"Roaring Hailstorm!", Tamamo shouted.
"Bloody Hearts!", I shouted.
All around us, the atmosphere turned cold while a storm, seemingly out of nowhere, rolled in. It was dark, gray clouds. I could even see my breath as I focused on the target before me. Unlike Tamamo's S-Craft, mine was a single target, so there was only one I should use it on. The big boss mushroom. At the same time, Tamamo's Mana unleashed with frozen fury, and yet, acted gracefully. One after another, blue, crystallized flowers encased in ice bloomed with each step taken. Tamamo danced around the battlefield until she had all nineteen mushrooms within her grasp. Er, paws?
As for me, I shot out a blinding, bloody light from the tip of my rapier, which encases the big boss mushroom, and sealed it. It then levitated into the air, unable to move. We then heard a loud shattering of glass, and the crystal that the big boss mushroom was sealed in suddenly shattered. Around the same time, Tamamo finished her S-Craft.
We both saw twenty gigantic damage numbers appear over the battlefield. Poof! Poof! Poof!
One by one, each mushroom monster fell. Once they were all gone in sight, I saw the Gamer Notifications come through, leaving me satisfied.
[Ding! The latest battle is now over.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Party has felled x19 Rose Shroom - Lv86, x1 Giant Rose Shroom x1 - Lv87.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Party has received a total of 18,500 EXP!]
[Ding! A Tactical Bonus of x4.7 has been applied.]
[Ding! Now calculating total experience...]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has received 86,950 EXP!]
[Ding! Tamamo has received 86,950 EXP!]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Current Level: 85 (98,310/748,000)]
[Ding! Tamamo's Current Level: 85 (98,310/748,000)]
Nothing dropped, but it is what it is. I haven't really seen monsters drop anything, unlike how it would go in the games. In the games, you'd get Sepith, Quartz, Equipment, or Cooking materials. Perhaps something like this would come in the future, unless the Gamer System deemed it not needed? It just gives me Quartz directly through loot boxes, or selectable boxes like how I got the Master Quartz from, typically through Quests. As for Cooking materials, well, all of that can be bought with Mira and this is the real world, so I guess that's that? I didn't question it much.
And speaking of the Master Quartz I had opened with that one select box, I never looked at its details yet, but I do not have a need to at this time. Instead, I lent it to Professor Schmidt after he took Tio out of Grancel Castle later that evening before I paid St. Ursula a visit. Due to that, Professor Schmidt now owes me one more favor, so we'll see when I end up using that. He flew back to the Foundation with Tio to continue his research and production of Master Quartz. Hopefully, they'll be able to produce some before they officially release the Enigma II by the time Azure begins.
Nonetheless, the last mushroom monster was felled, and the battle finished. It wasn't enough to Level Up, but we're about 15% of the way to Level 86. Little progress is still progress!
"Now that is what you call gaining experience.", Tamamo's voice spoke, only to arrive at my side. The atmosphere gradually returned to normal, and the icy flowers melted onto the grass beneath us, leaving it a nice healthy dew.
"I couldn't have said it better, Tama.", I said, only to glance at AI KeA who was floating nearby, still alert. "While we did not Level Up, that, in a nutshell is the concept of it."
"I see. I will note this down for future use. I still do not get the concept of what a "Level" is.", AI KeA stated, still acting confused.
"You'll come to understand it in due time.", I replied, smiling. "Still, we're making good pace. That water source should be nearby, why don't we take a break before we resume our journey to Legram?"
After suggesting that, I saw Tamamo bob her head up and down in agreement. So we made our way to the nearby pond AI KeA previously recommended. As we approached the pond, the space opened up around us. We saw more kinds of monsters lurking around, but we kept our distance. The nearby pond soon opened up to a larger lake. We stayed out of sight. Slowly and surely, we made our way to our destination. Ebel Highway was the main road that would take us all the way to it.
Legram, the capital of the Arseid Viscounty.
