It was mid-summer in Crossbell. On the East Highway, two people were seen facing each other. No monsters were around them, courtesy of the older one between them.
"Show me," Arios MacLaine demanded from his student. His student just nodded with a serious look on her face. Under the hot summer sun, Arios watched as Juna Crawford unsheathed her wooden sword.
"Second Form: Gale!" Juna kicked the ground and moved faster than normal eyes could see. But to Arios' trained eyes, her movement needed to be even faster. Still, compared to her previous attempts, it was serviceable.
"You've grown stronger," he commented once Juna stopped and panted. "Still, your Gale is not fast enough to generate winds. Aside from that, your form is perfect."
Juna grinned at Arios' assessment. "Ehehe... thanks, Master. I'll do my best to increase my speed further."
Arios nodded. "I heard you've also succeeded in using the Sixth Form?"
"Yes!" Juna answered in excitement. "Back at the hospital before I was taken away by Ernest Reis-" Arios had to hold back a wince. It was his mistake to bear that caused his student to be kidnapped by a cultist. "-I was fighting some mafia goons, and under duress, I managed to use Arc Slash!"
Without waiting for his input, Juna already took a stance for the Sixth Form.
"Arc Slash!" Juna unsheathed her sword quickly, and from the blade, a beam of energy came forth and flew through the air, harmlessly dispersed once it reached a particular range. Arios frowned. It was an Arc Slash, but...
"Juna. Observe." Arios went into his own stance for Arc Slash before taking a deep breath. "Sixth Form: Arc Slash!"
Arios fired the sword beam toward the sky. It was a faster and bigger beam than Juna's, but that wasn't what he wanted to show the girl.
"...Huh?" Juna gaped once the slash turned smaller and smaller from her eyes until it was completely gone. "It's still going!?"
Arios nodded at his student's question. "Good job on succeeding, but your Arc Slash is weak. What you should strive for in developing Arc Slash isn't the power or speed but the range. And out of the three aspects, range is the hardest to improve. Try to experiment to see how you can improve it."
Juna nodded enthusiastically. "Understood!"
As Juna moved to do some training, Arios couldn't help but sigh. No matter what Juna said to him, he still felt guilty for letting her be kidnapped. He was her student, no matter how half-hearted he was at being his teacher. It was what Master Ka-Fai declared. He did not even want to become her teacher, but he felt indebted to Juna for helping Shizuku and being with her when he couldn't. In his doubt, he deferred to his Master for guidance, and his esteemed Master told him to teach Juna.
Juna produced another Arc Slash. It still dispersed once it reached the same distance as before, but to his eyes, it appeared a little faster than before. Still, it wouldn't do to let her know now.
Unconsciously, a smile graced his rough face. Juna was by no means a bad student. Arios himself had relearned several aspects of Eight Leaves by teaching Juna. But still... his mind went back to the report written by the SSS and Juna about the entire Gnosis incident. Lloyd placed so much emphasis on Juna's help to uncover the true mastermind behind the seemingly unrelated incidents. Coupled with what Estelle and Joshua said about who helped them reunite with Renne...
He couldn't get closer to Juna than he was now.
"Arc Slash!" Arios saw Juna fire another Arc Slash. This time, the speed was noticeably faster. "Ah! Master, it's faster than before, right?! I'm not hallucinating, am I?"
"No, you aren't. It is faster than your first Arc Slash. I trust you now understand what I mean about experimenting?"
"Yes," Juna answered. "I swung my sword faster, and the Arc Slash became faster. Why?"
"Before I answer, why don't you experiment more?" Arios challenged. Juna replied with a cheerful 'Yes' before she went back to do Arc Slash.
Returning back to his musings, Juna was sharp and smart enough to connect spread-out clues. Then there were her gut feelings. As he once said, Juna reminded him of his late partner, Guy Bannings.
Because of that, he intended to pause Juna's tutelage under him. After all... Crossbell was about to enter a new era.
"But eventually... someone's bound... to take my place..."
A flash of memories.
It was really just a flash.
Arios clenched his fist.
"Ooh! So overcommitting my swing somehow made it weaker."
He was brought out of his remembrance by Juna's words.
"Hmm... what about taking a deeper breath than my usual...?" Juna mumbled to herself.
