Owari no Seraph – Ichinose Guren, 16-sai no Catastrophe v1c3

They totaled 1100 people.

340 second year students.

That was the breakdown.

And thus, by the time the first year ended, around half the students would be left. Thus as the school year went up, the number of students would be less.

"But nevertheless, I'm exempt from this, I suppose."

By the way, Glen had taken some kind of entrance examination to this First Shibuya High.

And he tackled all these shoddily. Rather, because the level of the questions were such that it looked like he would get all of them right if he did them carelessly, he had to do his best to think of erroneous answers as he tackled the exams.

That would probably be what the grader thought. Why did this useless fella come take the entrance examination to this First Shibuya High where only the elites go to, he would have thought.

He ended up getting accepted into a school for nurturing sorcerers, where the believers of 『Mikado no Oni』 enroll in, and where even among those who enrolled, only the most capable people would get accepted by the school.

"Which means in the end, no matter how bad my results are during these 3 years, I'll still remain here and continue to get picked on."

The students were cheerful.

On the stage of the auditorium, the long greeting by the principal was about to end.

Such a long talk had been continuing for quite some time.

Then, at that moment,

A voice called out to him from the side.

There, a girl clad in sailor uniform stood. Since she was just right beside him, she was probably in the same class as him.

"Were you talking to me?"

On hearing that, the girl then said with a somewhat mocking face.

"Filthy, huh."

"By the way who're you? Which high and mighty land did you come from?"

"Hah, as I thought, the Ichinoses are ignorant on top of being rude. To think that you don't know who I am after seeing this hair."

She was most likely someone of the Jyuujou House.

Jyuujou Tohito.

In other words, when Glen saw that red hair, naturally, he immediately knew that she was someone of the Jyuujou House --- one of the famous old houses, which could be counted with just one hand, that served the Hiiragi House; but, Glen said to her.

Instantly, the red haired girl looked at him with a clearly disgusted face. She then said,

Glen then smiled and said.

"We weren't using computer-marked sheets for our exams duh. Well, at any rate, you're probably unconditionally accepted so that the candidate successor for the next head of Ichinose House can learn his place."

Glen then asked.

"Who is the idol-wannabe!"

"Aah, you are really noisy. Then, tell me, who on earth are you?"

"I am Jyuujou Mito. Of that very Jyuujou House."

Glen then said to her.

"How is it? Is the fear getting to you now?"

"Fufuh, you may prostrate and apologize you know? Well, even if an ignorant Ichinose is to prostrate before me, it's not something that will make me happy though."

"What is it? Are you really that happy to have me talk to you?"

"I still don't know anything about the Jyuujous though."

"Like I was saying, I don't know anything about the Jyuujous."

"No idea."

Her face looked as if she was trying to holler something but no words came out.

"No no, don't get angry Mito. He's just a lowly rat of the Ichinoses...... you should already know that he doesn't have any form of human intelligence right? If you get angry with just a small thing like this, you'll spoil your family name. So calm down."

What's wrong with her?...... Glen thought while looking down at her, and he then looked around once more. And he thought.

At the very least, the only ones who could come here were those who had accumulated years of pretty strict training in sorcery since young. On top of that, this place was probably also filled up with those who were bounded by a hierarchical society based on lineages. And in that case, most of them were probably unsociable.

He laughed softly.

"What are you laughing about!"

"Well, fine. I don't think there's any need for me to introduce myself any further to an ignorant guy like you."

"Like I said, that's not it!"

And this time round, her yell was loud enough for it to reverberate within the auditorium.

Mito's face stiffened into one that said, oh no, I've gone and done it, and her face was flushed to a scarlet red that was no less than the color of her hair.

She said in a small voice.

Mito seemed to shrink from the embarrassment.

"Haha, it's great isn't it? In an instant, you caught everyone's attention like an idol......"

Dohn, Glen was struck in the back. The force of the blow was not too big. Well, that was as expected with a slender body like hers. In other words, she was probably the type that utilizes sorcery to confer her body with battle abilities.

That was how famous the Jyuujou House was as a militant house. Its members were often employed in the positions of assassins or escorts. She was probably also someone who possessed a considerable amount of ability.

--- now, do I have the capability to kill her?

But, he did not give away his thoughts. Glen looked down at the Mito who had hit him, and asked.

"What is it?"

"Hitting on...... of course it's not that!"

Mito said to him.

"Hm."

She asked.

The Jyuujou House often served the Hiiragi House as their escorts. And thus, it was a given that she would want to have a grasp of the situation whereby Hiiragi Shinya was talking unreservedly to someone of the Ichinose House.

"It wasn't anything important."

"You were paying really close attention huh."

Vexed at her persistent question, Glen said.

