NOTE 7

“Is it too tight?” asked Thia.

“No,” replied Alanka. “And sorry for the short notice.”

“No need to worry, I’m hired to help you.”

Alanka could see what Thia could see on her Inchi and vice versa. While waiting for the software she needed to finish downloading, Alanka took a not of the others panels. Most of them were what Thia saw. A selection of panels on the condition and performance of the exoskeleton she wears.

“But still, these are some of the national-class precautions she took.”

“Is there something I could help?”

“Not much. But I’ll be sure need your help in a second.”

Thanks to Doctor Lika precautions, no one could access her Inchi grid to connect with the exoskeleton. Even Thia who had been given permission needed to fiddle around before she could connect the two.

“Alright! It’s connected!” said Thia as she wiped the sweat from her forehead and sighed. “That took quite a bit of time. How about the download?”

“Almost. Just one more minute.”

“Well, it’s should connect automatically when it’s done. Now, try to move around and let me know how it feels.”

“What feeling should I look for?”

“More or less everything. But a drag or something that feels like a burden is a much more common occurrence.”

Alanka tried to move her arms and legs. “I don’t feel any abnormalities.”

“Anything else?”

“No. But the download is over.”

“Right, I can see that,” said Thia. With a flick of her eyes, she closed the panels and cleared her view. “Want me to tell you what panel does what? Or would you rather read the manual?”

“I had guess. But I want you to tell me.”

Thia quickly stood in line with her. “I will temporarily assume the control. Just follow my words and pay close attention.”

She nodded.

“This is your main, from here you can access other panels by simply looking at this symbol in the centre. It quickly will open up many panels. If you have trouble by the number of panels that suddenly pop up, you can set them up to open in the form of a table menu. Would you like to do that?”

“Keep it at it is.”

“Alright. Also, I would like to remind you that this apps are the absolutely essential since you attend this academy and Asih’s class. You do have physical training and sparing, but other than that you will need this. From your equipment and its maintenance to your daily intake, everything will be recorded here.”

“What about outside academy?”

“Not really. Besides the company that co-operate with the academy, there is no benefit. At least not yet.”

Thia continued to show her the apps. At the moment, the app only shows the performance and how the exoskeleton doing. From how much power it has to a tiny detail as which part that had been damaged or her heartbeat.

“And this exo is quite special. It’s just a training gear, but unlike liminal armour, this type of exo will prevent its user to mortally wound anyone that is outside of this specific place. And that’s it, I think that’s about all the things I need to show you. Are there any question?”

Alanka shook her head.

Suddenly, Thia sighed and grumbled. “Well, I should have guessed that this would happen. Especially since the one in charge was that lunatic.”

“This wasn’t her idea, but one of the students.”

“Wha—But to suggest a mock battle in the first day of school is like something Asih would do. Well, there still possibilities one of the students just like her, but still!”

“It’s for the class president election.”

Thia turned her head and looked at Alanka straight in the face. “Really?”

“Yes.”

She sighed again. “Well, if you count your sudden appearance, of course they tried to prevent it. Especially those who aiming for that title.”

“Is it that important, being class president?”

“You used to be the class president yourself, you know, before losing your memory.”

Alanka nodded. “But still, I don’t know how meaningful the title is.”

Thia frowned for a moment. “You are currently in a special class known as the class thirteenth. The class full of those chosen by the headmaster and others.”

“Who are the others?”

“Doctor Lika is one of them. That is my only answer to that,” said Thia. “Anyway, back to topic. In a typical class, the position of class is quite sought after because it can be a factor when you are seeking a job. If you’re class president, you’re guaranteed to get a very good position in renowned companies.”

“Even more if you are the class thirteenth president.”

Thia nodded approvingly.

And it was Alanka who sighed this time.

“Are you ready?” asked Thia.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I don’t think Doctor Lika or Bongsor allow you to train beside having therapy. Can you actually fight?”

Alanka walked towards the suitcase that Thia had brought to this preparation room and took out her sword. “If I’m being honest, I don’t know. Ever since I woke up, I never thought about it, ever even thought that I would attend the military academy, let alone wield a sword or other arms. But, when I said that I would, Doctor Lika showed me some video of my past, a sparring video.”

Alanka looked at her own hand that was still clutching her sword. “It tingles, my hands, as I watched those videos and it felt familiar for a moment. How to swing a sword, how to dodge attacks, how it feels to get hit.” She looked at Thia who looked at her seriously. Yet, she still could not feel her expression change. “They know. They remember. But not me.”

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, Thia handed her a small thin board made of what looked like a carbon fiber. Alanka took it and swung it a few times.

“It’s very light,” said Alanka. “What is this?”

“It’s a training sword,” replied Thia. Her tone was softer. “Maybe you can’t remember like your body did. But that is fine, they remember and maybe they want you to know that and help you. Or the other way round. Or other way that may not be like this way. Or—” She stopped and looked Alanka in the eyes. Her face flushed crimson reds. “B-But you’re going to need this.”

“…Thanks,” said Alanka.

“I’m sorry if my answer not satisfied you or anything.” Her face kept getting redder.

Alanka took her hands. She could feel it trembling. “Even my face doesn’t show it, but you helped me.”

“Really?”

Alanka nodded. “Now, only to get into there.”

“Do you have any plan?”

She shook her head. “Only trust.”