At a certain time at the Holfort Academy.
Kira is in a room decorated for his tea ceremony as he is accompanied by Raymond and Daniel.
"Man, I never knew that we could cooperate for a tea ceremony before…" Daniel spoke as he looks relaxed.
"This will definitely be a good way to do it." Raymond added in. "especially since it's mostly Kira's Tea Ceremony..."
After their little meeting with their Etiquette Teacher at the cafeteria's kitchen, it was time for the scheduled Tea Ceremony for the need of the men to have socialization with the women of the school. Raymond and Daniel are with Kira as they got the advice to hold a mixed tea ceremony where both are helpers to the young man.
"Will this be fine?" Kira asks as he sets a tray of his cooked biscuits to the table that has an assortment of fine cups, plates, and utensils prepared.
"Yeah, that'll be fine." Daniel nods with a thumbs up. "With how you're a well reputation type of guy and have some level of popularity, the girls will come."
"That is if you did invite them, right?" Raymond asked while adjusting his glasses. "The tea ceremony begun nearly an hour ago and there was not much time to get invitations out." He looks curious to Kira. "Did you invite anyone, Kira?"
"Just one." Kira replied with a nod while pointing a finger out. "a senior who became a friend."
"A senior? Which one?" Daniel replied with a curious face.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Knockings are heard from the door as Kira and the others turn towards it.
"Welcome." Kira spoke as he went and opens the door for the invited guest to come in. "please come in."
"Eeehhh?!" Raymond and Daniel screamed in shock because the one who came in was Clarice who brought her followers with her. "The daughter of the Earl Atlee!?"
"Thanks for your invitation, Kira-kun." Clarice greeted him with a friendly smile as she walked in with her followers behind her. She looks around and hums to see the decoration of the room. "Hmmm, an easy 8/10 for your room's cleanliness and decoration."
"Thank you for the compliment, Clarice-senpai." Kira replied with a smile before seeing Raymond and Daniel going near him with baffled faces. "what's wrong?"
"don't say 'what's wrong?' to us!" Raymond whispered in a shocked voice.
"How you got a senior who is a high ranked noble to come to your tea ceremony!?" Daniel asks. "Did you bribe her!? did you blackmail her!? tell us the deets!"
"I just invited her, that's all." Kira replied calmly as he looked at the two confused. "Is it wrong to do so?"
"it's so wrong in so many logical ways!" Raymond and Daniel replied.
"Hey, where you get these cookies, Kira-kun?" Clarice asks as she sits down by the table and sees the assortment of cookies and sweets set upon it. "I've seen lots of sweets made by bakers from all around the kingdom, but I never seen these ones before."
"Ah, I actually made them myself." Kira replied in explanation as he goes to the table and begins to prepare a cup of tea for their invited guests. "I hope they can be to your liking."
"I sure hope so." Clarice replied with a smile as she was served a cup of warm tea and a small plate of assorted cookies. She takes a cookie, bites a small piece, and soon hums in pleasure. "This is good~!"
"Thank you very much." Kira nods with a smile before he looks at Clarice's followers. "Would you all like a cup of tea and the sweets as well?"
"w-well...we're just…" the followers responded as they look at Kira all weirded out.
"Come and join me, you guys." Clarice replied with a smile as she had taken a sip of the tea and just sighed in satisfaction. "This is a very nice cup of tea that is a perfect match for the cookies."
The followers look at each other before Kira who is already preparing several cups of tea.
"we would like to join you..." a follower said before everyone gets a cup of tea and their fair share of the cookies and sweets.
"I can't believe how easy Kira making it seem..." Daniel said as he and Raymond sees how the atmosphere is all friendly and happy in the room.
"I don't know if he really is a foreigner or not, but it'd be best if we keep on Kira's good side and learn a lot more about him." Raymond added in as he and Daniel look at Kira who is chuckling to a joke that Clarice just shared. "he's like someone who can be a great butler or something."
Daniel nods twice in agreement.
The time passes in the tea ceremony as the mood is good and happy while there is the occasional chattering shared by the guests and hosts. They shared about current events outside of the Holfort Kingdom to the coming festivals of the academy's traditions.
"Clarice-senpai's family deals with the production of the kingdom's airbike?" Kira asks all curious as he heard about the works of his senior's family.
"Yes, my family has been doing the air bike business for many generations." Clarice replied while holding her cup of tea upon her lap. "Nearly 89% of the Airbikes around the kingdom are from my family's production."
"You never heard about them that much, Kira?" Daniel asked Kira as both are in with the tea ceremony and having tea with cookies while also giving some chattering to be shared.
"Where I come from, we just have what is called a motor bike." Kira replies a bit awkwardly. "it's like the Airbikes of the Holfort Kingdom, but the difference is that they ride on land instead of the air."
"That must've been boring if you can only ride through dirt." One of Clarice's followers spoke. "can't get any good thrills if you can only ride upon the land and not the air."
"True, but we follow the motto of loving the land where we are born upon." Kira replied with a smile while placing a hand to his chest. "Our very existence began when we were born into the world and take our first step upon the land of our ancestry. That is why we respect our land's ancestry and mostly accommodate our entire welfare upon it."
"Sounds very poetic." Clarice spoke with a nod before taking a sip of the tea. "And I can agree with that notion of yours." She looks up while closing her eyes. "Soar through the very skies with your wings, but one must descend to their land of origins." She opens her eyes and smiles to Kira. "that's something my father always told me when I began studying to take over the family business."
"Very wise." Kira nods.
As the tea ceremony between junior and seniors continued, they heard a commotion outside.
"What was that?" Daniel asked while Kira goes out and checks on what made the commotion.
Kira goes out and sees a small crowd of girls ganging up on someone who is on the floor.
"You got invited to Brad-sama's tea party!? You are such an eyesore that you'll ruin the tea party!" "Yeah! Learn your place!" "Get lost, commoner!" the girls yelled at someone as it is a young short blonde girl with a very scared and timid look.
"b-but I was invited…" the scared blonde replied as the girls keep on ganging up on her until Kira came and push them away. "Ah?"
"What are you all doing?" Kira spoke out as he looked at the girls near him with a stern gaze. "For what reason do you all have to do this to a lone girl?"
"Huh!? Who you think you are!?" one random girl yelled all smug like. "Get lost! We're teaching this commoner a lesson!"
"If you don't get away, we'll!" another girl exclaimed before stopping when Clarice and her followers came. "C-Clarice-senpai!?"
"And you lot will do what?" Clarice spoke very sternly. She raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "So? what will you lot do to Kira-kun here?"
"w-we're not going to do anything to him!" a scared girl cried out. "We were just trying to teach this commoner a lesson and!"
"And what?" Clarice stated while crossing her arms under her chest. "I was having a good tea ceremony with my junior here and you all ruined it by making a huge racket." She soon glares angrily at the group. "If you plan to do something bad to Kira-kun here. you'll be talking to me."
Clarice's followers joined in as they scared the girls by glaring at them or by cracking their knuckles loudly.
"w-we're sorry!" The girls ran away as they were all frightened by their senior.
"Thank you, Clarice-senpai, and I'm sorry to let you into this." Kira spoke apologetically to Clarice. "I was trying to solve the matter myself and..."
"Think nothing of it." Clarice replies while shaking her head before uncrossing her arms. "I was a bit mad that they ruined the mood of our tea ceremony, and I just gave them a scare as a piece of my mind."
"Truly sorry." Kira bows apologetically to Clarice one more time before he looks at the girl who was bullied. "Are you alright?"
