It was early in the evening, and the hideout of the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang was chaotic. Gang members were panicking and firing bullets indiscriminately as Flynn and the five Abydos students comprising the Foreclosure Task Force intruded on their territory. As bullets whizzed past, Flynn and the others quickly took cover, their hearts pounding with adrenaline.
"Uhee…" Hoshino yawned as she readied her shotgun and steadied her riot shield. "Flynn Sensei, this old timer is hoping you have a plan or something."
Flynn glanced at the gang members, his mind racing with strategies. "Don't worry," he said, his voice steady and focused. "I do have a plan."
Shiroko's wolf ears perked up, her expression curious. "Nn..." she mumbled, her voice filled with anticipation. "What are you about to do, Flynn Sensei?"
In response, Flynn fiddled with his Gauntlet, and immediately, a new demon materialized before the Abydos students. The demon was a humanoid man with reddish skin and a crescent moon for a head. The students stared in awe, their eyes wide with surprise and curiosity.
Serika, with a skeptical expression, remarked, "I didn't expect there to be a demon with a moon for a head."
"Well, one's standing before us, Serika," Ayane cautiously remarked. "And I bet there are more moon-themed demons out there."
Nonomi, however, gushed over the demon, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "He's just as cute as Jack Frost!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
"Nn..." Shiroko muttered as she examined the demon. "I think this demon is okay."
"Uhee... Will you look at that," Hoshino remarked as she eyed the newly summoned demon. "This old timer bets this demon can help her rest better if Flynn Sensei approves."
The demon introduced himself in a gentle and soothing voice. "I am the Sandman, a Night race demon that helps children like you sleep," he said, his crescent moon head glowing softly.
Then, Sandman glanced at the Helmet Gang members firing at their location, his expression turning thoughtful. "And it seems there are naughty children who need to sleep. That is why my master has brought me out."
Flynn nodded, his expression determined. "I'm going to need your help, Sandman, to subdue the Helmet Gang members here," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "Preferably, put them to sleep."
The Sandman grinned, his eyes gleaming with purpose. "Putting mortals to sleep defines my very being, Master Flynn," he said, his voice eager. I am more than happy to assist."
The Demon-Summoning Samurai of Kivotos
A Shin Megami Tensei IV & Blue Archive crossover
Chapter 4: The Demon-Summoning Sensei's Prowess!
Meanwhile, in one of the makeshift tents within the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang hideout, Komakaze Rabu, one of the gang's officers, woke up abruptly from her bed. The sound of gunfire echoing through the hideout had jarred her from sleep. As she rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the disorientation, two gang members rushed into her tent, their expressions filled with urgency.
"What's going on out there?" Rabu demanded, her voice sharp and authoritative.
One of the gang members, breathless, spoke to Rabu. "Boss Rabu!" she explained. "Our hideout is under attack from girls from Abydos High School!"
The second gang member added, her voice tinged with fear. "And that's not all, Boss!" she elaborated. "And Flynn Sensei is with them!"
Rabu narrowed her eyes, her mind racing as she processed the information. "So, it's them, huh?" she mused, her voice filled with realization. "That's why the other Helmet Gang didn't contact us a few hours ago." She audibly sighed, quickly packing her essentials into a bag.
"W-What do you mean, Boss?" One of the Helmet Gang members hesitantly asked.
Another gang member watched her, her voice confused. "What do we need to do, Rabu?" she asked, seeking guidance.
Rabu turned to them, her expression determined. "Alright, listen very carefully," she said, her voice filled with resolve. "I'll have the other gang members draw the enemy's attention while we escape."
"Right, Boss!" One of the Helmet Gang members agreed. "We may lose our hideout here, but we'll live on!"
"Yeah!" Another Helmet Gang member concurred. "I'm with you on that plan!"
Rabu let out a smirk, her eyes gleaming with cunning. "Let's get this plan going," she said, her voice confident. "The sooner, the better..."
Rabu and the two gang members quickly began their plan. They rushed out of the tent, with Rabu barking orders to the other gang members to distract them. The hideout erupted into a flurry of activity as the gang members scrambled to follow Rabu's commands.
Meanwhile, Flynn and the Abydos Foreclosure Task Force emerged from their cover, their weapons firing in unison as they targeted the Helmet Gang members attacking them. The hideout echoed with gunfire and the air filled with the scent of battle.
Serika, her eyes scanning the chaos, noticed some of the gang members fleeing the area. "Should we pursue them?" she asked, her voice filled with determination.
Flynn shook his head, his expression focused. "No," he stated, his voice filled with resolve. "We're here to dismantle the Helmet Gang, not to pursue fleeing members."
Hoshino nodded in agreement, her riot shield and shotgun at the ready. "Our goal is to dismantle their hideout," she said, her voice confident. "If some of these whipper-snappers want to flee, let them."
Shiroko, her assault rifle firing with precision. "Those who stay and open fire on us," she muttered, her aim steady and determined as her eyes never left her targets. "We can take down."
Nonomi, her minigun roaring, reminded everyone of their secret weapon. "Don't forget, Flynn Sensei summoned Sandman! He can put the rest of the gang members to sleep!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Flynn turned his attention to the Sandman, who stood ready to assist. "Sandman, cast your sleeping spell on the gang members," Flynn instructed, his voice filled with authority.
The Sandman complied, reaching into his bag and grabbing a handful of sand. "I've been waiting for this!" he exclaimed. "Dormina!"
With a gentle motion, he sprinkled the sand into the air. The sand caught the light, shimmering as it spread out and got into the eyes of several gang members. The affected gang members began to blink rapidly, their movements slowing as drowsiness overtook them. They slumped to the ground, falling into a deep sleep.
The hideout fell into a strange silence, the sound of gunfire replaced by the soft snores of the sleeping gang members. Flynn and the Foreclosure Task Force watched in awe as the Sandman's magic took effect, their plan working flawlessly.
Flynn turned to the others, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well done, everyone," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Let's secure the hideout and ensure there are no more threats."
