I am noticing push notifications are super delayed currently. If you use them to know when my chapters are posted, I post them right at daily reset!
As always, Giliath demands your power stones!
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After taking some time to recollect myself, three figures soon departed from the Vander Dojo, as they no longer had any business to attend to here. I extended my hand out, and waved at the three. Zin's tall figure encompassed the other two, without looking back he raised his left arm and motioned it to say goodbye. Kilika became silent and stood to Zin's right, while Walter placed pockets in his hand and began to light up the unlit cigarette he had in his mouth. As they left, Zin and Kilika parted ways from Walter. Those two went to the right, likely heading back to the orbal tram, while Walter went left, and quickly vanished into the heart of the city. I'm sure he's off to a local casino, haha!
But I digress. It was a shame these three arrived when my spar against Sherryl ended. By the way, I was still carrying Sherryl on my back. Her warmth has been spreading inside my body for a good while now as she peacefully slept away. She really did seem tuckered out from that intense clash just moments ago. We were now back on the side street after having taken some steps. With the Thunder God retreated back inside his study, the students got to work and began mending the damage we caused. I did feel a bit guilty having done that to them. But being a prince of one of Zemuria's leading nations did have its perks. Just like entrusting Walter with my mira, that card did have a limit. It's not like it contained the entirety of my current wealth. I could definitely set some funds aside to help with the repairs here if the students needed it.
Still, seeing Zin and Kilika here in Heimdallr did mean one thing. That meant the two were able to wrap up whatever business they had before coming to Erebonia. They were ready to partake in the Vermillion Trials. I am feeling more confident in the Vermillion Trials now, but I wanted to continue training my swordsmanship here for the time being. The Thunder God did give me a date to start it, which would take place a week from today. It was surprising to see Walter with them. It was just Zin and Kilika I sent an invitation to, but I wouldn't deny Walter's assistance if he decided to join us. He was an Enforcer. I was currently cooperating with Ouroboros. Campanella did say he had a seat for me if I were to take on the position of an Enforcer, but I haven't decided yet if I should accept it or not.
Either way, didn't Ouroboros have a system to wherever something was going to happen, they needed at least two Enforcers present during it? I was technically considered one, and the other in being Walter definitely fulfilled that position.
Disregarding that point though, Zin and Kilika weren't the only two I sent an invitation to. Aurelia here beside me also received one, and I didn't need to worry if she was currently in Heimdallr or not. Aurelia was a bonafide noble, heir to the Le Guin family and was born and raised here in Erebonia. If she still had some matters to attend to back at her estate, she could finish them. She was invited to the new years dance, so it was possible she might head back after this.
But Aurelia was going to stay in Heimdallr for the long term, I do want to see if we can get together to converse about how her studies at Thors Military Academy went. She was of the same students as Claire was, along with several other students who would eventually become teachers of Thors when Rean and the other future Class VII members enrolled. Unlike Aurelia and Claire, however, it never mentioned Sara becoming a student of Thors Military Academy. She went straight for the Instructor position, likely having received an invitation through the Bracer Guild.
After the Vermillion Trials take place in the coming month or two and my school life starts at Jenis alongside Kloe, my current goal is to study there for one to two years before continuing my studies at Thors Military Academy for my remaining years. That time placement was crucial. It would place me in the same year Sara first becomes an Instructor, and when Crow, Angelica, George and Towa become first year students. The hope is for me to join their class that lets them test out the Arcus units.
Thinking that, my anticipation remained. Things were going to become rather hectic from here on. As I thought that, I felt something soft touch my arm. I suddenly saw Princess Alfin link my arm with hers. A big smile bloomed over her lips as I felt her warmth spread inside me.
"I didn't think I'd get to catch Zin and Kilika all the way out here in Erebonia, Big Brother. You wanted them to partake in, what did you call it, a trial of some sort?", Princess Alfin questioned, trying to recall the time we spent in the crowd watching the martial arts tournament back during Grandmother's birthday celebration.
"That's the simple way of putting it. I can tell you more about it during this next week. We have some time to burn right?", I said, reaching my hand out to ruffle Princess Alfin's hair. Doing that earned a giggle from her.
"Hehe, we sure do. That talk sounded very serious when you spoke with Papa. Do we really need to evacuate all of Heimdallr to do this trial of yours?", Princess Alfin uttered softly as she let me ruffle her golden hair. I nodded seriously.
