the two did so after giving each other a salute. Kirito held his blade to his side while Volo held it in front with both hands. They tensed as they prepared for the start of the duel. Sortiliena raised her hand up, then threw it down and called, "Begin!"

Volo's sword glowed red as he raised it above his head. The stance and power reminded Kirito of a sword skill Kayaba taught him and Eugeo: the skill Avalanche. He knew if he was to beat that skill, he couldn't dodge it. He had to counter with a strike of his own to overcome the power of his skill. He had to bank his hopes on one such skill: Horizontal Square. As Volo charged with a terrifying roar, Kirito's sword glowed blue before he himself cried out and charged. Their first clash let out a deafening clang of metal, but it wouldn't stop there. Kirito shifted to deliver the second strike, barely holding Volo back. But on the third strike, their swords locked. The metal grinded against each other as both their wielders willed their blades to overcome the other. Kirito grunted with effort to supersede Volo's power, even though he could feel the power draining from his own sword.

It was then he saw something behind Volo: a manifestation of people looking exactly like him, all rallying behind him with overwhelming might. It was terrifying to see. Kirito could feel the overwhelming feeling they radiated, could feel Volo's sword push closer to Kirito little by little. He wouldn't be able to get his fourth strike in. Volo was just too powerful to overcome. It seemed, in that moment, that Kirito would not come out of this battle in victory.

Don't give up Kirito! Came a voice. Time seemed to freeze as Kirito looked up again. That voice sounded so familiar, but he could not figure out why. Not immediately anyway. Then it called out again, It's not over yet Kirito. You still have so much more to use. You have more of a reason to win than he does.

Under his breath, he uttered, "Asuna?"

Then another voice encouraged, You and Eugeo have more at stake than anyone here. More than pride and titles. Your purpose is your greatest strength.

Kirito recognized that voice, whispering, "Alice."

Asuna's voice came in again, saying, Remember why you fight Kirito. Everyone at this academy learns the way of the sword. But they all miss the most important part about being a swordsman: the will behind their swords.

You and Eugeo had that will when you fought those goblins, Alice reminded. What is it that drives your blade? Remember.

Kirito pondered that question Alice gave him. What drove him to become a swordsman? Why did he and Eugeo chop down the Gigas Cedar, spend that whole year in Zakkaria, and make it to the Swordcraft Academy? It then hit him like a horse why. The two people that spoke to him just now were the same reasons they were here. Two girls wrongly accused and taken from their homes. They were here to bring them home and right this wrong.

As he thought on that, he imagined the faint figures of the girls were behind him, resting their hands on his back as if to spur him on. Then more joined them: Selka, Suguha, Lisbeth, Silica, Sortiliena. They all stood behind him to give him the strength to fight back. And beside him, Eugeo appeared with his Blue Rose Sword held alongside Kirito's black sword. It was then Kirito knew he couldn't give in.

Back in the match, Kirito let out a cry of determination as he put more force behind his sword. His sudden spurt of energy surprised Volo a bit as he found his blade to be pushed back. Kirito's sword glowed brighter than before, drawing strength from its wielder. Giving it everything he had, Kirito pushed Volo's sword back before leaping away. He could see lights gathering around his sword from everywhere around him. Coalescing into the blade, it seemed to grow larger than before. But he paid it little attention as he unleashed his final stroke of the Horizontal Square. The minute the final stroke hit Volo's blade, the red glow died out. Pressing his advantage, Kirito let loose one last strike to cinch a win. But Volo moved out of the way, so he only grazed the front of his shirt. The two then went for another exchange of blows. Until,

"That is enough!" The two halted as Azurica came into the ring. She stepped into the ring, proclaiming, "This duel has ended. I declare this match a draw." Many people spoke questioningly about the result, but no one was going to argue with Azurica.

