The Pentagram

The Freshman Ball was the oldest tradition of the Imperial Royal Academy. Not only was it prestigious but it was the first real chance the students had to get to know one another and potentially build lifelong connections.

Of course, in game, this is just a small 1-hour chapter to get to know the main characters, and to have some cute moments with the heroine you escort.

“What’s going to happen bringing in 3 at once?” Reiss mumbled as he straightened his tie.

“Getting cold feet?” Kara teased as she walked over to him.

She was wearing a navy-blue dress adorned with silver jewels and white gems, and her long hair was tied up in a bun. Her trademark claymore was strapped to her waist in its collapsed form.

In the games, it disappears but here it collapses into a smaller version of itself.

“No, just imagining the number of piercing stares I’ll get from every boy in our year.”

Kara laughed. “Well, at least you've got the guts to see it through. So? Are you going to link arms with all of us at once?”

“I would if I could.”

“What will you-?”

“I’ll link arms with you and Angela; Ria will probably just cling to my back, knowing her.”

“Well, you’re not wrong.” She held her arm out and winked at him. “I trust you’ll escort us properly, Reiss.”

He smiled and, without any sign of nervousness, linked their arms.

“Leave it to me, my lady.”

Kara’s cheeks turned a happy shade of pink.

***

“Last person who asked was a noble woman. After that, information about the Silent Sect vanished,” Arc mumbled as he stood alone in the corner of the hallway leading to the Freshmen’s Ball.

It’s too obvious, almost as if someone wanted me to find it and find it suspicious.

“Or am I overthinking things again?”

“Oi, you there.” A gruff looking adventurer jogged over to him. “Don’t suppose you’ve seen a tough looking old soul in an ugly suit walk by?”

“...I’m afraid not, but might I ask-?”

“Goes by the name Kingsley?”

Arc gave a thin smile to the rude adventurer. “No, sorry.”

The gruff man clicked his tongue. “Aight, cheers. If you see him, tell him Sven the Wild’s here.”

Arc nodded, then sighed once the adventurer was gone. I know that there were adventurers at the event, but it feels like there’s more than there were in the game.

Then, he saw yet another alarming sign.

A beautiful strawberry blonde woman in a well-fitting black dress, her eyes were empty, no smile on her lips.

“Grace Wilbert?”

She reacted to her name, but then confidently continued walking into the ball, followed by a couple of friends.

She, like Arc, had no date; they were entering with just friends.

But that wasn’t what worried Arc.

Grace Wilbert was a minor gag character of sorts, a father-con who would always say that to be her husband, they needed to be stronger and cooler than her dad.

She was always smiling and talking about the duke.

Yet.

She looked miserable.

…Surely, not…right?

***

“Peter!”

“Matilda, a lady shouldn’t run.”

“I’m not a lady. Not by this school’s standards at least!”

Peter smiled, then kissed the back of her gloved hand. “Tonight, you are my lady.”

“...Gross.” A fist fell onto Sayla’s head. “Ow!”

Matilda laughed as Sayla soothed her throbbing skull. Her usual braided ginger hair hung down her back and she was wearing a pearl-coloured dress that Peter bought for her. She had never in her entire life expected to wear such fancy clothes, but Peter had made it possible with the help of his Master, the ever-elusive Lucien.

Since saving Matilda from the slavers all those years ago, Lucien had been helping Peter protect the slums, by taking Peter as an apprentice and helping him create a self-defence force of other youths who lived in the poorer places of the capital.

I don’t know why you helped us, Master Lucien, but it’s because of you we’re here today. She looked at Peter and blushed a little as he gave Sayla yet another long lecture.

His once untamed, messy brown hair had been cut short and combed, allowing his golden eyes to sparkle, and he had grown quite tall and muscular.

To Matilda, he was her prince, tonight now more than ever in his black suit.

I don’t know what would’ve happened without you, Master Lucien. One day, I’d love to thank you in person.

***

“Hey, Lucien?”

“…What, Stephan?”

“Do you…I mean, this…” Stephan laughed despite himself. “Ever since we started working…for Boss Rose, do you-?”

“Stephan.” Lucien’s tone was enough to shut Stephan’s mouth. “Don’t. Just, don’t.”

…Is it really just me?

***

Chairman Kingsely was nervous.

Normally, he never felt such things. In fact, regardless of the crisis, Kingsley was as cool as a cucumber, never shaken by anything.

But the detective’s deductions had got to him.

He’d alerted the principal, the queen, his fellow heads and officers of the adventurer’s guild, and he’d increased security in the ball and around the Academy.

“We’re not far either, so it’s okay.”

He grunted at his secretary’s words. “Sven thinks I’m there; it was the only way I could get him to attend.”

It’ll be okay.

