Chapter 4: Chapter II.
II.
'Final Field Training'
Previously on "Tale of the Demon Hero": Rai and the others defeated the 'Black Hound' using the boys' stinky shoes. Kazuki and Kenji were still stuck under the unconscious 'Black Hound'.
Main Building, Lobby...
"Are you alright Hikaru?" Rai said as she asked Hikaru, who suddenly lie down on the sofa in the Lobby.
"I'm just tired after that incident." Hikaru said as he tossed and turn while lying down on the sofa.
"Thanks to your stinky shoes we saved the Academy." Rai said as she sat on the other end of the sofa.
"Technically, OUR stinky shoes saved the Academy. And because of that our classmates called us the 'Stinky Heroes'." Hikaru said as he grabbed the pillow and threw it on Rai.
"Well at least our plan worked and there are no other casualties besides those five decapitated bodies that were found on the staircase." Rai said as she grabbed the pillow and threw it back to Hikaru.
"I know it's just that I wish we had arrived on the Final floor, maybe we still had the chance to save them." Hikaru sadly said as he hugged and buried his face onto the pillow.
"You mean, YOU had the chance to save them. Do you seriously want to become an 'Imperial Hero'?" Rai said as she asked Hikaru who threw the pillow back to Rai again.
"Of course! I want to become an 'Imperial Hero' that this Kingdom need. I will become the epitome of bravery and awesomeness as I save the Kingdom to those 'Living Fiends'." Hikaru said as he suddenly got up and also sat on the sofa, beside Rai.
"I think that's not the characteristics of an 'Imperial Hero' and if you are going to become one, our Kingdom will be in a great disaster." Rai said as she threw the pillow back to Hikaru.
"How mean! I can also use different weapons other than swords. Then, what should be the characteristics of an 'Imperial Hero'?" Hikaru said as he put back the pillow on the other end of the sofa.
"Uh? An 'Imperial Hero' should be admired because of his selflessness." Rai said, making Hikaru blush.
"Selflessness huh? Now, I get it. Anyway, that's not the real reason why I wanted to become an 'Imperial Hero'." Hikaru said as he pinched Rai's right cheek.
"Then, what is your reason why you wanted to become an 'Imperial Hero'?" Rai said as she asked Hikaru.
"Well, it is because of YO-..." Hikaru said as he was about to give his response to her question but he got interrupted by an Imperial Council member.
"Uh? Are you Rai Akimura and Hikaru Hashimoto?" Hiiro Matsuoka, one of the Council members said as he asked Rai and Hikaru.
"Yes. I am Rai Akimura and he is Hikaru Hashimoto. You are?" Rai said as she asked Hiiro.
"I-I'm sorry, your highness. My friend is just tired hahaha..." Hikaru said as he suddenly grabbed the pillow and shoved it onto Rai's face.
"I understand. You had a long day and I came in here to investigate what just happened today but Mr. Principal asked me to deliver this package to Rai." Hiiro said as his maid placed the carton box on the glass table.
"Thank you, your highness. You didn't have to do that for this girl. Hey Rai, at least say something." Hikaru said as Rai finally shoved the pillow back onto Hikaru's face.
"Thank you, your highness?" Rai said as she picked up the package off the table and Hiiro chuckled, making her blush.
"I am glad to meet you Rai and Hikaru. Ah! I almost forgot. Congratulations Mr. Top 1 Hikaru." Hiiro said as he and his maid walked away.
"Uh? I don't understand,your highness. What are you talking about?" Hikaru said as he and Rai wondered why Hiiro said that.
"Check the announcement board on the Hallway." Hiiro said as he and his maid left the Lobby.
"Announcement Board?" Rai and Hikaru wondered as they looked at each other.
"Let's check it out!" Hikaru cheerfully said as he suddenly jumped off the sofa and ran away.
"Hikaru?! Hey! Wait up!" Rai said as she stood up and walked away, carefully carrying the carton box.
Main Building
Along the Hallway...
"Oh my, what do we have in here?" Kazuki said as he, Kenji and Mayumi arrived in the Hallway and saw some students gathering in front of the Announcement Board.
"Our stinky Heroes have arrived. Make way." Male student #1 said as they all laugh and welcomed Kazuki and the others.
"Ha-ha-ha very funny guys. What are you all looking at?" Mayumi said as she shoved the students away and looked at the Announcement Board.
"The Imperial Council posted the first presenters for the Final Field Training tomorrow. Look! Mayumi you are still on Rank#2." Female student #1 said as she pulled Mayumi towards and started shaking her.
"Rank#2. Huh?! Again? Who's in Rank #1?" Mayumi said as she yelled out and wondered who is in Rank #1.
"Here he is! Our Top Student, Hikaru!" Male student #2 said as he saw Hikaru and Rai running towards them.
"Hey! Everyone what are you doing in -?" Hikaru said as he and Rai stopped beside Kazuki and Kenji.
"Congratulations Hikaru!" Everyone said as they congratulated Hikaru and started tousling his hair.
"Uh? Thank you everyone." Hikaru cheerfully said as he looked to the Announcement Board and saw his name listed as the Top student of the Imperial Academy.
"Hikaru? I think I've heard that name before...You!" Mayumi said as she wondered, turned around and saw Hikaru being surrounded by their classmates.
"Alright! Thank you...You!" Hikaru said as he looked up and saw Mayumi, looking at him.
"Oh no, this is bad. Mayumi, let's go." Kenji said as he gently grabbed Mayumi's right arm.
"You! You're the one who broke my arrow! Be ready and I'll kick your butt tomorrow." Mayumi said as Kenji gently pulled her away.
"You! You? Yeah, be ready and I'll kick your butt tomorrow too. W-what?" Hikaru said as he blushed while their classmates start laughing.
"Mayumi and Hikaru sitting in the tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Female student #2 said as she teased Hikaru, making him blush.
"What!? We are not-..." Hikaru and Mayumi said as they both blushed, making Rai silently jealous on the other side.
"Uh? Sorry about that. I guess they really hate each other." Kazuki said as he looked at Rai and apologized.
"Don't worry. He is always like that and I am happy for him." Rai sadly said as she looked down on the floor after seeing her rank.
"Rank#7 is not bad. Be proud of yourself." Kazuki said as he pats Rai's head, making her blush.
"Uh? Thank you. Huh?" Rai said, making Kazuki blush. Hikaru suddenly approached Kazuki and pushed him away from her.
"Stay away from her." Hikaru seriously said as Kazuki sighed and walked away.
"Big brother, where are you going?" Kenji said as he and Mayumi saw him walked away.
"Sorry! I have to go to my part time job. See you later." Kazuki said as he suddenly run away.
"Oh? Okay! Be careful big brother." Kenji said as Kazuki left the Hallway.
"I didn't know that he has a part time job." Mayumi said as she looked at Kenji.
"Ah! About that? Well, I just recently found out that he had a part time job. Uh?" Kenji said but Mayumi wasn't paying attention to him.
"You woman. Rank#2 not bad." Hikaru said as he called Mayumi and teased her.
"Woman?! Excuse me, I have a name and remember this, you are going to lose tomorrow." Mayumi seriously said as she smirked.
"Oh? Is that a threat? I'll accept your challenge. Ms. Flat-chested." Hikaru said as he teased Mayumi.
"How dare you say that?! Look at Rai's chest." Kenji said as he tried to defend Mayumi, making her blush.
"Huh? Rai's chest is not – Uh? Oh my, yours is also flat." Hikaru said as he turned around and looked at Rai's chest, making her blush like a red tomato.
"See? Mayumi's chest is just perfect – Ow! Ouch! Why did you do that?"- Kenji said as Mayumi suddenly dragged him out of the crowd and walked away.
"Hey! Where are you going? We're not finishing comparing – Ow! Ouch! Hey! Rai wait for me." – Hikaru said as Rai intentionally stomped on his right foot and walked away from the crowd.
"Poor Hikaru. Anyway, you deserved that." Female student #3 said as the crowd laugh out.
That night....
The Imperial Dormitories are simple but high-class apartment like dormitories complete with home appliances, furniture and etc. and where the students of the Imperial Academy live during the school year. Their stay is funded by the Imperial Council. Dormitory D and C are strictly for females while Buildings B and A are for male students.
Boys' Dormitories,
Inside Kazuki and Kenji's room...
"Kenji...Kenji, wake up." Mayumi said as she slowly woke up beside Kenji on the right side of the bed, still wearing their academy uniforms on.
