AN: So it's been a while. Got a 70 pages report I had to write for work, so that's why. Also, this chapter ended up being longer than I thought because I can't find a good stopping point.

I try to ignore the aching muscles in my forearms as I thrust my spear forward.

The spear reaches its target a hulking mass of flames with twin swords—currently frozen courtesy of Musse's arts.

The tip of my spear hit the sheet of ice covering it, I force it forward, ramming the spear straight through the fiery giant—Surtr, as the database informed me, one of the mysterious monsters old Class VII also fought during their trials.

"Hey, Vander, get back here!" I hear Ash shouts from the right flank.

Kurt—the idiot—for some reason, has rushed ahead.

Behind me, Celine immediately yelled, "Hey! Don't break formation! Come back!"

Despite her clear frustration—seemingly wanting to go after Kurt and throttle him—Celine is busy supporting Juna and Altina fending off enemies from our rear.

Crow is…busy soloing a dragon.

I ran after Kurt, urging Ash to follow me as I got past him with a look. He throws me an annoyed look in response, and shrugs, before complying.

Kurt had already got surrounded by three Surtrs.

He sidesteps a slash from one of his enemies, then goes for a counter. Another of the Surtrs strikes, forcing him to block, thwarting his counterattack and leaving his back open for the last Surtr.

"Tch! Schleiden, follow my lead!" Ash shouted as he draws his switchaxe back.

I follow his lead, shifting my weight and drawing my arms back, spear in hand.

I throw my spear, wincing as I exert even more stress on my already sore muscles. Besides me, Ash throws the scythe part of his weapon.

Caught unprepared, our weapons hit the third Surtr about to bisect Kurt. My spear freezes the right part of its body, as chains from Ash's weapon wrap around its arms.

Ash yanks back, shattering the frozen part of its body. One down.

One of the Surtrs is hit with twin blades of ice—It's Musse. Ash takes off after it, which leaves…

I link up with Kurt and rush ahead, picking up my spear along the way.

Kurt evades another slash, he weaves in between the two fiery swords and counterattacks. I step beside him and deliver a follow-up attack, prompted by the link.

Kurt nods at me.

It took every ounce of my willpower to not snap at him. Instead, I turn to our enemy, raising my spear.

I close the gap and go on the offensive. My spear connects, with Kurt following up with a strike of his own.

I sidestep a slash, then I thrust forward, following up another attack, prompted by the link. The Surtr stumbles. I close the gap and deliver several rapid thrusts.

If we can just keep this up—

The ARCUS link is barely able to warn me to dodge an attack from the back, as I roll to the right.

It's the Surtr we've taken down earlier.

I grip my spear and thrust it forward, sending icy javelin hurling toward it. It hits, freezing parts of the Surtr on impact.

Before I can press on, a light shines down upon it and heals the wound. Above me, several golden pillars are hovering above us—Judge Pillars, Altina's analysis informed me through the link. Also encountered in old Class VII trials, they use healing arts to heal their allies.

Healer needs to be destroyed firs—

Fiery lashes interrupted my thoughts as I'm forced to block several slashes from the Surtr in front of me. I jump back to gain some distance.

From my peripheral vision, I can see Kurt and Ash also being pushed back, as we converged in the center, being boxed by the Surtr and the pillars above us.

"Just great. The hell were you thinking, Vander?!" Ash complained.

"…My apologies," Kurt replied through gritted teeth,

"My apologies my ass! You—"

"Not now!" I cut both of them off, as I deflect some more fiery lashes.

I parry another of the lashes before shifting my weight to the left, I thrust my arm forward and pierce the Surtr in front of me for a counterattack. Another flash of light rains down, and it got healed, again.

From my peripheral vision, I can see the same happening to Kurt and Ash as well.

"We need to take care of the pillars first, otherwise—"

I didn't get to finish my sentence, as hails of gunfire hit the pillars, making them drop down to the ground.

Kurt grits his teeth, "That was…"

"You're shittin' me, isn't he fighting that big-ass dragon?!" Ash exclaimed in surprise as he parry a fiery slash from the Surtr he's facing.

I glance in the direction of gunfire. Crow had taken down the dragon, though it doesn't seem he'll help us further to take down the Surtrs.

"Never mind that! We can take care of these Surtrs now!" I shouted

"Agreed, let's break through past them and rejoin the others."

"Don't have to tell me twice, pretty boy. Whose fault do you think we're in this shitty position anyway?!"

I sidestep one of the swords, before readying my spear.

"Brave Order: Sledgehammer!"

It's Juna. Looks like they're done on their side. Just in time

I deliver a downward strike, forcing the Surtr I'm facing to block my attack. I grip my spear tightly and muster every bit of my strength helped by Juna's Brave Order to push the sword parrying my spear down, and opening the guard for a forward thrust.

The strike connects, making the Surtr recoil. I push forward and deliver some more rapid thrusts, forcing it back even more.

On the two other sides, Kurt and Ash did the same. We then dash ahead, past the Surtrs. They immediately moved to intercept us, but beams of laser from Claiomh Solais stop them in their tracks.

"Celine, help me out!" I heard Musse say, preparing to cast Arts as we rejoin them.

"On it!" Celine replied, assisting Musse in her casting through the ARCUS link.

A gigantic chunk of ice—bigger than the one she threw at Campanella the other day—manifests above the Surtr. It falls down, its sheer cold freezing the Surtrs before impact, before crushing their frozen form with its weight.

"Hooly…" Juna trailed off.

…The DPS mage has joined the party it seems.

"That was a very potent cast of Diamond Nova, a high-level Orbal Arts. You seem to be really talented with Arts," Altina remarked.

Musse smiles, "Not at all. It was only as effective because Celine helped me out."

"…What's up with you? I've seen witches with magic training having less affinity than you!" Celine begrudgingly said with a hint of suspicion.

"Teehee, I suppose I'm just lucky enough."

…Vita is teaching her magic, isn't she?

So she's what, an attractive heir to a Duchy that is a super genius, good with arts, and charismatic enough to convince the Golden Rakshasa and Ouroboros' Second Anguis to help her? And to teach her magic in Vita's case? Aren't you a bit too much?

Gee, I wish I was half as talented, especially with Art—

A loud smack interrupted my thoughts.

"Ash?!" Juna shouted.

I turn back and he'd punched Kurt so hard he falls down.

Ash then crouches down and grabs Kurt's collar, "The hell was that?"

We immediately run over and break them up.

I hold Ash back, "I understand the sentiment, but losing our cool here would not help matters."

Juna adds, "Okay, time out…Yeah, Kurt was being stupid but Jessica's right this isn't the time."

"Nah, blondie had the right of it."

Crow strolled to where we are before turning to Kurt, "You rushing off was what triggered the pillars defense system before you guys were ready. So yeah, stupid move."

He's not wrong.

Altina nods, "A harsh evaluation, but true."

She then turns to Kurt, "Why did you rush ahead, Kurt?"

"…" Kurt stays silent.

…Oh come on, he's having an angst episode again? Now?

