Prepare (5)

Inside the cave on the snow-covered mountain, Shion cooked, and Theia finished her meal. It was surprisingly tasty.

Of course, it wasnt actual taste, but merely electrical signals transmitted to the brain.

After all, this place was Shions subconscious. Time stretched to extremes here, so there was no need for nutritional intake or gourmet experiences. Whether you ate a zombie brain or indulged in five-star fine dining, it was all the same.

Are you okay?

Shion Ascal or more precisely, his subconscious asked.

Theia shrugged her shoulders.

Yeah.

Right now, she had to pretend to be Tei, the person Shion knew. She wanted to dismiss it all due to her temperament, but maintaining flexibility was extremely important in this situation.

Theia showed her ankle.

My leg seems to be healing quite well.

Huh? Its healing incredibly fast.

Im a knight, after all. I heal well.

True.

If the flexibility waivers, the subjects subconscious collapses.

When the subconscious collapses, it rises to consciousness.

Everything that happens in the subconscious transfers to consciousness.

In other words.

Shion would actually mistake the entire final test process, which should have been buried at the bottom of his subconscious, the 4-5 years that passed in the Matrix of the capsule, and Tei, his comrade, for reality.

Its a huge error.

Theia asked cautiously.

So, shall we start climbing?

No. Lets rest for today.

Shion was worried about her, but Theia almost cursed.

She couldnt exit the subconscious now that her external connection was cut off. The only way to end the experience was probably to complete the mountain climb.

sigh.

For the record, the time Theia had directly experienced in Shions world was barely three hours.

Once she approached Shion as Tei and got somewhat close, Shions subconscious would weave episodes related to Tei on its own. As the comrade or friend Shion wished for.

Hey. Dont worry. I can keep a secret.

Shion, misunderstanding Theias expression, spoke. She bit her lip gently, recalling the inappropriate physical contact just now.

Of course, that too was merely an electrical signal

Its annoying. Its bringing out my old personality.

Lets sleep for a day and go.

Shion spread out his sleeping bag.

Theia sighed. Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility. She repeated to herself and held back.

Yeah.

She also rummaged through her backpack. She had a sleeping bag too. She slid her body into it.

She blankly stared at the ceiling.

Hey.

Shion spoke. Theia kept her gaze attached to the ceiling and closed her mouth.

I told you to speak.

I dont know why youre hiding it, but I dont care whether youre a man or a woman.

Theia remained silent.

Then, Shion let out a faint sigh.

Sigh. Hey, Ill tell you something too.

Theia narrowed her eyes slightly. At that moment, Shion looked back at her.

What will you tell me?

My secret.

As Theia, this was somewhat intentional. Its why she had disguised her gender as male.

The best way to find out someones secret is to share a secret.

She never dreamed it would go like this.

You have a secret too?

Yeah.

Shion gave a somewhat bitter smile.

You probably cant imagine it.

What is it?

Ill tell you when we reach the summit.

Fine.

She had planned to do the same.

As long as the flexibility isnt damaged, she has to help him climb as quickly as possible. Thats the only way to escape from here.

Lets climb to the summit together.

Alright. So, relax your face and rest a bit. I really can keep a secret, okay?

Okay.

Theia closed her eyes.

Whooooo

The snowstorm quietly rolled in from outside the cave.

Crackle crackle

The warm campfire burning inside.

It was a combination that invited sleep.

* * *

Two hours into the final test.

Zzzzzzzzz!

The lids of the capsules in the examination room were opening one by one. Those who passed quickly were Gerkhen, Layla, Asher, Kain, Elise, and so on. As expected, most of them were in the top ranks.

Ah~ why am I so drowsy.

Layla looked around with half-open eyes.

Yaaawn. Im sleepy.

She yawned as she stretched.

Layla. Do you remember the test content?

Elise, who was stretching next to her, asked.

Me? Remember I barely do. What about you, Elly?

She had a feeling that she had taken some test in this capsule, but it was vague like a dream.

I remember a little bit of the last part.

Why?

Because I was great.

Elise said it in the most basic way. Layla looked at her and chuckled.

Pfft. Oh, really. Elly the Great, huh~?

Whats that?

Its probably an aftereffect. A phenomenon similar to residue.

The voice of a researcher who happened to come by.

He was checking several things on his tablet as he spoke.

Dont worry, youll forget it in a day or two. Elise, you scored a perfect 10. Layla, you got 9.

A perfect score.

A satisfying score.

Elise glanced at her waist. The rabbit doll Cookie was hidden there.

Even in her unconsciousness, she had often relied on this Cookie. It was a strange thing.

Why did I get 9? Elly got 10.

Layla glanced at Elise and asked.

Layla, you passed in several areas, but you had an unconscious defense mechanism.

Ah. Right.

Layla had undergone unconscious training. To prevent herself from being discovered as Mila. To hide her memories of her deceased father.

