Gakusen Toshi Asterisk - Volume 16 - Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

REMINISCENCES

“Phew…”

Julis let the warm water from the shower wash over her as she shook off her drowsiness.

No doubt due to her exhaustion, she had fallen asleep last night without meaning to. She still had some time before the championship match, but she was supposed to have already entered the venue by now to start her warm-ups.

And yet…

“I wasn’t expecting my prana to have recovered this much… Is it because of that potion the Ban’yuu Tenra gave me?”

Her Queen of the Night ability drained her reserves of prana to their limit. Under normal circumstances, one night’s rest wouldn’t have been enough to replenish them.

Xinglou had said it was just for peace of mind, but it seemed to be considerably more effective than that.

Or else…

Every time I use the Queen of the Night, it feels like there’s something strange growing inside me…

It still wasn’t clear whether that was good or bad.

Either way, it didn’t matter anymore.

Because today, she was going to settle everything, once and for all.

“I’m not in perfect condition, but at least I’m back to around eighty percent. Hopefully, that will be good enough…”

Though the fracture in her right arm was difficult to work around, it was expected that just about any fighter would have sustained some manner of injury by the time they reached the championship. Not even Orphelia, with all her overwhelming power, could get to that level completely unharmed.

With that thought, Julis stepped out from the bathroom, wiped her body down with a towel, and stared at her face in the mirror.

…She didn’t look too bad. A little nervous, sure, but not distracted or intimidated. Maybe that was because she had been able to unload one of her burdens from the past year in the previous day’s semifinal match.

Anyway, so long as she wasn’t suffering from any physical or mental maladies, all she had to do was keep pressing on.

After putting on her underwear, she slapped herself on the sides of her face a few times to fire herself up. Just then—

“Hmm…?”

She heard a noise from the living room and immediately gave it her full attention.

There was clearly someone in there.

One of Orphelia’s people, maybe…?

She reached out for her Rect Lux—only to realize that she didn’t have it on hand. That being the case, she concentrated as much of her prana as possible, readied herself to deploy her abilities at the earliest possible warning, and leaped out from the bathroom.

“Who’s there?!”

“Whoa…?!”

What she found was a familiar face, his eyes opening wide in shock and alarm.

The young man’s body, garbed in the uniform of Seidoukan Academy, stood motionless, as though he had just turned to stone.

“Huh? Ayato…? You surprised me.”

One look at his face was enough to calm her nerves as she brought a hand to her breast.

She likewise relaxed her prana, and the mana swirling around them soon dissipated.

“I—I’m sorry…!”

Ayato, on the other hand, spun quickly around, his face having turned bright red.

Only then did Julis finally realize she was dressed in nothing more than her underwear—and with that, she too felt the blood rushing to her face, all the way to the tips of her ears.

“…! A-Ayato…! H-how dare you…?!”

She rushed to collect her uniform from her bed and did her best to muster her voice into a roar…only to realize that she wasn’t truly upset over this situation.

On the contrary, it prompted a sense of déjà vu…

“…Bah! Ha-ha…!”

“J-Julis?”

As she burst into laughter, Ayato’s confused voice sounded behind her.

“Oh, it’s just… This reminded me of how we first met.”

Right…

Looking back on it, it wasn’t the worst possible first meeting.

But to think it was happening all over again…

“It just brought back memories. It’s almost funny, even… Wait a minute; let me get changed.” As she spoke, she quickly put her arms through the sleeves of her uniform.

“Sorry, Julis. There’s something urgent I need to discuss with you… I tried calling you a few times.”

Why was he apologizing over and over like this?

Checking her mobile as she put on her clothes, she saw that he had indeed called her several times. She hadn’t noticed, since she had rushed to take a shower right after waking up.

“I know you didn’t mean to catch me unawares like that. I mean, we’ve known each other for ages now, right?”

“…Right.” Responding after a short pause, Ayato’s voice had a nostalgic ring to it.

That alone was enough to bring her a glimmer of joy.

“All right then, fire away,” Julis said after she finished dressing.

Ayato, still slightly nervous, turned back around.

“So? What did you want to talk about? Don’t tell me you’ve come all this way just to give me a handkerchief?”