"Hm? Good morning." Kenji said as he yawned and kissed her forehead.
"You mean 'good evening'. It's already 9 PM. I should get up and prepare our dinner." Mayumi said as she looked at the clock placed on the night stand and went out of the bed.
"I'm not hungry and you can do that later." Kenji said as he suddenly grabbed Mayumi's right arm and pulled her back onto the bed, facing him.
"You are not but I am hungry. So, let me go. Kenji? Is there something wrong?" Mayumi said as she asked Kenji who suddenly caresses her right cheek.
"It's just that – There's nothing to worry about." Kenji sadly said as he yawned and slowly fell asleep.
"Eh? Is that so? Let me guess, you are worried about Kazuki." Mayumi said as she suddenly pinched Kenji's right cheek.
"Ow – Ouch! Okay! Okay! You're right. Yes. I am worried about him. I really hate this feeling that he is keeping secrets from me...I mean from us." Kenji said as he buried his face onto to the pillow.
"Secrets eh? Then, how about us? When are we going to tell him OUR secret?" Mayumi said as she asked Kenji.
"I already told him OUR secret but he just laughed and left." Kenji said as he was forced to make a lie to convince Mayumi.
"Uh? Okay. That's pretty reassuring. I just thought he would understand but – Uh?" Mayumi sadly said as she lies down onto Kenji's chest as Kenji kissed her forehead again.
"That's alright. I am always here for you, no matter what happened." Kenji said as he slowly fell asleep but Mayumi interrupted.
"But I am really hungry. Will you help me prepare our dinner for tonight?" Mayumi said as she pouts, making Kenji blush.
"Okay! Okay! I will help you prepare our dinner. Sheesh!" Kenji said as he removed the covers and went out of the bed.
"Thank you Kenji! Let's go to the kitchen." Mayumi said as she also went out of the bed and run to the kitchen.
"Hey! Wait for me...I'm sorry for lying Mayumi." Kenji said as he whispered to himself.
"I almost forgot Kenji. Here." Mayumi said as she went back inside Kenji's room took something out of her bag and gave it to Kenji.
"Huh? A letter? " Kenji said as he received the letter and wondered who sent the letter to him.
"Hayami asked me to give you that letter. Eh? I wonder if that is a love letter or something else." Mayumi said as tried to hide her jealousy and examined the envelope.
"Someone is being jealous. Aww! That's cute." Kenji said as he pinched Mayumi's cheek, trying to tease her.
"I am not jealous. I am hungry. Let's prepare our dinner." Mayumi said as she stomped her foot and went out Kenji's room.
"Hey! Mayumi wait up!... I will just read this letter later." Kenji said as he put down the letter on his study desk and went out of his room.
Girls' Dormitory
Inside Rai's room...
" 'And then, she died...' Uh! This is wrong!" Rai said as she read the line and crumpled the 30th piece of paper she wasted and threw it on the trash bin beside her study desk.
"Eh? You are still writing your fiction story. That's nice." Hikaru said as he suddenly appeared in Rai's open balcony.
"Eh!? Hikaru!? How did you get up in here!? This is the 4th floor." Rai said as she was surprised to see Hikaru and went out to the balcony.
"I have my ways and here. Let's celebrate our success." Hikaru said as he placed a lunchbox on top of Rai's head.
"A lunchbox? Thank you but I already ate earlier and – What are you doing?!" Rai said as took the lunchbox and suddenly went back inside her room as she saw Hikaru reading her unrevised manuscript.
"Hm? This sentence is grammatically wrong and there are a lot of room for improvement." Hikaru said as he criticized Rai's manuscript and raised it up in the air as Rai put the lunchbox on her study desk and attempted to get her manuscript back.
"Hey! Give it back. I-I am not finish writing it yet. Damn it! Why are you so tall?" Rai shyly said as she was trying to reach for her manuscript.
"Here. So, what happened to the female protagonist?" Hikaru said as he placed the manuscript onto Rai's head
and asked her.
" Ow! Uh? The female protagonist wishes to save and send everyone back to their homeland and then... I don't know yet!" Rai said as she panicked and grabbed the manuscript off her head.
"Then, let's first eat so that you can think properly. And page 17 needs a serious editing." Hikaru said as he grabbed the lunchbox off the study table, placed it on the wooden table and sat on the floor
"Editing? I know and I'm on it." Rai said as she carelessly placed the manuscript on her bed and also sat down on the floor, across Hikaru on the wooden table.
"Uh? You still didn't open it." Hikaru said as he opened the lunchbox, noticed the carton box placed on top of the wooden table and grabbed it.
"I didn't. I will open it later and let's eat... Hey! What are you doing?" Rai said as she noticed Hikaru took out his pocket knife and cut the seal off the box.
"Let's see what inside this box...Huh? Feathers?" Hikaru said as he opened the box and took out a bunch of black and white feathers.
"Hey! Hikaru please put it back inside the box." Rai shyly said as she suddenly panicked and tried to reach Hikaru across the table but it is useless.
"Okay. Sheesh! Uh? There are three small, glass bottles of ink?" Hikaru said as he put the feathers back inside the box and took out a glass bottle of black ink.
"Hikaru please be careful. You might split the ink on the table and just put everything back in the box." Rai said as she panicked and tried to reach Hikaru across the table but it is useless.
"Ha! It is useless. You cannot reach me using those short arms." Hikaru said as he put the glass bottle back inside the box, closed it and gave it to Rai.
"I know! But at least I tried... Thank you." Rai said as she grabbed the box and placed it beside her.
"Your parents still support you in your story writing. That's nice." Hikaru said as he picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
"Uh? Well, I am glad to have supportive parents like them. Although, it is really impossible for me to create a unique story, they still encouraged me to continue writing it." Rai said as she also picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
"Eh? All stories are unique no matter how you write or narrate it. But yours has a lot of grammatical errors so -... Hey! Are you listening to me? " Hikaru said as he noticed that Rai was not paying attention to what he is saying.
"Look! There is a letter for you." Rai said as she picked up the box, opened it and saw a white envelope hidden under the glass bottles of ink. Rai took it and gave it to Hikaru.
"A letter? For me? Huh? That's strange. This letter came from my family." Hikaru said as he placed down the chopsticks, opened and read the letter.
"So, what does it say?" Rai said as she wondered and asked Hikaru.
"Well, the letter says, 'How are you, my adorable son? I hope you are doing just fine and I wish you best for your Final Field Training tomorrow. Sadly, we cannot come to attend your event but Papa, Mama, Akari and Mikan always loves you. – Mama. P.S. Be a man and confess your feelings to Ra-...Huh!? From: Papa, Akari and Mikan.' What?!" Hikaru said as he read the content of the letter, suddenly yelled out and started blushing.
"Confess your feelings to whom Hikaru? What happened? Why did you stop reading? " Rai said as she asked Hikaru.
"Ah! It's nothing! I will personally deal this matter with Mikan when we come back home." Hikaru said as he cursed under his breath, grabbed the chopsticks and start eating again.
"Uh? Okay. See! Your parents still love you. Although, they are busy they still found the time to send you that letter." Rai said as she tried to cheer up Hikaru.
"Yeah. I know. I was hoping that they would come tomorrow and watch me defeat that annoying woman." Hikaru said as he put the letter back inside the white envelope.
"Annoying woman? Oh? You mean Mayumi." Rai said as Hikaru got annoyed hearing that name and looked away.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you that page 20 needs some editing too." Hikaru said as he took the broccoli and ate it.
"I know! I know! Let's just eat first." Rai shyly said as she also took the carrot and ate it, making Hikaru chuckle.
In the Matsuoka's Rest House
Inside the Living room...
"Harue is still crying inside her room." Yuki Matsuoka, the second son of the Matsuoka Family, said as he arrived inside the Living room and saw his elder brother Hiiro reading a book on the sofa.
"She got traumatised from what happened to her this afternoon. She and Emi was kidnapped and locked down inside the 'Abandoned Room' by their psychotic classmates who were found decapitated along the stairway. A 'Black Hound' was found in the hallway along with six students who defeated it using their stinky shoes." Hiiro said as he sensed something looking at them outside the window in the Living room.
"Oh? That's why you suddenly left this afternoon. Eh? Hahaha! Stinky shoes? That's weird at the same time pretty amazing." Yuki said as he laughs out loud.
"Don't worry. She will stop crying soon. I just hope that she will be okay before their Final Field Training start tomorrow." Hiiro said as he closed the book.
