Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Another Roll of the Dice
by Storm Wolf77415 and Centurious the Azure
Chapter Three: Drawing a New Card
Of course, it wouldn't be this easy! Why did Rean ever think that in the first place? Alisa dragged them into an empty conference room, and her glare was as fierce as it was during their original field study in Roer, or maybe even when he accidentally felt her up back in the Old Schoolhouse, which felt like two lifetimes ago. He would definitely need Laura with him for that. He looked at Emma for a minute, and went back to Alisa. You know what? Screw it all to Gehenna! He would just tell Alisa the truth, it does set you free after all, that or get you thrown into a padded room. But he figured Emma could bail him out in short order with her teleportation spell.
He merely straightened himself up, and answered Alisa's glare with one of his own. "It's like I told your receptionist. This is Emma Millstein and I'm Rean Schwarzer, son of Baron Teo Schwarzer from Ymir. We're your classmates or we will be your classmates in a few months when we attend Thors Military Academy. I'm a time traveler from the future, and I'm on a trip around the Empire to find the rest of our friends." He quirked his gaze slightly over her shoulder. "You can also tell Sharon to come out of hiding. I know she's skulking about."
Alisa's jaw dropped, even as the maid in question emerged from the side room, a steely glare on her face, but he could see the turmoil in her eyes. Rean genuinely smiled. "Ah, good to see you again, Sharon. I'm glad to know you're as vigilant as ever. It's been quite a while and I've missed your cooking. But just so we're clear, you haven't talked to Bleublanc or McBurn, or anyone else in Ouroboros for that matter lately, have you?" It was now Sharon's turn to let her jaw drop. Rean grinned. It wasn't often he got one over on the Reinford Family's favorite attendant!
"What?" Alisa said in disbelief.
"Uh." Sharon struggled to find her words. So, Rean did it for her.
"There are things you never knew about your family maid. Sharon Kreuger, known as the Severing Chains, formerly Enforcer Number Nine of Ouroboros. She abandoned the organization for reasons only known to her and has since served as the maid to the Reinford Family. Sharon is a loving older sister figure to you, even if she does troll you relentlessly, and she helps you deal with the rocky mess that is the relationship with your mother, Irina Reinford. She seized control of the company from your grandfather, Gwyn Reinford, who currently spends his days at his cabin up in the Nord Highlands."
"Okay stop!" Alisa exclaimed, holding her hands out. "I don't know how you know those things. but even what you say is true, time travel is impossible!"
Rean struggled to hold his grin back. This was way too much fun! "It happened to me. Of course, I did have to die for it to happen." That got another double jaw drop from Alisa and Sharon, not to mention a slight whimper from Emma. That hurt the witch greatly. "I really should have asked Crow about the particulars before I agreed to this whole job." He just shrugged. "Oh well, I'll see him at school soon enough, I can ask him then."
"You died?" Alisa screeched.
"That sounds quite troublesome." Sharon mused.
"A year and a half from now in North Ambria. I'm still not sure what went down. I remember everything that happened up to a few months before that point, but I don't know exactly what exactly transpired when I died. It's all a huge blur to me." Rean said, a deep part of his psyche shuddered as if a wall was in place around those memories. "But with my luck, it was nothing good." He took a deep breath and decided to put the trolling aside for now. He had gotten his point across and needed to win them both over. "Look, Alisa, Emma and I just wanted to look in on you before I head south to Legram, that's all the reason we're here. You're a precious friend to us and wanted to be sure you were doing okay."
Emma then decided to cut in. "What he's saying is true, Alisa. Rean is from the future. I know this because I felt a time shift a few weeks ago. If you have any kind of connection to us, maybe you felt something similar?"
"Could that have been around the end of last month, the 31st or so?" Sharon spoke up, noting how Rean and Emma reacted. "You did have a very adverse reaction when you were taking your shower that night, my lady. You fell right on your butt. I recall you were very worried about bruising it." Sharon offered; a smirk hidden behind her hand as she watched Alisa's face start to flare up. Rean was struggling to keep a straight face as Emma hid her own cheeks behind her hands to hide her own embarrassment.
"Okay fine! Maybe I did feel something that night. I thought it was just a chill." Alisa huffed. Remembering Rean's previous words about how Sharon did love to troll her. She took another look at these two strangers, and as she really looked at Rean, the weirdest feeling bubbled up. It was a sense of familiarity with him, Emma, as well. It was a pleasant feeling, a sense of belonging. Something that just didn't come from looking at her mother. She shook her head, not sure what to make of it. Sharon then put her hand on Alisa's shoulder. This time there was no sign of her usual trolling demeanor.
"My lady, I may not know anything about time travel, but if there is one thing I know is when someone is lying. I do not sense any duplicity from either of these two. Perhaps there is a grain of truth to what Master Rean and Lady Emma are saying? Or maybe there's a way to definitively prove he has knowledge of the future. Something that is only known to those of our own family?" The Enforcer-turned-maid looked to Rean. It didn't take any kind of advanced senses to see Sharon was giving them a chance to earn their trust. The Ashen Awakener had to think of something quick. It was then he remembered Crow's other gift. He reached into his pocket and to his relief, his battered old student notebook was there.
"Give me a minute," he said, paging through it quickly. He found a section marked 'Alisa', and under it 'pocket watch' was labeled. "Perfect! Alisa, you want proof that I'm from the future? Perhaps I can help you out with a little task. Your mother has a pocket watch in her possession. It was a gift from her husband, your father. If it's not broken now, it will be by the end of next year. Your mother gave it to the local repairman, a guy named Jackass, to fix but he wasn't able to do anything because he didn't have the necessary components. So, we wandered about Roer to find what was required and we got it fixed for her. In fact, I happen to have the names of those very components in here. We could go on a little shopping trip and pick those up for you?"
The question hung in the air. Alisa's eyes knit together. She knew about the watch herself, often seeing her mother Irina look at it when she was impatient about something. The Reinford Heiress was still skeptical, but if Sharon was saying they could be trusted. How could she be wrong? "I'm not sure if it's busted or not, and I don't know if I could find a way to check on it. But let's say I believe you. What exactly did we use to fix it?"
"A Type IV Pressure Regulator, a small sheet of alloy metal, and a grain of Zemurian Ore for the Micro Oscillator." Alisa gasped at the last one. "Yeah, I figured that last one would get a reaction from you." Rean took a chance, lightly laying his hand on Alisa's shoulder. The blonde's cheeks flushed slightly. But she didn't push it away. "If you're willing to go through with this, we could easily get all of these parts. When it's time, you can give us the pocket watch, and we'll take it to Jackass, and it will be good as new. That's up to you though, Alisa. You have the final say in the matter."
