Chapter 39: A State of Mind
Arbus groggily sat up as he took off the Aurnex device attached to his head while it calculated his results. He was still seeing what it was doing in real-time on the huge display board attached to the ceiling.
CALCULATING TOTAL SCORE...
TOTAL SCORE CALCULATED: 100/100
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEATING THE SYSTEM, FUTURE KNIGHT.
He glanced up at the message for a while, then sighed heavily.
Despite his regeneration, he could still feel the mental fatigue that came along with using the device multiple times in a day.
'Why... was it so vivid?' he thought somberly.
After a bit, his hand found his chest as he felt his usually placid heart beating hard against his ribs.
He knew why, as well.
"Wow! You actually passed! That's insane. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it for myself." A gruff and raspy voice suddenly came from the smiling Mornan sitting at the corner of the large room.
Head of security, Ty.
"Security chief, what are you doing here?" Arbus asked in surprise as he looked around for instructor Harves who was in charge of watching the students while they were in the simulation in case of any accidents.
"I'm taking over for Harves a bit, since quite a few of the trainees needed someone to watch them spar," he answered. "And I'm really glad I did."
The devices attached to the trainees' heads were capable of projecting the simulations they experienced onto the retractable screens on the ceiling. Which meant the security chief had most likely seen his entire battle with the powerful human girl.
Ty stood up as he walked over to sit on the bed next to Arbus. "Tell me, how do you feel right now? Are you experiencing any phantom pain in the parts of you that were injured? That sometimes carries over from the simulation since the mind refuses to accept that it was all an illusion."
"I... feel fine. Just a slight headache, I suppose."
"Good, good," Ty responded with a nod. "So tell me, how did you come up with such a brilliant idea?"
Arbus remained silent for several moments, guessing the security chief was talking about his plan to use his bone as a weapon.
"It just came to me in the moment, security chief. It was the first time I'd encountered an opponent I couldn't even attack properly, so I knew I had to think of something," Arbus lied without shifting tone.
The security chief watched Arbus with a smile for several long moments before leaning back. "Wow, in the heat of the moment. How amazing." He chuckled. "Most people wouldn't even be able to think properly in that state without a Heart-shard. Myself included."
"You have a frighteningly high pain tolerance for someone so young, Arbus. I would be lying if I said that didn't worry me a bit. Or did you not feel the pain at all?"
"Of course I did, sir. That's only natural. I just didn't let it get in the way of the mission. I knew it was all in my mind so I allowed myself to be reckless."
"How determined," Ty mused. "You truly are a one in a million talent."
Arbus was a bit puzzled by the chief of security's casual demeanor with him. After all, this was the first time he was speaking with him in the two weeks that he'd been here.
That's right. It had already been two weeks since Arbus and the others had arrived at the facility.
So far, they had all been granted the freedom to choose whatever aspect of their training they wanted to focus on the most, and what they believed would best help them in the future.
Arbus had decided to dedicate a large portion of his time to the mental training room more than the others.
At this point, it had become routine for him to be sprawled out on one of the large iron beds.
That was because he considered it the most necessary exercise for him in the facility. It gave him real world experience of what it would be like after he became a knight, such as facing pirates or members of the second chance group using spells or systems. And that was invaluable.
Arbus also sparred with Alexander from time to time in the white room. That was another story in of itself.
"Thank you for your kind words, security chief," Arbus said with a slight bow. "But in truth, the victory feels bittersweet, since I couldn't save anyone like I originally planned."
"Hmm." The chief of security muttered as he stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression. "Well, that's just how life goes sometimes, Arbus. There's no need to beat yourself up over it," he said, patting Arbus on the shoulder.
"In truth, you weren't even supposed to succeed on that mission at all. But who would've guessed you'd be so good that you'd pass on your third try?"
Arbus's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that, security chief?"
"Hmm, well, how do I put this." Ty murmured as he scratched his nose. "The final mission for every simulation is supposed to have you facing against a human head on. But that's not because we believe you knights can win. No, we fully expect you to lose that battle."
"Then why? Why would missions like that exist?" Arbus blurted out in amazement.
"It's to teach you how to give up," Ty said, leaning back on the bed, his burly size causing it to groan slightly.
"You were supposed to realize there's no possible way of winning, run away and then hide."
He paused for a moment, then went on. "And despite your accomplishments today, I want you to always remember something."
"Don't die a fool's death," he said with a serious expression. "If a situation is hopeless, then tuck your tail—if you have one—between your legs, and run."
"Yes, it's true that we Renegades are the proud and brave shields of the innocent citizens of this universe."
"Yes, it's true that we have to do our very best to protect and save as many as we can."
"But, our lives matter, as well."
Arbus remained silent as he listened to the security chief's words.
He hadn't expected a side like this from the Renegades. So far, he had only seen the side of them that placed orders above everything else. He'd always thought the Renegades saw its lower brass as replaceable if needed.
But, if what the security chief was saying was true, then it meant Arbus had misjudged them this entire time.
Ty smiled at Arbus's thoughtful expression before letting out a small laugh and getting up to leave.
"Well, it's a bit unfortunate that this point isn't as impactful for you as it could've been, given the fact that you somehow managed to be the second person from this base to pass such an impossible level."
Arbus's eyes followed Ty as he headed for the door, his curiosity piqued.
"So, who was the first?"
Ty halted, then turned back with a wide grin. "You want to know? Well, I suppose there's no harm in telling you."
"Tristan, one of the high Commanders. A one in a trillion genius who trained here almost two decades ago."
Arbus's eyes went wide at those words. He remembered the silver Mornan that he'd seen during his last visit to the hold. And also, on the day his father was captured.
"I'm sure the teachers at that time weren't too surprised," Ty continued. "After all, it's natural for him to be an exception, considering he's the heir of the main branch of the Dune lineage."
"...Dune," Arbus muttered with a frown. Naturally, he knew of the family that had rivaled the Grimm lineage for generations.
His mother had often spoken about them to him in annoyance and exasperation.
He had also discovered that the white Mornan girl, Rin, was a part of that family.
"Well then, since you're done here, I guess I'll see you when Kate allows you kids to enter the arena. I'm the one in charge of watching you guys there, considering how dangerous it is. I hope you'll show me even more surprises, kiddo," Ty said as he strode out of the room.
"..."
"Guess it's time to move on."