There were deductions for transparency, but in all other areas, you showed excellent mental strength and pure empathy.

Hmm~ Thats good, right?!

Yes. You scored 9 points.

Yay.

Elise shifted her gaze elsewhere.

Shion Ascal. He was still in the capsule.

But hell probably be out soon.

Hes the one who even survived the phantom.

Elly. Shall we have a party to celebrate passing?!

Layla hooked her arm around Elises. Elise pushed her away.

I have a magic tutoring schedule.

What? Even though the entrance exam is over? Why is your life like that, Elly?

Whats wrong with my life?

You only study.

Elise raised an eyebrow and packed her stuff.

Life is a process of learning.

* * *

Ebert Mountain.

Theia climbed the mountain while maintaining as much flexibility in the situation and characters as possible.

With Shion, for a full three weeks. Of course, in real time, it would probably be between 10 and 20 minutes.

Whooooo

As always, a blizzard was raging halfway up the mountain.

Shion stopped Theia from moving forward.

Hold on. Theres a yeti over there.

A yeti?

Yetis are not programmed monsters.

Theia looked in that direction.

As he said, it wasnt a yeti It was just a transparent skeleton covered in a blizzard, making it look like a yeti.

Its a vaccine.

The capsule matrixs own security program. The target is likely herself.

In a situation where the external connection is cut off, an outsider like Theia would be nothing more than a virus.

However, its crucial that Shion doesnt discover that its a vaccine. That in itself would be a flexibility error.

Kill it in one hit. Yetis have excellent recovery abilities and will recover quickly.

At Theias words, Shion drew his sword.

Understood.

Can you do it?

Leave it to me.

The vaccine stomped its feet and charged. Shion took a deep breath and loosely held his sword.

At first glance, his posture seemed like he had given up on life.

But the moment the vaccine crossed a certain line.

.

The first sword soared vertically.

The second sword swept horizontally.

The third sword intertwined diagonally.

The three strokes of the sword were simultaneous.

As if three swordsmen had released their sword strikes at the same moment.

His swordsmanship cut through space, and the vaccine soon crumbled.

Theia observed the scene with an analytical eye, but analysis was impossible. It was an enigma in itself.

What kind of swordsmanship is that?

I learned it from my master.

Thats all Shion answered.

Which master No, lets move on.

Regardless of what happened, she needed to keep Shion focused on the goal of reaching the summit. Before he discovered the existence of the vaccine.

Alright.

Shion sheathed his sword. The two of them resumed their climb up the snow-covered mountain.

After some time had passed,

Ah. There, a shelter.

Theia pointed in the distance. There was a faint shelter, like a distant lighthouse.

Shions eyes widened in surprise.

A shelter?

Yes. Ebert is popular as a training ground. So, there are such shelters starting from the middle. It means weve made it at least 60% of the way.

Indeed, the real Ebert Mountain is the same.

Theia, who had already conquered Ebert, knew this.

Oh. You know a lot.

Yes. Ive seen it before in a Dra-ma.

Then lets rest here for today.

The two of them entered the shelter together.

In the cramped shelter, which seemed full with just four people lying down, there was a single TV.

Theres a TV?

Shion showed interest.

It seems so. It must operate on magic.

Of course, its a machine prepared by the capsule matrix itself. The TV is the best way to project unconsciousness.

Theia, noticing this, picked up the remote.

Shall we watch it?

Sure.

You turn it on.

She handed the remote to Shion. It was to activate the unconsciousness with Shions will.

Ding-

He turned on the TV.

In the news, Arknes successor Soliette has been appointed as the first-ranked knight

The first news was about Soliette.

Shion stared at the screen quietly. His expression was filled with affection and relief.

In other news, there has been an incident of patients escaping from the Petra mental hospital.

Mental hospital?

Theia chuckled, not understanding. On the other hand, Shion smiled somewhat proudly.

In other news, Professor Theia, who was surrounded by all sorts of suspicions, has quelled all controversies and is said to be returning to her professorship.

All controversies quelled?

The sudden news about Theia. At that moment, Theia furrowed her brows, and

Rumble!

The inside of the shelter shook violently.

Whats going on?

Shion looked around. Theia looked at her wrist.

[Warning: Flexibility Decrease]

It was a flexibility error. This TV only shows the content that Shion Ascal unconsciously wishes for, so he felt uncomfortable.

Normally, he wouldnt notice with the TV.

Tsk.

This guy.

Hes definitely not ordinary.

In other news, the completion of the clinical treatment is not far

Theia quickly turned off the TV. The vibration stopped at that moment.

What was that just-

Shion. Do you know Professor Theia well?

She quickly changed the topic.

Professor Theia?

Yes. She was just on the news.

Of course I know huh?

Shion suddenly stopped speaking. Then, blinking his eyes, he looked at himself.

His gaze was too sharp. Theias head shrank back like a turtle.

