Seiken Tsukai no Kinju Eishou Vol 1 Prologue

'''This is the Prologue of the third legend………'''

Haimura Moroha is having a bizarre dream.

A beast-like roar across the battlefield, the miasma of iron hanging in the air, dry grit spreading through the mouth, the blood red dyeing the land……

A very vivid dream. Realistic enough that one can hear, smell, taste and see clearly within it.

Finally, the feel of a sword gripped in the hand. That’s right, a sword.

Born a normal youth in peaceful j.a.pan, Moroha shouldn’t have any relations.h.i.+p with a weapon of war. In spite of this, the sword in his hand feels shockingly familiar. So much so that it feels like an extension of his body.

The beautiful holy sword with a dazzling mirror-like body is now dyed the same blood red as the land.

In the dream, Moroha is fighting alone on the battlefield, without companions. Literally, one against the mult.i.tude. Facing waves of the enemies, Moroha is just mechanically killing, killing killing——

Devoted fully to swinging his sword, he’s already long lost count of his kills. Unclad in armour but protected by a white aura as dazzling as the sun; with t.i.tanic strength granted by the dense amount of prana he is generating, Moroha crashes through the battleground like a hurricane.

Even so, his att.i.tude remains calm and unhurried, as if he is a monster that’s only fulfilling its killing nature.

His brain argues that this is not his true self; yet in his heart he feels that this is his real self.

A truly mysterious feeling.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the ma.s.sacre stops——Moroha finds himself the only person standing.

Surrounded by mountains of corpses the wind blows, whistling a haunting victory anthem.

Covered with wounds and with shaking legs, Moroha starts on his first steps home. A lone journey to the battlefield, a lone journey back —— is not what happened. From the distance, a white horse speeds towards him on thundering hoofs.

On the horse rode a beautiful girl.

Sparkling blue eyes, like stars scattered over the ocean.

Obviously highborn at one glance, with her elegantly cut white gown.

Ignoring high society etiquette by riding a horse in that gown, one can guess her to be a spirited, compet.i.tive personality.

“Fraga! Fraga Onii-sama!”

The girl calls out in a stern yet cute voice.

That’s Moroha’s name in the dream. Moroha smiles when he recognizes the person.

The dense fighting will and killing intent still coiling around his body disperse like mist.

“Salacia, didn’t you listen when I said not to carelessly come to the battlefield alone?” Like a chance meeting on a street, he nonchalantly calls out to the girl.

“Fraga, you also didn’t listen. Didn’t I beg you many times not to go to war alone?”

The girl—— Salacia jumped down the horse and hugs Moroha pa.s.sionately. “Are we really that unreliable? Am I a burden?” Salacia complains as she proceeds to beat on Moroha’s chest.

Moroha scratches his head but seems to give tacit agreement by his silence.

“I know… Fraga is the Guardian of the Holy Sword. The Strongest Swordsman!” Salacia cries out emotionally in a rough voice.

“Still…even so…” Salacia looks at Fraga with tears gathering in her s.h.i.+ning eyes. “I will worry for Fraga; so please forgive my impertinent remarks.”

While she is crying, Salacia desperately leans against him on her tiptoes. Moroha gently rubs her on her head.

“It’s fine. I should be the one asking for forgiveness. For you to worry and fear for me is such a sinful joy.”

Moroha gently kisses away her tears as Salacia starts blus.h.i.+ng lightly.

“Do you love me?” She asked.

“I am able to fight only because of you.” He replied.

This b.l.o.o.d.y battlefield they are standing in is all for the sake of this girl.

To Moroha, she is his entire world.

“Please continue to worry for me. In return, I promise you this: no matter how difficult the battlefield, no matter how strong the enemy, no matter how far we are, even if fate threatens to tear us apart ——“ Moroha whispers softly into Salacia’s ears…

“I will always be victorious and return to your side.”

Salacia lowers her gaze as her blush deepens all the way to the tip of her ears. Moroha suddenly hug her tightly with his free left arm. Surprised, Salacia raises her gaze to meet his.

Their faces are close enough to feel each others breath. Without hesitation, she moves her face closer to Moroha’s.

As if to seal their promise, their lips——

With that, the dream ended and Moroha woke up.

Fraga’s senses and thoughts dissolve along with the dream.

