Motomatsu Base / The three subordinates / Hostile attacks have begun

The day before the predicted day of the Third Attack. Hayato was relaxing, lying on the bed in the room prepared at the base.

– I can finally feel a little of peace.

Amidst the chaos in the world, without thinking he murmured like that, but it was definitely the fault of Touka.

From the sword from his s.h.i.+shō, Kenzaki Ryūsei, there was nothing to be relaxed about after having been told that Warslan would not take care of Kenzaki Touka, the only child of his deceased elder brother, Kenzaki Hokuto.

[What on earth are you thinking!?]

For starters, Hayato decided to inform Claire about Touka on the spot because there was a consultation as to whether she would take them back to Little Garden or not. An angry voice was coming back.

[For what purpose did you go to Yamato? You should know that!]

– Eh, Umm…. of course….

The development was as expected. To that extent, Hayato makes a bitter smile.

[Then, why would you contact me like this? I feel anxious to say the least, rather than giving her hints on how to fight well, you want to return and to take the girl who yearns for you as a master to Little Garden]

– He is not s.h.i.+shō. s.h.i.+shō is Ryūsei and so Hayato is s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō*!

[That is not what I am talking about! Besides s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō, what in the world does that mean!?]

Claire puts a tsukkomi in full power the moment Touka b.u.t.ted into the conversation.

Laughs can be heard from behind. Those are from Charlotte Dimandius,

Main Technologist of Little Garden.

[Now now Claire, calm down yourself. Although even if it is Hayato-kun, he won't necessarily put his hands on a young girl other than his little sister, isn't it?]

[What reason do you have to say that kind of thing―]

[Hahaha, it's a joke. For the time being, how about deciding to treat her after we successfully overcome the Third Attack? First give your head some time to cool down]

Coincidentally, Hayato thinks that he was saved because she was near Claire. If it wasn't for that, the conversation would have been further complicated.

[I agree]

And so, after a short pause, Claire continued.

[Kisaragi Hayato, the things that are in front of your eyes at the moment, do them right. To overcome the Third Attack safely. Because, that is the mission imposed on us now. Understood?]

– Oh! Such a very beautiful lady.

– Wa, s.h.i.+shō!

Ryūsei, was getting closer from the back and when he noticed, he s.n.a.t.c.hed easily the PDA from Hayato.

[What, what kind of thing are you―]

Suddenly seeing Ryūsei appearing on the terminal screen, who wouldn't get perplexed, right?

The surprised voice of Claire is heard through the speaker.

– Nice to meet you, Miss Claire. I am currently Hayato's s.h.i.+shō, Kenzaki Ryūse―

– I'm sorry President, until then!

Hayato quickly disconnected the line, picking up the PDA from Ryūsei who tried to introduce himself with a posed look.

– s.h.i.+shō, please stop saying strange things so suddenly!

– Hahaha, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. By the way, that the deal with Touka will be decided after the Third Attack, then that it's dejected…

– 'Dejected'… what thing is dejected?

– Actually yesterday, you may have heard it from Ryōko-san, I got in touch with a certain woman.

– 'A certain woman'…

– That's the woman that I'm aiming for now.

– Ah, yes…

– In other words, that's the woman that wants to be my lover. She will come to my mansion tomorrow. She is afraid of the Third Attack and so we will stay together until it pa.s.ses. There is a person in here who is a girl. Even if I explain it to my elder brother's daughter, there is a possibility that it might be suspiciously strange. The explanation is a bothersome, and it is difficult to do this and that.

– In any case this and that, in other words, what you are saying is that you don't want to keep Touka in this place.

– You sure know it well, isn't it? You became an adult, Hayato.

Laughing with a *HAHAHA*, he strongly hit his shoulder.

– By saying that, we will ask properly to Ryōko-san.

– In short, until the Third Attack is over, what s.h.i.+shō does really want to say is that either way Touka will be under the care of the inst.i.tution?

– That's right.

Smiling with a grin, Ryūsei said.

– All things said, thanks for your consideration, Hayato.

– Yup, thanks for your help, s.h.i.+shō!

– A few moments ago you said something, it was s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō, what does it mean, that…

– It was Ryūsei who gave me the sword of Chichi-ue and who taught me sword techniques. That's why Ryūsei is s.h.i.+shō. From now on and after this in Warslan, Hayato must teach me how to combat against the Savage. That's why Hayato is s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō!

– I disagree, it's ridiculous, that…

– That's no good, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō.

– Look, even Ryūsei is saying it!

– s.h.i.+shō, please do not incite strange things…

However, Touka never bends once she had decided on something.

– Well then s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō. Let's go to where s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō lived!

Eventually the way of how is he called will not change, and so Hayato left the dōjō with Touka, and headed to the inst.i.tution where he lived for many years.

***

– s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō!

It's around the morning of the third day in Yamato that they were invited to the inst.i.tution. Hayato felt over the futon together with the voice of an energetic girl, the weight was the same that he felt yesterday. And then, a sweet fragrance from somewhere—.

– …when—

When he moved his eyes once opened, it is the appearance of Touka who's on top of his lower body, although it is over the comforter.

– You, what are you doing!?

In a panic, Hayato shouted, raising his upper body.

Then Touka leaned forward her body while expressing a delightful smile on her face. Because of that, the distance between their two faces has approached to the point where their breaths seems to touch each other.

– s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō has finally woke up!  Let's do practice!

– Prac, practice?

– Yes, morning practice. Because if it's from s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō, it must be done every morning, right!?

– I disagree, that's wrong…

Anyhow, it is about time to go to the inst.i.tute. I have not been there since I went to Little Garden.

Sometimes at night, I do that with Emilia*.

– Is that so? If that's the case, then today put a special training, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō!

– Err, first move away a little.

To separate their distance he tries to push the shoulder of Touka who's getting way too close to his face.

But that hand hit the chest of Touka. *FUNYU*, the feeling of softness and warmth of the skin are transmitted to his palm.

– s.h.i.+, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō… what on earth are…?

Her face turning bright red, Touka is taken aback.

– Do, don't tell me, that you are going to rape me just like you did to the other women!?

Hastily shaking off the hand that hit her chest, Touka crossed her arms to hide her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and turned her back to Hayato.

– You are wrong! Or perhaps I should say, who are those 'other women'!?

– Ryūsei told me that s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō have been raping a lot of women…

Touka said while turning her head.

That face has tearful eyes.

– No no… because what s.h.i.+shō was saying is a joke.

– Mu, is that so?

– Yeah.

– Since I'm not going to be raped, then are we turning on to practice?

– No, your sword skill is more than enough. In that respect, I say that there's nothing else that I can teach you.

