Chapter 49

Hmm, licking what?

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“…Anyway, that’s fine. I’ll tell you where to meet after class ends, so meet there this evening.”

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“Understood, Master.”

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Edward bowed his head and replied respectfully.

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My body flinches at the response reminiscent of a slave or servant from a movie.

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“…You don’t have to call me ‘Master.’ Stop using honorifics as well.”

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Ugh, why is it so creepy.

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However, Edward was serious.

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“Isn’t that too lenient for a slave? Listen well, Edward. A slave is the act of dominating a human being through a clear difference in strength and power, and excessive mercy is-”

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“Oy, I said it’s fine!”

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I cut off Edward who was about to deliver a long speech.

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What is this, a pro-slave? And even though he talks like that, he subtly reverts right back to his original manner of speaking, surprisingly crafty.

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“Anyway! We’ll meet at the place I will tell you after class ends this evening, got it? And come wearing comfortable clothing for movement.”

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“Got it.”

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After finishing the conversation and returning to my seat, I feel somewhat surprisingly fatigued from the brief exchange.

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Leaning on Bungbungi, Nisia from beside me starts a conversation.

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“Edward.”

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“Hmm? Why did you call me, Nisia?”

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“Are you planning to do something again?”

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I unconsciously flinch at her question, is it because of the conversation I had with Edward?

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“Yeah, I have something to do.”

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“I see-”

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Though she responded this way, her tone and the feeling that her mind is somewhere else give me that sense.

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“What’s wrong?”

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“…No, if there is ever anything I can help you with, please let me know.”

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“Yeah, thanks.”

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She acted like this on the tram the other day too, why is she behaving this way? I’ll need to set aside some time to talk to her later.

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While thinking about this, the classroom door slides open and a teacher in a lilac uniform that signifies a faculty member enters, with a small stature.

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‘Hmm, is it a man or a woman?’

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The thought naturally comes to mind given how pretty yet androgynous their face looks, but their somewhat dull skin tone and numerous band-aids give off an impression of frailty.

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Now that I think of it, wasn’t today the postponed Mana Studies class due to personal reasons next week?

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From the state of this teacher, it was easy to guess what those personal reasons were.

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“Everyone, attention! Salute the teacher!”

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Clarissa stands up first and responds, and the frail teacher slightly nods with a thin smile observing her.

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“Yes, everyone may relax.”

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“Thank you, everyone relax!”

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After Clarissa returns to her seat, the frail teacher slowly looks around the class. Though they looked normal enough, my mind was elsewhere.

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‘It’s a man.’

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The delicate voice, but if you listen carefully, there’s a distinctly male resonance.

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“Hello everyone, I apologize for meeting you late due to personal matters. I am Siow Welkerk, the professor in charge of Mana Studies.”

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Cough, cough.

Siow can’t help but cough consecutively.

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Well, looking at him, it gives off even more of an impression of a frail yet beautiful girl.

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“Hmph, I apologize for the interruption. As you can see, I’ve been born with poor health… I hope you’ll kindly understand this aspect.”

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Saying this while slightly bowing his head, Siow’s behavior is rather polite. But sure enough, from a corner of the classroom, another irritated murmur escapes.

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“He’s practically dying? Why appoint someone like that as a teacher?”

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A bulky figure mutters rudely.

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Even without speaking directly, Pungji and Bammate nod and snicker, clearly agreeing with him.

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Those irritating cronies, as always.

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I look at Siow’s direction. Since the classroom was particularly quiet, he must have heard their grumbling.

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But Siow merely smiles faintly and shows no reaction to the trio’s harsh words.

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“Then, shall we begin the class? As many of you already know, mana exists within every person’s body.”

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Siow begins the lecture in a gentle voice.

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“Now, you Awakeners only know mana as a medium used for activating your unique abilities, but in fact, mana has far more uses than that…”

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The concise and clear content of the lecture. Time flies by easily as I concentrate on it.

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And then, the bell signals lunchtime.

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“Then that’s all for today, everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

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As Siow leaves the classroom, the students rise to head towards the Awakeners’ Training Ground for their practical sessions.

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“Not bad, but let’s focus even more, shall we? In battle or dire situations, you won’t be able to handle mana as you wish, so let’s train your body to get consistent results.”

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“Yes, Teacher Airina!”

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Airina moves around, guiding each student individually, finally arriving at me.

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“Well then, Miss Edu, how far have you come?”

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“Let me show you.”

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Rather than words, let’s see the results.

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I show her the outcome of my practice, manipulating mana. Though slightly unstable, the mana spreads exclusively from my right arm, as Airina had previously instructed as a goal.

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“Hmm!”

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Upon confirming, Airina nods.

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“Miss Edu learns quickly. Then, let’s try advancing to something a bit more difficult; the exercise of emitting mana only from specific parts of your body?”

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“Yes, ma’am.”

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“Then, I’ll show you the tricks. Focus on frequently used parts of your body like your hands and feet…”

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Following Airina’s instructions enthusiastically, my practice continues before I realize how the sun has set in Fangju.

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Rare evening time spent with Mili and Sita.

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“So, are you both doing well here?”

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“Yes, yes! I’ve been working hard…”

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Mili nods in response to my question with a shy smile, while Sita continues to show her usual, unreadable emotions.

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“How about you, Edu? Nothing major happened again like last time, did it?”

