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Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume11 Impact of Childhood 01

2010-07-02T21:02:27Z

72.231.23.77:

=== Impact of Childhood 01 ===

She really didn’t know what to do.

She thought of Mifi, and decided that going back like this would be disappointing. Even if there could be that kind of result, she still thought that doing things like that wasn’t a good idea. The reason that this kind of thing could occur – and there was no excuse – was Mifi’s unreasonable attitude. Sigh~

That being said, having just thought of it upon arrival, she felt that it was a bit late to be thinking like that.

This was the Sick Room, and in front of her was……

“………Zzz ~ ……”
“…………………..”

Layfon, resting quietly. His injuries were treated on the same day he had arrived at the hospital, and took some pills and rested, awaiting further examinations. These tests were especially for Layfon, who since entering the school had been admitted into the hospital several times.

Layfon showed no signs of waking. It was probably her first time seeing his sleeping face like this. It was the first time that she was by his side, watching him.

How did it become like this? She thought over it again.

Yes, it was a thing of yesterday……

<center>◇</center>

When she heard the news from Naruki, Mei-Shen felt as if she had fallen into a deep abyss. Outside the window, Zuellni was surging forward in victory. This was the night after the conclusion of the battle with Myath. In the spontaneous celebration lights lit up everywhere, and outside the window the night sky was a lot more beautiful than its usual quiet atmosphere.

“Bang-Clang.” Noisy sounds from outside came through the glass window, echoing throughout the room. The dormitory which Mei-Shen and her friends lived in was on the first floor, and it had a large space similar to the lounge room so the sound could have come from there as well.

“……Aie!”
It could be because of the noisy lounge room that she misheard. First of all, she didn’t even understand why she was so affected by the sounds.

(But, Layfon would be happy, because he might never see it again…)

After learning Layfon’s story, Mei-Shen should be happy. Layfon might never return to his place of birth, Grendan, so she never thought that they would meet again.

They will meet again.

That’s why it wouldn't be right if Mei-Shen and Layfon weren’t able to be and feel happy together.

But Mei-Shen’s heart was in turmoil, like waves rippling across a pond, wavering with indecision. Those ripples stabbed at her heart, and it hurt more as she struggled.

(Why?)

She always felt afraid of knowing the cause of this pain. Mei-Shen placed her hands above her head, gripping tightly.

“No… That's…”

In front of her, Naruki lowered her head as if she had said something wrong, an exhausted expression on her face. She had accepted the job to infiltrate the enemy city, accepted the dangerous mission of attacking the enemy city’s flag. The battle had finished only today, so it was natural for her to be tired. And upon her return she was questioned thoroughly by Mifi in the name of a report, draining her even more. After she fell onto the sofa she was too tired to move again.

Even though she was in such a state, she was still very direct.

“Leerin came.”

“What~?”

But Mei-Shen, receiving such a shocking blow from Naruki, said nothing. The person who had replaced her in shouting out in surprise was her friend Mifi, who was still writing down information from the interview. The door was wide open, and Mifi burst into the room surprising both of them.

“I heard it all!”

“Stop eavesdropping!” Showing an annoyed expression Naruki continued, “That’s why we weren’t talking about this in front of you.”

“Uwah, that was mean. Hey, this is discrimination, and I’m against discrimination! Everyone should be treated equally!”

“Ok, ok, just be quiet for a second.” Naruki was now really tired, and had no time for Mifi’s nonsense.

Yet there was no way Mifi was just going to let it rest. What Naruki was talking about was perhaps the most important subject to the three girls present; something which had left them in suspense for a long time. How could she just let it pass?

Mifi was desperate for information to the extent that any ordinary piece of information would rouse her curiosity, and if you saw her expression, akin to that of a starved dog, you would have no choice but to give it to her.

“Hey, what kind of beauty is she? A supermodel? An unrivalled Ms Universe?”

“Couldn’t she be anything other than a beauty?”

“But she’s his proper wife, his proper wife! She’s that super slow-witted Layfon’s proper wife!”

“Don’t say ‘proper wife’!”

Actually, acknowledging Layfon and Leerin as a couple was a little strange. When Layfon mentioned her, they were but childhood friends. You could say that they were raised in the same orphanage as siblings. If they really were a couple, wouldn’t he readily talk about her, and about what she did? Or was it because other things had been mixed into those memories that he was reluctant to speak of his past?

Naruki took this as a signal to start talking. She was already exhausted and still had to speak, and as she thought of this she revealed an annoyed expression from the bottom of her heart.

“That kind of stuff is really touching, right? They clearly don’t know so can they still be counted as a couple...?”

When she said that, not only were Naruki and Mei-Shen surprised, but Mifi, who was talking felt an impact as well.

Leerin Marfes, Layfon’s childhood friend, is probably the one who understands him best.

And she left Grendan, arriving here.

Why?

“Eh, why’d she come here? It can’t be because she wants to meet Layfon? Romantic? It’s such a romantic thing to do!”

“Mi-Chan, you’re too excited.”

Hearing Naruki, Mifi covered her mouth and looked towards Mei-Shen.

“It’s okay.”

Hearing her say that, her two best friends looked her way and started smiling.

Yes, these two were her friends she had grown up with. For Mei-Shen, they were very important childhood friends. Calling them friends was an understatement, calling them good friends belittled the importance of Naruki and Mifi’s presence. Their friendship had already reached the stage where every move of her childhood friends was very important.

(For Layfon, Leerin must also be such an important person.)

But, but, but... if she accepted that idea from the bottom of her heart, Mei-Shen’s feelings should also be accepted. Right now, she had already appeared at Zuellni, so Mei-Shen should say and believe what she says from the bottom of her heart, ‘That’s great!’

But she couldn’t.

Well, if there had to be a reason, then it would be because Layfon was male, and Leerin female.

Completely changing the relationship between a man and woman with the term “childhood friends”… Mei-Shen’s didn’t have much life experience, and she couldn’t just readily accept this, and she didn’t have much foresight. However, she wasn’t stupid.

How would Layfon, who had buried his feelings deep in his heart, react when he saw Leerin? How would he react, when he saw Leerin, who had especially came from Grendan to meet him?

Ten minutes, twenty minutes, and thirty minutes passed as she pondered this question.

“Then let’s do some reconnoitering!”

Forcing the ideas of not wanting to treat Leerin as an enemy and not being able to treat her as an enemy out of her mind, Mei-Shen felt a little lonely.

“That’s fine, right? We’ll act as a special unit to ensure Mei-Shen’s success in her romance. Finding information on our enemy is our most important mission right now!”

Facing Mifi who was shouting loudly, Mei-Shen’s face turned red.

Finding herself in this situation where only Naruki had seen Leerin, and had absolutely no other information, Mifi proposed the above solution.

Getting over the noisy celebrations of Zuellni’s victory in the inter-city battles, they had a break the following day. And when the sun rose, the next day arrived.

“So, where’s the target?”

“Location unknown.” Naruki replied indifferently to Mifi who had finished her breakfast, gotten ready to go out, and packed her notepad and pen into her bag, totally in the zone.

“How can this be?”

“Normally she would be living in a dorm right? And then she would be picked up by people from the Student council, and afterwards we don’t know what would happen. Maybe Layfon might know?”

“…Can we ask Layfon?”

“It should be okay…”

“…But, isn’t there another way?”

Mei-Shen had just voiced her own thoughts, and the other two immediately lost their target.

“Is there?” Mifi seriously asked about this untenable, tentative suggestion.

“Then, lets go to the dorms!”

“Yeah, outsiders would usually be there!”

The two geared up girls talked as they approached the door, and Mei-Shen chased after them.

“Speaking of which, there hasn’t been a roaming bus recently, so how did she get here?”

“Yeah… I think she came here from the opposing city.”

“Eh? How did she come from there?”

“I don't know that either.”

<center>◇</center>

“Lucky.” Leerin wanted to say that, but she couldn’t.

This was a room in the Student Council building. Inside there was a small whiteboard and a simple table and set of chairs. The atmosphere was suitable for a small number of people to hold a conversation.

From the conversation she found out that the people from the Student Council weren’t too sure of the situation either. However it only mattered that she somehow successfully arrived here.

After the battle, she rushed to the contact point between the cities, and there she saw Layfon.

While she was being questioned by the people on the Student Council, she decided to tell them everything. However, she didn’t say anything about being brought over here by a Heaven’s Blade Successor from Grendan. Being asked to keep a secret by someone else, she definitely couldn’t tell anyone.

Although she felt that he was already no longer in Zuellni, and there was no danger in telling them, she still decided not to speak of it. Among the Military artists in Grendan, they stood at the pinnacle, they were the strongest protectors, and their word was definite. That’s what a Heaven’s Blade Successor was. Being unable to forget about her profound feelings from when Layfon was a Heaven’s Blade Successor was something she couldn't do anything about.

Layfon, she wasn’t far from him now.

“Well, this is enough, it’s not like we’re treating you like a dangerous person.” The person saying this was a silver-haired youth wearing glasses, who standing behind her and had listened to her questioning. He was calmer than anyone else, and revealed a sincere expression.

“I believe that this is the first time that we have met, I am the president of the Student Council, Karian Loss.”

“First… First time meeting each other……?” When she greeted him, Leerin tilted her head to the side. “…Could it be, that you are a person from Grendan?”

“No, you’ve made a mistake.”

“Is that so? Mmm… Where have we met before?”

Normally, one would say that there was nothing to this conversation, however, the atmosphere should be taken into account.

“Then, where? In Zuellni’s travels, while passing Grendan, It might be possible that I saw you.”

Karian did not express displeasure at Leerin’s words but kindly nodded instead.

“Speaking of which, Leerin-chan, why did you come to this city? Did you come on a holiday?”

In the smoothly progressing atmosphere of the conversation, Leerin froze for a moment.

Wishing to conceal nothing, Leerin obediently told him the reason for coming to Zuellni.

“Oh. To bring something for Layfon? It must have been troublesome for you.”

“Then, do you know Layfon?”

In his letters, Layfon never mentioned the Student Council president. The Student Council president…Without understanding the political condition of the Academy city but based on the successful development of the city run only by students, this person should be the most powerful person in Zuellni.

Realizing why she had asked such a question, an answer immediately sprung to his mind.

“Yes, I do. For Zuellni, I’ve done my best to understand him.”

From the way Karian spoke, he had already realized that his answer was correct. As he thought this he couldn’t help but sigh with relief.

Really, other than Military arts, Layfon seemed to suck really badly.

It was the same with getting exiled from Grendan, his means of subsistence was so poor it was already at a fatal level, and he still didn’t show any signs of thinking about or recognizing any of his problems.

(Could it be that even now, he was still not aware of this?)

It seems that it is most likely true.

“Let me help you.” Leerin understood the words Karian wanted to say reflected in his eyes.

“That…”

“Oh, that’s right, Leerin-chan. Are you going to return as soon as you accomplish what you came here for?”

“Eh?”

“You’re obviously going to return to Grendan at some point, but right now the inter-city battle has pretty much been formalized. Seeing as that’s the situation, roaming buses will be stranded here for a while as well. How about you stay here for a longer time?”

“Ah…”

She never thought about that. She never thought about the relationship between the inter-city battles and the roaming buses. Sometimes no roaming buses came to Grendan as well, so that was the reason. She never knew that before.

Seeing Leerin with no way out, Karian revealed a faint smile.

Ah, this man was really black-hearted.

As she thought this, Leerin listened to his proposal.

Just like that, the second day came.

“What do I do next?”

After seeing the injured Layfon, Leerin was pondering what to do now.

She had already decided on her destination, and it was the Student Council.

Checking the timetable for the tram, she sat on one of the seats thinking about Karian’s offer. She didn't think it was too bad, and although she wasn’t quite sure if what she learned here would be of any use when she went back to Grendan, she saw it as another way of obtaining more knowledge, so it didn't seem too bad. That was what she thought.

“But still…”

But she still thought that Karian had other motives for doing this.

“Hoo…”

The problem was that if roaming buses didn’t come, continuing to live in the dorm facilities wasn’t a solution. She didn’t bring much money with her either, so if she intended to stay here for a long time, she needed to find a job.

“Well, I can think about those problems after the results come out today.”

The train arrived and Leerin got up form the seat. As soon as the pneumatic valve sounded, the doors opened.

“Ah…”

The person who made that sound had her mouth gaping open.

“Eh?”

Directed by the sound, Leerin saw that person.

She was a tall girl with fine red hair and tanned skin, giving off an impression of seeming very lanky.

“……”
“……”

That girl didn’t say anything, she just continued to stare. Leerin was naturally waiting for her reply, so she didn’t move either.

“What’s wrong, Naru-chan?, a red-haired girl who seemed to be one of her friends asked her.

“Ah.. Ahaha… sorry about that, Mei-chan, Mi-chan.”

Pushing her friends who were about to get off the train tram back into the middle of the carriage, she backed away from the door. Leerin politely got on the train tram. The train started moving, and there were still many empty seats. Leerin found a seat and sat down, mindlessly eyeing the route map above the door of the train tram.

“Excuse me, are you Leerin?”

It was that red haired girl from before.

<center>◇</center>

She felt as if something troublesome had happened.

(Uu… What to do?)

She didn’t know where Leerin was, and having no other options, she listened to Mifi’s idea, which was to get some information while going out to visit Layfon. But she never thought she would meet Leerin in this place.

Naruki began to speak up, and she started to introduce herself and her friends to Leerin. Afterwards, Mifi and Naruki started a conversation with Leerin. She seemed to be the type of person to easily accept others.

“Hey, hey, what was Lay-ton like in Grendan?”

“Ah… here you guy’s call him Lay-ton?”

“No, it’s just us! It’s the nickname we gave him.”

Hearing Mifi say this, Leerin’s eyes widened, and in response Naruki started to make up for the shock.

“Yeah. Calling him this makes it seem a lot friendlier. How about we give you a nickname as well?”

“Eh…”

“Hmm… Li-Chan? Rin-Chan? Like that? Or maybe LeeeRIN? (Change of inflection.) Seems pretty good as well, but it’s a bit hard to distinguish from a normal Leerin.”

“Hmm… Although you can’t tell the difference immediately…”

“Yeah… Then, what do you think would be a good nickname for her, Mei-Chan?”

“Eh?”

Mei-Shen’s face showed an expression like she had suddenly been hit by someone.

Of course, she was listening to the conversation, but you couldn't tell from looking at her expression.

She showed that expression reflexively on her face as if it were a conditioned response.

They seemed to be happily conversing, and from the looks of it there was nothing strange going on.

(Chi…)

Being looked at with eyes like that was very uncomfortable.

“Rin… Is Rin-Chan ok?”

She still felt discomfort in her heart.

“Ah, I thought it would be this one.”

“Yeah, I think that name is pretty good too.”

The two of them expressed their agreement and Leerin gave a wry smile.

Their eyes met again. She had seen people like Mei-Shen before, so she just smiled and didn’t pursue the meaning behind her words.

(Chi…)

That was exactly the reason why her sins were building up.

(I, I secretly read her letter.)

That event hung upon her heart heavily.

Although she said it wasn’t on purpose, if she could she would try and explain it away. But behaviour like reading other people’s private letters was still unacceptable even if she did admit her fault.

Leerin doesn’t even know that this happened, which made it impossible for her to admit to doing it and apologizing.

When she was apologizing to Layfon she was forgiven, but that only happened because Naruki accidentally let it slip. Is she didn’t, perhaps Mei-Shen would never have been able to apologize to Layfon.

For Mei-Shen, the act of secretly reading Leerin’s letter gave her the first glimpse into the dark side of her heart. The fact that there was a darkness hidden deeply within her terrified her.

Mei-Shen felt as if the core of her body was as cold as ice and she shivered. Even though there wasn’t any air conditioning, the summer season was about to arrive and it was hot as if several people were cramped together in a tight space. Even so, she still felt cold inside. The train arrived at the student council station.

“What are you doing here of all places?”

The student council complex was comprised of a tall building with a steeple at its tip with Zuellni’s flag raised high, surrounded by a circular school building. Within the tall building, there was the student council president’s office, meeting rooms for the student council members and the office area for those member’s assistants. In the circular building surrounding it there were the offices of the heads of the various disciplines in the school and the student council for those subdivisions as well as a reception area and meeting rooms.

Yesterday, Leerin was locked in one of those little meeting rooms in the circular building.

“That…” They walked together to the reception area and Leerin put on a face saying ‘how do I answer?’ in response to Mifi’s question. Then she started to answer it.

There wasn’t much left of the distance between the tram station and the reception area. Naruki saw the people standing over there first, and so Leerin stopped her story.

“Captain?”

In front of the wide glass window of the reception area stood Naruki’s Captain. She had short, blonde hair, a pointed chin, and she looked like she was made of glass. But if you looked at her personality and actions, then the type of glass she was made of would probably be very strong. Everybody who saw her would probably hold their breath in concentration and their gazes would probably turn dull.

Naruki’s voice was carried across and Captain… Nina lifted her head.

“Ah, coming.”

It looked like she was waiting for Leerin. She wanted to know why Leerin was with Mei-Shen and the others, but she wasn’t too bothered about it.

“Leerin Marfes.”

“Ah… Present.”

“In yesterday’s test, you received a very good score. You passed the test. But if you are only staying in the short term for studies we cannot give you a scholarship, but part of your school fees will be free.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Leerin was happy about the partial reduction of the school fees. Mei-Shen saw this, and Naruki didn’t miss it either.

“Weren’t you worried about the test?”

“No, because I worked hard.” She didn’t make a sound of annoyance, neither did she reveal an overjoyed smile.

“Rin-Chan has officially entered Zuellni!” Mifi shouted out in surprise, causing Mei-Shen to understand the meaning of their conversation.

“Oh, the student council president said that there won’t be any roaming buses anytime soon, and since you already came to an academy city it would be a waste not to study here.”

“Uwah! Really? If it was me, I would just play, and keep playing until I couldn't move anymore.”

“You shouldn’t think too hard about that kind of thing.” Hearing Mifi’s words, Naruki propped up her head.

Leerin replied with a smile. “Because during battles they constantly limit the flow of roaming buses, at the worst it will be impossible to travel to any other cities for the next year. Is that ok?”

“Whether or not it’s ok, since you’re trapped at a foreign city you might as well stay here for a while.”

“Yeah, now that you mention it…”

“Speaking of which, could you tell me your name?”

“Ah, ah.. ah..”

Mei-Shen felt a little surprised, she saw Nina wavering. From Nina’s words, the two of them seemed to know each other.

“Eh, so you two still don’t know each other?”

“Yeah.”

“What the, I thought you guys already knew each other!” Mifi thought so as well.

“Sorry about that. I am Nina Antalk, the captain of the squad which Layfon belongs to, the seventeenth.”

Nina held out her hand, and Leerin shook it.

As expected, Nina moved very quickly.

“Back to what we were talking about before, why was the report given to you, Captain?”

This kind of thing was meant to be done by the office people who were working within the door in front of them, not by the unrelated Military Arts department, and definitely not by a platoon leader like Nina Antalk.

“Yeah.” Nina nodded her head. “Well, staying here short term means that she can’t stay in the detention facilities. That’s why we have to find her temporary lodging. The first year dorms are almost completely full, so she might as well come to my empty dorm. The dorm head had work so he won’t return until night.” As she said this, she looked at Leerin.

“As for transportation, it’s just that going shopping is a little inconvenient, but other than that, it’s a comfortable place to live. The rent isn’t too expensive, so if you’re interested in moving there just register. Anyways, just come to my place, okay?”

“Sure.”

Leerin nodded her head, and that’s what she decided to do.

In order to get her luggage, everybody got on the train going towards the detention facilities with Nina. On the train, Nina started talking again.

“I heard from Layfon that you make very good food.”

“No, it isn’t as good as he says.”

“We had to go ask the dorm head for military funds for your welcome party but the two people left behind, I and another guy, we're both very bad at cooking.

“The welcome party isn’t really necessary, but as for the food, I’ll cook it. Also, if you would just call me Leerin, that would be great.”

“Thanks, Leerin.”

Nina’s expression relaxed. No matter how you looked at her, she seemed to be perfect, but she just wasn’t very good at cooking and it was pretty cute.

Leerin thought so as well, and smiled kindly at Nina.

“Hey, if it’s a cook, we already have one!”

“Oh?”

“Ahh, if that’s the case then I’ll leave it to you. We’ve got quite a bit of money, but is this ok? Is it too far away?”

“It’s ok, we won’t be late. We’ve got a bodyguard!”

“Umm, is this about me?”

Mifi had cut into the conversation, unbidden, and Mei-Shen couldn’t stop her. She had tried as to keep her quiet for a long as possible and you could only hear her muffled sounds of “Mummf.” After that she had gotten free Mifi’s suggestion had been accepted.

She couldn’t escape even if she wanted to.

Seeing Leerin’s smiling face, Mei-Shen could only tremble.

<center>◇</center>

Some of the labs used for experimental purposes by the Construction Division were located in Nina’s dormitory. This explained the stuff occupying most of the space, making it hard to walk. So, Nina suggested that she return to the dorm by herself to clean up the mess, while Mei-Shen and the others got off from the station before to go shopping and afterwards everyone would meet up.

The military funds went from Nina’s hand into Leerin’s.

“The dorm head loves to cook, so she should have all sorts of kitchen utensils. As for the food, just pick what you like and buy it!”

In any case, Nina seemed to have an apathetic attitude to cooking, and just left those words.

Mei-Shen wanted to see her most basic needs or wants. Being a person who thought about the menu every day, this was really torturous for her.

What did Leerin want to make?

There was a shopping street in front of the station and it was lined with a variety of shops packed closely together. There weren’t only groceries on sale here, but many daily necessities could be bought as well. These small-scale shopping streets focused around the areas adjacent to residential areas. As they strolled through the shopping street, Mei-Shen and the others practically became Leerin’s entourage. As soon as Leerin arrived at the shopping street, she began to zealously check the products on sale at Zuellni, and she couldn’t even hear other three’s words.

