Tasogareiro no Uta Tsukai Vol 1 Chapter 4

4th Play: The Oath-maker Sings, O World Dyed in Twilight

  Part 1

“Just now, that was……?”

An abnormality in the campus. The first to discover it had been a female teacher patrolling around the fourth-year school building.

The shrill noise sounded like both a weeping voice and a wail. Right now, except for the few people including her who were on patrol, the students and teachers should have already proceeded to the multipurpose hall.

Was that someone’s voice just now?

The location of the voice wasn’t very far or very close, but sounded unusually indistinct. When she turned her head to look at the fourth-year school building behind her, she immediately felt a slight shake through her high-heeled shoes. What could it be? Although it felt like an earthquake, the vibrations weren’t regular. The center of the shaking wasn’t very far. For no particular reason, she thought of giants from fairytales, who walked around with heavy footsteps.

At first glance, the fourth-year building didn’t seem abnormal. The moment when the female teacher turned to walk in the direction of the path, it happened. Her body felt as heavy as lead. There usually shouldn’t be any people in the resources building, which was close beside the fourth-year building. But right now, that whole building was swaying.

“Wha…… What’s going on?

In that instant, a deafening explosion noise made her crouch down reflexively. That was a burst of noise more fierce than thunder, as if its sole purpose was to disintegrate her eardrums.

After cautiously opening her eyes— she began to doubt what she was seeing. The roof of the resources building had already vanished without a trace. Instead, something as large as a chimney rose up from inside the building. Moreover, there were five.

What……is this……

The darkness of the night became hazy.

As if jeering at the situation, seven-colored lights illuminated Tremia Academy. Under the shine of those lights, the figure fleeing out of the resources building finally came into complete view.

“—Ah!”

She let out a sharp, blood-curling scream. Her diaphragm was completely contracted, and the hairs all over her body stood on end. This was despite the fact that she had the position of a Recitation instructor. Recited creatures such as SalamandesSmall red spirits or unicorns, she had seen many times before. In other words, even if she faced that kind of opponent, she should be confident in herself and remain unmoved.

But even so.

……It’s impossible. This isn’t something I can deal with alone.

Without the slightest hesitation, she turned and escaped from “that”.

The gla.s.s cup on the table hit the floor, and shattered after emitting a crisp sound. The chandelier on the ceiling shook violently. The window frame vibrated fiercely, and cracks like spider webs appeared on the gla.s.s window.

“W-What? An earthquake?”

Ada, who was leaning against the wall, shouted loudly.

“B-But…… Isn’t it somehow strange?”

Rather than a reply, Mio’s voice tone sounded more like a screeching soliloquy.

While holding onto the unbalanced Mio’s shoulder, Kluele sneaked a glance at a corner of the great hall. Luckily, there weren’t many people rushing towards the emergency exit.

“Mio, let’s take the chance and escape!”

Kluele whispered covertly into Mio’s ear.

“Eh? But…… n.o.body has started to evacuate yet!”

“That’s why we have to take advantage of the confusion and get out right away!”

This earthquake seemed a little suspicious. Although it was currently still shaking, it had been stopping and starting. Shaking for a while, then becoming calm, then beginning to shake again.

“Hey, Kululu…… What is that……”

Mio suddenly asked, pointing outside the window. The school lights illuminated the world enshrouded in darkness. There should be multi-colored lights, but instead, the scene outside the window was dyed blood-red— A fire?

Without waiting for Mio’s consent, Kluele grabbed her hand and rushed towards the emergency exit. Like bubbles, her small misgivings gradually grew. But the one thing she didn’t doubt was that something bad had happened in the school.

“Headmaster!”

A female teacher opened the main door of the multipurpose hall, and loudly called for the school’s leader. Perhaps it was because she had wildly rushed here, that her clothes were a mess and her breathing was rushed.

“What is it? What happened?”

“All teachers and students, please quickly escape from here!”

It was a sentence that made everyone absolutely horrified. Forcing the voice from her throat, her expression was twisted in fear.

Under normal circ.u.mstances, the customary words should be “Please seek refuge.” But instead, she had said “Please escape from here.” That kind of tone made it seem like something was about to attack.

“A monster is headed this way!”

“Monster?”

“It appears to be a Recited creature, but…… it isn’t something we are able to deal with. Call the neighboring regions to provide a.s.sistance immediat—”

At that moment, the gla.s.s of the lights on the ceiling shattered, and something burst into the hall.

Just like it was mocking the female teacher’s mention of asking for a.s.sistance.

“E-Earthquake?”

The sudden shaking caused Neight’s legs to become unstable. Before he had time to regain his balance, he fell to the ground.

“No, don’t you think it’s strange?”

The Rainbow Color Reciter had fallen down to one knee due to the vibrations. Looking around, his gaze fell in the direction of the fourth-year school building.

At that instant, the night’s darkness which had surrounded that building dispersed. The sky overhead became even more blazing red than sunset. After that, countless objects on the ground flew towards the blaze. From far away, they looked like bats.

[……This guy is……]

Arma, who stood on Neight’s shoulder, shuddered uncontrollably. This Recited creature who possessed night vision seemed to be able to see “that” above them.

[Neight, tell everyone inside the multipurpose hall to seek refuge immediately! If they are all gathered in one place, it will attract their attention!]

“Eh? What do you mean—”

Before the creature could answer, Neight personally saw the frightening ent.i.ty.

As another vibration shook the ground, “that” stepped on the trees in the direction of the fourth-year building, and approached closer. The faint outlines of several whip-like heads could be seen moving amidst the buildings.

“Is that…… Hydra[1]……?”

The Reciter beside him raised his gaze and muttered. His words were mingled with doubt and bewilderment.

To the Reciter, when speaking of a snake with several heads, the first thing he thought of was a hydra. It should originally be a High n.o.ble AriaFirst Scale Recitation of Blue Recitations.

A so-called “Water Snake” should be dark blue.

