Some moments later. Several figures soon got on the train on the Nortia Main Line with immediate destination Roer. And they all headed inside the first-class cabin. No one else joined them. It was Master Yun Ka-Fai, Shizuna, Anelace, Rean, Emma, and Naoto.
Finding her window seat, Emma took off her tightly-wrapped cloth she had hoisted around her back. She leaned it up against the frontside of our row, which occupied one of the seats. For some reason Shizuna sat beside it, meaning she was in front of us. That meant Master Yun Ka-Fai, Rean, and Anelace took up the row across from us.
"There we go.", Emma said, placing her orbal rifle effortlessly before her. Thankfully the train was big enough to allow her to do that. I had initially thought it would just be Emma and I but go figure we would randomly encounter a few people who I assume are active students of the Eight Leaves One Blade School to join us along with their teacher, Master Yun Ka-Fai. Otherwise why would these people even be together?
Enough time had passed allowing the train to depart from Heimdallr Station. It isn't a terribly long ride, perhaps thirty to sixty minutes at most. Being a noble does have its perks. I can go about places with such ease. But on the downside, since I am here in Erebonia, Father definitely has his goons monitoring me from a far distance. You know, the same Secret Service agents who protect the top brass of the Imperial Diet and the Imperial Family. So while I hope this is just a visit for Emma and I, I have to keep reality in check. That was likely why Claire didn't feel it a necessity to join us. Father is ensuring my safety.
Instead, I just have to make the most use out of this next visit of mine. To think the very beginning of it would be spent with these unexpected guests!
Seeing no one else travelling in the first-class cabin, they welcomed us to sit next to them. The on-board ticketer also agreed to it seeing no other seats were filled in. It was just us, Master Yun Ka-Fai and his disciples. It'll help pass the time and the two of us weren't acquainted.
There is one unfortunate thing to talk about regarding my half-brother, Rean Schwarzer. It is as expected, but he doesn't remember us. His memory was likely wiped clean thanks to what took place back in the villa. During this moment, Father should have sacrificed his heart, offering it up to Rean. In return, Father becomes one of those "Immortals", while Rean gets a new slate, blissfully unaware of what transpired six years ago. On top of that, an extra layer gets added when Rean awakens his "Ogre" powers, courtesy of Father's heart. A double-layered trauma. I'm pretty sure this has already taken place, so there is no doubt in my mind that Rean completely forgot us. Not that I'm salty about it. It happened in the games, and too many things would change if he did in fact remember what took place. A rabbit hole that I do not wish to go down.
What I didn't know at the time was Rean joining the Eight Leaves One Blade School earlier than anticipated. He was supposed to join the school a year ago, but from what I could see, he already has a few years of swordsmanship training under his belt. How interesting. I wonder if this will affect things in the long run.
And it would seem Master Yun was the first one to break the silence after all of us got situated into our seats. He let out a laugh.
"Hoho. Travelling with company always makes it a more enjoyable trip. I take it this arrangement isn't a problem?", Master Yun asked.
"No problem at all. It is always nice to meet some new friends, even if it is just for a little while. You can call me Emma.", Emma said, doing a polite introduction. She remained aloof regarding Rean. After all, Emma knows who Rean truly is as well. Seeing me not bring it up, she's respecting my wishes. It'll happen when it happens. There's no need to bring in needless drama right now. We're just on a trip and happened to cross paths. Nothing more, nothing less.
"And I'm Naoto. You guys seem to be heading up north like we are.", I said, introducing myself as well. The brown-haired girl immediately gave us a thumbs up. She now looked cheerful and upbeat. Her usual demeanor.
"Bingo~", The brown-haired girl said. "I'm Anelace, Master Yun's granddaughter. Big sis beside you goes by Shizuna and our little disciple over here is Rean. A pleasure.", Anelace said, introducing herself to us while explaining who the rest were. Rean aside, this girl in front of us really is Shizuna...
"Way to sell me out like that stupid Ana.", Shizuna retorted. "But I digress. A pleasure nonetheless. You seem to be some big hotshot too. We're heading up further north with another connection after this. I take it you two will be stopping at Roer.", Shizuna continued. That's right. Wasn't her intuition off the charts? She already immediately determined where we were heading to.
"That's right. Got more friends in Roer so we're paying them a visit.", I replied.
"Is that so? Well, you can just ignore this airhead beside me. I'm Shizuna Rem Misurugi. We might all be in similar rank but I'm still stronger than Anelace.", Shizuna happily replied with a playful smile.
"H-Hey! That was totally uncalled for. I've beaten you plenty of times. Fair and square.", Anelace shot back with a frown over her lips. She even stuck her tongue out. How cute.
At the same time, Anelace puffed her chest outward with pride. Right...
Not trying to stare, I do know that is something that I will have to deal with again. Adolescence. Thankfully there's still a few years out before I get a full dose of hormones heading my way. I know it'll be something I have to tackle. I played it off for now and decided to keep the conversation going.
"So you all really are part of a martial arts school, eh?", I asked. Hearing that, Rean nodded his head.
"Yes. We all study under the same dojo with Master here. You may call me Rean Schwarzer, son of a local Barony further beyond where you are heading. Naoto was it?", Rean responded with a nod of his head, and introduced himself to us. Emma and I already know though, heh. That also begs the question, I recall Yun Ka-Fai has an equally domineering eye power that is on the same level of the Vermillion Eyes, if not even stronger. His intuition must even be more off the charts than Shizuna's eye is. How much can he see in the bigger picture with my existence and all? I'd love to inquire more, but definitely now is not the time. Perhaps if we find ourselves alone in a room later.
"Hmm, that's right. Sometimes I forget you're the son of a Baron, Rean. You really don't act like one.", Shizuna mused.
