It's Thursday, the day after Araka's cave expedition. Everything in the Division 2 Bakju Complex seemed back to normal, despite the unraveling discovery that took place just the day before.
Araka, woke up in her bed at the now fulfilled dormitory after recurring alarms, rubbed her face and walked toward the door, wearing only a white T-shirt and a black shorts.
"Good morning, Sara-cha," outside the door, Tenka was the first one to greet her. Beside her, Jun looked at Araka, while Sukeo was drinking his canned coffee.
"How come you wake up so late, Araka?" Jun followed. "And wait, why are you wearing pajamas for the morning?"
"It's 9 am, right?" Araka said.
"Of course it's 9am!" Jun said, "and fortunately it's not at Vensan, or you would be marked on the attendance."
"And why didn't you come to the door to wake me up?" Araka then looked back, "and by the way, you got toothpaste on your face - I guess you overslept as well."
"Fine," Jun shrugged, "I guess living in rooms further away didn't really help."
As the squad of four made their way to the lecture room, Okuri and Huashin had already started talking.
"Well, I guess all of you did deserve some break," Huashin said when the group entered the lecture room, "and for me as well, since me and Instructor Anawa had also stayed up late last night - but for our jobs, of course."
After all of the group settled down in the classroom, Huashin then pulled out the tablet from her bag: "Let's start today's session, shall we?"
The group straightened their postures and listened.
"Yesterday's mission, thanks to Araka's help-" Huashin turned her face to Araka, "we managed to rescue Ayuna from the cave without harm, and even Director Ninfo was very impressed."
Araka took the compliment - it was only one week since the beginning of her SAIR internship, and she had already accomplished a lot. Still, she was wondering where her instincts in the cave came from - was it from herself? Or was it that Matake thing that brought it up?
"Meanwhile, Zen Weimin, the one responsible for setting the drones and rivers, as you may have known, said he wants me to bring up the idea about meeting your instructors now."
"Instructor Huashin," Sukeo raised his hand, "I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Should you and Instructor Anawa bring the ones responsible for our training?"
"Well, that's a good question," Huashin said while projecting the tablet's screen onto the whiteboard. "As you should recall from the introduction material last week, the title of an "Instructive Agent" is something given to SAIR agents with exceptional individual and group performance. Here at the Bakju Complex, me and Anawa are head of the instructive team of our corresponding branch - me as in Combat Rescue, and Anawa in Research. However, there are also other instructive agents that will provide more skill specific lessons in different specializations. For example , Zen Weimin is an instructor in the Technical and Support Team of the Combat and Rescue Branch."
"That's the one I applied for," Jun said.
"Exactly, and that's why you will be assigned to his class."
"So if that's the case, would I be assigned with you?" Araka raised her hand and asked.
"Well, not exactly," Huashin responded, while pulling up the picture of a woman with short dyed dark red hair: "this one will be yours."
Araka took a closer look: Tzeu Meijin (周 美琴), 33, former federal armed forces Akima special forces frontline officer. specialization: Melee combat.
"Meijin is someone who is more experienced than me in teaching how to use a lightsaber. She's not a Matake user, for sure, but she will teach you how to use a laser blade properly without injuring yourself."
Araka nodded.
"And as for you," Huashin turned her face to Okuri, "a very good one - Isanaku Azumori (清海 兆康), the crossbowman we managed to recruit. Let's say he's someone who had actual combat experience with crossbows and rifles."
Just as Huashin finished the introduction, Okuri's excitement surfaced: "Thank you, Instructor Huashin."
"No problem, Okuri," Huashin smiled then pulled up the next profile. "Sukeo?"
"Yes."
"Yours will be straightforward - Anawa will be your instructor."
"Understood, though I was surprised she was actually from National University of Niangkee, and studied - Psychology and Geology?"
"She is the most intelligent one in the complex," Huashin said, "you can even say she's a scientist in our team."
Tenka then cut in: "So what about me? Would I also go with Anawa?"
Huashin then pulled up another profile.
"Actually, that's supposed to be the case," Huashin said while rubbing her chin, "but since Anawa said she's too busy to have two interns under her, she had delegated her assistant to you - even though she's actually not an instructive agent yet."
"Heh? Why do I have differential treatment?" Tenka was slightly confused with the arrangement, with her eyes landing on Huashin's face.