The Abydos students nodded, their expressions mirroring his. They moved swiftly and efficiently, securing the hideout and ensuring that the threat of the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang had been truly eliminated. Their bond grew stronger with each challenge, and their determination to protect their school and others remained unwavering. As they worked together, they knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their purpose and resolve.
Meanwhile, a pink-haired young woman huffed in one of the tall dunes outside the Helmet Gang hideout as she reached the top of the dune. Her name was Izumimoto Eimi, one of the members of the newly established Super Phenomenon Task Force of Millennium Science School. Although her attire was scantily clad for a school uniform that left little to the imagination, Eimi paid no heed to it as she opened her comms after she saw Flynn in the distance fighting alongside the Foreclosure Task Force.
"President," Eimi spoke through the comms. "Is he the one we're looking for?"
As Eimi turned on her comms, a hologram depicting a pointy-eared girl who was sitting in a wheelchair appeared in front of Eimi. She was Akeboshi Himari, the former President of Veritas and now the Super Phenomenon Task Force's President. Himari's hologram was advanced enough that she could also see Flynn in combat in the Helmet Gang hideout.
"Yes, Eimi," Himari spoke through Eimi's comms. "Flynn Sensei is the one we seek."
"I see. Flynn Sensei shows promise," Eimi nonchalantly commented. "You were right, President. No wonder Seminar convinced you to step down from Veritas. To think this happened the day after the GSC's public announcement and Flynn Sensei's speech…"
"Yes. In the end, Rio made some good arguments, and I had to promote Kagami Chihiro as the new President of Veritas," Himari acknowledged as she briefly closed her eyes to remember that event. "When Rio suddenly contacted me about this, I realized she was serious. I hope Chihiro manages Veritas in my place."
As Eimi and Himari continued observing the battle, they noticed Flynn dabbling on his Gauntlet as his demon spread sand onto the gang members, putting them to sleep.
"Huh?" Eimi became perplexed as Flynn commanded his demon. "President, it seems Flynn Sensei… commanded that demon from his device and put the gang members to sleep."
"Yes, I heard Flynn Sensei refers to the device on his wrist as the Gauntlet," Himari replied, fascinated by the way Flynn controlled his demon. "To think the Gauntlet is the medium by which Flynn Sensei summons and controls his demons…"
"I agree, President," Eimi concurred as she continued her observation. "He demonstrated that device during the public announcement… Huh?"
Eimi's eyes widened as she saw Flynn's pistol spew out more projectiles than it could carry within its ammo cartridge. The projectiles hit several gang members, taking them out and making it easier for the Foreclosure Task Force to take down the remaining gang members.
"I also saw Flynn Sensei do what seemed to be magic," Eimi muttered while observing Flynn. "His gun fired out more projectiles than it could realistically carry. I can tell his body temperature is heating up like what my body does whenever he casts those spells."
"Fascinating… No wonder both Rio from Seminar and Mirai from the Pseudoscience Division requested us to observe Flynn Sensei. He is such an enigma to Kivotos," Himari spoke in awe. "And thus, we'll keep an eye on him. We may need his help someday, especially with the true reason why the Super Phenomenon Task Force was established."
"Of course, President. I'll keep you noted if anything happens," Eimi huffed as she fanned herself after she turned off the comms. "Whew, deserts don't suit me at all…"
After several minutes of intense gunfire, the battle ended decisively in favor of Flynn and the Abydos Foreclosure Task Force. As Flynn recalled Sandman to his Gauntlet, the hideout fell silent, save for the distant hum of the city and the soft snores of the sleeping gang members. Flynn oversaw the Abydos students as they swiftly tied up the Helmet Gang members who had been taken down by gunfire or rendered asleep by Sandman's magic.
As the students worked, Flynn fiddled with his Gauntlet, his voice steady and focused. "Arona, Burroughs," he instructed. "Send an email to the Valkyrie Police Academy to come to the area."
Arona's voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone efficient. [Already on it, Flynn Sensei,] she affirmed. [We've compiled the email.]
Burroughs followed up, her voice professional. [The email has been sent to Valkyrie, Master Flynn,] she confirmed. [They should be on their way within a few hours.]
Hoshino approached Flynn and gestured to the supplies and ammo scattered around the hideout. "Uhee… There we go," she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. "The campsite's supplies and ammo now belong to Abydos."
Ayane yawned, stretching her arms. "Now that this battle is over," she suggested, her voice tinged with weariness. "We're exhausted, Flynn Sensei. We should rest up for tomorrow."
Hoshino nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring Ayane's fatigue. "Yawn… This old timer thinks her junior is right," she said. "Let's call it a night and regroup tomorrow."
Flynn nodded, understanding their need for rest. "I need to head back to SCHALE to recuperate," he said, his voice filled with gratitude and determination. "I'll see you all tomorrow."
Nonomi, her eyes sparkling with warmth, waved goodbye. "Goodbye, for now, Flynn Sensei. See you tomorrow," she said, her voice filled with affection.
Serika, crossing her arms, looked at Flynn with grudging respect and exhaustion. "Yeah, come back tomorrow, Flynn Sensei," she said, her voice tinged with her characteristic tsundere attitude. "Just… come back to Abydos tomorrow, okay?"
Shiroko, her expression calm and determined, nodded to Flynn. "We'll see you tomorrow, Flynn Sensei," she said, her voice filled with resolve.
Flynn and the Abydos Foreclosure Task Force parted ways for the night, each heading to their respective places to rest and recuperate. The night was quiet, the stars shining brightly in the sky as the group retired, ready to face whatever challenges the next day would bring. Flynn returned to SCHALE, his mind already racing with plans and strategies for the future, while the Abydos students settled in for a well-deserved rest, their bond stronger than ever.
The next morning, Flynn woke up from his bed, the previous day's events still fresh in his mind. Flynn examined himself and he realized he was still wearing his Mikado Samurai uniform.
"Arona and Burroughs," Flynn muttered as he activated his Gauntlet. "Good morning."