If it was urgent, it had to be important.

“…There’s something I need to ask you. About today’s match.”

“Yeah, I guessed as much, given the timing.” Julis breathed a short sigh, then sat down on the edge of her bed and folded her legs. “But I’m afraid if it’s about that, I don’t plan on listening—”

“I know. About everything.”

Julis looked up with a start.

“I know about the burden you’re carrying… Saya straight-up asked Erenshkigal during her own match and then told the rest of us.”

“…!”

Julis found herself temporarily lost for words, but she soon regained her composure.

Xinglou had certainly mentioned that Saya and Orphelia seemed to be having some sort of conversation during their semifinal match. She hadn’t been able to discern the actual contents of their discussion, but to think Orphelia had fully divulged the truth to her… If she really wanted to see that plan of hers come to fruition, there would have been no need for her to do that. But at the same time, if she wanted to bring an end to it, there ought to have been other options available to her, as well.

…No, stop it. I can confront her about that myself. More importantly…

“I see. So you know the truth now?”

As far as Julis was concerned, that wasn’t happy news.

There was nothing to be gained from knowing about one’s inevitable doom. All that knowledge would do was inflict frustration and despair. In that case, the others would be happier not knowing anything at all.

“Don’t worry. Like I said yesterday, I’ll stop Orphelia. You have my word. If I can’t, then, then…!”

She clenched her fists tightly.

She couldn’t let her determination falter.

“It’s okay, Julis. We can stop their plot. That’s why I came here.”

“What? But how…?”

While she didn’t know the details, she had heard that the people behind Orphelia had spread their tentacles far and wide. They had eyes and ears everywhere, and they would order Orphelia to immediately put their plan into effect if they detected even the slightest sign of interference.

Of course, it was possible that Orphelia herself was bluffing. Julis had considered that possibility more times than she cared to count. But if it wasn’t a bluff, if she miscalculated, tens of thousands of lives—no, hundreds of thousands—could be lost. She simply couldn’t afford to slip up.

Most importantly, there had been no hint of deception in Orphelia’s claim. No matter how much she had changed, Julis still considered her a close friend, one with whom she had shared countless joys and sorrows. She could still tell when she was lying.

“From what Saya learned, Erenshkigal is basically just a tool as far the people behind her are concerned—according to her own words, a ‘tool of fate,’” Ayato added. “She might not be ready to refuse them, but she’s certainly not acting according to her own free will. Right?”

“…Yeah, it seems that way.”

They had only exchanged a few brief conversations, but that certainly was the gist of Orphelia’s stance. At the very least, she didn’t seem to be actively working to carry out her backers’ plan.

“Then we just need to make sure she never gets the order to carry it out.”

“Huh…?” Julis’s jaw dropped. “Wh-what are you saying…? They can give the order from anywhere, with just a single message…”

Suddenly, she stopped herself, realizing that there might indeed be merit to Ayato’s idea.

“Wait… Hold on. Wait. You don’t mean…? Are you all…?”

“Yes. The stage is covered with a barrier made from protective gel, one that prevents all communications from getting in and out. So during the match, it doesn’t matter what you do.”

It was true—there was virtually no way for anyone on the outside to contact someone down on the stage.

Claudia had once taken a wild stab at something similar by breaking into the live commentary studio, but that was about it.

And of course—Julis was sure that they wouldn’t anticipate this. After all, what was the point preparing for it? As soon as the match was finished, the protective barrier would be lifted and communications restored, so all they had to do was wait. It would be over in a few minutes at best, and a dozen or so at worst.

The only possibility of something going wrong would be if Orphelia died during the course of the match, but unless she was dealt a particularly grievous injury, it would still be possible to revive her with the help of healers standing by outside the arena (as indeed had been the case for Sylvia). Besides, they probably didn’t believe there was anyone in Asterisk strong enough to deal her such a blow… Though Julis considered herself capable.

“We’ve already identified two of the three masterminds. We’ll launch our attack at the start of the match to stop them. Yabuki is out looking for the remaining one. So—”

“I get it. Basically, you’re asking me to draw it out as long as possible, right?” Julis asked.