Crow scoffs, "Hmph, fine. Whatever, doesn't matter. Don't do it again, if I had to bail any of you out again like that, this trial's over. Honestly, even me fighting off that dragon for you guys is a bit much. If you all hadn't taken one down without me earlier, I'd have stopped this right there."

Celine turns to him, "You say that, but you certainly are more proactive now than when old Class VII took the trial. I know you were probably still hiding how strong you are back then, but you were actually about as strong then as you are now, right?"

Crow shrugs, "Dunno. I don't remember any of that. If this Crow guy is really me, guess I just didn't see the need. Maybe because that Ashen guy was there or something."

I notice Kurt flinching at that.

Crow then walks ahead, leaving us.

"Hmph, memories or no, he's still bad at pretending he doesn't care," Celine remarked.

Altina chimes in, "Celine, if what I heard from Instructor Rean is correct, I do not think you are in any position to say that."

"What?! That's a lie, I'm not—"

Celine stops and then coughs, "A-anyway…"

She then turns to Kurt, "What that guy said is harsh, but right. This trial is no joke, there's really no room for reckless behavior."

Kurt nods, "…Yes. My apologies, it will not happen again."

"It better not!" Ash yelled.

Musse chimes in, "Now, now…that's quite enough, don't you think? It's clear Kurt feels bad about it, and he did apologize."

Ash scowls, and then sighs, "Fine. Just don't do it again, I'm not saving your ass next time."

I turn to Kurt, "In any case, I do not wish to reiterate what has already been said, but...please refrain from rushing ahead and breaking the formation."

"…Understood," Kurt replied.

Juna places her hands on her hips, "Do you? Like seriously, what's up with you?"

"I just…got carried away, I suppose," Kurt replied.

Juna looks at him blankly, "Huh? Carried away? What does that even mean?"

Kurt shakes his head, "Let's just…move on, shall we?"

Considering that flinch when Crow mentioned Instructor and his inferiority complex…Maybe…

Celine sighs, "Well fine. But don't do it again."

She then turns to us, "Let's go, I think we're nearing the end."

We then continue walking.

I walk beside Kurt, "Are you comparing yourself to Instructor Rean for some reason?"

He turns to me looking a bit surprised before sighing, "It's…well…"

I wait for him to continue while looking around, not wanting to potentially get ambushed.

Kurt finally continues, "Jessica, who do you think is the Awakener among us? Do you…notice anything?"

Well considering the setup until now…

Musse is the one that set this whole thing up. Either she set it up so she can get a Divine Knight, in which case, the intended path would be for Kurt, the protagonist to inherit Valimar, and Musse to cement herself as the heroine who is opposing the protagonists.

Or…Musse set this up so Kurt can get a Divine Knight, for her own agenda. In which case, if Juna is Alisa's expy, and I am Laura's expy…Musse would be Emma's expy, the mysterious heroine with secret agenda that guides the protagonist to their Divine Knight. They are both really smart…their personality is kinda opposite of each other, though.

"Either you or Musse, I would say," I replied.

"I see…So you think I could be the one," Kurt replied solemnly.

"From the way, you said that…it almost seems as if you have suspected that yourself. Is there something I should know?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the surrounding area.

"It was…back when we were walking to the clearing. Back when Juna bumped into me,"

…The terrain in the wetlands didn't make it easier, as Juna almost bump into Kurt as he stops suddenly.

"Hey! What gives?!" Juna shouted.

"S-Sorry, I think I just imagined it, this area must have unnerved me more than I thought," Kurt replied before continuing to walk, following me.

"Oh? What caught your attention, Kurt?" Musse asked.

"No, I just thought I heard—"

Wait, that meant he heard…and Musse asked him because she knew?

I turn to him, "…What was it that you heard?"

"…Something about potential Awakener found and starting the trial. The voice had a…strange distortion," He answered in a whisper.

"Would you say that it reminded you of Valimar?" I asked.

He nods, "That's…I suppose,"

So it was the voice I heard when I was scanning the area. Then he really is…

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, if he had his own knight, that means that he didn't need to inherit Valimar, so Instructor Rean is safer from the dead mentor trope. On the other hand…Valimar also said that Awakener usually doesn't have a kind fate.

Despite everything, and how frustrating he could be at times…I still grew up with him, after Princess Alfin he probably is my closest friend. I view him as a little brother of a sort, after all. So him being subjected to whatever Valimar is implying is…

"Jessica?"

I suppose that's another thing to think about later.

I shake my head, "I'm sorry, I was thinking…But, yes, it does seem that you heard the Divine Knight."

Kurt grimaces, "Then I am…why me?"

"Valimar said that each Divine Knight has their own criteria to select an Awakener. It might very well be you are what this knight seeks in an Awakener," I replied.

Kurt snorts, "Really, me? Out of all of us, me? Why not Juna? Or you?"

"I do not know the criteria, so I have no answer, unfortunately,"

Aside from the fact that he's the protagonist, but…as for the specifics, I haven't a clue.

"It's just…" Kurt trailed off in frustration.

"What am I? Someone that cannot sort out my troubles and can't help but brood over them, troubling everyone," He continues.

Here comes the angst train. I swear these protagonists. Is Lloyd like this too?

I sigh, "We have been through this, it is—"

He interrupted me, "What I spoke was true, wasn't it? In Sutherland, I just…wallow in my own self-pity, and now...When I know what is at stake, to not allow someone closely aligned with the Chancellor's radical agendas to obtain a Divine Knight—as it would not be good for the people in Crossbell, or all over Erebonia for that matter—I cannot help but be afraid for myself instead of seizing the chance."

"I think that—"

"Hey, what are you two doing?! You guys are trailing behind!" Celine shouted, interrupting me.

"Heehee, I believe they were just having a moment, Celine. It's fine, no enemies around, after all," Musse said with a teasing smile.

"Like hell it is! We're bustin' our ass off keeping our guard up and moving carefully, here!" Ash shouted.

Kurt sighs, "My apologies, we'll get going now."

I turn to him, "Kurt, about earlier—"

He shakes his head, "Now is not the time. We still need to pass the trial first before worrying about any of this. I'll be fine."

…You're obviously not. But…yeah, I suppose we should focus on the trial first.

"Stop," Celine said as we arrive in front of a gate with glowing red orbs on it

Celine turns to us, "This should be it, beyond here would be the guardian that will serve as the final test. Loa Erebonius, a shadow of the Great Power."

Juna nods, "So it's time to get our soldats!"

Altina turns to Celine, "We've been refraining to use them because we want them in top condition for the final test, so we left them at the entrance but I believe you mentioned that we could retrieve them easily?"

Celine nods, "Yeah. We can use that to warp back."

She then gestures to a monument built on top of a glowing blue circle that I remember seeing at various points here.

"All right, then let's—"

I interrupt Juna, "Hold on, before that…"

I turn to Musse, "Musse, I only saw them briefly, but the soldats' loadout stored in their compartments are…"

Musse smiles, "Drakkhen is equipped with Juna's gunbreakers, while the Spiegel is…"

She turns to Kurt, "Kurt, it's your twin swords."

…She's definitely setting the stage up for Kurt.

