// Yuno POV //

I am sitting at my desk in the teachers' room finishing some of the documents for the first extra-curricular trip of class VII and also finishing retrieve the data of a small personality test to get to know my students better so that I can help them develop their special skills.

Why are you doing this, you ask me? I am preparing all the students for the civil war which is due to take place in a few months, I intend to create an information network via the students who will be dispersed throughout the empire because of this event.

Nobody is going to expect students to be part of the resistance during the first weeks of the war.

But the subject that bothers me the most is about the annexation of Crossbell, I can't act directly by laying out Osborn's plans about the great twilight or indirectly by giving information to the bracer guild without risking diplomatic complications, not to mention the intervention of Ouroboros for the Azure-Zero project to complete their Phantasmal Blaze Plan.

Warning Oliver won't do any good without concrete evidence. I will have to notify the queues of events.

After I have finished signing the last documents and enter my data on my PC, I put them in one of the drawers of my desk.

Yuno: Finally finished.

I say to myself as I stretch and then look at the time on the room clock to see that the first period starts in 10 minutes. I get up from my desk and get ready to take off my white lab coat which I use when I am in instructor mode.

Yuno: If I remember today fist period is history and literature with instructor Thomas.

???: Indeed Yuno-kun

I turn around to see the person in question a man with light grey-purple hair and light blue eyes wearing glasses. His name is Thomas Lysander he teaches history and literature here in Thors he appears first and foremost as a model of carefree behaviour towards everything around him, be it students or staff members. As a history teacher, he is very familiar with folklore and legends between reading in the library and presenting his lectures.

His optimistic attitude and easy-going personality do indeed seem to irritate some people, such as when it comes to exposing Sara's problems without taking the situation into account.

But the latter has a second identity he is the second in command of the Gralsritter, a secret order of knights of the Septian Church, mainly in charge of recovering dangerous artefacts.

Thomas' presence in Erebonia is to be undercover as a history instructor at the Military Academy of Thors while trying to locate and decode the Black Records, documents on which the past and future of Erebonia are recorded.

Yuno: Hello instructor Thomas, you're already leaving for class?

Thomas: Indeed but first I have to go and pick up some documents for the class I forgot, and I wanted to ask you if you could make the name call and start the class for me by the time I arrive?

Yuno: There is no problem even if I am a student, I am also a sub-instructor, I would do that with pleasure.

Thomas: Really?! Thank you Yuno-kun.

The instructor passes me the call table and I go to the classroom of class VII, as in the game the school system follows the Japanese one, the students stay in the same classroom except for a private lesson and it's the instructors who move from class to class.

Arriving in front of the classroom I hear a conversation inside when the bell starts ringing, I open the door to go inside.

Yuno: Hello everyone, take your seat.

Everyone looks at me a little surprised because I am still wearing my white lab coat today.

Elliot: Uh, Yuno, aren't you supposed to be a student today?

Yuno: It was planned but instructor Thomas has to pick up some documents and asked me to start the course for him, Class President if you can do me the honour.

Emma: Yes, Stand...

Everybody stand up

Emma: Bow... Salute

Everybody bend over and say hello to me.

Everyone: Hello

Emma: ...Seat.

After everyone has sat down and I made the name call, I decide to talk about to make everyone curious about the Dark Age of the Empire which will help a lot especially during the civil war.

Yuno: Ok everybody I am going to tell you about the Dark Age of the Erebonia Empire, as you all know there is not much left of this dark period of history except the old legends that still circulate in the oldest families of the empire like the Royal family, or ancient ruins scattered everywhere in Erebonia we also still have a present site like our dear old schoolhouse.

At this moment Gaius raises his hand.

Yuno: Yes, Gaius-kun?

Gaius: How can you be sure that the old schoolhouse was created at that time? From the structure, it seems to be created at the creation of the academy no?

Yuno: Well, from the external architecture of the building you would think it didn't come from that period of the history, but as you could see during the examination the architecture of the lower levels is different and I think you all saw the fighting I've against some sort of giant golem, didn't you?

Everybody nods their heads.

Alisa: Now that I think back where did this creature come from? Was it inside the school all these years without someone finding it?

Laura: It looked very strong I would say on the same level as the gargoyle we fought or even stronger.

