Soldier Boy and Angel Girls
Reila P.O.V
"So that is why, we must join forces against this existential threat to Kivotos." Said the girl with long black hair wearing a business suit to me in a matter of factly tone, her arms crossed under her... well endowed chest region as she looked on with a neutral expression.
"I understand." I said, still trying to process all the nonsense she was saying, to which she actually took a deep breath in surprise whilst she put on a smile out of relief. "But who the hell starts a conversation like that?! I just sat down!" Actually, no I fucking don't!
This girl with a black circle and an S that's seperated half as a halo, she called herself Rio Tsukasuki, walked into the classroom and then towards me like she owned the place. Well, turns out she did own the place because everybodies eyes were on her and they followed through when she told them to leave which they did without even a hint on hesitation.
I barely managed to contain my groan and frown because... the coding lessons were about to start. I was placed among highschool first years as my understanding of computers was so vastly different, as much of a prodigy as I am, than what Kivotos has so I have to overhaul just about everything I know regarding the matter. I already got to listen in on the afternoon classes, but I still want to hear more in this evening class.
There were so many computer languages introduced before the supposed start of the coding stuff before bossgirl Rio here appeared. Talking about some nameless gods who, along with their followers, left technology and artifacts meant to bring Kivotos to it's knees to pave the way for their takeover or something. I stopped listening halfway through when she started talking about the faker Deca being a New God, using the term she obviously doesn't fully know the meaning of as if she coined it.
"I understand that it must be overwhelming for an outsider. However, it still must be said." Rio said in all seriousness with a completely blank poker face, I can feel some of her excitement, determination, and nervousness thanks to my nature. "Just yesterday, I've detected one such threat infiltrating Millennium, and by extension, Kivotos."
Hmm, but the only thing that appeared yesterday was the faker and... little cute Aris. Well, she is special after all. She acts like a human, a toddler to be exact as she first spoke unnaturally but eventually learned how to speak... well, not normally but it still works. She's still a machine... one so advanced that it- no, she. She has a soul of her own. I could feel it, both from within her and her halo.
"Why not talk to Levi about it?" I asked with a sigh, keeping my eyes focused on Rio as I rested my head on the table using my arms as pillows. She blinks, clearing hee throat as she opened her mouth. "I mean, a cute girl like you would fit a cute guy like him." I teased out with a smirk to throw her off. I mean, Olivia was right, Levi really is cute most of the times.
"Huh?! Excuse m-me?!" There, her tough looking exterior broke and she lightly blushed raising her voice at me in indignation. "I must remind you, this is no joke! The fate of Kivotos very well rests on our shoulders!" When she says "our", does she mean just herself or does the people she rule over count?
"Then why not meet and tell Levi? He's the master in military stuff, he basically held back the entire Bremen onslaught east with his squad." Of course, he was only one of the many miniscule cogs in the Eastern Union's war machine but he caused enough mayhem that the Bremen military had a file just for him and his squad. I remember reading from one of the many pieces of information other NLU agents found. Sure, Levi needs a little boost in self esteem but finding out about that would just make him overconfident.
"I have enough critical thinking to tell reality from exaggeration, Reila Haas." Rio spoke back with a faux cough, immediately regaining her composure. "And no, I do not trust that boy to be mentally well enough to successfully lead Kivotos." ... I felt my eyes glare at her reflexively, lips curling down to a frown... I can't exactly argue with that...
"In fact, I am certain that you are more qualified to be a Sensei, Reila-san. It is unthinkable that the GSC President chose him when she very well had you in the first place." This girl... she thinks she knows everything. She speaks like her words are of absolute certainty, as if she's making some sacrifice for the betterment of the world when she's just being full of herself. "I am certain that the Acting President must be thinking the same thing. She's a pragmatic one after all."
I felt my teeth gritting involuntarily, her attitude reminding me of the delusional madman dressed in yellow.
"I'm nothing like Levi, Rio."
"Exactly! He-"
"If the GSC President came to me first, then I wouldn't have been able to restore the peace just as Levi did." I did lead the operation to hijack Project Logic, but I'm not capable of the tactical stuff Levi is capable of. "Even if she did, I wouldn't have taken her offer." I was dedicated to the Nameless Liberty Underground, I wanted to reunite with Olivia... and I did, but she asked me to take care of Levi.
And so, I found myself here after we talked with that blue haired girl, the GSC President.
"I understand. However, it still does not change the fact!" Rio said, raising her voice as she lost some of her composure. "A good leader must be of sane mind, one able to make difficult decisions to keep everything under control." Tsk, she's talking like those fanatics praising Kaiser to hell and back even with everything he was doing to the world.
"You're talking like a tyrant, Rio."
"If the situation is dire enough, then I wi-"
"No... we won't let you. You don't know what you're talking about." I said in a low voice, closing my eyes so I don't have to look at Rio. She's completely silent.
"I see... then our dialogue is over." She said, followed by the sounds of her high heels tapping on the floor as she went out the room. "It is a shame, I would've thought a proper adult to be rational." I heard her muttering as she went through the door.
I let out a long, disappointed and tired sigh. Kivotos is such a lively, bright, hopeful place. It doesn't need anything drastic being done by any sort of leaders as there isn't any actual issue that could bring it to it's knees.
No famines with it's unbelievable abundance in resources, no killings with how tough people here are durability wise, and the delinquents isn't much of a problem as they aren't plotting murder and stuff.
Yet to see someone, in a position of power no less, acting and speaking like Rio is a little surprising... and a lot of disappointment.
She's gonna be meeting Levi soon... it'll be inevitable considering their positions.
/
Hina P.O.V
It's those infuriating repeat offenders again... the Hot springs Development Department along with all the noise and environmental disruptions their needlessly gigantic industrial driller makes... in midnight no less!
Jogging through rooftops, enlarging and expanding my wings as I jumped and glided around the buildings while thinking about how to deal with them this time.
I couldn't help but groan out as I thought about their president, and her absolutely... annoying, insufferable, haughty, pretentious laugh. If I put her and whoever I manage to catch behind bars, then they'll simply keep doing it once released in a few days or so.