But “that” which was approaching from several hundred meters away, appeared to have deep crimson scales. Moreover, what should have been nine heads had now become only five, less than the normal number. But from what had entered his field of view, the central head was red. The other four were blue, green, yellow, and white. In other words, it had heads of five colors. In addition, what caused people to become even more speechless was its immense body. If it stretched out its neck, it could exceed twenty meters. Although a hydra was originally considered a large creature, its body length should only be around ten meters. But compared to this one, even dragons would seem like infants.

[Five colors…… Were all of the Recitations conducted simultaneously?]

Through his shoulder, Neight could sense Arma’s shuddering.

“—That sort of thing…… Is it even possible?”

Even worldwide, Reciters who were able to conduct multiple colors of Recitations at once could be counted on his fingers, and the most would be two colors at once. On this world, the only one Reciter could possibly Recite all five colors at once, and that was the one with the t.i.tle of Rainbow Color Reciter, Xins.

“Could it be…… With the , someone……”

“?”

“It’s a fiendish catalyst. All five have all been locked inside the resources building.”

The hydra’s green head rose up like a sickle. Facing upwards, it opened its mouth and maintained that position without moving. Although they didn’t know what it wanted to do, they should take the opportunity when it stopped moving and warn everyone inside the hall to take refuge. But just when Neight decided to take action, the Reciter beside him grabbed his arm.

“Wait a moment. You will be discovered if you move wildly!”

The green head spat out something at the sky. Four or five of the things in the sky spread their wings and flew in Neight’s direction. They looked like small birds, but weren’t. As they approached, their figure became more and more clear. They had three heads……

Chimera![2]

Just when he shouted, he was pushed down by the Rainbow Reciter. The beast’s claws swiped past the spot he had been standing a second ago. Having suddenly missed its target, the chimera’s claws sank deeply into the ground.

A beast with the three heads of a lion, goat, and dragon.

The beast changed targets from the distant Neight to the Reciter wearing a coat.

“Xins-san!”

Had he already predicted it? Xins had moved a long time ago. The chimera pounced on empty s.p.a.ce when it landed, and the Reciter took out a yellow object from inside his coat. The chimera kicked the ground, but he didn’t run away. The gold coin between his fingers emitted a dazzling golden-yellow light.

——[Yellow SongSurisuz]——

On the diagonal between him and the chimera, flowing at a fast speed from the yellow light, rose a sphere giving off a blue-white flash. Floating in the empty s.p.a.ce, with a circ.u.mference like it could be encircled by both arms, the sphere began to emit beams of light at the chimera. The light beams were extremely thin, like string that could be snapped at a touch.

As the light wrapped around the chimera’s claws, several other chimera with a body weight heavier than Neight let out a shrill scream. Their whole body shuddered, trembled, and finally stopped moving.

It was a Yellow Recitation’s n.o.ble AriaSecond Scale Recitation, Will-o'-wispSmall yellow spirit?

“I’ve never heard of a hydra calling out chimeras…… That hydra probably swallowed the after it was born.”

The Rainbow Reciter’s expression had already lost its former composure.

“……Go!”

“Eh?”

After realizing that Neight didn’t understand his intentions, he quickly explained.

“The task of guiding the other students is up to you. The headmaster has probably already realized, but it’s better to be safe.”

“W-What about Xins-san?”

Gazing above the head of the silent Reciter, Neight understood his reasons. Numerous bat-like creatures flew in the sky, and were instinctively circling above their heads. Above them, they couldn’t all be……

“At most, I can act as bait.”

At first, his tone of voice sounded like he was joking. But right now, there were still many of the creatures left.

“Everyone, don’t panic! Starting with the students closest to the emergency exit, head for shelter in the first-year building!”

The sounds of students screaming and fallen gla.s.s being stepped on echoed throughout the great hall.

“Homeroom teachers of first-year students, make sure the way forward is clear. Second-year and third-year homeroom teachers, take care of anything that has entered the school building. Anyone else, take care of the creatures outside! But pursuing them is forbidden!”

Had the headmaster’s orders really been heard by all of the teachers? The hall filled with screams caused new fear, and the fear stirred up even more chaos.

“—Mio, are you okay?”

A sharp pain caused her mind to turn blank, and Kluele couldn’t help but wince.

“I’m……fine. Kululu…… Sorry…… I’m sorry…… I……”

Mio usually looked up to Kluele, but now the situation was completely reversed. With her hands on the floor to support herself, Kluele raised her head and looked around. Beside her, Mio was sobbing.

“Kluele, are you okay?”

Grabbing Kluele’s hand, Serges came closer. Kluele used the arm she was able to move and pushed her away.

“……I’m fine. You go first, I’ll be right there.”

After that, she turned her gaze back to the figure of her crying friend.

“Mio, you should also go first.”

“No! No matter what you say, I will definitely go together with Kululu!”

Really, how stubborn! Although she wanted to say it out loud and tease her, with all the strength gone from her body, it was impossible. Pressing down on her left shoulder, Kluele leaned against the wall and slowly stood up from her sitting position on the floor. Although it was a simple action, it caused her breathing to become faster.

“Don’t move! If you move, the blood won’t stop!”

“……If I keep sitting here, I won’t be able to escape if the beast comes.”

The left shoulder part of her dress had been dyed a deep red. Turning her head away, she once again pressed her right hand tightly to her left shoulder. The way of stopping bleeding that she had learned in first aid cla.s.s, she hadn’t expected to put it to use one day.

Glancing at the blood sticking to the palm of her right hand, Kluele curved the corner of her mouth.

“Leave this to me. Go!”

The Rainbow Color Reciter moved the will-o’-wisp behind his back while pointing at the hall.

“B-But—”

It was absurd. There was no way that one person alone could deal with so many opponents.

[Neight, let’s go.]

Neight’s words were interrupted.

“……Arma?”

The creature standing on his shoulder acted normal…… No, he spoke in a tone of voice slightly colder than usual.

[First, we have to ensure the safety of the people inside the hall. There are already many chimeras who have headed off in that direction. In the worst case, there are already people who have been injured.]

