Reviews:

Kaze237: Yep. Even more surprised with how fast this update came around - but definitely keep it coming! On to the chapter: Elise is getting pretty strong now. How does she compare to the general power level of the canon Cold Steel 1 protagonists? And man, just saw Rean's fights in Kai no Kiseki - damn, those moves are just something else. Not sure if he's that strong just yet, but I wouldn't be too surprised if he's close to it (setting aside Spirit Unification). And Shizuna staying in Ymir for a while? I've honestly got no idea what you've got planned but that's a good thing all things considered. That does remind me on how the trials and first test of Class VII would go. I imagine the trials would try to scale the strength of the monsters based on the overall strength of those who enter it... But with Rean being as strong as he is, wouldn't the other Class VII be in far more danger than before? Haha. Well, I guess I'll just see in the next chapter. To Thors we go!

Thank you for reading! Elise's power level at the moment would be considered above Machias and Elliot, a little lower than Jusis in terms of combat... But wait until she uses arts lol. Kai Rean was so cool, and while I don't want to make assumptions whether or not Kai Rean is definitively stronger than Ishmelga Rean, our Rean might surpass canon because of his status as regressor, but we will see! At the moment, without any special powers ups, he can definitely keep up with Sara, even with just his scabbard. Yeah, well, Shizuna's stay's just a tidbit for today's chapter, so apologies for that lol. Oh, you find out soon what's going to happen! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

luukvandegriftschool: Thanks for the wonderfull chapter. Hope to see the next one

Thank you!

Gun2myhead: Great story my dude.

Glad you think so!

Master Riziul: I have read all chapters with bated breath, this is an amazing story! I hope next chapter comes in a short time, best of luck and inspirations to you!

Thank you for thinking so! Then, please enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think!

This is the biggest chapter yet... and the hardest one I had written due to the multiple POVs. Also, apologies for using the same dialogue as in the game during some of the scenes. There will be times when I see no reason to change them. Anyway, we're finally starting canon, yay! Please enjoy reading!

P.S. Polishing and refining of grammar, if needed, will be done within a week.

"I think this is as far as we can go."

"Sorry we couldn't make it to the end with you."

The regret and sadness in their eyes hurt him more than any pain inflicted by malice itself could do to him.

"Rean... You can't have..."

The cries of his sister felt like a knife through his chest.

"Rean! REAAAAAN!"

"Why...? Why?!"

"This ain't fair! Why, dammit!"

"NOOOOOO!"

"Rean! Come baaack!"

And Class VII's tear-stained faces and despair made him break down.

Rean Schwarzer stared at the ghostly figures of those he held dear, lips forming a thin line and expression void of emotions.

Each figure of his friends and family called out to him to come back, to return to them. Some cried their hearts out. Others cursed fate for allowing such a tragedy to happen. They vented to no one in particular as they drowned in their sorrows.

The man could only watch in silence, unable to interact with any of them.

This was not the first time he dreamt of his past life— his past regrets.

Rean turned around.

There, amidst the ghostly figures of his loved ones, was the ghastly thoughtform of Ishmelga.

YOU DARE LIVE IN BLISS AND IGNORANCE? DO NOT FORGET WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND. DO NOT FORGET WHAT YOU REALLY ARE.

From the darkness, a familiar figure emerged. Rean could never forget his tattered attire, unruly mane of white hair, cursed markings etched across his skin, and eyes full of despair and malice.

Ishmelga Rean.

YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM THE TRUTH, REAN SCHWARZER. THIS IS WHAT YOU TRULY ARE— WE ARE A UNIFIED EXISTENCE. THE EMBODIMENT OF MALICE AND AWAKENER TO ZEROTH—

"Shut your mouth."

His calm voice cleaved through whatever nonsense the embodiment of malice was spouting. His eyes firmly locked onto both of them. He stepped forward, each step causing the abyss to crack, light seeping through.

"It's impossible to have the same dream multiple times unless something else is at play."

Another step, light cracked through.

"So, I was wondering when you'd make your presence known instead of integrating your presence in my past memories."

One more.

"You already meddled enough back then. Stop with your pointless provocations."

And another.

Light seemed like it was about to break through the cracks in the darkness.

YOU...!

A tachi manifested in his grasp as he held it tightly. Raising his blade, his eyes narrowed.

"Whether you are a remnant of my past life or not, I will not allow you to do as you please. My ending is for me to decide. Now," Golden hues flickered to a demonic hue. "Begone."

Ishmelga was not given the luxury to speak further. Rean sliced through the embodiment of malice and the phantom of Ishmelga Rean, banishing them both from his mind... yet the chilling voice of malice echoed, snarling in fury.

THIS WILL NOT BE... THE LAST TIME, REAN SCHWARZER... WHEN YOU... FALL INTO COMPLETE DESPERATION... YOU WILL CALL... FORTH MY AID... AND WHEN... THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES... YOUR ENTIRE BEING WILL BE MINE.

Maybe, but he won't give in. To be able to relive a life with no regrets was an opportunity he didn't dare take for granted. His master's new teachings and his new bond with Shizuna made him truly realize that he must cherish what was in front of him.

"Go ahead and try. I'll protect my happiness with all I've got." Rean sheathed his blade, his eyes returning to soft gold, and with a whisper...

"Breaking Dawn."

And the darkness was no more.

[3/ 31/ S. 1204]

-7:00-

Outskirts of Heimdallr

"The Ministry of Railways wishes to thank all passengers for their patronage. This train is bound for Bareahard via Celdic. The next stop is...Trista. Trista. We will be stopped at Trista for one minute. When disembarking, please ensure no belongings are left behind."

As the announcement came to an end, golden hues slowly opened. Rean would have smiled at the familiar announcement if it weren't for that dream of his. The regressor stretched, trying to get rid of his sleepiness. His eyes would fall to his side.

His mood brightened a tad, and a smile finally graced his features.

Sleeping beside him was none other than Shizuna Rem Misurugi.

The white-haired swordsman could still remember his surprise when his senior had joined him for the entrance exam. Hell, his surprise was so apparent on his face that Shizuna actually took offense, accusing him that he thought she was stupid or something along the lines of that.

Rean, of course, never had such thoughts and assured her.

"You're seriously underestimating me, junior. I'll show you that I'm not just brawns!" was her declaration, and she kept her word.

The fact she also had a high aptitude for the ARCUS orbment had already made him conclude that they'd be together as members of Class VII.

Shizuna truly was a genius in multiple areas. Indeed, no one should judge a book by its cover.

He sighed in amusement at her sleeping visage. Shizuna looked peaceful. If it weren't for the fact today was their first day at Thors, Rean would have simply let her sleep. Brushing off a strand of hair on her face, the regressor gently nudged her.

"Shizu."

No response.

"Come on, Shizu," He tried again, shaking her shoulder. "We're going to miss Trista."

...Still nothing.

Rean couldn't help but sigh. All right, she forced his hand.

Closing his eyes, the regressor gathered a very small portion of his aura... and blasted it toward Shizuna.

The result was immediate.

Icy blues snapped open, hand swiftly reaching for the handle of her odachi.

But Rean was faster.

He held her wrists and locked them in place, golden hues staring at dazed icy blues. Then, they blinked, realization cutting through her drowsiness.

"Rean...?"

"Had a nice nap?" He smiled, loosening his grip on her wrists as he let go.

Shizuna blinked a few more times, her mind catching up with her surroundings. She glanced around the train cabin, her muscles relaxing as she registered where she was—and who had woken her.

"Rude." She puffed a cheek, piecing together what had just happened. "Exploiting my instincts like that..."

"I wouldn't have done it if you had just woken up in the first place."

"I was sleepy...!"

"And?"

"Have you no heart?!"

Rean shook his head, chuckling at the mock hurt. She always resorted to pouting whenever he treated her like she wasn't his senior. It was amusing... Not that he would tell her that.

"You're making fun of me in your head, aren't you?"

"I see that your Unclouded Eye has improved again."

"You're not even denying it?!"

Ignoring the stink eye, Rean got up from his seat and slung the bag of his tachi over his shoulder. Shizuna would eventually do the same for her odachi, albeit a bit pouty. One pat on her shoulder made her expression softened, though.

This was it.

He was going to finally meet everyone again.

The regressor was aware that some of the others were on the same train as him. His strength reached the level where he subconsciously picked up the presence of everyone in a large radius. The moment he had set foot on the train, his senses picked up the familiar presence of some of Class VII.

Self-control was essential. Rean refused to let his emotions control him, no matter how much he wanted to walk over and see them again. He needed to be patient.

Just a little while longer.

The train began to slow as it approached Trista station. The soft screech of metal wheels against the rails filled the cabin, and the familiar weight of reality began to settle on them both. They had arrived.

"Let's go."

"Mhm."

The two exited the train together, stepping out onto the platform of Trista Station. The familiar smell of the countryside greeted them, crisp and fresh, mixed with the faint scent of wood and coal from the train. Other students bustled around them, some chatting excitedly, others dragging luggage behind them with weary looks.

"So, this is the countryside?"

"Technically, Ymir is also the 'countryside.'"

"Yeah, but that's in the mountains. With snow! This is definitely more in line with the countryside of the East!"

"Is that so?"

The two made their way out of the station, and Rean felt his heart race at the familiar sight. Lino flowers blossomed and danced with the breeze, painting the quaint town of Trista in the hue of spring. It felt like it was only yesterday when he first witnessed the captivating sight.

