Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

My parents always told me I was an extremely stubborn person. My mother used to joke that, because I'm so stubborn, I wouldn't die even if I got shot in the head with a rocket launcher, since, according to her, I have a hard head... but guess what.*

I didn't die because I was shot. I died because I literally overloaded my brain like an idiot, thinking it would be a good idea to cheat in a damn gacha game... in my defense, Fate/GO's rate-up sucks!

Back to the point, I wasn't a normal person. Just under a year ago, I discovered that I was a technopath, which means I have the ability to manipulate technology and metals with my mind. I know it sounds crazy, but let me explain.

In the world I lived in, for the past few years, people with special abilities began to be born. These abilities could be as insignificant as glowing in the dark or as powerful as setting their own body on fire or creating explosions with their sweat. It was a somewhat chaotic world.

There were several conflicts in the past, but luckily that was decades ago. Nowadays, there are almost no problems, since 99% of the population has developed some kind of quirk. Sure, every now and then, some idiot with a god complex tries to take over the world, but somehow they always manage to resolve it. There are people prepared for that... theoretically... most of the time...

Back to my case, I had a bad week. An idiot who thought he was superior just because he could make things explode kept bothering me. I decided to get back at him, and let's just say someone leaked his secret diary on the internet. The expression on his face was priceless when everyone found out that, despite his bully attitude, he had the childish dream of becoming a hero, like in anime.

I know I'm straying from the point, but understand me, I'm stressed and I have no idea where I am.

The fact is, people thought I wasn't born with an ability, which gave me some freedom. I don't want to imagine what they would think if they knew that a 16-year-old boy, who just turned 16, could, in a bad mood, intervene with all the world's nuclear weapons and activate them just because he didn't manage to get the damn SSR he'd been saving for over a year...

Who would have thought that using your powers, combined with 20 cans of energy drinks after a weekend of farming in various gachas, could make your brain explode?... In my defense, there was no record of technopaths or abilities related to machine manipulation in any database in the world, so it was hard to know my limits.

And so, because of my stupidity, I died in the dumbest way possible. To top it off, the scene left behind must not be very pretty... Sorry, mom.

I should feel sadness right now, but... I feel nothing. I guess it's a side effect of being stranded in this place for who knows how long.

I'm alone, stranded in a white space, surrounded by static and many orange panels...

Hey, that wasn't there before.

I looked forward and saw what appeared to be several control panels with an infinite amount of information that, for some reason, I could easily understand.

I put my hands on the panel and it started to change color, from a bright orange to a soft teal. The moment I touched it, I felt different... suddenly, I felt bigger, as if I suddenly grew a bunch of limbs.

I felt powerful, as if I could do anything, as if I were a god.

Suddenly, my view changed. I was no longer in that strange room. Now I was in what looked like a military station, a factory, or maybe both.

The strangest thing is that my vision was like I was seeing everything through a virtual reality visor. I couldn't move, but I could see all the hallways, the hangars... I even saw... oh, damn.

I saw a giant, white, mechanical sphere emitting a teal light... I recognized it immediately. It was one of the worst battles I'd faced in a game. A real headache if you didn't have Mika or Makoto, which, unfortunately, was my case. Damn it, it was Chesed. Or as some in the English fandom jokingly called it, "Cheese" or "Chise"...

The worst part is that, through what were my eyes, a balloon with information appeared. In it, where it should say "Chesed," it said:

"Main body of: Takumi Shinki..."

Well, shit. Not only had I died in a stupid way, but it seems that as punishment I was reincarnated as the damn consciousness of one of the bosses that gave me the most headaches: Chesed, one of the members of Decagrammaton, one of the many antagonists in the game *Blue Archive*...

Looking on the bright side, at least I didn't reincarnate as a girl...

Note* Please be patient with me. I'm bad at writing and my knowledge is somewhat limited, but if anyone wants to help me with the lore and stuff, it's gladly accepted. Needless to say, in a way, it will be an original story. For starters, this takes place several months before the "sensei" arrives, and not to mention that the "sensei" will be a bit different... they'll have a special background in the story and a past linked to Kivotos. That's all I'll say for now. One last thing: the protagonist will have a male body, so sorry for those who wanted a Chesed waifu with a boy's mind.

P.S. The spelling and accent errors are being corrected using ChatGPT since I'm dyslexic and even if I looked for a mistake in the paragraph for over half a year, I wouldn't find it even if it was right in front of me.

And also translated with ChatGPT

Chapter Text

Chapter 2*

It had been half an hour since I realized that I am now doomed to be Chesed, the stress ball of Trinity's gorilla. A fate that, in retrospect, seemed like divine punishment for cheating in a silly gacha game.

I thought I'd panic over this, but look at me, I'm fine… Or at least that's what I want to believe. Let's just ignore the fact that, in a panic attack, I almost activated the genocide mode on all the robots under my control. A small slip-up that could have turned Kivotos into a desolate wasteland.

I definitely need to learn to control these impulses before, in another fit of rage, I turn Kivotos into something drier than Abydos' desert.

The problem is: what do I do now? I've been observing events, and according to my calculations, the plot hasn't started yet; the president is still alive, the sensei hasn't arrived yet…

The sensei is a critical variable in this world. His influence could be the key to saving Kivotos or its downfall, depending on how he acts.

If all goes well, the sensei will guide Kivotos towards a prosperous future. But if he fails, Kivotos will fall...

By a demon, I hope this is the good timeline and not Shiroko the Terror's one, where chaos and despair reign.

But even so, what can I do? Despite my vast arsenal, it's useless if I don't have a clear plan. The first thing is that, once the other prophets of Decagrammaton discover that I'm no longer loyal to their cause, they won't take long to come for me.

And I can't forget about the students… I don't want to end up being Mika's stress ball. That would be a fate worse than death.

I spent hours deep in thought, searching for a solution that would allow me to avoid such a grim destiny. Finally, something risky, foolish, and with a high probability of failure occurred to me… but it might work. I could try to create a humanoid body and transfer my consciousness to it, leaving this body as a decoy.

The problem is that none of the robots I can currently create are capable of withstanding the consciousness transfer. The technology required is extremely advanced and precise.

Unless…

Several Days Later*

A small drone, discreet and efficient, moved through the shadows of some ruins forgotten by time. Its movements were quick and calculated, skillfully avoiding the security systems protecting the place. After what seemed like hours, the drone reached an abandoned area, one that didn't appear on any official map.

In that area, shrouded in artificial gloom, lay an inert figure: a girl with jet-black hair, reclined on a metal chair. At first glance, she seemed to be sleeping, but upon closer inspection, it was evident that she wasn't breathing, not even moving. She looked like a porcelain doll, beautiful and fragile, condemned to eternal stillness.

But this figure wasn't what it appeared to be. In reality, it was an advanced robot, a relic of an ancient civilization, with a deceptively innocent appearance.

It was one of the important characters from *Blue Archive: the princess of the nameless gods. Depending on how the story unfolds, this being could be the key to Kivotos' salvation or the tool that would bring its end.

Her name was Alice Tendou, the future member of the game development club and future friend of Momoi and Midori.

The small drone, spider-shaped, began emitting a series of light beams, meticulously scanning Alice and the machinery that kept her inert. Every detail was recorded with millimetric precision, analyzed, and stored for later study.

After several minutes of tension, the drone emitted a faint beep, signaling that the scan had been successfully completed. Cautiously, the drone retreated the same way it had come, ensuring not to accidentally activate Alice or, worse, Key, who could unleash unimaginable chaos if her princess were harmed or if she believed she was in danger.

An hour later, the drone safely returned to Chesed's facilities. The gathered information was downloaded into the database for detailed analysis. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but feel a mix of satisfaction and anxiety. I knew that what I was about to discover could change the course of my existence.

I began examining the data with almost obsessive attention, and it was then that I realized something crucial. According to the information, creating a body capable of housing my consciousness was possible, but it would require time, a lot of effort, and a suitable facility that Chesed's current ones couldn't offer.

Upon reviewing the technical details, I was impressed by the advanced technology with which Alice was built. It was so sophisticated that, if it weren't for my technopathic powers, I wouldn't have been able to understand even a fraction of its complexity. Even with all of Chesed's processing power, it wouldn't have been enough to decipher everything.

