"No. It isn't like that. No......"
"I heard from Selina."
"Wu. Ah. Really!" Leu moaned. It was rare for her to be in a fluster when she was usually cold and calm.
"Never mind. It's nothing even though Nina knows...... Nothing. Nothing at all!"
"Why are you angry?"
"No, I'm not angry," she lowered her head.
Nina didn't understand why her emotions fluctuated so much. Speaking aside, Selina seemed to be hiding something when she mentioned that Leu had a boyfriend.
(Because she's shy?)
Perhaps. Perhaps so. Nina could only guess, since she herself didn't have a boyfriend.
"Uh?"
Nina cocked her head. Leu was laughing in a bad way.
"What is it?"
"You came here with the platoon, right? How come you're alone?"
"Ah......Nothing."
"......Isn't that answer a bit too forced?"
"Nah, Layfon fainted."
"Again?" Leu asked. "He can faint. Is his body that weak?"
"Not really......Seems to be burnt."
"Burnt?"
"Ah. What happened? It isn't a heatstroke though."
"Uh......Ah, perhaps."
"What? Thought of something?"
"Not really......only......No, perhaps......" She studied Nina. "Um......It's not bad. Your muscles aren't that thick."
"What're you saying?"
Leu ignored her and touched her arm and leg.
"Hey, what're you doing?"
"Your muscles aren't that bad. Just a little bit hard. Your stomach doesn't have any unnecessary meat."
"What're you touching?"
"Nah. I think it'd be interesting if he fainted because of your charm."
"Ha?"
Charm?
"What're you saying?"
"Wrong. You shouldn't be asking me with such a serious expression. You should blush."
"No, as I was saying......"
"Hey, do you know you're a girl?"
"Of course."
"I sometimes wonder whether you might think of yourself as a man."
"Stupid."
"Then why do you not blush?"
Even so, that would be hard for her.
Nina knew what Leu meant now, but she might not be the only reason even if Layfon fainted because of a lady's charm. At that time, Felli, Leerin, Meishen and Dalshena were around him. All of them were beauties. Sharnid would probably cry with joy.
She understood Layfon's fainting had nothing to do with her own charm.
"Well, I don't know. Besides, men's hobbies aren't the same."
"But."
"Well, for example. Don't you find it hard to accept? Don't you find strange if a guy you find revolting actually has a pretty girlfriend? Hard to accept, right? Don't you think that girl has done something against nature?"
"I don't think so......"
"Right. Then perhaps Layfon likes your type of girl."
"Wu........."
"That's right. Since it's rare to get to relax, don't stand here. Go do something fun," Leu said. "Ah......"
"What're you thinking? It must be something bad."
Leu went back to her boyfriend. Her good point was her ability to tell Nina what to do while holding an indifferent attitude. But now...... Would Layfon like Nina's type?
"Wu......." She stayed rooted on the spot, troubled.
They had barbecue for dinner, and it was dusk when they finished eating. The number of people on the beach had increased. Some had set up stalls along the beach. Layfon and the others changed into their clothes and went to check out the stalls.
"So many people," Leerin said with a sigh.
"Yes," Layfon said with a sigh too.
"What, what? You don't see this much? It's just a normal summer festival," Mifi said.
"We don't have many summers in Grendan."
"Ah, just three times."
"And we didn't have huge festivals."
"Just at the beginning of the New Year. It was grand, but all other smaller events were done within small areas."
"Wa, so old-fashioned."
"Are there many festivals in Joeldem?" Leerin asked.
"Many. The Electronic Fairy Festival is on every single season......"
"Really."
"Joeldem must be rich."
Mifi began to explain Joeldem's festivals to them. Both of them sighed at hearing other festivals.
"Though I thought of it when I came to Zuellni, Grendan really is very poor," Layfon said.
"What? You only found out now?" Leerin said. "It's always fighting. It shouldn't have that much money."
"Ah, I see."
"Geez, you should use your brain. It's the same whether it's money at home or money used to run a country."
"Ah, only Leerin would think of that though."
The two of them continued to admire the stalls as they argued.
"Oi, it's almost time," Sharnid said, checking his watch. "Hurry."
"But all the good seats are taken now," Dalshena protested.
"Not really. We can just use our brains more, and that's what makes it meaningful," he said.
Light blossomed.
"Wa......So pretty."
Fireworks lit up the sky above the quiet lake. Leerin sighed from the imaginary flowers that were blossoming above her.
"They use real fireworks in formal situations. The sound would be very loud. As expected, we don't have the budget and the technology," Nina said to Leerin, who looked unhappy.
White and red light painted Leerin's face. The fireworks were only images projected in the sky.
"That must be done by the Message Team. I saw them recruiting a short while ago."
"Ah, those guys are cutting corners this year."
Harley and Kirik. Though Kirik had pointed out the weakness of this year's fireworks, he cheered like everyone else under the grand decoration of the fake fireworks.
"Use your brain......This is what you mean?" Dalshena looked around, not interested. They were on the roof of a research building. It usually banned normal students from entering, but the research students were here appreciating the fireworks.
