As the descendant of a Sword Saint, I was naturally gifted with great vitality and strength. A natural trait of my clan. The characteristic of the Saint Jean D' Arc. Hence, when it comes to battle of raw strength and even with the use of abilities, I stood atop the totem pole. As long as I held a sword, no one alive could best in in battle.
However, on that one fateful day, I've received a wound—a reminder that there was an entity even more powerful than I. A wound that served as a mark of very my first defeat.
"Now then, what should we do?"
The situation here seems to be bleaker than the last time this exact thing happened. The last time this outburst transpired, this boy left a scar on me, Alfreeja, in the face.
"Gleren…" I called solemly.
'Her' urge to get out seemed to be more forceful this time. The miasma has gone denser and I can't even get close nor see him already. He was completely swallowed by it. The intruders are already on their way escaping, but I don't have time to deal with them right now.
I was ordered for rescue not for pursuit after all. And one more thing, the most important thing; I doubt anyone here in this academy would be able to stop Gleren in his current state. If he started going berserk, everything here will surely fall into ruins.
I could vouch for that. As the very first person to experience it.
"Saffir, how did it go?" The assuming leader of the group spoke.
Another one of the intruders' people stepped out. He came out from the sacristy of the church, wearing the same white robe as this one they called Krueger.
"Yes, sir Saint. I maximized the output of my clones and currently they are battling the students of this academy. I doubt they would be able to meddle with our scape. I heard the situation from Krueger… but seeing this in person, all I can say is we've got the worse luck. For this mad woman to be here."
He looked at my direction. Then he winced in the moment he saw my face. He's treating me like I'm some curse, doesn't he? Like some monster.
But well, I could care less about his opinion. If they are to escape, then so be it. That just prove how much they worth. I have no interest to those who runs away from me. Gleren never did that when I was training him. Not once. He was even brave enough to ogle at my butt whilst in the midst of death while screaming "Oh, viva el tresero de mi amo!"—before fainting at the smack of my sword.
Oh, good old days—oof, I trailed of.
"Krueger, activate the gate. Let the mid-class pillars be included with our transfer. Will it be doable?"
"Yes, sir. I will do so right away!"
"N-no! Please return lady Maria! Lady Maria!"
This girl… She was unable to move since earlier and was frozen in place, but once she heard that they would be leaving she flinched and now she's calling for a girl's name. Is the trigger for her actions that girl with the silver hair devoid of emotions? She called her Lady Maria so she must be.
Even so, I can't get a read that girls thought. Looking at her was as if I am beholding a still water of a lake… there's nothing but quietude.
"Please!" She turned to me, sobbing. "You are strong, right?! Please save lady Maria! Please, I beg of you!"
For her mature look, it was inappropriate to see her cry this much. She's ruining her beauty with her tears. A sight that Gleren would hate, I'm sure.
When I said nothing in response, she started to wail, muttering to herself.
"Gleren… It was my fault. If I only waited quietly just like you told me… you wouldn't have been hurt like this. I'm sorry… I'm sorry. I'm really very sorry…"
So, she knows Gleren, eh? Seeing how much she's crying, Gleren must have done something to protect her. If not, I can't imagine Gleren getting caught in such situation for any other reason. No matter how strong the enemies are.
Honestly, I could take care of these guys. But taking my eyes off Gleren right now would be really unwise. The dark energy emitting from him are getting stronger and stronger by time. 'That woman' must have been really forcing herself out—and the way I see it, Gleren must have been suppressing her urge to do so. The reason why the miasma was getting stronger and no more.
The first time this outburst happened, I remembered, was so sudden that even I was not able to handle unscathed.
This time appeared to be a lot easier, though, if he failed to suppress her, I see nothing but disaster.
Sorry lady, but all I can do right now is to observe.
"Now Krueger, do it."
"Understood! Activate! {Dimension Ruler: Teleport Gate!}" Variety of lights suddenly rose from the magic circle drawn on the floor as soon as the one called Krueger uttered those words.
The lights gradually shone brighter and the magic circle begun to whirl countering each layer with a screeching sound and sparkles flew all over. And then, when what feels like five seconds had passed, a pillar of white light arose from the circle and engulfing each of them individually then suddenly, they vanished out of sight.
Just like that and they were gone.
"So that was the teleportation, eh? What a troublesome ability." I muttered.
To think that they've got their hands on a person who controls space; Sacred Omen turned out to be more wearisome of an opponent than how they were accredited for.
The woman beside me fell on her rear, slumping on the cold floor. She must have felt so powerless watching the person who cares about being taken without her being able to do anything. I felt guilty, but…
"Lady… Maria…"
Tsk. I should have at least tried to save that girl. But… can I really afford looking away from this dark smoke that was immersing Gleren? It screamed more peril than any of us could ever imagine.
What should I do? What should I say to make her feel better?
"Hey, woman," I called.
Now that I think about it… I don't know her name. I sounded extremely arrogant, didn't I? Still, she slowly turned her gaze to me. Her eyes were hollow and dark, as if hopes were taken away from her.
"Did that stupid disciple of mine, er, Gleren promised you something?"
