Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 146: ES's Trap

"Fufu. I agree with Shiro-sama. And because all of you have shown kindness even to someone like me I feel the need to give you this warning. The 'Current Students Privilege' I obtained through negotiations with ES..." Yuzuru said.

"Just say 'Holy Sword'." Mao said. "...No matter how many times I hear it it still sounds lame as hell." Shiro said with a sigh. "Not to mention that name isn't widely recognised." Yuzuru said. "Eh? It sounds cool though." Mao said. "...How so?" Shiro asked.

"Isara-sama please don't inherit even the terrible naming sense from Eichi-sama. Anyway those like Yuuki-sama night haga already guessed but the 'Current Students Privilege' or shall we say 'Holy Sword' is essentially a trap." So I must strongly advise caution when using it."Yuzuru said.

"A-A trap...?" Ito asked. "I explained this to Oogami-sama earlier. To wield the 'Holy Sword' and alter the content of ES Academy you need to pay the required amount of L$ determined by ES. That's the crux of the matter. Those eager to wield the 'Holy Sword' are individuals dissatisfied with the concept of ES Academy." Yuzuru said.

"Among us here that would be the opposition faction, like Hidaka-sama, Oogami-sama and Takasaki-sama." He added. "Of course. It's because we were dissatisfied that we rebelled." Hokuto said. "Yeah. I'm wielding the 'Holy Sword' with gratitude so that I can keep making my music rather than just accepting what ES dictates." Koga said.

"Even though I'm graduating and it won't matter to me anymore there will always be lone wolves who don't fit into the pack. Having more freedom the twins would probably find it easier to work with." He added.

"Indeed. Everyone's free will should be respected." Hokuto said. "Though honestly it just felt like the adults were humouring us. Like saying 'There there don't cry.' I heard a story about how current students upset by the school's name change pooled their money to wield the 'Holy Sword'." Makoto said.

"As a result instead of ES Academy/Yumenosaki Branch the name was changed to Yumenosaki Academy(ES Academy Branch)." He added. "Ah that's why we're still using the name 'Yumenosaki Academy' instead of just 'ES Academy'." Mao said.

"E-everyone's efforts...paid off.." Ito said with a smile. "For sure. The name remains but the contents have completely changed. Yet everyone seems satisfied just with the name. It felt like everyone was fixating on superficial trivial matters. I wondered if I was being too cold or if my perspective was off-"

"-But ES' s tactics feel very much like a carrot and stick approach don't you think?" Yuzuru said for Makoto. "By listening to the students' demands and giving them the carrot they expect us to tolerate the stick. It's a common strategy among adults." He then said.

"Yuuki-sama you seem to be disappointed in that. A sharp observation indeed. So shall we try taking the perspective of the so-called enemy ES for a moment?" He then asked.

"...What do you mean?" Shoot asked. "From their point of view what kind existence are those wielding the 'Holy Sword', the so-called heroes-haha what do you think they would think of these heroes?" Yuzuru asked.

"If you have something to say just say it Yuzuru." Mao said. "Oh my apologies. I was merely amused by it. It wasn't meant as a mockery." Yuzuru said. "Ah I see now. Fushimi-kun your point makes sense." Makoto said.

"Wow Yuuki. So you understand it now thanks to Fushimi using the analogy of video game terms?" Hokuto asked. "Sure let's go with that." Makoto said. "Come on Ukki! If you give up on retorts who else will step up? Please don't lose hope!" Subaru said.

"...W-Why...?" Ito whispered. "If even you start making jokes this whole thing will fall apart!" Makoto said. "I'm sorry about all this." Mao said. "Not at all. Trickstar always slips in comedy routines whenever you can. I'm already used to it." Yuzuru said.

"If anyone can't get the vice it's definitely you guys." Koga said with a sigh. "Well anyway if we follow your analogy Fushimi-kun ES is like a demon lord aiming to conquer the world. From the demon lord's perspective those wielding the 'Holy Sword', the heroes, must be quite the nuisance." Makoto said.

"The heroes wield the 'Holy Sword' one after another defeating the demon lord's monsters and changing ES Academy to suit their needs. But that's all part of the demon lord's trap. Isn't that right Fushimi-kun?" He then asked.

"Each time we wield the 'Holy Sword' we take damage and drain our resources. Even heroes can't keep fighting on willpower love and hope forever. We need to L$ to wield the 'Holy Sword'. Basically money. Something absolutely necessary to keep doing idol activities under ES." He added.

"The heroes end up spending it while bleeding themselves dry as they fight on." He then said. "Exactly. It's a two-pronged strategy. First ES can identify those who rebel against them. Resisting the concept of ES Academy equates to opposing ES's policies. Those who wield the 'Holy Sword' are considered as a risk to ES." Yuzuru said.

"By draining L$ from these rebellious individuals to weaken them ES can ensure that all potential threats to ES will be eventually diminished thus solidifying their future dominance. This is ES's strategy. The 'Holy Sword' is a litmus test to identify dissidents and a trap to weaken them." He then said.

[Love my live I forgot to post again]