Chrome Shelled Regios

by Shūsuke Amagi

  "That's insurance. It guarantees the students must have some level of skill."

  "But it takes at least half a year to get marks."

  "......Wuwu, half a year."

  "Can Mei-chi tolerate half a year as a waitress?"

  "......No problem. I'll steal the recipe."

  "Hahaha, what an audacious declaration."

  "......Never mind me. What about you two?"

  "Me~~? I've already decided."

  "A magazine?"

  "Yeah, though it's mostly doing errands. Nakki?"

  "I'm going to join the City Police force. There're lots of Military Arts candidates, so I can't let down my guard."

  "Oh, if you join the police force, then can you get an armed permit earlier?"

  "Yes, but you can only carry a baton."

  "Fufufu......But aren't you happy? You're really jealous of Layton's sword~~,"

  "Not at all. I just want it because a baton is the pride of a policeman."

  "You really are!"

  Layfon was listening to the three. Even here he felt he was very distant from them. Nothing could help him.

  Because he stood on the other side of the glass.

  He could hear the sound, but he couldn't step inside it. He squinted at the three, unable to enter that cheerful territory.

  There was no chance to speak.

  The party ended as the closing hour of dormitories neared.

  Student dormitories were spread out across the city. After separating from Naruki and the others since their dormitories lay in a different direction, Layfon found himself heading in the same direction as Felli.

  "......Is senpai going in this direction too?"

  "Yes, what a coincidence."

  Layfon nodded. It was that much of a surprise to him.

  "Senpai didn't enter the conversation back then. I'm sorry for being insensitive."

  In the end, he himself passed through that time without speaking. He couldn't speak up as a special atmosphere encircled the conversation that only familiarity would allow.

  Felli shook her head at the apologizing Layfon. "Not at all. I was happy."

  "Really? That's good."

  It was hard to conclude whether she was truly happy as her face showed no emotion at all.

  They alone walked on the path lit by street lights. Layfon felt awkward about it. The sound of footsteps that was usually small and insignificant drifted into their ears.

  "I don't talk, not because I'm not satisfied," Felli said suddenly.

  "Ah, really?"

  "I didn't know what to say because I haven't had any friends before," Felli said as she walked past a street light. Layfon glanced at her but couldn't make out her expression.

  Just then, sparks fell from her silvery hair to scatter the dim light. He widened his eyes.

  "Senpai!"

  "Oh, sorry. I lost control for a little bit."

  She pressed down on her long hair with her hand. Green phosphorescence gathered in her hair, emitting a dull light. Unresponsive and without any heat. Only the tiniest bit of vibration in the air that Layfon could feel with his left wrist.

  This was psychokinesis. It was the external type burst Kei and the internal type Kei, but at the same time, it was different from both. It was an inborn ability, a type of Kei flowing in the body that training would never obtain.

  He watched her closely. Even her eyebrows and eyelashes emitted phosphorescence.

  Hair was the best conductor for the Kei of psychokinesis. There were people who conveyed their Kei to whips made by hair.

  (She lost control of it?)

  That was shocking. Just that and her hair could emit the light of psychokinesis to the tips of each strand of hair. This meant her ability of psychokinesis was inconceivably powerful.

  "Senpai......"

  "......This is the reason that my brother transferred me into Military Arts," she said.

  "My ability of psychokinesis goes way beyond the normal standard."

  "I think so too."

  Layfon had also seen psychokinesis phenomenon of glowing hair, but it was only one part of the hair. He had never seen a case like Felli's, whose whole hair shone without her being aware of it.

  "Because of this, I've received training in psychokinesis since I was very small. Everyone in my family strongly believed I'd become a psychokinesist. Even I never doubted it."

  "But......" she added. Layfon could feel her shaky emotions.

  He was right. The trembling on her lips was different from that of normal conversation.

  "I thought that everyone's future was predestined. I thought that they all knew what they'd become in the future. But this was wrong. Of course, it's not possible for a criminal to know he can only become a criminal."

  He didn't laugh at her words. She only said it without much of an emotion. Perhaps this was meant as a joke. Since he wasn't sure, Layfon decided not to laugh.

  "Once I realized that, I tried to think of what I'd be doing if I wasn't a psychokinesist. No one knows their future, but mine was determined from when I was very young. I became intolerant of that, and eventually left my home city to come here."

  Her parents took a huge step back for her and allowed her to study at her brother's Academy City – Zuellni.

  "My parents thought it wouldn't matter much if I didn't get to train in psychokinesis for six years. I also thought I could find the other me, the me who wouldn't become a psychokinesist."

  But she was unable to do that.

  Because of Zuellni's present situation and the person who tried to solve the crisis – her brother.

  "I hate my brother. I hate my brother who forced me on the path of psychokinesis," she murmured.

  Layfon listened to her silently. He couldn't hear any emotions in her light tone, but he felt she felt confined, as if a certain being was under pressure and was crying out sorrowfully.

  "And I hate myself for only becoming a psychokinesist."

  Because of her exceptional ability, she couldn't escape her destiny.

  "Those kinds of people are too radiant," she murmured.

