[ 2088, February 17th (Monday, Morning) ] - [ Ground Floor - Cafe Ground > Maison Bella Cafe > Sector 13-05 > Mega Ark-City 01: Radiant City > Earth ]
<<< Meanwhile... >>>
Monday morning had arrived.
And, as usual, Maison Bella Café was already packed.
The ground floor of the Ripley family's two-story café home buzzed with activity.
The morning rush had begun.
Office workers stopped by before heading to work.
Construction crews grabbed breakfast and coffee.
Shopkeepers from the surrounding district ordered tea.
Students came in for pastries.
Government employees sat at the counter with tablets in one hand and coffee in the other.
Some wanted nothing more than a simple cup of black coffee.
Others ordered elaborate artisanal blends, specialty teas, and carefully prepared seasonal drinks.
The sound of coffee machines, conversation, plates, utensils, and the occasional ringing of the cashier filled the café.
Maison Bella was, as always—
alive.
Behind the counter, Alura handled the morning rush.
She moved between customers and the register with the efficiency of someone who had spent years dealing with both impatient customers and significantly more dangerous people.
"Next!"
A customer stepped forward.
"One black coffee and two croissants, please."
"Alright. That's 12 credits."
The customer paid from their SmartCom smartphone.
"Thank you. Have a good day."
Meanwhile, in the back kitchen—
"Careful with those!"
Emmy hurried between trays of pastries and freshly prepared sandwiches.
Croissants. Sweet rolls. Fruit pastries. Sandwiches. Small breakfast cakes.
Everything was being prepared at a steady pace.
Emmy glanced toward the café floor.
Then sighed.
She looked at the empty staircase leading toward the second floor.
The house was quieter.
Much quieter.
Too quiet.
Three of her children were gone now.
Her eldest daughter, Sophie, and her youngest daughter, Daisy, had left for her studies in St. Maria's Academy for Gifted Maidens within Mega Ark-City 01.
On the other hand, her son, Niero, had departed for Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy all the way across the Pacific.
For years, the Ripley household had been noisy.
Arguments.
Laughter.
Footsteps.
Doors slamming.
Sophie complaining.
Daisy asking questions.
Niero getting into trouble.
And Emmy occasionally yelling at all three of them.
But now...
Silence.
Mostly silence.
Emmy placed another tray into the oven.
"...It's too quiet."
Alura heard her from the counter.
"Hmm?"
"The house."
Emmy sighed.
"Our babies are growing up."
Alura raised an eyebrow.
"Babies?"
"Yes..."
Emmy looked increasingly melancholic.
"They're all gone."
Alura stared at her.
"Emmy."
"What?"
"You knew this was going to happen eventually."
"I know."
"You spent years preparing them for this. Especially that boy, Niero."
Emmy looked at her.
Alura pointed toward the café.
"Both girls got accepted into St. Maria Academy for Gifted Maidens, the academy for future politicians, Queendom's mana-powered agents, or even a Sororitae."
Emmy's expression softened.
"Yes."
"And Niero got accepted into Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy. The academy for both boys and girls to become skilled soldiers."
Alura leaned against the counter.
"Three kids. Three different paths—I mean 2 paths...technically...and all three got into the academies they wanted."
Emmy lowered her eyes.
"I know."
She smiled.
"I'm proud of them."
Alura grinned while patting on both of Emmy's shoulders.
"Then be proud. Swell with it."
Emmy nodded.
"I am."
She paused.
"I'm just... going to miss them."
Alura's expression softened.
"That's normal."
She reached across the counter and gave Emmy a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"You're their mother."
Emmy smiled.
"Besides. It's not like they're never coming ho—"
"Don't jinx it, Alura."
Emmy's voice immediately switches from a concerning to a serious tone, telling Alura to not say something that sounds like a taboo.
Then—
"Excuse me?"
Both women looked toward the café floor.
Two unfamiliar waitresses were carrying trays between tables.
The first was a young woman with a smooth, human-like synthetic body.
Her appearance was almost indistinguishable from an ordinary young woman at first glance.
Only the subtle mechanical details around her joints revealed her true nature.
She was a Mecho.
Unlike the androids commonly called Andies, Mechos were a fully sapient synthetic race with their own identities, cultures, and personhood.
Her designation was M-10, aka, Mia.
Mia smiled warmly while delivering a customer's order.
"Here you are! One iced honey latte and one strawberry cream pastry!"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome! Enjoy, fellow patron!"
Mia was almost aggressively cheerful.
The second waitress was completely different.
A young Chinese woman in her 20s with energetic movements, bright eyes, and an almost inexhaustible supply of enthusiasm.
Xixi Ruoxi.
She was the niece of Madam Xixi, the owner of the nearby Madam Xixi's Convenience Store. She normally does deliveries for her aunty Xixi but she was recently given a chance to work outside her convenience store for experience's sake.
Ruoxi placed several cups on a tray.
"Order for table seven!"
"Coming!"
Mia hurried over.
The two new waitresses had only recently joined Maison Bella Café.
And already, they were becoming part of the morning mess.
Emmy watched them from the kitchen.
"They're doing well."
Alura nodded.
"Yeah. After all, we already lost our free labor when those 3 kids moved out."
"I'm glad we hired them. Otherwise we're going to get swamped with too much work."
Ruoxi suddenly shouted from across the café.
"AUNTIE EMMY! WE NEED MORE STRAWBERRY CAKES!"
Emmy immediately shouted back.
"Coming right up!"
She turned toward the oven.
Then paused.
She looked toward the staircase again.
Her smile softened.
"Sophie..."
Then—
"Niero...Daisy..."
She imagined the three of them at their respective academies.
Making friends. Learning new things. Getting into trouble.
Growing into the people they were meant to become.
Her eyes became slightly watery.
"...They're really growing up."
Alura watched her.
Then smiled.
"You should have faith in them."
Emmy wiped her eyes.
"I do."
"Especially Niero."
Emmy looked at her sister.
Alura continued.
"Think about everything you put that boy through. Training. Combat drills. Physical conditioning. Survival exercises. The training that would probably break an average man."
Emmy became quiet.
Alura folded her arms.
"And yet that boy survived."
Emmy smiled.
"He always was stubborn."
"Exactly."
Alura grinned.
"That boy was a natural-born fighter, stubborn to the bones, like a 'baby badger' you always called him."
She gestured toward the café's front windows.
"Now he's all the way in West Port-City, California."
Emmy looked toward the distance.
"Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy."
Alura leaned closer.
"He didn't just get accepted."
She tapped Emmy lightly on the shoulder.
"He survived the journey there."
Emmy's expression changed.
The memory of the Black Tide still hurt.
Her son had been aboard one of those convoy ships.
She knew he'd been injured.
She knew he'd gone through something terrible.
He was even admitted into the hospital for 3 days.
But he finally reached there.
And now—
He was already moving forward.
Alura smiled.
"So stop worrying that he's going to break. He's not made of glass."
Emmy looked at her.
"You really think he'll be okay?"
Alura's answer came immediately.
"I know he'll have problems. He'll probably get into trouble, annoy his instructors, get into fights..."
Emmy sighed.
"Without question...and that doesn't make me feel better."
Alura laughed, then she pointed toward Emmy.
"But that's Niero. You raised him to survive...and to care."
Her expression became more serious.
"He's stubborn. Reckless. Arrogant."
Emmy nodded.
"Heh. Very. The boy is strong and intelligent; his ego has no limits."
"But he's also your son."
Alura smiled.
"And after everything you've taught him?"
She shrugged.
"Have some faith."
Emmy was quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled.
A genuine, proud mother's smile.
"...I do. I always do."
A bell suddenly rang from the front counter.
DING!
Alura immediately turned around.
"Welcome to the Maison Bella! How can I serve ya?"
Emmy chuckled.
"Alright, girls. Back to work. It's still a Monday rush hour to handle."
The two sisters returned to their duties.
Mia carried another tray across the café.
Ruoxi rushed between tables.
Customers continued coming through the door.
Coffee continued pouring.
Pastries continued disappearing.
Maison Bella Café remained as lively as always in Mega Ark-City 01, Radiant City.
As Emmy was busy in the kitchen, pulling a fresh tray of pastries from the oven when—
RIIIING!
She looked toward the kitchen entrance.
The old household telephone mounted on the wall beside the doorway was ringing.
"Coming!"
Emmy hurried over while wiping her hand on her apron, then picked it up.
She pressed the receiver against her ear.
"This is Maison Bella Café, Ripley Residence. How may I help you?"
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then a deep, gruff voice answered.
"Is this Emilia Ripley?"
Emmy blinked.
"Yes?"
The man's voice carried a gruff, distinctly Texan accent.
"I'd like to confirm that I'm speaking with Emilia Ripley, mother of Cadet Niero Ripley."
Emmy's expression immediately became more attentive.
"Ye—yes. He's my son..."
There was a brief pause.
The man's voice became slightly more formal.
"Great. Glad I got the number right. Technologies these days..."
Emmy frowned.
"May I ask who's calling?"
Another pause.
Then—
"Ma'am, I'm one of the instructors at Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy."
