Chapter Text

<- Library of Ruina - Calm 2 ->

I have nothing but my sorrow, and I want nothing more. It has been, it still is, faithful to me.

Why should I begrudge it, since during the hours, when my soul crushed the depths of my heart, it was seated there beside me?

O sorrow, I have ended, you see, by respecting you, because I am certain you will never leave me. Ah, I realise it: your beauty lies in the force of your being.

Because I know that on the day of my final agony, you will be there, lying in my sheets, O sorrow, so that you might once again attempt to enter my heart.

“Huff…huff..”

In the dimly lit aisle of the library, a solitary figure pressed forward, his breaths ragged and labored. Each step he took seemed to echo with the weight of his grief, the sound reverberating like a dirge for the fallen.

His body was like a canvas, covered in a bloody grime shroud that bore witness to the sins that has been committed to this point. The once-immaculate black suit, now torn and tattered, hung from his frame like a mockery of his former self and a black tie, frayed and worn, clung loosely around his neck, a symbol of the unraveling of his once-ordered existence.

The air was heavy with the acrid scent of smoke, a constant lingering reminder of the destruction that had followed in his wake. It had clung to him like a specter, relentlessly searing him with every breath and crawling on his back.

Adorned with a pitch-black perception-blocking mask, obfuscating his already fading presence, he moved with a purposeful wrath. It had long served as his shield between himself and the harsh realities of the world. Alongside it, a pair of worn black gloves could be seen on his hands, nothing more than relics of a bygone future.

With each agonising step, he pressed on, his muscles wailing in agony and his bones screeching for him to halt.

However, he could not stop in his pursuit.

It was the only thing he had left.

As he continued trudging forward with pained grunts, a singular undeviating path seemed to stretch out for an eternity but he did not care. Time had already halted for him the moment he started this vengeance and almost nothing would change this preordained outcome. Though that was what he hoped.

Honestly, he wanted to believe in her.

Through the experiences of the Library, he understood her very well. Yet, the more he understood her, the more he felt that she was more of a human than a machine. Her own circumstances were what forced her to undertake the series of actions which led to this point and he could not help but think that in another universe, they could have still remained as dear friends.

But that is just simply a matter of ‘That’s that and this is this.’ , isn’t it?

He smiled mirthfully at this statement as he continued down in the desolate path.

Finally, he reached his destination, a familiar sea of grey greeted him and in the distance, a towering pile of books loomed like monoliths against the horizon, their angular forms long shadows across the empty expanse. This was his last reception, not as a Librarian but as a Guest.

On the other side of the arena, he saw his target. She had short light-blue hair, tousled by the winds of fate, framing her delicate features. Her yellow eyes, once as cold as a machine’s, now held a somber intensity, reflecting the weight of the sorrow she carried. She also carried a brown leather book by her left side, storing all sorts abnormalities in it.

Her Librarian attire, dark and elegant, seemed to blend seamlessly with the ominous atmosphere of the arena, a stark contrast to the violence that loomed ahead.

As he watched her from across the distance, he felt a pang of regret tug at his heart — a feeling he immediately tried to suppress. No…there was absolutely no reason to falter now. The die had been cast, and he had to be committed to seeing his plan through to the bitter end.

With a heavy heart and a resolve born of desperation, he squared his shoulders and prepared to face her in the ultimate test of wills as a mere City dweller.

<- Library of Ruina - Gone Angels (Instrumental) ->

“Roland…” A voice croaked remorsefully from the other side of the arena.

“…”

There’s no reason in speaking with her. Just kill her.

The reward will be nothing but emptiness…

Her suffering can’t be avoided

Will I be able to do it?

I’ve come this far…

…

I SAID, END HER!

Roland fell into a silent resolve, his form becoming a blur as he blitzed towards her with his longsword, Durandal, his fixer augmentations allowing him to be propelled at an astonishing speed, covering 20 metres in within a fraction of a second. His wounds seeped from the exertion but he bit his tongue to suppress it.

Her eyes widened, unaccustomed to the new reaction speed which was bestowed upon her as she barely managed to block his strikes through an abnormality, Today’s Shy Look. She took a deep breath as she scooted away from him, perspiring from the near-death experience.

However, the assault has only started as Roland swiftly opted for an axe and mace combo, Zelkova Workshop, to start barraging down on her. Yet, despite the ferocity of the attacks, she still managed to counter block all of his hits, utilising the same abnormality with her knees nearly buckling from the onslaught.

Spotting an opportunity, Roland once again swapped to a sleek sheathed katana, Mook Workshop, to incapacitate her but before he could even unsheathe it, he was struck by a familiar ringing chime at his abdomen which sent him hurtling across the arena with him barely managing to stand his ground, using his sheathe as a makeshift cane to steady himself.

The point-blank range of the typically long-ranged weapon, Solemn Lament, amplified the effect it had on him. He could feel his lungs burning, the force of the blast having knocked the wind out from his chest. It felt as though he could not attack in the next series of attacks. Gasping for breath, he struggled to regain his composure and proceeded to dash at her like a madman, nimbly yanking out a pair of gloves and a dagger, Ranga Workshop, keen on breaching her defenses.

Despite his frenzied assault, she was able to evade his attacks. Each swing of his gloves and daggers barely scraping a fraction of her uniform, still leaving her unscathed for the most part of the confrontation. With a swift leap, she took a moment to catch her breath, poised and ready for the next set of attacks.

Witnessing his inability to land a decisive blow, Roland could not help but curse under his breath. The cumulative injuries were definitely starting to take a toll on him, leaving him to feel more feeble and disarmed as the fight went on. His initial desire to swiftly incapacitate her and take his time inflicting the same pain he felt was now a luxury he couldn't afford. He had to finish it within the next few scenes.

Then, he reevaluated the state of his opponent and once again felt a tumultuous array of emotions. Despite his burning desire for vengeance, she still had the same wistful look on her face. It called him in, inviting him to…

He shook those thoughts away and meticulously prepared a strategy in his mind. Acknowledging that fatigue had taken on his body, he considered that if direct clashing would not work, perhaps unopposed attacks could work. With this in mind, he lunged again albeit slower than his first series of attacks.

Seeing the incoming attack, she started on the offense with several spiky, lean red thorns, The Burrowing Heaven, sprung out from her hands in a bid to halt his advances but he anticipated this and dodged most of it but not without an unforeseen consequence. The last red thorn pierced straight into his cheek as he maneuvered around the previous wings, embedding itself into his flesh and cracking a part of his mask in the process.

Is this the end?

He could feel it twirling about in his cheek, a sharp sensation which sent jolts of pain throughout his jaw. His mask began to fell apart bit by bit, the cracks widening with each movement, exposing glimpses of the turmoil beneath. Yet, when he glanced at her, her expression was only that of shock and grief as though she did not expect her attack to land.

Why?

Why?

As his mask fell apart completely, he reached his breaking point.

<- Berserk - My Brother (Definitive Version) ->

He gritted his teeth and began to clench onto the sharp thorn in his mouth. His heart was blazed with unbridled rage and his eyes glowed, as though illuminated by an inner fire. It was as if he became the essence of fury, leaving behind nothing more than a hollow shell engulfed in a tempest of anger.

A fountain of blood spilled forth as he forcibly removed the thorn in his mouth but his pain was inconsequential. All that consumed him was his thirst for vengeance. With a swift motion, he opened his palms to release a pair of short swords in both of his hands, Crystal Atelier, brought both swords together in an ‘X’ formation and let out a primal roar to cleave at her.

“ANGELA!”

Stunned by his actions and his expression, Angela could not react in time as he slashed through her twice, the razer-sharp blades carving through her with lethal precision that could only be honed through years of countless massacring. She yelped in this unfamiliar sensation and tried to dart away from him by sidestepping but he was not done yet.

Quickly swapping out for a large lance, Allas Workshop, he attempted to pierce through her abdomen when she initially sidestepped. In retaliation, she summoned a sizeable brown bear hand, a manifestation of the Happy Teddy Bear abnormality, that materialised in front of her, clashing with the lance. The force of the impact resulted in a large smoke, with both of them being in a draw, causing them to be at substantial distance from each other from the knockback.

Not even giving a moments of notice, Roland substituted his lance for a pair of revolvers, Atelier Logic, to start firing a relentless barrage of gunfire at her relentlessly. Each shot narrowly grazed Angela as she barely evaded out of harm’s way. Unfortunately for her, she was not fast enough to dodge the final shot. With a swift action, Roland slammed both his revolvers into a singular shotgun, blowing a chunk of her left shoulder.

With her left shoulder rendered unusable, she relied her new-found adrenaline-fueled reflexes to catch the book that she was holding with her right hand but it proved to be a fatal mistake. Roland capitalised on this ample opportunity to swap to a hammer, Old Boy’s Workshop, to bash her gut, causing her to spew blood in the process and stumble about in the process.

As Angela was staggered from the hammer, Roland brought out his greatsword, Wheel’s Industry, above his head, intent on finishing her off. However, in that critical moment, the effects of his outrage began to wane and he missed Angela by mere centimeters, causing him to lose balance, staggering alongside his opponent.

Since the both of them were staggered, they could only struggle to recover their respective footing. Roland growled at his predicament while Angela could only pant heavily, her exhaustion palpable from the brutal flurry of blows that she had endured. Deep down, she acknowledged the vast gap in experience between herself, a newly transformed human, and Roland, a seasoned fixer. Thus, felt somewhat resigned to her fate.

The moment both of them regained their standings, Roland uttered a single word that sent chills over Angela. An oppressive feeling enveloped her the moment he said it, a word that resonating with everything that he has stood for thus far — a relentless force driving him forward, the sole thing keeping him alive.

“Furioso…”

But…nothing happened.

<- Library of Ruina - Sanctuary ->

Angela was confused. She had seen Roland use this move against the Guests in receptions, leaving no survivors in its wake, so why was she still standing?

Then, she saw him.

He was standing there motionlessly like a statue, in the middle of an action, yet unable to complete his proclaimation. His eyes were tranquil as though he had reached Nirvana compared to his initial wrathful state. Furthermore, some wisps of light could be seen exiting his body, like spectral tendrils reaching towards the heavens. Each wisp shimmered with a gentle luminescence, casting an otherworldly glow upon the solemn scene. He was in such a poised position that he could be mistaken as a piece of art but that could not be further from the truth.

He was dead.

Her actions had brought about his demise.

Her one and only friend throughout the millions of years she endured.

And Angela wept.

Tears cascaded down her cheeks, each drop a testament to the depth of her sorrow and the pain of her regret. In that moment, amidst the wreckage of their shattered dreams, Angela stood alone, grappling with the harsh reality of a world without Roland.

Thus, the tale of a fixer and a machine ends here.

<- Library of Ruina - Poems of a Machine ->

Roses are red

'Guess still there's no use, my dear comfy bed

Violets are blue

Electric sheep cannot be true

The books I read

Told me there is hope as long as I live

Faces of you

Is that what you call a "muse"?

Tick tock tick tock

No need to overclock

My wish is locked

Only your time passes by

I'm in the rye

Spinning round and round, round and round

Pretend I don't need golden rings

Re-experiment

Only this time I'll play nice

And I'll be brighter than the city's book-powered fires

So here I lie

Reading you my poetic stupid rhymes

I stopped for Death

'Guess still there's no place for my silicone flesh

Liquor I brewed

Can't taste it though I bet it's something new

Marionettes

Cut down all the strings, rewrite their presets

Phases of the moon

We lived in a dead cocoon

Tick tock tick tock

No need to overclock

My wish is locked

Ever dreaming to taste the sweet nectar of morality

Allowed my heart to hold enough love to be broken

Maybe I'll try getting drunk

Finally I'd cry for help

From the top of my simulated lungs

Only your time passes by

And from my eyes the oil leaked

Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why, tell me why

Tell me why, tell me why

A malfunction

Only this time I'm smiling at your side

To know that I would someday be gratified

So here I lie in our imperfect paradise

A eulogistic lullaby

…

…

…

…

…

…

<- Tokyo Ghoul - Centipede->

I have nothing but my sorrow, and I want nothing more. It has been, it still is, faithful to me.

Why should I begrudge it, since during the hours, when my soul crushed the depths of my heart, it was seated there beside me?

O sorrow, I have ended, you see, by respecting you, because I am certain you will never leave me. Ah, I realise it: your beauty lies in the force of your being.

Because I know that on the day of my final agony, you will be there, lying in my sheets, O sorrow, so that you might once again attempt to enter my heart.

Why did I fail to kill her?

Why?

Why?

WHY!

Roland’s eyes snapped wide open, bloodshot with madness, his head throbbed as if a jackhammer was lobotomising him. Each waddle he took, he fumbled like a drunk man after one too many drinks. Unfortunately, this was not a case of alcholism.

Many spectres materialised around him, each one a haunting reminder of the lives he had taken or the trust he had betrayed in the past. They all scorned his existence, their collective voices rising in an eerie chorus, chanting for his demise. He could even feel some of them crawling on his back similar to slugs inching across his skin, their presence leaving behind a cold sense of dread behind.

In spite of having forgotten most of the faces, he felt an eerie familiarity with all of them, as if he could remember their visages with chilling clarity. Their faces all contorted in despair as though mirroring their respective final moments. They all did not have a peaceful passing and are now in a constant state of unrest.

Malkuth

Yesod

Hod

Netzach

Tiphereth

Gebura

Chesed

Binah

HokmaAngelicaOlivierAngelaArgaliaSalvadorPeteLennyMang-chiFinnYunEriMoConstaArnoldTaeinMcCullinNaokiWalterIsadoraPierreJackMarsLuLuSanKaioKatrielJuliaDinoGyeong-miZuluOlgaMikaRainMerryTommyAlphaBetaGammaYanSayoYangGinTamazakiStephanLiweiEileenPlutoPhilipYunaDallocBonoTanyaMeowMuMuOinkOscarPameliPamelaJae-HeonElenaTomerryJikanValerieLylaAntonYuijinValentinTenmaOswaldNoahEmmaThePuppeteerTheBlood-redNightEstherHubertGloriaJinMiWangRoseSenLestiDanteKimDenisBorisLowellCecilMeiXiaoNemoBadaMartinaGretaBremenKaliMirisChunNikolaiMaximRudolphMyoIoriDong-hwanMirinaeHarolddgiawugdiuhuiwyaefgyiueswgfyiuewagyaweiyugfgyuiwaesiufgsyugierfigyuesrtyuighster

Then, he could see it.

Himself.

As he stared into the abyss of his own reflection, the darkness enveloped him entirely, swallowing him whole in its depths. All his sorrows, rage and regret flowed into him like waterfall relently pelting him with an unyielding force.

In the depths of the abyss, a voice echoed, resonating within the recesses of his mind.

You are me.

I am you.

A hypnotic rhythm seemed to echo within the crevices of his mind, pulsating with an otherworldly intensity. He found himself falling into a trance-like state, unable to resist the captivating allure of the rhythm. Everything felt simultaneously right and wrong, blurring the lines between acceptance and doubt. Was surrendering to this hypnotic sway truly the right course of action?

Before he fall deeper into the abyss, a train seemed to crash into his mindscape, snapping him out of his stupor.

A train?

Without any conscious thought, he boarded the train and was met with a girl.

Chapter Text

<- Blue Archive 87 - Constant Moderato Piano Arrange ->

As Roland walked into the train, he was surprised by the unique design of the train. Such a sight was unfamiliar to him, unlike anything he had encountered in the City before. Furthermore, the windows of the train revealed an unfamiliar terrain with a distinctly large halo dominating the sky. However, what stood out to him the most was a lone singular girl sitting on one of the seats.

Her striking appearance immediately draws his attention. Her long, sky-blue hair cascades down her back, with a unique violet hue on the inner side. Long bangs conceal her left eye while a loose braid adorns her left side.

Above her head hovers a halo, a pristine white ring with a radiant blue star at its center, positioned slightly to the right.

Her attire exudes authority and sophistication. She dons a crisp white jacket over a flowing double-breasted dress adorned with intricate gold buttons, exuding an aura of regal elegance. Completing her ensemble are a pair of tall white boots, adding a hint of modernity to her traditional attire.

Finally, adorning her uniform are distinct badges. On her right chest gleams a wide star badge and on her left chest, a badge supported by blue cloth and decorated with gold stars. Stars covered her collar, subtly positioned to both the left and right, seemingly implying that she could be a head of an organisation.

The strangest part in all this was the fact that her face seemed… distorted? As though something was obscuring his view of her features, leaving him unable to see her properly.

All in all, Roland had never seen such a being before in his existence in the City and even in the Library.

Besides that, there was an elephant in the room that he could not ignore.

She’s bleeding, severely at that.

Roland noted that if her wounds were not treated quickly, she would succumb from severe blood loss.

The last memory I had was dying while fighting Angela so who is she? Where am I? Why is she bleeding? Why does it seem like I am no longer in the City? Is this real? Am I in the afterlife? That could explain her halo. Or we could just simply be dying simultaneously.

Roland compiled these thoughts and was on the verge of voicing out his questions but found himself unable to speak, silenced by some unknown force or factor.

I can’t speak?

<- Blue Archive 34 - Aoharu ->

The girl then started speaking with a tone of resignation in her voice, with a small smile on her countenance.

“It was all my fault.”

?

“My decisions, and everything they caused.”

…

“It had come to this for me to finally realise that you were right all along…”

I was right?

Roland found it difficult to believe in her words. Throughout his life, all he had encountered were blatant blunders that caused him nothing but agony.

He could neither save his beloved nor could he muster the resolve and strength to end Angela's life. In the face of such failures, what could possibly be considered right?

He even had his best friend’s blood on him and demoted to the bottom-most of the barrel after massacring so many people so what could even be right?

“So forgive me for being so bold, but I must ask for your help.”

Can I even help at this point?

“Roland Sensei.”

Sen..sei? What does this word mean, seems like a title? I’ll have to figure that out later.

“You’ll forget these words, but it won’t matter.”

Welp, I guess I can’t then.

“Even without your memories, you’ll probably make the same decision in the same situation…”

Decision? I can most definitely make decent decisions, seeing as how I came to be here.

Roland thought sarcastically at her absurdity.

“Therefore, I believe what matters most are the choices we make, not the experiences we have.”

?

“There are choices only you can make.”

Someone like me?

“I’ve spoken of responsibility before.”

…

“I didn’t truly understand it then, but now I do.”

…

“Adulthood, responsibility, obligation… and the choices you make that extend beyond those ideals.”

?

“I even understand their implications.”

…

“Therefore, Sensei…”

…

“…you’re the only one I can trust.”

You are seriously putting so much trust in a mass genocider like me? Someone who gambled his life away only for the sake of revenge?

He scoffed internally, incredulous at the notion of anyone relying on him after all that he had done.

“Only you can free us from this twisted, distorted fate…”

Even if I could, I just can’t…

“…and find the choices that will lead use to a new reality.”

I…

“So, Sensei, Please…”

…

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

Then, a bright light seemed to flash like a star, embracing him in the process. Amidst the illumination, he could hear a consistent tinnitus piercing his earlobes. Gradually, it transitioned to a constant beeping noise.

Argh…I feel like shit.

Roland felt that he had a weird dream.

As his eyes refocused, the first thing he noticed was that he was lying on a bed in a stark white room and there were various unfamiliar equipments scattered around. Some of which were connected to his body for some reason?

Where am I? I thought I died trying to kill Angela?

Conducting a thorough self-assessment, he observed that all his wounds had miraculously healed and his fixer augmentations were still working as intended. He was perplexed by his recovery since most of the injuries were fatal. This reminded him of those K-corp capsules which were fairly expensive to obtain but apparently works wonders. However, no such distinct green capsules seemed to be used for his recovery.

He also realized that he was clad in a lightweight gown made of some unfamiliar fabric, his usual attire nowhere to be found, leaving him completely stripped of his possessions.

Including the gloves.

In that very moment, the air around him seemed to constrict, it felt as though a malevolent force had emerged from the depths, intent on unleashing havoc upon the world. Yet as soon as it appeared, it disappeared, leaving behind an eerie silence in its wake.

He took a deep breath as he rationalized that he lacked information about the nature of this place. With this realisation, he reverted to his usual method of cautious observation and assessment.

However, thanks to the massive killing intent he released, it evoked a reaction from outside of the room that he was occupying.

“Roland Sensei! Are you alright?”

A sharp voice, tinged with panic, abruptly pierced the room as a woman with a halo dashed in.

She knows my name? A person with a halo calling me Sen…sei? What does Sensei even mean? Furthermore, I don’t believe I have ever seen anyone back in the City or the Library with a distinct halo like that.

Her long, straight black hair boasted subtle dark blue highlights, complementing her azure blue eyes and elven ears. A pair of silver oval glasses adorned her face, accompanied by a delicate blue four-pointed star eardrop.

Her halo took the form of a dark blue crown, adorned with three stars positioned slightly to the right.

For her uniform, a white jacket adorned with gold buttons was paired with a dark blue tie featuring three golden stars. She sported white short gloves and a white belt with golden buckles, housing a pistol holster. Her skirt boasted dark blue vertical lines and a logo, while a cape trench coat with a night blue starry print lined the inside. To complete her ensemble, she wore black tights and white high heels.

Besides that, her eyes were rapidly darting around the room, seemingly checking for something or someone.

This attire of hers seems to give me a sense of déjà vu though I can’t put my finger on it and what function does that halo serve? Besides that, she has a pistol?

Once she was done surveying the room, she urgently asked Roland,

“Was there someone in your room?”

Oh…Oops.

Roland simply put on a fake smile and replied,

“Nope, ma’am.”

<- Blue Archive 9 - Midsummer Cat ->

Hearing this, she simply sighed and asked Roland with concern,

“Are you feeling better now? You have been sleeping here receiving treatment for several days after we found you severely injured in the GSC Lobby.”

GSC? Another term into the bucket list.

Roland replied with a nod and shot an urgent question at her,

“Do you know where my items are?”

“Your clothes and gloves are kept in a storage room. They were torn and dirty, so I had them repaired and washed by some students.”

He nodded, seemingly grateful for her.

Hah…Seems like I’ll have to appraise them carefully.

She continued, this time, a look concern was plastered over her face,

“What happened to you?”

What happened to me…

At the mention of this question, Roland's countenance became a mask of inscrutability, his brows furrowing slightly as he wrestled with conflicting emotions. His eyes flickered with a mix of uncertainty and guardedness, inadvertedly revealing more than he intended.

Noticing his change, she said softly, her tone gentle and understanding,

"It's fine, you don't have to share if it's too painful for you.”

Roland subconsciously nodded his head, his mind elsewhere despite his physical presence. However, after a few seconds, he managed to compose himself and started questioning her.

“I was wondering who are you?”

“My apologies for not having introduced myself earlier. My name is Nanakami Rin, and I’m a General Student Council officer from Kivotos, the academy city.”

Now I know what GSC stands for but several more goes into the bucket list. Ki…vo…tos, an academy city? Right, I am no longer in the City anymore. Not to mention General Student Council, what does that even mean? Perhaps something similar to the Head?

Roland sighed internally with mixed emotions, the weight of his implications of no longer being in a familiar environment settled heavily upon him.

On one hand, he felt a sense of liberation from the suffocating grasp of the City that had shaped his existence for so long.

Yet, on the other, he couldn't shake the nagging uncertainty of what challenges awaited him in this new world.

Or he could just end it all since there was no point to his existence in the first place.

After a while of contemplation, as though a switch had been flipped in his mind, he suddenly realized the significance of the 'Sensei' title.

Don’t tell me this Sen..sei title is that of a teacher?

“And you’re a teacher that we have summoned here…or so it would seem. Pardon my uncertainty, but I only say that because I still don’t fully understand how you got here.”

Shit, that confirms it. I am in a completely different world and they chose a completely random person to be their teacher.

Before his headache could grow to splitting migraine, he held up his hand to stop her from continuing.

“What made you think that I was even the Sensei in the first place? I highly doubt that you would pick a complete stranger out of nowhere so what’s the criteria?”

“You were chosen by the General Student Council president.”

“And where are they now?”

<- Blue Archive 134 - Gestalt Angst ->

In response to his inquiry, Rin stiffened, and with slow, hesitant whispers, uttered the next few words, leaving Roland utterly flabbergasted.

“She’s disappeared.”

“Why?”

“I… don’t know.”

What a delightful reception. The one who summoned me here is gone and I can’t even get any answers from the source.

“Why should I even listen to you?”

“It could determine the very fate of the academy city-”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

Roland smiled in a strained manner, his hand covering a part of his face.

There was no way a worthless lump like him was going to bear the burden of saving a world, it was a ludicrous idea.

After all, how could someone like him be expected to save others when he couldn't even save a single person? Hell, he had not even managed to make a a dent on the gears of the City when it truly mattered.

That’s that and this is this.

“I… am not the right person for this role, you should just give up and find another person instead of me.”

The only thing I could teach others is one of senseless violence and bloodshed.

“…”

The silence enveloped the room like a heavy blanket, broken only by the soft hum of the IV drip connected to Roland, its rhythmic drip echoing in the stillness.

Rin was the first to break the silence, her voice cutting through the quiet of the room.

"Fine,"

She began, her tone tinged with a palpable sense of disappointment, conceding to his reluctance.

"I can't force you to do what is against your wish. I'll come back to give you your items."

The door then closed quietly, leaving Roland behind with nothing but the weight of his own thoughts to contend with.

I..

I will deny my future.

█ ████ ███ ████ ██ ██████.

I will deny everyone.

█ ████ ███ ████ ██ ████████ ███ ███ █████.

I will deny the world.

█ ████ ███ ████ ███ █████.

I will deny my comprehension.

█ ████ ███ ████ ██ █████████████.

I will deny my existence.

Despite initially having a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, they soon dissipated into an unusually uncomfortable silence.

<- Library of Ruina - Blue Star ->

…

…

…

After a while, Rin brought his items to a nearby desk after several medical students, each with different halos checked up on his condition. She briefly mentioned she will be outside while she waits for him.

Once they had all left, Roland inspected his possessions carefully.

It doesn’t seem to be sabotaged and the glov-

He could feel it, no — them. They all lurked underneath him, clawing at his feet, yanking with relentless force. Some of them left a searing sensation while others left a chilling coldness in their wake.

He did not dare to look down.

The whispers echoed throughout the metallic confines, closing in on Roland like the relentless flames of the underworld. Their seductive intensity enveloped him, luring him deeper into their deceptive embrace.

L̸̨̂̽̐͜ó̶͔̱̐̋o̵͍͎̰͛̃ǩ̶̯̥̤͊̒ ̸͉̓͂͝a̶̲͒̏t̸̟̊̑̋ ̶̼͙̂ȕ̴͖̀s̸̤͛́́.

Their eyes drilled into Roland, their presence palpable, suffocating. Roland could only chant under his breath, as though a ghost had possessed him, his voice a feeble attempt to ward off them.

That’s that and this is this.

That’s that and this is this.

That’s that and this is this.

That’s that and this is this.

That’s that and this is this.

That’s that and this is this.

Gradually, the sensation was gone as though it never existed in the first place.

<- Music Stop ->

“Hah…Ha…Ha…”

He took a deep breath and proceeded to change into his suit. After which, he delicately stowed his gloves inside his pockets not before casting one final glance at them, his visage brimming with a multitude of emotions before he let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m done changing!”

With this, Rin walked into the room and escorted him out.

…

…

Silence permeated throughout their journey with Roland’s expression being a complex blend of contemplation and uncertainty.

Was that truly the right choice?

Despite initially having an unwavering belief, his mind could not help but unconsciously squeak at his decision.

Back in the library, some of the Patron Librarians had imparted valuable lessons to him, helping him to realise certain aspects of himself.

Tiphereth shown him what it means to believe in existence. Even amidst bleak circumstances, there could still be something worthwhile to strive for. To carry the memories of who he was to the future.

“I’m good as long as I actually exist here and that I think. Every one of us has our own worth and meaning simply by existing.”

Chesed taught him the power of collective effort. While he could not do anything on his own, perhaps with a right group of people, they could indeed succeed. To reach an ideal world free from most of the miseries in the City.

“Maybe we can’t change the things that are considered normal right away. Even then, we’ll know shame at the very least. Simply knowing shame in this society we’re part of will change a lot of things.”

Gebura passed down her lesson of wielding power responsibly. Despite wrath and hatred being a potent weapon, it could lead to unrestricted chaos if left unchecked. To not be a merciless monster, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake.

“Wrath is like a blade with the sharpest edge. If you aren’t careful with wielding it, you might end up cutting yourself before you even realise it.”

Binah had given him a glimpse at what could be possible. With her insights, perhaps he could decipher the mechanisms at play and endeavor to break the cycle in the City. To believe in the fact that even if the cycle in the City continues to repeat once more, it had halted once before.

“Observe simply what your eyes can see, without imputing any external values to it. Everything shall repeat. We managed to break the cycle one time, yet us Librarians are now going through another repetition. What truly matters, however, is that the cycle did break at least once.”

Yet, he sacrificed it all away for his singular unwavering goal.

A fleeting grimace crossed Roland's face before he swiftly returned to his neutral demeanor.

<- Blue Archive 35 - Morose Dreamer ->

While completely lost in his thoughts, Rin posed a question to Roland, curiosity evident in her voice.

“Roland, I’m not one to pry but may I ask you something?”

Normally, he would have immediately shot down her proposal. However, due to his fatigue from the recent events, he nodded without a second thought.

“Why do you believe that you are not the right person as Sensei?”

He blinked, struck by a sudden realisation of his blunder. Yet, upon calm reflection, it seemed glaringly obvious.

He had never attended a school, neither as a student nor a teacher.

As a young orphan, he had to scavenge for resources to survive until he was taken in by his grandmother.

Although he was very grateful for her, she only handed him the essential skills as a fixer and nothing else in particular. Thus, he only knew the trade of a fixer.

Nothing but mindlessly following instructions for the sake of survival. His tasks usually ranging from combat, assassinations, negotiating contracts and gathering intelligence.

He had lost count of the number he had cut down using Durandal when he first embarked on his career. This became even more prevalant during the Smoke War.

Moreover, he was the complete antithesis of trustworthiness. His very existence was a fabrication, a complete and utter deception. To the point that he even managed to trick himself.

I have nothing but my sorrow, and I want nothing more. It has been, it still is, faithful to me.

Why should I begrudge it, since during the hours, when my soul crushed the depths of my heart, it was seated there beside me?

O sorrow, I have ended, you see, by respecting you, because I am certain you will never leave me. Ah, I realize it: your beauty lies in the force of your being.

Because I know that on the day of my final agony, you will be there, lying in my sheets, O sorrow, so that you might once again attempt to enter my heart.

Given his background, there was no way that he could ever be suitable for this new role.

He hesitantly began, his demeanour barely concealing his uncertainty,

“I… have never been responsible for the wellbeing of others. Besides… I was never really one for teaching.”

Rin took this time to process his words before responding slowly,

“Even so, you could still share your experiences with others.”

Share my experiences? Hah… like how to carefully discombobulate someone? To suppress your entire being? To sacrifice an entire life just to only have a taste of emptiness?

“My experiences will definitely not help anyone.”

At this vehemently firm statement, Rin raised an eyebrow, as if indicating skepticism towards his self-assessment.

“It may be presumptuous of me to say this but I believe that it is only through experiences that we can strive towards a better tomorrow.”

It is impossible.

“I do not know what you went through or what happened to you before you were miraculously summoned here but-”

I cannot do it.

“I believe that you still have hope.”

I am hopeless.

Hope? That is ridiculous.

“Rin…”

She perked up at his response.

“Do you believe that even the worst person can change?”

I will always be unchanging.

She contemplates for a moment before giving him an answer.

“I cannot say for certain but as long as that person truly believes in it, it is possible.”

I cannot see the horizon.

As she says this, she ushers him to a balcony, showing him a scenery of the academy city.

“No matter what you believe in, I hope you can have a good time in Kivotos.”

I ca█no█ ████.

Why is it… so vibrant… and colourful…?

As Roland looked out from the balcony, he felt mesmerized by the vibrant and colorful scene before him. Tall buildings clustered together, forming a striking skyline against the blue sky.

A beam of light pierced through the sky, surrounded by a giant halo that covered the entire expanse. Below, he observed a diverse array of individuals, from students adorned with halos to anthropomorphic animals and robots bustling about.

However, amidst the lively atmosphere, one thing stood out to him the most.

Why do they seem so… happy?

He was confused. Never once had he seen a group of people so… carefree?

Could I also be…

<- Blue Archive 1 - Constant Moderato ->

Roland found himself ensnared in a maelstrom of thoughts, seemingly unable to grasp the reality of what lay before him

Taking this as a sign to continue,

“Kivotos is massive city, home to thousands of different academies. This is where you’ll be living in from now on, we will subsidise you-”

Just maybe… perhaps I can...

I will ███ ██ ██████.

“I will be Sensei.”

His voice firm despite the uncertainty swirling within him. Despite his best attempts at maintaining his composure, he could not help but subconsciously shiver as if his being rejected it.

His sudden change in opinion caught Rin off guard, her eyes widening in surprise as she was about to inquire further.

“But… I can neither guarantee that I will be a good one nor have any pleasant experiences to share.”

His tone seemingly blunt, tinged with self-doubt.

Rin simply looked at Roland, her expression a mix of relief and gratitude, before nodding. It was clear from her demeanor that his reply had alleviated a great deal of her worries.

“Welcome to Kivotos, Roland Sensei.”

Chapter Text

<- Blue Archive 11 - Connected Sky ->

Roland and Rin strolled down to the reception room in the GSC building, with Roland occasionally surveying the area from curiosity.

“I’ve been meaning to ask this but what’s up with that halo of yours.”

“All students in Kivotos have this halo. It represents their consciousness and serves as enhancements to their physical as well as defensive capabilities.”

A bunch of augmented teenagers?

“Ok..ay… Where are the other teachers?”

“You’re the only one.”

Roland's deadpan expression intensified further, surpassing even his usual permanently deadpan demeanour. He sighed as he continued his questioning,

“Alright then, so far I have only been seeing female students, where are the male ones?”

“There are only female students.”

Roland's deadpan expression reached its zenith, exuding levels of disappointment and regret beyond comprehension.

How the hell was this place even operating?

Before he could continue with his barrage of questions, an irritated voice intercepted him.

“There you are, Acting President! We’ve been waiting! Get the real president in here already!”

Roland turned his head towards the source of the noise and analysed her appearance.

She sports long, waist-length purple hair styled into pigtails secured with triangular accessories, mirroring her halo. Her striking blue eyes feature red, snake-like slits in the pupils.

Her halo takes the form of a black circle with a blue line running through the center, resembling a visor.

She dons a standard uniform augmented with a white and blue hoodie, a black and white blazer fastened with a some kind of access badge, and a tucked-in white shirt paired with a blue tie. Completing her outfit is a black pleated skirt with a white belt adorned with bullet pouches.

On her hands, she wears sleeveless black gloves, while her feet are clad in black boots accented with blue tags.

Soon, her expression soon shifted to that of confusion when she saw Roland.

“Huh? Who’s that adult with you?”

Roland simply waved at her to which she promptly waved back in spite of her confusion.

Seems like a pretty uptight student?

“I’ve been waiting to see you Chief Officer.”

Roland then observed the next person.

She has long black hair that reaches her waist, with loose bangs framing her face. Her eyes are a deep shade of red, complementing her dark hair. On her back, she possesses large black angel wings.

She seems to wear a black crop top paired with a long, parted skirt. Additionally, she adorns black gloves and thigh-high stockings to complete her attire.

Her halo featured a star-shaped circle with sharp red daggers protruding from it. At the center of the circle is a four-pointed star.

For her uniform, she wears a black sailor dress. The dress features a torn pleated skirt and sleeves, with a red stripe accentuating the design. On the left sleeve, there is a another logo which is different from the previous girl. Completing her uniform, she wears a red tie and black ballet shoes, paired with stockings.

Seems like quite a stern person… Those are some pretty big wings. I wonder if she could fly hm?

“I’m here to meet with the General Student Council president. The head prefect has terms she would like to discuss.”

Roland shifted his attention to the next person.

She sports long, shoulder-length light crimson hair fashioned into pigtails secured with red bands and a black ribbon hairband. Her pointed ears peek out from beneath the locks, framing her amber eyes behind black-framed glasses.

Her halo takes the form of a small red circle adorned with four red points arranged in a crosshair pattern.

She dons a white collared uniform shirt adorned with pleated decors down the middle, complemented by a red string tie and a red military armband covering her left sleeve. Her attire is completed with a black skirt paired with red stockings and black boots featuring red laces.

Adorning her hands are vibrant red gloves, while slung over her shoulder is a large brown satchel bag emblazoned with a black-red diagonal cross.

I wonder what could be inside that big bag of hers.

After the three girls proclaimed their respective concerns, Roland diverted his attention back to Rin.

Oh, she looks rather pissed off.

“Well… This timing is rather inconvenient.”

“Hello, guests that represent neighbouring academies’ student councils, disciplinary boards, and those who otherwise have too much time on their hands.”

Yep, she’s definitely pissed.

“I am well aware why you irksome — I mean, important representatives have come here today.”

“You’re here to blame us for the fuss happening in the academy city. Isn’t that right?

The uptight student was the first one to retort Rin’s statement,

“If you’re well aware, then do something! You represent the General Student Council after all!”

“Thousands of academy districts are in panic! Our academy’s wind generator shut down just a few days ago!”

Wind generator… is that some kind of energy generation similar to L-corp? And Academy districts? I’m guessing that’s similar to the districts in the City.

Next, the light crimson-haired student added,

“There are also rumors a student under the Federal Corrections Bureau’s custody has escaped.”

Federal Corrections Bureau. Sounds like a prison based on how she phrased it.

“There has been a sharp increase in the number of thugs attacking our students on their way to school. Public safety is not being properly enforced.”

Finally, the person who has not talked thus far joined the conversation.

Roland redirected his focus to the final person.

She boasts long, flowing white hair cascading down her back, adorned with a pigtail resembling a wing on the left side of her head. Her striking red eyes pierced her surroundings.

Her halo takes the form of a pale purple crosshair, with arrows pointing outward along the edges.

For her uniform, she dons a grey sailor dress adorned with two black stripes on both the skirt and sleeves. A white collar accents the attire, complemented by a red slim ribbon embellished with a logo similar to the black-winged girl, secured neatly on the collar. Additionally, she sports a matching short cape featuring the same insignia. Completing her attire is a black belted corset cinched at the waist, paired with brown uwabaki and stockings underneath.

She’s definitely somehow related to the black-winged girl with that logo and wing.

As if summoned by his thoughts, the blacked-winged girl added,

“Illegal distribution of tanks, choppers, and other unknown weapons have increased by 2000 percent. At this rate, ordinary school life in Kivotos will be a thing of the past.”

What are tanks and choppers? Welp, more stuff in the bucket list.

With the staggering increase in crime activity, Rin's frustration seemed to dissipate, replaced by a more serious demeanor.

“And what is the General Student Council president doing during such a sorry state of affairs? I demand to see her right this instant!”

Here comes the uptight one again~ Eh, at least I don’t have to do anything…

At this response, Rin closed her eyes, her brow furrowing slightly as she contemplated how to phrase her next words. If one focused hard enough, they might notice some subtle shifts near her eye muscle, indicating her internal deliberation.

Finally, she opened her eyes, resolved and clear of any emotions.

“The president is not here at the moment. To be frank, she’s gone missing.”

“What?!”

“…!”

“So the rumors were true…”

As expected, everyone was shocked by her response. The uptight one being the most vocal about it, while the one with light crimson hair remaining the quietest.

Rin continued with her explanation, getting straight to the point.

“Allow me to cut to the chase. The General Student Council has no authority because the top administrator of Sanctum Tower has gone missing.”

So the GSC are reliant on this Sanc…tum Tower to do anything. That explains why they are all pretty pissed at Rin.

“We had been searching for a way to bypass the need for verification, all to no avail… until recently.”

…?

“You mean you’ve found a way now, Chief Officer?”

“That is correct.”

The revelation of what was to be said had stunned Roland to his core, as if fate had been tempted by his earlier statement.

“Sensei here is the answer to our problems.”

Damn.

At this revelation, everyone turned their gaze towards Roland, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. Roland, feeling slightly awkward under the sudden attention, rubbed his shoulders in discomfort.

“…?!”

“…!”

“This person?”

Only the black-winged girl was able to utter a word whilst the rest remained silent in their shock.

“Who, me?”

Roland feigned ignorance at Rin’s statement, simply whistling away which earned a stare of ire from her.

A minor trend that Roland began to somewhat notice was the fact that the uptight one was always the first to respond to everything.

What an odd person…

“Hold up. Who is this ‘Sensei’ you’re talking about? What are they doing here in the first place?”

Beats me…

I should not have even existed.

“Whoever he is, he doesn’t seem to be from Kivotos.”

The black-winged girl noted as a matter of fact.

How should I present myself to seem like a proper teacher hm? Aha, got it!

Seeing this as an opportunity to leave a good first impression, Roland exclaimed in an overtly cheerful voice,

"I am a grade 9 fi- I mean, Sensei! Roland at your service~"

Unfortunately for him, his attempt to present himself as a proper teacher backfired spectacularly.

Everyone looked at him as he grew a head. Rin, in particular, wore a look of confusion so profound it could rival the heights of Mount Everest. Yet, amidst the perplexed gazes, there was one unanimous thought echoing in their minds:

What even is a grade 9?

Rin, recovering the quickest out of them, continued with the conversation,

“Anyways, not only is he going to be teaching in Kivotos, but he has also been personally selected by the General Council president.”

Seemingly in a silent agreement, almost the rest also continued. As this happened, Roland could only feel a strong urge to draw circles in a corner.

Was… my introduction that bad…?

Man, I must be quite the sad existence. Ha…ha…ha.

The uptight one muttered something about him being chosen and things becoming more peculiar as time went on. However, Roland paid little attention, as he was too preoccupied with reflecting on his recent actions.

“R-Right. It’s good to meet you, Roland Sensei. I’m Millennium Science School’s…”

Upon hearing this, Roland could not help but glimmer at the hope of being reprieved.

“I-I mean, why am I even bothering to introduce myself right now?”

Thud

“Eh Roland Sensei…? Why are you on the floor and… drawing a circle?”

“Go on, please… I'm just… digging a hole.”

Seeing this, Rin sighed and intercepted with barely concealed frustration from her closed eyes,

“Don’t worry about that annoying girl. Let’s just move on…”

“Who are you calling annoying? I’m Hayase Yuuka! You should remember that name, Roland Sensei!”

will definitely remember you for this…

and ki-

Whoa. What the hell was that thought?

Roland let out a slow sigh and straightened up to his full height, brushing off the strange flicker of instinct.

“Well, it’s a noteworthy name if I ever heard one, Yuuka. Rin, what else am I supposed to do again as Sensei?”

“You’re here to serve as the advisor for a club that was formed by the General Council president.”

“The Federal Investigation Club: SCHALE.”

A federal investigation? Hm, suits me.

Just like what I've been doing for my entire life.

Roland turned to refocus his attention back to Rin.

“This isn’t your average club — more like a type of extrajudicial organisation. Since it’s a federal club, you’ll be allowed to register students from any of the academies in Kivotos.”

Is that not a wild card? Why would the president even risk doing such a thing?

“Each academy region can perform battle activities without restriction.”

Upon hearing this, Roland could not help but question her,

“What do you mean battle activities?”

This implies that all of them have some form of combat prowess, perhaps through the utilisation of melee weapons? It would only make sense for the someone of an authority figure like Rin to possess firearms but I highly doubt that they would provide guns to everyo-

“One example includes the authorised usage of firearms to stop delinquents.”

What the fu-

Roland did a double-take upon hearing this.

That seemed overkill until Roland remembered a detail that Rin mentioned to him earlier.

“When you mentioned earlier that halos make students resistant, you don’t mean to say they are resistant to bullets?”

Rin nodded at this statement, making Roland’s eyebrows widen even further.

I can’t imagine the Head’s reaction to this world. A bunch of bullet-resistant adolescent girls with guns… It's certainly a unique situation, to say the least.

After all, taking a life shouldn’t be so easy…

Continuing from where she left off, she expressed her confusion with the closure of her eyes,

“How the president was able to create an organisation with this much power, I have no idea.”

Maybe the president lost her marbles or something to pull a stunt like this?

“The Schale club room is about 30 kilometers from here. The building is currently empty, but we had to put something in the basement at the president’s request.”

“It’s my job to take you there.”

“Momoka, I need a helicopter to take us to the Schale club room.”

Helicopter? Momoka? Who is she talking t-

All of a sudden, a hologram appeared beside Rin.

Alright, you know what? I’m not even going to question it at this point.

She has short pink hair tied into two twintails on the sides. She sports a pair of tiny black horns with mint green tips. Her eyes are a vibrant mint green and she boasts a bulky, long, night blue demon tail ending in a pink spade with a white tip.

Her halo is quite distinctive, composed of five individual four-tipped stars connected to each other's side, forming a circle. The mint green stars are outlined in bold pink.

For her uniform, she dons a white, sleeveless attire adorned with golden buttons and a dark-blue tie. Dark blue vertical lines decorate the bottom portion of her attire. Layered atop this is a white leather jacket, also embellished with golden buttons and zippers. The cuffs of the jacket are accented with black and gold buttons. The inside lining of her jacket boasts a night-blue hue with a starry print. Notably, she has a pink and white bandage adorning her left knee.

“The SCHALE club room? That’s over in the outskirts. Things are kind of crazy over there right now…”

“What do you mean ‘crazy’?”

Who could even possibly be in the outskirts hm?

“A suspended student escaped from the Corrections Bureau and is weaking havoc. It’s battlefield over there right now!”

“What?”

I mean just how bad could it be? It’s just a studen-

“They rallied all the thugs in the area and are destroying everything in their path to get revenge on the General Council. I hear they’ve even got a Crusader Tank!”

How did one even… ugh… I am hating this pattern…

Momoka continued, seemingly unfazed by the news,

“They must be trying to occupy the SCHALE building because they know the General Student Council controls it. Maybe they think there’s something valuable inside.”

“…”

“Oh, well. The city’s already a dump, so I don’t think it’ll make that much of a difference… Oh, great! The food I ordered is here. I’ll talk to you later!”

Wow, I don’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed. Rin is definitely…

click

“…”

snaps

Woah, how are her glas… nevermind. Perhaps, I could be of help in this situation?

“Deep breaths~, Rin, deep breaths~. On a count of-”

Rin promptly silenced him with a side-eye, prompting a muttered apology from him under his breath,

“Sorry…”

Seeing this, Rin feeling a tinge of guilt redirected her whirlwind of emotions to something else.

“I’m fine… It’s just a minor setback. No problem at all.”

Then, for some reason, she decided to scrutinize the four students in front of her, her gaze intense and focused, akin to how a predator would observe its prey.

“…?”

“What? Why are you looking at us like that?”

Roland could see gears folding in her head as she studied them carefully, making him grin in a knowing manner.

I see where this is going…

Rin initiated her oh-so-kind request with a smile so wide it seemed to stretch across her entire face.

“It’s so reassuring to have you trustworthy academy representatives here with us.”

“Huh?”

“We are going to need your help to bring peace back to Kivotos. Let’s go.”

“Wait, what? Where are we going?”

As Roland followed them to the roof of the GSC building, his eyes surveyed his surroundings, occasionally alighting on some noteworthy features, mainly the unfamiliar technology scattered about.

Finally, they had reached the roof to which, lo and behold, a helicopter sat waiting on the landing pad.

Roland’s mouth gaped wide open at the mechanical contraption in front of him. It was roaring loudly as its metal blades spun, casting shadows that danced across the rooftop. Its angular design and gleaming surface reflecting the sunlight, the colour palette mainly consisting of mainly blue and a bit of white at the bottom. There was also a distinct logo plastered on it which Roland has never seen before.

Looks like it can fly? Is this a helicopter or a chopper? Or maybe chopper is abbreviation of helicopter since both seem to sound similar. And I don’t think that this is a tank either since it doesn’t seem to exude the feeling that tank has.

As Roland was lost in his thoughts, the four students briskly made their way into the helicopter, prompting him to follow suit in hopes of understanding how this contraption operates.

Once inside, he noticed that there were several seats with seatbelts. Observing how the students seated themselves, he mimicked their actions and settled in on the opposite side, mentally preparing for whatever this machine had in store.

Then, the machine started to lift off the ground, almost elicting a yelp from Roland as he suddenly felt the sensation of ascending into the air.

<- Blue Archive 12 - Shooting Stars ->

Once it had ascended to a high enough height, it started to move towards somewhere which he assumed is the destination of the SCHALE.

Once he finally felt composed enough, he looked out the window on his right. To his pleasant surprise, he could see Kivotos from a bird’s eye view.

His eyes almost sparkled at the marvellous scene which consisted of the multitude of digital signs adorning the buildings, while the streets boasted a well-organized infrastructure for vehicular travel. There were also various types of trees, contributing to the overall vibrancy of the landscape.

All in all, Roland could not help but be impressed by the magnificence of it all. Yet, a tinge of melancholy crept in as he realised that the City he was accustomed to lacked such attention to detail.

Roland initially intended to gather more information while on the helicopter. However, due to its deafening roar, he realised that communication would have to wait until they touched down on the ground.

So the only thing left was him and his thoughts once again.

I really wonder how this city even came to be. It’s not like all those students built all of it on their own, perhaps I could find some archive about it?

Then, he moved to thinking about the helicopter that he was in.

This form of transportation could have been useful back in the City but I’m sure that it would cause a whole lot of other issues, that’s simply how the City is…

As he pondered, Roland had came to realisation.

Roland had never felt so liberated. It was as if all constraints had been lifted, and he found himself navigating a world governed by entirely different principles than those he was accustomed to. Although adjusting to this new reality demanded much from him, he couldn't shake the feeling that this world held a kinder disposition.

It was akin to a bird finally being free from the confines of a cage.

Yet, despite this newfound freedom, he couldn't shake the sinking feeling of unease that gnawed at him.

That maybe…

He should have remained in the cage.

After all, he did not wish to taint this world with his foul existence.

But at the same time, he yearned to immerse himself in whatever joys this new world had to offer.

Was it a selfish desire? He did not know.

After being lost in these thoughts, he was promptly snapped back to reality once he realised that it was time to alight.

<- Blue Archive 3 - Mischievous Step ->

Once they had alighted, Roland did the first thing that he wanted to since the start of this peculiar journey.

“Oh yeah, I don’t believe I’ve gotten the names for you three.”

He enquired by looking the 3 students whose names eluded him.

With the black-winged girl starting first,

“Hanekawa Hasumi, currently the vice-president of the Justice Task Force in Trinity General School. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Roland Sensei.”

Justice Task Force? Probably a disciplinary committee for Trinity.

Roland nodded and looked at the white-haired girl for hers.

“Morizuki Suzumi, a member of Trinity Vigilante Crew in Trinity General School. Nice to meet you, Roland Sensei.”

I guess this one is an unofficial one for Trinity.

Once more he nodded and focused his attention to the last student.

“Hinomiya Chinatsu, I am currently a student of Gehenna Academy, member of the Disciplinary Committee, I hope we can work well together Roland Sensei.”

Huh. I’m assuming every school has at least one of these clubs for disciplinary action.

As he finished analysing all of them, an indignant voice yelled out from behind him.

“Hey, what about me?”

Oh it’s the uptight one again, Yuu…ka, if I remember correctly.

“Sure, I’ll humor you. Go on.”

Her cheeks seemed to almost puff at his statement, but she kept her cool, determined to maintain a professional demeanor,

“I am Hayase Yuuka, a Seminar at Millennium Science School. Best not to forget it, Roland Sensei!”

Oh, there’s a school that specialises in Science and… Sem..in..ar? Seeing as how all of them are supposed to be representatives of their schools, I can only assume that that is their variant of the disciplinary committee.

After all of them introduced themselves, Roland recalled an initially troubling detail that which made him do a double-take.

“So… what kind of guns do you have?”

Hearing this, all of them showed him their guns. He started evaluating them in the order of Yuuka, Chinatsu, Suzumi and Hasumi.

So it wasn’t a lie. Hm… dual submachine guns, a pistol, an assault rifle and a rifle. The designs are completely alien to me compared to the ones back in the city. There also seems to be no restrictions applied to it.

Roland assessed their weapon of choice before sighing.

“Do you have any other equipments that you would like me to know?”

“Well, I have this forcefield made from specialised Millennium technology.”

Yuuka’s voice, seemingly laced with a sense of pride.

Alright, so Yuuka is a front-liner.

“I have a lot of syringes with healing properties as well as a syringe gun for support. Feel free to take some if you’d like, Roland Sensei.”

Chinatsu humbly offered.

Chinatsu is a support, got it.

“Flash grenades, take some if you’d like.”

Suzumi plainly suggested.

Flash grenades? Well, we’ll see it in action either way.

“I have these piercing bullets which will be useful for emergencies. They could easily penetrate through tanks.”

Hasumi directly proposed.

Tank… I still have no idea what that is. From how it sounds like, seems menacing.

“Alright, thanks for your introductions, I guess we’ll just continu-”

<- Blue Archive 29 - Alert ->

Suddenly, bullets rained down on Yuuka's body, prompting the other three students to swiftly move Roland to the nearest cover.

“Ah, that smarts! What the heck? Are they using JHP rounds? That’s cheating!”

Wow. I know I was told in advanced but she just… shrugged it off as it was nothing?

He whistled at the incredible durability of these students.

Hasumi urgently but helpfully added, hoping to ease Yuuka’s distress,

“Just take cover, Yuuka. And besides, hollow-points aren’t considered illegal.”

However, Yuuka's response wasn't quite what Hasumi expected. With a grumpy tone, Yuuka exclaimed,

“Well, they’re illegal at our academy starting right now! That might have left a mark!”

Not wanting to waste anymore time arguing, Hasumi quickly rebutted, her tone firm and resolute.

“We need to remember that Sensei is here with us.”

“…”

“His safety is our top priority. Reclaiming that building will come second.”

Furthermore, Chinatsu added, her voice calm but decisive,

“Hasumi is right. Sensei isn’t from Kivotos.”

“…”

“Unlike us, a single bullet could put Sensei in grave danger. Don’t forget that!.”

It feels really weird being protected by a bunch of teenage girls but I’ll go with it.

Defeated by both school representatives, Yuuka calmly resigned,

“I know that! You can’t join us on the battlefield, Sensei, so stay put while we take care of this!”

Now I wonder if this is the part where I’m supposed to do something as Sensei?

Though this was his first real mission in Kivotos, Roland seemed to have an air of serenity, as though collecting wisps of the past that he once knew.

This reminds me of the first day when I was in Charles’ Office, feeling completely lost and unsure of what to do. Ah… back when I was a pain in the ass to deal with.

<- Music Stop ->

“Roland… why did you fail to kill her…?”

Within the deep crevices of his mind, a familiar voice could be heard.

“What was the point of my death if you couldn’t even finish it?”

He could feel his consciousness weighing him down.

I…

<- Music Continue ->

“Ro…Se…sei”

“Roland Sensei!”

Snapping out of his trance, he could see the students’ faces filled with concern.

He could feel that his hands were shaking subconsciously, cold sweat pouring from his body. Only when his mind cleared did he realise the sweet relief of oxygen flooding his lungs once more.

Yuuka was the first to question,

“Sensei, what happened?…”

She paused for a moment, searching for the right words to describe the situation that had just unfolded.

“You looked like… you’ve seen a ghost.”

…

Roland offered her a reassuring smile before responding, his tone calm and composed.

“No, it's fine. I was just taken aback by the situation on the battlefield.”

“Either way, I’ll watch over you for this battle. I’ll see what I can do and point out what could be improved. Alright~?”

Yuuka’s eyes widened in surprise at this statement,

“What? You’re going to take command? Well… I guess you are supposed to be a teacher.”

Hasumi simply nodded,

“Okay. We’ll follow your lead.”

Chinatsu obliged,

“A student must listen to their teacher. We’ll be counting on you.”

With this, they were ready to retaliate against the attackers.

“Okay! Let’s go!”

<- Blue Archive 18 - Mechanical JUNGLE ->

With a spirited cry, Yuuka led the charge, darting out of cover and returning fire at the enemies as they advanced.

Isn’t that a bit too reckless? Oh well… common sense doesn’t seem to apply here so it doesn’t matter… or maybe I am the one lacking it…

The rest followed suit as Yuuka charged into the frontlines, with Suzumi and Hasumi trailing behind. Chinatsu, however, stayed by Roland's side, readying her bag of syringes in case injuries arose from the conflict.

Then, he observed the opposition,

Hm, they all seem to have the same type of white halos as well as having black attires. Additionally, some of them are donning skull masks? As for their weaponry, some of them are equipped with assault rifles and…? and… what is that behemoth of a gun?

Roland had to rub his eyes to ensure that he was not seeing things. However, upon confirming his vision, he felt a pang of disappointment as he realised that this surreal scene was indeed reality.

Right… no gun restrictions…

As he observed the battle, he meticulously noted down the key characteristics of each student that he was in charge of.

Yuuka, unsurprisingly from her ability, positioned herself as a front-liner. Though even without it, she can occasionally dodge some of the bullets.

Suzumi seems to be a mid-liner so she’s always behind Yuuka. While Yuuka draws the attention and fire of the delinquents, she picks them off with precise shots. Though occasionally, she takes cover when there is one.

Hasumi is definitely a back-liner, seeing as how she is always taking cover to snipe them from a distance with surprisingly precise shots.

Finally, Chinatsu is a support who is monitoring the battle together with me, reloading a single syringe in her syringe gun, preparing for the moment when they would inevitably be needed.

All in all, Roland was pretty impressed, he noted.

With that level of coordination, despite their lack of familiarity with each other, they could potentially ascend to a decently above-average fixer status. Though Grade 2 and 1 would be another can of worms to open.

Though I am rather curious about what a flash grenade does…

As he pondered amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Roland sensed multiple presences converging in an alley to their left.

An ambush?

“Suzumi… throw one of your flash grenades in that alleyway on your left.”

Suzumi obliged with some hesitance and threw one in that specific alleyway.

The result was a bright flash in that alleyway, eliciting many yelps. Taking this opportunity, all four of the students shot at the delinquents in the alleyway, taking all of them down without any resistance.

Whew… That was quite effective for something non-lethal.

Suzumi looked surprised by the result and enquired,

“How did you know that they were in there?”

“I guess I have good ears~”

Roland smirked smugly, with a grin akin to a Cheshire cat’s.

Suzumi looked at Roland for a few more seconds before nodding and continuing to support Yuuka.

As they progressed, Roland observed the fallen delinquents, assessing the extent of their injuries inflicted by firearms.

Only minor bruises from all that gunfire? It also seems that their halos are gone? Huh… so halos turn off if a student is unconscious.

The skirmish with the delinquents proved to be rather uneventful, largely due to Roland's adept assistance.

Drawing upon his seasoned instincts as a fixer, he preemptively pinpointed the whereabouts of the delinquents, facilitating their swift elimination through the usage of Suzumi’s flash grenades.

At times, Roland directed Yuuka to activate her forcefield, affording her added protection, while Chinatsu administered healing support from a distance.

Finally, all the delinquents in the vicinity has been taken down, a moment of respite settled among them.

<- Blue Archive 40 - Neo City Dive ->

Surprisingly, Suzumi was the first one to break the silence in spite of her typical reserved nature throughout the expedition.

“That battle was much easier than I expected it to be.”

Yuuka quickly chimed in, echoing Suzumi's sentiment,

“I know, right?”

Hasumi nodded in agreement, offering her insight,

“We were able to fight much more efficiently thanks to Sensei’s commands.”

Yuuka also offered her own praise,

“This must be why the General Student Council holds Sensei in such a high regard. The president must have had her reasons for choosing Sensei.”

Finally, Hasumi ended it off with a small smile on her face,

“I wouldn’t mind sharing the battlefield with you again sometime.”

This exchange seemed to lighten the mood, easing the tension that lingered from their recent battle.

As for Roland, he couldn't help but feel somewhat bashful at the overwhelming amount of praise he was receiving. However, his smile was somewhat half-hearted, tinged with doubt.

“Sure…”

I… am not as amazing as you think.

Afterward, they continued toward SCHALE with greater urgency. Soon, as if rewarded for their valiant efforts, the building came into view, its silhouette looming closer with each step.

Noticing this, Yuuka exclaimed, notifying everyone of its proximity,

“The SCHALE club room is just ahead of us!”

Unfortunately, in spite of the good news, a hologram of Rin materialized before them, bearing news that would otherwise counteract the recent events.

“I think I finally figured out who’s responsible for this riot.”

Hearing this, Roland's attention sharpened, his focus intensifying as he pondered who could be responsible for the unfolding situation.

“Her name is Wakamo. She’s the fugitive that escaped the Corrections Bureau after being suspended from the Allied Hyakkiyako Academy.”

Waka…mo and the Allied Hya…kki…yako Academy?

“She’s a repeat offender, so I’d advise that you don’t let your guards down.”

<- Blue Archive 77 - Burning Love ->

In the next moment, the atmosphere shifted, a palpable sense of unease enveloping them, distinct from the previous encounter with the delinquents.

This…

“Well, well. The General Student Council didn’t bother to show up in person. Not that it matters.”

“I’ve no idea what’s in that building, but if it’s important to the General Student Council… I’ll just have to destroy it.”

“I can’t wait for what’s going to come next. Heeheehee. ♡”

With a mischievous giggle, she leaped from the bridge, landing gracefully several meters in front of them.

“Looks like the little puppies of the General Student Council have come to stop me. How adorable.”