  Layfon could only nod in agreement.

  Because he felt the same.

  Chapter 4

  Platoon Match

  It's been a while since I wrote my last letter. A lot's happened over here, so I'm a bit tired. It's because of the cleaning duties in the Central Mechanism Chamber and school life.

  I still haven't received your letter. I wonder whether my letter arrived safely?

  I'm finding it very difficult to look for my future goal.

  In Grendan, I was fortunate to have ability and it didn't take me long to choose the path of the Katana. But now I feel that I need huge courage to determine my own future.

  Every time I look at these people who strive forward for their goals, I think they have lots of courage, yet I feel stupid and ridiculous for thinking that. I know there's no need to admire them. It's enough to look at my own goal.

  Haha, how weak I am. Uh, I know that too. I've come to Zuellni, but I still haven't found my goal.

  My school life is smooth.

  It'd be great if I could find what I want to do in these six years. I can't be too lazy about it, but there's no point panicking.

  How're you over there? I'm sure you're doing fine.

  May you have a happy future.

  To my dear Leerin Marfes,

  Layfon Alseif.

  He wanted money.

  He didn't really care for the reputation that came with the Heaven's Blade. He thought learning the katana was the fastest way to earn money, as his Master had praised his talent with the katana.

  Lance Shelled Grendan. It was fortunate he was born in this city that prospered on Military Arts. He didn't know his parents, but he was thankful of them for giving him talent with the katana.

  He had to use this power to make money.

  He lived for fifteen years with that purpose alone.

  The luckiest thing that happ
ened was that he became a successor of the Heaven's Blade before he was 14.

  But he was still troubled by money.

  The air of commotion stretched out from the locker room to the narrow corridor.

  Layfon walked silently in the corridor. He let out a light sigh and tried to relieve the illusive pressure that was bearing down on him from the air.

  But he couldn't do it.

  He thought he had let it all out, but the irritating feeling rushed back into his chest. He felt his stomach, the pressure refusing to go away.

  "Wuwu......"

  "Are you all right?" Nina asked beside him.

  "......I should ask you, senpai. You don't look well yourself."

  "Don't talk nonsense. I'm very calm."

  Despite her reply, it was clear that she didn't feel as calm. Her eyes were darting around, and her footsteps were less firm.

  "Anyway, the 16th platoon is good at formations, but once a formation becomes shaky, there'll be an opening."

  "You said that three times already."

  Nina glared at him. He wasn't afraid of her getting mad. The light pink on the edge of her cheeks meant she was only covering up her embarrassment. Even so, he moved his gaze away from her.

  "Listen. I'm sorry, but we can't rely much on Sharnid's support. I need him to move alone today. And Felli's progress in tracking enemies hasn't improved," she said with a sour expression.

  Although they had been training since that day, Sharnid's long-distance shots failed to coordinate with the team's movement, and Felli's detection of enemies hadn't improved.

  (Uh, of course.)

  He didn't know what the deal was with Sharnid, but it was expected of Felli. She was determined not to work at her best so her brother would let her go.

  (About that point, I'm the same.)

  "This time we're on the offensive. As long as I don't fall, we won't lose. We'll respond depending on the situation today and win the match. Thank goodness my coordination with you has improved."

  She thwacked a fist against Layfon's chest. It was a light strike, but he still coughed at the contact.

  After platoon training, he always trained alone with Nina. Because of that, he could accurately read Nina's attack pattern, and she also seemed to understand how Layfon would react.

  Nina mumbled as she looked at the map in her hand. This must be her strategic plan. She was thinking hard on how to win with the current strength of the team.

  From dark bags under her blood-shot eyes, it was clear she was determined to win this match.

  Yes, today, they had a platoon match.

  Match. Just thinking of that word made his stomach hurt.

  "I'm sorry. I need to go to the bathroom," Layfon apologized.

  "Got it. I'll go ahead then," Nina said, still deeply absorbed in the map.

  In the men's bathroom, Layfon splashed tap water onto his face. The coldness of the water cleared his head.

  "Ugh, it's still not working."

  The pain in his stomach hadn't subsided, and he could also feel the pressure in his chest.

  "Damn."

  "What's wrong? You don't look well." A voice floated over as when he was about to splash his face again. He didn't turn to address the owner of the voice, but he saw the other person's face in the mirror.

  Felli would never have thought such a gentle smile could adorn Karian's face.

  "......What do you want?"

  "There's no need to be on guard. I'm here to give the new platoon some encouragement. I just saw you on the way here. You don't look well."

  "I'm tense because it's almost time for the match."

  Layfon didn't detect any pressure from Karian, the pressure he felt when he first met the Student President. But there was a certain dissatisfaction mixed up with the pain in Layfon's stomach. His gaze reflected in the mirror also looked worse.

  "How could that be? This is child's play to you, Wolfstein."

  "......It's meaningless no matter how many times you repeat that title. It doesn't belong to me anymore. I was expelled from Grendan and I don't have the Heaven Blade."

  His disapproval of Karian......Could be because of Felli's words. He resisted Karian who even used his own sister to reach his goal.

