Hello everyone here is the next chapter of the story, I hope you all enjoy it and I apologise, I said last chapter it would cover the rest of the free day and the practical exam. Unfortunately, work and life got in the way, so I didn't get to finish writing the scenes with Towa & Co rock concert and the exam, I will try to make up for it in the next chapter.
To souls, thanks for leaving a review on my story and always nice to see people enjoy my story.
Like always some info:
Spoken words are between " "
Thoughts are between ( )
The atmosphere inside the Noble Salon was getting quite tense as Jusis and Laura continued glaring at Charles Noir with Angelica supporting them, (Geez, now how do I resolve this quickly? And I also should learn how Noir found out about Tasogare Town.) Rean ignored the shocked looks he was now getting; the trio appearance may have been dramatic enough to make them temporally forget what exactly he had been accused of but seeing the way his friends were acting made the rest of the nobles suspicious that perhaps the accusation had been true, after all.
Among them was Patrick who recovered quickly and while several thoughts were swirling around his head, he stood up and called everyones attention, "This here is the Noble Committee and not some common bar, as such I would ask you, Lady Rogner, Lady Arseid and Lord Albarea to take a seat so that we can procced with this assembly. I think we should take our time sorting this matter out, of course if Schwarzer is innocent of the accusation then the Committee will apologise to him, however should they be true? Then he will have to face justice not just here at the academy but also in front of a true court."
After hearing what Patrick had to say, the other nobles agreed with him causing Jusis and Laura to switch their glares at him with Noir giving a confident smirk in return before he took his place in the middle of the room again. Having no choice the duo from Class VII along with Angelica let him have the space what no one noticed was that Rean gave Patrick a grateful look since he knew had he been the one to try to diffuse their standoff it would have only backfired and made a bigger mess, Hyarms gave him a barely noticeable nod in return.
"Never thought I would see the day where I wished that I had Regnitz Shotgun with me, it would cause a lot more pain than my sword could. Though if that weasel pushes things too far, then perhaps I will try that punishment of a thousand cuts that you told me about, Rean." Jusis statement was shared by a grim looking Laura who was already making mental notes on where she would start cutting.
"How about you two calm down a little? There is no need for all that, look at Angelica how she is keeping calm with this." Before either respond to Rean, the second year cut in, "That my friend is just façade, that use from time to time to deal with idiots like this, believe me I am more than ready to join them in whatever punishments they come up with."
Suppressing a groan at, the swordsman tried once more to cool them off but was interrupted once again but by Laura this time, "How come you aren't more upset about this, what happened to you in that place was a tragedy and now that bastard is trying to use it against you. Just wait until Alisa and the others hear about this, I don't believe this won't end without bloodshed."
"And that is exactly why you all should calm before planning for the worst let's see how this is going to play out and what kind of cards he has. No matter what with the tree of you here, Noir is forced to play by the rules if he can't present undeniable proof on what he is saying then the Noble Committee won't act on his behalf." Seeing that Rean was right they exchanged looks before pushing their anger down and concentrating on the play that was going to start.
Adjusting his uniform, Charles looked at the assembled nobles before continuing his speech from before, "My fellows Nobles, like I already said I stand before you all in the hopes of punishing someone who has committed a horrible crime, though it didn't occur here in the Empire but outside of it. The location shouldn't matter since this crime is so devastating that just as a simple human being, we should let the hammer of justice fall down on the perpetrator."
Stopping there he glanced around and noted with satisfaction that nearly everyone was hanging on his words, he waited a few moments more to add a more dramatic flair to his speech, "As you all are aware my father is Xavier Noir who is entrusted by his Majesty the Emperor to build diplomatic ties with the nations to the East and as his sole heir, he has started to take me with him during his trips to aid him and prepare me when I am going to take over his work which is why I sometimes am gone from the academy. In was on one such trip to the Eastern Quarter in Calvard that I came across of a poor survivor from the place where that demon destroyed their peaceful lives."
Raising his voice he pointed at Rean who quickly used his hands to push down his classmate who tried to stand up, he ignored the glares sent his way and focused on Noir, (Someone on from Tasogare Town was in Calvard?...Ah, I think I am getting an idea who it was and if that is the case then he doesn't much proof besides a verbal accusation which means he will definitely try to..)
Like Rean had expected what followed was tale painting him as the worst kind of monster possible, he saw how horrified some nobles looked while others glared at him. He had to put even more force in his hands to keep his friends down while they listened how Noir was talking about him.
The swordsman was glad that a certain archer wasn't here to listen to this since he knew that it would have been impossible to stop her from beating the nobles up, seeing that Charles was nearing the end of his accusation Rean whispered to his friends to let him handle this alone, the looks he received in return were reluctant but changed quickly when he told them what he was going to plan. There was another round of shared glances, but they relented in the end but only under the condition that they would intervene if Charles took thing too far.
"As you heard, we can't let this go because if we do than what does that make us?! Rean Schwarzer must be punished for his crimes; this is why I have called this meeting to deal him his punishment here at the academy and then we should bring this to the official court so that he may receive further punishment. My fellow nobles what are your thoughts on this?!" Murmurs filled the room at that question, but before anyone could answer Rean stood up drawing everyone attention to him as he stepped forward to the middle of the room.
