Owari no Seraph - Volume 2 - Chapter 3

Volume 2 Chapter 3 – The Student Council President’s Summon

Three days later, at school.

In those three short days, the rainy season had started, but the rain had been pouring nonstop since this morning.

Inside the classroom, at the seat next to the window, Guren had been staring at the muddy exercise field in the midst of the rain.

On the podium, the homeroom teacher Aiuchi Saia addressed the students.

“Oh, as everyone is aware, because of the attack in April, we have lost half of our companions, comrades, future elites of the『Mikado no Oni』. Let’s have a moment of silence now for those students who had lost their lives.”

Everyone closed their eyes.

Except only Guren kept his opened.

The Hiiragi House teachers’ real motive of having a minute of silence might be to unite all the students in solidarity, so it was done every day.

Guren’s lip curled up slightly as his cold eyes looked at this obvious selfish display, then with nothing else to do, he looked out the window again.

Once the silence had ended, the homeroom teacher continued.

“Alright, there is something important I want to tell everyone today. Because of the attack, the extremely important examination which was meant to test everyone’s strengths and abilities was interrupted.”

At the exercise field, there were still people training despite the rain. No, because it was raining, it was possible to unleash their full strength on the muddy grounds.

The female wearing the sailor outfit was hit by her male opponent, tumbling onto the muddy ground.

The teacher still went on.

“So for the time being, in order to evaluate the abilities of the students who have not been tested, there will be an examination held today.”

Hearing this, Guren looked at the teacher for the first time.

Suddenly, everyone in class let out a “eh”, followed by sounds of murmurs at the mention of the surprise examination.

But, the teacher smiled.

“Having said that, most of the students in this class have already been evaluated, so everyone can rest easy. Those who haven’t been tested are…… Needless to say it must be Class A’s Hiiragi Shinya-sama and——“

With these words, Guren looked at Shinya who was seated beside him.

Shinya looked at him and gave him a smile.

The teacher continued talking.

“And, the talented daughter of the Juujou house, Mito-san, and Norito-san from the Goshi House.”

The names of the three most powerful students in class were called. It appeared that the second half of the initial selection examinations was to be conducted between the strongest students.

Anyway, at this time,

“…… Will they also call me?”

Hearing Guren’s murmuring, Shinya also in a soft voice,

“Mm, yes. The investigation that we talked about last time has already started.”

And replied.

At the same time, the teacher also said.

“….. Lastly, the one with the lowest evaluation, the trash from Ichinose House, these four are called. So please assemble at the gym at the specified time. Juujou Mito-san, Goshi Norito-san, you two will be at 8:30. Hiiragi Shinya-sama and Ichinose Guren’s time is 9 o’clock——“

Then, it can be seen that Mito turned her heard towards Guren’s direction.

And Guren just happened to meet her gaze,

“Unf!”

Mito bitterly turned back. She was still angry about what happened last time. Of course, that was expected. Guren expected this to happen, that was why he did it.

Then Goshi who noticed the little spark between them looked at Guren,

“We have to be re-assessed. Good luck alright!”

Unfortunately, Guren ignored it.

Then the other students,

“Oi, you dare ignore Goshi-sama’s words, you sure have guts!”

But the student who abused Guren was stopped by Goshi himself.

“Ah, it’s alright. He’s just like this.”

“What trash are you talking about?”

“Eh?”

“A piece of trash that Goshi-sama actually spoke with should be thankful about it, you’re really ungrateful.”

Ah, it’s the same routine words again.

Guren continued to ignore them, and stared at the clock above the blackboard.

Then,

“…… The selection exams eh. Can’t I just hide from it?”

And muttered to himself.

◆

The gym was across the building with the classrooms, with the exercise field in the middle of the two buildings.

At Shibuya First High School, only sorcery and incantation skills were important, so there weren’t any other activities at school.

So the gym was mainly equipped with sorcery training equipment, mostly to be used in groups.

At this time, there were only a few people, so Guren opened the doors to the gym.

The time was 9:05.

“You’re late, Ichinose Guren.”

A bright but cold voice blamed him.

The voice was coming from the middle of the gym.

Guren looked at the source of the voice.

There were already a few students standing there.

There were three familiar faces among them.

Mito, Goshi.

And Shinya.

Mito and Goshi both were slumped on the ground, looking exhausted. It looked like their fight was over and their assessment completed.