"She is one of the top students of the Imperial Academy! We should be celebrating but I wonder why she is crying." Yuki said as he wonders and sat on the sofa beside his elder brother.
"I am not crying. Idiot." Harue said as she suddenly appeared inside the living room, still wearing her academy uniform, carrying her white pillow and accompanied by the family maid.
"Harue?! You should probably go back to your room and get some rest." Yuki said as he and Hiiro was surprised to see Harue.
"No! I am going to sleep in here." Harue said as she disobeyed Yuki, sat and eventually lie down on the sofa, hugging her white pillow.
"Harue stop being so stubborn and go back to your room." Yuki said but Harue ignored her and threw her pillow to Yuki's face.
"Alright! You can sleep in here. Yuki please get us some tea and snacks. Ow!" Hiiro said as he asked Yuki who threw Harue's pillow onto his face.
"Okay elder brother. I will be back." Yuki said as he went out of the Living room.
"It's not fair. Why would they kill my pet? He just did his job protecting me from those bullies." Harue said as she cried and grabbed the throw pillow on the sofa and use it to cover her face.
"Harue. I understand how you feel but your pet decapitated five students of the Academy. Based on the initial investigation those students decided to stop and kill before it massacres everyone in the Academy." Hiiro said as Harue just looked at him and cried again.
"Sir Hiiro, we have company. One of the butlers saw them sneaking in the front yard." The family maid said as she reported to Hiiro.
"Company? What does she mean big brother?" Harue said as suddenly got up from the sofa and wondered.
"Okay. I will personally deal with them. Harue, you stay in here and wait for Yuki to come back." Hiiro said as he gave the book and the pillow to Harue and pats her head.
"Okay big brother. I will stay in here." Harue said as Hiiro kissed her forehead and went out of the Living room with the family maid.
"I wonder what is happening." Harue said as she hugged the pillow and slowly fell asleep on the other end of the sofa.
Few minutes later...
"I'm back. Here's your tea and snacks – Eh? Harue?" Yuki said as he went back inside the Living room and placed the silver tray on the glass table and then someone knocked on the door.
"Sir Yuki, I brought Miss Harue's clothes and blanket." The butler said as he went inside the Living room.
"Come in. I told you to go back in your room but you stayed in here and fell asleep." Yuki said as he playfully pokes Harue's right cheek.
"Sir Yuki, where I should I put Miss Harue's – Huh?" The butler said as he asked Yuki as the lights suddenly turned off.
"Uh?! A blackout? I wonder what happened." Yuki said as he wonders as he and the butler heard a loud explosion outside their Rest house.
"Stay in here with Harue. I will just check what is happening outside." Yuki said as he ordered the butler and ran out of the Living room, carrying along his medieval sword.
"Yes, sir Yuki! Please be careful." The butler said as he worried and stood behind the sofa where Harue's sleeping.
Outside the Matsuoka's Rest House
In the Front yard
10 minutes earlier...
"Where are they?" Hiiro said as he and the family maid arrived in the Front yard, followed by two Imperial Soldiers.
"Here he is Master Hiiro. We manage to catch one of them while running in the Front yard." The first guard said as he presented a young man who was tied up and wearing a red mask.
"Eh? I see. Continue finding the second Red Assassin and bring him to me alive." Hiiro said as he ordered the two Imperial Soldiers and family maid.
The 'Red Assassins' is an organization formed by assassins-for-hire who mercilessly assassinate anyone according to their client's wish/request. Most of their Targets come from the Royal families and rich businessmen around Alementalia. Their payment is based upon how powerful/rich the person was (e.g. an abusive shop owner's head costs 9M silver coins /9 silver bars.)
"As you wish Master Hiiro." The two Imperial Soldiers and the family maid said as they immediately left the Front yard.
"Red Assassin? Tell me are you one of the Red Assassins?" The guard said as he asked the young man who just ignored him.
"Perhaps he will answer mine. Why did you come in here?" Hiiro said as he approached and asked the young man who suddenly spit on his right foot.
"Ha! As if I would tell you why." The young man, named Niko, said as he laughed, making the guard angry and almost punched him but Hiiro suddenly interfered.
"Stop it. The Council and I will handle this. Please go back to your station." Hiiro said as he ordered the guard.
"As you wish Master Hiiro." The guard said and then left the Front yard.
"Let me ask you again. Why did you come in here?" Hiiro seriously said as he asked the young man and then draw his medieval long sword out from its scabbard.
"If you kill me, you will never find out why we are here." The young man said as Hiiro cursed under his breath and put his sword back into its scabbard.
"Then tell me why are did you come in here!" Hiiro said as he got pissed off and kicked the young man off the lawn.
"W-we are here to steal the 'Book of Prophecies' which we believed you also have stolen from the Queen's Archives." Niko said as he coughed after he got hit on the tree.
"The 'Book of Prophecies'? How did you know about that?! Answer me!" Hiiro said as he was surprised from what he just heard and again kicked Niko.
The 'Book of Prophecies' is a collection of written prophecies assumed to destroy Alementalia and the second unknown world beyond the Kingdom. One of the most popular and alarming prophecy written in the book is the "Great Collision of the Two Worlds."
"Listen, you are not the only one who interested with the book especially on that specific prophecy and if it was fulfilled, anyone can be the Imperial Ruler of Alementalia." Niko said as he smirked, trying to untie himself.
"You are wrong. I kept the book so that everyone can be safe. If someone fulfilled the prophecy, the entire Kingdom of Alementalia will be destroyed." Hiiro said as he explained but Niko just stared at him.
"You Sir are terrible liar. You stole the book so that YOU can fulfill the prophecy and rule – Uh?!" Niko said as he and Hiiro heard a loud gun shot. Niko suddenly lost his consciousness, fell on the ground and blood covered the green grasses.
"Big brother! Are you alright?" Yuki said as he finally found and run towards Hiiro while carrying his sniper gun and saw the dead Red Assassin lying down under the tree.
"Yuki? Thank you. You saved me. He was about to stab me when we heard that gun shot." Hiiro said as he got afraid and hugged Yuki.
"Of course. I am always here to help you big brother. A Red Assassin? Don't tell me-?" Yuki said as he gently pushed Hiiro away from him.
"Yes. That man came in here to steal the 'Book of Prophecies' and use it on their own selfish ways." Hiiro said they both looked at the dead man under the tree.
"Again!? Why is it they cannot understand your noble cause? Before he got exiled, the former Imperial Prince asked you to keep the book safe so that the Prophecy will not come true or else we are all going to die." Yuki angrily said as he stomped his right foot.
"I know. But the Red Assassins will never stop until they get hold of the book. So I want you to help the others to find the second Red Assassin who still at lose around the Rest House." Hiiro said as he asked Yuki who nodded and ran away.
"Hm? What will I do to you? Ah! I know. You can come out now." Hiiro said as he saw two 'Black Hounds' walked out from the shadows.
'You summoned us.
Master Hiiro'
One of the Black Hounds said as it asked Hiiro who smirked.
"Take this corpse away." Hiiro said as he ordered the two Black Hounds. The two 'Black Hounds' walked towards the corpse, used their mouths to pull it up, took it back in the shadows and disappeared.
"Done. Now I should really get back inside the Rest House and help the others – Huh?! Harue!" Hiiro said as he heard another load explosion coming from the Living room and saw someone jumped out of the glass window and run away.
Back in the Living room...
"Miss Harue you should be sleeping inside your bedroom not in the living room." The first butler said as he sighed while Harue toss and turn over as she sleeps in the sofa.
"You should get out of here – Uh!?" The second butler said as he suddenly slammed the door open but slowly fell on the floor as he got hit by a medieval knife on his nape.
"A Red Assassin?! Who are you? Stay away from Miss Harue." The first butler said as he drew out his pocket knife and stood behind the sofa where Harue was sleeping.
The second Red Assassin slowly walked inside the Living room while enduring his injured left arm.
"Listen, I-I need to get out of here." The second Red Assassin said as he run around the Living room, trying to find an exit door.
"No! You are not getting out of here alive. Master Hiiro and Yuki will come and save us – Uh?!" The second butler said as the Red Assassin suddenly threw his last medieval knife that hit the butler's chest. The butler lost his consciousness and fell on the floor.
"Damn it! That Yuki hit me with his bullet and now my entire left arm is paralyzed. I have to get out of here." The Red assassin said as he was trying to devise a plan to get out of the Matsuoka Rest House.
"Uh? I fell asleep. I wonder what time is it. W-who are you?!" Harue said as she slowly woke up, get up on the sofa and saw the Red Assassin wandering inside the Living room.
