Me, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Rossweisse-san, and Irina’s dad went to a train station which is two stations away from the one in our town. We came to check presents at this town at different places, like the large electronic stores and bookstores; they have good selections. We actually check which ones are popular and also ask the store clerks about the products. All of us decided that we will use this occasion to choose a portion of the presents we haven’t decided to give out for Christmas. I guess receiving a present which is quite new and useful will make them happier when receiving it. It’s a shame that we couldn’t research what the residents wanted……
“I’m very sorry for having all of you spend your precious time on this.”
Irina’s dad apologises to us. “Oh no, it was actually a good change for once.”
“He’s right, Irina’s dad. Usually our job is to train, so coming this far was a good experience.”
Xenovia sure did learn how to speak smoothly all of a sudden! I guess this is something she acquired after she started aiming to become the student president. ……Oh crap, it feels like Xenovia will become more normal than me! Since she’s potentially different from me, she will turn into a talented girl after she learns a bit! It feels like it was so long ago when she was called a muscle-brain swordswoman! No, I do still think that she uses power during battles! Irina then says after confirming the memo she wrote. “Next we will be checking the costumes. Let’s head to the store which has cosplay costumes.”
Irina leads us after saying that. A Santa costume huh. Looks like they are keen on it since the majority of them are girls. To be honest I don’t think there’s a difference in a Santa’s costume. But when I said that—
“Looking at the places which sell them will become a good example!”
That’s what they said. Hmm, they already had a look at it since they received it already so they can use that as an example…… Understanding girls’ minds is difficult. As we walk, Rossweisse-san suddenly asks me. “B-By the way Ise-kun. I-I’m asking this is one of the examples, but……please be aware that this is an example, okay?”
Rossweisse-san asks shyly after saying that. “From Ise-kun’s perspective, for a costume worn by women……should it be those authentic trousers or……a skirt?”
Trousers or skirt, huh. Well, if a woman is to wear them, then—
“I’m all for the skirt! And if it happens to be a miniskirt I might get excited over it! ……So I think a skirt would suit Rossweisse-san for the Santa costume.”
When I said that, Rossweisse-san turns red. “—! G-Geez! Y-You shouldn’t say such things to a girl without thinking about it, like that!”
S-She’s angry at me! And with her accent that is! But she makes a cough and mutters with a low voice. “I-I see. A skirt, a skirt. ……Will it make my legs look slim……and I don’t think I can make it in time if I prepare for it now……or should I deceive it by using magic? But Granny said I won’t be able to deceive a boy’s eyes even if I do that—”
……Ever since the battle at Auros Academy, Rossweisse-san also started asking for my preferences. Though she’s saying that she’s asking for my opinion as an example……
During our way to the shop it started to rain. It turned into heavy rain quickly so we went to a summer house located at the park nearby in order to take shelter. We didn’t bring any umbrellas with us. “Let’s wait until it stops.”
Since Rossweisse-san said that all of us agreed to her suggestion. “If the Joker Dulio was with us he could have easily controlled the rain in one go……”
Xenovia said that sarcastically……but we shouldn’t recklessly control the weather. It may be possible for Dulio but I don’t think he can do that unless it’s an emergency. While all of us wait at the summer house, we can hear the sound of someone walking through the rain. When I look forward— a man who isn’t using an umbrella under the rain was standing there. A man— with long black hair. When we checked what the man is holding onto, we put our alertness to the maximum level. ……It’s because he’s holding onto a sword which is giving out an ominous feeling. “Qlippoth……?”
Xenovia says that as she takes the Ex-Durandal from the different dimension. ……Even if it’s raining, this is still a park used by civilians. And it’s during daytime. So taking excessive action won’t simply make us receive attention! Though we can’t simply be defeated by him and also the murderous intent he’s directing at us is the real deal! We make our stance at him but there’s one person among us who is really shocked at the appearance of the man. Irina’s dad has his whole body shaking and looks at the man as if he can’t believe his eyes. “……I-It can’t be……! Why are you……! ?”
Irina’s dad says it with a shaking voice. The man—puts on a creepy big smile. “……It’s been a while. Shidou-san. ……Or should I call you the “Office-Chief” Shidou now?”
The man increases the wave of the sword he’s holding onto as he walks towards us! That aura coming from him isn’t normal. It has something which won’t leave us in peace if we approach him carelessly! Irina’s dad shouts after he takes a step forward. “So it is you, Yaegaki-kun……!”
“Yes, I was given this opportunity. I came to give judgement to you.”
That instant—. The man leaps forward! I followed his movement with my eyes and used my whole body to feel his presence! The man—shortened the distance between us without making any sound and slashed his sword at us from the side! We reacted immediately. Irina moved Asia and her dad to the rear. Xenovia and I block the enemy’s attack using our holy-sword and gauntlet respectively. Xenovia and I get our defence increased very high by the defence-magic cast by Rossweisse-san. We can still feel the extreme destruction of its attack even with our enhanced defence……! Maybe it’s because I’m not wearing my armour, so I get pushed back by the impact from his sword! Xenovia withstood at the spot even after receiving it and starts to exchange sword blows with the man! Xenovia who attained highspeed due to the holy-sword’s trait. Slashes which you can’t see with the naked eye is aimed at the man—but the man responds to Xenovia’s attack by blocking it and then attacking her back! —! He can even exchange blows with Xenovia! Xenovia has the trait of destruction in each of her attacks. But it’s as if the man can oversee it. He doesn’t get hit by it directly and shortens his distance with her by overcoming it! Xenovia also doesn’t receive any critical damage as she evades it by an inch. But different parts of her clothes are torn. Her attacks filled with destruction which were evaded by the man create holes in the ground of this park and blows it away. “Xenovia!”
Irina shoots arrows of light from the rear but the man takes them down with his sword while he’s taking on Xenovia! I also use Balance Break right away. I try to find the chance where I can shoot my Dragon-Shot……but it looks like the man is no ordinary assassin. I can’t find the slightest chance.