寤寐思服 第25章 Draft 12 -

12

“What makes God God?...”

Finding that her mind was easily distracted by things she saw such as a book whose cover had faded into a strange hue, or, outside the window, what the squirrel might be saying to the magpie, Kagami removed herself to a dark quiet corner and started to speak in a barely audible tone to improve her focus and mental processing.

“People will say, well, God is the creator, so that’s that, the end of our discussion. But so many religions and cultures don’t worship the creator...”

“Zeus was not the creator of the universe in Greek mythology, nor were any of the worshiped deities. Hindus have Brahma as the creator, but I am fairly certain that according to most online sources -- if I choose to believe them, since I don’t have anything better -- out of maybe a million Hindu temples and shrines, anthropologists only found two that were dedicated to Brahma. Most temples worship Shiva, the destroyer, and Vishnu, along with the myriad of identities this deity had, whose role is to maintain the world.”

Likewise, the Chinese viewed the Great Dipper with high regards, since it was viewed as a god who would control the date of death. The southern dipper of six stars was just considered auspicious and not worshiped, since it was viewed as a god who controlled birth.

People fear death, so naturally a great deal of religious effort would be directed to the one who would end lives, compared to whoever started the whole thing.

“Do the Taoists and Confucianists even have an official temple for Pan’Gu? Anywhere?”

Pan’gu, according to Chinese mythology, separated the chaos and caused the heaven and earth to take shape. Pan’gu also maintained the heaven and earth for millions of years until their form was finalized. Pan’gu even morphed his body into the sun and moon, the stars and the wind, the mountains and rivers, the metals and minerals, the animals and plants. Pan’gu gave up his entire being for the universe in Chinese mythology, and yet, no official temple or shrine anywhere.

“I always felt bad for Izanami, the Goddess of the Underworld. She gave birth to so many major deities in Japanese mythology, and went to the netherworld after dying in childbirth, when she gave birth to the god of fire. Not only did her husband desert her for the shallow reason of her youthful beauty having passed, but upon seeing that Izanami, who had moved to the underworld, was no longer as pretty as she once was, Izanami’s husband blocked the Road of Hirasaka so that Izanami could never come out of the underworld to visit him.”

“I don’t like him...” sighed Kagami. “People just called her Izanami no mikoto 伊邪那美の命, oh yes, she’s one of those deities, sure. But I want to call her Izanami ?migami, the great goddess. But that would be against the official Shinto designation, and I have zero influence on that matter. Had one of the ancient houses of royalty or nobility requested it two hundred years ago... maybe, but there’s nothing I could have done to change Her official title.”

“Izanami the great goddess”, Kagami indulged a little in her fantasy, “Queen of darkness, Lord of Underworld...”

[yami no jō’ō heika, myōkai no shujō, Izanami ?migami-sama]

闇の女王陛下、冥界の主上、伊邪那美大御神様

“well, well, back to the present.”

Kagami found mythologies to be less helpful than she had anticipated. If she ever had a chance to somehow bring divine forces to her aid, probably she didn’t have a choice but to dive into systematic theology, a subject in which Hitomi read nothing, and a topic which books Kagami had no access to in a different universe.

“Ick...”

“Well, wasn’t there a saying... if two people arrive at some real piece of truth, the findings shouldn’t oppose each other?”

Kagami decided to overcome her shortcomings in theology by listing all the ‘gems of religion’ that she could think of, and maybe deduce from the list.

......

“In those days, the believers were of one heart and spirit... they shared everything in the common and distributed resources... and there was no one in need...” [Acts of the Holy Apostles]

“...Charity is the greatest social commandment... Charity inspires a life of self-giving...” [Catechism of the Catholic Church]

“...The state authority must promote the common good...the well being of all people, food, health, education,...alleviating miseries......” [Catechism of the Catholic Church]

“...Under no circumstances can homosexuals be approved, but they must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided...” [Catechism of the Catholic Church]

“...treat well the foreigners in your land who settle and raise family, and give to them a share in the land to inherit, for once you, too, were foreigners in Egypt...” [Leviticus and Ezekiel]

......

Kagami’s list went on and on, as she tried to recall everything she could possibly remember from all the religious books that Hitomi once had read.

A theme started emerging, from what religious sayings managed to leave an impression on Hitomi’s mind.

“God is good, and God cares, for everyone.”

