Editing BlazBlue:Phase Shift 1 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 3===

The circular hall made of white stone was enveloped in solemn atmosphere.

The ceiling was high and shaped like a hemisphere. The walls which were in perfect circle had several thick pillars nestled close together. Some statue-like objects silently lined up at regular intervals.

Between the pillars, crystals as big as human head were floating. Since they were charged with the power of magic, like floating on the surface of water, they were flickering up and down while shining in pale white.

Surrounded by some divine light, several figures who were wearing dignified robes and large triangular hats stood in a circular pattern.

The number of people was less than ten.

They uniformly turned their sights to the center. At the end of it, one girl was kneeling. With long mantle spread on the floor and long hair down her back which slipped from her shoulders, she hung her head as if giving a prayer.

From the circle, a single robed figure stepped forward and stood in front of the girl.

"Konoe Mercury. I hereby appoint you as a Ten Sage, he who possesses great wisdom... You are now called 'Nine'."

The one who announced it with a stern voice was a sturdy and massive elderly man.

The girl... Konoe. No, Nine. She answered with her knees still down on the cold floor.

"I humbly accept it."

A different robed figure drew close. First, he walked up to the elderly man before passing a purple hat. A large triangular hat, like what a witch who appeared in fairy tale would wear.

It was the proof of the chosen one, a Ten Sage.

The symbol of great magical and alchemical knowledge was placed on Nine's head.

"Now, from this very moment, a new wisdom has joined the Ten Sages. According to the sacred order, that intelligence will last for eons."

With the majestic declaration, several other attendees repeated the same phrases. A great number of voices blended, reverberated on the tall ceiling.

The position of Ten Sage was bestowed only to the most prominent magicians in Mage’s Guild. With her head remain hung, Nine indifferently listened to the end of the canonization alone.







When Nine came out from the Cathedral, it was already the last half of the noon recess.

The Ten Sage canonization was held deep underground in the Cathedral, a special room that was forbidden to enter for anyone other than a Ten Sage. It was probably because she had  been looking down in the windowless room for a long time that she thought that it had been a long time since she felt the refreshing outside air when the wind profusely stirred.

Around the Cathedral was a courtyard within the academy. With the exception of the path that was covered in stone tiles, there were carefully trimmed shrubs and trees enveloping the lush lawn. They stood side-by-side as if it was a natural park.

Within such peaceful spectacle, Nine walked toward the school building. Her long, straight hair which covered her back was gracefully fluttering as the wind blew through it.

The other Ten Sages were still inside the Cathedral. With nobody else around, a refreshing serenity was drifting in the air.

Suddenly, there were light footsteps running which broke the silence. From the opposite side of the gently curved path, two figures that Nine knew well appeared.

"Onee-chaaaan!"

The girl, who had deep brown hair tied in a high ponytail, furiously waved her hand while calling Nine in a lively voice.

Behind her, there was another girl wearing a big round spectacles. Barely keeping pace with the first girl, while approaching Nine. Her fluffy platinum blonde hair was beautiful. As if restraining it, she wore the hood of her robe.

Just as she fixed her eyes on the two figures, Nine's expression that had looked mildly amused began to become cheerful.

"Celica! Trinity!"

Straining her soft-colored eyes, Nine also faced both of them and waved her hand.

The first girl, her ponytail whipping forward as she abruptly stopped in front of Nine, was Celica A. Mercury. She was Nine's younger sister.

Behind her, the bespectacled girl, who was out of breath after shaving caught up with Celica, was called Trinity Glassfille. She was Nine's one and only friend.

Celica's eyes which had deep color that resembled wet soil were sparkling. Somewhat excited, she opened her mouth.

"Is it over, Onee-chan? The Ten Sage's canonization, that is!"

"It's over. Although it's a canonization ceremony, I'm just following the old procedure. It's not like I'm doing anything special."

"But still, about that."

Toward the innocently excited Celica, Nine let out a wry smile. While watching the lovable scene of them both, Trinity spoke softly.

"Didn't you receive that peculiar hat~?"

Trinity spoke with a carefree and slow tone of voice. Nine moved her gaze up to look at the top her head. As one would expect, she wasn't able to look at it completely without a mirror, but she could clearly see the unnecessarily wide circular brim.

"The hat's just an ornament."

She uninterestedly snorted.