"Let me hear it."

"What would that be?"

"Eh?"

"Huh? Eh......!?"

"Eh, eh, th-th-th-that's a lie right? I can't, do this...... Shinya-sama already, has Mahiru-sama......"

It seemed like the relationship between Shinya and Mahiru was a well-known thing, and there was no problem with it being publicized.

If Mito could said it so readily, then this would definitely be something the Ichinose House would know of, and in that case, why did he not hear about it?

Glen murmured with a slightly troubled face. His father probably withheld the information to prevent him from hearing about matters regarding Mahiru.

They probably also knew who would giving the speech as the freshman representative today. They knew it and hid it from their master.

"Hah, what the hell? It's just a 5 year old brat's meaningless crush you know? Did it seem like I still have any kind of lingering affection for her?"

"B-Besides, it's forbidden for us retainers to get into that kind of relationship with the people of the Hiiragi House. So, can you please help me tell Shinya-sama that it would also be troubling for him?"

"And also, I really love and respect Mahiru-sama, so can you also tell Shinya-sama that we should pretend that this conversation never took place......"

On hearing that, Mito's expression changed again. Her eyes turned up angrily,

Her voice became loud again.

"Ah ~, erm, are you acquainted with Mahiru-sama?"

"Mahiru-sama is really beautiful, and she would come into contact with us kindly without regard to her station, it's like she's a goddess."

It seemed like Mahiru was pretty well-liked.

"On top of that, she excels in both the 'sword and the pen', and even in the entrance exam for this school, she was the top in all the subjects. To us who owe our allegiance to the 『Mikado no Oni』, to be able to serve under Mahiru-sama would be the ultimate blessed thing."

Top in all subjects.

In other words, among the freshmen, the most capable person is Mahiru? --- Glen pondered.

If so, will I be able to defeat Mahiru? Do I possess the power to overwhelm the Hiiragi House?

The scenery of the time when he was still playing with Mahiru.

Under the cloudless, clear sky.

It has been 10 years since then huh, thought Glen.

Then, at that moment, the principal said.

On saying that, the principal bowed.

With beautiful, long ashen hair, and dignified, resolute eyes. Even though her face was best described as coldly well-chiseled, she did not appear cold at all.

"............"

Everyone's attention was drawn in by Mahiru.

But right now, that was not the only thing that happened.

Mahiru stepped up to the podium.

"Thank you for the introduction. I am Hiiragi Mahiru. Today, I've been given the task of greeting you as the freshman representative. Pleased to meet you all."

With her voice alone, she seemed to have put the auditorium under a magic spell.

A few rows in front of him, Hiiragi Shinya turned around to face him.

"Thank you for the introduction. I am Hiiragi Mahiru. Today, I've been given the task of greeting you as the freshman representative. Pleased to meet you all."

"She's not interested in the lowly, poor achiever of an Ichinose rat huh?"

Looking up at her, Glen thought.

"Haha."

♦

Night.

After being made to listen to the talk about the school curriculum which was going to take place from this day onward, they had to take several sorcery-related tests despite the fact that the school entrance ceremony was just over, and only after the tests were done, Glen and his followers could go home.

It was a pretty large 5LDK unit[1] the Ichinose House had rented for Glen for him to attend Shibuya First High.

In other words, 4 other units aside from the one that Glen was staying in on this floor were rented. Totaling up the units on the floors above and below, there should have been 14 units in excess, but yet,

Sitting in a cross-legged fashion on the sofa of the living room, with a stern face, Glen said to the two girls in front of him.

The initial plan was to have them stay in the units flanking Glen's unit, but right now, the two of them, shouldering their backpacked luggage, had moved into this room.

"...... as one would expect, as retainers, we should not leave our master's side under any circumstances......"

"Uwuh......"

"B-But but, this unit is a 5LDK after all, and us retainers will just act stealthily and stay out of the way, and quietly live our life......"

"Auh......"

"But."

Ordered Glen. He pointed to the exit.

First Shigure,

Following that, Sayuri clapped her hands together,

"Like hell you are!"

He then sighed and said.

Shigure protested.

Yeah yeah, Sayuri too nodded in agreement.

The two of them seemed to have no intention of leaving, and Glen folded his arms in exasperation. He then thought.

They were all adolescents.

And so he said.

Sayuri then cocked her head to the side and said.

"That's right."

Glen then replied.

"Do you know what's inside that box?"

"What's inside?"

"Eh......!!"

By the way, that box did not contain any porn mags but the truth did not matter now.

"In other words, it means just that. When you live under the same roof as a guy, you would need to bear with things like that you know? Knowing that, are you still going to say that you want to live here?"

"All right. Now that you know that it's impossible to live together, quickly get out of......"