Emmy's eyes widened slightly.
"GSMA?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Her hand tightened around the receiver.
She glanced toward Alura, who was still working the register.
Alura noticed her expression.
What's wrong?
Emmy mouthed silently:
GSMA.
Alura's eyebrow rose.
The voice on the other end continued.
"And I'd like to do the honor to introduce myself."
=
=====
=
[ 2088, February 17th (Monday, Morning) ] - [ Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy > Dungeontown's Middle Ring > Dungeontown USA-07 (Thousand Oaks, California, USA ] - [West Port-City (Los Angeles, USA) > Earth ]
[[[ Academy Parade Ground ]]]
The tour continued.
The freshmen followed Admin Armin across the academy grounds.
As they walked, Armin explained that Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy was fundamentally different from an ordinary senior high school.
"GSMA was never designed to function like a conventional high school."
She gestured toward the sprawling campus around them.
"It is a self-contained military-academic institution designed to teach young citizens of the Queendom to be outstanding pillars of society with both the academic knowledge and military training."
The students looked around.
"Because our cadets live here, they require far more than classrooms."
She began counting on her fingers.
"Education. Residential facilities. Military training. Medical services. Recreation. Logistics. Emergency response. And specialized facilities for students who may eventually participate in Hollow exploration, Marauder operations, or other controled high-risk assignments."
Niero looked across the campus.
It's essentially a school, military base, dormitory, training academy, and small town all mashed together.
The freshmen continued walking.
Then the pathway opened into an enormous plaza.
The entire group slowed.
It was an enormous, broad open plaza surrounded by ceremonial markings, flagpoles, viewing areas, and military-standard formations.
Literally back to square one, back to the place they were all 400 freshmen in for the morning assembly.
"This is the Academy Parade Ground," Armin announced.
"It is used for ceremonies, inspections, graduation, military demonstrations, major announcements, and other large-scale academy events."
She looked across the plaza.
"When the principal or military command needs the attention of the entire student body, this is where everyone assembles."
Niero looked around.
"So back where we had the welcoming assembly an hour ago?"
"Yeah. That is where the official tour starts."
At the center of the plaza stood a golden statue.
Two figures.
A woman and a man.
Both dressed in military combat equipment.
The woman held an assault rifle.
The man stood beside her with a pump-action shotgun.
Their backs were almost touching.
Their expressions were determined.
A plaque stood beneath them.
BEATRICE GALLAGHER & MATEO SANDOVAL
Niero stopped.
"Those two?"
Admin Armin nodded.
"They are the reason this academy carries its name."
The freshmen gathered around.
Armin's tone became more solemn while she looking up at the statues.
"During the Hollow Invasion Wave in France in the 2005, the world witnessed one of the earliest large-scale modern engagements against the Hollow. Thousands of lives were endangered. The Hollow creatures continued arriving in waves, and among them was a Rank-S Intruder."
Several students became quiet.
Niero looked at the statue.
"Rank-S? Human soldiers against those monsters?"
"Unfortunately yes."
Armin nodded.
"At the time, the military forces on the ground were struggling to contain it even with their advacned weaponries and Mana Caster platoons."
She paused.
"Beatrice Gallagher was an Irish C-rank Mana Caster with the power of pyrokinesis."
Her eyes moved toward the female statue.
"Mateo Sandoval, on the other hand, possessed no supernatural ability whatsoever."
Niero raised an eyebrow.
"None? Not even Psionic Metatalent?"
"None."
Armin continued.
"Yet the two of them continued fighting."
She pointed toward the weapons held by the statues.
"They weren't the strongest people on that battlefield, not the most powerful or chosen heroes. They were soldiers."
Her voice became quieter.
"And yet, they still keep fighting regardless."
The freshmen listened.
"Gallagher and Sandoval eventually forced their way toward a Rank-S Breachpoint."
Niero's expression hardened.
"A Breachpoint? That Hollow interdimensional portals?"
"Yeah..."
Armin nodded, then looked back up toward the statues.
"The two soldiers fought their way through the enemy and reached the Breachpoint. They discovered that a nuclear device had been positioned nearby but had not yet been detonated."
A murmur passed through the students.
"They activated it..."
Silence.
"Gallagher and Sandoval remained behind."
The freshmen stared at the golden figures.
"The nuclear detonation destroyed the Rank-S Intruder, and the Breachpoint itself was destroyed."
Armin paused.
"But the Hollow Wave did not immediately stop."
She continued.
"More creatures continued emerging. However, the sacrifice of Gallagher and Sandoval had bought something invaluable: time."
The freshmen group were quiet, including Niero himself.
"Time for reinforcements. Time for evacuation. And eventually, the time for the deployment of the Ordo Bellatrix and the Sororitaes."
The Bellatrix and the Sororitae, both the demigoddess battle-nuns and the sanctioned magical girls, both as tactical assets and turning point against the tide of horrors from beyond.
"Once the Bellatrix and the Sororitae forces arrived, they engaged the remaining Hollow creatures."
Armin looked toward the academy buildings.
"And eventually, the Hollow Wave was defeated."
A student quietly asked:
"So they won?"
Armin shook her head.
"Not without cost."
She looked back at the statue.
"Many people died."
The students became silent.
"But Gallagher and Sandoval's actions became a symbol."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"A symbol of ordinary people choosing to stand their ground against something vastly more powerful than themselves, againt the insermountable despair."
Niero stared at Mateo Sandoval's statue.
A man without Mana.
No supernatural gift and powers.
No legendary bloodline.
Not even a Metatalent.
Just a soldier.
And yet he'd stood beside a Mana Caster and gone into hell with her.
Armin continued.
"That war was considered only a small victory within the larger Hollow conflict."
She smiled faintly.
"But history remembers small victories."
She pointed toward the academy.
"Because sometimes a small victory is the difference between losing everything and surviving another day."
The freshmen looked at the statue differently now.
"Years later, the Queendom established Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy to honor their heroic sacrifice."
Armin's voice became proud.
"Not merely to train soldiers, but to cultivate the spirit represented by those two individuals."
She looked across the assembled freshmen.
"Courage, duty, discipline, willpower, and the willingness to stand against the darkness when someone has to."
Niero crossed his arms.
"So the academy isn't named after the strongest people of the Queendom."
Armin smiled.
"No."
She looked at Gallagher and Sandoval.
"It is named after people who refused to stop fighting."
Niero looked at the golden statues one last time, softly nod to himself.
"...absolute respect."
Flick nodded beside him.
"Same."
JD quietly agreed.
"Damn straight."
Bart stared upward.
"They're pretty badass."
=====
[[[ The Main Academy Building ]]]
The group eventually returned toward the largest structure on campus.
The main academy building dominated the center of GSMA.
"This is the heart of the institution," Admin Armin explained.
"The Main Academy Building."
She pointed toward the entrance.
"This building contains most of our conventional academic and administrative facilities."
The freshmen looked up.
"Principal's office."
"Administrative departments."
"Faculty offices."
"Classrooms."
"Laboratories."
"Lecture halls."
"Examination rooms."
"Student services."
"Medical facilities."
"And the main assembly hall."
She gestured toward the ground floor.
"The primary public entrance is located here, complete with security checkpoints, reception desks, information kiosks, elevators, and waiting areas."
Niero looked through the glass entrance.
Then some girls in the tour group asked a question.
"So this is basically the closest thing here to an actual high school."
"More or less."
Armin smiled.
"Most ordinary academic lessons take place here."
She paused.
"But don't let the conventional appearance fool you."
Niero raised an eyebrow.
Armin gestured toward the rest of the campus.
"Because everything surrounding it exists for the other half of your education."
The freshmen looked toward the distant training grounds.
Military facilities.
Sports fields.
Hard-light simulation structures.
Dormitories.
Medical buildings.
Transport facilities.
And beyond all of them—
The enormous academy grounds stretch beneath the winter sky.
=====
[[[ Cafeteria ]]]
"...And, of course," Admin Armin continued, leading the freshmen through another set of double doors, "an academy this large needs to feed everyone."
The doors opened.
Niero stopped.
"...woah."
The freshmen collectively stared.
A massive cafeteria stretched before them.
It looked less like a dining hall of a military base and more like a massive school cafeteria—or perhaps a small cozy building dedicated entirely to feeding teenagers.
Rows upon rows of tables filled the enormous hall. Multiple serving stations lined the far wall, each displaying different meals behind transparent panels. Fabricators hummed quietly beside conventional kitchens like vending machines, while android food-service workers moved between counters carrying trays, ingredients, and freshly prepared dishes.
The sheer scale was almost ridiculous.
Armin gestured proudly.
"This is the GSMA Cafeteria. It is capable of feeding hundreds of cadets, with enough capacity to serve the entire student population throughout the day."
Bart's eyes immediately widened.
"Entire student population?"
"Yes, but not entirely, as this cafeteria is massive but not that massive, which requires group by group que for efficient service or using fabricator vending machines. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, and specialized meals for cadets undergoing intensive physical training," Armin explained. "The academy considers nutrition part of military education."
