Chapter 108

The next day.

I had nothing special to do since my advancement to the finals was already confirmed, so I went to meet Jo with Nisia.

“Hello.”

“Who- Oh, it’s you, Edu.”

His voice became kind in an instant.

A soft smile spread across the face of the security guard in a black suit, whose sunglasses were pushed up.

“Do you know me?”

“Of course, I don’t think anyone in this Fangju wouldn’t recognize our little hero.”

“Hmm.”

Is it the power of broadcasting, after all?

While I was thinking that, the security guard bent his knees to match my eye level.

“Are you here to see the chairman, by any chance?”

“Yes, I have successfully completed the request you asked for before.”

He pointed to behind us.

There was an unarmed marionette standing still, holding the handle of a cart with wheels.

On the cart covered with a cloth were a safe containing confidential information from Company K and a food printer.

The guard glanced at the marionette for a moment before shifting his gaze to the cart.

“I see. I understand what that means, but may I check the items you’ve brought?”

“Yes.”

He nodded and approached the cart.

The guard carefully checked each item on the cart after uncovering the cloth and then turned back to us.

“It’s a safe and a machine, huh?”

“Yes, it contains the recipes from my old company and a food printer.”

“I see, it was work related.”

As if this wasn’t the first time dealing with such matters, the guard nodded in understanding right after hearing the explanation.

“Then please go inside, I will relay the information.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After exchanging greetings with the guard, we entered the high-rise building.

“Welcome, Edu. I will guide you to where the chairman is.”

An automaton bowed politely and led our party.

After reaching the top floor and heading to the room, I could see the client through the open door.

“Have you arrived?”

His voice was still tired and lacking enthusiasm.

In unassuming clothes with a skinny physique, he looked devoid of both energy and vitality.

Hilton Jo.

He is in charge of the food production aspect of the Fangju.

Jo put down the documents he was looking at and turned his gaze toward us.

“…Hmm?”

His eyebrows twitched.

Jo, who had been looking at us with serious eyes, slowly opened his mouth.

“Have you given birth to a child during that time?”

“Of course not!”

When I yelled back, Jo chuckled lightly.

“Ha ha, don’t get too upset. It was just a joke.”

“….”

Puffing my cheeks in annoyance, something small touched my cheek.

“Ow? That hurts!”

Seoli, grinning widely, tapped my cheek.

It seemed she liked my cheeks, which were puffy from all the air I had taken in.

Watching her, my irritation melted away, and I gently rubbed Seoli’s soft cheeks with both hands.

“Kyah! Hee hee.”

Beaming, Seoli was in high spirits.

Meanwhile, Jo, who had risen from his desk, moved to sit on the sofa.

“Then… may I check the items?”

“Yes, the marionette.”

Responding to the call, the marionette moved the items from the cart onto the table in the room.

Expectancy flickered in Jo’s eyes as he watched the scene, and the corners of his mouth slightly curled up.

“Oh, these are—”

“Yes, these two items are the confidential documents from Company K and the food printer.”

“Excellent work. Has the lock on the safe been released?”

“Of course.”

After hearing my answer, Jo opened the safe, taking out the documents inside.

While flipping through a thick bundle of papers, Jo nodded as if convinced, returning the bundle of documents back to the safe.

“Good. It seems there’s nothing unusual.”

With a snap of his fingers, Jo signaled the automatons, who lined up by the door, bowing to him.

“Did you call for us, Chairman?”

“Yes, please move these items into my personal library.”

“Understood.”

The automatons, paired up two by two, entered the room, carrying the items and closing the door behind them.

Then Jo turned his gaze towards me.

“Very well, Edu. Let’s discuss compensation.”

Clearing his throat, Jo began.

“First, I will supply the food currently being delivered to Hafendel and Riseth at cost. Additionally, I will increase the delivery volume as well.”

A generous proposal.

My eyes widened in surprise.

“Um… are you really going that far for me?”

“Yes, there’s no need for you to feel burdened. You’ve proven your worth, and I’m merely acting based on the results. In other words—”

Jo quickly continued.

“I see you as someone worthy of investment.”

“Thank you.”

I jumped down from the Bungbungi and bowed my head in gratitude, but Jo waved his hand dismissively.

“No, there’s no need to do that just yet. The conversation is just beginning.”

“Huh?”

What does he mean by that?

As I looked up at Jo, puzzled, his mouth opened once again.

“That was merely a small gesture for doubting your abilities. Now, let’s get to the real discussion about compensation.”

“Uh, um….”

Was what he just offered a small gesture?