From Guren’s perspective, it looked like Mito was the stronger one, but he was not interested in who won.

Instead, what he was more interested in was,

“…………”

Guren looked towards the person standing in the middle whose face was completely void of emotion, it was a completely cold, rational look coming from a male student.

The same one I managed to glance at, the one standing at the window.

Hiiragi Kureto——Student Council President.

It is said that his power is comparable to Mahiru’s, that since entering this school, he has always maintained the position of Student Council President.

Guren avoided this person’s attention,

“Ah, ah, sorry…… Actually, I had diarrhoea, so had to rush to the toilet.”

And said.

Shinya laughed at this response.

“Scared of this surprise exam to this extent? How weak.”

Mito said.

“You’re so timid and yet you still came to this school, that’s a real problem.”

Lastly, Goshi said,

“Alright, alright, I understand. When I was informed that I was going to fight this manly woman, I was also really nervous……”

“Who do you mean by manly woman!?”

“Eh, you mean I’m wrong?”

The two of them continued to argue.

It was as Guren expected, Mito had won.

Guren looked around him and then,

“Ah, so, what do I have to do……”

Hiiragi Kureto answered.

“Come in.”

“Ah, yes.”

Guren lowered his head and obediently entered the gym.

Guren, like a small cat, walked right up to Shinya and stood next to him. Then he raised his head and met the eyes of the male student.

Sure enough, a powerful aura.

Deep black eyes with a strong will, neat black hair. On his waist was a Japanese sword, he wore a Student Council armband on his sleeve.

Seamless.

But, there is no pressure.

Just a set of cold eyes watching intently,

“Oi, Ichinose Guren.”

And Guren’s name was called.

Guren immediately replied.

“Yes.”

“I’m asking you. Answer me honestly. Did you betray information to the ones behind the April attacks, the 《Hyakuya Church》?”

That question was really straight to the point.

Mito and Goshi widened their eyes, shocked looks on their faces.

Even Shinya had a tentative look of surprise.

Guren feigned surprise and answered.

“Eh, what….. What are you talking about?”

“So it wasn’t you?”

“No, not me.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’m quite worthless at this school, so how could I possibly get useful information to betray……”

Kureto interrupted him.

“That, I believe. The teachers and students here are all stupid, but not as stupid as to pass you any information. But, even if you did not betray any information, you still contacted 《Hyakuya Church》. Am I right?”

“Never……”

“That, I don’t believe. You have a motive. You hate the Hiiragi House and perhaps you’ve figured out the benefits of joining forces with 《Hyakuya Church》. The evidence is the fact that you’re still pretending to be a fool in order to hide your true power.”

Kureto said that all at once. It seems that he was never planning on letting me explain myself. And he also doesn’t believe me at all, so he has just exposed everything he knew about the situation.

Even so, Guren said,

“That’s really very flattering…..”

Kureto ignored his words.

“A person with no strength could not have possibly survived the attack. So that’s why I believe you’re hiding your true strength.”

Hearing this, Mito looked towards Guren.

“Eh, hold on, that……”

But Kureto simply continued.

“However, this strength is still not enough to defeat our Hiiragi House. So let’s test it out right now then.”

“Hah? Please wait a minute…..”

Ignoring Guren’s words, Kureto ordered Shinya.

“Shinya, kill him. This way we will reveal his true strength.”

“Ah? Why is it me…..”

“You wish to defy me? Don’t tell me you’re working with him?”

Faced with this question, Shinya had a pained expression.

“Ehhh~ how troublesome! This unwarranted suspicion, I really don’t like it ah, Kureto nii-san.”

Kureto replied with no expression.

“If you don’t want me to suspect you, then you better make a move. Make him reveal his strength.”

“Yup~ Looks like I don’t have a choice. Hey, Guren.”

Shinya looked at Guren.

“Sorry about this, looks like I have to go up against you. This is big brother’s order!”

Shinya raised his fist. Guren knew that his fists have quickened because of a curse.

Guren pretended,

“…… Eh.”

To not react in time.

But, if unprepared for such a punch, even if I don’t die, I’m sure to end up in hospital.

But if the world is going to end in six months, then it doesn’t seem too bad to end up in hospital at this time.

If I continue to hide my strength, I don’t even know whether there will be a day I will be able to fight against the Hiiragi House.

Guren must be able to predict the outcome, but this plan had no sure outcome, so he reached a conclusion.

