The rest of their breakfast, the three of them ate in relative silence. Yuki focused on his plate, not looking up as he ate. Though he said that he would trust them more, he didn’t quite know what that entailed. Trust was sothing more than just telling people the complete truth. It was more than just the willingness to sacrifice one’s self.
‘I guess I’ll find out what that more is in the future,’ he thought.
As they were nearing the end of their breakfast, Erica cleared her throat. Yuki glanced at her with a curious expression.
“Um. When I was talking with Vii last night, she asked
an interesting question,” she said.
“And that is?”
“She wanted to know if anything big was going to happen or was being planned. From what she told , everyone has been doing reconnaissance for the last couple of months?”
“That’s correct.”
“Why?” Erica asked, tilting her head. “Are you trying to find sothing in particular?”
“I’m not. I simply gave the order for the reconnaissance to happen,” Yuki shrugged. “Uriel, on the other hand, may have found sothing interesting in that ti. I haven’t had the ti to ask her recently.”
“Oh. I think she did. Vii said that Uriel was giving out more specific instructions.”
“What kind of instructions?” Akira asked.
“She doesn’t know. She told
that she never received them herself since she’s in a job that doesn’t really deal with information. She’s just part of security.”
“I really need to catch up with the details of what’s going on,” Yuki sighed. “Being out for a week made
really behind in the information.”
“You shouldn’t stress about those things right now,” Erica said hurriedly. “You’ll have ti later, no?”
“No.”
She blinked. “You won’t?”
“Why?” Akira asked. “Pushing yourself isn’t good Yuki. And after yesterday, I’m sure you know what can happen when you do.”
“I know. But if Uriel did find sothing, then I need to know as soon as possible. I am the leader of the guild.”
“The health of the leader is more important than your plans,” Akira said. “A leader that is impaired isn’t a leader. You need to take care of your health more.”
“Akira, I know. What happened yesterday was unexpected but it wasn’t sothing new,” Yuki said softly. “I’ve experienced it before. I know how to deal with it. But in order to do that, I need to trust that you both have my back. I don’t know how to do that, but I’ll try. However, information isn’t going to trigger anxiety. It shouldn’t. I was like that yesterday because of the people around .”
“We don’t know if it’ll get worse.”
“It shouldn’t. It’s nothing like it was before. And even before, I could still do work. Just to be safe though, you both should co with
to watch. If I start to show signs, then tell .”
“I can do that,” Erica said.
“Okay,” Akira nodded, accepting the compromise.
“Plus, with two more people, we can get through more things quicker,” Yuki added.
“That’s what you really wanted, huh,” Akira sighed.
“No. I wanted both equally.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” she smiled.
“Anyway, do you two have any other questions you wanted to ask ?” he said. “I’ll answer them the best I can.”
“My initial question,” Akira said. “You haven’t answered it.”
“Why I’m busy?”
“Yes. You said that you didn’t have ti to rest. Why? Besides the information and asking Uriel about the last week or so, what else are you planning to do?”
“I think I joined the annual Academy tournant,” Yuki replied nonchalantly.
“You what?”
“Think I joined the Academy tournant,” he repeated.
“What do you an think?” Akira asked.
“Yuna asked
if I wanted to team up with her for the tournant and I replied yes,” Yuki explained. “So, I think I joined. That depends on whether or not Yuna registered yet.”
“So that’s what you ant when you said you thought.”
“Mhm.”
“Why did you join?” Erica asked. Yuki glanced at her, telling her to continue. “The tournant shouldn’t really benefit you, right?”
“Well, it can be good practice for skills or techniques that I want to master or test out,” he shrugged.
“But you can do that with us, no?”
“Yes, I can. There are a few more reasons why I decided to join,” Yuki went on. “The first was that Mabel made it a requirent for
to join. She said that it was going to function as my final.”
“She can do that?” Akira said, frowning.
“It would seem so. I wouldn’t surprise
if the instructors have a loose rein. So that’s the first reason why I joined the tournant. The second reason is the prize.”
“What is it?” Erica asked. “Sothing fancy? Like a gem like last ti?”
“No, it’s a position. Or really, more of an entry for a chance at a position,” he said. “L-taf is recruiting it seems. The winning team of the tournant will be given spots in their training camp.”