Niero glanced toward the food counters.
"So... free food?"
"For standard meals, yes."
Bart's expression became that of a man who had just discovered paradise.
"For higher-tier meals and specialty drinks, however, you can use academy points or actual money. The cafeteria's vending machine fabricators accept both."
Flick folded his arms.
"Of course they do."
Armin smiled.
"Don't worry. Nobody is expected to survive on premium meals or goes hungry. The standard food is perfectly nutritious and delicious. There are even weekly and monthly specials, like Tacos Tuesday."
"That's what they always say before serving military-grade oatmeal," JD muttered.
Niero snorted.
They continued walking.
The cafeteria wasn't merely a place to eat.
It was clearly designed to become the academy's social heart.
Large tables encouraged students from different classes and dorm squads to mingle. Smaller booths offered quieter conversations, while wall displays showed academy announcements, club schedules, sports results, and upcoming events.
Then—
CLANG!
A large metal tray suddenly slammed onto one of the counters.
"WHO SAID YOU COULD SKIP BREAKFAST?!"
Every freshman within earshot froze.
A tall, soft woman with curled goat horns, tied-up white hair besides her soft-looking white fur, round-rimmed glasses, with her caprine eyes, floppy ears, and a fluffy tail emerged from behind the serving station.
She wore a white chef's coat, an enormous apron, and a chef's hat that somehow remained perfectly balanced between her horns.
Her expression was cheerful.
Her eyes, however, immediately swap from terrifying to softer looks.
"This," Armin said with a slightly nervous smile, "is Head Cafeteria Cook Matilda Bellhorn. Most people call her Lunchlady Tilly."
Tilly's face immediately brightened with a voice that can be described as soft, friendly, and motherly.
"Oh! Freshmen! WELCOME!"
She practically bounced toward them.
Her intimidating aura vanished instantly.
"Did everybody eat breakfast?"
These are some murmurs with some audible voices among the tour crowd.
"Yes!"
"Good!"
Tilly clasped her hands together.
"Then you need something sweet!"
Before anyone could react, she began handing out small paper bags.
"Chocolate-chip cookies! One for every freshman!"
Four hundred bags.
Somehow, she had prepared them.
Niero stared at his bag.
"...She made all four hundred cookies?"
"Probably more for most of the students here," Armin said.
Tilly beamed.
"I always make extra!"
Several girls immediately thanked her.
"Thank you, Chef Tilly!"
"You're welcome, dear!"
"Thank you!"
"Enjoy!"
Then one student nervously raised her hand.
"Um... Are there eggs in it? I'm allergic to eggs."
Tilly froze.
Her ears drooped.
"Oh..."
Her smile became genuinely apologetic.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
The student quickly reassured her.
"It's okay! You didn't know."
"I should still be more careful."
Tilly immediately pointed toward the kitchen.
"I'll make sure the allergy-safe options are clearly marked. Please tell the cafeteria staff about your allergies before eating anything, okay? I will make sure all of you have your dietary needs fulfilled."
"Yes, ma'am."
Tilly smiled again.
"Good! Your safety comes first."
She turned toward the rest of the freshmen.
"And nobody has to eat something they're allergic to! I'm a cook, not a tyrant!"
A few students laughed.
Even Niero smiled.
Armin continued walking as Tilly returned to her kitchen.
"She is one of GSMA's most beloved staff members."
"Because of the cookies?" Bart asked.
"Partly."
Armin lowered her voice.
"She is also a very talented chef. Tilly may be a Manaless, a woman born without the ability to generate Mana nor perform any magical techniques, but yet she had developed extraordinary culinary skill through years of practice. She specializes in turning inexpensive or ordinary ingredients into surprisingly amazing meals," Armin explained. "She believes food isn't merely nourishment for the body but also for the soul. For exhausted cadets, a good meal can be the difference between having a terrible day and surviving it."
Niero glanced back.
Tilly was already checking another student's tray.
"She knows almost everyone's eating habits," Armin continued. "Who skips breakfast? Who secretly takes second portions. Who hates vegetables? Who is having a difficult week?"
Flick raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds terrifying."
Armin smiled.
"She is, especially if you waste food."
Niero suddenly remembered the tray he'd left unfinished at the hospital.
"Noted."
The tour continued.
=====
[[[ The Academic Wing ]]]
Their next destination was the Homeroom Wing.
"These are your primary homeroom spaces," Armin explained.
Unlike the large lecture halls elsewhere in the building, these classrooms were smaller and more personal. Each room contained desks, digital boards, storage cabinets, and military-grade communication equipment.
"GSMA currently has approximately 1,200 cadets across all three years," Armin said.
She raised three fingers.
"Each year has roughly four hundred students."
The information appeared on a holographic display.
YEAR 01
YEAR 02
YEAR 03
"Each year is divided into twenty homeroom classes, designated A to T. Each class contains approximately 20 students."
Niero studied the diagram.
Twenty classes.
Twenty students each.
"You're currently all freshmen," Armin continued, "so you're all entering Year One. Your specific class assignments haven't been announced yet."
Several students immediately began whispering.
"Do we choose?"
"Can we request?"
"Can we bribe someone to change classes?"
Armin looked directly at the speaker.
"Absolutely not."
The student looked disappointed.
"Worth asking."
Armin continued.
"Your class assignment, academic timetable, subject schedule, academic homeroom teacher, and military instructor will be sent to you electronically by the faculty. So please wait untill then."
Niero nodded.
I don't even know my homeroom yet.
He wondered what kind of person would end up teaching him.
Given GSMA's reputation, probably someone terrifying.
=====
[[[ Academic Laboratories ]]]
From there, Armin led them into the Academic Laboratories.
The atmosphere immediately became more technical.
Behind reinforced glass were chemistry laboratories, physics equipment, biological research stations, computer rooms, engineering workshops, and robotics laboratories.
Several rooms contained machines Niero couldn't immediately identify.
"GSMA's science and technology curriculum requires specialized facilities," Armin explained.
A robotics laboratory contained several partially assembled training androids.
A physics laboratory contained experimental energy equipment.
A chemistry lab displayed warning signs beside several sealed cabinets.
"More dangerous experiments require instructor supervision and additional authorization. Students are not permitted to conduct unsupervised experiments."
Niero looked at one particularly intimidating machine.
"Define dangerous."
Armin stared at him.
"If you have to ask, assume it's dangerous."
Niero slowly nodded-
-understanding the gravity of that statement.
=====
[[[ Library and Knowledge Center ]]]
The next stop was the Library and Knowledge Center.
The doors opened into a remarkably quiet space.
Rows of shelves extended across multiple floors, mixed with holographic terminals and digital archives. Study rooms lined the walls, while large windows overlooked the academy grounds.
"This is more than a conventional library," Armin explained.
The available resources included textbooks, scientific databases, historical archives, military manuals, technical documentation, and classified-access Hollow records for authorized students and personnel.
Niero paused at the mention of Hollow records.
That immediately caught his attention.
"Now that's interesting."
Vuldyr silently agreed.
> ["Potentially useful. Especially infromation that seems to be exclusive to the academy in physical form instead in the ArkNet."]
But before Niero could investigate further, Armin was already moving.
"Keep in mind that this facility requires a quiet environment so that there is no distractions, like all libraries. Students can also reserve individual study rooms or group-project spaces."
Several freshmen visibly relaxed.
After the chaos of the ambush 3 days ago, the library felt almost peaceful.
Almost.
=====
[[[ Recreation and Student Center ]]]
Armin brought them to the Recreation and Student Center.
The atmosphere changed again.
Music played somewhere in the distance.
Students from older years were relaxing on couches, talking, studying, playing games, and participating in various activities.
The facility contained lounges, hobby rooms, club spaces, indoor recreation areas, social spaces, and additional study areas.
"This facility is extremely important," Armin said.
She looked around at the older cadets.
"GSMA's schedule is demanding. Military training, academics, examinations, and physical conditioning can place considerable stress on students. Rest isn't a luxury here; it's part of maintaining long-term performance."
Niero looked at the lounging cadets.
One student was sleeping on a couch.
Another was playing a handheld game.
Two girls were arguing over a card game.
A group of cadets were studying together.
And one just taking a nap with a sleeping mask over her eyes.
It looked less like a military facility and more like a university student center.
Cozy even.
=====
The freshmen continued following Admin Armin through the academy complex.
The further they went, the more the atmosphere changed.
The comfortable academic halls gradually gave way to reinforced corridors, wider entrances, heavier doors, and increasingly obvious signs that this was not an ordinary secondary school.
Armin stopped in front of a large set of automatic doors.
"Our next facility is one that I hope most of you won't need too often."
The doors opened.
=====
[[[ Medical & Recovery Center ]]]
The freshmen entered a modern medical facility that looked closer to a small hospital than a school infirmary.
"GSMA maintains its own Medical and Recovery Center," Armin explained. "It handles everything from ordinary illnesses and minor injuries to sports injuries, combat-training accidents, and Hollow-related injuries."
There were examination rooms, emergency treatment bays, recovery wards, rehabilitation rooms, and physical-therapy facilities.
