Asterisk Terminal Airport
Eikichi" Mhhh, been a while since I've been here. Ahh, let's get something to eat first before finding Ayato. Yep that sounds like a plan. What do you say fluffy"
Fluffy" Ssshhsssss"
Eikichi" Umu, I couldn't agree more."
Seidokon academy halls
Eishirou" What's the matter, Amagiri? You've been in a daze all morning."
It wasn't until Eishirou, walking by his side, shouted, that Ayato finally came to.
Ayato" Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."
He waved off the concern, putting on a smile for show.
Eishirou" Fine. Have it your way. You know you've been acting up ever since last night?"
Ayato" I'm just a little tired is all. Anyway, let's hurry up or we'll be late."
Eishiro" No need to rush. We should be good on time."
Even if he said that the hallways were already clear of students. Indeed, they arrived at their destination without a moment to spare.
Ayato" Oh, good morning, Julis."
Tho he greeted her she didn't respond and had her full undivided attention on the letter in her hand.
Ayato" Julis?"
julis" Eh? Oh, morning."
Flustered, she hid a letter she held in hand in a hurry, and avoided meeting his gaze.
Ayato" ...?" To say Ayato was confused would be an understatement.
Kyouko" Alright, alright, everyone please be seated! I'm going to take attendance now."
Though Ayato was concerned about Julis, with Kyouko's bloodlust permeating the classroom, he didn't dare follow up on that concern.
Julis didn't get any better as class started. She didn't pay any attention during class, seemingly distracted by something else.
Ayato" Everything alright, Julis?"
After school, Ayato found an opportune moment to approach Julis, but she wouldn't face him.
Julis" Sorry, I have something to do."
Ayato" Huh? H-hey wait a sec, Julis?"
With Julis deliberately ignoring his attempts to get her attention, he could only watch helplessly as she left the room.
Ayato" What just happened ?"
Eishirou" Oh, how awful. She seems to have returned to her old self."
Ayato" Old self ?" He asked futhering his confusion.
Eishirou leaned in conspiratorially and answered his question.
Eishirou" Before you came, that's how the Princess always acted. She gave off this aura of don't concern yourself with me. Here I was, thinking things had finally taken a turn for the better, but it looks like we're back to square one."
Ayato"..."
While Ayato was still worried about Julis, he figured it best to report back to Claudia about yesterday's incident. He could also use the opportunity to ask her her thoughts on Julis.
STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE
Claudia" My, what an unexpected guest. How can I help you?"
As he entered the student council room, Claudia greeted him with a smile.
Ayato" They came looking for us again yesterday."
Cladia" So I hear. It seems they employed Le Wolfe students this time around."
Ayato" More importantly, I've got a number on our mysterious assailant."
His words took Claudia by surprise.
Claudia" Truly?"
Ayato" Yes, I'm pretty sure I'm right."
Leaning in, he whispered his conjecture into her ear. She paused for a moment, deep in thought.
Claudia" Now I get it, OK. I'll look into it. I hope everything goes smoothly."
The worried expression on her face didn't disappear.
Ayato" Something wrong?"
Claudia" Did Julis figure it out as well?"
Ayato" It's not like I've confirmed it with her, but I don't think she'd have missed it."
Claudia" Where is she now?"
Ayato" She said she had something to do, she had to go first, Shit!"
Ayato finally connected the dots.
Given Juli's personality and the fact that she'd likely realized who the culprit was, there was no way she'd just let things end there.
Claudia" It seems this time things have gotten a little troublesome."
Ayato" But what do we do now? Without evidence, the culprit can just lie about their role in things."
Claudia" No, with things having reached this point, they can't pretend nothing's happened anymore. More than likely, they'll try to silence Julis personally"
Ayato" Don't tell me. That letter from this morning!"
Claudia" Letter?" She asked confused.
Ayato" When I came in this morning, Julis was reading a letter. She was quite intent on hiding it, so I was rather suspicious."
Claudia paled. "We need to find Julis now."
Ayato" But where do we look?"
Ayato" Ah, wait a moment."
Ayato's phone suddenly rang. Thinking it was Julis, he frantically answered.
Saya" Ayato, save me."
Unfortunately, the voice came from none other than a frowning, frustrated Saya.
Ayato" Saya? What's wrong?"
Saya" I'm lost."
This clearcut answer gave Ayato a headache.
Ayato" You're lost again? I'm sorry, but I have more important things to worry about right now; I need to find Julis."
Saya" Riessfeld? I just saw her."
Ayato and Claudia traded glances.
Ayato" Really?"
Saya nodded in the affirmative.
Ayato" Saya! Tell me, where did you see her last? Or rather, where are you now?!"
Saya" If I knew where I was, I wouldn't need your help, now would I?"
Ayati' Right, I forgot.'
