Destructive Black: (1) By the time they managed to locate an inn with a vacant room, and finally settle

down, night had fallen in the little port town by the sea. After slipping into a bakery on the verge of closing for the night to eat dinner , Mitsuyoshi left to collect information. Caelica wanted to sleep early and so w ithdrew to her room. In the adjacent room Ragna waited for Mitsuyoshi's return, and his thoughts drif ted absent-mindedly to the view of the scenery outside his window The inn they were staying in didn't have meals included and was close to the por t, however because of the angle of the room the sea couldn't be seen. What could be seen were rows of cramped buildings, and the occasional street light sporadi cally lighting up the town. Although all that separated the scenery from him was just a thin sheet of glass, to his mind it seemed so far away. He probably didn't know this town. Not only was what he could see unfamiliar, bu t it was as if his body had no memory of the feel of the air in this place. An unknown self in an unknown place. That was extremely vague, and he felt uncer tain. It was a little tiring. No, what was unknown to him was not only this town but probably also the world a round him. Because if what Caelica and Mitsuyoshi were saying was the absolute t ruth, then within Ragna's mind the black beast which had been defeated a hundred years ago, was still existing now. ... hm? Unexpectedly, a dark figure appeared outside the window, and Ragna casually lift ed his head which had been resting on his chin. A black mantle covering the person's back, at the top of it brown hair was tied up together. It was Caelica. It wasn't the time of night for young girls to be walking around alone. With eye brows drawn together Ragna hurriedly stood up. Man, that girl will be the death of me! If he were to let that hopelessly direction-impaired girl to wander around the t own at night, then without fail she would definitely not return. Ragna clicked his tongue unconsciously and hefted his large sword, and hurriedly left the room. He stepped out and at once felt that this was truly a port town. The westward bl owing wind was damp, and carried with it the smell of salt. Dashing out of the small inn Ragna urgently glanced to his left and right. Caeli ca's figure was gone. After she had left the inn, she had most certainly taken a road that lead to the sea side. While turning his head in various directions Ragna sprinted on the paved road. T

he small stones laid into the road were hard and rugged, making it a little diff icult to traverse. Leaving the thin road for a gentler hill path, the view of the dark sea expanded before his eyes. As his field of vision opened up the sea breeze blew across, a nd Ragna's white hair fluttered violently. It was a scenery he didn't know. However, he couldn't tell whether it was due to memory loss or whether he really didn't know it, and it was like the darkness i n his heart was expanding. This wasn't the time nor place to get sentimental. Ragna pushed up his dishevele d hair which was blocking his sight and looked around, searching for the figure of that carefree girl. There. On a boardwalk jutting out over the sea, tiles had been set in the form of imita tion brickwork. At the end of a short stairway was a semi-circular platform, and the silver railings enclosed a pair of old-fashioned benches. A familiar figure was leaning her upper body on the simple vertical railings, th e sea breeze seemingly playing with her hair. ... Hey. Descending the short stairs, Ragna stood next to Caelica. Caelica turned her head, her tail like hair fluttering about. Wah. You scared me. Don't go wandering about by yourself. Otherwise you'll end up lost again. No way, that won't happen. The hotel is just over there. If it weren't you giving the answer, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. The area to where Caelica pointed, was not even in the general direction of the hotel. Ragna's shoulders slumped wearily. Glancing sideways at Caelica who stood absolutely still, as if she were trying t o find something in the sea, Ragna leaned his back against the railings. It was a quiet place. There were no shops nearby, nor people. Occasionally at the end of Ragna's vision, he could see shadows of people passin g by the area near the boardwalk, but this place seemed to be like a special dim ension detached from the world outside. The wind blowing inland from the sea was refreshing, and the flow of the time sp ent in silence also seemed to be disconnected from the world. ... so, what were you doing in a place like this? At Ragna's question, Caelica turned back to face the sea and gave a little laugh . I was just thinking perhaps I could see Japan from here.

Japan? Ragna also turned his eyes towards the sea. Or rather, the vast expanse that was more darkness than sea. The lights from the land reflected in the water were flickering and swaying. As if following those lights his glance slid, until it finally ended up at the dist ant horizon. Where the sky ended and the sea began was decidedly vague. You can see it from here? I don't know. I was thinking it'd be nice if I could though. Aha, a short burst of laughter escaped Caelica's lips. From the beginning she di dn't think it would be possible to see it. However, she was close to Japan, wher e her father may or may not be. That much she realised. For Ragna, who had no memories, those feelings were hard to understand. ... it was slightly more than six years ago. The day my father went missing. The black beast had appeared in Japan, and in order to defeat it nuclear weapons had been used. Right before that Caelica's father had vanished without a trace. Ragna frowned. I've been asking myself this question all this time. ve? could he really still be ali

Being in Japan at that time, one had to wonder what were the chances of him surv iving it. If you go, you do know that there's a chance that you may end up regretting this whole trip. Mm... Caelica gave a doubtful grunt in reply that was neither acceptance nor denial. S he rested her arms on top of the railings. On top of that she rested her chin, a nd gazed at the horizon. ... in my family, there's only my father and sister left. The night wind's whisper seemed to mix together with her voice, as Caelica spoke . My mother died of illness when I scientist, would forever be holed sister was a student in the same genius mage that was selected to Ten Saints? Erm, it's a special existence within the Mage's Association, and only ten people are chosen. I don't really get it, but that seems amazing. was very young. After that my father, who was a up in his lab researching difficult things. My Mage's Association I'm currently in. She was a become part of the Ten Saints.

