Principal's Office
Gestrig Academy
Upon returning from City 141, you receive a notice to report to the Principal's Office.
Martha sits behind a spacious desk, the overhead light splitting her face into light and shadow, obscuring her expression.
Sit.
She pulls out a chair, pushing a document marked with red text toward you.
Without a doubt, it's the delayed punishment for your battlefield insubordination.
Repeatedly defying established investigative protocols isn't a good choice. Whatever the punishment might be, it's best to accept it for now.
You hand back the document, but Martha doesn't immediately take it, instead continuing to flip through other materials.
No intention to explain yourself or offer a defense?
I thought you would use your battlefield performance as a bargaining chip.
After all, your involvement ensured the students' safety during the battle—far exceeding what's expected of a teacher.
Martha deliberately emphasizes the word "teacher," her statement carrying a pointed implication.
Of course not.
Martha's tone suddenly turns serious.
The notion that merits can offset misconduct is a social convention that has no place in schools. Students need to learn about right and wrong in absolute terms.
If we allow students to view right and wrong as variables on opposite sides of an equation, their actions will shift from pursuing what's right to merely balancing the moral ledger.
This is deeply misleading logic, especially for our students.
Martha raises her head, meeting your gaze. Despite her white hair and wrinkles, the dignified resolve in her eyes remains unmistakable.
Good results cannot conceal improper conduct, just as poor outcomes cannot entirely invalidate noble intentions.
[What about you...? What's your purpose behind all of this?]
The challenge remains unvoiced, concluding her cryptic lecture.
Knock, knock—
The abrupt knocking shatters the tense atmosphere in the room.
Martha frowns toward the door and lets out a soft grunt, yet her demeanor noticeably softens.
That's enough for today. Return to your class, Teacher [player name].
Martha buries herself in her books, not bothering to look up.
According to the relevant regulations, teaching credentials should be revoked from instructors who disobey orders during special circumstances, with suspension pending investigation.
Before that can happen, we need to complete other procedures in recognition of your protecting the students.
Martha's tone remains serious, but with a subtle reduction in its severity.
Go fulfill your duties as a teacher for now. Don't keep your students waiting too long.
As for the punishment, you'll receive it when the time comes.
Understanding Martha's implied attitude, you thank her and take your leave.
As you close the door to the principal's office, you notice a figure peering cautiously from around the corner.
Oh, you're out already?
Did that old hag give you a hard time?
But she is an old hag! When Ewig reported to her, her first reaction wasn't happiness, and she snapped that she would hold you responsible.
Who? The old hag? No way! That's impossible!
Ahem—
No sooner are the words spoken than a deep, deliberate cough emanates through the door.
You can still lose points in this week's evaluation.
Tch... Sorry to disturb you, Commander Mar-tha!
Jetavie rolls her eyes in annoyance, making faces at the closed door while tugging at your sleeve.
Let's go. Ewig says she has something to give you.
Student Dormitory
Gestrig Academy
Gestrig Academy Student Dormitory.
Following Jetavie to the dormitory, you find Ewig deep in thought, holding a physical book in her hands.
I've brought [player name] back for you.
Ah...
Ewig snaps out of it, though her expression barely changes. As your eyes meet, her pupils subtly adjust, and she extends the book in her hands toward you.
White's diary. She asked me to give it to you before she left. It took me a long time to find it.
I searched through all possible storage areas under White's access permissions, but found nothing.
It wasn't until staff members cleaned out her dormitory and provided an inventory that I discovered she would hide her diary in a specific location before every emergency mission.
That's what people do with diaries: they hide them. There's nothing strange about that.
Is that so? Perhaps. It's not important.
Actually, I have other matters to discuss...
...Not important?
Jetavie abruptly interrupts Ewig's statement. A hint of confusion crosses Ewig's otherwise detached expression.
In terms of priority, this indeed falls under...
This is White's diary, the only thing she left behind!
That's why I've been trying to find it to fulfill her wishes. It's just that it was hidden differently than I expected, which caused a slight delay.
If this is what you're upset about, it is indeed my mistake.
That's not what I'm talking about! I'm angry because you think White's diary isn't important!
Ewig responds with bewilderment, her answer coming across as completely matter-of-fact.
We have system logs, which are more convenient and efficient and less likely to be lost.
You...
With visible indignation, Jetavie sets Ewig down. Ewig furrows her brow, not angry, but simply confused and unable to comprehend the purpose behind Jetavie's actions.
I would like to borrow your permission to visit City 141 during a time when there is no emergency.
As the frequency of Corrupted invasions increases and our sample size expands, the data analysis modules of several students, including myself, have reached similar conclusions.
There are anomalies in the attacks on City 141—the Corrupted invasions appear to have some purpose.
However, we have too few data points and insufficient information to draw any more useful leads.
Before Ewig can respond, Jetavie jumps in.
Is that how you ask someone for a favor?
