The Core of Evil
Help Module
What is surprising is...
I can apparently win in this challenge as second position. But, I still lost to Fuyuki who was somehow very fast, and only won from Noah who happened to stumble over the stone for recklessly running
If anyone other than myself and Fuyuki had seen the way he fell earlier, that person would have felt a lot of pain. The sound of his broken bones did not help either
"It's a good thing you can heal yourself quickly..." I said
"It was fortunate that he couldn't die from anything" Fuyuki followed
The sound of her broken bones still ringing in my ears. Just make goosebumps...
"I'm surprised you can run that fast, Flair. Forget it; I don't even understand how you can get out of the base without special space armor" I turned to Fuyuki
I mean, it's like a combat tool in the shape of a temple priest's suit. Where is that thing now?
Fuyuki only tilted her head slightly, before her eyes started to look at the lower half of her own body
He pressed something in his stomach. And somehow, her clothes suddenly turned into her usual clothes, a white female temple priestess dress accompanied by green
My mouth opened slightly to see that, as Noah chuckled to see my surprised expression
"I was surprised too. But this thing is H-I mean Spine's clothes, while she was still with Arcadia" Noah explained
Ah so-so
"Wait on! How do you know that?" I asked
"I explained it" Fuyuki interrupted. "And I'm quite happy to accept it, because this disguise is not too strict when it's worn"
Hm...
"So let me guess; the original form of the disguise is a full body shirt"
Fuyuki confirmed my statement with a nod. Plus, he pressed the button of the disguise again, so that its true form was visible
A full body tight shirt, which looks a little loose on its body, is black with a bluish line that radiates across its body to form a pattern of body parts
And it looks like the part for his chest is added, as it looks a little off the aesthetics of this shirt
But...
"A very light artificial fiber, with minerals from a planet I haven't studied yet. It may function like a fuel that can charge itself, and it's put modules all over its parts to create a perception-cognition"
Uh! I want to borrow his clothes for me to research!!
And when Noah looked at me with a strange look, he pulled me back so I wouldn't get too caught up in my thoughts all the time
"If you want to borrow his shirt: The answer is no" Noah said, holding both of my shoulders
My face immediately turned to riled up hearing that, while Noah remained visibly adamant
Fuyuki just kept quiet and smiled slightly, before going ahead of us somewhere
"You going to the cafeteria?" I asked
"Yes. I'm sure that bet is still valid, isn't it, gentlemen"
Noah and I immediately showed our expressions. One looked very excited and mocking, while the other one looked surprised and started to frown
"Remove that stupid smile off your face before we have any problems" Noah said to me
But I didn't erase that smile as he wanted, and just walked around merrily while laughing strangely following Fuyuki
...----------------...
{{{ Cafeteria LIONS }}}
We just got into this area. But just one step, and we could immediately see how lonely this place was
There were only 3 chef personnel left in the cafeteria, and one of them named Arnold also came overwhelmed to serve us
"Welcome Mrs Flair, Mr. Span, Mr. Protean" He said hello
"How's Arnold? Are you all right?" Noah asked in a serious tone
Arnold on the other hand, instantly showed the answer through his restless-looking expression and body language
"A-What do you want to order today?" He switched the conversation, straight to the order
The three of us just kept quiet and worried about his condition. But the best way now is to just shut up and focus on ordering
Haaah... Want to help is hard...
"... Ham and egg sandwich. Make sure the eggs are still half-cooked" I ordered first. "Ah, and one glass of milk chocolate"
"Still drinking milk at your age?" Noah scoffed before giggling, making me give him a death glint
"Spicy soup. And make sure there's plenty of meat, plus strawberry juice" she ordered
"Jumbo burger package"
Heh?
That simple order from Fuyuki left us both shocked and staring at her with an expression of disbelief
"I think you prefer traditional food...?" I asked
"What makes you think that?"
I don't know what to reply to that question...
"I love burgers and pizza, even though I don't eat them often. Also, I'm really hungry right now" Fuyuki added
But you ordered a package...