Arma never rushed. He was able to correctly a.n.a.lyze a situation better than anyone else, and was able to evaluate the priority of which action to take. Neight had already felt like this one or two times before.

……This Night creature is really cool-headed, or at least calmer than I am.

“Xins-san.”

Neight didn’t regard him as a Rainbow Reciter, but instead as the person who made the promise with Mother. Neight directly faced the person who had kept his side of the promise.

“I will work hard to study Night Color Recitations. Therefore— Someday, you have to see it!”

Without even waiting for a reply, Neight dashed away without looking back.

Very well, I promise. Because that is the agreement between her and myself.

He watched the back of the still-learning Reciter, who rushed towards the hall.

On the face of the Rainbow Reciter was an ordinary, calm expression.

“Alright. For the sake of this, I have to survive. I’m counting on you to work hard!”

The lightning spirit didn’t make a noise, but emitted a stronger light in reply.

Part 2

The chimera lay on the floor, unable to move a single step.

This chimera had suddenly broken through the ceiling and landed in front of the emergency exit, blocking the pa.s.sageway. Next, facing the nearest target —Mio, the chimera advanced— But because Kluele pushed her aside instinctively, Mio wasn’t injured. However, contrarily, Kluele’s left shoulder received the attack.

Perhaps it wounded an artery. The dress’s left shoulder was dyed deep red, and the flow of blood still hadn’t stopped.

“Kluele, are you okay?”

Kate, a teacher who had originally been leading the students to take refuge, now ran over to them.

“What about you? ……Please go back and stay with everyone else. I need to stay here and rest for a while.”

Even simply opening her mouth caused extreme pain, but she still let out the last of the air from her lungs and with great effort, forced out a voice from her throat.

“I’m your homeroom teacher, so I can’t abandon you, no matter what.”

The female teacher looked down and shook her head.

“But…… There are more than thirty students in the school building who sensei is in charge of!”

She really didn’t want to act this forceful, but the teacher shouldn’t accompany her, who couldn’t move. She had more important things to do.

Had the electric cables been cut off? The chandelier above her head flickered on and off. If there were no lights, then heading to the first-year building would not be easy. Therefore, it was necessary to help other students get to refuge as early as possible. Even if she didn’t want to, the teacher should understand that point.

After a little while, an abandoning look appeared in Kate’s eyes.

“……After I confirm that everyone else in the cla.s.s has safely taken refuge, I will come back. Until then, I will leave it to you, Mio.”

After confirming that the girl had nodded, Kate hurried away.

Of the noisy sounds coming from outside, it was unclear which were people yelling and which were the monster’s roaring. Outside the window was the scene of burning trees. Only a few minutes after experiencing the sudden earthquake, in the time it took to count a few hundred seconds, their surroundings had become this miserable.

“Why…… Why would something like this happen……”

Into the cloth bound around Kluele’s arm as a bandage, the girl sobbed.

“Mio, don’t cry. If you want to cry, wait until a happy time to cry tears of joy.”

“……I’m not crying!”

Closing her mouth, the girl tied the bandage into a tight knot.

“Thank you. Like this, I just need to rest a bit and I’ll be fine.”

Kluele felt like vomiting from loss of blood. She closed her eyes and took slow, regular breaths.

The chandelier made a sharp creaking noise…… That’s bad. The power outage now would only cause the uproar outside to become more serious.

Suddenly—

“Kluele-san! Mio-san! Are you there?”

The sound of a familiar voice, along with someone stepping on broken gla.s.s, could be heard.

“……Neight-kun?”

As if responding to Mio’s mutter, the front door of the hall swung open, and a young boy wearing a robe appeared. After seeing that figure, a large weight was lifted from her heart.

……I’m glad. Although everyone else was outside, they appeared to be safe and sound.

“Neight-kun, you have to quickly go take shelter in the school building!”

“But, I heard from Ada-san that you two are still here…… Kluele-san, you’re injured!”

“Um, ah, this isn’t much.”

She didn’t like having people worry about her. Before Neight could approach, just when she wanted to stand up with the support of the wall—

At that moment, the lights of the hall’s chandelier went out.

“Eh……”

Not knowing the circ.u.mstances inside the hall, the boy gasped in surprise. Before Kluele could open her mouth, Mio, who stood within the darkness, shouted loudly.

“Neight-kun, wait. This place is covered in broken gla.s.s. If you walk around aimlessly, you’ll get hurt! Until the lights come back on, stay still for now.”

“I-I understand.”

A cold, frozen silence engulfed the hall.

Looking out the window, the outside was also eerily quiet. It was like the shouts and screams until now hadn’t been real. Had something happened? Or was it because nothing had happened, that it was this quiet? Neither possibility could be ruled out.

It was just like a desolate and lifeless earth.

……Such a depressing imagination, isn’t it?

Kluele gritted her teeth and continued to put pressure on her shoulder.

Suddenly, like the chiming of a clock, the sound of breaking gla.s.s shook her eardrums. Not once. Two times, three times. The sounds gradually grew louder and closer together.

“Neight-kun, you’re not allowed to move around!”

After a second of silence.

“Eh…… I didn’t move……”

Hearing the contradictory reply, before she could feel dumbfounded, Mio’s whole body was enveloped in fear.

Other than us, there was still something else inside this building?

Faintly, she felt a hot breath on her skin.

“Mio, duck!”

The chandelier lit up. Before Mio could take a breath, in the dark, Kluele grabbed Mio’s dress and pulled her downwards. Something flew past above her head. The flickering light shone upon a three-headed monster.

—Chimera. To have appeared at such an unexpected time!

Kluele clenched her teeth. It was bad. Among the three of us, there wasn’t anybody able to use a Recitation that could fight off this monster.

Slowly, the chimera moved closer.

“Kluele-san!”

Neight wanted to run over, but Kluele stopped him. It was absurd. This kind of opponent wasn’t something that a student who had just entered high school could deal with.

“Just hurry and run away! Mio, you too!”

