Work Text:
Septian Calendar: March 31st, 1204
Fie POV:
“C’mon, Fie! We’re almost late to the ceremony!” Rean yelped back at me as we ran together towards the auditorium.
Ugh… I can barely even squeak out a noise with him doing this… Does he even know what he’s doing?
Knowing him, I bet he didn’t even register it in his head. Honestly, now that we reunited, I’m just gonna sleep away the days I’m here at this school. I don’t really care for this or that, I just want to hang out with Rean again.
Then again, did I really have to- ack!
Pulling me closer to him, we barely evade barreling into a tree headfirst. “You alright, Fie?” He gently asks me as I barely mutter out a ‘yes’ to him.
Just as we reach the entrance, a blue haired woman stops us in our tracks with a smile. Rean stands there shocked before coming back to his senses, “C-Claire?! What’re you doing here?”
She chuckles as her hair starts to lightly flow with a sudden gust of wind, “I’m surprised you didn’t hear from that other instructor of yours. I’ve just started to work here on a part-time basis as an assistant teacher for your class, Rean. Though it’ll be starting tomorrow, I’m only here for a few minutes today before I have to run back to my RMP duties.”
Turning my head at her, a confused expression came across my face as I slowly started to recognize the woman, “Wait a minute… Isn’t she that one lady who came to see you when we were together last year?”
She laughs quietly before answering in Rean’s stead, “That is indeed who I am. Though I seem to remember you staring daggers right into Rean during our meeting.”
Shrugging at her, “What can I say, Rean decided to leave in the middle of the night without telling me. It was too suspicious for me not to tail.” Glaring at him with half open eyes.
He sighed at me, sweat dropping as he slightly hunched over, “C’mon… I had to deal with a month of this already…”
Clearing her throat, Claire motions for us to get into the auditorium with an amused look, “I don’t think you both need to be delayed from your orientation any longer. We’ll see each other again in the next two years.”
Rean nods at her before grabbing my hand suddenly, Both of us barging right into the Auditorium. The door loudly slams open to everyone’s shock. All the students turn around from their chairs to stare at Rean and I. Sara, holding her forehead, is glaring at us as I chuckled. She’s never gonna let this one go, huh? Taking a glimpse at Rean, his face is slightly red as we both take a couple of breaths from running so panickedly. It wasn’t that I was tired from running, I could do this in my sleep. Just… holding onto his hand makes me feel weird…
And talking to Claire didn’t help at all… we barely got to catch our breaths from our surprise at seeing her.
“W-well, let’s go find our seats, alright?” Rean stammers slightly as I nod. While I tried to separate from him, I accidentally yanked him with me, causing him to yelp. Oops… forgot I started to hold his hand tightly when we were running here. The students all start to whisper about the both of us as our faces continue to get flustered even further..
Letting go of him, we both find our own individual seats while Sara continues to glare at us along with those other people next to her. Jeez, what a pain… we still technically got here in time after all…
Taking a seat in the middle of a bundle of strangers, I ignore all the passing comments about our late arrival as I wait for the orientation to start with a bored expression. Yawning in my seat, I try my hardest to not take a nap.
…would’ve been fun to sit with Rean though, these guys around me just won’t stop trying to ask me questions. It’s a bit nice to hear them ask if we’re an item, if it wasn’t just as embarrassing to hear them say it out loud to everyone.
So annoying…
Jusis POV:
Looking to my right, a flustered Rean takes a seat beside an orange haired boy. This is certainly not the entrance I expected to see after all years for a dear friend. The rumors around him are already running rampant as I felt the second-hand embarrassment at seeing him in such a state.
He always seems to divert my expectations every time. He’s still the same strange noble who guided himself with his heart, yet not so much with his head at times…
Principal Vandyck’s booming voice begins the entrance ceremony with a strong speech. It’s certainly rousing if I do say so myself. Still though, even with the speech in the back, I can’t help but wonder why only a few of us wear a red uniform as compared to everyone else.
The boy Rean is sitting next to seems to be wearing our same uniform. Looking around, I noticed the white haired girl Rean came with, wearing it as well. Ah yes, his most recent letter detailed his experience with a girl fitting that description, Fie correct?
There are a couple others who also wear our uniform that I’d like to observe further, but I don’t want to get caught not paying attention to our military instructors. I’ve already seen one of them glare heavily at Fie who simply nods off to the rest of the entrance ceremony.
As the speech comes to a close, I can hear some faint chattering by Rean and that other boy. I don’t particularly care for listening in on what they’re talking about if I’m being honest.
As the vice-principal instructs us on our guidebooks, all the other students, besides the ones in red uniform, start to depart for the class designated from the book.
The room slowly became empty while we all stood there, “The class designated in our guidebook? I don’t remember seeing anything like that…” The orange haired boy confusingly says.
This is certainly not what we were told initially. Makes me wonder even more if these uniforms have a deeper meaning than just a different cosmetic change from the other students.
Rean simply stares towards the door with a knowing expression. Fie starts to make her way towards him with a tired look, “Jeez… I thought he wouldn’t ever stop talking. I was about to take a nap if he kept yammering on.” She says, yawning at him in the midst of her talking.
