BlazBlue:Phase Shift 1 Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Voice of Emerald Evil

Part 1

When he left the academy's school building into courtyard, he thought that the weather outside felt nice.

The sky appeared hazier than the usual. There were signs of it turning slightly dark.

Facing the whole city, he wondered if the Ten Sages in charge of purifying seithr had produced any result. The way things were going, their hands would still be full for a while.

Kazuma went across the silent courtyard which felt weird since he got used to the usual Mage's Guild. He headed toward the Cathedral which was standing still in the middle.

The meandering path was refreshing as if it was a promenade through a forest.

Lying in wait in the middle, the Cathedral was just as small as viewed from the hallway's window back then. It didn't seem likely for it to be storage for Mage's Guild's classified information.

Similar to a chapel, the front side's wooden doors acted like a pair of double doors. Just as Trinity had said, there was secure lock there.

But for this island that had been raising magicians, things like physical lock only had the significance of a sign which had 'Do not enter without permission' written on it. With short incantation and small pattern drawn by fingertip, the lock allowed Kazuma to continue all too soon.

After he got inside, he closed the doors. As he proceeded, the place was silent like it was a different airspace.

The air inside the building was a little warm compared to the outdoors.

Kazuma went ahead. It seemed there was nobody inside. It was granted as a matter of course.

In the history of Mage's Guild, today was the most critical situation. During such circumstances, there was no way for someone having knowledge of magic which was purposed for security to just stand here.

And rather, the guardsmen for Cathedral were in charge of giving warning.

As there was nothing but a large hall on the Cathedral's ground floor, there was no reason to get rid of intruders. What was absolutely forbidden to enter was what beyond here, the Cathedral's underground.

On the door leading to underground, there was a severely secure barrier imbued. If he were to carelessly approach it, he wouldn't get out with just a scratch.

The guardsmen were assigned to give warning to anyone who carelessly approached the barrier.

In front of the entrance which was leading to underground, Kazuma stood.

"...This looks troublesome."

What was lying in wait for Kazuma was a wooden door which was heavy from the looks of it. It appeared it was enveloped in a slightly white haze.

Judging by the heightened magical power that was visible, it was a barrier.

Kazuma wasn't poor at cancelling barrier during class, but this one was a different case. When he cautiously stretched his hand... he felt uncomfortable feeling on his fingers.

Just by drawing near a strong barrier, that person's skin would get burned in order to repel him. However, this door was nothing like that.

Kazuma's fingers were hanging close to the door while he hesitated whether to touch it or not. But immediately, he boldly placed his hand on the door.

His breath got taken away reflexively. He had prepared for the appropriate impact and damage.

But even after three whole seconds had elapsed, Kazuma was still silently grabbing the door's knob.

When he put strength into it, the door opened.

The barrier was still functioning. Kazuma's hand broke through it and opened the door.

"What's the meaning of this...?"

Even when he muttered, no one answered.

Although he was confused, Kazuma narrowly slipped through the door and stepped inside. It was baffling, but if he could get in, then he wouldn't hesitate.

Inside the door was continuation of hallway which had arched ceiling. In the inner part, there was stairway leading downward to underground.

The magical lights which were floating at fixed intervals illuminated Kazuma's walking path.

As he went underground, the structure became more and more expansive. On the upper level, there were a meeting room and a room used to observe various data; both were used by all members of Mage's Guild.

Moreover as he went further downward, a meeting room that sometimes had been used for Ten Sages' ceremonies appeared.

On each level, there were erected barriers which strength matched the ability of the human who was authorized to utilize it. They weren't such things that could be lifted by the likes of students at all.

But likewise, Kazuma's body was able to continue ahead as the barriers couldn't stop him; as if he slipped through mesh of net that was separating foreign matters.

When the long downward stairway ended, he now arrived at an elevator which was controlled by magic. He also passed the barrier which had been applied for security purpose.

As if he was being guided——Kazuma arrived at the lowest level of the Cathedral.

After he got out of the elevator, the hallway's ceiling grew tall which made it unlikely that it was in underground. As expected, a wooden door awaited beyond that point.

Like stamped seal, a magic circle appeared on the door.

No one but Ten Sages was permitted to come here. Moreover, since a suitable magical power was needed, a barrier with ruthless degree of security was applied that if somebody touched it by mistake, they wouldn't get spared as it would result in death.

Shutting his mouth tightly, Kazuma touched the last guardian with a sullen look.

His fingers touched the wooden surface. After sliding them like he was tracing something, this time the palm touched it completely.

What he felt on his skin was just the firmness on an old, normal tree. It felt like if he were holding an axe, he could easily tear it down.

There was no handle on the door. As he pushed, it slowly opened as expected.

Of course, being able to get here made even Kazuma to frown in confusion.

Why couldn't the Cathedral's barriers stop Kazuma? Not even once had he used cancelling magic, but he still managed to arrive at the lowest level.

"It's like... I'm being invited in."

Not matching its old appearance, the door silently opened as Kazuma passed through it while he muttered.

Beyond the door was a breathtakingly vast circular room.

The ceiling was even taller compared to the hallway's. Although there wasn't any magical lighting device floating, the whole room seemed to be slightly luminescent as it was faintly bright.

The floor had mosaic tiles; a stretched large flower-like pattern was depicted from the center to the outside. If it wasn't a flower, it would be sun or flame pattern.

While stepping forward to the outermost petals, Kazuma looked around the surroundings.

Although the inside of the room was absurdly spacious, it was empty. It was nothing but a deserted room. Rather than the storage for classified information, it was like as if some kind of a ceremony were about to begin at the place.

