Unlimited Fafnir:Brynhildr Valkyries Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Mononobe Mitsuki

Part 1

A white trail was traced across the navy-blue ocean while a ship advanced along its way.

On this large ship that had never taken passengers before, there was no boisterous hustle and bustle nor the slightest rocking.

Because it was a military ship. Without decorations like those on passenger ships, the ship's gray-painted body was a bit intimidating.

The ship had no recreation facilities at all. To be honest, the multi-day journey was very boring.

However... Soon after...

With a strong sea breeze blowing, I stared in the direction where the ship was heading.

It was coming into sight presently. His location—the place where Nii-san was.

"—Midgard is protected by the Midgardsormr defense system. Although it is currently submerged out of sight, it will emerge from the water if anything happens, fulfilling its function as a physical line of defense."

Standing on the side was a member of Midgard's staff. The woman—Mica Stuart-san—was engaged in all sorts of explanations but I was paying no attention.

My mind was occupied with thoughts about Nii-san... Mononobe Yuu.

"To enter Midgard, one must pass through Bifrost, a predefined aerial and naval route. From here onwards, any deviations would cause one to be deemed an intruder by Midgardsormor and targeted for elimination."

"Eh, sure, oh no... Sorry, that came out wrong. S-So I see?"

I frantically changed my casual answer. Due to rarely having interactions with elders in my life so far, I was still unused to using polite forms in my speech.

I must pay attention to my language from now on, because I was going to be living with complete strangers at where I was heading for the first time.

The only exception would be Nii-san.

Taken into custody by NIFL, Nii-san should have started a life in Midgard.

I squinted to look for him. Next, a hazy outline of an island appeared on the horizon.

"Oh!"

I could not help but exclaim and point with my finger.

"So you see it... Indeed, that island is Midgard. The self-governed educational institution created for Ds and existing for Ds."

Looking at where I pointed, Mica-san explained.

Finally... I can finally see you again... Nii-san!

"Leave everything to me."

Nii-san's voice echoed in my ears. Engraved deeply in my mind, impossible to forget, those were the words Nii-san left behind when we parted.

A month earlier at Nanato City—our home, the town that stood along "Blue" Hekatonkheir's route of advance—had been on course for destruction in a dragon disaster.

However, just as Nii-san said, he took care of everything by himself.

Obliterating the "Undead" that my transmutation attacks had no effect on, Nii-san then turned in himself to NIFL which had become aware of a D's existence.

Thanks to that, Nanato City survived despite getting trampled and my identity as a D was not exposed.

Soon after, the evacuated residents returned to the town and resumed their daily lives as before.

However, this was not what I desired.

I had desperately guarded the town because it was the place where Nii-san and I were able to become "family." But now, my most precious Nii-san was no longer by my side.

Hence, I followed him. Nii-san might end up angry, but in spite of that, I still wish to meet him... I did not have the patience to wait until after the age of twenty when I would naturally lose my powers as a D.

...I did not want Nii-san to be snatched away by other girls.

To this date, all discovered Ds were female. In that case, Nii-san would be living in a place filled only with girls.

Attracted by other girls, he might forget our engagement promise.

Nii-san... Perhaps his heart had already strayed!?

With feelings of unease and anxiety, I waited for the ship to moor at the pier.

What I still did not know at the time was how optimistic these fears of mine were.

Part 2

"—My name is Shinomiya Haruka. I am Midgard Academy's student council president and captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad."

After the ship reached the pier, a girl dressed in a primarily monochrome uniform greeted me.

Her age was approximately seventeen or eighteen. Judging from her name, she should be Japanese like me. Her prim and proper face exuded an air of solemn dignity with her gorgeous long black hair tied in ponytail.

Wow... So pretty.

I could not help but stare in amazement, forgetting to answer her. Realizing that, Mica-san responded on my behalf.

"She is Mononobe Mitsuki, thirteen, a D discovered in Japan. We will hold a full-school assembly to introduce her to the students tomorrow."

"Will she be assigned to Brynhildr Class?"

Haruka-san asked in a lively voice and Mica-san replied.

"Yes, that is the plan. May I leave the rest to you?"

"Yes, no problem. I'll take her to the dormitories first and provide the essential explanations."

After Haruka-san replied, she turned around to face me.

"Mononobe Mitsuki—I am also a student of Brynhildr Class. However, having completed all the mandatory courses, I am now in the position of instructing others. We probably won't have many opportunities to study together, but regardless, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Haruka-san extended her pale and beautiful hand.