Yuno: That right these golems are really dangerous even I have to go all out to beat one, the only chance to face them safely is to use tactic using the Combat Link. let me tell you a little tip about the ARCUS combat link, it will only work when you have high trust with the person you're Link. If any of the two-member links has a sliver negative feedback the link will break. but let back to the main subject.

When I begin to speak about the combat link some take note of this, then I take a kind of projector out of my pocket and put it on my desk and it projects the magic knight I faced, it surprises everybody. But the most surprised is Emma who looks at me with a worried look on her face

Yuno: This kind of golem is what we call a Magic Knight, they were created by magicians of the empire during the Dark Ages to fight a certain entity, the fact that there was one in the old schoolhouse proves in part that this building has a link with this period of history, well that's what my personal research has shown.

Jusis: Interesting and I deduce that there are more creatures like this one in this ancient ruin, isn't it?

Jusis' question makes me smile

Yuno: Indeed there are many of them and for the curious, I have already faced some in the past, but I would talk about it during a class if I have the time of course. Oh, Rean.

Rean: What?

Yuno: North Highland, keep that in mind ok?

Rean: Huh? Ok.

I put the holographic projector in my pocket and at the same time, the door of the room opens to make room for instructor Thomas.

Thomas: Sorry I'm late everyone, we can start the lesson. Open your history books to the chapter on the Middle Ages. Thank you, Yuno-kun you can go back to your desk.

I nod in response before taking off my white lab coat and sit at my desk in the front row on the far left next to Fie and open my manual and notebook to take notes.

Meanwhile, the instructor writes on the blackboard, the contents of today's lesson.

Thomas: As I'm sure you all know, the Erebonian Empire was brought to the brink of collapse about 250 years ago. This was brought about by the conflict we know as the "War of the Lions", a civil war lasting several years, staged on the throne of the late emperor by the most powerful of his potential successors ... But of course, I am not here to tell you that. If that were the case, I think that even young children would be able to pass this course! Instead, I would like to talk about the effect this had on the Empire, as members of the aristocracy were drawn to the war. Many mercenaries turned to looting and stealing, and a similar trend was even observed among some knights. The country was completely devastated and morale was low. But then a man walked into this nightmare. A man ready to take a stand against this bloody war for the succession. He was a wandering prince who was beginning to rally the forces on the periphery of the Empire, and who was going to make a name for himself. And that name, of course... was Dreichels Reise Arnor. He would later become known as "Dreichels the Lionheart" - the 73rd emperor of Erebonia and father of the Renaissance... not to mention the founder of this academy. Dreichels' army was initially rather small in number. But as he travelled throughout the Empire, winning the hearts of influential supporters, his forces quickly grew in strength. The place where Emperor Dreichels started to gather his army was. Rean Schwarzer. Would you like to tell the class?

At this very moment Rean starts to think for a while when something comes to his mind, then he stands up and answers

Rean: It was the North Highland, a region northeast of Erebonia.

Thomas: Very good, Mr Schwarzer! Prince Dreichels' wanderings led him to the Northern Highland, where he lived for a while with the wanderers. There he heard about the civil war in Erebonia, and these vagabonds of the North became his very first allies.

Then Rean sits down happy that he didn't make a mistake, I turn my head to see Alisa looking at me with a look that says "How did I do that" before I stick my tongue out and concentrate on the class, which makes me smile and then I turn around to concentrate on the class and so the day went on.

// Timeskip End of class //

Ding Dong Ding Dong

Sara: Good work, everyone. You've managed to have another gruelling day of classes! (heart) If you've been living under a rock, don't forget that tomorrow is your first "day off". Technically, it's not a day off, but there are no classes, so it's up to you to decide how to use your time. You could go shopping in the capital if you wanted to! ...Or do what I do and sleep all day. Sleep is wonderful!

Everyone is delighted with Sara's statement

Yuno: Well, it's an activity like any other, at least from my point of view.

Emma: Um... Will the facilities of the academy still be open for us?

Machias: Yes, I would like to be able to use the free study space in the library myself.

Sara: Of course! This school doesn't close to anyone, so feel free to use all the facilities as you wish. A lot of clubs have meetings planned for these free days too, so anyone who has joined one should probably check this out.

Gaius: ... I see.

Laura: I'll be sure to do that.

Sara: Before you go, we should also review what happens next week. On Wednesday you all have your practical exam.

Sara's sentence surprises everyone, except me who knows what this exam is for.

Rean: A...practical exam?