– Then, show me s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō's Hundred. I'm devoting myself to the sword of Chichi-ue, what I want is to receive the Hundred of s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō.

– That's a shame, because that can't be.

– Mu, why is that?

– For the time being, I'm forbidden to use my Hundred. That's in order to preserve sense energy to face the Third Attack. That' the reason why yesterday I didn't attack you, because I didn't deploy my armament.

– I don't care if it is with a bamboo sword or a wooden sword, anything is good. What I need is a real fight! If the morning is no good, then the noon is fine too! I entrust to s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō that decision.

– But, it is absolutely necessary for me to leave in approximately two hours from now.

– Mu, but why?

Touka is dumbfounded.

Looking at such reaction, Hayato soon noticed that he did not convey the schedule for today. And then that Hayato's vacation is until today. Currently he is on a standby state towards the imminent Third Attack. For that reason he will be picked up to Motomatsu Base after ten o' clock today.

– There are preparations, so I'm out of time to stick to practice.

– If so, then please take me to Motomatsu Base as well. With the sword of Chichi-ue, and using the Kenzaki Secret Style Zaneizan, I expect that my strength will grow now.

– That's impossible. Zaneizan it's not perfect yet, even the President just said that it is once the Third Attack ends. Moreover, I don't have such authority.

– Muu.

Touka inflated her face in dissatisfaction.

– It seems that there is only a way to convince to the ones who have the authority of my power. Then for once, I'll be having a somewhat special training!

That said, Touka left the room with a dash.

– 'Special lesson'… what on earth is she planning?

He didn't know well, but Hayato was relieved to be released. He went down from the bed, and head towards the dining room. The table was surrounded by children who were eating bread. But in it, he can't see the figure of Touka.

– Good morning, Hayato-kun.

– Good morning.

Hayato returned the greetings to Ryōko and continued.

– Don't you know where Touka is?

– She told me that went outside to do special training. I wonder if it is just practice-swinging.

– Oh, is that so…

– When I look at that girl, it reminds me a little to Hayato-kun in the old days.

– I, did I do such a thing?

– It was around the time when you began to attend the place of Kenzaki-san. Karen-chan always cried because of that. 'Nii-san took a sword' she said.

– Ahaha…

– But, thanks to that, Hayato-kun became a Slayer, and this inst.i.tution could be rebuilt. It may be possible that Touka-chan most certainly will do the same thing. Great efforts bear fruits.

– Is it something like that?

– It is something like that.

As there aren't any particular sounds, Hayato decided to have breakfast. Then he went back to the room, and as he finished changing his clothes, the dorm's chime echoed. It seems to be Warslan that came to pick him up. Hayato leaves the room and heads to the entrance. Thereupon, Touka was bowing her head down while pressing three fingers of each hand on the floor.

– Are you s.h.i.+nonome-dono? If you don't mind, I'd like you to take me with s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō to fight against the Savage. I can fight against the Savage. I'll be more than helpful.

– Ummm….

It is justified that Mika is perplexed by the sudden pet.i.tion of Touka,

– I am sorry, s.h.i.+nonome-san. Touka abruptly saying something like that…

In a hurry, as Hayato said that he gets in between those two people.

– Ooh, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō. Your preparations are in good order to head to the battlefield. I was pleading to s.h.i.+nonome-dono to go to Motomatsu Base together with s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō―.

– Stop it, don't you see that s.h.i.+nonome-san is troubled?

– No, it is okay. Moreover Hayato-kun, can you explain something for me? Who is this child?

– Umm, to be honest…

It is troublesome, but it can't be helped since it has become like this. Then Hayato explain to Mika about Touka.

– In other words, what you are saying is that she is not a Slayer, right?

– Yes

Hayato nods.

It seems that the situation has turned out for the worse.

– But, as I said earlier, I can fight the Savage, please look!

Touka who stood up as she says so, with a small running goes towards the place of the rock that is on a side of the dormitory.

– Please watch. Even without Hundred, I will show you the evidence that I can fight the Savage!

Touka who raised the sword overhead by saying so, releases slashes using the natural vibration taught by Ryūsei, crus.h.i.+ng the rock. The execution is more perfect than yesterday.

The inst.i.tution is, where she finally displayed a perfect Zaneizan as of now, it seems.

– How was it!?

Incredible, right? It's what is saying the facial expression that is showing Touka. But, Mika was showing a troubled appearance.

– How to say it…

That reaction would be natural as well.

– I can't take a child who is not a Slayer to fight. Also, in the story of Hayato-kun, if you wait until we can overcome the Third Attack successfully, you might be able to go to Little Garden, right?

– But I, just like Chichi-ue, I want to fight to protect this world. The Third Attack is an unparalleled opportunity…

– Touka-chan, that's no good, you'll just be a hindrance to the work of Hayato-kun.

– Ryōko, Oba-san…?

Ryōko was holding a hand on the shoulder of Touka from behind.

– I was talking about selfishness, but you may not be able to go to Little Garden, don't you agree? And if such a thing happens, then won't Touka-chan be further away from her goal?

– That could be as you say…

– If so, you'd better withdrawn obediently here. That person, will protect it for you.

– Uu…

As expected from the head of the inst.i.tution. She is used to deal with children.

– Ryōko-san, please take care of Touka.

– Of course.

– Well then, with this I.

– Are you going, Hayato?

– Will the Earth be okay?

– It will be okay.

Hayato said while stroking the head of a child stuck on his feet that had an anxious expression.

– No matter what happens, I'll do it somehow.

– Really?

– Yeah. Even the Savage, there's nothing to worry about. So, listen to what Ryōko-san says, and if something happens, evacuate properly.

As Hayato says that, he smiled to the children.

Upon that, the boys' facial expressions became brighter.

– Ok, I understand!

– Hayato, do your best!

– Good luck!

– Yeah.

And so Hayato was sent off by the children, Ryōko and Touka who seemed to be worried but still with discontent, and so he together with Mika headed to Motomatsu Base.

***

– Hayato-kun, do you have a minute?

– …n?

What is it?

Suddenly *TON* *TON*, a sound could be heard on the door of Hayato's room after a voice was calling for him, and that is a staff member of Warslan Company, it was s.h.i.+nonome Mika, the one who serve as the Commandant of this base.

– No problem. What's the matter?

When Hayato answers, the door of the room opens and Mika comes in.

– The sortie standby condition is over.

– …oh, so fast?

The meeting and training with team members are going on after returning to Motomatsu Base yesterday, and it should have been a day off today.

– Yes, I'm afraid.

Mika answers with a subtle expression.

– The first wave seems to be approaching sooner than expected. It looks like that there is a high possibility that one of this ma.s.ses will fall into the range of this base. So, can you be prepared immediately?

– Understood. I will change immediately into a Variable Suit.