Ayato responded with a silent nod.

His strategy required neutralizing those who could give Orphelia her orders while the match was still taking place. If the contest was to end quickly due to an overwhelming attack or something similar, the entire operation would collapse.

“Hmm… It’s absurd. I’m surprised Claudia is pushing for it when the odds of success are so slim.”

“But they aren’t zero, so it’s worth a try, right?” Ayato asked, giving her a meaningful look.

“…”

Julis stared back in silence.

There was no need to ask for confirmation. Ayato was always serious.

“…This is ridiculous. You’re idiots, the lot of you. You, them, and me as well,” she said with a bitter laugh and a deep sigh. “All right. One of the strategies I prepared does involve delaying tactics. I’ll put my faith in you all.”

If—if it could be done, then she wouldn’t have to make the worst possible choice.

“Yep. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it works out,” Ayato said with a weak smile.

The moment she laid eyes on that expression, it felt like a cool wind had just blown through her chest—a gentle breeze blowing away the dark and stagnant dregs that had built up inside her.

“Well, I need to get going then,” he said at last.

“…Right. Be careful.”

Just as Ayato was about to leave the room through the window, he broke out into a small laugh.

“What’s wrong…?”

“No, I just remembered the day we met. Do you remember? ‘Now, you die.’ That’s what you said to me.”

“…Did I?” Julis demurred, but of course she remembered it well.

How could she possibly have forgotten?

It had all started on that day, at that moment.

“If you’re feeling nostalgic, I can give you another grand send-off with an Amaryllis attack,” Julis said with a chuckle.

“Ha-ha, I think I’m good,” Ayato answered with an awkward grin.

Then they each extended an arm, tapping their fists against each other.

“Godspeed, Ayato.”

“Yeah. Best of luck to you too, Julis.”

With that, Ayato leaped down from the window.

Julis watched after him until he disappeared out of sight—staring after her one and only partner.

There was a car parked by the main gate in front of Seidoukan Academy.

When Ayato knocked on the window, the door opened, inviting him inside.

“You look happy. I assume Julis accepted our proposal?” Claudia said.

Alongside her were four others—Saya, Kirin, Eishirou, and Sylvia.

The car, its interior decorated with a table and leather sofas, was similar to the one he had met Dirk in once before. No doubt it was reserved for the student council’s exclusive use.

“Yeah. She’ll hold up her end.”

“Then all that’s left is for us to do our best,” Sylvia answered.

Ayato, nodding, took a seat by her side.

“Then let’s go over our strategy one more time,” Claudia began as the car took off.

“We’re now heading to the designated starting point, where we’ll wait until the agreed time. Just before the championship match gets underway, the protective dome over the stage will be deployed. Ayato, Saya, and Kirin will be responsible for handling Lamina Mortis…or Madiath Mesa. Sylvia and I will go the site of the Rikka Garden Summit where the Varda-Vaos is hiding. Are we in agreement so far?”

“I’m fine with the groups, but…” Ayato glanced toward Saya sitting in front of him. “Does Saya really have to take part in the operation?”

“Of course I do,” she responded, unfazed.

“But I mean…”

Her injuries may have been healed, but given that she had been in a coma until just a short while ago, Ayato was reluctant to drag her along with them. He understood that they were shorthanded as it was, that they were about to face an opponent that not even he and Haruka were capable of defeating together…

“I’ll be okay. My arms and my prana have recovered. It will be difficult with only the Helnekraum as my main weapon…but it definitely won’t slow me down,” Saya said with a huff, the look on her face all but announcing she had no intention of backing down.

Ayato knew from experience that there could be no changing her mind when she was as certain as this.

“Hmm… I understand,” he answered, raising both hands into the air in surrender.

Claudia, flashing them all a composed smile, continued: “Now, Yabuki, your task is to locate the Tyrant. I’ve already compiled data on several suspicious locations. You’ll be acting alone, and you can begin immediately without waiting for the match to get underway. Even if our opponents catch on to you, it shouldn’t be enough to prompt them to initiate their plan immediately. However, if you are able to locate him, please wait for the match to begin before acting in any way that might interfere with what he’s doing.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. But I’ll be honest, I have half a mind to skedaddle as far from here as I can. I mean, why don’t we all get outta here?” Eishirou let out a chuckle to show that he wasn’t being serious, but he immediately fell silent when the others fixed him with cold stares.