Shizuna, gaze fixed on the scenery, muttered in awe, "What are those...?"

"They're lino flowers." He answered, smiling. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah..."

A chuckle needed to be suppressed, but Rean made no attempts to hide his growing smile. Shizuna looked just like him when he first arrived in Trista in his past life. Even if this wasn't his first time to witness the splendid view, it left him speechless with nostalgia.

"Shizu."

"Hmm?"

"Step aside."

"Eh? I want to stare at the scenery a bit longer— Huh?"

"Oof!"

Shizuna quickly turned around, offering her hand. "S-Sorry! Are you alright?"

"Ahaha... I'm fine. Don't worry about it. I should've been paying more attention to where I was going instead of gawking at the flowers."

"Hehe. I get what you mean. It's like the scenery came straight from a picture!"

"Oh, I agree! It's such a pretty town!"

Rean felt a knot in his chest, and for a moment, hesitation kept him frozen in place. Before it could completely take hold of him, he squished it down. Her familiar voice made a torrent of emotions crash down, but he wouldn't let it overwhelm him.

He can't...

He turned around. A blonde-haired girl with piercing red eyes chatted with his senior, smiling— It felt like it's been years since the last time he saw such a sight.

Then, the eyes of Rean Schwarzer and Alisa Reinford met.

"Oh, hey! You're wearing a red uniform, too!"

Her junior smiled, yet it didn't seem like it quite reached his eyes. "Guess we might be put in the same class."

"Maybe? Almost everyone on the train had a green jacket. I did spot a few in red, but compared to those in green, I could probably count them with one hand."

"It might be for a new class."

"Then, we might end up being classmates." The blonde chuckled, eyeing the two swordsmen. "Anyway, I should get going. I've got a feeling we'll see each other again at the entrance ceremony, though!"

"Yeah, me too."

The blonde in twintails offered a wave as she took her leave. Shizuna waved back, though her focus was completely on Rean.

"Rean?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you fall in love with that girl?"

He blinked slowly as if processing her words, soon laughing under his breath. To her ears, it sounded strange.

"Where did you get that idea?"

"You were smiling at her funny... Or should I say, you weren't smiling like your usual."

Her words made his eyes widen for a moment. Did she hit her mark...?

Rean shook his head, smiling wryly as he patted her head. Shizuna sent a glare in return. Don't think she would brush this aside just because he patted her head.

"It's nothing like that. She just reminded me of someone I used to know."

"Really?"

"Yes, really." He assured her. "Sorry for worrying you."

Shizuna didn't believe him, but at least his expression had softened.

"I think I'm going to visit the church for a bit," Rean glanced further into town and hummed.

Shizuna raised an eyebrow, curious. "The church? I didn't know you were religious."

"I'm not, but it wouldn't hurt to give a prayer for a wonderful start to the school year, would it?" He chuckled, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Want to join me?"

Shizuna tilted her head, thinking it over for a second before shaking it lightly. "Nah, I think I'll pass this time. I want to explore the town before we head to the academy."

"All right. Let's meet up in front of the academy gate."

"Gotcha."

With that, Rean left for the church. She watched his retreating figure for a second or two before looking around Trista. She was concerned for her junior, but she trusted him to confide in her when necessary.

After all, they were best friends, right?

For now, it was time to scope up her new surroundings.

It looked like it was a small but peaceful town. Shops essential for the residents of Trista were present. There was even a café and inn! That pawn shop at the corner did stir her curiosity, though. Something told her that establishment would be particularly useful.

As Shizuna wandered around town, her curious gaze fell on a lone figure sprawled out on one of the benches.

A head of messy silver hair rested on the wooden slats, and the faint rise and fall of her chest indicated that she was napping without a care in the world. Whoa... She must be confident or comfortable enough to sleep here out in the open. Maybe a bit of both?

Curious, Shizuna approached silently, stopping just a few steps away from the sleeping girl.

'She's wearing a red uniform!' The silverette thought with a hint of excitement. 'She seems pretty young, but it doesn't seem like she's an ordinary kid.'

Before she could do anything else, the girl shifted slightly, one lazy eye cracking open and locking onto Shizuna's icy-blue gaze.

"...Hn? You need somethin'?"

"No...? Not really." Shizuna shook her head, ponytail bouncing. "I guess just wondering why you're sleeping out here of all places."

"Comfy," muttered the sleepy girl, rubbing one of her eyes and sitting up. Hmm... Make sense. "Anything else?"

"Uh, no?"

"Hmm..." Her seemingly lazy eyes appraised the girl, chartreuse gaze briefly narrowing before she hopped off the bench with feline-like grace. "Guess I better go. Later."

Shizuna wasn't given the time to reply as the younger silverette left.

Well, that was interesting.

The other wore a red uniform as well. Shizuna figured she would see her again sooner or later. For now, her exploring resumed.

Rean knew the only reason he came to the church was to meet a familiar face from Nord.

But when he saw the stained glass of Aidios, he froze in place and stared at the depiction of the Goddess of the Sky.

A pulse in his heart made it ache. He wasn't sure why he was standing here or why it felt right.

All Rean understood was that he felt some relief coming here.

The regressor kneeled and got on one knee, eyelids coming to a close as he held his hands tightly.

'I don't understand why I regressed... But from the bottom of my heart, thank you.'

A soft footstep behind him broke the silence, subtle but familiar. Without turning, Rean knew exactly who it was. He could never mistake his presence.

The white-haired swordsman slowly opened his eyes, his hands still clasped together, and rose from his kneeling position. As he turned, he was greeted by light blue eyes full of curiosity and warmth. Gaius Worzel stood with his usual composed demeanor, though there was an unmistakable flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"I didn't expect to see someone from the Empire to pray in the way of the Nords." A gentle smile graced his face, and Rean returned it with his own.

"Yeah... An old friend of mine often prayed that way. I'm not really religious, but I guess I picked it up from him over time."

"Really? Your friend must have left quite an impression on you."

His smile widened a bit, "He did. He had a way of making things seem simpler... clearer, no matter how complicated life got."

The taller teen studied him for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "I can tell it's something that means a lot to you. I'm glad to see others appreciate our customs."

"It's a good tradition. Brings peace, even when things feel overwhelming." He nodded, then asked, "Did you come here to pray as well?"

"Yes. I'd like to thank the winds and the Goddess for keeping me safe and for the opportunity to study in the Empire."

"I see. Don't let me keep you up then." A pat on the nomad's shoulder. "I'll see you around."

As Rean turned to leave, the other's calm voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Wait."

The regressor paused, glancing over his shoulder. The brown-haired young man wore a thoughtful expression, his arms loosely folded.

"Before you go… I didn't catch your name."

His lips arched into a faint smile.

"It's Rean. Rean Schwarzer."

"Gaius Worzel." He smiled back. "It's good to meet you, Rean Schwarzer."

"Did I keep you waiting?"

Shizuna Rem Misurugi leaned against the iron gate, her silver hair catching the afternoon sun. She spotted him the moment he approached, her icy-blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"You're late," she said flatly, though the small quirk of her lips gave away her teasing.

Rean smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that. Got caught up in something."

A teasing smirk broke through her expression.

"I'm kidding. You didn't keep me waiting long. Besides, I ran into some interesting people while you went to church."

"Oh?" That got his attention, brow quirking upward. "Care to share?"

"Let's see... There was this lazy-looking girl with silver hair napping on a park bench. Seemed like the kind who could sleep through an earthquake."

His lips twitched. 'Typical Fie.'

"Then there was this tall, serious swordswoman," Shizuna continued, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Blue hair, kind of regal-looking. She had the whole old knights of the Empire kind of schtick."

Rean's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression neutral. 'Laura...'

"And finally," Shizuna added, her tone turning amused, "there was this noble kid with blond hair. Looked like he had a huge stick shoved so far up his—"

"Shizu."

His senior stuck her tongue out, grinning playfully. "I'm just saying he had a pretty snobby air around him."

"Don't judge a book by its cover."

Though despite himself, Rean failed to suppress an amused smile. 'I can't blame her when she doesn't know Jusis yet... Her thoughts are probably in line with Machias' first impressions.'

"Sounds like you had quite the tour," He remarked, shaking his head.

"I guess." Shizuna stretched her arms over her head, sighing contentedly. "They were all... interesting, I'll give them that. I didn't get their names, though. Maybe we'll run into them again since they all wore the same red uniform we have."

"I'm sure we will.

A curious look was sent to him, but Shizuna didn't press further. Adjusting the strap of the bag of her odachi, she turned to the academy gate.

"You ready, junior?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

The two of them stepped through the gates side by side, and the welcoming voice of another friend of the past greeted them.

"Welcome to Thors Military Academy!"

A petite girl with brown hair came over to them, her ponytail bouncing with each step. Her lime-green eyes flickered between the white-haired boy and silver-haired girl before a smile grew on her face. Rean felt like he needed to return the smile with his own.

'It's good to see you again, Towa.'

"You're Rean Schwarzer and Shizuna Rem Misurugi, yes?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Surprise crossed the silverette's face. "How do you know that?"

"Heehee... It's kind of a long story." The petite girl offered an apologetic smile.

"You freshmen don't need to know the details right now."