My mind became rigid due to his excessive consideration, and I unconsciously turned to look at Nisia.

She was looking back at me with a bright smile.

“Good job, Edu.”

“Uh, yeah.”

As I stammered, Jo, still smiling slightly, said:

“Then let’s have a proper conversation. I didn’t hear the exact reason last time, but why do you need such a large amount of food?”

Recalling the past, I remembered I hadn’t properly explained the reason to Jo.

It seems Hafendel didn’t elaborate on the circumstances either.

“Ah, that’s…”

I summarized why I needed food to Jo.

Jo listened to my story with a serious expression.

“And that’s how it came to be.”

“I see, so in other words, soldiers from the outside…”

Jo tapped the armrest of the sofa with his index finger, deep in thought.

After pondering for a while, Jo’s gaze turned back to me.

“If that’s the case, I can certainly help.”

“Really, Jo?”

“Yes, my partnership with Hafendel will take care of that, so just trust me.”

A somewhat sinister smile.

What on earth does he intend to do? But since the atmosphere didn’t seem like he would answer if I asked, I let it slide.

“Let’s talk about compensation again; what would you like me to do for you?”

Jo asked again.

However, since he had already offered me much more than I had planned to request, I couldn’t think of anything to ask.

As I momentarily fell into thought, Jo’s voice reached my ears.

“Edu?”

“Hmm, honestly, I don’t know what to say since you’ve already done what I was going to ask.”

“Is that so? Do you have anything else you want or need?”

“No.”

To be honest, most aspects of life, including food and shelter, are supported by the academy, so there aren’t many inconveniences.

And the small shortcomings have been quite well resolved with Banetta’s help.

Just as I was thinking that, a good idea suddenly popped into my head.

“Oh.”

“What is it?”

“I got a good idea. Instead of accepting the reward you are offering, could you sponsor someone for me?”

Banetta has managed to make various practical and wonderful equipment for me without any major sponsors.

If a big shot comes in and the funding becomes plentiful, wouldn’t her excellent skills blossom even more?

“I have an acquaintance who is an incredibly skilled developer and researcher. This Bungbungi was made by that person.”

I gently patted the Bungbungi.

[Beep. /(˶•▿•˶)]

Jo’s eyes lit up as he slightly bent forward.

“Oh? That sounds interesting. Very well, shall we talk in detail?”

“Yes.”

….

In the waiting room for the friendly match.

“Hmm, coo….”

Seoli was asleep, breathing softly.

Nisia, who had been gently stroking her small back, momentarily closed her eyes before opening them again.

With unwavering eyes and a perfectly serious expression.

“Then, Clarissa, I’ll leave Seoli to you.”

Saying that, Nisia carefully picked up Seoli and handed her over to Clarissa.

Clarissa nodded as she took Seoli in her slightly trembling hands.

“Yes, I’ll take care of her. Then, I wish you both a good match.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Taking a deep breath, Nisia stepped out of the waiting room.

The sound of her footsteps echoed down the long corridor as the bright light she had seen from afar quickly approached.

“““Wowww!!”””

The cheers of the crowd echoed.

[Now, let’s commence the long-awaited finals, Part 2 for our audience!!]

The voice of the female announcer hit my ears, but I focused and kept moving forward.

In the center stood a large dome.

And inside it was a girl, my friend and understanding partner, riding a large drone.

Edu waved to Nisia as she approached.

“Nisia, you’re here?”

“Yes, Edu.”

The two girls faced each other.

They had been together for a long time, but this was the first time they faced each other, creating a delicate atmosphere.

The two of them hesitated.

“Well, it just happened this way.”

Edu scratched her cheek.

“Uh, yeah. It did.”

Nisia nodded in agreement.

Another silence ensued.

Then Edu burst into laughter first.

A bright smile spread across her face.

Nisia mirrored the same smile.

“Nisia, aren’t you too conscious of my feelings?”

“Edu, you’re just as bad.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

A gentle exchange continued.

Then Nisia picked up her gear.

Using her Hands, Edu took out her Nightmare.

““Gear Release.””

Their voices rang simultaneously.

[[ Transforming the gear into combat form. ]]

Both gears expanded and took on weapon forms.

Nisia had a one-handed sword-type gear, while Edu’s Nightmare was in the form of an elongated rifle.

“Then there won’t be any complaints afterward, right?”

“Of course not!”

The two girls displayed pure fighting spirit towards each other.

And then, the announcer’s voice echoed inside the dome.

[Let the first match of finals Part 2 begin! Between Edu Nimbusday and Nisia Den, let’s start—!!]