Chapter 21: Bad choice
Arbus had already expected something like this to occur upon his arrival at the station.
After all, it wouldn't be the first time.
A similar scene had played out when he had first arrived at his designated position in the A1 base on Terytl-B.
He'd seen the cheerful expressions of his fellow Sentries disappear after they realised the comrade they'd been eagerly expecting was a half-human.
He had already grown used to the terrified and disdainful looks by now, so they didn't bother him as much as they once did.
After a while, the trainees calmed down somewhat as they began bombarding the Renegade officer with questions while screaming at the top of their lungs.
"What in the emperor's name is this supposed to mean?!"
"Yeah, why is one of those abomi– I mean, Half-breeds training with us?!"
"W–what if he a–attacks us!? W–what if he goes crazy, like the Sword Saint did!?"
"This isn't fair!!"
"It doesn't make any sense!"
"Is this some sort of sick joke!? He's a human!"
The Ramarta's striking features remained unbothered as he waited for them to quiet down. When they finally did, he gave a simple and curt answer, telling them what he'd been told.
"this was the decision of the Sentinel and the high Council."
"That is all you need to know, and all that matters."
Silence descended upon the room as they stared at him with expressions twisted in disbelief and trepidation.
Arbus could somewhat understand them.
From their perspective, it seemed unbelievable that the council would allow a half-human to become a Renegade.
Especially during this sensitive period when the entire star system was still mourning the tragedy another human had just caused.
Arbus felt guilty about it.
He still blamed himself for not finding a way to kill Ronin earlier and at least saving his team.
He knew it was dumb to think like that, and that he'd made the best choice he could in that situation by waiting till he did. And yet, he couldn't get over it.
He sighed as he clenched his fists tightly and walked further into the station, dropping down on one of the benches.
There was nothing he could do about it now.
Despite their discontent, he wouldn't quit.
He noticed some of the trainees openly glaring at him now, but they were still too cautious to approach him – which is why they focused on the administrative officer.
Among the trainees, there were a few that stood out to him.
The white mornan in a funny looking costume with a cape strapped to it, especially.
Arbus guessed he was a prince of some kind. According to his master, they usually wear outfits like that.
The mornan was watching him intently with a hateful gaze.
It was as if his very existence seemed to offend him.
Arbus sighed.
"How troublesome."
He could already tell this situation wouldn't end well for him.
After several minutes, the trainees finally settled down indignantly, while they observed him like a zoo animal that they really wanted to kill.
Arbus was thankful the transport finally arrived shortly after.
It was a large pod, similar in size to the vehicle he arrived on.
It seemed automated, without the need for a pilot.
It would take them on a designated route directly to the knight training facility.
Arbus calmly stood up and headed toward the door to board it first, already knowing it would take a while for the others to work up the courage to get close to him.
The inside of the pod was just as brightly coloured as the outside, with seats lined in rows across from each other.
Just like he predicted, the trainees hesitated, considering whether it was wise to enter the same transport as a possible Reincarnator.
They believed the administrative Renegades words, simply because it was the less frightening possibility.
It did not mean their suspicions were quelled.
Some of them even had thoughts of simply fleeing the planet and reapplying to be knights somewhere else in four months, after the current batch was done.
Ultimately, their indecisiveness came to an end when the apathetic blue Mornan with a Naggita strapped to his back, strode towards the transport casually and even took a seat right next to the human.
The mornan's courage had shocked most of them.
'who even is that guy?' Jet thought as he saw that, his attention momentarily drawn away from Arbus.
Not wanting to be shown up, he tentatively headed towards the transport next, taking the seat opposite the human.
He had decided to trust the instructor's words about this human being harmless.
When he did, an idea began forming in his mind.
'This... might be an opportunity.'
Jet thought darkly as he stared at Arbus intently.
The other trainees, led by the other white Mornan followed along, most of them with hesitant steps.
Rin Dune was the very last one to board the vessel, as she furthest away from Arbus after making someone willingly give up their seat.
Her eyes occasionally wandered towards Arbus with a flurry of hateful emotion burning in her eyes.
Arbus's sharp senses could easily pick up on her negative emotions towards him, despite the distance between them.
He instinctively felt like the hatred she felt towards him was far more than everyone else here combined.
If he had to guess, he would say she had personally encountered a Reincarnator herself.
'how troublesome'
"I-i can't do this, I simply can't!"
Suddenly a voice came from outside the bus as everyone turned to the windows.
One of the trainees hadn't gotten into the pod yet.
"Not with a human coming along with us!"
"That isn't right!"
The Ramarta officer stared darkly at the Mornan that had decided against entering the transport pod.
He remained silent for several moments.
"...You quit?"
The trainee gulped slightly at his tone, wondering what the consequences for his actions would be.
"Y-yes!"
No matter what it was, he didn't care.
There was no chance he would take the risk of even being on the same planet as a human.
Not after what happened on Terytl-B.
To his surprise, the officer simply nodded.
"Understood. A transport vehicle will be summoned to take you back home soon enough. Just wait around for a bit."
Before the trainee could sigh in relief, the officer continued.
"But, I'm required to inform you that your chances of becoming a knight in the future are now, well... non-existent."
The trainees eyes widened.
"W-what?"
"We hope you serve the Renegades well as a sentry. Since you weren't required to be one before being given this chance, you'll be assigned to a station in a few weeks. That is all." The officer said finally as he turned and walked away.
The trainee was left staring in disbelief and horror at the realisation of his dreams being crushed in front of him.
"Wait, no i-"
One of the other staff members present stopped him from following the officer by placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Please take a seat and wait for your transport, sentry."
The trainee was terrified of the smile that came with that order.
The other trainees watching from the large pods windows were simultaneously terrified and relieved that they hadn't done the same thing.
When the pod recognised no one else would be joining, the door closed automatically as it headed back to its source.
Arbus turned his gaze outside to observe the snow blanketed scenery, ignoring the attention he was getting.
'this is fine.'
'it can't get any worse than this... can it?'