Arc 2 P1

Valerie couldn't sleep well after that day. Among all the times she participated in Wilhelm's praticums, this was perhaps the most memorable. In a bad way.

The guy he got paired with easily moved on with the death of his 'angel'. If that's not despicable, she didn't know what would classify as one. Would a worse example be the new amendment to the law for the portrayal of the tainted? Her father, who aimed to 'close the rift between the tainted and the humans', thought it'd be more appropriate to call everything that had lost their minds due to the mutation be called 'corrupted', whereas 'tainted' should remain exclusive to those who, in his own words, 'toiled to contribute despite their circumstances'.

What's the point? They're still suffering out there. A mere terminology update wouldn't do anything.

There's also that. The database. As they went about the confusing mission that day, Valerie spotted some differences on the database from what she remembered. It's alright if she knew they're only updated, but when no notes regarding the change was left, anyone would had doubts.

"Must be the stress… there's no way, right..?"

"Val?" Kaya peered at her friend's face. The huge bags underneath her eyes and her pale complexion weren't great signs.

"Oh, Kaya. Can I help you?"

"Can I help you. You look like a zombie. I'm all ears if you want to talk about it," She put down her things and sat beside Valerie. Everyone else had gone to the next period so they're alone in the room.

"I…" Valerie clutched her head, frustrated but unable to articulate her thoughts. "I don't know where to start. It's just… there's all sorts of things happening everywhere after that time."

"You mean the announcement?"

"Yes."

"The faculty still hadn't released a definite response. I'm also worried as the student council representative."

There's also that, she wanted to say. Her father had been weeding out enemy camps slowly but surely by abusing his daughter's access to classified information. She couldn't disclosed it though. "You know how we had applied tactics classes, right? The one with Professor Wilhelm."

"The one you said where you get to order convicts around? I heard a lot happened in the last mission. Students in the order specialization were talking about it."

"Well, guess what? While I'm busy keeping track of my team, everyone else was too focused on General Jiyan. Apparently, he made an appearance."

The general did join the extermination that time. Rumored to be planning an assault on a corrupted stronghold, the General's sudden arrival shook the entire class. They've been cheering Valerie worried the noise-cancelling of the communicator wouldn't hold. She had a bad reputation being a human inside the city. Having a bunch of lunatics screaming would worsen her image to the two.

"So I've heard," Kaya agreed.

"Well, the relic Feder challenged me the other day was in the group I'm monitoring! What do you know, a relic not listed in the official compendium, appearing just like that."

Kaya poured Valerie a cup of tea. She always had a vacuum flask in hand due to her hobby. "What happened to the relic?"

Valerie coughed as the drink stuck to her throat. Kaya gently rubbed her back to help ease the pain.

She remembered. As if she could feel what One—Shiska felt that time… the rage…the bloodlust… everything was clear despite her silence. Yes, even in that silence, Valerie could hear her scream, a pained scream. Frustration. Regret. Sadness. Those feelings were transmitted into the communicator.

And there she was. Powerless. Stuck between a table and chair playing war games.

"V-Val!? Oh, no!"

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"

Repeating those words over and over, tears finally welled up in her eyes. Valerie cried for more than an hour that day, profusely apologizing to something only she knew.

After seeing off Valerie as she's clearly not feeling well, Kaya couldn't help but become restless herself. She's not blind to not notice how the city had been recently. Governor Neue's face was seen on the news doing all sorts of stunts to win over the masses. There's been a lot of gossip in dinner parties surrounding the privileges the military got, most probably another one of Valerie's father's work.

She's really glad her friend wasn't influenced by the dirty side of politics. She still did what she must do, but it's always in a way that's more humane, for the lack of a better term. Perhaps the reason why she's not acting like a typical straight-A student—sleeping and skipping class, taking things at her own pace, was because she wanted people to view her not as Miss Valerie Neue, but simply Valerie.

"I truly pray she'd get well soon… please, God, I beseech thee."

Kaya visited the Academy chapel once the last period ended. This was her go-to spot as most students only went to worship places out of obligation. Not her though. She sincerely believed there's a complex being out there somewhere, watching over them.

"My lady."

A tall woman wearing the academy uniform appeared from the shadows as soon as Kaya was done praying. Despite her youthful face, she's actually older than Kaya, or perhaps, some of the professors.

"Oh, Racquel," Kaya called the woman by name. "Is something the matter?"

"Your relic training will be suspended tonight in favor of attendance to a ball hosted by the Lumasteria household. I shall be accompanying you as per ordered by your parents."

"Lumasteria?" Kaya was suprised to hear the surname after what happened just a few days ago.

"It is indeed the same house, my lady," Racquel confirmed. "As for the party, I gathered it's made possible by Governor Neue, therefore, it'd be relatively safe."

"The governor had little to no enemies, yes, but it won't hurt to be extra careful. I wonder why hold a gathering right after…"

"Regardless of the schemes at play, you will return home safe. I promise."

Kaya smiled. "You sound like a knight, Racquel. Try not to do that too much or I'll fall for you."

Racquel's expression contorted into several emotions before turning red. "I-I-I didn't mean to!"

Kaya's eyes crinkled with delight. "See? I told you there's little to no difference between a tainted and a human save for their labels."

"O-Of course…"

The lady was delighted her aide now displayed more emotions than when she 'inherited' her. "Let's leave it at that for now. Racquel, help me pick a dress for tonight."