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Registry
Regained Memories
- Einhel Keep Level 0... Begin!
- Panzer Soldat Training
- Offer of Transfer
- Vander Training Hall: Mother Edition
- End of Innocence
Written Memories
- Bathtime Bonding
- Chess Match
- Fishing for Feelings
Unwritten Memories
- Chess 2: Competitive Boogaloo
- My Brother's Shadow
- Declaration of Strength
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- Einhel Keep Level 0... Begin!
- Panzer Soldat Training
- Offer of Transfer
- Vander Training Hall: Mother Edition
- End of Innocence
Written Memories
- Bathtime Bonding
- Chess Match
- Fishing for Feelings
Unwritten Memories
- Chess 2: Competitive Boogaloo
- My Brother's Shadow
- Declaration of Strength
-
Regained Memories
Einhell Keep Level 0... Begin!!
Four individuals stand together, each inspecting matching devices. They have a complicated look to them, being designed similarly to phones on one hand and on the other, clearly having some sort of area for several somethings to be fit into different slots. Perhaps that is the "combat" aspect of the device. There's very little explanation in this particular memory.
Pink-haired girl: Whoa...
"Lancelot": I can feel it working.
Black-haired man: Now that you've set your master quartz, you're synched with your ARCUS units. You should be able to notice a significant difference in combat.
"Lancelot": All right.
Pink-haired girl: Oookay, now this is new.
Three of the four appear to be wearing matching outfits in shades of blue, with a horned-lion's crest on the shoulder of their uniform. It has a very sharp, military feel to it. The other appears to be older-- although perhaps not by much.
Two unfamiliar voices speak in from above using a well-designed communications system. One of them a dry, sarcastic older man and the other a young girl with a flustered voice.
Loudspeaker (Old Man): How long do you intend to keep me waiting?
Black-haired man: Sorry, Professor. We're ready.
He explains that they will be beginning on Floor B1 of "Einhell Keep", the smooth structure they seem be inside. Apparently this is considered "Level 0". From the way everyone involved seems to be confused it's fair to say this might be the first time they've ever done this. The term "Class VII: Special Operations" comes up as well. It's fair to say that is the name of this small group and that they are currently being tested.
With the pull of a lever, they're all taken through a trap door. The white-haired girl and black-haired man are able to catch themselves on the ledge before they fall. "Lancelot" and the pink-haired girl are not so lucky. And the result, when the other two catch up is the sight of a rather unfortunate... incident. Thoroughly unfortunate for both the young man and the young woman. When he comes to, he realizes that he's in a precarious situation, although he remains calm.
"Lancelot": Ummm... it was Juna, correct?
Pink-haired girl: Huh?
Juna: ...
"Lancelot": My apologies, but if you could move... It's not that you're heavy, but I'm having trouble breathing.
Juna: ...!
When the girl realizes... well. She isn't nearly as calm. In fact, despite his best efforts his calm nature only seems to upset her more.
Juna: Rrrgghh...!
"Lancelot": I assure you, I didn't intend for this to happen. Then again, I suppose intent is irrelevant. I won't make any further excuses. You may hit me if it'll make you feel better.
Juna: Ha... Hahah... How VERY admirable of you. You being so calm about it just pisses me off even more... so I think I'll take you up on that!
The names of everyone present have come up at one point or another. Instructor Rean... Altina... Juna...
All except his own.
Memories
Offer of Transfer
"Prince Cedric?!" His voice and stance express his uncertainty. By no means was he mentally prepared for this meeting.
His teacher... "Rean"... is standing there with a blonde boy who appears to be around their age as well. So that must be "Cedric". However, his uniform is a different color than the one Lancelot saw himself in previously. This one is a vibrant red, although the style itself is the same. Whether that's because he's apparently the prince or something else, he can't be sure.
Instructor Rean says several names-- "Juna" and "Altina" he already knew. However... there's a new one. One that Cedric also uses.
"Ah, hello Kurt! It's been some time. Nearly half a year, I believe. I'm glad to see you again. I never expected someone of your caliber to enroll at the branch campus."
Those words appear to cause him even greater discomfort. He seems taken aback, as if he can barely believe it. "Is... is that really you, Your Highness?" His voice even shakes a little.
