First Encounter
As I entered the plaza, I saw someone flying through the air... then crash back down.
...What's going on?!
Aaaagh!
Hey!
Back to positions.
Back to positions!
...As if!
Hey! She's by herself, and there are two of us!
If we really go for it, we can— Aaaagh!
Go for what?
What makes you think that would change anything?
Back to positions.
Back to positions!
We're sorry, ma'am!
Whatever we did wrong, we'll make it right!
You speak as if you're unsure. You've already forgotten what you did, have you?
As for what we did...
Are you talking about how we asked you to hang out with us?
Celestial Sword Art Fifth Form, Crescent Dusk!
Aaaagh!
And what was it you said after that?
Uh... I, um...
Could you at least give us a clue...?
Aaaagh!
Back to positions.
Back to positions!
Even if you don't remember, I remember every word.
You saw my blade, the Heaven's Reply, and asked if I was from the Eastern Continent.
I answered that I was a practitioner of the Celestial Art.
Now then, what did you say next?
That it sounded cheap? Like something you'd slap on a dog bowl?!
You may insult me if you wish, but!
I will never forgive anyone who insults the Celestial Art!
Please! Please forgive us just this once!
We didn't know any better! Please have mercy, ma'am!
*Sigh*
Fine. Such things do happen.
You're from the West. How could you possibly know about the Celestial Art of the long-lost sect in the East?
I understand.
So... that means...!
You're letting us go?!
Yes. Just stay right where you are.
So I can let you go straight to the afterlife.
What?!
Wait! Hold on!
Weren't you going to forgive us?!
To insult the Celestial Art is a sin worthy of a hundred deaths. But this time, I'll settle for just one.
Farewell. In your next life, show some respect to the Celestial Art.
A-actually, I thought the Celestial Art was really cool from the moment I first heard it!
...What?
Say that again.
I said that the Celestial Art is totally awesome!
Right, buddy?! Don't you agree?
Y-yeah! The moment I heard it, I nearly cried from how beautiful it sounded!
(W-what do we do...?)
(Is it not working...?)
...Haha.
I see... So you've fallen for the beauty of the Celestial Art too!
Makes sense! I felt the same! The moment I heard the name Celestial Art, I knew it was fate.
The Celestial Art is amazing! You've got a good eye!
But... Hmm?
As Fei looked around, our eyes met.
You look familiar. Who are you?
Are you the Captain?
And you must be the Journey member?
Just as I suspected.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fei Bianche.
I've come to NOA to take part in the Journey.
Now! Run for it!
I'll go this way! You go that way!
Huh?! Where are you going?
I was only just about to begin the real discussion of the Celestial Art!
I have so much to tell you!
Do you have somewhere urgent to be? Then how about we meet here again tomorrow?
Or the day after!
Hey! Hold on!
...
Walking away just when I was about to share the wonders of the Celestial Art...
Must've been something urgent.
Anyway, nice to meet you, Captain.
From now on... Hmm?
Impressive...
Why are you touching my arm?
Excellent muscle tone. A body built for martial arts.
Well, Captain? Want to learn the Celestial Art?
Celestial Art?
Yes! The Celestial Art!
I bet you've heard of it, haven't you? Most Westerners haven't, but you might've!
Long ago, a sect with potential as fierce as a dragon vanished from the world!
By questioning the heavens without end and finding the true answer, even the moon may be cleaved.
Yes, I'll admit it! I'm restoring the Celestial Art from the ground up!
And through the Journey, I'll perfect it and spread the name of the Celestial Art across the continent!
Cleaving the moon, huh? That's pretty wild.
Right?! Isn't it?!
The Celestial Art really is incredible!
Anyone can learn it, no matter their age! And it's powerful too!
Captain, you understand better than most! I like that!
All right, I'm feeling generous.
A secret of the Celestial Art I've never shared with anyone else...!
I shall reveal it to you alone!
And so, Fei launched into her tale of the Celestial Art...
Even after sunset, long into the moonlit night, there was no stopping her Celestial Art talk.
...And that's why the Celestial Art is the ultimate martial art that seizes the initiative at every stage of combat!
Um...
Hmm? Something wrong?
Do you want to hear it again from the beginning?! I'd be happy to!
Shouldn't we be heading back soon?
Huh...?
Hmm... It's gotten late.
Guess we'll continue next time. But before that, hmm...
Remarkable elasticity, even on second touch.
After parting ways with Fei, who seemed to be licking her lips for some reason, I returned to my room.
That lingering sense of being watched all the way back was probably just my imagination.
Starting tomorrow, my Journey with Fei will truly begin.