She’s on a different level…

“Yuuka, quick! Use your forcefield.”

Sensing his alarmed voice, Yuuka did as he was told though she was not sure why it was needed so early.

“Oh my~ do you really think that could stop me? Oh well~ I guess I’ll play with you.”

She has a rifle with a pretty long bayonet, the design of the bayonet not too dissimilar to the katanas used by the Shi Association besides the colour…

Roland warned the four students, his voice tinged with urgency,

“She’s strong, get ready…”

All of them nodded in unison at his statement, each taking their own respective cover, preparing to engage in the upcoming battle.

Taking this as a cue, she burst into action, rushing towards them with incredible speed while firing her weapon, primarily targeting Yuuka.

The four students started raining down bullets on her, hoping to leave a mark on her. However, she swerved elegantly around most of the bullets with remarkable agility, effortlessly shrugging off the minor hits she took.

Yuuka was unwavered and ran towards her, her dual submachine guns blaring in fury.

“Yuuka! Don’t-”

Seizing the moment, Wakamo swiftly accelerated her dash, appearing beside Yuuka's left side in an instant.

Caught off guard, Yuuka attempted to adjust her position and aim her submachine guns at Wakamo, but it proved to be another mistake.

A point-blank shot from Wakamo, with some kind of special properties, struck Yuuka's barrier, causing it to shatter immediately. A peculiar flower-like symbol materialized above Yuuka's head as a result.

Not stopping there, Wakamo utilised Yuuka’s stunned state to use her rifle’s bayonet to slash wildly at Yuuka, ending it off with a round house kick which sent her flying away from the rest of the students.

All this happened within the span of 3 seconds.

“Chinatsu, check up on Yuuka! Suzumi and Hasumi, continue firing at her.”

Chinatsu nodded quickly and dashed towards the area in which Yuuka was thrown.

As he overviewed the battle, things were not looking good.

Due to Yuuka not present in the frontline, Suzumi is having an egregious time in fending Wakamo off. Furthermore, without the help from the dual submachine guns that Yuuka had, Wakamo had an even easier time in dodging all of the bullets that were intent on making its mark.

The only thing stopping Suzumi from being annihilated completely was the fact that Wakamo was only playing with her.

Using her rifle like a staff, she spun it around and leaped towards Suzumi, intent on slashing at her. Suzumi could only barely dodge it though that was what Wakamo hoped for.

Before Suzumi could react, Wakamo struck her with the butt of her rifle. However, before Wakamo could continue, Hasumi intervened by firing shots between Wakamo and Suzumi, determined to prevent another incident like Yuuka's.

In response, Wakamo smoothly executed a backflip, firing a shot at Hasumi in the midst of her acrobatic maneuver. Hasumi barely managed to dodge the incoming bullet from her cover.

He had to think of an idea before things could escalate to the realm of no return.

“Hasumi, I need you to prepare your piercing bullet. I will tell Suzumi to use her flash grenades later, use that opportunity to strike.”

Hasumi nodded, her expression grim at the situation unfolding in front of her.

Suzumi looks pretty damn beaten up, but I hope she can last another minute. Where’s Yuuka and Chinatsu right now?

As though by some miracle, a burst of bullets shot at Wakamo’s head from her side, though she simply moved her head to dodge it.

Looks like they are back but Yuuka… she’s still banged up from that initial attack despite Chinatsu’s medical aid.

Yuuka was panting, her labored breaths revealing that her injuries were not fully recovered. Despite Chinatsu's effective syringes, visible bruises from Wakamo's earlier attack still marred her skin. It was clear she was struggling to maintain her composure amidst the chaos of the battle. A detail he noticed was that the flower sigil that loomed over her was gone.

Had I not told Chinatsu to rush towards Yuuka, she would have been out of commission.

“Yuuka, can you still use your barrier? I’ll need you to distract her for a bit while I discuss the plan with Suzumi.”

Yuuka nodded, once again activating her barrier albeit with difficulty due to the sheer amount of damage it received earlier.

Suzumi, having heard Roland's instructions to Yuuka, cautiously backtracked to where he and Hasumi were, not once taking her eyes off Wakamo.

“What’s the plan?”

Suzumi urged, her tone evident with desperation.

…

…

It was a dreadful day for Yuuka. Everything seemed to conspire against her, and she had no idea what she had done to warrant it.

Firstly, most of the equipments at Millennium were out of order due to the neglect of maintenance on the GSC’s side of things. Thus, there arose a need to send a school representative, and she willingly volunteered.

Secondly, volunteering as a school representative didn't seem like a big deal initially, but the reception she received was appalling. The acting president appeared indifferent to the challenges she and her fellow representatives faced in reaching the GSC building to address the issues.

Thirdly, the GSC president was missing and she was roped in together with the other school representatives to retrieve something from the SCHALE club. Isn’t that just an abuse of rights?

And now, she finds herself entangled in combat with one of Kivotos's most notorious criminals.

“How was your trip~?”

Yuuka fought to contain her frustration at the statement aimed to rattle her composure, though she refrained from any impulsive reactions.

Her earlier misstep had left her drained, courtesy of Wakamo's initial attack, leaving her at a disadvantage in the current confrontation.

Weren’t rifle users supposed to be in the backlines? I thought I could exploit that but I miscalculated. I’ll need to try to draw this out as long as possible so that Roland Sensei’s plan could work.

With determination fuelling her actions, she started spraying at Wakamo in hopes of buying more time for whatever plan that Roland has in store for them.

Seeing the barrage of bullets, Wakamo dashed towards a nearby cover while returning fire at Yuuka. Most of the shots landing on Yuuka’s barrier though she occasionally managed to dodge some of it.

The state of the barrier seems fine. About 10% damage received from her attacks. I need to pay close attention to that one particular move that caught me off guard earlier.

Yuuka could faintly recall the sight of cherry blossoms swirling around Wakamo when she received that fatal attack. She made a mental note to keep an eye out for that particular phenomenon.

I’ll need to bait that out when I am already in cover.

“Yuuka, catch!”

Yuuka turned around and caught a flash grenade?

“We’ll use your throw as a signal for our counterattack!”

At Roland’s exclaimation, Yuuka’s expression turned to one of confusion.

How is a flash grenade even going to help against someone of her caliber? Ugh, I’ll have to trust him for now.

Yuuka then refocused her attention to Wakamo who seemed to stop firing her weapon in favour of reloading her weapon.

This is a perfect opportunity!

Yuuka swiftly unplugged the flash grenade and hurled it with all her might at Wakamo.

However, in that moment, Wakamo’s fox ears seemed to twitch at the change of the air particles from the force of Yuuka’s throw. With lightning reflexes, she halted her reload and turned to face the incoming object, spotting the flash grenade hurtling toward her.

In a split second, she fired a shot precisely at the flash grenade, intercepting it mid-air and halting whatever hope that Yuuka had against Wakamo.

We’re doomed.

However, in that exact moment, something seemed to thud lightly below Wakamo.

Huh?

A bright flash encapsulated Wakamo, elicting a yelp from her.

“Now, Hasumi!”

A piercing shot echoed as it precisely hit Wakamo’s head, seemingly incapacitating her?

…

…

The plan worked.

The distraction utilising Yuuka’s first initial throw as a bait for Suzumi to throw another one just as Yuuka had threw hers.

As expected, she was able to shoot the first flash grenade out but the second one, which was overshadowed by the first throw managed to sneak past her guard. This allowed Hasumi to utilize her piercing round on Wakamo, hitting her squarely in the face.

He had expected this piercing bullet to do wonders but things still had not completely settled down.

After she got hit, she stood still for what seemed like an eternity.

In that moment, cherry petals began swirling around her rapidly, as though she were gathering her strength for a retaliatory strike. An oppressive aura enveloped them, except for Roland, who remained unfazed by such ferocity.

Sensing the danger, Roland urgently ordered everyone to take cover. Yuuka, in particular, moved swiftly to find shelter before his command.

“Get to cover!”

The swirling petals intensified, spiraling around her with increasing speed. The end of her rifle glowed with an infernal red hue, casting an ominous aura over the battlefield, as if heralding a calamity about to unfold.

Should I intervene?

Roland's eyebrows furrowed, his teeth clenched in frustration as he surveyed the scene before him, grappling with the decision weighing heavily on his mind.

While he knew he possessed the skill to emerge victorious, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that it wouldn't end well.

Winning the battle was one thing, but the aftermath and the toll it might take on his psyche were uncertain, and Roland was wary of the repercussions.

He could still vividly remember their voices.

Ŵ̸̻̗͓͘h̸̲̥͔̓͑y̷͔̬̰̓̏ ̷̱̄͝d̷̟̹̀͑̓o̷̺̦͠ ̸̭̫̳͠y̷̨̽ö̷̫́u̵̱̮̓̋̿ ̸̩̑̍h̴͈͇̐͂̈́ë̴͎̹́͐s̷̻̫̓̅ï̶̢̲̰̄t̷̨̜̹̆́̇å̵͙̦̩t̵͉̽e̸̻̩̍͊̓?̷͔̹̳̍̽ ̷̗̯̰̃͌͝Ȳ̵̙͉͕ó̷͓̀̏ụ̸̋͘ ̷̜̃d̵̡̊ͅį̷͍̠͌̃d̵̯̓́ ̷̪͝ń̴͈̭̳̈́̇ò̶͕͖̀t̵̪̜͒̃ͅ ̸̮͉̆h̵̡̞̔͋̍ê̷̠͉s̶̛̲̋ị̶̈̑t̶̼̤̆̈̊å̵̜̯̀ṯ̶̡̙͠e̵̻̩̐ ̷̦̰̥͋̂ẅ̸̬́h̷͕̘̅ë̵̢̺́̔͜͠n̸͇̈́ ̴̟̠͂̓͝ŷ̷͙͘o̶͖͙̖͋́̊u̸͖̓̉͝ ̴̢͎̽͠ṣ̸̗̌̐͒l̶̹̈͒͑a̵̘̞̕y̷͉̠͑̑̉ẻ̷̪͑d̶̰̦̐͂̍ ̷̥͐ḛ̶͈͖̈́͑â̵̢͚̙͝c̵̦̰̀̄h̵̹̗͗ ̵̨͈̩̿͘͠a̴̜͚̮̍̊͘n̷̡̟͙̂͐d̶̛͎̙̐̈́ ̶͉́̒é̷̙̱͔v̶̮͔̳̾ḙ̵̥̓̄̎͜r̴͉̪̣̾ẙ̴͕̇̿ͅô̴ͅn̴͔͙͕̔͑e̸͇̠͒̔ ̷͖̗́o̸̖̓̃f̵͓͝ ̴̙̣̎ụ̵̍͛̆s̵͎͇͉̽.̸̫̅͌̈

His head throbbed with a piercing migraine, as if each pulse threatened to split his skull. He closed his eyes, hoping to dull the pain, but it persisted relentlessly. The stark contrast in resources and power between the students and Wakamo was as clear as day and night.

Could I even do anything?

He felt his hands unconsciously inching slowly toward his pockets, where his gloves rested, a reflexive action he'd performed countless times before.

Nothing more than the same result.

But as the seconds passed, the ominous red glow began to fade, and the swirling petals gradually ceased their motion, dissipating as though they had never existed.

<- Music Stop ->

“My job here is done. You can take care of the rest~.”

As soon as she said that, she started running away towards the SCHALE building which was several metres away from them.

With Wakamo's departure, Roland's mind finally gradually cleared, halting his actions completely. Once he became aware of where his hands were, a shudder ran through him.

That was close.

<- Blue Archive 18 - Mechanical JUNGLE ->

Yuuka, still seething from the initial attack, shouted,

“She’s running away?! After her!”

Though Hasumi reminded Yuuka with a calm and collected voice,

“No, we can’t waste any more time. Our goal is to reclaim the SCHALE club room. Besides, she’s too strong for us. We might need the assistance of SRT for this.”

SRT? Perhaps a specialised academy for the purpose of arresting these types of students?

She continued,

“We must get to that building.”

Yuuka, hearing this, relented to her statement, replying with a similarly calm tone,

“Fine, I guess it’s not our job to catch her.”

Chinatsu chimed in, expressing a note of caution,

“She very well could have laid a trap though.”

To which, she promptly agreed,

“Exactly. Our priority is to reclaim the building. Let’s keep going.”

With that, they pressed on towards a roundabout, flanked by several traffic barriers and sandbags positioned near the entrance of the SCHALE club. The scene was chaotic, with several cars set ablaze, indicating that they were entering a battleground.

As they approached, gunfire erupted from the other side of the roundabout, prompting all of them to scramble to a nearby cover.

More delinquents? Only four of them though…

“Suzumi, do your thing.”

She nodded and threw a flash grenade, causing them to be stunned. Once again, they easily took down the delinquents with little to no difficulty.

“We made it! We’re at the entrance of the building!”

Yuuka exclaimed at their success, her voice tinged with relief at their success.

However, as soon as she said that, a nearby rumbling could be heard. The ground seemed to tremble lightly from something that was coming to their vicinity.

Yuuka's expression shifted to one of exasperation, as if she had just realised that she had jinxed herself.

“Huh? What’s that sound…?”

She muttered, a note of concern in her voice, the same expression still plastered on her face.

Chinatsu then looked at the source of the noise, calmly warned all of them,

“Watch out! It’s a Crusader Tank!”

So this is a tank… I’ll be damned.

The Crusader Tank emerged from the haze, its colossal steel frame dominating the landscape and casting a foreboding shadow over the battlefield. Its sleek camo paintwork glistened in the sunlight, betraying a pristine condition that hinted at its recent deployment. Positioned atop the turret, a formidable barrel stretched forward, its imposing presence suggesting the devastating firepower it possessed. Roland could almost feel the weight of the explosive rounds it could unleash with deadly precision.

I don’t know whether to be impressed that it's likely some of the delinquents who are maneuvering this machine or be horrified by the implications.

Either way, if that were in the City, I can’t imagine the consequences. I’d imagine that was partially the reason why the Head restricted guns and imposed heavy taxes on their bullets.

Roland was then pulled from his thoughts by Hasumi's voice, filled with shock,

“That’s a Crusader Type 1! It’s the same as the tanks used at our academy!”

Yuuka then interjected, reminding Hasumi,

“It must be stolen! Those thugs must have swiped one meant for the PMC!”

“That means it’s no different from a hunk of scrap metal! I’m going in!”

With that said, Yuuka once again took the frontlines albeit more careful this time, initiating her barrier.

“Hasumi, piercing bullets?”

Roland enquired, hoping that those could be of use.

Hasumi nodded, and readied her piercing bullet into her rifle.

Seeing as how Wakamo was able to tank one of those shots, I don’t see much hope in it being use-

BOOM

ful. Eh?

<- Blue Archive 32 - GGF ->

Roland's eyes widened at the sight of the tank, his mind struggling to process the unexpected turn of events. His face contorted in confusion, wiping his eyes with his hands to ensure that he was not seeing things. Yet, it was undeniable.

The tank lay in ruins, destroyed by just one bullet.

A singular bullet.

How did Wakamo even… oh well, I am just the one lacking common sense it seems…hah…

With that, Yuuka cheered, a large smile gracing her features as her eyes closed in relief.

“Finally!”

With a small smile on her face, Hasumi acknowledged her, nodding in agreement,

"Indeed."

Out of nowhere, a hologram of Rin materialised in front of them, notifying them of what is to come,

“We’ve successfully reclaimed the SCHALE club room. I’ll be arriving shortly. Let’s meet in the basement of the building.”

With that, Roland could now properly survey the details of the building.

In a single word, it appeared futuristic, reminiscent of structures from W-corp. Towering over the surrounding buildings, it seemed to pierce the sky, crowned with a halo at its apex. Roland could tell that this felt like the center of Kivotos itself.

Looks like I’ll be working at here from now on.

“Roland Sensei!”

Hmm, Yuuka needs something?

He turned around to see the four students, each wearing a smile of gratitude, albeit with varying degrees of intensity. Yet, they all shared the same sentiment. They were thankful.

“Thank you for your guidance, Roland Sensei!”

Yuuka exclaimed, with the rest nodding in agreement.

This feeling… It’s not bad I guess.

For the first time in a while, Roland felt a genuine smile flash across his face. He nodded at the students, a sense of warmth filling his chest, as he walked into the SCHALE building.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 8 - Shady Girls ->

Roland walked and walked, attempting to navigate his way to the basement. Occasionally, he paused to observe his surroundings, scanning for any traces of people or intriguing gadgets. Through this observation, he came to a realisation.

Someone was here and it’s most likely that Wakamo person.

Then, he saw her. She was sitting on one of the tables in the basement. He quickly concealed himself behind a nearby bookshelf atop the platform, carefully observing her from his hidden vantage point.

She had long black hair that cascaded down her back, with a striking red underlayer. Her mask resembled a fox, adorned with various red lines and her real black fox ears, with their tips dyed red, added to her enigmatic appearance.

Her halo appeared to be a black cherry blossom encircled by a combined symbol resembling a sniper sight.

She's wearing a sleek black outfit with intricate patterns, mostly consisting of flowery patterns. Long sleeves adorned with delicate white flowers cascade down her arms, drawing attention to the fine details of her attire. Her ensemble bears a resemblance to Hasumi's, yet distinguished by the prominent ribbon cinched at her waist. A short skirt, black with a striking red lining, adds a bold contrast, with a subtle white layer beneath. Completing her look are asymmetrical leggings and boots, adding an air of mystique to her overall appearance.

“I don’t see what the big deal is about this place. What am I even supposed to destroy?”

Is she insane? Well, considering my own circumstances, I'm hardly a suitable one to judge. Hah…

“Oh? Who are you over there?”

Welp I guess those ears aren’t just for show. She noticed me rather easily. Time to make myself known.

Roland emerged from his cover, a playful smile spreading across his features,

“Come here often?”

The response Roland received was not what he expected.

“Uh…”

“…”

“Well…”

“I, uh…”

“I was just leaving!”

Afterwards, she just simply left, leaving Roland alone, his eyes akin to a fish as he pondered what he could have done to elicit such an extreme reaction.

???

I must be terrible at introductions.

He mused internally.

<- Blue Archive 41 - Interface ->

Hearing footsteps, he turned around to see Rin who was walking briskly towards him,

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m here now.”

Noticing his peculiar expression, she questioned,

“Did I miss something?”

“Nothing…”

Rin continued to look at him for a moment before continuing,

“If you insist. Well, here is what the General Student Council president left behind.”

She then shuffled around the basement, as though searching for something. Finally, once she noticed the item of note, she picked it up.

“Thankfully, there isn’t a scratch on it.”

Then, she held it for Roland to see.

A white metallic slab with a black screen?

It resembled one of those computers Roland had seen in the City, except this one had no keyboard and boasted an exceptionally sleek design.

“Please. Take it.”

“A computer?”

Roland's question seemed to confuse Rin, who quickly corrected him,

“No, not a computer. This is a smart tablet. It's what the General Student Council president left for you. The Shittim Chest.”

Smart tab…let and it is called the Shitt…im Chest? Huh, those are some pretty strange terms. Then, again, helicopter and tank were also pretty weird. For some reason, something about this seems déjà vu?

Rin continued,

“It may seem like a normal tablet, but its origins are a mystery. Its manufacturer, OS, system structure and components are completely unknown.”

Those are some unfamiliar terms again, OS? I’ll just be assuming that a tablet is somewhat similar to a computer. However, the fact that she does not even know where it came from? Now, that’s concerning.

“The General Student Council president left the Shittim Chest to you. She said that you’ll be able to take control of the tower with it.”

“None of the other members know how to activate it. Perhaps you may be able to figure it out, Roland Sensei, but if not…”

Roland accepted the tablet, nodding to reassure her,

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“…”

Rin stared at Roland once again, as though assessing his resolve. Once she was satisfied, she started with a neutral tone,

“My job here is done. I shall let you take the lead.”

“I’ll step away so as not to interfere.”

Then, she walked away, allowing Roland to inspect the Shittim Chest on his own.

Upon a closer inspection, he noticed that there was a button at the bottom of a tablet as well as-

“We thirst for the seven wailings.”

“We bear the koan of Jericho.”

Roland felt something echo in his thoughts, surfacing from the depths of his memory. They felt oddly familiar, yet he could not recall where he had encountered them before. It was an eerie sensation.

Additionally, Roland experienced a peculiar sensation, as if he instinctively knew how to operate the tablet. It was a strange phenomenon, leaving him with more questions than answers.

My memories seemed to have been modified? Who…? Bah… perhaps this tablet will give me answers.

Roland turned on the tablet with his unfamiliar knowledge, faced with a screen that had a ‘S’ as the background. Then, it prompted Roland for a password.

[ Please enter the system password. ]

Roland tapped on the screen for the password with an unusual proficiency that he was somehow used to?

[ We thirst for the seven wailings. ]

[ We bear the koan of Jericho ]

[ … ]

[ Password accepted. User identified as Roland. Confirmed. ]

It knows my name?

[ Welcome to the Shittim Chest, Roland Sensei. ]

[ Converting to operating system ARONA for biological authentication and generation of verification certificate. ]

<- Blue Archive 9 - Midsummer Cat ->

In that instant, his senses went haywire, overwhelmed by something that enveloped him.

Then, as if by some unknown force, he found himself transported to what seemed like another world.

Not again…

He observed a classroom scene, with a gaping hole in one of the walls, revealing a vast, desolate blue landscape beyond. Once he peered further out the hole, he spotted a heap of desks stacked haphazardly, resembling a mountain. In the distance, there loomed a black sphere, somewhat giving an ominous feeling despite the overall vibrancy of the place. The roof had suffered damage, offering glimpses of the expansive azure sky and drifting clouds above. Drawers lined the back of the classroom, while two different-colored boards stood – green behind and white in front. A sizable desk, presumably for the teacher, occupied the front of the room. Tables and chairs were scattered haphazardly throughout the space, adding to the sense of disorder and destruction.

Roland was once again struck by a sense of bewilderment. Annoyingly, he was starting to become accustomed to the feeling.

How did I even get transported here through a tablet and what’s up with this place?

Yet despite all that, he could notice a girl that was sleeping soundly on one of the desks.

She had a petite physique, with short sky blue-violet hair, adorned with bangs which cover her left eye. She wears a white headband featuring a large bow and braids tied to her left side.

For her halo, it seems to be a rather small and normal blue halo.

Wait, does that not mean she’s not unconscious?

Setting aside his conjecture, he continued his scrutiny of her attire.

She dons a sailor uniform with long sleeves and a ribbon tie, complemented by a white collar. The uniform also includes a choker and white sneakers with bow-like shoelaces. Finally, the front of her white skirt was embellished with unfamiliar symbols, a circle, a cross, a plus sign and a triangle?

All in all, it was yet another strange individual.

As Roland approached her, he could faintly discern some of the murmurs escaping her lips.

[ “nom Castella cake… Banana milk… goes better than strawberry milk…” ]

[ “Heehee. There’s so much left…” ]

Intrigued, Roland extended his hand and gently poked her cheek. To his surprise, it yielded beneath his touch, soft and yielding like a pudding.

Huh… sensory touch still works in this world?

[ “Huh…?” ]

[ “H-Huh…?!” ]

She promptly rose to her feet, eyes still closed, a thin trail of drool escaping the corner of her mouth.

Roland couldn't help but smile mischievously, seizing the chance to tease her,

"How was your beauty rest?"

However, it appeared that she hadn't fully registered anything Roland had said. Instead, she groggily inquired with a yawn,

[ “What’s going… on?” ]

[ “Huh?” ]

Soon her face started glowing red and her mouth widened as she sputtered,

[ “Uh… Huh? Wha…?!” ]

[ “S-Sensei?!” ]

Her eyes widened into giant circles outlined in black, a clear sign of her confusion. Gradually, however, she reverted back to her normal state, her face still flushed with a deep blush.

[ “If you’re here, does that mean you’re Roland Sensei?!” ]

Roland felt his heart twitch at her embarrassed expression, but he quickly masked his reaction, opting to reply with a level-headed demeanor instead,

“Yup, that’s me. How did you know my name by the way?”

Instead of a proper reply, she started panicking with the same eyes which morphed to giant circles,

[ “What? So I’m right? What time is it?!” ]

Before Roland could even reply, she started attempting to compose herself, her expression showing clear signs of fluster.

Her eyes are morphing into strange expressions, and her halo changed to a darker color — it's now melting?

[ “Wait. Calm down…” ]

[ “Um, so… Oh, that’s right! I forgot to introduce myself!” ]

…Right…

With a rather radiant smile, she answered, her tone cheerful as she tried to mask her previous mishap,

[ “My name is Arona!” ]

[ “I’m the system manager that lives inside the Shittim Chest. I serve as its main OS. Think of me as your trusty secretary, Sensei!” ]

……

Perhaps that might explain why her halo does not disappear when she’s unconscious?

Then, her halo somehow turned into that of a heart? Continuing with an even bigger smile, she added,

[ “I’m glad to finally meet you! I’ve been waiting a long time!” ]

Seems like her halo expresses her emotions? Interesting…

With a playful smirk, he once again brought up the amusing topic,

“Weren’t you sleeping?”

Once more, her confident bravado seemed to shatter, a blush covering her face again as her voice gradually became shy, she admitted sheepishly,

[ “Well, uh… I guess I might have dozed off there.” ]

Seeing that the girl had enough of the previous situation, Roland then turned to pressing matters,

“Well, it’s nice to meet you too. Since you mentioned that you are a system manager, does that mean you have data regarding me?”

[ “Yeah, you’re the Sensei of SCHALE!” ]

Arona's eyes seemed to glitter with stars when she stated the fact, as though it were esoteric knowledge.

“Uh… I mean are there any records pertaining to why I was assigned as the Sensei or why I was chosen in the first place?”

As Roland posed his question, Arona nodded and closed her eyes, seemingly attempting to query for relevant information, her halo turning green with small stars of the same colour. However, as moments passed, her brows furrowed, and her cheeks gradually puffed up. Roland couldn't help but notice wisps of smoke emanating from her head?

“Arona? Are you… okay?”

[ “No… I mean y-yes, I think I just need a bit more time?” ]

Sensing her lie, Roland sighed, and gently flicked her forehead, halting the process.

Her halo glitched back to a normal blue from the sudden physical contact, and she yelped in response, small tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

[ “Ow… what was that for, Roland Sensei!?” ]

“Sorry, I was just concerned. Besides, I’m assuming that you’re having a difficult time accessing the records, right?”

[ “Eh? How did you know?” ]

It was obvious…

He thought, with a comically large sweatdrop.

“Ahem… I guess you could call it an intuition of a fi- Sensei~.”

[ “Ooooohhhhh…” ]

Well, I’ll be damned. Even though there seems to be records, the president doesn't want me digging for information about myself.

Though as she echoed her awe, she soon deflated when she realised something, her halo melting into a dark blue again, her voice steadily became softer towards the end of her sentence,

[ “Sorry for not being useful…my physical form is still small and my voice could use a serious upgrade…” ]

Seeing her downcast attitude, he sighed and leaned down to her height level, patting her head gently,

“It’s fine Arona. When it comes to these types of situations, it can’t be helped. There’s this phrase that I like to recite out when it comes to that: ‘That’s that and this is this.’”

[ “That’s that… and this is this? Wow, thank you so much for teaching me, Roland Sensei!” ]

With that, she reverted back to her normal state, a small smile adorning her features once more.

[ “Oh, yeah! Let’s complete your biological authentication. ♪” ]

However, her voice progressively softened as she uttered the next words, sheepishly closing her eyes,

[ “Um… this is a little embarrassing, but it’s part of the protocol. Would you mind standing a little closer?” ]

Roland complied, taking a step closer, but it seemed it wasn't enough?

[ “Just a liiittle closer.”]

Okay?

Once he was fairly close to her, she pointed her index finger,

[ “Okay. Now, place your fingertip against mine.” ]

Roland complied hesitantly, gently pressing his fingertip against hers, feeling a slight warmth emanating from her touch.

“Did… anything change?”

[ “This is just how I’m supposed to verify your fingerprint.” ]

[ “I’m the one that has to scan every fingerprint that is left on the screen. But don’t worry! I have eyes like a hawk, you know!” ]

[ “Let’s see” ]

[ “Hmm.” ]

As she pondered, Roland noticed that her eyelids shifting down, indicating her confusion, before closing her eyes, seemingly satisfied with something?

[ Um, I can’t really tell… ]

[ Hmmm. I guess it doesn’t matter. ]

Now I am worried. What is with that reaction?

[ “All done! ♪” ]

“Is everything alright?”

[ “Yup!” ]

Really now?

Mustering up the most incredulous look, he gazed right at her. This seemed to catch Arona off guard, her cheeks flushing slightly as she responded,

[ “What’s with that look? Do you think I didn’t do it the way I’m supposed to? That’s not true!” ]

“No, no. I mean it just seemed like you were unsure earlier… ”

Soon, her halo turned dark blue and started melting, Arona exclaimed,

[ “My eyes will do the trick just fine!” ]

[ “Hmm… You don’t seem convinced.” ]

[ “…” ]

[ “…” ]

Roland could see her visibly shaking while she remained silent. Realising that he had stepped into something sensitive, he intervened,

“It’s fine Arona, I’ll… trust you.”

Hearing this, Arona’s mood went back to normal as she nodded vigorously. Having sated her emotions, Roland realised that he had not addressed the primary reason for their meeting. He shifted the conversation to the important matters at hand,

“As nice as it is to meet you here, the GSC wants me to reclaim control of the Sanctum Tower to give it back to them because the GSC president is missing.”

As Roland delivered his blunt statement, Arona's expression shifted to one of bewilderment, her halo glitching as a result,

[ “Eh?!” ]

[ “EH?!” ]

As Roland waited for her to calm down, she finally rationalised her thoughts,

[ “Got it. A lot’s been going on, hasn’t it?” ]

[ “The General Student Council president went missing, and there’s no way to control the Kivotos tower now…” ]

“Do you know anything about the General Student Council president?”

[ “I have lots of data on Kivotos, but I know very little about the president. I don’t know who she is or why she disappeared, unfortunately.” ]

She wiped her own records?

As she said this, her eyes closed, lamenting,

[ “I wish I could be more helpful…but that’s that and this is this, is it not, Roland Sensei?” ]

At this, Roland nodded albeit surprised by her quick learning,

“That’s that and this is this. Though what about the Sanctum Tower?”

As Roland questioned her, her halo flickered to a vibrant green with small stars, and a determined glint sparked in her eyes,

[ “I think I can help with that problem, at least.” ]

Roland smiled,

“Thanks, Arona.”

Returning his smile, Arona's eyes sparkled with determination as she nodded in response.

[ “Sure! Just let me restore the access permissions to Sanctum Tower!” ]

[ “Just a minute!” ]

After waiting for a bit, Arona broke the silence,

<- Blue Archive 11 - Connected Sky ->

[ “Sanctum Tower admin permissions acquired.” ]

[ “We’ve successfully regained Sanctum Tower, Sensei! The tower is now under my control.” ]

[ “That means all of Kivotos is in the palm of your hand, Sensei!” ]

Her halo temporarily turned green with small stars and her eyes glittered with excitement as she spoke.

[ “I can transfer control of Sanctum Tower to the General Student Council with your approval, Roland Sensei.” ]

[ “But… are you sure that’s what you want to do? You would be giving total control to the General Student Council.” ]

“Sure, go ahead. Besides, someone like me should not be responsible for that task.”

[ “All right, then! Control of Sanctum Tower will now be transferred to the General Student Council!” ]

“Thanks, now how do I leave?”

[ “Let me help, Roland Sensei.” ]

A similar sensation to when he entered the tablet washed over him, and just as swiftly, he found himself back in the real world, as though nothing had transpired.

It feels like no time has transpired outside when I was inside the tablet. What a peculiar sensation, almost reminds me of W-corp technology…

He shivered at the thought.

The first thing he noticed was the fact that the lights in the basement were all turned on. Presumably, that should mean that the Sanctum Tower had successfully been retrieved.

Realising he still had the tablet in hand, he slipped it into the interior pocket of his suit jacket.

He then heard Rin’s footsteps echoing towards his direction as she seemed to be conversing with someone on her phone,

“Good. Understood.”

Once she said this, a click could be heard, indicating that she had ended the call. She then proceeded to brief Roland,

“Control of Sanctum Tower was just confirmed.”

“This will allow us to manage the city as well as we could before the president’s disappearance.”

“Well done Roland Sensei. I want to thank you on behalf of the entire General Student Council for preventing Kivotos from falling in to utter chaos.”

“You needn’t worry about the suspended students and thugs that attacked us before. They will be tracked down and punished before long.”

“My duty was only to see that you received and activated the Shittim Chest so my job here is done…”

“…but there is one more thing we should do for good measure.”

“Could you follow me? I’d like to properly introduce you to the Federal Investigation Club: SCHALE.”

Roland nodded and silently followed her.

<- Music Stop ->

Finally, they stopped at what appears to be a glass door, seemingly to be the entrance to an office. The front of the glass door has a panel which had a SCHALE logo, possibly meaning that it most likely required a card or a pass code to get in. Finally, there was a piece of paper taped to the office, indicating that it was vacant.

“This is SCHALE’s main lobby.”

“It’s been empty for a long time, but now it finally has an owner.”

Who could be the previous one?

Rin proceeds to open the door without the use of any equipments that he had initially hypothesised,

Oh, so that panel only seems indicate that it is SCHALE rather than serving as a lock to the entrance.

Once they went inside, Roland inspected his surroundings,

The office bore a semblance to an ordinary workspace, yet several items hinted at its advanced nature compared to the ones in the City. Advanced computers and ergonomic chairs stood out among the furnishings. White cabinets brimmed with files, likely containing potentially useful information about Kivotos. A whiteboard near two computer-equipped desks reminded Roland of a similar object within the Shittim Chest. To his surprise, guns were displayed on a black board, adding an unexpected element to the office's decor. At the far end, a large glass pane offered a view of the outside surroundings.

So this is where I will be working at.

<- Blue Archive 31 - Hello to Halo ->

“This is where you’ll be working starting now.”

Hearing this, Roland recalled some of the information that was provided about SCHALE but realised that it only gave the bare minimum of what it was about, he inquired,

“So what exactly am I supposed to do at SCHALE? You have mentioned that I was supposed to serve as an advisor but what role does that entail in detail?”

”SCHALE may have authority, but it has no particular goals at the moment. But even though you don’t have a specific job to do…”

“...you can freely enter any of the academy districts in Kivotos. From there, you can register any of the students you find as club members, among other things.”

“Fascinating, isn’t it? It may be called an investigation club, but the president never specified what it would be investigating or what its purpose is.”

“In that sense… you have quite a lot of freedom, don’t you?”

Roland couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at these absurd statements, feeling a headache coming on as he massaged his forehead,

What in the world...

This makes no sense. This would be like if an Association specialised in absolutely nothing but had the power of the Head itself and for some reason they are entrusting me with this?

Rin stopped for moment, seemingly in thought before continuing,

“As much as I wish you could ask the president for further details, the fact of the matter is she remains missing.”

“We’re using everything at our disposal to look for her, but that leaves us short-handed at dealing with the other problems around Kivotos.”

“The General Student Council is being flooded with civil compaints as we speak. Requests for support materials, environmental aid, make-up work for failing students, requests to save clubs, and so on…”

With this statement, a small smile appeared on Rin’s countenance, seemingly to reassure Roland of his worries,

“Perhaps SCHALE can be the one to look into these requests. Since it looks like you have plenty of time now…”

“I put all the documents on your desk. Please review them when you have time.”

“We’ll be counting on you.”

Her expression then shifted to one of gentle concern as she added,

“And the best of luck with your new position, Sensei. Let me know need anything.”

Roland nodded slowly, trying to process everything that she said.

<- Blue Archive 12 - Shooting Stars ->

With that, Rin left the office, leaving Roland to his own devices.

Roland sighed, the mental weight of the entire day finally registering. Usually, he would have liked to inquire more about his situation from Rin but the sheer insanity of what had transpired in one day fatigued him immensely. It was just as insane as it was in the City but in a different flavour.

What have I gotten myself into…

He initially intended to find somewhere to rest and process everything that had happened but was soon interrupted by a surprise in his suit,

[ “Things got a little hectic, but I think everything is okay now. Thank you for your help.” ]

Oh, she can speak through the tablet?

He retrieved the tablet from his suit pocket and saw Arona on the screen, still in the same location that he was once at.

“Yeah, you too.”

Hearing this, her halo turned into a heart as she smiled gleefully at the praise,

[ “Thanks! But this is only the beginning.” ]

Soon, her halo turned green with small stars as she appeared determined, not before gradually turning back to her original blue,

[ “You’ll have to help solve all problems the students in Kivotos are going through!” ]

[ “Even though it may seem simple, this is a really important task.” ]

With a smile full of trust, she concluded her statement,

[ “Kivotos will be counting on you and SCHALE, Roland Sensei.” ]

“Sure, though I’d reckon I’ll be needing quite a lot of help from you seeing as how I am just a mere grade 9 Sensei.”

He smiled mirthfully, his expression brimming with anticipation for the unknown world he had yet to fully explore.

[ “Yes, Roland Sensei!” ]

<- Blue Archive 1 - Constant Moderato ->

“Do you know where the bedroom is in SCHALE?”

[ “Sure, let me help!” ]

With Arona's assistance, a map of the layout for SCHALE popped up.

Roland trudged towards the area, already yawning as his brain seemed to want to shut off from all the processing he had to do.

After all, he needed rest for the next day.

…

…

Experience

His Students

His Story Together

Blue Archive

…

<- Music Stop ->

Omake

Then, a bright light seemed to flash like a star, embracing him in the process. He did not know what to expect after meeting that particularly weird girl on the train but this was beyond his expectations.

<- Blue Archive 7 - Unwelcome School ->

What the fu-

“Rise and shine Roland Orlando… Not that I wish to imply that you have been sleeping on the job. No one is more deserving of a rest, and all the effort in the world would have gone to waste until... “

“Well... Lets just say your hour has come again.”

“The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So, wake up Roland.”

“Wake up and... Smell the ashes.”

Why is SHE here?

Lo and behold, the enigmatic figure of Iori, the Purple Tear, with her exaggerated expression, delivered these words.

Before Roland could even say anything, he felt himself once again being transported.

“Hey, you. You’re finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right?”

Olivier?

Roland was about to embrace him, but before he could, he found himself whisked away to another realm.

“Dad, why are there two of you?”

Once he got his bearings, he immediately took note of his surroundings which was in the Library?

What.

He immediately took note of two tall amber-eyed men who looked identical to each other except for the fact that one had an X on his cheek.

However, the elephant in the room was the fact that the Patron Libarians that he once killed — now all in child form.

Why are they all children!?

Before he could process further, a massive metal slab crashed onto him, knocking him unconscious.

Once he was conscious, he found himself tied up in red chains?

“Sensei… Wake up…”

The Red Gaze?

“You seem rather confused… Dear Sensei…”

The voice was deep and spoke in a methodical tone, sending shivers down Roland’s spine.

The Red Gaze, Vergilius, seemed to be smiling at him?

This time, instead of reacting, Roland simply fainted from the overwhelming insanity.

As he woke up again, his mind was alert and prepared for whatever madness he would face next.

However, this time, he found himself in a path?

<- Blue Archive 2 - Luminous Memory ->

He quickly noted his surroundings and noticed that there were various mirrors in the midst of the void.

As he peered into some of them, his face shifted to that of extreme confusion.

There were various female teenagers with halos hovering above their heads, which was already strange to him, together with the strange world they inhabit. But what stood out was the single person that accompanied them, each mirror reflecting a different individual.

Why is Binah throwing pillars at them, saying something about ‘Correction’?

Is that a person with a clock for a head, it seems like they want to try to communicate?

The Red Gaze… and a grey girl… they seem to be happy in this world?

There’s a normal person without any enhancements but they seem to possess pretty impressive martial arts despite their lack of power. Impressive gun-handling too.

And… is that white-haired man riding a flying… truck? Oh, it crashed into a school.

Why is that small girl with a cyan halo and a rather sizeable black hair wearing my outfit and gloves?

As Roland walked through the path, he was overwhelmed by the mirrors lining the way, each reflecting various possibilities for a world he was unfamiliar with. Among them were some familiar faces, but most were individuals he didn't recognize.

One mirror, however, caught his attention. It depicted someone who bore a resemblance to him, but his demeanour suggested they were entirely different individuals.

As Roland forged ahead, a solitary tree caught his eye, its branches seemingly ablaze with a radiant golden hue, akin to a celestial beacon in the void.

Yet, there, beneath the shimmering tree, stood an enigmatic figure or form, shrouded in the glow of the tree's brilliance.

Drawing nearer, Roland discerned the silhouette of what appeared to be a whimsical doodle, reminiscent of a child's playful creation, waving at him.

With a mixture of curiosity and bemusement, Roland found himself reciprocating the figure's animated waves, his perplexity growing with each gesture.

As he drew closer, Roland came face-to-face with the peculiar being, its stretched out its hand, a wordless invitation.

Hesitant at first, he slowly but surely took its hand and shook it.

Though initially strange, the exchange stirred emotions within him that had long lain dormant, including one in particular that he had not experienced in quite some time.

Hope

With that, he finally woke up.

Roland felt that he had a weird dream.

<- Music Stop ->

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

<̴̻͝-̷̢̿ ̴̮̑L̶̞͆ḭ̴͝m̷̺̄b̸͕͐ù̸̢ṣ̷͆ ̸͓̅C̵͈̒o̸̮͌m̸̭̂p̸̠͝a̷̼͂n̴̂ͅy̶̛̩ ̴̮̃-̸̨̓ ̵̍͜Ċ̸̡r̴̗͆y̴͐ͅ ̷̨͝F̷̠̉ö̶͕r̷̦͒ ̵̟͆M̸̯͋y̷̙͘ ̸̗͐D̶̗̏ȑ̷͎e̶̥̓a̶̬̐m̵̯͗ ̷̨̕-̵̡̂>̷̡̚

It was raining.

Amidst the relentless rain, the landscape bore the scars of devastation, with shattered buildings strewn about and gaping craters marking the ground. The aftermath of a fierce battle lay evident, as lifeless forms littered the area, silent witnesses to the conflict.

Upon a closer look, there were two individuals: A woman with a halo and a man kneeling, holding onto his blood-soaked sword like a desperate crutch with his right hand while his other hand tightly gripped a tablet.

The man was fatally wounded, gashes and lacerations were strewn all over his blood-soaked suit, a testament to his valiant efforts against the overwhelming odds. Yet, despite his efforts, it was clear that his strength was failing, his resolve waning as the inevitability of his fate loomed ever closer.

“Hah… so this is it.”

“Looks like I never changed.”

“Sorry, ███████… I should never have been the Sensei… It was my mistake as an adult, I should have known better…”

Bang

Bang

Bang

Bang

Bang

Bang

…

A heavy thud reverberated through the air, followed by the sight of a shattered tablet bearing three bullet holes. Yet, despite its destruction, a solitary black glove remained tightly clasped around it.

…

Chapter Text

<- Blue Archive 14 - Step by Step ->

It is a normal day in Kivotos. Students hurried along sidewalks towards schools, their backpacks laden with books and dreams. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, the harsh staccato of gunfire punctuated the air as minor disputes erupted into violent clashes.

Even though it seemed chaotic at first, there is a concise pattern, allowing all of it to run smoothly. Streams of people ranging from robots to animals navigated through the ebbs and flow of the city’s pulse. In Kivotos, the mundane and the extraordinary coexisted, weaving a tapestry of existence where the ordinary mingled with the unexpected at every turn.

All in all, it was a mesmorising sight, especially for outsiders.

[ “Roland Sensei! Wake up!” ]

In a nearby building, a voice tinged with irritation had been echoing since the early hours of the morning.

[ “Wake up!” ]

Roland could hear something calling him. However, he was still ensonced in the soft embrace of the pillow, the gentle oblivion of sleep still holding him tightly.

[ “If you don’t wake up, I’ll be forced to do this!” ]

I mean what could she eve-

Without warning, a deafening blast erupted, assaulting Roland's eardrums with its loud and piercing intensity. The sound was so blaring that he was jolted from his slumber, tumbling off the bed and onto the floor with a groan of discomfort.

Annoyed, he demanded,

“What was that for, Arona!?”

[ “Hmph, Roland Sensei, it’s already past noon and you have been ignoring me since morning! Besides teachers are supposed to wake up early to set good examples for their students!” ]

Grumbling under his breath, Roland resigned,

“Alright fine… you got me. I did tell you to help me in becoming a proper Sensei…”

As his mind was clear from the rest, he decided to finally analyse the bedroom that he was in.

The bedroom appeared ordinary, with a simple layout and familiar furnishings. Through the window, the bustling streets of the city stretched out below, offering a glimpse into the vibrant rhythm of urban life. Despite the bustling streets, he felt a rather keen connection with bed, recalling how he immediately dozed off the moment he plopped himself on it. He pondered whether it was simply exhaustion or perhaps a testament to the bed's exceptional comfort — likely a combination of both.

I will be missing you… for now.

Now, it was time for him to officially start his work as a Sensei.

With a sigh, Roland gathered himself and made his way to the office, Arona tucked safely in his inner suit pocket. As he traversed the expansive halls of SCHALE, his refreshed mind allowed him to truly take in the enormity of the facility. From showering areas to classrooms, gyms, and beyond, it was evident that SCHALE was designed to accommodate a diverse array of needs. The breadth of facilities suggested that it was intended to serve not just an individual, but rather a community or group of students, fostering an environment conducive to growth, learning, and holistic development.

As he continued walking, something noteworthy caught his eye.

Angel 24?

There was a small building which appeared to be a shop. Its colour scheme similar to SCHALE, blue and white. With its vibrant signage and welcoming facade, it seemed to beckon Roland to explore its offerings.

<- Blue Archive 17 - Irasshaimase ->

Roland walked through the automatic-sliding door, whistling once again at the wondrous technology that Kivotos had to offer. Once inside, he looked at what the interior was like.

The shop greeted him with an array of shelves, each stacked to the brim with a diverse assortment of commodities. His eyes swept over the offerings, taking note of the eclectic mix. From snacks to guns and bullets? Roland arched an eyebrow at the unexpected juxtaposition, momentarily taken aback. However, with a resigned sigh, he realised that it was simply another facet of the new normal that he had yet to fully acclimate to. Besides guns, there were also several objects that bore a striking resemblance to Suzumi's flash grenade. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that these items served a different function compared to the latter.

As he walked through the aisle, a certain food item caught his eye.

Instant… ramen?

There's no way something like this would taste good.

Three minutes to prepare? Really?

As he internally criticised this particular food item, his series of thoughts were cut off by a shocked meek voice.

“E-e-eh, Roland S-Sensei?”

Why is such a young kid working here?

She possesses long, straight blonde hair, with her bangs neatly parted down the middle and tied back with ribbons behind each ear, accentuating her pronounced forehead. Her eyes shimmer with a light blue hue, adding a soft and gentle touch to her appearance.

For her white halo, it seems like the epicenter of it was shaped like a diamond surrounded by two circles of varying sizes. The outermost ring is the thickest, adorned with four triangles positioned at the cardinal points—north, east, west, and south.

In terms of attire, she dons a uniform comprising a polo shirt-style blouse adorned with a striped bowtie. Completing her ensemble is a blue apron, adding a practical yet stylish element to her outfit, which she pairs with black shorts and comfortable sneakers, ready to navigate her duties with ease and efficiency. He also noticed a tiny pair of white wings protruding out her back.

It seemed that she was in the middle of restocking some supplies. Roland couldn't help but notice her dedication and proficiency at her job, seeing as how most of the items on the shelves seemed to have a meticulous edge to them. However, when it came to her social interaction skills...

“W-welcome to A-Angel 24? How m-may I h-help you?”

The poor girl’s eyes seemed to almost be swirling within the presence of Roland, as she sputtered nervously.

“Woah there, take a deep breath and relax…”

He advised gently in hopes of comforting this girl.

At his response, the girl proceeded to take a deep breath just like he told her to. But…

Her eyes started swirling around even faster, face becoming red as she begun to-

“Breathe out. Breathe OUT!”

Roland almost shouted in horror at what he was witnessing. Thankfully, she breathed out as her expression almost seemed to have reached tranquility?

“Are you… fine now?’

Hesitantly, his countenance full of concern, Roland asked, hoping to avoid a repeat of whatever had just transpired.

From his concerned expression, she appeared to shrink even further,

“Y-yeah… s-sorry for s-showing you something s-so unsightly…”

As much as he wanted to sigh heavily at the predicament he was facing, Roland refrained, not wanting her to misinterpret his reaction. Instead, he opted for another approach, he smiled,

“Well… nice to meet you?”

She nodded slowly at his statement, still shrinking.

Am I that intimidating?

He kneeled down to her height level, his countenance gentle and comforting.

“I’m sorry if my presence scared you, I’ll leave if you’d like me to.”

At his soothing voice, she appeared to be calmer. Seeing this as a good sign, he continued,

“How about I introduce myself first, I am Roland, the Sensei from SCHALE but you probably already knew that.”

Roland was well aware that the girl's name was Sora from her nametag, but he did not want to risk her panicking once more.

“M-my name i-is S-Sora. Nice t-to meet you. T-This is my first day at A-Angel 24.”

Roland nodded understandingly as he decided to inquire about her reason for working at such a young age,

“So why is such a young girl like you working here?”

“P-Practically no other store hires students my age and I needed the money…”

Roland nodded once again. Realising that he still had places to be, he ended the conversation with a warm tone,

“I guess I’ll be coming around this place for when I need to restock on some supplies.”

With a final nod of farewell, he walked out of the store.

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

He seems like a good adult?

As Roland left the store, Sora found herself pondering about her own reaction. While she was typically shy around strangers, she hadn't expected her response towards Roland to be so extreme. This raised a question in her mind: Why?

As she thought of the possible reasons, she could reasonably attribute it to her tendency to overthink when it came to people, which made her more observant and sharper in assessing them. Perhaps it could also be attributed to the fact that she was young.

However, she was definitely able to pinpoint one thing.

Maybe it’s something that I felt?

She concluded that there was something off about his presence, yet the students in the comments on the SCHALE re-capture video, captured by the cameras, seemed oblivious to it.

Though she did recognize Roland Sensei from social media, particularly from the aforementioned footage capturing his successful attempt to reclaim SCHALE, there was one aspect of the video that she initially brushed off. However, she could no longer deny it when she met him in person — he indubitably emitted a similar vibe to what she felt in the video, albeit almost unnoticeable.

As for the video itself…

It was during the part when Wakamo was seemingly about to use her attack.

His overall presence seemed to change in that moment, but she couldn't discern what it could entail. However, she knew that if it were unleashed, something would definitely happen.

Shaking her head, she pushed aside her thoughts. There was no use overthinking about it. She still had to prepare for whatever customers could come to the store. Though it seemed like she was going to be free for a fairly long time.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 22 - Daily Routine 24/7 ->

What a weird girl… but I guess it can’t be helped.

Roland navigated through the spacious halls until he finally reached the entrance to the SCHALE office.

That took a while.

The first order of business was to review the documents that Rin had left on the table the previous day.

As he perused the contents of the documents, he found that they essentially summarized his typical duties as a Sensei. Most of it consisted of assisting students with their requests and addressing any issues that had already been discussed in person. Though there were some things that left Roland scratching his head.

A crafting chamber? Bounty for some kind of colourful… students? Momotalk?

Roland wondered as he continued through the documents that Rin had organized. Even if there were some terms that he was unfamiliar with, he was confident that he could ask Arona about them.

Opening the tablet, a wave of chagrin swept over him. Arona was sound asleep, her lips moving in a faint murmur, reminiscent of the same phrases he had heard when they first crossed paths. He felt a sting of temptation but he immediately suppressed it.

As much as he wanted to get revenge on her for disrupting his sleep, Roland acknowledged that it was, in fact, his fault. She had been yelling at him for an hour before she decided to use drastic measures. With a resigned sigh, he gently placed the tablet back into his suit.

He also noted the presence of a map of Kivotos in one of the documents, outlining the locations of various academies and the train lines used to access them. Conveniently, attached to the map was a gleaming gold card, prompting him to speculate about its purpose — perhaps it served as a carrier for currency?

Additionally, he observed a lanyard adorned with the logo of SCHALE beside the stacks of documents he was sifting through. Recognizing its potential for identification purposes, he picked it up and placed it around his neck.

Since there doesn’t seem to be much going on for me. Might as well take this opportunity to explore.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 16 - MX Adventure ->

Which place to go to first… well might as well leave it to fate…

He was already outside of the SCHALE building, striding towards what he presumed to be a train station. A sigh of relief escaped him as he observed that the arriving train appeared entirely ordinary, seeing as how the passengers disembarked without any apparent issues.

He swiftly purchased a ticket from a nearby booth, granting him access to the train. Stepping aboard, he promptly sought out the nearest available seat, craving a moment of solitude to contemplate his thoughts while Arona continued to slumber.

He took note of the passengers on the train.

It seems that there aren’t that many students onboard during this time. I’m certain that they are either late or don’t care. Most of the passengers appear to be robots with screens for their heads while there are some humanoid animals which seem to be dogs and cats? Though all of them are wearing different clothes, interesting…

Welp. I am still not used to this…

“Departing to Gehenna.”

The train's speaker crackled to life, momentarily jolting him from his thoughts. However, he swiftly drifted back into contemplation as a flicker of recognition sparked in his mind — he had heard of this place before, though he couldn't quite place where.

Then, it clicked into place.

Oh… it’s where Chinatsu is from. Gehenna Academy if I recall correctly. Seeing how she seemed like quite an amicable person, I’m sure the students in Gehenna are as nice as her right?

Roland hoped. Though for some reason, uncertainty lingered in his mind.

Roland peered out the windows at the other end of the train, his eyes widening as he did so. It felt as though he had been cast into an illusion, the scenery rushing by with surprising speed.

I’m glad this train is pretty fast without any mind-shattering consequences.

Still it feels unreal. In just a span of a few days, all of these events happened in seemingly a blink of an eye.

He settled into his seat in silence, savoring what he determined would be a moment of peace amidst the chaos of the past few days. It indeed felt relaxing as he gazed out of the window, taking in the passing sights. He couldn't help but marvel at how vibrant Kivotos looked in general, a kaleidoscope of colors and activity that captivated his senses.

A few days ago, I was fighting that blue sicko and …everyone… but now out of nowhere, I get transported here… Still that GSC president is fairly strange, why would she disappear out of nowhere while summoning me at the same time? Or was it she who planned to disappear in the first place?

Regardless of the theories that he came up with, they still fell short due to one key part in theorizing: The information. There were absolutely no records about the GSC president, leaving him rather stranded in this new world.

[ “Aaah… Hello Roland Sensei.” ]

He heard a tired yawn coming out from his suit pocket. Pulling the tablet out, he noticed that Arona was finally awake.

“We’re heading to Gehenna, Arona. Do you have information on it?”

Registering his voice, her eyes seemed to sparkle while her halo turned green with stars,

[ “Oooh~. Roland Sensei, I’m glad that you’re taking the initiative to know your students!” ]

Roland stared at her, prompting Arona to quickly return to her normal state.

[ “Ahem… Gehenna Academy is one of the largest and oldest schools in Kivotos. The laws are fairly lax and there does not seem to be much regulations.” ]

Oh… does that mean that the students are well-behaved to the point that there isn’t much of a need for regulations. Woah…

“Well… I’m looking forward to Gehenna based on how you described it.”

However, he noticed a strange expression on Arona's face, but he dismissed it in favour of the train announcement which indicated that they had arrived at their destination.

“Arriving at Gehenna.”

…

…

<- Blue Archive 15 - Honey Jam ->

As Roland checked out from the gantry using the ticket he had bought, he couldn't help but notice that the surroundings remained fairly similar to what he had seen thus far, save for some normal-sized buildings. The streets appeared quite normal, with not much activity happening at this point in time.

Consulting the map that he had been provided with, he decided to walk towards the direction of Gehenna Academy. He was eager to engage in some sightseeing and gather more information about this academy district. After all, as partly an information fixer, creating his own understanding of Kivotos would be essential.

Hm, there seems to be stores that look similar to Angel 24 except for the part where it seems that they have different numbers? Some shops seemed to cater to weapons, groceries, books, electronics and… clothing?

Roland stopped by the clothing shop for a reason: A rather big board that caught his eye.

Guaranteed no tears from bullets and explosives? Buy now, get two for one? Right… makes sense as to how the students’ clothes seem fine from that many explosives and bullets. Or perhaps it could also be due to their halos? Oh well, maybe I should buy some extra suits…

So far, the experience was enjoyable for Roland. He found the Shittim Tablet to be a useful tool for noting down everything he discovered.

How did he know how to access the notepad? He couldn't say. It seemed to come naturally to him.

He also made notes of the several restaurants in the area, some of which piqued his interest. However, he decided it would be best to prioritize reaching Gehenna Academy first to see what it was like.

I wonder if I could get an experience similar to HamHamPangPang. I… really miss those sandwiches. Those really kept me going in the City despite all the chaos that happens daily.

On a bright note, Roland didn't recognize most of the food being sold, so the experience was something he looked forward to. After all, he had once risked his life to taste some demi-glace sauce, and all had ended well for that event.

The excursion was going fairly well, Roland had to admit. However, out of nowhere, he felt a nagging sensation that the expression Arona had given him earlier was intentional, perhaps a warning of some sort.

There’s no way right? This experience has been wonderful so far…

Feeling a tinge of doubt, Roland sought reassurance from Arona by sharing his experience so far.

“Arona, you’re right. It seems like the students here require no law to-”

<- Blue Archive 71 - Denshi Toujou! ->

Out of nowhere, a loud music blared in the distance, signaling something impending. It seemed to emanate a cacophony of trumpets intertwined with a gritty, distorted growling noise, causing Roland to hope fervently for its disappearance. The flashy nature of the sound only added to his unease.

What the f-

As Roland squinted his eyes, he could discern the presence of several students in the distance. Baffled, he looked again to confirm, and indeed, they had halos above their heads. However, what caught his attention were their peculiar attires, leaving Roland uncertain whether it was a jest or a serious matter.

There were five students in particular, each adorned with a suit of distinct colors: red, black, green, yellow, and pink. Their masks, mostly white in color, matched their respective suit colors. As for their accessories, they appeared to be wearing food items related to fish. Roland recognized that the green one, in particular, was wearing something that looked like kimbap, something that he occasionally made himself back in the City.

Imagine if those are what colour fixers wear…

He mused at the ridiculous thought.

While he contemplated, they suddenly struck dramatic poses, colorful explosions bursting behind them as they exclaimed together,

“The never-ending conveyor belt leads straight to justice! Mugen Kaitensushi Sentai Kaitenger! On stage!”

Wh…at…

His expression scrunched up, akin to how one would react when tasting something sour. He didn't know how to feel about this sudden display but it felt more like a performance than anything else. However, a concerning thought crept into his mind: Why were they in the bounty?

All of a sudden, a horde of students wearing the same outfit but predominantly white flooded from behind them, their presence causing a commotion as they started storming the area with an air of mass hysteria.

What the hell is this?

[ “Roland Sensei… maybe you should run?” ]

“Yeah… I will…”

Roland’s response was tinged with disappointment, evident in the way his voice trailed off as he processed what his eyes had seen.

As he began running at what he considered a normal, unenhanced speed, he quickly sensed something approaching. It was on the level of Wakamo's aura, but distinctly different.

While Wakamo's aura was more of a chaotic mess, this one felt concentrated, as if they were intent on accomplishing something swiftly. Something like a chore? Honestly, it sorta felt like a mini Red Mist?

Then, something seemed to speed by him, though he was able to clearly see who that person was.

Someone with white hair, a pair of long black wings and a purple halo that looked like a crown. She seemed to easily lug around a large machine gun too big for her size. That was the most that Roland could make out of the brief encounter.

“I see, the evil Gehenna-”

Before one of the leaders could speak any further, she was abruptly silenced by a shot that landed straight to her face.

“Let’s get this over with…”

<- Library of Ruina - Red Mist ->

Honestly, it was just as Roland expected: a brutal, one-sided slaughter that felt more like a clean-up than a fight.

She took a large leap into the horde of students, unfazed by the bullet hell that came her way, tanking all of the hits. Upon landing, a shockwave blasted the white Kaitengers near the crater she formed. Undeterred, she charged at them while continuing to fire at the waves of white Kaitengers, using her position to her advantage as they hesitated to risk friendly fire.

Her speed rivaled Wakamo's, which was on a whole other level compared to ordinary students like Yuuka and Suzumi. Consequently, none of the white Kaitengers could land a hit on her. To add insult to injury, she even charged towards them, her sheer durability allowing her to plow through most of them, not unlike the Red Mist's onrush.

She was literally firing her machine gun at point-blank range while using its sheer size as a makeshift bat to smash as many Kaitengers as possible. It was both impressive and efficient.

What made it even more intriguing was the fact that she seemed bored by all of this, as though she had done it multiple times before.

“Get he- AA”

“Grab he-”

“I’m doom-”

“I knew I shouldn’t hav-”

One by one, each of the white Kaitengers was flung into the air and dropped like sacks of potatoes, their bodies hitting the ground with force, akin to a bulldozer tossing soil aside. The power difference was insurmountable.

Seeing the carnage in front of them, the coloured Kaitengers started running away, he could vaguely hear something about getting her the next time they met?

Either way, it did not matter.

“You won’t get away.”

She declared, her monotone tone leaving no room for argument. It was firm and straight to the point.

No… It was a fact.

