Editing BlazBlue:Phase Shift 2 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 3===

Ishana was covered with a barrier which had been protecting it from seithr. The barrier was so strong that even the weather of the outside world was unable to affect the island.

Due to seithr, the climate had been disturbed and the planet had lost the concept of seasons. The usual traits that happened when summer turned into autumn were no more. The warmness on the air felt the same as ever.

It was just perfect to wear long sleeved clothes since most of the days in August were in that condition. Speaking of change, Celica wondered if the color of the sunset would have been even prettier during other seasons.

The pretty sunset was about to commence in the western sky when Celica was walking homewards as she had finished with today's lessons at the academy.

Nirvana was walking alongside her on the way back.

The truth was, Celica had been thinking of leaving Nirvana waiting for her at home when she went to the academy. She wouldn't want to attract attention while just walking to school.

However, Nine had been making Celica take Nirvana along wherever she went when she was not on the island. Since it was a request rather than an order, Celica resigned herself and decided to bear the odd looks from her surroundings.

Of course, Celica couldn't bring her into the classroom. Thus, Nine had been using her position as a Ten Sage to borrow an office inside the Mage's Guild for Nirvana to standby there while Celica was taking a class.

It took time and effort travelling to and from the Mage's Guild like she did every morning and evening. However, Celica enjoyed her bizarre accompanied commute a little. The reason might be because she hadn't had any company one her walk since Nine was gone and all of her close friends were living in the student dormitory.

When she looked up at the tall doll that had been matching her walking pace, the light of the day that had begun to turn orange was reflected on Nirvana's metallic skin and glass-like clear eyes. It was pretty.

"Come to think of it, I wonder how many days left until Onee-chan gets back. It's tiring to make just one dish every day."

Kicking a pebble with her tiptoe, Celica dropped her shoulders and gave a faint sigh.

Currently, Nine wasn't in Ishana. According to what she been told when she received Nirvana, her older sister would be more and more busy starting September or something. She would also have to leave the island for a few days.

It wasn't just Nine. It was also true for Trinity, Jubei, Valkenhayn, Hakumen, and Terumi. Even if she was in the Mage's Guild, Celica didn't know the specifics of what they were doing as she was just a mere student. But it seemed they spent day after day being busy and in a hurry.

Taking a look at the school bag she held in her hand, Celica took another breath.

She wondered if it was okay to leisurely commute to the academy and study at a time like this.

Unlike other students, she recognized the true state of affairs although only half of it. Because of that, she had been thinking about it far too much.

As Nine and the teachers at the academy had said, the students should keep practicing every day and prepare themselves so they wouldn't get outdone by the Mage's Guild's magicians when the crucial time comes... or some kind of important duty like that.

(Well, it's expected. I'm only a burden to Onee-chan now. I have to study hard so I can stop being a burden to her as soon as possible.)

What she was telling herself had also become a routine for the past few days. After all, she wasn't fully satisfied with just saying it. Her real motive was that if there was something she could do, then she wanted to do it as soon as she could.

"For now, I guess I've got a while to relax and tidy the house before Onee-chan returns."

"Right?" said Celica to Nirvana. She responded by moving her chin and staring at Celica.

Looking at her expression, Celica laughed a little.

The streets in Ishana were cobbled stone pavements. When she walked home, she would normally take the main street heading from the academy towards the port. Then, after a little while she would turn down a side street, taking a little detour past a quiet park.

Since she had to do the shopping today, instead she stayed on the main street. Celica was lost in thought while waiting to cross at a junction. Then, it happened.

"Celica A. Mercury. I wonder if I can have a bit of your time."

She recognised the refreshing voice of the man which called to her from behind.

Celica turned to look for him. What she saw was a pair, a man and a woman. The man looked like some kind of a noble due to his graceful manner, and the woman of slender body wore a dress that was wide open at the chest. There were large triangular hats atop their heads.

"Ah, Seven-san, Eight-san. Good day."

She immediately recalled Nine's dangerous mood when she met them in August. But Celica greeted them with a smile.

Nine would not be amused if she were here.

Eight stared in wonder, as if puzzled by something. Her long, curled eyelashes batted quickly.

"It's surprising how pleasant you are. Are you really Nine's sister?"

"Yes, of course... What do you mean by that?"

As she pondered on the meaning of the question, Celica reflexively looked down at her own body. It was the first thing that came to mind if when searching for the reason why her relation to her sister was in question.

"Could it be that she's surprised that Nine's sister's breasts are smaller than hers...?"

Just as she was thinking about it, a noise broke her from her musing. Celica looked up.

Still standing with both hands on her hips, flashing a smile, Eight's eyes twitched.

"...But it seems like you do have a similar tendency to upset me."

It was a taboo to talk about Eight's proportion.

Celica instinctively put her hands over her mouth.

Interrupting with a cough, Seven spoke in a calm tone of voice.

