Hello everyone here is the next chapter of the story, I hope you all enjoy it and with this chapter we have caught up with AO3. I try to update this story at least once a month, if all goes well.
Like always some info:
Spoken words are between " "
Thoughts are between ( )
Alisa and the others watched how Rean looked like the world was ending after having received that medallion from Sharon, they left him alone until they had returned to Trista and were sitting at the table in the kitchen, "Talking about what is bothering you with others, can help you deal with your problems. Isn't that we what you always say to us, Rean? How about you start following your own advice?" The swordsman rolled his eyes at Alisa's teasing remark, "No need to throw my own words back at me, I was going to explain to you because I don't know when or where, but it seems like I will have to leave the academy for a while to deal with whatever Tamamo is cooking up."
The rest of the table including Sharon who was preparing snacks and tea looked at him with surprise and worry, "No need for that look, guys. I won't be in danger…much." Now it was Alisa's turn to roll her eyes, "Wow, how reassuring! Now I don't have to worry about you at all, how nice!" The sarcastic undertone wasn't lost on Rean who only could shrug his shoulders, Jusis on the other hand tried to find out more about what had Rean so worried, "Perhaps you should start explain what the deal is with that medal, and we can go from there?"
Taking it out, he showed them to his class, the medal was green in colour with eight small leaves printed on it and now that they had a better look at it, they realised that it was the same symbol Rean had on his back minus the tachi, "Giving the symbols on it, can I assume that it has something to do with the Eight Leaves One Blad School?" He gave Laura a nod as an answer before explaining it further, "This medallion is basically an IOU, during his travels over the years, Master Ka-Fai helped numerous people out and sometimes he got help in return. In those cases, he gave this to the people he owed a favour to and now everyone who has this can ask him or his disciples for help. It is a matter of honour and pride to help them out which makes it impossible to refuse their requests, and now Tamamo got her hands on one of these…Urgh." The others watched how he shuddered at the mere idea of that, until Sara voiced her concerns, "Just to be sure, she isn't going to ask you to do anything illegal, right? Because if that is the case, I will have words with her about that."
"No, of course not. Master was explicit that neither he nor his disciples will do anything illegal, but this is Tamamo that we are talking about. She won't make me do anything that is outside the law, but she is smart enough to find something in the grey zone. Nothing illegal but nothing legal at the same time, what I want to know is how she got her hand on one of these. Master was always careful with making sure that they wouldn't fall in the hands of the wrong people or rather in her hands."
In that moment Sharron chimed in, "You are quite right, Master Rean. Lady Tamamo assured both me and the chairman, that she wouldn't make you do anything that require breaking the law, as she explained to us what that medallion represents. As how she got it, Lady Himari presented it to her in front of us, while asking me to pass on the message to you, that she is sorry."
Rean banged his head on the table, while groaning out loud, "Why?! Just why, Himari?!" Making the rest of the table watch with some slight amusement in their eyes at the display thinking the he was exaggerating, it took him a while before he stopped, "That is a worry for another time and I will deal with Himari when I get the chance, for now let's talk about if I should stay in the academy or not….No, guys we are talking about this, let me explain and then you cand decided because it is your lives that will be in danger if I stay and lose control."
"I already told you; you don't have to explain anything if you don't want. As for the matter of staying at the academy or not, perhaps we need to beat our answer into you?!" Following Alisa's outburst the rest aided her threat with their glares on the swordsman, the sight of them reacting like this gave him a bit of hope that perhaps he could stay after all, but he owned it to them and himself to inform them about the danger they would be in.
"And I am happy that you all feel like that, but still, I owe you at least an explanation on what could happen, if I lose control of my power. I think I should show the rest of you what it looks like, so that you can see it for yourself. Ah, sorry, Sharon! This must be confusing for you since you don't know what we are talking about, but it is like this."
Before the others could protest again, he just let out a small part of his power letting them see what the Ogre looks like, Group A and the adults fell quiet, seeing it for the first time, "Wow, that is….something? I am sorry how is that possible, to change the colour of your eyes and hair just like that?" The rest of table looked at Machias, "I mean, there is no scientific explanation for those changes, right?!"
"Believe me, Machias, I would love to hear an explanation about this power, scientific or otherwise. Ah…..Sorry, I think this is better." Rean didn't miss the surprise at his voice from Machias and the rest, so he suppressed his power and with that he changed back to his normal form. "So, any questions?"
"Yeah, I already told you that I won't let you train for at least few days until you completely recovered. So why would you try to injure yourself further?"
"Easy there, Alisa. That little bit didn't put any burden on my body, I can start training again tomorrow." The look she gave him told another story, but she would deal with that later when they were alone, for now she let the others ask their question, "Ok, you were able to run across half the capital in record time, that means that power gives you a big boost in your speed but what else?"
"It gives me, inhuman strength and speed, it also strengthens my senses and Ki to another level. Combine that together and my techniques are far stronger than when I used them without my Ogre power, of course that is when I can control my power. My defence on the other hand doesn't change at all, so I can still be brought down with some good hits."
From Fie's question the rest asked what was on their mind, like what how strong exactly he was with it, what were the side-effects besides overburdening his body and so on until they had no more questions to ask, "I see, so basically it is like a power up but far stronger than the usual kind. Doesn't sound that dangerous to me, Rean."
"Instructor Sara, that is because I can surpress my power for a while and not letting it control me, because if that happens then I am no different than a monster. I will attack everyone and destroy anything in my surroundings until my body gives out or I wrestle for control of my body and get it back. That has already happened to me before and that is why it is dangerous to be around me. I….."
