Velstrance Institute – Front Gate
The sound of Kaito's leather shoes echoed along the cobblestone path toward the towering gate engraved with Velstrance Institute. The morning air was cold, yet instead of the lively chatter of students, an unsettling silence dominated the grounds. A few school flags drooped limply in the wind, paint peeled from the walls, and the courtyard looked deserted.
Kaito stopped, slipping both hands into the pockets of his blazer. His gaze swept across the empty campus, his brow creasing slightly.
"Hm… why is this place so silent? It's quieter than a midnight library," he muttered, his voice flat, though edged with genuine puzzlement.
❝Is today a school holiday here? Hhh… maybe Zaid forgot to mention the school's closed,❞ he sighed inwardly—before his mind drifted back to ten minutes earlier, just before his arrival at Velstrance.
---
10 Minutes Earlier – Before Kaito Arrived at Velstrance
Amiratul Hukm Tower – 48th Floor, Coordination Room
The concrete-gray room lay in silence. From the large window, dim morning light filtered through Akarius's haze.
Kaito lounged lazily in a chair, his chin resting on his palm.
❝Why was I summoned this early? I haven't even had coffee yet.❞
The automatic door hissed open. Zaid walked in, neatly dressed as always, tablet in hand.
"Kaito," he said casually, "prepare yourself. Someone wants to meet you."
Kaito lifted his head, halfhearted.
"Hm? Who?"
"His name is Doctor Budi. He specifically requested you," Zaid answered flatly.
Kaito frowned.
"Doctor Budi? …Never even heard of him. Who is he?"
Zaid offered only a faint smile.
"You'll find out soon enough. The meeting's at Velstrance Institute."
Kaito tilted his head, perplexed.
"Velstrance? Haven't heard of that either."
"All the more reason you should go," Zaid replied lightly, tucking away his tablet. "Think of it as… an introduction to a world you've yet to step into."
Kaito rose, adjusting his clothes carelessly.
"Fine, fine. So basically I'm being sent somewhere without any explanation? You really enjoy keeping me curious."
Zaid chuckled softly.
"Curiosity is healthy. Just follow the flow. Your transport is waiting downstairs—you have ten minutes."
Kaito exhaled but allowed a small smile to creep across his face.
❝Whoever this Doctor Budi is, and why I'm supposed to meet him at some obscure school… it might be interesting.❞
He stepped out. The automatic door slid shut slowly behind him, leaving Zaid standing alone.
---
Back to Velstrance – The School Grounds
Kaito finally stepped forward into the empty campus, his movements cautious. Barely seconds had passed when—
DOOR!
A gunshot tore through the still air. The bullet shot straight for his head.
Kaito's eyes widened. "Damn… I reacted too late," he muttered, his body shifting half a step aside.
But before the bullet could strike, a blue, hexagonal glow flared before him. A transparent holographic shield materialized for a split second, deflecting the round, which clattered harmlessly onto the stone ground.
Kaito froze in disbelief. "Hah!?" His eyes darted to the glowing shield. "Since when did I have a toy like this!?"
❝Could this be part of… a 'special welcome'? If so, I seriously want to file a complaint with Doctor Budi.❞
From the rooftop of the main building, a lazy voice rang out.
"Woooh… nice gadget you've got, buddy. Thought my bullet would put you straight to sleep."
Kaito looked up. Perched above was a student with a devil-may-care stance. His messy brown hair caught the breeze, his black uniform worn sloppily—blazer unbuttoned, shirt crumpled, tie draped loosely around his neck. In his hands gleamed a sleek black AWM sniper rifle.
The boy grinned, leaning against the rooftop railing.
Kaito let out a faint scoff, his tone icy. "Huh… and why did you shoot me? If this is how you welcome newcomers, I'd say it feels more like a ritual sacrifice."
The boy shrugged, his deadpan expression only making his words sound more absurd.
"Oh, that? I was just bored. No one else to shoot, so you happened to pass by."
❝Seriously!? He just tried to kill someone and his excuse is 'boredom'? Are all the students here short-circuited?❞ Kaito tilted his head slightly, baffled.
He inhaled deeply, then asked with sharp eyes, "So… what's the name of this 'morning nuisance'?"
The boy lowered his rifle and stood up straight, still nonchalant.
"Name's Jaret. Second-year middle school. My official role? Student Council President here."
Kaito blinked. "…Student Council President?" he repeated, laced with disbelief.
Jaret stared back without shame, then asked in return,
"Eh, who're you anyway? I've been shooting at you, but we haven't even introduced ourselves."
Kaito crossed his arms, his expression cold. "My name's Kaito. The new teacher here. More precisely, the replacement for your… airborne predecessor."
Hearing this, Jaret went still for a moment. His eyes narrowed slightly before he dipped his head faintly.
"Oh… so you're the one. The replacement teacher." He casually reloaded his rifle. "Sorry if I came off a bit rude."
❝'Sorry,' but he's still loading rounds? Is this kid actually apologizing or just practicing reloads?❞ Kaito thought grimly.
After a brief silence, Kaito finally asked in a calmer tone,
"Hm… by the way, where can I find Doctor Budi's office?"
Jaret paused, then lifted his chin toward a decrepit building on the west side of the courtyard. Its paint peeled, windows cracked, and the sign reading SCHOOL CLINIC dangled half-detached.
"Over there. Just walk straight. Careful though—the floors collapse sometimes. Step wrong and you'll end up a permanent patient of Doctor Budi."
Kaito glanced at the building, then nodded slowly. "Understood. Thanks for the direction."
He walked off, leaving the yard behind, while Jaret remained on the rooftop. The wind tousled his brown hair, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Inside, Jaret whispered,
❝Replacement teacher, huh… Let's see, Sensei. How long you'll last in this hellhole of a school.❞
---
The School Clinic
The old wooden door screeched as Kaito pushed it open. The stench of rust mixed with stale antiseptic hit his nose. Flickering fluorescent lights overhead buzzed like dying candles, casting a bleak—almost absurd—gloom for a school infirmary.
Kaito stepped inside cautiously. The room looked more like a junkyard workshop than a clinic. Medicine racks in chaos, bloodstained bandages stuck to the desk, and one of the patient beds had a broken leg.
❝…This is the school clinic? Seriously? Looks more like a military scrap depot.❞ Kaito thought, his face blank.
His eyes then landed on a humanoid robot at the center of the room. Its body was riddled with cracks, like old porcelain on the verge of shattering. Red, blue, and black wires dangled exposed from its shoulders and waist. The machine stood stiffly, a statue of ruin.
Kaito frowned, stepping closer, the click of his leather shoes echoing on the fractured floor.
"Doctor Budi! Where are you?" he called out, scanning the dim room.
Suddenly, the robot spoke. Its voice was raspy, like a broken radio.
"I am here, Teacher…"
Kaito stopped, turning sharply toward it. His eyes widened slightly.
"Oh… so you're Doctor Budi?" He strode nearer, hands still in his pockets, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "What's with the robot cosplay? New medical trend?"
The robot's eyes glowed faintly, then flickered. Its voice was hoarse yet clear.
"Because I cannot be physically present here. Remember—this city houses troubled students from around the world. If I came in person… I doubt I'd last a week."
❝Hm. Safer to send a scrap-metal proxy than die pointlessly. Fair logic, I guess.❞ Kaito thought, leaning against a broken table.
The robot continued, its speech occasionally glitching.
"As a substitute, I speak through this machine. Though… it can no longer move. You know how the students here are fond of beating and shooting me. Every week, someone comes to patch me up—though the result is always more cracks. As long as the wires reconnect, it suffices."
Kaito smirked faintly.
"So you're the doctor and also the school's punching bag? Quite a… unique position."
❝This school is straight out of dark comedy. The Student Council President shoots people for fun, and the doctor gets beaten by his own patients. Next thing I know, the security guard's a vegetarian vampire.❞
The robot crackled, emitting a sound like a stiff laugh.
"Enough of that. I am used to it. The reason I summoned you… is simple."
Kaito raised a brow. "Simple, huh? Let me guess: not to check my blood pressure?"
"No. I want you to tour this school. Learn its buildings, corners, and above all… its students. The sooner you understand the terrain, the longer you will survive."
Kaito exhaled deeply, staring up at the grim ceiling.
"So my job isn't to teach… but to run a survival tour? Truly a misleading job description."
❝Well… at least I can tell myself it's more thrilling than a 50-hour briefing.❞
The robot murmured steadily. "Think of it that way. Good luck, Teacher Kaito."
Kaito narrowed his eyes lazily. "I hate that phrase. It usually means I'm about to face big trouble."
Just then—creeeak! The clinic door groaned open. Kaito turned.
A student strolled in, carrying a toolbox. His black hair was messy under a dark cap, his green jacket worn and faded. Slung casually over his shoulder was a sniper rifle.
The boy glanced briefly at Kaito, then smirked faintly.
"Oh. Teacher. Trouble here?"
Kaito's eyes sharpened. ❝Oh. Max. Why is he here?❞
Before Kaito could speak, the robot answered.
"Max. He is here only for… maintenance. Sadly, unaccompanied by a guide."
Max stepped closer, unfazed, setting his toolbox on the table. He looked at Kaito calmly.
"A study tour, huh? Sounds way nicer than my assignment. So… what brought you here, Teacher?"
Kaito crossed his arms, suspicious.
"That's my question. What are you doing here?"
Max chuckled softly, pulling out a screwdriver.
"Me? Just here to fix our beloved 'doctor.'" He tapped the robot's shoulder, which buzzed faintly in response.
Kaito sighed. "In that case, I'll take my leave."
He turned toward the door—but froze when sparks crackled behind him. He glanced back.
Max was dismantling a panel from the robot, sparks flashing against his hand. Yet he remained utterly calm. No flinch, no pain. Instead, he hummed softly, as if the shock was nothing more than a mosquito bite.
Kaito studied him for a few seconds, brow furrowing. ❝That kind of current would send a normal man into convulsions. But him… he's unfazed?❞
In a low murmur, Kaito spoke as he opened the door to leave.
"Hm. Is that also the effect of the serum…?"
The door closed gently behind him, leaving Max and the broken Doctor Budi inside.