If I knew a thing or two about the food packages in this place, the size was always excessive and usually expensive
Noah even put on a limp face when pulling out his wallet which already contained nothing, but at least enough to pay for our order just now
I started shaking my head and patting her on the shoulder. "Stead strong" I said
With a heavy heart, Noah handed over the payment to Arnold so that he would not have to pay later, as I grimaced a little, holding back the laughter of his limp movements
"The bet remains the bet" Fuyuki said to Noah
"Shut up and sit down..." Noah replied
I just shook my head at their interaction
Immediately I turned around to choose a seat that was quite comfortable and closer to the air conditioner. But not yet my eyes glare to and fro, I catch a small and cute voice that wants attention, coming from behind the cafeteria counter
A small, light blue-haired head was seen peering with its wide but tiny eyes. The three of us flickered in disbelief, completely not expecting the presence of that little figure
"Son?" Noah asked
The little figure began to run out of the counter area as the three of us with Arnold watched the sound of each of his small footsteps, before he showed himself fully
"Sister Ar-I mean, Protean..."
Cassidy, slowly started running towards us and immediately hugged me
I did not anticipate it and immediately felt as if I was exploding on the spot
AAGH!!! My heart is small and soft...!!
She even wears a red veil today, so she looks exactly like a child fairy tale character I've read
I've been content with life!
"Not rehearsed today?" He also asked a question
I who realized from my delusion was immediately greeted by 3 strange gazes and 1 curious gaze. But I only chose to serve 1 curious gaze that's all
"Later in the afternoon, when Spine's up"
"Spine...?"
He also seemed to dissolve in his memory, before nodding in understanding after realizing Spine was Hector
Her hug slipped off, making me a little bit pacified because of it. But I changed my expression immediately when I realized he was pulling out an object from his jacket pocket
"It"
An object like a module, he handed it to me while I accepted it with a slight hesitation
"From Mama" she said later, stating that my guess was correct
"What's this?"
This is not a module. Feels very... Elastic and soft
Can this thing be destroyed? Maybe, if I burn...
"Mama says, put it in your mouth if you want to exercise, but don't swallow it"
Hm...?
"In short, like gum?" Fuyuki then asked Cassidy a question, which the boy immediately responded with a nod
"Mama demonstrated it that way" he added
Ah, so it's like that...
...
But I still don't know what it does. And I'm not sure Cassidy knows because she stopped explaining—facing us with her shining eyes
"T-Thank you..."
I'll find out for myself...
Maybe Hector knows?
...
"Isn't it better if we just sit?"
Everyone immediately looked uncomfortable mixed awkwardly after the silence did not mean that. And everyone agrees to one thing—we four better sit down
"Ah, and add sweet bread when there is. Psyche might be hungry"
"Thank you, Brother Flair"
Also, I'd better keep this thing first
Like gum, he said...
...
I want to try it...
Let's take a look...
"Did? You wanna try wearing it?"
Hm...
It tastes sweet for some reason...
This is a module, right...?
I tried to get that thing out of my mouth again. But...
Uh-uh?
Uh-uh??
"Tongue-!!"
He's on my tongue!!
I tried my hardest to remove the thing from my tongue, even Fuyuki tried to offer herself a helping hand. But the result is nil. My tongue is not willing to remove the module from him at all, and vice versa
As a result, I also knocked Fuyuki who was too hard to pull the object because of pain. It felt as if he wanted to take my tongue out along with that thing
We both gave up on trying, as my outstretched tongue revealed the still-stamped module. Noah tried to laugh at me, but the frightened Cassidy in his arms made him unable to do it properly
"I have to eat while this thing sticks like that...?" I asked softly
Noah and Fuyuki nodded. One because of resignation and the other because I want to mock me
I swear I'll crush that boy one time!!
"Food's arrived!"
Hmph...!!
The food has arrived, and it is still stuck in my tongue...!!!