Yawning, Moroha chases away his sleepiness and reorganizes his thoughts.

“What a shame.”

The interrupted kiss that was just reaching the interesting part was all a dream.

Moroha returns to reality, that is, the auditorium of the Independent high school, Akane Academy.

Although Moroha is a freshman, not a nervous vibe can be detect from him. In fact, even before the welcoming ceremony was halfway through, he was already napping in his chair. Still, it’s not because he is being arrogant or anti-social.

It’s just his natural state.

While this may be a paradox, he is the type that appears relaxed and casual in his att.i.tude, but is surprisingly focused on his goals. And his small, small goal is to peacefully go through the next three years of high school without any major demerits.

Moroha is that kind of guy.

Swallowing back a second yawn, he rubs his eyes and slowly opens them, and was immediately stunned.

Unexpectedly, a beautiful face is right in front of him, close enough that they are breathing on each other.

Sparkling eyes, like stars scattered over the ocean.

These eyes are staring steadily at him as her whole body is leaning over the seated Moroha as if to cover him up.

The whole situation is screaming “Let’s kiss.”

It’s like a continuation of his interrupted dream. Blue and black —— while the color is different, the girls’ eyes are exactly the same as Salacia’s.

Moroha quickly inspects the girl.

She’s wearing the school-issued uniform for female and pinned on her small chest is a name tag written:

[1-1 (White) Ranjou Satsuki].

Mahora is also a Year 1 Cla.s.s 1 student, thus it seems like she’s a cla.s.smate. Still, although it’s obvious, her name is not Salacia.

What the h.e.l.l is going on? What's with this intimate distance?

While Moroha is frozen, the girl’s —— Satsuki’s face is looming closer.

Could that regretful interruption of the dream kiss be continuing in reality? Is that even possible?

Just thinking of the softness of those bud-like lips, his heart starts pounding and a squeak escape his throat. He reflectively closes his eyes, awaiting the moment.

“BANG”

As if using a blunt instrument, Satsuki swings her forehead back, and then forward hard into his. “………….?”

The supposed kiss, was actually a headb.u.t.t.

What was supposed to be lip to lip, was actually forehead to forehead.

What was supposed to be an expression of love, was actually a declaration of hostility.

Feeling overwhelmed, Moroha groans in a mixture of shock, disappointment and pain.

“Are you awake now?” Satsuki asked in a sarcastic voice.

Her rare, cute voice rang out like a clear bell. What a waste.

Holding her arms, the single ponytail tied on the left side of her head swaying around like a whip.

“What are you trying to do all of a sudden…?” Moroha glared at her while holding his forehead.

“It’s punishment. For rude people who sleep shortly into the welcoming ceremony,” declared Satsuki, looking down on him while emitting intense pressure.

“Everyone has already left for their cla.s.sroom, but you are still dozing away. It’s simply unbelievable.”

The more than 100 freshmen had already disappeared, leaving an empty hall.

“I hate people with no enthusiasm.”

“Isn’t a headb.u.t.t too much just for that reason?”

“I was also enraged because you seem to be expecting something else.”

“About that, I apologize.”

“That’s right. Plus I already have someone I like.”

True. No way in the world would an unknown girl suddenly come up and give you a kiss.

Moroha sincerely reflected on his expectations.

“It’s not that I have no enthusiasm.” After reflecting, he feels that he should explain himself.

“It’s just that the princ.i.p.al’s welcoming address was too long, and I doze off unknowingly. I will be motivated from now, so please spare me.”

“Her speech wasn’t that long.” Although he has already lowered his head, it only resulted in Satsuki’s reproach.

Her upturned eyes started burning with zeal.

Moroha smiles bitterly. The girl is beautiful, even when piqued her attractiveness is not lowered.

(Ahhhh~. How should I appease her?)

Giving up on further protest, he started musing on how to escape from this situation. But ——

“ The princ.i.p.al said this.” Satsuki starts orating with elation.

“ 'We are the specially chosen from everywhere in j.a.pan. Ones who possess power. Thus, we cannot never forget our responsibilities and duties which must be taken up! Our gifts must be used for justice…….' That’s what the princ.i.p.al said. Don’t you think its valuable input?”

Satsuki, who is getting more excited as she goes on, started twisting her body. Originally holding her arms, it became like hugging herself with her face flus.h.i.+ng red.