– Good. As soon as you finish changing your clothes, please come to the front of the hangar. I will report the strategy there.

Saying that, Mika left the room at once.

I wonder if she went and told the same story to the other members.

(Now, to change my clothes)

Although I used sense energy in yesterday's training, it was a small amount. I slept well overnight and I'm already recovered, I think. My physical condition is perfect. There is nothing wrong.

– …All right, now.

Hayato who changed into his Variable Suit went out of the room, and decided to move to the front of the hangar as he was told by Mika.

***

– Haah! Yaa!

Touka was practicing in front of the inst.i.tution. The crisis of the earth is closing in. And yet, there's nothing that she can do.

With the sword of her father that can defeat the long-awaited Savage, even though she is holding in her hands the secret that can be used to fight the Savage, the only that she can do now is to swing her sword―.

Touka stopped swinging, looked up at the sky and muttered.

– I want to fight, just like my father…

But then what should I do, thinks Touka.

(s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō said that he headed to Motomatsu Base…)

I know its location.

It should be around twenty kilometers to the south of this inst.i.tution.

(20 kilometers, huh…)

If it's such a distance, if I run then I'll be able to arrive in less than two hours.

(From there, following secretly the moment I'm with the sortie, and then if I defeat one Savage, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō and the others will surely acknowledge me as a fighting force)

If I do so, then I should be accepted to fight together with them, and then I'll be accepted to be taken to that place called Little Garden.

(Yeah, I have no doubt about that!)

With that decided, she can't stay still. Immediately Touka ran towards the base of Motomatsu.

***

When Hayato finished changing clothes to Variable Suit, he went to the front of the hangar were s.h.i.+nonome Mika was standing up.

– I think those kids will come very soon.

Those kids are, the ones who got together and trained yesterday, those three people are girls that Hayato will command to fight together.

As Mika said, those three people came in less than three minutes.

– Kisaragi-taichō, thanks for waiting.

In response to that voice, Hayato looked back, and he saw the girls dressed in their Variable Suits, coming closer while running.

The girl with the short cut is Kirigakure Yumina. She is a Slayer of the Warslan Company and is a descendant of the ninjas of Iga. Her armament is an a.r.s.enal type, the weapon is sickle and chain*. Its name seems to be

> Orochimaru.

*TN: Kusarigama (鎖鎌) the weapon.

He saw the appearance of two girls behind her. The exposure of her shoulders are the same as of Mirai's, and it is obviously different from the other Warslan-Yamato branch soldiers. They wear their Variable Suits, white and red are mixed in, reminiscing the clothes of a shrine maiden in some respects. Tsuzura Mirai and Kurumi Sango―.

They are Slayers belonging to the Slayers training school of the Warslan Company Yamato branch that was formed this year. Both are still in the years of middle school of Little Garden, but their ability is outstanding, and so he heard that they were selected for this interception unit. As much as that, it seems that there are only a few Slayers in Yamato.

– I apologize for taking too long―

Who greeted him with a long paused voice is Tsuzura Mirai. The girl who had short hair is trimmed like reminiscing about someone from the capital of the west, and also her tone is unique. Her home is a s.h.i.+nto shrine, and the form of her Hundred is a shooter type. The weapon is a bow, and he heard that its name is

>Hamanotsura.

Next to her, the last person remaining- A gla.s.ses girl who rolls her light brown hair only on one side, Kurumi Sango. She fixedly stared to Hayato with narrow eyes. By the way, her armament is the same as the president, it is a Dragoon type that handles floating batteries. Its name seems to be

> Drag Red.

(I think that I can get along with Kirigakure-san and Tsuzura-san, but I wonder if I can get along with Kurumi-san.)

That concern has existed since yesterday. It was after a while since Hayato moved from the inst.i.tution to Motomatsu Base in which he was guided to the prepared room. So there was a prepared time for meeting together with Yumina, Mirai and Sango. After this, they are planning to train together, so that's why the other three are also dressed in their Variable Suit.

– I am a member who belongs to Motomatsu Base, my name is Tsuzura Mirai. I am fourteen years old and I am on second year of middle school. It is an honor to meet you!

– I'm Kirigakure Yumina. I may be four years older than Kisaragi-taichō in terms of age, but I'm a novice with no experience fighting Savage. I'll be under your care and guidance.

– Ah! Thanks. It is I who should say so.

Hayato shakes hands respectively with those two people.

– Come on Sango, say your greetings too.

Incited by Mika, that girl gave her name.

– Kurumi Sango. Like Mirai I'm also in the second year of middle school desuwa.

But that's it. Far away from shaking hands, she narrowed her eyes behind the gla.s.ses and kept staring at Hayato for a moment without saying anything.

(Hmm, what shall I do…?)

Being in trouble, Mika came saying from the side.

– Next is Hayato-kun's turn.

– Oh, right. I'm Kisaragi Hayato, I came from Little Garden―.

With the later self-introduction of Hayato, that finished the salutation.

– Errr, Taichō-han, is this thing alright?

It was Tsuzura Mirai who quickly picked up his hands.

– Uhh, what?

– Taichō-han, I heard that you had a fight with the President Claire-han in the famous Little Garden, and in that moment…

– Wa-, wait a moment, Mirai!

In a hurry Sango covered the mouth of Mirai.

– Wa, what are you doing!? Because Sango was worried, I needed to ask him!

– About that story, I will ask that myself masuwa!

Sango flared up to Hayato, pointed her fingertips to him.

– Ki, Kisaragi Hayato! Du-, during that fight, is, is true that you rubbed Cla-, Claire-sama's beautiful and voluptuous bust…, is it true!?

– Eh, no, that…

He was puzzled by the question that he didn't imagine. And then, Sango came closer.

– How can you say that! You, Kisaragi Hayato, rubbed Claire-sama's b.r.e.a.s.t.s! To say that you did such an enviable thing, to such thing to be true desuno!

– No, I'm saying that it was an accident…

Without thinking, Hayato answers while drawing attention. To such rumor of the story, to able to get this far, to reach this place―.

– It, it was an accident you say! In other words, it is a fact that you rubbed her desuwane! Kuu, I cannot forgive you wa! All the more to shoot you down in battle―.

– Sango, please calm down. If you shoot down Hayato-kun, then we will not be able to fight the Savage and the whole area will be in trouble, you know?

– There is no problem, only we can defeat the Savage masuwa!

– If we could do that, then they wouldn't have call Hayato-kun.

Mika sighs like she is amazed.

– Kisaragi-han, I'm sorry. Sango's Hundred is a Dragoon type, and the fact that she esteems for President Claire-han. The way she talks is exactly like hers. The truth is she comes from the countryside, and she is not an Ojou-sama.