Chuckling at her, “C’mon Fie, just try to endure for the rest of the day.” Rean tells her with a smile. She simply groans at him before the both of them look to their side. A familiar looking green haired boy runs up to Rean in shocked excitement, “Rean?! When’d you apply to Thors?”
“Haha, it’s been too long, Machias. I haven’t seen you in years. How’ve you been?” Rubbing the back of his head with his eyes closed. The both of them start to catch up with one another as the girl next to him, Fie, simply leans against him, trying to sleep.
Ah, so that’s why the other boy looked so familiar. Machias Regnitz, the son of Governor Regnitz. It’s quite intriguing to see Rean already acquainted with the son of the reformist faction, At least he isn’t playing sides by buttering up the nobles or commoners.
The both of them suddenly shivered before looking towards the purple haired woman who was lined up with the rest of our instructors from earlier. She started to walk up to them, glaring as she did. This fool… he couldn’t have gotten himself in trouble already…
Though what did I really expect? He’s the same person who ran head first into danger when we first met for a couple of strangers we didn’t know. I doubt getting trouble would even worry him now.
Sara POV:
“Ugh… you two seriously almost got me in trouble there, I thought I wrote you to come earlier, Fie!” I scolded with my hands on my head. All Sylphid does is shrug at me while Rean rubs the back of his head. These kids will be the death of me… I already had to chase her for nearly a year, teach her the essentials in a few months, and this is the treatment I get…
“W-well we got stopped by Claire on the way here..?” Rean says to me with nervousness in his voice.
“What!? Ugh… can’t believe she’s already messing with you both. She told me she’d wait to greet you two until after my plans for you guys...”
A brown haired girl with glasses slowly approaches me apprehensively, “Um.. excuse me, what do you mean by ‘plans', are we doing something different from the other classes?”
Folding my arms with a smile, “Well good on you for figuring it out ahead of time, Ms.Top Scorer on the exam!”
Turning towards the others, “Anyways, I bet the rest of you are confused, ‘where’s my class assignment?’ You’re probably thinking.” Closing my eyes as I continued, “That’s perfectly understandable… for most of you.” Muttering the last part under my breath, making both Rean and Fie sweatdrop, “Your situations are a liiiitle more complicated than the other students’.”
Putting my right hand on my hip, “But before I explain, I’d like all of you to join me for a special orienteering exercise.”
Machias Regnitz exclaims in confusion along with Alisa Reinford questioning me on what I meant. Thank goodness I read up on each of their names beforehand… would’ve been way too confusing to remember who is who, though their distinct hair colors do make it pretty easy.
Both Fie and the Arseid daughter look at me in wonder. It never loses its novelty to see these kids get so confused. Though it is strange to see Rean not react at all. It’s almost like he’s heard these words before or just nodding off.
Reassuring the class, I gesture to the class to follow me outside. They all simply stared at me like a couple of headless chickens while I left. Eventually, they do start to follow me with Rean at the front of the pack, Elliot besides him trying to keep up with Fie on his other side walking at the same pace. Heh, do I have a surprise for you kids in store…
Elliot POV:
What a weird day it’s been… honestly I was pretty nervous to start the first day off knowing nobody, but thankfully the guy who sat next to me seemed pretty nice. I think his name was Rean?
It felt almost natural talking to him during the ceremony, like he knew what I loved to talk about after jumping to music of all things. It was strangely enjoyable after I expected things to go worse. I didn’t want to go to Thors originally, but I’m glad it’s not kicking me around already like I thought.
Taking a glimpse a step in front of me, Rean chatters on with a white haired girl with the same uniform as ours. I’m still really confused on why we’re the only students with red uniforms, but I guess we’ll see?
Even though Rean’s really easy to talk to, it’s surprisingly hard to get a word in. He’s a nice guy, but I can barely say anything while he’s talking to that girl, not to mention the really fancy looking guy who came out of nowhere and started talking to Rean like it was nothing… Did all these guys know each other beforehand? Even that green haired boy from earlier took to him like a fish swimming for the first time..
Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I look up only to see a concerned look on Rean’s face as he asks me, “You alright, Elliot?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine, just the nerves of the first day after all, you know?” I told him nervously while he smiled warmly in my direction. The blonde haired guy and the white haired girl stare at us with differing emotions.
“Heh, you could say that again. It almost feels… surreal it’s finally here.” He says, staring at the sky while we slowly trailed behind the purple haired woman.
He starts to shake his head before turning towards me with curiosity, “We were talking about this earlier, but where do you get your instruments, Elliot?”
“Oh, I got them from the Rieveldt Company store in Leica district. They’re really high quality in case you ever want to try some instruments, Rean.”
The green haired from earlier turn towards me with a raised eyebrow with growing interest. “Leica district? You seem rather acquainted with Heimdallr. Oh I almost forgot to introduce myself, I’m Machias Regnitz.”
“My name is Elliot Craig.” I responded to him in kind before continuing, “And yeah, I’m from Alto Street, I can’t imagine being born anywhere but there.” Rubbing the back of my head with a small grin.