The drifting air had a different kind of coolness from the outside. It might be because there was no window and he didn't know the direction that he forgot about the current time.

When he took a step forward, the small, hard noise of footsteps disappeared like it was absorbed into the floor.

And at the same time, he felt the beating inside his chest accelerated.

"Here... Azure is..."

Kazuma must be thinking that he had obtained the means to reach the Azure. Before he noticed it, Kazuma had been intending to get the Azure itself.

It wasn't reasonable anymore. It went beyond reasoning as it felt like instinct.

The inside of the room was even warmer than the surface. It was like he was within the warmth of a living being. The faint drifting heat slowly agitated Kazuma's spirits.

But for some reason, while he was walking further, Kazuma also gradually got impatient.

There was nothing here. If there was no document or data, a map indicating where the Azure was wouldn't exist.

But it was impossible that there was nothing here. Terumi definitely said it was here.

"Terumi-san!"

Inside the room where there was nobody, Kazuma raised his voice.

His voice echoed on the ceiling.

"I managed to get inside the Cathedral. Where is the Mage's Guild's classified information!?"

Kazuma hadn't been guessing for it to be here; it was Terumi who said it. But if that was the case, what could this nothing but vast room hold?

He looked up at the ceiling to search for Terumi's presence that shouldn’t have been here. While he looked around the room, little by little Kazuma's steps became wider as he walked toward the inner part of the room.

It was when he arrived at the center of the hall.

"Soooo, you finally arrived~. Don't make me wait so long, Kazuma-chan."

Terumi's voice could be heard.

Taken aback, Kazuma looked around the surroundings. However, Terumi's figure was nowhere. Although there was no spot to hide, he couldn’t even find a part of his shadow.

Despite that, Terumi's voice got even more audible.

"I got worried since you're so late, y'know? I've been wondering if you don't care about Azure anymore and instead got along with those women to have a fun time enjoying tea~ ...while forgetting everything completely."

"Give me a break. Don't say such a disgusting thing."

Facing the invisible friend, Kazuma showed an unambitious smile.

While manipulating his face, Kazuma sharpened his glare to search around the room.

When Terumi started to talk, no doubt some kind of a situation had developed.

The few days of his first meeting with Terumi, each time he appeared, Kazuma's world one-by-one changed colors. The old days which were like invisible labyrinth had turned into a path.

It would be the same this time, surely. Bearing such feeling, Kazuma answered to the empty sky.

"Didn't I make a promise with you that I would definitely reach it? ...Besides, above all, I want to recover it."

In low voice, Kazuma spoke of his real motive. At that moment, frivolous smile already disappeared from his mouth.

He no longer hesitated. Inside Kazuma's chest, there was only a yearning toward Azure.

"Really? You really want to get it back? Obtaining Azure means you won't ever go back. Even if you regretted it, you wouldn't be able to let it go. You really still fine even like that?"

Terumi's question that was asked at this stage instead seemed to encourage Kazuma's thought. Naturally, Kazuma didn't intend to go against it.

"There won't be any regret. I'll obtain it. All this time, I've been wishing for it only."

The real him.

Who he should be.

Although even his shadow wasn't in sight, he knew that Terumi was grinning.

"Then... look. It's just right there, isn't it?"

"Right there?"

Questioning, Kazuma again looked around the surrounding.

The truly vast room where he stood alone was silent, as if time had stopped.

It might be his imagination, but currently, the flow of time here felt slow.

"It's there. Just right there. Look, it's really close to you..."

The voice that came from the strained throat teased Kazuma on purpose. It whispered at him awfully close.

"It's... below your feet."

Then, he was attacked by goose bumps.

Rather than a chill that ran on his spine, it was a sensation like a flaming hot snake crawling up.

Kazuma followed the urging from the snake on his spine and looked down on his feet.

Before he knew it, both of Kazuma's feet stepped firmly at the very center of the hall. The core of the large flower, sun, and swirling flame of a pattern.

The floor was polished, just like a mirror. There was a reflection of him looking right here. His eyes met the eyes of the other side's image.

Disorderedly growing long bangs, slender feet and thin shoulders, a familiar academy uniform. It was the usual him.

As if he got drawn in, Kazuma put one knee down to the spot and bent over.

Toward the circular center of the mosaic tiles, he gently placed his hand.

That instant——.

"...!"

His voice didn't come out.

As both his and the image's palms touched each other, his body trembled like it was petrified. He got frozen on the spot.

Following the hand that touched the floor, something was getting inside Kazuma.

Like a storm that caused surging waves, it was a tremendous torrent of information.

Part 2

Seven years ago... Mage's Guild, Ishana, barrier... the safest island in the world.

Relius Clover... dream... Shuuichirou Ayatsuki... white haired man... 'someone' madly laughing.

...The room with a Cauldron.

Phrases, history, time... Black Beast... Past... A hundred years...

Kazuma Kuvaru.

Yuuki Terumi.

... ...... ............

The surging information hit Kazuma's body like they were thrown stones. They rushed to his brain.

Behind his eyes, sparks were scattering. With dizziness eating his soul, it almost like his flesh was melting into something.

He wasn't allowed to reject it or surrender. The enormous information was flowing forcefully on its own; just like a full glass of water which got drunk in one gulp, soaking inside Kazuma.

If he were to express that feeling with a word... then it would be ecstasy. A trembling pleasant feeling that even caught a glimpse of trance.

Similar to the feeling when someone inserted the last piece of a puzzle. Similar to the feeling when slightly off shadows overlapped into one.

Desired objects going into the desired place. It was such a coherent pleasure.

"That's why... That's why I... had to come here."

While slowly removing his palm from the floor, Kazuma's lips slightly moved as he muttered. Not even a slight doubt remained in that voice anymore.

