S1200. January 1st. Morning.
Valflame Palace.
A jam-packed day that was full of events far and wide have come to a close. It wasn't just those who were in Valflame Palace who retired for the evening, but to everyone around the capital and the surrounding countries. A peaceful lull followed. It was a night worth remembering!
From here onward, the story would start shedding some light as to what will soon take place in the games. Trails in the Sky. Trails From Zero and Trails to Azure. Trails of Cold Steel. Trails of Reverie. And Trails Through Daybreak and beyond. The only thing Naoto did not know at this time was the existence of Trails Beyond the Horizon where the Sept-Terrion of Time was in full force. To Naoto, the concept of resetting entire timelines wasn't one to cross his mind. At least, at this point in time.
To Naoto, he mostly knows the existence of causality, and how it can be altered. Such cases are with KeA, the Zero Child, and the Sept-Terrion of Mirage, Demiourgos. Since Naoto came into Zemuria, things have been happening left and right, where it might not even flow on the same timeline as to what happened in the games. Only the Goddess Aidios knows what is in store for the future!
Overall, the course of the games will be taking place in the next nine years. Naoto is thirteen now. By the time S1209 rolls around and the "Grand Reset" happens, he will be twenty-two by then. And by then, the Royal Harem should be in full force!
It is only a matter of time, as one would say. Haha!
To put that into perspective, Naoto will be fourteen at the end of next month. That is one month away. From there, it would be May of S1201 where Naoto and Kloe begin their school life at Jenis Royal Academy. That is around fifteen months out. The only thing Naoto doesn't know right now regarding his enrollment is the fact that both Emma and Elie plan to stay by his side, and experience school life together, alongside Kloe.
Another strange twist of fate that never happened in the games. Naoto's dating life will be unknown at the time, but everyone present will be enjoying their adolescence to their heart's content. Though it did say in the games that Elie studied at St. Astraia for a period of three months, and at Jenis for two months. To Elie, this might not be as foreign to her as it will be for Emma.
A/N: I plan to create lemon scenes. I may even dedicate an entire column to just lemon scenes. But not until the time is right. Around Azure to Cold Steel 3 at the earliest. Basically when Naoto is 18. Cause you know, obvious reasons. I don't need to explain further, do I? I want to post these on Patreon, and sadly Patreon locks lemon scenes behind paywalls (I'll make it the cheapest, $1). Webnovel will have them available too. When the time comes!
Naoto had already gotten his paperwork squared away with the Dean. It did have entrance exams and the like, as many other schools did. But due to his status being Crown Prince and all, he was able to bypass that entirely. Such a status had its perks. Both Naoto and Kloe were already set because of that. Once this happens, it would be another year out when Estelle and Joshua turn sixteen that they become Junior Bracers, and work alongside Scherazard, the Silver Streak. This happens in S1202. By then, Naoto, Kloe, Estelle, and Joshua will be sixteen.
Everyone was born the same year. Elie included! Only Emma was a year younger, so she will still be fifteen by the time that happens. While Naoto expects Estelle and Joshua will become quite busy soon, as well as himself and his friends and family, a third person will be added into the mix, apart from those who are looking to enter Jenis together with Naoto. And that is Naoto's first girlfriend, Angelica Rogner.
In a span of these few months alone, Angelica has been progressing at a rapid pace in her studies to become a Bracer after Estelle and Joshua finished their business in Grancel City and returned to Rolent to continue living at the Bright House. It was all thanks to Scherazard's guidance. Instead of following Estelle and Joshua to Rolent, Scherazard remained behind, and began to teach Angelica seriously. Because of that, Angelica feels much more prepared now to take the Bracer Exam this following year in S1201, a year before Estelle and Joshua take theirs. Angelica hopes to become a Junior Bracer!
Enough to the point where it allowed Scherazard and Angelica to drop by Rolent and pay a visit to the Bright House and celebrate the new year with Estelle and Joshua. The two didn't think they'd get to see Colonel Richard and General Morgan too. Scherazard's distaste for General Morgan isn't as bad as it is now than what is in Trails in the Sky, so not much fuss was raised. Albeit that happened, the Royal Army and the Bracer Guild aren't exactly on the best of terms.
During all of this, Scherazard received a message back when the two were still in Grancel City's guild branch that yet another person would be arriving in Liberl soon to take it, coming all the way from northern Erebonia. A particular upbeat and spunky girl who loves all cute things. Anelace! This is the time where she too, is set to become a Junior Bracer. She is a couple years senior to Estelle and Joshua, so more than likely, Anelace will take the Bracer Exam in S1200, while Angelica takes it in S1201, and Estelle and Joshua take it in S1202.
Things are really looking bright for the Bracer Guild in the next couple years. Haha!