Even if she didn't entirely believe the whole-time travel business. Alisa found her respect for Rean going up quite a bit, if just because he was giving her the final choice. She looked to Sharon, if anyone's opinion mattered to the Reinford heiress, it was that of her loyal maid. The former Enforcer said nothing. Merely folding her hands in front of her, and giving her usual disarming smile and a slight bow. Sighing, she looked to Rean, folding her arms. "Okay then, if you can bring me these components, you'll have won me over. How long do you see this taking?"
Emma and Rean looked to each other as they started making plans. "The alloy sheet shouldn't be too difficult, we got that at the mine. The pressure regulator might take a little more doing, but the guys at the RIT seemed pretty cool about giving it to us when we asked. The Zemurian Ore will be the real challenge. We had to go and see Gwyn to even know we'd need it in the first place. It took a trip all the way up to Nord to make that happen. Then George was the one who actually got it for us. I don't know many places that will have even a small amount of Zemurian Ore just laying around not being used."
"I don't think it will take it very long for us to find it. We could probably have it ready by the end of the day." Emma asked. "We were initially just passing through here on our way to Legram. However, we'll gladly put in the leg work if it helps you trust us, Alisa."
Putting her hands on her hips. The blonde let out a slightly resigned huff. "Okay then, I'll leave that to you guys. I wouldn't mind going along and seeing it for myself, but I've got other issues to deal with, unfortunately." Neither of her fellow future classmates missed the venom in his voice. "My mother says I need to keep up my studies if I'm going to find my place in the company. Tell the people at the mine and institute I sent you, and that should be enough for you to get what you need. As for the Zemurian Ore." Alisa paused for a minute, tapping her foot. "You let me handle that. I can ask a couple of people."
"When you have everything, I'll be waiting for you outside the Reinford Building." She took a slip of scrap paper out of her pocket and quickly scrawled something on it before handing the paper to Rean. "That's my phone number. Sharon will show you out." With that Alisa left the room, giving both a final look, and even a small smile "And thank you. If we really are meant to be friends. Then I can see why we get along so well." A little wave and she was out the door.
Sharon tittered as she led them to the elevator. "I'm not sure if she fully believes your story about being from the future, Master Rean, but you've clearly had an impact on her just by this brief interaction. She's always been rather prickly when it comes to Chairwoman Irina and how she took control of the company after Master Franz's death. Perhaps a couple of new friends are just what she needed. Please be careful in your journey. I'm sure Lady Alisa would be upset if anything happened to you!" Rean could practically see the heart at the end of the super maid's statement.
He was going to put the kibosh on that line of thinking right quick! "Actually, I already have my sights set on another girl in our class. The daughter of the Radiant Blademaster in fact. Make no mistake, Alisa is very attractive, but she's just not my type." Rean silently hoped he didn't end up groping her come next March. If he could avoid any of his earlier mishaps, that would be a big one. "If anything, Alisa became like a sister to me the first time around. She was my voice of reason whenever I started doing anything really stupid." He was going to be sure to heed Alisa's words, no matter what.
Sharon almost looked cute with the way she was pouting in disappointment. "Oh well, I suppose it's not like there aren't plenty of eligible bachelors out there. But at the very least promise me you'll be a good friend to Lady Alisa during your time at school together. She needs all the support she can get." The determined nod from Rean, and the quiet smile from Emma as they walked out the doors gave the former Severing Chains hope that the girl who was so much like a little sister to her would finally get some acknowledgment and support from people she trusted.
Master Ka-Fai was still sitting on the bench as Emma and Rean walked out of the Reinford Building. He could see the satisfaction on their faces, so clearly, it was mission complete. "So how did it go?" The Sword Hermit handed each of them a bottle of water. "Did you manage to win her over?"
"Kind of, but we need to do a little chore for Alisa before she's totally onboard with us," Emma said. They went on to explain to Master Ka-Fai their little meeting with The Reinford heiress and her maid. "We need to find the components for this pocket watch. Alisa said she would work on finding the Zemurian Ore we need, so all we have to do is focus on the mine and the institute for the alloyed metal sheet and pressure regulator." The Sword Hermit stood up and stretched, cracking his neck in the process, making Emma wince some.
"Ah, so we have a nice little fetch quest then." Ka-Fai let out a scratchy yawn. "Perhaps we can stop by the institute first since it's right here in town? I've heard of the Sachsen Iron Mines, and it's a long walk for an old man such as myself. So may as well handle the easy stuff right now." Rean rolled his eyes. He knew better than anyone that his master had the constitution of a man half his age. Luckily the Roer Institute of Technology was literally next door, so why make things overly complicated? They found a couple of the students out front working with some kind of complicated apparatus none of them would probably understand.
"Good afternoon to you. Hope we're not disrupting your experiment." Rean said to the engineers in training, they were all a few years older than them, maybe about nineteen or even in their early twenties. "We're friends of Alisa Reinford." They all perked up at the mention of the Reinford heiress's name. "We're doing a little chore for her and there's a particular component we need to get it done. Is it too much to ask if you have any Type IV Pressure Regulators you're not using?"
"Oh yeah, we've got more than a few of those just lying around the school. Give us a minute and we'll get one for you." One of them ran inside the walled building. Five minutes later the student came out with a small brass valve in hand. 'One Type IV Pressure Regulator, good to go!" He dropped it into Rean's hand. "Be sure to give Alisa our regards, her family has always been good to the institute, so we're always glad to pay them back even if it's just in the smallest way." The students went back to their experiment and the trio walked away.
"Heh, that was really easy," Rean said, rolling the small instrument in hand. "All we need is the alloyed sheet from the mine, and our role in this is done." He checked his watch. "It's just after 11 am, and the mine is a good distance from here. How about we take a short lunch break and then we can travel up the mountain and get the metal sheet then? The trip up and down the mountain will take all afternoon." It was at that moment his stomach growled. "Looks like we timed lunch just right." This got giggles from Emma and a wheezing chortle from Master Ka-Fai. They headed to the diner for a bite to eat.
(Roer Station)
Ezra groaned as he dragged himself out of the train station. "Never thought train lag could be a thing! Seven hours and four changeovers?" He ran his hand through his messy hair, cursing not having a comb. "I thought the railroad system was supposed to make travel across the empire easier!" It was a long journey from Legram to Roer, necessitating changeovers in Bareahard, Celdic, and one final change in Heimdallr itself. Not to mention the time waiting at each station didn't help.
But Ezra wouldn't be deterred. He was on a mission, and the long trek to the Industrial Metropolis that served as the capital of Nortia Province was all worth it. The knowledge the Sword Hermit was coming to Legram had fully revitalized him, not just in his sword training but in wanting to know what happened to his aunt. Wakana's room had been undisturbed since her disappearance, and he had never really asked about her past. If there was any way to find where she was, he had to know more.
