BlazBlue:CT Material Collection Noel Short Story "THE BLUE"
Noel Vermillion. That became the girl's new name.
The girl that was a war orphan was adopted by Edgar Vermillion and his wife Clair into their family, and at the same time, that name was given to her.
The Vermillion household were nobility of some renown which, for many generations, had produced many distinguished knights who served in the Librarium. However, due to a weak constituion the current head Edgar was unable to join the military campaigns; in addition, they did not have any children to succeed the family line. Also, because they weren't afraid to openly criticise and protest against the Librarium (even though they were nobility), the Vermillion household was frowned upon by the Librarium and the other nobles, had their aristocratic privileges reduced, and their family line was ostracised.
While surviving on their dwindling family fortune their ancestors had amassed, the ruined family carried on with their lives and adopted Noel. In a tiny cottage in a backwater area with shallow sethir levels, Noel grew up showered with love from her adoptive parents. They were moderately happy, and the days passed by as such.
A few years after her adoption, Noel came to know about the impending termination of the Vermilion household's aristocratic privileges.
The Vermilion house banished from the Librarium, and loss of their aristocratic privileges—— If that happened, that would mean even day to day life would soon become difficult. Worried about the future, Noel decided to become a knight in the Librarium, and so decided to take the entrance exams for the Military Academy.
“Dad, Mum. I, I want to become a knight in the Librarium.”
Noel suddenly dropped the bombshell while looking straight into her parent's shocked eyes.
“Noel...”
The knights of Librarium, as their names implied, were soldiers under the Librarium. Naturally, as a soldier, one was expected to devote their entire being to the service of the Librarium. If Noel became a knight then her family's privileges would be restored, and they would once again enjoy the patronage of the Librarium. Noel knew all that. Even though her parents protested against her decision, Noel's resolve remained firm.
The result of their discussion was that Noel was not to enlist as a combatant but to do office work—— which could be said as their final compromise.
Thus, Noel took the entrance examination for entry into the Military Academy. But, because she was entering halfway, she had to deal with another test. An test which placed priority of Ars Magus aptitude over knowledge, you could call it the real barrier within the barrier that stood in her way of enlistment.
However, not only did Noel's aptitude levels exceed far beyond the required standards, it was also the highest level ever recorded in history. For the 2nd time in recent years, the previous record was once again smashed by the current one. Noel easily passed her exams—— in addition, she was specially invited into the Military Academy.
6 months before Noel was due to graduate from the Academy, an incident happened. The school was abuzz with a certain topic.
“Did ya hear did ya hear!? Kisaragi-senpai, he went and did something cool!”
The one who noisily rushed into the classroom after school was none other than Noel's roommate, the half squirrel beast-kin Makoto.
“Please calm down Makoto. What happened to Jin?”
Also Noel's roommate, hailing from 1 of the Duodecim's families, Tsubaki Yayoi chided her friend while calmly replying.
“After evaluating his actions during the Ikaruga civil war, he's been promoted by 2 grades!”
While waving a newspaper that had the words “Extra!” printed on it in large font, Makoto excitedly continued to blab on. The newspaper caption read “1st Lieutenant Jin Kisaragi, has been promoted to become the youngest Major in recorded history. He also has been appointed as the division commander of the 4th Thaumaturgical Division”
“ A double promotion... Besides those who were killed in the line of duty, has that ever happened before?”
“Somehow, since he was only there for 2 days, I think a single promotion would have fitted more-”
As soon as she recalled that name that was already fading from her mind, Noel remember her deeply emotive feelings.
1st Lieutenant Jin Kisaragi... wrong, Major. A graduate of the Academy, a a student senior to Noel and company. Serving in the student council she had faced him numerous times, and had spoken with him before. Perfect in every way and quiet... no, that wasn't right, his frosty image made him a difficult senior to deal with. Noel absent-mindedly stared at the large photo of Jin published in the newspaper that was lying on top of the desk.
“Jin Kisaragi...”
While saying his name, the image that Noel only saw once in her entire time in school; the image of Jin with a lunatic expression on his face, flashed across her mind, and Noel caught her breath.
“What's wrong? Your breathing seems ragged... Are you that happy for Jin's accomplishments?”
“N-no, that's not it...”
“You really shouldn't joke about this kind of thing... so, you are really feeling ok?”
With a worried face, Tsubaki looked over at Noel who had denied not feeling well with a weak voice.
“Ah, yes. I'm fine.”
Noel did her best to smile as she replied.
That person arrived exactly on time. A solidly built old man dressed in a blue uniform.
“Ms Noel Vermillion?”
“Yes.”
Her nervousness increased.
“I am from the Personnel Department of the main branch. My purpose today is to inform you about the orders regarding your transfer. Do you understand?”
“... Yes."
“Very well. These are the instructions given from the Librarium to you. Cadet Noel Vermillion. We at the Novis Orbis Librarium hold your potential in extremely high esteem. We hope to appoint you to an official posting. In exchange the Vermillion family will have it's rights restored and you will be guaranteed your posting permanently."
Noel's eyes widened. Resisting the urge to ask him to repeat himself, Noel scrutinised his expression.
His face remained unchanged. The Librarium being interested in a lowly cadet to this extent was unheard of.
“Um... That is... What would I have to do... if I accepted?”
“Firstly, you'll have to take and clear an exam, then you'll be entered into the 4th Thaumaturgical Division. Following that you'll be assigned to Jin Kisaragi as a special solo combatist under his direct supervision, and you'll be observing his actions as our “link” to him”
—— Why me?
Put simply, a “special solo combatist” was a spy and an assassin. Officially she would be under Major Kisaragi to do paperwork, in other words she would become his ministral secretary... Noel bit her lip. In her mind Jin's image flashed before her.
(Kisaragi-senpai's direct subordinate...)
Cold sweat trickled down her cheek. It was true that her Armagus aptitude scores were the highest ever recorded in history. However, she thought that couldn't be all. If you talked about results then Tsubaki was head and shoulders above her, and in terms of battle ability there were plenty of more outstanding people. Noel thought about it long and hard.
In the midst of her indecision, she finally came to 1 acceptable conclusion. Put simply, even though “her level of potential” and “her level of results” weren't exactly very high, to the Librarium, she was just usuable in her own way, and simply another “disposable when convenient person”...
Futhermore the Librarium had caught on that “Noel's weakness” was her family, and were taking advantage of this fact
However, even with those conditions, if she were to accept——
With a frail cough her father discussing their loss of special rights and her mother encouraging him. And also the image of her only looking from shadows without being able to do anything. That scene ran through her mind.
—— I humbly accept the posting.
I intentionally gave my answer respectfully. That's right, the me now should be able to endure it. I should kill off my heart. That is what I was taught being a Librarium knight means.
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