Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut - Volume 3 - Chapter 4

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Chapter 4 – The Girl’s Truth

Part 1

The second morning of the campus selection battle started quietly.

The content of the day was almost the same like yesterday, after listening to the brief schedule inside the classroom, what was left was only carrying out the competition with determination.

But, looking at the competition result of yesterday that was put up, a bit of depressed atmosphere was flowing inside the second year student classroom where Lux was at.

"This is harsh isn’t it? As expected, is it still impossible for us to win against the third year students?"

"I also, worked really hard but, huhh……"

"That, Lux-kun. Sorry……"

On and on, the figures of classmates grumbling could be seen here and there.

The match this time was betting two things. The right of Lux to stay in the Academy, and the right to join SyvallesKnight Order with the premise that Lux would then cooperate with the Abyss subjugation.

Celis and her supporters the third year student, against Lux and his supporters the first and second year student. At present this fight went mostly as expected, with the third year student obtaining slightly more victory.

Currently, the score of the first and second year student was 33 point, while the score the third year student obtained was 52 point. There was a clear difference.

The score wasn’t decided simply by the number of victory, in the case that the lower year student won against the upper year student, the obtained point would be more than when the reverse happened. But even after taking that into consideration, as expected in the present situation there was strong indication for their defeat.

"Please don’t worry about it. I will also work hard today."

Lux who was apologized at responded like that with a smile.

"Ri, right……"

The classmate girls nodded, but their voice wasn’t really bright.

Because today there was a turn for Lux to come out at the individual battle.

There wasn’t any schedule of a direct confrontation with Celis, but there was a schedule of three consecutive battles against the third year students of Syvalles who had been winning since yesterday.

There wouldn’t be that much of a problem if it was only fighting.

But, Lux was the Weakest Undefeated who wouldn’t start attacking from his initiative and used battle tactic that specialized in defense.

In the fight like this time where they wouldn’t get score unless they won, the affinity was bad.

Since Lisha and Krulcifer were defeated at the first day, if Lux didn’t win in today’s individual battle, then that meant an almost guaranteed one loss.

Because the classmates knew that situation, they were showing anxious face but??.

"……Yosh."

The match time was approaching, so Lux stood up from his seat and exited the classroom.

Because Lisha and Krulcifer had exhaustion piling up from yesterday’s fierce battle, they were receiving examination in the medical office once more.

And so, Lux was heading to the practice ground for the time being with Philuffy and Tillfur, but??,

"Good morning."

At the walkway inside the academy ground that continued to the practice ground, a voice suddenly called out from behind.

A girl with braided black hair and brown skin, In a glance, she gave intellectual impression to the people looking at her.

Saniya Lemiste, the girl who was idolizing Celis as [Onee-sama] was standing there.

"Good morning."

"Goo-od morning."

After Lux responded like that a bit later, Tillfur beside him also returned the greeting with a conflicted face. Philuffy also nodded her head lightly.

"Hey, I have a bit of earnest consultation I want to have with you. Won’t you abstain from your next match with me?"

Then, Saniya made an expression that was slightly mixed with sarcasm and said such thing to him.

"……Yes? What are you saying Saniya-senpai? In the first place Lux-chi today for the first time in internal selection battle??"

The moment Tillfur tilted her head in puzzlement, Saniya laughed.

"That’s why I’m saying. It’s more efficient to have you quit before the match. Because, he cannot win anyway isn’t he? Whether it’s against me or any other third year students of Syvalles."

Saniya announced with a smile that was already convinced of victory.

Lux’s alias at the royal capital was the Weakest Undefeated.

A battle tactic that totally devoted himself on perfect evasion and defense without attacking at all.

But, in the campus selection battle this time, in order to select the representative, there would be no draw, the match result would be decided with decision.

And then, Lux’s battle style that wouldn’t start attacking from his initiative wouldn’t be able to earn the evaluation for the decision.

Thus, Lux was in overwhelming disadvantage. Saniya said her words based on that fact that she saw through.

"Celis-neesama is really busy you see. Because of your fault, she has to do this unnecessary battle, it’s really a bother for everyone. Everyone in this academy just so you know. That’s why, I want you to give up like a sportsman and surrender already. If you do that, this will end without the first and second year student losing unsightly and expose shameful conduct for more than this. ??Just like the girls yesterday."

The obvious provocation of the girl caused Tillfur to make a complicated and troubled face.

"Eee……, now see here, Saniya-senpai. This is still the second day, saying that is a bit??"

Tillfur scratched her head while she was trying to object somehow, it was then,

"Thank you very much for worrying about us."

Lux quietly put his hand forward and stopped Tillfur from speaking further.

And then he looked straight at the eyes of Saniya who was frowning and told her.

"But, I’ll be fine."

Saying that, Lux showed a calm smile.

Those look and smile that in a glance looked gentle, but gave an impression of unknown depth somewhere in it, caused Saniya’s expression to cramp slightly.

"Hm, hmph. Are you still thinking that you will manage somehow? How optimistic. However, the girls who are fighting for your sake are??"

"No, it’s not like they are fighting because I’m asking them to. And I am also in no way making them dance on the palm of my hands with my words. They are participating in the battle this time for me with their own will."

"…………"

Lux’s calm??but unhesitating tone caused Saniya to shut up for a moment.

"Everyone isn’t as thoughtless as you are saying in joining this battle. I believe that this is the chance that they are giving to me. That’s why??I absolutely cannot do something like abstaining."

"-……!?"

Lux declared that with a gentle attitude until the end. Saniya faltered.

And then, after a few seconds,

"Do, do as you like. Someone like you won’t really get it unless you experience it yourself with your body??"

Saniya spat out those words that were mixed with sarcasm and left.

"Fuu……"

When she vanished from sight, Lux let out a small sigh.

He wasn’t shaken or anything by the provocation just now, but as expected he wasn’t good in this kind of exchange.

It reminded him a bit of that period, when he was in the imperial court of the old empire.

"Uwaaai!"

"Wah!?"

While Lux was pondering, the next moment Tillfur beside him leaped on Lux’s shoulder.

"Oh maaan, you really said a good thing there Lux-chi. As expected from the former prince! I’m really moved!"

She slapped Lux’s shoulder *pon pon* with a carefree smile while showing a happy expression.

"N, not really, it’s not something that amaz??"

"…………"

When Lux was panicked that her face came near, he was jerked by Philuffy’s wordless pull.

"Then, I’ll cheer for you with everyone from the spectator seat, so do your best!"

Tillfur let go of Lux at the same time with that bright voice.

At the same time, Philuffy quietly brought her face closer to Lux.

"Eh……? Wa, wait Phi-chan!?"

At a close distance where it felt like he was going to be kissed, Philuffy slowly reached her hands to Lux’s face and head.

And then, she moved her hands lightly as though patting his head and smiled slightly.

"Wha, what’s the matter?"

"You have, bed hair."

Philuffy apathetically told him that with her usual absentminded expression.

When Lux started walking while inside his heart was beating fast, Philuffy showed him a smile once more.

"Do your best, Lu-chan."

"……Right."

Receiving his childhood friend’s encouragement, Lux parted with the two and entered the practice ground’s passage.

He passed through the narrow path and came down on the fighting ring.

"Well then, today’s individual battle seventh match, the fight of Lux Arcadia versus, Saniya Lemiste, will be held from now!"

It was a wide space with spread out soil surrounded by circle shaped stone wall.

For the spectators, this might be a battle that attracted large attention, because almost all the students from all years and staffs were gathering.

Especially the third year students, perhaps they heard the rumor and wished to ascertain Lux’s true strength, because they were gathering with their face looking strangely quiet.

(Somehow, it’s nostalgic.)

The last time he had attention from students of the whole school showered on him like this was when he fought Lisha the first time.

But, it was different with that time when he was gradually ending up having to fight, right now he was standing here by his own will.

"In the end it turned like this. ……Well fine, I’ll teach you your place."

