Ruria and Meifa (2)

The topics drew closer to the present, and eventually it became yesterday's story.

"Um… so you went to Lasburg, then."

"Y-yes! That's right. The Akai Naoto VS Ursula Belzebute match was truly incredible!

"I was so worked up! Meifa and I hugged and screamed."

… Hearing it face to face was kind of embarrassing.

But Ruria didn't seem to pick up anything off from my reaction. Basically she really was a slow-to-pick-up girl.

"As I said in the message, it really was… magnificent. I can't believe it was a newcomer Master.

"Of newcomers who debuted last year, the only one to walk the elite-course path — reaching S-Class in one year — is Akai Naoto.

"Truly an incredible accomplishment.

"And did you know? Akai Naoto debuted in May! Normal Masters debut in March or April, so debuting in May means missing the prime timing. Just having a shorter timeframe is rough on its own…

"Recently, since earlier debut means more advantage, many Masters debut as early as possible…

"I myself rushed out in early March because I was anxious.

"In that environment, even though the timing was forced on him by otherworld transmigration, completing the elite course after debuting in May is truly incredible!"

… So Ruria insisted passionately.

Hmm, this really wasn't flattery now that she'd realized I was Akai Naoto, was it?

Or was she watching my embarrassed reaction to try to see through it?

This was kind of embarrassing.

… Well, I'm good at poker faces, so I don't think it's showing on the surface.

"I didn't know much about the elite course. So debuting in February or January is okay too?"

"Yes. Of course, the time you spend studying at school is shorter, so graduation gets harder…

"For nobles' children who aren't going to school, it doesn't matter, though.

"I thought rushing out that early was unnecessary for me, but."

"But debuting before March, doesn't that count as debuting the previous year? It'd be achievement in 1 year 1 month…"

"… That's true too. How does it work, I wonder?"

Should I call Lyuka… but then my identity would get blown…

"Onee-sama. Naoto-sama. The condition called the elite course for Masters is promotion to S-Class within 1 year, but the criterion for achieving it is whether you debuted in time to enter the B-Class promotion match in October.

"If you debut after October, you can't make it to April's S-Class swap match, so you're treated as a next-year debut.

"For that reason, the challenge for the elite course has a maximum window of 1 year 6 months.

"Among noble children aiming for the elite course, some graduate in October, apparently."

Meifa explained.

"Heh, so that's how it is. Thanks, Meifa.

"But debuting in September and reaching B-Class in a month is basically impossible in practice, right? … No, if you blast up to D-Class, become C-Class at Drefus where swap matches run every month, and then climb into the top 64 and win the tournament, then absolutely impossible isn't quite right."

Whether such an artist existed, I didn't know though.

If it were a legendary Master who'd made a name for sheer strength, like Kaiser or Silvana, maybe possible.

"If you achieve the elite course, is there some good thing that comes of it?"

"It's not that you get something concrete. Achieving it itself is impressive — a kind of decoration.

"A proof that you're an incredible Master.

"You're treated as 'the incredible Master who achieved the elite course' for a long time afterward.

"My father Wallace was elite course; Leonhardt-sama was not.

"At my father's peak, people apparently said things like, 'Wallace really is elite course, while Leonhardt isn't elite, so that's why he's only at that level.'

"When their positions later reversed, they'd say, 'Wallace, despite being elite course, trails in Leonhardt's dust — how about that.'"

"… I feel like there isn't much concrete merit."

"In the end it's just status, so it's like that. But even a decoration like that…

"The world is full of people who like to lord petty things over others, so there's no harm in achieving it.

"There are people in the world who, even of someone like Satoru-sama or Leonhardt-sama, still say things like 'and not even elite course' — not zero.

"If I can't achieve the elite course, I'll be reviled for lacking talent compared to my father.

"… But for me too, it's a title my father held. I absolutely want it. I'll aim for the October B-Class promotion."

Ruria was burning. She had that noble pride. That side of her was charming too.

"Incidentally, what's called the elite course for Garumon is also promotion to S-Class within 1 year…

"But this is considered as achievement within 1 year 1 month, based on March.

"For Garumon, if they're picked up by an S-Class Master, they have a chance to promote to S-Class regardless of debut month."

She explained.

"Thanks, Meifa. You're well informed."