"y-yes…thank you very much." The girl replied before slowly getting up with the help of Kira who lent a hand. "I'm very sorry to bother you all…i..."
"it's fine." Kira said with a nod before looking worried. "Those girls, why were they bullying you?"
"Um…it's because…. i'm…" the girl responded nervously and timidly.
"Wait a minute…" Clarice spoke as she has a hand to her chin and is looking at the blonde with a curious look. "If I'm not mistaken, you're…." She looks to realize something and snaps her fingers once before pointing a finger out. "Right! You're that scholarship student, right? Olivia, right?"
"y-yes…" the girl replied with a nod.
"The scholarship student…" Kira spoke as he looks at Olivia.
The scene changes as Kira and the others returned to their tea ceremony with the addition of Olivia joining in.
"Here you go." Kira said as he sets a cup of tea and a plate of cookies for Olivia who bows politely.
"t-thank you very much and I'm sorry for intruding." Olivia said before gently taking her cup of tea and taking a sip and soon made a surprised yet happy face. "i-it's very good!"
"I'm glad to hear it." Kira said with a smile while waving a hand to the plate of cookies. "Please have as much as you like."
"Thank you so much!" Olivia replied as she took a cookie and bites it before looking happier than before. "So delicious~!"
"Looks like Kira's tea and cookies are a big hit to everyone, huh?" Daniel said as Raymond nodded in agreement.
"So then…" Clarice spoke as she sat across Olivia. "You were bullied because you're the scholarship student, huh?" she sighs and shakes her head. "I don't need to take a guest from which family those girls are from then."
"She was bullied because she was the scholarship student? why?" Kira asks.
"Rather than being bullied because she got the scholarship, she got bullied because she's a commoner with no background." Raymond explained while adjusting his glasses. "Unlike with you, Kira. Some nobles despise the idea of a commoner enrolling to the academy ever since it was allowed for them to come."
"Many nobles far and wide see commoners as nothing but replaceable pawns." Clarice added in before shaking her head. "Although my family along with a few others disagree on it."
"I see…" Kira whispers with an understanding nod as he looks at Olivia. "If that was the reason why you were bullied, then why were you in the hallway? Were you invited to someone's tea ceremony?"
"y-yes…" Olivia replied with a timid nod while slowly taking out a folded letter from her pocket. "I along with many other girls got invitation to come to Marquess Field's tea ceremony."
"Brad's tea ceremony, huh?" Clarice spoke before sighing. "That guy always does this type of thing when he was meeting other families' daughters..."
"I guess this solves the whole bullying stuff, huh?" Raymond said to Kira who nodded.
"I'm very sorry to trouble you all." Olivia spoke while bowing apologetically. "I am a commoner and yet I was able to enroll through a scholarship. I…"
"The academy has opened the freedom for everyone to join." Kira stated to Olivia while waving a hand to the side. "You have the rights to join, and no one can say otherwise." He nods with a smile. "Those who bullied you are just people who are jealous. That's all."
"but no matter what I do, nothing goes well...i.." Olivia frowns before getting patted on the head by Kira. "Ah?!"
"Then all you need to do is to work harder." Kira said with a smile. "Nothing ever works well when you begin, but it will all become easier as time passes. You just need to stay strong and never give up. That's all."
"i-is that so?" Olivia replied while blushing a bit.
"Yes." Kira nods. "So just stay strong."
"Hey, Kira-kun. A girl's hair is their treasure, you know?" Clarice spoke with a deadpanned face to the young man. "You can't just touch them without permission, you know?"
"a-ah! right!" Kira panicked a bit. "I'm very sorry, I was just trying to cheer you up and I just instinctively!"
Olivia looks at Kira who is panicking while apologizing to her as she stifles a small laughter while smiling.
After some more talking, the mood became calm and peaceful in the room.
"I'm really sorry to bother you all." Olivia spoke while looking at her cup of tea. "I came to the academy to learn more magic and its mysteries, but I'm unfamiliar with the school's etiquette, regulations, and so much more." she frowns sadly. "I've been bullied because of that and i..."
"You needed help to understand more of the customs, correct?" Kira asks as Olivia nods.
"Then why didn't you request some extra classes with the teachers?" Raymond asked while adjusting his glasses. "I'm sure that they can help with your studies."
"I-I tried, but most of the teachers won't help me." Olivia shakes her head while still frowning.
"I guess even the teachers share the same ideas as some nobles, huh?" Clarice spoke while crossing her arms under her chest. "I'd like to help but the third years students are going to get busy soon and that means I won't have so much time to do any help." She cups her chin and caresses it a few times. "And the only ones who fully understand the whole customs and regulations would be a noble family of the royal court…"
"How about asking someone of your own class?" one of Clarice's followers spoke out. "If I'm not mistaken, you are in the same class as the crowned prince and his entourage, correct? Could you not ask any of the nobles there?"
"i-I can't…they have a large crowd with them, and I can't get even near..." Olivia replied all nervously.
"That is true." Clarice nods as she understands how high ranked nobles always get reached out by many. Especially those who are of the royal family. She soon made a noise while looking up. "But there is also Angelica."
"The daughter of the Redgrave Family?" Kira asks as Clarice nods.
"If there is anyone who is very knowledgeable to the kingdom's customs and rules, it's her." Clarice replied while waving a hand to the side. She then looks at Olivia. "Have you tried to reach to her?"
"n-no..." Olivia spoke while shaking her head as she soon looked scared. "I-I tried to greet her once, but she just looks at me with a glare and…"
"You got scared…" Daniel spoke with an awkward smile.
"that's a normal reaction considering that person is the daughter of a high ranked duke and all." Raymond added in while adjusting his glasses.
"If that's the case, let me introduce you to her." Clarice spoke with a hand to her chest. "My father is a close friend with the current head of the Redgrave family. I can arrange a small private meeting between you two."
"i-is that alright?" Olivia asks very surprised and nervous. "i-I don't want to be a burden and i."
"it's fine." Clarice replied with a smile. "it's a senior's job to guide and advice juniors."
"i-I'm really sorry! And thank you very much!" Olivia replied while bowing her head.
"I would like to also apologize and thank you, Clarice-senpai." Kira added in while bowing as well. "For you to going so much for her. thank you."
"Like I said, it's fine." Clarice replied with a smile while having a cup of tea. "it's to thank you for such a nice tea ceremony after all." She took a sip and then sighed in satisfaction before smiling to Kira. "Just remember to invite me on your next tea ceremony."
"Very well." Kira replied with a nod and a smile.
A few days later. Olivia is meeting with the Redgrave's daughter as it was thanks to Clarice's help.
"t-thank you very much for giving me some of your time, Angelica-san." Olivia spoke as she sat on a chair near Angelica and was served tea and sweets. The two are accompanied by two of the duke's followers "I'm very sorry to bother you and..."
"it's fine." Angelica replied before taking a sip of her tea and sighed softly then looked at Olivia. "Although I must ask on how you got Clarice-senpai to arrange this little meeting. She is not a person that is easy to request favors after all."
"u-um…Clarice-senpai mostly did it to help Kira-san and…" Olivia replied as Angelica made a small noise while raising an eyebrow.
"Kira? Do you mean Kira Fou Bartfort? The foreigner?" Angelica asks and Olivia nods her head twice. "I see..." she cups her chin. "I wonder what the connection between is those two?"
"K-Kira-san was having a tea ceremony a few days ago and he invited Clarice-senpai to it." Olivia spoke as she explained her whole situation of her being bullied before being helped by Kira at the end. "She said that it was to repay the splendid tea ceremony that she was having with him."