[Morning, Flynn Sensei!] Arona spoke through the Gauntlet. [To be honest, I was concerned when you head straight to your bed the moment you enter the SCHALE building.]
"I... did?" Flynn blinked as he vaguely recalled the events that happened when he parted ways with the Foreclosure Task Force yesterday. "I was exhausted after my first day in Abydos."
[You can't blame Master Flynn,] Burroughs commented through the Gauntlet. [He's still a human, and thus he has to comply with the biological processes of his body, including the need to sleep.]
[Even Isabeau was surprised that you came back from Abydos, Flynn Sensei!] Arona explained with a hint of humor in her tone. [You should've seen her face!]
As Arona and Burroughs explained what happened to him, Flynn let out a chuckle. Usually, he put up a calm and professional air whenever he was in public, but he was thankful that this happened only when he arrived at the SCHALE building.
"Is that so? I'll have a word with Isabeau later," Flynn mused as he got up from his bed. "I need to take a bath and put on a fresh set of clothes..."
After bathing and changing into a fresh set of his iconic Mikado Samurai uniform, he went to the office room, where Isabeau was waiting for him.
"Good morning Isabeau," Flynn greeted his fellow Samurai. "I apologize for startling you yesterday. I was exhausted after my first day in Abydos."
Isabeau turned to him as he entered, a cup of instant ramen in her hand. "Morning Flynn. I understand that you were tired back then, but..." she remarked, her voice filled with concern and amusement. "Anyway, here you go, Flynn."
Flynn scratched his head, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he took the cup of ramen. "Yeah, I was exhausted after my first day with the Abydos students yesterday," he admitted, his voice tinged with weariness. "Again, I apologize for that."
Flynn began to consume the instant ramen, the warm broth, and noodles helping to revitalize him as Isabeau watched him closely.
Isabeau smiled, her expression understanding. "It's alright, Flynn. Given your new responsibility as the Sensei of SCHALE, I truly expected that from you," she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "How did your first meeting with the Abydos students go?"
Flynn nodded, his expression thoughtful. "The Abydos girls are good students," he said, his voice filled with respect and admiration. "They're fighting tooth and nail for their school's sake, and I admire their determination."
Isabeau listened intently, her smile growing wider. "That's good to hear," she said, her voice filled with approval. Suddenly, she remembered something and her expression turned serious. "Oh, I almost forgot. I need you to follow me to a room called the Crafting Chamber," she said, her voice filled with purpose.
Flynn raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "The Crafting Chamber?" he asked, his voice filled with intrigue.
Isabeau nodded, her expression mysterious. "You'll see when we get there," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
With that, Flynn quickly finished his ramen, his mind racing with questions and possibilities. He followed Isabeau out of the office room, his steps filled with determination and curiosity. As they made their way through the SCHALE building, Flynn couldn't help but feel hopeful.
Isabeau led Flynn to a secluded room, where a large screen displayed a partially broken monolith floating on a platform. The room was dimly lit, the air filled with anticipation and mystery.
"Isabeau?" Flynn inquired to her. "Is this the place?"
Isabeau turned to Flynn, her expression serious. "Yes," she explained, her voice filled with importance. "This room is a duplicate of the actual Crafting Chamber located at the Sanctum Tower."
Flynn nodded, understanding the significance of the room. "I see," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I recalled transferring the authority of the Sanctum Tower to the General Student Council on our first day here."
Isabeau handed Flynn 10 gray sphere-like objects, her expression curious. "So we did," she answered, her voice filled with intrigue. "These are Keystones. According to Rin, the General Student Council President left these behind for you to use."
Flynn took the Keystones, his brow furrowing in thought as he stored nine of them and held one in his hand. "How do I use these Keystones?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Arona's voice echoed from Flynn's Gauntlet, and her tone was helpful. [It's simple, Flynn Sensei,] she instructed. [Just put the Keystone in the monolith's open slot to begin the crafting process!]
Flynn complied, inserting the Keystone into the monolith's open slot. As he did, the monolith began to hum, its surface glowing with an otherworldly light. Flynn and Isabeau stared at the monolith, their eyes wide with wonder and anticipation.
As the monolith activated, it displayed five distinct options, each represented by a unique symbol. Arona's voice echoed from Flynn's Gauntlet, her tone informative. [Flynn Sensei, those options are called Nodes,] she explained. [Each Node creates a random item based on its theme.]
Flynn examined the five Nodes, his eyes scanning the symbols carefully. One Node in particular caught his attention—a symbol that resembled a two-way door. "What's this one?" he asked, pointing to the symbol.
Arona responded promptly. [That's the Furniture Node,] she said. [When chosen, it produces a random piece of furniture for the Cafe room in the SCHALE building.]
"Huh?" Isabeau muttered, perplexed when Arona mentioned that detail. "This building has a Cafe?"
[Yeah,] Arona affirmed. [The SCHALE building has a Cafe, but it's barren and only has a handful of furniture. If you ask me, the Cafe needs some furnishing, especially if you want to invite students there.]
Flynn nodded, his decision made. "Is that so?" he said, pressing the eponymous Node. "Okay, I'll choose the Furniture Node."
As the Furniture Node was selected, the monolith hummed and displayed another set of five Nodes. This time, all the Nodes were flower-themed, their symbols depicting various blooms.
Isabeau leaned in, her expression curious. "Oh my," she remarked, her voice filled with intrigue. "These Nodes are all flower-themed."
Arona explained further. [The Flower Nodes generate random gift items. Each flower generates a specific kind of gift,] she said. [For example, the Azalea Node produces a food item. You should try it out, Flynn Sensei.]
Flynn nodded, his eyes scanning the flower-themed Nodes. He pointed to the Azalea Node and pressed it. The monolith hummed again, its glow intensifying as it displayed the third and final set of five Nodes.
Flynn and Isabeau watched in anticipation, their eyes wide with wonder as the monolith's glow pulsed with potential.
Flynn examined the final five Nodes, his eyes lingering on one that glowed with a golden light and bore a star symbol. "What's this one?" he asked, pointing to the Node.