“No…… I will stay together with Kululu until the very end…… Because I was the one who injured you……”

“Idiot! Stop being stubborn at this kind of time!”

The details of Neight’s Night Color Recitations weren’t clear. Mio’s Green Recitations included few creatures that were able to attack. Actually, her Red Recitations were probably the best to deal with it.

I have to at least call out a flame…… No, even if I was able to call out a flame, its power wouldn’t be enough to drive away this creature. And even more important was the catalyst—

Kluele looked around, searching for something able to be used as a catalyst. Suddenly, her gaze stopped on the body of the Recited creature on Neight’s shoulder. That Night creature was silently looking back at her.

No, more precisely, at my left shoulder?

Ah……

I’ve got it! An available catalyst, a catalyst able to be used for Red Recitations, there was only this.

“Neight, back away!”

With difficulty, Kluele stretched her right hand towards the table. She grabbed a gla.s.s cup that hadn’t been smashed on the ground by the vibrations and threw it at the chimera.

Although it hadn’t expected that move, the monster swept its tail and flung the gla.s.s cup to one side. It glanced at the spilled liquid on the floor, and exposed its mud-colored teeth in a mocking manner.

The three-headed animal kicked off the floor.

There was no time to untie it. Kluele used her mouth to bite down on the bandage around her left shoulder— and ripped open that layer of bandages.

Like a red waterfall bursting free of a dam, red blood splashed onto the back of her hand.

'Do you want to withdraw into your sh.e.l.l once more, or struggle to escape?'

Even without you saying it, I know!

—Please, let it succeed……

The blood boiled. The blood sticking onto her right hand emitted a radiance, and gradually evaporated.

Next, a ball of flame arose from her right hand. Still lying on the floor, Kluele threw it with all of her strength.

The flame that she had used all the strength in her body to throw approached the monster. At that moment, it stopped its footsteps. Although the flame swept past the tip of its nose, the place it landed wasn’t on the creature’s body, but rather beside its foot. It looked disdainfully at the flame that had fallen to the ground, and narrowed its eyes.

“……Do you think you’ve won?”

Although Kluele looked pale from loss of blood, she curled up the corners of her mouth.

“It’s my win. Come again next time!”

Because she had originally been aiming for under its foot, missing its body was supposed to happen. The gla.s.s cup filled with alcohol that she had thrown in the beginning, and that the creature had swatted it aside, was all part of Kluele’s plan. Because from the start, she had planned to throw the flame at the alcohol spilled on the carpet.

In that instant, before the monster had time to sense the change under its feet, the alcohol caught fire.

In short, under its feet was an ocean of fire. Its whole body engulfed in flames, the chimera let out a scream. Struggling painfully to spread its flame-covered wings, it started to fly towards the ceiling.

……Well, it seems that it’s escaped.

As if her strength had been sucked dry, Kluele collapsed to the ground.

“Kluele-san!”

While calling out her name, Neight hurriedly headed for her side. The pure white dress she wore was stained red by blood, and her complexion looked even paler in comparison.

“……I’m sorry, let me rest for a bit.”

The girl’s body shivered. The cause was both the chill from losing a lot of blood, as well as the pain from being scratched by the creature’s claws.

“I’m sorry…… I’m unable to do anything…… And you always end up helping me.”

Neight was unable to look straight at Kluele’s face, and stared down at his own feet. He resented how he could only speak those words but was unable to handle the responsibility.

He couldn’t do anything, could only have other people to protect him.

By his mother Evhemary, saved by the Rainbow Color Reciter, and now he even received this girl’s protection.

But— if it’s like this, then for what purpose did I make that promise?

'This is a Recitation created for your sake. Therefore, Neight, I will teach this only to you.'

The promise he made with Mother.

'The day when you master Night Color Recitations, I hope you inform me. I would also like to see it.'

The promise he made with the Rainbow Reciter.

'I will follow your example and try my best.'

The promise he made with the girl in front of his eyes.

For what purpose do those promises exist?

The promised Night Color Recitation, for what purpose does it exist?

All of those oaths mixed together, and like a large whirlpool, dashed against the water’s surface of his heart and memories.

Among those, only one sentence, the one most simple sentence, remained completely.

'Neight…… What is a Recitation?'

The most basic, but a problem without a solution, one that n.o.body knew the true answer to.

Mother, this might not be the answer that you thought of, but……

“Kluele-san…… You said to me today, if I were to become afraid of failure.”

Biting hard on his lip, he was just able to suppress the emotions emerging from the depths of his heart.

But, even so. I’ve already found the answer.

Everyone knows the feeling of being afraid, everyone knows the feeling of being in pain— That’s why, I also want to do something.

Not just for the promise I made with Mother, but for everyone’s sake.

“……Neight?”

She was still pale and weak, but even so, she gazed at him.

“But, I don’t want to fail anymore.”

Like he wanted to cut off his uneasiness, Neight continued.

“Just one thing, I…… Please allow me to challenge myself.”

“That’s—”

Before Mio could finish speaking—

[Night Color Recitations, do you intend to challenge it?]

The Night colored creature on Neight’s shoulder that had been silent until now, opened its mouth seriously.

Rather than a question, that tone of voice sounded more like a confirmation. Therefore, Neight nodded his head without hesitating.

It was a Recitation that his mother had taught him. But, there was a high wall that he had to climb over—

[The problem is the catalyst.]

It was like he had thought. Had this Recited creature sensed what was on his mind?

“Neight-kun, what do you mean by that?”

“……I don’t know what the catalyst necessary for conducting a Night Color Recitation is.”

Like he was beseeching her, Neight turned to face Mio with an uneasy expression.

“My mother let me see the catalyst only once…… But as for how to prepare it, I……”

[Night-colored flame.]

The creature on the boy’s shoulder continued to speak.

[There is only one true essence among Night Color Recitations. That specific catalyst, is a Night-colored flame.]

Night-colored flame— The girl wearing a dress pondered those words with an amazed expression. Of course she would think about that problem. Flames had always been red. What had to be done to change it into the deep hue he saw at that time?

