After my master's respectful request, the judicial authorities reluctantly admitted to rescinding my punishment. As if they ever had a choice in the matter.
Anywa, now Sera can remain with me, albeit with a condition – I must earn the right to keep her with me and keep her alive.
Basically, starting next semester, I am obliged to accept and engage in missions regarding continental security level threats. n))..--e-/))./1--n
While I wasn't an expert on the topic, I knew that the military categorized their missions into several different threat levels: mundane, abnormal, state security, continental security, special forces, and extinction-level threats.
It's not unheard for a Cadet to be deployd in the midst of their training, but it only happens to the best of the best – the top 10 Cadets, to be precise. And even then it is rare.
The top 25 are usually deployed on official missions too, but not for matters concerning continental security, which deals with terrorist organizations and the like.
Haa! It's so ironic that just until a year ago, I thought that I would be living a safe life, leaving Nero to handle all the perilous tasks.
But it's fine. Yes, it's acceptable. Even with the inherent danger, this conclusion is far better than Sera's immediate execution or my imprisonment.
Or, at least, that was my mindset until a few minutes ago. Right now, I'm inclined to think that being imprisoned could've been better as I would've got some peace of mind that way.
"Waaah! Paaaaa! Don't leave Sera like this ever!"
"Brooo! I cried for you! I thought you were dead!"
Shaking my head, an exasperated sigh escaping my lips. I tried to disentangle the blue-haired elf clinging onto me.
Then, I tried to free myself from the young girl gripping my legs as if her life depended on it.
"What is wrong with all of you," I rolled my eyes, my voice still a bit raspy. Leaning back on my sickbed, I tiredly closed my eyes. "Why is everyone hugging me as soon as they see me."
"Because Sera thought pa died!"
"Because Kent thought bro died!"
"Oh god!" Barely resisting the urge to pull out a handful of my hair, I declared, "Okay, you two, leave me this instance or I'll Mana Burst both of you."
"Ahem," Kent cleared his throat and calmly scooched away from the bed. Sera also followed suit, leaving my legs and stepping away as if nothing happened.
"So, can they even do that? I mean, force you to serve in the field like that?" Amelia, seated by the side table, peeling apples and carving them into bunny shapes, asked curiously.
Before I could answer, Anastasia, cradling a cup of warm tea in her hands while sitting cross-legged on the couch, chimed in.
"I mean, of course, they can. Besides, Lucas isn't exactly in the position to deny their… um… let's call it a request."
"It's not a request," Nero snapped, standing by the window, gazing out at the awe-inspiring cityscape. He turned around, facing me, "This should clearly be illegal. It's as if they want him to die."
"Okay," I scoffed. "I'm not going to die. I'll be working with classically trained professionals. I'll be providing support at most. And I'll only be taking a few missions in a year. We had to take missions after reaching the top twenty-five anyway."
"Yes, but not continental level threats!" Nero retorted. "State security, or abnormal threats, at most!"
"It's fine," I waved my hand dismissively. "I'm strong. I can handle it, Nero."
Nero rolled his eyes and spun around, staring back at the vista outside the glass window. "I know better than anyone else how strong you are. I guess, you're right. We shouldn't be worried about you."
No, no. I meant you shouldn't worry about me. Let these two beautiful girls worry about me as much as they want.
Shrugging with a smile, I looked around, my gaze falling on Kent's metal arm. Aside from not being made of flesh, this arm was functioning exactly like a natural one.
"Does it hurt?" I asked, glimpsing at Kent.
He silently shook his head in response. I lingered for a while, before asking in a whispering tone, "Can you cast hand signs using that?"
Kent stayed silent for a while before shaking his head again. "It's a special alloy metal that conducts mana, but not like our flesh does – not that intricately. So… I can't cast any hand signs that require two hands. But this is still good. I can wield my scythe and use martial aura… once I learn it… as naturally as others."
I nodded, before a playful smile cracked on my lips. "So, your hand can't shoot energy beams?"
Kent rolled his eyes, his patience running thin. "For the last time, Lucas! I can't shoot god damn energy beams from my hands! Do you think I wouldn't have wanted that?!"
I couldn't help but burst into laughter after finally getting the reaction from him that I was trying for so long.
Kent shook his head before he also started laughing with the others.
This was fun. I never knew how fun bantering together with friends could be until I found these guys.
In front of these people, I could be the version of myself that I actually liked. I was still lying, putting on a mask, but I was becoming this person that I actually wanted to be. The uncaring narcissistic young master who is not a douche but actually a pretty good-hearted guy.
But… At the end of the day, this persona of mine was a lie. I knew that. I knew who I really was – just a scared little boy, trapped in a convoluted mess of fate and Gods, too powerless to do anything and stop the ensuing chaos.
I knew what I needed to do. I needed to get stronger. Far stronger than I currently was to even hope of standing a chance against whatever calamity that was about to befall on the world.
Amelia was done peeling the apples. She got up and brought me a plate full of bunny-shaped slices. "Here."
I nodded, taking a few in between my fingers.
I will not do it. I don't know what happened that pushed me to take their lives in the past timeline… but I won't do it again. I won't achieve peace by sacrificing these kids. I refuse to do that.
I will get stronger. I will end the war. I will deal with the God of Fate. Then, at last, I will see what I can do about the Dragon God.
