Chapter 6, part 6
444 2 9
X
Reading Options
Font Size
A- 15px A+
Width
Reset
X
Table of Contents
Loading... please wait.

A day after the incident, everything returned to normal and peaceful state. That is, save for one minor detail which everyone noticed.

“The school feels a bit more spacious now, don’t you think?”

“Few students who are aligned with House of Rijn resigned, after all.”

“Huh, so they bailed after thinking they couldn’t do as they please anymore…”

Lunch break with Celina, Chelsea and Alba as always. Sigulf brought up the topic as they enjoyed their food.

“Soo, how many of them called it quit?” Alba asked.

“Unfortunately, not that I know of.” Celina answered. “I’m only aware that the Principal is considering sending special invitations.”

“…wait, seriously? Is it that much? Wait, are we going under quota for students? Are we going to close or—“

“N, no, no, no, it’s nothing that severe.” Alba dismissed. “If anything, I’m sure there will be more candidates than the invitation itself.”

“Wait, why are you worried about that?” Sigulf pointed out. “Finally decided to join the Council?”

“Wha— No, not that. Am I not allowed to care?”

“Then, isn’t it more the reason to join?” Chelsea added. “I mean, if you are concerned about practice schedule, Sigulf could keep his just fine.”

“Join us. It’ll be fun.” He raised a thumb up.

“U… I’ll think about it…”

“Well, putting that aside…” Sigulf continued. “What’s next for us? Making sure the autumn tournament goes smoothly?”

“That, and preparing for the second, and actual visit, from the Pacifics.” Celina nodded.

“Ah, right, the Pacifics… Can we pay them a not-so-friendly visit before that?”

“Not-so-friendly visit…” the blonde giggled. “As much as I wanted to, I don’t think the Principal will just give her permission.”

“That’s too bad… It’s not about the budget, isn’t it?”

“Not at all.” Chelsea shook her head. “It’s all principle, being currently the number 1 dueling school. You know, think of us as the reigning champion or something.”

“I get that, but is there really no other way?”

“Without her permission, there wouldn’t be special dispensation, would it?” she sighed. “And without official letters, how would we inform them beforehand? Sneaking in? Then that means we can’t even use their guesthouse—“

“A, alright, alright, I understand…”

“Cel, you should say something too… I mean, I do understand how it feels to fight more—“

“Sneaking in… …hm? Oh, my apologies, did you say something?”

“…I can’t believe you! Were you just considering it!?”

Alba, and even Sigulf, couldn’t help but to snicker.

“But seriously…” he said again. “Absolutely no way? Not even for information? We haven’t even heard from them since last time.”

“…alright, admittedly I’m curious too. I heard some rumors that they employed an ex-pro duelist as their new, special coach.”

“What, so there is something after all… Any details on that?”

“Sadly, no… But at least now we know their action after the inter-school match.”

“I still want to know more, but…” Sigulf scratched his head. “So we just study and train like usual?”

“Yes, like we always do. One of this school’s well-known anecdotal saying was ‘Do your best. By then, no matter what your opposition do, it would not matter in the end’.” Celina said.

“That’s… Ridiculously simple…” Alba responded. “But not exactly wrong…!”

“It kind of is.” Celina chuckled. “Don’t overthink, just practice and fight as hard as you can. By doing so, you won’t be underestimating your opponent at the same time.”

“Huh, right… If we do, we won’t be even practicing in the first place.”

“So, the usual menu at weekends, huh…” Sigulf noted. “I don’t really mind, but I still hope I get to fight them at their home ground.”

“…Sigulf, you just wanted to travel, don’t you?” Chelsea narrowed her eyes.

“Err, yeah. Something wrong with that?”

“…the least I can suggest is to wait until just before summer holiday.” She sighed.

“Ah, and it’s still months away…” Celina muttered. “Too long… Even though I too want to go on a journey…”

“Cel, please… You are the President. Have a bit of self control. We still have the upcoming tag tournament, remember?”

“But of course. There’s no way I’m forgetting that.”

“That’s good to hear. And don’t even think of sneaking out.”

“Ah, you know me too well.” she smiled.

“Ceeel…”

Their lighthearted back-and-forth earned Sigulf and Alba’s laughter.

———

After class, the Council duo went to give the Principal some report, accompanied by the shadow Council team.

“I see…” Victoria said after scanning the papers. “Thank you and keep up the hard work. Looks like we can look up for this autumn.”

“Certainly, Ma’am.” Celina responded.

Sigulf silently noted that Victoria was acting normal. As in, not in her usual teasing manner.

‘…man, I do have that kind of image on her. Even though she has valid reasons to be this serious…’

“…Sigulf? If it’s something I’m allowed to disclose, then I would be happy to answer.”

