Intuition

In the evening, the Grangua brothers dragged their suitcases and moved into the Class D student observation area.

The furniture in the observation area was simple and unadorned, more like a prison cell than an apartment. This was the residence prepared for all students with a credit rating of D or below. Falling into this rating usually meant they were not suited for communal living.

Calvin set down his luggage and gently touched the surface of the bedside table, revealing a thick layer of dust.

"You shouldn't have gone looking for trouble with that girl," Calvin said in a low voice.

"I wasn't looking for trouble," Shawn said, seeming to be in a good mood. He dropped his luggage and lunged onto his bed. "I just wanted to see what she was doing, but then she found me… Did you see her expression then? Oh, you couldn't have, you were standing behind her the whole time."

Calvin didn't speak, just watched Shawn quietly.

"You don't believe me?" Shawn blinked his eyes. "I'm not lying this time. I didn't intend to show myself, she ran away first and then made such a huge commotion without even asking what was going on."

"The Third District United Government is currently vying with AHgAs for Jane Hesta's future custody, did you know that?"

"I know. I found out yesterday." Shawn lowered his eyes slightly, still smiling. "...I know what you want to say. I'll behave myself."

Calvin glanced at Shawn.

"You'd better."

As night fell, Hesta sat at her desk doing handicrafts. She had the window open, and the cool night breeze constantly blew her short hair, bringing the fresh scent of the distant woods.

The layout of the entire room had been rearranged. The bed, originally by the window, was moved to the other end of the room. The wooden side table and carpet sent by Mrs. Lavette were placed directly beneath the window. If someone sat in the green cast-iron chair, they would find it offered the best view in the entire room.

To make space for this semicircular side table, Hesta placed her desk in the corner. At this moment, her desktop was scattered with paper scraps and tools, and a paper-folded rose with a wire stem had taken preliminary shape.

Her expression was so focused, as if this was the most important and greatest endeavor in the world at that moment.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Liz pushed the door open.

She had just showered, a towel draped around her neck, her damp hair still dripping water.

"What are you doing?" Liz curiously surveyed Hesta's room. She first noticed the side table under the window, then the carpet with its double-sided jacquard weave, a white background adorned with small green circular patterns, and finally the glass bell jar and paper-folded rose on the desk.

Liz suddenly recalled the passage Hesta had read to her last night and couldn't help but take a soft breath.

"...Good heavens, you really love Edgar."

Hesta remained silent, her expression a little flustered. She stood up, blocking the glass cover, and asked in a low voice, "Are we leaving?"

"Yes, I just came to tell you I'm done showering." Liz smiled. "You can get ready. After I change, I can take you to the gym downstairs."

"Okay." Hesta was silent for a moment. "...What do I need to prepare?"

"Hahaha, just bring yourself," Liz replied. "You don't need to do anything today, just go see it and have some fun."

Ten minutes later, the two appeared in the second-floor gym.

Hesta had expected it to be crowded at this hour, but upon arrival, she found only the two of them. Liz took Hesta on a tour of the strength training area, demonstrating the use of the equipment one by one and letting Hesta try them out.

After attempting the bench press at half her body weight a few times, Hesta felt somewhat drained. She stood up and walked around the gym to rest, fanning herself to cool down. "Is it always this empty here?"

"No, it's usually the most crowded at this time." Liz handed her a bottle of water. "Today is when the first-year students start their 'Second Awakening Special Training,' so many people have applied to attend the follow-up practical combat sessions at the training grounds."

Hesta suddenly remembered Ligo abruptly opening their door last night and asking them to be quiet.

"Is the special training Ligo mentioned yesterday referring to this?"

"Yes."

"Can I go watch?"

"You can't yet." Liz replied with a smile. "Only first-year students and above are eligible to go."

"How long does the special training last?"

"It depends on the student's situation. Some are as short as a few hours, while others… can last up to seven days."

"And after that, will I be able to use 'Bullet Time' freely? Are there any restrictions?" Hesta asked.

"There are..." Liz looked at Hesta. "But why do you suddenly want to know about this?"

Hesta frowned slightly. "...I think Shawn will come looking for trouble again."

"You don't need to be afraid," Liz said seriously. "If he violates the restraining order again and causes you trouble, he'll face immediate imprisonment. The base keeps its word."

Seeing Hesta didn't respond, Liz sighed. "Alright, I know my words to express these promises are very weak—"

"Was it a coincidence?" Hesta suddenly asked. "Shortly after I triggered the alarm, you arrived immediately."

"Yes and no," Liz replied. She raised her right hand. "This chip in our arms can determine our geographical coordinates and some basic information within the habitable zone. Since I'm your aide, I receive an alert when you experience an abnormal high heart rate during non-training periods. Coincidentally, I was nearby that afternoon, and when I heard the fire alarm, I rushed over immediately."

"...I see."

"So you can rest assured that the base can guarantee your safety. When you are in a state of panic and distress, others are always on their way to you," Liz said, flexing her arm to show her muscle. "Besides, I know Shawn's capabilities. His main strengths are in intelligence gathering and data analysis. In terms of close combat, I can take on ten of him."

At this point, Liz finally made Hesta laugh. However, she could clearly feel that the gloom in Hesta's eyes had not dissipated.

Liz looked puzzled and got up to sit beside Hesta. "You still seem worried."

"Yes," Hesta nodded.

"Would you be willing to talk about it?"

Hesta fell into thought, trying to organize her words but not knowing how to begin. For some reason, Shawn's insights from her questionnaire made her feel extremely uncomfortable, especially after Liz told her that Shawn came from Hekla, a wasteland similar to Duanming Alley.

Shawn was like a mirror, suddenly reflecting her childhood in Duanming Alley. In that place shrouded in death, plunder, and decay, constant vigilance and fear of the outside world were an everyday occurrence. These shadows had briefly vanished after she entered Saint Anne Abbey, but this survival instinct, etched deep into her bones, was almost completely reawakened by Shawn's appearance.

Just as Shawn recognized Hesta at a glance, Hesta recognized him too. She was familiar with this kind of greeting and tracking, familiar with people like Shawn. She firmly believed that these rigid rules couldn't hold him; this person would definitely appear again, as long as he wanted to.

Liz, from Askia, couldn't understand this intuition, otherwise, she wouldn't have asked why Hesta was still worried.

Thanks for the monthly pass from "Foodie's Record Part Nine," hope you enjoyed reading it!