บท 13: 『Preparation to Depart』
"Academy?"
"That's right, everyone will start next week."
In the courtyard of the Lizea royal palace, people could be seen struggling—it seems that they were practicing the special technique.
"Auntie Dahlia..!! This is impossible!" Lydia, the princess, groaned.
"It's 'Captain Dahlia' in training, little lady." She reprimanded, smacking her head.
"Awawawa... Yes, Captain Dahlia."
"How about you Minami?" Kaori asked.
"I am... dead." She was knocked down, unable to move a muscle.
Their first time in training was even worse—everyone had cried in agony, but their fear of getting punished by Captain Dahlia was what kept them going.
"Hah... that's enough."
"Yay! I can finally rest." Lydia said jovially.
"Life is... alive"
"Remember, in the academy, the competition is fierce and you'll have to train much more harder than this—understand?" She said sternly.
"Yes..." They all said in unison.
Apparently, the palace had decided to enroll the three in the same class as Janice and Leanna so that they will be able to learn together—and also to improve their bonds.
"Come, we're going to the fifth layer of the Sky Tower—the two are already waiting outside. I'll treat you all to some cake if you manage to beat the boss by today." She said endearingly.
"Really!?"
"We'd have to try our best then."
"...Angel." Minami gave her a thumbs up
"Honestly, you girls..." She sighed.
While Dahlia can be harsh and strict—she was also very kind. It could be said that she was the mother of the five—carefully raising them to become capable, strong cultivators.
<<----------->>
"Is she asleep?"
"Yeah, I apologize for the trouble I caused," Naoki said, closing the door behind him.
"Nope—this incident was totally my fault, I apologize."
Naoki had just exited the room. It seems that Astria had fallen asleep—she had stayed up all night nursing Naoki, after all.
"Naoki, was it? Allow me to properly thank you for everything." Alexandra bowed.
"No need to be so formal, I'm sure it's quite troublesome for you—hearing your little sister suddenly got married, I mean."
*Sigh*
"Absolutely, If it wasn't for the fact that you saved my sister—I would have dealt with you immediately," Alexandra said, expressing her honest thoughts.
In truth, Alexandra had challenged Naoki earlier precisely because of personal prejudice—who could blame her? She had suddenly gotten news from her own sister that she was married—and it was someone she had not known prior. Naturally, she was frustrated.
"But, I can rest at ease—it seems I was wrong about you." She continued.
"Hmm, thank you."
"Though, if she comes back crying—you better run until I can't find you." She said, a vile smirk on her face.
"Ahaha..."
Alexandra was quite protective of her sister—she was her only blood-related family left, after all. While she was informed of Naoki by her sister beforehand—Alexandra continued to discuss various things with him.
<<----------->>
"Here, it's a recommendation letter." She handed it to Naoki.
"This is for?"
"You're both going on a journey to get stronger, aren't you? Then, the Sky Tower should be your first destination."
Apparently, it was a recommendation letter to the Lizea Royal Academy, Anize. She explained that not just anyone can enter the Sky Tower—by enrolling in the academy, they'll get the privilege to enter it freely and at the same time, learn.
"I'm going to school even here huh?" Naoki thought, sighing.
"Originally, I had planned to enroll Caroline once she was healed by the Soul Seeker—which as you can tell, was not the case."
"You mean the one who recently visited the town?"
"That's right."
They were referring to the one that had attempted to understand and heal Astria's soul—which ended in a fruitless endeavor, much to Alexandra's dismay.
"That's why—I really am thankful for what you have done."
"Also... I hope you take good care of my little sister." She continued, offering to shake his hand.
"Yes—if there comes a time, I'd like to fight you again in the future." He returned the gesture.
"Hoho, I'll be looking forward to that then." She chuckled.
Alexandra had given Naoki the insignia of the Scarlet Shades, to prove his affiliation, along with some other things. They were leaving tomorrow—she had told both of them to come to watch the last tournament before they leave.
<<----------->>
"You're leaving, right?"
"...? How..."
"Everyone's talking about it—seriously, how did you manage to even get a shot at a noble lady? And it's the city lord's sister." Andrew said, taking in the absurd situation.
Andrew was working at his desk, as always. It seems that word has spread far and wide already—truly a scary town, Naoki thought.
"Although, I'd already expected you'd leave soon. These past few days, I've realized that you are bound to achieve great things—so go out there and make us proud."
"That's exactly what Robert-san said..."
"Is that so?" Andrew amusingly laughed.
After Naoki had thanked Andrew for taking him in and for teaching him what he needed to know, they shared their farewells.
Time passed and he was now outside walking—closing his eyes and observing the seemingly adorable token inside his soul. He recollected what he had been told earlier.
<<----------->>
"That's right—you're going to go soon, right?"
"Yeah," Naoki said, his body still lying in the grass.
"I've already modified your token, you can use it outside the domain now."
"...? Ah... nothing has changed with it though."
Earlier, while Naoki was enjoying the newly formed land inside his Soul World, Leariz had improved his token—so that he might visit anytime, anywhere.
"Wait-? Couldn't you have done that the first time we met!?" Naoki exclaimed.
"Hehe, truth is—I was lazy. Domain Gates are hard to make and modify, you know?"
"..."
"It took me TEN minutes!" She elaborated.
"..."
"...can you stop looking at me like that? Didn't I take my time to do this for you?" Leariz said in annoyance.
"Oh, THANK you very much Leariz-sama." Naoki mocked.
"You-!"
They continued to bicker—it seems that they had a talent for arguing all the time.
<<----------->>
"Naoki, what are you spacing out over there?" Astria approached, a smile on her face.
"Ah—my bad, I didn't notice."
Near the shopping district of Avery, Naoki was heading toward his partner—using their soul connection as a guide.
"Let's go? We still have to prepare for tomorrow."
"Yeah, what are we going to bu-"
"RIA!!!"
"...eh?"
"You're...!"
"I heard you got married! How dare you leave me!? Is this the guy!?"
"Dorothy..."
In front of both Naoki and Astria was a girl similar to their age—looking absolutely devastated. She had crimson hair with a black-green uniform—which indicated her affiliation.
Who was this person? Naoki did not know. What Naoki did know was that she is currently pointing her beautifully-crafted silver spear—seemingly able to kill Naoki whenever she saw fit.
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