Elemental Zodiack

Chapter 21: New faces

  A few dozens of metres away from the main battlefield were standing most of the Zodiacks that were dealing with the problem of 'Taratarus', regarding the earth golems that appeared constantly, until...

"Huh? They stopped coming?" asks Masato after looking in the direction where the earth user was supposed to be.

"That earth chick left a few minutes ago," says Geoff with an irritated tone.

"Does this mean...? It's finally done?" asks Ye

 An unexpected presence comes to them, making their happiness dissipate as soon as he talked,

"Don't be so happy... It isn't like we haven't lost anyone," and then, Sarus that just arrived points towards the direction where Yoso and Kein were standing motionless on the ground, and scattered ice and blood could be seen at every step.

"Don't tell me..."

"So that kid is already..."

"He unleashed a Forgotten Class Skill, after all, only this kind of trick would've worked against that monster. Even with the power of three Zodiacks, and a Forgotten Class Skill... Shiro did..." says Jin, with a rather disappointed tone.

"What can we even do? We are out of this league!" shouts Iulio that had just come at the face of the scene, where Yoso and Kein were standing unconscious.

"For the time being... Mister Iulio, take mister Kein and all the others that got hurt and bring them to the medical centre. With your speed, you can do it..." says Yoso that was just looking to the sky, with tears falling onto his cheeks.

"Yoso... I understand... I will follow your orders, from now on onwards..." and thus, Iulio took Kein and ran with lightning speed to help transport the others that were in a similar condition.

  Only Yoso remained at the place where Shiro was once standing and fell onto his knees, looking at the blue sky above him.

"I am sorry... I am sorry, Mister Shiro! If only I were stronger..."

 In the distance, trying to approach him was Laure that, after seeing his current state, chose not to and just backed off slowly...

 In the main forces, not even a victim was found, so the mission on that end was successful. They came back at the base, on the top of the hill, to hear the happy news... and the sad news afterwards.

 Standing now in front of all the gathered troops, was Yoso that saluted them with a lifeless look in his eyes.

 Most of the Zodiacks couldn't attend this final roll call because of their injuries, and others such as Iulio had other roles to fulfil.

"Ahem... I am sorry, everyone! If I only were a little bit stronger, maybe the one that would've been facing you now, and congratulating you all would be Mister Shiro! However, due to the current situation, I am facing you, and apologizing to you all for my weakness. I promise you... I will get even stronger, and be able to protect my comrades and my kingdom better! Because... This is the mission that mister Shiro entrusted me with, as future Number 1 Zodiack!"

 The blunt, monotone atmosphere dissipated quickly with Yoso's monologue, all the soldiers present clapping their hands and telling words of trust at Yoso's address. They didn't accomplish the best results for the mission, there being one casualty and even some hurt people, but the mission by itself was a real success.

 Laure understood just how much Yoso had grown in the past few years, being able to overcome such a situation, in such a short period of time, and talk freely in front of the ones that he will have to lead in the future. He has gained a true leader's abilities, and Laure couldn't be prouder because of this.

 And like this, a few days had passed, and everything almost returned to normal...

Knocking at a door, late in a normal night, was Kein that was searching for a specific person.

"So you are here..." says Kein

"Hello, mister Kein... What's the matter? Shouldn't you be still resting?"

"A few broken ribs can heal... But this shame and weakness feeling won't ever fade away. Hope you understand, Yoso," says Kein

"So you feel the same..."

"Come train with me... I will carry on that i***t's will. I feel like he is probably laughing at the fact that I chose that path after all..."

"I bet he is!" says Yoso with a bright smile

"You should stop... That smile won't bring you any good news, so don't force yourself," says Kein

"Ah, you've got me... You want to go training right now?" asks Yoso

"Yes... It's not like you've got anything special to do, right?"

"True..."

 And like this, the two of them went to the training grounds, training all night long.

"So there is going to be a fight for who is going to take which spot in the Zodiacks? I didn't know about this!"

"Mister Principal really doesn't tell you anything for sure... But this time, I don't condemn him. Usually, this is being held to occupy the places from 4 and onwards. But right now, they are held to occupy them from the 3rd spot, and also..."

"To find a new Zodiack?" asks Yoso

"Yeah..."

"By the way, you are going to be a judge there... Mister number 1,"

"Huh? Me?" asks Yoso dumbfounded

"Of course... Well, whatever, it's not like I am going to place so high using a support's style, but we'll see..." says Kein

"Other than Life force channelling... Do you have any other reliable support skills?" asks Yoso

"Of course I do... After all, I'm a support type. Oh, by the way... Our ID cards got updated... You might check it when you get home."

"Ah, I see..."

"Let's start again... Come at me, Yoso..."

"Okay, let's go!"

 Continuously training, Kein was trying to get used to the support type fighting style, as soon as possible. Every time he thinks about Shiro's death, he thinks that he could've done something to help him if he was a bit stronger... Or if he was at least able to help him in some way.

 And three days later, the fight to see which Zodiack will occupy which spots started.

 Many people were watching, and most of them were looking at the tournament bracket that was shown above the battlefield. Other than the Zodiacks that everyone knew, there were also three unknown names that no one seemed to recognize.

"Wait... This exam is being held in a tournament format?" asks Yoso

"Yes, but we won't be judging only if they won or not, but their overall skill and methods used to fight," explains Laure that was also part of the judges along with Yoso, and Saki Kurata.

"I didn't expect miss Saki to be a judge as well though,"

"Don't say 'miss' I am only 24 years old!"

"She is a pretty influent person, coming from a renowned family, and also, just like me, she was a general in the main army before coming to your troops," explains Laure

"Oh, I feel like you've told me this before... Either way, it looks like it's starting!"

 And so, Yoso turned his view towards the main field where two fighters came face to face, to fight for keeping their places as Zodiacks of Dinsfurd.

"Now that I think of it... There are three unknown participants which mean..." mutters Yoso

"Two people will give up their seats as Zodiacks starting today if those new people prove to be better, that is..."