Trails with Cuddle-Cuddle Osbon
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Helen
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Author Note:
Interactions with the members of Class VII Group A of the May field study. This time, it is Gaius’s chapter.
Thank you for your typo reports as always.
Chapter 040 – Fufufu, Son. May The Blessing Of The Wind And Aidios Be With you
“Gaius, are you free?”
“What’s wrong, Rean?”
The next day, after dropping Elliot off at the wind instrument club and discussing various things with him, Rean headed to the art club room after school.
Since members of Group A, besides Rean and Emma, Alisa and Elliot, were having worries due to their field study, Rean thought that Gaius might be having the same issue, and changed his plans for training to visiting Gaius.
When Rean explained why he came to visit him, Gaius put down his brush as he had been drawing.
Rean was curious what Gaius was drawing, so he took a closer look and saw it was an illustration of Panzer Soldat.
It wasn’t an exact replica, more of a vague one, but for Rean, who had seen Panzer Soldat in person, he could tell from a glance that it was unmistakably Panzer Soldat.
“I only saw it for less than an hour, but I tried to recreate it to the best I could remember. As I expected, it’s a bit vague. I couldn’t show it to the instructors, but I thought it might be useful if I could complete the drawing.”
“Far from being worried, you are already thinking about how you could help and have acted on it. As expected of Gaius.”
“I could say the same about you, Rean. I know that since returning to the academy, you have been challenging Instructor Sara and Instructor Neithardt to mock battles to improve your skills.”
“They’ve both been busy lately so it’s been a while since I had mock battles, though.”
Apparently, Gaius was aware that Rean was practicing.
Rean didn’t remember ever mentioning it, but he thought that it wasn’t strange for Gaius to know. Instead, he felt reassured.
……Or so Rean thought, but he was the only one who didn’t know that, for better or worse, his actions and appearances would spread throughout the academy within two or three days.
“You’re also taking care of the students from the other classes, right?”
“You mean Rosine. She’s improved remarkably and even the way she handles Templar swords…… a special weapon that has wires attached to it and curves like a snake, is becoming more and more impressive.”
“I often see her at the chapel, but it’s surprising to see such an amiable-looking girl picking up a sword.”
“Now that I think about it, Gaius often prays at the chapel. I think you also did it on the day of the entrance ceremony……”
“I remember seeing Rean back then. I never imagined you’d be so late despite how fast you were and to disappear the next day.”
“Me too.”
As they smiled wryly, they felt someone nearby looking at them with surprise.
When Rean turned his head to that direction, he saw Linde’s eyes widened, seeing Rean turn to look at her.
“Ah……”
“Linde, are you interested in our conversation?”
“I-I’m sorry. It was shameful of me to eavesdrop……”
Linde blushed at Gaius’s remark.
Rean gave a wry smile and waved his hand, showing that he didn’t mind.
“No, it’s okay since I don’t mind. Since you are already here, why don’t I tell you what happened? You said not to take rumors at face value before, after all.”
“Is that okay?”
“It’s fine, Clara-senpai isn’t here right now anyway.”
Perhaps remembering how a chisel was thrown at her before, Linde’s face turned pale.
Her face sure changes colors often, thought Rean as he explained everything about the entrance ceremony from the beginning.
However, the teleportation spell cast by Emma was attributed to the help she received from Marquis Hyarms.
This was something that Marquis Hyarms had suggested, and Rean was grateful to be able to use it as a way to make up for his absence for a few days.
“Haah~…… to think it was a request from that Hyarms family. That’s impressive, Rean-san.”
“It’s just a coincidence.”
“No, you never know what fate will bring you. When you look back on it later, you might realize that it was inevitable.”
“You mean meetings between people are a matter of fate……”
“I’ve realized that since coming here too. In particular, meeting Class VII was like destiny.”
Rean was slightly impressed by Gaius’s bold words.
Linde also exclaimed in approval at his confident words.
“Fufu, if anything, I think it’s more so because of Rean’s influence.”
“Is that so?”
