Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 6 Capítulo 3

Capítulo 3 – Exame de Promoção de Classe

Parte 1

Três pessoas estavam olhando para o chão do céu.

Uma luz fraca como uma vela, mas que não era da chama, iluminava o espaço frio.

Imagens claras que eram como inúmeras pequenas janelas eram projetadas em uma superfície de parede dentro daquela sala única.

Quatro homens e mulheres de aparências diferentes estavam lá.

“É mesmo...... Então Hayes não esperou pelo meu despertar.”

Uma garota de cabelo prateado usando um vestido brilhante, como se fosse preenchido com pedras preciosas, sussurrava isso dentro da escuridão.

Havia um enorme pilar transparente na frente da garota. Esse pilar era preenchido por dentro com água que brilhava com um branco azulado. Uma garota nua estava flutuando dentro da água.

A garota que tinha o mesmo cabelo prateado que ela estava com a cabeça baixa. Seu corpo não estava nem se contorcendo como se ela estivesse morta.

Quando a garota de vestido soltou um suspiro de lamento, um homem alto se ajoelhou na frente dela.

“A responsabilidade recai sobre mim, que fui incapaz de proteger Sua Alteza, a Terceira Princesa Imperial. Por favor, me dê qualquer punição que você considere adequada.”

“Eu ouvi os detalhes de Mishis. A culpa não é sua. Afinal, aquela garota, desde o passado ela não ouvia ninguém quando ela colocava algo na mente.”

A garota de vestido murmurou apaticamente como se ela não estivesse desanimada.

Então, a empregada de cabelo azul parada na parte de trás – Mishis Vi Xfer ergueu o rosto.

“Sua Alteza, a Segunda Princesa Imperial, já se integrou como ajudante próxima de um certo país. Ela me disse que, quando Listelka-sama acordasse, pedisse que você a contatasse por meu intermédio.”

“É mesmo, bem, certamente Aeril tem algum tipo de ideia. Entre nós, aquela garota é um pouco peculiar, mas seu ideal deve ser fundamentalmente o mesmo que o nosso.”

Depois de dizer apenas isso, ela parou na frente do homem ajoelhado e gentilmente apresentou sua mão.

E então, enquanto seus longos cabelos que ficavam pendurados até quase atingirem o chão balançavam, ela sussurrou calmamente.

“Por favor, levante seu rosto Fugil. Sou diferente de Hayes, gostaria de pedir sua força. Você vai me ajudar, a Sacerdotisa do Oráculo?”

“Como sua vontade deseja, Sua Alteza.”

Fugil sorriu sem medo enquanto se curvava. Ele então pegou a mão dela.

Listelka olhou para isso afetuosamente enquanto sorria.

“Obrigado. E então, vamos retomar nosso país juntos. Você que evitou a traição contra nós os Lord e destruiu aquele clã, salvando-nos, meu— Herói.”

Com essa última palavra, o interior da sala se encheu de silêncio.

Apenas o som silencioso da Ruína trabalhando pôde ser ouvido por um tempo naquele lugar.

Parte 2

Lux ouvia o canto dos pássaros.

O sol quente brilhava através da velha cortina do quarto.

A manhã na terra de um país estrangeiro estava um pouco mais quente do que o normal e convidava a sonolência, mesmo assim uma voz de lado despertou a consciência de Lux.

“Bom dia Lux-kun. A cama estava dura?”

Coral, que já acordou na cama ao lado, vestia roupa íntima curta parecida com Lux. Por um instante, Lux sentiu o coração palpitar ao ver aquele corpo esguio e rosto andrógino.

“N-Não. Dormi bem, obrigado.”

Lux ficou constrangido ao pensar que foi visto dormindo. Ele imediatamente desviou o rosto enquanto respondia de volta.

“Estou feliz. A propósito, café ou chá, qual você prefere?”

Coral sorriu e perguntou isso com um tom amigável.

Quando Lux pediu o chá, Coral foi até a sala de serviço e trouxe xícaras para duas pessoas.

“Já faz muito tempo desde que alguém me preparou chá pela manhã.”

Lux murmurou enquanto bebia o chá em silêncio.

“É mesmo? Como eu pensei, isso é— você mesmo o prepara por causa do seu trabalho então?”

Coral estava perguntando de maneira um pouco indireta, talvez porque ele estivesse evitando mencionar o apelido de Príncipe das Tarefas.

Lux sorriu ironicamente com a consideração amigável de Coral e ele acenou com a cabeça.

“Eu não fiz esse tipo de trabalho muitas vezes, mas gosto de uma tarefa onde posso fazer chá. Quando o fizemos corretamente, por algum motivo me sinto bem.”

“Ah, esse sentimento. Eu também entendo. Há apenas uma ligeira diferença, mas você pode entender imediatamente pelo sabor e aroma—”

Assim, Lux e Coral se divertiam conversando sobre coisas triviais do dia a dia.

Porém, a campainha que os avisava para acordar imediatamente tocou dentro do prédio e eles decidiram se dirigir ao refeitório para tomar café.

“Ah, me desculpe. Mesmo sabendo que você tinha o exame, eu tomei seu tempo de se preparar.”

“Não. Graças a você pude relaxar.”

Lux estava trocando de uniforme na hora enquanto respondia sorridente.

Lux estava preocupado ontem à noite com o assunto de Yoruka, mas parecia que foi a escolha correta para ele receber um favor de Coral.

Depois que lhe foi ensinado o caminho até o refeitório, Lux se separou de Coral por um momento e se juntou ao pessoal da academia.

O conteúdo da refeição foi substancial até certo ponto, mas como esperado, era inferior quando comparado às refeições da academia.

(Sem perceber, minha língua também se acostumou ao luxo, hein...)

Lux estava pensando nessas coisas enquanto terminava sua refeição, então a Tríade e Airi vieram diante de Lux.

“Bom dia, Lukkuchi! Você ficou sozinho ontem à noite? Você pode vir até ao nosso quarto para jogar, sabe?”

“Bom dia Tillfur. Quer dizer, vou aceitar o seu sentimento com gratidão.”

Depois que Lux sorriu sem jeito, a outra membro da Tríade, Shalice, sorriu para ele.

“Fufu, Lux-kun continua o mesmo hein. —Isso é o que eu queria dizer, mas esse rosto distraído não é como você de costume, sabe?”

“Yes. Como esperado, Lux-san parece estar preocupado com Airi. Eu deveria ter visitado para relatar que ela está bem.”

“I-Isso não tem relação comigo. Nossa......”

Airi, que de repente teve a conversa dirigida a ela, fez beicinho timidamente.

Parecia que embora estivessem nervosas antes do exame, essas meninas ainda estavam as mesmas de sempre.

“Todo mundo é diferente de mim, vocês não parecem nervosas.”

“É assim que parecemos? Então, minhas habilidades de atuação devem ter aumentado.”

Shalice de repente sorriu e cruzou os braços depois de ouvir as palavras de Lux.

“Eh...?”

Quando Lux observou a Tríade com muito cuidado, Tillfur parecia vagamente inquieta, Noct também parecia como de costume à primeira vista, mas sua expressão estava um pouco rígida.

Além disso, mesmo Shalice, que parecia calma à primeira vista, também disse essas coisas, então ela também deve estar muito nervosa.

“Somos de classe média agora, então subir daqui vai ser muito difícil, certo—”

“Bem, mesmo como Syvalles, vamos perder prestígio se continuarmos contando com você o tempo todo. Hoje vamos fazer o nosso melhor— para mostrar o resultado.”

No final, Shalice concluiu lindamente assim, condizente com seu status como a líder da Tríade.

“Vai tudo ficar bem. Afinal, a força de todos tem crescido rapidamente.”

Quando Lux disse isso para tranquilizar as três, Airi suspirou exasperada.

“O que Nii-san está dizendo quando você ainda está na classe baixa? Certamente não haverá nenhum problema com a habilidade prática de Nii-san, mas se você falhar no teste escrito, será inútil, sabe?”

“Ugh!?”

Lux se encolheu com a resposta afiada e, sem pausa, Airi se aproximou de Lux.

“Estou sinceramente dizendo a você Nii-san, por favor, não faça nada que o faça realmente se destacar. Afinal, este país tem rancor contra o Antigo Império.”

“Certo. Eu entendi.”

“Além disso, não estou pedindo a você que se force... Mas—”

Airi murmurou silenciosamente e aproximou a boca do ouvido de Lux. Ela então sussurrou para ele.

“Se possível, preste atenção em todas as outras. Afinal, este parece ser seu primeiro exame de promoção em um país estrangeiro. Elas também estão um pouco nervosas.”

“Certo. Entendi.”

Lux imediatamente deu aquela resposta antes de repentinamente sorrir.

“Mesmo assim, parece que Airi também voltou ao normal... Estou um pouco aliviado.”

“O-O que você está dizendo? Estou preocupada se Nii-san fará algo desnecessário e se destacará—”

“Desculpe por sempre preocupá-la. Mas, estou muito grato.”

“Se Nii-san pensa assim, por favor, reflita um pouco...”

Airi disse isso em voz baixa e olhou para baixo com as bochechas ligeiramente avermelhadas.

Assim, ele se separou da Tríade e Airi e foi para o local designado do lado de fora.

“Bem, a partir daqui vamos ir para o local do exame escrito. Todos estão preparados?”

Todos se reuniram em direção ao corredor com as breves palavras da instrutora Raigree.

Lux também abriu o manual de instruções de Drag-Ride e fez sua última revisão.

No momento, a posição de Lux era de classe baixa, mas a questão do exame para promoção à classe média não era tão difícil.

Embora o nível de dificuldade fosse diferente em proporção à classe, o programa do exame geral desta vez era mais ou menos assim:

O primeiro exame – o exame escrito, relacionado ao conhecimento de coisas como o procedimento operacional do Drag-Ride, funções e assim por diante.

O segundo exame – um exame de força física básica, de combate corpo a corpo, bem como habilidades de luta com espada e habilidades de luta desarmada.

O terceiro exame – o exame de aptidões práticas na operação de Drag-Ride, relativo à operação básica e à aplicação prática do Drag-Ride genérico usado pelo examinando.

O quarto exame – o exame de habilidades práticas de combate, testando através de uma batalha simulada a tática e a força de batalha do examinado, supondo que eles estavam enfrentando Abyss.

E então, as notas do primeiro até o quarto exames seriam julgadas de forma abrangente, dependendo da situação também era possível realizar um exame complementar.

Atualmente, entre seus conhecidos próximos, Celis era de alta classe, enquanto Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Shalice, Tillfur e Noct eram de classe média.

Contando as garotas do esquadrão de ataque “Syvalles”, as alunas que estavam participando dessa vez eram em sua maioria da classe iniciante, o tipo mais baixo de licença, então primeiro elas teriam como objetivo ser promovidas à classe baixa.

Em relação ao primeiro exame— o exame escrito desta vez, Lux conseguiu terminar de preencher as respostas com segurança, sem nenhum problema em particular.

“Fuu......”

Ele respirou fundo e por enquanto ele estava saindo do local, foi então—

“Hahah, com certeza você parece tranquilo, mas serão os exames de habilidades práticas depois. Não há apenas testes de pilotagem, mas haverá até um teste na forma de combate real. Eu não sei quando a pretensão de vocês vai acabar, mas estou ansioso por isso, sabe?”

No momento em que Lux saiu do corredor do local do exame, um homem apareceu. Era o homem com uma cicatriz no rosto que já vinha criando problemas com Lux e as outras.

Um oficial militar do Principado de Vanheim— um homem chamado Buzzheim disse essas coisas para eles com um sorriso nojento.

Era uma ameaça transparente, mas várias das garotas tremiam ao ver isso.

“......”

Lux hesitou se ele deveria responder, mas seus pensamentos pararam antes que ele pudesse dizer alguma coisa.

Brigar dentro do território do Novo Reino também era problemático, mas agora eles estavam no território de um país estrangeiro, que poderia ser ainda mais problemático.

Esse tipo de coisa fazia com que os sentimentos deles ficassem ruins, mas eles não devem ser provocados por algo desse nível.

“Não se preocupe. Eles também têm sua própria posição oficial, não serão capazes de interferir conosco tão abertamente.”

De repente, Krulcifer ficou ao lado de Lux enquanto friamente penteava seus cabelos.

“Mas—”

Lux inquietamente ergueu a voz assim, mas o rosto de Krulcifer estava sério.

“A partir daqui, essas meninas só podem apostar no próprio esforço. Não é algo pelo qual você precise ser responsável até o final.”

“Eu...... acho.”

“Mas, se isso te incomoda tanto, então há algo que você pode fazer.”

“Eh......?”

“Se o mais fraco— você cuja verdadeira força é por todos os direitos quase o mais forte, está fazendo o exame para a classe baixa, então dependendo de como você o fizer, você deve ser capaz de se tornar a força dessas meninas. Então, vamos nos encontrar novamente mais tarde.”

Krulcifer apenas disse isso antes de ela sair lentamente.

Um examinador passou por ela no caminho e entrou. Quando o intervalo acabou, o examinador disse-lhes que se preparassem para o próximo exame.

Lux estava pensando nas palavras de Krulcifer enquanto seguia os oficiais militares do Principado de Vanheim. Ele colocou seu Dress Gear em outra sala.

Ele fez aquecimentos leves antes de sair da sala, então a hora chegou rapidamente.

