As Ryo followed the group out of the hall, he caught sight of Mei in the distance, her slender figure disappearing into the crowd. He would have liked to approach her, to discuss their situation and perhaps find some common ground, but he knew that initiating a conversation with Mei was never easy. Her unpredictable nature and tendency to keep people at arm's length made it challenging to gauge her mood or intentions.
Just as Ryo was about to dismiss the idea of talking to her, Mei halted and turned around, her gaze locking onto his. She beckoned him over with a subtle gesture, her maid pausing obediently behind her. Ryo's curiosity was piqued, and he let out a soft sigh as he walked towards her. He had grown accustomed to Mei's quirks, but this sudden display of initiative was still jarring.
As he approached, Mei leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Come to the room at the beginning of the boundary later tonight." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Ryo feeling both intrigued and perplexed.
Ravenna, who had been watching the exchange with interest, suddenly checked her watch and let out a soft "Tsk." Her normally emotionless demeanor gave way to a hint of urgency, and she gestured for Ryo to hurry along. "We really are running behind schedule, sir," she said, her voice tight with concern.
Ryo nodded, falling into step beside Ravenna as they followed the route she had suggested. As they walked, he couldn't help but wonder what Mei had in store for him.
Ryo's mind lingered on the enigmatic message, his thoughts drifting like wisps of cloud across a moonlit sky. The room before the boundary remained a mystery, but he assumed Mei had referred to the dividing line between the Moonless Hall and Starshadow Hall. It was a logical conclusion, one he would have to verify when the time came.
As he stood in the open area, surrounded by the scattered group of newcomers, Ravenna's voice broke into his reverie. "I cannot follow from this point on," she said, her words accompanied by a slight bow. "I will wait for you to finish with your training with the others."
Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she extended her hand, a small pendant nestled in her palm. "Take this," she said, her voice low and measured. "Channel your kardia magia into it, and you'll be able to reach me when the training concludes. I'll be available, of course, once the day's exercises are nearing their end."
Ryo's fingers closed around the pendant, the cool metal a tangible presence in his hand. Ravenna's eyes flickered with a hint of respect as she added, "I'm aware you've had some experience with your abilities, sir. I trust this will prove...useful."
With a courteous bow, Ravenna took her leave, leaving Ryo to ponder the strange dynamics of his new surroundings. The treatment he'd received so far had been...unsettling, to say the least.
But he would adapt. What choice did he have? "Go with the flow, I suppose," he murmured to himself, the words barely audible over the hum of conversation around him.
As the crowd began to stir, people clustered together and made their way towards an elevated platform situated a short distance from the center of the open field. The call of two figures standing on the platform, beckoning them to come closer, seemed to be the catalyst for the movement. Ryo, who had been lingering near the entrance, fell into step with the others, his curiosity piqued.
"What's this about, anyway?" he wondered, his eyes fixed on the platform as he navigated through the throng of people.
As he drew closer to the platform, his gaze wandered towards the entrance, and his eyes landed on a familiar figure. Mei was making her way towards the platform, her pace steady and purposeful. Ryo's thoughts turned to Ravenna, the maid who had been assigned to him. "Guess Ravenna knows her way around this place, the route she suggested got us here faster," he thought, feeling a bit more at ease with the mysterious figure.
The crowd was growing thicker now, and Ryo found himself being swept along by the tide of people. He quickened his pace, his eyes fixed on Mei's figure as she wove through the crowd with ease.
"Attention, lilies!" a tall man with a sturdy figure boomed from the platform, his voice carrying across the open field. He wore a dark gold cape that billowed behind him, the slight wind catching the edges and sending ripples through the fabric. The cape was clasped at his shoulder with an intricately designed brooch, and it blended seamlessly with his overall attire - a sleek, high-collared combat suit made of a dark, matte material that seemed to absorb the light around it. The suit was adorned with subtle, embroidered patterns that shimmered with a faint golden glow, echoing the color of his cape. Ryo's eyes narrowed as he took in the man's appearance. "A Jasmine," he thought to himself.