Alisa: What exactly does this imply?

Alisa asks Sara

Sara: This is part of your combat training. You will be graded on your performance, so make sure you are well-rested and ready for combat by then! It might be a good idea to train on your own time as well, to avoid getting rusty.

Jusis: ...Hmm. Interesting.

Elliot: I...really don't like what that means...

Fie: ...* Yawn *...

Sara: Oh, and one more thing! After the practical exam, we have another important announcement to make...

Then Sara looks at me and I make a sign of confirmation with my fingers.

Sara: ...about an important part of the class VII programme which we... haven't mentioned at all yet.

This statement is of interest to everybody, except me again.

Machias: Wh-what?

Rean seems to be waiting for something.

Sara: So! Whatever you choose to do on your day off, make it count for something.

She says with a smile and her eyes closed.

Sara: That concludes today's class. Machias, would you do the honours?

Machias: Yes, Instructor.

Answers our class vice-president.

Machias: All stands... Bow.

After that everyone leaves the class to go about their business, while I, Elliot and Gaius gather at Rean's desk.

Elliot: I'm a little worried about next week's practical exam. I mean, I'm still getting used to the staff... even with Yuno's help, I'm still struggling.

Yuno: Don't be so down Elliot, these staffs are still in the development stage, so, normally, you have difficulties, we just need to figure out how to fix them so that you can use yours without difficulty.

Rean: I would be happy to help you train if you need a sparring partner. The gym seems to be big enough that we have no problem finding a good location for it.

Elliot: That's... very nice of you both to offer. But I had planned to attend the club's training today.

Rean: Oh, you've already joined a club? which one did you choose?

Rean asks a bit surprised that his friend has already found a club to join.

Elliot: I, uh... decided to try to join the band. But I'm not sure how much use they'll be to a violinist.

Rean: I didn't know you played the violin. Did you just take it for fun?

I give Rean sneaky elbow in the gut, and he turns his eyes to me and then I wave to him with my eyes to look at Elliot smile, for others, it's a normal smile, but for us, it's a forced smile.

Elliot: Yes, something like that.

Then the boy looks at Gaius

Elliot: What about you, Gaius? Have you joined one of the school's clubs?

Gaius: I am considering joining the art club.

Rean: Art, eh? Somehow that's not what I imagined for you. No pun intended.

Yuno: Excellent choice, according to the result of the little test I gave, Gaius seems to have a great artistic sensibility.

Elliot: Do you have any artistic experience?

Gaius: I dabbled in it at home. Taught myself, though, so I feel like it might be a good opportunity to learn a proper technique.

Elliot: Wow. That's pretty cool!

Rean: I would love to see some of your work one day.

At that very moment, the classroom door opens and Sara walks into the room and walks over to us and then something comes to my mind and remember what day it is today.

Sara: Oh, good. You two are still here!

Yuno: 'Huh why she said you two looking at me and Rean'.

Rean: Instructor?

Elliot: Is there a problem?

Sara: No, no. I was just hoping that someone could do me a...tiny little favour? There's something I need to pick up in the student council room.

Elliot: Something you need to pick up?

Gaius: What would that be?

Sara: Heh. That's for me to know and you to find out! All I will say is that it is something essential to your school life. And someone has to go and get it! But it doesn't matter who. Any volunteers?

Yuno: You shouldn't have that smug face when you ask someone for a favour (or to do your job) Sara-sensei.

I tell Sara without filtering my words because I know how she thinks most of the time. After all, she used the same strategy on me.

Sara: You can say mean things sometimes my beloved pupil. Why don't you volunteer yourself?

Yuno: If you hadn't given me so much work this morning, I would have done it.

Rean: I'm going to go. If I go to the student council room and tell them that you sent me, they will know why I'm here, won't they?

Elliot: W-Wait...

Gaius: Are you sure you don't mind?

Rean: You've got clubs to do, don't you? And Nii-san, you've already done enough work today. I'm still totally undecided about finding a club, so it shouldn't be a problem at all. In fact, I can go and see some clubs myself along the way!

Elliot: Well, if you don't mind?

Gaius: Thank you!

Yuno: You don't really need to do that but I'll take you up on your offer.

Sara: The student council room is in the student union building next door, at the end of the corridor on the second floor. It is open until very late, so there is no emergency. Thank you, dear! I leave EVERYTHING in your capable hands! (heart).