Likewise, the thin and tall body slowly stood up.

Right after raising his face, he looked directly at the man standing in front of him.

Terumi was there.

As usual, from inside the low hood which was intended to hide his expression, eyes like those of snake's aiming at a prey were looking at Kazuma. The splitting mouth, which was about to smile, gave answer to put on airs.

"It's meaningless unless here. You can't find place like this even if you search the world after all."

"And Relius Clover... the man who created me knew it from the very beginning, didn't he?"

Kazuma remembered everything.

No, recovered everything was more appropriate.

That was because the memories he had to remember were never existed inside Kazuma.

Seven years ago, the day when he arrived at Ishana while amnesiac was truly the first day in Kazuma's life. That day, that time, Kazuma's time started.

Kazuma wasn't tied by nature unlike a born child.

He was an existence manufactured by Relius Clover by making full use of magic, alchemy, and science.

Not remembering anything and wound healing at bizarre rate were also none other than modification made by Relius.

He gained form as an existence eight years ago. A few months later, he got transported to Ishana.

His consciousness as an existence woke up seven years ago. And then for seven years period of time, he continued to live academy life as Kazuma Kuvaru.

Then why was Kazuma created?

That was because he would become the man before his eyes... Yuuki Terumi's body.

"January 1st six years ago. During Relius Clover's trial experiment, Black Beast appeared. I was around during the time, you see. That time, my body went poof. My spirit form also got injured and took five whole years to heal. Then I asked that damn Relius for another body... in short, he told me to find you. Y'know there's a ridiculous barrier set around Ishana, right? What kind of joke was that? It ain't funny."

Although his mouth was torn into crescent moon shape, Terumi cursed while speaking. Rough footsteps resounded as Terumi walked around Kazuma with unnaturally slow pace.

"More about my troubles, you didn't even recognize me. You're the first body that gives me a pain in the ass."

"That's... must be troublesome."

Kazuma spontaneously showed a smile. There was a hint of detest somewhere on how Terumi smile.

Looking at Kazuma with his covered eyes, Terumi unusually snorted as he wasn't amused.

Trying to ignore what he had heard, Kazuma dropped his gaze to his feet.

He had now truly understood what object the mosaic tiles were depicting. What the crude picture was indicating was some kind of bright red lava he saw in his dream the other day.

——The Cauldron.

"Until a short while ago, I couldn't even imagine for Cauldron to exist in Ishana. Then again, I didn't even know regarding the existence of an object called the Cauldron."

Kazuma made noises as he hit the tile on the center of the room with his tiptoe.

The Cauldron was an object similar to a volcano's crater. Once, it was excavated from deep underground because of humanity's hands. Inside, red flames were dancing as if denying living beings. There was an airspace called the Boundary stretched at the core.

And there was one purpose for the core.

Master Units. They were omnipotent existences which only purpose was to keep observing every space-time and all existences within. They were often likened to god.

So to speak, the Boundary was a domain ruled by god.

"Since the time Mage's Guild was established... No, since roughly thousands of years ago, this Cauldron has existed here. It has been maintaining Mage's Guild's status and presence."

It felt impressive as he thought about it. Kazuma had great admiration toward the collection of tiles below his feet.

Having a Cauldron meant one would be able to monopolize the strength of omnipotent god.

Of course, monopolizing was nothing but only a mere end. However, the power was enough for a single organization to preserve overwhelming superiority on the hidden part of history.

"The thing's a fake made by humans. It ain't the true Cauldron."

Standing at the center across from Kazuma, Terumi also looked down at his feet.

Originally, the Cauldron had a form like a crater holding sea of flames. This one imitated it; an artificial Cauldron created by mankind in order to draw the power of Boundary.

Kazuma and Terumi stood on the middle of that crater.

"Yes, I agree. The original isn't like this."

Kazuma himself had never set eyes at the actual Cauldron. But still, the stuff which had been inputted into his brain understood about it.

"But it's still important. The ability to make contact with Boundary alone is enough."

While speaking, Kazuma's vision wandered around to view the whole Cauldron.

When he looked up at the wide and tall ceilings, there were things like hook extending from the walls supporting strange engravings midair. It was just like some kind of a coffin.

Kazuma recited the characters engraved there as he read them.

"...When light emitted from heaven scorches a city, goddess of destruction and creation will be born..."

"Huh, so you can read it."

"Well, I'm a student of the Mage's Guild after all."

Although Kazuma replied Terumi's teasing with a wry smile, even if he made use of the knowledge taught to him for seven years, he didn't understand the significance of these words and the coffin's true identity.

However, even if this place was an artificial imitation, it was surely connected with the Boundary. He understood that this place was the very thing of Mage's Guild's secrecy itself.

"...I had to recall that I'm Terumi-san's body. Nah, maybe it's better to say that I definitely had to realize it. And you couldn't tell me since I had to be aware on my own."

Kazuma spoke while facing Terumi. He verified the flow of information transmitted from Boundary one by one.

It was like some kind of a ceremony. No, that itself was a ceremony.

Body and soul. For the purpose of overlapping both shadows into one.

Terumi extended his arm that was as thin as Kazuma's.

"It's useless if I told you who I am. You gotta recognize who I am with your own eyes."

"Hence, the Boundary's power was needed."

The Cauldron was connected with the Boundary. All kinds of wisdom existed in the Boundary. Even the knowledge about Terumi's previous body.

Because he came in contact with the Boundary, Kazuma had obtained all information regarding Terumi.

The air suddenly got dense. Before long, they were able to sense the other party's breathing.

It was really dense even when compared to the atmosphere between Kazuma and Terumi.

