Chapter 20: Harmless
Jet's face froze in an expression of disbelief as he stared at the neon blue glass doors of the Renegade building.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
A young man of about nineteen years old, with crimson red hair and bright emerald eyes, wearing a plain old fashioned hoodie with a bag slung over his shoulders – was standing calmly before them with a casual expression across his features.
Jet did his best not to make any sudden movement.
He gulped slightly as he assessed the situation.
"a.. a human!" He thought inwardly.
Jet had done extensive research on this star system after his father had stopped suppressing him and finally allowed him to become a Renegade.
He had learnt of its long history of being a battle ground for Reincarnated humans and powerful Renegades in the past.
That was the reason multiple planets had been populated by the monsters known as 'puppies' – and why many other planets and moons here had been destroyed.
Families like the Grimm and Dune lineages had been hailed as the greatest defenders of the system at that time.
His research into them had been the reason he had recognised the female white mornan trainee – Rin Dune.
All that changed when a past Sentinel of the star system, and the current king of this galaxy, had appeared.
After just a few years, he had driven the humans away from the star system permanently.
That history was the true reason Jet had chosen to travel to this system to become a Renegade.
To forge a legend for himself that would surpass even the King.
But now, a human had just casually strode through the door, minutes after his arrival.
He'd heard the shocking news of the human that had massacred a planet at the edge of the star system a few days ago, but didn't think much of it.
It wasn't strange for Reincarnators to randomly attack protected star systems and galaxies.
Even his home system was no exception to that.
He had simply dismissed it as a fluke.
After all, a Sentinel as gifted as the king had recently been assigned here.
The only thing surprising about it was the scale of the attack.
"Everyone, stand down!"
A sudden command bellowed across the room, startling the terrified trainees.
They all turned to face the male Ramarta renegade from earlier who had informed them that there was one more trainee that hadn't arrived yet.
He glanced at them with a calm gaze. Even his tail hung in place, showing no outward emotion.
"This is the last member of your trainee badge."
"Arbus Kaelen."
"...."
"...."
"....!"
Almost every trainee in the room stared at the administrative personnel with expressions of disbelief etched across their faces.
"W-what..." A scrawny wide eyed mornan suddenly blurted out in surprise.
"The other trainees seemed just as confused by his words.
It had only increased their panic.
The Ramarta Renegade frowned slightly at their actions.
Most of the trainees were frozen by fear and unable to do anything at all.
That left him rather disappointed.
Thankfully, there were a few exceptions.
The white mornan Prince seemed to be visibly startled by the sudden incident, but still managed to keep his composure outwardly.
The same went for the white mornan that had recently arrived in the star system as a refugee.
He seemed to be studying the human for some reason.
There was also a female blue mornan that seemed somewhat resolute, despite her evident hesitation.
But the most surprising of all, and the reason he had ordered them to stand down, was the blue mornan who had been blankly staring at the ceiling earlier.
He had pulled out his weapon – a long silver Naggita at some point, while his golden eyes observed Arbus impassively.
The Renegade officer was rather impressed by that.
'it seems the information about him isn't that exaggerated.'
Unfortunately, he couldn't say the same for the child of the Dune lineage, Rin.
He could see her tremble visibly in fear as she stared at Arbus with wide eyes.
She resembled a Shaka frozen in the sight of a superior predator.
Beads of sweat fell down her temple as her heartbeat echoed loudly in the room.
Considering her complicated past, the Renegade officer could understand her reaction the most.
In truth, he had purposefully kept the trainees in the dark about the half-human that would be joining them soon.
It was a way he had come up with to observe their reactions and form initial impressions of their characters.
'it seems there are a few talented ones at least.'
After a bit, he glanced at the human who already knew the tension he was causing.
Suddenly, Arbus raised his hands high into the air.
"It's okay! i'm not a Reincarnator. I'm... just half-human!" He shouted with a disarming expression.
"..."
Naturally, none of them believed him.
They stepped back slightly with renewed fear the moment he spoke up.
"It's the truth." The Ramarta officer said finally, ending the tense silence.
He gestured to Arbus.
"He is not a Reincarnated Human. He is a half Tarokian and half human. Merely an unfortunate spawn of the creatures you are all here to train to fight in the future, if you become strong enough."
"And hopefully kill." He added, his cold eyes locked with Arbus's.
"This one, is harmless."
"There's no need to be afraid of him." The administrative officer continued.
Arbus glared at him with a slight frown.
The Ramarta didn't care as he turned to the other trainees.
He noticed their fear and confusion slowly turn into disbelief and anger as they processed his words.
Even the prince's gaze seemed to have darkened significantly.
He understood that well.
The thought of a half-human Renegade disgusted him just as much.
Unfortunately, no one in the star system could overrule the orders of the Sentinel.
He sighed under his breath.
"The transport vessel that will be taking you to your training facility will be arriving shortly."
"For now, let me welcome you all, to Tomber."