"How can I not know Naoto? Naoto here is on a whole another level. I'm not speaking of one's skill in battle. In terms of nobility, he outranks me.", Angelica said. For some reason, she had pride in her voice. Gee, I wonder why?
"Haha. It sure has been some years since we've met last, hasn't it, Angie? It looks like you've been well. Seeing you with Zin and Kilika here, does that mean you've been learning martial arts from them?", I decided to ask. "And just so you know, you're only a year older than me."
"Hehe, that may be the case. But we're still far from someone like Lord Rufus. Pattycakes, on the other hand, is younger than us. I also recall Lord Cayenne having a daughter too who is a real beaut.", Angelica said, calling out certain individuals who belonged to each of the Great Houses. I will give a reminder that thanks to my existence, it is now the Five Great Houses, not four. I don't know if this will lead to anything, so we'll see. Still, I couldn't help but inwardly sigh. The person Angelica was referring to as Pattycakes here is Patrick Hyarms. The youngest son of the House Hyarms. You'll get to meet him during Cold Steel. He's quite pompous at first, but he becomes an enjoyable character later on.
"Are you sure you're fine speaking of them like that, Angelica? These are the Great Houses we are speaking of here.", Kilika said, showing a serious look in her eyes.
"Why not? You're looking at two House members, Kilika my dear.", Angelica happily answered. Hearing that caused Kilika to furrow her eyebrows.
"You truly are a noble? Zin didn't mention that part.", Kilika inquired.
"Haha, I may have left that part out.", Zin said, scratching his head.
"I am. But I don't play the part a lot. Keep it a secret will you? It isn't exactly widespread knowledge, knowing who I presently am and all.", I replied.
"Very well. We'll keep it under wraps. At the very least, you're polite, unlike this brat here.", Kilika said, scoffing at Angelica while looking back at her.
"H-Hey! Not cool.", Angelica retorted.
"Hahaha.", I replied, laughing while watching this exchange. "You two seem close. Angie really does train under you, Kilika? In what, Taito?", I asked, wanting to confirm.
"For now. Much like how you introduced that girl to Zin, I have taken on a disciple. Angelica is showing lots of promise already. Too bad you didn't want to participate in this tournament. Otherwise, it very well could have been you against that girl in the finals.", Kilika mused.
"I wanted to sit in the crowd for this one.", Angelica responded. "But regardless of that, I didn't know you had a cute little sister. It's almost like I'm looking in the mirror. It's quite scary.", Angelica said, teasing the two of us. Hearing that, Kloe blushed.
"Hehe, it is nice to meet you all. We get that a lot.", Kloe said, keeping her voice polite like usual. As Kloe said that, Estelle just blinked her eyes at Kloe.
"But Naoto and Kloe are---?", Estelle tried to say, only for Joshua to quickly react. Estelle couldn't even finish her sentence before Joshua covered her mouth with his hand. What came out next was too muffled for anyone to hear.
"Estelle, some things are better left unsaid.", Joshua quickly said, speaking to Estelle.
"Oh my. It does wonder what she was trying to say.", Kilika said, curving her eyes upward and smiled. Hearing that, Zin laughed.
"Haha. It looks like you two haven't changed one bit. Nice to see you again too, Schera. You're doing your job nicely as their senior.", Zin said, greeting the three. Beside Kloe, Princess Alfin and I, Joshua, Estelle and Scherazard were with us. Emma too. Our group was currently seven people! "We haven't exactly met before this. I would pop into the Guild branch in Grancel City and Rolent from time to time and saw you three together quite a bit. Aspiring to become Bracers yourselves, I take it."
"We are. It is nice to meet another Bracer. Zin the Immovable. Your name is quite widespread.", Joshua said, greeting the man. He then took his hand away from Estelle's mouth. It took a second for Estelle to realize who Zin was.
"Ah! So you're that giant bear who always worked with the other Bracers beside Schera.", Estelle said, causing Zin to burst out in laughter. Kilika just stared at the three.