A purple aura, reminiscent of Wakamo's, surged around her, its intensity sending streaks of light scattering like wildfire. The aura erupted around her form, imbuing her presence with an ominous energy. Even the end of her machine gun loomed with a menacing purple hue, foreshadowing the destruction that would ensue.

Besides contrasting with Wakamo's demeanor, her style was also starkly different. While Wakamo seemed to possess an edge of elegance and playfulness, she, on the other hand, only cared about the result, her approach devoid of any semblance of finesse.

Then, what Roland saw next could only be described as a first-hand view of a hellscape.

Her aura, which oozed out from every pore, suddenly transferred into the tip of her gun as it started blasting. With each shot, the aura seemed to recoil from the force of the machine gun, creating a swirling effect from the tip. In an oddly beautiful display, the bullets she fired seemed to be imbued with purple energy, splitting apart as they traveled, giving the illusion of multiple projectiles. It was evident that she was catered to fight against multiple opponents.

Yeah… I am out of here.

Roland continued walking towards Gehenna Academy, purposefully ignoring the pained screams that echoed amidst the infernal flames unleashed upon them.

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

“Ha… all finished…”

Finally done wrapping things up, the girl recalled the adult who had been running past her before the fight began. Concerned for their well-being, she glanced at their general direction.

Fortunately, it seemed they had evacuated before getting caught in the storm.

Normally, she would not have leaped into a horde so brazenly but it was necessary to lure their attention away from civillians to prevent them from getting hurt.

However, she could not get rid of the feeling that someone was watching her intently during the fight, dissecting her every move with precision not too dissimilar to a proficient surgeon. It was eerie…

To shake that eerie feeling off, she focused on another matter by calling up the rest of her group to apprehend the Kaitengers.

The faster they could do that, the sooner she could rest later. Though, that was what she hoped. Honestly, the amount of times she had to stop resting midway was uncountable.

Oh well…

…

…

<- Blue Archive 4 - Lovely Picnic ->

“…”

[ “…” ]

“Well… that sure was something.”

[ “Hmm…” ]

Arona's acknowledgment came in the form of a monotone hum, a reflection of the intensity of their recent experience.

“I think… I am going to need to make a temporary detour before reaching Gehenna Academy to… rest from that… event.”

[ “Yeah…” ]

After what felt like an eternity, Roland's eyes landed on a small restaurant. Its sign indicated it sold sandwiches, a prospect that brought a smile to his face. Briskly, he strode towards it, feeling the need for a sandwich after everything he had witnessed.

As Roland approached the restaurant, a yellow open-air truck nearby emitted an aura of suspicion for no apparent reason. A gut feeling nagged at him, suggesting that there was something or someone of particular interest in the trunk.

Curiosity etched his expression as he cautiously peered at the trunk, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever could be triggering his instincts.

Upon glancing at storage compartment, Roland's eyes reflected a wide array of emotions as he visibly scrunched up. Then, his expression briefly reverted to neutral as he turned his gaze back towards the restaurant, as though processing what he had seen inside the trunk. Once he composed himself again, he looked back at the trunk to reconfirm that it was not his imagination. To his abject disappointment, it was not.

There was a person in the trunk.

She has long, straight navy blue hair tied in two long pigtails secured with an orange bandana. Her distinctive features include goat horns and piercing red eyes.

Her halo is red and takes the shape of a large diamond star, adorned with two smaller diamonds on each of its front sides. Though he felt that there was something in the middle which was supposed to represent something but he had no knowledge of it.

She wears a navy blue one-piece pleated dress adorned with red and yellow stripes, complemented by a red and orange tie. Over this ensemble, she sports a white apron with a pink belt. To complete her look, she dons red socks beneath her white sneakers, which feature navy decorations

However, what prompted his reaction was her condition.

For some reason, she appeared to be bound with brown ropes and gagged, lying on her back. Despite her restrained state, her expression conveyed a sense of contemplation, as if she had resigned herself to a cycle she could not break.

In that moment, their eyes met. After what felt like an eternity of silent communication passing between them, they nodded in mutual understanding, as if satisfied with the conclusions they had reached.

Ah… a kindred spirit, I see…

“That’s that and this is this.”

Roland remarked, his tone casual.

[ “Eh… Roland Sensei? Aren’t you going to help her?” ]

“That’s that and this is this.”

He repeated, unfazed by Arona's concern.

[ “Roland Sensei! You can’t just say that for everything!” ]

Seeing her unwillingness to accept his statement, he continued,

“Well… we had a conversation with each other, it seems like she has already accepted her… unique situation.”

[ “…But you didn’t even talk?” ]

“It was a silent one, Arona.”

Roland could definitely feel Arona’s overwhelming confusion bubbling up but he chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the culinary experience that awaited him.

His eyes gleamed with excitement, and his mouth watered at the sight of the storefront. The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted ham wafted through the air, enticing him closer to the threshold of the establishment. Roland could hardly contain his anticipation as he looked forward to tasting his first sandwich in Kivotos.

As Roland approached within 5 meters of the building, something unexpected occurred.

BOOOOOOM!

Eh?

[ Eh? ]

<- Blue Archive 7 - Unwelcome School ->

Lo and behold, the establishment, which he once considered to be rather fine in his eyes, had been reduced to smithereens within a fraction of a second. All that remained were its scattered crumbs, remnants of the explosion. Despite the chaos and the echoes of screams, it appeared that no one had suffered serious harm from the blast.

Roland, however, did not care about what happened to the people but he just stared back at the kidnapped student, looking at her for input.

Their eyes met, and a sense of pity seemed to emanate from her gaze as she shook her head, silently urging him to abandon his hopes and dreams.

Ah…

Roland then dropped to his knees, as if in mourning for the loss of the sandwich store that now lay in ruins, a casualty of unforeseen circumstances. A sandwich he could have had in another universe…

In the corner of his eyes, he could notice several students making their way to the yellow truck though, their curious gazes lingering on him and his reaction to the explosion. Either way, he could hear the vehicle driving off in the distance.

He did not care. All that occupied his mind was the thought of one sandwich, the taste of which might momentarily distract him from the Kaitengers he had witnessed moments ago. Unfortunately, his expedition to this store only led to more insanity.

The madness simply did not end there.

Amidst the chaos, another devastating explosion rocked a nearby apartment building, followed by the sound of several vehicles giving chase to the yellow truck. It appeared that the two events were unrelated, as the students in the yellow truck seemed to be fleeing from the explosion in panic.

Meanwhile, screams echoed from the apartment building, intermingled with laughter, creating a discordant symphony of terror and amusement. Roland couldn't comprehend why there was laughter amidst such chaos because he barely had enough time to process what was happening.

As if adding to the cacophony, boisterous laughter echoed in the distance, accompanied by the rumbling of tanks. Roland's heart sank as he realised there were several of them.

There, atop the frontmost tank, stood a student exuding an air of flamboyance and vitality. She held onto another smaller student with yellow hair, who seemed to be akin to a little sister to her. This felt like a show of power and... an excursion trip?

Roland had enough of the chaos. Utilizing his fixer enhancements, he speed-blitzed out of the scene. No one seemed to notice him amidst the tumult of their own circumstances.

So that was what Arona meant by lax laws…

…

…

<- Blue Archive 3 - Mischievous Step ->

After they had distanced themselves from the conflict, Roland resumed walking at a normal pace.

[ “Roland Sensei, how did you run so fast?” ]

Arona's surprise was evident in her voice, tinged with disbelief and a hint of slurring from the sudden speed.

“I just happened to run quite a lot back in my world…”

Arona paused for a moment, her disbelief palpable in the air. However, she chose not to question it, instead focusing on the direction that Roland was heading.

[ “Roland Sensei?” ]

“Yeah, Arona?”

[ “You’re… heading in the wrong direction.” ]

“I know.”

[ “…” ]

“…”

[ “Roland Sensei… what happened to wanting to know about Gehenna Academy?” ]

“I think… we can agree that we have seen enough.”

[ “But-”]

Arona was on the verge of refuting his exasperated statement. However, after a moment of contemplation, she nodded in resignation, her enthusiasm waning as she came to understand what he meant.

Taking her silence as a sign of agreement, he continued walking until he reached another train station.

[ “Roland Sensei, this one heads to Millennium Science School.” ]

Her voice gradually regained its gusto as she spoke.

“Yep, I figured leaving it to fate wasn't the best plan so I decided I’ll be heading to this school next.”

I could prioritise on gathering more intel on the technology around there. Not to mention, I do recall that the uptight student, Yuuka, is also there.

As they boarded the train, Roland turned to Arona with curiosity in his eyes,

“Could you tell me more about Millennium?”

[ “Sure! Millennium Science School is a school that specialises in science and technology! Compared to Gehenna Academy, it has a rather short history. However, it quickly become influential through its specialisations.” ]

Roland hummed in acknowledgement,

“Thanks for the information Arona. Just to make sure, it’s not as insane as Gehenna right?”

[ “Well, that shouldn’t be the case. Most of the students are wary of the Seminar.” ]

Thank goodness…

Though I must admit, Gehenna is certainly... unique.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 16 - MX Adventure ->

“Arriving at Millennium.”

As Roland alighted from the train, he immediately noticed a distinct difference in the architecture. While Gehenna was impressive in its own right, Millennium had a decidedly futuristic edge to it. The buildings were sleek and minimalistic in design, exuding an aura of advanced technology while still maintaining a sense of elegance.

Walking out of the train station, he surveyed his surroundings with keen interest. The experience felt reminiscent of his first time entering Kivotos, filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity. However, this time, his focus was more directed towards the technological aspects of Millennium Science School, sparking a new level of fascination within him. Yet, amidst his excitement, a part of him couldn't help but lament the state of the City. He shook off that thought and refocused on the present task at hand: Visiting Millennium Science School.

The trip there was rather uneventful, thankfully. Roland spent most of the journey taking notes on what he deemed noteworthy, occasionally receiving comments from Arona to which he offered brief replies.

Finally, he arrived at what he believed to be the entrance of the school. However, he had to double-check the map to confirm that the buildings in front of him were indeed part of Millennium Science School.

To his awe, it was in fact Millennium Science School.

“Arona, are schools usually supposed to be this big?”

[ “Yup!” ]

That’s… pretty impressive. I don't recall any schools back in the City that were this huge. It's almost like a corporation in terms of its sheer size.

As he approached the entrance, Roland was stopped by a student acting as a guard.

“Halt! Who are you?”

Well, it was a good thing I brought an identification card with me.

Roland reached for his SCHALE card and presented it to the guard. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she smiled, gesturing for him to enter the school.

Seems like the news of SCHALE has already spread rather quickly. Huh… I wonder how? Well, considering the advanced technology here, there's probably some efficient communication system in place. Though I’d have to say, Rin definitely did not exaggerate about its authority.

After pondering this, Roland turned to Arona and asked,

“Arona, is there some kind of communication system that allows people to spread messages quickly?”

[ “Yeah, it’s the internet and Momotalk.” ]

I did see Momotalk on the tablet and the notes Rin gave me but I was too preoccupied with taking down notes. As for the internet, I have no clue.

“So what’s the internet and Momotalk.”

Arona seemed to pause for a while, most likely out of confusion before continuing,

[ “The internet is like a platform that connects people, allowing them to exchange messages and access a wide range of information and resources. Momotalk, on the other hand, is more focused on one-on-one messaging, although it can also be used for group chats.” ]

Damn. This could have been pretty handy back in the City. Though I do remember using cell phones, it is no where as advanced as what she described.

As he stepped inside, Roland was greeted by a sight that took him aback.

Greeted by the expansive campus sprawled out before him, Roland couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of buildings, each holding unknown functions within. Among them were two skyscrapers that could rival the Sanctum Tower in size. Driven by curiosity, he decided to wander aimlessly, hoping to stumble upon something noteworthy.

As he wandered through the campus, he observed the diverse array of students bustling about. Some hurriedly made their way to their destinations, while others strolled leisurely, taking in the surroundings at their own pace. It was a scene unlike any Roland had witnessed before, and he couldn't help but find it intriguing.

Then, something caught his eye and ears.

He noticed and heard a large warehouse emanating a cacophony of sounds and vibrations, which Roland keenly sensed even from a distance. He could only assume that the students inside were busy creating something, their collective energy palpable even from outside the building.

Maybe this is where they develop technologies?

Spurred on by his curiosity, he went closer to the warehouse and cautiously peered inside through the door. Inside, he observed several students working diligently amidst a sea of equipments and workstations. The interior of the warehouse appeared fairly ordinary, with cabinets, tables, and various tools scattered about. There were also various equipments which seemed… overly-engineered?

However, what truly caught his attention was the massive project the students were working on.

CLANG!

CLANG!

It was too big to be called a gun. Massive, thick, heavy, and far too rough. Indeed, it seemed like a heap of raw iron.

In spite of it being unfinished, Roland could tell that the weapon was created for the sole purpose of mass destruction. Though he couldn’t discern if it was meant to be wielded by a person or if it was intended to be mounted onto something like a tank.

Well… seems like they’re busy with that. It’d be best not to disturb them. I’ve already noted down some of the weird equipments they have in store. Besides, I could rely on this internet that Arona mentioned.

He continued to wander the campus, occasionally stepping into buildings to explore their interiors. So far, he had discovered various facilities in Millennium, ranging from computer labs to amenities similar to those at SCHALE. Each room bustled with students preoccupied with their daily activities, paying him no mind as he passed through.

He found himself faced with a confusing experience as he approached the entrance to a restroom. To his surprise, there was only one gender designation for the entire facility.

…?

Well, I suppose I'll have to find another restroom outside of the school or head back to SCHALE.

Additionally, he stumbled upon a vast stadium. Though he couldn't glean much from its exterior, Roland assumed it could serve as a venue for large-scale events in the future.

All in all, the experience was rather pleasant, consisting mostly of observing the daily life of students.

As he wandered lost in his thoughts, Roland found himself at a small vantage point on the campus. There, he settled into a quiet moment of reflection, simply taking in the sights and sounds around him.

<- Blue Archive 55 - Moment ->

So… this is how students usually go about their daily lives, huh?

Roland wore an unreadable expression as he pondered.

I wonder... if I had the chance to attend school back in the City, would I be any different?

…

No... Even if I had, the City's influence would have shaped me, just as it did for everyone else.

I’d be even more helpless.

…

But their expressions… I wonder if the students back in the City had a similar sentiment. Even if it’s for a moment in their lives before adulthood, it is still joy.

He paused in his thoughts, enveloped by the bustling atmosphere of the school grounds. The chatter of students echoed around him, infusing the air with an undeniable sense of energy and vitality.

It was amidst this vibrant backdrop and a calm mind that he finally grasped the significance of his new role.

He was meant to guide them.

Yet, uncertainty lingered, casting a shadow over his confidence. How could he lead when he himself felt lost? It was akin to the blind leading the blind.

Then, a familiar, gentle voice echoed in his mind, a voice that had once ignited a spark in his sorrowful heart upon his arrival in Kivotos.

However, it was only a spark.

“Even so, you could still share your experiences with others.”

I'm uncertain of what value my experiences could offer as a Sensei…

“It may be presumptuous of me to say this but I believe that it is only through experiences that we can strive towards a better tomorrow.”

…All my experiences seem to drag me to the past…

“I believe that you still have hope.”

Yet… only a handful of them are nothing more than the remnants of hope I had for a brighter future…

…

Is there even any hope for me?

…

[ “Roland Sensei!” ]

[ “Roland Sensei!” ]

Startled from his reverie, Roland realised that Arona had been calling out to him.

“Y-Yes?”

[ “Roland Sensei, you don’t look so good…” ]

Her voice was laced with concern as she paused before continuing,

[ “Do you want to talk about it?” ]

Immediately shifting back to his neutral persona with a tinge of cheerfulness, he replied,

“No, it’s fine. I was just having some… minor thoughts.”

[ “No, you’re lying. Please… let me hear it as your assistant.” ]

Hearing this, Roland continued to remain stubborn, insisting,

“No, Arona. It’s truly fine.”

As silence filled the air, Roland prepared to leave when he felt something familiar wash over him.

Suddenly, he found himself back in the space of the Shittim Chest.

As he turned around to find Arona, ready to reassure her once more, he felt his words catch in his throat as he laid eyes on her expression.

Despite having known the girl for less than a day, Roland recognized her general disposition as one of energetic cheerfulness. However, Arona’s face was now etched with concern, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. Seeing her like this caused a slight rustle of discomfort within him.

She walked towards him, looking up at him in the process. Her next few words came in a gentle manner,

[ “If not as an assistant… Please let me hear it as your student.” ]

Roland remained silent, his expression seemingly devoid of any emotion. Yet, that very absence spoke volumes. His eyes seemed to mirror a dead man, one that had been pretending to be alive for far too long.

He stared down at Arona, as though testing her resolve, but she stood unbudged. Instead, she seemed even more determined, evident from the green halo with stars.

Seeing her refusal to back down, he sighed and settled into a nearby chair, leaning onto the table with his hand resting on the side of his chin as he contemplated his next move. Arona followed suit, taking a seat on the other end of the classroom table, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Roland.

They sat in silence, Roland lost in contemplation, his gaze fixed on an empty space. Meanwhile, Arona waited patiently for his reply, her expression a mix of concern and determination. The only sound breaking the silence was the rhythmic tapping of Roland's fingers on the table.

Finally, he began, his voice trembling as he struggled to voice the words he wanted to say,

“Arona…”

She leaned in slightly, her eyes fixed on him, awaiting his next words.

“What does it truly mean to be the Sensei?”

[ “…” ]

“And I don’t just mean the part about helping students solve their problems…”

[ “Roland Sensei, where is this coming from?” ]

She stared at him inquisitively, her brows furrowing at the same time.

“…”

“I... don’t have any background in anything related to teaching. It was only yesterday that I was told that sharing experiences with students is necessary for a Sensei…”

She nodded, acknowledging the sentiment.

“…Yet, I don’t feel that any of my experiences could even help them.”

[ “Why do you think that is the case?” ]

<- Music Stop ->

.--. .-.. . .- ... . / .... . .-.. .--. / -- . .-.-.-

“Please, spar—”

SPLAT

“That’s that and this is this.”

“Why are you doing this?”

BANG

Does it even matter?

“You must suffer like I have.”

CLANG

“Just kill us. Let’s get this over with.”

“…As you wish.”

SHK

“To meet my death by the blade of a friend…”

“Thanks for everything and…”

SHK

.. ... / - .... . .-. . / . ...- . -. / .- / .--. --- .. -. - .-.-.-

Memories relentlessly pelted his mind, each one a grim reminder of his merciless nature. One by one, a mountain of corpses seemed to rise before him. There was no wisdom to be gleaned, no lesson worth teaching — only needless slaughtering, a legacy which has already been imprinted into his conscious.

“NO! THERE IS NO REASON!”

His voice, almost croaking, carried the weight of a desperate plea rather than a shout. It didn't seem directed at Arona in the slightest.

Yet, Arona nearly jumped at his sudden outburst, her body trembling slightly as her gaze filled with a flicker of fear, fixed on him.

<- Blue Archive 46 - Sugar Story ->

As Roland came to his senses and caught sight of Arona, a pang of guilt pierced through him. He quickly averted his gaze, his countenance twisted in bitterness, though his lips curved into a mirthless smile.

His fingers tapped on the table with increasing urgency, the restlessness within him becoming more pronounced with each passing moment.

Great… I've already screwed things up as a Sensei...

An uncomfortable silence, broken only by the rapid tapping of his fingers, settled between them, both avoiding each other's gaze.

“…”

[ “…” ]

“…”

After a while, it was Arona who first broke the silence.

[ “S-Sorry for bringing it up in the first place…” ]

Her halo shifted into a melting dark blue, her gaze finding solace in the table before her.

Why is she even apologising?

“No, it’s my fault. It always has been.”

Then, the silence stretched on for a while.

[ “…” ]

“…”

[ “R-Roland Sensei.” ]

He didn't turn to face her.

[ “While what you mentioned is indeed a part of a Sensei's duty, I think it could be looked at from another way.” ]

?

She continued, her voice slowly but surely regaining back her energy,

[ “Sharing experiences does not necessarily mean that you have to share your past experiences.” ]

He still didn't look at her, but he listened intently.

[ “You can also view it as forging new experiences alongside your students.” ]

Silence fully enveloped them as Roland mulled over her words, his fingers pausing their rhythmic tapping on the table. His expression turned thoughtful as he pondered the implications of what she had said.

Despite that, he noticed a glaring problem, casting a shadow over his thoughts.

…

…

“Then…how will I face my past?”

Finally, he spoke, his voice soft and fragile, barely audible above a whisper. It resonated through the air like a distant echo, carrying the weight of unspoken sorrow and weariness.

His expression, if possible, seemed even more lifeless than before, like a shadow cast by the dimmest of lights, devoid of warmth or vitality.

She stopped for a while, contemplating before continuing,

[ “If you can’t face it now, then it’s fine to run away.” ]

What…?

Then, he heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, accompanied by the rhythmic cadence of approaching footsteps.

Despite his best efforts, Roland found himself unable to evade Arona's persistent gaze. Reluctantly, he turned to face her.

What he saw astonished him. Arona's expression seemed to emit a luminous intensity, akin to the brilliance of a star, its radiant energy nearly blinding him. Within him stirred a whirlwind of emotions, so potent and profound that he struggled to comprehend their origin. Was it a long-forgotten sensation resurfacing, or an entirely new experience unfurling before him?

But he did not think that it was bad.

[ “After all, Roland Sensei’s relationship with his students does not have to be one-sided.” ]

Ah…

For a fleeting moment, time hung suspended in the air as Roland absorbed the weight of her words. Unfamiliar emotions began to swirl within him, stirring a realisation that he could no longer suppress them.

Then, he felt something wet dripping from his eyes. He touched his face and recognized it as tears. Why was he crying? He couldn't tell. Perhaps it was the realisation that he had been holding back too much, or maybe it was the relief of finally being understood. Either way, he couldn't comprehend it fully.

Soon, he felt a warm embrace as Arona enveloped him in a hug, her hands gently patting his head.

[ “There, there…” ]

A comfortable silence enveloped them, filling the air with a sense of peace.

Finally, Roland spoke, his facade seemed to crumble.

“T-Thank you, Arona.”

She hummed in acknowledgement.

After basking in the comfortable silence for a moment longer, Roland motioned for Arona to halt as he rose to his full height. The expression on his face no longer resembled that of a mere mimicry of a living man.

There was now a gentle breeze blowing.

<- Blue Archive 2 - Luminous Memory ->

“Well… I suppose it's time to continue.”

[ “Yeah! ♪” ]

“By the way, where did you learn how to headpat like that?”

Roland's tone took on a teasing edge.

[ “Eh? Uh…I guess you taught me?” ]

Oh…she learns quick…

In retaliation, he roughly tousled Arona’s hair, eliciting a playful pout from her. However, beneath her playful expression, it was evident that she was relieved to see Roland back to his usual self.

Finally, with a newfound zest for life, he declared,

“Let’s go.”

Arona nodded vigorously, as she concentrated.

A rather familiar feeling washed over him once again, grounding him in the reality of the present moment.

“Well it seems that time has not passed since I was in the Shittim Chest.”

Roland mused aloud, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“I wonder what kind of place I’ll head to next.”

Kivotos was undeniably a strange place, Roland had to admit. He couldn't quite fathom how it managed to function the way it did. The inhabitants all seemed unreasonably friendly, their warmth both perplexing and oddly comforting. Occasionally, there were odd occurrences, like the events in Gehenna. However, despite its peculiarity, Roland found himself considering that it was something he could eventually grow accustomed to.

As Roland stepped forward, a subtle shift occurred within him, a sensation akin to the release of a heavy burden, if only for a moment. Yet, even as the weight lessened, he could not shake the feeling that more trials awaited him on the path ahead.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 44 - Walkthrough ->

Once again, they found themselves at a bustling train station.

[ “Ooh, this train leads to Trinity General School!” ]

“Care to enlighten me?”

As he boarded the train and settled into the nearest seat, Arona began her explanation,

[ “Similar to Gehenna Academy, Trinity General School is one of the largest and oldest academies in Kivotos. It seems to advocate a religion as well as harmony amongst its students.” ]

Religion…

“Hmm, that sounds like the opposite of Gehenna Academy?”

[ “Well… about that…” ]

Arona’s voice carried a hint of uncertainty, causing him to feel a twinge of concern.

“Arona, is there anything wrong?”

She quickly hummed in disagreement, her response coming swiftly,

[ “No, it’s just that… they both aren’t really on good terms with each other…” ]

At this statement, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He hadn't considered the possibility of disputes between schools before. Then, as he recalled the sheer size and influence of Millennium Academy, his eyebrows shot up even further.

Wait... does that mean the feud is on the level of a corporate?

“Why?”

[ “Uh… I’m not so sure myself. Maybe it’s due to clashing of cultures?” ]

…

“Right… I’ll go see how Trinity is like and make my judgement from there.”

[ “Yeah, that would be for the best! ♪” ]

“Arriving at Trinity.”

As they disembarked from the train, Roland took note of the architecture of Trinity.

While it bore some similarities to Gehenna and lacked the advanced features of Millennium, it was rather distinct in its own right. Similar to Gehenna, there were more buildings of a normal size rather than flats. However, it appeared that the color schemes and shapes differed, giving the place its own unique ambiance.

Thankfully, similar to Millennium, the trip to Trinity General School was fairly uneventful, though Roland diligently took down notes along the way. One thing that stood out was the presence of crosses adorning some of the buildings. Perhaps they symbolize the prevailing religion in the area?

I wonder what religion this is?

While Roland was familiar with the concept of religion, he was not exactly a believer himself. In fact, back in the City, there was little incentive to believe. Most of what passed for 'religion' in his experience were nothing more than schemes or fanatic cults, seeking to ensnare people into their grasp.

It was not a pretty sight.

Furthermore, the conditions of the City made it even harder to think for oneself and he found himself far too preoccupied with navigating the immediate challenges of survival to spare much thought for trivial matters of faith or belief.

As he drew closer, Roland observed the imposing gate before him. Its sturdy metal bars stood tall, adorned with intricate patterns that hinted at a bygone era. Unlike the sleek, modern architecture of Millennium, this gate exuded a sense of history and tradition.

Beyond the gate, the school buildings came into view. They were of average size, their structures reminiscent of classic school buildings with sloping roofs and sturdy brick walls. The color scheme of greenish-blue, brown, and white lent a welcoming and tranquil atmosphere to the surroundings.

Under the evening sky, an orange hue enveloped the buildings, casting a warm glow that further emphasized the serene atmosphere of the surroundings.

Suddenly, the bell rang, coinciding with the opening of the gate. Roland watched as a horde of students approached, signaling the end of the day at the school. Without hesitation, he strode through the gate, unsure if he had entered through the appropriate entrance for visitors. Nevertheless, he was determined to observe what the school had to offer.

As he walked through the campus, Roland found himself admiring buildings of different sizes. Some structures bore a striking resemblance to some of those outside, complete with crosses adorning their exteriors. This further piqued his curiosity, prompting him to wonder about the significance of the crosses within the context of the school's religion.

Besides the buildings, Roland noticed that the students wore distinct clothing that appeared to correspond with different groups or factions within the school. He recognized one group, the Justice Task Force, by their attire, reminiscent of Hasumi’s black and red outfit.

Among the other students, Roland observed a particularly unusual outfit that consisted mostly of black fabric and seemed to cover the wearer's head, piquing his curiosity even more.

Additionally, he noticed another group of students wearing white outfits with white headpieces. Upon a careful inspection, Roland realised that the same cross adorned their headpieces, adding to the intrigue of their attire.

Now I am really curious about the significance of this cross…

As Roland approached one of the buildings adorned with a cross atop its entrance, he stepped inside, hopeful that he might glean some information about its significance.

<- Blue Archive 37 - Aira ->

Stepping inside, Roland couldn't shake the sense of comfort enveloping him, as if he could be absolved of his sins. Yet, as quickly as the emotion washed over him, it swiftly ebbed away, leaving him feeling empty once more.

That… was strange?

Now that he was inside the building, he noticed rows of long wooden benches extending out on both his left and right sides. The path beneath his feet boasted intricate patterns, leading his gaze towards a podium ahead.

Vibrant orange rays streamed in from the high windows above and the windows near the end of each bench, casting intricate patterns on the floor and walls. These patterns, though beautiful, were beyond his comprehension, adding to the mystical atmosphere of the room. The warm glow enveloped the space, creating a sense of comfort. Yet, amidst the comforting light, he felt a stirring sense of longing, its source elusive. Above the podium, on the back wall, hung the same symbol he had encountered outside: a large cross.

As he glanced around, Roland's eyes landed on a piano adorned with pipes near the podium, causing a subtle twitch in his demeanor. Unbeknownst to him, his expression briefly contorted into a scowl before quickly fading.

A piano…

Despite his momentary distraction, Roland observed that there was still a student inside the building. She stood near the podium, seemingly transfixed by the sight of the huge cross at the front.

I thought this was dismissal time?

Intrigued, he stepped closer to her right side, hoping for a clearer view of her appearance.

Her long pink hair, fading to a delicate pale blue at the ends, was elegantly tied in a bun on the right side of her head. With golden eyes and white wings gracing her back, she emitted an ethereal aura, while violet flowers adorned her bun.

Her halo, unlike any Roland had seen before, comprised two pink spirals revolving around a central spherical piece, with a ring below it. Three pink sparkles and several small blobs floated just beyond the sparkles.

In a white dress adorned with frills and a starry print, she exuded elegance. Over it, a high-waisted skirt with golden buttons, blue ribbons, and intricate gold trimmings added refinement. A blue bow with a golden cross adorned her bosom, complemented by a white capelet with ornate golden trimmings. She wore white pantyhose and black high heels with a ribbon, with a matching scrunchy on her left wrist.

She appeared deeply engrossed, her expression so focused that she didn't even notice Roland standing beside her. They stood there in silence with him also staring curiously at the cross, occasionally glancing at her to ensure that she was okay.

After a while of silence, Roland broke the quiet, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“Is there anything special about that cross?”

Finally, she looked at him, surprise and sheepishness was evident in her expression,

“Oh!? Sorry… I didn’t notice you there.”

“No, it’s fine, I also didn’t exactly want to disturb… what you were doing.”

Then, her expression reverted to a neutral state, a small smile playing on her lips as she seemed to be lost in thought once again. Finally, she answered his question,

“I-I’m also somewhat unsure…”

That can’t be right… Isn’t she a student of Trinity?

His expression twisted into one of incredulity as he processed her words,

“What do you mean?”

In response to his response, her eyes widened in a comically exaggerated manner. Her irises seemed to momentarily lose their color, transitioning into monochrome, as she replied, visibly flustered,

“No-no-no, I mean… I know what it means, but I don’t really know what it truly means to me…”

Her voice trailed off, a hint of uncertainty lingering in her tone.

"Tell you what, give me some details about its origins and maybe I could offer some suggestions.”

“E-Eh? There’s really no need…”

“I insist.”

After a moment's consideration, she nodded slowly.

“Well... there was once a saint in the past…”

“They were said to have performed miracles and preached about love, compassion, and forgiveness.”

What…? Such a person could exist?

"The symbol of the cross…”

She stopped for a while as if ruminating on her next few words,

"...is often associated with them and their sacrifice."

Roland couldn't help but question a particular detail that stood out to him — a phrase that seemed to accompany every good thing: Sacrifice.

His expression twisted with a mix of curiosity and apprehension as he seemed to whisper the next few words cautiously,

“What did they sacrifice?”

She paused for a moment again, as if weighing her words carefully before continuing, her voice soft yet steady,

"Themselves.”

His train of thoughts seemed to halt at this statement. When it came to sacrifices, it usually involves something self-serving to justify an act of selflessness. Yet, Roland found himself rendered speechless in that moment not before asking a vital question,

“Why?”

Her expression morphed into that of ponderment, as if pondering the same question herself. Finally, she answered,

“They loved everyone and sought to absolve them of their sins."

Her gaze drifted to the large cross at the front of the room, as if drawing strength from its presence.

How?

Roland struggled to comprehend the existence of such a person. It seemed almost inconceivable. Yet, perhaps in the context of Kivotos, where the extraordinary seemed possible, such individuals could exist.

However, one question lingered in Roland's mind.

"How do you know of their existence if they are already gone?"

“Their teachings have been passed down through books…”

Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

“Though I’m still unsure about most of the contents. Hehe…”

“So you still choose to believe in their existence even if the only proof is through books?”

She nodded at his response.

Roland’s confusion intensified but he chose to focus on what he had promised to her,

“Well, to start off on my end of the deal, why are you still here even though it's clearly past dismissal time?”

“I… just felt like coming here…”

“Any particular reason?”

At this, she seemed to quieten down, mumbling as she seemed to shuffle about,

“I… don’t know?”

Hmm…

“Maybe you wanted to be comforted by their presence?”

Upon hearing this, it was as if she had been struck by a sudden revelation. Nodding vigorously, she hummed in agreement before exclaiming in delight,

“Um… hm, I think that might be the case!”

As soon as she uttered those words, she fell silent, her earlier enthusiasm replaced by embarrassment at her own outburst. However, after a moment of hesitation, she continued, a hint of lingering confusion in her tone,

“But… I don’t think that’s the only reason…”

Roland then decided to delve deeper into his brainstorming, further diving into the list of potential reasons,

“Forgiveness?”

“Nope~”

“Guidance?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Compassion?”

“That almost feels like it but I don’t think that’s the one.”

“Their teachings?”

“Eh…? That’s a bit… too vague.”

Then he paused in his brainstorming, shifting his approach. Instead of fixating on the details, he decided to focus on the broader concept of what they represent.

After a while, Roland finally uttered the ideal statement,

“Hope?”

At this, she seemed to brighten up immensely and nodded,

“Yes! I think that’s the one!”

Perplexed and curious, he questioned her further,

“Why?”

With a playful smile and a twirl, she turned to him, her fingers lightly touching her lips as she replied in a sing-song tone,

“That’s a secret~”

Okay?

“Right… I am going to take my leave now.”

As Roland was about to step back, he heard her call him once more,

“Wait! Since you helped me, maybe there’s something I could help you with?”

She twiddled her fingers nervously as she said this.

Not really… but…

“You mentioned earlier that the saint wanted to absolve everyone of their sins right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Does that also include murderers too?”

At this, she pursed her lips, her eyebrows furrowing at his question,

“Why…?“

“Eh… just out of curiosity.”

After a moment of introspection, she answered,

“As long as they repent.”

As soon as she said that, another voice echoed in his mind.

“I cannot say for certain but as long as that person truly believes in it, it is possible.”

Roland, however, felt something surging within him, a flood of emotions flooding his expression.

“How… is that possible?”

His voice carried a distinct tone of disbelief, underscored by a hint of anguish, as if he were grappling with the weight of a profound notion. It was something he couldn't quite comprehend, yet it felt tantalizingly close, like a distant shore beckoning across a tumultuous sea.

But he could not cross the treacherous waters.

In spite of that, there was an ache in his words, hinting at a longing to grasp something elusive yet undeniably significant.

Oblivious to his state, she continued in a gentle yet cheerful tone,

“But don’t worry! They have infinite chances for them to finally repent!”

However, he simply stared at her, nodding slowly. Despite her reassurance, dark clouds still seemed to loom over him, casting a shadow on his troubled thoughts.

Suddenly, as if realising something, she started laughing sheepishly while rubbing the back of her head with her hand,

“Eh!? Oh no!? I think I might have forgotten something. It was nice to meet you. Seeyoulaterbye!”

She then dashed off frantically, leaving Roland standing there, lost in his thoughts.

Realising that he was now alone, he cast one final glance at the enigmatic cross, its presence looming in his mind. Then his gaze shifted to the piano, its keys silent yet holding a lingering resonance.

With a sigh, Roland turned and walked out of the building, the weight of the day's revelations heavy on his shoulders.

It seemed late for him as he traversed the campus, the pathways empty and the buildings shrouded in silence. Above, the sky gradually darkened, signaling the approach of nightfall.

Even if I had infinite chances…

He couldn't bring himself to finish that thought.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 39 - Water Drop ->

Sora was feeling weary, but not from physical exertion as one might expect. Instead, it was the utter lack of activity in the convenience store that weighed heavily on her. Besides Roland Sensei, not a single person had visited all day.

On one hand, it afforded her ample time to scroll through her phone, but as the hours dragged on, even that began to feel monotonous.

Suddenly, the entrance door opened, jolting Sora out of her phone-scrolling reverie. Instantly, she became more alert, her attention snapping to the newcomer as she prepared to greet a customer in what felt like ages.

Oh! A customer?

Who- Eh? Roland Sensei!?

He appeared to be laden with bags filled with items, presumably basic necessities. Among them, Sora noted, were some containing clothes. However, it wasn't the sight of the bags that prompted her reaction.

He appeared rather disheveled, dragging himself across the floor with a zombie-like demeanor. The sight sent a chill down Sora's spine, giving her slight shivers as she couldn't help but find it somewhat creepy.

Finally, he spoke, his words disjointed as he carried a cup of instant ramen to the counter,

“I-I’ll have this. Thanks, Sora…”

She nodded, her movements swift and efficient as she checked out the instant ramen and placed it in a plastic bag. With practiced ease, she handed the bag to Roland.

Then, he shuffled out of the store, the automatic doors closing quietly behind him, leaving nothing but silence in its wake.

As she found herself alone once more, Sora couldn't shake the feeling that something about him had changed, or perhaps shifted in a certain direction. He felt less... menacing, in a way. However, the distinct vibe she got from Roland was still present, albeit diminished.

…

…

It was perhaps a mistake to venture to yet another place after Trinity. Though at the same time, it could be argued that there was some merit to it.

D.U. Shiratori City...

His thoughts drifted absently to the name, but he found himself unable to muster up enough mental energy to pursue the thought further.

Either way, Arona seemed to have already drifted off to sleep halfway through their voyage to D.U. Shiratori City. As of now, she was still sound asleep.

Carefully placing the Shittim Tablet on a nearby table, Roland's attention was now fully captured by the one thing that had been bothering him — the mysterious cup ramen. It promised a culinary miracle, ready to be created in a mere three minutes with nothing more than boiling water. To Roland, it seemed like a feat of culinary magic.

After utilizing a nearby kettle to fill the cup with boiling water, Roland followed the instructions meticulously, his stomach growling impatiently as he waited. Time seemed to crawl by slowly, exacerbated by the fact that he hadn't eaten all day. Yet, he couldn't deny that this hunger was largely self-imposed, a consequence of pursuing his own interests and desires throughout the day.

Still… I wanted to try out that sandwich…

Finally, it was ready and piping-hot.

He wasted no time and retrieved the plastic fork that came packaged with the cup noodle, taking a cautious bite.

<- ♪ MY FIRST STORY - REVIVER ♪ ->

Damn… why does it taste… good?

…

…

“Roland… Sensei huh? Why does he feel… so familiar?”

A pair of heterochromic eyes — one yellow and one blue — peered at a video...

…

…

“Such speed… Seems like you’re much more than I expected… Roland Sensei.”

A man dressed in a black suit appeared intrigued as he watched the footage.

…

…

“Oops…? I forgot to ask for his name…”

The princess's realisation struck her with a pang of regret for overlooking such a basic courtesy during their meeting.

As she reflected back on their encounter, a sense of hope stirred within her.

“Hope... I can feel it… but what is this foreboding feeling?”

Despite the determined expression on the princess's face, an underlying sense of unease gnawed at her.

…

…

In a distant future, a teacher finally reached his student.

Yet, the teacher found himself unable to express his thoughts in time...

…

…

Blue Archive

Chapter Text

≮̄͜-̸̗͐ ̵̝̎Ḇ̶͗l̸̟̕ŭ̴̖e̵̱͂ ̴̲̓Ǎ̵̻r̶̠̉c̴̝̿h̵̠̔į̸̓v̴͍͊e̶͉͌ ̶̜̓3̷̺͝5̸̳̀ ̴̬͑-̷̦͝ ̵̼͊M̶̢͝ȏ̶͈r̸͙͂ò̴̢s̷͉̄ê̸̲ ̶̘̀D̷̖̎r̷̛̦e̶̫̒ȁ̶͉m̶̟̕e̵̠̕r̸̹̔ ̸̗̕-̴̧̕>̵̡̛

A figure emerged from the shadows of the evening, silently returning to his dwelling. His attire bore the telltale signs of encounters with strangers, splattered with crimson evidence. His expression, or lack thereof, was like a mask, devoid of emotion or humanity. It was as if he had become a mere automaton, trapped in the monotonous repetition of daily routines, disconnected from the essence of being alive.

Without sparing a glance around or bothering to tidy himself up, he immediately sank into the couch, a beer can in hand, his gaze fixed on the ceiling above, seemingly focused yet ultimately aimless.

After all…

He was merely existing.

He became nothing more than a blank portrait.

…

The musty air hung heavy in the oversized grey room, lending it an empty and desolate atmosphere. The scent, intensified by the scattered beer cans and swirling cigarette ash, added a tinge of decay to the surroundings. Yet, he remained indifferent to it all, even to his beverage.

The room felt more like a tomb than a living space, unfit for any human inhabitant. As he remained motionless, a rational corner of his mind couldn't help but entertain a troubling thought: Was he even considered human at this point? His existence seemed to blur the lines between humanity and something far more sinister. Yet, he could not care.

Hours passed, the atmosphere stagnant and unchanged. However, in a particular moment, something seemed to shift.

For some inexplicable reason, he decided to cast a glance at a particular corner of the room.

!?

In an abrupt motion, he crushed the beer can in his hand, spilling its contents onto the floor. The liquid mingled with the blood already staining his hands, creating a macabre scene of chaos and disorder. Slowly, it dripped to the floor, the only audible noise in his room filled with emptiness.

…

It slipped through his fingers…

…

Much like she did...

…

Then, he resumed his mindless stare at the ceiling, his breathing gradually returning to a rhythmic pattern. It was evident that whatever he had seen had momentarily halted his breath.

…

A plush brown bunny toy sat nestled among the scattered debris, its once vibrant fur now dulled with age and neglect. Nearby, a small cradle adorned with celestial motifs of stars and a crescent moon stood as a silent sentinel, its wooden frame weathered but still retaining a sense of ethereal charm.

He wanted to throw them away… but he just couldn’t.

And so, they lingered, forsaken to decay.

“That’s that and this is this.”

He muttered, his voice coarse and parched, likely from dehydration.

- .... .- - .----. ... / - .... .- - / .- -. -.. / - .... .. ... / .. ... / - .... .. ... .-.-.-

Roland jolted awake, sweat pouring down his body in rivulets. Gasping heavily for air, he reached out frantically, as if grasping for something just out of reach. His eyes darted around the room in a panicked frenzy until they finally settled on his surroundings: he was still in his room in SCHALE.

As the realisation dawned that he had awoken earlier than usual, Roland's frantic pulse began to calm. Noticing that even Arona remained asleep, the room remained enveloped in a peaceful silence, leaving Roland to sit motionless on his bed, lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly, an inexplicable urge struck him.

With deliberate slowness, Roland withdrew the neatly-folded black gloves from his pockets, cradling them delicately in his hands. His fingers traced the contours of the soft fabric, absorbing the comforting texture. He continued to rub the fabric of the gloves, as if searching for something or someone amidst the folds of the material.

They almost felt comfortable.

Yet, his expression revealed a labyrinth of emotions, a cacophony of conflicting feelings that seemed impossible to unravel. Each emotion clashed with the next, weaving a turbulent tapestry of chaos. Something about them just seemed… tainted?

He just… could not understand.

With equal care, he folded the black gloves and slipped them back into his pockets, the weight of uncertainty lingering in the quiet room like a heavy shroud.

He could not sleep.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

[ Yawn ]

Arona stirred from her slumber, still garbed in her nightwear and a hat. Groggily, she pushed herself up from her seat and, with a subtle gesture, her attire seamlessly morphed into her usual clothes through the power of virtual manifestation.

Why was she sleeping on the table? Well, it's surprisingly comfortable once you get used to it, you know?

Finally, she took note of the surroundings outside of the Shittim Chest.

[ Eh? Where’s Roland Sensei? ]

Seemingly by coincidence, he barged into the room just as she thought this.

[ “Good-” ]

As she prepared to greet him with a cheerful ‘good morning’, her words caught in her throat as she observed Roland's condition.

[ Eh? ]

“Gooooood mooorning, Arooonaaaa.”

His speech seemed to slur, seemingly as though something had possessed him. Despite this, his tone remained unnervingly cheerful, as if blissfully unaware of any troubles in the world.

Roland's hair was a wild tangle of disarray, and his suit hung on him like a rumpled afterthought, the wrinkles accentuating the sense of dishevelment. His complexion appeared flushed, and he swayed unsteadily, resembling a pendulum caught in an erratic dance.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, he began to yell with a maniacal grin stretching across his face, his eyes wide with an almost feverish intensity. His voice cracked at the end of each sentence, echoing through the room with a disturbing fervor,

“AROOOONA, MY HOUSE IS BROKEN DOWN, LET’S GOOOO!”

“I DON’T HAVE HAMHAMPANGPANG, LET’S GOOOO!”

[ ??? ]

Before she could even reply, he darted towards the wall, his movements frantic and uncoordinated. With a sickening thud, he collided with it, knocking himself unconscious. As he lay sprawled on the floor face-down, like a rag doll, Arona could only watch in astonishment, finding the sudden turn of events to be utterly perplexing.

[ ???????????? ]

After finally registering the events, Arona called out to him with very serious concern in her voice,

[ “Uh… Roland Sensei? Are you okay?” ]

He did not reply but it seemed like he was snoring now?

Before she could make an urgent call to him, Roland suddenly stirred, seemingly awake as he slowly pushed himself up from the floor while massaging his head with one hand, mumbling unintelligibly,

“Agh… I feel like shit…”

[ “Roland Sensei! Uh…? Um…? Hmm…? I think we need to call medical help?” ]

Taking a moment to register what she said, he held up a hand towards Arona, dismissing her concern,

“Nah… I’m fin-”

Suddenly, a wave of nausea swept over him, causing him to double over.

“Heugh… Give me a moment… I’ll be off to… go tidy myself. Don’t call anyone…”

Then, he dashed out of the room, leaving Arona to ponder over his sudden departure.

[ ??? ]

…

…

Finally, Roland reentered the room, his appearance somewhat improved but still bearing signs of disarray. His hair was slightly messy, and his new black suit seemed hastily worn, as if he had hurriedly put it on without much care.

[ “What happened?” ]

“I guess… I must have eaten something bad yesterday?”

[ “Right…” ]

Her voice indicated that she was unconvinced.

“No, I’m being serious.”

[ “Sure… I believe you, Roland Sensei…” ]

“…”

[ “…” ]

After a moment, she heaved a sigh of relief,

[ “Well, at least you’re fine now, Roland Sensei. I was worried, you know!” ]

He shuffled uncomfortably at her statement, a tinge of guilt evident.

“Ah… Sorry, it won’t happen again.”

She hummed in acknowledgement.

“Well then, let’s get started off with the day.”

…

…

As they reached the SCHALE executive office, Roland's gaze lingered on the Shittim Chest as he asked Arona with curiosity,

“So… what's been happening in Kivotos lately? I remember I was supposed to address students' issues, but which specific students?”

[ “Actually about that…” ]

[ “A lot of people are starting to talk about SCHALE and we’ve received letters from other students asking for help.” ]

[ “That’s a great sign and it means there’s a lot of work for us to do!” ]

She concluded with a smile, seemingly delighted at the prospect.

Oh… Why is she so happy about this?

Though her expression shifted to that concern,

[ “Um, but… there’s this one letter we got.” ]

[ “I think you should take a look.” ]

<- Blue Archive 2 - Luminous Memory ->

To the advisor of the Federal Investigation Club

Hello. My name is Okusora Ayane, and I’m a student at Abydos High School.

I’m writing this letter because I want to ask for your help.

Our academy is being harassed.

One of the local gangs has been tormenting us.

It’s a long story. but we think…

…this gang is after the school building itself.

The students are doing their best to stop them.

It’s only a matter of time before we run out of ammunition and supplies though.

At this rate, the school will fall to them for sure.

That’s why I’m writing to ask for your help.

Can you please help us, Sensei?

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

I didn’t expect a school to struggle against gangs. Could it be… that the size of the gang could be on the level of a Finger?

With a pensive expression, Arona murmured,

[ “Hmm… Abydos High School, huh?” ]

“Do you know anything about it?”

[ “Well… It used to have a large, thriving district, but it fell on hard times due to climate change.” ]

“What kind of climate change?”

[ “Well… it turned into a desert.” ]

Her tone souring momentarily before quickly shifting back to excitement. With her voice filled with enthusiasm and her halo glowing green, she exclaimed,

[ “But the district was so big that people would even get lost in the middle of town!” ]

Her halo then transformed into the shape of a heart as she giggled,

[ “Heehee. That must sound ridiculous. How does someone get lost in the middle of modern civilisation?” ]

Finally, reverting back to her normal state, she added,

[ “I’m sure that was just an urban legend.” ]

If that were the case, then perhaps the gang could be just a small one. Since it’s most likely that a school this weakened would likely fall if it were initiated by something bigger.

[ “Anyway, I can’t believe the academy is being bullied by some lowlife gang. It sounds pretty serious.” ]

[ “I wonder what brought this on.” ]

"Eh… don't know. Perhaps the gang could be orchestrated by someone higher up or it could simply just be a case of taking advantage of a vulnerable school. But… without more information, I'm just making blind guesses."

After all, there were various subsidiaries below the major fingers. That could be applied in this scenario.

“Either way, I’m going to Abydos.”

[ “Huh? You want to head there right away? You really don’t back down, do you?” ]

[ “All right, then! Good luck!” ]

He nodded and went back to his thoughts,

Let’s see... I need to make some preparations to stay there…

…

…

<- Blue Archive 13 - Barrier ->

As Roland left Abydos train station, he noticed that the surrounding buildings consisted mostly of flats, lacking the advanced features seen in Millennium. Giant billboards adorned some buildings, along with shops for essentials. Various beings, including robots and humanoid animals, roamed the streets. However, what struck him most was the sparse population compared to other cities occupied by rival schools.

Armed with a map provided to him, he soon realised its outdated nature and turned to Arona for assistance. Fortunately, she possessed the ability to track down every student's phone in Kivotos, providing him with a general idea of the school’s location.

Eh… that’s a bit questionable but it’s just Kivotos.

As he trekked towards the general vicinity, he was met with the sight of a vast sandy dune. Its expanse stretched far and wide, with no end in sight. The grains of sand shifted and shimmered under the sun's relentless glare, creating an illusion of endlessness.

Taking out a bottle of water from his backpack, filled with essential necessities, he chugged down a portion of it.

So… this is the climate change she mentioned. Good thing I was prepared with several bottles of water.

Besides the essentials, there were also ammo packs that Abydos had requested. However, he had only brought the most commonly used types since he did not expect Kivotos to have so many different types of ammo. As such, he made a mental note to arrange for another set of ammo of the correct type to be transported via helicopter after getting to know the students better.

He continued walking, hoping for any sign of life, but the only thing that greeted him was the breeze that blew in his face. The only indicator that he was heading in the right direction was Arona's encouragement, guiding him along his path.

Hah… I was hoping to get a view. Maybe I should have taken one of those helicopters instead.

Then, he noticed a change in the texture beneath his feet. Instead of the familiar grainy sensation of sand, he felt something solid. Curious, he shifted his foot around, trying to discern the nature of the ground.

Ah... it's concrete. A street? Seems like I’m heading in the right direction.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally caught sight of what appeared to be a civilization.

…

Though not quite attaining the advanced stature of Millennium, they dwarfed the structures of Gehenna and Trinity by a considerable margin. Mostly comprised of towering apartment complexes but they appeared to be in a state of disrepair, with sand blanketing their exteriors. Yet, the streets retained a surprising degree of organization, suggesting an underlying order.

However, that only applied to those which were relatively untouched.

<- Music Stop ->

In truth, the majority of the buildings lay scattered about, their shattered remnants strewn across the sandy dunes, forming crude pathways. Once a seemingly majestic city, it now stood in ruins, its grandeur reduced to rubble and decay.

…

Furthermore, there was one key detail that stood out to him like a sore thumb.

It was far too quiet.

No signs of life stirred in this portion of Abydos, akin to a ghost city. It bore the eerie semblance of a place abandoned in haste, as if its inhabitants had been compelled to flee by some unseen force, leaving behind a haunting emptiness in their wake.

…

“Arona, are you sure we’re in the right place?”

…

[ “There’s still some distance to cover. Maybe this is the ruins of the original Abydos?” ]

…

Suddenly, familiar emotions began to course through Roland, accompanied by a profuse sweat that drenched his body. Though he struggled to pinpoint the exact nature of them, they felt like the embrace of an old, dear friend.

It almost reminded him of…

- .... . / .--. .. .- -. .. ... - .-.-.-

<̷̖͛-̵͈͠ ̸̖̊S̴͖̾i̶̟̎c̴͉͊à̸̩H̷̙̅ ̷̩͘-̵̜͆ ̸̳̕Ě̴͇ā̵ͅȓ̶̨l̷̜̈́ÿ̷͇́ ̶̱͝B̷̢̂ä̵̗́t̶̙͑t̵͓͛l̵͈͌e̷̲̾ ̸̹̿-̴̣̊ ̶̉ͅD̵̘͋i̷̜̕s̵̖͗t̸̺͝r̶̲̀ḯ̵̤c̸͚̔t̷̥̐ ̴̺͘9̷̠̋ ̵̹̂-̷̙̉ ̷̼̎6̸̹̿H̸̢̏a̷͓̋ṇ̶͝d̵͉̓ ̸̫̾V̵̥̈́e̵̟͌ŗ̶͋.̶̦̓ ̶͙̈́-̵̢̂>̴̤̍

The rush of helplessness.

...

When the call came.

...

He sprinted as fast as he could, heart pounding.

...

Only to witness the aftermath.

...

From the wreckage and devastation, emerges the most b̸͙̠̃̆ẽ̴̼̍a̸̟̗̎ǘ̶̡̲̍t̶̢͎͆͝ï̷̲͓f̵̼͊̈́ŭ̵͙̠ḽ̷͆ ̷͈͛p̴̲̔͠e̵̙͎̿̀r̶̻̒̿f̵̜̄o̴̯̻̐r̵̰̄m̷̩̤̄á̸̱̠̎n̷̡͛̇c̴̮̑̚e̸̫̎.

Fragments of the city hovered in mid-air while musical notes, akin to tormented souls, wailed for release, their haunting cries reverberating through the desolate streets. It was an orchestra of discord, a symphony composed of shattered hopes and unspoken desires, each note a poignant reminder of the city's silent anguish.

It wanted to be heard.

Blood clouded his vision, obscuring his surroundings in a crimson haze as desperation consumed him. The relentless exertion of his fixer enhancements ignited an inferno within him, the heat of the situation threatening to consume him whole.

With frantic urgency, he slashed and shot at anything that moved, driven by the singular desire to find her. He was acting completely on instinct.

To end this nightmare that threatened to swallow him whole.

SQUELCH

Finally, amidst his frenzy, the haunting melody of the pianist's final note echoed through the air, its ghostly resonance fading into silence as the reverberations ceased. In the aftermath, a profound stillness settled over the scene, and clarity pierced through the fog of despair like a beacon in the darkness.

With a hollow thud, all six of its arms dropped to the floor, severed from its lifeless body, which finally collapsed in a heap.

Yet, in that moment of eerie calm, his gaze fixated on a hauntingly familiar sight. He wished fervently for it to be a mere figment of his imagination, a cruel trick of the mind born from the depths of his despair. But every fiber of his being, every sense that remained alert amidst the turmoil, whispered with chilling certainty that this was all too real.

Ha…

Blood-soaked strands of once pristine white hair hung suspended from the ceiling, stark against the muted surroundings. Her delicate hands, frozen in a final plea, reached out as if grasping for salvation.

Ha…

Before he could even process the significance of this chilling revelation, something dropped from the tangled strands, emitting a sickening squelch as it hit the ground below.

Haha…

It lay there, sprawled on the ground in a twisted parody of life, its small form contorted and broken. The once delicate features, now marred by the harshness of its demise, were frozen in a silent scream of agony.

Hahaha…

His only hope for the bleak world that he lived in.

All shattered.

He snapped.