"I—"

Kurt didn't manage to finish the sentence before Ash interrupts, "Huh? What gives Egret? Why pretty boy and wild filly? What about the rest of us?!"

Musse smiles, "Well…Altina and I are not as proficient as the rest of you. As for you, Ash…with how you're fighting I don't think anything sort of a Hector would be a good fit. You won't be able to throw the scythe part of your weapon properly."

"Tch, if only Randolph isn't using the Hector," Ash simply clicks his tongue in annoyance, but begrudgingly accepted it.

"And me…?" I asked Musse.

Musse turns to me, "Both your and Kurt's preferred soldat is the Spiegel. We from Class IX simply had to pick one, I'm afraid. I know technically the compartment can hold two if we didn't fill it with repair stones and brave stones. But…after discussion, having supplies to replenish damages and restore power seems more important, sorry."

Or rather, she wants to ensure nothing goes wrong and Kurt passes the trial.

I nod, "I see…"

I turn to Kurt, "…It is up to you and Juna, then."

Ash adds, "Guess so, you two better not mess up!"

Juna rolls her eyes, "Yeah, like how you got taken down in one hit on Sutherland?"

"Oh screw you! That wouldn't have happened if I was in Hector instead of a Drakkhen."

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Come on, tell him, Kurt!"

Kurt didn't answer, making all of us turn to him.

"Oh, uh…I will do my best," Kurt finally said.

Ash turns to him, "What's with you, man? You've been acting weird. You sure you're up for this?"

"That's…a bit late to ask now, isn't it? The Spiegel is equipped with my weapons," Kurt answered.

Ash shrugs, "I dunno, the way you're talkin' right now makes me think I can prolly do a better job swinging those swords randomly than you."

"That's…" Kurt trailed off.

I sigh, he's definitely still bothered by our earlier discussion.

I was about to say something, but Juna beats me to it, "Listen, I dunno what goes through your brain half of the time, and I sure don't know what you were talking about with Jessica earlier, but this is about that, right?"

"I…" Kurt trailed off

I decided to add my own thoughts, "About what we were talking about earlier…I think your comparison is a bit off. I am sure that Instructor Rean didn't become who he is without struggling with his own doubts. So isn't it fine to have some? I am sure Instructor Rean would agree."

Juna turns to me, "Eh, Instructor Rean? What's he got to do with anything?"

I glance at Kurt, "Well…uh…"

Kurt sighs, "I…heard the Divine Knight, speaking."

"Wait, so YOU'RE the Awakener?!" Celine asked.

"You're shittin' me, him?!" Ash said to Celine.

"If the Divine Knight is speaking to him, then one would think so, isn't that right, Celine?" Musse replied.

Celine nods, "Yeah. Most likely."

Altina turns to Kurt, "I see, so that is why you were talking about Instructor Rean."

Kurt nods, "Yes…I don't think I measure up to him. Divine Knights are beings of great power, they appear in many of our legends…to pilot one…means a great deal. I don't…think I would be able to handle that responsibility."

Crow, who has been watching silently suddenly speaks up, "So what, you ain't guaranteed pass yet. And you're worried about that? Stop acting so spoiled."

Kurt turns to him, "I know that…but I can't help but think…If I really pass…then what would I do with the power of a Divine Knight? There are so many things that could go wrong, I don't...could someone like me really wield it righteously?"

Crow scowls, "Tch, you really are spoiled. Just like—"

He then stops, clutching his head.

"H-Hey, are you all right?" Juna asked him.

Crow nods then take his hand off his head.

I turn to him, "Is your memory returning?"

"Just some random flashes. It's not important," Crow replied.

He then turns to Kurt, "Anyway…even if you are worried, there's nothing you can do about it. Unless you'd rather we turn back now and just give the knight to that Rufus guy."

"That's…" Kurt trailed off.

Crow press on, "No? Then you just have to push forward relentlessly. And face what comes…when they come."

"Relentlessly…that's…" Kurt trailed off.

I turn to him, "That was the phrase old Class VII quoted in Sutherland. I suppose now we know where they came from. I said earlier that Instructor Rean would agree, but I suppose to be more specific, something along those lines is what he would say."

Altina nods, "I concur. Besides, as Jessica pointed out earlier Instructor Rean himself is often not sure if he is doing the right thing. As his partner on many missions, I would say his role in Crossbell's occupation is something that he thinks about a lot. So you are not alone in this matter."

From beside me, Musse adds, "As many pointed out, Instructor Rean doesn't get to be who he is now without some struggles of his own. I don't think you need to necessarily compare yourself to Instructor Rean at this point. You just need to take one step at a time."

She then smiles teasingly, "Teehee, who knows…maybe you'd end up as dashing as Instructor."

"I…uh…thanks?" Kurt replied with hesitation.

…She can't help but add that in, can't she?

Juna sighs, "Ookay, the last part aside…She's right. Besides…"

She steps closer to Kurt, "Pull yourself together! Aren't you the one talking high and mighty about wanting me to help you cut through Erebonia's abscess or something?! Well now's the time to prove it!"

"…" Kurt looks stunned for a bit...using his words against him, sasuga main heroine.

Ash then slaps Kurt in the back, "Well ain'tcha the popular guy will all these chicks encouraging you? Divine Knight stuff aside, you ain't gonna say anything? Man up already!"

Kurt finally nods, "I am still unsure if I am worthy to be an Awakener but…All of you are right that standing around here doing nothing won't achieve anything, so…At the very least, let's go and face the final trial."

Juna nods back, "Good! Let's get the soldats!"

She then drags him in front of the monument.

"Celine, what should we do?" Juna asked.

"Just imagine the entrance, there should be another monument there. Go ahead and bring the soldat over by imagining this location near the monument over there," Celine replied.

The two then step into the circle and disappear.

Celine then turns to us, "Anyway, just because those two are going to fight Loa Erebonius on soldats, doesn't mean that the rest of you can take it easy. During Valimar's trial, Loa Erebonius summoned a bunch of miniatures of it. While those two fights Loa Erebonius, you guys will need to take care of the summons. It'd be bad if they flank the soldats, right? So your job is to prevent those summons from getting close to the soldats."

Bosses that summon allies huh? Those are annoying, yeah.

She continues, "Anyway, Crow and I will help but—"

Crow interrupted her, "As I keep saying, I dunno about this Crow guy…But I sure as hell not helping."

Celine turns to him, "Huh?! But—"

Crow shrugs, "I already said it earlier, I'll get these kids to the final trial. After that, it's up to them."

"Well, that's just fine to me!"

Juna's voice echoes from inside the Drakkhen as he and Kurt warped back.

She continues, "We'll get this trial done. Nice and easy, you just sit back and watch!"

Ash nods and turns to Crow, "Wild filly got the right of it! Now that you're talking shit like that, we just gotta make you eat those words. "

Kurt adds, "As it should be, this is after all our trial. For this last part at least, it is only right that we do it on our own, otherwise, there's no meaning."

He continues, "Celine too. Would you mind leaving this to us?"

Celine turns to him, "Huh?! But—"

Ah. I figured he would say that. Otherwise…he'd probably feel even more unworthy.

