Vol 6 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1 – Each Beginning

In a rooht of the late fall illuminated, Claudia deeply sank her body in a sofa

Her long, rich blond hair had softly become wet and her body which was covered only with a bathrobe had becohtly flushed A spacefor voice communication floated at her side and transmitted a perplexed voice

“──I’m sorry, but no matter how much you insist, I can’t yield there”

After Claudia spoke in a calm voice, the person in the other side of the spacerepeated the sa with an irritated tone

“Yes… Of course, I’m aware of all this I thank you for the advice”

Claudia revealed a light smile and casually closed the space

And she slowly spat out a breath; lengthily, deeply as if trying to spit out all the dregs which she had in the bottom of her stomach

Of course, there was no way that what had filled Claudia on the inside would disappear with such a thing

There was one and only way to deal with it

“I have finally come this far What is left is…”

After Claudia spoke and stood up, she headed to the

While being flooded with the ed her body with both hands

“Fufufu, like this, there is no turning back”

She laughed in self-derision and whispered as if to persuade herself

Claudia’s hich she held since that day

The sole hope given to her within her nightht

There would probably not be a single person ould understand it Even if it was laughed at for being foolish or discarded at being worthless when she revealed it, she was sure that there was no one ould seriously scramble for it

After all, even Claudia herself thought so

But precisely because she had clung to that helpless, foolish and worthless wish, Claudia could exist here like this now

Whether it was her position of Seidoukan Acade ranked 2, her objective of winning the <gryps>, or in the first place, the fact that she had come to this Asterisk, all of these were merely preparations in order to arrive at her wish

Even so, it would probably be difficult for Claudia to fulfill her wish In terms of likelihood, it was fine even if there was one chance in ten thousand

However, it was not zero

“──Noill have you follow this dance, Ayato After all, the e for me starts here”

As she said as if savoring it, Claudia quietly closed her eyes

- ψ -

“By the way, do you guys already have plans for winter break?”

In the school cafeteria, Julis asked that when everyone had finished their lunch

Since the saathered at these seats every day recently, it almost became like reserved seats; but it was not really like they had ement beforehand

The school cafeteria where congestion had finally settled rapped up in a leisurely atures of students who had fallen asleep could be seen

“…Winter break?”

“It’s still a matter for the future, so I have no plans in particular…”

Saya and Kirin, sitting side by side in front of Julis, tilted their heads to the side in thought

It was October now

They had finished the final exa of this un All the six academies of Asterisk had a se one year into the first ter credits in both ── and an entrance ceremony was also held in the final term Therefore, recently in this academy, new student-like individuals could also be seen here and there

“If possible, I want to relax this time…”

Saya said that and wearily put her face down on the desk

“Haha, Saya had supple the autumn break after all”

“Muuh…”

Though Saya puffed her cheeks at Ayato’s words, she did not ue

“Well, on that point, there are no supplementary lessons in winter break, so relax”

“Are you saying that to yourself, Yabuki?”

“Ugh…!”

At Julis’s words, Eishi+ro sitting next to Ayato unnaturally averted his eyes

There was only a considerable difference between Saya’s strong subjects and weak subjects, but for Eishi+ro, al mark or one close to it He seemed to dislike study very much

A, and though not to the extent of Julis, Kirin also left soe

Although there were not too s which attention was paid to, the “academic ability” of each academy also influenced the overall results of the <festa> All the test results of the season becaarded above all else were the results of the <festa>’s participants In other words, by restricting the act of atte students with excellent academic ability enroll, it was a measure to make them learn both the literary and military arts

However, as a matter of fact, the points obtained by academic ability were not so numerous Each academy was respectively ranked froiven with it, but even if the regulations placed utmost emphasis towards academic ability in the past, the points that the 1 ranked academy was able to obtain would not reach that of the people who advanced to the best four of the <festa>

And above all else, that was the biggest reason why the rank that had ed in recent years did not attract attention

The higher positions of first and second places which were St Garrardsworth Academy and Allekant Academy, the medium positions of third and fourth places which were Seidoukan Acadeon Seventh Institute, and the lower positions of the fifth and sixth place which were Queen Veil Girl’s Academy and Le Wolfe Black Institute respectively assumed their fixed positions At least for these past ten years there were no acade

Even so, there was little difference in acade, even if only a little, the amount of points obtained between the third and fourth places, each acadeuidance

“So, is there so in the winter break?”

