Accomplices

After telling them about her past, Lynae wandered around the rooftop, looking at the Academy from every angle.

She watched students studying hard in their classrooms, then relaxing and laughing freely after class.

"I knew from the start that the Remnant Star Society's 'Lynae' wasn't just an ordinary student."

Lynae raised her head slightly and tightened her grip on the Tacet Disc as she looked at the defenses beyond the Academy.

"Even so, I came to Lahai Luo. I became the Remnant Star Society's eyes and ears here, but I also became the student I wanted to be."

In that moment, Mo Bai understood why Lynae loved the Academy so much.

Compared with her old life, life here was paradise.

"At this Academy, I don't have to wake up every day and look in a mirror to be sure who I am. I want to protect this life and get the Remnant Star Society out of the Academy. That's why I've come to ask you to work with me."

With that, Lynae looked at the Rover, apparently waiting for an answer.

"Work together... What you just said, and everything before it, hardly sounds like something a student would say."

"..."

When Lynae said nothing, the Rover continued.

"Even if this all ends well, will you be able to face your true self in the mirror afterward?"

Like Mo Bai, the Rover could tell that neither the Lynae they had met earlier at the Academy nor the world-weary Lynae standing before them was the real Lynae.

Was the person you saw yourself as your true self? Was the person others saw your true self?

Perhaps only your reflection and your shadow showed who you really were.

"..."

Lynae closed her eyes and frowned. The Rover went on.

"I spoke up for you in front of Verlaine. That means I trust you now."

That made it clear whose side the Rover was on.

"Now I have to stand by what I said."

The Rover's grave tone and earnest expression caught Lynae off guard.

"With that tone, you could be a teacher here."

Lynae opened her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead as she spoke, though there was a hint of delight in her voice.

Perhaps it was because the Rover was still on her side and willing to trust her.

"Then I'm formally asking you to join me in finding out what the Remnant Star Society really wants in Lahai Luo, Rover."

"Let's work together."

The Rover and Lynae clasped hands.

They might have been students on the surface, but now that they had joined forces to investigate the Remnant Star Society's purpose at the Academy, they were no longer just students.

Phew.

Then they both turned to Mo Bai.

Clearly, they wanted to know what he thought.

"Sorry, but I'm out."

"Phew, class is finally over. Today's lessons wore me out!"

"Yeah. It was all math and Runes. We're not Roy, so how were we supposed to understand any of it..."

"Tch, those credits aren't worth it! I'm giving up on that course. Let's go eat at the Cafeteria!"

It was only after Mo Bai reached the teaching building that he remembered he had been in this world for nearly a day without eating.

Maybe it was the Cursed Energy. Whatever the reason, he felt like half a superhero now.

But listening to the students chat made him realize he was hungry.

So he went to the Cafeteria to grab something to eat.

Despite the name, all Mo Bai saw on offer were canned and packaged foods.

He didn't care whether they tasted good. His mind was on something else.

He had just refused to join the Rover and Lynae in their alliance against the Remnant Star Society.

Mo Bai was new to this world and had yet to experience just how terrifying the Remnant Star Society could be. Fear wasn't why he had backed out.

It was that, as he listened to the Rover and Lynae talk, he realized he couldn't see through either of his two friends.

One was the New Federation government's dirty-work agent; the other, a Threnodian of the Black Shores.

Neither was simple.

"So mysterious."

Thinking back over everything that had happened with the Rover and Lynae, Mo Bai muttered to himself and tore open the packet in his hand.

"What the hell is this?"

He frowned after a single bite. The strange taste and texture drove the gloom right out of his mind.

"How can it feel like I haven't eaten anything when my stomach's definitely full? And the texture's disgusting. It's like eating a lump of flavorless snot..."

After voicing his opinion, Mo Bai looked around.

Hmm. The other students in the Cafeteria all looked used to it.

Was he the one with the problem?

With that thought, Mo Bai made a hand sign toward his shadow.

"Divine Dogs."

He might as well let the dog try it.

"Whine..."

The white Divine Dog scrunched up its face after eating the stuff.

"Even a dog won't eat it. The people at this Academy must be incredibly adaptable..."

Still frowning, Mo Bai muttered to himself and forced down the rest of the food.

"Ugh! I have to live on this stuff until I graduate?"

He complained once he had managed to swallow it.

Thud, thud, thud!

Just then, he heard rapid footsteps behind him.

Was someone charging at him?

Mo Bai turned, ready to order the Divine Dog beside him to meet the attacker.

"I saw it! Your Resonance Ability!"

But when Mo Bai turned, he found that the newcomer had stopped at a safe distance and was staring breathlessly at the Divine Dog beside him.

"Huh?"

Mo Bai had no idea what to make of that.

He had seen Resonance Marks on a few people at the Academy. Were Resonators actually rare in this world?

At least he could tell this person wasn't dangerous.

Apart from the white lab coat worn over his clothes, the newcomer looked like an ordinary Star Torch Academy student.

"No, that's not what I meant! I mean, I really need your Resonance Ability!"

Realizing how strange that sounded, the student hurried to correct himself.

Talk about having no sense of boundaries...

Mo Bai could tell this was the sort of person he had no idea how to deal with.

A crowd of students in the Cafeteria had turned to look at them. It was painfully awkward.

Whatever. I'll ask what he wants, then find an excuse to send him away...

"Can I ask what you need my ability for? And what should I call you?"

The student's eyes lit up at the question. He adjusted his lab coat and proudly introduced himself.

"Ahem! I'm Moqu, president of the Drama Club! And you are, junior?"