Soldier Boy and Angel Girls

by Dalubhasa69420

The GSC President wished for a kind dependable and reliable adult to lead the many students of Kivotos as a teacher, who knew what to do at every situation, who had the integrity and responsibility to fulfill their obligations, one who never abandons his students... unfortunately, she has to settle for an ex child soldier with heroin addiction.A03crosspost

3. Chapter 3

edit for FFnet(and Spacebattle readers if I actually upload there) this chapter kind of sucks. i just wanted to quickly go through the entire first half of Abydos volume since all of my planning went to the later parts.

Soldier Boy and Angel Girls

Shiroko P.O.V

With the supplies Levi-Sensei brought us, we decided with Sensei's suggestions that driving out the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang out of Abydos entirely would be the best course of action. To make sure that we won't have to deal with them for a good while.

And so we went with Levi-Sensei leading us, circling around Abydos, finding and destroying the Helmet Gangsters and their bases and supply storages, and then taking what's left as our own.

He was ruthless and efficient with how he led us. When he saw Ayane's drones along with mine, he looked like a child seeing something new, and then came his imagination of using it. He had Ayane use her drone to do drop flashbangs, smoke grenades, or regular grenades depending on the situation, and mine to cut off all but one possible escape routes. While the gangsters were disorientated we charged in with Serika and I shooting off their weapons and feet to force them on their knees, rendering defenseless and unable to run away as he and Hoshino charged in closer and knocked them out.

Those who ran at the first sign of trouble or somehow recovered enough to do just that was mowed down by Nonomi who was waiting for them.

Not only was Levi-Sensei an expert marksman and a honest to God mage, but he was also good at both hand to hand and melee combat. He knew his punches wouldn't do any damage, so he pushed the gangsters to our line of fire as the impact of his fist startled and froze them for a moment.

And at one point when he ran out of bullets for his luger he just dropped it and grabbed a piece of rebar just lying around and used it methodically to twist any gangsters hand in his way forcing them to drop their guns, or attacking their feet to pull or push and force them off balance.

In short, it was like shooting fish in a barrel for us. None of the Gangsters could even fight back, and they were all wiped from Abydos with what remained of their decently sized stockpiles now ours.

But I noticed while we were in combat, he was showing almost no emotion whatsoever. He was silent, only giving orders, simple and direct.

But moving on, I hope he can teach me magic. What kind of magic spells does he have in his sleeves? Can he fly? Teleport? Is there a spell that lets me point at a bank and spawn a sack full of cash in my hands?!

I can feel my cheeks being flustered, my heart beating faster and my ears twitching excitedly at the possibilities of magic.

/

Gematria

"He's only 18 at most yet he still endured and kept on fighting even with a missing arm, even with a sizable hole in his left side with parts of his innards hanging around. He embodies the indomitable human spirit!" An excited eager voice from a headless man in a great coat holding a portrait of a man facing backwards praised. "Not to mention, he still functions like a normal person even with the obvious mental trauma in his eyes."

"Of course!" Another eager but lower voice followed up.

"I agree, even I can acknowledge how impressive it is to endure such pain. But what's more important are the Gods whose names he revealed, All-Mer, Sulfur, and Fear and Hunger along with the proven existence of supernatural power. Do we know anything about those Gods?" A two headed wooden puppet in a business suit wondered.

"I'm sure we will eventually start researching about those things later, but first. Do you think he would accept if we invited him?" Asked a being of otherworldly black with his eyes and mouth a white light wearing a business suit.

"Preposterous! He looks exactly like the girls under me, albeit without the sense of obedience. Only proper adults like us could've done that. What makes you think he'll even consider it?" Asked a red skinned woman in white in an irritated voice. "We need to neutralize him before he even learns of us." She followed up with a sense of urgency yet calm and rational.

"You're citing guilt by association." Shot back by the Man in the Black Suit. "You're the only one here actually feeling threatened." He is calm, not even considering the possibility of the Boy Sensei being belligerent when facing adults.

"Hmmph! Just wait and see, you'll regret not dealing with him right away."

/

Arona P.O.V

Levi-Sensei decided to stay the night in Abydos Highschool. He has several missed calls from Acting President Rin. When he finally finds the phone in his sling bag he will face her wrath without a doubt.

But yeah, being alone in the Shittim Chest is kind of boring. No one to talk to, to hang out with, just nothing in general.

I can still access social media and videogames from here, as well as summoning food and dessert when I feel like it but...

What is that?

I see a green flickering, like when a TV has no signal or when a computer freezes and crashes.

It's getting bigger! What do I do? Do I wake Levi-Sensei up?! I spawn my umbrella gun and point it at whatever is emerging from the green flickering glitch inside the chest.

What comes out is a... woman, an adult that looks a little older than Levi-Sensei. She's wearing pink clothes and red footwear, she has short brown hair.

She sees that I'm pointing my umbrella gun at her and she just smiles. She extends her arm towards me in a patting motion but I fire a warning shot, destroying a random chair to her left.

She freezes before showing an expression of utter bewilderment and fear as she turned to confirm the damage.

"H-hey, I mean you no harm, kid." She said nervously as she put her hands up. "I'm Reila, my sister had a crush on that Soldier Boy and she asked me to keep an eye on him." Eh, soldier boy? She means Levi-Sensei?! He was dressed like one so there's no one else that comes to mind...

"A crush?! S-someone had a c-crush on Levi-Sensei?!" I couldn't help but blurt that out. I mean, the place he came from is a mystery no one probably wants to know about, but the people he was with on the other hand ...

"Yeah! Thats him, Soldier Boy Levi." She confirms with a smile on her face, reminiscing about something. "Too bad, she never confessed to him." She added as her smile turned belly up into a frown. I see.

"Can you tell me more about Levi-Sensei?" I ask curiosly. And she gives me an expression of relief.

"Okay, but first. Can you please stop aiming that thing at me?"

/

Seia P.O.V

For merely the past few minutes, I've done nothing but cry, whimper, and vomit heavily as I felt only disgust and fear at the macabre sights no one in Kivotos could possibly imagine.

I see a huge cross statue, dead bodies hanging upside down from it bleeding a fountain underneath it. The villagers all held hands and danced in circles, as if they were celebrating the atrocity!

I turn tail and run. I don't care where I end up in this dream! Just anywhere else please!

And before I even noticed, I've reached a temple like place with... rotting bodies impaled high up on spikes. I see... the Sensei sent by the GSC President? He is accompanied by two adults. One is a blonde haired woman wearing a brown bomber jacket, the other is a bulky curly haired man in an olive jacket. The young Sensei already lost his left arm at this point.

I see him stretch his hand to touch that stone towers door... that's when an absolute nightmare came for him. The two adults behind him started convulsing as he turned around in alert at the sound of them screaming.

It's like they're being turned inside out. I hear the sickening crunch of their bones and splats of their flesh and blood as they were mangled.

The Boy Sensei is mirroring my exact expression, one of absolute horror and despair. The muscled man transformed into a gigantic abomination occasionally sticking its head out like a turtle or snail, it's larger right arm holding something human shaped being thrown at the Sensei forcing him to dodge as the human shaped projectile splats open his blood and insides on the tower door from the force.

Once again I feel my stomach stir as I vomited and cried at the sight and sound. I turn to see what became of the woman, a nightmarishly large vulture with phallic headed figures holding spears on it's back. I feel my breaths get heavier and my heart beat faster in terror.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I hear Sensei firing his pistol in rapid succession as he desperately riddled the Giant with bullets with a face full of pain, despair, and tears as he screamed. I see the giant vulture take flight up the sky.

The Sensei successfully shot the Giants head off in a red, chunky blast full of its flesh and skull, rumbling the ground as it fell. He's breathing heavily as well as whimpering. He turns around looking for the vulture the woman transformed into.

We both hear the screech from high above as the giant vulture dived down on him. He barely dodges as the vulture spread it's wings, stopping itself from colliding with the stone ground.

He tries to force himself to fire at the woman transformed into a monster but... luckily? Unluckily? He hears a click. He drops the pistol, unable to reload with just one arm. He then pulls out a knife rusty with dried blood from his backpocket and simply charges the giant vulture as he screamed out.

I turn and once again flee to wherever my legs will take me, I know he will live through that but I don't want to see the rest.

Is this... a school? There are swings and slides here.

I make my way in through the front door, maybe I can take shelter here before the nightmare ends. I step through the second set of doors to see a portrait of an old man.

I turn to the right as I see some office cabinets used to store documents. I saw some lockers and a glimpse of a classroom, maybe there's some records of Sensei here.

I slide open the cabinet to see some folders with names on it, so I was right. I start browsing through the cabinets until I see... his documents! Levi XXXXXXX, complete with a younger photo of him without the face carvings.

I start reading... so this place is an orphanage? It doesn't seem that way... at such a young age! Why did he... get orphaned?... thats just...

I simply froze as I read the cause of how he ended up an orphan, I can't even feel anger, just... defeat. That man, his... he wasn't even jailed for it.

I drop the documents and simply turn around. That was atrocious, how worse could this pla-

Eh? I feel the wooden floor beneath me just break, and I fall down to it's basement level.

I land on my behind in a thump. I look around where I landed and panic as I see a large chunk of the floor with dried blood.

I jerk away as I take in the sight. I turn my head to look for the exit until... what?... why is...

I see a skeleton... a child sized skeleton younger than me chained to a wall... the dried blood on the floor appears to have come from him... or her.

...

...

...

Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here! Get me out of here!

/

I bolt up awake in a couch, I feel myself hyperventilating and my heart beating uncomfortably fast.

"Seia-chan, are you okay? You were screaming and crying in your sleep." Mika spoke with concern as she held me in a comforting way. Nightmare doesn't even begin to describe it.

"What was it? Will something horrible come in the future?!" Nagisa, ever the vigilant one, asked with a look of worry.

I fall back to bed as my breaths gradually go back to normal. I don't even want to think about it, Mika's upcoming scheme is one thing but... that Sensei is a whole different thing.

/

Chinatsu P.O.V

Ugh, dealing with the Hot Spring Development Department, along with the other countless reports have been tiring. The absolute migraine that came when Pandemonium Society came in and announced a surprise audit was...

Miss Iroha the fluffy red haired Pandemonium member came in with the... gradeschooler, Ibuki, I believe her name to be. Iroha went around deducting points for the most minor, most needless thing they could come up with while little Ibuki just frolicked around singing tunes.

"Ouchie! ..." She just tripped and fell... she sniffles with watery eyes, about tocl cry out.

I rush to her side, kneeling down as I prayed to the Goddess of Love for her healing spell. I know that it heals wounds, maybe it can alleviate normal pain as well.

[Loving Whispers]

The gradeschooler widens her eyes in wonder as the purple light of the spell brightened around us.

"Wow... the ouchies are gone!" She said excitedly, with bright sparks in her eyes and a wide smile. "Thanks, pretty Miss!" She spoke with gratitude with her eyes closed.

I actually blushed a little at how she called me. "I saw on TV that you were with the Wizard Sensei!" She said, raising her voice at the word wizard. "He taught you magic, didn't he?! Can you also teach me?! Pretty please?!" I... where do I even start? I can't teach her healing magic for obvious reasons.

Levi-Sensei knows more about magic, and I don't know about the rituals or acts of worship to the other gods at all. It could be vile like human sacrifice or some other thing... but I don't want to let down this kid.

"Well, maybe Levi-Sensei can teach you." I simply stated as the purple light dissipated and she stood fully up. "I only know healing magic." He did say that Fear and Hunger was benevolent... there was also that glowing inverse Fear and Hunger sigil. The Sylvian branch at the magic table had lighting for me after I did... that, but not the other branches as I did not have affinity for them as Levi called it.

But the glowing sigil had lighting... I forgot to mention that to him. Perhaps it's a new god that's desperate for followers making it's blessings a freebie.

"Really! Can you bring him to me?!" The gradeschooler asked eagerly... I wonder.

"I can do that if you do something for me." As I said that, Ibuki put on a face of determination. I come closer to whisper into her ears... "Oh, ok! I'm sure Makoto will understand!" And just like that, she turned back to Iroha, most likely telling her my offer.

I see her widen her eyes at Ibuki's words before putting on a calm face and nodded, giving me a look after Ibuki ran past her and out the door.

And with that, our budget will soon be quadrupled... maybe, I hope.

"You keep your promise to her, alright." I nod to her as she turned around and followed after Ibuki.

"What did you tell her?" Asked Iori from behind me. "I overheard you say the Sensei's name. I seriously don't trust him, specially with what he made you do!" She said vehemently, narrowing her eyes as she did.

"Yes, there are many things we do not know about him." Come on Ako, you're just being paranoid. "And I doubt he's actually sane given... just about everything on him." I turn to glare at her, silently expressing my displeasment to her voice. I don't let up even as she cowered away a little.

/

Levi P.O.V

I loudly yawned as I woke up and stretched my arms and arced my back. That futon thing is comfortable despite being so thin.

I got to talk with the Abydos Girls after obliterating and driving out the Helmet Gangsters. Ayane, Shiroko, and Nonomi seemed overjoyed to have me, Serika is still sceptical, and Hoshino... Hoshino looks welcoming, but there's something about her that reminds me...

Whatever it is, I can't put my finger on it. Anyway, Serika apparently has loose lips and revealed that they had a massive debt numbering 900 fucking million.. how does that even happen?

Turns out, when the desertification first began, the then student council of Abydos only had shady businesses and banks to borrow money from to try and deal with a fucking desert coming... something something climate change and a bunch of other things I lack an education to come up with a solution to... I only know how to shoot stuff, but still... I want to help. I don't want to be like the adults that stood by and did nothing as orphan boys like me were stepped on.

