>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Going deeper into the dungeon. Rean suddenly stops.
Rean: ...........
Machias: ? What is it?
Eliot: A, another monster ambush....!?
Gaius: No, this presence is...
Girl's Voice: Hmm~ you're quite sharp.
Machias: Ah....!
Eliot: That silver-haired...
Rean: That's good, so you were safe?....Though I say that, by the looks of it, there wasn't a need to worry?
Fie: Yeah, no need. I'm small and nimble. Fie Claussell. Fie's fine. You're already half-way through so just keep going at that pace. Bye.
Machias: W, wait a minute!
Eliot: Are you okay by yourself!?
Fie: No problem, I'm used to it. I'm going ahead.
In the blink of an eye, Fie is far from sight.
Machias: W, what...!?
Eliot: W, wow......!
Gaius: That's some agility. It's true that we don't have to worry by the looks of it.
Rean: Yeah, let's keep moving. (But that child...she said we're half-way through...could it be that she went to the end and came back?)
As they continue through the dungeon, they suddenly hear some noises.
Gaius: This sound is...
Rean: Yeah, it's the sound of a sword!
Machias: H, hey...!?
Eliot: W, wait for us~....!?
They see Jusis fighting a bunch of monsters.
Machias: T, this is....
Eliot: ...He's great at handling a sword...
Gaius: Looks like he doesn't need any help. Is he also using a sword style of the Empire?
Rean: Yeah, the traditional court sword style used among the noble class.... and his skills are quite exceptional.
Jusis: Haahh!
Jusis defeats the last enemy.
Jusis: Phew... -- And so, what do you want?
Machias: Tch...
Rean: Nothing...that was splendid.
They walk towards Jusis.
Rean: Rean Schwarzer. We didn't have the time earlier to give each other our names, so let's introduce ourselves.
Eliot: N, nice to meet you... I'm Eliot Craig.
Gaius: I'm Gaius Worzel. Pleased to meet you.
Jusis: Jusis Albarea. Let me introduce myself once again.
Jusis turns to Machias.
Jusis: Hmph, but still, you've got some admirable mentality.
Machias: W, what do you mean by that?
Jusis: After being so defiant with your words, now you're moving with them as a team... most likely the moment you cooled down your head, you quickly went back and apologized. Good gracious, that kind of honesty is definitely not something "the likes of the nobles" can copy.
Machias: Tch, what is it that you want...!? That kind of arrogant attitude.... you nobles are all the same! Even more so of the Albarea Duke family, which is a contender for the first or second place in the Empire....it's obvious that you all look down on us commoners right!?
Jusis: -- You are in no position to be saying that to me. Son of Governor Regnitz of the Imperial City, Machias Regnitz.
Machias: !
Rean: Governor of the Imperial City...?
Eliot: Ahhh, speaking of Regnitz...!
Jusis: The first administrations chief of commoner origin to govern the Imperial City Heimdallr.... that person is your father, Governor Karl Regnitz. To say that kind of an important person is just a mere commoner, isn't that too much of an understatement?
Machias: S, so what if that is the case!? Even if my father is the governor, that doesn't change the fact that we're commoners. Can you not put us together in the same class as you nobles with special privileges!?
Jusis: I'm not putting us together. But speaking of Governor Regnitz, he's in alliance with that <<Iron-blood Prime Minister>> and an influential person for the Reformist Faction.
Machias: ......
Jusis: And the Reformist Faction led by the Prime Minister is always in opposition with the Noble Faction led by the Four Great Nobles. -- In that case, the open hatred for the nobles that is apparent in your words and actions... becomes really cheap and easily understandable.
Machias: You....!
Eliot: H, hold on!?
Option A: Warn Jusis
Option B: Stop Machias
Two options will appear here. Depending on your choice, the conversation will be different and you'll get either Jusis or Machias in your party. I chose Machias so the conversation will be the A version.
Rean: -- What you just said was too much. I don't think bringing up the topic of our parents is in good taste.
Machias: Ah...
Jusis: Hmph... it does look like I went too far. Anyway, have fun cooperating with each other and getting through this area. I'm fine by myself.
Jusis goes on ahead.
Machias: ..........
Eliot: ...Phew~~~...
Gaius: ...Looks like there are various complicated problems?
Rean: Yeah, you can probably say they're problems specific to the Empire.
Rean turns to Machias.
Rean: ... Looks like it's about time you've calmed down?
Machias: Yeah... sorry I lost my composure. I almost fell for his provocation.
Eliot: T, that's right~ Machias, you get too easily riled up. But anyway... you're the son of the Imperial City Governor?
Machias: Y, yeah...though I wasn't trying to hide it... Just to be clear, there's no mistake about us being commoners okay? Father's pay isn't all that great either... so we're far from the special privilege class.
Eliot: Ahaha, we get it. After all, Governor Regnitz is known for being upright and cleanhanded.
Rean: Is that so... I've only heard of his name.