"T-The pleasure is all mine!"

Now was no time to be staring at Haruka-san in mesmerization. I replied frantically and shook Haruka-san's hand in turn.

"Very well."

Haruka-san nodded and smiled. Despite her beautiful and mature appearance, her smile had some child-like qualities.

Thanks to this smile, my nervousness subsided somewhat, allowing me to recall what I must inquire about no matter what.

"U-Umm, have you seen Nii-san!?"

Although I knew this was quite sudden, I still asked Haruka-san.

"Nii-san?"

Faced with Haruka-san's confusion, I continued:

"He was sent to Midgard before me! His name is Mononobe Yuu! Could you tell me which homeroom he has been assigned to!?"

I held Haruka-san's hand tightly while explaining to her but she became even more puzzled.

"Could you slow down a little? Since you're calling him Nii-san, that would mean he is male? Only girls have been discovered with Type Dragon powers. No male has ever been sent to Midgard."

"Huh...?"

Her answer left me stunned on the spot.

Haruka-san did not know about Nii-san? Nii-san was not here? No way—

"It can't be! Nii-san is a boy but he is a D! That's why it's impossible for Nii-san not to be at Midgard!"

"Even if you say that..."

With a troubled expression, Haruka-san looked at Mica-san.

"I am not lying... When I outed myself as a D to NIFL, I also told them about Nii-san. Nii-san and I had fought against 'Blue' Hekatonkheir..."

Hearing that, Mica-san's expression instantly changed in alarm.

"What—You were involved in the incident where Hekatonkheir vanished for a period of time?"

"Yes. Nii-san had fought Hekatonkheir for my sake. Also... The people at NIFL were not surprised even when I brought this up. I got the feeling that they knew about Nii-san. That's why..."

I had thought I would naturally get to see Nii-san once I was sent to Midgard. Because my mind was occupied by the wish to see Nii-san as soon as possible, I had even forgotten to confirm with Mica-san.

"You don't seem to be lying."

Mica-san stared straight at me and murmured solemnly.

"But a male D... This is not something that can be believed so easily—"

Haruka-san had her hand over the corner of her mouth, shaking her head with doubt in her expression.

"...Indeed. There is nothing we can do about this. Let us report to Charlotte-sama so that she can make a decision."

"Report to the principal?"

Uneasily, I looked up at Mica-san and Haruka-san who were talking among themselves over my head.

What was the going on right now? And afterwards? I had no idea at all.

But one thing was for certain. I had come to a place where Nii-san was not present.

This filled my heart with a layer of gloom, forcing tears out of my eyes. I lowered my head, not wanting others to see me cry.

"—Don't worry."

Suddenly, someone patted me gently on the shoulder. I looked up to see Haruka-san looking at me with gentle eyes.

"We still cannot believe you completely because there is no evidence. However, we are still on your side in spite of that. We will surely do everything we can so that you don't have to cry."

Haruka-san spoke with powerful words. At the same time, Mica-san also spoke up.

"She is your fellow D and will not betray you. This is what Midgard is about."

"...Midgard."

I wiped my tears on my sleeve and repeated that word.

From this word of Midgard which had meant nothing to me previously except as a name, I felt reliability and warmth—

Part 3

A gigantic clock tower that could be seen even from the pier.

Mica-san and Haruka-san were taking me up to the clock tower's top floor.

"—Charlotte-sama, this is Mica."

"Come on in."

The voice coming from behind the heavy doors sounded as clear as a bell. I expected the principal to be someone fairly senior in age given her position, but she seemed to be even younger than I imagined.

"Excuse me."

Mica-san opened the door. Haruka-san and I followed her into the room.

The principal's office was very spacious but a bit dark due to the drawn curtains. Sitting in front of an office desk at the back of the room was a petite blonde.

Almost like a doll—No, like a fairy.

She looked similar to me in age. Don't tell me she's the principal?

"Wow, so this is today's new arrival? So cute!"

As soon as we made eye contact, her face seemed to glow radiantly as she stood up forcefully from her chair.

"U-Umm, my name is Mononobe Mitsuki. N-Nice to meet you—"

She seemed to be the principal after all. I greeted her nervously but before I finished, she ran over and grabbed my hands lightly.

"You look even cuter from up close! You'll surely be quite a beauty in two or three years' time! I, Charlotte B. Lord, guarantee it as Midgard's principal!"

