Chapter 21

Trinity Academy.

Tactical Combat Department, Large Indoor Training Hall No. 147-A.

“Good morning, gentlemen!”

A middle-aged East Asian man with deep wrinkles around his eyes greeted loudly, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as if he were burning with passion.

It was Instructor Nishiyama, the shooting instructor who, until just yesterday, barely bothered to do headcounts during class.

The first-year Tactical Combat Department students, lined up in neat rows under his podium, whispered among themselves.

-Isn’t his attitude completely different from yesterday? Yesterday he looked half-dead from a hangover.

-He even dressed way sharper today.

-Well, that’s because the corporate scouts are watching from over there. If something strange reaches the sponsors’ ears, it’s his head on the chopping block.

I see. So that’s why.

Iri took advantage of a moment when the instructor wasn’t looking and glanced back. She saw more than a dozen people standing on the viewing deck high up along the training hall wall.

And when she saw one particular face among them, she narrowed her eyes.

‘Of course you came, you bastard.’

Aaron Stingray.

Sure enough, her sponsor was, as if it were only natural, observing today’s class. She thought he truly had nothing better to do with his time.

“Before we begin the main class, today we’ll be comprehensively checking your basic ability stats! The data recorded today will be entered into your student files and used as reference material in other training as well!”

In other words, this test would directly affect their overall grades.

Well, it was certainly more efficient to do it all at once like this instead of running individual tests for every class.

“Today, we are honored to have scouts from various companies observing the class! Let’s show them our best so you can be selected as scholarship students!”

“Yes, sir!”

The students answered in unison.

Unlike Iri, they seemed to have been through this kind of training for years, with a certain discipline drilled into them.

‘Feels like I’m the only one out of place here…’

That was when—

“So you came too.”

With a confrontational tone, someone tapped her shoulder from behind. The voice was familiar—it was the male student who had picked a fight with her yesterday.

Iri answered without even turning her head.

“Don’t touch me. I’ll rip your fingers off.”

“I heard you became a Stingray special scholar?”

“What’s it to you? Jealous?”

“It’s not ‘you,’ it’s ‘Donovan von Delay.’”

“Get lost.”

Iri growled, but Donovan didn’t care and kept provoking her.

“How does a stray mutt like you catch the eye of a megacorp like Stingray? What, did you spread your legs for the scout?”

“What? You bastard, I’ll—!”

Just as she was about to shout,

Her vision was suddenly covered by the message window of her messenger app.

[Endure it.]

A short message.

The sender’s name was written as -A.S-. The initials obviously belonged to only one person.

“Tch…”

Only then did Iri regain her composure.

Right, they had made a deal.

There was no need to let herself get dragged around by some Donovan-or-whatever. She could just crush him thoroughly with skill.

…Still,

How on earth did that man see right through her thoughts? From that position, he shouldn’t be able to hear what was being said here.

‘Don’t tell me he’s eavesdropping on me?’

Iri pondered the possibility seriously, but the truth was beyond her reach.

One thing, however, was certain.

“We will now begin the comprehensive test!”

It was time to show her skills.

‘Honestly, that Iri…’

I needed to fix that temper of hers sooner or later. Watching from here made me anxious, wondering what trouble she might cause next.

‘Wait, or is it actually better to just let her be?’

As the story progressed, Iri would mature and become calm and composed.

In other words, this rough, sharp-edged Iri was a rare sight that could only be seen in the early stages of the story. It would be a shame to miss it…

As I was reviewing future plans in my head while indulging in my little favorite-character obsession, someone next to me spoke up.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Chairman Aaron. I never expected to meet you in a place like this.”

A vaguely familiar face.

Aaron’s memory stirred.

“It’s been a while, Director Simon.”

“It has indeed. I heard you’ve been unwell—have you recovered?”

“Something like that.”

“I see. I’m glad to see you in good health, hahaha.”

The man who laughed heartily was the Director of the Talent Development Research Division at Purity Service.

Each company had a slightly different structure and job titles, but his role was essentially the same as mine.

Yes—head of talent acquisition.

“It’s rare for you to personally come scout students, Director Simon. How’s business these days?”

“Haha, it’s hard to go into detail, but things are going well enough.”

If the Stingray Group had its roots deep in the defense industry focusing on nanomachines and Adaptees, Purity Service’s biggest revenue came from ‘augmentation’ through cyberware.

Augmentation—

In short, it was the technology of directly implanting mechanical devices into the body without relying on nanomachines.

It was considered a generation behind nanomachines, with generally lower performance and significant side effects such as immune reactions.

However, there was one aspect where cyberware augmentation far surpassed nanomachines—

Price.

Nanomachines were expensive.

The injection itself cost a fortune, and it was uncertain whether the nanomachines would successfully integrate into the body. On top of that, installing modules cost extra.

Because of this, nanomachines were usually the privilege of relatively wealthy citizens living in Sector B or higher—or Adaptee soldiers who had decided to become corporate hounds.

For poorer citizens to survive city life without nanomachines, they had no choice but to get cyberware implants from companies like Purity Service.

Even if it meant accepting the side effects.

After all, not everyone wanted a mechanical body just to fight [Arcane].

Purity Service had succeeded precisely by targeting that niche.

“I’ll tell you this just between us, Aaron… we’re planning to expand our production colonies within the next five years. Haha.”

Production colonies.

Most corporations had massive production facilities located outside New Valhalla—areas belonging to the [Arcane]—for the purpose of extracting resources and manufacturing goods.

Expanding those facilities would inevitably lead to fierce battles with monsters.

And waging war meant—

Spending a lot of money.

In the end, Director Simon’s words essentially meant, “Invest in us! We’ll make you money!”