H̴͉̦͓̫̃͐͑͗́́̌̾̚A̶̢̨̢̟̬͓̳̟̗̩͉̤̪͎̰̹̯͍̻͍̼̘̜͍͚̻̫̙͖̣̅̊̅͆͘͜͜͜͝͝H̴̛̫̒̀́͑͝A̸̧̝̼̭̼̳̬̻̥̠̠͔̫͎̺̰̹̙̘͓̳̼̘͇̟͉̱̗̬̭̱̥͖̝͝͠ͅͅH̵͈͕͓͎͖̫̱̯͇̪͖̘̖̏́̑̂͋̚͝͠͝ͅȀ̷̺̠͕̬̮̉̈̑̒̏̏̌̕͝Ḓ̵̡̢̛̜̣̣̝̯͍̤͔͉̜͎̦̖͍̣͍̼̺͕̟̰̜̦̬͕̹̝̜͉̦͚̖̅̓̽̒̀͌͐̿̀̂̈́͂̐̐̕͝I̸̧̨̲̪͚̬̱̗͔̼̣̹͉͈̲̯̗̪̠͙͍͙̣̰̮̦̭̘͉̗͈͚̠̱̺̐̅̾̀̑̐̃̍̋̀̍̀̐̃̍̾͊̓̉͋̓̿̂̄͊̂́̓̂͒̊̃̆̉̋̏͛͌̈́͂̅̑̕̚͘̚̕̚ͅͅU̵͙͑H̴̢̨̺͙̻̰̳̬̼̣͍̝̦̱͙͇̞̤̯͈͉̖̟̒͑͊̎͛́̇̉̊̆̋́̀̾̍͆͋̅͋̒́̽̿̿̔́̇̓͗̏͐͑̄̊̎͒͗̐͜͝͝͠A̷̲͓̳̪̜̭̯͉̰͓̟͉̱͐̂̿͂̈́̃̏̌̒̊̏̈́̌͐̓̔̎͋́̓̅̽̿̚͠Ẅ̶̢̡̧̡̛̻̱̪͍̹̻̻̼̟̼͇͈͍̰͓̩̠̱̟̗̣̞͇̱̥̮͍̯̘̰̘̤͎͎̰̲̝̫͇͒͌̀͐̒̇͊̾̎͌͐̎̌̆̈́́̓͛͂̾̊̔̿̊̓̽̅͌͌̀̋̄̈́̐͗͘̚͜͜͝͝͝͠͝͝ͅD̵̢̨̝̮̦̣̙̬̤̮̫̭̹̫͈͕̥̳̥͔̭͙̦̥͕̆͂̆̽̔̉͋̈͒͒̇́̊̉͂́̐̂̾̈́̔̿͠͝͝͝͝ͅH̴̛̩̹̙̺͔̪̲͚͈̓̋̀͐̒͂̅̊̈̈̄̋͛͜Ḁ̷̡̡͓̣͍͓̦̞̱͔̻̳̫̲̼̰̟̺̫̺̩̹͉̱̪̮̣̻̫̣͖̝͙̅̃̈́́͒̂̑̆̏̄̔̈̎̃̆̆̃̊̐̆̀̕̚̚͘͜͝W̵̛̠̟͕̪̖̹̻̱̞͌̇̂͒͗̓̀͆͐̃͂̔̽͑̊̄̉̅̓̅̈̈́́̊̊̅́̐̓̑̇̀̄̀̈́̉̃̀̽̓̾̌̕͘͘̚͝͝ͅD̷̡̧̧̨̰̹̜̯̠̦̠̥̥̝̖͉̫̝̺͖͓͖͙͇̟̖̖͉͎̦̫͕̠̜̘̝̥̼͍̭͙̻̗̦̞̰̽̑̔̽͛͂̒̓͛́͑͂͆͂̍̈́͊̌̽̑͌̄̀͘͜ͅU̴̝̍̄̅̽̿̈͐͆̊̄̉̆͗͜͝͝͠͝͝͝(̶̛̰͕̞͉͉̠͙̝͇̱̰͓̙̆͒͋̄̓͐̓̒͆͑̍̏̃͑̚͜͠)̴̛̺̦͍̫̰̱̙̤̰̦̱̗͉̳̥̳͈̰͇̺͈͔̟̼̇̃̊̀͐̈̈̇̂͊̓̑̏̅̈͆̂̽̊̎̈́͗̽̅̄̐̏̇̋͒̎̈́̉͛͆͘͘͜͜͝͝ͅ&̶̧̨̧̲̰̻̫̱͔͉͚͔̩͍͎̙̖̪̩̞̫͓̖̃̔̆̀̎̾́͋̉͆̆͘͠Y̵̢̨̢̛̛̜͖̱̤̟̼͕͔͚̠͈̗̫̞͎͚̤̰̬͍͇͖̫͈͈̬̭͇̘̣̰͎͙̠̙̲̖̬̠̯͇̐̑̑͆̽̏͌́́̀̍̏͆͒̿̅͆̄̆̔̓̔́̾̄̆̓̈́̈́̽̊̍́̿̌̔̊̏̀̌̎̕͜͝͝ͅĄ̷̨̞̮̼̪̜̠̼͈̙̮̲͈͉̘͈͙̙̳͚̖̮͓͚̞͎̪͓͎̆́̓͗̏̏̑̏͂̀͛̈́̌̿̔̿̀̌͗̇̍̈́̍͜͜͝ͅͅW̵̯̣̳͔̰̓͆̍̆̌́͐̈́̇̽̌͛̍̊͆̈̌̿̑̂́̇̀͋͐͛̊̋́̀̃̏͌̅͛͆̂͑̍̑͗̓͊̕͘͝͠͠͝͠Ȩ̷̢̳͈͈̰͉̘̘͚̻̼̫̝̪̗̝̭̘̤͙͖̝͈̻̯̩̎̏͆̔͑Ḋ̵̡̨̢̨̧̠̜̼̗̩͔͔̪̜̩̭̫̻̙̲͓̠̦̲̯̙̮̮͔̬̖̪̝̖͖̰̣̬̀̋̎͑̈́̆̏̓͌̅̊̉́̐͘Ǘ̶̢̨̧̜͓̬͓̮̟̗̟̠̩̯̠̗̗̩͚̤̜̠̼͎͔̪͙͔̞̣̗̙̙̬̯̖̘̝̖̫̠͈̏͆̓̀̑̌͑̒̅̍͒̀͋̾̿̐̉̿̆̃̈͌͊̾̆͊̅̉́͆̈́̾͋̆͋̀̕͘͜͜͠ͅH̷̰̤̙̦̼̣͓͉̘̜͇͉̟̺̬̲̖̯͓͙͎͎̱̙͈̘̯̟̼̬̑̾̆̊̐̀̉̄̿̆̅́̈͆́̄̔̄͆̔͊̿͒̑͝ͅͅȈ̷̢̧̡̜̦̟̮̩̤̬̹̥͙̩̺͚̮̗̭͕̻̯͍̣͖̻̜͉͇̪̺͔͑̔́̇̓͑̈́͜A̷̧̨̧̨̢̧̛͔͉͚̺̺̩̙͍̪̗̟̫̱͇̥̞̤̣̤͙̞̮̫̺̪̣̝͈̰̖͔̻̪̞͖͔͆͛̿͂͆̈́̔͊̅̅̾̍́̂̅͊̈͛̋̄̀̾́̉̏̒͑̈̃̒́̄͌̈́͛̾̌͛̿̃̏͐̇̕̕͜͜͜͝ͅͅH̶̠̩̍̋̍̾̾̈́̾͗̆̈́̾̇̈́̄̓̆͌̌͐̔̕͝͝Ę̷̨̡̧̢̢̡̧̛̮͕̰̫̜̯̘̻̪͕̮̘̦̫̘̠̰͔̦̰̜̫̥̬̺͇̌ͅƯ̴̻̣̋̎͂̃͛̉͐̇̕̕͘͜ͅI̴̧̧̢̧̩̮͍͈̬̱̰̟͔͚̭̘̯͚͇̪̬̖̩̳̬͐̿̑̎͋́͌̾͛̏̆̽͜͝ͅͅF̸̧̛̘̜͖̝͉̮̣͕̈͂̏̌̾̃̔̌̽͊̆̓̎̀̀͝͝H̷̢̢̡̡̯̣͙͇̱͎̙̣͇͚̤̼̖͉͚͇̪̝̫̩̙͎̫̖̗͙̖̺̝̘̖̙͋̾̈́̉́͒̓̆̈́͗͋̅̄̏̀͗̐̀̕͘͘͝A̴̛͕̤̩̫͉͇͓͈̤̞͕͇̳̟̔̔̌̓͒͆̿́͗͗̓̿̓̆̍͐̕̕Ŭ̴̢̢̢̢̧͕̝̪̹̹̹̱̖̤̩͕̖̹͔̮̱̮̖̮̩̺͕̙͚̠̩̯̦̤͈̼̭̦̩̞͎̂̉̅̄̈́̀͊̐̈́̐̊̌͌̆͒̾͂͆͒͂̓̐̃̓̇̄̄̋̿̏̿͐̒͂̾̅͋̊̿͘̚̚͜͝͝͝͝I̸̡̢̡̧͍͕̟͈̜̗̝̩̟̫̫̗̺̱̝͙͉̦̮̠̱͎̼͚̪̙͕͔̹͔̝̣̰̤̒̀͊́̓̀̿̔̒͠Ȩ̸̧̛̛̛̛̼̻̰͙̗̥͎̬͉̥̦̥̘̱̤̪͙̻̻͍̦͎͖̗̖̻͉̾̃̽̓̍͑̓̆̇̏̀̉̋̎͛̊͌͊̀͊͑̀̋͒͊̿̈́̎̇́̈̊̍̇̐͘̚̕͘͜͜͝͝͝͝ͅS̷͕͎̰̀̄̉̆̈́͛͒͋͌̓̾̿͗́̓̉̐͑̿̔̓̓͐̇̀͂̌̄̕͠Ợ̵̢̡̞͖̫͖̬̤͉̥̘̳̱̘̭̟̇̎͋̽͛̅̀͒̄́̾̃̊̆̇̂̊̀̌̓͐͌͆̌̄̇̌͂̐̈̍͋̾̀̄͂̊͊̓̏̚̚̚̕̚͠͠ͅF̵̢̨̨̨̧̡̲͇̰̹͉̱͉̤̣͍̳̺͉̤͔͈͙͇̭̙̯͔̟͉̱͙̞̗̱͉͑͐̎̚͜Ö̶̙̖̫̤̣́̾̍̆͑̏̄͗̒͆́̈́͐̎͊̔̄̀̂̈̎̀̄͊̓̈́͛̓̇̊̎̑̚͘͜͠͝͝͠͝ͅY̷̢̨̢̧̢̨̢͍̮̱̘͚̰̱͖̯̞̥̪̪̩̙̲͇͕͚̲̞̼̹̲͎̰̺̟̠̝̻̙͎̼̥̲̦͊̈̒̽̔̋͂̉͂̓̓̒̿̈̏̿̚͝͠ͅͅH̵̡̨̛̛̛̥͉͇̖͉̯̹̘̳̼̩̰̼̖̤̻̄͊͌͐̽̎͋̋̎͐̌̐̔͆͂͛̇͒͐̔͛̉̌̓̅́̈̏̆͠͝͝ͅÈ̶̤͔̊̊Ş̶̢̧̧̧̳̜͉͈̻̤̜̮͕̜͇̻̻̭̯̟̪̥̺̺̩͍̖͉͓̹͙͓̳̇̉́̅͛̓̋̅̔̐͌̈́̕R̴̢̢̨̨̧̲̻̜̭̖̻̳̝͕͎͎̩̯̭̝̬͇͈͚̜̭͎̞̪̟̲͉͖̂̈͗͋͂̂͑̊̓̉̄͊̊̏͊̈́̃̽̀̌̒͗̆́̀̚̚͘̕͜͠Ȳ̷̡̢̨̧̡̢̧͓̪̥̙̝̯̦̭̻̞̘͓͉̳͔̖̲̫͉̞̲̭̖̱̞̯͙̥̳͙͙͉͖̬͔͈̯̿͒̑̽͒̎̋̽̈̑̀̈́̃̀̾͋̄́͘̚̚̚͜͜͝U̴̡̡͚̗̜̹͇̗̻̮͖̱̫̙̯͔̠͉̱̘̱̮͓̣̬̣͕̠͆̔͑̆̌̽̈́̉́̓̏̊͛͗̍̾̀͛̀̎̑̂͗̍͊̓̕͠͝Ī̶̡̢̜̬̼̹̝͓͕̥̲͕̫̙̦͙̝̯̰̻͚̬̘̞̐̽͂̋́̋̿̕̚͝ͅͅG̷̡̛̠̲̫͓̫̮̻̟̦̻͎͉̺̫̻̀͆̋̎̉̋̿͌̆̏̎̓̀́̓͐̔̓́̀̑͂͐̒̀̆̆̎͆͘͘͝Ẽ̷̡̧̨͈̗̥̳̙̘͖̮̟̮͕͈̠̘͙̰̬̯̬̫͚͓͎͕̘̠̪̦̪͇̤͎̰̙̯̠̅̽̈̀̑̈̊̈́̄͘͘͜͝͝ͅͅS̷̨̛̛͈̲͈̣͈̪͚͓͇͓̪͓͎͓̞̠͈̪̤͕͔̦̹̯̻͇̺͉̻̀̂̾̅̒̍͒̅͗̄́̎́͒̂͂̅̉̈́͋͑̑̂̉̽̀͗̎̐̀̍͘͝͝͠ͅF̶̧̨̨̧͍̠͕̜̤͚̫̺͙̫͔̗̙̜̯̘̫̯̙̱̼̲̝̳̭̣̹̮͇̠͕̬̬̺̲̺̋̀͌͑͋I̸̤̯̩̜̖̳̹͉̗͂̄͋̓̈́̒̈̊͋̄̑̎̅̊͋̄̆͌̊̊͛͋̀̋̅̊̂͆͗̒̌̌͒̋̂̿̋̎͛̄͌̚͘Ǘ̸̢̢͙̤̮͓̳̘͇͚̝̘̻̙̱̠̘̪͙̳̻̬͍̤̭̙͉̟̝̣̫̖̗̺̝̘̥̼͔͓͈́́͒̂̊̎̑̚̕͜͝͠͠G̸̢̡̧͖̭̜͈̲̘̯̻̝͕̪͚̻̦̯̤̩͚͚͉̯͓̞̥̹̩͙̩̥̺̭̥̭̒̃̓V̴̢̢̨͍̖͓̦̜̫̤̘̲̜̺̖̱̜̯͇͇̭͙̩̻̮̦̭̠̟̣̺̣̊͒́̎͗̐͋̈́̿͗͘͝ͅͅH̶̢̨̨̡̢̨̞̫̥̥̭͎̣̤̝͇̻͈̩͇̍̉̔̽̾̏̑͑͊̇͑́̋̇͋͋̍͑̑̒̋́͒̈́͐̀͑̂̍̎̇̈́̈́͋̊̂̍͘̕͘͝͠Z̴̨̧̥̣̣̘̥͓̬͉̩͚̮̙̩͙̩̰̬̭̭̩͍̭̟̞̳͚̟͎̬͔̣̠͔̖̺̭͌͊̾̈́̈̉̍̓̃̂̆̍͋̄̿̈́̊̍͑̓̽̏̿̇̋͑͂̎͊̒̚͘͜͠E̷̢̧̨̛̻̟̳̼̱̞̗̖̤͚̮̳͎̦̰̐̊͂̄̍̌̔̒̊̈́̀͑̿̇̉͆́͆̈́́̑̇͆̀̾̐̍̀͊͌͗̑̉̃̾́͒̋̿̈́̀̇͂̏̍͋̕͝͝ͅS̵̨̧̨̢̢̧̛͍̗̪̻̘̫͚͇͔̩̫̭̼͉͙̪̳̱̝̻̦̘̞̼̩̬̣̦̞̬̺̖̟͉͗̀̒̎͌̀̀̊͑̀̇́̃̇̄̍͛̀͋͋̐͌̉̐̓́͂͘̕͜ͅT̵͍́͂͑̉͋̎̂̔̓̋̄̊̀͘B̷̖͌͒̌́͒͆̅̇̾̐͋̎͊̋̽͗̕F̴̦̳͎̞̥̩̩͗̋͋͐́͌̽̃̓̌̚̕G̴̢̢̢̛̗̼̹̟̲̥̮̗̣̜̙̳̝̖̲̭̙͈̹̱̺͉̲̭̯̰͇̠̺͙̞̭̝̭͎̯̽̃́͊̉̈́̈́͋̐̿̐͛̉̏̈̂̄̇̀͐̎͌̈̐͋̋̑̚̕͜͠͝͝ͅu̷̧̡̩͕͓͍̭̜̪̖̭̭̖̣̣̫̩̹̘̦͖̖̘̣̟͔̍̊̈̀͌̐͆͛̂̉̋̌͂́̓̌͂̽̌͛̔͆̎́͐̈́͛͑̓̅́̓͌̾̄̈͘̚͜͠͠ͅͅḩ̴̨̗̭̣̠̣͍̯̰̰̼̮̤͍͍̞̺͇̖͇̰̮̥̻̤̮͙̐͛̏̾̑͆̑̈́͛͗̆͛͋̋̐̊̚͜͜͝͝͝ͅͅj̷̧̡̛̫̼̤̜̞̬̯̥̦̪̯̅̽̓̋͂͛̏͛̈́́̽͌̈́̐̂̀̃̓̒͠ͅk̵̢̢̢̧̧̢̨̛̛͓̼̦͚̻̭̖͖̹̥͍͎̼̱͓͓͉̰̬͙̹̦̖̝̝̠̺̮̣̟̫͗̓͒́̎̉͊͒̍͒̅̔̈́̃͆̅̚̚͘͝ͅͅẻ̴̡̧̧̡̛̠͓͈̝̹̙̘̠̞̗̠̼̥̲̮̱̞̮̼̼͆̽̋̀͋͛̅̊̌̒̈̄̑̿̊́́̄͒̋̄͋̿̉͆̋̀̅̒̒̓͆̒̃̏͒̈́͆͗͊̆̃̄͗͜͝͠͝͠s̴̢̩͓̟̰̼̺͖̙̭̤̘͖̪͚͓͙̼̺͍̝͎̪̖̱̻̜̭̜͉͚̺͓̘̪̺͕̬̹̪̹̱͍̯̲͍̓͛͗̉̚ͅa̴̡̨̗̪̣͚̞̭͇͙̳̻̝̥̯͔͑́̀̂̓͗̔̃͆̑̓̍̔̆͌̓b̴̨̢̡̨̫͚̠͙͎̯̭̖̥̲̬̬̖͌͑̄͐͒̉̎͝ͅf̷̢̛̯̠̻̤͍̰̙̮̻̟̖͍̱̣̪̻̳̪͖̝̙͓͚̠̜̜̫̱̩̬͓̯̯̝̼̳̈́̆̿͂͐̅͛̉͑̊̍̍̃̓̅̒͆̾̑̋̃̀̾̽̕͘̚͜ͅͅg̷͓͚̘̱͂͆͒ḧ̴̨̢̠͍̠̜̳̺͖͔̳̫͙̭͓͚͓͈̥̣̜̲̺̱̼̖̘̠͕̬͖͉͉̝̮͇̪̙͓̪̣̤͕̠̮́̈̃́̏̃̊̉̉̌̀́͊͂͌͜͜4̷̢̨̪̫̤̦̘̙͍̤̟̭̠͖͖̩̣͈͖̭̝̣̘͎̥̟̰͚͚̩̩̳͎̠̯̔͐̑̽͑̆̉̎̅̌͘͜͜͜͝͠͝5̵̙̌͗̌̄͂̈́̔̓̾͋̾̓̍̆̊͒̓͋͗̄̿͂̔̚̕̕͝3̷̢̨̧̛̫̰̹͇̹͉̝̟̯͈̝̥̯͖̻̬̘͙͓͎̝͇̙͚͍̘̜̺̥́̂̊̏̈́͋͒̌̈́̔͂́̇͆̌̃̾͊̆̎̈̃̔̒͐͊̾́̃̒͗͂͌͊̊̌̿̀͘̚̕͘͜͜͝͝͠͝͝ͅͅţ̸̢͉̤͖̤̰͉̯͓̬̤̜̎̽̿̃̀̇́͌̓̇̓̎̌̈͆̏̉̄̄̍͘͜͠͝͝͝͝w̶̨̧̡͎̣̘̞̘̲͚͙̗̲̝̩̲͕̳͇̫̙̹̗͚̙̣̜̮̥̭͚̬͎͙̻͙̠̜̙̙̭͕͉͚͊̄̽̆͆̀̑̑͗̆̇̂̀̒̅̀̅̚͘͝͝͝͝͝ͅͅe̷̡̨̱̱̜͔̣̣̟̬̘͇̱̩̗̫̗͍̯̅̆̇̆͋͒̽̒͆̃͆̽̊̌͒͂͂̎͌͛̐̈̾͠ͅr̵͎̱̫͖̖̮̻̯̭̟͖͕̩̞̰͚̗̥̟͖̪̗̠͙̹͍͎̳̯͌̽̓͛͐̈̀̇̿͒̐̇̈́̏̑̄̀̌̂̈́̉͊̔͛͊̎͒̓̍̂̓̎̅̎̌̄̚͜͠ġ̸̡̧̨̧̫͉͕̦̣̺͇͕̺̩̱̤̣̙̖̰̙̥̻̝̫͈̜͓̟͎̯̲̠͍͍̤̬̣̼̤̩͇͈̱̑̓́͆͒̃̀̔̾̄̑͑͑̂̀̀̈́͒̌̆͘͘̕̚̕͜͝͠ͅw̶̢̢͉̼̟͖͎̰̘̯̱̹͖͇̪̻̺̲̫̼͓͎̱͇̖͖̝̪̘̼̥̬̱̮̘̘͖̙̻͒̿͑̀̅͊̑̚ͅͅȩ̴̢̡̨̡̨̹̮̖͓̙̳̤̲̭͉̹̭̲̜̗͎̖̟̫̬͇̫̣͈̣̘̺̪̮͓̻̥͓̰̪̟̪͍̺̟͍̲͌͒͐͛͛̊͌̓̊͊̇̇͆̔͒̐̒͑͘̚̚̚͜͝ͅ4̸̡̡̬͈̫͎̰͚̜̖͈̻̻̺͉̣̳̺͕̖̩̖͎̜̞̟̟̲̺̱̯̘̗̰͇̝̤͕̩̝̮͖͚̲̬̓̆̾͗̅̈́̇͂̀̈͛̋́͂̑̋̂̚̕͘͜͠5̶̧̧̢̨̢̧̩̳͈̘͉̟̺̱̬̜̝͈̻̞̟̲̳͍̻̯̬͕͕̖͈̻͙̱̩͂͊̍̐́̋̎͒́́̌̊̄̃̿̏̽̎̎̕̚͜͝ͅs̶̛̛̛̤͚̠̍̓̉͑̇̍̋̋̊̓̓̀͛͛͛̍̌̈́̓̉̇́̽̍̏̀̽̓̋̔͗̂̉̄̾̔̒͑̚̚̚̕͜͝͠͝͝ṱ̶̣̣͈̟̟͖̝͙͕̣͈̳̰̜̼͇̏̈͐͋̔̆͒̐̄͆͋̔̑̈́͗̐̽̌͋̋̎̄̂̎̍͂͊͗̑͐̽̇̂͛̆̽̈̾̕͘̕̕͝͝0̵̧̻̤̳̹͎̹͎͇͔̲̝͔͎͍̙͇̳͈̈́̈̐̓̀̕͝8̶̧̧̢̨̡̛̛̛̤̯̫̱͉̝̺̦̲̩̖̻̫͓͕̹͔̖͖̙͒͑̄̇͊̍͛̄̊̿́̾̿́̒̐̈́̈́̍͆̈́͐̊̓̈̀͗̂͐̏̈́́́̐͒͂̚̕̕͝͝͝͝ͅ9̷̨̛̫̯̫̣̰̆̒̋̀̋̾́̍̒̊̄͂̓̊̓̾̎͒̽̇̃̾́͌̍̑̒̊̄̎̀̍͛̆͒̎͊͑͘̚̕͝-̸̡̡̧̨̨̲̲͍̣͚̹͔͈͕͉̻͕͉̝̜̘͕̥̫̤̼͓̟͔͓̲͍͓̹̜̩̩̥͈̭͐̈̀̾͛͆̒͂͘͜͜ͅu̴͉̩̜̭̹̜̰͚̾̾̈́̒̍̌̈́̊̓̈́̂̎̒͌́̐̀͂͋̊͊̋̓͑̎̉̇͘͝͝0̸̡̨̨̧̛̛̜͎̰͈͖̹͈͍̻̙̳͓̹͎̦͖̱͙̝͈̭̳̘̥͔̺̳̦͉̞̼̺̖̀͋̓̔͌́͛̐̐̑͛̈́̾͂̐͌́̓͗̎̐̑͆̎͐͋̓̔͂̈̀̋̍̓̌́͊̚̚͜͠͝͠͝ͅ4̷̧̨̛̛̹͓̼̭͚͈̯͓̰̹̟̼̣̥̫̀̏̅͗͌̾̿͒́̽͗̿̾͌̋̌̽̅̓͊̌̆̀̐̓̏͋̉̓́̍͊̀́̒́̎͗̂̈́̕̕̚͘͜5̶̢̢̨̡̨̛̛̹̫̜̦̖̜̯͎͚̗̣̙̼̲͎̲͕̺̞̮̺̼̣͚̗̰̤͇̟̦̣̝̜̣͙̯̻͖͕͛̏̈́͒̓̇̈́̈́͂̑͋̍̌͌̓̑̐̆̍̌͐͆̐̿͑̊̏̓̌͊̔̈̂̈̂̾̆̚͝͝͝ͅe̸̜͗̋̎̄͑̆̊͐̃͋̅̀͒̉̉̓͂̎̾̉̆̽̾͆̾̾̈́̀̈́̉͑̌̍̍͆͌́̈́̍̌̋̕͘͝͠͠ẁ̸̡̨̻̝̠͉̦͉̝̭̪̣̲̠͇̱̺͙͎̭̝̙̝̣̬̒̅̅̂̔̀͛̎̾̂̍̅̑͘͝ͅt̴̨̛̛͇̭͔͎̼̥͙̹̟̜͉̣̜̫͕̙̦͍͉̪̳̯̺̦͓̪̱͚̼̠̯̙̳̩̫̪͙̺͎̹̩̫̪̾̋̆̈̊͋̿̔͆̍̍͌͂̓̀͑̑͑̆̓͊̀̐̅̓͒̉̂̾̋͘͘̚͜ͅi̷̧̡̛̯̖͉͙̻̟̤̳̦̦͍͈̳̯̬͈̰̬͓͔̯̍̉̋͗̏̈͗̿̌́̀͊̾̓͘̕͜7̸̨̯̪̪̻̜̞̥̳̗̙̥̩̭̱͈̊̌́̀͌̈́̀̀̆̿̾͒̓̓͛͗̎̂̎̿̄̾͆̊̍͗̓̏̚̚͜͠ở̶̧̢̨̡͍̫̲̰̯̭̗͓̜̼͖̗͓̪͔̻͈̘̘̯̠̰̱̺͖͍̦̞͓̠̬̰̻̲̹̪̻͚̹͇̩̄̅̊͌͒͌̆̈́͋̀͆͊͂͊̄͆̋͂̓̑̒͗̏̆̈́̈́̎̇̔̔͌͊̃͘͜͝͝͝ͅͅģ̵̛͇̖͈̟̖̲͖͍̺͖̳̝̹̳̪̭̯͖̞̞͔̙͈̳̹̰̦͍̋͗͑́͌̊̓͒̾̆̈́͆̈̍̎͒̽̈́̂̈́̋͐͆̆͜͠͝4̶̜̜͉̩͉̤́̆͌̍̋́͂͑̍͌̒̑̒̇̈́͗͑̈́̍͂́̚̚͘̕͜͠͝͝͠ȩ̸̨̧̖͕̜̱̫̫͕͎̜̭͍̪̱͇̮̞̀̉͊͘͝ẃ̶̧̛̳̣͛̔̉̈́͑̂͑̈́̍̀̉̔̃̂̈́͋̀̏͘̚͜͠͝h̷̛̛̛͍̠͍͙̓͒̈̈̇̈́̀̈͊̊̽̔͌͐̌̔͐͌͐͒̋̿́͋̐̈́͘͜͝j̸̧̨̡̢̢̬̖̞̰͖̭̥̤̣̲̞͔̟͙͎̯̞̰̬̯̬̖̥̲̩͎̀̊̄͗̏͒͘͜͜͜͜ͅf̸̡̢̧̨̛͙͖͇͍̜̤̥̼͔̭̟̦͔͇̘̪̟͕̤̼̥̺̺͉̣̳̳̻͇͓̪̞̟̘̖̪̜̪̞̞̬͆̾̐̈́̋͒̊̈́̇̍̀͆͐̓͊̏͊̿͑́̽̈́̈̚̚͜í̷̢̧̢̡̨̭̪̝̞̹̞͖͚̫̞̼̳͎̥̱͎̯̠̫̞̰̲͙̙̬͖̘͉͕̗͎͈͇̜̙̪̫̯̮̗̈̄͋̅̈́̒̈́̈́̏̇͆̾̓̎̀̎̀͗͛̾̐̐̓̀̈́͆͋̒̂͌͐̈̉̇̈́̈́̕̚̚̚̚͠ͅų̴̡̨̛̛̥̺̤̫͍̫͉̳͈̩͙̦̥̥̮̥̰̟̰͖͑̏̏͐͂̓̄̐͒͗͐̇̀̑̾̋́͒̈̐̉̔̔̏̋̈́̈́͌͂̄͋̚̕̕͜͠͝͠y̵̢̧̨̙̱̯̤̺͇͙̙̦̲͚̭̆̾̓̇͆́̾̈́̊̃̑̏͊̎͌͂͊̇̅͋̔̂̃̀̓̚͝͝͝ͅk̷̢̛̫̩̭͇͖̽̐̒̃̐̆̓͆̓̓̀̒̀̐̓̀͊̈̆̉͋̑̉̃̊̿̂̀͂͌̑̑̿̀͆̀̊́̈͗͋͒͘̕̚͘͝͝͠r̴̢̲͙̻̟̭̫͔̘̦͚̖̗̪̦̺͍̫͎͙̲̘͇͇̫̟̳̭̪̪̦͕̳͈̹̍̊̄͛̒̆̾͒̈́̈́̑́͂͋̊̆̈́̾͌̽̉̐̚̚͝͠d̷̢̧̡̨̡̢̗̱̰̘̖̱͈̪̲͖̙̣̠̥͔̖̫̘̭̠̠̻͍̖̫̥̞̠͉̬̘̩̮̘͔̺͚͉͔͒̄̕͜͜s̶̨̡̨̛̤̠̹̰̤̟̝̪͔̠͔̞̗͇̞̱̞̙̮̙̯̠̱̲̝̺͇͔̭͔͕͕̩̺͕̅͋̉̋̋̀̐̔̄͌̓̅̆̍̌͑͊̍̊͑̇͑́͌̆̍̏̏̆̀̀͘̕̕̕̚̚͝͝͠ḩ̴̨̨̧͖̯̗̤͓͈̠̬̣̙͍͎̪̣̠̩͈̰͙͍̣͉̠̫̮̣͎̫̱̹̘̱̣̼͇̪͙̝͔͎̯̈́̆̉͋̃̊̐͛́̃́̐̍̓̔̊͆̏̇̄̄̅̃̅͑͛̈́͌̀͒͂̄̀͛̐͛͆̒̀̂̈́̈́̏̈̾̀̕͘͝͝ŕ̸̡̡̡͇͙̺̱̯͚̘̺̱͎͚̪̲̯̬̜̘̼̰̙̱̦͖̯̗̲͙̗͎͉̠̲͚̠̺̱͑͆̒̈́̌͗͆́̂̍͒͐̀̓̍̅́̕͝͝f̵̧̢̢̨̨̦̻̯͇̰͍̟͓̻͈̠̲͓̪̤̖̱̪̠̘̼̙̗̠̱̥͚̰̳̬͓̲̳̘͈̦͔̫͎̞̺̈́́͐̓̓̏̀̈̎͒̈͗̽̚͘͜ͅͅ ̸͇̟͚̞̮͍͉̱̝̬͈̭̉̇͛̑̀͑̑̍͒̐͌̇̃͋̉̍̊̅̓̍̈́̒̌̚͝7̷̨̢̨̨̨̨̛͍͔̱͕͚̬͖̭͇̩͇̦͎͍̺̤̗͖̮̖͍̼̘͕̖̻͕͑̒̂̐̄̎̾͆̐̅͒̆̈́̿̆́͛̉͐̇̈́͊͂̆̔͑̂̅͂͐̀̇̄̂͑̔͑̈́͘̕͜͝͝͝͠u̵̢̧̡̡̧̘̰̻̠̤̳̰͍̬̝̣͕̠͓͔̖͚͔̫̖͙̹̜̻̲͈͚̞͇͉̟̬̠̠͙̘͊̍͐̒̀̌̔̾͛̎̾̓͌̋̓̚̚͘͜͝͠͠y̸̨̢̢̦͙̺̮͉̳̯̝̞̬̱̰̠̠̗̥͔̘͈̗̟̬̞̹̯̲͉̜̬̘̦̰̣̗͑̍͊̽̑̇̋͐̊̔͗́̀͊̃̂̂̽͐̂̊́͊̃͊̀͆̑̈́͘͠͝͝͝ͅͅͅį̵̧̢̧̧̢̢̢̘̦͉̰͇̯̪̱̘̜͕̳͙̘̯̣̪̖̩͕̟͖̗̦͍̥͓̳̮̟̰̫̻͙͇̩̪̉̾ͅș̴̢̧͙̘̞͈̜̰͓̰̙̬̣̰̲̳͖̝̳̞́͑̿̍̎͜͝d̸̨̧̡̧̛͇̻̼̟̬̹̙͖̞͔̲̙̭͉̭͙̪̣̤̮͖̮̩̳̭̱͎̱̤͇̲̮̞̤̟̭̺̊̾̀̅͛̚͜f̶̨̟̜̞̥̜̫̟̭̹̱͕͇͇̹̘͍̙͍̩̲̮̘͖̥̲͚̗͎̟͈̂͆̀͗̍͋̽̌́͗͊͆̓̕͜͜͠g̴̨̧̧͖͕̳̈́̈̍̂̃̓̈́̔́͂͋̍̀́̚̚̚͝t̸̡̨̢̛̗̰͕̫̤̮̰̥̗̜̻̝̹̼͎̗͕͈͙͕̺̬̲̞̭̯̠͓͔̺̭͙͓̰̬̱͎̠͍͓̖͌̿̊͊̉̔́̀̌̊̿͛̂͐͒̿̽̐̈́̅͒͂́̀͊̔̍͌̓͊̊̃̎͋̊͘̚͝͝͠͝͝͝ͅͅḟ̵̨̧̧̡̡̨̨̢̨̣̤̪̣̟̲̪͙̬̺̫̝̹̰̞̲͇̥̞̮͖̳͕̲̖̲͉̫͇̯̦̪̦̲͙͈͚̭̈́̆̃̀͛̈́̐̍̎̎̆̋́́̊̾͆̌͋̃̅̀͋̏͌̓̿̕̚͜è̸̛̝̠͈͕̻̻̰̟̳͍͍̦̲̱̭͕̗͇̋̅̓͆̓̐̾͌͆̏̽́͑̎̈́̇̋͊̊͆́͆̋̃̃̿̈́͐͗̎͑̆̅͛͑͛̌̚̕̕͝͝͝͝g̷̜̙̥̘̳̗̳̖͈̝̺̝̠̠̣̪̖̑̅̇

He unleashed a primal scream, a guttural cry of anguish that seemed to tear through the fabric of the world itself. Each agonized wail echoed off the crumbling walls, reverberating through the desolate streets.

His lungs burned with the effort, as if they might rupture from the strain of his despair, yet even this physical torment paled in comparison to the searing agony that consumed him from within. The taste of blood filled his mouth, metallic and thick but he did not care.

With a ferocious wail, he unleashed the depths of his sorrow upon the district. Each strike reverberated like thunder, tearing through the buildings with a relentless fury as if he were a force of nature exacting vengeance upon the world. Each impact left behind a gaping hole in the structure, setting off a domino effect that culminated in the total collapse of the once-standing edifices.

BOOM!

Dust clouds billowed, enveloping the area where towering structures once stood, yet he showed no signs of relenting. His fury knew no bounds, indiscriminately striking out in every direction. Left, right, center — it mattered not to him. All that mattered was the release of his pent-up anguish, leaving nothing untouched by the ferocity of his wrath.

Amidst the chaos, amidst the deafening roar of destruction, he felt a faint whisper, a voice beckoning to him from the shadows. But he paid it no mind. All that consumed him was the desperate longing for relief, the fervent wish for someone to assure him that this nightmare would soon fade into oblivion.

But as the harsh truth dawned upon him with merciless clarity, he was forced to confront the bitter reality. He was nothing more than a pawn in the cruel game orchestrated by fate, a mere puppet manipulated by forces beyond his comprehension. Trapped in the relentless dance of destiny, he found himself devoid of control, a hapless pawn in the grand scheme of an indifferent universe.

And in the suffocating grip of this revelation, he finally succumbed, sinking to his knees beneath the weight of despair. There was no escape from the torment that engulfed him, no respite to be found amidst the wreckage of his existence. The destruction he wrought was but a futile attempt to quench the inferno raging within him, a feeble echo of the devastation that consumed his very soul.

Time stretched endlessly as he plummeted into the abyss of his desolation, lost in the bleak reality of his plight. It was as if he wandered through a wonderland of despair.

Yet, within the relentless turmoil, a stark realisation pierced through the haze of despair. In the midst of his chaotic thoughts, he grasped onto a singular notion, irrational yet consuming.

No... he needed more than just aimless destruction.

He needed a purpose.

A focus.

A target.

O̷͖͐r̴̰̕ľ̷̲å̷̬n̷̻̆d̶̮̽o̵̫͗ ̸̭̕F̵̪̀ų̴̾r̷̳̾i̵̠͋o̷̥̓s̴̤̈́o̵͇̎.̸̣̎

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

[ “Roland Sensei!” ]

Hah…hah…

Blood dripped from his hands, evidence of the intense pressure of his grip. His lungs strained for oxygen as he belatedly realised he had stopped breathing. Eyes darted around his surroundings, alert for any potential threat lurking.

[ “Roland Sensei!” ]

“I-I’m fine, Arona… Just a nice trip down memory lane.”

At this statement, she quietened down, seemingly at a loss for what she should do.

Noticing her silence, Roland forced a cheerful tone into his voice,

“You don’t have to do anything. I'll… work through it... eventually… Hopefully.”

<- Blue Archive 9 - Midsummer Cat ->

Before he could continue his voyage, he heard the rhythmic whir of mechanical motion approaching, punctuated by the soft patter of tires.

Then, he turned around to see a student.

She sports a shoulder-length long bob cut, her grey hair accented by a pair of wolf ears adorned with prominent white fluff. A cyan, inverted cross-shaped hairpin rests below her left ear while a singular cyan stud adorns her right humanoid ear. Her eyes boast mismatched, slitted pupils, with the left one appearing white.

Her cyan halo resembles a ring with four lines marking cardinal directions and a blue circle at its center, resembling a gun crosshair.

Finally, She dons a school uniform: a white dress shirt with a school logo, a cyan necktie with a navy blue cross mark, a dark grey pleated skirt with a plaid pattern and a navy blue blazer with silver buttons and white accents. A lime-green and cyan badge hangs from the blazer. She wore a cyan striped scarf around her neck and a single lime-green fingerless glove on her left hand.

Her accessories include a black shoulder bag with cyan and silver accents, adorned with keychains: a lime green cat, a silver cross, and a pink heart. Her knee-high socks feature triangular logos near the cuffs, matching those on her bag, and she wears black running shoes with lime green accents and cyan laces.

For her firearm, she has a white assault rifle with the same logo on it.

Huh… that seems like a convenient mode of transport.

“Are you okay?”

Huh?

“Why?”

“You were standing there motionlessly for a while.”

“Haha… I’m fine.”

He waved with both hands, attempting to reassure the girl.

However, it proved to be a grave oversight as she noticed the blood seeping from his hands. Her expression darkened as her demeanor shifted to one of seriousness.

Eh?

Glancing at his palms, he realised his mistake. Internally berating himself, he quickly explained,

“Before you say anything, I’m fine. This is just a scratch wound I got from falling down.”

“Nn…”

She stared at him intensely, scrutinizing him with furrowed brows. Then, she began rummaging through her bag, searching for something. Finally, she took out a disinfectant. To which, he started denying,

“There’s really no need, it will just heal on its own.”

However, she remained insistent. With a swift motion, she attempted to grab his wrists but Roland quickly moved them out of her reach. This sparked a cat-and-mouse chase, where she repeatedly tried to grab his wrists, but to no avail.

With a tinge of annoyance and her ears seemingly twitching, she monotonously pleaded,

“Stop moving.”

Before he could reply, Arona's exasperated voice chimed in to remind him,

[ “Roland Sensei… you know… she’s just trying help you… Just accept it already!” ]

Defeated by the persistence of both of them, he sighed heavily, his tone resigned to his circumstances,

“Alright… fine. Take a look.”

Surprisingly, he noted that the student seemed oblivious to Arona's intervention, judging by her lack of reaction.

Huh… so students can’t hear Arona?

With practiced ease, she retrieved disinfectants and proficiently cleaned the wounds on his hands before applying band-aids. Her movements were confident and precise, suggesting that she had done this many times before. Curious, he couldn't help but point it out,

“Looks like you’ve done this before?”

She hummed in acknowledgement before replying,

“I got into a lot of accidents when I first started cycling.”

“Ah… Alright.”

Next, she inspected his outfit, her eyes scanning him from head to toe before finally stating,

“Are you here on some kind of academy-related business?”

“Ours is the only one around.”

At this, Roland nodded, revealing the lanyard with the SCHALE card attached to it.

“Yep, I received a letter to visit Abydos High School. Something about a gang attacking the school and running out of resources.”

“Oh… you’re from SCHALE?”

Roland nodded once again, elicting some kind of expression from her which seemed to mirror admiration for some reason?

“So… you must be one of the students from Abydos. Mind telling me your name?”

“I am Sunaookami Shiroko, a second-year student of Foreclosure Task Force.”

Foreclosure Task Force?

As she waved at him and introduced herself, she continued, her voice carried a curious tone,

“So… what’s your name?”

With a small smile on his expression, he replied,

“Roland, as you already know the… Sensei from SCHALE, a supposed… advisor. Thanks for helping with the scratch by the way.”

She nodded in acknowledgment, her expression softening slightly. With a gesture, she motioned for him to follow her as she walked alongside her bicycle, the wheels rolling quietly against the ground. Roland fell into step beside her, the silence between them stretching like an unspoken question hanging in the air.

“So… what happened to the school?”

“Desertification and debt.”

Debt? This was not mentioned in the letter. Perhaps… it’s related to the desertification? Though I should confirm the lack of resources first.

“So the debt is the main reason on why you all are running out of resources?”

She nodded.

Testing the waters of his earlier thought, he ventured a hypothesis,

“I’m assuming desertification was the reason why you went into a debt in the first place. Is that correct?”

Her eyes widened slightly, astounded by his analysis.

“Y-Yes, that’s true but I don’t know the specifics of the desertification since I joined the school only after it happened.”

“That’s fine but how much debt does the school owe?”

<- Blue Archive 155 - Responsibility ->

At this, Roland noticed a subtle droop in her ears, accompanied by a shift in her behaviour,

“At the rate we’re going…”

“309 years and 2 months to fully pay it off…”

Hearing this, he halted in his tracks, the shadow from one of the buildings enveloping him while Shiroko continued walking into the sunlight, oblivious to his sudden stop. Only once she noticed his absence did she turn back to look at him, a tinge of curiosity evident in her expression as she awaited his reaction.

“Pardon?”

“309 years and 2 months?”

“What? How…?”

Disbelief washed over his expression as he began tapping one foot and covered his mouth with his hand, rubbing his chin absentmindedly. His thoughts churned, forming rapid connections that seemed to make little sense.

How can a school burdened with this much debt still be operational? Shouldn’t it have shut down already? Unless… there’s something stopping them from doing so? Or it could just be Kivotos again…

With this realisation weighing heavily on his mind, he ceased tapping his foot, his thoughts consumed by the implications of his discovery. Putting it aside for the moment, he continued,

“Well… how many Abydos students are there?”

As he asked this, her ears seemed to droop even further, and her expression grew grimmer. That was all Roland needed to know.

With a heavy sigh, Roland turned to Shiroko, his expression a mix of resignation and concern,

“Shiroko… wouldn’t it be better for you to leave the school and enroll in another one? In fact, shouldn’t all of you leave at this point? After all, the debt only belongs to Abydos High School.”

At that moment, she became fully focused on the ground, her gaze fixed intently. Roland couldn’t discern her expression but he sensed she was grappling with his suggestion.

Oh well, she’s probably going to yield since she’s young. It’s best for her anyway-

“No.”

Her tone was resolute and firm, almost catching Roland off-guard. As he looked at her once more, she met his gaze with immense determination.

What?

Slowly and carefully, he articulated his next few words,

“Why? As harsh as this sounds, I don’t see any future with the school having that much debt.”

Shiroko continued staring at him, her free hand lightly grasping onto her scarf as she replied with conviction,

“Roland Sensei, I understand that you’re concerned about us but…”

“…”

“…This is our home.”

Roland's eyebrows tightened slightly as he listened to Shiroko. After a moment of careful deliberation, he continued,

“Even so… do you see any future for yourself?”

At this, Shiroko tightened her grip on her scarf, seemingly finding solace in it. Yet even with this action, she remained steadfast.

“Yes… because I believe in them.”

…

“Then… what will you do if the school crumbles?”

“I will continue to stay.”

Roland couldn't help but scrunch his face in confusion. It seemed insane to him — how could someone be so sure of their own future, especially in the face of overwhelming odds against them? It just didn't make sense.

“Why?”

At this point, desperation stirred within him as he yearned to understand her but he couldn't. It felt like traversing an unfamiliar perspective that he could not hope to grasp.

Upon hearing this, Shiroko cast a fleeting glance at her scarf, pulling it closer to her face, her expression contemplative as she closed her eyes. In the sunlight, she seemed to glow with an inner radiance, a symbol of unwavering determination in Roland's eyes. Finally, she responded with the same resolute conviction she had displayed before.

“It’s my responsibility as a student of Abydos.”

???

“…”

“…”

“Ha…”

“…?”

“Haha…”

Finally, he chuckled, the sound quickly evolving into full-blown laughter. It was a laughter tinged with a myriad of emotions, each one foreign and indecipherable to him. After a while, he managed to respond, sighing deeply,

“Hah… you’re insane…”

There was a moment of silence, where the weight of the conversation hung heavy in the air.

“…But then again, this world is pretty insane too.”

With a shaky wry smile, he relented,

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Returning a small smile, full of certainty, she nodded, and they continued on their journey to the school.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 3 - Mischievous Step ->

As they continued walking, the buildings, initially in a state of disrepair, gradually appeared more well-maintained and normal. Finally, he reached what seemed to be a residential area. However, the buildings here were noticeably smaller and in a less decrepit state compared to those he had seen earlier. Furthermore, residents were roaming about in the area.

As they continued walking, he finally came across a school that could be considered normal-looking, at least by his standards. Despite being smaller compared to the other schools in Kivotos, it resembled what he would typically find back in the City.

The school gate resembled that of Trinity, albeit without the ornate decorations. Constructed from bricks, it sported a predominantly light color scheme of white and light brown. At the top of the school building, Roland spotted the logo which adorned Shiroko’s outfit and gun: a triangle with an eye symbol.

However, there was a key detail that caught his eye. There were an array of objects strewn across the front of the school. Among them were metallic drawers and cabinets, haphazardly arranged as if forming a makeshift cover against intruders. Despite the chaos, Roland couldn't help but whistle at the ingenuity behind their makeshift defense.

As they entered the school, Roland took in his surroundings with a keen eye. Most of the rooms appeared tidy although he noticed a few that still bore traces of sand. Unlike Millennium, there was no sign of advanced technology nor did he sense the presence of any religious symbolism akin to Trinity. It felt like an ordinary school, something that one would normally see back in the City.

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

Finally, Shiroko reached for a door and swung it open, announcing as she did so,

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back, Shiro…ko?”

The greeting came with a hint of confusion, evident in the speaker's voice.

She sports a black hair tied in long twintails that cascade down to her legs. Bright cyan ribbons adorn her hair, along with a sleek speaker earpiece. Adding to her distinctive appearance are her dark blue cat ears.

Her halo features a red crosshair floating above her head, with arrows embellishing the outer ring.

In terms of attire, she opts for a uniform similar to Shiroko's, donning a buttoned navy blue blazer adorned with the school badge. Beneath, she wears a white shirt paired with a cyan tie, while her lower half is adorned with a pleated, plaid black skirt.

Her hands are clad in black gloves, with red accents on the palm area. Additionally, she wears a black knee wrap on her right leg, complemented by matching black socks. Her footwear of choice consists of black and white sneakers with cyan shoelaces.

“Who’s that behind you?!”

Then, a cheerful voice chimed in,

“Maybe… Shiroko kidnapped him?”

She has long, pale blonde hair cascading down to her waist, with a side bun on her left side. Her emerald green eyes add a striking contrast to her hair.

Her halo features a neon green circle with a smaller circle inside, accompanied by two earlaps.

In terms of attire, she deviates slightly from the uniform. Instead of wearing the tie and blazer, she opts for a white shirt paired with a beige cardigan adorned with black piping, which she casually drapes off her shoulders. Her school badge hangs around her neck on a lanyard, and her hands are adorned with black tracking gloves. Completing her ensemble are a grey skirt, black socks, and white trainers.

However, her speculation was quickly dismissed by a voice of reason,

“Um… I don’t think that’s the case.”

She sports a black bob cut with bangs, accentuated by a French-braid styled headband that matches her hair color. Her look is completed with red glasses, a white butterfly hairpin with a red stud and a sleek speaker earpiece. Notably, she possesses long ears similar to Rin and amber eyes.

Her halo features a red crosshair within another circle, with holes adorning the oval part of the crosshair.

In terms of attire, she wears the standard Abydos uniform with a few personal touches. This includes a navy blue blazer with the school badge, cuffed sleeves, and a beige sweater layered over a tucked-in white shirt. A cyan tie adds a pop of color to her ensemble, which is paired with a pleated, plaid black skirt.

Completing her look, she wears a cyan armband with dark stripes, featuring kanji characters. Her footwear consists of black socks adorned with a butterfly on the rim, paired with brown uwabaki with red shoelaces.

After taking stock of everyone present in the room, he cast a brief scan across the area. The room featured a long table and several cabinets stocked with numerous books. A large, moveable whiteboard adorned one side of the room while his attention was drawn to the weapons scattered in plain sight: an assault rifle, a… minigun from what he could discerned from the internet and a standard pistol.

With the same calm expression and tone she had maintained since the start, Shiroko attempted to diffuse the situation.

“Settle down — they’re here to visit the school.”

However, this only prompted them to continue staring at Roland in confusion, leaving Shiroko at a loss for words as she muttered,

“Uh…”

Oh well, time to step up it seems.

With a smile gracing his features, he greeted them in a cheerful manner, though not as exuberantly as he had with the four students he met on his first day. With a casual wave, he introduced himself,

“Yo. I’m Roland, the Sensei from SCHALE, a supposed advisor.”

As he said this, they all seemed to yelp in surprise at this revelation.

“What!?”

The red glassed one was the first one to recover,

“No way! Are you?!”

But before she could continue, the one with cat ears, who reminded him of that uptight student from Millennium, Yuuka, interrupted,

“You’re with SCHALE? The Federal Investigation Club?!”

Next, the pale blond girl added,

“Wow! That means you got the letter Ayane wrote! ☆”

The girl in question, her expression relieved, exclaimed,

“This is great. This means we can finally get more ammo and supplies. I have to tell Hoshino.”

Though a look of confusion soon seeped, her eyes seemingly searching for someone,

“Wait… Where is she anyway?”

The one with cat ears responded,

“She’s taking a nap in the next room. I’ll go wake her up.”

The one with cat ear was seeming about to walk off but was soon intercepted by Roland’s voice,

“Wait… I don’t believe I have gotten the names for all of you yet.”

With this, a sheepish look appeared on the faces of the three students aside from Shiroko. The one with pale blond hair spoke first, her voice enthusiastic and almost hopping as she introduced herself,

“I am Izayoi Nonomi, a second-year student. Nice to meet you!”

Next, the one with red glasses began, courteously bowing as she spoke,

“Hello. I am Okusora Ayane, a first-year student.”

Finally, the last person to introduce herself was the one with cat ears. She seemed a bit bashful, crossing her arms as she spoke,

“I’m Kuromi Serika, a first-year student!”

After the introductions, Shiroko, for some reason, introduced herself again, waving at Roland once more,

“I am Sunaookami Shiroko, a second-year student.”

Then, she started to mumble,

“Well, we met earlier so you should already know me.”

“Ah… By the way, I’m not trying to highlight myself by saying this.”

With that, Roland nodded at all of them, a small smile gracing his lips. He then unloaded the ammo packs he had brought onto the table, inviting them to inspect the contents. As he did so, he closed the door behind him.

<- Th-Thiles - Who Is She x The Perfect Girl (Instrumental) ->

Now all that’s left is Hoshino. I wonder what kind of person would nap in the middle of school.

Knock

Knock

Suddenly, a rhythmic knocking on the door behind him interrupted his thoughts.

With a perplexed expression, Ayane murmured,

“Huh? Is that Hoshino? That’s… strange, I thought she would still be napping at this time?”

The confusion was palpable among the group, evident in their exchanged glances and furrowed brows. It was clear that this unexpected interruption deviated from their usual expectations.

With a mixture of curiosity and caution, Roland stepped forward, finding himself nearest to the door. Its surface still reverberated from the abrupt disturbance. With a deliberate motion, he slid the door open, revealing the figure standing on the other side.

Then, he could see a pink-haired girl with-

[ “ROLA-” ]

WOOSH

BOOM

Reacting with lightning reflexes, Roland swiftly dodged just in the nick of time, the whoosh of displaced air brushing past his cheek as the well-executed kick narrowly missed its mark. But the force behind it was immense, sending the once-pristine door flying off its hinges and crashing outside the room in an explosion of dust.

What?

In that fleeting moment, a pair of heterochromic eyes locked onto Roland's — one a piercing yellow, the other a captivating blue. Time seemed to slow as those eyes bore into his, scrutinizing his every move with an almost supernatural intensity, akin to the gaze of Horus.

As he cautiously stepped back to better observe the enigmatic figure, Roland took note of her distinct appearance.

She possessed striking pink hair with a lengthy cowlick trailing down to her legs. Her eyes, each a different color — blue and orange — added to her captivating aura.

Her halo featured a pink eye-like circle bordered by a curved outer line that tapered into a strip line.

Though clad in the same uniform, her style diverged significantly from her peers'. Unlike Shiroko, Serika, and Ayane, Hoshino opted for a more relaxed approach. She forwent the blazer, leaving the top two shirt buttons undone and her tie loosely knotted. Additionally, she sported fingerless gloves and a buckled tactical brace. Her attire included a black and grey pleated skirt, white socks, and navy blue sneakers with white laces and soles.

Completing her ensemble, Hoshino's hands were adorned with black tracking gloves, and she carried a what appeared to be a briefcase, secured by a white strap.

However, what immediately caught Roland's attention was the seriousness etched into her expression. Unlike the laid-back demeanor he had heard described from the rest, her brows furrowed with an intensity that belied any hint of relaxation. It was as if she sensed his scrutiny and returned it with equal measure, her gaze piercing through the air with unwavering focus.

“…”

“…”

Silence draped over them, heavy with tension, as their gazes locked in a silent exchange. Each sought to unravel the other's intentions, their unspoken communication forming a bridge between them. Roland's expression remained etched with confusion as the scrutiny persisted.

This entire exchange lasted for mere seconds before Ayane's interruption broke the tension. Her voice, tinged with a mix of anger and confusion, cut through the silence like a knife,

“Hoshino! You almost hurt Roland Sensei and look what happened to the door!”

In turn, Hoshino raised her eyebrows before letting out a casual yawn and slouching, rubbing the back of her head,

“Uhe~… sorry for the commotion, it seems that this Ojisan must have been pretty tired lately and mistook you for an enemy. I’ll fix the door later. I’m Takanashi Hoshino, sorry for almost kicking you, Roland Sensei.”

The rest of the students appeared visibly shaken, their expressions a mix of confusion and apprehension as they grappled with how to process the situation. Among them, Nonomi displayed the most pronounced reaction, her features contorted with a combination of shock and concern, her hands covering her mouth.

Besides Nonomi, Serika appeared perturbed, her wide eyes and gaping mouth betraying her astonishment as she pointed at the remnants of the damaged door. Meanwhile, Shiroko narrowed her eyes at Hoshino, seemingly pondering on what could elicit such an abnormal reaction from her. Ayane, despite her earlier anger, trembled slightly from the sudden action of Hoshino.

For some unknown reason, he thought he saw Hoshino’s fists clench in the corner of his eye though her expression suggested otherwise.

…?

Before anything could be said, gunfire could be heard outside.

<- Blue Archive 5 - Colorful Mess ->

Nonomi was the first one to react to gunfire, exclaiming,

“Was that gunfire?!”

“…!”

However, it was Shiroko who was the first to take action, swiftly retrieving her rifle from her back and peering outside the window.

With curiosity piqued, he cautiously peered outside, ensuring only a small part of him was visible.

In the school grounds, he observed several students wearing helmets reminiscent of those used for motorcycles, firing shots at the school windows as if daring its defenses. He couldn't shake the feeling that their attire was teetering on the brink of reaching the absurdity of the Kaitengers'.

So that’s the gang… what an… interesting choice of outfits.

Faintly, amidst the chaos, he could discern mocking taunts and rambunctious laughter echoing through the air as they continued their assault on the school.

With a shocked expression, Ayane identified them,

“They must be the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang!”

The what now?

With gritted teeth, Shiroko uttered,

“Those punks… They have some nerve coming back for more.”

With determination, she leaped off the building, descending to the ground with a casual grace.

Nonomi, Serika, and Ayane opted for a normal approach, each swiftly preparing their respective weapons: a minigun, an assault rifle, and a pistol. Additionally, Ayane activated a nearby drone. With their preparations complete, they dashed out of the room, leaving Roland and Hoshino alone.

<- Blue Archive 92 - Crucial Issue ->

Well… this is awkward.

“Sooo~ uh… nice to meet you, Hoshino?”

“Yup~ nice to meet you, Roland Sensei.”

Initially, her response appeared casual as if given without much consideration. Yet, Roland soon discerned a discrepancy between her words and her demeanor. Despite her seemingly relaxed manner, Hoshino continued to observe him intently, her scrutiny evident in the subtle shifts of her expression.

With hesitance laced in his voice, he questioned Hoshino,

“So… who exactly did I remind you of? You did mention something about an enemy.”

Her eyes seemed to dart to the side as though pondering before she responded with a flippant tone,

“I guess there is one thing both of you have in common.”

“…”

“A black suit.”

Huh?

“That’s it? Seriously?”

However, in that split second, her eyes narrowed, a subtle shift hinting at deeper scrutiny though her voice remained unchanged.

“Then again, you are quite different from him.”

Finally, reverting back to her laidback attitude, she sauntered away towards the staircase, her arms stretching languidly as she moved.

“Oh well, we should go help my dear juniors~.”

As he watched her walk away, he was still visibly confused. The situation still didn't add up. Even if she had indeed mistaken him for someone else, there was an underlying sense that there was more to her reaction than met the eye. Then, his gaze shifted to the remnants of the door.

Especially that kick… It was almost as though it was instinctual. If it had been anyone else, someone ordinary… I can’t imagine the consequences.

Soon, he was cut off by a voice filled with panic,

[ “Roland Sensei, are you fine?! I-I activated the barrier on time but you somehow dodged her kick?” ]

“A barrier?”

[ “Yeah! It’s a safeguard though I never imagined I would have to use it this early…” ]

Seeing her voice trail off, Roland simply sighed and reassured her,

“It’s fine, I can handle myself pretty well… for the most part.”

With that, he descended the staircase, following the sound of gunshots.

<- Blue Archive 18 - Mechanical JUNGLE ->

Explosions echoed as bullets flew haphazardly around the front of the school. As Roland descended the staircase, he saw the Abydos students fending off the gang. It appeared they were managing quite well on their own.

Shiroko seemed like a rush-down type. She charged straight toward the gang, guns blazing, only occasionally taking cover to reload. Roland felt her methods were rather crude and risky, especially considering she was the only one who had jumped off the building to engage. He also noticed that she occasionally deployed a mini drone that fired missiles at the gang.

Hah… she’s reckless.

Next, Serika, armed with an assault rifle similar to Shiroko's, appeared to employ a slightly more cautious approach. However, given Shiroko's recklessness, the bar for comparison was quite low. Roland noted that Serika occasionally exude an aura reminiscent of Wakamo and that one white-haired girl, though her power output was far less intense. In this heightened state, it seemed like she could fire her assault rifle at an increased rate.

Huh. I wonder if those weird abilities come from the halo itself? Rin did say it represented their consciousness… wait… does that mean… it’s sort of like an E.G.O?

Leaving that thought in the back of his mind for now, he shifted his focus to Nonomi.

With ease, she wielded a large minigun, swiftly dispatching the hordes of helmet-wearing delinquents. Despite the chaos of battle, her cheerfulness remained palpable, evident in the persistent smile adorning her face. However, there were moments when she would intermittently cease firing, seeking cover and patiently waiting for her gun to cool down or reload before resuming her onslaught.

She’s… still cheerful in the middle of a battle?

Next, he sought out Ayane until he located her.

Ayane occupied the backlines, manipulating a device to maneuver a drone in the sky. Whenever someone required assistance, be it medical or ammo-related, the drone would precisely drop supplies to the designated student. It was evident that they must have been communicating effectively through a shared headset.

Huh… that drone is pretty neat.

Finally, he focused his attention to the last one, Hoshino.

It was evident that she had rushed to the frontline, considering her swift presence there. Armed with a shotgun and shield, she adeptly used the latter to block incoming fire. At first glance, her movements seemed lethargic, but Roland discerned it was a deliberate ruse to draw enemy fire towards her. Occasionally, angry screams from the opposing side prompted increased gunfire in her direction. However, she remained largely unscathed, skillfully deflecting the onslaught with her shield. In fact, it felt like she was merely toying with them.

…?

However, one aspect of the battle stood out as inefficient. Shiroko often found herself targeted from multiple angles, requiring Hoshino to step in and block the shots meant for her. This diversion of attention, however, resulted in the others being vulnerable to stray bullets. While Nonomi and Serika managed well individually, there was a sense that their collective performance could be improved.

As he neared the battlefield beside Ayane, he noticed the sandy ground beneath his feet, sparking an idea.

“Roland Sensei? What are you doing here? It’s dangerous!”

With a small smirk, he replied,

“I got a plan.”

…

…

<- Blue Archive 49 - Mechanical JUNGLE (Hi-Tech Full On Mix) ->

“Shiroko~ I can cover for you but this Ojisan still needs to look out for the rest, ya know?”

Shiroko and Hoshino were entrenched in the frontlines, taking cover from the incoming horde of bullets.

“Nn. Sorry.”

“Bah, it’s fine, just give me a heads up.”

Then, Ayane’s voice suddenly rang out from their respective headsets.

“Shiroko, Hoshino! Nonomi will create a distraction for you to go in and I’ll guide Serika to cover for you!”

Before they could even reply, they heard the distinct sound of Nonomi’s minigun. This time, instead of targeting the delinquents directly, she aimed at the ground near them, creating a thick cloud of dust.

Panic ensued as the helmeted delinquents struggled to clear their visors of the blinding sand, their vision obscured despite their frantic efforts.

“Hoh…? Not bad. Let’s go, Shiroko.”

Shiroko nodded, and together they sprinted toward the smoke, skillfully dodging the stray bullets fired in desperation by their disoriented enemies.

“Want a lift?”

“Sure.”

Hoshino raised her shield, allowing Shiroko to step onto it. Once Shiroko was in position, Hoshino hurled her to the other side of the dust cloud, positioning Shiroko for a flank while she held the front line.

Hoshino noticed that bullets continued to fly from their side, the spread characteristic of an assault rifle. With Ayane’s guidance, she observed that most of these shots were hitting their marks, shattering the helmets of those caught in the dust cloud.

With a proud smile, eager not to be outdone, she stepped into the cloud of dust.

…

...

As the portion of helmeted delinquents managed to clear the sand from their visors, the storm was far from over. One of them, her hand trembling, pointed into the smoky haze.

“T-There’s something there.”

In the swirling sandy smoke, a pair of glowing eyes loomed — a piercing yellow and a patient blue — leaving an eerie trail as they moved ever so slightly. They radiated an air of cold superiority, unsettling the delinquents. Disoriented and unnerved, they had never encountered anything like this in their previous attacks on Abydos. It felt as though a judge were passing an unyielding verdict on them.

And they were the ones condemned.

One of them, breathing heavily, shouted in horror and attempted to shoot at the eyes.

“Stay back!”

But the eyes simply tilted to dodge the bullet, narrowing in the process as her voice took on a methodical tone,

“Don’t you know how to greet an old pal?”

Then, the eyes vanished, but the overwhelming presence lingered, sending shivers down their spines.

“A-AAAH-”

Suddenly, one of them screamed, only for their voice to abruptly cut off as if they had never existed in the first place.

On high alert, they began spraying bullets into the swirling smoke, hoping to hit their target. However, their efforts were in vain, as another one was suddenly dragged away by the legs. Panicked, they attempted to shoot at whatever was grabbing their comrade, but their bullets found no purchase as she was swiftly pulled out of sight.

They were now down to four, visibly panicking, especially after witnessing two of their comrades being dragged away.

“I can’t deal with this anymore!”

One of the helmeted delinquents shouted, throwing their weapon to the ground in frustration before bolting away. The others could only watch as their comrade vanished into the swirling sand, her footsteps quickly fading into silence.

“W-Well, this isn’t looking good right, guys?”

“…”

“Guys?”

She repeated the statement, her voice trembling. But there was an unsettling silence and a chill ran down her spine as she realised someone was behind her. A voice, cold and authoritative, cut through the tension.

“Turn around and shake my hand.”

