Golden Sun Training Grounds
Ezette
A group of children, barely into their early teens, were "confined" to the empty training ground. Their military uniforms hung loose, sizes too large, sleeves and pant legs rolled in makeshift adjustments.
Ezette had rescued them from the battlefield with no time to source proper fits; adult uniforms, hastily altered, had been their only option.
Silence reigned where laughter should have been. The teenagers stood motionless, drained of the energy their ages promised. Only the Punishing Virus monitor nearby explained the true nature of their "training."
Can't give up yet... This is the last day of this cycle. We just gotta power through, and then we're one step closer to being the strongest warriors out there...!
Nngh...
Among them, a frail girl couldn't hold on any longer. She collapsed to the ground, her face twisted in agony.
Everyone gathered around her, but most were trapped in their own suffering, barely having the strength to step forward and offer help.
Carol?!!
Ugh, Carlie... my head is killing me... I can't... I can't move...
Beads of sweat dripped from the girl's forehead, her body burning with an unnatural fever.
Carol, here... have some water...
The water did nothing to relieve the frightening cracks and deathly pallor of her lips. Carol's condition couldn't be fixed with just basic supplies.
No, Carol can't keep going like this... I'm going to find Leif right now!
She's like this because of them, and you wanna run to those monsters?!
Carlie clutched Carol tightly in her arms, shooting a vicious glare at Kamui.
All they'll see is dead weight! They'll toss her out without a second thought!!
But she needs help now... The Punishing Virus concentration here is too high. The only way to help her is with the Corona Gene treatment...
Kamui forced himself up despite the pain, his gaze searching for Carol—
I don't trust those monsters! They're the whole reason Carol's like this, aren't they?! Damn the Corona Gene...! Damn Leif!
Ever since they took over Ezette, they've been putting us through this hell! Stamina drills here, combat training there, it's all to juice up our stupid Corona Gene so we can resist the Punishing Virus better!
And they keep cutting our supplies! That's why Carol got sick in the first place!
They don't care if we live or die!! Handing Carol over to them is just killing her ourselves!
S-Sis...
Carol! Hey, how're you feeling? Water, here... you want more water...?
My head... hurts so bad... Carlie...
The frail girl let out broken moans, sobbing without control.
A-am I... am I gonna die...?
No, no you're not! Don't say that! I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you, I swear...
Carlie, we really should get Carol to...
And how am I supposed to trust them, huh?!
A hysterical roar tore from Carlie.
...
No... fighting.
Catrayv noticed Carlie's outburst and moved to position himself protectively in front of Kamui.
...As you yourself pointed out, Carlie, everyone here is here because they signed up for Project Barleycorn. Everyone chose to take the Corona Gene.
Azael flashed his trademark smile, though his words carried no warmth at all.
Back when Ezette pulled you out of that war zone, we got jumped by Corrupted on the way back. Lost two soldiers covering the retreat. Even then, Ezette didn't ditch a single one of you, even though you couldn't fight at all.
Later, during the physicals, the base doctors flat-out told you Carol's body couldn't handle combat training. They recommended transferring her to a shelter facility.
It was your choice. You refused to be separated as sisters. You signed the consent forms. You kept her here.
...
After that... following the attack, the World Government took over Ezette. Project Barleycorn's details were laid out for everyone, plain and simple. Anyone who didn't want in could transfer out...
Fine! Yeah, we signed up! But the supplies they promised in that agreement? They never show up on time! Not once!
More training, less stuff, every single time! How am I supposed to trust Leif?!
Then you can just stop. Walk out of Ezette. No one's chaining you here.
...
You're not the only one going without. Kamui's been splitting his own supplies with you. Most of them, actually. He didn't want you to know.
Azael...!
Still want to play the secret hero? How long are you gonna keep up the silent martyr act, huh?
Azael raised his voice, ensuring no one missed a single word.
These people had made their own choice. They'd volunteered to stay, to grow stronger, to survive. But when the training grew harsh—when the Punishing Virus immunity exercises brought real pain—they'd looked for someone to blame. And they'd chosen Kamui and the other two. But what wrong had Kamui done to deserve such accusations?
