Vol 7 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4: The war begins

Karian Loss, the Student President, received the report of a city nearing Zuellni the moment he entered the Student President's office. Uneasiness filled him, as he hadn't seen his sister in the morning and she didn't seem to have returned home either. A bad feeling came to him.

”Um, that child is now a young woman.” He said something that didn't match his age, trying to cover up the uneasiness in him. His thoughts turned to something else once he heard the report. He had to call in Vance and start planning and starting up the city's defense system. He also had to confirm the formations of the Military Arts students and check the preparations for the rest of the students to enter the shelters.

Actually, he'd have gone to check his sister's whereabouts or make an emergency call for the City Police or the 17th platoon if not for all those things he had to do. But he had no time for other things now.

The conclusion had come one hour after the report that the other city was named Myath.

”You heard of it?” Dalshena c.o.c.ked her head, speaking in a voice that all the 17th platoon members could hear.

A rule had been set long ago that all platoon members were to gather when a city was discovered. Although emergency training gave room for relaxation, the training did have its effects. After considering everything, the 17th platoon had decided to wait in the room in the Training Complex.

”Ah~ Haven't heard of it,” Sharnid said, also c.o.c.king his head. ”There're so many Academy Cities. How can I remember them all? Of course, it's natural for a city's reputation to spread if it has a good record. But if we haven't heard of it, then its strength probably isn't much.”

”That sounds logical,” Harley nodded.

Harley had taken out a different machine during the final check for the Dites. He had put the Dites through that machine, displaying a list of data on the screen.

”These are the war records from the Academy City Alliance. It appears Myath's previous record was 1 win and 1 loss. It hadn't had many fights, and the fights were pretty peaceful. Not much to talk about,” Sharnid said.

”But either way,” Nina said, sweeping her gaze to him, ”They're stronger than us.”

Sharnid shut his mouth from making another joke, and smiled.

”No......We're underestimating them if we think of what happens after we win. The war hasn't even started yet.” Nina's looked at the members gathered in the room. Felli was missing.

”Is she still angry about yesterday?”

”Probably.”

Nina looked obviously down at that.

”I didn't consider everything, and I made her angry. And we're in such a crisis............”

”What're you saying? She was the one who couldn't hold it in. No matter how good she is at Psychokinesis, it's useless if she can't use it when the time calls for it.” Dalshena said, holding her fists.

”Um, uh......” Looking at them, Sharnid suddenly seemed to remember something and he spoke to Layfon in a small voice. ”Don't you think the females in our team like to get spoiled?”

”Eh?”

Layfon couldn't quite turn his head around at the sudden change of topic.

”No matter how you think of it, life is short, and youth pa.s.ses by like the blink of an eye. That's why actors try their best to paint the beauty of youth. And the audience is either happy or sad about that. But it seems the females in our team don't get that point. Uh, it wasn't easy to be born as beautiful ladies, but they don't know it and they're wasting their time.”

”Ha............”

Layfon had some sort of understanding of Sharnid's explanation, but since he didn't have the ability to seriously think about that kind of question, he didn't know what to say.

”.........Do you mean me as well?” Naruki said.

”Ah, your sickness is light compared to them. But you're stiff. You don't have to worry about becoming like them if you get early treatment.”

”.........I'll be troubled if I become soft like senpai. Isn't it important to be serious at a time when it needs to be serious? Senpai, you would be very handsome if you could be stronger.”

”Oh, you did well,” Sharnid looked pleased at Naruki's unexpected counterattack.

”What? What? What're you saying?” Harley said.

”Stuff that has got nothing to do with you, mad scientist.”

”Wah, that's mean.”

”I think you still have hope if you try harder.”

”Ah, speaking of which, Urgh, I want a girlfriend.”

”If you've got that thought, then work hard for it, my junior,” Sharnid said like an older brother, and he suddenly turned his head around to Layfon. ”Well, either way, you're all better than this naturally clumsy terminal phase patient.”

”......What was that?” He had never heard of that term, but both Harley and Naruki nodded in understanding.

”Meaning's in the words. You don't understand, never mind. Speaking of which, can you really afford to relax at this time?”

”Eh?”

”Mediate between the two of them. That isn't my job. It's time for you to enter the stage.”

”Ah, ok.”

It looked like they wanted him to stop the two of them. Layfon stood up and prepared to search for Felli.

”Ah, Layfon, I've finished checking your Dites. You can take them with you,” Harley said and handed him two Dites.

Two Dites?

”Senpai?”

The Sapphire Dite and the s.h.i.+m Adamantium Dite.

”The Adamantium Dite is supposed to be used against filth monsters, therefore it won't be of much use here. I think it's better if you have this instead.”

”But you didn't change the setting? Then I can't use it.”

The restored form was in the form of a Katana. Kirik had quickly discovered from the damages on the Dite that Layfon was used to wielding a Katana. But Layfon had decided not to use a Katana again. He must not use the Psyharden technique because he had tainted his adopted father's name. Layfon couldn't help using the weapon in the fight against the 10th platoon, but he wouldn't use the Katana again unless it was under special circ.u.mstances.