"Since you called this a 'trial' then now it should be my turn to defend myself, shouldn't it?" Sneering Charles was going to deny him that since in his original plan it was supposed to be only him accusing him without giving Rean to defend himself but seeing the glares being sent his from two members of Four Great Houses along with the heir of House Arseid made him sallow his words, though he was still going to try deny him any way to defend himself but before he could another voice rang from one side of the room.
"You are right, Schwarzer. The Noble Committee prides itself on being fair and righteous in the way it conducts its meetings as such it is your right to present your defence in front of us so that we may judge this matter fairly."
Several looks of surprise were thrown towards Patrick along with a look of betrayal coming from Noir as he had never expected that his classmate would side with that false noble but now with three members of the Four Great Houses getting involved in this there was no way to stop Rean. Clicking his tongue, Charles stepped away from letting the swordsman have the floor who immediately spoke, "I think we all have wasted enough with this so I won't make any long speeches about my innocence, I will just ask this. Charles Noir, do you have any irrefusable proof for your claims besides the words of a Jaeger you met in a foreign country?"
Eyes wide Charles looked at him, (How does he know from who I got this?! How?!...No, what is important right now is to stop him from changing the image of him that I painted…) However, the next words leaving Rean mouth stopped him in his tracks, "You know what it doesn't matter if you have or don't proof, since I admit that I was involved in the destruction of that town!"
Silence fell at Rean admission even his friends were stunned at that, for a few heartbeats no one side anything without noticing a wide grin spread across his face after recovering his wits, "AHA! So, you admit it! That you are guilty of those crimes, no need for any further discussion we should call the provincial army to come quickly and….."
"However, I wasn't the only involved in levelling that place. What that jaeger probably didn't tell you was that monster had also attacked that day." Charles couldn't finish his sentence before Rean cut him off, causing him to stop in confusion along with the rest of the room. Suddenly understanding what the swordsman was doing, Jusis called out to him, "Perhaps you should explain in greater detail what happened on that day, so that they may understand just why you were involved."
"Very well, as you all may know the eastern part of the continent isn't as prosperous as the West, but the actual situation is even worse than what you have heard. Fertile lands are disappearing fast leading to some region having a shortage of food which for now is being countered by several countries working together but that is only among people. That isn't the case for monsters though which causes them to leave their territories in search of nourishment sometimes it is just some monsters but other times it is several hundred or thousands of monsters who are searching for food. Such groups often attack nearby towns, destroying them in the process, these attacks are called a 'Stampede' some towns have groups of fighters or bracers to protect them from such attacks but not all are able to afford that protection."
Rean stopped there letting the room soak in his explanation some looked like they didn't understand where he was going with this, but the sharper ones did, Charles grimaced when also noticed it but was helpless to stop him. "Tasogare Town was a small town along the coast it wasn't big, but its surroundings did provide enough foods that they didn't have any worry in that aspect…..!"
He stopped speaking for a moment as he noticed something, but he put it aside for the moment, "The day it was destroyed it was attacked by a Stampede, me along with four bracers tried to slow down the attacking monsters long enough that the habitants could run for safety. As you already know we weren't strong enough to save the town and I can admit that during the fight I made use of my surroundings to attack the monsters as much as I could which resulted in me destroying the townspeople property, that is something that I can't deny. Which is why I can admit that I 'helped' in the destruction of that place."
By now everyone in the room understood that Rean had been forced by circumstances to 'destroy' the town, the nobles started to change their perspective of him, seeing this Charles tried to discredit his efforts, "If that was the case, then why did that jaeger claim that you alone were responsible for earing his hometown?!" Spotting ab opening in the noble's attack Jusis jumped right in, "So you do admit that the one who informed you was a jaeger! You believed the words of a foreign jaeger over trusting your own fellow noble?! And you didn't bring any proof of those claims, you have brought shame upon House Noir!"
Stepping besides Rean, Jusis addressed the whole room, "As for why that man claimed that Rean had destroyed that place, that is easy to explain. We Nobles are required to protect the common people and sometimes that requires making decisions that they don't always like or understand. Rean Schwarzer showed that day a part of what it means to be a noble, he fought for those people and despite not having any duty to do so, he still did. In the end the town may be gone but its people are still alive, how many times have we not seen our elders do the same for our people?! We protect them and guide them even if it means that they resent us for it but isn't that part of Noblesse Oblige?!"
By playing onto their pride as nobles, Jusis directed them to focus on the fact that Rean had done his duty as a noble, they may hold his position in disdain since he was adopted into the Schwarzer family but the fact that most of them had seen how the common people, (in their view) were ungrateful against their betters made Jusis explanation easier to accepted. Discreetly rolling his eyes at his friend, Rean whispered to him, "Not what I had in mind but now it is too late to change it."
"I know but my way was faster, besides I don't know about you but me and Laura are running out of patience with that guy, another five minutes with him and the circumstances be dammed I will punch him." Snorting at that Rean was going to say something but was distracted by Patrick clearing his throat, "I see your point, Lord Albarea. Unless Charles can't show us proof that Schwarzer lied to us, I don't see any reason why he should be punished for his actions, just to be throughout with this how old were you when that happened?"