“Think back to your past actions. You are always honest, never being misled by rumors, and always showing your true self as Rean Schwarzer, without hiding anything. This has a bigger impact on Class VII and everyone else than you realize. Perhaps the same is true for Linde as well?”
“Eh? I-I wonder if that is so……”
“It might be because people around you influenced you to believe the rumor, but Rean doesn’t care about that. That eventually led to Vivi contacting him, and the misunderstanding was thus cleared up.”
“B-But the reason I thought that was because of what Gaius said……”
“But it was undoubtedly Linde’s decision to start looking at Rean properly. I’m sure Linde didn’t decide to apologize to Rean just because of what I said, right?”
“Y-yes. In April, I was only judging him based on rumors, but since May, I’ve heard stories about him other than being a delinquent, such as him speaking out against tyrannical nobles and helping commoner students. Also……in April, I saw Rean running around Trista helping people, even though it was supposed to be just volunteer work……”
“That’s how it is. Rean, can’t you say this is the result of you sticking to your true self?”
Feeling embarrassed to be told that to his face, Rean covered his cheeks to hide his embarrassment.
[“Fufufu, son. The same could be said for Patrick-kun, you know? If you had only been sent to Sutherland, he would still have looked down on commoners, would have judged you as a vagrant based on a social rumor, and would have started to pick a fight with you. But you didn’t forget to help people when you returned to Thors, and even helped destroy the monster breeding facility during your field study. Your actions cleared the clouded perceptions of the eyes of those around you.”]
{“Just accept the praise graciously. It’s for the better.”}
Having been told the same thing by Osbon and Valimar, Rean sincerely expressed his gratitude for Gaius’s words.
As if following them, Linde also bowed deeply to Rean once again.
“Oi, oi, you don’t have that far, Linde.”
“Ah, sorry. I got caught up with it, somehow.”
“Fuh, friendship is a beautiful thing.”
“I think that’s a slightly different analogy,” said Rean and as the three chatted for a while, Clara returned to the art club room.
She glanced at the unfamiliar Rean, but then sat down in her chair and began carving her own piece, a statue, in silence.
“U~hn, I think being true to one’s self is something that suits Clara-senpai.”
“Ahaha, that may certainly be true.”
“I want to learn that kind of attitude from senpai and hone my skill.”
The three of them nodded to each other and Rean decided that he shouldn’t keep chatting in front of Clara and was about to leave the art club room.
But Gaius called him to a halt.
“Rean, are you going to practice from now on?”
“Aah, I was planning to get some exercise before the school closed……”
“If you don’t mind, can I join later?”
“I don’t mind, but is it okay for you to leave your club activity like that?”
“Clara-senpai has some business to attend today, so it seems my club activities won’t be active until later. There’s no problem.”
“Okay, then I’ll warm up ahead of you.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Rean-san, please do your best in your training.”
“Aah,” said Rean as he nodded to Gaius and Linde, before then heading off to the training grounds.
＊
Training done alone basically involved repeating forms and swing practice.
But because Rean had the Power of Ashen known as Loa Valimar, he was able to cross blades directly with what could be called the shadow of Divine Knight.
{“Rean, your attacks are still not good enough to reach Aurelia.”}
“Tch…… Crimson Slash —— Seventh Slash – Shredded Leaves.”
Rean and his clones ran together, blocking the ashen beam of Loa Valimar.
Rean’s attack sliced through Loa Valimar in all directions, disintegrating the energy body, but the instantly regenerated body blocked the sword with its giant arm.
[“Fufufu, son. You could counter attack it with Morning Moon. If it were Miss Aurelia, she would rush in and slice off the arm to finish the job.”]
“It’s amazing that I can vividly picture that scene in my mind……”
Osbon and Valimar also had experience fighting Aurelia, so when Rean used Loa Valimar as a punching bag and sparring partner, they would compare him to Aurelia in order to improve Rean’s basic skills.
Every time Rean realized the difference between him and Aurelia, who was able to defeat Loa Valimar without using Craft, he encouraged himself by telling himself that he could still become stronger.
“I see you’re doing well, Rean. Did I keep you waiting?”
