Ignoring Zin's shocked expression, Walter's grin remained on his face. The figure called Yin standing before Zin simply remained quiet, not wanting to speak. Thanks to that, Walter changed the subject.
"Still, I did not think you would become a Teacher of all things over the time since we last clashed with each other. Didn't think you would have it in you, Zin. Really reminds of the old days, heh.", Walter chuckled again, only to take another puff of his cigarette.
"Hmph. Those old days are no more thanks to you.", Zin retorted, crossing his arms. He felt annoyed by what Walter had just said, but didn't strike out like last time.
"Point taken. But do I give a shit?", Walter replied, shrugging his shoulders. After all, the trio had reached this point because Walter killed Zin's Master. He clashed against Zin after. During that, rage almost consumed Zin, and while Zin overcame it, that caused Walter to depart from his life, and left on a journey of his own. Zin couldn't stop Walter, and Kilika just watched on from the sidelines. She knew she couldn't do anything back then, but she wondered how it was now. All Zin could do from there was become a Bracer, and try to forget what happened.
All of this happened in a little place called Longlai, known for its rich eastern culture, food delicacies, and is a tourist hotspot to enjoy everything the east has to offer. It's also home to the dojo that not only Zin used to call home, but also where Van used to stay for a short while when he studied the Kunlun Style martial arts under Gunther Barkhorn. Since his "death", hasn't happened yet, he's still Gunther at this time.
Along the way, Zin just so happened to meet a certain Crown Prince that hailed from Liberl, and happened to pick up his own disciple along the way, Sherryl Sky. Even Zin himself still found it hard that he took up the role of teaching someone else. It wasn't easy, but he found the effort worthwhile. After all, he had a clash against Master Yun Ka-Fai, the Master of the Eight Leaves One Blade School. That was a feat of its own. Zin didn't care whether he won or lost then. Master Ka-Fai tested his strength, and Zin was satisfied with how that turned out.
And now, Zin has a clear path forward. He will continue training, and do what he does best. By being a Bracer. He will travel around all three major countries, continuing his Bracer work. He likely won't accept becoming an S-Rank for quite a while. He doesn't feel ready yet, even though he had received Master Yun Ka-Fai's praise during his clash with him.
As far as Walter goes, Zin simply saw Walter turn around, only to crouch down.
"Welp, you know how to contact me, Kilika. Call me if somethin' interesting happens. From the way it sounds, it looks like it is still a while out. Might as well check the casinos around here.", Walter said, and proceeded to do a large leap of his legs. He jumped onto one of the rooftops off to the right, acting as if it was nothing to him. He too, is a martial artist. So doing movements like this is as easy as breathing air.
Walter didn't wait for Kilika and Zin to respond. He didn't run like a ninja, as that wasn't his style. Instead, Walter jumped from rooftop to rooftop with pockets still in his hands beneath his cloak. He vanished into the shadows of the night, leaving Kilika and Zin behind. Oh, and Yin too.
Seeing Walter just do whatever he wants, Zin couldn't help but sigh again.
"Walter really just does what he wants to do, doesn't he?", Zin said, had shook his head in disappointment. "He really hasn't changed one bit."
"Ufufu, that free spirit of Walter's is partly why I fell in love with him in the first place.", Kilika replied. She smiled as she said that.
"Right...", Zin responded. He didn't feel heartbroken. It's not like Zin liked Kilika. Even he could tell that she liked Walter. "How is that going, by the way?"
"Do I even need to answer that?", Kilika sighed, and did a motion of her arms, acting like she was disappointed. "He says he has no room for romance. I feel I'm at a dead-end here. He might be going down a broken path, and I know I'll be there to pull him back up from the abyss."
"And so, you turned your head toward Zeiss to keep you distracted.", Zin grinned, wondering if that was the case.
"Can I even do anything about that?", Kilika responded. "Walter's too hellbent on that path that will only lead to his destruction. He'll hit a wall and won't be able to climb up from it. Until then, I'll just let him do whatever he wants.", Kilika said, explaining her end. "Besides, for now, can you promise me one thing, Zin?"
Hearing this unexpected request, Zin raised his eyebrows, but nodded his head.
"Sure, what's up, Kilika?", Zin asked.
"If Walter really does hit that wall when I am not present, knock some sense into that thick head of his.", Kilika said, smiling again.