"It is a maid's accomplishment. Please excuse me."

Meifa bowed and stepped back.

"Honestly… don't be so formal. Meifa, talk with us too."

Ruria urged her.

"Yes, that's right. I want to talk with Meifa more too."

I added too.

Those adorable big eyes, those proud, pointed elf ears. Truly a beautiful and cute maid-san.

I wanted to get close to her too… She had a great personality, after all.

"If Naoto-sama wishes it…"

So saying, Meifa came not to Ruria's side but to mine, and linked arms with me.

So now I was flanked by Ruria and Meifa.

Whoa, a bit bold.

But, both arms full of flowers felt great…

My cheeks were probably loosening dopily.

"… Fufu."

Meifa smiled a little mischievously. Mm, looked like I'd been made a target of teasing too.

"Ah, but… I feel a little uncertain. Seeing Akai Naoto-sama's fighting…

"… If I could reach that level in a year… it would truly be wonderful.

"Well, going at my own pace, not rushing, would probably be best.

"Hey, Nato, how should one go about getting stronger?"

She asked me for advice.

"Let's see…"

I could give the usual generic advice, sure…

But I could say that kind of thing later in messages.

Since we'd gone to the trouble of meeting…

"… All right, since we've managed to meet, let me see your skills once."

Had to see her movements, after all.

"! … Is that okay? I won't hold back."

"Of course. But I have a few circumstances and can't go all-out, so even if you win there's no reward."

"That's fine. Rather, if I lose, I'll give one or two rewards as well!"

What a casual offer Ruria threw out.

All right, let's give it our best.

"Farida, come on out."

So, time for Farida's appearance.

"Yes! … Um, this pattern is…?"

She picked up on the strangeness as soon as I called. Well, it was the second time.

"Yeah, we're having a match. Against this year's most promising newcomer, Ruria."

"… U-um, I, this past month, I've only gained the combat experience of getting a few scraps from Haru-san's monster subjugations… my LV did get to 14, though…"

"No, you've been piling up basic training every day too.

"You helped with my special training. It's fine, it's fine. Whether we can win this time is honestly tough, since the opponent's a strong one too…

"But there's no risk if we lose, so don't worry."

"N-no risk… wait, that's no good! Putting a black mark on Naoto-san's combat record is absolutely no good!"

No, I don't have a totally clean record myself, you know… I lost to Yuria, lost many times to Ursula… I'd finally made it to today.

… But in front of Farida, sure, I hadn't lost yet.

So if Farida was up for it, let's have her give it her all.

Even if it was okay to lose, I didn't actually want to lose.

Thanks to Haru training her up, her LV had risen a bit too.

Even against Ruria, she could put up some fight.

Two LV18 UR-Class. Against ordinary newcomers, sure, but against Ruria, winning would be hard.

If only Farida were LV20, I think it'd have been a fair match…

In a 1 VS 1 over 2 rounds I might manage, but without seeing the two's coordination, I couldn't give proper advice.

But anyone other than Farida was too overspec to send out…

… No, there was a way to make it a good match.

If I buffed Farida with Seika's Hero's Triumph, I could manage to fight Ruria and Meifa a bit longer.

"… Mind if I prep a little?"

"Yes, that's fine."

If that was the case… it'd be bad to disappoint her too much.

I stepped away from the spot.

"Seika."

I brought out the glittering, beautiful Seika Shikina.

If they knew I had a celebrity of her caliber with me, it would give the game away.

"Oh my, is it my turn?"

"Yeah. With Hero's Triumph, please buff Farida."

"… Eh, o-okay… but if I come out too and make it 2 vs 2…"

"No, that'd be too one-sidedly strong and wouldn't be a match… Sorry, just the buff."

"My turn…"

Seika grumbled but used Hero's Triumph.

"… Divine Art - Strike… that's an amazing skill."

It had to be the weakest Divine Art in existence right now.

"Honestly… I told you the Hero's Triumph power-up is pretty arbitrary, right?"

"Yeah, and Super Manager too… that's funny. So that kind of high-tier job exists."

By funny I meant laughable. What was with the Super? No, it'd be bad for Farida if I laughed, so I restrained myself.

"… If I really do become a race like this at LV30, it'll be heartbreaking.