Musse chuckles, "That is a very daring suggestion…oh my, how thrilling."

Altina sighs, "It does seem tactically unwise, I would insist that Celine at least jumps in were any of us in real danger."

I nod, "That seems to be wise, yes."

I turn to Celine, "Please indulge us. Of course, were you to judge it absolutely necessary, do jump in."

Celine sighs, "I swear, you guys are just as stubborn as the old Class VII that I'm starting to think being this hardheaded is a prerequisite to be in it. But…fine."

Crow smirks, "Heh. Talk's cheap, kids. Let's see if you can back it up in the final trial."

We then step forward to the gate.

As we near the gate, a voice echoed

"THOU WHO WOULDST CLAIM FOR THYSELF THE MANTLE OF AWAKENER."

"That's—"

"Yeah, we're hearing it too, pretty boy, it ain't just you this time!"

"HEREIN LIES A FRAGMENT OF THE GREAT POWER. IF THOU SEEKEST TO WIELD IT, COME HITHER AND PROVE THY WORTH. COMMENCING FINAL TRIAL."

The next thing I know is that I am standing amidst a great white desert, grey skies, and countless giant weapons lying abandoned wherever I can see, casting shadows all over.

"So this is…" I heard Musse say, barely above a whisper beside me.

"W-Wait, weren't we just standing in front of that gate?" Juna exclaimed from the Drakkhen.

"This is it…The final trial ground. They said that the weapons around you belong to fallen past Awakeners from time immemorial," Celine answered.

I notice Crow looking around, "I see. So this is where I got Ordine, huh?"

He then looks to a spot in front of us, "Look sharp, kids. It's coming."

From the spot Crow was looking at, a large black shadow emerges. Standing on two feet, with a head like a dragon, wings made of black haze unfurling behind it.

I remember seeing this large shadow at the last old Schoolhouse excursion, but that time it was white.

"So this is…" Altina trailed off.

I nod, "Loa Erebonius, the final trial."

"Well, here it is. Good luck," Crow said as he steps back.

"Ugh…Emma will never let me hear the end of it if I let you guys get hurt bad, so I'm helping if things go south, got it?!" Celine grumbled as she too step back.

Ash clicks his tongue and draws his weapon, "We get it! Just get back already!"

"Here it comes! Be ready!" Kurt said as he and Juna engage Loa Erebonius.

As Celine said, multiple small black shadows appear.

"ARCUS activate!" Altina and Musse said as they cast enhancing spells at Ash and me.

Ash turns to me, "Heh, Vander's busy with his side chick, so you're stuck with me, sorry."

I just establish the combat link not giving him the reaction he's looking for, instead, I just shrug, "Seems so. I just have to make do I suppose. Ah, I do hope you are not all talk, though."

In response, he jumps, slamming down at the group of black shadows.

I rush ahead, and prompted by the link, thrust my spear at one of the shadows.

It recoils back, black hazes coiling all around.

"I'll finish the job!" Ash said as he savagely strikes with at it with the halberd form of his weapon.

The black shadow dissipates. One down, still more than a dozen to go.

I barrel to the side to avoid three of the black shadows sending beams at my prior position.

We can go for a chant, but most likely Loa Erebonius will just summon more and it will just tire us.

Another of the black shadow jumps at me, crushed by Musse's ice. I turn back and bring my spear down, slashing at another one, before thrusting at it as it recoil, killing it.

As long as we can keep this pace, it should be fine. Our job is to keep these summons busy so Kurt and Juna can take down Loa Erebonius on soldats.

Altina's analysis flows to me through the link, just in time as it allows me to better read their movements and weave between them to dodge the attacks and counter them with my own.

I feel my muscle complaints with every thrust. The trial ground really took a lot out of me even though it has only been a few hours at most, maybe less.

I swing my spear horizontally, slashing through a group of shadows, fending them off, before stepping back to gain distance.

A bestial roar echoes.

I manage a brief glance at Loa Erebonius, which appears to have just taken a direct hit from the Soldats, before turning my attention back to the shadows in front of me, going for another thrust at one of them.

Juna and Kurt are doing well, just have to keep this up…

I lost count of how many of the shadows I have fought on by now. They just keep coming. Kurt and Juna better finish up soon, because I don't think we're lasting much longer.

I fight through the searing pain that goes through my body with every movement, grip my spear tighter, and once more thrust it at yet another shadow.

My movement is sluggish, with almost no signs of the Schleiden polished techniques I usually use. But it still connects, and I somehow manages to muster enough strength to pierce through it.

They're not intelligent enough to require sophisticated techniques to take down, but without Altina's buffs, I doubt I'd be able to fend them off exhausted as I am.

At the same time, from my peripheral vision, I see Musse takes down another shadow with a blade of ice, and Ash just pummels one with his switchaxe.

More of the shadows approach me, and I force myself to raise my spear again, with labored breaths. And then…Bright flash of light. The small eyes on the shadows shines brightly, blinding me.

When I open my eyes, all I can see is pitch-black darkness.

"So you have come."

I turn back in the direction of the voice and see another me.

Ah…I see. This again. I remember some of the monsters I encountered during the last old schoolhouse excursion inflicted nightmare. Both back then and right now…it's still this same nightmare, huh?

This is the 'real' Jessica. She—no, not she it. I refuse to give this thing any credence—it's merely part of the nightmare, though. About to tell me what I have messed up. Obviously, it's a nightmare, so nothing it said has any basis.

…I hope not all of us were caught in a nightmare, otherwise, the situation is precarious.

My doppelganger simply stares at me, then it finally speaks, "You think you have changed things for the better? Using your 'pattern recognition?' Wrong."

There is no way to verify it. This is a nightmare—my nightmare, whatever it conjured up cannot go beyond the bounds of my knowledge. I have no way to confirm if things have changed for the better or not, so this thing too, has nothing.

"Count Altheim. You think that if you had been more open with narrative tropes and structures you perceive you could prevent his death and all the other people in Sutherland that died during the air raid? That is not true. There is no actual 'pattern recognition' it's just a coincidence. You are delusional and only made things worse. If you weren't there, those wouldn't have died."

…As I said…no way to confirm it. It's just trying to get at me. Obviously, those people that died in Sutherland nagged at me, but again there is no way to prove it one way or the other. So logically, it's useless to dwell on it. And I've verified my 'pattern recognition'

"Do you think it is fine since they are unimportant on the grand scale of things?"

Obviously not. This is a real world, with living people…just one where story patterns and tropes have some influence. But once more—I reminded myself—there is no way to verify whether my being here instead of the original Jessica caused any deaths or not…so it's pointless to dwell on it or feel bad about those deaths beyond the fact that people died. It was not my fault.

"Then what about the paths you've inadvertently pushed those around you to? If Kurt indeed becomes an Awakener for this Divine Knight, how much of that was your fault? Valimar said that Awakeners don't have a kind fate, what sort of fate have you doomed him to? And not just him, what if, dear Instructor Rean having the same doomed fate as Valimar's Awakener was somehow caused by you?"

