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Japan - Kansai region
High God Forest. (Takagami no mori)
That was the name of a Shinto girls' academy perched in the mountains on the outskirts of Kyoto.
At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.
In reality, High God Forest was actually the Lion King Organization's training ground.
Because the descendants of the Devas possessed overwhelming advantages in certain magical rituals, and because demonic beings, especially vampires, craved their spiritually rich blood, these descendants were persecuted brutally all over the world.
Partly out of a desire to save them, and partly to secure talent, the Lion King Organization adopted, purchased, or rescued these descendants across the globe and brought them here to be trained, turning High God Forest into a steady pipeline of elite personnel.
That was how High God Forest came to exist.
Yukina Himeragi and Sayaka Kirasaka were two girls who had arrived here through exactly that process.
...
Dormitory A-02
Loosening the ribbon at her sailor uniform collar, Sayaka prepared to change into her casual clothes and spoke without turning around. "Yukina, we've got home economics this afternoon, right?"
Even though High God Forest was a covert training institution, it still offered ordinary school classes. They just weren't the focus of evaluations.
Calmly slipping off her skirt, Yukina replied, "Yeah. And it's Takasu-sensei's class."
"Huh? That desperate-to-get-married woman?" Sayaka complained as she pulled a tight athletic shirt over her head, tugging it down by the hem. "No wonder I've felt uneasy all day."
"Sayaka…" Yukina sighed helplessly. "Even in private, you should still respect the teachers."
"So you think there's something wrong with Takasu-sensei too, don't you?" Sayaka's head popped out of the collar as she adjusted her clothes. "She's always going on about how girls will get married sooner or later, telling me to focus on cooking, and she even teaches those embarrassing cutesy tricks in class…"
"Ever since she transferred here as the home ec teacher a year ago, she's made me do the demonstrations every single time. She's totally targeting me!"
"Sayaka…"
Yukina wanted to defend the teacher, but quickly realized there wasn't much she could say and ended up looking awkward.
To be fair, she also felt Takasu-sensei was a bit harder on Sayaka than necessary.
Then again, Yukina herself was often called up to the podium to "demonstrate," so maybe she was being targeted too?
Strangely enough, though, Yukina never sensed any malice from the teacher. If anything, there was a kind of goodwill there.
It was as if Takasu-sensei genuinely believed she was doing this for their sake, that they needed to learn skills suited to girls, even future wives.
It all felt… strange.
After thinking for a moment, Yukina shook her head. "She wouldn't harm us. We've got guard training before lunch anyway. We should hurry, Sayaka."
As she spoke, Yukina pulled on her training shorts and rolled her shoulders. "I've been feeling sleepy really easily lately."
"That's because they've piled way too many courses onto you!" Sayaka grumbled darkly. "Why does a combat specialist Sword Shaman have to take classes meant for War Dancers? They've exhausted my Yukina-chan!"
"Your Yukina?" Yukina turned around, confused.
"…N-no, it's nothing." Sayaka lowered her head and poked her index fingers together.
"Oh?"
Yukina didn't press the issue. She changed into her sportswear and said, "I think it started about a year ago. You know, when Senior Koyomi summoned us for that talk."
"Security work?" Sayaka suddenly stiffened, then panicked. "Wait, don't tell me they're planning to assign us as bodyguards for politicians or something?"
"Probably," Yukina replied with certainty.
After a year and a half of guard training outside the usual sword shaman curriculum, she was already prepared for that outcome.
"I'm not great at dispelling curses or detoxifying poisons, but I'll do my best."
"That's not the point!"
Sayaka suddenly raised her voice and stepped forward, grabbing Yukina by the shoulders. "Guard missions are solo assignments!"
Because of manpower shortages, and because basic protection was handled by other organizations, Lion King Organization bodyguards usually worked alone, dealing with specialized magical assassinations.
Which meant that after graduation, she and Yukina would inevitably be separated, seeing each other only rarely due to their assignments.
"This is hell…" Sayaka muttered in despair.
Just then, a firm knock sounded at the door.
Sayaka and Yukina both turned toward it.
"Who is it?" Yukina asked.
From outside came the stern voice of the dorm supervisor.
"Emergency notice. Yukina Himeragi. Sayaka Kirasaka. Receive orders."
"Yes!" ×2
The two girls snapped to attention and answered loudly.
The voice continued, "Proceed immediately to the main shrine hall and receive the instructions of the Three Saints."
"Yes!" ×2
After responding, the two exchanged glances.
...
High God Forest - Main Hall
Yukina and Sayaka knelt on cushions, separated by a long gauze curtain from three indistinct figures whose faces were hidden.
Ever since that exceptional incident over a year ago, both girls knew exactly what kind of "people" were behind the curtain.
Whether it was Koyomi Shizuka, the current bearer of the Paper Noise title, or Shirona Kuraki, or Yukari Endou, they were all familiar seniors and instructors.
Because of that closeness, any tension they might have felt toward the Lion King Organization's leadership had completely vanished.
"sigh…"
Perhaps sensing how relaxed the two were, the figure seated in the center let out a weary sigh, as if trying to salvage some lingering dignity from the afterlife.
"Yukina Himeragi!"
"Here!"
"Sayaka Kirasaka!"
"Here!"
Behind the curtain, Koyomi nodded slightly and then spoke in a formal tone.
"Effective today, the two of you are assigned to Itogami Island to provide security for the Fourth Primogenitor."
"Given the special nature of this mission, you are hereby authorized to undergo early graduation assessment."
Yukina and Sayaka froze for a split second.
Then came the girls' shrill cries of shock.
"Whaaat?!"
.
.
.