Arona's voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone informative. [That's called a Radiant Node, Flynn Sensei,] she explained. [It produces a random item of the highest possible grade, but that Node rarely appears. So, I suggest choosing it because of the generated item's high quality.]
Flynn nodded, his mind made up. "I'll take those chances," he said, pressing the Radiant Node.
The monolith hummed as the three chosen options were processed. As the monolith began to glow in a soft hue of light, Burroughs spoke from Flynn and Isabeau's Gauntlets.
[Masters Flynn and Isabeau, I've analyzed the monolith and its underlying codes, and with Arona's help, I can streamline the crafting process and reduce 90% of the production time,] Burroughs spoke from Flynn's Gauntlet. [If you two will allow it, Arona and I can make its item generation near-instantaneous.]
"Do it," Flynn immediately answered, noting the opportunity. "The sooner the items are obtained, the better."
[Alright, Master Flynn,] Burroughs affirmed. [Beginning the interface with the Crafting Chamber monolith…]
[Don't worry, Flynn Sensei!] Arona assured him. [It'll just take a moment!]
As Flynn's Gauntlet glowed in a combined hues of blue and green, three items began to materialize near the monolith. The first was a desk with a distinctive mask, the second was a bag containing four rations, and the third was a cross-like item with a droplet-shaped loop.
Isabeau leaned in, her expression curious. "Huh?" she wondered aloud, her voice filled with intrigue. "What are these items?"
Arona responded promptly. [The first item is a school desk themed after Abydos High School,] she explained. [That mask looks like a balaclava, a form of cloth headgear designed to expose only part of the face, usually the eyes and mouth.]
Flynn narrowed his eyes, his mind racing as he realized the significance of the desk to his current focus on Abydos. He picked up the balaclava mask and stored it in his Gauntlet, having a feeling that it could be useful one day.
Arona continued with her explanation. [The second item is a bag consisting of four MX Rations Type C, which are high-quality food supplies,] she remarked. [And they're dessert-flavored too.]
Burroughs' voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone analytical. [As for the third item, it's an ankh,] she explained. [An ankh is an ancient symbol used to represent the word for 'life' and, by extension, as a symbol of life itself.]
Flynn and Isabeau fell silent, their minds processing the revelations from Arona and Burroughs.
Flynn spoke up, his voice filled with caution. "Arona, Burroughs, please do a scan on the ankh, just to be sure," he requested, his eyes fixed on the mysterious item.
[On it, Flynn Sensei!] Aroma chimed.
[Activating Scan Mode…] Burroughs intoned as Flynn's Gauntlet began to scan the ankh with its blue and green light.
After several seconds of scanning the ankh, Burroughs' voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone analytical. [I can detect some sort of divine energy in the ankh, Master Flynn,] she explained. [However, it cannot be used as an item directly.]
Arona followed up, her voice helpful. [I suggest storing the ankh in the Gauntlet for safekeeping, along with the four MX Rations, Flynn Sensei,] she said. [As for the ankh, who knows? That item might be useful someday.]
Flynn nodded, quickly digitizing the ankh and the MX Rations into his Gauntlet. He turned to Isabeau, his expression grateful. "Alright," he said, his voice filled with appreciation. "Oh, and thank you, Isabeau, for managing the daily tasks in the SCHALE building."
Isabeau blushed slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "As Sensei, you have to go around and help the students of Kivotos. There is no need to thank me, Flynn," she explained, her voice filled with modesty. "While you go out there for the students, I'll handle the menial tasks such as accounting and paperwork."
Burroughs' voice chimed in from the Gauntlet, her tone proud. [I also help Isabeau with the paperwork, Flynn,] she revealed. [You don't need to worry about your fellow Samurai.]
Flynn turned his attention to his Gauntlet, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Burroughs, for helping Isabeau with the daily tasks," he said. "That is one worry crossed off my heart."
Isabeau nodded, her expression serious. "You should be going back to Abydos, Flynn," she reminded him, her voice filled with purpose as she handed Flynn a box labeled 'Master Donut'. "Oh! And Fubuki sent this donut box to you."
"Ah, thank you, Isabeau," Flynn replied as he digitally stored the donut box in his Gauntlet. "Fubuki once said to me she wanted to buy a donut box as a token of appreciation. I guess she followed through with that promise."
"So she did," Isabeau remarked as she smiled at her fellow Samurai. "The Abydos students there are waiting for you, Flynn."
Flynn agreed, his mind already racing with the tasks ahead. "I should, but first, I need to buy some consumables at Angel 24," he said, his voice filled with determination as he noticed that it was only 6:30 in the morning. "There's enough time for me to stock up on food and drinks for the trip to Abydos."
With that, Flynn headed for the elevator, his steps filled with resolve. As he descended to the ground floor and made his way to the Angel 24 convenience store, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The day's journey lay ahead, and with it, the promise of new challenges and adventures. Armed with his newly acquired items and the support of his allies, Flynn was ready to face whatever came his way, his spirit unyielding and his resolve unshakable.
After purchasing food and drinks from Angel 24, Flynn stepped outside the SCHALE building. As he walked, he noticed four students slumped near the entrance, their faces pale and expressions weary.
[Flynn Sensei,] Arona spoke from the Gauntlet. [Those students are from Gehenna Academy. Why are they slumping in the SCHALE building, of all places?]
"We'll find out, soon enough," Flynn muttered. "I'll go ask those girls."
As Flynn approached the four Gehenna students, he noticed that they looked hungry and thirsty, their shoulders hunched with exhaustion.
Concerned, Flynn approached them. "Excuse me," he asked them. "Are you all alright?"
One of the students, a young woman with pink hair, looked up at him with tired eyes. "We're so hungry and thirsty," she bemoaned, her voice weak. "And we're... looking for a new place to establish our club, Problem Solver 68."
The second student, a girl with long, scruffy purple hair that reached her shoulders, tried to comfort her. "Just hold on a little bit longer, Boss," she said, her voice filled with determination despite her fatigue. "I'll… muster enough strength to find… some food and drinks for us."