“Alto Street? My sister always takes me to Etoile whenever she gets to visit. I can see the appeal just by living next to such a soothing cafe to study at.” Machias says as Rean smiles from the back with a silent laugh.
“Huh! My sister also likes to go there whenever she wants to relax since one of her friends works there. What a small world…”
The white haired girl beside Rean tugs at his sleeve, pulling his attention, “That’s that Cafe next to the food booth we stopped by in the festival, right?”
“You both were at the Heimdallr Festival last year?” The blonde haired noble asks us as we start to go towards the back of the school.
Adding into the conversation, “I went with my sister last year. I’m surprised I didn’t catch eith- wait a minute! Fiona was talking about a black haired teen running down the street while carrying a white haired girl.”
She shrugs at me loosely, “Rean just couldn’t help but put his hands on me.” She teases as Rean sputters for an answer. Not for long however, seeing as we’ve reached wherever that purple haired lady was taking us.
For some reason, I feel a lot less nervous around everyone now. I thought everyone was pretty imposing and some of them still feel like that to me, especially the blonde haired boy and Machias, but they’re not as scary as I thought they’d be.
Maybe this school year won’t be as bad as I predicted?
Laura POV:
She leads us up to an old looking building at the back of the school. Surrounded by forests, I look peculiarly at where we are. No matter, whatever is in store for us, I hold the blessings of Lance Maiden herself, I will not dishonor her kindness.
A few of the other students next to me start to voice their confusion as the purple haired woman stops at the front of the door. The small group made around that black haired boy who got late stood in confusion along with the rest of us, watching the purple haired lady continue doing her thing.
She starts to hum a happy tune, unlocking the door and just heading in herself. How… strange, if I’m being honest, I expected rigor and hard work immediately as I started. Whatever I’m being greeted with, I’m completely out of my depth to understand what’s going on.
We all stand at the entrance pondering until a blonde haired girl speaks up, “What does she even want us to do here?”
A green haired boy angrily huffs to himself, “Gah… is she ever going to tell us what’s going on?!”
Suddenly, the black haired boy who came late starts to walk up the steps with his head looking back at us, “All we can do is follow her to figure out what’s going on. We’ll get through whatever she has planned. Let’s do this, everyone.” He tells us as he turns back to going into the building. The white haired girl joins him while the orange haired boy timidly looks back at us before following.
Closing my eyes, “I suppose he’s right, let’s join him.” Following the boy along with the rest of the group into the building. I feel naked without having my sword with me at all times, but the hand to hand lessons Father taught me should be doable enough, just in case.
Crow POV:
Standing from a far distance from our underclassmen, I watch them all head into the building with ‘Gelica to the right of me.
“Heh, Rean’s dealt with ten times tougher things than the old schoolhouse. The kids will be fine as long as they stick with him.” I laughed quietly.
“Like we had with you? They’ve all got a set of hoops to get through if they want to beat this. We couldn’t just rely on you, you know.” She says with her hand on her hips.
“Hopefully all our hard work from last year pays off. I'd hate if we worked that hard for nothing.” She continues, staring at the entrance while doing so.
“Heh, ain’t that the- wait a minute, all you did last year was saddle me with all the work?!” I exclaimed, glaring at her. She just grins at me teasingly, “Well, I couldn’t let my precious Towa have to deal with all the work, plus you’re used to that level of work. You’re Jurai’s mayor, right?”
“It’s not like I liked it?! I didn’t need anymore work piled up on me… I still had to do a bit of mayor work from here, you know.” I responded to her exasperatedly before adding on, “The citizens are still in worry without their ‘Azure Chevalier’, cut me some slack…”. Turning back towards the old schoolhouse, “Yeah yeah, Mr. Hero. Still, it looks like Alisa’s got some stiff competition. Quite a bevy of beauties they’ve got there. And I’m looking forward to getting intimately acquainted with each and every one of them.” She stated with a blush while closing her eyes.
Glancing at her curiously, “Oh you know one of them?... Er, wait, no no! Not these kids too! Stop flirting with every damned girl you lay eyes on! Do you know how many guys in the school got their hearts broken because of your libido!”
She chuckles, sneering at me as I looked at her in disbelief. “Well, you’re at least not getting as acquainted with one of them ‘Gelica. The little fairy down there already has her sights on my pal.” I smirked at her while she continued to sneer at me.
“We’ll see if she’s able to resist my… womanly charms, heh heh.” She jokes as I immediately retorted back, “As if, I don’t think that’s something that’s ever changing.”
She snorts at me before folding her arms, “Still, even if one's off limits, I’ve got more than I could ever dream of with the rest of those girls there…”
“Just… try to spare some of the guys’ broken hearts this year. I had to deal with a mountain of them asking me for ‘advice’ from what you did!”
“C’mon, now! No fighting, you two.” A high pitched voice tells us from behind.
Checking around us, we’re greeted with Towa and George walking at us with happy expressions.
Gelica puts her hands to the side before beaming at Towa, “Well look who finally made it, nice job.”
“Got all our cute little underclassmen all set?” I asked her as she nodded excitedly, “Yup! They’re all bright eyed and ready to take off!”