"I was fourteen at that time." The revelation that he had been so young at the time just further showed how ridiculous those claims were, how could a child of fourteen years destroy a town? Though they were some people who also defended Charles from any repercussions saying that he had acted with such haste because he had been worried and so on, some accepted those explanations, but some reserved their judgment, feeling that things weren't so simple, with that done the nobles started to leave causing only a few stranglers to remain.
Seeing how his plan was foiled caused Charles to quiver with rage though he wasn't going down without a fight, (If that wasn't enough then I will just have to create something for the next time and then I will make sure that he is expelled or better yet thrown into jail!)
As if sensing his thoughts Rean looked at him, deciding himself that this was enough, he calmly approached Charles but was stopped another noble barring his way, it was the one who had faked the request for his help and lead him to the salon. The swordsman was going to sidestep him but stopped when Angelica swung her arm around the noble shoulder, to the untrained eyes it was a simple hold, but Rean saw how quickly she could take hold of his throat.
Seeing the fear in his eyes he seemed to realise the danger he was in, "Rean since this entire farce is warping up, do you mind if I and my friend here take our leave? I wanted to talk about that request of his, because I think some points were unclear and as a good friend of Towa it is my duty, no, my privilege! To make sure that every request that is made is properly handled, so see you later and good look with your remaining request."
The noble looked at Charles begging him to safe him from Angelica Rogners wrath, but one look into her eyes and he knew that nothing he could say would save his accomplice, both first years watched how with each step the noble did the paler he became until they were out of the room. Regaining his composure, Noir sneered at Rean, "Don't even think for a second that this is over, Schwarzer! Albarea, Arseid and Rogner may have helped you out this time, but they can't always be around to save you and next time I will make sure that your classmates aren't anywhere you!"
"I am going to be honest here, I knew from the beginning that you didn't like me though I have no idea why. As long you didn't cross my bottom line, I would take the rumours that you are spreading around or the subtle harassment you were doing in the background, heck if Angelica hadn't caught on the fact that one of my requests was a fake I would even have let this one go without my classmates finding out about this, but….."
The air around Rean suddenly changed with the temperature dropping, acting on instinct Noir took a step back, "The moment you mess with my classmates, all bets are off! The only reason you approached them was because you wanted to get closer to Alisa and perhaps also Jusis and Laura, despite being aware of it, I remained quiet because I don't have any right to interfere with who they spend their time or are friends with. Now I am telling you to stay the hell away from them, because you were right, I am a demon!"
The sudden change in his voice and pressure pushed Noir further away, having achieved his goal the ogre dialled his power back down, "Besides, you and your father will be busy for the next months, since you will have to deal with some of your 'unsavoury' business suddenly seeing the light of day, like for example the fact that House Noir has ownership of some casinos in the capital under several false names just to line their pockets without the government knowing that alone will resulte in some pretty heavy fines for tax evasion and that is just the tip of the iceberg that will come to light during the next days."
"!How do you know about that?!" Like a fish the pale noble was opening and closing his mouth not having excepted that reveal, his thoughts were racing, what else could Rean know about, deciding that he should warn his father as soon as possible he practically ran away, "As funny as it is to see him run away like that, I would find it more satisfying if we could just beat him up."
"Now, now Laura that isn't how a lady should act. You should say that you would rather have a nice and long sparring session with him, of course the end result would be the same but as nobles we do have a certain image to uphold, don't we Rean? Can I assume that he now is aware what kind of trouble he is going to be in?" Both of his classmates approached after seeing Noir running away, though Jusis question made Laura look sharply at both of them, "It looks like you two were already ready to deal with him, can I ask why you waited until now?"
Jusis simply pointed at Rean as an answer to her question, "Because he didn't cross his bottom line before but now? Let's just say it may be a while before we see him again." Curious about what exactly they had done, she would have asked if Patrick hadn't chosen this moment to make his way towards them, "It looks like you dodged the matter this time Schwarzer but do keep your guard up. Charles can be rather stubborn in some matters and his family has enough power to make things difficult even here at the academy."
"Thanks for the warning, Patrick but I think that I will be fine for a while. Still, I will keep an eye on him when he returns and thank you for your help during this mess."
"Hmph, I have no idea what you are talking about, I just did my duty as a member of House Hyarms, nothing more. Now if you will excuse me, I have some matters to attend to." They watched as he left with Jusis commenting on his behaviour, "I am not sure if he was trying to help your or not but thinking back, he was acting a bit more in your interest than that of his classmates and he did give you that warning last month. Perhaps there is some for the third Hyarms son after all, however it is a small hope."
"If he can correct his arrogant behaviour, I wouldn't mind sparring with him, I do hear that he is quite good at fencing." Rolling his eyes at the two of them discussing Patrick, he did try to defend hm, "At the beginning he may have had a big head but lately I get the feeling that he is starting to mellow out." Shaking his head at his friend's optimism Jusis started to go down the stair, "I will believe that when pigs fly, Rean."
"Well, I think you said the same thing at the start of the year, about you working together with Machias and now look at you now, being good friends with him and all that." The teasing resulted in the blond noble trying to defend himself, but it was ignored with Laura joining though she did stop when a thought occurred to her, "By the way, are you going to tell the rest of our class about what happened or will keep quiet about it, Rean?"