"I see…" Angelica spoke while looking curious before she sips her tea and sighs. "Still, I do wonder what the connection that those two have." She closed her eyes and imagined Kira. "I heard from my father that he was knighted to be a vassal of the Bartfort Family, even though he is a foreigner..." she cups her chin and caresses it a few times. "I do wonder what did he do for Clarice-senpai..."
"u-um…about the current topic?" Olivia spoke out nervously as Angelica looks at her for a moment before going away as she sips her tea with her eyes closed.
"I'll allow you to sit quietly in the corner so long as you know your place." Angelica spoke while placing her cup of tea down on the table. "That is all."
"t-then I am allowed to stay in the school's premises?" Olivia asks as Angelica looks at her before she sighs and then does a hand motion to her followers who nodded then leaves the room.
Olivia looks at them all leaving before becoming very nervous because she is alone with the daughter of the duke.
"You should've just stayed quiet and bowed your head…" Angelica spoke as she sighs tiredly with a hand to her head. "Things became complicated because you had to ask a question."
"i-I'm sorry…" Olivia apologized in a nervous voice.
"it's fine." Angelica sighs before looking at Olivia. "I'm not forcing you out of the academy nor do I even have the time or the hobby to do such a thing."
"i-is that so?" Olivia replied as Ange nods before taking her cup of tea and sips the warm liquid down her throat.
The little meeting continues as Ange teaches Olivia about the things she needs to learn and obey the Holfort Academy's rules and that of the noble society as well.
"By the way, what is your impression of Kira Fou Bartfort?" Angelica asks Olivia who made a small noise while raising her eyebrows in response. The red eyes blonde holding up her cup of tea that she gently twirls in her grasp. "I have heard of his accomplishments and reputation from my father and yet have not personally meet him." she looks back at her guest. "What type of person is he?"
"u-um…Kira-san is..." Olivia spoke as she frowns a bit. "Someone who looks to have a complicated life."
"a complicated life?" Angelica asks with a confused tone. "What do you mean?"
"Well Kira-san is kind, and nice, but when I first saw his eyes…" Olivia spoke as she remembers how Kira saved her from the bullies, but she remembers his violet amethyst eyes. "He had a look of pain, sadness, and guilt just filled inside his mind and heart. Like he was in pain because of something."
"In pain because of something?" Angelica whispers while processing what she had heard. "Perhaps something that happened in the past of his life?"
"Perhaps..." Olivia nods. "I tried asking him about his past and he just told me that he came from a land that was plagued with war before suddenly arriving to the kingdom through unknown means."
"That is peculiar…" Angelica replied with a nod. 'Perhaps meeting him formally would give me a better insight of who he really is.'
The day passes as the scene changes to the location of a dungeon where many of the Holfort Academy's students have gathered for their exploration class.
In the group, there is Olivia who is wearing her adventurer's clothing that is for her protection against the monsters that lurked in the Dungeon.
Olivia looks nervous as she fiddles with her items and equipment before she turns and smiles when she sees Kira coming over.
"Ah, Kira-san! over here!" Olivia called out to Kira who is in the Exploration class as well.
Kira walks towards Olivia as he is wearing the ZAFT's pilot suit with the helmet and gear fully equipped.
"Is this suit really the only one protective enough, Hachi?" Kira asks Hachi on his earpiece communicator as he has his helmet under his left arm, an assault rifle strapped to his right shoulder's back, a handgun stored to a holster on his waist that is accompanied with several magazines for his two weapons and also having a few hand grenades as well as a military knife stored to a holster strapped on his left shoulder. "ZAFT's suits are known to be quite tight."
"well, it was either the earth federation pilot suit that can't be bulletproof or this one that is bulletproof." Hachi replied on the comms. "Remember what Jenna and Nicks told you about exploring this Dungeon, Kira?"
"I know." Kira replied with a nod as prior to the exploration class, the young man had a meeting with the second son and daughter of the Bartfort Family who went to his room and gave him a heads up about the dangers of the Dungeon while also telling him about how he must always be prepared for the monsters that are inside the labyrinth. "But I can't help but feel that having them on would be an unwise decision." He glances around and sees some people are staring at him, mostly because of his suit. "They are all staring at me like I am an alien." He felt uncomfortable because the stares were mostly coming from the girls who were staring at him with some intent. "And the girls are staring at me like I'm sort of prey or something."
Rather than Kira himself, the girls are mostly staring at his back and bottom rear that is showing because of his tight suit.
"Relax, and just go with it." Hachi replied as Kira came and greeted Olivia. "It doesn't hurt to be very prepared in a world that is unlike ours after all."
"I guess you're right." Kira replies with a small nod before he hears some racket nearby. He turns and sees the prince's entourage being crowded by their fan girls. "Seems that the crowned prince and his group are also here."
"Yes." Olivia nods. "They all look strong and dashing."
The teacher of the class came and stood in front of everyone.
"Alright everyone! Please form your squads!" the teacher called out. "you're exactly 30, so we can do a group of six with five members maximum!" she points a finger up. "Please remember to return once you arrived at the Dungeon's third floor and do not continue beyond that point."
"yes~!" Everyone replied in unison.
"Seems that a few didn't wish to come." Kira spoke as he was referring to Raymond and Daniel who skipped the class because of not being experienced in fighting monsters. He then looks at Olivia. "Would you like to form a squad with me, Olivia-san?"
"Eh? Y-Yes!" Olivia replied with a smile. "Please take care of me!"
Kira nods back before both hear an angry yell from somewhere.
"What was that?" Kira asks as he and Olivia turn to see that it was Angelica who was having an angry debate with Marie who looks scared and nervous.
"That is enough! Know your damn place!" Angelica exclaimed while pointing a finger at Marie. "I have been watching your behavior ever since you talked with the prince! Why don't you remember that you are not of the same standing with the prince!?"
"u-um...i…" Marie cried out before Julius came and defended her. "P-Prince Julius?"
"Enough, Angelica." Julius spoke while facing his fiancé. "That is far enough."
"Your Highness! You mean to allow the self-indulgence of that girl!?" Angelica exclaimed angrily.
"i-I just wanted to be in the same group as the prince..." Marie spoke out nervously while holding Julius' right hand. "i-if I am a bother than I can just..."
"h-how dare you act like that!" Angelica growls angrily.
Whispers began to spread amongst the students and Kira and Olivia see the situation.
"t-this is becoming bad…" Olivia whispers as she looks at Kira. "Kira-san, this is bad, right?"
"Perhaps." Kira spoke as he focused on the source of the little argument and that is Marie. "Olivia-san. that girl. That Marie Fou Lafan girl. Can you tell me anything you know about her?"
"i-I heard that she's the daughter of a poor viscount and that she was bullied even harsher than myself and…" Olivia replied as Kira squinted his eyes a bit.
"Enough!" Julius suddenly shouted as everyone stops whispering and looks at the crowned prince who then turns to look at the teacher. "Myself along with my friends and Marie will be one group. Will that be fine?"
"c-certainly!" the teacher replied a bit flustered.
"w-wait! Your highness!" Angelica cried out as she tried to approach Julius who was leaving with Marie by his side but was stopped by Jilk and Greg who followed after.
"Ms. Angelica, please don't trouble the prince too much." Jilk spoke out.
"Yeah, don't bring up your outside relationships into the academy." Greg added in while having his hands folded behind his head. "it's irritating."
"I-I was just trying to do what is best for the prince! I!" Angelica cried out before frowning sadly.
Everyone whispered again as this time it was about Angelica being ignored by Julius and his entourage.