Of course not…they're protagonists that's how these things go, and I've barely interacted with Instructor Rean before he became awakener. But, well, maybe Kurt was supposed to inherit Valimar instead, but that would—no…I can't let it get to me. The moment I completely immerse myself in thinking about those sorts of things, I have lost.

"…And the others? Cedric aligning himself with the Chancellor and potentially being an antagonist? Maybe HE was supposed to be the true protagonist and you messed things ups. It'd fit, wouldn't it? The Crown Prince who is kind yet lacking in confidence and talent, representing the underdog hero archetype. Such a shame that you prevented him from being one, and instead be a villain."

…I repeat once again like a mantra, there is no way to verify. No point in dwelling on it.

"How many will you inadvertently push down a doomed path even more in the future? Elise? Alfin? Juna? Altina? Father perhaps? Even more? You—"

And I wake up. I am back in the white desert and grey skies of the final trial ground…Looks like someone finally cast Curia or Recuria to free me from that nightmare.

There are none of the shadow monsters around me—I immediately turn around to where Kurt and Juna are fighting Loa Erebonius, afraid that the shadows had gotten past us and overwhelmed them.

My fear was unfounded, instead, Loa Erebonius is standing still, slumped, as it started to dissipate to white light, whereas the two soldats stands tall. It's over.

I look around. Altina and Musse both look dazed, and a bit pale, I guess they were also caught in the nightmare…then the one that freed us was Ash?

"Hey! Are you all right?!" I heard Celine's panicked voice.

I turn in the direction of the voice and see Celine trying to steady Ash who is shaking and pale as a sheet. I run in their direction, with Altina and Musse following suit immediately.

"Ash, are you all right?" Altina asked.

"Tch! I'm…fine. Damn bastards! Lemme go, cat!" He replied with clear false bravado as he try to get himself away from Celine.

"Huh?! This is the thanks I get? Look at you, you can barely stand!" Celine complained.

I sigh, "This is not the time for foolish bravado, Ash."

"Yes. You should let Celine take care of you for a bit," Musse added.

"I'm—" Ash didn't manage to get a sentence out before he snaps his head to the left, away from Celine, and puked.

"Wha—hey! Sit down for now! Don't worry, the trial's done!" Celine immediately said.

Ash grits his teeth before he complies and sits down worldlessly on the white sand…that must have been some nightmare he got, so he's not the one that freed us.

I turn back to Kurt and Juna who are still inside the soldat. Loa Erebonius is still in the process of dissipating, but it's not long before it's completely gone now.

"What happened?" I asked Celine.

Celine turns to me, "The four of you got caught in nightmares and those shadows had started to move toward the soldats, so I intervened and burned them all with my strongest arts before breaking you guys from the nightmare."

She then gestures at the soldats, "Your friends then finished off Loa Erebonius at about the same time."

…I see. We failed. Well, not really, we 'beat' Loa Erebonius, but we didn't manage to do it on our own after all. I know that pragmatically I shouldn't be upset, what matters is we pass the trial and secure the Divine Knight, but…I can't help but feel frustrated. Not only were we helped by Celine and Crow to get here, but we didn't even manage to finish the trial on our own.

"What's with that face? I told you guys that you weren't really ready yet, but well…it's an emergency, it can't be—" Celine said.

Crow cut Celine off, walking slowly in our direction, "Well, can't say I'm not disappointed. But too late at this point."

"Too late? What do you—"

Before Altina can finish her question, Crow points in the direction of the soldats and the dissipating Loa Erebonius, "The trial's done. The knight's selection system wouldn't really care who beats what, so long as the potential Awakener had an active role, anyway…and if that kid's really the Awakener, well, he and that pink-haired girl were the ones that mainly fought Loa Erebonius, so it'd probably satisfy the system."

…So that's why Musse ensured that Kurt was the one in the Spiegel?

Loa Erebonius completely disappear, and a golden light starts to coalesce.

Crow continues, "Yeah…won't be long now. Way he is, right now though….there's no chance in Gehenna he's surviving the rivalries."

"The rivalries? What is—"

I didn't manage to finish my question when the golden light brightens before manifesting in the form of a giant golden knight. Its appearance is reminiscent of Valimar but the two are clearly distinct from each other. Aside from the pure gold plating instead of Valimar's ashen white, the design of the armor that made up its chassis is more ornate.

A voice then echoes, "I am the Auric Knight, a fragment of the Great Power."

Like Valimar, his voice is through a robotic filter, but even through it, the regality in it is conveyed clearly.

"Awakener, call forth my name, and let us swear an oath."

The knight looks straight at Kurt's Spiegel…that's decided, I guess. And yet, there is no response from Kurt.

"H-Hey, Kurt? Shouldn't you…say something?" Juna said through her Soldat.

"I…" Kurt started before stopping.

"What is that idiot doing?!" Celine hissed from beside me.

The knight continues, "Awakener…your heart is rife with doubts and uncertainty, you would reject a fragment of the Great Power?"

"What?!" Celine shrieked before starting to run in their direction.

I glance at Ash for a moment, before confirming that he's already back on his feet before following Celine. Crow, Musse, Altina, and Ash follow suit not long after.

Celine looks up at the Spiegel and shouts, "You! What are you doing?! Just call his name already! You should have been shown a vision of his name after you defeated Loa Erebonius!"

"I…know his name, but…it does not feel right," Kurt replied from the Spiegel.

"What do you mean?! Why do you think we're here?!" Celine shouted in exasperation.

Musse adds, "H-Hold on, did you not agree that you would take it one step at a time?"

Is that a bit of panic seeping out? I guess Kurt just completely ruin parts of her plan.

"If I—No…If we managed to at least defeat Loa Erebonius on our own, then maybe…But we did not. And that didn't even take into account the fact that we relied on Celine and that masked man all the way here. It does not…it does not sit right with me, it defeats the purpose of the trial, is it not? Can I really claim that I am worthy to be an Awakener like this?" Kurt said.

Celine's eyes narrow, "Huh?! That's what you're worried about?!"

She then continues pointing at Crow, "This guy was also there when old Class VII took the trial! And he's as strong then as he is now!"

"True, but did you not say he was more proactive now?" Kurt retorted.

Crow shrugs, "Eh…Dunno what you're talking about. But if what little annoying flash of memories I got earlier were true, unlike that time, I don't need to hide how good I am this time around. Just admit it, kitty, without the two of us, ain't no way they would have passed the trial."

Celine looks ready to pull her hair, "That does not matter! You said it yourself! According to the Awakener selection system, he would still have passed the trial!"

That's true, but…I do understand the sentiment. It's frustrating—it would especially be so for Kurt—that we only manage to pass because of a loophole.

Kurt speaks up from inside his Spiegel, "Even so…Instructor Rean told me to seek what lies beyond and in that journey, to not be afraid of wandering. As I am now, I would not be able to take on the burden and responsibility—not only because I am lacking in strength, but because I am still immature."

He continues, "As El—the Auric Knight said, my heart is still rife with doubts. I have not yet reached what lies beyond, and to accept this now… would feel that I am taking a shortcut…No more than that, I am forsaking my wandering in search of the proper path to where I needed to be. Instead, I am rushing headlong into the easy yet insidious path that would surely not allow me to uphold the duties that a wielder of such a great power would be bound to."

