Chapter 35

Book 3




　It's been four days since Summer Break started. Today is the departure day for the boot camp.
　Us students have gathered in the campus while Ixia-san is currently participating a staff briefing as a temporary instructor with Chief Nishida.

"Isn't that Yuuki-kun's guardian? Is she a staff member?"
"Yeah, she'll help out as a temporary infirmary helper with her sorcery."
"Hou, I knew it. She's an expert in sorcery. I should go and say hello later."
"Ah, me too. I'm Yuuki-kun's friend after all... I am, aren't I?"
"Yeah I think you are. I could call you a friend too, right Ichinose-san?"
"Why the question mark? Of course you are. You're a good friend as well as a rival of mine. Same goes for Kaname."

　Thank goodness, it felt vague since she acts a bit reserved toward me.
　This Boot Camp is joined by three students from Class SS, 10 from Class S, five from Class A and B, and four from Class C and D. 22 people in total.
　I dunno if they couldn't find 30 students wanting to participate or if nobody else met the requirements.
　I'm told that there are students who got enrolled in Scwhein School through connections. Not even Chairwoman could sniff them all out due to the countless schemes and intrigues coiling about this school from many sides.
　The five Class S students who kept messing with me aren't here by the way.
　Rick-kun apparently has gone back home. That is to say, they're all new faces to me. Smells like trouble.

"Alright, you're all here. I'll be in charge of supervising the 22 of you. You probably know me already, I'm Jen. I'm authorized to send you back if you cause a scene. Don't get funny ideas with students from this or other schools."

　I've only recently found out that Jen-sensei has more authority over students than the rest of instructors in this school. Many students come from families this school's average instructors cannot oppose, so not all of them are good orderly people with high morals.
　On that note, apparently Jen-sensei not only has the backing of Akimiya but also comes from a fairly distinguished family in Grandia, so she's got a lot of sway even to those people.
　By the way, there are around 20 students who have been expelled by Summer Break. Honestly, serves them right.

"Alright, let's get on the bus. That'll take us to the airport where we'll be boarding a plane to Hawaii. The flight should last about four hours. We'll get on board a ship right after landing and spend four hours more seafaring. Make sure you get plenty of sleep to avoid jet-lag. I don't wanna hear you lot making a ruckus."

　A Tokyo-Hawaii flight is around six hour long in the original Earth. Even airplanes are more advanced in this world it seems.
　All Boot Camp members, instructors and students alike got on the bus to the airport.



"Airplane... I truly find it hard to believe that such a big man-made object is capable of flight."
"Are you fine with airplanes, Ixia-san? I think it's scarier than ships."
"Can you not glide in the air until you reach the land?"

　No uh, that's a weird reasoning.

"It seems my seat is next to yours, Yuuki. The last time I had a trip in the air was when I rode a Monster Wagon drawn by a dragon in my past life. I simply cannot wait."
"Eh... Monster Wagon can fly...?"

　Monster Wagon is a type of carriage drawn by a monster that's still in use today.
　You might think that sounds outdated, but don't you underestimate them. They can run as fast as automobiles while cleaving through any terrains, they're actually better than cars.
　I've even heard talks about how Japanese automobile makers are consulting Monster Wagon makers on the mechanism. But... I've never heard one that flies. Age of Myth is really on a whole another level.

"We've still got time till boarding. Should we buy some drinks, Ixia-san?"
"Fufu, as a matter of fact I have brought with me our own drinks. Yuuki, you mentioned how you found the medicine I concocted delicious didn't you? I have made modifications to exclude its medicinal property. It now merely serves to relieve your fatigue. You can drink it worry free."
"Oh! ...Huh, but I don't think we're allowed to bring bottled water into the plane..."

　Ixia-san fetched a big flask with a huge smile on her face. But I don't think you can bring more than 100ml worth of liquid onto a plane. We can leave it to the crew for safekeeping though.

"It cannot be... How about we drink a bit here?"
"That's a good idea, let's."

　Just I poured the drink into a paper cup in the waiting room, Kaname and Ichinose-san came by.

"Good afternoon, Sasahara-kun's... mother, I suppose?"
"Oh? Good afternoon. Are you two perhaps friends of Yuuki?"
"Hello. Yes we're both Yuuki-kun's friends. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, these two are my classmates, also members of the same lab. Yoshida Kaname and Ichinose Mikoto-san. She's my guardian who lives with me, Ixia-san."

　The two looked a bit nervous so I took it upon myself to introduce both sides.
　Thank goodness, these two are the members in this boot camp.