Perhaps... I could put Kasumi's machine out of commission. Preferably permanently. I mean, she already fears me, what will she be doing about it? Besides, I have the supposed strongest destruction spell of his lands Gods which only Levi-Sensei and I most likely only posses at least here in Kivotos.
I've tested it back in Abydos. Powerful and swift, breaking the sound barrier just by moving and cutting through military hardware like butter. The way it absolutely obliterated that building even with it's miniscule size by comparison when I couldn't move it fast enough...
Truly, I'm the honored one of Kivotos.
With a motion from my wings creating a gust of wind propelling me upwards, I set foot upon the roof of a taller building looking down on the Hot springs Development Department.
There's Kasumi and Megu with their usual cheeky smiles, and the many members of their club dressed indecently holding pickaxes and wearing hardhats on their heads.
[Black Orb]
I called upon the magic spell in my head, and it slowly manifested in my hand as I'm pointing towards their industrial driller. This is for giving me more messes to fix, and for ruining the rest and relaxation I was having with my colleagues.
A small black ball of energy appeared in my hand, frantically moving back and forth across all directions but thankfully, I'm managing to keep it anchored to my hand as it grew bigger in size. The purple energy spiralling in its form appearing as it reached the full size, the same as it was back in Abydos, as it somewhat stabilized and stopped moving around.
I see Kasumi looking away from Megu and up towards me, her smile disappearing and slowly realizing what she's looking at as fear morphed her expression.
She faces me fully, frantically moving her arms side to side occasionally crossing her arms and shaking her head left and right as if she were begging for my mercy.
Hmm... maybe I am letting my emotions cloud my judgement... Levi-Sensei would probably want me to use this power responsibly...
But Sensei trusted me enough with this power, so he should trust me enough to do with it as I see fit... I hope.
I launch the dark orb of destruction towards the gigantic driller, my coat and hair flipping around as the force from it's movement broke the sound barrier creating a massive gust of wind.
In a split second, I saw as many members of the Hot springs Development Department were blown around as the orb passed them along with their president and Megu. It went through the the gigantic mass of steel that is the drill, breaking it apart as if it were paper as it went through the rest of it's body and-
Boom!
Then through the ground, dirt and smoke blowing up and around as it obscured my vision of the place even from this high of a ground.
Oh my... perhaps I've overdone it...
Slowly but surely, all the dust began dissipating as the wind cleared and scattered it revealing... a massive crater where the driller once was, members of the Hot springs Development Department scattered around on the ground with some unconscious and some struggling to get back up.
I see Kasumi slowly moving towards... what's left of the giant driller... which is basically non existent at this point. I mean, the only remains are pieces of the tractor tracks... or at least I think that's what it is. It's too mangled, disfigured, and too little pieces...
Then, she began loudly crying and wailing up the sky, with Megu walking towards her and rubbing and patting her back in comfort.
I would say that I feel some regret doing this, but... they've never shown regret whenever they destroyed property so carelessly and such.
But yes, I did overdo it... as I just made a crater myself when I was supposed to stop them in the first place...
Oh well! At least I won't have to deal with the Hot springs Development Department anytime soon... at least I hope so.
/
Mari P.O.V
A new day with new work to be done, I thought as I yawned with a hand covering my mouth. As a holy sister, I can't be appearing inelegant to my peers. Walking through the corridors of the Cathedral, the sunlight refracted by the colorful stained glass brightened up my path with natural light as I kept on walking.
Hmm, my assigned duties are still for later afternoon and... that's too much free time of doing nothing than I would know what to do with. Sister Hinata, even at a morning this early would be moving crates and such. Truly, she is dedicated to the responsibility Head Sister Sakurako entrusted to her with inventory and such.
I'm already well awake and ready for work, yet... perhaps I could finally put to use the magic Levi-Sensei trusted me with.
Oh, Alll-Mer. The slight embarrassment I felt when it was revealed that the spells I asked for took more effort and costed more compared to what Hinata and Sakurako asked for. A ritual circle, what I assumed it was, and three of those blue stones.
Yes, I should really use it for more important things with how much I asked for compared to the other two. Three if the Gehenna Head Prefect, Sorasaki Hina is counted.
I've been using the "Mastery Over Vermin" blessing to have insects, specifically invasive ones, to leave where they shouldn't be and regular... ugh, roaches and rats to move somewhere else.
The little critters all replied, the spell probably translating their noises to words in my mind as they all referred to me as master. They, without an ounce of hesitation, followed through my orders like commoners to monarchs.
Oh my, I've most likely have gotten a countless number of them killed by now...
"Oh? Sister Mari, what brings you here?" I halted my thoughts the same time I did with my steps as I heard Sister Hinata's greeting, smiling as she's facing me with numerous large boxes, even crates piled upon one another behind her.
"Well, I wanted to make myself useful..." I trailed off, trying to find appropriate words to use. I don't want to make it sound like Hinata isn't doing her duties well enough.
"I appreciate it, but no thanks. I'm... kind of the only sister who can do this." Hinata said with a hint of shyness, turning around and wrapping her arms around a crate as she lifted it up from where it was. As she adjusted her grip and hold over the sizable crate, I saw some of her muscles bulging in her arms. "Besides, you have more important duties in the confessional and mass." Yes, but it is still much later.
Well... it is undeniable that she is the only sister capable of carrying stuff...
But-
[Flesh Puppetry]
Not anymore! I thought with excitement making my body tremble slightly as the two ghostly blue hands floated up from my shadow with Hinata looking on in surprise.
"Please, I want to put this magic to use." I said, clasping my hands together as I hopefully looked on at Sister Hinata.
"Cool... but can it carry the crates?" Well, it would only make sense to confirm the magical floating hands could do as such.
And so, with a motion of my hand I sent the hands towards the boxes and crates as I mentally gave them the order to pick one up. I don't know if that's how this spell functions, but I'll find out soon enough.