"...Thank you, very much?"

She seemed to be praising me. I thanked her despite my doubts.

"Sigh..."

Next to me, Haruka-san sighed for some reason. Her face seemed to show annoyance.

"You must feel quite uneasy to have arrived in an unfamiliar place. Should I personally show you around Midgard? Every nook and cranny, without reservation... Fufu, fufufufu..."

"U-Umm..."

I sensed danger from the principal who was smiling eerily. Immediately, Mica-san used one hand to pick up the principal by her head.

"Charlotte-sama, please do not engage in sexual harassment. This task will be undertaken by Haruka-san who is in charge of providing guidance to students. There is no need for you to involve yourself."

"Owwwwwwww!? U-Unhand me, Mica! This isn't sexual harassment! I'm just showing care—"

"In that case, why the malevolence in your grin...? Oh well, whatever. I shall let you off this time."

Mica-san relaxed her hand and the principal fell on the floor on her bottom with a thud.

"Oooh... It's not everyday that I get to act lovey-dovey with a pure and innocent girl..."

The principal stood up while grumbling.

"You have shown your true colors, Charlotte-sama. Please fulfill your responsibilities as the principal and forget your inane desires. There is something important you must listen to next."

"Something important?"

"Yes, she will give you the details."

Saying that, Mica-san urged me with a motion of her gaze.

She wanted me to tell the principal about Nii-san, I suppose? Perhaps someone with an important position like the principal might know something.

"Mononobe Mitsuki, despite her idiosyncrasies... The principal is Midgard's chief administrator. She will surely be able to assist you."

Haruka-san patted me lightly on the back while she spoke.

"U-Umm, in truth—"

Encouraged by her, I mustered my courage and began to recount what had happened.

This time, I explained in detail while making things as clear and easy to understand as possible.

As my story progressed, the principal's expression grew solemn. Like gemstones, her green eyes glinted.

"—So the one who defeated and drove 'Blue' Hekatonkheir away was a male D. This is my first time hearing of it."

However, she did not seem to know about Nii-san either. My shoulders slumped in dejection.

"Really...?"

"I'm afraid so. Taking away your brother—Mononobe Yuu—NIFL has covered up the affair. Good grief... What annoying fellows."

However, what the principal said next caused me to look up forcefully.

"Eh...? You believe me?"

"Of course! I will never doubt words coming from an adorable maiden like you. Also, I can see desperate willpower in your eyes, almost bordering on insanity. You wish to meet your brother, don't you?"

"Yes!"

I instantly nodded deeply and answered.

"In that case, relax and leave it to me. Although my influence within NIFL might be insufficient... I will surely locate your brother."

"...Thank you!!"

The clouds of gloom shrouding my vision seemed to disperse all at once. I thanked the principal.

"However, even after confirming his existence beyond doubt, it would be very difficult to get hold of concrete evidence to force NIFL to admit to concealing information. Getting him back would probably be even harder. A great deal of time and political power will be essential. I hope you will prepare yourself accordingly."

The principal advised me with a serious look on her face. She told me about the harsh difficulties in the situation in addition to my groundless wishful thinking.

But to me, this might be a good thing.

Because the principal had just told me what I needed to do from now on.

"—Understood. I will... do my best. For the sake of meeting Nii-san again."

Since political power was essential, I shall acquire it.

Although obtaining it instantly was not possible, as long as I worked hard, I shall surely—

Part 4

The next day, after standing on the podium to introduce myself to all the students, I was taken to Brynhildr Class where I had been assigned.

"—No need to be so nervous. The homeroom currently consists of merely two other girls who had arrived in Midgard recently. You are all new, so you should be getting along soon."

Stopping in front of the classroom, Haruka-san said to me in my nervousness.

"Umm... So there are only three students belonging to Brynhildr Class, including you, Haruka-san...?"

I asked in surprise. Although I knew that Ds were not numerous, there were even fewer than I had imagined. Back in school in Japan, the classes I attended had over thirty students sitting in rows. The gap was giving me pause.

"Indeed, there were some senior students who 'graduated' not too long ago. I am about to graduate too. Brynhildr Class is currently in a transition phase."

Graduating... This probably referred to Ds losing their powers upon adulthood and leaving Midgard.

Each homeroom seemed to gather students of similar ages but needed to add newcomers when approaching "graduation."

The current Brynhildr Class was probably where new students were gathered.