Every fiber of Rean's body froze, wide eyes fixed on a bandana-wearing teen approaching them. The regressor could never forget that lazy grin of his even if he tried.

Hands shoved deep in his pockets, the white-haired teen wearing a commoner's uniform came up to them along with a large teen with yellow overalls.

It was him.

Crow Armbrust.

Rean's heart hammered against his chest, threatening to drown him in emotions he had thought he'd buried long ago—joy, grief, guilt, and disbelief. He had expected the same when he met Alisa and Gaius, but to see his best friend and rival of the past alive and well struck him more than he could explain with mere words.

He didn't understand why he made himself known now, but he pushed all of his questions aside for the time being.

Somehow, he managed to rein it all in, forcing his face to remain neutral. He couldn't afford to let his mask slip.

Not here. Not now. Please.

"I get George, but what are you doing here, Crow?" The brown-haired girl sounded genuinely surprised at the bandana-wearing boy's appearance.

"I figured I'd come and see the fresh faces to that class myself." He flashed a playful grin, turning his attention to the two. "Yo! The name's Crow Armbrust. The coolest second year in the academy! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

"As long as it's not about academics, he's a good guy to rely on. Otherwise, he's the biggest slacker in the academy." The larger boy in overalls retorted with a smile.

"Ouch! You wound me! I'm a genius when it comes to practical and survival skills!"

"And that's all you are a genius at."

"Wow, hit me where it hurts, why don't ya?"

"G-Guys!" Towa called out to them, arms crossing with a small frown. "We still need to do that! We can't have them be late on their first day, can we?"

"Sorry, Towa." The larger boy smiled sheepishly and turned his attention to the swordsmen. "We'll need to hold on to your weapons for the time being. Don't worry. We should be able to return it to you before long. You'll hardly even miss it."

"Got that right. You'll see them as soon as the entrance ceremony is over!"

"Crow," Towa glared at the bandana-wearing teen in warning.

"Whoops. Guess that's my cue to scurry off." He gave a lazy salute to the two freshmen. "See you around, kiddos!"

And there he went, going off to who knows where.

"He's weird." Shizuna narrowed her eyes at the bandana-wearing teen, gently handing her odachi to George. "Please treat him with care. He's my partner."

George seemed taken aback for a moment but nodded. Rean silently handed the bag of his tachi as well. The petite girl noticed the faintly strained look on his face.

"Are you alright?"

Rean forced himself to relax, easing the tension in his jaw. He knew that Shizuna would take notice if he didn't get himself under control.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit surprised by all the new faces, that's all."

Shizuna studied him for a moment, her sharp, icy-blue gaze narrowing slightly. "Hmm... You're acting a little weird."

"I think the whole 'first day at a new school' thing is just getting to me." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, hoping the gesture would sell the excuse. "It's nothing."

Shizuna stared at him for a moment longer, clearly unconvinced, but eventually let it slide with a shrug. "If you say so."

Towa's concern didn't fade in the slightest, but she managed to offer a warm smile for the two.

"Just head straight to the auditorium— You can't miss it. We'll let you two get going now. The entrance ceremony is about to start any minute!"

"Really? Come on, Rean! We need to hurry!" She grasped his hand and pulled him toward the auditorium. "I'm blaming that weird guy if we're late!"

"Wait, slow down, Shizu!"

"If we miss even a second of this, it's your fault, junior!"

Rean let himself be pulled along, more amused than concerned. His mind lingered on his recent encounter with Crow... But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. Right now, Shizuna was set on dragging him to the entrance ceremony whether he wanted to or not.

Despite the complicated emotions, both positive and negative, rising within whenever he saw his old friends, he couldn't allow them to show or override rationality.

With a deep breath, he calmed the feelings in his chest.

Rean may be a teenager once more, but he was also a regressor— a man who once agonized over the death of two beloved friends.

This would be the last time he would slip.

Elliot Craig fidgeted nervously in his seat, doing his best not to stand out among the other new students. He tugged at the collar of his red jacket, not used to the fit.

"This is it, Elliot," he muttered under his breath. "First day... New place... No pressure."

He glanced to his left, where a silver-haired girl sat with her arms folded, eyes half-closed in what looked like mild boredom. Next to her was a boy with white hair and golden eyes, his posture calm and relaxed. Elliot blinked—compared to everyone else, the guy looked... unusually at ease as if none of this was a big deal to him.

Curious, Elliot decided to get up and move seats. Maybe he'll calm down if he's next to someone with that much composure...?

"Uh, hey! Mind if I sit here?"

The white-haired boy turned toward him with a polite smile.

"Not at all. Go ahead."

Grateful for the friendly response, Elliot slid into the seat next to him.

"I'm Elliot Craig. Nice to meet you!"

"Rean Schwarzer. Likewise."

"Glad to finally see someone in red... This whole thing feels kinda overwhelming."

"It does, but you'll get used to it before long. Thors can seem intimidating at first, but it grows on you." The smile he held was odd, almost knowing.

"You sound like you've done this before." The ginger pointed out, to which Rean shrugged.

"In a way, I suppose."

"Hey, hey." The silver-haired girl beside Rean chimed. "Wake me up once the speech or whatever ends."

Elliot sweatdropped. "Shouldn't you be woken up when it starts...?"

The girl simply smirked.

"I know what I said."

"Don't mind her, Elliot. She's just an oddball." Rean paid no heed to the girl's protest, accepting the playful slap to his arm as he smiled. "It's starting."

As Principal Vandyck began his speech, Elliot tried to focus, but the combination of nerves and the unfamiliar environment made it hard for him to listen. His thoughts drifted, swirling with uncertainty and curiosity about the people around him.

The speech droned on, but Elliot barely caught pieces of it. Something about how Thors fosters equality, how students will have to grow through challenges together, and how their differences would make them stronger. He wanted to pay attention—really, he did—but the weight of being somewhere so far out of his comfort zone had him lost in his own thoughts.

He snuck a glance at Rean, and to his surprise, the white-haired boy kept a smile as he listened to the speech. He looked so calm. Wasn't he feeling any kind of pressure?

And then there was his silver-haired friend...

She didn't look like she cared about what the principal was saying, but somehow, the air around her told him that she was listening, even if her actions didn't reflect.

Uh... Just who are these two?

Suddenly, the sound of applause rippled through the auditorium, snapping Elliot back to reality.

"Wait, it's over already?" he whispered, blinking in surprise.

"Yup," Rean replied quietly, standing up from his seat with a smooth motion. "You didn't miss much."

The white-haired teen stood up, gently nudging his friend. She opened her eyes and stretched.

"Where's our classroom at?"

"So you were listening," Elliot remarked wryly.

"More or less." She shrugged, taking a look around. "Looks like we reds are the only ones left."

She was right. The only ones remaining were students in red, just like the three of them. The vice-principal said something about their respective class in their guidebook, but... Elliot doesn't remember seeing anything like that.

Thankfully, his confusion would be answered.

"All riiiiiight! Students in red uniforms, if I can have your attention, please?"

The teens in red turned to the source of the energetic voice. A woman with pink hair tied up stepped forward, a giddy smile plastered on her face.

"You're all probably thinking, 'Where's MY class assignment? I didn't see anything like that in my guidebook!', right?" She teased mockingly, earning a few glares from those in red. "Well, I came here to tell you kids that your situation is a taaaaaaad different... a lot more complicated than the other students'."

"And how exactly is it different?" A blue-eyed blonde questioned impatiently.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

A bespectacled boy crossed his arms and asked, "How soon?"

"Like right now," grinned the woman. "We're having an orienteering exercise!"

The ten students in red trailed behind the pink-haired woman as she led them away from the bright, bustling auditorium. They navigated across the expansive campus before veering onto a narrow, winding path that meandered through a lush, secluded area at the back of the school grounds.

"This path feels kinda eerie..." Elliot noted, clearly nervous as he walked beside Rean and Shizuna.

"I definitely feel something off." The silverette muttered to herself, narrowed gaze gaining a thoughtful glint. "What do you think, Rean?"

A thoughtful hum reverberated from his brims.

"We'll find out soon enough."

"If you know something, spill it." Her grumbling only earned her shrug, much to her annoyance.

"It is strange. I don't hear the sound of the wind... In fact, I don't even feel any breeze coming by here."

The brown-haired Nord joined the three, adding his thoughts on the matter. The curious gazes from Elliot and Shizuna would be answered by the white-haired regressor's faint smile.

"I'm not surprised you picked that up, Gaius." Rean chuckled, seemingly unaffected by the atmosphere.

"I've always had the ability to 'read' the wind as far as I can remember. The lack of wind in such an open area is odd." Gaius explained.

"Whoa... Reading the wind, huh? That's kind of cool!"

"It's kind of similar to how Rean and I perceive things."

Before introductions to each other would be given, most of the students in red felt their eyes bulge out of their sockets, surprise apparent.

At the far end of the clearing loomed an old, dilapidated schoolhouse that seemed to have been forgotten by time itself.

The building's stone facade was a ghost of its former self, dulled to a muted gray that spoke of countless seasons of weathering. The once vibrant red roof now appeared faded and lifeless, its shingles curling and missing in places, allowing glimpses of the weary sky above. Even the bell that hung precariously from its perch showed the marks of age—its once-bright surface now tarnished. It hung like a forgotten relic. It almost seemed like even a little gust of wind would cause it to crash to the ground.

