Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try getting over 500!
*
Three full months had passed since my departure from St. Ursula Medical College. After a few initial bumps and turns, Grandmother was able to see my disappearance as another excuse to go out on another training adventure. This matter was brought up to her, as it was discussed with not only her, but to the rest of those who resided at the castle. It wasn't as chaotic as my initial return to Liberl was, to say the least. She could see the resolution in my eyes to get stronger, and she did not stop me, nor did the others.
With that plan in mind, it seemed the others also had plans of their own, and after bringing everything to the table, we decided on the best course of action to take to spend the remaining two years before Kloe and I enroll at Jenis. Since it was now December of S1199, that meant Kloe and I only had one year and five months left before we enroll in May of S1201. Time was ticking, to say the least.
Kloe was to venture to Leiston Fortress, serving as a means of both protection and training. Since I would not be there for her, she would at least have the military backing her during my absence. The second was Angie, she surprised us by wanting to become a Bracer, so she would opt to remain in Grancel City, and study at the Bracer Guild in South Block, instead of making way to where Kilika was in Zeiss. As for Ennea, albeit reluctant, she returned to her duties as a member of the Stahlritter, vanishing into the darkness of the night along with Ines.
And well, as for me, I did a little disappearance act at the hospital, only to allow my familiar and I to make our way toward Haken Gate, which is on the Liberl's side, and Titus Gate, which was on the Erebonia's side. From there, Tamamo and I eventually found ourselves in Legram, home to the Arseid School of swordsmanship. After revealing my entity as one of the members of the Great Houses, the master of the Arseid Family accepted me into their home. On top of that, the acting master of the dojo, which was none other than Sir Victor's butler, sparred against me to determine my potential in learning the Arseid style.
That spar happened, and before we realized it, along with developing a new connection with Sir Victor's daughter, Laura, we saw ourselves spending three full months in the town of wonder. It was a popular tourist destination for it being a natural landmark. I did not rely on my system, nor my skills bound my system as I spent my time there. The only time to where I would showcase my skills were if Laura and I ventured outside in the the monster-infested areas nearby. Though along with Laura, it seemed Toval also had interest in fighting monsters as well, so we spent time as a three-man party. According to Toval, it appeared it has not been long since he had been promoted into a senior bracer, earning the title, the Zero Artisan. His quick arts casting definitely did help support while Laura and I remained on the frontlines.
Farewells come and go like the passing wind, but on the eve of Tamamo and I's departure, the Arseid Family held a big banquet, and lots of laughs were shared. Thanks to the time spent, Laura had developed, and eventually opened up to her fellow disciples instead of just unleashing beatdowns one after another. New friendships were formed, and Laura became grateful. Even though it was only three months, even Laura had come to accept me as a friend.
It was well into the winter now, but it only got cool on the wintery nights of Legram. It was much cooler on Ebel Lake to which us fellow disciples used on a couple excursions to Lohengrin Castle for sightseeing. The spirit veins resting beneath the giant castle were calm, so no monsters appeared inside of it. It was just a standing piece of history, but thanks to that, we were able to see what it looked like from the inside.
And surprisingly, it did not snow if little at all here in Legram, and that was likely thanks to the year-round fog that kept the cold air moist. Even if it would try to freeze over, the moist water molecules in the air would return it, keeping the water on the ground away from the freezing point to which it turns into snow.
After bidding farewell to Legram, Tamamo and I found ourselves back on the main paved highway, to which our next destination was another town that was full of color and history alike, the textile town, Parm.
Oh, well. I wouldn't say it was just us two anymore though...
Thinking that, I heard the sound of a cat speaking the tongue of a human, instead of a cat meowing not so far away. This voice appeared a bit annoyed as well.
"Get back here, you stupid fox!", Celine's voice said in anger, which caused me to end my current thoughts, only to see my vision regain as I could find myself standing on the main paved highway that eventually led to the town of Parm. Yet as I heard Celine's voice, I saw a black cat not too far away, currently trying to chase a silvery-white fox that also let out a voice.
"Hehe, you call yourself a cat, but you can't even keep up with me.", Tamamo's voice retorted the black cat currently chasing her. Every so often, Tamamo would would stop in front of Celine only to wag her six tails around while keeping her distance from Celine. As the two played around like that, I heard a familiar voice reach out to me who was currently to my side.
"It really has been a while since Celine and Tama could play like this, hasn't it?", Emma's voice said, reaching my ears as I saw a pretty plum haired girl who currently had her braided into a single braid, going down all the way down her neck.
"Yeah. I didn't think I'd encounter you guys while I was staying at Legram. You seemed to join up with them too, Fie.", I said, only to observe two girls beside me, one sporting plum hair while the other sported white hair. The plum hair girl seemed to be a year younger than I was while Fie seemed around ten years of age, though thanks to engaging combat as a Jaeger, her growth has already started to develop in certain places from what I could see.
"Yes. It seems the goddess has brought us together again. It's more of a surprise that you found yourself here in Erebonia again, Naoto.", Emma said, revealing a smile as she looked my way.
"I'd agree with that. Boss said you were off on your own, didn't think you'd show up in that foggy town.", Fie also said.
"Oh that almost reminds me, Fie doesn't know about your other half, does she now?", Emma said, only to look back at Fie, which caused her to blink her eyes in confusion.
"Other half? You mean the prince thing? Boss told me about it when you guys raided that island a few years back. I don't care if you're royalty, we've engaged as Jaegers, so to me, you're just Naoto.", Fie said, shrugging her shoulders, causing Emma to look at her in surprise after hearing Fie's answer. In turn, I could only do a motion of my hand, letting out a sigh.
"So you've known, but seeing so frank about it, I guess I can say as expected of a Jaeger. But right now that name doesn't exist to me. I'm just Phoenix, a wandering martial artist.", I said, revealing a playful grin as I looked at the two.
"Uh-uh. A martial artist, a Jaeger, and a witch. Nothing could go wrong, right?", Fie said, chiming into what I had just retorted with.
"You two...", Emma said, only to let out a sigh as she rubbed the bridge of her nose a bit which caused her to knock her glasses up slightly.
"Haha, we are just having a bit of fun. Look, we can already see Parm in the distance.", I said, drawing the two's attention to a rather colorful town in the distance.
"Looks like we've almost arrived then. Still aren't we a little suspicious wearing these cloaks like this?", Fie said, looking around her. Instead of her usual outfit, the three of us could be seen wrapped in cloaks, similar to the one I wore while Tamamo and I headed toward Legram.
"True. We could use our magic to get in without raising suspicion, but that would require some effort.", Emma said, wondering to herself as we remained on the outskirts of Parm.
"Which is why we won't require such means. I've brought us a change of clothes. At least we'll get to look like we're playing the role anyway.", I said, only to activate my inventory. Emma was used to seeing it, but Fie showed interest in her eyes the moment I brought out three outfits. Uniforms to be specific.
"School uniforms?", Fie said, looking my way, showing interest in her eyes as she looked to what I now had in my hands.