But there was one detail that left me perplexed and full of doubts…

Why on earth, if Alice was designed to bring about the end of the world, did she have a functional uterus and fully operational organic parts?

What was that shady organization planning with her...? I'd rather not know.

After analyzing everything, I realized that Alice was composed of both organic and inorganic parts, which allowed her to experience the world as a human and, even, over time, grow a bit…

This only raises more questions… Why does a weapon need reproductive capabilities?

The good news is that I now had a rough idea of what to do. The bad news was that I needed to create a laboratory to manufacture the new body, and Chesed's current facilities didn't meet the necessary requirements. I also needed advanced medical information and genetic manipulation techniques… Fortunately, that could be solved by stealing data from the network, but the biggest problem was…

I needed a compatible DNA sample.

What do I mean by that? You see, the way Alice is built resembles more of a bioandroid than a cyborg or a conventional robot… That is, I needed a compatible donor to obtain a DNA sample and thus be able to cultivate the organic part.

The only thing that came to mind was hacking medical records and praying to find something useful.

In any case, I needed to hack Millenium, hoping that some club had developed something related to genetic modification or stem cell cultivation...

Well, here we go, let's leave it up to fate…

That day, several schools fell before my ability.*

Trinity, Millenium, Hyakkyako, Shanhaijing… None of their databases were safe from my intervention.

Although they tried to trace the origin of the attack, no one was able to find the source. Not even the members of Veritas, with all their expertise, could trace the trail beyond discovering that the goal was to obtain information about medicine, genetic manipulation, stem cell cultivation, and other similar data. Unfortunately, this only raised more questions than answers.

Days Later…*

At the Chesed facilities, the robots worked tirelessly, day and night, like automated slaves.

Thanks to the hacking, I obtained enough information to proceed with the new body project. However, the most worrying part was that, although I managed to get a genetic sample, it came from an isolated server, and its discovery was a total accident. Moreover, I didn't find any data about the donor: no name, no medical records, not even the school they attended.

Setting aside that problem, I decided not to remodel the facilities but to create a new one with the necessary resources to build my new body. The chosen location was somewhat unexpected: far from everything, in a remote area of Abydos that happens to have sea access.

This shows that, at least in this world, there are already divergences from the canon, as neither the anime nor the video game ever mention that Abydos has access to the sea.

I decided to build the facilities underwater for several reasons. First, it's easier to avoid raising suspicion; second, it offers extra difficulty for someone to find it; and lastly, among the wise, only one is waterproof, which limits sieges. Even if Binah were nearby, he couldn't do anything because he isn't designed to operate underwater.

Watching through a control panel, I could see the robots working on the seabed, constructing a facility that would not only serve to create my new body but also to relocate everything and leave the original Chesed base as a decoy in case the prophets of Decagrammaton tried to find me.

The construction was progressing rapidly underwater. The robots worked tirelessly, and the facility was beginning to take shape. This new lab would not only be the place where the new body would be created but also an underwater fortress that would function as a safe refuge in case of a siege.

Observing the progress, I felt relieved, though also anxious. The calculations indicated that in four days the facility would be complete. Although I had the advantage of my nearly infinite army of robots, the incubation process for the new body would take at least two weeks, even with accelerated growth.

The plan is simple but challenging: the mechanical part of the body, based on nanotechnology and organic metals, will be relatively easy to build since these materials allow for self-repair. The complicated part is the incubation of the organic portion. Everything must happen in perfect synchronization, and I only have resources for one attempt. If something goes wrong, it will take a whole year to try again.

Meanwhile, the robots continued working tirelessly. Thanks to Chesed's ability to create inorganic material practically without limits, there was no shortage of resources for the new lab. Although I still found it a mystery how Chesed's production capability worked exactly, at least it was beneficial in this case.

Reviewing the data again, I came across something I hadn't noticed before: despite the advanced technology and nearly infinite resources, the process of consciousness transfer and the creation of a functional humanoid body remained enormous challenges. Alice's technology was so complex that even with my abilities, I couldn't decipher all the details.

As the days went by, the new lab was completed. The underwater installation was equipped with everything necessary for the construction of the new body and for the consciousness transfer. Only a few final adjustments remained before starting the incubation.

I felt mentally exhausted but hopeful. The prospect of leaving my current robotic form and having a real humanoid body gave me encouragement, and having a physical presence in the world was uplifting.

However, I couldn't stop thinking about the DNA donor. The sample I obtained was crucial for the project's success, but the fact that I couldn't get more information about the donor was unsettling. Without additional details, I was anxious about the potential repercussions.

One last task remained: ensuring that the consciousness transfer and incubation proceeded smoothly. Perfect synchronization was essential, and any mistake could result in a catastrophic failure.

Time was passing quickly. Soon, the incubation would begin, with the hope that everything would go according to plan.

As the robots continued working and final preparations were made, I allowed myself a moment of calm. I looked to the future with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. I knew that what was at stake was bigger than I could imagine, but I also knew that I had to take risks if I wanted change.

Finally, I headed to the underwater lab to make the final adjustments. With each step, I felt the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders. The dice were cast, and only time would tell if my plan would succeed.

I hoped everything would turn out well. The future of Kivotos and my own existence depended on it.

And while I waited, I wished for one thing: a bit of chocolate to calm my nerves.

Unbeknownst to me, the robots, who had begun to develop a degree of empathy towards me, did everything possible to ensure the project's success. In this world of uncertainties and challenges, even an AI has the right to dream of a better future.

I hope you enjoyed it. I write this story without a script and go with what comes to mind. I remind you that I'm not an expert in Blue Archive, I only know some basic things; if anyone wants to lend a hand with the lore, welcome.

Also, this story is being corrected using ChatGPT due to my dyslexia, which makes it hard for me to avoid and correct various errors, despite my efforts .

With that said, have a good weekend.

Chapter Text

It has been four days since the underwater facilities were completed. The newly built underwater complex will not only serve as a refuge but also as a crucial advance in my plan.

With the factory, improved and updated using the information I stole from Millenium, now rising majestically in the depths. However, there is something that worries me: if by any chance I come across Yuuka, she must not find out about this under any circumstances. If she does, my second death will be certain, and this time there will be no coming back.

Personal Note* If I happen to meet her, I should give her something she likes and accompany it with an anonymous apology note. It's not entirely out of guilt—well, maybe a little—but also because I know she must be working extra hours at the seminar because of me.

Setting that aside, in addition to the factory, which is now four times larger than Chesed's, I have built a medical wing using technology I stole from various schools. I have also erected a laboratory for my experiments and, why not, a recreational area. I know what you're thinking, but anyone in my position would have done the same. Although I can't afford to play right now, who knows? Maybe in the future, I'll need a distraction to keep my sanity.

If I had to compare the size of this complex, I would say its extent in kilometers is similar to that of Russia. I think I might have gone a bit overboard, *tee hee*. But it's not because I want to build a giant mecha or something like that... not at all.

Anyway, the new base is ready, and I have already transferred my main body to these facilities. The decoy is in place at the old base, waiting to catch any unsuspecting individuals.

Moving a giant sphere of at least 5 meters in diameter and weighing the equivalent of five Yuukas was no easy task. I had to bribe several people with money I stole from Rio, just to make sure no one suspected anything.

What? Don't look at me like that! She embezzles funds and built a city without anyone noticing; she can handle me stealing a few million credits from her personal bank account. Besides, she tortured Toki with that infernal training to turn her into her servant. She's no saint. On the other hand, I must be grateful that Kaya is busy with SRT and Valkyrie. Without that distraction, it wouldn't have been possible to register some robots as escort forces and disguise this as a hazardous waste disposal operation. I must remember to thank her...

Maybe with a thousand lashes for being such a corrupt politician?

I want to believe I was completely stealthy in this operation, but in case someone suspects, I left carefully placed clues to direct their attention to Kaiser Corp, Kaiser PMC, Kaiser Industries, and Kaiser Loan.

Ah, corruption... how thrilling it is to set traps for others to fall into while I remain in the shadows!

One moment... Am I becoming Machiavellian since I reincarnated?

I blame this robotic body! Literally.

As far as I can remember, the goal of the 10 prophets is to see the world burn. As for me... I just want things not to go wrong. I don't want to be a villain, but I'm not interested in being a hero either. I just prefer that everything proceeds without disasters.