The Jasmine's gaze swept across the crowd, his eyes piercing as he continued to speak. "The purpose of myself, and my colleague beside me, is to give you ample combat training. The Hydrangeas aren't back from Their page, so we'll be filling in for them." Ryo's thoughts turned to the mention of Hydrangeas. "Must be a higher rank," he thought, "given the flower-based naming convention."
Ryo's gaze lingered on the Jasmine, taking in the details of his attire and demeanor. The man's presence seemed to command attention, and Ryo felt a sense of anticipation building within him.
"Address me as Gareth, and my partner here, Miss Astrid Müller, and I will guide you through your training for the next five months. Your journey will be arduous, but with steady progress and dedication, you will emerge stronger and more formidable than you ever thought possible."
Gareth's eyes swept across the room, his gaze lingering on each Lily before moving on. "Your training will begin with the fundamentals of Kardia Magia, where you will learn to harness and control this powerful energy. You will then progress to scenario-specific training, mastering the unique abilities and traits that define your path."
Miss Müller, a statuesque woman with piercing blue eyes and long, curly brown hair, stepped forward. "As you advance, you will learn combat techniques, both basic and advanced, and strategies for defeating Kardia Beasts. You will also discover the secrets of emotional resonance and connection, and how to leverage these to enhance your abilities."
Gareth nodded, his expression serious. "The journey will not be easy, but with persistence and determination, you will unlock new levels of power and potential. By the end of these five months, you will be transformed, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead."
The room fell silent, the Lilies hanging on every word. Gareth's voice dropped to a low, measured tone. "Your training will be divided into several modules, each designed to push you to your limits. You will learn to wield Kardia Magia with precision, to fight with strategy and skill, and to harness the power of your emotions. By the time you complete your training, you will be a force to be reckoned with."
Miss Müller smiled, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "And, of course, there will be opportunities for you to hunt Kardia Beasts, to test your skills in the field and to reap the rewards that come with victory."
The Lilies exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting a mix of determination and apprehension. The weight of the challenge ahead settled in, and they knew that their journey would be far from easy. Gareth's voice rose, filling the room. "Let us begin, then. Your journey starts now."
Ryo's gaze drifted, his mind wandering to the countless other things he'd rather be doing. "How tedious," he thought to himself. "A whole five months of this? I'll be lucky if I don't fall asleep during the lectures." He had already undergone his first succession in his Scenario, and he had faced real combat in the world beyond the training grounds. This training was child's play compared to what he had experienced.
As Gareth droned on about the fundamentals of Kardia Magia and scenario-specific training, Ryo's attention began to wander even further. He observed the others, noting their eagerness and determination. "How...amusing," he thought. "They actually think this is going to be useful."
When Gareth mentioned the Kardia Beasts, Ryo's interest piqued slightly. "Ah, now that's something worth my time," he thought. He would participate in the hunting, not because he needed the training, but because it seemed like a decent way to pass the time.
As the others began to watch, practice, and learn from Gareth, Ryo's boredom grew. "I'll get the curriculum and see what's really worth learning here," he thought to himself. "I'll join in on the Kardia Beast hunting, but until then, I'll just observe and wait for the interesting parts." With a hint of a smile, he leaned back, ready to endure the monotony of the training.
Ryo wandered away from the crowd, his eyes fixed on the book he'd obtained from Sir Thompson's class. His hand rested on his chin, and his posture was so slouchy it was almost comical. He walked with his head down, oblivious to his surroundings, until he saw a pair of feet standing in front of him.
His eyes flicked up, and before he could react, Mei's fingers flicked his forehead with a soft "smack".
"Watch where you're headed, walking disaster!" Mei said, a hint of teasing in her voice. "You're so absorbed in that book, you're liable to walk. You're going to trip over your own feet and face-plant into the ground."
Ryo chuckled, rubbing his forehead. "Thanks for the concern, Mei. I think I can handle my own navigation." He smiled wryly, his eyes returning to his book. "Besides, I'm not that clumsy."