The Asterisk War, Vol. 11: The Way of the Sword Read online

  Julis turned back to the other images, each of them depicting students whom Julis could easily guess would be more than willing to fight Xinglou.

  “That’s Overliezel and Kennin Fubatsu from Queenvale… And Allekant’s Ningirsu… And Perceforêt from Gallardworth…”

  In other words, there were students there from all six of Asterisk’s schools.

  “Don’t tell me you’re training all of them?”

  “I don’t spoon-feed them, if that’s what you mean. I’ve had my eye on all of them for quite some time, Lester included. I hadn’t intended to begin in earnest until the new year, but then I found I couldn’t hold myself back. When we get started properly, we should have around three times this number… Close to twenty, I’d say.” Xinglou puffed out her chest in pride, a chilling smile rising to her lips. “I desire strong fighters—strong enough to make my blood seethe with excitement.”

  “…So you can fight them yourself?”

  Xinglou Fan’s extraordinary love for battle was near legendary.

  “Indeed.” She nodded simply.

  “I see. But in that case…maybe this isn’t for me to say, but it doesn’t look like you have any top-class fighters among them.”

  The faces projected before her all belonged to ranked students. There was no doubting their ability, at least in that regard, and yet—there were none among them of particularly outstanding characteristics, certainly no one like Orphelia Landlufen, Xiaohui Wu, or even, for that matter, Ayato or Kirin.

  “Indeed!” Xinglou leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with delight at this observation. “In the past, I cared only for those of spectacular natural abilities… But then I realized that it was those with more warped talents who were most capable of overcoming the barriers that I desire. All those that I have gathered here have such potential… Dear me! Even at my age, there’s still so much to learn.”

  “Overcoming barriers…,” Julis repeated.

  If that was indeed possible, then—

  “Of course, I would like to give shape to something resembling Ayato Amagiri, but that won’t be easy with these materials. It will take effort to mold these ones, and time away from Jie Long.” Xinglou breathed a disappointed sigh. “And I hardly think the other schools, or indeed their integrated enterprise foundations, would look too warmly on my efforts. Not that that bothers me, but who knows what that will do to Rikka? I do so adore this city.”

  “…Ban’yuu Tenra.”

  “Yes?”

  Julis had made up her mind. “Can you add me? Just like the others?”

  “Oh…?” Xinglou narrowed her eyes in delight.

  No matter what, Julis was determined to defeat Orphelia. To that end, she was willing to do whatever it took.

  If Xinglou were able to help her…if that would enable her to overcome the barriers that held her back, she would gladly submit herself to her.

  And yet—

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “What?!” Julis demanded. “Why not?! Are you saying I’m not good enough for you?”

  Xinglou, however, gave her a regretful look. “Quite the opposite. I think very highly of you. I could devour you this very moment, in fact. If you’ll let me use a little example that I’ve become fond of, you’re like a mixed gemstone. One of particularly high quality. Even now, the only people in this city capable of facing you are those who have already overcome their barriers.”

  “Then why—”

  “But you’ve already maximized your potential. If you’re a gemstone, then you’ve already been polished till you gleam. Unfortunate though it is, there’s nothing left for me to mold.”

  “What?!”

  But Julis herself had felt the same way for some time now.

  No matter how much effort she put into her training, she doubted she would be able to reach the level of Ayato or Kirin. She thought she had understood that, but hearing it put into words was too much of a shock.

  “…I see. So there are barriers that I can’t overcome.”

  “Regrettably—”

  “But I can’t give up now!” Julis said, as if trying to convince herself, as she forced her eyes shut.

  Reality was cruel. If she couldn’t achieve what she wanted through ordinary means, then she would have to try something more drastic.

  In a way, Xinglou’s refusal to teach her had only strengthened her resolve.

  As she was now, she wouldn’t be able to win the Lindvolus…or save Orphelia.

  “In the name of the unyielding Red Lotus, I, Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld, challenge thee, Xinglou Fan, to a duel!” she declared as she readied her school crest.