“We’re not asking you to throw your life away, of course,” Claudia responded. “If you find yourself in danger, you can do what you like. But until then, keep on doing your job. Do you understand?”

“I know, I know. I’ll stick to him until the very last minute…I just wanna check something, though. This data of yours, you got that from calculating back based on the nightmares the Pan-Dora gives you, right?”

“Indeed. The Tyrant and his associates have killed me quite a few times now, so I’m using those experiences to surmise his location and the facilities he’s using… What of it?”

“Ah, well, I guess this is a simple question, but you’ve never seen anything like this in your dreams, have you?”

The nightmares that the Pan-Dora forced on Claudia every night were the cost of its usage, showing her again and again the countless ways in which she might die in the future. Given that it posed such an enormous danger, it wouldn’t be strange if she had seen Orphelia destroying Asterisk in her dreams.

Nonetheless, she regretfully shook her head. “Nothing at all, I’m afraid. Aside from the Tyrant, neither the Varda-Vaos nor Lamina Mortis has ever appeared in them, either. Of course, I don’t always remember everything, so it’s possible I simply forgot… But I do have another hypothesis.”

“…Another hypothesis?”

“It’s possible that my dear friend here has been deliberately avoiding nightmares related to all this.” Claudia chuckled and gently patted the Pan-Dora’s activation hilt. “I don’t know if she’s simply trying to be a nuisance or whether she has some other goal.”

“…You know, I’ve been thinking this for a while, but I’m amazed how you can keep using that Orga Lux, Claudia,” Sylvia said, her voice ringing with awe.

“Oh? She’s rather adorable, once you get to know her. And well…it would be tough to go up against opponents like what we’re about to face without her power.”

Indeed, the Varda-Vaos was known to possess considerable fighting potential even without drawing on its main ability. While it wasn’t quite at Lamina Mortis’s level, Ayato himself had fought it, and in skill, it was comparable to the top-ranked students at each of Asterisk’s six schools. Of course, that wasn’t accounting for outliers like Orphelia or Xinglou.

“Those abilities really are a nuisance though, aren’t they?” Sylvia, having fought against them once herself, looked pained.

“U-um… I know it’s a little late to suggest this, but is there any way Stjarnagarm could help out…?” This came from Kirin, her face awash with worry. “At least Commander Helga and Haruka. They already know everything anyway…”

“I considered that, of course, but I don’t think we can risk it,” Claudia answered with a shake of her head. “The Golden Bough Alliance is already on guard, first against foundations, and second against Commander Helga and the Ban’yuu Tenra, both of whom are equivalent in power to Erenshkigal. I don’t know about the latter, but I’m quite sure they’re watching Commander Helga. Especially given what we learned this morning.”

Taking everything into account, there was a clear implication that someone within the city guard was feeding the Golden Bough Alliance information, even if unwillingly. It was only natural to assume that it wasn’t only those officers responsible for patrolling the city who had been influenced by the Varda-Vaos.

“Even Erenshkigal said they have people within Stjarnagarm,” Saya added in agreement. “I doubt she was lying.”

“Lamina Mortis is obsessed with Haruka, too, so I suspect she’ll be under increased surveillance as well. She won’t be completely free to act without drawing attention to herself. For that matter, it’s probably safe to assume that our own actions are being monitored, at least to some extent. Isn’t that right, Ayato?”

“Yeah. When I fought Lamina Mortis alongside Haruka, he seemed to have a good grasp of what we were doing.”

“The strategy this time, so to speak, lies in how many pieces we can put into play without tipping off our adversaries. We need to fly under their radar. Let’s say the allowable limit is ten points, and each of us is worth ten—with six of us, that’s sixty points. But Haruka and Commander Helga are worth at least twice as much as us—perhaps even three or five times… If we make a poor play, it will be game over then and there.” Claudia paused, spreading her hands wide for emphasis.