  "And why is that? Are you not satisfied with me waiving your school fees? Speaking of which, you're still cleaning in the Central Mechanism Chamber. Do you still need money? If so......"

  "......That isn't the problem."

  "Then what's the issue? Layfon Alseif. The Heaven's Blade Wielder Wolfstein I know cares more about money than reputation."

  Karian didn't change his expression, but his words cut straight to the core. Layfon only collected himself at the huge noise that came from the floor tiles when he stomped on them.

  Karian's reflection on the mirror maintained his smile.

  "I don't know where you got that information from......but it's incomplete."

  "Um, just what's going on? Can you explain to me what kind of a person Wolfstein is?"

  "No. That's something you don't have to know."

  "It's fine if you don't tell me. I just want you to perform well in the fight."

  Karian ended the conversation one-sidedly and went out into the corridor.

  Layfon watched his back, having no desire to chase after him.

  "Yes, yes......" Karian suddenly halted his steps.

  "I hope you can stop your naive thinking that playing around in the match can get you back into General Studies. I've said so already. I'll do anything for the survival of the city. As long as something is useful to me, I'll use it."

  "Even if it's your sister?"

  "Even if it's my sister. Well, I'm going now."

  Karian moved out of Layfon's sight. He must be heading for the locker room of the 17th platoon. Layfon stayed rooted to the spot. He didn't want to see Karian again in the locker room.

  He sat on the edge of the sink, lifted his head to watch the ceiling with his hand covering his wet face.

  "Ah~~Damn it!"

  Letting out his emotion failed to alleviate the pain in his stomach.

  Meishen looked at the basket resentfully on her knees.

  "You can't help it. They said non-related personnel can't enter before the match," Mifi comforted her in the audience seat.

  "......But......"

  Meishen gazed at the basket regretfully. She got up early today just to make this bento.

  "......Lay......ton lives alone. He might not have had breakfast."

  "Perhaps, but we didn't ask him to come out. Just forget it," Mifi said, pretending not to have heard the pause between "Lay" and "ton".

  (Layfon? Layfon-kun? Just which one is it? Hmm, with Meishen's personality, it probably is Layfon-kun......I don't think she'd want to call him just"Lay.")

  Mifi thought so.

  She knew Meishen greatly admired Layfon, that was why they became friends, but she never thought Meishen would have made him bento with her own two hands.

  (Is there a chance? Layton seems pretty slow with this kind of thing.)

  She looked at Meishen. Meishen was delicate and small. She was about the same height as Felli. Her face? It would be Felli's overwhelming win in that area. The two girls were of different types, but the girl in the 17th platoon was exactly like an exquisite doll. She gave off an illusive and dangerous allure from head to toe. Compared to her, Meishen definitely wasn't not cute, but she always had this about-to-cry look in between her eyebrows.

  What about body build? Meishen had the advantage in this area. She was the most physically matured out of the three of them. Although her small stature didn't quite match, her body was so grown up that even Mifi herself felt inferior.

  Even now, the surrounding males were boldly staring at the curve of her chest.

  About chest size, the order went: Meishen, Mifi, and lastly Naruki. The order was reversed when it came to height.

  (I'm always in the middle. It feels like I'm losing out.)

 
; Meishen didn't let any boys get close to her because of her shyness, but at the same time, she was protected by many guys. Naruki's brave and bold personality also made it hard for anyone to get close, but everyone agreed she was beautiful.

  (Only I'm not liked. I haven't received a love letter either.)

  "What is it? Still sulking?" Naruki came back with some juice.

  Naruki's short hair danced in the wind. She frowned at it. Both her hands were occupied with snacks and three paper cups of juice, so she couldn't smooth out her hair.

  That pose suited her.

  "It's unexpectedly crowded. I waited a long time in the queue......What's up?"

  "......Nothing."

  Mifi snatched up her own juice and snack, and lifted her gaze to watch the arena.

  The uneven ground of the war field, dotted here and there with trees, was fenced in. Above was the camera of the Alchemy course, controlled by a psychokinesist. It was currently being tested; The big screens facing the audience seats cycled through different areas of the field.

  "Isn't it about time? When is Layton's match?"

  Meishen should know, but why was Mifi angry? Naruki didn't get it.

  "There are four matches today and Layton's is the third. How is the unknown 17th platoon gonna react to the speed of the 16th platoon? Everyone's interested in that, but the odds on them aren't good. Layton's team falls way behind."

  "People are gambling on this?"

  Sharp light shot from Naruki's eyes. Gambling over a platoon match was illegal. In Naruki's harness was a Dite with the symbol of the City Police on it.

  "I didn't place a bet."

  "Of course."

  "Besides, it's useless for you to stop it. It hasn't received official permission, but it's mutually acknowledged. As long as they don't make a mess, the City Police won't do anything about it," Mifi said.

  Naruki grunted, looking around with outrage in her eyes.

  Mifi sighed.

  "Really...... Why are all Military Artists obsessed? It's just entertainment."

  "What nonsense! Military Arts is heaven's greatest gift to humanity. To dirty it through one's own desire......"