Joking aside, even at the Bright House, it was a precious memory to all present within. Even the higher-ups of the Royal Army enjoyed a blissful evening, celebrating the new year after calming down from the news flash. Many laughs were shared. The only downside was that Colonel Richard and General Morgan would be pulling an all-nighter after seeing Chancellor Osborne make that declaration.
Back inside Valflame Palace in Erebonia, Crown Prince Olivert soon woke up with a pounding headache from all the wine he guzzled down his throat during both the banquet and the ball. He could barely stand once the night was over, and had to be guided out by Mueller. Seeing Crown Prince Olivert like this first thing in the morning, he revealed a rare grin on his face, but at the same time, he sighed, as Mueller was far used to this type of behavior ever since Crown Prince Olivert became an adult and could legally drink, just like Sara. While most might be recognized as a working adult from age sixteen to eighteen, one couldn't drink a single ounce of alcohol until they turned twenty!
Contrary to his youthful and playful demeanor Crown Prince Olivert will be turning twenty-three later in S1200. He is amongst the older cast of characters. Nine years older than Naoto!
Thankfully, with the maids that work throughout the palace, Crown Prince Olivert received some medicine to deal with the hangover. They too acted as if they were used to this, just like Mueller. Crown Prince Olivert would often have escapades with Scherazard during Trails in the Sky and have a lot of drinking games because of that. Eventually that would drive him to propose to Scherazard, and the two would wed at the end of Cold Steel IV. At the very least, while Crown Prince Olivert might be one to enjoy what he drinks, it wasn't on the level of someone like Sara or Eina. Similar, but not quite there. But it was enough to have him experience hangovers on occasion.
Likewise, a similar scenario could be seen playing out in the Bracer Guild back in Edith, Calvard. Before Sara realized it, she found her slumped over in one of the branch's toilets, heaving. Lavi could only shake her head as she heard a steady stream of vomits from the upper floor of the Bracer Guild. Her eyes were spinning with literal stars above her head from being too drunk. Thankfully, the Zero Artisan, Toval was there, along with Bermotti's promise to make sure the three made it back to the Bracer Guild. Seeing Sara in this drunken stupor put Toval to shame, considering the two were in the same line of business.
But Toval could only suck it up, and let it ride out. The morning passed by rather uneventfully for the Bracer Guild because of that. It wasn't like he could take on requests or hunt Monsters while this took place.
As for what happened to Van, Elaine, and Rene, the three left while the night was underway. After all, they were students of Aramis High School. They had to retreat toward the school dorms to prepare and return to start the next school term. On top of that, Van has yet to move into his own place at the bistro where he would eventually create Arkride Solutions. He currently has a strict schedule to follow. Until then, he wouldn't become the jack-of-all-trades for a long while. On the upside, the lack of Jaegers was quite the presence. It's not like they were non-existent. Quite the opposite, actually.
One of the strongest Jaeger corps in the entire continent had their base of operations here. The Ikaruga!
The Ikaruga would be the very same Jaeger corp that Shizuna joins, becoming its second-in-command. In a particular light, Calvard was safe, as far as its people went. Ikaruga's territory was wide and wasn't one to be underestimated.
After Chancellor Osborne's declaration, things in Calvard calmed down, and the country entered a strange null, even though they had their impending financial crisis that will hit the markets soon. As for Crossbell, they kept the celebrations at a moderate pace, and things didn't get too out of hand. The cops who were off duty during that night still had their rules to uphold. Only Elie, Cecile, and Mayor MacDowell could truly relax.
It was unfortunate to say, two particular delinquent groups, the Saber Vipers and the Testaments, have yet to make their first appearance. In response to that, the CPD has been receiving growing reports as of late of Crossbell City's Downtown District's safety. Still, it is uncertain whether or not a certain Dominion was wandering around Crossbell City.
By studying alongside the other Gralsritter and becoming a Squire of the Septian Church, Elie had come to learn of this individual. Wazy Hemisphere, the Sapphire Testament and holds the seat of the Ninth Dominion. Sadly, Elie did not get a chance to meet him during her stay in Arteria.
Apart from Kevin Graham, the Heretic Hunter, who holds the seat of the Fifth Dominion, Elie had met a couple of other particular individuals. One was Van's teacher, the same travelling priest whom Naoto has met, Gunther Barkhorn, the Roaring Lion who holds the seat of the Eighth Dominion, and a flamboyant duo who seemed to make the perfect pair despite being polar opposites. Leon Balthazar, the Glacial Rim who holds the seat of the Eleventh Dominion, and Celis Ortesia, the Searing Flare. Elie even met Thomas Lysander, the Partitioner who holds the seat of the Second Dominion!