Claudia" Excuse me, Sasamiya-san. Would you mind moving the camera around a bit so I can see your surroundings?"
Saya was slightly confused by Claudia's request, but she nonetheless did as asked.
Claudia" That's just outside the redevelopment zone. Between here and there, there aren't too many options. That narrows things quite a bit."
That was Claudia for you, a simple glance was sufficient.
Ayato" Thanks, Saya! You really saved us!"
Saya" I still need to be saved."
Ayato was torn. On one hand, he felt he should go get Saya, on the other hand, if the attacker really had called out Julis, she was in grave danger. Even if he gave Saya directions, however, it was unlikely she'd be able to arrive safely.
Claudia" I'll go pick up Sasamiya-san. Ayato, you go to Julis."
Ayato" Sorry, and thanks."
Claudia" None needed."
Claudia smiled charmingly and marked a potential spot on the map.
Ayato" Why didn't Julis say anything? As expected, I guess she doesn't feel she can rely on me, huh?"
Claudia" Precisely the opposite."
Overhearing Ayato's mutter, Claudia, still focused on the map, laughed.
Ayato" Huh? What do you mean?"
Claudia" Didn't I say this before? That girl will go all out to protect the things she holds dear. It seems you now fall under that category."
Ayato" Protect...me?"
At that moment, it finally all came together for Ayato.
He felt enlightened; it had finally all become clear.
Ayato" I see now..."
He thought of that summer night.
Of his sister's words, that she'd protect him.
Of his words, that he'd protect her.
Of his masters promise to each other.
Though he'd failed to keep that promise with his sister.
Ayato" So it's really that simple."
He finally knew.
What his mission in life was.
Claudia" Got it!"
Claudia shouted in elation at that moment and forwarded the map to his phone.
Ayato" Great!"
He'd best start with the closest location first.
Claudia" Oh, wait just a second. Before you go."
As Ayato prepared to dash off like a bullet, Claudia called him back.
Claudia" That' is ready. Please take it with you."
Ayato thanks her before sprinting to hopefully make it in time.
What Ayato or anyone hadn't noticed was someone or rather a certain redhead laughing his ass off on top of seidokon academy.
Eikich" HAHA THATS IT AYATO. YOUVE FINALLY FOUND YOUR CALLING. NOW SHOW THE WORLD WHO YOU TRULY ARE. USE YOUR STRENGTH AND THE STRENGTH IVE GIVEN YOU TO PAVE YOUR OWN PATH."
After his fit of laughter, he managed to calm himself." I can't wait for Ayato to present grandfathers decades of sweat blood and tears to the world as I had 5 years ago. It will be a long journey my disciple. But I know you can do it."
Ayato' And I'll be there for support if you need a good kick up the ass.' someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.' You've finally found all three. But let us see if you can find your happiness.
Kuruma" Not going to follow him."
Eikichi" No not yet. For now, my attention is on the girl that was with Ayato, I don't know what it is but I fell a sort of kinship with her. It's quite strange."
Kuruma' Maybe because she reminded you of your past self. Or one of them anyway.' Kuruma said, not intending to let his words reach Eikichi.
End of chapter
...
I mentioned near the beginning that Eikichi's grandfather will teach him his sword style. I've been thinking about names but good names are hard to think of. This is what I got so far. Still need help with the 4 final sword strikes.
Abe sword style first form: Sword orbit. ( Slashes anything it sees as an enemy within a 500-metre radius in under half of a second.)
Abe sword style second form: Bolt Strike. ( A strike that gatherers magical energy plus chakra from kuruma. Before releasing it at the tip of the blade, magnifying the slash attack, which flies forward. The slash takes the shape of a wave. Similar to getsuga tenshou from bleach only this strike has condensed lightning or rather super bolts. The most powerful type of lightning recorded.
Abe sword style third form: Interplanetary Cleaver. ( A single downwards or upwards swing that open up a portal through space and to another dimension.)
Abe sword style forth form: Trick Barrage. ( Creates the illusion that Eikichi is swinging from different angles, confusing the opponent, into not knowing where the strick will come from.)
Abe sword style fith form: Cloud Cut. ( kills or injures enemies with them feeling any pain.)
Abe sword style sixth form: Space Planetary Quasar. ( Let's just say it's similar to tanjiros sword strike against rui, that cuts of his head. But times that spiral strike by two hundred times.)
Abe sword style seventh form: Gospel Edge. ( Once cut, heals any allies, as long as they still hold breath.)
Abe sword style eighth form: Keen Illusion Delusion Deceiver. ( Eikichi's sword will vibrate. And once the enemy locks there eyes onto the blade, they will be put under an illusion. Locking away all of there senses including the sixth sense precognition)
Abe sword style ninth form:
Abe sword style tenth form:
Abe sword style eleventh form:
Abe sword style Final form:
Thanks for reading.