Vol 6 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2 - Transience's Peace

Three days after he woke up

In the Magic Acadeic classroom, Takeru was forced to stand next to the teacher

In front of hi lessons in other words, the seats were occupied by novice sorcerers and witches sitting in rows

Rather than puzzled, it would be correct to say that everyone stared at Takeru blankly

”Nn, now the introductions〜 This is Kusanagi Takeru-kun〜 Yes, applause〜”

Incited by the bea, a few students also applauded However including Takeru, there were many who didn't understand the situation

”Please think of hiive us a brief greeting〜”

”I'i Nice to meet you”

The female teacher put a hand on Takeru's shoulder, as tre because of tension

”They ely for a while, but you don't have to worry〜 Having people who do not have ic power isn't all that rare recently, and I absolutely won't allow any discrimination because of that in our class〜”

”Yeah”

When the self-introductions ended with his vague answer, Takeru was told to sit down on the furthest seat and walked to it passing by the students There were those who looked at him with curiosity, and those who scorned at hihly just those two reactions

For Takeru, having this athered in one place seemed abnormal, but common sense from the outside world didn't apply here

Looking from the point of view of the inner world, Takeru was the heretical one

This is ht it would be

As for as Takeru doing self-introductions towards the students of Magic Academy, that story dates back to the conversation they had when he met Mother Goose

Orochi said ' that Takeru couldn't find ain, but simply put, it seemed like he had to deepen his bond with Lapis

When he digged in further, it seemed like Takeru and Lapis were counted as part of Fantasy CultValhalla, had various restrictions imposed on them, and would be disposed of if they tried to escape

Mari was furious ”We're going to go back to our comrades” she said Of course Takeru felt the same but

『”Then what if I said that we already have a way to save Kusanagi Kiseki would you change your mind?”』

With these words of Mother, Takeru's heart shook

『”I' you need to answer immediately The stereotypes of the outside worlds built up over 150 years won't be wiped out that easily, I want you to learn what kind of life itches live”』

She said so, and enrolled Takeru in the Magic Academy

I want you to learn what kind of beings are witches I want you to learn what kind of thing is ic

He could tell she had such intentions but

In the end, it means that they won't tell me the way to save Kiseki unless I become their ally

He wanted to say that was low, but it seeinally Mother had sent Orochi in order to prevent Inquisition froot in their ere Inquisition and the 35th Platoon If Inquisition didn't get in the way in the first place, it's possible that Kiseki ht have been already saved

Were he to believe in Mother's words and actions, it would be premature to brand them as ”the enemies” of his little sister and comrades

But, it's still too early to decide they are our allies Those peopleto maintain peace but they have sacrificed people up until now I need to assess them carefully

Takeru sat down in his seat, and looked to the side

Quietly sitting on the seat beside him, by the desk stuck closely to his without any interval, was Lapis

Although she was clearly standing out, other students weren't bothered by it whatsoever When he looked around, sitting beside students he could see a girl and a boy ere dressed siical Heritages just like Lapis

It see up to their contractors was a norht in here

””

While watching Lapis' profile, Takeru lost hihts

Strengthen his bond with Lapisher fall in love for him, just what kind of condition is that

He had no idea what kind of a result would be satisfactory, but he had to act otherwise he won't be able to save Kiseki

still, what do I do

Ever since he reunited with Lapis two days ago, she didn't look at Takeru She was acting as if he didn't exist

He somehow understood it when they reunited

That he had been rejected by Lapis

why?

Honestly, he had no idea at all

He looked over histhe battle with Kyouya, Lapis was still acting as usual

Like that, he assumed it's because of the event that happened afterwards

I was desperate back then but did I do so horrible to her?

Although he tried hard to explore his auous memories, he couldn't find the answer

now that I think about it, I don't know anything about her

All he kneere things told to him by third parties

The person in question didn't tell hiht of theht that's the correct, ideal way

But, surely, continuing like that was not good

They uely

Takeru wanted to know more about Lapis Not only as his sword, but as his partner he thought he needed to build a relationshi+p with her as his comrade

If that happens, the power of the tithout doubt grow and multiply

That's what he learned through experiences with his comrades from the 35th platoon

”hey, Lapis”

Takeru tried to call out to her with as gentle as possible voice, and reached out to Lapis' shoulder

——zuzuzuzuzu

Dragging her chair with her, Lapis took distance from Takeru

”gufuu!”