“—Então, o exame para a resistência básica, bem como a habilidade prática de luta corpo a corpo vai começar agora!”

O homem do Principado de Vanheim que era o examinador ergueu a voz e anunciou isso.

O exame de resistência básica era percorrer distâncias designadas com o objetivo de percorrer cada distância dentro do tempo determinado.

Desta vez, eles iriam correr pela estrada na circunferência externa da Ruin’s Gear.

Lux também sentiu isso quando fez o exame no Novo Reino no passado, mas achou que era um exame difícil para uma garota.

“Haa, a distância ainda é boa, mas como a estrada é muito ruim—”

Aquelas que podiam reclamar como Tillfur ainda estavam bem, mas a maioria das meninas estava sofrendo com a encosta íngreme da Ruin’s Gear a que não estavam acostumadas.

“Isso é realmente lamentável. É porque não há homens decentes no Novo Reino que jovens e mulheres fracas como todas vocês passam por maus bocados.”

“Que tal vocês pararem de se forçar e voltarem para casa? Ou devo carregá-las nas minhas costas com a mão em suas bundas?”

Em meio a essa corrida, três homens correndo ao lado das garotas zombavam das garotas do Novo Reino que estavam sem fôlego.

Os rostos dos três homens eram os mesmos dos soldados de ontem. Os homens que observavam o que acontecia de longe também tinham rostos familiares.

Devem ser as instruções do homem com cicatrizes e uma etiqueta de examinador no peito, Buzzheim.

Esses homens queriam mostrar seu ressentimento e raiva contra o Velho Império no passado, descontando no Novo Reino.

Lux enrijeceu a expressão e procurou em seu cérebro um plano para impedir isso, foi então—

“Vocês três estão realmente calmos, não é?”

“O qu......!”

Uma expressão digna, sem qualquer abertura nela, e uma presença indiferente que dominava outras pessoas.

A existência da garota que mudou completamente até o ar circundante fez com que os homens prendessem a respiração.

Celis, que fazia parte dos Quatro Grandes Nobres, reduziu entre os homens.

“Se vocês três têm tanta confiança, que tal ter uma partida comigo?”

O tom calmo, mas vagamente opressor, provocou os três homens.

“O que você está dizendo? Este é um exame individual, sabe? Não é um lugar para começar partidas desnecessárias.”

A atitude do homem mudou repentinamente. Talvez a fama de Celis fosse conhecida até no Principado de Vanheim.

“Então, se vocês três puderem me vencer nesta competição, ouvirei tudo o que vocês disserem antes de voltarmos para casa, que tal?”

“O que—......!?”

Mas, as palavras que Celis disse fizeram os homens ficarem tensos por um momento. Eles olharam um para o outro.

Em seguida, seus olhares rastejaram pelo rosto e seios de Celis – e continuaram ainda mais ao redor de seus quadris que estavam envoltos pelo Dress Gear. Em pouco tempo, um som de engolir pode ser ouvido.

“......Como uma nobre do Novo Reino, não há como voltar atrás com essas palavras, certo?”

Os homens lamberam os lábios sem nem mesmo tentar esconder seus desejos vulgares.

“Mas é claro. Embora, isso seja apenas se vocês três ganharem contra mim.”

“Hahah! Não se arrependa mais tarde—!”

Os três homens apenas disseram isso antes de repentinamente aumentarem o passo e correrem na frente.

Até agora eles estavam propositalmente diminuindo a velocidade para assediar as meninas.

Celis que estava fazendo um exame para ser promovida à Classe EX estava começando bem longe atrás dos outros candidatos. A distância que ela precisava correr era longa.

Desde a infância, como herdeira da casa Ralgris, Celis se treinou severamente, mas não havia garantia absoluta de que seria capaz de vencer.

“Celis-senpai......”

Quando Lux gritou inquieto, Celis sorriu com confiança.

“Fique tranquilo, Lux. Eu não vou perder contra eles.”

Ela disse a ele como se fosse natural, como se ela nem mesmo estivesse pressionada.

“Sim. Mas— você vai me permitir ajudar um pouco também?”

Lux considerava a existência dela confiável, ao mesmo tempo em que também tinha uma ideia.

Uma forma de se opor ao assédio promovido por aquele homem chamado Buzzheim.

Ao dar sua sugestão em voz baixa, Celis concordou imediatamente.

“Entendido. Vou contar com você, Lux.”

Celis acelerou o passo imediatamente junto com um sorriso calmo.

Ela imediatamente alcançou os três homens correndo na frente e em um piscar de olhos sua figura desapareceu de vista.

“Pessoal, não se preocupem com o resto.”

Lux disse isso às meninas ameaçadas e ele também aumentou o passo aos poucos, de forma que começou a alcançar as costas de Celis e dos três homens.

E então— ele começou sua tática.

“Hahaha, aquela garota nobre estúpida. Como planejado, ela ficou com raiva e se opôs a nós.”

Os três oficiais militares que vieram assediar as meninas – os homens que se moviam seguindo as instruções de Buzzheim, um deles pronunciou essas palavras e deu um sorriso vulgar.

Era inesperado que alguém do Novo Reino fosse aquele que propusesse uma partida, mas ver Celis correndo em alta velocidade foi um feliz erro de cálculo para os homens.

Esses três conheciam muito bem o ambiente da pista de corrida em torno da Ruin’s Gear.

A superfície da estrada na última metade era uma pista acentuada com pavimento em pedra abandonada. Esse curso dobraria a exaustão.

Não importava que ela fosse uma cadete oficial militar treinada, sua resistência seria incapaz de resistir e ela se autodestruiria lá.

Mas, mesmo depois que os homens continuaram a correr e terminaram de escalar a longa encosta, eles não foram capazes de alcançá-la.

“Tch. Estamos indo muito devagar? Vamos nos apressar um pouco.”

Os homens impacientes com a situação que se desviava de suas expectativas aceleraram logo na descida.

Mas a distância estava diminuindo apenas ligeiramente.

“Por que, por que não estamos a alcançando!? —Sua bastarda!?”

Eles continuaram a correr até que sua respiração ficou pesada, mesmo assim as costas de Celis estavam longe.

Além disso, Lux, que parecia cansado com a cabeça baixa, corria paralelamente a eles, então a expressão dos homens mudou.

“—Kuh! Não nos subestime! Temos percorrido esse caminho todos os dias todo esse tempo!”

Os homens deram um grito animado e aumentaram ainda mais o passo.

Naquele momento, o resultado da partida estava totalmente decidido.

“Guu, haa, haA...... u, Ah......”

Os homens envolvidos na partida estavam sentados no chão com a respiração ofegante.

Naturalmente, não conseguiram vencer a “competição” contra a Celis. O próprio ritmo deles atrapalhou, eles se autodestruíram e acabaram quase no último lugar no exame.

No final, o plano que eles executaram não funcionou contra Celis e eles foram atingidos por uma armadilha.

Celis normalmente corria por iniciativa própria no caminho não pavimentado, separadamente dos exercícios gerais.

Portanto, ela estava quase imperturbável, mesmo quando corria em um caminho instável com o qual ela não estava familiarizada.

Além disso, era como Lux, que parecia exausto à primeira vista, corria paralelamente aos três homens.

Os três ficaram impacientes ao ver que Lux, que parecia exausto, corria ao lado deles, então eles aumentaram o passo.

“Você me ajudou Lux. Como esperado do neto do Wade-sensei.”

“Não, eu estou apenas começando a usar suas táticas, Celis-senpai.”

Como era de se esperar, Lux não era páreo para Celis, que falava sem um único distúrbio respiratório, mas no final ele conseguiu atingir a meta no topo do ranking, então Lux achou que ele também havia corrido bastante com suas próprias limitações.

Lux enxugou o suor e descansou enquanto soltava um suspiro de alívio.

“Eu ouvi o boato, mas— vocês dois são incríveis.”

“—Eh?”

De repente, a atmosfera tensa foi suavemente dissipada.

Uma garota com uma aparência inadequada para este exame estava bem atrás dele.

Ela estava usando um luxuoso vestido branco puro, decorado com enfeites que pareciam pétalas de flores de várias cores empilhadas umas sobre as outras.

No topo de seu cabelo loiro com um traço de castanho que estava parcialmente amarrado com uma fita, havia uma pequena tiara dourada decorando sua cabeça.

Esse lindo rosto estava preenchido com um sorriso gentil.

“Ah, minhas desculpas pela minha apresentação atrasada. Eu sou Milmiette Crhodel. A Princesa do Principado de Vanheim.”

Logo depois que ela se apresentou assim, Celis e Lux se ajoelharam quase ao mesmo tempo.

Um momento depois, os policiais ao redor do local também fizeram um gesto de saudação em pânico.

“Perdoe nossa grosseria de não notar a chegada de Vossa Alteza.”

Até Raigree, que estava a uma pequena distância, também fez uma saudação, mas Milmiette balançou a cabeça levemente ainda com o sorriso no rosto.

“Fiquem à vontade. Todos vocês são nossos amigos jurados que expressamente abriram caminho até esta terra. Só estou me intrometendo aqui de repente apenas por causa da minha curiosidade.”

Depois que Milmiette disse isso com um sorriso, todos se levantaram silenciosamente.

Então, a Princesa falou com Lux e Celis mais uma vez.

“Hoje, o Exame de Promoção de Classe está sendo realizado aqui na Ruin’s Gear, e eu também tenho o privilégio de observá-lo, mas fiquei surpreso com a habilidade de vocês dois. Vou orar para que todos no Novo Reino recebam encorajamento e para que os oficiais de nosso país também tenham ainda mais zelo em seu treinamento.”

“Sim, é uma honra receber o elogio de Sua Alteza.”

Lux foi atraído pelas palavras de Celis e ele também curvou levemente a cabeça.

Buzzheim, que estava parado a uma pequena distância, cerrava os dentes ao ver aquela cena.

“Entendo”, pensou Lux.

Aqui Lux finalmente adivinhou o motivo pelo qual uma parte dos oficiais de Vanheim e o examinador chamado Buzzheim estavam perdendo a paciência.

Originalmente, eles já estavam cientes da visita da Princesa de seu país para observar o exame, então, além disso, o exame tornou-se uma competição contra o país que antes era seu pior inimigo. Isso explicava por que sua reação era tão franca.

“Bem, então, vou sair para me encontrar com meu cavaleiro, me desculpem por enquanto. Que a sorte esteja com vocês, pessoal do Novo Reino.”

A princesa disse apenas isso antes de partir com passos elegantes.

Depois disso, seus guarda-costas e servos que chegaram atrasados a seguiram rapidamente.

“Ela é uma pessoa com uma atmosfera única, não é?”

Celis sussurrou com um sorriso depois que a presença da Princesa foi embora completamente.

Lux também concordou com relação a isso.

Ele pensou que se fosse a realeza do Principado de Vanheim, eles também estariam abrigando más impressões em relação ao Novo Reino com certeza, mas inesperadamente não parecia assim.

(Talvez, pode ser que os defensores de Sua Alteza e os partidários de Buzzheim estejam separados.)

Enquanto pensava nessas coisas, suas costas foram de repente batidas por trás.

“Parece que você estava fazendo algo bem divertido, hein, Lux.”

“Ah, Lisha-sama. A todas também, obrigado pelo seu trabalho árduo.”

Depois que a Princesa partiu, Lisha, Krulcifer e Philuffy, as três que estavam em outro lugar também vieram atrás de Lux.

“Você de repente recebe atenção. Bem, para uma pessoa com uma posição como a sua, será ainda mais estranho se não for esse o caso.”

“Vocês dois correndo juntos, injusto. Eu também quero correr com Lu-chan.”

“Ahaha......”

Lux sorriu ironicamente ao ouvir as palavras de Krulcifer e Philuffy.

Pensando que iria se destacar muito se ele fosse agrupado com as usuárias de Drag-Ride Divino, ele evitou deliberadamente se aproximar das garotas, mas no final se envolveu completamente com Celis.

“Me desculpa. Isto é minha culpa. Eu estava contando totalmente com você de novo, erro meu.”

Celis murmurou com um olhar um pouco estranho. Em resposta a isso, Lux balançou a cabeça em pânico.

“Isso não é verdade. Graças a Celis-senpai, aquela garota também foi salva, além disso, a senpai foi muito legal.”

Quando Lux expressou honestamente seus sentimentos assim, a bochecha de Celis ficou vermelha.

“R-Realmente ajuda que você esteja dizendo isso. Afinal, sozinha não sou confiante se o que estou fazendo é realmente correto ou não...”

Ela falou timidamente enquanto desviava um pouco o rosto.

Lux quem viu aquilo ia sorrir ironicamente, naquele momento—

“Vocês dois, aqui não é lugar para flertar!”

Lisha interrompeu com um tom confuso.

“I-Isso foi rude da minha parte. Ainda estamos no meio do exame. Não devemos perder o foco aqui.”

“Sim, certamente é verdade. Afinal, parece que eles também estão sentindo uma rivalidade ainda maior em relação a nós.”

Lux e as outras correram o olhar para os arredores após ouvir as palavras de Krulcifer.

Buzzheim, que observava o caminho de longe, se aproximou até bem na frente deles, despercebido.

Aqueles olhos penetrantes que eram como os de uma fera, ferviam de hostilidade em relação ao Novo Reino.

“Vocês estão realmente calmos hein? Não, talvez seja mais correto chamar de excessivamente confiantes.”

