Valflame Palace. S1200. January 1st.
07:00 AM. Upper Section. Princess Alfin's Private Quarters.
I stayed silent as I observed the gathering toward the bridge. It was quite far, but I could clearly see them. Renne, Emma, Fie, Musse, and Elise. During this time, I saw Elise do a curtsy of her St. Astraia uniform, excusing herself from the bunch. Being escorted out of Valflame Palace and vanishing into the streets of Heimdallr, I could likely take a guess where she was wandering to. She had an early ride back to Ymir. I bet she wanted to spend a few days with Rean, as it is still considered the winter holidays.
Princess Alfin also confirmed the students would be returning to school starting January 8th. That means we have a full week to indulge in whatever tickled our fancy. Leisure time. In the games, this would be classified as "Free Time", allowing you to view bonding events with one another! Or Connect Events later on, once Daybreak rolls around. That much I know.
And get this, whether they're Bond Events or Connect Events, they're all considered canon! Apart from the fact that you can romance one character over another though. Just that aspect was left in the dust, creating a rift in the fanbase. At the very least, I don't have to worry about that part. I'm quite curious to see these events unfold later on, but right now, I'm my own person. I can do whatever the hell I want, haha!
Within reason, of course. But I think you get the point.
Well, Princess Alfin and Sherryl seem to be having fun, spending a while in her private bath. I would be using soon enough, but I didn't want to rush them, so I just let the two be. With a constant flow of water running in the distance, I had one last look at Emma. We exchanged smiles, and then I wandered back into the room. I haven' done this in a while, so I sat cross-legged on the carpet, and channeled my Mana.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has activated Meditation. You will now regain HP and EP over time.]
[Ding! Your HP and EP are already full!]
"Phew...", I murmured, keeping my voice quiet. Letting my Mana channel throughout my body is still an out-of-this-world feeling, let alone the concept of Magic. But I've been here in Zemuria for over thirteen years now, I think I've gotten used to how it feels. It's much more potent in the midst of combat, but imagine receiving a huge dose of dopamine without feeling any negative effects whatsoever. Your mind turns crystal clear, and you get to feel refreshed!
I could even forgo taking a bath, but that helps relax the body. It will feel even better once I finish this round of Meditation. I did consider using Vermillion Eyes to look into the past or the future during this time, but held off on doing so. If something unexpected happens, I want to be in an area where there isn't a whole lot of influence. And I need to be in the right state of mind. I'm quite lazy right now, and that is what I will continue doing until the afternoon, haha!
Still, a particular individual couldn't help but remain on my mind as my thoughts stirred, curious about what the future will hold. He caught my eye the moment he appeared in front of the bridge. But Emma carries herself well, so I didn't have to worry about the girls outside. I could Meditate in peace, and so I did.
Back outside near the entrance of Valflame Palace, Fie's eyes immediately lit up as she saw a tall and bulky man arrive before them. The guards allowed the man to pass. As that happened, Fie ignored the rest and quickly dashed toward him, and gave him a big hug. After all, the man before the girls was Fie's father.
"Dad!", Fie happily exclaimed. Musse's eyes in particular were glued on the new arrival, full of interest. The man wore his slick black and purple leather jacket with a dark green shirt underneath it.
"Oof. Your hugs are getting stronger by the day, Fie. Sounds like ya had fun with the boys last night. Did ya rest well?", The man said, keeping a calm look in his eyes.
"Uh-huh. I had a lot of fun with Xeno and Leo.", Fie said, nodding her head. As he said that, the man's eyes landed on Emma for a moment. Unlike before, Emma was presently wearing a large, tightly-bound piece of cloth over her back that was much larger than her own body. But Emma was carrying it around with ease. Unlike at the dance last night, Emma requested it from Naoto and now, she has her orbal rifle once again.
Who else could this man be but Fie's adoptive father, Rutger Claussell? The man otherwise known as the Jaeger King, one of the strongest mercenaries on the continent!
Like many others, Rutger has been in Heimdallr to celebrate the new year. It seems like he has a new contract in place now. As to what it does remains to be seen. During that, he caught wind of Fie being in Heimdallr as well, and so, he decided to pay a visit. He knew Fie would come out eventually after the party ended, he just didn't expect to have that be last night while Zephyr was out enjoying a party.
Thanks to that, Fie had come across people she shouldn't even be meeting yet. Zin, Kilika, and Walter. Nonetheless, everyone welcomed Fie as the daughter of the Jaeger King, and even the likes of Walter expressed interest in engaging in combat against Fie, despite the disparity in their age. Age means little when it comes to the battlefield. Expertise and Skill reigns supreme. Still, Walter knew he couldn't act on a whim, especially with Kilika present. Not only that, he was in the presence of the Jaeger King. Everyone kept each other in check, and because of that, everyone had a lot of fun inside that casino. And Fie wandered into that halfway through.
Now that the night had passed, Rutger soon found himself in front of Valflame Palace. During that, he felt a familiar gaze, but seeing Naoto not present amongst the girls, he just kept it to himself. It wasn't hard to figure out who it was. Instead, Rutger's eyes remained on the large object on Emma's back.
"Dad?", Fie questioned, looking up at Rutger. He chuckled, and patted Fie's head, making him look downward.