The very presence of the building was ominous. The experienced fighters of the group could tell that.

"What the heck IS this place...?" muttered Elliot, instincts letting the words slip off his lips.

"Shouldn't this building be demolished? It barely looks like it's being maintained." The blonde in twintails mused to herself, eyeing the architecture.

Their questions were left unanswered as the woman hummed in the most carefree manner they had ever seen, unlocking the door before heading in.

...

Should they go in or...?

"What does she even want us to do here?"

"Gah... Is she ever going to tell us what's going on?!"

"I suppose we'll just have to go inside and see for ourselves what awaits us."

Some voiced their confusion, exasperation, and irritation, but ultimately, they started going into the old building.

They inspected the spacious inside of the building, and nothing of note, like furniture or lights, was present. It looked completely empty. Their gaze drifted to the pink-haired woman, who got up on a stage-like platform, a hand resting on her hips.

"The name's Sara Valestein. I'm the instructor in charge of Class VII, which means you get the pleasure of seeing me all year." She beamed with a playful smile. "Glad to finally meet you~"

"What the... Class VII?

"U-Us...?

"Did you just skip VI?" Shizuna couldn't help but point out.

The blue-haired noble girl nodded and spoke up, "I wasn't told anything about this at enrollment."

"Um... excuse me, Instructor Sara?" The other bespectacled teen— a girl with plume hair— raised a hand. "I was under the impression that there were only five classes at this academy. And that students were split among them based on their social class and home region."

"Right you are, Miss Top Scorer on the Thors entrance exam! Students in each year are divided into five classes: two for the nobility and three for commoners. And it's been that way for ages, right up through last year. But this year, we decided to shake things up a little."

Her grin widened.

"We now have a sixth class! Fittingly titled...Class VII. And in Class VII, we recognize no distinction between nobles and commoners."

"But why isn't there a Class VI...?" Again, Shizuna wanted to figure that out.

Unfortunately for her, there were... louder concerns being voiced.

The green-haired teen, who introduced himself as Machias Regnitz, spouted how ridiculous it was to let commoners and nobles intermix. The fiery anger behind his glasses showed his distaste for the nobility. And while some frowned at his bias, none of them spoke up.

Except for one blonde-haired boy.

Jusis Albarea, whether intentional or not, provoked the noble hater. Machias didn't relent with his argument despite knowing his status, but Instructor Sara cut him off.

"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Though her smile remained, it was obvious that she was annoyed. "I'm sure a couple of you have a few grievances, but now's not the time. I'll hear your complaints later. Right now, you've got your orienteering exercise, and far be it from me to keep you from our fun little icebreaker."

"Ugh..."

"And what exactly does that involve?" The blonde in twintails asked for clarification.

"I'm sure the reason why our weapons were taken must involve this 'orienteering exercise,' right, Instructor?" Rean looked at Sara straight in the eye.

The woman blinked before a chuckle bubbled in her throat, taking steps back until her back was pressed against the wall.

"Nothing gets by you, does it?" Her smile turned mischievous. "...Buuut I don't want to spoil the fun, so let's get started, shall we?"

"Everyone, prepare yourself to fall!"

Despite the advice, only Rean, Shizuna, and the younger girl with silver hair managed to avoid falling into the trap floor.

Rean and Shizuna made quite a leap back while the younger girl launched a grappling hook onto the ceiling.

"Okaaaay. I expected Fie to pull something like this, but I didn't expect this." Genuinely surprised, Sara had to stop her jaw from dropping. "But still, you guys need to head down there regardless if you didn't fall or not." She shot the girl named Fie a glare, taking out a throwing knife. "That includes you too, Fie. You're going with them, and that's that."

Flickering her wrist, the throwing knife sliced through the cable of the grappling hook, causing the young silver-haired girl to groan.

"Lame..."

Then, she fell.

Satisfied, her gaze drifted to the two swordsmen, gesturing at the trap floor. Rean smirked with a hint of amusement.

"Can't we just use a set of stairs to head down?"

"Sorry. The trap floor's exclusively for you kids."

"Well, it was worth was asking."

"It's time for our dramatic entrance!"

"Shizu, wait— Whoa!"

Hand firmly held around her gasp, Shizuna leaped off into the abyss, dragging Rean with her as laughter echoed throughout the building.

Sara had watched it all unfold, absolutely amused. Smirking, she crossed her arms.

"I can tell those two will be a riot."

"Ugh... What just happened?"

"The floor gave out from under us..."

"I can't believe I fell for such an obvious trap."

"Does this mean there's a series of catacombs beneath the school grounds, then?"

"Hmph. What does that woman think she's playing at?"

The teens voiced out their thoughts about the matter, all so different yet similar, until they heard the echoing sound of laughter from above.

"Um, guys?" Elliot glanced up nervously. "Do you hear someone... laughing?"

"Now that you mention it..."

The mystery behind the source would soon be revealed.

As the group looked up toward the trap door above, the echoing sound of laughter grew louder, bouncing off the walls of the chamber.

And then, with the sudden rush of movement, two figures plummeted from the opening above.

The students barely had time to react as the two swordsmen came hurtling downward through the air. However, they wouldn't crash and feel some ache upon hitting stone pavements.

At the last moment, Rean twisted his body midair with expert precision. His arms shot out, catching Shizuna just before she could hit the ground. He landed softly, his feet making only the faintest sound as they touched the stone floor. He cradled Shizuna in a perfect bridal carry, his expression both exasperated and amused.

"That was fun," said the silverette, giggles still leaving her. "But you didn't have to catch me, you know? I could have landed on my own just fine."

"I'm sure you could've," Rean replied, his tone light and teasing. "But what kind of junior would I be if I let my senior hit the ground?"

"Oh? Finally showing me the respect, I deserve?"

"I always do, though?"

Shizuna rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right."

His faint smile inched wider. He shifted slightly as if to put her down—but not before the rest of the class turned toward them.

Machias gawked, his glasses sliding down his nose. "W-What the...?!"

"How improper..." Jusis' words did not reflect his tone, shaking his head with the faintest trace of amusement.

The blue-haired noble blinked, tilting her head. "They seem rather close."

"...I figured as much when I saw them together when I arrived in town, but this is beyond anything that I imagined." The blonde in twintails murmured, cheeks slightly flushed at the sight.

Rean, still holding Shizuna effortlessly, turned his head toward the others. "You guys okay?"

"O-Okay? What about you?!"

"I'm alright."

"Alright?" Elliot didn't care if his jaw was hanging. "You landed on the ground on your feet! Like it was no big deal! And you even managed to catch her!"

The bespectacled girl agreed with a nod, adjusting her glasses. "It was a smooth catch... almost too smooth."

Gaius gave a chuckle, arms crossed. "I can tell you two had been through a lot. Your trust in each other is apparent."

Fie was in agreement despite her silence. The white and silver pair were no ordinary students. That much she could discern from the air around them.

"You know it. I trust junior with my life." Smirking, Shizuna ruffled his white hair, and a rare frown marred his features.

"Stop that."

"Nope~!"

Well... things were starting to get awkward. What the hell were the others supposed to do while they were acting like this?

They supposed they were fortunate to have one brave soul to interrupt the little bonding between junior and senior.

"As much as I hate to interrupt you two, we have more pressing matters to deal with," Jusis stated matter-of-fact.

The white-haired teen had the decency to feel embarrassed, prompting him to carefully put down his senior.

Their wait for answers didn't last long. With a sudden chime, all of their orbments rang simultaneously, flipping them open as a voice rang through.

"Alright, kiddos!" Sara's playful voice echoed throughout the dim chamber. "Welcome to your first big challenge as part of Thors Military Academy's brand-new Class VII!"

"Ms. Valestein?"

"A-Are these battle orbments with built-in communication?" Emma stammered, eyes widening behind frames.

"Right you are! These handy little devices are a special kind of battle orbment."

The blonde-haired girl went wide-eyed and exclaimed, "W-Wait, don't tell me these things are...?!"

"...new-model battle orbments made through a partnership between the Epstein Foundation and Reinford Company. Newly-made fifth-generation battle orbments, in fact. They're called ARCUS units. Consider them your best friends from now on, 'cause you'll be relying on them a lot."

"If they're battle orbments, then we can blast arts, right?" Shizuna posed the question, curious about the new generation orbment's capabilities.

"Mhm! These babies allow you to access arts, manage communications, and even analyze environmental data," Sara explained. "Pretty handy, right?"

"That's a lot of features..." Elliot murmured, completely in awe at everything such a small device could do.

"Oh, and one more thing!" Sara's voice brightened. "I took the liberty of preparing quartz for each of you. These will help you channel arts, so you're not going into this completely unarmed."

Before anyone could respond, the walls of the chamber flickered to life, rows of old lanterns igniting one by one. The dim light spread across the stone walls, revealing small pedestals along the perimeter of the room. Each pedestal held their weapons alongside a small box.

"So this is where our weapons were! Akegarasu, my beloved!"

Shizuna was the first to run off toward the bag of her odachi. The others took her lead and went toward their respective pedestals.

"Yup!" Sara replied cheerfully. "The box beside the weapons you brought contains the quartz for your orbments. Find yours, and try setting the quartz into your ARCUS."

The silver-haired swordswoman opened the box, revealing a time quartz larger than what she was used to seeing. An intricate pattern of clouds and a moon were etched onto the orb.