The two floating ghost hands flew lower as they reached down to a crate, each arm floating to it's sides as they placed themselves upon it.
Hmm... wait, how will they li-
The sight of the huge crate half my size, but most likely twice or so my weight, being lifted up by two small ghost hands caused me to pause my thoughts. It... can.
"Wow, so convenient." Hinata muttered in awe as she stared, her eyes glimmering in wonder with an open smile on her face. "Well, follow me then." She said as she turned around and started walking towards where these crates and boxes, along with their contents, should be.
Most of the times, Hinata wakes up a little bit earlier to do her duties in transporting stuff and inventory. Even when most of the Sisterhood just arrived here in mornings, she's already finished carrying stuff to where they ought to be. She's always tired and sweaty like that.
But seeing her be even more enthusiastic than usual, as I'm helping her with my magic is... it's magnificent. Sister Hinata looks so bright with that delighted expression.
Wait... that sounds like... girls can't love other girls, right?
Shaking my head as I discard those sinful thoughts, I kept up with Hinata as we walked back and forth across the cathedral carrying boxes and stuff to where their supposed to be for a short while until finally... we're finished.
"Those hands are so convenient!" Hinata modestly cheered with a smile as she's huffing, sitting down on one of these long chairs meant for the communal mass to rest. "I was thinking of using the moth spell, but... I didn't think they could carry that much weight... even if... they are... magi... cal." She muttered out with some pauses, eyes barely keeping open as she struggled to keep her head up.
Then finally, she started breathing softly as she's still sweetly smiling , eyes closed as her body was naturally pulled down by gravity as she's no longer controlling it unconscious.
She's always hard working, falling asleep most of the times during prayers because she's this tired... so, rest well Sister Hinata.
Setting the kneeling pad connected to the long chair infront of us down, I set my knees on it as I clasped my hands and prayed.
"In the name of Alll-Mer..." Before Levi-Sensei appeared, we referred to our Lord Alll-Mer as simply God. The one true God that is as stated by the records which survived the passing of time since many decades, even centuries ago across our predecessors in those many times.
I know that our predecessors at one point started destroying some of the sacred writings, as evidenced by the many obvious missions parts, for whatever reason.
But now, now I pray knowing our Gods true forgotten name. I prayed for Sister Hinata's hardwork, both past, present, and future dedications and sacrifice she well no doubt make, to be well rewarded and for her fatigue to be washed away.
Hmm, I've spent a lot of time playing around with the magic Levi-Sensei gave me all this time...
With a deep breath, I then started praying for Levi-Sensei. I prayed that he would find peace and forgiveness, forgiveness that he will afford for himself. Forgiveness from other people might be good and all, but it won't mean anything if one can't even forgive themselves. I pray that he may never go through such suffering ever again, that he will achieve what the terrible place that is his birthplace stomped down before it could even start growing.
I the-
[Alll-Mer hears your prayers]
Huh? I... didn't just imagine that, right? What was that voice- no, not a voice. The statement was simply put in my head like a paper envelope.
I turn around as I hear Hinata yawning as she stretched her arms up, a wide smile present in her face. "Uwaah, I feel ... good as new. I wonder why?" Wow, not a hint of the exhaustion that brought her to sleep. She's... she's looking even more energetic than usual! "Oh? Morning, Mari!"
"Good morning, Hinata." Yeah, we didn't greet eachother a good morning earlier now, did we?
I hear some footsteps. We both turn out heads in unison towards the Cathedral gates, and see... Levi-Sensei? Yawning as he covered his mouth, dark purplish hair still wet from a bath.
"Hey, good morning girls." He greeted with a raised arm, then we greeted back in kind. "I'm not staying for long, I'm just taking an Empty Scroll or two." Hmm, maybe another student who's worthy enough asked for magic.
Oh well, I trust Sensei's judgement. Scary as he might look, it's fairly obvious how kind yet shy he is.
/
Carefully taking the centuries, by my estimate looking at its condition, old stone stairs down to the Cathedral basement storing all the magical stones we have, along with the many ancient parchment scrolls.
"So, Mari. What were you praying for?" I Heard Levi-Sensei asking behind me, our footsteps echoing in this relatively cramped path downwards.
"I was praying for Sister Hinata... and for you, Levi-Sensei." I answered back, keeping my eyes on the front to make sure I don't trip on something.
"Is that so? Thanks, Mari!" Hearing him that happy really fills my heart. "Say... why did you choose to be a nun? In this day and age?" Hmm... I guess it's only natural that he would be curious.
"Of course, I have many duties in the church like my fellow sisters. As to why I chose this..." I let out a low hum, organizing my thoughts and memories on the matter. "I liked listening to people's confessions, empathizing with the sorrow they hold in their hearts." Naturally, it isn't that simple.
"So counseling?" Well, I guess it is similar to that. "That's nice. Some people... just needs someone to listen." Yes, exactly like that. But... the difference is-
"Counselors will give advice, I... can only merely listen." It isn't that much, but... the people I've listened to seemed simply happy enough to talk about their pains.
"That's more than enough, Mari. People in despair... will simply take what they are afforded. No matter how little." Levi-Sensei said with a chuckle, bitterness yet acceptance obvious in his tone.
"I understand, but can't I do more?" I said, halting my steps as I turned around to face Sensei. Pulse slowly going up as I awaited his answer, staring at the mutilation marks on his face as he stared back.
"No... the people who confesses to you, who trusts you with their deepest secrets, will feel responsible if they see you dead tired for working too hard." He said, a small smile appearing in his face as he blinked and scratched the back of his head. "Mari, you are sincere. You are true to your faith, that... is all they need." He added in a reassuring tone, his only hand reaching out to my shoulder with a small pat.
"I see... that is good to know." If the faithful churchgoers trust me this much, then I will simply have to keep my devotion and commitment. And so, I turned back around as I continued walking with Levi-Sensei following after me.
Eventually, we reached the level where the basement storing the scrolls is. We walked into the place as I took my phone out and used it's flashlight feature, the artificial light illuminating the dark place and showing the stacks of parchment scrolls and small crates of those blue stones.