He rolled his eyes at Laura's question, "If I did that after what just happened Alisa and the others would murder me, so yes, I will tell them, besides even if they didn't hear from me, rumours about what just happened will soon make their rounds in Trista. But only after we are in the old building to make sure that a certain someone doesn't go storming after Noir to kill him."
"Oh, do you really think Alisa would kill him? What would she do with the body afterwards then?"
"I don't think Sharon was joking when she offered me help in disposing dead bodies and given how does everything else so perfectly, I am certain she would even come up with the perfect alibi for Alisa." Both of them were chuckling until they realised that perhaps Rean was right about the maid, as such they agreed with him that they would tell the others about what happened when they were inside the old schoolhouse.
Afterwards, Rean invited them to Kirsches for a meal as thanks for their support, in this matter, sometime later Class VII plus Sara meet up and approached the elevator where like they had already suspected was the symbol for sixth floor lit up.
"Hmm, looking at the panel now all the lights are on, does that mean the sixth floor is the last one?" The rest thought about Elliot's question, with Emma taking the lead in answering, "I am not sure, but I do think that it is too early to reach the final floor, perhaps something else will happen after we cleared the sixth floor?"
(So, judging by that look we are still not done with this place, though what do you mean by something else, Emma? No matter we are going to take this step by step and see where it takes us.) Reans thoughts were interrupted as Alisa looked at him, "I just hope that this time around a certain swordsman doesn't disappear or has to face a monster alone."
"Yikes, you make it sound like it is somehow my fault."
"Hmm, I still haven't ruled that possibility out, you know." Ran faked at being offended at that accusation with his hand over his heart, "I would never do something like that, how dare you accuse me like that, Reinford." Causing the others to laugh at his theatrics, the two soon fell into their usual bickering (more like flirting by Fie's and everyone else opinion) routine until Machias asked something, "I just remembered that I saw Charles Noir leaving Trista looking quite pale, does anyone know something about?"
Besides three everyone else shook their heads, a fact that wasn't missed, "Do you know something and is it something fun?" Rean ignored Millium's question and just pushed the button for the sixth floor quickly, a bit confused at that Alisa eyes sharpened into a glare when she him avoid her eyes. Releasing a sigh the archer slowly approached him, "Alright, what happened?", he would have moved away but since the elevator was still going down, he didn't have much leeway so, he stood his ground, "How about I tell you when we have arrived and made sure that everything safe and then we can talk?"
Alisa simply raised an eyebrow at before turning to look at the other two, "Why do I get the feeling whatever is going on is going to severely piss me off?" They both shared an amused look, "Actually, you are completely right which is why he is waiting for us to arrive down there just to make sure that you won't go and kill someone right away, nevertheless you won't be going alone me, and the rest will go with you. We just have to pass by the dorm and get Sharon, her skills in making dead bodies disappear is going to useful real soon."
Now that statement caught the others complete attention, drawing attention away from the swordsman but not for long now he had his classmate's attention along with his instructor who recalled something that she heard in passing when she left the teachers' lounge, "I heard Noir asked for leave from the academy for an unspecified amount of time. Did you catch him peeking under Alisa's skirt or something like that and threatened to kill him? Is that why he ran?"
A horrified Alisa looked at him, but he quickly calmed her down, "No, nothing like that! If that happen, he already would be dead or at least heavily maimed and not have left the school in one piece." If that had happened in any other situation, she would have been touched at that but now, her mind was already thinking of possible scenarios that would get her mad enough to want to kill someone and that the others would her with the murder, "We have arrived, so let's get this over. What kind of rumour did he spread now about you, Rean?...What don't look so surprised, did you really think I didn't know it was him?"
"Eh…, I thought so?"
"Rean, I am a Reinford. I grew up with people approaching me with ulterior motifs, in that environment you learn quickly on how to spot someone like that. The only reason why I didn't act or say anything was because I didn't want the situation to worsen if I interfered though the last ones really tested my patience and depending on what you are going tell me, I may have to borrow some experimental weapons Mothers has been making. Go on, spill it." A stunned Rean looked at her before he shook his head in amusement but that feeling disappeared quickly, he approached and put both his hand on her shoulders to keep her in place.
A sudden whistling sound came from Crow but was ignored by Rean, "Charles Noir created a trial with the other nobles and tried to get me into trouble with the authorities by bringing up what happened in Tasogare Town." You could hear a pin drop when he finished speaking, for several moment no one said anything till Alisa took a deep breath and smiled at him while her eyes were far colder than his had ever been even when he used the 'Frozen Heart' technique, "I just remembered I forgot something in the dorm, would you mind if I went back quickly to get it?"
Not falling for that on, he didn't let her go though she did try her best to get out, he quickly glanced the others and found that they also were ready to murder Noir while Millium and Crow just looked confused, (Oh, right. I did explain to them about my power but not what happened back then. I guess I should do that after we are done here, for now I should make sure that Alisa doesn't kill him.)
"Rean please let me go, I promise I won't go kill Noir. That would be far too lenient of a punishment, no, no he will be left alive though he will wish that he was dead when I get my hands on him."