And then she stopped at one of the stores.

This was a restaurant. The variety of dishes available here were extremely popular with the students too lazy to cook. Of course, even those who did cook would come here occasionally as long as they lived the life of a student.

The business at this restaurant was booming.

Leerin looked at the dishes. Sometimes, you could find dishes that even Mei-Shen didn’t know of and couldn’t cook.

As a result of the isolation of the cities, there was a great variety among food strains. Using meat as an example, basic types of meat included beef, pork, and poultry as the three main types. If mutations occurred, the variety of meat would increase exponentially. These new types of meat would then be absorbed after classification and improvement. Because of the different environments of each city, the actual improvements would also be different. As a result of this, many different things actually tasted the same when eaten.

The Academy City was a mixing arena for people with different eating customs. With experimental types of produce mixed into the dishes at the restaurant, Mei-Shen couldn’t name many items in the dishes either.

Quietly listening to an explanation of the variety of foods used in this restaurant, Leerin understood and was already wandering through her next target, the grocery store. She looked at the meat and peeked at the vegetables. The types of vegetables available were even more diverse. But as for the basic green-yellow vegetable, recognizing it by looking at the leaves and the roots was pretty easy.

You could eat it raw, but when broiled or boiled it would taste even better. That was how Mei-Shen described the vegetable to Leerin.

As they were doing this, Nina returned.

“You guy’s still haven’t finished shopping?”

Seeing Nina’s surprised reaction, Leerin calmly replied, “No, but we’ve pretty much decided what’s going to be on the menu tonight.”

However, she didn’t immediately start shopping. After looking at all the products first, Leerin proceeded to the next store.

And then she browsed through another store, then another.

Finally, she had browsed through all of the grocery stores.

Nina couldn’t endure it anymore and asked “Then… Exactly what are we going to make? ” Leerin had carefully looked through all of the stores, but she ended up not buying anything.

“Enn…”

Moving her gaze from the products on display to her shopping list, Leerin started by recalling the names of all the pre-made frozen foods she had seen in grocery stores and other stores she had visited. Afterwards, if she linked them with Grendan dishes not only could she name them all but she could also say how to cook the said dish.

“So if we bought all of this……?”

Of the things that Leerin chose none of them were very expensive, they were all things within the boundaries of family cooking. Also, all the ingredients she had seen from other stores before had been bought.

“This won’t do, if it’s like this……” said Leerin as she looked through all the shelves. From behind her, you could see that she was brimming with a bold spirit.

“From what I’ve seen from before, there is always some margin of difference in each store’s quality and price. Is it because of different methods of storage? Regardless, not buying the best ingredients from a shopping street is unacceptable in both aspects.”

This probably meant that ingredients that fell neatly in between price and quality were the best choices.

“So this is what we chose in the end. Then, seeing as we bought so much stuff, we should split it up between everyone to carry.”

After hearing this, Nina finally relaxed. Everyone was affected by Leerin’s bold spirit, and they had all become nervous without noticing.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Leerin, who was walking about in high spirits returned before Mei-Shen.

“Eh?”

“I’m sorry. At the beginning having said what I was supposed to say, I forgot to tell you that I am very keen on judging.” As she said this, Leerin gave the money to Mei-Shen. This was part of the military pay.

If it’s like this, then basically…

She gave more than half the money to Mei-Shen.

“These words will be enough, so can I ask Mei-Shen-chan to make the desserts? I heard on the tram that making sweets was your forte, right?”

“Yes, ok!”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you!”

“Ah, wait a moment; you’re still holding some stuff right?” Nina chased after the brisk paced Leerin.

Mei-Shen and the others stayed behind and blankly stared at Leerin’s disappearing shadow.

Mifi gave a wry smile and laughed as she said “Fufu, there’s a cooking showdown already?”

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed already, but Leerin’s evaluating gaze seemed very serious to me.”

“Isn’t this exactly why? For the 10,000 year dull, definitely dull, King of Dullness …... for the convergence of countless titles of dullness within one body, Layton, for Rin-chan to hand out this challenge to Mei-chan isn’t strange at all.”

“How can this be? Of course, there is a probability that it could be like that. About the contents of that letter, although Layton didn’t notice, Leerin could probably feel something in the reply.”

“Eh? Eehh?”

Putting it this way made it complicated, but right now Mei-Shen wasn't thinking about this, but rather about how to apologize to Leerin.

She never thought Leerin would ignite a passion for battle inside her.

…She might have even been taken as a rival. No, no, not searching for a chance to apologize is unacceptable.

“Well, see, retreating here is not an option.”

“Huh?”

“That’s right, you can’t just raise your hands and surrender.”

“Huh? Why!?”

The other two had already acknowledged this fact, yet Mei-Shen still had no idea what these two were thinking.

“Then let’s go all out shopping!”

“Yeah, we can’t lose in such a place.”

“Ah, that’s right, what’s Mei-chan going to buy?”

“You shouldn't try to make something you aren’t good at! But, you don't have much time left. In that time before, Leerin might have already chosen some dishes in accordance with her cooking speed and skill and then bought the ingredients for those dishes.”

“It seems that there’s no choice but to make a cake! It’s the most likely to succeed. Regarding Mei-Shen’s speed at making cake, she as actually very capable!”

“But still, I think that making the right amount is very important. About enough for seven to eight people.”

“Is it going to be triple layer or a wedding style cake? If it’s something like that, I would really like to see it.”

“Forget about it! How does using fruits to decorate it and making it look professional sound?”

“Yeah, I’ve decided. I’ll make it like that.” Even though she didn’t completely understand it herself.

The two of them had never seen Mei-Shen making cakes before; neither do they have experience controlling the fire when baking the cake, so all they knew about was the theoretical act of making cake.

Right now, Mei-Shen, who couldn’t keep up with the other two had been tossed aside, and the other two were continuing their conversation.

“Then, let’s start.”

“We’ve got to start picking the ingredients too!”

“Huh? Eh? What?”

Mei-Shen still hadn’t figured out what was going on, and was dragged away by the other two.

<center>◇</center>

Nina’s residence, also Leerin’s residence from yesterday onwards, was a dormitory which was beautiful beyond belief. The entire structure had a classical style to it, making both cute and elegant. Even though it was removed after its construction, the “Building division practice area” still left behind some debris, but Mei-Shen still envied Nina who was able to live in such a place.

That was the situation which Mei-Shen saw before entering the building.

But considering the small size of each room, the number of rooms which the building housed was considerable, so it had to have a common room large enough to fit all the people who lived in it. Even if there wasn’t such a room, in front of the hall, there was already more than enough room for a party.

But today, they wouldn’t be using the common room. There were only seven people in total, so using the huge room would make it seem lonely.

Naruki, Mifi, Nina and another student who lived here named Leu, began to decorate the area that they were going to use as the dining area.

Inside the kitchen, there was only Leerin and Mei-Shen.

However, the atmosphere showed no signs of hostility.

Mei-Shen was very surprised. That was because not only was the designated party area huge, so was the kitchen. It had no problem housing up to five people cooking at the same time.

Leerin placed the ingredients on the central table in the kitchen, and put on her apron.

“Next is……” She quietly whispered.

Leerin picked up a knife, and began to check its condition. Running her finger across the knife blade, she carefully observed it. Her mouth seemed to ask, “Which smith forged this?” and then she fell quiet.

The entire process was precise yet fast, without a shred of hesitation. Mei-Shen couldn’t even find a pause where she could successfully cut in.

The water in the pot was bubbling and the hot water was boiling. In this time, she placed the quickly sliced ingredients into the pot just like that.

The sound of the knife cutting up vegetables formed a steady rhythm and the sound of the fried bread crackling in the oil embellished the rhythm as if forming a melody.

In the midst of all this sound, Leerin’s cooking proceeded methodically. She wasn’t flustered, nor could you see any signs of distress. Leerin hummed a song while she worked, leaving the impression of someone who had enough room for more even though she was already handling a huge task.

Her expression was one of complete enjoyment, thought Mei-Shen. Her imagination ended and she came to. This isn’t the time to be spacing out!

(If she didn’t act any faster)

She realized she no longer had any time to train her competitiveness which Mifi and Naruki had spoken of. It was already evening, and from the progress Leerin made it wasn't long before the dish was completed.

At the side of the kitchen, she began to prepare to make the cake. As she preheated the oven, she made some essential preparations.

She steamed the chocolate until it melted. Then she began mixing the eggs and other ingredients together, adding the chocolate that was just melted as well as frozen butter and an appropriate amount of wine. After adding other ingredients into the mix, Mei-Shen then proceeded to the eggbeater, beating the egg whites into a fine foam. Then mixing this with the other mixture, she let it set and placed it into the oven.

After all this, she had finished for the time being.

“……Aya!”

She was short of breath. “What about Leerin?” thought Mei-Shen.

Originally, Mei-Shen had intended to go help Leerin after she had finished baking the cake, but when she turned around instead she found Leerin watching her actions with great interest.

“Ah, sorry,” apologized Leerin with a wry smile. Her smile without any malicious intent was instead filled with an expression of fascination, revealing her undoubtable capabilities.

“When did you finish? It’s really surprising. It looks really nice.”

Behind Leerin, the completed dishes were lined up in a row.

“Wow, it seems you’re used to making many kinds of dishes.”

From what Layfon said, Leerin had grown up with him in the same orphanage, and there she was in charge of cooking and organizing meals. And then she imagined of Leerin before she arrived that with her attitude of buying ingredients which were both fresh and economical, she was sure that everyone in the orphanage enjoyed delicious meals daily.

Making delicious dishes out of cheap ingredients required sufficient cooking and preparation time. However, her attitude of taking the least time possible to both cook and prepare was what Mei-Shen believed was most impressive.

Why would she understand these things? Mei-Shen was constantly thinking about this.

In the past, she had opportunities to cook together with Layton. At that time, he was talking about Leerin. That happy look on Layton’s face as he spoke about it surely meant that he treasured that memory!

What kind of person was Leerin? Mei-Shen was constantly wondering about this. If she could compare her image with the person in question, perhaps she would know.

However, Mei-Shen’s image of Leerin was completely off. The bad thing about imagination was that if you didn’t pay attention for just a moment you would float into space, or you would fall into a deep valley. Just who was this Leerin person? Was she really that Leerin which was so revered, or was she not as great as Mei-Shen thought? It was a pity, seeing as how pointless it was to be blindly guessing like this.

“Even if Leerin was less skilled than Mei-Shen, Mei-Shen had fantasized a comparison between the two of them.

In reality, their opponents were themselves.

But right now, was Leerin better or worse than Mei-Shen? The results were very clear: Leerin was superior.

Whether it was socializing or cooking, she was good at all of them. And on top of that she was very smart and beautiful.

Mei-Shen couldn’t find anything to say. What she wanted to say she was too shy to talk about. Doing things without others knowing was more like herself.

“The thing is, the only thing I can’t make are desserts. You’re really good, making it in such a short time!” said Leerin as she walked to the container that held the completed cake and stuck her finger into it, licking the cream.

“Tasty!”

Swaying with delight, a completely honest sound came from Leerin.

“I’m really pleased~”

Looking at the delighted Leerin, Mei-Shen couldn’t take it anymore. It was unbearable, thinking of how she took her fantasies of comparing herself and Leerin and used this opportunity to realize it, as well as her stupid actions when she first learnt of Leerin’s existence.

“I’m sorry!”

There was no prefix in her words as Mei-Shen lowered her head.

It was a little surprising when Mei-Shen did that with absolutely no hesitation.

Eh~~?

Even though she was apologized to, frankly, Leerin was still very perplexed.

Mei-Shen told Leerin how she had read her letter.

“Which letter!?” asked Leerin as a previously unseen dizzying blush of shyness tinged her cheeks.

She wasn’t angry. On this point, she was very similar to Layfon.

Even when she felt angry at other people’s actions, she didn’t know how to deal with such situations. She was like this in the orphanage. When she became the head chef at ten and started cooking, she watched the younger kids stirring up trouble everywhere. As a result, she naturally formed two differing personalities. That second personality did not oppose the character that she was born with, more accurately it was a distortion of the original. At critical points in time Leerin usually expressed her inner self, yet this time it did not occur.

In other words, she didn’t know how to be angry. This kind of unorthodox action, and to think that someone would actually cross that line of morality… Yet, when she met with these kinds of actions, she just couldn’t get angry. Leerin didn’t have a reaction more extreme than simply being embarrassed when she found out that someone had read her letter to Layfon.

Leerin understood what Mei-Shen did wasn’t usual. If one of the kids at the orphanage had peeked at other people’s letters, she guessed that she probably wouldn't have given a second thought about slapping them.

And also, Mei-Shen was apologizing for her actions.

Then should she slap her? Should she call her a despicable, disgraceful scum?

(Sigh~~)

In the end, she didn’t know what to do.

“Forget it.”

She had thought about it for a day and an age, and ended up saying that sentence. She wasn’t angry in the first place, and even if she were, she would have to let herself calm down.

Mei-Shen didn’t raise her head even after hearing those words.

“Even if I got angry at you in the heat of the moment, it would still leave many awkward complications,” said Leerin softly.

Mei-Shen finally lifted her head, with her eyes glistening with tears as they threatened to spill out.

“But…”

“Even though I’ll feel embarrassed… Ah… How should I say this?” Leerin thought about this for a minute, unable to find the words to make Mei-Shen understand.

“I suppose I would have done the same!” That’s the only way she could say it, because Leerin knew the reason why Mei-Shen had done such a thing.

(If their positions had been reversed)

One day, if she had received a letter from Mei-Shen to Layfon… She thought of this.

Putting whether or not she would actually read the letter aside, she knew that the temptation to do so would be hidden deeply within her heart.

Layfon didn’t notice, right? On multiple occasions towards her, as well as with many other people’s feelings towards him he was infallibly slow. This was one thing about him that never changed.

That personality of his was more than enough to warrant her chase from Grendan after him, yet she was unable to change it. Wasn’t it something that would be easily changed? “It seems like that would be the way it is,” sighed Leerin with resignation.

She could see a surprised light in Mei-Shen’s eyes.

“What did she think of her own position?” thought Leerin. Layfon’s lover? If it was like that... If it was like that, then if she came to Zuellni earlier, a little bit earlier then there probably wouldn’t be any problems like this.

And then, she wouldn’t know what she would do if she had read Mei-Shen’s name in a letter, or if she had read Nina’s (who was in the dining room) name, or what she would do if there was another girl’s name in the letter.

“…Leerin-chan”

“Mei-Shen-chan, what’s the matter?”

“Ah……”

Mei-Shen was drying her tears with a handkerchief.

“Is the cake ok?”

“Ah!”

Seeing a flustered Mei-Shen tripping towards the oven, peeking inside urgently, Leerin crossed her arms and laughed.

“Next up, I’ll wrap things up and finish the rest of the cooking in one go!”

Just what exactly am I doing?

Hiding that fragment of her heart, Leerin hummed a song as she baked the bread.

But she had made up her mind. She had decided to officially accept that short-term scholarship which she was so hesitant about after the exam.

<center>◇</center>

When all the food was placed on the tables within the dining hall and everything was prepared, the dorm head returned

“My apologies, I should have been the one cooking, yet I let a guest do it!” said the head.

“It’s ok; I’m already used to cooking!”

Mei-Shen noticed Leerin’s cautious reply.

“En? What’s wrong, Mei-chan?”

“Eh? No- nothing!” She hurriedly lowered her head, covering her blushing cheeks with her hands.

Mei-Shen thought that Leerin really was amazing.

If it were Mei-Shen, what would she have done? Would she have been angry? She probably wouldn’t be. No, she wouldn’t be angry. She thoroughly understood her own feeble personality. But keeping her composure while cursing the person behind her smiling facade was entirely possible.

Practically gazing at her dark thoughts, so shallow in her heart, irritated her.

But Leerin was different. She forgave her. She didn’t only forgive her with words, but also with all her heart.

Even if she wasn’t like this, she was still far ahead, without the slightest similarity with Mei-Shen. She was speaking with a smile. Speaking to her with that nickname which Mifi had thought up, her familiarity made it feel as if it was a dialogue between close friends.

Could she do such a thing?

No, she didn’t think she could.

The atmosphere of Leerin’s welcoming party was very warm and welcoming. Everyone was praising Leerin’s cooking, and Mei-Shen thought it was delicious was well.

How on earth did she manage to cook such a large variety of dishes in such a short time and make them taste delicious as well?

Leerin also lauded Mei-Shen’s cake. The cream did well to control the sweetness of the chocolate, all layered in the spongy cake. And Mei-Shen had decorated the dessert with many different fruits. What a pretty cake!

Seeing her taste Mei-Shen’s cake so eagerly, she felt really fortunate.

“Layfon isn’t here. I feel bad for the rest of the team that isn’t here too…”

“I understand.” Hearing Nina’s words, Leerin nodded.

“It really is a pity. I still wanted to ask him a couple of questions.” Mifi’s words were sincere.

“It doesn’t matter, really, seeing as tomorrow she’ll be a first year as well, so we’ll have many chances to trade stories later.”

“Ah…”

On the other side, Nina suddenly cried out.

“I forgot! Leerin, you’re a third year student!”

“Huh?”

Everyone on site was frozen with surprise.

“Your test results were extremely good. The student council president thought that it would be better for you if you went straight to the third year class. I’m guessing you’ll probably be in my class.”

Nina revealed the hidden meaning behind the student council president’s words.

“Wow~~! She skipped grades? This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this.”

“But it happens in schools in normal cities as well.”

However, with all the latest publications, information and technology absorbed into academy cities, skipping grades was a rare occurrence. The reason student’s didn’t have to specialize in any specific area between the grades one and three was to allow the students to learn what the schools consider basic knowledge that they selected to teach from its massive store of information.

But despite all these improbabilities, Leerin still skipped grades.

It was because she really was extremely capable.

“Well, you have to realize that short-term study periods are also taken into consideration when they decide to allow a student to skip grades. It would benefit a student more to learn things at a third year level compared to a first years, right?”

“If you put it like that, it seems more probable” said Leerin in response to Nina’s words.

Leerin’s quick understanding enforced Mei-Shen’s high regard for her.

She probably couldn’t catch up to her even if she worked hard.

Other than feeling slightly lonely, Mei-Shen thought that something else was amiss.

Of course, after returning to their dormitories, she would still feel angry about Mifi leaving so quickly.

<center>◇</center>

…and today, she arrived here.

(What to do?)

Layfon was sleeping, and apart from the two of them, there was nobody else in the room.

It was a personal room.

A single room.

(Uuwaaaahh…)

Mei-Shen cried out loudly within her heart, extremely nervous, feeling herself perspiring heavily.

(No, wait a moment, you. Don’t forget your purpose. What did you come here for today?)

She has to control herself, she must.

Yes,… she came here today because of Mifi. She…

“Do your best and ask Layfon out on a date. Do whatever you can! In the face of superiority in terms of time spent together, the happy times you’ve shared will be wiped away in the blink of an eye! So right now, you can’t stop!”

Because she said it like that.

In the dormitory, Mei-Shen realized couldn’t beat Leerin at cooking. The result made Mifi resentful, seeing as how she was already helping Mei-Shen.

Mei-Shen felt that way as well, and she thought that being dishonest wasn’t ok either.

She wanted to be more honest.

For this, if she didn’t experience it with her own body, she wouldn’t understand.

For this, she promised to go on a date.

Layfon, he would probably accept it. It had to be a time when Layfon had no other appointments. Over here, all the military artists were preparing for the celebrations for the Military Art’s victory, and were extremely busy. She didn’t know when he would have time.

But Layfon probably didn’t have any special feelings towards Mei-Shen, and his attitude towards the date would probably be one of going out with a friend to have some fun.

That was the biggest problem. His slowness in that area.

(It was probably impossible today. The nurse had said that he probably wouldn’t wake up before midnight.)

Yes, even if it was like that, Mei-Shen still understood Mifi’s point. Then it was probably okay to just leave the get-better gifts and leave… right?

But…

Layfon, lying over there in a vulnerable position you could never see normally.

He had slept in class before.

He had slept on the lawn outside the library as well.

But if you spoke to him he would get up immediately. Because Layfon was Military Artist, even though she didn’t know if he was a very strong one, she had never seen him off-guard when dealing with anyone.

When he is sleeping…

Yeah…

So she wanted to do something.

So a strange feeling took root in her heart.

“Ennn…”

Layfon turned over sleep talking, causing Mei-Shen to hold her breath. But he didn’t make any other actions, sleeping on.

Even if he was a Military artist he couldn’t resist the force of sleeping pills.

If she were to do it, this was her only chance.

This kind of chance couldn’t possibly appear again. If she thought of it like this, if she didn’t do it now she would never have another chance at it ever again.

Even the timid Mei-Shen thought so. This idea possessed her, forcing her to think this way. A single room, two people together alone, her own feelings, Leerin… the results of various thoughts made her unable to even think of backing away.

(Wait, just wait a little longer.)

Her rationality was screaming out at her earlier. But her mind was already overflowing with thoughts. She didn’t feel cold but her warm shoulders and hands were shaking uncontrollably.

But her body was thirsting for it.

(Uuuuu…)

She had already decided to come clean.

She realized that she was going to do a despicable thing to a sleeping person.
But… but… but…

(Uuu…)

She stood up, leaning close to the bed.

Layfon slept on regardless, his face serene with both eyes closed, breathing calmly.

She placed her face close to his and brushed back her hair.

She felt Layfon’s breath tickle her cheek.

She moved slowly.

(Wait… Wait just a bit more.)

Her silliness, her shyness were all suppressed by her singular desire. The desire to bend a little lower. The only obstacle to sating that desire was that tiny resisting thought of “he’s still sleeping.”

