Assassins Pride - Volume 3 - Chapter 1

Assassin Pride Volume 3 Chapter 1
LESSON: I　～Pandora’s everyday～
 

「Sen, sensei～……this is my, li, limit……Haa, haa……!」

「Ku……Plea, please endure, ojou-sama! Just a little, deeper……!」

「No! It hurts. It hurts……!!」

The rough and hot breaths of the master and servant wildly intertwined.

Placing his palm on the girl’s slender back which was like a flower about to be plucked, Kufa suddenly added his whole body weight. While forming a curvilinear beauty as if an angelic harp, Melida let out a flirtatious voice 「Aa!?」.

「Being roughed up so much like this, I will……breaaak～～～!」

「Just one more time! Let out the strength of your body. Here we go……────One, two!」

「Ou──ouuuuuuuuch!?」

As the scream that was filled with sexual appeal echoed, Kufa sighed “yare yare”, and removed his hand from Melida’s training dress. Having the pressure that was crushing her back removed, Melida immediately fell flat on the lawn.

The happening in the back yard of the estate, was the middle of a calisthenics. At the student who was gasping for breaths in training dress like always, Kufa in his cool white shirt, the tutor figure looked down sadly.

「Subtly, your body is rather stiff」

「The, there’s……no such thing……! Sensei’s hurdle is just too high……」

「What are you saying? I wanted you to touch your head with the sole of your feet at least though.」

「As if I’m from a circus……!!」

Although it was like this every time, Kufa continued his lessons, without even lending a hand to Melida who was rolling on the ground. As the thirteen years old girl was trying to crawl back up with all the bones in her body cracking, the good looking teacher unchangingly raised his index finger “Pi” with graceful gesture.

「Do you understand, Ojou-sama? Although the flexibility of the body is also one’s nature, but more than that it’s everyday effort! It’s the accumulation. If you patiently continue to do stretches when you’re just out of the bath little by little, your joint’s moveable limit will be widened. When your body can withstand whatever posture, you will unfold various defense──」

Toward the older boy who was continuing the lecture with passion, Melida “Buu” inflated her cheeks.

「……The, then sensei, every evening, once I come out of the bath you will massage me?」

She said with a somewhat tense tone, and pulled the chest area of the training dress. As the thirteen years old little bulged seduced his eyes in glance, Kufa clogged his throat with a gulp.

Toward her home tutor, sometimes just like right now Melida will say something stimulating. As Kufa struggled to not show the disturbance in his heart, using a low voice as much as possible, 「Co, cough」he cleared his throat.

Raising his palm, Kufa showily rang his five fingers.

「Good courage. As you wish, let me show you the Infernal class massage」

「Ah, as I thought I have to decline that offer……」

Melida greatly crawled back two, three steps but from another direction, a little girl’s voice came.

「Kufa-sensei, this time I’ll help you with the back」

「Copied that, Elise-sama」

In the same training dress figure, Elise Angel was flatly sitting on the lawn. She stood up behind the girl who was spreading her legs, and put her palm on the girl’s delicate back, and “Gu” strongly pressed.

Elise’s upper body sank down, as it formed a certain angle, with a grinding sound she stopped.

「……No more. It hurts. I’m gonna break. I’m at my limit」

「Can’t you try harder just a little more? Just breathe out fuu～, and feel the strength of your body being released……」

「It’s coming out. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I can’t do it anymore」

「……Ojou-samas’ bodies are both as soft as each other, nee」

However as soon as she heard that, Elise suddenly raised her face and looked at Kufa. After rolling and standing up, she approached her cousin and sneakily whispered.

「Did you hear that Lita? He said as if he knows everything about our bodies」

「Eve, everything has been known already ……. Ho, how embarrassing……!」

「I have to research about Kufa-sensei, and make some countermeasures……」

「We can’t hide anything from sensei. Just what will happen to us from now on?」

──These sisters……!

Toward the open volume gossip that was unfolding, Kufa’s cheeks twitched.

Normally she was obedient, and an as cute as ever student.

However, when two or more of them gathered, she became uncontrollable, as one would think that they were the kind of living beings called girls. Kufa shrugged his shoulders as if he has given up, then the third girl that joined today’s lesson went「Wait wait」and beckoned Kufa.