”Uh, I think you think too much. You'll just be taking it with you,” Harley took out the special-made weapon harness.

”But I'm sure I won't use it.”

”Whether you use it or not is your business. Anyway, you should keep it since it's a Dite made for you,” Harley shrugged. ”That was what Kirik said.”

Though he didn't want to, Layfon took both Dites, told Nina he was leaving, then left.

He headed straight for Felli's dormitory. He couldn't think of anywhere else she would be in. Definitely not in the dormitory of the 2nd year. Besides, she'd appear to be spoiled and would attract attention if she went to school. Being spoiled was all right, but attracting attention wasn't so good. Anyway, he just needed to head for the building for now. Since it was faster to use his two feet than to take the tram, Layfon jumped with Kei. It wouldn't be good if normal students saw him, but he had to hurry.

He quickly came to the front of the building.

”Um,” he entered the lobby. While hesitating on which doorbell to ring, an unexpected voice sounded behind him.

He knew who this person was. No need to turn around, but he had to, just in case he had to react. As he thought, it really was Haia. Layfon frowned, looking at the person he didn't want to meet.

”Why are you here?”

”I really admire your change of att.i.tude, sort of like a double personality.”

Haia was leaning on the wall of the lobby. When would he use Shou Kei? Why was he here? A bad feeling hovered in Layfon's mind, but his face showed nothing.

”Why are you here?” he asked again. The weapon harness was close to his hand, but Haia still had his arms crossed. In this case, Layfon would be the first to pull out his Dite.

”Look at this,” Haia moved from his position and tossed over something to him. Layfon caught it and looked down.

”.........” His gaze turned horrible.

A badge of the 17th platoon.

”I have Felli Loss.”

”What a tasteless joke, do you not want to live?” The feeling had left Layfon's eyes. That was his habit, to gradually eradicate all feelings that were unnecessary in a fight. He now stared at Haia with an emotionless gaze.

”I know you have a lot to do, but this isn't the time,” Haia crossed his arms, avoiding his murderous intent. ”We'll have a one on one duel, but the time is tomorrow.”

”Tomorrow?”

The day of the intercity match. Why that time? To make him unable to partic.i.p.ate in the match?

”So Myath hired you without us knowing. You're good at doing business.”

”Learn something......That was what I wanted to say, but a shame. That has nothing to do with this. Teaching Military Artists and intercity matches have nothing to do with us anymore. In fact, we haven't had any contact with Myath.”

”Then.........”

”Stop getting involved in the little details. They don't mean a thing.”

What was Haia thinking? Kidnapping Felli and challenging him. Both Haia and Layfon succeeded in the skills of Psyharden. Haia's master was Derek's senpai in the same Military Arts school. That was why Haia seemed to hold jealousy against Layfon. Layfon had heard of it from Fermaus.

”I just want to duel with you. Go back and make your preparations. Of course, be prepared that you can't run away. The environment might be advantageous for me. That's all I want to say.”

”One more thing. Don't make a move today. You don't know how to do tricks to affect the outcome of the duel, do you?” Haia said and walked outside. ”I'll let you know the location later......Oh, that's right.”

He stopped and turned around to point at Layfon's Dite.

”You're to use that Dite.”

Layfon looked at the direction of Haia's finger – the s.h.i.+m Adamantium Dite.

”.........What're you thinking?”

Was he attacking him psychologically? But Haia had made a similar request in their previous fight.

”Since I've abandoned my way of thinking, as the side being blackmailed, shouldn't you also do something?” He said, waved and left.

Layfon returned to the Training Complex and reported the incident to Nina.

”How dare he.........” Nina was first quiet, then she balled her hands into fists and her body shook.

”Has he damaged his brain?” she said in anger, the stirring of Kei echoing strongly in the room. The sensitivity of the Kei vein to the changes in a person's emotions had proven Nina's growth as a Military Artist, and her amount of Kei was also very large. Even Layfon mistook that as the Haikizoku awakening.

”Is the Haikizoku his aim?” Naruki asked.

Everyone's gaze turned to him.

”Not entirely sure,” he said and shook his head, regaining his calm.

”Haia didn't say. He just wanted a duel with me.”

”Unbelievable,” Dalshena said. ”He uses any means to reach his goal. How can you believe him just by what he says?”

The aim of Haia's organization was to capture the Haikizoku. Till now, the one that had been hurt the most was the 10th platoon.

”Should we contact the City Police?” Naruki said.

Nina shook her head. ”No. I'm sorry, Naruki. In truth, the City Police isn't enough for the Mercenary Gang......I see......” she seemed to understand something. ”I know why they're doing this. The Mercenary Gang hasn't allied itself with Myath. The possibility of that happening is low.”

”Why?” Dalshena asked.

