Chapter 17
Book 2
"Oh, figured you three would pass."
Ichinose-san, Arariel and Kaname were already waiting inside the Practical Combat Theory laboratory. Also a brown haired elven schoolboy, I think he's from a different class. That means only five of us got accepted huh.
"Sasahara-kun, you too huh. Thank goodness."
"Fufu, congratulations Yuuki-kun."
I got no response from Arariel. Thought as much.
The last one is an elven man who sent a gaze full of skepticism.
Dangit... Really does seem like elves are all beautiful.
"Sensei's coming after he's done cleaning up he said."
"Oh, guess it can't be helped. That test was too much even for me."
"It's scary how you got so much from so little. Wait, does that mean--"
"Yep, I threw up."
Please don't just come out so nonchalantly like that.
"Indeed, despite knowing that it was VR, the sensation was... I suppose I cannot confidently assert I have cut down a monster anymore now."
"Oh! You've seen a monster before, Ichinose-san?! W-what kind?"
Generally, videos depicting Grandia are banned in circulation.
There are videos for tourism and referrals use but those videos feature no monsters, no nothing. Naturally, citizens are barred from taking pictures or videos as well.
"It was a type that looked like a deer. It had six legs and about as big as, let's see... could you imagine a moose that's twice as big?"
"...So more than six meter tall. I'm gonna black out if I came across that thing."
Monsters scary. Are you telling me I'm gonna have to fight them one day.
...Right of course, humans won't be the only hostile around... Dragons and friends exist too.
As I was inwardly trembling at my future prospect, Sensei opened the door and went in.
"Kept you people waiting. As you're aware, you five are the only applicants passed the test. In fact, the limit has always been five new members at most."
Right after he said that, the classroom whiteboard turned transparent and started showing videos like a monitor.
Whoa, what the heck is that. Way too high tech.
"Normally today is strictly about orientation, however, I'll have you participate in a review meeting as members of my lab. I wish to stir up your mind once again when emotions still run fresh and scenes vivid after that test. Do prepare yourself."
No doubt about it, this Sensei is a psychopath.
The video displays what happened inside the VR space. That includes the projected scenery of course.
"Sorry but if you're going to tread a life of constant risk, you will be under constant scrutiny here. Evaluating, rating, and appraising between each other. First, I'll offer my analysis on your issues starting from the least classified to the one with the highest aptitude. Peel your eyes, you may learn a thing or two."
The first being shown was the unfamiliar elven schoolboy.
He listened to the uniformed tutorial woman from start to finish before she attacked him from behind.
"Here. You did not heed my word regarding everybody being an enemy behind the door and was taken by surprise. However, you narrowly escaped fatal damage. This sort of situation may arise in actual missions. You must never drop your suspicion even toward your clients. Think the deeper meaning of words. This was the result of your negligence. Understand?"
"...Yes."
He responded with a dispirited voice. The video kept going.
"Afterwards, you focused on rescue effort and took some damage in the process. I suppose it's worth a praise. You saved many lives while suffering minimal damage. Healing art is apt for you. Consider it one path you may take."
"Thank you very much."
Eh, no way! I went around and killed them all though! He told me everybody was an enemy!
The elven schoolboy saved all the people he could save and abandoned those he couldn't afford to. He rescued the last hostage and cleared--not the level, he was tricked by Sensei in the end and lost.
I see, so this is how one netted the fifth place.
"While I believe you're too honest for your own good, I greatly commend your pride and way of life. I hope you will never lose it in your pursuit for callousness here in this lab."
"Thank you very much. Today has been a very fruitful learning day to me."
...This Sensei could make some shockingly decent remark.
The next video got played.
Surprisingly it was... Ichinose-san.
"Ichinose's prowess was remarkable as you'd expect. As you can see, she reacted to the initial ambush through pure reflex. She deemed everyone enemy due to this event and ran straight to the goal, forgoing rescue effort altogether. Yes, she ignored all but her objective. You could say that is the most indispensable quality of a mission taker. However, in the end--"
In the video, Ichinose-san bowed and thanked Sensei in the VR before he chopped her head off in the next moment.... Had no idea it could project something this realistic.
"...Truly deplorable. You may laugh at me, Sasahara-kun."
"No uh, that's the normal reaction. You were tricked and all..."
Sensei added more once the video was over.