[I have certainly seen it also. But, I didn’t ask how it had been created.]

That’s right. The final Recitation that Mother had taught, it did not require a catalyst.

She had conducted it with her bare hands, the last thing Mother had taught him— Twilight-Colored Song.

Twilight. When the sun sets. That is, announcing the beginning of night, the bell of time.

In the limited Night Color Recitations, the very first song Mother had recited.

“If I don’t know it……”

Neight bit his lip. If there was no catalyst, it was impossible for him to complete a Recitation with his own power.

“Neight. With that Recitation, what can you do?”

“……I don’t know.”

Face to face with Kluele, who had been continuously staring at him, Neight unhesitatingly spoke the truth.

—But, I want to believe.

The last Recitation that Mother taught me. A Recitation for the sake of fulfilling my promise with the Rainbow Reciter.

Those two are surely the same song.

“Th-That……”

“……It doesn’t matter, you don’t have to finish speaking— I understand what you mean.”

Still smiling, the girl slowly continued to speak.

“That must be a very important song to you.”

Even though he hadn’t said it out loud, the girl before him already completely accepted it.

[Neight, I really admire your resolve. But in reality, without a catalyst, you cannot expect any results.]

“Night-colored flame……huh. Mio, do you know anything—”

Kluele turned around to ask the silent girl.

For a few seconds, Mio wordlessly closed her eyes—

“Night-colored flame…… Ah…… Aaah……”

Suddenly, her voice echoed throughout the hall.

“I got it! I have a clue about the Night-colored flame!”

……She has a clue?

[Really?]

“Yeah, it’s probably not wrong. But, some things are required to create it. I’ll go get it— Ah……”

Mio hesitated. She threw an anxious look at her friend.

“Mio, go ahead.”

She slowly shook her head.

“……Kululu?”

“I’m fine. And as for Neight……”

Still resting on the floor, the girl looked at him with moist eyes.

“—I won’t do anything unreasonable, I promise.”

No words were needed. Neight nodded his head once in a.s.sent.

“Mio-san, after you’re ready, please come to the schoolyard. I will go first.”

“I understand. I’ll be right there. ……Kululu, please, you have to stay safe!”

“Don’t say such ominous words. I won’t die.”

Wiping away her hesitation, the girl wearing the pearl-colored dress headed towards the emergency exit pa.s.sageway. Please go quickly as well— Without a reason, Kluele’s gaze followed Neight’s back as he headed towards the front gate of the hall.

……This is fine, right?

Kluele closed her eyes and let out a breath. Actually, she didn’t even have the strength to breathe. The feeling of wanting to vomit, her headache, and even the pain in her right shoulder couldn’t be felt. Her whole body was engulfed by an intense sleepiness. She hadn’t expected to hang on for so long.

……Really, I didn’t expect my willpower to be so strong.

Without making any noise, the girl fell unconscious.

Part 3

“Headmaster, the students have already taken refuge in the first-year building!”

“I understand! Leave a few people in that building, and everyone else should come here!”

At the same time, the screaming sound that could nearly rupture eardrums rushed into his ears. Turning around to look, the wings of the two wyverns that he had called out had been bitten into tatters.

…….How could there be such a monster!

Zea Lordfill wiped away the beads of sweat which had appeared on his forehead. It wasn’t caused by the thick smoke rising from his surroundings or by the heat, but rather by the overwhelming pressure emitted by the monster before his eyes that made his body scream.

Although the hydra moved rather slowly, it was still gradually approaching. The Green High n.o.ble AriaFirst Scale Recitation’s wyverns were simply incapable of withstanding it. Blocking its advances was the limit. Furthermore, if they stopped attacking for even a little, the five heads would summon chimeras one after the other.

Even having reinforcements arriving tomorrow morning was an optimistic estimate. Could they last until then? This wasn’t an outcome to look forward to.

“Not just quality…… Even quant.i.ty, our side has a disadvantage……”

Glancing overhead, he cursed the mental state that was like vomiting blood.

The number of chimeras called out by the large snake wasn’t ordinary. Because they spread out in the sky and landed everywhere around the school, our fighting forces have been scattered. Because he hadn’t made an appearance, Xins should also be holding back the chimera attacks.

If there was one more powerful Reciter…… If there was a technique-user who could rival the Rainbow Reciter……

But, he immediately shook off the thought that had risen to his mind like a blister.

Ugh, I’ve become weak. No, I can’t think about such dreams. I can’t let my concentration be disrupted.

—The school has to be protected by the headmaster.

“Enne, go check if there are any students who haven’t escaped yet. We will be doing something here.”

The tall teacher with the sleeve of his scarlet robe pulled up to his elbow gave this instruction to the female teacher wearing a white robe.

“But compared to a moment ago, the number of chimeras here is even more……”

“If it’s only for a while, we can still withstand it. The safety of students has the priority.”

“But……”

Just when the female teacher wanted to argue back, someone put a hand on her shoulder.

“—It’s already been more than ten years since Elfand, hasn’t it?”

A teacher wearing a water-colored robe pushed up the gla.s.ses on the bridge of his nose while showing a bitter smile.

“We’ve all known each other for so long. You should have a little confidence in your students, all right?”

That arrogant tone of voice made her expression relax slightly for a split second. This egghead was the same as when she first met him, and hadn’t changed at all.

—But that’s true. So many years have pa.s.sed already, haven’t they? We’ve been together for such a long time.

If so, at this time…… No, because it’s this time, I should believe them.

“……Be careful.”

She smashed the flask in her hand onto the ground. The gla.s.s shattered after making a sharp noise, and white smoke to be used as a catalyst enveloped her surroundings.

——[White SongArzus]——

From among a thick, fog-like mist, three winged white horses appeared after letting out a neighing sound that echoed throughout the school. It was White’s n.o.ble AriaSecond Scale Recitation, Pegasus. It was the Recitation she had dreamed of ever since she was a student.

She got onto one of them, and issued an order to the two people behind her.

