Chapter 28
Book 3
"Four day long... truly?"
"Well, we're gonna spend most of the first and fourth days on transportation though."
"Does that mean this mission takes you to a faraway place?"
"Yep. It's a facility out in the open sea that gathers mana leaking from the gate and supply it to distant countries--"
"Open sea!?"
At night, I talked to Ixia-san about my day at the campus until the moment I mentioned where I'd be going for the next mission to which she yelled out loud.
"Y-you cannot go! Being left out above the sea... You'd be isolated, with no means to call for help, I will not stand Yuuki going to such a dangerous place...!"
"You're overthinking it, Ixia-san. I mean, it's right next to the Gate and all. In a way, it's the most secure place in the whole world, you know? I bet they've got all kinds of incredible machinery we could only dream of and a proper fail-safe if things go wrong."
Probably. Come to think of it Ixia-san... mentioned how she isn't too keen of seas... she had a narrow escape from death...
"I-is that right...? However... please never ever let up. Listen to me, if by any chance you fell into the sea, you must not panic, release any heavy item you have on you and relax your body..."
Wonder if I'm a bad boy for thinking how cute Ixia-san is when she gets unusually flustered like this.
"Yes, I'll be careful. Now let's work on this meal. Would be a shame if it turned cold."
"Oh that's right. What do you think? This so called tempura is similar to Karaage I have had experience making of."
"It's really good. Crunchy yet not oily."
"Fufu, I'm glad to hear that. I made these using a tempura coat BB Channel recommended. Om... This herb is such a delight... It has this peculiar flavor to it I like."
I watch her as she delightfully bites the tempura. Umu, a sight for sore eyes indeed.
The following day, no schoolgirl would approach me despite the lingering weird mood in the air. Kazuki-san is a miracle worker.
Though if even one of them made a serious attempt to take me, they'll definitely get to clash with Akimiya somewhere along the way regardless. So there's no chance of them ever succeeding in the first place.
I spent the week busying myself with getting credits and it was the end of the week before I knew it.
Today's lunchbox is leftover tempura from yesterday mixed with egg.
This might actually taste better than the tempura itself.
Proof being Koune-san's unusually good mood. Actually, could you quit snatching those off me, I don't got a lot myself.
Saturday. I'll be visiting the USH store with Kazuki-san today.
I went to the campus's front gate where we agreed to meet up.
I invited Ixia-san but she's having a meetup with her mom friends she's been getting along with lately in the downtown.
Umuumu, looks like she's adapting well to this life, she's even formed a small community of her own.
That was when. A luxury black car arrived at the front gate.
Thank goodness it's not a limousine. That thing really catches all the eyes.
The luxury car stopped in front of me. I bet it's here to pick me up... but something unexpected happened here.
"Kept you waiting. Did I take too long?"
"Eh! H, huh? Kazuki-san, you've got a driver's license."
Yep. Kazuki-san came out of the driver's seat in person.
I don't see another driver inside. She really drove the car herself.
"Yes. I had it since high school. Rest assured, I have a fair share of experience driving a car under my belt. Would you mind sitting in the rear seat? I have my baggage on the front seat."
"Ooh... I've never been in a car driven by someone my age. I'll be in your care today."
"Fufu, really now. I'll be sure to drive safely."
Some people get nervous when they ride a car. All the more when the driver is your classmate... Oh crap, I'm getting conscious about it.
"Fufu, feel free to relax Sasahara-kun. Take it easy."
"Uh... I can't help it."
"Can't you now? Ah, now that I think about, this would be the first time I have a passenger my age as well. I suppose that is something to be tense of... Or is it?"
Afterward, Kazuki-san didn't look particularly fussed at all as she drove the car on the floating city. She's my age yet she looks so cool somehow behind the wheel.
Kazuki-san drove the car to a parking area in front of a multi-story building right in front of the shopping area.
We'll be walking to a USH store nearby from here.
"Speaking of which, do you live around these parts, Kazuki-san?"
"Yes. I rented a residential area in an office building. From what I've been told, a company director and his family originally lived in that place."
...That's probably a property Chief Nishida offered me way back.
I see, Kazuki-san ended up living there huh.
We talked about Kazuki-san's life here and my house's location on our way to the store. I noticed people glancing at Kazuki-san along the way.
...She's a beauty after all. Actually, the girls in our class are all pretty...
Selia-san is a lively sporty beauty, Ichinose-san's a gallant beauty who's probably popular with everybody regardless of gender, Koune-san is... pretty as long as she keeps her mouth shut. Kazuki-san is the very picture of 'Japanese Young Lady.' Long black hair banzai.