Seeing her student being her usual self, Arios couldn't help but laugh. Really. Juna was making it hard to distance himself from her. She was just so earnest.
He did not deserve Juna to enter his life. Not at all.
"Juna," he called his student out. "Come here."
"Yes, Master!" Juna ran towards him.
Before Estelle and Joshua went back to Liberl, Estelle told Arios that Juna felt unhappy that she was too weak to help them in the Sun Fort. However, what Juna lacked wasn't the technique, as shown by her singlehandedly defeating Revache's goons by herself. What she lacked was the physical strength to contend with the monsters.
So Arios intended to teach one final technique before he paused Juna's tutelage.
"As a reward for succeeding in using the Sixth Form, I'll teach you something. Observe me."
Arios then put his sword parallel to his chest and closed his eyes. He exhaled before his feet moved intricately, twisting his body so it made a 360-degree turn several times; all the while, he maintained a steady breathing rhythm. Power coursed through his body. He stopped once he felt it was enough of a demonstration.
"Haaaaaa!" Green energy surrounded Arios as he opened his eyes. He then made a slash into the air.
It wasn't Arc Slash, but the power behind his swing cracked the air.
"...That's a dance, isn't it?" Juna pointed out dryly.
"Indeed," Arios confirmed. "It is the Petal Dance, a self-strengthening move from the First Form. I heard from Estelle that you're lamenting your lack of strength and couldn't help them and the SSS. I hope you can rectify that with this."
Juna's face brightened once Arios explained. "Thank you, Master! How do I do it?"
"Stand still, and let me practice it beside you. Try to imitate me."
Arios then spent the next three hours tutoring Juna on how to dance.
After all that training, Juna lay down on the grass, panting from exhaustion.
"I still don't get it, huh... damn, who knew dancing is really hard. I'm starting to appreciate Ilya and Rixia more for their flawless performance in Arc en Ciel."
"Just keep it up, Juna," Arios gave his encouragement. Juna was agile enough to grasp the technique fast, but she still couldn't draw her inner power to strengthen herself. However, it was nothing a diligent training couldn't fix.
"By the way, Arios. Since Shizuku is out of the hospital. What'll you do for her education?" Juna suddenly changed the topic.
Arios hummed at her question. It was true that Shizuku could not go to a normal Sunday School because of her disability. In fact, the whole time she was under the hospital's care, Juna was one of the few people who helped teach Shizuku a few basic things she missed in Sunday School after the accident.
"Oh well, if you still don't know, maybe I'll try doing something about it."
"...You don't need to, Juna. I'm Shizuku's father. I should be the one doing that," Arios tried to make Juna back down. And besides, if what he heard from St. Ursula was true, then they would soon get a new doctor to replace Joachim. He would send Shizuku back for assessment by the new doctor.
"But, well... you're about to be busier than ever, right?" Juna pointed out. "Otherwise, I don't think you'd teach me a new move this early."
Arios let out a small smile. "You know me so well..."
Indeed, soon, he wouldn't have time to rest. But not because of Bracer's works.
"Oh yeah, tomorrow you're going on a joint mission with the CPD and the CGF, right?"
Arios nodded. "Yes. Where did you hear it from? Lloyd?"
"Yep," Juna answered. "The SSS temporarily disbanded after the Gnosis fiasco because most of the members were called out, so Lloyd and KeA are alone in the building. Well, there's still Chief Sergei, but he's busy. And Zeit is smart, but he can only talk to Tio. I think Lloyd is a little lonely that all his friends are away."
"Is that so?" Arios raised his eyebrow.
"Well... it's just me speaking. I don't know how Lloyd feels. Anyway, what's the mission about? Or is it classified?"
It wasn't classified, but considering who they were chasing... "Yes," Arios lied. Juna had never shown any kind of trauma from being kidnapped, but who knew if the news of Ernest Reis' escape would trigger her?
"Awww, too bad. Oh well, good luck tomorrow, Arios. I'll go home."
"See you later, Juna."
As Juna ran towards East Street, Arios saw her back going further and further from him.
Good.
The best place Juna could be was far from him.
It was a fine morning in the SSS building. Lloyd went down the stairs to rinse his mouth and wash his face. Today was the day of his mission, and he had to leave KeA alone until he returned. The SSS was on temporary hiatus because most of its members were needed elsewhere.