Why?

Wait. What is this.

He furrowed his brows.

You

Could it be.

Did he realize that she was Theia?

Speak. What.

Despite this, Theia maintained her composure. She quietly met his gaze.

You look like Professor Theia? Are you her hidden younger sibling or something?

Phew.

She swallowed a sigh of relief and shook her head.

No. Would that be the case?

Right? Theres no way shed have a sibling. She doesnt even have friends.

Shion chuckled and leaned back against the chair.

Friends.

The comment about not having friends was a bit irritating.

But, you, Tei. You really do resemble Professor Theia. Your names are even similar. Now I understand why I became friends with you.

You became friends with me because I resemble Professor Theia?

Well not exactly. Its just that, for some reason, I didnt feel any aversion towards you from the moment we first met.

To Theia, the flow of this conversation felt somewhat strange.

Would a face resembling Theias be a reason to not feel aversion?

To that extent, you. You must know Professor Theia well, right?

Theia asked him about Theia.

Shion responded with a small smile and a shrug.

I know her well. But she doesnt know me well.

Theia is good at reading peoples expressions.

She saw the faint colors spreading across Shions complexion.

Within them were hues of longing and goodwill, as well as respect and admiration.

You know Professor Theia well? What kind of person is she?

Um first of all. Shes cold and aloof to everyone.

?

Theia was puzzled.

When did we ever meet?

Of course, up to this point, even if they hadnt met, these facts could be roughly known through rumors.

Also, she doesnt have any friends. She doesnt have anyone to confide her innermost thoughts to. To use a metaphor, shes the type who likes good restaurants but cant go because she has no one to go with?

Theia wanted to punch his face.

He had hit the nail on the head.

Because shes a harsh and prickly person. She goes out of her way to make enemies. Its the same with her superiors and subordinates. Instead of just saying I understand- and turning away, she points out every single mistake, making people tired.

I think youve said enough-

She seems to do this because she knows better than anyone else that shes irreplaceable. She knows too well how good she is. So, shes frustrated with her subordinates and superiors who cant keep up with her.

Theia just lay down on the bed.

Shions voice continued to flow.

But shes a good person. Shes always been a good person.

His tone was reminiscent of recalling a pleasant past.

She was irritated by that.

Hey. How do you know all this? Are you a stalker?

Theia lost her composure for a very brief moment. Her questioning voice was prickly.

A stalker no. I was just a fan.

A fan?

Yeah. Just understand it that way.

Since when?

A very long time ago. Its probably been more than 10 years.

A fan.

Of course, Theia was always a genius and always a star. Her every move had been publicized in the media since she was ten.

But precisely because of that, if he was a fan of Theia.

That professor hates Libra.

Right.

Shion looked up at the ceiling with a sigh mixed with a smile.

So, shell probably become my enemy someday.

My enemy.

The one she could kill with the tip of her finger was talking about enemies.

Theia covered her face. She laughed silently.

But theres no choice. Her methods are wrong.

She didnt know what was wrong.

She didnt want to ask.

Im sleepy. Lets sleep.

Okay.

Shion also lay down on the bed.

Good night.

Theia didnt reply.

* * *

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

At the summit of Mount Ebert, where a snowstorm was raging like mad.

I finally reached the top.

With my friend and colleague after the regression, Tei.

Yahoo!

I shouted, but the sound didnt echo. Damn snowstorm.

I just looked at the person next to me.

You did well. Tei.

You too.

Tei, who glanced at me, shoved her hands into her pockets.

But. Didnt you say you had something to tell me?

Something to tell?

Yes. When we reach the summit.

Ah, right. A secret.

I nodded.

I had a promise with her.

But. Im naturally tight-lipped? I wont tell anyone that youre a woman.

So. Youre breaking the promise?

Teis eyes narrowed. I scratched the back of my neck.

Its not exactly a pleasant secret.

Its okay. Im not a good person to begin with. Im naturally unpleasant.

Tei glanced at her wrist.

Quickly. Tell me. We have to keep our promise.

Um.

A secret.

Ive never told this secret to anyone with my own mouth. Ive been caught by someone, though.

Its not a secret that gets better when shared.

But

Okay.

Tei, I feel like I can tell her.

It feels like something will be relieved inside me.

Tei.

Yes. Speak. Dont waste time.

Im trying to speak.

Tei has been quite sharp since the day she found out about my gender. Was that a sensitive secret to her?

Anyway.

I.

I put on an appropriate smile.

What kind of expression should I use when I say this?

Honestly, Ill never know, but at least I should pretend that Im not bothered.

Im on borrowed time.

Borrowed time.

Simply put, I dont have much time left to live.

I probably wont make it past my 30s.

Teis eyes looking at me.

Her pupils, always like obsidian, gradually grew larger. They shook, mixed with the snowstorm that wrapped around the summit of the mountain.

Thats my secret.

And then.