Before Kirito could question the call, Volo addressed, "I expect no less from the single representative of Norlangarth in the tournament." Volo returned his sword to its sheath, and announced, "Primary Trainee Kirito's punishment has been completed!" With that, a great roar came from the crowd as they cheered at the display put on by the two swordsmen. For a page, let alone a commoner, to end a duel in a draw against a First Seat Disciple like Volo was astounding.

Kirito looked to his sword, now having returned to its normal size. Seeing his reflection in the flat, he murmured, "Thank you Asuna, Alice, for reminding me about the will I possess behind my sword." At that moment, Eugeo and Sortiliena came up to him looking relieved that the worst was over.

"You wonderful fool," Sortiliena spoke first, breathless from witnessing such a show. "You had us so worried."

Kirito could only smile in reply. Then he asked, "Hey Liena, what did Disciple Levantein mean when he called Azurica the single representative of Norlangart? Representative of what?"

Calming her frayed nerves, Sortiliena answered, "Miss Azurica was the only representative of Norlangarth in one of the Four Empire Unification tourneys and made it to the finals once herself." This news stunned Kirito and Eugeo. Their dorm master had that kind of reputation about her? It explained why everyone had such respect for her and didn't question her call on the duel. But now the contest was over. And Kirito looked forward to ending the year without further incident.

That evening, Kirito was going to check on the zephilias before calling it a night. They should be blooming by now, so he hoped to pick them and present them to Sortiliena at graduation tomorrow. He could just imagine how this would mean so much to her when he would give her the gift he had worked so hard for. It would soon be all worth it in the end.

But as he was about halfway to the gardens, he spotted Silica running up to him down the halls. From the way she was running, she appeared frantic about something.

"Silica?" he questioned. "What are you doing here? You could be spotted."

Catching her breath, Silica replied, "Kirito, you need to come with me. Pina and I were walking by the academy when we saw two creepy guys going into the gardens. Pina went after them, but I was too scared to follow. So I need you to come. We need to hurry." He didn't need any more of a reason than that. He raced off with Silica to the gardens. When they arrived, two people were just exiting the gardens looking pleased with themselves. Instantly he recognized them as Raios and Humbert.

The two noblemen noticed Kirito approaching and went over to him while Silica hid behind a nearby pillar. "Ah, Primary Trainee Kirito," Raios spoke first. "Let me be the first to congratulate you on your flashy performance against Elite Disciple Levantein."

"Thank you, Trainee Raios," Kirito returned, restraining his contempt. "You are too kind." It looked like Humbert was about to snap at Kirito, but Raios held him back.

"I daresay, I believe the First Seat was quite surprised by your display," Raios continued. "Especially for the page of the disgraced Second Seat." Kirito clenched his fists but did nothing else in response. The nobleman came up to him and put something in his pocket. "A gift for your success," he whispered. And he and Humbert left looking smug.

With them gone, Kirito hurried to the gardens with Silica following close behind. The two looked around briefly before hearing Pina's squawk. Where the noise came from made Kirito's heart sink. He rushed over to the dragon where he saw what he dreaded. In the planter before Pina were the zephilia's, stalks ripped and torn from their roots. The dirt itself even looked trampled on, with the flowers appearing squished. Silica came up behind him not long after as the page dropped to his knees seeing this sight. These flowers he had raised for a year, that he cared for and supported, that he cherished and yearned to gift to his mentor. They were all destroyed right before his eyes.

Seeing him in anguish, Silica muttered, "I'm so sorry Kirito." Pina gave a sad cry as well, walking over carefully and nuzzling his hand to comfort him. But all he could see were the remains of the flowers. He looked at the bud in his hand just in time to see it shatter into particles of light. Kirito felt beyond hurt with what had happened. He had worked so hard, only to have all his work squashed by people who simply enjoyed spiteing him.

Bending over the flowers, he cried, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Silica and Pina could do nothing more than comfort him as they looked on at his state. That is, until,

Have faith. Believe in the strength of the flowers you cared for so strongly in this foreign soil. Believe in yourself, for getting them to that point.

Kirito looked up, scanning around him for the source of the voice. His sudden action startled Silica and Pina a little.

