When I wake up, I’m in a different room. Without looking around, I can already guess that this must be the room I’ll be staying in for a couple of days.I close my eyes again and just savor the familiar scent of hospitals—which is alcohol, medicine, and alcohol.I sigh in relax.Although there is one scent that is quite out of place. It’s sweet, it’s buttery, it’s cinnamon.“I thought you hated hospitals.” Someone said beside me.It was a woman with a very familiar voice to my ears. I know her. She’ s Terrence’s mother. I’m not going to admit she’s my mom, but I respect her almost as good as her. Even though I hated Terrence for being a weakling, I don’t take the grudge on his parents.Besides, she’s sweet.“I just don’t like doctors.” I replied. Then I open my eyes to look at the beautiful woman beside me.She has blonde hair that is neatly pulled into a bun. Her pale blue eyes are calm as she peels lychees. She still looks young, but there’s evident traces of aging on her face. She’
I woke up again in the afternoon. I slept almost all day again today, but I feel better now. My body doesn’t feel like jelly anymore, and I can actually sit up to stretch my upper body.Terrence’s father had left to take care of Terrence’s little sister at home. Which implies to me that this hospital is very far from the house.Terrence’s mother stays. She wants to make sure that I got taken care of since I can’t use one of my legs. Also, to make sure that Rean does not feel lonely when he wakes up.She told me that there were students visiting the room when we were sleeping. They are our juniors and students from other classes, and they left bearing gifts for each and every one of us in the room. That includes me and Rean.I don’t remember befriending anyone from other classes, so it certainly feels weird to see those things on my nightstand.“Are you thinking which one to eat first, gunner?” Jake asked.He must’ve seen me looking at the oranges and grapes after Terrence’s mother lef
Rean returns to the academy right the next day. He really couldn’t stay even after Terrence and the seniors had persuaded him. But that’s not on them and they knew it. Funnily, Rufus tried to force himself to go too. Even when it’s clear that he just woke up and he still needed some rest. He became upset like a little kid before going back to sleep. His behavior was something confusing to the others, but they got the amusement out of it. Mrs. Harcourt picked him up, not without scolding on the way. But she didn’t go too hard because she understood some students need a change of air. They arrive at the academy and after thanking her, he goes straight to the Mission Board. “The Tower Mission isn’t up to claim, it’s an exam.” The administrator told him straight up when he stopped at the counter. He shakes his head. “I’m here to claim the reward for my sweeping mission four days ago.” The administrator checks the database. The man had worked there for years, but he’s still as strict
Written on the front page is the news about tower hijacking incident. It says that the tower hijacking incident that happened in all four towers had been solved by the forced of both the police, military, and Terrace students.While many protests were received about the authorization of Terrace students helping with the mission, most of the survivors looked down upon these negative opinions and instead, supported the Terrace.Rean skims the whole article until he reached the part that makes him surprised. “The fact that only one of the towers that has grave casualties spurs questions from the mass if this is an act against the high end society.”“Well… We meant the first part where we receive support from the citizens all of you have saved.” Mrs. Harcourt said, smiling.Rean puts the paper on the coffee table. “That doesn’t change the fact that we received backlash from those who look down on us already. But what does it mean that only one of the towers suffers grave casualties? I tho
There is upside and downside about staying in the hospital. The upside is that I can sleep as much as I want, while the downside is that some people just won’t leave me alone.Correct, the visitors. It’s been a day since Rean left, and I had visitors today. It’s like one of the most enjoyable/dreadful thing that can happen in hospitals because while they bring gifts, they will stay until the nurse kicks them out.Which means that you have to talk to them until they’re kicked out.At least they brought gifts, like Ruby and Ian’s parents. They brought a parcel of adventuring items and fruits, and pastries. And not just for me, but for everyone in the room, which is very surprising.Although, Ruby and Ian brought their own additional presents which they slipped under my hanging cast which Ruby’s nanny later begrudgingly took and gave it to Terrence’s mother.Thankfully, no one (me) was hurt.‘Kids truly are a wonder.’“What do you think of my dress, brother Terrence?” Ruby asked as she t
Terrence’s mother immediately scolds me. “Terrence! Do NOT say that!”I raise my hands. “It’s just a joke, mom.”“Still, you can’t do that!” She insisted.“You must not joke with the magicians’ names, Terrence. Or bad omen will come upon you.” Ian’s mother reprimanded.“What does that mean, mom?” small Ian asked.“Magicians are wonderful people blessed by the Goddess. Their names should not be sullied, because it is an insult to the Goddess as well.” Ian’s mother explained.“Are they like the saints?” Ruby asked.“Yes, sweetie. Magicians are our protectors after the saints. Which is why we are respecting them by not insulting their names.” Ruby’s mother calmly replied.Hell no, they don’t. Not all magicians are good. Like this sorceress I just mentioned. But I don’t want to say that when these ladies had showed me their reaction to a ‘simple joke’.Ruby points her hands cutely at me. “Then brother Terrence, you have to apologize to the magicians.”I blink. “But I didn’t insult anyone.
[Would you like to engage now?]‘I do.’It’s now midnight and I need to know if I missed any of the points I should’ve gotten. Thankfully, the others were already sleeping, so I can stay up without anyone interfering.The familiar interface appears before my face.***Mission completed!You passed the second STARs exam!Reward: 2000 TP Shop enabled Custom Part SG Handle***Finally, a new feature that I’m looking forward to. I have a hunch that it will be where I can use the trading points it has been giving me. But what I'm really looking forward to are the items.What kind of items are in it?[Would you like to activate Shop now?]‘Wait, wait, explain to me what Shop is and are you still the one managing it or there’s another System other than you?’ I narrow my eyes.I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’m a bit freaked out about the thought that there will be more than one 'something' in my head without me knowing.I remember my early days here when the System was trying to remind
Terrence’s mom takes my hand and gives it a light squeeze. “Compared to that, how does this feel?”She squeezes my hand again, then giving my palm a light rub.I take in the feeling of her hand touching mine.It’s soft. It’s nice. It’s ‘there’.The answer is obvious.“Better.”“Good. Remember it. Because this is the feeling that strong people will achieve, Terrence. Those… Strong people, that still have purpose in life, and blessed by the Goddess.” She said.I shake my head slowly. “But I’m not a saint. I’m just a guy who can shoot a gun and run away.”She smiles. “You might be. But you are a saint in my eyes. You saved those children. That is why She didn’t bring you with her. She wanted you to save them.”She has a point there. But hope and belief aside, if I really did die back then, the children would still be found, although, hours later when the police is sweeping the building.The game had pointed this out in the newspaper that Rean read in the Headmaster’s office. And this inf