"I am touched that you would go that far for me, but I need you to calm down and not do anything that you will regret later, the same goes for the rest of you too!" He caught how Fie was slowly making her way towards the elevator but stopped when she heard, "Give us one good reason why we shouldn't go find that piece of *?" Normally either Emma or Machias would have scolded the young girl for that type of language, but they were too angry for that and waited for his answer, "Because murder, mutilations and ripping limps off is against the law?"
"Only if we get caught Rean, besides I am sure that Dad will be more than happy to let us have some off the record location where we can take our sweet time with him. Didn't you say you knew some old torture techniques your ancestors used during tribal wars in the Nord?"
"Yes, and luckily for us last time when Rean told us about what happened, I wrote a letter to my family asking for some copies of those and they arrived today in the mail. Looks like it is the will of Goddess that they are going to be used soon." Normally Rean would have been touched at their protectiveness towards him but now he just wished that he had at least two more arms to keep the archer from moving, "(Aidios where is she getting all this strength from?!) Guys, no one is breaking the law today alright?! He has already left, and I am sure it will be quite a while before we see him again, we should concentrate on investigating the new floor instead of getting distracted."
That managed to stop them from plotting anymore torture, "Oh? And why is that? Does it have any reason why he ran or was that because he knew that he was screwed?"
"I may have asked Micht to pass some anonymous tips to Captain Claire in regards to some illegal activities House Noir is involved, I think it is safe to assume that his father won't be too pleased with his son for having caused all that trouble. If we are luckily, he may even pull him out of the academy."
"What kind of illegal activities are we talking about here, Rean? Because I could give my father a call to smoothen Captain Claires action?"
"Some tax evasion, making under the table deals and so on, nothing too heavy but enough to set them back for either weeks or months. Can you promise me that if I let you go now you won't run and start hunting for him?" Her eyes were still far too cold for his liking, but she slowly nodded, and he return he took his hands off her shoulder, but they remained close in case she tried to run. She looked at him and he back at her no one said anything until she sighed, "Fine, fine! I won't do anything so explain everything that occurred during that so called trial."
For that part he let Jusis and Laura explained while keeping a close eye on the archer, after everything was done it was Reans turn to tell Crow and Millium about what happened in Tasogare Town, just like with his classmates two months ago both were pissed and doubly so since now they understood how low Noir had sunken by trying to make Rean take responsibility for that. Finally, after he had calmed everybody down, they could start with the investigations of the new floor unfortunately for the monsters Class VII was so angry that they literally steamrolled them to the point that Rean felt sorry for them.
They did their usual preparation before taking on the floor boss, this time they had to deal with appeared to be two big suits of armour wielding a great sword each attacking them. Rean, Gaius, Fie and Laura were the front line with Crow, Jusis and Millium taking the middle for support and defence of the rear, the others started preparing their Orbal Arts for this fight.
The front fighter split into two groups with each one taking an armour on, Laura landed the first strike with her Craft 'Earth Cleaver' causing her target to slit a few arges back not missing that opportunity Gaius followed suite by using 'Savage Fang' to push it even further away. On the other Rean and Fie were using their basics attack to keep it occupied and on the same spot, switching between attacking from different directions the monster wasn't fast enough to keep up with them causing its attacks to miss every time though their attacks weren't able to deal much damage, they did their job of pinning it down.
The moment both monsters were far away from each other, Class VII changed their tactics both the middle and back line finished charging their Orbal Arts and landed on the targets causing some damage but thanks their thick armour they managed to survive it, (From all the monsters this place has thrown at us they may have the highest defence it won't be easy to break though, we could keep our current tactics and simply bombarded them enough Arts to destroy them. The problem with that is if we have enough EP chargers to keep up and if they disregarded everything and start charging around the room, if that happens it will be too difficult to defeat them unless Instructor Sara joins us. Perhaps we could re-use that old trick, it should prove even more effective than last time.)
Having decided on a plan Rean told the others about it and then they went to work, to assure that they could accomplish it, the swordsman made one change in the plan unlike the bosses at the second floor they would target only one monster and would repeat the process with the other one if it worked. Like a well-oiled machine Class VII went to work, Rean and Fie kept using their speed to their advantage preventing it from moving while the rest finished their preparation.
Jusis unleashed the strongest Aerial Dust art that he could which was immediately followed by Alisa's Purgatorial Flame causing a Flame Tornado to appear trapping the armour in it. The grey steel armour started to turn red as the temperature continued to rise the moment the flames started to die out it was immediately hit by Emma and Elliot's Christal Flood encasing it in ice which last for a few second as steam started to appear around thanks to it being cooled down so quickly. Next Crow and Machias used armour piercing bullets to further weaken its defence with cracks appearing on it, not missing that window Laura attacked its legs with her Radiant Waltz while Gaius used Calamity Hawk to descend upon its upper body.
Those attacks were the last straw, incapable of taking it anymore the monster broke into a light shower but instead of disappearing like a normal monster the light particles rushed towards its comrade and were absorbed inside. A blinding light appeared from it, the only thing that saved both Rean and Fie from being smashed by its sword was that the swordsman immediately used his technique Inner Eye to 'see' the attack, he grabbed Fie and jumped away just in the nick of time. The blast from it pushed them away even further opening their eyes the students saw that on the armour were now glyph like symbols glowing judging from the speed and strength it just attacked those symbols seemed to strengthen it immensely.