Several cadets were already undergoing treatment.
One girl had her arm wrapped in a support brace.
Another was sitting with an ice pack against her forehead.
A boy was slowly walking on a rehabilitation treadmill while being monitored by a medical andies.
Niero looked around.
"Are combat-training injuries common here?"
Armin paused.
"Common enough that we designed an entire medical wing around them."
"Yeesh..."
That answer was somehow less reassuring.
"Fortunately," she continued, "GSMA maintains strict safety procedures. Serious injuries are not considered an acceptable part of education."
Niero nodded.
"Combat medics train here as well. Students pursuing medical, field support, emergency rescue, or military medical specialties can practice emergency treatment under professional supervision."
Niero noticed several students practicing bandaging techniques on training mannequins.
"So even the medics are getting combat experience."
The academy really did seem to prepare students for almost anything.
=====
[[[ Gymnasium & Indoor Sports Complex ]]]
The next building was considerably louder.
THUD!
A volleyball slammed into the floor.
WHAM!
Someone dunked a basketball.
From another hall came the rhythmic sound of wooden practice swords striking training equipment.
Armin opened the doors.
"Welcome to the Gymnasium and Indoor Sports Complex."
The enormous facility contained basketball and volleyball courts, swimming facilities, weight-training areas, gymnastics equipment, martial-arts halls, running and fitness spaces, and several smaller training rooms.
"This facility supports physical education, athletics, rehabilitation, and combat conditioning."
A group of students were performing synchronized exercises.
Another group was practicing martial arts.
A third group was swimming laps.
"Physical education and military conditioning frequently overlap here," Armin explained. "Cadets need more than academic knowledge. Physical fitness is a fundamental part of GSMA's curriculum."
Niero looked toward the weight-training area.
Several students were lifting weights that looked considerably heavier than anything he'd seen in a normal school gym.
He raised an eyebrow.
A nearby cadet finished a set, collapsed onto a bench, and stared at the ceiling.
"I regret deadlifting that," she muttered.
Her friend patted her shoulder.
"You'll regret it less tomorrow."
Niero snorted.
=====
[[[ THE ARENA (Hardlight Hologram Training Center) ]]]
The next facility was different.
The entrance looked like a reinforced hangar.
Large warning signs were displayed beside the doors.
AUTHORIZED TRAINING PERSONNEL ONLY
HARDLIGHT SYSTEM ACTIVE
Armin placed her identification against the scanner.
The doors opened.
Inside was a gigantic empty chamber, covered with hexagonal platforms.
At first glance, there was absolutely nothing there.
Then the lights changed.
VRMMMMM—
Lines of blue-white light spread across the floor.
Structures began materializing.
Buildings.
Roads.
Trees.
Vehicles.
A city appeared around them.
The freshmen collectively gasped.
One second later, the entire environment vanished.
A forest replaced it.
Then a desert.
Then a ruined city.
Then something considerably more disturbing.
A grotesque Hollow environment emerged around them.
Twisted architecture.
Black vegetation.
Unnatural structures.
The freshmen instinctively stepped backward.
Armin remained completely calm.
"This is the Arena, aka, the Hardlight Hologram Training Center."
Niero stared.
"So those are just projections?"
"Correct."
Armin pointed toward a nearby wall.
"The system creates physical hard-light constructs capable of interacting with cadets. One of the technological marvels gifted by our great and powerful goddess that is the Radiant Empress."
One of the instructors activated a demonstration.
A training drone flew through the chamber.
PEW!
A simulated projectile struck a hardlight wall.
The wall reacted as though it had been physically hit.
"The system can simulate buildings, forests, battlefields, vehicles, hostile creatures, environmental hazards, and even recorded Hollow environments."
Another scenario appeared.
A ruined street.
A squad of simulated hostile creatures emerged from an alley.
"Scenarios can be paused, reset, modified, or dynamically altered by instructors."
The creatures froze.
Then disappeared.
The street vanished.
The room returned to normal.
"This allows cadets to practice dangerous exercises without exposing them to genuine lethal threats."
Niero folded his arms.
"So you can basically make a controlled artificial battlefield."
"A highly sophisticated one."
"What about the actual ones? Like the Dungeons or outside the Walls and into the fog."
Armin nervously smiled.
"That's only for 2nd and 3rd years respectively. Those were too risky, even for experienced cadets."
Niero felt dispointed, but he looked at the enormous chamber again.
He began to understand how GSMA could train students for situations involving the Hollow without constantly throwing teenagers into actual dungeons.
Safe and controlled threats.
Not what he was looking for, but it will do for now.
=====
[[[ Combat Training Grounds ]]]
Then they stepped outside.
Niero stopped.
His jaw dropped slightly.
The Combat Training Grounds stretched across an enormous portion of the academy's property.
Obstacle courses.
Running tracks.
Climbing towers.
Shooting ranges.
CQB structures.
Tactical fields.
Survival areas.
Vehicle-training zones.
Mock urban environments.
Training trenches.
Reinforced walls.
Rappelling towers.
The place looked like someone had taken an entire military base and attached it to a high school.
Several cadets were running through an obstacle course.
Others were practicing squad formations.
Another group was conducting a CQB exercise inside a mock building.
Armin gestured across the enormous complex.
"This is our primary outdoor military-training facility."
Niero stared.
"And I'm guessing..."
He slowly pointed toward the training grounds.
"...that's where Master Sergeant Crowe spends most of his time?"
Armin nervously smiled.
"Among other places."
Niero looked at the obstacle course again.
Somehow, he could already imagine Crowe standing there with a whistle around his neck and screaming at teenagers.
Vuldyr spoke inside his head.
>["The probability of unpleasant physical conditioning from that "G.I. Joe" Master Sargent Harlan Crowe is high, especially with his whole 'turning kids into warriors' for the unlucky folks. Then again, you have to meet with him later on as he is Agent Takeshi Armitage's associate."]
"Yeah, I figured," Niero muttered.
Armin continued.
"Different sections can be reconfigured for different levels of instruction. First-year cadets begin with basic conditioning, discipline, movement, teamwork, and controlled exercises."
She pointed toward a distant tactical field.
"Advanced students eventually progress toward squad tactics, survival training, CQB, field operations, and specialized exercises."
A loud voice suddenly echoed across the grounds.
"MOVE YOUR FEET, MAGGOTS!"
The freshmen froze.
Another shout followed.
"THAT OBSTACLE COURSE ISN'T GOING TO CLIMB ITSELF!"
Niero slowly turned toward the sound.
A familiar silhouette stood on top of a training platform.
Master Sergeant Harlan Crowe.
He was holding a clipboard in one hand and a whistle in the other.
He spotted the freshmen.
His eyes narrowed.
Then he grinned.
"Well, well, well!"
Armin sighed quietly.
"Apparently he noticed us."
Crowe pointed at the freshmen.
"WELCOME TO THE FUN PART OF SCHOOL!"
The freshmen collectively looked terrified.
Niero stared at him.
Crowe stared back.
Then the instructor gave him a thumbs-up.
Niero slowly returned it.
"This man is going to be a problem."
Vuldyr replied:
> ["Correction: this man is going to be your problem."]
=====
[[[ MILITARY ARMORY ]]]
Armin quickly moved the freshmen away before Crowe could decide to demonstrate anything.
Their next stop was considerably more secure.
A reinforced building stood behind multiple security checkpoints.
A sign above the entrance read:
MILITARY ARMORY
"Cadets do not have unrestricted access to this facility," Armin explained.
The freshmen passed through biometric scanners.
Inside were secured storage areas containing training weapons, firearms, ammunition, protective equipment, tactical gear, and specialized military equipment.
Some equipment was clearly designed for ordinary cadet training.
Other pieces looked considerably more advanced.
"All equipment is issued according to training requirements," Armin said. "Weapons and equipment must be returned after exercises and are accounted for."
A security officer nearby scanned a returned rifle.
BEEP.
[Returned.]
Another cadet handed over protective equipment.
BEEP.
[Returned.]
Niero looked at the shelves.
"I'm guessing stealing or getting something missing from here would be a bad idea?"
Armin gave him a completely neutral expression.
"Extremely. Its serverly punishable by the law, either being finde, sent into juvinile detention, or even imprisonment."
Niero nodded.
"Understood."
=====
[[[ Vehicle & Hangar Complex ]]]
The tour reached an enormous hangar complex.
The doors were large enough to accommodate military transports.
Inside were rows of vehicles.
Armored transports.
Utility vehicles.
Training aircraft.
Drones.
Maintenance platforms.
Cargo equipment.
Several specialized machines Niero couldn't immediately identify.
Especially few docked ATLS mechs, a series of Exo-Frames in the form of 20-foot-tall bipedal mobile suit mechs, designed for either agriculture, construction, or mostly military warfare. In this case, it seems to be a training model without any mounded weaponry or advance gears.
Technicians and Mechos moved around the facility, maintaining and repairing equipment.
"This is the Vehicle and Hangar Complex," Armin explained.
"It supports vehicle maintenance, storage, transportation, aviation training, drone operations, logistics, and specialized Marauder equipment."
