Vol 4 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3: Envisioning and Reality
Earlyfor the new Dite that Harley had erated,” Harley said ide eyes at Layfon's Dite He was spreading jam on a piece of bread
”Beautifully broken into pieces”
Layfon's sas in its restored fore made it unable to turn back into a hand held Dite On Harley's table was the handle of Layfon's Dite The broken parts were like brittle stones, so fragile that a touch of a finger was enough to send the re down
”It's not possible to repair this It'll be faster if I just make a new one”
”Ok Thanks”
”Got it I should have it done quickly with the data left from last time I'll take care of the admin procedures too”
”Sorry about that”
”No problem I'm responsible for maintenance in the 17th platoon Besides, I have sos to do for the Dites tooGeez, that Kirik's totally useless in this area, so I have to do everything,” Harley shrugged and suddenly clapped his hands together
”Can we do the adjustments for that now?”
”Can we? Kirik-san's not here”
”No proble the final adjustments anyway Besides, we don't knohen he'll show up,” he said as he went into the research room and took out a Dite from one of the drawers
Layfon took the Dite and felt its heavy weight in his hand It seemed to be extremely dense, perhaps three ti the cartridge slots, ere able to make it much more dense that it previously was However, the loss of separation means the Dite has now lost several of its combinations Also, that has created a weakness You can use different types of Kei, so it ht be a bit troublesome As for the shape, the Dite's recorded different appearances Theoretically, you should be able change the Dite according to different uses”
”But it ht not work as well in reality”
”Yeah? Um”
Layfon spoke the key word and restored the Dite Only one setting was s The advantage of an Adamantium Dite with its combined alloys is its variety in shapes and quality, but we didn't have ti the simple version When the final product came out, it wasn't possible to turn it back”
”It's all right, since I still have the Sapphire Dite”
He didn't have to use the steel threads in platoon matches, so it didn'tAlso, Harley and his colleagues were researching on another ainst filth monsters Layfon had no need to ask the in at all
”Give it a try”
Under Harley's urging, Layfon allowed his Kei to pour into the Adahtly hot in his hand and its shape changed in a split second
”Huh?”
The new shape made Layfon widen his eyes
”It'sa katana”
”Yes,” Harley said, cocking his head ”Kirik e it?”
”Impossible,” came an impatient voice from behind Layfon Layfon had already sensed the newcomer before the voice reached him and before Harley noticed He turned around
”It's because this shape suits you laring at Layfon in irritation
”Kirik, how rare to see you here so early,” Harley said
”I ca could be used to its fullest potential,” he pushed his wheelchair through theto classification, both a sword and a katana are the sae A sword is used to slash then cut, and a katana is used to cut then let its enemy fall apart Both are used to cut, but the movement of the wielder differs Your movement is first to cut, which causes the object to fall apart The model before was made like that of a katana, but the blade was still a sword's This time it's different Wethe Adamantium Dite ”I've included my family's secret data on many famous katana in this Dite Usually, you won't see a second Dite with power as high as the first, but this is close enough It's the best tool to help you becoest Are you still unsatisfied with this?”
”I didn't mean that”
”Then why?”
Layfon couldn't answer him
”You stand at a level that all Military Artists want to reach, but you're not willing to use your full strength Even I get irritated at that”
Noise came from Kirik's wheelchair Layfon looked at hirip on the handles of the wheelchair He noticed soh there wasn't much, Kei existed in Kirik's body The floas clumsy and slow in a muddy color His flow of Kei was unusual, but it didn't look fatal It s, the Kei flow became less smooth, or perhaps it was the other way around, that the unusual flow of Kei had disabled his legsLayfon didn't want to ask about it Kirik himself probably wouldn't answer anyway, buthe could tell that Kirik regretted it a lot
”You probably don't have to use your full strength in this place, but why are you like that too when you fight filththey aren't opponents worth your time?”
Layfon was in a life and death situation when he fought thehe had But
”Why do you refuse to use a katana?”
”Refuse”
”Yes, you ARE refusing” Kirik said, as if he would juht with a sword, but your true self has the i the katana? What else can explain it?”
”Although I' a katana”
Haia, the leader of Salinvan Mercenary Gang, raised under Layfon's adopted father's brother in the saht His fighting power matched that of a mercenary leader who had had lots of experience accumulated from countless battles
A katana He used a katana that was the same as the one Derek Psyharden used HisShadow to attack with high speed, a , his ht with a katana His weapon was originally a katana He trained with a wooden katana
It was the beginning of Layfon as a Military Artist
”What is it?”
