Chapter 29

That evening, outside the infirmary bustling with students, two people faced each other.

Headmaster Ryuje Erharknen.

New teacher, Airina.

“….”

A heavy silence hung for a moment, then Ryuje, sighing deeply, grabbed his forehead and asked Airina.

“So, Airina, I know you’re enthusiastic and always work hard, but wasn’t it a bit much to send the entire class to the infirmary on the first day?”

“I’m very sorry, Headmaster….”

Perhaps it was because Airina’s expression wavered on the verge of tears that Ryuje stopped mid-speech and quietly warned her.

“Hmph, never mind. What’s done is done. Just be more careful from next time onward, so this doesn’t happen again.”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

Airina replied while bowing her head.

“Just one thing, though… What happened that made such a mess?”

“Um… There was a bit of recreation…”

“Recreation?”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

Ryuje’s eyes narrowed after hearing Airina’s explanation.

“If we have one more recreation session, the students might end up dead…,” Ryuze thought to himself, vowing never again to approve any recreational activity proposed by Airina.

However, despite this, Ryuje had a hunch about why Airina went to such extremes.

“Though, I’m asking hypothetically… Was your plan to play the bad cop in order to bring the students together?”

Airina’s widened eyes reflected a reaction resembling shock, and Ryuje chuckled softly.

“I see, I see. It must be why you pushed the freshmen so hard, huh? Isn’t that right?”

“Am I that obvious?”

“I only guessed because I know you, but the kids won’t know, right?”

“Well, then that’s a relief.”

Airina let out an audible sigh of relief. That said, she was also mindful that she had lost control of her strength at the end, stinging her conscience, but she resolved internally to compensate for it later.

“So you still harbor that same mindset.”

“Yes.”

Reawakening to Ryuje’s words, Airina responded.

“Regardless of background, the academy’s students must fight together as comrades. Perhaps this incident has created some common ground among them, so perhaps they’ll be able to get closer to one another.”

Airina smiled with a candid heart. Having always believed positively in people and having continued to work hard, Ryuje was reluctant to deny her words, even though numerous personalities he’d observed over the years made him hesitant to fully agree.

“Well, I suppose it would be good if it all unfolds properly…”

Ryuje’s voice trailed off. In his mind, images of Sunrise Street and the unsettling supremacist ideologies spreading like wildfire there emerged.

“By the way, I’ve heard there have been some troubling ideas circulating in Sunrise Street recently. Please be extra careful, as we don’t know what might happen.”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

Though she appeared innocent in agreeing, Airina was no child; she clearly understood the difference between ideals and reality, choosing merely to trust people nonetheless.

“Anyway, now that we’ve assessed the children’s abilities through this incident, were there any particularly outstanding students?”

“Yes, there was.”

“Who might that be?”

“Edu Nimbursday, if I recall correctly?”

True to expectations, the corners of Ryuje’s lips lifted slightly, a subtle hint which went unnoticed by Airina.

“Oh, how was it?”

“When most others couldn’t even grasp the situation, he was issuing commands and forming strategies for his friends, and considering their makeshift team, their responses weren’t bad either.”

“Ah, very interesting.”

“Frankly speaking, he felt like someone ready to be fielded immediately. He gave off an impression of being a sharp, finely honed weapon.”

Though abstract, ever since Edu divulged his secrets, Ryuje had sensed there was something extraordinary about him. That Airina of such ability had perceived the same thing filled Ryuje with contentment, and he nodded.

“By the way, I believe his physical abilities were rather concerning… Is that child really all right?”

At Airina’s expression of concern, memories of past events came back to Ryuje—a girl carried because she couldn’t walk.

“Hmm, rest assured. The Academy plans to provide close support. For now, don’t worry.”

“Yes, I’ll also keep an eye on it.”

“That’s good. Please do.”

After a short silence, Airina, having taken a breath, continued speaking.

“Anyway, besides Edu, there were a few kids who proved quick or agile. Oh, by the way, one girl was quite peculiar.”

“Particularly that child?”

“Yes, Nisia… or something like that. I remember her name, I think. While her own skills were average, there was a something different about her compared to the others.”

“Ho?”

Ryuje’s interest piqued as he leaned in.

“Something extraordinary… It’s sort of like what I felt the first time I met you, Headmaster.”

“That’s quite unusual.”

“Yes, I plan to keep an eye on her. Though! I’m not implying I’d treat them differently!”

“I understood your meaning, no need to worry.”

“Yes.”

Ryuje placed a hand on Airina’s shoulder.

“Then please take care going forward. If you ever encounter difficulties or hardships, don’t hesitate to visit.”

“Yes, Headmaster!”

“Let’s try to minimize days like today.”

“Yes…”

“…”

“Huh.”

Eyes snapping open, what appeared before me was a completely unfamiliar ceiling… No, that’s not right.

“Ugh…”

As I tried to rise, a tingling sensation swept over me, and my body wouldn’t obey.

Recollections of the training ground came to mind.

—But wait, is it even legal for the teacher to beat up students like this? Especially someone who had been praised as the ace of Ground Recovery Team!

No matter how much I lamented internally, my bruised body wouldn’t heal.

The reference manuals and guides never mentioned anything about this level of sparring, and even after just one experience, everything felt distinctly raw.

And so, it’s better to know why one is taking a beating. This experience was a good reminder that I should be more careful when dealing with people going forward.

While pondering this, a shadow suddenly fell upon me.

“Student Edu Nimbursday? Are you feeling better?”

“Ahh, yes.”

The voice belonged to a woman. As my eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light, her face emerged—slim build, wearing glasses, a beautiful woman with flowing black hair gleaming with shine and skin without a single blemish.