Sara holds her hand up to stop him from speaking and looked at Alisa, who was going to scold him, to let her handle this, "I see. Rean, you are far too kind for your own good and put others way ahead of you. That is why, as your Instructor and as a person, I am not worried about you losing control, because if you had thought that there was even the slightest chance of you losing control of your so-called Ogre Power, you wouldn't have come to Thors at all, just to endangers others."
"She is right, my friend. I am rather more worried about you overusing that power of yours to help us in battle, than I am of you losing control and hurting us. Sorry, I can't even imagine you ever hurting us or anyone for that matter." Class VII supported both Sara and Gaius claims about the swordsman, leaving him stunned at the sight.
(I never thought that I would find people, besides my family and Master, who would accept me despite knowing what the Ogre could do to them if I ever lost it. Perhaps Yui and the rest would have done the same thing, if I had given them a chance? Instead, after they saw me as the Ogre, I avoided all contact with them until I left the East and returned to the Empire.) Several thoughts ran through his mind, but he didn't forget answer their trust in him with a soft spoken, "Thank you."
The whole table looked at him with a smile on their faces, "As you can see you are stuck with us, Mister. And if you try to leave, I can assure you that I will hunt you down personally and beat you up until you beg for mercy." Snorting at Alisa's remark, he was going to quip something back but one look into her eyes and he found that she was completely serious about her threat, making him raise his hands to surrender, "Yes, ma'am."
The laughter that followed at the sight was a welcome distraction for him, "Anyway, with that out of the way. Let's talk about when you can use that power of yours." They looked at Jusis, "Gaius has already mention it, we should be more worried about you overusing it given the burden it places on you."
"He is right, perhaps I should talk with Instructor Beatrix to learn more about Crafts or Orbal arts that can lessen the drawback from that power." Elliot discussed his idea with Emma who had the best results after him in Medic classes, "Yeah, the last time you used it in the old schoolhouse to save me and Fie, it left you on bedrest for the rest of the day and two days ago, you fainted because of it. Perhaps you should be allowed to use it only in emergencies, but then again this is you we are talking about. If you see any of us in danger you would use it and not care of the consequences, hmmm what to do?"
The swordsman could only watch as his classmates discussed on when he should be allowed to use his power, he would have said something but, Alisa gave him a look that told him to be quiet which he promptly ignored, "Guys, I am glad that you are able to deal with this information so calmly but the only situation where I will used it, is when any of you is in mortal danger or I am. Not need to look so shocked about the fact that I am including myself in that, my master literally beat that instinct into me that I should use my power if I am in danger myself."
"Seems like the Sword Hermit knows what he is doing, but I think if you want to truly master that power, why don't you use it more while fighting or if you want to, I can serve as your opponent for training with it."
"That is kind of you, Instructor Sara, but I must refuse. You aren't strong enough to handle me if I lose control and the more power, I use the greater the chance of me losing control of myself." Not having expected that answer Sara looked downright offended at what he was saying, "Excuse me?! Do you truly belief that I can't beat you while you are using your Ogre Power?! Perhaps you and I need to go to the old schoolhouse to settle this."
"You are strong, Instructor Sara no one is denying that, but you haven't reached the master level yet. You must be at least on that level if you want to handle me when I am out of control, of course if you went at it with the attention to kill me, then there is a good chance of you succeeding." That seemed to stop Sara from saying whatever she was going to, she narrowed her eyes at him and just barked one word, "Explain!"
He looked around the table and once again found himself the centre of attention, "When I lose control, the more power I use the stronger and faster I am, but it also makes me more predictable in my moves, I use less skill and more brute force against my opponents. Against something like that you must counter with technique and precision and to have a chance on taking me on like that, you must be a true master, if you want to subdue me of course. If that is not the case and you come at me with the intent to kill me, you have a good chance of succeeding but I don't want to risk that and burdening you with it. According to Master Ka-Fai, I have to deal with this on my own and I don't want to risk anyone's lives with this."
Sara looked less offended but seemed to still a bit sceptical about the fact she couldn't take him on, "Fine, if that is what your master said, then I will respect that but if you change your mind you come with, and I will show that I am able to deal with you." The older woman seemed ready to prove him wrong but decided to respect his choice, "Speaking of strong and I meant no offence when I say this, Rean. What is the deal with Miss Inari, she was far scarier than you back at the harbour when she berated that man."
"Tamamo no Mae is one of the strongest being in the entire continent, even my master the Sword Hermit himself admits that she is stronger than him. Two days ago, what you saw was just a little bit of her full strength if she had wanted to, she could have all people that were there, me included, kneeling in front her in a matter of minutes and I am not exaggerating at all." Group A couldn't imagine that but for Group B who had been there it was easy to see that he was right, "You know some scary people, Rean."
"She is harmless unless you get on her bad side, then I can only pray for you, Jusis. She isn't a bad person just far too much mischievous and unrestrained for this world." At the word unrestrained they remembered on how she had dressed, causing them to blush, even Gaius wasn't spared from having some red on his face. Fie wasn't one to miss that and started to pester them what was going on leaving Group B flustered on how to explain, "Miss Inari true appearance is how to say this…..she is a very beautiful woman who has a great figure?"
The silvered haired girl immediately looked at Emma's chest, "Hers can't be even bigger than yours, can she?" Just to let her mouth drop when Emme didn't answer immediately and looked away, "No way! Was she even bigger than Sara!?" She changed her focus to the older woman chest who just raised an eyebrow feeling curious herself while waiting for an answer both Gaius and Jusis wisely stayed out of this conversation, when a red-faced Emma just barely nodded, both ex-jaeger and ex-bracer were shocked at that. "Where is Rex when he is needed?" Rean looked at Fie, "How do you know about that?"
"What, you think he would get the drop on me? Please, I spotted him a mile away and after asking what he wanted, I gave him a kick to his ass to make my point clear."
