The Destruction of Batana

THE ZENZEN 3

After the photo, some children seemed to approach me and reach out as a sign of separation. I smiled and shook them one by one.

The two girls I knew when I first entered the accel class came up to me. They also shook my hand.

“It's good to know you, Zenzen. If you have time to come to my house. I have two sisters in my house. The smallest is three years old and his name is Batrice. He is very active and cheerful. I envy her a little because she was born healthy. Do we need to exchange numbers? Who knows we can still be in touch after this graduation.” Said the girl while reaching into her bag.

“I don't think necessary.” I refuse as much as possible. “After this I will enter the dorm and be very busy. That's why I won't be able to contact you again.”

“Eh? The dormitory? Not that you have allergies..”

“Zenzen, let's go!” Ador called me from a distance. Make the girl's sentence cut off.

“Ah, yes already. I'm first.” I wave my hand.

The two girls returned my wish. I quickly ran towards Ador.

The show ended at eleven o'clock in the afternoon. Ador and I rushed to the academy to take an entrance test that happened to coincide with my graduation day. We don't have time to glare. Rushed to the academy by bus.

The academy is called Talent Academy. It's a long way from Ador's laboratory right downtown. I have never been to the city center myself. I don't know how big this city is. I never knew. The skyscrapers are becoming more and more visible. The edges seemed to glitter in the blinding sunlight. This time I found many hologram-shaped advertisements scattered everywhere. Giant television screens hung in tall buildings also enliven the dense and modern atmosphere of the city.

We arrived five hours later. Afternoon. I thought downtown would be filled with skyscrapers. But my prediction was wrong. In this area it is very quiet and filled with green gardens based on greenish Japanese grass. Shady trees lined the streets. I have found a lot of modern minimalist homes. Maybe the city center is designed close to nature because the price of oxygen is very expensive. At least the residents of the elite area want to breathe fresh air instead of crowded urban air. Even so I still see people here wearing masks everywhere.

We have entered the academy. The Talent Academy was huge and majestic. The building is painted plain white with pillars in the style of classic eighteenth century style. I once witnessed such models of buildings in a book of knowledge I read. And of course, history lessons. The building has a support pole that has a vertical line carving extending from top to bottom. Very rare in this period can find models of buildings that retain ancient architectural art in ancient times.

Fortunately, the test has not yet begun. The test will start at exactly five in the afternoon. But the academy was already filled with various prospective students and luxury cars were neatly parked on the academy grounds. I can see kids my age are training their bionic bodies. Their bionic bodies appear flexible and classy. No, to be honest, it's still more flexible for Ador. I can compare it even if only briefly. There's a slight difference between my bionic body and theirs.

There are more people like me than I thought. The number may be more than hundreds. That's what I saw throughout the tracing of the academy grounds that had acres of land. Senior students with bionic bodies were seen running around on the side of the field. They perform various movements like a military exercise. The other group was even performing martial arts in the open field. It is obvious that they are in the middle of a show of teeth. Several people in suits were also seen standing on the side of the field carrying gadgets and sonar pens. Nodding and talking to each other. Then go back to observing the group.

“Hey, look at that.” Ador whispered softly and pointed to one of the giant holograms that was right in the middle of a circular fountain.

The hologram shows a snippet of someone's face. Cario. I could tell right away because his face was appearing on television a lot. Even his name was mentioned in my class in technology and communication lessons. He is credited as an intelligent scientist who discovered the bionic body using human body heat. Ador often cursed if he watched his face on television or just heard his name.

In the short trailer, the young Cario receives various awards as a gifted student of his era. Some of the next snippets were taken when he was older. The final footage shows the scene where Cario accepts the title of owner of the Talent Academy.

“For prospective new students we urge to immediately enter the room we have determined. The test will start soon within an hour.”.

Upon hearing the announcement, Ador and I rushed to find the test room in question. Some guides were preparing at the gate of the building. But the guides are not human. Except for a drone.

I squeezed my fingers. My feelings were not calm as long as the drone led us into the room. I tried to fight my anxiety when I saw the drone. In addition to studying various fields I also learned one of the things that are very important to me. Fighting my anxiety with a drone. I often train myself after class by following some office workers who carry drones as their assistants. Usually I train my mind by walking side by side near that drone for a meter. At least it worked, so I was not too afraid or anxious to be near those things.

But today the distance of the drone was almost half a meter above my head. And I've never been this close to that thing before. Of course the feeling came back. Very unpleasant disturbing feeling. I tried to stay calm and tried to suggest to my mind that it was just a dead thing that had no soul. What am I afraid of? After all, in reality they are no longer a threat to me.

