Chapter 45- settled future?

"Jeez, you scared me!" Yukina said in a complaining tone, "I just came in then you started screaming, are you ok?"

"s... sorry," Yuji said, "wait... just came in?"

Yukina stood back up beside the bed, "oh yeah, I took a stroll outside to gather things we needed, though I only manage to get one full bag worth of goods," she said pointing at the large hiking bag on the floor.

Yukina then pulled out a black case, separate from the bag, "tada! I also managed to get a case filled with money again,".

"What were you thinking!?" Yuji said.

"Huh!? Yukina said, confused, "oh! I locked the door and windows carefully, also you're on the second floor so I thought you were pretty safe,".

"No, not that," Yuji said, "why did you go out there alone? what would have happened if you encounter that thing again, are you even fully recovered??".

"Calm down..." Yukina said, "I went out there knowing the risk, and if I didn't do what I did then we would be in a troublesome state where we'll worry about food and water,".

"You could've at least told me..." Yuji said.

"If I had, then you won't be able to take a nice long rest, wouldn't you?" Yukina said.

Yuji looked at the clock and saw its fingers almost hitting five o'clock, "did you rest?"

"Yeah," Yukina replied, "I've only been out for an hour or so,".

"I see..." Yuji said, "thanks..." feeling somewhat guilty and concerned for Yukina.

"Well then, you should get up now and pay me back," Yukina said, "you're the one who's going to lift all these things for me," she said, pointing at the large bag on the floor.

Yuji let out a small smile as he slowly gets out of bed, "alright! where are we heading?"

"From when we get outside the wall, we're going northern east," Yukina said.

"Northern east?" Yuji said, "oh! we're not going directly to city A, but a different city, right?"

"Yes, we're going to city B, which is much closer than city A," Yukina said, "it's going to make our travel much shorter and also safer since we can contact City A and get them to pick us up from there,".

"I see," Yuji said, "how long do you think it'll take?".

"If we keep moving without any issues, then I assume we'd be there in less than five days," Yukina said.

"that's unexpectedly short," Yuji said.

"only about a day and a half on our way to city B, then the rest will probably be the pickup time for them to get us," Yukina said.

"I see, guess I'll just ask for more information while on the way," Yuji said, picking up the bag.

"Yep, we're wasting time standing around here," Yukina said, "let's just go already.

Yuji places the bag on his back, then the two of them made their way toward the massive city wall.

After some time, they reached the wall gateway, where they noticed that the exit was left open.

"This giant steel gate is the wall's entrance and exit huh," Yuji said looking at the massive exit.

"It can only be open and closed from the inside," Yukina said, "the others probably left through here... I hope they're ok,".

"The others..." thoughts of the people he was with filled his mind, "yeah... I hope they're doing fine,".

"Erina... and also Layla... when I catch up, I'm definitely going to see them," Yuji thought.

"Well then, it's time to say goodbye to this city for now," Yukina said.

"For now?" Yuji said.

"I'll tell you something, what happened in this city is definitely weird, and I'm sure the government of City A will conduct an investigation over this," Yukina said.

"That's true..." Yuji said, "our wall was supposed to be strong enough to hold off an archdemon but two got inside, maybe that's the reason,"

"One more thing," Yukina added, "it's not natural for Archdemons to be near each other,".

Yuji got stunned with shock, "that's... your right," he said, "everything that occurred we're all happening so quickly, I never had the chance to think about it,".

"And there's also one more thing bothering me," Yukina said, "it's just one after the other... I never received a report of two Archdemons, though I have some hunch, I can't tell unless I can make sure,".

Yuji tilted his head in confusion, "now that I think about it how do the government keep track of Archdemons?" he asked.

"I'll let you figure it out once we get there," Yukina said.

"So many questions..."

"And if you want answers, then there's something you must do,".

"That is?"

"Get stronger," Yukina faced Yuji with a smile, yet serious tone, "I'll do the same, so you best keep up. If you're strong enough for the government to take notice of, let them know of your goals and get assigned on a mission relating to solving this mystery... then maybe you could get some closure,".

"Now that I think about it, my life already wasn't going well, yet I was satisfied and wasn't wishing for anything, and now everything is changing…" Yuji thought, as memories of the cruel scenes and images he came across flashed through his mind, "but what I had gone through before, couldn't be compared to what chaos this event had done to many people..."

"Hey, Yukina," Yuji said, "if you scale me, what class would I be now?"

Yukina looked up, thinking of an answer.

"That's right," Yuji thought, "I'm stronger now, and I won't be like the people that mistreated me before, I'll definitely take Yukina's advice and use this S class power to uncover what happened,".

"I'd say you're a mid-A class? Or maybe lower?" Yukina said.