So, he had broken the seal and dared to venture into forbidden territory, combing through her multitude of diaries and manuscripts, Ezra had learned after graduating from college, Wakana had worked for the pharmaceutical branch of Randall Industries, a conglomerate that was nearly as widespread as Reinford, and also headquartered in Roer. They had connections all over Erebonia and beyond. If anyone could tell him what happened to his aunt, or at the very least point him in the right direction, it would be someone there.
He hadn't told a soul about this little personal mission, not even Laura and they had been childhood friends. Ezra had written a note for Geralt and Yesenia explaining why he had done this. A part of him felt bad about being so evasive, but his relationship with Wakana had been so important to him, and he wouldn't be able to find any semblance of peace of mind until he had some more definitive answers.
Ezra craned his neck upward, just taking a few minutes to drink in the sights. "So, this is Roer." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of wrinkled scraps of paper. "Okay, so Randall Industries is in the southern part of town." He looked up to see the towering spire of the Reinford Building. "And that right there is the best-known landmark of the entire city. I suppose that will be my starting point." He went up the escalator, feeling the comforting weight of his sword on his back.
He took a brief moment to look at the Reinford Building. It was impressive, but not the reason he was here. He was about to start searching for the Randall Industries compound when something caught his attention. "Honestly Naomi, why did you put me into this ridiculous getup? I can barely move in these shoes!" A harsh but decidedly feminine voice complained. "Oh, come on, Kasane, you need to be more fashionable in your life!" A second feminine voice, but also far gentler chided the first. "You can't keep wearing the same ratty clothes time and time again. There's no sin in getting dolled up every once in a while, and you're naturally beautiful, so embrace it!"
Ezra may have been on a mission, but he was still a teenage boy with raging hormones. If a pair of pretty girls were involved, then he was all over it. A year had gone by since his Aunt's disappearance. An extra half-hour wouldn't hurt that much, would it? He followed the argument and stopped in his tracks when he saw the vision of loveliness standing in front of a fashionable women's boutique. The first girl was blonde, wearing a dark green sundress with a dark brown sweater, showing off a pair of long-toned legs in brown flats. She had a wide smile as her blue eyes sparkled. "See what I mean, Kasane? That looks so good on you!"
If the girl in green was pretty, then the other one was truly gorgeous. At least Ezra thought so. Long ice blue hair cascaded down her back. She wore a black knit crop top that hung off her shoulders, a thin halter neck looped around her elegant-looking neck. A small purple bow hung in the center. A light pink, pleated skirt hung to the mid-length of her thighs, showing off a pair of stunning legs wrapped in black pantyhose, capped off by matching black pumps. The girl looked more than a little embarrassed to be seen in it. "But it shows off so much skin, Naomi! Not to mention these high heels are an accident just waiting to happen. What if someone tries to make off with us? How do you expect me to run in these things?"
The girl in green held a hand to her mouth. "Oh Kasane, you are such a worrywart sometimes!" She could see the blue-haired girl wasn't wholly convinced and pouted. It was then she caught sight of Ezra. Her lips twisted into a mischievous smile. Naomi Randall knew her younger sister well enough. She just needed a little confidence booster. "Hm, maybe what you need is a man's opinion. What do you think?" Ezra froze in his tracks when he realized Naomi was talking right to him. "Doesn't my younger sister, Kasane, look simply beautiful in this ensemble I picked out for her?"
"Uh." Of all times for Ezra's mental faculties to evacuate his head. He took a closer look at Kasane. She just gave him an annoyed glare. "Yeah." He finally said, trying to put on an air of bravado. At the same time, he was silently wishing his face wasn't slowly warming up at looking into Kasane's brilliant red eyes, a perfect contrast to her sister's blue. "She is quite the beauty." He then took notice of the hair clips both girls wore. Ezra found himself lost in the way the white and red thread swirled together. It made him think of a lycoris flower. "Those look really nice. My friend Phoebe might like that. Maybe you could tell me where you got it from so, I could get one for her?"
"That won't be possible," Kasane said matter of factly, that glare still boring into Ezra's soul. "They were made by Naomi herself. Only two of them exist." Only for Naomi to gently dig an elbow into her side, and gently shake her head. Her expression softened slightly. "But I suppose she could have one made for your friend."
"Uh, thank you, I suppose?" Ezra offered. "Man, what is up with this chick? I can't nail her down at all." He muttered under his breath. The whole moment was turning real awkward. It was then he realized something. "Hold on a minute. These two are from Roer. Maybe they can tell me where I can find Randall Industries." Clearing his throat and adopting a regal posture he had seen his master take many times. "I suppose proper introductions are in order. My name is Ezra Kanitz. I came up here from the Viscounty of Legram."
That was as far as he got when Naomi practically lit up at this news. Even Kasane seemed impressed. "The Viscounty of Legram, you say? Does that mean you're a student of the Arseid school? I ask because of that sword on your back." She became even more excited. "Does that also mean you were trained by the Radiant Blademaster himself then? I've heard Victor S. Arseid is one of the strongest swordsmen in the entire empire. Only Matteus Vander can claim to be on the same level as him!"
New confidence blossomed inside Ezra. If there was anything he knew well it was his own blade, and there was nothing he took more pride in than the fact he was indeed trained by one of the very best Erebonia had to offer. "Yes, I am a direct apprentice of Viscount Arseid, not to mention his daughter, Lady Laura, who has been my main training partner for many years." Fondness colored his tone. "Furthermore, she is my childhood friend. I owe both of them quite a bit." He then remembered the reason he was here. "I'm getting off track. I'm here on personal business. I'm looking for my Aunt Wakana Sumeragi. We were very close when I was younger. About a year ago, she vanished under mysterious circumstances, and I've been looking for her."
"Oh dear." Naomi was quite distressed at the news. "Is there any way we can help you?"
"Yeah, is it possible you can point me in the direction of Randall Industries?" Both girls gasped. "I learned from my Aunt's writings that she worked in their pharmaceutical division before she came to Legram and set up a private practice. I just want to talk to someone there and see if maybe I can gather some more information. Maybe they'd know someplace she might go if she wanted to be alone." It was then Ezra noticed how both sisters were looking at him. "Uh, was it something I said?"
"You're looking for Randall Industries?" Kasane spoke in her usual curt manner. Although Ezra noted that there was a hint of dismay to her voice.
"I'm pretty sure that's what I said." Ezra wasn't sure where this was going. It was almost as if she was breaking him down in her mind and analyzing every little thing about him. Although Naomi seemed to look at him how a normal teenage girl would.
"If that's the case, we can take you there ourselves!" Naomi declared, looping her arm in Ezra's. "Kasane and I know that place very well. It's not too far from here in fact." The two of them walked down the street, and the whole time Ezra could feel Kasane's gaze drilling into the back of his skull. It wasn't his fault Naomi was being so affectionate. Not that he was doing anything to dissuade her. "Here we are!" They stopped in front of a large wall made of steel and concrete, with a large gate and a guard station with two guards in full body armor equipped with assault rifles stationed in front. 'Randall Industries' was emblazoned in large block letters on the top of the gate. "Ta Da! Welcome to the Randall Industrial Compound."