“Zessel, Mirror! You two support them, I’ll be right back!”

“—Isa Yer she riena xeoi pel”

Let’s ring the bell of twilight (beginning)
[—sheon lef dimi-l-cori riec-c-wavir]

A boy wearing a deep blue robe sang the .

He stood in the center of the school’s central campus.

It was a strange scene. Except for the center circle— Other than the diameter of only several meters, the surrounding one hundred meters in all directions was engulfed in flame. Inside that was only one person, the boy with his eyes closed to the dazzling scene.

The flame was needed to be used as a catalyst. This inexperienced Reciter could only use the catalyst to compensate for his skill. Therefore, he needed a large amount of flames.

Gradually, the heat could be felt even in the central s.p.a.ce, the red tendrils of flame approaching closer. There was nowhere to escape to. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he would undoubtedly be engulfed by the sea of flames.

Even so—

The boy didn’t have a distressed expression. It wasn’t that he couldn’t feel the heat. His small cheeks were covered with beads of sweat, and the tips of his wet hair shone with the same color drops. He was frightened at surrounding himself with flames. But, he certainly felt an emotion which exceeded that feeling.

I love (desire) only you

I love (desire) you
—elma Ies neckt evoia twispeli kei

For this reason, do you quietly cry alone?

For this reason, no matter where you cry, I will go to welcome you before anyone else
—zette Yer cana arcasha Loo ifex LoR zarabearc sm ferme

Not existing anywhere, Until evening (the small you)

You are here, Until the beautiful one (person with large desires)
—Lom giris leya mihhya lef hid, ravience Stalwari

Standing alone without anybody knowing, was the dusk-colored song user. The of twilight which n.o.body had heard before.

Then, in the place of the one who should originally be here, I shall at least watch over this small, nighttime traveler.

[……Evhemary. A lonely little girl. My only acknowledged Reciter.]

Directly above the school, even higher in the sky than the group of chimera. Arma lifted the tip of his nose up towards the ChannelRecital Gate that was opening slowly but surely.

The girl had once been ridiculed by the people at her side, but with the pa.s.sing of time—

[As I thought, Neight is your son.]

As if washing away the disgrace in his mother’s place, the son sang the song that his mother had left behind. Looking at that figure, even Arma didn’t notice his own expression becoming gentle.

After that, all he needed to do was wait.

Wait for the moment when the flames enveloping the world are dyed in the color of night.

He wasn’t standing on the boy’s shoulder, but rather on the situation descending to the ground. Arma gazed up steadily at that boy.

Even so, it was still tiresome……

Xins used the sleeve of his coat to wipe away the sweat flowing into his eyes. The will-o’-wisp by his side was already the third one. Even though it was a Recited creature of the second scale, its power wasn’t unlimited. After being used up to a certain degree, it would disappear without a warning.

He was also like that. Fatigue wore down his attention, and the success rate of his Recitations was inevitably dropping.

Right now, the headmaster seemed to be restraining the hydra. But to that monster, even a wyvern wouldn’t be a good opponent. Except for the one head dealing with the situation here, the remaining four heads continued to spit out chimeras.

Although he wanted to go and a.s.sist the headmaster, simply knocking down the chimera took all of his strength. And while he was doing that, the hydra would call out even more chimera. It was a vicious circle. He was just barely able to fight against them for now, but how long could this balance last?

He took out a small flask from inside his coat. Ripples wavered and rose to the yellow water’s surface. Although it was a catalyst usually used only in emergencies, its amount was decreasing.

“……It’s become an astonishing recital contest.”

Without even a bitter smile, Xins pulled open the lid of the flask.

The building two hundred meters away from the first-year school building was, in other words, the second year school building. Inside it should be the material used to create Night-colored flames.

Holding her breath, Mio walked down the lane leading to the building. It wasn’t to escape the gaze of others, but so that she wouldn’t be spotted by the monsters circling overhead.

The lights of the school occasionally illuminated the figures of the chimeras. The teachers should have already taken care of them, but the number of chimeras hadn’t changed much from the first time she had seen them. It was merely the kind of change like turning from a hundred to ninety.

……It would be bad if I were to be seen this time.

Green Recitation isn’t suited for battle. There was nothing in her repertoire to drive away the three-headed beasts, let alone defeat them. At any rate, she could only pray to not be discovered.

Appearing as if she was connected to the shadow of the school building, after she left the first-year building, she moved forward as if treading on the shadows of plants.

“This here is…… The final obstacle……”

She spoke out loud to remind herself. In front of her was the straight path from the first-year building to the second-year building. There were no places to hide, nor any trees or gra.s.s. This section of the asphalt path was about fifty meters long.

How fast is my running time?

The painful heartbeats in her chest became stronger. Although there were nearly a hundred monsters overhead, sprinting this distance shouldn’t take more than ten seconds. I definitely won’t be noticed. I shouldn’t be noticed. Even if I happen to be noticed, I can escape as long as I enter the building. Anyhow, I can’t just stay here and let time pa.s.s. I can’t let Kluele be alone.

—She ran.

Not looking overhead or behind her, she stared fixedly in front of her.

The nighttime road nearly caused her to trip. It was clearly a short distance, but her head hurt from lack of oxygen. As she seized the crucial moment, that heavy pressure seemed like it would crush her.

However. The girl ran the whole distance.

Just when her hand touched the building, she collapsed exhaustedly.

“I still……haven’t done anything yet…… I have to find that and deliver it to Neight-kun……”

Staggering, Mio began advancing towards the inside of the second-year school building.

Her destination was the chemical preparation room.

At the same time.

——[Red SongKeinez]——

A teacher wearing a scarlet robe called out a crimson lotus flame. The two chimera, approaching the building where the students were taking refuge, were completely surrounded by the deep crimson whirlpool. Backfire— A moment before the whirlpool of fire was about to engulf the teacher himself……

——[Blue SongRuguz]——

In front of the man wearing the scarlet robe appeared a thin film of water. Although it looked like a thin wall that would be penetrated at a touch, it blocked the raging blaze.