Another student, a girl with shoulder-length silver hair, stared at Flynn intently. "Oh? Heheh..." she said, her voice steady but curious. "If my eyes don't deceive me, you're Flynn Sensei. Hah, it's too bad you found us slumping here..."
The fourth student, a girl with white hair, black bangs, and a black ponytail tied to her horns, looked at Flynn hopefully. "Do you have some food and drinks to spare, Flynn Sensei?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "My club-mates and I are starving."
Flynn nodded quickly, his expression sympathetic. "Yes, I do," he said, digitally retrieving the four MX Rations, the donut box, and drinking water bottles from his Gauntlet. He offered the items to the four students, his voice filled with kindness. "Here, take these. You all look like you need them."
As the five of them sat on a bench outside the SCHALE building, Flynn watched the four Gehenna students eagerly devouring the food he had offered. Their initial weariness began to fade, replaced by a renewed vigor as they ate.
"So filling…" The pink-haired girl muttered as she scarfed down her MX Ration and drank the bottled water.
"Yeah, it's rather bland," The silver-haired girl commented as she ate her MX Ration. "But, we'll take what we get!"
Flynn took this opportunity to learn more about them. "Now that you four look better," he asked gently. "Could you tell me your names?"
The silver-haired girl replied first, her voice steady and clear. "I'm Asagi Mutsuki," she said, nodding as she took a donut from the box. "Thanks for the food, Flynn Sensei!"
The purple-haired girl followed, her voice soft and meek. "I'm... Igusa Haruka," she introduced herself, her eyes downcast but grateful as she took a bite from her donut. "T-thanks for the food..."
The girl with white hair and black bangs tied to her horns spoke next, her voice confident. "My name is Onikata Kayoko," she said, meeting Flynn's gaze directly. "We're glad you came to our help, Flynn Sensei."
Finally, the pink-haired young woman spoke up, her voice filled with pride and gratitude. "I'm Rikuhachima Aru, the hard-boiled 'Boss' of Problem Solver 68," she said, her eyes shining with appreciation. "Thanks for the hearty food, Flynn Sensei."
Flynn nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It's nice to meet all of you," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. He turned to Aru, his expression turning serious. "Aru, I heard you mention earlier that you're looking for a new place to stay. Is that true?"
Aru was momentarily startled by the question, but she quickly regained her composure. "Yes, Flynn Sensei. It's true," she admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment and determination. "We got kicked out of our rental apartment yesterday, so we're looking for a new place to establish our club."
Flynn fell silent, processing what Aru had said. The plight of these students touched him deeply, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility.
After listening to Aru's explanation, Kayoko spoke up, her voice steady and informative. "Problem Solver 68 is a group that will do almost any task to make a living, even some underhanded jobs," she explained to Flynn, her eyes meeting him directly. "But, we do have standards. So you don't need to worry too much, Flynn Sensei."
Mutsuki grinned at Aru, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Heh… You see, Flynn Sensei," she revealed, her voice filled with amusement. "The foundation of Problem Solver lies with Aru's obsession with being a 'cool' outlaw."
Aru stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "M-Mutsuki!" she protested, her voice tinged with exasperation and humiliation. "You didn't need to reveal that to Flynn Sensei!"
As Aru and Mutsuki began to comically argue, Flynn noticed that his Gauntlet glowed in blue and green, signifying that Arona and Burroughs had something to say.
[Flynn Sensei,] Arona pointed out. [If you can recruit the Problem Solvers, you can let them stay in the SCHALE Residence Hall. One of the rooms there has a resting area where these girls can stay!]
[I forgot to inform this, Master Flynn,] Burroughs chimed in. [The SCHALE Residence Hall is on the ground floor of the SCHALE building, and it's also where the Angel 24 store is located.]
After hearing what Arona and Burroughs had to say and having remembered that he bought from Angel 24 recently, Flynn interjected, his voice calm and thoughtful. "You know, Aru," he said, his eyes meeting hers with a sincere gaze. "You can be a cool outlaw in another way."
Haruka looked between Aru and Flynn, her expression curious. "What…" she stammered, her voice soft but inquisitive. "What do you mean by that, Flynn Sensei?"
Flynn explained, his voice filled with reflection. "Before I became a Sensei, I was just a Samurai from the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado," he explained as he recalled the fond memories. "I wandered around, doing random acts of kindness for people, and taking down enemies. In a way, I'm like an outlaw, but I used my skills to help others rather than cause harm."
Aru's eyes widened as she listened to Flynn's words, her expression brightening with realization. A genuine smile spread across her face, and her eyes shone with a newfound determination. Mutsuki, Kayoko, and Haruka immediately noticed the change in Aru's demeanor, their expressions mirroring her renewed spirit.
After hearing Flynn's exploits as a Samurai and how similar his actions were to those of an outlaw, Aru's eyes shone with admiration and excitement. "Please, Flynn Sensei!" she begged, her voice filled with eager determination. "Teach me your ways!"
Flynn let out a small smile, his eyes meeting Aru's with a warm gaze. "Before we start with that," he said, his voice filled with kindness and generosity. "I'd like to offer you and your club-mates a place to stay."
Kayoko narrowed her eyes, her expression cautious. "Flynn Sensei, that's generous of you," she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion and curiosity. "But, does this involve signing some sort of contract?"
Flynn nodded, digitally retrieving another set of four SCHALE recruitment envelopes from his Gauntlet — one blue, two gold, and one pink. He handed the blue one to Haruka, the two gold ones to Mutsuki and Kayoko, and the pink one to Aru.
"After hearing your plight, I want to recruit all of you to SCHALE if you four are willing," Flynn explained, his voice filled with sincerity. "And Aru, I can teach you to be a cool outlaw without compromising your standards, and together, we can make a real difference."
As Aru held her pink envelope, a sudden gust of wind blew through the area, carrying away both Aru and Haruka's envelopes, startling Kayoko and Flynn while Mutsuki barely suppressed her giggle.