Ezra whistled as they came through the gate. Indeed, it might not have reached to the heavens like the Reinford's skyscraper, but the collection of buildings, warehouses, and massive smokestacks was a testament to the industrial might the Randall family wielded. "This is quite the spread. Not hard to see how the Randalls ended up loaded." He smirked and put his hands on his hips. "Of course, you two would know this better than anybody, considering you're probably related to them, tell me I'm wrong?"
Naomi giggled. "Guilty as charged." She then made a sweeping bow. "Allow me to introduce myself, Naomi Randall at your service! And this vision of beauty is my dear younger sister, Kasane Randall." The blue-haired girl started blushing again. "We were out shopping today because I've been trying to get Kasane to update her wardrobe for months now and she's been digging her heels in, but I managed to finally get her to go." Kasane's blush got even brighter, and Ezra couldn't help but find it cute. "You said you were looking for information on your aunt. I think I can talk to the people in the HR department. One of them might know."
"Anything you can find out would be a huge help to me." Ezra was excited, he could finally get some answers and they were practically at his fingertips. "Her name is Wakana Sumeragi, she's about five foot two, and has pinkish hair that comes to just above her shoulders and red eyes." Her face was forever engraved into his mind. Her kind smile had always given comfort to him growing up as a child. None noticed how Kasane's fingers tensed up. Something about that name caused a twitch in her mind.
Naomi seemed oblivious to all this. "Let's go to the administration building. That's where Human Resources is located." The building in question was probably the tallest in the whole compound at seven stories or so. It was clean and modern, falling in with the rest of Roer's architecture. The door opened and all three entered together. The lobby was clean with pieces of abstract art on the walls. "You stay here in the lobby, Ezra. I'll get what information you need." Naomi went up the stairs, leaving him alone with Kasane.
"This is going to be awkward," Ezra muttered, taking a seat on the couch. He eyed Kasane not having moved from her spot, her arms folded, wearing a look of pure irritation. "Your sister has really good fashion sense." He finally said, hoping that this would help break the ice between them. It seemed to be working if how Kasane started blushing was any indication. Man, that girl got flustered so easily it seemed. "She really knew what she was doing putting that outfit together for you."
"Naomi's always been like that." She sighed, fingering the top, it was made of a very delicate material that probably would tear if someone looked at it wrong, but still, she couldn't deny the elder Randall sister was very stylish. "I prefer something more practical myself. Can't run in these shoes to save my life. Give me a good solid pair of boots any day." The pumps came off as she sat down in a chair across from Ezra. "So, tell me about your aunt. What was she like?" If he wasn't so entranced with her good looks, Ezra would have rolled his eyes at what was clearly an interrogation. Okay then, he could play this game.
"My Aunt Wakana was a doctor. One of the best in all of Legram. Her fees were affordable, and she wasn't afraid to make house calls. No one was sure how she was so good. It was like she could just pull the very sickness out of people. They used to call her a miracle worker." Ezra sighed, remembering how she would come by with a plate of treats and some lemonade for him and Laura to enjoy while they were training on hot summer days. "I can't just imagine why she would leave so mysteriously."
It was then Naomi came back down the steps, a rather grim expression on her face and a file clutched in her hand. "Uh oh, that doesn't look good," Ezra remarked, recalling that frown from his aunt and mother on more than one occasion. She sat down in the chair next to Kasane and opposite him. Her earlier joviality was all gone and replaced with a determined gaze. "I take it you found what you were looking for?"
Naomi found it hard to look Ezra in the eyes. "Yeah, your aunt definitely worked for Randall Pharmaceuticals." She opened up the folder, looking through the paperwork, pulling out a picture of the woman wearing a lab coat. "Wakana Sumeragi, M.D. Licensed surgeon, also a well-versed pharmacist, she researched several medications that are in use today, departed the company in 1192 to set up her own private practice in the Viscounty of Legram, just as you've said." She shuffled through the papers some more. "But there are some irregularities that I discovered. Since you're so close to her, perhaps you can sort them out for me so I can update our records?"
"Sure, ask away," Ezra replied. If it brought him closer to finding his aunt, then he was all in.
"The board of directors wanted to keep in touch with her in case we needed her expertise for some kind of consultation. So, we were in regular contact with her after she left the company." Naomi folded her hands and rested her chin in them. "Until fourteen months ago when she vanished on January 2nd, 1202. What was going on that day, and did you see her? How was she acting? Was there anything out of the ordinary about her?" Naomi's questions cut right to the bone for Ezra. But still, it did spark activity in his brain.
He stood up and began walking around the lobby. "Pardon me, I think best when I'm moving around." Ezra rubbed his chin as he dredged up the memories of that day. "Okay, so January 2nd 02 then? Yeah, I remember that day pretty well. It was cold, and it had snowed recently. Since Sunday School was on break for the holiday, I usually hung out at Aunt Wakana's clinic. No big emergencies, except for quite a few hangovers resulting from all the drinking over the last couple days to ring in the new year. But in all it was a pretty quiet time."
"Until it wasn't?" Kasane asked, He nodded, those memories becoming very vivid in his mind now.
"We have the last active office for the Bracer Guild in the entire Empire. Toval, the guy who runs it, suddenly barged in saying there was a message for her. Said it was really urgent too. I remember her running out the door, and it was about ten minutes before she came back. Aunt Wakana was worried, I could tell. She started packing her bags and saying that she had to depart for emergency business at once. I remember walking her to the station. She told me that she loved me, and she would be back in a couple of days if not a week or so. Then she went inside. That was the last time I saw her."
Naomi bit her lip. "Well, I think I can shed some light on that, but at the same time, it also raises several more questions. That call your aunt got came from here. Dr. Sumeragi was ordered to Roer with all possible haste. The company sent someone to meet her at the station, but she never showed up." If her earlier questions cut to the bone, those five words hit Ezra right in his soul. Wakana had been called to her old employers, but never arrived? Had something happened at a stop along the way? Naomi's comment was right, despite providing some context about her departure that cold winter day, even more questions had cropped up. "I'm sorry but that's all the info we could find." She looked truly dejected she couldn't help Ezra more.
Slowly, Ezra stood up. "No, that's okay. At least now I understand why she left Legram the way she did. That question has been answered. Now I need to find out what happened to her between there and Roer." He clenched his fist. Ezra felt some dejection at not getting a straight answer, but a fire of resolve was forming in his soul. "Thank you, Naomi, you've given me some hope that Aunt Wakana is still out there. So don't feel bad at all." Her dazzling smile returned. She was truly impressed with Ezra's dedication to his aunt. It didn't hurt he was also kind of cute.