...
Words failed Carlie. She could only stare blankly at Carol cradled in her arms, tears slipping down her cheeks one after another.
Carlie... don't cry... It... doesn't hurt now... really...
...I'm sorry... Kamui... I...
I know... none of this is your fault. I just...
Carol's... she's so sick... and I don't know what to do anymore... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...
Carol struggled to swallow her groans of pain. She wanted to raise her hand, to wipe away her sister's tears, but she couldn't. There was no strength left in her body to support her, no strength left to do anything more for her sister, for them both.
Ezette saved your lives. Gave you food. A chance to get stronger. And this is how you—
Azael... that's enough.
A trace of reluctance showed in Azael's expression, but he followed Kamui's gesture. He turned from the sisters without a second glance and returned to Catrayv's side.
Hey, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up. We get it... you were just scared for Carol.
Here... take this. It might help her.
Kamui pressed a small vial into Carlie's palm, its contents glowing faintly from within. She lifted her tear-streaked face, eyes going wide with disbelief.
How... how do you have... solar essence?!
—Kamui!!
The gentle smile vanished. Azael cast aside the kindly facade he had so carefully cultivated and seized Kamui by the shoulders with urgent force.
Do you have any idea what you just did?! That solar essence was special-ordered through Leif's own channels! For you! To manage the Corona Gene's side effects from your overtraining!
...Yeah, I know. But it's cool. Don't freak out about it. I'll just... I dunno, request some extra training sessions. Make up for it.
Even your stupid kindness has to have limits! They check those reserves every single day! What do you think happens when they find it missing?!
I couldn't just stand there and watch Carol die, Azael... This is our responsibility!
They chose to stay. They're part of Ezette now. That makes them family. And I will never turn my back on family. Never.
You...! You think I won't knock some sense right into that thick skull of yours?!
Azael's hand tightened into a fist.
Kamui. Azael. No fighting.
Catrayv! Let go of me! You keep getting in my way and I'll beat you up too!
Azael. You can't beat me. Won't let go.
Even if you could. Still won't let go.
The three remained locked in a standoff, with neither Azael nor Kamui willing to back down.
...Enough. All of you, just... stop. We're not taking it.
Carlie spoke at last, her voice drained and weary.
I know you mean well, Kamui. You're... you're a good guy. But if we take this, and you get punished for it, Carol and I... we couldn't live with that.
You said it yourself. We're family, right? Family doesn't do stuff that hurts each other.
...Let's find another way.
Though Carlie's concession had bought them a momentary respite, Carol's situation remained unresolved.
Okay. Then we do it this way. Carol can't handle the training right now. So... let's find a way to hide her in the dorm.
What? But they take attendance on the terminal...
I'll just take her terminal with me. Leif and the others barely even look at those things.
But... but you've already maxed out your own training quota. You'd be doing double!
No sweat! I can handle it! I'm Kamui, remember?
Kamui offered a reassuring smile.
...Tch. Fine. If you're dead-set on being an idiot about this, then I'm in. Don't try to carry it all yourself.
Count me in.
The three exchanged glances, their little plan now set in motion.
My, my, what do we have here? Such a precious little group of friends.
The Punishing Virus concentration in the training ground suddenly dropped as the main doors burst open. An unfamiliar woman, escorted by a group of soldiers, entered and walked toward them.
Beside her stood Leif, Ezette's current overseer, a World Government officer retired from F.O.S.
They're just unrefined children, Councilor Marlis. Hardly worth your special attention.
Leif's gaze cut to Kamui and the other two, hard and urgent. He jerked his head toward the door, signaling for them to go.
That's rather inappropriate to say, Officer Leif.
Marlis managed a thin smile, her eyes cutting briefly toward Leif.
They are key personnel in Project Barleycorn, after all. With the World Government investing such substantial resources into this initiative, they naturally warrant our... close attention.
After all, this represents one of humanity's future hopes. Which is precisely why I was sent here for inspection, isn't that right?
Marlis crossed the remaining distance and came to a stop near Carlie and Carol. She knelt beside the frail girl, felt her forehead with the back of her hand, and wore a look of practiced compassion.
Good heavens. Look at this child burning up with fever. She's clearly at her breaking point.
Children their age should be receiving attentive care. Protection. At the very least, they should be sent to a refugee center, where they can be safe and warm.
To demand they meet adult standards... injecting them with the Corona Gene, forcing them through this brutal training... It's simply too cruel.
Officer Leif... do you really have the heart to torture such fragile children just to achieve your own objectives?
Marlis' consolation had done little to ease Carlie's fear. She pulled Carol backward, shrinking away from the woman whose charitable smile couldn't mask the truth: her entire presence had exuded something cold and wrong.
She reminded Carlie of a snake, venomous and smiling. Fangs aimed directly at them, poised to strike the moment they let their guard down.
At times like these, these brats should be grateful just to have food in their stomachs. They volunteered for this project and signed the agreements. They have a responsibility to fulfill those obligations.
Councilor Marlis, this shouldn't fall within your jurisdiction, should it?
Without drawing attention, Leif moved forward and placed himself between the girls and Marlis.
Hah... so you're still clinging to your own ideas? Insisting on keeping Ezette operational... even when supplies have already begun to run short?
Ezette is affiliated with F.O.S. College. Its fate is not yours to decide.
Yes, Ezette Military Base: affiliated with F.O.S. College, long history, solid foundation. But that's all in the past now. Even if you could still contact F.O.S., what good would it do? They're already struggling to keep their own heads above water.
Besides... the elite soldiers stationed here were already lost in that recent battle. Oh, right, that battle where you reinforcements arrived too late to save them.
They all died, didn't they?
...
Marlis looked past Leif, who stood before her, scanning the children hiding behind him. Immature, weak, timid—nothing but a flock of fledglings whose wings hadn't fully grown. With the slightest effort, she could have easily snapped their pitiful wings.
Yet those three at the front held her attention. They were different.
No fear showed in their eyes. No fear of her, no fear of anything. That world-defying arrogance of youth, something she knew all too well.
They were clever ones. And she had always excelled at manipulating the clever. Her smile widened, absolute confidence settling over her features as she studied Kamui and his companions.
She would find a way to disband Ezette and take these children... who were compatible with the Corona Gene.
"Golden Sun". The name whispered through her thoughts, tempting. But she knew better than to reach too soon. The time had simply not yet arrived.
My promise still stands for now, Leif.
You know exactly how much the higher-ups have invested in Project Barleycorn. This massive initiative, planned since the Golden Age, has consumed tremendous resources. If we don't show results to match... the consequences are unthinkable. I'm sure you can envision the "outcome" awaiting everyone here.
Her voice faded into a suggestive silence as she pressed a single finger gently against Leif's shoulder.
Why bring suffering upon yourself by stubbornly heading down a dead-end road?
If you voluntarily request to disband Ezette now, you still have other options. Don't worry, I'll find a better, more comfortable place for you and the children.
I promise, this is far more sensible and worthwhile than gambling your lives and futures on a losing bet.
NO!!
No matter what, we will never disband Ezette! Even if we fail, even if we die fighting, our only home is right here!
...Without any evidence or proof, even the World Government has no justification to disband Ezette. Legally or otherwise.
Yeah. We're not disbanding.
With obvious curiosity, Marlis studied the three children standing before her.
Look at that. Such devoted, loyal children. I understand, Ezette has always been your home. The bonds between you run far deeper than those in ordinary military units.
Don't worry. I'll make sure you're all settled together...
No—
SILENCE!! You don't get to speak here!
Leif harshly cut off Kamui's attempt to continue arguing, shooting him a fierce glare that clearly ordered him to shut up.
Get back to your posts! Today's training isn't over yet!
Leif didn't give the three another opportunity to speak. He deliberately redirected Marlis' attention, reclaiming his place as her conversation partner.
Councilor Marlis... I understand your intentions are good.
