Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story

Hey, rookie!

Even in complete darkness now, Watanabe can "see" the world around him shaking violently.

Finding himself once again in touch with reality, he feels a burning pain.

Wait a second, what are you trying to do?

Whoever that's speaking now sounds shocked. Watanabe recognizes this voice.

I'm going to give it another try since I figured I didn't go hard enough just now.

Uh? What's that supposed to mean?

Hiss...

Hey, glad to see you awake!

Right then, Watanabe sees the instructor's big face, muscular arms—and his half-raised hand.

What are you doing?

I was trying to wake you up since you were out cold. Well, this is kind of an old method if you ask me.

Is that why I'm feeling this burning pain in my face?

At least it worked wonders.

I passed out...? But I remember being the last one standing... Ugh...

Watanabe feels as though he's been whacked in the head by a sledgehammer, erasing what little was left of his vague memories. He now recalls that he did indeed pass out at the sight of blood.

Is your head okay?

The instructor taps Watanabe's forehead with his knuckles, like a squirrel checking to see if an acorn is ripe.

I'm fine. So what do we make of this match?

Well... I wouldn't feel a damn thing even if we count it as my win.

Nope. Let's just call it your win.

Says Watanabe decisively. Getting dragged into a senseless duel on his first day gave him a real taste of the "lack of discipline and moral decay" that Ballard always talks about.

Here we are.

After riding through bumpy roads for hours on end, Watanabe steps off the off-road vehicle transporting new recruits.

So this is where it all begins...

Recalling his resolution, the promise to his father, and the belief he set out to find.

You're Watanabe, right?

However, his ambitious thoughts are soon interrupted by an arm wrapping around him from behind.

Come on, let me take you to the simulation pods.

Let go! Who the hell are you?

I'm in charge of this training camp, so you'd better behave yourself real well, son.

Watanabe tries to break free but finds himself unable to break out of the grapple he's being locked in, having no choice but to allow himself to be dragged into the simulation pod room.

Giving up already? Are you really one of Ballard's soldiers? Is this how he trained you?

First of all, he told me to always keep a cool head no matter how good I am.

Of course, I...

The medic is here!

I heard someone passed out in a simulation pod and needs help with swelling...

When the medic looks at the instructor and Watanabe, he immediately knows what's going on.

Instructor Backhaus, I thought I've warned you more than once not to let new recruits enter the simulation pods before undergoing adaptive training?

Well... see, kids these days like to play those VR or AR things, right? I thought our simulation pods were kind of like that.

Seeing the medic's increasingly grim face, the muscular man quickly changes his tone.

Forget it... What's the rookie's name? Let's register him first.

Watanabe.

Watanabe?

Watanabe only recalls who the rookie next to himself is when he says Watanabe's name.

Bruce?

Hello, can you hear me?

My name is Bruce, from Islay Islands.

I'm Watanabe, from Beirut.

Small world. You know each other?

Well, I guess the algorithm probably matched us thinking we'd end up in the same training camp.

Well, let me reintroduce myself.

He turns to look at Watanabe.

How's the uniform Ballard took from me earlier? Does it fit?