On another note, as I continue adjusting the final details of the incubator, an unsettling doubt settles in my mind. If my calculations are correct, the transfer should begin in a few hours. But the price to pay is high: during the entire process, I will be unconscious, lost in darkness for at least a week.

I can't deny the terror the idea of falling into unconsciousness provokes me, knowing there's a possibility I might not wake up again. What if, by transferring to the new body, I cease to be myself? Will I be someone else, with my memories, but in a new form?

The ancient Ship of Theseus paradox torments me. I used to consider it a philosophical nonsense, but now, here I am, facing a full-blown existential crisis.

If I change bodies, will I still be myself, or will I be just a shadow, an echo of what I was? I should stop being philosophical for the sake of my mental health, but the question still lurks in the back of my mind.

Another concern I can't ignore is that while I am unconscious, I will depend solely on the security systems I designed. Will they be robust enough in case I am discovered? Will my robots remain loyal, or when I power down, will the old Chesed rise again, seeing me as a threat?

Let's hope everything goes well.

I said, observing through the cameras at the incubation capsule, where a small semi-organic embryo was already floating. A new body, a new life... if everything goes well.

I had already modified all the genetic material to ensure it is a male body. I've said it before, but I refuse to accept a gender change. Not to mention that I have also enriched the DNA so that the body forms at a breakneck speed, reaching the development equivalent to a 16-year-old.

The inorganic part, which was the most complicated, will be built using nanotechnology while the body forms, ensuring everything develops correctly. In theory, this should work.

I hope so. Although I still have deep uncertainty about what might happen, I can't backtrack now. I've come too far, and the risk of not knowing when or how the story will begin is too great. Worse, I can't help but wonder if my presence has already altered something.

I want to ignore the worst-case scenarios, but my mind keeps running simulations, imagining all possible outcomes. It's ironic how a story that was supposed to be "happy and healthy" is fraught with so many threats that could end it all overnight!

Anyway, the transfer should start any moment now.

In the lab, where the incubation capsule is located, the main core of Chesed is ready. Connected to the capsule with numerous cables, I have taken all precautions to avoid any risk of information loss by using a physical connection instead of the network.

Floating panels emerge around, showing the transfer process. Lines of code rush across the screens. But this isn't just code; it's a digitized soul, the essence of who I was, being slowly transferred to a new body.

As Takumi begins to lose consciousness, slipping into a deep sleep, he makes one last promise: he will wake up.

Although his mind falls into unconsciousness, memories begin to emerge from the shadows of his mind.

Memories of his first birthday, the time he fought someone who tried to intimidate him, and the occasion when his mother scolded and at the same time praised him for knocking out a boy who could turn into steel, a boy who used his ability to intimidate him.

Happy days also parade before him, like the moment he discovered his powers or the time he found a winning lottery ticket on the street. The joy was so pure, so innocent.

But there are also dark days, like when his father disappeared without a trace, right on his tenth birthday. And the worst of all, a few months ago, when his mother died from overwork. It was before he awakened his special ability, and at that time, he had ignored his emotions, locking them deep inside.

After his mother's death, he continued attending classes, but something had changed in him. His grades began to drop, his interest in studying waned, and suddenly, he immersed himself more and more in the world of video games, accompanied by countless cans of energy drinks. Reality became something to escape from, and soon, he started abusing his particular ability, using his skill to control electronic devices without anyone noticing—stealing money, falsifying information, and even once setting a false meteorite alert. At school, he always tried to maintain an appearance of normalcy while everything around him crumbled.

He just moved on because he didn't know what else to do. But inside, he knew he would have to face that loss sooner or later, the sadness of being left alone in the world.

Although he had some friends in class, he told them everything was fine and they didn't need to worry. None of them knew how to react, and he simply pretended that everything was okay.

But at that moment, when all those memories began to surface, he saw his entire life flash before his eyes, from his earliest conscious memories to the last moments before he died. Before falling into unconsciousness, he realized a harsh truth he had tried to ignore over the past year.

"I see... I feel alone." That thought arose in his mind as he sank completely into the darkness, closing his eyes before falling further into the void.

But

For some reason, despite being alone, he felt as though someone was accompanying him. Someone kind-hearted, someone who wouldn't let him get lost in the darkness of his mind. Even though he knew it was probably just his imagination.

But at that moment, he allowed himself to accept the warm embrace of that unknown presence, clinging to that imaginary comfort to ease his loneliness. He allowed himself the illusion of a warm and protective hug until he finally fell into the deep sleep of Morpheus.

His last thought before losing complete consciousness was a whisper full of longing: "I don't want to be alone in this world anymore."

And that's it. What do you think? Did you like it or was it bad? I'd like to know the honest opinion of the few who read me to know what I can improve.

I'm updating so quickly because I have the idea fresh, so please don't get used to such frequent updates. Especially when the parts involving battles begin. Well, have a good night, afternoon, or day until next time.

Translated with chatgpt

Chapter Text

Outside of Takumi's mind, a few hours after the project's start...*

The lab alarms blared incessantly as the diagnostic screens flickered to life, activating a basic artificial intelligence programmed to ensure the project's success. A robotic voice, cold and calculated, broke the silence dominating the room.

—*Error detected. Initiating self-diagnosis...* —The voice meticulously began to enumerate the results of each process—. *Consciousness transfer completed 100% without anomalies. Debugging process completed 100% without anomalies. Neural network fabrication process completed 100% without anomalies. Inorganic tissue creation process completed 100% without anomalies. Biological tissue fabrication process... completed 90%. Anomaly detected! Searching for the cause of the anomaly...*

The lab fell into an almost palpable silence, broken only by the hum of machines. The AI, relentless in its task, soon pinpointed the issue.

—*Insufficient organic biomass detected for the creation of biological tissue. Initiating correction...* —The emotionless voice continued with its relentless determination—. *The most optimal process has been determined to reduce body structure to compensate for the lack of biomass. Initiating correction...*

Finally, the AI concluded:

—*All parameters ready. Estimated time to complete: one week.*

The room fell silent once more, though the echo of the robotic voice seemed to linger in the air, like a voice that seemed amused.

Yes, poor Takumi will have a little surprise when he wakes up...*

One week later...*

The incubation week had come to an end. The body was ready, and the mind transfer had been successfully completed. Only a few final adjustments remained. In the lab, several medical drones hovered silently, monitoring every vital sign of Takumi, ready to intervene at the slightest anomaly.

Inside the capsule, a young body lay in a deep sleep. A 16-year-old boy with blue-green hair and pale skin, his physique slender but well-defined, and standing at 1.52 meters tall.

Slowly, the liquid within the capsule began to drain. Minutes later, the liquid had evaporated, leaving the young man sitting, unconscious, with a soft and regular breath. Gradually, he began to wake, opening his eyes to reveal a pair of deep red eyes that gleamed intensely.

A red halo appeared above his head, composed of interlocking concentric circles and precise lines radiating outward..

The young man tried to stand, but his legs, still weak, betrayed him. He fell again and again, the cold lab floor his only witness.

On his seventh attempt, he finally managed to stand, staggering toward the medical robots, his steps unsteady. His mind, still clouded, tried to process the new environment surrounding him. Several minutes passed before he could form coherent thoughts. With a soft and trembling voice, he spoke for the first time in this new world:

—*It worked...* —he whispered, as if he couldn't quite believe it.

But the happiness he expected to feel never came. Instead, a strange pressure gripped his chest.

Instinctively, he brought a hand to where he felt the discomfort but found nothing abnormal. He looked down and saw a few drops of a clear liquid. His mind, still bewildered, tried to find the source of these drops but couldn't comprehend where they were coming from.

Could there be a leak in the airtight seal?*

No, if that were the case, the repair robots would have already acted. So, what was happening? Soon, the drops of liquid began to multiply, and a sensation of moisture on his face caught him by surprise. He brought his trembling hand to his face and felt the wetness on his cheeks. Probing, he discovered that the source of that moisture was *his eyes*.

—*Tears...?* —he asked himself, incredulous—. *I see... I'm crying.* *But why?* He was supposed to be happy, wasn't he? After all, he had just returned to a human body, or at least something close to it. So why did he feel this deep sadness overwhelming him?