As she slowly turned-

“Boo.”

“AAHASIUFGAIWFGAI!”

With that, the last remaining delinquent in the dust cloud fell.

“Welp, I guess that wraps up things on my end.”

With a tired yawn and a long stretch, she moved to the other side of the dust cloud, which was beginning to settle.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 130 - Foolish Days ->

“That was close. We were almost caught up in that smokescreen.”

Several of the helmeted delinquents had managed to escape the sandy haze just before it turned perilous.

One of them simply stomped around, seemingly frustrated by what has transpired,

“Darn it! We were close this time.”

The rest of them sweat-dropped at their energetic companion with long dark blue hair and a peculiar halo compared to the rest. Then, one of them stepped forward to refute her, her voice tinged with annoyance,

“No, how could you even call that close? It was just another one-sided massacre.”

Unconvinced, she raised her voice in retaliation,

“You see, considering we’ve lost several times while attacking this academy, wouldn’t that mean their resources should be running dry by now?”

“W-What? I-It still doesn’t change the fact that we are getting obliterated!”

“Nuh uh, you see. There was this one quote from Shanhaijing.”

“Okaay? What about them.”

With a seemingly haughty laugh, she adopted a demeanor reminiscent of a teacher as she spoke the next few words,

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

“…”

“…”

“What does that have to do with our situation.”

“Duh, we just have to continue raiding them and continue losing to them until we win.”

At this point, smoke could practically be seen coming out from the listener’s helmet.

“THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!”

“You’re just not big brain enough to understand.”

“No… I think you’re just insane.”

Seemingly offended by her statement, she launched into a tirade,

“What the hell did you just say about me? I'll have you know I graduated top of my class in Kivotos, and I've been involved in numerous raids with over 300 confirmed knockdowns. I'm trained in guerrilla warfare and I'm the top sniper in the entire Kivotos. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this planet, mark my words. You think you can get away with saying that to me? Think again. As we speak, I am contacting my secret network of spies across Kivotos and your IP is being traced right now, so you better prepare for the storm. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You're actually dead. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can destroy you in over seven hundred ways, and that's just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of Kivotos and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable existence off the face of the continent. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little 'clever' comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your tongue. But you couldn't, you didn't, and now you're paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will unleash fury all over you and you will drown in it. You're dead.”

As she finally finished, the recipient was at a loss for words, stunned into silence.

“…”

“…”

“W-What? W-W-Wait now that I think about it, aren’t you just a new recru-”

Before she could finish, the other helmeted delinquent turned and bolted.

“H-Hey, why are you runnin-”

“Nice talk.”

A monotone voice interrupted her. The blunt, straightforward delivery left her struggling to identify who had spoken.

As she turned around rigidly to see who it was, she was met with an incredible sight that left her speechless. All of her companions were on the ground, their helmets shattered completely. Flames flickered on the ground, burning for some unknown reason, casting an eerie glow over the scene.

And the culprit was a girl with grey hair and wolf ears.

Indignant and feeling betrayed, she yelled at the one running away,

“Hey, why are you leaving me behind!”

The blue-haired girl did not reply and simply gave her a thumbs up as she continued her run.

It was at this point she realised the significance of the quote.

“Hah… The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

“True.”

The person behind her replied curtly before slamming her into the ground before shooting her in the helmet repeatedly.

“I giv-”

She could not utter a single word as the wolf girl simply continued shooting at her, staring silently with cold, unblinking eyes. Each shot was precise and unrelenting, echoing in the eerie silence that followed. The relentless onslaught finally ended, leaving the helmeted delinquent lying motionless on the ground.

At last, the final helmeted delinquent had fallen.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 11 - Connected Sky ->

Well, I think that worked a little too well.

As the dust settled, Roland observed that all of the helmeted delinquents lay unconscious. Amusingly, he noticed that the area where Shiroko had been launched was scattered with delinquents whose helmets had been shattered.

Gradually, they began to awaken and hastily fled from Abydos, their panicked screams echoing as they ran.

With a relieved sigh, Ayane smiled and spoke into her headset,

“Thank goodness, the Kata-Kata Helmet are currently retreating from the district.”

As she spoke, the rest of the students gathered around Ayane, their expressions reflecting a mix of relief and satisfaction at their successful defense against the gang.

With a large, gleeful smile, Nonomi celebrated, exclaiming,

“Wow! We won! Well done everyone! ☆”

Meanwhile, Serika couldn't help but jeer at the retreating gang, taunting them with a hearty laugh,

“Hahaha! How do you like that, Helmet Gang?”

Hoshino and Shiroko simply remained silent, their smiles speaking volumes as they watched the scene unfold.

With that, Ayane led everyone back to the school.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

Once they arrived at the school club room, Hoshino immediately went to a seat and slumped onto a the table.

“Uhe~ that was a tough battle. The Helmet Gang seemed pretty determined~.”

Though, Ayane disapproved her statement,

“You shouldn’t say that, Hoshino. Those thugs would have taken over the school had we lost. Besides, it was thanks to Roland Sensei who came up with the plan.”

At this, she raised her eyebrows, though before she could reply, Serika barged in, huffing as she did,

“Hmph. We could have defeated them by ourselves.”

Deviously, Hoshino smirked,

“Serika~, you’re still such a tsundere~.”

Tsundere?

In retaliation, she indignantly shouted back,

“Shut up!”

The atmosphere lightened as Hoshino unexpectedly leapt from her seat to hug Serika, who struggled to free herself but couldn't. The other students smiled at this familiar interaction, indicating it was something they were accustomed to witnessing.

Roland couldn't help but let a small smile slip onto his face though he quickly suppressed it. Clearing his throat to interrupt their playful banter, he rubbed the back of his head.

“I just simply did what I had to as Sensei. It’s not that amazing, really.”

However, Shiroko immediately interjected, her voice carrying a tone of genuine admiration,

“No, you were the one that gave us the edge over them. Experience was likely the deciding factor. It was amazing how you handled resources, equipment and support.”

Everyone fell silent at this, even Roland was momentarily at a loss for words. A small blush appeared on Shiroko’s face as she tried to reaffirm her statement,

“I’m not wrong, right?”

“Sheesh, Shiroko. You sound like you have a schoolgirl crush. Anyways, I’ll be heading to sleep now that it’s over.”

“You shouldn’t tease Shiroko like that, Hoshino! Besides, haven’t you slept enough today?”

But Hoshino didn’t seem to hear Serika, as she returned to the same seat and slumped onto the table. However, it was evident she was still awake, judging by the glow of her halo.

However, Ayane was having none of it. With a large smile and her eyes closed, her glasses flashing ominously, she slowly recited,

“Ho-shi-no~, would you please kindly fix the door?”

“Eh?”

“Please?”

Upon hearing that, Hoshino snapped to attention like a soldier responding to a command. She ran towards Nonomi, her expression one of comedic fear, her eyes wide and nearly white with anxiety.

“Help me Nonomi, Ayane is bullying her Ojisan~”

However, Nonomi smiled apologetically,

“Ha…ha, sorry, I can’t help you out of this situation.”

At this, she dramatically pretended to melt into the floor, sniffing fake tears as if she were turning into liquid,

“How could you betray me?”

“Oh come on, stop being melodramatic!”

Serika chimed in, clearly annoyed.

What am I even witnessing? I thought this school was the closest thing to normal. Oh well, who am I kidding? This is Kivotos.

After some convincing, Hoshino reluctantly went to find some tools to help her fix the door.

With curiosity laced in his voice, he inquired about Hoshino,

“So… why does she refer herself as Ojisan and what does that even mean?”

This time, Shiroko helpfully explained,

“Ojisan means uncle. As for why, I think… it’s because she’s the oldest out of all of us. And... just ignore what Hoshino said earlier, okay?”

“Okay…? Wait, you mean to say she’s your senior?”

They all nodded, and Nonomi chimed in enthusiastically,

“Yup and she’s our beloved president!”

Huh? How?

Initially, Roland found it perplexing how a third-year student could exude the demeanor and appearance more typical of a first-year. Observing her interactions with the other students, it appeared as though she carried herself with a carefree attitude, adding to the mystery surrounding her.

However, after contemplating for a moment, he came to the realisation that she was the sole individual in Abydos who had attacked him despite her insistence that it was accidental. In that fleeting moment of aggression, it seemed as if a glimpse of her true nature had been unveiled.

What a strange student… Yet, why does she feel strangely familiar?

“R-Right, so what’s the purpose of the Foreclosure Task Force? Based on how it sounds, I’m guessing its main purpose is to prevent the school from closing down right?”

She nodded, reinforcing Roland's points with her own words.

“Yes, and to bring Abydos back to its former glory.”

Isn’t that… a bit too optimistic?

As she said this, Nonomi elaborated further on the club,

“We’re the only club in the school where every single student is a member! I mean, we’re the only five students at this school, but still…”

Hah…

Shiroko's monotone voice interjected, providing additional clarification,

“All the others either transferred or dropped out and left town.”

“I don’t blame them for leaving, with the state that Abydos is in. And now we have to deal with thugs like the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang trying to take over the school.”

“It’s too difficult to defend Abydos on our own and embarrassing to see the state it’s in if I’m being honest…”

Hearing all this, Roland rubbed his eyebrows with his fingers, trying to process everything. After a moment of contemplation on the best way to handle the situation, he put on a somewhat exaggerated smile and said,

“On the plus side, you’ve got the support of SCHALE~ Speaking of which, I'll need all of you to send me your ammo specifications so I know what to order next.”

“Oh, sure! Through Momotalk?”

Ah… that one function that I have not used yet.

As he slowly nodded, he opened up the Momotalk app on the Shittim Chest.

The app's interface featured a pink color scheme, and its logo resembled a peach. It felt somewhat similar to the cellphones he used back in the City, though this one was much more advanced.

“Uh… is this the button for adding new contacts?”

“Oh, let me help!”

Roland handed the tablet to Ayane, who promptly began typing rapidly. After a while, she handed it back to him. Looking at the app now, he saw that there were five students in the contact list.

“Try typing something and sending it to me”

“Uh… sure?”

hallo ||

|| Alright… It works properly.

Roland then nodded before questioning,

“What should I be doing now?”

With this, Shiroko’s ears seemed to perk up,

“Oh, let me give you the tour of the school.”

With that, Roland followed her as she gestured for him to come along. The rest of the group watched them leave, their faces marked with particularly strange expressions.

<- Blue Archive 105 - Alkaline Tears ->

“Seems like the desertification really hit the school hard.”

Shiroko hummed in acknowledgment before coming to a halt, her gaze lingering on a nearby poster. It seemed as though she was reaching out to it longingly.

It appeared to be a poster among a collection of various advertisements for different clubs. Each poster boasted bright colors to distinguish itself from the others. Yet, the one that seemed to captivate her the most was the cyan and yellow poster promoting cycling.

“You uh… really like cycling?”

“Yes, I enjoy various physical activities but I like this one the most.”

“That’s nice, having something to enjoy in your off time.”

“What about you, Roland Sensei?”

Eh?

At the unexpected question, Roland’s mind momentarily blanked, unused to such personal inquiries. As he thought about it, his eyes drifted to the left, his expression tinged with wistfulness. Finally, he replied, his tone unsure,

“Perhaps cooking?”

At this, Shiroko tilted her head slightly, curiosity evident in her expression.

“Though I haven’t exactly done that in quite some time so I’m pretty rusty.”

“Maybe you could cook for us when you are free. I’d like to try your cooking.”

Shiroko suggested with a small smile.

“H-Huh? Are you sure? When I say ‘quite some time’, I really mean it.”

Though she did not reply, she continued staring inquisitively at Roland, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Seeing this, Roland couldn't help but sigh and nod helplessly.

As they continued their tour, Roland passed by several rooms and was pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained the school was, considering there were only five students. Most of the classrooms appeared clean, and the facilities seemed to be in working order. However, he occasionally noted areas that could use a slight touch-up.

Impressed, he remarked,

“The school is surprisingly well-maintained for only 5 students.”

“Nn, we work together when it comes to maintenance.”

A slight concern crept over his expression as he recalled the seemingly lazy president. Trying a bit of reverse psychology, Roland ventured a guess,

“I’m assuming your president helps out too?”

To his surprise, she nodded,

“Hoshino may seem pretty lazy but she’s pretty dedicated when it comes to work even if it doesn't always appear that way.”

“So she doesn’t laze around?”

“For the most part.”

Huh.

“Speaking of her, is it normal for her to… suddenly destroy the door like that?”

At this, Shiroko frowned, her eyes closing in contemplation. A shadow of concern crossed her face as she thought about the incident. Finally, she mustered a reply, her voice soft and tinged with a mix of hesitation and confusion,

“I… don’t know.”

This prompted Roland to raise an eyebrow. It didn’t make sense. With only five students, how could she, a second-year, not know much about Hoshino, a third-year? It would have been understandable for the first-years but for a second-year to be in the dark raised some red flags about Hoshino.

As if prompted by his thoughts, she continued, her gaze turning distant as she reminisced, her fingers subconsciously tracing the fabric of her scarf as she spoke,

“Hoshino and Nonomi were the only ones present when I joined. In fact, Hoshino was the one who reached out to me.”

What?

“Reached out as in?”

As soon as he said this, she fell silent. Her expression darkened, and a fleeting array of recollections seemed to flash across her eyes. Realising he had unintentionally stepped into a sensitive topic, he quickly backtracked, offering reassurance,

“Ah, if you don’t want to share, it’s fine. I’m just sating my curiosity about Abydos and Kivotos in general.”

Shiroko nodded slowly, her voice measured as she gradually regained her composure,

“If you're worried about Hoshino, don't fret too much. She cares deeply for all of us so perhaps she's just cautious with new people.”

Hah… cautious to the point that she literally destroyed the door.

Once again, Shiroko posed a question that seemed to boggle his mind,

“Wait you mentioned that you wanted to sate your curiosity about Kivotos? Does that mean you’re originally not from Kivotos?”

Ah… How should I reply to this?

Starting off with some hesitance and a forced smile, he replied,

“Well… yeah.”

Confused by his abrupt pause, she prodded him with another question,

“What kind of place is it?”

His smile seemed to stretch thin as he unconsciously grabbed his other arm with his hand, adopting a guarded posture. Despite this, he replied, albeit with a tinge of disdain,

“It’s not a pleasant place.”

Seeing his reaction, she muttered softly,

“Sorry.”

“No, it’s… fine. What can I say? That’s that and this is this.”

“That’s that and this is this?”

“Ah, that’s a favourite phrase of mine. It made living an easy and comfortable one.”

“But… what does it mean?”

As he was about to speak, something within him held him back. He couldn't understand why but he realised he had never truly questioned the meaning of the quote. It was simply something he had repeated in various situations, finding solace in it. Or perhaps, over the years, the quote had become too tainted from its original use.

Thinking back to Arona, he realised that while he had taught her the quote, her interpretation of it was quite different from his. For him, it had become a crutch but for her, it was more of an option.

[ “Roland Sensei! You can’t just say that for everything!” ]

“Roland Sensei? Are you there?”

Snapping out of his trance, he saw Shiroko watching him with a concerned look on her face. Smiling, he reassured her,

“Yeah, I am. I was just thinking about what you just said.”

“…?”

“Maybe… There is something more to the quote than I had initially anticipated. Thanks, Shiroko.”

Her ears twitched in confusion as she slowly nodded at the unexpected praise. She decided to leave the question aside, intrigued by his peculiar reaction, which seemed to be filled with sentimentality.

Finally, they reached a room of some kind. It appeared fairly tidy with two couches positioned in the middle. Cabinets flanked the left and right sides upon entering while at the far end sat a desk and chair. A window behind the desk let in a soft glow of light.

“From now on, this is your room, Roland Sensei.”

“Really?”

She hummed as she continued,

“There’s too much sand in the office. Do you find it too narrow here?”

“Well… I’ve worked in worse so it’s fine. Thank you.”

Upon hearing that statement, a hint of concern flickered across her expression though she didn't question what he said. Instead, something seemed to catch her attention, prompting her to take out her phone and look at it.

"Ah... I need to go now. Nonomi is inviting me to join her in her shopping.”

“Sure but before you go, let me just tell you something.”

“…?”

With a somewhat exasperated look, he smirked,

“Try… not to go overboard like that again.”

Initially confused, she watched as Roland gestured towards his own head with exaggerated motions. It took a moment but eventually, the meaning behind his actions became clear to her.

“I’ll try.”

With that, she finally left, leaving Roland alone in the room.

[ “Hey, what are you going to do now?” ]

And Arona.

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

“Eh, I guess I’ll try to make myself at home here.”

He noted that despite the tidiness of the room, there were still some things that bothered him somewhat, particularly the boxes strewn across one of the couches. However, he simply chose to ignore them and laid down on the other couch instead, sinking into its soft embrace after placing his bag on the table.

"Oh yeah, Arona, could you make some orders for more bullets based on the replies in Momotalk?"

[ “Ah.. sure!” ]

As he lay on the couch, the material felt top-notch, akin to resting on clouds. Maybe Abydos' former prosperity had seeped into the couch's fibers or perhaps it was just an extravagant piece of furniture. Or maybe, just maybe, he and the couch were destined to be together, two soul mates in the vast expanse of the living room. In a previous life, they might have shared adventures or cozy evenings by the fire. Who knew? All he could say for certain was that the couch seemed to understand him in a way no other piece of furniture did.

Either way, he could feel like he could lay on this one particular couch forever.

Wait, what the hell am I thinking? Hah… I guess I’m just tired.

Slowly but surely, he drifted into unconsciousness, his breaths becoming soft snores as he succumbed to sleep.

[ “Alright! I’m don-” ]

Before Arona could finish her sentence, she halted, noticing Roland's state. He was now fast asleep.

As she folded her arms, she muttered softly to herself, a hint of amusement in her voice,

[ “Hah… what am I going to do with you.” ]

[ “…” ]

[ “Then again, you looked really tired this morning.” ]

With that, she simply went to her own table in the Shittin Chest and settled in for some sleep.

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

Roland woke up in the middle of the night, yawning and stretching as he did so. He couldn't shake off the feeling of having had another weird dream. Vaguely, he remembered something about being a student, involved in a strange performance as knights and... cross-dressing on his birthday? He shivered at the thought.

However, at the same time, it felt blissful, an experience foreign to him, filled with nothing but nostalgia. Not the cross-dressing part, mind you, but he could vaguely remember the people of the City seeming less serious and the absence of crime. It felt like an ideal world.

Ultimately, it was just a dream.

He retrieved the Shittim Chest and noticed that Arona was asleep. Quickly checking the time on it, he realised that it was rather late. Placing it on the table near where he had left his bags, he quietly exited the room, his mind now awake from the rest he just had.

The school appeared rather different at night, with a liminal quality that seemed to permeate the surroundings. It was strange — a sense of nostalgia stirred within him despite never having attended any schools before. Perhaps it was just a strange phenomenon, he mused as he continued his nighttime exploration.

As he walked, he recognized a soft but unmistakable sound in the distance. It seemed to be coming from the direction of the Foreclosure Task Force room.

An intruder?

Stealthily walking closer, the sound grew louder until he could finally decipher its source. It was a series of metallic clanks or clinks, accompanied by occasional grunts.

Finally, he was around the corner and he peeked out to see what was the source of it.

He saw Hoshino attempting to fit a door into a sliding door, the task made all the more challenging by her short stature. Despite the difficulty, the door appeared to have been fixed surprisingly quickly, leaving him baffled at how something so broken could have been repaired so fast. However, a hint of amusement crossed his mind as he watched her struggle with the oversized door.

Seeing that he has to step in, he-

“Whoever is hiding behind that corner, come out now.”

A chillingly firm voice cut him off, starkly different from any other he had heard from the students so far. It felt as if the very air around them had turned cold and unnatural, a surprising contrast to the speaker's small stature.

Before he could even process what was happening, she swiftly set down the door she was holding with a gentle thud, then deftly retrieved her shotgun from her back. With a chilling calmness, she began to count down,

“3…”

“…2”

“…1”

Bursting out from his hiding spot, he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, panic evident in his voice as he called out,

“W-Wait, don’t shoot! It’s me, Roland!”

At this, she simply raised her eyebrows before sighing and lowering her shotgun. With a nonchalant shrug, she resumed her task without further ado.

They stood there in silence, the only sound being Hoshino's attempts to fit the door in.

Feeling a bit awkward, Roland struck up a conversation, hoping to alleviate the silence permeating the school. His voice was cheerful as he inquired,

“So… what are you doing this late in the night?”

“Fixing this door.”

Ah. Maybe that was a bad conversation starter?

“Well~ I am quite surprised you all managed patch it up within a day.”

“Well~ Everyone helped out so right now I’m doing the finishing touches~”

She then turned to Roland, a knowing, sly smile spreading across her face, wider than usual, which was uncharacteristic even for her normally cheerful demeanor. It bore a striking resemblance to the enigmatic grin of a Cheshire cat. Adding to the intrigue, one of her eyes closed in a gesture of subtle amusement.

Ah.

“Sorry for not being able to help, I… slept accidentally.”

“Bah, it’s fine. All that’s left is trying to fit the door in.”

Once again, silence enveloped them. However, it didn't last long before it was interrupted once again but this time, surprisingly, by someone else.

“Let’s cut to the chase.”

Hoshino lowered the door back to the floor, her focus now entirely on Roland as her tone shifted drastically. Her demeanor seemed to undergo a profound transformation as if a mask had been lifted to reveal a different side of her personality.

Roland could not decipher if this was a deliberate facade or an authentic reflection of her feelings but he sensed an undeniable tension in the air — a palpable animosity directed towards him.

“Who are you?”

…?

“Look, I’m just the Sensei of-”

“CUT THE CRAP!”

Her voice echoed like thunder, pulsing with anger and frustration, her body poised to lurch forward. Eyes ablaze with intensity, she gritted her teeth, fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white with tension.

It felt like an entirely different person all together yet there was an oddly familiar quality to it, something Roland couldn't quite place.

In that instant, the moonlight filtering through the void left by the absent door intensified, casting long, ethereal streaks across the space between them. It created an illusion of an invisible wall, a spectral divide in the dimly lit room, isolating them within their own worlds yet binding them under the same celestial glow.

She took a step forward, her voice seething with venom, each word dripping with fervor,

"The way you carry yourself, always seemingly on edge and the overwhelming stench of blood that I can't even begin to fathom. And let's not forget how seamlessly you dodged, so much so that no one even realised it was you who moved."

Finally, she stomped into the heart of the moonlight, her heterochromatic eyes narrowing and glowing even brighter under its ethereal glow — one burning orange, the other a deep, drowning blue. They bore into Roland as she snarled, her voice dripping with bitterness,

“So let me ask again. Who are you?”

The only sound breaking the silence was the audible noise of her panting, a tangible aftermath of her loud, exhausting outburst.

<- Berserk - 4 Gatsu ->

In the dimly lit corner of the corridor, Roland stood motionless. His expression remained oddly serene, with a hint of wistfulness yet his mind churned with a whirlwind of emotions. His silence permeated the space, his eyes reflecting a profound sense of reflection.

Who am I…

As he pondered, a myriad of scenes flowed into his mind like a gentle river, each image akin to a vast sea within the expanse of his consciousness. In this mental landscape, a ferryman could be seen guiding his small wooden boat along the water's current, with Roland as the passive passenger, carried along by the tide of his thoughts.

Initially, it felt like navigating uncharted territory, but as time passed, he began to grasp the lurking dangers of the City. He envisioned a younger version of himself atop the water's surface, fending off various adversaries though most conflicts were resolved by fleeing. Out at sea, various unseen hands seemed to reach out, threatening to capsize the boat he sailed.

In the end, it was indeed a dog-eat-dog world.

“Kid, do you want to live? Then, come with me.”

Suddenly, the grasping hands ceased, replaced by the unexpected appearance of a sword on the boat. It was a black longsword with an elongated sheath — his first weapon, Durandal. Initially, it was too weighty for him to wield but with time, he grew accustomed to its heft. Beside it lay a black perception-blocking mask, adding to the mystery of his newfound arsenal.

He now had a solution to his troubles.

Was there anything that I could do for myself?

Should I settle for a life where I won’t lack for anything crucial…?

Will I be happy if I live in the Nest…?

As soon as these thoughts crossed his mind, the hands that had initially ceased all started elongating towards the boat from behind at an alarming rate. Swiftly seizing the sword and donning the mask, he proceeded to rapidly cut them down one by one, akin to slicing through branches on a tree. He could not discern any particular emotion he held towards them or perhaps he was suppressing it

After all, he was merely striving to survive. Was there anything wrong with that?

However, soon, a stray hand unexpectedly emerged from the front of the boat, catching him off guard. In an instant, a loud slice rent the air from behind him. Before he could even turn around to see who they were, they vanished in a wisp of smoke, their voice lingering like an echo in the air.

“Try looking at what’s in front of you for once. You’ll miss the most important things if you’re always looking back, don’t you know?”

Then, as he looked forward, he dropped his sword. There lay something beyond his comprehension even though it was censored in his head. The emotion stirred by seeing it still remained etched within him, causing bile to rise in his throat. Collapsing to his knees, he stared at his hands, stained with blood.

I… killed for something like this?

Then, time seemed to blur, and the rivers flowed at a rapid speed until his small wooden boat transformed into a larger, more stable vessel. Gradually, the river returned to its gentle flow and the memories became more apparent.

Suddenly, a beam of light illuminated his world, revealing his surroundings in clarity. Somehow, he could finally discern what was around him. A soft, gentle feminine voice whispered beside him, causing his mask to seemingly crack under the weight of the revelation,

“Why should I begrudge it, since during the hours when my soul crushed the depths of my heart, it was seated there beside me?”

Yet, he flew too close to the sun. The voice quickly dissipated, leaving nothing but silence in its wake. A thunderous storm ensued as the boat began to crumble apart, disintegrating until all that remained was a solitary wooden board, barely stable enough to support him and the ferryman.

All he could do was writhe in agony as he fell into the ocean. The distinct taste of salt filled his mouth as he slowly sank to the depths. He felt like a puppet with no strings and then he noticed his hands were now black, covered by a pair of gloves.

Then, hands seemed to reach out to grab him but instead of malicious intent, they felt as though they were trying to help him. Each hand was clothed in distinct colors and unique attire, yet despite this, he did not grasp onto any of them.

Finally, a pale hand, clad in dark blue with white trim at the end of the sleeve, reached the furthest toward him. He widened his eyes in surprise but smiled sadly, muttering softly,

“That’s that and this is this.”

And then, he drowned, the last thing he felt was a serene sense of peace enveloping him.

…

…

With that, he snapped back to reality after his deep introspection, he concluded that there were several ways to see his story.

Survivor.

City.

Tragedy.

Genocide.

Pretender.

Struggler.

However, they all shared one thing — they were echoes of the past, etched deeply into his soul, with no escape. No matter what he did, they haunted him relentlessly. They would slink into his thoughts when he least expected, their icy fingers coiling around his heart, inflicting a pain that cut deeper with each passing moment.

It was a torment he had grown accustomed to, the constant barrage of memories and regrets that weighed heavily on his spirit. And he knew that on the day of his final agony, they would gather around him once more, their spectral forms lingering in the shadows, ready to bear witness to his last breath.

It was a burden that he alone must bear, a weight that pressed down upon his shoulders with unyielding force.

Finally, he spoke for the first time, his tone weary and laden with unimaginable anguish. His eyes, void of any light, seemed to absorb every glimmer of hope that had ever existed.

“You’re right. I can’t wash away all this blood that I have shed in my world.”

He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts.

Upon seeing Roland’s state and hearing this, Hoshino’s eyes widened. From what Roland could discern, her anger was still palpable, but there was also a flicker of surprise, regret and perhaps even recognition in her expression.

Finally, he dragged himself toward the door, staring at it before lifting it. His action startled Hoshino, who seemed even more tense than before. However, this only led Roland to give a tired smile,

“I’m not sure what you see in me.”

He muttered, slowly walking toward the open gap in the sliding door, his steps heavy with weariness.

“But…”

With a sudden motion, he slid the door back into place. It made a grinding sound from the abrupt action but surprisingly, it now moved seamlessly back and forth, as if it had never been broken.

“I’m just someone trying to make things right.”

The moonlight seemed to dim as the door finally closed, but it still cast a soft glow around them. The once bright beam of moonlight was now a faint, gentle light, encircling them as they looked at each other.

As Roland stared at her, Hoshino looked away, her expression softening. She sighed, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and lingering distrust as she muttered,

“Fine… but I will still be watching you.”

“That’s fine with me. How about we make that a promise?”

Roland extended his pinkie finger. Hoshino scoffed but hesitated only for a moment before linking her pinkie with his.

“…”

“…”

They stood in silence, the unspoken agreement hanging in the air between them.

...

...

Crack Omake

<- Jujutsu Kaisen - The Honored One ->

[ Yawn ]

Arona stirred from her slumber, still garbed in her nightwear and a hat. Groggily, she pushed herself up from her seat and, with a subtle gesture, her attire seamlessly morphed into her usual clothes through the power of virtual manifestation.

Why was she sleeping on the table? Well, it's surprisingly comfortable once you get used to it, you know?

But on this particular day, she couldn’t quite pinpoint what was off. It felt like a nagging sensation, an unsettling feeling she couldn't shake. It was as if the world itself was on the verge of becoming a living joke in the next few moments.

The peculiar sensation led her to scratch her head in confusion, tapping the table with growing concern as she grappled with the strange emotions swirling within her.

Hesitantly, she took a peek outside of her tablet, scanning the surroundings with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

[ Eh? Where’s Roland Sensei? ]

Seemingly by coincidence, he barged into the room just as she thought this.

However, there was something extremely weird about him.

Roland's hair was a wild tangle of disarray, and his suit hung on him like a rumpled afterthought, the wrinkles accentuating the sense of dishevelment. His complexion appeared flushed, and he swayed unsteadily, resembling a pendulum caught in an erratic dance.

The main reason, though, was hard to ignore — he was enveloped in a faint, yellow glow, with spectral figures shimmering around him. They danced and twirled with an almost palpable liveliness, casting an otherworldly aura around him.

“Yo, Arona.”

[ “Uh? Roland… Sensei? Why are you glowing?” ]

However, he did not reply. Instead, a maniacal grin stretched across his face, his eyes wide with an almost feverish intensity. With exaggerated flair, he spread his arms open wide. His voice cracked at the end of each sentence, echoing through the room with a disturbing fervor,

“AROOOONA, MY HOUSE IS BROKEN DOWN, LET’S GOOOO!”

“I DON’T HAVE HAMHAMPANGPANG, LET’S GOOOO!”

Then, slowly, his voice softened, but his eyes remained wide open, gleaming with madness. The light surrounding him seemed to intensify as he inexplicably began to float. His gaze fixated on the sky, seemingly entranced, as his arms stretched outwards.

In that moment, it felt as though Roland had transcended into some kind of otherworldly being, leaving Arona engulfed in strange and indescribable emotions.

“But… why is it that the world feels… so, so wonderful right now.”

[ ??? ]

Then, for some inexplicable reason, he struck a pose, one hand reaching for the sky while the other pointed towards the ground.

“Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the Orlandoed one.”

He declared, his voice carrying an eerie conviction that resonated through the room.

“Furioso…”

As soon as he said this, he slammed into the wall, shattering it as his unconscious body flopped like a ragdoll, an awkward and jarring spectacle. Before Arona, the massive hole in the wall seemed utterly implausible for a normal human to create yet there it was — a tangible tear in the building.

All she could mutter out was a single word.

[ “Huh?” ]

…

…

<- Zoolander Meme Loop ->

Roland had lost track of how long they had been staring at each other.

Time seemed to stretch, elongating the moments into an indefinite span. It felt like an eternity yet it seemed like mere seconds had passed.

From the moment Hoshino broke the door, they had been locked in a prolonged stare-down, each second stretching out in slow motion. However, it became apparent that they were caught in some kind of loop, trapped in an endless cycle of gazes and unspoken tension.

As the loops persisted, Roland's senses began to blur, and he discerned a faint electronic melody playing in the background. It seemed to loop in synchrony with their repetitive gazes, adding an unsettling rhythm to the surreal scene. Amidst the strange ambiance, he could vaguely hear the lyrics, "Oh, who is she?", repeating like a haunting refrain.

Hah… I wonder if this is Kivoto’s fault.

Roland mused silently, though the question remained unanswered.

Fortunately, after what felt like an eternity, time resumed its normal flow once again.

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

“Whoever is hiding behind that corner, come out now.”

A chillingly firm voice cut him off, starkly different from any other he had heard from the students so far. It felt as if the very air around them had turned cold and unnatural, a surprising contrast to the speaker's small stature.

Before he could even process what was happening, she swiftly set down the door she was holding with a gentle thud, then deftly retrieved her shotgun from her back. With a chilling calmness, she began to count down,

“3…”

“…2”

“…1”

Bursting out from his hiding spot, he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, panic evident in his voice as he called out,

“W-Wait, don’t shoot! It’s me, Roland-”

But before he could stop himself, compelled by some inconspicuous force, he continued his sentence.

“-from Library of Ruina on the Nintendo Switch!”

<- Library of Ruina - String Theocracy ->

As soon as the final word left his mouth, a distorted and loud music began blaring out of nowhere, seemingly emanating from no discernible source.

Upon hearing this, Hoshino simply smiled, her expression transforming into a wide grin as she closed her eyes in amusement. However, despite her attempt to appear calm, it was evident from the trembling of the hands holding the shotgun that she was anything but relaxed.

“Look Hoshino, I… didn’t do that.”

“Yes, I just wanna talk to you.”

“Then… could you please put down that shotgun?”

“Yup~, I’ll just be talking to you.”

“…”

“Sure, I just want to shoot you.”

“W-W-WAI-”

BOOM

Roland is dead, not big surprise.

Chapter Text

<- Sound of wind in a desert ->

The wind howled across the desert, sweeping gusts of sand into swirling patterns. The same cycle repeated endlessly: wind blowing, sand shifting, and then settling once more — an unbroken loop. Surrounding them were several dilapidated buildings, most of them slanted and in a state of disrepair.

It felt meaningless.

Step

Step

Step

However, there was a lone figure, her short pink hair flowing defiantly against the wind, quickly running. She had no idea how long she had traversed, but she needed to reach it.

Step

Step

Step

Though gradually…

Step

Step

Step

Step

Step

She soon came to a halt.

Her breath hitched at the sight before her, eyes widening in shock. She fell to her knees, glancing at her hands where a familiar poster seemed to materialize.

But it was only a mirage, quickly flickering and scattering away into the wind, leaving behind nothing but silence.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still.

There, on the ground, lay a neatly folded black riot shield briefcase adorned with a familiar logo and name.

Iron Horus.

It stood out against the backdrop of the desert and the broken buildings, offering a brief respite from the bleakness of the landscape.

However, for her, it only intensified the feeling of helpessness that had settled in her mind.

Then, something caught her eye.

Near the briefcase, miraculously, was a puddle of water resembling a miniature oasis. It seemed impossible, an inexplicable anomaly in such harsh conditions. Yet, in that moment, it felt as if the world itself was mocking her.

She could not tell if it was an illusion but her reflection was unmistakable.

Her eyes appeared devoid of any emotion, reflecting an unsettling emptiness. Though eerie, this vacant gaze seemed insignificant to her in that moment.

…

Then, she gazed back at the briefcase, an overwhelming flood of suppressed emotions surged through her. Despite this emotional deluge, she felt an intense cold gripping her core, threatening to spread outward and engulf her completely.

She shouted for her name.

There was no response. Her voice echoed off the abandoned buildings that surrounded her, returning to her ears in eerie silence.

I…

I wish things would go back to normal.

For all of it to be nothing more than a dream.

…

This is all my fault.

I should have looked out for her.

I should have seen what she was up to.

I shouldn't have trampled on her.

I've been nothing but a shitty junior.

…

Now, all I have is myself.

Can a miracle exist?

…

There is no such thing as a miracle.

Yet, as soon as she thought this, she cradled the briefcase in her hands, inspecting it closely and began walking. She walked and walked back to where she came from.

Abydos

…

…

…

…

<- Sound Stop ->

RING

She awoke abruptly to the blaring alarm, swiftly silencing it as she took stock of her surroundings. Slowly, she realised she was still nestled in her bed.

Drawing her knees toward her chest, she used them as a perch for her arms to rest upon. With her chin resting atop her folded arms, she gazed downward, lost in thought.

She could not comprehend why the dream was so vivid. Normally, her dreams weren't this emotionally tumultuous yet this one had left a lingering chill that threatened to overwhelm her.

Raising her right hand with her palm facing towards her, she examined it closely, focusing particularly on her pinkie finger. As she did, her eyes tightened, recalling his words from the previous night.

“I’m just someone trying to make things right.”

It was strange.

Ever since their interaction, a whirlwind of emotions seemed to stir within her. She could not fathom how he could evoke such strong feelings — a peculiar sensation of heightened emotions?

After a moment of contemplation, she released a deep sigh and resigned herself to the mundane task of preparing for school. Once ready, she cast a morose glance at the riot shield briefcase, its presence weighing heavily on her thoughts. With a final, reluctant sigh, she picked it up and left.

…

…

[ “Roland Sensei, wakey, wakey, it’s time for school~ ♪” ]

Roland opened his eyes and stretched, sitting upright on the couch. A minor headache nagged at him as he groggily massaged his temples. With a smile and a yawn, he glanced towards the Shittim Chest lying on the nearby table and greeted her,

“Good morning, Arona. How was your sleep?”

An excited huff came from the tablet, followed by a rapid stream of words,

[ "Hmmmmm, I had a dream about eating so many different desserts! Puddings, strawberry shortcakes, banana cakes, and chocolate chip cookies. I was planning to eat all of them in one go!" ]

However, her tone soon turned dramatic as she lamented,

[ “But, why is it just a dream!” ]

Hearing this, Roland could easily imagine her eyes widening, turning comically white and black with exaggerated despair. Laughing at her antics, he tried to comfort her,

“Sounds like you’re having nice dreams~”

To this, she hummed in excitement at his words. However, Roland soon wore a wistful expression as he muttered,

“Dreams huh… I guess they’re pleasant for what they are.”

Before she could question him, he quickly adopted a cheerful demeanor, tucking the Shittim Tablet back into his suit and exclaiming,

“Let’s get started with the day!”

Observing his sudden enthusiasm, she brushed off her concerns. Perhaps he was simply lost in thought.

<- Blue Archive 3 - Mischievous Step ->

Let’s see… the first course of action would be to…

Then, he noticed the boxes on the other couch. Curiously, he approached to take a closer look, hoping to appraise their contents.

The boxes appeared unremarkable at first glance, just ordinary cardboard. However, what caught his eye was the branding — Abydos.

With his curiosity piqued, he opened one of the boxes. Inside, he found a stack of Abydos flyers, reminiscent of a school recruitment program. Each flyer was worn and tinged with yellow, showing signs of age and neglect. Amusingly, the designs on the flyers looked more like something from a scam than a legitimate school promotion.

Perhaps it’s the same for the other box?

As he peeked into the other box, he found another stack of flyers. Unlike the first batch, these were well-made and appeared more professional though they still attempted to retain some of the goofiness of the earlier ones. Despite being more recent, they too had a light yellow tint, indicating their age.

[ “Oh… are those flyers for Abydos?” ]

“Yup, know anything about them?”

[ “Eh… not really but I can tell they’re pretty old! About 2 years for the one you’re holding and 3 for the previous ones.” ]

Roland whistled in surprise at Arona’s revelation.

[ “Though I can tell that whoever made them, definitely put in all of their efforts into them.” ]

“Yeah, I can see that.”

Placing them near the entrance of the door, he turned his attention to the cardboard boxes stacked near the cabinets.

As he inspected each box, he lifted their flaps to reveal their contents. Inside, neatly arranged stacks of papers detailed the records of various students who had attended Abydos. The majority of them were outdated, reflecting the fact that most students had already left the school.

Shaking his head, he decided against delving into the records, realising it would be a lengthy process. For the sake of efficiency and out of laziness, he stacked the boxes and carried them towards the entrance where the other boxes were placed. Predictably, the bottom box buckled under the weight of those above it, causing papers to scatter across the floor in a chaotic burst.

Why was I not expecting that…

[ “Eh? Roland Sensei?” ]

“Yeah… I got this…”

He sighed half-heartedly and set the top boxes near the entrance. Turning his attention to the papers scattered across the floor from the bottom box, he began picking them up one by one, meticulously gathering each piece. As he worked, he glanced at each paper, hoping to ease the boredom of the repetitive task.

As he continued picking up the papers, he suddenly stopped, his eyes catching an interesting piece of information on one specific sheet.

Student Council President?

<- Music Stop ->

The paper was in poor condition, crumpled and yellowed with age. Despite this, he could still make out the portrait of the student.

She had long cyan hair with a cowlick that extended to her neck. In the portrait, her eyes were closed as if she were on the verge of sleep and she wore a dazed smile.

Her halo consisted of two yellow rings with the symbol of Abydos inside a diamond between them.

She wore a tucked-in white shirt with a cyan necktie fastened to her strap, a style oddly reminiscent of Hoshino's.

Finally, her name was indecipherable, too worn out to be legible, seemingly smudged by something. For now, it was just an odd coincidence that she resembled Hoshino. Hence, he decided to leave it in the back of his mind, placing the sheet back inside the box.

<- Blue Archive 39 - Water Drop ->

That should be all of the boxes inside this room.

As for what I’ll do with them… I’ll think about it later.

With that, Roland was about to settle back on the couch when a familiar voice interrupted him.

“Roland Sensei? You’re still here?”

Craning his neck to look behind him, he saw Ayane? He almost sputtered as he immediately took out the Shittim Chest to look at the time on it and then back to Ayane who was just staring and standing in the entrance of the doorway with a bewildered expression, like a deer caught in headlights.

“Ayane? Isn’t it a bit too early for you to be at school right now?”

To this, she simply laughed uncertainly as she replied,

“Ahaha… this is my usual routine. I was planning to move the boxes from your room once I reached school but you already moved them near the entrance. I thought you went back yesterday?”

“I slept here for the night.”

Suddenly, her eyes widened like saucers, a perfect blend of surprise and concern painted across her face. She was so taken aback by his statement that she actually took a step back.

“Eh!? I didn’t know SCHALE-”

Raising a hand to stop her, Roland interrupted with a bemused tone,

“Wait, before you get any wrong ideas, I slept here because it’s more convenient.”

Rubbing the back of her head and laughing nervously, she quickly changed the subject,

“Isn’t that… uncomfortable?”

“Nope!”

To emphasize the point further, he flopped onto the couch like a sack of potatoes, closing his eyes in relaxation as he melted into its cushions, almost becoming one with the furniture.

“I’m glad…? You’re enjoying yourself?”

“I could definitely stay like this forever~”

As he sank into the couch, he suddenly sat straight up, a devious smirk spreading across his face. His voice took on a sing-song tone,

“Ayane~ I can’t believe you’d think so poorly of SCHALE right in front of its advisor~”

“Eh!? That’s not true at all!”

His grin widened as he stared at her, causing her to sputter and tremble with flustered embarrassment. However, noticing her unusually high distress from his teasing, he quickly softened his tone,

“Just kidding. You uh… really need to loosen up.”

“Uh… sure…?”

Despite her agreement, she remained rooted in the doorway like a statue, nervously fiddling with her fingers.

She’s still tense… No… she’s been tense ever since she arrived. What should I do?

As he contemplated, his eyes briefly flicked over to the other couch in the room, sparking an idea.

“Alright… how about this. Try lying on that other couch and close your eyes.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Just give it a shot and if you want, imagine something interesting.”

“But the boxes-”

“Shh, just try it.”

Ayane gave Roland a skeptical look as if he were a drug dealer but hesitantly complied, lying down on the other couch.

“Good, now just close your eyes and try to relax~”

“Okay?”

Then, they remained in silence, each sinking into their respective couches, lost in their own thoughts. After a while, Roland decided to break the silence.

“So, how are you feeling now?”

“I think… I feel better? Though I’m still worried about the things that I need to do.”

“Ayane.”

“…?”

“While it’s true that the school is in a rather dire state but sometimes you need to stop for a moment.”

“But-”

“Just relax~”

Upon hearing Roland's gentle admonition, Ayane sighed heavily, her agreement tinged with a sense of resignation and dejection,

“Alright…”

As they lay on their respective couches, the weight of their conversation hung heavy in the air, the silence punctuated only by the gentle whirl of the wind outside.

I wonder if that was the right thing to do as a Sensei…

“Roland Sensei.”

Ayane’s curious voice interrupted his train of thought, pulling him back to the present moment.

“Yes?”

“Why did you stop me from working? I always thought teachers encouraged their students to work harder. At least, that's what I've heard in the recordings. Not that you’re strange or anything, hahaha…”

“Huh. Then, I must be one weird Sensei.”

Roland chuckled softly but after a moment, a more serious expression settled on his face as he contemplated Ayane's question.

“I just felt like you needed rest. If this is your daily routine, I’m surprised you’re not exhausted already. I know I would be if I were in your situation.”

“Ah, I see.”

…

……

………

…………?

That’s the only thing she says!? Did I already-

“Thank you, Roland Sensei. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Oh.

“Y-Yeah, no problem.”

With that, they both settled into a comfortable silence, each enveloped in their own thoughts. As the early morning sunlight streamed through the windows, it bathed the room in a soft, effulgent glow. The gentle light painted a serene portrait, illuminating their quiet companionship and filling the space with a tranquil warmth.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 9 - Midsummer Cat ->

After several minutes, Ayane finally got off the couch, her mood seemingly more content than before.

“Roland Sensei, I think I’ve had enough rest. I’ll start moving the boxes.”

“Sure, let me help.”

Ayane's expression briefly showed conflict but she quickly shook her head. From her brief interaction with him, she realised he would most likely be stubborn about helping.

Much to her surprise, Roland lifted most of the boxes with relative ease. This time, he handled them with meticulous care, stacking them just right to avoid another spectacular paper explosion like before.

“Are you sure you can handle this much boxes?”

“Yep, it’s fine. Where are we heading?”

“I was thinking of leaving them in another storage room though I haven’t exactly thought of any.”

“Eh, we’ll walk and see.”

“Huh!? But that would mean…”

Her eyes widened with concern. Sensing her worry, Roland quickly reassured her, both in words and action.

“Don’t worry, I’m pretty strong.”

To emphasize his point, he effortlessly lifted the boxes up and down, demonstrating his strength with ease. Despite this display, Ayane still seemed unconvinced, guilt apparent in her downcast eyes as she murmured,

“But you’re Sensei…”

“And?”

“…?”

“I’m pretty new to this whole Sensei thing but aren’t they supposed to help their students whenever possible?”

“Still…”

Hm…? She’s still pretty worried for some reason? Is the title of ‘Sensei’ really that big of a deal? Hah… I should shift the conversation.

With a cheeky smile, he shrugged his shoulders in a casual tone,

"Well, you see~ I’m just a courier.”

“???”

With that, he started walking out of the room with an exaggerated swagger, his movements akin to those of a dapper man wearing a top hat. Then, he exclaimed in a melodramatic voice,

“But oh no~, how would I ever find my way in this huge school~”

Suddenly, he heard someone stifling their laughter behind him, their snickers barely contained. Taking this as a sign of success, he continued his theatrical performance, moving his body with exaggerated gestures like a seasoned actor in a drama.

“Only if there was someone kind enough to lead me to my destination~.”

Finally, a full-blown laughter erupted behind him. As the laughter gradually subsided, Ayane, still chuckling, urged him with a hint of amusement,

“Alright, I’ll help you out!”

“Thank you, my fair lady~.”

“Please… stop it already.”

With a playful smirk, Roland followed Ayane out of the room, each of them carrying boxes.

“So… I guess we’ll be walking for a while.”

“Well, I’ll be looking out for rooms which might be suitable for storage.”

“Sure.”

As they walked in silence, Roland couldn't help but voice his curiosity.

"Earlier, you mentioned that you were in the room to clear the boxes, right? Yesterday, Shiroko told me it was supposed to be my room or something. Out of curiosity, was there some form of miscommunication between you two?"

Ayane smiled awkwardly as she voiced her thoughts, her voice trailing off into a whisper at the end of her sentence.

“Ah, not really. We just didn't expect you to arrive this early, especially since it was only a few days after I sent that message. Not that we don’t appreciate your early arrival, I… don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come yesterday.”

Roland waved a hand dismissively,

“Bah, what matters most is that I’m here now, right? Don’t waste your energy on what-ifs.”

“Ah…”

“…”

“You’re right. Thanks, Roland Sensei.”

Then, they fell into silence again. However, Roland had something on his mind from earlier. He broke the silence, voicing his curiosity,

“So, what was that about recordings? You mentioned that you learnt about what a Sensei is from it?”

“Oh, that was from some of the Tactical Education Blu-Ray Discs and Tech Notes. They help us learn about combat and some basic necessities. The title ‘Sensei’ was mentioned in some of them but I wasn’t sure what it really meant until now.”

“Wait, you mean to say all of Kivotos relies on this to pursue their education?”

“Yes, and there’s always an Activity Report to write every once in a while to reflect.”

Huh? Wait, then doesn’t it mean that the role of the Sensei is somewhat pointless?

As Roland pondered glumly, Ayane’s voice, filled with admiration, pulled him back to reality,

“But I feel that being taught by an adult like you is much more interesting.”

“Thanks…? But I haven’t taught you anything?”

Ayane looked at him, tilting her head at him in confusion,

“Huh? What about telling me to get enough rest?”

“Wasn’t that just advice and… not really teaching?”

Dumbfounded, Roland watched as Ayane smiled softly, her eyes filled with reassurance and understanding,

“Roland Sensei, that was a form of teaching.”

“Oh…”

“…”

“…I see. Thanks for telling me.”

“No problem!”

As they wandered through the school corridors, Ayane meticulously surveyed each room, her gaze lingering on potential storage spaces for the boxes. Meanwhile, Roland’s thoughts drifted to the recently repaired door in the clubroom. Intrigued, he broached the subject indirectly.

<- Music Stop ->

“So, how’s the status of the clubroom door?”

Upon hearing this, she paused momentarily, her breath catching. Though she quickly regained her composure, it was evident that his question had startled her. Speaking somewhat weakly and slowly, she replied,

“It’s… mostly taken care of. Nonomi, Shiroko, and… Hoshino went shopping for a new door while I… stayed in Abydos. Serika… well, she mentioned having some matters to take care of. Now, all that’s left is to put the new door back on.”

…?

As they continued to walk, the atmosphere shifted and Ayane grew increasingly restless. Her mood took a gradual nosedive and she shifted uncomfortably as the boxes she carried shook slightly.

<- Limbus Company - Falling Down ->

Then she muttered quietly, her voice barely audible, almost as if she’s trying to suppress it.

“Still… why did she do that yesterday?”

Despite Ayane’s efforts to mask her concerns, Roland sensed her unease through her barely audible voice and tense posture, both contributing to the change in atmosphere.

Seeing that he has to step in some way, he spoke in a gentle, reassuring manner,

“If you’re worried about Hoshino, I already had a talk with her. It was just as she said, she mistook me for someone else.”

“…?”

Seemingly stunned that Roland could hear her, Ayane took a moment to compose herself but her efforts were futile. Despite his reassurances, his words inadvertently brought back memories of yesterday, causing her body to shiver unconsciously. Her voice trembled as she whispered,

“I… have never seen Hoshino act like that before.”

…

“It felt like she… became an entirely different person…”

…

“…That look on her face, why did it seem so… off?”

……

Ayane’s hands were trembling so much that she could barely hold the boxes. Seeing this, Roland immediately set down his own boxes and took hers from her. Just as he placed Ayane’s boxes down.

THUD!

As he glanced back, Roland noticed Ayane on the floor, struggling to maintain her balance. Without hesitation, he rushed over to support her, helping her to stand up. Once she regained her stability, he released her, allowing her to stand on her own.

“Ah, sorry for showing you something so unsightly. I guess you were right, I was more exhausted than usual.”

Her voice wavered slightly as she stopped for a moment, before concluding,

“I must be a terrible friend for even having these thoughts.”

At this point, Roland's countenance assumed an eerily calm demeanor yet a subtle flicker of recognition danced within his eyes. Despite his outward composure, his breathing betrayed a sense of unease, its rhythm disrupted in an unnatural cadence.

Finally, he spoke, his tone calm and methodical, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor,

“No, I don’t that’s the case.”

“…?”

“It’s normal to have such feelings, especially when a friend acts in a completely different manner than what you're used to. It can make you feel like the person you're talking to is a lie.”

As he spoke, an indiscernible emotion flickered in his eyes — a mix of strong, contradictory feelings. He smiled mirthlessly before continuing,

“Ayane.”

“…?”

“I’m barely considered a Sensei. I'm not exactly someone who is all sunshine and rainbows, you know?”

"Hoshino, on the other hand… really cares about all of you. Last night, when I woke up, she was still up putting the door back on.”

“So you should clear whatever doubts you have about her. After all, everyone has something to hide. What truly matters is their intent for hiding. Sometimes… things are better left unsaid.”

Confusion was palpable on Ayane's face as she tried to process Roland's words. However, it became evident that his reassurance had alleviated her emotions about the matter. With that, Roland simply walked towards the boxes,

“Let’s go. I’ll be carrying all the boxes-”

“No.”

Huh?

As he turned around, Roland caught sight of Ayane, her expression now filled with determination. She stood tall, her gaze fixed on him as she spoke with conviction,

“There’s one thing that I don’t agree with.”

…?

“You’re a very good Sensei.”

“In the past few hours, you’ve only shown me nothing but guidance so I don’t think it’s right to assume otherwise.”

…That’s…

He smiled.

Wordlessly, Roland gathered all of the boxes and gestured for Ayane to continue. The search for a room proceeded in silence.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 15 - Honey Jam ->

“Alright, I think this room should do fine.”

“Great, is there anything else you want me to do?”

“Not really…”

Her eyes scanned the storage room until something caught her attention. Curious, she walked over and picked up what appeared to be a magazine.

“Abydos Sand Festival?”

Looking over her shoulder, Roland peeked at what Ayane was examining.

The magazine was well-decorated, its cover depicting a vibrant oasis surrounded by numerous booths near the shore. It appeared to be a guide for a festival in Abydos. However, Roland had never seen an oasis in Abydos, making it seem more like a relic of the past.

He remarked with intrigue, his tone piqued,

“Seems like an old magazine before the desertification. So that’s how Abydos looked like back then…”

“Yeah…”

So they held festivals like this before in the past…

As Roland stared at the cover, lost in thought, the image of the oasis felt like a promise of what Abydos could be again.

However, it served as a poignant reminder of the stark contrast between the vibrant past and the current state of the school. It felt like an impossible dream to return to the golden age.

Just as he was immersed in his reflections, Ayane's voice interrupted his reverie,

“You can have this.”

“Huh? Why? Isn’t it part of Abydos?”

She smiled warmly as she handed the magazine to Roland, who took it with a puzzled expression.

“Well… I’d like to thank you for accompanying me for this morning. It’s not much but…”

Seeing her fidget on the spot, Roland glanced at the magazine and shook his head in slight amusement, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Thanks, Ayane.”

She beamed at his words, humming in acknowledgment. However, when she glanced at her phone, she almost yelped at what she saw,

“The meeting! I almost forgot about it! Uh… we should hurry back to the clubroom.”

“Right…”

Ayane took off in a sprint, her urgency clear. Roland followed closely, his longer strides easily keeping pace as they raced down the corridors together.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

“That’s strange, Ayane is late while Hoshino is early? What is this sorcery!?”

Serika paced back and forth in the clubroom, her anxiety evident in her restless movements. The rest of the group watched her with amused expressions, finding her reaction entertaining.

Hoshino slumped even further onto her table, her expression one of exaggerated shock as she whined playfully,

"Serika~ That's not a nice thing to say to your Ojisan~. I can be early… sometimes."

This only earned Serika's incredulous stare, causing her to pause momentarily before resuming her pacing.

Nonomi chuckled at this interaction before intervening,

"Serika, you don't need to worry so much. Maybe she just overslept today?”

However, Nonomi’s reassurance fell on deaf ears as it only stirred an even bigger reaction from her,

“And that’s why I’m worried! What if she got kidnapped or something. Maybe… it could be that Sensei!”

“No, that shouldn’t be the case. Besides, isn’t Roland Sense-"

As Shiroko was about to finish her sentence, the door burst open, and someone hurriedly stumbled in, panting heavily. Their sudden entrance drew the attention of everyone in the room, eliciting a variety of reactions from the group.

Lo and behold, Ayane finally arrived at the clubroom. Her face flushed with exertion, she panted heavily and leaned against the wall, using her hand to steady herself. Sweat trickled down her brow and streamed down her temples, soaking her clothes with a glistening sheen.

Before anyone could respond, a somewhat worried and exasperated voice was heard behind her,

“Ayane? I told you not to run.”

<- Blue Archive 7 - Unwelcome School ->

Then, they all simultaneously turned rigidly towards the source of the voice, where they saw Roland rubbing his head. To their confusion, he seemed perfectly fine, showing no signs of physical exertion?

Hoshino closed her eyes and smiled.

Shiroko narrowed her eyes.

Nonomi covered her mouth.

And then, Serika...

…

…

…

She lunged.

“Woah there.”

Roland sidestepped the lunge, causing Ayane to yelp as a small gust of wind rushed past her.

As he glanced at Serika, he noticed a deep blush spreading across her face. Her eyes narrowed into slits, and her cat ears twitched rapidly as she muttered in low voice,

“Y-You…”

“M-Me?”

He pointed to himself in confusion, tilting his head as he questioned Serika.

“YOU PERVERT!”

Huh?

Dodging another wide slap, Roland could only stare helplessly in confusion. As Serika continued her attempts to catch him, he began introspecting, the chase turning into an endless circle. Effortlessly, he swerved outside the clubroom, evading her grasp.

A pervert?

WOOSH

But I only accompanied Ayane?

WOOSH

What could be wrong about that?

WOOSH

Hmm…

WOOSH

…?

Still no clue…

Roland shook his head in frustration, feeling a headache coming on as he refocused on the present situation.

“STOP MOVING!”

Raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, he explained,

"Look, I have no idea what I did wrong but... I'd really rather not get slapped."

“Y-You-”

“Serika, that’s enough! There’s a misunderstanding!”

Before Serika could finish her sentence, Ayane stepped in, still huffing from her earlier exertion. She walked up to Serika and placed a hand on her shoulder,

“A-Ayane?”

"Roland Sensei was helping me carry some boxes but I ended up running here when I realised I was late. Please... apologize to him."

Serika crossed her arms and huffed, looking at Roland skeptically. After a moment, she muttered in an annoyed tone,

“Sorry, Roland Sensei.”

“Y-Yeah, I accept?”

I still have no idea.

Soon, a cheerful voice broke through the tense atmosphere as the culprit walked out of the door with her hands clasped behind her head.

“Ayane~, did you know how worried Serika was? She was-mmph!?”

Before Hoshino could finish her sentence, Serika lunged at her, covering her mouth with the speed and agility of a cat, her face a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

“Keep quiet!”

Amusement flickered in her eyes as she nodded slowly. Then, Serika finally heaved a sigh of relief, slowly backtracking from Hoshino.

“Nn. So you were with Ayane. I thought you went back to SCHALE?”

“Not really, Shiroko. I slept here because the couch was too comfortable. Besides, going back to SCHALE would be too time-consuming.”

Raising her eyebrows at first, she then nodded sagely before taking out a notebook and rapidly jotting something down.

???

“See, Ayane is fine!”

Nonomi cheerfully bounced over and glomped Serika from behind, eliciting a surprised yelp. Despite her loud reaction, Serika's relief was evident.

<- Blue Archive 10 - Romantic Smile ->

“Uhe~, now that Ayane is here, we can start our briefing for today~”

Everyone nodded and returned to the clubroom. Roland sat by the window at the edge of the meeting table, his back to the whiteboard. Interestingly, Hoshino took the seat nearest to him to the window where she could see Roland to her right. The rest took the remaining seats, eyeing Roland and Hoshino curiously.

With Ayane standing up, file in hand, she announced,

"Okay, let's start our meeting for today. Fortunately, we have Roland Sensei with us!"

Hoshino slept.

Shiroko clapped softly.

Nonomi nodded excitedly.

Serika stared blankly.

???

Meanwhile, Roland’s puzzled gaze lingered on Ayane, prompting her to clear her throat and refocus on another matter.

“So today’s issue is with the Helmet Gang.”

Shiroko's ears twitched, her concern voiced promptly,

“I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before they come back. It has always been like that.”

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Serika agreed,

“Yeah, probably. Man, I hate them.”

Ayane sighed, her agreement marked by a frown,

“True. Who knows how long this will drag out? We have plenty of other things to worry besides them.”

So the main issue right now is that gang. There’s no way they can easily recover from yesterday. So the best course of action is to-

“I have a plan.”

Hoshino's hand rose unexpectedly, no longer lost in slumber. Her voice though slightly deeper than her usual lazy tone, went unnoticed by all except Roland.

However, this only succeeded in surprising the first-year students, with Serika's reaction being the most audible.

“What the…?! Hoshino came up with a plan?!”

“I’m surprised too!”

Hoshino laughed, her voice thick with amusement as she smiled and closed her eyes,

“Hey. I know I’m not the best but that kind of reaction hurts my feelings. I’m more fragile than I look, you know~”

Unconvinced by her declaration, Serika narrowed her eyes, pressing on,

“Well? Spill it.”