Ragna casually replied, and Caelica's face lit up. That's right, that IS amazing! It seemed she was very proud of her sister. At her innocent enthusiasm Ragna cou ldn't help but let out a small chuckle. In a good mood, Caelica took a deep breath of the sea breeze. My father too, he received lots of awards and gave lectures at many universities, he was a distinguished scholar. When I was younger, I used to think my father w as the most hardworking man in the entire world. Both my sister and my father ar e very important people to me. although, the relationship between those two is s o bad it's almost non-existent. Is that so? Yup. Especially my sister, she absolutely hates our father. I don't really unders tand her reasons, but she really hates it when he talks to me. Although she said ust like the salt ss didn't seem to hem didn't matter it in a bright voice, somewhere deep within Caelica's voice, j in the sea, a tinge of pain ran through it. However that sadne affect her current mood. As if the bad blood running between t to Caelica.

But then. The both of them, to me, are irreplaceable and important family. Abruptly, Caelica lightly turned to face Ragna. Looking straight into those big eyes, Ragna was involuntarily taken aback. While Ragna was stunned, with the look of a child seeing a dream on her face Cae lica continued A few months ago, the UN's investigative team came back with news that they had d iscovered survivors. Unable to flee Japan before the nuclear strikes, in those s ix years, they had eke out a living within the ruins. Although some parts of Japan were still considered dangerous, recently it had be en reopened to the public. Even in the darkness Caelica's eyes were shining with innocent hope. Ragna fully understood what it meant. For so long, I always thought my father was dead. But after I heard this news, I started wondering whether he had actually survived, and soon that was all I coul d think about. And then finally, I couldn't just wait patiently anymore. And so that's how you came to be here? Although having said that much she didn't have any definite clues that follow up on, nor any ground-breaking methods with which to find him. hose circumstances she had set out, and gotten lost, aiming for Japan, nt she was either an honest, or incredibly simple person. In his mind, ted to believe she was the former. Your sister. Won't she be worried about you? His admiration turning into a wry smile, Ragna posed the question, but Caelica j ust shrugged her shoulders and gave a mischevious grin. she could Even in t which mea Ragna wan

Probably. When I finally return home, I imagine she'll probably be extremely tick ed off. But even so you're still continuing your search for your father? Of course. It was as if Caelica wasn't lost anymore. It looked like she was the type that w ho, once made up her mind, would not bend or compromise her decision. Caelica straightened herself from the railing she was leaning against. Lifting h er chin she stared at the horizon in the direction of Japan. It was as if she wa s staring at the country itself. That's because he's family. I don't know what he's done, but I worry about him yo u know? I don't know if he's still alive, but I have to at least search for him you know? Somehow or another, the sincere urgency in Caelica's voice pierced Ragna in the chest. Caelica's calm eyes had not a single trace of nervousness in them, and stared at Ragna without hesitation. He was slightly worried. If that was all she was thinking of when she set out some reason Ragna felt envious. A carefree smile emerged upon Caelica's face. That's because I love both my sister and father very much. Again. At that peculiar smile Ragna pressed his temples. Ragna had seen someone like this before. Someone was gently smiling. When was th at? Much like Caelica, someone had once called him brother too... It hurts... An intense sensation like something was clamping the inside of his head, Ragna's face contorted with pain. The look on Caelica's face changed as she touched Ragna's arm and head. Are you ok? Ragna, I think you should go back and rest a while. ... I'm fine. It's not my body that's feeling bad. It was just that when he was on the verge or recalling something, his head would start spinning at once and it hurt. As id sympathising with Caelica gently brushed Ragna's hair. Her fingertips gent ly glowed with a faint, warm light. Ever so slightly, the sensation of pain in h is head receded. Looking very much like a child being treated for an injury, Ragna felt rather aw kward. It's nothing serious... if you leave it alone it'll get better after a while. It' s not something you expressly need magic to cure. for

I'm doing this because I want to, so don't worry about it. Besides, it's free! With a smile Caelica lightly spoke to Ragna. Don't 'it's free' me, that isn't the problem here. Generally speaking, aren't mag es supposed to control themselves and not wantonly use their magic? Let's see. Since to even have it is difficult, I guess I don't gain much from usi ng it a lot huh. At the sight of Caelica scratching her cheek while tilting her head, Ragna's glo omy face dissipated. Talking to this girl was like getting all the poisonous air sucked out of him. He couldn't maintain a scowl. The pain in his head was completely gone. You're such a weirdo. Eh, I don't want to hear that coming from you, Ragna. Is that so? Compared to a directionally-impaired and blindly optimistic person li ke you, my memory loss is such a triviality. That's definitely not the case. After all this is my first time meeting someone w ith memory loss. Well then, have you ever seen someone as directionally-impaired as you before? I'm not directionally-impaired! Wha?! Ragna reflexively raised his voice in disbelief. Perhaps something strange had happened, but Caelica was now giggling like a youn g girl would. At that Ragna felt relieved, and had a light and gentle laugh alon g with her. The wind blowing from the sea started to get cold. As if turning to face it Cael ica took another glance at the sea. ... we should get back soon. Yeah, you're right. If we caught a cold now, we wouldn't be able to board the shi p tomorrow and everything would be meaningless. Yeah. With some regret Caelica nodded her head. As if to prompt her Ragna turned and set off. His hard shoes on the tiled floor gave off a click sound, and right after that the tiny footsteps of Caelica could be heard. After a while, Caelica had closed the gap between her and Ragna, and was now bes ide him. Compared to Ragna, she was a short and delicate girl. Her conduct was full of un wariness and her defenses had many holes, her slender arms didn't look like they

had any fighting strength or any muscle to brandish a weapon. That a girl like that could keep pace with Ragna was really strange. Really, rea lly strange indeed.