Meanwhile...
A silver sword whistles as it cuts through the air and the knife-like head of a monstrous lizard, killing it instantly. Another one of its kin roared and pounced towards the wielder of the sword, but then its voice was abruptly cut off as it found the sword going through its throat. Its body tensed for a second before going completely limp.
"Small fry…" Iceheart said as he pulled the sword out. "This barely even counts as warm up."
He turned around swiftly as more of the red drakes emerged from the shadows of the forest. Iceheart faced the incoming swarm of red drakes with a dark glint in his eyes. This is his duty and he will see to it that it will be done perfectly, even if he has to do it alone. He opts to meet the enemies head-on with sword in hand.
The drakes came at him from all sides, their razor-sharp teeth and claws glinting in the sunlight. But Iceheart moved with an unnatural grace and speed, weaving in and out of t
Meanwhile, on the other side of Discordia, on the land of Naifel…A five-man band walking on the cold tundra where as far as they can see, almost everything is covered by snow. There are some mosses, sedges, and lichens, along with the rare few trees in between. It was a dark and cold place that anyone with common sense would try to avoid.Alas, those people came here not because they want to, but because it was their duty. Those five are the team dispatched from Agni Veritas to accomplish a mission in this region as their Field Exam. And they went into the cold lands with only some extra on their black uniforms.They walk together in a straight line, making a simple formation. It just so happens that they knew each other for quite a long time, so there's no awkwardness between them.One leading in the front is the leader of the team, a chestnut-brown haired young man with gold trimmed green mantle. Following him, a young woman with blue waist-long hair that is partially tied into a l
Back to the forests in Sancredo region…The sky was dark. Black clouds have gathered around the forest, looming above them. Soft rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze picked up, causing the branches of the trees to sway. Soon after, the sky began to darken as more thick clouds rolled in, blocking out the sun.Tenma stands on the precipice of a cliff, overlooking what seems to be a cavern down near a clearing below. His hand on his sword, never letting his guard down despite everything looking perfectly safe. For now, at least. Who knows when would the situation get nasty and chaotic?He frowns, wondering how many of those creatures are they going to face. For him, it's not a matter of clearing them out, but rather how he should handle his team to accomplish this task without any problems. He then silently reassessed his teammates' capabilities.Noa typically uses magic, but is no slouch in close combat herself, with stellar swordsmanship a
"... so, that concludes the strategy. If there's no question…"Tenma said with a rather dramatic flourish of his hands, having explained the strategy to his teammates. They were still under the half-finished ice dome that Iceheart made, while the rain is still pouring hard outside their temporary shelter. And they have different reactions to hearing what he had to say.Noa simply folded her arms and smiled supportively, fully on board with his strategy. Sabrina gave him an approving nod, showing no objection to whatever he just said. Iceheart, for his part, looked rather incredulous, like he was expecting something disappointing but it turns out better than he thought. And then there's Damon who just stood there looking totally dumbfounded."Sorry dude, can you run that by me again?" He asked."Are you serious?" Iceheart immediately turned to him. "He explained it perfectly in a way that even a fool would understand. Unless you weren't listening AT ALL…"No one noticed, but Noa gives
The yellow eyes of the beast looked at them as it descended from the hill."What the hell is this thing?" Iceheart asked incredulously."Looks like a Chimera or Manticore." Damon growled."I've never seen this kind of monster before..." Sabrina said."I have a bad feeling about this…" Noa frowned.Tenma looked straight at the beast. It's just looking at them, tilting its serpentine head as if it was just a curious animal. But there was also a caution in its stare. It's like it was sizing them up, as if its still trying to determine if they were its predator or prey.Tenma waited as it just walked back and forth around them. He can sense its stare intensifying around him, slowly narrowing its yellow eyes. That's when he realized something. It really can think. This was no mere beast. This is something even more dangerous than a ravenous horde of oversized lizards.It makes him anxious. How powerful this beast can be?"Everyone be careful." He warned. "Don't approach it recklessly! Go b
Tenma opens his eyes. Suddenly he was in a pit, a pit so deep there's only a glimmer of sunlight visible from above. He could see a silhouette standing outside the pit, looking down on him. Oddly, he felt quite small and helpless in that pit, even though it was wide enough for him to run around. He recognized this place. This was… this was back then. He was here years ago. What is this? Why is he seeing his past? The beast made him see things? Or life flashing before his eyes? "So, boy. Tell me again why do you want my guidance?" The silhouette outside the pit asked him, with a voice that is clearly feminine, but also stern and uncompromising. The sunlight was behind her, and thus the shadows covered her visage. But her crimson eyes, red like blood, was clearly staring at him, gleaming with unnatural light. "I only take courageous and talented people as my disciple. As in, people who has proven their met
