Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Capítulo 5

Capítulo 5 – Capítulo da Celistia – O Sentimento da Mais Forte da Academia

Parte 1

“Fuaaa......”

A Academia em Cross Field.

Lux estava dando um grande bocejo em um canto daquele amplo terreno.

A hora que ele acordou hoje foi às cinco da manhã, uma hora mais cedo do que o normal.

Em suas mãos estava uma longa vassoura de bambu e vários baldes grandes que tinham vários panos sujos pendurados neles.

Sua roupa não era seu uniforme usual, mas uma roupa de trabalho com a cor marrom queimada.

O tempo estava claro, mas talvez porque o outono estava quase acabando, o ar estava frio na pele.

O corpo de Lux estremeceu ligeiramente com o vento e então ele esticou levemente o corpo.

“......Oops. Não posso estar meio sonolento, vamos trabalhar direito.”

Ele bateu levemente no rosto com as mãos e colocou espírito dentro de si mesmo para acordar.

Ele estava em uma instalação com forma redonda como um anel de árvore ordinária, onde cada círculo ficava gradualmente mais alto quanto mais perto estavam do lado de fora.

Lux estava de pé na plateia vazia do campo de treino.

A limpeza do campo de treino de Drag-Ride foi um dos pedidos em grande escala que a Academia às vezes fazia a ele.

Como essa instalação possuía espaço na categoria superior, mesmo dentro de todo o terreno da Academia, levava tempo e esforço para limpá-la.

Claro que era impossível fazer isso sozinho, então a área que ele estava limpando no final era apenas uma parte dela, mas Lux deu tudo de si por iniciativa própria, acordou cedo e fez a tarefa diligentemente.

O básico desse trabalho era varrer e limpar usando uma vassoura de bambu e limpar levemente a parte que estava especialmente suja com um pano úmido.

Ele usava sabão em pontos sujos persistentes, mas desta vez não havia tantos pontos assim.

Lux estava realmente focado desde que começou a trabalhar e executou o trabalho, então—

“......Eh?"

Quanto tempo passou?

Lux finalmente percebeu isso quando terminou de limpar cerca de metade da área que foi designada a ele.

No centro do campo de treino, no terreno que era cercado por uma parede circular, uma garota vestindo Dress Gear estava de pé.

“......Celis-senpai? Tão cedo de manhã.”

Lux murmurou isso, ao mesmo tempo em que seus olhos foram roubados pelo movimento da garota que era visível da plateia.

Ela tinha seu Sword Device em forma de rapieira desembainhado e pegou impulso quase ao mesmo tempo.

Ela saltou uma distância de mais de dez metros em uma respiração, ao mesmo tempo que lançou várias estocadas afiadas para frente.

Em seguida, ela convergiu partículas de luz em alta velocidade após sacar sua espada e invocar— a forma de Drag-Ride.

Ela imediatamente equipou uma armadura dourada e desencadeou um ataque com seu armamento especial, uma enorme lança, completando a sequência de formas.

De sacar sua espada até equipar seu Drag-Ride— enquanto até atacava durante esse tempo, todas essas ações foram feitas rapidamente em três segundos, o que causou uma rajada repentina de vento ao redor.

“Como esperado, ela é incrível...”

Mesmo do ponto de vista de Lux, que possuía habilidade especializada como Drag-Knight, a habilidade de sua técnica o fez olhar inconscientemente fascinado.

Era uma façanha que só era permitida para ela que havia polido seu treinamento de arte marcial e arte de espada ao extremo, tornando-a capaz de realizar várias milhares de formas.

Celistia Ralgris.

Ela era a filha mais velha de um grande senhor feudal do novo reino – a casa Ralgris, e a garota que servia como Capitã do esquadrão de ataque Syvalles.

Ainda mais do que sua famosa força como a mais forte da Academia, sua dignidade e beleza, armadas com sua graça e rigidez, atraíam qualquer pessoa para ela.

Além disso, a personalidade que foi criada a partir da autoconfiança e foco com que ela estava vestida— sua aura característica de indiferença deu a ela um carisma digno para um membro dos Quatro Grandes Nobres.

“Ela está praticando Drag-Ride novamente a partir desta manhã...”

Mesmo que ainda não tivesse se passado muito tempo desde o Festival do Campus e a batalha mortal contra o Eclipse Sagrado, o rigor e o tempo gasto em seu treinamento estavam aumentando ainda mais.

Celis era capaz de fazer isso exatamente porque possuía uma resistência que faria com que um oficial militar do sexo masculino perdesse a coragem e uma força de vontade poderosa.

(Preciso ter cuidado para não se tornar um incômodo para Celis-senpai...)