"Come on! This place really keeps us on our toes, got any other plans on how to deal with this one now Rean? I doubt the previous one will work again." Despite his complains Crow didn't stop shooting at the monster however his bullets weren't able to penetrate it thanks to these glowing symbols, the others followed suite with Laura and Gaius joining the fight. "I do have two more plans that could work but before we use them, I could try something else and I will admit that it could be reckless, still I didn't have an opportunity until now to test it out in real combat."
A flaming arrow exploded on the attacking great sword causing it to divert form its path making it easier for Laura to counterattack, "Are you kidding me?! How about hell no! If even, you say that it is reckless than I can't even imagine what kind of idea you have inside your head." The others supported the archer response, still Rean didn't give up he slid between its legs to avoid its swing and attack right in the knee hoping to stagger it which didn't work, "What if Millium gives me one of her Adamantine Shields that should keep me safe in case it doesn't work and even if it doesn't I am pretty sure that my attack can weaken it to the point that it would be easier to defeat."
Class VII waited for Alisa's answer, the archer grinded her teeth together but relented in the end, "Fine! Millium apply your shield on him, and Rean? One scratch on you and this will be the last time, you hear?!"
"Thanks Alisa! Guys, after Millium is done retreat back to the others but be ready to jump back in to finish it off." They followed his orders leaving the swordsman alone to face the monster, taking a deep breath Rean focused his attention on the armour ignoring everything else while he sheathed his tachi back into its scabbard and holding it in one hand, coating it with the black Void Ki.
A second later his ogre power appeared changing his appearance along with his aura but unlike what they had seen before this time the ogre's aura seemed to be a bit closer to a mix between Reans usual one and the ogre's. He disappeared in a flash, using the movement speed provided by the second form to move forward as fast as he could, the moment he arrived at attacking distance he stopped using the momentum from his sudden stop to rotate in place with his tachi ready to be drawn, this time he combined both the fourth and the sixth form in one move making his slash appear so fast that it left a black trail in the air while at the same time the sound of steel being cut appeared inside the amour.
A black slashing projectile appeared from inside the monster as it cut its ways out of it and landed on the wall causing it to be damaged, the glowing symbols dimmed out until they vanished and with it the monster also exploded into the usual light particles leaving heaps of sepith along with a painting Rean that was on his knee grasping for air.
(I swear, one of these days he is truly going to give me a heart attack!) Not hesitating Alisa ran towards him with the rest right behind her, "Hey….pant,pant….it worked! Now…. I just…have to….build….my…body….up….to endure….it!" Several healing arts landed on him, along with Elliot and Emma given him a check-up to see if he was fine, during that time Sara made her way towards the damaged wall. (I can't believe it, he actually managed to scratch it. Me and Neithardt tried our hardest to try and break it but nothing not even one small scratch was made and now Rean did this. Good heavens, just how strong was that attack of his?!)
The archer waited until they were done before asking how he was, the answer however surprised her and the others, "He isn't hurt at all, not even the backlash from using his power appeared, he is just exhausted!" Having caught his breath now, he explained to them just why that was the case, "Since coming back from Crossbell, I managed to progress a little with my power. I can now use it in two ways my old one where the backlash hurts me or the new one where I just pay for it with my stamina and Ki. Of course, compared to old one, the power output from the ogre isn't that great though it does give me more strength and speed than a normal person but nothing too exaggerated. That one is more of suited to be used for an S-Craft instead of fighting normally, both ways have their advantages though I hope that I can improve to point where I can use my ogre power without consuming too much stamina and Ki."
The students along with Sara who heard his explanation digested this new information, "So does that mean you are closer to mastering your ogre power?" Gaius helped his friend up while asking at the same time, causing Rean to shake his head, "No, I am nowhere close to it. There is still much to improve before I can claim that but at the very least, I can say that I have taken the first step in that long road."
"I see, then what about that technique that you used it was nothing like your usual forms, I can't even say which it belonged to. It looked more a combination of several forms used together."
"Good eyes, Laura. You are correct, first I used Gale to move as fast as I could, then Helix to further speed up by making use of its rotation, then I combined the drawing technique from Morning Moon with the Scarlet Sky. The slash that followed was the best one that I can currently use, anything beyond that is impossible."
The others were speechless at what they were hearing while most didn't practice swordsmanship after five months together with Rean and Laura they understood enough, how much work went into creating that technique, "Then what happened at the end, it looked like your attack came from inside the monsters body cutting it open in the back while leaving the front untouched?"
Now that Fie mention it that seemed to be the case indeed, chuckling Rean explained that part, "You know how the sixth form allows me to 'shoot' slashing projectile out by drawing my sword as fast as possible and the moment I draw the projectile is already being created and normally it is close my tachi's blade. But by using it in combination with the fifth form and my ogre power it doesn't have to be, I can create it a few reges away from it meaning that if I can get close enough to my opponent I can make it appear inside their bodies which you already have seen the results. This technique is definitely something to use against monsters only and not humans, but I can't deny that against this type of monster it is going to be really useful."