When Ayato got back on topic they had strayed fro at the faces of all the members present

“Actually… due to the an to say that he wants to invite you to the country by all means”

“By country… you mean in Lieseltania?”

“Well, yes He wants you to coether with me when I’ll return home”

As Julis nodded, she looked around at each other’s faces

“It’s ── a very great honor, but…”

“If it’s Julis’s big brother, then thisof Lieseltania, right?”

It was no wonder that Kirin did not co was not so which happened so often in one’s life

“No, you don’t need to be so nervous I’ve also told hiive you his words of thanks”

“…For only that, you also make quite a difficult expression, Julis Aren’t you actually eager about it?”

“Ugh…! N-No, it’s not really that…”

Julis faltered for a htly shook her head and before long took a breath

“My big brother… um, how to put it, he isn’t a bad person, but… he’s a little eccentric I’ soain”

Now that she mentioned it, whether it be about Flora’s maid outfits or about the question that he entrusted her with, it looked like Julis’s big brother was certainly quite a peculiar one

“But, for having saved Flora, not only e have said that they want to directly thank you For that reason, I’uys to our country, but…”

When Julis spoke, she sed her shoulders

“Well, you guys also have your own circumstances, so I won’t force you”

Having been told that, Ayato pondered

In reality, he thought about returning to his home at least for the New Year’s Eve, but to be frank, the relation between Ayato and his father was not that good This was because after his big sister disappeared, although it was not to the extent to be called serious, they often argued Since it was his big sister who skillfully mediated his relationshi+p with his father as a taciturn person and Ayato did not knohat he was thinking about, there was probably no helping it in a sense

Just as a note, he got in touch with him when he won the

, but even that time, there was only a curt reply Of course, he was thankful to his father and looked up to his to want to take some distance for now

“Then since it’s a rare opportunity, I will accept the invitation”

When Ayato raised his hand, Julis nodded somewhat happy

“I see I’m sure that Flora will be happy”

Then, Kirin nervously raised her hand, too

“Um, if it doesn’t bother you, can I also come?”

“Of course But, Kirin… u to see your father?”

Kirin’s father, in order to protect Kirin when she was young, had killed robbers, and was in penal servitude even now Although various procedures were usually needed to go out of Asterisk, it was si vacation and became nearly unnecessary Kirin probably had only opportunities like this to go meet him

“That’s… Actually, I went for a visit during autu concerned about hi”

Although Kirin said that, she had a relieved expression

“I also showed up to arding the branch dojos of every place, there doesn’t see in the reat-aunt who returned to the head fas in order well”

As expected, when it comes to a structure of the scale of the Toudou Style, there seemed to be difficulties in various ways

Perhaps because Kirin also had things to think about herself, she declined the official rank battle for the reason “I will retrain once again” Because she had passed the grace period given to the for people, the current Kirin was out of the list (non-ranked)

“Therefore, I’ht”

“I got it So, ill you do, Saya?”

“…As expected, it’ll be bad if I don’t show up at home”

Saya frowned in vexation

“I’m reluctant to be the only one left out… But, the adjustment of the repaired lux will be done the fastest only if I personally go for it, but”

In the

’s seainst Ardi and Rimsi, most of the luxes Saya possessed had broken to the extent that they were unusable Saya seemed to have sent them back immediately to her father, but it looked like the repairs were finally finished

“In that case, how about we first stop by at Sasamiya-san’s house?”

“Uwah!?”