It was hard to tell which direction the heat came from.

Kazuma took a short breath.

"Ishana, the world's safest city. There is a Cauldron intended to connect with the Boundary here. A control system to keep foreign enemies away and barrier to thwart the Black Beast and seithr also exist. That was why Relius Clover chose this island to store me."

Terumi chuckled as he laughed.

"Thanks to that, I got in big troubles... But on the good side, since you're here everything was completed in a single whoop. That's Professor Relius for you; way to make me feel indebted."

Shadow extending from Kazuma's feet.

Similarly, shadow also extending from Terumi's feet.

Both of them thought it was trivial however abnormal that scene was.

Kazuma stared at Terumi and spoke.

"Like you have promised, I have recovered everything."

Terumi stared at Kazuma and spoke.

"And I'm also a free man at last. Good work."

There was but only single lump of shadow now. Although each other faced a different entity, there was a pretense that both had the same face and also the same individual.

Two kinds of mucus that were put in the same vessel being slowly mixed by a thin stick; such feeling was surrounding Kazuma and Terumi.

It was by no means disgusting. Rather, it was pleasant.

Because it was the appearance he desired.

Because it was the role he sought.

(That's right. I've always...)

Wished for it. About his true self. About the meaning of his existence. About the necessity to keep on living.

And there were all here. If this didn't please him, then what would?

"——Aah, it's here."

"Yes, I know."

Toward the presence that slightly grazed their skin, Terumi and Kazuma simultaneously retracted their feet and turned around.

Where their face was facing was the only entrance of this innermost room.

"The brute has appeared."

It was unclear who had sneered.

Between the pair of doors that had been left wide open, a familiar small silhouette stood.

Part 3

"Kazuma Kuvaru... isn't it."

Like a sharpened blade, a small shadow spoke with sharp, cold voice.

A stature about as tall as children, triangular ears protruding on top of the head, and swaying tails on the back.

The beastkin swordsman, Tomonori.

The other day, his hands carried a pair of short swords. They were now gripping a large and heavy sword. Stored in jet black sheath, it held a strange pressure.

While focusing on Kazuma, Tomonori unsheathed the sword without any hesitation. The distinct noise of sword being unleashed echoed coldly. Receiving the indoor lights that resembled moon light, the silver blade gleamed brightly.

"Well, well. Umm... Tomonori-san, is it? You still give such a vicious greeting."

Raising both hands near his shoulders as if giving up, Kazuma gave an unmotivated smile.

That moment, Tomonori's already sharp eyes shone even more grimly.

"...As I thought."

With bitter regret oozing, Tomonori muttered with hoarse, low voice.

"I should have killed you back then and not fearing to catch any attention..."

"Oh no, killing me? Please don't say such scary thing. Even if I look this way, I dislike violence, you see?"

Still raising both hands, Kazuma tried to play innocent. But as if not caring about it, Tomonori displayed his thirst for blood.

"This time I will surely... kill you."

The announcement itself was like a blade.

The ruthlessness would freeze the muscles of any normal person and paralyze their feet with fear. However, Kazuma just looked at Terumi and tilted his neck in puzzlement.

"Whew, he looks fully motivated. What a bother."

"There's other place you can find as your scratching post y'know, lil' cat~?"

Terumi pointed his chin while blatantly provoking him.

But Tomonori didn't reply it with unnecessary words. Still silent, he measured his reach. Not the reach to intimidate, but the reach to kill.

"Ooh ignoring me, I see. Or maybe you don't understand human language? Hyahhaha."

"It's understandable. After all, it's forbidden to enter this place. And yet he’s still hesitating. He's really one confused stray cat."

Agreeing with the sneering Terumi, Kazuma played innocent while making a face like he was truly astonished. A cruel smile showed on his lips.

"This is troubling. If he goes on rampage in this place, the Ten Sages might suspect something. But... well, maybe this is good for warming up."

"Hey, don't get carried away. My bad but I'll pass on playing with cat!"

Toward Terumi's mockery, Tomonori slightly drew his nose. But without saying anything back, he instead kicked the cold floor and rushed in like the wind.

He pulled the large sword far behind. As he landed, he horizontally made a straight slash to mow down Kazuma's torso.

Kazuma jumped backward.

The slash grazed Kazuma's jacket as it cut through the air.

The cat's piercing eyes chased after Kazuma. Pursuing faster than before, he then diagonally slashed down.

While still leaping to retreat, Kazuma casted a short spell. Magical wind blew from the ground and weakened the attack. He used that gap to escape from the cold blade.

"Haha... hahaha. I see, I understood it now..."

He was thrilled. The thirst for blood that was pointed toward him felt tremendously pleasant.

He could move his body at will.

The confusion and panic when he previously encountered Tomonori in the city were nowhere to be seen. Rather, this situation was entertaining, enjoyable. Naturally, he burst into a hearty laughter.

"More... You should put more effort now. Don't you want to kill me? It should be easy. I'm just an incompetent student. I can't wield weapon like you."

"Don't get carried away... you monster."

Lowering his posture, Tomonori groaned.

The hatred lingered in his voice tickled Kazuma's spinal cord again.

"Fuh... hahaha. Monster? Me? A monster? Pardon me, but how can you say I'm a monster? I'm just pathetic mouse that can only run away, khukuku."

Desires came from the bottom of the laughing Kazuma as he jeered. He was in thirst. Of joy, pleasure, fear, terror, lament, and hatred.

Each time he looked at the eyes of the beast that had chilling murderous intent, his thirst was satisfied by a drop. That feeling was very, very very... irresistible.

Tomonori thrusted the sword he had set up horizontally.

Kazuma twisted his upper body and the sharp assault only grazed him.