Lux limpou o lugar o mais silenciosamente possível, enquanto olhava para sua prática com um olhar lateral.

Ela praticou movimento no ar e movimentos básicos antes de se mover para praticar o balanço com sua arma.

E então, ela coordenou a ação de ativar a Veste Divina até vários tipos de ações em movimentos coordenados que ligavam de um movimento ao próximo, exibindo uma tática complicada.

Depois disso, mais trinta minutos se passaram. Parece que ela estava muito concentrada em seu treinamento, ela não percebeu a existência de Lux até o final e terminou seu treinamento.

Celis parou de se mover para descansar seu corpo e dissipou sua armadura.

Ela enviou um breve olhar para o anel circundante antes de começar a caminhar em direção à sala de espera.

“Ah......”

A tarefa de Lux também coincidentemente terminou naquele momento, então ele pensou em pelo menos cumprimentá-la, mas ela tinha saído antes dele.

Ele perseguiu a figura dela com pressa e a viu entrar na sala de espera que ficava um pouco longe do campo de treino.

“—Espere, isso é ruim!?”

Lux parou as pernas na frente da porta e soltou um suspiro de alívio.

Ele já havia cometido vários erros nesta Academia. Não havia nenhuma maneira que ele pudesse fazer algo como espiar novamente.

Ele deveria esperar até que Celis terminasse de se trocar e saísse, ou talvez devesse bater na porta e gritar.

Lux pensou isso e apoiou as costas em uma árvore perto da sala, foi então—

—

“Haa...... Infelizmente, foi um fracasso novamente desta vez.”

“—Eh?”

A voz de Celis que de repente veio do outro lado da parede da sala de espera fez Lux inclinar a cabeça.

“......Sim, está certo. Fui convidado por duas das minhas calouras do segundo ano para ensinar. Eu estava alegre por ser confiável depois de tanto tempo, então anteontem, pedi a elas que me acompanhassem no meu treinamento matinal, mas—”

Era de fato a voz de Celis falando.

As pessoas que estavam treinando no início da manhã estavam limitadas apenas aos membros do Syvalles, se ele se lembrava bem, mas hoje ele não viu ‘ninguém’ além de Celis.

(Com quem ela está falando—?)

Foi quando Lux se sentiu duvidoso assim—

“—Mas, as duas fugiram no meio. É estranho, mas eu já havia tornado o conteúdo do treino relativamente mais leve. Talvez seja como eu esperava, eu sou realmente odiada... é deprimente.”

“Er, Celis-senpai...?”

“......!?”

Quando Lux chamou da janela da sala de espera, *bam* um som veio de dentro e Celis saiu rapidamente da sala de espera.

Ela havia trocado completamente de seu Dress Gear para seu uniforme, então não havia nenhum problema, mas o choque estava gravado em seu rosto.

“L-Lux–!? Por que você está aqui!?”

As bochechas de Celis ficaram vermelhas ao mesmo tempo que parecia estranhamente agitada.

Quando Lux rapidamente olhou ao redor, ele viu um pequeno pássaro que estava na janela voando para longe.

“Aah, por favor, espere! Eu ainda não terminei—”

“......Espere, você estava falando com aquele pássaro agora mesmo!?”

Como esperado, parecia que não havia ninguém, exceto Celis, dentro da sala de espera.

Diferente de si mesma no passado, parece que ela havia resolvido falar mais francamente sobre sua preocupação com as pessoas ao seu redor, mas agora ela estava de volta a cuidar de seu problema sozinha?

Lux respondeu a este lado inesperado desta garota que normalmente era digna, em resposta—

“V-Você está errado. Agora mesmo era...... u-uma boneca. Eu só estava conversando com uma boneca que estava decorando o quarto. Não era como se eu fosse incapaz de falar francamente sobre minha preocupação com ninguém e mergulhasse no ódio de mim mesa, eu não fiz tal coisa de forma alguma, então—”

“Não, quase não há diferença se é uma boneca ou um passarinho, sabe!? De certa forma, parece excessivamente solitário, sabe!?”

Parecia que ela tentar mentir estava tornando tudo ainda mais terrível.

“...... N-Não importa, então, por favor, trate como se você não tivesse visto nada! Investigar ainda mais não é permitido!”

O grito do rosto vermelho de Celis fez Lux assentir.

Depois de respirarem fundo até que os dois se acalmassem, Lux explicou por que ele estava aqui.

Quando ele estava limpando o campo de treino, ele viu Celis e correu atrás dela para cumprimentá-la. Depois que ele disse isso a ela, Celis mostrou um sorriso de aparência complicada.

“É mesmo. Eu também ainda sou imatura, por não ser capaz de detectar sua presença na plateia assim.”