"Huh, still can't quite see it clearly," Meishen smiled bitterly. Naruki looked uncomfortable.
"Sorry," she said.
"No worries. We're in a festival. You've been busy this year too. Don't have much time to relax and rest. Take this opportunity to enjoy your time," Sharnid said.
"Yes, yes," Naruki said in a small voice to Meishen.
"Look, you're making it difficult for the first year, doing whatever you like," Dalshena glared at him.
"No one wouldn't want to be the guy whom girls can rely on. The problem is just how the opposite gender thinks."
"What. Are they in that kind of relationship?" Dalshena understood now.
"I'm happy to have you rely on me."
"Not in my life."
"So mean," he shrugged.
She glared at him. Her gaze then alleviated.
"But, great suggestion for the holidays."
"Isn't it? Youth is short. Summer is even shorter. It'd have been a waste if we didn't enjoy it."
"I don't mean that. I mean Nina."
Nina often sank into contemplation recently with a serious expression. Though she hid that expression once she noticed someone looking at her, she had failed to escape Dalshena's eyes. Dalshena didn't know what she was contemplating. The busy schedule of the recent Military Arts Competition was a timely relief for the Captain. However, that limit was close to its breaking point. Dalshena feared something might happen, and that was exactly the time when Sharnid made his suggestion.
"Well, that person's too passionate."
"Passionate?"
"Her brain gets heated up. She needs to cool down before losing control," he said and smiled, thinking of something. "Every day is so hot. Other symptoms might just explode together."
"Your joke isn't funny," she said. H
er expression turned lonely. "That guy would probably look bitter if he heard this foolish talk."
"What? Thought of something?"
"You can't think of it?"
"Who knows," he turned his face away.
"At least, I don't have the right to sympathize with him."
"Sympathy. He'd probably hate it."
"Perhaps."
They lifted their gazes to the fireworks, thinking of their still unconscious friend.
Meishen and Mifi watched the two of them from behind. "And that is the injury between the two of them."
"Is, is that so?" Meishen said, confused.
They couldn't hear the conversation from here, and eavesdropping wasn't good. But she felt like the scene of the lonely two of them watching the fireworks really feels like a painting.
"This adult-like feeling is too much for Mei."
"Uu......"
That must be it since it came from Mifi.
"Then let's use a more direct method. Contact. Direct and enthusiastic body contact!"
"......Wait, don't you find what you're saying strange?"
"There's no other way though."
Meishen's face must be very red. She wanted to stop Mifi but she still looked at the direction she was pointing.
At where Layfon and Leerin were watching the fireworks together. Perhaps they weren't used to watching fireworks. The two of them looked at the sky like little kids.
"You have to show something of yourself like the fireworks."
"Eh?"
"If you can't do that, then it'll never come to you. Look over there."
She followed Mifi's direction again. Felli and Nina were standing somewhere not too far from Layfon and Leerin. A distance that wasn't too far and too close to the other two. A distance that allowed them to speak to the other pair at any moment.
"Look, they're waiting too. You're also thinking of pushing them away, pushing Leerin away and wrapping your arm around his. That kind of an initiative."
"No, I can't."
That was too much for her. But......
(Wu......)
But she should be able to take up her courage again. That was what Meishen thought. She knew she was weak, and that troubled her every time she thought of it. She could only be like this because she was born timid. But if she could have more courage...
"What, Mei. Your face is red."
"No, nothing."
But she could only blush and think, imagining herself in that place as she looked at Layfon and Leerin. And self-hatred rushed up in her, knowing she could only imagine and not do anything.
(I want courage.) She thought as she watched Leerin. She felt that everything would end in the blink of an eye.
Nina walked with exhaustion. Students filled the tram station, waiting for a tram to take them home. Layfon and the others planned to walk a little before parting to head home. Dalshena and Sharnid decided to just walk. Naruki and her friends stayed back at the tram station, saying they wanted to get back faster. Harley and Kirik returned to the lab.
That left Layfon with Nina, Felli and Leerin. At first, Layfon and Leerin talked from one thing to another. This was their first time experiencing the fireworks of summer. They were really happy, and Nina's expression softened as she watched them. Felli wasn't as indifferent as before. She didn't keep her distance but instead, she showed interest in joining the conversation. But by then everyone had quieted down.
(Too tired?)
Only Leerin wasn't a Military Artist. She had a full day, and she also swam. She must be reaching her limit now.
(Let's not force her. We'll take the tram in the next station.) Felli thought.
Though Felli was a psychokinesist, her physical strength wasn't as strong as Nina and Layfon's. However, she did do training, so she was in better shape than Leerin. Even so, she felt uneasy with her current steps. As she thought, the next station was her limit.
The station appeared soon, and that was the parting point for them. Nina and Leerin lived in the same dormitory, while Layfon and Felli lived in the same suburb. Felli heard a light sigh when they were about to reach the station.
"Right, let's take the tram here," Nina suggested.
Layfon nodded.
"......Sorry, please wait," Leerin said, stopping.
"What is it?"