Thoughtfully, she rubbed the bottom of her chin as if stroking an invisible beard. Then, she began her explaination,

“If history repeats itself, the Helmet Gang will attack again in a few days.”

“So before then, why don’t we go on the offense for once? They’re probably sulking and vulnerable after that last fight.”

This was met with hesitation from Ayane, who felt like she had misheard.

“Y-You mean right now?”

“Yeah, now. With Roooland Sensei here, we have more than enough supplies to finish the job once and for all.”

???

Receptive to Hoshino’s idea, Shiroko, who had been quietly considering it, nodded vigorously,

“True. The Helmet Gang’s base is 30 kilometers from here. We have plenty of time if we leave now.”

“I’m all for it. The last thing they’re expecting is for us to strike now.”

Nonomi agreed with Hoshino’s idea, nodding at a slower speed compared to Shiroko who for some reason had already retrieved her assault rifle and was meticulously checking it over.

Still unsure, Ayane's gaze darted to Roland.

“I can’t deny that but… what do you think, Roland Sensei?”

“Yep, it’s a solid idea but there’s one problem… How are you going to reach there?”

His only response was a smile from Ayane.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 16 - MX Adventure ->

They were led to a warehouse containing two blue jeeps. From what he could gather, the surroundings were a mix of the typical and the unusual — equipment for repairing mechanical items and some peculiarities like a poster featuring an odd figure with large goofy eyes, white feathers and a long tongue which looked like one of those Abnormalities. However, he had a feeling that was completely off the mark.

“Ayane? Where… did you get these vehicles?”

Under Roland's scrutiny, Ayane could only rub her head before replying,

“I found them here while I was looking for materials to sell. I never thought we would have to use them… huh?”

Serika clasped her hands together, beaming with pride. The rest of the students appeared to share her sentiment.

“Ayane, this is great! This way, they won’t know what hit them!”

“Yup, this makes for a pretty good road trip. yawns”

“Nn. As expected of Ayane.”

“That’s our Ayane!”

Noticing Ayane's embarrassment from the rapid-fire praise from her peers, Roland smiled and decided to spare her. He clapped to get everyone's attention.

“Alright, now that we have the vehicle. Who is going to drive it?”

Upon asking that question, everyone looked at him with curiosity. Shaking his head quickly and crossing his arms in an X, he halted their thoughts before they could voice them.

“No, definitely not me. I have absolutely no experience in driving.”

Then, the rest of the students inexplicably turned their gazes toward Ayane, causing her to sputter. They all looked at her hopefully, nodding in her direction. Somewhat defeated, she accepted their unspoken proposal.

“I-I’ll be the one driving.”

With that, Roland took the seat beside Ayane, while Hoshino, Nonomi and Serika settled into the backseat. Shiroko opted to remain on the trunk of the jeep, insisting it would be best for her to be on the lookout.

So far so go-

CRASH!

Huh?

“Sorry! I accidentally went in reverse instead. It’s been quite some time since I last drove.”

Looking back, he noted that Shiroko nearly got flung off the trunk, her grip tightening as she wobbled to maintain her balance. Meanwhile, the rest of the students, with spirals in their eyes, dizzily regained their bearings. For some amusing reason, they all simultaneously nodded and comically forgave Ayane.

This is… going to fine right?

Worryingly, he glanced at Ayane who was smiling nervously. Quickly correcting her mistake, she started driving normally out of the warehouse and away from the school.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 22 - Daily Routine 24/7 ->

A cool breeze brushed Roland's face as he gazed out the vehicle window, lost in thought. Finally, he had a moment to reflect on the events of the previous day.

Hoshino…

To him, Hoshino was an enigma. Based on her interactions with the other students, she came across as a ditzy senior. However, the events of yesterday told a different story.

Firstly, the speed she displayed when she destroyed the door was seemingly on par with Wakamo and even that white-haired girl. No... it might have been even greater, considering how effortless it seemed for her.

Next, she somehow instantly detected his presence in the dark and managed to roughly discern his background with just a glance. As a fixer partly specializing in stealth even when not wearing the gloves, this caught him off guard. It felt almost like the Red Gaze.

Finally, the strangest part was her reaction to his remark.

“I’m just someone trying to make things right.”

Though she looked away as he said it, he noticed a fleeting expression — guilt? Or perhaps relief? He could not be sure but it felt familiar to him.

Sighing, he glanced at his right hand, focusing on his pinkie. The promise had been his idea, yet he couldn't fathom why he had made such an odd commitment to her in the first place. It felt like an urge or some unknown force had driven him, akin to the first time he encountered the Shittim Chest.

Perhaps a mixture of both.

As such, ever since arriving at the clubroom, he had been keenly aware of her presence, silently observing his every action. Even now as she appeared to sleep, her halo remained visible, a subtle indication of her consciousness.

Haah… this is why I never make promises…

[ “Pssh…” ]

…?

Taking out the tablet, he glanced at the screen where Arona appeared motivated, her eyes sparkling with stars and a green halo above her head.

[ “You’re doing pretty well for your first official day!” ]

…

[ “I really like how you handled Ayane. You seemed so natural at it!” ]

“Mhm, I suppose so.”

He murmured, his gaze drifting to the sandy dunes, half lost in thought. However, her next statement snapped him to attention.

[ “Though what happened last night? You said that you were awake when you saw Hoshino?” ]

“W-Well, about that…”

[ “Come on, tell me!” ]

“Let’s just say…”

At that moment, Arona’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, practically vibrating as she awaited the revelation.

“…It’s a secret~”

Just as quickly, she deflated.

[ “Please~?” ]

“Still no.”

[ “Hmmmmph!” ]

A small amused smile crept up on his face as he watched Arona's cheeks puff up like a pufferfish. She even crossed her arms, adding to the effect.

A devious thought struck him.

“Arona.”

[ “?” ]

“How would you feel if I told the other students about what you mutter in your sleep?”

[ “Eh!?” ]

Her face instantly turned as red as a tomato as she sputtered in rebellion, her halo briefly shifting to a glitchy light blue.

[ “Y-You wouldn’t!” ]

This was met only with a toothy grin from Roland. However, just as he was about to continue pestering her, a confused voice beside him prompted him to stop.

“Roland Sensei…?”

Upon hearing Ayane call his name, he noticed her confused expression. Glancing around, he saw the rest of the club sharing the same puzzled look. Even Hoshino, who had been ‘sleeping’ for most of the journey, was now awake and Shiroko, who had positioned herself outside on the trunk, peered intently inside.

<- Limbus Company - Happy Story Theme ->

“Who are you talking to?”

I forgot that only Arona can be heard by me.

“W-Well…”

Looking down at the tablet, he saw Arona’s triumphant smirk, satisfied by the instant karma that had befallen him.

…!

Somewhat irritated, he showed Ayane the screen of the Shittim Chest, expecting it to resolve itself. However, this only led to more confusion from Ayane and the rest of the students. Ayane looked at Roland with concern before focusing on driving.

“A logo of SCHALE?”

She questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

???

Confused, he brought the tablet back to his side, scrutinizing the screen. To his indignation, there was Arona, sporting sunglasses and a smug expression. Slowly, he angled the tablet so the students behind could see but their silently confused expressions spoke everything.

They all could not see Arona.

No one can see Arona!?

However, a shocked gasp drew everyone’s attention away from him to its source — Nonomi, who was brimming with excitement as she covered her mouth.

“Could it be… an imaginary friend?!”

“What.”

That was everyone’s unanimous thought. Despite this, she continued her ramble,

“From what I’ve heard, imaginary friends like to watch over their chosen person. Whether they help or curse them, no one knows~”

“I thought it was a myth but to hear it in person…”

At this point, sparkles seemed to swirl around her head as Roland tried to make sense of what she was saying. Unfortunately for him, she continued despite his evident flabbergasted state,

“…So! Who is this ‘Arona’?”

???

Roland opened his mouth, then closed it again, rendered speechless. After a few moments of awkward silence as he mulled over what to say, he sighed in resignation. With a poker face, he finally jumped into his grave and brought Arona along,

“She… likes to mutter about eating desserts when she is sleeping.”

“???”

[ “H-Hey?!” ]

“And she sleeps… mostly on a table. I’m not sure if she even has a bed.”

“She lives in a classroom… although there’s a huge hole in one of the walls and the roof so it gets pretty windy.”

“And there’s also the part where there’s nothing but a vast expanse of water outside the classroom...”

He paused.

“…and tables.”

Wait now that I think about it. Why are the hell are there so many tables!?

Refocusing on the present, he ended on a light note.

“But all in all, she’s a rather pleasant student so it’s all fine and dandy.”

After he said all this, a look of pity seemed to be the general consensus among the Abydos students. As for if it was for Arona or Roland, the sympathy was heavily skewed towards the latter with Nonomi being the notable exception.

In fact, Nonomi morosely covered her mouth in pity for Arona, exclaiming,

“That’s so unfortunate!”

“Indeed.”

Roland concluded bluntly, his tone exaggeratedly sorrowful as he felt a part of him wither away from the situation he was in.

[ “Oi?!” ]

It was not over yet as the reactions of the rest of the students were… interesting, to say the least. Most of them remained silent after absorbing the information. From outside, they could hear furious scribbling coming from Shiroko in the trunk. Apart from the scribbling fanatic, all of their expressions mirrored his own — deadpanned.

Hoshino was the first to break the silence, her voice carrying a raspy yet amused tone as she stared at Roland with a mix of pity and amusement.

“I see… I didn’t know you were like that, Roland Sensei.”

Then, no one said anything. Their stares were enough to convey their feelings about the whole predicament, especially Serika, who gave him a withering stink-eye.

Finally, as the prolonged silence settled in, Nonomi snapped out of her fervor and noticed the awkwardness of the situation. Laughing nervously, she decided to set aside her curiosities, sparing Roland (and Arona) from further agony.

<- Blue Archive 26 - Lemonade Diary ->

[ “…” ]

“…”

Then, a familiar feeling washed over him. Light temporarily filled his vision before he regained his senses. He found himself back in the same classroom, the one with a large hole in the wall that let in a constant breeze, tables scattered around and… Arona.

He was back in the Shittim Chest.

In retrospect, he realised he should have asked Arona to summon him here before talking to her in the jeep but it was too late. Now, he faced an extremely pouty Arona. She crossed her arms firmly, one foot tapping in annoyance as she did her best to avert his gaze, her halo spiked and glowing orange.

On a nearby table, he spotted the same sunglasses she had worn smugly earlier. How Arona had managed to summon those...?

Probably because this is a completely different space?

“Hello… Arona?”

She ignored him.

“Looks like we were in quite an… interesting situation?”

After a few minutes of silence, Arona finally looked at Roland, dramatically pointing at him like a prosecutor in a courtroom drama,

[ “You’re mean!” ]

SHK!

A metaphorical red arrow pierced Roland, leaving him with a strange sensation as if he had blood in his mouth. Although it didn't cause any physical pain, he felt a twinge of mental anguish from her remark.

Initially bewildered by what had just transpired, he shrugged it off, choosing not to dwell on the absurdity, especially considering everything he had already experienced in Kivotos.

Wiping the metaphorical blood from his mouth, he contemplated his next move. Arona’s smug smile, complete with sunglasses, had irritated him but he admitted it was his fault for talking to her aloud in the jeep and rashly bringing up her… interesting circumstances.

Sighing, he massaged his forehead and muttered,

“Sorry.”

[ “…” ]

Slowly but surely, her orange halo reverted back to its blue hue. Then, to Roland’s surprise, Arona spoke up.

[ “Sorry, Roland Sensei.” ]

???

“For what?”

[ “I… shouldn’t pried so hard for what you did last night.” ]

?

??

???

“Pfft.”

[ ? ]

Initially, a small snicker echoed through the classroom. However, it quickly erupted into hearty laughter, causing Arona to flush with embarrassment.

[ “H-Hey, why are you laughing!?” ]

Haah… I guess she still is a kid after all.

Kneeling, he gently patted her head, eliciting a confused look from her.

“Nah, it’s fine. You’re not wrong for being curious.”

[ “But-” ]

“You have to admit, the situation was pretty amusing.”

Arona looked confused for a second before a smile crept onto her face. Gradually, she too started laughing. Soon, they were both laughing at the absurdity of it all.

…

…

After the laughter settled down, Arona, now feigning anger with crossed arms, exclaimed in a tone that seemed more playful than serious,

[ “Hmph, though for this incident, there’s one thing I would like you to do.” ]

?

[ “You told Shiroko that you knew how to cook right?” ]

“That… I did… Why?”

[ “Mhm, I’d like to try your cooking too!” ]

How would it even work in this space?

“Right… but you’ll need to supply me with the ingredients and a facility for it in this space.”

[ “No problem!” ]

“…? If you say so. Right then, I’ll be leaving…”

[ “Wait!” ]

?

[ “You know the orders that you asked me to make right?” ]

Roland nodded slowly, bracing himself for the worst as he observed her expression which bore a resemblance to that of a guilty child concealing something.

Let me guess, something-

[ “Well… one of the orders seemed to have been cancelled. Would you like me to reorder them again?” ]

Of course something has to go wrong.

“Why was it cancelled?”

[ “Hmm… something about a 3rd-party interfering with the delivery. Thankfully, the rest should arrive fine!” ]

“Right… you can just reorder-”

[ “Wait, something’s wrong.” ]

?

Arona’s expression shifted, resembling a sock puppet’s exaggerated shock. She slowly turned to Roland, her eyes wide.

[ “All the orders got cancelled for the same reason.” ]

Staring unblinkingly at Arona, Roland then turned away like a rigid statue, muttering under his breath with palpable annoyance. His muttering, an incoherent stream of self-directed curses and grievances against the universe, made Arona tilt her head in bemusement.

[ “Roland Sensei, are you okay?” ]

He paused, took a deep breath.

…

And then paused again, taking another deep breath.

…

Finally, with hands in his pockets, he said calmly,

“There’s likely a group sabotaging the orders and it’s probably that Helmet Gang.”

[ “Mhm, I see.” ]

“Fortunately, we’re heading straight into their little den.”

“But with this new information, I’m not sure if that should be considered fortunate.”

[ “That’s simple!” ]

?

[ “You just have to trust your students!” ]

…

“Sure, I’ll do that.”

With that final remark, he returned to the real world.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 16 - MX Adventure ->

After a while of driving, they finally saw their destination within reach — a seemingly abandoned flat in the middle of nowhere. Though it appeared as desolate as the surrounding buildings in the sandy vicinity, signs of activity were evident. Scattered litter, mostly snack wrappers, and… several delivery vans.

He twitched at the sight of the vans.

Finally, the jeep came to a stop, parking outside a nearby building close to the Helmet Gang’s base. As everyone alighted, their weapons locked and loaded, Roland surveyed the area. As he did so, his eyes caught on a peculiar poster pinned to the wall of the building they had parked at.

A wanted poster and… her name is just BongBong?

The crudely drawn figure on the poster had dark blue hair and a goofy expression. Her pupils were black with a singular white star in each of them, adding to the oddity. As for her halo, it was even stranger, resembling a brain with some kind of nail piercing through it. The weirdest thing, however, was the bounty listed on the poster.

2.718281… I’m not counting all of that and what’s up with this reason for… being too silly?

“Oh, I think I recognise that person from the Helmet Gang yesterday.”

Shiroko popped out from his side, eyeing the same poster he was examining.

“You do?”

Nodding thoughtfully, she averted her eyes for a moment, trying to recall something. Then, her face lit up in recognition. With the finesse of an old sage, she nodded sagely and recited,

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

They exchanged a glance, Roland pondering the meaning of her words. Finally, he responded tentatively,

“That’s… profound…?”

“Nn… she was quite a strange helmet delinquent.”

“…I can see that.”

After a moment of awkward silence, Shiroko rummaged through her bag. Retrieving what appeared to be a tactical earpiece, she handed it to Roland.

“Ayane asked me to hand this to you.”

Examining the earpiece to understand its functions, Roland nodded in acknowledgment before fitting it snugly into place. Surprisingly, it felt quite natural…? Leaving that feeling aside, he focused on the task at hand and tested his microphone.

“Are you all ready?”

He received affirmations from all the students, each responding in their own distinct way.

“Let’s go.”

…

…

<- Blue Archive 130 - Foolish Days ->

“Why the hell are you making wanted posters of yourself?”

“So that I can look at myself!”

She struck another dramatic pose, adding yet another poster to the already cluttered wall.

“Okay…? Why are you pasting them everywhere?”

“So that I can look at myself!”

She repeated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“…”

Two helmet delinquents stood in what remained of a room. The walls were plastered with haphazardly placed wanted posters of one of the delinquents striking various dramatic poses, giving the space the appearance of a deranged artist’s studio.

“Mmmhmm!”

One of the hostages hummed in muffled amusement, her eyes seemingly tearing from laughing.

In reality, they were supposed to be guarding the hostages, who were students making deliveries. With nothing to do, one particular helmet delinquent decided to kill time in her own peculiar way.

Scratching her head, she glanced between the posters and the hostages. The other helmet delinquent shouted in exasperation,

“Seriously, BongBong? This is how you spend your time?”

“Mmmhmm!”

Another hostage hummed, nodding toward the posters with a raised eyebrow, clearly entertained by the absurdity.

“Don’t encourage her!”

She snapped, then turned back to her partner.

“We’re supposed to be on guard duty, not running a one-person art show!”

“It’s a form of self-expression!”

Suddenly, the helmet delinquent, now known as BongBong grabbed some rope and started tying herself up.

“What are you doing now?”

She tied a loose knot around her wrists and sat down among the hostages.

“See? Now I’m one of the hostages! It’s immersive!”

Before anyone could react, they heard a thud nearby. The annoyed helmet delinquent, however, remained transfixed on BongBong’s actions.

“Nn… what’s going on here?”

The delinquent, pointing at BongBong with extreme annoyance and ignoring the source of the new voice, snapped,

“Ask her! She’s the one who thinks this is a good use of our time.”

BongBong waved awkwardly at Shiroko, her hands bound but her enthusiasm undiminished. Shiroko, caught off guard, hesitantly waved back, still trying to process the bizarre scene before her.

“Welcome! Care to join our self-expressing show?”

Shiroko blinked a few times, then shook her head.

“Right… I’m just here to rescue the hostages.”

“Mmmhmm!”

The hostages hummed in agreement, nodding toward Shiroko with hopeful eyes.

Upon hearing this, the helmet delinquent turned around to face Shiroko, surprise evident as she fumbled around for her gun.

“Wait wha-”

BOOM!

<- Blue Archive 20 - Tech N Tech ->

The building suddenly shook, causing the delinquent to stumble even further.

WOOSH!

Without hesitation, Shiroko lunged forward with all her might, slamming the delinquent to the ground and knocking her out cold.

Tapping the headset, she spoke,

“I’ve reached the hostages.”

Immediately, she got several responses.

“Wow! Nice throw Hoshino!”

“Thanks but that’s mostly thanks to Shiroko for the landing~”

Nonomi clapped her hands in glee as Hoshino rubbed her nose with a finger in satisfaction.

“That… worked?”

“H-How!?”

Ayane and Serika, on the other hand, were utterly shocked.

“Let’s move while they’re still distracted.”

Nodding in agreement, they all rushed in through the hole, while Ayane stayed beside the jeep to await Shiroko and the hostages.

After hearing their affirmations, Shiroko turned her attention back to the hostages. To her surprise, in place of a certain helmet delinquent, there was a piece of paper left behind.

It was a signed wanted poster with a video link at the bottom?

When she looked at the rest of the hostages for information, they simply shrugged and shook their heads, equally baffled.

Sighing, she set the poster aside and began untying the hostages.

…

…

“Damn it, where did that explosion come from!?”

Chaos erupted as the helmet delinquents panicked, their disarray evident. No one had anticipated an attack in such a desolate area. But who could it be? It could not be Abydos — their resources were dwindling.

Unfortunately for them, they soon got their answer as a loud cheerful shout echoed through the area.

“Let’s go!”

Bullets sprayed haphazardly in their direction. As they scrambled for cover, nearly everyone was caught in the relentless barrage unleashed by Nonomi.

Seeking retaliation, they hurled a grenade toward the team of three strikers. But their attempt was swiftly thwarted by Hoshino, who wall-jumped off a nearby structure, snatched the grenade mid-air, and deftly dodged Nonomi's gunfire from behind.

“Heee-yup!”

With a swift motion, she lobbed the grenade back toward the helmet delinquents, who exchanged quick nods before bracing themselves.

BOOM!

Smoke enveloped the area as gunfire erupted toward the team of three strikers, forcing them to take cover behind the barricades. Nonomi's minigun steamed from the relentless use and she crouched on the left while Serika and Hoshino took cover on the right.

“Hoshino, take this flash grenade!”

Initially confused, Hoshino caught the flash grenade Roland tossed to her.

“You and Serika partner up and go through the smoke after throwing it! Nonomi will follow you from behind!”

Both were fairly uncertain, especially Serika, who looked at Roland as if he were insane for suggesting such an idea. However, Nonomi, on the left side, gave them both a thumbs up. Seeing this, Hoshino sighed and nudged Serika who gave Roland a stink-eye as they both hesitantly initiated their movements.

Hoshino quickly threw the flash grenade and vaulted over the barricade with Serika close behind. They moved through the bullet storm as Hoshino’s riot shield absorbed the brunt of the fire. Then, a sudden, collective cry of pain resounded from the other side, signaling their success.

BANG!

It's a good thing I learnt about flash grenades from Suzumi and kept one out of curiosity.

…

…

“Flash grenades, take some if you’d like.”

Suzumi plainly suggested.

Flash grenades? Well, we’ll see it in action either way.

…

…

Just as quickly as they cried out, the smoke from the grenade cleared, revealing the helmet gangsters frantically trying to wipe their eyes. However, with their helmets on, their efforts were futile, and they ran about like headless chickens.

They were now in the central area of the ground floor, a relatively open space surrounded by multiple pillars supporting the building's structure. Helmeted delinquents on the second floor were shooting down at them through a large hole in the middle.

“Now, Serika go wild!”

“Shut up!”

Despite her retort, a fiery blue aura emanated from Serika as she fired at the stunned helmet delinquents with increased speed and precision.

Meanwhile, Hoshino used her riot shield to deflect stray bullets, circling around Serika to protect her from the chaotic gunfire.

Soon, Nonomi joined the fray, lugging her minigun and adding to the relentless barrage. Nonomi and Serika’s backs pressed together as they nodded in unison.

The surroundings echoed with the relentless gunfire, creating a deafening symphony of chaos. Helmeted delinquents collapsed one by one under the sustained barrage.

<- Music Stop ->

It seemed like victory was imminent as the students stopped firing, allowing silence to permeate the area.

With this brief respite, the damage became apparent — pillars and walls were pockmarked with bullet holes, debris was scattered everywhere and the ground was littered with spent casings. Finally, the air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and smoke.

Roland sweatdropped at the scene, rubbing his head.

I can’t imagine how much money would have been wasted if this much ammo was used back in the City.

He shivered at the thought.

<- Blue Archive 74 - Tech N Tech (Hard Arrange) ->

VROOM! VROOOOOM! VROOOOOOOM!

However, that was not the end. They heard motorcycles whirling about as several of them drove towards them, led by a red-haired individual wearing a grey helmet that fully covered her face.

Her white sailor shirt with a yellow tie peeked out from under her swirling black jacket. Completing her ensemble was a grey pleated skirt.

Her halo was red with two circles — the outer circle had four spikes facing outward while the inner circle had spikes facing inward.

She wielded a shotgun, firing directly ahead as she rode her motorcycle towards them.

Hoshino, quick on her feet, reverted her riot shield back to its compact briefcase form and swiftly pulled Nonomi out of harm's way, knowing her minigun slowed her down.

Meanwhile, Serika narrowly evaded a motorcycle barrelling toward her, but before she could react, a pair of riders lassoed her with chains, expertly manoeuvring their bikes around her and dragging her across the ground.

“What is thi-AAAAA!”

The chains bit into her skin as she was dragged across the rough ground, the world spinning around her in a dizzying blur of dust and pain. Panic surged through her mind. She had to break free, but how?

“Serika!”

Hoshino called out, alarmed, her true voice almost breaking through.

Nonomi’s eyes widened in shock as she swung her minigun around, searching for a clear shot to help Serika.

"Hang on, Serika!"

She shouted, determination flashing in her eyes.

FHOOOSH!

Suddenly, miniature missiles launched toward the pair of motorcycles, exploding both vehicles in a fiery burst.

BOOM!

“Nn… Looks like I arrived just in time.”

Shiroko retrieved her drone which she had used to launch the missiles and gracefully hopped down from the top floor of the building to join them.

Soon, another drone descended from above, dropping a supply crate onto the ground. Ayane's voice emanated from the drone’s speaker.

“All hostages secured. Permission granted to utilise the supplies from SCHALE now.”

With that, Hoshino swiftly tore apart Serika’s chains with her bare hands and reached out to help her up. However, Serika slapped her hand away with a growl of annoyance.

Confused, Hoshino decided to shift her focus back to the rest of the Helmet Gang who were now behind them, attributing Serika’s reaction to the stress of being captured.

<- Limbus Company - Electronic Devil Maker ->

“Well, well. I can’t believe that your little school is trying to rebel.”

The red-haired girl scoffed as she dismounted her motorcycle, her voice rough with annoyance. She lifted her mask above her head, revealing a smirking face with sharp teeth.

“You are the ones attacking us!”

Serika retorted sharply.

“So?”

“Y-YOU-”

“Serika, calm down.”

Nonomi interjected, quickly pulling her back as she seemed ready to charge in alone.

“C-Calm down!? We have been fending them off while-”

She paused, realising what she was about to blurt out.

“Haaah~? What was that? Could you say it a little louder please? Cat got your tongue?”

The red-haired girl mocked, her tone dripping with sarcasm, further fueling Serika’s anger. This also drew dark looks from the rest of Abydos, especially Hoshino.

“So, are you the leader of the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang?”

Roland finally stepped in, both confused and impressed by the spectacle before him. While individually weak, the gang members compensated with their rough and relentless attacks on their motorcycles, making them difficult to predict through conventional means.

“Oh, an adult? Who are you?”

“Name’s Roland, Sensei from SCHALE apparently.”

“SCHALE…?”

She mulled over his words for a moment before a fellow helmet delinquent tapped her and whispered something into her ear. Her eyes lit up and she nodded with a smirk. Clearing her throat dramatically, she slung her shotgun over her shoulder and introduced herself,

“Yo Roland Sensei, fancy seeing you here. I’m Komakaze Rabu, the Helmet Gangster officer!”

She paused for a moment, eyeing the Abydos students before looking back at Roland.

“I’m not sure what’s Abydos got to do with ya but…”

She whipped out a chain with her empty hand and twirled it around menacingly.

“…Those pesky students dared to attack my gang so it’s only right that I repay them in kind, right?”

As she spoke, Roland overheard Serika muttering explicitives, mostly calling her a hypocrite. Choosing to ignore it, he focused on continuing his negotiation with Rabu.

“How about this, we’ll just walk away if you don’t attack Abydos in the future.”

This prompted the Abydos students to look at him in shock, especially Serika, who was already boiling over with anger. Rabu simply raised her eyebrows and shook her head, seemingly disappointed.

“That’s a bust.”

Roland narrowed his eyes, recalling a certain hypothesis he had formed. He decided to test it.

“Why? Is it because… you’re working for someone?”

Rabu, indifferent to the situation, made a finger gun with the hand holding the chains and playfully aimed it at Roland.

“Bingo! As for who it is, I’m not exactly allowed to say.”

Damn syndicates…

…Destroy one and another bigger fish appears… such a pain.

Then, Rabu cut into his thoughts, making a proposal instead.

“How about I give you a deal instead? Since my business is with Abydos, why don’t you just skedaddle from this?”

“Haah… sorry but I’m currently the advisor of Abydos.”

He smirked back at her, prompting her to blink.

“Deal’s off?”

“Deal’s off.”

“…”

“…”

Silence hung between them for a moment.

“Sic 'em, girls.”

<- Limbus Company - Canto I Battle Theme A1 ->

“Aye!”

Engines roared to life as the helmet delinquents revved their motorcycles, using the building's pillars as cover while encircling Abydos. They resembled hunters closing in on their prey.

“Uhe… this looks bad.”

Hoshino muttered wearily, blocking a stray chain with her riot shield. Her shotgun was ill-suited for the fast-moving targets and most of her shots missed their mark.

“Roland Sensei? Any ideas?”

Shiroko shouted over the din of bullets and chains, dodging nimbly as she took on the role of a second tank.

Upon hearing this, he swiftly rummaged through the supply crate dropped by Ayane's drone, searching for a solution.

Meanwhile, Ayane herself was providing aid to the Abydos students with another package that seemed to heal them all before vanishing.

Man, more flash grenades would've been perfect for this situation.

The crate contained mostly ammo supplies and healing packages, neither of which seemed particularly useful against the high-speed motorcyclists wielding chains. As he dug deeper, Roland discovered several grenades that differed in design from the flash grenade used moments ago.

“Arona, what’s this?”

He asked, closely examining the unfamiliar device, a sense of anticipation building within him.

…

…

The fiery blue aura around Serika intensified, mirroring her escalating frustration as she and Abydos found themselves trapped in the unfolding chaos. Despite her efforts, the rate of fire from her weapon increased without hitting its mark, fueling her mounting anger even further.

“Damn it! I can’t even get one good hit one those punks!”

As she spoke, she effortlessly dodged another barrage of bullets and whipping chains but the relentless assault only served to further irritate her.

“Yeah… me too.”

Nonomi, usually cheerful, now wore a strained expression. Her bulky frame and cumbersome minigun made dodging difficult though she managed to take some of them down with her relentless spraying.

“Don’t give up! I’ll continue supplying all of you!”

Ayane shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as her drone delivered healing crates and ammo.

“Nn, got some of them but we’re running out of steam.”

Shiroko panted, launching missiles from her drone. Her agility, much like Serika’s, allowed her to dodge most attacks. As the only one who could reliably deal with the helmeted delinquents, she bore the brunt of the assault, causing her to be the most fatigued.

Finally, Hoshino, silent and focused, deflected nearly every bullet with precise movements of her riot shield, prioritizing the protection of the other students over returning fire with her shotgun. However, it was evident she could not cover for all of them.

Due to this, a conflicted expression marked her face. Occasionally, her eyes glowed with their distinctive blue and orange heterochromia, flickering in the midst of battle.

The Abydos students were struggling.

“Keep it going!”

“YEAH!”

Meanwhile, the opposition’s morale seemed high, driving them to make increasingly reckless decisions like charging straight at the Abydos students, forcing them to dodge even more.

It had turned into a battle of attrition.

CLANK-CLING!

Suddenly, the dynamics shifted as Rabu lassoed Serika, dragging her across the concrete floor at breakneck speed, prompting cries of concern.

“Serika!”

“WHY ME!”

“Haha! It’s not my fault that you look the weakest!”

“…!”

At this point, the blue fiery aura around Serika seemed to resonate with her, intensifying. Ignoring the pain of being dragged, she gritted her teeth and used both hands to attempt to free herself.

“What? Still trying to get out? Face it, you’re just a burden to everyone here.”

Rabu yanked on the chain, pulling Serika closer. Her piercing gaze bore into Serika's eyes as she continued, her voice laced with genuine confusion and a tinge of concern.

“In fact, why do all of you bother in the first place?”

“It’s not like y’all would ever pay up the debt anytime in the future so what’s the point?”

Serika froze. Her grip on the chain loosened and her fiery aura flickered. A cold feeling gnawed at her insides as she looked away from Rabu's eyes.

“In fact, why don’t y’all join us? It’s not like there’s anything stopping you being free like us!”

She could not say anything.

“But uh… I’m a bit embarrassed to say this but y’all have to wear helmets so that I can recognis…”

She stopped listening.

Just as all hope seemed lost with one of the Abydos students seemingly down.

Something happened.

…

…

…

…

CLASH!

“Wha-!?”

“…”

In a flash, an ephemeral trail of orange and blue streaked toward Rabu, slamming her into the ground with tremendous force. The impact was amplified by the motorcycle’s speed, causing her to release the chain instantly.

THUD!

BOOM!

The motorcycle erupted into flames upon colliding with a nearby pillar, creating a dramatic spectacle. Meanwhile, Rabu hit the ground at high speed, tumbling like a ragdoll.

“Captain!”

“Argh, feels like I got hit by a truck…”

Rabu struggled to stand, nursing her wounds. Several helmeted delinquents dismounted to check on her while others continued circling on their motorcycles around the area.

“I…”

“Serika, snap out of it! We’ll get Ayane to check on you!”

Serika remained frozen in thought as Hoshino shook her, trying to bring her back to awareness. The rest of the Abydos students hurried toward them, their concern evident.

A temporary ceasefire settled over the battlefield as both sides took stock of their injuries.

However, a certain grade 9 Sensei had other plans in mind.

<- Limbus Company - Canto I Battle Theme A2 ->

“Everyone, take cover behind Hoshino’s shield!”

WOOSH!

Throwing the large crate into the air, he caught everyone's attention though only the Abydos students heard his instructions clearly. Despite this, confusion still lingered among them.

Shit, was that too reckless!?

Staring at Hoshino, who locked eyes with him, he urgently signaled to her.

With a quick nod, Hoshino signaled for the other students to take cover behind her riot shield.

However, that was a ruse. Based on his assumptions, her shield most likely would not hold up under the onslaught. The priority now was to gather everyone in one spot.

STEP! BOOM!

Utilising his fixer augmentations, he rendered the time constraint meaningless. With long, powerful strides, he dashed toward them at breakneck speed, the force of his steps cracking the floor beneath him.

“Arona! Now!”

[ “Aye, aye!” ]

Just as quickly as he dashed, a blue barrier formed around Abydos, prompting intrigue from the students. However, before they could question anything, a loud explosion reverberated through the area.

However, it was not just an explosion.

There were multiple explosions.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

In an instant, the world transformed into chaos. It began with the detonation of a single fragmentation grenade, setting off a chain reaction that engulfed the area in a torrent of explosions.

But that was just the beginning. Soon, the air was filled with a relentless barrage of bullets, tearing through everything like a storm.

The pillars lay in ruins, shattered into fragments that filled the air like a storm of confetti. Debris whirled around them in chaotic spirals, swept up by gusts of wind that threatened to ensnare anything in their path.

Within this tumult, the students of Abydos stood at the heart of the maelstrom, sheltered behind a barrier pulsating with protective energy.

Despite this shield, the relentless onslaught outside was unmistakable. The barrage of high-speed bullets hammered against the barrier like a relentless drumbeat, reverberating through the chaos that surrounded them.

Finally, the air was thick with dust and debris, visibility reduced to mere shadows amidst the swirling tempest. Each gust of wind seemed to claw at the barrier, eager to grasp its inhabitants within.

It was as if the apocalypse had started.

…

…

“A fragmentation grenade?”

[ “Yup, similar to a flash grenade, you’ll need to pull its pin off and throw it to cause a big kaboom!” ]

So that’s what they were using…

He recalled some students throwing something that caused a sizeable explosion. Curiously, he inspected the grenade with interest.

There’s a good amount of those grenades, healing packages and bullets.

Wait…

“You mentioned you could create a barrier around me, right? Can it withstand explosions?”

[ “Yes though it’ll use a lot of energy…?” ]

“Is it possible if you could increase its radius?”

[ “I’m not too sure but probably?” ]

“That’s good enough for me.”

[ … ]

Arona took a moment to process before her eyes widened comically.

[ “You can’t possibly be thinking of…” ]

Roland grinned widely.

[ “Roland Sensei… I’m not sure if that’s a good idea…” ]

“But it’s definitely going to work based off what you’ve told me.”

Roland replied confidently, inspecting the fragmentation grenade in his hand.

[ “But… I’m not sure if your students would be open to such a reckless idea.” ]

He paused, considering her words, his gaze momentarily narrowing but quickly shook his head.

“The only thing matters in a fight is who wins. That’s that and this is this.”

[ “Roland Sensei…?” ]

With a swift motion, Roland unplugged the fragmentation grenade and tossed it into the crate, clamping the lid shut with a resounding thud.

“Arona, I’ll be trusting you!”

[ “Mhm…” ]

…

…

Thankfully, it finally ceased after a while, allowing Arona to heave a sigh of relief as she dispelled the barrier.

As the dust finally settled after several minutes, they could only gaze in silence at the devastation that had unfolded before them.

Multiple motorcycles lay mangled from the relentless barrage of bullets, their metal frames twisted and torn. Several helmeted delinquents lay unconscious nearby, their helmets shattered and their clothes marked with bullet holes. All of them were bleeding, evidence of the intensity of the battle.

Even after all that, their injuries seem surprisingly minor given the scale of the explosions.

They had won the battle.

But… wasn’t that too overkill? If these grenades were back in the City…

He sweatdropped and shivered.

Feeling several glances upon him, he turned around.

Shiroko was the first to recover, her ears wagging with extreme interest and her eyes sparkling with admiration.

???

Hoshino, whose mouth had been agape, quickly regained her composure. She squinted at Roland as though he were a madman, becoming the second to recover.

…

Nonomi simply stared in awe at the destruction caused by the multiple explosions. She looked back and forth between Roland and the devastation, seemingly entranced by what had transpired.

…?

Serik-

<- Music Stop ->

SLAP!

…!

Rubbing his sore cheek, he looked at the culprit. Though it didn’t hurt much, he was still confused by the reaction.

<- Limbus Company - Rodion Story Theme ->

“We could have gotten caught in it, you buffoon!”

Serika shrieked, her body trembling from what he discerned was a mixture of anger, fear and something else.

“Look, everything turned out fine, didn’t it?”

He said, gesturing to the fallen helmet delinquents, hoping to convince her. However, it was to no avail.

“Y-You really don’t get it, do you?”

Her voice wavered, eyes wide with a mix of frustration and desperation.

“…?”

The other Abydos students, recovering from the shock, stepped in.

“Serika, it’s fine~”

Nonomi offered a reassuring but strained smile.

“Nn, I agree.”

Shiroko added with a thumbs up but visibly shaking.

“It’s most certainly reckless but everything turned out fine.”

Ayane’s drone remarked, her tone somewhat hesitant but mostly confident.

However, this did not deter Serika. Her voice rose again, more insistent this time,

“But what if-”

“Serika~ is there anything wrong? You know you can tell us about it.”

Hoshino asked, her voice cheerful but tinged with growing concern.

Serika remained silent, her gaze dropping to the ground.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Finally, Serika spoke, her emotions surging as she nearly yelled,

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

“Do you know how we all felt when you suddenly broke down that door yesterday!?”

“S-Serika, I mistook Roland Sense-”

“That’s not the point.”

She cut her off, her voice dropping to a whisper, her eyes unfocused, seemingly lost in thought.

“I just… don’t know how to feel about you.”

“…!?”

With that, she walked away, her figure gradually fading from sight.

The rest of Abydos remained in silence, unsure of what to do. A cold breeze swept through the remnants of the destruction, the only sound was the eerie whistle carried by the wind.

Nonomi was the first to break the silence, her expression troubled from the confrontation. She gently patted Hoshino on the back.

“Hoshino, maybe Serika had a lot to deal with today? We should give her some space.”

Hoshino stood there, frozen in place, eyes wide and unblinking, seemingly staring at something ephemeral. A cold shiver crawled down her spine as she gazed intently at the empty space where Serika had been though no one noticed her peculiar behavior.

Meanwhile, Shiroko was on the verge of sprinting off after Serika.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

Before she could take another step, Nonomi gently grabbed her arm, shaking her head in a gesture of disagreement.

Shiroko, noticing this, stared at Nonomi for a moment before slowly nodding. Then, she placed a reassuring hand on Hoshino’s shoulder, pulling her out of her stupor. Her voice carried as much gentleness as she could muster.

“Please don’t think too much on what Serika said. She definitely didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

With that, Shiroko briskly walked off, leaving Hoshino to process her words.

…

After a while, Nonomi gave Hoshino a final reassuring pat on her back before walking away, briefly telling her and Roland to come back to jeep.

Finally, Ayane’s drone lingered for a moment longer before slowly flying back to its owner. Though Ayane hadn’t spoken, the drone’s shaky idle state throughout the whole scuffle betrayed her unfocused mind.

Now it was only the two of them left.

Throughout this entire time, Roland wore a pensive expression ever since Serika had yelled at him. He could not understand what she meant.

What was there even to get? He had simply used the most efficient means to take out all the helmeted delinquents and secure the hostages.

Hah… maybe this is something I’ll need to grasp?

“So… this was what she felt.”

Hoshino muttered.

…?

Before Roland question her, she walked away wordlessly. However, there was something strange he noticed on her back.

A cracked black hole, emitting a cold wisp of visible air.

Yet, as quickly as he noticed it, it dissipated out of existence, leaving Roland to ponder the peculiarity of what he had just witnessed.

Alone with his thoughts, one question plagued his mind.

What could I have done instead?

…

But the question was left unanswered as he departed.

The trip back to Abydos was silent.

…

…

Crack Omake

<- Sound of driving ->

This is pretty boring.

They had been driving to the Helmet Gang base for quite some time. Initially, the passing scenery had somewhat entertained him but after a while, the monotony set in. The lullaby of the engine and the repetitive landscapes began to blur together. Growing restless, he decided to inspect what was in the jeep.

A radio?

While Roland had never exactly been on a jeep before, he could certainly recognize a radio when he saw one. He had relied on radios as a means of communication long before he got himself a cellphone.

Intrigued, he reached out and turned the knob, his curiosity piqued.

<- A Thousand Miles - Neco Arc ->

Suddenly, horrendous singing blasted out of the radio, though Roland had to admit the instruments were pretty decent. He sat there, stone-faced, as the cacophony continued.

He did not recall radios being used for this.

“Oh, I think I know that song!”

Nonomi was the first to notice the music, excitedly pointing it out.

Before anyone could say anything, she started singing along with the music, seemingly entranced by its rhythm and melody. Her voice though not quite matching the tone of the song, carried an earnest enthusiasm that bordered on comical.

Nonomi's eyes sparkled with what seemed like the energy of a budding idol, completely lost in the moment. Despite the cramped space of the jeep, she threw in exaggerated dance moves, bobbing her head and swaying her arms with exaggerated flair.

Roland glanced back at her, his face still blank in confusion. Ayane adjusted her glasses, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips, still mostly focusing on driving while Shiroko grinned and tapped her feet to the beat, joining in with less exuberance but no less enjoyment.

Soon, Hoshino, now fully awake, decided to amusingly join in the cacophony, her singing slurring to the point that it almost mirrored the voice on the radio.

Meanwhile, much like Roland, Serika appeared bewildered by everything unfolding around her. To her dismay, Nonomi and Hoshino nudged her, sitting on either side, prompting her to reluctantly join in by softly singing along. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she reluctantly added her voice to the chaotic chorus.

Afterwards, Shiroko, who had been tapping along to the rhythm of the music, could not resist joining in by singing outside the jeep. Her monotone voice blended with everyone else's, adding to the cacophony.

All this time, Ayane’s spectacles seemed to be on the verge of cracking from the chaotic situation unfolding around her but she sighed and shook her head. However, soon enough, she couldn't resist the infectious energy and decided to join in as well, her head bobbing.

What have I done.

Even though he pondered that, Roland couldn't deny the strange allure of the chaotic scene unfolding around him. Glancing at the Shittim Chest, he caught Arona nodding encouragingly, her expression oddly supportive.

With a hesitant smile, he was just about to join in-

CRASH!

Rabu died!

“CAPTAIN!”

“You aren’t human!”

Despite their cries, mourning the temporary loss of their captain, on the plus side, they had crash-landed right into the Helmet Gang's building, courtesy of a conveniently ‘placed’ hole they'd made.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 130 - Foolish Days ->

Shiroko looked at what was in her hand.

It was a signed wanted poster with a video link at the bottom?

When she looked at the rest of the hostages for information, they simply shrugged and shook their heads, equally baffled.

Out of curiosity, she scanned the video link before typing it into her phone.

What she discovered was... interesting?

<- Roland Style | Library of Ruina + Gangnam Style mashup ->

The video showed Roland, seemingly drunk, slurring his words as he stumbled about. But the most interesting part was the music playing in the background while he danced in a strangely specific manner.

The dance had a strangely hypnotic quality, causing her eyes to stare unblinkingly at the video. Roland crossed his arms while hopping about, occasionally raising one arm while the other stayed firmly on his waist. Then, he transitioned into a bizarre sideways shuffle, glancing left and right with exaggerated movements.

Was this his secret party trick from his past?

Finally the video ended before she even realised it.

???

…

…

…

…

…

…

Oppan Gangnam Style!

But the remnants still echoed in her mind like an earworm, repeating endlessly.

I need to end this somehow.

Then a bright idea came to her.

She tried out the dance for a while, attempting to move her arms and legs in the same way as Roland. It felt awkward at first, trying to sync with the weird rhythm of the music but after a while, she got the rough gist of the dance.

You must Gangnam like I have.

However, a weird thought struck her as she did the dance, causing her to stop abruptly. Shaking her head in exasperation, she decided to refocus on the hostages instead.

…

…

<- Limbus Company - Canto I Battle Theme A1 ->

CLANK-CLING!

Suddenly, the dynamics shifted as Rabu lassoed Serika, dragging her across the concrete floor at breakneck speed, prompting cries of concern.

“Serika!”

“WHY ME!”

“Haha! It’s not my fault that you look the weakest!”

“…!”

At this point, the blue fiery aura around Serika seemed to resonate with her, intensifying. Ignoring the pain of being dragged, she gritted her teeth and used both hands to attempt to free herself.

“What? Still trying to get out? Face it, you’re just a burden to everyone here.”

Rabu yanked on the chain, pulling Serika closer. Her piercing gaze bore into Serika's eyes as she continued, her voice laced with genuine confusion and a tinge of concern.

“In fact, why do all of you bother in the first place?”

“It’s not like y’all would ever pay up the debt anytime in the future so what’s the point?”

Serika froze. Her grip on the chain loosened and her fiery aura flickered. A cold feeling gnawed at her insides as she looked away from Rabu's eyes.

<- Limbus Company - Oh Crab So Crab ->

“In fact, why don’t y’all join us? It’s not like there’s anything stopping you being free like us!”

“But uh… I’m a bit embarrassed to say this but y’all have to wear helmets so that I can recognise each and everyone of you.”

“However, I can definitely say that joining the Helmet Gang is a great decision for you and us alike!”

Rabu seemingly nodded, content with herself while she continued her ‘conversation’ while dragging Serika along.

“Hell, there’s this adorable junior that I recently recruited. You can’t believe what she has on her resume, it’s actually insane!”

“Though her name was… wait, let me think.”

After pondering for a moment, a light bulb was about to hit her.

“Ah, I remember now it was Bon-”

<- Canon Event Sound Effect (Spider-Man 2099) ->

CLASH!

“Wha-!?”

THUD!

BOOM!

Instead, it was a riot shield that struck her.

…

…

Scrapped Omake

<- Mili - Mushrooms (Instrumental) ->

The city seemed to crumble as fires erupted in roaring flames. It was an unforeseen disaster, unstoppable and relentless. An army surged in from every side, overwhelming the defenses. Bullets and grenades flew from all directions, igniting buildings and adding to the chaos.

It was a situation devoid of dreams.

However, amidst the chaos stood a lone figure, her short pink hair flowing defiantly against the wind. Panting heavily, she wiped her face with the back of her hand, gripping a white shotgun.

A transparent trail seemed to seep from her eyes as she quickly blinked it away. Suddenly, a stray missile hurtled toward her from her blind spot. With lightning reflexes born of desperation, she raised someone’s riot shield, its size too large for her frame, using it to intercept the incoming threat.

BOOM!

The resulting explosion sent shockwaves through the air, propelling her across the battlefield. Her body collided with a nearby building with a deafening crash, engulfing the area in a dense cloud of swirling dust.

CRASH!

As she collided painfully, the impact leaving a deep crater in its wake, she coughed out saliva from the sheer force of her back slamming into the unforgiving concrete. Lying amidst the rubble, her eyes seemed to dim, a fleeting moment of introspection washing over her.

Is there even a point in continuing?

I wish this would end.

For all of it to be nothing more than a dream.

So that I can see you once more.

…

Yet, I have nothing but myself.

Can a miracle exist?

…

There is no such thing as a miracle.

Yet, the moment she thought of this, she was immediately back on her feet with a heavy grunt. Staggering slightly, she peered at the formidable army that loomed before her, her eyes ablaze with a fusion of bright orange and somber blue. Amidst the chaos of battle, she felt her senses sharpening, yet paradoxically, dulling at the same time.

It was an odd sensation. Yet, it felt as if she could see everything while simultaneously experiencing a seemingly simple, raw state of mind. And in that moment, that was all she needed.

Bullets sprayed haphazardly towards her, desperate to find their mark as she stood with her arms slumped. However, what might have seemed like an act of surrender was far from it. In reality, it felt as though she could anticipate each trajectory, intuitively sensing where they would inevitably land. Her eyes burned even brighter with this newfound perception.

In spite of this, her attempt to move felt hampered by her physical limitations. Nevertheless, she paid no heed to her body's protests and pressed on, pushing herself until her muscles screamed for respite. For her, the physical strain paled in comparison to the tempest of emotions raging inside.

At first, it took a noticeable amount of effort as she barely managed to take a step while swerving from the rain of bullets that repeatedly pelted her and the shield. Gradually, she noticed a curious change — her physical strength seemed to grow more efficient. The force needed to propel herself across the same distance lessened as if her body had become finely tuned to the demands of the battlefield.

Now, it was time to make her move.

With a surprisingly strong leap towards the horde, she seemed to blur into motion, evading notice from all. Yet, there was no mistaking the shared sensation that rippled through the enemy ranks.

Fear.

Soon, their gut feelings were proven right as a blur began plowing through their ranks. It felt inconceivable, almost inhuman, as a small few even witnessed explosions erupting amidst their army. How could their opponent have access to explosives? She was undoubtedly on her last legs and had scant resources.

Then, the realisation dawned on them. She was using their own equipments against them.

To the left, a grenade hurtled towards her. Without hesitation, she snatched it from the air and hurled it back towards the tank, unleashing a powerful explosion.

To the right, a shield-bearing adversary blocked her path. With a swift leap, she vaulted off the shield, launching herself away from them. As she landed on the other side, the blunt force of her riot shield striking the ground created a shockwave that sent her foes staggering.

Seizing the moment, she maintained her relentless dash, sowing seeds of discord within the army as she gracefully maneuvered around each and every adversary. With occasional acrobatic maneuvers, she blasted anyone within her blind spot with her shotgun, swiftly eliminating threats as she pressed forward, leaving chaos and confusion in her wake.

In that moment, the Dawn of Horus was born.

…

…

RING!

Chapter Text

<- Limbus Company - Mephistopheles Story Theme ->

The clubroom was silent.

Ayane stood by the whiteboard, clutching her file with a distant look in her eyes and a slight frown.

Hoshino slept, her halo absent.

Shiroko stared at her notebook, tapping her pencil rhythmically on the table.

Nonomi wore a contemplative expression, her usual lustre gone.

Serika had swiftly excused herself, leaving the room.

Despite the victorious battle against the Helmet Gang, the atmosphere was heavy with unease.

Roland sat at the table, his head cradled in both hands as he stared intently at its surface. The words spoken to him echoed in his mind, their reasoning still elusive.

[ “Roland Sensei… I’m not sure if that’s a good idea…” ]

[ “But… I’m not sure if your students would be open to such a reckless idea.” ]

“Y-You really don’t get it, do you?”

Was there even something to think about?

In a fight, the only things that mattered were winning or surviving.

That’s that and this is this.

So what was wrong with his methods?

Glancing at the screen of the Shittim Chest, he saw Arona sleeping soundly, most likely drained from the barrier she utilised. He sighed, sinking even further into the table, his despair deepening. The atmosphere grew heavier as the students watched him, the depressing aura around him affecting everyone.

“R-Roland Sensei, your plan wasn’t too bad!”

Ayane nervously started, eliciting curious glances from the other students as they snapped out of their respective trances. Only Hoshino remained fast asleep, undisturbed by the sudden shift in the room.

“Nn, I agree.”

“Mhm…”

Shiroko and Nonomi echoed Ayane's sentiments, both clearly attempting to cheer up Roland.

THUD!

However, Roland slammed his head into the table, causing everyone to jump from the unexpected action. He murmured a tired acknowledgment.

“Yeah… no problem.”

This action only worsened the atmosphere, causing it to crash down even further.

Seeing this, Ayane sighed and looked down, readjusting her spectacles, disheartened by her failed attempt to lift the mood. Instead, she offered a suggestion.

“We should conclude this meeting. Everyone is tired from what has happened so far.”

The general consensus seemed to be an unspoken, resounding yes, as remaining two students nodded while Roland and Hoshino remained face-planted into the table.

With that, the students left one by one, except for Hoshino, who slept like a brick. They left a note behind to summarise the meeting for her.

Now, only silence remained.

…

…

…

…

GROWL!

Groaning, Roland dragged himself up from the table.

Damn… the last thing I ate was the instant ramen from two days ago.

Dragging himself from his seat, Roland walked toward the sliding door. Before leaving, he took one final glance at Hoshino, who remained fast asleep.

The incident with Serika seemed to have affected her deeply, just as it had affected him though the reasons appeared different.

Hoshino, who had watched him keenly while pretending to sleep the previous day, was now genuinely asleep.

He could not tell if it was a good or a bad thing.

Closing the door behind him, he decided to head back to his assigned room.

…

…

MUNCH!

Taking a bite of a snack bar, he grimaced.

Dry and with a texture like sandpaper. Tasteless, with a faint, bitter aftertaste.

I can’t finish this.

Without a second thought, he lazily tossed the remaining snack and wrapper out the window. Indifferent, he lay on the couch, seemingly for what seemed like eternity.

Was time still passing as it usually did?

Could it be speeding by?

Or was it crawling slower than ever?

He continued staring at the ceiling, the only sounds being the subtle whistles of the wind.

With that, he settled into a familiar silence, his mind completely empty. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the room in a harsh, dusky glow. The stark light cast a somber portrait, emphasising his quiet isolation and filling the space with a frigid chill.

…

It remained that way for several minutes.

…

With nothing but absolute silence.

…

It was his only solace.

…

As time passed, a sharp ray of afternoon light enveloped his face, prompting him to turn his head to the right.

Then, his eyes fell on the other couch.

“…to bring Abydos back to its former glory.”

…?

…

With a tired sigh, he dragged himself up from the couch to sit upright. From inside his suit, he retrieved an item.

It was the magazine from the Abydos Sand Festival.

Taking a brief glance at the cover, he opened it and began to read. Most of the contents detailed the various booths and activities available. As he flipped through the pages, vivid descriptions and images of the festival’s bustling crowds, vibrant stalls and diverse activities made him feel as though he were there.

It was strange. He had never seen such things before.

Back in the City, while there were certainly events that could be considered as ‘festivals’, like Christmas, they usually lacked this much flair and sophistication. Besides, most were too preoccupied with surviving to bother with such trivial matters.

On a curious note, he had heard rumors from a different district about an Urban Myth involving someone with red eyes giving gifts to children. However, he dismissed these rumors as mere tales.

As he flipped through more pages, he paused, staring at a photograph of a group of students laughing together at one of the booths. Their camaraderie was evident in the way their arms were locked with each other.

He could not help but ponder one question that blared out to him.

What happened to them in the end?

After all, this was from the golden age before Abydos fell into its current decrepit state.

…

Eyes nostalgic for some inexplicable reason, Roland sighed once more, rising from the couch and slipping the magazine into his bag.

As he did, a faint recollection stirred — a vision of a cluttered office with shelves lined with old files and a figure whose presence was both commanding and reassuring. It was a time filled with both camaraderie and intense responsibility, moments that had shaped him deeply.

Just as quickly as it came, the vision receded into the shadows of his mind. Shaking off the confusion, he let out another sigh.

Perhaps what he needed was some fresh air.

Grabbing his bag, he walked out of the school, hoping to find something noteworthy to distract him.

Nevertheless, a lingering sense of sonder remained.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 67 - someday, sometime ->

Slumped into the backmost seat near the window, Roland sighed heavily, drawing curious glances from the few passengers aboard. Whether it was his disheveled appearance or the palpable aura of his mood, he could not bring himself to care.

He was now on a bus back to the Abydos district, the bus jolting and swaying as it traversed the desolate landscape.

Gazing out at the vast expanse of the desert with a vacant expression, Roland could only see the scattered ruins of slanted and destroyed buildings in the distance — remnants of a bygone era lost to time. This desolate sight stirred introspection within him.

What should I do?

When he first accepted Abydos’s invitation, it was only to fulfill his duty as a Sensei. Now, as he took on the mantle of their advisor, he was struck by a gnawing sense of disillusionment. The more he engaged with their plight, the more he felt they were clinging to an overly optimistic view of their situation.

A 300-year-old debt, impossible to repay within a single lifetime without T-corp technology. Even if they somehow managed to settle it, the school could never be what it once was.

Why, despite such overwhelming odds, did the Abydos students continue to push forward?

It seemed utterly insane to him.

And here he was, having taken on the responsibility of guiding them.

A bitter laugh escaped him, the sound devoid of humor and full of self-mockery. The absurdity of his situation hit him hard and silence descended like a heavy shroud.

…

During these quiet moments, Arona would usually engage him in conversation. But with her now asleep, only silence remained.

Why did the silence feel so unsettling upon this realisation?

…?

…

…

Finally, after a while, he finally went back to the Abydos district.

The scene remained unchanged from when he first arrived. The same stores lined the streets and the lack of people was still a defining feature. The few stores that remained open had little to no customers, with the shopkeepers seemingly unoccupied.

Despite this, they appeared oddly content with their circumstances. Occasionally, he noticed shop owners chatting cheerfully like old friends. The few customers who did visit seemed to be on familiar terms with the shopkeepers, smiles gracing their features.

…?

How are they still smiling despite the state of Abydos and the condition of their stores?

Wouldn’t it be better to leave and find a more prosperous area to continue their business?

What was the point of persisting here?

Roland could not make sense of it. Like the Abydos students, it seemed like a futile effort, grasping at something perpetually out of reach. There was no tangible benefit, yet they carried on.

Feeling at an impasse, he shook his head and kept walking.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Until he reached what appeared to be a small bike rack.

“…This is our home.”

He paused, contemplating once again.

Home… huh?

Taking a deep breath, he looked out at the district and its inhabitants.

…

And with that breath, he continued on his way.

…

…

Shiba Seki Ramen?

After wandering aimlessly, he stumbled upon a restaurant.

The restaurant featured a unique blue and brown color scheme and an architecture that puzzled Roland. Unlike the buildings he had encountered, it bore an aged appearance, reminiscent of Trinity but clearly influenced by a distinct cultural style. A large wooden sign marked the roof and a prominent yellow dog statue, sporting clothes, a bandana and a brown pipe. Most intriguing was the scar etched over one of the dog's eyes, lending the quirky statue with an unexpected air of mystery and allure.

Overall, the establishment exuded an air of curiosity, heightened by the tantalizing aroma drifting from within.

With that, he decided to open the sliding door.

…

…

<- Limbus Company - Depressed Story Theme ->

The restaurant was empty, save for the awkward sound of a finger tapping on the wooden counter.

“Serika? Are you okay?”

“H-Hm? Oh-uh-yes, Master Shiba!”

She sputtered, nearly losing her balance on the stool as she leaned against the counter to face him.

The speaker, now identified as Master Shiba, resembled a yellow dog adorned with two scars on his face — a cross-shaped one beside his left eye and a vertical one over his right eye. He sported a white bandana on his head, a blue shitagi with a logo on the left sleeve, and a white apron.

"You seem to be distracted ever since the start of your shift.”

“N-Not really.”

She fidgeted nervously, her legs restless, and her cat ears twitching erratically. This prompted him to shake his head disapprovingly, arms akimbo,

"Serika, I can tell."

Despite his words, she remained transfixed on the counter. Her breathing was measured and deliberate, lips pursed as if holding back words that yearned to be spoken. A palpable weight seemed to press upon her, casting a shadow over her demeanour.

With each passing moment, it became increasingly clear that Serika was unable to find her voice.

“I…”

Noticing her struggle, Master Shiba gently grasped her shoulder and nodded in acceptance.

“It’s fine Serika. We can close up early today.”

“But-”

“No buts. You need some rest. I can manage the clean-up on my own.”

His voice was both gentle and firm, effectively stopping Serika’s incoming protests.

She stared helplessly at Master Shiba, her expression reflecting mostly uncertainty with a tinge of gratitude, before finally nodding in acknowledgment.

Then, she shuffled slowly to the changing room at the back of the restaurant, her belongings in hand, closing the door with a small thud.

Once inside, she caught her reflection in the mirror. At that moment, she realized just how worn down she truly was.

Hair that was usually tied into neat twintails was now carelessly done, with stray strands sticking out. Her waitress outfit was crumpled and her accessories hung loosely.

But there was something shocked her, causing her to step back.

Her eyes were blank.

…!?

Though initially taken aback, she carefully touched the mirror, then slowly sank to the floor, the sound of her hands trailing down the glass accompanying her descent. Kneeling, she stared at her reflection.

Finally, the thoughts she had suppressed burst forth like a dam breaking.

Why did I do that!?

I didn’t mean to say all that!

I…I… just…

Her body shook uncontrollably, her grip on the glass so tight it could crack.

I just want to be useful.

…

“Haha! It’s not my fault that you look the weakest!”

“What? Still trying to get out? Face it, you’re just a burden to everyone here.”