"...We're drawing attention. Let's hurry it up."
"Ah, you noticed? Kazuki-san is an eye-catcher after all."
"Eh? What are you talking about? They're looking at you, you know."
"Eh!?"
"Have you not... left the campus area lately? You're still a hot topic among the masses. Mass media dare not to approach our campus, but your name and picture have been spread far and wide, this situation is inevitable."
"...I haven't set foot outside the campus after leaving the hospital."
"...I see. Let's make haste."
The USH store is a giant shopping center that occupies an entire multi-story building.
Each floors have stores that deal with different types of devices complete with workshops for fine tuning and even an indoor training facility. You'll never run out of things to do even if you spend a whole day here.
...I'm also seeing a lot of young people who are probably students from our school here.
"Well, those who wish to practice on holidays would flock to this place. Many students being device users is also a factor."
"Ah, right. You can summon some sort of powers dwelling in your body instead of weapons too."
"Yes. Is that not the case with you?"
"Eh, me? Not me, what I summoned was... a being unrelated to combat."
I got myself a family. I can't say that out loud but looking back... that's really nice. That's right, I got myself a family. I'm no longer alone. I have a family now.
"...You look so happy. I'm sure you acquired something irreplaceable."
"Yup, that's right. How about you, Kazuki-san?"
"Fufu, I too summoned a rather curious being. You could say it's a type of electric spirit. Although the detail is unknown, it's apparently a familiar of the ruler of lightning."
She produced a light ball on her palm that formed into the shape of a small mouse, a hamster... An electric mouse? That's Pika--Cough cough.
"Uwaa, it's so cute... It really looks like a real animal..."
"Fufu, you're exactly right. It is indeed cute appearance-wise. This little one has enabled me to command higher power over everything related to electricity. It's the best possible partner an aspiring engineer could ask for."
"Hee! Oh, it's looking at me! Hehe, what a cutie pie."
...Hamster, so cute. Electric hamster... So nice....
"Come let's head for Floor 4. That's the area focused on bladed devices."
"Got it, let's. Later then, Hamchu."
"...Can you not attach a name without permission? This little one has a proper name just so you know, it's Elecrea Hamko."
"O-oh, okay..."
That's a rather uh, unconventional name sounding both kinda cool and kinda cute.
At the Bladed Device Corner, Kazuki-san went straight to the service counter.
"Good day. Can I talk to the manager, I believe I have left a message yesterday."
"Oh if it isn't Lady Kyouko! Welcome to our establishment!"
"Keep it down. We can't have you disturb our customers."
"Ma'am, my apologies. Please wait as I bring you our engineer."
Oh... Forget 'to an extent', we're pretty much treated as VIPs.
I feel kinda bad about it.
"Sasahara-kun. Could you leave your device on this desk?"
"Ah, gotcha."
I put the weapon device case I brought with me on the desk.
It made a creaking sound as I did. Will it be OK.
"...I am aware how heavy it is considering the material used, but I'm amazed you can casually lift that off. Will you be okay with a lighter sheath? Won't it hinder you in combat if you're already used to that weight?"
"Ah, I leave this case behind when I fight. I just put it somewhere handy."
"Oh my... Do you mean to say it lacks any form of protection? That's such a waste of a wonderful device... We must make you a sheath post-haste."
The called expert engineer came after a bit.
The length of a katana blade is standarized so even USH-made sheaths can be made to fit Akimiya-made devices.
"I have never worked on something this incredible. I see, general-made sheath would not last from the wear and tear. Sasahara-sama, will you allow us to keep your device for a time? We would like to test which sheath works best for this blade."
"I got it. How long will it take?"
"Let's see, today we will test the sheath, choose the right material that can bear the load, and process it before molding the shape, etching the Property Shift formula and finishing with a touch up, so..."
Oh man, looks like it won't make it in time for the Field Training. Or so I thought--
"Finish it in three days. You only need the weapon device to measure the length, return it to him once you're done. Two hours should be plenty of time."
"Eh, that's way quick! You sure they can get it done that fast?"
"Fufu, the Formula Seal Art is our company's original after all. I can confidently assert we boast speed and accuracy head and shoulder above our competitors. Well, it may not compare to specialized Grandia mages' work, but merely etching a Property Shift formula on a sheath is nothing difficult."
"Hohou... Hmm, guess we'll have plenty of free time then..."
"How would you like killing time at the Practice Facility on Floor 7. You could borrow a katana type device and trial a slim sheath with it. It could serve as a test run."
