Chapter 273: Sherryl's Adoration (I)

The Trailsverse has countless accessories.

By forgoing equipment set for the arms, legs, helmet, etc like standard rpgs have, the Trailsverse has two Accessory Slots, and a Boots slot.

It's a simplistic equipment menu, but one that I enjoy.

Weapon:

Armor:

Boots:

Accessory One:

Accessory Two:

For example, in Naoto's Stats, it would look like this:

Weapon: World Eater (Pole)

Armor: Phoenix Armor (Robe)

Boots: N/A

Accessory One: N/A

Accessory Two: N/A

I will work out some Boots equipment before the Vermillion Trials begin, perhaps as part of the Thunder God's equipment set if Naoto successfully completes his second quest.

I did call the Thunder God's equipment set four pieces, so it would likely be: Armor, Boots, Accessory One, Accessory Two. (Either way, I will take name suggestions!)

Last chapter was a hint that Sara might join the harem.

As always Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

'So even the Purple Lightning has someone she likes. Now that I think about it, she has recently come of age, hasn't she? Her rank in the Bracer Guild has been rising at a rapid pace, and is earning achievements left and right. At the rate she is earning these achievements, she could very well get promoted to A-Rank soon. It's the fastest pace I've seen coming from a Bracer so far. But maybe it's different for Purple Lightning. Despite these achievements, maybe she's wanting to settle down with someone? There are plenty of Bracers out there who still do their work while starting families too...', Zin wondered to himself, observing the beautiful cerise-haired woman before him. Just like Kilika, Sara was a very beautiful woman with a bountiful chest. It may seem like around a D-Cup in size from the outside, but it was likely much larger underneath her minidress. She was mostly hidden away by her large blue overcoat. The only revealing part she had with her usual outfit was that her coat parted ways down the sides of her legs, making them visible.

In regards to Zin, he had little to no thought of romance matters, unlike Kilika or Sara here.

Since a few years ago, Zin's schedule has been jam-packed.

To start off, Zin got in contact with Naoto after his departure from the DG Cult, and was introduced to Sherryl Sky. From there, the raids on the DG Cult happened. Zin, together with Cassius Bright, spearheaded the whole operation that didn't seem to ever end. It was thanks to the cooperation with the Crossbell Police Department and the support of the trifecta, that being Erebonia, Liberl, and Calvard, that it was a success. Most of the DG Cult bases were successfully routed during that, and even Ouroboros helped from the shadows, partaking in raids against bases like Paradise, to which Naoto also participated.

But that was just the start of it. Right after those raids came to a close, Naoto left Sherryl under Zin's tutelage, and ended up travelling throughout most of the western continent during this last one to two years. Zin had zero time at all to even think of finding a partner during that.

But it was different now. Sherryl finished her training under Zin, and was now on her own path, having seen her off to join St. Astraia. Contrary to expectations, his schedule was now widely open, he didn't know what to do. It wouldn't be until next year at the very least before Zin joins up with Estelle and Joshua, overseeing their work as junior Bracers.

'Should I hit it up with Aina sometime? It has been a good minute since I've returned to Liberl...', Zin thought to himself.

"Thinking about something?", Sara's voice called out to Zin, causing him to leave his thoughts. He looked at the beautiful cerise-haired woman before him, and gently shook his head.

"Nah. It isn't anything important. Just thinking that it might be time to head to the branches in Liberl again and check in on their situation after I finish my business up here in Heimdallr's branch. With how wide it is here compared to Liberl, there is no shortage in hunting monsters, but I kind of miss LIberl's hospitality, you know?", Zin said.

"So you want to go back to Liberl, huh? Isn't that where the Divine Blade currently is?", Sara wondered.

"Indeed. It hasn't been long since he retired from Liberl's military to join up with the Bracer Guild. I even met his two kids back in the Queen's martial arts tournament. Couple of nice kids. They're looking to become Junior Bracers and follow their fathers' footsteps, fufu.", Kilika said, placing her hand over her lips as she laughed with a soft voice.

"Oh yeah. The Bright kids. Wait. Kids? He has a second one now?", Sara uttered in amazement. 

"Bright young lad if you ask me. Joshua Bright. Estelle was pretty rambunctious back at the tournament, but I could see Joshua keeping her in check.", Zin also said, nodding his head.

"Is that so? I do kinda regret not going to Liberl now...", Sara said, her lips curving into a frown.

"Tell you what, and speaking on Kilika's behalf, she'll be returning to Liberl once our business is done here, and since I have nothing special going on now, I could take you and show you around the guild branches. We could even drop by Schera's place for a surprise visit. How's that?", Zin suggested. Sara's mood brightened after hearing that.