"Who said that?" he asked aloud.

"Who said what Kirito?" Silica returned, unsure what was going on. Kirito continued looking around for the source of the voice. But there was no one around except for him, Silica, and Pina. The voice sounded feminine, but nothing like Alice, Asuna, or anyone Kirito knew.

Then it spoke again, Believe in them, and they will live.

Kirito countered silently, "But… they're all dead."

But can't you feel it? The voice told him, The roots cling to life with everything they have. They are not willing to die after all they had worked towards. Even the other plants yearn for their companions to live again. They want to share their Life so their friends can live again. You can help transfer it to the zephilias.

Looking back at his flowers, Kirito muttered, "But, I don't know the high-level sacred arts. I can't." Silica now looked on worriedly at Kirito, wondering who he was talking to and what he was talking about.

You don't need to know, the voice assured. Not all sacred arts require words to be said. Some can be used through your will alone. Allow your will to drive the Life of the flowers to be shared with the zephilias. The voice seemed to disappear after giving him those instructions, leaving Kirito to contemplate the matter. He decided to give it a try and will the flowers to revive his zephilias. Almost immediately, he saw something in his mind. The flowers were all glowing brightly, as if their Life was being emitted. And he saw the lights carefully weaving around him towards the zephilias. Seeing this, he gave it a bit more effort, mentally wishing for the flowers to revive the zephilias. As he did, the garden began to glow with an ethereal light that startled Silica and Pina. The lights all gathered above them before pooling into the zephilias. Kirito opened his eyes as a residual glow settled on the flowers, witnessing as they sprang back up and the buds began to bloom. The sight made Kirito feel elated, as well as making Silica and Pina ecstatic.

"This is amazing Kirito," she remarked cheerfully. "They're coming back to life."

"Yeah, they are," Kirito replied passively, stuck in the euphoria of what had happened. But he knew one thing: There was more to learn than what he already knew from his travels so far.

In his mind, he said to the flowers and the voice from earlier, Thank you.

It was the day of graduation, and the students were gathered in the courtyard to give their congratulations to everyone who advanced. Kayaba watched from afar, hidden from prying eyes, as he observed the two boys giving gifts to their mentors. He heard in passing that the mentor in front of Kirito, who was known as Sortiliena Serlut, had bested the First Seat Disciple in the graduation match. Her page was presenting her with a bouquet of flowers that caused her to tear up and smile brightly. He could not help but smile with pride at the boys, seeing them come as far as they had. The pieces were almost in place to correct this world. They were so close to their goal.

Glancing behind him, he addressed, "A fantastic sight, is it not?" Behind him stood someone in a dark-red cloak that hid their person, with the cowl pulled low over their face to hide everything but the bottom half. The figure was slim yet carried themselves with pride. Kayaba had brought them here to help on a matter he needed to address.

"Commander, I do not understand what you see in bringing me here out of Aincrad," the figure spoke in a feminine voice. "This serves no purpose in clearing the castle."

"Call it a hunch of an old man," Kayaba returned. "I wish to ask you something about certain individuals."

"Unless they are Integrity Knights, I will not know whom you are speaking about," the figure replied coldly. But Kayaba paid it no mind as he looked back to the boys from Rulid.

"Those boys over there," he pointed out, "the ones with their mentors. One has flaxen hair and the other black. Do you see them?"

Seeing whom he was referring to, the figure answered, "Those pages… What about them?"

"Do they look familiar to you?" Kayaba inquired. He glanced back, expecting to hear an instant refusal from his companion at the mention of the boys. But she was contemplating. This was a promising sign.

"No, I do not recognize them," she told him after a moment.

Deciding to press further, Kayaba advised, "Concentrate on them. I want you to really think about those boys. Do you remember them?"

"I cannot remember someone I have never met before Commander," the figure argued.