"...Would it be all right to begin our talk?"

Behind the thin metal framed glasses, his calm ice blue eyes stared at Celica and Eight who were facing each other. As his manner was like a teacher from the academy, Celica retracted her chin, straightened her back, and brushed it off with a laugh.

"Ah, y-yes. Go on."

After she urged him, Celica let out an 'ah' as she suddenly realized.

"But Onee-chan's not here this time though...?"

"It's alright if she's not here. Our business only concerns you."

Having regained her composure, Eight teasingly winked at Celica while entangling a wisp of hair that had spilled from under her hat onto her shoulder.

It was Seven who took the initiative to raise the main issue. Putting a real serious face, he adjusted his glasses with his index finger.

"I will ask bluntly. Cooperate with our research."

"Research..."

Muttering, Celica stole a glance at Nirvana.

Nirvana was standing behind Celica.

She remembered what Nine had said the day she met Nirvana. Celica spoke in a more quiet voice.

"That's what Onee-chan has been opposing, right? ...She said I'll lose my life if I cooperate."

But she wondered if such dangerous research was really being performed in a place like Ishana. Moreover, by the hands of Nine's fellow Sages.

Seven looked baffled and vigorously shook his head.

"Perish the thought that you will die. Nine has had quite the misunderstanding. Our research only requires a bit of magical power and the unique healing ability you have. Generally, an unusual disposition of magical power, like yours, is needed."

"Is... that so? Then..."

"Perhaps Nine so strongly doesn't want you to be involved in this research that she felt she must make an exaggerated lie. She really is a difficult woman."

"Good grief", said Seven, placing one pale finger on his brow.

To brush the comment aside, Eight leaned forward.

"What we're making is a powerful weapon to defeat the Black Beast that we know is going to revive one day. If we can engineer it, then surely... no, we definitely can win against it. We can fight without the need for things like Armagus."

Her thick lips, which were painted in bright red lipstick, delivered a passionate speech so fast that it was dizzying. Her large eyes burned with passion. It was unthinkable that she was the same as the lighthearted person who had raised an eye over talk about bust sizes before.

The same passion dwelled even in Seven's calm gaze as it rested on her.

"Understood? If our project is realized, we won't have to recruit a large number of people to create Armagus weapons for the war. Hence, your cooperation is necessary."

Just what was the 'research' Seven and Eight had spoken of? Celica could only have a faint guess.

A weapon to defeat the Black Beast. It must be amazing. If it existed, large numbers of soldiers wouldn't have to participate in the war. If it would truly become like that, then it was no great wonder.

The speech was something she would quickly agree with. But something still stuck in her.

"If it's that amazing... then why does Onee-chan oppose it?"

Celica spoke the one question that came to her mind.

Immediately, Eight frowned and made a troubled look while answering.

"Your magical power is required to control it. Maybe she doesn't want you to get involved with a weapon that will become a tool for war."

Putting her gloved hand to her cheek, Eight gave an anxious look as she took a breath.

Celica looked downward. She didn't have confidence in her quick thinking. But still, she pondered as hard as she could.

Certainly, Nine wouldn't allow Celica to get involved with war and weapons. Even if Celica was doing her fair share of cooking now, Nine was so prone to worry that she had made an uproar about the kitchen being too dangerous and had been making meals for them both by herself for the first two years that they had lived alone.

However.

"...I'm sorry. I can't cooperate after all."

At the end of her pondering, Celica frantically shook her ponytail from side to side.

On high heels that were so tall that Celica would fall down in three steps if she were to wear them, Eight approached her.

Still, she was interrupted as Nirvana put her arms between them.

Eight's face showed her frustration.

"Why!? It could all be completed if you participate!"

"Eight, settle down."

From behind, Seven reprimanded Eight who was shouting in rage. But it was hard to say that Seven looked calm.

"Please tell us, Celica-san. Do you have any discontent toward our explanation?"

The vigor in his gentle voice felt much heavier than Eight's angry roar.

But without hesitation, Celica looked straight at Seven and Eight, glaring down at her.

"It's not that I have any discontent. It's just because I've promised that I'll believe in my sister."

Nine had promised that she would show Celica that she could defeat the Black Beast. Then in order for her promise to be realized, Celica couldn't afford to doubt Nine. Celica believed it not with logic, but with her intuition.

"Besides, sure, Onee-chan's worrying about me too much. However, she's real smart. If the research were something amazing that could defeat the Black Beast without any sacrifice like Seven-san and Eight-san said, then I think Onee-chan would take the initiative to use it instead."

If her magical power was needed, then there was no doubt that Celica would give it her all to prevent any additional burden placed on her sister.

Above all, the matter of cooperating in Seven and Eight's research had reminded her of something. Before, there was a time when Celica was about to give her life in order to entrap the Black Beast.