「Next is me! If your hand is free then me next」

「Why are even you on the learning side, Rozetti-san」

「I want to be slendーnot that. Since this is the joint lesson after so much trouble you know!」

In her normal attire she spread her legs, 「Quickly quickly」she urged., Toward that figure, Kufa subconsciously sighed.

As he put his palm on the girl’s back, surprisingly her upper body bent into a steep angle.

「Oo……! As expected you’re very flexible, Rozetti-san」

「Right? I have great confidence in my body’s flexibility you know!」

「Wonderful. You’re just like those grotesque eight legged marine beings」

「Don’t say that～, if you praise me that much, I’ll feel embarrassed , De hehehe……!」

Toward Rozetti who was in a prostrating posture while leaking out dubious smiling voices, the ladies of the knight duke family who were a little far away while tilting their head muttered to each other.

「……Is she being praised?」

「Who knows……」

However it seemed the people involved were having fun, so the sisters found it hard to open their mouths.

After stretching, it was fighting practice. They weren’t carrying it out with all four of them, but Kufa and Melida, Rozetti and Elise, each pair was matched against each other. They also intended to make use of the wideness of the backyard, however their goal was to observe the match from outside while being empty handed at the same time, and to point out the crucial points, giving feedback to their own special trainings.

Only Rozetti’s pupils could follow the jet black figure that was running around inside the garden. No matter how much Elise concentrated her eyes, she could only catch his afterimage, much less Melida who was raising the wooden sword in the middle of the lawn, she couldn’t feel it as nothing but her body was being toyed with by a rough wind.

If she lost sight of the opponent and stopped her feet, without a moment delay Kufa would slip behind and strike her. Mercilessly being hit hard on her back, Melida tumbled down onto the lawn.

「Kyau!」

「When you tumble down, get up in three seconds!! Hurry, one, two, three──」

「Y, yes!」

Toward the little girl who somehow took a safe landing posture, from the front Kufa closed the distance in one sway.

When he easily swung his arm, seven streaks of sword slash drew phantasmagoric traces. Although Melida somehow swung the wooden sword with both her hands and handled it well, but the late reaction to the final attack blown the sword from her hand.

「Ah……!? Au」

The moment she averted her eyes, the bullet like sharp fist pierce her shoulder. And Melida tumbled backwards.

「Three seconds!」

While brandishing his left fist and the wooden sword in his right hand as if intimidating, Kufa asked.

「What to do when you lose the weapon?」

While Melida threw a lump of dirt toward the face of her tutor, she jumped up as if rolling. Aiming at the sword being blown away far away, with her back facing him she dashed in a straight line.

However, Kufa who immediately followed her kicked off from behind. Melida’s small body rotated into the air without any effort at all, however when she noticed that she was pulling her right arm tight, she swung and shot out sharply.

「《Legendary sword──!!」

「Naive」

With his mana packed fist he cancelled the shockwave, and just like that he struck the little girl’s body into the ground. As he mounted Melida who had fallen face up, the girl threw a stone from her opposite hand toward him.  He avoided easily, and shortly drew the wooden sword, and stabbed down.

The tip that was splitting the air reposed right in front of Melida’s throat.

Still with pupils as if having lost all emotions, Kufa said.

「──This is checkmate」

「I, los, lost……Haa, haa, haa……!!」    

Melida exhaustedly stretched out her body, while letting the sweat dampened her bangs she gasped hard. Kufa put down the wooden sword, finally moved his body from on top of the girl.  The Angel’s branch house’s master and servant who were spectating the match from the tea table on the outfield, opened their mouths wide at the degree of the match.

While Rozetti had cold sweat dripping, she muttered unconsciously.

「Tho, those two, every day, they do this kind of hard lesson……!?」

At that moment, the head maid of Melida’s residence Amy came to make tea.

As she picked up Rozetti’s mutter, she moved her eyes toward the middle of the garden, “hah” she tilted her head.

「Kufa-san, recently you’re being keen on special lessons, nee」

Changing turn, this time it was the middle of Rozetti and Elise who were striving in their fighting training. While brewing tea for Kufa who was taking a break at the tea table, Amy took a stab at arousing her interest.