"Haha. I get that a lot.", Rean said. Here we go, his "Haha"s are already starting. That was a running gag in the Trailsverse. You lose track of how many times he does it. "Many people back in Ymir make us feel welcomed instead of the other way around. It is all thanks to the support I've received from you all, my parents, and Elise. Let's just say...there could have been unwanted harm done, and I'm glad it never turned out like that. I'm happy to be in this position."
If Rean is speaking like that, then his ogre powers have definitely manifested by now. I wonder if he's attempted to use them yet?
Hearing that, Anelace's eyes lit up.
"Hehe, that was well put, Rean. I feel we've already studied and learned a lot from Master but the road before us is still long.", Anelace happily said.
"Hoho. I couldn't have said it better myself. It is up to the individual to strive and become a Divine Blade. As expected of my Granddaughter.", Master Yun also said, revealing a grin.
"Is that so?", I replied, also smiling at them. It sounds like they've all come a good way already. But as Master Yun said, learning the way of the sword takes a lifetime to achieve. I'm not one to shy away from that, even if my Teacher is different from the Eight Leave One Blade School. Emma also has a look of interest in her eyes seeing the conversation move along.
"So you'll be heading to one of the towns beyond Roer. Ymir. It's widely known for its hot springs, isn't it? And you're the son of the lord there?", Emma asked, also feigning ignorance. Well, she knew about Rean, but I'm not sure if she knows about the whole adoption thing. This might be her first time learning of what became of Rean.
"The very same town. Master's dojo is but a few minutes walking distance away, further inside the mountain range. It's quite in a secluded area so it's hard to find at first.", Anelace said. Even she refers to her own Grandfather as Master, huh? Guess she is serious about learning the Eight Leaves One Blade from him. Maybe I'll do a bit of meddling and test her will later. Both Shizuna and Rean become Divine Blades, so how cool would it be if Anelace became one too?
As Anelace said that, Emma turned her eyes back toward me. I know that look...
"Our visit to Roer isn't long, right, Naoto? With our friend there, we might be able to squeeze some time in and visit Ymir. I really want to see those hot springs!", Emma excitedly said. I even saw sparkles in her eyes.
"Heh, of course you do, Emma. The idea isn't half-bad at all. I bet our friend would love to come.", I responded. Knowing Angelica, there is no way she would want to miss out on a hot springs visit. The main purpose was to pay my respects since I haven't visited Marquis Rogner's house yet. He should know of me, but it's not like we need to spend all day in Roer. We can snag some train tickets toward Ymir after.
"Well, you two seem to have some interest in heading to Ymir. We'll be in town for a while so you might even see my disciples.", Master Yun said, acknowledging Emma.
"We won't be heading to Ymir immediately, though. We need to see our friend first and we'll see about taking a detour from there. If it is as you say, we will likely cross paths again. I wouldn't be one to shy away from the words from the master of the Eight Leaves One Blade school.", I said, looking at Master Yun.
"Indeed. You also study a similar art. But your Teacher is different. More demonic, if I had to take a crack at it. Not that it's a bad thing. You have one hell of a Teacher, kid.", Master Yun said to me, only to reveal a grin this time.
"So you know of him after all.", I said, and took out Glistening Moonlight from my side. It was still sheathed, but everyone looked at it with interest.
With a 'shing', I removed the blade. Everyone saw a durable blade clad in silver. It was very durable. It was likely made of one of the strongest ores known in Zemuria, aptly named Zemurian Ore. I know there are variants to this such as Black Zemurian Ore, but I don't think it was strengthened to such a degree.
"You really do wield a rapier. I thought this weapon looked thin. I hear it is one of the more popular weapons to use in the military. You look like a noble, but perhaps you hail from a long standing of soldiers.", Shizuna said, trying to guess my background. Oi.
Well Shizuna isn't wrong. General Osborne is my Father. The now Blood and Iron Chancellor.
"Heh. I'll leave that up to you to discern. My background is just a tad sensitive to talk about in the open like this.", I replied, keeping my answer short.
"Your name does sound familiar for some reason though. I just can't put my finger on it...", Rean uttered. Hmm, maybe he feels it, but can't exactly put it into words. We do share a blood bond, after all. It makes sense for him to feel like this.
"Why don't we just leave it at that?", Master Yun said. His eyes landed on me for a moment, before he shifted his gaze back toward Rean. "As for who the boy's teacher is, I indeed have crossed blades with him. On multiple occasions. I can fathom your origins, but it is as you think, we are merely crossing paths. It is best not to go into it too much. If that old coot hasn't kicked the bucket, tell him I give my regards."
"I'd like that.", I replied. Honestly, how much does Master Yun know of my situation? I'm curious. But seeing him not press the matter, I won't press it. Now's not the time.
Instead, we all heard Master Yun continue to speak, which drew our interest.
"So instead, I shall offer you an invitation if you do pay Ymir a visit. Consider it a stroke of good luck. Fight one of my disciples I have painstakingly raised. Hohoho.", Master Yun suddenly said to everyone. Even Rean's and Anelace's eyes turned wide in shock. But Shizuna acted as if she had anticipated this.
"You've got to be kidding me. How can you request a duel with someone you just met, Master!?", Rean exclaimed.
"Oh boy. You're serious aren't you, Grandpa?", Anelace asked, frowning.
"One-hundred percent.", Master Yun replied and smiled again. He then looked back at me. "How about it, kid? Both you and my disciples of mine have both learned the way of the sword. I'm interested to see the application of your swordplay."
"A test of skill, eh?", I replied. I mean, if Master Yun is offering, it would be dishonorable if I turn down such an offer, right? He's acting like we're already there, haha! Still, I grinned at the trio. "Very well, then the person I am interested in having a bout with is..."