Yesterday I met with a foxy person… talk about promotion into B Class and then she said she’ll see me again soon. But…

“Please to meet you. I’m Sayaka Tamako, a professor from the University of Tokyo. From now on I’ll be your homeroom teacher. I’d love to teach you guys.” Teacher smiled sweetly. That smile nearly captured everyone… nearly… because me and my team jaw were dropping to the ground… not because of her beauty… but because… SHE IS TAMAMO NO MAE! She didn’t even try to hide her face from us! But then again… no one should know about her except for us so… she didn’t attempt to hide anything would be a good idea.

… Anyway… she is now our homeroom teacher… nice…

She then looked at us and gave us a mischievous smile. It’s bad… I already have a bad reputation because my sister is a little bit too beautiful… and Narin also teases me quite often… heck, my entire school is full of cute girls and half of them tend to come to very few people, mostly the top 10. Who is in this top 10? Well… at least my whole team is. So we tend to get a bit of… glare from other people. And I thought Chris is more handsome than me but he shot down any attempt that anyone made to get close to him so it came to me to solve the issue other people have… isn’t that FUN!? So... I end up having to softly reject everyone... SORRY!

Anyway, she starts lecturing about how this year will most likely be. This is a standard first week. We’ll have these classes for each morning until next week. After this class will be free time where student get to go and experience other class so they know what they want to applied for this semester.

Anyway, Tamako-san started the lecture and most of the students left. She taught Eastern History in relation to discovery. What does that mean? It means she taught mainly about science or things that originates or is heavily influenced by East and Southeast Asian, Silk road, Chinese influence on Japan and later Japanese influence on other parts of the world in the contemporary era. Etc.

I left to go to the training ground. Chris will probably go to the shooting range, Neko would too. Narin is probably going for espionage class. Well… she is a professional, even if everyone tries to downplay her achievements, it is true that she is a professional. Born and raised to be a merchant, she used to gather hands and ears all over the place, all over the world. Her parents taught her real well about how to gain intel.

Chris, on the other hand, is a loner. He doesn't play around, at all. Proficient and ruthless. Every shot he takes will take someone’s life. That’s the fact. He is professional on another level.

Whatever, it’s better to focus on things I can do rather than compare myself with others. This is my last year in highschool. I better use it wisely.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been a week since then. Nothing of note is different. But, it really does feel like I'll be doing competition mainly, with strategy class and some exercise class on the side for this year. If I continues to get at least 2 stars from competition, I should only need 3 more competitions and 1 more class. Should be easy.

Neko, Chris and Narin decide to attend urban combat class. Good for them. I'm not a fighter type, even if I can.

Today, I came to school early. I want to exercise some more before I take a class after all. So after I do a bit of warm up and run a lap in the training ground, I wash off my sweat and get ready for homeroom.

We still have a homeroom every Monday morning, just to catch up on the news. Today, Tamako-san introduced the class to a new girl.

“Everyone, welcome this girl. She comes from Greece as part of an international learning collaboration, another 2 will come next month before the Battle Royale Competition Event. They're having some trouble. In case you want to help them, there is a timed quest for that, in exchange for 3 stars. Be warned though, it will be really hard, and it is for military students only. After they come, another quest for academic students will be opened. Is that clear?” She asked loudly. Everyone nodded. Everything seems fine.

“Kito, before you go to your class, meet me in the virtual warroom number 3. Narisara, Christin, and Nao, you three go there too. Everyone else, class dismissed.” She declared, then walked off. She didn't even wait for me to respond... Yes, she is technically my superior but I have right to reject quest I don't want, YOU KNOW!

I was stunned. The entire classroom turned their head to me. Most of them knew that I'm already with ELITE. So it is known school-wide that I'm a military student, not an academic student. So, for academic teacher to asks me to go to the military wing of the campus herself just prove that she is mixed teaching... and it felt wrong for multiple lesson.

Well, she asked me to… so…

“We better get going then.” I stood up. My team follows suit. Then we walk out while everyone looks at us. Soon after, they go back to their usual routine.