“Zessel, don’t be too excessive.”

“Hm? Did I make eye contact? Did I ask for your protection?”

Zessel gave a low laugh at the colleague standing beside him.

“Either way, it can’t be helped if I don’t get burned a little.”

“……You’re making an unusual argument.”

While constantly moving his line of sight, Mirror returned a forced laugh.

“How many have you stopped?”

“Five. It’s rather annoying that they don’t attack at the same time.”

……d.a.m.n, are there only two imitation rubies left? While being alert for anything overhead, Zessel confirmed the number of catalysts remaining in his breast pocket. The attack was too sudden, and he was in a pained situation with nearly no equipment.

Although he wanted to finish it quickly with something of the First or Second scale, he was worried that an attack could come from overhead at any moment, making him unable to focus his attention. Also, the creatures he could call out with a Prime AriaThird Scale Recitation were equally matched against the chimera. Therefore, bit by bit, he had retreated to just in front of the school building.

“…..Enne, why so slow?”

“I had to rescue some students, so I took some time.”

She immediately said the answer she had prepared beforehand. She understood the feelings of Mirror, who muttered in a low voice. Because, she was thinking the same thing.

Even so, right now, he had no choice but to believe it.

“I’m going to end it with a Second scale Recitation. Until then, please cover me.”

Zessel gripped a ruby in his right hand, and before his companion could reply, he had already closed his eyes. Beside him, only the fluttering sound of Mirror’s deep blue robe reached his eardrums.

At that instant, the bushes that were only a few meters away from him rustled. In the illumination of the embers, appeared a shadow with three heads.

“Zessel!”

Mirror uttered a shout that was close to a shriek.

……So it was hiding there!

Without even the time to be speechless, he downgraded his Recitation from the Second scale to the Fourth scale. If it were a flame, he could immediately— No, that’s no good!

Zessel felt regretful. The chimera was too close. In the short distance, even Mirror wouldn’t have time to make a film of water. If he were to use a flame, he would undoubtedly also be caught up in the whirlpool of flames. Although he thought up a few methods to withstand the attack, none of them were sufficient to reverse the situation. What could he do?

“Zessel! What are you doing?!”

The monster didn’t miss that instant of hesitation. By the time he came to his senses, the beast’s teeth were already approaching before his eyes.

“Oh no—”

He was unable to move his body or close his eyes. He felt prepared for those teeth to impale his body.

At that instant—

——[ReturnNussis] ——

Without warning, a quiet, solemn voice resounded.

Before Zessel had understood the word ‘return’—

The chimera was dragged into its shadow.

At that moment, all that remained was a *plunk* sound, like a rock being thrown into the water’s surface.

“Wha-!”

How could such a thing have happened? Looking around, he couldn’t feel the presence of any person or thing.

“Are you alright?!”

Mirror ran over. Because of what had just happened, Zessel was unable to make a sound. The fact that a Recited creature was sent back means, that was also a Recitation just now? But—

“What happened just now……”

Zessel forced a voice out of his throat. Mirror was also standing still with a dumbfounded expression. On his face seemed to be written, ‘If you who was standing beside me doesn’t know, then how am I supposed to know?’

Commonly referred to as ‘Reverse Song’, it was a technique to send back a creature that had been called out. But a type of Reverse Song where it had been pulled into its shadow? Even he himself, who had the position of a Recitation teacher, couldn’t tell what color the Recitation had been. Could it be a Recitation that he had never even heard of, let alone see for the first time?

“Mirror, did you hear it?”

“Hear what?”

He questioned back. Could it be that it was just a hallucination?

—Sheesh, you’re even a teacher, so pull yourself together—

Immediately after the chimera had been sent back, the wind that had blown past his ear seemed to have carried that sound from somewhere. It was a voice he remembered hearing a long, long time ago.

[Bird without feathers. Chick who broke out of its sh.e.l.l. You are—]

From some faraway place, sounded an unclear voice like an echo. Whether it was male or female couldn’t be distinguished. A sound that didn’t belong to this world, with a mysterious tone.

[Kluele.]

Finally, she realized that the voice was speaking to her.

It was a word she remembered hearing before. That’s right, it’s my name.

[Call out to me. Give me a name.]

Who are you?

[I am you. Your wings. Come, wake up.]

I don’t really understand. ……Even though I don’t know who you are, I’m sorry. I’m already very tired.

[Even so, you must fly. Let’s go together. Under the small, small night.]

Night. That word caused something to respond somewhere in her heart. The threads of her consciousness that should have been severed gradually connected back together. Night……night……night color…… Something tightened in her chest.

Why? Even though she was already exhausted, she felt the feeling that she must move. She felt the feeling that she must go.

But, she didn’t know for what. She didn’t know for whom.

‘Night’, who is it talking about? Hey, tell me.

[Come, wake up.]

The voice didn’t answer. Wake up. Those words disappeared, and the world became quiet once again.

“Take these children into that building!”

The number of students who had been burned by the leaping flames and students who had frantically escaped when the beasts attacked, was more than expected. The Pegasus could only carry two students at a time to the school building. Although she had brought along three at first, she needed more than twice that number.

Under the scorching heat of the flames, she wiped away sweat from her forehead.

—There probably aren’t any more people there.

“Is anyone still there? If so, answer me!”

The surrounding flames made crackling noises, and prevented voices from being transmitted very far. She pa.s.sed the second-year building, the third-year building, and arrived at the four-way intersection near the schoolyard. The bushes shook with a rustling sound, and she reflexively turned around.

“……Is someone over there?”

It could be a student who was injured and unable to move, and couldn’t cry for help even if he wanted to. This premonition pa.s.sed through her mind.

“Enne, get away from there!”

She heard someone’s voice. At that moment, she didn’t realize that those words were directed at her. Ignoring the warning, she took a step forward—

……Eh……

She made eye contact with six lines of sight within the bush. It couldn’t be!

Before she had time to feel afraid, someone rushed directly in front of her. A dry gra.s.s colored coat filled her view.

