Inside a small room at the institute, about eight tatami mats in size, four people study around a central table. It feels less like a classroom and more like friends gathered in someone's room.
"Everyone, got a moment? Axel's here, and I'd like to introduce him to Mizuho," Montoya says.
I follow up. "Been a while, you three. We've talked via messages since the funeral. And you're Mizuho? I'm Axel Almer, connected through my letters with Dr. Fel. Nice to meet you."
Mizuho's a petite girl with short pink hair, exuding a small-animal vibe. "Hi, I'm Mizuho Saiki. I've been helping out here recently." She bows, clutching Raul's shirt—true to that first impression.
"Montoya says you're a genius at design and maintenance," I note.
"N-no way," she blushes, hardly seeming like a mechanic rivaling Astonage.
"I brought something for you. Montoya will show you later—should be useful."
"A gift?" she asks.
"Yeah, we're working on a Time Flow Engine weapon. I brought a military machine's blueprint."
"Amazing, really!?" Raj reacts first, excited. Mizuho frowns, while Raul and Fiona look confused.
"Rom, I'm not into weapons…" Mizuho starts.
Montoya cuts in. "I know you prefer rescue machines, but they'd bankrupt the institute. The Federation, thanks to Axel's connections, will fund us soon. Can you help with a weaponized Time Flow Engine for now? I'm not saying abandon rescue machines—I'd love to see one powered by the engine. Just give us time."
Mizuho looks down, silent. Her parents' death, preventable with a rescue machine, is clearly a trauma. Time for backup.
"Mizuho, I'm asking too. This is secret, but my future CO pulled strings for funding. Not pure charity, but not pure calculation either. There's a chance my unit could adopt a Time Flow Engine machine. That'd secure funding for rescue machines too."
Unit details are classified, but I trust these four won't leak. Raj might be a concern, but Fiona should keep him in check.
"…Sorry, I need time. I get it logically, but emotionally…" Mizuho apologizes.
Progress—she acknowledges the logic. Montoya nods, patting her shoulder. "You can't change your mind instantly. I rushed you. We don't have much time, but there's some."
"Right. Forcing it won't yield a usable weapon for the Federation," I add.
"Axel, are we done with the tough stuff?" Fiona chimes in.
I forgot Raul and Fiona were left out. "Yeah, sorry. Done."
"Play with us then?" Fiona asks eagerly.
Raj interjects, "Fiona, you and Raul are behind on studies. You think there's time to play?"
"But we're better at physical stuff! Besides, we'll test-pilot the Time Flow Engine machine!" Fiona retorts.
"Even if we build it, completion's uncertain. Axel's hopeful, but we might not meet expectations," Raj glances at Mizuho. "And Mizuho hasn't agreed to help."
"My feelings don't matter," Mizuho says.
"No, Fiona's pushing too hard," Raul interjects.
Fiona stirs trouble, Raj corrects, Mizuho mediates, Raul wraps it up—perfect roles.
"Calm down, all of you," Montoya says. "Fiona, test-piloting needs knowledge, not just stamina."
"Exactly. I wouldn't trust a musclehead with it," Raj adds.
"But it's been ages since we saw Axel!" Fiona protests.
"I'm not saying don't hang out. Finish studying first. I've got things to discuss with Axel too," Raj says, looking to me.
"No problem here," I nod. "I enjoy talking with you all."
Raj's word settles it—we'll hang out after their studies. I return to Montoya's lab.
"Thanks, Axel. Your words helped Mizuho consider it positively," Montoya says from the sofa.
"No issue. The Time Flow Engine's too valuable to pass up." Another proposal hits me. "If machine development's tough, I've got a backup plan."
"What?"
"Develop the Time Flow Engine here, the machine elsewhere."
"Machine development? Feasible?"
"Not easy. We'd need top talent. It's a last resort. Ideally, you, who know the engine best, build the Exsala here."
He nods. It's a fallback I pitched to Vindel, but Exsala's best made here to match my knowledge of its frame-swapping system.
"As a backup, it'd mean less funding than planned," I note.
"Understood."
That should secure Exsala. I prefer shooting over melee, so I'd love the Eternal Frame—though its look might need tweaking.
Work done, we chat about recent events until Raul bursts in. "Axel, we finished studying! Let's play!"
I smile, standing from the sofa.