I can hear the Abydos Girl's with the exception of Shiroko talking and arguing on the other room, loud enough for me to hear through the wall. I get up, and start walking to the other room, sliding each doors open and close as I did.

"He already did enough for us! We can deal with the debt ourselves, we don't need to rope in an outsider." Serika? Yeah, she's probably right. I don't even have proper education, I can't exactly help with that. But...

"There's no way for mere Gangs to amass as much supplies and weapons as we plundered. Someone is funding and arming them." I interrupted their discussion as I slid the door closed. "I want to deal with whoever's supporting them first." Now that I think about it...

"Arona, how much is ¥900 million of converted into shillings?" I see the Abydos Girl's looking at me as if I'm crazy, talking to myself like I just did. Oh right! "For reference, a bottle of whiskey costed 10 shillings back in Prehevil."

"Shillings? Those coins from like a millennia ago?" I hear Serika expressing both confusion and caution... does she not trust me?

[Mind Read]

I already went through a huge chunk of my savings buying up "magical" talismans and amulets from shady people after he revealed its real, I don't trust him to not waste our time and money.

... Hehe, I fail to stop myself giggling at how she blew through her savings on scams. They see me giggling, Serika in particular looks upset at me.

"Sensei, who were you talking to?" Ayane asked in a worried tone, oh right.

"Arona called herself an AI assistant." I hear the Girls let out a sigh of relief that I'm not actually crazy, Serika still looks doubtful.

"Whoa, you have something like that?" Nonomi being the ever so cheerful girl she is wondered aloud.

"Medieval currencies don't translate at all into modern currencies, but a bottle of whiskey is ¥1,600 here. So.." I hear Arona in my sling bag trail of counting... I also hear Ayane tapping into something.

"It's probably enough whiskeys to build an entire skyscraper/ It's about... this much." I hear Arona groan, giving up in calculating as she just gave an estimate. Ayane on the other hand showed a calculating device presenting a set of incoherent numbers that doesn't fit in the whole screen.

I see... that's a lot of whiskeys.

"Take it from an old man young Sensei, alcohol isn't good for your health. You shouldn't be so obsessed with it." Hoshino lazily said between yawns with her eyes closed. Is she... referring to herself as old? Yeah, only old people would be as perpetually sleepy as her, what exactly does she do instead of sleeping?

"But it makes magic safe and manageable." I explain as I take a seat near the table. They're looking at me as if I'm crazy again. "It uses sanity as fuel going by the massive headaches that I feel when using it." As I clarified, I see Ayane looking through the plastic bags of ammunition boxes I brought here yesterday. She brought out a thin small piece of paper from it and started reading.

That slip of paper... came from the machine Sora of Angel 24 used, I wonder what its for?

"You bought... four 1.5 liter bottles of alcohol?" Ayane asked, a hint of repressed anger slipping out of her forced neutral expression. "Where's the other two?" Shouldn't that be obvious enough?

"I emptied the first in seconds after I got out of the shop. The second one, I drank when I was in the middle of the desert." I... really shouldn't have said it so casually. She, much like Rin and Chinatsu, is scary with her eyes covered by the shine of her glasses. "Arona... didn't say the dehydration effect would be immediate so I drank, hoping to reach you girls before collapsing." She maintains that scary expression for a few seconds before dissipating into a worried sigh.

"I don't believe you! You just want to drink, don't you?!" Of course Serika wouldn't believe it. "I knew it! You might be close to us in age, but you're just like the rest of them lousy adults!" She practically screamed at me. I mean... she isn't wrong, but still... hehehehahaha... yeah, she's absolutely right.

"What are you laughing fo-!" Serika was about to explode at me, but Hoshino stopped her, wrapping her arms around Serika from behind and under, to my relief.

"Now now Serika-chan, you shouldn't say such hurtful things to a stranger that went out of their way to help us." She said lazily, still having her eyes closed. That was until she looked at me... without the tired smile... just nothing.

[Mind Read]

Whatever the adults of your home did to you, I can tell it's bad. With the obvious things like a missing limb and a lacerated face, but Levi-kun... you're acting exactly like a bad adult would.

"I know, there's only so much I can blame at other things before I become a problem myself." I'm getting used to my thoughts going to my speech by itself, I blame this on Rher trying to give me brain damage. I see Hoshino raising her brows in surprise, no doubt wondering how I knew what she was thinking.

"Just like yesterday... you responded to what I was thinking..." I can sense caution in her lazy sleepy voice. "I guess I made my thoughts easy to read on my facial expression." Thankfully, she isn't considering it.

The aura from that explosion, the blood sword, and that shadow wave from yesterday all came from his hands. Something like mind reading probably needs physical contact

She's not as lazy as she wants other people to believe, I see. We hear Nonomi chime in with worry in her face.

"I think we should start talking about something else, you guys are getting too gloomy for comfort." Thanks Nonomi, we aren't getting anything done arguing and suspecting eachother as we have.

"Yes! We should discuss any plans we can come up with for the debt." Ayane followed up with an expression urgency and worry.

"Y-yeah no, I need to get going for now." Said Serika as she left the room.

"My my, Serika looks gloomy." Nonomi voiced out in concern.

"She's probably just jealous of Sensei stealing her spotlight." You really think so, Hoshino?

"Do you have a map of Abydos?" I ask, maybe I can find where she's going.

"Right here, Levi-Sensei." Ayane replied as she pulled out a map, which I took and set down the table.

[Reveal Aura]

"Serika's halo is... that right?" I ask to the girls, pointing at the small red cross hair moving on the map. But they look confused again.

"Sensei... what are you pointing at?" Worriedly asked Nonomi.

"Ueeh? Is that magic?" Wondered Hoshino as she turned her head to me.

"You can't see it? The Moon God's tracking magic?" That's not what it actually is, but close enough.

"Hmmm. Interesting." Hoshino calmly took in the information as Ayane and Nonomi looked very interested.

/

Serika P.O.V

Walking through the Abydos town despite the whole place being deserted, both ways is kind of peaceful. That Boy Sensei, I can't deny that I'm jealous of his magic, his marksmanship, and his ability to lead but... I still can't trust him.

Seriously, that footage of him on Kronos, telling the delinquents that he'll cut their limbs off and throw them down a sulfur pit? That's not something a normal person would say.

And the name of the God he worships is too ominous to be popular with people, and the slashes on his face... he doesn't look the least bit bothered. There's definitely a screw loose on his head, I can't trust h-

"Hey, Serika. Morning!" Him... it's him. How did you know where I would be walking?! Do you have magic for stalking?!

"Ummm, no. Ayane's drones led me." ... Really now? How come I haven't heard and whirring?

"They were pretty far away, They were worried about you. You shouldn't just storm out like that is what they said." He explained as he looked away and scratched his head. Wait a minute did you just read my mind?!

I narrow my eyes to get a closer look at him... no wait, the shadow wave and the other spells I saw on the news make some sense at least. Mind reading doesn't, like... at all.

"Anyway, good morning to you too." I replied. His left armless sleeve just moving along the wind is kind of eerie. "You shouldn't be loitering around, especially with your... condition." I feel bad saying that, as if I was judging his entire personhood by his missing limb and the cuts on his face. "And don't talk as if we were friends!

I walk faster hoping to get away from him. I only have negative things to say, I don't want to mock someone missing an arm.

/

Ugh, why? How is he so persistent?! I would think that a missing limb and a scrawny body would make him weak, and have low stamina but...

Somehow, whenever I take a turn trying to lose him, he still somehow catches up. The maps are all outdated with the district being in ruins and the desert expanding but somehow... somehow he's still navigating through the place!

At one point I outmaneuvered him and managed to go around and behind him. As I was following him, curious as to how he kept finding me, he stopped and took a map, setting it down the ground. I looked on in confusion before it turned to spine tingling fear as he turned his head... and looked at me directly in the eyes from really really far away.

I simply turned and ran.

/

"Welcome to Shiba Seki Ramen!" I warmly greeted the entering customers. "How many of there are you? I'll take you to your seats!" And so I did.

I went around accomodating the customers, along with the other things I'm supposed to do.

Taking orders, delivering food to tables, charging for payment, taking away used dishes those kinds of things. Ahh, it's peaceful here. Hopefully, that expert stalker boy haven't found me yet.

I hear the doors bells ring as it opened, and then in came the new batch of customers.

"Welcome to Shiba Seki Ra- huh?!" He's here... not just him. I see Nonomi, Shiroko, Ayane, and Hoshino-Senpai.

"Table for five please!" Nonomi said in her ever so cheerful voice.

"Hehe, ha, hey Serika." Ayane shyly greeted.

"Hey." What do you mean "hey" Shiroko?!

"What are you guys doing here?!" I blurt out, feeling my cheeks tingle.

"We knew you'd be here, Serika-chan." Yeah no, I'm not buying that, Hoshino. I see that Stalker Boy behind her, raising his arms in greeting with an awkward smile.

"I knew it! You have some kind of stalking magic, don't you?!" With how he knew exactly where I was earlier, it's impossible he doesn't.

"No, I'm just that good." Really now? Why do you sound like you don't even believe that yourself?

"Are these your Abydos classmates, Serika?" Ahh, Master Shiba! "Quit chatting and take their orders then." Of course, they're still customers after all, even that damn stalker!

"Is that... the Sensei Boy?" I hear Master Shiba ask in a worried voice, why does he sound worried? Even Sensei is confused. "I saw the videos, how's your stomach, Boy?" Eh? Stomach? Video? What is he talking about?

Sensei raises his brows and widens his eyes... at the show of concern? "I-I'm fine now, sir. I have healing magic." I didn't see him hurt on TV, so wha-

"Is that so?" Master Shiba asked in a sceptical tone. "One would think a bloody hole being shot through your stomach would be fatal. But ... sure, I can see you're resilient." What? A hole was shot through his sto... mach... he doesn't have a halo... how did I miss that?!

He notices the look I'm giving him. "I'm fine now, Serika." He said with a reassuring smile.

"O-obviusly! It's not like I-I'm w-worried or something!" I said, trying to hide how I actually feel with a slight blush on my face. He doesn't seem to mind as he simply smiled and moved to seat with... Shiroko, despite the space being so cramped and the free space with Nonomi.

I take their orders, hearing them tease me along the way with the exception of him. Master Shiba cooked their orders for a minute before I delivered it to them.

My classmates enjoyed it, as one would normally enjoy ramen but... Levi-Sensei... he looks like he's tearing up as the noodles are being sucked to his mouth.

Is he crying... out of gratitude? Of how good the meal is? The others noticed, asking the same questions I was thinking.

"It's delicious." Of course it is. "It's just like Yuuka's meat and Hasumi's cake." I... what?! Whats with what wording?! "It's delicious! Nothing like moldy bread or hard as rock dried meat!" He said in between sobs and slurping the noodles...

He doesn't care about the silence that came from our looks of concern. He's simply enjoying the food.

/

Nonomi payed for his meal, along with everyone elses. She wasn't allowing them to refuse after Levi-Sensei cried out tears of joy at the simple ramen. Yes, it may have been Master Shiba's ramen but still...

I mean... moldy bread, and meat as hard as rocks? What were the adults back where he came from doing?

Maybe I've been too hard on him.

As I'm walking through the foot bridge home from work, I see some Helmet Gangsters rearing their ugly head. I just realize that travelling alone at night was a bad idea, but I'm not defenseless!

Huh? Seriously? The Helmet Thugs came right up in front of me and asked for me to come with them? Tough chance!

I drop my bag and aim my gun at them to fire back-

Ratatatatat!

What?! I feel numerous bullets hitting me from all over. Where are they?! I can't see th-

Boom!

I feel an explosion and an impact hit me directly, making me to ragdoll across the road. That sound? I turn my head towards the sound and see... an anti-aircraft gun?! Its barrell smoking, a spent shell under its side.

I could feel myself slowly drifting away... some... one... help.

/

Ayane P.O.V

We were heading home each on our seperate ways after eating at Serika's work place. It was fun seeing her in her work uniform, it looked great on her!

But Levi-Sensei... what kind of place did he come from exactly? Being forced to eat basically rotten food just to survive. I already knew it was bad seeing the cut up symbol on his face and the missing arm.

Now that I think about it, the tactics he employed against the Helmet Gangsters in our counterattack was-

Ring! Ring!

I pull my phone out of my pocket to see who's calling. It's an unknown number?! I cautiously look around to see if I'm being followed... I'm not, I anxiously answer the call.

"Ayane, is this you? Did I do this right?" Levi-Sensei? Why does he sound confused? "This phone thing is new to me. Anyway, it's important!" It's... new to him? Moving on.

"Yes, it's me. And yes, you're using a phone right." I clarified to let him know he's doing alright. "What is it? Levi-Sens-"

"Does Serika have any reason to run to the middle of the desert?" ... What? What kind of question is that? "Remember that tracking magic I had but you girls couldn't see?"

"Yes? What about it?" We couldn't see the whatever he could on the map, but he did find Serika with it.

"Just to make sure it's working how I think it is. You're near the town square, the one named XXXXXXXXX Street?" I- yes! It sucks that we couldn't see it, but it's good to know it works!

"Yeah well, Serika was slowly moving on one direction before getting thrown around and then moving at train speed to another." ... She's getting kidnapped?! I silently thank everything holy as I tell him I'll hang up so I can tell the others.

"Ok, be quick with it because I have no magic for faster travel!" Alright, will do!