At the same time Elliot and Machias involuntary imagined what they were hearing, just to become red-faced themselves at what they were thinking a fact that wasn't lost on both Emma and Fie who gave them a glare filled with disdain.
Meanwhile Rean just enjoyed the fact that for once he wasn't the one who was in trouble with a girl, though that moment didn't last long when Alisa looked at him, "Didn't you once told me that you knew her since you were eleven?" He had immediately a bad feeling about this conversation, so he proceeded carefully, "Yes…she was the one who helped me create my technique 'Frozen Heart' and from there my 'Spirit Control'."
"I see, you must know her well then."
"Too well in fact, I swear I can't count the times she teased me."
"Teased you about what?" He was going to answer that but for once he thought about what he was going to say, "The usual stuff, how I couldn't help myself with helping other people out, things like that. (There is no way in Gehenna, I am going to tell her that Tamamo used to sneak into the hot springs whenever I was around. Even I can tell that this would end badly no matter how I tried to explain that she did on her own just to tease me.)
The archer seemed to notice that wasn't telling the full truth but let it go, instead she looked at Sara, "Regarding Rean's power, what are you going to tell the school about that?" The table focused on Sara who just shrugged her shoulders, "Nothing, I don't see a reason why I should inform the principal and the rest about something like that about Rean. If he wants to then he should do it himself but as for me, there is no point. I can assume that you all will also leave that part out of your reports, right?" Everyone else nodded at her question, causing Rean to release the breath he had been holding in, "As for you Sharon. No word to mother, am I understood?"
With the focus shifted to her, the maid gave Rean and Alisa her usual smile, hearing the unsaid plea of her charge in that order, "Of course, my lady. I wouldn't dream of sharing something so personal about Master Rean without his permission, after all. There is no need to worry, it is my duty as your maid to keep some secrets away from your mother, Lady Alisa." The implication of the word secrets didn't escape her but besides some red cheeks, she didn't show anything else, "(Of course she knows about my crush on him. Actually, I am rather surprised that she hasn't said anything about it or do something, perhaps she is trying to lull me into a sense of security where she will tease the hell out of me, later on?) Thank you, Sharon. What should we do now? Should we all go rest or do our reports right now?"
"It would be best if you finish the reports today, since starting tomorrow your five days' vacation begins. After that you are free to do what you want, as for the nobles in our class, you three can go back home for a longer time to learn about your families' territories, as per the tradition here. Anyone interested?" Rean and the other two looked at each before answering, "I for one do not wish to go back so early, I left Legram to further my training and as such I don't want to return unless I have truly improved."
"As for me, I would rather stay here than go back to Bareahard." After hearing both Jusis and Laura's response the rest looked at Rean, "I am also staying in Trista, I applied to Thors because I wanted to find myself and since it seems like I still have a long way to go, I think staying here is a good idea. Besides if I am away for weeks who knows how difficult it would be to catch up on my studies."
"That is a good mindset, Rean. We are students foremost and therefore should be focused on our studies in the first place, who needs an extended vacation." To no one surprise Machias was the one who spoke up after hearing Rean reason for staying, the others grinned at the gunner, though it didn't take long before Jusis was teasing him about his love for spending hours stuck indoors with his books.
They watched with fond amusement how they bickered with each, after spending some time on their reports, they split up to enjoy the rest of the day. Rean after promising Alisa that he wouldn't to do any type of training besides meditation went fishing at the river, she would have followed him to make sure, but he convinced her to go with the other girls to plan their upcoming pyjama party.
Rean spent the rest of the afternoon catching various types of fishes filling up the book Kenneth had given him at the beginning of the schoolyear, he released the small ones and kept the big ones to give to Sharon as ingredients. Looking at his Arcus he decided that it was time to go back to the dorm, on the way back he ran into Patrick who had just returned from the capital, "Ah, Schwarzer. Seems like you have returned from your field study, I tried to reach out to your class while in the capital but unfortunately the RMP blocked all my attempts. I can see that you seem to have recovered from your ordeal in dealing with those terrorists."
"Well, not completely but I am on the mend, I am just taking it easy for the day to properly recover. Come to think of it, in the hectic back then I forgot to thank you for your help in dealing with the terrorists. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't been there to keep them in check. So, thank you, Patrick" The noble waved his thanks away though he couldn't hide the surprise at being thanked, "Nonsense, I am a proud member of House Hyarms, as such it is only proper for me to act in the defence of the common people. It is good to hear that you are recovering properly, after all it wouldn't do if I proved my and Class I superiority to your class while you aren't at one hundred percent."
They continued exchanging some small pleasantries until Patrick seemed to hesitate but decided to speak in the end, "Schwarzer, I am sure that you are aware of the rumours surrounding you and your classmates, I am not sure if I am right or wrong, but you especially should be careful. Someone seems to be planning something regarding you, though I don't know anything specific. I heard some whispered rumours at the noble saloon but nothing concrete, still you should watch your back."
Done with that he left in the direction of the noble's dormitory, (Someone is planning something? Geez, do these people have nothing better to do? What should I do now? Let it play out and deal with it on my own or should talk with Jusis about this? Normally I would deal with it alone, but something tells me that if Jusis gets wind of this and finds I didn't consult with him on this, he will bring in Alisa and somehow that is far scarier than anything those nobles could do to me.) Rean managed to quell a shudder and went also on his way, having decided that for the sake of avoiding an angry Alisa he would tell Jusis what Patrick told just now.
Later that evening, Rean was in his room going over a study book he had borrowed of Machias, when someone knocked on the door, looking up from the book, "The door is open, Alisa." The archer stepped inside the room, "How did you know that it was me this time? I know for a fact that the girls are still downstairs talking with each other, so how did you do it?" He stood up and offered her his chair to her while he got some refreshments and snack out of his cupboard.