"The Silver Streak is one thing, but you know these two kids, Zin?", Kilika asked.
"Hahaha! Sure do. Estelle Bright and Joshua Bright. Two promising Junior Bracers. Still got a couple years to go before you two can join the Guild and take the Bracer Exam. After all, you need to be sixteen to join the Guild.", Zin said, explaining to Kilika.
"Uh-huh. It's still a couple years out but we'll be sixteen before you know it!", Estelle happily replied.
"For once, I agree with Estelle. Time has been flying pretty lately. Hopefully we'll continue to receive guidance from Schera in the meantime.", Joshua said, looking back at Schera.
"That's the plan. Cassius is still gone a lot so it's up to me to look after you two. I didn't think I'd catch you here today, Zin. Sure is a small world, isn't it?", Scherazard said, smiling at him.
"Hehe, it sure is. I couldn't help but notice those two lovely kittens next to you, Naoto. Especially the golden-haired girl. Now that is a surprise like none other. I wonder, what is such a stray kitten like yourself doing so far away from home~?", Angelica asked, looking at Princess Alfin.
"Oh my. What ever do you mean by that?", Princess Alfin shot back with a clap of her hands, and decided to play along with Angelica's teasing. "I do believe this is the first time we've met."
"Don't be like that, Your Highness. We've met before, even if it was long ago.", Angelica spoke back at her.
"Teehee, surely I jest. It sure has been a while, Lady Rogner. If you must know, Naoto and I are on a little date right now~", Princess Alfin teased back. And yet, the moment those words came out of her mouth, Emma's glasses fogged. I then felt daggers being stared down my back.
"Uhh...Alfin, can you like, not do that? Now's not the time.", I retorted.
"But it's true.", Princess Alfin replied, pouting. Hearing that, Angelica laughed.
"Haha! Now that's something new. Already calling each other by first names, huh? Somehow I feel left out.", Angelica retorted back.
"This is getting nowhere...", Joshua said, and sighed.
"I'm right there with you Joshua. Look. We're all just having some fun today. Enough with the pleasantries.", I said, and shrugged my shoulders while sighing.
"Fine, fine. We'll leave our titles behind for today. We are here to have some fun, as you said, Naoto.", Angelica said, being serious this time. She always liked to joke around, especially when beautiful girls were around her. That was one of her more questionable characteristics, but I'm here now. Perhaps that'll change for the better. She becomes quite the hated character in the games because of that.
"Anyway. I'm Emma. I'm accompanying everyone for the time being.", Emma said, keeping her introduction short. Hearing that Zin nodded.
"In a way, it looks like all of us know each other. Through one way or another.", Zin said, musing at that fact. However, it was then Estelle reached her hand out, causing us to look at the Arena below.
"It looks like the next match is about to start!", Estelle happily said.
"That does seem to be the case. Sherryl's entering the finals. She will be up against quite the interesting opponent this time around.", Kilika said, wondering how things will play out.
Sure enough, it really is Sherryl who is participating in the martial arts tournament for Grandmother's fifty-fifth birthday! Very similar to how Estelle and her party fought alongside Zin in the games when Grandmother was sixty. Kilika is right on the mark here, and I was very interested. Will Sherryl come out on top?
Our eyes landed on the wide, grassy field below. To the left was the winning contender of the previous match. It was a girl a year younger than me, sporting lilac-colored hair. Her outfit was pretty simple, a white martial arts gi. Her hair was tied into a ponytail to not get in the way. Compared to our last encounter, her skin was much more defined, likely thanks to Zin's training. She's been steadily growing from what I could see. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher, honestly speaking. But the most surprising thing was the black belt around her waist. In my previous life, that had meaning. It meant one was already an expert in the school they studied under.
"Wow, Sherryl's already an expert in Taito?", I asked with earnest interest.
"She is. Both her talent and growth is scary. At this rate, she might become more of an expert in Taito than me, and that's saying something.", Zin said, praising Sherryl's skills.
"True. This girl is very promising. Her body knows how to adapt to everything we send her way. Where'd you pick up such a talent, Your Highness?", Kilika decided to ask me.