She holds her hands out in front of her, clenching them energetically, “As their upperclassmen, we’ve got to give them our 100% to support them through the work ahead of them!”
Laughing at her, “Wow, Towa. You’re not shying away from being our one and only Student Council President already, huh.”
“Oh stop, Crow.” She giggles softly before holding her hands together.
“Well, it’d be pretty rough for them if they didn’t have any help to begin with. Can’t imagine how they’d be just jumping into it.” George added on, “Though we did have it pretty easy with how gung-ho you were back then, Crow. You can leave Jurai, but being a mayor still sticks with you.”
“Heh, you’re just saying that because I helped you with all those orbal projects last year.”
“Can’t say you’re not wrong there.” He said before we chuckled together.
Turning to look at ‘Gelica, “Everything set with them?” George asked questioningly.
“Yep, just not exactly how the instructors told us it’d play out. I’m still surprised they got the Icy Maiden to assist teaching for this class when they’ve gotta deal with the purple lightning already”
“Heh, with that level of guidance and those types of students, I’m sure they’ll be just fine.” Joining the rest of them, staring at the Old Schoolhouse in curiosity. Let’s see if your class can live up to the potential, Rean.
Gaius POV
The inside of this strange building is surprisingly lifeless with quite a large amount of space. There’s basically nothing occupying this place at all. Strange enough, I could feel the winds guiding me downwards to my confusion.
The purple haired lady gets on the stage inside of the building as we all crowd up together at the front of it in wonder.
Turning towards us, she puts one hand on her hips, “For those who don’t know, the name’s Sara Valestine. The main instructor for Class VII, so you’ll have the pleasure of dealing with me all year.” She closes her eyes with a big smile, “Glad to finally meet the rest of you!”
We all stared at her in confusion before a few of the other students started to voice their confusion.
“Yes, yes. I know you’re all confused, we usually had three commoner classes and two noble classes for students to be at. Not until this year though! Fittingly named.. Class VII. With no distinctions between the social classes.” Ms. Valestein announced to us with her arms together.
The rest of us look at her in disbelief while Rean strangely stares at her with a warm look.
“You’re really putting nobles and commoners in the same class?” A blonde haired girl asked incredulously.
A bespectacled boy near me snorts before folding his arms. His eyes narrow towards the blonde haired student near him, who responds with a raised eyebrow. “Is there something you want to say?”
If I remember correctly, I overheard the boy’s name was Machias when he was talking to that other student.
Taking a few deep breaths, he calms himself down,“Tch… Nothing, nothing at all.” Muttering with his eyes closed as he turned back towards our instructor, “Please continue, Instructor.”
“Hmm, well alright then. I bet you guys might have your worries, but save them for later. We’ve got our fun little Orienteering Icebreaker to kickstart the day.”
Speaking up, “What do you mean by an ‘Orienteering exercise’ Instructor?” I asked, looking directly at her as she simply smiled back.
“It’s a form of outdoor competition, isn’t it? Something like a cross between a map-reading exercise and a scavenger hunt?” Another student inquiries alongside me.
“No, it’s definitely something combat related. They wouldn’t have taken away our weapons if it wasn’t.” Rean answered to our Instructor’s annoyance.
“Hey, don’t spoil my fun, Rean! I bet you already know what we’re doing, don’t you?” Taking a couple steps back near a button on the wall.
She winks at us before pressing the button, ‘And to stop you from ruining the surprise… Let’s get started, shall we?”
The floor beneath us starts to shake loudly as we all jump in surprise, save for Rean and Fie however. Eventually, a hole opens up under us as we all start to fall in, yelping in surprise.
Barely holding on, I look back up to see Fie hanging leisurely with Rean trying to hold onto the sides to not fall in as well.
“C’mon guys! No cheating.” Ms. Valestein says, holding up a small dagger, “What’s the point of an icebreaker if you both can just slither your way out of it.” Turning to glare at Rean who’s trying his hardest to stay above, “And I know the perfect way to get you both down there.”
Throwing the dagger towards the rope Fie hooked, it cuts it in half, to her dismay. “Ugh, Lame…” Falling downwards to a startled Rean, “Fie!”
Leaping from where he was, he grabs her as they both start to plummet downwards together.
“Oh? I expected those two trouble makers to stay afloat, but I didn’t expect someone else to be resisting so hard. Gaius Worzel from the Nord Highlands, right?”
“T-that’s right.” I barely was able to let out as she started to head back towards the button with a pep in her step.
“Not from the Empire originally too, huh? Well regardless, it’s time for you to join the icebreaker as well! Word of advice, it’s easier being here when you’ve got a few friends to know.” She tells me happily. Winking at me, she presses the button once more, making the slab that dropped the rest of the class go from diagonal to full on vertical.
“Woah!” I yelped, falling all the way to the underground. For a first day here, this is not what I expected... Is the Empire like this everywhere..?