"True. But I believe you do remember them," the man proposed. Then he suggested, "Concentrate on the boy with black hair. Think hard about him." He waited patiently for her to answer. If she refused to acknowledge she knew him, he had to intervene when they returned to Aincrad. But she seemed to be taking a bit of time to say anything. This was promising for Kayaba in his hopes for the youths of Rulid.

"That boy," the figure whispered. She seemed fixated on him, and Kayaba could see why. "I don't understand it Commander," she told him. "I have no memory of that boy, but something is wrong. I am troubled by this feeling I have. What is this I feel towards him? I should feel nothing for him."

Smiling under his cowl, Kayaba explained, "It is a bond that can never be erased. In time, that bond will remind you of his importance to you. And you will remember all things." Before she could protest, Kayaba rested a hand on her temple. "But for now, you must not recall being outside Aincrad. I will only leave the image of those boys for you to cling to." Then he muttered, "System Call. Adjust Memory Parameters of Subject Front. Manual Override." A soft glow emitted from his hand for a moment before the figure began to collapse. Kayaba caught her, but her cowl fell to reveal long, amber locks with a braided crown.

"You must remember, Lightning Flash," Kayaba told her. He then conjured a portal using a rather large, rectangular-shaped crystal that shattered upon its use. And he stepped in to return to Aincrad.

Over with Kirito and Eugeo along with their mentors, Sortiliena looked up from Kirito's gift. "I just remembered Kirito, I needed to ask for something," she spoke to her page.

"What's that Liena?" Kirito asked, which drew Eugeo's attention.

"Can you take me to the place where you had your sword made?" she requested. It was a bit of an odd request, but Kirito obliged nonetheless. Eugeo went with them when they left, giving his final farewells to Golgorosso. The three went into the market and took a road that led them to Lisbeth's shop. Neither of the pages knew what Sortiliena sought by coming here. Was she hoping to ask about how Kirito's sword was made? Or perhaps have her own sword made by Lisbeth on a commission?

As they entered, they heard the shopkeeper greet, "Welcome to Lisbeth's Blacksmith Shop." Seeing the new person with the boys, Lisbeth inquired, "Kirito, Eugeo, who is this?"

"Oh, this is Second Seat Sortiliena Serlut," Kirito introduced. "She graduated top of her class just now."

Giving a bow, Lisbeth said, "Congratulations Disciple Serlut. You have made quite the achievement." Looking coy, she added, "Especially with that page you have hanging off you like a weight." Kirito flinched at the remark, but Sortiliena seemed unabashed.

"In truth, Kirito was the one to push me to succeed in the graduation match," she reasoned. Then requested, "And please Ms. Lisbeth, call me Liena."

"Um, okay?" Lisbeth replied, perplexed by the manner she was addressed. "You know you are kind of older than me. Call me Miss anything is a bit much. Just call me Lisbeth."

"Of course, I apologize." With that out of the way, Sortiliena inquired, "I wanted to ask something of you. Something mutual for both of us." Everyone was perturbed by this, then the Elite Disciple went to the side door to enter the alley. As she did, Lisbeth raced over and barred her way.

"Apologies, Miss Liena," she regarded nervously, "but you don't want to see the waste I throw out from failed jobs. I still need to convert the materials for future use."

But Sortiliena smiled despite her words, assuring, "I do not mind. But there is something I wish to investigate." Lisbeth wanted to argue, but she was aware this was a noble she was talking to. If needed, she would use judicial authority to command her to move. Reluctantly, Lisbeth slowly moved aside to allow her passage. Behind Sortiliena, Kirito and Eugeo were also worried about her going into the alley. And so, with their nerves rising as she got closer to going outside, Sortiliena opened the door and went out to the alley. And standing there, playing with Pina, was the street urchin Silica. The two stopped when Sortiliena made herself known, with the young girl freezing in panic while Pina hunched and bared her teeth at the intruder.

"Liena? What are you doing?" Kirito asked urgently. Before anything else, she gave Kirito the gift he gave to hold. Then she approached Silica.