Had Leerin watched him like this ever since childhood?

She gazed at him, gazed at him unblinkingly. Mei-Shen half-opened her mouth, words caught endlessly within.

“Leerin.”

The resisting thought.

(It’s ok, right?)

Even though she still had her doubts, it was too late to stop now.

(… … … … En)

It was a gentle warmth, and in a moment, the two people touched each other.

It was a forced contact.

Mei-Shen was overcome by all sorts of emotions and driven by them, she fled the sick room.

Layfon, left behind…

“I’ve already had plenty of red vegetables!” His sleep talk was undisturbed.

In this room which wasn’t “cold or baleful”, those words quickly spread out and vanished.

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Talk:Chrome Shelled Regios:Names and Terminology Guideline

2010-07-02T19:48:08Z

72.231.23.77: 2 questions

== 2 questions ==

1) "Katana" or "katana"? It's not a proper noun, so I prefer katana.

2) "Riggzario" is used throughout the translations in Chrome Shelled Regios, e.g. "Riggzario Belief". Under Legend Of Regios however, is listed "Dominio Rigzario" and it's being translated using that. Which is correct?

Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume8 Epilogue

2010-07-02T19:40:14Z

72.231.23.77:

===Epilogue===

She seriously couldn’t stand him…

On her way back to her accommodations at Zuellni, Leerin repeated this silently to herself again and again. Because it was going to be a long time before the next roaming bus arrived, there was nearly nobody staying here, and the hotel had a very empty feel to it.

“What are you talking about, ‘very cheap’? No matter how slow you are, there’s gotta be a limit. Do you want to participate in the Slowness World Series?

Leerin angrily grumbled to herself as she placed her luggage beside the bed and just lay like that on the bed.

She was alone now.

It wasn’t because she hadn’t lived alone for a long time, it was just that it felt like she had been suddenly thrown into a silent world, and it brought Leerin an empty feeling.

It really had been a hectic day. With the help of Savaris she had managed to cross two fighting cities and reunite with Layfon.

If she were to describe it with words, it would only take a sentence or two, but she had experienced a really long day. On her way here on the roaming, bus crossing paths with filth monsters, she realized for the first time how terrifying their existence was.

There was no other way that any other city had a group of Military Artists such as the Heaven’s Blade Successors with such immense power. Nor were they blessed with the leader of the Heaven’s Blade Successors: the Queen. That’s why, in comparison to other cities, filth monsters weren’t really a big issue. That’s why, destruction was more likely for the other cities; at least that’s what people who lived in cities without Heaven’s Blade Successors said.

But as she thought about Layfon standing on the battlefield, her feelings suddenly became complicated.

But as she had never seen Layfon being injured as much as this time before, perhaps it was true that other cities were even more dangerous than Grendan.

Leerin continually pondered this question. Was it more dangerous in other cities or in Grendan… Whichever one was actually more dangerous was of little consequence, as this question swirling though Leerin’s head was unimportant.

That was just a buffer of sorts.

A necessary buffer for her to accept reality.

“……………”

Wriggling silently on her bed, she reached into her luggage bag with one hand.

As she touched what she wanted, she tugged it out of the bag. It was a wooden box wrapped up in a cloth. It was something very important that her adoptive father had entrusted to her.

It was to be given to the Psyharden successor, a katana Dite.

It was the proof of her adoptive father’s forgiveness, the proof of her adoptive father’s apology.

It was also the proof of the bond between them.

“I still haven’t given it to him yet.”

It wasn’t that she was too busy and forgot to give it to him. But Leerin couldn’t just give it to Layfon like that.

Maybe he would be so happy that he would start crying.

If Layfon started crying, what would she do? Would she be happy as well? Of course. But, that’s not the only thing she would feel…

“It really is a mess, eh?”

Her eyes turned a little warm. There was something rising up from her throat.

They would probably start crying together.

But, she didn’t want to start crying with him. She couldn’t say to him, “Isn’t this great?”

Because, before that, there were other things that she wanted to say.

“I’m so happy that Layfon’s safe.”

She was alone in this room. A place where nobody could hear anything, where Layfon couldn’t hear her, where nobody else could hear her.

And so, she couldn’t bear it any more.

“I’m so happy…” said Leerin openly, her wrists covering up eyes that were overflowing with tears.

Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume9 Chapter2

2010-07-02T19:38:23Z

72.231.23.77:

===Chapter 2 - Enemy===

The information arrived yesterday morning.

Delbone’s power of psychokinesis could almost discover any nearby filth monsters one week before the city came across their paths. However, this time the filth monsters had an excellent ability to search out their enemies.

“Then what about their fighting power?” Cauntia squinted happily as she stood on the edge of Grendan. Her waist long white hair fluttered in the strong wind. She wore the long coat that only a Heaven’s Blade Successor was given. The coat covered her body and cut her off from the pollutants in the air. The coat was surprisingly light, allowing her to move freely in it. As such, the coat fully revealed her delicate body. Her waist was high and her arms and legs were long. Only the word “grand” could be used to describe this body. She held a large weapon that had a long and thick handle and a wide and big blade. The head of a dragon decorated the place connecting the blade and the handle, as if the blade was about to shoot flame. The Green Dragon Crescent Moon Sabre, this was her weapon. It was a huge weapon with imposing pressure that was alleviated by the small charm decorating the blade.

“Aren’t you anticipating this with excitement?” she turned around, her red painted lips revealing the joy in her. A scar from her forehead to her chin cut through her beautiful face. She smiled like a little girl.

“Your presence is too heavy.”

Contrary to Cauntia, a calm face met her gaze. That person stood alone and he was only half as tall as Cauntia. However, his head, eyes, mouth, nose were all big in proportion. His arms and legs were short, giving off a feeling as of a kid being magnified. His skin was smooth and his face was round like a sticky rice cake.

“What’s it, Reverse? You’re as down as ever.”

“This is war. Of course my feeling is heavy.”

Cauntia put her hands on her hips and sighed at his timid attitude. “We can never come to a consensus at this point. Why can’t you listen to my opinion at times?”

“That means you’ll have to agree to my opinion.”

Silence.

“Impossible!” said both at the same time.

Cauntia laughed, Reverse smiled without hesitation.

“But, don’t worry. I’ll protect you,” he said in a small voice.

Unable to suppress herself, she gave him a hug and put her lips on his reddened cheek.

“Then let’s observe today’s prey,” she said as if speaking to her love.

Both were Heaven’s Blade Successors put in the same group. They were now strengthening their vision to confirm their prey. An unusual thing that was the size of a lion was closing in on Grendan from 30 Jimels away.

“It’s given up its wings.”

“It looks quite old.”

The things on the lion’s back had become two small hills. This filth monster was in a matured phase. It was massive enough to give up its wings since flying took up lots of strength.

“It’s worth hunting down,” Cauntia said, licking her lips.

Reverse’s shoulders shook. “It looks powerful, and it looks hard.”

“I don’t mean that. How far can we cut it down? Hohoho, this feels like usual, but different from the time when we took our first filth monster. Compared to giving it the last push, this is so much more boring. Anyway, this is just a job.”

“I was tense at first too.”

The filth monster dashed towards Grendan, shortening the distance in shocking speed. The feeling of distance crumbled with a closer look.

“Let’s get rid of it with our usual combo,” she said lightly.

Reverse gave a stiff nod. The two of them put on their helmets and readied their fighting stances. Cauntia confirmed the part connecting Reverse’s helmet to his armour. The design of his coat differed from hers. Plates of alloys covered several parts of the coat. The coat and the helmet made him look like a metallic doll. Even Military Artists would find it hard to move with that weight on them.

High speed was the best strategy. Reverse’s equipment didn’t seem appropriate in a life and death fight against filth monsters. On the contrary, Cauntia’s light equipment seemed more suitable. However, the female Heaven’s Blade’s equipment wasn’t the best at defense. The destruction of the surroundings during a fight could cause scattering stones and rocks to tear apart the coat. Pollutants would enter the body once the protective coat was damaged, and that pain, though tolerable psychologically, would bring down movement speed. And a Military Artist whose movements slowed down would face death. Either he died by the filth monster’s hand, or he died on the way back to the city, his body eaten up by pollutants.

However, Reverse and Cauntia were Reverse and Cauntia. That was why they were given permission to wear such gear. He focused on defense and she focused on the offensive. These equipments were specially made to cater for their combination.

“Don’t worry, I’ll always protect you.”

They gazed at each other. Cauntia smiled a bitter smile.

“Thanks. I can do my best because you’re here.”

“Same here.”

Their interaction showed they knew each other very well. This was a special combination among Heaven’s Blades. The two of them walked their own paths but were able to perfectly cater for each other.

“Then let’s begin the hunt.”

“Come.”

They entered the battlefield. Just the two of them, as before.

<center>◇</center>

Why am I….

Felli felt her present situation was unreasonable. Why did her stomach hurt so much?

It had been one week since that event. Layfon was unhappy in this one week. He and Leerin had a huge fight after he refused to accept the box. It was shocking at first. Felli and Nina never thought Leerin, who was gently persuading him to accept the box would suddenly turn rough. By the time Nina and Felli came to their senses, it was too late to stop the fight. There was no room for them to put in a word. They could only listen with a feeling that they shouldn’t be there, and then they watched Leerin run away in anger.

So Nina ran after Leerin and Felli ran after Layfon. That couldn’t be helped, since they lived in different areas.

Layfon waited for her, and they walked to the next tram station in silence. She felt that she had to stand by his side, and she wanted that too, but Layfon was wrong this time. Leerin…… She took the long and dangerous journey to come to Zuellni. Perhaps all students in here would criticize Layfon about this, since everyone had once sat on the small and narrow roaming bus, facing the danger of being attacked anytime by filth monsters.

But that wasn’t the problem. All students came here for themselves, no matter how different their purposes were. Leerin was different. She came here for Layfon’s sake, yet he failed to express any gratitude.

Felli’s feelings leaned towards Leerin, and she didn’t feel unhappy with that. Layfon was in the wrong, and what Leerin said was right. In that case, she had to do something about this. Leerin wanted Felli and Nina to listen too so they could judge the situation. As a normal person, she wanted Military Artists, such as Felli and Nina, to be the judge in this matter. The two of them knew Layfon as fellow Military Artists.

Felli felt Leerin was right.

“This isn’t Grendan!” Leerin had confirmed his point again and again in the fight.

Felli thought she was right but Layfon didn’t want to hear it. He kept saying this was his punishment, so he couldn’t accept it.

Leerin was here so to allow him to accept that box. But……..

“Then I’m leaving first,” he said and closed the door of the training room.

The members left in the room sighed as they heard his footsteps retreat further away.

Ahhh, her stomach hurt. She put her hand on her stomach.

“………. His mood hasn’t changed,” Harley said, tired.

Sharnid had already left. At first, everyone was worried, but now they felt tired of the situation.

“I never thought he could get mad like that,” Nina said.

“He always thought it’s his punishment. Since she’s nailed him, even he would turn stubborn,” Dalshena sighed. “Compared to that, that guy’s been hiding such strength….. Geez, unbelievable.”

“But I don’t think he’ll turn so much more powerful if he uses a Katana,” Harley responded. He pointed at the terminal which showed the data of Layfon’s three Dites: Safiadite, Shimu Adamandite, Adamandite.

“Forget his movements when using a weapon. There shouldn’t be much difference just on the qualities of the sword and a Katana.”

“What do you mean?” Nina asked.

“Of course, a Katana’s cut path is more prominent but we can’t say a sword can’t cut as well as a Katana, since technology is improving,” he showed the cut path on the screen. “But Layfon is more suited to using a Katana. That’s Kiriku’s opinion. His moves are all variations of the Katana technique. And by using a Katana, he can maximize his power in his basic moves. The damages on the Shimu Adamandite would be less than on the sword, and that’s probably the same for his body.”

“Um……….”

Nina’s expression turned heavy at what Harley said: the burden on the body.

“But I heard that he became a Heaven’s Blade Successor at age 10. He stopped using the Katana at that time, maybe his body’s grown used to handling a sword?” Dalshena said.

“Perhaps,” Harley said. “I’m not a doctor so I can’t say much. But looking from the viewpoint of a technician, a Katana suits him better. He wouldn’t have to force himself and shoulder any additional burden. The data here proves it,” he pressed a key on the keyboard.

Sword and Katana. Felli didn’t know the difference between them. As a psychokinesist, it was natural to use the staff Dite. She had no other choice. Even so, the difference in the shape of the flakes could affect the conductivity of psychokinesis and the movement of the flake in the air current. Though she wasn’t too keen in the fights, she often requested adjustments for the Dite so she could use the weapon freely.

“He doesn’t seem to care much about the adjustments of the Dite. I don’t mean he’s too confident in his own strength though. He remembers the exact data for the Steel Threads setting.”

“Is that so?” Nina said, surprised.

“Yes, as expected, he’s only like this when it comes to the sword. He doesn’t care much about the Dite that would mean life and death for him. He’s probably the exception among so many Military Artists.”

“Um………”

Felli cocked her head at Nina’s unusual movement.

“I……. I don’t have anything to complain about my Dite,” Nina said, about to sweat from agitation.

Harley gave her a bitter smile. “Of course, my dad and I have always been looking after your Dite.”

<center>◇</center>

“Harley, do you like the Captain?” Felli asked, holding a mop.

“What!?” he said in a high-pitched voice.

Felli was in charge of cleaning today. After vacuuming the place, she took up the mop and started brushing the floor. She asked Harley the question as she felt something from him in the conversation. He had been humming while tidying the equipment.

The two of them were alone.

“You, what did you say?”

The equipment fell everywhere. Harley looked at her in shock as if he was about to fall too.

“I felt it from the conversation.”

“Aaa…….. I suppose,” he admitted.

His unexpectedly honest admission surprised her.

“Ah, but that was in the past. It doesn’t mean anything now.”

“Is that so?”

“She was my first love. Well, she was the most beautiful in all the girls that I knew. Now she’s got short hair, but her hair was long back then. And she was dressed like a lady. None of the girls back then could catch up to her. You can say that was my first time understanding the charm of females.”

“It feels like you’re deliberately complicating the explanation and hiding something.”

“Wu.”

“You really don’t feel anything now?”

“Yes. I can’t feel from her what I felt before. We’re just childhood friends.”

“Really.”

“Perhaps not. Either way, we’ve been together for a long time. Forget that we’re different in gender. I got used to her because of the long time, or you can say that I don’t want to see her other side.”

“Then……….”

“I don’t want to treat her from the angle of a male. It’s different from that of a lover. But I don’t despise Nina because she’s female.”

“Ha……….” She nodded, half understanding what he said. This was what childhood friends were like.

“Though I don’t know what others think, Nina is like that. I’m used to the present Nina. I find it hard to accept, thinking of the Nina acting all lady-like in front of her boyfriend.”

“… Meaning you aren’t gonna improve your relationship with her?”

“That’s the way it is with a boy girl relationship. As a friend, Military Artist or Dite technician, then that relationship doesn’t matter.”

Was this feeling special for Harley, or did it apply to all childhood friends? Felli didn’t understand since she didn’t have one.

“Not good enough for research purpose.”

Nina and Harley, Layfon and Leerin. They were all childhood friends with each other but their personalities were different? Felli didn’t know what Layfon thought of it, but she knew Leerin wanted to have a relationship that goes beyond that of childhood friends. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come all the way to Zuellni. And Felli felt that she herself had lost on this point alone.

If it was she herself, she wouldn’t have done it. Would she have take on a dangerous journey for the sake of another person? She probably wouldn’t have chased after him. She would have stayed home and prayed for his safe return.

She had lost to Leerin just by thinking like that even though she didn’t want to admit it. Even though she didn’t want to feel sad, even though she didn’t want to admit she had lost.

“….. Forget that though,” she said to herself as she headed home alone.

She couldn’t leave the matter as it was. She must do something, but what? Should she help alleviate that stiffness between them first? But that wouldn’t help with reaching Leerin’s goal. She must do something to resolve Leerin’s problem. Besides, Harley had just said something that bothered her.

“Ah, yes. There might be one more reason why Layfon doesn’t care much about the setting of the Dite,” Harley said, embarrassed by the conversation about Nina and so said something else to divert her.

“What?”

“Layfon had tried the Katana in here and destroyed it. It wasn’t a good Dite since I just made it quickly.”

“Ha……”

“But the investigation on the Dite shows Layfon had used too much Kei than usual. I think he couldn’t control it because he was using Karenkei.”

She didn’t understand what he meant.

“Meaning the usual Layfon pays attention to the level of Kei he uses. It’s not just the sword or the Katana. He isn’t used to the material that made the Dite, so the Adamandite probably wouldn’t have worked.”

Harley thought to himself that Layfon’s result had fueled the research students’ enthusiasm on researching new materials. Layfon was such a monster. And that had added a few more questions on the Heaven’s Blade that a Heaven’s Blade Successor used.

“Really, what should I do?” Felli sighed deeply.

Someone was also sighing right now. The creepy sound of vegetables chopping in the kitchen made Nina hard to sit still. Leerin was making dinner. She had taken charge of the kitchen since she moved in, and Serina, the person in charge of the dormitory had then reduced Leerin’s rent.

Anyway, Leerin was now alone in the kitchen. Though Nina wanted to say something, she felt it hard to approach the other girl for now. She paced near the door. She didn’t feel that Leerin was wrong, but she understood Layfon at the same time.

Layfon refused to use the Katana so he wouldn’t taint his adopted father’s skill. He hadn’t once abandoned that decision since he was exiled from Grendan. But Leerin came here because his adopted father had forgiven him, and that feeling shouldn’t be ignored.

Layfon was unbelievable. He grew up under terrible circumstances, yet he possessed a strength that Nina didn’t have. And he fought with a reason that she didn’t agree with. The pain he endured didn’t come from the fights with filth monsters or the pressure of becoming a Heaven’s Blade Successor. That pain came from his feeling of betraying the orphanage. What did he feel when he was exposed to face everyone’s reproach? Was he disappointed that they didn’t understand him? Or was he angry? And how did Leerin think?

“What’re you doing?”

Leerin had already prepared everything. Her speed in cooking even surprised Serina.

“Ah, no….. Well……..”

“Still thinking of that?” she said with a stiff expression. She was forcing herself to smile.

“Um.”

“What should I do with him? That moron……..”

Anger and frustration pierced Leerin’s words.

“I think he has his reason.”

“I know that.”

Nina helped her lay out the eating utensils. Feuda was in her own room, studying or reading books. She always forgot her meals. Serina had written on the board that she’d return late, so they prepared three sets of utensils tonight. Nina placed the large bowl of salad in the middle of the table and went to bring out another dish. Leerin reheated the bread she made in the morning, put it in a basket and took the basket to the table.

“But Layfon……”

“Leerin?”

Leerin swayed and fell to a side. Nina let go of the wok to support her. The wok fell onto the floor and the basket of bread rolled off the table.

“Leerin?”

It felt like she had lost all her strength. Blood had drained from her face, so white a face that it looked as if she was about to die. She panted.

“Leerin?” Nina shouted.

Leaving the kitchen to Feuda, Nina took Leerin to the hospital. Looking at the other girl, sleeping with a drip in her arm, a feeling rushed inside her, propelling Nina to run out of the hospital.

Layfon needed a stronger power.

She had been thinking of something since leaving Leerin in Myath. Savaris was here. Grendan had sent over a Heaven’s Blade to take over the Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang. It would be the best for Nina, Karian and anyone else if the Haikizoku could be retrieved without hurting anyone. No, it was all right even if she was to sacrifice herself. However, Savaris seemed to have another purpose here. He wanted to fight Layfon. Why? Because Layfon was an obstacle? Or because…… Layfon needed to become stronger.

Nina had been worrying since Leerin arrived. Would it be today, or tomorrow……… That thought had stayed in her mind for three months. Time had calmed her heart, but uneasiness still remained.

A Military Artist who had enough strength to match Layfon’s had come from Grendan. Nina didn’t have the confidence he could win. He needed to become stronger, but she didn’t know how to help him. How could she help him get stronger when he was stronger than her? He didn’t start from zero. He had already reached 100. The present Nina was like someone at 10 and thinking of how to reach 100. She should probably tell him the event.

But how should she reply if he asked why she didn’t tell him earlier? Tell him she was reminded in a dream not to say it? Tell him what she encountered in Myath? She felt unfair that she got caught in this event. She wanted to share it with someone and talked over it with him or her, but if she did that, then that other person would become involved.

She couldn’t do that.

How could she obtain his forgiveness when that time came? She chose not to tell him because she didn’t know how it would turn out between them, especially with Layfon. How could she get him involved when he didn’t want to fight? But………

Nina pressed the button. The lift took her into the ground where Zuellni’s Mechanical Department was. She didn’t have work today. The people working here greeted her, and she returned the greeting as she searched for Layfon. Since the city had moved into the tropics, the Mechanical Department was hot. Just walking in it was enough to make her sweat.

Right, he was here working close to the central location. Right now, he was standing, holding a mop and forgetting himself.

“Layfon.”

“Eh?” he looked at the direction of the voice. “Captain? What’s it?”

“Leerin’s fainted.”

“…. Eh?” he said, confused.

“She must have fainted from the exhaustion in the long journey and her inability to adapt to the new environment. She’s in the hospital.”

“Right,” his body shook, his face green, but he didn’t head straight for the hospital.

“Not going?”

“I…….”

“Why can’t you accept it?” she felt him hesitating because of the box.

“You heard it too. I betrayed my father. How can I accept it?”

“Is that really it?”

“Yes.”

“Not because you’re still angry? Till now……..”

“How could I. There’s no such thing!”

The handle of the mop broke in his hand. His shrill voice echoed in the Mechanical Department and gradually faded. His hands still shook.

“You’re saying this because you don’t know! Father did so much for us………”

“Then why are you ignoring his feeling?”