Although Kasane actually seemed rather pained by this. Her fingers twitched one more time. "We'll both do everything we can on our end to try and find anything about your aunt. Is there any way we can contact you?" All of a sudden Ezra's day went from decent to superb! He had a clearer idea of what happened to his beloved aunt and got the phone numbers of two gorgeous women who also happened to be sisters. How could he not call that a win? With information exchanged, Ezra departed the Randall compound. He took a glance around the city. Now that his main objective was complete, he had some time to kill. Why not explore a little before returning home? "I wonder if I can find some good chow." He said, heading for the lower part of the city.
(That Afternoon, Sachesen Mountain Road)
With full bellies, Rean's party began their long trek up Sachesen Mountain, home of the legendary Iron Mine that provided metal for much of the Empire. It had been an uneventful trip so far. The monsters had been little problem for Rean and Emma, who were finding how well they worked together. It just seemed natural for the witch to fall into step with the swordsman, covering him with ranged art attacks while he engaged with his blade. Notably absent from this lineup was the Sword Hermit himself, hanging back. "Just consider it part of your training." Master Ka-Fai drawled. Didn't bother Rean in the long run. The monsters on the Sachsen Road were tough, but nothing he and Emma couldn't handle.
The Dancing Owls and Bomb Spiders were familiar from their field study and during their travels during the civil war. "Eight Leaves, Third Form: Flame Impact!" Rean jumped up, searing fire erupting around his blade as he cleaved the wing of one of the owls before Emma launched her Spectral Blades. The giant ethereal swords impaled the stricken creature, sending it to the ground dead. Rean had just enough time to force back a Roc swooping down from above with its massive talons. He was poised with Ashen Void, now glowing bright red. The tachi swung, emitting a Crimson Slash flying skyward. The bird let out a piercing screech, just avoiding the attack.
It made to swoop in again on Rean. When a sparkling golden-brown shield shimmered into existence before him as the creature slammed into it. He looked over to Emma, who just smiled, realizing she had cast Adamantine Shield to protect him. The bird creature looked stricken, and Rean was taking the opening. "Eight Leaves: Fourth Form, Autumn Leaf Cutter!" Few could see the Ashen Awakener move. Even Emma had trouble keeping up. All she could see was a flash of red, and all she could hear was the sound of the Roc's final pained screech.
Rean landed in a crouch as the bird monster's corpse slammed into the hard dirt road. He stood up with a smirk. Master Ka-Fai's expression mirrored his apprentice. The old sage knew what the young man was capable of. His gaze then fell on Emma as she engaged a horde of Death Sickles. The bipedal mantises let out menacing hisses as they swung the sickles on their forearms. She brought another Adamantine Shield to bear as the insectoid beasts tried to get at the witch. "You won't have a chance! Frost Edge!" Her staff let out a bluish-tinged light. Blades of crystalized ice lanced out, cleaving through the Death Sickles, and with that, the Sachsen Iron Road was that much safer for the time being.
"We should be getting close now. Those monsters were a good workout, but I'll be glad to get that sheet of metal for Alisa." Rean said. The entire mountain then shook with a thunderous roar and equally loud footsteps. "Sounds like something is coming." They readied themselves for whatever was coming. Rean and Emma's weapons nearly fell out of their hands as a massive beast tromped around the corner. One they were both very familiar with. "A Grunoja? I didn't they were found in this part of the country!"
The giant baboon creature loomed over the party, roaring in challenge as its tail lashed madly back and forth. Unlike the one, they faced in the forest. This one had darker brown fur, minus the greens. A series of rocks jutted from its shoulders and along its back. Rean and Group A had faced such a beast on their very first field study. It had been a tough fight then, but it would be harder with just the two of them. It roared, beating its chest, not appreciating intruders on what it perceived as its mountain.
Rean readied himself for a brawl when Master Ka-Fai put a hand on his shoulder. "Well, I suppose it's my time to shine now." The old hermit stepped forward, sheathed blade in hand. "You kids hang back. I'll take care of this little problem." He walked with a casual gait toward the Grunoja, still stomping and snorting, just looking for a fight. The Sword Hermit's thumb flicked Kurohachi Konoha, so it was now loose in the sheath.
With that, Rean took hold of Emma's hand and pulled her back. "Don't worry, Emma. If my master says he has this under control. Then he has it under control!" A sense of anticipation welled up inside him. "It's not often one gets to see him cut loose; this is a rare honor indeed." He was actually excited, wishing he had some popcorn for the occasion. The two teenagers held their breath and waited for the imminent battle. The Grunoja made the first move, roaring as its massive fists came down to crush the puny man in front of him.
Dust was kicked up and dirt clods flew in all directions. The monster noticed a distinctive lack of human viscera missing on its palms. Master Ka-Fai was standing behind the monster, shaking his head in disproval. "Well, that was a good strike, but you telegraph your movements far too clearly. I could see it coming from an arge away." Ka-Fai almost sounded like he was scolding the monster like a wayward student. The monster grunted, looking to see the Sword Hermit standing there, sword still sheathed. A slight breeze kicked through, making Ka-Fai's beard and hakama flutter a little. The old man crouched, hand on his blade. "An attack should be clean and precise." The monster roared again, and he vanished. "Second Form: Typhoon Gale!"
The monster roared in pain, rearing back with bloody stumps where two fingers once were on its left hand, while its right arm flailed about madly, going for a meaty backhand. Ka-Fai leapt into the air, the limb swatting nothing but air. "Lashing out angrily won't get you anywhere either." Kurohachi Konoha began to glow with red energy like Ashen Void earlier, but even brighter and more energetic. "It just leaves you more open! Sixth Form: Supreme Crimson Arc Slash!" Emma estimated the Sword Hermit's attack was twice the size of Rean's. A clear indication of just how strong he was.
The student was non-plussed at his teacher's strength. "As I said, few get a chance to see the master in action. Truthfully, he's not even trying that hard. Now if it was something like a Magic Knight or a Cryptid, then we'd really be in for a show." Their discussion stopped just in time to see the Grunoja roar again, lunging at Master Ka-Fai to grab him in its hands and crush the master to death. But the Sword Hermit was crouched and ready. "First Form: Leaf Helix Strike!" Swinging thrice, a tornado of bluish-green energy whipped up, creating a cyclone of power that left deep wounds on the baboon's hide.
The Grunoja was on the ropes, staggering back from Master Ka-Fai's onslaught. The old master barely looked fazed; this was just a light warm-up for him. "Well, this has been fun, but we have a very pressing engagement at the Iron Mines and you're in our way. So, I'm afraid that our playtime is over." Kurohachi Konoha returned to its resting place in the sheath as the Sword Hermit crouched in a battojutsu stance. No fear in the old man's eyes as the maddened creature rushed at him in full force. "Fifth Form: Morning Moon, Luminous Judgment!" If Emma wasn't able to see him move during Gale. Then she hadn't even blinked when he seemed to just plain vanish from her sight.