***

Prince Consort Oliver had wanted to ask Queen Elisebeth about her reaction that day to the report from Tartarus, but he couldn’t find the courage to ask.

Until tonight.

Right now, his lovely wife was lost in thoughts, staring out blankly at the world with no lights in her eyes.

I have to ask.

“Clear the room and make sure we’re not disturbed,” he whispered to his aide.

The study was cleared and its doors locked, leaving just the royal couple inside.

“Eli.” He approached her as she sat dejectedly in her throne and knelt before her. “Something’s been bothering you about the Tartarus incident ever since you learnt of it. I didn’t get a chance to read the full report, but the investigation said only a handful of items were missing from the vault and they weren’t of much consequence.

“…I know there’s something in there that you’ve never told me about, probably never told anyone about, but Eli.” He held her hand reassuringly. “You’re obsessing over it. Can’t you tell me, please? What is it that’s got you so worried?”

Queen Elisebeth took one look at him, smiled sadly and simply touched his cheek. “It’s nothing, I promise. It’s just a pointless worry of mine.”

“Eli, I-”

“Oliver. I promise.”

“…Okay,” he said, not believing a single reassurance his wife offered.

I need to get to the bottom of this, but who would I even turn to?

Hang on, maybe there is someone - what was that famous detective’s name again?

***

“You’ll guarantee her safety?”

“Of course, Duke Wilbert.”

The duke clicked his tongue at Samantha’s voice over the phone. “...Then, we’ll begin. Grace, forgive me.”

***

“See, Charlotte, you weren’t the only one who came with lots of people.”

Alice gestured towards Reis and the 3 girls fawning for his attention.

“Your words hurt more than you know.” The Saint still smiled at her friend’s laugh, one of the best things to lift the weight from Charlotte’s chest.

“As for the first dance, have-?”

“Sorry, guys, but.” Charlotte grinned and hugged Alice’s arm. “I promised to give it to her.”

“...When?”

“When?!”

“...heh~”

“Charlotte?” Alice’s little whisper made Charlotte feel bad for springing it on her, but it was necessary.

If I play this wrong, the boys will start killing each other so this was the only way.

“Come on, Alice. It’s rude to keep your partner waiting.”

Even though other couples were on the dance floor, all eyes were on the Saint and her partner, the star student.

“Do you know the male part of a waltz?”

“Don’t worry, Charlotte. My tutor taught me both parts for every ballroom dance. Even in a dress, I can manage just fine.”

Charlotte smiled and held out her hand. “Then, I’ll leave it to you to escort me properly.”

Alice, bowed, took the Saint’s hand and kissed it. “Leave it to me, my lady.”

Ah, she’s so cute! Love! Marry me!

As the music started, Charlotte focused and danced with Alice.

It was a near perfect dance, one that drew in all in the crowd.

As beautiful and captivating as it was, Alice was rather melancholic on the inside.

Dancing like this reminded her of Madam Rose who had, once again, disappeared without a trace.

Every time Alice believed Rose would stay a part of her life, she’d vanish.

Letters were always sent like clockwork, but Alice was always left wanting more.

Does Rose know I feel this way about her? Is that why she’s avoiding me? If so, I’d rather she just told me.

The music concluded, the partners bowed or curtsied to each other, and then they returned to the crowd.

“Thank you for being a wonderful escort.”

“...You’re very welcome.”

“Alice?”

Just before the Saint could ask what was wrong, glass shattered around and above them.

30 cybernetic soldiers flew in, landed and attacked.

Blasts of pure energy fired from their hands, targeting and incapacitating the guards spread throughout. Then, they turned on the teachers, adventurers and students.

***

Chaos erupted in seconds.

Everywhere, people screamed and ran, some tried to protect their partners and others drew their weapons to fight.

Reiss and Kara reacted quickest out of his group.

Reiss, with his katana, sliced at a cybernetic’s neck as Kara charged at another, thrusting her claymore deep into its chest.

Yellow fluid sprayed over Reis from the robot’s jugular as it fell down dead alongside Kara’s.

“Angela, Ria are you-?”

The two had already taken out their weapons and were shooting at the cybernetics.

Angela’s energy-based arrows from her bow and Ria’s small canons hidden in her short swords took down another three cybernetics.

“Reiss, there’s wounded over there!”

“Ria, go with Angela and get the wounded out! Kara and I will take as many of the robots down as possible. Be careful!”

“That’s my line, idiot!” Angelia smiled though Reiss could see she was trembling. “Stay safe.”

Reiss smiled back. “We will. Kara!”

“Right behind you!”

***

Alice’s rapier made short work of five cybernetics near Charlotte.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Char!” Prince Vladik and Charlotte's harem ran over. “We need to get you out of here!”