"Just a feeling, I thought to myself that I would get a visit from you soon."
"Thank you, a feeling, huh? Am I that predictable or are you just used to this?" She took a bit out the offered cookie before fixing him with a glare, "Then do you know why I am here?"
He gave her a grin, "I have some ideas, but since I don't want to start this conversation with the wrong foot, I will refrain from voicing my ideas." Her glare gave way to her rolling her eyes, but she grinned dangerously at him, "The wrong foot, huh? Alright then, let's start with something small then and go from there. Do you remember our bet from last week?"
"The one where you cheated by knowing the members of each group beforehand? I seem to recall something about that bet." Rean gave her a fake glare, but it didn't affect her at all judging by the sneaky grin she was wearing, "Yes, that one. Ready to pay the price? The story that I initially I wanted to hear was about that one fight where you got all those scars. No need to look so surprised, remember what Elise said back then? 'I am sure that she will be thrilled to hear about that event?' She said event as in singular and not plural, Rean. When you explained how you got each scar, no one thought, me included, that you would have gotten them in just a single battle."
The archer watched with smugness how the swordsman recalled that little detail, "I….see…well, in my defence there is a really good reason for what happened back then….wait! You said initially? So, you changed your mind? And yet somehow, I am more scared to hear which story you are going ask for now." The smugness disappeared from her face and was replaced with a solemn seriousness, "The story about Tasogare Town." He stiffened at that answer before sighing out loud, "I see. Can't say I am too surprised at your choice."
Alisa hesitated briefly but she crossed the room and hugged him, a part of her was happy that he didn't even pause before he hugged her back, "I am not asking you to tell me right now, remember you can decide the time and place. I just want you to know that I am here for you whenever you are ready to talk about what happened and the others are the same. I won't force you if you aren't ready but Rean whatever happened left scars on you that aren't on the outside and you need to start trying to heal them. I know you well enough to know that deep inside you think that you deserve to be punished but I am telling right now, you are wrong! What you deserve is to heal those scars and not let them fester."
Rean just hugged her tighter enjoying the feeling of having her in arms, "That is nice of you, Alisa. But…."
"No but! Akira and the others didn't tell me anything but just from having watched they and that man talking with each it is clear to me that whatever happened it wasn't your fault!" She raised her head from his chest and looked him directly in his eyes, "So please, don't think you have to punish yourself and let me help you." She saw indecision mixed with guilt in his eyes before he closed them to take a deep breath, "….Perhaps you are right, I should talk about it. Will you listen to me?"
"Do you even have to ask? Still are you sure that you want to do this now? I can understand if you want to do this later." He shook his head at her question, gathering her own resolve Alisa stepped out of his arms and took his hand, she pulled him along until they sat on his bed side by side, she leaned against him providing him comfort with her presence.
(Who would have thought that one day I would tell this story to anyone else? I thought I would take this to my grave and yet here I am ready to tell her exactly what a demon I am. Perhaps she is right, I should stop running and face what I did back there. I know what I did can't be forgiven but a part of me hopes that she will still stay by my side. I guess I am not only running from my past but also from my own feelings, huh? When did I begin to think that I want to be by her side?)
Rean let out a chuckle as his thoughts went into that direction, with her leaning against him like that he couldn't stop himself from leaning his head on top of hers and his arm around her waist to pull her closer, he waited for a moment as if to ask if it was alright. She gave him a silent confirmation by also putting her arm around his waist, "You know, the story about what happened in Tasogare town and the one where I got my scars are one and the same, lucky you huh."
"Oh, is that so? I already said this, but you don't have to do this now, if you want to, you can stop anytime, and we can continue this when you are ready again."
"That is nice of you, Alisa. But if I am doing this then no sense in dragging it out, I would rather finish it in a one go. As you already know Haru and the others are bracers, four years they had just become seniors bracers who were being sent from guild branch to guild branch to further their training across the entire East. My master had something urgent to do, that was too dangerous for me to go with him, this led to him leaving with those fours in Tasogare town where they were stationed for the time being. I stayed around a month there, helping them out with their work and the townspeople, that is until one day out of the blue the town was attacked by a horde of monsters."
Four years ago, in Tasogare Town
A fourteen year old Rean just left the blacksmith store after having given the man the amount of sepith he had asked for, "Let's see,….yes, this was the last one. I am done for the day, with those requests. Perhaps Itsuki is right, and I should think about becoming a Bracer myself, I mean if I am already helping them with these requests then I don't see why not. That and both Cassius Bright and Arios Maclaine are both working as bracers right now, perhaps being one helps with mastering the forms of the Eight Leaves?"
He couldn't hold himself back from chuckling at that theory, along the way to the meeting place he greeted the habitants of the town, (I may have just spent a month here, but I think I am beginning to become attached to it, the people here are really nice. Maybe I should talk with Master to stay here a bit longer and help them out more, the harvest season is going to begin soon, and they are going to need all the help they can get.)
He had arrived at the restaurant where the owners greeted him with smiles and laughter, they told him that his friends were already waiting for him on the balcony, "There is our little unofficial junior bracer, done with your requests for the day?" Akari reached out and ruffled his hair before he could dodge her hand, "Stop it and yeah, I am done. What about you guys, done with your search?"
"Not really, we will have to try again tomorrow. We are going to expand our radius to over ten miles and try our luck in finding a that herb, who would have thought that it would take this much work in finding a stalk of grass. Ouch." Haru held his head where Yui had slapped it, "You of all the people have no right to complain, whose fault do you think it is that the first one we found was destroyed?"