"Argh! Forget what I said, you're WAY more stubborn than your Instructor!" Celine then turns to us in frustration, "You guys talk to him!"

I sigh…It's over Celine, he just gave a protagonist speech that invoke a speech another protagonist gave him. But still…

I turn to Kurt's Spiegel, "It is not as if I do not understand the sentiment…however, if you reject being his Awakener, that would leave the Auric Knight to Governor Rufus, wouldn't it?"

Musse nods, "That is true, considering the skills of the Governor General, I doubt he would have struggled much even if he undergoes the trial alone."

"W-We can't give the Divine Knight to that jerk! Who knows what he's going to do with it!" Juna added from inside the Drakkhen.

"If the Auric Knight is at least as strong as Valimar, then it would be quite a shift in the balance of power," Altina mussed, replying to Juna.

Ash sighs, "Hate to say it. I got whatcha mean, Vander. It ain't feel right, only passing because this cat and old man—"

"This is my natural hair color, brat."

Ash ignores Crow, "bailed us out…but man if it's going to feel even worse if we just leave it for Albarea."

Kurt replies, "I understand that, but still…"

He then turns his Spiegel to the Auric Knight, "Please pardon this insolence, at this moment I am not yet worthy to become your Awakener, however…Would you wait, until the time that I am ready?"

The golden knight, who had been watching silently, replies, "Before I give my answer to that inquiry, Awakener, allow me to tell you of one thing. The other man, you spoke of, Rufus Albarea…He was another candidate that I observed. However, though he has a firm conviction to achieve his goal, he does not have within him the noble spirit to protect people. He does not possess the benevolence of the strong to protect the weak, martyring himself if needed. His loyalty and honor are bound only to himself."

He continues, "You, Awakener, on the other hand, intrinsically understood that to take upon the role of the Auric Awakener, to wield me, means that you are honor-bound to the duties to protect those who are in need of protection, as evidenced from your rejection. You fear that you would be in dereliction of those duties should you be my Awakener at this moment. This is why I chose you over Rufus Albarea."

Well…that's an ego-boosting thing to hear from a legendary giant golden mech from legends. With his angst and inferiority complex, that might just be the thing Kurt needed to hear…though stubborn as he is, I doubt he would relent.

After a bit of a pause, Kurt answers, "I thank you for your kind words. However…as I said, I do not believe that I would be able to rise up to the occasion at this moment. Please…as insolent as it is…are you willing to wait until the time that I am worthy?"

Yeah. I'm right.

The golden knight nods, "If that is what you wish, far be it from me to deter sentiment such as that. Then, Kurt Vander, Auric Awakener…until the day you are ready, I will be waiting, here in this realm. When you have found the resolve in your heart, call for me, and I shall be there. For as long as your resolve hold fast, so too my resplendent golden shield."

"…I will, El-Prado."

El-Prado…? That's the name? It sounds…Spanish? That's not…quite what I'd expected.

El-Prado continues, "Very good, we have made our oaths. Let us part ways now then, my Awakener and his comrades."

"Gah! Kinda pisses me off the way he said that like we're just Vander's groupies or something!" Ash complaints

"I-I'm sure that is not what he mean—"

Kurt didn't manage to finish before a bright light then starts to shine from El-Prado enveloping everything in sight.

The next thing I know, I was lying down in the clearing right where we enter the trial grounds. I wake up and try to stand up, but…Now's that the trial over, and the adrenaline has worn off, it took a great deal of effort to stand up, but I did it.

There is no longer vortex of light, reaching the sky which indicates the entrance to a Divine Knight trial.

Around me, everyone else also starts to stand up. Juna and Kurt disembark from the Soldat. Though Celine had turned back into a cat.

"…I see that I am too late."

I turn in the direction of the familiar voice…Rufus Albarea, the Governor General of Crossbell, looking somewhat fatigued but is otherwise still in a good condition.

He looks at us, "…So that is why that witch and the Phantom Thief tried to delay me at every turn. You have completed the Divine Knight trial?"

His voice is as calm as ever, but there is an unmistakable edge to it. If he attacks us here…with how tired we are, that'd be the worst-case scenario.

He continues, "Who…is the Auric Awakener among you?"

Kurt steps forward, "I am."

The Governor looks at Kurt as if sizing him up, "Kurt...I see. And the Auric Knight?"

Kurt shakes his head, "Not here. For the moment, I have rejected the role of Auric Awakener until I am worthy of the title, the Auric Knight has agreed."

"You rejected him? On that ground? The Vanders are as conscientious as ever, it seems. It is too bad that the Vander House has been dismissed as the guardians of the Royal Family."

Governor Rufus's tone was that of amusement, but there is no mistaking that he said it condescendingly.

He then continues, "Are you aware, ladies and gentlemen, that you have been interfering with an official operation of the Imperial Government conducted here?"

Ash snorts, "Heh, sorry to rain on your parade, but…that ain't how this gonna go down, Your Lordliness."

"Yeah! We're just doing our duties! There is nothing forbidding us from being here!" Juna added with glee.

Altina nods, "The directive given to Instructor Rean was to uncover the goals of the Society, and restore order to Crossbell. We've identified two points of mana confluence that are causing havoc in Crossbell. One of them happens to be here and is due to the Divine Knight's trial agitating the spirit veins. By completing it, we have stopped the cause of spirit veins agitation, thus completing our mission to the letter."

I add, putting more pressure, "There was no restriction as to which area falls under our jurisdiction. Furthermore this area is beyond the scope of Operation Birdcage, thus this is not a designated area for any operations we know of. If this is indeed an area designated for such an operation, the fault of not coordinating properly with us falls on you, Your Excellency, as we have no way of knowing."

Beside me, Musse smiles, "Teehee, that's a bit too harsh, Jessica. I am sure it was not on purpose. It was simply a…miscommunication, correct Your Excellency?"

She then continues, "Either way, I am afraid that the Golden Rakshasa would see this as her students being accused of bogus claim, and…as much as being the losing general of the civil war marred her reputation, she is still a Countess and the one who led Erebonia to victory during the Northern War. Besides, the Branch Campus, especially Class VII are quite popular among the people of Erebonia nowadays, and no doubt that the Ashen Chevalier, the Hero of Erebonia would speak on his students' behalf. I would be ever so…sad were Your Excellency has to deal with the hassle of the fallout from such an accusation."

The Governor General keeps his smile, not losing his poker face.

Crow steps forward, "Heh, I'm just a random passerby offering my help to these kids, but…a piece of advice, Your Excellency."

Governor Rufus turns to him, "A passerby? Is that so…?"

There is no way he's convinced of that, but for some reason, his tone implies that he'll let that go.

Crow continues, "Even if you kill the kid, you ain't gonna be the Auric Awakener. That's not how this goes."

Governor Rufus nods, "Oh, I'm quite aware."

What? Then what happened when an Awakener die—Wait. All the people who have been resurrected…Crow and Rutger are both Awakeners, are Awakeners immortal? In a narrative structure, that would be the twist foreshadowed, right?