Moroha is shocked to silence.

(“Cannot understand. Totally cannot understand”). He swallowed back those words that he wanted to say.

Still, Satsuki notices his cold, pitying eyes and gives a cough. Feeling the near loss of her dignity, she tries to cover it up by extending a finger upward.

“So…so in conclusion. As you are a , you must be a great person in your past life? Thus, have some awareness and train yourself seriously. Since we are cla.s.smates, let’s work hard together.”

A totally enthusiastic statement. She must be a kind person at heart to want to have a good relations.h.i.+p even with those that she dislikes for slacking.

Moroha scratches his head and his displeasure disappears.

“If you fall asleep again, I will start scolding,” says Satsuki as she smiles brightly for the first time.

A smile as bright as the sun, like pouring out from the boundless energy in her body. For Moroha, or anyone else, they’ll be charmed by that smile.

“Please take care of me from today onwards.”

Satsuki stretchs out her hand and Moroha holds it without hesitation.

When their hands touch, suddenly —— a familiar feeling shoots through him, sharp enough to tear at his heart. Even so, this feeling is relaxing. Like a migratory bird returning to nest after a long flight.

What is this? Moroha is thrown into confusion.

Satsuki’s smile froze.

“My brother once said…...” Satsuki starts talking as if in a trance, face flushed as if feverish.

“No matter how difficult the battlefield, no matter how strong the enemy, no matter how far we are, no matter if fate threatens to tear us apart…”

To Satsuki’s words, Moroha never expected himself to reply automatically:

“I will always be victorious and return to your side.”

A deep silence descends.

In the empty auditorium, Moroha and Satsuki stared at each other.

Like lovers reunited after being torn apart by fate and lost throughout time and s.p.a.ce, they stared at each other.

That silence was broken by the school bell.

“You are Salacia right?” Moroha ask confidently.

His first impression of Satsuki, that sudden feeling of familiarity……did not appear to be wrong.

“Are you………Fraga?” Satsuki asked in a hoa.r.s.e voice.

By saying each others name, hope turned to affirmation.

“Fraga……Fraga……” Satsuki looked as if her fondest dream has come true.

Her tearing gaze at Moroha turned hotter, and she says: “I had a feeling that I would find you here….”

Satsuki pulls the hand she’s holding towards her chest, as if a priceless treasure.

However Moroha’s expression turns bitter as he looks at Satsuki, who has totally switched to maiden-in-love mode, and says,” Sorry, but I don’t really have much recollection of my past life.”

Moroha strongly feels that it’ll be dishonest and unfair to her if he does not make that clear.

“Eh?”

Satsuki suddenly drops Moroha’s hand that she had been holding on to preciously just a moment ago.

“Really? You really don’t remember? How you were praised as the best in swordsmans.h.i.+p and Plana mastery? The strongest Guardian of the Holy Sword in any generation? How you destroyed the armies of the Empire almost single-handedly?”

At her frantic questions, Moroha just shake his head.

All those accomplishments seemed so unreal that he never bothered to take note of them.

Satsuki paused, and whispers with a horrified face:

”Did you forget…..about me?”

“I’m sorry,” replied Moroha. Satsuki’s face turned white.

“Didn’t they explain right at the start of the ceremony? About how much one can recall their past life is dependent on the individual. For me, I almost have no recollections,” Moroha tried explaining in a vague manner.

“In certain point of view you may be right to say that I’m unfaithful. Am I…I mean Fraga, in my past life……lovers with you?” Moroha asked delicately.

Salacia expression turns sickly.

(What a waste when she so pretty….), Moroha can only bemoan silently.

Still, her childish behavior was really interesting and cute,

“No, we were nothing of that sort,” Satsuki angrily turned her head to the side, with the side ponytail swinging along.

“You were JUST my Brother and I was JUST your younger sister,” grumbled Satsuki, still not looking at him.

“I see. Did you call me Onii-sama?” Moroha tried to remember the dream he just had.

“I can’t say with that atmosphere…..we're of a pair of siblings.” (“I can’t say that given that atmosphere…we were JUST of a pair of siblings.” )

“That’s not true. We were JUST a normal pair of siblings.”

Satsuki is emphasizing the word “JUST” again.