Ela murmurou aquilo soando um pouco auto-torturante.

Em relação a isso, também foi um pouco inesperado para Lux.

Mesmo que ela estivesse relaxando sua atenção porque ela estava dentro do terreno seguro da Academia, mas para alguém no nível de Celis, ela deveria ter notado a presença de Lux.

“Poderia ser— Celis-senpai tem algo pesando em sua mente?”

“............”

*Tremor* Celis ficou muito abalada ao ouvir a pergunta de Lux.

“N-Não é algo sério. —Não, eu deveria falar sobre isso com Lux. Antes disso, eu causava problemas para você porque ficava quieto. E também confio em você.”

Celis disse isso com as bochechas corando levemente.

A memória do jogo de punição que se realizou depois do Festival do Campus no outro dia.

A sensação daquele beijo apaixonado foi ressuscitado, fazendo com que o corpo de Lux sofresse calorosamente.

“E-Err— sim!”

O próprio Lux também achou difícil olhar adequadamente para o rosto de Celis por causa do constrangimento.

Depois que Lux ergueu a voz para distrair sua mente das batidas fortes de seu coração, Celis começou a falar lentamente.

“Isso é, tenho a sensação de que minhas calouras estão me evitando. Mesmo que eu tenha sentido que me tornei capaz de ser mais franca do que antes com todos ao meu redor depois de tantos problemas, agora eu me pergunto se isso não é bom como o esperado...?”

Celis abaixou a cabeça com uma aura escura vagamente pesada envolvendo-a.

(Ah...... então é coisa normal.)

Lux percebeu isso e sorriu ironicamente.

Como o resultado da seriedade e forte senso de responsabilidade de Celis se misturando com seu lado um pouco desajeitado, às vezes ela ficava deprimida assim.

“Embora algumas calouras que eu não conhecia de verdade dependessem de mim, não fui capaz de treiná-los adequadamente. Eu me pergunto se há algo inadequado dentro de mim? Não entendo. É triste. Agora acabei treinando sozinha de novo...... É solitário... Ah, n-não é como se eu estivesse me sentindo solitária ou qualquer coisa, sabe!? Afinal, sou a Capitã do Syvalles, estou completamente bem.”

“Não, você não precisa mais esconder! Isso está me impedindo de ficar aqui ainda mais ouvindo isso! Mais importante— a razão pela qual aquelas garotas calouras pararam de treinar junto com Celis-senpai... o que poderia ser?”

Aquelas garotas vieram por iniciativa própria como voluntárias receber treinamento da Celis, então foi um pouco estranho que eles parassem imediatamente sozinhas assim.

Certamente Celis estava preocupada porque ela não conseguia entender o motivo, mas—

“Talvez seja porque o menu de treinamento foi duro. Acho que é só isso.”

Lux repentinamente interrompeu assim com uma convicção de seu instinto.

Ele também tinha pensado nisso quando estavam treinando juntos no acampamento de verão, mas até os membros do Syvalles jogaram a toalha na quantidade de treinamento da Celis. Com base nisso, não havia como uma aluna mediana acompanhar a Celis.

Certamente as garotas calouras entenderam isso e desistiram do treinamento.

Lux estava bastante confiante dessa conjectura dentro de sua mente, mas—

“I-Isso não deve ser verdade! Eu também tive consideração pelas meninas que estavam acompanhando meu treinamento pela primeira vez, então reduzi a quantidade de treinamento pela metade.”

“Eeerrr......”

Lux fez uma expressão complicada em resposta ao grito de Celis e ele não sabia como responder.

Provavelmente, essas calouras foram incapazes de resistir mesmo depois disso.

A resistência de Celis que impôs a si mesma um treinamento que poderia até ser chamado de severo desde sua infância, ultrapassava de longe a resistência das pessoas comuns.

“Como pensei, acredito que houve um problema em como eu ajo e me comporto. Eu me pergunto por que minha personalidade ficou assim. Haa......”

Vendo Celis ficando abatida de novo, Lux pensou.

Com a forma como a própria Celis estava perdendo a confiança, parecia que o efeito seria menor, mesmo se ele a persuadisse.

Se a conjectura de Lux estava correta, aquelas garotas calouras não odiavam Celis, era apenas que o treinamento era muito duro—

“Eu acho. Então, que tal se fizermos isso?”

Lá Lux propôs uma certa sugestão.

“Vou acompanhar o Celis-senpai fazendo seu menu de treino por um tempo. Se houver algo que notei, falarei minha opinião. Ao fazer isso, a própria Celis-senpai não notará o que você fez de errado desta vez?”

Em outras palavras, Lux atuaria como parceiro de treinamento para ‘o treinamento de calouras de Celis’.