Rean was about to use his power of ogre to start over when Gaius arrived, so he stopped.
Rean undid his Loa Valimar and sheathed his tachi, then quenched his thirst with a water bottle that he had placed nearby.
“Gh, phew~…… No, it’s okay, Gaius. Did the painting of Panzer Soldat go well on your side?”
“I guess there’s still a long way to go. It seems that the image of it after melting left a stronger impression on me than its original appearance.”
Panzer Soladt was defeated by Zephyr and melted by the flames that McBurn casually conjured, but if one thought about it normally, they were still nothing but a threat.
It just happened that the comparison was so great that it was hard to see it as a threat.
[“Fufufu, son. You should ask Miss Emma about it later. She might know the magic to bring up the image of Panzer Soldat from the depth of her memories.”]
Upon hearing that, Rean regretted not thinking of that possibility right away.
As a friend, he should have realized the power and potential of his friends.
“Gaius, let’s talk to Emma about it later. I’m sure she remembers it clearly.”
“Muu, you mean the class president? She seems to have been busy lately……”
“It’s probably okay for her to help point out.”
Rean had heard that Emma had been making time to teleport to Eryn and study under Roselia as of late.
When Rean told her “you are already busy with Schmidt’s classroom and literature club, so you must have it tough,” she sighed for some reason and replied “it’s not as tough as what Rean-san did.”
Rean’s range of activities was extremely diverse, from volunteer activity of student council, Schmidt’s classroom, training Rosine, running marathons on his own in Trista and academy, fishing, and even practicing on his own like what he just did earlier.
Emma told Rean that, but these things were what Rean already made to be part of his habits, so he was oblivious of how tough those were and didn’t even realize it.
“So Gaius, why did you call me out today?”
“……I also have some thoughts about that field study. That said, it’s not as serious as everyone else’s.”
Gaius said as he took out his spear.
Sensing Gaius’s worries, Rean rolled his water bottle aside and drew his tachi.
“You mean the training session with Brigadier General Wallace?”
“Aah. I know well that it will be difficult for my current spear skills to reach him. I feel bad about prioritizing my own concerns while others are worried about Panzer Soldat, though……”
“You don’t have to feel so down—— you were just frustrated, weren’t you?”
“Aah. While Rean and others were training with the soldiers of the Provincial Army, you set up a time for the Brigadier General and I to talk privately, right? I asked him a lot of questions back then.”
Apparently, Gaius asked about various things, including the perception of the Empire towards the Nord people and foreigners, the difficulties due to difference in customs, and how the Brigadier General decided to settle in the Empire despite that.
Apparently, Gaius wanted to learn more about that, so they exchanged letters.
“So you talked about those with Brigadier General Wallace……”
“That’s why I occasionally share things that remind us of our homeland, such as Nord’s tea leaves I received back home. I’m glad he likes it. It just……”
Gaius’s spirit was transmitted to his spear.
“In the Empire that values martial might, it seems this is necessary to accomplish anything. Although that isn’t everything, he did say it helped him countless times. I myself have often thought that if I had been stronger during that field study, I could have gone and rescued Rean, even if it is a courageous but doomed resistance.”
“Gaius……”
Even if all the members of Group A were present at that time, facing McBurn’s transformation, that was similar to power of ogre, in the end…… it was likely to be meaningless, and such was the cold reality (logic).
Gaius himself was aware of that.
Class VII was well aware of Rean’s strength. Since the said Rean was close to death, it was easy to gauge the strength of the said opponent.
But even so.
Feelings that could be conveyed more than words reached Rean from the tip of Gaius’s spear.
As if to respond to that, Rean placed his tachi over the tip of Gaius’s spear.
“Then let’s get stronger. So both of us can reach our goals.”
“Aah. Let me practice with you, Rean.”
Then the two clashed with their weapons.
Naturally, Gaius was unable to land his spear on Rean in an one-on-one battle, but he felt that it was worth it as Rean instantly slashed at his lacking points whenever he made a mistake.
