Suspicion (1)
Huuup-!
Red hair whipped through the air. With it came supple limbs swinging wildly, her body soaring in like a raptor or a gust of wind. The human-shaped training dummy positioned before her shuddered violently from impacts across multiple spots. It didn't shatter, but a deep crack spiderwebbed across one side.
The shadowy figure that had flown past the dummy landed gracefully, steadying her breath as she rose. She'd been intensely focused on training in front of it for quite some time now—Spade, the red-haired hero. She slowly reined in the red mana coiling around her body and examined the dummy she'd just assaulted.
Even though it was built for Awakener training, the visible scars of destruction made her swell with pride. She could feel her growth.
My body feels so light. The weight behind my attacks has increased.
I can see now how clumsy my movements were before. My mana control... it's so much smoother now.
She wiped away her sweat. Though she'd been at it for a good while, there wasn't as much sweat as expected, and her breathing remained steady. All those unnecessary motions trimmed away, her body moving with far greater elegance—it was thanks to that.
Not long ago, Spade had sparred with her mentor, Check. Normally, the gap between them was like heaven and earth; a fight shouldn't have even been possible. Yet surprisingly, Spade had held her own against Check remarkably well. She could scarcely believe it herself, managing to keep up with Check's movements. Sure, Check had gone easy on her to some degree, but even so, to match her like that... it was no small feat.
It was all thanks to the periodic guidance she'd been receiving. There was another teacher who'd instructed her on body control, mana manipulation, combat techniques, and more. It was because of that person that she'd even sparred with Check...
Yes. Everything was thanks to that person. A truly precious individual. Someone she absolutely had to protect. Someone whose words she had to obey without question... undoubtedly, an utterly, utterly precious—
"Excuse me during training, Spade."
Her thoughts cut off there as a new presence made Spade turn her head. Someone had entered the otherwise empty training room. Long black hair, tall stature. Dressed in a crisp white uniform, it was Rahe, captain of the 7th Squad.
"Hehe, mind if we talk for a moment? Sorry for interrupting your training."
"Hello, Captain Rahe! No interruption at all!"
Spade snapped a salute to greet the captain. Rahe was a busy woman; even in the same base, you rarely saw her outside of meetings. Rahe returned the salute and approached, giving Spade a quick once-over that seemed tinged with surprise. Then she let slip a light murmur of admiration.
"Spade, I caught a glimpse of your training just now. You've gotten so much stronger. I vaguely noticed it in the halls or meetings, but seeing it up close really drives it home."
"Ah... you saw?"
"Yes. And Check mentioned it too—she seemed thrilled, saying how much stronger you've become."
"Ah, hehe..."
Hearing that her mentor-like Check had bragged about her with such joy made Spade blush and laugh awkwardly. Check was so stoic that she almost never praised Spade to her face. She'd said "You've gotten stronger" once before, which was a big deal in itself. Check always held back praise to avoid complacency... In any case, recognition from Check—and especially from the captain she admired most—had Spade practically bouncing with joy.
"It's surprising, though. Growing this much in such a short time. Was there some special trigger?"
Rahe asked with genuine curiosity, not pressing but simply wondering. Spade considered mentioning the man who'd helped her grow, then decided against it. For some reason, it felt like she shouldn't talk about him to others. She brushed it off vaguely, saying she'd just gotten a bit lucky.
That seemed answer enough for Rahe. Among Awakeners, sudden improvements weren't uncommon. Plus, Spade had messed up during the recent Leserat villain organization sweep. That failure must have served as a solid stepping stone for her, Rahe figured.
Rahe decided to get to the point. Observing Spade's growth was one reason for the visit, but not the only one—especially not enough to interrupt her mid-training.
"Spade. I have something to discuss about the villain organization Abyss. Do you have a moment?"
The hideout of the villain organization Abyss.
Villain No. 13, who had recently brainwashed the 7th Squad's veteran heroes Check and Coco—his sworn enemies—was finally catching a breather.
"No. 13, this part of the report is wrong too. And this explanation is too skimpy. Redo it."
"......Fuck...."
Correction: he was suffocating under the workload.
No. 13 slumped face-first onto the table in his room, letting out a deep sigh. He was currently drafting a report on the recent Check and Coco subjugation. The Advisor beside him was assisting with it.
Normally, he wouldn't be wracking his brain like this. He'd just dump the tedious stuff on the Advisor, who not only didn't mind but seemed delighted—"If it helps No. 13..."—making it a win-win.
The problem was the boss finding out. She'd exploded in rage, chewing him out.
—"That useless bum who can't do anything but odd jobs is working ten times less than the Advisor! Have you no shame?!"
She wasn't wrong. But it still stung. Hadn't he risked his life on the front lines, even saving the organization as the top contributor? ...Well, mostly thanks to Dorothy's brainwashing tools and the Advisor's strategies, while he'd just reaped the benefits... Still.
"Sorry, No. 13. I could've handled it all for you if you'd let me..."
The Advisor looked apologetic. Yet she strictly pointed out typos and issues because the boss had ordered it. With No. 13's paperwork skills in shambles, she'd been permitted to supervise. The goal was for him to eventually write perfect reports solo.
Given how many rewrites even this minor report was racking up, who knew when that'd happen... The Advisor didn't want to be this harsh either and would've cut corners otherwise. But before the boss's ability, even she couldn't lie. So she had no choice but to be ruthlessly thorough.
If I keep the Advisor tied up too long, she'll bitch about that too. That damn woman...
"Ah, No. 13. Fix this part too. It's hard to read like this."
"Yesss..."
Sitting still was making him antsy. He needed to move a bit. Paperwork like this was utterly against his nature. Just hand it to someone good at it. The Advisor was busy, of course, but maybe a new recruit...
Someone like...
"Apple or something—she seems perfect for this. They said she's in admin at the 7th Squad. Maybe hand it off to her?"
"...Even brainwashed, you're thinking of entrusting our organization's confidential documents to a hero?"
"Not full confidential—just light stuff..."
"Maybe decide more carefully."
The Advisor seemed skeptical. Fair point. He got it, but this setup wasn't sustainable. He needed a smart colleague good with computers and paperwork... Time to recruit.
"......This won't do."
"Huh? Wait, Advisor? You giving up on me? Ditching me?"
No. 13's head snapped up at her sudden mutter. Was his incompetence finally breaking her? Or had his lack of drive killed her teaching spirit? As he panicked and turned to her—
"I think you need a break, No. 13. Efficiency drops when you're overworked."
At some point, the Advisor had lifted her top off. Her mint-green bra was fully exposed underneath.
This was tricky. Since when had the Advisor become so sexually forward?
"...Advisor. No matter how you slice it, this feels way too casual. Even between us, this is a bit..."
"What are you saying, No. 13? This is just a 'mood changer.' Nothing to worry about."
"Mood changer...?"
No. 13, villain though he was, started overthinking ethics and such. But her next words swept those petty concerns away.
Mood changer. Right—they'd done all sorts of things under that excuse before.
"If you're okay with it, Advisor, then sure."
"Yes. I'm fine with you as my partner anytime, No. 13. Let's refresh you thoroughly... then dive back into the next task with vigor."
With a meaningful smile, the Advisor shed the rest of her clothes.