/

Serika P.O.V

It's dark here, it's the first words that came to mind when I woke up from the bumpy ride. I can't believe I was ambushed like that, I thought he was just being paranoid when he said the Helmet Gangsters had a sponsor.

They couldn't have possibly gotten that Flak AA all by themselves, and I doubt they found one just lying around.

Now that I start feeling around the place, I can feel that it's cold metal. Am I... in some kind of container? ... ... ...

Where are they taking me? Are they planning to use me as leverage? To force my friends out of Abydos? I feel my eyes get watery and a single wet drop sliding down my cheek, I don't want to be the cause of our fall!

Will the Thugs even let me go after this? Will I ever see my friends again?... Will they think that I just abandoned them?!

I can't stop myself from crying, waterfalls dropping from my wet eyes. I... what was that sound?

I can hear muffled sounds of chaos, of gunfire and steel being bent and broken from the outside. Did they com for me! Of course they would! They're my friends after a-

My thoughts are interrupted as I see light coming from somewhere. I turn to see the source of the light and ... Is that a hand?! It has no skin, and I can see the bones!

I back away in fear, screaming as the hand forced the opening to widen enough for both whatever or whoever that thing is and I to see one another.

It's like a human anatomy drawing on a biology book or an anatomy model! It has big muscles, biceps, and abs. Yet it has no skin and mouth! The eyes have no pupils! I screamed and cried louder as it widened the hole enough for entry.

I see a long sleeved hand touching it's shoulder, it moved to the side with a little push as... that stalker?! I... he came for me! Wait, the Skinless Guy looks dejected as he looked away and onto Levi-Sensei. "Please forgive her, it's not everyday we see someone as unique as you are." He said to the Skinless Guy. The Skinless Man seemed happy at his words as he slowly melted to a red puddle. "Huh, the Blood Golem was smarter and much more expressive here." He wondered aloud.

"Serika, are you alright?" He said in a comforting tone, followed by Ayane's drone whirring and floating behind him.

"I've found Serika!" I hear her muffled voice from a phone somewhere in Sensei's person.

I hear some clacking to my side as a door opened up revealing Shiroko with her usual composed demeanor with a hint of worry. "I've got eyes on Serika. She's crying!" Why is that the first thing you point out?!

"Really?! Our little Serika's crying?" Hoshino followed up in an exaggerated tone as she walked into my view. "She really missed us, didn't she!" I... yeah.

I can't stop my tears of joy from overflowing, I can't bring myself to talk back at their teasing. I'm just happy that they came for me, along with Levi-Sensei. How did they find me so quickly?

"You were right about me having tracking magic, Serika." I... of course I was.

"Now now Serika-chan, wipe those tears away and turn that frown into a smile." Thanks, Nonomi. I'll do just that.

/

Serika rescue rewrite

Hoshino P.O.V

We drove by car ahead of the kidnappers expected path. That supposed tracking magic Sensei had was dubious, but it worked as we see rows of vehicles ahead of where we're aiming. Hmm, that's a flak right there... how'd some thugs get their hands on that thing?

"Shiroko, drone strike the leading vehicle!" Sensei shouted, followed by Shiroko-chan's drone manifesting as ir flew high uo and unleashed it's rockets.

The front vehicle explodes into flames as the vehicles following all swerved to the sides as the remaining rockets from Shiroko-chan's drones damaged some.

That truck... should be where Serika-chan is.

"Ayane, bomb the rear but avoid that truck." Sensei ordered once more, and I immediately heard Ayane-chans drones flying high up followed by the unmistakable whistling of mortar rounds.

The drone bombers hit their marks just as the helmeted thugs got out, and where promptly blown away by the combined explosions of the ordna6droppes and the cars they were using.

I widen my eyes slightly in surprise as I saw Levi-Sensei walking out of cover, teeth in his right arms sleeve as he's pulling it up towards the elbow. Then, walking towards a deformed and sharl piece of metal and... sliding his wrist on it... blood making a puddle beneath his feet.

I heard Shiroko and Nonomi yelling out in worry, I am as well considering he's just needlessly bloodletting but... he doesn't seem the least bit bothered. Then suddenly, a fleshy skinless head floats up from the bloodbouddle... what the heck is that?!

Levi-Sensei jumps back as he casts that healing spell, closing the wound he inflicted on himself as a red skinless humanoid figure jumped up and out of the blood puddle.

The helmeted thugs are all whining, sounding scared of the thing Sensei just summoned as they loaded and manned the flak. Then, they began turning it towards the anatomy model like thing.

"Blood Golem, take their flak out!" Sensei yelled out an order, and that blood golem thing began walking.

The helmeted thugs all began opening fire as the flak was still turning. Bullets began hitting the humanoid figure, blood and pieces of flesh spurting from it wirh every bullet hitting it but... it doesn't care, it keeps on marching forward.

"Nonomi, burst fire. Shiroko, disarming shots!" And with that, my juniors began shooting. I saw some of the helmeted gangsters weapons being shot out of their hands, and then completely blown away from Nonomi's minigun fire. "Hoshino, we're charging their flanks!" And so, I began running towards their left flank as he ran to their right.

The flak stops turning, aimed at the skinless figure as it shot it's shell. The shell went through the bloody golems body, blowing a hole through the building behind it but it simply kept on walking.

Then, it started running eliciting frightened noises from the thugs as they turned and ran away. It rammed a car, bumping it away as it knelt and grabbed one from underneath and... lifted it. Easily even as it threw it full force towards the flak, flipping it along with it's platform to it's side as the car buried it.

I see some of the kidnapper scums running my direction.

Boom! Boom!

Two were blown away easily, and the rest ran the other way. They're so scared of the thing Sensei summoned that they can't even think about fighting, just running. As if their instincts of fear were suddenly kicked up to eleven.

They stopped in their tracks as the blood golem blocked their path. What will they so now? Run to another direction? Try shooting back? The- nevermind, they just collapsed unconscious. I mean, the flames lighting up the dark night and whatever that scary skinless thing is... is really scary.

Levi-Sensei walked passed it, and it followed after him.

"Blood Golem, open up the truck." Is that really necessary? I mean, the door is ri- nevermind, it's opening up another hole on the trucks side with it's bare hands.

"Kyaaaa!" I heard Serika-chan's expected screams of absolute fright. Because honestly, who wouldn't be scared of such a thing opening up a hole towards you?

Hmm, the blood golems head went down after hearing Serika-chan's screams. It walked away from the hole it opened up, looking back at Levi-Sensei as if asking for an answer who himself looks surprised.

"Serika's just scared, she was kidnapped and all that." Hearing that, it's head nods as... it dissolved back to blood.

Shiroko-chan then opened up the actual door of the truck, and Serika-chan... she's crying.

Whatever would've happened to her if Levi-Sensei didn't have that tracking magic... I thankfully won't have to know.

/

Hoshino P.O.V

Serika-chan collapsed as soon as we arrived back in the school, Shiroko-chan and and Nonomi carried her to the infirmary. It appears that both she and Levi-Sensei will be spending the night here.

Speaking of Levi-Sensei, he didn't seem the least bit bothered when he rolled his sleeves up with his teeth before sliding his wrist into a sharp piece of deformed metal and bled a sizable puddle onto the ground. Ayane and Nonomi loudly panicked at the sight, yet Shiroko and I only showed a mild bit of worry. Imagine our surprised when a literal life sized human anatomy figure jumped out of the puddle and charged the kidnappers as Levi-Sensei casted that healing spell, closing the wound and rolling back down his sleeve.

The Golem of blood was strong as it easily carried some cars and smashed and threw it at the thugs. Resilient too, not even flinching as the Helmet Gangsters riddled it with bullets and even got numerous holes shot through it by their flak.

Last but not least, it looked depressed when it opened up a hole on the container with Serika-chan in it with its bare hands, and saw Serika-chan screaming and crying at the sight of it... or him? I don't know, it had no genitals.

The thugs much like yesterday couldn't even fight back. Methodical suppressive fire from Nonomi as instructed by Sensei, Ayane's drones dropping munitions, grenades, smoke, or flashbangs from high up their heads and directly on their feets. He had Shiroko's attack drone shooting missiles onto their front and back vehicle's, rendering them unable to drive away as he and I closed in along with his Golem.

That kind of coordination, planning, and leadership... it's something not even I have with all my years of experience since my first year... I honestly think he's older than how he looks. He looks pretty close to my age but I really doubt that, even if he started fighting the same age I was... I doubt that the adults of where he came from made him start fighting at a younger age considering they don't have haloes there.

At least I hope the adults he was with were sensible enough not to do that, but... I honestly doubt even that considering how miserable he looks. I should ask him directly, hopefully he doesn't mind.

/

Oh, he's still awake, good! I hear him arguing with... the Acting President Nanagami Rin? She sounds really mad. He has his phone on loudspeaker for some reason.

"- Levi-Sensei, the President may have tasked you with taking care of all of Kivotos, but Abydos is nearing it's end. You sho-" I see, we're already six feet under is what you think? She couldn't finish what she was saying as Levi-Sensei interrupted her.

"I don't care, Rin! I don't want to be like the adults that did nothing as orphan boys like me were beaten and starved!" Orphan? With how uncivilized the place he came from seemed from his appearance, I honestly thought he just had no family name. And, it's nice to know he wants to be a better person than the adults he's talking about. "That did nothing as they one by one disappeared, never to be found again!" That worse huh? "I only found out before leaving Prehevil that the orphanage I was sent to had a fucking torture dungeon of all things!" I... the adults I had to deal with back then were bad... but... thats just.

He sounded and acted drunk, and he is as I see one of two remaining alcohol bottles almost emoty next to his futon. He looked to be on the verge of tears, heavily sweating, also with his breathing.

The Acting President is silent, not sure of how to respond to the revelation of that orphanage Levi was in.

"I never had to find that out because I got sent off to fight a war at 13." ... what? A war?! But they don't have haloes! And that young?! I see him slump down to his futon as he whimpered silently, still holding his phone. "I actually liked it there at first." I... something's wrong with that line.

"I believed I was actually doing something good, fighting and killing the evil Bremens." That sounds like a group, But wars happen almost exclusively between countries. Calling an entire country evil is ju- "Every city they entered got plundered, violated, reduced to ashes." I can see why he would call them evil, bu-

"I once saw an old lady crying, holding the dismembered carcass of her husband and child." ... Why? As I think about how that even happened, I feel my heart skip a beat and sobs from myself letting itself out. I see Levi-Sensei sobbing quietly. I can't tell what the Acting President is thinking... but I can tell it's the same as ours.

... Not even Yume- not even her last moments sounded as miserable as that woman he talked about, at least she was still...in... one... piece... What the hell am I thinking?

"I... I've actually wanted to talk about this... without being judged... without being looked at like a piece of garbage." I hear him telling the Acting President between sobs.

"I... forgive me but I've been wanting to ask. You said you led you're own squad? Were adults serving under you?" I can tell that she's suppressing her sobs with a tone of worry. As soon as she asked, I see and hear Levi-Sensei snap and start crying, trying his best to stop himself from doing so. I... want to know too... I want to know about the kind of person I'm entrusting myself and my juniors to.

"It was supposed to be just me." He sobbed out, worrying me and most likely the Acting President he cried. What does he mean by tha- "Because of me, they started using other kids as canon fodder! I led them to their deaths!" ... He blames himself for what the adults did? And because of him? Was he that skilled in a battlefield that that adults started thinking children that age would be a great fighting force? ... That's madness...

"The other adults with me couldn't do anything! If they tried to stop it, they would get executed and then their sons would be next... " ... He's back to silently crying and whimpering, occasionally taking a sip of alcohol.

So the adults did try helping him? So he was fighting alongside other adults, before boys like him got sent off to fight.

"I see..." I hear the Acting President say silently, with no discernible tone. "Levi, if you need help, just know that I'll be here for you." She said with an affectionate tone, not even calling him by his title. I hear him thanking her profusely between sobs, telling her something before he hang up the call.

"Look at me," He saw me?! I panic a little as I realize his voice was directed at me. "I hated my so called father for drinking before I got orphaned." He laughed bitterly at himself. Was he abused at a much younger age? He looks like he hates himself for drinking, but at the same time looks like he enjoys doing just that...

Yeah, you're right. There's only so much you can blame at other things before you yourself become a problem. You're acting like the adults you hate, the adults that made you suffer.

I can't bring myself to feel concern for him, even with how miserable he is. He grew up to be just like the adults I- he so much hates.

He went back to drinking, and then emptying the rest of the bottle. "I'm... going to sleep Hoshino, you should too with how sleepy you always are." He said as he rolled the empty bottle somewhere before dropping to his futon and wrapping the blanket around himself.

Yeah, he's right. Most of the troublemakers in Abydos were beaten off back there. That means a good night of sleep for this old man.

/

Levi P.O.V

When morning came, Ayane had us sit along this room's table in a business like way. We needed a formal meeting she said. We were going to be talking about any idea we can come up with for solving Abydos' debt and current lack of enrollment.

I heard Serika talking about... reusable petrol?! Seriously?!

"Those are real?! We would've been marching through the Bremen capital by last year if we had those!" I couldn't help but blurt that out. Serika looks surprised but is glad that I'm on her side, I see Hoshino raising her brows at the mention of Bremen. Shiroko, and Nonomi looks curious but before they could ask.

"No they aren't, Levi-Sensei." Silently said Ayane as the shine of her glasses hid her eyes. "Moving on, any other ideas?"

I see Serika trying to raise her arms again.