Suddenly being e covered from behind, Ayato unintentionally raised his voice

Of course, since there was only one person who could do so like this, Ayato called the na who it was

“You do this each and every time; don’t surprise me like this, Claudia…”

“Fufufu… I’m sorry, it was just by reflex”

Just as he thought, the person ── Claudia slowly separated her body while putting her hand on her mouth

Still, although his guard was down, she had perfectly taken his back this time, as well

He knew that Claudia was a formidable lux user, but still the way she erased her presence was not ordinary

“That’s quite sudden as usual, you… So, what do youat Saya’s home?”

As Julis asked so with a half aer with a smile as is

“There are no airports in Lieseltania, so you’ll enter via Gerht? Since Sasamiya-san’s family resides in Munich, I think that there won’t be any proble by there”

“…You’re well informed, eh”

“Well, I’m the Student Council President after all”

Though Saya said as she was slightly surprised, Claudia plainly answered

“I see, it’s certainly possible like that, but… ill you do, Saya?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering for a while, Saya readily nodded

“If that’s fine with everyone, then I have no objection”

“Fufufu, then it’s decided By the way──”

Claudia who clapped her hands turned her gaze to Julis

“Am I also included in that invitation?”

“Since ere you listening to our conversation…? Well, whatever Of course, I intend to tell you, too”

“Oh, what a relief I also don’t like being left out after all”

“Which means that you also intend to come?”

With a surprised face, Julis looked back at Claudia

“Naturally, it’s my intention”

“No, as you have probably come several times to Lieseltania as well as the palace”

“That’s true, but there is theto be with everyone”

Certainly, they had heard that Claudia was an acquaintance of Julis fro from the fact that she was familiar with Flora, it was probably not just once or twice that she visited Lieseltania

“Besides, since it’s a rare opportunity, I would also like to talk to everyone ── about next year, that is”

At Claudia’s words, the air became tense just for an instant

Now that the

and tests were over, the Asterisk’s topic of focus had already moved to the next <festa>

In other words, it was the tearyps> which would be held in the next autumn

First of all, since the members of the composition of the five members for the tea out of those in the vicinity as early as possible, regardless of inside or outside of the academy, started

A the for a Grand Slaryps> was alathered about what kind ofthe trend of her tag partner Ayato ── but there were rumors about whether she would plausibly enter the team of Claudia, the Student Council President Furthermore, it was a well-known fact that Kirin and Saya were on familiar terms with Claudia, and their abilities were proved in the

It was the ather these four people

In fact, Ayato already received her invitation ── but, just having asked indirectly, it looked like the invitation had not yet reached Julis and the others Be that as it may, when Claudia invited Ayato, she said that she would invite Julis at least Setting aside whether or not Julis would accept it, there was nothat she was included in the plan for Claudia’s team

“Oops, I’m quite interested in that conversation, Pres I by all means want to inquire about it in detail”

Getting into that topic at once was Eishi+ro

As a member of the newspaper club, it would be information that he could not overlook

“Fufufu, by the way Yabuki-kun, ill you do?”

“Huh?”

Claudia evaded Eishi+ro’s question with a smile and turned it back on him by questioned him back

“Is Yabuki-kun also included in the invitation, Julis?”

“Yes, that’s right Lester is as well”

“He~e, it’s a great honor that soh”

Eishi+ro played the fool while whistling, but according to what Saya and Kirin said, if Eishi+ro was not there, it was doubtful whether or not they would have safely rescued Flora It could be said that he perforh to be invited

“It’s regrettable, but I’ll have to decline Although it has finally settled down, I’m still busy with a lot of works It feels like I’ll have almost no rest, even in winter break”

As gratitude for the matter of Flora, Eishi+ro was entrusted with the interview after the

Ayato had not received that e, but as for Julis, since it had been a coht say that Eishi+ro’s newspaper club almost monopolized her Therefore, the newspaper club and Eishi+ro had reached a state which one could only express with the words “swamped period”

After the

, most of the interview of Ayato and Julis that had been reported throughout the world was froinally, there wereactivities that largely exceeded the frame of students, but it could probably be said that the newspaper club this time completed a scoop rarely seen even in Asterisk’s history

