Vol 8 Chapter 6 (1/2)
Innocence Wander
The bell that signaled the end of classes was also a signal for the start of yet another battle The start of the lunch break was also the starting pistol of the race between military artists for lunch The ordinary students who didn't want to go to the cafeteria could easily buy lunch by asking students in the Military Arts departed out of the classroo towards the canteen Occasionally even the older students ere teaching those classes would also join the fray, so naturally nobody tried to stop theed, or if people started fighting and were caught by the city guards they would be punished Having nothing to do with that storm-like event, Layfon leisurely walked to the nearest park Inside the park there was a small pavilion with a table, and it was a very suitable place for lunch
”Is there anything special going on today?” Layfon stared at the food on the table Although he already thought the bento he was carrying in the basket today was excessively large, he never thought that what it contained was also incredibly luxurious, and the effort put intoit was different from normal as well
”It's not like that” quietly replied Meishen as she lowered her head, blushi+ng
”Hey, as long as I can eat great food it's all good”
”Ok”
Although Naruki and Mifi ith Meishen all the time, they didn't knohy Meishen put in so much effort today
For soe today
But right now the at”, so Layfon began to eat silently
◇
”Heaven's Blade Successor”
Recently, this phrase had continually appeared in Meishen'srepresented so superior That hy she was so concerned with it To a passerby who had no idea of as going on, the easiest solution would be to ask the person directly But noherself to ask Layfon That was because it was a phrase that appeared in a letter privately addressed to Layfon That letter was accidentally placed together with other letters for Meishen, which explained why she had it Although she im place, why did it have to be delivered to herthis fact Of course, Meishen couldn't just go and ask Layfon about a word appearing in a letter addressed to him that she couldn't have ever heard of or seen before Moreover, Meishen hadn't apologized to Layfon for peeking at the letter and had completely missed the best chance to ask him about it And as the person rote the letter to Layfon, a girl nah she wanted to find out, it was difficult for Meishen to open herthat was clear was that this girl named Leerin knew the Layfon fro why, Meishen felt very discontent
”Have you heard of the phrase 'Heaven's Blade Successor'?” Instead, Meishen decided to ask the people ere beside her in the dorether in the student dormitory, Meishen, Naruki and Mifi shared this 3 bedroo room dorm Because they had been best friends since childhood, they were comfortable with each other Meishen really liked this sense of spaciousness in the kitchen
”Heaven's Blade Successor?” Mifi was stuffing her face with Meishen's cake as she tilted her head asking, ”What's that?”
”I think it's a phrase referring to a Military Artist” said Meishen without an to stare silently at Naruki Layfon was a Military Artist, so this phraseabout them Naruki, as also a Military Artist, was the most likely out of them to knohat the term meant
”Heaven's BladeI haven't heard of it before”
Seeing Naruki shaking her head, Meishen lowered her head in disappoint ”A person who received the Heaven's Bladeright? It really is a pretentious nahts of the Crossroad Well, every City has its own custo tois just another nicknareement
”Oh yeah, if ent to the library and researched the phrase in the Database of Cities I'm sure we'll understand what it is So, where did this phrase originate from?”
”AhThat's”
”Well, the only one that could catch your interest would be that one”
”Yeah, and plus the phrase is about Military Artists”
”Ah, that'sthat's not it”
”There really is only one, we can't be wrong”
”Well, ah ~~ let's go to the library too there for work anyway to interview all the people in each Platoon and I wanted to research some topics about Cities that could beco”
”Then do you want to go to the library together?”
”If there is ti at the two people who had hed in silence as their conversation drifted further and further away froinal discussion
The next day, after lessons had ended, the three took thetheir student ID's at the reception area, they entered the library They sat down at the designated , and the computer terminal booted up immediately All the inforanized lanes like fasttraffic After all of that information is entered into the library centre, students are able to search for information at a library terminal, and can also download data that they need onto USB drives Although they also kept physical books, the majority of them took the form of data that Zuellni published
”Then let me search for information on Grendan” Mifi typed the keyboard with practiced ease Lance Shelled Regios Grendan was Layfon's ho in military arts Many powerful individuals were born in Grendan's rounds There was a reason for Grendan's fa other Cities, and this was the Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang This gang travelled froht against Filth Monsters or to participate in battles The number of Filth monsters slain by their hands was innumerable, and in many victorious battles they had ht the cities fighting skills and battle tactics The Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang wasnuinally, Grendan was just another autonohters lobe Therefore, almost all the citizens of Cities knew of the word ”Grendan” They had all heard of that city which produced large ahters, yet any other details about Grendan were unclear to them That's why it could be possible for Joeldem, Zuellni and Grendan to have completely different custo The phrase ”Heaven's Blade Successor” she obviously didn't know either ”How's it going?” asked Meishen as Mifi stared at the screen, hu
”I still haven't found it”
”Really?” Naruki, as standing behind them, leaned over for a closer look
”There are noI didn't find any related content at all”
”Then what about places other than Grendan?”