Giving a swordsman's salute, she introduced, "Greetings little one. I am Sortiliena Serlut. And if I may, I would like to make a request?" Silica's mouth wasn't working, only allowing her to utter sounds.

"What would a noblewoman who just graduated from the Swordcraft Academy want with an urchin like Silica?" Lisbeth asked.

To that, she explained, "I was curious why Kirito and Eugeo frequented the market as they did. It made no sense that they were buying supplies for themselves, nor would they be getting anything for the other pages with how distant they act. So, on a whim, I followed you one day to this shop. And when I did, I managed to spot your protégé practicing sword skills." The boys slumped over in shame as Lisbeth shot them both a glare. "I asked around for anyone that knew about this girl, though no one would tell me anything," she continued. "Until I caught wind from you two about an orphan you were caring for. And that leads me to my request."

Before she did, Eugeo asked, "How did you know Silica was an orphan? We haven't spoken about her to anyone."

Smiling, she told him, "You told me just now. Of course, I had a hunch based on how shabby she was dressed." No one expected that. Sortiliena was crafty beyond just her sword style. She then turned back to the girl and crouched down so she was even with her.

"Silica was it?" she asked. Silica wordlessly nodded, still shell-shocked. Sortiliena gently grasped her hands, causing Pina to hunch further and raise her wings. "Silica, as a member of the Serlut family, I make this request now that I have come of age. Would you accept my request to become part of my family?" This shocked everyone, especially Kirito and Eugeo. Silica herself seemed to turn several shades redder from the words. So Sortiliena clarified, "I mean to ask if I might adopt you. Would you be willing to come under my care?"

"Liena, are you sure?" Kirito questioned.

"Can you even do that?" Lisbeth contributed. "I mean, Silica isn't even a noble. It would cause an uproar."

"Perhaps," Sortiliena reasoned with them. "But my family, despite being third ranked, is looked down upon by most other nobles. And frankly, I have already defied tradition by taking a commoner as my page to begin with. What is one more breaking tradition in this regard?"

Still in disbelief, Lisbeth tried to argue, "But, Silica will be harassed. And she has Pina."

"I will not make her presence known until she is ready," Sortiliena assured. "It will be something within my family, and only with those gathered here as well." Looking back at Silica, she asked again, "Silica, would you like to take up the name Serlut? Would that be alright?" Silica was still wordless for a minute longer. Kirito and Eugeo couldn't blame her for such a shock. A noblewoman from a prestigious family was asking her, a thief and an urchin without a home, to be part of her family. This alone would rattle anyone. Pina settled down a little bit from this development, having decided that Sortiliena wasn't doing anything to threaten Silica.

Finally, Silica let out in a stammer, "I… I… I… um... Pina...?"

Seeming to sense her question Sortiliena told her, "Pina's your friend, right? It wouldn't do to split you up."

That seemed to settle things in Silica's head, for she answered, "I would, um… I would… It would be… an honor!" She bowed deeply to Sortiliena, crying out, "I would be honored to be part of your family Miss."

Sortiliena smiled sweetly, and replied, "Please Silica, call me Liena."

Standing straight, Silica asked, "But, um… If you are adopting me, shouldn't I call you mother?"

Rising herself, Sortiliena told her, "Only when you are comfortable. I may be a mother to you in name only, but I want to be your friend first." Suddenly, Sortiliena staggered back as Silica rushed in to hug her. Everyone could hear her crying against the Elite Disciple, but they sounded joyful above all else.

"Thank you…" she said, muffled by Sortiliena's uniform. Relaxing, Sortiliena embraced Silica gently.

Looking back, she added, "I would also like to commission you, master smith, to be my family's blacksmith."

Taken aback, Lisbeth exclaimed, "Really?!"

"Really," the Elite Disciple returned. "Seeing your work on Kirito's sword, I feel it would be foolish to deny your skill. And as you have helped Silica all this time, I would appreciate having someone she trusts to be nearby." She then turned to the boys, and told them, "And I would like you two to visit from time to time while you train at the academy."

