After Liebe and Licht left and Jared was taken to the ICU, Obsidian asked, "So, what do you think of the young Liebe?"
Otiz said, "He is good—maybe a bit too good."
Obsidian replied, "Understandable. He is quite kind-hearted, and if he becomes the next Fleet Admiral I'm sure things will be okay. But the real question is: will his strength give out on his heart, or will his heart give out on his strength?"
Otiz said, "Strength only breeds challenge, and so far he might be close enough to an S-class knight. For some reason he reminds me of a former student."
Obsidian said, "Same. He acts and looks so much like the current captain of Black Rose, and his name also bears a Faust—so it might be possible. How is the selection going for this year's World Championship team?"
Otiz said, "It's quite unbalanced. Some are talented enough to rival the current Fleet Admiral, and some are so weak I doubt they can even be promoted after the first year. On the positive side: Liebe, Licht, and that M girl. On the negative side would be Iris Solace and Hedin."
Obsidian mused, "Maybe Liebe and Iris are just two sides of the same coin."
Otiz said, "Somehow I can understand."
Meanwhile, in Dorm 2, Iris sat in her room when her roommate Olivia entered. "Hey, Iris—you seem a bit out."
Iris said, "Did you hear about the half-breed named Liebe?"
Olivia asked, "You heard?"
Iris said, "I heard."
Olivia said, "Well, did you hear that a few hours ago he took down Captain Jared and his entire team—alone?"
Iris said, "What?"
Olivia said, "They say he was so brutal Jared is now in the ICU."
Iris said, "That's terrible. He sounds similar to that guy from my class."
Olivia asked, "Do you mean the one called the Human Weapon? What was his name—something like—"
Iris said, "I think it's Licht."
Olivia said, "Yeah, he beat Captain Lee on his first day of class and became a captain."
Olivia added, "I don't know much, but Licht looks quite handsome. Liebe—well, you know."
Iris said, "It's best to stay away from them if possible."
Olivia asked, "And did you talk to your mother this week?"
Iris said, "Mother seems busy."
Olivia said, "Yeah, being a captain and all. But you should still talk from time to time."
Iris replied, "Sure."
A week passed. The next Sunday, at breakfast, Licht said, "Well, Liebe, I'm loving Sundays now—your cooking really paid off. Pancake Sunday!"
Alysa said, "Same here. Please cook all week long."
Licht said, "By the way, what time do you leave?"
Liebe said, "Leave for—"
Iris said, "Well, I finally talked to a few girls from my class and they invited me for lunch at that café near Dorm 2."
Liebe said, "Nice. Proud of you. But who are they?"
Alysa said, "It's Iris and Olivia."
Liebe said, "Interesting."
Licht said, "Umm, Iris—listen. Alysa, wear this communicator. We need to make sure she's safe. It emits audio and video. Alysa, we will be in line—just make sure to ask for her favorite color, full name, alphabet letter, number, clothes, hair, personality, and what kind of guy she likes."
Liebe teased, "Maybe the flowers of love will also bloom for you."
Licht said, "Alysa is like my sister, so of course I have to make sure she is safe."
Liebe said, "So why not join?"
Licht said, "Umm, great idea—I'll be security."
Alysa said, "Licht, don't worry—I will ask those things."
Liebe said, "Please don't—they will think you're weird. Plus, get ready. Also be yourself, and congrats on making friends."
Alysa said, "Understood."
Licht said, "Also use this earpiece—will also allow me to talk and make sure to get as much info as possible from Iris."
Liebe said, "Dumbass."
Licht said, "Better idea—how about I fly and watch from above, 100 feet should be enough for me to see and hear the conversation."
Liebe said, "Don't worry. We will stay in the dorm and watch from your audio and video."
Alysa got ready and asked, "Darling, how does this look?"
Liebe said, "Great."
Licht said, "Since when are you two so romantic? Why is it so weird?"
Liebe said, "Don't even ask."
Alysa left, and they watched from Liebe and Licht's room.
Licht said, "Alysa, can you hear me?"
Alysa said, "Yes."
Alysa went to Café Roze. Olivia waved, and Alysa sat with them. Iris said hello and they began to talk. Licht watched carefully. During the conversation, Alysa asked, "Do you come here often?"
Iris said, "I wish, but I'm busy every Sunday."
Alysa said, "Oh—do you like to stay in and sleep on weekends?"
Iris said, "That's my plan for Saturdays. On Sundays I need to get blood transfusions."
Alysa asked, "Oh—why?"
Iris said, "It's because of my genetic disease."
Hearing this, Licht thought, Interesting—told you we would find something. Then, while they were talking, Olivia asked Alysa, "What do your parents do? Are they knights?"
Alysa said, "Actually, they're diplomats stationed in the Grand Empire."
Olivia said, "What do your parents do?"
Olivia answered, "My dad is the former vice-captain of Arc Luatine—he's retired now."
Iris said, "Well, my mother is the captain of Arc Luatina, and my older sister is the head of our medical division."
Hearing this, Licht dropped his pen and rushed out of his room.
Liebe asked, "What is it? I'm training."
Licht said, "I discovered something important."
Liebe said, "Can it wait?"
Licht said, "Now. I just heard Iris's secret."
Liebe said, "What is it?"
Licht said, "Two things. First: she has a rare genetic disease—that's why she needs blood transfusions every Sunday."
Liebe said, "Interesting. And the second?"
Licht said, "She is the daughter of Louise Solace, the captain of Arc Luatine."
Liebe said, "What?"
Licht said, "I know—that was my reaction too."
Liebe said, "You do know what this means, right?"
Licht said, "Sadly yes. She is a member of House Solace, so we must assume she is an enemy of the Liebe faction and might become our enemy. There might be a time when we have to fight or even kill her."
Liebe said, "Yes, but for now forget it—since she is someone you like, I will make sure you two get together and avoid fighting her, as much as possible."