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"Quon Kamiya? I pictured her as some, y'know, sparkly, dazzling girl or somethin'!"
The words were rough, but the man's booming voice carried no malice, a fact Setsuna grasped instantly. His sudden presence halted the sinking weight in Setsuna's chest, even sparking a flicker of hope.
"So, what's the deal?" the man pressed.
Caught off guard, Setsuna lifted his gaze from the ground. Three men stood before him.
The first to draw his eye was the giant staring him down. Clearly the speaker, he towered over two meters, his massive frame rippling with steel-like muscle that strained against his simple clothes, threatening to burst. His rugged, wild features suited his brawny build not unattractive, but a striking, untamed kind of handsome. Shaggy black hair, a beastly gaze, and a fierce grin defined him, each trait amplifying his larger-than-life presence.
Setsuna faltered, unsure how to respond. The man was right he wasn't Quon. And Quon was the dazzling type, as described. But what was the expected answer?
"Hold up," another voice cut in, like a lifeline. "Nobody said he was Quon Kamiya, did they?"
Setsuna's eyes shifted to the speaker behind the giant. Lanky was the first impression not meant unkindly, just honest. Tall and lean, his toned body lacked excess muscle, giving a slightly fragile air, though his true strength was unclear. Compared to the giant, he seemed shorter, but that was unfair. Unlike the giant's wildness, he exuded intellect, his refined features framed by black-rimmed glasses that sharpened his scholarly aura. Black hair and eyes common in this world, perhaps?
"That's just the Captain's classic grand misunderstanding," a third voice said, exasperated.
This speaker looked boyish, almost a teen, but was clearly older than Setsuna a youth. Shorter than the others, he matched Setsuna's height or stood slightly taller, his build a balanced midpoint between the giant's bulk and the lanky man's leanness. His toned physique had no excess fat. His silver hair pure, shimmering white, not platinum blonde stood out, accentuating his striking features. Blue eyes gleamed vividly in his handsome face. His blue-based outfit resembled a uniform more than military garb, and the long sword strapped to his back looked unwieldy, though he surely wielded it with ease.
The giant whirled on his companions, voice rising. "What's that supposed to mean? Like I'm the bad guy here?"
"That's exactly it," the lanky man shot back.
"Yeah, Captain, you gotta think before you act," the youth added.
Setsuna could only gape as the giant gasped, floored by their swift retorts. Faria, beside him, seemed equally stunned, but Setsuna couldn't confirm his attention was locked on the absurd scene unfolding.
"Captain's just Captain, huh? What's that even mean?" the giant roared, his voice so loud even Setsuna flinched, though the other two seemed unfazed.
"It means your brain's a bit short on firepower," the youth quipped, shameless.
The giant's booming laugh carried a chilling edge. "Hahaha! Lux, your pathetic attempts to lighten the mood always impress me, but you should pick your time, place, and target better, don't you think?"
Setsuna caught a glimpse of the giant's Captain's true strength in that menacingly cheerful tone. Though inexperienced, Setsuna sensed it, even if it might've been his imagination.
(He's… strong!) Setsuna stared at the Captain's broad back, realizing his fists had clenched instinctively, reacting to the dangerous aura in the man's voice.
"No better time than now, no better place than this park, and no better target than you, Captain!" the youth, Lux, fired back, utterly unfazed.
"Wanna get sunk, punk?" the Captain growled.
"Try it, if you can!" Lux taunted.
"Bloodbath it is, then!"
"Not a chance!"
"Enough, both of you," the lanky man interrupted, his calm voice cutting through their childish yet tense exchange. His glasses glinted ominously.
"Or else?" the Captain and Lux said in unison, freezing.
The lanky man's smile was polite but chilling. "You two should know by now, but it seems that summer day has slipped from your tiny, hopeless minds."
His courteous tone sent shivers down Setsuna's spine. This man was no ordinary figure—his presence alone made that clear, even to a novice like Setsuna. A moment of silence followed.
Then, with a unified scream—"GYAAAAH!"—the Captain and Lux bolted, vanishing at breakneck speed, as if their lives depended on it.
Setsuna stood dumbfounded. "What just happened?"
"My apologies, we haven't introduced ourselves," the lanky man said, his tone now gentle, perhaps taking pity on Setsuna's confusion. His dark eyes behind the glasses held a hint of kindness.
"We're part of the Blue Wind mercenary band. The big one's our Captain, Sigurd Folia impressive, despite appearances. The smaller one's our assault leader, Lux Vain he's capable, in his own way. I'm the vice-captain, Jin Clair. Pleased to meet you."
"Oh, uh, yeah," Setsuna replied, relieved that the trio's names stuck easily, their vivid first impression searing them into his memory.
"I'm Setsuna Kamiya. Armed summoner, I guess," he added.
"An unlicensed one, though," Faria chimed in almost instantly, her clarification likely meant as a kindness, though Setsuna wasn't thrilled to have it aired to strangers. The difference between registered and unregistered summoners had been explained to him recently, but did it need mentioning now?
It wasn't a great feeling, though Setsuna knew he had only himself to blame for not joining the Continental Summoners' Association.
"Not with the Association?" Jin asked, surprised.
"Uh, well, you know…" Setsuna stammered, lacking a deep reason. He'd just felt it wasn't time yet, nothing more.
Faria, however, smiled gently. "Setsuna's got his reasons. I've urged him to join, but I respect his choice."
Her kindness, in this unfamiliar world, was a rare and precious anchor for Setsuna.