"Wow, it's also a flashlight..." I heard Levi-Sensei muttering aloud in awe. Hmm... were smartphones not yet prevalent where he came from?
"Say, Levi-Sensei." I started, making him pause and turn around to look at me on his way towards the stack of scrolls. "Do you... have any concerns or worries in your mind?" I am well aware that we are out of the confessional booth, yet... I still wish to help Sensei in whatever way I can.
For a moment, Levi-Sensei's expression remained frozen. Then, he turns to look away with thinned lips and narrowed eyes.
"Sensei, if you do not wish to speak..." Of course, it is only natural that he-
"Well... I'm kind of scared... that I might end up dragging my students down with me." Huh? Does he really think of himself... as a bad person? The things he confessed to me back then, he had no other choice in the matter as it was about survival yet... he still considers himself as such. "So many ways... my vices. Tobacco, alcohol... opioids..." He wouldn't be the only one resorting to vices to soothe his pain, unfortunately enough.
"What if I got a student hooked to those things?"
"Do you want to introduce those things to students?" This would hurt Sensei, yet... it feels appropriate, to force him to answer.
Sensei snaps his eyes wide, teeth gritting as his body shook looking at me. "N-no! Absolutely not!" He cried out as he huffed, his only hand grasping at his chest as he heaved breathing.
"Then that is you're answer. As far as I have seen, you're not- well, at least no longer partaking in such things. Even then, we will be there to stop you."
"... Thank you, Mari."
/
Levi P.O.V
Getting to know Mari made me renew my faith in Alll-Mer. Well, not a lot but it's still something. Of course, there's Sakurako and Hinata as well as their fellow sisters but Mari... she's fully devoted to her duties.
Moving on, I grabbed three scrolls, which was all that could fit in my bag without being crumpled too much or damaged. It's still early and I kind of just got here, so... I guess I'll answer another student's, which I have yet to meet, request for assistance.
She should be... in the park towards that direction, I thought to myself as I brought my phone down and started-
[Phase Step]
Moving to where this student should be at this moment. Even with how little students there are around this early in the morning, I could still feel a lot of eyes staring ate from all directions as I-
[Phase Step]
Kept moving forward to my destination, alternating between walking, jogging, and phasing.
Hmm, what's that?
I stopped, turning my head up towards the top of that tower. I see... a long pink haired girl waving at me with such enthusiasm, but I can't see her well from this angle.
So, I could only wave back as I turned back and continued on moving and occasionally teleporting on my merry way.
This should be the park where that student who asked for my support is, the place looks so damn fancy. It looks like it wanted to look modest yet somehow, it still looks expensive as fu-
"Oh? Sensei Levi, you actually came?!" I heard a voice exclaim in surprise. I stop walking, turning towards the source of the voice and seeing... a girl with short pink hair wearing all white clothes with pink accents. Her halo is gold and looks kind of holy.
Going by her headwear, and the symbol on it, she's either a nurse or a medic. And that weirdly shaped gun, the same one Hifumi had, with the same white and pink color scheme as her clothes, as well as a syringe where a bayonet would be...
"It it nice to finally meet you, My name is Sumi Serina! Of the Remedial Knights." Likewise, I'm Levi. So, what'd you call me here for? "Well..." She, Serina, trailed off with an awkward smile as she glanced back... at little kids, even smaller and younger than Ibuki, trembling and looking on in fear at the sight of no doubt, my image.
I hear one whining, while the rest had watery eyes...
... ... ...
For their sake, I took a step to the side to hide myself from them with Serina in between us. Damn, I didn't think being looked at like that would hurt so much.
I see Serina widening her eyes, then she turned around to face the kids. Once again, they're looking at my hideous figure.
"Now, now kids. Levi-Sensei might look scary, but he's really nice." Serina told the kids as she knelt down on their level. Naturally, they're not believing it. "Both the Sisterhood and the Justice Task Force said so."
"S-sister Sakurako is s-scary!"
"And T-Tsurugi Nee-san looks like a d-d-demon!"
I heard two of them whining out. I don't know about Sakurako, but Tsurugi... well, can't exactly argue with that.
"Kids! That's rude you know? Talking about them like that when you've never met them." Serina sternly, yet softly scolded. Hmm, sounds like the kids actually calmed down. Then, Serina bolted up, rushing towards me. "Say, Levi-Sensei. Can you show them a magic spell?" And whispering that request in my ears.
"Would now be a good time to say I'm bad with kids?" I whispered back, feeling a slight sense of embarrassment at the situation I'm in.
"Nope. I thought the same at first." Serina whispered back, amusement and nostalgia leaking from her tone. "And... well, I thought that you would like doing something like this. Putting smiles on peoples faces and all that." I see. I'll try then, Serina.
With a whisper of thanks and a smile, Serina moved to the side and again, the group of little kids and I are staring at one another again.
Even now, they still look afraid. Hmm, what spell should I use? Flesh Puppetry? Unless it looks like what Mari had, no. Pyromancy Trick? No, too bland for kids. Mischief Of Rats? Nah, rats are unwanted vermins. Basically, everything from Funger, Gro-goroth, Alll-Mer, and definitely Sylvain is out without question.
[Moth Swarm]
It worked with Ibuki, I'm hoping it works with these kids. As the mass of blue moths flew out of my shadow, the kids all made some noises that I couldn't tell what meant.
"This... Sister Sakurako and Hinata were using it a while back." Yeah, I owed them and so, I had to give them something in return. "So you're saying that we can learn magic?" Kind of.
With a motion of my hand, I ordered the swarm of moths to slowly, and not offensively or aggressively, fly towards the kids. Naturally, they all cried out in fear as they called for Serina but... it all stopped when some moths landed on the sleeves of their clothes and everywhere else.
"Wow... so flashy..."
"Heehee, that tickles."
"Uwaah, they're dancing." They are? I squint my eyes at that one kid staring in awe at her sleeve with a moth just... moving up and down, bending and unbending it's legs.
