[One Week Later]
The morning sun crept through the gaps in the curtains of my small apartment, forming patterns of light on the wooden floor. I lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. My body still ached from the fight against Draven a week ago. Even though I possessed Regeneration as a basic ability—Low Regeneration—which had healed my physical wounds, the mental fatigue still lingered within me.
"Varro, you need to get up. It's already nine in the morning."
The voice of the Rubik's Cube, the magical cube that always accompanied me, sounded from the coffee table. The small cube rotated slowly, emitting a faint blue light.
"I know," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "It seems I'm free today, right? No training, no problems. Just... peace."
"Correct. But Draven reminded you not to engage in any reckless activities. There might still be risks lurking for you."
I snorted.
Three months at The Umbra's headquarters, and only now did I truly have time for myself—also, the reason why I'm no longer sleeping at The Umbra headquarters; I received an important mission, so I was allowed to blend in with society. And now I'm not in Silver City; I've moved to another city in a different State: Old Town, Delivan State. Miraculously, this area rarely experiences criminal acts or activities that disturb the residents, making this city a perfect place to live a quiet life.
Besides that, hehe. I was transferred money as my first salary by them. It was 700 Hast!!
Haha! 700 Hast every month! Now I've become a Metik citizen!
I got up from the sofa, stretching my body. My joints let out a satisfying 'crack'.
•
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[6 Days Ago]
"So, why did you call me here?"
Lissa held her tablet. "There's another reason we called you today."
On the holographic screen.
A blurry image of a magnificent building surrounded by enormous, high walls appeared—its structure like a secret military base combined with futuristic technology. And it stood in the middle of a wilderness I did not know.
"Have you ever heard of 'Nethera Academy'?" asked Lissa.
I shook my head. "No."
Nethera Academy... I truly didn't know there was an academy with such a name in this Federation.
Lissa sighed, as if this was going to be a long explanation. "Nethera Academy. A secret academy rumored to be created by a former military commander whose true identity even the Nobles, the Government, and even we ourselves cannot ascertain. And this academy is known to combine two learning programs: military and technology," she said.
"It can be said, the purpose of creating this academy is to eradicate crime and rebellion in this Federation. The academy even has a very strict defense system, so no one can hack its data. And the students they train are not chosen arbitrarily; they assess, monitor, and select."
She paused for a moment. "No one knows, no one is familiar with the contents of Nethera Academy. When an intruder's presence is detected, they are eliminated in less than 10 minutes, or even faster, in 3 minutes. But luckily, the infiltrator we sent managed to get this blurry image, even though he lost his life..." She continued, "Nethera Academy is also not bound by any government or organization; they stand on their own feet. Opposing anything that disturbs justice in this Federation."
I swallowed.
Goodness, she gave such a long piece of information...
"So, what do you want me to do?"
Draven chewed his gum casually. "We need someone who can be a bridge between The Umbra and Nethera Academy."
"A bridge?"
Lissa nodded. "We believe, someday, we must cooperate with them. But currently, they see organizations like us as nothing more than troublesome groups that threaten stability. Even though we have the same goal," she said.
Then she continued, "The goals of The Umbra and Nethera Academy are not entirely different; we and they aim to maintain peace and stop rebellions that threaten the Exlish Federation. However, Nethera Academy's goal goes deeper than that... They want to eradicate the entire corrupt government and restructure it with a new, better system so that all citizens' lives are equal and prosperous. Meanwhile, The Umbra's goal doesn't go that far; we only provide proper justice for society, be it humans or mutants who don't receive justice."
The Cube suddenly spoke from its dimensional pocket. "Logically, it makes sense. Most likely, Nethera Academy has far greater resources and influence than The Umbra. If someday you can unite, the combined strength could change the Federation."
I sighed. "So... I have to do some kind of 'approach' with Nethera Academy?"
"More or less," Draven replied.
"And if I fail?"
Lissa answered, "Then you will be considered a troublemaker, and they will eliminate you in a matter of minutes."
"...Great. No pressure at all."
Draven laughed and slapped my back, hard. "Just relax, Kid. You have a talent for survival. And most importantly, think about your salary that will be wasted if you die."
