The mountain range of Alexandrite District loomed large over them, although only one of its peaks could pass muster as a respectable feat of strength. Mireille imagined it was because the city didn't want too many mountains getting in the way of the sunshine.

A low brass gate marked the walkway where the mountains began, so inadequate that looked like it was built solely to keep small children from wandering. But whereas this should have been the time of day to be trampled by at least one tiny horde on a field trip, the gate was instead occupied by significant contingent of the district's knights.

Alexandrite Knights, with their distinctive golden sashes unique among the Chapters.

Yuela didn't wait to discuss the implications of this. Upon seeing the knights gathered on both sides of the gate, she immediately sped up and led the group towards them. Mireille was impressed by her firm initiative. Up until now, she'd only seen Yuela look irritated, almost cry, lose her temper several times and play games with her bow.

“Stop.”

The nearest knight held out her hand, meeting them before they reached the garrison. She gazed at their uniforms.

“Military students . . . ?” she said, before surveying each of them in turn from beneath her dark, low-cut hair. “Why are you here?”

“We're under orders and require access to the mountain range.”

Yuela's self-assured reply stunned Mireille. Not least because she couldn't remember the principal's request sounding so . . . formal.

“The mountain trails behind Alexandrite District have been restricted. Please brief me on the details of your mission.”

The knight merely responded in kind, unfazed by Yuela's response or the fact that students had mission orders. Their command of brevity made Mireille realise she still had a significant way to go.

“May I first inquire as to the manner of the disturbance? This is a significant detachment.”

Sadly, Yuela's curt way of speech didn't mask the simple truth to her question. None of them had any idea of the situation that had arisen. To the vigilant knight, it was an unambiguous message that she was not only dealing with students, but ones that likely shouldn't have been here.

The knight considered Yuela for a moment, her eyes glancing down to the St. Florin's Academy emblem stitched to her uniform.

“Phantasm sighting,” she said to Mireille's surprise. “An uncommon occurrence in this district, particularly at this time of day. The report is unconfirmed. Regardless, this is the regular detachment strength sent in response.”

She gestured using her chin towards the gate. A small number of people in work clothing were being questioned.

“We search for civilians to evacuate first, then search for targets second. We've currently secured every registered group to visit the observatory in the past two hours, and the majority of my squadron will shortly redeploy to the east mountain path to hunt for any phantasms.”

What a kind knight, Mireille thought. Efficient and courteous, she was still able to squeeze in a bit of classroom education regarding operating procedure.

“Phantasms . . .”

Meanwhile, Yuela was frozen with a look of deliberation.

“That's correct.” The knight nodded, taking Yuela's stillness as additional uncertainty. “As you no doubt understand, your mission can wait.”

She really was kind. The knight was using the word 'mission', but it was obvious to everyone what she thought it was. After all, they were academy students.

Tabitha hadn't been wrong with her off-hand remark earlier. Any 'mission' involving a trek up a mountain really did resemble a field trip.

“We're under orders to retrieve a missing person from the mountainside.”

However, Yuela simply reaffirmed her purpose here, this time with additional detail.

“A missing person? Would they be listed with the gate records?”

“Their movements are unknown, with the exception of their last suspected location.”

The knight nodded and begun securing her cuffs. She appeared as though she was getting ready to personally battle the mountain itself.

“We'll retrieve the missing person. What is their description and last known sighting?”

Mireille felt a poke against the small of her back. She accidentally gave a tiny squeal.

“Ahh, I feel like a princess,” whispered Tabitha. “The brave knight is totally gonna save us from the big, bad, scary mountain climb.”

“—Unnecessary,” declared Yuela to the knight. “We are under direct orders from Principal Madelane Priscelia to conduct the retrieval ourselves.”

“Hah?!”

The knight frowned at Tabitha's appalled response, before turning back to Yuela. Naturally, Yuela was purposefully refusing to give Tabitha's unhelpful cry the slightest acknowledgement.

“Madelane Priscelia directly sent you? Students?”

“Yes.”

“Was she informed of the phantasm sighting?”

“I'm only privy to my mission orders.”

There was no lie in her words. But she was clearly overstating the contents of their orders, which probably explained why the knight glanced at Tabitha and her honest-to-goodness look of sheer travesty.

“I see . . . but your fellow student seems very surprised at these orders?”

“Her name is Tabitha. She received a score of less than ten percent on a recent theory examination and has issues with various aspects of cognitive communication. She also has limited control of her facial expressions and is occasionally required to expel random noises.”

Tabitha looked shell-shocked. Her mouth hung open as her soul emptied itself in front of the knight.

“Do you see?” said Yuela, pointing at Tabitha's gormless state. “Please show consideration.”

“I'm, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to . . .”

The knight offered a pitiful smile to Tabitha, completely in contrast to her official demeanour thus far. However, it returned when she spoke with Yuela.

“. . . I will require proof of your mission orders.”

“I am Yuela Vlinder,” she said, openly displaying her impatience. “I am the daughter of Antion Vlinder. Will you please allow us access to the mountain range?”

For the first time, the knight hesitated. Her eyes appeared to scrutinise Yuela's face.

Apparently, the weight of not one, but two names was required to nudge a knight from official protocol. Mireille felt like she'd just learned a very important life lesson.

“. . . Very well, if that is The Silver Aurelia's command.”

The knight turned to the side and gracefully motioned to the gate. It wasn't for their benefit, but for the other knights.

“If your missing person is anywhere between here and observatory, the others in my detachment may already have secured their safety. Please do not search for any longer than necessary, and proceed with caution.”

“Thank you.”

Yuela walked on ahead, but came to an abrupt stop. She turned to the knight.

“. . . Is it not customary to wish success instead of caution when proceeding on a mission?”

The knight stared without expression at her.

“You are cadets.”

That was all she needed to say.