The rest of the students turned at him, slightly surprised.

‘…it’s written all over my face, huh?’

“Yeah, it’s about yesterday. And maybe its aftermath.”

“I see…”

Victoria paused, seemingly thinking to pick her choice of words.

“First thing I could tell was that ultimately, the students don’t have to worry. Beyond that, however… Obviously there are disagreements.”

“Eh? About the nobles?”

“Oh, no, less about them, actually. The ones who stay do agree that they have strayed too much and need to be ejected. Although few do think that we were being a bit too harsh. And there’s the one about the resigning students… But I presume you have already heard it from Celina and Chelsea.”

“Ah, yes. They did tell me.”

“That’s good. Back to your question, it boils down to our current stance against the Pacific.”

“Ah, we talked about it too during break.”

“Fufu, is that so? Well, to keep it simple, half of us agreed that being attacked was the very proof that we are currently on top. Defending is harder than winning, some said.”

“I see… So that means—“

“The other half, meanwhile, thought it’s because we are being defensive that Pepijn and his men saw it as a sign of weakness and attacked us.”

“So they took it as them disrespected us. Hmm…”

“In any case, I’m sure you are well-aware on my stance and I definitely will not budge. If we stay at the top of the game, then there is no need to play theirs. But out of curiosity, which course of action will all of you take?”

“Eh, us?” Eurypha asked in surprised. “Hmm, I wonder…”

The students began discussing at her pop question.

“I think the Principal is right.” Minato said. “We should focus on our own strengths and schedule, first and foremost.”

“Oh, you are surprisingly sensible, Mina— Amakawa.” The Greek girl agreed. “Yes, we shouldn’t get provoked and proceed as usual.”

“What do you mean ‘surprisingly’!?”

“…seriously?” Ilma retorted in disbelief. “That’s chickensh— cowardly. Eye for an eye. They mess with us, we pay them back.”

“You’re exaggerating… Did you forget how well it ended, all things considered? Not to mention we won.”

“I won’t say cowardly, but at the same time, I’m afraid I have to disagree with Minato this time.” Carmen joined.

“Eh?”

“It’s not just about winning, dear Eury. It’s about the action and pride. Surely we too must show them much more clearly on our capabilities?”

“Do not call me that! And listen—“

The four continued to argue which amused Victoria.

“They are so into it…” Chelsea commented. “Was it like that with the board, Ma’am?”

“Something like that.” She chuckled. “So, what’s your opinion on this?”

“I was against it, but it’s more from the legal side of things. If you have no intention of sending us, then so be it. I won’t risk showing up unannounced and got into trouble later.”

“Ah, very good. A consensus among you three, I believe?”

The lack of immediate response from Chelsea surprised Victoria.

“…these two beg to differ.”

“Really?”

Sigulf and Celina exchanged looks while giggling.

“Yes, we just wanted to fight more people.” Sigulf admitted.

“We know there are more to be learned by crossing blades with them.” Celina added.

“Goodness, since when you two become so similar to each other?” Victoria sighed with a tired smile. “Will you really be alright?”

“Worry not, Ma’am. Our duty comes first.”

“Yes, certainly.” Chelsea joined. “I’ll give her the utmost assistance, just in case.”

“Then I expect good things from you.” Victoria chuckled.

“…you know, I expected Hrimgard to have simple reasoning, but never thought the President would be too.” Eurypha commented.

“Battle-crazies, these two…” Chelsea replied.

“Why, thank you!”

“Cel, that’s not supposed to be a compliment…”

———

With their report done, the students got dismissed and decided to grab some crepes before going home.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Chelsea said, while enjoying her own crepe.

“It is.” Eurypha replied. “Both our groups were surprisingly busy with duties.”

“Oh, that’s right!” Minato remembered something. “Now that the nobles are out of the way, what are we going to do next? Are we back to normal patrolling?”

“Well, something like that…” Laine answered. “We’ll never know whether someone out there would need our help with something.”

“I see…”

“Oh, looking around for task? That’s just like some video games.”

“…”

“…what?”

“Why are you here?”

Sigulf directed it towards Alba, who joined them despite not being a Council member.

“Hey, hey, sugar is good for refilling your energy.”

“And like I said, the more the merrier.” Chelsea joined. “Though, it would be better if you become a member!”

“Err…”

“Miss VP is right.” Carmen added. “Why don’t you? I’m sure you will be a great addition.”

“Well… I did consider, but… I guess I just don’t feel like it.”

“Let it be, Rosales.” Eurypha said. “She has her own ways. Plus, she’s not a troublemaker, so we don’t have to worry about her.”

“Thanks for offering, but sorry.”