"I want to become a cool race like everyone else…"

Farida gave a wry smile.

Speed Reset didn't change, but well, Divine Art - Quick, Divine Art - Slow, and Divine Art - Fast Attack were genuinely strong for skills at this rank.

That should be enough to fight properly.

"All right, let's go."

"Hauu… Ever since joining Naoto-san's group, I feel like I haven't had a moment's rest…"

Farida grumbled.

"All right, we're ready too. Let's go!"

Ruria was full of fighting spirit too. Match start.

In Garumon Battle, buffs applied beforehand get reset, so I had her engage me in an Out-of-Battle Battle where the battle field isn't deployed. That way you can fight with the pre-applied buffs intact.

Since the battle field isn't deployed, you have to be careful not to cause damage to the surroundings.

Well, for a fight at this rank it should've been fine.

In an S-Class battle where Divine Arts are flying around, the terrain gets cratered to hell…

"Leaf Dance!"

Ba! Meifa's skill, out of nowhere. Fast. At-will activation, then. A skill that robs sight and induces illusions.

"Leaf Shuriken!"

Continuing, Meifa loosed leaf shuriken.

… An 8-hit combo? For an attack skill held by a Garumon at this rank, that was outrageous.

"Farida! Use the board as a shield and pull back!"

"Yes!"

Farida pulled back accurately.

Kan, kan, kan…

Defending well. Good, good.

Thanks to that, damage should be roughly halved… or so it should. Were they tiny damage to begin with? Even so, taking 2x8 damage would nearly halve Farida's small HP.

Bad. Stronger than I'd expected by a lot.

"Sword Demon Descent!"

Ruria charged up. Looked like she'd applied a buff.

… Hmm, not an effect I'd seen much.

Not Attack UP, Speed UP, Defense UP, or HP UP… which meant.

"Skill UP? Rare."

Skill doesn't directly tie to damage values or attack counts, so it's the stat most neglected.

In practice, the reason an amateur girl can fight like a master is the support from this Skill stat, though.

… In that sense, for the likes of Suzanne or Ruria, who've put in solid groundwork and already have master-level technique, neglecting it is even less of a problem.

"Fufu, there are skills whose special-effect activation rate depends on the Skill stat. I'll show you next."

Ruria informed me.

"Oh… is that so."

Yikes, I was the one being taught. As an S-Class Master, this was embarrassing.

"Farida, Quick!"

"Yes!"

Farida accelerated. From here, if we landed Slow and attacked with Fast Attack, we could drop one.

If we survived 4 turns, we'd win.

… But surviving 4 turns was rough.

It was a bit reckless, but… if we attacked next turn and could drop Meifa, maybe we could do it.

"Farida. We attack next turn."

"… Y-yes. But the leaves are in the way…"

"It's fine. I can see from where I am. Close your eyes… and following my instructions, unleash a full-power Fast Attack. That'll critical-hit and take down Meifa. It's fine."

"… Yes!"

At my words, Farida regained her confidence.

… Next turn start.

"Here we go! Fast Attack!"

"Yes!"

Bwoon!

Trusting me, eyes closed, Farida unleashed the attack with everything. Her vision must have been almost completely blocked by leaves, with nothing visible, yet she acted in trust of me, which made me happy.

Could anyone act this accurately with eyes closed on someone else's directions?

And in such a short training period, to get this far… I thought Farida had more than enough talent.

Now, target — Meifa!

"!?"

Meifa had only been deploying the swirling leaves and was standing stock-still until her own action order.

"Yaaaaa!"

Zugaan!

A full-power swing-down, Divine Art - Fast Attack.

Thanks to her own leaves, Meifa got hit by surprise and took the attack straight on.

… Good, she had that newcomer-typical inexperience. Probably she'd been continuing matches where Leaf Dance left opponents unable to attack, and had been underestimating her opponent.

"Farida, that's it! Full-power, continuous!"

"Yes!"

Farida swept the board horizontally with everything she had!

Dogoo!

"… Au…!"

Dosa…

Meifa fell.

Two medium-damage hits unreduced — yeah, that was the result.

By the look of it, Meifa was the evasion-type. If she couldn't dodge, well.

"Meifa!? Gh…"

Ruria was shaken. But it was her attack turn. Getting shaken now…

"This… Infinite Blade!"

