Chapter 5: Seperate Ways

Today marks the graduation test for firearm training, which signifies four years since my reincarnation. I have performed average on all my tests, so I expect to graduate alongside Mostima, Lemuen, and Flammetta, while Exusia seems to be struggling and may end up repeating the year.

The test involves handling a weapon we are not accustomed to while surviving an onslaught in a simulated war scenario. Of course, the adults are holding back, but I can understand why Sankta is so skilled in warfare. My weapon for this test is a grenade launcher.

It was challenging since there are many differences with my weapon; I need to angle it correctly to hit distant targets. This experience has given me a newfound respect for Flammetta, especially since I was banned from crafting my own ammunition for this exam.

In the end, I managed to pass the exam, but Exusia was not so fortunate. She failed because she was too aggressive and lacked the necessary experience, which resulted in her being taken down quickly, even with Lemuen and Mostima supporting her—not a surprise for me.

I found it amusing that Lemuen had a pistol, Mostima a shotgun, and Flammetta an SMG, while Exusia drew the short straw with a sniper rifle. I think she misunderstood the assignment, as I have never seen anyone attempt to use a sniper rifle like an SMG.

Well, let's just say it was hilarious because her weapon resembles a copy of the M1903 Springfield. I'm not a gun expert or fanatic, so I can't be certain, but her gun does look similar to the one used by Springfield in Girls' Frontline. The situation is funny because she is firing directly at the enemies, completely unaware that her gun has a much slower rate of fire compared to her usual weapon.

Then, I was called by Cardinal Yvangelista XI and guided to the chapel by Pastor Ruciel.

(Wait a minute, isn't Yvangelista XI supposed to be the next pope? If I remember correctly, in the original timeline, he was supposed to become pope a year before Exusia graduated from training. Why is he still a cardinal?)

"Cardinal, I have brought Alisia here."

As Pastor Ruciel opened the door to the chapel, I saw a slightly older man with white hair and a beard. His clothing was different from what he wore when he appeared in Arknights, but that’s probably because he is still a cardinal and not yet the pope.

"Oh, you are as beautiful as the rumors have said, Originium Saint."

(I was found out rather quickly, probably because Pastor Ruciel reported it. I wonder what we are going to discuss.)

"May the Law bless you, Cardinal-sama. I am just a teenage Sankta compared to you, so please don't mind me."

Yvangelista XI is exuding some happy emotions, while Pastor Ruciel looks worried as usual, but this is quite a peculiar moment.

Having been reincarnated for four years, I was prepared for when the situation leaked to the upper echelon. I should be grateful to meet the Cardinal instead of the Pope, as I don't know the Pope very well. This is the best outcome for me since Yvangelista XI is kind even toward the Sarkaz, so everything should be fine.

"First of all, let me congratulate you on passing the training exam. With this, you can obtain your license to carry a Patron Firearm. If you want to create your own, I will allow it, as I’ve heard you’ve come up with some pretty interesting designs. Was it a magical girl wand?"

(I was discovered much earlier than I thought. Damn it. But considering how close he is to Pastor Ruciel, I should have known he was aware from the very beginning of my meeting with Pastor Ruciel.)

"You probably have a lot on your mind, but I need your help. You'll accompany me to a meeting in Iberia with Pastor Ruciel. Although that's the official plan, the truth is we’re actually heading to Rhodes Island, and they should be arriving in Iberia shortly."

(Did he just say Rhodes Island? This confirms my suspicion that we're in an alternate universe.)

The Tower of Babel must have fallen around the same time Exusia graduated from her Patron firearm training. The age difference between Exusia and Amiya is estimated to be about 6 to 8 years, though Arknights has never officially confirmed the ages of its operators.

(If Babel has already fallen and we're transitioning to Rhodes Island, how young is Amiya now? I doubt she is even 16 yet, especially since the Infected in Ursus are currently facing a massive attack led by Reunion, and I haven't heard much news about Ursus being attacked by them.)

"Well, it seems you're worried about something, and your emotions are showing. That's okay; I’ll give you at least a week to say goodbye to your friends. There’s a chance you may not return, depending on the results of your check-up, after all."

Oh no, I forgot that Rhodes Island has more advanced medical equipment compared to everywhere else. What’s my Originium level again?

Slowly, I looked at my hand to check how much Originium was in my blood, and the result terrified me: 0.9 u/L.

This situation is troubling. I've never expelled any Originium before, as it helps me utilize my art more effectively. I don't experience any physical side effects, likely due to my second talent, but now it's backfiring on me.

On one hand, I should reduce the density of Originium in my blood. However, doing so would hinder my ability to control my art, which is already challenging because of the side effects of my second talent.

On the other hand, if I don't lower my Originium levels now, I can easily envision Kal'tsit quarantining me, thinking I'm a severe Oripathy patient.

Ultimately, I've decided to reduce my levels to 0.5 u/L later on. This way, no one will question my proficiency with my art compared to other Sankta. After all, I'm unaware of the standard due to Mostima and Lemuen.