Emotions shouldn’t govern his actions. Particularly not in this situation. Leerin probably knew that too. But she said those words back then because she felt strongly about it. She had been holding that feeling in the journey to Zuellni.

“Your adopted father has realized his mistake. But why can’t you accept him? Aren’t you ignoring his feeling?”

“That……. Of course I know that,” he looked at the ground.

Nina reached out her hand. “I want you to become strong.”

“Captain.”

“I don’t know what you’ll choose, but if you’re not returning to Grendan and want to stay a Military Artist for a while longer, I want you to become strong. Leerin’s right, this isn’t Grendan. I can’t support you from behind. At present, I can’t catch up with you.”

“……….” He seemed to want to say something.

Nina saw defeat in his eyes. Why did he lose?

(What?)

She felt shocked after looking at his eyes.

(What…….)

Why did he look like he’d been abandoned?

“Layfon….. I……”

“Captain, you……” Instead of saying more, he sped past her.

“Wait!?”

But he didn’t stop, and she didn’t chase after him. The broken handle of the mop was left behind on the floor.

<center>◇</center>

“Wu!”

Gorneo kneeled down at the heavy impact of the fist. The time was deep into the night. No one was using the Training Complex. Light spilled out from the training ground of the 5th platoon.

“Too naïve. I thought training outside can improve your naivety. Is this all you can do!”

Gorneo curled into a ball, as if to vomit the pain in his stomach, but no mercy came from that voice.

“I’m not yet……..” he said, a spasm working into his throat.

“Yes, yes. Show me your endurance.”

He pushed himself up to face his own brother – Savaris Qaulafin Luckens. Why was his brother here?

Gorneo was confused when Savaris suddenly appeared in his room. Grendan’s Heaven’s Blade Successors shouldn’t have left the city. But Savaris was here to capture the Haikizoku. How foolish. It was only a rumour that a Haikizoku could realize a Military Artist’s dream. Such an elite Military Artist actually left Grendan for a rumor……. But Savaris then explained it to him.

“This is the Queen’s order.”

In that case, he could only believe what Savaris said, believe in the Queen’s words. He believed and accepted it even though he was doubtful. And that was what a Queen’s existence was like. Consequently, understanding filtered through him now that he believed – about the report of the 17th platoon in the ruined city, the 10th platoon being suddenly disbanded, the doubts over the platoon matches, the appearance of the Mercenary Gang, Zuellni’s loss of control. Had these all to do with the Haikizoku? If so, then the Haikizoku was poison to the city, particularly if it was related to Zuellni’s rampage.

Could it be…….

Grendan continued to drift in danger zones. Was it because it had a Haikizoku? Why did the Queen want it? But………

It had been three months since the last meeting with his brother.

“Come. How long do you plan to keep swaying?”

What had his brother been doing in three months?

He stood up, panting as he watched Savaris. That smile was the same as the smile in Grendan, but he could see it had turned older. Gorneo had been in Zuellni for five years now. It wasn’t strange for his brother to have grown older. Savaris probably thought the same.

No, it was easier to say Savaris had forgotten the brother he had five years ago. However, in these three months, Gorneo’s brother would train him from time to time. He would come once every 2-3 days or he wouldn’t show up for a whole week. He never told him what he did in these three months. Savaris was probably sleeping in the roaming bus of the Mercenary Gang. Layfon and Haia had a duel in the last Military Arts Competition, as if something had planned for them to fight. Was that to do with Savaris too? So he wanted to fight Layfon?

“Please keep at it. I plan to make you a teacher if you return.”

“What!?” Gorneo said, speechless.

“I think you should be able to inherit father’s name since you’ve had five years of experience.”

“Hang on. Being a teacher……… There should be people stronger than me. Like Parsen and Denet. And if it’s to inherit the Luckens…….”

“Those two are teachers already, and half of the teachers you knew were already dead.”

“How……..”

Savaris told him their death in a frank and refreshing manner. Just like the time when he told him of Gahard’s death without considering his feelings.

“Geez, death is one split moment no matter how long we train. We live in a world of a moment.”

“Brother.”

“Well, in a sense, that’s happiness too.”

A shiver ran down Gorneo’s spin as he watched his brother. Savaris…….. his brother…… this creature……… he had always watched the world in a different light. As if he had returned to the Savaris in Grendan. Everyone looked at the Heaven’s Blade Successor, Savaris, with respect. But not Gorneo, who watched him with fear. Every time he looked at his brother, he felt that he was watching a monster, and uneasiness and fear filled him.

“Brother!” he said in a loud voice to cover up the trembling in himself. “It’s natural that you would inherit the Luckens Military Arts.”

“That can’t be done. I’m not interested in females.”

“What!?”

“Aaa, that doesn’t mean I’m interested males. I just don’t have much of a concept with sex. I haven’t done a check up, but I probably can’t produce the next generation. How can someone who can’t produce the next generation take over the Luckens’ name?”

What should he say to an older brother like that?

“So I can only fight. I can only feel good in fights. Aa, so boring! Why is Layfon so lazy? I was so looking forward to it and thought the Haikizoku would get out of control. I thought I can see the power that I once saw in Grendan,” he watched the sky.

“So boring! So peaceful! Damn! Isn’t there a place that is more exciting than Grendan? Was that why Lintence came to Grendan?”

Gorneo didn’t understand why he was angry. Savaris wanted to fight something powerful, and it did not matter whether it was a human or a filth monster. He remained the same as when he was in Grendan. Other Military Artists would think this was a Heaven’s Blade Successor’s wish to improve and become stronger, and that was why he was special in their eyes. But it was hard for Gorneo to live with him as part of the family. Though he knew a Military Artist should become strong, this level of a wish was too much. So he feared his brother.

Savaris’s gaze fell. He must have tidied his emotions now. “So for that purpose, you must at least learn the 72 techniques. We’ll leave the others later. As for the secret of it… well, try your hardest to feel it with your body.”

Gorneo readied his fighting stance after regulating his breathing.

“You’ll take that girl with you when you return to Grendan, right?”

“Eh?”

Shante’s shadow surfaced as he was releasing his Kei.

“An opening!”

Savaris’ fist landed on his brother’s nose.

<center>◇</center>

The helmet fell and shattered as it touched the ground. Shocked by the sound of fury in the air, the medical team of Grendan stood numb, their mission forgotten.

Strong gust of Kei whipped her long hair around her. Unbelievable cracks spidered across the concrete floor beneath her feet, proof of the Kei released from Cauntia. Blood flowed from her mouth.

Wearing the heavy armor, Reverse heard her tooth break. She must have gritted her teeth too hard.

“I actually……..” she moaned, and spit out the broken tooth.

Her coat was heavily damaged. The first high speed attack had split its seams. The second and the third attacks tore the coat further apart. The thin protective coat made to protect against pollutants while allowing maximum movement had its strength drastically reduced. This was of course, as expected. On the contrary, a normal coat would restrict the freedom of movements.

Cauntia’s Kei wasn’t used to defend.

Her fight had a limit of ten attacks. Her coat would be completely destroyed once she went over that limit. Right now, parts of her body were exposed. Pollutants burnt her skin. The medical team was here to treat her, but they couldn’t approach due to the Kei surrounding her.

“Cauntia………. Cauntia, it’s enough. It’s already finished.”

Reverse strode straight up to her despite her Kei crashing against his hard armour.

“Finished?” she looked at him with widened eyes. Fury filled her blood-shot eyes. “What’s finished? The battle? Or the meaning of my existence?”

“Cauntia.”

“Or is that I, for failing the battle, no longer have the right to be a Heaven’s Blade Successor?”

“Cauntia!” he held her hand.

“We already won.”

“We didn’t. We didn’t hunt it down!”

Her hand shook. Was it from anger or reproach? Her tendency to attack affected not only others, but herself too.

“We didn’t take it down but it won’t come near Grendan anymore. That means we’re done, because we’ve guarded Grendan.”

“This…..!!” she swallowed her anger. His genuine eyes had taken away her fury.

“Wu, wu, wu…..!!” she moaned. Kei stopped flooding out. The medical team rushed to her and began treatment.

“Thanks,” someone said to Reverse as he watched the medical team take Cauntia to the hospital.

This someone was as tall as Cauntia.

Reverse lifted his head. “Troiatte, is something the matter?”

“The old woman said that guy’s already escaped. It wouldn’t be good for that to become a lie.”

Reverse sighed in relief. He made up what he said to Cauntia back then. There weren’t any evidences to back up his statement.

“I was to come here as insurance, but it doesn’t look like I can catch up to it. Barmelin should probably have a way to do that. She was making quite a fuss before this too.”

The elimination of the intruders in the Inner Count had left her some bad memories, and she had shut herself in her home since then.

“Lintence holds no interest in an enemy that has fled. But he’s given that guy a name.”

Given a name to the filth monster that had fled Grendan.

“Yes, the enemy is strong,” Reverse nodded, remembering how the humungous monster had sustained zero injuries. He had taken the filth monster’s attack with its sharp teeth to protect Cauntia.

“That doesn’t sound convincing, coming from you.”

“That… That can’t be.”

“Well, you’re Grendan’s most prided knight.”

A commotion in the direction where Cauntia had disappeared to.

“Look, the princess is calling for her knight.”

“Ah, yes, well then………..” he made a bow to Troiatte and stumbled away in a run.

The handsome man squinted at Reverse. “Ah~~ I also want a lover. I’m already tired of what’s limited to a bed.”

He cocked his head. “No, that can’t be my fault, right?”

He left the scene, thinking his conclusion was quite foolish.

<noinclude>
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| Back to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios:Volume9_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios:Volume9_Chapter3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume9 Prologue

2010-07-02T19:35:29Z

72.231.23.77: there is nothing to be benefited by...

===Prologue===

So hot.

Such a foul smell.

“So annoying,” Barmelin complained. Her voice echoed and gradually faded. The thick pipe next to her was happily operating. Barmelin’s height wasn’t something she was proud to show in front of others. The pipe was much bigger than her body and its inside continued to exude heat. Thanks to that, it was still extremely hot to walk on the cleaner path next to it. Even the water was hot. Water for the living passed through this pipe before being purified. Because of the heat, the bacteria was having a blast multiplying in the pipe, and as such, the smell was much sharper than usual.

“I’m so unlucky…” she said. The smell entering through her mouth made her frown. Even so, she brushed away the tree roots blocking her and continued her walk.

Why was she even doing this?

That question had already been kicked flying away.

This was the Queen’s order, and that meant everything. The Queen’s command was beyond all unreasonable things in this city. Before her words, all of Grendan’s citizens had to obey. There was no other way. That was what it meant to be a Queen.

So Barmelin had to obey the Queen. Even though she thought other people were more suited to this job than her, she could only obey the Queen’s order. Besides, she thought it was wonderful to play scissors, paper, rock. No matter how powerful one was, she had a chance of losing in this game.

(Why did I have to make it paper at that time…)

Barmelin hated herself. She knew from that fight with Cauntia, the idiot who ambushed her, the idiot who had part of her chest cut away from the wind pressure would decide on scissors…

She had already played scissors so many times…….

“Scissors, paper, rock.” In the end, Barmelin chose paper. She knew Cauntia had a sly smile on her face at that moment. Her smile had put doubt in her heart, and so she changed her decision to scissors.

So she became the loser dog.

“Go die, you ambushing idiot.”

And everyone else just go die as well.

Barmelin kept moving forward as she cursed and swore. The weapon harness hanging from her waist made a “saasaa” noise. In it were a number of Dites, and chains served as decoration on her clothes. Her face was very pale. No one knew whether it was because of the makeup or if her health was bad. Her short hair was naturally black. Her lips were painted blue, and black color circled her eyes. No one was probably more suitable than her to the phrase of “having the aura of the underworld”.

Barmelin? Reverse? Delbone?

She was also one of the great Heaven’s Blade Successors. There was a reason behind it.

The sun was close. Sunlight heated her head. In the middle of the courtyard, Alsheyra supported her big hat with a hand as she lifted her head to look at the sun.

“So hot.”

The city had entered the tropics. Though the air shield had reduced some of the sun’s heat, it was difficult to dispel the heat that had entered the city. The heat was gaseous and this situation couldn’t be helped. The air shield was created to enable a sealed space.

“How long has it been since we last had summer?”

Alsheyra complained on the hammock. This was the most ventilated place. The wind blowing past here blew away the sweat on her feet.

“It’s been five years,” Kanaris said beside her.

“This is the war period. There might be other cities around.”

Usually, Grendan moved in spring and winter areas. A large part of the year was in spring, and the rest was spent in winter. It wouldn’t enter a summer area. When summer arrived, it meant Grendan was moving in an area it didn’t usually enter.

“So troublesome…I’m sure there's nothing to be benefited by coming here.”

Filth monsters were unusually numerous in Grendan’s path. Hence, normal Regios wouldn’t go near Grendan. This meant Grendan had sole possession of the selenium mine in its vicinity. It had no need to fight to gain another city’s selenium mine. In exchange, it fought filth monsters.

“But it’s so hot,” Alsheyra said in irritation. Evaporated water touched the glass of fruit juice.

“Right, let’s make a swimming pool?”

“We don’t have any spare money in the budget,” Kanaris immediately gave a cold refusal.

Alsheyra looked unhappy.

“Well then, is it all right to swim in the breeding lake?”

“If Your Majesty has finished all the work, then it’s up to you.”

“Sometimes, it’s all right to put the problems of reality to the back of the mind.”

“Hasn’t Your Majesty been doing that all the time?”

“Aaa, what a purposeless life,” Alsheyra sighed and curled up on the hammock. Kanaris was stubborn. She would wait till Alsheyra changed her way of thinking.

“Speaking of which……..”

Losing to the heat, she gave up curling into a ball and reached for the glass of juice.

“Why did we come to the tropics five years ago?”

“I can only think of the fight with Behemoth? Nothing else special happened.”

“Ah, Behemoth, how nostalgic…You still remember.”

“Not many filth monsters we fought were given names.”

“Really? Wu….. I suppose.”

Even though the filth monster was so powerful it was given a name, it only meant so little to Alsheyra, and that was shocking for Kanaris, Lintence, Savaris and Layfon. It took the strongest Heaven’s Blade Successor, Lintence, and two other Heaven’s Blades to defeat the filth monster. Kanaris had witnessed Alsheyra’s strength through her eyes and body. Even so, she still didn’t know the Queen’s true strength. Did her strength really come from the Haikizoku?

Haikizoku. The Electronic Fairy that had gone insane for having lost its city. Because of its hatred against filth monsters, the Electronic Fairy changed its energy and came to possess Military Artist to act as an avenger. However, no shadow of madness was found in Alsheyra. Lazy and arrogant, this was Alsheyra Almonise, but Kanaris knew this was only the superficial side of her. Though she was lazy, it wasn’t like she never tried. Though she was arrogant, she knew what gentleness was like.

“Speaking of which, it was just a filth monster with a name. Why did the city change its path for it?”

“It’s impossible to predict the city’s destination.”

“Well, still.”

“Is it all right if I intrude?” A leisurely voice of an old woman suddenly descended.

“Delbone? What’s it?”

The voice was Delbone’s, the only psychokinesist among the Heaven’s Blades.

“It seems someone has invaded the inner court of that place.”

Kanaris’ expression turned horrible after listening to Delbone’s report, but Alsheyra’s expression remained unchanged.

“Heh,” she replied. “Well, I don’t think anyone can just enter that place, but we can’t just let this slide.”

“Yes, but that area isn’t in operation. It’s been sealed. Even if that person can reach that place, he certainly can’t enter it.”

“But just in case,” Kanaris said.

Alsheyra nodded. “Yes, but we can’t send too many people.”

“Then how about sending a Heaven’s Blade?”

“That’s the best way.”

After this simple decision, all the Heaven’s Blades were summoned and a great scissors, paper, rock match took place. In the end Barmelin was the one to take up this mission.

“Go die, you foul smelling Majesty.”

Barmelin moved in the foul smell as she cursed the tree roots. If she had taken the clear path in the Mechanical Department, she wouldn’t be in this tragic situation. No, there might be other trouble. But to Barmelin, it was better taking the other route than this one.

However, the Queen’s reason had prevented her from doing so.

“If a fight occurs there, it’d damage the Mechanical Department. Take the alley and fight at the entrance of the inner court.”

This kind of tree was important to the water purification system of the city, so the tree roots weren’t something Barmelin could just destroy. But in order to release her stress, she was taking it out on the roots. Because of the roots, it took longer to get to her destination. She had thought for a number of times that it was better to take the normal route.

The normal route ran from the Mechanical Department to the depth of the court. As it took advantage of the Department where the city’s legs moved, the route was like a maze. One might get lost in the maze and even be squashed to death by the walls. As such, it’d take a considerable amount of time to take that route, so instead, Barmelin had to go through the alley.

After a hard time, Barmelin finally managed to separate the roots. The foul smell now clung to her clothes. She decided to throw away the clothes she wore after everything had finished. Then she would need to melt herself in the bath tub. As she silently made her vow, she suddenly halted her steps.

A wall had appeared before her. She knocked on the wall with a rhythm and a crack split to run from the bottom of the wall to the top. Compressed air leaked out of the crack as the wall separated into two to reveal a straight path behind it. Barmelin moved past the walls.

The two halves of the wall returned to form one wall.

The light had disappeared. Barmelin strode forward in the dark.

After passing through the hell like maze, he finally arrived.

“Geez, is this a joke,” the man said. Anytime he recalled the event in the maze, trembling would seize him. A complicated path was all right, but the walls kept moving and the exit kept changing as a result. Also, the design that made him cry was made on top of a permanent exit. In addition, the walls really did want to kill him and make him into mince meat. Even a Military Artist would find it very difficult to fight metal plates.

The man’s body shook once more. He had to quickly forget that feeling.

“It’s busy on that side. This thing doesn’t match at all, really,” he complained, his voice echoing in the huge space.

Everything else was dim, but lamps hung on the walls, shining blue light. The air wasn’t too bad. It didn’t feel suffocating. The impression on him was of a spacious area.

Still, it felt different from the feeling he got standing on a grassy plain. This was a feeling of being defeated by an artificial space. The feeling coming through the soles of his feet was different from before. This floor was made of polished stones. It reflected the blue light, making the place like the world of night. In the depth of the space was a huge door, and a circle of blue light surrounded it, as if it was stressing the existence of this door.

This was the man’s destination, but his feet wouldn’t move.

“……… As I said, can’t you try to understand my trouble?” he said, rooted on the spot, his red hair swaying as if resisting the darkness.

“Are you pooing?”

The obvious disapproval came from a female.

“Hey, hey, isn’t that too dirty,” the man said with a helpless expression, but he felt cold sweat on his entire body.

(Damn, I can’t fight her like how I played with those guys before.)

He knew he had been noticed. For him who could move between cities at will, he could not move as he wished in this place. For the Wolf Faces and he himself, this was the biggest door of the ghost. This was a city dominated by unusual Miltiary Artists who obeyed a super-unusual person. And the person in the depth of this city was also……. He knew it wasn’t easy to invade this city. But how did she get here earlier than him?

Though he could feel her presence, he had yet to see her. She wasn’t using Sakkei. Taking advantage of the good echoing function of this room, she was hiding in his blind spot.

“So terrible, as expected of Grendan.”

“You’re so noisy, you idiot, go die.”

The light of a Dite being restored flashed behind the man. Beneath the female’s feet appeared his own back. The man also restored his Dite, an elongated metal. His weapon was the metal whip. The light of restoration shone around his body.

The man made ready to receive the presence pressing close to his back……… but, the attack wasn’t here!?

“Damn!”

Sensing danger in a split second, he jumped. The Kei covering his body shook because of external Kei, but it had yet to attack him.

Her voice sounded from somewhere in the room.

“You were just pooing too.”

The consecutive attacks came from outside his sight. He swung the metal whip and blocked the small and sharp rain of external Kei.

“A gun!”

He understood what type of weapon she held.

“Troublesome!”

He thought the rain had stopped but it then assaulted him from an impossible direction. He blocked it with his weapon again and jumped to change his position.

The advantage of a gun was that it automatically turned the Kei into external Kei. This way, the user didn’t have to spend time to make external Kei, so her attacking speed was much higher. The user needed to continuously pour Kei into the weapon and pull the trigger. The shortcoming was that the Kei poured into the weapon was basically turned into external Kei and nothing else, so it couldn’t be used any other ways. Because of its other shortcoming of being unable to adjust its power, it was useless against Military Artists with strong defense and filth monsters with strong scales. But the advantage that one couldn’t ignore was the weapon’s long range and consecutive attacks. The user could concentrate on using Kei to strengthen her body. In this case, even Savaris who was good at close combat was lacking.

Heaven’s Blade Successor Barmelin Swattis Nolne, the slaughterer without a pose.

“Die, idiot. Die, idiot. Die, idiot.”

Her voice was not muffled. She continued to shoot the Kei bullets, just wanting to kill the man.

“Your words are too awful.”

The man gave up moving and blocked her attacks on the spot. The light of Kei covering his body shone more intensely as it received all the Kei bullets.

(Strange.)

Suspicion surfaced in his mind as he defended himself. His opponent must be a Heaven’s Blade Successor. He could tell as he had to use everything to take the speed of her bullets, but on this point alone, his opponent’s assault power was too weak. Though the power was weakened as she was using a gun, wasn’t this weapon too weak for a Heaven’s Blade Successor?

Was she not using a Heaven’s Blade?

This was his conclusion by speculating on the quality of the gun. Bad premonition flashed past him.

He jumped.

A flash of light instantly conquered the surrounding blue light.

“Tsk.”

Barmelin responded again at that result.

“You pooing lucky idiot, go die.”

She swung the Dite to dispel the remnants of heat on it. The gun she was holding had now turned into a chain, clinging on her body.