"Salary?"
"Yes, you will receive your first salary!"
Draven, behind his cold mask, the more you get to know him, the more he resembles a humorous old man...
I looked at the two of them in disbelief. "You... have really arranged everything, haven't you?"
"Of course," Draven nodded proudly. "We are professionals."
The Cube suddenly spoke again. "Or you could consider this the weirdest mission in history."
"And most importantly..." Lissa paused for a moment. "Protect the mutants, protect the humans, protect the justice eroded by greed," she said, with a small smile and a strange gaze—somewhat empty, as if her mind was carried away by a current of fatigue.
•
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[Present Time]
The morning air was still fresh as I stepped into this cafe named "Haven". I wore leather shoes, a black jacket, and black trousers. A bell chimed softly as the door opened. The aroma of coffee and baked pastries greeted me.
"Good morning, Mr. Nova!" exclaimed a 16-year-old waitress with short black hair and brown eyes.
I nodded. "Morning, Mira. The usual."
Mira smiled. "Black coffee and a croissant, right? Right away!"
Every time I come here, I feel a warmth I had long forgotten, and a girl like Mira is truly rare. She should be focusing on her education, but to support her family's needs, she works part-time at this cafe as a waitress. Her father disappeared when she was 11, and now she only lives with her mother. How do I know? Because I gathered information about her. Don't accuse me of being a pedophile; I'm like this because I care about her. She has a kindness that resembles my little sister's.
I sighed.
Choosing a table in the corner near the window wasn't bad. My cover identity in this city—an 19-year-old antique dealer, why should my fake age be 19? Because my face supports it. The Umbra prepared another identity for me, a better version, even with a fake history that could withstand special checks.
"You come here too often," whispered the Cube from my jacket pocket. "This could become a weak point."
"I need a normal place," I answered softly while looking out the window. Children were running across the street, an old man was selling newspapers, a couple was holding hands. Ordinary life that felt... foreign to me.
Mira returned with my order. "This is today's special coffee, from new beans."
"Thank you." I took a sip of the coffee. Bitter, but with a fruity note at the end. It felt good to enjoy peace in the warmth of a cup of coffee.
Yet the question that had been arising since the previous fight troubled my mind; the power possessed by Draven... what exactly is it?
The energy he emitted... was different from Cosmic Servant energy. Even if it were Mutant power, I wouldn't believe it. That energy... felt connected to me, not as a Cosmic Servant. But connected as a Human, something that could make my blood boil and my bones tremble. That power was like an echo from a forgotten existence, one that has passed through many eras, possessing a long history since ancient times.
"..."
My index finger tapped the table calmly.
I hope I can understand that power more deeply, because even the Cube cannot comprehend what kind of power it is—even if I ask again, it will always say: "I don't know what kind of power that is."
Also, a few days earlier, I finally learned one thing after inquiring with the Cube—a Balance Fragment must increase its power to gain more abilities; by extracting Balance Fragments from fallen Cosmic Servants.
By increasing its power, perhaps the Cube can detect presences and directions. Or even hack systems and AI.
From this, it can be concluded that there are two entities whose power can be enhanced: the Cosmic Servant and the Balance Fragment; two powers that complement each other.
Suddenly, the TV screen on the cafe wall broadcast news that diverted my attention:
"A small explosion in Rham City last night. Police suspect this is related to illegal Mutant group activities."
Some cafe visitors frowned. A middle-aged man grumbled, "Mutants again, mutants again. When will they be controlled?"
Rham City? Isn't that the city next to this one? Why would a Mutant group attack that city? Are they planning an assault on the government? Or did they do it just to cause trouble?
If so, the situation will be bad. They won't come to Old Town, right? I hope not.
If they do. How unlucky.
This city is too peaceful to be in a Federation filled with chaos.
Mira, who was cleaning the table next to me, whispered, "Don't mind them, Mr. Nova. Not all mutants are bad."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Once... my younger brother was saved by a Mutant during a fire," she said in a low voice. "But now he has to hide because he's afraid of being captured by the government."
I looked at her more deeply. The Umbra indeed has a vast information network, but stories from ordinary people like this... felt more real.
.....