"Will Angelica-san be alright?" Olivia asks before seeing Kira walking to the daughter of the duke. "Kira-san?"
"Excuse me?" Kira spoke out to Angelica who turned to look at him. "I'm sorry to bother you, but would you like to form a group with mine?"
The chatter spread again as many looked at Kira in surprise and let out some sneers and little insults about him taking advantage of a weakened girl.
"y-you...don't you realize what you are doing?" Angelica spoke out as she tries to compose himself. "it's very dangerous to do such a thing to me, you know?"
"Yes, but your group only consists of three people and that number is dangerous to venture into the Dungeon." Kira spoke with a nod. "it'd be best if we form our group together to ensure safety."
Angelica looks at Kira for a moment as she begins to study him.
'So, this is that Kira Fou Bartfort, huh?' Angelica thought as she checks the young man. 'he doesn't look like those type of people, but he's asking me since it is to ensure safety.' she sighs and shakes her head. 'This man is just honest to fault."
"I thank you for your offer, but I must decline." Angelica spoke out while nodding before she leaned forward and whispered. "Also, you must not do such a thing to anyone ever again. You are being seen as a man who would take the advantage of a person."
"n-no! I didn't mean to!" Kira spoke while looking surprised. "I was thinking that your group might succumb to danger if you get to be outnumbered in the Dungeon and..."
"I understand, but please do not do so again." Angelica spoke with a nod before bowing. "If you excuse me."
Angelica soon left with her followers as Kira looked a bit awkward while Olivia went to him.
"Kira-san, you can't do that, you know?" Olivia told Kira. "that's a very bad thing to do to a woman who was hurt by their man."
"i-I was just thinking for everyone's safety..." Kira replied as he scratches the back of his head. "I'm really sorry."
As Kira and Olivia are talking to each other, Angelica takes one last glance at Kira as she and her group are about to enter the Dungeon.
'That girl was right…' Angelica thought as she looks at Kira. 'He is someone who is in constant pain from something. Something very deep.'
In the Dungeon, Kira and Olivia are exploring the underground labyrinth as they are near the wall and are currently working on taking something out of the dirt.
"I got it~!" Olivia cheered as she found a magic crystal from beneath the dirt. "Look at this, Kira-san! I found it!"
"It appears you did." Kira nods as he had his helmet on while holding his rifle because he is wary of the Dungeon's monsters. "Let us move further ahead to continue our search."
"Yes!" Olivia replied while storing the magic crystal in a pouch on her back.
Kira and Olivia walk along the path as they are the only ones in the area because some students have gone to other paths or stayed behind to let the experienced ones go first.
"Hey, Kira-san. isn't it strange that there is treasure upon the Dungeon?" Olivia asked while looking curious. "I mean, how could there be treasure in such a place?"
"True." Kira nods. "I believed that the Dungeon may have been made by an ancient civilization that once lived here or perhaps the treasure were the products of the Dungeon." He looks up to the dirt ceiling. "But as curious as we are. I feel that some mysteries are best to be left as a mystery." He glances at Olivia. "don't you agree?"
"I think so too." Olivia nods in agreement.
Kira and Olivia ventured deeper into the Dungeon before they found a large opening where they were soon surrounded by monster ants.
"m-monsters..." Olivia looks scared as the giant ant monsters begin to swarm the two.
"Please stay behind me, Olivia-san." Kira replied as he disengaged the lock of his assault rifle and aims the barrel to the ants that are snapping their mandibles several times. "And close your ears if you can."
"Eh?" Olivia made a small noise before Kira pulls the trigger and bullets began to fly out of his assault rifle's barrel. "Kyaaa!"
Kira fires his shots with deadeye precision as each one hits and pierces the ant monster's heads, killing them all one by one.
Olivia has her ears closed as the sound of Kira's assault rifle going off was so loud that it just echoes in the Dungeon.
In about 3-4 minutes, all the ant monsters were dead as they turned into black sparkles.
"It is done." Kira said as he exchanges the magazine of his assault rifle with a new one. He then looks at Olivia who is slowly pulling her hands off her ears. "Are you alright?"
"y-yes, it was just surprising to hear such a loud gunshot." Olivia replied a bit shakingly. "Kira-san, you're strong."
"No, I'm not." Kira replied as he looked away while frowning. "If I was strong, I would've been able to stop the war of my homeland."
"Eh?" Olivia made a confused and surprised noise before she gasps when she saw something coming their way. "K-Kira-san! beside you!"
Kira turns and his eyes widen to see a white furred monkey-like monster jumping at him.
"Tch!" Kira quickly turns and did a spinning kick that hits the monkey monster that gets kicked away before being killed when the young man pilots a few shots at its body that turns into black sparkles.
"Kira-san!" Olivia cries out as there are a few more monkey monsters coming their way.
"Get down!" Kira exclaimed while firing his assault rifle once more.
A few loud gunshots later, all the monkey monsters are dead as they all disappeared into black sparkles.
"Seems that they were right about the Dungeon being dangerous to all people." Kira whispers as he takes off his assault rifle magazine, already emptied after he just exchanged it. "I already used nearly 2 magazines." He then turns to look at Olivia who had gotten down to the ground when he fought against the monkey monsters. "Are you alright?"
"y-yes...i think so." Olivia nods as she gets back up to her feet with the help of Kira. "I think we should stop here, Kira-san. the monsters are..." she soon gasps when she sees a bleeding cut on Kira's left arm. "y-you're hurt!"
"Those monkey monsters had sharp claws and fangs." Kira said as he looked at his wound. "Seems that my fortified suit couldn't stop it all."
"Let me heal you!" Olivia said as she held Kira's left arm and placed a hand to the wound.
Kira made a surprised noise as he sees greenish white sparkles emanating around his injured arm that was slowly healing itself of its wound.
"Was that…magic?" Kira asks as Olivia nods while letting go of his hand that she healed.
"Yes." Olivia nods with a smile. "I have studied a lot of magic from my teacher, but I found out that I am very good with healing magic."
"I see." Kira said with a nod as he checks the healed wound and feels no sense of pain lingering on it. "Magic is something very peculiarly unique yet strange at the same time…"
Afterwards, the two soon continue their journey in the Dungeon as they arrive at the 3rd floor.
"seems that everything is peaceful now..." Kira whispers before hearing a few beeps from his communicator. "Hachi?"
"Kira, I think there are students in trouble just a few miles from your position." Hachi stated as Kira turns around to look at the area that he and Olivia are in. "seems that a bunch of monsters have swarmed one area of the Dungeon and are attacking a group."
"Where?" Kira asks as he looks around while Olivia looks confused.
"Head north and then turn west." Hachi replied as Kira instantly took off.
"Ah, Kira-san! wait!" Olivia cries out as she runs after the young man.
At a deeper part of the Dungeon, there is Julius and his group that are being swarmed by monsters that are large ants, rats, and bats.
"Just why are there so many of these things!?" Greg exclaimed as he wields a spear that he swings and thrusts at the monsters. "it's like an infestation!"
"it'd be best if you do more action than talking!" Chris stated while wielding a sword that he swung to the back, cutting a bat monster in half before it turned into black sparkles.
"Julius, protect Marie while Brad and I be your supporters." Jilk started while holding a gun that fired bullets at the bat monsters while Brad was using fire magic.
"I got it!" Julius replied while wielding a sword.
"Watch my good side, Marie!" Brad cries out as he unleashes fireballs at the ant monsters that get incinerated.
The group fights against the monsters as Angelica and her followers are there as well, helping fight the monsters.
"Your highness!" Angelica cries out. "Their numbers are too large! We must retreat!"
