Kyousuke's Appearance
Wait, what? Why's Kyousuke here?
Sure, this is the officer academy, and in the original story, Axel and Kyousuke didn't seem that far apart in age. So, it's not impossible for us to be at Geneva Officer Academy together, right? In the source material, they were rivals but not acquaintances. Maybe that's because the original Axel didn't attend Geneva, joining Shadow-Mirror through another academy or route?
…Oh no. Did I accidentally shatter the original plot without realizing it?
While my mind spirals, Kyousuke continues his explanation—basic stuff juvenile academy grads already know: arrive ten minutes early for scheduled times, how to file for leave or overnight passes, that sort of thing.
"That's about it. Oh, and who's Axel Almer, the juvenile academy valedictorian?"
Barison nudges my back, snapping me out of it. Looks like I'm being called out.
…No way I'm getting infected by the Einst, right?
"That's me," I say, standing.
"Right. By tradition, the first-year class representative is the juvenile academy student with the highest grades—in this case, you. From second year on, it's based on overall performance."
"Understood."
My heart's racing, but I keep my face neutral.
"That's all. We upperclassmen in the pilot course welcome you."
Kyousuke salutes and leaves.
"Phew."
"What's up? Even the juvenile academy valedictorian gets nervous around the third-year top dog?" Barison teases.
I'm too drained to banter back, so I just wave him off. Still, running into Kyousuke here? Shocking enough that for a split second, I imagined summoning a slime to attack him.
"…Wait a sec."
Let's think this through. Kyousuke gets infected by the Einst after graduating, during a shuttle accident. Right now, he's just a normal guy. If I took him out now, he'd never get infected, the Beowulves wouldn't form—or at least, they'd be weaker.
"Could I pull it off?"
The benefits are clear: no Beowulves, a weaker Shadow-Mirror. But the downside? Without Kyousuke, the story veers off completely, nullifying my biggest advantage—knowledge of the original plot. If I killed him, Shadow-Mirror's rebellion would be unpredictable. Honestly, with just one unit, no matter how skilled or advanced their machines, I doubt they'd topple the Federation. As a certain lieutenant general said, "War is about numbers, brother."
The W-Series was meant to counter that, but a rebellion's still a long shot. Plus, if Kyousuke's gone and the Einst infect someone else, I'd be clueless about who. My knowledge of Kyousuke's infection is my edge—lose that, and I'm flying blind.
"Guess it's status quo for now."
"No idea what you're mulling over, but you done?" Barison asks.
I blink, realizing the classroom's nearly empty except for us and a few others.
"Sorry, kept you waiting."
"Nah, it's fine. Save lines like that for your girlfriend."
He looks stoic but cracks jokes, huh? Girlfriend, though… If I'm Axel, does that mean I'm fated for Lemon? I'm into mature, intelligent types, so that's no issue—honestly, a big plus. But that means Kyousuke needs to hit that shuttle accident as per the original. Excellen died in it, was revived as a W-Number android, and became Lemon with no memories of Excellen, right? Guess I'll figure that out when I meet her.
"Alright, let's head to the dorms."
"Yeah, looking forward to working with you, Mr. Valedictorian."
We leave the classroom together.
"You know where the dorms are?"
"No clue. I'm from the juvenile academy, but I'm not omniscient. Check the enrollment guide."
"Oh, right. It's close—makes sense for the pilot course dorm to be near our building."
A ten-minute walk from the school, and there's the dorm. It looks decent—no drafty, thirty-year-old wooden shack here. We scan our pilot course IDs at the entrance machine. Inside, an elderly man from the manager's office hands us a clearly handmade booklet titled Pilot Course Dorm Rules and Stuff.
…Yes, it literally says "and Stuff." Who made this? Zero effort. Barison's smirking at it too.
"Enter, go right for the men's dorm, left for women's. Both go up to the fifth floor, but they're not connected. To reach the women's dorm, you pass through the first floor, but movement's banned after 9 p.m. Read the booklet for the rest. Your stuff's already in your rooms."
The manager retreats to his office.
"I'm in 405, you're… 207," Barison says.
"Second floor, huh? Lucky—no stairs every morning."
"Let's head up. Gotta unpack."
I nod, and we climb the right staircase. In a game, I'd "accidentally" take the left one to trigger a heroine event. …Wait, Super Robot Wars is a game, isn't it?
"Hey, Barison, I'll take the right stairs. Wanna try the left?"
"No way. I'm not getting labeled a perv on day one."
"So, it's fine after day one?"
"Quit nitpicking. Let's go. Lunch is good until 1400. With unpacking, how's 1300?"
"Got it. 1300 at the cafeteria."
We part at the second-floor landing, and I head to 207.
"Not bad."
Room 207 is about six tatami mats—bigger than the juvenile academy dorm. There's a bed, TV, air conditioner, small fridge, and storage shelves. Signs of a previous occupant linger, probably a recent graduate. I'll get used to it.
"Almost 1200. Plenty of time."
I check my PDA, flop onto the bed, and skim the booklet. Dorm rules are similar to the juvenile academy, with a few differences. Unauthorized leave is banned—outings or overnights need three days' notice. You can use cash or digital payments at the shop, but credit's allowed, deducted from your stipend. The dorm has a basement training room, first-floor cafeteria, lounge, and meeting rooms. Floors two to five are living quarters.
Cafeteria meals are free, and you can cook if you bring ingredients. Breakfast is 0530–0730, lunch 1100–1400, dinner 1700–2000, with takeout available if arranged. No curfew on campus, but off-campus, it's 2200.
Checking the rules, I lose track of time—it's five minutes to 1300.
"Can't be late on day one."
I pocket my PDA and head downstairs, spotting Barison.
"Yo, punctual's a good look."
"Yup."
We head to the cafeteria. Lunch is all-you-can-eat pasta, a few varieties.
…Taste is average, at best.
Character Profile: Axel Almer
Level: 7
PP: 10
Melee: 134
Shooting: 152
Skill: 144
Defense: 141
Evasion: 169
Accuracy: 191
SP: 198
Ace Bonus: Unknown
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Air: A
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
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Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Recovery, Focus)
Telekinesis Lv.4
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Kills: 4