And so, the kids looks to have very much enjoyed playing around with the moths. Chasing them around as they flew away, just like Ibuki did back then, as well as some other ways the kids had to have fun.
"See? Just a little something is all you needed to get on their good side." Serina said, with a joyful tone. Looking towards the kids playing around the park with the blue moths. Serina, you were very much capable of taking care of them. So why bring me here? "Well... the way Hasumi-san talked about you, how you looked in social media and TV... you look like the kind of person who needed to know happiness. Not just to receive it, but to spread it yourself." Is that so?
"Thanks, Serina. I... never got the chance to do something like this." It's not like I could've done much, but I still could've done better. With my squad, with the other orphans...
"Hey... Mister L-Levi, can I ask f-for something?" I look down to the source of the meek voice, one of those kids looking up at me scared.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Uhmm... my balloon, it's up that tree." She explained, turning slightly and pointing up at a tree as she stood on her toes.
Hmm, yeah. There's the blue colored balloon.
[Flesh Puppetry]
I can't exactly reach that high, but these two little hands... there's so handy!
And so, the two hands both flew up to retrieve the balloon before it could fly away to the clouds. It then flew back down towards us, one of them going down to the little girl trying to hand it back to her.
But the girl only stared at the floating hand holding the string of her balloon, at the scarred, cut up, rotting hand that's just floating.
I forgot about that, no doubt she wo-
I observed as the girl rummaged through her pocket frantically, then pulling out a... bandage? Which she stuck on one of the puppet hands scars.
"Is not much, but thanks Mister Hand!" She cheerfully said, gratefully taking the balloons string as she went back to play with her friends.
That's... sweet. The puppet hand remained floating still, then it trembled as it opened up fully as it tried to reach out for the singular colorful bandage stuck to it's side.
You can keep it, go back to my shadow as you are if you want. Then, it went back and dissipated in my shadow along with it's other half.
"Children are really something, right?" Yeah, I can't deny that, Serina. So, why were you talking care of them in the first place? Is it the duty of your group, the Remedial Knights?
Serina starts giggling softly, then she turns to fully face me with a smile. "Kind of, I like putting smiles on peoples faces, as well as helping them. It can be said that it's the Knights duties, but... eh, I just like doing it."
"That's nice... really nice."
"It is. Now, I know tou have other duties to attend to, Sensei. But please, make sure to have plenty of rest. Overworking yourself can be detrimental to your health." I know. I'm perfectly fine, Serina! I'm always well fed and rested here in Kivotos! "You say that, but you're always so pale..."
"Huh? This is normal where I'm from." I answered back, still confused at her words as I pulled my sleeve up slightly with my teeth. "Actually, I never saw the need to but you Kivotans all have brighter complexions."
"Really now... well, I guess we have our duties at the moment. Make sure to call me if you need help, Sensei. I'll always be there for you!"
"Of course. Thanks, Serina."
/
One last students request I need to address before leaving Trinity district fully. This shop is the same one Hasumi called me to back then, the same place the sweets she bought for me came from.
The student who called me here said that she wanted help with her studies, so why, of all places, would she be calling me here?
Some people are staring at me, whispering gossips to one another. Wether I'm here waiting for Hasumi like last time, or if I'm waiting for someone else. Those kinds of things.
Honestly, being in a luxurious place like this... I can't help but feel out of place. Just a few weeks ago, I was still crawling in the mud before the ceasefire was announced and I deserted but now... I'm basically living like a Nobelman.
I heard the entrance door opening up as the bells above it rung, the following footsteps going from there to... right behind me.
"Oh? The Sensei of Schale? You're actually here? I'm Kyouyama Kazusa, it's nice to meet you." A girl behind me said, introducing herself with the same name her Momochat accounts name used.
I turn my head to look at the student behind me, seeing her large hoodie, skirt, and machinegun with it's sling going up to her shoulder. I turn my head up and... purple... cat ears.
Purple... cat... the image of an unnaturally tall man with a rubber cat mask flashes in my mind.
"Sensei... is something wrong? Are you alright?" She, Kazusa, asked out in concern as she bent slightly to look at my face closer. Her bright light purple halo flashing on my eyes. "Hmm, those are actual cuts... does it still hurt?"
"I'm... fine. Just that... the last purple cat person I met... wasn't.. nice at all." I said between huffs, adrenaline from the fight or flee instinct made my pulse go up.
"Oh? I see. Moving on, then." She said with a sigh of relief, walking around and to the other seat of this table while she's still holding... a stack of papers and setting it down on the tables surface.
"Wouldn't it be better to study somewhere more secluded and quiet?"
"True, but... I prefer it here. The sweets help keep me focused." Kazusa explained, then she called for a waiter, giving her order without even looking at the menu. "Besides, the make up exams are rearing it's ugly head." Hmm, if it's that important, then it's only more reason to study in a more quiet place.
"Yeah, but... I don't want to lose anything by devoting more time to studying." I see. "That's why I asked for your help, Levi-Sensei. You give off an old, wise, person who's seen it all."
"I've seen a lot of things, yes. But... eh, I've never been to school..."
Kazusa widens her eyes, her expression freezing and not even reacting to the waiter, who is also looking at me incredulously, setting the plate with her order on the table. Hmm, I think I said that a little too loud as I could feel eyes on me from a lot of places.
"... What?"
"Not a proper one at least!" I quickly rushed to correct myself.
"But the GSC President... chose you as a teacher, didn't she?" She did... but, I was kind of the only option she had back then. "I see. Then, we can learn together." Kazusa said with a cheery smile.
"I didn't listen to teachers or do any school activities like... at all back in middle school. So... I kind of also missed out on a lot." Kazusa explained with an awkward and ashamed smile. That's... I'm sure you'll easily catch up in grades, Kazusa. You give me the vibe of a hard working girl. "R-really? Thanks, Sensei."
And so, we went back and forth with one another. Reading about the topics and contents of whichever subject is the focus to eachother, and then asking an specific question to make eachother cough up the correct answer. That is, if we kept it in our heads in the first place.