"Indeed. I've grown quite a bit recently, so it's no wonder you don't recognize me. It seems the past few months have been difficult for you. I imagine after so many years of loyal service, it was a shock for the Vanders to be dismissed as the Imperial family's guardians. I'm sure it was difficult for you to accept, but there was no need for you to withdraw from your enrollment at the main campus. But this is a perfect opportunity. You can transfer to the main campus along with Rean. I can even have you stationed as my guardian. It would be a simple matter for me to over-rule the government's decision."
With those words "Kurt" is shocked speechless; inhaling sharply. But he's not the only one who reacts. Juna is yelling again, but this time it's not at her classmate but rather-- at the prince.
"Hey, you! Who do you think you are?! You're talking all big but you're wearing a uniform just like ours!" Cue Instructor Rean panicking and uttering a harsh "No, Juna--" But it's too late. Altina just calmly explains that he wears the uniform of the main campus and that he is Cedric Reise Arnor, Crown Prince of the Empire of Erebonia.
The lot of them talk a bit more but Cedric leaves shortly after with a short "I'll return to hear your decision another day. I expect a favorable reply, Instructor Rean Schwarzer."
Kurt is left looking confused, thinking to himself What just happened?
Vander Training Hall: Mother Edition
An instructor and his students walk through the streets towards a large building-- "Vander Training Hall" is etched in fine lettering on the board. There's a comment about how it's gone quiet.
It's Kurt that speaks up as they approach. "They must be taking a break. Let's go in."
There's a short discussion. It's not the only one of it's kind, but Kurt explains that this particular building is the school's headquarters. Looking on, four students are inside with their practice blades at the ready. That is, until one of the trainees notices the group. "Oh, Master Kurt!" All of them are quick to exchange greetings with him, as he answers each of them by name.
"But please don't call me 'Master.'" He protests, but it seems he knows each of them well, despite the formalities. His fellow classmates introduce themselves as well to the trainees.
"Heehee, welcome to the Vander Training Hall." It's the voice of a woman with long silvery-blue hair, not unlike Kurt's. In fact, the two bear a striking resemblance to one another, considering her youthful appearance. "Welcome back, Kurt. It feels like it's been forever since you were last here." His classmates all seem to appreciate how beautiful she is-- some more tactfully than others.
"Ahem... I have returned home, Mother." They're all fairly surprised to hear that she's his mother and not his sister. But despite all their comments, she simply laughs.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you in Class VII. Kurt's told me so much about you in his letters. I am Matteus Vander's second wife, Aurier Vander. I'm so glad you could stop by."
She welcomes them all into another room where a long table is set up with tea for everyone. They comfortably talk about his mother, who was also trained in the art of the sword.
"She and my father and brother trained me from a very young age." Kurt added.
Rean added in his own bit as well. "Headmaster of the Vander school... also known as the 'Stormwatcher.' I never thought that she could have been Kurt's mother."
"Haha, I used to be called that when I was younger. This was before Kurt was born."
Then the conversation takes a turn when the blonde haired classmate mentions about his family being split up.
"N-No, it's true. Father became the head martial arts instructor of the Imperial Army, but he was called to Garrelia Fortress and isolated from the empire. My brother is in the Nord Highlands, and my uncle is at Auroch's Fort... That sums up the Vander family's current situation."
His mother confirms it. "Yes, that's right. But I won't allow us to be swept away by the past. There are many disciples of Vander all over the empire, not just Parm. Many people still support us, including the Arseid School. Our duties may have been lost, but we must still do what is right as Vanders. Kurt... you should find your answer for yourself. Spend time with Class VII of the branch campus, where you chose to go. I believe you'll be able to achieve your goals in the capital."
"Mother... Yes. I will do my best!"
Bath.... (wip)
Rean: Ah... there's nothing like a bath to reinvigorate you.
Oh, hey, Kurt. Hope it's all right that I'm here.
Kurt: Instructor Rean... Should I come back another time?
Rean: Haha, no it's fine. Come on in.
Kurt: ...very well. I shall do just that.
...
Kurt: I see... Master Yun Ka-fai. I had heard the name from my father, but didn't realize he was your master.