Right now, she was holding a big long cannon. A target sat on the shining silvery white body of the cannon. Barmelin could shoot while holding the weapon.

This was her Heaven’s Blade. She used a Dite that changed its form according to the situation. This was her fighting style.

The man was gone.

She stood at the entrance, looking around. Even his presence was gone.

“Did you finish him?” Delbone’s voice came from the flake that had floated down from the ceiling.

“I don’t feel that I’ve totally finished him.”

“Ala Ala. How rare.”

“Which side are you on?”

“Uh, his presence is gone.”

“Looks like he isn’t here anymore.”

The two of them had the same opinion. The man had suddenly vanished. He had avoided Barmelin’s attack and had vanished from Delbone’s net of psychokinesis.

“What is he?”

“Who knows? I remember a red haired Military Artist who wields a metal whip, but this man’s age doesn’t match that in my memory. He’s got a ten years gap.”

“Is he masking his age with Kei like Her Majesty?”

“Perhaps.”

“You too!”

An angry howl from Barmelin as her expression turned terrible.

The depth of the court. This area sinking in darkness and blue light once more returned to peace. Steady stirring that rocked one to sleep dispelled the remnants of war. Sleepiness called forth dreams. Dreams shook the darkness. The shaking darkness reflected reality, but reality was not here.

It was in a place far far away, but in fact, it wasn’t all that far…….

“Ah,” the man moaned.

He had taken the external Kei with his back. Small tree branches hammered his entire body. In the end, the huge tree trunk had stopped his momentum.

“Wu……….”

Through the gap of the tree, he saw the clock tower that he had once seen. He put a hand to his temple.

“Is it here again? Why? Why do I always return here?” the red haired man, Dixerio…….. Dixerio Maskane said. He moaned because of the pain.

The breeding lake reflected the sunlight beside him. It was too bright.

And the huge noise that was like the sun echoed in his ears.

“……. It’s summer.”

He said without much thinking, and then his consciousness faded.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios:Volume8_Epilogue|Volume 8]]
| Return to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios:Volume9_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume8 Innocence Wander

2010-07-02T19:23:11Z

72.231.23.77:

=== 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 department to buy it for them. Thus, the military artists charged out of the classroom simultaneously as the classes ended, flying towards the canteen. Occasionally even the older students who were teaching those classes would also join the fray, so naturally nobody tried to stop them. Of course, if public property was damaged, 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 into making it was different from normal as well.

"......It's not like that" quietly replied Mei-Shen as she lowered her head, blushing.

"Hey, as long as I can eat great food it's all good."

"Ok..."

Although Naruki and Mifi were with Mei-Shen all the time, they didn’t know why Mei-Shen put in so much effort today.

For some reason, Mei-Shen seemed a little strange today.

But right now the atmosphere made it seem hardly appropriate to ask "what's wrong", so Layfon began to eat silently.

<center>◇</center>

“Heaven’s Blade Successor”

Recently, this phrase had continually appeared in Mei-Shen's mind. She knew that it was a phrase whose meaning represented something superior. That was why she was so concerned with it. To a passerby who had no idea of what was going on, the easiest solution would be to ask the person directly. But no matter what she did, Mei-Shen couldn't bring herself 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 Mei-Shen, which explained why she had it. Although she immediately realized that this letter was delivered to the wrong place, why did it have to be delivered to her mailbox? ... Mei-Shen thought silently, resenting this fact.
Of course, Mei-Shen 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, Mei-Shen hadn't apologized to Layfon for peeking at the letter and had completely missed the best chance to ask him about it. And who was the person who wrote the letter to Layfon, a girl named Leerin? Although she wanted to find out, it was difficult for Mei-Shen to open her mouth and ask. She was afraid of asking. The only thing that was clear was that this girl named Leerin knew the Layfon from before Zuellni very well.

Without knowing why, Mei-Shen felt very discontent.

"Have you heard of the phrase ‘Heaven’s Blade Successor’?" Instead, Mei-Shen decided to ask the people who were beside her in the dormitory's shared kitchen. In order to live together in the student dormitory, Mei-Shen, Naruki and Mifi shared this 3 bedroom and 1 dining room dorm. Because they had been best friends since childhood, they weren't uncomfortable with each other. Mei-Shen really liked this sense of spaciousness in the kitchen.

"Heaven’s Blade Successor?" Mifi was stuffing her face with Mei-Shen's cake as she tilted her head asking, "What's that?"

"I think it's a phrase referring to a Military Artist......" said Mei-Shen without much confidence. She then imitated Mifi and together they began to stare silently at Naruki. Layfon was a Military Artist, so this phrase must be specifically referring to something about them. Naruki, who was also a Military Artist, was the most likely out of them to know what the term meant.

"Heaven’s Blade......I haven't heard of it before."

Seeing Naruki shaking her head, Mei-Shen lowered her head in disappointment. However, Naruki seemed to have remembered something. "A person who received the Heaven’s Blade...right? It really is a pretentious name but at least it isn’t as absurd as the Joeldem’s Knights of the Crossroad. Well, every City has it own customs when referring to military artists, so I think Heaven’s Blade something is just another nickname for them."

Mifi nodded her head in agreement.

"Oh yeah, if we went 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?"

"Ah......That’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’s ... that’s not it.”
"There really is only one, we can't be wrong."

"Well, ah ~~ let’s go to the library tomorrow."

"Yeah, I was going to go there for work anyway to interview all the people in each Platoon and I wanted to research some topics about Cities that could become articles.”

“Oh, it sounds interesting.”

“Then do you want to go to the library together?”

“If there is time.”

“Mi-chan is a bit of a workaholic.”

Looking at the two people who had made a decision on their own and ignored her, Mei-Shen sighed in silence as their conversation drifted further and further away from their original discussion.

The next day, after lessons had ended, the three took the monorail to the library. After showing their student ID’s at the reception area, they entered the library. They sat down at the designated window, and the computer terminal booted up immediately. All the information in the academy city was relayed across organized lanes like fast moving traffic. 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. Chrome Shelled Regios Grendan was Layfon’s home city, and was strong in military arts. Many powerful individuals were born in Grendan’s many training grounds. There was a reason for Grendan’s fame among other Cities, and this was the Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang. This gang travelled from city to city via free roaming buses, hired by cities to fight 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 made a major contribution. Moreover, they taught the cities fighting skills and battle tactics. The Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang was made up of an overwhelming number of Military Artists from Grendan. Originally, Grendan was just another autonomous City, but its reputation for fierce fighters made it well known across the globe. Therefore, almost all the citizens of Cities knew of the word “Grendan”. They had all heard of that city which produced large amounts of military fighters, 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 customs and for Mei-Shen to have no way of knowing. The phrase “Heaven’s Blade Successor” she obviously didn't know either.
“How’s it going?” asked Mei-Shen as Mifi stared at the screen, humming.

“I still haven’t found it.”

“Really?” Naruki, who was standing behind them, leaned over for a closer look.

“There are no matches in Grendan’s dictionary, and after searching I 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.”

“Um… It’s best if we don't. ”

Although Mei-Shen 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. Mei-Shen was concealing the truth from her friends, yet at the same time she had to rely on those friends whom she was hiding things from, and this made her feel terrible. She was on the verge of tears.

“Well, if that’s the case, then we can only try and find out from other Military Artists. We are going to the Military Arts department for the interviews anyway, so why don’t you come along?”

Although their search was futile, Mifi’s face didn’t show the slightest sign of discouragement. For Mifi, not being able to find information was something that happened regularly.

“…Well” Since Mei-Shen knew Mifi was trying to help, she just silently nodded.

<center>◇</center>

After classes on the next day, the three friends began their journey towards the Military Arts department. The moment Mei-Shen stepped into the entrance, a painful memory surfaced in her mind and she stopped moving.

“Eh? What’s wrong?”

“… Nothing.” Shaking her head, Mei-Shen recalled the time when she stood here agonising over whether or not she should give Layfon the letter that was accidentally sent to her. If she hadn’t met Felli here, what might have happened…? She still wouldn’t have had the confidence to give it back to him as if nothing had happened. Anyway, recently she had been incessantly gloomy about the contents of the letter. Mei-Shen felt that the consequences of her mistakes have begun to get out of hand.

“Let’s go.” Naruki held out her hand to an agonising Mei-Shen.

“Even though I don’t know exactly what you are thinking about, if you want to find out, we have to get moving. Just 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 same warmth and sincerity.

“…Ok.” Quietly nodding, Mei-Shen grasped the offered hand.

“We have to interview four Platoons today, and the first is the 1st Platoon.”

Although the Military Artists’ grounds seemed very large 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 some seemed like they were squashed in a gap between buildings. Mei-Shen and her friends lost their way several times before finally arriving at their destination.

“Hello everyone,” Mifi said. Mei-Shen 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 Mei-Shen’s eardrums. This noise subsided with Mifi’s continued greeting. The sudden silence frightened Mei-Shen and she gradually edged her body behind Naruki. Mei-Shen thought that her weakness was lamentable but Mifi stood there without wavering in the slightest.

“I’m a reporter from the Weekly Look’n Magazine here for the interview, first year General Arts Student Mifi Rotten and these are my friends.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard.” Taking a towel from a woman who seemed to be supervising, 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 examined Mei-Shen and her friends.

“Lets go to the lounge 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 platoon members continued with their training. Mei-Shen and the others followed this tall man who exuded dignity completely unlike any other student into the lounge room.

“I have read some of Weekly Lookn’s reports.”

Reddish bronze skin, two wriggling silkworm eyebrows, his clearly delineated face and his sloppy beard… it seemed like he embodied both good and evil with his outward appearance, although it didn't seem like he was an evil person.

“But, I felt that the content of some of the reports encouraged gambling.”

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 battles have gone on for nearly half a year. Up to now, how do you feel about it?”

“How do I feel about what?”

“For example, how you felt about some of the more difficult opponents, or if the 1st Platoon are currently in their peak condition, or things like that…”

“Inter-platoon battles are just sideshows; the key problem is the formal inter-city battles that we have afterwards.”

“Really? Okay then, how do 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 limited time that we have.”

“Hehe, it really is tough. Then how do you see the other platoons, and are there any platoons that seem strong to you?”

“Mmm… They all have their strengths 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 realises their plan before it can be executed it’s all over for them. The important thing is to see through 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 match they had impressive results. Even though they changed 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 comes to combos, the fifth platoon isn’t bad either, even though the way they work together is not quite the same.”

“What do you think of the seventeenth squad?”

Hearing Mifi ask that question, Mei-Shen immediately became perturbed and couldn't stay calm. It was the platoon Layfon was in. Mei-Shen was very concerned with how others viewed Layfon and she wanted to know what the first squad commander thought.

“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 numbers. Even though their offensive ability is highly ranked among the platoons, their defence 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 mainly on him. Even though you can’t overlook Sharnid’s sniping ability, Layfon’s ability to kill with one strike makes him a fearful existence.”

Hearing Layfon being praised by the strongest person in the Military Arts department, Mei-Shen felt very happy.

“But the fourteenth squad did come up with an idea to go against that terrifying sword with a shield 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 matches.”

“I want to graduate from this school, so no matter what happens, I will give my all to protecting this city. That is all.”

“Thank you for accepting our interview.” Mifi hurriedly nodded and bowed; Mei-Shen and Naruki quickly following suit. Vance nodded, preparing to leave the lounge room.
“Oh yeah, that’s right,” Mifi spoke as if suddenly remembering something.
“Yes?”

“I want to ask you something, 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 maybe that as the head of Military Arts, you might know something 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 seems like he knew something eh?”

“Yeah, even though he knew he hid it from us.”

After Vance left, Mifi started talking to Naruki.

Why? Mei-Shen 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 know what a Heaven’s Blade Successor was?

“Well, it seems things have gotten interesting.” Completely different from Mei-Shen’s reaction, Mifi’s eyes lit up, showing a look of curiosity.

“Trying to hide it from me only made me want to know it more.”

“No comment.”

“Huhuhu. If it’s like this, then we’ll go and ask some other people. Ok, let’s go.” What Naruki said to Mifi obviously didn't register as she stood up with her face full of determination. Mei-Shen was beginning 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 who welcomed them was filled with the grace of three people; woman of great beauty. After being lead to the lounge room yet again, Mifi began her interview. This beauty’s name was Dalshena Che Matelna and it seems that she was the vice captain of the tenth platoon. Her golden, long curls of hair overshadowed the lights in the room, dulling them. Wearing altered fighting gear and a cloak with red texture matching its white lining, she was clothed like a knight.

“I’m very sorry, but please be brief.”

“Ah, ok.” Against her icy-cold demeanour, Mifi couldn’t hold her ground.

“Um… After successfully qualifying for the inter-platoon battles, how do you see your position right now?”

“Obviously I have things I am dissatisfied with, but it’s true that the platoon is in great 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 fearsome. The members of the platoon are well suited to that fighting style and aren’t bad either.”

“The other platoons who have qualified include the fifth and the tenth platoon. What do you think of them?”

“The fifth platoon’s main strength lies in Gorneo and Shante’s Carrying Attack. Gorneo’s alchemy attacks aren’t as easy to use as you make it out to be. Gorneo’s rational thinking and Shante’s use of her instincts form a fearsome combination. The thing 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 limit to his power is unfathomable. Even strong 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 individual performances. Other than that, there is nothing 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 term originate?”

“I think it came from Grendan.”

“Then I think you’d better find Gorneo, because that’s where his hometown was.”

“Really? Thank you so much.”

“Don’t worry about it you guys are working hard as well. The Military Artists are doing it in their own way, and so are you guys, doing the best to make sure our city can keep on existing.”

After the interview, Dalshena’s cold expression was like frost that had finally melted, revealing a warm smile. Watching her pure and radiant smile, Mei-Shen and the others couldn’t help but let out a sigh 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 dreamlike trance looking 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 seems to explain her grandeur.”

“I can’t put my finger 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 amount of detail in those fan club reports of hers almost goes overboard.”

“It might not be a good idea, but I feel like reading the contents of that report.”

“Do you want me to bring it next time?”

“No, no thanks, I’ll give that a pass.”

The three continued with their conversation, they couldn’t get over their uncontrollable emotion. It was overwhelming.

Next up was the fifth platoon. The three girls who were wrapped up by Dalshena’s graceful air floated to their next destination, and were lead to the same lounge 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 muscle, and his robust neck supported a large head, which he held with a serious manner. Instead, the face reflected an affable expression, leaving a cute impression of the giant. That impression was further reinforced by the presence of a young girl tightly holding onto his shoulders. The red-haired girl distinctly contrasted with Gorneo, with a staunch little face, a petite frame and along with her headstrong personality and her inability to shoulder any responsibility gave the impression of childishness. Nevertheless, this young girl 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 bad mood and was swiping at Gorneo’s head continually.

“It’s okay, it happens all the time.” Gorneo calmly answered Mifi’s question.

Mei-Shen timidly glanced at Shante and Shante immediately growled at her with a “Grr!”

“Ah!”

“Grr!”

“…Uwah…”

“Still not going to stop?”

Even though she was rapped by Gorneo’s huge knuckles, Shante had no intention of stopping. However, she suddenly stopped.

“Huhu…” After wriggling her nose several times, Shante used her legs and, clinging onto Gorneo’s head, she leant closer to Mei-shen.

“That… that’s…”

“You, you smell nice.”

“…Huh?”

“Ah, that's because Mei-Shen likes cooking.”

“Yeah, there’s a nice smell on her body.”

“…Ah”

Seeing Shante rapidly sniffing the air, Mei-Shen took out a paper bag from her school bag, and that was the leftover cookies.

“Uh, there’s only these left……”

“Is it for me?”

“If you want them…”

Mei-Shen put the cookies on the table. Shante leapt off Gorneo’s shoulders and went to Mei-Shen. She then started eating the cookies without a word.

“I’m sorry.” Gorneo lowered his head in apology.

“Ah… No, not at all.”

“She’s lived in the wild for too long.”

“…Ah.” Even though she didn't know what was going on.

“Then, can we start now?” Shante was eating the cookies voraciously next to Mei-Shen. Mifi felt at a loss for what to do but decided to push on with the interview.

“After qualifying in the inter-platoon battles, as a captain, are you pleased with your team’s performance?”

“If I were pleased so easily, then everything would be finished by now. It’s because we know what we are lacking that we feel unsatisfied.”

“Are there any platoons that you are especially concerned about?”

“I want to learn the first platoon’s stable command that can react to any scenario with creative versatility and the individual strengths of each member. They are the role models my platoon is striving for.”

“Which platoons do you think you should watch out for in the future?”

“All of them, but the most dangerous is still the first platoon. If we can’t beat the first platoon then it signifies that we cannot beat the previous generation of Zuellni. If there is no change from two years ago then the results will be the same as two years ago as well.” Gorneo’s words carried a sombre tone through his gloomy speech.

Two years ago, before Mei-Shen arrived at Zuellni, Zuellni suffered a heavy defeat in the Inter-City battle. Now, Zuellni had only one Selenium mine left, leaving them no choice of retreat. They must not lose! In Gorneo’s words one could hear this determination resounding firmly along with his beliefs the same conviction echoed in Vance and Dalshena’s words.

At this moment, that was what Mei-Shen felt. Normal students could never feel that heavy burden. Whether it was studying, working at night or playing around, female students followed fashion trends while male students played various ball sports, or common interests of both sexes, movie stars or singers, made up everything in a normal student’s life. Even to Mei-Shen, who could live happily as long as Naruki and Mifi were by her side, looking at the peaceful classroom atmosphere from afar, felt that it was very interesting.

On the other side, the world was like that. This was also Zuellni, Academy city Zuellni! A city with only students, it was a gathering ground for people to grow, and they had to use their own abilities to make the information they gathered into their knowledge. There were no adults acting as protectors. If it was your world, you had to protect it on your own. This city was a place like that. Right now, she felt that heavy burden; even within the resting rooms you could hear it, and echoing along the dividing walls of the Military Arts area the striking sounds of each platoon let the world feel that heavy burden. As long as you understood the true meaning of that heavy, heavy sound, you would never forget it. This resolution and will to fight rang out as thunderous crashes in the Training Complex for Zuellni to see.

“Thank you for accepting our interview.”

Mifi continued the interview and seemed to have finished it as Mei-Shen sat there blankly, swallowed up by the sound of training.

“Before you go, can I ask a question?”

Shante was licking the crumbs off the biscuit wrapper. “Yes?” Gorneo picked her up in one movement and held that position as he replied to Mifi.

“Have you heard of the phrase Heaven’s Blade Successor?”

“…Where did you hear this?”

“We heard it by chance…And other people we asked said it was a phrase originating from Grendan, so I thought that Gorneo-Senpai, since you were born in Grendan, would know what it means.”

“It’s a journey and a goal.”

“…Huh?”

“Almost everything in the world is like that. Some are driven by what they want but do not have, and for others it is necessity that leads them to their goal. Only by achieving those goals can we continue to move forward, and if we do not continue to do so then we have reached the destination, the summit of the peak. The Heaven’s Blade Successor is one of those peaks. Perhaps people who know of that phrase wish to attain that rank, or perhaps they must. Yet if they do not know of it at all, then they can never aim for it in the beginning.”

“…Uh huh.”

“If you don’t really want it, if you don't really believe that you need it, then your lack of interest will hold you back and where you are standing will be your final destination.”

[[Image:CSR vol08 149.jpg|thumb]]
Finishing his speech, Gorneo turned his back to Mei-Shen and the others. Shante climbed up along his arm settling down onto his shoulders, but she continued to stare at Mei-Shen.

“What’s your name?”

“Huh? Oh… Mei-Shen.”

“Mei-Shen, is it? Thank you, you really are a nice person. Come play next time!”

“Don’t swindle anyone else out of their cookies!”

“Bye bye!” Shante pretended not to understand what Gorneo was saying, and waved. A glowing smile spread across Mei-Shen’s face as she weakly waved back.

“Uwah! That was terrifying.” Mifi released the breath that she had been holding for the whole time in a large sigh.

“Jeez, it felt like I stepped on a Filth monster’s tail!”

“Yeah, and we can’t ask Gorneo-senpai about it any more seeing as how he’s already sealed his lips.”

“Yeah, that means the only person left is…”

The two of them turned and looked at Mei-Shen and she knew what they wanted to say. Compared to asking any other people born in Grendan, there was another, much easier way to find out, but Mei-Shen couldn’t do it. It was only because she couldn’t do it that Gorneo thought they were nuisances. Vance looked like he didn't want to tell anyone either. Just what is going on? Mei-Shen felt very uneasy. Just what did the phrase Heaven’s Blade Successor entail?

Mifi looked at the annoyed expression on Mei-Shen’s face and found it hard for her to open her mouth. “Uhh… Well, the last platoon we are supposed to be interviewing is the seventeenth platoon…”

Mei-Shen’s expression instantly stiffened.

“There's no way out! The magazine had planned to make an article about all the platoons that performed well in the inter-platoon matches,” Mei-Shen murmured quietly like she would an apology. She knocked on the door of the seventeenth platoon and held onto the door handle at the same time.

“Hello everyone!” In response to Mifi’s cheery greeting, the door swung open. Her voice echoed within the room. This room was originally very quiet but shouts from within that could match those yelling in training exploded across it, making it seem a little out of place. Embarrassed by this unexpected situation, even Mifi couldn’t stop her face turning red as she turned into a statue.

“Aiyaya… Mifi? And why did you guys come?” From inside the room came Layfon’s voice.

“…Uhh… What exactly are you guys doing?” Mifi asked, puzzled. Since she was standing in the doorway, Mei-Shen, who couldn't see what was going on, stood on her toes to look inside. Inside the room, hard metallic balls were rolling all over the floor.

“Oh, we're training.”

“Is that so?”