Ele bufou com desdém para Lux e companhia enquanto caminhava passando por eles.

Quando eles estavam passando um pelo outro, ele parou e virou apenas o pescoço, direcionando um sorriso para Lux.

“Não abuse da sorte apenas por passar no exame básico de resistência. Afinal, vocês não são nada mais do que remanescentes do Antigo Império.”

Buzzheim cuspiu essas palavras antes de ir para o próximo local junto com seus parceiros.

Já era algo esperado, mas parecia que o homem não planejava recuar apenas com isso.

A seguir viria a segunda parte do segundo exame, um exame de habilidade de luta desarmada e habilidade de luta com espada que seria realizado continuamente.

Eles tinham ouvido de Raigree que em qualquer tipo de país, havia uma tendência para os homens terem habilidades superiores em luta desarmada e luta com espada.

“Todos ficarão bem no próximo exame...?”

“Não importa o quão desvantajosa seja uma batalha, ainda é muito cedo para desistir de vencer contra eles, sabe?”

Em resposta ao murmúrio de Lux, Krulcifer disse isso a ele com uma expressão sugestiva.

Parte 3

“Em seguida, a continuação do segundo exame de habilidades de espada, bem como habilidades de luta desarmada começará. Formem uma linha seguindo a ordem em que você é chamado!”

No exame seguinte, os oficiais do Principado de Vanheim estavam realmente animados, forçando as meninas da Academia a uma batalha difícil ao contrário.

A fim de evitar lesões, o exame consistia basicamente em que os examinandos teriam uma luta prática um contra o outro para ver quem poderia bater no outro seguindo a postura adequada, mas como esperado, havia diferenças na força física pura entre homens e mulheres, então as alunas da academia iam ficando para trás.

Não era um assunto considerado tão importante para um Drag-Knight, mas no geral, o Novo Reino estava sendo adiado.

“Agora então, eu também tenho que fazer tudo como um membro do Syvalles.”

Quando chegou a vez de Shalice da Tríade, um homem forte estava esperando como seu oponente.

Normalmente, o oponente deve ter uma constituição física e gênero que sejam o mais próximo possível do examinado, mas parece que isso foi instigado por Buzzheim.

“Eu acredito que meu oponente é obviamente diferente, mas é uma coisa dolorosa não poder afirmar que sou uma mulher neste tipo de momento.”

Shalice suou e deu um sorriso amargo. Quase ao mesmo tempo, o homem grande atacou impiedosamente.

Era um exame para ver o quanto o examinado poderia levar a melhor sobre o oponente usando arte marcial e uma espada de madeira no lugar do Sword Device, mas para evitar ferimentos, um regulamento especial para não usar ataques diretos tanto quanto possível foi criado.

“CAIA MORTA SUA PIRRALHAAAAA!”

Shalice evitou o ataque do homem grande que estava mirando em seu ombro e chutou a perna do oponente.

“Devo dizer que é uma bênção eu geralmente ser totalmente derrotada por Celis? Não serei derrotada por mera força bruta, sabe?”

Logo depois que o homem caiu, Shalice rapidamente apontou a ponta de sua espada de madeira em seu queixo.

Com essa postura, de acordo com a regra, a partida foi concluída— ou como deveria ser. Mas—

“Isso foi ingênuo, garota.”

“O qu......!?”

Instantaneamente, a perna de Shalice que foi movida para a posição de vitória— foi chutada. Ao pé do homem desabando no chão.

Shalice cambaleou e quase caiu. Seu pulso foi preso e o homem grande se levantou.

“Espera!? O que você está planejando fazer!? Eu deveria ter cumprido a condição de vitória—!?”

“O examinador não deu o sinal de fim certo? Isso é lamentável para você!”

O examinador Buzzheim intencionalmente ignorou o final da partida.

No momento em que o rosto de Shalice empalideceu, o dedo do homem pegou a costura de seu Dress gear.

“Espe—, par—...!?”

“Opa, meu dedo ficou preso em um lugar estranho, então talvez ele— guah!?”

No momento em que a costura do Dress Gear rasgou ligeiramente, o homem gemeu e se agachou.

Shalice foi arrastada para baixo com ele, mas alguém a segurou em seus braços. Era Lux.

“Você está bem, Shalice-san?”

“Eh...... s-sim......”

Quando ela olhou, o homem estava se contorcendo enquanto pressionava sua costa.

Lux acertou o cabo de sua espada de madeira na costa do homem.

“Examinando do Novo Reino aí! Isso é considerado um obstáculo para a partida de outro, você foi desclassificado!”

“......Entendido.”

Buzzheim anunciou com aborrecimento, mas Lux aceitou a decisão com calma.

Mas, como Lux se moveu como se tivesse tropeçado acidentalmente durante a partida contra seu oponente e colidisse com o oponente de Shalice por acaso, os outros examinandos pararam a decisão e, após uma discussão, terminou com apenas reduções de pontos para Lux e Shalice.

“Sinto muito, Lux-kun...”

“Sou eu quem lamenta. Os pontos do exame foram reduzidos—”

Shalice abaixou a cabeça em resposta ao sorriso irônico de Lux que parecia preocupado.

Buzzheim não aprendeu com a experiência e ele fez o homem grande de agora ter outra partida.

Muito provavelmente, eles pretendiam fazer a mesma coisa de antes, mas esse esquema entrou em colapso imediatamente.

“O QUEEE—!? C-contra uma garotinha como essa, IiIIIII!?”

Desta vez, o homem grande foi espancado pelas mãos da amiga de infância de Lux, Philuffy.

No final, embora o resultado fosse que, no geral, foi que Vanheim estava ligeiramente acima na média dos resultados, mas as notas mais altas foram obtidas por Celis e as outras, os membros do Novo Reino.

“Essas pessoas, eles são realmente cadetes oficiais...!?”

“Elas devem ser um grupo especial mesmo entre o Novo Reino, certo? S-Se não for esse o caso, então como explicar—”

No início eles estavam puramente fervorosos, não querendo perder para o Novo Reino, mas aos poucos foram se chocando e, em vez disso, agora estavam até direcionando olhares respeitosos para as alunas da academia.

Mas, mesmo assim, Buzzheim e seus parceiros estavam obstinadamente causando obstáculos, mesmo no terceiro exame.

“Uwah!? Vai bat—!?”

Tillfur, que estava fazendo um teste prático de operações básicas de Drag-Rides, foi abalada por outros <Wyverns> que estavam se aproximando rapidamente e ela parou no meio do caminho.

“Ops, desculpe. Parece que meu caminho se desviou um pouco. Afinal, nosso campo de testes aqui é estreito, realmente sinto muito.”

“............”

Sua maneira era educada, mas aquela voz que continha uma ameaça óbvia fez com que o rosto de Tillfur ficasse rígido.

“Número 32, um aviso para você. Você será desqualificada na próxima vez que sair do curso.”

O examinador era o referido Buzzheim conforme o esperado.

Era um exame para cobrir a rota designada dentro do tempo definido usando as operações básicas de cada Drag-Ride, como correr ou voar.

Do ponto de vista de Lux, era evidente que o homem que estava fazendo seu exame ao mesmo tempo que Tillfur ao lado dela estava fazendo obstruções, mas era difícil provar.

“Uuu......”

Tillfur gemeu de angústia.

Ela entendeu que era assédio de Buzzheim, mas o estresse de que ela poderia ser prejudicada a qualquer momento somado à tensão de fazer um exame em um país estrangeiro pela primeira vez, seu controle estava mais desordenado do que ela imaginava.

O oficial que viu Tillfur voando e riu se aproximou para ameaçá-la novamente.

“Olha, estou vindo da sua esquerda novamente. Cuidado!”

O oficial gritou intencionalmente enquanto voava de uma forma que parecia um pouco diferente de seu próprio curso, mas quando ele se aproximou por pouco—

“A bandeira que é o seu alvo está ali, sabe?”

“O qu—!?”

Lux, que estava no meio de seu exame prático usando seu <Wyvern> para voar, raspou a rota do oficial que estava ameaçando Tillfur.

Lux estava voando na direção do homem que tentava se aproximar de Tillfur.

Talvez o oficial tenha entrado em pânico e confundido o controle, pois sua trajetória continuou se desviando sem que ele pudesse corrigi-la, e ele estava caindo no chão.

“Cuidado—!?”

Lá, os Drag-Rides ao redor daquela área gritaram – mas, Lux que desceu usando seu <Wyvern> e pegou o <Wyvern> do oficial homem pouco antes de ele cair.

“Ku...... u”

“Por favor, seja cuidadoso. Se você não prestar atenção ao ângulo do bocal de propulsão, você cairá imediatamente.”

Quando Lux disse isso indiferentemente, o homem obstrutivo ficou em silêncio, frustrado.

“Mergulhar e chegar a tempo nessa situação...”

“Entendo, o Novo Reino também não é de todo ruim.”

Os oficiais do Principado de Vanheim expressaram sua admiração pelo ato que Lux exibiu indiferentemente, enquanto a expressão de Buzzheim e seus subordinados se distorceu em desagrado.

O oficial que incomodava fracassou, pelo contrário, até se salvou de sua situação difícil. Não houve maior humilhação do que isso.

Por outro lado, uma parte dos oficiais estava honestamente admirada ao ver a habilidade de Lux em lidar com um Drag-Ride.

“Ei, vocês realmente têm tempo para se preocupar com os oficiais de outro país?”

E assim por diante, houve até vozes levantadas em apoio ao Novo Reino.

A atitude de Lux e das outras que não cederam à pressão e também à sua força, e então os métodos sujos de Buzzheim estavam em processo de mudar a atmosfera do local.

Esse era o objetivo de Lux.

No Principado de Vanheim, havia oficiais militares que apoiavam a Princesa Milmiette, que estava tomando uma posição amigável em relação ao Novo Reino, e um bando como Buzzheim, que estava tratando o Novo Reino como um inimigo.

A fim de desviar aquele ar de rivalidade para um lado, ele deliberadamente fez com que os detratores fizessem seu assédio abertamente em vez disso, e então ele mostrou como eles esmagaram todos aqueles esquemas.

“Como esperado do meu cavaleiro, ele se saiu muito bem.”

“Sim, está certo. Mas— não há como deixá-lo assumir a disputa sozinho.”

Lisha e Krulcifer, que observavam de longe, conversavam com um toque de alegria.

“Então, nós também vamos.”

Philuffy também, embora seu rosto estivesse inexpressivo como de costume, mas ela estava começando a se alinhar para o exame rapidamente, como se tivesse sido desencadeada pelas ações de Lux.

No final, mesmo depois disso, as obstruções não foram bem, e metade das dez primeiras notas tinham nomes de membros do Novo Reino colocados lá quando Greifer e Coral foram excluídos.

Parte 4

“Daqui em diante, será o último exame de hoje. O quarto exame— o teste de habilidades práticas de combate começará!”

E então, à tarde, o último exame foi finalmente iniciado.

Quando este exame terminasse, uma revisão seria realizada pelos examinadores e o sucesso ou fracasso dos examinandos seria decidido com base em cada uma de suas pontuações totais.

Mas, o examinador que estava obstruindo o Novo Reino em cada exame – Buzzheim estava finalmente agindo pessoalmente.

“Lux Arcadia, Noct Leaflet, ambos os nomes devem ir para o campo de prática no bloco nordeste e realizar uma batalha simulada com um examinador. Terminem seus preparativos e aguardem.”

Para encurtar o tempo necessário e para inspecionar a cooperação entre Drag-Knights, que era um aspecto indispensável, uma batalha simulada no formato de uma dupla desafiando um examinador seria realizada.

Lux formou um par com Noct, e os dois sentaram-se lado a lado nas poltronas para espectadores que ficavam no terreno elevado da parede externa.

“Cuide de mim, Noct.”

“Yes. Vou dar o meu melhor para não arrastar Lux-san. Vou me esforçar o máximo que puder.”

A garota estava calma como de costume, mas sua voz estava um pouco rígida. Parecia que ela estava um pouco nervosa.

“Airi parecia bem?”

Quando Lux perguntou isso para iniciar conversa, Noct estava estranhamente falando com hesitação.

“—Yes. Superficialmente... Mas—”

“Superficialmente... você diz?”

“Esta é minha opinião pessoal, mas talvez Airi esteja se preocupando com algo há algum tempo. Mas, eu não sei o que é essa coisa.”

Ela murmurou com naturalidade e em pouco tempo deixou escapar um suspiro silencioso.

“Eu tentei descobrir do meu jeito por meio de uma conversa normal, mas não consegui descobrir nada. Minhas mais profundas desculpas por não ser útil.”

Noct fez uma pequena reverência em tom franco.

Lux que viu isso balançou a cabeça apressadamente.

“Isso não é algo pelo qual Noct precisa se desculpar. Isso é como meu próprio fracasso, como seu irmão mais velho por não entender sobre sua irmã mais nova. Estou muito grato apenas por você se sentir preocupada com isso.”

“É mesmo?”

“Sim. Veja, Airi tirar sarro de mim na frente de outra pessoa, geralmente isso é algo que realmente não acontece. É por isso que, por ela fazer isso na sua frente, sua melhor amiga, certamente significa que Airi também baixa a guarda perto de você assim—”

Lux falou animadamente com Noct, que parecia estranhamente abatida.