"Isn't this too big to be a quartz...?"

"That's because it's called a Master Quartz. Set it into the large slot in the center of your ARCUS; you'll be able to use arts."

They complied, and an azure glow radiated from their orbments and their chest, startling them.

"Don't be scared! That light just means you guys have successfully synchronized with your ARCUS!" They heard some applause from the other line, though it did little to brighten their mood. "A-Anyway! There are a few more nifty features these ARCUS units can do, but I'll save them for another time. Now for the main event..."

Her tone shifted, playful as ever, but there was a trace of seriousness now. She explained that by stepping through the door of the chamber, they would enter a dungeon filled with monsters. Their objective was to find the exit, which would lead them back to the first floor.

"I think that's about it as far as your orders go. Make it back in one piece, and I'll be happy to field any complaints you might have." Rean shook his head in amusement, already hearing the smirk on her face. "If you make it back safely, I might even give you a kiss, free of charge! ...On the cheek, of course."

The ten of them heard a click. She hung up.

Shizuna felt her lips stretched into a smirk, walking over to Rean and nudging his side. "Are you aiming for that, junior?"

"What are you talking about?" Confused, Rean quirked a brow.

"The cheek kiss from Instructor Sara!"

"Oh, that." A chuckle. "Not really. She's just teasing."

"A-Ahaha. Somehow, I can imagine her really doing it, though..." Elliot came over to the duo, scratching his cheek. "What do we do now?"

Jusis seemed to already have his own plans and made his way toward the door.

Machias Regnitz noticed the noble heading off on his own and scowled. "H-Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"

Jusis stopped just shy of the door, tilting his head slightly in Machias' direction. "Exploring, obviously," he said, his tone cool and even. "The objective is to find the exit, isn't it? I'd rather get this over with sooner rather than later."

"You can't just wander off on your own! This isn't some game! Or do you nobles think you're too good to work with the rest of us commoners?"

"And why exactly should I care whether I work with the likes of you?" He glanced at Machias, a glint of challenge in his icy-blue eyes. "I thought you'd be delighted to see me go off alone. Or does your hatred for nobles not extend far enough for you to stop worrying about my well-being?"

"T-That's not the point! This is supposed to be a team exercise, and we're supposed to work together!"

"How noble of you, Regnitz." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "But if working together is so important to you, I'd suggest trying harder to mask your obvious disdain. Though, I doubt you have any intention of doing that."

"You arrogant son of—"

Jusis didn't bother listening to him further and left.

"That asshole thinks he's better than everyone! I'll show him! I can clear this stupid dungeon myself!"

Machias soon left afterward, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

Elliot sighed, visibly relieved to have them gone. "Well... that went about as well as expected."

"As long as they don't start inflicting harm on each other, they'll be fine."

Rean's countenance betrayed his words of assurance. It was as if he had aged a few years after witnessing their heated argument.

'I almost forgot how bad their relationship was at the start...'

Before anyone could suggest how to proceed, Fie Claussell—without a word or even a glance toward the others—vanished into the shadows.

The bespectacled girl blinked in surprise and slowly said, "She... left already?"

"I... suppose so." The blue-haired noble was equally surprised. "She does seem capable enough. I'm sure we'll run into her along the way." She turned her attention to the rest of the girls. "Would the three of you have any objections to accompanying me?"

"No, that's fine."

"It would be a huge help, actually."

"I think I'll pass." She waved her hand dismissively. "I think I'll explore on my own."

That caught the blue-haired noble and the rest off guard. "You're not going with your friend either?"

"If I'm with him, I won't be able to do much." Shizuna scoffed and glared playfully at her junior. She would turn back to the other girls and assure them, "I'll be fine. Besides, it'll be more fun this way."

"Of course, you'd think that."

"You love me," The silverette replied with a smirk, patting his shoulder. "I'll see you later, Rean! Keep that Elliot guy safe, 'kay? He looks like he might collapse if a breeze came by."

"H-Hey... I'm not that weak..." The ginger sulked, shoulders sagging.

Shizuna giggled and took her leave as well.

"We'll take that as our cue to set off." The blue-haired girl stated, turning her head to the remaining guys. "I'm certain you gentlemen will be fine, but do take care."

Rean bobbed his head, smiling. "You've heard what my friend said earlier. We'll be fine."

"Haha. I'll hold you onto that."

"If you'll excuse us, please."

"Good luck, guys."

The bespectacled girl and blonde gave their farewells. Elliot's gaze looked between the Rean and Gaius, a nervous chuckle leaving his lips.

"So... I guess it's just us, huh?"

"Looks like it," Rean said, adjusting the hilt of his tachi.

"Let's stick together and take things slow," Gaius suggested with a smile. "No need to rush—this place isn't going anywhere."

Elliot nodded, though he still looked a little pale. "Right... Just a dark, ancient dungeon full of monsters. No big deal."

"We'll watch each other's backs. We've got this."

Elliot shifted the orbal staff slung over his back, glancing awkwardly between Rean and Gaius.

"So... uh, I guess now's a good time for introductions, right?" He chuckled nervously. "I mean, we've technically already met, but it feels like we should officially say something now that it's just us."

"Sounds good to me," Gaius replied with a warm smile. "I'm Gaius Worzel, from the Nord Highlands. I ran into Rean earlier at the church." He gave the white-haired swordsman a friendly nod. "Seems like fate, huh?"

"Mhm. It's a little late, but it's good to see you so soon, Gaius."

"It's nice to meet you then, Gaius! I'm Elliot Craig." The ginger let a smile show on his face. "I'm actually already acquainted with Rean since we were sitting beside each other during the entrance ceremony."

"Heh. I believe the two of us will get along just fine, thanks to our mutual acquaintance."

The Nord nodded in understanding. Rean looked at his companions with approval.

"With introductions out of the way, shall we get started?"

Elliot wasn't sure what to expect when the three of them left the chamber. He tried to mentally prepare himself for whatever dangers lay ahead, but the reality of the labyrinth hit them almost immediately.

The moment they rounded a corner into a new hallway, monsters sprang from the shadows, rushing toward them with snarls and claws outstretched.

"Incoming!" Elliot yelped, fumbling with his orbal staff. Panic surged through him, but he managed to cast Aqua Bleed just in time. The glowing orb of water slammed into one of the beasts, staggering it for a moment.

At the front, Gaius calmly stepped forward, cross spear in hand, taking his place as the vanguard. His weapon whirled through the air with precision, holding the monsters at bay.

Everything was going smoothly—until one of the Flying Felines swooped from above, flanking them. The winged beast's sharp claws glinted as it aimed directly for Elliot's blind spot.

Elliot's heart leaped into his throat. He froze.

With no time to react, he clenched his eyes shut, bracing himself for the inevitable pain.

But it never came.

Instead, the sharp whistle of a weapon cutting through the air filled his ears, followed by the sickening sound of tearing flesh.

When Elliot opened his eyes, the monster lay on the ground—cut cleanly in half.

Rean stood calmly over the corpse, his tachi still sheathed, holding only the scabbard in his hand.

"You okay, Elliot?" The white-haired swordsman... though it would be more appropriate to call him scabbard warrior, asked, concerned.

Elliot stared, dumbfounded. "Y-Yeah... I-I think so." His gaze drifted to the bisected monster, still trying to process what had just happened. "Did you just... cut that thing in half? With a scabbard?!"

"Hmm?" Rean followed his gaze. "Ahaha... It wasn't that strong."

Wasn't that strong...?

It took Elliot at least three Aqua Bleeds before he could take one out...

And Rean just killed one with a scabbard!

A scabbard!

"I..." Elliot tried to find the right words, but his brain seemed to short-circuit. "You... what?!"

"I had a feeling we'd be alright, but now?" Gaius chuckled, walking back to the two. "I can say for certainty that we'll be just fine."

Though he was tongue-tied, Elliot was in complete agreement.

"Shit! I should've kept a cool head...!"

Machias grunted under his breath, firing another buckshot at the armored bugs that surrounded him.

It was all that damn noble's fault ...is what he would like to say.

But he knew and understood that it was his temper that led him into his current predicament. His own foolishness would be his downfall if he couldn't either defeat or escape this horde.

"Aqua Bleed!"

An orb of water gathered the bugs' attention.

"Gaius, try to group them all together!"

"Leave it to me!"

A brown-haired spearman leaped toward the group of Coin Beetles. Lifting his spear, he spun it over and over as wind gathered around him. He kept going and going until the bugs were lifted off the ground.

Making his presence known, the white-haired boy who made the impressive landing earlier stepped forward, gripping the scabbard of his tachi tightly. A crescent shockwave would pulse out of his swing, cleaving through the hard shell of the bugs as if slashed by a blade.

Machias stood frozen, shotgun slack in his hands as he stared at the aftermath. "W-What... the...?"

Ginger came over, a sheepish chuckle leaving him.

"Is that what I looked like earlier?"

"I'd say so. Your jaw dropped when you saw Rean in action." The brown-haired teen recalled with a hint of amusement.

"Is that normal?" Machias just had to ask, switching his pointing finger between Rean and the lifeless shells on the ground.

"For Rean? I'd say so."

"It was a team effort," The white-haired swordsman interjected, strapping his scabbard back to his waist. "You okay, Machias?"