[[Image:CSR vol08 153.jpg|thumb]]
Layfon, Nina and Sharnid were standing on the metallic balls which were rolling all over the place, while Felli expressed no interest as she sat aside on a seat reading a book. Although standing on continually rolling balls was by no means an easy feat…

“Wow, that’s amazing. Is that for practising balance?”

“You’re partially correct. This is a kei exercise, and through controlling the flow of the internal-type kei we aim to control the body’s balance, and at the same time we try to use external-type kei to keep the balls stationary.” As Layfon answered Mifi’s question, he waved his Dite downwards at his feet a couple of times. Naruki eye’s widened as she saw the ease with which Layfon moved about on the balls while waving his Dite around.

“So the interviewers are you guys?” Nina, who was also standing on the metallic balls asked in surprise.

“Ah, Yes, that's me. I’m the reporter from Weekly Look’n.”

“It must have been a busy day. Then, shall we begin?”

“Ah, don’t we need to go somewhere else?”

“No, just here is fine.”

“That's right. The interview with me, the most handsome man in Zuellni, is something that happens once in a lifetime, so I should treat you guys to a drink. Layfon, quick, go get some drinks for these ladies.” Sharnid leapt off the metallic balls lightly, landing in front of Mifi and her friends.

“I think they didn't come here just to interview you. Well, where you conduct the interview doesn't really matter, so let’s just talk here.” As Nina pointed to the chairs, Felli wordlessly got up and left the seat continuing to read as she leaned on the opposite wall.

Sharnid tossed a coin. Sighing, Layfon caught it in one hand and was about to go to the vending machine when…

“……Ahh, let me help.” Mei-Shen followed Layfon to the vending machine.

“I’m sorry.”
The soft drink cans dropped from the vending machine with a bump.

“Eh?” Layfon picked up the soft drink cans. The finger that selected the fruit juices did not hesitate and it seemed that Layfon had already figured out the tastes of everyone in the platoon. This was proven by how he asked what flavour Mei-Shen wanted (he still didn't know what flavours we like) and she felt a little disappointed.

“I came without asking for your permission.”

“That’s nothing to be worrying about, since we were going to have a break anyway.” Layfon carried the cans for everyone and stood up, and after Mei-Shen asked that she carry half, Layfon gave her the cans that she, Mifi and Naruki had asked for. Even though it was a rare opportunity for the two of them to be together without anyone else… yet she couldn’t think of anything to say, so she could only follow Layfon in silence. She gazed at the back of Layfon as he walked ahead of her. It was his back, the back that had protected her at the opening ceremony of the school. At the time in that long line of people, a disturbance suddenly caused everyone to start pushing and shoving, and in the mess of it all a surprised Mei-Shen had slipped and fallen over. If she had stayed like that any longer she would have been injured by the stampede of the crowd. It was at that time that Layfon had saved her, brushing aside the swarms of people and pulled her back to her feet, stopping her from being trampled to death. That might have just been a coincidence; even so, she could not forget the back that had protected her. Heaven’s Blade Successor… That was Layfon’s past and she wanted to know what it meant. If she were asked why she wanted to know so badly, then her only reason would be that she wanted to understand more about Layfon. Mei-Shen couldn’t think of any other reasons as to why she wanted to know. After she looked at his letter without his permission she had felt guilty, and as for the fragments of his past mentioned in the letter, did her simple desire to know merit her attempt at digging out all the information she could? Mei-Shen didn’t know how to answer. She was also guilty about not asking Layfon directly but instead asking others to gather information about him. Mei-Shen didn’t know whether what she was doing was right or wrong. (But…) She really wanted to know. Losing her chance for apologies, she decided to remain silent and stop thinking about the person named Leerin. The person who wrote that letter. Leerin was in Grendan, and Layfon was in Zuellni. If he could successfully graduate from here, then Mei-Shen would have a whole six years with him.

“…Mei?” Layfon turned his head in surprise, staring at Mei-Shen who was standing rooted to the floor.

“…Ah, sorry about that.”

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.” She replied, shaking her head. Mei-Shen didn’t want Layfon to see her expression right now, so she lowered her head. She suddenly understood what she really wanted to do. No, that wasn’t it; she already knew what it was. In fact, she should have found out a long time ago. Even though she realised, she tried to not think about it, because that was the only way she could avoid reality. She really was a terrible person. Mei-Shen had six years, and those six years was time that Leerin would never have with Layfon. She turned this into an advantage and accepted it. ‘Advantage’… This word was suggestive of a scheme. It was perfunctory, ugly, and terrible beyond comparison. Her self that thought to take advantage of that was too ugly. Why would Mei-Shen think like that? That left her disappointed and anxious. She was attracted by that back, attracted by that back which had once protected her and was now in front of her eyes. There was a person who knew that back a long time ago; there was a girl who understood the Layfon from before Zuellni very well. Every time she thought of that, she couldn’t bear it. The ‘advantage’ that Mei-Shen had thought of was just something that she had come up with after intense thought about this issue. Even though she did have an advantage time-wise, when Mei-Shen thought about what she would be able to achieve in these six years she felt insecure. When she realized that her world was one limited to a world always with Mifi and Naruki she wondered how much she could do. When she realized that she had very little choice over her actions, she felt a deep horror welling up inside of her. In order to dispel those fears, in order to keep herself from feeling the anxiety caused by Leerin, an existence that she couldn't see, and in order to take herself out of a state of ignorance of his past, she decided that she needed to know. (I really am serious.) Mei-Shen sat there thinking to herself resolutely.

When Layfon opened the door, sounds of laughter came out from within.

“This really is difficult,” Naruki muttered to herself, scattering the metallic balls everywhere as she fell to the floor in embarrassment.

“That wasn’t bad for your first try,” Sharnid said as he continued to stand on the metallic balls. He switched to one foot balancing on the balls and moved about with ease. Beside him, Mifi and Naruki “oohed” in amazement.

“I’ve clearly started practising before you did,” Nina said quietly with indignation.

“That’s because I normally move about carefully without others noticing,” Sharnid smugly replied and jumped off the balls.

“Well… that means that your technique will continually improve.”

“I see.” Mifi nodded her head with an “Oh” as she wrote in her notebook. The extension to the interview was almost completely about carrying out different types of training.

“Then, are there any platoons that catch your attention?”

“All of them. Our platoon’s weakness is extremely obvious. All the teams will probably pick up on it. In order to become victorious we can only try to find a way to overcome the weakness. There is no point in saying which platoons are strong because no matter which platoon it is they are all stronger than we are. All of us recognize that point very clearly. ”

“But your battle records are very good.”

“That battle record might not represent our actual strength, but our constant good luck is an irrefutable truth. I hope that our luck will be effective only when we are in an unforseen pinch, like when we are seen through by the enemy and they begin to hinder our attacks, or when we are ambushed by the opponent’s traps. If we rely on luck like that, then defeat won’t be far away. That’s why we're working hard to prevent that kind of stuff happening.”

“Keke. Then, would you please say some final words for the readers?”

“I like this place, so that is why I joined the Military arts department. That is all.”

“Thank you very much for accepting our interview.”

Ending the interview, everyone started drinking the juice as they chatted about anything that came to their minds. Sharnid made innocuous jokes as Nina sat aside laughing bitterly, and seeing them, Mifi joined in too. Naruki was still sulking over what happened before, and dragged Layfon to help her continue her challenge against the metallic balls. Felli kept an expression saying “this has nothing to do with me” on the whole time. Mei-shen enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that had spread across the room as well. Without knowing why, she felt anxious. Mei-Shen thought that if she could fit in with everyone here, then she felt that the world that she was experiencing got a little bigger.

But…

“Oh yeah, have you guys heard of the phrase ‘Heaven’s Blade successor’?” With this sentence, Mifi tore apart the serene mood.

<center>◇</center>

Mei-Shen didn't blame Mifi, as her strong sense of curiosity was without malice. Mei-Shen knew a long time ago that Mifi would be unable to resist the enticement of unfamiliar things. Even though she clearly knew this, she still went and discussed her problem with Mifi, so she had no right to blame her. After class, Mei-Shen had arrived at the park near the Alchemy Complex, alone. Not long before, she and Mei-Shen had been eating ice cream together. At that time, she tried to open her mouth and ask, but she could only think about it and never act. As she reminisced, she stepped into the garden where night would soon arrive.

There was a guest who had arrived already, and even though there was clearly a seat next to her, she was still standing. Seemingly hearing Mei-Shen’s footsteps, that person turned her head.

It was Felli.

Her silver-white hair swayed with her body, contrasting against the mood of the falling sun.

“You really came by yourself.”

“…Yes.” Mei-Shen stood in front of Felli, so nervous that she thought her heart would leap out of her chest. After arriving at school, she found a note on her desk. On it said ‘there is something I would like to discuss with you alone’, and it specified the time and place. Mei-Shen came alone, because the person who had asked her to come was the Psychokinesist, Felli and it would be impossible to trick her. If a psychokinesist wished, then they could even count the number of bugs that were in the garden. It was impossible for Naruki and Mifi to hide from her.

“… I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“I thought you wouldn’t come either.”

When she picked up the letter from the desk, she was seen by two other people. The letter had been read by all three people, and they decided together that Mei-Shen should go alone. Although Mifi held onto the idea of going together until the end, she met fierce resistance from Naruki.

“This is a critical moment, and I think that if we do not obey this condition, then Mei-Shen will have no way of intervening in any matter.” Even thought the Layfon they met in the classroom seemed calm and no different from normal, Mei-Shen felt that something deep within him was forcing him to put up that kind of expression, and it seemed very wearing. Mei-Shen hated that feeling when she was helpless and couldn’t do anything. She wanted to see his back.

“Without beating around the bush, please forget that phrase from yesterday.”

Heaven’s Blade Successor.

When Mifi said that word, Mei-Shen felt that the temperature in the entire room had fallen. Mifi’s question was like detonating a bomb, and the cracks created from the explosion separated Mei-Shen and the others from the seventeenth platoon.

Felli and the others knew what ‘Heaven’s Blade Successor’ really meant, and they knew what that phrase had to do with Layfon and his past. Mei-Shen didn't know. At that moment, she clearly felt the difference.

“…Why?”

“It has nothing to do with you, and I don't want an excessive burden on him.”

“…But” She wanted to know. She wanted to get closer to Layfon. Would forgetting this phrase allow her to get close to Layfon? No, it could only divide them further apart.

Just as Mei-Shen was about to open her mouth, Felli said “Just to satisfy your own curiosity, does revealing another person’s past make you happy?”

“…That’s not it.”

“But that's exactly what you guys are doing. You are unnecessarily digging up the past of another person, in order to please yourself. And then, what are you going to do afterwards?” Of course she knew, she knew just how despicable her actions were. Just because she was afraid of that person in Grendan called Leerin, and in order to patch up the difference between them, Mei-Shen wanted to know what that word meant, and at the same time she realised how inferior her actions were.

“…I didn't think that doing so would please myself.”

But… But…

“But, it still want to know. Even though I don't know what will happen if I do know …but when I think about it, I feel afraid. Why must it be kept a secret? When I think about that fact, I feel afraid. ”

“Why?”

Because if she knew, then perhaps her regard for Layfon might change a little. In Mei-Shen’s heart, her feelings for Layfon might change. She was afraid of that, and she was so afraid she was trembling. If her feeling changed like the flipping of a palm, then Mei-Shen felt that she would definitely see herself as low and despicable. Even now, she was extremely jealous; jealous of the people in the seventeenth platoon who understood what she did not. She was jealous of the fact that even though they knew the truth about Layfon they still regarded him as a comrade. Layfon said that he would not return to Grendan. Was it that wasn't that he didn't want to return, but that he couldn’t return? In the phrase “Heaven’s Blade successor” was there hidden the reason that prevented his return? Was it because of that reason that Layfon had given up the path of the Military Arts? If it was the case, then what Mei-Shen was doing now was undoubtedly poking into Layfon’s unhealed wounds.

“Then why do you want to know?” Felli asked Mei-Shen for a reason.

“I…” Even if she knew the reason hidden within the phrase, the people in the seventeenth squad still saw Layfon as a comrade.

She wanted to protect.

She was very regretful.

It was as if she had been cast out of Layfon’s world that she was regretful.

“I…”

The sound quivered.

“… Because I like Layfon… Because I like him.”

That’s why she wanted to know, but she was afraid that if she knew, her current relationship with Layfon might collapse. She didn't wish for her feelings to be trapped within herself. She wanted Layfon to understand. Even if it was only one sided to Layfon. She wanted to know about Layfon’s past, even if she didn't really want to dig out everything about Layfon, but instead she wanted to verify, that even if she knew of Layfon’s past, that her feelings for him would not change.

“If you don't verify it, will you have no confidence in your feelings?”

“…Yes”

Felli’s voice was reproachful, but Mei-Shen nodded without disguise.

“…Gingerly using the paws to test out the ground as you proceed. You only think about the step ahead, but think nothing of what the consequences are after. That isn't a very smart method.”

“…”

[[Image:CSR vol08 169.jpg|thumb]]
After she knew, how would Layfon see Mei-Shen… That’s what Felli was trying to say. Was it possible for everything to stay the same…?

“Well…” Facing Mei-Shen, whose expression was beginning to stiffen from fear, Felli continued to speak. “If that is how you do things, then there isn’t much left for me to say.”

After she said this, Felli turned away and left.

“That…”

“I have nothing to say to you anymore, and the last thing is a piece of advice.” Felli said this as she was leaving. “I don't know if you want to know, or if you don't but either way it’s very difficult.”

Mei-Shen noticed that after saying this, Felli sighed.

(Ahh… I see…) Watching Felli’s shadow leaving the garden, Mei-Shen felt ignorant. (There are many people who like Layfon.) And she, she was definitely…

“Hu…”
Accompanying her nervousness, loneliness, and weariness, finally recognizing this problem, Mei-Shen laid on the ground, exhausted.

Deep within herself, she felt that… there were a lot of hardships ahead of her.

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Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume8 Diamond Passion

2010-07-02T19:21:43Z

72.231.23.77: Receiver->Successor

===Diamond Passion===

To Layfon Alseif, Nina Antalk was someone who held many secrets.

In the Academy City of Zuellni, as a Military Artist elite, she was allowed to enter a platoon as only a 3rd year, making her a very accomplished girl. At the same time, she was a person who was involved with the dilemma Zuellni was facing and was very passionate about doing something for the city.

But where did this passion come from?

He felt that if he went and asked her, he might be able to understand her feelings completely, but then again he might never be able to understand.

“Is it really ok?” Nina asked Layfon in an unsettled manner.

“It’s ok.”

A completely spiritless Layfon nodded his head.

They were in a training area that was especially reserved for the 17th platoon of Zuellni. Soundproof and shockproof materials were used to isolate this huge space, and in it, stood the Captain of the seventeenth squad, Nina and her platoon member Layfon. Only platoons with the bare minimum of four fighting members, such as the seventeenth squad, felt that the training area was extremely spacious. And in a situation like today when there were only two people, it felt even more spacious.

It was also an unavoidable reality.

Today was a rest day with lessons only before lunch, so most of the platoons had finished training by dusk. Even if the sounds of training came through the neighboring walls, it would be probably be some hardworking individual practicing by himself.

“Is it really ok?” Asked Nina almost naggingly, as she confirmed the sensation of the two restored Dites she held in each of her hands. The whips that she wielded were weapons designed to emphasize offensive capabilities.

“Anytime is fine.”

Again, he nodded as if unaware of anything.

“I can’t say how this’ll turn out.”

Facing Layfon’s attitude, Nina felt a little annoyed. She felt that she was being underestimated. Considering their strength, that would be understandable as well. The problem was that he wasn’t even holding a Dite in his hands, and not only that, he had loosened his sword strap as well while still standing around with a complacent look on his face, which made Nina feel like he had seriously insulted her self-respect.

She wouldn’t ask him again.

She immediately got her internal-type Kei flowing. Using the internal-type Kei generated from within her to reinforce her entire body, she immediately cut down the distance between herself and Layfon.

Following up on her charge, she brought out her right-hand metal whip.

Nina locked onto Layfon’s left shoulder.

Layfon was in the center of her vision as she charged at him, and showing no signs of moving just caught Nina’s strike just like that.

The force in that strike was more than enough to rend flesh; to smash bone into little pieces.

Even though the strike was that powerful, it was as if it had fallen upon a steel wall, and her wrist received a jarring impact instead.

“Ugh…”

Even though she didn’t let go of the steel whip, Nina was caught completely off guard, and kept her distance from Layfon.

“Do it more seriously.”

Layfon turned to face Nina, whose wrist was wracked with pain and spoke to her in a critical manner.

“That attack was nothing like Senpai’s usual attacks. You have to attack even more seriously, and make it so that I’m forced to evade it. If you can’t do that, then there’s no meaning to what I’m going to show you next.”

She’s had been training with Layfon for a long time now, and it wasn’t only after the platoon training sessions, but also with him during their rest days, but she had never seen Layfon like this before.

“What’s wrong?”

She didn’t ask him like that.

A part of it was because she knew now wasn’t the time to ask something like that, but she knew the real reason was her curiosity for what Layfon was going to show her next.

“…………………”

Nina quietly increased the density of her Internal type Kei. Being able to do this in a blink of an eye was thanks to Layfon’s training as well. The unique breathing method she used when using Internal type Kei was also the result of taking Layfon’s advice. He told her to keep her breath the same as it normally was, and as a result she managed to master Internal type Kei.

When she first started, she would get exhausted very quickly. It felt like she couldn’t properly control the Kei which burned within her, but now she could stabilize her Kei easily.

She could feel her muscles expanding beneath her skin. It wasn’t just her muscles, even the bones which held up her body was filling with Kei, making them harder.

Her body was like a spring, coiling up and gathering energy, and then releasing it all.

The target that she had locked on to hadn’t changed; it was still the left shoulder.

She brought her arm down in a direct stroke from up high.

She released all her Kei at the moment of impact.

“Wu…”

Again, her wrist sent out a signal of pain as Nina looked at an unperturbed Layfon.

This time Layfon moved. Grabbing Nina’s right arm which was targeting his left shoulder, he punched her with the other hand in the stomach. The Kei which he released from his fist caused Nina to be flung against the opposing wall.

Her back rammed into the wall, then Nina fell onto the ground with a crash.

“What the hell’s going on…”

Layfon didn’t hold back with his strike at all. Nina stood up quickly.

Layfon stood there showing no signs of being injured, completely still.

“Do you understand what I just did?”

“No, filling your whole body up with Kei, I have no idea what you did” replied Nina, shaking her head.

It was true; that’s all she had figured out from all that.

Her right wrist was aching. It was the evidence that all the power in her strike had been deflected back easily. If she hadn’t loosened her grip at the moment of impact, the recoil would probably have been even greater.

Layfon carried the first aid kit over, deftly treating Nina’s wrist.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“…It’s ok.”

He sprayed her wrist with a cooling mist to ease the pain, then used a bandage to wrap it up and secure it. Nina concentrated her Internal-type Kei near her wrist. Even though she didn’t expect any real results, at least it would speed up her recovery.

“What was that you did back there?”

Compared to the pain in her wrist, she cared about that more.

That move was probably what Layfon was going to show Nina.

Even if it was like that, she couldn’t understand it at all.

“It didn’t feel like striking a person at all, it felt as if I was hitting something very hard.”

“That was the Heaven’s Blade Successor Reverse’s move.”

“It was a Heaven’s Blade Successor’s move?”

The Heaven’s Blade Successors of Lance Shelled City Grendan were really powerful Military Artists who could single-handedly take Filth Monsters.

And standing in front of her, Layfon was also a Heaven’s Blade Successor before he came to Zuellni.

“This technique is the only reason Reverse became a Heaven’s Blade Successor, and it’s no surprise.”

“Is it really that powerful of a technique?”

No doubt it was; deflecting Nina’s technique so easily.

But relying on just that technique to become a Heaven’s Blade Successor seemed a little surprising.

Layfon is very strong.

He warded off two attacks on Zuellni by the Filth Monsters by himself.

But during those battles, Nina was standing aside and watching.

That stunning scene made you forget to breathe.

And the second time, fighting that mature form Filth Monster, Layfon performed moves which were impossible for Nina.

But most importantly of all, when he was facing such a huge existence, he didn’t show any signs of fear.

To be able to do all that by himself, that was the definition of strong.

And that’s why Nina started having thoughts of not being able to do anything by herself…

“Kongoukei…(Diamond Kei)That’s what this technique is called. It defends against all attacks and then causes them to rebound; the strongest shield. And then there is the strongest Guan Dao (halberd) wielded by Cauntia, which can cut through anything. This pair’s combination attacks have massacred large numbers of Filth monsters.”

“…So that’s why.”

She understood that reasoning. A team, which was made up of two people who had reached a genius level in their offense and defense, would surely be a formidable combination.

But Layfon shook his head as Nina thought of this explanation.

“There’s Cauntia who only attacks and completely disregards defense, and there’s reverse who only defends and never bothers with offense. Think about it carefully, and imagine the situation.”

With that body, she takes on the relentless attack of the filth monsters with such concentration that she barely blinks. Can you imagine that, Captain?”

Nina didn’t reply and was frozen on the spot.

When they were battling the mature form filth monster, Nina acted as the bait.

At that time the filth beast was coming closer and closer, pressuring her, and Nina was so scared that she couldn’t move at all. She thought it was going to be the same as a battle, so she didn’t think that there would be any problems. At that time, she never even imagined she might be torn into shreds by those gigantic teeth.

She decided that she would imagine herself in such a situation more often.

What kind of people would be there…

“The basic idea of Kongoukei is to use Internal type Kei to reinforce your body and simultaneously follow the Kei of an attack and reflect it. It’s actually very simple in theory. But the hard part is getting the timing right and to always be staring at the opponent with a persistent glare, and to do that you have to have a very strong will. You have to do those two things.”