"Then time to enter, Mononobe Mitsuki."

"Y-Yes!"

I nodded and Haruka-san opened the door, entering the classroom. Without faltering, I followed.

I glanced sideways to observe the classroom. There was only seating for nine students, in a 3x3 arrangement. Two girls were sitting in seats in the front row.

One of them was a girl with long blonde hair. Like Haruka-san, she projected an air of dignity, but compared to the Haruka-san, whose composure exuded vibes of kindness, this girl seemed a bit stern.

Then there was a short-haired girl with a book in her hand. Lost in the world of books huh? Lifting her head, she looked absent-mindedly at me.

"Although it has been said in the full-school assembly earlier, let us make introductions again. This is Mononobe Mitsuki, who will be a member of Brynhildr Class starting today."

Standing at the lectern, Haruka-san introduced me.

"I-I am Mononobe Mitsuki. From Japan. Nice to meet you all!"

I greeted them nervously and bowed my head deeply.

Clap clap clap. Hearing applause, I breathed a sigh of relief and looked up.

"Then you two should introduce yourselves in order too."

Once the applause ended, Haruka-san urged the two girls.

"—Understood."

The blonde girl stood up and gazed straight at me with her blue eyes.

"My name is Lisa Highwalker and I am British. Please feel free to ask me any time should anything you don't understand arise."

She tossed her sleek and golden hair and spoke her name with pride. I felt something akin to a distinct presence from her, pressuring me despite our similar ages.

"...Well, there were also many things we didn't understand when we first came to Midgard recently."

However, Lisa-san's face went red after the short-haired girl murmured.

"H-Hold on, Firill-san! Please refrain from unnecessary comments when I finally managed to present myself as a senior! Now you are making Mitsuki-san uneasy!"

"But... Trying too hard isn't good. Lisa, you'll fail if you put on airs like that."

"Gah..."

Turning even redder, Lisa-san sat back down in extreme embarrassment. She seemed to be a more friendly person than first impressions implied.

Her stern vibes were apparently the result of her attempt to present herself as a reliable senior student.

Next, after Lisa sat down, the girl named Firill stood up.

"...Nice to meet you. I'm Firill Crest. No need to treat me as a senior, let's get along as classmates, okay?"

"Y-Yes! Pleased to meet you, Firill-san. Pleased to meet you too, Lisa-san, I am very happy for your gesture of care."

I bowed many times to Firill-san and Lisa-san.

"Mitsuki-san, there is no need for you to bow so many times. Excessive politeness would look like an inferiority complex, wouldn't it?"

"Oh sorry. I will pay attention..."

Reminded by Lisa, I frantically apologized.

"Aw, Lisa is acting like a senior again—"

"T-That's neither here nor there, okay!?"

Hearing Firill-san's comment, Lisa went red and turned her face away.

"So—Now that introductions are over, let's decide your seat. Mononobe Mitsuki, please pick any empty seat of your liking."

Had she been waiting for the conversation to finish? Haruka-san's sonorous voice interjected.

"Anywhere?"

"Indeed—Uh, I almost forgot to mention. The seat on the last row next to the window is mine, so excluding that one."

Saying that, Haruka-san gave me a push on the back.

Descending from the lectern, I felt Lisa-san and Firill-san's gazes while I looked at the empty seats.

"Umm, I-I choose this one."

I walked over to the last row and sat down on the seat closest to the corridor. Sitting on the far corner diagonally from me, Firill looked at me, apparently offended.

"Eh— ...Why are you sitting so far away from me? Do you hate me?"

"No, that's not it! Everyone is sitting at a corner, so I..."

I frantically explained, trying to tell her I meant nothing by it.

"Why don't you sit over here? I'm very interested in Japanese manga and anime so I'd like to chat with you about them."

"U-Umm..."

She wanted me to go over. What should I do? While I was caught in a dilemma, Lisa intervened.

"If Mitsuki-san feels that seat is fine, so be it. Fixed seating only applies during lessons. Just get together after class if you want to chat with her."

"Ehhhh... But Lisa..."

Firill grumbled while pouting.

"It will be noisy for you during lessons if you sit near Firill-san, understood? That's why I moved away from that seat."

Shrugging, Lisa-san was looking at me with eyes saying "What will you do?"

"Umm, in that case, I will sit here..."

After some deliberation, I sat down again in the seat I had chosen.

"...Lisa, so bad."

"This is simply retribution for earlier."