Blood gushed from a deep laceration on the Grunoja's left leg. The monster roared and staggered into the dirt. "Consider this the final blow!" Yun Ka-Fai was airborne again, sword clenched in both hands overhead. He came down, flames bursting to life along the whole length of his blade, taking the form of a mighty eastern style dragon. "Eight Leaves One Blade School: Third Form. Supreme Dragon Impact!" The blade came down and the fiery construct with it, consuming the Grunoja in blistering hot flames. Emma had to shield her eyes, but Rean looked on as the flames dissipated, leaving his master standing next to a burned, smoking corpse.
Master Ka-Fai let out a short, wheezing sigh. He sheathed his weapon in a very deliberate manner. The lesson had concluded, and all had been educated. "Well, that little issue has been taken care of. Let's get to the mine, now, shall we?" He dusted off his pants and began walking as if the encounter hadn't occurred at all. With nothing else to say, the two teenagers fell in step with the older man, safely arriving at Sachesen Iron Mine. They entered the main office to find the foreman conversing with a couple of his workers.
"Good day to you folks. What brings you all the way out here?" The foreman asked.
Emma stepped forward. "We're here on behalf of Alisa Reinford, we need a small sheet of alloyed metal. It doesn't have to be much, twenty by twenty reges square, and less than two reges thick. Do you think you can help us out?"
"Oh, that's easy! We keep plenty of that in stock. We can cut you off what you need in no time." He barked to one of the miners also in the room. "You heard the lady! Get her an alloyed metal sheet, twenty by twenty reges square, and make it snappy!" The miner nodded and quickly departed into the farther depths of the mine. The miner came back in no less than ten minutes, a small metal square in hand. The foreman gave it to Emma. "There you are, my dear. True to our word. Anything for the Reinfords."
"Thank you, sir." Rean grinned, quite satisfied at having achieved both their goals. It was time to return to town and meet back up with Alisa.
(Roer, That Evening)
It was sundown when Rean and his friends returned to the Industrial Metropolis. As promised, Alisa was waiting for them in front of the Reinford Building. "Well, did you get them?" She asked. Rean and Emma produced the pressure regulator and the alloy sheet in turn. She whistled. "Wow, you actually pulled it off!" Reaching into her pocket, she produced a small chunk of dark ore the size of a small marble, glistening like stars in the brilliant night sky. "As did I. Found out the First Division actually had a small supply of Zemurian Ore kept for research purposes. So, it wasn't too hard to convince them to part with just enough for what we needed. Helps they didn't ask what it was for."
Alisa accepted the other components from Rean and Emma. "I also managed to sneak a look at Mom's watch. It's still working but now that I have what's needed to repair it. I might be able to earn some goodwill with her. The key word being might." She bowed her head slightly, clearly still upset at how aloof and cold Irina could be sometimes. "So…the future, we really do become classmates? Become…friends?" There was uncertainty in Alisa's voice, but it was tinged by hope. The idea that she would forge such strong, deep connections was appealing to her.
Rean's nod was all the assurance Alisa needed. "We sure do. It didn't seem possible for it to work. Nobles and commoners in the same class, so many disparate people from different walks of life coming together. It seemed like it could be a huge mess, but it wasn't. We had our growing pains, but we came together when it counted. In fact, the express purpose you applied to Thors was to get out from your family's shadow. We didn't even know you were a Reinford right away, given you just used your last initial. But even after we learned the truth, none of us thought any less of you as a person. We will do all possible to make your life better however we can."
Tears formed in her eyes, as Emma gave her a gentle hug. Then it was the Ashen Awakener's turn, giving the Reinford Heiress a slight embrace, lilac eyes looking into reddish brown. "The town of Trista, March 31st, next year. Save the location and the date, because that's where and when Class VII comes together for the very first time. Take care of yourself until then, Alisa. We'll see you there." She smiled and waved as Rean, Emma, and Master Ka-Fai headed down the escalator.
"That's one down. Now onto Legram." Rean felt good about himself at that moment. He had managed to win Alisa over with the components to fix the pocket watch, and one of his biggest worries was now laid to rest. They stopped in front of the train station. "Master, is okay if we take the train just this once? It would be quite impractical for us to walk all the way south. I think even you know that." The Sword Hermit just chortled, and led them inside. A few seconds later, Ezra walked into the station. His mind was still combing over his conversation with the Randall sisters from earlier.
"Aunt Wakana didn't just leave because she felt like it. She came here to Roer to meet with the Randalls for some reason." He muttered to himself as he purchased his ticket at the counter. "The question now is how did she meet with some kind of foul play or was it something else? And where did it happen?" He kept musing as he walked onto the platform where the train was loading. "The main changeovers on the line are Bareahard and Heimdallr, not to mention Celdic and Trista if you count minor stops. And there's the fact she could have just gotten on another train and gone in another direction entirely." He boarded the train, slumping in his seat. "The hunt will have to wait another day. I'm beat."
A tremor beneath his feet and the feeling of forward momentum was the signal the train was pulling out of the station. It wasn't long before the world was hurtling by the windows. Ezra wasn't paying much attention to it. He was content to just doze and get some rest. He wasn't sure what it was, the clacking of the train car along the rails, the soft rumbling of the train's mighty engine, but it soothed him regardless. He was always of the opinion that train naps were the best naps.
A couple of seats down Rean watched the Erebonian countryside pass by him. The memory of every field study they took raced by with the landscape. "This is how it always started, us waking up early in the morning and boarding a train to our destination." He said to Emma sitting across the way from him, who was looking out the window in awe. "We'd talk about where we were going and what we could expect once we arrived at the field study location. Usually if one of our classmates was from around there, they would fill us in. Once the briefing was over. Then we'd play a couple of rounds of Blade and aside from looking out the window that would be it."
Emma smiled, glad to see Rean looking upbeat. "You have many fond memories of those days, don't you?" Rean nodded, gazing back outside. "I'm eager to experience these field studies for myself. I had always read about distant places in books. But besides looking for Vita, the chance to see those places for myself was the reason I became a wandering witch. Learning about these places firsthand was always a treat for me."
Rean rolled his eyes. "If you're looking for exciting experiences. Our field studies were anything but boring. We got a real up close and personal look at our country, the good parts and the bad. There was almost always some problem happening that we had to help resolve. But we did come away with a better understanding of the various issues plaguing the Empire. That understanding did help us determine the direction we wanted to take when the civil war broke out. Erebonia isn't perfect by any means, but our countrymen deserve to live a peaceful life. It's where Class VII comes into play."
The ride was uneventful for a while. The train rolled into Heimdallr station, marking the first changeover the party would have to make. Rean was looking at the large map that showed the entire train network. His gaze fell over familiar locations, before coming to rest on one place in particular. "Trista." He breathed. Truly that small little suburb had become a second home to Rean. It was the place that helped the Ashen Awakener find himself, and shape his identity after searching so long for his place in the world.