Oh, that's a good idea. I handed over my device and followed Kazuki-san to the Training Facility.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Fufu, it's a job well done. I have not baked these in quite a while... Yes, it will do."
Alone in their home, Ixia looked satisfied at the 'muffins' she baked.
It's the sole pastry she could make originally. She would bake and serve them for tea times with her children in her past life. To her this pastry represents a memory she holds dear.
She's planning to bring them to a tea party held in one of her mom friends' house she often chatted with at the downtown supermarket.
"I should set some aside for Yuuki. I wonder if he would find these muffins tasty."
Her head is always full of nothing but her adopted son.
Initially, she was driven by a strong sense of duty to lead and stay by his side until he reaches adulthood.
But she herself gradually begins to be dependent of Yuuki as time goes on.
Her own son. Precious son. Darling son. Beloved son.
Her love only grew even deeper after Yuuki's near death experience.
She would even use treatment as an excuse to sleep in the same bed, too strong a stimulation for a young man.
Just the other day. She eventually went back to her own bed since she had finished treating Yuuki. She felt a tinge of regret over that.
"...All right, I should be off. The place should be... Okay I will be fine, I have passed through it before."
"This is the location."
Ixia went to Itou-san's house whom she got along well with after Itou-san taught her how to get past a self-checkout.
Itou-san also taught Ixia a lot on stuff like time-limited sales, daily discounts and which grocery to purchase. She was a lifesaver to her.
Itou-san's family consists of a small kid and another kid that has gone independent.
Itou-san being a veteran parent in a way is another reason for Ixia's trust on her.
"My, Ixia-san! How was it? You didn't get lost, did you?"
"Yes. I hope I did not keep you waiting."
"Oh not at all, welcome. Everybody's here already."
Itou-san had planned to introduce her classmate that are also moms of kids to expand Ixia's social clique.
"My apologies for my late arrival. It's my pleasure to meet you. I am Sasahara Ixia."
"My... Oh no, now I'm getting nervous. Nice to meet you, I'm--"
After a round of introduction, the moms began to engage in pleasantries while enjoying Ixia-made muffins. Their topic naturally veered to the newcomer, Ixia.
"How old is your son, Ixia-san?"
"Err, he is 18 this year."
The same thought crossed all the moms' mind in that moment, 'Huh? He's surprisingly old?' but they immediately convinced themselves, 'Oh right, 18 to elves is around 5 or 6 to earthlings.'
Yep, Ixia never mentioned that her son is adopted.
No, she never even considered it was worth mentioning.
"Ah, he just got enrolled this year then? My son is a first year as well."
"Yep yep. Our kids are all around the same age."
"My, I had no idea. Yes, my kid was also enrolled this year. It was the first time having my kid enter a school, I faced some difficulties cooking his lunchboxes and understanding his schoolwork."
Ixia also thought incorrectly that these moms' kids are students of Scwhein School like Yuuki. Kids aged 6 and kids aged 18 are both first grade after all.
They kept discussing their parenting life despite the crossed wires.
"Mama! I wanna go to Hiroki-kun's place--!"
"My, Tacchan, are you done with homework?"
"I will after I get back!"
Itou-san's child, Tacchan came to the living room where the moms were having a lively talk. Ixia couldn't help feeling excited to see this small kid.
"My... What a cute boy."
"Fufu, thank you Ixia-san. Where's your greeting to Ixia-san, Tacchan."
"Waa... Hello, Ixsha-san."
"Fufu, hello. He's really cute, may I carry him in my arm?"
"Fufufu, here you go before he runs off."
"Waaa!"
Itou-san laughed as she handed her son to which Ixia-san accepted with a big smile on her face.
The kid was seemingly shy seeing how young Ixia is compared to the other moms present and acted out a bit.
The kid ran out of the room with a reddened face leaving a satisfied looking Ixia behind.
"Fufu, he's such a cutie. My son would let me sleep with him when he was feeling unwell the other day but he said he could sleep alone now that he's fine. It was a bit disheartening."
"Fufu, kids their age start to insist they can sleep alone."
"Yep yep, just like my kid. He said, 'I'm a grown up already, I can sleep by myself', the moment he went to school. We usually took a nap together too."
"They're all like that. But they're still children at heart. Just the other day, mine said 'Can I sleep with you today?' just because he saw a horror movie on TV."
Ixia felt as if a bolt just struck her out of the blue. 'I can use that!'
But think about it. The moms here were talking about Primary School First Year aged six. Absolutely not, 'First year young man in college, aged 18.'
"I agree. There's nothing wrong about us sleeping together."
"Fufu, I know they're too shy to admit though."