It seemed Melida didn’t have any stamina left to sit on the chair, she was lying in sleep on the lawn nearby. As if being hit by his enthusiasm, they were in more concentrated states than normal.

Although certainly no one asked him to, but Kufa offered the seat nearby to Amy.

While lowering her waist with graceful gesture, the apron dress young girl asked.

「I don’t know much about fighting, and because I have trust in Kufa-san, I couldn’t interrupt your teaching policy . However……」

With a glance, she looked worriedly at Melida’s direction, Amy closed her lips.

「Kufa-san, Melida-ojou-sama is so very cute right?, but for her to be taught with such harsh instructions, don’t you feel bitter? Doesn’t your chest hurt?」

「It’s on the contrary, of course I feel hurt. Because I care for ojou-sama a little」

Without even wavering his tone, Kufa gently sipped the black tea.

「It would still be fine if the opponent that crosses sword with her is me. However if you imagine that it was not me, but an enemy with killing intent in front of ojou-sama who was full of openings, that would be much more scarier. When I think about that, I completely couldn’t go easy on her」

Fuu, Kufa removed the cup’s brim from his lips, and shook the amber liquid.

If I were carrying the real killer weapon, ojou-sama would have lost her life in the training long ago right? However, that in itself is good. For the moment that《her life truly hangs on the line》, ojou-sama must die for many thousand or many ten thousand times……I’m making her find a way for her to survive」

「Well……」

Although she hadn’t experienced it personally, being overwhelmed by the heaviness of his tone Amy opened her eyes wide.

Toward her who was not a mana capable one but a normal person, Kufa loosened the area of his mouth with a puff.

「There’s also a pleasant miscalculation you know──please look at this.」

Said so, Kufa took out a report from the outer coat’s pocket that he was wearing.

It was something that anyone would have looked at once, it was the status chart of a mana capable one.

「What is this?」

「This is ojou-sama’s current status and the target status for another three years. If we were to aim for the overall victory in the whole school unified tournament at the academy graduation day, we will need to accumulate the necessary status in reverse calculations……is what I’m thinking, but here a little out of sync to expectation occurs.」

Because she was looking at him worriedly, Kufa smiled as if telling her to be at ease.

「It’s on the contrary to what you think.──Ojou-sama’s growth is far higher than what I had expected. At this rate it seems that we can set the target even higher. Look, this will be the new status graph as her target」

As Kufa once again handed over another sheet of report, Amy’s eyes shone「Wow」.

「Ojou-sama will become this splendid……!」

「Ah no, this is just the target value」

Toward the head maid who was quickly moved to tears, Kufa added that just to make sure.

By the way, this target value was a status reference from the all school unified tournament which should have been a team battle sometime ago, in which a one man team achieved complete victory as an insane achievement, the status of a red hair girl at that time. If he could raise Melida’s ability to that level, then the complete victory in the tournament ── and also Kufa’s mission’s accomplishment, should be as sure as ever.

Putting down the report, Amy no longer had any worries, showed a smile like a flower.

「It seems I’ve protruded too much. As I thought if I leave it to Kufa-san I can be at ease」

「No such thing, I’m not that great」

「Please take care of ojou-sama forever」

Quickly she bowed her head, then stood up from the seat, and drew back to the mansion. While looking at the apron dress going away, Kufa let out a small sigh without anyone noticing.

──Her worries were correct. Recently Kufa couldn’t help but feel impatient.

The cause was certainly the Luna Lumiere selection matches in which everyone gathered at St. Frideswide last semester. At that time, taking the chance of that was Black Madea  who infiltrated into the academy. As for the current situation, Kufa’s place of employment White Night Calvary regimen (Guild Jack Raven) was suspecting him of betrayal ──

If he knew Melida was hurt in dangerous places, Kufa definitely would feel scared to death. The plan was set in motion. However to what degree of effectiveness is something that he couldn’t tell……

Furthermore that wasn’t the only thing to worry about. Kufa’s client, sir Mordrew, who wished for her education, or perhaps assassination, was he satisfied with the current situation? If just a small sign of turbulent appeared around Melida, would another evil organization come aiming at her again?