Oh, as expected of Ruria's slash. Not bad.

They say Japanese martial artists wear hakama to hide the movement of their knees.

Ruria's flowing skirt hid her knee movement too, with the effect of making the start of her motion hard to see.

On a first encounter, it might not have been dodgeable.

… But I'd seen Ruria's sword in slow motion at LV1.

She was much faster now, but since that earlier image was vivid, catching the timing wasn't hard.

"Farida, shield!"

"Yes!"

In the instant Ruria's action was delayed, Farida — who'd already steadied her stance —

Gakeen!

Defended accurately at my instruction.

Medium damage? A strong attack, but defending firmly, Farida managed to hold it to about 7 damage.

Farida's current HP was 15.

If that just-now attack was Ruria's strongest, she might not be taken down in one strike.

A chance at victory was in sight.

To beat Ruria, it was either Slow and attack, or attack across 2 turns…

Slow and attack was overwhelmingly better.

"… All right, Farida. Slow."

"Yes… Slow!"

Dulling Ruria's movements. Slow movement adversely affects every action.

It also made attacks easier to dodge.

… I wanted Ruria to learn this too.

"… Fuu…"

Ruria calmly steadied her breath.

"Earlier it misfired… but next, I'll show you.

"This, is Infinite Blade's effect!

"Infinite Blade!"

System check. This was…!

So with probability, 4x damage — an attack equivalent to super-large damage.

Skill 2x meant a Skill value over 50. That was quite a strong attack.

… But Adelia at this LV already had Flame Claw with super-large damage from the start.

For attack talent alone, maybe Adelia was better.

That said, large damage flying in 2 consecutive hits was something.

If she took one strike perfectly, even the doubled-up attack power was fine.

Then dodge the next hit.

"… Farida. Good, you remember from when we practiced before. When you take the hit, throw the opponent's stance off."

"… Yes."

Ruria's movements were quick. A shortest-path sword swing, a beautiful, flowing sword technique.

But unfortunately her Speed was too slow; it looked like slow motion.

"Farida!"

"Haa!"

Bashi!

Farida received Ruria's katana with the board and parried.

"…!"

Farida's damage came to… exactly 14! 1 left!

And Ruria's stance broke…

"Now, a big jump! Dodge!"

"… Gh, aah!"

Ruria's combo!

… That said, her sword was sluggish under Slow's effect.

Launching from a broken stance meant its reach was too slow…

The leaping Farida succeeded in jumping over the katana's trajectory.

Ruria's attack ended in a misfire. A miss.

"All right, Farida, Fast Attack! Finish her!"

"Yes!"

Dogo dogo dogo dogo!

A Speed re-action triggered, a 4-hit combo. All landed perfectly… Ruria couldn't defend and took them.

Ruria's HP was wiped out…

… Splendidly, victory!

"Haaaaa…"

Phew, relief.

Good, I'd been able to show my dignity as the higher-ranked one…

I was an S-Class Master after all, so I couldn't lose to a newcomer D-Class Master.

"Wahh, we did it! Amazing! Naoto-san!"

Farida was rejoicing. Cute.

"… I-I lost…"

Ruria slumped, head hanging.

This girl really suited the on-all-fours, despairing forward-bend pose. Cute.

"… You're… strong, Nato. As expected. Amazing."

But she didn't seem all that down.

If anything… her eyes were sparkling as she looked at me?

For a newcomer Master as talented as Ruria, losing to a low-LV Garumon two-against-one would normally have been humiliating enough to grind her teeth…

"Hey, what did I do wrong? Luck was bad too, I think…

"But I know it wasn't just that. Teach me!"

Ruria pressed me for answers.

"… Why were you able to move so unhesitatingly within the Leaf Dance?"

Meifa also asked.

… Both of them shared the same desire to grow stronger… These two would definitely become strong.

I felt sure of it.

"Yeah, first… Meifa.

"Your Leaf Dance is visible from where I am.

"A Master gives instructions to a Garumon, and the Garumon just has to move accordingly. As long as you have the basic of listening firmly to the Master's commands, you can handle it.

"If you can scatter that many leaves, it'd be even better if you could not only rob the Garumon's sight but also interfere with the Master's instructions."