"I-It's okay...... I-I've heard about this stuff from my father."

"T-T-T-That this is also part of, m-m-m-my job, if you have n-n-n-needs a-a-at n-n-night......"

Glen hollered but Sayuri continued.

"Just get out of here already moron!"

"Hey Sayuri."

"Don't worry. There aren't any porn mags in that box. They are research books on sorcery."

"There's no way our master would read those low-class porn mags right? Glen-sama is someone who's so busy with his intense training that he has no time for such things."

"T-That's right! Just what I would expect of Glen-sama!"

"But if you do have those needs, do let me know in advance. I-I do need some time to get mentally prepared after all."

Following that, Shigure said.

"Yeah, I'll make dinner. Glen-sama, what'll you like to eat?"

While feeling exasperated at his two retainers who only knew how to rebel against him,

He merely replied.

Sayuri responded joyfully, and with that, the two of them who were already bent on living in this unit started moving briskly.

Glen took a deep sigh tiredly.

"Glen huh."

In other words, it was Glen's father.

"Yeah, it's me."

"My retainers aren't listening to me."

"Don't go about giving unnecessary orders."

On hearing his father's question, Glen recalled what had happened today.

And also, about Mahiru at school. About how he thought that his father was probably hiding Mahiru's engagement status from himself.

"Nothing special."

"Yeah."

"You are stronger, Dad. I'm just short-tempered."

But, Glen cut him off and said.

"Is that so...... as your father, I would want to help you but, you are a son who has surpassed his father."

"As usual. Don't worry."

"All right. Glen."

"Be careful."

"Got it. See ya."

With that, the call ended.

"Glen-sama."

"Do you have anything you want me to unpack first?"

"No, just leave my stuff. Go unpack your own stuff."

"Aah, then, unpack the luggage in the room beside the entrance hall first. Since those contain sorcery tools."

Shigure bowed, and with small brisk steps, she headed into the room beside the entrance hall.

"Hey Sayuri."

"How long before dinner's ready?"

"I see. An hour huh."

"No, let it simmer. I will take a nap in the adjacent unit."

In this bag was a so-called Japanese sword.

Thus, if Glen did not use his katana, he could not utilize his full strength, but, he had no intention of drawing his katana from its scabbard in school.

However, he still needed to train.

"............"

He was heading to the floor above.

He advanced to the elevator from the entrance. and pressed the button for the elevator.

By the way, this condo had 27 floors.

And right now, there was a man inside the elevator.

The only ones who could come up till this floor would either be the people of the Ichinose House, or the owner's family who was living on the 27th floor.

The man smiled, bowed, and asked,

Glen nodded and said.

The man grinned and nodded.

"Then, you are with the owner's family?"

"Right. I see. We'll be looking forward to your acquaintance for the next 3 years."

He said.

The owner's floor, the 27th floor, was not selected. Rather, none of the floors were selected.

And he even made a lie which would be found out the moment Glen entered the elevator.

"An assassin huh."

The ability to use his swords wherever he was under any circumstances had been drilled into him since young.

The chains were bounded by several charms.

At the very least, they were not charms used by the Hiiragis.

However, the charm used by the man was fundamentally of a different kind from those of the Hiiragi House and Ichinose House. It was probably based on Western Europe wizardry. Kabbalah or perhaps something else? It seemed like ancient Japanese sorcery techniques were mixed into it but --- anyway Glen was unable to decipher it.

Glen kicked the man's stomach with his foot, and prevented him from pulling his katana. He further went on to touch the sleeve of his school uniform with the fingers of his left hand. He then pulled out a talisman that had been tucked in there, and completed the Kuji gestures with his fingers.

It was different than the spell used by Shinya on Glen this morning. Compared to what Shinya used, the one by Glen was faster, smoother, and possessed the power to kill a person.

If the opponent was a normal person, his eyes would probably be crushed.

"Haha, ha, amazing...... no mercy at all."

However, Glen did not care and continued swinging his katana.

But, Kihn, the high-pitched sound of what seemed to be metal clashing against metal rang out, and the katana was stopped.

But the katana stopped.

His eyes were not crushed. And at that moment, from the flesh of the arm that was cut, black smoke spouted and as if it possessed a will of its own, it started thrusting towards Glen......

Glen immediately drew back. He jumped out of the elevator. At the same when he exited, he took out a few talismans from his pocket, and threw them. They stuck to the four corners of the elevator entrance, and created a barrier.

With that, he sheathed his katana back into its scabbard. He shifted his scabbard to the belt around his waist, and adopted an Iai pose.

"Now ~, come out. I will detach your head in my next draw."