At the same time, Terumi jumped from behind. He stretched his long, thin arms and grabbed Tomonori's arm before he could retract his blade.

"Man, you’re boring... You gonna get killed, y’know?"

He whispered a threat while eerily smiling.

The next moment, Terumi pulled Tomonori’s arm and kicked his abdomen which was covered by soft fur.

“Guh!”

Painful groan leaked from the cat’s mouth. The small stature was blown off toward the hall’s wall.

But midway, Tomonori turned his body and landed on the wall. Using the leaping momentum, he swiftly went to Kazuma with an even faster speed.

A strike. Kazuma dodged when they crossed. During the counter attack, the blade slashed Kazuma’s arm.

“Ugh...!”

The sudden attack made Kazuma let out a distorted voice in his pain. When he held his arm, something dripped from inside the torn clothes. The wound was deep.

Again, Tomonori went for a strike. Along with killing intent, the blade was going for a vertical slash.

There was no time to dodge. Kazuma crossed both hands on front of his face and casted a defensive magic while withdrawing with a large jump.

But the barrier was smashed by the blade. A shrilling noise echoed like a metal was violently hit. The broken barrier sent its user, Kazuma, flying behind.

“Guah...!”

Kazuma was thrown to the hard floor back first. His head got hit hard.

When the tip of Tomonori’s sword reached, a small wound ran on Kazuma’s crossed arm. Red liquid appeared on the wound before it finally began to drip a bit.

“Tch. Damn cat brute. Now you’ve done it.”

After he landed with particularly light noise beside Kazuma, Terumi spoke cheerfully though he was also bitter. He grabbed Kazuma’s arm and pulled him up as he spoke.

While holding his head as dizziness still remained in his head, Kazuma somehow was able to stand straight. The injured arm had numbing pain; and topping it, a burning feeling.

Looking at his arm, Kazuma frowned with dubious expression.

“What’s... with this wound?”

The deep sword cut he got on his arm was shallow when he got it as his barrier was destroyed just now. That wound wouldn’t heal even a bit.

Because of Kazuma’s self-healing ability on his body, the bleeding on his wound should have already been stopped the moment it started. Without any visible sign of healing, the blood continued to pour like it wouldn’t ever get cured.

“Looks like you got some interesting trick going on.”

Terumi scowled since he also realized Kazuma’s unusual situation.

As if to put down Terumi’s voice, Tomonori once again set up his sword.

“It seems to have an effect.”

The low, hoarse voice of a cat spoke as if he understood something.

Kazuma and Terumi simultaneously fixed their eyes on the tiny swordsman.

A fearless feeling faintly appeared on Tomonori’s calm expression.

“...Hihi’irokane.”

The whisper wasn’t directed to Kazuma nor Terumi, but to the sword on his hand.

The sword responded to the call. The sword, that was a little larger than the cat-type beastkin, beat once as if pulsing. Next, the shape changed like it was released from its restraint.

That shape was just like a beast’s claws. The main part of the blade, which had multiplied to three, transformed into a rather grotesque shape, unbecoming of a sword.

“Hihi’irokane!?”

The one who raised his voice in shock was Terumi.

“That damn cat... He took out a huge toy!”

Beside the screaming Terumi, Kazuma also cautiously put himself on guard.

Hihi’irokane. Beside flesh, the sword would also eventually rip the dwelling soul.

The sword had directly cut Kazuma’s flesh. It also had done the same to Terumi’s spirit form.

When further examined, Terumi’s arm certainly had a cut wound on the same area as Kazuma’s.

A wound on spirit form wouldn’t get easily healed. Furthermore, Kazuma’s wound wasn’t healing too.

“This looks... bad...”

Smile vanished from Kazuma’s expression.

Blood flowing out along his thin arm. It dripped to the floor tiles from his fingertips. Red spots were engraved on his feet.

Tomonori raised the giant transformed sword and jumped low like a gale.

He diagonally swung it downward. Accompanied with thunderous roar which was like the groan of air surge, the shockwave-like wind pressure knocked Kazuma’s whole body who had previously escaped.

Even though the blade didn’t graze him, the sword’s pressure made it even hard to breathe. His expression turned to anguish.

“If I got hit directly... Would I die, then?”

Kazuma had fallen over like he was thrown on the floor. He then tried to hold his bloody arm as he stood up while peeking at Terumi.

With a crooked smile, Terumi clicked his tongue. He glared at Tomonori while snorted.

“Wanna try?”

“Haha, don’t joke around.”

“...Quite a talkative man.”

Tomonori spoke cold and severely. The sword on the tip of his hand growled. Even though he only fixed his stance.

“Those chatters will also end here.”

“Ooh, scary. ... Oh wait, now's not the time to say that, is it?”

Kazuma pulled his lips and made a smile. But frankly, he couldn’t afford to laugh. A rough noise resounded as his feet grazed the floor when he stepped back.

At this rate, it would truly be the end. He refused to accept it. Even though it was finally starting.

(Just... what’s starting?)

Vaguely, Kazuma questioned himself.

Wrong. Rather than Kazuma, it was Terumi who had something to start.

No, whether it was Terumi or Kazuma, the line was awfully unclear.

The cat ran. Rather than a slash, the large and sharp blade of Hihi’irokane mowed down on Kazuma as if to gouge him.

In a hair breadth, Kazuma avoided the first attack.

But the sword’s pressure grazed his thigh. That alone gave him pain like his flesh got torn.

Following it, Hihi’irokane approached.

Kazuma dragged his fallen posture while raising his eyes on the gale slash.

It was that moment.

“...!?”

His body shook violently.

From his feet, irresistible urge quickly rising up.

