The Core of Evil
Will Not Lose
{{{ Moments later }}}
{{ Headquarters Arcadia, break room }}
"How many times do I have to say that you can't leave the base except for that mission?"
"67 times, if you don't count the first 2 times when I'm just in the early days of the mission"
"It's 69!"
Jay and I immediately clapped with each other and then put on a slang pose that made Amitha look upset
We also made him calm again just by showing an annoyed smile that makes the air cold
"Sorry..." I said
"Please do not block our access from canteen 5, Venia Amitha...! Azure has promised to give me a soda box for 2 months...!" Jay began to beg as he mightily
May our access to canteens 3 and 5 be blocked at once
"You can't choose punishment for yourself, Hastatus Jay..."
Give me hope, Venia Amitha...!
"But I have to say, maybe draining a little of this kid's money would be a good punishment for him"
"No! Don't do this to me!"
...
...
"So your promise about soda is fake?" Jay asked, looking disappointed
"You think the price of one cardboard cause of diabetes is how much to try??" I replied half-screaming
"Enough to drain 1 per 4 of your monthly money in one purchase. And I'm just talking about the cold" Amitha interjected between us, completely unconcerned by my angry expression
"Come on Venia Amitha! 1 Per 4 is a lot!"
"Better than buying a new game console, right?"
This guy just pisses me off!
That's how he looks. Venia Amitha, however her mood, always looked calm
Nothing could make him give off an exaggerated expression. But he can do it to others without trying
I hate him when he takes care of my punishment. Even Venia Loctis is still more forgiving even though she is clearly very firm and strict
But I'm surprised it's not as cruel as usual, this punishment...
"And for the record, you will go through a period of isolation for 2 months, completely blocking your right to carry out the slightest mission in that time and limiting your movement inside the main building of any headquarters"
"HAAH??!"
I had expected him to give even more cruel punishment...! I just said it earlier, and he immediately did...!
"You will also be prohibited from communicating with Centurion rank personnel and above, as well as administrative and data collection staff. There should be no information you get about ANY of those missions for 2 months"
"Is there anything more cruel?"
"There"
Oh, my God
"You will be sent to the planet Furion within the Axel galaxy to perform social tasks. Make sure you keep an eye on our lab located there"
"... Fine..."
It's a boring planet...
Suitable for research, but boring...
He always sent me there when I was sentenced to isolation...
There was nothing more I could do to avoid Amitha's anger. Even my teacher Jun alone did not twitch when standing right behind him right now...
No one can help...
Besides...
From the person who had just walked into the room, made us all shocked
"I heard someone broke the rules again"
"D-h..."
A lady. When seen once, she looks very graceful and charming. But in truth, he was a fighter who did not even lose far from the two people with the highest ranks in this Arcadia academy
Always carry the cross-shaped automatic turret on his back, never tie his snow-white straight hair, and walk firmly with a straight red look
"Venia Aurora's. I'm sure you should have met Venia Darius by now?"
"Not anymore when I heard that my two underclassmen were having trouble"
Called Aurora. Aurora Morgan's
And this woman actually...
Jay and I both like it
Especially Jay, because they happen to be not much different in terms of age
"The punishment of the two of them has already been determined, Aurora. You have no right to change it anymore, especially after I've sent the mission records to all of Venia"
"And when did you send that report, Lord Amitha?"
"It's just now"
This guy just pisses me off
"The most you are likely to do right now is simply watch them in that time of isolation. I'm sure you're used to this too, let alone knowing the fault records of the O-2507 that Hastatus Jay has helped with a few times"
"Call her by her name, Venia Amitha..."
...!
The situation is tense now... And that's because of my name...
"... Looks like you've become too arrogant after becoming a Venia, Aurora..."
"Where did I learn. Isn't living as a Venia like this for you, Mr. Amitha...?"
"Friends... Don't quarrel..."
"Silent Jun. Stay where you are"
...
So then...
Anyone want to break them both up...? Because I'm 100 percent sure I won't be able
"Venia Aurora, Venia Amitha. Please stop fighting. We both have received that punishment"
Oh, Jay broke up
He hit my waist slightly to support his statement, until I fiercely nodded so that the two Venia would stop bickering
Heh? Accepting?
Hearing Jay's words, Aurora also put an upset face towards Amitha who smiled at the sign of victory
"Whatever it is, they should not be left alone this time. Discipline is the most important thing to be an OPS against Malefic"
Aurora who was completely defeated in the argument just lowered her head down, letting Amitha out of the room and leaving the four of us with some staff still in the room
...
...
Not long after Amitha came out, Aurora looked at me
"You"
"Yes?"
He then approached as quickly as possible, causing me to panic. And as I expected, his typical movements came out when he wanted to lecture me
His two hands were flanking both of my cheeks as he pulled my face to keep looking at him
"You must be the main culprit. Whining to Jay is usually your main move"
"But I really don't whine this time, Aurora..."
"He promised to buy me a few bags of potato chips for a month. Coupled with 2 months of cardboard soda, I'm certainly tempted"
"I'm wrong to accuse people"
Jay just chuckled as Aurora took her grip off my face
I rubbed my cheeks a little sore because she just flanked it so hard
Aurora's gaze this time led towards my teacher Jun, but it began to look relaxed
"Jun Venia. I hope you will be the one to watch over them later" Aurora said to him
"Amitha planned like that, even though she said, 'If Aurora wants, you can be replaced' or something" Jun replied
"Hmphs. I didn't expect that person to get any attention, did I?"