Aru exclaimed in panic, her eyes wide with dismay as she watched her envelope being carried away by the wind. "What?! No! No! No!" she cried out, her voice filled with distress. "My envelope!"
Haruka, reacting quickly, called out to Aru, "Don't worry, Boss Aru!" she said, her voice filled with determination as she prepared to chase after the envelopes. "If you want to, I can retrieve them!"
Seeing their panicked and distraught faces, Flynn immediately took action. He quickly retrieved another blue and pink envelope from his Gauntlet and handed it to Aru and Haruka. "It's okay. I'll give you two another set of envelopes instead," he said, his voice filled with apology. "I'm sorry about that. Let's make sure you have your envelopes securely this time."
As Aru and Haruka held their envelopes tightly this time, Flynn explained the terms of their recruitment to SCHALE. "If you join SCHALE, you'll have a guaranteed place to stay in the SCHALE Residence Hall, and you'll even receive a decent stipend," he said, his voice filled with both kindness and firmness. "However, if you plan to do any underhanded jobs, you must inform me in advance."
Kayoko let out a small smile, her expression thoughtful. "That's an acceptable compromise," she said, her voice filled with approval.
Mutsuki grinned at Aru, her eyes sparkling with playful amusement. "Hehe... Flynn Sensei has given us an offer we can't refuse, Aru," she asked, her voice filled with anticipation. "What's your answer?"
Aru muttered to herself, weighing the offer in her mind. "A place to stay, a decent pay, and all we have to do is inform Flynn Sensei in advance if we're going to do any underhanded jobs. It's a small price to pay," she mused, her voice filled with consideration. She looked up at Flynn, her expression determined. "Alright, Flynn Sensei, you drive a hard bargain. Problem Solver 68 will accept your offer," she declared, her voice filled with resolve.
Flynn nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "To register," he instructed, his voice filled with guidance. "Simply put your fingerprint or thumbprint at the rectangle in the lower part of your envelopes."
Aru, Mutsuki, Kayoko, and Haruka followed Flynn's instructions, each pressing their index fingers into their respective envelopes. As they did so, the envelopes glowed briefly, signaling the completion of their registration.
As Aru, Mutsuki, Kayoko, and Haruka completed their registration to SCHALE, their envelopes disintegrated, the particles flying into Flynn's Gauntlet.
Haruka's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?!" she exclaimed. "Our envelopes disappeared!"
Flynn offered a reassuring smile. "That means your registration was successful," he explained. "You can now settle down in the SCHALE Residence Hall. If you meet a woman named Isabeau, tell her I have recruited you."
Aru smiled slyly, her expression filled with gratitude and humility. "Flynn Sensei," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "Thank you for accepting us."
Kayoko nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "You're a good man and a good Sensei," she said, her voice filled with respect.
Flynn reciprocated Kayoko's gratitude with a nod. "As a Sensei and a Samurai," he said, his voice filled with warmth and determination. "It's my responsibility to help people, especially you students. I'm satisfied in seeing your gratitude."
Aru's expression turned serious, her eyes meeting Flynn's with a steadfast gaze. "The Problem Solvers will repay you somehow, Flynn Sensei. Count on it," she declared, her voice filled with resolve. "And I look forward to learning how to be a cool outlaw from you."
With that, the members of Problem Solver 68 headed into the SCHALE building, their steps filled with purpose and determination. They were ready to embark on their new journey, eager to learn and grow under Flynn's guidance.
Flynn watched them go, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He knew that he had made a difference in their lives, and he was proud to have them as part of SCHALE. As he turned to leave, his mind shifted back to his primary goal — meeting with the Foreclosure Task Force at Abydos High School. With renewed resolve, Flynn set off, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead and continue his mission to help and protect the students of Kivotos.
After two hours since he helped out the Problem Solvers, Flynn ran towards the arid Abydos district. As he traversed the dusty landscape, his mind wandered back to the members of Problem Solver 68. He realized they had demon-like features — horns, wings, and pointed ears.
"Hmm… Horns, wings, and pointed ears…" Flynn muttered as he continued his trek. "I couldn't help but wonder if Gehenna students are based on demons…"
Arona's voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone curious. [Why would you ask that, Flynn Sensei?] she wondered aloud.
"I only noticed those demon-like features now," Flynn admitted. "I was preoccupied with helping those Gehenna students first."
Burroughs' voice followed, her tone informative. [It's a good thing I discreetly scanned the Problem Solvers while you were talking to them, Master Flynn,] she revealed. [Despite their demon-like features, there were no traces of magnetite within them. I can confidently say they and perhaps the rest of the students of Gehenna Academy are not demons at all.]
Flynn nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "That's good to hear," he said, his voice filled with reassurance. "Kivotos hold so many mysteries for us to find out…"
As he continued his journey, he noticed that he had arrived at the gate of Abydos High School. Standing on the opposite side of the gate was Shiroko, her wolf ears twitching as she saw him approach after parking her bike at the school entrance.
"Nn… Morning, Flynn Sensei," Shiroko said, her voice filled with anticipation. "You're just in time."
Flynn smiled, his eyes meeting hers with a warm gaze. "Let's head to Abydos High School," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Your classmates are waiting."
As Shiroko nodded at Flynn, they made their way toward the school, their steps filled with purpose and resolve. They were ready to face whatever challenges the day would bring, united in their mission to protect and support the students of Abydos High School.
A few moments later, Flynn and Shiroko entered the Foreclosure Task Force room. Ayane looked up from her seat and greeted them warmly.
"Shiroko, Flynn Sensei..." Ayane said, her voice filled with anticipation. "You two are just in time."
"So it seems," Flynn remarked, gesturing at Shiroko. "Go ahead and sit down, Shiroko."
As Shiroko sat in one of the chairs, Flynn noticed Hoshino and Serika conversing. He paused, listening intently to their exchange.
"Does Flynn Sensei deserve to know the true state of our high school?" Serika asked, her voice tinged with frustration and concern.