  Xinglou’s mouth opened wide in delight, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Oh-ho! Now you have surprised me. But are you sure you haven’t lost your mind?”

  “…Come at me with everything you’ve got. Then you can ask me that again.”

  There was no way that Julis would actually be able to defeat Xinglou. She had known that from the beginning. She could sense the overwhelming power of the young woman standing across from her just by looking at her.

  “Very well. You didn’t think I would turn you down, did you?” Xinglou said, raising her hand to her own school crest to accept the challenge.

  “…Let me ask you one thing first,” Julis said, holding up a finger as the automated voice opened the duel.

  “And what would that be?”

  “If you were to fight Orphelia, who would win?”

  At this question, Xinglou crossed her arms, deep in thought. “That’s a difficult one… Yes, that girl grows stronger by the day… If we were to fight now, it would be me. Although, if we waited until the Festa, who knows?”

  “I see… That’s good enough.” Julis nodded, before activating her Rect Lux and deploying its remote units around her. “I’ll adjust my fighting style based on what you just said, Ban’yuu Tenra… Knowing you, you’ll survive.”

  “Oh? I’m afraid I don’t have the slightest clue what you’re talking about, but if you’re ready, let’s begin.”

  No sooner did Xinglou, her excitement written large on her face, finish speaking than a crushing sense of dominance began to emanate from the Ban’yuu Tenra’s whole body—so strong that Julis couldn’t help but feel that, were her focus to waver, the pressure alone would be enough to knock her unconscious.

  This was an opponent against whom, under any normal circumstances, she would have no chance of holding her ground.

  But that was precisely why she had challenged her. She had to try.

  She knew what she had to do, at least in theory. She only had to put it into practice.

  Julis channeled every ounce of her concentration on forming the image in her mind, increasing her prana as she quietly murmured: “Flourish—Queen of the Night!”

  Lester awoke to a strong burning sensation, only to the find the floorboards of the space around him completely burned away.

  “Wh-what the…?” He leaped to his feet, but fortunately, he seemed to have escaped unscathed.

  He glanced around at the now-exposed earth until he located Xinglou, her uniform badly scorched, and Julis, her breathing ragged, having fallen to her knees.

  At her feet lay her broken Red Lotus school crest.

  “…Gwa-ha-ha-ha!” Xinglou’s laughter, rich and sonorant, was nothing if not genuine. “That was quite unimaginable! How many centuries has it been since I met someone as crazy as you?” She rested her hands on her hips. “Do you realize that if you had made even the slightest mistake there, you may well have lost your life?”

  “Haah… Haah…” Julis, on the other hand, her burnt clothes revealing countless defensive charms attached to her body, wore an undaunted grin. “I know… But a Strega’s power lies in her will and her ability to imagine her creations… I wouldn’t mess that up.”

  “Oh? What makes you so sure?”

  “Because I can’t afford to die until I’ve saved Orphelia…!” she declared.

  The c
harms, their power spent, suddenly burned away in a brilliant flash.

  A number of fresh charms suddenly appeared in Xinglou’s hand, before flying through the air to attach themselves to Julis.

  “Hmm, that’s easy enough to say… You’ve caught my interest, Glühen Rose.” Xinglou rested her hand on Julis’s jaw, tilting her head upward to stare into her eyes. “You can forget what I said before. I want to be there to see just how far you can go.”

  “In that case—”

  “However!” Xinglou thrust her hand toward Julis, as if to rein in the joy that now flashed in her eyes. “There are several conditions if you want my training. First, I’m not here to grant you techniques or power. You will push yourself through battle, until you find them for yourself.”

  “…I understand.” Julis nodded obediently.

  “Taking into account the burden it will put on your body, the door leading here will open for you only once a week. The entrance will be different each time. This arrangement will last until the Lindvolus. That is the goal most of those whom I have invited here are aiming for. As I said to Lester, you breathe not a word of this to anyone.”

  Julis nodded once more.

  “And finally… When we’re finished, you will fight me at my full strength.”

  Julis startled at this last condition.

