Adopted Soldier

It has been two days since Rachel started living with Alex. A lot of things have happened during that period. Emily was forced to leave the mansion and stay at an apartment near the school. Sayaka who found out about it couldn't help but tell the others about the news.

When the others heard the news about Rachel staying in Alex's place, they all wanted to visit. Evangeline was also overwhelmed by the news and without even thinking told Alex that she should stay with him too.

The reason she gave was pretty out there. She said that Rachel would feel out of place in such an environment. Being with someone familiar might calm her down. Of course, Alex didn't suspect anything and allowed Evangeline to stay with them.

Her room was beside Rachel's. When Rachel heard that she felt irritated at the same time relieved.

...

During those two days, Niel was teaching Evangeline the basics of self-defense. Nothing to extreme just some tricks that she could use just in case of an emergency. She was a really talented student when her physical strength increases Niel thought he might be able to teach some of Lyner's moves.

He needed to ask first if he could teach others his techniques. Niel then tried to imagine his teacher in front of him, when he asked the question.

"Huh? Why the hell are you asking me for? If you want to teach someone then teach. I don't care if someone else knows my moves or not. Hell if you think about it, it would be better if the opponent does know my moves. That would make it an even more thrilling fight!"

Niel could even imagine Lyner showing that vicious overconfident grin of his.

'Maybe I'm overthinking it, if Eva's done with physical training I bet she can handle some of Sir Lyner's moves.'

....

Alex during the past two days was waiting for the backup he needed to protect Rachel, but he never came. He was a bit worried since he lost contact with that particular instructor. It happened yesterday when he said that he would get to the mansion at exactly 0600 hours. Yet he never came, that particular instructor was always on time.

He was even on time to a meeting after sustaining heavy damage. Alex was worried, very worried. First, his dad went on a trip, which most probably was a mission. Next someone tried to kidnap Niel and his little sister. Then Rachel suddenly has a bounty on her head. Now his instructor has gone missing.

What was going on? Alex didn't know but it was pretty obvious something big was about to happen. So he ordered some of the maids and butlers to search for the missing instructor. He even let the Harimas accompany them.

It has been a few days since they started training, and Alex thought that their skill has become adequate enough to handle their first mission. They didn't show it on their faces, since know they had almost the exact same poker face as Alex, but their eyes were practically sparkling with anticipation.

'I won't be able to train properly if I can't leave Rachel's side... I guess I should do the best I can with what I'm given. The battlefield does not care for one's time or circumstances. It will deliver death equally no matter the status. To think I almost complained about this... I guess I am becoming something different...'

...

While Alex was planning what to do next, Oliver and Sayaka were on the mountain house were Ken lives. The two were now on what they called a training date. Sayaka decided to learn a bit of swordsmanship from Ken, who was happy enough to teach her.

Ken was pretty impressed by Sayaka's talent, but he more impressed by Oliver's improvement. Ken didn't what happened to Oliver, but his recent improvement was a bit scary. His movements were much sharper and fluent than before. It was like he was combining Ken's swordsmanship with something else.

Of course, Ken didn't tell him to stop, since he always believed that everyone had a different way of understanding the sword. Like how Ryu and Alex, treat the sword as a tool for efficient killing. While Ken treated it as his parent and teacher. So he was really quite excited to see what kind of understanding Oliver was having in the way of the sword.

...

As everyone was doing their own thing, another person from the mercenary club was waiting at the founder's statue. This was none other than Kei who was waiting nervously for Emily. Until now he still couldn't understand what Emily wanted from him.

He knew Emily was a person who likes to have fun and likes to prank people. So maybe this was one of her pranks... While Kei was convincing himself of that he heard a voice from behind.

"Did you wait long?"

Surprised Kei jumped backward and looked at where the voice came from. It was Emily who was wearing a pretty white sundress. This was a surprise since Kei was expecting her to wear a goth lolita type dress or even something like cosplay. Kei who was so surprised at Emily's choice of what to wear made him stare at her unknowingly.

"Can you please stop that, it's pretty embarrassing." Emily blushed under Kei's staring. Of course, this was all an act that Emily saw in a manga once. Kei who couldn't see beyond the acting blush as well.

"I'm sorry about that. It's just that the dress you're wearing looks good on you." Kei unconsciously spoke, it took him quite some time to register in his mind what he just said, but when it did Kei's face turned red as an apple.

Emily who saw this found it quite cute and giggled. This was not an act since she found Kei really amusing.

"Thank you. So Kei did you wait long?"

"No, I just got here." Emily found it funny that Kei was answering like a protagonist from a manga.

"Well then let's get going." Emily forcefully hugged Kei's right arm and pulled him forward.. This was how Emily and Kei's first date started.