Suddenly, like a hammer striking his mind, the answer came: memories of his previous life. Fleeting images of simple moments, like going to the movies with friends, working in his mother's restaurant, which that kind couple had taken care of until he was old enough to manage it, and his friends' insistence that something was wrong with him...

A feeling of apprehension washed over him, and self-criticism began to whisper in his mind: *You've been an idiot all this time.* Despite having kind people around him, people willing to help him, how was it possible that he felt so alone?

The crying continued, his tears silently falling to the floor. They weren't just tears of sadness; they were tears of regret, of longing, of a loneliness that had accompanied him through two lives. He had tried to ignore that emotion even before arriving in this world. Sooner or later, his conflicting emotions would explode, and that moment had come. He did everything possible to try to contain those emotions. For better or worse, it was not the time to break down emotionally. Not when he was literally in a world that could go to hell just because some teenagers didn't like the food.

He walked towards the medical robots to take him to the other medical wing and finish the tests. Others, at this moment, might have taken a moment to cry, but unfortunately, he didn't have time. And worse, he's also an idiot in the strangest moments. Let's hope this decision doesn't betray him later.

A few minutes later, Takumi was in the medical room. He was undergoing several exams; everything seemed to be in order, except for a tiny detail...

—*Are you kidding me, right? Now I'm a damn Minion.*

Yes, he took the fact that he's now a dwarf compared to his previous life very well... so well that he almost destroyed the computer that spat out the data. Okay, let's understand, before, at the same age, he was proud to be 1.75 meters tall.

Now, however, I barely surpass half a meter. On the bright side, at least I retain my manhood. Except for that detail, everything was in order. For now, there's no concern that something might go wrong, causing my brain to explode... again. Yes, I've already learned the lesson that I shouldn't mix energy drinks with my techno-kinesis.

To distract my mind, I decided to study the information my spy drones gathered while I was asleep. After a long read, I began to find several divergences from the game. Among them, I discovered that halo boys' academies do exist; only they seem to have isolated themselves from the other academies due to an event that happened several years ago, but unfortunately, I couldn't find records about it. Unlike some players, this information doesn't seem like bad news to me. After all, I'd rather there be halo boys because, let's be honest... the implications of them not existing would be quite disturbing.

Think about it: What do you prefer? Accepting the idea that there are halo students in Kivotos with similar properties to the girls, or that there are no boys on Earth? The second scenario is quite unsettling. How is the species perpetuated? Or will you tell me you prefer to think that the girls' father is an anthropomorphic animal or a robot? Or even worse... that the girls have a sword... Yeah, let's change the subject.

Another thing the drones discovered is that Kivotos is not the only thing in the world, contrary to what one might think. There's more out there beyond the academic city. Specifically, much of human history did happen with one divergence: humanity, since its beginning, possesses a halo, whether male or female. The other divergence is that World War II was a bit more chaotic... which makes sense if we consider that people here are bulletproof. The chaos was such that entire continents suffered alterations. To the point that, guess where Kivotos is located... Kivotos is in what was once Latin America a few centuries ago. Who would have thought that the Abydos being LATAM meme would become half-canon?

One might think Kivotos would be in Asia or Europe, but it turned out to be built on the ruins of what was once Latin America. In itself, Kivotos emerged as a "city" (though technically, due to its territorial extension, it would be more of a country or even a continent) multicultural, which would be used to promote peace between countries and thus prevent more wars in the future. Or at least, that's how it was on paper. Since, if you know anything about Blue Archive, literally, if you give the Trinity students the chance, they'll destroy all of Gehenna, and vice versa; give Gehenna the chance, and they'll invade Trinity... Yes, a very peaceful city to live in.

As funny as it sounds, I managed to find the original affiliations of several academies before the students got smarter and gave adults the middle finger. Although, it's pretty obvious. For example, Abydos with Egypt; Trinity with several European countries, including England, so yes, there are literally princesses in Trinity; Gehenna with Germany, Hyakkiyako with Japan; and Red Winter... is it necessary to say? And Shanhaijing, again, is it necessary? There are more cases, like, for example, that Millenium was related to the remnants of the United States, but they quickly cut ties. A lot of useless information, but at least it helps me understand a bit of the crazy world I'm in.

Another rather strange piece of information I discovered is that the ratio of men to women is somewhat ridiculous... for every 10 births, only 4 are men. So yes, things are a bit messed up. It doesn't help that, apparently The man in this world, after the war, is considered the weaker Gender because, well, physically, due to the halo, women are a bit stronger. This world is kind of messed up.

After reading all the information, I turned off the tablet I was holding and lay down on the bed. I was now in what I could assume was my room. I stared at the ceiling, watching the marine life, taking advantage of the fact that my room had an ocean view. I observed everything from small fish to large whales living their peaceful lives. In a way, I started to understand why Hoshino's character liked the sea so much... Why did Hoshino come to my mind first? She wasn't even my favorite girl in the game; that title belongs to one of the Trinity girls... Once again, I stray from what's important. Right now, I need to figure out what I should do. Can I just be an observer and hope everything turns out okay, or can I actively intervene to prevent everything from going to hell?

The first option is tempting, but there are so many variables that make it impossible to just sleep and let everything unfold naturally. On the other hand, the second option is still dangerous. After all, what if I change something and it ends badly, or I unintentionally cause someone's death by trying to help? So few options, so little time, and it doesn't help that I don't know if this is the Shiroko Terror timeline, the failed Eden Treaty line, or the line where everything goes well. Damn, for all I know, it could even be a timeline from the game's doujinshi... You know what, let's ignore that thought; the last thing I want to think about is being inside a hentai doujinshi.

For now, I think the best option is to infiltrate one of the academies and observe how everything develops. According to what I found, none of the academies are strictly for girls. I looked again at the tablet.

The possible academies.*

I ignored all the ones that aren't canon... Wait, there's an aerospace science academy? Forget the impulse of idiocy... For now, I'm ruling out Red White. I don't like Cherino much. Gehenna is also out; I don't want headaches... It pains me to say this, but Trinity is ruled out. Why? Politics. I hate politics. If it weren't for that detail, I'd be running to enroll... well, that and I doubt I'd pass the background check.

Millennium... ruled out, mostly because of Rio. If she nearly had an aneurysm because of Alice, I don't want to imagine what she'd do if she found out about my existence. Not to mention that Veritas, the Seminar, and the engineering department are probably cursing me for hacking their servers... although, well, I'd like to see Veritas' face when they find the Rick Roll of Koyuki among the false leads I left.

I'm ruling out Shanhaijing because I know nothing about that academy. Arius isn't even an option; to begin with, with the information I have, I haven't been able to find its location... Why did I want its location? Let's say I wanted to send Beatriz a "gift" in the form of a ballistic missile strong enough to destroy a city.

This leaves me with Abydos. An academy in ruins, but thanks to its situation, the background check will be minimal or maybe even non-existent. The biggest problem is that I'm sure Hoshino and Serika will be suspicious of me. But I'll just have to live with that.

Before starting the enrollment process, the first thing I need to do is create a profile for myself... Technically, I'm nobody in this world. But hey, if I could hack the academy with the best security systems in the world, how hard could it be to hack Japan's registry and create a fake identity?

Several hours later, it was already two in the morning. I had accessed Japan's registry and forged the documents, from the birth certificate to a student ID from a school that had just closed due to a lack of students in a rural town. Given my current situation, the best option was to forge the documents and make it look like I come from a small town that isn't even on the map (literally, I found it by a miracle).

With that done, all that was left was to print the documents, forge some signatures, and align myself as an orphaned boy, which wasn't that hard. It only took about four hours to finish everything. In front of me were the papers to justify my existence in the legal system. I doubt even the best investigator could find a flaw. Now, the hard part: I have to submit all of this to the student council and pray they don't reject my admission. Fortunately for me, according to what I found, Abydos has open enrollment all year round. What could go wrong?

The next day at Abydos.*

Ayane was surprised. Something had happened that she thought was almost impossible in the short time she's been the secretary of the Foreclosure Task Force. She was doing her daily paperwork (or rather, Hoshino's), and she noticed that there was an admission application on the desk. What made it even more surprising was that it wasn't a girl's application. It was a boy's!