"You already spent a ton on shady vendors buying up "magical" amulets and the likes." Ayane ruthlessly shot down whatever Serika was trying to say. Wait a minute.

"Can I take a look at whatever Serika bought? Maybe one of them is the real deal." I see Serika lighten up a bit and a slight glare from Ayane. The others also looking curiously.

"That's for later. Now, does anyone else have an idea for the debt?" Ayane's really taking this seriously.

"Me! Me!" I hear Hoshino eagerly raising her hands up. Now that I think about it, she's really small, she's about as tall as where the bottom of my ribs would be.

I hear Ayane formally announcing and gesturing for Hoshino to state her proposal. "You know what the problem with Abydos is? Its that we're the only students here!" She complains loudly. "More students mean more money. Imagine how much Trinity and Gehenna makes with their student body reaching tens of thousands! They probably rake in millions of yen just by student fee's alone!" She proclaimed, she doesn't seem sleepy this time.

I, along with the other girls await what she's going to say on the edge of our seats. Alright, how does she plan to increase enrollment into Abydos?

"Simple! We abduct another bigger schools schoolbus! Then we hold them hostage until they agree to transfer to Abydos. We'll get better representation on the GSC that way!" ... And I thought I was deranged. I hear Shiroko silently expressing interest as she starts asking which school we're attacking. Goddamnit.

"Is it gonna be Trinity? Gehenna? Millennium?" The schools Hasumi, Chinatsu, and Yuuka are from? This is gonna be awkward if we actually go through with this.

Thankfully, I hear little Ayane sternly rejecting her proposal, even going so far as to scold the older pink haired girl. And then comes Shiroko eagerly telling Ayane to let her talk.

And so, Ayane did the same formal announcement and gesture for Shiroko. "We rob a bank." ... I would've thought that she would be the voice of reason ... but apparently not.

Ignoring Ayane's distraught look. She then goes on to explain how it's a surefire plan and starts saying that she's already planned for this, that she has the bank near town mapped for all of its exit and entry point and the blind spots of cameras...

"Is that why you've been recently busy?!" Apparently so, Ayane. Shiroko then pulls out five masks each corresponding to the color scheme of her friends with numbers on the forehead.

I see Nonomi excitedly trying out the green mask numbered three out of five.

I hear Serika and Ayane vehemently shutting down Shiroko's plan as she pouts... thats cute actually.

I hear Nonomi saying she has an idea that fits with what Ayane wants, no scams, and no lawbreaking.

Pop idols? Like singers? She's saying it happens all the time in... anime? What's that? I hear Hoshino denying it without a second thought much to Nonomi's smile disappearing.

"Why not, you'll definitely have some fans, Hoshino!" Eagerly woo'd by Serika.

"Yeah no thanks, I don't need some creeps after me." I don't get it, but sure.

I hear Nonomi saying she came up with a pose she just showed... Christina of the Masked Mizugi Gang? I have no idea what Mizugi means but Serika seemingly doesn't like it as she instantly denies it.

Wait, what? Hoshino wants me to come up with a solution? I see the other girls looking at me intently, Shiroko hopefully putting the blue mask on.

"Take that mask off, Shiroko." I scolded as best as I could. She pouts at me as she took it off. Now how would I deal with this...

"Destroy whoever you owe the debt to." I simply stated as their eyes widened at my proposal. "I remember you girls saying that the loan sharks can shutter the school if you don't pay up?" To that, they nodded their heads. "Then just destroy them. They're most likely not legal themselves, and you girls are the rightful ruler of Abydos. You have the right to drive them out if you so wish." I said, trying to copy the formality Ayane's been upholding all this time. I'm not sure if that's how it actually is but... eh, I can just rewrite the law. Arona said I could do that.

I see Shiroko excitedly pulling the charging handle of her AR, same with Hoshino and Nonomi as they seem to brighten up at my proposal.

"I see, I've always wanted to blast them away." Hoshino said as she started inspecting her colorful trench gun that has a scope for some reason.

"Yeah, that sounds so much fun!" Eagerly said Nonomi as she bolted up in excitement, holding that six barreled behemoth of a machinegun.

I hear Serika worriedly asking that we're actually just bluffing. And Ayane... oh no.

"Obviously..." That expression! Before she could move, I get out of my chair and jump backwards as she somehow, with her thin arms threw the table up, breaking its legs off. "Obviously not!" And so, she went on. Angrily scolding us as if she were our mother.

/

We're back in Shiba Seki Ramen. Nonomi is comforting and reassuring a still sobbing Ayane, saying she isn't angry. She was really hoping for a viable solution from us, and we broke her with our nonsense.

Actually, I think I have an idea to cheer her up. I stand up and walk over to Master Shiba as Serika called him, he sees me approaching.

"What is it, kid?" I lowly whisper a request to his hears, explaining what I'm planning to do.

"Hmmm, sure. I have the ingredients you need." He whispered back as he welcomed me in his kitchen. I hear Serika and the other girls being flabbergasted behind me.

"Paprika, beef, and some potatoes and tomatoes." I hear him list off as he presented me with cooking equipment. "I know you're determined to cheer up that Ayane girl, but you sure you can do it with just one hand?."

"Yes. should be easy enough, Master Shiba." I let him know that I would be fine by myself as I pulled up my sleeve to my upper arm with my teeth, and put some water on the pot with a cup as I turned the heat up.

"I can see that, young man. Now be careful." He said as he focused back on cooking those pasta- no, ramen that he's cooking.

[MasterChef]

Exactly like that Rondon Chef's memories and instincts are instructing, I chop up and drop in each ingredient at an specific order, stirring as I did.

Back during the festival, the Rondon Chef was the first to moonscorch. We couldn't just leave him alone as the thing he transformed into held one of the city keys. Miss Abella tried to negotiate for it, but failed and he attacked.

Thankfully, I blew his brains out in a lucky shot while the withdrawal was kicking me on the balls.

And... done! The pot was two handed instead of one long handle, I can't move this by myself.

I turn to the girls who were watching me intently and curiously as I cooked. "Shiroko, can you carry this over to our table?" Without a word, she quickly moved to my side and picked up the pot with both hands, transferring it to the middle of our table.

I take a small bowl and a large serving spoon in between my fingers, and set it down infront of the still teary eyed Ayane.

"Levi-Sensei... what is this?" She asked with a little sob.

"Goulash, one of the good things that came from my home country of Bohemia." I said as I put some meat, potatoes, tomatoes, and soup on her bowl.

She hesitantly took a spoon to taste the soup... I see her widen her eyes in surprise as she held the bowl with her other hand and started gulping the warm soup. After halving the soup, she then took out the two small sticks they used to eat that ramen thing and then she started putting meat, tomatoes, and potatoes in her mouth.

Is it really that good?

"Y-yes! It's insanely good! I didn't know you were a master chef!" She said, loud enough for Master Shiba to hear as she had more reaction than when she ate his ramen.

"Really now? Can I get a taste as well?" Master Shiba asked with curiosity, I see his ears twitching. Sure, I gesture for him to go ahead.

And so, he took out his own bowl with a wooden spoon, filling it halfway with a little of everything, enough for a light meal. He took a sip of the soup, and much like Ayane devoured the entirety of it in seconds.

"Y-young man, who taught you?" He said with awe and admiration in his eyes... how do I even explain?

"Before the GSC President sent me here, I met a chef from Rondon." I think Miss Abella called him Henryk or something. "I just copied how he cooked. I've never actually cooked... until I did just now." His eyes start sparkling.

"Truly?! Then you're a prodigy!" He praised in an exaggerated tone, admiring the smell of my goulash. "If you're interested, I can teach you more! Many young women love a man that can cook, even Serika here!"

I... thanks Rondon Chef. I'll make sure you're skills are put to good use.

Serika looks flustered. She's trying to say something, but she can only stammer and stutter. Unable to say what she actually wants.

I can hear the other girls both teasing and cheering her on, but Shiroko looks pouty... is she jealous?

Ring!

I hear the bell on top of the door ringing as a... purple girl that looked needlessly nervously came in, looking up the place with an anxious expression.

She's wearing a... Bremen uniform, is she from the same school as Chinatsu? She's hugging a purple trench gun with a scope, her halo is three purple spikes with pointy branches making a triangle. Almost like the halo of that Momoka girl Rin was angry at. And to top it all of, a purple sailor hat.

She looks startled as notices that I'm looking, staring at her. Serika gets in between our line of sight as she welcomes her, asking if she has friends with her.

I hear the purple girl lowly and anxiously asking what was the cheapest food here. She seemed happy at the price Serika told her, turning around and opening the door open to let her three other friends in.

The first to come in has long pink hair with horns behind her head, she has a pink jagged halo. She wears some kind of business suit under a dark great coat. She's armed with a weird looking sniper rifle. She looks confident... but.

[Mind Read]

Oh thank goodness! I haven't received payment for the job yet, and I spent all of our funds on our new office. It wouldn't do well if a boss couldn't feed her employees. Besides, I'm supposed to be a feared outlaw, not an incompetent idiot!

I... are you sure you're an outlaw? The news haven't reported anything about you.

Next up is the silver haired midget with a side ponytail, wearing a red and black uniform with a machinegun of the same colors. Her halo is red and looks similar enough to Ayane's and Serika's, written on that large bag of hers is "Love and Violence" ... she's teasing the pink haired girl about not being able to feed her underlings...

As usual, Aru-chan is a complete dork who doesn't think at all before doing. She spent the initial pay for an office we don't need and now she can't feed us

I see. Last is the... black and white haired girl tied to a ponytail with horns behind her head, wearing a black whole jacket with a white outline of something in the middle, written in letters I can read is "Born To Kill". Her halo is a white pentagon with three spikes.

When she entered, she looked around with a hint of caution before setting her eyes on me. Her eyes widened in surprise? Fear? as she saw me. I see a little handgun hidden in her jackets large pocket.

That's the Gun Mage Sensei! Able to pinpoint hit a target from 12,000 feet away with only ironsights. A magician that can't die and can also cast explosions, there were recent rumors of him summoning a red meat golem and shadow waves that blind and burn but those are just rumors... for now at least. Wait, why is he looking at me like that? Don't tell me he can read minds as well?!

"What's with that look, Kayoko?" Asked the little Imp Girl in a teasing tone. "Don't tell me you fell for that boy you're staring at." Yup, definitely an imp.

She doesn't reply to the imp as Serika directs them to their seats, asking their orders on the way there.

They're ordering only one bowl? They're broke? The Purple Haired Girl, not Yuuka, started profusely apologizing as she bent over in a bow to Serika. I can see that she's on the verge of tears, still apologizing in an overly dramatic way for being poor... the way she's talking... poor girl.

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm absolutely worthless! I should just crawl up to a gutter an-

Alright, thats enough. I call over to the four new girls as I raise my arm to greet them.

"If you girls are hungry, then can you give my goulash a taste?" I ask, gesturing to my still full pot of goulash. "It's my first time cooking, I want to know if I'm any good." I said in a soft comforting way directed to the anxiety filled purple girl. I give her a reassuring smile, she seemed to lighten up and smile back.

"I... thank you! Thank you very much." She said in an overjoyed tone. Her friends joining her at expressing their gratitude.

"Oh how lucky you girls are, I wanted to taste more of the prodigy's meal." Master Shiba? Even Serika looks surprised with how much he likes my cooking. "Don't worry, I already had my fill. It's something everyone should taste!" He proudly proclaimed. The Purple Girl's expression changed from happy to distraught to happy again in that moment.

And so, they went about filling their bowls with the goulash soup and ingredients. The Purple Girl took a sip and then like Ayane and Master Shiba, immediately started slurping the soup and eating the meat and potatoes. It's delicious she says with her eyes watery in gratitude.

Same with the Outlaw Wannabe and the Little Imp. But that girl with white and black hair still looked on in caution before taking a sip of the soup herself. She widens her eyes in surprise, doing her best to suppress herself from pigging out like her friends did.

She simply turns to me with disbelief in her eyes. "This is... delicious." She stated before eating it whole in a steady pace. Hey eyes turn to look at more of the place, expressing surprise and almost gagging as she saw the Abydos Girls.

Those are the Abydos Girls... well this is awkward. They're supposed tobe our targets along with that waiter girl... yup, really awkward.

Yes... awkward indeed. I won't interrupt your meal for the sake of your purple friend. I'll be waiting for you.

I felt myself mouth off. Thankfully, I already got my thought to speech under control... for the most part as my words didn't make enough noise for anyone to hear... except that girl can apparently lip read going by how she narrowed her eyes in caution before nodding her head.

/

So apparently, they were suspended for forming their own crime group. Chinatsu said as much in her written "chat" in this phone thing.

Arona is busy, saying she's doing something when I asked for her help with that.

"Those ungrateful..." Serika is trying and failing to contain her irritation. "You fed them your meal, and then they attack us!" Don't worry about it too much, Serika. We'll win this easily as usual.

"Of course we will." Hey! I can control if I want it verbalized or silenced! I barely felt my mouth move, but still.

As usual, I tell my students, it's weird calling them that for me. To prepare the formation and tactics we've been using. Suppressive fire and bombings from Nonomi and Ayane. Disarming shots from Shiroko and Serika, with Hoshino and I doing the rest.

I see the four girls from afar with a small group of other girls with hardhats, all wearing pink coveralls like my uniform and armed with a simple looking AR.

I see the black and white haired Girl. Kayoko as her friends called her, raising an arm to halt her group. Then taking out her pistol and pointing it up the sky while giving me a narrowed look of caution.