Machias POV:
What type of crazy teacher does this on the first day?! I could feel my head ringing from hitting the ground so roughly…
Adjusting my glasses, I looked around while I tried to sit up. “What even just happened…”
The bespectacled girl next to me whispers to herself gently, “The floor gave out from under us…”
A blue haired girl in front me, stands up with a disappointed look. “I can’t believe I fell for such an obvious trap… I sully the sandlot name..” She said, quietly mumbling the last part to herself.
Elliot rubs his back with a pained look, “Ouch… and here I was thinking it was going to be an easy day…’
Getting up, I walked over to Elliot with my hand reached out. He grabs hold of me, pulling him upwards as he looks at me gratefully.
“Nevermind that, where in the world did she even drop us into.” The blonde haired boy from earlier says out loud. With how he looks and presents himself, he’s practically screaming ‘nobility’ from where he stands. Not that I’ll give into my anger towards him. Rean’s taught me enough that some nobles are good and some are not.
After all, my sister is only alive because of him, yet it’s because of nobles that even put her in that spot at all. Thinking about this only makes me more stressed, so out of sight, out of mind, I suppose.
A blonde haired girl looks around the room in confusion, “Hold on… wasn’t there more of us before we dropped here?”
“That’s right.” Searching all over the place, that Noble looking boy squints his eyes in curiosity, “Rean, Fie, and that taller looking student should’ve joined us by now. Where could they b-”
A faint echo rings from the hole we came from as Fie and Rean barrel out of it, with the latter holding rather tight to the other as they both hit the ground rather hard.
“Ack… Y-you alright, Fie?”
“Yeah, thanks.” She quirks her eyebrows at him teasingly while the both of them get up, “Though you’re not doing yourself any favors of proving what I said wrong earlier. Didn’t think you missed me that much.”
He just sighs, before answering right back, ‘Yeah yeah… it’s not like you studied these past couple of months just so we can see each other again.”
“Heh, don’t be a sore loser.” Fie replied to him jokingly.
Another student falls in from the hole, rolling onto the floor sprawled out. He rubs his head before sitting upwards, “Does this mean there’s a series of catacombs beneath the school grounds, then?” He wondered while I walked over and helped him on his feet.
We all started to gather around while regaining our bearings. Suddenly, a ringing sound started to play as we pulled out our strange looking orbments.
“These are coming from the same devices we received with the academy guidebook.” The glasses wearing girl from earlier noted.
“It seems to be akin to that of a portable orbment..” One of us pondered audibly.
‘Right you are! These handy little devices are a special kind of battle orbment.”
After a couple of explanations, the lights flicker on as she guides us to grab our orbments and weapons on the stands nearby.
This whole situation feels too ludicrous for me to even understand what's going on at all…
Finding my stuff, Instructor Valestein starts to explain to us about setting up our Arcus and our current objective. Stepping through the door near us into a confusing, underground, testing area that sounds like it’d put all of us through the ringer.
Well at least I’m having a better time seeing her as an actual teacher than just… whatever she was doing earlier.
Afterwards, we all start to crowd with each other, confused on our next steps.
“U-Ummmm..” Elliot nervously glances at the rest of us.
“...I don’t think she’s joking.” The pigtailed girl voiced as we all pondered awkwardly.
‘Well in any case, I think it’s best if we introduce ourselves first before we go into the dungeon.” Rean offered as he took a step forward, “My name is Rean Schwarzer, it’s nice to meet you all.”
The white haired girl next to him yawns, “Fie Claussell.” She tells us bluntly before closing her eyes tiredly.
The blue haired girl from earlier takes a step forward as well, ‘My name is Laura S. Arseid, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
My eyes widen slightly at her last name, that’s the noble family over in Lamare, right?
Taking notice of my surprise, “Do you take any issues with me?” She asked candidly.
“N-no, not at all!” Taking a step forward myself, “I’m Machias, Machias Regnitz.”
“Interesting, I didn’t think the son of Governor Regnitz would be here as well.” The blonde haired boy from earlier noted. Turning towards him, “W-what about it! What’s your name?”
“Hmph… There's nothing wrong with it at all. Though I wonder what Thors is planning with putting both you and me in the same class.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Narrowing my eyes in confusion as he took a step forward, “I’m Jusis Albarea.”
My shock was more than apparent as I stood speechless at him. “He’s from one of the four great houses…” Elliot whispered as he stared flabbergasted.
“Enough with the shock, continue with the introductions.” He huffs, folding his arms as he waits impatiently for the next person.
“W-well, my name is Elliot Craig, I’m from Heimdallr” He said nervously as the bespectacled girl went right after him, “I’m Emma Millstein, I look forward to being with you all.”
The blonde haired girl from earlier lightly brushes one of her pigtails to the side, “I’m… Alisa R, from Roer.”
Last to finish it off, “And I’m Gaius Worzel, I just arrived in the empire, so any help you all can offer would be much appreciated.”
A few seconds passed after our introductions before Rean spoke up again, “Well, now that we know each other, I say we should get into two groups.”
“Two groups?” Elliot glanced across the room in wonder.
“One group scouts ahead and covers the front, while the other watches their six and is ready to assist in case anything goes wrong for the first.”