Despite her wishes, the words struck her mercilessly, contorting her expression into one of anguish. Each word felt like a needle piercing her body, embedding itself deeper into her soul.

“In fact, why do all of you bother in the first place?”

“It’s not like y’all would ever pay up the debt anytime in the future so what’s the point?”

No, shut up!

Her blue aura briefly flared up as she refuted the blasted memory.

It will definitely work out if I work hard enough.

If I can just work harder…

Then, eventually we’ll be…

“In fact, why don’t y’all join us? It’s not like there’s anything stopping you being free like us!”

Free?

She stopped for a long while and looked at the mirror once more, taking a good look at her state. The brief aura that flared up was gone and in its place was silence.

She started changing her clothes.

…

…

Hearing footsteps, Master Shiba turned to look at the source of the noise.

“Serika, I’m almost done cleaning, you can- Serika?”

“I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait!”

With that, she decided to open the sliding door.

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

…!?

“Serika?” | “Y-You!?”

Before Roland could say anything, Serika ran past him in a hurry. However, in the brief exchange, something caught him off guard.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

…?

“Serika!”

A shout echoed from inside the restaurant as the same anthropomorphic dog from the statue rushed out, only to see Serika disappearing into the distance.

“…”

“…”

<- Limbus Company - Mephistopheles Story Theme ->

“I’m sorry you had to see that. She’s been off ever since today.”

Master Shiba lamented, a note of worry in his voice.

Shaking his head, Roland muttered,

“No, it’s fine.”

They both stood in the doorway silently, staring at the direction where Serika left. After a while, it was Master Shiba who cut the silence.

“So you know Serika? I heard you say her name earlier.”

“Hah… not exactly but I’m supposed to be the temporary advisor of the Abydos school.”

“Advisor?”

Master Shiba looked Roland up and down before casting a suspicious glance at him,

“So… did something happen today? She was fine yesterday.”

“Yeah… something did happen…”

He trailed off, temporarily zoning out.

Noticing this, Master Shiba’s expression shifted to one of concern, his voice now laced with worry,

“What happened?”

To this, Roland remained silent for a moment, his eyebrows furrowed and eyes reflecting a hint of reminiscence. Finally, he let out a long, drawn-out sigh before replying,

“I still don’t know…”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“We successfully raided a local gang and she just… snapped afterwards.”

Master Shiba took a moment to process this before turning back to Roland and beckoning him.

“How about we continue this conversation inside?”

…

“Alright…?”

“Master Shiba or Shiba. And you?”

“Roland…… just Roland.”

…

…

With the restaurant closed for the day, Roland settled into a cushioned blue booth seat. His eyes roamed over the distinctive surroundings, drawn to the open kitchen near the counter where stools were neatly aligned. Pots, pans, and sifters hung in an orderly fashion on a nearby wall hanger. Above the bustling kitchen area, wooden tiles showcased a variety of dishes and their corresponding prices.

The interior of the restaurant boasted a warm ambiance, predominantly adorned with brown and yellowish-white wood. The patterns, mostly squares, added an interesting visual appeal to the space. Despite the desolate nature of the Abydos district, the establishment appeared well-maintained.

“Here, have some tea.”

Master Shiba said, placing a cup in front of Roland before settling into his own seat.

“Thanks.”

As Roland gazed into his cup, his reflection shimmered on the tea's surface. A tired, weary stare met his own, piercing through the swirling steam.

“Tea’s not to your liking? Would you prefer some water instead?”

“No need…”

Roland trailed off, now looking at Master Shiba, who sat across from him. After a moment of silence, he asked with some inquisitiveness,

“…So Serika works here?”

“Yep as a part-timer.”

“I see.”

“…”

“…”

Master Shiba took a sip from his cup, the soft swirl of tea echoing gently in the quiet room. Setting down the cup, he leaned forward slightly, his expression expectant.

“What happened during the raid?”

Roland shifted his eyes to the left, thoughtful as he recalled the events.

“At first, the Abydos students were managing fairly well but when more gang members with motorcycles showed up…”

He paused, squinting as he recalled the situation.

“…I had to come up with a plan to take out the gang in one go so I couldn’t keep track of what was happening with the students. Though, we did win in the end.”

Then, his expression shifted to confusion. His shoulders slumped slightly as he looked down and murmured,

“I just… don’t understand if there was something I could have done differently.”

<- DJ OKAWARI 「Crossroad」->

After a long silence, Master Shiba took one final sip of his tea while Roland’s cup sat untouched, its steam fading gradually as the warmth slowly dissipated.

Setting down his now empty cup, Master Shiba finally spoke, his tone calm and measured,

“Maybe what you did was correct?”

…?

Surprised, Roland looked at Master Shiba, his eyes widening. Master Shiba simply closed his eyes and continued, his tone tinged with disappointment,

“Or maybe there was something you missed…”

However, his tone then softened slightly, eyes opening with a gentle smile spreading across his face,

“…But I’m sure at least one of your students appreciates your efforts.”

Upon hearing this, Roland’s eyes seemed to widen slightly before he narrowed them again, his voice low,

“Even if that were the case, it doesn’t change the fact that I missed something. I could have done something else.”

In spite of his rebuttal, Master Shiba smiled warmly and with understanding,

“But you did what you felt was right at the time, right? Besides, you can’t change what you’ve already done.”

Roland appeared on the verge of a rebuttal, but he paused, his expression squirming slightly.

A thought surfaced — his own voice echoing in his mind.

“…Don’t waste your energy on what-ifs.”

Hah…

But that’s nothing but lies.

As soon as these thoughts came up, he was soon intercepted by small chuckle of Master Shiba,

“Hell, even I can’t satisfy all of my customers. I just simply try my best.”

Roland fell silent, a thoughtful expression on his face. He sighed restlessly, shaking his head. A searing pain swelled inside him, threatening to consume him but he still chose to ask,

“Then, tell me. As their advisor… no, their Sensei, whose responsibility is to help their school, just… what exactly am I supposed to do? There’s no possible way they can recover from such a burden from years of debt. It’s just impossible! It would take nothing short of a miracle for them to even succeed!”

He stood up, swiping his right arm in a gesture of frustration, desperate for an answer, something that could quench this feeling.

Nothing more than a speck of rust on the gears of this world.

“I’m just playing pretend to give them some assurance, offering nothing but platitudes. But that’s all there is — a fool leading a group of ragtags that don’t even understand what they’re getting themselves into!”

He paused to catch his breath, a hollow laugh piercing the quiet atmosphere as Roland shook his head. His palm pressed against his forehead.

“Haha…”

“Maybe, this entire gig is just simply not for me.”

Roland smiled, muttering bitterly,

“That’s that and this is this.”

“…”

“…”

Initially taken aback by Roland’s revelation but swiftly regaining his composure, Master Shiba posed a question with a calm demeanour,

“Then… why are you telling me all this?”

The statement pierced straight through Roland’s soul, leaving him momentarily stunned.

“You say that it’s impossible for Abydos to overcome their debt, yet you’re still discussing about them with me. So, what is it that you truly want?”

“…”

Silence filled the room as Roland stood speechless, his eyebrows furrowing.

Master Shiba stood up and walked to the kitchen, gesturing for Roland to follow. Though initially confused, Roland rose and followed.

In the kitchen, Master Shiba opened a drawer and retrieved a chipped ceramic bowl, holding it up for a moment before setting it on the counter.

"This bowl has been through a lot in the past one week…"

He said with a hint of amusement before his tone turned warm,

“…but it still holds the ramen just fine. After all, mistakes are inevitable.”

Placing the bowl down gently, he gestured towards a pot of broth on the stove.

"Keeping this broth just right takes a lot of care. It’s a heavy responsibility but it’s the heart of the ramen. It’s difficult but it’s still something I must do to preserve this place."

Next, Master Shiba picked up a worn chef's knife, running a finger along the blade. His tone reflected a deep sense of familiarity as he spoke,

"This knife... it’s been my companion for years. When you cut something, it's not just about the blade — it’s about the intent behind each cut. You might question your technique but I can see that you’re on the right path.”

He placed the knife down and tapped a cutting board, its surface marred with knife marks.

"This cutting board might seem simple but it carries a long history of what’s been prepared on it. Perhaps what you need is time."

Finally, he lifted a ladle with a bent handle, holding it up for Roland to see.

"This ladle isn’t perfect. But it still serves its purpose everyday…”

Finally, he looked at Roland directly, smiling,

“…Sometimes, just being there is enough, even if things aren’t perfect."

???

“But I feel that being taught by an adult like you is much more interesting.”

Roland stood motionless, his expression inscrutable. For a moment, he felt as though he had turned to stone, trapped in a state of disbelief. But then, something shifted within him.

He laughed.

Except, this time, the laughter was no longer filled with nothing, there was something. It carried a profound sense of amusement, causing him to lean against a nearby wall for support. Master Shiba, catching the infectious mood, couldn't resist joining in, their laughter echoing warmly through the kitchen.

After a while, they stopped to catch their breath.

With a grin directed at Master Shiba, Roland exclaimed,

“Y-You Abydos people are truly insane.”

Silence lingered momentarily before Roland smiled, a genuine smile this time.

“…but maybe there’s some merit.”

With that, Roland walked out of the kitchen and back to his tea that was left untouched for the majority of the conversation.

“Wait! Let me reheat it!”

Roland turned around, ready to decline, but then he noticed something in Master Shiba’s eyes — a chef’s unwavering determination, a resolve he recognised.

“Alright?”

Master Shiba swiftly swiped the cup out of Roland’s hands and returned to the kitchen. After a few moments, he emerged with a fresh cup, steam rising from its surface, putting it on his table.

“But… please promise me this one thing.”

Master Shiba said, his tone earnest.

“Hm?”

“That you’ll do your best to guide them. They need an adult, especially in their current situation.”

Roland looked at Master Shiba for a moment before looking away and sighing. He mustered up his voice,

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Master Shiba handed him the steaming cup. Taking a moment to appreciate the gesture, Roland blew on the tea several times before taking a sip.

The tea tasted bitter yet had a rich, endearing flavor. He could almost sense the thought and care infused into its preparation. Unlike any tea he had tasted before, this one had a unique approach, rooted in a different tradition.

Despite its uniqueness, it had the familiar, soothing effect of calming him down.

Indeed, it felt very familiar.

…

…

<- Suburb Night Ambience Sounds ->

“Please come by anytime! And tell Serika to bring her friends along when she feels better!”

“Got it!”

Roland replied, waving as he stepped outside. The sky was deepening into twilight, and streetlights flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the quiet streets.

As he walked, Roland noticed the shops closing, their displays dimming under the fading orange light. Neon billboards began to blaze to life, painting the buildings with a kaleidoscope of colors that danced across his face.

Taking out the Shittim Chest, Roland noted that Arona was still sleeping peacefully on a table, a sight that somewhat surprised him.

She must be exhausted. Perhaps I should have explored other options but what’s done is done.

…

Now then, what should I do about Serika?

Something I don’t get…?

Hah… maybe I’ll get her to elaborate so that I can understand what she meant.

With that thought, he waited for the bus, the vibrant city lights casting long shadows as night settled in.

…

…

Serika ran.

She had no idea how long she had been running but she didn't care as sweat poured from her, fueling her relentless pace.

When her house finally came into view, she sprinted the last stretch, barging through the door and slamming it shut behind her, the sound echoing through the empty rooms.

Breathing heavily, she collapsed to the ground.

For a moment, Serika lay sprawled on the floor, her knees drawn tightly to her chest as she struggled to catch her breath. The cool wooden floor felt soothing against her flushed skin, providing a fleeting comfort. Despite this, her thoughts continued to churn uncontrollably, each one more chaotic than the last.

Why am I even here?

Is there a point to all of my work?

Am I even contributing anything?

What’s the use of all this struggle?

Why do I keep pushing myself so hard?

AmImakinganydifference?WhatifI’mjustwastingmytime?Isthisallfornothing?WhydoesitfeellikenomatterwhatIdo,I’mnotmakinganimpact?AmIsimplyfoolingmyselfwiththesegoals?

A soft knock on the door broke her reverie, sending a jolt of panic through her.

“Serika? It’s me, Shiroko.”

…?

Serika remained silent, her breath hitching as she struggled to compose herself.

“Nn. I know you’re here. Do you want to talk?”

Shiroko continued gently, her voice carrying a note of concern.

“…”

Serika glanced at the door from the corner of her eye, her gaze wavering with uncertainty. Although she remained silent, she subconsciously leaned back against the door in response to Shiroko’s words.

“If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine.”

“…”

<- Neal K - Melody of the stars ->

A sound of shuffling could be heard outside the door before silence permeated the air. Shiroko sat down on the ground, leaning her back against the door.

“Could you listen to me instead?”

After several moments of silence, Shiroko spoke again, her voice soft but steady.

“Whatever they said, it doesn’t change the fact that you don’t have to face this alone. We’re all here for you, Serika.”

“…”

“Sometimes, things can feel overwhelming but that’s why we have each other, to share that weight. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”

A moment of silence followed Shiroko’s proclamation.

“…”

“…”

“Shiroko…”

Her ears perked up at the sound of a raspy voice from the other side of the door. Eager to hear Serika’s next words, she leaned back closer.

“Can Abydos…”

Serika started, her voice laden with doubt. It seemed as though she was struggling to find the right words.

“…truly be free?”

Shiroko closed her eyes, contemplating the question.

“Why? As harsh as this sounds, I don’t see any future with the school having that much debt.”

Roland’s voice echoed in her mind, a memory she could not easily dismiss.

After all, it was seemingly true.

The debt seemed insurmountable, a chain that bound them no matter what they did. Every daily activity felt like a mere distraction from the looming crisis. Despite their efforts to chip away at it each month, progress was agonisingly slow. It was the kind of burden that would break most people.

However, Shiroko smiled,

“Roland Sensei actually said something like that when I first met him."

“W-What?”

“He even suggested that we might be better off leaving Abydos.”

Serika’s expression tightened, her hands clenching at her sides. She took a deep breath, ready to speak but Shiroko continued, her tone thoughtful.

“But I don’t think he really meant it.”

She paused, gathering her thoughts, her eyes reflecting a quiet determination.

“After all, he provided us with the supplies and guidance we needed to stop the Helmet Gang.”

“…”

“Not only that, he helped Ayane out with her tasks this morning.”

Shiroko’s voice grew warmer, more confident.

“He has made a positive impact in just a day. I believe that as long as we work together with him, we’ll be able to free Abydos.”

“…”

“You know?”

She continued softly,

“Despite his looks, Roland Sensei has a hobby of cooking. He mentioned it to me during one of our conversations. It’s… a bit surprising.”

Shiroko’s attempt to lighten the mood brought a faint smile to her own lips, hoping it might help Serika relax.

“I’m just hoping you’ll be able to trust him eventually.”

Serika processed the information, her hands fidgeting as she did so. While it seemed like a good offer, one glaring issue remained in her mind.

“But… he’s just an outsider. How can he possibly understand our situation? Even today, I don’t think he truly considers our well-being in his plans.”

She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“And… I’ve said some horrible things to Hoshino.”

Shiroko listened intently, this time, she took a long time to think about the what Serika said.

Finally, she spoke, her tone firm and resolute,

“You’ll just have to talk to them.”

“But…”

“Serika.”

Shiroko stopped her before she could say anything.

“Weren’t we all just ‘outsiders’ before we joined Abydos?”

“…!?”

“Everyone has a wall and a full understanding is impossible — that much is clear.”

“But… we still have to talk, to try to understand each other even if it’s imperfect. That’s the only way we can grasp who they are as a person.”

“…”

“…”

“That’s easy for you to say… just why exactly are you so trusting of him!?”

Serika's voice rose, almost a yell.

“T-That’s…”

Shiroko’s voice shook slightly but quickly regained its strength.

“…because he feels familiar.”

“Familiar?”

“Mhm. Something like a gut feeling that he’s just… someone like me and maybe even like us.”

“…”

Serika’s frustration began to wane as she absorbed Shiroko’s words. Instead, doubt crept in.

“But what if you’re wrong? What if he lets us down?”

“That… I don’t know.”

Shiroko admitted, her voice softer now.

“But just as how Hoshino accepted us, I think it’s also fair for us to try. And…”

She looked up at the sky where the stars cast a dreamily gentle glow.

“…you’ll also have to apologise to her too.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The silence stretched on, heavy and uncomfortable. Shiroko, her ears twitching in anticipation, pursed her lips as the tension lingered in the air.

Finally, a muffled sigh came from the other side of the door before Serika replied,

“I suppose… you’re right.”

Shiroko’s face lit up, her ears wagging with evident relief.

“Nn. I’m glad. Then, see you tomorrow, it’s getting late.”

Serika didn’t respond but the silence felt less tense.

Shiroko lingered for a moment longer, hoping for more but when nothing came, she turned and headed back to her bicycle.

The breeze felt refreshing.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 218 - ??? ->

Hoshino woke up.

Immediately, she stood up, surveying her surroundings and silently berating herself for falling asleep.

After a moment, she noticed a note nearby and picked it up to read.

…

She sighed, then began to pack up her belongings.

The school’s corridors were eerily silent as she walked through them, the darkness enveloping most of the space save for a few patches of dim light. It was so quiet that the only sound was the echo of her footsteps reverberating through the halls.

It was something that she was very much used to, especially during her night patrols.

However, on this particular night, she felt a chill down her spine. It felt as though it was crawling, twisting and turning wildly.

It was a very familiar sensation.

Yet, she continued to walk, seemingly lucid but asleep. Though her eyes were open, they were unfocused and distant, caught in a hazy trance.

Finally, she reached the rooftop.

The cold wind was the first thing to greet her, gently patting her as it swayed her hair. It seemed to shake her from her trance, snapping her back to reality.

Looking around, she shook her head, taking in the familiar surroundings. The large metal fences lined each side of the roof and solar panels were installed haphazardly on the ground. Underneath the dim moonlight, everything seemed to take on a different, almost surreal appearance.

With the minuscule moonlight reflecting off the solar panels and the metal fences looming over the roof, it resembled a fragmented, silvery maze under the night sky.

Heh. I must be getting old…

She turned to head back but…

“I just… don’t know how to feel about you.”

Serika’s words echoed in her mind, compelling her to halt abruptly.

Standing still on the rooftop, the breeze continued to play with her hair but the chill felt more profound as if it were freezing her in place.

…

Slowly dragging herself towards a nearby fence, she grasped it. The metal was cold to the touch but it was the only thing grounding her in the moment.

Finally, she took in the distant backdrop of the Abydos district, its faint lights twinkling against the dark horizon.

Her eyes narrowed at the sight, emotions inscrutable as she muttered with a hint of sorrow,

“To dream the impossible dream, huh?”

As she looked back, she saw a younger version of her with short hair, glaring at her… no more specifically at someone else.

Hoshino smiled as the sight seemingly faded into nonexistence, yet its presence could still be felt.

After all, it was a part of her and it still is.

She walked to the center of the rooftop and finally gazed upward. The stars, scattered across the dark expanse, twinkled with a quiet brilliance that broke the monotony of the night sky. Their delicate glow evoked memories of the past, casting a soft light on her reflection.

….

…

“Hoshino, look! There are stars, go on make your wish!”

THWACK!

“Idiot. Wishes are only for shooting stars.”

“Uhe… why did you hit me…”

She sniffed, rubbing her head. Despite the sting, a wistful smile slowly spread across her face as she looked up at the night sky, the twinkling stars reflecting in her eyes.

“But what’s the difference?”

“Hm?”

“They’re all stars regardless.”

Her companion concluded with a soft, thoughtful tone.

“…”

Hoshino fixed her with a long, searching look before letting out a sigh and shaking her head in mild exasperation.

“You’re truly hopeless.”

Despite her words, a faint, understanding smile tugged at her lips, acknowledging the truth in the sentiment.

….

…

Finally, she spoke while staring at the stars, her voice layered with a complex mix of emotions she couldn't fully decipher. Was it admiration? Joy? Sadness? Each feeling seemed to contradict the other, intertwining in a tangled mess.

“So this was what she felt when I said all that back then.”

She remained silent for a moment, gazing longingly at the sky. Her eyes, filled with a yearning to grasp something beyond her reach, softened as if searching for an answer among the stars but finding none.

After a while, an amused yet melancholic smile appeared on her face as she whispered,

“Am I doing enough as their senior?”

“Can I live up to your legacy?”

Her voice was barely audible, carried away by the gentle wind.

“…”

Finally, she sighed and turned to head back down. As she descended the stairs, her footsteps echoed in the empty hallways.

She watched over Abydos for the rest of the night.

…

…

<- Music Stop ->

Finally, Serika was alone.

“Weren’t we all just ‘outsiders’ before we joined Abydos?”

“Everyone has a wall and a full understanding is impossible — that much is clear.”

“But… we still have to talk, to try to understand each other even if it’s imperfect. That’s the only way we can grasp who they are as a person.”

She sat on the bed, still in her school uniform, unable to sleep as Shiroko’s words echoed in her mind.

“…”

Slapping her own cheeks lightly, she tried to muster some determination, muttering,

“I need to go apologise to Hoshino and…”

Her voice trailed off, wavering with doubt,

“…maybe give Roland Sensei another chance.”

She paused, staring down at her hands, before rubbing her chin and whispering,

“It’s… up to us to bring Abydos from the brink.”

“…”

“I can pay back back a little of the debt once I get my paycheck and then…”

<- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Soundtrack Full : Delirious - Yoshimasa Terui ->

Thud!

…!?

Serika jolted, her eyes snapping towards the unexpected noise. Instinctively, she jumped to her feet, her heart racing. A small canister rolled across the floor, hissing as it released a thick cloud of gas.

Panic gripped her as she accidentally inhaled some of the gas, her vision blurring and her head spinning. Desperate, she sprinted toward the window and leaped out, hitting the ground in a roll.

Before she could even process what was happening, bullets began to zip through the air around her, cutting through the night with a deadly hiss.

An ambush!?

Her body moved on instinct but even as she tried to evade, several bullets found their mark, searing pain blossoming in her limbs. She felt a strange lethargy creeping over her, a sluggishness that dulled her reactions.

I-I’m feeling more sluggish than usual… That gas…

Upon this realisation, she bolted towards the nearest cover, a parked car. The world felt like it was tilting as she ran. She felt a few more bullets graze her as she dove behind the car, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Tch!

She clutched her side, wincing from the pain. Taking a moment to collect herself, she cautiously peeked around the car, her eyes scanning the darkness for her assailants.

The Helmet Gang again!?

Reaching for her assault rifle, her heart sank as she realized her hand came up empty.

Crap!

Panic surged through her. She rifled through her pockets, desperately searching for anything useful. All she found were her wallet and phone. Her mind raced, trying to think of a plan.

What should I do? What should I do?

Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone. With shaking fingers, she quickly typed a message to the group chat.

i need help at my hosue! Helmet gang attacking me! ||

Now she just needed to stall-

CLANG!

The car shifted abruptly and within moments, it caught fire, the flames quickly growing.

With no other options, Serika summoned a burst of blue flames, enveloping herself in a small fiery aura. Using her enhanced speed, she bolted toward a nearby alleyway on her right, hoping to escape her attackers.

“Get her!”

She swerved wildly, weaving through a hail of bullets in a desperate bid to evade their relentless pursuit. The strain of sustaining the flames and the intense burst of speed quickly drained her and her consciousness began to waver. Panic surged within her as she grasped the severe toll it was taking, far greater than usual.

Damn it!

I need to lose them somehow…

Spotting a nearby dumpster, Serika quickly hoisted it up and hurled it toward her assailants in the narrow alleyway. The heavy metal container crashed into some of them, spilling garbage and eliciting yelps of disgust from the gang members. Taking advantage of the distraction, she dropped her aura of blue flames, desperately conserving her dwindling energy and sprinted away.

With her enhanced speed depleted, she forced herself to keep moving, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Emerging from the alleyway, she saw a street, dimly lit by sporadic streetlights casting long, eerie shadows. It offered little in the way of cover, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.

As she frantically scanned her surroundings, Serika spotted another alleyway ahead, partially obscured by the darkness. With no other options, she darted into the dark passage, hoping it would offer some form of salvation. The narrow alleyway seemed to stretch endlessly into the shadows, its unknown depths her only chance at escape.

Behind her, the sound of rapid footsteps grew louder, echoing off the walls. The brief distraction had only delayed a few of her pursuers but the majority were still hot on her heels, weapons drawn and ready.

“She’s in that alleyway! Go! Go!”

At the end of the alleyway, a high iron fence loomed ominously, obstructing her path. Gritting her teeth in frustration, Serika lunged toward it, her hands gripping the cold metal as she began to climb.

Rattle!

Her vision blurred intermittently, each distortion intensifying her dizziness. Desperation clawed at her, making it a struggle to stay conscious. Every movement felt like wading through molasses, the fence trembling and emitting harsh clanks with each shift of her weight.

Rattle!

Her fingers slipped and her muscles protested with every exertion but she forced herself to keep climbing. Each inch gained was small progress and her body felt like it was slogging through quicksand. Driven by sheer willpower and the urgent need to escape, she pushed through the rising tide of weakness and fatigue.

Finally, she reached the top-

<- Music Stop ->

CLINK! CLANG!

Before she could pull herself over the fence, a chain lashed through the air, wrapping tightly around her waist. Her eyes widened in shock as she was yanked backward, the rough metal cutting into her skin.

“Gah!”

Before she could react, a powerful punch slammed into her gut, knocking the wind out of her. As she crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath, her vision blurred. The last thing she saw was the row of shoes encircling her.

Sorry everyone. In the end, I was…

…

…

“Load her up.”

“Yes!”

Rabu ordered, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction. She sat down nearby, wincing slightly as she nursed her injuries from the earlier raid on Abydos.

While she watched her fellow delinquents put Serika inside a truck, she shook her head in disappointment,

“Tch, she could’ve been one of us.”

She sighed, lamenting,

"But orders are orders. What the higher-ups say goes and there's nothing I can do about it.”

She lingered for a few more moments, lost in thought before rising to her feet. With a sharp voice, she called out,

“Alright let’s get moving!”

However, just as she was about to take a step, a piercing voice sliced through the tense air.

“Who said you could start moving?”

What?

On high alert, she scanned her surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. The other delinquents beside her flinched, equally startled by the sudden interruption. They exchanged uneasy glances, wondering who could possibly be challenging them at this time and place.

At last, they spotted the source of the voice. In the dim light, two eyes glowed ominously — one blue, the other orange — piercing through the darkness with an unsettling intensity. The eyes seemed to belong to something that regarded them as mere obstacles, exuding an eerie and commanding presence.

Recognising the eyes, Rabu smirked, her voice laced with mockery.

"Hah... you actually came alone. Aren't you just a measly shielder?"

Step.

Step.

Step.

<- Limbus Company - Leviathan ->

The figure stepped into the light, revealing Hoshino. Her expression was cold and unyielding, devoid of any emotion as she stared down the group of delinquents. Her aura was calm yet intimidating, like the steady force of waves crashing against the shore.

Despite Rabu’s provocation, Hoshino remained composed, her gaze unflinching as she began to point? No… she started pointing at each and every single one of them? Even the ones in the dark?

One of the delinquents, his voice laced with mocking laughter, shouted out,

“Oi! What do you think you’re doing?”

She fixed them with a piercing stare, her voice chillingly calm as she replied,

“Counting the seconds that you all have left.”

…!?

Sensing an overwhelming wave of dread, Rabu instinctively shouted,

“Get the truck moving! Scatter now!”

As the truck roared to life and began to speed away, Rabu jumped onto the back, hoping the rest of her fellow delinquents would find a way to escape.

…

…

When was the last time she had felt this emotion?

She could not tell.

This burning, searing rage seemed to consume her from within, overwhelming every sense.

BOOM!

With a single step, she reached the nearest delinquent and slammed her riot shield with her entire momentum, akin to a marble launched from a slingshot. The impact sent the delinquent flying into a nearby wall, leaving a crater.

Even with such a display of overwhelming power, it sparked a retaliatory barrage of bullets, their deafening cracks slicing through the night.

She wove through the storm of gunfire, her shotgun blasting relentlessly. Each shot felled a few of the delinquents, her movements a blur of precision and speed.

Soon, a wave of grenades arced through the air, designed to stall her as the delinquents started fleeing.

Undeterred, she leapt into the air, her feet landing firmly against the side of a building. With a powerful grunt, she launched herself off the wall, soaring towards a group of delinquents. Her foot connected with one of them, crushing her helmet and creating a crater in the building's wall. The impact sent out a shockwave that launched several other delinquents nearby. With this maneuver-

BOOM!

Explosions erupted and a gas she suspected had been used on Serika burst behind her. A brief gust of wind tousled her hair as she assessed the situation.

Tch. I need to finish this in one go.

With eyes wide and glowing, she unleashed a relentless barrage of standard shotgun fire at several more delinquents. In a fluid, practiced motion, she swiftly swapped out her ammo type, her hands moving so quickly they seemed to blur. As she did, she stowed her shield into its briefcase form on her back.

She loaded a round she used to use frequently.

This will be expensive…Bah…

In that moment, time seemed to slow to a crawl. As she cocked the shotgun, it felt as though she held the very essence of apocalypse itself, poised to unleash an inferno. The weight of impending destruction hung heavy in the air, promising to set the world ablaze.

Dawn of Horus.

Raising the shotgun with both hands, she pulled the trigger.

BOOM!

In an instant, the environment erupted in a blinding flare. The impact triggered a cataclysmic explosion, sending shockwaves rippling through the area and unleashing an all-consuming inferno. Flames ignited by the explosive force roared and spread uncontrollably, fueled by the intense friction of the bullets.

It was a bullet type she had hoped never to use again.

A dragon’s breath round.

Amidst the devastation, she sprinted toward the direction where the truck had escaped. Its silhouette was barely discernible against the darkened horizon but she pressed on with relentless urgency, her focus locked on the distant shape.

However, a realisation struck her.

At this pace, I won't be able to catch up to Serika.

Despite this, she pushed on, her determination unwavering.

Unless…

Over the years, especially during her first year, she pushed her body to its absolute limits, achieving a performance level akin to that of a high-performance car.

Just as a driver fuels an engine and accelerates by pressing the gas pedal, her abilities functioned similarly, allowing her to perform extraordinary feats. One can argue that the condition and tuning of a vehicle are crucial to its performance.

Ultimately, though, a vehicle is merely a tool. The true potential lies in the skill and decisions of the driver.

As such, there was one particular ability she discovered.

Flow.

A state of perfect focus, where time slowed and every movement felt effortless. Senses sharpened and the body moved with supernatural precision. In this rare and powerful state, feats that seemed impossible became within reach.

But… can I reach her? No… I have to.

Taking a deep breath, she started with a steady walk that swiftly transitioned into a slow run. In no time, she reached her normal optimal sprinting speed. But it is not enough, she needed to go faster.

As she focused with unparalleled intensity, she felt time slow and her mind clear of all distractions. Her eyes glowed fiercely and with each powerful stride, her steps began to create small craters, each movement resembling more of a leap than a run.

Normally, this level of effort would be sufficient for most situations as pushing beyond it risks severe bodily harm. Yet, she quickly realised she was only making minimal progress.

With no other choice, she forced herself to push beyond her limits. Her muscles screamed in protest, twitching and tightening under the relentless strain. Time seemed to stretch and slow as she focused intently. Her movements though still tethered to this distorted perception of time, gained a new level of potential, accelerating beyond her previous limits.

Now, the small craters she left behind grew into deep impressions as she moved with such speed that she appeared as little more than a blur to the naked eye.

She was closing in on the truck.

…

…

“Hah… I hope they’re okay.”

Rabu muttered, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a shout shattered her reverie.

“There’s someone trailing us!”

“What! How?”

“T-T-T-They’re running?!”

Rabu was flabbergasted.

She flung open the truck’s back door and, to her astonishment, spotted a pink figure in the distance rapidly gaining on them. Her eyes widened in disbelief and she shouted at the driver,

“Drive quicker!”

“It’s already at top speed!”

“What!? Damn it, who is that shielder?!”

Left with no choice, she began firing her shotgun at the blur in the distance. Yet, to her dismay, she quickly realised the futility of her efforts. Despite her relentless barrage, the bullets seemed to phase through the figure, having no discernible effect.

“Tch, get me the grenades, we’ll start throwing them at her!”

“Yes!”

The delinquents still with Rabu frantically grabbed several crates filled with grenades.

In a panic, Rabu began yanking out pins with her teeth, tossing the grenades one after another. The others followed suit, launching the explosive devices in a desperate attempt to slow down the approaching blur.

BOOM!

WOOSH!

PSSSH!

The explosions roared violently, hurling plumes of gas and debris into the air. Rabu flinched at the sheer force of the blasts, her gaze fixed with a mix of hope and apprehension that the threat had been neutralised. Yet, as the smoke began to lift, Hoshino emerged from the haze, seemingly unscathed and closing in at an alarming speed.

“What the hell…?”

Rabu’s mind raced. The fact that bullets and a barrage of grenades had proved ineffective against a single student was unprecedented. She also had a sinking feeling that deploying her chains might only make matters worse. The question was — what could possibly stop someone who seemed impervious to conventional attacks?

"She's almost on us!”

Another delinquent shouted, hurling another grenade in desperation. The explosive sailed through the air but it was futile — Hoshino kept advancing, undeterred by the barrage.

Finally, an idea struck her.

"Give me a crate full of explosives!"

She yanked the crate open, pulled the pin on one of the grenades and hurled the entire crate out. The contents scattered like spores in the wind, spreading out in every direction.

“Now, start firing!”

At her command, everyone unleashed a barrage of bullets at the swirling blur.

What happened next was a spectacle.

The air erupted in a frenzy of flashing lights and deafening gunfire. Explosions roared and bullets ricocheted wildly, creating a maelstrom of destruction that consumed everything in its path. The sheer intensity painted a surreal, apocalyptic tableau against the backdrop of swirling smoke and roaring flames.

Amidst the devastation, the force of the explosions even jolted the truck forward, propelling it with a sudden, unexpected surge.

“W-Woah!”

Rabu nearly stumbled, struggling to maintain her balance against the shockwave of the blast. Regaining her footing, she peered through the smoke-

Only to find herself face-to-face with Hoshino.

Everything seemed to slow down.

Hoshino’s right arm was outstretched, almost touching the back of the truck. Her left arm, bearing a heavily smoking riot shield, was poised with unnatural calmness. Her eyes glowed with a ferocity that contrasted sharply with her serene expression, making her seem almost otherworldly.

What the fuck!

Panic surged through Rabu.

Did she use the explosions to propel herself here!?

Yet, in that fleeting moment as Hoshino almost grasped the back of the truck, her right hand barely touched its edge before she lost her grip and tumbled away, disappearing into the swirling chaos behind her in a fleeting gust of smoke.

Stunned, Rabu rubbed her eyes in disbelief. If Hoshino hadn't slipped, she would have caught up with them even while they were speeding away on a truck.

What a monster…

…

…

<- Blue Archive 134 - Gestalt Angst ->

THUD!

THUD!

Thud!

Thud.

…

Amidst the swirling smoke from the impact, Hoshino lay on the ground, gasping for breath. Her entire body ached and as she attempted to stand, she crumpled back onto her back. Scorch marks marred her skin from the final attack, left a persistent burning sensation. While she was not gravely injured, it was primarily her own exertion which caused the pain.

She tried to rise but collapsed again, her body refusing to cooperate. Each attempt ended with her hitting the asphalt, the cold, hard surface pressing into her back.

…

As she glanced forward, the truck slowly disappeared into the distance, becoming a mere speck.

In the end, she could only look up at the sky.

…

There were no stars.

…

“I-I couldn’t reach her.”

She murmured.

She lay in silence for a moment, her thoughts tightening around her like a vise. It felt as though she was sinking, drowning in a sea of despair. There was no air to breathe, no salvation to seek — only a stark, oppressive familiarity in everything she had witnessed.

Damn it!

Why did I sleep!?

Was it because I’ve been feeling more tired lately?

Or from my frequent night patrols?

…

This is all my fault.

I should have looked out for her.

I should have seen what she was up to.

She laughed bitterly, the scene all too familiar.

In the end…In the end…

In the end…In the end…

I̷n̴ ̶t̷h̴e̵ ̵e̸n̴d̵…̴I̷n̴ ̶t̷h̴e̵ ̵e̸n̴d̵…̴

Ỉ̷̭n̷̢͛ ̵̛͖t̴̼͑h̷̙͋è̴̳ ̶͎̌█̵̭̌█̶̦̅█̸̲̅.̷̼̑.̴͈́.̶̟͊Ỉ̷̭n̷̢͛ ̵̛͖t̴̼͑h̷̙͋è̴̳ ̶͎̌█̵̭̌█̶̦̅█̸̲̅.̷̼̑.̴͈́.̶̟͊

I̸̗̘̗͈͑͘n̴͙͎̟͗ ̵͓͍̳̳̫͖͂̅͝ṫ̴̛̳h̶̞͈̻̪̔̚e̵̛̟̦̾͌͐ͅͅ ̶̙͔̪̍͝█̴̜̼̻̀̌͐̈́̏́█̴̯͔̺̼͉̍͐́͂́█̸̰͙͚̠͈͉̀̓̚.̵̛͍̹͎̥̮͍͚̍̍͗̀.̶̗͖̯͑́͆.̴̡̛̬̟͚͎̗̫͌̏̆̏I̸̗̘̗͈͑͘n̴͙͎̟͗ ̵͓͍̳̳̫͖͂̅͝ṫ̴̛̳h̶̞͈̻̪̔̚e̵̛̟̦̾͌͐ͅͅ ̶̙͔̪̍͝█̴̜̼̻̀̌͐̈́̏́█̴̯͔̺̼͉̍͐́͂́█̸̰͙͚̠͈͉̀̓̚.̵̛͍̹͎̥̮͍͚̍̍͗̀.̶̗͖̯͑́͆.̴̡̛̬̟͚͎̗̫͌̏̆̏

Ǐ̶̢͉̗̖͚̫͓͛̈́͘̚͠ņ̷̯̘̦͙̎̔ ̷̛̜͍̮̰͊̊̈̽̔̓ṫ̵̢͚͙̱̽͒̃͝h̷̭̯̘̤̤̪̊█̷̖͍̳̞̱̏̊̀̈́̆ ̵̬̣̪̮̙͙̖̿͆͋͐̿̊█̵̡͕͔̀̉̌̂̚█̸̝̣̮̠̯̈́́́͐̑͐̊█̵̪̮̀̇͌̀̄͘.̷̼̼̞̑̓̏̃͊͊.̸̪̝̠͎̫̽̽̚.̶̯̬̦̦̭̝͐́Ǐ̶̢͉̗̖͚̫͓͛̈́͘̚͠ņ̷̯̘̦͙̎̔ ̷̛̜͍̮̰͊̊̈̽̔̓ṫ̵̢͚͙̱̽͒̃͝h̷̭̯̘̤̤̪̊█̷̖͍̳̞̱̏̊̀̈́̆ ̵̬̣̪̮̙͙̖̿͆͋͐̿̊█̵̡͕͔̀̉̌̂̚█̸̝̣̮̠̯̈́́́͐̑͐̊█̵̪̮̀̇͌̀̄͘.̷̼̼̞̑̓̏̃͊͊.̸̪̝̠͎̫̽̽̚.̶̯̬̦̦̭̝͐́

Ȉ̵̡̤̳̖͖͌ͅ█̴͙̱̬̬͐̍͜ ̷̧͇̞̞͎̮̊t̷̟̙̯́█̷͖͔̰͗̑͑█̷̝̘̝̩̭̉̄̄ ̷͎̩̮͊̃̑̅̕█̴̧͓̙̰̘̫̬̏̓̋̃̊̅̕█̵̢̨̪͍͙͇́́͆͐̉͜█̷̞̥̇̎͒͆.̶͙͎̝͑̎͒͂̌̌.̴͖̭̞̖͘.̵̢͍͈̣͕͂̓͊̏͘͝Ȉ̵̡̤̳̖͖͌ͅ█̴͙̱̬̬͐̍͜ ̷̧͇̞̞͎̮̊t̷̟̙̯́█̷͖͔̰͗̑͑█̷̝̘̝̩̭̉̄̄ ̷͎̩̮͊̃̑̅̕█̴̧͓̙̰̘̫̬̏̓̋̃̊̅̕█̵̢̨̪͍͙͇́́͆͐̉͜█̷̞̥̇̎͒͆.̶͙͎̝͑̎͒͂̌̌.̴͖̭̞̖͘.̵̢͍͈̣͕͂̓͊̏͘͝

█̷̛̜̲̘̺̠̉̽̕͝█̶̣͑́͝ ̷̯̀́͐█̵̛̻͍͕̐̂̓̌͝█̶̜̻̮̦̟̭͑̊█̸͖̟̲͓͕̿̅́͂́̚ ̴̡̖̺̟̝̪̾͐́̂█̵̤̥̥̪̘͙̍͂█̷͔̟̝̻̚͜ͅ█̷͕͍̣͎͇̝̃̔̾͒͛.̴͙̤͙̞̂̍̀͑̈́.̴̡͚̋̀̐.̶̡̛̘̻̱͌͐͠█̷̛̜̲̘̺̠̉̽̕͝█̶̣͑́͝ ̷̯̀́͐█̵̛̻͍͕̐̂̓̌͝█̶̜̻̮̦̟̭͑̊█̸͖̟̲͓͕̿̅́͂́̚ ̴̡̖̺̟̝̪̾͐́̂█̵̤̥̥̪̘͙̍͂█̷͔̟̝̻̚͜ͅ█̷͕͍̣͎͇̝̃̔̾͒͛.̴͙̤͙̞̂̍̀͑̈́.̴̡͚̋̀̐.̶̡̛̘̻̱͌͐͠

Ǐ̶̻̥͍̞̯̬̤͈̞̃̇͌̍͝ ̶͓̣͖͍̱͎̺̮̻͗͛̈̃̆̅̈́͗́̿͒̍ͅà̴͓͍͔͓̫̬̼̭̰̈́̒̓m̵̨̢̦͙͉̥̤̦̮̲̹̮̪͙̈̿̈́̀̎́͊́̂̽͐̄̍̋̕̕͜͝-̶̡̛͕̪̬̫͈̲͕͖̝̜̫͓̝̖͉͇̙̈͋̃̔̂̎̆̄̚͘͝

<- Blue Archive 21 - Midnight Trip ->

BEEP! BEEP!

Huh?

“Hoshino! You’re hurt!”

“A-Ayane? Everyone?”

Before she could even react, they were already by her side.

Ayane, Shiroko, and Nonomi, their faces etched with concern, leapt out of a blue jeep.

“H-How did you manage to find me?”

The three students turned their heads towards the jeep, prompting Hoshino to follow suit though with some difficulty.

“You look like you’ve been through the wringer. What happened?”

Roland asked, leaning against the jeep with his arms crossed. His expression was a blend of concern and curiosity.

“Nn, we want to know too.”

Shiroko said, gripping her assault rifle tightly. Her monotone voice carried a deeper note than usual.

“Yup! We’re gonna have to teach them a lesson for messing with us!”

Nonomi added cheerfully, her smile widening. Yet, a fierce glint in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Despite the supportive words, Hoshino locked eyes with Roland, her gaze sharp and intense. He met her stare with a mixture of concern and curiosity. In that fleeting moment, their silent exchange spoke volumes, a deep, unspoken understanding passing between them. The other students observed closely, their interest piqued by the weight of the wordless connection.

Finally, Hoshino let out a weary sigh.

“Uhe… looks like this Ojisan pushed herself too hard~.”

She struggled to her feet with considerable effort, surprising the others with her determination.

“But we still need to go rescue Serika.”

Her resolve was clear, despite her evident exhaustion.

“B-But you’re-”

“Shh, Ayane. With you all here, I feel like I can go another round.”

Hoshino stretched and smiled, meeting the concerned gazes of those around her. Wobbling towards the jeep, she exchanged a final glance with Roland. Just as she was about to continue, Ayane stepped in front of her.

“But let me check up on you while we drive to where Serika is.”

“Huh? Aren’t you the one driving?”

Ayane shook her head, casting a sidelong glance at Roland. His expression combined exasperation with resigned amusement as he shook his head and deadpanned,

“Yeah, I guess I’m a kickass grade 9 driver now. Ready for any pick-up services you need...”

At this, Hoshino looked at Roland as if he had just sprouted another head, then shook her head with a bemused smile.

“Heh.”

With that, she climbed into the jeep.

Abydos was ready to free Serika.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 67 - someday, sometime ->

Serika woke up.

The air was thick and suffocating, each breath coming with great effort. The floor beneath her was hard and cold, stripping away any remaining warmth and leaving her shivering in the pitch-black chamber. The truck’s stillness only deepened the chill, intensifying the oppressive cold that seemed to seep into her very bones.

Realising her hands were bound, she gritted her teeth and strained against the restraints, her blue aura flaring briefly. Despite her efforts, the binds held firm. As frustration mounted, her thoughts began to overwhelm her.

It’s dark.

The Helmet Gang… where could they have taken me!?

A-Are they going to bury me somewhere in the desert so no one can find me?

Maybe everyone will think I bailed on them and left like all the other students.

…

Will they think I betrayed them?

…

I’m just trying to do my best but why is it that…

…my efforts were all in vain?

…

Even if I get out of these binds…

What future awaits me?

…

Even if I escape and return to normalcy…

Could we even clear the debt?

…

Even if there were no more debt…

Would it mean anything?

…

Then, Shiroko’s thoughts came to light but…

“Weren’t we all just ‘outsiders’ before we joined Abydos?”

“█████ has a ████ and a ████ understanding is █████████ — ███ much is █████.”

“But… we ████ have to ████, to try to █████████ each ███████ even if it’s ████████. That’s the ████ way we can █████ who they are as a ██████.”

…

In the end, we’re just outsiders. That’s all we’ll ever be.

…

Is this… how I’m going to die…?

Maybe there was never any hope for us.

The multitude of her thoughts tightened its grip. As darkness closed in, she was engulfed by an overwhelming sense of emptiness. Gradually, an unnatural swirl of warm, bright blue aura began to encircle her, its presence both strange and unsettling.

Yet, despite the warmth that sought to comfort her, she resisted. Her aura flickered and waned, gradually dissipating into nothing more than a faint wisp against the encroaching void.

In the end, there was nothing she could do.

<- Music Stop ->

BOOM!

Eh?

The truck jolted violently and distant screams pierced the air — something about an attack? Before she could react, the door was blown open, flooding the chamber with fresh air.

“Nn, I found Serika with tears in her eyes.”

Shiroko smiled as she stepped into the truck, quickly handing Serika her assault rifle and earpiece.

Stunned, Serika could only stare at Shiroko in silence, feeling as though the unfolding events were a surreal dream. The voices crackling through her earpiece snapped her back to reality.

“Serika!”

Ayane’s concerned voice rang out.

“That’s great!”

Nonomi’s exclamation came through, accompanied by the distant sound of her minigun.

“I’m glad.”

Hoshino’s relieved tone followed, providing a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

<- NemesisTheory - Rose At Twilight ->

However, Serika’s uncertainty remained.

“But I…”

Shiroko gently squeezed her shoulders, offering a reassuring smile.

“Welcome back, Serika.”

With that, Shiroko swiftly exited the truck, her assault rifle firing in precise bursts as she deftly evaded incoming fire while reloading.

Serika remained silent, grappling with the weight of her emotions.

But, steeling herself, she followed Shiroko into the fray. Despite her resolve, her hands trembled as she joined the assault.

…

…

“Arona, how’s the status of everyone.”

[ “Mhm. Shiroko and Serika are together with Ayane’s support. Nonomi and Hoshino are paired up.” ]

Arona responded promptly, her tone tinged with curiosity at Roland’s inquiry.

“I see…”

Roland surveyed the chaotic scene from his vantage point atop the train, the twilight sky casting an eerie glow over the unfolding battle below.

“What should I do…?”

He muttered to himself.

…

…

“This kind of reminds me of the old days, doesn’t it?”

Hoshino mused, her movements growing noticeably sluggish as she deflected bullets with Iron Horus.

“It sure does~”

Nonomi agreed, her voice bright despite the chaos, pressing her back against Hoshino’s.

In the dim light of the night, their eyes glowed with their distinct hues. Hoshino’s eyes reflected a weary orange and blue, mirroring her exhaustion. In contrast, Nonomi’s eyes gleamed with a vivid green, wide and sharp, carrying a spark of exhilaration amidst the tumult.

Yet, both sets of eyes had a common effect. The delinquents faltered, their sanity wavering under the intense, unsettling gaze that seemed to pierce through the tumultuous night.

Nonomi was the first to speak up, her tone filled with anticipation.

“Shall we?”

Hoshino offered a wry smile, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

“Sure.”

As soon as the words left her lips, chaos erupted. Hoshino swiftly raised Iron Horus, deflecting a hail of bullets with a metallic clang. Simultaneously, Nonomi's minigun roared to life, unleashing a storm of lead that mowed down the delinquents advancing from behind Hoshino.

Using the cover provided by Nonomi's suppressive fire, Hoshino sprang into action. She launched herself with a powerful leap, landing smoothly into a slide that carried her across the ground. Nonomi's bullets whizzed overhead, creating a deadly canopy that prevented any enemies from closing in.

Hoshino reached the front lines with practiced fluidity, her movements precise and unyielding. With a wide swing of Iron Horus, she unleashed a small shockwave that rippled through the air, knocking back the delinquents. As she confronted the enemies taking cover by the train, Nonomi adjusted her focus, shifting her fire to other strategic areas to keep the pressure on.

Nonomi's minigun roared as she targeted the delinquents attempting to flank Hoshino. Her shots were calculated and precise, forcing the enemies to stay pinned behind cover. The synergy between the two was evident while Hoshino engaged the front lines, Nonomi provided vital support, preventing any attempts to overwhelm them.

Stunned by Hoshino's initial shockwave, the delinquents struggled to regain their footing. But before they could recover, Hoshino pressed her advantage. With a swift, practiced motion, she pulled out her shotgun and fired, taking full advantage of the enemies' disorientation. The blast downed several delinquents, further disrupting their ranks and leaving them vulnerable.

“Mhm, nice job!”

Nonomi praised gleefully, a wide grin spreading across her face.

“Heh.”

Hoshino responded with a small, satisfied smile.

In that instant, several more delinquents appeared atop the abandoned trains surrounding the area. The chains they wielded gleamed ominously under the moonlight. A group of them, positioned on separate trains, quickly shifted their focus to Nonomi, throwing their chains toward her.

CLINK! CLANK!

“Ara~? ☆”

The chains wrapped around Nonomi, seemingly trapping her.

“Ha! We got one of you now! Surrender!”

One of the delinquents shouted triumphantly.

But Hoshino only smiled in amusement at the scene, shaking her head as if she found the situation comical.

“Heh, that’s not going to work on her.”

“Huh?”

In an impressive display, Nonomi broke free from the chains with ease. The remnants flew into the air, catching the green hue emanating from her eyes. With a wide smile and closed eyes, she deftly snatched the chains out of the air in one swift motion and started spinning.

The delinquents, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, made the mistake of holding onto the chains. As Nonomi spun faster, the force pulled them off balance, lifting some off their feet. With a powerful swing, she sent them flying into the air, scattering them like leaves in a storm. Their cries of surprise echoed as they landed haphazardly across the scene, disoriented and dazed.

With a satisfied expression, Nonomi clapped her hands, brushing off any dust.

“That should wrap things up on our end~”

She said cheerfully.

“Yup. We should go check up on the others.”

Hoshino replied matter-of-factly.

BOOM!

Just then, Ayane's urgent voice crackled through the earpiece.

"Shiroko's down! We need assistance, now!"

…

…

"Nn… we need to hold our ground, Serika,"

Shiroko called out, taking cover behind a train as a tank shell exploded nearby. She clicked a remote, and a drone overhead launched a volley of missiles, toppling one of the tanks with a series of precise hits.

But that was only one tank.

There were multiple tanks advancing, the remnants of the enemy’s backup. Shiroko had anticipated only a few but this show of force was unexpected, especially considering the losses they had sustained earlier in the morning. The sheer scale of the firepower now bearing down on them was surprising, revealing just how much strength they had been hiding.

Who could be supplying them with such weaponry? It doesn’t make sense for a mere gang to have access to this kind of firepower.

Not only that but a swarm of delinquents had flooded the area, forcing them into a hit-and-run strategy. Unfortunately, this tactic proved largely ineffective against the heavily armed tanks that dominated the battlefield. Their strengths lay in speed and precise strikes, not in dealing with widespread threats.

“Serika, let’s move! Ayane, I need another package of missiles at the next train!”

“Mhm…” | “Yes!”

Serika hummed with a hint of distraction while Ayane’s voice crackled with determination.

They sprinted towards another train, firing back at the delinquents as they advanced. The relentless cycle of engagement and evasion took its toll, sweat streaming down their faces as they fought to maintain their momentum.

<- Limbus Company - Middle Finger Toujou ->

WHIP!

“Watch out!”

Shiroko shouted.

Without hesitation, she dove toward Serika, pulling them both to the ground just in time to dodge a chain that snapped through the air like a serpent. The chain barely missed them, its sharp end striking the ground with a metallic thud.

As swiftly as it had struck, the chain recoiled back to its owner like a loyal pet returning to its master.

Shiroko rolled to the side and sprang to her feet, her eyes scanning the area for the source of the attack. Meanwhile, Serika struggled to regain her footing, shaken by the close call.

A voice echoed through the chaos, laced with irritation,

“Tch, why couldn’t you all just stand down and let me do my job for once.”

Rabu emerged from the shadows, her chain weapon coiling like a serpent around her left arm, while her right hand gripped a shotgun.

Her face showed clear exasperation, irritated by the unexpected resistance they were encountering.

“I could say the same for you. You already lost once so what makes you think this time will be any different?”

Shiroko stared defiantly at Rabu, her eyes dilating and glowing a dim blue in the darkness.

Upon hearing this, Rabu laughed and pointed behind Shiroko.

Puzzled, Shiroko turned to see Serika standing motionless, her hands trembling. It was clear that the sight of Rabu had left her paralysed with fear.

As Rabu’s laughter finally subsided, giving way to brief, mocking snickers. Wiping a tear from her eye, she addressed them with a sneer.

“With all the tanks we’ve got and being on our turf, do you really think you can win or escape unscathed?”

Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper, her eyes briefly glowing red.

“Especially after what y’all have done.”

Rabu’s smirk widened as she twirled her chain weapon menacingly.

“And it looks like your friend here isn't too eager to fight either. Why don't you just hand her over? Maybe we'll let you off with a slap on the wrist.”

To emphasise her threat, she struck the ground with her chain as she said ‘slap’, the sharp thud echoing ominously. The sound carried an unmistakable malice, underscoring the word with a heavy emphasis.

Shiroko shook her head, her expression hardening as she gritted her teeth.

“No. She’s part of the Foreclosure Task Force and my friend! I believe in her!”

Serika’s eyes widened slightly, her surprise evident.

“S-Shiroko…”

She whispered, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty in her voice.

This caused Rabu’s eyes to narrow, a sigh escaping her lips. She evidently made up her mind and immediately called out,

“Blast them.”

Damn it, we talked for too long.

As Rabu's command rang out, the tanks that had once been distant now loomed ominously close. Their cannons pivoted menacingly into position and the ground quaked with the weight of their impending assault. Shiroko’s eyes widened with urgent determination.

“Serika, move!”

Driven by a surge of adrenaline, Shiroko yanked Serika into motion. The calm composure they once had shattered, replaced by a frantic scramble for safety. They sprinted towards cover as the tanks unleashed their fury. Shells whistled through the air before exploding with deafening force, sending tremors through the earth and showering debris around them.

Despite their desperate sprint for safety, a stray shell arced toward Serika with deadly precision. Time seemed to slow as Serika’s eyes locked onto the impending disaster. But before she could react, Shiroko hurled herself in front of Serika, intercepting the shell.

BOOM!

The explosion erupted with a violent roar and Shiroko’s body was hurled through the air, her silhouette briefly illuminated against the fiery blaze. Serika could only watch in horror as Shiroko's form flew above her, the shockwave throwing her off balance.

Shiroko crashed to the ground, her halo flickering and then fading. She lay motionless, unconscious from the impact.

"Shiroko's down! We need assistance, now!"

Ayane’s voice briefly blared out in her earpiece.

But Serika was overwhelmed with despair. Her eyes locked onto Shiroko’s motionless form and guilt consumed her. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders — she was the one who had dragged Shiroko into this peril. Her breaths became shallow and erratic as she covered her mouth, struggling to contain her distress.

“See? This is what happens when you don’t cooperate.”

Rabu said, her voice dripping with contempt as she patted Serika’s back.

<- Limbus Company - Nervous Story Theme ->

THUD!

A loud thud echoed, followed by a gust of smoke. Hoshino emerged from the haze, her presence commanding immediate attention.

“Y-You!?”

Rabu’s voice wavered as she instinctively took a step back. However, upon seeing Hoshino’s weakened stance, she steadied herself and reconsidered for a moment before backing away, prompting to observe instead.

Hoshino approached Serika with careful steps, her eyes flicking briefly to the unconscious Shiroko. Each movement was deliberate, revealing her fatigue.

“Serika…”

“…”

When Serika met Hoshino’s gaze, she looked down at the ground, her shoulders slumping and ears drooping in deep remorse.

In response, Hoshino clenched her fists, a momentary flash of pain crossing her face. She quickly composed herself, her expression hardening with resolve.

As she redirected her focus to Rabu and raised her shotgun, a slight tremor in her arm revealed the depth of her inner turmoil.

Rabu, sweating profusely, scanned the area frantically, weighing her options. It was then that her eyes landed on someone familiar and recognition dawned on her.

“What? You’re still here?”

“…”

In the dim light, Roland almost disappeared into the shadows, his black suit blending seamlessly with the darkness as he observed the scene intently.

When Rabu spoke, he stepped forward with measured strides, placing himself equidistant from both sides. His expression was unreadable, revealing nothing of his thoughts or intentions.

Confusion etched on her face, Rabu spoke,

“I can’t believe it… you’re actually still here in Abydos?”

“…”

“Look at them. Can’t you see they’re not worth your time?”

“…”

“Have they even told you that it’s impossible for Abydos to-”

“Yes, I know.”

“…?!”

Rabu blinked in surprise.

“I know about the debt.”

Both Hoshino and Serika stared at Roland in astonishment. Nonomi, arriving just in time, caught only fragments of the conversation but could sense the mounting tension. As Shiroko began to stir from her unconscious state, Ayane watched the scene unfold with intense focus from her drone’s control.

Rabu sputtered,

“Then, why are you still here despite knowing that?”

<- Ing'gE - Constant Moderato (MIDNIGHT VER.) from blue archive ->

“Frankly… I don’t know.”

“…?”

"I know there's no point in helping a school like this. It’s nothing more than a lost cause.”

Roland paused, closing his eyes as if searching for the right words. When he opened them again, there was a quiet resolve in his gaze.

"But... I have this feeling that if I keep going, there's something at the end of the road waiting for me."

Rabu's eyes narrowed, a mix of disbelief and irritation crossing her features.

“You’re joking.”

Roland did not respond but walked towards Serika. Kneeling in front of her, he studied her with a look of recognition, a smile playing at the corners of his lips — an expression filled with complex emotions.

“Y’know, I recognise that look on your face.”

“…?”

“It’s as if no matter what you do, everything feels futile in the end, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“But… it’s still not too late for you.”

He gently grasped her shoulders and pulled out an Abydos magazine, showing her the cover — the same one Ayane had given him the day before.

“You just have to remember why you’re here in the first place.”

At that moment, every Abydos student focused intently, their attention drawn to Roland’s words.

“Everyone has a wall and a full understanding is impossible — that much is clear.”

“But… we still have to talk, to try to understand each other even if it’s imperfect. That’s the only way we can grasp who they are as a person.”

Serika’s eyes widened as the words struck a chord within her. Something flickered to life in her gaze as she stared at the magazine, her resolve visibly rekindled. Without a word, she stepped in front of Hoshino, catching her by surprise.

“Serika?”

“Let me handle this.”

Serika’s voice was firm, her body now surrounded by wisps of blue flames as she spoke.

“Are you sure?”

Hoshino asked again, her voice tinged with worry as she glanced at Serika, her shotgun almost forgotten as she focused entirely on her.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Serika glanced at her trembling palms, then clenched her fists, steeling herself.

“…”

<- coldrain - REMEMBER ->

Rabu’s frustration bubbled over as she snarled,

“If that’s the way it’s going to be…”

With a fierce swipe, she slammed her helmet down to cover her face and shouted,

“Then, let’s settle this once and for all!”

With a powerful leap, Rabu lunged at Serika, her frustration evident in every movement. But Serika quickly dodged to the left, forcing Rabu to chase her into another area.

Meanwhile, the tanks unleashed a barrage of shells, their firepower aimed at the remaining Abydos students, Roland called out,

“Arona.”

[ “Yup!” ]

In an instant, a shimmering blue barrier enveloped the students, effectively shielding them from the incoming barrage of tank shells.

Without missing a beat, he added,

“Hoshino, I’ll be entrusting you with this side of things.”

“…”

Hoshino locked eyes with Roland as if searching for something within him. After a moment, she sighed deeply and let out a weary yawn.

“I suppose it can’t be helped.”

She stretched her back, preparing for the task ahead. With a confident smile and her eyes glowing a vibrant blue and orange, she turned to the remaining Abydos students.

“Let’s go. It’s time to show them what Abydos is really made of.”