Rean: Uhh...O-Okay...

Yuno: Good luck for what's going to happen to you, and tell to Towa iI say 'Hello' for me.

I'll tell Rean before I leave class and go back to the dormitory to prepare dinner.

// Timeskip //

I am in the dormitory kitchen preparing dinner with Celine lying on one of the tables watching me cook.

Since my little joke a month and a half ago, me, Emma and Celine have become excellent friends, Emma was nervous that I knew she was a witch, but after talking to her that night and learning that I am from the same school of magic as her, she calmed down and started to make acquaintance.

Of course, I was asked how I could learn the magic of the Hexen clan without being a member of the clan or having lived there, I told them that a member of the clan who left the clan a long time ago left a legacy that I found when I was young and learned on my own.

Of course, Celine doubts the validity of my story but cannot refute it because it may be true too. Of course, I received a sermon from Celine for the fright I gave them because of the prank of discovering their identity but after offering a fish to the cat, as a gift, I was forgiven.

And so from time to time, I help Emma in her education to be a full-fledged witch.

Yuno: So how was your day?

Celine: Apart from sleeping all day, nothing special, what about you?

Yuno: The history class was about the Lion's War and I took the opportunity to talk about the magic knights and the abord the subject of the Dark Age with the members of my class.

Celine looks at me with big eyes.

Celine: How do you know that?

Yuno: I told you that I had received an inheritance from a witch of the Hexen clan, didn't I? Well, I also inherited all her knowledge about the Dark Age and some secrets too.

Celine: For you to know this, this person must have been an elder of the clan or a very powerful witch in the clan, but why did you talk about this with the other members of class VII?

Yuno: I met one of these knights in the upper levels during the orientation exam, but I managed to beat him narrowly, and if another one appears I would prefer that they be warned of the dangers of meeting one and how to fight them.

Celine: 'Weird, these creatures shouldn't appear here unless...' Tell me you wouldn't forget to tell me something, would you?

Yuno: Who knows?

After I finish preparing dinner I head to the rooms on the upper floors of the dormitory to warn everyone that dinner is ready to come face to face with Rean holding notebooks in his hands.

Rean: Nii-san just at the right time, here's your student notebook.

Yuno: Thank you Rean although it was Sara's job to give them to us.

Rean: I fell into her trap she even assigned me to the student council to help because Towa-sempai seems to be overworked, I understand why you complain about her behaviour from time to time now.

Yuno: Yes I know but I know that she never does anything without a good reason.

Rean: I think so too, but I don't understand why she assigned you to the council too?

Yuno: ... What did you just say?

I ask my little brother who seems to have uttered annoyance in my voice

// Flashback //

// Rean POV //

Towa: I really appreciate what you all agreed to do, too.

Rean: ... Hmm? What do you mean?

Towa: Heehee. I've heard everything from instructor Sara! She said that you and Yuno agreed to help the Student Council in our work, didn't she? It's such a nice gesture! You're really getting Class VII off to a good start here at the academy.

Rean: Umm... I'm sorry. I'm not sure I know what you're talking about...

Towa: Didn't you and Yuno tell her that you wanted to help us lighten our workload? Something about wanting to improve yourself? To prove that you were worthy to be part of this new prestigious class? She said that you were all eager to help us, so I should try to delegate some of my tasks to you.

Rean: ... ("heart" indeed...)

Towa: I'm sorry. Did I misunderstand her or something? Oh, how embarrassing! I-I didn't want to start trying to impose work on you when you've just signed up and Yuno has his job as a sub instructor!

Rean: (... There's no way I can refuse...) No, no. Instructor Sara is absolutely right. Your plate is as full as I've seen it, so if I can help you in any way and Nii-san will help you too, please let us.

// End of flashback //

// Yuno POV //

Yuno: ... I knew it was too good to be true ...

Rean: Sorry to have accepted in your stead.

Yuno: Don't worry about that, I would have accepted too, Towa is sometimes too nice for her own good.

Then Rean explains to me that we will have to deal with some requests that should arrive in our mailbox tomorrow morning.

Yuno: Ok, it doesn't change what I was already doing to Ymir.

Rean: Now that I think about it you're right, well I have to give the rest of the notebooks to the others.

Yuno: Give me the notebooks for the girls I was going to call you all for dinner but let do like this while you warn the boys by giving them their notebooks, I'll do the same with the girls.