The number of people that didn’t find joy in the《Incompetent gifted girl》Melida’s rapid growth was also many. Recently Elise residence head maid, Mrs Othello didn’t loudly complain about the joint lesson like today as she had done before. Was that because of the promise, that when Melida exceeded Elise in the Luna Lumiere selection matches. Even so, right now was she in the middle of sharpening her fangs while eyeing on an opportunity to raise a new storm……

Inside the residence’s yard, a wind was blowing. The swords of two fighters clad in mana clashed, and let out sharp thunderous roar.

As for Kufa, that didn’t seem like an omen of an incoming disturbance.

　　　　†　†　†

That was a joint lesson after a weekend stay. Finishing the plan that had become a custom, Melida and Elise, furthermore Kufa and Rozetti went to school.

The first time they went through the castle gate was July last year, how quickly that more than half a year had went by. Recently Kufa couldn’t help but feel that St Frideswide which was passing through the winter had a sad melancholy wrapping around it.

Even for Kufa who had no experience in being a student, he could completely understand the atmosphere.

March of the academy ── Namely, the promotion, and the season of graduation for the third year.

「Everyone, good morning. I’m so happy to see your lively expressions!」

The tone of voice, which was like a violin, pleasantly echoed high to the ceiling.

It was St Frideswide girl academy headmaster, Charlotte Blamange. Today, from the morning an all school gathering would be held, Melida and Kufa group gathered at the large temple as they were going to school.

As the three hundred girl students gracefully formed lines inside the calm atmosphere, the headmaster gazed over with her small eyes. Kufa felt that the time she stared at the third year’s rows was somehow long, it might have been Kufa’s own thought.

As always, while waving her fingers just like a musical conductor headmaster, Blamange said

「Every year when the gathering is held at this time, I would always have some thoughts. Something like everyone has become so splendid! Comparing to the new school year when we first held the gathering in April last year, the first years has become more gallant, the second years has become more reliable, and every third years has unmistakably become adults. Inside my heart, I feel proud and a little lonely, but there is not one bit of uneasiness. If you have chosen this path──…………」

As she said that suddenly her speech was interrupted.

Headmaster Blamange pressed her mouth. Inside the space which silence returned, a small sniffle echoed. The two third years that were standing on the podium’s flank, stealthily approached the headmaster.

They were the student council president Christa Shanson and graduating student’s representative Shenfa Zwitoque.

「……Headmaster, that was too early」

「If your throat is hoarse then let me, who was Luna from last year, take over the official notice?」

「No, no I’m fine. Until I see your departure, I can’t let it be interrupted」

AS she loudly sniffed her nose, the headmaster bent her back as if that was not enough.

Seeing that state, the sensitive girl students took out handkerchiefs to wipe their tears. Melida pulled Kufa’s sleeve, and slightly whispered to him.

「I heard it from the senpai, every year, the headmaster is in this state it seems」

「For the headmaster this is her《home》, and the ojou-sama is《family》right」

Kufa who didn’t have any long relationship felt a bit jealous. Although up till now he didn’t have a chance to notice, but what happened to the family structure of the experienced witch who lodged in the academy all year round? When the opportunity arrives, maybe he should ask that……。

As if riding on Kufa’s thought, the headmaster collected herself and restarting the speech again.

「──Now then, everyone. Without glossing over it, let’s welcome the last two months of this school year, however before that we couldn’t forget about the preparation for one large event, could we now? That’s right, at the same time with the graduation of the third year, the《Bibliagort librarian certification exam》will be held this year too!」

The girl students restlessly looked at each other. Facing the group of first years who couldn’t understand the situation right now, headmaster Blamange put her words together as if trying to sing.

「Bibliagort is the generic name of the giant maze in the middle of this city-state (Flandre). Its diameter is twice that of Flandre’s holy king district. And it was formed by ninety nine layers just like a deep abyss, I think you could imagine how vast it is」

Set aside Kufa who was an active knight, for the first years in training school, the number of first time hearing it would be many. Knowing that the country in which they were living had such a sacred mystery, the innocent girl students around exchanged restless faces.

President Christa without a moment’s delay stepped out, and spoke loudly. 「Please be quiet!」

As the silence had once again returned to the large temple, headmaster Blamange’s voice comfortably echoed.

