Chapter 4:
CHAPTER 2: The Demon Core Association Federation Industry
HAKIMINOSHIN 100
Akiro Kagawa pulled on his thick engineering jacket, adjusting the federation crest pinned to his chest. Around him, the massive, humongous facility of the Demon Core Association Federation buzzed with intense activity. Massive containment rings suspended high above the factory floor hummed with raw power—this place was the technological beating heart of Mu City, responsible for driving the city's most ambitious innovations.
Right now, Akiro’s team was deep into their primary project: stabilizing a Demon Core. Housing an volatile, hyper-radioactive element, the core generated an astronomical amount of energy. If perfected, it wouldn't just power the grid—it could fuel Mu City's proposed Artificial Star, granting the sprawling metropolis endless sunlight even when dark night fell over the city.
As Akiro calibrated a balance console, a firm, playful elbow bumped his arm.
"Still making micro-adjustments, professor?" laughed his coworker, leaning against the metal console with a grin. "Come on, take a breath. Your mind's gotta be somewhere else today anyway. Isuki's what... eight months along now? She could go into labor any week! So, what’s the big prediction from the head engineer? A boy? A girl? Or maybe you're getting double trouble with twins—a boy and a girl?"
Akiro couldn't help but chuckle, wiping a streak of grease off his thumb. "Honestly? I’ll just be happy as long as both mother and baby are healthy. But... as a dad, since we already have Sutoya taking after me, I guess somewhere deep down I’m hoping for a little girl this time."
"Ha! Fair enough! A father-daughter duo would be pretty cheerful around your house," his colleague beamed, before swinging his arm in a mock martial arts punch. "Speaking of which... man, I really need to start taking martial arts classes. You and Isuki are absolute powerhouses. Honestly, calling you guys 'professors' at combat isn't even an exaggeration! What do you say I drop by your place on the weekends? You think you could teach me a few stances without breaking my ribs?"
Akiro smirked, flicking a toggle switch on his display as the core's containment readout stabilized in green light.
"Well," Akiro replied with a dry smile, "that depends entirely on whether Isuki is in a merciful mood. You know how she gets when someone messed up their footing—she won't hesitate to sweep your legs, pregnant or not!"
His friend groaned playfully, holding his hands up in defeat. "Yikes, okay! Point taken. I'll make sure to bring my own body armor."
The alarm on the central containment tube pinged gently, signaling the start of the next energy compression cycle. The banter eased up as both men turned back toward the glowing core, the brilliant blue luminescence casting sharp shadows across their visors.
"All jokes aside, Akiro," his coworker added softly, watching the core's energy levels spike with awe. "This new power cell... if we pull this off before your kid arrives, Mu City is never going to see dark skies again."
Akiro stared at the pulsing core, a mix of pride and caution settling over him. "That's the goal. A bright world for them to grow up in."
Right now, Akiro’s team was deep into their primary project: stabilizing a Demon Core. Housing an volatile, hyper-radioactive element, the core generated an astronomical amount of energy. If perfected, it wouldn't just power the grid—it could fuel Mu City's proposed Artificial Star, granting the sprawling metropolis endless sunlight even when dark night fell over the city.
As Akiro calibrated a balance console, a firm, playful elbow bumped his arm.
"Still making micro-adjustments, professor?" laughed his coworker, leaning against the metal console with a grin. "Come on, take a breath. Your mind's gotta be somewhere else today anyway. Isuki's what... eight months along now? She could go into labor any week! So, what’s the big prediction from the head engineer? A boy? A girl? Or maybe you're getting double trouble with twins—a boy and a girl?"
Akiro couldn't help but chuckle, wiping a streak of grease off his thumb. "Honestly? I’ll just be happy as long as both mother and baby are healthy. But... as a dad, since we already have Sutoya taking after me, I guess somewhere deep down I’m hoping for a little girl this time."
"Ha! Fair enough! A father-daughter duo would be pretty cheerful around your house," his colleague beamed, before swinging his arm in a mock martial arts punch. "Speaking of which... man, I really need to start taking martial arts classes. You and Isuki are absolute powerhouses. Honestly, calling you guys 'professors' at combat isn't even an exaggeration! What do you say I drop by your place on the weekends? You think you could teach me a few stances without breaking my ribs?"
Akiro smirked, flicking a toggle switch on his display as the core's containment readout stabilized in green light.
"Well," Akiro replied with a dry smile, "that depends entirely on whether Isuki is in a merciful mood. You know how she gets when someone messed up their footing—she won't hesitate to sweep your legs, pregnant or not!"
His friend groaned playfully, holding his hands up in defeat. "Yikes, okay! Point taken. I'll make sure to bring my own body armor."
The alarm on the central containment tube pinged gently, signaling the start of the next energy compression cycle. The banter eased up as both men turned back toward the glowing core, the brilliant blue luminescence casting sharp shadows across their visors.
"All jokes aside, Akiro," his coworker added softly, watching the core's energy levels spike with awe. "This new power cell... if we pull this off before your kid arrives, Mu City is never going to see dark skies again."
Akiro stared at the pulsing core, a mix of pride and caution settling over him. "That's the goal. A bright world for them to grow up in."
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