That afternoon, an airship landed on the Entrance section of Agni Veritas Academy, joining the other few airships on the landing pad there. As soon as its doors were open, a blonde-haired young man stepped out immediately, and started walking away in haste.Not too long after, a black haired young man walked after him."Wait up, Cain." He called out.The blonde young man stopped. Someone's using his given name…"We have nothing to talk about." He said dismissively. "I'm going home.""Of course there is." the black haired young man responded. "Just one thing…""Save your breath, Leader." the blonde young man named Cain said. "If you are so eager to ask me about what I am, don't bother. I don't intend to share with any--""Who said I want to ask that?" the black haired young man cut him off. "I just want to say thanks.""... huh?"The blonde haired young man blinked. He was stupefied. He did not expect that kind of response."... thanks for what?" He asked."For saving my life, duh." Th
The young man with multicolored eyes and the the girl with dark red eyes stared at each other for a brief moment. Feeling the curious stares of everyone present, Tenma decided to take the initiative."Good afternoon, Tachie." He immediately stood up and greeted the girl. "Didn't expect to run into you here.""And neither did I, Senpai." the black-haired girl with glasses smiled. "But there were some… unexpected circumstances." She glanced at Reina."I'd love to hear it. But hang on for a bit."He and Raiga went to get more chairs for those three. And just in time for their ordered food to arrive to the table."Ah, I forgot, Sylvia will be coming as well." Sabrina said. "So get one more, Raiga.""Sylvia too? Oh, that's nice." Raiga immediately went to get it.Tenma briefly glanced at him with eyebrows raised before he sat back on his chair. Reina had already plopped herself on the chair beside him, while Tachie politely made herself comfortable on the other end. Tenma looked back and f
Today was quite the adventurous day for Noa Vermillion.It was supposed to be just an exciting day, slightly more than her usual days at least, where they would travel to some place and hunt some monsters. She likes to go outside and see new things. More stuff to gather and more stuff to learn. That's what it means to be an Alchemist.She learned plenty from her late mother's books about the outside world, but nothing beats going outside and see everything for yourself. Even her mother said so in those books. From gathering materials, crafting things from the stuff she found outside, and writing it down in your own personal book… those are such learning experiences. She loves being an aspiring Alchemist.And for today, she went outside the City-Kingdom of Aetzer for Field Exam with several other people, including her dearest boyfriend Tenma Kazuki. It was quite a nice trip, although she had to put up with the blonde young man who kept tr
Tenma looked at Sabrina who’s walking slightly ahead of him, putting his arms behind his head and sighed wearily. He did volunteer to accompany her just for today, and he does want to make Sabrina forget about her work even for a bit… but maybe asking her what they’ll be doing in her day off was a mistake. He should have taken more initiative and planned ahead…Because Sabrina wants them to go register their Mission License and try out an official mission. Which means, it’s a real job, and runs counter to what his intention for today was. He really wants Sabrina to take her mind off her work, not taking more job. Mind, if it was any other day, he would take the job without any complaint. But today is not supposed to be work day…… fine. I’ll make this work. I’ll make today fun somehow!Tenma and Sabrina stopped in front of a huge wooden door that is furnished by a large fire-shaped black emblem. Only one building holds such emblem, which is the building of…The Swarthy Order, the offic
That afternoon... Somewhere in Aetzer, Tenma walked back and forth on an observation deck. It was a place with quite a breathtaking view. He could see almost all of the City Kingdom at a glance. He decided to stop walking soon after, facing the railing and the skyscrapers across him. He breathes in and spreads his arms, feeling the sunlight and wind breeze caressing his body gently. The sun is already up high in the sky but it doesn’t feel that hot. It’s only slightly windy too, feels like this is a perfect weather for hanging out with friends outdoors. However… He doesn’t feel like hanging around with too many crowds today. He silently observed the city that’s bustling with activities below him, before looking back to the horizon far away. Enjoying the scenery from the place he’s standing. The observatory deck, it was not an easy place to find… in fact, someone found this place first and shared it with him. Said person are among the few people that he truly values, so this place
Agni Veritas Academy is a school running on meritocracy. The highest authority a student can wield here depends on their capability. The holding of power is selected on the basis of their ability. That means the smarter one is, the stronger one is, the higher grade one is, those qualities will be what defines one’s worth in this school. That is where the Class Ranking comes in, a system that was invented by a previous Headmaster few generations before Cort Van Hellsing. A student will be admitted into the Class Rankings when they reached their second year in the school, after their value and merits is assessed. The student’s attendance, their academic scores, their combat performance, those qualities will be calculated into a certain number that will make their final grade… and it does not only serve as a sign of one’s competence. It gives them certain rights that the first year students do not have. When someone reaches the realm of upper-ranked students, they will be given small a
