Star Pioneers!

Norla closed his eyes.

He was the Little Prince, Norla Broll.

But—

He was also an evil, ugly monster: the test subject, Arno No. 1.

"Hah... This should be the first time I've actively wanted to become like this."

"Even though it is power, it's ominous power. Norla knows that." Arno's eyes remained tightly shut, but there was something in his tone beyond childishness.

"Everyone encouraged me. Every single one of them did."

"Even if my own blood keeps reminding me to hate, I know perfectly well that it would only be pointless misplaced resentment."

"...Even sadness has to be turned into motivation to keep moving forward. That's what everyone did."

"Not a single one of them was an exception."

Norla said this.

"Everyone carries a burden as they move forward."

With his eyes closed, Norla saw a sight only he could see.

Before him, people were walking—walking with conviction, without hesitation.

A knight clad in white armor, an artist in lavish formalwear, a samurai with two swords at his waist, a tall and forthright hero, a great general leading a white horse, a blond young man.

They left behind only six backs, some broad, some not, seeming to grow ever farther away before Norla's eyes.

"Some of them are strong. Some aren't."

"Norla..."

"Absolutely can't stop here."

"Maybe I can't escape the fears of the past, but everyone keeps moving forward despite carrying all kinds of things. Norla likes everyone, but... I don't want to lose to them."

"The reason I came to this Singularity was because Norla wanted to be like the other differentiated individuals."

"Even if I couldn't move forward when I was alive, even if the Norla of my life was just a disgusting monster, Norla still wants to prove himself."

"Absolutely—"

"I won't lose to