"Heh. It's nothin.", Rutger said, shaking his head. "I see some familiar faces here, and some new ones. Looks like Fie caused some trouble to you all last night. Thanks for takin' care of her.", Rutger continued. Fie saw him reach down, only to grab her. Fie was surprised, but didn't reject the advance. Fie's frame was still small, considering she's still ten years old. Fie is closer to Renne, Muuse, and Princess Alfin's age, compared to Emma and Sherryl, who were a year younger than Naoto.
Seeing herself now on Rutger's shoulder, Fie happily smiled, and began to dangle her feet. Seeing Rutger do this, Emma took this moment to approach him.
"It is nice to see you again, Mr. Claussell.", Emma said, politely greeting him. "While it was for a brief amount of time, thank you for letting Fie accompany us during our training. It is mostly over now. And since you haven't been acquainted yet, this is Renne, and Musse is to the left."
"It is a pleasure. I've long since heard various tales of the Jaeger King.", Renne said with a nod.
"So you're Renne, eh? I've heard about you. Thanks for lookin' after Fie.", Rutger said. "The Direwolf said that you aren't to be underestimated. Where's that toy you're hidin'?"
"Oh you'll meet Pater-Mater soon enough. Why the rush? Heehee.", Renne said, and smirked at him.
"Pater-Mater?", Musse questioned, unfamiliar with the term.
"Don't dwell on it, Musse. If you don't know, you don't know.", Renne said, and shrugged her shoulders. "That's beside the point. We certainly did have a chat last night. Fie mentioned about being orphaned at a young age. I did not think the Jaeger King would be one to adopt a child under his wing. Mind filling us in?"
"Haha.", Rutger said, and laughed again. "Seems ya made some mighty fine friends, Fie. The Direwolf definitely had a couple things to say about you, missy, but it wasn't too important. We'll be hangin' around these parts for a little while longer."
Fie's eyes lit up again.
"Did you secure another contract, Dad?", Fie happily asked.
"Sure did. Me and the boys will be providin' security measures and escorts here and there in the capital for a while. At least for the next two to three months. If ya want me to stay here for a while, ya can, Fie.", Rutger explained.
"Well now. So Zephyr is going to hang around the capital for a while. Your background, along with what you plan to do, I'd love to go into detail about it.", Renne said, and smirked again. "But right now, our current location isn't exactly the best to talk about it. We can find a place to discuss. Not now. We'd draw attention."
Hearing that, Musse simply smiled. While she did hear the term Jaeger King, he wasn't exactly sure of the relationship he shared with Fie, apart from being father and daughter. Musse, however, wasn't an idiot. She is the type of girl who could jump grades, and study in college at such an early age as easy as it was to count Mira. She plays several degrees of chess inside her head, just like Chancellor Osborne. And the scary part? Musse is a third of Chancellor Osborne's age, or perhaps even more. That's how frightening her talent is. And it's the very same reason why she can be so playful at times. She's always calculating.
Right now, Rutger was being a normal person in front of her eyes. That was throwing Musse for a loop.
"We'll see about that.", Rutger said. "I wouldn't mind hangin' around with you missies. I ain't got much planned today. "Rutger continued, before looking at Emma. "Would ya mind lookin' after Fie just a little bit more? Miss Ghost Tracer."
The moment Rutger said that, he revealed a wide grin across his face. Renne tilted her head a bit hearing a term she wasn't familiar with.
"Ghost Tracer? Now that's new.", Renne said, becoming interested. "But if you think about it, it makes sense.", Renne continued, and shifted her gaze toward the large object against Emma's back.
"You didn't go into detail last night, so you have me beat, Emma.", Musse said, acting like she had lost for the first time. All Emma did was smile, before looking at Fie. As if the two had come to a hidden understanding, Fie jumped down from Rutger's shoulder, and arrived beside Emma again.
"It's simple, really.", Emma said. "I'm part of Zephyr, albeit temporarily and while under Naoto's leadership. This is Sylphid, and I'm Ghost Tracer. It is an honor to formally make your acquaintance, Renne. Musse. You too, Your Imperial Highness."
That's right, Prince Cedric was also amongst the crowd here at the bridge. Unlike the rest though, a hint of disgust appeared in his eyes.
"Jaegers...", Prince Cedric uttered, keeping his voice to himself.
"What Emma said. Looks like we'll be workin' together a little while longer.", Fie happily said, and looked back at Emma.
"So that's how this plays out.", Renne said.
"You two really are Jaegers?", Musse frowned. "I don't think that's a profession I could ever hope to hold a candle to."
"And I don't expect you to, Musse. This is the path I've already walked on for a while, and I intend to see it through.", Emma said, and smiled. "Though I won't deny the fact that being called Ghost Tracer is a bit much."
It just made Musse question herself even more now after hearing about Emma's true identity, apart from the fact that she is still a Witch-In-Training. Including Fie, only a select few know about that. And to those who were behind those closed doors a night prior.
"You think so? The name sounds fine to me. You know how to reappear anywhere on the battlefield and hit your enemies hard, always making sure you know where your hits land.", Fie said, and placed her hands behind her head, acting casual.
"Hahaha...", Emma said, and did a dry laugh. Regardless of Emma's current position, it allowed everyone to converse for a while at Dreichel's Plaza.
Prince Cedric didn't interfere much. All he did was scoff, before turning around and wandering back inside Valflame Palace. Rutger shrugged Prince Cedric's behavior off, and didn't feel offended by it. Now, they were left behind, free to do whatever they wanted to do for the day as Naoto, Princess Alfin, and Sherryl got ready for a lazy morning back inside Valflame Palace.