An unexpectedly large shock hit Takeru He didn't think that being hated by his oould be this painful

The students who saw that scene started whispering ast each other

”hey, did you see that? That boy, his own Magical Heritage distanced itself from him” ”Are they freshly contracted? Also, he was rejected outright wasn't he” ”That happens soical Heritages Especially the ones who don't have ”

”He has a japanese name, so isn't he from outside's old japan? It's quite unusual here in the inner world”

”Hic power in possession of a Magical Heritage”

”Don't say things like that It doesn't seeical catalyst type, if she's a sword-type, then his skill with sword rather than ic is ic and yet she's a”

”But he's quite interesting Even though he's so tall, the Magical Heritage he brought doesn't match him It must be quite sharp”

Everyone started to analyse Takeru in their oay

The unco was quite substantial

I wonder if Mari felt like this the entire time

While Mari was the only witch in AntiMagic Acadeic Academy, their circumstances were quite similar

——bam

Mari who has been sitting by theseat, hit her hand with her fist

Silence, all whispers in the classroom have subsided

”we're in middle of the class”

As Mari glared at their classmates, everyone looked away from Takeru and faced their desks

”That's right〜everyone Right now〜, I'ic you can use to shi+eld yourself〜 You'll be at a disadvantage if you don't remember it, so do it properly”

The teacher has gotten on board of that, and the lesson started Honestly, Takeru didn't understand the contents in the least

Around noon, Magic Academy went into lunch break

At the same time as Takeru fell on the desk limply, Mari came over with a wry smile

”Good work, Takeru”

”Oh, same to you”

”You seem totally exhausted well, I can sympathize”

Mari patted his head, hopped on Takeru's desk and sat on it

”it's been a while since you have enrolled here, hasn't it”

”Yeah I got used to it, but honestly, I' to do in hiding for me”

”Right So better after co”

”I see”

Patting her cheek with her finger, Mari showed a troubled reaction

”Isn't it ic Academy that is”

When Takeru said so, Mari put on a shocked expression for some reason

It was as if her expression was saying 'don't say such things'

Mari downcast her eyes aardly, and grasped the hem of her skirt

”I guess Being a witch is nor here feels unrealistic, or rather, the sense of crisis is fading away I'm not sure how to put it, but it feels like it's not the place I belong to”

””

”Where I belong is um that place”

But itshe said in low a voice, and started to squirm

Takeru reflected on his words He didn't mean to offend her Currently, Takeru and Mari weren't on either the ic side, it was a situation where they couldn't decide on it

However, this place was safest and offered Mari decent treatment Isn't it the happiest option for Mari to stay in here Even if war broke out, wouldn't she be safe in the shelter

He said that earlier thinking so, but apparently Mari's feelings were the same as Takeru's

”If I stayed here alone, I feel like I would be sed by this place I ht noe don't have the leisure to bother about that right? Getting accustomed and comfortable with the situation feels somewhat scary”

””

”That's why I was really glad that you woke up”

Saying that, Mari let out a sh her nose

Takeru overlapped his hands over Mari's on top of the desk

”This isn't where we should be I've left you alone for so long, sorry”

Being thrown into a world that subverted common sense she knew, there's no way she wouldn't feel lonely

He sincerely apologized to Mari, and tried to give her peace of mind

Mari blushed and her gaze started wandering around

Takeru didn't apologize, wasn't bothered by it, and just said what he wanted to say He didn't knohat Mari thought when she tightly grasped the hand he overlapped with hers

”Ah, uuess? Just a little I wanted to do so like this〜I think”

”? Sure I don't mind”

She ht

He thought that but their fingers intertwined They clearly held hands the same way couples do

As expected, Takeru couldn't stop hi like shaking off her hand And as the two continued fidgeting while holding hands,

”——Middle schoolers? It's a middle school couple”

Before they realized, two female students have crouched in front of the two, and stared at their faces froe

Mari launched from on top of the desk in surprise

”What's with you! This is just u at his palm!”