“Agradeço sua consideração. Graças a isso me sinto um pouco aliviada. Então, na batalha simulada contra o examinador depois disso, lançarei um bombardeio de apoio por trás. Vou deixar a função de ataque com Lux-san.”

“De repente vem uma tática impiedosa como essa!?”

A mudança de assunto drástica demais fez Lux gritar reflexivamente.

“É mesmo? Então, Lux-san está falando para mim, sua caloura, para sair para a frente como a linha de frente usando um <Drake> então.”

“Não, mas eu, quando uso o <Wyvern>, não sou adequado para atacar......”

O exame desta vez era para examinar a habilidade do candidato puramente como um Drag-Knight. Usar coisas como armas remodeladas ou um Drag-ride Divino não era permitido.

Portanto, coisas como a <Scale Blade> que Lisha desenvolveu não poderiam ser usadas, eles teriam que lutar usando apenas armamentos básicos como espada, adaga, Breath Gun, chicote de arame e assim por diante.

“Só me lembrei agora por acaso, mas, no campo de treino outro dia, Lux-san estava espiando as roupas intimas de todas no segundo andar, não é? Até mesmo o meu—”

“......Por favor, permita-me assumir essa função por todos os meios.”

Em relação a Noct, que falava propositalmente em tom monótono, Lux não pôde fazer nada além de concordar com um olhar seco.

“Yes. Muito obrigado. Mas, Lux-san não negou que estava olhando fixamente para as minhas roupas intimas, então estou me sentindo um pouco assustada.”

“Negando ou não, eu não olhei muito sabe!? Não, isso é, porque a roupa íntima de Noct era curiosa, então eu inconscientemente quase fiquei fascinado, mas não é como se eu estivesse planejando espiar desde o início—”

“............”

Quando Lux disse isso em um estado perturbado, Noct ficou completamente em silêncio.

(Espere, isso é ruim...! Eu disse espontaneamente a verdade—!)

Lux estava em pânico enquanto ele olhava com medo o rosto da garota pensando no que fazer para que ela o perdoasse, então—

“Haa, Lux-san é realmente uma pessoa problemática.”

Suas bochechas estavam vagamente coradas. Ela desviou o olhar enquanto murmurava isso com olhos reprovadores.

A rara reação que veio de Noct, que sempre foi taciturna e calmo, fez o coração de Lux palpitar de choque.

Enquanto os dois conversavam de tal forma, a voz do examinador pôde ser ouvida.

“A seguir, Lux Arcadia e Noct Leaflet. O exame de vocês começará no terceiro bloco! Façam seus preparativos no local designado!”

Lux mudou seu visual, enquanto a expressão de Noct também voltou à sua aparência normal depois de ouvir essas palavras.

“Vamos lá. Certamente, no momento o objetivo de Buzzheim somos nós.”

“Yes. Parece que essa luta vai valer a pena.”

Noct respondeu a Lux palavras levantando-se do banco.

Eles passaram pelo corredor e pararam em um dos ringues do campo de treino que estava dividido em quatro.

Lá, Buzzheim estava esperando como o esperado, com um sorriso desafiador colado na boca.

“Estou cansado de esperar aqui. Eu vou cuidar de vocês pessoalmente— apenas desta vez.”

Depois que Lux avançou para o centro do ringue, Buzzheim, que estava usando um Dress Gear, puxou seu Sword Device.

Mesmo sem dizer nada, seus olhos estavam cheios de hostilidade.

“O tempo limite do exame é de dez minutos. É um formato de batalha real onde as habilidades de combate e coordenação do par são avaliadas. A regra fundamental estará em conformidade com as regras das batalhas simuladas oficiais. Vocês estão prontos?”

“—Venha adiante, símbolo de poder digno do Elmo do Dragão Alado. Obedeça a minha espada e voe! <Wyvern>!”

“—Venha, o dragão das ilusões que chegará à origem. Estabeleça uma forma cintilante repetidamente, <Drake>!”

Lux e Noct puxaram seus Sword Devices quase ao mesmo tempo e apertaram o botão no punhal enquanto diziam a senha.

Uma luz fraca convergiu diante de seus olhos, transformou-se e dois Drag-Rides foram invocados.

“Connect – On.”

Logo após os dois equipá-los, Buzzheim também invocou seu Drag-Ride e o equipou.

À primeira vista, seu Drag-Ride era semelhante a um <Wyvern>, mas sua armadura era superior à de <Wyvern> comum.

“<EX Wyvern>...... é? Você está usando um Drag-Ride poderoso só para esse mero teste.”

Noct apontou isso sem deixar sua agitação transparecer na superfície.

Os Drag-Rides genéricos “EX” eram fundamentalmente dados apenas a humanos de alta classe ou acima.

Só a partir disso, ele mostrou que este homem não era apenas uma questão de posição, mas que ele também era uma pessoa poderosa de ordem superior.

“Afinal, estou enfrentando dois oponentes aqui. Ouvi dizer que os Drag-Knights do Novo Reino são excelentes. Certamente eu não vou conseguir enfrentar vocês dois sem pelo menos isso, certo?”

Buzzheim mostrou um sorriso malicioso, talvez em sarcasmo com os bons resultados que o Novo Reino havia obtido até agora.

Lux mais uma vez sentiu que, como esperado, este não era apenas um mero exame prático.

“Confirmando os Drag-Rides equipados. O exame prático de combate começará depois disso......”

A voz do oficial que assumiu o papel de árbitro ressoou no ringue. A atmosfera estava tensa de forma angustiante.

No momento em que a tensão aumentou ao limite, o braço de Buzzheim se moveu ligeiramente.

“—Luta, comece!”

Logo após o grito do árbitro ressoar, as asas traseiras do <EX Wyvern> de Buzzheim brilharam e um vórtice de ar girou em suas costas.

“Hah!”

Buzzheim acelerou até a velocidade máxima em uma respiração junto com uma terrível explosão de luz e ele avançou.

“......!?”

Foi apenas por alguns segundos, mas ele controlou seu Drag-Ride antes da partida começar para pegar seus oponentes de surpresa.

Lux notou o fato de que o árbitro era alguém sob a influência de Buzzheim e ele estava ignorando o jogo sujo, mas— muito tarde.

O inimigo já estava se aproximando bem diante dos olhos de Lux, brandindo uma espada de tamanho médio.

“......Kuh!”

A violação da regra de Buzzheim e o ataque violento que eram impensáveis para um exame.

O ataque da grande espada que tinha o peso de um Drag-Ride acelerado colocado nela, traçou uma trajetória acentuada.

No momento em que Lux fortaleceu sua barreira e tomou uma posição com sua espada para usá-la como um escudo para aparar o ataque— ele percebeu isso.

“......!?”

Em um mero instante, Lux rapidamente usou a espada que ele preparou como um escudo para bloquear e atacar horizontalmente. Com esse movimento, ele mal foi capaz de desviar a trajetória do golpe de Buzzheim que fingia atacá-lo enquanto mirava em Noct.

“Uu, aa......!”

—Mas, aquele ataque que tinha energia máxima preenchida na espada não poderia ser completamente bloqueado. A barreira do <Drake> foi raspada e uma parte da armadura do ombro quebrou.

Incapaz de suportar, Noct saltou para trás e escapou do alcance de Buzzheim.

Usando essa abertura, Lux preparou um bombardeio com sua Breath Gun e cortou a sequência de um ataque perseguidor.

“Opa... você não é melhor do que eu pensava. Eu posso ter feito algo ruim fazendo meus subordinados tentarem algo com vocês...... Para esses idiotas, isso é algo além de suas habilidades.”

Buzzheim estava bloqueando a barreira usando sua barreira enquanto mostrava um sorriso presunçoso.

Como esperado, um <Wyvern> que nem mesmo foi ajustado estava um pouco em desvantagem em relação à potência de um <EX Wyvern> que era uma versão reforçada do Drag-Ride genérico.

A compostura de Buzzheim era exatamente porque ele sabia disso.

Nesta situação em que Lux era incapaz de usar o “Critical Hit” usando a <Scale Blade>, destruir o inimigo usando o método normal era quase impossível.

O único método para superar isso era usar a baixa aptidão do oponente com Drag-Rides, já que ele era um homem, e esperar que ele ficasse sem fôlego, mas como se tratava de um exame, o limite de tempo era curto, para que esse método não pudesse ser usado.

Se Lux estivesse sozinho, ele iria ser capaz de continuar a defender sem problemas.

(Mas, o que devo fazer no caso de ele continuar a mirar em Noct?)

O resultado da partida em si não deve estar diretamente relacionado ao sucesso ou fracasso do exame, mas não havia como ele deixar o inimigo feri-la.

“O que há de errado? Não vai ser um exame se você apenas defender, sabe? Mostre-me a habilidade de vocês dois.”

“............”

Depois de hesitar por alguns segundos, Lux avançou sozinho, exatamente como havia combinado com Noct.

「Tenha cuidado, Lux-san! Este homem é— sério! 」

Noct, que tinha uma parte de sua armadura quebrada, pediu cautela usando o Dragon Voice por trás.

「Por favor, não se preocupe comigo! Se você começar a atacar imprudentemente pelo seu lado, será superado pela diferença de especificações. No pior caso de Lux-san se machucar, não terei rosto para olhar para Airi. 」

A previsão de Noct não estava errada. Mas—

「Você está errada, Noct. 」

Lux falou com Noct atrás dele com uma voz calma, sem qualquer fervor ou mal-estar.

「Se eu deixar ele te machucar mais do que isso, serei eu quem não conseguirá encarar Airi.」

「Lux...san...... 」

「Vamos lutar juntos. Se formos nós— certamente podemos vencer. 」

「......Yes. Então— posso pedir-lhe instruções? 」

“Vocês não vêm? Então não tem jeito. Vou usar todo o tempo restante— para esmagar vocês!”

Buzzheim que expôs um olhar perverso voou mirando em Noct mais uma vez.

O limite de tempo restante era de aproximadamente sete minutos.

O Drag-Ride do inimigo dançou no céu a fim de encerrar a partida durante esse tempo.

Parte 5

“......Então é aqui que você está, Sir Singlen.”

Fora da parede externa do ringue do campo de prática, as barras de metal da janela que foram colocadas no terreno elevado.

Na arquibancada que foi não foi criada para oficiais militares fazer uso das instalações, mas para convidados importantes que os visitaram, o Tirano Azul – Singlen Shelbrit estava com as pernas cruzadas enquanto se sentava.

A ponta de sua manga em excesso vibrou com o aceno casual da mão. Essa foi sua única resposta à voz de seu subordinado.

Aquele sobretudo com um desenho estranho era um item especial até mesmo entre a Ordem dos Cavaleiros de White Ridge do Reino Blackend.

Foi algo especialmente desenvolvido pela combinação de Dress Gear com uma armadura de Drag-Ride, um item que era chamado de armadura.

O homem que o chamou tinha metade do rosto escondido por um capacete branco, o cabelo comprido que aparecia pelas brechas pertencia a um homem com mais de meia-idade.

Em contraste com Singlen, que tinha uma estatura pequena, como um menino, este homem era dono de um corpo alto de aproximadamente 2m.

“Você vai pegar um resfriado se ficar neste tipo de lugar. Em primeiro lugar, algo como o exame de promoção desta classe não é algo que valerá a pena assistir para você neste momento.”

Seu tom era calmo e cortês.

Mas a voz do velho cavaleiro continha uma emoção que não podia ser escondida nem mesmo com sua atitude de manter as aparências.

Desdém e desgosto pelos fracos. E então, algo como uma irritação.

Aquele velho cavaleiro estava transmitindo uma personalidade que era característica de um soldado que superou estar à beira da morte várias milhares de vezes, e passou a considerar apenas a força e o cumprimento de seus deveres como justiça.

“Este show não é algo tão desprezível. Existe uma maneira de desfrutar de um jogo como um jogo. Você é muito sério. Que tal você relaxar um pouco, hein, Zweigbergk?”

Singlen sorriu enquanto agitava levemente a taça que estava cheia de um líquido carmesim.

Mesmo depois de ser acalmado assim, parecia que o velho cavaleiro chamado Zweigbergk achava difícil concordar com as palavras de seu mestre. Ele ficou em silêncio.

“Entenda, Zwei. Eu sou diferente de você, não tenho o paladar incapaz de gostar de fracotes se matando. Algo que realmente não vale a pena ser visto, é uma luta que é só pretensão. Eu chamo isso de farsa. Não importa mesmo que seja muito paciente e tolerante, eu não vou conseguir suportar se eu for feito para ver tal coisa na frente dos meus olhos. Um fracote desse nível nem será útil para medir o Herói Negro. Apenas assistir é uma perda de tempo inútil.”

“Então, meu senhor—”

“Sim, vou deixar a limpeza desse álcool para você. Vou verificar o verdadeiro caráter desse cara...”

Singlen jogou a taça que ainda continha vinho para o velho cavaleiro e ele rapidamente retirou a bainha do cinto da espada.

Ele formou aquele sorriso estranho que não alcançou seus olhos, e ao mesmo tempo ele direcionou o brilho de seu olho afiado para baixo.

Part 6

「How long are you going to keep running around? Try showing me the pride of the New Kingdom!」

Buzzheim laughed loudly while repeatedly flying in order to take the back of Noct persistently.

Lux cut in on his trajectory again and again in order to prevent that. He blocked the slash with his sword.