"Eh..." Yuji said awkwardly, "I'm... not an S class?".

"PFFFTT" Yukina held her laugh, yet she ended up laughing loudly. "Y... you just assumed you were an S class after getting some power..." Yukina said laughing, "we'll you didn't have any ability before, so I guess it's understandable,".

"I'm... not an S class..." Yuji said with a blank expression.

"Hey, don't underestimate us S class," Yukina said, "though you're not an S class now, you may have the potential to be, so don't worry. After all, S class isn't just measured by the level of our ability, but also by how we use it and what we can achieve with it,"

Yuji let out a small laugh, "heh, your right..." he said, "S classes are a symbol of humanity's hope, why would I suddenly think I can easily become one of them…"

"And I forgot she actually threw a building at that Archdemon too..." Yuji thought.

"I can help you reach your potential if you have problems," Yukina said, "and also, what're you planning to do about your identity?"

"That's right! now that I think about it..."

"I might have believed you since I saw it myself, and I know that you aren't a threat," Yukina said, "but I doubt the government will be the same,".

"I'll work something out..." Yuji said, "but for now, maybe keeping it a secret would be best,"

"Then what's your story?"

"You know that rare occurrence where someone instantly jumps from one class to another?"

"oh yeah! it was theorized that it's a rare occurrence that can happen most likely when the person is in dire need of it," Yukina said, "I see, that's definitely much more believable,"

"I'll hide the other abilities I got, and just say that my ability was just an additional super strength," Yuji said.

"True, that would be the case with the least problems," Yukina said, "that being said, we still have to move and get to City B first," she said as she began to walk.

"Yeah," Yuji said, following Yukina, "we already have a path, for now, let's just go along with it,".

"thinking too much won't get us far after all," Yukina said.

And so, the two of them continued to walk forward, to an uncertain future they soon will encounter.

"I've survived, and I'll continue to do so... I didn't have any reason for doing so before, but now I realize it, for now, I'll figure out the reason for this catastrophe, and maybe figure out things about Alicia too,"

"And these words are still on my mind, living and surviving are two different things... is living, being alive for the sake of what you want?"

"As long as I'm alive, I guess I'll just find out,"

Somewhere in City A, 3 days later.

In an advanced-looking city, sounds of a busy morning road could be heard from a distance, as the sun shines upon the tall buildings of the city, where within one of the tall buildings, Erina was preparing herself as she was wearing her new dark blue school uniform.

Ding dong*

The doorbell rang as Erina was finishing up, "Coming!" she said.

Erina opens the door, her short hair waved as the wind blew strong from the 4th floor of the apartment building.

"Oh, it's you," Erina said in a mild tone.

"Are you ready?" Layla said cheerfully.

"So, you decided to stop tying your hair..." Erina said.

"Well... I felt like, I need something fresh," Layla replied, "I like how you cut yours,".

Without any reply, Erina walked outside and started to make her way, with Layla following behind her.

"I didn't know her long enough to say she changed," Layla thought, "but, I know she's not this cold before, but despite that, she's still really nice inside..."

"though this change is understandable, after all…. We both might as well be experiencing the same thing…"

Later at the military headquarters.

"Ah, Miss Erina, we've been expecting you," the young soldier said, standing in the hall, "please come to this room, and along with miss Layla too," the soldier said, smiling while giving Erina a card to the room.

"HEY! You finally called!" the soldier on the back shouted, some distance from them, "oh, sorry everyone!" the soldier said bowing to the people around him.

"A pick up you say?" The soldier said, "alright, we'll get an arrangement ready, this might take as long as three days though,"

"Hm? what's that commotion about?" Layla said with curiosity.

"Who knows..." Erina said in an emotionless tone, showing she doesn't care, as she continued to walk.

Meanwhile...

In City B, a unique looking city, where it's both advanced and traditional, and where red colors can commonly be found. The phone call ended.

"It seems we got 3 days left before we can go," Yukina said, approaching Yuji who was sitting on the hotel bed.

"S class authority... really is something," said Yuji.

"So, what do you want to do?" Yukina said, "We got three days here,".

"then let's explore, and maybe teach me some things while we're at it,".

"sure," Yukina said opening the hotel door, "I told you bringing money was useful, now we can explore as much as we like for three days,".

"Three days..." Yuji said, "I can't wait, I'll definitely get stronger, and master Alicia's ability," he thought

"You better do!" Alicia said within Yuji's mind, "it's a waste if you won't be able to reach S class, but don't worry, I'll guide you all the way,".

Yuji smiled, not replying to Alicia.

"What are you waiting for?" Yukina said, "let's go,"

And so, Yuji followed Yukina, as they went out and explored the City.