He merely smiled in delight, and using his dangling cut arm in a dexterous manner, he pressed the 「open」 button to hold the elevator door open.

"My, as expected of the candidate successor of the Ichinose House. Scary...... to think that you can cut a human being who just happened to board the same elevator without any hesitation......

"Screw you, you aren't any human right?"

"But you are no vampire either. Those creatures have no interest in humans."

"In that case, you must be an assassin sent by someone...... were you sent by the Hiiragi House?"

"How smart......"

"Don't f**k with me. The enchantments on your chains don't belong to the Hiiragis. Besides, the Hiiragis won't send assassins just for the sake of killing people of the Ichinose House which they had been ridiculing. Now speak, who the hell are you?"

Glen then said.

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll kill you, you know?"

"Aah, you saw through me that fast huh. I see. You are more capable than I thought......"

Rather, he never had the intention to talk right from the beginning. This fellow would not tell the truth anyway. When Glen asked whether he was an assassin sent by the Hiiragi House, he judged based on his lie that it was meaningless to talk with him.

The man's face turned into surprise for an instant.

The katana came in from below the right side of the man's trunk. It immediately struck his rib. Kiiiiihn, like just now when he cut his arm, the sound of the katana blade bouncing off metal could be heard, but,

Glen shouted. The red blade trembled, and with that it cut upwards. Slicing through the rib, it exited from the top of the left shoulder.

Then.

The man looked at him and laughed.

From the cut torso, black smoke and chains wrapped in charms that he had never seen before came flying out, attempting to restrain Glen.

But his right arm, which was holding onto the katana, was caught. Looking hard at that, he thought. Should he detach the joint of his arm? But if he did that, his katana would be taken away from him. Then, should he ignore the chains once again and try to cut him?

Especially about that black smoke.

The man then said.

Glen glared at his enemy and said.

"Ah-haha, this is amazing right?"

Glen looked hard at them and said.

"Who do you think I am?"

"Haha, despite what you see, I'm a full-fledged human."

Glen then scowled at those words,

The man smiled and replied.

But Glen shook his head.

"Ah-haha, maybe."

Maybe it was because the man felt like answering honestly, he concealed his chains in his body, and even the smoke subsided. No, at the same time, even the cut-up suit had its tears closed up. Glen did not know what kind of setup was behind all that. Was that suit part of the body, or was it a separate thing?

At that moment, the man said his name.

"《Hyakuya Church》?"

《Hyakuya Church》 was the name of a considerably large sorcery organization that was said to be supported by a secret division of the country.

Throughout the ages, whenever the seat of power of the nation changed, the 《Hyakuya Church》 and the Hiiragi House, which was also a large-scale sorcery organization would repeatedly engage in skirmishes to determine who would become the backer of the ruling power; but, since the second world war, the 《Hyakuya Church》, having received the support of America, had become the backbone sorcery organization of this country.

Murder.

War.

The terrible stories about how the children of the orphanages run by 《Hyakuya Church》 were treated were especially famous.

Maybe this man was also one of the monsters who were created from such an orphanage.

"Haha, you're such a liar."

Putting aside Hiiragi Shinya, why is this guy also trying to involve me in going against the Hiiragi House? This is only the first day of school you know?

Kijima then said.

"Don't do that without my permission duh."

"Hoarh. And?"

"Heyh. And so?"

But Glen cut him off,

Kijimi then looked hard at Glen and said.

Glen then grinned and replied.

"............"

"............"

With that, Glen once again gripped the sword in its scabbard.

"You can't......"

"............"

"............"

At that moment, he tightened his grip on his katana hilt.

"Three......"

"Aah, damn, what the heck. You're completely different from before...... It's not a bluff huh. I got it. I'll be taking my leave here......"

"............"

"But, you'll definitely regret not joining us......"

But at that moment, the elevator started descending. Kijima was gone.

"...... hah. 《Hyakuya Church》 huh. Will there be a war in the near future?"

And if that were to happen, then the chance of crushing the Hiiragis might appear, he thought.

At that moment, a voice sounded from the entrance.

It was the voice of Sayuri. She was strangely in a fluster for some reason. Patah patah, the sounds of her running could be heard, and before long, she found Glen.

"Ah ~, no, I was just about to go to the training ground......"

"We haven't finished cleaning up the training ground yet. We'll be done with it tomorrow, so please just rest easy today."

On hearing his question, a shocked expression suddenly appeared on Sayuri's face,

She rushed back into the room.

"Did you draw your katana here?"

"Then, shall I prepare this area for you to train until tomorrow? It's also troublesome to keep going up each time."

Glen wrapped his katana with the bag that was lying on the floor, and started walking.

"Glen-sama."

"Did something happen?"

"Nothing. It's the usual."

Chapter end