Machias: E, enough talk about my Father. It's about time we get going. We wasted our time.
Gaius: Yeah, let's go.
Area just before the stairways.
Eliot: T, this place is...
Gaius: ... Looks like this is the end point leading to the surface.
Rean: Yeah, there's sunlight coming through too, looks about right.
Machias: Phew... what an awful orienteering... But for a military academy related to the Great Emperor, the things they do here are too reckless.
Eliot: I strongly agree... but <<Class VII>> huh? Just what kind of class is it?
Rean: Yeah... (Our origins and social positions are all over the place, and not only that, there's even a student from abroad and a young girl... Is there some hidden intention?)
A noise can be heard.
Everyone: ?
Machias: What is that...?
Gaius: Over there...!
A gargoyle statue suddenly comes to life.
Rean: That's....!
Eliot: W, what is that!?
Machias: A monster made of stone....!?
Eliot: Hwahhhh........!?
Gaius: ...Are monsters like these common in the Empire?
Machias: OF COURSE NOT!?
Rean: Tch... At any rate, we can't get to the surface without doing something about that monster first...! Everyone, let's crush it!
Gaius: Understood....!
Machias: Tch, can't be helped...!
Eliot: Goddess help us....!
After an intense fight.
Machias: Tch, did we do it...!
Rean: No, not yet....!
Eliot: Ahhh...!?
Gaius: Did it regain its power...!?
Machias: N, no good! We can't win against that!?
Rean: (Tch... everyone's probably already at their limit. -- Since it has come to this...!)
Girl's Voice: Stand down---!
Eliot: Y, you guys are...!
Gaius: You caught up...!
Alisa: Phew... looks like you guys are okay!
Emma: Sorry that we're late...!
Rean: No, you guys are a big help...!
Laura: Gargoyle... a product of ancient sorcery from the <<Dark Ages>>? Looks like its skin is exceptionally solid.
Machias: Yeah, and what's more, even if you damage it, it regenerates!
Rean: But with these numbers, we should stand a chance ---
Little Girl's Voice: Well, guess it can't be helped.
Everyone: !
Jusis: Hmph... so this is how it turns out?
Machias: Y, you're...!
Jusis: Activating ARCUS... Eat this-- <<Air Strike>>!
Fie swiftly moves to the back of the gargoyle and gives a solid stirke to its legs.
Gaius: Now's the chance...!
Rean: Yeah...!
Everyone starts to glow a faint blue. After a series of attacks from the party.
Rean: Now..!
Laura: Leave it to me....! Haaaaaaah!!!
Laura chops the gargoyle's head off. The head turns back to stone and dissipates, along with its body.
Eliot: Ah...
Alisa: We did it...!
Emma: That's a relief, with this...
Gaius: Yeah, looks like we can relax now.
Eliot: But still... that thing just now, what was it?
Alisa: Now that you mentioned it... it felt like we were enveloped by something.
Jusis: Yeah, everyone here including me was surrounded by a faint light.
Machias: Is that so....?
Laura: Hm... is it just my imagination? It felt like I could clearly "see" everyone's movements...
Fie: ...Probably, not just your imagination.
Rean: Yeah, could it be that the power just now---
Female Voice: --That's right, the true value of the ARCUS.
Rean: Ah---
Instructor Sara: As expected, in the end friendship and teamwork wins the day~ Uh huh. Big Sis is completely touched ❤
Everyone: ....
Instructor Sara: With this, the entrance ceremony's special orienteering comes to an end... but what's with the faces? Can't you guys be a bit more happy?
Machias: H, how can we be happy!
Alisa: To tell the truth, I only have tons of questions and feelings of distrust....
Instructor Sara: Oh?
Jusis: --Let me ask frankly. Special class <<Class VII>>.... just what is its purpose?
Emma: We understand that it ignores social status or birth, but...
Laura: But even now there is still the question of why we were chosen.
Instructor Sara: Hm, I guess. There are various reasons as to why you were all chosen to be in <<Class VII>>... but the easiest one to understand is in that ARCUS.
Rean: This Tactical Orbment...
Instructor Sara: The cutting-edge Tactical Orbment developed jointly by the Epstein Foundation and Reinford Group. Even though it enables the use of various Arts, has a communications feature, as well as all kinds of other hidden features, its true worth is in the <<Tactical Link>> -- the phenomenon you all experienced just a while ago.
Alisa: <<Tactical Link>>..........
Eliot: Just a while ago, that feeling of being connected to each other....
Instructor Sara: Yes, for example, if on the battlefield, the power it can bring is a great blessing. An elite unit that understands each others' movements and can cooperate in battle to their maximum potential under any circumstances.... If that kind of unit exists, various strategic maneuvers will become possible. You can even call it a "revolution" of the battlefield.
Laura: Hm, that's true...
Fie: ...Probably even ideal.
Instructor Sara: But at the current stage, there is the problem of personal aptitude with the ARCUS. Among the new enrollments, you guys showed exceptionally high aptitudes. That's also the reason you're all chosen regardless of social status or birth.