Hoshino let out a comical sigh, her expression thoughtful. "Uhee… Let this old timer explain to you again," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "We've all seen what Flynn Sensei can do. He's proven to be a capable adult, with him casting his hocus-pocus and summoning his demons to aid us. As far as this old timer can tell, he's legit."
Shiroko, overhearing the conversation, interjected calmly. "Nn… Hoshino has a point," she pointed out, her voice steady and rational. "Without Flynn Sensei, we would have had difficulty fending off the Helmet Gang yesterday."
Nonomi nodded in agreement, her eyes meeting Serika's with a sincere gaze. "Please give Flynn Sensei the benefit of the doubt," she said, her voice filled with warmth and trust. "He's sincere in helping Abydos."
Realizing that her classmates had a point, Serika gritted her teeth, her cat ears twitching in frustration. She stood up abruptly from her chair, her expression a mix of exasperation and determination.
"Hmph… I…" Serika declared, her voice filled with resolve as she left the Foreclosure Task Force room in a huff. "I need to cool off and sort this out!"
As Serika left the Foreclosure Task Force room, Nonomi turned to Flynn with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Flynn Sensei. Serika's tsundere nature means she's just in denial," she said, her voice confident. "But she'll come through eventually."
Flynn nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I hope so," he replied. He then turned his attention back to the matter at hand, his brow furrowing as he recalled something. "If I remember correctly, Shiroko mentioned that Abydos High School, or rather, the Abydos district, has an enormous debt."
Hoshino let out a wry smile, glancing at Shiroko before explaining. "Uhee… It seems our wolf junior has informed Flynn Sensei about that, huh?" she remarked. "Alright, let this old timer explain. The debt that Abydos has accrued is more than 900 million yen."
Ayane interjected, her voice precise and informative. "To be exact, the debt is 962,350,000 yen," she explained. "I know it's enormous, Flynn Sensei. So take some time to process it, okay?"
A moment of silence permeated the classroom as Flynn silently assessed the situation, his expression serious. Burroughs' voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone analytical. [Master Flynn, that amount is equivalent to approximately 6.2 million dollars,] she explained. [It's a tall order to be paid by mere students.]
Flynn narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with questions and calculations. "While the debt is enormous," he said, his voice filled with determination to understand the root of the problem. "I'm curious how Abydos accrued so much debt in the first place."
Ayane glanced at Hoshino, seeking permission to explain further. Hoshino lazily nodded, giving Ayane the go-ahead. Ayane took a deep breath, steeling herself into the complex history of Abydos' financial woes.
Ayane took a deep breath and explained the origins of Abydos' enormous debt. "A particularly strong sandstorm devastated the Abydos district. The overall impact was so severe that the Abydos Student Council at that time was forced to loan money to help rebuild the district."
Shiroko interjected, her voice steady and informative. "The student council was forced to borrow money from loan sharks," she revealed, her expression serious. "Nn… The worst decision they ever made."
Ayane nodded in agreement, her voice tinged with frustration and regret. "They took the easy way out," she said, her eyes meeting Flynn's with a resigned gaze.
Flynn listened intently, his expression thoughtful. "And they paid dearly for their choice," he said, his voice filled with understanding and empathy.
Ayane calmly nodded, her voice filled with helplessness and frustration. "Even today, the debt is still increasing as more and more of Abydos is being buried in desert sand," she explained, her eyes downcast. "We're barely able to pay the interest every month. We can only afford a minimum amount of ammunition or school supplies."
"Until you arrived here, that is," Nonomi pointed out. "Flynn Sensei, I was happy when you retrieved the ammo supplies from that Gauntlet of yours."
"Uhee… Flynn Sensei, your arrival here is a game changer," Hoshino remarked as she sported a goofy smile on her face. "Keep it up and you'll instill some hope back in this old timer and her juniors."
"Thank you," Flynn humbly replied as he glanced at the classroom door. "It's an honor to help you students save your school."
Shiroko spoke up, her voice filled with sympathy and gratitude. "Flynn Sensei, there's something I have to say," she revealed, her eyes meeting Flynn's with a sincere gaze. "Nn… Until you met up with me and arrived in Abydos upon Ayane's email request, no one ever cared enough to ask about our situation before, let alone reach out to help."
Flynn took a moment to process what the Abydos students had shared with him. The weight of their words settled heavily on his shoulders as he realized the magnitude of the challenges they faced.
Flynn broke the silence, his voice filled with concern. "While I'm glad that I get to hear each of your gratitude, I'm worried about Serika," he spoke, his eyes showing concern. "She stormed off the clubroom, and I want to make sure she's alright."
The Abydos students exchanged glances, their expressions thoughtful. Nonomi spoke up in a soft but confident tone. "Hmm… Flynn Sensei?" she said, her eyes meeting Flynn's with a reassuring gaze. "I have an idea where Serika might have gone."
Hoshino turned her attention to Nonomi, her expression curious. "Uhee?" she asked, her voice filled with interest. "Have you seen Serika working somewhere in the district?"
Nonomi nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I once saw her working at a ramen restaurant called Shiba Seki Ramen," she revealed, her voice filled with certainty. "That must be the place she's going during or after school hours."
Just as Nonomi finished speaking, a rumbling noise echoed through the clubroom. The Abydos students looked around, their expressions puzzled. Then, Flynn raised his hand, claiming responsibility for the awkward moment.
"My apologies. That was my stomach," Flynn sheepishly admitted. "It takes me roughly two hours to travel from the SCHALE building to the Abydos district, and I have only eaten a light meal before arriving here."
Shiroko nodded in understanding, her expression sympathetic. "Nn… I understand," she suggested, her voice filled with practicality. "We should all go to Shiba Seki Ramen to both check on Serika and have a proper meal, especially you, Flynn Sensei."
Flynn agreed, his expression grateful. "That's a good idea, Shiroko," he said, his voice filled with appreciation.
Hoshino stood up from her chair, stretching lazily. "Alright, let's head to Shiba Seki Ramen," she said, her voice filled with determination and anticipation. "This old timer wants to know what ramen they offer there."
