Rumors - Epilogue

—Two days later, Rem Force Academy 04, Tantra Sector—

"Hey… apparently a newly promoted student is joining today," one student murmurs.

"What? No way. That kind of thing only happened in the academy's early years. Class rosters rarely change this late, especially with only two years left before graduation," another replies, clearly unconvinced.

A third student joins the conversation.

"No, it's true. I looked into it. And what happened is insane.”

The other two turn toward him.

"Insane?" one of them asks, leaning forward. "What do you mean by that?”

"The guy joining is a new member of Grant's team.”

One of them immediately loses interest.
"Tch. As if they didn't already hog all the missions, now they're getting an extra member?”

"But the crazy part is what the mission report says," the third continues. "That guy faced a Jorō-type beast head-on.”

"What!? That's impossible.”

"That's exactly what it says. He did it alone. Held the beast back so the others could escape.”

One of them lowers his gaze.
"And here I thought there couldn't be anyone crazier than Grant…"

"Turns out we've got someone worse.”

Footsteps approach the classroom door.
The conversation dies instantly.

A thin young man steps inside. Pale. Still wearing academy-issued medical bandages beneath his uniform. No presence. No confidence. Just tired eyes.

"… That's him?" one of them mutters.

Another frowns.
"That's it? That's the guy from the report?"

The instructor clears his throat.

"This will be your new teammate."

The young man hesitates for a moment, then speaks quietly.

"…Seth Harper. Nice to meet you."

No one replies.

The bell rings.