"To my understanding, Ichinose has had real life experience under her belt. That might contribute to her extremely efficient result, but she is exceedingly prone to ambushes and trickery. Also, being laser focused on the objective risks losing your quality as a human. You may lose credibility with your clients that way. Well, some types do value that above everything but I'd like you to study more on the good of flexibility under me."
"Yes, instructor. I shall endeavor myself."
No seriously, how're you able to say something so decent, Sensei. I'd have never guessed this was your character from everything you said before this point.
"Next up, I had to make a difficult decision but it would be you Yoshida-kun."
"Yes."
"You noticed the ambush even earlier than Ichinose. That despite the lack of bloodlust in VR."
"Yes, but I could sense the attack coming. This technique is applicable inside VR as well."
"Fufu, I see. Afterward, You ran past everything like Ichinose, made an attempt to save the hostage at the end--and failed. The hostage was killed off."
In the video, Kaname is hunching over in front of the kid's body.
Seeing the kid you were trying to save getting killed in front of your eyes will get you be like that, even if you know it's VR.
"At the very end, you were attacked by my impersonator and fought back admirably."
"Yes."
"However, losing yourself during a mission put yourself in an extreme risk. I am sorry but I'll have to subtract points on that. It is okay to throw it up. Go on and let it out. All the pain and suffering."
"...Thank you, Sensei."
"You will likely go through many more harsh things in the future, but stand firm and walk on steadfast under my guidance. It is fine to let it out when you have to."
Kinda feels like there's a different meaning to Sensei's word. Aren't you talking about real vomit, Sensei?
"Considering you haven't had your name called, Sasahara-kun... Well done."
"No uh... I wonder about that..."
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap. I should have ignored everything and just run past all....
I went and killed 'em all though!? I even went the trouble of thrusting my sword through crevices to get kills. My video's gonna look like a serial killer movie.
"Next up, Arariel. I did not expect this, you seemed well acquainted with real battlefields. Your home land is... I see, so you lived in North Leshia Kingdom before you came to Earth. That explains it."
Next up was Arariel's video. Everybody seemed taken aback by the name of the country Sensei mentioned though. Huh... What kind of country is it to garner this reaction.
"During the final stage, Arariel forwent trying to save the hostage and killed it alongside the target. In the end, my impersonator took him out by surprise. He understood the point of this test while misreading the true end. However, I believe you have more than enough qualification by now. From here on, you should hone on learning practical moves, and by that I mean lethal ones."
"You got my thanks. I really gotta show ya my appreciation next time."
"Yes, you're welcome to. You will participate in my lab starting next week. You may throw everything you have got against me then."
Scary. Sensei's seriously scary. What the heck's he saying with that broad a smile.
"...I would have never expected Sasahara-kun to take the first place. I cannot wait to see your video."
"...Ichinose-san... Please don't hate me even after you watched it, okay."
Now come and have at it! Nooo!!! Please don't click play!!!
"...Next is the last one. As you may have inferred by now, the first place goes to Sasahara. The video I am going to show you depicts a warrior solely devoted to his mission, or perhaps, I should say a killer machine-turned human. It is in a way, the ideal to which you strive for, while simultaneously a real risk to have under. Pay attention now."
And thus my public execution was held.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"...That is all. He has a complete understanding of my word, 'Everything inside is your enemy', 'Do not let up until the end'. He kills every single person with utter devoid of hesitation, doubt, waver or mercy. This sort of missions may possibly come around, indeed. What is the best possible course of action in such missions. This is one possible answer to that question. I give him a full mark without a shadow of doubt."
The classroom's mood has died off. What was just shown was a video of a homicidal maniac who kills even people trapped under rubble and the elderly. He would go out of his way to thrust his sword in crevices where only voices begging for help could be heard and even cut down children. I even stabbed Sensei whom I'm acquainted with without showing any hesitation whatsoever.
...Oh damn. Watching me doing all that felt way more shocking than when I actually did the deed.
I feel like puking now.
"Sasahara. You spent a lot of time ruminating the meaning behind my word to deduce what the test about and kept a comparison on the test times. I saw you did in the surveillance camera. Thus explain your action."
"...Yes. No... It's unbearable when I actually watch it."
"Umu, I bet. However, your resolve and unwavering swings of your sword. As well as that Physical Boost you displayed. Every single one is terrifyingly superb. I would not believe it if you told me you were enrolled here through regular channel."
