>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Basement of Old School Building.
Machias: ....Ugh... what just happened...?
Girl with Glasses: The floor suddenly slanted...
Blue-haired Girl: ... Looks like I was careless.
Tall Guy: This place is... the basement of the building we were just in?
Jusis: Hmph...what a joke.
Fie lands safely.
Fie: ... Phew.
Eliot: Ahh.... I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Rean, are you okay---- !! Eh..!?
Eliot notices the awkward position Rean finds himself in after trying to save the blonde-haired girl.
Rean: (........This is...)
Blonde-haired Girl: Ugh.... just what in the world, seriously...... Huh?....!!!!!!!!!!!
Rean: .....Um... how should I say this....
The blonde-haired girl jumps up. Rean gets up and slowly walks toward her.
Rean: Um... first, I'm really sorry. But it's good to see that you're not hurt---
The blonde-haired girl slaps Rean in the face. A few seconds later...
Eliot: Ahaha... that was a disaster.
Rean: Yeah... this is the worst day. But anyway, just what is this place...?
Eliot: Yeah... though it looks like some things are left here.
Something rings.
Eliot: Uwah...!?
Rean: This is...
Girl with Glasses: The thing sent along with the admissions handbook....
Blue-haired Girl: Something like a portable orbment?
Instructor Sara: That's a specially ordered "Tactical Orbment".
Everyone: !
Tall Guy: It's coming from this machine...?
Machias: Is there a communications feature embedded...?
Blonde-haired Girl: Don't tell me this is....!
Instructor Sara: Yes, one of the next-generation Tactical Orbments developed jointly by the Epstein Foundation and Reinford Group. The 5th generation Tactical Orbment <<ARCUS>>.
Rean: ARCUS......
Girl with Glasses: Tactical Orbment...... those special orbments that allow the use of Arts right?
Instructor Sara: That's right, it allows the use of Arts by setting up Quartz inside. And with that, each of you go retrieve your things. We've prepared some special quartz and your weapons. Set the quartz into your ARCUS once you're done checking.
Everyone: .........
Blue-haired Girl: Hm... anyway shall we give it a try?
Machias: Geez... just what is she planning...
Jusis: .......
Rean: Mine is... is that it?
Eliot: Mine is over there....I'll be right back.
Rean opens the small container and receives "Force".
Rean: This is...
Instructor Sara: That's a Master Quartz. If you insert it into the core of the ARCUS, you'll be able to use Arts. Well then, give it a try.
Rean sets the Master Quartz inside his ARCUS. It starts to glow.
Rean: ...... This is...
Instructor Sara: That's proof that you guys resonated and synchronized with your ARCUS. Now you guys are able to use Arts. There are other interesting hidden features... but well, let's take it gradually. -- Well then, shall we begin?
A stone door slides open.
Instructor Sara: The area ahead is like a dungeon. It's quite wide and complicated so you guys may get a bit lost... If you guys manage to safely reach the end, you'll be able to come back up to the first floor. Oh, and there are a couple of monsters lurking about too. --- Well then, we hereby begin the Military Academy Special Class <<Class VII>> Special Orienteering! Each of you is to get through the dungeon and return to the first floor. If you have any complaints, I'll take them all afterwards. Or if you like, I can even reward you with a kiss on the cheeks ❤
Everyone: ......
Eliot: Um....
Blonde-haired Girl: Anyway, it doesn't look like it's a joke...
Jusis: Hmph...
Jusis walks toward the stone door to head into the dungeon.
Machias: H, hold it right there! Where are you going all of a sudden... are you planning to head in all by yourself?
Jusis: I have no intentions to make friends with you all. Or are you saying that you want to walk together with "the likes of those nobles"?
Machias: Uh...
Jusis: But well, if you're afraid of the monsters, it's not like I can't let you tag along. As a noble of the Empire which values the art of war, I am prepared to use my sword. In accordance with the Noblesse Oblige, I will protect those that are powerless.
Machias: Who's asking for help from the nobles! Enough of this! If that's the case, I'll just have to go first! I'll prove to you that I'm above you nobles who remain stuck in their old ways!
Jusis: ...Hmph.
Machias walks off, followed by Jusis.
Rean: ......
Eliot: Um....
Girl with Glasses: What should we do...?
Blue-haired Girl: -- Anyway, our only option is to go as well. Just in case, let us move around in small groups. You and you, how do you feel about coming with me?
Blonde-haired Girl: S, sure. I don't really mind.
Girl with Glasses: Me too... actually I'm quite relieved by that.
Blue-haired Girl: And also, you---
Fie walks off on her own.
Blue-haired Girl: Hm...? -- Well whatever. We'll call out to her later. Well then, we're going ahead. Since you're all guys, there shouldn't be a need to worry, but you guys be careful too.
Rean: O, okay...
Girl with Glasses: Well then, please excuse us.
Blonde-haired Girl: ... Hmph.
The girls leave.
Rean: ...... Sigh.......
Eliot: Ahaha, looks like you're completely hated.
Rean: Yeah, I have to properly apologize to her later... -- so anyway, what should we do? It's a rare chance, should we also move together?
Eliot: Yeah, of course! Rather, I'd be helpless if I'm by myself.
Tall Guy: I have no objections. Let me accompany you guys.
Tall Guy: I am Gaius Worzel. It hasn't been long since I came to the Empire. I'd appreciate it if you two can treat me well.
Rean: Is that so... as expected you're from abroad. Nice to meet you. I'm Rean Schwarzer.
Eliot: I'm Eliot Craig. But... is that long object you're holding a weapon?
Gaius: Ah, you're talking about this?
Rean: Spear in the shape of a cross...
Eliot: It's somehow really cool~
Gaius: I use this back home, it's my preferred weapon. And your weapon as well, that's a mysterious-looking thing you're holding.
Eliot: Ah, yeah, this thing.
Rean: A staff...? No, is that an Orbment?
Eliot: They say it's a weapon that utilized new technology. It's called the "Orbal Staff". I was told that I have an aptitude for it when I enrolled so I chose it as my weapon....
Gaius: I see. There is such a thing.
Rean: I didn't know too...
Eliot: Well, they say it's a weapon still undergoing testing. And so... is that Rean's weapon?
Rean: Yeah---
Eliot: Is that... a sword?
Gaius: But it looks different from those used in the Empire...?
Rean: This is a <<Long Sword>>.
Eliot: Uwahh... the blade is beautiful...
Gaius: ...It's magnificent.
Rean: It's a weapon from the East and the blade is quite sharp. Because of that, it's hard to handle and I'm still not quite able to fully master it.
Eliot: Eh~~ but it looks like you're quite skilled..
Gaius: Hehe, we're counting on you. Well then, it's about time we get going too?
Rean: Yeah, let's move with caution. First we have to get a grasp of each other's fighting style.
Eliot: Yeah..!
< to be continued >
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