"Hahaha!", Zin laughed, his expression eased. "That much I can do. Consider it a promise."
As that was said, Zin was still aware that Yin was still present beside Kilika. Yin stayed quiet during this short conversation, so he couldn't help but shift his gaze toward Yin. He was still surprised to see Zin here. He continued to speak.
"With Walter gone, what are you going to do? I can't believe that Yin is so far away from the Eastern Quarter. You on a job or something?", Zin asked.
"Not exactly.", Yin said, shaking their head. "Finding potential prospects. I am currently acting on Yin's behalf. My Master recently had a clash against the Steel Maiden, and that took too much of his life force. He doesn't have much time left, I'm afraid. If I do not find anyone, I will likely be the one to inherit his role.", Yin explained. It looks like whoever this Yin was, wasn't actually the Yin that Zin knew. He was surprised to hear that.
"Wait, so you aren't Yin?"
"The Title Yin falls in line with a long line of assassins. I am but of the current generation. We are all considered Yin.", Yin simply explained.
"Right...", Zin nodded, acting as if he understood what Yin was referring to. "Nonetheless, I take it you will be in Heimdallr for the time being, just like Walter?"
"Yes.", Yin said, nodding their head.
Kilika heard that, and a glint of light streaked across her eyes, like she was formulating a new plan.
Even though Yin's voice was being distorted through their current appearance, just that alone was enough for Kilika to assume who this Yin was. It sounded more and more familiar to Kilika with each passing moment. But for now, Kilika simply smiled, and spoke to Yin.
"Well, if you're in the capital for now, we'll likely come across each other again. I don't think this will be the last time we cross paths.", Kilika responded with a playful smirk. She acted as if she knew what was going to come next. While not being on the level of genius like Renne or Musse was, Kilika was smart in her own right. She doesn't join Calvard's Intelligence Division later on for no reason.
"...", Yin didn't say anything to that remark. Instead, all Yin did was turn around, just like how Walter left just a moment ago. Like him, Yin simply disappeared into the shadowy night. Thanks to that dark cloak Yin was wearing, that allowed Yin to vanish from sight completely. Before long, only Zin and Kilika were left behind.
Zin kept his arms crossed over each other as he spoke to Kilika.
"Why do I get the impression that you seem to know who this "current" Yin is?", Zin asked.
"Haha.", Kilika laughed. "It is merely a hunch. I cannot exactly say who this Yin is yet. Perhaps in due time.", Kilika continued. "But aside from that point, you said you're interested in dropping by Heimdallr's guild branch, yes? I think I can tag along with you for now. I'll probably end up pulling a drunk Walter out of a casino later tonight. Don't worry about him."
"I'll try not to.", Zin grinned as he said that.
"Mmm.", Kilika nodded. "And while we're at it, why don't you tell me about this disciple of yours that you have been teaching as of late? She seems like a pretty cute girl if you ask me."
"We'll see. As I have said to The Fool, Sherryl is walking her own path now. Unless an opportunity strikes, I don't think you'll be able to meet her anytime soon.", Zin responded.
"We'll see about that. And what's you meeting up with Enforcer No. 0? Now that I'd love to hear all about~", Kilika said, smirking about that. Realizing what he had just said, Zin sighed.
"Me and my big fat mouth...", Zin murmured. "Anyway let's ditch this place and go have some fun yeah? I'm not working tonight."
"Very well.", Kilika said. "After you."
Just like that, the two's conversation ended for now, seeing that both Walter and Yin were now gone. They had no other business here in the dark alleyway. They successfully avoided the sight of patrolling RMP Officers, only to make their way back into Vainqueur Street. It looks like they were going to have some fun tonight. They were adults, after all. They could do whatever they wanted to.
And yet, as Kilika and Zin were wondering what to do next, a different scene could now be seen taking place. Before long, a sole orbal car drove through the entrance of Dreichel's Plaza. A few couldn't help but blink their eyes at the crest plastered on the car. Even the icy, blue-haired woman hesitated before she finished directing the ongoing traffic. Most of the Nobles finished arriving at Valflame Palace by now. It looks like whoever was in this orbal car was the last Noble family to arrive.
Seeing the orbal car steadily pull up into the inner circle of Dreichel's Plaza, Captain Claire's eyes remained fixed on it.