Guren chose to be beaten.

Shinya could be considered an accomplice.

Hopefully, he would have taken into consideration the position of the first hit.

Recovery time would be one month.

I could also have a legitimate reason to not attend school, so this could actually be a good idea.

So,

“…………”

Guren didn’t move.

Shinya’s fist was closing in.

It was aimed at Guren’s chest.

But Shinya fist suddenly stopped.

Kureto intercepted the attack with his hand, stopping Shinya.

Kureto opened his mouth.

“Oi you. Why did you purposely go easy?”

He said as he fiercely grabbed Shinya’s arm.

“Guuh!”

Shinya’s face was twisted in pain. Kureto had punched Shinya right in the teeth.

The punch had caused Shinya to fall all the way at the back.

That move was decisive and fast, just from this, it is obvious that Kureto’s power is not normal.

Kureto spoke to Shinya who was unable to get up.

“This is your first punishment for your behaviour just now. Your credibility is falling. At the same time, I’m going to investigate whether you are colluding with 《Hyakuya Church》as well.”

Shinya was still unable to get up.

Mito and Goshi were also scared frozen in place.

Then Kureto turned to face Guren. His lips formed a smile for the first time.

“Alright, Guren. Your turn.”

“Ah.”

“Stop pretending. If you are really powerless, then you can die right here. If you do have power, I’m going to beat you up until you confess, about whether you got in touch with《Hyakuya Church》.”

Kureto then unsheathed his sword from his waist. Looks like this is the real deal.

But Guren still spoke.

“Please think about this. If you were to kill me, then the relationship between Hiiragi House and Ichinose House……”

“The lowly Ichinose House, this will be one way to get them to shut up.”

Ah, so it is, Guren silently contemplated. But still he wasn’t going to give up.

“You’re, you’re really overestimating me. I really don’t have any power……”

Suddenly, a voice from somewhere echoed.

It was Mito.

“It’s true, Kureto-sama! I’ve provoked him several times, this boy called Guren doesn’t have a shred of power in him!”

Kureto narrowed his eyes at Mito and said,

“….. Juujou House, are you also a traitor?”

In a quiet voice.

Mito didn’t seem to realise and continued.

“And so……”

Kureto interrupted her words.

“Are you trying to persuade me to stop? Then, to say these words to me, who do you think you are? What is your relationship with Ichinose Guren, Juujou Mito? Are you his lover or something else?”

Mito immediately panicked.

“Eh, no, how could…..”

“Then what is it?”

“He, he’s just a fellow classmate….. Besides, Ichi—Ichinose trash, to trouble Kureto-sama into making a move, that is, that is really……”

Mito didn’t know what else to say, so her voice died down.

To be honest, for Mito to talk back at this time, Guren was really shocked. It seems that her sense of justice can’t allow this situation to happen.

However, her sense of justice, where on earth does it come from? Is it because she can’t bear to see a fellow student get killed?

Guren didn’t understand.

But Guren did feel that this situation was increasingly getting troublesome.

If this continues, then Mito would be under suspicion too, though it’s not because of this reason, but how I feel——no matter how I put it, now the situation has become——

“….. Unescapable.”

Guren muttered.

He looked up at the roof of the gym.

There, Kureto had already raised his sword.

“Alright. Everyone else keep quiet. Ichinose Guren. You die now.”

“How, how can this!”

Mito yelled out.

Also, Goshi,

“Damn, the worst possible situation.”

Couldn’t help but groan.

Even though it has only been three months, but to spend every day in the same class, this is perhaps a normal reaction to seeing a fellow classmate getting killed.

Basically, these guys are alright.

And now, Guren was facing an unavoidable death.

On this point, Mito and Goshi were convinced.

This school’s highest achiever, focussed on the results, the crown of the Hiiragi House, this monster has raised his sword with the intent to kill.

It looked like no doubt the trash Guren was going to die.

If he was really useless, then these were only fool’s words.

“…… Aah, this is so troublesome.”

Guren muttered loudly.

Then he looked back at the ceiling.

Kureto was closing in.

His speed was incredibly fast.

No doubt coming from the school’s NO. 1 Student Council President.

But still,

“…… Not as fast as the demon possessed Mahiru eh.”

Guren also pulled out his sword from his waist.