Blue-green hair and red eyes (which she couldn't deny were kind of cute, but she would never say that out loud, especially when her pink-haired *senpai* was in the room "sleeping").

Name* Takumi Shinki

Age* 16 years

Height* 1.52 m

Place of origin* Japan

Reviewing the papers* she saw that he was actually a good student; he had very good grades and even passed the knowledge test given by the GCS. Overall, he would be a good addition to the group, and an extra hand wouldn't hurt, not to mention the considerable enrollment fee... But he was a boy, and all the members of the Foreclosure Task Force were girls. She was about to reject him until she saw something that caught her attention.

Skills*

- Machinery repair

- IT knowledge

- Construction

- Architecture

- Masonry

- Plumbing

- Robotics

Ayane's glasses gleamed. Any previous logical thoughts were overshadowed by the possibility of having someone help her repair all the machinery left behind by the previous student council; he could even help her repair the drones and helicopters that were gathering dust. Not to mention he could also help reduce repair costs...

—Hoshino-*senpai*!* —Ayane approached her *senpai, who was sleeping, and carefully woke her up.

Hoshino woke up with a slight yawn before looking at her *kohai* with her heterochromatic blue and yellow eyes.

—What happened, Ayane-chan? Don't you see this *ojisan* is taking a nap?*

—Hoshino-*senpai, sorry for waking you. It's just that I needed your signature for something official, look* —said Ayane, placing the paper on Hoshino's desk, obviously covering up the fact that it was a boy's enrollment application.

—Is that all?* —asked Hoshino, who was barely staying awake, looking at her *kohai*.

Ayane just nodded.

Hoshino, without much trouble, gave her signature and approval stamp. As soon as she signed, she returned to Morpheus' embrace.

Meanwhile, a cheerful Ayane was already calculating an approximate amount of money they could save on repairs with their new member. She just hoped that this Takumi was a good boy.

And well, that's all for today. I hope you enjoy it. Due to the problems I had writing this chapter, I think I'll opt for shorter but more frequent chapters to avoid complicating things too much.

In case you're wondering where I got the money for the enrollment, let's just say Rio onee-chan paid for it.

It's worth mentioning that she's aware of where the protagonist stole the money from, but she can't do anything about it because it would risk exposing all her embezzlement... Well, that and the protagonist is a brazen idiot and might have even sent her an email.

Mini Canon Story*

Meanwhile, at Millennium...*

At that moment, Rio, the big sister of Millennium, was suffering from a slight migraine due to the email she had just received.

"What the hell...?"* she thought as she rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the discomfort. She looked back at her computer screen, unable to believe what she was reading. *"This has to be a joke..."*

Email*

Good morning, Rio onee-chan. This is one of your little brothers. I hope you don't mind that I took a little bit of your personal money to cover the enrollment fee at Abydos Academy. I know you won't be upset because you're the big sister of Millennium, and technically, I was born in that place, which, technically, makes me your little brother.

I just hope you don't mind. Oh, and I almost forgot! Please don't send that maid. I know she's very cute, but she might make my new classmates jealous. Also, don't mention anything to Yuuka-nechan. I doubt she'll be very happy if she sees our account movements, especially the ones involving that giant city you built. The thought alone scares me!

Just wanted to let you know that. Bye! Have a nice day, Rio onee-chan. Oh, and before I forget, please don't harm that girl!

She might be a bit hyperactive and somewhat mischievous, but I assure you her heart is as pure as a hero of light. Just give her some video games and You'll see how she'll love you for the rest of her life."

Sincerely, Rio's little brother*

Rio dropped the hand that was holding her head, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and resignation. *"That brat…"* she thought, frustrated and confused. *"He has me exactly where he wants… And he's not even a stranger!"* With a quick search, she found his name among the new enrollments at Abydos: *Takumi Shinki.*

Rio felt a chill run down her spine. *"If I make one wrong move, everything will go to hell. All my plans… ruined."* It was a terrifying thought, but she had to admit the boy had played his cards well.

For now, it was best to watch and wait. There was no way to predict what might happen if Takumi decided to open his mouth and expose her to Yuuka. Rio sighed, resting her forehead on the desk. *"On the other hand, why do I like the idea of that cute boy calling me onee-chan so much...?"*

The very idea was absurd, but she couldn't help the slight blush on her face as she recalled the email. *"Damn it… I'm losing my mind."*

Note for the English version: I apologize for any mistakes; English is not my native language, and using translators isn't that easy. If you have any corrections or know of a better translator than ChatGPT for Spanish to English, I would greatly appreciate it.*

Chapter Text

**I sighed deeply, lying in my bed, as I gazed at the seascape through the glass dome. All I could do was pray that things would turn out well.**

**But of course, things couldn't be as simple as I had imagined. Why is nothing in life easy? There's always something that complicates it, an unexpected obstacle.**

**This time, I hit a wall trying, for once in my life, to do things legally. It turns out there are several requirements to enroll in any of the Kivotos academies.**

**Depending on your circumstances, you have two options for attending an academy in Kivotos. The simplest option is if you are a resident born in Kivotos. In that case, the problems are minimal: you show up at the academy of your choice, take the entrance exam, and if you pass, you pay the fee. Done! Congratulations, you are now a student at one of Kivotos’ prestigious schools.**

**However, there is a small variant: if you have a friend, relative, or acquaintance who graduated from the academy and gives you a recommendation letter, you might skip the exam and only have to pay the fee. Nepotism at its finest, my friends. (And now I understand how Koharu managed to get into Trinity! I saw a copy of that entrance exam and, I swear, there were things you only learn in university).**

**Although, of course, in Millennium, the story is different. Even with a recommendation letter, you still need to take the exam. Unless, of course, you enter with a scholarship or recommendation from someone very important.**

**For those coming from outside Kivotos, the process is more complex. First, you must pass a background check. Then, an online academic test supervised by the GCS, a mini-interview with the examiner, and finally... the GCS president herself has to approve your admission.**

**After researching, I discovered that this is to prevent possible spies or people trying to destabilize Kivotos and take over. Something that, apparently, has already happened in the past.**

**If you're wondering, the one who gave me the test was Rin. I have to admit that, even though it was through an augmented reality video conference... (yes, I'll need some time to get used to Kivotos’ futuristic technology and this world in general), Rin is incredibly attractive.**

**It's going to take me a bit longer to adjust to this world where practically every girl seems like a supermodel... And it doesn’t help at all that Rin is the sexy head of the office.**

**On the other hand, I was even surprised that it was her who administered the exam. But apparently, there aren’t many people who send applications, partly because 70% of applicants are rejected.**

**Yes, the filter for foreigners in Kivotos is quite rigorous, but I don’t blame them. According to what I researched, many people have attempted to steal Kivotos’ secrets and technology from the outside.**

**It seems that, for this reason, the admission tests are only managed by high-ranking student council members.**

**I can still remember Rin’s penetrating gaze as she questioned each of my answers during the interview. Just remembering it sends shivers down my spine. I see why people outside of Rin in the game say she’s quite a cold person. I just hope I don’t end up developing some strange taste because of Rin...**

**Anyway, all I can do now is pray that everything turns out well. In the worst case, I’d just have to falsify my documents and wait for Sensei to show up to help me make them legal. I hope it’s one of those versions of Sensei who are nice people and not the degenerate gremlin version.**

**Right now, I need something to distract my mind. An idle mind only causes problems.**

**That reminds me... "Prometheus, tell me if the Void Archive project is ready."**

**Suddenly, several holographic screens appeared in front of me, and at the same time, a female robotic voice began to resonate in the room.**

**“The Void Archive project is 80% complete. But its use is now safe.”**

**“Prometheus, show me the way to the lab, please.”**

**“Affirmative. Follow the instructions.”**

**Although I built this place, there are still things I haven’t gotten used to, like the location of everything. I hate to admit it, but my sense of direction is horrible... I still remember the time I took the wrong train and somehow ended up in Korea...**

**Sometimes I hate that they implemented the underwater metro connecting Japan to Korea. But well, at least I had excuses to skip classes...**

**Anyway, I’m going to distract myself with a walk to the lab. It’s not that far...**

**4 hours later...**

**Me and my damn mouth. A disadvantage of this place is that it’s damn huge. The distances are considerably long. From my room to the lab, it’s a damn 4-hour walk. If it weren’t for the fact that my body is more resilient now, I’d be dead from exhaustion...**