We and some few dudes in the class are military students. Everyone else is an academic student. That's mainly the composition of students here. For the whole 6 years of study, one third of students will be military sided. This doesn't mean we're violent though. One of the first classes that we need to study is the Aftermath of War and the Means other than War, to instil in us that there are other ways to reach the conclusion and agreement other than war.

Actually, the philosophy of less war, more trade ended up with more prosperity in Britannia before the Great War and Siamese Federation after the Great War.

The Kingdom of Siam, where we’re now, was born in a fire of riot and instability. It wasn't until a young general had had enough and revolted against the military junta that Siamese became an aegis against the tyranny, and spearhead against inhumane acts which war brings. Even now, The Kingdom of Siam is a country with an economy rivalling Britannia at its peak. How nice. It isn't a utopia though. That would be Britannia before the Great War. But Siam is a pretty good place to stay as of this moment.

Let's hope it's nothing serious.

-------------------

We arrived at the room. Tamako-san was waiting there.

“Okay, you're here. Lancelot wants to talk with you.”

“Right hand of the CEO wants to meet me? Wow.” I said, sarcastically. The man from before who spoke in Old English was Lancelot... his direct descendent is on the Round Council of Britannia. A long story about Lancelot helping Arthur the Rebellious overthrow the Tyrant, only to reinstate the Successor to the English Throne long before today. The story originated from after the Norman Conquest of English, I believe. But a lot of written text were gone from that era. Anyway, Arthur then create an advisory council known as Round Council to give advice to the king, prevent anymore tragedy from having incompetant king on the throne. And they seems to be successful. Britannia become the only country to prosper for like 500 years, even during the trying time of Religious Strive in Europe. Anyway, to the present day, that council is still exist, leading the country in a good way.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

“Yuki. Please don't be so sarcastic. We can't do much on our own.” Tamamo said.

“Can't you just ask normally?” I asks. I must look like I hate the idea of following her lead.

“I was carried away.” I could see the aura of her nine tails drop… I feel bad now that I see her being like this.

“Fine. Please. I still want a normal life even if I know about magic.” I said dismissively and walked in.

She and my team follow not far behind.

Within the large, dark room is a light source coming from the large table. This table is a smaller version of Wartable, a holographic projector table used in education about tactics and strategy within the military branch. It is also ridiculously expensive. Just this small table cost more than this entire building bare. The larger one cost this entire build furnished without the table themselves. This is why there are only 3 rooms. The budget is enough for 3 of these only.

I step ahead toward the table. The light then turns on, revealing Lancelot smiling from the other side of the table.

“Blizzard. Finally.”

“Don't call me that. Snow gets called Blizzard is cringe now that you know me personally.” I said.

“Haha. No. I'll continue to call you that until you choke on your cringeness.” He jokingly said. He is a funny man… at least a bit.

“So, why did you call me here?” I asked.

“Tamamo should have told the class about new students that are due to arrive in two weeks, right? And there are quests related to the new students, right?”

“Yes to both.” I answer. I'm not sure why... but I felt something's off.

“Then, if the quest hasn't been finished in a week from now. I want you to take it and go to Austria immediately.”

“?”

I was about to ask but he slid his phone over to me. A million Euros.

“I'll explain it now. Will you listen?”

“Of course.” I answered. A million Euros… god… I could live comfortably for lives if I have that money!

“The girl in question is named Natsuna. Natsuna Linzt. She has taken out multiple ELITE agents and taken in several more to be her servants. They are effectively brainwashed. The quest is about escorting her here from Austria. But I know no one will be able to. For one, you have to forgo study for a week to escort her here. And two, it is a ploy anyway.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“She is Relic Holder. What's a Relic Holder? You may ask. They are people who hold a legendary weapon or accessory. Even worse, she is the holder of the original relic. That means she has been using a living weapon.”

“I don't think I understand.”

“Remember Ivory? The white hair girl who wrecked your house?”

“I do remember her.”

“She is an original relic.”

“She is so weak though.” Very weak. A slam in the face is already enough to put her down. But still, she able to summon icicle and blade stronger than my tachi so that is something to be said about. That said, I can't say she is strong herself.