With a general purpose Drag-Ride Drake that was specialized for rear support and gathering intelligence, it was nearly impossible to exchange blows properly with Buzzheim due to the spec difference.

Therefore, Lux was forced into a one-sided defensive battle in order to cover for Noct.

「Aren’t you going to take revenge for those noble girls you are wagging your tail to? Or else, are you getting cold feet?」

Buzzheim was swiveling around in the sky with high speed so that he couldn’t be locked on while laughing fearlessly.

Seeing Noct that was devoting herself to evasion and Lux who was protecting her, he attempted such provocation.

But, that was Buzzheim’s trap.

He planned to aim at the moment the opponent switched to offense and became defenseless, shooting them down then instead.

(However──this is a chance)

The moment Buzzheim deliberately stopped his attack and showed his composure, Lux saw through that and moved.

「Hah! Taking the bait huh you fool! ──Howling Howl!」

The vortex of shockwaves that shook the air was fired from the head part of Buzzheim’s armor.

But, Lux who predicted that transmitted his energy and turned his Blade into shield, breaking through the wall of shockwave.

「……What-!?」

It was difficult to see through the opponent’s attack pattern just from a few minutes of battle.

But, the options against highly mobile Wyvern, and how Buzzheim’s attack were mainly using the difference in spec between the Drag-Rides.

Lux calculated the answer using his countless battle experience based mainly on using those two points.

「Nuuh!?」

But, even so perhaps it was as expected from the ability of an EX Class that possessed an EX Wyvern, Buzzheim shifted his trajectory without delay and without pause he dodged Lux’s slash toward him.

Aiming at the opening that Lux exposed from making a big swing, he held aloft his large Blade.

「Drop dead, you Old Empire’s dog-! ……──tsu!?」

The moment Buzzheim bared his wicked look and he was going to swing down his sword, he noticed Lux’s calm eyes.

The angle of Lux’s gaze wasn’t directed at Buzzheim, but behind him.

When he reflexively looked above the ring, Noct’s figure was vanishing.

It was the camouflage ability that was one of Drake’s special functions.

It was a stealth ability to cover one’s own figure by assimilating into the surrounding landscape, but the figure would become exposed when the Drag-Ride turned to offense.

「Planning to outwit me huh!? That method is──obsolete already!」

He feigned to slash at Lux, but he then twirled in a circle and flashed his sword to behind him.

But──that Blade cut empty air along with Buzzheim’s confidence.

「──Yes. The cause of your defeat, is that you are looking down on your opponents thinking that it’s obsolete.」

「Wh-…..at!?」

Noct wasn’t behind Buzzheim.

For a flying type Drag-Knight, having their back where the propulsion device was located taken by the enemy in a defenseless state was a situation that they should be the most vigilant against.

If a Drake with its basic performance that was inferior by one or two levels wanted to find a means of survival, this was the only moment where that was possible.

That was why Buzzheim saw through Lux’s aim, and he predicted that the Drake which covered its figure with camouflage would attack him from behind.

He was convinced by none other than the direction of the gaze of Lux who he was facing. Lux wasn’t staring at Buzzheim but behind him.

But, the location where Noct was standing wasn’t right behind Buzzheim.

The Blade that was swung with semicircle trajectory didn’t hit anything, and then Buzzheim’s open stance was in a position that was approaching near.

「Don’t tell me, you bastards──!?」

「Yes. Please be careful so that you don’t get injured.」

In a flash, Noct pulled the trigger of her cannon that had been filled with energy.

「Guh, OOOO……-!?」

The violent torrent of shockwave that was fired from close range blew away the EX Wyvern.

Because Buzzheim allocated the energy from his Force Core into his slash, he was unable to deploy a solid barrier and his armament was smashed.

「Ga, HaaA……!」

Buzzheim’s back struck the stone wall at the far behind and he fainted in agony.

With that, it looked like the match was concluded for the time being.

「Thank you very much for the tactic instruction, Lux-san.」

Noct’s tone that was indifferent as usual was really like her, Lux thought.

「No. It’s thanks to Noct. Your positioning and reaction, both were really skillful──」

When Lux said that with a smile in response, Noct showed an expression that looked just a bit surprised.

「No. Those words are too generous for me. I was only carrying out Lux-san’s instructions, both in strategy and tactic. A person who is just performing what they were told cannot be called as a full-fledged servant.」

「Is, is that so……」

Lux smiled awkwardly. He wondered if she thought he was just flattering her.

But,

「Yes. But, it’s also a lesson for me. After all, I almost feel completely satisfied just from receiving your praise from doing something ordinary.」

Noct looked at Lux and floated a faint smile on her lips while she muttered that.

As though she was conveying to him, that by no means she was thinking anything bad of Lux’s words──

「Then, is it better if I say it like this? Don’t let me down okay, Noct.」

「Yes. I’m looking forward to working together with you, Lux-san.」

Noct lightly bowed her head while still wearing her Drag-Ride.

That moment when he was going to return a smile at her, a cold dread ran through Lux’s spine as a chill.

「What the hell are you two prattling over there! The exam is still──it ain’t over yet-!」

The EX Wyvern that crashed on the outer wall with its driving force suspended.

It rallied over itself unnoticed and readied a large sword that was clad with energy, rushing ahead in super low altitude with a speed like an arrow.

「──Lux-san!?」

Noct quickly readied her Blade against that expression that was distorted from rage and humiliation.

But, the killing intent that Lux feared wasn’t that.

Buzzheim’s charge that was like a raging squall.

The EX Wyvern that was drawing a straight line while leaving behind afterimages had its armored arm lopped off along with a thunderous sound.

「──Whaa-!?」

That destruction and impact that attacked his body without any advance warning at all caused him to lose his balance and crash on the ground.

「──!?」

Not just Lux and Noct, the other Drag-Knights who were receiving their exam also stopped moving simultaneously.

「Guh, GaaAAAAAAAH……!」

A hoarse scream resounded in the area, the blood soaked Buzzheim was toppled sideways along with his Drag-Ride.

Without pause he crashed on the stone wall at the opposite side, and this time he didn’t twitch anymore.

「────」

The sudden horrible accident caused everyone there to hold their breaths.

What cut apart that silence that was created for a few seconds was the voice of a certain man.

「Really sorry, I missed my aim a tiny bit. My bad, my bad.」

A small figure wearing a blue coat appeared while scratching his head with a look that showed not even a shred of guilt.

The Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit was looking down to the practice grounds from the audience seats above, in a state of wearing a special equipment general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake. (TN: Just to avoid confusion, it’s not that Singlen’s Drake has special equipment, but it’s that a Drake is categorized as a special equipment general purpose Drag-Ride, what with all its nifty functions.)

「……The Blade just now, was your──?」

Lux asked with a voice that was tinged with caution.

「You aren’t going to say even a single thanks? The youngsters these days are really disagreeable huh.」

In response, Singlen grinned fearlessly and jumped down to the ring’s soil along with his Drake.

「Thi, this is……what in the world is going on!? Sir Singlen!?」

When the examiners at the area who saw that came rushing in panic, Singlen shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.

「I’m requested to act as the general manager of this exam. Take away the examiner license from the idiot sleeping over there. Originally, the exam should resume from square one after someone got blown away until outside the ground, but that guy broke the rule and launched a surprise attack. ……You need me to explain the exam’s regulations further?」

「Uu, aa…… Si, sir-……! Understood-!」

With a glare from Singlen, the examiners who were asking questions backed away in panic.

After the fainted Buzzheim was carried away by a stretcher, Singlen turned a smile towards Lux and Noct.

「Now then, that was an annoying hindrance huh, chore handyman. Unfortunately it seems that there is no free examiner here, but you still have four minutes left. In their place, I, the overseer here, will personally give you your exam.」

「…………」

──’It’s dangerous.’ Warning bells were ringing inside Lux’s head.

This man threw a Blade at a Drag-Ride flying at high speed and lopped off an armored arm with that one attack, like shooting down a termite dancing in the air.

It was abnormal. Whether it was that miraculous feat that was done by using a general purpose Drag-Ride. And also that mercilessness where there was not even a twitch in his expression from almost killing Buzzheim.

But, till the end it was within the scope of the exam. Then──

「Noct, can you still go?」

「Yes. It’s possible if it’s the remaining four minutes.」

「……Then, it’s decided. Let’s begin right away, oi.」

The officer that received a glance from Singlen raised his voice just as he was prompted to.

「Battle, Restart!」

Together with that voice, Singlen drove his special equipment general purpose Drag-Ride, Drake and lightly readied his Blade.

「You are also using a Drake? It’s basic specs are the lowest even among the three types of general purpose Drag-Rides, is it okay?」

Noct pointed that out while frowning slightly.

Singlen’s choice was also unexpected for Lux.

Of course, although it was the special equipment type, Drake, its strength depended on how the Drag-Knight used it, but to take on two opponents in a ring with good visibility like this time, it should be a type of Drag-Ride that was definitely at a disadvantage.

Although he was a member of the Seven Dragon Paladins, a large part of his ability should also be made up from the Divine Drag-Ride that he used.

From what Lux was seeing, the Drake in front of him didn’t have any sign that it had been specially remodeled.

And yet why did he chose that kind of Drag-Ride?

「Is the handicap not enough? Should I throw away several of my weapons too?」

Noct fell silent seeing Singlen’s condescending smile.

In exchange Lux spoke as the proxy of her will.

「It’s fine like that. Then──here I come.」

Lux and Noct readied their weapons at a distance of ten-odd mel apart.

They had a light briefing with each other using Dragon Voice and concluded their talk.

「Four minutes remaining. You two can come at me, or run around to escape──I mean, enduring the battle. It’s your freedom.」

The way he was talking was provocative as usual.

But, they needed to be even more vigilant in this battle than before.

『Noct, we are going to split and hold him back in place with medium-range attacks. If it looks dangerous then I’ll move forward.』

『Yes. Roger.』

Drake itself shouldn’t have high attack power, but Lux who saw that it was dangerous to forcefully attack or to thoroughly defend gave such instruction.

They would split into two units and take a distance where they would be able to support each other and also to take advantage if Singlen attacked one of them.

「Kukukukuku, so you are taking the worst choice of all things……」

In response, when Singlen saw that, he sniggered while standing still.

Lux who saw Singlen stopped moving aimed at his armored leg using Breath Gun.

Because Drake didn’t have flying functions, if a bullet barrage was laid out under its feet, its movement would be stopped.

As though seeing through that, Singlen’s Drake quickly leaped aside.

Light and wind were ejected from the back of the armor’s feet. It was a StepLeap that was performed by a jump and high speed movement that was limited to a single step. But, Noct was waiting for that moment when he moved.

「──Yes. Just as aimed.」

Noct who activated the camouflage function and hid showed her figure in order to attack.

She flowed energy into her Blade and reinforced it──with the shortest motion she aimed at his shoulder.

‘Get him’──even Lux was convinced of that.

That attack couldn’t be dodged using Singlen’s Drake right after using Step.

Even if he wasn’t defeated by this attack, it was possible to press him back.

「Aa, certainly it’s just as aimed. ──My aim that is.」

But, that instant when the Blade that Noct swung almost touched Singlen’s Drake, that slash was easily repelled by barrier and it was parried away.

「Eh……!?」

Noct was dumbfounded with a face that didn’t understand what happened.

Right after that, faster than Lux could react, Singlen’s rotated the Blade in his hand, drawing a semicircle arc.

A sharp slash struck Noct’s back and she was blown away until outside the ring.

She crashed on the wall at the edge and a cloud of dust fluttered intensely.

「Kuh, u……!?」

「Noct-!?」

「──Yes. I’m, all right, so……」

Noct somehow replied with an expression that couldn’t hide her pain.

Perhaps because she was taken by surprise, or perhaps because her Force Core was accurately aimed at, her Drake was forced into inactivity with just one strike even though it was done by the same kind of Drake.

And yet──Lux didn’t understand how Noct got done in instead.

「How about stopping the farce any time now? It’s because you cover for that gloomy small fry and try to score points by playing with petty tricks that she met that kind of experience.」

「……-!? Tha, light is──!?」

The instant Lux reacted to Singlen’s provocation, he noticed.

Countless figures of light floated around the general purpose Drag-Ride the opponent was wearing.

Rectangle figures displaying enumeration, symbols, and graphics of ancient language.

It was the mode of tuning that was often seen when using the SystemControl System of a Drag-Ride.

But, Lux thought that till the end it was a function for use outside of combat.

「What are you surprised about? I was just tampering a bit to release the output setting of a part. I’m still not doing anything significant you know?」

Singlen floated a battle hungry grin and he readied his Blade.

The remaining time was two minutes.

Lux’s survival rate would go up if he ran around like this, but there was no way he could stay quiet.

(Then──)

Lux readied his Cannon and quickly loaded it with energy, and he fired.

It was a diversion in order to see through the opponent’s technique, and also to probe the enemy, but Singlen reacted in an unimaginable way.

「──Wha!?」

He didn’t pull back or even dodge against the cannon shot, but leaped forward.

That option that was originally impossible caused Lux to open his eyes wide, right after that── he saw that.

(The barrier── it’s not deployed at the front!?)

Against the opponent’s attack, it was natural to reinforce the barrier──even if not, the barrier should automatically get deployed.

But, Singlen’s Drake didn’t do that.

It wouldn’t make it in time. Death would await if the attack hit directly on the flesh── the moment Lux feared that would happen, something hard to believe occurred.

