Located in Asterisk's central district, and conjoining the business and administrative districts was the large building known widely as "Hotel Elnath".[1]
Although this building was constantly visited by VIPs and celebrities of every nationality, it was best known for something else, namely the spacious dome-shaped hanging gardens which occupied its top floor. The number of people privileged enough to make the pilgrimage here, with its paved, criss-crossing waterways and blooming flowers that paid no heed to the season, was infinitesimally small. Only a small cadre of the Integrated Enterprise Foundation's top brass were able to make their accommodations at this hotel, and only with express permission.
This garden locale, shockingly, was reserved for the patronage of an even smaller number of individuals, who made monthly visits. Those allowed past the gates of this sacred site numbered but six in the world at any given time ー the six student council presidents of the six Asterisk schools.
"Good day, everyone. I trust you've all been well?"
Atop a small hill in the center of the garden sat a lone pavilion.
Within the pavilion rested a large, hexagonal desk which mirrored the geography of their city, one of six chairs sitting at each of its sides.
The girl who'd gracefully greeted her compatriots ーClaudiaー wore her usual gentle smile, as she met five pairs of eyes.
"Welcome, Miss Enfield; punctual as always."
The person Claudia had greeted with a smile was a young man seated to her left, who had the appearance of nobility. Whether it was his fine facial features or his exquisitely-groomed blond hair, he was a most handsome youth. His cool and steady demeanor and actions spoke of a maturity beyond his years.
He wore a light smile, which seemed gentle, but in truth, was the same as Claudia's ー a smile which hid all emotion behind an unchanging facade.
The distinctive white uniform which set him apart as a student of St. Garrardsworth Academy fit him precisely, as if tailored specifically for him.
"Now that everyone's arrived, let's begin. Everyone's time is most precious, after all."
As the blond youth spoke, he opened a space window mid-air.
This was the monthly meeting held by the six student council presidents of Asterisk. As the hanging garden locale played host to this meeting, it was more commonly known as the "Rikka Garden Council".
On the surface, the goal of this meeting was to maintain friendly relationships between the six schools, encourage cooperation, and discuss items concerning the Festa. The truth of the matter was that this meeting played center stage for a match of wits and intrigue, as the schools sought to wrestle intel from, and advantage over, their opponents.
By custom, the chair of each session was the student council president of the top ranked school of the last Festa season.
"Oh my..."
Claudia turned her gaze to the empty seat at her right.
Originally, this was the designated seat of the representative of Queen Veil. It was, however, currently unoccupied.[2]
"If I recall correctly, is she not currently in Europe? Apparently she received some sort of request, as was the case previously."
"I see. She is truly worthy of her reputation as a renowned songstress; she seems most busy."
"Heh. If it's that woman, whether she's here or not doesn't make an ounce of difference."
This mocking, irritated voice came from opposite the blond haired youth.
Its owner was a short, slightly plump fellow with pale red hair. His arms were arrogantly folded, and distaste colored his face. This young man, too, was as ever, though at least on this occasion, his scorn wasn't directed at Claudia.
As if his uniform, which marked him as belonging to Le Wolfe, weren't intimidating enough, he radiated a decidedly unsettling aura.
"Please control yourself, representative of the twin swords. This is not the place for you to insult other schools with your words."
A displeased expression appeared on the face of the blond-haired youth as he sternly rebuked his red-haired peer.
"Insult? What insult? This is simply common knowledge. That Queen Veil slut hasn't bothered with a single one of her responsibilities. Since she first took her place as head of the student council there, how many times has she been absent already? Why don't you do your job and supervise her better?"
"Haha... your words are as vulgar as ever. I understand, forgive me this once."
The blond-haired youth sighed heavily.
His answer failed to appease the red-haired young man, who continued unabated.
"Whatever. When it comes to a half-assed representative who was only chosen for their looks, saying anything a waste of effort."
Suddenly, a pure white sword pressed up against his neck.
"Would you kindly cease your utterances?"
The blond-haired youth forced a smooth smile, one hand holding his sword.
Claudia gave an unconscious gasp of admiration.
He'd drawn his Lux, activated it, and targeted his opponent all in one smooth, graceful motion.
And with such speed!
"...Hoho, now this is interesting. If you've got the guts for it, why don't you go ahead and try, Holy Knight-dono? Go ahead and sign your school's death warrant."
Not only had the red-haired youth not so much as raised an eyebrow, he continued to provoke his opponent further.