“You want to join the L-taf?”
“No. In fact, if it wasn’t required of
to enter the tournant, I probably would have let soone else take it. It’s more trouble than it’s worth. First, I’ll need to win the tournant which isn’t the hardest part but then I’ll either need to join the training camp which would take up large amounts of my ti or pass it on to soone else which would only create questions.”
“So, because you’re required, you might as well go for the prize,” Akira finished.
“Basically. A position in L-taf is one that includes a lot of power and authority. You gain respect almost imdiately just from the na. Because I had to participate in the tournant, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I was going to ask Yuna if she wanted to team with
but she did it first so that worked out.”
“Wait. So are you going to accept the training camp position?” Akira asked.
“No. Like I said, I don’t have ti for that. I’ll need to find soone that either works for
or I know will be an ally in the future. Then I’ll give them the position. No one would refuse such a thing if I create the right excuse.”
“I see. I take it that preparation for the tournant will cut into your ti?” she said.
“Yes,” Yuki nodded. “I needed to create new techniques and polish my skills in the first place so it’s a win win. We need to organize training regins, rember?”
“Ah, yes. We were planning to do that.”
“You might need to wait a bit before you organize those,” Erica interjected with a small smile. “I’m not quite adjusted yet. Probably tomorrow, I’ll be in perfect shape.”
“Mmm. Your change. We’ll be sharing profiles with each other so I’ll at least have an idea of your capabilities,” Yuki said. “But it can wait a day.”
“Great,” she said. “And, ah, if it’s not too much trouble, I’ll be heading out later today to buy clothes. Because, you know.”
Yuki took in her ill fitting clothing that looked as if it was going to burst at anyti. Especially around her chest area.
“How much exactly did your oath change you?” he asked. “You’ve grown at least a few sizes.”
She looked down and patted her breast with a thoughtful expression on her face.
“It kept my general form but toned down a lot of the attributes I had of a succubus. That includes my body,” she said. “My other parts like my aura and stuff was also toned down but now they’re back in full power. I have a dampening bracelet, though.”
She lifted her right arm, displaying a gold chain band.
“It’ll suppress my aura and so of the other attributes of a succubus.”
“Other attributes,” Yuki repeated. “Mind telling
what those attributes are?”
“Succubus attributes.”
“Yes, I know that. You’re not going to say are you?” he said.
“I'd rather not,” Erica said with an awkward smile.
“I can guess, though. If my not so good knowledge of succubi is sufficient for guesses.”
“I can tell you. Eventually. There’s really no need for
to say what those things are now. You’ll find out sooner or later. They’ll show up no matter how much I try.”
“I’ll wait then. Let’s go talk to Uriel now, why don’t we?” he said, standing up. He gestured to their empty containers. “Want
to throw those away for you?”
“Sure,” Erica said, handing him her’s.
“I can do it,” Akira replied. She stood up and walked with him to the trash can. “Are we going to the base?”
“Of course. It’s the perfect place for analysing data. I don’t have a room here to do that and the one in the bar isn’t big enough or equipped enough.”
He tossed his trash and told them that he’ll change his clothes really quick before they go. Erica was already dressed and Akira went with him to their room to grab an outfit. They changed, Akira heading to the bathroom to do it, and then left the house. A short walk and they arrived at the park where Yuki looked for a bit before finding the hidden transporter to the guild base.
‘No one’s used this since the last ti I used it,’ he thought as he looked through the records. ‘Good.’
The three of them stepped onto three separate plates and were promptly sent to the guild hideout. This was a place that Yuki had Damian and his friends build soon after the first base was constructed. Yuki felt that having a backup was necessary since the main base could be compromised at anyti.
‘Guess it was a good idea.’
Once in the base, Yuki marched through the tunnels, Akira and Erica following him closely behind. He passed by a few mbers who gave him respectful greetings to which he responded with a nod. Then he stopped before a reinforced tal door, an imposing lock in the center of it.
“Uriel. I’m here for the news,” he said.
“Oh, Yuki. You’re back,” she said. “And for the news, I see. Co on in then~.”
The lock twisted and released, the tal opening silently and Yuki walked into the dark room.
“What have you found?” he asked.
“Oh boy. You’ll see.”
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