Tio was called back to Leman by the Epstein Foundation for some new research, probably Orbal Network-related. Randy was called by the CGF to supervise the rehabilitation of the Bellguard Gate soldiers, who became the victims of Joachim's Gnosis. Elie wasn't really needed by anyone, but because of Lloyd's own assignment, she decided to help her grandfather and went home for a while. If what she had said was correct, though, she'd be back either tomorrow or in two days. Lloyd himself was assigned to the First Division under Dudley for training.
Sitting down on the table, Lloyd used the stove to boil some water. As he waited, Lloyd thought back on the mission he was about to undertake. It was a joint mission from the CPD with the Bracer Guild and the CGF. It was a mission to capture former Speaker Hartmann and former First Secretary Ernest Reis, who fled to Erebonia but was denied political asylum there. Reports said the two turned 180 degrees to Calvard to flee. The coalition aimed to capture the two of them before they went far into Calvard.
Once the kettle whistled, Lloyd turned off the stove and poured the water into a glass before putting a teabag into it. As he waited for the tea to cool down, Lloyd heard footsteps coming from the stairs. From the corner of his eyes, Lloyd saw KeA rubbing her face cutely as she yawned, going to the sink.
"Good Morning, Lloyd," KeA said after she came back from the sink, face refreshed.
"Morning, KeA," Lloyd said with a smile. "What do you want for breakfast?"
"This time, it's my turn to cook!"
Lloyd bit his lip. Elie had been teaching KeA how to cook, but she was only allowed to cook under Elie's supervision. Lloyd was not confident he could supervise KeA, considering his own limited cooking skills.
"KeA... I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can help you, so why don't you wait until Elie comes back tomorrow or the day after to cook?" Lloyd offered a compromise.
KeA pouted. "Mmmm, fine!"
"Ahahaha... sorry, KeA. I promise I'll make it up to you later."
Without further ado, Lloyd quickly checked the ingredients left in the kitchen before deciding to make some Rustic Omelet Rice.
Twenty minutes later, three plates of Rustic Omelet Rice were served on the table. KeA's eyes shined in delight at the smiley face he made with ketchup on top of her Omelet Rice.
"Thank you, Lloyd! When Elie comes back, I want to make this with her!"
Lloyd smiled. "Good idea. I learned the recipe from Elie, actually. I know she can make an even superb dish from the same ingredients, so you'll be in good hands."
Not long after, Sergei came down and brewed a cup of coffee. The familiar smell hits Lloyd's nose. "Hmm? An omelet rice for breakfast? Isn't it too heavy? Well, not that I don't like it."
The three of them then ate the breakfast merrily. KeA asked for more ketchup to draw more expressions on the omelet rice.
Once Lloyd cleaned the dirty dishes, he went back to his room to prepare for the mission. When he came back down with a bag full of all his things, Juna was already sitting on the sofa, talking animatedly with KeA.
"Oh, Morning, Lloyd!"
"Morning, Juna," he greeted back. "You're here for KeA's Sunday School? Isn't it a little too early for that?"
"What are you talking about? It's almost nine," Juna replied, pointing at the clock. "We're here because KeA wanted to say goodbye to you before she has to go."
Oh... he must have taken a long time to prepare his things.
"I see... See you later, KeA. I'll definitely come back." Lloyd then patted KeA on the head. Turning to Juna, Lloyd took out the notebook from his pocket. "So... anything I should pay attention to?"
Juna shrugged. "Well, since the mission itself is classified, I can't tell you anything about it. As you know, for me to connect the dots, I need information."
But the mission wasn't classified? If it was classified, he wouldn't tell Juna that he had a joint mission with the Bracer Guild and CGF. Lloyd wanted to blurt it out but held himself back. Why did Juna think it was classified? Ah, maybe it was Arios telling Juna that. But for what reason?
He could just reveal it to Juna, but looking at the girl shrugging her shoulder, what would make Arios hold back from telling his student? Maybe it was because the mission involved Ernest, and Arios didn't want to make Juna worry? Possible.
"Ah, sorry." Lloyd laughed sheepishly.
In the end, even if he believed that Juna wouldn't be shaken by the news of Ernest's situation, he did not want to step on the toes between teacher and student.
"Anyway, good luck on your mission! Come on, KeA!"
"Okay!"
The two then left the building.