As abenefited the ht have been Eishi+ro and his newspaper club

This was because, aside from Julis, Ayato had not felt that much of the influence of the

victory There were appearance requests in TV prograed fro letters (threats) flooding in frohout the world, but there were few of them which arrived to Ayato as he left the acadeh he attracted attention even within the acade, he felt like the time when he became rank 1 was noisier; rather the students who directly accosted him after the

victory seemed to have decreased

It was not also as if soed in his life; and even what he ordered today was a 500 yen lunch set

“But well, thanks to you, the club’s name became well knoe don’t have to worry about the activity funds hereafter for a while and we also have a new sponsor; really as expected of the

’s champs”

slap Eishi+ro brought his hands together assu a posture of prayer towards Julis

“As for uys are more flexible, and it’s certainly more convenient in one way or another But──”

There, Julis’s eyes tightly twitched upwards

“If you’ve asked a strange question again this tiain in the future”

“I-I know”

“…Why do you e question?”

Saya asked to Eishi+ro who floated cold sweat

“Ah, no, well it’s that I thought about inquiring a little further in her relation with Airi, but…”

Having seen that Eishi+ro’s eyes were swi unsteadily, she understood that it was probably not exactly as he stated

“Oh, just that? In that case, you should just ask me Come ask me any time”

“Eh? No, I think that Sasa that There is nothing more I want to ask you now”

“…Hmm”

Unlike Ayato and Julis, after Saya and Kirin received coverage ── in Saya’s case, it also becahtly so of course ── it idely known that Saya and Ayato were childhood friends because Saya honestly answered anything she was asked

“The thing about inforher is its value If you still have Airi’s treasured h”

“Treasured ether…”

“Wah! Saya, wait a moment!”

Ayato hurriedly held down her mouth

“Bath…”

“Bath…”

Julis’s and Kirin’s gazes were slightly scary

──Then there, noise suddenly ran in the dining hall

“Hmm…? I wonder what it is”

As expected when these athered, there were alsoat a distance, but this tiazes towards the entrance

“Wha…!?”

The eyes of Eishi+ro who proreatly opened wide, and his chin dropped

As Ayato turned his gaze wondering what it was, toht their way

“Ah, that’s right Though I’ it, but there is a visitor for Ayato I came here to convey that”

Claudia said that at this late hour and laughed

Anized

It was Yatsuzaki Kyouko, in other words Ayato’s homeroom teacher She was usually a teacher with a somewhat ferocious athtly tense The nailed bat which she always carried was nowhere to be found

The other woer than Kyouko She was a beautiful person with dignified features and she garbed her well-balanced and firuard

Ayato had a feeling that he recognized her face somewhere, but he could not recall

But, her name which he heard from within the noise made Ayato unintentionally stand up from his chair

“Guard Captain Helga Lindvall…!”

It was no wonder that Ayato could not immediately recall her face

Helga Lindvall was certainly a celebrity whom there was nobody in Asterisk that did not know, but she rarely appeared in public after all Judging only fro, beautiful woirl siure of a little girl at a not so tender age

Her nickname in her school days was <chrono themiswitch=”” of=”” time=”” control=””>

Holding the ability to s, she was a person hailed as the strongest Strega in Asterisk’s history

Froe, it was said that she changed her age depending on her a won the <lindvolus> for her first time after all In reality, it could easily be predicted that she had lived for three ti as Kyouko

“…Ah, Airi The Guard Captain seems to have business with you Sorry, but can I have a little of your time?”

As Kyouko who seea quietly held out her right hand

“Nice to a Lindvall”

“T-Thank you, nice to meet you”

As he confusedly took her hands, it was nearly overwhelmed by her prana at the ed prana to the extent that he had never felt so far

“I want to talk a little with you ── Yatsuzaki, could you lend me a private room somewhere?”

“Ah, yes Enfield, let theuidance room”