Schiltach [2]

[Jessica's Pov]

All of the teachers had now gathered up in the banquet hall that was most often used for celebration, with our principal in front of us. As always clad in his white uniform, symbolizing his pride and joy, he spoke with clarity.

"As you all know, we are not allowed to intervene until the monsters have broken through the border, meaning they will have to invade the nation before we act. I know this will be hard for many of you, but if we stick out our heads more than necessary in this situation we don't know what consequences we will have to bear."

We were all already painfully aware of this fact. Ainu wasn't a military faction, so it would be ridiculous to believe we would have any martial jurisdiction to act on. The reason why it was painful was that we were all also aware of what we would have to endure.

With a sad smile on his face, our principal was also aware of our mutual feelings.

"Let's just make sure to do what we can, and let's hope that the threat of the monsters isn't as serious as the reports suggest."

****

[Zero's Pov]

Sitting on my bed in the almost cavernous room, I was trying my hardest to act strong when I heard what the priest told me.

"Are you going again...? But... you just came back..."

Rubbing my small head with his big hand, I knew that Aksel felt just as awful as I about him having to go away again. Lately, he had rarely been home for more than two or three days at a time, always having to go away on his little trips.

"I know, Zero. But I will be back! Just like I always am!"

Even at my young age, I fully understood the reason why he had to go, but I wasn't mature enough to fully accept it. "Can't someone else do it? Why does it have to be you?"

"Zero..."

"No! I don't want to hear it! You are always just leaving me here, alone! Didn't you promise?! What if I suddenly..."

*Slap!*

A slight burn could be felt on my cheek that had just been slapped, the first physical reproach that I had ever experienced. Then, a second later, two strong arms pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Don't say that... Please never speak like that again. And I still remember my promise. No matter what, I will make sure to make it happen."

==========

Waking up, I felt my head groggy once again, unable to remember anything from the foreign lands of dreams that I had just returned from.

Getting up from my bed, I was still embedded with a bad feeling in my stomach, a feeling that something was about to happen. However, as it didn't carry any semblance of logic, I was forced to try my best and ignore it.

I had other things to do anyway, and these preparations were still necessary for me to bring the piece called Zero to the board.

****

[Sophie's Pov]

When we exited the buses we were all met by the very reality-bound sight before us. Having just crossed to the outside of the giant stone wall that was supposed to defend the border, there were a big number of tents raised, with lots of soldiers running around.

Although most of them were unharmed, there were still a large number of people with severe injuries, some of them lying on the ground and some just carrying on despite the blood that flowed from their wounds.

At the same time, a lot of, what looked like, civilians were desperately carrying box boxes and bags around, most likely rations for the deployed soldiers. This, framed by the large wilderness, devoid of vegetation, was more than enough for all of us to realize that this wasn't a game. This was reality.

"Listen up! I understand that you might feel scared now that you are getting to see all of this. However, if you can't even handle this, you are not suited to becoming hunters or knights in the future! This is just a small piece of the world that you will enter in the future, and it's a world that does not care about your feelings or emotions."

Noticing the states of us, the principal was quick to stand in front of us, making sure we all knew what we were about to get into. At the same time, I felt a hand take a hold of mine. Looking down at my side, I saw Arthur standing with a bright smile, fully intent on assuring me to the best of his abilities.

All the sophomores and freshmen of Ainu had now gathered, with our teachers and principal standing in front of us. Everyone had gathered to try and assist the border as much as possible, while at the same time making sure we all came out of there alive.

Everyone except for one person.

'Where is Zero?'

As we had gone on different buses on our way here, it was only now that I noticed that the white-haired youth wasn't here with us.

"Ah, so you have arrived, Frederick?"

Suddenly, a middle-aged man clad in the robes of a priest came up to our principal, wearing a big but worn-out smile.

"We have, Aksel. So, the church was already here? I didn't hear anything about you guys sending a representative."

"Ah, well, it was mostly my own decision to come here. Too bad that we have to meet like this and not at the academy, it would have been great to talk about my boy instead of having to deal with something as tragic as this. Come to think of it, I can't see him? Is he still on a bus?"

'His boy? Does he have a son in the academy?'

As their conversation wasn't hidden at all, it wasn't hard to register what they were talking about. But I had no idea who he was talking about, only that he wasn't here. 'Wait...'

As per the order, it didn't take many seconds until the principal made the situation very clear.

"Ah, Zero is staying behind at the academy, for reasons that you probably understand."

A sad look emerged on the priest's face, probably disappointed that he wouldn't get to meet his son here. "I see. Yes, that's probably for the best... Well, I better get going again. There is quite the amount of people in need of healing."

"Thank you for your service, Aksel."

With that, the priest was already on his way, focused on the task at hand. Me, I was stuck with some pretty dark thoughts.

'So that's one of the people who held Zero captive in the basement...'

It wasn't like I could ever forget what Zero had told me. How he had never gotten to see the outside world, and how he had been stuck underneath the church for his entire childhood.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't get the chance to think much about it, as the principal once again looked at us and opened his mouth.

"Now, my young students, your designated teachers will give you your assignments, and these will be based on their observation of your individual qualities. However, before you go, I will say this one more time. You are not allowed to die. Remember that."

==========

"So annoying! Why do I have to be on ration duty?! Shouldn't I get to do something more fitting to a noble like me?!"

"Tch! Just quiet down. Most of us are nobles, you know?"

With us girls sitting inside our designated tent, it was hard for me to concentrate on the discussion between Anna and Bellatrix, as I was still lost in my own thoughts.

I knew from the very beginning that this world wasn't all flowers and sunshine, but seeing the state of the military camp I realized that I had still been naïve. There was no glory to be had here, no honor to defend and no achievements of war to be gained.

There was only the will to live, everyone trying their best to make sure our nation would survive.

Inadvertently, my hands were shaking, a result of my mind being unable to calm down as I tried to digest the situation.

The world that I hadn't seen yet, the world that both James and Zero could already envision, with both of them going up against the tide. This was the world where I would finally put my foot, the world where I would see if my determination was strong enough.

A world where power was a force great enough to numb everything else, and where only the truly great people could remain vigilant towards getting carried away.

It was also the arena where I would prove James wrong, the stage where I would show him that there was always another way. That everything was possible as long one didn't give up.

Yet, my hands didn't stop trembling.