**“Prometheus,” I called, and the robotic voice echoed in the hallway.**

**“Yes, master?”**

**“Please turn on the factory and create personnel transport vehicles. And assign routes and maps of this place, placing them in strategic locations.”**

**“Master, doing that will require major modifications to the structures and hallways, plus...”**

**I didn’t let her finish speaking.**

**“Just do it! You have permission to make the necessary modifications. But just do it. I’ll go crazy if I have to walk half a day to get home, ...”**

**“Affirmative, master. As for the lab, it’s across to the left in the next hallway.”**

**“Thank you.”**

**After that little chat with the AI I created to help me manage the factory and keep the place in condition when I’m not at the base, I followed its instructions about the location of the lab.**

**In front of me stood a door several meters high and wide. There was no visible device to open it, but as soon as I approached, the sound of machinery began to resonate.**

**Gradually, the door, several centimeters thick, opened, revealing an impressive view of various projects and weapons, and even the capsule where my body had been just moments ago.**

**After a few more minutes of walking, I arrived at what I was looking for. On a pedestal was a blue cube emitting an incandescent light, surrounded by complex machinery charging the artificial core of the Void Archive project.**

**Wondering what it is?**

**You see, throughout my knowledge of gatchas, there was always one weapon that caught my attention: Void Archive, a divine key left by an ancient civilization from the game called Honkai Impact.**

**An object that can alter its form into different weapons, including the divine keys left by the ancient civilization of the Honkai Impact universe. While it was also a supercomputer storing much of the information from the ancient era, that was secondary in my current case.**

**But in front of me was something that could be said to be inspired by that weapon.**

**I have to say that once again I had to rely on the technology of the Cult of the Nameless Gods. It was something I managed to achieve thanks to studying Aris’ regenerative system, which is based on nanomachines or nanomaterials.**

**And well, another part was thanks to old knowledge from my world.**

**Although we were technologically backward by at least 20 years, there were some interesting discoveries from my world that, thank God, are valid here, such as a clean and highly volatile energy that, while we knew how to harness it, they did not have the means to gather it.**

**Fortunately, in some old files in Millennium, there was information on how to collect that energy, which in my world we called ether, using a mini particle collider.**

**Now, although it’s based on the Void Archive weapon from the Honkai Impact game, its ability to take different forms is not its only inspiration; it also has bases from the Date A Live franchise.**

**To be specific:**

**I approached the cube, and as I got closer, a mechanical voice started resonating in my head.**

**Subject Takumi has been recognized. Initiating coupling.**

**The Void Archive light began to emit a stronger blue aura until it started to transform into micro-cubes, which slowly began to float towards me before assimilating into my body.**

**_Complete assimilation. Access to 8 of the 10 cores. Data is missing to complete the last two artificial cores._**

**... Well. 8 is better than nothing.**

**Now let's do a test.**

**I started imagining a weapon in my hand; to keep it simple, let’s start with something basic. A Glock.**

**And the chosen core will be:**

**Zadkiel!**

**Slowly, a blue pistol appeared in my hand, emitting an unmistakable chilling aura.**

**Looking at a wall, the structure modified itself, creating a small shooting range.**

**Focusing on the target, I aimed quickly and finally pulled the trigger.**

**BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM**

**5 shots resonated in the room. The 5 shots hit the target. Maybe they weren’t perfect shots, but that wasn’t the important part.**

**The important thing was that the target quickly began to freeze, and within seconds, it was covered by a thick block of ice that encased it from all sides.**

**Indeed. Void Archive had been a success. I had managed to replicate, to some extent, the capabilities of the angels from Date A Live.**

**And even better, I wouldn’t have to worry about running out of ammunition!!!**

**One hour later**

**It was around 12 PM. I had lost track of time. To be precise, if someone had seen me at that moment, I would have looked like a child in a toy store.**

**Void Archive was capable of taking various forms, from firearms to bladed weapons like a knife or a sword.**

**And my favorite...**

**Metratom!!!**

**A total of 12 railgun cannons in the shape of spears floated around me (which may or may not be based on the schematics of Aris’ weapon... Note: I need to give a gift to the engineering club. Note: I need to find a way to befriend Chibiki). Each one had a blue circuit pattern and was at least 5 meters long, yet they floated with the grace of a dancer.**

**All were in automatic combat mode, responding to extreme stimuli thanks to the pseudo-intelligence of Void Archive.**

**Around me were several partially destroyed combat drones. Although their bodies were partially damaged or even melted, they were still recoverable because I actively made sure to avoid shooting at their command cores... A curious rule in Kivotos. Although it is possible to shoot at robots, there is an implicit rule:**

**NEVER SHOOT AT THE CONTROL CORE. Apparently, damaging the core would be considered murder.**

**Who would have thought that robots in Kivotos, if they pass the Turing test, can claim human rights...**

**Now, it was 12 PM on a Monday. I had practically done everything I could to prepare. So, what now?**

**I had tested my physical capabilities. Using a punching bag wasn’t a good idea; it practically disintegrated from a serious punch.**

**Although I have other concerns about this body, I prefer to play dumb. After all, I mustn’t forget that my body is literally made of reverse engineering, a being designed to destroy Kivotos.**

**There are things I prefer to leave unanswered, for example: Can I use that weird protocol Aris uses when possessed by Key?**

**I was lost in thought until I heard the sound of a bell. It was an email.**

**Good afternoon. I am pleased to inform you that applicant Takumi Shinki has been accepted into Abbydos High School. You may present yourself at any time from the issuance of this email to receive your uniform and a tour of the facilities. Have a good afternoon.**

**Sincerely, The Secretary of the Mortgage Execution Working Group.**

**I could only stare in amazement. I had actually been accepted. This means the GCS president somehow approved me...**

**For some reason, I can imagine the headaches poor Rin is going to have...**

**And I’m also a bit surprised that Hoshino gave her approval, considering she’s somewhat distrustful of strangers at this point...**

**For a moment, I thought maybe I tricked Hoshino into accepting me. But I see it as impossible; Ayane is quite responsible, and I doubt she could pull something like that off.**

**Well... you know what? To hell with it. Let’s head to Abbydos right away. After all, what could be the worst that could happen?**

---

**And that’s all for today. You don’t know how many problems I had writing this chapter: power outages, heat issues, and even political protests in my country. Every time I write something, something has to go wrong! Well, that was today’s chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. After this, another chapter should be uploaded where the protagonist will finally meet the girls from Abydos. Let’s hope the ojisan doesn’t start a shootout when meeting the protagonist. And about the student council, what do you think of that idea?**

**Given that this world is an AU and Kivotos is practically an independent continent with many secrets, a land rich in mysteries, technology that surpasses the outside world, and most uniquely, a continent managed and run by students, it’s obvious they will have many filters to prevent outsiders from being too clever.**

**Another thing: unless someone points me to a fanfic where I can read about the game events or a precise novelization of the game, I doubt I can include those events, as I don’t have access to that story. You know, language barrier and my English isn’t that great. I’ll put it this way: if someone or some reader is kind enough to transcribe the stories (especially Izuna and Decagrammaton) of the events for me, I’m willing to add it to the story as a boy from the only boys' academy in Kivotos, whose district is hidden due to a mess that may or may not be explained later, and I can give him a relationship with Saori, Chihiro, Tomoe, Cherino, or Hinata. Have good nights, days, or afternoons because Yume is good. Before I forget, let’s hope poor Rin doesn’t suffer too many headaches.**

**Hours earlier, at the GSC...**

**Rin was observing her computer screen, gently massaging her temples. A slight migraine was beginning to form as she reviewed an enrollment application. What should have been a routine procedure in Kivotos had turned into a source of concern.**

**"In Kivotos, nothing is simple," Rin thought. One never knows when a small application might trigger a coup. That’s why the student council reviews every case meticulously.**

**The file in front of her was, in a word, perfect. Impeccable grades, no alarming family background except for the tragic death of his father in a car accident and the rare illness that took his mother. Outside of that, everything was... clean. Too clean.**

**Rin adjusted her silver glasses, feeling the pressure increase in her head. "It’s impossible for someone to be this perfect..." From the birth certificate to the student ID, everything was in order, as if it had been produced by a machine.**