“That’s too bad, but it can’t be helped…” Carmen conceded.

“Aww, why must you be like that?” Chelsea complained, and not-so-gently shook Alba’s shoulders.

“…will you stop? I’m eating here.”

“You know, I gave it some thought, but…” Minato spoke again. “About helping others…”

“Hmm?”

“It’s the right thing to do, but why don’t we try to help each other as well?”

“Eh? What are you going at?” Eurypha asked.

“Uhh, are you going to ask our problems and try to solve it?” Sigulf guessed.

“Right, that’s exactly it!”

‘…this guy is so optimistic.’ He thought.

“Hmm… It’s normal if some people refuse to open up,” Celina said. “But since now we are fellow Council members, I think it’s fine, even if just a little bit.”

“You have a point, President…” Eurypha said, crossing her arms. “And it might help too with our growth as a Duelist.”

“Right? So why don’t we start?”

“Wait, already?”

“Yes. So, umm… Do you three mind sharing with me your troubles?”

There was an awkward pause, followed by the three girls gazing exasperatedly at Minato.

“””You know, there’s this insensitive boy—“””

“What’s that supposed to mean!? And what’s with that look!?”

Chelsea can only laugh at the sight, while Celina was mildly confused.

“Now that’s quite the problem.” Chelsea commented.

“Maybe we should try it too.” Celina concluded. “Sigulf, is there anything that bothered you recently?”

“Eh? Me? I wonder…” Sigulf scratched his head. “If it’s real problems, then I couldn’t think of any. Just the usual ‘I want to get stronger!’ and such.”

“Ufufu, is that so? That’s good to hear.”

“I guess…? But rather than that, how about you?”

“Oh, me?”

Sigulf nodded enthusiastically.

“Fortunately, nothing for the time being. But still, thank you for your concern.”

“I see… Well, I guess that’s kind of expected.”

“This is harder than I thought…” Laine muttered.

“I can only think about buying replacement guitar strings.” Lindorm added.

“…so that’s your problem. Oh well, wanna grab it later?”

“So, so, what about you, Alba?” Chelsea commented. “Something bugging you?”

“Yup.” She answered quickly. “It’s the three-way stalemate between me, Siggy, and Amakawa. How come we’re actually evenly matched for so long!?”

“…that’s a surprisingly real problem.” Ilma reacted.

“Train harder! …or so I wanted to say, but yeah, there’s had to be something more.” Chelsea responded.

“Oh, speaking about training…” Minato said. “Aren’t you four always practiced together on weekends?”

“…ah, right, yeah.” Sigulf realized that the fact has become an open-secret since a while ago. “What about it?”

“Why don’t we train together some time?”

“”Next Saturday?””

Sigulf and Celina asked at the same time, making them look at each other and became embarrassed from it.

“…ah, they even got the timing.” Eurypha commented.

“Ah, no. I was thinking something like a training camp.” He explained. “Though, they are usually held on summer, so…”

“I see, a Council training camp… Chelsea, what do you think?” Celina asked.

“That sounds like a g— Ah, wait, but Alba—“ she glanced at the ponytailed girl.

“Don’t worry, Senpai. Then we’ll make it not limited for Council members only. I was planning to invite Hunter-san, Penndreic-kun, Kanzaki-kun, Armst—“

“Wait a sec.” Ilma interrupted. “Why them too? I can stand Hunter and Penndreic, but—“

“…Hiltunen-san, they are friends. They even fought together against the Paladins.”

“Tch, fine, whatever…”

‘…isn’t it a bit too fast to concede?’ Sigulf mentally retorted.

“Huh, you sure I could come?” Alba asked.

“Sure! Like Kensington-senpai often said, the more the merrier!”

“Oh, you! Do I often say that?”

“Actually, you kind of.” Celina giggled. “Well, it might be too soon, but I think we can consider it for our additional schedule, right, Chelsea?”

“Of course! It’s one of the better options taken as a group, after all.”

“Insensitive as always, but… I must admit that I don’t hate your idea.” Eurypha said.

“A practice session with an even bigger group, huh…” Sigulf noted. “I wonder how that would feel…”

“You too? Fufu, actually it would be the first time for me as well.” Celina responded. “I think I got a bit excited for it now.”

“Haha, well, I guess that goes for me too.”

”Oh, oh! Then that means we’ll have barbecue too, right!?” Alba raised her hand.

“Why are you— Well, it’s a standard for camps…”

“Don’t be such a killjoy, Siggy! We’ll have fireworks too! And water gun fight!”

“…is it even related to dueling anymore?”

“Err, fireworks are a given, but I’m not so sure on water guns…” Minato added.

“Whaaaaaat?”

9