”I thought about this too, so I tried it as well, but there were no results either”
”Sigh~~”
Naruki scratched her head, thinking
”How about asking Layfon himself?”
”That, that's”
”We can't? I think that's the easiest way to find out”
”Uh Meishen was a shy girl who didn't talk to others very much, it was rare for her to keep her best friends Naruki and Mifi in the dark Meishen was concealing the truth from her friends, yet at the sa things froe of tears
”Well, if that's the case, then we can only try and find out fro to the Military Arts depart?”
Although their search was futile, Mifi's face didn't show the slightest sign of discourage able to find inforularly
”Well” Since Meishen knew Mifi was trying to help, she just silently nodded
◇
After classes on the next day, the three friends began their journey towards the Military Arts department The moment Meishen stepped into the entrance, a painful
”Eh? What's wrong?”
” Nothing” Shaking her head, Meishen recalled the ti over whether or not she should give Layfon the letter that was accidentally sent to her If she hadn't ht have happened? She still wouldn't have had the confidence to give it back to hi had happened Anyway, recently she had been incessantly gloomy about the contents of the letter Meishen felt that the consequences of her o” Naruki held out her hand to an anguished Meishen
”Even though I don't know exactly what you are thinking about, if you want to find out, we have to getJust like how you decided to work at the bakery store before ” Naruki held out her hand sincerely, and that look in her eyes reflected the sa, Meishen grasped the offered hand
”We have to interview four Platoons today, and the first is the 1st Platoon”
Although the Military Artists' grounds seee from the outside, it was in reality divided up by various screens into a multitude of small areas on the inside The streets were very narrow and sos Meishen and her friends lost their way several ti at their destination
”hello everyone,” Mifi said Meishen became nervous when she felt Mifi's voice penetrate the soundproof walls that divided the area The walls vibrated at her voice
As soon as the door was open, sound waves even louder than before hit Meishen's eardru The sudden silence frightened Meishen and she gradually edged her body behind Naruki Meishen thought that her weakness was lahtest
”I'azine here for the interview, first year General Arts Student Mifi Rotten and these area towel fro, the tall student wiped his sweat and made his way over He was the commander of the first Platoon, Vance Haldi As he stroked his beard his penetrating gaze exae outside for the interview; you guys, continue training,” he directed the second half of his sentence to the platoon members After they replied in unison, the platoonMeishen and the others followed this tall nity coe room
”I have read some of Weekly Lookn's reports”
Reddish bronze skin, triggling silkworm eyebrows, his clearly delineated face and his sloppy beard it seeood and evil with his outward appearance, although it didn't seem like he was an evil person
”But, I felt that the content of so”
That's because Vance had the role of representing all of the students in the Military Arts department He was the head of Military Arts
”Ahahaha! There is nothing like that ”
”The journalist's name was different from yours, so it couldn't have been you Well, you should pass on what I just said to your superiors”
”Ok”
Just like that, under intense scrutiny even the brave Mifi couldn't help but cringe a little
”Oh, then I'll begin the interview The inter-platoon one on for nearly half a year Up to no do you feel about them?”
”How do I feel about what?”
”For example, how you felt about some of the more difficult opponents, or if the 1st Platoon is currently in its peak condition, or things like that”
”Platoon matches are just sideshows; the key problem is the formal inter-city battles that we have afterwards”
”Really? Okay then, how good do you think your platoon is?”
”We can't assert that we have already reached our limits and achieved peak condition but we can only try to improve ourselves as much as we can in the lih Then how do you see the other platoons, and are there any platoons that seeths and weaknesses The third platoon's average strength is very strong yet they have few other skills My first platoon is the same The fifth and sixteenth platoons are suited for surprise attacks, but if the opponent realizes their plan before it can be executed it's all over for theh the opponents' plan and what has currently appeared”
”The fifth, tenth, and seventeenth platoons are the ones which have won multiple times”
”The tenth eh? Last year in the inter-platoon ed many members this year they aren't short of wonders Also, the combo between the captain and vice-captain of the platoon is exceptional When it coh the way they work together is not quite the same”
”What do you think of the seventeenth squad?”
Hearing Mifi ask that question, Meishen immediately became perturbed and couldn't stay calm It was the platoon Layfon was in Meishen was very concerned with how others viewed Layfon and she wanted to knohat the first squad coht
”Captain Nina Antalk's command is brilliant Because she has a small platoon she thinks very carefully about what to do and how to do it However, the platoon's greatest weakness is that they lack nuhly ranked a the platoons, their defense is far too weak When they are on the offensive they are very strong, but if they are defending, they are always passive”
”On the topic of the seventeenth platoon, how good is that well known attacker Layfon?”