Their behaviours were more akin lovers in Moroha’s opinion.

(Still, if she says so, it should be true…I guess?) Moroha thought as he completely let his doubts show on his face.

At his expressions, Satsuki screams out, "Irritating! We were not in that kind of relations.h.i.+p!"

Just when he wanted to mentioned that she is finally facing him again, Satsuki’s eyes tighten in anger.

A full posture of denial——tightened fists, thrown back shoulders, angry loud voice.

“ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! THERE IS NOTHING! WE DIDN'T GO OUT ON DATES WHEN WE HAD FREE TIME! WE DIDN’T KISS……” She screamed out with her full strength.

“……AND WE ABSOLUTELY DIDN’T FALL INTO A FORBIDDEN LOVE!”

Moroha’s mind goes blank.

He wasn't looking for trouble, but he definitely had stepped on a landmine and is now stuck in an awkward situation.

He can only think that the world is playing some kind of a joke on him.

This is not the time to be fantasizing. But looking at the steaming Satsuki who is covering her mouth with both hand and a look of [Oops, I said it]; he cannot help but recall that scene in his dream again.

“………………”

Silently looking at each other, and simultaneously looking away.

Satsuki with a fl.u.s.tered face, and Moroha looking everywhere but her.

The mood is really awkward and embarra.s.sing, and cannot be easily escaped.

Moroha is looking everywhere in a desperate hope for something in the surrounding to allow him to escape——and he found it.

Behind where Moroha was sitting, further to the back of the hall.

Originally thought to be an empty auditorium, is another girl sitting on a chair, sleeping.

“Ummm, hey…over there.”

“Ah…there’s another rude person! I need to go wake her up!”

At Moroha’s pointing finger, Satsuki leaped towards the new target. Like partners in crime, both are in tune with each other for a way to gracefully exit the situation just now.

Both moved quickly to the side of the sleeping girl.

The girl is a beauty who easily matched Satsuki. If one were to make a comparison, Satsuki would be the energetic and cheerful type, while this girl is the graceful and serene type. Even at this location, sitting on a metal frame chair, she’s still very charming.

Long black hair flowing over the chair back, her looks just makes you want to sigh in appreciation. To the extent that one would think of her as a work of art by some master craftsman.

The name tag on her chest states:

[1-1 (Black) Urus.h.i.+bara s.h.i.+zuno]…

It seems that this girl is also a cla.s.smate.

Subsequently, after looking at the name tag, even if you are unwilling you will notice it. This beautiful girl that’s like a doll has a huge chest that’s straining the limits of the front of her uniform. In terms of their sensuality or voluptuousness, they cannot be said to be compatible with her quiet beauty. Still, maybe due to the sharp contrast, the overall image can only be called super s.e.xy…

Moroha inadvertently glanced at a certain location on Satsuki.

It’s a pity that it’s flat.

Strictly speaking, there are some slight curves. Yes there are. But, after looking at the charming curves of s.h.i.+zuno, you’ll feel that Satsuki’s slight, slight shapes are just an afterimage.

“What are you comparing, Fraga?”

Satsuki is frowning at him. How…how sensitive!

“I’m called Moroha.”

“Don’t evade the question! Also, Fraga is Fraga.”

“Satsuki, I won’t reply you if you don’t call me Moroha.

“…If I call you Moroha, can I go berserk?”

“I sincerely apologized. Please have some mercy…WAIT.”

Moroha’s tone and eyes became sharper.

Sensing his seriousness, Satsuki lowered her raised fists.

Moroha is staring fixedly at s.h.i.+zuno.

“Ummm,ummmm, Moroha? This…this girl…….” Looks like Satsuki also noticed it.

Both of them concentrated on s.h.i.+zuno.

Her eyes are closed, but what’s alarming is that there's totally no breathing motion on her packed chest. It looked like…Moroha forced down his rising panic, and rushed forward to check on her condition. Supporting himself on her chair, he lean down and put his face in front of hers.

Her neck is so white that one could not imaging that there’s blood flowing under the skin.

(You are joking. Tell me this isn’t happening…)

If there is no breathing, then the situation is bad……

Moroha, with no hesitation, moved his ear right in front of the motionless s.h.i.+zuno’s lips.

Is s.h.i.+zuno still breathing?