"Hey, I already apologised for that! It is not like I burnt it down on purpose my Orbal Arts just happened to land close to it…..Ouch, stop hitting me!" Haru tried to shield his head from the oncoming fists from Yui, the other three watched it with amusement on their faces for a moment before ignoring his pleas for help and ordered their meals. Halfway into their meals, the ground started to shake prompting them to stop eating and go outside the restaurant to see what was going on, they ran towards the town entrance where they found the reason for the shaking. A horde of monsters was running towards them, one look was enough to see that the city wouldn't survive this attack.
"We need to get the people out of here and call for help immediately, Yui, Akari, the two of you should go the mayor and started the evacuation immediately, also call everyone that can fight to guard the children and the elderly while they are on move. Itsuki, Haru and I are going to see if we can buy you some time before they arrive here."
Rean ran forward before they could stop him, "Rean! Goddamn it, that kid will one day get himself into too much trouble, but he is right. Girls, you heard him, go inside and get started, me and Haru will make sure that Rean gets out of there in one piece while trying to slow them, to buy you time."
"Second Form, Gale! Sixth Form, Arc Slash! First Form, Helix!" Rean unleashed attack after attack trying to slow down the monsters or trying to reduce the amount, but this was just the first wave and its numbers were already several dozens, luckily for him besides their greater numbers they were fairly weak resulting in him wiping out more than half their number before the other two joined him. Together they managed to kill the rest quickly, "Got any bright idea on what to do now, Rean?"
"You mean, besides fighting to buy time and survive this? Nope, no plans we will have to wing this!" The second wave had arrived and with it the difficulty rose since this one had stronger monsters in it, the group of three barely managed to defeat them before the third wave arrived. Seeing no other way, they started to slowly retreat back to the town while fighting. On the way they managed to defeat two more waves when they reached the town gates, Rean and the other two were already starting to get out of breath from the continuous fights. From above two figures fell and joined their fight, "I hope you boys aren't getting ready to tap out yet, we still have to buy the townspeople enough time to run."
"Geez, Yui you are a real slave driver you know?" With the aid from the girls, they started to defend the gate from the monsters, Rean didn't know how much time passed or how many monsters he had killed, the only thoughts in his head were the more monsters he cut down the more time they would win. Unfortunately, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, the group was getting more and more exhausted, to the point a giant tiger managed to sneak up on them and unleashed a roar that not only managed to throw them back but also destroyed the gate.
The group rolled on the ground until they stopped, raising his head Rean saw the monsters pouring into town, to his right were still some people left. The sight of the monsters stopped them from moving, (This is bad, but what can I do? The others are exhausted, even if we managed to buy these people enough time to leave by then we will be too exhausted to leave. Should I use Spirit Control? But will it be enough, to deal with this? I have no other choice; I will have to use 'Spirit Release'! However, before it reaches that point, I must get the others out of here.)
Calling upon the ogre, Rean felt the changes come over him attracting the attention of the other people in the vicinity, he ignored the shocked gaps coming from them and directed his attention toward the approaching monsters, "Guys, get out of here with them and leave this to me. Go now!"
Not caring about anything else, the ogre charged forward decimating a monster with just a swing of his tachi, his perception was spreading as far as he could, this way he could sense the exact moment when the last people left the city and re-joined with the rest. Now there was only the monsters and a demon left in town, "You maybe monsters and my enemies but I am sorry for what is going to happen now, no one deserves what follows next. Spirit Release!"
The ogre whispered the words and the next moment his aura multiplied to the point where his targets had difficulty breathing, Rean Schwarzer was completely gone in his place only the ogre remained, devoid of any form of control or empathy, only wishing for carnage and destruction. The people watching from afar could only describe what followed as a massacre, the demon killed the monsters with the outmost brutality, leaving nothing his wake but corpses and wreckage. The ferocity of the demon triggered the monster's survival instincts and seeing no way to escape they threw themselves at it to kill it so that they may live, buildings were destroyed until nothing remained in one piece, everything was either on fire or in pieces. In the end the demon won but it was bleeding from multiple wounds, painting the ground around it red before disappearing leaving Rean in its place.
(Ouch….ouch, oh this hurts! I am alive, huh? Ouch, from the looks of it these wounds are going to leave some scars. Mom and Dad won't be happy about neither will Master, seems like I am in for quite the scolding…..Ouch!) Rean felt a new pain, but it came from a stone that hit him in the head, turning his head to the direction where it came from, he saw a mob of people with stones in their hands before he could register what was going on, he was hit again with another stone nearly causing him to fall on the ground since the drawback from his power was beginning to show.
"You demon! You destroyed our town!"
"Get out of here, you damn monster!"
"It's your fault that this happened, how dare you deceive us?! Get out of here, get out!" The mob was getting angrier and started to throw everything they could their hands on at Rean, who remained shocked at what they were saying until his eyes started to lose their lustre, (Of course this is their reaction after what they have seen, how else would normal people react from seeing me like this. At least they are safe and sound, that is what is important. I should get going, no reason to stay here any longer.)
The injured Rean started slowly walking towards the exit of the town while being bombarded by both insults and stones on his way, his vision started to lose focus still he dragged his body forward the moment he arrived outside the city he saw his Master running towards him while his face was pale from worry. The relief of seeing him caused his legs to buckle and fall forward, Ka-Fai caught him before he hit the ground, the more he looked the more horrified he was at the sight of his disciple wounds, before he could say anything the mob caught his attention. It took him a moment to understand what was going on but when it did, he looked right down murderous while his hand was slowly going to his sword, "Master, they….. did nothing…wrong."
Ka-Fai looked at his disciple with disbelief before he shook his head, "I will deal with this later, for now I have to treat your wounds. Hold on, Rean!" He picked his disciple up and with one last glare at the people he left with Rean in his arms.