This was a new sword. It replaced Kujakumaru which had been broken by Mahiru, and Guren had specifically gotten it sent from home. Demon sword——Miru.*

Guren used his sword to block Kureto’s sword, a “ding” sound could be heard as the metal clashed against each other.

Kureto quickly turned around and attacked again one after another.

But Guren was avoiding all the attacks, the scary thing was that his attack was better than Kureto.

“Hm.”

Kureto took a side step then a step back. At the same time, he threw out a talisman.

Guren cut down the talisman in half and went straight towards Kureto’s chest.

Kureto raised his sword to defend himself. But Guren didn’t stop. His left hand loosened its grip on the handle and went straight towards Kureto’s face.

Kureto took a step back, barely avoiding the attack. He aimed a kick at Guren’s hand that was holding the sword.

Guren took the blow with his elbow, then aimed his sword at Kureto’s legs but missed.

Kureto took a few steps back and repositioned himself.

Guren also took a step back and adjusted his stance.

“…………”

All this happened in an instant.

Only Shinya could see every move clearly.

Mito and Goshi still had no idea what was going on.

And in the end, everything was now exposed.

Mito spoke.

“…… I, I was saying, what on earth…..”

Kureto interrupted her and spoke.

“……Ha. You’ve finally revealed your true colours, the next head of the Ichinose House.”

Guren forced a smile and said.

“…… Ah I don’t deserve such words. I didn’t reveal my true colours. I only felt bad so I didn’t reveal it.”

“Haha.”

“…… What’s more, this ability isn’t really a threat is it? Even if I am just a little bit stronger…… so what? I just don’t want to be monitored by the Hiiragi House.”

Kureto still looked on with cold eyes, pointing his sword at Guren again.

“Whether or not you’re a threat, we’ll find out in the next round.”

“Ah really, you can’t let me go?”

“No. Let’s settle this once and for all, who’s the strongest in this school.”

Guren didn’t have the patience to listen to his words and scrunched his face.

“You’re a really fucking annoying bastard!”

“Ha, haha, so this is how you really speak. But honestly, it’s rare for me to meet an evenly-matched opponent. Who would have thought that the branch house would produce such a talented brat——don’t disappoint me.”

Then Kureto raised his sword again.

And Guren immediately reacted.

Who is stronger?

Guren was interested. But, even if I win, it’s meaningless. I have a little power, but it isn’t enough to beat Kureto.

I didn’t have the guts to betray the Hiiragi House. It’s only because I didn’t want to catch the attention of the Hiiragi House, that’s why I’ve been hiding my strength. But, if I want to pretend to be weaker than Kureto, then Ichinose Guren will need to revert back to the Ichinose trash——

This is the best move.

However,

“Ah, ah, you can’t do this…..”

Guren moaned.

He looked up and saw Kureto’s powerful sword.

But, Kureto was just bluffing him just now.

In that moment of looking up, Guren was not prepared to be suddenly surrounded by murderous aura all over.

There are five people in the gym. I’m surrounded by enemies. Ah, no, you could say that everyone in this school is my enemy, so I guess this can’t be helped.

Attacks came from all five sides. But the attack couldn’t be detected. A small needle-like weapon came flying past.

Guren looked at the direction of the murderous aura,

“Shit.”

Even though Guren tried to defend himself, because it was so sudden, he only managed to hit three of the needles.

The other two landed on his right ankle and his back.

It’s not coated with poison, probably anaesthetic.

Instantly, Guren realised it was the latter. A strong sense of weariness hit him.

“…… Ah~ seriously, you’re such an annoying guy. Didn’t you say you wanted to prove who was stronger?”

Guren said as he narrowed his eyes and looked at the man. Kureto looked at Guren as though he was such a stupid fool and said.

“…… Eh? A guy that’s still interested in such a childish things exists?”

“…………”

“You’re also not interested, right? Since you were going to lose on purpose, am I right?”

“…………”

“Anyway, I’m already aware of your true power. Looks like you can be quite useful. I’m going to investigate whether you’re involved with 《Hyakuya Church》. If you’re really innocent, I’m going to make you an important chess piece that belongs to the Hiiragi House and make good use of you.”

“…………”

“When you wake up, I’m going to use truth serum on you and torture you. But first, have a good sleep, Ichinose Guren.”

Only after hearing all this,

“Bastard……”

Guren’s consciousness was cut off.

*The literal translation of the kanji 觀流 is “View Flow” (sort of??). The furigana is ミル (Miru).