“Hm, there doesn’t seem to be any flaw with your plan, but who’ll be in who’s group?” Laura asked as Rean answered right back, “Well if you guys don’t mind, I think the first group should be Me, Fie, Elliot and Machias. Fie and I are used to fighting with one another and quick enough to evade any strikes while Elliot and Machias have great range to support us. While the second would be You, Emma, Alisa, Gaius, and Jusis. You and Gaius would be at the front with Jusis, Emma, and Alisa supporting from the back with arts and crafts. Since our team is smaller than yours, you guys wouldn’t be at a major disadvantage in case we need help from one of you”
Jeez… I don’t know what I should be more surprised at. Rean carefully picking out who works best with one another, or the fact that he understands the way we all fight already.
“Hm, while I’m surprised you were able to discern the way we all fight, I do agree with the reasons and teams you’ve set. Any objections?”
We all shook her head at her as both she and Rean gathered us into teams. “Alright then.” Motioning towards our team, “Go right on ahead, we’ll be there to cover you.” She says, gesturing for us to get going.
Nodding at her, we all began to scour through the dungeon at alarming speeds. It sounded reasonable when he proposed the idea, but I didn’t think they’d work this well!
Alisa POV:
Honestly it may have been a bit overkill for us to work so well on our first day. I don’t think our instructor would’ve ever imagined our ‘icebreaker’ to go so well…
Thankfully no one questioned me on not saying my last name entirely. I’d rather not make things awkward if they knew who I really am.
“Alisa! Emma!” Laura shouts suddenly at me, hitting the flying monster we’re fighting with her sword heavily.
“Right!” We both yell back at her, casting our arts at the monster. The flying bat creature starts to spin with stars in their eyes before Gaius finishes it off with his spear.
“Nicely done!” Emma cheers before Jusis starts to walk ahead, “Let’s not trail too far from the rest of them, let’s go.” He says curtly as we picked up the pace with the rest of them.
“Who would’ve thought it’d be this easy though. Ms. Valestein made it sound worse than it really was.” Gaius noted before Jusis answered, “Agreed, but it’s not just that the enemies are weaker than we imagined. Our team composition helps make these battles less tiresome than they need to.”
“Indeed, it’s much easier to fight with the rest of you assisting me.” Laura smiles, holding her sword tightly, while looking relaxed.
“Thanks but it’s really not just that. You’re really skilled with that sword, huh, Laura.” I said out loud. She nods her head in pride, “Of course, the Arseid school prides itself on its swordsmanship. Though you’re nothing to laugh at either, Alisa. Your aptitude with that bow is quite impressive.”
“Thanks, but it’s nothing to boast over.” I said modestly as we continued onwards.
While we were following the other group, “I’m surprised at how well the other team is doing too, especially Rean and Fie. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they’re on the level of high ranking bracers already.” Jusis commented with a small tilt of his lips.
“Yeah, but on another note, I didn’t expect you to be so open with us, Jusis. I kinda thought you’d be the type to not want to make friends here.” I said to him as he sighed to himself with his eyes closed.
“Well, you’re not wrong. I was intending not to make any friends here, but I knew that would’ve been impossible, considering a dear friend of mine attends here as well.” He says, rubbing his forehead.
“Dear friend? Would that be Rean?” Emma asks questioningly.
Jusis nods his head, “Indeed. Though I’m certainly shocked at the coincidence that our other classmates have known him from before as well.”
“Ugh… It feels like everybody in our class knows him from before.” Groaning as Emma closed her eyes with a small chuckle, “Well so far it’s only Fie, Machias, and now Jusis.”
“That’s already a third of the class…” I tell her as she sweat drops.
While we continued on our trek, Emma started to look around analytically around the halls. Honestly I wanted to ask what was wrong, but she was too focused for me to think of interrupting her.
Eventually, we made it to the end of a hallway, with the rest of the class waiting for us near a door.
“What’s going on?” Jusis asked as Rean walked up to us, “There’s something ahead of us that I bet is the last enemy to this dungeon. We decided to wait so that we all can challenge it together.”
Laura pulls her sword out in haste, “Well now that we’re here, let’s fight whatever it is, together.”
Nodding at her, Rean motions for the rest of us to follow. The door opens up automatically as we all step forward into the room.
Emma POV:
We all enter the room to be greeted with a couple of stairs leading towards the exit of this place. Hopefully Celine didn’t get too freaked out when I fell into the dungeon with the rest of the class.
We all start to check around the room to see a couple of lights everywhere along with a gargoyle sitting on a stand to the right of us.
“Looks like we’re here. That definitely seems to be the exit.” Gaius states with his hands on his hips. It might’ve felt easy, but it certainly felt pretty long staying down here fighting these monsters.
“Yeah! I think I see the sunlight coming from the door above. Thank goodness we’re finished…” Elliot tiredly states with his back slightly hunched.
“What was up with this orientation exercise anyways… doesn’t feel like anything a school founded by Dreichels would do.” Alisa asks, brushing her hair out of her face.
“And what’s the deal about Class VII, anyway?” Machias adds on, shaking his head in thought.
“No.. we’re not done yet, everybody.” Rean says to our surprise before the statue from earlier starts to suddenly move around like it’s alive.
