Time For The Hunt!

"...."

As soon as I regained consciousness, I heard voices.

I opened my eyes slowly and saw white light darting at me.

"Mhm. It appears like you're awake."

"Hmm?"

I heard a familiar voice and shifted my eyes to the left.

"You…who are you?"

While tilting my head, I asked.

Well, Reine Murasame was the only person perched on the stool after all. I wasn't sure if she, as the Analysis Officer of <Fraxinus>, was still a suitable candidate for the position.

"It's the first time seeing you in person, Aryan. I'm Reine Murasame, the Analysis Officer of <Fraxinus>."

She replied in a toneless voice.

Ah, she hadn't changed. Thank goodness.

"Fraxinus? Is this place called Fraxinus?" Gazing around, I asked while making a dumbfounded expression.

Hey, I didn't have to explain everything to you guys every time I did something, did I?

"As expected,"

In a toneless voice, she commented and got up, saying,

"You may have many questions. Follow me, and you'll find your answers."

Then, the mechanical door chirped aside, and she started walking away.

"O-Okay."

I nodded and followed her.

"Umm, Miss Reine, right?"

I called out.

"Yes,"

She nodded.

"Will you…please tell me where the girl that was with me back then is?"

Although I grimaced, I screamed inwardly.

'Damn me! I should have inquired about it with Hoshiki! I can't believe I forgot that!'

Simply put, I forgot because I was so engaged in investigating the Dieftharméni crystal. Sigh.

I sighed at my own negligence and turned to look at Reine.

"Her teammates take her. There was no one else but you."

She answered back, tonelessly.

"I see,"

I responded.

Well, I guess it was obvious that she was taken away by AST.

Spirit would be alright, so I didn't feel the need to inquire about her—?!

The image of the battle suddenly flashed into my head.

"How about that girl?! The one with the sword?"

I went crazy.

I recalled Origami's deadly assault. I asked Reine out of uncertainty as to whether or not the Spirit was okay.

"She escaped,"

"A-I see."

I was somewhat relaxed after hearing this.

*Chirp!*

We soon reached the command center.

I went in and discovered that it was a warship's bridge. The door I had entered through had created an oval floor, and in the center of it sat a chair that appeared to be the captain's seat. To either side, a flight of gently sloping steps extended, and I could see the staff scurrying about a complex series of controls on the platform. The lighting in the room was dim. The room was filled with the glow of monitors, which also took up much of the available space.

My face was curved down with a look of fascination as my eyes went around.

Aaah, the surroundings were so much more fascinating than I had anticipated!

"Took you long enough."

I heard a familiar voice from my right.

"Hmm?"

I turned my head to the right and saw two recognizable people seated on the large movable chairs.

"Kotori…Emily…?"

I lifted my gaze after seeing my little sisters there.

I think I finally comprehend the situation. As expected, Kotori might be the commander, while Emily could be the vice commander. It was a legitimate response, I guess, as I didn't see Kannazuki here.

"Hmm?"

My focus was briefly drawn to the person next to them.

"Shido!"

"You okay?" I said as I raced up to him and grabbed his arm. "Are you hurt in any way?"

'Hmm, it appears that the shield is still operational.'

I whispered to myself.

"Yes, bro—I mean, Aryan. I'm perfectly fine. They were able to save me."

Shido replied in a soft tone, crediting Ratatoskr for saving him.

"Ah, I see."

I responded and returned my focus to Emily and Kotori.

"Such a complicated expression, brother. You realize how drugged you appear?"

While adjusting her chair, Emily chuckled. She was donning a blue version of Kotori's commander dress.

"Well,"

I rubbed my eyes and saw a glumness there; perhaps the Dieftharméni crystal's energy would have been to blame.

"Aside from all of these messes, tell me why you guys are here. How about schooling?"

I questioned with my arms folded.

"Well, schooling isn't this important. The matter here is a priority, you know?"

Emily chuckled and gave a lollipop to Kotori as Kotori while putting the lollipop in her mouth, began,

"That's right. Nonetheless, I believe you are now aware of the situation. Don't you feel like hearing about it?"

"Well, then. Explain it to me."

I made a request and directed all of my attention toward them.