In the hall, Alisia, Lemuen, Exusia, Mostima, and Flammetta are sitting together at the same table, eating. However, Exusia is unusually gloomy, which isn’t surprising since she is the only one who has yet to pass the exam.

"Don’t be gloomy, Exusia. You can still take the exam next year," Lemuen said.

"But from what I hear, Alisia will follow the Cardinal to Iberia, while you three will join a squad under Andoain, right? That means we won’t have as much freedom to meet like we used to."

"Well, we can’t deny that we’ll probably be busy with missions and won’t have enough free time to see you," Mostima admitted. "But Alisia should be able to meet you once her travels to Iberia are over, right, Alisia?"

As Lemuen spoke, she slowly turned her gaze toward Alisia, but she merely shook her head.

"I’m not so sure about that, Lemuen. You’ve heard about the seaborn attacks, which, from what I gather, aren’t calming down anytime soon. While I don’t think the route the Cardinal takes will be dangerous, it’s not completely safe either. In the worst case, I might not come back for a long time."

Hearing Alisia's explanation, Exusia sank deeper into her gloomy mood, making Alisia feel bad as her emotions began to affect the other students in the hall as well.

"Well, at least look on the bright side: now we can earn some money and treat you to your favorite apple pie, Exusia."

Mostima did her best to lift Exusia's spirits, but it wasn't working as well as everyone hoped.

"Lemuel, stop being childish and focus on your lesson. If you do well on the next test, you'll graduate. And if you manage to place first in the exam, I'll even persuade Alisia to make you a custom gun."

Hearing this, Exusia slowly turned her gaze from her sister Lemuen to Alisia, her eyes sparkling with excitement. This made Alisia flinch, but she eventually sighed and looked at Lemuen.

"Fine, I'll create her own signature weapon if she manages to come in first place. Happy now, Lemuen?"

"Fufufufu, thank you, Alisia!"

"Yay, thank you, Alisia! I love you!"

"Oh, love me more than Mostima and Lemuel?"

As Alisia teased, Exusia's gaze wandered before

she replied, "Uhhh, third place, yeah. You're ranked third."

The rest of the group started to laugh, making Exusia blush as time passed, just like usual, in the hall where they enjoyed what was probably their last meeting together.

Today marks the day I will leave Laterano and head to Iberia, where I will enter Rhodes Island.

At the gate, Mostima, Flammetta, and Lemuen are already present, along with a guy I suspect is Andoain. Seeing him reminds me that Mostima will eventually become a fallen Sankta, while Exusia is likely busy studying and not here.

I could advise the three of them to be cautious of Andoain, but doing so might make things worse if something goes wrong. I don't want to carry the guilt of that because, in the end, the three of them will likely survive, while Mostima will gain her own cheat weapon.

Thinking about the future, it's probably best to leave them alone. However, I should at least ensure that Lemuen doesn't fall into a coma. If I intervene, she might not end up in a wheelchair, and given how she manages to control that device as if it were her own leg, I feel conflicted.

But in the end, I decided to let things be. If I return and find Lemuen still in a coma, then I will help her at that time.

"Oh, you're all here to say goodbye, huh?"

"Well, we are friends after all, though most of the time we just deal with your antics when you get bored."

"You said that, Flammetta, but in the end, you feel lonely without Alisia, don’t you?"

"That's not true!"

(Was Flammetta a tsundere? I thought she wasn't supposed to be one.)

"Well, you three are already in a squad, and the leader of your squad is here, right?"

"Ah, it's my turn to introduce myself. My name is Andoain from Iberia. If I remember correctly, you will be visiting Iberia, right? Please make sure to enjoy it and share your view of the world."

(Huh, he looks so kind, like Yvangelista XI, but I never imagined he was the guide of the Pathfinder, a dangerous organization and the cause of Mostima's fall.)

"Yeah, thank you, Andoain, was it? Well, I have Cardinal Yvangelista XI and Pastor Ruciel with me, so I will enjoy this as a trip."

As I said that, I felt a tap on my head.

"That is Cardinal-sama for you, Alisia."

"Ahahaha, that's fine, Pastor Ruciel. That’s just how Alisia is."

"If you say so, Cardinal."

Yvangelista XI slowly approached Andoain and whispered something to him. Although I couldn’t hear what was said, I could sense it was a difficult message, as I could feel his emotions from a distance.

"Well, have a safe trip, Cardinal-sama."

"Indeed, I will. But make sure you never regret the decision you make, Andoain."

I climbed into what appeared to be an off-road vehicle, which seemed odd given Laterano's usual way of doing things. Then I noticed the driver was Scout.

(Wait, Scout? One of the elite from Rhodes Island? This is beyond my wildest imagination. I never thought Scout could drive a car...)

The vehicle slowly drove away from Laterano, and from a distance, I spotted Orga watching me from the sky.

(While I can’t wait to meet Amiya and Kal'tsit, I need to be careful moving forward since the Doctor shouldn’t be in Rhodes Island yet. I wonder how young Amiya will be...)

Lost in thought, I gazed out the car window, watching Laterano grow smaller and smaller in the distance.