"My, so you are. Thank you for being friends with our Yuuki. I believe we will have many opportunities to see each other during this boot camp, I am hoping my expertise would be of use."
"Yes, likewise. If I'm not mistaken, you are in charge of the infirmary, isn't it?"
"Yes, that is correct. My treatment is done through administering liquid medicine and inner mana adjustment instead of healing magic, but I also know a few other methods if needed be. Please rest assured."

　Jen-sensei came by as our conversation went on without a hitch.
　I'm kinda worried about this one interaction.

"My apologies for not greeting you sooner. I'm the instructor in charge of Class SS where Yuuki-kun belongs, Jen Faril. Pleased to meet your acquaintance."
"My! You're Yuuki's sensei! Yes, the pleasure is mine. You're a Dragonia, I see... It's quite a relief knowing my kid studies under your watchful eye."
"Oh not at all, it's actually Yuuki-kun who's been such a big help to me. I see... I expect no less from a relative of the royal family. Your skill in theoretical and practical fields are extraordinary."

　Sensei's public-facing persona is kinda interesting. Quit praising me just because you're meeting my guardian. It's so awkward...

"Ah no, I don't think I'm related to... the royalty. Perhaps my father or my mother might have had relatives with connections to them... But I personally do not know such great people."
"I-is that right. I beg your pardon. Yuuki-kun is quite an overachieving student which gave me that impression."
"My... That's a high praise, Sensei."

　Oy, stop that. Ichinose-san and Kaname, you two, wipe that grin off your faces.

"Please drop it, Jen-sensei. You're making me feel ticklish. Ixia-san, this Sensei doesn't usually act this way. She'd sexually harass and treat me like a kid."
"Oy Sasahara! How could you say something so cruel."
"She's right, Yuuki. Don't say that about your Sensei."

　Argh sheesh, I just wanna leave on an airplane.



　My first ever airplane travel wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be.
　No, it's not because I have a trauma over my father's death. It was just... boring.
　We're flying above the clouds so there's pretty much nothing but occasional breaks between clouds and glimpses of the seas below. That is to say, I'll be doing nothing but sitting pretty for four hour straight since we're not allowed to walk around and meet up with friends.

"Yuuki how about reading a book if you are unoccupied? I have brought some with me."
"'From the Dark Depth of Water ~Prequel, Reason for His Birth~'... Please give me a break."
"Oh okay... How about this one..."
"'BB Cooking Recipe Selection ~Good Food, Oven-less~. I'm gonna get hungry reading this... Actually why'd you even bring that with you..."

　I don't really get Ixia-san's preference.
　And yet, even just chatting away with her cheered me up, I got so engrossed talking by the time I realized the airplane had started lowering its altitude.

"This is my first time going abroad... The sea has a completely different color, awesome."
"It appears to be the case. I thought the sea at the Floating City was wonderful as is... This is amazing. You can tell how transparent the water is even from this altitude..."

　The seas around the visible islands have a light marine blue color to them, I wonder if those are shallow waters. Also, it's clear the buildings aren't as jam packed as in Japan here.
　Oh... I wish I could tour the place but we gotta board the ship right after.
　...Looks like the realization hit Ixia-san as well. She suddenly went quiet.



　As a country boy, I actually dreamed of going to Hawaii in a vacation but since we had to immediately get on a ship right after landing, it didn't feel real to me. Though the island we're heading to is supposed to be part of Hawaiian islands too.
　We arrived at an airport with a Japanese-like name before taking a transport to a harbor where we'd board a ship to this island. Apparently it was originally an uninhabited island bought by a joint association of millionaires from both Japan and America to build a private research facility on.
　Now that it's turned into a populated island, it's been deemed as part of Hawaiian islands.

"Ixia-san... Why'd you put a life jacket before we even get on the ship."
"You have to put it on too Yuuki, quickly! What if an unforeseen accident were to occur."
"It's all under control, I tell you... They have plenty of escape boats too. Let's get in line."
"Hii... Yuuki, please hold my hand... Please."

　I feel sorry for her, but on the other hand, this fragile side of her she doesn't usually show feels so adorable to me. Ah... Adorably pitiful...
　We boarded the ship hand in hand and walked straight to the room allotted to me.
　It's unbelievable how big this liner is. It's boarded not only by all the students from Japan, but also students from many other countries all over the world.
　Those cruisers that sail the oceans around the world probably looks like this.