Saniya Lemiste smiled fearlessly and pulled out her Sword Device.

"…………"

Right after that, Lux also pulled out his sword in respond and muttered the Passcode for the summoning.

"Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of power. Obey my sword and soar, Wyvern!"

Right after that, light particles converged in high speed and blue Drag-Rides with streamlined shape were summoned behind the two.

"Connect – On!"

And then, the dragon that spread out into countless parts enveloped the two who were wearing pilot suit, and two Drag-Knights clad in armor appeared.

The movement of the two until now was exactly the same.

But, while they were clad in similar general purpose flying Drag-Ride, Wyvern and confronted each other like mirror image, their appearance was slightly different from each other.

Lux’s Wyvern had thick barrier generation device and armor, specialized for defense. Its hand was holding a large Blade.

In contrast Saniya’s Wyvern instead had reduced armor to turn it light weight, a type that was specialized for offense.

That armor had main armaments of two Breath Guns, medium Cannon, medium Blade, Wire Tail, and so on. It couldn’t fire a powerful attack, but the armaments were for the sake of not giving the opponent the deciding factor and constantly continued to attack using number.

Lux had heard from Airi and the girls of Triad that she was specialized in Hit & Run tactic.

For her to be a member of Syvalles despite not having specialized fighting style meant that was just how high her comprehensive strength was.

"I don’t have particularly powerful attack but??for you, that’s the most troubling thing isn’t it?"

She wouldn’t come at him with powerful attack meant that her energy consumption would be little in comparison.

If they fought until time ran out, the decision would favor Saniya who unleashed more attack.

Lux was taking a deep breath while understanding the meaning of Saniya’s words.

And then wordlessly, he took his usual stance with the large sword aiming at the eye. (TN: Normal kendo stance, you hold the sword with two hands. Hold it in front of your body at waist level, with the tip of the sword directed to your opponent’s eye. The stance is called ‘seigan’.)

In a glance, it didn’t look different at all with the fighting style that Lux showed until now using Wyvern.

"Looks like you cannot even reply back. ??Then, how about we start?"

Saniya spoke with a fed up look toward the lack of reaction. Right after that,

"Battle – Start!"

The battle began with the instructor’s signal.

"I’ll end your pointless resistance here."

Saniya flew backward with her Wyvern at the same time with the start of the battle. At the same time she laid out a barrage with Breath Gun.

Lux also flew to the sky and swung his Blade, deflecting the attack.

Until this point it was a typical battle between fellow Drag-Ride, but Saniya’s cheeks loosened seeing that Lux’s fighting style was defensive as usual.

"Even though you said cool thing like that, in the end you can do nothing but protecting yourself. You can do your best running around until the time’s up."

"…………"

Saniya drew out a medium sized Blade and transmitted energy from her Force Core into it.

And then, with a sharp movement that took advantage of an instant of opening, she slipped into Lux’s bosom in one breath.

"??Now, show me how you endure this."

She swung down her Blade diagonally with slight feint mixed in it. The moment Lux immediately tried to block that using his great sword??.

*Kiin!*

High pitched metallic sound rang inside the practice ground.

"Eh……!?"

The dumbfounded voice spilled out from the mouth of Saniya who was slashing.

It was broken.

The medium sized Blade that had energy transmitted into it snapped cleanly from the center, small fragments danced in the air and falling.

"……Wha-!? What is??!?"

A second later, Saniya who returned to her sense hurriedly leaped back from that spot.

But, Lux didn’t do anything.

He readied his great sword like usual and took a defensive stance with no opening.

And yet, Saniya didn’t understand why it was her sword that broke when it was her who should be the one attacking.

It seemed the surrounding was also in the same state, shocked commotion could be heard from the spectator seat.

"Ku……! Yo, you, what in the world did??!?"

"…………"

Lux didn’t answer even when he was asked.

He was merely ascertaining the movement of his opponent Saniya with the same calm expression like before.

"H, hmph! Well fine! I don’t know what you did, but if it’s with this-!?"

She yelled while at the same time she took stance with two Breath Guns simultaneously.

Consecutive shot from middle range.

With that she would be able to continue attacking one-sidedly, there wouldn’t even be a one in million chance of her weapon getting destroyed.

The moment Saniya’s finger pressed on the trigger at the range where her shot’s power wouldn’t decline, Lux moved.

"-……!?"

The movement of her finger didn’t stop.

Under the condition where the ‘shooting’ was already decided, it was unexpected that Lux would be the one who approached.

But even so she didn’t flinch and strongly pulled the trigger of both guns. Right at that moment, *bon!* the Breath Gun’s gun barrel flew off.

"Eh……?"

Saniya raised such voice for a moment in stupefaction.

Even so, perhaps her experience as Syvalles member won out, because she immediately aimed the other Breath Gun toward Lux and fired from very close range. But, completely similar like before, the part from the muzzle until the gun barrel was smashed up. Saniya retreated from that spot in panic.

"Wha, what’s that……!? What is, happening……!?"

"…………"

Lux didn’t pursue. He just swung his Blade as though nothing had happened and took his stance.

However, Saniya sensed some kind of strong discomfort and she opened her eyes widely.

The surface of the great sword Lux held had small lights shining like the luster of scale.

"Tha, that light??, don’t tell me!?"

When she noticed that, Saniya’s eyes turned round in shock.

Part 2

The spectator seats of the practice ground watching over the battle of the two were greatly stirred.

"Wha, what is that? Why is Saniya-senpai’s weapon is smashed just from defending??"

"Err, I don’t understand but, the weapons are more or less destroyed, so in this situation Lux-kun is in advantage isn’t it?"

"Wha, whatever it is, Lux-kun do your best?!"

Bewilderment toward the baffling phenomenon and voice that rooted for Lux‘s superiority could be heard from the spectator seats.

In contrast the third year students were staring at that sight with dumbfounded expression.

"??Fuh. As expected, it seems no one understand what is going on huh."

At the halfway up of the spectator seats that were created in steps, familiar members were gathering on the seats with good view.

Lisha and Krulcifer came to watch after they finished their examination in the medical office regardless of the order for them to rest. Aside from them there were Airi and the Triad’s members.

"……What in the world could that be?"

When Airi asked with vaguely discomposed look, Lisha smiled lightly.

"Fufu, do you want to know? That is the secret weapon that I invented. Actually you see??"

"To speak the principle, it’s simply a counter attack, by matching the opponent’s attack."

"Wait, oi! Krulcifer!? Don’t expose it early!"

Lisha snapped at Krulcifer who nonchalantly said that from the side.

But, ignoring that, Tillfur lifted her face.

"Counter, you say? But, isn’t it strange? It only looks like that Lux-chi is simply defending the attack though???"

Lisha reacted to that question and answered it immediately.

"Well, it’s like that though. This time Lux is using special weapon and defense method. If I’ve to explain it simply, the large Blade Lux is using this time is forming force field on its edge like a Drag-Ride’s barrier. In other words it has the power to repel back enemy’s attack."

"Yes. If it’s something like that, even I can understand. Why did Saniya-senpai’s weapons were destroyed? Was it simply because her attack was repelled……?"

This time it was Krulcifer who turned her head to Noct’s question.

"Yes, exactly. However, by focusing that attack’s strength to the edge part and the tip, the power is heightened. It’s something obvious, but even attacking is accompanied by danger. If our wrist is aimed and a blade is put at the path while we are swinging down a sword??what will happen?"

"That’s??"

Noct reflexively gulped.

So to speak it would be like someone’s punch was blocked with the tip of the blade.

The opponent would stay unmoved while the attacker would be destroyed by their own strength.

"By using the strengthened barrier that is generated from the Blade, the point from where enemy’s attack is spring forth will be forced back as it is, destroying it in return. In case the opponent is using gun, the sword tip will push on the gun muzzle and make it burst."

"????"

Airi and others were speechless hearing the content of the explanation.

Because that technique wasn’t as simple as it sound.