Looking around in confusion to confirm his location, he ran across Nina It was the road to the Military Arts training co Harley's research lab
”Ah, ahno, nothing,” surprised at the close distance between them He took a step back, but Nina didn't
”Are you not feeling well because of yesterday? Or do you have a fever?” she pulled him over with a worried expression and felt his forehead with her hand
”It's ok It's really ok,” Layfon said, feeling the coolness from Nina's hand and took another step back
”Um, doesn't feel like you have a fever Then ere you thinking?”
”No, nothing e that I was this close to you but you didn't notice?”
”HuhNot really”
It seemed like today was the day when his opinions wouldn't be accepted No, if he were to think closely, were his words even believable?
(Nope)
It was a bit sad Well, Nina had been able to discern the truth from the lies ever since she was little
”Then what're you worrying about today?”
They ended up having lunch together in the training rooht bento at a convenience store and had so co”
”Don't say that”
”No, really”
”I don't believe you”
”As I said”
”Spill it honestly”
She totally ignored his protests Looking troubled, Layfon dug into his lunch As long as his ht to not answer even if he heard her question On the other hand, Nina had a good education, so she hated chatting while eating Yesterday she had a terrible expression when Sharnid and Harley were talking and eating at the same time
”Leave lunch for a while I will make you speak the truth,” she said in a low voice as he continued to eat
(Please God, send someone now Anyone) He could only pray But that ”anyone” could only be Felli, Sharnid or Harley Felli and Sharnid were always late He couldn't iht after lunch Harley was the last one left, but he'd probably be late too as he wasLayfon a new Dite
(No other way)
If that was the way it was, he had no choice but to spill the beans This time, Nina was very forceful He understood her that much frooal, she would do everything she could for it
”Why do you want to know so
”What? Isn't it natural”
For so her position so there was some distance between them ”Because you're my subordinate”
A predictable answer In the face of such an answer, Layfon couldn't find any reasons to resist her
(Eh?)
But she looked strange today Having said what she wanted, Nina turned her face to the side as if she had sealed her mouth
”Did you steal that bento?”
”Of course not, stupid”
She was mad
They continued to eat like that with their backs facing each other She'd probably ask hi of that, he planned to chely, but the food wasn't enough for a youngthe bento quickly
Nina was almost finished with her lunch
(Oh no)
He dragged out the ti for so room
When Nina was about to speak, the door opened
”You're already here? Good”
”Formed? And”
Behind Formed Garen was Naruki, alked in with an annoyed expression
”You two look to be in a good mood May I?”
”Uh, no proble?”
”I don't want to waste time either I'll cut to the chase,” Formed said and looked at Naruki Naruki still wore the expression of so
”Ah~ Before that, I want to say I'll accept the captain's request”
”Really?”
That request must be Nina's previous request to the City Police to allow Naruki to enter the 17th platoon
”Huh? Really?” Nina said
Nina's reaction was slower Surprised, Layfon looked at Formed and Naruki for confirmation Nina didn't look convinced either On top of that, Naruki's expression showed that it wasn't her idea in the first place
”But there's a condition”
”As expected”
”I' all your conditions I'm sorry, but she won't officially enter the platoon Besides, she herself doesn't want to”
”Although it's true that we need her, if she doesn't want to, she'll only lower the tea about wanting to, Nina was number one in the entire team
”Yeah, I understand But if you listen to my request, I'm sure she'll feel better about it Besides, you can dismiss her if she doesn't have what it takes, and we can pretend we haven't had this conversation What do you think?”
”Leader!”
”Isn't that natural? Listen, infiltration is part of a police officer's work If it isn't done properly, it'll be life-threatening Perhaps this kind of dangerous on't be needed in an Academy City, but if you plan to work in the police force after leaving this city, this is a very good training opportunity If you're to infiltrate an organization, then you must first know your purpose Be more spirited If you can't do this, then you fail”
Naruki lowered her head She was like a big sister in front of Meishen and Mifi, but now she was being rebuked like a little kid Layfon found that unexpected
”Well, back to the topic,” Formed said to Nina
”What is it?”
”Ah, first, it's about yesterday Layfon, thanks for your help”
”But he escaped” Layfon lowered his head
”That can't be helped Besides, we already reached our original purpose We caught the fake students and suppressed the circulation of their goods” Formed went on to explain yesterday's operation to Nina
”Illegal drugsDoes thatto do with that?” Nina said, suddenly very serious
Formed nodded ”Yes”
”This is ridiculous Hoould a platoon ine? Even if it's to do with the current situation Zuellni is in?”
”Urgh”
”If we lose the ht now, Zuellni's finished This year's Military Arts Competition is decisive Many students in the platoons love this school deeply If they feel the heavy burden of Zuellni's fate, then it wouldn't be strange for theht?”