While Mari atteirl from the duo made a bitter smile

”No no, Mari, rather than ht”

”Classic? She's a character from a classic book”

Next to her, a girl with cat ears and a tail which couldn't be distinguished whether they are real or not, looked curiously at the two and waved her tail The two started teasing naïve Mari for flirting with Takeru Mari refuted with a bright red face, but was handled by them splendidly

Apparently, those two have become friends with Mari over the last month

Originally Mari was a bright and cheerful girl In AntiMagic Academy she didn't have any friends because of stereotypes and discrimination froainst her here

Having friends is natural, Takeru thought

”So you have reunited with Kusanagi? I'm Inia Blackmore My property is 『Steel』 Born here, in the European shelter Magic Academy East Side's second year, one year above you, nice to meet you”

The girl with short hair, Inia Blackmore held out her hand with a friendly smile

When Takeru shook hands with Inia, the girl with cat ears beside swung her tail back and forth

”And I be Ananda Nodens My property is 『Thunder』 Grew up in the smallest shelter in South Africa I be in same year and class ya are As you can see I' to add any 'nya's' at the end of sentences, remember that”

Sniffing loudly she looked like a catgirl, she bent her tail into a く shape and approached Takeru Confused, Takeru tried to shake hands with her, but Ananda went ”nya!”, and moved aith a scream

Her hair stood up, and for soilant Inia looked at Takeru's startled expression When he was upset, Mari whispered into his ear

”I did the sa their front paws is a display of courtshi+p they greet each other by entwining fingers or tails”

”You serious Eh, so demihumans really exist”

Takeru was surprised to learn that Ananda's ears and tail aren't a decoration

The Ajin Called half-beasts, it's a race of half-huanis in soone extinct during the Witch Hunt War

There was no way Takeru would knohat the coain, he realized that in this place, extinct races existing is normal

Ananda blushed and shyly scratched her face with her front paw

”can it be that Kusanagi came from outside too? You seem close with Mari”

When Inia asked that, he wondered ould be the best answer

Takeru didn't knoas the outside world thought of in here

”Takeru caood friends and e got involved with Inquisition they sent us here since it's gotten dangerous”

Inia and Ananda seemed convinced after Mari told theht of

”I see, then it's no wonder you don't know the common sense of this place We don't know arded as evil in there right? I ieous place”

”Although I got suddenly scared, if it's like that then I forgive you Well done co you don't know, feel free to ask”

”Fufun”, Ananda spoke like a senior to her junior

Takeru glanced at Mari beside hied, and decided to take her up on her words

”That's a great help Then, it ht be abrupt but what do you mean by 'East Side'?”

Since it often appeared in what he heard he thought it's suspicious, so he asked after hearing Inia say that

”Seriously, you enrolled without knowing that a”

”S-sorry”

As he apologized, Inia went ”oh well” and laughed it off It seems like she has a personality that doesn't s

”East Side, are the eastern part of the shelter where school facilities are On the other hand, the West Side has its own facilities Both Magic Acade up two factions, or rather, they have different education policies East's policy is 『Har, as well as industrial ic Environmental protection and sanctuary's research is popular in here”

”On the other hand, the west side's policy is 『Pure Blood』 Well, you can think of it as of ic useful mainly for military”

”Make sure not to get close to the West Side The pureblood's principle is that mixed races like Ananda are absolutely unacceptable, and that's nowhere close to the discriic power suffer I don't knohat they ht do, but make sure to be careful”

”Yeah You should think of east and west side as different worlds Unfortunately the western side is overwhelht too often, but since this side has no chance of winning we recoht with them”

”The Witch Hunt War is deeply rooted in theht with people who don't have any eneration that was born after the e can't get a good grasp on it Although, there are those ere raised in environments related to war”

”There's a difference in education Although the education policy has been getting closer to East Side's recently, majority is still closer to West Side As soon as the ru rampant”

”Yeah That's the current state of affairs Especially the recent days, it's not advised to approach it”

Takeru nodded after hearing Inia's advice

Ananda shook her head saying ”good grief” at the current situation

”Personally I' to live here when shelter is in that state, as if eren't already fed up with problems from outside”

”I would prefer being at peace with people froed into the war froi normally like this thanks to that”

