In the following days, Hester filled out dozens of forms and underwent a very thorough medical examination. After that, Chiyo personally drove her to the AHgA Reserve Training Base.
Once the car stopped, Chiyo led Hester toward the administration building.
The registration center was on the 4th floor of Building A. Everyone passing through the halls wore formal suits, and Hester could smell a mix of ink and perfume in the air. She didn't dislike it. What surprised her, though, was that nearly everyone who recognized Chiyo stopped to salute or greet her. After exchanging a few words with Miss Chiyo, many of them glanced curiously at Hester.
Here, it seemed that Chiyo was a deeply respected figure.
"…Chiyo?" a voice called from behind them. Hester turned first and saw a brown-haired woman around Chiyo's age, holding several books in her arms, her face filled with surprise.
Unlike others who addressed her formally by surname, this woman called Chiyo by her first name, suggesting they were quite close.
Indeed, when Chiyo turned around, she smiled brightly and exclaimed, "Diana!" The two hugged warmly.
"This is my old classmate, Diana Rowen," Chiyo explained to Hester. "We talk all the time, but it's been years since we've met in person."
Hester gave a polite little bow, just as she used to at the convent. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Rowen."
"I'm pleased to meet you too," Diana Rowen replied quickly, glancing at the folder Chiyo was holding. "Uh… Miss Hester."
Chiyo chuckled, then continued, "Diana is the head of the Psychological Assistance Program for AHgA Reserve members. If you run into any problems at the academy, you can go to her."
"That's right." Diana extended her hand. With children—especially someone like Hester, only eleven or twelve—she was always careful to treat them with dignity. In her experience, treating them like adults was often the first step to earning their trust.
Hester was a little hesitant but still shook Diana's hand gently.
"Alright then," Chiyo said with a smile, handing Hester the folder. "Take these to the registration office. Once they've finished processing them, bring the receipt back to me."
Hester accepted the documents and, after bowing again to Chiyo and Diana, walked alone toward the registration office.
Diana watched the girl's back with curiosity. "Who is that little girl?"
"My ward," Chiyo replied with a half-smile. "Until she turns twenty, it's my responsibility to take care of her."
Diana blinked. "…You? Volunteering to be a guardian?"
"What else could I do?" Chiyo sighed lightly. "Using the AHgA Reserve Guardianship Order was the fastest way to bring her here. Otherwise, I was afraid the military police might take her away by force. Until she officially joins the AHgA, I can't afford to let my guard down."
Diana suddenly realized something.
"Ah, this child… isn't she the one from the St. Anne Convent incident a while ago—?"
"That's right." Chiyo smiled faintly. "Although, it seems I still overestimated the efficiency of the Military Police."
"Unbelievable…" Diana turned to glance in the direction where Hester had gone, her expression filled with genuine admiration. "I heard that when you found that creature, it was already severely wounded?"
"Mhm."
"Was it that girl who did it?"
"I don't know," Chiyo said softly. "But Jane's second awakening hasn't happened yet."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Diana fell silent for a while. "...That's incredible."
The two women stood by the window, chatting casually, until the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor. It immediately drew the attention of every Silver Needle operative on the floor. Moments later, two young men in military police uniforms appeared at the stairwell. Led by a security guard, they passed through several layers of checkpoints before finally reaching them.
Upon seeing Chiyo, the soldier in front quickly stepped forward, showing his credentials and briefly introducing himself. Then he got straight to the point.
"Where is Jane Hester right now?"
"I'm her legal guardian," Chiyo replied calmly. "If there's an issue, you can discuss it with me."
The man cleared his throat and took out another document.
"It's like this — regarding the recent case at St. Anne's Convent, there are still some pieces of evidence that Miss Hester needs to identify. We're here to take her back."
"Jane is only eleven years old. She's a minor, and the tragedy she experienced just a few days ago has already caused her severe psychological trauma," Chiyo said, tone firm but polite. "I don't think forcing her to revisit that scene right now is appropriate. Once we've finished assessing her mental condition, we'll arrange a suitable time for her to cooperate with your investigation. Leave your contact number."
The two soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
"This is a Class 5A Special Summons, ma'am—"
"This," Chiyo interrupted, raising her hand slowly, "is the AHgA Headquarters, gentlemen. I'm guessing you're both new here…?"
The two soldiers stiffened — she was right. They were rookies, both fresh recruits on their very first day. They'd been given the 5A Special Summons, a powerful order that allowed them to access even certain classified military zones. But for some reason, all their senior officers had shown little enthusiasm for the task, quietly passing the assignment down the chain until it landed on them.
Before they could process the warning in Chiyo's words, something flickered before their eyes — a blur like a gust of dust-laden wind.
In the next instant, Chiyo stood differently, hands on her hips, brow furrowed. "Hold on," she said coldly. "Where's your Special Summons?"
Both men froze — the document that had been in one of their hands moments ago had vanished.
"No summons, no authority," Chiyo said icily. "And certainly no taking anyone away."
"Miss Chiyo."
Chiyo turned around. Hester was standing a few paces behind her. The girl's file folder, which had been full a moment ago, was now completely empty. In her hands was a thick, white identification card embossed with fine steel-stamped markings.
Chiyo glanced back at the two soldiers. "I truly admire your courage for coming here alone," she said with mock sincerity. "But rules are rules. Go back and get the proper paperwork."
"I'll escort you gentlemen out," Diana Rowen added politely, gesturing toward the elevator.
The two young men looked stunned, then furious — clearly realizing they'd been played — but by the time they turned back, Chiyo had already taken Hester by the hand and led her down the opposite corridor.
Chiyo took Hester's card and quickly scanned the printed details.
Beneath the photo, she found Hester's code:
Res-4623030042403
Seeing the ending digits, Chiyo smiled slightly.
"...Well, isn't that fate."
Known Information:
"Res" is the abbreviation for Reserve. Once a member becomes full-fledged, it changes to the capital letter "A."
The code Res-4623030042403 means: the member joined the AHgA Reserve in the 3rd District during the year 4623 and is the 42,403rd identified Anti-Homogenization Medium to date.
Chiyo's own identification code is A-4614140040392.
(End of Chapter)