Different from defense that originally was only repelling or parrying attack, this tactic was accompanied by various dangers.

This technique would need the user to see through the enemy’s attack accurately and aimed at the weak spot with unusual precision and speed.

If even a single motion got out of order, it would be the user themselves that got done in instead.

Destroying weapon’s weak point by blocking it, if an example had to be made it was a feat that was like striking the flat side of a sword using hammer for smithing and snap the sword.

That in itself could be possibly done by anyone if they had a certain degree of ability, but in the end that was only the case if the sword was put on a stand and fixed in place so it wouldn’t shift.

Doing such act toward a sword that was being swung toward oneself should be impossible by all rights.

It was a tactic that was possible only for Lux who could see through an opponent’s attack preparatory movement perfectly and then predicted it.

This special move exclusive for Wyvern that was named as [Critical Hit], was completed at the intensive training last night.

"Bu, but, that sword that laid out barrier like a shield, could it be, Lisha-sama was the one who made it?"

"Yeah, after Lux formally enrolled, I was thinking about various things. I managed to make a prototype but, this is the first time it’s thrown into real battle."

"Yo, you went as far as making a new weapon!? It’s original!? Such thing, I still haven’t heard anything like that even in another country??"

"I was only making the transmission of barrier to reach until the edge part of the great sword too. It’s not at the level of me making it myself. Well, even just doing that much caused me to feel frazzled every day though……"

Lisha rubbed her eyes sleepily, ‘fuaa’, and she yawned.

It seemed that Lisha was completely worn out from improving the Blade night after night added with the mock battle yesterday.

"……So far as it goes, I’m also thinking of various things as the princess of the new kingdom you know? By using that, then even in a situation where Lux can only use Wyvern he will still be able to have enough destructive power. Just by intercepting attack, if it’s an Abyss of middle level, that technique will be able to pulverize it just like that. In other words with this the chance Lux will be able to show his real strength in Syvalles too will increase properly."

The chance for Lux to use Bahamut was limited in order for him to hide his real identity and also because of the fierce energy consumption rate.

Thus Lisha thought of a plan so Lux could fight even while still wearing Wyvern. She moved into action and brought it into reality.

"Well, it can also be said that more than half of it is relying on his technique, but I’ll honestly say that I respect your achievement."

"……I don’t feel that it’s a praise at the slightest though. Is it fine to take it as a sore loser’s talk? Hey Krulcifer."

Krulcifer who coolly spoke and Lisha whose eyebrows and the corner of her mouth twitched hearing that.

"Both of you, it’s nice and all that the two of you are getting along competing for Nii-san, but it looks like it will be over already you know?"

When Airi muttered that with a reproachful gaze, loud cheers suddenly rose from the spectator seats.

While a small battle was also being done over here, the match of the campus selection battle was decided.

Part 3

"Kuh……!? E, enough already……. Let’s end this."

The seven types??a total that reached twenty one weapons she possessed were all destroyed. Saniya finally hung her head down and proclaimed her surrender.

She landed on the ring, sheathed her Sword Device, and raised both her hands.

"Due to the opponent’s surrender, it’s Lux Arcadia’s victory!"

Instantly the first and second year students raised loud cheers from the spectator seats.

At the same time, because of the defeat of Saniya who was a third year student and a member of Syvalles, turmoil ran through the seat where the third year students were located.

"……This time, I’ll recognize that it’s my lose. But, don’t think that you can win against Celis-neesama with just this level."

Saniya spat out with an unpleasant expression, dispelled her armor, and left from the practice ground.

"Fuu……"

Lux saw her off before he let out a relieved sigh.

Thanks to the Scale BladeBarrier Fang Sword that Lisha created for him, he managed to win somehow, but as expected Critical Hit that blocked the opponent’s attack and destroyed the weapon used up more concentration than he imagined.

Even so it should be fine for him to feel satisfied at the point where he obtained victory but,

(……But, why is it. That way of fighting of Saniya-senpai. Something feel out of place??)

"Ooooi! Lux! You did great there!"

Lisha’s voice that flew from the spectator seat caused Lux to wave his hand awkwardly, it was then,

"??!?"

He felt an intense presence on his back. Lux reflexively turned around to behind him.

"…………"

Celis was at the center of the spectator seats that were mainly filled with the third year students.

She stood up on that spot. The aloof presence that her body was always enveloped with strengthened further and she was directing a sharp gaze that stabbed at Lux.

Seeing that figure that was filled with uncommon emotion, for a moment Lux was about to be shaken, but he immediately recovered his calm and gazed back at Celis.

"…………"

Their gaze crossed each other for mere few seconds.

After that, Celis turned around and turned her back toward Lux.

Part 4

"Ce, Celis-sama. Whe, where are you??!?"

At the spectator seat that was just right at the opposite side of Lisha and co, the classmates who were supporting Celis were surprised seeing Celis stood up from her seat and walked away. They hurriedly tried to make her stay.

"I’m going back. I already understand his true strength. I’ll go check on Saniya, after that I will rest in my room."

Her indifferent tone made her followers showed bewildered face.

"You won’t watch the rest of the matches? That Lux Arcadia……it seems that today he still has several matches left??"

"There is no need. He already showed enough to me."

"Eh……?"

Celis slowly inhaled and answered the puzzled third year girl.

"For him to bring the match into his victory by decision, it’s advantageous enough for him to destroy Saniya’s weapon only once. He used that technique many times is for the sake of showing his card to me intentionally."

"Does he mean to say, that he still has composure left? Doing such thing while Celis-sama will be his opponent??"

The follower girl asked in confusion.

But, Celis shook her head without the slightest change in her expression.

"That’s not it."

Celis informed so with a calm tone and then she turned her back to her classmates.

"That is a war declaration to me. But??I won’t lose."

She only left those words behind and then left the spectator seat.

"As I thought, you are different than most male that I saw, Lux Arcadia."

Her last voice wasn’t heard by anyone other than Celis herself.

Part 5

And then, after the mock battle between Lux and Saniya, a few hours later.

The selection battle of the second day with individual battle as the main part was over, and the night arrived.

After that, Lux used Critical Hit to win two more battles against Syvalles and obtained victory mark.

Perhaps thanks to watching him, the faction that supported Lux, the girl students of the first and second year who were in inferior position fought hard, and while the third year’s side was still in superior position, the situation now was one where it was unknown where the victory would go to.

The contest against Celis in the campus selection battle where two conditions were put at stake.

At the current time there was no problem regarding the subject.

Rather, it was even going well, but Lux had a problem that was unrelated with that.

"A, and so, about the matter tomorrow though??"

"Yes. Lux-san is really shouldering a fate of getting dragged into various troubles aren’t you?"

In respond to Lux who broached the topic like that, the black haired quiet girl??Noct of Triad said that with an earnest tone.

"Why is Nii-san coming to rely at me, only in something like this that I don’t want to give advice about."

And then beside Noct, his little sister Airi was also sighing in exasperation.

They were in a room of the girl dormitory, the shared room of Airi and Noct.

Lisha made suggestion to hold a party to celebrate the victory, but it was rejected. The reason was other than because Lux wanted her to rest slowly, he himself also had a circumstance.

Furthermore, it was a special problem that he needed to find the way to resolve it urgently.

"Something like promising a date with that Celis-senpai in the rest day tomorrow, just what in the world Nii-san is thinking?"

"…………"

He was unable to respond right away if she told him that.

Something called rest day existed in the campus selection battle.

In order to prevent accumulation of fatigue from consecutive battle, the middle day of the five day period would be used wholly for rest, during that time the students would be excluded from emergency and forbidden to use Drag-Ride.

However, he recalled that in that day he made a promise with Celis.

"Is Nii-san feeling like raping all the girls in this academy? As I thought, perhaps it’s better to chase away Nii-san from this academy temporarily."

"Uwah, that’s cruel-!? That’s, certainly it’s my fault for making that promise, but it was Celis-senpai who started it, in that situation??"