Or do you think handing over White's diary to [player name] counts as enough of a favor already?
Why would you think that? That was between them.
You're right, though. One should give before taking—that's just common sense.
Ewig nods thoughtfully.
What do I need to give you in return for borrowing your access?
Why?
...
Is that a condition?
...White, I'm sorry.
Before finishing her sentence, Ewig turns around and bows deeply toward White's dormitory, causing you to freeze in place with the diary still in your hand.
Is this how it's supposed to work?
She sighs once more and lightly taps Ewig on the forehead.
Ewig covers her forehead, appearing confused, yet remains standing perfectly still, as if waiting for an answer.
...Ewig, you're absolutely hopeless.
Ready whenever.
As she speaks, Ewig glances at Jetavie beside her and adds a follow-up.
Thank you, Teacher.
Transit Gateway
City 141
City 141 Transit Gateway
Amidst synthetic voice system announcements, you lead Jetavie and Ewig out of the train car and onto the platform.
You glance back at Ewig following behind you. She's merely looking around, observing her surroundings with no apparent intention of taking the lead.
Ewig?
What's wrong?
Where do we go next?
I don't know.
Yes, I think the Corrupted invasion has a specific purpose, which is why we came to look around the city.
But I don't know how to search for relevant clues. There are too many possibilities, which is essentially the same as having nothing.
Do you have any ideas?
You... I...
Jetavie is at a loss for words. As she tries to formulate a response, her intense demeanor unintentionally frightens a small child nearby.
Whoa!
Oh, don't cry, don't cry.
The woman lifts the infant into her arms, gently rocking back and forth while tenderly patting its back with her palm.
Um... sorry about that.
*chuckles* It's quite alright. I recognize you.
When the Corrupted attacked, my husband and I were with her near the shopping mall in the city center...
You must be from outside, sir. When Leibowitz Company took over this area, they built the shopping mall in City 141. It served as a place for people to exchange supplies and run small businesses.
Back then, we were near the mall buying supplies... When the buildings started collapsing, I was terrified. That's when you all appeared.
The woman smiles, gently lifting the baby's hand toward Jetavie while softly cooing to the infant.
There, there, don't cry. Big sister over here is the hero that saved you, don't you remember?
Waa... wah?
The baby's emotions shift as quickly as they came. Under the mother's comforting words, the crying gradually subsides.
The baby's eyes widen with sudden curiosity as it gazes at Jetavie, stretching its tiny hand out even further.
...
After Jetavie sees this, her face tenses with uncertainty and her usual spirited demeanor is gone as she cautiously extends a finger to touch the baby.
Ee-yah... hee-hee...
She seems to really like you. Would you like to hold her?
Uh... me?
Jetavie turns around, casting a pleading look for help.
Need help? If you don't want to, I can do it.
Of course I want to!
Jetavie immediately objects, then carefully takes the baby in her arms.
Ee-yah... ee-ee-
Hey hey, don't... don't wiggle... don't wiggle...
Everyone expects Jetavie to quickly return the baby to the mother, but she carefully cradles him until he drifts into sleep.
Here... he's fallen asleep.
Thank you. I hope fate brings us together again.
The mother thanks her and leaves. Jetavie responds mechanically and remains clearly lost in thought.
Are you having a hard time letting go? Want me to call her back so you can hold the baby a little longer?
Just stop. It's irritating hearing you talk.
...I was thinking about something else.
Jetavie presses her lips together in thought, an unusual gesture for her.
Tell me... what do you think our "childhood" was like?
Did anyone ever hold us like that?
According to the timeline, an individual at that stage would still be in the cognitive cultivation phase with no physical form.
...What a waste of time. Let's focus on the task at hand instead.
Do you have any thoughts, [player name]?
Watching the woman's retreating figure, certain words she spoke trigger something important in your mind.
Yes.
Huh? Wait a second, don't just go along with that!
Why go to the mall? Don't tell me it's because of something the baby's mom just said.
That's way too random.
You take White's diary from your pocket, open the cover, and run your finger across the title page.
Martha allowed us to unwind in City 141. This was the first time we'd ever received such an order.
I don't quite understand her intentions, nor do I grasp the purpose of unwinding.
But I know my core is spinning rapidly. I suppose people would categorize this emotion as happiness.
I am happy, and I want to write down this feeling.
But Ewig doesn't seem to feel the same way. She also participates in the outing, but it looks more like she's just executing orders.
I feel like something's not right about this, like we're making a mistake somewhere. But why do I feel this way?
Obedience is supposed to be a basic principle that must be followed.
I can't explain it clearly. No logical formula can give me the answer.
But I found a piece of information.
"When life has things you can't figure out or that make you unhappy, go shopping."
I've decided. I'm going to take Ewig to the "shopping mall."
...
Ewig tilts her head in confusion, her mechanical pupils rhythmically dilating and contracting.
No, no keywords related to this place were found in my database.