“Maybe for certain people, God the creator is the most important thing, and for others, God the judge on the Last Day.”

“For some, the virgin birth is the life line, and for some, Gospel miracles.”

“I know people whose faith is based on the promise of reward and punishment, of paradise and hell, but not for me.”

Kagami left the library and slowly walked to the west cliff where she had once spent an early evening being together with Arashi.

She looked out to the distance, and watched the outlines of towns and villages, silhouettes of hills and woods. Cattle and horses were in the field, farmers were checking their crop for harvest, and carts were on the road, loaded with goods, with people chatting and resting on the sacks.

“This is a good world, with people enjoying their lives in it. Plants and animals thrive. Mountains look joyful and streams dance. Soft wind plays with fluffy clouds. Despite magic elements raging in their own madness, the world manages to exist and be relaxing.”

“The love for all, the desire to see everything thrive, the urge to embrace this world with loving care... This is my purpose, of bringing the power of holiness into this world, the power that brings sunshine to warm the good and the bad, the holiness that sends rain to the fields of the just and the unjust.”

Knowing what she wanted to give to this world, Kagami went to the section of the library that housed titles which explored ‘materialized seeing’.

“After the question of ‘what’, is the question ‘how’.”

13

Kagami went by herself to explore how to guide the power from her old world into the world where she now lived. Her initial days were filled with hope.

Most authors suggested seeing the desired result as the way in which magic operates, but Kagami had great difficulty with that method when she started experimenting.

Should she imagine God cuddling the world, holding it like an infant? Should she imagine people happily eating shared meals with neighbors and those in need? Should she imagine warm coats falling from the sky on a cold day?

The more she imagined, the more Kagami felt awkward.

Maybe she could try imagining a vessel for holiness.

“The censer feels like a good idea, the sanctuary lamp maybe even better.”

Kagami spent every night alone imagining that she could see a vessel of holiness in front of her, and in it, held the power to bring everyone toward a better life.

It didn’t work.

...

The first frost arrived, and didn’t make much news; not even the gardeners were mentioning it in their conversation, for everyone was ecstatic over an exciting discovery:

Arashi managed to suffuse a sword with her aura, and that sword was able to fend off the frenzied magic elements in its surroundings. When placed in the chancellor’s office, the whole room became free of raging magic. It was already the fourth day, and it was still effective!

“Think of it! If a sword like that can be placed in a nursery, no baby needs to be sent to the caves again, and everyone gets to live with their whole family. Right now, only parents who are daycare staff in caves get to live with their own children.”

“Well, and Himeyama.”

“Well, yes, but Himeyama is Himeyama.” A group of students talked among themselves.

The news spread far and wide, and soon everyone, from towns to academies to villages to roadside fairs in rural areas, everyone was talking about the discovery.

“Your Highness.” Midori led the rest of her companions to appear before Yukari. “If every commoner starts to have their own children living together with them, instead of a fair starting point for every child, the society will separate into layers. It may cause the homogeneity of the commoners to disappear. This calls for intervention, if I may suggest.”

“Currently only the royalty and nobility at Himeyama have traceable lineage.” Kasumi gave her opinion after Midori had finished. “Once commoners stop sending their children to the caves, they will probably start making up family trees in a few generations, and maybe even fabricate some evidence to attach themselves to a shred of nobility.”

Yayoi spoke next, “all the service staff who had spent their entire lives in the cave, where would their purpose be found again? They don’t have any knowledge besides child care. Your Highness, Kageyama should be disciplined on the account of their recklessness.”

Yukari looked at them, then stood up to gaze out the window, as the four stood in place, waiting for her verdict in thrilled anticipation.

Turning her head slightly, Yukari started speaking at last. “Ryō, you kept your silence this time. I am pleased with your improvement.

“There is no offense in commoners having their families living together. I find no fault with commoners passing trades and training to their children. Himeyama has the sole claim on honourable lineage; outside commoners can delude themselves all they want, and will reap no profit from their frauds.”

“Understood...” said a disappointed Ryō.

“Kageyama is incompetent. It should take them only a day or two to realize a sword is not fitting for the nursery. They should have announced within days of their discovery that they will experiment how to achieve the same result with household objects, or maybe with a gemstone or rock. It has been a month, and commoners are buying up swords in the hope that Arashi could turn them into baby protectors.” Yukari spoke sternly, with wrath under her tone. “Kageyama has officially defiled the noble art of the sword by their lack of foresight, their inaction and their obtuse thinking. They have let swords become amulets and decorations.”