– Sh, shut your mouth desuwayo! You do not have to say unnecessary things desuwayo!

Looking at that exchange, Hayato thinks 'Uh huh, so it is such a thing'.

That is why she know things about the battle, and the way she talks must surely be the influence of Claire.

– Hayato-kun, although these are children, the reaction value of their Hundred is very high, and also they've piled up battle training. So, be at ease. I think that they will not really attack you.

– No, well, I really appreciate it for that.

He wonders if this is the answer to Karen's fortune-telling [ill fortune concerning women]. At that time Hayato thought so.

After such a greeting, Hayato immediately decided to train with the three people.

Yamato's Slayer's battle technology is high even on a global basis, and among them, he heard from Claire that it is certainly true that the technology is higher than that of other countries' Slayer in terms of fighting in the sky, and that the three of them had outstanding Hundred's operating techniques, as well as battle techniques. Besides, even without an Air Ride, thrusters are attached to the waist at the time of deploying the armament, so they can fly freely around the sky. The training piled up by the three people, the combination is perfect as expected.

They will destroy the balloon b.a.l.l.s considered as Savage that are floating in the sky, one after another.

(Really, even if I wasn't here I think they'll manage somehow…)

While training along with Hayato, that's what he thought from the bottom of his heart.

– Well then, once everyone has gathered we will commence to talk about the strategy.

In Mika's words, Hayato gets back to himself at last. This is not the place to be worrying now. The time for battle is approaching.

– So, the newest information is that the Savages falling in this vicinity are predicted to be five.

– Five? That's quite a lot, don't you agree―?

Said a surprised Mirai. Hayato seems to think the same.

In a preliminary prediction stage, the global number of Savage on the Third Attack is around three hundred― as this is an island country, it was supposed to not fall down to that degree in Yamato, since is a narrow land area. If there are five out of three hundred in one place, that is indeed considerable.

Ten years ago, Gudenburg was destroyed by three Savage.

– Yup, that's right. Therefore we are surprised too. Now, what type of Savage will be included, we are figuring out in cooperation with the Imperial Army, the Warslan headquarters and the United Nations. First of all, Hayato-kun can you equip the Air Ride?

– Understood.

Hayato moved into the hangar and wore the Air Ride on his shoulders.

– Do not try to fly specially without attaching the armor. With such a thing, it will happen the same and separate like it did with the skillful Claire-sama.

– Yeah yeah, it was my bad!

In accordance to what he understood at the moment of the practice, the three girls were armed with thrusters on the waist at the same time they deployed their armaments, so they could fly in the skies just with their HUNDRED ON.

It's just Hayato that could not do it.

(But, it is because of the shape of such armament? It cannot be helped)

Apart from the President who can use six floating batteries as thrusters, Emilia can also produce a thing like that― besides the armament of four wings that Sakura has, it basically means that Latia, Fritz, and both of the vice-presidents can't fly.

– Because eliminating it, Hayato-kun can make use of his maximum special characteristics.

Dr. Charlotte said so.

By forcibly programming the thruster for flight to its original armament, energy consumption will increase unnecessarily and the time to maintain the armament will be shortened.

Therefore, it seems that it is more efficient to equip an Air Ride that can use the thruster more efficiently by using another Variable Stone as a catalyst.

Hayato entered the hangar alone, and with the cooperation of the men working at the base, he equipped the Air Ride. The sound alert reverberates during that. It looks like the raid of the Savage is approaching.

– Hayato-kun, could you get ready, right?

Mika comes into the hangar just after the equipment is done.

– Yeah, I'm done.

– Then, let's sortie.

The shutter of the hangar opens. There are three girls standing in the runway with their Hundred armaments deployed. Each one of them, is holding a weapon that matched their shape respectively. Yumina has a sickle and chain. Sango has a gun. Mirai has a bow.

– Sango, which gla.s.ses have

Head-up display lens, is the one that will guide you until the target point, so Hayato-kun will follow with the other two afterwards. The instructions after arriving at the target point are left to you.

– Roger that.

– We are leaving as we are falling behind a little masuwayo!

– I understand!

It does get tiring to be rus.h.i.+ng every single time in this way. That is way Hayato took a breath after replying. He doesn't have the confidence to take the command successfully.

(But, I have to do it somehow)

Hayato slaps his cheeks with both hands.

– What are you doing desuno? You cannot do it? Feeling bad desuwane?

– I just fired up myself, ok!?

– Anyway, let's do our best.

– Sango, we can't make it in time if we don't charge soon〜!

– I know that masuwayo!

– Then Kisaragi-taichō, give us your encourage shout.

– Encourage shout…?

Wandering what it is, Hayato twists his head.

– Members of Warslan Company Motomatsu Base, Savage Interceptor Unit to sortie! Or perhaps that encouraging shout is not what you want?

– Uh huh, as Mirai said. With something like that, I think that it will motivate us.

– … please say that, Hayato-kun

– Un-, understood.

When Mika prompted him, Hayato cleared his throat and continued.

– Well then, members of Warslan Company Motomatsu Base, Savage Interceptor Unit, to sortie!

And so his three subordinates, following that encouraging shout, flew into the sky together.

– All of you are fast…. But, I won't lose!

Hayato accelerated using energy, following the girl who went ahead.

The direction that they are heading is the inst.i.tution. It is about five minutes after they departed from Motomatsu Base. Then an incoming transmission from Sango who is ahead enters.

[Does everyone hear me? Oh, Kisaragi Hayato won't hear me as I have him separated though]

– I do hear you!

Hayato tentatively gives an answer.

[… Ooh, that's right]

Sango broadcasted lightly, and continued.

[We are gradually approaching the predicted site where the Savage will fall masuwa. We will stop in thirty seconds masuwayo. Understood masuwane?]

– Roger!

– Roger!

– Roger!

Hayato stops, answering like the other two did. The four of them are staying in mid-air. There was a transmission from Mika in there.

[It seems like you have arrived at the standby point. We finally got information about the targets. Like I said before, the number of Savage planned to fall to this area are is five. Every one of them seems to be from five meters to ten meters]

– In other words, are they 'the usual'?

Hayato thinks that it would not be a big deal if that was the case. Mirai said while seeing through that.

– Hayato-han, you are very composed.

– We, well, if the enemies are the regular ones, I've defeated them multiple times…

– So that's how it is, as one would expect〜.

– Wh-, why are you bluffing about something an ordinary thing like that!?

The voice of Sango who said so after Mirai was a little trembling.

(It's her first battle, I guess she is just nervous…)

The way Sango pretends to be tough, perhaps her blunt att.i.tude may come from nervousness and anxiety. Thinking it that way, she looks cute.

– Wh-, what are you laughing about desuno?

– It's nothing.

– That somehow makes me angry masuwane.