When Lux was dithering up like that,

"Yes. Lux-san is altogether weak against pressure from girl, so I believe his hardship will continue as long as that problem isn’t conquered. ……Though I really cannot imagine, Lux-san getting skilled at handling female."

"It’s mostly just as you said but, it really hurt so stop it okay!?"

Noct’s indifferent verbal attack caused Lux to beg for forgiveness in panic.

"Well, though Airi in her own way will become lonely if Lux-san is really gone."

"Wha-……!?"

Airi’s cheeks instantly blushed hearing those words that said in continuation.

"Ple, please don’t say such joke! I, it make it sounds like I’m unable to get separated from my brother??. After all it’s me who is giving counsel to Nii-san here!"

Airi objected with an unusually childish tone.

It was a rare reaction from Airi these days.

"Yes. However, if Lux-san didn’t come for advice, it also feels like Airi will become sulky in that case, but I won’t mention that for the time being. And so, more importantly??"

Noct gave a sharp retort while turning a glance at Lux.

She was surely meaning to return to the main problem that was his promise of date with Celis.

"In the first place, that talk about date, it was offered to Lux-san’s cute cross dressing figure??to ’Luno’……-san, the fictitious girl, isn’t that right?"

"Eh……!? Well, that’s??"

Lux nodded with a complicated look at what Noct pointed out.

He recalled how the other day, he was tricked by Saniya and massaged Celis. In that occasion, after that in order to escape that predicament, he dressed himself as girl.

"Then, isn’t it fine to ignore such promise? That ‘Luno’-san doesn’t exist in this academy anyway??"

Airi’s blunt words caused Lux to return to his senses in surprise.

"Tha, that’s no good you know!? Doing that mean standing up Celis-senpai when I already promised??"

When Lux said that in panic, Airi turn a somewhat accusing look at him.

"Nii-san is overly desperate. Isn’t Nii-san in antagonistic relationship with Celis-senpai? Currently she is intending to chase out Nii-san from the Academy you know?"

"This and that is a different story. At first it was just a mere misunderstanding, but the second time I was really tricking her, on top of that, neglecting someone who is waiting even though I’ve already making a promise is??"

"Then, how about we honestly confess the truth? Tell her that ‘Luno’-san, is actually Nii-san. Doing that will cause a disaster for sure before the mock battle the day after tomorrow though?"

"…………"

What Airi said was correct.

A girl who was got the good grace of a girl who was famous as man-hater, but that girl was actually a man??in addition it was a man who was currently in an opposing side. Shedding light to Lux’s true identity here was too problematic in various meaning.

(Besides, I even did massage while Celis-senpai was unknowing??)

Suddenly Lux recalled the sensation of skin his hand touched and blood rose to his head.

Regarding Celis, until now he had only heard about her fame in regard to her strength, but in reality her beauty was also really something.

In addition, she also possessed vivacious body while having the sensual seductiveness of an adult too.

(A, as I thought it’s no good! If I come out honestly after doing such thing??it will absolutely turn into disaster!)

At the very least Lux couldn’t go meet her and exposed his true identity while this campus selection battle was still going on.

While Lux was thinking like that and unfolded a deep discord inside him,

"Yes. It can’t be helped then. For the kind Lux-san, it’s too harsh to stand up Celis-senpai when he had already promised, for now let’s use our last resort."

Noct said that with a calm tone.

Normally she had silent personality without much self-assertion, but accordingly she was able to react with calmness. She was a reliable girl.

"Last resort, is it?"

When Airi tilted her head, Noct calmly nodded.

Lux was waiting for her answer with anticipation.

"Yes. In short, it’s fine if ‘Luno’-san go to the date. That means??"

"I see, so there is that way."

Airi clapped her hand in admiration.

"Aah, I see. If I cross dress again??. ……Wait!? How did it turn out like that-!? In the first place that’s not last resort or anything at all!"

Lux was about to nod in agreement for a moment, but midway he retorted with everything he got.

But, with a composed face Airi,

"What are you saying now. This is the best plan you know, Nii-san. No??is it better to call you Nee-san for a while?"

"I’m begging you, stop that!"

Lux spoke relatively desperately.

"Yes. But of all conceivable plan, I think this is the best method that won’t hurt anyone."

"No, I’ll get hurt with this plan!? My heart will be really pained I’m telling you!"

"But, what will we do about the essential woman clothing? If I remember correctly, I heard that set had been returned to headmaster??"

Airi whispered while ignoring Lux’s yell. It was then Noct brought the bag that was placed on the corner of the room and took out its content.

"Yes. I thought of that, so just now I borrowed a set of cross dressing outfit from the headmaster beforehand, so please rest assured."

"Wait!? What’s with that excellent preparation!? You were planning to dress me as woman right from the beginning right!?"

"Nii-san, please be a little quiet. This is already night you know?"

"……A, sorry. No but, I’m begging you wait??!?"

Even that pleading of Lux ended up in vain and the two completely progressed the talk in that direction.

In the end, Lux would go to the date with Celis tomorrow as a girl named ‘Luno’.

Though as expected, he refused the demand that wished him to change into the woman outfit right there in order to check it.

"Be that as it may, if Nii-san is going through trouble to meet Celis-senpai as another person already, then how about probing her too while you are at it?"

When Lux was going to sleep already for today with a bag of cross dressing set in his hand, Airi’s voice that said such thing entered his ear.

"Eh???"

Airi talked with a composed face toward Lux’s question.

"I think there will be a chance to ask her during the date you know? The reason why Celis-senpai became man-hater, if Nii-san get lucky and become able to learn it, it might be useful??"

"…………"

Lux immediately understood Airi’s thinking.

Celis’s hatred of man. If he was able to know about the cause, then perhaps the matter of Lux’s expulsion could be resolved with a way other than the campus selection battle.

But??.

"……That’s, a bit impossible for me."

Lux asserted clearly.

Even though he was already tricking Celis with disguise, adding it with trying to pull out the girl’s true feeling by making use of it was just too wicked as expected.

He lied the first time because of misunderstanding, and the second time was because it couldn’t be helped, but doing what Airi suggested would become something with no justification.

"I thought that if it’s the softhearted Nii-san, you will say that."

Perhaps Airi too had also predicted that response from Lux, she merely smiled.

Of course, she surely said that because she was thinking of Lux’s sake, but he couldn’t yield in this point.

"But, please be careful okay?"

"Yep. I know, I’ll do my best so I don’t get found??"

"No, I heard from Noct that the outfit really suited Nii-san, so I’m not worried of that point but??"

Airi suddenly showed a serious face.

"It seems that the new kingdom already dispatched scouting force toward Heiburg, in order to monitor the Ragnarok that started to make fetal movement, and also to look for a method to defeat it while it’s still petrified if possible."

"……!?"

In order to subjugate Ragnarok, it seemed the government office at the royal capital finally took the plunge.

The new kingdom army was moving meant there was a high possibility that before long the members of Syvalles would also be called.

"Also, it’s unclear whether this is related or not but, it seems a few days ago a few dozen illegal immigrants were confirmed inside the new kingdom territory. I don’t think it’s related but……the timing is suspicious."

Surely Airi wanted to tell him not to let his guard down even at the resting day.

"Right, I get it."

Lux replied shortly with understanding of everything and he stood up.

"Both of you, thank you for today. Then, rest well."

Lux only said that and he moved to exit the shared room of the two, it was then,

"Ah, both of you, it’s no good to follow us in the date tomorrow okay?"

"Eee……"

When Lux said that jokingly, the two simultaneously sent him a fixed glare and raised dissatisfied voice.

"What’s with that reaction!? Don’t tell me you two planned to come!? That’s absolutely no good! If you two come, then I won’t talk with you two for a while!"

Lux gave a warning to Airi and Noct who showed expression that was excessively disappointed before he left the room.

"Good grief……"

He went to sleep for the day while feeling half exasperated.