"Well it might be a bit... once they're on their second year, but I don't think it's weird when they're still on first grade."
"Yes. Tacchan would share the bed with me every once in a while too. I don't see any harm if you want with your son, Ixia-san. Especially if he just recovered."
"Yes, I'll make an attempt to convince him today."
And thus the misunderstanding only deepened as Ixia secretly made the resolve to 'watch a scary movie together next time.'
"Is that you Kazuki-san! Are you here to inspect the building?"
"No. I'm accompanying a friend to assist them with their device tuning."
"Friend... Ah, that hero-san huh."
Training Facility on Floor 7. Sure enough, it's packed with Scwhein Students.
The floating city has Training Facilities run by Akimiya office, Akimiya resort hotel and several at our campus, but this location has an easy access which greatly helps attract people.
Having known many upper echelon Class S students due to her company connections, one of the male students from that class, I think, walked up and spoke to Kazuki-san.
"That's hero-san for you. He even got Kazuki-san chaperoning him. To tell you the truth, I had always wanted to have a chat with you. I couldn't find the opportunity with all the people flocking you lately though."
Fumu. I'm familiar with the way this man looks at me. It's the way you see someone you don't like it.
Well, I do notice plenty of students who obviously don't like me getting the ladies' attention.
A group of men, probably his friends, showed up behind him.
"Please guide us oh great hero. Tell us the greatness of Class SS."
"You bet, I could use a reference for when I move up the class in second semester."
"Heard you've got some incredible jumping power. I've got plenty of chances if all that takes to join Class SS, don't I? Come on, play with us hero-sama."
Uou, these young masters are way too obvious about it. But well, I do have some time to kill just like you guys--
"OKOK! Hold on to your seat, my device's not on me, I'mma go rent one."
"You're quite accommodating aren't you, Sasahara-kun. Are you sure?"
"Sure am. I gotta find a sparing partner anyway. Scwhein Students won't fall behind will they?"
I choose a Samurai Edge rental model to practice for my upcoming sheath. Oh... Everything about it looks like a real authentic katana.
Now then... I'm not kind enough to take their sarcastic remarks lying down, I'm gonna teach them a thing or two.
"All five of you can come at me. That'll make for a light exercise. A handy handicap for you guys if I do say so, no?"
Alright, got all of their aggro on me. Think that's a job well done for a defender? Time to switch over to attacker.
I put protectors on my joints and vital points before entering the training field.
Five Scwhein School students are waiting in a skating rink-sized ring enveloped by a transparent wall for spectating.
These guys all probably got their own devices. Heck, they might actually have summoned weapons even.
"...Yuuki, was it. Don't get cocky just because you want to get on Kazuki-san's good side..."
"You Class SS bunch is an eyesore. You lot even took over those labs."
"Kazuki-sama and Ichinose-sama are one thing. But how dare plebeians like you stand above us."
Man you guys didn't waste time at all to show your true colors once we're inside this soundproofed ring. Lemme get a word in too then.
"Shut up mob."
Okay, that's that. Now then... Yup, the sheath sits just right.
A blue lamp lit off to signal the start of our match, in order to check how far I could go with my loosened Limiter outside the campus--
I dashed out at maximum speed. Can't forget to yell 'Daai' in my head of course.
A running slash. I could tell the drawing slash I made was unlike anything I unleashed before.
I sheathed the blade and dashed out once again before making another quickdraw slash in one smooth motion.
I did that five times, and finished the fifth slash before they could even move their hands.
"...Oh shoot, wonder how that looked from the sidelines. Gotta ask for a video data later."
There should be cameras recording from all the relevant angles in this Training Facility. USH Facilities are just as good....
"So yeah, your weapon devices got blown way over there--"
I turned around to see the five boys crouching down while holding their hands. It's okay, I don't think they're broken.
"--Still wanna go?"
Scwhein School students ran away!
"Oh man... I could move better than imagined, so exciting!"
Outside the training room, a crowd of people has formed around Kazuki-san.
It's okay, I don't think I moved that abnormally. I mean, Ichinose-san could have blocked it. I'm sure everybody can do it too.
But it did tell me the sheer gap between Class SS and Class S.
The way they held their weapons reeked amateur hour to begin with. You should already have Physical Boost on when you grab your weapon. That's just common sense to members of Practical Combat Theory Lab. Our combat readiness is on a different plane altogether.
"Why would you draw attention to yourself."
"Haha, I couldn't help myself... I was so happy I could finally use this type of sheath. Can't rent any Samurai Edge Model in my rural hometown, you see. Also I'm a habitual user of Akimiya models, so this was a first for me. This thing's so easy to handle."