"After that I spent the next two weeks in bed, to recover for using my power like that. I kept an eye on the situation of Tasogare Town and asked people that owed me some favours to help them out with giving them a new place to rebuild and recover for that. Alisa?" The girl had started shaking in his arm, before he could ask what was wrong, he heard the sounds of her crying mixed with white-hot anger, "Sob…sob, how could they do that to you?! After saving their lives, they repaid you like that?!"
He took his arm from waist and started stroking her head trying to calm her down, "No need for tears, Alisa. All is well, what they did was a normal reaction, they had seen me massacre hundreds of monsters while destroying their town, how else would people react?…Judging from your glare you disagree with me? (Well, at least she stopped crying.)"
The archer was glaring at him with her eyes red from crying, "Rean, you can't justify their behaviour! What they did was repulsive, and they should have been punished for their actions! Please tell me they got what they deserved!"
At that question Rean used his free hand to scratch the back of his head while avoiding her glare, though he didn't stop stroking her head, "Well…..I kind of asked my master and other people not to punish them?" He flinched as her glare got harsher, he could hear grounding her teeth together, "Alisa, please. A part of me is happy that you are so angry for my sake, but you should also look at this from their point of view. The boy they had met, talked with and welcomed into their town, turned out to be capable of changing his appearance and was strong enough to destroy their hometown while slaughtering monsters in the most gruesome way, anyone else would have done the same wouldn't they? And remember Class VII should always try to see thing form different perspectives, no?"
"….If you think about it logically then you aren't entirely wrong. BUT!" Alisa stabbed her finger on his chest, "Logic can take a hike! No matter what you say, what they did to you was wrong on so many levels and you need to accept what they did was unforgivable."
She could see that she wasn't getting through him so she changed tactics, "Rean, can you imagine this for a moment? What if our roles had been reversed and I was the one with that power of yours and went through that, how would you feel about that? AHA, see that is exactly what I am talking about!"
Rean tried to imagine that scenario but when he reached the part of how they would treat Alisa instead of him made his blood boil and a murderous look on his face appear though it didn't last long when he realised that Alisa was right, "Ok, you may have…I mean you are right. If this had happened to you, I would be livid, no doubt about it and I can admit that but…."
He was stopped from speaking any further by Alisa's finger on his mouth, "No buts, if you can admit that, then you can also be angry at them for what they did to you. By the way, where did you say that new town was?" The archer sudden change of topic, threw him off balance but he realised with a start what she was planning since he had seen that exact same look on his Master's and Tamamo's faces when they heard about what he went through, "Nice try, you going there won't change anything so how about you let it go?"
"N…e…v….e…r! Besides do you seriously think I would go alone? The others would join me in a snap, hmmm I should ask Sharon how that new Combat Airship is coming along, perhaps a trip over the continent would do nicely as a test." He didn't know if she was joking about the airship or nor, so he had no choice but to try and talk her out of it, which was pointless as he found out.
The archer was furious, he could only watch as she stomped in a circle around his room, "Hey, what done is done. Honestly, I thought you would have been more upset at my actions instead of the townspeople." His attempt at getting her mind away from them was a success but now he had deal with her anger directed at him, though he thought that it was better this way.
"I am also angry at you for what you did, you may have saved several ungrateful people, but you still put yourself in too much danger. I am starting to think that it is impossible for you to stop putting yourself in dangerous situation because of other people but that doesn't mean I am ok with it." Alisa stopped walking around and approached him by taking his face in her hands and make him look at her, "You can't stop yourself from helping other people out no matter what and while that is a noble quality for anyone, in your case you also use it to pay for your imagined penance for having that power. Rean Schwarzer, clean your ears and pay attention to what I am going to say!"
The sudden change from angry to serious caught him off guard but he gave her his full attention, however he had never expected in a million years that she would hug his head to her chest. For the second time in his life, his face was buried in her bosom causing him to blush furiously for a moment but before he could say anything, Alisa beat him to it, "Rean, you are no demon! No matter what that power of yours is, it couldn't never change your kind nature or the fact that you are one of, if not the most, compassionate living soul that I know. It doesn't matter to me, that you have that power nor am I scared of you, if anything I am scared for you. You may hate yourself for having this power, but you won't hesitated to use it, to help people out. Like you did for Fie and Laura and for Group B, to you it doesn't matter what others think of you as long as the ones you want to protect are safe."
At that point Alisa just hugged him tighter, letting him listen to her heartbeat, "But that is wrong! You are also important, to me, to the others and to your family. If you want to protect us that is fine in return, we will also protect you even if it is from yourself. I will make sure that you treasure yourself as much I do when I am done with you, so get ready Rean Schwarzer."
He heard similar words from his family, master and so on, he had thought he had understood what they meant and had tried to follow their advice but listening to her showed him that he had been wrong. (Alisa…..thank you. I don't know if I can do what you said, but I get the feeling that you will make sure that I do in the end. I thought I had been cursed with this power but only now do I realise that I am also blessed with such wonderful people in my life. Getting adopted into the Schwarzer family, studying under Master Ka-Fai, travelling the continent, getting into Class VII, meeting you! I am really lucky.)
Rean for once let go of his control over himself and just enjoyed listening to Alisa's heartbeat and warmth, using his arms to draw her closer to him, which earned him a satisfied sound from her. He looked up to her and could have sworn that he saw an angel's halo and wings on her, he couldn't tell how much time passed when they looked at each other but their faces started getting closer and closer to each, being drawn to each other subconsciously until a knock on the door woke them up from their trance.
Both could see each other's red faces as what had nearly transpired registered in their minds, they avoided eye contact with each other while Rean went to the door to open it, standing outside was Jusis, "I apologise for interrupting whatever you two were doing, but Instructor Sara was getting concerned with what was happening here with Alisa's yelling and presumably it was also her who was stomping around. Do we need to rescue you, or add to whatever punishment she is giving you Rean?"