With that, the members of the Foreclosure Task Force gathered their belongings and made their way out of the clubroom, their steps filled with purpose and resolve. They were united in their mission to check on Serika and ensure her well-being, all while enjoying a much-needed meal together. As they walked, Flynn couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging, knowing that he was making a difference in the lives of these students and forging lasting bonds with them.
Meanwhile, in one of the high-rise buildings owned by Kaiser Corporation, the Kaiser PMC Director taps the buttons on his smartphone along with a small group of Kaiser robot soldiers, hoping to find any student club that Kaiser could hire. Yet, as he typed in one of the phone numbers...
[Sorry,] The automated phone service spoke in a feminine voice. [The number you have dialed is unavailable.]
"Damn it!" Kaiser PMC Director grumbled as he punched the wall with his right arm. "What number is this anyway?"
"That's the hot-line for Problem Solver 68 of the Gehenna Academy, sir," One of the Kaiser robot soldiers replied. "But, I heard they were evicted from their apartment. No one knows where they are right now."
After listening to one of his robot subordinates, the Kaiser PMC Director stomped his right foot onto the concrete floor. As the concrete tiles cracked, this made the robot soldiers under his command nervous, not eager to anger the Kaiser PMC Director who was leading their ground operations.
"We're running out of available student clubs to do Kaiser's dirty work," The Kaiser PMC Director fumed, making the robot soldiers of his group nervous. "It's just our damn, rotten luck!"
Then, the Kaiser PMC Director's smartphone rang once more, and as he picked up the phone, he was affixed by the voices on the other side of the line while the robot minions watched silently. As the call ended, one of the robot soldiers approached the Kaiser PMC Director.
"Sir?" One of the Kaiser robot soldiers asked. "Was that call from Kaiser HQ?"
"Yes, and the higher-ups have approved of us intervening directly," Kaiser PMC Director confirmed as he put his smartphone in his pocket. "And we have new orders since the accursed Flynn Sensei and the Abydos girls have been spotted recently."
"Sir!" Another Kaiser robot soldier asked. "Does that mean we get to eliminate them all?"
"Yes, that's exactly what the higher-ups wanted," The Kaiser PMC Director let out a devious smirk. "We can't let this chance go to waste! Go to the Abydos district and try to eliminate Flynn Sensei and the Abydos girls, if you can."
"You can count on it, sir!" All Kaiser robot soldiers under the Kaiser PMC Director spoke in unison.
As his troops exited the building to inform the rest of the PMC army, the Kaiser PMC Director felt confident after a long while. The Academy City of Kivotos would be under the hand of Kaiser, and they would make sure to stamp out potential threats such as Flynn Sensei before he could ruin their plan.
Outside of the Club Hall in Trinity General School, a student dressed in nurse attire gazed up at the clear, blue sky. With her shift about to start and only a few students around, she enjoyed a moment of tranquility. Her name was Sumi Serina, and as she stood there, she noticed something peculiar—a blue envelope gently floating down from above.
"That envelope," Serina muttered, unsure what to do. "Should I retrieve it?"
Her curiosity got the better of her, and Serina watched as the envelope began to drift away from the school grounds. Deciding not to hesitate any longer, she quickly ran after it and grabbed the blue envelope before it could float away.
Examining the envelope, Serina saw the symbol of SCHALE emblazoned on it. "I think I saw this symbol before," she muttered as she picked up the blue envelope. "Could this belong to Flynn Sensei?"
As she pondered the envelope's origin, she accidentally touched the rectangular section on the lower part of the envelope with her thumb.
In an instant, the blue envelope disintegrated into specks of light, startling Serina. She gasped, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh my," Serina gasped as the blue envelope disappeared in her hands. "The envelope disappeared!"
Serina could only watch as the specks of light that were once the blue envelope floated above the sky before disappearing altogether.
"Why did it disappear?" Serina wondered aloud, her mind racing with questions. "And I feel a connection to Flynn Sensei… I… want to help him somehow..."
As the light faded, Serina felt an inexplicable connection to Flynn, as if the envelope's disappearance had somehow linked them together.
Unknowingly, Serina had completed her registration to SCHALE, and with that simple touch, she had become a part of something much larger than herself. As she stood there, her heart pounding with excitement and uncertainty, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of an abandoned building in the Hyakkiyako district, Kosaka Wakamo, the self-proclaimed Fox of Calamity, gazed up at the clear blue sky. Her thoughts were consumed by memories of Flynn Sensei, the man she had encountered a few days ago during her attempted attack on the SCHALE building. With a dreamy sigh, she placed her hands on her cheeks, gushing over the fated day when she and Flynn Sensei would meet again.
As she lost herself in her daydreams, Wakamo noticed a pink envelope floating towards her. Curiosity piqued, she reached out and grabbed it, her eyes widening as she examined the envelope and saw the SCHALE symbol emblazoned on it.
"Oh? I've seen that symbol before," Wakamo murmured, her heart fluttering with excitement. "Does this belong to my beloved Flynn Sensei?"
Her fingers traced the bottom of the envelope, and as she accidentally touched the rectangular area with her thumb, the pink envelope disintegrated into specks of light. Wakamo gasped, startled by the sudden disappearance, but as the light faded, she felt an inexplicable connection to Flynn Sensei. A joyful smile spread across her face as she realized that she was now linked to him in a way she couldn't quite understand.
"I don't know how, but I feel I'm now linked with my beloved Flynn Sensei!" Wakamo exclaimed, her voice filled with elation. "I must find him soon… I feel compelled to help him in whatever tasks he gives to me."
With newfound purpose and determination, Wakamo set off to the Abydos district, knowing that her fate was intertwined with Flynn's, and she was eager to embrace whatever adventures lay ahead. Little did she know, her life was about to take an exciting turn as she was determined to prove her worth to the man she admired so deeply.
The Demon-Summoning Samurai of Kivotos
A Shin Megami Tensei IV & Blue Archive crossover
Chapter 5: The Kaiser Corporation Strikes!
See you next time!