"Thank you very much."
"As for your policy, let's see... You should polish your preparedness, experience and moment's judgment here. I cannot wait to watch you grow. Also, feel free to throw up if you don't feel well. Here and now."
"No thank you."
In a world where this kind of power is a normal everyday thing, I believe this experience would benefit me even if it was in VR... It should be.
"That concludes the program today. All of you are officially my lab members. Sessions will begin next week as stated. I'll post your schedule beginning of next week, you may check it later. You're free to go."
"Sensei! You forgot the most important thing!"
Whoops, can't stay blue forever. Sensei, you forgot something.
"Sensei, tell us your name. I think it's high time for an introduction."
"Fumu, that slipped my mind. It's Mikami Yoshihisa. Feel free to call me Professor Mikami, Mikami-Sensei, Instructor Mikami, or Mika-chan."
"Got it, Mika-chan. We'll be in your care next week."
Ah, he laughed and nodded. You're seriously fine with 'Mika-chan'?
In the classroom after Sensei left. Amidst the dead atmosphere, the first to break the silence was.
"Kuku... I wasn't wrong, yer' damn interesting. What else I gotta say after watchin' that?"
"I mean you're one to talk. You're faster than me if we look at time."
"Cuz you took yer sweet time killin' 'em all. Kuku... That Mikami guy's just as fun, I ain't gettin' bored here. Us mad men better buddy up, yeah?"
"No no, nobody's gone mad here. I mean, you're actually kind aren't you? You love your family. Quit trying to act like a lunatic or get a rise on someone. Arariel."
That's too much. I'm no madman. I'm just trying my best to survive.
"Wha?"
"...That's just the impression I got. Anyway, don't make me sound like a bad guy, Arariel. I merely picked the most optimal solution from the little info I got."
"...Yeah?"
Guess I'll head back. I don't feel too well.
Ichinose-san walked up to my side when I left the classroom.
"...That's right, you took that action after thinking everything through with the information you have in hand. You opted to do what could only be done in VR and fought to the end. An admirable trait for a warrior indeed. I apologize for acting unbecoming."
"Hm, thanks. You're so kind, Ichinose-san."
"Fufu, hearing that type of unfamiliar praise tickles the mind."
"Hehehe... Ah, I don't feel to well after watching that video. I'm heading back home. You can meet up with Kai by yourself, Ichinose-san. He should be on the third Training Hall, that's where the battler clubs train."
"O-oh, okay... You really know a lot don't you Sasahara-kun. Did you look into it?"
"Yes. It's written on the school Map App."
"...I do not mesh well with Smart Terminals."
I can kinda tell somehow. She's kinda old-fashioned, like some sort of warrior.
I parted way with Ichinose-san, grabbed the basket I left at the cafeteria and made my way home.
The hill behind the school was supposed to be a training area as well but it's now left unused thanks to our home being there. But since it's close by the school, it's being used by some club to welcome freshmen. Fumu... Are they doing the magical version of a survival game?
They asked me if I wanted to join to which I refused since I was just passing by. Uumu... I'm surprised at myself. I feel really down in the dump.
I think this is the first time I feel this depressed since I came to this world.
"I'm home~."
I went in the unlocked front door. Proof of there being someone inside.
That fact alone improved my mood if only a little bit and afforded me greet cheerfully--
"Welcome home, Yuuki. You did great today."
"Yes, I'm back Ixia-san. Thank you for the lunchbox."
Ixia-san welcomed me with a smile. Even just that greatly lightened my heart. I'm surprisingly easy to please. Umu, no, this is only normal, no need for pity.
"I'm so glad it is to your liking. Please wait a moment, okay. I had purchased a tasty looking treat while I was out shopping today."
"Oh that's unusual. Ixia-san you don't usually have sweets."
"Fufu, perhaps so. There was this mercantile car going around selling cake. The freshly baked cake they had on display looked very appetizing, I could not help myself."
That's new. Ixia-san rarely ever bought snacks or drinks.
Of course she never complained whenever I put some in the shopping basket and would have them with me.
...Back when we had energy drinks together, she had this real serious look as she read the ingredients.
『Oh some of these are... akin to the ingredients blended in potions. I might be able to bolster its effects if I mixed it with the medicine researched by the country I lived in... Very curious.』 she said.