Part 6

The next day. The day of outing with Celis that he promised as ‘Luno’ finally arrived.

Whether for good or for bad, the weather of the resting day of the campus selection battle was really clear without any cloud from the morning.

In order to heal the exhaustion from the mock battle, there were a lot of people who slept until afternoon.

The few human presence inside the Academy was something thankful for Lux who had finished changing into woman clothes and waited for Celis but??,

"……Wait, I noticed just now but, just why is even the underwear too is a girl’s underwear!?"

For some reason it was mixed among the cross dressing set, so Lux wore it following the flow, but thinking really carefully, there was no reason for him to put that much effort.

(Even though it won’t turn out like this if I carefully check the clothes when I received them??)

While Lux was terribly regretting such thing,

"??Good morning, Luno."

"Uwah……!?"

Lux almost jumped when a voice suddenly called out to him.

Celis in her uniform was beside Lux without him noticing.

Even in her usual uniform getup, she was gracefully beautiful.

"Is something, the matter?"

"N-, no, it’s nothing. That’s??good morning."

"What a strange girl you are."

Celis made a faint smile seeing the flustered Lux.

That smile that felt like a surprise attack caused Lux’s heart to throb unconsciously.

(??Wait, just what am I thinking!? I came here today should be only for accompanying Celis-san right!?)

In addition, he had to do his best not to ask about her secret.

He would accompany Celis as ‘Luno’ as promised just as she wished. Then after the campus selection battle was concluded, he would confess everything.

That was the compromise that Lux thought up.

"Then, let’s go. Actually I wished to see you in your casual clothes, but this is still resting day after all."

Saying that, Celis took Lux’s hand and started walking.

"Ah……"

The warm and smooth sensation of that hand caused Lux’s cheeks to redden.

An outing was permitted in the resting day, but going too far wasn’t allowed. The outing was limited to only a part of the first block.

(I need to be careful so that the town’s people won’t notice……)

Lux made a meager prayer and the date with Celis began.

Even though she called it an outing, it seemed there was no particular objective that had been decided.

They went to look at merchandise like bag or clothes centered in the commercial district.

Their destination wasn’t high class shop that was aimed at the rich, but normal shop. Even so, perhaps it should be said just as expected, Celis who was the strongest at the academy and came from the four great nobles seemed to be famous, no matter which shop she went to everyone was surprised.

"Please act normally. Today I came here not as a duke’s daughter, but as one of the Academy’s students."

Celis said that to a shop assistant who interacted with her with excessive courteousness, but Lux thought that it would be impossible for them to treat her as normal customer because of their fear.

For Lux who had also done several works of serving customer during his five years of doing chores, he understood well their feeling.

Celis tried to present him with some kind of small accessory, but when Lux politely refused, they began walking on a street with stalls lining up next but??.

"…………"

(I, it’s awkward somehow……)

Perhaps because he was cross dressing, he couldn’t even make too much movement. While Lux was feeling anxious,

"Is there somewhere you want to go to, Luno?"

Celis asked him with her usual aloof atmosphere.

"E, eerr??"

Honestly, Lux couldn’t think of anything, so he showed a troubled face. It was then,

"I’m sorry. So it’s just as I thought, I’m unable to become a proper escort……"

*zun*, Celis’s shoulders dropped and she whispered with a dejected expression.

"This is no good. Like this, I’m disqualified as a third year student. I will be scolded by Otou-samafather if I cannot even satisfy a single student who is my junior. I will be hated. As the eldest daughter of one of the four great nobles, as the top student of the Academy, I……"

Celis was feeling down with her beautiful face hanging down and her abundant blonde hair and breasts shaking.

It was really unexpected from her usual attitude that was dignified to an unusual degree.

"N, no-! There is no such thing! That’s, IBoku ??not. IWatashi myself is really nervous……, I’m sorry, that I was unable to talk about anything."

"……Is that, true?"

After a bit of pause, Celis suddenly put her serious face again and she asked him.

"Ye, yes! I’m, really happy, that I can walk with Celis-senpai like this."

When Lux said that awkwardly with a smile,

"Eh……!?"

Suddenly, the nice fragrance of smooth blonde hair softly tickled Lux’s nose.

His face was wrapped in warm and soft sensation.

The moment Lux realized that it was because he was hugged by Celis with his face buried between her largely protruding breasts, Lux’s head boiled up.

"You are a kind girl, Luno. I’m happy."

Saying that, Celis caressed Lux’s head affectionately and continued her embrace.

"Wai-……!?"

Lux was driven by an impulse that he had to get away immediately, but thinking that he couldn’t hurt her feeling by pushing her away, he hesitated.

Time passed for a while like that before Lux was finally liberated.

"I’m sorry. Was it painful?"

"N-, no-! I’m all right!"

He also got to feel various amazing things, so Lux yelled to hide it.

"The, then say??if there is no place senpai want to go to, how about resting relaxedly in a place without people?"

"A place, without people? Regrettably, I don’t know about that kind of place though??. ……Hah! Don’t tell me this is, something special done when we are alone just the two of us……!"

"No you are wrong! There is no deep meaning like that! IBoku ??not, IWatashi and senpai are fellow girls after all……"

Celis tilted her head while starting to have a strange conflict in her mind. Lux stopped her in panic seeing that.

"Is that so……"

For some reason Celis looked somewhat down hearing that, but Lux didn’t touch on that and he began walking ahead.

"Thi, this way, Celis-senpai."

And then, Lux guided her to a place that he knew.

Part 7

Less than five minutes of walking from the commercial district.

Lux and Celis continued to walk through narrow path at the tip of the city and arrived at a small park.

The surrounding was enclosed by short broadleaf trees with verdant lawn spread out like carpet. That place was like a small room that was made from plants.

There was also a small flower bed inside. The gentle sunlight shining in was illuminating the blooming flowers.

There were also things like stone curb and sculpture at the side. It was a garden with nostalgic atmosphere like the playing ground at childhood period.

"So there is this kind of place inside Cross Field."

"Yes. I think it’s a nice place for a change of feeling.

Lux said that and gently urged Celis to sit down.

When they sat side by side on the lawn carpet, they mutually let out a small sigh.

"This was a place where a certain noble planned to build his villa. But, in the middle of the construction work, it was stopped because of the owner’s circumstance……this place is only the garden part from the construction that is half-finished."

A villa’s garden that was left alone in the middle of construction and after that no one appeared to continue the construction.

Right now the plot of land was also offered for sale, but perhaps because of its half-baked location, it seemed there wasn’t any buyer yet.

This place that was created two years ago was arbitrarily named by Lux as [Cross Field’s Hideout]. He often rested here when he had a bit of free time.

"I like it. I made lunch, so let’s eat together."

"Tha, thank you very much."

The sandwiches that Celis brought were shared and eaten between the two.

At first Lux was really nervous, but after finishing the relaxed lunch, the air became terribly calm.

"But, this is really a nice place."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, somehow it’s really calming. I’m feeling a bit sleepy."

"Please sleep without reservation. Today is actually the resting day after all."

After Lux said that, Celis straightened her back with a serious face and,

"Certainly that’s true, but I cannot rest. After all today too I’m having this outing under the pretext of guiding a new student through Cross Field."

She said such strange thing.

"You mean???"

"I have a mission. As the leader of the academy’s knight order, and as the eldest daughter of Ralgris house, I have to become example for all the students and show it with my action. And so, although this is a resting day, I also cannot just brazenly rest."

"Such thing??"

‘Is not true’. Lux almost said that but he shut his mouth.

Because he suddenly recalled a thinking that was related to that.

"Is that also why??senpai is pretending that your injury from two days ago is alright?"

"…………"

Celis’s expression changed into a shocked one for a moment hearing Lux’s words.

But her face immediately returned to her usual aloof face of a senior.

Silence flowed for a while.

At the offense and defense against Lisha, she struck herself with Lightning Lance of maximum output.

