Chapter 61

The following morning, I headed to the principal’s office carrying a slimmer Spy-2 on the marionettes.

“Principal!”

As I knocked on the door and called out his name, Ryuje’s voice came from inside.

– Edu? What is the matter at this hour?

“I caught a spy!”

– Hmm?!

The door swung open, and after entering the room, I gently placed the Spy-2 on the sofa. Observing the sprawled-out figure, Ryuje narrowed his eyes.

“…Is he…still alive?”

“Yes, I did say that was the plan, didn’t I?”

Answering that way, I tried to make a small gesture indicating my good work with an “Et-hem,” but Ryuje’s narrowed eyes did not soften.

Perhaps it was because the thorough persuasion (physical) I and Hands gave him in the middle of the night had left countless traces on Spy-2.

“…I think he might die soon.”

“Ah, it’s not that bad.”

While saying that and looking at Spy-2, I realized with concern that his breathing was weak and he barely moved. Hmm? Why is he like this?

“First of all, we need to call Diana. Diana, are you there?”

“Yes, Principal.”

At Ryuje’s call, Diana smoothly appeared from the hallway. Her tidy outfit and unchanging stern expression remained the same.

“Please take him to the infirmary and make sure to let them know that we may need to interrogate him later, so don’t let him go freely.”

“Understood, Principal.”

With that response, Diana lifted Spy-2 with her two hands—she’s unexpectedly strong, showing no sign of struggling despite her appearance.

“Well then.”

Tipping her head as a small gesture to me, Diana bowed again to Ryuje before disappearing. Now only Ryuje and I were left in the room.

“Ah, and I also retrieved this.”

“Hmm?”

I handed Ryuje the data chip obtained through a serious conversation (physical) with Spy-2.

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Did you check its contents?”

“No, I thought there might be information I shouldn’t look at, so I didn’t.”

From the beginning, my goal was just to find and catch the spy, not to check what this spy had collected or done.

And frankly, I didn’t want to mess with whatever unsettling data the spy had gathered.

“Hmm, good thinking.”

Ryuje responded approvingly, smiling as he took the data chip and tossed it into a drawer.

Ryuje, jumping out of his chair, slowly approached me.

“Then, that takes care of the spy issue. Thank you for all your hard work.”

“Thank you.”

Cuddle-cuddle.

Ryuje affectionately patted my head, the warmth spreading through it.

“Then, Principal, about what I mentioned earlier—”

“Hmm, shouldn’t we discuss that later in the afternoon? It’s almost class time.”

“Eh-”

On checking the bio-terminal as directed by Ryuje, I noticed there wasn’t much time left before class started.

Even though I thought I’d arrived early, more time had passed than expected.

“Yes, I’ll see you then.”

“Hmm.”

…

Edu left the principal’s office.

As the noise from the child and the drone accompanying her faded, Ryuje sighed.

Her small, beautiful face revealed a complex array of emotions.

Thinking back to the conversation she and Edu had the other day.

At the time, swept away by Edu’s boldness, Ryuje had inadvertently agreed to help her but, with the passage of time and her emotions settling, she regretted her hasty decision.

Afraid of the enemy?

No, not exactly.

The land fortress, Megabase.

Ryuje knew better than anyone just how tough an enemy it was.

Hadn’t she fought countless battles against the Invaders’ massive forces led by that monster? Yet, even so, Ryuje wasn’t afraid of Megabase.

Because it was something she had to defeat someday, a wall she had to climb, a goal she set for herself.

But even in Ryuju’s strong heart, there existed one part filled with fear and dread.

That was the fear of loss.

The fundamental fear of losing something precious during this battle, losing what she holds dear.

“Hmm.”

Disorganized emotions escaped in a sigh.

Edu and Freya.

Both were precious children to her.

Especially Edu, with their short time together, endeared themselves to her with their earnest efforts and admirable spirit.

And now, these two were trying to stand against the monster, a monster not even she could stop.

Freya ready to die and Edu taking great risks.

To be honest, both were equally perilous, which made Ryuze ponder incessantly, but still, no satisfactory solution appeared.

The paradoxical situation of putting another precious life at risk to save someone dear.

Thus, at this moment, the nickname everyone used to address her felt hollow, a shadow of its former meaning.

“Hero, huh…”

Ryuje muttered lowly, opening the lowest drawer of her desk.

Chink.

Her small hands lifted countless dog tags.