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“Hmm, nothing special.”

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“…Is that true?”

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“No, really.”

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The last time invaders intruded into the academy, and I ended up in what was essentially a kidnapping situation, both Mili and Sita were incredibly worried about me.

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How do I know? Because the moment I came to meet them after hearing Diana’s words, Sita, who usually doesn’t show much emotion, immediately hugged me and started sniffling.

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With such tender-hearted kids, telling them about fighting invaders again might make them burst into tears.

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“…”

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Either way, I attempt to change the subject, feeling like Sita’s gaze might bore a hole into my cheek.

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“So, shall we visit Liana this weekend?”

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A suggestion I made since I planned to take a break this weekend anyway to sort a few things out.

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“Yes, yes! I’d love that!”

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Mili responds quickly, while Sita, who slightly furrows her brow, exhales softly and answers.

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“…Me too.”

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“Alright, then I’ll contact Liana once and let you know.”

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“Yes, yes!”

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“Yes.”

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After sharing conversation with them during dinner, I rest for a while and then head out to meet Edward.

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“You’re here, Edu.”

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Edward greets me, but I couldn’t respond to his greeting because of his attire.

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Why? Because Edward’s outfit was something that belongs in a historical drama—extremely shabby clothes.

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Filthy gray clothing, shorts exposing his knees, and chains around his ankles and wrists, something only seen in movies.

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“…What’s with that outfit?”

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“Hehe, what do you think, Edu? This is the attire most fitting for a slave, personally selected by me-”

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“Go change right away.”

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“…Understood.”

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Edward changes back into normal clothes, then we head to the place where I met Vanessa yesterday.

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Following the forest path inward, Vanessa’s arsenal soon comes into view.

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“Whoa, there’s a building here…”

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Edward whispers curiously as I move past him, greeting Vanessa waiting beside the door.

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“Hello, Vanessa.”

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“Edu, you’re here. That’s the one?”

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“Yes, Edward.”

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“First slave of Edu, Edward at your service. Nice to meet you, Teacher.”

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“…?”

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Vanessa looks at me as if asking ‘what is with him?’ after hearing Edward’s polite but oddly inappropriate introduction. In response, I simply shook my head.

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“Umm, he’s a special one. Anyway, Teacher?”

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“Yes. I remember seeing you during the entrance exam.”

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“Hmm, not a bad memory.”

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“Thank you for the compliment.”

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Edward bows his head slightly, and Vanessa appears to have accepted this as she props her chin, observing Edward.

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“Let’s go inside and talk, it’s chilly.”

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“Yes.”

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Following her, all of us enter the arsenal. The metal door closes with a thud.

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Following Vanessa to the center of the arsenal, she turns to face us.

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“Well then, Edward, from now on you’ll come here every evening and assist me, Edu has already told you, right?”

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“I’ve heard there’s work to be done.”

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“Correct. Edu, could you bring that out?”

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“Yes, Collection Release. Release a unit each of the Clarent and Gandiva near an empty spot.”

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– Collection function released. Placing ST-05 Clarent tank and ASC-03 Gandiva armored car from Collection to the nearest empty location.

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With a flash, the remains of the Invader’s tank and armored car materialize. Edward’s eyes gleam upon seeing them.

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“Ah, these are from that time-”

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“Yeah, that’s right. They’re from that day.”

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“Incredible ability, what exactly do you need me to do?”

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“Help me repair these.”

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Edward turns to confirm with me, but his answer comes from Vanessa instead.

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“Repair, you say?”

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“Yeah. I’m not aiming to make them brand new; just something that moves and looks decent would suffice, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. How’s that sound?”

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“I’m more than happy to help!”

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“Great, then could you watch this for a moment? I have something to do with Edu.”

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“Yes!”

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Edward answers loudly and moves towards the wreckage. Watching his back before turning to Vanessa.

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“Well, shall we continue what we couldn’t yesterday? Edu, you mentioned using the ability further?”

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“Yes, I learned a few things more when collecting those tanks and armored cars.”

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“Could you elaborate?”

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“First, it seems that only the main unit can be collected, and even for parts of the main unit, components that are too far away or severely damaged cannot be recovered.”

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When collecting Invader vehicles, those that were heavily damaged or completely shattered couldn’t be recovered. The reason why no alert came up when defeating Fallen’s vehicle seems to be due to the same reason.

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“Is that so? It kind of gives the feeling of a range limit, does it?”

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“Yes.”

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“You’ve been through a lot in various ways, but at least there was no need for you to reassemble pieces like Lego bricks?”

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“That’s right.”

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“Good, then for today, let’s explore your abilities in more depth.”

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As Vanessa pulls the lever attached to a pillar, there’s a thud, and the floor on the other side splits open. Rising up with the noise is something.

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“Whoa, wow-”

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My mouth opens without me realizing it, and my gaze is fixed.

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What emerged from beneath the split ground were old weapons with the marks of time, yet all the more impressive for it.

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A two-legged walking weapons platform with large high-speed cannons and missile pods mounted on its shoulders, and a tank reminiscent of World War II. Besides the transitional feeling of this armored car, several other types of weaponry are truly captivating.

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“Oh, these are incredibly cool.”

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“Hmm, aren’t they? There are some eyes that appreciate big things, so I keep them separately in the underground arsenal. There are more, so let’s try various methods to examine your abilities.”

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“Yes!”