Lured by instinct, Kazuma dropped his gaze.

There was the room’s central part. No, it was the Cauldron’s central.

It was unknown whether what was coming up was the Boundary’s power or the dwelling madness within his body.

Hopelessly uplifting feeling whispered.

‘’——Now, kill’’.

“Yes, I understood. I’ve understood everything. I’ve took it back. No.. more like it has returned. Isn’t that right?”

It was a really serene sensation.

It was also supposed to be that way. Because now, at this very moment, the rightful soul went to the rightful place together. Completely established, without any slight of error.

“... Hi, haha... haha... hyahhahahahaha.”

Aah, can’t stop laughing. It’s pleasant, really pleasant.

Kazuma faced Tomonori who was coming in straight line. As if reacting to it, he spread both of his arms.

“HURRY UP AND DIE ALREADY, YOU SHITTY CAAAAAAT!”

The piercing laughter changed; to a joyful voice full of ecstasy.

"———OUROBOROS!!"

Together with the call, the airspace on both Terumi’s sides warped.

Eating and tearing the space that was supposed to be empty, chains possessing serpent head appeared.

The serpent chains travelled the air in a straight line... and diagonally from left and right, they pierced Tomonori’s chest when he was rushing like the wind.

Part 4

Like meat being minced, a jarring noise was heard.

The body of the catman that had jumped leapt with giant sword in his hand was dragged by the shockwave that ate into his chest before it fell on the floor.

Although he had at least managed to avoid falling down clumsily, it was obvious that Tomonori got a considerably severe wound as stated by his face. He somehow used the sword that looked like giant claws to sustain his discomposed stance.

“HYAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That’s it... Attaboy! THIS is the feeling I’m talking about! I went six years to get this! Now it’s back!”

Largely bending his body backward, Kazuma laughed even louder. His voice swirled on the tall ceiling. The commotion made the air inside the room trembled.

On the other side of the disordered bangs, Kazuma opened his eyes wide. The atrocity glaring in the glint of his eyes resembled that of reptiles. The grim expression warped and looked down on Tomonori.

“Khukuku... Nice posture, lil’ cat~. What did you say? Killing me? Hihahaha. Fine, do it if you can!”

Again, the airspace on Kazuma’s sides were torn as serpent chains rushed out. The squirming chains which resembled a creature trailed in the air and rushing on Tomonori.

With his battered body, Tomonori prepared his sword. With movement faster than the irregular chains, he jumped to dodge them. Using the gigantic sword, he shoved off the hungry shadow of the fangs.

At the same time, Tomonori leapt and chased after Kazuma before forcefully using Hihi’irokane to mow him down.

“Whoops!”

The intense slash severed the air.

Kazuma pulled himself up using a new chain, passing up above Tomonori, and went to the opposite side. Immediately after, he let out a sharp, spear-like chain. The tip of the serpent’s head grazed Tomonori’s shoulder as they passed each other, tearing it.

Stern anger appeared on the cat’s face. The three-pronged sword roared and severed the crooked neck of the chain that had grazed his shoulder.

Deep underground, the unfolded battle that didn’t even catch anyone’s attention appeared to last forever.

Kazuma’s chains scattered Tomonori’s blood-stained fur. They pursued Tomonori’s slow movement to scrape his flesh.

Not only blade, the pressure from Tomonori’s sword also went for a slash attack toward the escaping Kazuma. The flowing artificial blood inside it scattered along the floor and wall.

In such situation, the one who made the conclusive movement were Kazuma’s chains.

It had been several times for Tomonori to kick the floor and dashed in order to make a slash.

Responding to it, Kazuma launched two chains from the front. But before the two serpent heads get cleared away by the sword, he naturally wriggled their body to force them through Tomonori.

Ignoring both of his sides, Tomonori instantly closed the distance. Pure intent to kill showed in his sharp pupils.

The back that carried such frank tenacity was pierced from behind by the surrounding chains in one breath.

Wet noises resounded.

“Ugh...!”

A groan from dull pain leaked out of Tomonori’s gritting teeth.

However, the beastkin swordsman seized the pair of chains which had pierced his body, raising his speed and continued to run without faltering. Taking along the squall-like momentum, he swung his sword down at Kazuma.

“Tch!”

Kazuma pulled back the chains. However, Tomonori’s hand didn’t allow him. The cold blade touched Kazuma’s nape.

Just before that, Kazuma instantly concentrated defensive magic to a point and casted it.

A noise of metal clashing was dispersed, along with sparks.

As Kazuma’s magic took the blow, what got repelled was... the small sword Tomonori drew with the hand that had been seizing the chains.

Kazuma noticed it late.

“I’ll... kill you!”

Tomonori’s voice was hoarse as it was mixed with blood. Something even deeper than desire was boiling in it.

Something called faith had to be there. Something called pride had to be there. Something called devotion had to there.

“HIHI’IROKANE!!”

The hand, which was large when compared to human’s, swung the incredibly huge sword that had been hid out of sight until then. The roaring slash let out a beast’s howl and also death throes.

Like the wind, the sword that appeared like three nails was... no, it was even faster than the wind.

It diagonally tore Kazuma’s abdomen.

“————————!!”

Piercing scream gushed out from Kazuma’s throat.

The slashed abdomen was like it had been gouged as it was roughly cleaved. Similar to choked throat, it spat out darkish blood. Kazuma, filled with shock and hatred, glared at Tomonori.

“Bastard... DON’T UNDERESTIMATE MEEEEEE!”

Still penetrating Tomonori’s stomach, the chains once again thrusted at it and threw Tomonori’s body onto the floor.