"That works for me! Looks like you'll get to see Liberl's branches after all, Lavi.", Sara said, placing her hand on Lavi's hat, making her wince her eyes.

"Whatever. It's all the same ain't it? The only difference is Liberl has an S-rank Bracer while other countries don't.", Lavi said, shrugging her shoulders at Sara's words.

"Well, you are right about that. But there's plenty of fun places we can go check out!", Sara said, clapping her hands together. Yet, as Sara said that, those who were chatting away were suddenly interrupted by Walter.

"Look, I don't mind ya yappin' but we're here.", Walter's voice said, pointing at the large dojo now in front of them.

"So we are. We'll have to put us going about Liberl at a later date. It's something we won't rush anyways. Zin and I plan to be here until February at the very latest.", Kilika said, taking a moment to look at Sara.

"February huh? I wasn't expecting your stay here to be that long. Just what is it you're wanting to do here, Kilika? Surely it isn't just taking on requests one after another. I get Erebonia is countless times larger, but there's a limit to how much you can do.", Sara wondered, her eyes full of doubt.

"Fufu, why ruin the surprise now? Anyway, you said your student is here, right Zin? She was going to have a spar with someone right?", Kilika said, looking at the bulky, tall figure before her.

"That's right. Moreover, His Highness is here too. Man, talk about a crazy announcement yesterday huh?", Zin said, recalling the big declaration that spread like wildfire of Naoto's and Princess Alfin's engagement, making it to several different news agencies.

"You mean about that prince and princess getting engaged right? Sounds like every person's dream if you ask me. I don't think my prince charming will take notice of me anytime soon though...", Sara frowned again.

"Stop being delusional, teacher. That boy is way too young for you.", Lavi retorted.

"You didn't see what it was like, Lavi my dear.", Sara said, puffing out her large chest. She started recalling the violet-haired boy again in fierce combat against other Jaegers.

"Yeah yeah. Go enter your dreamland at your own time, Sara. Why don't we head inside this place? It isn't often I get to come across the renowned Vander Dojo--?", Lavi tried to say as she pointed her hand at the large building. While approaching this place, they heard a loud, muffled thwacking noise inside, signaling that a fight was ongoing. It didn't take long before the five heard a person's voice to reach their ears, despite the large doors being closed.

"I think it's still one or two years too early before you're at my level though, Sherryl. Still, I really had a lot of fun getting to fight you like this. Has it been tough on your body?", A boy's muffled voice said with a hint of worry.

The moment this voice was said, Sara suddenly snapped out of her dream-like state, coming to a halt in her steps entirely.

'That voice...', Sara murmured to herself.

"Not at all, Big Brother! Being able to fight head-on like this against you was a bunch of fun! My body can take the stress. I think--?", A girl's voice responded, which drew Zin's attention. Sure enough, Sherryl was here, and by the looks of it, she was currently fighting someone too. Foughts happened frequently inside the dojo, so it made sense.

Yet before the five could do anything, the boy's voice spoke out again, with a hint of sneering to it.

"Caught you. Don't pause for even a moment during combat, Sherryl.", The boy said again. This time, the five heard a thwacking sound much louder compared to the previous strikes. Thwwwackkk!

"Ahhh!", Sherryl's pained voice yelled out, as did several hissing sounds. Psssh!

With a final swing of World Eater, Naoto fiercely swung at the steaming lilac-haired girl before him, catching her off-guard. Her figure was blasted sideways, and not toward the other end of the wall. No, with Sherryl's current positioning, she was flung directly toward the entrance of the Vander Dojo, flying at a rapid pace, and quickly left the fighting ring altogether. Her body could now be seen bruised and bloody in some areas, and Naoto wasn't kind to her, even if it was just a spar. Naoto took combat very seriously, as he didn't have not one, not two, but three teachers that taught him several different aspects.

Sherryl's body flew, and reached the closed door, causing a loud impact to strike against it. The doors were flung open, causing the group's eyes to wander at the sudden opening of the door. They quickly spot a small girl flying outside.

Zin reacted quickly. He could see steam still releasing from Sherryl's body and wondered what was happening, but ignoring that, he jumped up, and caught her.

"Got you, Sherryl--?", Zin tried to say, only to feel an intense heat strike against his hands the moment he caught her midair. "--Shit, just what in Aidios's name is happening to you, Sherryl?", Zin cursed, feeling pain start to swell up inside his hands as the hissing continued.

It took a moment as the two landed, but Sherryl blinked her eyes, not expecting to see the bulky figure now holding her.

"Teacher?", Sherryl questioned, seeing Zin holding onto her.