She pulls the trigger, shooting a shadow out of her gun that just... stayed at the air and started pulsating, sending out wa-

[Bury The Trauma]

I feel memories of my disaster of a past resurfacing, giving me a slight headache. Thankfully, Lieutenant Pav has... had a way of dealing with it. Was that shadow supposed to do some... thing?

I stop my train of thought as I hear the Abydos Girls except Ayane on the radio whimpering and crying. I turn around to see that they're on the ground holding their heads or embracing themselves.

I see and hear Shiroko trembling, muttering about how it's so called. Hoshino is crying out for... someone named "Yume-Senpai". I can't tell what Nonomi or Serika is whimpering about.

"Guys! Guys! What's happening?!" Urgently asked Ayane from over the radio. "Pull yourselves together! They're coming!" Her drone whirring as it flew closer to the ground, monitoring her friends condition.

"It's going to be just us, Ayane." I tell her as I focused entirely on the coming group of enemies, I hear her objecting to that... "I'll be fine Ayane, as long as you can drop whatever when it's convenient."

I look at Kayoko directly in the eyes, taking in her expression of surprise and fear.

/

Kayoko P.O.V

He... he isn't affected at all by my fear bullet! The wave hit them, the Abydos Girls immediately fell as their worst most traumatic memories resurfaced. But the Sensei?

It hit him full force and he didn't even flinch, he just looked confused! Only turning around when he heard the Abydos Girls cries. It's impossible for him to have no trauma, judging by how miserable he looks. A missing arm, and a cut up face, it's simply improbable! Is he... just so full of pain and trauma that it doesn't affect him at all?!

I wanted to end this quickly because I didn't want to be surprised with whatever magic he had up his sleeve but... it looks like we'll have t-

Huh?! I didn't even see him make a move or anything! Tree roots spontaneously shot out of the ground and entangled itself at our feet.

"Wha?! Is this magic?!"

"I can't get my foot off it!"

"Aggh, I dropped my gun!" Shouted one of the part-timers in a panic as she fell trying to escape the entanglement.

I hear my friends panicking just like the part-timers. Dammit, I turn my head to look at Sensei, or whatever magic he's casting this time... what? Nothings co-

I hear whistling from above. We all look up to see numerous drones dropping mortar munitions and grenades.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each one was scarily accurate as they dropped at the part-timers feet, knocking them out. Now that the canon fodder are gone, it's only us.

Boom! Schlkchk! Boom! Schlkchk!

I hear Haruka blasting off with her shotgun and the sound of wood being chipped. I felt pellets hitting my legs and the roots being blown off, freeing me.

I didn't even have time to think about my next move as I saw a spark of flame appear in thin air.

I feel a controlled explosion near us, but far enough from the out of commission part-timers to not harm them. I feel the overpressure from it knock me away, along with Aru, and Mutsuki, and the air in our lungs. Haruka is the one standing left... That's the only thing I can think off as I'm still trying to recover from the out of nowhere combustion.

/

Levi P.O.V

"Wow... I annihilated the lot of them... by myself." Ayane sounds in disbelief at how much damage she did. "I'm usually a backline supporter, so for me to score this much..." She trails off, admiring her handiwork. I'll let her so that then.

Those part-timers as Ayane called them are all unconsciousness. Three of the four Problem Solver 68, as Chinatsu called them over her message, members are down. Only the anxious Purple Girl is left standing.

She looks at her friends on the ground, unable to carry themselves back up, and then she looks at me. Face full of fear... and determination.

"I admit, I expected you to be the first to fall." Her expression darkens at my words. "But you're the only one left standing. To withstand a combustion that close... you're pretty strong." I say, expressing how genuinely impressed I am. She seems surprised at my praise, and it gives her more strength judging by the unwavering look she had.

She looks down at her trench gun... and starts unloading all of her shells. "Y-you don't have a h-halo... it wouldn't be a fair fight." She said slowly as to not stutter as she did back in the Master Shiba's place. She held her trench gun by the barrel, winding it back like a melee weapon.

I give her a smile of acknowledgement. That's the only thing I give her as I charge her, biting my thumb to cast-

[Blood Sword]

Bracing herself as I charged and pointed my crimson sword at her like a cavalryman with a spear.

[En Garde]

She easily bashes away my blood sword as she swung the buttstock of her trench gun at it's blunt side, shattering it's tip. I widen my eyes in surprise, at her hidden strength as the impact threw my arm back.

She also widened her eyes at scattering shards of my swords tip. Her expression then changes to a narrowed hopeful one as she charged, raising her weapon for a downward swing.

[Melee Proficiency]

I slashed at her feet, the impact forcing her off balance and on her knees. I followed up quickly by inserting what remained of the blood sword in between her hands and twisting it, forcing her hands to loosen and dropping the gun.

"That actually scared me for a moment." I said in between deep breaths as my heart pumped. I see the Purple Girl looking on wide eyed, on the verge of tears at her defeat. "You're strong, a little training and you would've bent me over backwards." She looks surprised at my words, but still a little happy at the praise.

"What's your name?" I ask, grabbing her trench gun off the sandy ground and shaking it to dust off the sticking sand.

"H-haruka, Igusa Haruka!" I hand her back the trench gun with a smile. She grabs it back but she looks on in uncertainty.

"Levi of Prehevil, the Sensei of Schale."

"Whats with that look, Haruka? You're strong. You didn't run, and you kept fighting alone." She looks happy with my praise, but she looks more worried about her friends. "You stayed and kept fighting for your friends." She raises her head, looking at me with wet eyes yet with a still somewhat joyful look.

"You're friends need you, Haruka." She nods her head up and down as she stood up and one by one hoisted them up on her back along with their guns slung unto her, without any difficulty it seems as she's just walking casually.

"You sure you don't need help?" She stops, turning around a little.

"I... uhm, I'll be fine!" She said before turning again and walking away to somewhere else with haste.

I can see two of them are unconsciousness but Kayoko is still barely awake. I can't tell what expression she has from this far away looking at me.

/

Ayane is trying to cheer up the four who were affected by that pulsating shadow wave, helping them recover from it. I see their expression to be lifeless, but is slowly improving thanks to Ayane's effort.

Whats that sound? I hear the whirring of those drones blades but louder, I look up to the source of the whirring.

I hear the phone thing in my pocket vibrating and ringing a tune. I pull it out, and see Rin's name. I touch and drag the green circle to answer it like Arona told me awhile back.

"Levi-Sensei, the supplies and withdrawal medicine you asked for should be there," That was fast. "As well as one those ritual circle tiles with the spiraling pattern arriving in the GSC headquarters, Schale, Gehenna, Trinity, Millennium, and right there in Abydos. Just like you asked for." She reported in her usual formal tone.

"By the way, Kronos is reporting on it. They're on their usual nonsense, reporting it as if it's some kind of conspiracy. It doesn't help that there's already some panic at what those are about." Oh yeah, I should tell people about that.

"Right, can you also contact the Sisterhood I heard about from the news? I think they'll be interested."

"Of course, anything else?"

"Give them a copy of the Alll-Mer Skin bible. Tell them to have their most important people memorize the instructions to drawing his sigil, like Chinatsu did with Sylvian." I instructed as coherently as I could, simplifying it to the basics. "Actually, just print the skin bibles and distribute it to the populace." So I wouldn't have to keep explaining as I met more students.

"It will be done, Sensei." And with that, we ended the call.

I turn to see the Abydos Girls finally recovered from that Kayoko's attack, now showing interest at what I'm planning.

The supply crate finally lands as the helicopter detaches the rope holding it, and it flies back up.

I first rummage for the withdrawal medicine, finding it on top of everything else. This thing worked like a charm, it took this long for me to once again feel the withdrawals effect.

"Ayane, do you know how to do injections?" I ask as I turned around. I see the girls approaching and the gathering around the crate.

"Yes, why do you ask?" She asked as she walked to my front.

"Sensei, I heard the Acting President talking about a ritual circle. Is this it?" I turn to the voice and see Nonomi holding the huge tile easily above her head looking up. Serika, Shiroko, and Hoshino all looking from below in curiosity at the circle. "You're not planning to destroy Kivotos with this, are you?" She asks in a playful, cheery voice.

Without looking, I hand the medicine and syringes to Ayane as I see Hoshino looking at me in caution. "No, that's just for convenience. If I wanted to do that, I would've sent the tiles with the Old God circles." I feel Ayane holding my arm close to her as she injected the medicine into my system.

"Old God circle? What circle is this then?" Hoshino asked with suspicion as she looked back on it. Shiroko, Serika, and Nonomi, who have set it on the ground, looking on in curiosity.

"That's the circle of the Ascended Gods." I see three of the girls leaning in, wanting to know more. I see Ayane, still holding the used syringe walking to and kneeling for a more clear view. "The kind of god Fear and Hunger is." I see Hoshino and Ayane turn their heads to me at the mention of the God.

"Is that so? What's the difference between the Old and Ascended?" That's what they're thinking, I don't even have to read their minds as Ayane voiced it out for them.

"The Old Ones are like the air we breath, the ocean, nature, they're concepts that's always been there." Hey, I feel like an actual teacher with how they're listening fully. "The Ascended Ones are humans who became gods who can rival the Old Ones." I see them widen their eyes at the possibility.

But moving on, I take a piece of chalk from somewhere in the crate. I walk past the Abydos Girls as I kneel down and draw... the sigil of Alll-Mer.

[Blood Portal]

A black and red light shines on the tile, eliciting yelps of surprise from the girls behind me. The black red light stabilizes to a spinning motion.

Out of curiosity, I dash through the portal to see where it would take me, to which Academy finished setting it up first.

I hear surprised yells and hasty footsteps behind me, following me into the portal.

/

"Alright, where am I?!" I ask loudly to whoever's he-

"Whoa, the Sensei came out of it!"

"That's amazing! Those Gehenners will be seething in jealousy!" ... What the -

"W-wel... come to.. T-trinity... L-levi-Sensei." Stuttered a voice from below and beside me.

I take in the curious and loud crowd, and their appearance. They all look pristine, making rich people gestures. Some have wings on their body like Hasumi and Suzumi.

I turn my head to see more of the place, reminding me of Rondon... or at least how it looked from pictures.

I turn my head down to see the same nun girl I talked to on TV, holding a piece of chalk in her hands. I'm close enough to see her ruby colored eyes, with an expression of surprise and wonder.

"I... my name is Utazumi Sakurako." She did her best to compose herself at her introduction. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you." I- didn't we meet at TV? She nervously greeted. You seemed so confident in TV.

Behind her are two more nuns. One is short with orange hair, and cat? Wolf? Some kind of animal ears sticking up her veil, her halo looks like a golden flower. The other is larger and... is she really a nun? Her upper thighs and ass are exposed, there's some skin showing in her chest area... there are more muscles in her arms than my entire body. Her hair is dark in color, and her halo is golden with spikes and two small wings on the side.

They were about to introduce themselves until-

"L-levi-Sensei?! You're here?!" Hasumi? I see Hasumi with a group of girls in a similar red and black uniform, each with dark hair covering their eyes. Their guns... have the magazines on the buttstock... that's a weird design.

She approaches me, giving me a smile as she got closer, her underlings nervously following her. "No need to be nervous around him, he's a good person. I know the symbols on his face look scary, but believe me, he isn't."

She turns to me again, about to say something but-

We both look up to see the loud engine and spinning blades of a helicopter with Kronos written on it. I see the same duo of the small girl pointing a camera at me, and the larger dark skinned girl talking to a microphone with great enthusiasm.

... Goddamnit. From the portal behind me, I hear the sound that comes when someone passes through.

"Wow, we're in Trinity!"

"Levi-Sensei! I thought you didn't have any teleportation magic?!"

"Crap... it's the perfect magic for stalking."

I hear Shiroko gushing with a reserved tone, and Hoshino isn't letting out any sound.

I turn around to see her facing the portal with an impressed and wonder filled expression like her schoolmates have.

I walk through the portal as I say my goodbye to Hasumi, prompting them to follow after me as their sight seeing was cut short.

/

... This whole place looks like the Bremen capital from the pictures I have seen. The one's waiting for me look organized unlike the crowd at Trinity.

I see a small... really small girl, the same size as Hoshino with long white hair, a purple uniform underneath like Haruka's, and a fluffy looking great coat. Her halo look solid and sharp, fitting her expression of absolute seriousness.

[Mind Read]

So this is the boy Chinatsu spoke of. I really thought that symbol on his face was paint, but I can clearly see the cuts sinking into his cheeks. She also said he could read minds... don't think I haven't forgotten what you made Chinatsu do

I smile awkwardly as I look away and wave at her. I take more look at the students with armbands like Chinatsu's wearing the same purple uniform, they're all in formation like an army.

Did you actually read my mind there?

I give her a nod, eliciting a surprised look, breaking that cold expression for a moment before it came back.

I turn my head to see some other people. I see a long twintailed silver haired, dark skinned girl with a buttoned shirt and a short skirt. I see pointy ears and a... whiptail? She's looking at me like I'm garbage. Wait, are those... high heels boots?

You seriously made Chinatsu do something like that?! Don't think I'll forgive you anytime soon... and don't read my mind!

I see her holding a Bremen designed rifle. "Are you Iori?" I see her raise her brows and head in surprise. "Chinatsu said I was a better sniper than you." She didn't actually say it like that, but those chocolate looking thighs... why am I suddenly getting the urge to lick it?

I see her huffing up, and then blushing, no doubt with jealousy. I see her shaking as she controlled herself.