  “Fret not. I’m no demon. I’ll be looking forward to the end of the tournament,” Xinglou said, smiling down at her.

  “Agreed,” Julis answered without the slightest hesitation. “I accept your conditions.”

  “Excellent! Then I shall gladly welcome you to my private school, the Liangshan!”

  CHAPTER 6

  FAMILY TIES

  “Phew… So that’s that.” Ayato wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked back at the freshly cleaned corridor, nodding in satisfaction at the dull luster of the aged floorboards.

  He’d been cleaning dojos ever since his childhood, but when it was someone else’s house, he couldn’t just do it however he pleased, nor set about it half-heartedly. As he was in the middle of double-checking that he hadn’t missed anything, Kirin came all but skipping down the hallway.

  “Ah, um, thank you, Ayato. We shouldn’t be making you do so much this, being a guest and all.”

  “No, it’s okay. You helped me and my dad out at my place, and besides, I’m the one who’s making a nuisance of myself on New Year’s Eve… Who’s that?” Ayato turned his gaze toward the woman he noticed standing behind her.

  She was a full head taller than Kirin, with remarkably similar features. Her lustrous, black hair was tied back with a clasp, her neat, white sweater hiding a bosom that rivaled Kirin’s own. No doubt seeing his confusion, she broke out into a friendly grin.

  “Nice to meet you, Ayato. I’m Kirin’s mother, Kotoha.”

  “Huh?! Ah, um, my apologies! Pleased to meet you! I’m Ayato Amagiri!” Flustered, he hurried to hide the cleaning cloth still grasped in his hand, and adopted a formal kneeling position, head bowed.

  “There’s no need to stand on ceremony.” Kotoha laughed. “From what I hear, you’re always looking out for my girl here. Thank you.”

  Ayato could hardly hold back his surprise. While Saya’s mother, Kaya, also looked young for her age, Kotoha would easily have been able pass for Kirin’s older sister. On top of that, her general aura and relaxed manner were completely at odds with the almost martial characters of Seijirou and Yoshino.

  “U-um, Mom isn’t a Genestella, and she can’t really…well, I don’t think she’s ever even held a sword.”

  “Ah, I see.” Ayato nodded in understanding.

  “It’s true. I simply married into a wealthy family,” Kotoha said with a broad smile.

  For a second, Ayato had thought she was joking, but to his surprise, she was completely serious.

  “Ah, but I did learn all kinds of things before entering the family, like how to cook, how to wash and clean and so forth… I’m still learning, though, so I guess I’ve still got a ways to go.”

  Ayato startled at her use of the word still. Just how long had she been doing this?

  Even assuming that she had given birth to Kirin only shortly after marrying, she would still have to have been part of the family for at least fifteen years by now.

  “Um…”

  “Oh, uh, my mom… She has a very relaxed personality. Not that she isn’t afraid of anything, it’s more like she tends to say whatever comes to mind…,” Kirin whispered under her breath, looking slightly embarrassed.

  “…I see.”

  She sounded like the exact opposite of her daughter personality-wise.

  “But…she’s probably the strongest member of the family.”

  “Huh?”

  “She’s got a strong will, I guess you could say… When Dad was imprisoned, she was the one who took it the calmest.”

  “Oh…?”

  That came as something of a surprise.

  “She trusts everyone, from the bottom of her heart.”

  “I see. She sounds like a wonderful mother.”

  “And what are you two whispering about? Let Mom in!” Kotoha beamed, suddenly embracing the both of them in her arms.

  “Wha—?!”

  “Mom!”

  Her embrace not being an attack, of course, Ayato had been taken by complete surprise. Both he and Kirin were at her mercy.

  “M-Mom, please…!” Kirin protested weakly, her face turning bright red, but Kotoha didn’t seem to have noticed.

  Ayato, feeling his arm caught up against Kirin’s breast, reflexively tried to pull away, but Kotoha, perhaps sensing his movements, only held on all the tighter, until he could feel her breasts, too, pushing against his back.

