As you can imagine, the birth of the Genestellar generation is a deeply conflicting shock for any family.
On one hand, the birth of a Genestellar generation child is practically a burden to the family—not only are they despised and feared by relatives, but they are often beaten and scolded harshly.
On the other hand, for impoverished families, a Genestellar child is like a natural money tree. Even selling them to research institutes as experimental subjects can bring in a substantial income.
Under such circumstances, Genestellar generation children grow up both hated and heavily anticipated at the same time.
The world's contradictory attitude towards the Genestellar generation caused many of them to suffer inhuman treatment from childhood—abused physically and verbally by family, then once they grow up a little, sent as weapons to the battlefield or as test subjects to research institutes.
For many Genestellar generation kids, the whole world is a hateful maternity ward birthing this twisted society.
Such are the traits of the era, and Claudia had nothing to say about it.
"Since no one in this world objects to it, I don't intend to comment much either."
As she spoke, Roy withdrew his strangely sharp gaze and resumed his cheerful smile.
"But when I was contacted by the HR scout, they never mentioned any conditions requiring me to participate in the Festa, did they?"
The HR scout refers to those specially hired by the academies in the Asterisk city to recruit outstanding students from outside—like talent scouts.
The HR scout who contacted Roy in the outside world belonged to Seidoukan Academy.
"That's because I willfully canceled that."
Claudia smiled.
"As long as you're willing to come to Seidoukan Academy, you won't have to shoulder any obligations... I selfishly asked the chairman to approve this decision."
"Is that allowed?"
Roy blinked.
"Others might not get that, but luckily I'm the one handling it."
Claudia raised her velvet-white neck and showed a somewhat proud and charming smile.
"I have some reputation at Seidoukan Academy after all, having been elected student council president for three consecutive terms without any major mistakes—the chairman can tolerate my occasional selfishness."
Typically, specially recruited students enjoy good treatment but also heavy obligations. They're required to at least be listed in the academy's "Notable Ritual Records," participate in at least one Festa, and achieve good results.
Moreover, HR scouts usually target Genestellar individuals who are registered as "witches" or "mages" in various countries, or who have earned outstanding results in secondary fighting competitions of the Festa, such as the "Wheel Festival" or the "Unlimited Arena."
Roy, however, was just an unknown nobody—not even a mage, with no battle records at all.
Yet when it came to Roy, Claudia overruled everyone, completely ignoring the usual thresholds for special recruitment, forcibly wiping away all obligations and recruiting him solely on generous treatment. Even if Roy ended up staying in the Asterisk city as a parasite until graduation, the academy would likely continue supporting him.
In short, recruiting Roy was Claudia's purely willful and autocratic decision.
This would inevitably lower her reputation and, more importantly, damage her standing with the financial conglomerate.
But Claudia didn't care.
She had long been prepared to step down.
"Besides, isn't this a good thing for you now?"
Claudia looked at Roy with a knowing smile.
"The Super-Dreadnought-Class Criminal, right?"
Roy's smile didn't fade.
"Ha ha, I'm definitely grateful to have a safe harbor at a time like this!"
After all, one of the six great conglomerates, Ginga, was currently globally hunting him.
The Integrated Enterprise Conglomerate's status in this world is like a superpower before the Invertia—a superpower that dispatches officers worldwide. You can see how massive this conglomerate is by the Festa champion's reward: one wish granted. Wealth, fame, status are mere trifles, and twisting laws is easy for them.
Roy had offended one of them—the Integrated Enterprise Conglomerate called Ginga—which was now actively hunting him worldwide. He was branded a "Super-Dreadnought-Class Criminal," a rare extremely evil criminal in the century since the conglomerate's founding, causing social upheaval unlike any other.
"But wouldn't exposing me affect you?"
"I don't really care."
Claudia tapped her fingers together, her shining eyes fully focused on Roy.
"If that time really comes, I look forward to living a life of being chased and driven around by the conglomerate with you… Haha, just kidding. When that happens, please use your abilities to get me out of trouble."
She smiled the entire time, making it impossible to tell which part was her true feeling.
Roy slightly narrowed his eyes and gave Claudia an appraising look from head to toe, his expression growing a bit more serious.
"When that time comes, I will."
"All right, then let's finish the remaining enrollment procedures."
Claudia stood up, walked around the desk, and came before Roy with an expectant smile.
She took a light step forward, and under Roy's gaze, a little nervous yet somewhat hesitant, she threw herself into his arms. The warmth that enveloped her made the girl sigh with satisfaction.
"Finally meeting..."
Not in some illusory dream, but in reality.
The tangible warmth she could feel, the scent she could smell, the heartbeat she could sense—all of it filled her with immeasurable contentment.
Roy just stood there silently, letting the girl hold him for a long while without a word.
Only at this moment would the girl before him shed her strong exterior and reveal the fragile vulnerability indistinguishable from that in dreams.
More than ten minutes passed before Claudia finally released him.
By then, no trace of weakness remained on her.
Then, indeed, there were still some enrollment formalities left.
Claudia took Roy to the Equipment Bureau office, helping him receive the core for the Lux weapon, the school badge, two sets of school uniforms, and so on.
Afterward, the two went to the Disciplinary Committee center to take Roy's ID photo.
In the photo, Roy wore a dazzling smile, squinting his eyes from the brightness of his grin.
"Is this okay?"
The committee members exchanged looks; with his eyes so squinted, you couldn't see them at all.
"Proceed."
Claudia said with a smile, and the others could only nod.
Maybe it was just their impression, but standing together, their smiles looked like they were cast from the same mold.
"Looks like a married couple."
Someone whispered quietly.
Claudia glanced at him and mentally noted his face.
Her smile grew a little warmer.
"By the way, how old are you, student?"
Another person tapped on the optical keyboard while asking, probably filling out paperwork.
"Eight years old."
Roy chuckled lightly.
Everyone was stunned.
They all gave Roy a strange look, eyeing his very healthy physique.
Eight years old? Seriously?
"Heh, just kidding, I'm sixteen this year."
Roy put on an expression that said, "I'm not joking anymore."
But in truth, no one tends to believe the plain truth; people prefer to believe the falsehoods that match their assumptions.
***
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