"Besides, for me to be a Ten Sage seriously bothers me. Actually, rather than me, Trinity is more fitting for it."

"Oh my... You speak of such thing again~."

Looking at her friend's unusual expression that was like a sulking child, Trinity smiled bitterly with her brows down. Just the other day, Nine had spoken the same thing when it was decided that she had been appointed as a Ten Sage.

If Nine was excellent at handling magic, then Trinity was a prodigy in sensing and analyzing magic information in an instant. She also excelled at alchemy. Taken from Trinity's beautiful hair, she was given the nickname of {{Furigana|Platinum the Trinity|The Platinum Alchemist}}. She was that well known and admired.

Natural talent aside, Nine considered that Trinity's profound wisdom which supported her capability was an ability that really should have been evaluated.

Toward Nine who got displeased again, Trinity laughed in a soft voice that truly matched her meek appearance.

"That hat suits you well~."

"...Thanks."

With a troubled smile on her face, Nine shrugged her shoulders as if she was hiding her embarrassment.

Toward the usual and ordinary Nine who had the symbol of greatest honor crowned on her head, Trinity straightened herself while putting her modest respect.

"From now on, I guess we should call you Nine."

"Nine?"

Slightly inclining her head, Celica asked in her curiosity.

After Nine exchanged glance with Trinity again, she answered with a wry smile.

"A term for the person joining the Sages... Simply put, it's a particular name that's given to imply that someone is a Ten Sage. Since I'm the ninth, then it's Nine. Although it's only a formality, I'm glad that I don't need to spare any time changing my name anymore."

Since Nine was frank when she spoke, it was Trinity who smiled wryly this time.

Nine's real name was Konoe. Konoe Mercury.

However, Nine wasn't fond of her name. Trinity and Celica knew well the reason. It was because the person who gave the name was Nine and Celica's father.

Nine despised her father. Even that was pushing it. She disliked it when Celica brought up her father.

But six years ago, it had become unknown whether her father was actually alive or dead.

"I see... Since it's been decided, I guess there's no helping it."

Downhearted, Celica pulled her chin.

Nine might loathe the name Konoe, but for Celica, it was an important name of her important sister. Although it was the rule, it was a little sad for her sister's name to get changed.

"But... Although you're the 'Nine of the Ten Sages', Onee-chan is still my big sis... right?'"

Pulling her chin with upturned eyes, Celica looked up at the sister who was taller than her, as if she was peeking.

Looking at the honest eyes which showed courtesy, as if flinching, Nine gasped in a somewhat comical movement.

And then, as she could bear it no longer, she hugged Celica close to her voluptuous bosoms with terrifying strength.

"Of course I am, Celica<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>! Whatever the position, whatever the name, I'm still your big sister! Aah~, don't make that face. There might be an insolent bastard hiding somewhere trying to ruin that adorable and helpless face of yours!"

"O-Onee-cha... It hurts..."

Having her face crushed in the soft chest, Celica struggled. Regulating her breath after she somehow got her face released, Celica raised her eyes to Nine while still being hugged.

"That's right. Onee-chan, you still haven't had a lunch, have you? Let's eat together. I was waiting for you."

"Eh? You what? You still haven't eaten yet? I thought I told you to eat before."

Nine looked bewildered as she spoke, Celica gave a spoiled smile.

"It's because I wanted to celebrate."

"Celebrate? What for?"

"Of course to congratulate Onee-chan for becoming a Sage. Hmph, this is a special occasion, but you're still completely the same as usual."

Celica pouted.

Beside them, Trinity giggled. It was like she was watching kittens playing together.

"Come on now, we should go. If we keep chatting here, the noon recess will be over in a flash~. Right, Celica-san? Nine?"

"Wah! That'll be bad!"

Flustered, Celica slipped out of Nine's embrace. Reversing the position, this time she grabbed her sister's arm. With a cheerful voice, she gave a happy smile to her sister.

"Let's go, Onee-chan. I'll treat you to the cafeteria's pudding as a celebration!"

"Pudding...? I'm not a kid, you know."

Even if she was reluctant while saying that, Nine started walking to follow Celica.

She had always known about it, but she truly had nice younger sister and best friend.

Slightly fixing the large hat placed on her head while secretly smiling, Nine, sandwiched between her sister and best friend, left the courtyard.