The Council's Decision

Shizuka's face was contorted in concentration as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly. Her hands were resting on her knees as she panted. Her breaths were deep and measured, as if she was trying to focus her entire being on a single thought. Suddenly, she opened her eyes wide and spoke with a determined voice, "I want to be a Divine Knight!" Hakato, her teacher, watched her with a mix of confusion and curiosity. He couldn't quite decipher what was going through his student's mind, and his own expression betrayed his bewilderment.

While Hakato holds Lucky, the Dobberman, a look of surprise crosses Lucky's face and he interjects, "That's unexpected."

After a few moments, Shizuka stood upright, composed herself, and stopped panting.

With fiery determination in her eyes, she confronted her principal. "No," she declared boldly, "I will become a Divine Knight. It doesn't matter whether you approve or not, even if I end up as weak as you, or even if it costs me my life, I will make it happen!" Her voice was filled with an unwavering conviction that left no room for doubt.

All of a sudden? What is this girl thinking blasting out like that?

With a firm grip, Hakato gradually lowers the Doberman to the ground, his muscles tense with focus. Once the dog is subdued, he returns to his characteristic stoicism, his face betraying no emotion.

"I'm safe from bath time, I guess?"

Hakato appeared unfazed as Lucky frantically bolted away, his heart racing with the need to flee from his owner's grasp.

"I can't believe you made that decision so quickly," Hakato scoffed, smirking.

"Unlike you, I won't give up trying to do my real responsibility of living. The reincarnation thing or whatever, I will live by that!" Shizuka replied with her determination soaring high.

Upon realizing that Shizuka had already learned about his awful past in the other world, Hakato mumbled, "Even if you become a weakling like me, huh?"

Her unwavering resolve shone in her eyes as she locked her gaze with Hakato's deep brown irises.

Shizuka is a resolute individual who speaks with conviction. Her goal is to become a Divine Knight, not out of personal desire, but because she believes it is her duty as the rumored reincarnation of the savior of Eden Land, The Red-Eyed Princess. She has an unwavering sense of responsibility to save the world, given her status as the legendary heroine. However, this claim is shrouded in vagueness since the Red-Eyed Princess is nothing more than a mythical character from the books of Nostradama, a great prophet in Eden Land. Despite this, Shizuka remains steadfast in her pursuit of her goal.

As Hakato gazed into the emerald eyes of his student, he could feel the intensity of the stare down. He knew that Shizuka was determined and would not back down no matter what. Unable to maintain the eye contact any longer, Hakato shifted his gaze towards the dark, starry sky above. The sky was clear and the stars were shining brightly, providing a beautiful backdrop to the tense moment between the two.

With a gentle voice and a slight smile, he said, "Go back to your home. Your grandmother must be worried."

Shizuka was taken aback by the principal's nonchalant response and demanded to hear his thoughts. "What? I want to hear your thoughts, Mr. Principal!" she exclaimed, her surprise evident in her voice.

Hakato's voice was cold and dismissive as he spoke to Shizuka. "You've heard enough, Ms. Fujino. Now, please go on your way," he said, turning away from her with a sense of nonchalance. He didn't want to reveal any sign of satisfaction or pleasure to the teenager, even though he felt a sense of satisfaction at having put her in her place. He had more important things to do, and he didn't want to waste any more time on her.

I had nothing to say.

Hakato's actions left Shizuka feeling both frustrated and satisfied. As she stood outside in the bitter cold, watching him gently close the door, she was left speechless and puzzled by his actions. Despite the discomfort of the winter weather, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment in the way he had handled the situation.

There you go, he just left without any words . . .

Hakato's intentions were crystal clear - he had granted her permission to embark on an exploration of the other world. From the time Shizuka was a child, Hakato had been vocally critical of her behavior, reprimanding her on numerous occasions. However, this time, he chose not to do so. The unusual lack of criticism from Hakato caught Shizuka off guard, but despite this, she managed to find the courage to express her own will and make her own decision, much like a responsible adult. She felt as though she had emerged victorious in a battle against a fierce opponent.

"You what?" Hakken said in utter disbelief.

Ayashiro's reaction was unexpected and extreme. Upon hearing the unimaginable event that seemed to have tickled his funny bone, he erupted into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. His amusement was so intense that he appeared to have lost his mind momentarily. "You called him a weakling?!" he exclaimed between chuckles, finding the situation absolutely hilarious.

"Shut up! My thoughts came out, and I couldn't stop myself back there!"

"You just made him look terrible! That was lit!"