"Shhh! be quiet or else I will stab you with these." The Red Assassin said as he drew out and threatened Harue using his pocket knife.
"O-okay!" Harue said as she trembles in fear, grabbed her pillow and used it cover her face.
"Don't you dare move an inch or else I will shoot your right arm." Yuki said as he and the others arrived inside the Living room and aimed his riffle gun to the Red Assassin.
"Yuki! What is going on?" Harue said as she was happy to see Yuki who just ignored her question.
"Tch! You finally caught me. Not bad." The Red Assassin said as he dropped the pocket knife on the floor.
"Everyone protect Harue and I will handle this. Hurry!" Yuki said as he walked towards the Red Assassin while the others ran to the sofa where Harue was sleeping.
"Sorry! But I think I already found my way out of here." The Red Assassin said as he took out his grenade, pull the pin off and threw it on the brown carpet near on the sofa where everyone and Harue was located.
"A grenade?! Everyone take cover." Yuki said as he suddenly dropped his riffle gun, ran and grabbed the grenade. The Red Assassin jumped out the glass window and then escaped.
"Yuki No!" Harue said as she tried to stop Yuki and suddenly closed her eyes as the family maid hugged her. The grenade exploded inside the Living room. Smoke and white powder filled in the air as Hiiro came back inside the Living room.
"Yuki? Harue? Everyone? Where are you?" Hiiro said as he was trying to call out Yuki and the others as the Living room was covered with smoke and stumbled upon a corpse lying down on the floor.
"We are here big brother." Harue said as the smoke slowly clears up and the lights turned on.
"Harue?! Are you alright? Where is Yuki?" Hiiro said as he asked Harue who suddenly jumped off the sofa and run towards him.
"Yuki is -... He sacrificed his live to save us." Harue said as she starts crying onto her brother's arms.
"I'm sorry. This is my entire fault. If I have just arrived on time, probably we can still save him." Hiiro sadly said as he hugged Harue.
"Uhh...I am here, Harue." Yuki said as he regains his consciousness while lying down on the floor a few meters away from the broken glass table.
"Yuki!" Hiiro and Harue said as they are happy to hear Yuki's voice. The family maid and Harue run towards him and check if he is alright.
"Yuki is alive. Thank goodness! Please don't do that again." Harue cheerfully said as she cried and hugged Yuki.
"Ow! Yes. I am still alive. I AM ALIVE?! What was just happened?" Yuki said as he wondered and pat Harue's head.
"This is a fake grenade. Just like the real ones, it will explode when you pull the pin off but this was filled with white powder. He used this to threaten you and escape through that window." Hiiro said as the smoke finally cleared up and looked at the broken window panes.
"That's a relief. When I saw the grenade fell on the floor, I immediately thought of saving everyone and grabbed it. I'm sorry for making you worry Harue." Yuki said as he gently rises up and apologized to Harue.
"It's alright. Thank you for protecting us." Harue said as she also rises up and wiped off her tears.
"Alright! You two should head back to your rooms and clean yourselves. I and the others will start cleaning the Living room before father and mother arrives a few hours from now." Hiiro said as he helped Harue and Yuki to get off the floor.
"Okay! Good night big brother." Yuki and Harue said as they hugged Hiiro and ran out of the Living room.
Few meters away from the Matsuoka Family's Rest House
Inside the narrow alley...
"Damn it! That's why I hate guns." The Red Assassin who got escaped said as he stopped from walking, sat down on the ground leaning his back on the wall.
"There he is! Kazuki, are you alright?" Another Red Assassin came inside the narrow alley and found Kazuki.
"Oh? The newbie is here to save me." Kazuki said as he looked at Akihiko who run towards him and grabbed his left arm.
"Your left arm is paralyzed! We should immediately head back to the – Huh?! What are you doing?" Akihiko said as he saw Kazuki drew out his pocket knife and used it to take out the small bullet out of his injured left arm.
Kazuki successfully took the bullet out of his left arm and Akihiko immediately tied up his wound using his handkerchief.
"Are you okay? Where is Niko?" Akihiko said as he sat beside Kazuki and asked him.
"Niko is dead. That Yuki shot him in his chest and I saw two 'Black Hounds' took his corpse away." Kazuki sadly said as he remembered what happened earlier.
"And where's the book?" Akihiko said as he looked up in the night sky.
"We failed to retrieve the book. The mission was unsuccessful. Sorry." Kazuki said as he flinched because of the pain coming from his injured left arm.
"Okay. I understand. You can go home now." Akihiko said as he stood up and pats Kazuki's head.
"Wait! What? You cannot just report that back to our Leader alone. I will come with you- Huh?" Kazuki said as he also stood up but Akihiko suddenly pushed him away.
"Go home. We still have our Final Field Training tomorrow. And Kenji's probably worried about you." Akihiko said as he walked away and went back to their Hideout.
"Damn it!" Kazuki said as he cursed under his breath and walked out of the alley.
Back to the Boys' Dormitories
Inside Kazuki and Kenji's room...
"It's already 12MN. Big brother is really late. I wonder where he went." Kenji said as he looked at the clock, striking at exactly 12MN and got worried for Kazuki.
"I'm back. Uh?!" Kazuki said as he opened the door and went inside their room.
"Welcome back, big brother!" Kenji cheerfully said as he ran to the front door and hugged Kazuki."
"Kenji?! You are still up? I told you not to wait for me. Ouch-..." Kazuki said he suddenly flinched because of pain as Kenji hugged him.
"Of course! I have to wait for you. Anyway, would you like to take a bath or -" Kenji said as he smiled and asked Kazuki.
"Uh? I would like to – Nah! I will go to sleep." Kazuki said as he removed his rubber sneakers and Kenji helped him took off his brown coat.
"No! I bet you are hungry. Let's go! I will reheat your dinner in the kitchen." Kenji said as he playfully pushed Kazuki going to the kitchen.
"Kenji, listen. I am really tired and I would like to sleep. I hope you understand." Kazuki said as he pat Kenji's head and walked away.
"-_- No! YOU are going to eat. Come with me." Kenji said as he insisted and continued pushing Kazuki.
"Kenji?... Sheesh! Alright!" Kazuki said as he blushed and went to the dining room along with Kenji.
Inside the dining room....
"Sit here. I will just reheat your food." Kenji said as Kazuki sat on the chair and run to the kitchen to reheat Kazuki's food.
"Hey! Do you need any help?" Kazuki said as he asked Kenji.
"No! I'm fine. It seems you had very bad day." Kenji said as he noticed Kazuki frown and sighed.
"Well, yeah. It's been a long night." Kazuki sadly said as he stretched up his arms and yawned.
"I see. So, where have you been all day?" Kenji said as he started serving Kazuki's dinner on the table.
"Uh...What is this?" Kazuki said as he wondered and picked up a white envelope hidden under Kenji's notebook placed on the top of the dining table.
"No!!! Please do not open that." Kenji said as he turned around and saw Kazuki trying to open the white envelope. He panicked and immediately ran towards him and swiped away the white envelope off Kazuki's hand.
"Eh? My bad. I didn't mean to steal your love letter." Kazuki said as he pouted, picked the chopsticks and start eating.
"This is not a love letter. Sheesh!" Kenji said as he blushed and sat across Kazuki on the table.
"Hmm? It looks suspicious though." Kazuki said as he suspiciously looked at Kenji looked away.
"A-Anyway, a package was left outside our room this morning. It came from our parents." Kenji said as he nervously grabbed his things and hides it under the table.
"Eh? I wonder what's inside that package. Did you already open it?" Kazuki said as he asked Kenji.
"Yes. And I cannot believe that you asked our parents to deliver here your weird magazines." Kenji said as he was disappointed to Kazuki who suddenly blushed and choked.
"Huh?! No! I-I didn't ask for those - What?" Kazuki said as he denies but Kenji ignored him and took out a small piece of paper out of his journal.
"You cannot fool me. Mother left a note inside box. The note says that Mother couldn't find all of your weird magazines under your bed back in your room – Ow! Why did you do that?!" Kenji said as he was interrupted by Kazuki who got embarrassed and suddenly kicked his right leg under the table.
"Don't blame me. YOU also wanted to read those weird magazines. Ow! Why did you do that?!" Kazuki said as he was interrupted by Kenji who got really embarrassed and suddenly kicked his left leg under the table.
"You are the ONE who wanted to read those not me. Honestly..." Kenji said as crossed his arms and looked away.