"And be cowards!?" Greg shouted as he kills a rat monster with his spear. "don't wanna!"
"This is our moment to shine! To show Marie who is the best for her!" Chris added in.
"But still!" Angelica exclaimed before hearing running footsteps from the entrance that they came in from. "That sound." She turns and looks surprised to see Kira and Olivia. "you two…"
"Get down!" Kira exclaimed as he took out one of his grenades, pulled the pin, and then threw it.
Hearing his warning, everyone got down as the grenade flew into the air before exploding in killing many of the bat monsters and a few rat and ant monsters.
Kira jumps into the fight as he takes out his handgun and started firing some rounds with his assault rifle in hand.
Julius and the others watch Kira as he shoots all the monsters with precision shooting. Each shot being a headshot that kills the beasts.
"he's even better than Jilk…" Greg whispers while Chris nods.
"Kira-san! above you!" Olivia cries out as Kira looks up and gasps a bit when he sees a large centipede-like monster coming down from the ceiling.
The centipede monster hisses as it goes down at Kira whose backpack attached to his back suit extends a pair of rods that let out high compresses of air that thrusts out and made the young man get thrown back.
"Fast!" Angelica gasps as Kira spins and soon flies into the air then aims his gun and assault rifle at the centipede monster's back before firing rains of bullets.
His shots fired and pierced through the monster's back before it disappeared into black sparkles.
"that's just…amazing…" Olivia whispers before she smiles and went to Kira who lands while his backpack retracts the rods. "Kira-san!"
"Kira? As in that foreigner?" Brad spoke as he and the others got back up. "The one that is known for finding treasure from an uncharted island?"
"I think he's the very one." Jilk said with a nod. "I heard that he is a young man, but..." he cups his chin and looks at Kira who smiles to Olivia who praises him for being strong. "To think that he was this skilled in battle."
"Tch! Guy just uses guns instead of his muscles!" Greg clicked his tongue while looking annoyed. "couldn't even show Marie my good side because of it."
"Knock it off." Chris told Greg while adjusting his glasses. "The fact remains that we were being swarmed and that Baron Bartfort came to our rescue was much appreciated."
"Still, those weapons of his and that suit..." Julius whispers as he looks sceptic at Kira. "Are they lost items?"
"y-your highness!" Marie cries out to Julius who turns to her. the petite girl gently holding his right hand that has a wound. "y-you're bleeding."
"must've been from the ant monsters. it's..." Julius spoke before he looked surprised when Marie began to use magic that heals his wound. "this is..." he looks at the petite girl in shock. "Marie, you can use..."
"Shhh, please keep it a secret" Marie told Julius with a smile as the young prince looks a taken back before the young girl gets pushed away by Angelica.
"Your highness! Your wound!" Angelica cried out while holding a towel. "Here! I prepared a towel for you! Let me quickly...!"
"No need" Julius stated as he pushed Angelica away, held Marie's right hand and began to walk away. "Let us advance."
"y-your highness!" Angelica cried out as the prince left with his entourage following.
As they left, Kira and Olivia watched what had happened.
"I wonder what was going on..." Olivia asks while Kira stays silent and looks at Julius' entourage before to Angelica who looks very frustrated.
The days go on for Kira in his life at the Holfort Academy as he lived through like any student but lately, things in the school are becoming tense at many levels.
Within Kira's room, the young man is having a private talk with Raymond and Daniel as they had some tea and cookies together.
"Can you re-explain on how it is happening?" Kira asks before taking a sip of his tea and sighs a bit. "I mean, I still can't understand how everything is going on."
"Then let me say it one more time." Raymond replied while adjusting his glasses. "The incident goes with the Lafan Viscount; Marie Fou Lafan is getting bullied by the prince's fiancé; Angelica Rapha Redgrave and this incident made the prince angry at her to the point he wants to break off their engagement."
"But I heard that she's been doing this because she was certain that the Marie girl was a bad person..." Daniel added in.
"so, the recent tension is escalated from that, huh?" Kira said before sipping his tea. "Is there anything else?"
"Not really." Raymond spoke before he sighed tiredly. "If there's anything else to be discussed, it would be our lack of partners..."
"Both of you still haven't found any partners yet?" Kira asks as he learned that both of his friends have to find marriage partners, or they'll be the laughingstock in the future after they graduated.
"Yeah…." Daniel spoke with a very moody face. "I was hoping for either Milly or Jessica to be my partner, but they got engaged to some rich dudes."
"those guys are always scrambling for the nice girls..." Raymond added while looking in pain. "But as long as Milly is happy. I am happy as well."
"I see..." Kira spoke as he knows the two girls who are classmates who have been kind to the three ever since the start of school.
"nooo~! My future is over!" Daniel screams in tears as he slams his head to the table. "I want to marry a nice girl! I wanted a good girl! But all that is left are the ugly hearted ones! No~!"
"You got it so easy, Kira. You're a foreigner and all..." Raymond spoke as he looks at Kira. "I mean, you don't actually have to be following the rules."
"I guess so." Kira replied with a nod before he reached a hand to his chest as he caresses the part where his ring necklace is covered underneath.
After some more tea and cookies to calm Raymond and Daniel's anguished and despaired hearts, another topic was added to the list of conversation.
"a Social Party?" Kira asks while refilling his cup of tea.
"Yeah." Raymond nods. "I heard from some seniors that there's going to be a party at the end of each term. The students are separated by school years, and they get to talk to each other."
"it's like a tea ceremony without the whole tea and stuff." Daniel started with a nod before sighing. "I don't want to come for that party..."
"You have to, or you'll be seen as an incompetent noble." Raymond told his friend.
"Mandatory, is it?" Kira whispers before taking a sip of his tea.
A few hours later, Kira is at the library as he is collecting the next set of books that he wants Hachi to scan and analyze in order to learn everything of the world he is in.
Kira takes the books as he walks away with them but bumps into Olivia who fell.
"Ah, sorry." Kira apologizes as he sets aside his book and helps the blonde girl. "Are you alright?"
"y-yes..." Olivia replied while getting up to her feet.
"Very sorry, I didn't see you coming." Kira said in apology.
"it's fine." Olivia said with a smile before seeing the books that Kira had with him. "You are borrowing a lot of books for something, Kira-san?"
"Just to study and read." The young man replied while taking the books and patting the top. "I still need to learn a lot about the Holfort Kingdom's customs and rules. Reading these would definitely help."
"I see..." Olivia nods, agreeing that studying by books is a good way of learning.
As the two have their little conversation, Kira and Olivia hear some racket in the library as they hear small books falling.
"What was that?" Olivia asks as she and Kira look at where the sound is coming from.
"Did someone fell?" Kira asks.
The two went to the source of the noise as they took a quick peek and became surprised when they saw Brad and Marie locked in a very passionate kiss.
"M-Mari-!?" Olivia cries out but is stopped by Kira who pulls themselves away from the scene.
Kira and Olivia went away as both exited the library.
"l-let's does not talk about what we saw back there…" Kira spoke as Olivia nodded with a red embarrassed face.
Now, Kira and Olivia are walking around in the school's hallway as they are just chattering about random topics while heading back to their respective rooms.
"Kira-san, have you heard?" Olivia asks while carrying her school bag. "I heard that Marie-san was being bullied harshly by Angelica-san and the prince is very angry at her."
"I have heard." Kira nods while carrying the books he borrowed from the library. "And I'm surprised to say that I could've expected it to come sooner or later."
"Eh? What do you mean?" Olivia asks while looking at Kira.