Rean: Yeah. He's also known as the Sword Hermit. He founded the Eight Leaves One Blade school and has trained quite a few swordsmen. But you wouldn't know it from how friendly and jovial he is... His favorite thing to do was drinking in the hot springs after training.
Kurt: I see... He sounds like the opposite of my father. I suppose one might say the way of the sword has many paths...
Rean: I think you could go so far as to say each individual swordsman has their own unique path. I'm sure your father, your uncle and your brother each have their own paths, too.
Kurt: Indeed. Though the three may seem similar at first glance, they are all quite different.
Kurt: ...Though they do all have similar physiques...
Rean: Your physique suits you perfectly well. It's pretty close to mine, actually. It's a good body type for swordsmanship that emphasizes speed, which is why you do so well with dual blades.
Kurt: I understand that, but given the nature of the Vander school of swordsmanship... Erm. S-Sorry. I went back to that topic again.
...
Kurt: My apologies for making you listen to my complaints. I'm glad we were able to talk about swordsmanship.
Rean: Haha, I'd be more than happy to do it again whenever you like. Anyway, tomorrow's your free day, so don't wear yourself out training and be sure to get to bed early.
Kurt: Yes, understood.
Chess Match
His teacher approaches Kurt as he sits at a table, overlooking a chess board, set up. However, he doesn't seem to have an opponent. As the conversation proceeds, it becomes apparent that he was considering what club he should put together for the school and this was his thought. He then invites Instructor Rean to play a game with him, although he does add in a small bit of taunting.
"Though... if you don't want to lose to your own student, I won't force you."
That seems to do the trick however. "...Haha. Well, if you're going to put it that way... Game on. I haven't played in a while, but this should be fun."
And so the two began their game, a steady rhythm to their moves.
"...you're pretty good. Were you bluffing when you said you hadn't played in a while?"
"Haha, it was no bluff. But I don't intend to go easy on you. When I was a student, I played my friend from the chess club all the time."
"...I see. I must have underestimated you. I suppose your hidden chess skills are comparable to your hidden sword skills."
However, the peaceful game is interrupted by the excited squeal of a high-pitched voice-- "There you are, Kurt! ❤"
Three girls come rushing over to their table. They seem to know Kurt, speaking with girlish familiarity. Kurt on the other hand is flustered and shocked by their sudden arrival. They explain that when he stopped showing up at the training hall they came here looking for him, having heard he enrolled at a military academy. They continue to pester him, asking if they can watch him play. Instructor Rean on the other hand can sense Kurt's uneasiness and steps in by saying Kurt must be getting back to his training. He successfully deflects their advances so the two of them can leave.
Once they return to the school, it sinks in for Kurt that Rean has his own similar issues. If only his were based on his skills and accomplishments, rather than what he knows it is-- his looks. Kurt bows his head with an apology. "I truly am sorry. Were I more like a Vander... Were I more like my father and brother, perhaps I would be admired more for my skills, not such nonsense qualities such as..."
He trails off, and stops. "...Please pay me no mind. I'm simply venting. Since we're on campus, I'll be at the training hall for a while. If I go back into town, I may run into those girls again." Rean offers to assist him with his training, however-- "No thank you. I think I'd prefer to train by myself for the time being. If you'll excuse me."
Fishing For Feelings
"Kurt... Are you all right? You look a bit pale."
The bluish-silver haired boy startles, turning to look at his instructor with a surprised look. But he's quick to offer a nonchalant answer. "...Haha, forgive me for worrying you. It would seem I'm a bit tired. It's been quite the busy day, going through the Keep and whatnot." But there's a silence that follows that suggests there's more to it than what he's saying. The look on his instructor's face says he likely has a guess as to what it is that's truly bothering him. Wanting to help, Rean says that if he has some free time, he knows a great pick-me-up for when you're tired.
His solution? Fishing, apparently. The two bring their fishing rods to a spot under the bridge in the small campus town that's good for fishing. Even so, only Rean seems to be having luck so far. "It seems you're quite skilled at this." Kurt compliments, although it comes with his own frustrations. "There's no sign I'm likely to catch anything any time soon... However, just standing here with a fishing pole is quite enjoyable as it is."
"Right? Master Yun used to take me fishing all the time back in the day. 'The trembling of a wandering heart goes into the rod, travels along the string, and is sensed by the fish. Thu, fishing is perfect for both understanding and facing oneself.' He'd always tell me that."