Even after the match was over, Celis’s complexion didn’t change in the slightest, but she should receive considerable damage from that act.

"Is that so. So even you, was watching."

Celis muttered with a calm tone.

And then, she let out a sigh and showed a smile.

"I too am still immature that a girl who is my junior can see through me."

"That’s not true."

Lux denied Celis’s self-depreciating words and he strongly said.

"No matter how strong, Celis-senpai is also a girl, so please rest your body properly. After all in this place, there are no students of our Academy."

"…………"

For a while Celis stared at Lux with wide open eyes, but,

"I refuse. I still cannot relax my attention yet."

She said that with firm attitude till the end.

"Please don’t force yourself. Talking to someone when you are feeling pained is??"

"That too cannot be permitted. If I, the captain of Syvalles showed a weak-hearted side, the moral of the other students will decrease."

After Celis clearly told that, she showed a smile that was filled with confidence.

"Listen to me, Luno. A strong person refer to a person who is able to withstand absolute solitude. That’s why, I’m all right."

"Celis, senpai……"

Her resolve as someone from the four great nobles, and furthermore as the knight order captain who obtained the title as the Academy’s strongest, caused Lux to feel his heart struck, it was then??,

"No, please wait a little bit! Thinking carefully, senpai was completely unable to withstand the solitude! Didn’t you talk to a stray cat so seriously, and in the end that cat even ran away!?"

Lux reflexively retorted like that when he recalled the scene when he first saw Celis. Celis’s usual aloof atmosphere crumbled and she showed a flustered face.

"Yo, you still remember that!? Yo, you are wrong! I was only talking to myself that time. By no means I was feeling loneliness suddenly welling up because I got stuck staying at the capital separated from everyone for a long while, it’s nothing like that at all."

"……Wait, you are digging your own grave deeper and deeper though!? I’m not asking until that far you know!?"

It was Lux who got flustered seeing Celis losing control.

"Besides, for some reason at the capital, I ended up scolding the male of the military and rebuked him harshly, it’s depressing……. Even though, I only committed a bit of error in controlling my strength, how did it ended up like that I wonder……"

"…………"

Seeing Celis hanging her head down dejectedly, Lux thought.

This person, was she actually just a lonely and awkward person……he thought.

Lux was cheering up Celis who fell into depression for some time, while he was thinking of such thing.

Part 8

A few hours later, after they finished resting in the ‘hideout’.

Celis and Lux were walking on a main street at the first block.

The setting sun that was almost disappearing illuminated the townscape red, lengthening the shadow of the two.

"In the end, I fell asleep for a bit after that. I’m reflecting." (TN: Celis’s way of talking throughout the series is overly polite. Even when she was flustered, angry, confused, etc., she never stopped using polite form of language.)

It was really hard to understand from her behavior, but it seemed Celis was feeling really down.

"No, it’s completely fine. IBoku ??IWatashi too fell asleep in the middle."

Lux was consoling Celis while inside his heart he was flustered.

Actually Lux wasn’t napping at all because it would be the end of the line if he was discovered to be a male.

His nerve was high strung in that kind of meaning, so he was quiet tired.

"Thanks to that my fatigue is mostly removed. It’s thanks to you."

Celis muttered that and showed a soft smile that she normally wouldn’t show in the academy.

"That’s, will you??go out together with me like this again?"

"Uh……!?"

Hearing the line that he feared the most said to him caused Lux’s heart to throb in surprise.

This time he accompanied her because he had promised before, but more than this would be bad.

There was no way he could continue tricking Celis forever, Lux too was at his limit.

At this rate??no, even about today, there was no way he could keep silent forever.

That was why, he did something like this.

"I’m sorry. I still cannot reply right now. But, when the campus selection battle this time is over??"

At that time, there would be nothing Lux could do except shedding light of his true identity.

Perhaps a different problem would occur once more, but there was no way he could deceive her for more than this.

"I understand. I will look forward to your reply."

Lux heard Celis’s words while feeling relieved inside his heart.

For a moment he was at his wits’ end about this outing, but it looked like it would end safely. Lux sighed in relieve, it was then,

iiiiiI!

A strange dissonant sound that split the ear could be heard from the surrounding.

"This sound, what could it be???"

Celis only frowned a little, but Lux held his breath in sudden realization.

It was a sound that Lux had heard several times since he came to the Academy??, the tone color of horn flute that summoned the Abyss.

"This is??, don’t tell me!"

Lux who noticed that lifted his face, it was then a shadow of evil omen alighted down toward the central plaza slight distance away.

"-……!?"

The expression of Celis who saw that tensed, and she quickly unsheathed her Sword Device.

"Luno. Please wait here. I will go look at the situation."

"No, IBoku will go too!"

After Lux said that while forgetting to even use a girl’s way of speaking, she followed the back of the running Celis.

The central plaza that was bustling with people who finished working was struck with terror and chaos.

"That’s??!"

The true identity of that became clear at the same time when they arrived at the plaza.

Medium sized Abyss??Chimera.

A legendary monster with lion head, goat body, and then a tail with poisonous snake’s head at its tip.

The arrival of Abyss was rare, but Chimera itself wasn’t a type that was that rare.

But, the Abyss should appear from Ruin and flew through a long distance until here. It was baffling why it suddenly appeared here without any contact at all from the fortress and checkpoint between this place and the Ruin.

"Wha-!? Wh, why is an Abyss suddenly??!?"

"Wha, what is going on……!? Someone, call the guards quickly! No, call the military’s Drag-Knight??"

The traders and shoppers who happened to be present trembled and raised stiff scream and ran away.

If an Abyss appeared in the middle of urban area unexpectedly, anyone would be like that.

(This is bad! At this kind of time, what is in my hand is??)

He gave the Sword Device of Wyvern into custody so that it would go through maintenance in the resting day.

His other Sword Device for Bahamut couldn’t possibly be used here.

(But! If a victim appears because I’m waiting and see……)

While Lux was hesitating like that with his hand reaching to the black sword, Celis was already moving.

"Eh……!?"

*ton*, Celis kicked on the stone paving. Golden lightning dragon showed up behind her.

And then, it instantly transformed into the armor of Celis who was in a sprint.

She didn’t use Passcode to summon and wear the Drag-Ride with only mind control operation, a high speed mobile deployment.

It was a high class skill that even five years ago when Lux was still in the old empire, there was no one who was able to master it properly.

Without a precise movement like going through the eye of a needle and excellent skill in mind control operation, the user would fail in connecting with the Drag-Ride and it would instead expose a fatal opening.

"GiiI!? ……GAAh!?"

When the Chimera that was leaking out flame breath from its mouth reacted to Celis’s movement, the battle was already decided.

The special armament great lance, Lightning Lance bored into the Chimera’s chest and its movement stopped.

*BASHIiii!*

Then furthermore, intense electric shock burn the inside of the body and the Chimera was instantly burnt black.

When Celis pulled out her spear, the Chimera pitched forward motionlessly and tumbled down with a thud.

"Amazing……"

Voice of admiration leaked out unconsciously from Lux’s mouth.

Chimera was a medium sized Abyss, but its life force was strong and it possessed abundant method of attack.

It was a type that was fairly dangerous for a Drag-Knight to fight solo.

Being able to slaughter it casually in the first attack made Lux felt Celis’s strength for real once more.

"I defeated it. There is no sign of other enemy. Are you okay, Luno?"

Celis who pulled out her lance turned around to confirm Lux’s safety, it was at that timing a huge black lump rose up behind her.

"Watch out-!"

"????"

Lux yelled, at the same time Celis’s Lindwurm swiftly flew up.

The space where Celis was at just a moment before was burnt away by a spewed hell fire.

"Kuh……!?"

Fanned by the flame before his eyes, Lux frowned from the high heat and offensive smell.

The wound on the Chimera’s torso that should be stabbed through was closing up, the skin that was burnt black peeled off, and a new skin was already created below it.