"Levi-Sensei, you shouldn't tease people you've just met like that." Chinatsu?! She's here? I force my eyes out of the view of those thighs to turn it towards that sweet voice.

"H-hey, I'm doing better now." I said as I raised my arm in greeting her. "How's the healing magic working out for you?" Is it actually being used?

"It's better if you heard from Head Prefect Hina." She said with a smile, gesturing towards the smaller girl.

"Yes, it has helped us a lot, so much so that we lessened the medical budget for other things." Said the small girl with a cold expression.

"By the way, Levi-Sensei, there's a kid that really wanted to learn magic..." She trails off, looking for the words she want to use, But that's not necessary as I eagerly nod at her. "Thank you, and also, there's something about the magic table I think you should see." I see, I say my thanks to her as I turn back to Hina.

I... how do I ask for it? To be taught magic? Oh no... he looks repulsed by my expression.

"Don't worry little Hinature, I'll teach you magic soon, I promise." ... Oh shit, I didn't even try to stop my thought to speech. She starts blushing heavily with raised brows. I see Iori looking exasperated. The girls behind her standing at rest whose eyes are covered by their hair breaks formation with their reaction, unbelieving of what I just said... goddamnit.

I'd expect her to be glaring at me, but she just looks away shyly.

I... thank you, I hope you keep your promise

... She looked so scary at first.

Her expression turns to surprise and then... admiration as I hear the the Abydos Girls finally come through, gushing as they did back in Trinity.

T-takanashi Hoshino?! The most feared solo operator a while back?!

... Interesting. I hear that Iori girl approaching me, screaming at me.

"How dare you talk to Chairwoman Hina like that?!" And some other things, holding her gun like she's going to bash me with the stock of it.

I give Hina and Chinatsu a small wave as I turn back and ran towards the blood portal once again.

/

Futuristic, thats the only word I can use to describe this place. A tower of steel and glass taller than the tower back in Prehevil. I see students with white coats looking and talking about me... who drew the th-

"Welcome to Millennium Science School, Levi-Sensei!" I turn my head towards the familiar, confident voice.

"Long time no see, Yuuka." She looks pleased that her sigil drawing worked.

Behind her, I see something with a tank chassis and a... humanoid upper body? It has three arms holding a shield, a giant assault rifle, and one of the hands is a six barreled machinegun like Nonomi's... whats the point of that design? Just put a turret on it, that's gotta cost more than the Eastern Union's entire tank fleet!

"Yes, I tried to stop the Engineering Club from wasting money like that, but they still kept with it." She said with a hint of resignation and irritation. "I'm hoping they don't put something ludicrous on your prosthetic." She added, looking to my left armless sleeve just floating around the wind.

"Magic isn't real right! You just have something that looks like it!"

I heard someone from the crowd shoutout, which I ignored completely. There's no arguing with someone like that. Right, Miss Karin?

"Anyway, I heard from Acting President Rin that you never had proper schooling." I look away, not wanting to answer. "Don't worry, I'll teach you mathematics when you're done helping Abydos." She said with a confident, reassuring smile...

"Thanks you... Yuuka." I did my best to stop myself from letting out tears of joy at her words.

I say my goodbye to Yuuka as I turn around to walk through the portal, not even waiting for the Abydos Girls to catch up.

/

This is... Rin's office?

"Welcome back, Levi-kun." Greeted Rin in a neutral expression. She's reading... the God of Fear and Hunger skin bible. "Out of all the spells I've seen you use, the summoning of an army of rats seemed to be the most versatile." She said, trying her best to maintain her neat form.

"I already know how to draw that sigil you have on your face, as well as how to use the magical table." Her interest is leaking out, but she's still hesitant in using the word magical. "But I don't want any of those stones to be wasted in case of a mistake, there's only five of it left." ... Yeah, I don't think I'll find a sack of it anywhere here.

"That's fine, you only need three for the rats. For it's affinity, you can draw the sigil twice at the spiral ritual circle and then pray just once." I can't believe I'm actually teaching something.

"Thank you, but there's just one more thing." She said, waiting for my full focus. "There's a new sigil, one from a god without any of those books." I... what?! Is that what Chinatsu was talking about?

"It would be better if you see for yourself." She spoke as she walked into the blood portal, gesturing for me to follow.

And so, I did.

/

"Oh, long time no see, Ayumu." I greeted the meek girl as Rin and I passed through the blood portal. She's smiling as she holds a piece of chalk.

"Yes, long time no see, Levi-Sensei." Ayumu said with leftover excitement from making the blood portal.

She moved out of our way as Rin led me through my offices door, down the stairs, and so on until we reached the basement.

I walked to the table to examine it, seeing that almost all of the holes in the branches of each gods blessings are glowing for me. I... is that an inverse of the sigil of the God of Fear and Hunger? Why is it activated for me? I never prayed to whichever god is that. It's glowing green... wait a minute, back in the dream in my last meeting with Olivia and Miss Abella-

"That's right, Soldier Boy." Reila! Why are you here?! "Olivia wanted me to keep an eye on you, to protect you if needed." I see a blue butterfly, followed by a flickering on the very fabric of reality.

I hear Rin unholstering and cocking her large pistol, aiming it at Reila as she fully manifested.

"Who are you! How did y-" I move closer to her, slowly bringing her hands holding the pistol down. "You know this person, Levi?" She asked in caution.

"And you must be Rin... or Rinny as that Blue Haired Girl called you." I feel Rin stiffen at Reila's words. "How's married life with the Soldier Boy?" She teased out, throwing us off. What the hell are you saying, Miss Reila?

I hear Rin stuttering as she tried to talk, but could only stammer at Reila's teasing. "W-wh... we aren't married!" She shouted with venom in her voice... I don't know why, but that kind of hurt.

"You shouldn't say something like that, You just hurt his feelings!" You! Shut up! I hear Rin stuttering out a flustered apology.

"Fine, fine. Off with the teasing I go." She said with a smile with her hands up. "Olivia and that Mechanic Lady wanted so badly to keep you safe, that they made me detach from Logic and had the Blue Haired Girl send me here." I... where's the president now?! She's Rin's friend, yo-

"She just kind of left." Both Rin and I are confused at her words. "We came here holding hands, but when I arrived at the Shittim Chest as Arona called it, she was already gone " ... I see. Well, I do, but not Rin for obvious reasons.

"Arona called herself the Chests OS, and an AI assistant." I see her looking on in understanding. "By the way, does the President have a daughter?" Much like Arona, Rin looked flabbergasted, blushing heavily at the question.

"Arona looked like her, just smaller. With the same sky blue hair, even the pink underside." I see her freeze at my description of Arona. Reila is giggling at her.

"N-no... at least none that I know of." She denies with hints of blushes across her face from the initial reaction. "But more importantly, what's that new symbol on the magic table?"

"Oh, thats me... well, was me." If you aren't Logic, the- "The Machine God Logic is it's own self now, it doesn't need me anymore." I see. Rin looks on in terror at her words.

"A... machine god?" From what I've seen, Kivotos has been heavily dependant on technology. So I kind of understand her fear.

"Don't worry, only your President can allow entry into Kivotos as you call it." Reila reassures Rin, blinking to her side and rubbing her shoulder.

"I... see." She lightened up at the mention of the President. "Then, can you tell me about those two spells you have? Red Arc and Moth Swarm?"

"It's basically lightning, and the second one is pretty self explanatory." Reila explained eagerly. "It's almost the same as Fungers Mischief Of Rats." I... what? Funger? Even Rin is raising a single eyebrow in confusion.

"Y'know? Fear, hunger, Funger! The Girl really liked it!" She explained lazily with a smile... wait, girl?

"The host of Funger. You've read the skin bible. A child of a false god and a prophesized man." You've met the God of Fear and Hunger?! "Yeah, she's been watching you." I... what am I supposed to do with that information.

"I don't know, Rejoice?" I... you know what, I think I'll do just that. "Anyway, keeping my form here is really hard. I'm returning to the Shittim Chest for now, see ya later." She said as she flickered out of reality.

...

[Moth Swarm]

A group of blue moths appear out of my shadow like the rats of Funger... it rubbed off on me.

[Red Arc]

I test the blessings of Logic on the ground, startling Rin at the red lightning coming out of nowhere and blasting the ground.

"Rin, take two soul stones and insert it into those circular holes connected to the Logic sigil."

"Of course." She pulled two out of the sack that Yuuka just left there for some rea- "And please, don't just blast the floor like that!"

I took a bath before blood portaling back to Abydos, with warm running water.

/

Hoshino P.O.V

I can't believe we lost our composure back when those Gehenna Girls attacked. Sensei and Ayane were left to defend themselves as Shiroko, Serika, Nonomi, and I only cried and whimpered.

Ayane by herself obliterated all of their part-timer support, and I feel pride that my junior was capable of such a thing... yet I feel a bit of jealousy that it was with Levi-Sensei's guidance.

But I have to admit, those black and red portals were amazing. Less walking and commuting when we have to travel! Meeting the Gehenna Prefect Head was a surprise with how she looked at me like she did. The Treasurer of Millenniums Seminar was nice, she asked us to take care of Sensei while he's under our care.

And now we're back here in the meeting room, gathering the things Serika wastes her savings on. I see some that looks pristine and with gems, while some look dirty like that rat amulet and the leech looking ring.

Two of em is just a shiny rock with a neck lace. I don't know how Serika fell for this.

Imagine my surprise when Levi-Sensei finally came back, looking freshly bathed. Singling out the dirty looking things. Even my juniors were obviously confused and skeptical.

He first took out a ring with no accessories. He put it on and bit hard on his thumb, enough to tear and bleed it but... it's not bleeding..

"I remember O'saa calling this a ring of stillblood." So he said.

He then had us go outside as he held that crude rat amulet, and one of the rocks with a lace.

He had Shiroko put both of it on, making sure the laces are in contact with her neck. After that, he told her to do laps around the oval.

She was fast, faster that usual. It's like in anime where people are so fast that afterimages are left as they move. Shiroko passed 20 laps in a minute.

After we came back inside, he asked if he could keep the ring with an almost transparent sapphire rock as an accessory, saying he won't have to rely as much on alcohol or tobacco for his magic.

To which I immediately agreed without a word. Whatever can help curb his alcoholism I guess.

He then held up the other rock on a lace and then stared at it like it owed him money.

"If I found this sooner, I wouldn't have lost a limb." He said as he glared at it. Then that would mean... it's completely useless for Kivotos natives.

/

Ueegh, another midnight and he's still drinking, this time up here in the school rooftop, brightened by a full moon. He must be really drunk this time because he just started shooting his Luger up... at the friggin Moon.

After emptying his magazine and some crying, screaming, and cursing at some guy named "Rher". After that he started just... talking, to himself

At first, he was addressing someone named "Reila", asking why a woman he called Miss Olivia didn't come herself.

"Nonsense! I don't mind that she's in a wheelchair. Besides, she's still prettier with her glasses than you." He said with pride and laughter in his voice. ... Is this Olivia woman also an adult or someone close to our age?

Right now, he was talking to someone named... Lieutenant Pav. Is that one of the adults he fought alongside with?

"Yeah! I have boots now!" He was both cheerful and boasting as he brought his feet up while sitting on his butt. This is... the first time I've seen him that happy... the adults were probably nice to- "Say, Lieutenant. Why did you join the Bremen Army in the first place?" I... he's talking to one those savages?!

"Voroniya? Yeah, I've heard of it." He said to no one infront of him with a sympathetic tone. "Obliterated by the Bremens back in the first war." There were more than one?!

"You were from there?!" He asked incredulously, even bolting straight up from his butt. I mean... I'm also surprised, who would join their tormenters voluntarily. "I... thats actually really cool..." He said with awe in his voice. What did he do?! Tell me!

I see him turning his head towards... my hiding places direction... he's smiling. "Yeah, rising up the ranks to eventually get close enough to Kaiser so you can personally get justice for your home." I... yeah, that is pretty awesome. Wait, Kaiser?! They were there too?! Then that would me- "I actually saw you shoot through his face back in Prehevil-" Wait, him? Phew, just the same name. "-Then he just turned around and slashed you." Magic exists, so hard to kill people is pretty plausible.

"Yeah no, Hoshino really hates adults, and you're dead." Wait, what? How did you know?! "You don't have a chance either way." ... Is he talking to a ghost? Whatever he's replying to sounds more advanced than what schizophrenia is capable of. "Yeah, Lieutenant Pav already saw you earlier." So it would seem.

I walk out of my hiding spot now that it's useless. "You're drinking again." I simply state without emotion. "You said you hated your father for drinking, yet here you are." To that, he just starts snickering before it turned to full on laughter.

"Yeah, I look miserable, don't I?" He said with bitterness in his voice, staring at the 4th and empty bottle he brought with him. "As much as I hate it, it dulls the pain."

"You..." I felt my eye twitch for a moment, annoyed at how he's... "You're acting exactly like the adults that stomped you down." Seriously, you look like you want to just give up on everything.

"Yeah... " I hear him drunkenly slurring, eyes full of defeat. "I can't even feel anger anymore... it's been beaten out of me." You didn't try to fight back even a little?

"I couldn't... I just deserted when I got the chance." He sobbed out with a strained voice. "I ran away after they died." Is he talking... about his squad of kids?

"Why didn't you just run away with them?!" I couldn't help but shout it out. I mean, you had weapons! You're a good leader! Why didn't you fight back and run away?!

"And go where?" That look he's giving me... it's as if he's pleading for something. "We had nowhere to go! No one to turn to! It's not like Kivotos where it's normal for kids to have guns!" He shouted out, the drunkenness attaching itself to his voice.