One training aircraft slowly descended onto a maintenance platform.
WHIRRRR—
A group of cadets wearing flight equipment watched from behind a safety line.
"Students specializing in piloting, vehicle operation, logistics, engineering, field support, or related military disciplines receive practical training here."
Niero watched a drone technician calibrate a machine.
One of the freshmen asked Armin about the facility.
"So students can actually learn to fly military aircraft?"
"Under qualified instructors and according to their specialization."
"And operate armored vehicles? Drones?"
"Yes."
Niero grinned.
"Okay. That's kind of awesome. I always wanted to ride a tank or an ATLS."
JD chimed in enthusiastically.
"Nigga! Me too, man! It's like every little boy's dream to pilot an ATLS mech, dude!
Flick sneered.
=====
[[[ GSMA's Staff Housing (Staff's Dorm-Block) ]]]
The staff residential district consisted of several apartment buildings tucked into a quieter portion of campus.
Unlike the enormous student Dorm-Block, these buildings were designed for smaller populations and greater privacy.
"These apartments are provided for instructors and essential personnel who live on campus," Armin explained.
"Senior staff may receive larger apartments depending on their position and circumstances. Younger teachers and homeroom instructors generally receive modest single-bedroom accommodations."
One of the freshmen asked a question.
"Some staff live outside the academy?"
"Of course. Staff housing is available, not mandatory."
A few freshmen looked relieved.
Apparently, some had imagined that every adult working at GSMA was permanently trapped inside the academy.
Armin continued.
"On-campus housing is particularly useful for instructors whose duties require them to remain available during emergencies, overnight training, unusual schedules, or generally for those who came from far distance."
Niero looked toward the buildings.
"So Crowe lives here?"
Armin paused.
"Not entirely sure. I heard he had some fancy apartment nearby or something."
=====
[[[ GSMA's Convenience Stores (Main Branch) ]]]
The next stop was considerably more familiar.
A bright sign reading GSMA CONVENIENCE STORE hung above a storefront near the central lobby.
"This is our primary convenience store," Armin said.
Inside were shelves stocked with snacks, drinks, stationery, school supplies, toiletries, hygiene products, and assorted everyday necessities.
Small "chibi" Andies and humanoid Andies moved between the shelves, restocking products and assisting customers.
"These stores are distributed throughout the campus," Armin explained. "The main branch is here, with smaller branches located closer to the residential areas and academic areas."
Niero immediately understood the purpose.
"So students don't have to walk across half the academy because they forgot toothpaste?" One of the girls among the tour group asked.
"Exactly."
"OR BECAUSE THEY HAVE FAILED TO PURCHASE THE CORRECT BRAND OF TOOTHPASTE!"
A mechanical voice with the accent akin to a Victorian Englishman suddenly echoed from behind the counter.
Everyone turned.
Standing behind the register was a strange bronze humanoid robot.
His body was composed of polished bronze plating and mechanical joints. A vintage cash register was built directly into his chest, its numerical display flickering with greenish digits. He wore clothing that looked like an expensive Victorian-era, 3-piece suit, including a bow tie and white gloves.
He adjusted a tiny decorative bow tie.
"Greetings, esteemed customers!"
Armin sighed.
"Everyone, this is Reggie-."
The robot performed an elaborate bow.
"That's Sir Reginald Brasswell to you, missy. Proprietor, entrepreneur, merchant extraordinaire, financial visionary, and—"
"Convenience-store manager," Armin interrupted.
Reggie stared at her.
"Ahh! Such needless reductionism."
Several freshmen stared at the cash register embedded in his torso.
One finally asked:
"Are you a Mecho?"
Reggie looked personally offended.
"Mecho?"
He placed one hand against his chest.
"Good heavens no, young patron! I am, what the youngin' would call me, a Tsukumojin!"
His kind was somewhat common among the people of Earth, let alone Queendom due to special circumstances.
Tsukomojin...
An anomalous entity born from the anomalous energy from the Hollow, especially from its interdimensional portals, is the Breachpoint. That anomalous energy is exposed to objects with great care and memories, transformed and taken into a stable humanoid or animalistic form that is a model after the original owner's personalities but makes it their own with supernatural abilities associated with the object they are.
It seems that their species name is derived from the Japanese folktale and supernatural stories of the Tsukumogami youkai, especially about the concept that a soul of an object was born when the said object taken great care of for at least 100 years...or if someone was ungrateful and threw away items, where resentment and rage birth these entities.
Armin explained that Reggie had originated from a 19th-century antique bronze cash register that had been lovingly maintained and used by the same family of small time business owner for decades. After prolonged exposure to anomalous energy from a nearby Hollow's Breachpoint, the memories and sentimental attachment surrounding the object eventually manifested into a sapient humanoid form.
Similar to a Mechos, Reggie's form looks mechanical with gears and bronze as if he were a Mecho from the 19th century, but unlike an ordinary Mecho, his consciousness was born from an object and the accumulated memories associated with it instead of sapience from ones and zeroes.
"Fascinating," one freshman whispered.
He spread his arms theatrically.
"I am the greatest businessman this side of the Bloom Dominion!"
Niero whispered:
"Is this true?"
"Not entirely accurate," Armin replied.
Reggie proudly gestured toward the shelves.
"Whatever you need, I can get it. Snacks! Beverages! Stationery! Toiletries! Medicines! Emergency socks! Premium confectionery! And a magnificent selection of merchandise!"
He leaned toward the freshmen.
"And for our particularly discerning clientele..."
His voice dropped.
"I may occasionally acquire certain specialty goods not yet approved for academy fabrication."
Armin's expression immediately hardened.
"Reggie."
"What?"
"You are not allowed to sell restricted goods."
"Of course not!"
Reggie placed a hand against his chest.
"I provide premium customer service."
"Word it however you want. We still have rules and regulations to follow."
"Nonsense."
Reggie looked toward the freshmen.
"For a modest service surcharge, I may acquire non-dangerous food, drinks, novelty products, and other harmless specialty merchandise."
He raised one finger.
"This is not smuggling."
Another finger.
"This is not contraband dealing."
A third.
"This is entrepreneurship."
Niero grinned.
"I like this guy already."
Reggie returned to his register.
"Excellent. We already have one potential loyal customer."
=====
[[[ Agricultural & Botanical Grounds ]]]
The tour continued into an unexpectedly green section of campus.
The contrast was striking.
After concrete buildings, military fields, hangars, and laboratories, the freshmen suddenly found themselves surrounded by gardens.
Greenhouses stretched across the grounds.
Rows of vegetables grew in carefully maintained plots.
Fruit trees occupied small orchards.
Herb gardens filled the air with pleasant aromas.
"This is our Agricultural and Botanical Grounds," Armin said.
The facility provided some ingredients for the cafeteria while also serving as an educational environment.
"Cadets can learn gardening, agricultural science, botanical identification, food cultivation, and basic survival farming."
Niero raised an eyebrow.
"Survival farming?"
"If you're stranded somewhere without a supply chain," Armin explained, "knowing how to grow food can be considerably more useful than knowing how to reload a rifle."
"That sounds like something Crowe would hate hearing."
A cheerful voice suddenly came from behind them.
"OH! YOU'RE THE NEW FRESHMEN!"
The freshmen turned.
A young-looking woman approached them.
Her skin resembled smooth bark.
Vine-like hair curled around her head.
Small leaves and flowers grew naturally along her body.
She was a Verdunn—a race of dryad-like sapient "hippie" plant person. They are one of the extraterrestial species from the Hollow as sactioned refugees, just like the Mechos, Kedarans, Beastfolks, and more. They are mostly humanoid with appearance and organs that is analogue to human's but with plant matter, which also means they can perform photosynthesis as well. They has the ability to 'commune' with plant life which grants them the ability to manipulate plantlife in various ways by "asking" or "convincing" plantlife to grow certain ways.
She smiled brightly.
"Hello! I'm Elowen Verdalia!"
She clasped her hands together.
"But everyone calls me Ellie!"
She immediately walked toward the nearest freshman.
"Do you like plants?"
"Uh... yes?"
"Wonderful!"
Ellie moved closer.
"Do you know what kind of flower that is?"
"Um—"
Closer.
"And did you know that its roots can indicate—"
Closer.
The freshman began backing away.
Ellie followed.
"—soil conditions depending on the coloration of the leaves?"
Closer.
"That's fascinating, isn't it?"
The freshman was now practically pressed against a greenhouse wall.
"Very fascinating."
Ellie smiled.
"You're learning already!"
Niero watched the interaction.
"Does she always do that?"
Armin sighed.
"Yes."
Ellie turned toward Niero.
"Do you like plants?"
Niero took one step backward.
"Sure."
Ellie took one step forward.
"Wonderful!"
Niero took another step backward.
Ellie followed.
"Plants are incredible! Did you know that—"
Another step.
"And their symbiotic relationships with fungi—"
Another.
"And the way Hollow-tainted soil behaves differently—"
Niero's back hit a railing.
He stared at her, now literally nose-to-nose.
Ellie smiled happily.