This time, Tomonori didn’t scream or groan. He already wasn’t even in the state to raise his voice or such. His battered body was pulled down by the chains and laid upside down on the floor. On the floor that was shining like mirror, a small fountain was created.

Something was overflowing from his belly. Starting from the back, it dyed Tomonori’s clothes and soft fur.

In red. In black.

“...You... Only... you...”

Tomonori groaned with inaudible voice that almost faded away. Piercing the grotesque sword in the middle of the fountain, he tried to raise the body which was full of wounds.

Hihi’irokane, the family treasure that had been taken without permission. Everything was done to kill Kazuma. Until it was accomplished, he couldn’t afford to fall.

Still... that thought was also in vain. Tomonori’s body lost its strength and once more sank in the middle of the dark red pool of blood.

Aiming at the body that had used all its strength, Kazuma mercilessly gave it kicks using the hard leather shoes.

“Don’t... SCREW AROUND! HUUH!?”

Along with dull sound, Tomonori’s body was trembling in shock. Suddenly, the spilled blood spread even more on the floor; it soaked Kazuma’s shoes.

With the stained shoes, Kazuma repeatedly kicked the beastkin’s body. The toe gouged the wound’s openings, making wretched noises.

“Hey, what’s wrong lil’ cat!? Can’t stand? Oh, you can’t stand anymore? I’m still standing straight though. Hey hey, didn’t you say you want to kill me!?”

Tomonori shook the tip of his nose in fury and disgrace. With cloudy pair of eyes, he glared at Terumi. Those eyes still hadn’t parted with killing intent, but his body couldn’t move again even for a bit.

The feeling of helplessness excited Kazuma.

“Hyahahaha. Wow, that looks sure are nice. You hate me? Want to kill me? Hate me more! Hatehatehatehatehatehate! Scream you want to kill me!”

As resentment burned his loud laughter, Kazuma trampled Tomonori’s back especially violent. The bursting noise had a strong smell of iron.

Furthermore, Kazuma held his hands out toward the motionless Tomonori. Countless shadows of serpent appeared from Kazuma’s feet. With the vigor as if swarming a bait, they ate into Tomonori.

Moreover, he kicked many, many times... Then Kazuma unexpectedly lost his balance and took several steps back and took a breath in a sudden.

“Haa, haa, ha...ku, gu... cough...”

Large quantity of blood spilled again from the wound on his stomach and fell onto the floor. With disturbed breathing, his throat became jarred and his body shivered.

“Dammit... Seriously... Don’t mess with me... you shitty cat.”

Despite Kazuma’s shout, the room in the deepest part of the Cathedral was quiet.

The person who stood on the blood-stained floor was Kazuma alone.

Beside him, there was only Tomonori who remained collapsed on the floor.

There was no sighting of Terumi.

He never disappeared. From the beginning, Terumi never existed in this place.

Kazuma was the body. Terumi was the spirit. If so, then the one who had physical form was Kazuma.

It had always been like that. It had always been from the time Kazuma first met Terumi. Kazuma was the only one who had physical form. Terumi and Kazuma’s consciousness had fused. Even when they rebuked Tomonori by turns a while ago, it was only Kazuma who stood there in reality.

Kazuma started to walk by dragging his body. A part of the blood-stained shoes made stiff noises as he treaded the particularly cold floor.

If he kept being here, eventually someone might notice anything strange and send over the Ten Sages. He couldn’t afford to face the Ten Sages in this condition. He had to flee quickly.

Tomonori didn’t move. He was dead.

After resentfully giving him a glance, Kazuma reached his hand to the hall’s entrance. The white jacket of the academy’s uniform and the pale, thin arm extending from there were wet and stained with something sticky.

His feet were staggering. He could die. It was a serious matter.

Would the thing he had finally obtained, the thing that had returned just simply be gone?

This place was no more than a stopping point of the long, long history.

But before Kazuma could get out of the hall, a shadow even taller than himself appeared.

“Wha...”

The appearance was unexpected. It was a miscalculation.

Kazuma clicked his tongue.

In front of the elevator, stood a figure of man wearing first-class butler suit that didn’t feel appropriate with Mage’s Guild. It was a muscular man with long hair tied on his back.

No sooner after he saw Kazuma, he put himself on guard and glared at Kazuma with golden eyes similar to that of a beast.

A man Kazuma... no, Terumi knew.

“Bastard... Valkenhayn...”

Valkenhayn. The werewolf who was serving as Clavis Alucard’s butler and had been living for a thousand years.

Immediately after Terumi said his name, Valkenhayn moved. Lowering his tall figure, he strike ahead.

Even though it was a speed lesser than Tomonori’s, Kazuma couldn’t handle it right now.

The heavy attack hit the thin chest, then his temple felt the strong grip as it grabbed his skull. Following it, the back of his head was knocked onto the solid wall.

The noise of crack running on the stone wall drowned the voice Kazuma let out. Strength left his whole body. The flowing blood smeared his clothes severely.

“Damn... it...”

After the trembled lips could only say that much...

Like a doll losing its support, TerumiKazuma fell down on the floor.

Part 5

Later that night, Trinity woke up in the dormitory room.

Presently in the room, there was Nine who looked about to cry.

It seemed one of the students who had come to academy by chance discovered Trinity when she was collapsed on the corridor. Nine explained that she was taken to infirmary before carried to the dormitory room later. The doctor said that her body had taken a blow, but fortunately there was no injury that could render her unable to move. She also heard that from Nine.

“...The seithr in the city has been disposed. As for the barrier’s restoration, it’s only a simple measure but it was finished. The genuine restoration will be carried out starting tomorrow. Although I said that, it was just finished a little while ago.”