Silence reigned in the room with everyone starring at the swordsman like he had sprout two heads, "Rean, I say this with no malice but sometimes you scare me. How does one come up with such an idea?!" The others nodded at Jusis outburst, making Rean chuckle at the sight, "I am not the first one that came up with this type of technique, there are several schools that combine hand to hand combat with it in the East. They call it an 'Internal Attack' instead of just attacking the outer body."
"Sigh, the more I hear about the place the more I can't wait to visit, so many martial arts to see and experience." Alisa ignored Laura yearning and focused on the black-haired boy, "So the reason you said that it was a bit reckless was because you need to be extremely close for it to work, huh. But since you asked for Millium to create an Adamantine Shield for you in case something goes wrong, I can say that you are starting to think things a bit more through instead of just acting. It may be a small step but like you said it was the first one in the right direction, so this time you get away without being scolded."
He released the breath he had been holding in, feeling immensely relieved at how things had turned out, he ignored the snickering from his classmates at his relief when he noticed something else, "No tremor this time again and nothing seems to have changed here, perhaps something happened in the elevator room? Should we start going back, and see?"
"We should but we aren't using the teleporter this time but are walking and you aren't leaving my side, mister." To make her point, Alisa grabbed his arm and started to drag him away ignoring the whistling from Crow and Fie, on the way back they didn't run into any monster, and nothing has changed in the room, but Alisa and the rest were still on high alert in case something else was going to happened.
Only when they were outside the building did they relax a bit, "Buh, this is it? I was expecting something more from the final floor, what a letdown." Millium was pouting at the lack of excitement which caused Jusis to snort loudly at the display, Sara was the last to leave so she closed the door, "Noting wrong with some boredom from time to time, since nothing happened then I can make the report by myself to the principal besides I do have some business with him to discuss. (Heinrich that slimeball is the advisor for the Noble Committee, I will bet my entire stash of beer that he knew about Noir plans. Normally I would rush straight at him beat him up but this time he crossed a line he shouldn't have so I will go straight to the top and make a fuss.)"
Sara ignored the pointed look of Rean who seemed to know what she was thinking and left, the others followed her and went their separate but not before Rean reminded them that murder and torture were against the law and that they should focus on finding something to do for the festival instead, "(I really appreciate that they are so worried about but no need to break the law for it, last thing I want is to get them into trouble because of me.) How long are you going to keep staring at me from there, Celine?" He looked at the bushes where after waiting for a few moments the black cat walked out, looking warily at him, "This is the first time since I came back from Legram that you showed yourself to me for the last weeks you have looked at while hiding, did I scare you and Emma that badly?"
Not really expecting an answer he bends down to pet her but was avoided, "Ah, come on. I already talked with Emma about it this morning, I will give her the same courtesy I got from her and the others. If and when she is ready to talk about whatever is going inside there me and Class VII will be there to listen. It surely can't be anything more shocking than my ogre power, can't it?"
Silence was all he got but he could have sworn that she rolled her eyes but decided that he had to have imagined it, "See you later Celine."
He decided that he still had some time before he should go meet Towa, so he toured around the campus both in hope to help people and to perhaps find inspiration for the Festival, after a while he did find someone who looked like he needed help. Patrick seemed to be down compared to the usual haughty look he wore, deciding that perhaps he could pay him back for his help with the Noble Committee, "Hey, Patrick did something happen? Perhaps I can help?"
"What are you doing here, Schwarzer?"
"Not a whole lot, just passing through but coming back to my question. Did something happened?" For a moment it looked like he was going to say what was bothering but decided against it in the end, "….Nothing that has to do with you."
"(For all of his noble posturing, Patrick worries about things like anyone else.) It is plain to see that something is bothering you, if you think that I am asking just that you would owe a favour, then don't. Think of it that I want to repay your help for this morning."
Patrick closed his eyes and sighed, "You are strange one, Schwarzer. If you want to repay my imagined help to you then very well. To be frank, I am a bit concerned about Celestin. For the last week or he has been acting rather…..odd, for lack of a better term. Normally he would reprimand me if I let my pride go to my head and he has taken to spoiling me too. I don't know what to think about all this and whenever I bring it up, he simply brushes me off. I know that I am not…..the most mature person but I had thought after being together for so many years, he knew that he could trust me with his worries."
"Or perhaps he isn't talking about it because he doesn't want to involve those he cares about. How about I try to talk with him perhaps I can get something out of him since I am an outsider?"
"You truly wouldn't mind? Then I leave it to you to uncover the truth." After asking him where Celestin could be, Rean left the campus to search for the butler, it took him quite a bit of time to track him and when he did, Celestin saw right through the reason why he was looking for him. So, he explained the reason behind his recent behaviour to the student, it turned out that Patrick father had asked him to return so that he may take on a new post. He was reluctant to leave his young master behind as such he made the compromise that would take on his new workload while staying behind in Trista which caused his recent odd behaviour.
Now having talked about it with Rean caused him to come to the conclusion that he should tell both the Marquis and Patrick about his feeling in regards to leaving Trista, not wasting anymore time he went to call the Marquis and asked Rean to convey the truth along with a message for Patrick that they would talk about this later. The swordsman agreed and returned to the young Hyarms to explain the situation, "I see, he has been ordered to return to Saint-Ark, yet he is still doing everything in his power to prevent that from happening…Hmph, trying to take action without consulting me, how foolish."