“What's up, son? Why does your face look sweaty?” Ador resuscitated my daydream.

I smiled while rubbing my hair. “I think I'm a little nervous. Never in my entire life have I been to a place like this. There are a lot of other kids who look really good on me. That's why I feel a little nervous.”

“No need to worry, Son. Even if you don't make it to this academy, I will never sue you later. After all, this is just my selfish request that I should never have done. But at least I want to see the man's face offended for once. That's why I'm asking you to enter this academy.”

I wave my hand. “It's okay, Ador. I'm honored to be given a chance like this once in a lifetime.” At least this light talk can distract me from the drone.

I nodded in understanding. The drone clinked for a moment and left us both .

We entered a room that had a large space like an opera room. The benches were filled with registrants. More came from an agency while a small part was with their parents. Ador and I sat on one of the benches. Waiting for my turn to be called.

An hour and a half passed. My name was finally called. Ador thumbs up to encourage me. I nodded firmly as I stepped towards a room that had been informed as the place for the test.

I entered the room. There were two well-dressed testers in light gray suits. They invited me to sit on a chair in the middle of a white room. I nodded politely and began to sit on the chair.

The first test is just an interview. They just ask me things and I just have to answer them. The average question is who my guardian is and how I can end up with a body like this. The question of how I ended up like this is not answered honestly. Oi! How can I say if the cause of my disability is the result of a fire a year ago caused by the ruling elite. I could have been kicked out of this place before doing the next tests.

After the interview, the examiner asked me to do some simple moves. Like lifting things, throwing things, writing, and various other movements. The longer the movements tested the more complicated. But it's all so easy to get through. Oi! I once defeated Bastian in a one-on-one fight wearing the simple fashion of his old bionic body design. Of course, small movements like this are just stepping stones for me.

The movement test is over. Now it's time to move on to academic testing. I sat on a bench and there was a tablet in front of me. As soon as I tapped on the tablet screen, a matter appeared. There are six questions from different subjects. I quickly worked on that.

Half an hour passed. I'm done with the test. Thus it ended already all the tests in this academy. Ador was waiting for me expectantly. I found him pacing the hallway while biting his fingers.

“What are you doing here?”

Ador was surprised and tidied up his lab coat. “Ah, no. Come on, I'll treat you to food.”

I smiled and nodded. I was tired of arguing with him.

Ador took me back to the same restaurant as a year ago. The restaurant never changed. Just like when I first came here with Ador. We entered the restaurant. The clink of the bell sounded. Gyo who was still wearing an apron rushed out and greeted Ador. It looks the same as it did a year ago. Wearing black gloves.

“Gosh! It's been a long time since you've been here, Master.”

Ador chuckles. “Sorry, this old man is too busy taking care of things. You know for yourself, right? This kid is heading to the next school. Therefore I was busy preparing various things as a provision for this child to continue his education.”

Gyo nodded in understanding. “Then, special for today will I free. It's great to hear this news directly from you, Master.” Gyo's gaze was now directed at me. He put out his hand and shook my hand. “You too, make Master proud of you.”

I could feel his iron hands from his handshakes. I was just smiling.

We enjoyed the food while staring at the cityscape that began to be illuminated by various lights. The sky grew darker and revealed a purplish tinge. Some stars began to look faintly on the side of the already dark sky. Formations of crows can be seen passing between buildings. Makes the view feel comfortable and peaceful.

After our meal, Ador thanked Gyo while saying goodbye. We're heading back to the stop. The night completely covered the city. The street lights started. Gorgeous lights illuminate the long street. The air feels cold. Making a dewy bus window. I just stared out the bus window. Enjoy the feel of the city which began to be crowded by various lights and luminous holograms. Ador was asleep beside me. I was left alone staring at the streets with a sly smile.

“Hey, how are things there?” Ask a child as soon as I have arrived at the lab.

I took off my jacket and my mask. “If you are interested why not just ask Ador to send you there.” I answered coldly. It's too bad to handle them all.

During this one year Ador also managed to save several children. We got five people. That means our number is fifteen. But the two most senior people had wandered to other places. I don't know if it could be called a wander or not. The two of them no longer live in this place. Ador did not give details. What I clearly heard, last night before the two of them left, was heard Ador arguing with someone. I never asked what happened to them both. Why take care of others if I myself can not take care of myself properly. Ah, I just remembered that I have one homework to do. It seems like from now on I should get used to walking near the drone.