I'm gonna drink 'Ixia-approved Super Effective Magic Agent' everyday. I'm sure it works great.
"Here you go. It's a cake called Baumkuchen. And now, allow me to brew your tea."
"Ah, thank you. I can make tea myself, Ixia-san."
"Fufu, entrust this to me, Yuuki. Brewing tea is one of my few specialty."
Ixia-san looked unusually confident as she skillfully made our tea. Mumu... I read brewing tea takes a lot of care to get right. You're saying she's good at it.
She spooned tea leaves and put it in the pot instead of using tea bags.
When did she buy those... I'm convinced now, she must be real good at it.
I can make barley tea in summer at best. Either that or instant coffee.
She served our tea with some sort of heat retention apparatus I'm not familiar with.
"Please have a cup, Yuuki. There is an abundant variety of tea in this world and this one is not particularly expensive, but I find it all so fascinating."
"Oh, I had no idea. I didn't really pay attention to that stuff... Ah, it smells nice."
I was surprised at the the full-bodied aroma stimulating my nose.
So you could bring out this kind of fragrance just by changing the brewing method.
"Would you like to add sugar, Yuuki?"
"Ah, I'll have some. Two spoons please..."
"Fufu, I shall take as much."
It's a bit hot I guess? That thought only crossed my mind for an instant as the insides of my mouth were filled to the brim with the scent of tea just at the right warmth. Incredible, this just from a sip.
"It's good... I've never had a tea this good in my life."
"Fufu, oh that's nice to hear. I too was none the wiser about the wonder of tea until I was educated on the brewing method... Hm, it is delicious. It goes nicely with Baumkuchen."
The emotion stagnating in my heart from the stuff I experienced today is getting washed away as I spend this quiet moment in peace.
Ah... I'm getting healed. This is nice... I love this moment.
"Yuuki, you have visibly gotten more cheerful. Did something happen at school?"
"Err... You could tell?"
"Yes. Your expression had more strains than it usually looked when you passed by the front door earlier."
Whoa, how can she tell. I did feel down though.
Now that she's seen through me, I give up trying to hide it and tell her what happened today.
About how I killed people even if it was in VR. I didn't really feel bad when I was on the act yet watching the video brought me down hard.
And above all, how 'eerie' I find how unfaltering I was.
"...I see. I did have a degree of experience in one such VR facility that allows real feeling sensations to pass through during a training shortly after I was summoned into this world. The act of murder in that environment easily mistakable for reality is such a cruel ask for children of this world."
"But I probably will have to go through that for real due to this power of mine. That's why I made the choice. It's okay, I'll be fine now that I've had Ixia-san's tea."
"...Is that right. However, Yuuki, that feeling, that emotion is something that is meant to exist. Please do not see yourself as 'abnormal'."
Ixia-san stood up and sat down next to me.
She gently took my hand and softly brushed it.
"I too was embroiled in combat during my younger day... I have killed people with my own hands."
"...I did have an inkling."
"Due to my slightly peculiar origin, I had been educated in the art of magic combat from early age. However, just like how you are feeling right now Yuuki, I developed fear toward myself on the day I took someone's life."
Ixia-san narrated her past with a fleeting nostalgic look on her face.
She slowly rubbed my hands as if trying to peel away my tension.
"That day my mother treated me the same way I do you right now. We had tea together, she would hold my hands, and--"
She quietly pulled me.
Then she put her thin yet powerful arms around my back.
"And thus she did this. How does it feel? Can you feel relief? I do not consider you abnormal. The way you feel now is completely normal. Please do not worry."
"I-I do feel relieved... Sorry, this is too embarrassing, can we stop..."
"Fufufu, I will have you play along with me just for a little bit more today. I shan't let you go."
"Gwe... Too tight, too tight..."
"Oops. Fufu, oh dear you got away."
This is what I get when I let my guard down! Eyy, I'm so embarrassed I could die! My heart's throbbing like no tomorrow! ...But it was indeed super effective. All my anxiety, nervousness, fear gone.
An unbelievably enormous wave of gentle relief wrapped my entire being, I almost hugged her back on reflex.
...Isn't this the best mental care ever? Why would I got to a psychiatrist when I have Ixia-san?