”The seventeenth platoon's offensive force relies h you can't overlook Sharnid's sniping ability, Layfon's ability to kill with one strikepraised by the strongest person in the Military Arts department, Meishen felt very happy
”But the fourteenth squad did co sith a shi+eld of their own Although it was quite significant, the plan failed That is the power of the seventeenth platoon”
”Is that so Then I wish you the best of luck in your inter-platoon raduate froivethis city That is all”
”Thank you for accepting our interview” Mifi hurriedly nodded and bowed; Meishen and Naruki quickly following suit Vance nodded, preparing to leave the lounge rooht,” Mifi spoke as if suddenly re ”Yes?”
”I want to ask you so, is that ok?”
”What is it?”
”Have you heard of the phrase Heaven's Blade Successor?”
”What is that?”
”Oh, it's a rarely used term that I don't understand I think ht know so about it ”
”I don't know Then, I'll be leaving first” Seeing hope radiating from the look on Mifi's face, Vance answered with a stiff expression, turned and left without looking back
”It seeh he knew he hid it fro to Naruki
Why? Meishen felt a little insecure Why did Vance not tell them what he knew but hid it instead? Doesn't that mean he didn't want anybody to knohat a Heaven's Blade Successor was?
”Well, it see” Completely different fro a look of curiosity
”Trying to hide it from me only made me want to know it more”
”No coo and ask soo” What Naruki said to Mifi obviously didn't register as she stood up with her face full of deter to feel less and less secure
The next place Mifi had to go to was the tenth platoon As before, Mifi knocked the door with uncertainty, and the person elcorace of three people; a woe rooan her interview This beauty's name was Dalshena Che Matelna and it seeolden, long curls of hair overshadowed the lights in the rooear and a cloak with red texture ht
”I'ainst her icy-cold deround
”U for the inter-platoon ht now?”
”Obviously I have things I areat condition when they battle I hope that we can maintain this state for the proper battle”
”Out of all the platoons, which one do you think is the strongest?”
”The first platoon The head of Military Arts, Vance's strong and indestructible fighting style is truly fearsohting style and aren't bad either”
”The other platoons who have qualified include the fifth and the seventeenth platoon What do you think of theth lies in Gorneo and Shante's Carrying Attack Gorneo's alchemy attacks aren't as easy to use as youand Shante's use of her instincts for is, you could probably estimate the limit of their combat powers”
”Then what about the seventeenth platoon?”
”As for their main offensive force Layfon, the li individuals like the head of Military Arts, Vance could be no match for him But that's all there is to that platoon Even if he took on the whole of the opposing platoon alone, that won't change the fact that he is only one person The only reason for their recent victories is because he has been able to smooth out results with his individual perfor noteworthy about that platoon”
”Thank you very much for your co-operation Then, I still have one last question which is unrelated to this interview
Have you heard of the phrase Heaven's Blade Successor?”
”Heaven's Blade? No, no I haven't Where did the terinate?”
”I think it came from Grendan”
”Then I think you'd better find Gorneo, because that's where his hometoas”
”Really? Thank you sohard as well The Military Artists are doing it in their oay, and so are you guys, doing the best to ”
After the interview, Dalshena's cold expression was like frost that had finallyher pure and radiant sh of relief, gazing at Dalshena's back as it receded into the distance
”Uwah, she was so cool”
”Yeah, how do I describe her, she's such a noble person”
”Yeah”
The three girls stood there in a drea in the direction in which Dalshena left
”I heard that Dalshena-san was the eldest daughter of Iahaimu He is the Head of The City of Hourin”
”Really?”
”So that's why It seeer on it, but she really is cool
”Yeah, she is”
”Ah, but I didn't know you knew that kind of stuff as well”
”I know a little about her Dalshena-san even has her own fan club The aoes overboard”
”Itthe contents of that report”
”Do you want ive that a pass”
As the three continued with their conversation, they couldn't get over their uncontrollable e
Next up was the fifth platoon The three girls rapped up by Dalshena's graceful air floated to their next destination, and were lead to the sae room for the interview This time they chatted to more than one person The Captain of the fifth platoon, Gorneo Luckens was a tall man with a bulky stature comparable to that of the Head of Military Arts, Vance His body was completely bound with e head, which he held with a serious manner Instead, the face reflected an affable expression, leaving a cute iiant That iirl tightly holding onto his shoulders The red-haired girl distinctly contrasted with Gorneo With a staunch little face, a petite fra personality and inability to shoulder any responsibility, she gave off the iirl was actually a fifth year student at Zuellni and she was about twenty years old Her name was Shante Laite and she was the vice-captain of the fifth platoon
”Are you okay with that?” Shante was in a badat Gorneo's head continually
”It's okay, it happens all the time” Gorneo callanced at Shante and Shante irowled at her with a ”Grr!”
”Ah!”
”Grr!”
”Uwah”
”Still not going to stop?”
Even though she was trapped by Gorneo's huge knuckles, Shante had no intention of stopping However, she suddenly stopped