"Don't blame us~ You want to try that thing~" Noah sneered again, he added with his strange chuckle
I'm gonna kill him. I'll kill him for sure
"Already, gentlemen. We have to eat now" Fuyuki interrupted
"How should I eat with this thing on my tongue?" I started to grimace saying
But the tray full of food was already laid before us all. Each order was handed over
Noah seemed to be very pleased with something as spicy as that. He laughed like a child and rubbed his hands together as if it was a ritual to eat food
Even Cassidy imitated his behavior. The boy's behavior made me smile while shaking my head
"alright. I'd better just eat..."
Half-baked ham and egg sandwich. I grabbed it and took a bite out of some of it
One big bite that felt so bad...
Tasteless...
...
...
...
I HAD EXPECTED THIS MODULE WOULD DO SOMETHING TO MY TONGUE...!!!!
I can't even enjoy the slightest taste of this sandwich...!!
I want to cry-
"Protean-sama! Protean-sama!"
Heh??
Uh...
...
He's been patting me on my body since then huh...?
I mean, Fuyuki's hand is still on my shoulders—fully held right now
I looked into her eyes with my mouth still full, wondering what she was worried about
"Your tongue... It's okay...?"
...
"I can't feel the food...!!" I whined too
"No. Not that"
...
"Food is hot, Protean-sama. I can't even hold mine without feeling burned"
...
I tried to pass the sandwich in my hand from hand to hand, then turned towards Noah who looked confused, and Cassidy who was seen enjoying her sandwich
"Maybe... Mine's cold like Psyche's?" I'm trying to give you an excuse
"Please watch the smoke"
...
Ah, he's right. This thing looks like it's emitting white smoke
Heh-h?
My tongue!
...
I put the sandwich on his plate and I touched my tongue again. But there was no sign of burning. All I felt was that module—still clinging to its place tightly
Either I didn't feel the pain and it burned, or indeed my tongue didn't burn at all
Whatever the answer is, I'm sure it has something to do with this module
"It looks like the module works like a pain killer" Fuyuki gave a hint
"Pain killers can't get rid of a wound something's given, Flair"
Also, what modules like this could serve to endure the pain that Hector's Terror powers exerted?
Triedworthy. Although I'm not entirely sure
"Does the Mind always create things like this? I mean, module creation can take a week"
And spend such time just for an exercise that doesn't last forever
"No" Cassidy replied. "Mama finished it this morning"
...
"From the initial stage...?"
"I remember him asking me to help collect the materials this morning"
Huh uh??
"No need to be surprised, Protean-sama" Fuyuki said, while eating her burger. "Mind-sama always works quickly and efficiently. After all, having some artificial bodies that she sometimes had to control required skill and dexterity right?"
And people say Justin is a lunatic for spending too long in Arcadia's workshop...
Somehow there are always more crazy people who exceed expectations in this universe. They're talented, of course. But still their abilities are beyond the common sense of normal beings
Well, even though it is, none of us in the ten are quite normal. I can't say anything about the Fleet's staff, because I don't interact with them much other than in the cafeteria
Maybe after these control security protocols are over, I have to see what and how they work
"I can help. Mama said don't leave Protean's brother in Span's hands for too long"
Noah, who had been busy sipping soup, immediately coughed and almost gushed the object out listening to Cassidy's comments
"Is there a day when I don't take your verbal attack?" Noah then resentfully said
And the three of us reciprocated in one harmony despite not agreeing to it first with each other
"No"
It's not our fault that you're so easy on target
He even seemed to want to get angry again, but knew it would not solve the problem. So the only thing he was trying to finish at that moment was his soup— with trembling hands as he tried to hold back his anger
I giggled at the sight, and so did Cassidy. While Fuyuki only faintly smiled as her mouth was filled with burgers
...
Hmphc...
The atmosphere... Unchanged
New face, same mood
I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss being in Arcadia...
Jay has always been our joke
Jun who usually acted like a child
Ariel who always mocked the two while supporting me
...
I wonder how they are doing. Also, after some thought...
What do they think about my departure?
...
...
...
I just hope they're okay
I'm sorry, Ariel, Jay. But...
I can't call Arcadia my home anymore. Not anymore, after what you've been hiding from me for 17 years
But if I can hope, I hope you're always okay...