It went on like that for a short while, so I ended up ordering a sweet cake, the same one Hasumi bought for me back then, for myself as I payed for Kazusa's order without thinking. Ah, I will be facing Yuuka's wrath in the future, won't I?
She seemed a little offended, but she did relent.
"I knew that having a teacher would help, but... this is kind of beyond what I was expecting." Kazusa said with a smile as she's fixing up her studying papers and setting it back in her bag. "It was embarrassing having to study these alone, but... it wasn't so bad with you, Levi-Sensei!" I'm just... I just want to help my dear students, Kazusa.
"I see. But Sensei, you look young. Probably young enough to be my brother or something, so... hearing you call me that is kind of awkward."
"That's because I'm not that old at all, Kazusa. I'm 18." Yeah, it's absurd that a guy that young would be calling other people only at least a year or three younger his dear students.
"18... not even 20, and you're already down an arm?" That's fine! I'm getting a really cool prosthetic soon! "Right. But aren't you a little too giddy about losing an arm?" Hehe, I guess I am.
"I still have business in Millennium. I have to go now, Kazusa."
"Of course. See you later, Levi-Sensei."
/
I was on my way to Millennium anyways, so I figured that I might as well tend to students asking for my help on the way.
The one I'm walking up the stairs of this building for wanted help to be bailed out of a... police force that's not Valkyrie. Apparently, they exist and are run by machine people.
Reaching the floor level this student is supposed to be, I see on a room with a clear view of the city a petite girl with red hair tied to twin buns. She's wearing a Millennium uniform under a baggy jacket. Hmm, that's one massive machinegun for such a small girl.
Her red halo with circles around it eerily looks like Rhers sigil.
She's arguing with an oblong headed machine with it's virtual expression looking angry.
"It's not vandalism! It's art!" She shouted at the machine person, who in turn leans down and slams a hand on his desk.
"It's still a crime as you trespassed in private property!" The robot person wearing a suit shouted back.
This shouldn't be too bad. I walk into the room, announcing my presence as the both of them turned their heads towards me.
"The young Sensei of Schale?" The automaton asked aloud as he looked at me, the red haired girl looking on with a smile of relief. "You really want to drag this out?" He asked the student as he turned back to her.
"I already told you, I'm innocent!" The red haired girl shouted back at the automaton. Then, she rushed to me as she turned to look at me. "The cops are bullying me even though I did nothing, Sensei!" She whined at me.
"And you are?"
"Oh, right. I'm Konuri Maki, part of the greatest knowledge liberation club that is Veritas!" She, Maki, proudly introduced herself. Hmm, the same group Yuuka blames for the 100 kilograms thing. "Yuuka was always muttering about you, Sensei." Was she now?
"Back to the topic, do you know what this student of yours did, Sensei?" Please, just call me Levi. Hearing proper grown ups call me by that title is kind of awkward. "I see. Mister Levi then, do you know what she has done?"
"I already told you! I did no-"
"What did she do?" I asked the automaton, interrupting Maki as she made a noise of confusion towards me.
"First, she trespassed into someone's private property. Second, she vanda-"
"How many times do I have to say this?! Graffiti isn't vandalism, it's art!" Maki sure sounds like she's passionate about this Graffiti thing. "Besides, the owner didn't mind!" It's someone's private property, so... did you ask for permission before painting up the place?
"Huh? Well..."
"Exactly the point I was trying to make. Even if the owner forgave you, you still broke a public law." The automaton said with an audible sigh as he looks to have somewhat relaxed. "This isn't even the first time. The KV Highway overpass, the back alley of Kuro Neko Market, and so on so forth. She's always tagging places where most people aren't looking.' I see.
"Please forgive her, she's still a child and all that." I said with a small bow towards the mechanoid.
"B-but Sensei!"
"I appreciate the gesture, but she's the one who needs to apologize." He said, straightening his body and adjusting his tie.
"What do I have to apologize for?!" Maki whined out, cheeks puffing and eyes slightly watering as it narrowed. "I'm just making those gloomy places more colorful and lively!"
"Young lady, those graffiti, as you call them, make those places look like it's infested with thugs. There's also the fact that taxpayer money is used to repaint those away."
"But... but..." Maki, it's just a few words. It isn't that hard. "I didn't do anything wrong... so why would I?" I was a kid once too, so I get why you're being so stubborn. But is it worth it if you're just gonna spend sometime behind bars?
"Tsk... fine. I... apologize for what I've done." She said with some reluctance, even giving a small bow towards the automaton with her head down in defeat.
"See, it wasn't so hard now, was it?" He said with a sigh. "Other officers aren't as lenient. Better to avoid doing those again, young lady."
"... sure."
/
Maki was pretty bummed out that I sided with the automaton police guy, and she was really bummed out about wanting to do graffiti while not making me angry. She seriously though I was angry.
But yeah, the Rondoner that's somewhat literally deep within me had a passion for arts. I managed to bring her mood up, promising to paint alongside her on a huge canvas or something.
Moving on, I started going towards Millenniums general direction again. Passing through the heart of the city with all the towers of glass and steel, and through a rural looking place like those abandoned villages in Abydos.
I mean, the architecture is basically the same except it's all still inhabited and well kept.
Hmm, what's that?
On the path I'm taking, I stop walking at the sight of a... short light red haired girl and sharp eyes with a grey halo kicking a can towards a wall, retrieving it and then kicking it once again. That... looks fun I guess.
The red haired girl is wearing a jacket with the sleeves and shoulder part down on her elbow. The jacket has some pink flowery patterns and an image of a far eastern dragon around the jacket. Long and serpent like.
... is that a maid headress?
As she kicked the can again, twisting her body to better control her kick. I saw the untucked and wrinkly maid uniform underneath herbjacket. She has two black and gold submachineguns which she's holding by chains waving around from the force of her movement.
Red hair... maid... Is that the girl Akane was talking about? Their leader? Compared to her three busty squadmates who's all dressed well and elegant, this tiny petite girl is...