"It is a big thing to be sure." A male voice drawled, Rean looked over to Ezra, eyes also scanning the map. His dark green coat idly blowing. "This web of iron and wood allows us to travel so easily across this great land of ours. On the one hand, it makes a man feel rather small in the grand scheme of things." He side-eyed Rean. "Still, It is also a testament to mankind's engineering prowess and our drive to expand across the continent. Don't you think?"
Ezra's question actually made Rean think about the true scale of the rail network. He started looking the map over more closely, and really understood how it spread the entire country. The rail network was the lifeblood of the country he called home, connecting all corners of the empire. "You're not wrong. The railroad system practically defines Erebonia. I can't imagine having to traipse across the whole country on foot." This got a chuckle out of Ezra. If only knew where that joke came from. Rean held out his hand. "I'm Rean Schwarzer, from Ymir."
"Ezra Kanitz, from Legram." Rean's eyes widened in shock as they shook hands. "What?"
"You're from Legram?" Rean wasn't sure if he could believe his ears. Who would have expected him to run into someone from their destination along the way? "I'm actually heading there right now with a couple of my friends. Wow, talk about coincidence."
"No kidding, that is a coincidence." Now that Ezra knew he was going the same place as Rean, he began quietly sizing the black-haired young man up. He hadn't noticed it earlier, but he realized there was something about how Rean carried himself that seemed familiar to him. "So, you're waiting on the train to Bareahard then? You don't mind if I tag along, since we're heading the same way? The journey from Legram to Roer was a total drag for me. The journey is always much nicer when traveling with other people. What do you say?" Ezra offered.
Rean was always up for making new friends, and Ezra seemed affable enough. The young Eight Leaves practitioner was also evaluating this new arrival. Clearly, he was a warrior of some kind, given the sword on his back. "Sure, I'm traveling with my master and another friend." They walked over to where Master Ka-Fai and Emma were waiting on a bench. The former thumbing through the newspaper, while Emma snacked on a candy bar she got at the counter. Ezra whistled in appreciation at the sight of Emma's figure, before gently elbowing Rean in the side. "If that's your girlfriend, then you got really lucky."
"Emma's not my girlfriend!" Rean quickly protested in a hushed tone. "She's just a very good friend of mine. The older gentleman is my teacher." The two boys walked up to their companions. "Hey folks, you're not going to believe this. Let me introduce you to Ezra. He's from Legram." Emma looked on in surprise, and Master Ka-Fai just gave a slight nod. "Ezra, meet my friend and classmate, Emma Millstein, and my master, Yun Ka-Fai." The entire world went still for Ezra, his face bone white. "Are you okay?" Rean asked his new friend, worriedly.
"D-did you just say Yun Ka-Fai?" Ezra pointed at the old man, who slowly got to his feet, wearing an amused expression. Ezra's mind was completely blown that he had run into the legend himself while waiting for the train. "You really are Yun Ka-Fai, the Sword Hermit? Yun Ka-Fai. Grandmaster of the Eight Leaves, One Blade School?" He then looked to Rean. "Then does that mean you're his apprentice?" Rean just nodded. "Wow." That was all Ezra had to say, it was happening so quick. He wondered if this was a dream.
The old man chortled, not fazed at being called out. Even swordsmen had their fans. "So, you must be Victor's prodigy. He spoke very highly of you when we last exchanged letters." Ezra took in the presence of Master Ka-Fai gave off. For the longest time, Victor S. Arseid was Ezra's personal gold standard of strength. Emanating a shining aura that could cut through the greatest darkness. Yet the Sword Hermit's aura was even greater still, and even more controlled. And unlike the brilliant light of the Radiant Blademaster, the head of the Eight Leaves seemed to exist in a great nothingness, but it was a calm and soothing nothingness that Ezra found relaxing.
"Actually, I'm coming off a bit of a sabbatical, So my skills aren't exactly where they should be. Master Victor had told us you were coming to train at our school. Needless to say, I couldn't bear to stand on the sidelines while my fellow students reaped the benefits." He let out a small cackle. "Of course, I got lucky and managed to meet you guys here! Talk about an act of the Goddess." The alarm announced the departure of the train to Celdic. The four quickly made for the train, not wanting to be left behind.
(Five Hours Later)
Despite all the locations Class VII traveled to for their field studies, Legram had been Rean's favorite. Not just because it was Laura's hometown, but because of the history that surrounded the rustic heart of the Arseid Viscounty. Already the sensation coming from the higher elements washed over him as they came down the steps of the Legram railroad station. He side-eyed his companions, seeing that Emma and Master Ka-Fai were also feeling the power radiating over the entire town. The witch seemed a little anxious, but the master was calm. Ezra seemed the most at ease with it, not surprising since he was a native.
Ezra stretched, looking up through the misty sky toward the lake and Lohengrin Castle. "I always find myself looking out there, just a reminder that I've come home." He led them through town. Rean took in all the familiar sights of Legram. He first laid eyes on the Bracer Guild office, wondering if Toval was there or was out on a job. The church and the general store seemed more or less normal. The ever-present mist over the lake just completed the scene. In all, the town of Legram was as tranquil as could be at that moment. "I can't wait for Laura to hear that I got to meet you guys early. She's going to be so jealous!"
"Ezra Gwyn Kanitz!" The tranquility was shattered by those three words that stopped him dead in his tracks. Ezra groaned as he saw an older couple, a man and a woman, standing at the steps leading up to the Arseid Training Hall and Manor House. The woman was quite attractive in her own right, with long raven black hair framing a porcelain-hued face, and purple eyes knitted together in visible fury. She wore dark slacks and a white button-up shirt under a black sweater with an expensive pewter brooch pinned on the side. Her thick sandal heels clicked on the cobblestones as she marched up to him, folding her arms. "Young man you are in so much trouble!"
"Hi, Mom." Ezra offered weakly to Yesenia Kanitz, his loving and livid mother. "Uh, so you found my note? That's good." He scratched his head as his mother continued to glare at him. So, he quickly shifted gears, trying to puff himself up some. "Hey, I at least let you know I was going to Roer in the first place, and I even found out a couple of things about Aunt Wakana. That's a good thing!" However, Yesenia was unmoved. "Oh, come on, Mom! I know you've wanted to know what happened to her just as much as me. I took the initiative for once. You can cut me a little slack, right?"
"That's besides the point, son." A low, gravely voice responded as Geralt Kanitz, Ezra's father approached. Cutting a tall imposing figure with a pair of swords mounted on his back, his attire was much more rugged than Yesenia's. A quilted jacket in deep reds, trimmed in brown, and topped with armored shoulder guards. Deep green pants and steel-covered boots like Ezra's on his feet. His stark white hair was a perfect contrast to his wife's ebony locks. His jade green eyes matched his son's showing his own disproval, "Your mother was worried sick when she came home and didn't find you. Called me off a monster extermination contract hysterical. Took me two hours to calm her down."