Ao usar isso como referência, ele faria a própria Celis julgar o motivo pelo qual ela foi evitada pelas mais novas.

Celis estava ouvindo atordoada por um tempo, mas logo seus olhos brilharam intensamente e ela pegou a mão de Lux.

“Esse é um plano excelente! Será uma chance realmente excelente para eu aprender onde sou inadequada.”

Lux respondeu com um sorriso, mas, na verdade, essa sugestão havia uma desvantagem.

(Em primeiro lugar, não deveria haver nenhuma chance de Celis-senpai cometer algum erro estranho...)

O problema era como a própria Celis não conseguia perceber como o excesso do treinamento era exatamente o problema.

Mesmo se Lux apontasse, ela não seria capaz de compreender totalmente, então seria melhor se ele transmitisse a ela, fazendo-a sentir isso de verdade durante todo o processo.

Com base em sua experiência de treinar normalmente com ela, não havia problema com a orientação e atitude de Celis, não havia nenhuma maneira de ela estar se comportando de uma forma que a faria ser odiada.

Se Lux, que possuía resistência, pudesse acompanhar o treinamento de Celis até o final, ele seria capaz de provar isso.

“Então, por favor, posso pegar você para isso a partir de amanhã por um período de alguns dias?”

“Sim. Vai ficar tudo bem se cortar meu tempo fazendo as tarefas um pouco.”

Lux respondeu imediatamente. Celis deu um suspiro de alívio com um sorriso ao ouvir isso.

“Entendi. Mas, Lux é um garoto, então você vai ficar bem se sua quantidade de treinamento for igual à minha, certo?”

“Eh......!?”

No momento em que ela disse isso, uma voz estranha escapou da garganta de Lux.

A resistência de Celis não era normal, então se Lux tentasse realizar o mesmo menu de treinamento que ela, ele seria esmagado.

“Como esperado, um menino com resistência é encorajador. Isso mesmo, esta é uma boa chance, então vou aumentar o treinamento um pouco mais do que o normal para igualar a Lux—”

“O de costume está bom–! D-Desta vez é para confirmar o método de Celis-senpai no final, esse é o meu objetivo—!”

Lux disse em pânico. Celis ponderou um pouco e—

“Você tem razão. Quase perdi de vista nosso propósito original. A prioridade é buscar o motivo pelo qual aquelas garotas estão me evitando. Treinar com Lux— estou ansiosa por isso.”

“Ah, sim......”

Lux estava se sentindo aliviado ao prometer ouvir mais sobre o menu mais tarde, então ele se separou de Celis por enquanto.

“Tudo bem com isso, certo...?”

Ele iria transmitir a Celis, que estava cabisbaixa, que não havia nenhum problema com sua personalidade e atitude que a fizesse ser evitada e a fizesse recuperar a autoconfiança.

Para fazer isso, Lux fez essa sugestão, mas ele se perguntou se ele também acabaria como aquelas calouras mencionadas e se tornaria incapaz de acompanhar Celis?

No entanto, na frente de Celis que parecia tão encantada daquele jeito, ele não conseguiu retirar suas palavras.

“Por precaução, devo pensar em uma contramedida......”

Por precaução, depois disso ele atendeu os pedidos em geral da diretora, responsável do dormitório e das alunas por um tempo, então ele foi até onde seu colega Tillfur estava.

Ele pediu que ela cancelasse ou adiasse o máximo possível os pedidos mais recentes que pareciam exigir um pouco mais de esforço.

“O que resta é apenas fazer... hein.”

Lux respirou fundo e se decidiu.

“Bem, eu vou conseguir de alguma forma, certo...?”

Ou melhor, ele rezou para realmente conseguir se virar de alguma forma.

Lux falava consigo mesmo com aquele tom cheio de ilusões.

—

Part 2

「I, I was naïve……!」

The morning the next day, inside the classroom where the class lesson was going on.

Lux was listening to the teacher’s lecture like usual while desperately holding himself back from falling prostrated on his table.

(Sleepy……, no, I’m too tired I cannot sleep……)

To think, that the training of Celis that he witnessed at yesterday morning was actually already starting from an hour before that. It was unexpected.

They started from early morning with running through the Academy’s ground and muscle strength training.

After that they carried out training of performing forms of sword art and martial art at the practice ground, then they moved to Drag-Ride training.

Using Drag-Ride consecutively would cause burden, so every fifteen minutes they would take a break for five minutes in the form of calisthenics, they carried out three set of that.

They tidied up at seven o’clock. They wiped their sweat and changed into their uniform and headed to the dining hall.

There, finally the morning training menu was over.

He had no strength remaining for doing morning chores.

「Lux-chi, you okay? Somehow you look a bit, like your soul is leaving your body though……?」

「Barely……」

Tillfur called out to him worriedly when it was lunch break.

If he could say his true feeling, he was nearly at his limit.

Even more than the pure amount of the training, the density of the training itself was very much so.

After Lux responded like that with a dry smile, the door of the classroom was knocked before it got opened right away.

「Lux, have you eaten lunch? I wish to start a light training in five more minutes──」

「Wait, we will also train at afternoon!?」

Lux reflexively yelled with his honest tone.

「It will be fine. It’s only a simple training of mind control operation, so we will finish before the afternoon class. There is no need to worry.」

Celis smiled brightly and said that without any malice.

「No, what I’m bothered with isn’t the time──」

「Then, I will be waiting at the indoor practice ground, I’m looking forward to it.」

「…………」

Celis said only that with a proud face before turning on her heel and left.

If he was told that she would be waiting, then he had to go.

Lux lifted up his body with a stagger and then exited the classroom.

Honestly food couldn’t even go through his throat, but he guessed he would manage somehow…….

「Lu-chan. You have to eat properly……, you know?」

Lux received a donut from Philuffy beside him while participating somehow in the lunch break training too.

After that, the training also continued after school as though it was only natural, and it continued until the sun had completely set.

–

Part 3

「So Lux, have you noticed anything? A problem in my attitude and behavior──」

Early morning two days later.

They finished a two hours training and then took break in the waiting room. There Celis asked Lux like that with a voice that was tinged with nervousness.

「……Currently I don’t see any particular problem, but」

To speak frankly, yesterday morning fatigue suddenly came down on him and it was the fact that he wished to stop, but he was able to continue somehow.

「Is there something, that is not good with me? It will be helpful if you can tell me clearly.」

Lus recalled the scenes of him training together with Celis in these two days.

If he had to say what bothered him, excluding the harshness of the independent training──.

「Let’s see. I had this feeling when training before wearing the Drag-Ride, but……」

「……Ye, yes. Please say what I’ve done poorly without any reservation!」

「Err, when senpai is baring the chest part of your pilot suit when it got hot, it will help if you do it in a way that won’t enter my sight. Honestly, that’s, it was a bit awkward…….」

「It’s about that-!? It’s different from the answer that I was expecting!」

After Lux pointed out looking embarrassed, Celis also turned red and got stupefied.

「I, I rarely trained together with the opposite sex, so I didn’t notice but──, as, as I thought, was Lux bothered?」

「Tha, that’s a question that is really hard to answer for me but, that’s, well……just a bit.」

Lux spoke ambiguously like that, but speaking frankly, it had gone far past being bothered.

Celis who was a top class beauty even in this Academy was defenselessly baring that voluptuous and pointed breasts, that was why he would gulp looking at that whether he wanted it or not.

Besides, because of the incident before, Lux became strangely conscious of Celis who broke through his heart’s wall.

「I, I understand. Is there──anything else?」

「Eerr, after that, it’s, when I forgot my water flask, Celis-senpai shared your drink with me, I was very happy.」

Lux recalled the training yesterday while saying that. Celis puffed out her chest confidently hearing that.

「Doing that much is only natural. After all it will affect the body if you force yourself in the middle of training without water.」

At that time too Celis was also saying 「There is no need to be reserved, please drink water properly」, and she half forcefully made Lux drank the water inside her flask that was mixed with honey and lemon.

「Just, at that time, I was embarrassed because we were putting our lips on the same flask though──」

「…………」

The moment Celis heard Lux’s words, she froze still.

「Yo, you don’t need to notice even such things! Tha, that’s, I too noticed that later on and it got stuck on my mind……」

Celis’s face reddened while she confessed incoherently. Seeing that, Lux too became even more embarrassed.

A gentle atmosphere that was causing heart to beat fast was flowing between the two.

–

Part 4

「……Is that so, then in the end, Lux haven’t discovered my flaw yet.」

A few minutes later.

Celis muttered with a tone that was vaguely relieved, and perhaps also somewhat vexed.

「It’s all right. Celis-senpai is amazing and strong after all. Surely even this worry will also be solved somehow.」

「I am, amazing……?」

Celis looked a bit surprised at Lux’s words.

「Yes. In the past I too did nothing but training with Drag-Ride alone, but it was difficult to continue doing so in a place where no one was watching. I think that Celis-senpai who keep doing it as though it’s only natural is really strong and amazing.」

Those words came from Lux’s true feeling.

But, Celis made a somewhat brittle smile and gazed at empty air with a lonely expression.

「──Such thing, is not true.」

「Eh……?」

「Perhaps what I’m doing is certainly requiring effort. But, the more important thing is to be able to become someone else’s strength.」

Celis displayed a brittle face seen from the side and continued.

「Even when Wade-sensei……, Lux’s grandfather taught me, that was the only thing I’m not good at. Simply defeating the enemy before my eyes, simply fighting in place of someone else……. If there is something like that it’s easy to understand but, understanding someone and giving them strength is difficult.」

「Celis, senpai……」

「Keep it a secret from everyone else about how I’m whining like this okay? Even like this I’m the captain of Syvalles after all. Now, let’s continue this after school. Because this afternoon we are requested to exterminate the Abyss that appeared near Cross Field──」

An Abyss appeared near Cross Field that should be quite far away from the Ruin.

Could this be also an influence from Sacred Eclipse that would end the world in half year more?

「-……!?」

The moment Lux tried to stand up while thinking that, Lux’s legs staggered.

「E, h……?」

The sky was shaking, and the ground was approaching from the side.

「Lux!?」

Celis’s voice seemed far away.

‘I’m fine’, the words that he should whisper didn’t come out from his throat, his consciousness was suddenly getting distant.

–

Part 5

「N, nn……?」

When Lux opened his eyes, a familiar ceiling entered his sight.

It wasn’t the medical room that he often visited, he was laid down on the bed of his dormitory room.

The hands of the clock were showing that it had only passed through noon.

He recalled Celis lending him her shoulder until they returned to the dormitory, but after that it seemed a few hours had passed.

「How are you feeling, Lux?」

The anxious expression of Celis who was looking down on him from the side made Lux to smile right away.

「……I’m sorry for making senpai worry. It looks like my sleep was a bit lacking.」

Lux slowly lifted up his upper body and ascertained his body’s condition.

There wasn’t anywhere that was particularly in bad condition, according to what Celis heard from the school doctor, it seemed that this was because of light anemia and overworking.

Nonetheless, it seemed he had recovered, so Lux was going to return to the classroom for his class.

「──I’m sorry, I didn’t notice until it become like this.」

Celis suddenly spoke those words.

「Lux wasn’t sleeping much because of the chores wasn’t it? My consideration was lacking.」

She quietly looked down and said that.

(No, I think the cause is surely the training’s intensity though……)

In any case, he didn’t say it because it would be as though he was blaming her.

「I will nurse you, so please rest peacefully. If there is anything you want, you can say it whatever it is without reservation.」

Celis pulled herself together and straightened her back while saying that.

Celis’s own worry hadn’t been resolved, but if she was telling him gallantly like that, then he felt like he could rest easy.

「Thank you very much. I’m happy with just that consideration.」

Lux answered like that and stared at Celis who was sitting down beside the bed.

Then, Celis too was looking down at Lux who was lying down on the bed again with a gentle expression.

「Then, can I have an idle talk with you just for a bit? I was reflecting on myself why Lux fainted──and there was something that I faintly recalled.」

The way she was speaking was unusual for Celis, but Lux nodded.

‘Thank you very much.’ After beginning with that, she started talking quietly.

「It’s a story about my mother. Even now my mother is living in Ralgris house in good health, but five years ago──until the old empire was changed into the new kingdom, she wasn’t really able to come out in the open.」

According to Celis, her mother’s body was weak, and giving birth to Celis alone was the best she could do.

Her inability to give birth to a son for Ralgris house that was a noted family of knight caused the surrounding relatives to treat her badly.

Within the culture and tendency of male chauvinism that the old empire carried out at the time──no, for a long time, several times more effort was necessary for Celis to be recognized as heir.

In other words, Celis’s training and education that could even be called as excessive, everything was so that she could become a knight. She wholeheartedly didn’t want her mother to feel bitter.

「But, it couldn’t go well. I caused trouble for Wade-sensei, and after that I immersed myself in even more training, searching for righteousness──it would be great if there was other way to help mother, but the best I could do was only accomplishing my own desire. Perhaps I was unable to see anything.」

Celis muttered with self-mockery.

Seeing that, Lux immediately lifted his body.

「I think, that’s not it.」

「Eh……?」

Celis’s eyes opened wide at Lux’s words that he said out seriously.

「In the past, my mother died when I was a child, but if she is alive like Celis-senpai’s mother, I would surely try to protect her no matter what──」

Lux paused for a moment, then he stared at Celis once more.

「I think Celis-senpai isn’t mistaken or anything. But, now that you have become the strongest Drag-Knight in the Academy, I think it will be fine if Celis-senpai think about yourself more. At the very least that is what I think.」

「…………」

A small silence filled inside the room.

Before long Celis sighed with a smile and slowly took a deep breath.

「Lux is a really mysterious boy. It’s the first time someone said that to me, that someone is looking at me like that. As I thought, I, to you──」

Celis slowly approached in front of Lux who was in sitting position and she brought her face closer.

That beautiful face which was blushing feverishly somewhat came right in front of Lux. The distance was shortened until it felt like their lips would touch.

Lux’s heard jumped strongly in his chest──it was then he hallucinated that the window’s glass seemed to shake.

「──!?」

Right after that, a shrill metallic sound that felt like splitting the head could be heard inside the room.

The sound resounded from the bell towers throughout the Cross Field ringing simultaneously.

It was the sound of bell that was warning the attack of Abyss.

When the two noticed that, tension ran through them.

「──Please rest here. I will go looking at the situation.」

「Please wait Celis-senpai! I too──」

When Lux tried to get up from the bed, Celis was already rushed outside the room.

–

Part 6

「There is no horn flute sound, so this doesn’t seem to be someone’s scheme but──, something is strange.」

As a member of Syvalles, Celis who was wearing Divine Drag-Ride Lindwurm hurriedly moved toward the second block where the Abyss appeared.

The enemy was bird shaped Abyss that appeared from the Ruin Garden──Gryph.

It was a monster with atypical appearance of lower body of lion and upper body of eagle with large wings growing from its body.

Its torso had bright brown color. Only the area around its head that was emitting a sharp predatory eye glint that was covered with white feathers.

「Different from before, now Abyss is also appearing at other place than Ruin’s surrounding. If this is also Sacred Eclipse’s influence, then this is a dangerous omen.」

Originally this was an enemy where several Syvalles members were needed to face just one of it, but because right now was an unforeseen situation, Celis prioritized quickness in dealing with it.

「GUAAaAAAAH!」

That monster that seemed to be embodying fierceness was expressing its rage and hostility perhaps because it was being chased by the Drag-Knights of the new kingdom.

「As I thought it’s more comfortable to be alone like this. I can finish this without dragging anyone into it.」

Celis calmly warded off the Abyss’s threat and took a stance with her special armament Lightning Lance.

And then, she calmly looked forward and waited for the time of clashing.

It was silent for a few seconds.

The back wings of the Abyss twitched, and sharp feathers that were like knife were fired.

「─」

When Celis burned down the countless feathers attacking her from the front with Lightning Lance, the Gryph moved.

Its legs that were several times larger compared to the average lion were attacking Celis with a sharp trajectory, then──,

「Divine Gate.」

A domain of light was instantly spread after Celis’s quiet murmur.

It was the instant teleportation within a fixed distance by Lindwurm’s Divine Raiment.

Celis dodged the attacking front legs of the Gryph and moved behind it. Then she pierced its back with her lance.

「GU, AaaAAAAAA-……!?」

The dazzling lightning that surged right after that instantly scorched the large body.

The Abyss that got its core pierced and burned exploded and dispersed.

「Fuu……」

Celis who ascertained that let out a relieved sigh and relaxed her stance.

At that moment, the sound of air getting torn roared from behind her.

「GUSHAAAAAH!」

「……!?」

There was one other Gryph hiding behind the cover of a high bell tower where it could look down on Cross Field.

It growled and leaped at Celis’s back.

「……Watch out-!」

Lux who was flying in Wyvern hurriedly cut into the Abyss’s orbit, it was then──,

「──Lightning Flash.」

Celis rotated and thrust her lance. The lightning fired from the lance’s tip burned the second Gryph and stopped its movement.

「Eh……?」

Lux was astonished by the reaction of Celis who should be completely taken by surprise and he hesitated slightly.

But, at that time his eyes met Celis’s eyes.

「──Please finish it, Lux.」

「Yes!」

Lux moved to attack almost at the same time while replying.

He ran his blade at the shoulder of the bird beast that was enveloped in fierce blaze and broke the core through the shortest route.

「GUGYaaAaAAAH!」

The second Gryph screamed and vanished. The danger had left from the second block.

In the end, it appeared that Celis had also predicted the existence of the second Gryph, or perhaps even taken by surprise she would be able to immediately deal with it, in any case there wasn’t any need for Lux to help her.

As was to be expected from someone who was called as the Academy’s strongest.

「It looks like we are able to safely defeat them.」

「Ah, yes……」

They descended on a park from the air nearby the bell tower and dispelled their armor.

It was fine and all to save the town from the threat of Abyss, but Lux was somehow feeling troubled of what to say and he was at a loss for words.

「Say……」

「Eerr──」

After a few seconds like that, both of them simultaneously started to speak, it was then,

「──Ooooi. Wait, both of you.」

From the sky, Sharis of Triad was coming wearing Wyvern, while Noct and Tillfur came from the main street wearing Drake and Wyrm respectively.