“I guess it depends how much they want to stick to their original timing, but I agree we can’t afford to underestimate them. Any mistakes would be irreversible,” Saya added with a frown.

Their original timing… According to Orphelia, that was immediately after the championship match…

“We have three trump cards up our sleeves. First, we know what the Golden Bough Alliance is planning—or at least what Erenshkigal’s role in it is. Second, we know the whereabouts of two of their leaders. And lastly, the Golden Bough Alliance is unaware of the first two points.”

Indeed, only seven individuals—the six of them present plus Julis—knew what they knew. There was no way the Golden Bough Alliance could be aware.

“Without these three elements, our strategy would be unconscionably reckless. Which is to say our adversaries can’t possibly be expecting us to try it. For that reason, we can’t afford to let this advantage go to waste.”

“Ugh… I think I get it. So we’re going to have to go all out…!” Kirin, seemingly on the verge of tears, pressed her hands firmly together, when—

“Well, we’ve arrived. That’s enough discussion, I think.”

The car had just turned in to the underground parking lot at Hotel Elnath. From here, they would split into three groups.

“Be careful, everyone,” Claudia said once they had stepped outside, her face brimming with confidence. “Let’s give it our best. There’s no need for concern—we can do this.”

After watching Eishirou vanish in a puff of smoke like the ninja he was, followed by Ayato and the others departing the underground parking lot, Sylvia caught Claudia with a sideways glance.

“Don’t worry? We can do this…? You sure seem certain,” she said.

“What of it?”

“I was just wondering what you think our chances are, following this strategy of yours.”

Claudia fell silent for a moment, before finally letting out a weak sigh. “Well… You can weigh up the variables a few ways, but no matter how you cut it, I wouldn’t give us more than twenty percent. Probably closer to around ten at best.”

“I thought so,” Sylvia said with a dry chuckle, glancing skyward. “The biggest bottleneck is that we don’t know where the Tyrant is, right?”

“That’s right. But also…Lamina Mortis and the Varda-Vaos are still unknown to us as opponents. And we don’t know what those thousand-plus autonomous puppets are up to—or Agrestia for that matter. There are too many elements to make an accurate calculation,” Claudia said with a tired drop of her shoulders.

And yet—

“But we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do, right?”

“…Yes, of course.”

The two young women exchanged measured glances, their expressions warming.

“Say, Claudia? I’ve got an idea.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“I’d like to call in a helper.”

“…A helper? Now?”

“What on earth are you talking about?” her expression all but asked.

“Additional help would be invaluable, but as I mentioned earlier, the conditions we’re operating under are incredibly strict. We can’t afford to tip off our adversaries. And if this help is only halfway competent, they could end up being a liability. At the very least, they would have to be a Page One or around that level. And, of course, they would have to be someone the Golden Bough Alliance doesn’t already view as a threat. Which is all to say that they would need to be among the best fighters in their school, willing to plough ahead unquestioningly even if it puts their own life on the line, and someone who has gone unnoticed by our adversaries thus far… It wouldn’t be easy to find someone who fits all those criteria.”

“I already have. Give me a minute.” Sylvia took out her mobile and quickly dialed in a call. “Besides, she’s already related to all this. I’d like to let her join us if we can. We don’t need to explain the whole situation… Ah, it’s connecting.”

An air-window slid open in front of her, revealing a familiar face.

“…Sylvia? Um, is something the matter?”

“I see…,” Claudia said beside her with a short nod.

“Yeah, I need to ask you something… Will you hear me out, Minato?”

It was almost noon.

Proceeding down the dimly lit passageway, Julis stopped to take a deep breath.

A little farther ahead, the gate was overflowing with dazzling light.

It was time.

At long last, it was time.

She almost found herself looking back on the long days that had led up to this, but suddenly stopped.

There was no need for such sentimentality now.

Everything would be fine once the battle was over.

Reaffirming her determination, she stepped forward.

