Victor Arseid took me under his wing. I am now his newest disciple. I am not sure if I will be the last one. Victor's age is increasing as of late, and he has his own family to worry about. We'll see. On top of that, I acquired free room and board. I'll get to have all the good meals I can get my hands on that I can't normally access to back in Liberl. Knowing that I will be training a lot, my food intake will increase several fold. All martial artists have to deal with that. And knowing I don't have to worry about spending any Mira on it is considered a score in my books~
And something unexpected came out of that too. No matter where Victor Arseid will be at the time, he will watch me take on the Vermillion Trials. I won't be alone to do that. I've already sent several invitations out, considering I can use the Gamer System's Party. I don't have to tackle it alone. The people I have sent the invitation out to include Aurelia Le Guin, Zin Vathek, Kilika Rouran, and your favorite onion-haired priest, Kevin Graham. My Party limit currently is six people, and the last slot is saved for Emma.
The two of us walked out of the drawing room after we finished our tea. As we reached the lobby, Victor looked at me again.
"That discussion went rather well. Considering you will be staying here for the time being, I shall have Klaus test your aptitude tomorrow at the dojo. You've trained under the Sword Fox, I have no doubt the proficiency you hold is high already. It will serve Laura well should you become a rival of sorts for her. I don't think she has found anyone similar in strength yet.", Victor said. "And while we're at it, don't forget to become her friend too."
"Haha, if it's a friend Laura wants, then it will be a friend she receives.", I happily replied.
"You honestly couldn't have come at a better time, honestly speaking. I'm sure your travels here were long, so you are free to sit back for the rest of the evening.", Victor assured.
"Much appreciated."
The Vermillion Trials were looming on the horizon. It is well into September of S1199 now. The beginning of Sky FC begins March of S1202. That is only 27 more months out. I want to claim Testa-Rossa as my own before then, and get used to piloting it. That means I'll have to do that no later than the end of S1201, or the start of S1202. Putting it simply, I have around two years left to achieve this. Two years to get as strong as I can before my life goes in a new direction that I don't know how it will develop into.
And as I just said, I won't be alone to achieve the trials. My one and trusted partner, Emma Millstein, will be there to guide me all the way through it. As Victor and I conversed while making our way to his dining room to meet up with Laura and the rest, my thoughts shifted. How was Emma presently doing? She set forth on a journey of her own to strengthen herself and likewise become ready for the Vermillion Trials. In a way, she's doing the same thing I'm presently doing...
Around the same time...
Toward the west from Legram stood a never-ending forest that stretched onward for a countless distance of arge. Beyond this forest was the beautiful City of Water, Ordis. But that wasn't where the interest currently was. Within this forest was eerily serene. The air was dense, and fresh. At the same time, a low-rolling fog swept around most of the forest, making visibility scarce and hard to traverse through. In reality, it was jam-packed with Mana. It had an ethereal feeling to it. For this place was the Isthmia Great Forest.
Unless one was seeking death, no one dared to wander too far into this forest. Not even low-ranking Monsters wandered about. Most Monsters that showed up here were powerful in their own right. And under the right conditions, Cryptids appear, all attracted to the Mana the forest constantly releases. If, by some chance, a Monster or a Crypid wanders too far into Isthmia Great Forest, they would soon find themselves heading into the opposite direction. All thanks to a special barrier in place, invisible to the naked eye. But it was a very powerful one.
That was because this barrier served as the final protection for a certain clan of Witches, the Hexen Clan. It also allowed them to go to and fro, with the help of the Spirit Veins, to the rest of Zemuria.
All of a sudden, one of its teleportation stones activated. Figures, who became clad in white light, left the barrier, and soon emerged into the forest. It wasn't just one figure, but two. That was the beauty of being a Witch. they had access to one means of teleportation. It wasn't the only way to get around, as other organizations, such as Ouroboros, also had access to special techniques to teleport from place to place. It wasn't limited to Magic. But how it went about remained unknown for the post part. Most Enforcers could just do it. That's why every single time they leave the scene of battle, they leave in such a manner.
It wasn't just the two figures who arrived either. A much smaller figure soon followed shortly after. Who else could it be but Emma Millstein, Celine, and Duvalie? Emma presently had her staff on her back, while Duvalie had her iconic sword and shield, ready to strike at a moment's notice. In any game no matter what a person plays, a Knight, and a Witch was a classic combination. The Knight handles the frontline, while the Witch attacks from the rear.
"Phew. We managed to make it back outside. Teleportation can be rough on one's body if they're not used to moving through the Spirit Veins. How are you holding up, Duvalie?", Emma asked, looking at the Knight beside her.
Some time had passed since Emma found her way back into Isthmia Great Forest to begin her own journey. Somehow, she met up with Duvelie and the two formed a unique connection. A bond that couldn't easily be broken. By the guidance of their respective teachers, Arianrhod, and Roselia. Arianrhod oversaw what had taken place since the two started their training here in Isthmia Great Forest, but enough time had passed where the two no longer required her supervision from the shadows. It was just them, along with Celine now.
"Hmph, this much is nothing. It's not like this is the first time I'm using these stones, since we had gotten used to them. I had no idea you Witches held such a private proving ground. In your village, no less. I really do appreciate it giving me a chance to prove my worth against it, Emma. I can already feel much stronger.", Duvalie said, revealing a rare smile. She often had a sterk look in her eyes.
