Three full months have passed since Naoto left St. Ursula. The cold, wintry chill blew down from the north, signaling the arrival of winter. It was now December of S1199. Less than a month remained until the dawn of the next century. A big turning point for all people living in Zemuria. Many places were about to become festive to celebrate the new year!
But celebration wasn't currently on my mind. After a few bumps and turns, Grandmother was able to dissuade any undercurrents that attempted to flow down the river back in Liberl, allowing me to rest easy on the matter. I'll be sure to make it up to her some day. Since then, I managed to reach Legram, and learn the Arseid Style under Victor Arseid, and likewise, become Laura's rival. I had progressed enough where I achieved Basic Mastery. It took a lot of effort, but just seeing how much damage our Party dealt against that Lucifuge made it all worthwhile. It couldn't even do what it normally does. We just beat the ever living crap out of it!
But as everything goes, farewells come and go like the passing wind.
Laura stayed true to her words, and held a giant banquet at the Arseid Mansion. Not only was Toval invited, even the Bracer Guild Receptionist, Miles, also received an invitation, and joined in on the fun. It wasn't just him either. We even invited all of the students of the Arseid Dojo. Almost every single seat in the long dining table that you'd often see in the homes of high standing nobles were completely filled. The night passed, full of laughter, and anticipation of what was going to happen next. Ennea was also there, leaving her duties as a member of the Stahlritter behind for the evening!
And just as Emma stated, the Spirit Veins resting beneath Lohengrin Castle did not act up again. The castle was quiet for the time being.
If there was one thing to point out, I was no longer alone on this new adventure of mine.
It didn't take long before I heard a voice speak out, appearing annoyed. Yet hearing the voice, I couldn't help but smile.
"Get back here, you stupid fox!"
"Nyehehe, you call yourself a cat, but you can't outspeed me!", A second voice said, teasing the first voice. In the near distance, I saw a silvery-white six-tailed fox. Every so often, the fox would stop running away, taunt the black cat with her tails, then speed off again. Every time the fox did this made the cat even more annoyed.
"It really has been a while since we let Tama and Celine play around without a care in the world, hasn't it?", Emma's voice said, calling out to me, and arrived beside me, sporting a smile on her lips. She was now in her usual attire. A single, long braid of her plum-colored hair. She was also wearing her glasses. Just like you'd see her at Thors Military Academy.
Exactly like Thors Military Academy.
"I know, right? Have you gotten used to the school uniform by now?", I asked. A grin appeared on my face seeing Emma's new appearance. She was wearing the prim and proper white-styled school uniform. Not the red uniform that is solely assigned to members of Class VII. Class VII doesn't even exist yet at this point. It would come into existence when Crow enrolls, serving a social experiment to see if Class VII was viable in a real world scenario. So the outfit Emma was now wearing marked her status as a noble.
Emma wasn't alone wearing this white school uniform either. We saw Fie nearby, also wearing one.
"It's kind of hard to move around wearing this thing. It's making my back too straight. Do we really need this?", Fie asked, and frowned. She could still reach for her gunblades, but it was funny seeing Fie not used to wearing it. It had to back the stature of a noble. Not one that you'd see commoners would wear at Thors. The green-styled uniform. That one was much easier to move around in.
"You two decided to Party up with me, and guess what? I'm a Noble. Technically speaking, you're part of my entourage. Gotta play the part, right?", I said, still grinning at the two.
"I think I'm in agreement with Fie for once. I don't see how this is necessary...", Emma uttered. She glanced downward, and felt a certain tightness.
"True. I wouldn't be surprised if your boobies suddenly pop out of your uniform. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that.", Fie nonchalantly said. It took a moment for Emma to realize what Fie just said now.
"F-Fie!", Emma exclaimed, feeling embarrassed.
"Hahaha.", I said, smiling at the two. Now there's the banter I was used to seeing these two exchange words. "Just put up with it for now, alright? With any luck, I'll come across an acquaintance of mine. I do not know if he'll be present in the town we're about to visit."
"Putting our current appearance aside...", Emma said, and slouched her shoulders downward in defeat after recovering from her embarrassment. "That reminds me. Does Fie know about your "other half"?"
"Oh, are you talkin' about Naoto being a prince and all? Boss told me all about it already. It doesn't matter to me one bit. You know the way the battlefield works. And we've fought alongside each other. More than once, might I add. To me, you're just Naoto.", Fie said, revealing a rare smile.
"So the Jaeger King told you, eh?", I responded. Fie was being so direct, even though she knew I was Liberl's Crown Prince. As expected of a Jaeger. They're known for not being tied down to one place, so having such an easygoing personality makes it better on my end. "I was considering who I should be now. In Legram, I acted as Duke Phoenix. I should probably continue doing so. It'd be out of place if I introduced myself as Liberl's Crown Prince. This isn't Liberl, so not many would recognize me at a first glance."
"Uh-huh. You're basically a travelling noble swordsman right now.", Fie nodded in agreement. "I don't care what title you use, Naoto. To me, it's a martial artist, a mercenary, and a witch. Nothing can go wrong with this, right?"
"Fie...", Emma said, and sighed again.
"Let's just head onward, alright? Look, our next destination is coming up!", I happily said, and pointed my finger to a town that was quickly coming into view.
Oh, and did I forget to mention the three of us were currently running quickly, just like a ninja? Not literally. We would have our arms flowing behind us if we did that. Fie and I were used to running swiftly like this, but I'm surprised Emma could keep up with our pace. She really has trained a lot since we last saw each other, hasn't she? Being a Jaeger really did wonders. By the way, I stored her gigantic orbal rifle in my Inventory. We don't want to attract unwanted attention if we don't need to.
Seeing Celine and Tamamo quickly leaving our view, I called out to them.
"Celine, Tama, we're almost at our destination. Stop playing around or you'll be left behind!", I yelled. Hearing that, the two came to a sudden halt.
"Hmph. About time.", Celine uttered.
"This colorful-looking town is our next spot?", Tamamo said, taking a glance ahead of her. Just as Tamamo had described, a colorful, lively town soon came into view. One could even see large water wheels that were constantly spinning. Hence the name, the Spinning Town.
This was our next destination. Parm, the Spinning Town!
And for a good reason.
This town was the closest location that has a branch of the Vander School!
It was time to say goodbye to the Arseid Style for now. From here on, I would begin learning the ways of the Vander School. Hopefully once I learn both, I will be able to meld them into a technique I could soon call my own, just like how Aurelia Le Guin did when she apprenticed herself under both dojos. In a way, I'm following a path she once did, but I'm not her shadow. This is my life to live.
"Well then, shall we?", I said to Emma and Fie.
"Might as well get it over with. What are we doin' here exactly?", Fie asked.
"You want to visit the Vander School, yes? I know a little about Parm. It should be situated on the south side of town.", Emma answered.
"The south side? Got it.", I agreed.
We were now dressed as school students. The noble uniforms might attract some attention, but it's better than parading around as Duke Phoenix, or worse, Crown Prince of Liberl. Thankfully nothing happened at the gate, and the three of us soon headed inside Parm!