Rean: Okay

Rean passes me some of the notebooks and I go to the 2nd floor which is the girls' floor. When I arrive I go to the first door in front of me on my left which is number 305 which is Fie's room and then I knock.

Fie: Who is there?

Yuno: It's me, Yuno. I have something for you.

Fie: ...I'm coming.

Fie opens the door, then I give him his notebook and tell him what he needs to know about it.

Fie: *yawn* cheers

Yuno: Oh, were you sleeping? I didn't want to wake you up.

Fie: ...It's OK.

Yuno: Well, I'm going to go since I have to give the notebook to the other girls, and dinner is ready.

Fie's drowsiness disappears straight away.

Fie: Thank you, I'll see you later.

Then she closes her door, I turn to the room opposite Fie's room which is Alisa's room, which is the 302, then I knock on the door.

Alisa: Who is it?

Yuno: It's me, Yuno.

Alisa: Yuno-nii?! Wait a minute ! !

I heard something falling in the room and then the door opened to let Arisa appear in front of me.

Alisa: What can I do for you?

Yuno: Here is your student notebook. And it's been a while since you called me by that name.

I give her, her notebook while explaining to her what I told Fie.

Alisa: It's a slip of my tongue that all. But thank you to take the time to give this, thanks to that, I can learn more about ARCUS and how it works.

Yuno: Don't worry about that and good luck with your research of the ARCUS, and also how much longer are you going to be angry with Rean? The poor boy may get depressed because you didn't give him time to talk, explain or even apologize.

Alisa: I know, I also want to apologize but I can't find the right time and every time I see his face it makes me angry.

Yuno: Whatever happens, make sure this problem is solved before the practical exam, okay?

I say to her while patting her head.

Alisa: Okay, thank you, big brother.

Yuno: I'm going, Oh and dinner's ready don't be late.

I tell her as I walk to the room next to Alisa's, which is Laura's room, whose number is 303.

Alisa: I will get ready then.

Then she closes her door and I arrive in front of Laura's door and I knock, not getting any answer.

Yuno: Hey... Laura, are you there?

Laura: Is that you, Yuno? I'm coming right away.

Then the door opens and I give Laura her notebook with the same explanation as to the other one.

Laura: Thank you for taking the time to give it to me.

Yuno: Don't worry, I was on my way to call everyone for dinner anyway, so two birds with one stone. And what were you doing? You're covered in sweat.

Laura: I was just practising with a wooden sword. I must have been so focused on my training that I didn't hear you knocking at first.

Yuno: No problem, but don't rush and stay focused, OK?

Laura: You sound like my father.

Yuno: What can I say? Your father personally trained me for a few months.

Laura: He never stopped his praise of you for mastering the Arseid style in just a few months. But I will soon surpass you.

Yuno: Good luck then, and don't forget to change your clothes, because your shirt is sticking to your skin because of the sweat and I can see everything, see you.

Then Laura looks at herself to see that her underwear is seen through her shirt before she blushes and slams the door of her room. Then I walk to Laura's room, Emma's room, which is number 304, and then I walk to the door.

Laura: Yes? Who is there?

Yuno: It's me, Yuno. Do you have a moment?

Emma: Ah, Yuno-san. I am coming right away.

Then, I did the same thing as with the other girls

Emma: Hee hee. Thank you. Oh, on an unrelated note, how do you plan to spend tomorrow's day?

Yuno: I had planned to test on a new weapon that I have developed, but a certain instructor gave me more trouble than I needed and I will have to help the Student Council with Rean. What about you?

Emma: I plan to look at other clubs. I haven't seen what the cultural clubs have to offer yet, so I will visit them tomorrow.

Yuno: Good luck with your research then. Let me know if any of them sound really good to you.

Emma: Okay. I will. And thank you for talking with Alisa.

Yuno: ...Haha. Did you hear us?

Emma: Well... Maybe I used a spell to listen to your conversation a little.

Yuno: I'm going to let it slide this time since you seem to really care about Alisa.

Emma: Thank you, Yuno-san

Yuno: I'm going, dinner is ready, so don't take too long before it gets cold.

Emma: Okay.

Then she closes her door and I go back to the kitchen and start serving everyone's plates while a certain plate has a smaller portion than the others.

That night there were cry and excuses heard by everyone in Trista.

[ Words count: 4513 ]