As they alternated explaining, Takeru has slowly began to understand the inner world's reality In short, it was soic Academy and the Ethics Committee the conservatives and dissidents

Just in this shelter were about fifty million people, and a lot more witches and sorcerers see similarly to how the West Side does

Mother Goose ed by purebloods

Were he to believe in Mother's words, it was obvious that the senate which governed over this inner world came from West Side's population and was closer to them

whether inside or outside, it's all the same huh

Nevertheless, it paled to the overwhelic Academy Even if east and ere polar opposites, people fro to accept Takeru as a huic power And in the AntiMagic Academy the only ones to accept Mari was a handful of humans from Small Fry Platoon

The amount of information the outside has about the inner world is nearly equal to none Although there are ru inside of the Sanctuary, eneral public doesn't believe that It was probably because of thorough infor education

Although people from the inner world were aware of the outside's existence, their recognition when it comes to actual situation was quite shallow If Inia and Ananda knew about the violence hich Inquisition treats witches, they wouldn't have been so carefree

”as I thought, people without any ic power are unusual here aren't they?”

Takeru asked the two

”Nyaa, there isn't that many, but at least few of them are here on the East Side Look, there”

He looked in the direction Ananda pointed to

With her back against the students' lockers, stood a girl with blue hair glaring in their direction

Kanaria

Takeru was startled by the very faht about it, he recalled that he was a prisoner It was obvious that he'd be monitored

Also, her gaze had a deep resentht last ic Academy's uniform instead of the body suit, she must have been a student in here as well

Inia turned towards Kanaria and prompted her

”Heey, Kanaria Don't scowl over there and come over here”

”hmph”

Even though she was called, Kanaria only snorted and re there with her arms folded

”She's Kanaria You see her long ears? She's a half-wood elf

”Half-wood elf?”

”Indeed In exchange for lack of ic poood elves' bodily abilities surpassed that of hu on the East Side mainly for protection”

””

”I aered species Apparently she's been born of the last wood elf that has survived the war I don't know the details though”

When he heard that story from Ananda, a memory rushed to Takeru's head

An incident involving elves was still fresh in his memory

In the inner world, elves being extinct was a fact as well

no way, right

Although he coe didn't match Also, he heard that she was disposed of, so it would be funny if she was in Fantasy CultValhalla the Magic Academy

Takeru didn't have a's failed elf

Ikaruga hated prying into herinto it as much as possible

However, it was a fact that it bothered hio to ask Kanaria about it, but then Inia called out to hiain

”By the way Kusanagi where did your Magical Heritage go?”

She posed an unexpected question

”You had an azure girl with you right? I wanted to ask about her too but she disappeared the ical Heritage alone?”

”Oh, I was curious about the sae? Is it soeneration in your faic power froes anya?”

After saying that much, Ananda and Inia looked at Takeru's pale face He looked towards Mari

Mari shook her head energetically saying ”I don't know?!”, then next he looked at Kanaria in the back

”a-aa”

Kanaria's face paled just like Takeru's

Five minutes later

”——Idiot idiot idiot!! Even though you're her contractor! Why did you let her get out of your sight?!”

Kanaria, Takeru and Mari were sprinting together through Magic Acade for Lapis' whereabouts

”I'otten used to the situations where she's there yet she's not, and didn't notice it when she suddenly disappeared!”

”No excuses! Have some shame!”

Takeru who has been showered with jeers froht, turned smaller and smaller

Mari as running on his left flared up on Kanaria instead

”You're not the one to say that Kana-chan! You're supposed to ht!”

”S-shut up! Mari has been asked to act as the monitor by Mother as well! You're same! Guilty!”

”I have no obligation to follow your orders! Why do I have to watch over Takeru who's my comrade!”

”Not Takeru! Michirmistera mi ah come onnn”

Kanaria continued to bite her entangled tongue, and ran while scratching her head strongly

The three continued to search avoiding the students, not bothered by the fact that they were conspicious to other students Mari started running late, and because of either ti down the hallway had coht

”Ohh, whash, whacha guys dyoin?”

It was Orochi He walked towards theht hand and milk in his left

Takeru as in front stopped, and placed hands on his knees in front of Orochi

”Master, why are you here?”

”Why you ask, I'm one of the teachers in here”