“No! Not until everyone else is safe! Vlad, we’ll go to where the wounded are and treat them. Alice, you’ll come with-?”

“I won't, I'll take the machines down and save as many people as I can.”

“Al-!”

Without listening to another word, Alice charged forward to engage more cybernetics.

“Wow.”

Vladik grinned. “Interesting. Well, I guess that’s to be expected from the top student.”

Charlotte found herself smiling proudly at her best friend. “She’s amazing.”

***

Sven’s fists broke another cybernetic but more screams and shouts erupted around him.

No matter how many he took down, more flew in.

Through the broken windows, Sven could see cybernetics on the rooftops, blasting at the soldiers, inside and outside of the Academy, but-

“They’re not prioritising the students,” he mumbled.

Chairman Kingsley had expected an attack at the Freshmen’s Ball, mainly because there were lots of children of VIPs from across the world.

The queen too had always feared that such a day would come, hence her instantly giving her permission to all of Kingsley’s requests and suggestions.

“What’s happening?”

***

Samantha sighed deeply beneath her platinum face mask as she watched the attack unfold from a safe distance.

“I really wanted to see Emilia again.”

Such a fun toy is tough to fin-Oh~!

“I knew it.” Samantha’s ears perked up as a sly grin dawned. She lazily leant back on the rooftop and saw Emilia there, wearing a short, smart dress.

She was holding a scythe made of silver and wearing black leather gloves to protect herself from the metal’s effects.

“Vampires are normally weak to silver, but that only applies to everyone except me. It’s been a while, my pet.”

Emilia growled. “Who are you calling a pet?!”

“Sit.”

Samantha’s ethereal voice forced Emilia into submission; it was only a slight change in her vocal tone, but it was enough to control Emilia.

Whenever she heard that hypnotic voice, Emilia had no choice but to obey.

Against her will, Emilia dropped onto her hands and knees, much to her frustration.

“Bitch.”

Samantha laughed as she skipped towards Emilia. “Ah, just when I was starting to get bored of the fireworks. Hey, tell me - how did you know I’d be here? Hey, hey, little Emilia. Oh.” Samantha laughed. “I started to sound like her. Hmm.” She bent down and grabbed Emilia’s hair roughly. “I could just make you tell me, but that’d be no fun.

“I was told no unnecessary casualties, but I think I’d be forgiven for making a bit of fun for myself. For every minute you don’t tell me, I’ll kill a student.” Samantha let her fangs show and they glistened in the moonlight. “Do you feel like talking, my pet? I hope not - I like having to break in disobedient pets.”

***

Arc, despite his strength, felt that he was being slowly pushed back.

The enemy was numerous, as were their targets, and they didn’t have any self-preservation.

If they were human enemies, they could be wounded or tire themselves out. That’s probably why our assailants sent machines instead.

“The Silent Sect used machines too, but they didn’t look like this,” he mumbled as he dispatched 2 more. Then, 5 more landed before him and blasted at his chest.

Arc rolled out of the way just as red belts of magical energy blew their eye stalks up.

“You okay, Arc?”

“Thanks for the assist, Reiss.” Arc got back onto his feet. “You know this is different from the game, right?”

“Of course. Someone is changing the original story, and they want us to know!”

***

“Peter, put her over here!”

“Right!” Carrying the unconscious girl in his arms, he ran over to Matilda. “She passed out after seeing a dead body. Sayla!”

“Boss!”

“Not in-! Whatever. How are the guys holding up?”

“We’re keeping them out, but they just don’t seem to be stopping. The star student and a lot of the adventurers are still going strong out there. Just hope the enemy exhausts themselves before our side does.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll make it!” Peter assured the panicked students in the longue. “This is the Imperial Royal Academy! We, as the next generation, have a duty to uphold and protect our school with our own hands!”

***

The meeting was cancelled, just as Chairman Kingsley had intended.

Now they were free from their duties, Kingsley and all of the staff rallied and sped towards the Academy,

Some went by high-speed train, others in their cars or on their motorbikes. One or two physically ran towards the Academy.

One of those was Chairman Kinsley.

I just hope we’re not too late.

***

Finally, after a long, hard-fought battle, the ballroom began to quieten down.

Reiss, Kara, Arc and Alice gathered on the upper floors to finish off the last large group of cybernetics.

Together, they finished the enemy off in less than a minute.

Arc almost collapsed, exhausted as he was.

The others were panting a little but stayed standing.

“This is horrible,” Alice remarked, gazing down at the bodies, glass shards, blood and broken cybernetics scattered across the ballroom.

“I never thought the Academy would be hit in such a way,” Kara said. “It could’ve been much worse, but I’m annoyed we weren’t strong enough to save everyone.”