"Anyway, are they trying to recruit you? I mean that blue coloured, circular wax seal is the symbol of the 'Blue Mafias' Association." Kazuki said seriously as he asked Kenji who got surprised and immediately took out and put the white envelope on the table.
'Blue Mafias' is an organization formed by mafias-for-hire who mercilessly murder assassins and thieves according to their client's wish/request. Most of their Targets come from families of Thieves and Assassins lurking around Alementalia. Their payment is based upon how popular/famous their targets are. (e.g. the Leader of Assassins' head costs 10M gold coins/10 gold bars while the Captain of Thieves' head costs 8M silver coins/ 8M silver bars)
"E-Eh!? So that's where this came from. Now I understand." Kenji said as he sighed in relief.
"Uh? You didn't know where that letter came from. Kenji, tell me-..." Kazuki said as he wondered and then put down his chopsticks on the table.
"Then, how did big brother know whose symbol is this?" Kenji said as he wondered and asked Kazuki.
"U-uh?! Well, they did send me a letter before but I declined their offer. Hahaha! That was a long time ago." Kazuki said as he got finish eating and starts to fix the dishes.
"Uh? Okay. I was up waiting for you to come back so that I can tell you about this. Recently, I've been receiving letters from that ‘Association’ and I really don't know if I would – Huh?!" Kenji said as Kazuki stood up, approached him and pats his head.
"You are a dreamer Kenji. With your amazing gun and violin skills, you can go everywhere and do anything. Do not waste your time thinking that you should join in that Association." Kazuki seriously said as walked away and brought the plates on the kitchen sink.
"O-okay! I will get rid of this letter immediately. Please don't tell our parents about this or else they will be -" Kenji cheerfully said as he ran out of the dining room.
"Don't worry! I won't. So, go to sleep. Uh?" Kazuki said as Kenji stood up and helped him wash the dishes.
"I will help you." Kenji said as he opened the water faucet and start scrubbing the dishes, making Kazuki smile beside him.
Next day,
That afternoon
Outside the Training Coliseum...
"Mayumi!" Kenji said as he and Kazuki saw Mayumi waiting for them at the entrance gate of the Training Coliseum.
"Kazuki? Kenji? You are late! Where have you been?" Mayumi said as she got angry to Kazuki and Kenji, started pinching both of their cheeks.
"Ow-Ouch! I'm sorry. We overslept. I was waiting for big brother to come home last night." Kenji said as he apologized to Mayumi.
"We? You mean YOU overslept because got fond of reading those weird magazines." Kazuki said as he gently removed Mayumi's left hand off his cheek.
"Me?! But YOU were the one who liked those weird magazines filled with pretty, naked wo- Ow-Ouch!" Kenji said as Kazuki got embarrassed and stomped on Kenji's right foot.
"Weird magazines? What does he mean Kazuki?" Mayumi said as she asked Kazuki who looked away, averting her intense stare.
"No-Nothing! Let's go inside. Everyone is waiting for us. Uh? Mayumi? W-what are you doing?" Kazuki said as he and Kenji saw Mayumi began unbuttoning her uniform blouse in front of them.
"Then, how about this?" Mayumi said as she shyly unbuttons her uniform blouse in front of them.
"Mayumi! Stop it! Okay! I will get rid of those weird magazines when we got back in the dormitories. So please stop." Kazuki said as he blushed, suddenly took off his coat and put it around Mayumi's shoulders.
Kenji was surprised from his sudden actions as he tried to pretend that he is not jealous but he suddenly walked away from the two.
"Okay! I think you finally learned your lesson. Uh? Kenji? " Mayumi cheerfully said as she pat Kazuki's head and saw Kenji walked away from them.
"Hey! Kenji, wait for us." Kazuki said as he tried to call out Kenji, who was silently cursing under his breath.
"Damn it! I am not jealous. I am not – Ow! Sorry!" Kenji said as he walked away and suddenly bumped into Emi.
"N-No! It's alright. Uh? Thank you for saving us yesterday." Emi said as she recognised Kenji and thanked him for saving her from the kidnapping incident yesterday.
"Uh? Your welcome. Can I you a question? What is your name?" Kenji said as he asked Emi.
"Yes! Of course, what is it?" Emi said as Kenji was about to ask her a question but Kazuki and Mayumi arrived, suspiciously staring at him.
"Why are you staring me like that? I just wanted to know her name!" Kenji said as he blushed and yelled at Mayumi and Kazuki.
"Oh? I'm Emi Fujimoto. Nice to meet you." Emi said as she introduced herself to Kenji.
"Uh? YOU are Emi? N-nice to meet you too." Kenji said as he was surprised to know her name.
"There you are Emi. Harue has arrived. Let's go." Eito said as he found Emi and Kenji talking outside the Training Coliseum.
"O-Okay! See you later Kenji." Emi said as she and Eito went back inside the Training Coliseum.
"That's weird. You forgot to ask her dormitory address." Kazuki said as he poked Kenji's cheeks.
"Huh?! Why would I even do that? Stop poking my cheeks." Kenji said as he got annoyed and shoved Kenji's hand.
"Let's go! You two sleepy heads! The afternoon training will start in 10 minutes." Mayumi said as she suddenly pushed Kenji and Kazuki from behind and run away.
Inside the Training Coliseum
Main Arena...
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to our 7th Annual Final Field Training! I am the Mr. Mathematics Teacher, your host for this afternoon event. And for my dear students, I am disappointed with your final results in my subject!" Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as welcomes the enthusiastic audience for the afternoon event.
"Yeah! Bring it on! Just start already!" The audience yelled out as some of them got impatient, eager to see the Top 8 Students.
"Boo! Your subject is just hard! It is not our fault!" Rai said as she and Hikaru arrive and waited beside the stage in the Main Arena. The audience seems to agree with her and started booing Mr. Mathematics Teacher.
"Rai, please stop it..." Hikaru said as he stood beside her, sighed and dragged her going to Harue who is standing outside the stage.
"I know that everyone is so excited to see our Top 8 Students but before that let's all welcome the Imperial Council!" Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as the 12 members of the Imperial Council stood up as they all are watching the event from the Upper Balcony. The audience loudly cheered up for Imperial Council.
"Master Hiiro! Please look this way." Some of the female audience said as they saw Hiiro smiling at them.
"Is that your big brother?" Hikaru said as he asked Harue who shyly looked away.
"Yes. He is way TOO popular even with young children." Harue said as she crossed her arms.
"Eh? That guy is your elder brother. That's interesting." Rai said as she opened her small, glass jar of chocolate cookies, took and ate the cookie.
"Cookies? You have cookies? Give some of your cookies." Harue said as she suddenly tried to take a cookie out of the glass jar but luckily Rai stopped her.
"How dare you steal my cookies? You Cookie Thief! Stay away from my cookies." Rai said as she ran with the glass jar and hide behind Hikaru.
"Give me some, you greedy woman! You cannot eat all of that or else you are going to be fat." Harue said as she insisted and chased Rai as the two ran in circles beside Hikaru.
"Will the two of you give it a rest?" Hikaru said as he asked Rai and Harue who didn't listen to him and still running around him.
"Alright! Everyone calm down. From the upper right corner, from Aethyria let me introduce you Ms. Iysa Yoshito as the Village Chief followed by Mr. Ryu Hisaku as their Legal Adviser and Mr. Hiiro Matsuoka as their Secretary." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as he introduced the Council members from Aethyria and the audience and Aethyrians began cheering for Hiiro, who smiles and waves back at his random fans.
"Next, from the middle right corner, from Iytheria let me introduced you our current Chairman of the Council and their Village chief, Mr. Geno Kozuki, Mrs. Saki Kozuki and Ms. Annie Miyura." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as he introduced the Council members from Iytheria and the audience along with some Iytherians began cheering for them.
"So, he is the current Chairman of the Council? Where is our Imperial Prince?" Guy#1 said as he asked his friend.
"The rumour said that the former Imperial Prince got exiled because of his crimes but before he left he asked Princess Harue to take over for him. " Guy#2 said as he whispered to his friend.
"Eh? Princess Harue, Secretary Hiiro's little sister? That's amazing." Guy#3 said as he suddenly interrupted their conversation.
"Another rumor said that Princess Harue has the final decision to choose the next Imperial Ruler of our Kingdom. Since she cannot decide yet who will she choose, she assigned Mr. Geno Kozuki to become the current and unofficial Imperial Ruler." Guy#4 said as the audience shouted out, cheering for their representatives.