Still flabbergasted by everything going on, the two took a bit to recover from their earlier shocks. But Kirito came out of it first, giving a salute to Sortiliena, and replying, "Of course. We would be more than happy to do so." This made Sortiliena smile one more time. She looked down at the newest member of her family, stroking her head tenderly.

After that, Kirito and Eugeo ranked in the Fifth and Sixth seats respectively for their second year. Silica was adopted into the Serlut family, but only Sortiliena's immediate household was aware of such an arrangement. Lisbeth continued to do work as a blacksmith, but now received regular commissions from the Serlut family thanks to Sortiliena's word on her work with Kirito's sword carved from the demon tree. And so, the second year of the Imperial Swordcraft Academy began.

Standing at attention in the Elite Disciple's living quarters stood a girl with long, red hair and matching colored eyes. She stood at attention in her page uniform, looking straight ahead of her unflinchingly.

"Primary Trainee Tiese Schtrinen reporting. All duties have been completed. Cleaning is finished," said page announced to the only person across from her.

Giving her a sympathetic smile, Eugeo replied, "Thank you Tiese. You are all done for the day." After he said that, he looked at the other page standing next to his with embarrassment, one with short, brown hair with two tiny pigtails and blue eyes. "I'm sorry Ronie," he addressed the other page. "I've told him so many times not to be late getting back before you are done."

"Do not worry, Disciple Eugeo," Ronie Arabel replied stoically. "I will wait until Elite Disciple Kirito returns to give my report."

"You know, I could always see about getting you reassigned to someone else," Eugeo offered. "At least to someone more reliable than Kirito."

"What's this about me not being reliable?" came a certain voice from behind Eugeo. The two pages stiffened at attention with the entrance of Elite Disciple Kirito, much to Eugeo's chagrin.

"What have I told you about using the window to enter?" he griped aloud. "Just go through the lobby like everyone else."

"But this way is way faster when coming back from Third West Street," Kirito fired back jokingly.

At his presence, Ronie spoke, "Elite Disciple Kirito, I have a report. All tasks and cleaning today have been completed."

"Great. Thanks Ronie," Kirito returned.

Eugeo was about to chide his friend until he recalled what he had just mentioned. "Wait, if you are just coming from Third West Street, does that mean…?" To answer, Kirito showed the bag he was carrying as well as some of the pies inside. He handed one to Eugeo before taking one himself.

He then held out the bag to the pages, and instructed, "Go ahead and take these with you. Share them with your dorm mates when you get back."

"Yes! Thank you, Disciple Kirito," the two girls replied together. After they took the bag and left the room, the boys heard them gushing over the treats they had been given by their mentors.

Once they left, Eugeo complained, "Honestly, when are you going to take being an Elite Disciple more seriously? You know this is important in our mission."

Sitting down on the couch beside him, Kirito replied, "I know. I haven't forgotten why we are here in the first place. But don't be so wound up about it. Alice would have a fit if she saw you so tense."

Glowering, Eugeo countered, "Well Asuna would skin you if she saw you were so careless with your duties."

"No she wouldn't," Kirito returned.

"Oh yes she would!" Eugeo firmly stated. "Like the time you played that prank on Alice and she dragged you to Chief Gasfut for punishment." That caused Kirito to flinch at the memory, and he rubbed his left arm as if recalling something rather painful.

"Yeah well, I remember Alice having to drag you over to play games with us before we had our Calling," Kirito brought up. "And not once, not even twice, but five times."

"I was trying to stay out of trouble, unlike you," Eugeo snapped. Then he calmed down before his anger got the best of him, and he reminded, "Let's just get through the year so we can rescue them. That's why we are here at all."

Turning solemn, Kirito muttered, "Yeah. We've come too far to screw up. And we need to do this. Who knows if they have any longer left to live in there." They turned to see the Central Cathedral rising behind them. It would not be longer until they finally made it to the church to find their friends. So they both prayed for them to hang on just a little longer.