This city housed the Arseid Family. They're quite well known in the world of swordsmanship, and even had their own school of swordsmanship. I had the pleasure of meeting its head, Victor Arseid, back during my visits to Heimdallr. He even offered me a chance to become one of his students to learn the Arseid Style. And well, I was seriously thinking of taking up his offer he gave me back then. He didn't exactly give me a deadline!
Before long, the rest of the morning passed. A deep fog began to spread all around us the closer we approached Legram. You see, that was one of Legram's defining features. It was foggy all year round thanks to the cold air Lake Ebel releases day to day. Even though such a fog was present, none of its people seemed to be bothered by it. They acted as if they had gotten used to it happening so frequently. Some days, it would be light, which allowed visibility of its popular tourist attraction, Lohengrin Castle, while on other days, it would be so thick that you couldn't see five arge in front of you.
While the Arseid Viscounty did not house any of the Great Houses, its importance was of no less to them. For it held one key factor.
Once upon a time, Legram was ruled by Count Sandlot. Its last descendant was none other than Lianne Sandlot, the commander of the once-famous Eisenritter who would engage in battle alongside Emperor Dreichels during the bloody War of the Lions. In the annals of history, Lianne Sandlot perished in battle.
But in secrecy, Lianne took the Argent Trials, which are located in the depths of Lohengrin Castle, and became the pilot of the Argent Knight, Argreion. By doing so, she became an "Immortal", and that is the very reason why Lianne exists as the Steel Maiden today in Ouroboros. For those who are facing death, the Divine Knights quite literally offer them another breath of life, even if it is on borrowed time. It is not considered true immortality. Once their role as a pilot ends, so does their life.
Only if one perishes before then, and I have no intention of doing that. I will be very much alive by the time I claim Testa-Rossa as my own. I will not be bound by that immortality.
As we got closer to Legram while walking on Ebel Highway, I had AI KeA disperse for the time being. She can materialize with but a snap of my fingers and vanish without a trace, only to hide away inside the Second Genesis in a second flat. How cool is that?
And I did that for a good reason. I saw Tamamo's ears perk up again. On this particular day, the Viscounty seemed to be quite active, not only with its people going about their daily lives, but also including one sole figure who could presently be seen on the outskirts of Legram. Specifically, Ebel Highway. The same road we were currently on.
"I see someone in the far distance, Master.", Tamamo uttered, keeping her voice quiet. Sure enough, matching her words, a figure of a girl appeared, who was presently...exercising? Her age seemed similar to mine. Perhaps a year younger. I had turned thirteen at the start of S1199, so that would make this girl twelve. She had very long and wavy blue hair. It went well past her shoulders. Similar to Ennea's hair, but a much darker and more vibrant blue. Presently, with her giant broadsword in hand, she seemed to be facing off a group of monsters. Alone.
"Azure Cleaver!", The girl shouted. We saw the girl leap up into the air, and her sword glowed the same color her hair did. With a powerful swing downward, her sword cleaved the ground into two, and split it apart. The quake launched forward, striking the few Rhinociders who were attempting to attack her. The death woes wailed, and each one went poof. Before long, the girl ended her battle stance, wiping off some sweat that appeared on her forehead.
She just one-tapped those Rhinociders, monsters that were known for having thick-plated skin that was equivalent to a high-grade piece of armor...
This girl didn't seem to mind that one bit. Even her own battle qi leaked out during the quick exchange.
"Phew.", The girl replied. It looks like the battle finished. The Rhinociders' blood and guts still dripped from the tip of her blade. Her attack was clean, efficient, and powerful.
It didn't take long for this girl to hear the sound of clapping not too far away. Hearing it, she began to scan her surroundings, only to spot a violet-haired boy whose body was draped with a cloak. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the silver-crested hilt on the boy's waist.
"Haha, it looks like it was unnecessary for me to step in. You're strong.", I said, offering my praise. She took down three Rhinociders as if it were nothing.
"I apologize. I did not think this spot was taken.", The girl said, only to do a quick swing of her blade to make it spotless. She then placed it on her back. "You weren't hunting these monsters, were you?"
"Nah.", I simply replied, and approached the girl. "That was a nice strike, by the way. As one would expect from the famous Arseid School."
The girl saw a smile on my face as I spoke. Unbeknownst to the girl, AI KeA popped in again, only to stay hidden within my cloak.
"Could this be the one you were looking for, Master?", AI KeA asked, hiding within my cloak. And yet, after a moment of hesitation, she flew out, and appeared beside me. The blue-haired girl in front of me had her eyes turn wide in shock seeing the little figure fly down, and greeted her.
"What...is this creature?", The girl asked, both confused and shocked. AI KeA said nothing, and simply smiled. Seeing her do this, I sighed.
"Don't be a bother, KeA. Come now.", I beckoned.
"Okay!", AI KeA happily responded, and flew back to my side. Before the blue-haired girl could react, she became shocked once again the moment she saw AI KeA twirl around, and vanish from sight right then and there. Seeing AI KeA now gone, I scratched my head, and laughed again.
"Haha, sorry about that. KeA's just curious, that's all.", I said, keeping my explanation short. But that alone was enough to snap the girl out of her shock.
"I see.", The girl replied, and shrugged it off. "Well, the coast is clear for now. I was in the middle of training. I don't think I've seen you around Legram before. Did you get lost while trying to find the city, or perhaps you're training on your own?"
After the girl asked, I shook my head. While the latter was true, I had something else on my agenda.
"Oh, I can make it to Legram just fine. On the contrary, it's good that you're out here, Lady Arseid. I was searching for you.", I said, keeping my tone polite. She didn't seem bothered by addressing her like this, it looks like she's used to it. After all, the girl before me is at the end of the day, a noble. The daughter of a Viscount.
"For me?", The girl asked with interest.
"That's right.", I responded with a nod. "To be specific, I am currently seeking your father, Lord Arseid. Once upon a time, he gave me an olive branch. I came here to determine whether or not that offer still stands."
"A person Father knows...", The girl uttered, wondering what that was about. "What did he say, exactly?"
"Lord Arseid wants me to join the Arseid School.", I stated, with a smile. Just that alone caused shock to appear in the girl's eyes again, but at the same time she became elated.
"I certainly can pass the message along to Father. I can even guide you to our residence.", The girl said. "And I do apologize for my lack of manners. I'm Laura Arseid. The person you are likely referring to is my Father, Victor Arseid and the active head of this Viscounty.", Laura said, formally introducing herself to me.
"Likewise. Introductions are always good.", I replied. "You may call me Naoto Phoenix. Though depending on how it goes from here, you might find out who I truly am. It will depend on Lord Arseid."
I know I'm using my Jaeger persona along the way, but until Sir Victor recognizes me, I'll simply introduce myself as Naoto Phoenix.
"I...see?", Laura asked, confused by what I said. "Regardless, it is nice to meet you, Naoto. If you don't have other business out here, we can head back to Legram."
"That sounds good."
We didn't have much else here to do. We could hunt more monsters, but it was time to head into Legram.
I didn't think I'd meet Laura Arseid out here so soon. She often trains, because she too, is a practitioner of the Arseid School of swordsmanship. After all, she is the sole daughter of the one who leads the school in its entirety. Laura Arseid!
Laura is also one of the future members of Class VII!
With this I've met Rean Schwarzer, Alisa Reinford, Laura Arseid, Jusis Albarea, Fie Claussell, Emma Millstein, and Crow Armbrust.
All who is left to meet is Elliot Craig, Machias Regnitz and Millium Orion of the first Class VII, and Juna Crawford, Kurt Vander, Altina Orion, Musse Egret, and Ash Carbide who belong to the second Class VII!