"Shut up! Stop laughing, will you?!"

Shizuka was completely flustered and couldn't bear being laughed at by Ayashiro.

"What did he say then?" asked Hakken with a tone of curiousity.

"Nothing. He just stared at me for a few seconds and turned away. That was rude."

While busily preparing dinner, Granny Takiko couldn't help but overhear the conversation happening in the living room. Despite not being an active participant in the discussion, she listened intently and couldn't help but smile at what she heard.

Shizuka's face contorted with anger as she lashed out at her grandmother. "Hey, old hag!" she spat, "Why are you being silent? You didn't tell me about the principal. And yet, here I am, clueless about what's going on."

Takiko let out a soft laugh, but opted not to reply to her grandchild.

Hakken gestured to Shizuka to calm down and spoke in a reassuring tone, "Easy girl, please don't get agitated. She's doing this for your own safety."

"Tch!"

As Takiko busied herself in the kitchen, the three students gathered around the dining table, each taking their seat with a sense of contentment. It was a remarkable transformation - in just two short days, they had gone from strangers to a harmonious unit, bonded by their shared experiences and a newfound sense of camaraderie.

Despite feeling slightly irritated, Shizuka was filled with a sense of contentment and satisfaction at having these guests over at her place. It had been years since she had the pleasure of dining with a family, and the experience left her feeling warm and tranquil. The simple act of sitting together and sharing a meal had a way of soothing her soul, filling her with a sense of peace and happiness.

Upon entering the other world, Shizuka's life would undergo a profound transformation. She was aware that she would have to confront a great deal of pain and grief, just as Hakato had warned her. Shizuka was deeply worried that one of her companions would end up sacrificing their life to protect her. This was something she desperately hoped to avoid, as the thought of losing someone dear to her was unbearable.

I have to get stronger to protect these people. Can I do that?

~ ~ ~

Morida had suffered a setback in his quest to capture the notorious criminal, Sakaki Kyoshiro. He had sought help from Arashi, but was met with a disappointing response that was dismissed as "ridiculous". As a non-believer, Morida did not appreciate Arashi's vague reference to a savior coming into the world. Determined to succeed in his mission, Morida resolved to seek help elsewhere and set his sights on the capital city of Kaishi, also known as the Coral City, where the Kaishi Council is located. With a determined spirit and a sense of urgency, he boldly entered the towering 20-storey building in search of powerful council members who could assist him in his pursuit of justice.

Morida strode through the lobby, his left waist adorned with a gleaming medieval sword that caught the eye of many passersby. He made his way towards the front desk with confidence, his purpose unknown but his presence unmistakable.

I have to recruit S-ranked Divine Knights to par with Kyoshiro's power. Arashi sempai would have been perfect for this operation though. What a waste.

Morida was greeted by a lady receptionist with bright blonde hair, who welcomed her with a warm and friendly smile as she entered the Kaishi Divine Council Headquarters. The receptionist's cheerful tone conveyed a sense of genuine interest in assisting her, as she kindly inquired, "How may I be of service to you today?"

Morida leaned forward as he greeted Sara with a warm smile, his upper body bending slightly towards the desk. "Oh hey, Sara. How have you been?" he asked, his voice friendly and welcoming.

"Hey there. . . Sorry, sir. . . What was your name again?"

"Nah. Don't bother. You won't remember me even if I tell you."

"I'm truly sorry, sir. I tend to forget names and . . ."

"It's not your fault, Sara. People always forget who I am."

"Sorry to hear that, sir. Well, anyways, How can I help you?"

"I'm here to meet with the Supreme Chief Commander."

"Hold on a sec."

Sara closed her eyes and pressed her index finger to her forehead, as if deep in thought or trying to remember something important.

"That skill of yours is truly amazing. . ."

Sara instantly motioned Morida to hush, avoiding further distractions.

"Woah, sorry."

Sara possesses a unique ability known as the Mind Communicating Quirk, which allows her to communicate with anyone in her vicinity using her mind. This extraordinary skill eliminates the need for traditional means of communication, such as phone calls, thus enabling individuals to save on telephone bills. It's fascinating how Sara can communicate mentally with those around her, making her a unique and valuable asset in any setting.

"Okay. Alright. Mr. ugh. . . "

"Morida. Shino Morida. Captain of team Morida of Lost Mjolnir."

"Yes. The chief was asking if it was urgent?"

"Yes. It is."

"Alright. Please head to the 19th floor."

"Thank you, Sara."

