GLITCH

To Crystal City

BLUE TOWN

Friday, November 12, 2500 9:53 PM

"Ugh…"

My head hurts.

Nevermind that, what exactly happened? After being overwhelmed by the madmen, I took the risk and tried killing them all by using my gauntlet. Then…with the shock overflowing too much, my nervous system is affected; brain is the most affected part, and eventually, my consciousness fade away. The next thing I knew is that I wake up in a white room and I'm lying on a bed. So this is the medical room? I'm covered by white curtains; beside me is a table and atop of it is a basket of fruits. Why is the medical room obsessed of being white always?

As I noted before, my head hurts like hell, and I have my left arm bandaged. My lab coat is removed, and the only clothes are wearing are a sleeveless white shirt, and pants. Er, I don't like wearing white clothes.

I tried to rise up from my bed, but…

"Kuh…!"

It stings!

My head and my left arm resonate their pain and it's enough for me to lay myself back again. The more I move; the more pain I shall take then?

"…!? Dear call a doctor! Tell him that's she's awake!"

"Okay, I'll be on my way!"

I heard a couple of voices. I guess it's from Ma and Pa.

"Rylai, you're now awake!" Ma said happily after she saw me finally regaining my consciousness.

I smiled to stop her from being worried.

"I'm sorry for making you worry Ma."

Ma reciprocated my response with a bittersweet smile. Oh come on Ma, don't be a worrywart.

"What day is it Ma?"

"Today is Friday Rylai."

"I see, so this is my second day here huh."

After we talked for a bit, I heard some footsteps rushing in. The first ones that I've seen are three medical staffs, one female and two male, their faces half concealed thanks to the mask; and Sven, with Blake piggyback riding on his back.

"Thank goodness you're alright Rylai!"

"Big sis Rylai, it's good to see you alright!"

"How are you Miss Lux? What are you feeling right now?"

"I'm experiencing a headache and my left arm is stinging from pain."

"I see, now, if you'll excuse us Mrs. Lyn. Could the rest of you vacate the area for a moment? Well check her conditions to see if she's fine to be discharged; I shall call you when we're done."

"Thank you doctor; well then let's go Sven."

"Yes!"

"My big sister will be okay, right big bro Sven?"

"Of course Blake, your big sister is stronger than me, she'll be fine."

My family and Sven vacated the area. As soon as I confirmed that there were no more people within the area, I let out a sigh and stated something that made them flinch.

"So Miss Ferni why are you here?"

"Guh…! So you noticed huh", Miss Ferni removed her mask and instructed one of her subordinates to remove the bindings and reveal my left arm. The result of using that gauntlet astounds them – wait, scratch it; even I'm shocked to see my arm embedded with some kind of pattern that one can obtain after being stung by a jellyfish. This shall be the marks I need to not use that gauntlet while it's still not in its stabilized state.

Wait, that reminds me; how did Miss Ferni and the other two come here? At most, they should've arrived tomorrow and not this time. I've looked into the three of them and noticed that the one who removed my bindings has the [Teleport] skill.

As if she read my thoughts, she said, "I guess you now know as of how did we come here this fast."

I nodded.

"Huh…? How could she know ma'am?"

"Oh, I haven't introduced her yet right? She'll be an instructor next year at the Glitch Academy; Rylai Lux", she turned her head to me and continued the introduction between us.

"Rylai, these two are second year students. The one who removed your bandage is Fernus Klaise, and this guy is Herald Morne."

I put a service smile on my face; let's act as a dignified person for the sake of formalities.

Miss Ferni continued talking.

"You see here good students, don't be fooled by her appearance; the one you two are seeing now lying on the bed is the one and only '5-star informant'. Look forward upon coming to her class in the future!"

"THE 5-STAR INFORMANT…!? What a lucky day! The two of us were astonished upon learning about your contributions to the modern society! And now, the living legend herself showered us with her grace!"

"Er, I didn't do that much though; I think you're exaggerating –"

"Surely you jest ma'am!"

"'Ma'am'?"

And with that, I spend ten minutes listening to their speech.