Roaring, the chimera flew towards them. The Reciter used his left hand to block its claws. Even from her position, Enne could hear the terrible sound of claws ripping through flesh.

[ReturnNussis]

Using his right hand to touch the beast’s body, the man muttered. After emitting a green Recitation light, the figure of the beast gradually became hazy. After confirming that it had completely disappeared, the man turned around while breathing out a deep sigh.

“Although you’re always calm, if you become engrossed in one thing, you won’t be able to see something else that’s unexpected. You haven’t changed since the times back in Elfand, Enne.”

“X-Xins?”

The person before her eyes was a cla.s.smate from Elfand.

“Long time no see. Because we’ve both been busy with the recital contest, I haven’t had time to come say hi. What about Zessel and Mirror? They should also be teachers here, right?”

While surveying his surroundings, he mentioned the names of the people who had been with her until a moment ago.

“They should be over by the first-year building.”

Before she finished speaking, Enne realized that the man in front of her was holding his left arm protectively.

“Xins, you can’t possibly be……”

“—Is it that bad?”

He averted his gaze. Sure enough…… He had a broken bone.

Using his physical body to block the chimera’s claws wasn’t simply bad, but reckless. But there wasn’t anything else he could have done to save her. In a situation where his friend and enemy were close to each other, using a Recitation would cause both sides to get hurt. In order to protect her, he could only a technique that involved touching the enemy directly, which was using a Reverse Song to send it away.

“……I’m sorry. I…… What can I say?”

Considering in terms of power, compared to her, one of the Rainbow Reciter’s arms was clearly more power.

“You don’t need to feel sorry. It could have been a student collapsed there. But I’ve already searched this area, so I knew that couldn’t possibly have been a student.”

While wrapping his left hand in his coat, her cla.s.smate kept an eye on their surroundings.

“However, it was bad timing. Just when it had started to move……”

In a position to surround the two of them, the beasts began to descend simultaneously.

No. It wasn’t bad timing. They had definitely hovering in the sky all along, waiting for an opportunity. Waiting for a moment when this man who was a threat to them got injured.

Looking behind her, she saw that there were more than ten chimeras. If they attacked all at once, even the Rainbow Reciter would have a hard time dealing with them. The only remaining catalyst she had left was an opal ring she wore on her finger.

Failure is not allowed— In this case, she should call out a Pegasus. The failure rate for two of them was greater than for one.

……I’m fine either way. But she had to get him out of here. Not just the chimera, but in order to defeat the hydra who was controlling everything behind the scenes, only this man had a chance of succeeding.

“Xins…… I will be calling out a Pegasus, so please get on right after it’s out.”

In a low voice, she instructed him, who stood behind her.

After hearing her words, his back shook.

“Enne— You haven’t changed.”

His voice sent shivers up Enne’s spine. It wasn’t a low, overpowering sound. Instead, it was the reverse, a calm tone of voice.

However, why did his calmness make her feel afraid?

“Because it was something difficult for you to say, you talked more quickly…… I won’t escape by myself.”

This time, his words left Enne speechless.

As she had expected. She had already somewhat sensed it back in Elfand. I really hate that about you. Why are you able to notice even this type of thing?

“No! I beg of you, escap—”

Before she had finished speaking, Enne’s voice suddenly stopped.

Because the man before her eyes showed a calm smile.

“I don’t want to lose any more of my acquaintances.”

It was an extremely lonely smile. A smile that seemed to see though everything, and felt despair towards something.

Out of the more than ten chimera, half of them formed a group that flew forward directly ahead of her.

——[Red SongKeinez]——

The wave of heat from the flame burned everything. No, it should have burned everything. In the moment when pain burst across his hand, Xins’s concentration was broken. The resulting flame was far from the small flame that the Rainbow Reciter had expected.

A chimera broke through a gap in the flame. This unexpected situation made him freeze. This was bad. There wasn’t even time for Enne’s own Recitation!

“Xins!”

This time, his coat would certainly be pierced by the claws of the beast. That kind of scene was on the verge of turning from illusion to reality……

From , Twenty-eighth key, Berith
—orbie clar, dremre : Goetia : Berith—

Directly underneath the attacking chimera, from inside the shadow of that beast, appeared a knight driving a crimson horse.

It was a knight wearing pitch-black armor, holding a lance the same color as his armor. Due to this sudden intruder, the chimera was swatted away. Effortlessly, with one swing of the lance, the chimeras that were about to attack were also swatted away.

—It’s strong.

The fact that the chimera, which were equal to a Third scale Recitation, was so easily defeated means this knight is a n.o.ble AriaSecond Scale Recitation? But, she had never seen this kind of Recitation before. Just who did this?

The way that the knight disregarded their doubt and faded away without a trace made it seem like a dream. However, fallen chimeras that the knight had knocked down were scattered around the two of them.

“……Enne, was that your Recitation?”

Still in shock, Enne shook her head. That’s my line! However, only one thing was certain. The Reciter who saved us just now wants us to survive.

“Xins, let’s keep working hard.”

As if protecting his back, she pressed closer to him.

“Because it’s a life that we went through the trouble of taking back, even until the very last moment, we can’t give up.”

“—Enne, I take back what I said earlier.”

Standing back to back with her, he spoke in a serious voice.

“You’ve changed. ……You’ve become strong.”

“……Neight.”

He remembered the final words of his mother, who had been lying on the bed, eaten away by her illness.

In her dying moments, what she wanted to pa.s.s on weren’t words of farewell or words of love, but Night Color Recitation’s High n.o.ble AriaFirst Scale Recitation— the for calling out Night Color’s True Spirit.

“This is a Recitation created for your sake. Therefore, Neight, I will teach this only to you.”

With a great effort, Mother extended her right hand from her place on the bed. Still averting his gaze, Neight gripped her hand in return. Mother’s hand had become too skinny. Simply looking at it made him feel sad. However, he couldn’t move his gaze away.

“Do you think Reciting is difficult?”

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