No??that wasn’t all.

The sharp pair of eyes of the carnivore was dyed jet black. Its pupils were opening largely. Furthermore, its body surface had something like dark red blood vessels emerging. It couldn’t be judged whether it was strange pattern or artery.

In the investigation record, Chimera wasn’t an Abyss with particularly excellent regeneration ability.

And yet, to be able to resurrect from that state instantly, the reason for that was completely unknown.

"What is the meaning of this? ??Why is, the chimera?"

Celis who escaped to the sky by flying whispered while preparing an attack using Lightning Lance.

As expected from a warrior who had fought a lot of Abyss until now, she didn’t show any sighn of agitation. But,

"GIi, IIeEA……-!"

"……-!?"

The Chimera madly howled and caught the lance that Celis thrust toward it. It gripped the lance then.

Right after that the flash of electric shock burst, but the Chimera didn’t let go of the lance.

"SHAAaAAAAA-!"

Together with that bizarre cry, the snake tail that was like rope smoothly stretched several times longer.

And then when it was moved like a whip, it drew an arc and assaulted Celis from her back.

"Celis-senpai-!"

"??!?"

It was an attack of fang that was tinged with purple poison liquid.

Lux sensed it and moved at the same time.

"GIih!?"

*zashu-!* Together with that slicing sound, half the body of the attacking snake twirled in the air.

The flash of the Sword Device that Lux swiftly pulled out severed the tail of the Chimera.

"Now! The finishing blow??"

"Understood."

*bachi-!* The next moment, fierce sparks of electrical discharge scattered around Lindwurm.

And then, an electric attack that was several level stronger than before surged from the lance in her hand.

*BASHIiiIiIII-!*

"GU, GI……! aA……!"

As expected it couldn’t endure, the lance tip that was held back by the Chimera’s front leg shot through and bored into the torso once more.

It seemed that this time the core was pierced accurately.

Clot of blood burst out, then cracks of light ran through its whole body.

"GI, iAAAAAA……"

"……-!?"

And then, when it radiated light along with a cry of death agony, it instantly burned out into a pitch black ash and crumbled down.

Lux instantly put up his guard thinking that it would self-exploded, but nothing happened and he stroked down his chest.

The monster that suddenly attacked the fort city was terminated and cheers rose from the central plaza.

"It looks like the Abyss is only this one."

But, Celis’s serious expression didn’t vanish. She ran her gaze at the surrounding.

Lux also stayed vigilant at the surrounding, but he couldn’t feel the presence of other Abyss.

(For the time being, it looks like there is no more in the area, but??)

Abyss appeared from the Ruins and its surrounding.

That great principle should be unchanged even using the aforementioned horn flute.

When Lux first came to the Academy, he fought a Gargoyle at the practice ground. He thought it was some kind of exception, but there was also the possibility that someone was guiding Abyss until the vicinity of Cross Field.

"More importantly, you helped me. Thank you Luno."

Celis who dispelled her connection walked to Lux’s side and her cheeks loosened abruptly.

"Ah……!"

It was already too late when Lux spontaneously tried to hide it.

Celis was curiously staring at the black Sword Device Lux’s hand was holding.

So that it wouldn’t be exposed this time, he wrapped a cloth around the sheath to disguise it, but he never thought that he would end up pulling it out??.

"It’s a really beautiful Sword Device. Don’t tell me Luno, are you a user of Divine Drag-Ride?"

Celis peered into Lux’s eyes in a slightly excited state.

"N, no, it’s something like a charm that I received from my big brother, so I too don’t really know about the content……"

"Is that so. It will be great if someday you will be able to use it."

"Ye, yes……!"

While inside his heart was beating fast, Lux replied like that with an awkward smile, it was then,

"Onee-chaaan! Thank you!"

Looking there, a young boy who was almost attacked by the Abyss was running their way to say thanks.

"Ah, wait a second! This person is??"

Lux worried about Celis’s man-hating and he tried to stop the boy, then??,

"You’re really energetic. Are you hurt?"

Celis patted the boy’s head with a gentle voice.

"Eh……?"

Lux was surprised seeing that unexpected sight.

Certainly there was the possibility that because the boy was a child, he wasn’t a target of her disgust, but he heard that she hated man since her childhood, and yet??.

After waving her hand to bid farewell to the boy, Celis turned to face Lux once more.

And then, after telling the circumstance to the guards who finally arrived, they returned to the academy.

"Luno? Is there something on my face?"

"No, that’s……. Celis-senpai is all right with boy if it’s a child isn’t it?"

"…………"

Lux said that casually, but for some reason Celis stiffened and fell silent.

And then she looked around. After confirming that there wasn’t any sign of people in the area, she leaked out a small voice.

"Luno. Do you hate male?"

"Eh……?"

Lux was at a lost of how to answer back the question was suddenly directed to him.

It took some time for Lux to recall that the position of his current self was a noble girl.

"Even if that’s the case, perhaps it can’t be helped. Although this country has become the new kingdom, but looking at the tendency of the past??of the old empire, then it’s only natural."

"N, no. It’s not like I’m??such thing is"

Of course, Lux was a man, so obviously he replied like that by reflex, but Celis smiled seeing that.

"…………Say, can you promise not to tell anyone? Actually??I don’t hate man or anything."

"……Eh!?"

For a moment Lux didn’t understand what he was told in bewilderment.

But, seeing Celis’s impatient expression, he discerned that she wasn’t joking.

"Rather, I have interest and admiration to male. Because when I was a child, the teacher who I was indebted to was a kind and strong person. One day I also want to have a fortuitous meeting with that kind of wonderful person??"

Celis tensed her self-depreciating smile and recovered her serious expression.

"Bu, but Celis-senpai is!? You are regularly taking stern attitude toward man or avoiding them??"

"A, about that you see……. This is also a secret but, I, I don’t really understand how to interact with a young man. And so, since the past when I was saying [I’m not good with man] to the people at my surrounding, for some reason people said then that I hate man……. Why, it always turned like that I wonder……"

Her shoulders dropped and she hung her head down in dejection.

(Thi, this person, she is too awkward……!)

But, it also felt like he understood how it turned out like that.

In a meeting with someone, a person’s perception of the other party would be largely occupied by early information.

Once Celis was perceived as a man hater, man who came into contact with her would be putting up guard excessively and conversely they would abase themselves. That would worsen the misunderstanding even more.

"But, I’m still not permitted to direct good will toward male. I also cannot rely or be spoiled by them. I am the eldest daughter of Ralgris house, one of the four great nobles. The captain of Syvalles. I have a really important position."

"…………"

She was a girl with a position that was special even among noble.

That was why she was taking a firm attitude in the current new kingdom.

"Celis, senpai……"

"Lux Arcadia."

"……-!?"

Lux’s heart jumped in shock when his name was suddenly called.

(She, she found out? As expected??)

When Lux tried to apologize, Celis was staring forward beside him and smiled calmly.

"He is an interesting person. In his mock battle with Saniya, he deliberately showed his technique to me to challenge me in equal match. ??As I thought, he resemble that person in some respects."

"……That person? Who do you mean?"

After asking that, Lux recalled that he decided not to ask anything unnecessary before this, and yet

But,

"Wade Rodbert-sensei. He was the educator of the old empire’s royal family."

"Eh……!?"

Lux held his breath in surprise hearing that name.

Because that was the name of Lux’s grandfather from his mother’s side.

"Tha, that person, could he be??"

"Yes. He is the grandfather of Lux Arcadia. In the past, I received guidance in sword art and tactics from that person after he retired from being the instructor of the royal family."

"…………"

Lux was dumbfounded in his heart.

He never imagined that he would have a tie with Celis in that kind of place…….

"I was really indebted to Wade-sensei. I still wasn’t using Drag-Ride at that time, but it won’t be exaggeration to say that it’s thanks to sensei I could obtain this much strength. But……"

Celis’s nostalgic tone was suddenly tinged with sorrow.