"Understanding and facing oneself... You knew, right, Instructor Rean? About His Highness, Cedric... How he's changed?"
"...Yeah. I heard it from Princess Alfin during the military ceremony at the end of the Northern War. It's almost shocking how different he looks now... You hadn't seen His Highness in a while, right?"
"Yes... The last time I'd visited him was when he was ill. My family was there that day... to pay our farewells. It was the final day of our duties as the Vander family." Rean's face lights up with recognition, as he confirms aloud what they both know. That had been the day they parted after they were dismissed as the Imperial family's guardians in the middle of last year. Kurt continues-- "Yes. At the time... His Highness was still kind and considerate. But I... I was so caught up with myself, I couldn't even notice what was happening to him." He pauses, before adding, "...Perhaps I should have stayed by his side regardless of roles, just as he'd said."
Rean becomes quiet, aware of the torment Kurt has been putting himself through. Yet he asks-- "Do you regret coming here to the branch campus?"
"Well... In the end, the decision to come here was mine alone. Even if the reason behind it was not a positive one. However, that thought did occur to me when I met His Highness earlier... I suppose it's the wandering in my heart that's scaring off the fish."
The advice he's given surprises Kurt. "Then wander as much as you need to. Wander until you find something." Rean smiles as he explains. "Thinking back, Master Yun never stood in the way of my wandering. I wandered... I got lost so many times in my life. But I ended up here, along with my friends, each of whom had their own doubts in their hearts. You might be a little lost now, but I know you'll find your own path one day. Wandering's fine as long as you've got fellow wanderers by your side. Juna, Altina, the students in the other classes, even me."
In his head, Kurt is baffled and somewhat amused. 'Haha, this is the first time anyone's ever told me something like that...' That was his thought, as suddenly there was a bite on his line. And at last... Kurt had his fish. It was tiny but... it was enough to satisfy him for the time being.
Chess 2 Competitive Boogaloo (wip)
My Brother's Shadow (wip)
Declaration of Strength (wip)
Panzer Soldat Training
[ Before you is a colossal steel humanoid creation. Another like it stands beside you. And you... yes, you're sitting within the cockpit of your own. Each of them has unique weapons matching the person in it, so naturally yours is wielding dual swords.
A voice suddenly comes through the speakers: ]
You two have the basic movements down, so you should be able to handle a mock battle. These are plastic practice weapons so you should be able to go all-out, within reason. Just like in a normal battle, make use of your senses and give it your all.
[Those who've seen his memories before or knew him previously during his time here would recognize that voice as Rean Schwarzer's. There's another voice-- a huffy female's. She's in the robot that stands next to you. It's time to show your instructor what you've learned. What you have to say--]
Two against one... and you're not even using your Divine Knight or a tachi.
[Well. You know. Limited military funding. Your instructor is very confidant of his skills-- that this won't be an issue. Somehow that just frustrates you even more.]
End of Innocence
"Going out there, we may come face to face with death itself... but we need to be everything on this chance. Class VII: Special Operations, move out!"
Those were the rousing words of their instructor-- Rean. Their class was not complete-- not one, but two were missing. Although it wouldn't be long before one showed. Lying on the floor, unconscious, next to a red Divine Knight (a huge humanoid robot), a huge purple beast and a young blond man wearing a similar uniform as Kurt and the others, but in red. He indicates the "hosts" of the event... a silver haired man and a black haired one with a single white streak through his hair.
There's a moment between Instructor Rean and the black haired man. But Kurt is far more focused on his classmate and the blonde boy.
What follows is a blur. There is talk of Gnomes and the Black Workshop. Of the "Great Twilight", "Sept-Terrions", the "Hexen Clan" the curse of Zemuria... of what is to become of his classmate-- the silver haired girl named Altina and a number of other details.
One of Rean's classmates-- a blue-haired girl named Millium-- dies in order to save Altina. In that process she is turned into a strange, grandios sword.
Instructor Rean goes mad, completely out of control. One of the men watching-- Crow-- leaps in to hold him back but it's like he's emotionally gone.
And a curse is released. A darkness seeps through Erebonia. Chaos reigns and everything is in shambles.