"Uh, yeah..." He shook his head. "Thanks for the save, you three... And I'd like to apologize for my outburst earlier. I was a fool to think I could navigate through this labyrinth alone."

"Apology accepted," Gaius gave a gentle smile.

Introductions were once again given, and a thought crossed Machias's mind.

"Could I... inquire what social class each of you belong to? I realize how that must sound, considering my recent outburst... But please, don't take it personally. I'm simply curious to know who I'm associating with."

The ginger and brown-haired students exchanged a glance before informing how they were commoners, reasons differing, however. One had parents who were both commoners, and the other had no class system in their homeland.

When it was Rean's turn, he simply shrugged.

"I'm technically a noble," Machias's face twitched. "But I don't have a drop of noble blood in my veins."

"...Huh?"

"I'm adopted," He spoke, a soft smile dancing on his face. "I was abandoned during a snowstorm in the mountains of Ymir. If my adopted father, Baron Schwarzer, hadn't found me, I doubt I would be standing here with you all."

Machias blinked, processing Rean's words, and shifted uncomfortably. "So… you were adopted by a noble family, but you're not really a noble?"

"I don't think of it that way," Rean admitted, his golden eyes steady and sincere. "Whether I'm a noble or not, it doesn't matter to me. My family's love was never tied to a title. It's everything to me, and I carry it with pride."

The sincerity in Rean's voice threw Machias off guard. He'd expected something... different. An air of superiority, maybe—something he could latch onto, something that would justify the resentment boiling quietly inside him. But there was none of that.

"I... see," was all Machias managed to say.

Elliot, sensing the heavy atmosphere, chimed in with a nervous chuckle. "Well, looks like we've got an interesting group here, huh? A musician, someone from Nord, an adopted noble, and a guy with a shotgun."

"We might come from different places, but we'll make it through this together." Gaius shared the sentiment.

"I suppose." He rubbed his forehead, sighing. "We should probably get going, then. I'm somewhat concerned about the girls, as you might imagine."

"I don't think that's necessary." Rean's lack of concern for the girls made Machias's eyes narrow. It seems it was too good to be true. Nobles were— "That blue-haired girl is an intermediate practitioner of the Arseid school of swordsmanship— one of the two most famous martial styles in the Empire. The others will be safe with her around."

"Really? You got that from a glance?"

"I'm a swordsman, Elliot. Studying all sorts of martial arts aside from my own was part of my training." He answered with a knowing smile. "Besides, she has some resemblance to the Radiant Blademaster. I have a feeling that girl's his daughter."

"Wait, what!?"

Machias was no expert in martial arts, but even he knew who the Radiant Blademaster was. Victor S. Arseid, a renowned swordsman... and a noble.

A noble who didn't fit in the usual mold of the arrogance of most, just like Rean.

With an exhausted sigh, Machias adjusted his glasses with a finger.

"It gives me all the more reason to wonder why people like us are all gathered as a class," He grumbled. "All right. I'll put my trust in what you say for now. Let's just focus on clearing this dungeon."

"You got it."

As they resumed their journey, the tension between them eased slightly, though traces of awkwardness remained. Machias still felt a flicker of resentment—not at Rean, specifically, but at the idea of nobility itself.

Yet, Rean's honesty and humility made it hard to fit him into the same mold as the others Machias had encountered.

The son of the governor groaned inwardly at his internal conflict. Meanwhile, a cryptic smile had graced Rean's face.

The regressor knew it was dirty to play such a card on Machias, but he didn't wish to start things off just like he had in the past. Machias hated nobles, but he equally hated liars. Sincerity and honesty were the first steps to a good relationship.

The effects of his words were apparent. He sensed that animosity still remained, but a fragile sense of trust was formed.

For the time being, that was enough.

Though, what came next was going to be a little troublesome...

The sounds of fighting could be heard further into the labyrinth.

And there he was, Jusis skillfully clearing the monsters with grace and precision. Each thrust and slash struck the weakest point of the monsters, finishing them off with ease. Rean fought back the urge to smile.

Things played out exactly as in his previous life. Muttered amazement and disbelief at the Albarea noble's skills from his friends, then came a curt reintroduction of Jusis before things started to escalate.

Jusis mockingly applauded Machias, provoking him and egging the teen on after every angry retort that came his way. Rean kept a sigh to himself once the Albarea brought up the Imperial Governor. Machias looked like he was about to explode.

He knew that both of them were simply caught in the heat of the moment, but it didn't mean it wasn't a headache to watch.

As the son of the Imperial Governor was about to charge in blind fury, it was Rean's cue to step in.

"That's enough."

Only two words were uttered, yet it was enough to make everyone freeze in place.

He stood between them, his golden eyes sharp and reprimanding as if he was looking at the students who disobeyed others of their instructor.

A different kind of tension was added into the atmosphere— one that made sure that both heated teens would listen to what the regressor had to say.

"Jusis." Rean's voice was calm but firm, sharp enough to cut through the lingering tension like a blade. His golden eyes locked onto the blonde noble. "You went too far. Bringing up Machias's father like that was unnecessary. You're better than that."

The blonde's smugness disappeared, and a trace of remorse flickered across his face. He released a sigh and shook his head. "I suppose you're right. That was uncalled for." Though his voice remained low, there was a touch of genuine remorse in his words. "I still have a lot to learn..."

"And you, Machias." Rean shifted his attention to the bespectacled teen, his voice softening, but the weight of authority behind it was clear. "I get where you're coming from, but letting your temper control you won't solve anything. Charging in blindly or picking fights isn't going to help you—or anyone else."

"I-I know... I just..." Like a balloon, his anger deflated. "You're right. I'll try to keep my head cool."

"Good." He straightened, addressing both of them now. "Until we leave this place, we're stuck with each other. I'm not saying you two need to be friendly with one another, but proper teamwork will make things easier until we reach the end."

He emphasized the word "teamwork" to get his point across. Some acknowledgment shone in their eyes, begrudgingly as they might admit.

"Fighting as a team means watching each other's backs and knowing when to set personal issues aside," Rean continued. "You're both skilled—there's no question about that. But the more we coordinate, the better our chances of getting through this place in one piece."

"...Hmph. I understand. I'll keep that in mind."

"Fine... I'll try to focus on the task at hand..." Rubbing his temples, Machias turned to the corner. "We've still got a long way to go. We should continue onward."

Rean bobbed his head in agreement. With the heated scene, the regressor had been waiting for over, the group moved forward into the labyrinth, the tension between Jusis and Machias simmering down, though not entirely gone.

The two future rivals and good friends took the lead, keeping a fair distance from each other. Elliot took the opportunity to walk beside Rean and whisper, "You were incredible, Rean! You managed to both calm them down. You even made the son of Duke Albarea admit he was wrong!"

"It was nothing." Rean shook his head, thinking it wasn't that big of a deal. "Their emotions just got out of hand. All they needed was someone to call them out."

"Even so," Gaius walked over to his other side, smiling. "Good work, Rean."

His lips morphed into a smile in return.

Rean hoped his actions would change the progress of the relationship between Jusis and Machias. But being able to keep both in the same group felt like quite an accomplishment compared to what had happened in the past.

Now they just needed to find the last chamber.

"You're late, Rean! We already took this thing down!"

"What do you mean 'we?' You did all the work."

"Aww, don't be like that! It was a team effort, Fie!"

The moment the boy's group arrived, they were greeted by the sight of Shizuna standing on type of a defeated gargoyle. Stoic her face may be, annoyance was seen on Fie Claussell's face.

"Guess you did," Rean noted the defeated beast with a hum before his gaze flickered between Shizuna and Fie. "I'm assuming you brought her along with you when you crossed paths?"

"More like dragged along..." Fie deadpanned.

The older silverette ignored the younger silverette and sheathed her odachi. "Yup! And she's pretty fast! Managed to check out the exit and waited in one of the hallways to check out if anyone was getting close to the exit. That's when I met her!"

"My condolences that you had to endure her rowdiness."

"Hey!"

"It's fine. She made things a bit interesting, at least." She yawned. "Fie Claussell. That's my name, by the way."

"That's good to hear. Oh, and Rean Schwarzer. A pleasure."

"Don't ignore me!"

The incoming noogies from Shizuna would have to be saved for later as a presence— six of them— made themselves known. Rean felt like his eyes were going to fall out of their sockets. Was he seeing things...?

What the hell...?

Why were there six more gargoyles in the room?!

"Everyone, get ready!"

At his command, the group brandished their weapons as the gargoyles roared to life, leaping down from their pedestals.

"More of them, huh? Guess they don't want us getting out easily." Fie sighed but got prepared for combat.

Shizuna stepped forward with a smirk, already unsheathing her odachi. "Now things are starting to get fun!"

"How the hell is this fun!?" Machias snapped, loading up his shotgun.

"For them to come to life... What kind of sorcery is this?" Jusis mused to himself, eyes narrowing.

"We may have the number advantage, but we can't afford to let our guard down," Gaius advised, getting into his stance.

"A-Aidios, help us...!"

Rean pushed down his worry about the strange change in the old schoolhouse for the time being. There were more important things to worry about.

Calming his mind, he gripped his scabbard and took a deep breath.

"Shizu, you'll be the vanguard! Fie and Gaius, take the right and left flank! Machias and Elliot, you two cover our rear! Jusis and I will provide support to all of you!"

