Chapter 10
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10
After our sparring match, Kinuan sat in a meditative posture to calm himself. I watched him in silence.
Kinuan's combat techniques...
My suspicion was correct. Kinuan possessed combat techniques that weren't in the Imperial manuals.
"Luka, what did you feel and learn from our spar just now?" Kinuan asked, his eyes still closed.
"It felt like I was possessed. Like my body slipped out of my control and moved on its own."
It wasn't a pleasant experience. Everything I had learned up to this point was about thoroughly controlling my own body—whether it was a physical body of flesh and blood or a cybernetic prosthetic body.
Sparring with Kinuan made me feel as though all the techniques I had learned until now were utterly meaningless.
"It's called Akies Victima. Usually, people just call it the Akies Combat Style," Kinuan said, narrowing his eyes. The trembling in his pressed fingertips had stopped. It meant his nervous system stabilization was complete.
The Akies Combat Style.
I had heard of it before. But my questions only grew.
"...You learned it before you became a cadet, didn't you?"
Kinuan nodded slightly at my words.
"I became a cadet three or four years later than most. Back then, the Imperial Guard was suffering heavy casualties, so the selection criteria were loose."
Listening to Kinuan, I organized my thoughts and voiced my doubts.
"But there's something I don't understand. As far as I know, the Akies Combat Style is just a self-defense technique used by street thugs. It's not a proper combat style."
I phrased it as politely as I could. To put it bluntly, it was a cheap trick used by third-rate hacks.
"You're right. People only know it as one of those combat styles picked up by gangs in the Lower District. At least, nowadays."
Public security in the Lower District was terrible. There were countless situations where one had to protect oneself. Various combat styles utilizing prosthetic bodies had spread like wildfire, but most of them were impractical garbage.
There was no way the Akies Combat Style, which even back-alley gangs could access, was this outstanding. It was a combat style of considerable depth.
"I believe the Akies Combat Style you showed me is at a level that could be adopted as one of the Empire's standard combat styles," I said honestly.
Kinuan gave a faint smile.
"Actually, upper command did consider it. However, there are three problems with the Akies Combat Style."
Kinuan pointed upward with his index finger, then spread three fingers. He seemed to be waiting for my answer.
I thought for a moment before speaking.
"Is it that it's difficult to master?"
Even from that brief spar, I could gauge how difficult it would be to learn.
"As expected of a prodigy, you're sharp, Luka. What about the other two?"
One of the remaining two was easy to guess.
"Is the Akies Combat Style the cause of the brain dysfunction you're experiencing, Instructor?"
"...Yes. And the last one is something you cannot know right now."
Kinuan did not mention the final problem. I didn't pry either. That wasn't my concern.
"If it means I can become stronger than I am now, I'm willing to take that risk. I've heard that brain dysfunction is already one of the side effects of the chemical sealing done on our nervous systems anyway. Just because that risk increases slightly—"
I expressed my resolve. But Kinuan shook his head.
"That is not for you to decide. You are already the property of the Empire. Do you have any idea how much has been invested in you so far? Even if the cadet training process seems perilous and harsh, it is structured at a level you can overcome."
One's senses only sharpen when death is close by. The experience gained from crossing the threshold of life and death is not superficial; it brands itself into you like a scar. That was why cadet training maintained a level of danger where a single mistake could result in casualties.
"Then why didn't you reject me right away... and why did you bring me all the way here?"
Having spat out somewhat aggressive words, I watched for Kinuan's reaction.
"Because learning and using the Akies Combat Style doesn't cause dysfunction immediately. But it's only a matter of time. You will feel the brain abnormality yourself before anyone else does. When that time comes, can you swear to stop using it?"
My lips parted. Out of habit, I almost nodded and said I would.
I must not lie.
Kinuan's pupils were faintly glowing. He was a senior Irregular, decades ahead of me. I shouldn't underestimate my superiors. Sly lies wouldn't work on someone with such insight.
I knew to some extent how others saw me. A pretty arrogant and greedy bastard. If I had been even slightly less talented, or had gone astray even a little, I would have died like a bug in some back alley of the Lower District.
"...I cannot swear to it. But I will try."
This was the best answer I had.
"Come find me at this time starting tomorrow."
Fortunately, it seemed to be the right answer. Kinuan patted my shoulder. I nodded and was about to express my gratitude.
Whoosh!
My vision spun in an instant. Before I knew it, Kinuan had tripped me. No matter how high your output is, you can't exert force if your feet are off the ground.
Caught off guard again.
Having knocked me down, Kinuan walked past my head and spoke.
"Luka. Always be prepared for an attack when you're in front of me. Keep your sensory expansion active at all times."
