A few hours later, the academy was in turmoil.
News traveled fast.
Or rather—
These girls were the academy's center of gravity. The moment they moved, everyone around them knew.
In the dorms, people waited with expressions all over the spectrum.
"Nono…" Rin said, placing a hand on her junior's head.
"You're not a child anymore."
"You're a Jikishinkage-ryu swordswoman."
"A swordswoman can't hide behind someone else forever."
"If you're a candidate for the next Five Swords…"
"Stand on your own."
"My sword has found a new direction."
"And you must find your own path too."
"The academy… is yours now."
"It's a trial."
"And an opportunity."
Elsewhere, Chouka had wrapped herself up with a whip like a cocoon to stop Mary from packing.
"Lady Mary! You can't abandon me!"
"Without your elegant guidance, my whip technique will become as limp as noodles!"
"Shut up, Chouka!" Mary barked, stuffing skincare products and weird rapier-oil into a suitcase.
"I'm going to conquer another world!"
"If I don't leave, you'll stay a follower forever!"
"Chest up! Don't embarrass me!"
Warabi was surrounded by the Three Beast Warriors.
They begged to follow.
Warabi refused—then pointed at the bear.
"I'm going."
"Kyōjin is going too."
"And Kyōjin's cub is going."
"You three stay and keep the house."
"If I come back a hero…"
"I'll come back to see you."
In a shadowy corner beneath an old tree, Satori played with poisoned darts, while Misogi stood behind her in the dark.
"Are you really going?" Misogi's voice was hoarse with worry.
"That world… might be crueler than he said."
"Cruel?" Satori tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
"Is this world not cruel?"
"It just hides the knife under a smile."
"And if I leave…"
"Then you don't have to be my shadow anymore."
"You can be Misogi again."
"Isn't that fun?"
Misogi fell silent.
At last she said, barely audible:
"Come back alive."
"Of course~" Satori waved, turning away.
…
At sunset, in front of the academy's main gate, the square had been cleared.
Zanzan stood with arms crossed, tapping her toe.
Tsukuyo held her sword, eyes closed in calm.
Rin checked her belongings with grim seriousness.
Warabi dragged the bear, who refused to move with all four paws.
Satori suggested, smiling, "Want me to put it to sleep with poison?"
Warabi shrieked, shielding the bear.
Mary screamed about conditioner and tea sets.
Zanzan told her coldly, "Throw the baggage away. We're going to kill things, not picnic."
Then—
A silent pressure descended.
The square snapped quiet.
Haimer appeared on the steps, scanning them.
"Ready?"
"R-Ready!" Rin answered first, standing straight.
The others nodded.
Mary grit her teeth, kicked her suitcase aside, and hugged her dictionary instead.
"Then let's go."
Haimer raised a hand and tapped the air.
Hummm—
A deep blue gate opened, a whirlpool of light and rippling space.
"Step through."
"Ahead is Orario."
"And the beginning of your new lives."
Haimer entered first.
Zanzan followed, smiling with fanatic joy.
Tsukuyo. Rin. Satori.
One by one, they vanished.
Last, Warabi tightened her grip on the chain.
"Move, Kyōjin!"
The bear let out a despairing howl, clutching its cub, and lumbered through.
With the gate swallowing the last of them—
The wind calmed.
The clouds drifted.
Only a few fallen leaves spun across the empty square.
And one abandoned suitcase remained on the roadside.
-------
My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
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