“Shu…Saura……”

A tiny exhalation with her voice. She’s alive!

Moroha is surprised, but before he can think further, his head is grabbed on both side.

Gently but firmly his face is pulled right to the front of s.h.i.+zuno’s face.

Having Waken up silently and stealthily, her eyes are already opened.

Those deep dark orbs are concentrated on Moroha’s features.

The only unnerving part is her ice-like face. While her sleeping expression is like that of a doll, when awake she’s like a Noh Mask, totally no expression.

“Good morning…… Darling……”

Then, s.h.i.+zuno’s face came closer slowly.

(Another headb.u.t.t?)

What a lousy day this is. Moroha wanted to hold his head and lament. Still, with his head grabbed tightly by s.h.i.+zuno, he can’t move an inch.

At least he can braced himself for the impact——

[Chu…]

s.h.i.+zuno’s lips lightly touch Moroha’s. What an unexpected development.

Moroha took a few seconds to realize that he just experience what’s known to society as a [kiss].

Thus, while he’s enjoying the allure, temptation and physical feel of a girl’s lips——

“WHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATWHATAREYOUDOINGGGGGGGGGGGG RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR SISTER??????!!!!!!!!!” Satsuki suddenly seized Moroha from the back. Intending to physically separate his from s.h.i.+zuno’s side, but——

“Wait Wait Wait. In any case, both of you keep away from me.” Moroha back-pedaled away from the two girls, pulling his head out of s.h.i.+zuno’s grip too.

No time to dwell on the lingering feeling of that kiss.

(What a waste.) Moroha feels like crying.

Regardless, an angry Satsuki is no joke. Like a demon, she pursues him relentlessly:

“How dare you, in front of me and to other girls, ki…ki….ki……..kiss! You…you unfaithful playboy!”

Moroha tries to mount a defense: “What do you mean in front of you? If we are brother and sister, there’s no need for you to get angr-”

“This is this and that is that!” Satsuki interrupted Moroha’s excuses.

Like a sonic weapon, the a.s.sault from left and right threatens to blow out Moroha’s eardrums.

What this and that? Why is Satsuki so angry? Totally cannot comprehend.

“Fraga, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d! What did he do to you in your previous life…?”

“It’s easier to list down what he didn’t do to me!”

“Fraga, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Don’t tell me he’s a villain…?”

“That’s right! I was driven to tears many times by him. In fact I feel like crying now!”

“Really? What an evil person……”

“Don’t talk like it’s none of your business! It’s obviously you who did those things!”

“I already said I don’t remember.”

“You are talking like a politician. Are you trying to act dumb. You Heart-breaker!”

Listening to Satsuki’s complains, Moroha is reaching his limits.

(I’m only 15 years old. It’s a first to be called a heart-breaker….” Obviously clueless, Moroha can only sigh in his heart. Being scolded fiercely for no reason, yet he can’t do anything.

“ZZZZzzzzzz…….”

“Don’t go back to sleep!”

I got into trouble because of you. Moroha cannot help but palming his face.

“Hey! Wake up, you succubus.”

Luckily, Satsuki has switched her target and is roughly shaking s.h.i.+zuno awake.

“You! What were you trying to pull seducing my Fraga?” (My Fraga….) How much of a brocon is she? Although Moroha had long since discarded the notion that Satsuki is a normal sister

“I mistook the person,” reply s.h.i.+zuno expressionlessly when she was forced awake by Satsuki’s roar of rage.

“You would kiss someone you mistook?”

“I was half-asleep.”

“You would kiss someone while half-asleep?”

“Why are you so agitated?”

“Even me, I’ve not been kissed in this life yet! How dare you jump the queue?”

Originally thinking that Satsuki would continue to rage further, instead she became a s.h.i.+vering, crying lump. What a temperamental girl with her rapid mood swings.

“…Really?” In contrast, s.h.i.+zuno remains cool and expressionless.

Her thoughts hidden, s.h.i.+zuno looks towards Moroha.

“Me……?” Moroha pointed at himself.

s.h.i.+zuno nodded her head, and asked:

"How were my lips?"

“Are you asking me for feedback?”

"It’s for future reference."

“What are you trying to practice for? In any case, why aren’t you in shock or anything?”