"I - I mean she's actually not bad at all," Huashin said while waving her hands, trying to hide the beads of sweat on her face, "she's someone who had been very capable in frontline first aid - and she's expected to acquire her instructive agent title once her evaluation period ends, which is next summer, as the certificate for the first aid personnel would take longer than others."
"Fine," Tenka said, with her face pouting slightly, "I will take that."
"Okay then, folks," Huashin said, while putting her items back in her bag. "With that settled, you will have your first training session with your own instructor - don't worry, all of them will help you guide through the tutorials."
As the group arrived at the training section which was located at the further back of the complex's main wing, they were met with the instructors who had been waiting there.
"Good morning," Weimin greeted the group first then turned to the interns, "have Instructor Huashin introduced your designated instructors?"
The interns nodded.
"So great," Weimin said, "for today's session, you will have your first taste of how the training in the Complex would actually be like. However, you will soon be returned to the scheduled lecture since today's session was mostly a sneak peek."
——
In the training room 1A, Araka watched Meijin, the red haired woman wearing gloves, swinging her laser blade around, which formed trails of light in the slightly darkened room, hitting targets accurately. It was her first time seeing the swing without wearing a simulation console. It's slightly different from what I saw in the video games, but I like it, Araka told herself.
"Insteuctor Meijin?"
"Yes?" Meijin, now starting to cool down, wipe away her sweat.
"May- may I try it?"
Meijin hesitated. She took a look at Araka's face, which was filled with enthusiasm. "Fine, I will let you swing around for a bit. But - " Meijin paused and then resumed, "Here is the thing - what you're seeing here is not some toy, nor the one created in a virtual space. It's the real deal, and it's heavier and sharper than it looks."
Araka raised her eyebrows: "But I have seen you swinging it freely."
"That's because I'm trained," Meijin said, "Even with all of your impressive performance during the entrance exam, I would rather say it would take you 2 years to master the use of a lightsaber."
Araka, upon hearing this, felt slightly down: "Oh, I see."
"Wait, that's not what I meant," Meijin tried to keep Araka up: "- I remembered Huashin did talk about you having something special, right? Though I'm not sure if that would help-"
"You mean that Matake thing?" Araka, now regaining her enthusiasm, asked, "but Instructor Huashin said it was mostly for communicating with supernatural beings through resonance waves, right?"
"Well, I guess maybe that's the case, but that may also mean you have some quirks that others don't have. Plus, you did handle the combat simulation surprisingly well, despite that it didn't count toward your final candidacy."
"So that means I may do better than the others?"
"Well, let's figure it out, and we do it safely," Meijin then passed the lightsaber handle to Araka.
Araka took over the handle. It was slightly heavier than a relay baton, but the grip was smooth and stable.
"And don't forget to put on the gloves during the training," Meijin said, "you don't want to rub your skins against the lightsaber for too long."
As Araka put on the glove, she found the grip to be more stable. Then, she moved her finger around and found a large button - the same as she saw during the combat simulation.
"Now make sure the tip of the lightsaber points downward, and then turn it on."
Araka nodded and followed the instruction.Within a split second, a glowing cyan coloured light beam emerged and a low hum passed through Araka's ear - the emission of energy from the power pact inside. The energy from the beam made the surrounding slightly warmer.
Meijin, took a step back, said: "Now bring the blade forward and use your other hand to make a more solid grip; then stand upright with the tip pointing upward."
Araka nodded and brought the blade forward. However, she felt her movement was not as smooth as she expected herself inside the simulation. Instead, everything seemed heavier, and even with Meijin's step by step instructions, it still took time to get used to the grip.
"I see," Meijin said while stepping back, "so I guess we can work on the swing safely now: you don't have to move too much, but show me what you think a swing should look like."
Araka nodded, while looking ahead. Then, she raised her arms and slashed the laser blade against a ball in front of her. As the beam landed on the object, just like what Meijin had shown earlier, a cut with burnt mark appeared, and the beam glided through the target until the blade reached the other end. Araka blinked her eyes for a second, and as she opened her eyes again, she saw the target was cut almost in half, with Araka's blade stuck in the middle due to her unfinished cut.
"Good job," Meijin said while clapping her hands slowly, "now it's your first attempt using a real laser blade like Sinmin X1, which to be honest, is already better than my first encounter using this."
Araka, still stuck in the swing motion, looked back: "So Instructor Meijin, does that mean I did a good swing?"