Gaius: ...I see.
Machias: W, what a coincidence...
Instructor Sara: .... Well then-- as promised, I'll accept all of your complaints. Thors Military Academy has selected you 9 people as being compatible with the ARCUS. But having said that, we don't have the extra funds for those who are not willing or inclined to participate. To add to that, it'll be a much harder curriculum compared to your original classes. After having acknowledged all that, will you take part in <<Class VII>> or not -- shall we hear your decisions?
Everyone: ........
Instructor Sara: Oh and by the way, in the event you decide not to participate, I'll have you go back to your originally assigned class. If you're a noble, either Class I or II, and for all the others, it'll be III~V. It's still the first day of school so it should still be easy to mingle in~?
Rean: Rean Schwarzer -- Please let me participate.
Alisa: Eh...
Eliot: Rean....!?
Instructor Sara: So you're the first on board huh? Looks like you have your own circumstances eh?
Rean: No... I am the one who selfishly asked to come to this school. If I can improve myself, it doesn't matter the class.
Instructor Sara: Hm, I see.
Laura: In that case, please let me participate as well. I am someone still in training to being with. Trials such as today's is exactly what I wish for.
Gaius: -- Same goes for me. After having traveled here from a far away land, I want to choose a path that is worth doing.
Instructor Sara: And so the strongest among the new students and the tall student from abroad joins~ Well, anyone else?
Emma: Please also let me participate. I'm here on scholarship money and so if I can be of any help...
Eliot: I, I'll also participate.....! I think this is also some kind of fate, and I feel like I'll be able to get along well with everyone.
Instructor Sara: And so the testers for the Orbal Staff also joins~ Like the ARCUS, it's still in its testing phases so I look forward to your usage reports.
Emma: Hehe, understood.
Eliot: Uh... did I agree too fast....?
Alisa: -- I'll participate as well.
Rean: (Eh...)
Instructor Sara: Oh, that's a surprise. I was certain you'd rebel and withdraw?
Alisa: ...It's true that I'm personally bothered by the use of the ARCUS in its testing phases... but if I get angry over a small thing like that then there will be no end to it.
Instructor Sara: Hehe, I guess you're right. Now we have 6 people--- Fie, what are you going to do?
Fie: I'm fine either way. Sara can decide for me.
Instructor Sara: No, you have to decide. When it's about yourself, you make your own decisions. Didn't we agree on that?
Fie: How bothersome. Then, I'll participate.
Everyone: *sweat drops*
Instructor Sara: Sigh...well whatever. That makes 7 of you--- what do you two plan on doing?
Machias: .............
Jusis: ...............
Instructor Sara: Well, both of you probably have various reasons, but there is no need to think too hard? I think that you two will quickly become friends after spending your youths together~
Machias: H, how's that possible!? There is a strict social system in place in the Empire, and it is clearly a structure of exploitation! As long as that problem is not solved, there is no future for the Empire!
Jusis: ..........
Instructor Sara: Well, even if you say that to me...
Jusis: --Then, it's simple. -- Jusis Albarea. I declare my participation in <<Class VII>>.
Everyone: !
Rean: Ah...
Machias: W, why...!? Shouldn't it be impossible for a son of a great noble like you to tolerate being in the same class as the commoners!?
Jusis: Don't decide for me. In the eyes of the Albarea family, there is no difference between the other nobles and commoners. I won't have to worry about being followed around by those with the wrong idea, so you can even say it's quite convenient.
Machias: ........... (speechless)
Jusis: But having said that, I have no interest in having a dog who barks needlessly by my side... so I think it's for the best that we go our separate ways here, don't you think?
Machias: Who's going to listen to the orders of an arrogant guy like you! -- Machias Regnitz! I'll participate in special class <<Class VII>>! I'll show you nobles left behind by the times and who cling onto their age old privileges just who is superior!
Jusis: ....Interesting...
Everyone: *sweat drops*
Rean: (Sigh... I can imagine what lies ahead.)
Alisa: (You're right... somehow they seem highly incompatible.)
Rean and Alisa: !
Rean: (Ah...)
Eliot: (Ahaha... your side is quite complicated too.)
Rean: (It's not something to laugh about though...)
Instructor Sara: That makes 9 -- which means all of you will participate! --Well then, I hereby declare the official establishment of special class <<Class VII>>. In this one year, I"ll make sure to work you guys extra hard so look forward to it---!
Two people stand near the entrance, overlooking Rean and the others.
Headmaster Vandyck: Well well, it's a surprise to see all these people with different colors gathered together. This may turn out to be quite troublesome in various ways.
Blonde-haired Guy: Hehe, indeed. --But this fateful encounter is probably also the work of the Goddess herself.
Headmaster Vandyck: Oh...?
Blonde-haired Guy: By chance, they may just become the "light". In this age in which the footsteps of turbulence can be heard within the Empire, the only light to transcend all oppositions---
< FIN >
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