"I've had an experience in seeing a couple who are engaged, become torn apart when the man found a new woman to be in love with." Kira spoke as he frowns sadly. "I'm afraid to say that it didn't end well for anyone." He soon shakes his head when remembering the kiss that Marie and Brad were sharing in the library. "I should've thought of it coming when I saw those two back there..."
"I see…" Olivia replied while trying not to remember the scene at the library. She then looks back at Kira. "Um. Can I ask you something, Kira-san?"
"What is it?" Kira said while looking at Olivia who looked a bit embarrassed for a moment.
"Do you…do you find…" Olivia spoke before she compose herself and looks at Kira. "Do you find people like Marie-san attractive?"
Kira looks a bit confused at first before he sighs and shakes his head then looks to the front.
"You don't?" Olivia asked.
"Yes." Kira said with a nod. "I'm afraid to say that I can't fall in love with someone like her when I already have someone I love."
"r-really? Who i-is it?" Olivia asks all curiously and a bit tensely.
"I don't think you would know her considering that she is not at Holfort Kingdom." Kira spoke as he and Olivia reaches to a corner and made a turn but did a quick stop for the young man to put down his book to a table then showed the blonde girl his ring necklace. "This ring of mine belongs to the girl I love. It was once her mother's ring and she had given it to me to keep as a sign of promise to return to her." He hides it back into his uniform while taking his books back into his arms. "It may take some time, but I will return to her one day." He then continues their walk. "That is why I don't find Marie-san attractive because the girl I love is more attractive than her."
"i-I see..." Olivia nods before smiling a bit. "That girl must be very lucky to have someone like you."
"I tend to think that I was the lucky one to have her than the other way around." Kira replied with a smile.
Both continued to walk before they reached the separation path that splits the girl's dorm and the boy's dorm.
"I'll see you later, Olivia-san." Kira nods with a smile as Olivia nods back before she made a noise and grabs Kira by the back of his uniform. "What is it?"
"i-I forgot to tell you something." Olivia spoke. "it's about Marie-san."
"What is it?" Kira asks while turning to face the blonde.
"Well…I once spoke with Marie-san before a few days ago after the Dungeon exploration and…" Olivia spoke in remembering a time when she went to talk to Marie who is sitting by a bench. "I saw her alone in the courtyard. I thought she was having a bad time and I came to ask her if she was alright, but she just looked at me and said…"
"She hates girls like you?" Kira said as Olivia nodded.
"I think she is alike with the other girls who once bullied me..." Olivia spoke as Kira thought about it and nodded his head slowly in agreeing the reason for why Marie said such words to her.
"it'd be best if you just avoid her then." Kira told Olivia. "But do your best to stay on guard since there are many other people like her who would come to harass you."
"Yes, I understand, and I will do my best." Olivia replied with a nod and a smile as Kira nodded back.
The two soon separated as they went back to their own rooms in their separate dorms.
"She hates girls like Olivia-san, huh?" Kira spoke before he saw Tori flying by and came perching to his shoulder. The young man smiles a bit sadly to his mechanical bird pet. "This world has its ugliness, doesn't it?"
"Tori~?" Tori replied as the mechanical bird twisted its head to the side once.
Two weeks later. Kira is found walking upon a path in the academy as he is with Nicks and Jenna.
"Here we are." Nicks spoke as they were near the entrance of a large building. "Here is the place where many nobles come and greet."
"Man, it's such a bad thing that they can't allow us all to be in one place." Jenna whined as she was wearing a dress while Kira and Nicks were just wearing their school uniform. She then smiles while hugging the ultimate coordinator's right arm. "Right, Kira-kun!?"
"I guess so?" Kira awkwardly replies.
"Come on, Jenna." Nicks said as he grabs Jenna and pulls her off from Kira. "We need to go to our area of the party."
"Ah! wait!" Jenna yelled at Nicks before turning towards Kira while getting dragged away. "If you want to come to my part of the party, you can join whenever you want to, Kira-kun! Remember that!"
"i-I will…" Kira replies as he is thankful for Nicks who saved him from Jenna who he takes away.
Afterwards, Kira enters the social party in his group year as there are many nobles gathered around.
"Seems extravagant..." Kira said as he sees how luxurious everything is.
He hears some chatters nearby as he turns and blushes a bit when he sees Angelica coming while wearing a luxurious looking red dress that fits her hourglass figure. The Redgrave daughter walked into the party while being followed by her followers.
"Beautiful…" Kira whispers as he looks at Angelica for a moment before he hears his name being called out from the side. "Eh?"
"Hey, Kira!" Daniel called out as he and Raymond were near the food buffet. "Over here!"
Kira greets them with a hand wave before coming to their area.
They had some talk with each other that mostly concerned how Raymond and Daniel got rejected the first few seconds they went to talk to any girl in the party.
"they're so cruel~!" Raymond and Daniel cried to Kira who sweatdrops. "Kira! Can't you help us!?"
"I-I don't think I can…" Kira replied. "I mean…. this is girls we are talking about, right?"
"can't you ask any of them just to talk to us!?" Daniel cried out. "You know Clarice-senpai, right!? Maybe you can ask her for help!"
"Clarice-senpai is at another party, remember?" Kira replied as this made his two friends cry even more.
As Kira consoled his crying friends, Olivia came running in from out of nowhere.
"K-Kira-san!" Olivia cried out as Kira turned towards her while looking surprised. "I-I'm sorry to bother you, but I need help!"
Kira looks confused for a moment as he takes a second to recompose himself before he nods and follows Olivia with Raymond and Daniel following.
At another part of the class's social party. There is big tension shared in the crowd because there is a standoff between Angelica and Marie who is accompanied by the prince and his entourage.
Kira and the others came as they saw what was going on and looked a bit confused.
"What has happened?" Kira asks Olivia who looks nervous.
"u-um…it was just a small argument at first, but now…" Olivia replied.
"Why won't you understand?!" Angelica screams out as everyone looks at the daughter of Redgrave family. "I'm doing this for the sake of his highness!"
"I can't stand to listen to what you have to say." Julius started sighing before looking at Angelica with a small sneering look on his face. "That is all."
"you know her true nature, don't you?!" Angelica shouted. "how could you accept her nonetheless!?"
"What does she mean by that?" Kira asks Olivia who still looks more nervous than ever.
"I-I heard that Angelica-san saw Marie-san holding hands with someone other than the Prince and that leads to this..." Olivia replied as she sees the tension growing from both sides. "she tried to tell him to leave her, but the prince just replied that something like that wouldn't anger him. they won't stop no matter what."
Kira sees and listens to the argument growing as Angelica is trying to tell Julius to leave Marie because she has been seeing other people, those other people are the prince's comrades who knew about the other's actions, which shocked everyone.
"we love Marie because she has saved us from our problems." Chris stated while adjusting his glasses.
"Just say you love her." Greg told Chris with a grin before he smiled. "even I said the same thing to her."
"that's right she is a wonderful girl." Jilk added in. "but I must be clear to all that I am the one who loves Marie the most."
"no." Julius spoke as he stepped forward with a hand to his chest. "I am the one who loves Marie the most and that is the truth."
His statement made many noble girls squeal with glee as a handsome man like Julius proclaiming his love to a girl is like their dream.
"you don't…you don't plan to ending this as a school affair, your highness?" Angelica asks Julius who nods.
"to me, there is only one girl who I can love and that's Marie." Julius spoke with a hand waved to the side. "I love Marie and she is the love of my life."
"I see.." Angelica spoke as she slowly took off one of her long-sleeved gloves that she is wearing before throwing it to Marie. "Pick it up! You who decided his royal highness!"