The streetlight didn't reach her face, so the others couldn't make out her expression. Was she not well because of her tiredness? Should Felli have taken the bags? But Leerin had insisted on carrying it.
"I've something to say to Layfon," Leerin said, her hand on the bag on her shoulder.
"Ah, then we'll......" Nina said, feeling the unusual atmosphere.
It had been three months since Leerin arrived at Zuellni. But she had not once said why she was here. Academy Cities had fewer encounters with filth monsters, so they were safer than other cities. But in truth, Nina witnessed a ruined city on her way to Zuellni, and filth monsters did attack Zuellni recently. The journey on a roaming bus was unsafe, yet Leerin had traveled all the way to here. Why? Many people should have already asked her directly or indirectly, but she kept diverting the conversation. This time, she was going to say it.
Nina swallowed, feeling the tension. It felt different from when she was in battle. It was a feeling of knowing she shouldn't be here. She exchanged a glance with Felli. The other girl was also hesitating.
"No. I want you to hear too. I want you to hear because you understand Layfon, the Military Artist whom I don't quite understand."
"Uh......um."
"...........................ok."
Layfon waited with a tense expression too.
"Layfon......"
"Uh........."
Leerin watched him as if confirming he really was him.
"......When I read the letter that you wanted to stay as a Military Artist, I was relieved."
"Eh?"
"You wrote that in the letter. Though I was happy and troubled, I was happy that you told me you wanted to stay a Military Artist. I've always thought of you as a Military Artist. It feels like if you're not a Military Artist, then you're not the Layfon that I know. Then you'd have disappeared, and I would really hate that feeling."
"Leerin........."
"But I thought about it. If I reunited with Layfon, observed him well and seen that he was actually an unwilling Military Artist, then "let's have it stopped". Zuellni's circumstances are irrelevant. I'm not a Military Artist, but I've heard father's stories, so I understand the cruelty of battles. If that is really how Layfon feels, then there will definitely be nothing good that will come from being a Military Artist."
Her words nailed Nina's heart. She didn't want Layfon to fight again, yet he did, all because of the lack of maturity in the Military Artists here. All because she herself was too useless. She had thought of this many times, but who helped her climb back to her feet? Layfon. Who helped her to make her stronger? Layfon.
In Nina's eyes, she could do nothing to catch up to Layfon's strength. The term "help" probably meant nothing much to him. Because no one could catch up to him......They could only rely on him.
Leerin's hand reached into the bag. "But it turns out Layfon isn't really unwilling. How Layfon feels about this, i don't know, but you've never worn the face of being unwilling. And that is really great."
"It's not like I've given up leav-......"
"Un, even so, that's okay. Because at least I know, for Layfon, being a Military Artist is not an impossible choice."
"Leerin......"
"So, to the present Layfon...... No, it's because you're you now, that I think this is essential to you."
She took out something from the bag. It was a thin, long box, wrapped in a piece of clean cloth adorned with gold and silver threads. A crest was carved into the cover of the box. Nina didn't know what was inside it. She glanced at Layfon and saw him frozen with shock.
"This is......"
"Father has already forgiven you. And he feels
he owes you, so he hopes you can accept this."
Father......Nina recalled the school of Psyharden. Layfon sealed those techniques of his but Haia had always been using those Katana skills. She didn't know what was inside the box. Did Leerin want Layfon to pick up the Katana? Or was it because Layfon had greatly improved, so? He had become stronger than before? In that case......
But Layfon quietly shook his head.
"I'm sorry. I can't take this."
The events that happened after that night were like raging waves. It was very hard to make sense of them.
Chapter 2
Enemy
The information arrived yesterday morning.
Delbone's power of psychokinesis could almost discover any nearby filth monsters one week before the city came across their paths. However, this time the filth monsters had an excellent ability to search out their enemies.
"Then what about their fighting power?" Cauntia squinted happily as she stood on the edge of Grendan. Her waist long white hair fluttered in the strong wind. She wore the long coat that only a Heaven's Blade Successor was given. The coat covered her body and cut her off from the pollutants in the air. The coat was surprisingly light, allowing her to move freely in it. As such, the coat fully revealed her delicate body. Her waist was high and her arms and legs were long. Only the word "grand" could be used to describe this body. She held a large weapon that had a long and thick handle and a wide and big blade. The head of a dragon decorated the place connecting the blade and the handle, as if the blade was about to shoot flame. The Green Dragon Crescent Moon Sabre, this was her weapon. It was a huge weapon with imposing pressure that was alleviated by the small charm decorating the blade.
"Aren't you anticipating this with excitement?" she turned around, her red painted lips revealing the joy in her. A scar from her forehead to her chin cut through her beautiful face. She smiled like a little girl.
"Your presence is too heavy."
Contrary to Cauntia, a calm face met her gaze. That person stood alone and he was only half as tall as Cauntia. However, his head, eyes, mouth, nose were all big in proportion. His arms and legs were short, giving off a feeling as of a kid being magnified. His skin was smooth and his face was round like a sticky rice cake.
Blue Mazurka Page 3