Wade who was Lux’s grandfather made a counsel that criticized the misgovernment of the old empire and in the end he was imprisoned because of that. His life met its end inside the prison. With that as the impetus, Lux’s mother and also Airi were banished from the imperial court.

Lux guessed that Celis’s expression was because she was recalling such thing, but,

"I have to apologize to Lux Arcadia."

"Eh……?"

The unexpected sentence that was said from Celis’s mouth caused Lux to spontaneously doubt his ear.

"Please don’t say a word of this matter to other people. Because I’ll say it properly to him myself. After the campus selection battle is ended, and I finished the subjugation duty that come to me??"

Celis slowly put her index finger in front of her lips and she smiled bitterly.

"…………"

(Apologize, to me? What could it be……?)

Lux didn’t understand anything.

He almost asked further forgetting his current appearance, but he was bothered by Celis’s tormented expression and he stopped himself.

"But??I cannot lose."

That smile vanished and Celis clenched her fist in front of her eyes.

"My judgment will affect many things. There are also girls who are still troubled even now from meeting painful experience by men who inherit the ideology of the old empire. The matter of him is on my mind, but it’s still too premature for the Academy to accept him."

"…………"

Even Lux couldn’t deny Celis’s thinking.

Certainly, that might be so.

The military and top brass of this country where the ideology of the old empire remained still had that thinking firmly rooted inside them even after the revolution.

(But, I??)

"That’s right. I must never again make a mistake anymore……"

"Eh……?"

Lux lifted his head hearing that sad voice he suddenly heard.

"Luno. Today is really fun."

Celis gently caressed Lux’s head.

"Then sayonara. I will be waiting for your reply."

He parted with Celis after arriving in front of the academy’s gate.

Lux avoided the eyes of other female students on the ground took off his female clothing in the drawing room for guest, then he let out a small sigh.

"I absolutely, have to win huh……"

After changing into the male uniform, Lux muttered.

He couldn’t lose also for the sake of the girls who were supporting him until this far.

"And then, either way I have to reveal the truth to Celis-senpai and apologize??"

Lux renewed his determination, completed several small requests from the Academy, then returned to the girl dormitory at night.

Part 9

"……Eh?"

Inside the shared room that he thought had the light switched off already, a faint orange light could be seen.

"Welcome back, Lu-chan."

"Ah, I’m back. That’s curious. You are still awake, Phi-chan. Eh……-!?"

Lux who thought that Philuffy was surely wearing her usual shirt saw here wearing a lacey black negligee.

No, in a sense this clothing should be the more proper one for sleeping, but the attire was so thin that her body line was clearly rising to the surface, it was clinging tightly on her body, so his eyes were horribly troubled of where to look.

Furthermore, she wasn’t covered with blanket like usual, she was in a state of standing up from the room’s chair.

The bulging chest that asserted itself greatly, and the white skin that could be seen slightly across the transparent fabric. And then the absentminded expression that had trace of childishness remaining shined from the lamp’s light, causing Lux’s heart to beat fast.

"Wha, what’s, wi, with that appearance!?"

He intended to pretend to be calm, but he raised a completely shaken voice instead.

"I received, this, from Onee-chan."

"Wai-!? What is that person thinking!? Even though I’m in this room too, such thing??"

"Is it, strange?"

Philuffy let out a slightly disappointed voice still with serious face.

Lux who saw that hurriedly shook his head and praised "That’s, it’s cute".

"I’m glad."

Praised by Lux, Philuffy smiled just for a bit.

Coupled with that appearance, his childhood friend looked much cuter than usual.

"Bu, but, why are you waiting for me until this late?"

When Lux asked that, Philuffy still with a serious face,

"Lu-chan. Want to ‘gyuuu’, after so long?"

"Eh?"

"Because Lu-chan, recently you are a bit tired."

Philuffy asked one more time with unchanging serious look.

What could ‘gyuuu’ mean? Lux tilted his head in puzzlement for a while.

After thinking for a bit, he recalled the past, then he suddenly noticed with surprise and his face reddened.

In their childhood, Philuffy often did a certain act to Lux who felt down after losing his mother in an accident. Lux recalled what it actually was.

[You will feel cheered up if you have this done to you, that’s what my Okaa-sanmother told me when she did it for me??]

At that time, Lux said his thanks to Philuffy’s feeling, which also seemed to make Philuffy pleased. After that every time she saw Lux wasn’t lively, she would try to give him a hug.

"Yo, you don’t need to do that you know!? At the past it’s……, I was really happy though. But at our age, as expected that’s a bit bad!"

Or rather, if the grown up Philuffy did such thing to him, he who was a male in puberty didn’t have the confidence that he would be able to keep hold of his reasoning.

Honestly speaking, even her sleep-wear appearance today was dangerous.

"You don’t want?"

"I, it’s not that I don’t want, that’s……if the current us do that then it will be dangerous morally or something??"

"…………"

When Lux became desperate and said that,

*puih*.

Philuffy suddenly averted her face aside still with a serious face.

"Eh……? Phi-chan?"

"……I’m hurt."

Even inside the expressionless look, a relatively sad nuance was inserted there while Philuffy said that.

"Lu-chan. You, don’t like me……"

(No, no good! This pattern is……!)

The case where Philuffy was angry and didn’t talk to him was still better.

A case where she was acting snubbed like this rarely happened, but the time needed until her mood was fixed would also become that long.

"I, I get it! The, then just for a bit……can I ask you to do that?"

"……Nn. Okay."

The moment Lux folded, Philuffy suddenly smiled and her body came in front of him.

And then Philuffy hugged *gyuuu-* Lux’s body tightly right from the front.

"-……!?"

The sensation of touching her white and smooth skin, and the sensation of her abundant breasts were softly pressed on him caused Lux’s head to boil up.

The girl’s body warmth and faint sweet fragrance sweetly paralyzed the inside of his head.

(A, as I thought, this is bad-……! It feels too good, something like this??!)

Like that a long few seconds passed before Philuffy slowly let go.

"……You’re, energetic now?"

"Ye, yep! Tha, thank you, Phi-chan……"

Lux was unable to look straight at his childhood friend’s face and he averted his gaze with blushing cheeks.

"Good night, Lu-chan."

Philuffy smiled contently and then she fell asleep at the lower part of the bunk beds.

(I’m happy that she is trying to cheer me up but, because of the sensation just now, my body is hot……!)

Lux who became energetic became unable to sleep instead that night.

Part 10

"Celis-senpai, welcome back."

"I’m back, Saniya."

When Celis returned to the entrance of the girl dormitory, the girl who idolized her like big sister welcomed her.

"How cruel, geez. Leaving me alone like that……"

"It’s because you are going to make ruckus when going out with me. I judged that you need to take rest properly. I will permit you to accompany me next time."

An established dialogue was exchanged between the two while they were walking through the girl dormitory’s corridor.

A cute classmate who worried and relied on her.

But, it was mysterious. For some reason rather than this girl who she had associated with longer, the girl named Luno who she had only met recently occupied most of her thought.

(……I too still have some way to go.)

Celis thought that she had to control her emotion.

She had to made the best judgment and acted accordingly.

If not, she would cause an error that she couldn’t take back again.

"More importantly Saniya, are you all right? With the tussle this time, do you recall the past again or??"

Celis suddenly recalled something and asked that. In respond Saniya instantly held her breath looking taken aback.

"Thank you very much for the consideration. Celis-neesama. This time, you negotiated for my sake in order to chase him out from the Academy……"

She muttered that and smiled powerlessly.

"As I thought, I’m still scared against male. Because I was always, tormented by father and brothers inside the Lemiste house??"

"I understand. It’s not your fault, Saniya."

Celis heard that Lemiste house, a noble of remote region where Saniya originated from had seven siblings, and Saniya was the only girl among them.

It seemed that Saniya was receiving every kind of unfair treatment while the rule of the old empire was continuing until five years ago.