Immediately after Sango said so. *TOーN*, *TOーN*, at a fixed interval an electronic beep began to ring from Hayato's Vital Ring

– This, is reacting to the Savage that are approaching, am I right?

[That's right]

Mika replied to Hayato's doubt.

(Sure, the sense of sound is shortened according to the distance of the Savage)

Hayato heard that yesterday. Being suspended in that spot, the four people are looking up at the sky, and immediately the feeling of the electronic sound gets shorter.

[After having come this far, I'll leave the rest to you. I wish you good luck]

Together with that words, the communication with Mika ceased. Then it was Sango who raised her voice.

– Just now, I caught the objective with the camera of my HUD wayo. The first one to invade is, a regular Savage with a three meters in length, the defensive membrane is expanded to cover its body masuwa.

Studied in Little Garden, the defensive membrane is for loosening the impact when entering the atmosphere and when landing on the ground. Of course the three subordinates of Hayato also know that.

– The fall estimation point will be inside the forest masuwane. As there are no buildings in there, there is nothing wrong with dropping a Savage's dead body, don't you agree? Therefore, the objective is the destruction of the core―in that case, I will commence masuwa!

– Hey, Sango! Wait!

Without listening to Yumina's stillness, Sango pierces the clouds and raises alt.i.tude further to the sky, approaching the Savage.

– Hayato-dono, what shall we do?

Yumina is the one who asked.

– What do we do you say, we can't let that person to go by herself, don't you agree?

– That means that we are chasing after her, correct?

– Indeed.

Hayato answered while facing Yumina. Already the distance between Sango and the Savage is less than a hundred meters. It seemed that she could get closer in a matter of seconds.

The Savage, which was heading in the opposite direction to Sango, rose up from within the membrane, changed the direction of its body and opened its head.

– Bombardment is incoming!

– I know masuwayo, all of you are noisy desuwane!

Immediately after Sango replied, a bombardment was released from the mouth of the Savage. At the same time, Sango released the same yellowish green energy color of Claire from the thruster and then threw the gun in the sky, transforming it into four floating batteries.

– Let's go, Drag Red!

The floating batteries scattered around the body of the Savage and released shots successively, but none of them could penetrate the defensive membrane.

– If that's the case, what about this desuno!

As the floating batteries were commencing the attack, Sango who was close to the side of the Savage return the four floating batteries back to Buster Cannon and aim at the Savage.

And so she could finally make a hole, although the size of the core of the Savage is around fifty centimeters.

[Now desuwayo, Yumina-san!]

– Acknowledged!

Answered Yumina who was rotating Orochimaru as its counterweight was doing *BUZZ* *BUZZ*. There is no obstacle between Yumina and the Savage, as Sango have risen to the sky.

– Here I go― haaa!

Yumina throws the counterweight with concentrated energy, aiming at the hole of the defensive membrane that started gradually to regenerate. It hit the defensive wall by magnificently slipping through the hole in the defensive membrane.

– As expected of Yumina-san, a perfect blow!

Mirai gives a voice of delight when seeing that the counterweight of Orochimaru destroyed not only the shelter, but the core too.

A communication from Mika jumped in as the corpse dropped into the forest.

[Well done, you guys. But, it is bad to lose focus. The next raid is approaching]

– Of course we understand masuwayo.

Sango look towards up in the skies.

– I have just confirmed the next Savage with my HUD. It is slightly bigger than the one just before desuwane.

– Taichō-han. It is alright if I try it too?

– Uhm, well… I guess so.

Hayato answered, being shaken by Mirai.

– Then, I will do it too.

As she said so, Mirai set the ice arrow that it suits the light blue color of her energy to the bow that she had in her hands.

– The alignment is completed―so go, Hanamotsura!

The released ice arrow explodes at the same time it touches the defensive membrane of the Savage.

– How's that!?

Just after muttering, Mirai narrowed her eyes.

– Mirai, run away! Bombardment is incoming!

Sango shouted. It seems that her HUD can perceive heat sources. That meant that the attack of Mirai couldn't destroy the membrane.

– …woah!

Mirai dodge's the bombardment of the Savage by a hair's breadth, and shoots her Hanamotsura again. It is a second attack on a weakened membrane. The ice arrow destroyed Savage's membrane.

– Well done, Mirai. Then I will do it too!

Screaming, Yumina released the weight of Orochimaru toward the Savage. However, it is not aimed at the defensive membrane. She wreathed the chain of the Kusarigama around the arm of the Savage. Yumina then attracted Savage's body and aimed for Savage's core with the sickle.

– Incredible…

Again, it hits. The defensive barrier of the core is destroyed.

– As expected of Yumina desuwa! Kisaragi Hayato, you have done nothing at all!

– Certainly, that's true…

*Hahaha*, he can only laugh. Certainly, he thinks to himself that he didn't do nothing. And there was a transmission from Mika.

[It is ok to be excited but, the invasion has not ended yet!]

– I, I understand masuwayo!

Like being fl.u.s.tered, Sango answered with her face turned red.

[The next three will come at the same time. Among them, one is three kilometers away from this location… no, this, it's in the center of the city!]

– Wait what!

[That is the largest of the five, the Savage that's approaching first. Estimated fall time is two minutes more― no, one minute! We should be able to confirm it by naked eye soon!]

When they heard those words, Hayato and the others looked up at the sky all together.

– It is that desuno?

– It's really huge, huh?

Hayato muttered while confirming the falling Savage with his own eyes.

The total length will be about twice the normal type. Although it may not be less than ten meters, it is fine to say that it is a dreadnaught type.

– If such a thing falls into the city it will surely turn into a disaster masuwayo!

[Yeah, therefore, that's why I need you to… will you do it?]

– There's no need to being told, as there's no choice but to manage it somehow! Mirai, I will change the falling point by pus.h.i.+ng the Savage with a full power bombardment of my Buster Cannon I hope you can destroy the defensive membrane with your Hanamotsura.

– Roger! Let's go Hanamotsura!

But then, it was impossible to destroy the defensive membrane.

– No good, it looks considerably hard because of that size!

– If so, then I to each of its defensive membranes…!

It looks like the injection of energy to the Buster Cannon has ended.

– Full power bombardment― eat this!

Sango's bombardment hits the defensive membrane of the Savage.

– You did it!?

Yumina shouts.

– Nope, it did nothing.

Mirai is the one who said so.

– Although it went through the defensive membrane, it's no more than that. Moreover, the hole is not that big. And the regeneration has already begun.

– What do we do? If it keeps falling, it will be a very hard thing to deal with.

– All the more we should get down to ground level and snipe it―

– Then, I'll go!

– "I'll go", what are you saying masuno! With your speed, you will not make in―

– I'll manage it somehow!