*Clink*

As per usual, Kotori started outlining the basics of the spirits and AST as soon as the picture of the spirit I'd encountered started to display on the screen in front of us.

"Hmm? What? Many organizations?"

Although I was hearing everything she said, however, some typical lines piqued my interest.

"Yes,"

Emily nodded, adding,

"AST and DEM aren't the only organizations that support them; Spirit Destroying Forces, aka SDF, and others are as well. Some are still to be discovered."

"I see."

I nodded.

SDF, huh? Interesting.

This remade world was becoming increasingly interesting and dangerous to me. There will be no lying there.

"Well, then."

Kotori said as she rose from her chair, adding, "I believe you two should return home right now. We'll talk about it later. We need to finish some business first. We'll then return home."

"What business?"

Despite knowing my limits, I took a step forward and asked.

"So, as I previously stated, there are many spirits, right? We found one in the DEM's southern center. However, we have no idea what they are doing to her. But we'll do everything we can to rescue her as soon as possible."

Kotori responded and returned her attention to the screen.

"A spirit, hmm?"

I responded as a bell rang in my head.

With a grin on my face, I replied, "So get to work. We're leaving then."

In response, she just nodded.

Shortly, with the help of teleportation, Shido and I got teleported back home.

"Alright, Shido. I'm really tired now. I'm going to take some rest, okay?"

I took a step towards my room with an excuse.

"Wait, Aryan!"

"Hmm?"

But then I halted as I heard Shido's call.

"What's wrong?"

I asked, turning my head to look at him.

"Don't you want to help them save that Spirit? I mean, it's highly unlikely that you'll simply ignore it."

Shido spoke with a worried expression.

This was something I had expected from him.

Sigh!

I took a step towards him, sighing, and said, "You know, it's sometimes better to delegate tasks to professionals. They have a better idea of what to do. I'm not turning a blind eye; I just don't know what to do to help them. So, let them do what they need to do, alright?"

I tried to calm him down by patting his shoulder.

Sigh. "Okay."

With a sigh, he seemed to understand what I was trying to convey.

"Good."

I smiled and turned around, saying,

"I'm sure they'll save that spirit. However,"

I sharply glared at him, adding,

"If you dare to disrupt my rest, I'm sure there won't be anyone to save you. Got it, bro-ther?"

"Y-yeah!"

His expression immediately changed to one of fear as he nodded while stepping backward.

"Good!"

I beamed and stepped towards my room.

*Click*

I shut the door as soon as I got inside my room and moved towards the window.

*Creak!*

I opened the window and looked outside.

"I think I know who the spirit that Kotori mentioned is."

I called out while glaring outside.

There was a chance it would be her, even though it might be someone else.

"Hoshiki."

*Ding!*

As I called her, a panel appeared beside me, commenting,

<Is there anything I can do to help you, Master?> 

She asked.

"Will you kindly dress me in something appropriate?"

I requested her.

I had my preparations ready, but I still needed something for myself, like an astral dress. I simply want it.

<Alright.>

As soon as she spoke, I was instantly surrounded by blue lines, and shortly after that, my clothing changed totally.

My school clothes are replaced with a red-colored dazzling shirt with a Phoenix sign in the center and a black shining coat with fur on the collar materialize, and black shiny jeans, and I also have a red Flintlock with a blue grip and a black lock fastened to the right side of my belt. A pair of crimson gloves are seen on the palms. They were displaying my fingers, and there were some black circles near my knuckles. My right arm also has a red wristwatch on it.

"Hoshiki, that is totally fantastic!"

I cried with joy as I inspected my new clothes.

<It's a pleasure for me to serve you, Master.>

She answered.

"Oh, and could you please give me a mask so I can cover my eyes?"

Then I asked.

<Here.>

In response, a hovering black mask with a crimson feathered corner emerged beside me.

"Thanks!"

I grinned whilst wearing that mask.

After that, I looked to the south to find something.

"Hmm, it is many miles away from here."

I mumbled and put my fingers under my chin.

<What are you planning to do, Master?>

Hoshiki inquired after observing my reckoning.

"Well,"

I called out and sat on the window panel, bracing myself for a long jump, grinning sharply as I declared, "I'm out for a hunt!"