The tiny, flat slivers of silver bore not only simple scorch marks but also distinct traces of gunshots and various scars.

Lindel, Seoah, Jake, Tur, Valentine…

All were the names of comrades who had fought alongside her. And countless others were still resting in her drawer.

Over the long years, they were battle companions who shared the same thoughts and goals.

But now, only one remained by her side, the youthful Freya.

And even that youth had grown to the point of wanting to sacrifice herself.

“What kind of hero can’t even save one companion…”

Ryuje murmured mockingly.

The bittersweet expression on her face deepened endlessly.

…

“Alright, let’s call it a day for today, shall we? Thank you all for your hard work.”

““““Thank you for your hard work!!””””

After the practical lesson ended with loud answers from the classmates, Ayrina smiled, waved to everyone, and exited the awakened one training ground.

Hmm, then maybe I should visit the Principal now?

Thinking this, just as I was about to instruct Bungbungi, a voice came from behind.

“Edu.”

“Huh? Nisia?”

I signaled Bungbungi to turn, and Nisia came into view. Her usually lively eyes were unusually serious.

“Can you spare some time?”

“Time?”

“Uh-huh.”

What to do?

I was supposed to meet Ryuje, but given Nisia’s serious demeanor, it seemed her matter was significant too.

She’d also acted strangely from time to time before and has always been helpful, so it would be right to hear her out, even if I split my time.

“Sure.”

“That, that’s fine? Are you sure it’s okay?”

Though surprised at my response, Nisia asked anxiously.

“Yup. Where shall we talk then?”

“Let’s talk in my room.”

“Okay.”

I followed Nisia to her room.

Well, since her room was right next to mine, it felt like six of one and half a dozen of the other.

“Come in, Edu. Shall I help you sit on the bed?”

“No, I’m okay.”

Responding that way, I moved to the bed using Hands, and Nisia sat next to me.

A brief silence.

I waited quietly for her to speak when Nisia turned to look at me.

“Edu. This might sound out of the blue…”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“…”

Nisia swallowed audibly, her eyes fixed on me. A faint iridescence swirled within them.

“How does Edu manage to act so courageously?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yup.”

A serious expression.

I reflected on my actions until now in response to her words.

Since Nisia doesn’t know about me turning the Bloodstorm Valley, we could skip that, but the rest includes battling the Invaders who intruded into the academy, organizing the Fallens and Cryptid colonies on the surface, and battling the Invader armored force.

Hmm? Listing these actions, it doesn’t really feel like something a regular first-year academy student would experience, does it?

While I was too busy dealing with situations to notice my own boldness, from someone else’s perspective, these were truly extraordinary events.

‘That makes me kind of amazing, doesn’t it?’

While silently convincing myself of this, Nisia spoke again.

“It, wasn’t it scary? Battling Invaders, Cryptids, or Fallens is supposed to be incredibly dangerous.”

The fear, or perhaps dread, I observed in Nisia’s eyes wasn’t aimed at those creatures she mentioned—it felt like she was hinting at some other source, expressing her fear through metaphor.

I realized that I would only understand why she was behaving this way by uncovering that fear.

So, I proceeded with the conversation.

“I am naturally scared, too.”

“Eh, really?”

“Yeah, I’m not some kind of invincible superhero, so of course, I get scared.”

As I said this and looked at Nisia, her expression seemed to say “But I thought otherwise.”

…For a moment, I was curious about the image Nisia had of me in her mind but decided to let it go.

“I get scared, of course, I don’t want to do hard things. Actually, isn’t that true for everyone?”

“But why…?”

Why am I able to act this way?

“Because doing nothing won’t change anything, right? So, I just thrash around trying.”

“…Thrash…?”

“Yup, trying my best each time. That way, even if it’s not perfect, at least I won’t feel ashamed for not doing my best.”

“…Doing my best each time…?”

“Yeah.”

I concluded my explanation and observed Nisia.

She seemed lost in thought, leaning her chin on her hand and gazing quietly at the ceiling. After a short moment, she turned her gaze towards me with newfound determination.

‘Hmm?’

Her eyes, which usually shone brightly, now held something unrecognizable—a mysterious shadow, depth, and murkiness.

Yet, somehow, this murky and dark expression felt more like her real self than the energetic demeanor I’ve seen countless times.

“…Edu, will you listen?”

“Sure.”

“I, actually… hear some kind of sound…”