Crow smirks, "If you're aware, then you probably should leave, there's nothing for you to do, here. Oh, but one more thing…the Auric Knight spoke about you, he said that between you and that kid over there, he prefers the kid. That's too bad for you…losing to a kid like that, I mean."

For a split second, I could almost see the governor's poker face imperceptibly falls apart and anger flashes to his face, prompting me to reflexively put my guard up by raising my spear.

Then, almost as fast as it came, it disappeared, replaced by the ever-polite smile he had given us this whole time.

The governor turns to Kurt, "Then I suppose it was a very admirable youth indeed. You have done your family proud."

"T-Thank you…" Kurt replied.

Governor Rufus nods, "Then I suggest that you prepare yourself properly, as unscrupulous individuals might…not take kindly to a new Awakener."

"I shall take my leave, then. Farewell, ladies and gentlemen of the Branch Campus, the 'passerby' gent in the mask…and the Hexen Clan's familiar."

And with that last parting shot, the Governor General turns around and disappears into the marsh.

As soon as he leaves, Celine clicked her tongue, "Tsk, so he recognized me after all. I kept a low profile in the Infernal Castle after he arrived, so I had hoped he didn't notice."

As if in response, accompanied by a blue light, Vita appeared, "Well, he was aiming straight for dear Grianos even back then, so it would make sense that he would know about the Hexen Clan's familiars."

"And where were you, Vita?!" Celine asked.

Vita smiles, "I was hiding. I am—or well, was at this point—the Second Anguis of Ouroboros, you would lose your plausible deniability if you were to be seen associating with me."

She then turns to Kurt and smiles in amusement, "You had the Auric Knight wait? An intriguing outcome."

"As I said, I simply do not think I am worthy yet," Kurt replied.

Crow chimes in, "Heh, forget about that. What about that reward you promised me?"

Vita smiles seductively, "Oh my, quite tempting to simply…give it here, but…I'm afraid both of us are on a bit of a tight schedule, don't you agree?"

Crow shrugs, "Guess so. From the report I received through the drone in Stargazer's Tower, that ashen guy is losing against the Aion, a bit pathetic honestly."

Wha—

"Instructor Rean?!" Altina shouts.

Kurt looks conflicted for a second before Crow waves him off, "Don't get too worked up, you don't need to summon your knight. It'll be lame if you do that now after that whole cheesy speech you did anyway. I'll handle this."

He then raises his hand and shouts, "Come, Ordine!"

Suddenly materializing out of nowhere with a blue light, is a blue knight I've seen during the civil war, the Azure Knight, Ordine.

Crow then vanishes in a blue light as he enters the cockpit and starts flying in the direction of the Stargazer's Tower.

I turn to Vita, "Can you teleport us to Stargazer's Tower?"

Crow said that he'd take care of it, but I can't help but be worried.

Vita nods, "I was going to do that, anyway. Help me out, Celine."

Celine nods, "Fine…I guess I'll fill in for Grianos."

Blue lights then appear below us before enveloping us completely.
The next moment, I could tell that we are on top of a tall structure…Stargazer's Tower.

We teleported right next to the Old Class VII, Prince Olivert, and Prince Cedric. All of them look like they have gone through quite the ordeal, with burnt marks and singed clothes everywhere. Prince Cedric, in particular, is unconscious laying on the ground, with Prince Olivert standing protectively in front of him. And then…in front of us is Valimar being pinned down by the purple Aion.

"Y-You guys!" Alisa exclaimed in surprise at our appearance.

Machias grits his teeth, "I'd appreciate you guys coming, but this situation is a bit too dire right now."

Kurt turns to Prince Olivert, "Your Highness, is Prince Cedric all right?"

"Cedric's fine, he's—"

Emma interrupts Prince Olivert, "That teleportation magic…that's…."

Celine nods at her, "Yeah, it's—Wait, where's Vita?!"

True, she was with us before, but she's no longer here. Did she not teleport with us?

Just then, Vita—no projection of Vita's image appears.

"Why, hello, everyone. I see all of you got there safely, sorry that I couldn't accompany you. Certain people there…would not be welcoming to me, I'm afraid," Vita said, looking at the two people in front of us, Campanella and McBurn.

"Why hello there, Vita, how nice of you to join us," Campanella greeted her.

"Tracking you down was a pain in the ass," McBurn added.

Emma immediately turns to Vita, "Vita, you—"

Vita smiles, "Heehee, I'd exchange more pleasantries, but first…"

She then turns to Instructor Rean, "Looks like you're in a bit of a pinch, Rean…Don't worry, a certain friend of yours will come soon."

"A certain...? Never mind, I don't know who it is, but even with a soldat, this situation is…" I hear Instructor Rean reply from inside Valimar.

Valimar then starts glowing. That is…from the civil war.

Celine immediately shouts, "No, you idiot! The charm will help you control your Ogre Form, but syncing it with Valimar is another thing!"

"Still, I have to—"

"Heh, that won't be necessary."

Just in time, from below, Ordine rises up, before swooping down, forcing the Aion to get off Valimar, before cleaving it in two with a double saber.

"Huh, guess you weakened it enough. Just needed one last push, I guess," Crow said from inside Ordine.

"T-That Divine Knight…" I heard Machias say from beside me.

Alisa turns to me, "Jessica, is that…"

I nod, "Crow Armbrust, most likely revived in the same way the Jaeger King was revived…by virtue of being an Awakener."

"By…being Awakener?" Instructor Rean said.

Campanella laughs, "Haha, as expected of Jessica, you have figured that part out. Ding Ding Ding!"

…It's not hard, really, I just work on the assumption that coincidences here are not actually coincidences, but patterns.

"Heh. I keep telling you…I don't know who this Crow guy is," Crow said, before turning to McBurn and Campanella, "I am…Azure Siegfried. In lieu of the Chief of the Gnomes, I greet you, Ouroboros."

Gnomes…? Who is that? Another new faction is involved.

McBurn smirked, "That so? Always thought it was a shame losing you, didn't expect you'd return this way though."

Campanella nods, "He looks very cool. Just what you would expect from the representative of Ouroboros' enemy."

"The Gnome…the ones who—together with the ancestor of the Hexen Clan—created the Divine Knights," Emma said.

Right…so currently this is a three-way secret war between Gnomes, Ouroboros, and the Chancellor? No, wait, four, if I assume the Church is involved.

Vita nods, "That's right, Emma. Though unlike the Hexen Clan, who simply hid ourselves…the Gnomes is a group that has been missing with almost no trace, for hundreds of years."

She turns to Crow, "I had my suspicion earlier, but I let it go since I needed your assistance. So you are part of the Gnomes."

"Heh. Sorry, does that cancel out my reward?"

"Mmm…maybe not, if you'll tell me some of the Gnomes' secrets."

"…Eh…too bad, gotta take a rain check, then."

Instructor Rean interrupts them, "H-Hold on! I'm not sure about the Gnomes…or this Azure Siegfried business but…you're Crow, right? Crow Armbrust?!"