“Who might you be?”

“My name is Nanase Tsurugi. I serve as the academy’s health teacher.”

“Ahh, thank you, teacher.”

Nanase Tsurugi? Must be of Japanese descent, I thought.

As I silently bowed to her, Nanase smiled and began checking over my body.

“So, where am I?”

“Yes, this is the academy infirmary. It was originally built to handle various situations, but receiving so many students at once is rather a first.”

“Haha.”

I, among thoughts I never expected, could imagine such a scenario during “recreation.” Turning my gaze slightly, the window outside was already consumed by darkness. Hmm… Could I have been unconscious all day?

“Teacher, did I…?”

“Yes, that’s right. You and your friends were asleep for about half a day.”

“I see.”

“By the way, a rather large drone visited midway. Is it yours by any chance?”

Ah, that’s Bungbungi. It must have returned due to low battery.

“Yes, it’s mine—it’s what I use to move around.”

“Move around? On a drone?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Upon hearing my explanation, Nanase frowned hesitantly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, not knowing whose it was, I sent it back. If I’d known, I would have had it wait here for you.”

Saying this, Nanase wore an apologetic expression, but given Bungbungi’s lack of voice functionality and relatively large size, I figured her actions were justified.

“Ahh, I see. It’s no problem.”

Relieved at my response, Nanase smiled once again. Soon, having finished my check-up, she moved away.

“It seems there’s no major problem—it’s fortunate. I was worried about you, Edu, because of your lower physical abilities compared to the other students.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, you should return to the dormitory. Calling that robot again is quite troublesome, so how about asking a friend for help?”

“Friend?”

“Yes.”

Nanase pulled back the curtain around my bed, revealing Nisia, who had already awakened.

“Hey, Edu?”

“Just Edu is fine. Hi, Nisia.”

“Ah, um! Hi.”

Nisia smiled and slightly waved, looking rather normal after being thoroughly scorched in the exercise.

Still the main character, I guess, with fast recovery. Or was it due to choosing melee combat training and being a physical system character?

Thoughts came unbidden, but pondering alone wouldn’t resolve anything. I’ll learn gradually as time goes on.

“Then, Nisia, are you feeling well?”

“Yes, perfectly!”

“Then, could you help bring Edu to the dormitory? I can’t leave here.”

“I understand, Teacher!”

Having said so, Nisia approached as Nanase helped me to my feet.

“Alright, grip tight, Edu.”

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.”

Being carried by Nisia provided an odd sense of calm and security. Still the main character, I feel a unique talent in her even through this act.

“Then, both of you, be careful going back. Once you return to the dormitory, rest deeply.”

“Yes, Teacher, thank you.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s good.”

With Nanase’s parting words, we stepped outside.

“Shall we go then?”

“Hmm.”

Nisia, perhaps considering my condition, kept turning back towards me even as we walked. Or, was she wanting to say something?

“Nisia.”

“Yes, Edu?”

“Is there something you wanted to say?”

“Uh… that…”

Caught off-guard, Nisia alternated her gaze between me and the surrounding area while showing signs of nervousness.

Her unexpectedly cute reaction made me chuckle without realizing.

“It’s not an interrogation, so feel free to speak.”

“Mm…?”

“So, what did you want to say?”

“…How did you manage to act like that?”

“Hmm? Act?”

“Yes. At the training ground earlier, you were commanding kids you had never even met.”

Ah, you’re talking about that.

To me, it wasn’t about commanding people I’d never met, but picking out those I could trust. However, from Nisia’s perspective, it might have appeared that way.

“It wasn’t difficult at all, Nisia. I believe you could achieve it if you only set your mind to it.”

“No.”

A decisive answer.

“I’m not that kind of person….”

“…?”

Hearing her muttered words, her expression darkened. Had some unpleasant memory surfaced?

Caught in these thoughts and tilting my head, Nisia suddenly snapped back to her senses.

“Ah, sorry, Edu.”

“No worries.”

“Then, shall we head back to the dormitory? It’s getting quite late.”

“Sure.”

As Nisia proceeded, she gasped suddenly as if recalling something.

“What’s the matter?”

“I forgot—it seems the teacher asked for some students’ accidentally misplaced training gears to be returned to the training ground. Do you mind if I do that before heading to the dorm?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Carrying me, Nisia went back to the academy’s first-floor storage room to retrieve the bag filled with training gears.

Once outside the academy, the cool night air and the scent of the foliage refreshed my senses.

“Is it heavy on you?”

“I’m fine; I’m confident in my strength.”

Though I was worried carrying both me and the gears might be strenuous, her response was honest, not fabricated out of consideration.

Still, she’s the kind for physical combat, isn’t she?

“Is that so.”

“Are you comfortable, Edu?”

“I’m goo-”

Interrupting the casual reply I was about to give…

“…Edu?”

A shiver ran down my spine.

Something we should never encounter inside the ark.

However, the eerie red glows visible in that darkness revealed otherwise. Memories stirred within me, signaling the advent of the worst-case scenario.

Swallowing dryly…

“…Nisia.”

“Yes, Edu?”

“Deploy your gear.”

“Huh? Why should I—”

Nisia’s question halted mid-sentence. Her eyes, focused toward the shadowy depths, began to waver.

“Edu, what is that…?”

“…It’s them.”

Dark figures approached from within the shadows.

Clang. Clang.

The metallic footsteps resonating weren’t human. They were clad in steel and machinery, invaders of the iron.

Invaders.

[Alert: Unforeseen encounter.]

The invaders have breached the academy.