After Firill-san grumbled unhappily, Lisa-san retorted nonchalantly.

Judging from the way they spoke to each other without reservation, Lisa-san and Firill-san seemed to be quite good friends.

No sense of distance, getting along naturally.

I guess I should chat with Firill-san about manga and anime first to build up our relationship.

Deciding that, I recalled the anime I had watched before and the manga kept in my old home—

Part 5

"Fictional... armament?"

—It was the first practical lesson. Changed into gym clothes, I was at an underground training site, tilting my head in puzzlement at the unfamiliar term.

"Indeed. As implied by its name, it is an fictional weapon formed using dark matter, pictured using your imagination. However, refrain from transmutation. All you are doing is shaping the dark matter to give it form."

Dressed in gym clothes, Lisa-san explained while generating dark matter in her right hand.

"Mumumu..."

Lisa-san closed her eyes and murmured while frowning. Next, the dark matter turned long and slender, taking on a spear-like shape.

"L-Like that. Keeping it in the form of dark matter is harder than imagined."

"Lisa-san, you are so amazing!"

Impressed, I exclaimed. On the side, Firill-san patted me on the shoulder.

"...Mitsuki, don't use Lisa as your role model. Look, the dark matter's form has not settled at all, has it? It will soon vanish."

Just as she pointed out, the spear-shaped fictional armament in Lisa-san's hand turned into bubbles and disappeared.

"I-I normally can do better!"

Looking at Lisa-san, who had gone red, Firill-san began to sigh.

"Sigh... Lisa is trying too hard again."

"I am not trying too hard..."

"By the way, we are supposed to doing warm-up exercises first. Haruka-san will be mad if you casually demonstrate poor models."

Saying that, Firill-san looked towards the control room. Inside the room behind glass, Haruka-san seemed to be saying something to Midgard's staff.

"Hmph... I could do better once I've decided on a name for my fictional armament..."

"A name?"

I looked questioningly at Lisa-san, who was murmuring in chagrin.

"Naming a fictional armament is necessary to give it a well-defined image. However, giving it the name of something that actually exists would end up restricting your imagination, possibly materializing it. Hence, it is customary to pick names from legendary weapons..."

"Lisa can't think of a name."

Firill-san interrupted Lisa-san and shrugged.

"Because... I am pretty much unversed in that area."

Lisa spoke quietly with regret.

"Then Firill-san, have you already named your fictional armament?"

Curious, I tried asking.

"...Yes. My fictional armament is called the Necronomicon."

"Oh, I have heard of that! It is the name of a legendary grimoire!"

"Correct, Mitsuki... Are you familiar with this kind of topic?"

Firill-san looked at me, somewhat surprised."

"Yes. They appear often in anime and games. I am also interested in myths from around the world."

I nodded slightly proudly.

"Ah... Do you want to name Lisa's spear?"

"Eh!? Me?"

"Yes, because she won't be able to decide at this rate. Is this okay, Lisa?"

After Firill-san asked, Lisa-san made a complicated expression.

"W-Well... I suppose I could consider it as a candidate if it has a nice ring to it."

"In that case—Hmm... Lisa-san, the fictional armament just now was a spear, is that right?"

I thought of names while confirming with Lisa.

"Yes, indeed. Of various skills I have studied, techniques of the spear have been my preference."

"Then... How about Gungnir? It is the legendary spear held by Odin, the supreme god in Norse mythology."

I suggested the first name that came to mind with the mention of spears.

"T-That does feel very powerful. Gungnir... I don't dislike the sound of that."

"You like it, Lisa?"

When Firill-san asked, Lisa-san nodded hesitantly.

"Well... Umm, I believe it is a noble name that befits me."

Hearing this reply, Firill made a thumbs-up sign to me.

"Great, Mitsuki. Lisa likes it very much."

"I-I am honored!"

I could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Seeing me react that way, Lisa shyly avoided eye contact.

"A-Anyway, I will simply add it to the list of candidates! B-But... Thank you."

"Yes!"

I felt excited that relations were improving between Lisa and me.

"Lisa Highwalker, Firill Crest and Mononobe Mitsuki, the practical lesson is about to begin."

After talking to the staff, Haruka-san came over.

"I am the one in charge of instruction. First, I will explain to Mononobe Mitsuki, the newcomer, about fictional armaments—"

"Oh, Lisa went ahead and explained it on her own already."

Firill raised her hand and reported.