After watching all the children leave in a jostling crowd, Leif furrowed his brow and turned to face Marlis.
I'll consider your suggestion. But these things take time. I know you wield considerable influence in the World Government. You've seen for yourself how these children simply can't handle this kind of training regimen.
If you could put in a word with the higher-ups to reduce our mandatory training quotas... or help expedite our stalled supply requisitions... everyone at Ezette would be truly grateful to you.
When Leif refused her with such careful politeness, Marlis stopped pretending. The smile she had worn for the children disappeared, and something colder emerged in its place.
...Leif. Are you sure you want to refuse me?
To think that the once-fervent weapon of war now hides away in this wretched place, playing make-believe with children. Who would ever believe it?
Your ambition. Your pursuit of glory and prestige. Has one mere accident truly burned away all your dignity?!
That has nothing to do with this, Marlis.
What matters is that I'm still in charge of Ezette, for now. If you're unwilling to help on our terms, I suggest you return to the World Government and find another solution.
...Heh. A coward content to be nothing more than a drowning dog.
A swarm of worker bees and ants... You think you can become the sun?
Then let's wait and see. After you've burned yourselves to ashes... we'll find out just how many precious seconds you manage to illuminate this dark world.
Marlis continued on her way, the inspection mission from the World Government reclaiming her focus. Leif waited until she was gone, then released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. For now, at least, they were safe from whatever she'd been planning.
...Leif.
Like a ghost, Kamui emerged from behind the door. Azael and Catrayv followed, stepping forward into view.
Didn't I tell you all to get lost?
We weren't trying to eavesdrop! We just...
...Fine. What is it?
Carol's really sick. We wanna split up her training assignments between us.
Kamui stood there with his hands behind his back, the picture of obedience.
Are you trying to kill yourself? Your training load is already more than double what the others do. And you want to take on her portion too?
I'm with him.
...I'll help too.
And... me too!
With a soft creak, the door swung open, and another young boy poked his head inside. Before long, others followed, one by one, emerging from outside.
That's right! We'll split Carol's training load between us! Take care of any tasks she has for now!
Let Carol get better first!
Their enthusiastic chorus swelled as they took their stand, defending Carol with their first courageous act. Leif, however, found the endless chattering of the young ones insufferable.
QUIET!! You've all got way too much energy, haven't you?!
I see you're all too distracted for training today. Fine. Get back to the quarters. You're confined! Think about what you've done.
As punishment, no staff will bring you food today. If you need anything, you'll get it yourselves from the appropriate storage areas.
And since Carol started this whole thing, her confinement will be longer than yours. One week, to start with.
That'll stop you brats from using her as an excuse to talk back to me and slack off during training.
Leif's voice cut through the noise, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then his orders registered, and the whispers crept back in.
Wait, what's going on? Why are we suddenly confined to quarters?
Are you dense? Didn't you catch the important part? "Get whatever you need yourselves." That's code for "you can move around freely," you idiot!
Oh! Then I can just grab as much candy as I want? Total snack liberation?
You irresponsible idiot! The point is we can get medicine and nutrients for Carol while she's sick!
ENOUGH NOISE!! If you don't clear out right now, none of you are leaving. You'll all stay for extra training!
Hearing this, everyone quickly slipped away from the training room, leaving Leif alone in the center.
He tried to untangle Marlis' true purpose, but the threads wouldn't come loose.
The World Government needed Project Barleycorn to succeed. Moving against Ezette before then made no strategic sense. Unless...
...Why are you still here? What, do you actually want to stay for extra training?
Catching sight of the three watching him from behind, Leif raised his voice and dismissed them.
Catrayv moved first, snatching Kamui and Azael by the hands and fleeing. He was a boy of few words, but he wasn't dull. Only a fool would pass up rest in favor of meaningless extra work.
THANKS A BUNCH, LEIF!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!
Kamui's shout reverberated through the empty training hall, his thanks bouncing off the walls again and again. Leif scratched his head, irritation flickering across his face as the echoes refused to die.
...That Kamui kid is the worst of them all. Always saying such embarrassing things without a shred of shame.