"Is that a challenge to a duel?" Kira asks Raymond who nods.
"usually can only be done by nobles." The glass wearing student nods while adjusting his spectacles in seeing Julius stepping forward. "but I can't believe that the Redgrave daughter would issue it to the Lafan viscount…"
"Angelica, you disappoint me." Julius spoke with a disappointed look on his face. He then turns to look at Marie. "Marie, you can pick it up if you want, I shall serve as the representative of the duel."
Chatter spread as many spoke about the Prince being a representative of the duel.
"Is that allowed?" Kira asks as Raymond nods.
"it's mostly done by female nobles who pick a representative for duel." Raymond replied. "since most can't actually fight well and all."
"I can't let his highness take the spotlight." Jilk stated while stepping forward. "I shall join this duel."
"Heh! Count me in!" Greg added in with a grin. "I've been wanting some action! Whoever it is, bring it on!"
"I shall not allow Marie to be called a deceiver or a wench." Brad stated with a smile. "I shall participate too."
"So will i." Chris stated while adjusting his glasses. "as an apprentice of the Sword Master, I shall become Marie's sword!"
"e-everyone…" Marie spoke out with a tearful smile. "Thank you so much!"
"I am here too, silly master!" an elf demi human spoke as he looks to be a young boy but he is a servant to Marie who goes by the name of Kyle. "I am here to support you too, remember?"
"Thank you…Kyle-kun." Marie thanked him with a smile.
"This might come to a bad end for the Redgrave family…" Daniel spoke as Raymond nods.
"his highness has a good track record of everything." Raymond spoke while cupping his chin. "Not only him, but the others are the same level. Everyone is strong." He shakes his head and then makes a pitying look at Angelica who is looking around for anyone to be her representative, but no one wants to even meet her eyes. Not even her own followers. "It wouldn't be surprising when no one wants to be her representative."
"no kidding, she's facing the prince after all." Daniel stated while Kira was watching everything just going into utter despair for Angelica. "Who wants to face certain death?"
"anyone…please…" the Redgrave daughter looks for anyone to be her representative but no one dared to look at her. Angelica began to tear up as her hopeless despair grew large. "anyone.."
"Come on! Getting abandoned by your followers!?" Greg laughs out. "even someone unsympathetic like me might feel sorry for you!"
"it's over for her life." "She is such an embarrassment to her own family!" "she'll be gone for good." whispers and chatters spread into the air as it was all coming from the noble girls.
"Man, just hearing them let it out makes me so sick.." Daniel spoke while looking blue from hearing the whispers and chatters.
"Raymond, what will happen to her if no one becomes her representative?" Kira asks Raymond who made a small noise before frowning while looking down.
"she'll be deported from the Kingdom and will live the rest of her life in a village somewhere." Raymond replied while cupping his chin. "But that depends on the prince's wish." He adjusts his glasses while closing his eyes. "If he wanted to, she'll be executed as the result of the duel."
"Face death…." Kira whispers as he closes his eyes and frowns. "How cruel." He slowly opens his eyes and looks at Angelica. "Lacus, if you were here. I believe you would tell me to do what is right, won't you?"
"Angelica-san.." Olivia frowns as she felt sad for the person who taught her about the school's life and rules, but just as she felt the need to cry; she sees Kira coming forward. "Eh? Kira-san?"
"Angelica, you've resolved yourselves, have you?" Julius spoke with a stern gaze at his fiancé or rather former fiancé. "To fight us that is."
"i-i…" Angelica spoke before she made a surprised noise when Kira appears while patting her right shoulder once. "y-you…"
"Kira Fou Bartfort." Kira spoke as he faced Julius and his entourage. "I shall be Angelica Rapha Redgrave's representative for this duel."
Chatter spread as it was all on Kira who had stepped forward and announced himself as Angelica's representative.
"What is he doing?!" Daniel and Raymond screamed quietly. "This duel was over the moment it began!"
"K-Kira-san!" Olivia cried out.
"you are…" Greg spoke as he went and looks at Kira. "you're that foreigner guy, aren't you? Kira something?" he crosses his arms. "you're that guy who saved us from the monsters, right?"
"Yes. I am Kira Fou Bartfort." Kira stated as he did a small head bow. "I am the vassal knight of the Bartfort Family" he raises his head and looks at Greg. "and the one who will be Angelica Rapha Redgrave's representative for the duel."
"you're not one of Angelica's followers. You are a foreigner too." Brad spoke while having his arms crossed under his chest. "What do you have to gain from doing this?"
"I have a debt to Angelica-san who had given kindness to a friend of mine who needed education of the kingdom's rules." Kira spoke with his eyes closed. "I just wish to repay that debt by being the representative of her duel." He opens his eyes and turns to look at the blonde who still seems to be surprised. "will that be acceptable, Angelica-san?"
"u-um…but..i.." Angelica spoke as she was still recovering from her surprise.
"Angelica Rapha Redgrave." Kira stated as he turns and faces Angelica while placing a hand to his chest. "Will you accept I, Kira Fou Bartfort to be your representative of the duel?"
"i-i…" Angelica spoke as she looks a bit conflicted before she nods. "I-I accept."
"Very well." Kira nods before he turns back to Prince Julius and his comrades. "as you have stated before, Prince Julius. You along with your comrades are the representative of Marie Fou Lafan, correct?"
"Indeed." Julius stated before waving a hand to the side. "But I will allow you to walk away, Baron Bartfort." He closes his eyes. "you had once saved us from the Dungeon's monsters and therefore I am indebted to you."
"Is that so?" Kira replied.
"the Prince will allow you to walk away this one time." Jilk stated with a smile. "We will not pursue you or judge you for this action of yours. We vow on the name of our noble houses."
"a very kind offer but I must request that the debt be paid in another way." Kira replied after shaking his head. He then looks serious. "I wish for you all to accept the duel with the end result while also accepting the wishes of both parties for which side wins at the end." He turns and looks at Angelica. "For If I win in the duel, what is your demand for this duel, Angelica-san?"
"i-i…" Angelica spoke before she composed herself and looks at Marie. "I wish for that woman to stay away from his highness. That is all I wish for."
"Are you that desperate to keep us apart?" Julius asks before sighing. "it's clear which of you is the foul wench."
"your highness, this is a duel which cannot have any criticism of what is to be demanded from the winning party." Kira spoke a bit sternly to Julius. "Doing so is blasphemy to your own kingdom's rules."
Julius looks taken aback for a moment before he composed himself and looks away.
Kira looks at the prince before he looks at Marie who tensed up when he stared at her.
"Marie Fou Lafan, what is your demand of this duel?" Kira asks as Marie looks nervous before she composes herself.
"i-i…If I win, please stop this horrible fight." Marie spoke out in a nervous voice. "I don't think that it is right to use your family's power to order others around."
"What a noble wish, Marie." Jilk spoke with a smile. "I will see to it that your wish is granted."
"Heh! Not if I can grant it first!" Greg stated with a grin before he looked at Kira. "hey, you sure you don't want to back off? It's your last chance for a life in this kingdom, you know?"
"I understand and I still accept the role as Angelica-san's representative." Kira stated in a serious voice. "And as for someone who I have saved, I would like to request that you accept my actions as a way to repay the debt that you have to me."
"Heh! You got guts!" Greg said with a smirk. "Just don't lose them when we beat you!"
"I understand." Kira replied before he looked at Julius. "Prince, do you accept the conditions of the duel? And do you accept the end result of the duel?"
"I will." Julius spoke while placing a hand to his chest. "in the name of the Holfort Royal family, I shall accept this duel and the result of its end."