Rean’s own training also included a two-on-one practice with Gaius, who formed a tactical link with Loa Valimar while Rean unleashed his power of ogre.
Although Gaius was surprised about Loa Valimar, he calmly established a link with it, once again proving his great character.
As expected with the power of ogre, especially since Rean got the pendant from Eryn, which had increased the depth of its power without risk of going berserk, both Gaius and Loa Valimar were forced to their knees in the face of it.
But Gaius seemed to have learnt something from this, and by linking the Power of Ashen with Arcus, it blossomed into a power that Osbon called Brave Order.
Rean was taken aback. The cooperation with Loa Valimar and Gaius, who had awakened the power of Brave Order, gave them toughness, forcing Rean to step up his gear in response.
But even with Brave Order, Gaius was unable to make Rean fall to his knee, and while giving a wry smile, he was determined to get his spear to reach Rean and the training was concluded.
“That’s right, Gaius. Did you bring the painting here?”
“No, it’s still in the art club room……”
“Then I’ll contact Emma, so can you go and pick it up? We’ll finish the drawing in your room and submit it to Instructor Sara tomorrow.”
“Fufu, I guess being hasty is Rean’s forte.”
“It’s not a bad thing to have it drawn at a high level of completion, but if you get too hung up on it, it will just hold you back. Well, one has to be flexible.”
“Okay, then Rean, you can go to the dorm first……”
“I don’t have any plans, so I’ll just wait in front of the academy. I’ll contact Emma, so you can take your time to bring it over, Gaius.”
“Then I’ll take up your offer. See you later.”
With that, Rean parted ways with Gaius for the time being and tried to contact Emma on ARCUS…… but after a moment of consideration, he contacted someone else.
It took a little while, but the person he contacted picked up the call.
[“H-Hello? Is this okay?”]
“Yes, I can hear you, Roselia-san.”
[“Ooh,”] a surprised voice came from the other end of ARCUS.
In order to help Roselia get used to ARCUS, Rean tried to call Emma indirectly through Roselia rather than calling Emma directly.
[“Fumu, civilization evolves with time, indeed. In the once-gone era where we ran about with Dreichels and the others, writing letters was the greatest means of communication. Of course, that doesn’t include our telepathic communication.”]
“Hahah, since the Orbal Revolution, technological advancements can be said to be part of the history of humanity, after all. Anyway, is Emma there?”
[“Umu, she just went to a fairy bath to wash off her sweat…… ooh, Emma. It’s a call from Schwarzer.”]
[“Eh, Rean-san?”]
Emma’s voice could be heard in the distance from the other side of ARCUS.
As expected, it seemed she had returned to Eryn today.
After some time, Emma appeared on ARCUS.
[“Rean-san, is something wrong?”]
“I’d like to ask for a favor——”
When Rean told her that Gaius was attempting to draw the Panzer Soldat, Emma immediately agreed.
[“I hadn’t thought of that…… but it seems the magic I just learned will come in handy. Should I go to Gaius-san’s room?”]
“No, we’re still at the academy, so I’ll contact you again when we are close to the dorms.”
[“I understand, I will wait.”]
“You just got out of the hot spring, right? Won’t you cool down first?”
[“No, it’s alright. I can return immediately via teleportation, so don’t worry.”]
“Okay, see you later.”
[“Yes…… Okay, obaa-chan, try turning it off.”]
[“U-umu. Err, it should be the button over here……”]
Perhaps because she didn’t press the right button, it took about ten seconds for the call from Roselia’s side for it to be cut off.
Thinking about Roselia as she did that, brought a smile to Rean’s face, and Rean waited for Gaius in front of the academy.
After returning to the dormitory, Rean and Gaius made use of Emma’s newly learnt recollection magic to complete the drawing of Panzer Soldat, and gave it to Sara the next day.
Author Note:
It turned out that the bonding between Rean and Gaius was easier to write than I expected. Is this the blessing of the wind…?
Roselia is also quite easy to write.
Since Rean in this fanfic gave a strong impression of a naughty younger brother, it seems that not just Emma, but characters with strong protective spirit and childlike ones, get along well with him.
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