*DOKUN*, Hayato's heart beat fast.

(There's no other choice!)

If he must use the power of the Variant, then it can only be now. Hayato's eyes changed to golden color.

– Here I gooooooooooooooo!!

Hayato who full throttled his thrusters, aims for the Savage, rus.h.i.+ng while pointing it with the tip of his sword.

– …It's a lie, right?

Sango muttered with her eyes wide open in amazement as she looks to Hayato who released energy from his whole body and shortened the distance with the Savage in a blink of an eye.

– As expected of Taichō-han. He is amazing desunaa〜

Continued Mirai who raised her voice.

Splendidly, Hien of Hayato not only penetrates the skin, it also breaks through the abdominal steel sh.e.l.l, rather than just the Savage's defensive membrane.

– No, but that is far from ending there.

That's what Yumina said with a grim look in her face.

– If the Savage Is knocked down as it is, when they fall together, it will cause damage to above ground.

– If, if that's the case than what are going to do, Kisaragi Hayato!

– That's― like this!

Along with that, a fierce energy was also emitted from the Air Ride, pus.h.i.+ng the Savage down to the mountain two kilometers ahead. That force was so tremendous, that it collided with the hill side of the mountain, the cloud of dust that raised was similar to a missile that was shot.

– Ow ow ow…

It was natural that the whole body of Hayato received the impact. His body hurts.

However, that doesn't mean that he gave the final blow to the Savage with his sword. Hayato, who released the Variant state, pulled out the sword from the Savage's body and stabbed the tip of Hien using energy in both hands towards the defensive barrier of the Savage that was in a state of shock after receiving the impact.

A fluorescent liquid spout out.

– Fuuu…

Hayato wiped the sweat off his forehead after confirming that the Savage was no longer moving.

– Taichō-han, amazing! You are amazing〜!

The voice reached directly into the ear. He looked up at the sky, and he saw the figure of Mirai.

On the contrary, while she was falling down, she clung to Hayato.

– Such incredible energy that you used in there, I was truly astonished!

– Mirai, get away from that man at once. You will get pregnant masuwayo!

Subsequently the voice that he heard, it was not through the use of the Vital Ring. Looking at Sango and Yumina who also are coming down from the sky as if following Mirai, Hayato asked.

– You over there… what about the remaining two Savages?

– Our priority is to check the safety of Taichō, so we have not dealt with them. The commander also acknowledged it.

Answered Yumina.

– In other words, the remaining two have fallen into the forest, correct?

– Therefore, Kisaragi-taichō, if there is no problems with your health, we should head to annihilate the Savages, don't you agree?

– Right, let's do that. s.h.i.+nonome-san, can you hear me?

[Yes, I hear you]

– Thank you for worrying about me. I am alright now, so we will head to annihilate the Savage.

[Roger. Take care]

– Understood.

– Ok then, let's go.

Yumina is the first to rise to the sky. Hayato and the others float in the sky shortly. The place where the Savage fell on the ground was seen as soon as he was floating in the sky. It is because the surrounding trees are collapsed and become like craters. Hayato descends to one side of them. The forest is surprisingly thick.

He is supposed to be by the side, but the figure of the Savage cannot be found.

– I'm going to check it from the sky masuwa. Depending on the situation, it may be perceived by HUD.

The floating Sango declared so. Hayato and company roam with their eyes looking around restlessly the surroundings overhead. And then, she stopped naturally at a certain point.

– The Savage, was here.

Said Sango, falling and putting her feet on the ground.

– That direction. It's around 500 meters from here desuwa.

And so Sango points with her finger in the direction where the Savage is. At the same time that he turned his face in that direction, Hayato's face became particularly stiff. The reason is that the Savage was rus.h.i.+ng vigorously towards them.

– Impossible, it have noticed us―.

– Everyone, dodge it!

– Even if you don't say it, I know that masuwayo!

Hayato and the rest scattered and dodged it, they immediately recovered their stance and changed to offensive.

– Hamanotsura!

The one who started to attack first was Mirai. But the ice arrows scattered as they hit the defensive barrier.

– My turn!

Sango fires a shot and then changes her Buster Cannon into four floating batteries surrounding her body. However, it seems that wasn't enough. Although the defensive barrier contains a crack, the destruction was not effective.

– That being the case, I…!

The Savage reverses the body. Hayato was concentrating energy in his feet, presuming that the next attack would be probably a bombardment. The Savage launches the bombardment, trying to set off an attack aiming at the gap just before that. As expected, the Savage raised its body and opened its head.

(Now!)

In order to accelerate, Hayato tried to detonate the energy that had in his feet.

In that same instant.

– Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!

A girl wearing a kendo uniform and with miraculous eyes, emerged from the forest while shaking the ponytail of her flame-like hair, approaching directly to the location of the Savage, without hesitation. Immediately afterwards, she swung down the sword from the upper left corner to its abdomen.

– Wha…!?

Hayato doubted his eyes. That would be natural as well.

– What, what is Touka doing in here!?

Certainly, it is incomprehensible.

– Take this― Kenzaki Secret Style Zaneizan!!

The body of the Savage was sent flying in the back by the power of the sword that was swung down.

(That of now…)

There's no doubt.

The technique created by Ryūsei, his s.h.i.+shō, to use against the Savage. It is a sword technique that uses natural vibration to swell the ordinary attack more than twice. The Savage, which was blown backwards while bringing down many trees, is in a forward-bent posture. As now this is a chance, Touka instantly went after that big body and decided to aim to the defensive barrier of the head.

– Look! Even if I can't expand a Hundred, I can still fight the Savage!

She jumps in front of the Savage, and Touka started to attack the Savage's defensive barrier. The first blow is an ordinary slash. However, the second strike that was released shortly afterwards, stands vertically and the sword rotates abruptly in her hands. That also was a slash using natural vibration, the sword destroyed the defensive barrier and stabbed the core of the Savage. The movement of the Savage is interrupted.

Touka pulls out the sword and to not be bathed in the overflowing fluorescent liquid, she landed on the ground after rolling over the Savage's dead body.

– You saw that, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō!? Moreover, those people are Slayers! I wonder if they have realized that I have the power to become a member of Little Garden!

Touka who stood up turned the tip of the sword towards Hayato and snort her nose proudly.

– Well, umm…

Hayato thinks what's the deal with this?

First of all, what should I ask, I wonder?

– Taichō-han, do you know her?

Hayato answers with a bitter smile to Mirai who asked.

. Yeah, kind of.

– …ah, that! There is something behind that girl masuwayo!

The one who shouted was Sango. Hayato too notices that something is running after Touka from the back.

– Touka, move away!

Due to Hayato's voice, Touka also noticed that being, but it was a bit late to start moving. That something grazes the right shoulder of Touka who tried to avoid it.