「──Battle Array – VicissitudesSenjin – Ruten.」

Singlen’s lips distorted and whispered something. Right after that, the torrent of impact and heat fired from the Cannon was deflected to the side with a spark.

Without even blocking using barrier or evading, that attack was warded off from the front.

「……-!?」

「Do you still have such leeway with this me as your opponent?」

Singlen sharply drove his four armored legs and stepped into Lux’s bosom in one breath.

The moment Singlen’s Drake came close while driving in a high speed thrust, Lux quickly flew away from that spot.

He laid out a barrage using his Breath Gun in order to cut off the flow of pursuing attacks.

「Fuh……」

Singlen dodged that by jumping to the side and he swung his Blade once more.

「I see! But that’s──don’t tell me」

Lux was struck with admiration at the same time he noticed that truth.

Singlen’s 『technique』 that parried his attack──he noticed its terrifying true identity.

「You are forming the barrier itself to move and deflect the attack!?」

「I’m really pleased you noticed. It pays off showing it to you several times.」

Singlen snorted and stopped his legs.

However, even after seeing through that, Lux couldn’t hide his agitation.

Normally, the Drag-Ride’s barrier would react to the danger towards the user and activated automatically, furthermore changing the degree of its strength from the user’s control was the basic.

But Singlen deliberately stopped the Drag-Ride’s automatic generation of barrier. And then, he generated a force field just before the opponent’s attack hit him, then the momentum from that repelled the attack.

From right to left, or from below to above, he didn’t block the attack, but parried it.

It was certainly possible in theory──but,

(If he mistakes a step, he will get fully hit by the attack and get serious damage……no, it’s possible he would even die instantly from receiving the attack directly on his flesh. Such thing, this man is──)

It was an undisputed superhuman feat. An advanced technique that was unusable without transcending even the fear of death.

This man who easily pulled that off caused Lux to shudder.

「What’s wrong? If you don’t come then I’ll be the one who goes there.」

One of the Drake’s four legs kicked on the ground and the Drag-Ride charged towards Lux in one bound.

The Blade struck, which Lux blocked in a hair’s breadth. He was pushed back for a few mel due to the impact running from that sword tip.

「Ku……!」

──Heavy. A single attack of a general purpose Drag-Ride that wasn’t even modified went through his armor and numbed his arm.

Singlen unleashed his slash by operating together the driving force of every part in his Drag-Ride, in addition he put the propulsive power from his Step behind the blow.

Pushed back by that attack power that was unthinkable to come from a mere Drake, the best Lux could do was only protecting himself.

「Lux, san……」

Noct’s armor was dispelled outside the arena and she was brought away from there. Her voice could be heard distantly.

But, there was no way he could just keep getting done in like this.

The remaining time was a few dozen seconds. If he didn’t return at least a blow during that time──

「Hah, are you also thinking about wiping the ass of that small fry? You want to make her feel better by returning at least one blow to me?」

「……-!?」

Singlen laughed as though he had seen through Lux’s thinking.

「What a really despicable man. Are you satisfied like that, if you are getting used so that you can say something like 『it’s for the sake of someone』?」

「──Shut up!」

Lux whispered while driving away the high speed consecutive attacks Singlen unleashed.

「You saved them from their predicaments many times while you still kept wearing the collar of a criminal, I see that the New Kingdom too is a gathering of low-lifes.」

「……You’re wrong, the criminal’s collar is something that I myself wished for!」

Lux tried to take distance by attempting to fly to the sky──but, it was as though even that was seen through. Singlen didn’t overlook Lux amassing a bit of propulsive power and he leaped to attack.

「────」

It was an attack from overhead that took him by surprise.

But, Lux was waiting for that.

The super high speed attack that came by means of complete alignment of both mind control operation and body control operation, Quick Draw.

Lux operated the frame of his whole body and swung the blade that he was holding in backhand grip into an upward thrust.

His aim was the vital spot of a Drag-Ride, the shoulder where the Drake’s Force Core existed.

It should be impossible for the Drake that had leaped to change trajectory midair but──

「……What a bore.」

• Bachii-!* A barrier was deployed once more just before the attack hit, parrying Lux’s Blade.

「Kuh……!?」

The attack that should hit with certainty was dodged and his opening was exposed instead.

(How!? Did he predict even until my use of Quick Draw……?)

It was an impossible reaction speed, but that was the only explanation he could think of.

Singlen’s attack that was unleashed in a flash scraped off Wyvern’s barrier and blew Lux away to far behind.

Wyvern’s output lowered with its shoulder’s armor destroyed instead.

Lux just barely held on so that his armor wasn’t dispelled but, his defense──was completely destroyed.

「──I’ll say it one more time. Stop protecting the useless small fries. You are just wasting your strength.」

Singlen looked down on Lux with a pitying look. Lux silently took a stance with his Blade against Singlen.

The only option left was for him to make his final gamble in the remaining ten-odd seconds.

「Hahaa, I get it. You are scared right? Of the reality that the thing that you once accomplished by believing it as correct, might be mistaken.」

「…………」

Lux’s head was rapidly turning cold the instant he heard those words.

At the same time a boiling impulse welled up inside him. He followed that impulse and held up his Blade.

「Hahahahaha. Really, what an effeminate man. In the past you took action by your own will and strength, and fought 『for the sake of the people』. But, it unreasonably failed and ended in the worst result. That’s why right now, you are basking in the feeling of atoning by directly listening to other people’s request──their wish and fulfilling it.」

• Thump*. Lux’s heart pounded along with a sharp pain.

Why, was this man able to speak as though he knew about those circumstances in the Arcadia Empire──as if he knew about everything?

Lux deserted even such doubt and his emotions were highly strung.

「But see, that won’t even do any good to the requester──to the bunch at that academy. What you’re doing is nothing more than diverting yourself from your own desire by looking after the bunch around you. They will rely on you, get spoiled, thinking that you being there with your battle strength is only normal, thinking that the result obtained by making use of you is a matter of course. Hey Lux, come together with me. You should stand in a place where your true strength and worth can have practical use.」

「──Shut up-!」

Lux’s Wyvern burst out light from its back wings, giving rise to a sudden gust and it flew.

His three hidden techniques couldn’t be used with this half-broken Drag-Ride.

Even so Lux moved and struck with Blade that was clad in energy.

「Is being used just as you are told your wish? It feels like something thought by you who were abandoned by both the country and its people, and even lost your own great cause.」

Singlen continued to dodge and parry all of Lux’s slashes using Battle Array – Vicissitudes.

He didn’t counterattack.

He continued to dodge the attack that Lux was unleashing in earnest.

It was just like Lux’s nickname the Weakest Undefeated, as though he was showing off a transcendent defense.

But, Lux didn’t stop his attacks even then.

He sent out his sword to shut up Singlen’s mouth, so at the very least he wouldn’t have the composure to talk.

Within less than a few seconds, a few dozen slashes cut through the air.

「What an unreasonable man──then it can’t be helped. I’ll make you meet a painful experience here.」

Singlen who was showing composure amidst that offense evaded using Battle Array – Vicissitudes. At the same time he used the momentum of his Drag-Ride’s turning around and struck his Blade on Lux’s back.

「Lux-!?」

Lisha who finished her exam and was watching from the audience seats yelled.

But,

「Howling Howl!」

「──What?」

Lux whose attacks were evaded and exposed an opening generated shockwave from his head part and struck the ground. With that repellent force, Singlen’s attack that aimed at his back was shifted.

Naturally, Howling Howl didn’t the enemy that wasn’t in front of him, but for the first time he could derail the enemy’s calculation.

(Now, if it’s this instant──!)

Singlen was completely taken by surprise.

Lux was convinced of that and unleashed a counter attack with his sword’s returning movement, right after that,

「Kukuku……」

Singlen certainly could be seen grinning within a time that was even less than a second.

• Pakii!* The Blade that Lux’s Wyvern swung was instantly broken apart and countless fragments scattered before his eyes.

「Blocking with Blade……!? But, how!?」

Singlen’s dealt with the attack merely by immediately using his basic weapon the Blade to meet the slash.

The general purpose Drag-Ride Wyvern surpassed Drake in the energy output that could be poured into a weapon.

Therefore, even if Lux’s attack was blocked, originally it wouldn’t be him who got outpushed.

And yet──how?

Looking closer, countless light images were floating around Singlen’s armor once more.

Tuning that was done by mind mental operation. That meant,

「-……!? Don’t tell me──」

「──Battle Array – Aeon FireSenjin – Kouka.」

「────」

Singlen’s Blade that was tinged with intense light attacked Lux.

His guard that consisted of his half-broken Blade and barrier that was automatically deployed were broken through, and a part of his armor was smashed apart.

「U, ah……-!?」

Impact pierced his pilot suit and he was blown away.

His armored arm grasped the ground and he held his ground.

He was just barely still within the battle zone.

「The power just now, what in the world……!」

「……Battle Array – Aeon Fire. Another technique that uses tuning.」

Singlen told that to the bewildered Lux.

「Tuning……!? Just now, the energy output that was poured into the armament was──!?」

「That’s right. I cut the Force Core energy that is normally used for the driving force of other partw and concentrated it solely into my weapon. Although, in that state, other operation functions and my defense power drop down. It will be suicide if it’s used poorly.」

「Kuh……!?」

Lux readied his Dagger to try to resist somehow, but the Wyvern that received impact on its Force Core didn’t move properly.

He couldn’t dodge the attack from the Blade that was raised by Singlen who was approaching from the front.

「Weakest Undefeated, your alias ends here. You found a bad match here.」

The match was going to be decided along with that sentence of Singlen, it was then──

「──The match is over! Stop fighting, immediately and dispel your armor!」

The officer who served as referee yelled that along with a high-pitched bell sound.

Singlen’s Blade stopped just before it touched Lux’s armor.

「Ku-ku-ku, alas, that’s disappointing. Good grief how unfortunate. Even though I almost brought you down in less than a second.」

「……Why did you stop your attack?」

Lux dispelled his Wyvern’s armor while objecting with a chilly tone.

With Singlen’s strength, he should be able to bring down the blade before the referee called for a stop.

No──in the first place this man was fighting while completely grasping the remaining time.

Singlen who similarly dispelled his armor was slowly walking towards outside the ring, then he stopped midway.

「What a selfish guy. Even though you didn’t listen to my talk the other night. Good grief, what a really selfish handyman.」

Singlen turned only his head towards Lux, showed a smile that only distorted his lips, and continued.

「How many times you’re planning to make me say the same thing? Stop protecting the weak without any ability or talent who are only clinging on your strength. Like that you won’t be able to reach your big brother forever. No, far from that, you will get dragged down by those bunches and someday you will lose something.」

「…………」

• grit* Lux gripped his Sword Device hard, but now that the exam was over he couldn’t lay his hand on Singlen.

「Such thing──」

「I’ll listen to you again later. Staying here will cause a hindrance for the next exam. ……I’m praying that good things will result from this, okay, my future compatriot.」

Singlen ended with that and turned his back as though to say that he didn’t feel like responding anymore.

After wordlessly seeing him off, Lux also left.

The Blue Tyrant.

His contact with the man who was a preeminent powerful person even amidst the Seven Dragon Paladins closed its curtains for the moment with that.

Part 7

「Fuu……」

After that, Lux received a health checkup in the medical office before returning to his shared room in the lodging house. There he changed into his plain clothes and took a rest.

It was a dreary room with simple furniture lined up.

He sat in front of the single table that was put inside and silently rested his body.

The Class Promotion Exam was over with that combat exam being the last.

The result became a draw because of Singlen’s intrusion, but the battle against Buzzheim himself ended up in their side’s victory, so they still didn’t know if they failed or passed the exam itself.

Even Noct who was sent flying outside the ring didn’t seem to be particularly injured.

He wasn’t bothered that he was cornered until an inch before defeat by an opponent that was similarly using a general purpose Drag-Ride.

But──he somehow couldn’t calm down.

He understood that the words that Singlen said in the middle of the fight were provocations.

And yet for some reason the scene of the past that he should have gotten over with, right now they were resurrected in the back of Lux’s mind.

(Why am I──continuing to do chores for five years?)

In order to chase the whereabouts of Fugil who betrayed, or perhaps tricking Lux right from the start and destroyed the plan of revolution.

And then, there was no other path Lux could take, except looking around at the state of the country that was caused by his own actions.

But, he met Lisha and the others, and he thought that he wanted to become the strength of the girls who would become the New Kingdom’s cornerstone.

Right now when the battle he tried to accomplish was over, that was the wish of the present Lux.

「And yet, why── ……eh?」

When Lux whispered to himself, he suddenly felt a presence outside the room.

He thought that it was odd and went to check the situation, he could hear a small voice from across the door.

「But this is a problem. I’m bad at consoling or cheering up someone, but……」

He noticed that the owner of the voice that sounded somewhat vexed was Lisha.

But, what was odd was that she didn’t knock the door for some reason.

When he tried opening the door quietly, he could see the figure of Lisha loitering aimlessly with her back turned to the door.

「What should I do to make Lux cheer up? That, perhaps holding hands is……」

「What are you doing, Lisha-sama?」

「──!? UWAAAAH……!?」

Lisha turned around in panic when Lux called out.

Her face was bright red. She looked his way while looking flustered.

「Do, don’t surprise me so suddenly! I’m, that’s──, I’m a bit, concerned with how you’re doing……I guess.」

「Anyway, how about talking inside the room?」

Lux smiled wryly while inviting the blushing and fidgeting Lisha inside.

「I received tea from the dining hall, so please wait for a bit.」

「I, I don’t need it. It’s not like, I’m coming to get you fuss about me……」

When they sat down side by side on the bed, Lisha spoke that with a small voice.

She stared still at Lux with an upward gaze and a look that was slightly nervous.

「Is something the matter?」

「……No, I’m just thinking that you aren’t completely as down as I thought. That, about the match just now, I thought that you were bothered by that, but──」

「The match just now……is it?」

「Yeah, based on the rules, the match wasn’t settled, but it was the first time I saw you cornered that far, so──」

「Aa……」

Lux finally noticed Lisha’s intention from that sentence.

She was coming here because she was worried about Lux who was completely helpless against Singlen.

「I’m sorry. Even though I’m Lisha-sama’s knight, I showed you something unbecoming……」

When Lux apologetically smiled bitterly, Lisha shook her head hurriedly.

「N, no such thing at all! Your strength is something that I know best more than anyone. That’s not it──」

Lisha faltered once more and she averted her gaze to the side, then she murmured.

「I’m always helped by you, so I also want to do the same for you. That, I was thinking how to cheer you up, and when I was loitering there, you found me out but……」

Seeing Lisha looking down shyly, Lux suddenly felt warmth inside his chest.

「Thank you, very much. Just from being able to see Lisha-sama’s face, I’m feeling really full of energy.」

Lux said that with a smile, then he grasped the hand of Lisha beside him.

「-……!?」

When Lux conveyed his feeling of gratitude straightforwardly, Lisha’s face turned bright red.

「Lisha-sama is always bright, a forward-looking hard worker, so just from looking at you I feel strength welling up from inside──. That’s why, I’m happy just from Lisha-sama coming here like this.」

「U, au……」

Lisha’s face was red until her ears. She staggered with a dazed expression.

Her body losing strength could be felt through the hand that Lux was holding.

「Lisha-sama? Is something the matter?」

「N, no, it’s nothing. Rather than that, it’s──. The, then, can I also do, a good luck charm so you can feel even more energetic?」

「Eh……?」

「Clo, close your eyes a bit for me. If you do that then surely, I’ll be able to do it so──」

「Under, stood.」

Lux obediently closed his eyes even while thinking vaguely that it was strange.

‘What is she planning to do?’, he thought inside his head, then right after that.

• Munyuu-*, something soft touched Lux’s upper arm.

「-……!?」

The moment his eyes reflexively opened in surprise from that sensation, an unexpected scene flew into his eyes.

「────」

With her eyes closed, Lisha was slowly pushing out her lips, moving toward Lux’s direction.

Because she was trying to bring her face close to Lux like that, her breast pressed on his upper arm.

Lisha’s breasts that were largish for her petite body.

The sweet softness and elasticity from them caused Lux’s heart to throb while he let out a panicked voice.

「Wha, what are planning, Lisha-sama?」

「……-!? UWAAH!? Wha, what are you doing huh!? I told you don’t open your eyes──」

「I, I’m sorry. B, but that, your breast touched──」

「U, a……」

Perhaps she finally noticed what Lux pointed out, it was like fire was blowing from Lisha’s face and she backed away.

「Wha, what the hell are you thinking you pervert!? A, after finally it’s just a little bit more, I can, kiss on your cheek──」

「Eh……?」

「I, it’s nothing-!? Ra, rather than that, is there something else that you want to do!?」

Seeing Lisha prattling without pause as though to cover up something, Lux thought for a bit.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Lux resolved himself and spoke.

「Then, please teach me a bit. Regarding the Drag-Ride tuning that Singlen was using──」

Part 8

「I’m back Lux-kun. Thanks for your hard work in today’s exams.」

After hearing about the details of tuning from Lisha and they parted from each other, Coral returned to the room.

The face of the youth with androgynous features pulled back Lux’s mind from the reverie he was absorbed in.

When Lux was unable to reply back well, Coral sat down beside him.

「You are unusually absentminded huh. Are you worried about the exam?」

「That’s not, it but……」

He had settled on an answer to a certain degree regarding the matter of Drag-Rides from his talk with Lisha.

However, at the exam this time, the Triad received obstructions from Buzzheim. He was a little worried regarding how their evaluation would drop.

Coral was staring with a pondering look at such Lux, and before long he muttered.

「……Hey, Lux-kun. You want to try going out to play after this?」

「Eh……?」

Lux was bewildered at Coral’s sudden proposal.

「You said after this, but it’s already night, it should be forbidden to go out──」

Lux held the impression that this youth was friendly but diligent, but the current Coral was making a mischievous smile that looked like a young kid.

「Not really, though we were told that 『unnecessary outing』 is no good. But, slipping out at this time will take a bit of effort, so I’ll prepare first.」

After saying that with a smile that wouldn’t accept any refusal, Coral rushed away busily.

Putting aside Lux who was baffled and wondered whether he misheard, that chance soon arrived.

Part 9

「──And, why does even this me have to accompany you guys going out?」

Dozens of minutes later. Inside a small bar in the urban area of Ruin’s Gear, Greifer was showing a bitter face.

Inside the old gloomy bar built from wood, men who had finished their work for the day were crowding the place full.

It was the first time Lux entered a bar of another country, but fundamentally the air was the same.

However, looking at the surrounding men’s scars and tattoos, this place gave off the heavy smell of outlaws.

「Because, Greifer is the one most used to playing out. Even in the worst case that some kind of trouble occurs, it feels like the punishment will turn lighter because you are a Seven Dragon Paladin.」

「……Can I go home? Or rather, I’m going back yeah?」

Greifer’s chair made a sound *gata-* from him standing up, but Coral swiftly pulled down Greifer’s hand and he smiled.

「It’s fine to stay a bit more right? Remember how I’m staying quiet to Mirmiette-sama about the incident before this too.」

「Haa, just why has someone like this become my aide. Master, alcohol. Give me a strong one if possible.」

When Greifer sat down with a sigh, Coral ordered alcohol for Lux.

Somehow looking at the atmosphere of the two, it felt like it wasn’t just once or twice that they were coming to a bar like this.

「……Or rather, is it okay for us to be here? Won’t it be bad if we got found out?」

With the ordered ale before his eyes, Lux was hesitating with an awkward face, it was then,

「It’s fine. After all this is a little-known good place where you need an introduction to enter. Now now, try to take a sip.」

Urged by Coral, Lux tilted his beer jockey to his mouth.

It was slightly bitter.

Unique flavor and aroma that was like bread turned into liquid came out from the nose. Heat was welling up from deep inside the throat.

He had been tasting alcohol since his childhood at banquets, but since he came to the Academy he had rarely drank.

Perhaps the modest dinner from the dining hall had already passed through his stomach, because he became tipsy in the blink of an eye before the jockey even became empty.

「Hey, ask him quickly already, Greifer.」

「……I don’t get what’s your meaning yeah? What about?」

Greifer was responding to Coral’s demand with a dubious face.

「Lux-kun looks like he has a bit of worry, so it’s fine right?」

「You ask him! Why do you need to go through me huh!?」

「Really Greifer, how cold. Is it because you lost to Lux-kun before this? That’s not manly you know?」

「…………」

Greifer fell silent with a face that looked displeased from the bottom of his heart. Seeing that made Lux smile wryly.

This kind of unreserved dialogue between fellow man of the same age felt fresh.

In the end, seeing that Greifer wouldn’t start talking, Coral put the snack of cheese into his mouth with a sullen look.

「Haa, too bad……. Then Lux-kun. Once again let me say──thank you for today.」

「……Eh?」

Suddenly Coral said such thing to him.

When Lux was bewildered from not getting what it was about, Coral leaned his body forward suddenly from the seat beside him and he brought his cute face closer.

The face of the androgynous youth was blushing slightly from alcohol, which caused Lux’s heart to throb for a moment.

「It’s about Buzzheim. Sorry, we allowed him to obstruct you all many times and caused discomfort to your group. Even like that, the guy is the son of a big shot in the Vanheim Principality. Even we cannot carelessly lay our hands on him.」

The smile from before vanished and Coral murmured with a somber expression.

Lux who saw that smiled wryly with a ‘fuh’ while,

「Don’t worry about it. I also have heard about what the Old Empire did to the other countries, so something like that won’t just go away immediately.」

「I feel a bit at ease that you are saying that but──as expected, I think it’s not a good thing to bring in resentment into unrelated events. Right, Greifer?」

「Oi Coral. ……Have you brought me here to harass me?」

Coral smiled mischievously. Greifer clicked his tongue.

Previously, Lux’s impression was that the diligent Coral was supporting the audacious Greifer, but it seemed these two’s relation was taking balance like this.

「But, if you are worrying about the past, then I think it will be better if you ask Greifer. He too is a Seven Dragon Paladin right now, but in the past he had a lot of difficulty.」

「Difficulty?」

When Lux’s interest was attracted and he asked, Greifer sighed a bit.

「Then, I’ll leave my seat for a bit, so the two of you can talk cordially with each other okay?」

Coral waved his hand to Lux and Greifer and then he left the bar right away, vanishing into the town at night.

「…………」

Silence flowed for a few seconds.

The awkward air that was starting to flow between the two caused Lux to try to say something, it was then,

「I’ll say this first but, it’s not like I got anything to talk yeah. I’m also ain’t planning to get buddy-buddy with a guy of another country.」

Lux hung his head down from that curt rejection.

(As I thought, am I being hated……)

Lux was depressed inside while silently tilting his beer jockey into his mouth.

While he was getting even more drunk and looked dazed, the bearded master called out from the counter.

「Ou lad. How about taking some snacks on the side? You’ll get drunk quickly if you only drink beer.」

「Err, is there something that you recommend──」

「What about this? You’ll get a kick eating it yeah?」

The master grinned widely while pointing at a part of the menu.

「Then, please give me──, eh?」

When Lux was about to nod, Greifer’s arm quickly crossed in front of Lux’s eye.

The movement of the youth who should have been looking aside until now gave Lux a shock and he stiffened.

「Master, cancel that one just now. In exchange give us my usual.」

「Wai-!? Oi! I’m asking this lad here for his order──」

「Aa, I’m fine with that!」

It looked like it would become a quarrel, so Lux followed what Greifer said.

The master backed down grumpily and in the end he allowed the change of order.

「Err, the food I was going to order just now, was it no good?」

「You, are you a glutton unlike your appearance?」

Greifer kept his gaze averted while responding curtly to Lux’s question.

「No, I’m not like that though……」

「Then give it up, that menu is a whole roast with a lot of fat meat. The spices are also strong. It ain’t something you eat with a tired body after the exam. That master is greedy, so he was only trying to take an order for expensive food.」

「……I, is that so.」

While they were having that talk, the food Greifer ordered arrived.

It was a half-solid soup with bread and vegetable boiled until simmering.

「De, delicious. What’s this taste, I might really like it──」

The simple taste of the soup was healing his tired body gently.

(Could it be, he is being considerate of me?)

Greifer was showing a slovenly attitude like usual, but as expected it seemed he was a youth that was good at looking after someone.

Lux didn’t know it at the All-Dragon Battle, but it seemed that Greifer’s personality was really interesting.

「Then, I’ll cut loose. Oooi, old man, bring more alcohol here. The strong one.」

「Wait, it’s no good if you drink too much you know!? We are still not adults──!」

「Haa? It’s fine. In its own way it will be a challenge of how to return back in a state of complete drunkenness.」

「……That, rather than a challenge, it’s just a simple recklessness isn’t it?」

「Weell, I cannot deny that, but that’s how my disposition is.」

Greifer turned his eyes that were unfocused from tipsiness to empty air and he leaked out a small sigh.

「Originally I was a noble young master, but when my father, a military officer was caught by the Old Empire──he was indicted as a traitor to this country. The top brass of Vanheim also believed it seriously, my house was ruined and my family scattered. I too was living in the back alley since I was little. In order to earn money or eat food, I always gotta get reckless, if not I wouldn’t be able to keep living, yeah.」

「────」

「It’s the same regarding Drag-Rides. At first I was told that I got no aptitude and talent, but everyday I continued to use it until I almost fainted or vomited blood. But, one day I suddenly became able to use it skillfully, and I caught our princess’s eyes.」

His doctrine, 『reckless challenge』 seemed to have the meaning that he would be unable to survive without constantly acting recklessly as though gambling.

For the cause to be the Old Empire made Lux feel complicated.

「Well, I ain’t got any direct resentment to you, but the case about my father is smoldering inside me. I might wanted to settle it, at least once.」

「Settle……?」

When Lux asked back by repeating that word, Greifer huffed and showed a smile that was filled with jest.

「……Yeah, it ain’t gonna end with everything staying half-baked. Whether it ends in failure or success── I wanted to settle the feeling and thinking that were in me until now. Surely, that’s all there is to it.」

「…………」

「Well, even that ended in total failure though, but I accept it more or less. Weeell, when I challenge you next time, I’m gonna win for sure then.」

Greifer muttered that with a fearless grin.

Lux smiled wryly with a troubled look. Even so he didn’t feel bad from that.

(Settling one’s own wish and thinking, huh……)

The night’s tumult that was enveloped with the faint light of the lamp, which felt somewhat detached from reality.

The words that Greifer told to Lux from the side were permeating inside his chest.

Part 10

──At the same time.

