Correspondence with a Genius
"Here's the letter."
"Understood. Addressed to Dr. Fel Gladen at the Time Flow Engine Research Institute. For confidentiality, we'll need to review the contents. Is that okay?"
I nod, handing over the letter. A handwritten letter feels outdated, but it's what the recipient requested. Dr. Fel Gladen, key developer of the Time Flow Engine, the heart of the Exsala. Weeks after enrolling in the officer academy, I read his paper on the engine. Intrigued, I sent a fan letter—cheering him on, expressing interest, and joking about time machines.
His paper, hinting at time travel, was mocked in academic circles. My interest must've stood out, as we've been exchanging letters for nearly ten months. My original-story knowledge tells me the Time Flow Engine, a perpetual motion device powered by "time particles," is completed by his children after his death. Its flaw: it can't produce massive energy bursts due to time's constant flow. The Exsala's frame-swapping system, which Axel admired, allows battlefield adaptability.
The development team is the institute's top prospect, scouted for their "hidden gem" policy. Dr. Gladen seems fond of me, so I'd love to pull his team into Shadow-Mirror—or at least keep a personal connection.
As I head back to the classroom, a man waits in the hallway. I deserve a pat on the back for not flinching.
"Axel Almer. Got a minute?"
"Sure, Kyousuke-senpai."
"Let's talk in the cafeteria."
He leads me to the dorm's cafeteria.
"Drink?"
"Tea, whatever's fine."
He buys me tea from the vending machine, grabbing coffee for himself.
"Congrats on second-year valedictorian."
"Thanks. Congrats on graduating top, Kyousuke-senpai."
Safe topics to start. Honestly, I'd rather avoid Kyousuke. He's months away from Einst infection. If he remembers me post-infection, it could get messy.
"Sitting face-to-face, I'm not sure what to say. The second-year valedictorian's a bit of a mess, so I had warnings for them, but you? No obvious flaws."
So he wanted a chat between first- and third-year valedictorians. Best to play it safe, stay forgettable, and fade out. We've talked occasionally over ten months at the academy, and part of me wonders if I should let him die. Helping him would break my original-story knowledge, a choice I weighed when we first met. For my survival, I've decided to let the man in front of me die.
"Where's your assignment, Kyousuke-senpai?"
I sip my tea, half-hoping he'll say Geneva, avoiding the shuttle accident. Damn, when did I get this soft? I've absorbed Ryouto, yet I balk at Kyousuke's death? Fine, I admit it—I liked Kyousuke in Super Robot Wars OG. I played his route ten times, Ryusei's only once. But this isn't just a game—it's my reality.
"It's set, but it's classified, so I can't say where."
"With your skills, you'll do fine anywhere."
"Says the first-year who's nearly my equal."
"You take too many risky bets. Like that simulator battle—why parry a Mega Beam Rifle with a Neo-Plasma Cutter? Just dodge!"
"A bad bet pays big when you win."
"But you failed the parry, got hit in the cockpit, and totaled the machine."
"Ugh."
Our talk lasts thirty minutes, ending as dinner crowds arrive.
Two Months Later
"Yo, did you hear? The third-years' shuttle crashed—almost everyone's dead!"
A classmate bursts into the room, silencing the class.
…It happened.
I sigh bitterly and address the messenger.
"That true? Not a rumor?"
"Dead serious. Heard the instructors freaking out."
"DC remnants? Alien attack?"
"No clue. Even the instructors don't know."
Cause unknown, just like the original. It was an Einst collision, officially unexplained. "Almost everyone" suggests a few survivors. Kyousuke alone, or Excellen too?
"If it's that big, instructors will update us next period. Let's wait."
As class rep, I speak loudly for all to hear.
"Unknown cause means we can't rule out terrorism or alien preemption. If it's aliens…"
"Then what?" the messenger asks, swallowing hard.
"Forget where we are? Geneva, the Federation's heart."
"!?"
They get it—aliens might strike here. But knowing the cause, I'm not worried. Einst attacks come after Shadow-Mirror's rebellion, per the original.
The door opens, and the instructor enters, his already stern face looking like a yakuza boss. The class falls silent, eyes locked on him.
"Your noise reached the hallway. You've heard—a shuttle carrying third-years crashed. One survivor: Kyousuke Nanbu, third-year valedictorian."
The room buzzes. A student's rumor could be wrong, but the instructor's word is fact. One survivor means Excellen's dead, and Lemon will be born.
"Instructors will be busy, so classes are canceled today and tomorrow."
He leaves. Normally, we'd cheer for a break, but not after losing most of the third-years. Some, close to them, cry. I don't. Knowing this would happen and doing nothing, I let forty-nine die for my survival. I don't deserve tears.
"Axel, you okay?" Barison asks.
"Yeah."
I stand.
"Sorry, heading to my room."
"Don't dwell on it."
The die is cast. Wallowing now would insult the dead. I'll survive—no matter what.
Character Profile: Axel Almer
Level: 8
PP: 20
Melee: 138
Shooting: 156
Skill: 148
Defense: 145
Evasion: 173
Accuracy: 195
SP: 206
Ace Bonus: Unknown
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Air: A
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
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Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Recovery, Focus)
Telekinesis Lv.4
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Kills: 4