"Understood," I replied, still lying on the floor.
* * *
"Are you even sleeping properly?" asked Ilay, who had returned from a mission just yesterday. It was the first time I had seen his face in a fortnight.
Ilay was certainly quick-witted. I had indeed cut down on my sleep lately. Not just for three or four days—for a whole fortnight.
It was all because of Kinuan's training. Naturally, my condition was bound to be terrible in every way.
"I've just had some things to take care of. Anyway, how was your mission?"
I changed the subject. Ilay shrugged.
"Just dealing with a malfunctioning, rampaging android, so it was pretty dull. All the missions lately are like this. Child's play."
"The higher-ups are playing it safe because of that last ruins reconnaissance. Isn't that why the Captain hasn't been around lately?"
Imperial Guard Captain Heilas used to show his face at the training center occasionally. But now, it felt like I hadn't seen him in over three months.
Ilay fell silent for a beat, then shook his head.
"That's not it. There must be something else. I've heard a few things through my family's contact network."
Ilay's Kartika family had many high-ranking military officers. Most matters would inevitably reach the ears of the Kartika family.
"Well, if it's something that requires the Imperial Guard Captain to step in personally... has a rebellion broken out or something?"
I joked. In truth, it was an incredibly dangerous remark. But when I was with Ilay, careless words often slipped out.
"...Yeah."
Ilay couldn't answer immediately and swallowed his words. My eyes widened, and I studied his face. He was uncharacteristically flustered.
"Seriously?"
Ilay nodded reluctantly.
"It's not certain yet, but they say there's a group plotting treason. Once the investigation is over, a purge will begin soon."
Even I was left speechless. Rebellion itself was a profane word. If there really was such a movement afoot, it was definitely not something to be spoken of lightly.
Rebellion.
From my perspective, it was incomprehensible.
Across the border, there was a clear enemy nation. Tension at the border remained high, and no one knew when a full-scale war might break out.
The Empire needed the Iron Emperor and a united military.
"How absurd. Are they planning to start a civil war with the enemy standing right in front of us?"
I spat out the words, filled with anger and contempt. No matter how rebellious Ilay's thoughts usually were, surely he would agree with this much.
But my expectation was wrong. Ilay fell into thought, then spoke cautiously.
"If we just dismiss it as absurd, it'll only fester from within..."
Before Ilay could finish his sentence, my hand moved. I grabbed him by the collar without realizing it.
"Ilay, I can overlook you being a misfit of the Empire. But if you are an enemy of the Empire, even I won't let you off. This is the bare minimum line. I owe my life to the Empire's grace."
Surprisingly loyal words came out of my mouth. I didn't know I was capable of saying such things either.
Grabbed by the collar, Ilay stared at me without showing a hint of panic. He observed me with half-closed eyes. His gaze was freezing cold.
"Calm down. I'm also someone who passed the Imperial Guard aptitude test. Do you really think I'd become an enemy of the Empire?"
Ilay said, tapping my wrist. My head cooling down, I let go of the collar I was clutching.
"Then don't say things that could be misunderstood. I don't want to see your name on a list of traitors."
"I know. I only said it because it's you."
Released, Ilay adjusted his clothes and smiled.
"Don't smile. It's annoying."
I brushed past Ilay's shoulder and walked toward the vending machine. Ilay followed me and cheekily asked me to get him one too.
"By the way, I heard Claude's younger sister came to see you? I know Lillian too. She's quite—"
"She was a strange woman," I said, cutting him off.
"If she's interested in you, you should play your cards right. She's a lady of the Ramones family. It's your chance to rise in the world."
I threw the drink I had just bought at Ilay, not wanting to hear any more.
"Forget it. I have no intention of riding a woman's coattails to success. I've rejected all visitation requests since then. I hate being jerked around by some rich girl's curiosity."
"Uh, well, still..."
"I said forget it."
Ilay was strangely persistent. I made it clear that I didn't want to talk about it.
Ignoring Ilay, I tried to choose a drink from the vending machine.
Tap, tap.
Ilay, who was drinking his beverage, tapped my shoulder. He pointed with his fingertip toward the visitation room. I followed his finger with my gaze.
Beyond the window of the visitation room, a familiar face was visible. She was looking at me.
Lillian Ramones.
Lillian was inside the visitation room.
No matter how noble a lady she was, she couldn't enter a military facility without permission. The cadet visitation room was strictly a military facility.
I knew exactly who had let her in. I frowned and glared at Ilay.
"...Dammit."
Hearing my curse, Ilay shrugged sheepishly.
"Sorry, Luka. Lillian begged me. Our families have been close since way back, so it was hard to refuse."