  “M-Mom! That’s enough!” Kirin exclaimed as she gently pushed her mother back.

  Ayato breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Heh-heh, look at you, Kirin.” Kotoha laughed with a gentle smile. “Ah, youth is so wonderful, isn’t it? You should try flirting with him a bit more.”

  “Fl-flirting…?!” Kirin’s face, already scarlet, turned darker still—to the point where Ayato wouldn’t have been surprised to see steam rising from her head. “M-Mom! Ayato and I don’t… I mean…!”

  “Oh? But I thought you liked him?”

  “Wha—?!” Kirin blurted out, her body turning rigid. “Wh-wh-what are y-y-you…?!”

  “And I heard you went to greet his father yesterday. Right, Ayato?”

  “Huh? Um, well, I don’t know if greet is the right word…” But he couldn’t help but shrink back at the force of her excitement, and he could do nothing but nod along weakly.

  “And now you’ve brought Ayato here! You’re asking for permission from both families, right?” Kotoha clapped her hands together in excitement. “That’s it, we should arrange the engagement right away! Everything’s fine by me, and I’m sure your father won’t have any objections!”

  “E-e-e-engagement?!” Kirin, unable to properly articulate herself, stepped backward, her eyes darting in every possible direction.

  “You’re a late bloomer, Kirin, and if you don’t act now, someone else might snatch him up first. And look, Ayato here is already… Huh?” Kotoha suddenly fell silent, before bringing her face startlingly close to his own and staring deep into his eyes.

  “I-is something wrong?”

  “No… Heh-heh, there’s something about you that reminds me of someone I used to know… Your eyes and bearing are practically identical.” Kotoha let out a light chuckle, but a sad look had taken root in her gaze.

  “Someone you used to know…?”

  “Oh? A friend of mine… She passed away a long time ago.”

  “Oh… I’m sorry,” Ayato apologized.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Kotoha said with a wave of her hand. “It was back when I was a student. But she was a Genestella, you see, and very strong at that. Right… She took part in that thing you and Kirin fought in, the one where you paired up… What was it called ag
ain…?”

  “…The Phoenix?” Kirin asked. She had managed to calm herself down, but her face was still tinged red.

  “Right, right!” Kotoha nodded forcefully, almost as if she were the child. “She even managed to win it, that Phoenix tournament! Every single match!”

  If that was true, then this friend of hers must certainly have been strong.

  Perhaps it was presumptuous of him to think so, but from Ayato’s experience, no normal fighter could hope to win the Festa.

  “What was her name…?” he asked cautiously.

  “Akari,” Kotoha answered, as if looking back fondly on the distant past. “Akari Yachigusa.”

  Unfortunately, Ayato hadn’t heard the name before, but there was still something about it that struck a chord.

  “Yachigusa…,” Kirin repeated. “You mean…?”

  “Right, that Yachigusa family.”

  “Kirin, do you know them?” Ayato asked.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Mom’s family has dealings with them every now and then. I’ve met a few of them myself. It’s just…” Kirin paused there, her expression clouding over.

  “Ah, they probably didn’t leave a very good impression… Maybe it’s because they’re such an old house, set in their ways, but they’re not particularly fond of Genestella…”

  Even today, prejudice against Genestella was still rife around the world—and in Japan in particular.

  “Akari was such a delicate, gentle person and so beautiful that even I might have fallen in love with her… A truly wonderful girl. Maybe Kirin takes after me there, what with her being so charmed by you. You do so resemble her!”

  “M-Mom! I just…,” Kirin stammered, yanking her mother’s arm in an attempt to pull her away.

  “Here you are, Kirin,” came a familiar voice echoing down the hallway, followed by the sound of footsteps.

  “You…!”

  “Ayato Amagiri? What are you doing here…?” Standing across from them was a well-built middle-aged man dressed in a tidy suit—Kirin’s uncle, Kouichirou.

  “U-Uncle! I’m sorry I haven’t called in so long!” Kirin stammered, hurriedly lowering her head out of respect.