"Now, from the middle left corner, from Wathyria, let me introduce you Mr. Jiro Yokitou, Mrs. Aya Yokitou and Mr. Akito Sasaki." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as he introduced the Council members from Wathyria and the audience and Wathyrians began cheering for them.
"Finally, we have arrived." Eito said as he, Emi, Kazuki, Kenji and Mayumi arrived at the entrance gate going to the Main Arena and they saw Harue playfully chasing Rai and her cookie jar.
"And last but not the least, from the upper left corner, from Fireiya let me introduce you Mr. Sai Musashi, Mrs. Mai Musashi and the lovely Ms. Akari Hashimoto." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as he introduced the Council members from Fireiya and the audience and Fireiyans began cheering for them.
"We love you Ms. Akari!" Some of her male, random fans said as they cheer for Akari who smiles and waves back at her fans, making Hiiro silently irritated and cursed under his breath.
"Your elder sister is quite popular too." Harue said as she suddenly stopped from chasing Rai, making Hikaru blush.
"There you are Harue. Sorry we're late." Eito said he and Emi arrived at their place along with Kazuki, Kenji and Mayumi.
"Eito! Emi! Uh? And who are you?" Harue cheerfully said as she ran towards Eito and Emi and hugged them and then looked at Kazuki and Kenji.
"I'm Kazuki and this is Kenji, my younger twin brother. Nice to meet you. Eh? Were you that girl-?" Kazuki said as he introduced his self and Kenji to Harue, who seems familiar to him.
"Hello! I'm Kenji. We're the persons who saved you yesterday. Nice to meet you Harue." Kenji said as Harue suddenly remembered the yesterday's event.
"I-we almost forgot. Thank you very much for saving us." Harue shyly said as she dragged Emi beside her and both expressed their gratitude to Kazuki and Kenji.
"Your welcome. Uh? Is there something wrong Big brother?" Kenji said in response and wondered what happened to Kazuki.
"A-Ah! Sorry! I wasn't paying attention. You're welcome as well." Kazuki said in response as he looked at Hikaru and Mayumi.
"Uh? What happened to your left arm?" Harue said curiously and asked Kazuki.
"Ah! My left arm? Well, I got – Uh?" Kazuki said as the audience cheer out for Hikaru and Mayumi.
"You!" Hikaru and Mayumi said as they were surprised and annoyed to see each other.
"I'm going to kick your butt in front of this crowd!" Hikaru said as Mayumi crossed her arms.
"Eh? Let's see about that. Bring it on!" Mayumi said as she took Kazuki's coat and threw up in the air.
"It seems our Top 8 Students are already in here. Now, let me explain the rules. Rule #1, each round will last for 30 minutes unless the Imperial Council, our judges, announced to stop the fight. Rule#2: Each player will fight in the stage using only their Alementalian abilities and a weapon of their choice. Rule#3: If one of the players destroys their opponent's weapon, pushed their opponent out of the stage or even surrenders during their fight, the remaining player standing on the stage wins the round. Now, Hikaru and Mayumi please go to the stage." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as he called out Hikaru and Mayumi.
"Go Hikaru! Big sister loves you." Ms. Akari said as she cheers for Hikaru in the Upper Balcony.
"Good luck Hikaru!" Rai cheerfully said as Hikaru went up in the stage, making him blush.
"Good luck Mayumi!" Kazuki and Kenji cheerfully said as Mayumi smiled and went up stage
Inside the stage...
"Alright! Show me your weapons." Mr. Referee said as he Hikaru presented his medieval long sword while Mayumi presented her medieval pair of bow and arrows.
"Okay! We are ready! Ladies and Gentlemen, Council members... Round 1, begin!" Mr. Referee said as the bell begins.
Hikaru and Mayumi were amazingly par with each other by easily each other's physical attacks and defending themselves until Mayumi kicked out the sword off Hikaru's left hand and kicked it away.
"A-amazing!" The enthusiastic audience yelled out as they cheer for Hikaru and Mayumi.
"Well, that's my little brother! Go Hikaru!" Ms. Akari said as she crossed her arms.
Mayumi pulled out one wooden arrow, aimed at Hikaru's head and fired direct at him; Hikaru immediately ran away to get his sword and used it to cut the arrow into two. Mayumi got pissed off and continued firing at Hikaru, trying to push him backwards and off the stage.
"Hikaru, be careful!" Rai said as she noticed Hikaru was almost at the other end of the stage.
Mayumi pulled out her last wooden arrow and fired at Hikaru who again caught the arrow, single-handedly and broke it into two. Hikaru ran towards her and suddenly grabbed her blouse, lifted her up above him and cheerfully turned around.
"Hey! W-what are you doing?! Put me down this instant!" Mayumi shyly said as she was getting dizzy.
"Hey! Would you like to go out on a date with me?" Hikaru seriously said as he asked Mayumi as she was still up in the air.
"O_o HUH!? What?!" Everyone inside the Main Arena yelled out as they were all shocked from what just happened.
"O/////O!? Y-You... I said put me down!" Mayumi said as she was really flustered, kicked Hikaru on his face and then jumped out and down to the stage.
"Ow-Ouch! I guess that's a no." Hikaru said as he fell down on the stage and fixed up his hair.
"H-how dare you embarrass me like this in front of everyone..." Mayumi said as the flow of air changes it directions as she got really angry.
"H-Hey! Calm down. I am just asking you – Eh?!" Hikaru said as he panicked and grabbed his long sword.
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Fly!"
Mayumi said as she used her Air Alementalian ability and created a huge and fierce whirlwind under Hikaru's feet which lifted him up in the air and send him out of the stage.
"Woah! That's a strong whirlwind." Hiiro said as the whirlwind pulled away his hat and the audience's banners and foods.
"I-I'm getting dizzy. Uh?! Eh? Help! I'm falling! " Hikaru said as he was up in the air, regains his consciousness.
"Mayumi..." Kenji said as he sighed as the audience slowly being swept away by the whirlwind.
"Die you perverted freak!" Mayumi said as she got tired, shouted in the air and slowly lost control of the whirlwind. The whirlwind suddenly stopped and disappeared.
"Uh?! Wah! I'm falling! Somebody help me. Damn it!" Hikaru said as he was falling fast on to the ground and finally thought of plan.
Everyone was eager to see what will Hikaru's next plan but Mr. Referee decided to interfere and catch him when...
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Ablaze!"
Hikaru said as he began chanting and before he almost fell on the ground, he used his Fire Alementalian Ability and created a pair of wings made of 'blue fire'.
"That was close." Rai said in relief and went back in eating her chocolate cookies which Harue was envious of.
" 'Blue Fire'? This is the first time I saw someone who was the ability to manipulate 'Blue Fire.'" Mr. Geno said as his other Council members nod in agreement.
"Yes! I did it! Rai! Look after years of practice, I finally – Eh?!" Hikaru said as he was too excited, lost control of his ability and fell on the ground, outside the stage. The bell rang which ended the first round.
"Mayumi wins in the first round!" Mr. Referee said as the audience cheered up for Mayumi and began booing Hikaru.
"Mayumi, are you alright?" Kenji said as he ran away, went up to the stage and asked Mayumi.
"Don't worry! I'm alright. Eh?!" Mayumi said as Kenji suddenly lifted up like a princess and both went down the stage.
"Hikaru!? Hold this." Rai said as she got worried, gave the glass jar to Harue and ran towards Hikaru at the other end of the stage.
"I'm alright! Why am I seeing so many stars..." Hikaru said as he tried to get up on his own but he slipped and luckily Rai arrived and caught him before he fell again on the ground.
"Here, let me help you." Rai said as he placed his right arm around her shoulder and tried to carry him up.
"Thank you. Ow-Ouch...My back hurts." Hikaru said as he and Rai slowly walk away and sat down on the waiting area.
"Uh? I really don't know what just happened but Mayumi won the first round. Now! For the second round, I would I like to call Kenji and Emi to come forth in the stage." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as Kenji gently put Mayumi on the bench while Harue suddenly dragged Emi going to the stage.
"Good luck Kenji. Nope. I don't think you need that." Kazuki said as he pat Kenji's right shoulder and sat beside Mayumi on the bench.
"I will do my best." Kenji said as he ran away and went up to the stage.
"Good luck Emi! I'm here to support you." Harue said after she dragged Emi going to the stage.
"Okay! Thank you Harue." Emi cheerfully said as she went up to the stage.
Inside the stage...
"Show me your weapons." Mr. Referee said as he Kenji presented his modified sniper gun while Emi presented her medieval spear.