To be sure, if he instigated a violent incident of his own accord here, at the Rikka Garden Council, not only the blond-haired young man, but the school he belonged to, would not emerge unscathed.
"It's as you say."
Utterly undaunted, the blond-haired youth gave a bright and unworried laugh, and pressed his sword yet farther forward.
The white blade began to glow with a soft light. It would soon pierce through its target.
ーHowever.
"Hmph. A parlor trick."
Completely unaffected, the red-haired young man scoffed.
Looking closely, not a drop of blood tainted the white blade's purity.
"My, such wonderful friends, as always. You guys never do seem to tire of this, do you?"
This new voice came from a young woman seated at the blond-haired youth's left.
That said, perhaps "young girl" was a more appropriate description. Her hair was tied into pigtails with butterfly clips, and her face was alight with the smile of youthful innocence. The calm steadiness with which she acted, though, belied her age.
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Upon her chest was an object which glittered brilliantly, the "Yellow Dragon" of the World Dragon Seventh Institute.
"However, would you mind culling the theatrics, you brats? Otherwise, I'd be more than happy to join in on the fun."
As the young girl spoke gleefully, the blond-haired youth sighed a second time, and withdrew his sword ー St. Garrardsworth's prided Ogre Lux "White Refiner", as his red-haired compatriot licked his lips.
"Fufu, well if the princess herself decides to step in, there's nothing else we can do."
Claudia laughed behind her hand as the blond-haired youth shrugged.
The red-haired youth frowned, vexed, taking his legs off the table and turning to face Claudia.
"That reminds me, I recently heard some pretty interesting rumors, Claudia."
In his eyes could be seen a rabid ferocity.
"Apparently Seidoukan and Allekant have announced a joint Ogre Lux research effort. Just how credible are these rumors?"
"Hmm...?"
"Hoho~"
The blond-haired youth and the young girl turned to Claudia, their curiosity written on their faces.
"Oh my. How should I put this... word sure travels fast."
"In other words, it's true?"
"It's only because you already knew it to be so that you broached the topic, no?"
Claudia narrowed her eyes and covered her mouth.
Of all those seated around the table, this red-haired young man was the most dangerous.
When it came to the blond-haired youth and the young girl who had attained such heights relying solely on their own power, their strength was definitely something to be reckoned with. However, of those present, the one most troublesome to deal with was the red-haired youth.
In all of Le Wolfe's history, he was the first to have ever attained his rank without having participated in the Festa.
His weapons were his knowledge and the cunning with which he employed it. Strength, charisma, popularity, character; there wasn't a single area where he stood out from among the masses but one ー the ability to manipulate others, of which he possessed a degree of talent which seemed a gift from the devil himself.
Every living creature on this Earth possessed a dark sideー what his was like was too terrifying to imagine.
"However, this is strictly between our Seidoukan and Allekant Academies; it is no concern of any other's."
"Not so fast, you vixen. Secret pacts between schools are prohibited by the Stella Carta. Did you really think the other schools would just idly stand by and watch?"
The young man glanced around the table.
"I have to say, this is truly most miraculous. Although I don't know the specifics, and you don't seem inclined to enlighten us, but isn't Allekant's ideology that strength is primary?" the blond-haired youth smiled lightly, and interjected.
When it came to Ogre Lux research, Allekant held the top spot entirely uncontested. Numbers two and three weren't even close.
For other schools to request a cooperative effort was entirely meaningless.
"How should I put this? Allekant's Ogre Lux facilities are the only one in existence among the six schools. Including my own, the other schools must rely on the table scraps fed by our masters, the Integrated Enterprise Foundation."
"That's right, that's why we at Seidoukan are providing skilled individuals to Allekant, thus forming a collaborative undertaking."
These words were shocking. All around the table eyes opened wide.
"Hey, hey. This so-called 'collaborative undertaking' is really one-sided, isn't it?"
"It's not just that; doesn't that completely pave the way for the stealing of relevant technologies?"
"Allekant sure is generous."
Claudia, entirely unruffled, maintained her smile.
"Perhaps it's best that we not listen only to my side of the story. Care to share, Allekant-san?"
All eyes turned to the student seated directly opposite Claudia.
The youth, who had simply sat up straight and hadn't so much as uttered a word prior, cut a sorry figure as he shook his head pitifully.
"I don't know the details either. I just scanned the approval request briefly. That is, when it comes to the specifics..."