[122] A New Encounter (3)
"Heh heh, this boy makes my daughter nervous? Amy of all people."
The Karmis family was open by nature, but Amy's personality was unusually bold. The reason she could boss around ruffians as a child wasn't only because she was nobility.
Her brothers watched Shirone intently, likely thinking the same. Jealousy flared at the idea that their little sister—who normally shrugged off their teasing—was acting self-conscious around an outsider.
"This is our second brother, Ares. And what he does is—"
Amy asked back, genuinely curious.
"What exactly does brother do for a living?"
"Hahaha! I'm an explorer. I excavate ruins and map out remote places. The Dragon's Nest in the Alpones Mountain Range and the Crystal Cavern on the Corona Kingdom's northern border are some of my notable works."
"Oh, I know the Alpones Range."
The Alpones Range, known as a habitat for various dragons, was a place full of danger and adventure—even appearing in literature.
Rian had once said, while reading a novel about dragon knights, that he wanted to visit the Alpones.
"That's impressive. I heard it's incredibly dangerous."
"Danger is part of the romance. I'm satisfied with my work. The pay's decent if I complete a map. Even if Amy pretends not to like it."
"Please, at least shave that beard. You're not a layabout, but when you hole up at home you won't go out for months."
"Don't be so harsh. Besides, we've organized an expedition this time, so I'll be gone for two years. I've been waiting all this time just to see my beloved sister's face."
"Hmph…"
Amy turned her head as if the idea were ridiculous. Shirone snorted. Despite the jibes about being idle, her brother's real worry was obvious.
Once he set off, an expedition could take over a year, and from a family's point of view not even knowing if he lived or died was anxiety-inducing.
"I still think it's cool. I want to try an adventure like that someday."
"Once you catch the bug, you can't stop. You can do things ordinary people don't get to do until you're sick of them. Graduate and come find me anytime. I'll put you on an expedition."
"Ugh, enough! Don't peddle nonsense—if introductions are over, everyone out."
Amy's dismissal sent the family into a blaze of questions. This was the fun part; they weren't going to let things end before it really began.
"So what about Amy appealed to you? Don't tell me you crossed a line—"
"What? No, well, that—"
"How did you even approach her? Smooth talk? Or did you just man up and kiss her in some secluded spot—!"
Amy's eyes went scarlet.
"I said get out."
There was a frantic scuffle and suddenly the room held only Amy. She'd fled so hastily the door was still rattling.
'Now I see what she's like at home.'
The bustling room had gone quiet, and the contrast made the silence heavier.
Having missed his chance to speak, Shirone looked around sheepishly.
Amy hid her face behind her teacup and pretended to sip, thinking. She was so awkward she was sweating.
'Why on earth did he come here, that brat?'
There was unlikely to be a straightforward reason—Shirone showing up at her family home was unexpected, even if he had something important to say.
"Well? If you came, say it! You didn't drop by just for fun, did you?"
Shirone tore his gaze from the view and looked at Amy.
"Ah, actually I have a favor to ask. But coming suddenly like this felt rude, so I apologize to your family."
"It's fine. What's the favor?"
"Would you… like to go on a trip with me? To Galliant Island."
Amy froze, cup in hand. She hadn't even imagined such a thing. Shirone had asked her out first—to go on a trip with a girl, to an island.
"So you want me to go to an island with you?"
"Actually, a friend named Rian suggested it. He's bringing a friend, so I need someone to go with him. That makes four of us."
"Oh? The friend Rian's bringing… is she a girl?"
"I think so. Hey—how did you know?"
Amy swallowed her tea without answering. Her mind raced to sort through the situation.
'So it's a couples' trip. That Rian—how sly. Wait—couples' trip?'
A cold sweat ran down Amy's spine.
'And he wants to take me? Why?'
Even during their pretend relationship, Shirone had been unshakable. For him to suddenly propose a couples' trip was baffling. If he only needed a warm body to fill a spot, he wouldn't have asked Amy specifically.
The graduation year demanded brutal study even during break—the last competition of the Magic Academy left no slack.
Shirone knew that better than most. For him to come to her home and ask in person meant he must have a special reason.
"Why me? You've got friends in the advanced class. I'm in the graduating year, you know. You know how much special training others do over break. Why me, of all people?"
Amy braced herself, afraid of the answer. Maybe it wasn't what she feared.
But maybe it was. Her hand trembled slightly as she raised the cup to her lips.
"Amy, honestly, I can't think of anyone else."
"Pffft!"
Amy spat her tea, not leaving a drop. Shirone, drenched, froze as if struck by a sudden shower.
"What are you babbling about, you idiot!"