「It would be close to imagine that space as a《library》. Because inside it──the books in which were written about the ancient time when the blue sky, the sun and moon existed, thousands and ten thousands of them are in its possession, and furthermore──」

As president Christa didn’t try to suppress them the commotion became bigger, the headmaster raised the volume of her voice.

「Furthermore the surprising thing is, every possible《writing》inside that mysterious library until this day, is an automatic copy result. It might be a letter from a mother to her infant child, or a confident document written by a spy──Now then, having explained that you should be able to vaguely feel how much historical value and informative value Bibliagort has right? Therefore, not anyone could enter the maze. As for the qualification from the investigation and excavation team of Bibliagort, namely the《librarian bureaucrat》, one is requested to push through a harsh test」

From the lecturer row, a few people walked out, they started to distribute parchments to the girl students standing in lines. From what he picked up from the commotion, it seemed that the outline of the certification exam was written on it.

Seemingly that was already the restrain limit, the headmaster said the final words with a loud voice.

「Although anyone could take the exam, but ready yourself for harsh trials! However at the same time, please know that this is a onetime chance in this year. The hand of the librarian bureaucrat is always sought after. If you are qualified for it, your active freedom as a knight will widen, and your future works will greatly benefit.──That’s all!」

The moment the headmaster went down the platform, a champagne with a cork flew out, and the temple was full of chatting. President Christa had also given up on getting their attention, and helped with distributing the parchment.

The outline of the exam passed to Melida and Elise, including the home tutors, four people peeked into the parchment. However, as if feeling unable to judge, Melida immediately showed upturned eyes.

「Se, sensei. What do you think, about this?」

「Exactly as what the headmaster said. If you have the qualification of the maze librarian bureaucrat, undoubtedly you will have favorable treatment as a knight. However──」

「Aa, miss Angel. Yes, both of you. Can I have some of your time?」

The one who approached the circle of four people was someone unexpected.

It was none other than Charlotte Blamange. For the students, the top of the podium was something like another world, and someone who had just been standing on it suddenly appeared before her eyes, Melida was startled as if having an encounter with people from the depths of the earth.

「He, headmaster-sensei!……Wha, what happened?」

「I have a proposal for you. Also, both sensei please listen to what I’m about to say.──Melida-san, Elise-san, do you want to try participating in this year certification exam?」

The sisters opened their eyes wide, Kufa and Rozetti unconsciously looked at each other.

「With all due respect headmaster, but ojou-samas is still first year, wouldn’t it be too soon? Certainly the certification exam is……」

「Yes, normally the target students of the exam will be for second year and above. However, you two were the candidate in this year Luna Lumiere selection matches. Aside from the students from D’Autriche’s student, I want to prove to everyone who wasn’t involved about the fact that even though you are a first year, you’re still worthy of being the Luna candidate」

Although a little vague, but they understood the current situation, the thirteen years old girls exchanged looks.

When it comes to the operation of the academy, as home tutor Kufa and Rozetti, it was hard to speak their minds. As if looking for a life boat, the headmaster continued to link her words.

「Of course I don’t plan to ask for results. But if it were you two, then undoubtedly you will put your back into the certification exam when the day comes. Consider this time as a rehearsal, what do you say about just roaming around the comparatively not dangerous layer of Bibliagort?」

As for the academy side, for now it would be great if in reality the two of them「Joined the certification exam as first year」. Realizing the responsibility wasn’t that heavy, the little girls’ expressions eased up.

Trying to completely calm them down, the headmaster carved up a gentle smile on her wrinkled face.

「Because this time is special, I’ll let you two take different positions compared to normal test-takers. Since I’m thinking about many safety measures, if it’s fine with you then──」

「Stop right there!! Who are you!!」

At that moment. A female teacher’s scream broke through, and the big temple fell back into silence for an instant.

The commotion was at the entrance. The eyes of more than three hundred people were drawn to that direction.

「Please wait, you don’t need to be on alert like that. I’m absolutely not someone suspicious!」

Kufa automatically pulled Melida’s shoulder close, he turned back and saw.

What entered his eyes were the backs of some lecturers who were surrounding the entrance door, and the figure of a bewildered 《Suspicious person》facing them.

Although it was too blunt, one could only express it this way. Although the tall and slender figure was cladded in high class tailcoat, the most bizarre thing was the weird clown mask (Hero Mask) covering their face. The small whisper which could be heard was undoubtedly coming from the piece of cloth covering the mask’s mouth which was split like a sickle.