"So fascinating! What do you think, fellow freshman?"
Niero slowly raised both hands.
"How about personal space?"
Ellie blinked.
"Oh!"
She stepped back.
"Sorry!"
A nearby cadet whispered to another:
"Verdunn Distance, lol."
The other nodded solemnly.
"Arm's length minimum."
Niero heard them.
"That's an actual rule?"
"Unofficially. She is just that friendly and bubbly that she forgot the concept of 'personal space.' She means no harm," Armin said.
=====
[[[ Security & Emergency Operations Center ]]]
The mood changed dramatically after leaving the gardens.
The next building was heavily reinforced.
Security cameras covered the exterior.
Access checkpoints surrounded the entrance.
Emergency communication antennas rose above the roof.
"This is the Security and Emergency Operations Center."
Inside was a massive command room filled with monitoring stations.
Live feeds showed different sections of GSMA.
Dormitories.
Classrooms.
Training grounds.
Hangars.
Medical facilities.
Perimeter gates.
Every major access point appeared to be monitored.
"This facility coordinates campus security, surveillance, access control, emergency communications, patrols, and incident response," Armin explained.
"In the event of a major emergency, this becomes GSMA's command-and-control center."
A deep voice came from behind them.
"Assuming the command center isn't being used to babysit freshmen."
Everyone turned.
A massive reptilian woman stood in the doorway, her imposing frame unmistakably Drexxan.
Two powerful arms hung at her sides, while two sturdy legs supported her towering body.
Beneath her sternum rested a second pair of smaller, T-Rex-like arms, folded within it.
Drexxans are reptilian Beastfolk descended from a warrior culture built around survival, clan honor, combat, and blood-oaths. Though their younger generations are becoming less traditional, their formidable strength and endurance remain legendary.
"This is Varka Drass," Armin said. "Head of GSMA Security."
Varka looked over the freshmen.
Her eyes moved slowly across the group.
Not hostile.
Just intensely observant.
"Freshmen."
Everyone straightened.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Varka folded her primary arms.
"I expect you to follow academy security regulations."
She paused.
"I also expect academy personnel to follow them."
Niero noticed that particular emphasis.
Armin quietly explained Varka's background.
"Before joining GSMA, Varka had served as a police officer within the Bloom Dominion Police. Now she took her duty into protecting the academy from threats."
Niero couldn't help thinking:
"Quite a downgrade, in my opnion. Form a police officer to a security guard..."
Varka looked directly at him.
Niero immediately straightened.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You."
Niero blinked, then looked left and right to see if she calling out someone else but then he realized she is calling him.
"Me?"
"Yes. You. You look like trouble."
Several freshmen glanced at him.
Niero pointed at himself.
"Me? Nah. I'm not...kinda..."
Varka almost smiled.
Almost.
"I expect no funny business...."
She turned toward the command center.
"Security exists for one reason."
The large monitors continued displaying the academy.
"To protect the people inside it."
Her voice was firm.
"Cadets. Teachers. Staff. Visitors. Everyone."
She glanced back at the freshmen.
"Strength exists to protect those who don't have it."
Niero recognized the conviction immediately.
This wasn't bureaucratic security.
Varka genuinely believed it.
Armin smiled faintly.
"Students are initially frightened of her."
"I don't care."
"But they tend to warm up to her eventually."
"Still don't care."
Varka paused.
Then quietly added:
"As long as they are safe."
For just a moment, the intimidating security chief looked less like a terrifying police officer and more like a guardian.
Then one of the command monitors beeped.
BEEP.
Varka turned immediately.
"What's that?"
A security operator checked the display.
"Unauthorized vending-machine access!"
Varka's expression hardened as the CCTV footage displayed a very familiar bronze figure.
"Reggie?"
The operator nodded.
Varka sighed.
"Of course. That penny-pinching, rust-bucket stealing canned drinks again!"
Niero looked at Armin.
Armin looked at Varka.
Varka looked at the ceiling.
Somewhere across campus, a bronze Tsukumojin was probably committing an act of capitalism against academy regulations.
Varka cracked her knuckles.
"I'll deal with him."
Niero quietly whispered:
"Does this happen often?"
Armin smiled.
"Rarely, even for Reggie and his penny-pinching resourcing tactics..."
Varka marched away.
The freshmen watched her leave.
Niero shook his head.
"So far we've got a vampire principle, a loudmouth comando, a cafeteria goat lunchlady, a plant lady who's too friendly but doesn't understand personal space, a merchant robot who thinks he's a financial genius, and an angry six-armed security chief. Who's next on the line?"
The freshmen followed Admin Armin away from the Security and Emergency Operations Center.
For once, nobody was talking particularly loudly.
After seeing the academy's security headquarters, military grounds, armory, hangars, laboratories, and everything else GSMA had to offer, the sheer scale of the institution was beginning to overwhelm them.
Armin seemed to notice.
"Don't worry," she said. "We're almost finished."
A collective sigh of relief came from the freshmen.
Niero looked at her suspiciously.
"Almost?"
"Yes."
"That word has lost meaning during this tour."
Armin chuckled.
"Our next destination is quieter."
=====
[[[ CHAPEL & REFLECTION CENTER ]]]
The architecture changed as they approached.
The reinforced military structures gave way to pale stone, tall arches, and large windows.
At the end of the corridor stood a set of ornate wooden doors.
A small inscription above them read:
CHAPEL & REFLECTION CENTER
Armin opened the doors.
Silence greeted them.
The freshmen stepped inside.
The difference was immediate.
There were no training machines.
No loud announcements.
No running cadets.
No weapons.
No instructors shouting commands.
Only soft sunlight.
The chapel was a large, peaceful hall designed to accommodate several different traditions rather than belonging exclusively to one denomination.
But the central focus of the room was unmistakable.
At the far end stood an enormous golden statue of the Radiant Empress.
She was depicted in full ceremonial armor.
Her long, flowing hair cascaded behind her shoulders.
One hand held a magnificent flaming sword raised toward the heavens.
The other carried a shield.
Behind her head was a vast corona-like halo, designed so that it appeared almost like sunlight itself was shining from behind her.
And that effect was deliberate.
Behind the statue was the chapel's largest window.
It faced east.
Every morning, the rising sun passed through the colored glass and illuminated the golden statue.
The resulting image was breathtaking.
Golden light spilled through the colored windows.
Red, orange, yellow, and pale white patterns stretched across the floor.
The Empress appeared to stand within the sunrise itself.
Armin spoke quietly.
"The main window was intentionally positioned toward the east. Every morning, when the sun rises, the light passes directly behind the Radiant Empress."
She smiled.
"The idea is that the chapel doesn't merely depict radiance."
She gestured toward the window.
"It receives it."
Niero stared at the statue.
For once, he didn't make a sarcastic comment.
The image was simply beautiful.
One of the freshmen whispered:
"It's like she's shines back the darkness."
Armin nodded.
"That interpretation is quite common."
The chapel wasn't exclusively dedicated to the Empress, however.
"This is a neutral spiritual and reflection center," Armin explained. "Students of different faiths and traditions may use the facility for prayer, meditation, contemplation, or religious observances."
Several smaller areas had been incorporated into the chapel's surrounding rooms.
Some contained simple seating.
Others had shelves for religious texts.
There were spaces that could be rearranged for different ceremonies.
"Because the Bloom Dominion is home to many species and cultures," Armin continued, "we also accommodate spiritual practices that may be unfamiliar to ordinary human traditions. As long as they do not undermine, threaten, or violate the doctrines, reverence, and radiant brilliance of the Radiant Empress."
She gestured toward a side chamber.
"Some species have entirely different concepts of spirituality, ancestor remembrance, nature worship, meditation, or communal ritual."
Niero noticed that the facility didn't appear to insist upon a single way of worship.
Even the enormous statue of the Empress was positioned as a central symbol rather than a barrier to everyone else.
Students could pray to the Empress.
They could pray according to another faith.
Or they could simply sit down.
And nobody would ask them why.
Armin lowered her voice.
"Some cadets come here because they believe. Others come because they need somewhere quiet."
That seemed to resonate with several freshmen.
After everything that had happened with the Black Tide, some of the students were still visibly exhausted.
One girl quietly sat down on a bench.
Another stared through the colored glass.
Niero looked toward the statue again.
He remembered the Black Tide.
The screaming.
The water.
The monsters.
The people who didn't make it.
For a moment, the peaceful room felt strangely distant from all of it.
He exhaled.
"Yeah."
=====
[[[ Underground Service & Emergency Network ]]]
Eventually, Armin gathered everyone and led them toward another part of the academy.
They stopped beside what appeared to be an ordinary maintenance door.
Armin scanned her identification.
ACCESS GRANTED.
The door opened.
A staircase descended into darkness.
The freshmen stared.
Niero looked at Armin.
"You said the tour was almost over."
"It is."
She started walking downward.
Niero sighed.
"Of course."
The stairs eventually opened into a massive underground corridor.
Heavy pipes ran along the ceiling.
Power conduits disappeared into reinforced walls.
Maintenance drones moved along designated tracks.