"Yes sir," Ezra replied dully, knowing this was a battle he couldn't win. He groaned, turning to Rean. "Why don't you go up and meet with Viscount Arseid? I'm going to be roasting over an open spit for a while." The black-haired swordsman looked at his new friend concernedly, but Ezra held up a hand. "Don't worry about it. This is not the first time, and it will not be the last. Don't let it ruin your day. I'll speak to you later." He sighed, following his parents with the grim footfalls of a death march.
Rean and Emma gave a silent prayer to Aidios for their new friend, instead following Master Ka-Fai up the stairs. The broad structure of the Arseid School Training Hall was a familiar sight for them. The sounds of the apprentices training hard filtering through. Rean wondered if Laura was in there training as well. He would find out later. The trio kept walking up until they reached Arseid Manor, overlooking the entire town. Emma grasped the heavy iron knocker and banged it three times. The door swung open, and Klaus emerged. "Ah, Welcome back to Legram, Master Ka-Fai!" He bowed deeply. "Lord Arseid is waiting for you."
They were ushered inside. The carpets and drapes were all in the rich blue tone that Legram was famous for. "Wait here for a moment and I will send for His Lordship." He walked up their stairs, posture as rigid and unmoving as ever, heading to the right where Rean knew Victor's study was located. Klaus came back out, bowing to the three. "Presenting His Excellency, Viscount Victor S. Arseid of Legram."
He couldn't help but crack a smile as the Master of the Viscounty of Legram stepped out of his office and onto the landing, making his presence felt by all. It was just as he remembered, Victor S. Arseid's aura of power was brighter than ever. Although Master Ka-Fai's was just as prominent, if not a little bit more. He walked down the steps, his expensive blue coat flapping behind him with each step. The Radiant Blademaster and Sword Hermit greeted each other as old friends with a deep handshake and a brotherly hug. "Welcome back, Yun! It's good to see you again."
"As it is to see you, Victor. This place is as inviting as ever." He spread his arm out. "Let me introduce you to my charges. This young lady is Miss Emma Millstein. She's the granddaughter of an old friend of mine. I promised to watch over her while she's touring the Empire."
"We're glad to have you here, then," Victor said, gently taking her hand and giving it a delicate kiss, causing Emma to start blushing. He was every bit the gentleman that a noble should be. "I'm sure my daughter Laura will be happy to meet you. She could use more female friends her own age."
"It's an honor to meet the Radiant Blademaster," Emma said, marveling at how strong Victor really was. But his strength was tempered by wisdom and compassion. "I'm happy that I could be present, even I'm not a swordsman as Master Ka-Fai and Rean are."
"But you are a welcome addition regardless, my dear." The Sword Hermit said, he then put a grandfatherly hand on Rean's shoulder. "And this young man is the main reason we are here. This is my third apprentice, Rean Schwarzer. He's something special, Victor. The boy has the greatest potential for growth I've ever seen. If Rean keeps his training up, I have no doubt he will leave Cassius and Arios in the dust, and I don't say that lightly." Rean squirmed a little. He had heard of the strength of both the Divine Blades of Steel and Wind, and the idea of being in that league was humbling.
Victor nodded in approval. "That's a very high bar to reach. I remember that duel I had with the Divine Blade of Wind a few years ago. We were evenly matched. Perhaps once young Rean's training is finished, he would be able to take me on."
"Coming from one of the strongest warriors in the whole of Erebonia, I would welcome the day when I could cross blades with you on an equal footing." Rean in turn bowed to Victor, his own noble training coming to the forefront. "It's a true honor to meet you, sir. As Master Ka-Fai said. I am Rean Schwarzer, son of Baron Teo Schwarzer and Heir of the Barony of Ymir. Thank you so much for giving us this distinct honor to train with you and your students. We will be in your family's care." It was then the door swung open, and the sweetest sound in all of Zemuria kissed the Ashen Awakener's ears.
"Father, we're back!" That voice, gentle as a crystal bell and strong as iron forged in the hottest fire was something that would never grow old. Rean didn't even need to look over his shoulder to know who was speaking. But he did so anyway, wanting to gaze on the girl of his heart. A part of him wasn't surprised to see Laura S. Arseid in a swimsuit, a black one-piece with blue piping, revealing a pair of long, smooth legs, toned by years of practice. If not training her skill with the blade, then of course she would have been down at the lake swimming. A towel hung around her neck.
What did surprise him was the girl standing next to her. The other girl was also wearing a swimsuit, a one-piece colored a deep rich royal blue trimmed in white. The girl's hair was covered by a swim cap the same shade of blue as her suit. She seemed rather flustered if the way she was blushing and nervously clutching the inner tube around her waist was any indication. Laura was far more composed but still surprised. "Oh my, I didn't know we had visitors." She exclaimed at seeing the new arrivals. "Forgive our appearance. My cousin and I were down at the lake enjoying a swim."
Victor took it all in stride. "Not at all, in fact, you showed up at the perfect time. Girls, let me introduce you to Master Yun Ka-Fai, his apprentice Rean Schwarzer, and their friend, Miss Emma Millstein." Laura and Rean instantly locked eyes with each other. Everything about her face was just as he remembered, lovely in every way. Kindness was reinforced by deep resolve in her eyes. She never needed much to look beautiful, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Rean boldly approached Laura, taking hold of her hand, relishing how red her face was getting. "It's nice to make your acquaintance, Lady Arseid. I've heard you're as skilled with a blade as your father. So, I'm eager to test my mettle against you in the coming weeks." He ever so delicately kissed it. "In addition, I did not anticipate you also being incredibly beautiful. Clearly, you get your good looks from your mother."
Phoebe gasped, hands coming up to her face to hide her reddened cheeks, but she smiled, happy that such a fine gentleman was interested in her cousin. Emma giggled quietly, knowing by now how important Laura was to Rean. On the other hand, for the Arseid Heiress, images of her dream from weeks prior bubbled back up. If this young man's hair and eyes were a different color, they would be a perfect match for the warrior she saw, wreathed in brilliant azure flames. The way he regarded her almost seemed familiar, but Laura didn't want to jump to conclusions since she wasn't that kind of woman.
"Thank you for the compliment." She finally said, wishing her the heat in her cheeks would die down some. Rean was a fairly handsome man, and his kindness was a plus as well. "I'm not used to having people compliment my beauty when I first meet them. But I won't turn such kind words down." Laura stood up a little straighter, and Rean could see her competitive spirit come to light. "But besides that, I'm also eager to cross blades with you. Father has shared much of the Eight Leaves school with me, but I find it's better to experience such things firsthand. Don't you think?"
Rean smirked; the challenge was already accepted. "You do learn a lot about people by fighting them. I'm sure some interesting truths will crop up in our duels. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."