"Okay! We are ready! Ladies and Gentlemen, Council members... Round 2, begin!" Mr. Referee said as the bell rings.
At first, Kenji aimed and fired directly at Emi seven times but Emi used her spear to evade and defend herself from the silver bullets, striking and dividing each bullet into two in the middle. She missed the eighth one and it hit on her right cheek, leaving a thin and long-line like wound. The audience loudly cheered up for the two.
"Impressive! As expected from the Hamasaki Family. They trained their children very well." Ms. Iysa said as her Council members were also impressed by Kenji's gun skills.
"Yes! That's my little brother. Keep going Kenji!" Kazuki said as he cheered for his little brother back at the waiting bench.
Emi runs and advance forward to Kenji, who was reloading his bullets at that moment and attacked Kenji with her spear. Kenji was surprised from her sudden attack used his sniper gun as a 'shield' to defend himself. Kenji and Emi began their 'sword' fight; Kenji using his sniper gun as a sword while Emi use her spear.
"You are Emi right? Emi, the Enchantress." Kenji said as he asked Emi while still defending himself from her attacks.
"The Enchantress? Shut up! No! I'm that – No!" Emi said as she heard the word 'Enchantress' and start trembling.
"Hey! So you are really that – Huh?!" Kenji said as Emi kicked him away and simultaneously attacked him, pushing him to the other end of the stage.
"Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP! I didn't mean to do it! Please forgive me." Emi said as she suddenly snapped out but before Kenji fall off the stage he managed to kick Emi away.
Emi was tired from her simultaneous attacks; Kenji saw an opportunity to use his Water Alementalian Ability and thought of a crazy idea.
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Freeze!"
Kenji said as he saw some moist evaporating around the Main Arena and for the first time, he used his Ability to freeze Emi's lower, right leg. Everyone was surprised from Kenji's attack. Now, Emi was unable to move or attack because of her frozen leg.
"Calm down. Someone asked me if you related to the 'Enchantress' and I finally confirmed that. So please..." Kenji said as he slowly approached Emi, trying to calm her down.
"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!" Emi said as she snapped out, grabbed and threw her spear directly to Kazuki and Mayumi, a few meters beside her.
"Eh? She's still alive. I wonder how did that happened." Hiiro said as he whispered to himself.
Kenji panicked and chased the spear. Luckily, he got the spear while it is in mid-air and before it hit Kazuki and the other students in the Waiting Area but he suddenly fell of the stage.
"Kenji?! Are you alright?" Kazuki said as they saw Kenji fell off the stage.
"I'm fine. Don't worry. Eh? What is this?" Kenji said as he saw an Aethyrian magic symbol appears on the ground.
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Bore!"
Emi said as chant her spell and used her Earth Alementalian Ability, bore a three-meter deep hole underneath Kenji's feet and he fell inside the hole.
"Kyaaah! Somebody help me." Kenji said as he fell inside the hole.
The bell rang indicating that second fight is over.
"Round Two is over. Emi wins this round!" Mr. Referee said as he announced that Emi won the second round.
"Huh?! The fight is not over YET. I can still fight if you help me get out of here." Kenji said as he complaining while inside the hole.
The audience laughed out loud and start booing Kenji as they heard his complaint; Kazuki and Mayumi decided to run towards the hole and help him to get back up to the surface.
"Child, calm down. You don't have to be afraid." Mr. Referee said as he kneel down on his one knee and forcefully crushed the ice covering Emi's leg and turned it into dust.
"I'm not afraid... I'm sorry." Emi said as she suddenly lost consciousness and fell asleep on Mr. Referee's strong arms.
"Emi! Emi, are you alright?" Harue said as she hands over the glass jar back to Rai and went up to the stage.
"Harue? Wait up!" Eito said as he tried to chase Harue and also went up to the stage. Eito gently lifted Emi like a princess and the three went down the stage.
"I don't understand what happened. Let's continue the fight." Kenji said as Kazuki pat his head.
"Listen, you clearly lost in the second fight. You probably didn't notice it but when caught the spear in mid-air, you lost your balance and fell on the ground which Emi automatically wins the round." Kazuki said as he explained to Kenji what happened.
"Eh? EH!? That's it!? I got easily defeated by that?" Kenji said as he was frustrated and kicked his sniper gun away.
"But still you saved us. Thank you Kenji!" Mayumi cheerfully said, making Kenji blush.
"Of course! I made a promise that I will not let anything happened to you and – Uh! I'm still frustrated." Kenji said as he walked away and went to the Waiting Area, followed by Mayumi and Kenji, who picked up his sniper gun and brought it back with him.
"That's one of a hell fight! Everyone has a trick under their sleeves. For the third round, Kazuki and Harue please come forth to the stage." Mr. Mathematics Teacher said as he called Kazuki and Harue who both went up stage.
Inside the stage...
"Show me your weapons." Mr. Referee said as he Kazuki presented his long, wooden sword while Harue presented her thorn whip.
"We are ready! Ladies and Gentlemen, Council members... Round 3, begin!" Mr. Referee said as the bell rings.
Harue attacks first using her thorn whip, twirling it around while Kazuki calmly evades her whip attacks using his wooden sword. The same scenario went three times until Harue got pissed off to Kazuki for underestimating her and used her whip to seize his sword; Kazuki lost his grip to his sword and it was thrown outside the stage.
"Yeah! Finish him Harue!" The audience yelled out as they cheered for Harue.
"As you wish." Harue said as she smirked and attacked Kazuki with her thorn whip.
Kazuki, on the other hand, sighed and surprisingly caught the end of the whip using his right hand. Now, his right hand was covered with thorn and began to bleed.
"Sorry! But my Water Alementalian Ability was not meant to hurt anyone." Kazuki said as he started pulling the thorn whip towards him along with Harue.
"Eh?! What are you doing? Stop it!" Harue said as he tried to resist by using her feet to stop but it was useless.
A few minutes later, Kazuki grabbed and lifted Harue's left hand, squeezing it tightly as Harue tried to resist by kicking Kazuki's left arm. Kazuki enduring the pain and Harue lost her grip on her whip and he let her fell on the ground.
"Big brother? You left arm!" Kenji said as he saw Kazuki suddenly kneel on the ground, holding up his left arm.
"I know. Don't worry! I'm alright." Kazuki said as Harue looked at him and smirked.
"I knew it! You are that 'Red - Eh?! Let go of me." Harue said as she almost figure out Kazuki's secret Identity and suddenly lifted her up onto his right shoulder like a sack of rice.
"I need you to be quiet." Kazuki seriously said as he walked to the other end of the stage while carrying Harue.
"Like I would let you drag me down" Harue said as he kicked and jumped off Kazuki.
'Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Create!'"
Harue was forced to use her incompatible Earth Alementalian Abiltiy and created a huge and rectangular barrier made from solid rocks, separating her from Kazuki. Kazuki was amazed from Harue's Ability and tried to touch the rock barrier she placed between him and her but the unstable barrier starts shaking, making the rocks fall onto the ground.
Kazuki sensing that the barrier was about to fall on him, tried to run away from it but sadly it was too late. He was caught by the falling barrier and now lying down on the stage, surrounded by rocks and dirt. Awkward silence surrounded the Main Arena as the audience were awed to what just happened and start booing Kazuki.
"Harue! That's enough. You are going to hurt yourself." Eito said as they saw Harue grabbed her whip and stood up.
"I'm going to win this round." Harue said as she ignored Eito and run towards he unconscious Kazuki. She plans to finish the fight by pulling and throwing Kazuki out of the stage but...
Kazuki slowly regains his consciousness and dusted off his shirt. Harue was running towards him but she suddenly slipped in front Kazuki. Luckily, Kazuki caught her before she falls on the stage again.
"Sorry! But I really need you to be quiet." Kazuki said as he smiled and lifted her up, carelessly carrying her onto his right shoulder.
"Eh?! W-what are you doing? Let me go! Let me go!" Harue said as she panicked, shoved Kazuki's head and playfully punched his back.
Kazuki was so strong that he didn't even bulge an inch and continue walking until the other end of the stage. He jumped off the stage and intentionally let Harue fall on the ground, outside the stage. Harue, on the other hand was frustrated from what happened and now lying down on the ground.
"Damn it! Damn it!" Harue said as she cursed under her breath, crying and frustrated that she cannot do anything to stop Kazuki from simply taking her out of the stage.
The bell rang and the audience lively cheered up for Harue.