"As long as you've gained something from the Saint-Gral, then it has served its purpose. It solely exists to nurture future Witches, like me, or the next generation, should they desire to see the outside world, and become a Wandering Witch. It is good that Grandmother allowed us to go inside.", Emma nodded, also smiling at Duvalie.
"Those mirror-like Monsters were especially tricky. Looking back on it, one misstep, and we could have been placed in a much worse position than we are now.", Duvalia responded, spending a moment to recall the dangers Emma, Duvalie, and Celine spent inside the Saint-Gral.
"Yeah. The Monsters in there are no laughing matter. This wasn't Emma and I's first attempt at it. We challenged the proving ground under Rose's guidance, but this was the first time we managed to complete it without her help. I can't believe she changed the entire structure of it just to make it harder on us. Stupid Rose.", Celine complained.
"Now, now, Celine. It wouldn't be considered training if we knew how to tackle the Saint-Gral right away.", Emma said, smiling at her Familiar. She too spent a moment to recall the last couple of months their group of three had spent inside Eryn Village. After getting an initial scope of Isthmia Great Forest, Emma's group expanded outward to one of the neighboring regions. The dangerous Languedoc Canyon. "Still, I did not think we would meet an old friend so soon. Our group of three became four."
"Damn. No wonder they call you the Ghost Tracer. Sure has been a while, hasn't it, Emma?", A fourth voice suddenly called out. A quick blur of a shadow swooped downward, entering their line of sight. Celine's eyes darted quickly, and saw the shadowy blur arrive on one of the trees nearby. Upon a closer look, this figure was a girl similar in age to Emma, but perhaps a year or two years younger. She was quite slim, and most of her body was carved out of muscle by this point. Her waist presently revealed itself with the outfit she was wearing.
"You gave up that chance to hide yourself the moment you stepped into the barrier. It was quite easy to detect you, Fie. Regardless, I welcome you.", Emma happily said, calling out to the girl. It was, of course, Fie Claussell, the adopted daughter of the one and only Jaeger King. Fie approached the three, having a somewhat lazy look in her eyes.
Duvalie just raised her eyes at the newcomer.
"I did not think you would be acquainted with a Jaeger, Emma.", Duvalie mused.
"It is merely happenstance. Fie and I got to know each other on a couple occasions, with the latest one being in North Ambria when my training had started. I didn't think Zephyr would have some fun in Languedoc Canyon while we were going through it.", Emma said, and smiled. Emma ignored the fact that she was also a Jaeger. Her gigantic orbal rifle could no longer be seen, likely undergoing maintenance back inside Eryn Village. She was only carrying around her staff right now.
"What happened a year ago sure was a blast. We even managed to come out over our rival corps, the Red Constellation. It ain't often we get a win like that. Most of the time it ends up in a draw.", Fie said. "Didn't think you would end up at our base a while after for that matter either, and with you in tow. Who are you again?"
"Duvalie, a member of the Stahlritter who graciously serves My Lord. Who I am outside of that has no purpose. Will you be joining us for the time being?", Duvalie asked as she introduced herself.
"That's mainly why I'm here, yeah. Detected a familiar presence, and decided to join in on the fun. You sure have been a busy bee haven't you, Emma? You're much different now.", Fie said, taking a moment to size Emma up and down. Even Emma has been gaining some muscle since her own journey began. She still wears glasses, though. After jumping down from the nearby tree like a ninja, the three welcomed Fie.
"Heehee. Well, it is very nice to have you, Fie.", Emma said, giggling.
"Jaegers are powerful in their own right. They can read what happens during battle well, so I am not one to make light of your abilities. Do not slow our progress down, and I'll be all for it.", Duvalie responded with a nod of her head.
"Glad you're in agreement with Fie joining us, Duvalie.", Emma said, before looking at Celine. "But more importantly, were you able to confirm it, Celine?"
Hearing that, the three girls looked at the black cat beneath them. She didn't feel bothered by it. In fact, Celine's head still seemed to be looking...in a particular direction?
"Yeah. No doubt about it. That stupid fox is nearby. I managed to lock onto her Mana. They're not exactly trying to hide.", Celine answered, and scoffed. Celine's head remained in the same direction she was looking in. It pointed east. Beyond Saint-Arkh, and beyond Legram. Continuing to trace Celine's line of sight, Duvalie's eyebrows raised.
"That...is the direction of Legram.", Duvalie said.
"Legram eh? Isn't that the super foggy place all-year round? Haven't really had a chance to visit the place yet, but it could serve as a good training ground to train your senses with the fog and all.", Fie mused.
"It is. What I do know holds more importance to me than what I used to do in the past, but Legram sort of is a second home to me. I don't think we had any plans to drop by. We don't exactly have somewhere to be since we just finished the Saint-Gral so we could definitely pay the place the visit. It is as you say, danger lurks all around Legram. There's an ancient castle beyond Lake Ebel too that is especially dangerous. Could be worth trying.", Duvalie explained, leaving out the fact that she uses Lohengrin Castle as a base for her Ouroboros purposes. Not frequently, but the Stahlritter do gather there every so often. That also meant Ennea uses the place as a base.
"Legram, huh?", Emma uttered, letting her eyes remain on the path to the east. It went unnoticed but her lips curved upward into a smile. Duvalie was right to say they didn't exactly have a plan in motion right now, apart from continuing their training journey. They could head anywhere they wanted to. 'You're there right now in Legram, aren't you, Naoto?'
Now with Fie added into the group, the four wondered where they should head next. Legram was definitely an option.