In other words, there was no way to indentify who they were. Since it was meaningless telling them to have trust, dozens of academy lecturers who formerly had served on the front line for the knight regimen (guild), right now, were vigorously about to draw their swords and surround the suspicious man.

Man ── Right, judging from the physique and the depth of the voice, behind the mask surely it was a man.

Some students let out small shrieks. The burly upperclassmen hugged the students as if covering for their younger sisters. Even though receiving unwelcomed looks from every direction, the masked suspicious man didn’t stop.

「Aa, please don’t be so frightened. I’m only here to see my daughter you know」

「Then state your family name and identity, and throw away that jester mask! If you want to meet with your family directly then you have to contact beforehand, and get the headmaster’s permission! You must follow normal procedures!」

「Unfortunately I’m just a lowborn, I don’t have anything like a family name nor bringing any solid proof at all」

As the surprised feeling left, a bewildered atmosphere spread throughout the girl students.

──Just who is that man looking for?

When Kufa frowned, one of the female instructors looking irritated stepped out. She put her hand on the sword on her waist, and let the sword guard ring to threaten him.

「Stop joking around…!! In that first place what have you done to the guard!?」

The masked man slanted two, three step as if shrinking──but he nonchalantly opened his legs.

「Please forgive me……Even though I earnestly lowered my head, they stubbornly didn’t let me in so there was no other way. When the opponent attacks me, it’s legitimate self-defence right?」

「Capture him!!」

Numerous lecturers from all direction all at once kicked the floor. Of course they weren’t meant to kill him. The things that were letting out loud sound of sheathing were just fake swords, just like all the other students’.

However, at that moment, something no one expected happened.

「That’s dangerous!」

The man with perfect timing rolled on the floor, and escaped the assault around him.

Because of his agility, the academy lecturers struck the air and slammed into each other. While their legs entangled, one of the battle training teachers opened her eyes wide in shock 「Wha……!?」

Taking that chance, the man dashed to the middle of the big temple with dancing like footsteps.

High-pitched screams were raised. The girl students were in great panic. Everyone was running around like baby spiders scattering, as if it were a pathogen or something the surrounding of the tailcoat kept on opening.

「Yaa yaa, please wait a bit! I’m only looking for my daughter!」

He shouted with a muffled voice, the man aimlessly surveying around the little girls running about trying to escape.

Before long, the hero mask’s eyesight set on the petrified first year group.

「Yes, little girls over there! Please persuade your friend. Tell them that I’m not someone suspicious!」

「Ky, kyaaaaaaaa!?」

As the laughing mask rudely barged in, the first year group let out piercing screams.

Immediately after that. Something like a dark figure creeping from the man’s blind spot appeared, then a merciless stricken sound rang. As the roundhouse kick firmly connected to the man’s flank, his thin body flew backward a few meters.

Seeing the hem of the military outfit dancing on the wind, the first year group’s expression lightened.

「Kufa-sama!!」

The masked man rolled on the floor, then struck the floor with his right arm and flung back up.

Before the young knight, standing and looking at him with cold gaze, the man shrugged his shoulders with really sad expression.

「What is this, isn’t that also a man. Why is our treatment so different?」

──The problem isn’t about sexes.

It was simple to retort that, however Kufa held his mouth. Because he thought that if he showed the slightest of opening could be dangerous. The way he landed just now, and the agility to dispel damage …… As expected, he wasn’t just someone suspicious. Even when things got a little violent shouldn’t he just remove that mask?

At the moment, he thought that. Contrary from the other girl students who fearfully took distance, one first year ran up to Kufa. Unmistakable, it was the noblest blonde girl in the world. She had a young beautiful face in the progress of becoming perfected. She was the respected and beloved master.

「Sensei……」

The little girl gripped the military uniform, and Kufa nonchalantly shielded her with his back. In front of that fascinating exchange, it seemed that the hero mask man stopped moving just like a sculpture ──

Did he think of something, suddenly he spread his arms as if being theatrical.

And then as if splitting the heaven, he shouted in a loud voice inside the big temple.

「I’ve found you! We finally met, Melida! My daughter!!」