Yukari sat down at her desk. “Kageyama Academy will terminate their operation. Kasumi, Draft a brief notice. I will make my presence there on the day of the winter solstice to receive their unconditional surrender.”

The peaceful atmosphere at Kageyama evaporated overnight. The disturbed instructors met in the chancellor’s office with great anxiousness.

To the Desk of the Chancellor at Kageyama Academy,

Due to your inexcusable misconducts surrounding Arashi’s discovery, Kageyama will cease to operate. On the day of winter solstice, all staff and students of Kageyama will present themselves to Her Highness with an offering of unconditional surrender.

[Date]

[Seal of Himeyama]

[Signature of Yukari approving this notice]

After reading the notice aloud, the chancellor asked the room for opinions: “Dear members of the staff, what do you suppose they meant by misconduct?”

Instructors glanced at each other, completely astonished.

“Perchance they meant we should write and inform them of the discovery?”

“I think they just wanted the news to be withheld from the general public.”

“But think of the joy of seeing your own children grow up!”

“I don’t see any reason for them to have been provoked into such indignation.”

“Maybe they feel that THEY should be the ones making important discoveries.”

“Himeyama sure has lots of pride.”

“What if they just really want Arashi to become their student instead of ours?”

“Could it?”

“They didn’t say: close down. They told us to present ourselves to them.”

“All staff and all students, too!”

“And unconditional surrender, so they could just pronounce what would happen to us and we would have to accept.”

The more they discussed, the more it seemed that Himeyama just wanted Arashi transferred, but it would hurt their vanity if they said it plainly.

Meanwhile in the cafeteria, students and service staff had been having their own debates on why Himeyama issued the notice, and with no classes running, since all instructors were in the meeting, the discussion lasted all day. By the time Arashi finished her own training and stepped into the cafeteria for dinner, the discussions and rumors and theories and ‘what-if’s and ‘my-best-guess-is’ all got altered into a casual sentence:

“Arashi senpai, I heard they want to send you to Himeyama...”

Arashi immediately left the cafeteria and raced to the chancellor’s office. Right before knocking the office door, Arashi heard a voice from inside “really, transferring her to Himeyama is the best option if that’s what their actual request is...”

“*BAM*” Arashi swung the door open, and started to speak with fury.

“How dare you make that suggestion! Kageyama is my home, and you want to rid me as if I am trouble? Even if that’s the best option, you should have discussed it with me first before debating feasibility!”

“Dear Arashi, please calm down.” Said the chancellor. “We were reading the notice and discussing what could be the motive. The conversation got carried to another direction, but we did not have the idea of transferring you when we called the meeting.”

“But transferring me to Himeyama is wrong in principle!” Arashi countered. “I want Kageyama to regain her former glory by rekindling valor and determination, and I detest the current state where people retreat from the outside world to be hermits in their offices. You are doing a disservice to the noble arts by your escapism and pessimism. You should be fighting Himeyama, and either live by your victory or die gallantly with swords in your hands.”

"I am fourteen, turning fifteen in a few days. You, who have lived with the companionship of sword and magic for more years than I have been alive, and who have excelled in the field thus becoming instructors, should at least have the same amount of bravery as I do!"

Arashi turned and started to walk out of the room. “I will have no share in this cowardice. I will go alone to battle Himeyama, and I am no longer a member of Kageyama as of today...”

Arashi’s words echoed down the hall as she left. The staff in the office froze, shocked. A couple of them also had shame on their faces, and quite a few with pity, and some with helplessness.

The chancellor covered her face with her hands and sighed:

"Teenager..."

14

Kagami came out of the library as the last ray of autumn sun withdrew from the spires atop the central tower of Phoenix hall. The four years she had spent in this world felt like a roller coaster. Maybe the ride had finally ended, and she could step out onto the platform, to continue her life peacefully on steady footing. To save time, she packed a simple lunch with her every morning, so she could maximize her time reading books on magic. The days when she attended classes seemed rather distant, and the time outside had sped past while her life between bookshelves felt still.

The campus was abuzz.

It took a few attempts, but eventually Kagami understood what she had missed out on by staying in the library from dawn to dusk:

Himeyama is shutting down Kageyama, and Arashi Oneesama has left by herself to challenge that!