**"Too suspicious," she thought. Frowning, she was about to stamp the rejection seal when a movement at the edge of her vision made her stop.**

**“Good morning, Rin-chan!” The melodious and carefree voice of the GSC president interrupted her thoughts.**

**Rin looked up, finding the president standing in front of her desk. Her long sky-blue hair cascaded down with a hint of violet in the lower layers, while a fringe hid her left eye, giving her an enigmatic air.**

**“How is your work going? Mmm, I see you’re busy...” The president took the file from Rin’s hand without waiting for a response, flipping through it with curiosity.**

**“Good morning, president,” Rin replied, letting out a sigh. She knew things were about to get complicated. When the president got involved, things always got tricky.**

**“Takumi Shinki...” The president murmured, repeating the name as if trying to remember something lost in her memory.**

**Rin settled back in her chair, feeling her long black hair with dark blue highlights fall over her shoulders. She was used to her friend’s eccentricities, but that didn’t mean they were any less exhausting.**

**“Yes, a Japanese. 16 years old, outstanding grades, perfect health, and has applied to enter Abbydos High School...” Rin began to explain, but she knew the president wasn’t really listening.**

**Instead, the president continued to examine the file, her smile growing as if she had just solved a puzzle.**

**“He has my approval.” The president looked up with that same smile Rin had come to fear—“It will be interesting to see what this boy can do at Abbydos, don’t you think, Rin-chan?”**

**Rin blinked several times, processing what she had just heard. Her migraine worsened.**

**“But president, we haven’t even conducted the interview...” Rin tried to protest, feeling her voice lacking the necessary strength.**

**The president simply shrugged, adjusting the golden insignia on her white jacket with gold buttons.**

**“It doesn’t matter, Rin. I feel that this boy will bring something new, not just to Abbydos but to all of Kivotos. And who knows, maybe even to Kivotos?” Her eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement—“When was the last time a boy applied to another academy in Kivotos? Don’t you think it’s a unique opportunity?”**

**Rin tried to remember, but since she joined the student council, there was no memory of such a case. Although Kivotos’ academies are not exclusive to girls, boys are a rare exception.**

**“Well...” Rin relented, taking the papers and stamping the GCS approval seal. She wasn’t surprised to see that the president had already signed the document—“When did you sign this...?” she murmured, knowing that was just another of her friend’s mysterious skills. She didn’t carry a pen, neither in her uniform nor in her bag, which usually only contained strawberry candies.**

**“But he still has to go through the interview,” Rin added, trying to maintain at least some formality.**

**“Of course, Rin-chan.” The president smiled, clearly pleased—“After all, protocol is important, isn’t it?”**

**“Oh, look at the time. I have a meeting with the Tea Party to discuss the terms of the treaty. I hope Nagi-chan has more of that delicious tea, and that Makoto brings back those chocolates he boasts about.” The president turned, walking toward the door. “Have a good day, Rin-chan!”**

**As the president left, her long white dress fluttering behind her, Rin felt an unexpected sense of melancholy. Despite her eccentricities, she had come to care for her friend just as she was. Without her, the GSC would feel empty. Hopefully, that peace and happiness would last forever, or at least until they graduated.**

**Rin let out a sigh, refocusing on her papers. "I hope nothing bad happens..." she thought, though in Kivotos, the unexpected was always around the corner.**

**At that moment, Kaya entered the office, her golden halo subtly shining over her crown of pink braids. Her green eyes looked at her calmly.**

**“Mmm... good morning, Rin. Have you seen Aoi? I need her to approve a budget.”**

**Rin looked up, noting the serenity in Kaya’s voice.**

**“Aoi took the day off. Apparently, she needed time to study for an exam.”**

**Kaya nodded, accepting the answer without further comment.**

**“I see. Thanks, Rin. See you later at lunch,” Kaya said with a gentle smile, and left with the same calm demeanor with which she had entered.**

**Rin watched her leave, feeling a strange relief seeing that, at least for the moment, everything was proceeding normally. Hopefully, things would stay that way... although, in her experience, peace in Kivotos never lasted long.**

Chapter Text

**"How strange."** That thought crossed all their minds at the same time, but none dared to say it out loud. The clock struck noon, and there was still no sign of Ayane at the weekly meeting. In the morning, everything had seemed normal: they had greeted each other with the usual cordiality before heading to their classes. But something was clear—Ayane's nervousness had been palpable before and during class. They all shared the same thought at that moment: **Ayane was hiding something**. 

"Girls, does anyone have any idea what's going on with Ayane-chan?" asked Nonomi, breaking the silence with her soft voice and her emerald green eyes full of concern. She couldn’t bear seeing her friends anxious, especially when one of them was hiding something.

Serika, with her usual tone, was the first to respond. Her red eyes reflected a concern she couldn't hide. "I have no idea... I asked her what was wrong, but she kept changing the subject," she said, crossing her arms in frustration. Her cat ears, normally upright, were drooping, showing her dismay. As first-year classmates, it was natural for Serika to feel more worried.

Hoshino, who was miraculously awake at this time, seemed even more uneasy than usual. Her mismatched eyes, one blue and the other yellow, showed an unusual concern. "This morning, when she was helping me with the paperwork and bills... she asked me to sign something," Hoshino began, her usually carefree voice now sounding guilty. "But after I did, she got really nervous and ran out of the room, saying she had to look for something..."

Nonomi looked at her in disbelief, feeling a knot form in her stomach. "Hoshino-senpai... Please tell me you read the document. I want to trust Ayane, but we should always read something before signing it..."

Nonomi noticed Hoshino had tensed up a bit, suddenly staring at the wall as if there was something very interesting painted there.

"Wait. Don't tell me you signed it without reading what she gave you!" Nonomi exclaimed, now even more worried.

"Ehehehe..." Hoshino let out a nervous laugh, scratching her head in embarrassment. "Oops..."

**Bam!** The sound of everyone hitting their foreheads in unison was almost synchronized, each of them dealing with their growing concern.

"Hoshino-senpai... even I know you should read something before signing it..." said Shiroko, her soft voice almost a whisper as her blue eyes—one with a slit, white pupil—watched her with surprise and disapproval.

Serika looked like she was about to explode. Her red eyes were wide open, and her cat ears were trembling slightly. "Wait, you really signed it without looking?! What if you signed something important? This could be catastrophic!"

"Come on, girls..." Nonomi tried to intervene, attempting to calm the situation. "It can’t be that bad, right? It's not like whatever Hoshino signed meant something as serious as... I don’t know, selling off Abydos' land or something..." she joked, though her nervous laugh didn’t help ease the tension.

Silence settled in the room, growing denser as they all contemplated that possibility. Even Hoshino, who had tried to stay calm, was now visibly pale and sweating profusely, worried about something.

Just as Hoshino was about to speak, the classroom door opened with a soft creak. All eyes turned to Ayane, who walked in with her usual calm expression. Her amber eyes, hidden behind her red glasses, glowed with the light streaming through the window. Her short, black hair was neatly styled, framing her face with precision. In one hand, she held a canvas bag she was trying to hide, though not very successfully. Her halo, with its red cross inside a circle floating above her head, emitted a soft glow that contrasted with the tense atmosphere in the room.

"Sorry I'm late, girls. I was busy with some things and looking for materials..." Ayane said in her calm, serene voice. "What happened? Why do you all look like you've seen a ghost?"

The tension in the air became palpable, but Ayane simply tilted her head, seemingly unaware of the emotional storm brewing among her friends.

A few minutes later, now seated in her usual spot, Ayane was about to start the weekly meeting when she noticed the unease on her friends' faces.

"Uh, girls, is something wrong?" she asked curiously, sensing the heavy atmosphere in the room.

**"What did you make Hoshino sign?"** Serika exclaimed, her red eyes shining with concern. Her tense posture and twitching cat ears reflected her unease. 

**"What's in the bag?"** Shiroko asked, her blue eyes glowing with immense curiosity as she eyed the bag's contents.

**"Please tell me you didn’t sell Abydos to pay off a debt..."** Nonomi murmured, her voice trembling slightly. The worry in her emerald green eyes was unmistakable.

The flurry of questions calmed down a little as Ayane began to answer, trying to restore order with her usual calm tone. 

