GLITCH

How Things Are: Moments before Another Adventure

MAIDEN’S SHROUD CITY

December 4, 2500

10:23 AM

“Thank you for coming. I know that you’re not one of my citizens but to see you and the others helping me out of our bitter predicament is deeply appreciated.”

“No, it’s the least I could do. I mean, we’re friends, right? And those Glints also must deal with the aftermath as well.”

“Wait, you’re not a Glint, Rylai?”

“I’m not. I’m just an informant.”

“An informant this strong isn’t JUST an informant at all.”

I’m strolling on the streets with Licht beside me.

About how I addressed her, she doesn’t want me to address her as the queen even in public; that goes against my common knowledge about royalties but since she uh…inaugurated me as something close to a noble by name or something like that? I don’t know.

I don’t even know that there’s a ceremony like that. I guess my knowledge besides Glitches are D-tier. Or did they tinker something out of the norm? I don’t know.

“Rylai, are you listening?”

“Ah! Sorry about that, Licht. What we’re you’re saying again?”

“Fufu, you always space out whenever you’re thinking of something. I’m asking what will you do next?”

“I’ll stick to my plan to travel the continent. I can’t travel the world due to me becoming an instructor in the academy…”

“Hmm? You mean the one managed directly by the AGA?”

“Hmm…yeah. That.”

“So, where would you go next?”

“That would depend on my whim.”

Licht giggled upon hearing my words. What…? Is something wrong with it? I can’t decide well, you know? I even got here by coincidence.

“By the way, Rylai, thank you for stating that alibi for my speech earlier.”

“Oh, that? Don’t worry about it.”

Well, in that speech of hers after my whatchamacallit ceremony, she stated an inspirational message to ease the emotional burden carried by her people. I guess that becoming a royal leader takes a heavy toll on Licht. But of course, I’m not from royal blood or lineage or whatever term it is appropriate to say, so I wouldn’t know how exactly hard it is.

Back in that ceremony, which was held yesterday at 7 o’clock in the morning, by the way, several Glints were awarded medals by Licht herself, with Nexus Vanguard at her side (since, you know… she’s level one and got some terrible stats compared to her past self). As for Venom, he deserves some hard-earned rest, but still, he was summoned in the ceremonial rites and received a medal. Of course, of how many Glints in here, they were awarded in clusters.

However, some individuals were awarded INDIVIDUALLY in front of such a massive amount of crowd. Unfortunately, I’m one of those individuals.

I did ask Licht to have my medal in private but apparently, she outright rejects it, saying that it’s not good if it’s done like that. So, there you have it. I’m stuck with this stuff.

The ones that got first are the brothers Edward and Sen. Of course, they’re brothers so it’s normal for them to be in a pair. Edward is as gentlemanly as ever, and Sen is…

“Woohoo! I got a medal from a queen! Ack!”

Edward, perhaps ashamed by his brother’s actions, slapped the back of Sen’s neck and dragged him away from the scene. It’s humorous actually, and it made the people laugh. I guess it’s a win-win, then.

The second mentioned one to proceed to the front of the crowd is Miss Ferni. With the leadership that she exerted during the time of crisis, she was awarded a leadership award, an award higher than the brothers. I don’t really see what happened before I came and used my [Abysmal Void].

Next on the list is Sven, who courageously fought against that grotesque Glitch with Ferni but he got a plus after saving her, who was then on the verge of being one step away from death.

And the last is…me. I was awarded two awards actually. One of them is the same with the brothers, and the other one is about the service I gave to save Licht’s life (I’m one of those people that don’t bother with names and remembering it, at least I know the description).

“Hey, isn’t that the five-star informant?”

“Wow! It really is her!”

“She came into action? That’s great!”

And here the people kept talking about that stupid tag. I’ll address Miss Ferni to change it later. However, when she spotted me while I’m making a distressed face, she immediately snorts, trying to hold her laugh.

I’ll get you next time.

Then after that, is the speech about the future of the nation. There are only two major cities, and multiple towns. I didn’t listen well, since I’m not a citizen of this country. However, to show my respect to Licht, I didn’t try and do unnecessary stuff, just like what Sen is doing right now. They leave him be, and his brother Edward is pinching his nose. I could see some steam coming from his ears.

It was then explained to the public that the queen was cursed ever since she was a kid and was recently been healed by my quote and quote MAGICAL MEANS. We omitted the part that she was once a Fallen, and just altered it with, “The blue crystal embedded on my chest is the symbol of a healthy nation”, or something that goes along with that line. I didn’t listen. And even there’s this fact that I’m the one who put that part in that speech of hers, I quickly erased it from my memories.

Licht then persuades her people to rebuild the ruined place little by little. After hearing the crowd’s joyful response, I could say that Licht is a wonderful leader.

The event ended with people cheering and a feast. The ingredients were bought by me of course. Licht tried to reject my offer but I countered it by saying that I want to celebrate my birthday. Alibis aside, I just wanted the people to be happy, and suppress their sadness after that incident happened.

Back to the current, Licht and I were happily conversing when we saw two familiar individuals working with the construction…arguing as always.

“Hah? Why would I listen to you? I could carry a lot more stuff with my wind rather than using your strength you took pride in.”

“Why you…at least I’m not relying on my powers to carry some load.”

“What crap, you’re just weak. Don’t shove the blame to me.”

“Hoh? Wanna fight?”

“Heh. What a loser, losing to a simple taunt.”

“Says the one who can’t even read.”

“SAY WHAT!? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED IT IS THEN!”

I cut right in their heating-up tension.

“Okay, end it. Right now. Reme, you can’t just do that.”

“But, Rylai…it’s her fault!”

“I saw what happened. Didn’t I tell you to ignore her and let her do her thing?”

“Eh, but that’s not labor. It’s laziness.”

“Meh, just listen to your sister. She’s a thousand times better than your cuckoo brain.”

Ah, God. Just please stop.

“Come on, let’s wrap it up”, I said while carrying the heavy log on my own, then levitated it with my [Gravigrasp].

All of them were astonished. Even the two of them got silenced.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no…we’re just surprised. Even with my wind and that bastard’s strength, we couldn’t move that heavy one.”

Eh? Is that so?