Chapter 18 : Aftermath

After Scozux's defeat, Strengthbot and the historical parchment are returned to Rubrum through Captain Albi and Lieutenant Forctis. By the decision of Intergalactic alliance, Scrozux will be sent to Intergalactic Court of Justice. The Intergalactic alliance sends Guruhan paramilitary unit to escort Scrozux to the Court in less than one week. Until then, Scrozux will remain in Astraeus station and go through interrogation by Admiral Maskmana, Lieutenant Forctis and Captain Albi.

With Axion's victory, the rumor about Admiral Maskmana giving her extra points for her ranking ceased on its own. Everyone on the station commended Axion. Leaving Spicy Gluten infuriated.

"Axion, over here!" said Yuxiang, inviting Axion to sit.

Axion waved. She sits beside Rum as usual.

"Your battle with Scozux was amazing!" said Macaron.

"Thanks. Though, most part of it was out of sheer luck," said Axion modestly.

"You were amazing. You beat him with a single attack move," said Olivia.

"You really are the station's second best cadet," Mithra adds.

"Thanks. But really, I was just lucky," said Axion.

Captain Albi walks past the cafeteria. He stops and sees Axion chatting with her friends. He stares at her for a moment before he decides to approach her.

"Hey, isn't that Captain from Rubri?" Macaron whispered.

They stop chatting and looked at Captain Albi. The cafeteria filled with murmurs.

Kaizo who sits not far from Axion's table stare at Captain Albi.

Ramenman smirked, seeing Kaizo staring at Captain Albi like a love rival.

"Wow, would you look at that?" said Ramenman as he wraps his arm around Kaizo's shoulder. "Look, he's getting closer and closer to Axion. He stands ready to confess…. " Ramenman whispers with a teasing tone as he narrates Captain Albi's action. Kaizo pushes him aside. Ramenman tried to hold his laughter.

"Lady Axion," said Captain Albi calmly. "I'd like to apologize for my behavior during our mission."

Axion looks up at him.

"After watching your remarkable battle with Scozux, I realized that I was wrong. I disrespect you by thinking that you are unable to fight and require protection. Your glorious performance has taught me that I should not judge others based on appearance. Both Lieutenant Forctis and I have strayed into realms of false pride. I hope, you'll accept my apology" said Captain Albi.

Axion stands up. "I accept your apology. And I am honored to know that my skills are acknowledged by a Knight of Rubrum. Thank you, Captain."

"I hope you will keep enlightening me in the future," said Captain Albi. He takes Axion's hand and deeply bowed. "And I would be honored if you guide me along the path of Chivalry," he adds.

Captain Albi give a light kiss on Axion's hand. Kaizo flinched. Everyone gasped. It's a subtle expression to state that Captain Albi takes interest in Axion.

"Of course," said Axion politely.

"If I may, perhaps you could teach me more before I return to Rubrum," said Captain Albi.

"I apologize, Captain Albi," said Kaizo. Pulling the attention of the whole cafeteria to him. He walks closer to Axion and looked at Captain Albi sharp. "But, Axion has agreed that she would continue training with me. We've planned to continue our training session when we have spare time after mission."

"I see... Very well then. Perhaps next time, when we meet again," said Captain Albi as he bows.

Axion lightly bows. "Of course."

"Then, we shall excuse ourselves, Captain," said Kaizo as he bows. He takes Axion's hand and pull her out of the cafeteria.

Spicy Gluten gritted her teeth. She's furious watching Kaizo and Axion leave.

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Kaizo pulls Axion towards the training ground. Axion follows him without a word. After watching Axion's fight, Kaizo have inferior feeling about his strength. He feels insecure. The urge to get stronger grows bigger in Kaizo's heart. But now, the urge to get Axion away from Captain's Albi is somewhat bigger than his desire to get stronger.

"You want to continue to train your energy shield?" Axion asks.

Kaizo silent for a moment. He turns to Axion. "Can you show me your ice swords?".