“Not really. It’s not like I lose anything.”

s.h.i.+zuno replied unconcernedly, while Moroha felt his face stiffening.

(Come to think of it. This person actually went back to sleep after with no care or concern.) Moroha, like facing a fearsome beast, looked carefully at s.h.i.+zuno.

“——It’ll decrease.”

“What will?”

“Your value as a girl will decrease. Please take more care.”

“Your words are very amusing.”

“In any situation, I believe that it’ll be your words that are funny.”

Although broken out of his pacing by s.h.i.+zuno, looking at her calm beauty, Moroha decided that he should just let it go.

s.h.i.+zuno twitched her mouth and revealed lovely dimples. Although she looks like an introvert, it’s still a very bewitching smile.

(Obviously a natural-born beauty, don’t always keep an expressionless face. What a waste.) Moroha muttered in his heart.

“Then, if it happens again, I shall try to be surprised.”

“Please do.”

“Like this?”

Saying that, s.h.i.+zuno woodenly gave a monotone “Ahhhh”, clapping her cheeks with both hands.

“That’s great. PERFECT.” Moroha casually clapped a few times.

“My value as a girl didn’t decrease, right?”

“It went up in a straight line,” Moroha replied jokingly.

While harmlessly joking around, this is proving to be quite fun. Moroha really thought that.

“Why are the two of you looks like you are enjoying yourselves? Even though it’s your first meeting?”

Moroha heard this very displeased voice. For Satsuki who was temporarily pushed out of the scene, she started expelling her angst as only a young girl could, with tears in her eyes.

“How are you going to recompense me,” demanded Satsuki as she turn her reproachful gaze at s.h.i.+zuno.

s.h.i.+zuno, as if the matter doesn’t concern her at all, turned her head away.

Moroha then realized he had been setup. A setup to point Satsuki’s anger at him via introducing a flammable subject into their conversation.

“Ah…no…..that is……”

How do you explain away this awkward situation? Just when Moroha is groping for words……

“Why are you so heartless to me? Onii-sama is an idiot! Dummy! Two-Faced Shape-s.h.i.+fter[1].

“Two-Faced Shape-s.h.i.+fter…..”

“If you like that woman so much, just marry her!” After that salvo, Satsuki ran out of the auditorium crying.

It ended up being a mess from beginning to the end.

“A person as tempestuous as a storm.”

Regarding s.h.i.+zuno’s statement, Moroha can only agree.

Then——

“Shall we go? Since we are in the same cla.s.s, it should be the cla.s.s meeting after this?

“I’ll stay here for a while longer.”

“You’ll be late.”

“That’s my intention,” reply s.h.i.+zuno calmly as she leaned back on her chair. “Everyone has gone over earlier, are you the same type as them?”

“If possible, I would like to spend my school life in an orderly manner.” Moroha expressed his sincere wish.

(It’s not easy to get into a school that provide free tuition and amenities. I cannot let this chance go to waste.) This is Moroha’s opinion.

“I see. It's the opposite for me.”

On the other hand, that was what s.h.i.+zuno said. Still, in Moroha’s eyes, she does not seem like a delinquent girl. If you have to state it, it’s more like she is a person who is extremely indolent, more specifically——a person who is weary of the world.

(Hmmmm. Anyway….)

He doesn’t really want to nag at anyone.

“So I’ll make a move first. By the way, can I ask you a question?”

s.h.i.+zuno nodded her head.

“Those words in your dream. Did you mentioned Shu Saura?”

“It’s just meaningless sleep talk,” s.h.i.+zuno replied after a short hesitation.

“Really? Still, although it’s embarra.s.sing, can you listen to what I have to say without laughing at me?”

Moroha was going to scratch his head after saying that, but thought better of it. Changing his mood, he asked a question with a serious expression.

“Were you the ?”

s.h.i.+zuno’s expression remained frozen.

Like a Noh Mask, you cannot penetrate her defenses or guess her thoughts.

Still, Moroha strongly states:

“In my dreams, I was known as , Shu Saura.

Moroha frequently dreamt bizarre dreams.

According to explanations from Akane Academy, those are fragments of memories from his past life.

And, in his dreams——

Sometimes he is called Fraga.

Sometimes he is known as Shu Saura.

That’s right. Although minute fragments, it’s undeniable.

Moroha has memories of 2 past lives.