"do you all accept the conditions?" Kira asks the other representatives who nods and vowed on their own family's name. "Very well." He nods and then turns to look at Angelica. "Angelica-san, may I be the one to request the form of the duel? You do not know me and my capabilities which could lead to your downfall if you were to choose the wrong type of duel. May I have your permission to be the one to request the form of this duel?"
"a-alright.." Angelica nods. "I'll leave it to you."
"Very well." Kira nods back before he looks at Julius and the others.
"so? what do you wish to duel us in?" Jilk asks while having his arms crossed under his chest. "a sword-to-sword match? An Airbike race? Or perhaps chess and other board games?"
"I request the duel to be in the form of an Armor duel at the school's arena." Kira spoke as he was referring to the traditional duel of nobles using mobile suits like robots. "Is that acceptable?"
"Do you think you can beat us?" Chris asked while adjusting his glasses. "Against you, this won't even be a challenge."
"Do not judge a book by its cover." Kira spoke. "that is a very important lesson for anyone to learn when facing a certain decision." He closes his eyes. "please do not ever underestimate those who you have not fully understand." He slowly opens his eyes and has a very stern and darkish look in it. "for your overconfidence may lead to your downfall."
"hey, is it me or is Kira acting different?" Daniel asks Raymond who nods twice.
"it's like a switch got flipped and he's a totally different person." Raymond stated.
"Kira-san…" Olivia looks at Kira who is being stared at by many.
"do you really believe that you can beat us all?" Julius asks while crossing his arms on his chest. "if so, then be prepared for the end of your career in Holfort Kingdom."
"I am." Kira replied with a nod. "the question is, are you?"
"seems that we all can agree of the method of the duel." Jilk spoke while placing a hand to his chest and having out the other to the side. "we shall allow five participants to be on your side, as well. The date of the duel will be the day after school ends. The venue shall be the arena."
"I shall be the only representative of Angelica-san's duel." Kira stated before holding up a hand with a finger pointed up. "It shall be a one against five duel with a one on one round." He then lowers it and waves the hand to the side. "Will that be acceptable?"
"Are you serious?" Jilk asks while looking a bit surprised. "you could die in this duel."
"I know the consequences very well." Kira stated with a nod before pointing out a finger. "but in this duel, I would like to offer a handicap to the five representatives."
"a handicap? For us?" Brad asks. "what is it?"
"I, Kira Fou Bartfort shall not inflict terrible harm to the representative who are allowed to kill my life in the process of the duel." Kira spoke with a hand to his chest. "therefore my life's death will not be anyone's consequences."
His words shocked the crowd as they never could believe someone would give up their life so easily.
"Are you being serious?" Jilk asked with a serious look on his face "I know that you are a person with experience in battle, but this is far too foolish even for you." He shakes his head. "it would appear that you cannot evaluate the strength of your opponent."
"call me a fool if you wish but you have your family's duties to uphold that is for the sake of this kingdom." Kira spoke before he looked serious. "But in response to the handicap I have given, I wish for the Prince and the other representative to reply in the same."
"And that is?" Julius asked.
"you will not do anything harmful to the Bartfort Family members who are enrolled in the school along with those who are considered to be my friends." Kira stated very seriously. "I am the representative of Angelica-san's duel and therefore I do not wish any harm to come to the Bartfort Family who I am indebted to along with the people who I have befriended."
"i-is he for real?" "that's noble in a way." "I got some respect for him." The chatter started again as many just look in awe to Kira's noble wish.
"Kira-san.." Olivia frowns while Raymond and Daniel look in tears.
"so you wish to not be affiliated with the Bartfort Family and your friends if you lose? You wish for them to be unaffiliated and not be harmed?" Chris spoke before he nodded and then adjusted his glasses. "very well, I can accept that noble wish of yours."
"Fine by me." "I accept as well." Greg and Brad replied as they too accepted.
"Jilk Fia Marmoria and Julius Rapha Holfort." Kira spoke as he looks at the last two. "What are your replies?"
"I shall accept." Julius stated with a hand raised. "this is a sacred duel and I shall not do anything that will taint it."
"so will i." Jilk added in while raising his hand. "I too shall accept your request, Kira Fou Bartfort."
"Very well." Kira nods before he looks very stern at the five. "But do remember that if you break this vow of yours. I shall not give mercy." He then looks at Angelica and the others around the area. "all of you are witnesses to this duel. You must speak the truth and only the truth for if this duel's conditions have been breached and broken." His gaze focuses on the Redgrave's daughter. "Angelica-san, will you also be a witness?"
Angelica looks at Kira for a moment before she nods.
"I will." Angelica stated as Kira nodded back before looking to Marie.
"will you also be a witness who speaks the truth and only the truth for the safety of this duel, Marie Fou Lafan?" Kira asks Marie who made some small nervous noises as she looks confused. "Will you accept?"
"u-um…i…" Marie spoke out before she looks at Julius who held a hand in front of her.
"Marie will accept." Julius stated. "she shall speak the truth and only the truth in accepting to be a witness of this duel's condition and let it be fair and true." He then points a finger at Kira. "but do you accept the consequences of this duel, Kira Fou Bartfort?"
"I do." Kira replied as he picked up Angelica's thrown glove and then threw it to Julius who catches it. "Let us duel with our honor."
"very well." Julius stated before his group leaves the area.
Kira watches them leave before he turns toward Angelica as he held out a hand towards her.
"Angelica-san, i wish to have your other glove." Kira said while coming near Angelica who looks confused. "may i have it?"
"eh? uh? a-alright?" Angelica responded all confused as she slowly takes off her glove and gives it to Kira. 'b-but why do you need it?"
"to give proof that i, Kira Fou Bartfort will be your Representative and Champion of the Duel." Kira said as he grasped the glove in his left hand that is pressed against his chest while his right-hand takes Angelica's left hand, almost like he is a knight making a vow to a princess. "as a Knight of the Bartfort Household and as your knight and champion of this duel, I shall be your sword and shield that shall come to your aid in your direst of times, Milady. i vow with my life."
as Kira spokes his words, Angelica's face went red while everyone around the group minus Olivia looks in complete shock and just jaw dropped.
"d-did you see what that guy did!?" "talk about a total Casanova!" "he just went after her when the Prince dumped her right there!" the group chattered and whispered amongst each other as Kira just bowed and kneels before Angelica who just made small confused and surprised noises.
this action was seen even by Julius and the others.
"Baron Bartfort...you are a scum than I had first thought" Julius spoke before he and his group just left, but Marie took a moment to look at the scene with utter confusion and shock.
'w-who is that mob?!' Marie thought before she quickly follows Julius when he called out to her. 'why did he have to ruin my plan?!'
Kira kneels to Angelica before he slowly rises to his feet and grasped her glove to his chest.
"i shall prepare for the duel at the end of the school term." Kira said with a smile as he nods with a determined look on his face. "please be assured that i will win in your honour."
"u-um...i..uh..." Angelica stuttered out as she had no words to say to Kira who had just done and did something she wasn't expecting. her face is completely red and her heartbeat is just going fast.
"if you wish to converse about the duel's conditions and my actions, it'd be best if we converse at a later time." Kira said as he bows to Angelica once again. "Good night, milady"
Kira leaves Angelica as he went straight for the exit since he doesn't plan to stay at the party with what just happened.
Angelica watches Kira leave as the young man gets joined by Raymond, Daniel, and Olivia who surround him.
"Kira...Fou...Bartfort..." Angelica spoke out as she just looks embarrassed beyond her own imagination.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye.