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Noan: Arca I
>02:30 p.m.
As usual, Noan is half an hour early to Dark Aries' preparation room, waiting for the regular meeting with Simon and the other two teammates.
It has been almost a month since Noan came to Babylonia. He is slowly getting used to life here.
Each day has become longer. As a Construct, he no longer needs to sleep every day.
Apart from the routine training and occasional frame checks, he has no fixed schedule.
He wanted to stay in the training room a little longer, but as long as he was there, others would stay away.
In the end, Noan would take up the entire room, while the rest would squeeze inside another.
He asked Commandant Simon and Captain Palma for advice...
...The information about your frame and Ascendants should be classified, unless someone purposely leaked it.
Tch, even if no one leaked it, I don't think you will ever blend in with those "normal" guys.
Why?
Do you know what others call the restructured Dark Aries?
"Black Sheep", or "Outcast". Three of us all have our own problems. Lillian may not look like one, but she is in fact...
Captain Palma...!
Anyway, just forget about making friends.
There is a subtle grief in her words. She sounds like she is trying to persuade herself.
Recently, Noan often saw others board the shuttle in a rush for missions on the surface.
Even Gray Raven, who had just returned, also immediately moved on to the next mission.
Apart from Dark Aries, everyone is busy.
Each time he asked Commandant Simon when he could take part in a mission, he was always answered with "We are still in maintenance."
—When can I ever go help the frontline?
—Or, am I already being "helpful" by not causing any more trouble?
...
Not only in the training room, he can feel others looking at him or whispering when he walks on the road.
Noan knows they have no ill intentions, nor will they reject him. But their overly polite attitude makes him feel somehow alienated.
It is always reminding him that he is an outsider with too much affiliation with Ascendants. That they need to beware of him.
...
It is but one of the prices I have to pay for my choice.
He just silently tells himself that he should not feel bitter about it.
Noan? You're the first again.
Right. I don't really have anything else to do.
Is it still the same... in the training room?
Yeah. I think I should go when there aren't many people around.
Simon lowers his head and remains silent for a long time.
I met the Chief on the way here.
They just returned from a mission, but will soon take part in a new one. I heard that another more dangerous, large-scale mission would commence in just a month's time.
Noan has not answered Simon. He just listens quietly.
He is always like this. When he does not know what to say, he would start talking about Gray Raven Commandant.
Probably because it is the safest common topic, compared with the past of Dark Aries, his own attitude toward Noan, or anything related to Noan's recent situation.
In such a conversation, Simon won't leak anything that he shouldn't say, nor will he fall into bitter memories after bringing up Dark Aries' past.
...
But he is not continuing on the topic today.
Right, if you have nothing to do, shall we go for a walk in the square nearby?
The greenhouse in the outer section of F.O.S. College has been open to public since half a year ago. Some of the species are hardly found even on the surface.
Oh, and the library in Zone K...
Now that everybody uses their terminal to find information, the library is almost always empty. They renovated it three years ago and put it next to the cafe, but there are still not many visitors.
Sure. I'll check it out.
But... Did something happen?
Um... What?
Between you and the Chief?
...Nothing.
Then why aren't you talking about the Chief today?
...You really are sensitive.
I didn't continue on the topic because it could be just my personal opinion.
Simon thinks for a while, rubbing his fingers.
When I met Chief today, I felt like that person was already on the edge...
On the edge?
It could be that I'm just thinking too much.
He emphasizes again.
Still, it looked like Chief hadn't had a good rest for ages.
But didn't that commandant just return from a mission?
Correct. I checked the task allocation, Gray Raven wasn't given that much work, but they were always busy in Babylonia...
I don't know if Chief is just trying to stay busy... on purpose?
Sigh. I'm probably thinking too much.
But there must be a reason to make you think so, right?
...That's right.
Chief had brain injuries during the operation in Pulia Forest Park Ruins, and had been in coma for about three months.
Yeah, I know that.
When Chief woke up, the world was devastated. Numerous people had died. Even Chief's most reliable team member was on the brink of death...
If it was me, I would probably hate myself for sleeping so long.
...
After saving Liv, Chief fell unconscious again.
The next time Chief woke up, a lot of things had gone even worse... There were many traitors. Liv's treatment was postponed. Even Lee...
Bianca was also seriously wounded when she was away from Gray Raven on a mission to hunt the traitors.
Simon lowers his head and sighs.
Bringing you back might be one of the few pieces of good news during this time.
Ever since that, Chief had been trying to stay busy...
If you are that worried, why don't you go and ask in person?
Forget it...
I better stop thinking about it. That person is our idol and hero. Worrying too much means I don't have faith in Chief and would only add more burden.
...
But heroes are still humans. When they are hurt, they would want to cry too... Noan only keeps these words to himself.
He does not know Simon well, let alone Gray Raven Commandant. To that "Chief", he is nothing more than an acquittance. He has no right to question Simon's trust or to worry about that Chief's tenacity.
Anyway, would you like to think about my suggestion?
I can apply for a permit for you. You can even stay there as a temporary staff. At least you can get paid and buy something you like. Better than not knowing where to go.
To the greenhouse and library? Sure, thanks.
No problem. This is one of the few things I can help you with. I just think that someone like you... will be happier in the crowd.
You have already helped me a lot.
No... If you were assigned to Strike Hawk or another less isolated squad, you will be much better off...
This place is good enough for me.
No matter who I am, no matter where I go, I need to take one step at a time.
There will always be people like you who are willing to talk to me, and people like Captain Palma who would stay alerted.
Noan is more or less aware that Simon was also assigned to keep an eye on him, but he still lets down the guard and closes his eyes.
Even if I went to the squad you mentioned, the same thing would happen.
They need time to know and trust me. I need time to blend in. It's very fair.
...Fair?
Yeah. That's why this place is good enough for me.
...
Simon takes off his glasses and rubs his nose. Both remain silent until it is two minutes past the scheduled meeting time. They hear the rushed steps of the other two members.
Why are you here first again? Don't you have better things to do every day?
Yeah, you're right.
I'm not complimenting you. When someone disapproves of you, just show the negative emotion instead of giving me that disgusting smile.
What's your excuse for being late today?
None of your business.
Palma, you promised me yesterday that you would give me bottom-line cooperation. I also agreed with the conditions you proposed.
...
Tch, I met a good opponent during the simulation battle.
What about you, Lillian?
...I bumped into the Gray Raven Commandant outside.
Chief?
Yeah, but then something that needed immediate handling came up, so I was asked to pass this on to you.
Lillian hands over a bottle of stomach pills. It looks no different from what Simon always takes.
You are running low on pills, aren't you?
Simon nods and takes the bottle.
That commandant must be very free to help you get the pills.
Simon hears her and frowns.
Chief should be pretty busy lately.
I was told the pills were taken when that commandant was in Star of Life with Liv.
...I see. Glad to know Chief wasn't trying too hard.
He lets out a sigh of relief.