Mission License. It was a precious priviledge only granted to students who passed the Field Exam or fulfilled certain conditions. With Mission License, students can take actual missions like the ones who have official graduated from school. They are granted this right because they have proven themselves capable by passing the Field Exam, those are designed specifically like real missions. Of course, the Mission License isn't absolute pass to take part in every mission available. There are missions that required certain conditions that has to be fulfilled before one can even consider to take these missions. These matters are handled carefully within The Swarthy Order, the official organization that records and takes notes of the mission taken… whether it's completed, or failed. The purpose of the Mission License itself was to give the students experience of working under the Order… to give them the taste and benefit of working, to teach them the sense of satisfaction, to find meaning
In the Infirmary of Agni Veritas Academy, one young man sits quietly on a bed, having just woken up from a long night's sleep. A young man with blue undercut hair and a slim yet athletic body. It didn't help that his hospital gown really doesn't hide his toned figure.He figures that since some medical staff members and students that passed by his bed stole some glances at him, he more than fulfills the criteria of a body people would kill to have. He'd even heard some appreciative whispers directed to his way. He couldn't help but to grin.Of course, he didn't cultivate his body this way for showing off to people. He's not that vain, obviously. However, he has to admit he still felt quite the ego boost from that.A little confidence won't hurt anyone. Especially in this world where you need to be confident, not just strong, to make a real difference. At least that's what his father told him. A strong but meek person won't change anything since they are too afra
Everyone was silent in that Lecture Hall, captivated by the footage that has started playing from the projector.A vaguely humanoid entity that looks like its entire being was comprised of pitch-black steel that somehow doesn't reflect the sunlight walked forth into the battlefield, but its steps weightless as a feather. No eyes. No nose. No mouth. Nothing. On its face, there was simply nothing but black. In its hand it was grasping some sort of sword. And by 'some sort of sword', it means it was only shaped like a sword… but it wasn't really a sword, because it was made of black and red energy, instead of any sort of metal. The blade and the hilt are entirely comprised by that dark energy.The entity walked into the battlefield as another figure charged at it. The figure was a pasty white humanoid with massive black bat wings, with their eyes entirely crimson like it was filled by blood. Their nails are crooked claws, which seen as the figure raised its hand and chanted.It was Magi
They are inside the school now, walking out the Elevator and onto the Second Floor, where all the classrooms are. Normally they would part ways now since they're in different class, but since today is Joint Class, they will have a class together now. There's little to no reason to separate…Tenma kept his enthusiastic spirits from before, eager and ready to receive the lesson that he had read ahead. Meanwhile Sabrina walked beside him, her overall mood has dramatically shifted from sulking to a rather cheerful one. That's totally have nothing to do with the prospect of having some quality time with the black-haired young man today, without any interruptions.But before that can happen, they have a school schedule to get through first. Sabrina smoothed her expression, trying to hide her eagerness from everyone they passed. She was supposed to be a stern and proper member of Student Council, so at least she has to keep herself in check.Tenma however, looked as neutral as ever. Whether
Sabrina sighed as she and Tenma walked casually together towards their school, Agni Veritas Academy. It was still raining, although not as hard as before. They shared a black umbrella together, their shoulders lightly touching. She silently recalled what happened earlier in the morning.They had breakfast together, just the two of them, so they did it on her house since no one else was there.Reina was staying over at Tachie’s dormitory, just as Tenma said. Noa was nowhere in sight, but Tenma looks unconcerned about it so that means nothing bad happened.She didn't ask what happened, but it was still a rare occasion that only happened once in a blue moon. It was a quiet morning that she would always cherish. It really was quiet… but it's not out of awkwardness. Both of them weren't the type that likes to talk too much anyway.“I guess I’ll cook something for our breakfast...” She said.“Nah, let me handle that.” Tenma interrupted. “You just sit there and wait.”“But it’s my home…”“Jus
Sometime in the past…It was raining. The skies were dark. In an open field where there was nothing but water droplets from the rainfall, two bodies lay motionless. One was a brown-haired woman, eyes closed as if in peace, there was no breathing from her. Next to her, there was a little girl who's crying and ignoring everything else.The other one, a black haired man, was bleeding profusely, his breathing ragged. Next to him, there was a little boy, who's trying his best to stay strong for the little girl."Mister, my mom and dad will come soon. They will help… they can do anything!" He said with shaky voice. "Please, just hold on…"He tried feebly to stop the man's bleeding with his hands, but it was no use. The bleeding did not stop, and the man has lost too much blood…"No… don't worry too much, young man. It's too late for me." the man softly spoke. He was fading quickly. "It's okay. Tell Kaito and Frieda you did your best…""Y-you know my parents…? How did you…""We're old frien