「So you three also came here?」

「Naturally. We too are members of Syvalles you know? The princess and missy Philuffy are in the middle of Drag-Ride maintenance so they couldn’t come though. Well, even so it’s just as expected, from the beginning there wasn’t any chance of us getting a turn here──」

Sharis said with a wry smile.

「That’s why I said it already. Celis-senpai is totally enough against enemy of this level.」

「No. Carelessness is prohibited. No matter how strong Celis-senpai is, there is no guarantee that there won’t be any ambush. Besides──making only the captain to take the initiative and exterminate the enemy will make us lose our position.」

Noct denied Tillfur’s grief before she dispelled her Drake’s armor.

She was looking at the Radar on her shoulder was surely because she was confirming that there was no Abyss reaction nearby.

「The mission is over. Let’s go back home without wearing Drag-Ride in order to save our stamina.」

「Let’s do that. I’ll search for a coach, so Tillfur, you go look for sweets stall.」

「Roooger. Then, both of you just rest after doing all the work.」

Noct’s suggestion was accepted by Sharis, and Tillfur finished up the talk.

The three temporarily left from that place. The tense situation was completely changed and it suddenly became a relaxed mood.

「I’m sorry. Even though Celis-senpai told me to rest, I came here instead.」

Lux was smiling wryly while scratching his head. Celis suddenly smiled and,

「No, you helped me.」

Unexpectedly, she spoke her gratitude with earnest tone to him.

「I noticed that second Abyss, but thanks to you I was able to obtain some leeway. If the Triad also came, I think we would be able to determine the Abyss’s position and number and defeat them more safely.」

「…………」

「Lux, there is one thing that I want to ask. Why were you and also those three were rushing here even though you all believed that I would be all right? As I thought, were you all worried about me? Even now after I had discarded my reservation with you──」

「……Surely that’s because Celis-senpai is popular as expected, isn’t that’s why?」

Celis was astounded by Lux’s words that he said jokingly.

「There is meaning in fighting at your side, that’s why comrades who wished to follow senpai gathered to you. Senpai isn’t alone. I too am one of those who wish to be at Celis-senpai’s side after all.」

「…………」

Celis was staring at Lux who said that with a bright smile with a dazed expression.

「Lux, is really unfair.」

「Eh……?」

「Even though originally it should be me who is being relied on as the senior, it is me who is relying on you. I’m acting spoiled to you. But, I want to accept it completely because it feels really pleasant.」

Celis’s cheeks abruptly loosened while she was looking embarrassed and vexed.

And then she slowly grasped Lux’s hand.

「I was avoiding from making effort to talk with other so we can understand each other wasn’t I? You, Sharis, and everyone else know about that personality of mine, even so you all stepped up to meet me halfway. I’m thinking that this time, I will be the one who approach those girls who are avoiding me, so that I will be able to understand them more. That’s why──」

She cut off her words temporarily and stared at Lux with a straightforward expression.

「When I bumped into another wall, will you listen and give me advice again? Though perhaps this will make me into an unreliable senior for asking help to a boy my junior so many times like this.」

「──Celis-senpai can do so anytime. I too will rely on senpai after all.」

When Lux responded with a soft smile, Celis’s eyes turned round in surprise and she averted her gaze shyly.

「Then, I’ll command you to return to your usual schedule tomorrow. There is no need to accompany me in my training. Thank you very much, Lux.」

It was a somewhat warm and awkward atmosphere.

He was happy that his relationship with Celis deepened once more.

「I too want to become someone who is able to guide everyone. I will understand those girls’ feeling while giving early morning training──」

「No, that’s why I’m saying, as long as that training with too high of a hurdle is just taken off the table, everyone will get close with senpai right away……」

Lux’s retort that he said out while sweating spontaneously didn’t seem to reach Celis whose eyes were sparkling.

Just as he thought, this seriousness and clumsiness had to be left alone somewhere.

「Bu, but, that’s, is it also fine if I ask Lux to accompany my training sometimes? How should I say it, training together with Lux is really fun so……」

Celis muttered that with flushed cheeks a bit fretfully. Lux nodded.

「──Yes. If Celis-senpai is fine with me, then I’ll gladly accept.」

Lux showed a smile from the bottom of his heart and asserted that.

「Understood. Then, I’ll especially prepare a training menu with my all for Lux’s sake next time.」

「……Wait, eeeeh!?」

He wanted to refuse it very much, but in front of Celis’s bright smile, Lux couldn’t find it within himself to say it.

(As I thought, I too am quite a showoff huh……)

Perhaps the day Celis could guide her new juniors was still far off in the future.