Amy wiped her mouth with her sleeve and shouted. Her face burned like a persimmon; she bolted to fetch a towel and returned.
"Wipe it off, quickly! It's filthy!"
"You were the one who spat at my face. Anyway—continuing—do you remember the person I mentioned before, Miro?"
"Huh? Miro? The founding president of the Supernatural Psychoscience Research Association? You said you met her during the Immortal Function, right?"
"That's right. My recent hypothesis is that the Immortal Function relates to superluminal phenomena, and I want to learn more from her. The headmaster approved an investigation of the Kergo ruins, and since Rian suggested it, I thought we might go."
Amy finally relaxed. The Kergo ruins were a well-known site and tourist attraction on Galliant Island.
"Ah, so you want to investigate it together."
"I don't think it'll be that dangerous. But from what the headmaster said, it isn't just a simple tourist spot either. If you come with me, I'd feel safer."
Since Rian proposed a paired trip, partners had to be female. Putting that aside, Amy was Shirone's strongest acquaintance.
Her unusual sanguine eyes were a tremendous advantage, and having fought strong opponents daily to settle in the mid-ranks of the graduating class, she could handle herself in danger.
"Hah! Of course! I'm leagues above those so-called supernatural nerds."
"I didn't mean that, but—"
Shirone gave an awkward smile and hedged. Amy knew him well enough to know he wasn't the sort to drag friends into danger simply because they were strong.
Shirone had saved Amy when she fell off a cliff. That brief, extraordinary incident had deepened their trust.
Because of that, he could ask. To invite someone knowing there might be danger was to ask someone whose life he trusted.
"So that's it…"
Amy moved to the window and thought. Since it wouldn't be just the two of them, it felt less burdensome—if anything, that made her want to go.
There was much to gain from the trip, but more than that, it sounded fun to do something with Shirone.
'You've got a good eye, kid. Fine—since I owe you anyway, this time I'll let you have your moment.'
Amy turned slowly. Seeing Shirone waiting with a tense expression made her smile to herself.
Whatever the trip's purpose, on the surface it was a man taking a woman away overnight. No amount of sweet talk could cover a guy who looked like he might do anything—no woman would go along with that.
'Still the same as when he was twelve.'
When, if ever, would this kid grow up? Perhaps all his growth went into magic.
Amy nodded.
"All right. Let's go to the island."
* * *
"Good day! I'm Rian's friend, Elzain Tess!"
Tess announced herself briskly as she arrived at the Ozent household. Rian stood beside her, visibly nervous.
Rian had been loitering at Shirone's house because he planned to use Tess as a shield when approaching his family.
No parent would allow a son who'd come dead last in the swordsmanship school to loaf about without consequence.
But if he brought a friend—especially a model student who'd ranked first at the sword school—the plan might work.
"Hmm, I've heard of Elzain's reputation. How is your father's health?"
"He's fine. Even while stationed in the occupied territories, he trains with the sword every day without fail."
In truth, Tess didn't really know how her father was doing, nor did she much care. Still, Rian's father, Bishop, nodded as if that were natural.
"Truly, those who make a name with the sword are different. If I get the chance, I'll pay him a visit."
Tess's father, Beron Elzain, was a master swordsman nicknamed "the Flash."
If the Ozent style was forceful and brash, the Elzain style was chilling and precise.
Which was better depended on the swordsman, but their pride in preserving the sword's legacy was unquestionable.
"Rian, you've managed to find a fine partner, for once."
"It's not a match. We're just friends."
Tess shot Rian a sharp look. What could he do? Thirsty men dig wells—Rian would have to be patient if he wanted to go on this trip.
"So, you want to vacation on Galliant Island?"
"Yeah. The sword school nearly killed me. I need time to recover body and mind. Shirone's coming later. We're leaving straight from here. Is that okay?"
"You can go, but did you really work hard? You ignored private lessons before—I need to be able to believe this."
"Haha! I knew you'd say that, so I brought proof. I finally opened my Skima!"
Rian triumphantly produced his document. Reina had taken his report card, but he had a certificate proving he passed a strength-enhancement test.
Since the placebo effect had been exposed, the certificate was essentially a scrap of paper, but Bishop, unaware of the whole story, had no choice but to accept it.
"Hmm, you really did pass. Congratulations."
Bishop, true to form, didn't show much emotion, but his voice trembled slightly.
Every parent notices their failures more keenly. Seeing something they couldn't force him to do finally achieved would make them clench their fists in private.
"All right, then. Keep your promise. The sword your grandfather said he'd give if you mastered the Skima—may I take it?"
"Of course. Now that you've opened the Skima, you should begin learning the Ozent techniques. By the way, where's your report card? You sound confident—so it must be decent."