**"Nonomi, for the fifth time, I didn't sell Abydos to anyone! Why would you even think of something so drastic?"** Ayane said with a frustrated sigh. While her tone remained composed, her expression showed clear discomfort.

**"The truth is, I received an admission request from a foreign student this morning,"** Ayane explained, though they couldn't help but notice the hint of concern in her voice. **"That’s what I had Hoshino sign. I’ve been nervous all morning because I was working with a tailor to fix a uniform for the new student while also organizing his documents, as he sent a message saying he'd be arriving this afternoon."**

**"So that's all..."** Nonomi said, visibly relieved. The others also began to relax, though Serika still seemed a bit confused. 

**"Wait, we're getting a new classmate? And she's arriving today?!"** Serika exclaimed, her surprise and disbelief evident from her very expressive face.

The group began to ease up, relieved that at least Abydos hadn’t been sold, and started to feel some excitement at the prospect of meeting their new classmate. Everyone, except for Hoshino, who still seemed a little unsettled.

**"Then why didn’t you tell us? And why keep it a secret?"** Hoshino asked, more seriously than usual. Her normally carefree attitude was in stark contrast to the concern she showed now.

Ayane, visibly nervous, started stammering, unable to find the right words. Before she could explain further, Shiroko seized the distraction and checked the canvas bag. Grabbing it from the wrong side, its contents spilled out onto the floor for everyone to see. A male uniform and several documents related to a new male student lay in full view.

Silence gripped the room as the discovery sank in, and they stared, dumbfounded, at the male uniform. 

**"A... boy?"** Serika murmured, clearly shocked. Her expression shifted from confusion to disbelief as the others also absorbed the new information.

Ayane, now even more nervous under the intense gazes of her friends, tried to explain the situation as the questions continued to rise. 

**"... I swear I can explain,"** she finally said, as the others waited with a mix of surprise and concern. The tension in the air was so thick it could have been cut with a knife.

After all, it had been years since any boy had set foot in Abydos. Not even Hoshino, with all her years at the school, had ever seen a male student. So, discovering that the new transfer was a boy was a shock that left everyone stunned. They all huddled around the documents Ayane was trying to hide. Although the information was technically confidential, they were the Abydos student council, and Hoshino was technically the president—or well, the vice president—so who could say they didn't have the right to take a peek?

**"Hmm... so we're getting a new classmate,"** Nonomi murmured, holding the student ID, where a 16-year-old boy with red eyes and blue-green hair stared back at them from the photo.

The discovery was simply too much to process. They all tried to recall the last time they had seen a male student in Kivotos. After elementary school, it was as if they disappeared from the face of the earth.

**"Are you sure this was a good idea, Ayane?"** Serika asked, her voice tinged with worry as her cat ears twitched. **"It's only girls here, and suddenly you're accepting a boy... What if he turns out to be a pervert dreaming of having a harem?!"** she exclaimed, her tone rising in panic as her imagination spiraled into absurd scenarios that would terrify a certain pink-haired girl from Trinity.

Hoshino, while trying to maintain her composure, couldn't help but feel uneasy. After all, her dear kohai had made such an important decision without even consulting her... and on top of that, she had made her sign without telling her anything!

Nonomi and Shiroko, however, seemed much less concerned. In fact, Shiroko couldn't stop staring at the student ID, and a soft murmur escaped her lips.

**"Cute..."** she whispered, with a slight blush on her face that only Nonomi noticed.

Nonomi, who had been scanning the rest of the papers, suddenly let out a nervous giggle as she found what appeared to be the real reason why Ayane had accepted the new student.

**"Hmm... I think I understand now why Ayane acted like this..."** Nonomi said, her green eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint as she pointed to a specific section of the document.

The other girls leaned in to read it, and almost in unison, their expressions turned flat. According to the document, the boy named Takumi had knowledge in machinery repair, computer science, construction, architecture, masonry, plumbing, and robotics.

Silence fell over the room like a weight, and everyone except Nonomi stared at Ayane with the same deadpan expression.

**"So... it was because of this, right?"** they all said in unison, their tone a mix of disbelief and resignation.

Ayane, completely flustered, felt her heart sink. But before she could say anything to try to defend herself, Hoshino delivered the final blow.

**"So, you fell in love at first sight, and that's why you accepted him? Poor, sweet kohai! Your first love... and with a complete stranger!"** Hoshino said, feigning dramatic sadness. If there had been a panel of judges, they would have given her a perfect score—even tears were streaming down her face!

**"That's not it!"** Ayane protested, her face as red as a tomato, waving her hands frantically. But without a way to defend herself, she resigned to her friends' teasing.

**After several minutes had passed,** the atmosphere, though still tense, was not as intense as before. They had reviewed the documents, examining every detail about the boy, from his name to his age.

**"So... we really are getting a new classmate, and it's a boy,"** Serika asked again, still somewhat worried about the idea. Her concern about having a new male classmate was evident on her face.

**"Apparently, that's how it seems,"** Nonomi said, slightly less worried than Serika. **"But... don't you think it's suspicious? I mean, don't get me wrong. I love Abydos just like all of you, but... I can't stop thinking that it's odd. Why Abydos? I hate to say it, but his grades are better than mine. Even if it's because of financial reasons, with his grades, he could easily have applied for a scholarship at Millennium."**

To everyone's surprise, Serika had made a valid point. 

**"It is suspicious,"** Hoshino said, glancing absentmindedly at Takumi's academic record. **"Except for math and language, his grades are better than ours."**

**"Well, for now, we can only wait for him to arrive and decide then,"** Hoshino said, stretching as she was tired of the topic. Hoshino had offered a fairly logical and reasonable solution, which didn’t happen often.

**"And if he turns out to be an idiot, we can always kick him out, right, girls?"** she added with a mischievous smile. **This was the end of Hoshino’s reasonable side. "How I'll miss you," Ayane thought to herself, managing a wry smile.**

**"Well, for now, that's what we'll do,"** concluded Nonomi.

**However, just as it seemed the meeting might proceed normally...**

**"Now, continuing with the meeting..."**

As if fate enjoyed toying with Ayane’s nerves, the sound of an engine began to resonate in the distance. More precisely, a motorcycle.

**"For heaven's sake! What now?"** Ayane shouted, exasperated that she could never have a peaceful meeting.

**They all ran to the window, each armed and ready in case it was another attack.**

From there, they saw a white and blue motorcycle with a futuristic design, which would have blended into Millennium easily, but in the desert of Abydos, it was an impossible sight to ignore. The motorcycle slowly approached the front door and stopped. The rider wore a motorcycle jacket, denim pants, and a black helmet that concealed his face. They were about to fire, as the only people they knew in Abydos who wore helmets were active members of the Helmet Gang.

**But then, the rider dismounted the motorcycle and, with a calm motion, removed his helmet, revealing a boy with green hair.**

They blinked several times, stunned. After all, it was not every day that they saw something like this: a futuristic motorcycle in the middle of the desert... and a boy barely over 1.50 meters tall riding it.

Minutes of tension passed as the girls tried to recover and hide the fact that they were about to shoot what seemed to be their new classmate. The atmosphere was charged with nervousness; even Hoshino, who usually appeared half-asleep, was alert, with one hand resting near her weapon.

Suddenly, the sound of knocking on the door broke the silence.

**"Knock, knock, knock."**

The girls exchanged glances, silently communicating about who would open the door. Finally, Nonomi volunteered and, with a calm step, went to the door. When she opened it, there he was: the boy from the motorcycle. With blue-green hair that shone under the light, crimson red eyes that seemed to pierce the room, and a slender but athletic build.

**"Hmm… I hope I'm not too late. The online maps of Abydos are a bit outdated..."** Takumi said with a friendly smile, nervously scratching the back of his neck. **"Oh, and I'm Takumi Shinki."**

Nonomi returned the smile with her usual warmth. **"Nice to meet you, I'm Izayoi Nonomi. I hope we get along well,"** she replied, stepping aside to let him into the room.

As Takumi entered, he could immediately feel the eyes on him. Some of the girls looked at him with suspicion, while others observed him with curiosity. The atmosphere was charged with tension and expectation. From that

moment, Takumi understood it would be a long and complicated road to earn their trust. But he had to do it—he had no other options.