Now, Celica couldn't do the same as she did before. After all, her life had been saved by a person who was precious to her back then.

"That's why, I can't cooperate. I'm sorry!"

After carefully straightening her back again, Celica bowed deeply.

Then with the same strength as when she bowed, Celica raised her head and started to run. Nirvana followed closely behind her.

"Hey, wait!"

Shaking off Eight's pursuing plea, Celica headed toward Ishana's main street.

While running, Celica looked up at Nirvana who was silhouetted against the setting sun.

Nine was amazing. She made such a delicate bodyguard all by herself, even while she was first in line to fight the Black Beast.

Perhaps Celica herself had missed the chance to forge the same strength as her sister. If she had cooperated with Seven and Eight, she might have been able reduce Nine's hardships.

But Celica believed that Nine surely must have given Nirvana to her in case a situation like this arose. Celica's decision surely wasn't a mistake. Probably.

Nirvana turned her face to match Celica's gaze. When her eyes met the automaton's beautiful glass replicas, Celica laughed in embarrassment. It was like Nirvana was her other sister.

"Ahaha, it's nothing. What should we have for tonight's dinner?"

"For the time being, let's go to the bakery. We should buy breads for tonight and tomorrow morning."







The western sky began to swallow the sinking sun. Before anyone realized, the sky that had been painted in orange changed into blazing flames.

Soon, the ominous sunset would burn shadows onto the pitch black stone pavements. The lined buildings, roadside trees, and the Sages who were seeing off the escaping girl were counted equally amongst the sinister shadows.

"Aaah~, and there she goes..."

Rocking a large earring with her finger, Eight intentionally made a discouraged face.

Glancing sideways at her, Seven took a step back and turned to look elsewhere. What he saw beyond the thin lens of his glasses was a thin alleyway. From the dense shadow that was born from the evening sun, several figures indicated their presences without exposing their faces.

As the figures checked the surroundings, they asked Seven a question.

The tip of Seven's lips moved only slightly as he answered.

"Yes, that's the girl in question. Her name is Celica A. Mercury."

"You're aware, right? She's mentioned in Professor Ayatsuki's reports."

While putting the finger that had been messing with the earring to her mouth, Eight made a charming smile. Her eyes didn't match the ones she wore when her blunt proposal was refused; instead they were shining in curiosity.

A single figure dropped its voice as if in doubt. It sounded like the figure was finding fault in the two people.

Picking up on it, Seven sharply narrowed his brilliant eyes.

"Be at ease. We will handle her accordingly whether she refuses or accepts. Of course, you will somehow collaborate with us, won't you?"

Being fearlessly pressured by Seven, some kind of opening was born between the human figures.

Eight put both hands on her hips and threw a glance to where Celica had gone.

"We have one chance. In that moment, the required control system and data will all gather. When that happens, it will completely be ours."

Eight's passionate words fully fueled the expectations of those who lurked in the shadow. The words that served as encouragement and a reminder got several replies.

Seven adjusted his glasses using a finger.

"Both of us will prepare the required arrangements. All of you should be careful to make no mistakes. Proceed without fail."

"Take care... the people of ''Orbis Librarius Norma''."

After receiving heated gazes from both Seven and Eight, the people known only by the name of their organization left two or three words of salute before quickly vanishing into the shadows.

The sun sank further in the west. As the twilight sky burned an even deeper shade of red, the shadows gradually grew denser and longer as they were etched on the ground.

As if putting on a shadow, Eight waved her long mantle and turned her back from the alley where the figures had vanished. As she folded her arms beneath chest, she brought her cheek to rest on her mantle's fur trim.

"I was worried about what had to be done there for a moment, but looks like everything will work out in the end. It's fortunate that we have a personal connection to Orbis Librarius Norma."

"Fortunate, huh."

As if pouring cold water over Eight's good mood, Seven simply dropped a sigh.

His voice was quiet, but Eight could hear how nervous he was. She furrowed the eyebrows that had been so carefully groomed.

"What's wrong? I know that you want to say it was all thanks to that man. It's good that we listened to his story."

"I wonder. I have no faith in that man. Once a traitor, always a traitor. You need to pay attention, too."

"Is that so? Thanks for the warning."

Seven's scolding clearly didn't amuse her at all, Eight waved her hand over her shoulder. Her high heels, supporting her slender legs could be heard striking the pavements, long after she had left her field of view.

"Hmph, what a detestable man."

After she was sure that she was out of earshot, Eight spat out those words. As if trampling the words as they fell to her feet, her feet began to move faster.

Similarly, while gazing at the retreating figure of his extravagant associate as she headed toward the Mages' Guild, Seven muttered to himself.

"...What a loud-mouthed woman."

The sun sank into the western sky.

The color of the sky that looked burning ran after its master and rushed to the west. As the city of Ishana gradually began to insinuate the presence of the night, Seven also began to walk towards the Mages' Guild.

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