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dearie dearie dear...”

Kagami ran to the cafeteria to grab some bread, and immediately ran back to the library.

Kagami went straight to the top floor where titles forbidden elsewhere were housed. Kagami had not succeeded in ‘seeing’ divine power into magic yet, and time was running out.

(“Dire circumstance calls for dire measures. Akishi Oneechan told me that the Five could easily mow down any instructor here and Arashi Oneesama is no match, either. The time might come when I have no choice but to do something reckless...”)

Arashi took all her money with her, put food into a bag, and left her dorm as the sun was setting. She did not want to use the transportation matrix at Kageyama now that she had severed her ties with the academy.

(“I have cut my ties to Kageyama, so whatever repercussions there might be because of my action, Himeyama will not bring harm to Kageyama as a result.”) Arashi walked on to the main road when night fell. (“If I caused the turmoil, I should end it. I will not let Himeyama harm my family.”)

Arashi drew a spell on the ground. Since every student took introductory magic courses, magic wasn’t alien to Arashi. However, since she had taken those courses almost eight years ago, she drew it slowly and with great care, in case she made an error.

After some effort, Arashi managed, with a certain degree of difficulty, to finish the spell on the ground. She channeled some magic into it, and with swirling white light, she disappeared from the foot of the mountain of shadows.

An impulsive beam of white light shot skyward from the foot of Himeyama, lighting up the night sky. Guards and attendants quickly surrounded the site with their weapons ready.

“I am Arashi.” She proclaimed as she stepped out of the glowing circle on the ground. The light from the spell slowly faded, then finally disappeared.

“I, Arashi, am no longer a member of Kageyama. I do not acknowledge Himeyama as the one with justifiable authority to determine my fate. I am here to challenge the Five.”

Guards and attendants replaced their weapons, and the captain of the guards ascended the Mountain of Imperial Princess [himeyama 姫山] to deliver the news.

“Your Highness”, the Captain stood outside the doors of Yukari’s meeting room, and waited for the maids to relay the message of his intrusion.

“Her Highness is already aware of the situation. No action is to be expected from the guards.” The maid’s voice sounded from inside.

“I respectfully take my leave.”

A glowing kitten of pink magic took shape in Yukari’s sleeping chamber, and from it, Ryō’s voice was transmitted for Yukari’s audience.

“May I, Your Highness, please? Pretty please?”

“You would slaughter her and break her sword. No. You may not.”

“So Your Highness would show presence?”

“If I show my presence, then she would die as she is not yet able to withstand my strength. A magic doll will represent myself and accept her challenge.”

Arashi waited at the foot of the mountain, with the guards of Himeyama standing alert at a short distance. She imagined that maybe she would be invited to the training field for an honorable battle, or maybe the Five would come down the mountain themselves to accept her challenge.

Arashi expected to fight Ryō first, and slowly move her way up the hierarchy. She was fairly certain that she could defeat Ryō, and if she could rid all magic elements in her surroundings, then Yayoi would lose the medium necessary for her spell.

She had enough reasons to believe that her battle against Kasumi and Midori would be extremely difficult. She might die. If she was fortunate, in the end she might survive to face Yukari. At that stage, all she could possibly manage might be simply to get up from the ground, stand on her two feet, hold her sword, and keep breathing until Yukari delivered her attack. She would be obliterated, but she would die standing, as a fighter, and remove Kageyama from the shadow of impending doom.

If her sword managed to survive, even if it was just a small fragment of it, Arashi would like it to be returned to Kageyama. She thought about how to make the request without incurring further complications.

The captain of the guards arrived, and with a few short orders, guards and attendants retreated to keep a safe distance. Arashi looked up at the mountain path, expecting a messenger, or maybe the Five themselves, but saw no one.

Magic elements started to glow. Emitting pale purple sparkles of light, they gathered together, assembled into a human-like figure, and assumed the likeness of Yukari.

“What is the meaning of this? I challenged the Five to a battle, and now I am looking at a magic doll? Are you trying to humiliate me!”

“First defeat the doll, then you will take on an attack from myself. I am treating you with respect by having you face me as your sole opponent.” Yukari’s voice sounded through the doll.

Arashi drew her sword and readied herself.

The doll raised her right hand, and a spherical bolt of lightning formed immediately. The doll shot the lightning, which sizzled the air as it was hurled toward Arashi, with light purple sparks jumping on its surface.