How in the… I was wondering why I sensed a bit of magic down here. This must be the reason why.
“Look alive, we’ve got a gargoyle to fight.” Fie states, taking out her weapons immediately.
The gargoyle jumps down in front of us, causing a shockwave that drops us off our feet.
“G-gargoyle? I thought it was just a statue earlier!?” Elliot yelps as we all scramble back up.
It roars loudly at us, creating heavy gusts of winds to our surprise as we brace ourselves for the incoming fight.
“Fie! We’ll distract the enemy together!” Rean yells out towards her, “Ja!” They both start to speed towards the monster in a blur.
He turns his head sharply while evading each hit, “Emma, Alisa! Focus on attacking with arts from the back!”
Shaking ourselves from our shock, we nod at him and start casting attacks at the creature. Dual fire bolts hit the monster directly as it roars in pain.
“Laura, Gaius, Machias! While Fie and I have it distracted, focus on his blindspots and try to immobilize it!” He yells out, rolling out of a strong slash from the monster. Fie comes in from above him, cutting the front of the monster from head to toe.
“Right!” They both said, dashing towards either side of the monster with devastating hits. A spin of Laura’s sword and a sharp strike upwards from Gaius’s spear, along with a loud shot from Machias’s shotgun.
The monster turns towards one of them with an arm raised, ready to strike Gaius with a vicious slash, until Rean comes in and takes the hit.
“Rean!’ Fie shouts before hardening her expression, fully focused on the monster and hitting it in each of its joints.
Coughing from the hit, Rean yells out once more, “Jusis, Elliot. Focus on healing and supporting us with Crafts and Arts!” Jumping right back into the mix. He gives Fie a reassuring look before the both of them continue distracting the monster.
“I got you, Rean!” Elliot yells, casting Tear on him, cleaning away his wounds from the strike earlier.
Jusis runs up next to Machias, Laura, and Gaius. Planting his sword on the ground, “Seize the enemy, Noble Command!” Strengthening all three of them with his crafts.
“There! An opening!” One of us yelled as we all started to attack with our arts or crafts.
It all started to feel like clockwork as we continued to deal damage to the enemy. Whenever the enemy switched their tactics, Rean was ready with his own for us too. A strange light appeared within us shortly after, until we eventually put the monster down for good.
“We did it!” Alisa cheers happily while we all put our weapons away.
If I wasn’t sure before, I think it’s pretty obvious to know who’s the awakener out of everyone I’ve met so far here…
Grandmother has told me to look for who’s the one who awakened Valimar ahead of time. We suspected that they might be taking the exam for Thors after pinpointing a few details with our magic towards finding them, but I didn’t expect to find the awakener immediately.
Gathering around in a circle, we all caught our breaths before talking. “Phew… I think that’s the end of it.” I said to everyone while fixing my glasses.
“Heh, don’t think that creature can get up anymore after what we did to it.” Fie comments while holding her hands behind her.
Shortly after, “What was that light from earlier though… it showed up in the battle almost as soon as we started fighting.” Elliot wondered to us as Alisa responded, “Now that you mention it, I did feel something wash over me as we fought. But I didn’t really realize it in the heat of the moment.”
“It probably had something to do with the Arc-”
“The Arcus, basically it’s main selling point of the whole shebang! Though you better stop getting things right, Rean, or else I’m sending you down another dungeon myself…” Instructor Valestein interrupts, jumping downwards to stand with the rest of us.
“Looks like teamwork and friendship really did win out in the end huh? Well anyways, that wraps up our super special orienteering exercise!”
We all stare at her with blank faces as she scrunches her face in confusion. “What’s with the long looks? Expected you guys to be happy and stuff!”
Jusis takes a step forward to her, “Let’s cut to the chase, what exactly is the purpose behind this ‘Class VII’?”
“We understand that it’s some sort of experiment that includes a wide range of people in different classes…”
“...but why were the nine of us chosen in particular?” Laura says, finishing off my question.
“Good questions, but to be blunt, those Arcus’s you guys have are a factor as to why you’ve been chosen.” Ms. Valestein states before continuing further, “The big selling point of the Arcus are combat links, and you all have been chosen because of your compatibility with them.”
She closes her eyes with a slight tilt to her lips, “Just imagine, an elite unit that knows what the other is doing perfectly, working together like a well oiled machine even in the most random situations. How would anyone be able to even fight against that? It could change wars as we know it!”
Fie snorts at her, “First time I’ve ever heard you care about stuff like this, this much.”
“Shush, Fie!” Ms Valestein scolds her while she goes on, “But yeah, the tech has its limits. Not everyone has the aptitude to use these devices. Save for the nine of you! And since social classes don’t really matter in Class VII, here you all are.”
“But what makes us have this aptitude compared to our peers? Is there some kind of pattern or…” Machias said, voicing his confusion as Ms. Valestein folded her arms together.
“What, indeed? As promised, if any of you have objections to being in this class, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
“That should be everything that covers this course. This class isn’t exactly easy to run for anyone’s pockets, so we don’t mind if you want to leave this course. Along with that, Class VII’s work is going to be harder than all the other classes, just so you know.”