"I recognize that crest...", Claire uttered, becoming interested at the sight. Before long, the driver's door was the first one to open. It then revealed a butler. He proceeded to walk along the opposite end of the orbal car, and then opened the passenger door.
A sole figure soon emerged from it. This person appeared to be a woman with long, lush silver hair. She opted not to wear a dress tonight, but that of a black tuxedo. A rarity for a woman whose caliber on her level doesn't do too often. And yet, it seemed to match her appearance to the tee. She looked quite good in a black tuxedo. It even outlined her chest, which was quite big.
This woman was in her twenties now, and had already graduated from Thors Military Academy a while back. To Captain Claire, a hint of respect could be seen in her eyes. She then smiled at the woman, and greeted her.
"I did not think you would have time to make it to tonight's events, Lady Aurelia.", Claire said, remaining polite as she greeted her. In fact, Claire even saluted her.
"What, and to think I'd miss my fiancé's event? As if.", The woman said, and grinned.
"...Pardon?", Claire responded, shooting her eyebrows upward. "Did I hear that right? Are you saying you are betrothed, Lady Aurelia?"
"Not exactly. It is unofficial. It's not like the two of us have signed any papers. At least, not yet. He has to beat me in a duel, after all. I do not know if that time is now, I will see how things progress tonight.", The woman responded, grinning back at Claire. That's right, this woman just so happens to be Aurelia Le Guin. The one and only Golden Rakshasa! And the very same woman who proposed to Naoto that, if in the future he bested her in combat, she would become his.
A duel not to be taken lightly. Aurelia doesn't know whether that time is now, or if the duel will happen in the future. Still, Aurelia's smile remained on her lips as she continued to speak. "Though, it would seem I now have a rival in the making. As far as proposals go."
Unlike how Aurelia is in the games, this time around, she has developed a keen sense of Mana. She learned Magic! It was unknown how many incantations Aurelia can use now.
"Is that right? That was a bit unexpected, coming from your position and all, Lady Aurelia. I would have figured the Imperial Army has taken up too much of your time. Who is the lucky person?", Claire decided to ask.
"Oh you'll meet him soon enough.", Aurelia said, grinning again. "After all, he is the star of tonight's ball. I'm just afraid I may not have any room to butt in, so we'll see."
Hearing that, Claire paused. Her enhanced cognition entered overdrive. Her thoughts began to wildly spin, as if it was a hamster frantically running inside a wheel.
"...Please don't tell me who I think it is you are referring to.", Claire gulped as she said that.
"Hahaha!", Aurelia laughed. "Do I have a reason to hide it at this point? You very well know who it is I am talking about. We have not seen each other for a couple years now, but it sounds like he is doing well."
"...Just try not to crash tonight's ball alright? I don't need to remind you of your bounds, knowing that you are a Thors alumnus and all. At the very least, it sounds like the Le Guin Estate hasn't been causing too much trouble lately, so I'd like to keep it that way.", Claire said, and sighed.
"No promises.", Aurelia replied, and smiled. "To say the least, I have been in a particular, secluded village that is quite distant from here. I have not seen much publicity ever since I left Grancel City a few years ago. But to think His Imperial Majesty would host a ball to celebrate the coming of the next century. I saw no reason not to come."
"I see.", Claire nodded. "Well, you arrived just on time, Lady Aurelia. The ball will begin shortly. Please make your way inside. I am afraid you missed the window to enjoy some appetizers. I will continue securing the perimeter to make sure the dance goes off without a hitch."
"Understood. Given the opportunity I'd love to catch up with you. It sounds like you've been well as of late, Captain.", Aurelia said. Her playful demeanor vanished. A cool look appeared in her eyes now.
"Haha.", Claire laughed. "I'd like that. For now, please enjoy the dance.", Claire continued, and gave Lady Aurelia another salute.
With Captain Claire doing her motions, she returned to her current duties, acting both as an escort and an officer of the RMP. She continued patrolling with the rest of her squad. Aurelia therefore dismissed her butler, and her personal orbal car drove off, leaving Aurelia to her own devices. She found it nice to see Claire again. The two had gotten acquainted after learning that Claire was now studying at Thors Military Academy.
Eventually, Aurelia, the last guest, made her way into Valflame Palace, and continued where the ball was being held...