Arashi’s aura began to glow in faint silver, and it covered her entire body, along with her sword. In one swift and smooth move, Arashi deflected the attack, and the lightning flew to the side. Her aura was enough; the lightning did not even manage to touch the surface of her sword.

Arashi expected to hear a crash or an explosion once the pale purple lightning hit a tree or the ground, but it simply dissipated without any outside action.

The doll then raised her hand slightly upward, and a spell began to take shape. Arashi swung her sword at the torso of the doll, and her aura dashed forth from the tip of her sword, forming a cutting blast as it lashed out at the doll.

The doll jumped up to evade the attack, and with both hands, cast spells beneath and above Arashi. An enormous matrix was instantly completed, and it would imprison Arashi, then magic lightning would char Arashi’s skin to a crisp.

Arashi concentrated all her might onto her sword, and attacked the matrix. She and her sword were meant to be lifelong companions; they had faith in each other.

The magic complex was sliced open, and the aftershocks pushed away all the magic elements to the perimeter.

Seizing the opportunity, Arashi leapt toward the doll, which was just about to land from its previous jump. Arashi aimed at its waist; this would be an attack that would be more difficult to evade.

Neck would be too mobile, and the attack could be avoided by bending backwards, by tilting to the sides, and by bending one’s knees.

A stab aimed at the chest could be avoided by turning to one’s side.

The waist, situated right in the middle, would be perfect for this occasion.

Arashi closed in on the doll, and swung her blade horizontally, with enough energy to start a whirlwind.

The doll did not try to escape by blocking the attack with a spell, which would be quite easy, given the magnitude of magic that was poured into this doll when Yukari formed it with a simple incantation.

The doll casually knocked Arashi on her chest with its left hand as the sword sliced it in half.

The doll did not explode -- it was just like the previous spherical bolt of purple lightning -- instead it gently vanished, disintegrating back to the elements that had formed it a few moments ago.

Arashi did not get to enjoy a victory celebration. As the doll seemingly hit her lightly on her chest, with such relaxing movements that one might even wonder if it was actually intentional, Arashi flew backward through the air. Her aura had protected her sufficiently that the blow did not incur broken rib bones, but she heard cracking noise from all over her ribcage due to stress fractures.

Her lungs completely collapsed upon impact, and blood was filling the microscopic air sacs [alveoli]. Lying on her back, Arashi tried her best to cough, lest she suffocate from drowning in her own blood.

At last, she managed to push with her abdomen with enough force to spew out the blood with a violent hacking cough. Arashi gasped and gasped, her arms and hands shaking.

Slowly, the taste of sickening sweetness and rust subsided in her mouth, and supporting her upper body with her arms, Arashi sat up.

She grasped her sword with her right hand, and stuck its tip into the ground. Leaning on her sword, Arashi managed to lift her head up.

Gathering up the last of her strength, Arashi spoke loudly with clear determination.

“Your Highness can do to me whatever Your Highness would desire, but I ask Your Highness to refrain from bringing harm to Kageyama. I alone am responsible for all my actions.”

“You had never been a part of my reasoning concerning Kageyama.” Night wind carried Yukari’s reply to Arashi from the top of the mountain. “I have no interest in you since the beginning. Depart, and live your life. Grow up to be honorable with strength and valor.”

All the guards and attendants withdrew into the dark fold of the night as Arashi lay on the ground.

Every so often an owl howled, sometimes a lone cry of a crow, and all of a sudden Arashi started to cry. She yelled and wailed. She didn’t need mercy from her enemy. She didn’t want pity from Himeyama.

Arashi couldn’t accept the fact that her sword and Yukari’s magic existed on different planes.

By day break, Arashi stood up. Her eyes unfocused, her hands weak, her sword almost touching the ground, Arashi slowly walked out of sight.

A week later, Arashi managed to make her way back, and arrived at the town near Kageyama, about twenty minutes away from the academy by walking.

She had to pay carriage drivers for her transportation due to her extensive injuries, and she had to make a short trip on each day, as she was unable to bear the stress on her body from long hours on the road.

Every morning, Arashi had to arrange for a short carriage ride to the next town, proceeding to spend her time recovering from the brief journey. Much of her savings disappeared along the way.