"Haha, didn't I tell you we aren't calling each other by title today? Just call me Naoto. And as much as I wish I could explain the situation to you all, some things are better left not answered.", I said, and shrugged my shoulders.
"I see...", Kilika responded, feeling dejected. I mean the DG Cult was a sensitive topic of itself. We can't exactly talk about it out in the open like this.
"That's totally fair. Sherryl hasn't gone into her past, nor do we plan to pry it open. She's my disciple, and it will remain that way. It's just at this point, I don't have much left to teach her. All she needs is practical application.", Zin said, explaining the situation to us.
"And this martial arts tournament is the best way to do that.", Kloe said, realizing what Zin was referring to.
"Exactly.", Zin replied. After saying that, Zin looked back at me. "Are you sure you don't want to meet with Sherryl later, Naoto? She's expressed how much she misses you on numerous occasions.", Zin continued with a hint of worry in his eyes.
"Sadly, now is not the time. The less distraction Sherryl has, the better she can focus on her training. Until you think the time is right for Sherryl to return, I will not meet with her.", I answered.
"Naoto...", Emma uttered. With her foggy glasses now gone, it was clear I could see worry in her eyes. After all, she knows Sherryl and what happened. Still, I knew now was not the time for the two of us to meet.
"Very well. I shall respect your wishes and continue watching over Sherryl for the time being.", Zin said, nodding his head in agreement.
"Thank you for your understanding.", I happily replied.
After Sherryl came out onto the field, we soon were met with her opponent. I do not know if Sherryl is camera shy at all but she held her head high, and was soon greeted with another figure. It was another girl, similar in age to Sherryl. After all, this was the Junior Division. More fights will be held in the afternoon for the adults. Even Zin himself might fight. We'll see.
But my eyes turned wide the moment I saw this new girl. Her outfit was pretty revealing. Perhaps the same age as Sherryl. She had medium length indigo-colored hair, styled into a small loop over her head that kept it in place. That seemed to be common for martial artists. I immediately recognized her weapon. It was a big blue and purple blade easily hoisted on her back, carrying it around with ease. She barely had an expression in her eyes. More neutral. Sherryl was the same.
Rixia Mao...!
What in Aidios's name is Rixia doing here in Grancel City!?
Looking to gain experience, perhaps?
That'd make sense. While she might be from a family of assassins, at the end of the day, she is a martial artist. She's very agile, and can launch devastating attacks. She's known to attack with retractable claws too, and can use talismans to disorient opponents. Rixia is your modern day ninja. She can even run up walls!
Sadly, I could only end my thoughts there. A third figure appeared beside them, appearing to be the referee for the match. His voice spoke loud into the microphone, allowing all of us to hear it. That's right, microphones exist now. Pretty cool huh?
"I thank you all for gathering here today in celebration of Her Majesty's fifty-fifth birthday. In honor of the celebration, we have hosted a tournament here at the Grand Arena for both the Junior Division and Senior Division. What you see before you are the two combatants who have battled all the way to the top. Only one winner can be declared today!", The announcer spoke.
Once the announcer said that, the crowd roared. We were here to have fun today, so we all participated too and yelled out. Estelle was especially happy!
"And to our surprise, we have not one, but two outside contestants here in the finals of the Junior Division. One hails from Crossbell State while the other is from Calvard. Who will come out on top?", The announcer continued. "Contestants, at your ready!"
Hearing that, the two girls stepped forward. They walked all the way within reaching distance, then bumped fists. Immediately after, they backed off, and jumped away. Sherryl strutted out, and formed a fist, entering her stance. Rixia grabbed her large sword, and struck out, keeping it steady.
"Sherryl Sky. Practitioner of the Taito School of martial arts. At your ready.", Sherryl declared.
"Rixia Mao. Swordswoman. No affiliation.", Rixia Mao said, keeping her introduction short.
"Very well. Then let the match begin!", The announcer exclaimed, signaling the start of the battle!