“It’s impossible to save everyone, so don’t beat yourselves up over it,” Arc said in quite a blunt tone. “We’ve done a lot of good tonight, so hold your head high. And.” He looked out the window. “I think there’s still a threat.”

“...I sense it too.” Reiss turned to Kara. “Can you go and check on the others?”

“You sure?”

“Don’t worry.” He put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “Arc and Alice will be there too. Trust me.”

Kara, while reluctant, nodded and went to find Ria and Angela.

“Someone’s nearby,” Alice muttered.

“I think so, too.” Arc smirked. “Someone to make sure the attack went as planned. They wouldn’t want to be too close but also not too far. Where-?”

“This way.”

Without waiting for the two boys, Alice jumped out of the window and went into a full sprint towards the distant buildings.

“...I like her,” Arc joked.

***

“Emi~lia~!” Samantha sang her kin’s name as the woman in question groaned and moaned on the rooftop. “I’m impressed you lasted for a bit, but those 6 students lying in the dirt might not appreciate your fighting spirit. That said.” She glowered. “Lucien, you bastard. I don’t know if he got permission to tell you, but I’ll beat the shit out of him when I get back.”

Samantha sat beside Emilia, then grabbed her hair angrily again, so forcefully in fact she nearly tore it out by the roots. “Hey, hey, Emilia? Doesn’t it frustrate you? All that time you spent trying to find and kill me, for nothing. Hey, does that upset you? Hey!”

Samantha slammed Emilia’s face hard into the ground; blood flew as bones crunched.

The older vampire sighed and tossed Emilia to one side, nearly off the rooftop, and then stood back up, just as Alice climbed onto the rooftop.

“Oh? Ah, you.” Samantha smiled. “I’d be wary if I were you, sweetie.”

“Don’t worry.” Alice tensed and stood firmly between Emilia and Samantha. “My master taught me not to fight enemies I can’t beat.”

“Smart girl, Alice Eagold.”

“You know me?”

“I do. And.” Samantha swatted two balls of fire out of the air, extinguishing them instantly. “Your friends are much ruder than you.”

“A platinum mask and a pretty gothic dress,” Arc said. “I don’t recognise you, Reincarnator.”

“Ah, you’re one of the Irregulars, Arc Luminous. You too, Reiss Sunderland. Sadly, I’m not the one you think I am.”

“Yet, you reacted to the word Reincarnator.”

Reis stared daggers. “Who are you?”

“Hmm, you can’t tell? I am one of the Five, one side of the Pentagram.”

“Pentagram?” The two boys repeated.

“I am Samantha Lunehart, the last, greatest vampire. I am the glutton who devoured all the rest of my kind and made them extinct.” The sky seemingly turned a blood red. “You may think of me as a villain in your story, Reincarnators. Well, not that I know what that means.”

“...You’re an escapee from Tartarus?” Arc asked.

“Correct.”

“...Did you escape before that flood, or were you the one who staged the jailbreak?”

“I’m not allowed to say. I have very strict orders. Truthfully, if my little pet behind you hadn’t come to try and kill me, I was only going to sit here and watch.” Samantha laughed. “Well, I’ve also finished my second objective much earlier than expected.”

“Secondary? What were your objectives here tonight?” Alice demanded.

“To introduce ourselves and to start the main story. Chairman Kingsley isn’t too far away and he was supposed to recognise me as an escapee of Tartarus, but oh well.”

Samantha turned to the side and the 3 brandished their weapons.

“I wouldn’t try picking a fight with me tonight, or else I’ll order Emilia to attack you.”

“...You turned her into your kin?” Arc whispered.

“I did, though your lovely teacher wanted to keep that a secret.” Samantha giggled. “Well, it’s up to you as to what to do with that knowledge. I bid you goodnight.”

She disappeared in a cloud of black bats.

***

The attack ended in just 1 hour.

The total casualties were 198, 102 dead soldiers, 6 dead students and 90 wounded students and staff.

600 cybernetics had assaulted the Academy and none left intact. Reinforcements helped eliminate the outlying robots with Chairman Kingsley leading the counterattack himself.

Thanks to the quick actions of students like Alice Eagold and Saint Charlotte, student fatalities were almost entirely avoided.

“Well, on paper at least,” Rose said as she read the guild’s top secret official report.

“They either don’t know that we were intentionally avoiding student deaths or they’re keeping it under wraps because they don’t know what we’re after.”

“The other sides of the Pentagram don’t either,” Risa mused with a rare smile. “The pet projects are doing quite nicely as are our businesses. The Mark 2 modifications have been made to the design.”

“Excellent. Say, Risa, don’t you want a reward for your hard work?”

“I’m content with this.”

Rose hummed softly. “Well, let me know if you ever change your mind.”