Treatment and potions for restoring her lungs devoured the rest of her savings. Arashi only had enough coins left to stay in an unwanted attic of a guesthouse for one month. She had to wash dishes, hang up laundry, and sweep the floor in exchange for food.

She was unsure of what career to pursue. Arashi didn’t have the peace of mind to ponder the question either, for very soon after, the first snow fell on the town. The day of the winter solstice was quickly approaching.

15

Yukari did not feel that it was in any way necessary for her to send reminders to Kageyama, as she had made her demands clearly and precisely in the delivered notice. Neither did she trouble herself to command one of her staff to inform Kageyama on the incident involving Arashi, since Arashi stated firmly that she had removed herself in relation to her previous academy, and was no longer affiliated.

Himeyama stressed the utmost importance of proper behaviour, and spreading rumors was deemed undignified, thus all guards and attendants refrained from engaging in passing gossip regarding the duel. As a result, Kageyama was not notified by any party on the sequence of events that occurred that night, nor of the result.

Thus, on the day of winter solstice, it took everyone at Kageyama by surprise when the Five appeared at the foot of the mountain. All students and service staff were immediately told to stay in the cafeteria and not to be involved, so as to be out of all dangers’ way, while the teaching staff quickly formed lines of defense in case the Five planned to enter the academy by force. The chancellor speedily adorned herself with full regalia meant for her position, and went down the mountain path to meet the Five from Himeyama.

“Your Highness. I regret to report that Arashi is not on campus, and she is no longer in affiliation with this academy.” The chancellor spoke with politeness and respect.

“I ordered cease of operation and full surrender. Not a single word was made demanding Kagayama to present Arashi to me.” Yukari examined the lines of instructors in defense formation. “I have made my presence at Kageyama on the day previously announced. You have failed to offer unconditional surrender upon my arrival.” Yukari paused for a moment, then continued to pronounce her verdict, “Ryō, you may not bring death to anyone.”

At Yukari’s words, Ryō was electric, and smiled in anticipation, “At Your Highness’s Command.” She dashed toward the chancellor with alarming speed.

The chancellor cast defensive spells to shield her from impending attack, but Ryō had already summoned vines to break forth from underneath, The chancellor immediately formed a matrix on each hand to push herself up into air to avoid the vines, which action unfortunately removed her from her refuge behind the magic shields, and ripping through air, Ryō’s whip arrived at that exact moment.

The chancellor subconsciously lifted her hands to protect her head, but the whip, which had tiny sharp teeth fixed on the leather using powerful alchemy, cut deep wounds into the flesh.

The moment Ryō’s whip came into contact with blood, its coating started to react. Chancellor’s hands were corroded in seconds, and she was no longer able to channel magic there to cast more spells.

Ryō commanded the vines to bind the chancellor and took her prisoner. Spikes on the vine fervently dug themselves into the chancellor’s flesh, and feasted on her magic with ravenous appetite.

Ryō looked at the instructors from Kageyama, who stood a stone’s throw away, and casually gave a comment on her opinion of the chancellor: “inexperienced novice”.

Seeing that Himeyama expressed no intention to engage in negotiation, teachers at Kageyama quickly fell in position and assembled themselves into units of five, with two swordsmen, one alchemist, and two spell-casters in each.

Swordsmen in the front would deliver attacks, while the spell-casters at the back could provide long range assaults and protection spells in relative safety, with the alchemist ready to provide potions, poisons, and antidotes as necessary.

Yukari glanced at Yayoi. Yayoi understood the order and took a bow.

Ryō charged at the first unit with a radiant smile. She shifted faster than eyes could see, and started to appear at various loci without continuity. The magic attacks were rendered useless as the instructors had great difficulty locating Ryō’s position. The frustration only lasted less than two seconds, however, as Ryō materialized her attack at the flank of the unit. A spell morphed into a rapidly spinning wheel of razors, which glowed ominously in faint pink, and behind the sharp blades composed of magic elements, was a blast of pure elemental storm.

The Alchemist, being the most vulnerable, lost consciousness upon impact, and the rest were unprepared to adequately protect themselves from a direction unexpected.

Compared to the Five, who had earned their prestige by fighting countless battles, the instructors were thoroughly lacking in battlefield experience. What seemed effective on training fields failed to deliver promised damage to the opponent.

Two more straightforward attacks later, the swords were broken, and the spell casters were being strangled by Ryō’s whip and chain. Ryō cast spells to tie up her newly captured prisoner, and found that the whole round had taken only half a minute.