Layfon understood Fors that increased the flow of Kei were perfect for this kind of use
”This is just speculation”
Nina didn't agree with him
”Yes, it's just my speculation Perhaps Military Arts students with bad marks want it Perhaps so won't appear for the to bet on it since the possibility of it happening is so high”
”Do you have any clues of platoon ?”
”We've obtained a fir the paths of i buses cannot possibly escape our investigation, but that's only lioods Checks are s in set past a hu can only be h a real student's address Mail is sent to real students, then the fake IDs are taken to where the fake students gather We've been checking all personalrecords for a year, and we've been double checking everything The six people who are on the records the hed and paused ”I've already said tooelse if you decide not to accept us Naruki entering the 17th platoon is to help with the investigation I hope you can keep quiet about it and cooperate with us”
”I accept”
”Are you sure? Do you need to consider it”
”No need Since you have clues, we'll help out”
”What would you do if they take illegal drugs because they want to protect this city?” Formed tossed out the doubt to Nina's answer ”If they do it out of protecting the city, ould you do? It's illegal, but it's a choice made to resolve the crisis What if they do it because there is no other way? Zuellni is at its end They plan to sacrifice themselves to save the city What would you do?”
Why was For Nina? He'd have probably asked Layfon the same questions Layfon didn't understand why
He spaced out a bit, and ca later proble them now Layfon didn't knohat he himself would do He looked at Nina Hoould she answer?
”To sacrifice oneself in order to save so selfish It's just facing difficulties and choosing the easy way out I' in this city I don't want to sacrifice anyone I'll protect everything, including myself”
Noto pierce Layfon
”I've never heard such willful words,” Formed shook his head, at ease
”But I've never heard so it all to you”
”Roger”
Nina and Formed shook hands
”OK, they are”
”Six people I said so Five of theer Nina's face stiffened
”No”
”Their mail all came from the same city, but they themselves aren't from that city It's the home city of the sixth person About this sixth person's nauely remembered the name Probably a platoon member That was it
Nina should have understood the truth when she heard the naht for a ed to Layfon's expression now matched Nina's The tenth platoon
”Dinn Dee”
The face of a bald young man surfaced in Layfon'ssleep hovered in his ears In a way, it was the sa and tired, Gorneo was on the way back to his dor and dinner
Naturally, Shante sat on his shoulders She was fast asleep, her chin leaning on his head Gorneo worried about whether she , she just ate afterward and slept Although he had been with her since he started first year here, she was still like a beast and a kid
”Really” he sighed again and entered the dormitory He walked past his room
Shante's room was next to his He pressed the doorbell and passed Shante to her roommate, as from Shante's home city Gorneo returned to his room
He felt the unusual atmosphere the moment he opened the door
He opened the door slowly but didn't switch on the light He brought out the card-shaped Dite from his coat pocket, and inserted it into his wristband so he could restore it at any ti his internal Kei in readiness for a fight
”Well, you pass I was hoping you'd have noticed before you opened the door,” a voice came from inside the rooht itched on Carefully, Gorneo walked deeper into the roo on the sofa The small table before thejuice and reading a e tattoo decorated the left side of his face
”This ish of a reason for Gorneo to relax He watched the youngin the kitchen Come out,” he said
”Ah”
”Co wo a slender body, she was about the sae of her nose She held a huge bow It shrank back into a small Dite after she canceled the restoration
”Myunfa, your Kei isn't up to standards,” Haia said to the young woman
”Sorry”
”If you can't hide your presence, you'll have trouble as an archer, so I've been giving you et and such”
”Uh, uh, uh, I can't do that kind of thing,” she shook her head
”We just need to find a guy you like You could follow him and observe him for a whole day, as well as train yourself Isn't that like shooting two birds with one stone?”
”ThatThat kind of thing” She shook her head fiercely with her face all red
Haia laughed
”Just who are you people? Are you here just for this show?”
”Yeah~ Would we be happier if we caet serious now My name is Haia Salinvan Laia”
Anyone from Grendan would have noticed Haia's second name Gorneo's alertness increased
”Fro?”
”I'm the third Head This is Myunfa, my first Military Arts student”
”P, pleased to meet you”
”Uaze back to Haia
”What's the Guidance Mercenary Gang doing in an Academy City? Has the Student President hired you?”
”That side too~ Speaking of which, isn't that better? Yeah, I' a little Never mind, I'll leave that for later”
Haia'sfor Gorneo
”I didn't come here for business I hope you can cooperate withabout it, I've come to seek your help”
”Cooperation? Or is there so else?”
”What I want is your help in intelligence The people living in the city know it best Of course Well then, about the infor useful How does that sound? Since you're the second son of the Luckens fae if you knew of it Actually, it is part of the Mercenary Gang's secret history”
”Could it be”