"YES! My win! Thank you! Thank you for your support!" Kazuki said as he smiled triumphantly and waved back to the audience.
"Round 3 is over. And the winner is Harue!" Mr. Referee said as he announced the official winner of the third round.
" O_o Eh!?!?" Everyone yelled out as they were shocked from the announcement and wondered what happened.
"Idiot!" Kenji angrily said as he stood up and yelled to his big brother.
"Allow me to explain. Earlier, you intentionally jumped off the stage before you let Harue fall on the ground. I and the Imperial Council considered this as a 'voluntary surrender' and immediately declared that Harue won the third round." Mr. Referee said as he explained to everyone what happened.
"Eh? Eh?! Seriously? Nobody told us about that." Kazuki said as he was frustrated but didn't pry any further.
"I won? Eh? I won!?" Harue said as she wondered and look up at Kazuki who kneel down beside Harue.
"Hop on. I will carry you back to the Waiting Area." Kazuki said as he asked Harue, making her blush.
"But your left arm - ...O-okay! Thank you." Harue shyly said as she took his offer and hopped on Kazuki's back like a child.
Kazuki stood up, now carrying her and went back to the Waiting Area.
Inside the stage...
"Alright! For the last round, Rai and Eito please come forth to the stage." Mr. Referee said as he called Rai and Eito.
"Here's your cookie jar." Eito said as he hands back her cookie jar to Rai.
"Uh? Thank you. Eh? I thought she already ate this last cookie." Rai said as she turned around and looked at Kazuki walking towards to them.
"Finally! We're here. I'm going to sit you here beside her." Kazuki said as he gently put down Harue on the bench beside Emi who still asleep after their fight.
"Here. Don't be sad. You can have the last cookie." Rai said as she sensed that Harue was about to cry, gave the cookie jar to her and pat her head.
"Uh?! Thank you!" Harue cheerfully said as she received the cookie jar.
"Shall we?" Eito said as he and Rai both walked away and went up the stage.
"Good luck Rai!" Hikaru said as he cheered for Rai, making Harue irritated.
"Kick her butt Eito!" Harue said as she cheered for Eito, making him blush and Rai giggle as she looked at him.
"Hey. Give me your left hand." Kazuki said as he approached and looked at Harue, making Harue blush.
"N-no! Why do you want my left hand? I'm too young to be married. " Harue said as she panicked and shoved away Kazuki's right hand.
"Idiot! I'm not going to nor ask you to marry me either. Just give me your left hand." Kazuki said as he suddenly grabbed Harue's left hand.
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Heal!"
Kazuki said as Harue, Hikaru, Kenji and Mayumi saw how his ability heals Harue's injured hand.
"A-amazing! That is a rare Alementalian ability and you are lucky to have it." Hikaru said as they were all amazed to finally see Kazuki's ability.
"You think so? I guess I am lucky indeed. Done!" Kazuki said as he finally finished healing Harue's hand.
"My hand is all healed up. H-how did that – Amazing!" Harue cheerfully said as she raises her hand up in the air.
Inside the stage....
"Show me your weapons." Mr. Referee said as he Eito presented his medieval sword while Rai presented her wooden training spear.
"We are ready! Ladies and Gentlemen, Council members... Last round, begin!" Mr. Referee said as the bell rings.
Rai and Eito were both serious as they were trying to kill each other; Eito is one of the amazing swordsmen in
the Academy that he easily cut Rai's spear into two as she was trying to use it to defend herself. Rai threw out her spear and decided to fight one-on-one with Eito; Eito tried to defend himself from Rai's superb physical attacks but it was useless, he got kicked away and almost went out of the stage.
"A-Amazing! I didn't expect that she is that strong." Harue said as he and everyone was amaze to how actually Rai fight in the stage.
"Of course! That's my best friend. Hm! She may be a shy person but we should never judge a book by its cover." Hikaru proudly said as he crossed his arms and laughed.
"Shut up Hikaru! Sheesh!" Rai said as she heard Hikaru's loud voice.
"Rai? She has the same name with that girl described in the rumour in Fireiya." Woman#1 said as her friend looked at her.
"Uh? What do you mean?" Woman #2 said as she asked Woman #1.
"You didn't know? The rumors said there is a wandering ‘witch’ in Fireiya that has the ability to talk with someone through the mirror. People avoided her when they saw her in the streets. " Women #1 said as she told the story to her friend.
"Lame! Get out of the stage!" Woman #3 said as she and the audience lively cheered up for Rai and start booing for Eito, calling him 'lame'.
"Shut up!" Eito said as he got angry and yelled back to the audience who called him 'lame'.
"Look! Your nose is bleeding." Women#4 said as she pointed out and the audience laugh at him.
"What? It is bleeding! Calm down... I need to focus in the fight. Uh?" Eito said as he covered up his nosebleed and trying to calm down and control his happiness as he has given the chance to fight one-on-one with his secret crush.
Eito threw his sword at Rai who wondered why he suddenly stopped attacking; Rai caught off guard but luckily she got the sword with her right hand before it hit her chest. Rai threw the sword out of the stage and decided to end their fight.
"Alright. I'm getting tired. Let's end this shall we?" Rai seriously said as removed the black glove covering her wounded right hand.
"Uh? W-what are you doing?" Eito said as he wondered and asked Rai.
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Light up!"
Rai said as for the first time she used her Fire Alementalian Abillity, surprising everyone in the Main Arena. She snapped her fingers in front of Eito as she started a small 'Red Fire' , trying to burn Eito's white shirt. Eito panicked and immediate took his burning shirt off and threw it out the stage; Eito was now half-naked and the audience start laughing at him.
Eito was now really pissed off and decided to use his Air Alementalian Ability.
"Within the abilities given to me, I command thee, Fly!"
Eito said as he used his ability and summon a strong and deadly tornado beneath Rai's feet; Rai suddenly got lifted in the air along with the banners, metal cans and etc. from the audience. Rai, being unable to move and tossed up the air used her Fire Alementalian ability to manifest fire but the wind amplified her ability and got mixed up in the tornado. Both of their abilities created a dangerous red 'fire tornado'.
"Let's get out of here! Help us!" The audience yelled out as they panicked and start running out of the Main Arena.
"Emi!" Harue said as she hugged Emi as she, Kazuki, Kenji, Hikaru and Mayumi were trying not to be faze as the tornado grew bigger as it absorbs the air inside the Main Arena.
"Mayumi! Stand back." Kenji said as he led Mayumi to safety and sat her beside Harue and Emi.
"Rai! Rai, where are you?" Hikaru said as he got worried for Rai and ran directly towards the fire tornado but Kazuki suddenly grabbed his right arm and pulled him back to safety.
"Hey! What the heck were you thinking?! That's suicide." Kazuki said as he grabbed Hikaru's right arm and pulled him back to safety.
"I don't care! Let me go. W-what kind of Hero am I if I cannot save my only best friend?!" Hikaru said as he shoved Kazuki's hand away from him.
"You are the stupid one. She is doing her best to win in this fight. Look up - Eh!" Kazuki said as he suddenly got hit by a cardboard banner, written on it was 'We love you Hiiro!' on his face. He panicked, slipped and fell on the ground.
While on the ground, Eito was trying to concentrate his magical energy in controlling the tornado so that it will stay only in one place but suddenly a cardboard banner hit his face, losing his concentration. He tried to remove it but he slipped and fell out of the stage.
The fire tornado suddenly stopped and disappeared inside the Main Arena.
"Uh? W-what happened? Eh!?" Rai said as she realized that she was still up in the air and for the third time she used her Fire Alementalian Ability to create wings just like what Hikaru did but it was useless.
Rai was now falling fast into the ground and Eito finally removed the cardboard banner off his face.
Suddenly, a 'Black hound' ran and jumped out from the roof of the Upper Balcony and successfully catches Rai while in mid-air. The unknown 'Black hound' and Rai safely landed on the ground a few meters away from Eito, outside the stage.
"U-Uh? T-thank you for saving me." Rai said as she jumped off the 'Black hound' and slowly stepped backwards and ran away from it. The bell rings indicating that the last round has ended.
"Everyone, are you alright? What a disaster! I wonder who will win in this fight." Mr. Mathematics said as he came out after hiding under the Host's table.
"Rai wins in this Round!" Mr. Referee said as he announces the winner for the last round of the afternoon event.
"Eh...What?!" Everyone yelled out as they all wonder what happened.
___________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for waiting everyone! Here is Chapter Two. Thank you. - Cheche-chan.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone