Amphere Harrison
In the midst of savoring my hot chocolate, a sudden wave of disenchantment overcame me. The tranquility of this early Sunday morning was abruptly shattered by the presence of a single piece of paper. As I glanced at it, my entire mood plummeted, for within the folds of the newspaper lay a headline that defied all reason. It was an unimaginable event, so absurd that my mind recoiled in disbelief.
"Dragon Knight Alder Windstrafe killed by the Black Phantom."
According to the news report, the dragon knight identified as Alder Windstrafe was ruthlessly assassinated by the notorious Black Phantom. This shocking revelation seems implausible, given the circumstances.
A startling revelation emerges as it becomes evident that Alder himself is, in fact, the enigmatic Black Phantom. The striking resemblance between Alder and the masked figure's swordsmanship is uncanny, further reinforced by their shared connection to the dragonoid named Emy. The puzzling turn of events leaves us perplexed, questioning the true nature of Alder's motives. Could this be an elaborate ruse, a carefully crafted gimmick employed by Alder to conceal his true identity from those around him? It seems plausible that, now exposed as the Black Phantom, Alder has no choice but to feign his demise and escape, seeking refuge from those who seek him. This possibility adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.
"Sooooo, have you read it? Totally!?" Airi exclaimed, her anticipation evident. With a flourish, she shut the dresser, unveiling her carefully chosen ensemble.
She adorned herself in a charmingly oversized sweatshirt, adorned with delicate pink and white stripes, perfectly complementing her figure. The blue jean shorts she wore revealed her impeccably smooth, milky-white legs, adding a touch of allure to her ensemble. Notably, her vibrant red hair was elegantly styled in a captivating ponytail. Witnessing this alteration in her hairstyle was a rarity, intensifying my fascination with her current appearance.
"Y-Yeah... something fishy is going on," I muttered, my suspicions growing. However, a sudden jolt of electricity surged through my mind, causing me to squint inquisitively. "Hey, where did you acquire that sweatshirt?" I questioned, my gaze fixed upon Airi's attire.
"Um... Er... They say that what's yours is mine too... so I may have used a bit of your credits... t-totally," she admitted, scratching her head with a hint of guilt. Avoiding eye contact, she nonchalantly began to whistle, as if downplaying the significance of her actions.
Within the confines of the Dragon Knight Academy, a small market entices with an array of merchandise. However, I harbor a disdain for making purchases there, as the prices are exorbitantly inflated. The frustrating aspect is that this specific market exclusively accepts payments through the Academy Card, a privilege reserved solely for dragon knights. Unfortunately, dragonoids are devoid of this coveted card and are thus unable to make any transactions within the market. And to compound my frustration, this foolish individual had the audacity to recklessly expend some of my credits...
"…I'll let you off this time because you're c-c-cute in that outfit." I looked away, trying to hide my facial expression. Darn, I'm stuttering!
"…T-Totally!?" Her face flushed with embarrassment, yet she retained an immense reservoir of energy. Despite that, she mustered the most adorable smile imaginable, radiating warmth and gratitude. "Thanks, Amphy!!!~" she exclaimed, expressing her appreciation with genuine affection.
Her attire, as it turns out, was carefully chosen for her upcoming attendance at a concert in Twilight City. The event in question featured none other than the popular boy band Cherizart, comprised of charming red-eyed dragonoids. Despite their relatively diminutive stature, they possessed an undeniable allure that captivated a substantial following of both dragonoids and humans alike. I even heard that the famous dragonoid idol Serena Maizono will be singing with the boyband. Notably, Duchess Corasell, the band's benefactor, was expected to grace the concert with her presence, further adding to the grandeur of the occasion. In addition to inviting Kyrie, Eva, and even our student council president Reina, Airi demonstrated her knack for fostering camaraderie among girls, transcending racial boundaries.
On a personal note, I found myself confronted with a seemingly insignificant matter that required my attention and resolution.
After a thirty-minute train ride, I arrived at my destination—the Coastal Hangar. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the sight of an aging runway and three fighter jets docked for repair. A team of skilled mechanics diligently worked on the aircraft, utilizing cutting-edge laser technology to ensure their restoration. Despite the hangar's weathered appearance, its repair capabilities boasted a remarkable fusion of traditional craftsmanship and advanced machinery.
Upon entering the office, the person I had been seeking stood before me, commanding attention. Clad in a short brown hair, she sported a fedora atop her head, adding a touch of vintage charm to her appearance. Unfazed by the oversized leather jacket and long boots she wore, she exuded an air of confidence and nonchalance. If I were to encapsulate her essence in a single phrase, it would undoubtedly be that of an old-fashioned detective, reminiscent of a bygone era.
"Hiya Amphere!" she greeted me with a warm smile. It was none other than Croft Mariannos, my trusted personal mechanic. "Where's my lovely Airelina!? Wait, you didn't bring her!?" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm tinged with a hint of disappointment.
Indeed, Croft Mariannos possessed a unique combination of skills as both a mechanic and a detective. Although I was not privy to the intricacies of her pursuits, she had successfully pursued and merged two of her dreams into a single profession. Whenever Airi encountered issues with her wings, tail, or any aspect related to her dragon form, I would entrust her to Croft for thorough checkups and repairs. Mechanics like Croft exhibited remarkable proficiency in handling and fixing various components of Futuretech Dragons, as long as they remained in their dragon form.
While my visits to this place typically revolved around seeking the assistance of a mechanic, today I had a different objective in mind—I was in search of a detective.
"Do you have the item I requested?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"Oh, here you go." She reached into her pocket and handed me a tablet displaying a series of unfamiliar words and abbreviations that left me puzzled. It appeared to be a collection of articles or information retrieved from the internet. "Investigating something that has been intentionally erased is a daunting task," she explained, her tone hinting at the challenges she had faced. "These encrypted data fragments are all that remain of the records pertaining to the Crimson Dragonfly."
"How about investigating a man named Zac?" I followed up.
"You need to provide more specific information. It's as if there are ten thousand men named Zac!" he scolded me, his reprimand reminiscent of how my mother used to chastise me.
Is this all? Has every piece of data been corrupted or erased? Is there truly no way to unearth any traces of the truth behind the Crimson Dragonfly? I can't shake the feeling that the Crimson Dragonfly, or perhaps Airi herself, is somehow connected to the power boost I experienced during the elimination round. What exactly is it? I have an insatiable need to delve deeper and uncover more information!
"If you wanted to know something more, you should visit the site where this so called Crimson Dragonfly appeared a couple of years ago."
We embarked on our journey towards Vanilla City, riding in Croft's jeep, driven by a shared determination to find the answers we sought.
Upon reaching our destination, my astonishment knew no bounds. While I had witnessed this place countless times on the news, I never truly comprehended the extent of its deterioration. Vanilla City, or what it once was five years ago, had undergone a drastic transformation that defied all expectations.
As we approached, the sight that greeted us was nothing short of devastating. Stretching before us was an enormous crater, spanning approximately ten kilometers in diameter. Atop this colossal cavity lay a chaotic assemblage of rubble—jagged fragments of immense junk, shards of wood, and remnants of plastic strewn haphazardly. The structures that once stood proudly in Vanilla City now lay in ruins, reduced to mere dust particles. The desolation was so profound that any observer would easily mistake this place for the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe. Not a trace of life could be found in what was once home to fifty thousand individuals. It had become a haunting ghost town, frozen in an eerie stillness.
Navigating the treacherous terrain, we resorted to sliding along the ledge, inching closer to the remnants of what was once known as the "Friendly City." With caution in our steps, we scanned the surroundings, keenly aware of the eerie silence that enveloped the area. Croft, equipped with a metal detector device, led the way, its peculiar beeping sounds punctuating the air, indicating the presence of something yet to be discovered.
As the silence weighed heavily upon us, Croft finally spoke, breaking the stillness with her revelation. "Through my background check on Airelina, I found that Vanilla City is her place of birth," she disclosed, her words resonating in the desolate surroundings. It was a significant piece of information, shedding light on Airelina's origins amidst the ruins that surrounded us.
The revelation about Vanilla City being Airi's birthplace stirred a mixture of curiosity and concern within me. Airi had always evaded discussions about her past, swiftly diverting the conversation whenever it veered in that direction. It was evident that she carried a hidden burden, a dark secret that she deemed best left undisclosed. As conflicted as I felt about it, I knew that uncovering the truth was necessary.
The unsettling realization left me grappling with a sense of uncertainty. Doubts crept in, casting a shadow of doubt on those around me. Trust became a fragile commodity, and I found myself grappling with the question of whom I could truly rely on in this enigmatic journey.
With a hint of intrigue, I entertained a rather audacious theory. Perhaps one of the Arcadia was responsible for Alder's demise, driven by the fact that Airi seemed to have prior knowledge of his true identity. The thought crossed my mind that they might have orchestrated an elaborate scheme, fabricating evidence to implicate the enigmatic "Black Phantom" as the culprit. However, it was important to acknowledge that this theory rested solely on conjecture, lacking any concrete evidence to substantiate it. Nevertheless, it served as a reminder that in the realm of mysteries, even the most far-fetched theories could sometimes contain a grain of truth.
After hours of meticulous searching amidst the wreckage, we found ourselves empty-handed in terms of any significant discoveries. Our efforts had led us to collect nothing more than scattered junk parts that would serve as additions to Croft's hangar. The enigma of Vanilla City remained unresolved, leaving us perplexed and questioning the events that had unfolded there.
The haunting question echoed in our minds: What had truly transpired in Vanilla City? The extent of the devastation, the absence of life, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Airi's connection to the city all intertwined, creating an impenetrable web of unanswered queries. As we departed from the desolate ruins, the city's secrets remained locked away, waiting to be unraveled by those courageous enough to seek the truth.