"Let us head to our room... I will be fine as long as I don't have a clear view of the sea..."
"You're staying in my room? I think instructors have their own cabin--"
"With you... I want to stay with you please... If the ship were to sink, we'd be right next to each other... T-there's no iceberg out there, is there...?"

　Ah, right, she watched Titanic movie once... Why'd she watch that when she hates the sea....
　The room they gave me was so high class like a hotel room I almost forgot we were on board a ship. There's no window too.
　Ixia-san finally calmed down as she rustled her life jacket off and took a breather on the bed.

"Phew... This is a ship... I can't believe there's truly a ship that houses many rooms this exceptional out there... I thought for sure they only existed in movies--movie, Titanic... That movie is based on a real life accident, is it not...?"

　She started trembling midway through her sentence. I grabbed her hand to calm her down.

"Everything's gonna be alright. There's been no ship accidents with as many casualty after that one. Technology has improved leaps and bounds, we've also got magical engineering in the mix now. It'll be fine, I swear."
"A-are you sure...? H, huh... Did this ship, just move!?"
"Well of course it did. It's probably set sail already..."
"Ah... It's moving... Yuuki, please stay with me... Don't leave me alone, please."

　Those words brought me indescribable joy inwardly... but I'm sorry, I wanna tour the ship.
　Apparently they've got simple combat fields installed on the deck here, I bet all kinds of students are already having their matches there.
　Besides, I probably won't ever get another chance to ride a ship this luxurious on a sea this beautiful in my whole life.

"Err... I was thinking of having a little tour around the ship..."
"H-how could you! Didn't you promise we'd stay together all the way!?"
"T-then do you wanna go together, Ixia-san? It should feel like a huge ground facility as long as you don't see the sea. It's good as a distraction too."
"...Perhaps so. Please wait a moment, I shall put on this vest that lets you float on the sea first."

　I'm real sorry about this...
　I took life-vested Ixia-san's hand and made my way to the combat fields on the deck.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

"Oh, Sasahara-kun... and Ixia-san. Are you here to watch the spectacles?"
"Yeah, I am. Ixia-san is, well, she's sort of a tag-along."
"I see. You don't look too good Ixia-san, are you feeling alright?"
"Y-yes. I'm fine, just fine..."

　There are pool-sized and tennis court-sized combat fields on the deck as well as sunbathing benches and plenty of students around enjoying their time.
　Heck, can't believe these people had brought swimsuits with them. Dangit, these bourgeois and their trip-loving nature. Ichinose-san is in plain clothes though. 

"Speaking of which, you should go and check that combat field. Kaname is having a match with a student from another school over there. He's a student of 'Grandia Knight Vocational School Asia Branch' as well as the runner up of last year's amateur battler tournament." 
"Ooh... Tell you what, I'm not familiar with other vocational schools. Is that one famous?"
"Yes, it is. The building is located in Chiba prefecture. The lecturers there are dispatched from Grandia to teach Otherside Moves. It was originally my first choice of school..."
"I see. You had a change of mind since Kai got enrolled to Scwhein School."
"Wwha!? T-that's not exactly..."

　Bullseye huh. But I might have ended up picking that school myself if I stayed away from Akimiya.

"I reiterate, that's not the case, okay? The tradition in that school does not fit me... It's an extremely merit-based school that leaves character building and theoretical study as an afterthought. While the school accepts anybody regardless of their standing... It has its own share of issues as well."
"I see... I get why someone as straitlaced as Ichinose-san would not fit in there."
"Fufu, I'll take that as a compliment."

　I went to watch Kaname's match. He's wielding both his summoned weapon and his weapon device in both hands, a dual halberd wielder if you may.
　I've never seen that kind of fighting style. He's swinging his weapons around like an eye of a storm. His opponent didn't even get any chance to get close.
　...Or maybe it's an intimidation tactic since there's a lot of spectators around.
　He's probably well known for that style. It'll serve to prune students trying to challenge him. 

"I see he possess an excellent physical ability... activating only the absolute minimum Physical Boost. His body must be well trained."
"Eh? You can tell?"
"Mwu, Sasahara-kun, have you never seen Kaname-kun change clothes in a dressing room?"
"Come to think of it, guy was never around or more like he was already done changing by the time I noticed... He looks so slim too. Don't tell me he's actually all jacked up under those clothing..."

　The fact that we were out in the middle of ocean seemed to hit Ixia-san in the middle of her commentary, she hurriedly turned her sight toward her feet away from the scenery. It's really tough for her...