"For an amateur, of course, and I was even surprised you somehow figured it out how to grip it at first," Meijin responded, "but I guess it would be better to turn off the laser blade now - after all, cutting objects with it consumes a lot of energy."
Araka, nodded slightly and then turned the lightsaber off. She was still processing what she had done so far - for some reason, with little effort, she managed to swing the lightsaber somewhat properly with little assistance, despite hadn't handled any similar
As Araka walked toward Meijin and put the lightsaber handle aside, Meijin, with her arms crossed, gave a careful look at Araka: "Now, since you have already done you swing, let's talk about how you should do a proper attack, or I would say the front attack, the easiest one."
Just as Meijin tried to demonstrate, the buzz of the training room rang. With a small beep, the door unlocked.
"Meijin, you must need some break, I guess" Huashin came in with her hands carrying two cans of energy drinks, while she still carried her smile.
"Ah, Huashin," Meijin turned to Huashin, "so I was about to show Araka how to do laser blade attacks properly."
"Oh? So Araka must have done her first swing, I guess."
Meijin nodded: "Yes, and it was a rather impressive one for an amateur like her."
"She's always beyond your expectations," Huashin smirked and took a glance at Araka, "but still, I want to bring Araka back to the lecture room. After all, the original training schedule only starts the next week."
Meijin shrugged and then also took a look at Araka: "Then I guess I'm going to see you again here next Tuesday."
Araka nodded. However, deeper in her mind, there are still questions she wants to answer: What was Matake, really? Was it really just a cognitive instinct that allows me to talk without opening my mouth? Was it a sensory experience that allowed us to sense things that are invisible to many? Or was it something else?
——
It was lunch time, Araka, Jun, Okuri, Sukeo, and Tenka were gathered, reflecting on their instructor's introduction.
"Instructor Azumori showed me how to use a crossbow properly," Okuri, after taking a bite of the pork cutlet, said, "it's quite handy to use, to be honest."
"Instructor Azumori is so cool," Tenka said, "unlike mine, who wasn't even here today, said to be on dispatch for an emergency." She then turned toward Araka and Jun: "How about yours?"
"Weimin said he was still surprised that I requested the use of a railgun as my weapon, which to be honest, was more complicated than I thought," Jun said, while taking a sip of the orange juice: "He even said it was not available until next week, which the SAIR Central will send one here for me train to use."
"Sara-cha, how about yours? Is Meijin a good instructor?"
Araka, while taking another bite of the rice ball, didn't respond immediately. However, inside her mind, she was still thinking: "If I were this powerful, maybe with this Matake thing and my sharper instincts, how come I didn't notice that? How come no one mentioned it before I joined the SAIR?"
"Tenka. I think Araka is just eating." Okuri said, "maybe we can ask her after taking her bite."
"Fine," Tenka said while turning her face toward Sukeo, "then how about you, President of the student council? And your session with Anawa herself?"
Sukeo's face blushed slightly, and he adjusted his glasses while keeping his eyes fixed on the plate.
"Hey, Sukeo?" Jun waved his hand in front of Sukeo: "Tell me."
Sukeo sighed, and then he whispered to Jun. Jun, upon hearing the words, was slightly surprised.
"Wait? You two have the same session right?" Okuri, looking at Tenka and Sukeo, asked.
Tenka nodded: "We were, but it seemed to be that Sukeo had hung out with Instructor Anawa a bit longer."
Then, Araka finished her lunch: "Actually, Instructor Meijin had been very supportive - she may be blunt at certain points, maybe because she's a veteran, but she is still very helpful."
"Well I guess that makes Meijin another cool instructor here," Okuri said, "and to be honest, if you and I formed a small squad, combined with Jun's drone support, it's a fully functioning team."
"Hey, what about me?" Tenka cut in, "of course I do dancing livestream more, but I do learn some first aid techniques from my dad!"
"Didn't realize you could think so strategically," Jun said, "that usually belongs to Sukeo's style."
"As I said many times before, being rural doesn't mean I am isolated," Okuri smirked.
Araka, meanwhile, was thinking again: Am I really destined to be the real life Ms. Possible? And how much do I understand about myself? About the Matake thing I have?
Then, a clear thought cut through her mind: if I could be considered as someone competent, then I better be one, no matter how heavy the lightsaber were.