"Amitha was like that since childhood..."
They were childhood friends. The two also joined at the same time due to the Malefic attack that attacked their hometown, Troust
It was a place where many races gathered. Even the Alien race living in Terra alone could clearly be seen there without needing to experience oppression
But that place is now destroyed. The place I wanted to visit because I had seen a photo of Jun about the ruins of the past...
...
Terra is also now dying from Malefic's attack. All that remains of the original planet's population of human origin is only 50 percent of the original number before Malefic attacked on a large scale for the first time
19 Percent went to other planets, while 31 percent were destroyed by Malefic
This creature called Malefic is something vile and unmerciful. They were born only to wreak havoc on the entire universe
I was one of those vile creatures...
"...!"
A hand touched my pensive shoulder since then. The hand belongs to Jay
"... You okay, buddy?" He whispered slowly
"... I'm not okay"
...
To think that I am a human who has the blood of that disgusting creature...
I am so grateful that there are people like them in this life who will accept me fully
"... So, when are we going to Furion?"
My question caught the attention of three other people
"Pulse... If it's not wrong, the spaceship should be ready by tomorrow"
"Tomorrow hm...?"
I could use it for a few more hours to practice. There's no harm, especially after remembering that I had to do this
...
{{ Exercise area 5, Arcadia Fleet }}
Alright...
How does Amitha teach me once again...?
...
Hold breath...
Focus on the power in your hands Azure...
Then launch...
*bzzt! THE BZZZZT!!*
As the sound grew louder, the iron that became my training aid began to be gnawed by a black and red object
Something was creeping all over it, and it came from my hand
"Strength has just reached 5 percent. Do I have to try going up again...?"
Might have to
Trying once in a while won't matter
I was also curious as to how hard the training iron Amitha had given me right now
*WRRT!!*
UH-H
Stopit!
Stop that...
...
...
Oh God. I just smashed that iron again...
And that's only 7 percent...
...
Here's... The result of my hidden strength. A power that shouldn't be in the human body, but somehow stuck to my body
A Virus, which could spread as I wished, covered every part of the table where the iron stood. No need to discuss the iron
The virus is black and red, fully visible to the naked eye. And if anyone other than me touches it, they might get the virus too
A virus that could kill all sorts of creatures in an instant if their bodies were covered by it, as well as destroy an iron-hard object so easily as if it was a burning paper
...
At least it didn't touch the floor this time...
I took a step back, afraid of the power that had just come out of my body. Fear as usual every time it happens
My hand began to feel a stabbing pain as it had already unleashed that power. He even began to show convulsive reactions as if constantly in a vacuum with electricity. And because of that, every time I unleash my power, I have to be ready with a special serum Malefic energy suppressor in a syringe in my belt bag
I put the liquid inside the syringe into the pulse in my hand, until the pain increased until I fell to the floor while holding back all my strength
It hurts... But if I don't do it...
This virus will corrupt my mind...!
I must control this power...!
I can't let that happen again...!
Don't wanna...!
No---!
Daddy--!
"Azure??"
The sound surprised me
A familiar voice, as I tried with all my might to look at him who was heard running towards me as quickly as possible
It didn't take long for that person to reach my body that was still sitting on the floor, immediately checking my condition
"You're so careless! I was wondering where you were and it turned out-!"
"Moor..."
He's been following me since I came out apparently. I think he's lost track of me so I can practice...
But it turns out he found me in this condition...
"Sorry..."
Aurora was silent to my apology. Something he did not want to hear from a young boy to him that he shook his head in refusal
"no need. I know you're trying hard..."
...
"I still don't know if I really deserve all of you..."
Friends who understand me and accept me for who I am. A job I love for its excitement. A place where I can call my home
I don't know if I deserved it after that...
But Aurora and my teacher always assured me that I deserved it. A place where I can live normally in my own way, surrounded by the people I love
...
Aurora was silent this time without answering. He seemed tired of telling me the same answer over and over again
"Sorry I ruined the mood. I'd better take a break this time"
I tried to smile so that he would not have to worry anymore, until he finally let out a sigh
"alright. Don't force yourself, Azure"
"Hm"
I nodded to add to my response. I slowly started to get up from where I was kneeling, twisting my arms to confirm her condition, then parted to Aurora
"I'm going first"
"And tell Jay not to eat too many snacks"
"He won't listen and you know it"
A small laugh came out from the two of us after that little joke
"Rest. Conditions are the most important thing for an OPS"
Ariel stroked my head gently, before turning around and going out of the training room, leaving me who was still inside alone
"..."
I remember how scared she was after I unleashed my power for the first time
A building was smashed to pieces by the incident, and there were quite a number of fatalities even though it could be counted as fingers
127 Were seriously injured, 18 were lightly injured, 5 were killed
...
They were all afraid of me the first time my power was known
But dad was there. He assured everyone that this power would not hurt people anymore, making me undergo a routine exercise to strengthen the body and control this dark force
They started accepting me after a while. It's been a while, but it's all been over
Everyone has accepted my presence now...
...
A power I hated so much but stuck to my body...
The power of a Maledict. The highest caste of the vile Malefic
Creatures that have intelligence on par with humans and are attached to certain individuals
I'm not giving up on him. If I remember one word from my father to me, I won't be able to lose
'You will not lose to that creature. Your body is yours, and he has no right to take over your mind'