Following the given instructions, Shino Morida briskly made his way towards the 19th floor of the towering building. It was the designated location of the office of the Supreme Chief Commander, and Shino's heart was pounding with anticipation as he approached his destination.

As he got ready to meet the leader of the Kaishi country, the Supreme Chief Commander, he meticulously fixed his tousled jungle-green hair, ensuring it was perfectly in place. The anticipation of the meeting filled him with a mix of excitement and nervousness, and he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He knew that this was a crucial moment that could have a significant impact on his future endeavors.

At the helm of the state is the Supreme Chief Commander, who holds the highest position of authority. This esteemed individual oversees and manages all public guilds, ensuring that they operate efficiently and effectively. Additionally, they are responsible for the military actions of these guilds, and are held accountable for any decisions made in this regard.

In a tense meeting between the captain of the "Lonewolf Operation" and the supreme leader, the latter spoke with a deep and ominous voice. As he uttered the words, "That was your last chance, Shino Morida," the captain could feel the weight of the leader's disappointment and disapproval. It was clear that this was a critical moment, with high stakes and potentially dire consequences.

Morida showed deference to Master Teijo by bowing half of his body while responding in an undertoned voice, "Yes, Master Teijo". The respectful gesture and tone conveyed Morida's obedience to the authority of his master.

The leader let out a deep breath tinged with disappointment, his shoulders slightly slumping as he did so.

"You knew you'd be relieved from this mission, right? That was your fifteenth attempt."

"Apologies, Master Teijo. If only we had an S-ranked warrior on our side, we can . . ."

"Please. Stop it. Sakaki Kyoshiro alone was no match against fourteen pros and one captain, right?"

"Correction, one rookie, thirteen pros, and one captain"

"That's not the point."

"My bad."

The old chief let out another deep sigh.

The room they were in was perfectly cubic in shape, but it was quite dark inside. The windows were covered with black blinds, which only let in a dim portion of light from outside. Despite this, the old chief sat comfortably at his office desk, surveying the room with an air of authority. Standing straight and tall in front of him was Morida, his eyes focused intently on the conversation at hand.

Coda Teijo, a leader at the helm of all the public guilds, found himself overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the "Lonewold Operation." His tenure was riddled with multiple crises, making it nearly impossible for him to effectively manage the operation. Under such circumstances, it fell upon Shino Morida, the captain of the operation, to take charge and navigate the difficult situation.

"You may now go."

"What? Master Teijo, won't you help me capture that criminal? Just give me one S-ranked warrior, and I can do it!"

"Don't worry, Morida. It's not your fault. That criminal is just too much for you. I always knew that you were a strong warrior. But not in front of Sakaki Kyoshiro."

"What will you do about him then? Don't tell me you're planning to let 'that' guild handle him?!"

"I'm afraid so," Chief Teijo mumbled as he closed his eyes.

Shino Morida's face twisted in frustration and anger as his fingers curled tightly into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Kaishi Ravens. It's time for them to bring Sakaki Kyoshiro down, once and for all."

Despite feeling overwhelmed by his temper, Morida found himself unable to resist complying with the directives of the leader of Kaishi, whom he was beholden to.

"Just like that? You're planning to kill him this time, huh? Shouldn't we let him live to find out his motives? We should know the dark guilds he's been working with. There are many mysteries about him that we should uncover first before we kill him!"

"We're done with that. If only you could capture Kyoshiro, this wouldn't happen."

Morida felt a wave of disappointment as he heard the accusatory tone in the leader's voice. He mumbled under his breath, "Now you're blaming me...", and lowered his head, feeling guilty for failing to capture the criminal.

Coda Teijo, with a stern look on his face, issued a command in a no-nonsense tone, "Whether you agree or disagree, it is imperative that you make your way to the headquarters of Kaishi Ravens and provide them with the necessary information to carry out the assassination of Sakaki Kyoshiro. Consider this as a direct order."

Morida found himself in a helpless situation where he had no choice but to comply with the orders of the old chief. Despite his reluctance, he knew that he had to do as he was told.

"And by the way, stop recruiting S-ranked warriors already. Kaishi Ravens were the best hunters in this country. They got rid of hundreds of S-ranked criminals over the past 5 years. Accept it. Killing is the only way for an S-ranked criminal like Sakaki Kyoshiro. There's no other way."

After hearing the chief, Shino Morida tried his best to keep his emotions in check and simply replied, "I understand." He left the office with a sense of frustration and anger boiling inside him, which he struggled to contain.

I guess I won't be seeing Sakaki Kyoshiro from now on . . . If only I'm competent enough to catch a guy like him . . .