As he said ’To always be staring at the opponent with a persistent glare’ she already thought that it was possible for her to master his technique.

But, if it was as he said, then it shouldn’t be that easy to learn. After all the training, Nina finally understood this from her experience.

<center>◇</center>

“Owowowow….”

Nina woke up to excruciating pain in her muscles. How long had it been?

Even before, she hadn’t ever been like this before.

Now she thought about it, recently every time she had forgotten her restraint and pushed herself too much she had done something that made her whole body sore with pain.

But practicing by herself for self training all the time, to the point of being hospitalised, which was the catalyst for Layfon to start training her, providing Nina with very valuable training sessions.

Ignoring the pain, she sat up with that blank look of having just woken up, adjusting her Kei breathing. This was her latest daily routine she had to go through.

Her ultimate goal was to be able to maintain her Kei breathing even when she was sleeping, but right now, she still couldn’t do it.

It wasn’t actually to flood her lungs with Kei, but it was to stabilize the flow of Kei coming from her Kei organ in her back…that was called Kei breathing.

As she proceeded with her Kei breathing, she unconsciously looked about her room.

Looking at her bed, her study desk, and her wardrobe, you could immediately tell a private room; it was Nina’s living space. The toilet, the showers, and the kitchen were all shared.

Nina lived in the girl’s dorms.

This was built a few years ago as practice for the Architecture Students for their graduation. The designer had called it a work of art, and you could see this clearly from the outside of the building. It was built in an archaic wooden house style, and on the inside, everywhere you looked you could see carefully designed ornaments. The three shared rooms were also very spacious and luxurious, making people who lived in other apartments and dormitories feel envious.

But the thing was, that place wasn’t very popular.

The main reason was that it was too far away from school.

And another reason was the noise pollution.

Originally, the land nearby was prepared for Architecture Students to undergo training, so they would build many different structures, or knock down the older buildings. The reason that the girl’s dorm that Nina lived in hadn’t been knocked down was that the person who designed this returned to his home city after graduating and won an award for the design, so they kept this building as a memorial of sorts.

A house without people living in it would quickly fall into disrepair, so they turned it into a so-called girl’s dorm and rented it out. But when it got dark, the lack of people felt creepy to many residents, so there were very few people who lived in that dorm.

Because of all the terrible conditions, the rent was low, so Nina decided to live here.

“Hoo…”

Nina had finished adjusting her Kei breathing, and now fully awake, she used her Internal type Kei to ease the pain in her muscles. This level of muscle soreness only needed maintain some sort of Kei in the area, and the pain would be gone by around noon.

Internal type Kei, or Katsukei, could be used to reinforce the body and remove fatigue. If in an emergency one fully released all their Internal type Kei and continually reinforced their body, afterward there would be very scary side consequences waiting for the user. Nina had experienced this period of aftershock herself. However, if it was used appropriately, one could achieve accelerated recovery.

Feeling a lot more comfortable, Nina placed a panda plushie that she had been hugging all that time onto the jutting windowsill beside her bed. The plushie had been mended in several places, and gave an overall appearance of being very old and worn.

That plushie was one few things that Nina had brought here from her hometown. It was a present from her grandfather when she was little, and she wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully if she wasn’t hugging it.

Wearing a set of light pink pajamas, Nina walked out of her room, going to wash her face.

As soon as she walked into the hallway the mouth-watering smell of melted butter assaulted her.

Nina hurriedly looked at the clock hung on the wall beside the stairs. It was an ancient clock that had to be wound, telling Nina that breakfast was about to start. Nina quickly walked towards the washing basin, washed her face, and then returned to her room to change.

Just as she finished changing…

The clock sounded out with a ring and simultaneously, a voice called out “Breakfast is <nowiki>starting~~~~</nowiki>”. At the same time a clanging sound reverberated with the other noises around the dorm at a level far beyond ear splitting.

Put simply, it was the sound of metal hitting metal, but to call it a weapon created solely for pissing people off wasn’t excessive at all. Any alarm clock in existence couldn’t possibly create a sound as annoying as this.

“Woah!”

After a while, she heard the ringing again. Normally, she got up well before the sound went off, but she had overexerted herself in yesterday’s training session, so she slept in a little.

Even if she lived this irregular life, the only schedule she strictly followed was her mealtimes. That was one of the rules of the girls dorm.

“I’m up! I’m up already!”

Shouting at the top of her lungs from her room loudly, Nina scrambled out of her room.

The girl beside the stairs was holding a soup spoon and was beating a pan. The noise this made was known as the most effective weapon designed to wake people up in the morning.

“Hehee… Nina you lazy sloth”.

As she said this, she stopped hitting the frying pan and pulled out her earplugs.

“Haa…I’m sorry.”

Seeing that the noise had stopped, Nina apologized in a relieved manner.

This girl’s name was Selina Vin. She was a fourth year Alchemy student, and she was also the dorm manager.

The reason that she was the dorm manager was because of all the people who lived here, she was the only one who could cook. People who could control food were the greatest people in the world, as decreed by the last dorm manager who graduated last year.

“But it’s been a long time since I’ve whacked the frying pan like this, so I’m a little happy.” Saying this, Selina went downstairs first.

Nina helplessly chased after her.

All of the people who lived in the dorm were already seated at the table in the dining room.

“Morning, Nina.”

“Morning, Leu”

The person who called out to Nina was another person who lived in this dorm, and after replying, Nina also took her place at the table.

Today’s breakfast was toast fried in butter and dipped in milk, along with salad and tea.

On a table which could seat ten people, there was only enough food for three.

That is to say, these three people were all of the people who lived in this all girls dorm.

“It’s been such a long time since I’ve heard that sound she uses to wake people up.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

Selina also put on a expression which said ‘can’t help it’ and sighed.

“The others who used to live here have all graduated, so now it really feels a little lonely.”

“No, that’s not it. Only two people graduated from here” said Nina calmly as she spread honey across the toast.

“But it’s because nobody new came to live here.”

“Anyway, it’s not a problem that has just started. It started ages ago” muttered Leu, staring into the distance.

“Part of it’s also because of the way Selina wakes people up; it leaves most of the new people here traumatized and they all leave this dorm.”

“But isn’t that because it was really hard to wake that girl up?”

Looking at Selina frowning with displeasure, Nina shook her head helplessly.

“Well…even if she wasn’t scared away, there would only be four people. In this dorm for ten people there isn’t even half that.”

At least she had to reassure her first.

“But isn’t having only three people manage this huge dorm too much work? We can’t clean the empty rooms up properly, and we can’t clean up the lawn outside properly… and recently there’s been more mice, so don’t you guys think it’d be better if we called in some more people?”

“No.” Facing Selina who was whining, Leu cut in “I don’t think the mice have anything to do with the number of people living here, but there have been some pretty annoying sounds coming from the ceiling.”

“…Eh?”

Nina moved her feet under the table slightly, and her toes touched something. It was a something that was quite hard.

That’s why I have a proposal. Ah, you can’t reject this proposal. No matter what you say, I’m the dorm manager. Ahem!”

Listening to Selina who had probably puffed up her chest, Nina looked under the table.

“That’s why I want to increase the number of people in this dorm.”

“…you don’t even know how you’re going to do that, and we all know we can’t just increase the number of people so easily just because we wanted to.”

“That’ll never happen, yeah?”

“This dorm has a pretty unfortunate environment, so I doubt many students would be willing to come here.”

“Hem hem hem~”

Pretending to listen to what Leu and Selina were saying, Nina had put all her attention into looking for the something under the table.

(…What is that thing?)

There was a normal plate placed there.

On the plate, there were the dishes leftover from last night. There wasn’t any problem, seeing as plates were made for dishes to be placed on them. There wasn’t any problem with that.

The question was, what was a plate doing on the floor? And next to the plate, there was a chipped soup bowl, with some milk inside. Why was this.

“Then, I’ll introduce it to everyone.”

“Introduce?”Asked Leu in surprise. The talk across the table was still continuing.

“Is there already someone coming to live in our dorm?”

<nowiki>“That’s exactly right~~~Steven-chan, welcome~~~”

As Selina held extended her ‘welcome’ there was a creepy noise.

“Shu~~~”
</nowiki>
“…What is this?”

Leu looked at the thing that flew out from under the table with a surprised expression. It must have been ordered to stay under the table until this moment. Under the table, there were many plates with all the leftovers from last night. She obviously heard Selina’s introduction, but that was a completely inadequate explanation of the phenomenon in front of her.

“Steven-chan.”

“No, I’m not talking about that.”

“That is something my friend from the Cultivation Department sent me from another city. Originally they bought a squirrel-type egg which was meant to exterminate mice for us, but they made a mistake and they got a pet instead.”

“Haha, and you can’t return stuff you bought from other cities as well.”

“Yeah, but if they just threw this thing out, it’s a bit too cruel, so they looked for people who were willing to keep him.”

“Then it’s him who’s going to live here from now on?”

“Yeah, he’s really cute, isn’t he?”

“Well, I don’t really hate pets. I’m not afraid of them either. But still, if we were going to get a pet, we should have just gotten a guard dog to look after the house.”

“Arah, there’s no point in keeping a guard dog. We don’t have any criminals or delinquents in this area.”

“I think a the fact that person like you who has no sense of urgency managed to live peacefully up till today is the real mystery…If it can’t catch any mice, then there’s no point at all in having it as an extra member of the dorm. He isn’t even a person.”

<nowiki>“Eh~~~~~? I can’t?”</nowiki>

“Well, I guess you can, but have you figured out a solution for his litter?”

“No problem.”

“Really. Then it’s up to Nina then? Is it ok?”

As for Selina’s question, Nina couldn’t answer it.

She was drenched in cold sweat, and it wasn’t stopping.

Below her feet, there was a terrifying creature.

It was a creature she could grab with one hand, eating the leftovers in the dish like a wild beast. It looked like it was pretty hungry.

Aah, it’s slender body gave out a feeling of immaturity.

It had grown long claws in order to run around the ground more easily.

In its mouth, there were small, sharp teeth tearing at the leftover food.

…It was a ferret.

“Aaah! Waaah!!!!”

“Nina?”

That creature lifted it’s head and licked it mouth, it front legs rubbing its face before it stood up, looking about at its surroundings.

Looking at Nina.

Those glossy, round eyes were filled with curiosity.

“Shu~”

It was a very weak sound.

“Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Nina let out a deafening cry and jumped onto the table.

“Ni-Nina?”

“What’s wrong?”

The two of them stared stunned at Nina, who was shaking on the table.

The ferret was frightened by Nina’s cry and hugged Selina’s leg, hiding behind it.

“…Nina, do you hate animals?”

“…No, it’s only those that I can’t stand”

“Arah…”

Seeing Nina holding her head and shrinking away, the two looked at each other.

In the end, they took Steven the ferret back to Selina’s room and continued their breakfast.

“Though I never thought that Nina would be afraid of ferrets.”

“It’s pretty surprising.”

“…If you two want to laugh, then laugh.”

Seeing her shoulders still quivering slightly, the two couldn’t help not laughing but didn’t make a noise, and Nina just sat there pretending to calmly eat breakfast. But her veins near her temples were still throbbing.

“But why is it that you’re only afraid of ferrets? I mean, in the inter-city battles, you’ve met far scarier people than that little creature.”

“Is it a physiological reason?”

In response to Leu’s question, Nina said definitely “It was that thing’s fault in the first place.”

“It’s fault…Nina, what exactly did the ferret do?”

“Aah, just thinking about it scares me. It was when I was five. Because my uncle loved animals, he kept a lot of pets and livestock at his house. At that time, I often went to that uncle’s house to play…”

“Uhh…if it’s like that, why are you afraid of ferrets?”

“On my fifth birthday, everyone in my extended family came to wish me a happy birthday. My uncle also came. He told me there was a surprise waiting for me in my bedroom. Even though I wanted to see what it was immediately, he told me to wait until the birthday party was over. So I had no choice but to be patient and wait.”

Nina shivered as she recalled it.

“Well…what happened?”

“Yeah, what next?”

“My uncle prepared a ferret for me. Originally, it was meant to be safely housed inside its cage, I don’t know if it had something to do with the metal lock being broken, but somehow that ferret got out of it’s cage.”

“So that’s why you’re afraid of ferrets?”

“If would be great if that were all. That thing … my precious plushie…”

“Plushie? You mean the one in your room?”

“Yeah. It was chewing my precious Mitessha with tearing noises.”

Recalling the scene, Nina continued to quiver.

What the young Nina saw when she returned to her room was an evil monster using it vicious teeth and tearing a hole Mitessha in the stomach and was pulled out the cotton stuffing within into long thin strands.

“Aiya.”

“To me, Mitessha isn’t just a precious plushie it got from my grandfather. It’s a precious friend who keeps me company through the night. Even though it was so important, that thing… that thing…”

With her mother’s help, Mitessha was restored to his former glory, but on his body there was an irrevocable scar.

From then on, every time she saw a ferret, she would remember what happened back then and she would be so terrified that she would start shaking.

“Then, can’t I keep him?”

After breakfast, the three of them were drinking tea together.

“Wuu...”

Looking at a very sad Selina, Nina was speechless.

“Nina, that’s a trick she uses all the time” reminded Leu quietly.

She knew this as well. As soon as Selina was in a situation that was disadvantageous to her, she would put on a childlike appearance. It was her solution to everything.

Even though Nina knew this…

“I can’t…?”

“Wuu…”

She couldn’t do anything against this expression of Selina’s. And her everyday meals were always made by this person who they always wanted to thank. When it came to any of her requests, they always felt that it was hard to deny her.

(No, quickly remember, Nina Antalk. Selina wants to keep a ferret. That horrific beast. Have you forgotten Mitessha’s tragedy?)

Nina continually shook her head, reminding herself in her heart.

Ok, I’m going to refuse…as she thought this, she looked up as Selina.

“If that child doesn’t find an owner he’s going to be gotten rid of. He’s very pitiful…am I still not allowed to keep him?”

It was completely unfair to be saying this sort of thing with an expression as if she were going to cry.

“Ok, ok…I understand.”

As she said this in a tiny voice, Leu who was sitting beside her quietly said “Idiot.”

“Really? Really? Thank you so much!”

“On one condition! Quickly tell him to never get close to me!”

“Ok, I got it.”

Seeing Selina happily make her promise, Nina showed a trace of glumness.

<center>◇</center>

Noon that day.

Layfon was startled to see a languished Nina come into the training area.

Could it be because of yesterday’s training? Aware of the possibility, Layfon was worried. Nina showed an exhausted smile and shook her head.

“It has nothing to do with yesterday’s training. It’s just, this morning…it was like that.”

In response to a vague reply like that, Layfon cast a confounded look over to Nina, but she didn’t attempt to explain it any further.

“Let’s just train for now. What are we doing today? Are we continuing what we did yesterday?”

Nina thought that she would need that kind of strong defense.

“Today we’re doing basic training.”

“Why? I want to get the essentials of that move.”

“I think you’ve already got the basics of that move. I said it yesterday too, Kongoukei is a very simple Kei technique. If you just memorize the technique, you’ll be able to do it very quickly. But to use it correctly is a different thing.”

“That’s why we have to…”

“That’s why, just by memorizing we cannot understand the true nature of Kongoukei” asserted Layfon, and Nina closed her mouth.

“Concentration isn’t something which will be easily trained, and if you want to be able to bring out Kongoukei’s original use, raising your basic abilities is very important. And if your foundations are very strong, then your overall abilities will be raised as well. No matter how you look at it, isn’t it very good?”

As he said this, Layfon walked towards one side of the room, and started to prepare for training.

Nina watched Layfon’s back quietly.

Layfon seemed even further from Nina. Nina only saw the inter-platoon battle before her…and a bit further away, the inter-city battle.

But Layfon looked even further, thinking of doing battle with filth monsters.

This was the original purpose of Military Artists, right? She knew that it was the Military Artist’s job to fight the filth monsters that attacked the city.

But the inter-city battles with other Academy cities… the battle with other Military Artists from other cities was unavoidable.

“Then, what am I supposed to do about that area…Waah!”

Halfway in her sentence, Nina fell backwards to the floor, and frowned.

On the ground, many balls the size of fists rolled around. These were things which Nina bought with the platoon’s budget according to Layfon’s request.

“But that sort of thing is perfectly normal for Military Artists.”

The two were practicing their stances on top of the rolling balls.

As they practiced the basics of being aware of Kei within their weapons, they had to be careful of the balls they were stepping on and insert Kei into the balls to stop them from rolling. If it was just standing on the balls, even Nina could do it as she was right now. But to do it as she was practicing her stances was very hard. As she continued to step on the balls and adjust her stances, she had to use her nerves to adjust the direction of the Kei flow.

“Indeed, battling with filth monsters is different from fighting other military artists, but the only difference is the fighting methods, as the essence of the Kei technique hasn’t changed.”

Nina moved about slowly, while Layfon leisurely stepped between poses. The balls he stepped on didn’t move at all. Seeing this, Nina realized just how great the gap between herself and Layfon was.

“Let’s just use Kongoukei as an example. You don’t know how strong your opponent's attack will be. You don’t know how much power you need to defend against the attack. For argument’s sake, you don’t even know who your opponent is. Even with your standards now, you might still run into some trouble. But in order to get the greatest result, isn’t it better to be working hard for that? You’ll never waste hard work. ”

“…Speaking of which, are you practicing properly right now?”

“I am, wouldn’t you say that I am doing training very seriously?”

“You’re actually holding back to coordinate with me, right?”

“I haven’t actually thought about that…”

Being asked that question all of a sudden by Nina, Layfon scratched his face uneasily.

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t do this in individual training, and this place isn’t a specialized facility, so I can’t do it properly, so doing this seems a lot more appropriate” said Layfon, balancing on a ball with a single leg.

Seeing this change, Nina observed Layfon’s feet.

Thick Kei rotated around Layfon in a whirl.

The first thing that Layfon had taught Nina was how to observe an opponent’s Kei. As she observes the movements of the body, she also has to capture the flow of her opponent’s Kei. If she did that, before her opponent used any moves she would be able to detect any changes in the flow of his Kei.

She could nearly…do it. But she didn’t understand it. If she could see the flow of the Kei, then as her opponent used any techniques she would also be able to see the change in the flow.

Even though she understood this, that’s all she could do. If she reproduced the flow of Kei, in theory she could use the same technique, but she couldn’t do it in reality.

(Ah…it’s true.)

Layfon was full of unbelievable aspects to him. Geniuses were hard to understand in the first place. And Nina herself was a rare student who was made a platoon member as a first year, so many people around her might think she was a genius as well, but she wanted to deny it. She didn’t actually think that she was a genius, all she did was work harder than people expected her to. Even though she always felt that no matter how much she did she was always short of something, she still kept on working hard.

Layfon easily reached a level she could never reach no matter how hard she worked.

Even if that was the case, when people praised him, he accepted it unenthusiastically. He thought that it was something that was perfectly normal. He was a little proud.

After Layfon had taught her the basics to Kei, she felt it even more. Layfon was filled with an even greater aura that made everything he did seem perfectly natural for everyone else. Of course he would be like that.

Of course, he could do it all.

He never thought that he wouldn’t be able to achieve anything.

If someone did point out a problem, he wouldn’t accept it, as if he lost to someone else.

Perhaps Layfon was also aware that things that he told others to do were a little difficult for them. That’s what Nina felt. She couldn’t complete the exercises Layfon had set for her, but she wouldn’t feel impatient; she wouldn’t start yelling curses at herself.

Even though he was proud, but he wasn’t indifferent.

(Ah, it really is…)

Nina mumbled again to herself in her heart, and then she renewed her training with the stances.

He was a hopeless genius,

hopelessly proud,

and hopelessly gentle.

When that bit of gentleness wasn’t seen in his Military Arts, his whole person would seem completely unreliable, but when he did show it, it made one’s chest feel tight just like that.

That sort of change was completely unbelievable, it seemed difficult to accept.

(Why…is it like this…)

Inadvertently thinking of this, Nina shook her head trying to chase the thought out of her head.

Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about those things.

Why did Layfon make others think like this…it really is unbelievable, and

(It really does make people angry.)

I guess I’ll try and see…thought Nina. No matter what, she wanted to try it out. No matter what it was that she could learn from him, she would try and learn it.

In order for her to protect this city, she had to turn his power into her own.

“Shu~~”

Remembering the cries of the evil beast, Nina was so terrified she nearly lost it.

“Ah, Nina.”

<center>◇</center>

After leaving the training area, Nina and Layfon walked towards the nearby shopping street. They had agreed earlier that they would go to a Military Arts specialist store and have a look around. They needed to resupply on the anti-slip perishables, as well as look at some other methods of training.

They were nearly at the large store when she was stopped by a call from Selina.

And then, there was that evil monster’s cry.

“Wh-Why did you bring that to this kind of place?”

Nina protested with an expression of terror. The Devil’s spawn named Steven was running around Selina in circles.

“Because I need to buy a leash for this child when we go out for walks, and I have to buy some other things that he needs” replied Selina awkwardly as she stood in front of a pet store.

“But in comparison…Nina, you…”

Selina smiled at Nina teasingly.

“Nina, you guys are getting pretty heated up over there, right?”

As she said this, Nina finally realized the state that she was in.

“That…”

Layfon’s awkward face was just in front of her.

“…Eh? Eh? Waa Waaaa!”

Noticing that she was tightly holding onto Layfon, she suddenly let go with a shriek. Her cheeks were burning hot. She knew that right now her face was probably beet red.

“No need to be shy.”

“It’s totally not what you think!”

Even as she said that with a red face, Selina pretended not to hear.

“Ah, Nina, I’m going to take Steven for a walk, so I’ll leave these things for you to take home.”

She forced the large paper bags she was holding onto Nina, and then leading Steven along she walked away.

“When we get back, I’m going to tell you all about what Steven did today.”