"… I-I see…!"

"Also, you let your guard down assuming you weren't visible, didn't you?

"You've been fighting only weak opponents until now, so your tension has loosened, I'd bet.

"In a relaxed state, even against a lower-rank opponent you can take unexpected hits.

"You have to protect Ruria, so you have to face it with proper concentration."

I scolded Meifa.

"… My apologies."

Meifa drooped and lowered her head.

"That's not true, Meifa isn't to blame!"

"No, in that just-now fight, Meifa was at fault. The Defender falling that fast isn't acceptable.

"Even rolling on the floor, even biting onto a rock, whatever — if she'd survived one more turn, everything would've been different.

"If Meifa had properly guarded and defended or evaded Farida's attack, she wouldn't have fallen on that turn.

"Ruria. Your problem is here. Being kind, being close, those are good things.

"But you have to firmly say what needs to be said. Otherwise Meifa can't grow either.

"It was fine since I was the opponent, but from now on, if you lose, Meifa gets taken from you, you know?"

A bit harsh maybe, but I said it firmly.

It was fine if Meifa pranked her mistress somewhat, but where you had to tighten things, you had to tighten them.

"… It is not so. I was the one who was negligent. I shamed Onee-sama."

"That's not true, Meifa… no, I was at fault.

"… Meifa, Nato is right. With you falling first, I couldn't withstand Farida's attack.

"The responsibility for today's defeat… of course lies primarily with me, but it lies with you too.

"Let's both retrain."

"… Yes. Onee-sama."

Looked like both of them could recognize their own shortcomings. Good.

"Also, you probably know this too, but you were shaken by Meifa getting taken out.

"That's also no good. Whether Meifa gets blown away or whatever, you do what you have to do.

"You have to have that level of coldheartedness."

I went on at length, logically pointing out the two's weak points and listing improvements.

The two looked pained but listened in silence.

"… About that much, I think."

I'd pointed out various issues.

"… Thank you. What I most lacked was resolve.

"… And then, goals were lacking too. The image was always vague, with no clear ideal.

"… But today… I gained one goal."

Ruria looked me straight in the eyes.

"I… will become a Master worthy of your recognition!"

Ruria looked at me straight on, eyes moist, and told me that.

At those passionate eyes…

My cheeks grew hot.

I was the one who ended up flustered.

"… So, what reward will you demand for winning? You can ask me and Meifa for anything, all right?"

Ruria asked something like that.

E-eh… when you say anything, I get tempted. Ulterior motives growing fast.

But Ruria and Meifa both had those moist, respect-filled eyes for me…

S-Surely a little ulterior motive would be forgiven…

"… Then, I'll have the two of you give me a kiss, I guess."

Saying that, I pointed at my cheek.

… Chickened out! But they weren't my Garumon yet, so…

"… E-eh, y-yes, o-okay…"

Ruria agreed, a little embarrassed. And then…

Chu, she kissed me — on the lips. A soft, flower-like fragrance.

Soft lips… sweetly, meltingly soft.

"Then, I shall also take my turn."

Meifa followed.

Chu, on my lips… she kissed me.

Ahh… soft, lovely fragrance… a crisp, refreshing scent.

Wrapped in that dreamlike fragrance, I felt like I was in a dream.

"… Ruria, Meifa…"

Getting kissed by two beautiful girls in succession was wonderful… but, e-eh, was this okay? I felt flustered.

"… W-watch me. I'll get stronger and stronger…

"I'll absolutely make you recognize me!

"I'll become C-Class soon… and when I'm C-Class, I'll make you say you want me as your Knight! … See you again! Next time we meet, I'll be stronger and stronger… no, I'll have become a C-Class Master, and meet you again!"

So saying, Ruria ran off.

"… A shame. Naoto-sama showed too much skill, so she's finally noticed Naoto-sama's true identity."

Meifa lamented.

"Well, it's all the better if she noticed…"

I gave a wry smile. Well, I got wanting to keep teasing her.

… But if she'd noticed and didn't get angry, that was good.

"Well, please tell her that, S-Class or not, I'd be happy if she'd interact with me as a friend like before."

I asked Meifa.

She smiled kindly.

After that, Ruria treated me as her friend Nato.

We were able to keep exchanging fun messages thereafter.