episode_0253

As I rested inside the exhibition hall, where lights were illuminated here and there, I realized why Ariel had gotten so excited the moment she saw my student ID.

“I-I was preparing to enter an awakened academy too! Aegis Academy was my first choice!”

Ariel chattered excitedly.

“Oh, you were awakened too?”

I asked out of curiosity. Ariel nodded with sparkling eyes.

“Yes, that’s right. I awakened a few months ago. That’s why I came to the exhibition hall with my parents. To find out more specifically what it means to be awakened.”

Saying so, Ariel raised her hand. Blue magic gracefully shone and surged from her palm as if a flower were blooming.

“Oh, congratulations on awakening. So, you’re preparing for admission?”

Oh, this is interesting. This girl was also aiming for Aegis Academy. If things went well, perhaps she could become my junior.

“Wow! We’re getting a junior!”

“Yes! Now that I think about it, Violet Unnie was a student there too. Can I ask you some questions about the academy? I was originally going to ask for a separate consultation here, but…”

Ariel looked around with a momentarily sad face.

“When I came to my senses, my parents were gone, and things turned out like this…”

“Don’t worry too much. My clone is looking for your parents.”

“A clone?”

I seized the opportunity when no one was looking and summoned 2123.

“Look at this! I’m a unique ability user. I can create clones!”

“Wow…”

Ariel’s large eyes filled with interest. I comforted her and told her my clone was searching for people who looked like her parents.

“Since you’re fine, both your parents will be fine too. They definitely will be!”

“But both my parents are unawakened, you know…”

Hearing Ariel’s words, we tilted our heads. It was truly an unusual occurrence.

It’s rare for an awakened child to be born to unawakened parents.

If both parents are awakened, the chance of an awakened child is very high, but if only one parent is awakened, the probability of an awakened child drops significantly.

To reassure her, I just blurted out whatever came to mind.

“Don’t worry, everyone here is either a professional hunter or a student! All the unawakened people have been rescued safely. Maybe they’re even here. So don’t worry. Okay?”

At my words, Ariel’s expression gradually brightened.

“That’s good, but…”

“And you’re going to Aegis Academy, right? You must have a lot of questions. I’ll tell you everything!”

I took out my smartphone, hoping to divert her thoughts. There were many ways to pique Ariel’s interest.

“See this photo here? See the person next to me? This Unnie!”

“Oh! This Unnie. I know her too. It’s Adela Cascadia! But how did you get this photo…”

“Actually, I’m good friends with Student Council President Adela!”

Ariel sprang to her feet, startled.

“M-my goodness… Really? How…”

“It’s a long story, but Unnie and I are friends. Do you have any other questions? I’ll tell you anything!”

I exaggerated a little, but nothing I said was false.

Thanks to that, her eyes sparkled brightly.

Excitement and curiosity seemed to successfully lessen the worry and anxiety on Ariel’s face.

“Th-then, Unnie. Could you tell me more about Aegis Academy?”

I nodded, receiving her expectant gaze.

“Of course! Ask me anything you’re curious about. As your senior, I’ll answer diligently.”

“Thank you! I was actually having a lot of trouble deciding on an academy. I think hearing your story will help.”

And so, we excitedly began talking about the academy and admission.

“Ariel seems both excited and worried about academy life.”

Ariel nodded at my words.

“That’s right. As I said before, both my parents are unawakened… And there are no awakened people among my relatives either.”

Hearing that, Ariel’s situation didn’t seem easy.

Connections are usually important for things like this. Starting like this is no different from starting from the bottom.

“Oh dear. Still, do you have any awakened friends at your current school?”

“Well… there aren’t any at my school.”

Ariel offered a lonely smile. That expression bothered me.

“It’s okay. When you go to the academy, you’ll definitely make good friends. I also had a hard time adjusting at first, but now I have good friends by my side.”

“Really? Then what’s dormitory life like? It’s a little scary to have to live somewhere that isn’t home.”

A flicker of anxiety crossed Ariel’s eyes. It seemed she was worried about dormitory life.

“Don’t worry. The food is incredibly delicious, and the beds are soft. The laundry room and library are clean and all state-of-the-art. It’s better than home! Oh, this is the most important thing. The cafeteria food is super delicious! And there are many menu options.”

That’s right, Aegis Academy’s biggest advantage is its delicious food.

“Breakfast is served buffet style, and lunch is self-serve. I’ll even recommend a menu item.”

“What kind of menu items are there?”

“Well, the schnitzel is delicious, and the chicken burger is good too. But… hmm, yes! The french fries and roast beef. Good. You absolutely have to try those! And if you go to the nearby cafe, you can get a delicious chocolate strawberry whipped cream parfait! You like parfaits too, right?”

“Yes, I love them!”

A smile naturally formed on my face as I said that. The parfait Adela Unnie bought me was truly delicious.

“The food is great, but the professors are good people too! And the principal is a kind person.”

I passionately explained the advantages of Aegis Academy, mentioning everything from its educational and facility aspects to its meal plan.

My words seemed to have quite an effect, as Ariel sighed deeply, looking relieved.

“I see. It definitely seems like a good academy. I feel a little more confident now.”

I felt the tension leave Ariel’s shoulders.

“Unnie, thank you so much. For saving me earlier, and for listening to me like this, my heart feels much lighter.”

“Yes, I’m glad. You absolutely have to come to Aegis Academy later!”

“Yes, I’ll do my best to pass the entrance exam!”