Large signs identified different sections.
WATER DISTRIBUTION
POWER SYSTEMS
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
MAINTENANCE
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
"This is part of GSMA's Underground Service and Emergency Network," Armin explained.
The freshmen looked around.
The network extended far beyond what they could see.
"Beneath the academy is an extensive system of utility corridors, maintenance tunnels, emergency shelters, storage facilities, power infrastructure, water systems, communications lines, and restricted access passages."
One freshman stared at the enormous pipes.
"What happens if the main building is destroyed?"
Armin answered immediately.
"Emergency systems can maintain essential functions."
She pointed toward another reinforced corridor.
"Some sections also serve as evacuation routes and emergency shelters."
Niero looked down the corridor.
"And I'm guessing students aren't allowed down here without authorization?"
"Correct. Like some facilities here."
She pointed toward a large locked door.
"Certain sections connect to military logistics, weapons storage, security systems, and emergency evacuation infrastructure. Those are restricted to authorized personnel."
Niero nodded.
The freshmen continued through the underground corridor for a short distance.
They passed emergency generators.
Water treatment equipment.
Storage areas.
Maintenance workshops.
Emergency doors.
Even a series of reinforced shelters capable of accommodating large numbers of people.
Niero looked around, finally understood.
GSMA wasn't merely built to operate during normal school days.
It had been designed around the possibility that normal life could suddenly stop.
A Hollow incident.
A natural disaster.
A military emergency.
A security breach.
A major infrastructure failure.
Whatever happened above ground, the academy had systems beneath it designed to keep people alive.
=====
[[[ Return to the Student Dorm-Blocks ]]]
By the time Admin Armin finally led the freshmen back toward the Student Dorm-Blocks, the afternoon sun had already begun its slow descent across the academy grounds.
The long tour was finally over.
And judging by the expressions of the four hundred freshmen, everyone was ready to sit down.
The enormous apartment-like dormitory was considerably livelier than it had been that morning.
Second- and third-year cadets were everywhere.
Some lounged around the common areas.
Others studied at tables.
A few were eating snacks from the convenience store.
Groups of girls chatted together while several cadets played games or simply relaxed after their morning activities.
Unlike the relatively quiet atmosphere during the freshmen's earlier visit, the dormitory now felt like an actual home.
It was bustling.
Noisy.
Comfortable.
Lived-in.
Armin stopped the group near the main lobby.
"Well, everyone," she said, smiling at the exhausted freshmen, "that concludes the main academy tour."
A collective sigh escaped the crowd.
Some freshmen actually applauded.
Armin laughed.
"I know it's been a long day."
She gestured toward the information kiosk nearby.
"If you need any further information, have questions about academy procedures, or simply find yourselves confused about something, you can come to my office in the faculty section."
She pointed toward the kiosk.
"You can also use the information kiosk here in the Dorm-Block. It contains campus maps, facility information, schedules, regulations, announcements, and other useful resources."
Several freshmen immediately looked relieved.
"Your student information will also be finalized shortly," Armin continued. "Your student ID details and academy-issued email address will be sent to you electronically. The email account will grant you access to the official GSMA application, where you'll eventually find your schedules, assignments, announcements, academy communications, activity information, and other student services."
She then held up a physical student ID card that looked deceptively ordinary besides its digital animated display.
"And this is your physical student ID. Your student ID serves two purposes. It identifies you as a GSMA cadet, and it functions as your digital wallet."
That immediately caught several students' attention.
"You can use it for approved purchases around campus, including the convenience stores, cafeteria premium items, vending machines, fabrication services, and other facilities that accept Academy Points or student payments. Your ID also controls access to facilities according to your authorization level. Please don't lose it."
She smiled.
"Once again, welcome to Gallagher-Sandoval Military Academy."
She gave them a small bow.
"And enjoy the rest of your afternoon."
With that, the tour was officially dismissed.
The freshmen scattered almost immediately.
Some girls returned directly to their rooms.
Others explored the Dorm-Block's lounges and recreation areas.
A few wandered toward the convenience stores.
Others simply found somewhere comfortable to sit.
After spending the entire day being led from one facility to another, they were finally free to explore the place on their own.
Niero, JD, Flick and Bart headed toward the elevators.
The four boys were now carrying themselves considerably more casually than they had during the morning.
"So," JD said, "what are we actually supposed to do around here when we're not studying?"
"Or training," Niero added.
"Or being screamed at by Crowe," JD continued.
"That's probably inevitable," Niero replied.
Bart immediately raised his hand.
"SNACKS!"
JD laughed.
"Dude, you're gonna spend your entire Academy Point balance in the first week, aren't ya?"
"...maybe...."
Flick, meanwhile, looked considerably less impressed.
He had stopped in front of the convenience-store display earlier and apparently found its contents beneath his standards.
"Honestly," Flick complained, "I expected better."
Niero glanced at him.
"It's a military academy."
"I know but I expected some premium stuffs and brands I'm accustomed to."
JD laughed.
"Oh no. Our poor rich boy has been forced to consume ordinary folks' snacks."
Flick crossed his arms.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to adjust one's standards?"
Niero stared at him.
"We gonna be here for 3 years. Got to get used to it."
"I'm fully aware...but...nevermind. As if any of you guys understand."
"I think I can sleep soundly from not hearing you bitch and moans that your bed not made from Arabian Kashmir."
"Fuck off, man."
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped inside.
Floor 10.
The doors opened.
The four boys stepped into the residential corridor.
Students were still coming and going.
Some were carrying laundry.
Others were returning from the cafeteria.
A pair of second-year girls were discussing homework.
Someone further down the hall was laughing loudly.
Niero walked toward Room 1030 with the others.
Then—
THUD!
He accidentally bumped into someone coming around the corner.
"Akkkh—sorry!"
Niero stepped back.
The girl stumbled slightly.
She had the appearance of a familiar young Bengal Tiger Beastfolk.
Orange-and-black striped ears.
A long striped tail.
Large round-rimmed glasses.
A jacket covered with various magical girl-themed patches.
Long hair tied in twintails.
And a small backpack covered in several unmistakable Sororitae-themed charms.
Niero recognized her almost immediately.
"You!"
The girl's eyes widened.
"Y-you..."
She froze.
Niero blinked.
Then remembered.
"Mei?"
Her face immediately turned red.
"Y-yes!"
It was Lin Meihua.
Mei.
The Sororitae otaku girl from BDV Iron Convoy #15.
The same girl he'd seen during the Black Tide.
The same apparently harmless otaku who had somehow fought her way through Scuba-Scums during the attack.
Mei's tail stiffened.
"I-I didn't expect to see you here!"
Niero smiled.
"Yeah. Me neither."
She nervously adjusted her bag.
"A-are you..."
She swallowed.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Niero's expression softened.
"I'm fine."
He gave her a reassuring smile.
"Healthy. Completely recovered."
Mei visibly relaxed.
"That's... good."
She smiled shyly.
"I-I was worried after what happened."
"Thanks."
Niero smiled again.
"I'm glad you're okay too."
Mei's ears twitched.
Her cheeks became even redder.
"Th-thank you..."
JD suddenly snapped his fingers.
"OH!"
Niero looked at him.
"What?"
JD pointed at Mei.
"Shit. I almost forgot!"
He turned toward Niero.
"You should've seen this girl during the ambush!"
Mei's face instantly became alarmed.
"J-JD!"
JD ignored her.
"This girl was throwing punches like—"
He raised both fists.
"BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!"
He began imitating machine-gun fire with his fists.
"Like a goddamn Kung Fu machine gun! Here, karate moves were hit fast and hit hard, dude!"
Niero stared.
"Seriously?"
Mei crossed her arms.
"FYI..."
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"It wasn't karate. It was Wing Chun. Wing Chun is a specific Chinese martial art!"
JD raised his hands.
"Aight! Sorry!"
Niero looked at Mei with genuine surprise.
"So that was you?"
Mei nodded.
"Y-yes."
"You were actually pretty good."
Mei froze.
Niero continued.
"For someone who looks like they wouldn't hurt a fly."
Mei's ears shot upward.
Niero smiled.
"You're a hidden dragon."
Mei stared at him.
"A... hidden dragon?"
Niero nodded while gave a small grin.
"Or 藏龍 (Cáng lóng), was it?"
Mei's entire face went scarlet.
Her tail suddenly straightened vertically into the air.
"Th-th-thank you!"
Her words came out in a nervous stammer.
"I-I-I mean... you're welcome—no! That's not—"
She covered her face.
"I-I mean thank you for saying that!"
JD looked at Niero.
Then at Mei.
Then back at Niero.
Flick was already giggling.
"Oh, this is going to be entertaining."
Niero frowned.
"What?"
Flick folded his arms, grinning.
"You really don't notice it, do you?"
"Notice what?"
"That smile."
"What smile?"
Flick imitated Niero's expression with exaggerated sweetness.
"That little 'I'm actually being nice for once' smile."
Niero stared at him.
Flick gestured toward Mei.
"Keep talking like that while flashing that 'maiden-killer smile', and you might charm every girl in this academy."