"I-is that quite right... Let me have a look at the sheath."
Kazuki-san had an amazed look but then she seemed like she realized something and drew her face near my waist.
"...The devices here are well maintained to keep them in their best state, so this means... That one match was all it took to get it to this point. Sasahara-kun, your physical ability is truly a class of its own. The sheath's mouth has already been chipped."
"Uoo, you're right... Will my ordered sheath be fine..."
"I would like to believe it is, but let's bring this damaged sheath as a reference. More importantly--Would you let us use the edited footage of your match as a promotional material? In exchange you won't have to pay for the sheath you ordered. I fear the total cost would greatly balloon."
"Ah, yeah, forgot to ask about the cost."
Uh well, the pay I got from the last Field Training was enough to last me decades. I can probably afford the price.
"I don't mind as long as you keep my face hidden."
"Fufu, we have a deal. You don't see such high level swordsmanship often. I'm confident it will be a boon to our sales projection."
Whoa, she's laughing so hard....!
"Thank you for waiting. Here, you can have your device back. We have made an adjustment referencing the damaged sheath you supplied, please feel at ease knowing that the finished product will be better for it. Dear me... I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a student fighting on the level of a top pro leaguer."
"You're too kind... I'll leave the sheath in your capable hands."
I received my weapon device back, this giant case will finally take a breather.
I look back at my match earlier. It's proven now, I really can reproduce all the moves from games stored in my brain. That means... even my Physical Boost itself is the result of me imagining all the stuff in manga and anime found in my original world. With that logic, my power is... actually not quite Physical Boost itself?
"Sasahara-kun. Now that you've taken care of your business, are you going home?"
"Hm, I don't mind tagging along you if you need me, Kazuki-san. Are you heading somewhere?"
"I don't have any specific plan... But how about a meal together as thanks? The time's just right for lunch."
"Thanks?"
"Yes. A token of appreciation for choosing our product, granting us a precious footage and letting me spend a wonderful time on my day off."
"Haha, the feeling's mutual. Okay, where do you wanna go?"
"Yes well. I have a particular place in mind... Will you accompany me to the harbor ward?"
Harbor ward? That was the place we had a meal during the last Field Training.
Fumu, wonder if she's got a favorite restaurant there?
I took my first view on the bridge since that incident inside the car while Kazuki-san was driving.
Looks like it's still under construction and they're now running a ferry service between the floating city and the mainland.
But the fact that they're done with most of the foundations in just a month drives home how advanced this world's science is.
"The ruins of bridge in the distance. The construction work is going smoothly thanks to that serving as a relay point."
"I see. I'm just glad they're quick on the reconstruction work. Oh man... Looking at it again, can't believe, how far I jumped..."
"Sasahara-kun, you must take pride in yourself. I cannot stand watching people looking down on you they way that lot did. Do not let those who could only flaunt their household believing they have no flaw look down on you. Not when you risked everything for the sake of other people's lives."
Kazuki-san sounded vexed as she pondered out loud.
"Pardon me for phrasing it this way, but you'd have nothing left if they look down on you. You're strong and noble. Someone both Akimiya and I believe worthy of our aid. Nobody will fault you if you throw your weight around for a bit."
"Well, you might be right. But you know, I like my life right now. A campus life where I can have fun with my classmates. I'm sure this life will change if I change. I don't want that."
I might be able to avoid disputes like earlier if I formed a clique and strutted around like I owned the place.
But... What's so fun about that? That type can stay in the world of novel, manga, anime and game. I don't want to act like that, I'd rather be the protagonist's best friend than the protagonist himself. Yep, best friend. I don't want to become a protagonist.
"Really now. Fufu, I might feel like a clown when I see you."
"Kazuki-san, could it be those words are meant for--"
"...Please forget about it. I choose to stand and take up this mantle with all that I must bear."
"Hm. Well, but there's only you and me, your classmate here, and we're currently out having fun."
"...Fufu, you're exactly right. We've arrived. Let's go."
Kazuki-san led me to a certain restaurant.
Well... I thought it'd be some sort of high class establishment, nope, it turned out to be 'Hakata Delish Fest' eatery instead!
"Ah, right. Kazuki-san, you're from Fukuoka."
"My? Did you memorize that tidbit from my introduction? Fufu, our company is an investor of this eatery. I can guarantee the taste. Let's take a seat."
In the end, I got to enjoy a fun lunch time full of novel Hakata cuisines and listen to Kazuki-san's fervent speech about pork bone ramen.
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