Ariel replied with a strong voice. Bright and warm smiles formed in each other’s eyes.

Just as I was about to conclude our conversation, Ariel clicked her tongue softly, as if something had occurred to her. When I gave her a puzzled look, Ariel spoke.

“Wait a minute, Violet Unnie. Now that I think about it, if I get in…”

“Huh? What is it?”

“I realized you’ll be my senior!”

Oh, right. How could I have forgotten this important fact? That we would become second-years after this semester.

“Then we’re seniors too!”

“We’re getting a junior!”

The Violets whispered cheerfully. To think we’d finally get a junior, after always being juniors ourselves!

“Ariel looks kind and well-behaved, doesn’t she?”

“She’ll make a really good junior!”

She’s cute and lovely in appearance too. Adela Unnie will probably like her.

I should definitely introduce her to my friends.

As I imagined myself as a senior Violet getting along with juniors, a Violet within the network whispered with an urgent voice.

“Wait, stop! I found them.”

“Who? Who did you find?”

“Ariel’s parents!”

Our prediction was correct after all. Ariel’s parents were safe. Our diligent search had paid off.

We found them among the group of missing persons who had just entered the exhibition hall.

“Ariel, you were here!”

A little while later, we witnessed a joyful reunion.

A voice came from one side of the exhibition hall. Ariel quickly turned her head.

A middle-aged couple was striding towards them from inside.

“Mom, Dad!”

Ariel ran towards her parents, overcome with joy. I watched the scene with a smile.

“Are you okay? Not hurt anywhere?”

The woman who appeared to be her mother tightly hugged her daughter with worried eyes. Her father also sighed in relief.

“I’m okay. I was talking with Violet Unnie. We were talking about the academy too.”

“Oh? I see… That’s really a relief…”

Her parents hugged Ariel tightly and nodded. It was as if they would never let her go again.

But something felt strange. Both of them had vacant eyes, as if exhausted.

“Excuse me, you’re not feeling unwell, are you? You look very tired…”

I asked carefully, but they simply shook their heads blankly.

“It’s okay, Unnie. My parents fell into the erosion zone just like me, you know. I think they’re just exhausted because of that.”

Ariel offered a bitter smile, unbefitting a child. That expression bothered me somehow.

“It’s a miracle they’re unharmed at all.”

“Anyway, it was really nice meeting you today, Unnie. I’ll give you my number. I’ll definitely contact you once my academy is decided!”

Ariel smiled brightly, gave her number, and then tried to leave with her parents.

The girl suddenly stopped.

“Huh?”

A thin, crimson trickle fell from her nose.

“You’re bleeding from your nose!”

I immediately pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

“Th-thank you. Why is this happening suddenly…”

Ariel seemed dizzy and left, supported by her parents.

“Is it stress? A nosebleed.”

“Anyway, it turned out well. They found their family!”

Separated family reunited safely – what happier ending could there be?

We stayed at the exhibition hall for several hours, looking around and gathering information.

Where on earth did Levi go?

The rescue team outside the barrier was unable to act for various reasons.

“Tsk, those Restraid guys, what are they thinking?”

“Wait a moment because it’s dangerous? What nonsense is that?”

Those tin cans, since when have they cared so much about others’ safety?

Well, actually, Helios does have a way to disregard the restraints of Restraid and the military and break through if necessary.

As I pondered the strange external situation I’d heard about from Irene, a commotion broke out outside the exhibition hall.

“It’s the rescue team! The rescue team is coming!”

At someone’s shout, everyone rushed outside.

Rumble rumble!

Going outside, the nearby ground was subtly shaking. Heavy vehicles, painted with camouflage, were approaching in a line from beyond the barrier.

“Wow. They sure are fast.”

“Are they snails?”

Infantry fighting vehicles and heavily armored combat vehicles formed a line and stopped in front of the convention center.

The Federal Army had arrived.

But the moment I saw the officer disembarking from what appeared to be the lead command vehicle of the Federal Army, I felt a sense of déjà vu. It was a very familiar face.

“Huh? I feel like I’ve seen that person somewhere before…”

After thoroughly searching the Violet network’s memories, his identity finally surfaced. That’s right, it was the soldier I met at the Vittorio Arcade.

“His name was Cl… what was it?”

Good. I’ll discreetly approach him later and strike up a conversation. Although I’m getting important information through Irene, I want to know what’s going on within the Federal Army.

I remember him being a reasonable soldier. He’ll probably give me some information.

-Rustle rustle!

The Violets, disguised as poor girls, attempted to make contact.

**

How much time had passed? Major Klein, having received a suspicious note, headed to the abandoned convention center restroom.

The moment he stepped inside, a familiar modulated voice, one he had forgotten, echoed in his ears. He turned to see a small, masked girl waving her hand.

“Hello, Mister! Do you remember me? It’s Ariel!”

The girl he was reuniting with after several months. The moment he stood before the infamous Ariel Group’s terrorist, Klein thought,

‘Why of all places am I meeting her here?’

The terrorist who had decimated Magnabyss’s elite unit and thrown Rustroom into chaos was now smiling widely in front of him.

“Nice to see you, Mister! Have you been well? Oh? That… Ah! It’s a Major’s insignia! Wow, you got promoted! Congratulations!”

Klein’s forehead creased deeply as he looked at Violet, who was smiling widely.

He was grateful for the help he received back then, but wasn’t this girl currently a dangerous, wanted terrorist?

‘What should I do…’

The unexpected encounter made the Major’s head throb.