Encore 32 — New Beginnings (V)

"Seems like not many people like the fact that you're a rookie and are a second-apostle."

It was the next day and Aisaka was assigned to Yuichi as his mentor. Ruby followed along because Aisaka was something similar to her guardian.

"Where am I going? Aren't I going to do simple chores?"

"Chores? That's an interesting way of putting it. You're going to meet your team."

"Team?!"

Yuichi's eyes widened in surprise.

"I'm going to be going on missions already? I thought I would have to work my way up slowly."

"Sure, but these missions are more like community service. After a little while, we'll, then, give you missions to carry out."

"So, he's the new guy, Aisaka-senpai?"

As they turned the corner, a boy spoke to the black-haired woman.

His violet hair was short and spiky and he stared, intrigued, at Yuichi with his turquoise eyes. He did not appear to be Japanese.

"Go inside, I'll introduce him to the other two."

The boy followed his orders and they entered the small room. There were two others, who looked around Yuichi's age. It was clear that they had not graduated high school yet too.

There was a girl and a boy. The girl did not turn her head. She was wearing a white hood. Her eyes were green and her hair was mid-length and light brown. The girl was staring at her phone.

The boy waved at him, nervously. He had black hair and azure eyes. He seemed to be shy and nervous, unconditionally.

The violet-haired boy sat down.

Yuichi eased up slightly, knowing that there were others his age in the Church.

Aisaka clapped her hands, gaining everyone's attention.

"Hey, hey, everyone, introduce yourself to our newest member. He'll be a part of this team—Team Eden."

"I'll start then!"

The violet-haired boy exclaimed. He seemed like the extrovert of the group.

"I'm Kyrie Flügen and I'm 17. I was recently scouted, though, I'm the senior of this team. Of course, excluding the team supervisor. I'm good at swordsmanship."

(So, he was a foreigner...)

Yuichi thought.

The girl sighed before introducing herself.

"I'm Shinobu Kurokage. I'm 15 and I'm good at casting spells."

She said, rather uninterested.

It was clear, at least to Yuichi, that she had no interest in conversing. She showed more respect to her phone than to her comrade.

"U-uh... I-I am R-Renya Shirokuma. I'm 17 and I, uh, am good at, uh, support."

He grumbled and mumbled under his breath. He was anti-social or simply shy with people.

"I'm Yuichi Asame and I'm 17. I'm good at close combat."

"Good, now that you're all acquainted, you'll go on your first mission."

Aisaka said.

The girl got overexcited.

"Mission! Really?!"

For Yuichi, seeing the girl happy did not fit her image. He felt slightly troubled.

"Yup, your mission is... getting a cat from a tree."

WHACK!

Aisaka edged backwards while Shinobu barraged her with punches.

"Give us real missions, already!"

"I'm... sorry..."

Aisaka grunted with each punch.

"?!"

"Don't worry,"

Kyrie put his hand on Yuichi's shoulder with a calm expression.

"You'll get used to it."

(This?!)

The boy exclaimed in his mind. There was a strange feeling in his chest. Was it relief or, perhaps... a hint of regret?

·———·

On a helicopter in the sky, a white-haired girl slowly awoke from her deep slumber.

"Ah..."

She rubbed her eyes and hastily wiped the saliva leaking from the corners of her mouth. The girl whipped her head around to see if anyone saw her in her pathetic state.

"You slept like a doll."

Morisa noted, seeing that her daughter awoke.

"..."

She stayed silent.

"I know this incident hurt you but don't think you're going to be having it easy within the Secret Force."

"That's exactly why I slept now. I'm not looking to take it easy. If I want to know the truth, I need to get stronger."

"Don't think that results come from blind hard work."

Yusaka said, from beside Isla. Their eyes met.

"If you overwork yourself, you injure yourself. You're not useful when you're injured."

"That's right."

Rika chimed in.

"In the Secret Force, we are nothing but tools. Tools are disposable, if broken or inefficient."

"Do not break yourself, Isla. Prove your worth. Prove that you're a unique indisposable tool. Then, you will climb the ranks."

Morisa advised her.

(Unique indisposable tool? I'm not exactly following...)

She complained.

"Captain. We're here."

The pilot said.

"Good."

The blond-haired woman smirked.

She slid the helicopter door open. The sun, surrounded by an amber aura, caused the smooth ocean waves to sparkle.

"Welcome to the Secret Force's base of operation: Avalon."

It was like a metal island. There was a large battleship, which covered a lot of space. It was suited with special guns, airships and helicopters on its top. There were even small patches of green on the top. They even had small parks.

"Avalon... As in the legendary island where King Arthur supposedly healed from his injury after the battle with his illegitimate son, Mordred?"

They all stared at Isla, strangely.

"You sure know a lot. Have you been studying?"

Her mother asked her.

Isla gently smiled.

"Yeah."

Most of her knowledge was incorrect, although, there was always one person who would correct her. Kazuya Shiba. However, he was not with her anymore. Neither was Yuichi Asame.

The helicopter landed and they all exited the helicopter. They were met by a woman. She had short black hair and blue eyes.

To Isla, she looked like a certain someone.

"I see you're back, Morisa."

"Yes, Commander."

"However, you were not able to avoid the disaster, despite knowledge of the prophecy."

The woman stared blankly at Morisa, who had her head down slightly to show respect.

"I have no excuses."

The commander sighed.

"If the archangel, Uriel, was investigating the prophecy, then there's no way you would be able to stop it. I pushed you past your limits, Morisa, for that, I am sorry."

She bowed her head to the woman.

Aran, Yusaka and Rika exchanged nervous glances as they observed the scene. Even the captain of the squad was shocked.

"N-no, please raise your head, Commander. I was simply incompetent."

The woman raised her head.

"Hm? Who's this?"

"My daughter. Isla Chibana. She was in the same team as your brother."

Her brother was Kazuya Shiba.

Siesta gave Isla a cursory glance. It seemed like something Kazuya would do when meeting someone for the first time. She saw him do it when he met the Ironhide Squad for the first time.

(They have the same calculating stare. They're definitely siblings.)

"How is my brother?"

"Ah, well..."

Isla looked at the rest of them. Morisa gave a vague nod.

"Commander Siesta. We have something to tell you."

"Oh?"