Robin's Reincarnation System 0.1

07 - D-Day

In this world, there is a certain ore called Terra Gemma. It is a magical crystal that can emit sound and image because of a unique magnetic wave. Each crystal has its own signature wave and none of them are the same. If two crystals are within close distance, their waves can instantly connect, but if they’re far from each other, it has to connect to a Connector crystal that could forward the connection. It’s similar to how signal and satellite work and it is used as a mean of communication between settlements.

These Connector crystals are put in towers called Crystal Towers with people managing them. It is filled with connector crystals and it needs to be above the ground to ensure no interception from other kinds of ore that has magnetic waves. Denebola City has four of these towers in each wind direction, and one is going to be very troubled today.

Several grey vans are spotted in the North District. All of them line up one by one like a caravan and then disperse one by one into different streets. However, three of them are heading to the same direction, the North Crystal Tower. They enter a back alley where it connects to the back side of the Tower’s area or the loading dock. There is a chain gate with a security guarding it, so the vans stop and the front van’s driver comes out.

The guard is a Rhinocelos beastman. He easily towers the driver by a meter, but he still readies his club, because he senses something amiss. He wasn’t told that there would be groups of people coming this morning. Moreover, the driver is suspicious. The man has big build, is wearing a black hoodie with a rabbit mask, black pants and boots, also carrying a battle hammer. The hammer doesn’t look like a toy either, it looked firm and solid. A performer wouldn’t be carrying that just to check into a communication tower.

“Stop there.” The Rhinocelos halts the man. But the man isn’t stopping. Closing in fast on the guard, the man swings the hammer and smashes the guard on the side of the head. The hammer must’ve been made from a high quality metal, because the guard is down immediately. The mysterious driver does not stop there, he smashes one more time towards the guard’s head and a loud crack is heard—highly likely fracturing the skull.

The man then retreats to the van, along with his hammer, and drives past the now immobilized guard. The vans stop at the loading dock and people wearing black hoods come out of the van with weapon each. Then they storm into the tower through the back door.

-

I put everything I need into my bag and sling it over my shoulder. I immediately feel like going on a picnic. It’s just that this one is not going to be a picnic which someone can sit and relax in. I take my dorm key and glance at the pendant that is on my desk. It is a very unique pendant and I can’t recall ever seeing it in the game. But Ozzie listed in my inventory.

For some reason, my feelings don’t sit tight with this pendant in my dorm, so I put it on.

Though it still feels a bit weird that the semi 3D game I’ve played years ago has these detailed, unnecessary trinkets made.

Since I still need to pick up something at the Training Center, I depart early.

My stomach grumbles at the intersection between facilities. Knowing what I’m in for today, I decide to stop by the cafeteria to buy some food. Since I only have 200 ecras left, I buy myself a medium sized pudding with additional berries and diced fruits that’s worth 100 ecras in total. Money from the sweeping mission can only be claimed around 3PM. But I would still be at the ‘party’ by then, and even so, I don’t know how much I’ll get since its divided for the four of us.

The thought of saving up is tempting, but I still need my energy. Thankfully, the dorm provides us with unlimited drinking water supply, so I can avoid buying drinks.

I pay for my food at the cashier and turn around to leave, but someone stops me.

The person is shorter than me, but still taller than Lynette. His hair is brown and a bit curly, and his skin is fair, maybe a bit tan. His ears are round and just slightly bigger than average. His eyes are big and brown, like chocolate fondue. I see something flicking behind his body, a long and slim brown tail. I instantly recognize who it is.

He’s very famous among my year for being friendly, motivational, and funny. He’s also known among the seniors because he has beaten them in the sprint contest last year, earning himself the title of ‘The Fastest Student’ in Orion Terrace.

The shortie looks at me, then the pudding I’m holding, then tilts his head. “Are you going to eat only that?”

“… Yeah.” I answer shortly.

“Why?” He asks.

“Because… I need some sugar.” That’s a lame excuse.

He crosses his hands on his chest and his ears flicker slightly. Then he looks around, prompting me to look around us as well. There are not many students here because it’s still early in the morning, and there’s no one near us.

“Let me buy you something fulfilling.” He then said with a smile. His smile is adorable.