"Fumu, looks like a new challenger has come."
"Ooh... Are they acquaintances maybe? They're having a talk over there."

　A new challenger undaunted by the match just now. Guy's got gray hair, he's either a foreign student or someone who underwent Mana Mutation.
　Kaname is talking with this challenger though I can't really tell what is it about from here.

"His opponent is a staff device user I see. A mage type who chooses a staff is quite rare..."
"You're right, I've never seen anyone using a staff instead of a Spell Linker before. Maybe he'll use that as a weapon."

　Once the match started, sure enough the guy wielded the staff like a melee weapon while shooting out flames whenever he found an opening. Guy's got skill.
　But I guess Kaname is still stronger, he's starting to push the guy.
　But then, the challenger's staff got enveloped in a blue light--

"He froze the ground with cold air... That's quite the feat to do in the midst of that maneuver."
"Hee... He turned the table on Kaname-kun in one fell sweep. Excellent move."

　Flame and ice. The challenger was quite adept at using both, he'd sometimes turn the floor slippery or produce water vapor to blind Kaname.
　His fighting style is truly fit to be called a Magic Warrior. I'm getting giddy just from watching.
　But that wasn't all there is to him.
　A bolt of lightning suddenly shot out of the water vapor, zapping its the way toward Kaname.
　Attacking with flames, throwing your opponent into confusion with ice. And then using the water vapor to create a path for the lightning.
　And judging from the way he handled that staff, guy's real good as a vanguard too.

"Is this his defeat...?"
"No... He could not have gained the title champion if he were to lose that easily."

　A shockwave that could be felt even here blew away the water vapor.
　Kaname grabbed the staff that was about to finish him off while thrusting his halberd before the challenger's face.

"...Kaname wrestled victory from the jaw of defeat huh."
"Fufu, exactly as I envisioned. That's our classmate."
"...I wonder about that. I could glimpse the staff-wielding boy dispersing the magic enveloping his staff a moment before the match ended. I believe it would have ended in a draw if this were a real battlefield."
"My goodness... I missed that part. You could see it, Ixia-san?"
"Yes. Although, it's rather that I could sense the flow of mana. I do not believe I'm mistaken."
"I see... I had no idea you were a high level mage. Sasahara-kun, your mother is incredible... Frankly, I find that enviable. I'm hopeless with magic after all."
"Hahaha... She taught me a lot of stuff too. She's my family... I'm real proud of."
"Fufu, oh you're making me blush. But Yuuki, you won't call me mother, will you?"
"W-well, that one's kinda..."

　Uh... That's my last bastion. I hope that someday instead of mother, she'll be...

"Fumu, it appears they do know each other. They're coming this way together."
"That's... Yuuki, look at him. The mage young man, I believe he's--"

　I looked up as Ixia-san pointed out, the guy walking with Kaname had a look of agape on his face, which probably mirrored mine right now--

"Is that you, Yuuki!? You're joining this boot camp too!?"
"Shousuke!? Why are you--wait, what's up with your hair!?"

　He's my high school friend, Kotou Shousuke.

"Ah, you mean this. I went to Grandia in May for a linguistic study course. That spurred this mutation... It looks weird, huh?"
"Nah not really, help that it's got an understated color. Man, it's been so long... I saw your match, you were amazing. Can't believe you can use three elements now."

　Shousuke hasn't changed much. He answered me while looking slightly bashful about his hair.

"Shousuke-kun, I didn't know you knew Yuuki-kun."
"Ah, he's a high school mate. I see... Kaname you got enrolled to Scwhein School..."
"Gotta say, I never saw the fact you two were friends coming either."
"Yup. I think I lived in the same prefecture as you two before I entered high school?"
"Yeah. I was in the same primary and middle schools as Kaname until he took an exam for a high school outside our prefecture."
"Hee... Real small world out here huh... Wait, so your parent's home would be at?"

　Kaname gave me the address which turned out to be an area around an hour of car trip away from my parent's house.
　What an amazing coincidence.

"Ah, long time no see, Ixia-san. Has Yuuki been a good boy?"
"Fufu, oh he is. It has been awhile Kotou-kun. That was truly a superb show of spell control during your match earlier."
"Thank you very much."
"You'd never stop acting like my guardian, would you. I'm a college level student now, just so you know."
"...I saw the news about you on my travel back to Earth. You've caused a lot of trouble for your friends, haven't you? Try to rein in that reckless run tendency of yours. Good grief... I almost yelled out loud on the airplane."

