GLITCH

No More Lonely Start

MAIDEN’S SHROUD CITY

December 7, 2500

“Is everything packed?”

“Yep. Ah, Licht. Thanks for everything.”

“No, it’s the least I could do.”

I’m at the pier (I don’t know that they have one here since I’ve always thought that only Maiden’s Gloss City has it) with Licht saying goodbye. The rest of the people were still building their homes from scratch, so there’s a few of them to see us off, like Licht. Along with her are Nexus, some of the nobles, and Miss Ferni.

“You’ve grown so much that I didn’t notice the changes. Once again, you did something outrageous. I wonder what will your next progress?”

“Please don’t raise a flag. I’d rather go leisurely and look at the scenery. I’m a bonafide background character.”

I’m wearing my usual lab coat. As for my goggles, I returned them to the owner, Reme. I saw him off the other day since he needs to reconcile with our family. He said he has something similar to a [Teleport] skill but it’s for a short distance. I agreed of course, but then Reme told me to wait here ‘til he comes back. He did say that it would only take days to go there and come back here.

So, here I am, patiently waiting for his return.

I wonder what mom and dad will react after seeing him?

Oh, I did notify Miss Syakila about Reme’s identity. She reluctantly agreed, saying that she’ll eradicate his existence if he did something fishy.

Geez, she needs to calm down. She’ll get sick if that continues on.

“Did I make you wait?”

“Oh? Ah! There you are. I’ve been missing you for so long. How are you Rylai?”

“Oh! For some reason dear, Rylai’s exuding this mature aura from her, don’t you think?”

“I do think of that as well.”

“Hello, big sister!”

Reme did come back, with extra luggage.

He’s with Miss Syakila, our parents, and our little brother too.

“You guys! I missed you so much”, I said as I approached them and did a big family hug.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt such a warm embrace coming from my family. I do miss them. I wish I could stay longer and talk with them but I need to confirm something regarding the Fallen Blood Crystal.

According to the combined statements of the three Fallen members here, namely, Licht Maiden, Nexus Vanguard, and Reme Array. There is that one of the underwater facilities managed by no other than a wacky professor (I forgot the name, not that it matters anyway).

“However, I do think that that professor transferred that underwater facility elsewhere”, Reme said during that time I asked the three of them to tell what they know. Even Licht and Nexus are agreeing in unison.

A professor, huh?

Just what happened during the lifetime that made him that way? There’s only one way to know that, and that is to meet him in person. Hearing what Reme said before, it appears that this professor is too elusive to be true and needs to be hunted with extreme precautions. Nexus said, “I may be an outstanding [Barrier] user, but his skills are at a whole new level”, which made me curious rather than frightened.

“So Rylai, you’re going to your next destination, right? May I know what is it? The name of the place, I mean.”

Miss Syakila asked me as she pats my head. When I looked into her eyes, I saw the sadness and worries she accumulated these past few days.

“Ah, well…I’m not quite sure. But for now, I’m heading north.”

“Oh my, is that so? Very well, a safe journey shall I pray.”

She then showed her smile, wiping off that worrisome look on her face. She keeps staring at me for a long time though.

“Er…is something wrong, Miss Syakila?”

“I concur with your pa’s and ma’s remark of you. You seemed to have changed. Did something happen that I didn’t know?”

“There’s no secret needed to be unveiled since there’s no secret in the first place. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Look at you…you became so reliable that I could hardly recognize you. Your childish demeanor seems to have vanished. You’re becoming more and more mature, Rylai.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”

“Of course it’s a compliment. Well, knowing you, I don’t think that there’s some point in your life that you won’t face something that strays you apart from what you actually do. But still, please be safe.”

Geez, you’re such a worrywart.