I frown at him. “What? Why? No, thank you.”

“Oh come on. Just this once! Think of it as a courtesy.” He insists.

“On what occasion? This is the first time you and I meet.”

He frowns and looks away, and I can hear him whisper to himself. “Huh, it doesn’t work this time.”

“What doesn’t work this time?” I ask him exactly what he just whispered to himself.

He flinches. “Uh, well, everybody knows me, and they usually let me be kind. But you… Refused. Why?”

“Why do you want to be kind to me?” I asked back.

He looks at me weirdly. “Being kind doesn’t always need a reason.”

“Why. Do you. Want—"

“Okay, okay!” Finally, I rattle him. “It’s Julie. Pedro told me she’s being harsh to you even though you helped him.”

Ah, so he’s the chumps’ classmate and that guy is Pedro. Although I’ve already forgotten their faces. “Who the hell is Pedro?” I joked with a flat face.

“Anyway! Pretty please~ Let me buy you breakfast?” He begs.

I decide to rid the guy off his misery. Besides, he’s going to keep on bugging me if I constantly push him away. “Alright. I’ll have a sandwich to-go.”

His adorable smile returns, and with a flick of his tail, he walks up to the cafeteria lady. Then he returns to me and give me a wrapped sandwich. “Here you go! No need to pay me back.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“No problem!” Then he frowns slightly. “You… Know me, right? You know my name?”

I tilt my head. “Uhh… You’re that speedrunner from 3-D.”

He smiles and nods. “Yes! It’s better than nothing. I’m Ian Fairwing. Nice to meet you!” He offers his hand.

I shake his hand. “Nice to meet you too.”

“What’s your name?” He asks.

I only smile at him before walking away. “See ya, Ian.”

“Hey wait! I don’t know your name!” He yells, but I already left.

That was Ian Fairwing, one of the main characters. He’s very nice, but mischievous at times. But he’s mostly nice.

Well, I’ve met five of the major characters. There will be more to come, and I need to be prepared on how to handle them. Especially a certain person. Oh, I have to watch my mouth around that one, could be more dangerous than Khione.

I go to the Training Center, not the dungeon area, but the gate entrance. There is a station there where students usually prep up for training. There’s also a guard who’s responsible to check you before you go in, to keep track on whoever is training down there.

I ignore the guards and take a rope from one of the shelves. No one actually needed rope until they’re in the 5^th floor and down, because there’s a hole that you actually have to go through to get to the Tygris’s floor. But no one goes there and comes back alive… Or, so they say. Well, the game description said that years ago.

I check it in to the guard, lying that I need it for a project. They put my name in the visitor’s book, along with the equipment I’m bringing which is the rope, I sign it, and I’m off. It’s easy like that. Why would I need a rope? We shall see.

I go to class safely and sit in my seat as usual. Rean is already there, reading a book about Eolussia. Man, that guy’s not a genius for nothing. He studies for real here which really lowers my expectation of him knowing everything by just one reading. Well, I guess that’s the difference between game and reality. Though ironically, this game’s now also MY reality.

My trip to the Training Center really took a while, because it’s the farthest from the other facilities in the Terrace and I don’t feel like running.

Some classmates noticed my bag’s unusually packed, and asked me about it. But I just told them it’s for training. Then the teacher comes in and starts giving lecture. I zone out on most of it, because it’s useless at this point forward. Right now, I’m just waiting for the time to finally strike. Because I know it’s today, but I just don’t know what hour.

Then he gives us a sheet of paper to work our essay in. When we’re about to write, however, there is a harmonious tone echoing from the speaker. That certain harmonious tone is the academy’s bell of sorts.

- ALL THIRD- AND FOURTH-YEAR STUDENTS REPORT TO THE SQUARE. I REPEAT. ALL THIRD- AND FOURTH-YEARS STUDENTS REPORT TO THE SQUARE. WE HAVE CODE DELTA. -

“What is code Delta again?” someone asked.

“The police need our help.” Rean said, standing up. “Sir?” He asks the teacher.

“R-Right.” The teacher nods. “All of you go to the square! Quickly!”

I hug my bag tightly and almost cannot contain my beating heart. It’s time!!