I answered him with,

“An interesting story.”

It was a direct rejection.

Because there was nothing in that proposal I needed to hear.

If it were a plan of that scale, the Stingray Group’s Future Strategy Office would have already identified it long ago and even drafted an investment plan.

For him to bring it to me like this meant the actual plan wasn’t strong enough and investors weren’t biting. He was trying to sweet-talk me into funding it.

Perhaps he thought that a young Crown Prince, who had only just returned after a long illness, might be an easy mark.

Not a chance, old man.

Simon seemed to have caught my meaning perfectly, because he laughed and changed the subject.

“Well, regardless, the fact remains that we’ll soon need many Adaptee soldiers. I was also curious about the one you personally scouted on the very first day, Aaron, hahaha.”

“I see.”

So in the end, that was his real purpose.

How amazing must this person be to get recruited directly into the special class without even being tested? And by the Foundation’s chairman himself? Let me see! …was what he was really saying.

“It seems like a lot of rare faces have gathered here today.”

“I suppose we all share the same curiosity.”

Besides this man, many high-ranking corporate executives were here. I had already exchanged greetings with them earlier.

Normally, events like this were attended by scouts or headhunters instead of top executives.

‘Looks like they’re all curious about the skill level of the Iri I chose.’

The more excellent Adaptees a corporation possessed, the easier it was for them to aggressively expand or stably maintain production facilities outside the city.

In other words, the more outstanding recruits a company secured here, the higher their chances of future success.

If the company in question was a rival, one would take caution and plan countermeasures; if not, they could become a prime target for major investment.

It was a reminder that being an Academy sponsor wasn’t just about babysitting kids.

“…So, is that her?”

“That’s right.”

Where Simon pointed, silver-gray hair shimmered.

I confirmed it, and Simon tilted his head slightly.

“Hmm. She’s smaller than I expected. I thought she’d make a stronger impression.”

“An Adaptee’s ability can’t be judged solely by build or appearance.”

“I know that, but the young man behind her leaves such a strong impression that she’s a little overshadowed…”

I saw Simon’s eyes shift past Iri to the male student who had been picking fights with her for the past two days.

And then—

“You must mean Donovan!”

An excited voice cut in suddenly.

When I turned my head, I saw a man with a weasel-like face, half of which was covered with mechanical parts.

Vladimir Kharitonov.

Chairman of the Millennium Technology Foundation—and my friend.

What? You think he’s not my friend?

Of course he is.

He paid me the friendship fee yesterday, so he’s definitely my friend.

“As expected of you, Director Simon. Your eye for people is exceptional.”

“Oh, Mr. Vladimir, hahaha, you flatter me.”

“You came too, Vladimir.”

“Ah, Aaron Stingray. You’re here as well.”

His tone was like, “Didn’t even notice you were here~.” Looked like he still hadn’t gotten over yesterday’s humiliation.

But then, that was part of Vladimir’s charm. I’d have to raise his friendship fee later.

“Mr. Vladimir, do you know that student?”

“That’s Donovan von Delay. The son of a high-ranking executive in our Security Division.”

“Ah, which means…”

“Yes. I’m sorry, but he’s already set to receive our sponsorship.”

“That’s unfortunate, hahaha. He looked like such a dependable young man—I was a little tempted myself.”

“Haha, thank you for the compliment.”

“Not at all. By the way, will you be attending the G20 summit at the end of this month?”

“Of course!”

The conversation, which began with talk of students, had now shifted to the G20 summit and business matters.

It was proof enough that Simon saw this Donovan as a very promising talent—while Iri, on the other hand, didn’t leave the same impression.

Perhaps he’d even heard rumors about her origins.

When a sponsored student excelled, it reflected well on the sponsor. As a result, I found myself somewhat sidelined in their conversation.

‘Hah, is that how you want to play it?’

Considering yesterday’s events, I had been holding our mutt’s leash tight, hoping we could get along. But if this was how they wanted it, then I had no choice.

I’d have to show them just how well my dog could bite.

I deleted the message I was about to send to Iri and closed the window. Then I simply watched the test as if nothing had happened.

‘The timing should be just about right.’

Knowing Iri’s temperament, she’d be ready to blow any moment now. And, as expected, she caused ‘trouble.’

Murmur, murmur—

Noise erupted from the training hall.

But Vladimir, still engrossed in conversation with Simon, seemed not to notice. Maintaining his exaggerated demeanor, he spoke to me again.

“Ah! I must have unintentionally excluded you from the conversation, Mr. Stingray. My apologies.”

He even bowed his head in apology.

Of course, it was a sarcastic jab.

But I didn’t feel the slightest bit offended.

Why would I? In fact, I was the one who should be apologizing.

“My apologies, Vladimir. I’ll make sure to properly re-educate her.”

“Hm? What do you mean by that?”

Vladimir looked puzzled. And just then, the noise from the training hall grew louder.

“Why is it so loud—ah?!”

Only when he finally looked did Vladimir’s face go pale. Now he understood what was happening.

Bang! Bang!

Iri’s legs came crashing down hard enough to break the floor.

And underneath her, taking a savage beating, was none other than Donovan von Delay—the same student Vladimir had been bragging about endlessly just moments ago.

The scene was now clearly visible to every corporate representative in attendance.

“My sincere apologies, Vladimir.”

“A-Aaron Stingray!”

As Vladimir belatedly erupted in anger, I offered him yet another ‘heartfelt’ apology.

“Our student seems to have acted out of line. I’ll take full responsibility for this matter.”

What? You think I’m smiling?

That it doesn’t look like an apology?

No way.

This was absolutely the face of remorse.

Hahaha.

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