He leaned closer.
"Then you'll become a walking target."
Niero's expression changed.
Instantly.
The friendly smile disappeared.
His face went completely flat.
"Flick."
"Hmm?"
"Shut the fuck up."
Flick burst out laughing.
JD doubled over.
Bart looked between them, confused.
Mei was still standing there, bright red, her tiger ears twitching uncontrollably.
Niero sighed.
"Great."
He looked toward Room 1030.
"Can we please just go home?"
Niero had barely made it three steps toward Room 1030 when Mei suddenly called after him.
"W-wait!"
Niero turned around.
Mei hurried after him, her striped tail swaying nervously.
"I-I forgot to tell you something."
"What?"
Mei pointed toward the room directly beside his.
"That's our room."
Niero looked at the number.
1029.
Then he looked at his own.
1030.
He blinked.
"So we're neighbors?"
Mei nodded.
"Y-yes. Um... actually since we are dorm neighbours, I'd like you to meet my dormmates."
She turned toward Room 1029.
"Everyone?"
The door opened.
Three girls appeared.
The first was a blonde American girl wearing a black facemask.
Her eyes, however, made her opinion perfectly clear.
She looked at the four boys as if they had just committed the unforgivable crime of stealing several minutes from her afternoon, from her precious time of texting or browsing her SmartCom.
"This is Alicia Withmore," Mei introduced.
Alicia crossed her arms.
"So you're the boys next door."
Niero nodded.
"Last I checked, yeah."
She glanced toward him.
"And you're the one who already caused half the hallway to stop functioning this morning."
Niero raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry. Next time I'll schedule my existence more efficiently."
Alicia's eyes narrowed.
Mei immediately stepped between them.
"A-Alicia...He's joking."
"Sure. He does look like the type of person with a shit-eating grin."
Niero smirked.
"Wow. I didn't know you have Sherlock Holmes as your roommate."
Alicia stared at him.
"You are irritating."
"Thank you."
Alicia's eye twitched.
Mei gently grabbed her arm.
"Please don't start."
Alicia sighed.
"Ah! Whatever."
She turned around, walked back toward her capsule bed, and climbed inside—
SLAM!
The capsule door closed with enough force to make the room vibrate.
Silence.
JD slowly looked at Niero.
"Damn. Just met her for few seconds and already made her mad."
Niero shrugged.
"I barely did anything. She started with her smack-talk."
Flick covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Mei looked embarrassed.
"S-sorry about her."
"It's fine," Niero said. "She seems pleasant."
Mei stared at him.
"...You're being sarcastic again."
"...maybe..."
---
The second girl stepped forward.
She was a slightly chubby blonde German girl with glasses, a warm smile and a cheerful expression.
Unlike Alicia, she seemed genuinely happy to see them.
"This is Gertrude Becker."
Gertrude waved.
"G-guten tag, mein Freund!"
She was carrying a small fanny-pack around her waist.
Then she opened it.
Inside were candies.
Lots of candies.
"Would anyone like one?"
Bart's eyes immediately widened.
"Yes."
Gertrude smiled.
"I have strawberry lollipops, Mazapan peanut candy, mint marshmallows, and salted caramel."
Bart looked like he had found his soulmate.
"I like 1 of each, please!"
Gertrude giggled.
She offered candies to JD and Flick first.
Then she turned toward Niero.
She stopped.
Her smile became slightly nervous.
Niero stared back.
Gertrude slowly held out a strawberry lollipop.
"F-for you."
Niero blinked.
"Thanks, but I prefer the salted caramel."
His eyes landed on the wrapped salted caramel drops, went past her hand that held the strawberry lollipop, and reached into the bag and grabbed a few.
Gertrude relaxed slightly.
"Y-you're welcome."
Then took another.
Then another.
Gertrude's expression changed.
"Ah..."
Niero took another.
"...Um."
Another.
"That's..."
Niero finally looked up.
"What?"
Gertrude hesitated.
"You're taking quite a lot."
"Yeah."
He held up the salted caramel.
"These are my favorite."
Gertrude puffed her cheeks.
"B-but you're hogging them."
Niero looked at the candy.
Then at her.
"But you offered them, so..."
He reluctantly returned one.
He unwrapped one and pop it in his mouth.
His eyebrows rose.
"Whoa!"
Gertrude watched him nervously.
Niero nodded.
"These taste way better than the commercial ones."
Gertrude's cheeks immediately turned pink.
"R-really?"
"Yeah! Too damn good."
She looked down at her fanny-pack.
"My family makes pastries and candies."
Niero looked interested.
"So this is homemade?"
"Some of it. My Mami made them bunch."
"Mami?"
Gertrude smiled proudly.
"My mother. My family believes homemade candy and snacks are basically a physical form of happiness that they can share with others. If you make something delicious, you should share it with other people. That's one way to spread happiness and joy from their mouth and stomach."
Bart nodded with complete seriousness but nodded like a happy, rocking parakeet.
Niero looked at her.
Then at the candy.
Then smiled.
"That's actually a pretty good philosophy. Wise words from your family!"
Gertrude's face became even redder.
"Th-thank you."
Niero casually took another salted caramel.
Gertrude stared.
"...You really like those."
"Very much."
She smiled.
"Then I'll bring more soon."
Niero blinked.
"Really?"
"Of course."
---
The third girl was noticeably less enthusiastic about meeting them.
She stood behind Mei.
Only her head was visible.
Messy twin-tailed black hair.
Oversized round-rimmed glasses that hid her dark circles under her eyes.
Braces on her teeth.
Large bust under her purple baggy hoodie.
A nervous expression.
And a faint smell of energy drinks, air freshner, and...stale pizza?
She looked as though she would rather be sitting behind a computer screen at three in the morning than standing in front of four teenage boys.
Mei gestured toward her.
"And this is Junko Chabashira."
Junko stared at Niero.
Niero stared back.
Junko's eyes widened.
"Eep."
She immediately hid behind Mei, shaking like a chihuahua.
Niero blinked.
"Did I do something?"
Junko shook her head rapidly.
"Then why are you hiding?"
Junko still quiet but looked away from him.
Niero looked genuinely confused.
"What's wrong with her?"
Mei gently patted Junko's shoulder.
"He's not going to eat you."
"I know."
Junko peeked around Mei.
"He just looks like he could."
Niero deadpan stare at her.
"Seriously? We just met..."
---
For a moment, the conversation returned to ordinary introductions.
Then Mei's expression changed.
She looked at Niero more seriously.
"Actually..."
Niero noticed immediately.
Mei hesitated.
Her ears lowered slightly.
"I... I'm really glad you're okay."
Niero smiled.
"Uhh. Thanks?"
"No, I mean..."
She looked down.
"After what happened on the ship."
The mood shifted.
Gertrude's cheerful expression disappeared.
Junko's hands tightened around Mei's sleeve.
Niero immediately understood.
Oh?
Oh!
Oh...
Oh boy...
He already knew where this was going.
The hospital.
The footage Vuldyr shown.
The Black Tide ambush.
His blinding rampage.
He had seen the recordings himself.
The images had been horrifying.
Himself tearing through the Scuba-Scums.
Not fighting like a trained cadet.
Not fighting like a normal person.
Ripping through them with raw fury.
A raging, almost animalistic response to the people around him being threatened.
Until Sororitae Hyperia had finally reached him.
Held him.
And brought him back.
Mei swallowed.
"Gertrude and Junko saw it."
Niero's expression stiffened.
Gertrude nodded slowly.
"We... saw you."
Junko nodded nervously.
"You were..."
She struggled to find the words.
"...really terrifying."
Niero looked away.
"Oh..."
He already knew.
Mei continued.
"You were fighting those monsters like a..."
She hesitated.
"Like a rabid animal."
Niero flinched slightly.
Not because he disagreed.
Because he remembered.
He had already seen what he looked like.
The memory was unpleasant.
Gertrude hugged her fanny-pack.
"But you were also protecting everyone. Protecting...us..."
Junko nodded.
"You kept them away from us."
Mei stepped forward.
"W-we haven't told anyone."
Niero looked back at her.
"What?"
"We didn't tell anyone about what we saw."
She lowered her voice.
"The BDAAA agent told us to keep it secret."
Niero immediately knew who she meant.
Takeshi.
"He said you were going through a "heroic" rampage to keep people safe from the monsters..."
Niero stared at her.
"That sounds..."
He paused.
"...a lot better than what it actually looked like."
Mei shook her head.
"No."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"It was frightening."
Niero's expression became serious.
"But you kept fighting."
She stepped closer.
"You were treating them apart, keeping the monsters away until rescue arrived."
Gertrude nodded.
"Without you, many more people might have died."
Junko quietly added:
"Probably us too."
Niero didn't know what to say.
He had expected fear.
Suspicion.
Maybe disgust.
He hadn't expected gratitude.
Mei suddenly bowed deeply.
"Thank you. We are all here...thanks to you..."
He was left speechless.
=====
But that silence was broken-
-by a single email notification.
=
=====
=
<<<[ Ch 37, Part 03: END ]>>>