"Anywhere else would've been better than the frontlines!" I don't know about wars, but that should've been obvious for you!

"And then what?! Resort to banditry and then get killed once we're hunted!" He shouted back, almost crying as he did with watery eyes. I... I don't know anything about that place... I don't need to know, I only know that you're acting just like th-

"Of course I am!" I... what is he talking about? "I grew up with nothing but shit! I don't even have proper schooling!" He shouted with the tears in his eyes finally flowing. ...

"Hoshino..." He slurred, finally calming down, I think. "Why didn't you girls just leave and go somewhere else?" Isn't that obvious? Because Ab- "Don't give me that excuse! Plenty of people refused to leave their homes as the Bremens came closer, and look at what happened to them!" You... you've been reading my mind this entire time?!

He didn't need physical contact for mind reading? Why did I think it would have conditions that make sense? It's magic! He's been reading my- no, our minds this entire time!

"I remember my mom telling me once that home is where the heart is." He said, falling down to his knees. You've only talked about your father and the other adults you've met, why do you only talf about your mom now? "I was too young to remember her fully when she was killed." My condolences. Killed? That must suck a lot, there's never been any murder in Kivotos, but even I would know that it would be punished severly.

"Not even." That bitter self deprecating laugh and smile is back. What?... Why?! "They said losing custody of me was enough punishment." And with that, as if he heard the punchline of a joke, his bitter laughter got louder, loud enough to echo in the air before it morphed into a cry. ... That's just vile.

"And here you are, drinking like he did." You were right, there's only so much we can blame on others before we become a problem ourselves, you perfectly embody those words, Levi.

"I could say the same for you, Hoshino." ... What nonsense are yo- "The debt won't be settled in you or even your future childs lifetime, and you're dragging them down with you! Like I did with my squad!" How dare you?! To insinuate that I'm leading my juniors to-?!

...

...

...

I couldn't control myself, I rushed to him and bashed my fist on his face. He's bleeding from the nose, he's looking at me not even with anger... just a drunken glee.

That drunken glee turned to drunked rage as he pushed me a way with his left shoulder, and then dove down to my height as he bashed that empty glass bottle down to my face. It broke, scattering shards around my face, thankfully none if it came to my eyes.

"I can see how you act! You think refusing to grow up is better!" He shouted as he hammer fisted me, missing most but landing some. "It never crossed your head that they were like you once!" I dodged his fist left and right as he drunkenly rambled.

"They only cared about themselves!" I shouted back as I jabbed and swung my hands at him. My jab landed square on his face, making it spurt a little blood, yet it didn't affect him one bit as he dodged my other attack. "They never once cared to even look!" I said as I dodged his counter attack.

"Why would they?! Did you ask for it?!" Crap! I felt his hand grab my collar. "They were beaten down just like I was!" He said as he, with shocking strength from such a scrawny body, picked me up and slammed me to the floor.

"You never cared about them, and they didn't care about you in return!" He's sitting on me, bringing his fist up with a face wet with tears.

"They were crushed by reality at your age!" He smashed at my face. It didn't hurt, but I felt my skull numbing along with my heart skipping a beat at his words.

"They realized their hopes and dreams are useless!" Another one, missing and hitting the ground beside my head. He slowly brings up his scratched and bruised fist.

"They... they gave up and succumbed to misery." He started whimpering and crying as he frantically pulled me up to a sit, hugging me as he whimpered out apologies. "That's life.." He trailed off with a sob.

"Im sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so-" He stuttered and stammered as he frantically apologized, weeping as he did. "I'm not like him, I swear I'm not like him." He whimpered out. Is he talking about his...

I wrap my arm around and behind him, caressing the back of his head and bringing it down to my shoulder. It seems to have calmed him down as he's no longer crying loudly, only sobbing.

Even with all the things the adults did and allowed to be done to him, he still has empathy for them... I never actually thought about why adults were the way they were... I only saw and knew that they were lousy.

He softly holds my hands caressing his head, removing it slowly. "I... I'm going to sleep." He said with a sob as he stood up and slowly walked away.

"Right, sweet dreams, Levi-kun." I didn't hear a reply, only thr opening and closing of the roof door. He looked sober enough, I guess.

/

Ayane P.O.V

The next day came, and when we arrived back at the school, Hoshino-Senpai and Levi-Sensei's clothes looked disheveled... his fist is discolored with scratches and bruises, what happened?

I wanted to ask but... it's probably best to leave it. Hoshino-Senpai had the same almost depressed look as Levi-Sensei.

Anyway, we had to pay this months interest rates for the debt and... Levi-Sensei looked surprised when he found out the name of the company we're paying.

"Levi-Sensei told me last night, apparently, there was someone infamous named Kaiser back where he's from!" Is that so Hoshino-Senpai? Levi-Sensei?

"He was also called the Mad King in Yellow." Said Levi-Sensei as he chimed in, still half asleep.

"King in Yellow? Like the book?" I ask, now interested at this mad king. He looks confused at what I'm asking.

"No, he was literally only wearing a yellow robe and nothing else, not even boots." I... Why? That country just let their chancellor publicly show off his kink?!

"That country elected a pervert for a leader?!" Shouted Serika-chan incredulously.

"Maybe he's just a naturalist?" Nonomi-Senpai wondered aloud.

They bickered a lot about that Kaiser person, but moving on. Sensei had Shiroko-Senpai, still wearing that rat amulet and white wing shaped rock amulet around her neck, chase down the Kaiser Loan's van.

She looked and sounded excited as she took off so fast that she left an afterimage. She followed it back to the black market, turning heads from whoever was still here in Abydos at the blue and grey blur that my drone was still able to process.

Wow, she's like that speedster superhero from that comic I read when I was younger.

"Wow, there's a lot of people there." Yeah, I'd expect an illegal place to have little people but...

"Nn, I expected it to be smaller, but it's basically an entire city by itself." Shiroko-Senpai said through the radio.

Levi-Sensei had her stop at the Black Market's outer part, telling her to wait for us, well, except me I guess, there.

/

I've heard of black market's before, but this looks nothing like I imagined. It's like a festival here with the vendors...

"Have you ever been here, Hoshino?" Shiroko-Senpai asked.

"No, but I've heard a lot about weird places from outside our district." So she says.

We were going to start looking for where the van went until we heard screaming, and gunfire.

"Waaah! Please stop chasing me!" Shouted a distressed but still polite voice. That uniform? It's a Trinity student! The girl with light brown twintails ran away faster as the Sukebens chasing her laughed at her pleas and kept chasing.

That was until she bumped into Shiroko-Senpai, stopping both her and the delinquents chasing. They approached, asking for the Trinity girl, their ransom, to be handed over. Thankfully, they all froze and fled in fear when Levi-Sensei stepped in. Apparently, one of them was there during his first day here.

"T-thank you v-very much! I would have been in trouble if not for you." The Trinity girl with a Peroro bag bowed in thanks. "It was bad enough that I snuck out of school to get here, getting caught would've been..."

"You're from... Hasumi's school? Why are you even here?" Sensei asked in confusion. Yeah, Trinity girls are all rich, so why would she be here?

"I... yes Levi-Sensei, I'm from Trinity, my name is Ajitani Hifumi. I.. uhm, I was there when you came out of the portal!" She said nervously yet eagerly. "As for why I'm here, I came looking for something out of production. I heard those were still sold here." Interesting...

"What? Like heroin and opioids?" Blurted out Levi-Sensei. ... Why are those the first things that come to mind?! I can see from my drones camera, my schoolmates turn their heads to him at almost break neck speeds, with Hifumi backing away with an awkward look. "Those are commonly sold illegally where I'm from." He said, looking away as they stared. They then turns back to Hifumi.

"So what were you here for?" Shiroko-Senpai inquired with an inquisitive look, getting closer to Hifumi. "Is it a tank?" She asked, her ears twitching.

"Contraband firearms?" Followed up by Hoshino-Senpai, casually walking to her other side. Hifumi tried to back away more but Nonomi-Senpai cut off her escape route.

"A biochemical agent?" She asked with a look of caution.

"No! Nothing like those!" She nervously yet loudly denied, reaching into her bag and pulling out- "It's a limited edition edition Peroro merchandise!" ... She came all the way here... for a plushy?!

"Peroro?" Serika-chan raised a brow.

"Limited item..." As did Shiroko-Senpai.

"Yup!" She happily presented a small plush of the bird with ice cream shoved into it's mouth. She was about to start talking but Sensei beat her to it.

"It looks retarded, and you came to a place where you're a target just for that?" At his words, I see Hifumi's expression just dropping and darkening. "You could've just asked for it from whoever made it, you have wealth right?" Her normal expression returns, then the dumb look of realization comes as it came to her mind that she could've just done as Levi-Sensei said instead of coming here.

Apparently, Nonomi-Senpai also liked Momo Friends so they got along well really fast. They talked about somethings like Hifumi researching a lot about the black market before coming here.

This place has its own bank and police force? Good for them. Hifumi agreed to be their guide as we did help her with those Sukebens.

/

After hours of walking with complaints from Hoshino-Senpai about how she's too old for this, Nonomi-Senpai bought a full paper bag of taiyaki. They rested for a bit and ate their snacks Sensei just immediately devoured his portion in an instant, talking about how good it tasted.

"No worries, Nonomi-Senpai. I have some snacks of my own here." I let her know that I'm not going hungry by myself anytime soon.

A little bit more talking with Hifumi stating that corporation's shouldn't have as much power here as they have, along with some other things and... Stygian Bank apparently operates here... it's one of the largest black market banks she said... making alone a huge chunk of all illicit profits in Kivotos.

"Their profits from armed robbery, extortion, abductions, and so on and so fort to fund additional criminal activities." She explained in a grim tone. "It's like a never ending cycle." ... Yeah.

"Goodness, so the whole bank is complicit in this operation." Nonomi-Senpai worriedly said.

"Yes, the bank can be considered a criminal organization by itself." Is that so, Hifumi?

"Why haven't Rin done something by now?" Levi-Sensei mumbled loud enough for us to hear. "It's like that mobster bastard, and the mafia Mister Marcoh fled from."

Oh? That evidently got our attention as our heads turned. He notices and opens his mouth to explain. "The Mobster Count was by himself so he was easy pickings for me. Mister Marcoh was a boxer under a mafia, they threatened to hurt his sister so he fought back and escaped." Wow, that one person fought an entire criminal organization by himself. I can see the others, except Hoshino, expressing awe at the story.

Wait, are those? I look at the camera of my other drones following along.

"Armed forces coming your direction l!" I reported to my schoolmates. plus Hifumi. I hear Hifumi saying it's the market guards, with Hoshino observing that it's a routine patrol.

They hide, letting them pass as their numbers would be overwhelming in a fight.

... Is that... the armored truck carrying our monthly payment?! It's entering the Stygian Bank. "Yeah, that's Kaiser Loans. The exact truck carrying our payment." At my words I hear Hifumi speak up.

"You heard of them? Hifumi?" Inquired Hoshino-Senpai with a casual tone.

"That's the Kaiser Corporation's loan shark company!" I hear Shiroko-Senpai asking if they're a criminal organization if they're infamous. "Not really, but they're still shady. They practically jump rope the line between legal and otherwise!" Levi-Sensei giggled a little at how she worded it out.

"They've been trying to extend their reach to Trinity as well. The Tea Party has been watching them closely, making sure they don't cause any problems." Tea Party? The Student Council of Trinity? "The debt you guys owe are to them, right?"

"That's a long story," Hoshino-Senpai answered. "Ayane, can you get into their system?" Well, I'll try... no good, I can't get in. I report it back to them over the radio.

"The reason they've been adamant about cash only..." Trailed off Nonomi-Senpai.

"Our money is being funneled through their operations." Finished Shiroko-Senpai with a neutral expression.

"Unbelievable! So we've been funding criminal activity this whole time!" Screamed out Serika-Senpai.

They turn their heads, and I my drone, to the sound of Levi-Sensei laughing... it sounds a little like crying, but he's laughing. "You girls have been funding the Helmet Gangsters attacks on your school." He stopped laughing... he looks upset. I, along with the my Abydos schoolmates are evidently upset just by our facial expressions.

"P-probably not, there's still so much to figure out." I say outloud, hoping that's not the case.

"Wouldn't the transfer papers in the truck prove that?" At Hifumi's inquiry, Shiroko-Senpai's ears perk up twitching. Hoshino-Senpai looks impressed with her observation.

"Yeah, right!"

"Good thinking, Hifumi." So said Hoshino. Hifumi looks on in reluctance.

"On second thought, I doubt they would let us get in and take the papers. It's also the most heavily guarded bank in the black market so-" Before she could finish her sentence, Levi-Sensei interrupts her.

"I'll have you know, I worked alongside adults to charge and destroy entrenched Bremens and bunkers." He said, walking to get a clearer view of the bank. Really?! He worked with adults before?! "There's like... 20 different ways to charge in, just here from the front." Seriously?! He could tell st just a glance?!

Oh no... I see Shiroko-Senpai bringing out those masks she had... oh no, their pulling out their own... and they're having Hifumi used the now empty taiyaki bag as a mask... eh, screw it. I pull out the mask I took from her and put it on myself.

Now how do we disguise Sensei? Eh? Nonomi-Senpai wants him to dress like that Kaiser figure from where he came from?! Hehe, I can't help but giggle at the thought. Kaiser robbing a Kaiser bank, I think they're also having the same thoughts with how they're giggling.