"H-Hold on, Firill-san!"

Lisa cried out frantically. Haruka-san ignored them and continued.

"Fufu, I see. Then let the training begin. Watch carefully, Mononobe Mitsuki."

Saying that, Haruka-san raised her right hand overhead. Then a black sphere—dark matter—appeared.

"Ama no Murakumo."

Haruka-san spoke sharply. Then the dark matter's outline began to shake, narrow and lengthen, stretching out.

I initially thought it would be a spear, but it was not.

It was a massive sword almost reaching Haruka-san's height. The blade glowed with faint violet light.

Compared to Lisa-san's fictional armament earlier, the level of perfection was on a completely different league. The outline was so stable that it seemed completely materialized to me.

"This is my fictional armament, imagined as a sword. If you perform transmutation while imagining the weapon being swung, powerful attacks will naturally be achieved."

Holding her fictional armament of a sword, Haruka-san glanced at the control room.

A deep rumbling was heard in the training site. A black cube descended from the ceiling. It was... probably a block of iron.

"I will now use transmutation to slice that iron block."

"Slice...?"

She was separated from the iron block by dozens of meters. I tilted my head in puzzlement.

"Mononobe Mitsuki, it must be hard to imagine, right? Well, a picture is worth a thousand words. Why fictional armaments are necessary... I shall demonstrate to you in this attack."

Haruka-san wielded her fictional armament in a horizontal stance and looked at the iron block afar.

The air tensed up. I gulped. Lisa-san and Firill-san were also silent, seemingly intimidated by Haruka-san's powerful presence.

"First Sword—Water Flash."

Taking a great step, Haruka-san swung her sword. Although there was no scabbard, what she performed was precisely an iai technique.

A blue trail flew out from the fictional armament—This slash bifurcated the block of iron.

"What..."

Seeing the iron block split into two, I could not help but exclaim in shock.

"What I transmuted just now was water."

Haruka-san turned to me and began to explain what she had done.

"Using water... to slice iron?"

"Indeed, compressed to high-density, water can even slice iron. Well, adding the kinetic energy of a 'slashing attack' is necessary to achieve it."

Allowing the fictional armament in her hand to dissipate in the air, Haruka-san smiled.

"A slashing attack...

"Indeed—If you use a fictional armament to perform transmutation, you will subconsciously picture the use of the weapon, won't you? This subconscious aspect is crucial. By focusing on the transmutation, you will increase your attack speed. It is also possible to apply high-end variations in your attacks."

Finishing, Haruka-san patted me on the head.

"It would be best if you could find a fictional armament suited to you. Do you have any experience in martial arts?"

"Umm, I do not have any special..."

Although I felt embarrassed, I still had to answer honestly.

"You do not need to have trained properly. Since you are using a fictional armament, no skill is required. If you have no experience handling a weapon, you can also imagine 'magic' like Firill Crest—"

"Oh... If it is just a little bit, I have been exposed to archery at school before during experiential learning... B-But I never succeeded in striking the archery target with the arrow..."

I brought up what I suddenly remembered.

"Don't worry, that's good enough. Try a bow first."

"Understood. But... Why do we need this level of combat power?"

I nodded while I asked.

With Midgard under the protection of such an airtight defense system, I could not think of any occasion when fighting would be necessary.

"Hopes are currently placed on Ds as trump cards in battles against dragons."

"Trump cards in battles against dragons..."

I gasped and repeated Haruka-san's words.

"The phenomena caused by transmutation can easily surpass modern weapons. We have the potential to deliver humanity from dragon disasters. Consequently, I hope you will hone your skills."

"Y-Yes... I will work hard!"

So this was training for the purpose of fighting dragons...

While feeling shocked by this, I generated dark matter on my palm.

What flashed in my mind was the blue giant that had approached my home town—Hekatonkheir.

I had been powerless against it, which was why Nii-san had to take everything upon himself.

...If I went through training, would I be able to protect things?

Looking at the sphere of bottomless black, I asked myself mentally.

If I could become strong, to be able to fight... That could become additional power to help me meet Nii-san, I suppose?

—No idea.

But right now, all I could do was overcome what was right in front of me.

With such feelings, I began to alter the dark matter's shape.

I transformed its appearance to a weapon capable of opposing "a certain something" that had taken Nii-san away, as well as opposing dragons—

Part 6

Encountering new things every day in Midgard, there were often times when I found myself lost.