“Wait…”

Eh, we have to buy things as well…Even though she wanted to say this, she knew that Selina wouldn’t listen to what others say, and she was also slightly afraid of Steven, so she was unable to put up a more demanding front.

“…Do you hate animals?”

Layfon asked Nina as her extended hand dropped powerlessly to her side.

“It’s not like that.”

Looking at Selina’s gradually shrinking shadow, her shoulders dropped powerlessly as well. Other than shake her head in helplessly, Nina couldn’t do anything.

As a result, they had so many things that she was forced to ask for Layfon’s help to carry it. No, it wasn’t that Nina bought a lot of things, but it was Selina who actually bought too much.

“She didn’t think of the consequences at all, geez.”

Nina complained quietly, walking towards her dorm.

Even though this sort of thing happened, she still felt a little annoyed.

Today was really way to strange. She felt like she couldn’t control her mood properly.

Layfon followed silently behind her. Layfon was holding what Selina bought for Steven. They didn’t know what was inside, but it was surprising that to keep Steven that she would need such a large thing.

Layfon noticed where Nina was looking, she was looking his way. The thing wasn’t really heavy for a Military Artist, but it was still pretty big. Before she had seen through the thin gap in the paper bag, Layfon looked over and she turned around immediately.

After they arrived at the dorm, she placed the stuff they bought in the kitchen while Layfon sat in the drawing room waiting. Nina returned to her own room.

As she changed into her casual clothes, she thought about making some tea for Layfon. The snacks Selina had baked a couple of days ago still had many left over.

As she was changing, she couldn’t help it and she started humming. She looked beside her bed.

Her bed was placed beside the wall, and next to it there was a windowsill. On the windowsill, Nina had left some miscellaneous items she had as a girl there as a decoration.

In the middle, there was something that felt different from normal. It was a blank, white space, there was a strange feeling.

“…Why?”

She stopped humming.

Something that was meant to be there was gone. She realized instantly that something was gone, that she was missing something. Thinking this… She calmly organized her memories again, and she looked around her room with a tense expression.

It really was gone.

Mitessha was gone.

Nina was feeling slightly dizzy, and she held onto the side of her desk to stop herself from falling over.

“Why…?”

Still carrying a feeling of uncertainty, Nina put on a serious expression as she went through her memories again.

This morning, her day had been completely messed up by that devil Steven, but before that, as Nina woke up she had placed Mitessha in his special place.

After that…What happened after that. Even though she wasn’t too sure, but she couldn’t remember moving Mitessha. She still remembered that to escape Steven she ran out of the room and quickly changed and left the dorm.

What did she do at that time? No, Mitessha should still be in the same spot.

She couldn’t answer that question with her memories.

Which meant that something happened when Nina wasn’t in the room. It was impossible for her to have moved Mitessha, so something or someone had moved her poor panda plushie.

As Nina was thinking about this, there was a light knocking sound at the door.

“Umm… senpai?”

On the other side of the door, was Layfon’s voice. Right now Nina didn’t have any time to spare to worry about Layfon.

“Ahhhh…I really am an idiot.”

Making a cold sound that surprised even herself, Nina looked up. Layfon had opened the door and was looking over at her with surprise.

“Poor Mitessha, I just left him there and went out, I bet he hates me now.”

“That…senpai?”

She understood that Layfon was calling to her, but if she didn’t get her conclusion of her chest, she couldn’t calm down.

“I really am an idiot. At that time, how horrified must he have been, as he saw his own death nearing. Even if it was like that, I still fell to my own horrors, and left him behind and ran away myself. It’s perfectly normal for me to be hated now.”

“Senpai? Hello?”

“Mitessha couldn’t move, so he lost his life and departed. I have to do everything in my power. If I don’t correct my mistakes…yes, if I don’t do that then…”

“Senpai? Please return to earth now…”

As he said this, Layfon gradually got further away from Nina. Nina was probably blaming herself for not taking responsibility.

“But Mitessha hasn’t returned, has he?”

“Who is this Mitessha you’re talking about?”

“I have to do it.”

“Do what?”

Letting out a miserable cry, Nina had already lost all signs of answering Layfon.

“I’m home~”

A completely carefree voice came from downstairs.

It was Selina

That means, if Salina was here, that was here as well.

“Coming.”

As Nina muttered to herself, she pushed Layfon out of the way and ran towards the front door.

“Wuu…isn’t anyone home?”

At the front door, Selina was carrying Steven who was testing his claws and looking around the room. There was nobody on the first floor.

“And I thought Nina had come back.”

Selina had already forgotten that Nina was afraid of Steven.

No, she actually thought that because of how cute the little thing was, that they definitely could make it up to each other and have a good relationship.

Selina thought of this as she heard footsteps upstairs.

“Ah, Nina thanks for carrying…”

Smiling like always, Selina was waving at Nina, then she froze.

Nina walked out with a scary expression on her face.

For some reason she was holding a pair of restored Dites…Metal whips.

“Nina…?”

While she was still mumbling to herself, stunned, Nina had already walked over in front of her.

She didn’t have time to be afraid. She stood up immediately, but as soon as she did, she got knocked over by a strong blast of wind.

“What are you doing?”

This time the person crying out was Layfon.

Why are you getting in my way?

Nina’s eyes were shining fiercely.

Using his sword, he pushed back the metal whips, Layfon’s back shaking slightly.

Nina’s whole body was overflowing with Kei. Like a broken pipe. Even her breathing was mingled with Kei, as if she was fighting some monstrous being from a nightmare.

“Saying that I’m in your way…”

Layfon was shaking slightly as he replied.

“If I don’t do this, Mitessha won’t return.”

“So that’s why I’m asking, who is he?”

“Shut up!”

Nina roared as she rushed and pushed Layfon out of the way getting closer to Selina yet again.

The target was the ferret Selina was holding on to.

“I’m going to take you down! I’m going to take back Mitessha!”

“Ah, I can’t take it anymore.”

Layfon went and whacked Nina’s completely open back. He wanted to knock her out with that blow, so he adjusted his power accordingly. Nina was sent flying by this Kei-filled attack and she landed outside in the front garden.

Seeing Nina down, Layfon frowned. If it was a Military Artist, it would have been fine, but being forced to hit his senpai left a bad aftertaste in his mouth.

“What’s wrong…?”

Asked Selina who stood there stunned, staring at the fallen Nina. The ferret she was holding in her arms was fidgeting a lot.

“I don’t know what’s going on either…what’s Mitessha?”

“Eh? Mitessha? Mitessha is…”

Just as Selina is about to answer, Layfon felt a killing intent bubbling out from Nina.

“Is it…”

It really is.

“Mwahahahaha…”

Nina, who was supposed to be knocked out, stood up again and she was still releasing Kei like before.

“I’m sure I hit you with my Kei.”

Why…as he was thinking, Layfon realized something.

“…Kongoukei?”

Is it? Successful? At this sort of time? In these circumstances?

“Mwahahahaha…”

“Eh~ No way!”

Facing Nina who was releasing a bestial killing intent and slowly closing in, Layfon felt somewhat powerless instead of nervous. How to say it, he wasn’t exactly happy with the fact that Nina had grasped a technique he had taught her. Layfon had also experienced times where he couldn’t use a technique but suddenly used it under pressure, but never in a situation like this.

“Return him.”

Nina spoke in a human language, her two eyes drilling into the ferret.

“Ah.”

Steven leaped out of Selina’s arms.

“Trying to run!”

Nina started to run chasing after Steven who escaped from the front door into the front yard.

“Ah, ah…could it be…wai-wait!”

Looking like she suddenly remembered something, Selina went to chase after Nina and the ferret whose traces had since disappeared.

“I am going to take back Mitessha!”

“That’s why I’m asking who the hell is he?”

There weren't many people about at dusk so Nina and Layfon’s shouts reverberated in the air.

As the sun began to set Leu returned from the library, saw the front door wide open, and scowled.

“They really make people worry.”

Leu went into the dorm shouting, “be a bit more careful next time” but nobody replied.

Such a worrisome thing as this must have been caused by Selina. She probably got carried away since Nina agreed to let her keep the ferret. If she didn’t remind her properly…As she grumbled away to herself he walked up to her room.

“That’s right…”

Remembering something, Leu went downstairs, into the drawing room. Both their common room and their drawing room were filled with piles of magazines the three bought.

Leu picked up the plushie which was placed in the corner of the sofa.

“If I don’t put you back, Nina’s probably going to go crazy.”

Saying this to the panda plushie, she walked upstairs.

After Nina left, Selina and Leu wanted to see if Steven could actually catch mice, and placed him up in a place where there might be a nest in the ceiling. Even though he was surprisingly successful, Steven was treating catching mice like a game. With the ferret showing off his live catches to Leu in a self-satisfied manner, Leu could only sigh in resignation. Well, he did manage to catch the mice. Selina also said happily “Like this, I’m sure Nina will accept Steven now.” But what would the final result be?

Well, why was Mitessha in the drawing room?

As they were looking for a way to get up into the ceiling from the second floor, they found that they could only go up to the ceiling from Nina’s room. Even though Selina had the master key to all the rooms in the dorm, but she was still a bit guilty about just going into someone else’s room. And she was going to bring a ferret which Nina hated into her room. Remembering Mitessha, and Nina’s tragic past, they didn’t want to put Mitessha with the ferret even for a second. That’s why, Leu placed Mitessha into the drawing room with good intentions. But she ended up forgetting him there.

“But where did those guys disappear to?”

For some reason, the door to Nina’s room was wide open, and placing Mitessha back into the room, Leu could only respond to her stomach’s complain with a sigh.

“Ahahahahah, what’s wrong Layfon?”

“Ah! I can’t take it anymore! Why did I have to teach you this move!”

As he fought Nina with his sword in the air, Layfon complained with remorse.

“Nina~~Listen to me~~” said Selina on the verge of tears.

By the time her words reached Nina’s ears, it was because Nina was down on the ground with fatigue from using too much Kei, and night had long fallen.

From then on, whenever Steven saw Nina he would escape at lightning speed. Speaking objectively, this was a very strange occurrence.

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| Forward to [[Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume8 Interlude 03|Interlude 03]]
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</noinclude>

Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume8 Interlude 02

2010-07-02T19:19:16Z

72.231.23.77: /* Interlude 02 */

===Interlude 02===

“………”

“What’s wrong?”

“Speaking of which, there aren’t any Heaven’s Blade Successors who use metal whips, are there?”

“I think you should know more about these things than I do.”

“I guess I should. Well, including me, there’re three people who use swords, and if you exclude Delbone, there’s a person using his fists, a longsword, a shield, a gun, a staff, a bow and metal spheres. There isn’t anyone who uses metal whips.”

“What’s the matter, bringing up these things now.”

“Well, it’s about my captain, Nina-senpai.”

“Yeah, I know, you’re always talking about this person in your letters, and she seems to be very hardworking.”

“Yeah, it was just teaching her some moves. But I’ve taught her a lot of different moves before…”

“Because Layfon isn’t used to teaching others, that person must be having a hard time learning, right?”

“Hmm, maybe it’s like that. So that’s why, I suddenly thought of a move at that moment. It’s a move that couldn’t be more suitable for her. But I can’t remember where I picked up that move from.”

“…You’ve gotten dementia?”

“Hmm…Maybe it’s like that. But as long as I’ve seen a move once, I can immediately recognize the direction of its Kei flow, so maybe it wasn’t a Heaven’s Blade successor’s move. I should be able to remember a person who used such an elegant move, even if I’ve only seen him once.”

“But to make Layfon so eager to teach her that move, that person must be really talented.”

“Yeah, she’s really hardworking as well.”

“Oh…?”

“Not only that, she’s also very frank. I doubt there’s anyone else who’s as direct as she is. But then again, she’s a little bit of a klutz at times.”

“You don’t have the right to say that about others.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“But I’m a little bit envious. Even though she’s clumsy, she’s still very straightforward about everything. It really makes me envious.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

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| Forward to [[Chrome_Shelled_Regios:Volume8_Diamond_Passion|Diamond Passion]]
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</noinclude>

Talk:Chrome Shelled Regios

2010-07-02T19:17:46Z

72.231.23.77: /* Volume 9 Chapter 5 missing */ new section

==Volume 03 - Chapter 1==
I believe I encountered something odd while working on the list of names and terms.

"So do you need anything today? If it’s Ge…. Naruki, she’s over there,” Layfon had almost called Naruki by her first name. Good thing he caught himself so quickly"

First of all, Naruki (ナルキ・ゲルニ, Naruki・Gelni) is her first name by the Japanese convention of using a dot to seperate first and last names written in the European ordering system (like how the comma separates Smith, John if you think about it conversely). Second, the original text read "Na...Naruki" and talks about almost saying her pet name, which I interpret as nickname. I'm seeing an inconsistency in even the original work considering Layfon just calls her Naruki and doesn't really have a nickname for her (which in this case would probably be Na-chan for her two other friends). Any ideas?

Oh and this is the original text:

「で、今日はなにか急ぎの用事ですか？　ナッ……ナルキならあそこにいますけど」
　愛称《あいしょう》を言いそうになって、言い直し、レイフォンはニーナの横で困り果てた顔をしたナルキを示《しめ》した。

Edit: NM found her alias. It's Nakki. Posted that alias on the terminology list and will be editing the text according to when it's used in the original Japanese text. BTW, speed reading is bad for editing :p .

--[[user:xstar|xstar]]

==Volume 11 - Impact Girls ==
Since the titles for some of the chapters for Vol 11 are so awkward, why not reverse the order? So instead of his and my Lunchtime, make it 'Lunchtime of Me and You' and so on so forth. The Japanese particle の(no) can both be read as a possessive particle ('s) or as the word '''''of''''' when reading the two nouns in the reverse order.
so the proposed title changes would be
* ''Morning of Me and you''
* Impact of Childhood 01
* ''Lunchtime of Me and you''
* Impact of Childhood 02
* ''Dinnertime of Me and you''
* Impact of Childhood 03
* ''Dinnertime of Me and You''
--[[User:xstar|xstar]]

I see what you mean. To me, both titles (using "his morning" or "morning of") sound strange. Probably coz English is never meant to convey meaning this way. I don't really mind the changes... whatever you guys think is suitable. - [[User:blewin|blewin]]

Would'nt work "Morning with You and Me" too? Or would that be wrong? --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 05:39, 4 June 2010 (UTC)

That would work, but I personally think "Morning of Me and You" sounds more girlish and romantic-ish, regardless of how much grammar hates it. But I think "with" would be a different Japanese particle anyway, which I think would be に. If you wanna go the correct grammar route, "(The/A) Morning of You and I" would be recommended, with () optional, but loses a lot of the feminine aspect. Freely changeable, however seen fit anyway. --[[User:EnigmaticRepose|EnigmaticRepose]]

How about using something like "the two of us" instead of "me and you"? (Mainly because "aitsu" doesn't mean "you") Ah, or if you want it to sound romantic: à deux :D Or just leave it to the reader to figure out what's meant and use "our"? [[User:EusthEnoptEron|EusthEnoptEron]] 08:24, 4 June 2010 (UTC)

o_O ''"Lunchtime of Me and you"'' sounds almost like ''"Lunchtime (made) of Me and you"''. a bit cannibalistic as well, but then again, that is a bit post-apocalyptic, i guess...

About the 'aitsu' thing, is it a gender-neutral way of addressing someone in context? If so, if you want to keep the 'mystery,' then using 'you,' as it's gender-neutral and also used in context, seems to fit well (the original translation used 'his' anyway); however, the 'ore' throws that off.
Like I actually have enough knowledge to discuss Japanese anyway.... 
Anyway, 'Morning of the two of us' would work, albeit some rewording would be nice. I don't like using 'of' too much myself.
 --Playing too much Fallout? It ''can'' sound cannibalistic based on the context, but since the titles have been following a pattern in a romantic way, it shouldn't be too misunderstood. Once again, [[User:EnigmaticRepose|EnigmaticRepose]]

About the 'made of' comment, technically it could have a strongly sexual connotation. You could technically have a feast of the flesh or a feast for the eyes and just imply the sexual nature of the phrase. Also, the terms 'ore'(me) and 'aitsu'(you) just means the speaker is using masculine speech (regardless of whether the speaker or the target of speech is male or female). Technically Nina speaks in this type of speech. Potentially 'with' would also work. The word with conveys a slightly different meaning, but it all depends on the context of the chapters involved. Do the chapters convey inclusion of the two people involved, or do they convey the meaning of 'for the people involved'? If the chapter's content follows the description 'for the two involved' then a 'Morning for/of Two' would be adequate as a translation. I haven't gotten into this volume yet as far as reading in Japanese so I'm not sure. (Oh btw, I love heated discussions like this, though wasn't expecting this particular discussion to be that heated) --[[User:xstar|xstar]]

== Volume 1:Chapter 5 - Point of Difference ==

Just after the the first platoon match when Layfon wakes up in the hospital, there is a sentence that does not seem to make grammatical sense. The line reads as follows: "Layfon took the juice from Meishen. The juice refreshed his thirsty throat. He drank as if the liquid to seep through his entire body." The problem I see is with the last sentence of the line. My proposed edit would be "He drank as if to let the liquid seep through his entire body." Alternatively, the sentence could read "He drank as if to allow the liquid to seep through his entire body."
--[[User:xstar|xstar]] 12:30, May 28, 2010 (UTC Pacific)

You're right. That line doesn't make sense. Either corrected versions is ok. Feel free to edit.
Thanks again! - [[User:blewin|blewin]]

== Volumes 8:Innocence Wander ==

I think that chapter "Innocence Wander" in Volume 8 is misplaced. The content should be placed earlier in the story's timeline. Could someone check it out please?

What do you mean? - in the story timeline? Where should that be in the timeline in your opinion? --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 05:57, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

Honestly, the normal timeline seems correct. In volume two, Meishen has Felli pass the letter on to Layfon. In Innocence Wander, Meishen recalls that incident with the line reading "...Mei-Shen recalled the time when she stood here agonising over whether or not she should give Layfon the letter that was accidentally sent to her. If she hadn’t met Felli here, what might have happened…?" --[[User:xstar|xstar]] 1:02, May 18, 2010 (UTC Pacific)

== Volumes 3 and 11 ==

Could someone double check the names of volumes 3 and 11? I checked: here is volume 3: 鋼殻のレギオス 3 センチメンタル・ヴォイス
and here is volume 11: 鋼殻のレギオス１１インパクト・ガールズ

I don't know any japanese, but I highly doubt that these two phrases mean exactly the same thing --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 21:44, 1 March 2010 (UTC)

''Chrome Shelled Regios 3 Sentimental Voice'', ''Chrome Shelled Regios 11 Impact Girls'' is what I get. ~EnigmaticRepose

Thank you. --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 23:44, 1 March 2010 (UTC)

I am not a Japanese translator but for simple things like this there is no need to bother anyone; google translator works well enough.

鋼殻のレギオス 3 センチメンタル・ヴォイス
Steel Chrome Shelled sentimental voice 3

鋼殻のレギオス１１インパクト・ガールズ
11 Girls Impact Steel Chrome Shelled

Yes they mean something different; is the above translation perfect no but who cares lets just enjoy the excellent work that the translators are doing.

Thanks again to Blewin, Haze and Iygophile.

Corbett D.

I just wanted to say thank you to Blewin, Haze and Iygophile for translating and editing this Novel.

thanks,

Corbett D.

==Volumes 6+==

I just wanted to ask if there´s a specific reason, why the pictures in the chapters from Vol.6 on are missing. Because from Vol.1-5 they're in the different chapters.

:I assume they were forgotten to include into the chapters, or [[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] (or someone else, but I belive it was ususally Vaelis doing) still havnt had the time to include them... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 07:43, 18 March 2010 (UTC)

I see, thank you for the answer.

== prequels: ==

At what point in the series do the prequels no longer contain major spoilers about how the world came about. in other words, how many volumes can we go without them containing major spoilers?

What do you mean? What risk? Is there someone who translates the prequels? (Also I would say no risk as long as you dont read them ;))--[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 21:20, 27 March 2010 (UTC)

Well, no one is translating the prequels (sadly), so I haven't read them, but presumably, one might have a very different understanding of Filth Monsters, or Ignasis, among other things, after reading the prequels, which might spoil some surprises in the main series (like how the prequel trilogy in Star Wars ruins the revelations of the end of Episode 5 of that series): as I can't read japanese, I couldn't say, but was just curious. --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 03:23, 4 April 2010 (UTC)

== Compared to the Anime/Manga... ==

I was just wondering how many of the light novels the anime covered, and how much was different between the anime, the manga and the light novel. also, since i haven't read that far yet, please try not too give away too many spoilers, if any, about the story after the point of the anime ( or equivalent point in the novels).

The anime covers volumes 1-7, but the last chapters of volume 7 is different from the anime.

I'm not sure about the manga as I don't read it, but the novels have much more details than the anime.
the last 2 chapters or so of Vol 7 kick start from where the anime left off.
You might also want to read Vol 8 (short stories) in conjunction with Vol 2 and 3 as it takes place much earlier.
The main story goes: Vol 1-7, 9, 12 to current Vol 14.
As for differences.... Leerin and Nina receive far better reception in the novels. They've both been butchered in the anime!
Gorneo and Shante also have more screen time. - [[User:blewin|blewin]]

Thx, that was just the answers i was looking for. keep up the good work Blewin, Haze. Ganbare!

== Volume 9 prologue ==

Does Volume 9 have a prologue? The project and registration pages make it look like it should have one, but since Blewin appears to have skipped it, I want to confirm whether or not it exists. --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 22:59, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

I skipped it because I couldn't find the prologue, but Haze found it for me. Prologue 9 should be on its way soon. - [[User:blewin|blewin]]

== Volume 9 Chapter 5 missing ==

Anybody else have trouble loading Volume 9 Chapter 5? I get a blank screen when I click the link.