The swordsman was in a funny state of mind, on one side he was angry at Jusis for interrupting them, on the other hand he was also glad for it since he didn't know what had overcome him just now, shaking his head to banish the previous scene form his mind, he answered Jusis question though it didn't escape him that his friend was visibly amused when he looked at the two, "I am fine, Alisa and I were just talking and she got angry on my behalf for what happened in Tasogare Town."
The blonde noble was intrigued now, "Oh is that so? Any chance you will share this with rest of the class?"
"That will depend if you all promise me not to go on a rampage afterwards, one pissed off Alisa is already more than I can handle, add you guys to it and I am worried that you will wipe the town from the map." A snort behind him told him that the archer had recovered her composure, though there was still a bit red on her cheeks, "Don't even think for a second that I have forgotten that those people still must pay for what they did to you. For now, you should go rest and still no training for you tomorrow, you are getting another rest day before I even let you think about resuming your training."
Alisa gave him a look that promised him pain if he disobeyed her, before wishing both boys good night and left his room in a hurry, causing Jusis to arch his eyebrow, "That bad, huh? Can't wait to see what made her so angry." Rean barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes, but the conversation with Patrick earlier made him invite Jusis inside his room, "You will hear about it tomorrow if you and the others want to, but for now I could use your opinion on something else though."
"Oh? You are asking for help? My, seems like Alisa is getting through you, after all." Jusis could barely surpress the smirk when he saw Rean blush a little, "Very funny, Jusis. But I am starting to think that she and you may be right about me."
"Colour me impressed, then! Just what were you two getting up to before I knocked, which I must admit I am kind of regretting doing in the first place." The blonde truly smirked this time as red exploded on Rean's face, though it didn't last long as the swordsman told him what Hyarms had said. The amusement made way for annoyance, "Seems like the nobility nowadays truly don't have anything else to do, huh?! I will keep an eye on the situation for you, but since most of them will go home for the month, we should have some quiet for a while. However, I will go talk with Rogner to ask her to also keep an eye on the second years nobles, neither she nor I may enjoy using your family names but, in this situation, I will gladly make use of the Albarea name."
"Thank you, Jusis, really. Still, there is no need to get too involved into this, just keeping an eye on the situation is enough for now." The look he got in return told him, that it wasn't enough, "I think you are really underestimating what those rumours can do in the long run, how about we deal with the source of this, directly?"
"I would rather not reveal the fact that Charles Noir is behind this, at least for now. I think it is better to wait until he reveals his hand than go deal with this now. As for countermeasure, you don't really think that I don't have any in place, do you?" Jusis looked at him waiting for him to explain what he had in place, at the end he was impressed that his friend had managed to get that much dirt on the Noir Household and how he was planning to use it, "I cost me quite a bit of mira to get all this info from Micht, but in the end this should be enough to stop him if he crosses the line and if it doesn't that I am sure that his father will get him to stop. After all, this here while not enough to shake their foundations is enough to make him consider his action a bit more carefully."
"You should go into politics, Rean. I think you could do a lot of good there and I can see that you know how to handle them, heck after listening to your plan I have the feeling you could teach me a thing or two."
"No thank you, while I don't know what I want to do after Thors I am pretty sure that it won't have anything to do with politics." The two talked some more about his countermeasures until Jusis left his room to retire for the night, leaving Rean to think about what he had been suppressing since Jusis came into his room.
(Ok, no reason to delay it any longer. What was I going to do to Alisa?! As if it wasn't enough that I hugged here like that, I was also going to….!) He couldn't even finish the thought without blushing, groaning out loud he fell into his bed, while his thoughts returned to her, (Could it be? Do I truly have feelings for Alisa beyond friendship? But….but…. when did this happened?! And what am I going to with this now?!...Of course, I am going to do nothing about it, no matter what my feelings are, Alisa is far too good for someone like me. I will be her friend foremost, more than that would be too greedy! Besides there is no way she would ever develop something besides friendship for me, I should be glad that she is my friend and leave it at that.)
Coming to a decision about his newfound feelings for the archer he got ready for bed, Rean couldn't stop thinking about her not knowing that on the floor above Alisa was also thinking about him in the same way, though in her case she was slowly starting to accept that her feelings may go beyond a simple crush.
The next day Rean had to do his best to calm his friends down, after having told them about what had transpired in Tasogare Town, like Alisa had said they were on the warpath for him. Even Eliot told him that his Dad should be able to loan them some Army airships and tanks for a short trip into the East, while Jusis, Machias and Emma started to brainstorm about the logistics involved for their trip. Gaius told him about some old torture methods his ancestors had used in tribal wars, with Fie chipping in with her own and much to everyone surprise Sharon helping them out on that front.
A shiver ran down his body at what he was hearing from the maid, Alisa had also been shocked but was listening now with interest and approval, hoping that the last two would help him out he turned towards Laura and Sara. However much to his dismay, Sara was telling the swordswoman, possible ways to bypass borders without going through their checkpoints and remain undiscovered.
It took him the entire day to calm them down enough, to remind them that what they were doing was illegal and morally wrong, just for Emma to tell, "Morally wrong? No, no, Rean. This is more than justified in the eyes of the Goddess and besides they are just getting their just rewards for their behaviour."
"Emma is right, besides how could it be illegal if we won't get caught? That and from what I heard of Miss Tamamo she has more than enough clout and power to help us out avoiding the law in the East, so don't worry so much." Even Machias was supporting in breaking the law, leaving him no choice but to put his foot down, "Guys, I am flattered that you are going so far for me, but there is no way I will let you go through with this as long as I breath, so you can stop besides you don't even know where the new town is, making all your planning useless."