"Yeah. You remember seeing that trapped knight beneath the palace right? I plan to set him free. I won't go into the nitty-gritty, but he and I, we share a certain connection.", I said, trying to keep it simple in explaining what was to come to Princess Alfin.
"That almost sounds like a prince going to rescue a captured princess!", Princess Alfin happily chirped, clapping her hands together.
"Alfin, you...", Prince Cedric tried to say, only to shake his head seeing his sister behave like this. I couldn't help but chuckle a bit hearing Princess Alfin say that. In a way it was the truth, but the roles were reversed. I was a prince going to rescue a captured knight. Testa-Rossa wasn't like the other Divine Knights. Due to its contamination of the dark dragon's cursed blood, Testa-Rossa was sealed away. With Rean's actions, they were able to purify Testa-Rossa inside the Infernal Castle, allowing Prince Cedric to pilot the Divine Knight.
But this time around, I'm not going to let Prince Cedric do that. After all, I plan to pilot Testa-Rossa if I can successfully free him. Seeing Prince Cedric's defeated look in his eyes, I chuckled.
"Disregarding my sister, what is this about going beneath Valflame Palace? I didn't know there was anything underneath it. Unless you..are referring to that...?", Prince Cedric uttered to himself. Kurt's eyes wandered his way seeing Prince Cedric become lost in thought.
"Your Highness?", Kurt tried to call out to Prince Cedric. I was quick to interrupt him.
"Anything more on this topic may incite something to head our way, so why don't we continue this in Alfin's car?", I decided to ask, drawing everyone's attention again. Before us, Princess Alfin's white orbal car soon pulled up to the main sidewalk as we continued to walk back into Leica District. Several onlookers observed Princess Alfin's car with a surprised look and it took them a good moment to realize who it was that was with us.
I saw an icy blue-haired woman wearing her RMP uniform step outside the driver's seat, quickly rushing our way with a couple of officers with her.
"Welcome back, Your Highness. I take it your time spent at the Vander Dojo served its use?", Claire said, welcoming us. Her eyes landed my way, and raised her eyebrows seeing Sherryl on my back.
"Sure did. Hopefully you don't mind us bringing Sherryl back to the palace. Speaking of which, Aurelia, what do you plan to do? Do you want to come with us?", I asked Aurelia.
"I currently don't have an immediate place to be. Would that be alright if I accompany you all?", Aurelia asked. She looked at the two siblings.
"More the merrier as they always say!", Princess Alfin happily responded.
"I don't mind it, but I will want to hear the details of this, Your Highness.", Prince Cedric said with a serious look in his eyes as he looked my way.
"Of course. And what about you, Master?", I looked at Roselia, who remained quiet during this. Princess Alfin blinked her eyes hearing me address Roselia as Master.
"Master?", Princess Alfin asked with interest.
"Umu. I have taught the boy and dabbled in some things here and there. Wherever he goes, I go. Surely you won't leave me to rot on the streets will you, Naoto?", Roselia said with a playful smile.
"Haha, I don't think I would have it in me if I did do that, Master. You've already done so much. There's plenty of rooms to let Master stay in the palace, right Alfin?", I asked her.
"There sure is. I'd love to hear more stories about what you've done for Big Brother!", Princess Alfin said while nodding her head.
"If it is alright with you all, I plan to stay here for the time being, Your Highnesses. After all, mother did give me the task of remaining at the dojo to further strengthen my foundations. If you do need me, I'll be here.", Kurt called out to us. Guess he'll be staying at the Vander Dojo. Prince Cedric glanced his way but kept silent, and we all nodded our heads. Kurt bid us farewell with a salute before retreating the other way. For us, Claire opened the passenger door, and we all proceeded to step inside the car. Sherryl was still snoozing away, so I took a moment to gently place her onto the soft and padded leather seat next to me.
With us situated inside the orbal car, Claire went back to the drivers seat and it didn't take long at all for us to get on the road once again. And that was where the beauty of orbal technology came from. Nothing is gas powered, and that meant no loud engines. Just a soft hum of the orbal gears grinding away as we sped off, back into the city and our destination, Valflame Palace.
*****
As nothing much happened this chapter,
[Insert your favorite picture of Claire here!]