Academics, practical applications of dark matter, duties at the dorm—There were many things I had to work on, as hard as I could. Before I knew it, two weeks already passed.

The wind howled fiercely outside the window on that day.

Trees were swaying hard, leaves were flying in the air. Looking from afar, the sea seemed gray, looking like a desolate wasteland.

"The clouds are drifting so quickly."

I looked at the sky and murmured. Firill-san nodded and concurred.

"...I hate typhoons."

"There is only wind at the moment, but it will probably rain soon. We might get drenched unless we go back..."

Looking at the sky shrouded in dark clouds, Lisa remarked gloomily.

Gathered by the window in the classroom, we all sighed together.

This was my first typhoon after arriving at Midgard. Since the dorms were nearby, lessons were not suspended even in this sort of weather. We were having class as usual.

At this moment, I heard the door open. I looked back to see Haruka-san at the doorway, looking in our direction.

"Everyone—I am sorry to say this but the practical lesson I'm in charge of today has been suspended."

We looked at each other after hearing Haruka-san.

"Because of the typhoon?"

Haruka-san shook her head at Firill's question.

"No, that is not the reason. In truth, newcomers are arriving by ship today... However, the typhoon has caused a bit of a delay. I must head out to handle this matter."

"...Newcomers."

Firill murmured with surprise.

I gasped.

Juniors arriving by ship as I had two weeks earlier... As a newcomer, this felt quite poignant to me.

"Yes, there are three of them this time. But at this rate, they will probably arrive when the wind is at its strongest. Many preparations are in order."

Hearing that, I reflexively spoke.

"E-Excuse me! Is there anything I could help with!?"

Surely, these girls must have plenty of hopes and fears. Thinking that, I could not stand by idly.

"Fufu... I see—"

Haruka-san was taken aback slightly in surprise. With her hand against the corner of her mouth, she began to ponder.

"If Mitsuki-san is helping out, I shall go as well."

"...Me too."

Immediately, Firill-san and Lisa-san also raised their hands.

"Everyone..."

I looked at them and they smiled at me.

"Then please assist the members of the student council. Follow me."

"Yes!"

Answering Haruka-san, we left the classroom to welcome our new peers.

The sky grew darker and the wind became progressively stronger.

Wearing a raincoat, I was waiting at the Academy's entrance together with the student council members.

To ensure the ship could reach the pier safely, Haruka-san and the elite members of the Dragon Subjugation Squad had gone off to deploy a gigantic barrier of wind.

Lisa-san and Firill-san were at the pier while I was the Academy's entrance, standing by as emergency rescuers.

I was holding towels in my arms under my raincoat so that the new arrivals could dry themselves. At the same time, I felt terror at the power of Ds, capable of resisting a storm.

At the same time, I came to a realization. Unless I joined the Dragon Subjugation Squad, I could not assist Haruka-san in any real sense.

Finally able to stabilize my fictional armament recently, I still had far to go.

—I must become stronger.

While pelted by fierce raindrops flying sideways, I thought to myself. Then I caught sight of yellow raincoats, a blur in the distance.

"They have arrived!"

I informed the student council members and waved to the new arrivals across the rain.

"Over here—!"

The girls ran over to us.

"Pwah!"

Finally reaching the entrance, the first girl forcefully took off her hood and began to wipe her face, drenched from rain.

"Are you alright!?"

I hurried to approach her and extended a towel.

"—Compared to me, the others had it worse. They were very seasick."

"But you will catch a cold at this rate."

She seemed hesitant and I pushed the towel towards her. Our hands touched lightly.

Due to getting drenched in the rain, her hand was exceptionally cold.

She looked a bit troubled, but accepted the towel when other emergency rescuers ran over to the other girls.

"—Thank you. My name is Shinomiya Miyako."

After wiping her face with the towel, she thanked me.

"..."

Rather than the fact that she shared the same family name as Haruka-san, it was her facial expression that made me gasp.

A smiling face of such dazzling beauty—

"What is your name?"

Reminded by her, I came to my senses.

"Oh, I am called... M-Mononobe Mitsuki."

I felt intimidated by her presence despite the fact that she was a newcomer and similar to me in age.

"What a nice name. Pleased to meet you, Mitsuki."

Saying that, she extended her hand to me.

"Yes—P-Pleased to meet you too."

I shook her hand stiffly and greeted.

Her skin felt cold to the touch.

However, gripping my hand in return, her hand was very strong.

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