”They couldn't have predicted Myath would fight Zuellni even if they did teach Myath's Military Artists in the past. If that leaked out, Myath will get in trouble. So Myath probably wouldn't answer even if the Mercenary Gang suggested cooperating with them. Kidnapping Felli at this time is to take advantage of our current situation. If we fight the Mercenary Gang, that'd affect the intercity match. We can't do much without all our fighting power in this crisis.”

”Meaning we have to listen to their request,” Naruki said.

”But that isn't a bad strategy,” Sharnid said.

”This isn't the time to admire them!” Dalshena howled at him.

”So what do we do? Accede to their request and let Layfon handle them himself?”

”That's all we can do......... but, we have to report this to the Student President, since this will affect his planning. Besides, he's Felli's brother and is also her only blood relative. We can't hide this from him.”

”So how should we tell him?” Layfon asked slowly. n.o.body could give him an answer.

Karian Loss transferred Layfon to Military Arts for this day, but now Layfon couldn't partic.i.p.ate in the intercity match. What would the Student President say? That his sister was kidnapped because Haia wanted to duel with Layfon? But Layfon had said he'd prioritize Felli's rescue even if the Student President were to make him return all the school fees that he had waived.

”He really can do things,” Karian said, leaning on the sofa. He had been called out of the meeting and told of Felli's situation. He was now in a room beside the meeting room to talk with Nina and Layfon.

”So what next?” Nina asked stiffly, waiting for his answer......Her face showed she was prepared for anything.

”Uh......” He took up the phone and called Vance over.

”What?” Vance said, entering the room with confusion, but he seemed to have understood something after looking at Nina and Layfon.

”Got trouble?”

”We have to make changes to the strategy we made before,” Karian said and explained the situation to Vance.

”d.a.m.n, who'd have thought they'd do this.”

”Well, it's useless to argue this with them. Though they've helped us a lot recently, in the end, the result is unfortunate. Anyway, money and contracts are only so so. We can't help things by reproaching them, and we don't have the time for that. We'll stick to the original plan but make some adjustments to it. Please.”

”Ah, only Gorneo and Shante can work on their own in that case. But the strength of that team relies on Gorneo's commands. Besides, I actually wanted him to command the students on a larger scale......”

”We couldn't have predicted this situation. We just need one chief commander. I'm already in my 5th year so this is my last Military Arts Compet.i.tion. This isn't the time to consider the growth of others.”

”True, but what about Psychokinesis?”

”Ah......”

”Well......” Nina cut them off in a careful manner. ”Can we hear of this?”

Vance turned to her and gave her the explanation. ”That was the plan I planned to announce after lunch, but I'll tell you now. Actually, team 17's original mission wasn't to lead the usual Military Arts students, but to infiltrate Myath, take over the opponent's student council and cause chaos in their defense. I chose that plan because of Layfon Alseif. The fighting power of your team is a waste if you were to fight in a crowd.”

”Ah, ha.........”

”But if Layfon can't partic.i.p.ate, then we've to adjust the plan. I'm thinking of whether sending Gorneo and Shante over instead......”

”So you're letting me duel with Haia?”

The two of them had yet to give a straight answer.

”Ah, about that,” Karian asked Vance in a small voice. ”I still haven't heard your opinion. We just jumped ahead to the plan.”

”Isn't this obvious?” Vance said angrily but firmly. ”Go. I'm angry at their trick, and intolerable of their using such low means as kidnapping. Use your full strength and let them know how foolish they are.”

Both Nina and Layfon nodded at Vance's encouragement.

After the discussion on finer details, Karian called Layfon short as he was about to leave. ”Though she has lots of problems, she's still my sister. I'm counting on you.”

”......I would know that even if you didn't say it,” he nodded and left the room.

After Nina and Layfon had left -

”I never thought you'd quickly agree to letting that guy leave the fight,” Vance said, surprised.

”I'm also human, and I care for my family.”

”Of course, but didn't you transfer him into Military Arts because of the Military Arts Compet.i.tion?”

”You're right, but this year's fight probably isn't limited to just tomorrow. Besides, I hope he can come to a conclusion with the things that might cause trouble in the future. And......”

”And?”

”Layfon Alseif is a Military Artist, but he doesn't take pride in his fighting, and he doesn't want to protect any city. He is someone who fights for a certain person. And because of that, his power will be hard to handle once he's decided whom to fight for.”

”Very troublesome personality.”

”Yes, he probably wouldn't feel sad no matter how many normal people die without anyone knowing it.”

”Because of a sense of danger?”

”Who knows.........”

The reason that Vance felt uneasy was the same as Karian's. Chased out of his orphanage at Grendan, Layfon had been led by Nina Antalk's intense will. External things were more important to him, and he moved for them. If that person who could affect Layfon turned into someone other than Nina – Layfon might become an enemy.

”But it's all normal for now.”

Layfon was moving to protect Felli. They couldn't tell whether it was for friends.h.i.+p or love. But he wouldn't have hesitated since Nina also supported him.