"Fumu, I must say physical contact is the greatest indeed. You should depend on me more, Yuuki. Would you perhaps like to sleep in the same room with me today? Seeing as your bed is bigger than--"
"No, let's not. I'm fine now, no really."
"Is that so? It appears you are. I should make preparations for our dinner soon."
"Got it. Ah, hold on, let me wash the utensils in the basket at least."
"Fufu, thank you ever so much."
G-gotta do what I can do. I can't not give back when she's already given so much for me. All I do is wash the cups though.
"Ah, thanks to Ixia-san making so many sandwiches and preparing all those cups, I got to eat with my classmates today."
"Oh yes, I did expect as much. I was hoping you would share them with your friends."
"I see, so that was the aim. I got to make more friends thanks to your ploy, Ixia-san's."
"Very much glad to hear that. Tomorrow would be--Saturday. Would you bring a lunchbox on Monday?"
"Monday, I gotta go to the lab I took the test at today. I'm probably gonna run late so you don't have to make one."
"Very well. In that case, I shall put my all into tomorrow's dinner."
Ooh... Ixia-san keeps getting better and better at cooking as of late. She might really cook up a storm. I can't lose... I gotta look up where to eat good fish cuisines.
I made the excuse of wanting to prepare for tomorrow in my room and left. I'm feeling kinda awkward right now.
"...Can't stop grinning like an idiot. How can she smell that good... Can't be tea."
Ixia-san only puts on light make up, wonder if it's her perfume.
"Alright, I don't gotta bring a lot of textbooks on this day, nice. Why don't they make these into e-books anyway."
I put the textbooks and my notebooks on the rucksack I bought on garage sale back then and placed my clothes on a hanger.
I've made a new discovery. Dress code uniforms were the best. Picking different clothes every day is a tall order... Back then, the money I got from part time jobs could be put into my living expenses and games too. Also smartphones.
My savings were used on Training Facility ever since I came to this world and I took no part time job. I should have brought more clothes. Guess I'll do so tomorrow.
As I started having trivial worries in this new life, my smartphone, smart terminal rang.
"Oh, it's Shousuke. That's new."
Shousuke who hadn't been in contact since graduation called.
It's a voice call, not a mail.
『How have you been Yuuki, you free right now?』
"Sure am, I'm at home right now. It's been so long Shousuke."
『Yea. I have just grown accustomed to living alone recently. I was wondering how you're doing hence this call.』
Oh... My kindred spirit... You're the first who called since graduation!
Not like I called anyone either though. Everyday's been a struggle.
"I was just about done with the orientation and picking my lectures and lab."
『You've already joined a lab at this point of time huh... Your zeal never dies. The gifted pursuing an even greater height I see. So what lectures did you pick, Yuuki?』
"I wanna learn more about Grandia history, culture and myths so lectures about those and modern weaponry. Also courses on combat tactics and Mana Application, dunno if it's gonna work though. My lab is called Practical Combat Theory, I'm trying to learn in depth about actual combat."
『I see, history and culture mirror my picks. All of them are endlessly curious. On top of those similar lectures, I also took the lecture on Rare Race Language.』
I get why since Shousuke plans to work in Grandia.
Afterward, we talked about our private life like school commuting and stuff.
『Speaking of which, she... Yoshikage-san is at Tokyo too I heard. Have you met her?』
"Ah, Satomi-san. I tried to mail her but I got an error message back. Seems like she's somewhere out of signal."
『Fumu, perhaps she's in Grandia then? Signals don't reach that world, and I'm sure she's occupied with many matters over there. I imagine it would be some time until she's back on Earth.』
"That how it works huh. Oh right, there's that stuff about Mana Transmutation."
Mana Transmutation. When you cross over to Grandia for the first time, your body will adapt to the higher density mana found there. The process takes time so you have to stay there for a while.
No wonder I can't reach her if she's in that situation.
Some cases have your eye and hair color altered even.
...That's kinda exciting. Wonder what's gonna happen if I cross over?
Shousuke has black hair and eyes just like me.
"I'm just glad to hear you're doing well over there."
『Likewise. Be a good boy and don't cause trouble for Ixia-san now.』
"What are you, my dad!?"
『Kukuku, alright, I've got to hang up. Later, Yuuki.』
This stuff is nice. Yeah, those guys and gals must be starting to adapt to their new lives too. My lecture and lab days will start for real soon... I can't lose to them.
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