Just as the rest of instructors were debating whether they should simultaneously charge, all the alchemists suddenly sprayed bottles of potions and poisons on their comrades.

Not expecting attacks from within their own rank, the units quickly fell into disarray, and one by one, the instructors lost strength due to various types of anaesthetic and poison. As they collapsed to the ground, vines that had been lying in wait just underneath the surface soil took hold of them, and pierced them with thorns to drain them of their vigor.

Yayoi continued looking at her nails as if she bore no responsibility for the commotion.

The Five ascended Kageyama, and ordered everyone to present themselves in total surrender.

Arashi heard news from the townsfolk that they had heard fighting, and asked a carriage to take her to Kageyama as quickly as possible. When she arrived at the foot of the mountain, all fighting had ceased; the teaching staff had all been transported as prisoners to Himeyama via magic matrices.

Arashi climbed up the path, and when she reached the academy, the last few students were coming out of the cafeteria to offer their total surrender.

The doors of Phoenix Hall suddenly opened, and Arashi saw Kagami rush toward the Five. Horrified that Kagami was about to commit rash action, Arashi called out to Kagami, “Kagami, stop! No!”

Yukari turned slowly, and Kagami slowed down, and stood.

Yukari slightly arched her left eyebrow. She knew who was standing in front of her.

Kagami knelt down, placed her hands on the ground in front of herself, and bowed her head to the ground. Arashi thought Kagami was about to offer surrender, but Kagami straightened her back again, sitting in a quite dignified manner on the ground.

“Your Highness”, Kagami spoke slowly and clearly, “May I please submit a request for the privilege of making a few inquiries concerning the situation?”

Pleased with Kagami’s formal language, Yukari nodded, gracefully allowing Kagami to present her plea.

“May I humbly inquire about the ultimate goal of Your Highness?”

“I shall reign over all people and over every land.”

“Though unworthy to behold the answer, I ask to be enlightened on the virtues that would support Your Highness’s claim to be the rightful ruler over all.”

“My supreme strength in magic shall attest.”

“Perchance there exists a higher power mightier than Your Highness, would Your Highness desire to take possession of it?”

“Without a doubt.”

“I express my sincere gratitude for Your Highness’ patience in enduring my multitude of bothersome questions.” Kagami stood up and looked at Yukari with firmness and resolve, “In that case, ‘PHOS HILARON’...”

Kagami had been pouring over the forbidden titles for the past months, and had found various ways to offer sacrifice to force magic to make an appearance. The price required was consistently higher than the reward, and many incantations were supplemented with comments on their inconsistent results.

Upon hearing the arrival of the Five, Kagami quickly closed the book in front of her, and decided to try the incantation with the highest chance for success, while promising the greatest power.

Kagami needed to chant an incantation that only the recipient, the power being desired, knew, and would be receiving supreme power after.

“Phos Hilaron”

With these words, Kagami held up her hands before her chest. Her left hand at the bottom, palm facing up, with the tips of thumb, index finger, and middle finger gathered at a single point. Her right hand rested above it, the index finger pointing toward the sky, the middle finger slightly curved, and the thumb resting on the ring finger.

A single speck of light started to glow right over her left thumb.

Kagami had succeeded.

Encouraged by the sight of this light, Kagami began to chant Phos Hilaron, the oldest surviving Christian hymn, in its earliest surviving Greek lyric, sung in its oldest surviving Syriac tune.

With each word, Kagami’s body began to glow, and became semi transparent, starting with her feet. Shimmering light floated up like dust of light, and gathered into a thin cloud of glistening gold above Kagami’s head.

The chant reached its last note, but Kagami didn’t stop. She continued with the Latin lyric of the same, this time in Byzantine chant. More glimmers of light floated up, but Kagami’s semi transparent body started disappearing. By the end of the second rendition of the chant, only Kagami’s spirit remained, and no physical trace of her body was left.

The cloud of light condensed, and dark clouds formed to block out the sky. Eventually, the light took on the shapes of an enormous sword that reached all the way to the dark cloud, a mirror, and a jewel.

Every so often the outline of Kagami’s spirit body could still be seen, and the sword rested over her head, the mirror over her left shoulder, and the jewel over her right shoulder.

The remaining dust of light disperse themselves all over the sky, and each morphed into a glowing sword of light.