Axion tilts her head in confusion. She pulls her ice sword and show it to Kaizo. Kaizo looks at it closely.

"Spar with me," said Kaizo short. He takes a few step back and put his hand on his sword handle.

Axion put a stance. Kaizo runs towards Axion and begin to thrust head on. Axion nimbly parry Kaizo's attack with her sword. Kaizo looked at his sword. The edge of his sword that touches Axion's sword is slightly frozen. He jumps back and run around her. He attacks from the sides, only to be parried again by her. Kaizo focuses on his movement, trying to overcome Axion with his speed. But Axion can read his movement. In the battle between speed, the both of them needs to focus on each other. A single delay will make a huge difference on the battle outcome.

Feeling enough parrying, Axion begin to counter attack. She suddenly swings her sword from the side, trying to catch Kaizo with surprise. Kaizo slightly flinches, but he managed to parry. Axion keep striking Kaizo with fast but light attack. Making Kaizo disoriented. Kaizo step back with each attack. Axion's eyes doesn't leave him. When she sees an opening, she lunges her sword. Kaizo flinches. He tilted his head in surprise. He looked at the sword with the corner of his eye. Just a bit late and his head would've been pierced by the sword. Axion jumps back. They stare at each other with on guard position. Axion stands up and smile.

'Let's end it here," said Axion. She swings her sword and her ice sword vanish into air. Leaving few snowflakes that soon melts on the ground.

Kaizo looked at her in confusion.

"Longer than this and I would lose my hand in frostbite," said Axion as she shows her partially frozen hand.

Kaizo winced. "Your hand."

"The ice sword is a magic sword. It emits frozen air. Freezing everything it touches. You saw what happen with your sword when we cross swords right? The same goes to my hand. The longer I use it the more my hand will freeze. A long usage of ice sword would make the user freeze to death," Axion explains.

"Every great power so often comes with great price, Kaizo. One way or another, you'll pay for it," said Axion in a grim tone.

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As soon as Captain Albi leaves the cafeteria, the girls begin gossiping again.

"Did you see that? Captain Albi is impressed by Axion," said Mithra.

"Yes, it's amazing. I heard Rubrum knights are great fighters. It's impressive that Captain Albi admit Axion's skill!" said Tiramisu.

"See? Now you believe me that Axion is a great person," said Rum.

"But did you hear what Captain Albi said? I think he's interested in Axion," said Yuxiang.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Rum asks.

"Huh? You don't know?" Tiramisu ask back.

"What?" Rum ask again.

"In Rubrum's culture, the Lady of the Knight is the guiding light of Chivalry. She plays an important role which is to guide the knight along the Path of Chivalry rather than allowing him to stray into the realm of pride, vanity and selfishness," said Tiramisu.

"If Captain Albi personally ask Axion to guide her, that means Captain Albi might be interested in Axion," said Milt.

"But I was surprised when Kaizo stands up for Axion," said Yuxiang.

"Yes!" said Olivia. "Do you think Kaizo is interested in her?"

"Kaizo always wants to be the strongest, right? Maybe he's interested in strong woman too," Mithra adds.

"That could make sense," said Tiramisu.

"Maybe," said Spicy Gluten loud.

The girls looked at her awkwardly. Spicy Gluten must've started to target Axion for being too close with Kaizo.

"When Scrozux came here, he knows Axion. He personally looked for her" said Spicy Gluten.

"Ummm… yes. I think so," said Milt.

"Don't you think it's weird? It's like Scrozux knows her," said Spicy Gluten.

"Yeah. And Admiral Maskmana even told us to stand back," said Olivia.

"Don't you think Kaizo pull Axion because he's curious too? Kaizo must be investigating why Scrozux knows her. Maybe she's an accomplice," said Spicy Gluten.

Rum suddenly slam the table. Surprising everyone in the cafeteria.

"Rum…." Tiramisu called.

But Rum ignored her. She sighed and furiously walks away.