•••

COSME LODGE, Blue Town

Saturday, November 13, 2500 10:07 AM

At the lodge, Miss Ferni, Ma, Pa and Blake, Sven, and I; the six of us gathered together in my room to talk some random stuff about the current condition of Blue Town, and discuss our future actions. Well, Blake of course is just here to be with his parents. As for the two students, they're waiting at the restaurant just in front of the lodge; the one where Sven and I had our meal before the glitch manifestation. Luckily, this area wasn't damaged; I don't know the reason why though.

"Rylai, you donated a decent amount for this town right?" Miss Ferni asked while sitting on the bed with her legs crossed.

She's wearing the same type of outfit she wore during that meeting with the board days ago. Her hair is a bit wet since she just got herself a bath five minutes earlier. The students wore the same type of clothing; Pa and Ma, as well as Blake, got their home clothes; Sven is wearing yet another white long sleeved shirt and trousers (does this guy doesn't have any other type of clothes?); I wore a sleeveless black shirt and knee length, semi-fit shorts.

"Yes…since I'm at fault for the collateral damage that I caused."

"I see, but would you mind explaining to us how did you do such damage?"

I explained to them the power of my tech gauntlet beta without hiding anything. I explained its firepower, its characteristics, and the attack that I used to kill the three boss-class madmen along with the fodders.

"…but as a result, I got this recoil damage", I displayed my left arm in bindings.

"So it's a double-edged sword", Pa said while scratching his head.

"It is as you say."

"Rylai, if I may."

Ma intersected the talk with her gentle expression still intact.

"Please don't use that gauntlet of yours anymore. You might get injured further; worse, it might become a permanent damage and therefore cannot be healed."

"I concur with what Mrs. Lyn said Rylai. You've become a bit reckless; next time if you got into battle, please don't rely on that thing. Please promise that."

"I shall keep it in mind."

"Putting that aside", Pa said after clearing his throat. "Rylai, where are you heading to?"

"About that", I glanced at Sven and continued. "Sven and I were going to Crystal City. We just coincidently met along the way."

"Oh my…" (Ma)

"Oh…?" (Pa)

"I see…" (Miss Ferni)

Huh? What's with this sudden tense atmosphere?

"SVEN…"

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes…?" said Sven as he stood up in no time after being called by Pa.

"What is your relationship to my beautiful daughter?"

HUH?

"Sir, we're friends, sir!" Sven said as he corrected his posture and saluted at Pa.

Seriously, what's going on?

During that moment, I sensed a sting in my chest.

That's strange… Did I get some cardiovascular disease or something?

•••

BLUE TOWN GATE (Route towards Crystal City)

Saturday, November 13, 2500 10:07 AM

"You sure you'll be okay?"

"Ma, I'll be fine; for now, please go with Miss Ferni and her subordinates. She'll escort you to the place I stayed in Emerald City. Please stay there with Miss Syakila."

We're now at the town gate facing the direction towards Crystal City. We're surrounded by the townsfolk; they're still expressing their thanks to the three of us who defended them and to bid farewell. We asked Fernus to teleport us to our destinations with my family and Miss Ferni prioritized first. He quickly agreed in exchange for a picture with me in it.

They're pretty hardcore fans I guess.

I'm wearing my usual outfit; lab coat, black pair of clothes, and my tech boots. Sven wears the black long sleeved shirt and trousers I gave him yesterday; it has the same material as my lab coat. Pa wanted to have it instead but Ma quickly pinched Pa's ear and dragged him away.

Pa interrupted us by saying, "Don't worry about us Rylai, we'll be alright. We'll take care of Syakila then. Lyn, don't worry about Rylai; I can guarantee you that she's strong. We also have Sven to protect her."

"Oh? You said that even though you're feeling insecure upon seeing Rylai travelling with a healthy man?"

"Grr… Sven! I swear if you ever lay even a finger on Rylai, I'm going to –" Pa wasn't able to continue his words as Ferni signaled Fernus to teleport this instant.

"That Pa of mine surely is acting strange, don't you think Sven?"

I turned my gaze to him and noticed that something peculiar is also happening to him.

"Ah, yeah…he is", he said it before releasing an obviously fake laugh.

"Hmm…? Why are you flushed? Are you okay? Should we take a rest in Crystal City when we get there, or do you want to stay here for a while? We can postpone our trip you know."

"I-I-I-I-I'm fine! I'm perfectly fine! Look, Fernus is here! Let's go!" Sven said while pulling me towards Fernus. We bid farewell to the people and waved our hands as we vanish from their sight.