Secrets

On the way to the Infirmary with Rover, Mo Bai saw a woman with long Hei-colored hair, dressed like a Japanese high school girl, pull her aside for a chat.

He couldn't hear what they were saying, but judging by their expressions, the two seemed to be old friends.

"Sorry for the wait."

After catching up, Rover walked back toward Mo Bai, who had been waiting nearby.

"No problem."

Mo Bai shrugged, and the two set off for the Infirmary side by side again.

Though he hadn't heard their conversation, Mo Bai had noticed how relaxed Rover looked. She had even been smiling.

Huh. So she wasn't always so stone-faced.

As they walked, Mo Bai discovered that the academy was absurdly huge.

Not only that, its facilities looked top-notch.

The whole place had a near-future feel, with advanced technology everywhere.

Buzz!

Just then, the mark on the back of Rover's hand flashed, and a small, fluffy white creature popped out of it.

It looked like a stuffed toy, the kind that was impossible not to like, and it had one orange eye and one blue eye.

What caught Mo Bai's attention, though, was the mark on its forehead. It looked almost identical to the one on Rover's hand, except that it was orange.

He had noticed the same kind of mark on the skin of some students along the way. Whatever it was, it couldn't be purely decorative.

"Sniff, sniff. Mm, your frequency has settled down quite a bit."

The fluffy creature sniffed Rover, then nodded.

After confirming whatever it was checking, the little creature turned toward Mo Bai.

"Hey, Rover, you've made a new friend already? Ugh, he stinks."

The creature had started toward Mo Bai with a smile, only to shrink back toward Rover.

Stinks?

Mo Bai couldn't smell anything himself.

Rover gave the little white creature a puzzled look.

"Are you sure, Abu?"

As far as Rover knew, only one kind of thing smelled bad to Abu...

"It's not one of those things. It's just that the frequency coming off him makes me dizzy and nauseous."

Hearing Abu's explanation, Mo Bai had a rough idea of what it meant by "stinks."

"You mean my Cursed Energy makes you uncomfortable?"

As he spoke, Mo Bai gathered Cursed Energy around his fist to show Abu.

"Mm-hmm. Blech, that's it. So gross." Abu recoiled in disgust.

Whoosh.

Mo Bai let the Cursed Energy around his hand dissipate, then relaxed his mind so it would no longer be so active.

"Phew, that's much better." Abu breathed a sigh of relief.

That gave Mo Bai a rough idea of what the little creature did.

It was probably Rover's Shikigami companion or something. Maybe its specialty was a keen sense of smell?

"My Cursed Energy is made up of my own negative emotions, so it's normal for it to make you uncomfortable. Don't worry, though. I can control it."

After explaining, Mo Bai and Rover continued toward the Infirmary.

But their brief exchange had left both of them with questions.

Frequency?

Cursed Energy?

A short walk later, they arrived outside the Infirmary Lynae had pointed out.

"Is no one in charge here?"

Mo Bai stepped through the entrance and looked around.

"I'm here~"

A distinctly electronic voice sounded nearby, and the person in charge—or rather, the robot in charge—came over.

"A robot?" Mo Bai asked, surprised.

"She's more than just a robot. Ms. N.A.N.A. is also an amazing one-stop injury assessment unit."

A familiar voice came from behind Mo Bai and Rover. Lynae had returned.

"Oh, little Lynae! Long time no see. If you're here for a medical excuse note, you'll have to wait. This student's injuries look serious."

The robot named N.A.N.A. held out a hand to Mo Bai and said:

"First, give me your Tacet Disc so I can check your physical data. Then I'll put together a treatment plan for you."

Mo Bai frowned.

He had no idea what she meant by a Tacet Disc.

Fortunately, Lynae stepped in just in time.

"Ahem. Ms. N.A.N.A., Mo Bai isn't a student here, but he's not suspicious. He helped Rover and me hold off a Voidworm earlier."

"Understood. Mo Bai, please head inside the Infirmary. Doctor Lu will treat you."

Mo Bai turned back to see Rover and Lynae give him a thumbs-up. Reassured, he headed inside.

Since he was going in first, he could ask the Doctor a few basic questions about this world. He could just say he had lost his memory.

Tap, tap, tap.

Mo Bai stepped into the Infirmary and saw a tall, muscular man with shoulder-length blond hair tipped with a little green.

The man looked nothing like the Doctors Mo Bai remembered. What caught his attention most, though, was the man's exposed left arm.

Were the veins there actually gold?

"Looks like we have an injured patient. Sit on the bed and relax. I'll treat you."

The Doctor wasted no time on pleasantries. After one look at the wounds on Mo Bai's right arm, he got to work.

It stung a little, but the doctor was so skilled that the treatment didn't take long.

Advanced technology really was something. Even wounds like these could be healed in no time.

"By the way, N.A.N.A. just sent me a report. You're not a student here. Once your injuries have healed, have you thought about where you'll go or what you'll do?"

Doctor Lu asked the question as he finished bandaging Mo Bai's wounds.

Mo Bai didn't know the answer himself.

The Academy had impressive technology and beautiful scenery. Staying here seemed like his best option, especially when he had no idea how many monsters like the Voidworm were outside.

But if he stayed, his secrets would probably come to light sooner or later. What would happen then? Would he become a Little Bai?

Tch. I always jump to the worst-case scenario.

"I haven't decided—"

"Mo Bai will enroll with me."

As Mo Bai hesitated, Rover walked in and answered Doctor Lu's question for him.