"Rean, Rean. Did you forget that Akari and the rest are still in the country? We just have to ask them for the location, and we are good to go, and I am sure that they would be more than happy to join us in this trip." Having forgotten about that little detail, he could only resort to begging them to stop and after another two hours of begging they reluctantly agreed to drop the matter for now, though he was sure that they hadn't given up on it, he would have to keep a close eye on them and try to track down Tamamo and the others before they could reveal the location.
The rest of evening was spent with light conversation between Class VII and the two adults, not knowing that a cerulean coloured storm accompanied by white thunder was coming their way soon. The oncoming storm would shake Class VII quite a bit up, along with the other changes that were on the horizon.
The next two weeks Trista welcomed a heatwave making the remaining students truly sweat during their combat training, "Ugh….it's so hot. I am dying here." Elliot could barely raise his head from his desk, with Fie murmuring her agreement, "…..I have enough of this heat already!"
Alisa fanned herself with one hand, "The academy should install some orbal air conditioner. At least with them it would be a little easier to cope…..What is with those looks?" She noticed that the rest had no idea what she was talking about, "An Orbal Air conditioner is an Orbment that regulates the heat inside a room, making it easier to live through the heat or the cold. Since mother sits on the board of directors, she could give the school some at least."
"I think that kind of luxury goes against the principles of a military academy, the instructors are more likely to veto that than to let it happen." She could only grimace as she thought that Rean was right, though it didn't stop her from fanning herself some more, "Anyone knows where Instructor Sara is? That fact that she is late isn't anything new but nothing like this."
"True enough, but to be honest I am rather more worried about the upcoming West Zemuria Trade Conference in Crossbell than the tardiness of our homeroom teacher." Gaius looked at Machias, "That is the conference where several countries are taking part in it, right?" A nod from the gunner confirmed his words, "Yes, that one. Both Prince Olivert and Chancellor Osborne are attending it, though I am not sure if that is wise with the Imperial Liberation Front running around."
"Putting Prince Oliver aside, I don't think you have anything to worry about where the Chancellor is concerned, rather those terrorists should be the ones worried if they run into him. That man was intimidating enough and that is not counting his combat skills into account." Laura supported Fie's claim, "My father told me that he was a Master of the Hundred form style that is taught in the army, and he was strong enough to become a Brigadier General on his own merits without any support from the nobles." The rest joined in speculating why the ILF was after him, until finally their teacher strolled into the room without a care in the world, "Alright, guys. Please take your seats, I have an announcement to make about new students transferring into Class VII today."
That reveal brought quite a surprise to the students along with some curiosity, after making sure that everyone was seated and paying attention, she looked at the open door and called out, "All right, come on in!" The person walking in was none other than Thors number one slacker, Crow Armbrust, "Starting today, I will be joining you fine folks as a member of Class VII. It is gonna be pretty sweet guys!" Silence spread out through the room, as they tried to come to terms with the fact that a second year wasn't just joining them but that it was also Crow.
Seeing the unspoken question in their eyes, Crow put on a wronged face while tears were threating to spill out of his eyes, "The reason why I am here has something to with the hidden side of the academy, where tragedy is just waiting to strike and this time it did. You innocent first years don't know anything about the ugly truth that is currently spreading in our administration, where I unjustly I might add…"
Having had enough of this drama queen, Sara cut his monologue short, "That is enough, all that happened is that this idiot here, cut too much class and didn't turn in any assignments making it impossible for him to graduate. So, he came to me begging for a way to help him out and since he was a member of the prototype class that evolved into Class VII along with his experience with the Arcus Unit. It was decided that he will graduate if he can spend the next three months helping you guys out along with taking some make up classes in his free time. That our dear Student Council President will supervise personally, making sure that he attends them without missing a single one."
Sweat dropping at the reveal they didn't know how to react to that, besides some groans as Crow without any once of shame at being exposed just grinned at them, "Since we are all classmates now, no need for all that sweet talking, you lay on the other second years, all right? I think I will take this seat over here, happy to be here guys!"
Rean couldn't help but think that this wasn't over just yet, especially since he could still sense someone else outside of their classroom, "How about you reveal the other person joining our class, Instructor Sara?" The older woman nearly pouted at having been caught, "Aww, I was hoping to catch you off guard, though the shock from seeing her will have to be enough then. Come on in and say hello."
"Finally, I thought you forgot all about me!" A cerulean haired girl came into the room grinning at them, "Please tell me, that you are joking! What is she doing here?!" Jusis couldn't hold himself from shouting when he saw Millium Orion, the Ironblood who had helped Group A catch Bugbear in the Highlands, "How are you all doing? To those who haven't had the pleasure of meeting me yet, the name is Millium Orion, and this here is Airgetlam, but you can call him Lammy for short."
Not wasting any time, she introduced herself along with that mysterious puppet of hers ignoring the shouts of surprises along with Sara trying to calm the situation down, Rean looked at Alisa who was wearing the same resigned look he surely had on his face, "Well, no one can say that things in Class VII are boring, right?"
"You know, there is nothing wrong with boring, though I can already see that this will shake things quite a bit up. Oh well, nothing that we can't handle right?" The moment Alisa finished her question, Lammy had nearly burst through a wall, while Millium was just laughing innocently at Sara who explained to her that if anything was destroyed it would be on her head.
Meanwhile Jusis looked like he was close to an aneurysm, taking all this in the pair looked at each other again and prayed to Aidios that this wouldn't be a daily occurrence. (Seems like this the next few months will be quite interesting for us, I guess this is the help the Chancellor was talking about. Can't wait to see how thing will play out.)