She wiped the tears that was flowing from her eyes while nodding—she looked baffled with my sudden question. But that confirms it then.
"If that's so, then there's no need for you to worry. When this boy promised something, he would see to it that it was fulfilled." I reassured. Though, I don't really think It worked.
"But… Gleren. He was already—"
"Do you really think that he would be a goner with just something like this?"
"But I saw it… his heart…"
"Heh. Believe me, he had gone through worse. All you need to do is believe in him. And see, I still haven't given him my virginity—as if I would let him die that easy!"
Her eyes went wide. I don't know what part of my sentence made her to do so. But, yeah, uhm… I did say something rather really embarrassing did I not…?
"N-now, then!" I stuttered, "It's a high time for you to wake up, my prince charming!"
I took upon my sword as I announced. Let's get you back from that witch, my cute disciple!
***
Earlier that time—
Miss Claudia had gone somewhere, or so I was told, and the commotion became even more raucous.
What the heck took turn?
The explosions became even more prominent and I can see the enemy's numbers becoming even more larger. I, Yamada Reina, still need to find the one who was casting this clone ability.
"That shaking earlier… seems like the reinforcements have arrive."
For a moment, my magic returned to me—only for a second though, it was rendered invalid again as soon as the quaking calmed down.
The building I'm currently in was the Academic Building. There were four floors in this structure; the first floor for first-years. Second floor for the second-years. And third for the third-year students. The fourth floor is where the special Academe takes place. The class for SR ranked students and above and also for those who were academically recommended.
The infirmary was also here as well as the Students council's office.
I headed to the third floor to see the situation for myself. However, as soon as I got there, they were already at the clean-up. And among the crowd, I saw someone very familiar.
"Miss Hennie?!"
So, she was the reinforcement? No wonder everything here was already done. To send the core member of the first division—that old man, Jin must have heard how serious the situation here.
"Ohh! Reina! It has been long. How are you?" She smiled leisurely.
Such casual greeting from someone who was impaling something with her twin blades… oh, well,
"I'm doing well. Thank you for the reinforcement. Are you perhaps sent here alone?"
"Oh, no I did not." She shook her head.
"I came here with Reziel and Vice-chief Mira."
"The Azure Trident and the Sun Staff?!" I squawked. They sent all their first-class!
"How reassuring… it seems that we don't even have to lift any fingers in this case."
The first divisions top dogs as well as their vice-chief? If that's the case, then we're already as good as had turned the table.
"The situation was rather hectic, see? Not one of us can even use our ability. Once we entered the barrier, our mana had been deprived and only our physical strength was left none-dwindled."
"No… even without your ability—with you three around, I can now rest assured. It pains me, but only few of us can fight back without any ability. So… Ah, by the way, how did you enter? I was pretty sure that the entrance was sealed, too."
"Yep. Chief Alfreeja blasted the barrier from the outside, and from there we entered the campus."
"I see, so that's how it is." HUH?! "E-even the chief of the First Division came here? She's the chief, you know! The strongest even without the blessings of her ability. The reincarnation of the Sword Saint! Is it really alright for her to roam freely?"
"Yep. In the first place, the chief basically just does what she wants. Ah, she wanted to see her disciple apparently."
"I-I see…" So that's how it is. Still obsessive master she is, I see. "I was also looking for that stupid Gleren. But I can't get the gist of his whereabouts." I said.
Anyway, this is rather fortunate. Now we can focus on our main task; to make sure that no one was badly injured. And to see that none had suffered any casualty.
Also, it's so quiet here. What happened?
"What exactly happened her, miss Hennie?" I quired.
"Oh… we were fighting these robed guys, see? Then suddenly, golden light engulfed some of them and suddenly, all of them disappeared—like vanishing in the thin air. We fought the ones that were left, but all of them turned to smoke once hit. The enemies seemed to have escaped already."
I see… that's good then. Looking at the current situation, there seems to be students injured, but as I hoped for, I cannot see any casualty. Thank God, really. I can now breath in relief.
"The first and second floors seems to be already cleaned, as well. Many had minor injuries, but that's all. No need to worry much." She said with a charming smile. I nodded to her.
"Uhm, so… where did chief Alfreeja went off?"
"There."
She moved to the window and pointed somewhere. The direction she was pointing was the church and—huh?!
"That black oozing smokes…!" Father told me once about it… there's no mistaking it! My feet started moving on their own, starting from a light jog before breaking into a run.
This can't be! This can't be happening!
"Huh? Where are you going, Reina?!"
Miss Hanna called behind me as I dashed hurriedly; I paused, taking glimpse as I look back.
"I'll go there, as well." I told her. "Please proceed to the Student Council Office—Senior Edelweiss will be there to assist! I need to take care of things. No, I have to! I'm really sorry about this, miss Hennie!"
She looked at me puzzled, but seeing how impatient I had become, she just nodded and smiled.
"Go then. I shall stay behind and settle things here with Dell."
I nodded before continuing to break the wind—the fastest I could.
"Gleren, you idiot! What the hell happened to you!?"
My heart tightened with unease as I uttered the word. I hope all this unease would only be my own presumptions.
Please… be only a presumption!