Sitting on a chair beside the bed with legs crossed, Nine continued to explain the situation while feeling relief from the bottom of her heart as there was no issue with Trinity’s consciousness.

Trinity laid down on the bed and looked up at her close friend as she listened to her explanation.

“Now... What time... is it?”

Trinity’s regular slow tone of voice was even slower; partly because her condition wasn’t good.

Without urging her, Nine listened until the end and then looked at a clock above desk.

“It’s midnight... Well past over 2.”

“You’ve worked that late...”

“It didn’t take until morning, so it’s good.”

“Don’t take Ten Sages lightly,” said Nine as she shut her right eye after saying that only.

Inside the soft bedding, Trinity slightly smiled.

“Even though you’re tired, you still came here... I’m sorry~.”

“Stupid. It’s natural. ...I can’t help it until I know what happened with you.”

In Nine’s smile, a sad gloom seeped.

For Nine, Celica and Trinity were special.

It was the same for Trinity. That was why she currently truly felt sorry for giving Nine worries.

Or so as she thought.

But as she couldn’t help questioning, Trinity gently asked.

“...How about Kazuma-san?”

Tension ran in Nine’s face. Trinity could guess why.

After a while passed, Nine indifferently answered while choosing her words.

“He disappeared. There were signs of that man entering the Cathedral. In the deepest room... marks of struggle were found. But no one was there.”

“...I see.”

Trinity couldn’t hide her dejection.

She vaguely felt that it would turn out this way. If she were asked since when, Trinity herself didn’t know.

From the front side, Nine looked into her best friend’s eyes that were clouded with sadness. She put her hands on Trinity’s feeble white hands.

“Regarding that man... Let’s stop thinking about him. As of now, we wouldn’t be able to do anything.”

Who on earth was that man? It was the question Trinity and Nine had always embraced.

He had a truly dangerous impression.

Nine might have been fearing that that danger would engulf its surroundings.

Trinity might have been fearing that that danger would hurt Kazuma.

In the end, Nine’s hunch became realized.

Trinity tried to look straight at Nine as much as she could and nodded. She didn’t want to give further worries to Nine, especially with what she had said.

But just a few words.

“Nine. Even then... the time spent together with Kazuma-san... Everything of it didn’t feel like a lie to me. He...”

Every morning, He would greet her. It was just sometimes, but he spoke with a truly gentle voice.

The feeling of warmth also existed.

Soon, the night would be late.

Since the Mage’s Guild had calmed down for a bit, Nine said that she was going to go searching for Celica who had left the island.

Trinity promised to go with her.

In the corner of her heart... she wondered if she could grasp something related to Kazuma’s whereabouts within the vast world, faintly hoping for it.

The castle where night stood for eternity... The Alucard family’s castle.

Tonight, the silver moon also decorated the lasting eternal night sky. It gently illuminated the ivy-covered old castle and a vast abandoned garden.

In the basement of the castle where moonlight couldn’t reach, there were Valkenhayn along with his master Clavis.

“Is it truly okay to not killing him?”

The vicinity was dark without any existence at all. As light of magic lit an antique lantern, emerged certain figures on the long, continuous hallway.

There was a room at the end of the hallway. It was a small room made of old timber that somewhat ill-matched with the solid stone of the old castle.

Inside the room, a tall young man wearing blood-stained white jacket, black pants, and a waist-length mantle was tied by magical chains. He might be unconscious as there was no strength in his body.

“...We cannot kill that man. If we intervene, he would once more left the flesh and disappeared somewhere.”

Gazing at the motionless thin young man who remained sitting inside the wooden room, Clavis grievously spoke.

“...We are powerless.”

Thus, a jail was created. He couldn’t do anything but put a secure lock to prevent the beast from getting outside.

After Valkenhayn closed the door, Clavis raised his wrinkled fingers and drew a pattern midair. As the ancient words turned into bindings, the drawn pattern clung onto the door and sealed the thin wood board.

A secure seal that Clavis could handle.

“Now... We should mourn for Tomonori.”

Shifting his gaze, Clavis looked at Valkenhayn.

Valkenhayn lightly bowed.

“Why did Tomonori... do as far as carrying Hihi’irokane and selfishly...”

There was an obvious regret in Valkenhayn’s mutter.

That time when Tomonori went to the underground of the Cathedral was all done by his own judgment.

When he thought about it, it also made Clavis somewhat succumbed into regret.

If only he had noticed it sooner and made Tomonori return. Or possibly, if he could send Valkenhayn directly sooner, then... The friend who had unyielding stubbornness as if a single swing of sword might not lose his life.

“...It seems he could not resist. He thought that there are things only he can do. A man who could not help but to accomplish it”

Clavis’ answered with sigh mixed within before lowering his eyelids.

“Let us go, Valkenhayn. We have something to achieve... Just like him.”

“...Understood, Clavis-sama.”

Turning his back on the sealed door, Valkenhayn pushed Clavis’ wheelchair and returned to the hallway.

Each time they advanced, doors were closed as if shutting down the inner part. Every single one of them was also sealed by Clavis.

Listening to the sound of the last door at the end of the hallway being closed, Valkenhayn strongly thought that those doors might never be opened again.

And deep, deep, deep, deep in the dark.

Within the locked seal.

A young man who was trapped alone laughed loudly.

He ignored the pain of his wounds and distress from the binding. Rather than despairing for the circumstances, he seemed to hold hopes for a promising future.

“HYAAHAHAHAHA. The countdown’s commencing, senile bloodsucker! When you die, I’ll get out from here... You’ll realize the real beginning started from there after you kicked the bucket. HYAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Within the cold seal.

He continued to laugh in ecstasy indefinitely.

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