In another bar in the urban area of Ruin’s Gear, the Drag-Knights of the New Kingdom’s army were drowning their worry in drink.

「……Sheesh, I got awful grades. That’s why I didn’t want to do something like an exam in an unfamiliar country.」

「Exactly. Besides, the young ladies of the Academy are really motivated. If it’s only them who get promoted, we are going to become the laughingstock.」

Several men were gathered at the corner of the cramped bar.

The male officers who belonged to the army accompanying the students to take the exam together this time──these men were a few names among them. They were sick of how hopeless their prospects were in the Class Promotion Exams and they grumbled to clear up their resentment.

Among them, there were also the aristocrat officers who once got beaten up by Celis and then came to the Academy picking a fight for clearing up their resentment.

「In the first place, we who got low aptitudes for Drag-Rides have limited time even for training. We’re handicapped no matter what. Aa, I’m beaten.」

One of the men emptied his glass in one gulp and sighed exaggeratedly.

Dilwy who had the commanding role this time was staring at that sight quietly while drinking his beer.

「…………」

Originally, if it was the him with a serious personality, this was a night playing that he ought to stop, but he instead accompanied the young men.

Inside his eyes that had the color of hollowness vaguely emerging, there was no disappointment that the Class Promotion Exam didn’t go well or disdain towards these depraved officers bunch.

Just, his right wrist that was holding the glass with some beer remaining in it.

His gaze was often attracted to the deep scar remaining there.

He made a name for himself as a trueborn warrior even amidst the Old Empire and for a time he almost climbed up until EX Class. But Dilwy’s arm was wounded by a certain incident and he became unable to move properly.

「Nothing goes my way……」

Dilwy wasn’t born with a knight’s pedigree, his talent with the sword was average.

Dilwy wasn’t blessed with physique or stamina, but he obtained the power of a Drag-Ride that was starting to appear at that time and he ran up the royal road as a knight.

Until he bore this wound in that land, the Blackend Kingdom──

Because sometimes he was distracted by the ache of that scar, he was relying on alcohol like this.

「……Captain, Captain Dilwy?」

「Nn, aah……. Is it the bill?」

The one who called out to him was a young officer who had just graduated from military school.

「No, just want to talk. This country──no, recently in various countries there is a rumor going around, does captain know about it? It’s about a secret medicine found in the Ruins, called Elixir.」

「──My bad but I’m not really knowledgeable about medicine. Also, I haven’t got near a Ruin for some time.」

「I’m also not that detailed about it but, it seems that it’s a medicine that increases the aptitude for a Drag-Ride.」

「……Is that so? That sounds interesting. I want to get a look at it by all means.」

He had heard about that type of suspicious secret medicine many times since the Ruins and Drag-Rides were discovered.

It was a topic that would make the male officers who blamed their lack of strength on their low aptitude for Drag-Rides, but Dilwy couldn’t get along with that story.

「Right? If it’s really true that a secret medicine was discovered from a Ruin, it’s something that I want to be shared with us by all means. I heard that there is a guy selling it, and his figure was seen at the back alley around here.」

「……Strange. It shouldn’t be something that the underlings could easily get though.」

「What’s wrong captain?」

The rookie soldier felt the presence of Dilwy that was suddenly making a forbidding look which caused him to slightly wake up from his drunkenness.

「No, nothing. I remembered that I have urgent business, so I’ll return early, the drink here is on me. You guys enjoy yourselves slowly tonight.」

Dilwy only said that and left the bar without waiting for a reply.

Like that he headed to the back alley. There a silhouette could be seen inside the darkness.

「And──do you have any business with us?」

Dilwy was making a calm smile while his hand touched the Sword Device on his waist.

It was most difficult to summon a Drag-Ride in a confined blind alley.

Therefore Dilwy was putting up his guard against the robed man before him while calling out in order to prevent the man from doing anything.

「I heard about the rumor even in the New Kingdom. Dragon Marauder──the warmonger Drag-Knights who recently became famous, they are secretly maneuvering in various places. Could it be, you are also someone of that kind?」

「…………」

The robed man didn’t stir at all hearing Dilwy’s words.

There was only a calm smile emerging on the robed man’s face.

「You have been following behind us since before we entered this bar haven’t you? I don’t know what is your objective, but if you cannot answer──I’ll have to arrest you.」

Dilwy pulled out his Sword Device with no question asked.

And then, he closed in with one breath and put strength into his toes in order to thrust his sword, in that instant──

「Stop it, are you planning to swing a sword with that injured right arm?」

When Dilwy stiffened from the surprise of those words, the man’s figure vanished from before his eyes.

「-……!?」

The alley in front of him was completely a dead end, there wasn’t even any cover for hiding.

「──Don’t move. And then, stop with the foolish drama. Though that must be an act to protect yourself huh.」

The voice that talked calmly to him could be heard from behind.

Dilwy kept readying his unsheathed sword while he was stiffened and unable to move.

「…………」

The robed man’s breathing could be heard from behind such Dilwy.

「──That’s a nice Sword Device. It’s maintained properly. I can see how much you are sending your heart into that Drag-Ride in these few years where you lost your right hand’s freedom. But right now you are filled with despair. You lost everything, you’re defeated. Even so you don’t throw away hope and struggle. Even if you have to sell over your pride──」

「…….What are, you saying?」

Dilwy somehow made only that reply while his back was still turned towards the man.

「Kukuku, don’t act brave. I’ll grant your wish earlier than those guys. What can save the current you isn’t something like a Divine Drag-Ride or anything. The power that you once possessed. I’ll grant you the only method to take that back.」

It was a sweet voice that permeated directly into the skull.

At that moment when the border between reality and dream melted and the world turned hollow, the robed man pulled out a knife.

「Wh, at──that’s?」

It was a bizarre knife.

Its shape was common, but the handle was lacquered jet black.

And then an unfathomable pattern emerged on the blade, emitting strange light of seven colors.

From a glance he thought that it was a kind of Sword Device, but something was different.

「Are you curious about this? You see──this was once a seed of war.」

「……What?」

「In the distant past. No, it’s a time that is equal to an instant from my point of view, but humans classified humans into several races.」

The robed man apathetically whispered while staring at empty air.

「There was a clan of influential people who obtained a power to rule the world. Among them a secret medicine that was able to transcend humanity was created. The act of implanting a part of it into a human was called Baptism. The people who received Baptism would obtain ability that was hidden inside themselves and stood at height, reigning over as rulers.」

「…………」

「But, before long the oppressed people wished for a world without unreasonable rule, and a war that span over a long time began. ──That was the beginning of everything. The beginning of this shackled world that is like hell, continuing infinitely.」

「What are you saying──? You are, just what……」

「Rest assured, your wish will be fulfilled…… that’s what I’m talking about.」

• Stab*

A sharp pain ran through Dilwy’s right wrist. Heat burst out.

The knife the robed man was holding emitted strange seven colors, sucking Dilwy’s blood.

「U──GUAAaAAH!?」

His brain burned.

The blood in his whole body felt like boiling at the same time with the intense pain. Dilwy groaned.

He couldn’t even breath. After a few seconds that felt like eternity passed, the pain in his wrist vanished.

「──Let’s meet again, oh the defeated wishing to become hero. After all, you still have that qualification.」

When Dilwy noticed, the robed man was vanishing.

The bluish white moonlight peeking from between the clouds was illuminating the alley silently.

Only the stone paving that was soaked with fresh blood and the knife emitting light of seven colors were remaining there.

Part 11

「Haa……」

After the Class Promotion Exam was over, Airi finished taking a bath together with the Triad. She was looking up alone at the ceiling inside the shared room that was allotted to her.

Although it was an exam that was full of trouble, everyone was safe. But Sharis, Tillfur, and then even Noct who were obstructed by Buzzheim met painful experiences.

The three were behaving stout-heartedly, but they couldn’t hide their discouraged mood fully.

Even though Airi understood that, but she was unable to be considerate towards the three. She hated herself who was like that.

「I want to become their strength. But──」

Right now, even Airi herself didn’t have any leeway.

A part of an ancient document that was carried out from the deepest part of a Ruin.

It was a proof that showed the ties between the Old Empire, and the race that was called as LordCreator who seemed to exist in the Ruins. Airi was putting a distance from everyone, even with her best friend Noct so that it wouldn’t be found out.

But, when the time comes that the truth came to light, Airi wondered what she should do.

She couldn’t find the answer no matter how much she thought.

「Nii-san, we are──」

When she was letting out a sigh of who knew how many times, a knocking sound could be heard from the door.

「……Ah, welcome back──Noct」

Of course, she couldn’t forget to hide the ancient document.

But, her attention was taken by her hurry in hiding it that she opened the door without even checking.

「-……!?」

Airi was speechless at the visit of the very unexpected character.

A few hours ago, her big brother Lux was cornered in the Class Promotion Exam. By this person here──the Blue Tyrant, Singlen Shelbrit.

He was wearing a blue coat with excess sleeves and a pilot suit furnished with metal plates that was called armor suit. And then under his hood, he was wearing a strange smile that didn’t reach his eye.

「Wha, wha……!?」

「How do you do lady, I have something to talk with you for a bit──is it okay?」

In response to the dispassionate words, Airi was backing away in a fluster.

「The, there is no way it’s okay right!? Just where do you think you are!」

With her frozen thought and her tense expression, it was the best she could do to reply like that for the time being.

「Don’t speak loudly like that. What a lady who lacks in manners. With that kind of big brother, perhaps it’s only natural that his little sister is like this, good grief.」

But, Singlen shrugged his shoulders in response as though he had no ill will at all.

「While it might be rude, but it’s Sir Singlen who is lacking in prudence! This is the lodging for females. What kind of business do you have at this time?」

Airi was purposefully acting angrier than necessary.

She was doing that to encourage herself so that she wouldn’t get dragged away by this Blue Tyrant’s pace.

「I faced your big brother in the exam. I’m concerned whether he is alright. I only came here thinking that I’ll ask about his condition. Be grateful.」

「That’s, why did you come to the place of me, his little sister then……? ──Wait, please don’t come in as you please!」

「It’s dreary, just as typical of an army’s lodging huh. Lack of discrimination is a good thing.」

Singlen briskly entered inside and sat down heavily on the chair inside the room.

Airi was enveloped in bewilderment, even so she shortly stood in front of the desk.

「……I’ll call other people you know?」

「You’re bad at lying former princess. It’s you who will be troubled if you call someone right?」

「────」

Airi’s expression froze just for a moment. Singlen didn’t miss that.

「When a human is placed in a dilemma, they will stand in front of the thing they want to protect the most. And for a young woman at that age, they will mostly stand in front of their bed or their closet. Even though both of those are right nearby, why are you standing in front of your desk that is the farthest?」

「…………」

He hit the bull’s eye.

The best Airi could do right now was pretending to be calm and not letting her agitation come out to her face.

Because at the gap of the board that was laid out in the desk’s drawer, a part of that ancient document that Airi had never let go from her sight was carefully hidden in the cover of her diary there.

「I have heard the rumors about you, criminal former princess. It seems that you will find any excuse to go along in any Ruin investigation that is few in number. A human that cannot even handle a Drag-Ride and should be nothing more than a hindrance, why are you behaving like that then?」

‘……How did he know until that far?’

Airi couldn’t speak that question out loud.

If she said it, it felt like he would take advantage of it even more.

「I hear that you are also a survivor of that Old Empire, but it feels like you also have another secret.」

Singlen walked closer towards Airi who was standing in front of her desk.

When her body reflexively stiffened, his feet stopped still.

「Let’s enter the main topic, I came here to warn you. The bunches called Dragon Marauder. Those warmonger Drag-Knights are starting to secretly maneuver in various places. They are a gathering of mercenaries who staked their life to snatch the treasure of the Ruins and tear down countries.」

「That’s, what about it……?」

「Those guys are sending spies to every country. It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of the Ruins. What I want to say is be cautious.」

Singlen only said that before he turned on his heel and moved to leave the room.

「……No need for worry, because I know nothing of such secret.」

When Airi said that with fortitude, Singlen’s shoulders shook slightly.

「The fellows targeting you aren’t just Dragon Marauder. Better remember my warning for just in case.」

Singlen said that without turning around and he left.

Right after his presence vanished, Airi closed the door and locked it.

She slowly sat down on the bed and sweat oozed out suddenly from her forehead.

「It’s all right……. No one, has seen it yet, so……」

She took out her diary from the desk, took off the leather binding and flipped the backside.

The text of ancient documents that Airi deciphered was held there without change.

Just as Singlen said, it might be something that she couldn’t hide forever.

Even if the origin of their──the Old Empire that perished five years ago was connected to the Lords of the Ruins, nothing could be understood with just the content recorded here.

Then, what was it that she was fearing until that much, Airi questioned herself.

Was it the risk of even more crimes getting piled up on Lux and Airi as criminals?

Was it that they would have to shoulder the responsibility that was being hidden together with the mystery of the Ruins?

「No── what I’m fearing is, surely……」

That Lux would know about this truth.

And then, her big brother who had obtained this current meager happiness would get dragged into this unknown fate, with the situation near him changed drastically, and he would leave to a place where Airi’s hand couldn’t reach. That was her fear.

Losing her beloved family Lux was what she feared the most.

「Nii-san. Just what, should I……」

The words that were whispered with a small voice so that no one could hear, reached the ears of a man standing alone outside the door.