Illimitable Until Death

“At our Butei High School, there is a system that allows higher-grade students to have one-on-one training with lower-grade students, which is generally referred to as the Battle Apprentice System.”

“In simple terms, it’s a master and disciple relationship formed with mutual consent. Such relationships are common at our Butei High School, with boys and boys being called Battle Brothers, girls and girls called Battle Sisters, and there’s also the term Battle Siblings, or Battle-Brother and Sister, all of which fall under the category of Battle Apprentice.”

“As second-grade students, if there are new students in the first grade who wish to form a Battle Apprentice relationship with you, so it’s worth considering.”

“This is not a troublesome system, as Battle Elder Brothers and Battle Elder Sisters, you have the obligation to guide your little Battle Brothers and Sisters.

At the same time, both during normal times and work hours, Battle Brothers and Battle Sisters are duty-bound to follow the orders of Battle Elder Brothers and Battle Elder Sisters and serve you.”

“So, if there are lower-grade students who want to form Battle Apprentice relationships with you, give it some thought. However, as higher-grade students, you must treat the lower-grade students with strictness, establishing a clear hierarchical relationship. This is necessary for smooth investigations or combat operations, where the relationship between the one giving orders and the one following them must be very clear, and there should be no room for reversal of roles.”

“Because of this, at Butei High, the status of higher-grade and lower-grade students is different. I believe that all of you, as first-year students, have performed various menial tasks, and that’s proof of it.”

“If any of you already have a Battle Little Brother or Battle Little Sister, don’t hesitate to delegate any chores to them.”

On the podium of Class 2nd Year, Class A, the teacher in charge had been explaining this seemingly feudal system to the students, an ordinary subject appearing quite archaic to their eyes.

The teacher’s demeanor was so matter-of-fact that it could make any underclassmen shed tears if they heard it.

However, the students present were all Butei who had risen from the first year. As the teacher had said, they had all done their share of menial tasks during their first year. Now, as higher-grade students, it was their turn to give orders, and they listened with relish, and they were quite happy about it.

Nevertheless, Fang Li seemed rather indifferent to everything and he paid no attention to the lecture. His gaze kept flickering towards an empty seat next to him.

That seat belonged to Riko.

However, today, it was unoccupied.

For Riko, being late was nothing out of the ordinary.

This cheerful girl who loved to play often arrived late in different forms, due to all-night gaming sessions, laziness, and other reasons, and she had even skipped classes before.

Thus, seeing this scene wasn’t unusual for their classmates.

Moreover, for Butei, taking long leaves due to receiving lengthy Commissioned Missions wasn’t uncommon either.

Even Fang Li, during his first year, had taken several extended leaves due to difficult Commissioned Missions, each lasting one or two months, so it wasn’t surprising.

Perhaps Riko had received some Commissioned Missions and took leave, which was also a possibility.

However, even though it was a completely normal thing, Fang Li was still concerned about it.

And he couldn’t help but think like this.

Yesterday, after school, Riko’s words had left an impact on Fang Li, making it hard for him to ignore them.

“Disappear, huh…”

Considering Riko’s personality, she was probably just joking, right?

That’s what Fang Li kept telling himself.

Yet, he had been bothered by it since morning.

“It’s already the fourth class…”

And after the fifth class was the specialized course.

In other words, if Riko didn’t show up after this class, it would be like skipping a regular class.

“I wonder if she’ll come for the specialized class…”

Fang Li thought absentmindedly.

Unbeknownst to Fang Li, on the other side of his seat, Aria was nibbling on the end of a pen, observing Fang Li’s nonchalant demeanor with a hint of contemplation.

As time passed, the bell for the end of class rang, and students at Butei High began to leave the classroom and head to their respective specialized buildings.

“Fang Li,” Aria spoke to Fang Li, who was packing his bag. “Are you going for the training in the Assault course today?”

“Just wait a moment,” Fang Li nodded, then turned to Tohyama Kinji, who was about to leave the classroom, and said, “Kinji, you’re probably going for the Inquesta specialized class, right?”

“Though I don’t want to attend these Butei classes, if I don’t earn enough credits, I won’t be able to advance. And I don’t want to take up any Commissioned Missions, so I obediently attend the classes,” Tohyama Kinji replied nonchalantly. “Why? Do you have some job you want me to join you in? If it’s the kind of work that involves risking my life, then please find someone else.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t want to get you killed on the job either,” Fang Li crossed his arms and said to Tohyama Kinji. “I just want to trouble you for something. If Riko goes to the Inquesta class later, can you give me a call?”

“Riko, huh?” Tohyama Kinji scratched his head and said, “Well, if it’s just that, then it’s no problem.”

“Thank you.”

“Understood.”

Afterward, Tohyama Kinji picked up his backpack and left the classroom.

“Alright, Aria,” Fang Li stood up and said to Aria, “Let’s go.”

However, Aria’s response didn’t come right away.

Fang Li looked somewhat uncertainly at her, and shortly afterward, he saw Aria staring at him with her crimson eyes fixed on him.

Before Fang Li could ask anything, Aria seemed a bit puzzled as she began to speak.

“Your relationship with Tohyama-Riko seems quite close. You’ve been concerned about her whereabouts since morning.”

“… You’re quite observant in this regard,” Fang Li sighed. “But, is that strange?”

“It’s… not that it’s strange…” Aria stuttered. “Only, as your partner, I feel there are some things you shouldn’t keep from me. Like… is your relationship with Tohyama-Riko really just a normal one?”

As Aria spoke, her face turned slightly red, and Fang Li found it amusing.

Though she wasn’t good with this kind of topic, why did she ask?

Just as Fang Li was about to tease this tsundere girl, his cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

Fang Li took out his cell phone and checked the standby interface.

The next moment, his eyes narrowed slightly.