Chapter 363: Strive Secrecy

———Lerim———

<2: 23 pm>

“How are all of you holding up?” I asked even if I can already tell.

“What do you think?” Evari said as she reached the nearby table and collapsed onto the chair. “Who the hell were those brats? You were weirdly quiet about them earlier.”

“You didn’t recognize them even now?” I asked even if there was no incentive for anyone here to do so. I never even elaborate on what that mousegirl is.

“A-Am I suppose to?” She said while still out of breath.

“...Nevermind. I’ll explain.” Seeing that she won’t entertain the idea of wild guesses, I might as well cut to the chase. “Those two are from the Grand SK Institute, that massive school we were invited to at one point. I’m surprised you didn’t recognize them. They were fighting in the middle area at one point.”

“Ah, that place… Isn’t it in the state below?” She said before realizing something jarring about the whole deal.

“Indeed. They are more than strong enough to travel that far just for a fade. Terrifying, isn’t it?” The distance that needed to be covered is far from short. It’s comparable to traveling to another country in some cases.

“Freaking obviously! What in the world could compel them to come here? Was there like a transporter or something?” She said, both curious and confused as to why something so outlandish has occurred on a random Saturday. The others are listening in as well, and they are all clearly thinking about the same question.

“No, it was all their own abilities. It’s the same with that mousegirl, you know?” She probably has an even easier time doing stuff like that. She is leagues above those two and it has been a while since I witnessed her progression. She is no doubt even stronger now.

“I still know nothing about her even now…” She remarked. “Where are all these kids strong enough to fight more than a dozen people even from?”

“Absurd talent is my guess. A lot of them got blown to ashes during the infamous First Few Weeks thanks to the power high, but I guess these kinds having a secure place like that means they were never in any risk of snapping.” I speculated. “Since they are already stronger than all of you, I’d imagine that the gap will continue to grow wider and wider. They are more youthful and filled with potential that isn’t wasted for a few years, as you know.”

“Come on…” Evari said, exasperated at my insult. “Where does that leave you then?”

“I am stronger than them right now. I can’t say I’m confident in my chances in the future, but right now they can’t do anything funny to me.” I explained. I know my limits. Against those talent monsters it’s best to just accept the situation and move on.

“If even you are saying that…” Evari said as if she finds the idea impossible. I am far from infallible, I think she might be setting an unrealistic expectation of me.

“Anyway, all of you not even landing a scratch on them should make it crystal clear how screwed all of you would be if I wasn’t around.” I pointed out. “Strive to grow stronger. You guys don’t have a lot to do anyway.”

“That stings, you know?” Evari remarked.

“Always strive for better, or at least know that something stronger is always around the corner.” I said, giving a bit of teaching that might or might not mean anything in the long run.

“That’s a very common saying, ain’t it?” She noted.

“It is, but it feels a lot more applicable here with everything happening lately. Who knows if the next opponent is going to hold the upper hand.” I replied. “This neighborhood can’t be safe without all of you also playing your part. Our strengths are invaluable in many ways in this new age, mainly to make sure any crimes and such are quickly dealt with.”

“Yeah yeah, it’s like we’re a task force or something.” Evari said, clearly finding the comparison rather jarring. We are a very unofficial group, certainly nothing professional like that.

“If only we could say we’re something as important-sounding as that.” It would at least add to the intimidation factor, I guess. I still wouldn’t want anyone to boast about it just in case it inflates anyone’s ego. “It also doesn’t sound beautiful at all. It doesn’t really match me.”

“Is that really… whatever.” She doesn’t seem to agree with me but doesn’t try to actually argue.

“Anyway, all of you are way too exhausted right now, and you all have eaten not too long ago. I’ll share the afternoon meal in a few hours.” I announced since they deserve that much after getting wrangled by two brats. If I didn’t know who they were beforehand I might actually get furious seeing their performance, but I know better.

———Meesi———

<6: 31 pm>

*Ding* *Dong*

“Huh?” I muttered in confusion as I heard the doorbell ringing. That’s a rare sight in this day and age. Did I order anything that I forgot about? I don’t think I invited anyone over, at least.

…I’m a bit scared, really. This is the worst era to have someone on your door at the moment. Either way I can’t really ignore it, so let’s see what surprise will jump out at me.

I opened the front door to see a long package in front of me. It’s about as tall as me if not a little more? What in the world could this be?

Let’s take it inside and unwrap it. It’s probably not a bomb, right? The package is way too conspicuous for that. If anything, blasting my house into smithereens shouldn’t be that hard with all the magic going about.

…A spear? Hold on a minute? Didn’t I only talk about it yesterday? Is this the one?

It’s a simple spear that is silver in color, even looking quite time-worn. There is a purple gem embedded at the part connecting the pole and the blade.

It looks powerful alright. Nothing really stands out aside from that and the aesthetic, I guess.

There’s no good place to test how it works, but so far I am impressed by the design. It does feel way sturdier than the generic spear I have been using.

…It’s weird. Even though I haven’t even swung it once I can already tell that this thing is a strict upgrade over the old weapon.

There should always be some trade-offs when it comes to a stronger weapon. Usually the stronger weapons have more weight to it, but it doesn’t feel like this thing is causing more burden than the last spear. It just… kinda feels like nothing changed outside of more power… somehow.

A weird phenomenon that I can’t explain at all…. Maybe Idea have some… ideas.