Levi-Sensei looks reluctant, but doesn't resist as Nonomi-Senpai drags him to a nearby clothing store, followed by everyone else.

/

Shiroko P.O.V

Nn, Sensei didn't even hesitate to undress. But even more important is we're actually robbing the bank! Great minds think alike. I was the first to suggest it back then, now he's the first to actually consider it other than me.

Huh? We thought he said this Kaiser person wore a robe... he picked out a huge thin yellow blanket, and entered the changing room. He took off everything...

"Even his underwear?!" Screamed out Serika with a flustered look... Nn, he's really commiting to this bit.

"Sensei, you shouldn't undress like that in public!" Said Nonomi with a worried, slightly blushing look.

Hoshino doesn't look the least bit concerned, just curious. Hifumi... Hifumi is just frozen, unable to process what is happening. I see her take a step back as I heard the changing room door opening.

"Ueegh, looking good Sensei." Hoshino said lazily as i turn around.

He's wrapped that huge blanket around himself, the top is like a hood with a scarf covering the face. Yeah, his face carvings are all over social media, it will be easy to recognize it.

The lower half looks like a skirt... if we looked down..

"You're not wearing underwear! And it looks like it will flip up easy!" Shouted Serika who looks even more flustered.

"Yeah, it's gonna throw them off so much!" He said while laughing. Yeah, it would be very distracting... Nn. Hifumi looks mortified, Nonomi and Hoshino's imagination is probably in the gutter.

"Shiroko, can you grab that mannequins left arm?" Of course, he's the only one with Kivotos without a left arm.

"Reila, Kivotos already know I'm the only one with magic, as well as having the blood sword and a lugr." He... who's he talking to?

I choose not to answer as a longsword flickered into existence at his hands, it doesn't look magical like his other sword, it's solid. "Thanks, Reila!"

And so, we charged the bank, dragging along Hifumi with us.

/

Kayoko P.O.V

Ugh, we waited for so long that we fell asleep at the waiting area. The guards are manhandling us, dragging us out the exit with Aru still trying to desperately talk to the robot accounttant. ... Idiot... but she's my idiot.

Suddenly, the lights turn off and it's pure darkness for everyone.

Ratatatatat!

Gunfire?! I feel the guards holding me jerk away as bullets hit them, I hear them screaming as they went down. In a moment, the lights are on again.

... It's them! The Abydos Girls! And that Sensei... he's wearing a blanket?! I could see the bulge on... on.. seriously?! I felt my cheeks fluster up in a blush. I can tell that the rest of Problem Solver are also flustered, but Aru is looking more in awe at them.

"Are her eyes actually sparkling?"

It seems so, Mutsuki.

I have to calm Haruka down as she panicked, asking nervously if we should attack.

I hear one of them telling us to out our weapons down and our hands up. Is... is that a Trinity girl? She's politely shouting for us to not resist or risk getting hurt.

I see the robot accounttant rushing to activate the alarms ... and nothing.

"We already cut the alarm cables, no ones coming to help." Said the pink haired one. I see the Sensei in yellow rushing the robot accounttant, thrusting with that longsword on his hand, barely missing the accountants hand but still cutting his sleeves.

The accounttant is trembling. "Best not to upset the Yellow Prince," What kind of name is that? "He came from outside Kivotos, he's a tyrant who put all those standing in his way to the guillotine!" I... everyone looks convinced, even Aru looks on with admiration.

But first of all... he's wearing nothing underneath! When he charged, I saw the lower part of his blanket clothe flip up and show... his... his erect thing!!

"He's seriously wearing nothing underneath!" Even Mutsuki who teases so much is blushing heavily. I hear the pink one calling the Trinity girl "Faust, telling her that she's the boss and they're awaiting orders.

The Trinity girl reluctantly gives out orders. I see the wolf eared one telling the accountant to put all the money from that armored truck into the sack, which he eagerly does with pixelated tears.

I hear the blonde with her hair tied into a bun stating. "I'm Christina of the Masked Mizugi Gang!" Which had her peer shouting out with exasperation as they went through the exit.

And just like that, they were gone... seriously.. what the hell was that?! Why was the Sensei dressed like... like that?!

I'm still blushing, along with the other guards or students that saw his dong.

/

Levi P.O.V

We finally made it out of the black market, but more importantly, out of that yellow blanket dressing up as Kaiser. Seriously, they didn't even change clothes or hide obvious things like the animal ears of hair color.

But yeah, we're past that now. My eyes are glued to that sack of wealth, I heard Hoshino say it was worth 100 million and it hit me like a mortar round straight down a foxhole full of infantry.

I hear the girls arguing, Serika and Nonomi saying we should keep the money with Hoshino denying it with Shiroko agreeing with her, presidents order she said.

"What do you think, Sensei?" Hoshino is asking for my guidance? After what happened last night? "Eh, it was just a light argument, nothing to worry about." So you say.

"If we had this money..." I trailed off, thinking about the other boys I knew back in the orphanage, in the trenches. "We could've done a lot with this much wealth. Yeah, we're keeping it."

"And all that talk about being adults last night." She said, just staring at me.

"What do you want? To give it back and let Kaiser do as they please to their victims?" I ask, annoyed at her words. She actually widens her eyes at my words, she's probably looking back at our argument last night. "There's turning the other cheek and then letting bad people just step all over you."

Serika and Nonomi looks happy that I'm siding with them, Shiroko looks conflicted as to wether she should aide with me or Hoshino. And Hifumi looks concerned.

"Won't we just be as bad as they are?" She asked as she looked away from my eyes. "If we do this now, we'll just keep doing it along with other things until our morals are completely gone." I see, is that why you're so concerned?

"I.. uhm, I agree with Hoshino-San." Said Hifumi with a concerned voice. "You'll regret commiting bad things in the future." Girl, I regret not shooting the adults and deserting the army sooner... that expression she's wearing... goddamnit.

"Sensei... were they really..." She trails off, widening her eyes, realizing something. "I.. I'm sorry, it must've hurt." She apologized, looking at my left arm and face.

"Thanks, but moving on. We sho-" I was about to start speaking, but-

"Hold up!" Is that... I think Aru was her name. But crap, I already threw that yellow bla-

My thoughts stop as I see a green flickering around me, manifesting the same yellow blanket, wrapped around my body. Thanks, Reila!

The other girls also put their masks back on before she gets close. She starts... gushing on about how we were so daring to attack Stygian Bank, and how much she admires us...

Ok you know what.

I take the bag of money, making sure the transfer papers we needed were taken before dragging it to her. She's looking nervously and with a little fear.

I heard the pink one call him the Yellow Prince, she said he was a tyrant... that executed people for even the slightest offense! What do i do?!

Ok, now she's just overdramatic. I hand her the sack as I see her friends following behind her. I come closer to whisper into her ears. "Instead of an outlaw that everyone fears, be an outlaw that everyone will side with. An outlaw fighting against a non existent justice." I let out a rough laugh, so I can sell the character of being a deranged tyrant. "They were more threatening to my rule than those who were feared." Yeah, looks like it worked as she put on a determined face as she nodded.

What kind of joke did we just run into?

It's not a joke, Kayoko, it's called theatre play. I mouthed off, letting her lip read me.

"Anyway, what do you guys call yourself?" Before we could come up with a name, Nonomi excitedly declared us to be the Masked Mizugi gang... sure. And with that, we took off back to Abydos.

/

So apparently, I was right! Kaiser was using their payments to their debts as funding for the Helmet Gangsters arms and attacks.

"But why? They won't be paid if the school collapses." ... I think I can see why.

"It's probably the land they want." And so, they turned their heads to face me. Their expressions are that of frustration, confusion, and worry. "Either they just really want the land... or there's something under it that they're looking for." My thoughts go back to when the Bremens immediately started suing for peace once they held Prehevil. The Eastern Union had their underground tunnels there which Kaiser wanted for Logic.

I don't even need to read their minds as they processed my words, their expressions showing well their concerns. After a while, Hifumi left to report back to Trinity's "Tea Party" and as Ayane said, it's been a long day. It's time to rest.

/

What the hell? Master Shiba's restaurant got blown up... We rushed there right away, looking to help should master Shiba be hurt.

I hear Serika wondering aloud if the shop got targeted because of her. "It doesn't matter right now!" I shouted to snap her out of that line of thought.

Goddamnit, the entire building along with some close to it was entirely reduced to rubble. I see the Problem Solver girls in the rubbles. Kayoko and Aru is coughing, that imp is looking around with slight worry, and Haruka is... like most of the times I've seen her, completely distraught and afraid.

Im sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. I didn't mean to

She blames her self? No, she did do it, I can see the used detonators fall out of her hands. I then hear that imp teasing Aru and gloating about how Aru is completely ruthless, annihilating innocent people just because she had a soft spot for them.

Aru is flustered and stuttering at first, but now she's just going along with it.

Serika is muttering, gritting her teeth as she glared at Problem Solver.

"Master Shiba's safety has been confirmed, he only suffered superficial injuries. He'll be fine at the nearest clinic." Good to know, Ayane.

"Good." Simply said Serika with repressed rage. "Leave this to us, Sensei. Just tell us what to do."

"Sure." I let her know that she, along with Nonomi, Shiroko, and Ayane has the reins. I hear her cocking her gun, Nonomi preparing her minigun as I overheard someone call it, Shiroko's putting on the rat amulet and the White Angel Soul amulet as Reila called it, and Ayane had her drones fly high up above holding mortar rounds and grenades.

/

They were surprisingly easily defeated with Serika's furious attacks, Shiroko just speeding around them on circles, Nonomi's suppressive fire not even letting Kayoko point her gun up the sky like last time, and the rain of explosives from Ayane's drones.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Oh goddamnit! What is it?! Who is it now?!" I shout out in frustration. We still had to check up on Master Shiba.

We, along with Problem Solver turned our heads to the sound of those explosions. Those sounded like mortars... Bremen mortars. I see and hear some landing near the Problem Solver girls.

"Those are 50 mm shells. They seem to be directed at Problem Solver and not us." I can see that.

"If they're 50mm then..." Shiroko trails off with a serious face. She knows...

"Unit affiliation confirmed! It's the Gehenna Prefect team! A mobile infantry brigade." ... Chinatsu? No, maybe it's that silver haired girl, Iori. But why would... are they here for Problem Solver?

Boom! Boom!

Damnit! Those were close, I saw some land directly under Kayoko's feet, knocking her out... my phone? I pull the vibrating thing out of my pocket to see who's calling... It's her.

"Yes, Chinatsu?" I ask as I answer, putting it on speaker mode as Hoshino called it 2 or 3 nights ago since putting it next to my ear felt awkward.

"Levi-Sensei, are you with the Abydos Students?!" Yes, why do you a- "Iori has no intention of letting them know she's coming with several squads!" ...

"Thanks, Chinatsu." I replied with a low voice, hanging up the call. The Abydos girls heard all of that.

"My my, are you and that prefect member close to eachother?" Not now Nonomi.

"Does this Iori girl think she can just trespass into our land as she pleases?!' Angrily shouted out by Serika.

"Nn, Problem Solver is ours." I kind of want to let them have the Problem Solver girls. Nonomi is talking about the political troubles that can come with fighting the Prefect Team... goddamn politics, to hell with that.

I hear the Problem Solver girls with the exception of Kayoko looking at us.

"The Prefect Team wouldn't send that much for mere small time criminals." You really think so, Nonomi? "There's something else going on."

"Whatever it is doesn't matter, we'll merge with Problem Solver for now." I see Aru widening her eyes as she heard me, and the Abydos girls reluctantly agree. "Ayane, where's Hoshino?!" Seriously, this is the first time she's not fighting with us.

"Still no contact with her! She's never been away this long!" Damn, it's just us.

"Get into that position, you too! Aru, Haruka, and that little imp!" They all rush to where I'm pointing.

"But Sense-"

"To hell with politics, Nonomi!" I lost years of my life because of that shit. I see her stiffen at my words with a worried look.

"Besides, they already made it to a political conflict the moment they trespassed here." Thanks, Ayane.

[Roots That Reap]

The roots shot out of the ground, breaking up the concrete road and scattering the land underneath in a way that it can used as an impromptu trench.

"Get those rubble out of the hole, we're making a trench. Now move it, faster!" I shout loudly to snap them out of their wonder at Vinushka's blessing and got them to move all the rubble to the front facing the oncoming Prefect Team squads led by Iori.

... It's like I'm back fighting off the fucking Bremens again!

/

A/N: I have to admit I didn't have much plans for Abydos, heck I don't have much of a plan for the rest of the fic. I'm just going along with what my hands start writing and my mind thinks will work.

Also, I never thought I would use skips and pov changes this much.

The part where Hoshino and Levi started throwing hands, thats just my headcanon of Levi's thoughts. If he hated adults like Hoshino did, then he wouldn't have waited for everyone else in the train to wake up, just shoot them in their sleep.

And out of the 14 contestants, he's top 3 of the most dangerous and capable lorewise and realistically, only behind August with the Ragnvaldr DNA and Lieutenant Pavel Yudin who most likely turned the Geneva Conventions into a Geneva Bucketlist.

Also yeah, sorry if this chapter disappoints, my planning before writing was mostly on Part 2, 3, and volume F with moonscorch pheneprates levi. Part 3 in particular because Levi is just a biblically accurate Arius Student.

Also, Serika didn't waste all of her money, it seems. She found a salmonsnake rune, ring of stillblood, betel ring, white angel soul/rune, small things amulet, leechmonger ring.

Also, are there any tags that I should add or remove?