“Here it is, here it is! To uncontrollable excitement, uncontrollable passions, uncontrollable applause, the long-awaited finale to this year’s incredible Lindvolus! Having overcome countless formidable opponents, Seidoukan Academy’s fifth-ranked fighter is emerging now from the East Gate! As a Strega, her skills are second to none, unparalleled! With her ability to freely manipulate flowers of pure flame, she’s certainly worthy of the title Glühen Rose! In the fifth round, our indomitable blossom emerged victorious against Jie Long Seventh Institute’s Hagun Seikun, and in the semifinal she defeated her own tag team partner, Seidoukan’s number one, the Murakumo, Ayato Amagiri! Now, hoping to snatch only the second grand slam in the entire history of the Festa, here she is at last! Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld!”

The audience erupted in a deafening roar as she entered the stage.

This was the third time she had reached the final match in the Festa, but never before had the atmosphere felt so intense. It was positively blistering, the heat so extreme that she thought for a second her skin might literally burn. The excitement was incredible—insane even—the vibrations coursing through the air so powerful that they alone might end up laying waste to the Sirius Dome.

She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead as she made her way across the bridge that led down to the stage.

Her counterpart had yet to appear through the arena’s opposite gate.

Until now, she had always been able to bring herself to acknowledge the audience’s cheers with a casual wave, but today was different.

This fight belonged to her and Orphelia.

…Except that isn’t right, she corrected herself with a shake of her head.

There was no doubt that this contest was between her and Orphelia, but she still had Ayato and the rest of her friends backing her up.

No sooner did Julis reach the stage than a thunderous roar sounded from the audience, surpassing her wildest expectations.

“And now! Yes, now, here she is emerging from the West Gate! The absolute favorite with the official odds at one point one in her favor! Our defending champion, undefeated in every battle—official and unofficial—since she first stepped foot in Asterisk! The Supreme Queen that not even Sigrdrífa, the great Sylvia Lyyneheym, hoping to avenge her previous defeat, could overcome! The strongest of all Stregas, having overpowered every last challenger with her indomitable power! Her deadly toxins can overwhelm even Orga Luxes! If her opponent is aiming to secure a grand slam, then she’s gunning to be the first-ever winner of three separate Lindvoli! Le Wolfe Black Institute’s number one! The Witch of Solitary Venom, Erenshkigal, Orphelia Landlufen!”

Despite this grand introduction, Orphelia’s look was as sorrowful as ever, her gait characteristically resigned as she made her way slowly down from the bridge to the stage below.

“You came, Orphelia,” Julis called out after switching off her microphone.

“You too, Julis.” Orphelia’s response was, surprisingly, immediate.

“Is it me, or do you look a little agitated? That isn’t like you.”

“…No, it isn’t. Perhaps I am.” Orphelia’s crimson eyes remained locked on Julis. “To be honest, I didn’t expect your fate to be this strong. To think that it has a chance of standing up to mine.”

“Ha! Don’t mock me, Orphelia. It isn’t thanks to fate that I’m standing here before you. It’s thanks to my abilities,” Julis called back, meeting her opponent’s gaze head-on.

“It makes no difference to me… But very well. Show me what you’re capable of.”

All at once, Orphelia’s prana swelled with explosive force.

“…!”

It was too overwhelming, that raw onslaught of power.

This was her fourth fight with Orphelia, but Julis felt that her foe was immeasurably stronger now than she had been during those past encounters. She had fought countless commanding opponents thus far, but Orphelia was without a doubt the most powerful.

Julis knew that. She had known it from the very beginning.

She almost took an instinctive step backward, but stopped herself, standing her ground.

This was a bluff on her part, a false show of force brought on by unseemly, crude tenacity.

And yet—

“I’ll say it again. Don’t mock me, Orphelia.”

“…” Wordlessly, Orphelia turned her back on Julis and made her way to her starting position.

The stage, Julis noticed, was already encased behind its shield of protective gel.

It was time to begin.

By now, Ayato and the others would have already gotten underway.

All Julis had to focus on was doing what she had come here to do—finishing what she had come here to finish.

“I’m going to take it back! All of it! That’s why I’m here!” she called out.

“Good.” Orphelia responded without so much as turning around, her voice tinged with sadness. “And I’ll put an end to everything. That’s why I’m here.”

The next moment, an artificial voice announced the opening of the match:

“Lindvolus Championship Match—begin!”