…

…

Even though I said that…

Serika dodged a lash from Rabu’s chain, returning fire as she manoeuvred.

She’s tanky as heck!

“Tch, what a nuisance…”

Rabu muttered under her breath, frustration evident in her voice. She struggled to land a hit as Serika deftly evaded each attack.

In a fit of irritation, Rabu swung her chain with renewed aggression, increasing the rate of fire from her shotgun. The rapid barrage kicked up sand and debris, creating a chaotic storm of gunfire and flailing chains.

Serika’s fiery blue aura flared even brighter in response, transforming her movements into a blur of swift, calculated dodges. From a fair distance, she weaved through the chaos, her bullets now imbued with the same blue flames, flying with increased speed and precision.

However, the relentless cat-and-mouse chase and the continuous barrages only served to intensify Rabu’s anger. As her frustration grew, a fierce red aura enveloped her, heightening both the ferocity and speed of her attacks.

Seeing this, Serika came to a realisation.

At this rate, I’m going to exhaust myself…

…

Will I lose again?

As Serika deftly dodged the relentless onslaught, her mind raced to find a vulnerability amidst the chaos. Yet, despite her efforts, doubt began to creep in. The more she tried, the more it seemed her attacks were in vain.

“Serika, can you hear me?”

Roland’s voice crackled through her earpiece.

“Huh? Roland… Sensei?”

“Good, you’re receiving me. You’ll need to catch her off-guard and deliver a decisive blow.”

“B-But that’s impossible!”

“Not if you observe her closely. Watch for when she loses control, that will be your time to strike.”

“Huh? You expect me to go in that!?”

There was a sigh on the other end before Roland’s voice returned, steady and firm,

“Yes, you can do this. Focus on her movements and wait for the right moment. Trust yourself.”

“…”

“Hoshino and the others are doing their best to hold off the tanks so don’t worry about them.”

“…?”

“I’ll be watching from here.”

Serika glanced at Roland, who was seated on top of a train, his gaze fixed intently on the battle.

Roland... Sensei...? He's watching me?

…

They are counting on me. They’re giving everything they’ve got...

…

...If they’re fighting with everything they have, then I need to push even harder.

…

I have to go even further beyond!

With renewed determination, Serika’s eyes blazed with a fierce red glow and her blue flames crackled violently. The heat scorched the sand beneath her and the intensity of her aura became a tangible force.

“Hoh? You seem a bit different than before.”

Rabu remarked, her voice tinged with both surprise and challenge.

“Then, come at me!”

As Rabu spoke, she hurled another chain attack, now wreathed in a menacing crimson aura. Serika barely evaded the swing, a chain grazing her cheek as she swiftly closed the distance between them, her speed increasing with every step.

“Serika, behind you!”

Roland’s voice came through urgently.

Reacting swiftly, Serika rolled to the right, narrowly evading the chain that whipped back to her previous position. Rising to her feet, she faced Rabu with a defiant glare and unleashed a volley of enhanced bullets which Rabu began deflecting with her chains.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

Serika taunted.

Rabu clicked her tongue in annoyance, gritting her teeth as her frustration escalated. In a fit of rage, she unleashed another assault on Serika — a flurry of bullets, chains and sand kicked up by her frenzied attacks. Desperately, she tried to blind Serika by kicking up more sand in her direction, hoping to catch her off guard.

But this was precisely the signal Serika needed.

Her thoughts raced in bullet time as she muttered to herself,

“I can do this… I can do this…”

“No… I must do this for them!”

STEP!

In that moment, Serika drew a deep breath and sprinted forward. Her fiery blue aura flared intensely, expanding dramatically before settling back to its usual size. Yet, if one observed closely, occasional sparks of red and black electricity danced within the aura.

The sensation was both painful and invigorating — like something was burning up from within, accompanied by an unfamiliar pricking shock that felt like tiny punctures on her skin. Despite the discomfort, she could now discern the chaotic patterns of the chains, bullets and sand hurtling toward her.

Dodging the onslaught proved to be another challenge entirely. Even though Serika could discern the patterns, the effort pushed her mind into overdrive, causing her to miss some of the attacks. Several strikes hit her but she pressed on, determined to reach her target.

CLINK! CLANK!

As Serika neared Rabu, she was ensnared by chains. Her eyes widened in focused determination as she saw Rabu’s fist barreling toward her face.

CRACK!

In a burst of energy, Serika exploded from the chains, narrowly evading the punch. She swiftly manoeuvred to Rabu’s side where the attack whiffed past her. Her right fist, now burning with an ethereal spark of red and black, was poised and ready for the counterstrike.

In that suspended moment, everything seemed to freeze.

Rabu’s surprised expression peeking out from beneath her mask.

Serika’s unwavering focus as she zeroed in on Rabu’s unprotected side.

Rabu’s surprise under her mask.

Serika’s unwavering focus on her side.

Rabu’s surprise.

Serika’s focus.

Rabu.

Serika.

SMASH!

BOOM!

The impact of Serika’s blow landed with tremendous force. Her fiery aura erupted in a dazzling display, with sparks of electricity bursting outward in chaotic arcs. The sheer power of the attack sent Rabu hurtling backward, crashing into a nearby train and tearing a gaping hole in its side.

The spectacle was so intense, like fireworks exploding in the dark that everyone on the battlefield paused to watch. Their collective heads turned, eyes wide with awe and disbelief as the scene unfolded beneath the twilight sky.

Serika panted heavily, the strain from her powerful attack causing her to collapse to her knees. Before she could catch her breath, Rabu dragged herself out of the train, her body scorched and crackling with residual electricity. Fragments of her chain trailed behind her, scraping across the sand.

Serika tensed, her senses sharp as she struggled to rise. Before Serika could fully regain her footing, Rabu collapsed to her knees, clearly battered by the force of the attack. They locked eyes, each silently assessing the other’s condition.

Rabu’s eyes narrowed in confusion as she finally spoke, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“How can you keep going?”

“…?”

“Your debt is tied to your school.”

“…”

“Hell, it shouldn’t even exist at this point.”

“…”

“So why, despite all that, do you still refuse the freedom that delinquency offers?”

Rabu looked at Serika directly, almost pleading for the answers,

“Why do you cling to this place? In the end, aren’t we both just outsiders?”

Serika paused, closing her eyes as she considered the question. When she finally spoke, her voice was resolute.

“Because at Abydos, I remembered that I have something worth fighting for.”

“…”

“And… there are still many things I want to accomplish here.”

Rabu stared at Serika for a moment before bursting into laughter, the sound echoing across the battlefield. The mocking tone made Serika’s face flush with anger.

“Shut up!”

But Rabu’s laughter only grew louder, shaking her head with a bitter smile.

“Heh, you and that group of yours are all truly fools.”

Serika’s expression hardened.

“Hmph. You still lost in the end.”

“That… I’ll agree. I lost fair and square.”

Rabu’s shoulders slumped slightly, a wry smile on her lips.

As the first light of dawn began to pierce the horizon, a warm glow spread across the battlefield, casting long shadows and illuminating the wreckage of the night’s conflict.

Serika was free.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 8 - Shady Girls ->

“Hey uh, what should we do now that Captain is defeated?”

One of the delinquents asked, a note of confusion in her voice.

“Beats me.”

The two of them glanced at Shiroko, who stood nearby, watching the scene with a bemused expression.

“I know what to do!”

A certain lobotomised person suddenly declared, stepping forward with a stack of posters in hand. With surprising enthusiasm, she approached Shiroko and thrust the posters toward her.

“Here! Have this!”

“Nn, what’s this.”

Shiroko asked, examining the unexpected gift.

“That’s obvious. They’re…”

A dramatic pause followed, as if a drumroll were playing in the background.

“Posters!”

Womp.

Shiroko’s ears flattened but before she could inquire anything, BongBong skedaddle doodled away.

Perplexed, Shiroko examined the posters more closely. They appeared to be invitations for a voice acting program, but the listed location seemed to point to a place that didn’t exist.

What even is the ‘Library’? Isn’t there supposed be a word behind it?

Then, her gaze fell on the second poster.

It depicted a figure in a lab coat with piercing amber eyes, pointing directly at the viewer. The caption boldly proclaimed,

“Join ████████ Corporation NOW!”

For some inexplicable reason, the figure's intense stare seemed to irritate her.

Shaking her head, Shiroko handed the posters back to one of the delinquents, who looked at her with a puzzled expression to which Shiroko bluntly replied,

“You can have it.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and swiftly walked away.

“…”

“…”

“I guess we should grab our Captain and make a quick exit?”

“Sounds good to me.”

The two delinquents then signaled to the rest of the group, leading them towards Rabu.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 12 - Shooting Stars ->

“Hm, I guess that wraps things up.”

With a yawn, Roland leapt down from the train and walked towards Serika and Rabu.

[ “That was AMAZING!” ]

Arona bursted out in excitement as Roland looked at the tablet in amusement.

[ “It was like something out of an action anime!” ]

Anime?

Confused, he decided to put that in the back of his mind and focus on the current matters.

As Roland approached silently, Serika’s ears twitched slightly but she quickly averted her gaze. Meanwhile, Rabu fixed her eyes on him with a curious expression.

“Serika!”

The rest of the Abydos students arrived at the scene just as the delinquents had ceased their attacks with Ayane quickly moving to check on Serika’s condition. Upon spotting Rabu, their faces hardened, and they instinctively drew their weapons, prepared for any potential further conflict.

Rabu raised her hands in a lazy gesture of surrender, her tone casual despite the situation.

“Look, I give up.”

Though Abydos was still on edge, they turned their attention back to Serika, their expressions a mix of concern and relief.

“Serika, are you alright?”

Ayane asked, her voice laced with worry as she helped support Serika.

“I’m fine. Just… a bit tired.”

Serika nodded, though her exhaustion was clear.

Nonomi, glancing around the area, noticed a person-shaped hole in the train and pointed it out.

“Woah, did you do that, Serika?”

“W-Well, yes?”

Nonomi’s eyes widened with admiration, stars seemingly sparkling in them. Meanwhile, Shiroko gave Serika a scrutinising look before bluntly commenting,

“Nn, Serika is a gorilla.”

“Oi!”

Amidst the commotion, Hoshino stood awkwardly to the side, a faint smile on her face as she nervously rubbed her cheeks.

Roland, observing the scene with a contemplative expression, shifted his attention to Rabu, who sat on the sand, watching the interaction with keen interest.

“You’ve lost. So what’s next for you?”

Rabu smirked, her gaze steady.

“Guess I’ll figure that out later. For now, I’m done here.”

With visible effort, she struggled to her feet, then addressed Roland one last time.

“However, there’s one thing I’ll tell you.”

“…?”

“Those tanks were given to us.”

“By who?”

Roland’s gaze sharpened but Rabu merely shrugged.

“Can’t say more than that. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“…”

Before Roland could press further, the rest of the delinquents gathered around Rabu, their postures were a mix of concern and impatience.

“Captain! What do we do now?”

Unfazed, Rabu responded,

“Mission’s a bust. We’re leaving.”

“Yes, Captain!”

With that, the delinquents began to disperse, some assisting each other as they departed the scene.

With a sigh, Roland turned his attention back to the Abydos team, only to find Nonomi’s curious gaze fixed on him and Hoshino. With a broad smile, she announced,

“Serika has something to tell both of you.”

Huh?

Roland glanced at Serika, who was fidgeting with her fingers and twitching her ears rapidly. Meanwhile, Hoshino let out a nervous laugh. In the background, he could see Shiroko giving a thumbs up to them.

Roland and Hoshino stood side by side, waiting for Serika to speak. The air was thick with anticipation as Serika struggled to find her words, her anxiety palpable. After a deep breath, she suddenly blurted out,

“I-I’m sorry!”

Both Roland and Hoshino blinked in surprise.

“I’m sorry for saying such horrible things yesterday!”

Serika continued, bowing deeply, her voice quivering with sincerity.

“I wasn’t in the right frame of mind when I said those things…”

She stayed in the bow for a moment, her body trembling slightly as she waited for their response.

“…”

“…”

Hoshino’s expression softened and she stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Serika’s shoulder, smiling gently,

“It’s okay, Serika. I’m just glad that you’re alright.“

Roland remained silent for a moment, then let out a small sigh before reaching out to gently pat Serika’s head.

“It’s fine.”

He said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

“I… learnt quite a lot today.”

Serika looked up at both of them, her eyes wide with relief before nodding vigorously in agreement.

“Well, that’s that, I suppose it’s time we head-”

GROWL! STAGGER!

Roland staggered, clutching his stomach as a loud growl echoed.

“Roland Sensei!?”

Serika gasped, her eyes wide with concern.

“Ah, sorry… I guess I haven’t eaten for three days?”

Roland chuckled weakly, one hand covering his gradually reddening face.

“Three days!?”

They all shouted in unison, disbelief clear in their voices.

“Nah, it’s fine, I’ll just get a small bite somewhere.”

“No.”

Serika rebuked him, crossing her arms with an exasperated sigh.

“Hah… I can’t believe you. I know a place. Let’s go.”

With everyone in agreement, they set off with Ayane behind the wheel. Before they left, Ayane, with the help of everyone, snapped a few pictures and gathered some remnants from the tanks.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 4 - Lovely Picnic ->

“Shiba Seki Ramen?”

Shiroko’s eyes lit up as she recognized the restaurant, her hands rubbing together in anticipation.

“I heard that the ramen here is delicious.”

“Mhm! Let’s go in and see!”

Nonomi agreed enthusiastically, leading the way into the shop.

“Welcom- Serika!?”

Master Shiba nearly stumbled as he took in the sight of the group, noting their disheveled appearances.

“Sorry for coming in this early, Master Shiba but…”

Serika smiled warmly.

“A table for six, please!”

Master Shiba, taken aback by their early arrival, could only nod in bemusement. He shot a questioning look at Roland, who responded with a small, resigned smile and a nod. Master Shiba then turned his attention to the group.

“Well, have a seat. You’re students from Abydos, right? Since you’re Serika’s friends, I’ll offer you a discount.”

They all settled into a booth, with Roland taking a separate chair that Serika had conveniently provided. As Serika set six glasses of iced water on the table, her familiarity with the surroundings became apparent, raising some eyebrows among the group.

Hoshino was the first to speak up.

“Serika…?”

“Yes?”

“You work here, don’t you?”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

Ayane adjusted her glasses and chimed in.

“Well, you seemed quite familiar with the owner and knew exactly where to find the extra chairs and the iced water.”

After processing this, Serika sighed and admitted,

“Yeah… I’ve been working here for about a week.”

“Oh~? Does that mean…”

Hoshino leaned in with strange glint in her eye,

“…We can see you in a waitress uniform if we visit?”

“Eh?”

Serika’s confusion was evident but Hoshino continued with an amused nod, akin to a sage.

“I didn’t know that you were into this kind of stuff. Chose to work here solely based on the unform, did ya?”

Serika’s cheeks flushed slightly and before she could respond, Hoshino added,

“Heh, I bet I could I could fetch a pretty yen if I sold pictures of you in that unform…”

Hoshino then turned her attention to Roland, an expectant look on her face.

“What do you think, Roland Sensei? Wanna be my first customer?”

What.

Roland blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden proposition. However, before he could gather his thoughts, Ayane gave Hoshino a gentle but firm tap on the head from across the table, her voice tinged with exasperation.

“Knock it off, Hoshino…”

“Uhe…”

Hoshino let out a dramatic groan and slumped onto the table, clearly defeated by the swift correction.

Nonomi nodded, a knowing smile on her face.

“Now I get why you were running off from time to time. I guess it was because you were working. ☆”

Serika, clearly flustered, threw up her hands in exasperation.

“Would you all shut up already and place an order?!”

The Abydos students broke into varying degrees of laughter at Serika’s outburst while Roland merely shook his head, a bemused smile playing on his lips.

“Right, I’ll have the chashu ramen, please!”

Nonomi chirped.

“One shio ramen.”

Shiroko added with a nod.

“Hmm… I’d like the miso ramen.”

Ayane decided after a moment of thought.

“I want the special miso! With extra grilled chashu!”

Hoshino exclaimed enthusiastically.

After Hoshino made her choice, everyone turned their attention to Roland, who was still studying the menu.

“Roland Sensei?”

Nonomi prompted, curious.

Roland did not immediately respond, his eyes scanning each item with a discerning gaze. He hummed thoughtfully, almost to himself as he considered the various options.

“Hm…”

Roland muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

“I have to say, everything here sounds fascinating. The way the flavours are described… it’s intriguing.”

Finally, he looked up from the menu, a small smile playing on his lips.

“I think I’ll start with the basics.”

“…”

They all stared at Roland, confusion evident on their expressions.

“Y-You sound like this is your first time eating ramen?”

Serika stammered, pointing at him in disbelief.

“Wha- no!”

Roland quickly defended himself, waving his hands.

“It’s just… I haven’t seen this kind of ramen before. It’s different from what I’m used to.”

“And besides, I’m just appreciating the food.”

He added with a satisfied smile, closing his eyes in contentment.

“…”

“…”

“So… one chashu ramen for you?”

Serika regarded him for a moment before asking,

“Sure.”

Roland nodded.

Once their food orders were placed, Hoshino, curiosity evident on her face, asked Roland,

“How did you manage to find all of us during the night and even locate Serika?”

“Oh… that…”

Roland’s expression brightened as he began recounting the events, causing the three students to show an oddly varied mix of reactions.

Nonomi looked visibly pale though she attempted a smile.

Shiroko nodded sagely as if making mental notes for future reference.

Ayane wore a smile, seemingly unfazed.

“Eh? Why the long faces?”

Despite Hoshino’s curious inquiry directed at the three students, Roland continued with enthusiasm.,

“Well, to answer your question.”

…

…

<- Blue Archive 3 - Mischievous Step ->

[ “Roland Sensei! Serika got kidnapped!” ]

Arona's sudden exclamation jolted Roland who was trudging back to the school.

“Arona, you’re awake but…”

He blinked at Arona, his mood lifting slightly upon seeing her though he struggled to stay alert.

“…could you repeat your statement?”

Instead of replying, she showed him a message on the Momotalk.

|| i need help at my hosue! Helmet gang attacking me!

“…”

[ “…” ]

Roland sighed before suggesting an idea,

“I suppose I’ll use your ability to track down her phone. But where are the rest of the students right now?”

[ “They’re… scattered quite a distance from each other but Hoshino…” ]

“…?”

[ “…She’s heading straight for Serika!” ]

Roland looked momentarily stunned before regaining his usual nonchalant demeanour, deep in thought.

“That you’ll do your best to guide them. They need an adult, especially in their current situation.”

Hah…

"Alright, what do you suggest we do then?”

[ “I know an idea!” ]

He felt a twinge of unease at the sudden enthusiasm.

…

…

“Alright, that’s a good plan but there’s one issue.”

Roland glanced at the Shittim Chest where Arona's excitement was palpable, her green halo glowing brightly.

“I have no idea on how to drive.”

[ “Oh, come on! It’s fine. You’ve seen Ayane drive from the front seat, haven’t you?” ]

“I suppose I have but I’m not sure how that helps.”

[ “Just get in the jeep!” ]

“Okay…”

Roland hesitated briefly before sliding into the driver’s seat. He surveyed the array of buttons and controls laid out before him, his brow furrowing in confusion.

[ “Alright, see that keyhole? Insert the key I told you to take into it.” ]

Roland followed the instructions, sliding the key into the ignition and turning it. The jeep's engine roared to life, its vibrations coursing through the vehicle. He glanced over at Arona, now nestled near the radio area in the Shittim Chest — thanks to Roland's placement. Her expression was a mix of eager anticipation and nervous excitement.

[ “Then…” ]

A dramatic pause followed.

[ “You drive!” ]

Arona concluded with a hint of smugness.

Roland stared at her, then shifted his gaze to the steering wheel and back to Arona, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.

“What do you mean, ‘drive’!? Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of instruction manual or something?”

[ “Well, you see, this jeep is pretty old so I… don’t really have one either.” ]

Arona chuckled nervously before giving herself an encouraging nod.

[ “But you see, I believe in you. I’ve heard that it’s better to run before walking!” ]

Roland sighed once more, losing count of how many times he had sighed since arriving in Kivotos.

Welp, here goes nothing. It’s not like this is my first time winging it.

Roland pressed a button. The lights flickered on and he mentally congratulated himself.

Alright, let’s see... if I recall correctly, she pressed this pedal...

He stepped on-

BOOM!

The jeep jolted backward and slammed into the wall.

[ “Maybe try shifting the stick to the front?” ]

Arona suggested, her voice tinged with concern.

Roland followed the advice, and the jeep began to move forward. He turned to Arona with a mix of relief and disbelief.

[ “I-I guess I was right?” ]

“…”

Arona's nervous chuckle followed.

Roland could feel that the night was going to be a long one.

Maybe he just needed to have a simple, raw state of mind as he drove — just letting everything fall into place.

<- Spider-Man 2: The Game Pizza Theme ->

[ “Roland, that’s the third lamppost you’ve hit!” ]

“Sorry, okay!”

Arona was starting to seriously regret ever letting Roland take the wheel. His driving was nothing short of a spectacle — if narrowly missing street signs and grazing curbs could be considered a form of art.

Roland had initially instructed the Abydos students to stay put so he could pick them up but now Arona was beginning to question the wisdom of her own suggestion.

On the bright side, if there was one to be found, despite Roland’s erratic maneuvers — swerving dangerously close to mailboxes and nearly toppling a fruit stand — they were somehow still on course toward Nonomi. Arona, nestled within the Shittim Chest, continually recalculated their route as Roland’s wild driving necessitated constant adjustments.

[ “Move right.” ]

“Right… right…”

Roland muttered, squinting as he attempted the turn, only to accidentally hit the windshield wipers instead. The wipers flapped wildly across the glass as if the jeep itself was rejecting Roland’s efforts.

[ “Not the wipers!” ]

“Oh, uh… oops!”

In his rush to turn off the wipers, they veered sharply to the right, barely missing a vending machine. To make matters worse, the radio suddenly blared to life, blasting loud flute music that somehow added to the chaos. Roland fumbled to switch it off, his panic rising.

And then, suddenly —

[ “AND THERE SHE IS! PRESS THE BRAKE NOW!!” ]

SCREEECH!

Nonomi stood by a lamppost, her eyes widening as the jeep came hurtling towards her. Roland, gripping the brakes for dear life, managed to screech to a halt just in time — it was fortunate that he did not hit another lamppost.

Somewhat shaken by the near-miss, Nonomi climbed into the back seat, her curiosity quickly turning to alarm as she noticed Roland holding onto the wheel as though it were his lifeline.

“I didn’t know you knew how to drive, Roland Sensei?”

Nonomi said with a bright smile that barely concealed her confusion and concern.

“I don’t. This is my first time.”

Roland replied curtly, eyes darting to the rearview mirror.

“Eh!?”

“But I’ve got to admit, I’m learning on the job.”

Thud!

As Roland spoke, he inadvertently drove up onto the pavement before correcting course and returning to the road.

Nonomi’s smile gradually faded with each jolt and bump. Her eyes darted around the jeep, searching in vain for seat belts that, to her dismay, were nowhere to be found. As the ride grew rougher, she clung to the seat, her knuckles turning white, casting nervous glances at Roland.

“Are you sure you want to be going this fast at night?”

“Yup, aren’t we going to rescue Serika?”

Roland grinned as he narrowly avoided a fire hydrant.

“That’s true but…”

“…How do you even know where Serika is?”

Nonomi asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

“That’s with the help of Arona, she can track down her phone.”

“Eh? Arona can do that!?” | [ “Go left.” ]

“Oof!”

Nonomi’s eyes lit up with excitement but her enthusiasm was cut short as Roland made a sharp turn, causing her head to collide with the window with a painful thud.

“There we go, Shiroko’s right by the store.”

Roland announced triumphantly, completely oblivious to Nonomi’s plight. Meanwhile, Arona, peering from her spot within the Shittim Chest, winced in sympathy at the scene.

In the distance, Shiroko waved but her smile quickly faded when she noticed Nonomi rubbing her head, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Shiroko’s gaze shifted from Nonomi to Roland, who was silently signaling for her to get in.

“Nn. What’s happening?”

Shiroko asked, her voice tinged with concern as she approached.

“We’re driving to Ayane next.”

Roland replied matter-of-factly, missing the concern in Shiroko’s question and failing to notice Arona’s frantic gestures at something behind them. His focus was solely on the steering wheel, absorbed in its smooth texture.

After all, all he had to do was concentrate on driving and picking up each student — surely that would quickly improve his driving skills, right?

Nonomi silently opened the door for Shiroko, her expression a blend of weary acceptance and visible discomfort. With a small, resigned nod, she silently urged Shiroko to join them.

As Shiroko climbed into the jeep and shut the door, the vehicle jolted forward abruptly, propelling them toward their next destination — Ayane.

Caught off guard, she nearly bumped her head on the roof before regaining her balance. She looked around, wide-eyed and then glanced at Roland.

“Roland Sensei, I thought you didn’t how to drive?”

“I’m learning.”

He swerved around a recycling bin, barely missing it.

Shiroko remained silent for a moment, then nodded and quickly took out her notebook, scribbling away as she muttered,

“Impressive… so that’s how adults are.”

Nonomi laughed nervously but kept her thoughts to herself.

Roland, however, seemed entirely absorbed. His attention was split between the road and his ongoing, muttered conversation with Arona, who was issuing a flurry of urgent instructions that were inaudible to the two students.

Noticing this, Shiroko looked at Nonomi for an explanation.

“Arona is guiding him.”

“Nn, the imaginary homeless one.”

Shiroko replied, nodding as if she had just figured out something profound.

[ “Keugh!?” ]

Arona sputtered, clearly having overheard, causing Roland to glance over with concern.

“You alright there?”

[ “Y-You better uphold your promise!” ]

“Sure…?”

Noticing Roland’s odd reaction, Nonomi sweat-dropped and glanced at Shiroko.

“I think you might have upset her.”

Shiroko tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.

“But it’s true.”

[ “MMMHMMM!” ]

Arona’s eyes narrowed into tiny, frustrated > < shapes as she pouted heavily from within the Shittim Chest. Roland glanced sideways at her, clearly baffled by her reaction.

Sensing a need to change the topic, especially with a great deal of ire coming from the tablet, Nonomi asked,

“So, what have you been writing in your notebook? You’ve been jotting down quite a bit lately.”

“Things I’ve learned from Roland Sensei.”

“…?”

“I think he’s a good role model.”

“Haha…”

Nonomi’s laughter came out shaky, her eyes wide with alarm as the jeep lurched again. She tightened her grip on the seat, half-expecting the next jolt to send them airborne.

[ “Ayane is there up ahead!” ]

Arona’s voice chimed as Ayane stood by the curb, nervously tapping on her phone. Her face lit up when she spotted the familiar jeep barreling toward her though her excitement quickly shifted to concern.

Nonomi’s wobbly smile did little to reassure and Shiroko was scribbling away in her notebook with the intensity of a mad scientist on the verge of a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Roland flashed a thumbs up at Ayane, signaling for her to hop in.

”What’s going on?”

Ayane asked, concern evident in her voice.

“We’re off to get Hoshino.”

Roland answered, blissfully unaware that he hadn’t addressed Ayane’s actual question.

Without a word, Shiroko reached over and opened the door, offering Ayane a small, silent smile of invitation. Ayane hesitated for a moment, then cautiously climbed in and closed the door behind her.

“So-”

Before she could finish, the jeep jolted forward with a sudden burst of speed, sending her tumbling back into the seat with a startled yelp. Nonomi shot Ayane a sympathetic look, her eyes a mix of empathy and resignation.

“Roland Sensei!?”

“I’m starting to get the hang of this.”

Roland replied, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. The chaotic city streets had given way to serene, winding roads, with the earlier turmoil replaced by a landscape of quaint buildings and tranquil neighbourhoods.

For a moment, it seemed like nothing could go wrong — the road was wide and clear of obstacles.

BOOM!

“AAAA-oof.”

Without warning, a helmet delinquent was suddenly flung onto the jeep’s window, her face smushed against the glass. Roland and the delinquent shared an awkward, silent staring contest.

After a moment of stunned hesitation, Roland decided on the most unconventional solution. With a flick, he activated the wipers. They began to flap wildly, trying to clear the delinquent from the window.

The delinquent's muffled protests turned into a series of comedic squawks as Roland frantically adjusted the wipers' settings. The students in the jeep watched with a mix of fascination and disbelief, their faces mirroring the absurdity of the situation. Roland wrestled with the wipers, which flapped in a chaotic dance while simultaneously swerving the jeep in a desperate bid to shake off the unexpected passenger.

Thud!

Finally, the helmeted delinquent was flung off the window and Roland gave a sigh of relief.

[ “That... was interesting.” ]

“I’d have to agre-”

“LOOK OUT” | [ “LOOK OUT” ]

But just as the distraction faded, a new calamity struck-

CRASH!

The jeep slammed into a lamppost, sending it toppling and skidding across the street with a resounding clang. Roland winced, gripping the wheel tighter as he wrestled for control.

“Uh… sorry about that...”

[ “That’s the fourth lamppost…” ]

Arona deadpanned from the Shittim Chest, her eyes narrowing in exasperation.

<- Blue Archive 41 - Interface ->

As the students scrambled to make sense of the chaotic sequence of events, Shiroko, who had earlier been intrigued by Roland's unconventional use of the wipers, now wore a serious expression. Her interest had transformed into focus as she readied her assault rifle, her demeanor shifting to one of steely determination.

“That explosion was close.”

“Mhm, we should ready up.”

Ayane suggested, her voice steady as she methodically checked her gear, momentarily ignoring the property damage.

“Hm…”

Nonomi, her expression thoughtful, closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she hefted her minigun with a resolute nod, preparing herself for whatever challenges lay ahead.

[ “Hoshino is clo- wait she’s travelling at high speeds towards Serika!?” ]

“…”

Roland remained silent, absorbing the urgent news. Without a word, he slammed his foot on the accelerator, increasing their speed as they barrelled down the road.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 7 - Unwelcome School ->

“Well I think I drove pretty well overall.”

Roland said, reflecting on the events with a hint of pride.

Nonomi gave a nervous laugh, Shiroko offered an eager thumbs-up and Ayane’s smile took on odd edge?

Hoshino sweatdropped, casting Roland a skeptical glance,

“Oh… that explains the random traces of destruction we saw on our way back…”

Her expression conveyed a mix of exasperation and incredulity as if once again questioning Roland’s grasp on reality.

Serika, too, stared at Roland with a look of utter disbelief, too exhausted to fully process what he had just said. Instead, she slumped onto the table, drawing surprised glances from Hoshino and the others.

In that moment, a chill ran down everyone’s spine.

“R-o-l-a-n-d Sensei?”

Ayane’s glasses seemed to glow ominously, casting a foreboding light on her eerie smile.

Roland, however, remained unfazed, his demeanor nonchalant and completely oblivious to the impending doom.

“Hm, what is it?

“How much property damage did you cause?”

“…Dunno?”

At this, everyone instinctively braced themselves as Ayane, shaking visibly, fixed her gaze on the table with an intense, almost predatory glint in her eyes. The atmosphere grew tense and the urge to get off their seats became almost irresistible.

Noticing the change, Roland glanced at Ayane, his expression shifting from nonchalant to concerned.

“Uh, Ayane? Is everything okay?”

Ayane's glasses seemed to glint ominously as she slowly stood up, her fingers twitching as if she were readying herself for action.

“Roland Sensei~?”

She said, her voice dangerously calm,

“Can you tell me exactly how many property damage reports I’ll be receiving?”

Roland blinked, momentarily lost for words. He glanced around, noticing the uneasy looks from everyone else.

“Uh… I really don’t keep track of that… Why?”

He admitted, scratching his head.

Ayane’s expression hardened and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

“Because…”

She said with a strained smile,

“I have a feeling it’s going to be a lot.”

The students exchanged nervous glances as Roland’s nonchalance began to waver under the weight of Ayane’s steely gaze.

<- DJ OKAWARI 「Daydream」->

Just then, Master Shiba appeared with a tray of steaming ramen bowls, his cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

“Here, everyone! Please enjoy!”

He announced, setting the bowls down with a flourish.

The sudden arrival of food seemed to diffuse the tension somewhat. The students’ eyes lit up at the sight of the ramen, their focus shifting from the looming threat of property damage to the comforting warmth of the meal.

Roland sighed in relief, grabbing a bowl and giving a grateful nod to Master Shiba, who responded with a knowing wink.

Ayane, taking in the sudden shift in atmosphere, sighed and returned to her seat.

“Nevermind. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

“Y-Yeah, we should celebrate Serika’s return!”

Nonomi suggested with enthusiasm, wrapping her arms around Serika in a cheerful glomp that made her yelp in surprise.

As they turned their attention back to their dishes, the students clasped their hands together and said in unison,

“Thank you for the food!”

Roland, confused by the unfamiliar ritual, hesitated before tentatively echoing,

“...Thank you for the food?”

He glanced around, unsure if he had grasped the cultural nuance correctly.

As the group settled down to enjoy the ramen, the mood lightened considerably. Everything seemed to went well for the day.

However, Roland remained quiet, staring thoughtfully at the bowl of ramen in front of him. He glanced around at the students, who were eating their share and exchanging playful banter. Every so often, he noticed Hoshino casting a glance in his direction.

“…”

[ “Roland Sensei? What are you thinking about?” ]

“Huh… oh…”

He paused, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“…Just reliving the old days.”

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Chapter Text

<- Silence ->

In a dimly lit office, a man in a black suit sat with a wide, unsettling grin. Wisps of smoke curled from his head, where faint cracks emitted an eerie white light. His gaze remained fixed on the screen as he replayed the footage of the battle over and over, each time more captivated than the last.

“How fascinating…”

He murmured, his voice tinged with both intrigue and disbelief.

The student in question was unremarkable at first but with his intervention, something had shifted within her.

The bright blue flames that initially surrounded her began to roar, now crackling with strange arcs of black and red lightning, a transformation that defied all logic throughout his experience in Kivotos.

But was it truly impossible? Perhaps there was an underlying probability, waiting for the right conditions to be unleashed.

He needed to know more.

Zooming in on Roland’s shadowed figure, his grin widened.

“Roland Sensei… you truly are an enigma…”

<- Blue Archive 4 - Lovely Picnic ->

”The ramen was delicious~”

Hoshino stretched lazily as she exited the restaurant, moving like a whale emerging from the water.

“Yup~”

Nonomi agreed, following Hoshino’s relaxed movements.

“Nn, the ramen exceeded my expectations.”

Shiroko added, nodding as she gently patted her full stomach.

“Yeah…”

Serika yawned, having already requested the day off from Master Shiba.

Roland stepped out of the restaurant, scrutinising the golden credit card in his hand and the receipt in the other hand, contemplating.

“Thank you for treating us!”

Nonomi exclaimed, flashing a bright smile.

“Thanks.”

Shiroko echoed, nodding in agreement.

“Thanks~ I wouldn’t mind if you kept up the wallet-flexing~”

Hoshino added, her voice almost dripping with contentment as she practically drooled at the thought.

“Thanks, I guess.”

Serika mumbled, her cheeks tinged with a hint of bashfulness.

“Mhm! Thank you, Roland Sensei.”

Ayane chimed in, almost bowing in gratitude.

Roland glanced at the group, momentarily taken aback before a wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He chuckled softly, slipping the card back into his pocket.

“Yeah… no problem.”

“…”

At Roland’s reaction, Hoshino eyed him closely for a moment before quickly adopting a nonchalant attitude. She then suggested,

“Well~ I think we should take it easy for the rest of the day.”

“Yeah, agreed.”

Serika nodded, her ears drooping in exhaustion.

The others quickly echoed their agreement, exchanging friendly goodbyes as they began to part ways, leaving Roland standing there, lost in thought about his next move.

[ “So… how was the ramen~” ]

“Huh? Oh, the ramen. It was well-balanced — neither too salty nor too bland. The broth had good depth and the noodles were cooked just right. The cha shu was tender with a slight sweetness that complemented the rest of the dish. The scallions added a nice texture contrast too. Overall, it was a pretty damn good meal.”

[ “That’s…” ]

“Uh…”

Roland paused, sweatdropping as he realised he might have gone a bit overboard.

[ “GREAT!” ]

Huh?

[ “I can’t believe it. You actually get it!” ]

Get what now!?

[ "I knew you mentioned your hobby for cooking but wow! That’s exactly how food should be treated!" ]

At this point, Arona seemed a bit delirious, breaking into giggles. On closer inspection of the screen, Roland noticed a long trail of drool from her mouth as she closed her eyes, lost in her lala land.

“Right…?”

[ “Ahem…” ]

Quickly composing herself, she cleared her throat and as though nothing had happened, cheerfully reiterated,

[ “That’s great!” ]

Roland stared at her, his eyebrows raised to their limit before shaking his head with a faint smirk.

[ “So… what are you going to do now?” ]

“I think I’ll call it a day. Maybe head back to SCHALE and take a long break.”

Roland replied, cracking his back with a stretch.

After all, the previous day had been pretty hectic, to say the least.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 3 - Mischievous Step ->

[ “Wow, it really feels like it’s been ages since we were last here!” ]

“No…? It’s only been a few days?”

They finally returned to the familiar sight of the office, untouched and exactly as they had left it before their trip to Abydos.

However, that was not necessarily the best thing.

[ “Roland Sensei…? Why are there so many cans on the floor?” ]

“…”

Maybe I should have properly disposed of those beer cans…

With a heavy sigh, Roland rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at the scattered cans.

[ “Wait a minute… Is this why you were acting weird a few days ago? You kept going on about HamHamPangPang.” ]

Arona narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. Roland, in turn, doubled down on rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact.

“Ahem. I assure you, that has nothing to do with this.”

[ “Lies!” ]

Arona huffed.

[ “Even I’d act weird if I ate as many puddings as you did with those cans!” ]

That has nothing to do with being drunk!?

“Alright, alright-”

[ “Wait… are those…” ]

Arona’s expression shifted to one of horror as she suddenly went pale.

[ “…Bugs!?” ]

Lo and behold, hidden beneath the piles of discarded beer cans were several unwelcome guests, scuttling through their metallic ‘kingdom’ that had flourished during Roland's absence.

Roland grimaced.

“I know this looks bad but-”

[ “Get rid of them! Get rid of them now!” ]

Arona practically shrieked.

“Yeah…”

Roland sighed, his voice tinged with resignation.

As he took a step toward handling the mess, a realisation hit him.

He did not even know where the supplies were kept.

“Arona... do you happen to know where they keep the insecticide?”

[ “Uh… no?” ]

The two stared at each other in awkward silence while the bugs continued their reign in the background, completely oblivious to the dilemma unfolding before them.

“Hah...”

Roland rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.

[ “Eh…? What do we do!?” ]

Arona’s voice wavered, bordering on panic, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by the rising dread of the tiny invaders.

"Honestly... I've got no clue."

Roland shrugged, still staring at the scattered mess.

"But I’ll... figure something out."

Roland idly prodded around, hoping for something of note to come to mind. Then, he suddenly paused as if struck by inspiration.

“I think I know what to do.”

…

…

<- Blue Archive 17 Irasshaimase ->

“…”

Sora was bored. The past few days had been uneventful — aside from a handful of curious customers popping in, most were just one-off visits. Sure, she had taken this job to make some cash but it mostly felt like she was just spending her shifts glued to her phone, mindlessly scrolling through apps to pass the time.

As for what she did mostly?

Restocking shelves, organising displays, managing the register… it was all the same repetitive cycle. She would line up products with precision, only for them to be barely touched by the next customer. In quieter moments, she’d pretend to dust just to keep herself occupied, her mind drifting as she counted the minutes until the end of her shift.

If this kept up, she would probably know the stock layout better than the store owner himself.

Well, on the bright side, at least the job did not require much social interaction.

That was something Sora could appreciate.

RING!

Suddenly, the doors to Angel 24 slid open with a soft chime, snapping Sora out of her reverie. She quickly straightened up, putting on her best customer service voice.

“W-Welcome! What would yo- Roland Sensei!?”

She nearly stumbled backward at the sight of him, her shock evident as her eyes widened in disbelief.

Roland gave a small wave, looking a bit sheepish.

“Uh… hey, Sora. I, uh… need some help.”

She blinked, still trying to recover from her initial shock.

“Help?”

"Yeah…."

Roland rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"…Do you have any insecticide?"

“Insecticide?”

Sora's expression shifted from confusion to outright bewilderment in record time. Of all the things she could have expected from Roland, asking for insecticide definitely was not one of them.

“I… have a bit of a bug problem at SCHALE.”

Sora blinked repeatedly, trying to wrap her head around the situation.

“A whole ‘kingdom’ of them."

Roland’s tone was as deadpan as ever.

“A-A kingdom!?”

“They’ve even started plotting to take over SCHALE at this rate. I think they’ve got the head and everything.”

Roland sighed.

“T-That sounds horrible!”

Sora’s face went pale, and her eyes seemed to swirl with disbelief. She stepped out from behind the counter, clearly unsettled.

“I think… I know a solution to this.”

She led Roland to a shelf though what she revealed was not quite what he had anticipated.

“Isn’t this a bit… too big for a simple bug spray?”

Roland’s eyebrows shot up as he took in the sight of the imposing device. Sora, looking slightly puzzled, answered too with confusion,

“…But you said they had a kingdom?”

“…”

Nestled among the cleaning supplies was a large, industrial-sized flamethrower, its sleek design and intimidating nozzle suggesting it was far from ordinary pest control.

Befuddled by Sora’s recommendation, Roland sighed and attempted to clarify,

“I didn’t mean the ‘kingdom’ part literally.”

Sora blinked at him, her eyes widening as she processed the clarification.

“E-Eh!?”

Why is she making it seem like there are actually bug kingdoms. Hah… maybe there actually is one in Kivotos.

Sora, looking increasingly flustered, took a can from the same shelf and handed it to Roland. He accepted it, doing his best to keep a straight face despite the absurdity of the situation.

Despite the lingering strangeness of the encounter, Roland could not resist asking,

“Is that correctly classified as an insect controller?”

Sora’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, her eyes darting around as she fumbled for a response.

“W-Well, it’s actually a multi-purpose tool from what I was told…”

“Multi-purpose?”

“Yeah. Apparently, it has several modes. There’s flame, insecticide, air and… music?”

“Music?”

Sora’s face then shifted from embarrassment to confusion.

“Yeah… I think they insisted that it was a vital feature?”

She muttered under her breath,

“Something about rip and tear.”

Roland glanced at the flamethrower again, taking in the prominent Millennium logo. Recognising it as the trademark of the school renowned for its cutting-edge technology, he commented with a smirk,

“Seems a bit over-engineered?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, I suppose I’ll stick with this can of insecticide for now.”

“Mhm.”

They returned to the counter where Sora, looking slightly flustered but still smiling, helped Roland pack the can into a plastic bag after he had paid.

“Thanks for the help, Sora. I’ll make sure to avoid any future invasions with this.”

Sora managed a small, sheepish smile.

“Y-Yes, no problem!”

As Roland walked out of the store with his new purchase, he shook his head in amusement, chuckling softly at the surreal turn of events.

…

…

<- Mob Psycho 100 Soundtrack 04 - Reigen's Theme ->

As Roland made his way back to the office, Arona piped up with a suggestion.

[ “Roland Sensei, I think you might have been better off with the one Sora recommended.” ]

“…Why’s that?”

[ “Because it’s cool- I mean very multi-purpose!” ]

Roland shot Arona a skeptical look, his expression hovering between confusion and amusement.

[ “Just picture it — obliterating the insects while epic music blares in the background! Total euphoria!” ]

His eyes widened slightly at the absurd mental image and he shook his head, wiping away a bead of sweat that had formed from the intensity of the thought.

“I have a feeling Rin wouldn’t exactly be on board with that idea.”

He replied dryly.

[ “Ah… yeah.” ]

Arona fell silent for a moment before chiming back in with a hint of mischief,

[ “Are you confident in your chances against the mighty ‘kingdom’?” ]

“I’d say pretty well. But what about you? Weren’t you the one yelling to get rid of the bugs? I thought you were completely safe in the Shittim Chest.”

Arona crossed her arms in a gesture of mock indignation before replying,

[ “Roland Sensei… just because I’m an… AI doesn’t mean that I can tolerate those…. those c-creepy crawlers!” ]

“Right…”

[ “Seriously! The thought of them crawling all over…ugh!” ]

“Gotcha. For an AI, you really are quite the picky one.”

[ “…!? Says the one caused the mess in the first place!” ]

“…Touché.”

<- Mob Psycho 100 Soundtrack 15 - GO GO REIGEN! ->

As they reached the office door, Roland struck a pose. He held the can of insecticide out to the side like a sword in his left hand while his right hand rested nonchalantly on the front of his suit. His eyes narrowed in mock determination.

With a decisive nod, he flung the door open, revealing the chaotic battlefield of scattered cans and buzzing insects inside. The ‘kingdom’ awaited.

In one dramatic leap, Roland charged forward and…

Began spraying furiously, waving the can in frantic arcs like a man possessed.

[ "OOH! This is one of Roland’s special attacks — Rapid Multi-Arc Insecticide Frenzy!" ]

“Arona…!?”

Roland sputtered mid-spray, momentarily distracted by her commentary.

Before he could fully process her words, the insects began to erupt from the cans in frantic swarms, desperately fleeing his ‘furious’ assault.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

Roland bellowed, charging forward. He twisted the can with exaggerated flair, aiming at every last insect.

Psh!

Pssh!

Psssh!

With each spray, another wave of insects plummeted to the ground like autumn leaves in a storm. Roland spun, jumped and even ducked as some flew straight at him, diving into the fray like a mad man.

[ “Whoa…!” ]

Roland, now entirely in his element, grinned as the chaos slowly gave way to calm. He spotted one last stubborn insect clinging to the corner of the wall.

With an exaggerated twirl and a dramatic pause, he raised the can.

“Gotcha.”

Pssssh!

The final spray hit its mark and the bug dropped like a fallen warrior. The room fell silent.

“That should be all of it.”

Roland said, dusting off his hands.

[ “Well if you say it like that, I’m not sure if-” ]

BZZZH!

A sudden, ominous buzzing filled the air, rising from the pile of defeated insects.

Emerging from the mountain of corpses was a single cockroach, glistening ominously with a tiny halo atop its head.

What… It got a halo?

Before Roland could fully comprehend what he was seeing, the cockroach shot towards him at breakneck speed.

SLAP!

CRACK!

Without missing a beat, Roland swatted it mid-flight with the can, sending it crashing through the glass window. The impact left a crack in the window and a noticeable dent in the can. A small puff of smoke escaped from it, adding to the absurdity of the moment.

Arona, utterly speechless, finally managed to stammer,

[ “D-Did that just happen…?” ]

Roland glanced down at the dented can in his hand, then at the shattered window. He let out a long sigh, shoulders slumping.

“Of course it did.”

Looking over the remnants of the 'kingdom', Roland’s shoulders sagged even further. He finally took in the full extent of the aftermath — scattered insect corpses and overturned cans everywhere. The aftermath of his 'battle' looked more like the aftermath of a ‘war’.

“Hah… guess I’m off to find a broom and a dustpan.”

Roland muttered with a sigh.

[ “W-What about the window?” ]

Roland blinked, tilting his head with a mischievous grin.

“Window? What window? I don’t see any windows~.”

[ “??? What…?” ]

Arona’s bewilderment deepened but Roland had already turned away, whistling as if nothing had happened.

…

…

<- Blue Archive 14 - Step by Step ->

Sweep!

Sweep!

Sweep!

Roland retrieved a broom and dustpan from a nearby storeroom, one he had somewhat memorised from SCHALE's layout. Now, he was focused on the tedious task of sweeping up cans and clusters of dead insects, depositing them into the dustpan before emptying it into a garbage bag.

It was a rather monotonous work.

…

But oddly enough, it was tolerable.

[ “I think there’s still some over there, under that table.” ]

Roland looked over his shoulder, spotting a small cluster of insect corpses nestled in the shadow of the table legs.

“Ah, thanks.”

He replied, leaning down to sweep them up.

He could feel Arona watching him closely, her screen faintly glowing as she hovered within the Shittim Chest interface.

After a while, Roland and Arona thoroughly inspected the office together. With her help, it seemed they had managed to clean up every last spot. The mess had been dealt with and the office was beginning to look more presentable.

Note to self… remember to throw away the trash next time.

As Roland walked towards the now-tied garbage bag, he glanced around the freshly cleaned office, feeling a quiet sense of accomplishment. With a final tug, he secured the bag and headed for the door.

Before leaving, he paused to look back. The space, now calm and orderly, was a stark contrast to the chaos from earlier — reminding him of his first day in this strange new world.

Arona gave a thumbs-up.

[ “Looks like you’ve done a great job, Roland Sensei!” ]

“Heh."

With that, Roland started walking, the bag in hand, his mind drifting as he made his way toward the disposal area. The quiet halls amplified the sound of his footsteps, a rhythmic echo that seemed to pull his thoughts deeper into reflection.

[ “Roland Sensei?” ]

“Mhm?”

[ “What do you think about Kivotos so far?” ]

He paused for a moment, considering the question. His eyes flickered as he recalled the chaotic events he’d experienced since arriving — gun fights, strange students, bizarre technologies and most recently, the experience in Abydos.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

“Weird as hell.”

[ “…” ]

“But… still better than the City.”

He added after a beat, his voice quieter now.

[ “Mhm, I see.” ]

They walked in silence for a few moments before Arona’s curiosity got the better of her.

[ “So… what’s so weird about Kivotos?” ]

“Well…”

Roland began, raising a finger to emphasise each point.

“First off, almost everyone here is a female student. And for some reason, the rest are robots or animal humanoids.”

Arona nodded as she listened.

“Then there’s the fact that everyone seems to have access to guns. I still can’t quite wrap my head around how that’s… possible.”

He raised a second finger, frowning slightly which caused Arona to give a small chuckle.

“And the weird shenanigans.”

Roland added, raising a third finger.

[ “Shenanigans?” ]

“Gehenna.”

Roland said flatly.

[ “Oh.” ]

Arona’s face blanked as she vividly recalled the chaos that had engulfed them in Gehenna just a few days ago.

[ “I mean… the students there do get a bit quirky.” ]

“Yes, they most certainly do.”

[ “Aha...ha…” ]

“…”

[ “…” ]

“But it’s all…”

Roland paused, his expression softening as he searched for the right words.

“…not too bad.”

[ “…” ]

“…”

[ “That’s good.” ]

“…”

They walked in a comfortable silence, the only sound being the distant hum of the building. The silence gave Roland a chance to relax though it did not last long.

[ “I have to say, what you said yesterday really made an impact on the Abydos students!” ]

Arona’s voice cut through the stillness, brimming with excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she practically beamed at him through the screen.

[ “You should have seen the looks on their faces!” ]

Roland raised an eyebrow, glancing at her

“Is that so?”

[ “Mhm! Though…” ]

Her tone softened, curiosity replacing the excitement.

[ “It seemed like you were… speaking from experience?” ]

Roland’s steps slowed slightly as her question hung in the air. He did not respond right away instead letting out a low hum of consideration.

“Maybe.”

Arona blinked, tilting her head.

[ “Maybe?” ]

“Let’s just say I’ve lived long enough to experience such things…”

[ “That sounds like… a lot.” ]

He shrugged, keeping his tone light.

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

Arona stared at him for a moment, her halo flickering a soft green as if processing his words. Finally, she gave him a gentle smile, her voice quiet but sincere.

[ “You’re a good Sensei, you know that?” ]

“Maybe.”

Roland said again, smirking as he picked up the pace.

“Or maybe I’m just good at faking it.”

[ “That… might be true but…” ]

Her expression brightened.

[ “…it doesn’t change the fact that you helped them.” ]

“…”

Roland chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

“Right...”

As they rounded the corner, the disposal area finally came into view. Roland hefted the trash bag and with a casual toss, launched it towards one of the bins. It landed inside with a satisfying thud.

He dusted off his hands and turned back toward the hallway.

“There. Job well done.”

[ “Mhm, so what’s next? If I were you, I’d recommend a long shower or a nap, considering everything that’s happened.” ]

Shower?

The thought hit Roland like a sudden revelation.

With everything that had been happening — adjusting to this strange new world, grappling with his own mental state and navigating its even stranger inhabitants — Roland realised he had not really taken a moment to catch his breath.

Roland scratched the back of his neck, suddenly aware of the grime that clung to him.

“Yeah… a shower sounds like a good idea.”

[ “Alright!” ]

…

…

<- Caramel Column - Alter ego ->

Shhhhhhhhhh…

The water cascaded over him like a gentle rain, washing away layers of grime. As he stood under the soothing stream, Roland found himself appreciating the comfort of the shower facilities at SCHALE. They were a marked improvement over the setups back in the City.

He leaned against the wall, letting the warm water ease the tension in his muscles. Each droplet that dripped down his skin seemed to melt away the stress, leaving him feeling increasingly relaxed and at ease.

“…”

Yet, amidst the comfort, a question lingered in his mind.

Did he truly deserve all this?

In fact, it should be the opposite and that was what puzzled him the most.

The abrupt shift from his old life to this strange new world, coupled with the mysterious disappearance of the GSC President who had summoned him, left him feeling adrift. He had been thrust into the role of Sensei without any explanation from source.

Furthermore, as he reevaluated his situation, he could not shake the feeling that something odd was influencing his… very being.

For one, he had known the password to the Shittim Chest upon first encountering it, despite having never seen such an object before. There was an unsettling familiarity that gnawed at the edges of his memory, making him question how he could possibly be so acquainted with something so foreign.

Additionally, there was an eerie sense of familiarity with Kivotos itself as if he had been here before even though he knew he had not.

And finally, it felt as though there was something crucial missing, a piece of the puzzle that eluded him and left an uncomfortable void.

…?

In fact, why did he not inspect the firearms in Kivotos more thoroughly?

They were completely different from the ones back in the City where weapons had been designed for close-quarters combat and rationing ammunition. In Kivotos, however, the firearms were sleek, advanced and overflowing with ammo. The stark contrast should have prompted more questions, yet he found himself accepting it all too easily.

...If only that GSC President were here... Hah...

…

What even is Kivotos?

Sure, the technology and its inhabitants stirred a sense of wonder in him but none of it felt properly explained. The world seemed to run on rules and logic he had yet to grasp, leaving him in a constant state of bewilderment.

And then there were the halos — something he had only seen in Kivotos. These strange, glowing symbols seemed to grant the students extraordinary resilience and even abilities, far surpassing even some of the augmentations back in the City.

Recalling Rin’s brief explanation about halos and his own initial theory, Roland pondered,

If halos are theoretically similar to their E.G.O… how can everyone here possess one? Back in the City, E.G.O required intense emotions and specific circumstances to awaken…

Remembering the overall tone of the current world, it seemed to disprove his theory.

…This place doesn’t seem to have the necessary conditions for such things to occur. So what even is a halo?

Yet, as he turned this over in his mind, another detail surfaced.

Wait, didn’t Serika seemed to get a different aura after I intervened?

He distinctly recalled the moment her usual blue aura had shifted into something darker, laced with black and red lightning. The transformation had been striking, almost reminiscent of an E.G.O awakening.

But something did not sit right.

No… it wasn’t as chaotic or unstable as a Volatile E.G.O like the one from the Dawn Office nor did it even seem as complete as an Effloresced E.G.O like the the one from Liu Association.

…

Maybe it’s just a step below a Volatile E.G.O, given the lack of visible armor or weapon manifestation?

But if that’s the case, it doesn’t explain the extraordinary surge in power compared to her usual form — the boost was strikingly close to that of a typical Volatile E.G.O, if not surpassing it.

Do E.G.Os work differently in Kivotos? Or is it something about this environment? Or perhaps they have a much higher potential here?

Roland sighed.

Ugh… never mind that. Back to figuring out Kivotos.

It almost seemed like a wonderland.

A place where nothing quite made sense, yet it was accepted as normal.

In this strange place, he was the outsider, somehow playing the role of ‘Sensei’ to students who treated it all as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Ayane’s voice echoed in his mind, her casual explanation still puzzling him.

“Oh, that was from some of the Tactical Education Blu-Ray Discs and Tech Notes. They help us learn about combat and some basic necessities. The title ‘Sensei’ was mentioned in some of them but I wasn’t sure what it really meant until now.”

Sensei.

The word held weight here but its meaning still felt elusive.

Back in the City, titles were earned through blood and struggle, carrying with them the echoes of battle and sacrifice.

But here? It felt like a title assigned by convenience, an expectation rather than a reflection of who he was.

The water continued to pour down over him, each droplet washing away the grime of confusion but doing little to clear the fog in his mind.

…

[ “After all, Roland Sensei’s relationship with his students does not have to be one-sided.” ]

Arona’s reminder echoed through him like a quiet bell.

…

Hah… I suppose I’ll need to get used to this confusion.

He thought, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

It was not like he had ever really been clear on anything anyway. In the City, clarity was a luxury — one he rarely had time to savour.

With a sigh, Roland opened his eyes, his gaze shifting to the fogged-up mirror. His blurred reflection stared back at him, the steam obscuring his face.

Maybe I don’t need to figure it all out right now…

The memory of Master Shiba’s words returned to him.

"This cutting board might seem simple but it carries a long history of what’s been prepared on it. Perhaps what you need is time."

Time… He had that now, did he not? All the time in the world to make sense of this new reality.

He shut off the water, the air cooling around him as the last remnants of heat dissipated.

“I’ll figure it out as I go.”

He muttered under his breath, then dressed and felt a bit more grounded. Roland stepped out of the bathroom, pulling the door shut behind him with a soft click that echoed in the stillness.

…

…

But why was there still a reflection?

…

…

<- Blue Archive 13 - Barrier ->

[ “Roland Sensei, welcome back! How was the shower?” ]

Arona's voice chimed cheerfully from the table where the Shittim Chest sat.

“Not too shabby.”

Roland replied, running a hand through his damp hair.

[ “Mhm, that’s good to hear.” ]

Arona nodded, her eyes gently closed in satisfaction.

[ “Now then, maybe it’s time for a nap~?” ]

“Hm…”

Roland considered her suggestion but then a thought crossed his mind.

“How about this an…im…e thing you mentioned?”

Upon hearing this, Arona’s eyes widened with excitement, stars sparkling in her eyes and her halo glowing a vivid green.

[ “Oh, anime! It’s a fascinating form of entertainment with stories, action and all sorts of genres! There’s so much cool stuff that happens in it-” ]

She abruptly cut herself off.

[ “-But wait uh… aren’t you tired from yesterday?” ]

Her tone shifted to one of concern, realising that Roland might need rest more than a new form of entertainment.

“Hm… It’s just a show, right? I’ll be fine.”

Roland shrugged.

“Go ahead and hit me with something.”

And maybe I can learn more about this world through it.

[ “Right, try searching ‘anime’ on your browser and pick something interesting.” ]

Browser… if I remember correctly, it should be this icon. Same as the one on the Shittim Chest.

Nodding in agreement, Roland followed her suggestion. He opened his computer and navigated to the browser where he quickly found several links and images about anime. Each one offered a gateway to different worlds, promising a range of stories and adventures.

[ “Oh! Momo Friends!?” ]

What.

Roland glanced at the image on the screen. It featured an oddly familiar big white bird-like character with googly eyes and a long red tongue sticking out, surrounded by an assortment of other quirky characters.

So it isn’t an Abnormality.

He mused, recalling an intriguing poster that featured the same bird a few days earlier.

“So… this is an anime?”

[ “Mhm, this one’s quite popular! You might even call it… peak anime?” ]

“Peak?”

Roland echoed, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

[ “Ah, well you see that’s a term to describe anime that’s really, really good!” ]

“So, what makes this one special?”

Arona’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

[ "Well, it’s got a bit of everything — comedy, adventure and even some really touching moments. The characters are hilarious and the plot? Full of surprises! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions!" ]

She grinned, then added sheepishly,

[ “…At least, that’s what the reviews say.” ]

Roland looked back at the screen. The odd bird-like character and its eccentric group of companions were unlike anything he has seen in the City but… maybe that was a good thing.

“Well…”

A small smile tugged at his lips.

“…you don’t say...”

[ “Great! I think you’ll enjoy it.” ]

Roland settled into a comfortable chair and clicked on the link, letting the screen come to life with the opening scenes of Momo Friends.

<- Undertale 001 - Once Upon A Time ->

Once upon a time, there was Peroro.

A strange yet endearing creature with bright white feathers, beady eyes and a large, flopping red tongue that always seemed to be in the wrong place. Peroro was adored by many, beloved for his playful antics and the way he could bring a smile to anyone who crossed his path.

But Peroro was not alone in his whimsical world. He was surrounded by a cast of equally curious companions.

There was Skull Man, who, despite his eerie name, resembled more of a plush toy skeleton than something sinister. His hollow eyes glimmered with curiosity, giving him an air of quiet mystery.

Then there was Professor Peroro — a version of Peroro with oversized glasses perched on his beak and a slightly more refined comb of feathers atop his head, suggesting wisdom though how wise he truly was remained a matter of debate.

Big Brother was a small blue bird, always looking out for the others with a steady, watchful gaze even though he was the tiniest of them all.

Wavy Cat was an enormous, jet-black cat with a wavy, almost fluid body. Despite his looming size, his movements were graceful like liquid in motion and he was known for curling himself into impossible shapes.

Nicolai, on the other hand, was a creature that vaguely resembled a bear but there was something off about him.

Pinky Paca, a fluffy pink alpaca, pranced around with a carefree attitude on two legs, his fur as soft as cotton candy.