Numquam obliviscar

"Returning to what we were discussing," Chiba continued, "the first time the two of them made the social news was for killing a young deer in Tanyi City's square."

"...A deer?"

"People around here like deer. Apparently, decades ago, the city's pioneers got lost in the nearby mountains and forests and were eventually led back to the right path by a herd of deer. In any case, there have always been free-roaming sika deer in Tanyi's civic square. The government pays dedicated staff to feed them, and the citizens get along well with the deer.

"When Shawn and Calvin first arrived, there was some issue with the base's paperwork. The Quicksilver Needles who brought them back stayed overnight at a small hotel near the square. That night, the brothers slaughtered two fawns less than a month old and roasted them over a fire in a corner of the square. They didn't even realize they had done anything wrong. They left the bloodstains on the ground and the deer heads uncleared. It wasn't until the next day, when people found the herd gathered together, wailing, that they realized something terrible had happened."

"Several more incidents like that happened afterward." Chiba raised a hand and pointed at her own head. "Those brothers lack a bit of the 'common sense' needed to live in a civilized world."

Hesta froze. That assessment was all too familiar to her.

"That's also why I disagreed with Molly's approach—I've seen the base's rules for protecting newcomers, and every single one has loopholes. No matter why they want to get close to you, if you don't drive them back head-on, you'll never have a moment's peace. Do you understand?"

Hesta took a deep breath. "I think... I understand."

"I miscalculated today. I forgot that I needed to make an appointment before taking you out. As for the specifics, we'll discuss them after I take you out this Saturday. If you're scared, don't leave your room tomorrow."

Chiba checked her watch, then took a business card from her pocket. "This has my email and personal number. Contact me if necessary, but always remember that important matters must be discussed face-to-face. Understood?"

Hesta accepted the card. She seemed hesitant to speak, and after a long while, she finally said, "Miss Chiba, do you really think I can deal with Shawn with just a gun?"

Chiba smiled.

"Listen, Jane," Chiba said softly. "Generally speaking, there are three kinds of people in this world who can disregard most rules and still be difficult to deal with—nobles, eccentrics, and madmen."

Hesta considered this.

"Nobles have mines at home and power enough to blot out the sky. Eccentrics possess exceptional talent and extraordinary gifts. As for madmen, they have nothing and nothing left to lose... Is Shawn one of those three kinds of people?"

Chiba looked at her. "Are you?"

After nightfall, Hesta stood alone on the balcony, letting the wind wash over her. She kept recalling her conversation with Chiba at dusk, the silver key clenched tightly in her hand.

Footsteps sounded in the corridor outside. Hesta turned and saw Tulan push open the door and enter. When their eyes met, Tulan glanced in her direction and gave a slight nod. Before Hesta could react, she had already gone into her own room.

About half an hour later, Liz returned as well.

Like Tulan, she wore a wide-brimmed military-green hat. Her face and body were covered in dust. She quickly went to shower, and by the time she returned, she had changed into clean loungewear.

"Where did you go today?" Hesta asked.

"Wilderness first-aid training," Liz answered.

"Did everyone go?"

"Mm." Liz nodded. "Once you pass the fifteen-kilometer cross-country run assessment, you'll be able to train with the main group too. For newcomers... you generally have to train alone for half a year first."

"Was Shawn there too?"

"He was." Liz replied, "I kept an eye on him and Calvin all day... Did you have a good day? Did you run into any trouble?"

Hesta shook her head.

Liz smiled in satisfaction, rose, and tossed the coat she had casually draped over the back of a chair into the laundry basket. "Did you meet with Instructor Chiba today?"

"Mm."

"What did she say? Why was she so insistent on lifting the restriction order against Shawn?"

Hesta thought for a moment. "What she meant... was probably that I need to learn to face and solve some difficulties on my own."

"What?" Liz looked somewhat stunned. "She wants you to deal with this kind of problem by yourself now?"

Hesta nodded.

Liz poured two glasses of water and handed one to Hesta. Like during their first late-night talk, one leaned against the railing facing the living room, while the other faced the distant night view.

"Doesn't Instructor Chiba understand the situation? Did you tell her that Shawn is a second-year student who has already undergone a Secondary Awakening?"

"Mm."

"I don't understand..."

"Come to think of it..." Hesta suddenly remembered something. "Liz, do you know what these two sentences mean?"

Hesta handed over a slip of paper. Liz lowered her head to examine it closely. Written on it were: Forti nihil difficile, Numquam obliviscar.

"Where did you see this?"

"It was a tattoo on Miss Chiba's neck," Hesta said quietly. "I may have remembered some of the letters incorrectly, but it was roughly like this."

"It looks like Classical Tongue... Let me look it up."

The two went to Liz's room. Liz took down a thick Classical Tongue dictionary, and after some searching, quickly translated its general meaning:

Overcome all hardships, never forget.

The two of them let out soft, questioning sighs at the same time.

"How mysterious, Chiba Masaki," Liz murmured. "Did she ever tell you about her past?"

Hesta shook her head. "Have you heard anything?"

Liz shook her head as well. "I only know that she was transferred here from District 14 several years ago. She's one of the few Quicksilver Needles capable of fighting alone, and she's incredibly brave. My adjutant, Rogoren, was once fortunate enough to witness her in battle. I remember she said that when Chiba faced an enemy, she often seemed less like she intended to defeat them than like she planned to die with them."

The two lay on the bed, staring at the words "Overcome all hardships, never forget," and fell silent for a while.

After some time, Liz looked at Hesta. "Maybe it's precisely because Instructor Chiba is too strong herself that she can't truly put herself in the shoes of those who are weak."

Hesta turned over and stared at the ceiling light above her. Then, out of nowhere, she said, "Thank you."

"Hmm?" Liz looked surprised. "For what?"

"Thank you for being willing to spend so much time on me," Hesta said softly. "This matter really has dragged on for too long."

"It's what I should do," Liz replied. "The base's technical department is carefully inspecting Shawn's everyday equipment now. Let's wait for the results."

"What if there's still no evidence after the inspection?"

"Then we'll keep looking," Liz said in a low voice. "He has to pay for what he's done."

Thanks to He Yao for the tip.