During this, this triggered Elie's memory, realizing she had met Van once before over the waters when she flew to Arteria with Kevin's group. Truly a small world. It wasn't just Van either. She came to learn of Sherryl's situation through her older sister, Jillian Sky, but with what took place earlier in the night, she did not speak of the matter a single bit. She felt it was out of place to do so. A familial matter that Elie knew she couldn't butt into. Instead, Elie expressed her gratitude during the celebration of the new year, wondering how this next year will go before she begins her studies alongside Naoto at Jenis Royal Academy.
At the very least, Elie knew she could continue assisting her grandfather at the Mayor's Office. Anticipation filled Elie's eyes when the night passed and the morning came, before she realized the festivities came to an end. The night passed by.
For those who resided in Liberl, they experienced a similar atmosphere. Kloe finished her swordsmanship training under Captain Cid's and Lieutenant Julia's guidance. Every so often, Kloe would receive a pointer or two when Colonel Richard stopped by, or when Cassius paid a visit, even though Cassius is no longer part of the Royal Army. She was in no official capacity a student of the Eight Leaves One Blade School like Cassius was, but it was beginning to rub off on her. The combat style, that is. Who knows, perhaps Kloe will use this chance to facilitate one of the eight forms of the Eight Leaves into her fighting techniques.
And if it suits Kloe, it might end up being the Eight Leaves One Blade Fifth Form, Morning Moon. The same fighting style Colonel Richard uses. It is one of the most elegant styles out of the eight, and quite deadly at the same time. It involves swift movements and once the draw of the sword is heard, it is game over. The only problem is, Kloe uses a rapier, and not a katana, so she might have to adapt a little to make use of it. As with everything else on deck, only time will tell.
With Kloe's return to Grancel Castle, Hearts, the new name Naoto gave the One of Swords after declaring him "Dead" to the world, decided to remain at his post at Leiston Fortress and undergo intensive training all soldiers of the Royal Army go through. Only through extensive efforts could he eventually be promoted into a Lieutenant, a Captain, a Colonel, or perhaps, even a General. During this, Heart's saw the Eight Leaves One Blade style in action for the first time, and took Cassius's movements to heart, no pun intended. It wasn't easy to earn the guidance of the Divine Blade.
If there were people who benefited the most from this, it was definitely Estelle and Joshua. Considering the fact the two are Cassius's children. Along with their studies in the Bright House, they've been receiving pointers left and right from the Divine Blade himself. He's their father, after all. It is only natural he teaches his children a thing or two.
Along with Kloe, Julia retreated from Leiston Fortress and joined her, and began working at Grancel Castle for the time being. Subsequently, the two met Jayna Storm, a newly hired secretary to Liberl's Crown Prince, Naoto von Auslese. The moment the two learned of Jayna's existence, they were shocked that Naoto now has a sudden secretary to handle his day-to-day business.
It wasn't just them who returned to Grancel Castle. Even Ennea decided to take some time and drop by!
Ennea made sure Kloe didn't spend the new year alone. Kloe was very understanding, since she knew what Naoto wanted to do. To go on an adventure and train for the Vermillion Trials. The only thing she did not see coming was that declaration made by Chancellor Osborne. While Her Majesty did bequeath Kloe to Naoto as part of a formality of being royalty, she now had a rival. Quite an unexpected development in Kloe's eyes, but at the same time, she wondered how things will go. She knew of Naoto's Royal Harem. If she opted not to vie to become Naoto's wife in the future, would she end up joining it?
Kloe didn't know, but she wondered how Naoto was right now while he was in Erebonia.
Ennea, on the other hand, had much free time now that she had returned to Grancel Castle. Naoto will be in for a nice surprise. Ennea did return to take part in the fight against the One of Swords, but returned to Ouroboros after that. Now, she has no job to take from Ouroboros for the time being. Not until she fights the SSS in Trails to Azure, and that is years out. She was now left to her own devices, so she decided to laze around Grancel, waiting for Naoto to return. She wanted to be more lovey-dovey with her boyfriend slash master, but she knew she had to take it slow. Naoto was still in his growing adolescence, so Ennea knew she couldn't rush those matters.
Likewise, even the likes of the Steel Maiden drifted toward Legram for a bit and cooled down, seeing the castle she had once occupied as her own while she was on active duty as the Eisenritter. Nonetheless, it was a rare moment where all countries across Zemuria experienced a day of peace. Not a single drop of blood was shed from someone losing their life.
Not even Jaegers, who were known to be a menace on the battlefield, shed blood. They all drank to their heart's content, or experienced the fun of the night life. Zephyr was included in that, and they bid the night away having fun inside a casino at Heimdallr.
Time, however, is forever a cruel mistress.
Its webs did not cease for a single second. The sun began to rise on the horizons, signaling the start of a brand new day.
A brand new day full of unknowns, where many wondered what is going to happen from here on out!
And above all, that included a certain, violet-haired prince who woke up in an unfamiliar room, only to realize the position he was thrown in the night prior...