Marble looked at the rows of rowdy children sitting on the desk inside one of the Cathedral wings. Being a teacher at the Sunday School (even though it was held not just on Sunday) meant that she had to face this sight every day. And yet, they were children. Full of innocence that should be protected and guided. And it was her job.
The door to the Sunday School wing was opened loudly, catching everyone's attention. From behind the door, four familiar figures came to her sight.
"Yahoo! Morning, everyone!" Juna Crawford, A former student of hers, greeted all the children inside. Then, without her prompting, her two siblings, Ken and Nana, ran inside the room and sat beside each other.
"It's Juna!"
"Juna!"
"Morning, Juna!"
The children greeted her, with some even standing up from their desks and running toward her.
"Momo, thanks for your help yesterday. How about I treat you to one of Oscar's special bakery later?" Juna patted Momo's head.
"Okay!" Momo then talked with KeA, who came alongside Juna and her siblings.
Seeing KeA already engrossed with her own conversation, Juna smiled and approached Marble.
"Sister Marble! Thank you for your work, as always."
"The pleasure is mine, Juna. Seeing all these children and teaching them the value and knowledge they needed for life... it's really heartening to me. You included."
As she said before, Juna was a former student of hers. But Juna wasn't just some student. Juna was a prodigy who skipped her supposed 'grade' of education a few years ago. A seven-year-old Juna had already grasped everything they taught her, so she was moved to the older kids' classes again and again until a year later when she was in the same class as the twelve-year-old children.
"Aww..." Juna scratched the back of her head with a sheepish laugh.
One of her worries back then was Juna's social life would be stunted by being in the vicinity of older students. But thankfully, it was just a worry in the end. Juna made some friends, whether they were younger, older, or around her age. In the end, Juna graduated when she was twelve. She could've graduated earlier but held back and helped teach some of her friends. After graduation, Marble heard Juna got an internship at St. Ursula. It is one of the youngest internships in St. Ursula's long history. Marble was very proud of her students and glad she had the opportunity to teach Juna.
"Anything I can help you with? Considering it's almost time for the class to start."
Juna's face relaxed into a smile. "Just a little time, Sister Marble."
The two then went out of the room for a while for a private talk.
"You know Shizuku? Arios MacLaine's daughter. She went blind from an accident a few years ago. Long story short, because she was admitted to the hospital so early in her life, I don't think she ever got formal schooling. Not to mention, her father is as busy as ever. I've been teaching her the basics here and there, but I can't do it full-time," Juna explained. "Since Shizuku is blind, I don't think you can just put her around all these children and teach her the same way you taught others... so can the church help teach her privately?"
Marble frowned. She might not know Arios MacLaine personally, but he was well-known even to the church's clergy. The accident that took away his wife's life was a long time ago. This Shizuku would already past her formative year. Add in her special condition... Juna was correct that she couldn't be taught like the other students. But she didn't have free time because of her obligation to the church. She could ask Sister Juju, but Juju has been busy, and she didn't think the Archbishop would lessen her responsibilities.
"Can you do it, Sister Marble?"
Her mind went back to the announcement from Archbishop Eralda. That could work.
"I'm sorry, Juna. But I can't spare my time for Shizuku. However, there might be someone else I can ask. Archbishop Eralda mentioned that we would get a new Sister from the Holy City... once she arrives, I will ask if she could spare her time teaching Shizuku."
"Great! Thank you, Sister Marble! Please teach Ken, Nana, and KeA to the best of your abilities!"
Juna then left the cathedral in a hurry.
Juju, who had just come inside moments before Juna ran, asked her. "What was that about?"
Marble shook her head with a smile. "Juna is just being Juna."
A/N: I'm really tempted to use Yahallo in the Sunday School scene but I refrained. Anyway, I'm back! Though I only have clear idea for about up until Chapter 1 of Azure ends, so I'll stop there and focus back on Buggy CS after.
I wanted a breather chapter before I delve to Azure's prologue, so have a setup chapter. ...at this point, this fic is just a collection of setups without any payoffs. But don't worry since this is not Falcom but Falcon the master planner, all the setups will have satisfying (hopefully) payoffs. We have angsty Arios who can't get away from Juna's pull, Lloyd preparing for the prologue mission, and Sister Marble from the cathedral to show Juna's prior education history properly.