Hell, even the blonde spy from yesterday was dressed more like a maid than she is.
Hmm, she's looking at me with eyes wide in embarrassment, cheeks blushing red as she took some steps back.
"You must be Neru, right?" I asked with a smile, hands us as a-
"H-how long?" Huh? "How long have you been watching?" Well... about a minute ago.
"Right... and you were talking about my three comrades big tits?" She said in a low, accusatory and rough tone as she narrowed her eyes at me. She bends her knees slightly, as if she were about to pounce me. "And here I thought you were-"
"Akane asked me to teach you a spell." I said a little too fast to interrupt whatever Neru was gonna say as I took out an empty scroll. "She did a fantastic job cleaning my place up last night, even the bedroom. So I don't mind giving it to you." Hmm, she's completely frozen.
"Y-you... just what did you do to Akane?!" Neru shouted roughly, blush getting redder as she approached me with still narrowed eyes. "Bedroom? Akane didn't... did she..." Did she what?
"She didn't bend over for you just so you would teach me magic did she?!" Neru asked with a hint of sadness, eyes wide towards me.
"No, you naughty girl! Why's that the first thing in your mind?!" I sighed out in annoyance, approaching her as I stretched my arm out with a scroll in hand.
"So... you didn't give her backshots or something?" Backsho-! That's a term no one would be able to come up with on the fly.
"No, just cleaned the place up... you know, like a maid would." Going by Akane's words last night, there's a chance that they're actually just dressed as maids for undercover stuff but no actual skills in being a maid... except Asuna if that were the case.
"... Oh." Oh indeed. Now, here's an empty scroll. You have a pen? "Yeah..." She said with some hesitation as she took the scroll I offered.
"I'm Mikamo Neru by the way." Levi, just Levi. "Well... please... don't tell... anyone... what you saw me doing."
[Mind Read]
Breath, just breath! I admit, I jumped to conclusions back there but he doesn't seem to mind... I think. We trained to remain calm and composed, I have to be calm and composed... Black Flash... I'll be able to do a Black Flash. I just need... to act decently since he's kind of just giving it to me... shit. I look like a thug...
"O Lord, Teach, Hurting. First, second, and third paragraphs. Write it down with all capital letters." I instructed as Neru opened up the old scroll of paper, setting it down on the ground as she tapped the top of her pen and the tip came out the other end.
Interesting pen design, looks convenient.
"R-right, just have to write it?" Neru asked, huffing from excitement as she looked at me for confirmation. "This thing looks like it belongs in a museum, Sensei." That's because it's just seeing the light of the sun after... I don't know how long in the Trinity Cathedral basement.
"T-this is from Trinity?!" Don't worry about it, the Sakurako knows about it. Me being the only one who knows how to use these scrolls, she was fine with me taking some. "R-right, whatever you say." And so, she started writing on the scroll.
Then, just like with Hina. Neru grunts as she holds her head, the scroll disintegrating into nothing as she stood back up to face me.
"T-that hurt!" She shouted with gritted teeth. "You trying to take me down or something?!" Neru accused with a loud rough voice, arms balled into fists as she faced me.
"Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're done arm down." Neru growled out as... black and red energy started spiraling into a ball in her fist. "Huh?" She stares in wonder at the black and red ball in her hand.
"It's real... it's Jujutsu sorcery..." It's fucking what?
Neru then turns towards a trash can, wide grin and excitement in her face as she winds up her fist containing the Hurting. In a split second, she has propelled herself infront of the metal bin as she launches her fist-
Boom!
The moment the Hurting mid manifestation in her fist impacted the bin, it was immediately obliterated as the blood spells overpressure crushed it.
That's one unique way of using the Hurting spell, I guess.
"Wow... so damn cool!" Neru cheered as she stared at her fist, clenching and unclenching it as she looked at the remains of the bin.
"It's good to see you like it, Neru. Now, tell no one about empty scrolls."
"Hehe, a secret just between us? I like it!"
/
Wakamo P.O.V
It's... It's finally time. I've spent too long, biding my time. Too long preparing for this eventuality, I've kept Levi-Sensei waiting for too long. I've waited for too long!
Levi, my, and only my beloved... he's been seeing so many other women, homewreckers trying their damndest to sabotage our connection bound by the red thread of fate and steal him for themselves.
And that haloless woman he walked alongside with on the news yesterday... no, the deceitful GSC announced that she was appointed by the missing GSC President as an assistant to Levi... merely... an assistant... nothing more...
Now... Now is my time. Now is the time to make Levi properly mine. Oh, just thinking about it makes my heart flutter and my mind go into disarray!
I would've sent the seamstress I commissioned to the deepest circle of hell had she taken any longer, however... Levi- Anata. He asked self restrant from me, I made him cry and beg... never again shall I let jealousy and spite dictate my actions.
Besides, I already have my wedding Kimono done! Made with the finest materials available in all of Kivotos and beyond, designed by the very best of the very best. He will no doubt have eyes for me, and only me once he lays his eyes upon me, his one and only bride. His women.
So, making my way to Schale carefully without getting the attention without alerting those pesky Valkyrie swines was flawless. Making sure no one recognized me? Practically a cakewalk!
Here I am, nervously trying to calm my aggressively beating heart as I anticipated what Levi would think. I... I don't have to call him Sensei when he's my husband, do I? And I don't have to be so nervous when he will no doubt drop to one knee, and immediately ask for my hand in marriage once he sees me.
So, with a deep breath, I make my way inside Schale towards his office. Going through the glass entrance, I navigated my way through the hallways and eventually reaching the stairs going up.
This is it, I must be flawless!
Reaching the floor where his office is, going by the signs, I start making my way to the door with the lable stating that it's Levi's office.
Reaching out, I found myself halting right before my hand touched the doorknob.
No! I must be confident! I must be absolute! I must be flawless!
I grabbed the doorknob, and twisted the door open. Pushing the entire door open as I stepped inside his workplace, I see a clear view of the city along with what he has around.