The moment Rean's command cut through the air, the atmosphere shifted as if the very dungeon held its breath. For a moment, the others beside Shizuna froze, taken aback by Rean's orders. Their hesitation quickly vanished as they exchanged nods with one another.

Everyone sprang into action.

Shizuna led the charge, meeting the first gargoyle head-on. She grinned wildly as the stone beast swiped a massive claw at her, but she dipped low, sliding beneath it with remarkable speed.

With a flick of her wrist, a slash cleaved through the arm that it used to swipe at her.

"It's already over, rock-for-brains."

Lips arched into a feral smirk. The ebony blade would be sheathed, and its remaining arm and head flew off its body.

"The seventh form really is useful!" She cheered, her smirk remaining.

Meanwhile, Fie vanished from sight, moving so swiftly that she became a blur in the dim light. She materialized behind one of the gargoyles and fired precise shots from her twin guns at its knees and joints, piercing through them.

The petite speedster didn't give the monstrosity any opportunity to turn around as she leaped on its back, jabbing her gunswords into its rocky frame.

"You're done for." Pulling the triggers, bullets rained, damaging it from the inside. "You're up."

"Rapid Thrusts!" Fie backflipped just in time for Jusis to lunge in, precise thrusts riddling the gargoyle in holes.

"Pretty good," Fie commented, earning an amused huff from the noble.

"You're not so bad yourself."

Gaius stepped forward and, with a mighty thrust, pushed the third gargoyle away with Gale Stinger. The regressor exploited the stagger inflicted on the stone beast, passing through it with blinding speed before kicking its back.

"Gaius, now!"

"It's over!"

A powerful lunge met rocky exterior as Gaius drove his spear deep into the gargoyle's torso, pinning it to the ground as it shattered into pieces.

"Good coordination," Rean said with a small smile, offering Gaius a nod.

On the other side of the room, Machias was reloading his shotgun, gritting his teeth as one of the gargoyles rushed toward him with relentless fury.

"Get back!" Machias growled, pumping his shotgun and firing a barrage of shots. The spread of buckshot hammered into the beast, forcing it to stagger, but it kept coming. "This thing's tougher than it looks!"

"It's ready, Machias!"

"It's all yours, Elliot."

The bespectacled teen stepped away. Elliot, standing a few feet behind Machias, quickly extended his orbal staff and channeled his art. Radiant blue runes formed around him as he concentrated. "Aqua Bleed!"

A sphere of water materialized above the gargoyle and burst, drenching the beast and sending it skidding back across the floor.

"That's our opening!" Elliot exclaimed.

Machias didn't hesitate. With the gargoyle thrown off-balance, he advanced, firing another shot directly into the crack forming on its chest.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Machias grinned.

Rean exhaled, quickly surveying the room. Three down, three left. The remaining gargoyles spread out, growling as they circled the group like predators. There was no time to waste.

"Stay focused!" Rean called, adjusting his stance. "Gaius, Fie—keep the pressure on the two at the flanks. The rest of you finish them off when they're weakened." He turned to his senior, and she grinned. "Shizu, we'll take down the last one together."

"I knew you'd say that."

The others sprang into action without hesitation. Gaius charged toward the left gargoyle, his spear spinning in arcs that generated gusts of wind, pushing the stone beast back. At the same time, Fie's bullets rained down on the right-side gargoyle, keeping it from advancing any further.

Machias and Elliot supported both, keeping them in place with bullets and arts. Just as the two beasts dropped to their knees, Fie backed away to allow Jusis to take charge.

"Gaius, with me!"

"On it!"

A slash and thrusts, and two heads fell.

Only one remained.

"You ready for this, Rean?" Shizuna asked, resting her odachi on her shoulder.

"Let's end it," Rean replied, gripping his scabbard tightly. "You take the lead—I'll cover you."

Without another word, Shizuna dashed toward the final gargoyle, her blade gleaming. The stone monster swiped at her with brute force, but she moved effortlessly, sidestepping each attack as if it were nothing more than a practice drill.

"Go, Rean!" she called out as she sliced through the gargoyle's arm, sending debris scattering.

Rean wasted no time. He shot forward, scabbard in hand, and delivered a powerful horizontal strike across the gargoyle's torso. The force behind the impact nearly shattered the Iglute Garmr into pieces.

Eyes gleaming at the sight of the opportunity, Shizuna leaped into the air. Her odachi gleamed as she brought it down in one final, devastating strike that cleaved the gargoyle in half. It crumbled to the ground, shattered beyond repair.

She flicked her sword, shaking off the dust, and grinned. "Too easy."

As the gargoyles lay in shattered pieces across the ground, Elliot finally let out a breath he was holding, leaning on his staff, smiling in disbelief.

"We... we actually did it. I can't believe it!"

"Ha... ha... That was tougher than I thought, but we made it through," panted the bespectacled boy, wiping the sweat off his brow. He glanced at the blonde noble. "You actually cooperated with us fairly well."

"Hmph. And you didn't miss your shots as much as I expected." Jusis retorted.

"What was that...?!"

"Did I stutter?"

"There they go again..." The ginger whimpered, already sick of their animosity toward one another.

"Give them time," Gaius interjected with a smile before his smile faltered for a moment. "Best we mediate them before things take a violent turn, though."

"They're going to be a pain to deal with throughout the school year..." Fie remarked blankly.

Shizuna snickered, throwing her hands behind her head and saying, "That's part of the fun!"

Rean watched from a slight distance, a small smile tugging at his lips. Watching them celebrate, tease one another, and banter as a team reminded him of moments from his past life—moments he never thought he'd get to experience again.

The animosity and conflict between Machias and Jusis were still present, but he felt like things would work out better than in his first life.

"You're all here!"

Alisa's voice echoed through the chamber, drawing everyone's attention to the hallway as the rest of the girls entered. Laura strode in with her usual composed expression, her arms folded, while Emma trailed slightly behind, adjusting her glasses with a soft, relieved smile.

"You three finally made it." Shizuna grinned, resting her odachi on her shoulder. "Sucks you missed all the fun."

"Fun?" Alisa raised an eyebrow, noticing the broken remains of the gargoyles scattered across the floor. "More like we missed quite a fight."

"You have no idea," Elliot sighed, rubbing his arm. "Those things were tough, but we pulled through."

Laura's gaze shifted to the fallen gargoyles, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It seems you handled yourselves well. I expected nothing less."

"I wish we could have arrived sooner to assist," Emma added with an apologetic tone. "I hope no one was hurt?"

"We managed," Rean reassured her with a small smile. "No injuries, just some tired muscles."

"Speak for yourself... I think my arms are going to fall off." The green-haired teen groaned, earning an amused huff from his 'arch-nemesis.' "You've got something to say, Albarea?"

"I simply thought you needed more exercise."

"S-Screw off!"

"Now, now, let's save the bickering for later, shall we?" Gaius chuckled, stepping in before it could escalate. "We've made it this far. Let's not ruin the mood."

Rean allowed himself a moment to bask in the familiar scene unfolding before him—banter, camaraderie, and tension all mixed together in a way that felt genuine, chaotic, and oddly comforting.

And yet, just as he began to relax, the air around them shifted—subtly at first but unmistakably. A strange presence spread throughout the chamber, alarming the honed senses of the regressor.

No... It can't be...

This shouldn't be happening. Not here, not on the first floor. Something was wrong.

The higher elements were present, and it seemed Shizuna and Emma took notice of them as well.

"G-Guys, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Elliot pointed his index finger, trembling.

A low, eerie hum echoed throughout the chamber, like the creaking of ancient stone grinding against itself. The scattered remains of the shattered gargoyles began to tremble and glow.

Everyone's attention snapped toward the fragments as they began levitating, swirling in midair like pieces of a puzzle rearranging themselves.

"What's happening now?!" Alisa asked, her voice tinged with unease.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Fie muttered, raising her gunswords again.

The broken pieces clattered violently as they merged together, forming a massive, grotesque monstrosity—a chimera-like gargoyle with multiple arms, wings of jagged stone, and glowing fissures along its body. A monstrous fusion between seven Iglute Garmr— Felsen Chimera.

"What the hell is that?!" Machias shouted, taking a step back.

"Impossible..." The Albarea noble's cool visage broke into a scowl. "How is this even happening?"

"It seems like a creature from the Dark Ages has been resurrected as a trial." Recovering from her shock, the Arseid swordswoman brandished her greatsword. "I shall be your opponent."

"Sorry, but you'll have to get in line." Savage smirk had etched itself on Shizuna's face, raising her odachi. "Now, this will give me a challenge!"

Rean clenched his teeth, still reeling from the shock. This creature—this thing—was not supposed to exist. He had fought through the old schoolhouse before in his previous life, and nothing like this had ever emerged. The higher elements' interference was already alarming, but this monstrosity? This was unprecedented.

The gargoyle chimera let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the chamber like an ominous drumbeat. Its massive claws scraped against the floor as it hunched forward, ready to pounce.

"Spread out!"

Rean barked out the order, which caused everyone to instinctively move out of the way from the claw swipe that came their way.

The regressor quickly assessed the situation. The monster's form was grotesque—a twisted amalgamation of stone wings, glowing fissures, and multiple arms, each claw capable of ending a fight with one swipe. Its very presence radiated hostility and overwhelming power.

He could defeat it in one move if he unsheathed his tachi, but everyone else would lose the chance for growth.

They haven't even formed a proper combat link yet!