　Ah, so he wasn't on Earth when that incident happened.
　No wonder... He'd have stormed in my call log if he were.

"Now then, I think it's high time for you guys to introduce me to him."
"Oh, excuse me. My name is Kotou Shousuke. I'm a high school friend of Yuuki."
"Ichinose-san, he's that guy. The rival I mentioned I had in high school. Guy's the next strongest after me in sparing matches despite being a mage type."
"Kuku, ah. Right, in the end I never nabbed a win over you after summer... Hm? Did you say Ichinose-san? Could it be the same one as Ichinose Swordsmanship School...?"

　Whoa, even Shousuke knows the name. Ichinose-san is that famous?

"Ah, so you knew. Yes, that refers to the Dojo my family runs. Nice to meet you, I'm Ichinose Mikoto. A classmate of Sasahara-kun as well as an oft sparing partner."
"Ah, please just be casual with me. I'm sure we'll get many chances to speak during the boot camp. That'll make things easy."
"Point, taken. Well met, Kotou-kun. Sasahara-kun heaped on praises about you. The way you fought earlier also piqued my interest. I hope you could afford me a match or two during this boot camp."
"I was hoping to ask you that myself. I won't have another chance to practice with the young lady of Ichinose Family otherwise. This is one thing I'm envious of Yuuki on."

　The two hit it off right away thanks to their similar serious nature. 
　Uumu... Guess she's really famous. That fact never set in to me until I realized all the students and even grown ups around us are looking at our group.
　We were drawing too much attention I suggested we change location. 
　Sure enough, Ixia-san went, 'In that case, let us proceed inside the ship. That will shield us from the outside, will it not?'... That's probably because she doesn't want to look at the sea, no?



"Oh dear, you can really tell this is an Akimiya liner. We're all underage here yet they go and provide a lounge complete with a bar."
"Akimiya again... You sure know your stuff Shousuke."
"Yes, I read through the guide book for this boot camp. But still... It's been really long huh, Yuuki."

　We went to a high class lounge with a calm atmosphere.
　We sat down on a big sofa encircling a table.
　Ixia-san really looks the part in this kind of place for some reason. 

"I get Kaname and Ichinose-san but I'm surprised Yuuki managed to get a spot in that new class. Isn't that Field Training lesson quite rough?"
"Well, I can't disclose the detail but the missions allocated to us weren't something we can't handle."
"Yeah. Sasahara-kun in particular has made many great contributions. Honestly, he's proven to be a great stimulation for his classmates."
"You're telling me... Sure you're not just acting recklessly? Yuuki."
"I've learned a lot too you know. I'm gonna show you on the island."

　As we were chatting away, Ixia-san who left earlier came back with several cups on a tray.
　Looks like she went to get drinks--

"Huh? Isn't this..."
"Yes. It is from the flask given back to me before we boarded the ship."

　It's Ixia-san-made energy drink.

"Fumu, and this is?"
"It's a drink that relieves fatigue concocted by Ixia-san herself."
"Hee, I knew she could treat injury. So she could make this kind of stuff too."
"Ah, so, Ixia-san, you're part of infirmary personnel?"
"Yes. I will take post in an infirmary facility on the island. I am in charge of Yuuki's school but please feel free to come by whenever."
"Thank you. I'll have a cup then."

　We all took a sip. I drank down mine in one gulp while enjoying the usual tasty flavor.

"Ah, this tastes good. It's really good, Yuuki-kun's mother."
"It really is... Also I feel like it eases up my body stiff from all that sitting."
"Ooh... I think the mana I used up in my match with Kaname also recovered a bit."
"See? Ixia-san made some amazingly effective stuff, right. Not to mention it's also super tasty, it's my favorite."
"Fufu, I'm glad to hear it is to your liking."

　Looks like the drink also has the effect of calming the mind. Ixia-san who also had hers started looking better.
　We talked about the past, our new fighting style, what to do during boot camp and so on and before we knew it, we'd be arriving in 30 minutes.
　Thank goodness, that distracted Ixia-san from her excessive concern.

"I have to go and regroup with my schoolmates. I'll be seeing you guys again on the island."
"Yeah, see you later, Shousuke."
"See ya, Shousuke-kun."
"We have a match yet to fulfill, Kotou-kun. I shall see you again."
"Please take care. Be careful you don't fall into the sea."
"Y-yes. Later guys, you too Ixia-san."

　Our group also went and joined other Scwhein School students to get ready for going ashore.

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