She glances at all of us before letting her hands fall to the side with a serious expression. “And with that, you guys have got a choice to make. You wanna stay in Class VII, or no?”
As we were staring at each other awkwardly, figuring what choice we should make, Rean takes a step forward towards Ms. Valestein.
Rean POV:
“You can count me in. I’m Rean Schwarzer of Class VII once again” I declared to her, muttering the last part before anyone could really notice.
It’s been a long time waiting for this day, but I still can’t believe I’m finally back with everyone… Well, not everyone exactly. We’ll get Crow and Millium later down the line, but right now? Class VII is back and no way am I gonna lose this again.
Everyone stares at me in shock from how quick I answered. It’s a bit funny to see them act the same way as they did last time, it’s like reliving good times being here…
“W-wait, what?!” Alisa stares at me in surprise while Elliot voices his disbelief at me.
“Same with him, I’m game.” Fie yawns as the attention is suddenly brought on her.
“Ugh, I know you two were guaranteed already, but you could’ve waited for the rest of your classmates, you know?” Sara tells us with an annoyed look.
“Hmph, they’re not the only ones. I, Jusis Albarea, am ready to take my place with Class VII.”
“Count me in as well. The greater the obstacle, the more growth I’ll experience to excel. A blade is only forged when put under pressure, after all.” Laura adds on determinedly.
Sara starts to raise her eyebrows in surprise, “Didn’t expect most of you to be this ready, immediately.”
The rest of the Class starts to pile in their acceptance towards being in Class VII. Chills start to come across my body with each one until eventually we all agree to stay. Things are pretty similar, yet different at the same time for this timeline, huh.
I’m glad I was able to help Machias with how he felt towards nobles beforehand. Him and Jusis haven’t started a single argument since they’ve met!
Haha, it feels funny trying to measure their success by how many times they’ve argued with each other, but they at least are able to work together pretty well. It’ll be sorted out once we hit Bareahard, but it looks like there’s no internal drama between our Class right now.
I was a bit worried about having to deal with those again, haha… though we’ll see if Laura feels the same way towards Fie when she gets revealed to be a Jaeger. Hopefully it gets wrapped up even quicker this time around.
“Well well well! Looks like we’ve got nine of nine joining! And since we’ve got it all cleared up, I’d like to congratulate all of you on being the very first ever Class VII!” Sara announces joyfully, “Hopefully that eagerness won’t fall apart this year, ‘cause with the workload we’ve got ready for you all, you’re gonna need that energy!”
She starts to motion for us to leave the schoolhouse with her, with us following soon after.
Fie walks alongside me as she looks up at me, “Looks like we’re finally here, Rean.” Smiling at me softly as I lightly patted her head.
She looks away with a flustered look as I chuckled, “It feels like old times when we traveled together, huh?”
She nods at me as Jusis starts to walk to my other side, “I knew you’d make it with me, Rean.”
“What, you thought I wouldn’t make it with you, Jusis?” Raising my eyebrows at him jokingly, he sighs, “Of course not. You’re not the type of person to leave a promise unfulfilled after all. Noblesse oblige tells you to do so.”
Laughing quietly, “You still remember that, Jusis?”
“Indeed, it’s what I’ve been living by for all these years.”
Ahead of us, Laura turns her head slightly to look at me, “If you don’t mind me interrupting, I noticed you’re quite adept with your sword, Rean. Would you do me the honors of a duel sometime soon?”
“No problem, Laura. Though I’m sure it’ll be tough going against the daughter of the Arseid school.” Rubbing the back of my head as she shook her own.
“You’re too modest, I can tell your skill vastly surpasses mine at the moment. I’m quite eager to do battle with you, if I’m being honest.”
Next to Laura, Emma stares at me strangely while Machias and Gaius behind us get pulled into our conversation.
“Since you both will be doing duels, would you mind if I test my spearmanship against the both of you as well?”
“You both want to face Rean at the same time? Seems kind of unfair, right?” Machias adds in as Fie pops back into the conversation.
“If they’re doing that, then I’ll team up with Rean against them.” She says shortly with a tired look.
“Hm, team duels sound like it’d be interesting training.” Laura notes as Elliot comes in, sweat dropping. “Wow, you guys are sure intense… Already planning on fighting after we came from a dungeon like that..?”
“W-well if you guys are going to do that, I can use my crafts to help replenish you guys after each battle.” Alisa offers to us with a tinge of nervousness.
“Hey! Don’t drag your feet, guys!” Sara yells at us from ahead as we all apologize to her, trying to pick up the pace back to her. Haha, I didn’t even realize we stopped in the school while we were talking.
Glancing at everyone, “C’mon, let’s not give her any reason to drop us into more dungeons, right?” I joked to everyone while we were trying to catch up to her.
Seeing everyone again… there really is no day like this ever in my life.
Finally, I am me, once again.
I have finally returned… as Rean Schwarzer, of Class VII.
Though it wouldn’t have been right without everyone. Sure, we have to wait for our last two members, but getting back to the starting is better than being years from it.