– ―agh!!

Touka crouches, and holds down the wound on her shoulder.

What is it that attacked her at the speed like a released arrow? As it landed on the ground, Hayato and the others understood.

―― It's a wild dog.

Those are the claws of the paw that grazed Touka's shoulder. But, he knew at first glance that it was not just a common wild dog.

*DARADARA*, Saliva is spilling from its mouth, and its eyes are dyed with a s.h.i.+ning fluorescent color.

– Is that a Savage, I think?

– But I have never heard of a Savage that looked like a dog!

Both Mirai and Sango show disturbed faces. At that time, through the mind of Hayato pa.s.sed by his cla.s.smate Alphonse and his Hundred Tamer type. But the appearance of the dog in front of his eyes and the Silver Blitz of Alphonse are not alike at all. Be that as it may, the color of the dogs' skin is black and it looks like Savage's steel sh.e.l.l, hair is growing in tufts, and the skin looks soft as well. It is very different from Silver Blitz which is hard to the touch and has no hair.

– …if it comes to the end, it is possible, but you can eat pieces of Savage's core that have fallen in the vicinity and mistakenly eat them as food. Because of that, I have heard that there is a possibility of an atrocious transformation.

– In other words, that wild dog is possibly infected with the Savage virus…

– I think that possibility is high.

Immediately Mirai responded to Hayato's doubt.

*FUH**FUH*, the wild dog bares its fangs, and with an agitated breathing kicks off the ground and attacks Touka again, jumping.

This time it had a big mouth open. If she gets hurt, it will be a serious thing.

– Taichō, please leave this to me.

Yumina said that to Hayato who is trying to help. She quickly released the weight of the sickle and chain at the wild dog. That was magnificent, the weight hits the body of the wild dog.

– Kyaunh!

The wild dog screamed and collapsed completely.

– …I'm sorry.

Yumina headed where the wild dog is lying, to give it the finis.h.i.+ng blow with the sickle. *BIKUBIKU*, its body is twitching over the clump of bushes where it fell over.

–  Poor thing, it can't be helped…

Muttered Mirai.

She piles her left and right palms in front of her chest and prays in a Yamato style.

– If we leave it as it is, there is a possibility that the infection will spread further, we must cover it perfectly for the sake of mourning it. Sango, make a hole with your floating batteries.

– Understood.

Sango makes a hole in the ground with a shot, and Yumina buries the corpse. In the middle of that, Hayato approaches where Touka is and asks her.

– Are you okay?

– I'm okay… aghh…

Touka replies seemingly that way, but she didn't look like that. It is because Touka is pressing her shoulder and has a painful facial expression.

– Show me the wound.

– I'm telling you that there is no problem, okay!?

Touka stands up, thrusting away the body of Hayato who was approaching. And then-.

– s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō, look over there.

The place to where Touka's eyes are looking at. They can see the remaining Savage in a small place, which is located two hundred meters away.

– I'm going to show you exactly as I'm telling you that I'm okay!

– Hey, wait!

Shaking free from the restraints of Hayato, Touka begins to run.

But the pain in her shoulder seems to be higher than what she thought.

– …kh, aaghh…!

Instantly she raised her voice, moaning and crumbling on the ground as if she was cowering.

The Savage probably noticed Touka who emits hostility towards itself.  Starting with the sense of touch―.

Then it turned its body and merely opened its head. It is the posture for bombardment.

– This is bad!

If this keeps this way, Touka will receive a direct hit. In a hurry Hayato accelerated using the thruster of his Air Ride and headed for rescue. The bombardment was released. There's no enough time to deploy an E barrier to block it. But still, Hayato was able to rescue Touka at the last minute. However, he couldn't completely dodge the beam that was as far as in front of his eyes―.

– Guh!

The beam touched the starboard of the Air Ride. Pushed by that power, the body of Hayato rolled over, leaping to the surface of the ground.

(Is Touka, is Touka all right?)

At the same time that stops his movement, Hayato confirms the condition of Touka in his arms. Apart from the shoulder wound done by a wild dog that seemed to be in frenzy by the Variant Virus, it looks that there's no other injuries.  Hayato has only injuries to the degree of scratches, Touka that's within his arms continues to release hot long breaths accompanied by a painful look.

– Taichō-han, are you okay?

It was Mirai who asked the question.

– I'm okay, but…

Hayato direct his eyes to Touka. What resounded there was the voice of Sango.

– Kisaragi Hayato! Standing there doing nothing, a bombardment of a Savage will come again masuwayo!

– I know.

Answering, Hayato turns his glance to where the Savage is.

(First of all, I can't leave her like this…)

Hayato directed his eyes to Mirai who was on the side.

– Mirai-san, may I entrust you with Touka?

– Absolutely.

That being the case, Hayato stands up, leaving the body of Touka to Mirai. The Air Ride on the back is tattered by having received Savage's bombardment and rolling on the ground. He tried to use the thruster but does not work properly and in this state it is unlikely to shoot a beam or a missile. In that case then it would be just a hindrance to carry it, so Hayato purged the Air Ride, and got in a state of lightness. In there, he heard far away the voice of Yumina.

– Kisaragi-taichō, a Savage's bombardment is coming again!

– I will block it masuwa!

– No, that's fine. Leave it to me.

Saying that to Sango, who was creating a gun with the four floating batteries and tried to launch an attack, Hayato lays Hien to the side and puts an E barrier in front of him. After defending the Savage's bombardment, he immediately turned to attack.

– Uooooooooh!

Using energy, accelerated all at once and jumped. He struck with Hien, which pours energy into the head of the Savage, and destroyed not only the defensive barrier, but also the core at once.

Yumina who was watching the situation had her breath taken away and muttered.

– Like before, Kisaragi-taichō is amazing… one blow, and he destroyed the core of the Savage…

– How is the state of Touka?

Hayato who released his armament by confirming that the movement of the Savage stopped, goes walking towards Mirai who holds the body of Touka.

– I- I'm fine…

The one who answered was not Mirai, but Touka.

Touka, looking to Hayato, separates herself from the arms of Mirai, and tries to stand up with her own legs. However, her feet are not settled.

– Hey, you are still not good, Touka-han!

Staggering, Mirai holds with her arms once again the body of Touka who is about to collapse. Approaching there, Hayato looked right to the face of Touka.

– Show me your wound a little.

– What are you doing, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō! That's not necessary!

– Listen up and stay still!

Hayato loosened the torso of Touka and exposed the scratched shoulder from the neck.

– Ah…!

Looking at the scar and the skin around it dyed in a pale tone, *DOKUN*! Hayato's heart began to beat fast in a big way.

– Taichō-han, what in the world is this…?

– This is caused by the Savage's virus…

Like a mutter, Hayato replied. His mind goes through the memories of ten years ago―.