Taking a deep breath, the regressor calmed his mind and heart. He needed to compose himself and recall what had happened in the past, no matter how blurry or hazy his memories were.

He thought back to the very basis of combat links— the core of their creation.

"This thing's body is even harder than the ones we fought a second ago!" Machias grunted in dismay, dodging another swipe from the beast.

"It's taking all of our arts like they're nothing..." Elliot muttered, disbelief written all over his face. He turned to the one who had been giving them orders before— the teen who seemed older and wiser than his age. "Rean, what should we do?!"

As golden hues snapped open, enlightenment came.

"I'll give you guys an opening. On my signal, attack it with all you've got."

"Are you crazy?! You want to take this monster alone?" Alisa glared at him as if the very idea was foolish. Shizuna, on the other hand, noticed the glint in his eyes and sighed.

She leaped away from a tail swing, landing beside the regressor. "All right, Rean. It's all yours."

"I thought you were his friend! Why aren't you stopping him?!"

"Please, this thing is hardly enough to kill Rean." She waved a hand dismissively, causing some of the others to frown at her lack of concern. Shizuna simply laughed. "Wow. They don't believe you, junior. Guess you have to show them what's up!"

No one could ask what she meant by that as Rean vanished from where he stood, appearing in front of the Felsen Chimera the second they all blinked. Sheathed tachi in hand, the regressor parried each attack that aimed to harm him without breaking a sweat.

Everyone couldn't believe what they were seeing. Not a single attack managed to even graze the swordsman. To those trained in martial arts like Laura and Jusis, it was as if Rean was toying with the monster by being on the defensive.

Enraged, the Felsen Chimera pounded the ground, shaking the very ground they stood as its mouths opened, energy gathering.

The regressor narrowed his eyes. The opportunity had come.

Heavy blows were sent upward to its jaws, staggering the beast before it could fire a devasting attack.

"Now!"

"Right / Understood! / On it!"

Everyone responded without hesitation; bluish-white light radiated from the pockets that resided their orbments.

Their combat links have been formed.

Bullets rained down, hammering against its rocky exterior. Arrows pierced the air, striking its sides with relentless precision. Slashes and thrusts were carved into its limbs, tearing them apart with brutal force.

Rean stood by Shizuna, feeling the strength of their combat link flowing through him. He pulled his scabbard back, and the silverette flashed a grin. Their unspoken conversation was a testament to their trust in each other.

They needn't utter a word.

Rean's got her back.

The chimera made a desperate attempt to retaliate, pulling its wings back to strike. But Rean was faster. He swung his scabbard, arcs of air pressure slicing through the wings and tearing them clean off.

Twins Shadows dashed forward. She and her shadowy duplicate crossed paths midair, their blades carving an X-shaped incision deep into the chimera's stone body as the silverette slipped behind the beast.

"I'm not done yet! Snowstorm Helix!"

Slashing through its back, Shizuna twisted her body into a spiral, and with her third slash, a tornado of cold winds enveloped the gargoyle monstrosity.

The force cracked its already damaged body further. With a final, deafening roar, the gargoyle collapsed in on itself, reduced to shattered fragments of stone and glittering frost.

The silence that followed was deafening, understandable disbelief and adrenaline keeping them on their toes.

Then came a collective exhale.

"We... we really won..." Elliot whispered in disbelief, his shoulders sagging in relief.

"Ha! Take that, you oversized lawn ornament," Machias grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"That was... impressive," Jusis admitted, though the words came grudgingly. "But it was a strange."

"What do you mean?" Alisa queried between pants.

"Our teamwork at the end... It felt like I knew when I should attack and back off— it's as if I could read everyone's intentions and movements."

"Now that you mention it, that kinda described what I felt during the fight..."

"It seems we all experienced a similar sensation," mused the blue-haired noble.

Shizuna decided to share her thoughts, saying, "I don't know if you guys noticed it or not, but our ARCUS units were glowing at some point."

"R-Really? Could it be that what we experienced is—"

"...the biggest selling point of the almighty ARCUS?" Emma was cut off by a familiar voice, applauds coming from above as they turned their heads toward the staircase to see their instructor, grinning. "Correctamundo! You earned yourself a prize!"

Leaping off from the platform, Sara safely landed on the floor and beamed at her students.

"I almost jumped down when that gargoyle turned into... whatever you guys fought, but it looked like someone had everything under control. Plus, the power of friendships came in and saved the day! I'm so proud of you guys~!"

Some of them felt no goodwill in her words, their eyes twitching slightly. Machias looked like he was about to burst again if it weren't for Gaius's comforting pat on his shoulder.

Everything went about as Rean expected with Sara giving the whole spiel about the ARCUS unit and answering Jusis' question about what Class VII is and so on.

The regressor did not hesitate to step forward once she asked who would be staying in Class VII, a soft smile spreading across his face.

"I'll do it. No matter what Class VII has in store for me, I'm game."

"Wait, what?!"

"Just like that?!"

Shizuna stared at her junior, icy blues reading his expression. The pink-haired instructor would do the same before her own smile came through, a hand resting on her hip.

"So, you're the first, then. You seem pretty sure about it. Any particular reason?"

"Not really. I just get the feeling that the experience I'll gain by being in this class will be valuable and unforgettable."

Sara's grin widened, clearly satisfied with Rean's answer. "Valuable and unforgettable, huh? That's the spirit, Rean! I like it." She turned her attention to the rest of the group. "Well? How about the rest of you?"

Shizuna crossed her arms, a self-assured grin on her face. "Well, if Rean thinks Class VII is worth it, I'll stick around. He's not the only one who feels like things will be preeeetty interesting by staying!"

"Heh. I like you already!" She snickered, amused. "And don't worry! The curriculum's right up the alley of our resident Eastern student!"

"That's what I'm talking about~!"

"I... I guess I'll stay, too," Elliot said, rubbing the back of his neck. "After everything we went through, I can't imagine leaving now."

"I agree," Gaius added, nodding toward Rean. "We've come this far together. It would be a shame to part so soon."

Machias glanced toward Rean before sighing heavily. "I didn't expect to say this, but... if someone like you—" he jabbed a thumb at Rean, "—is willing to stick around, then I don't see why I shouldn't either. I'm in."

Jusis quirked a brow and huffed, "How magnanimous of you."

"Don't start," Machias glared.

"Well, that's completely unexpected!" Sara said, voice full of humor. "It's clear you two got issues with each other, but it seems traversing this place has mellowed you two a bit. Keep it up, and you'll be the best of buds!"

"Like hell, we'd be 'best of buds!' I'll never get along with a pompous and arrogant noble like him! Mingling with commoners makes him sick!"

"I thank you to not put words in my mouth or tell me how I'm supposed to feel." The Albarea huffed, arms crossed. "I, Jusis Albarea, claim my place as a member of Class VII."

"W-Why?!"

Ignoring the argument that was about to erupt, Laura stepped forward, her eyes shining with resolve. "A trial such as this is a fitting way to begin. I believe I'll learn much by staying in Class VII."

"I'll stay as well. I was only able to come because of the school's generosity, so I feel it's my duty to help in any way I can."

"I suppose I'll stay, too." Seeing Emma join in as well, Alisa sighed, though her expression softened. "It does bother me that you've got us using these ARCUS units that are still pretty clearly in development... but it'd be a waste to leave after all that effort we've put in here."

A knowing smile flickered across Sara's visage, amber eyes flickering to her little protégé. "What about you, Fie? You're the only one left that hasn't made a decision yet."

The young silverette narrowed her eyes briefly at the woman. Ultimately, she nodded lazily.

"Whatever... I guess I'm in, too."

"That's what I like to hear! Looks like we've got ourselves a full Class VII."

The tension in the room lightened considerably as the students exchanged glances, some more confident than others.

Rean didn't bother suppressing the genuine smile that danced on his countenance. A small part of him felt his heart ache to see unfamiliarity and a fragile sense of trust in the eyes of those he considered family in his first life, but he understood that it couldn't be helped. The regressor would gladly accept such a price than never seeing his friends and family ever again.

Another chance in life, and in a slightly different time. Things were different, but he won't take this life and his blessings for granted— never again.

Time for notes!

1. You guys probably saw it coming, but yes, Shizuna is part of Class VII. However, the Ikaruga would still be very much present in the plot, of course. How could they not be? They have connections to the Eight Leaves!

2. God, this chapter was so tough to write, especially handling Rean's state of mind when he reunited with Class VII. Given he is a regressor and trained in the Far East, he should be calm and always in control of his emotions, but I thought that someone like NE!Rean, who has such a tragic end, would be very emotional when he finally gets the chance to be with his friends again, even if they weren't the ones he knew and bonded with. For their first meeting, at least. He'll probably have to try harder when he interacts with Crow and Millium in the future!

3. Would Shizuna steamroll everything in her way? Depends. While she also trained with Rean in the Far East, I believe her main experience comes from her time as a jaeger of the Ikaruga, specifically the jobs they likely took in the Far East that really shaped her strength in the Divine Blade of Silver. While Rean is undoubtedly the strongest student in the academy, Shizuna is second. She could probably defeat all of those gargoyles and their fused form by herself, but she definitely wouldn't come out unscathed.

Well, that's about it for this chapter! The next chapter will be a little different. You'll know what I mean when it comes, but for now, see you all next time. Thank you for reading!