Crow ignores him and instead points the double saber held by Ordine at Campanella and McBurn, "Now then…originally, I just came here to observe but…since I already destroy your toys, might as well make this more interesting, what do you two think?"

McBurn against a Divine Knight…I honestly don't know who would win, and that's a terrifying thought, a testament to how ridiculously powerful McBurn is.

McBurn smirks, "As much I wanted to…Can't right now. Our experiment is already over—not the result the Professor would like, but whatever."

Professor…from the Crossbell files I read, this is probably Professor Novartis, Sixth Anguis of Ouroboros.

McBurn then turns to Vita, "And besides…We have a witch to bag."

"Vita?!" Emma shouted in alarm turning to her sister.

Campanella gives Vita a smile, "Your familiar, Grianos, got taken out during the civil war. That means…to project this mirage, you have to be somewhere nearby, right?"

Vita smiles back at him, "I suppose there is no point in denying it, but…if you think you can capture me that easily, you'd be surprised."

McBurn smirks, "Interesting. Well, you better start running if you don't want us to get you. I'd rather you don't though, as I said, tracking you was a pain in the ass."

Lights then start to appear from below McBurn, a telltale sign that he's about to teleport away.

Campanella snaps his finger and lights start to appear below him too.

"Now then, since there is a big audience here…allow me, Representative of the Grandmaster, Enforcer No. 0, Campanella the Fool make my grand announcement…that Ouroboros' plan to retake the Phantasmal Blaze is in motion!"

Campanella is looking in our general direction, but his gaze is not directed at any of us in particular, in fact…he seems to be looking at something we can't see right in front of him. Is that…? Well, no point in pondering about that now.

"Whoops, almost forget," McBurn said as he turns to the direction of the Aion's remains.

"Gotta clean up," He said before the Aion's remains are engulfed in a dark red flame.

Even from where I'm standing, far away from it, I can feel the incredible heat, I can't imagine anything surviving that.

"Such power…the Blazing Demon indeed," Vita remarked.

McBurn and Campanella then disappear, and not long after, the flame subsides, leaving only the melted remains of the Aion.

"Well then…I suppose I had better leave now, if I tarry, I might really get caught," Vita said.

Emma turns to Vita, "Wait, Vita! If you're no longer the Anguis, you can come back with me to the village! We can help protect you!"

Vita shakes her head, "I will remain loyal to the Grandmaster of the Society until my dying breath, in that sense I can never truly return to the Hexen Clan."

The Grandmaster…what little mention of them in the reports both for Crossbell or Liberl only state that the Anguis are fiercely loyal to them, I guess that is true. Though if someone like Vita—who is on friendly terms with Class VII—remains loyal to them even after leaving for being vetoed six to one…I guess that's another point for Ouroboros is secretly the good guys with some issues 'twist'.

Vita continues, "Don't worry about me so much. I already have people to help me out—"

…Musse's people, most likely.

"—I do have things that I want to tell you and Grandmother, but as you heard from Campanella and McBurn…I need to run—both figuratively and literally. So I'm afraid that will have to wait until next time, Emma."

"Vita, but—"

"I'm sorry, Emma, but I really have to go, oh but one last thing…"

Vita then briefly gives a sweeping look at us, "Emma, Rean, and everyone else...know this, the story has already begun. The true story, the one whose ending I failed to change."

Story? Is she speaking figuratively or…

Prince Olivert speaks up, "By failing to change the ending…that would mean back on the Infernal Castel during the civil war?"

Vita nods, "Indeed, Your Highness. I failed to change it back then…the fairy tale that tells the end of Erebonia, Crossbell, and the entire world. Be careful, everyone. Oh, and Rean…be sure to teach a certain student of yours a thing or two about becoming an Awakener."

"Awak—huh?! What do you mean—"

Vita doesn't answer him and instead turns to Crow, "I guess I do have to save that reward for another time…I will see you around, 'Azure Siegfried'."

"Heh, I'll hold you to it," Crow replied from inside Ordine.

She then disappears.

Instructor Rean then addresses us, "What was she talking about, Awakener?!"

"Ah well, it's—" I started to say before Kurt steps forward, "It's me. I am the Awakener."

"What exactly happened over there?!" Instructor Rean asked.

He then turns to Celine, "Celine, you—"

Crow cut him off, "You can freak out later, Ashen Chevalier. For now, I got something to say to you."

"Crow, you—"

"As I keep saying to your students, I don't know who Crow is…nor do I care to know, I am Azure Siegfried, an agent of the Gnomes."

"You really…don't remember anything?" Alisa asked.

Emma adds, with a pained expression, "Not even…the field studies, or…the concert we threw at the School Festival?"

Crow scoffs, "No, but…"

He turns to Valimar, "I'll give you this, I do have this nagging feeling that I owe you something. But that's it. I've bailed you out and helped your students. I've more than repaid my debt, so—"

Instructor Rean cuts him off, "Unfortunately, you've forgotten that the International Bank of Rean charges the highest interest rate in Zemuria. After two years, that fifty Mira has grown to an astronomical debt. So no, you're not getting away from us."

…Those things probably hold significance between them.

"…Fifty Mira? You serious?"

Machias smirks, "Heh, Give it up, Crow. Rean's relentless about this friendship thing, I know first hand. Just give up now."

Instructor Rean pushes on, "Yeah. So I'm not giving up on you, Crow. Not on you coming back to us and not on you remembering everything again. From time in classes to our field studies, even that time you wrote 'Optimal Bounce Vector' and 'Show dem titties' in the girls' costume design for our concert."

"T-That was on the design?!" Alisa shrieked.

Emma sighs, "I-It's not used for the final design, though, right?"

"Haha, I don't think they went quite as far," Prince Olivert said in amusement.

Besides me, Juna looks scandalized, while Musse actually looks intrigued. As for me...I don't think I want to know about this optimal bounce vector.

"I…" Crow started saying before a round object appears beside Ordine.

It looks like a flying eyeball, so this is the 'drone' he was talking about.

A voice comes out from the flying eyeball, "Fall back, Siegfried. Your job there is done."

I noticed both Alisa and Altina freeze up for a moment, do they recognize the voice?

"…Heh, looks like my employer's calling. Guess I gotta go," Crow said, seemingly glad for the interruption.

"Fighting the Aion…helping the Auric Awakener in El-Prado's trial, you have done quite the unnecessary things, haven't you, Siegfried?" the mysterious voice continued.

"You didn't say anything about what I shouldn't do," Crow retorted.

"…We'll talk more about this. Later."

The eyeball drone disappears, as Ordine starts flying.

"Crow, wait—" Instructor Rean shouted.

Crow cuts him off, "Ashen Awakener, Auric Awakener, and the rest of Thors' Class VII…your performances today are…barely passable, but you guys are still far off from being able to join our battle. Brush up your skills for next time."

Ordine then flies off to the distance, disappearing behind the clouds.

AN. Nightmare is an annoying status effect that can be inflicted by the summons in CS1 Loa Erebonius' fight. Also, I'm curious does anyone know why El-Prado is named...El-Prado? It just seems really different from all the other names of the knights