It's one of those tiles with the red and black portal he blessed upon Kivotos. Truly, he is benevolent even to the mass of pesky homewreckers.
There's a board with guns, a shelf. Actually, several shelves. Then there's his desk with... what?
"Livia... should... see... this... place..." It's that haloless woman... dressed in all pink... slumbering peacefully... infront of my dear husband's computer... on his desk!
How dare she... she is merely a lowly servant. So why is she... why...
I couldn't stop myself from gasping, terror and uncertainty filling my heart.
What if... he is keeping that woman as a concubine? Am I... am I not enough?! I... no, I've neglected him. I've focused myself on trying my damndest to prepare, to be the perfect wife for him that I completely forgot about Levi... and in turn, he completely forgot about me...
No... that is impossible! Our union is that of fate, absolute and unbreakable! How dare this woman try to steal Levi from me?!
With hands, along with the rest of my body trembling in unbridled fury. I slowly approached the woman, unaware and still slumbering, hoping that my anger... may perhaps dissipate by the time I reach her side.
"Com...puters... codes... so... cool..." The woman talked in her sleep, obviously enough about what she fell slept on.
Reluctantly averting my gaze from the detestable homewrecker, I look at what she was snooping around in my beloveds computer.
[Using system]
[Nameplace HelloWorld]
Along with some things Millennium students would be more proficient in given the focus of their school. Hyakkiyako was still relatively conservative regarding the use of such technology in classes, some such about protecting the culture or some other nonsense.
I remember having a former Millennium student in my rank, tinkering with a laptop she looted at one point.
Belittle her for being a "nerd", whatever that meant, as much as the other comrades clinging to me wanted. Not even they could resist the curiosity of learning about such things as software, coding, or programming as she called it.
Honestly, Hyakkiyako being the way it was on new technology, I couldn't help bu be curious myself back then.
So, I could see why Levi would be interested in this woman...
Where did she go? I just had my eyes on her a moment ago!
I felt a hand grabbing my neck from behind, followed by a long tired yawn.
"And who are you, pretty girl?" It's that damn woman, that damn homewrecker is behind me! "Homewrecker?!" She yelled out in indignation. Huh? How did she-?
"I'll have you know, I know better than to go for another womans man!" She announced to me, indignation and rage still present in her tone. "So... why do you think I'm a homewrecker? I just recently arrived in Kivotos, mind you." Does she... really mean that?
"W-what are you... to Levi?" I asked, doubt and hesitation filling my senses. After all, what if... this woman is his sister or other such blood relative? I would've harmed a member of hia family! He wouldn't accept me anymore if that was the case!
"Well... I guess... we were really close-" you... how dare yo- "to being step siblings." Huh?
"You see, my twins sister... had a huge crush on Levi but... she never got to confess." Is that why you're here, then?
"You're here on behalf of your sister, to take my beloved away from me and back to her." There is no other way, that is the onl-
"You're right that she sent me-" I knew it! You're nothing but a family of home- "But she... isn't in this world anymore." -Wrecker...
... I feel myself sobbing, heart skipping a beat as my lips trembled.
"Levi was the first boy to treat her like a lady." The woman behind me reminisced, bitterness and sweetness mixing in her tone. "Even with her condition, Levi didn't care. He was her prince."
I am... such a horrible person. I jumped to my own conclusion, clinging to it like a fish to a bait, and deciding for myself the best course of action to be vengeance when I did not even know the full story.
Is this... how I've been all this time? I always made it clear how much I detest deceivers and hypocrites yet... I am a hypocrite myself... I see. This must be why Levi stopped me from rampaging even more back then.
He saw that I was only leading myself to ruin, and without question he threw himself at me and convinced me to better myself.
To teach myself restraint and self control, to halt myself from lashing out as if I were a savage beast. That's the kind of person ny beloved is.
"So... you look like you have a lot in mind, little miss?"
"Wakamo, Kosaka Wakamo. The only bride for Levi. Perfect and absolute. You are?"
"Reila Aubrey Haas. I was sent here by the GSC President to help Levi with keeping Kivotos together." Reila-san explained as she let go of my neck, letting me turn around to look at her face and features.
Short brown hair, and a confident expression.
"I thought your sister sent you, Reila-san." If she is attempting to deceive me, then she's got another thing coming.
"Well... both is kind of true. The GSC President knew about my magic, and Olivia asked her to send me here to help Levi." Hmm... she doesn't seem to be lying.
Instinctively, I walk closer to her as I began sniffing. Hmm, doesn't smell of deceit either.
"Uhmm.. Wakamo, was it? Do I smell bad? I've mostly kept to my astral from even before coming here and... well, I haven't taken a bath or shower for a while now." Reila-san asked nervously with a blush as she's averting her gaze in obvious shame.
Hmm... I start sniffing once again for if Reila-san has any stench on her...
"Only the smell of blood and electronics, Reila-san." Coming from the same rotten place Levi came from, it is of no surprise. For such a place to harm my beloved, even going as far as to take away an entire arm and cutting up his most handsome face...
I feel my teeth gnashing at the thought.
Because of them, Levi is no longer physically capable of carrying me like a bride. And the marks on his face... he's still perfect even with such scars. Nothing will take away the fact that he is indeed handsome.
"So, uhm... he left for Millennium to check up on Aris and the GDD. What now?"
"Perhaps... I will hold of our date for another time."
/
A/N: School and stuff is taking more of my energy. But I don't feel like losing any motivation writing this.
Anyway, yeah. That's all for now. Hopefully, I finish the rest of the first half of Volume 2 and then move onto Hyakkiyako event in the next chapter. Then back into- nah, that'll be a surprise for later.
You guys think I can fit plot bunnies and stuff as omakes here, given that it's still tied to this fic?
I don't have much ideas on other new things, but I still have some ideas I want to introduce.(No guarantee on it being good or anything)
Say, which is better? Jotterpad(which I'm using at the moment) or novelist(I saw a guy on the Philippine Blue Archive Facebook group posting about a fanfic he's making.)