Let’s put the spear somewhere else first. The package it comes in should be good enough for now, right?

I’ll worry about that later, let’s go ask Idea about it. I wonder if this spear is seriously something they made in a day.

Alright, back to my trusty computer. Let’s begin talking to them…

…Wait, did I even tell them about my address? I don’t think I did, right?

Ah, they are inviting me to a voice call already? How in the world… Whatever, I guess I can just ask them now.

“Hey.” I greeted them once I accepted the call.

“<Hello. I believe you get the gift?>” They asked.

“Yeah. How in the world did you find out where I live? That’s creepy as hell.” I get straight to the point.

“<I have my ways. Besides, it’s not as if you are unaware of my… let’s just call it ‘access’.>” They said like it’s not going to make me feel quite uncomfortable. Just for a flex like this?

“Creepy as fuck, let me tell ya.” I said it like how I see it.

“<Hey, it does mean I can help you without needing to call you up every time. Do you really want to be absent and leave us worrying like last time?>” They pointed out. Did that really need to be said? It’s still quite a dark past I don’t want to talk about too much. “<In case you forgot, if it wasn’t for Wiina passing by you might seriously already be dead. Do you think if I had the power for it I wouldn’t make sure to monitor your well-being?>”

“Okay, I get it… Are you a parent or something?” I still don’t actually know their age, or a lot about them in general aside from whatever privileges they have to be able to do all of this.

“<Whoa! That’s way too early for me… Maybe.>” They said, clearly being coy about their true age. Can’t they breach their privacy a bit if they did it to me? “<I think I want to wait for a more peaceful era before doing anything like that. Imagine being a kid born into this era, can you imagine how hellish that sounds even if you live in a very secure environment?>”

“...Yeah, you ain’t wrong.” Even a few years ago not too many people were keen on having kids. Way too many wars and nonsense keeping everyone paranoid about their livelihood. There are no wars at the moment, but these annoying skirmishes are getting pretty close.

There are already too many starving kids, so let’s not make any more.

“<Anyway, the spear I sent you isn’t anything too special. Think of it being two or three tiers above the starter equipment you used before.>” They explained. That is still a massive leap considering that weapon shops aren’t really a thing. Everyone is stuck with the so-called starter equipment, more or less. At least the defensive gears like those vests seem to work according to all the testimonies online, and those aren’t too hard or suspicious to procure.

“How the hell am I gonna explain this?” I asked as I thought back on the spear. It does look a bit fancy and would catch people’s attention.

“<That’s not really my problem, is it?>” They teasingly said. I can already imagine a smug grin on the other side of the screen. “<If you can’t find it in yourself to explain, then simply let them think however they want. As long as the rumors aren’t going to cause trouble in the long run, just don’t clarify.>”

“Misunderstandings are gonna lead to even more misunderstandings, ain’t it?” I said in a tired tone. Who hasn’t heard of tragedies befalling someone due to the chain of rumors? Maybe I am exaggerating things a bit since it’s just one spear they didn’t even consider that impressive, but it’s still important to bring up, I think.

“<Then a little white lie wouldn’t hurt. Omit some details before explaining, people do that all the time for all kinds of reasons.>” They suggested. “<Make sure to word it well, otherwise the thing you were worrying about might come true.>”

“I am seriously not in the position to have someone think funny things about me.” I don’t really have the strength for it, I feel.

“<Can’t say I blame you. Usually only a percent of deception and misunderstanding led to a good result, one could even call it a miracle when it does occur.>” They remarked. “<A great comedy or a great tragedy tends to come from such a miracle. I doubt it’ll happen to you, so I suggest not worrying about it too much.>”

“The fact that you even said it like that made me think it happened before.” Their verbose reply just makes me feel like this is far from the first time they have encountered such a thing.

“<I mean. It does happen in the novels I have read before. Does that count?.>” They playfully asked. “<Perhaps a spy, a compulsive liar, a braggart, or whatever else. When you become desperate to maintain the lie or not tell the truth, sometimes you can go so far with it you deceive the world itself. No one but you and your memory can expose them as lies… or perhaps the deception went so far as to twist your own thought process, burying your genuine self so deep it is considered invalid, that the you of the past felt like a lie in itself. You can’t even trust your own inner monologue to be truthful.>”

“...That sounds kinda horrific.” I remarked. There is probably a psychological horror story about it somewhere.

“<Right? But usually such a situation is played for straightforward comedy or tragedy. The existential dread feeling is usually not addressed.>” They replied. “<It’s something way unlikelier to happen in real life, so don’t go having any funny ideas.>”

“Come on, I’m not that crazy.” I said while shaking my head. I’m ultimately quite a normal person, not some lunatic.

———Lynda———

<6: 51 pm>

*Clash* *Clang* *Block* *Parry*

“Augh!” Unfortunately, even though I wasn’t hit by many attacks, my muscle eventually gave out with both my stamina and mana drained from the extended battle.

“...The sparring match is over.” Emmie dispassionately announced. I am in no condition to fight, so that’s only natural.

“...Thanks for the match.” I said while still feeling like I’m out of breath. “Honestly, I thought you scurrying away earlier means you won’t accept it.”

“Those are two different matters, there is no need for concern.” She replied.

“At least we set a record straight in regards to that.” I remarked before sitting down, taking a moment to properly recharge before going back home.

Emmie silently walked away without saying goodbye. Always quite the mystery…