Secrets

On the way to the Infirmary with the Rover, Mo Bai saw a woman dressed like a Japanese high school girl, with long black hair, pull the Rover aside to talk.

He could not hear what they were saying, but judging by their expressions, they seemed to be old friends.

"Sorry for the wait."

After they exchanged a few words, the Rover walked back toward Mo Bai.

"No problem."

Mo Bai shrugged, and the two continued toward the Infirmary side by side.

Though he had not caught their conversation, Mo Bai had noticed how relaxed the Rover looked, with a smile on her face.

Hm. So she isn't always so stone-faced.

As they walked on, Mo Bai discovered that the Academy was enormous.

And it was not just big. Its facilities looked first-rate.

The whole place looked like something from the near future, with advanced technology everywhere.

Buzz!

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

It looked like a plush toy, with one orange eye and one blue eye, and was instantly endearing.

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

Along the way, he had seen the same sort of mark on some of the students' skin. It could not be purely decorative.

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

The fluffy creature sniffed the Rover, then nodded.

Having confirmed whatever it was checking, it turned toward Mo Bai.

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

The little creature had been smiling as it moved toward Mo Bai, but it suddenly shrank back toward the Rover.

Stinks?

Mo Bai could not smell anything himself.

The Rover gave the little white creature a puzzled look.

"Are you sure, Abu?"

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

"It's not one of those things. His frequency just makes me dizzy and nauseous."

Hearing Abu say that, Mo Bai had a rough idea of what Abu 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.

"Yeah, that's it—blegh! It's disgusting." Abu recoiled.

Whoosh.

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

"Whew, that's much better." Abu sighed in relief.

Mo Bai now had a rough idea of what the little creature did.

The Rover's Shikigami companion, maybe? With a keen sense of smell?

"My Cursed Energy comes from my negative emotions, so it's no surprise it makes you uncomfortable. Don't worry, though. I can control it."

After that explanation, Mo Bai and the Rover continued toward the Infirmary.

But the encounter had left both of them with questions.

Frequency?

Cursed Energy?

Before long, they arrived outside the Infirmary Lynae had pointed them toward.

"Is no one in charge here?"

Mo Bai peered around after stepping through the entrance.

"Of course there is~"

A somewhat electronic voice came from nearby. Then the person in charge—or was it a person?—came over.

"A robot?" Mo Bai was surprised.

"Not just a robot. Ms. N.A.N.A. is an amazing diagnostic unit, too."

A familiar voice sounded behind Mo Bai and the Rover. Lynae had returned.

"Little Lynae! It's been a while. If you're here for a medical excuse note, you'll have to wait. This student's injuries look quite serious."

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

"First, give me your Tacet Disc so I can check your physical data. Then I'll work out the right treatment for you."

Mo Bai frowned.

He had no idea what she meant by "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 the Rover and me hold off the Voidworm earlier."

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

Mo Bai looked back and saw the Rover and Lynae give him a thumbs-up. Reassured, he headed inside.

Going in first also gave him a chance to ask the doctor about this world. He could say he had lost his memory.

Tap, tap, tap.

Inside the Infirmary, Mo Bai saw a man with shoulder-length blond hair tipped with a little green.

The man was tall and powerfully built, nothing like the doctors Mo Bai knew. What drew Mo Bai's eye, 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 wound on Mo Bai's right arm, he got to work.

The treatment stung a little, but the doctor worked so expertly that it did not take long.

Advanced technology really is something. Even holes this deep can be healed in no time.

"By the way, N.A.N.A. just sent me a report. You're not an Academy student. Once your injuries heal, 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 wound.

Mo Bai did not know the answer himself.

The Academy had impressive technology and beautiful surroundings. 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, the secrets he carried would probably come to light sooner or later. What would happen then? Would he become a test subject?

Tch. I always assume the worst.

"I haven't thought—"

"Mo Bai will enroll with me."

Just as Mo Bai hesitated, the Rover walked in and answered Doctor Lu for him.