For Sette, this feeling was pleasantly nostalgic. It had been a while since she got thrust into an actual combat situation. As much as the doctor and his co-workers tried to convince her otherwise, this was her comfort zone.
No time to dawdle. She had to begin calculating her next moves to achieve victory conditions. A quick analysis to determine what steps would have to be taken to achieve her goal.
For starters, the territorial advantage belonged to her, due to being in and out of this particular kitchen for many years. She knew the exits and the access points. But that was probably the only advantage she had. All other factors were in favour of the Testarossa replica.
She had the barrier jacket while the Combat Cyborg was in standard prisoner sleepwear. She wielded that axe like device, which could transform into energy swords of different sizes based on what she recalled from the last time she and Testarossa crossed paths in battle years ago. The only possible device she could probably acquire is the mass produced one that was clasped in that unconscious guard’s hands. It was better than nothing and Sette would have to be certain to make the proper apologies later.
Combat ability wise, Sette would probably have to judge that her opponent had the edge. While she managed to get some exercise during her incarceration, it was not as intensive as the training drills she had went through with her older sister Tre. If anything, her combat efficiency was probably down by five to ten percent compared to her abilities five years ago. In the case of the clone across from her, she could tell that the other mage has seen battle actively. Even though she didn’t look like it with the way she spoke in such a… childish manner, the clone was perfectly positioned to easily defend against magical attacks. Adding further to her disadvantage was the presence of Doctor Miura and Garn. They could easily be used as hostages or alternative targets.
So eliminating the enemy was clearly not the optimal victory condition in this scenario. The next best solution would be to try and restrain her long enough for security forces to come and make a formal arrest.
Yes, that would suffice. Now that the course of action has been determined, it is time to act as soon as the opportunity arose…
“Haavan-Rending Funder Got Hammuh!”
A beat…
…
…
…
“Chew first, swallow and then try saying the incantation,” grumbled the device in the other mage’s hand.
Chance!
**********
“Zzzzzzz……. “
*BEEP BEEP*
“Guh?”
“Touma, it is 0430 hours,” chirped Steed softly, floating near the boy’s right ear. “Also, you may wish to be careful.”
“Who is it this time?” groaned Touma as he tried to adjust his eyesight in the dark. He had long ago gotten used to how the Nakajima girls would climb in his bed and use him as a surrogate teddy bear simply because his bedroom was conveniently located close to the washroom. So rather than head back to their room after a late night bathroom break, they could just head to his bed and resume their slumber as soon as possible.
“I believe it is Ms. Dieci and Ms. Cinque who are currently attached to you in the bed. They must have had a rough and long work day if they have not been awakened by my soft alarm. In fact, they are still both in uniform.”
It took a few moments for him to squeeze out of their grip and move to his closet to get changed into some workout clothes. After adjusting the blankets and tucking in Dieci and Cinque, he made his way out of the house and saw Einhart Stratos already out on the front lawn, dressed in her own green fall jacket and track pants. “Hello, Touma-kun.”
“Geez, Einhart… the sun hasn’t risen yet and you’re fresh as a daisy! How do you do it?” asked Touma as he fought back a yawn.
“It’s a result of several years of training and focusing on developing the three crucial aspects of being: the Mind, the Body and the Spirit,” replied the green haired girl without missing a beat. “It’s a common philosophy in all martial arts, not just Kaiser Arts. The Body is developed through rigorous physical conditioning exercises, which is the purpose of the workouts. The Mind is developed through mental thinking and active learning, which is the purpose of our study sessions. As for the Spirit, that comes through an established goal and a firm foundation of beliefs to guide you. That is something you seem to be working on already.”
“Yeah…” He definitely had a goal in mind: to get to the bottom of the mysterious attack on his village on Vaizen.
“Then, I believe it is best that prior to starting today’s workout, we energize your Spirit.” She reached into her jacket pockets and pulled out… a pair of maracas.
“What the…?”
Einhart shook the maracas a few times while fighting back the blush on her cheeks before going into her song.
"Good morning good morning bonjour!"
"Good morning good morning bonjour!"
"Touma-kun! Touma-kun! Good morning, Touma-kun!"
“………” He had no idea what to say. Seriously.
"Get up early, bonjour!"
"Have a good day, bonjour!"
"Spin around and around and around and around and around and around..."
"Bonjour Bonjour Bonjour Bonjour... good morning Touma-kun... Hey!"
Silence reigned for a few moments before the male just started clapping his hands, unsure of how else to respond. “…… er, thanks?”
“You’re welcome.” She put down the maracas so that they wouldn’t get in the way of stretching.
“So… where did that come from?”
“It’s a memory of my ancestor. One of the few unusual but pleasant ones prior to the conclusion of the Saint King Unification War.” An amused smile came to Einhart’s face. “Olivie would sing that song to wake up Ingvalt while she stayed in Shutra.”
Touma immediately recognized the name and it took him another minute to try and put the picture together. “…… so you’re telling me that the last Sankt Kaiser, one of the strongest martial artists of the Ancient Belkan era… would sing that song to wake up your ancestor?”
“Every. Single. Morning. Sure, the little dance and instruments may change around a bit but the jingle remained the same.”
“….. unreal,” muttered the boy. “What happened to her being ‘subtle as a flower’?”
“I also specifically mentioned that she was as bright as the sun. You can’t get any brighter than that. Now, let’s start our stretches and then we’ll do a ten mile run.”
‘Ugh…’ Touma mentally prepared himself for the upcoming pain to come.