"And yet you seem so happy about that." Startled Patrick schooled his face back into a frown, "Happy? Sometimes I wonder what colour your sky is, Schwarzer. However you did help me out with, as such thank you….Rean.. With this consider us even, you don't owe me anything and neither do I." Blinking Rean thought he had just misheard but the way Patrick was avoiding his eyes confirmed it that had truly heard it, "You are more than welcome, Patrick. Well, I will leave now see you tomorrow."
Done with that Rean stepped outside and made his way towards the academy field to watch the setting sun before meeting with Towa, to his surprise it seemed like he wasn't the only thinking like that. "Fancy meeting you here, Alisa. It has been a short time since our last meeting."
"Are you trying to be funny, Rean? Because if you are then sorry it wasn't." The archer gave him a side eye before grinning at him, "Then why are you grinning?"
"Grinning? Who is, perhaps you need to have your eyes checked?" Rean walked towards a tree that overlooked the field and patted the grass next to him as an invitation for her to sit, no one said anything they just enjoyed each other company and the setting sun. "I have to say I wasn't expecting that the final floor of the old schoolhouse would be this anti climatic, but like Instructor Sara said sometime a little boredom is good."
"If you only that were true, Alisa."
"….Were you planning to say that inside your head but let it slip it out by mistake?"
"Nope, I meant to say it out loud and while I can't say why I know that I would rather warn you in case something happens."
"…..And what exactly are you expecting to happen?" Shrugging his shoulders he looked at her, "I don't have the slightest idea only that it will probably involve me in some fashion." Groaning out loud at that response Alisa thought for a bit but in the end leaned against him, "Any chance we can somehow avoid that?"
"With my luck? I don't think so, though I will admit that I am eager to resolve the mystery of that place, anyway how about we switch the conversation to something else? How did lacrosse practice this morning go?" The archer snorted at that and gave him a light punch to his ribs, "That was a lame attempt on changing the conversation, mister. But it was good, now that Ferris and I have become friends, she still does challenge regularly but now it is all to better herself instead of just proving that she is better than me. I would how ask your morning was but I already know it or is there something else you have forgot to mention?"
Chuckling Rean was going to answer but stopped for a moment when he recalled something, a pause that didn't go unnoticed by the archer who now looked directly at him but before she could say something else, the swordsman answered, "You already know most of it and while I could have done without that trial, it made me notice something that I have overlooked for years and now in hindsight I can see that perhaps there was more to what happened to Tasogare Town than I assumed, that however is something for me to deal with in the future. For now, I am just going to concentrate on the upcoming Festival, field studies and classes besides it isn't like I can make a trip back to the East to confirm my suspicions."
"Just to be absolutely clear, Schwarzer. If you do make that trip, I am coming with you and no matter what you say, it won't change my mind." Contrary to Alisa's expectations he didn't even try to talk her out of it, he just looked at her with gentle eyes and a soft smile that her heart skips a beat, "I already thought this, but I am truly grateful to the Goddess to have meet you, I don't know where I would be without you."
"(I knew he would give a heart attack one day, but I didn't think it would be because how sweet he could be, argh stop it!) You would probably be still here at Thors running around playing gopher for everyone while training yourself to the ground but I….understand what you mean, meeting you is also something I am grateful for. Which is why I want to show you that you truly deserve to be happy, no matter what you think. I and the rest of Class VII will show you that because to us….to me you are worth it!"
(Don't be selfish, don't be selfish! She is your friend no need to make her uncomfortable just because you can't control your feelings!) His brain was saying something but was promptly ignored by his heart, who had control over his body, Reans hand took one side of her face and started to stroke iz slowly with his thumb, he noticed the slight hitch of breath she did but before he could react she leaned firmly against his hand while looking directly into his eyes, "Careful now Alisa, you have given me more than I deserve already just by being my friend, keep this up and I may end being greedy for more."
"…And that would be bad because?"
That answer sent a shiver down his body, but his heart was bursting with delight, "(Could it be!? Does she…?!) Since I was nine and discovered the ogre inside me, I was always trying to make sure that I didn't hurt anyone because of it, and I know that both my family and master accepted me despite of it. Now I am surrounded by friends who are willing to literally commit murder, just to protect me and have also accepted me, a part of me tells me it is alright to be greedy for more but the bigger part of me says otherwise, I should be content with what I have, and I shouldn't reach out for more."
Not breaking eye contact with him, Alisa also reached out and caressed his face, "That bigger part should shut up and listen to the other, because I believe that you do and you know what, I am done running and holding back! Rean Schwarzer, you better be prepared because I will make you happy!"
Hearing that broke all restraints he had, he took both her hands in his and under her widening eyes kissed them both, "Very well, Alisa Reinford! I will be ready, but you also should be prepared, since I also want to make you happy and perhaps it will result in me reaching for something far beyond my reach but if I have learned anything during my time here at the Thors, is that with you and the others by my side anything is possible!"
Both their eyes were filled with determination and something else that they couldn't put into words for now, and both also knew that from now on their relationship would slowly change, though no one had said anything specific they understood what the other felt. With the setting sun as their backdrop, the winds of changes were coming towards them and would transform a small spark into a fire, that would even burn the chains of destiny down.