The wound done by the Savage's scissors that left a scar on Emilia's chest.

(What to do, what should I do?)

As for the scar itself, the range where the virus erodes and changes color, although it is smaller than Emilia, the discoloration gradually spreads. At that time, Hayato sucked into the wound and accepted the virus inside his body, so that he wandered around the edge of life and death.

(…but, as a result, I became a Variant, and now that power can be controlled)

If it is now, it should not be like the same at that time. He cannot leave it as it is, nor is it the place to hesitate.

– I'll manage it somehow. So, stay still.

With that said, Hayato sucked on the right shoulder of the wounded Touka.

– Nah, s.h.i.+ns.h.i.+shō… what areh… kuunh…!!

– I told you, don't move! In this way, I saved a fellow who was wounded by the attack of a Savage.

Struggling to hold down the body of Touka who's trying to escape, Hayato sucked into the wound again.

(As usual, it is bitter…)

Bitter sense mixed with the taste of iron. His body gets hot, and his eyes are dazed. But still Hayato kept sucking and spitting out the Variant Virus. By repeating that, he can see that the discolored parts of the skin are getting smaller.

– Fuuh… uh… s.h.i.+n, s.h.i.+shō… haah, your head, has turned white… n uh… curiously, it seems to be getting…

– All right, it's already over.

Hayato muttered by keeping his face away from the wound.

The discolored places are almost gone.

– Mirai, can I request to you to hold Touka?

– Taichō-han, what on earth was…?

Hayato repeatedly breaths roughly and said while turning his eyes to where the Savage is within the forest.

– I will defeat the remaining Savage.

If he doesn't do that, it is unlikely to suppress the ferocious virus that is rampaging inside his body.

He wants to fight.

He wants to go rampage.

Such feelings are overflowing from the bottom of his heart.

It may be the effect of overdosing with the virus. To begin, Hayato picked up the sword that had fallen on the ground. Continuing, he touched the case attached to the neck of his Variable Suit and took out another Hundred from there.

–

> Dual Act!

When Hayato cried, the whole body was surrounded by light. His body is completely wrapped in armaments, and on the right hand there is a big black sword——

– Unbelievable desuwayone, full armament and, Dual Act, how….

Sango incessantly blinks her eyelids, and raised a surprised voice.

– Well, Kisaragi-taichō can use Air Ride. I heard that it's like handling two Hundreds simultaneously.

– That's taichō-han for you!

Mirai cried after Yumina.

Hayato has a black sword on the right and a white sword on the left. Two weapons to attack the Savage. It seems that it noticed the intense energy emitted from such a body. The Savage turned its body towards Hayato and was in a shooting stance. But Hayato was not perplexed.

– Taichō-han!

– That man, what on earth is he thinking masuno!?

Mirai and Sango raised their voice looking at the figure of Hayato who jumped into the bombardment. That would be natural as well.

They don't know that he can develop N barrier that extinguishes the attacks using energy.

However, the current Hayato cannot afford to hide it. Hayato pierces through the bombardment and struck the two swords packed with energy aiming at the core behind Savage's defensive barrier. It is a full-force attack while in Variant state. The power of the slash was tremendous, it was enough to gouge the steel sh.e.l.l as well as the defensive barrier and the core.

– I thought that it was amazing to push down a falling Savage to the mountains, but this is, even more amazing…

Yumina muttered, overcome with surprise. Mirai and Sango can't believe it as well, and stare at Hayato who drops his shoulders violently.

– What on earth he really is desuno? Also, those eyes…

Apparently Sango seems to have noticed that Hayato's eyes are s.h.i.+ning golden. Yumina also notices that.

– No way, the rumor of Kisaragi is…

– Rumor? What is it desuno?

– No, It's nothing.

Yumina said to deceive her. That's because she knew the existence of the Variant. However, there is still no confirmation that Hayato is one of them. Besides, there's the possibility of the influence of sucking up the Variant Virus. That's why she didn't talk about it.

– Other than that, first of all Kisaragi-taichō is…

Yumina again looks to Hayato.

– We won… at last…

Hayato muttered while repeating rough breathing. It is quite conscious and is in a dazed condition. The burning sensation of his body is not settled. The scenery in front of him is more distorted and it is getting dim.

– d.a.m.n it…

Hayato tried to keep his posture by piercing the two swords into the ground, but he could not do so.

(It's been a long time, since this…?)

The hands slipped from the handle of the sword, and he was in a forward-bent posture―

At the same time as the color of the eyes returned to the original black, Hayato fell from the front to the ground. At that moment the armament is released, the swords also disappear.

– Kisaragi taichō!

– Taichō-han!

While listening to Yumina and Mirai voice, Hayato's consciousness quickly became farther, swallowed up in the dark.

***

– Mother, look at this! I have taken an [A+] in math test!

Judal Harvey, president of Warslan Company, when he was around nine years old. He was visiting the laboratory of his mother, Linis Harvey. It is so she can see the result of the test.

―― [A+] score.

Although Judal's test has a good result showing a perfect score, Linis never showed interest in it. The contents of the test are not suitable for that age. While studying in middle school he started to skip grades at the age of nine, and takes the exam.

– …so.

Linis just answered without moving her eyebrows, she settled down in her chair, and kept watching the monitor in front of her with void eyes.

– Maybe mother is tired?

Even though Judal spoke out, there was no reaction. She was concentrating so much on her work that did not recognize him being there.

– Hey, mother.

Judal calls her out again.

Then Linis struck the desk with energy and stood up.

– Done. With this, the attacks done to the Savage should be effective!

– Uh, umm… mother?

– Oh, Judal. What are you doing in here?

– Ah…

When she finally noticed his existence, Judal's face brightened a little and pushed out the exam paper to his mother.

– Mother, look at this! I, got an [A+] in a test. Everyone was older than I, but I was the best!

– …so.

She glance at the sheets of paper that Judal has presented, and returned them for being boring.

– Apart from that, can you call out to Claire? I want to try something for a bit.

– Eh…?

– Why are you standing there doing nothing? Bring her fast. Now, finally the improvement to the armament went smoothly and I'd like to try it.

– … Oh, yes. I understand.

Judal left the laboratory feeling dejected and went to call out Claire, as her mother told him.

He told to Claire to go to the laboratory, returned to his room, and Judal lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

(How can I, be praised by mother, I wonder…)

After all, taking [A+] in all subjects and skipping grades like his mother, do the other children of the same age have to graduate from college while learning the contents of the elementary school?

When Judal sighed greatly, the door of the room was knocked with a *TON* *TON*

– Young master Judal, if you excuse me.

The one who said that when the door of the room opened, was a woman dressed in maid uniform.

Est Steinbe