“You met her when she was nearly out of power. Meet her now and you'll die in seconds. That's the power I'm talking about, the power to destroy someone's life in mere seconds. And Natsuna uses that power to brainwash everyone who is strong enough to help her but not too strong as to threaten her position. I want you to bring her down. But you right now probably will be at most a fly to her army. I suggest you wait a week for Ivory to transfer to this school before accepting the quest.”

“Can I refuse?”

“Of course you can. But this school might be in danger. She chooses here for a reason. I believe she wants to amass her army of brainwashed followers. But we don't have a clue if that is true or not.” He said it very calmly... but...

“Can't you just deny her?”

“What do you want us to say to the public? Oh, we can't let her in because we thought she used magic to brainwash people. Public reception of ELITE has deteriorated a lot compared to years before. If we told them that, we would lose a lot more.” He said.

Although it is correct that multiple conspiracies and rumours start to tarnish ELITE reputation. This kind of damage control is… somewhat unreasonable. Having to go fetch a girl from Austria who could potentially wreak havoc in the campus is unreasonable.

“And if magic comes to light to the general public, most people who can't use magic might start to… distance themselves from the one who can. We might end up see a genocide.”

“I think you still live in the mediaeval era.” I stated bluntly. To be honest, them being like this is unsightly.

“Better safe than sorry. When lives of dozens to hundreds are on the line, it's better to be paranoid about it.”

“Can't agree. But I'm not going to judge.”

I crossed my arm. Everything is silent.

“I don't know the actors, I don't know the board. This is just blind shooting at best. At worst, it will be my death.”

“Yuki, are you telling me?”

“Of course not, Tamako-san.” I said cheerfully. “It just means that I need to go all out. This would be fun.” I grinned. The whole room shuddered.

“Neko, Narin, Chris. You all stay. I'll be dealing with this myself.” I said.

“Good, good. Now, for the time being.”

“Sir Lancelot. Please call Ivory and have her waiting for me at the airport.”

“Blizzard, please don't do this.”

“I'm not doing the quest.” I'm grinning from ear to ear. “This is my vacation time.”

“And that is how I'm here with you now.”

“Are you stupid…” The girl with white, silvery hair said.

She is the one everyone calls Ivory. Which, in all fairness, is very true to the person herself. She is whitish all around. Her pale skin. Her white hair. Her white clothing. Too bad biology forbids humans from having fully white eyes. That would be truly horrifying. No, she has blue eyes. She looks Asian though, another thing about her being called Ivory.

At any rate, we are on the plane to Austria. It is a private jet, paid for by Tamamo herself. I was planning on just flying myself there on one of the airline flights. But the idea was shot down immediately. So Tamamo paid for a direct flight from Siam all the way to Austria on her own private jet. This is lovely… but I feel it is unnecessary.

Ivory, who I request to come with me, looks at me with disgust and anger.

“Do you want to die? Because this is how you're gonna die” She said. I understand though. She just worried.

“Relax. I know what I'm doing.” I said back and looked out the window. “We need to get an initiative. We need to make a move before she makes any more moves. We are already behind.”

“So you quicken your death with that thought of yours?” She quips.

“We can't go more than 1 or 2 people, or she will take note or maybe retaliate before we even begin. That's why I request you. I can't bring my team here, they'll die. But if I come here with someone who can guarantee my safety for a bit, then I could make this work.”

“You're gonna get brainwashed.”

“She can certainly try. I don't mind. But with you on my side, she might be unable to. I believe.”

She's eyeing me.

“So you're using me?”

“Yes. More or less. I need to use you. And they plan for me to use you anyway. So hastening it isn’t really a problem now, is it?” I said calmly.

She sighs.

“At least you are honest.”

“Honesty earns you trust. Trust earns you more than money ever could.”

“Idealistic.” She scoffed. I smile wryly.

She is right. That’s just me being idealistic.

“But it works just fine.” I said.

“It won't for long.”

“I don't know about that.”

She glares. Our exchange ended there. There is only silence around us.

For the next hour or two, we had no talk. It is extremely awkward. But I can't talk much.

I hope once we landed, it would be a lot easier to tolerate.

…