Chapter 8 – A Promising Newcomer Right After Enrollment

“Greetings. Students of Cradle. Let us make today’s class both beneficial and energetic. Continuing from last time, we will proceed with the sections regarding laws concerning the Awakened.”

As you would expect from a teacher lecturing on the law. An impressive, by-the-book appearance.

The cool glint emanating from the glasses he wore was the very definition of ‘glasses character’.

Sitting in the very back, Deus thought to himself while concentrating on the lesson.

“As you all know, not all Awakened can hunt monsters. Only those who have received a diploma from this very place, Cradle, and completed the Awakened essential education, are granted that qualification.”

He smoothly pushed up the square spectacles that radiated a rigid air.

Professor Ruller, instructor of Society and Law at Cradle, continued speaking.

“Does any student happen to know the reason for this? Anyone?”

The sudden question made the students subtly gauge each other.

Whether they knew the answer or not. That wasn’t the important part now.

They worried about drawing too much unwanted attention if they unnecessarily stepped forward.

“…If no one volunteers, I will have to select someone. Hmm. You there. The student at the end.”

Again? Seriously? Isn’t it too much just because I’m a foreigner who’s lived here?

He wasn’t thinking of me as some barbarian or savage, was he?

Deus, who had been called upon by each instructor throughout the morning classes, rose from his seat.

“Your name is, Deus. Deus, is it? Can you answer the question I just posed?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Then, do tell.”

Why did the Empire establish a place called Cradle to educate those with abilities?

Even amidst the emergence of Gates and the appearance of monsters, why did it enforce the law to maintain it?

Deus answered as best he could, with what he knew about the matter.

“It’s to keep all ability users under the Empire’s control.”

“Elaborate further.”

“Because abilities are a double-edged sword.”

Only for monster extermination. Only to close Gates and maintain peace.

If abilities were only used for those purposes, there wouldn’t be a single problem.

But humans, as they always do, waver between good and evil.

Some for their own advancement. Some for more overwhelming victories.

And some, for a chaos never experienced before.

“A simple yet insightful answer. Very good, Deus. You truly live up to your potential.”

“Thank you.”

At this point, he was starting to get confused whether he kept getting called on because he was promising and easily noticeable.

Or if they discovered he was promising because they kept calling on him since he was noticeable.

“As Deus mentioned, certification is proof that an ability user is operating under the Empire’s oversight. Therefore, action can be taken immediately if a problem arises. Be it a reward, or a punishment.”

The Empire was trying its best to eradicate it, and had actually achieved a great deal of success.

But there were still more ability users operating without certification than one might think.

If they only did good deeds their whole lives, that would be a wonderful thing.

The law stating that those who developed abilities must enter Cradle wouldn’t even exist then.

“A double-edged sword. Indeed, an apt phrase. The results of an investigation by the Imperial Ministry of Justice revealed that over 70 percent of ability users operating secretly without entering Cradle had been involved in criminal activity. A truly shocking finding.”

Abilities don’t manifest in just anyone. At most, a few hundred a year.

That peculiarity, along with the power of abilities, played a crucial role in making it a form of ‘power.’

“Power without the backing of force inevitably corrupts. Recognizing this, the Empire created an educational institution for ability users. This place, Cradle, gives them qualifications and authority, while simultaneously placing a leash of duty and control around their necks.”

Perhaps even now, somewhere in the Empire, there was someone committing crimes by wielding their ability as a weapon.

And the other ability users were upholding the dignity of those who had fallen through their own sacrifices.

A fierce battle between ability users, one that the students were not yet aware of.

“Today, as always, the Imperial Special Task Force will be searching for those who wield abilities without certification. Those who use those abilities for crime. Every single person within their ranks is immensely skilled. I sincerely hope, students, that you never cross paths with them.”

Not a trace of a smile. Just Ruler-sensei adjusting his glasses.

That cold demeanor caused the students to nod almost involuntarily.

“Now, then. The Imperial Ability Law. All ability users must prioritize the use of their powers for gate closure and monster disposal. According to this law, all graduates of the Cradle must be ready in case of emergency….”

While Ruler-sensei’s lecture continued,

‘Special Task Force…’

Deus, propping his chin up, drifted into thought.

‘I thought this was just some nonsensical world. But it does have its own established framework, I guess.’

Right. This makes sense. With such incredible abilities as these,

Someone could use them to topple the entire society.

It was impossible to simply forget about that possibility.

The Empire values ability users greatly. Because they are the ones who close the gates and deal with the monsters.

The Empire is also highly wary of ability users. Because they possess the power to potentially overthrow the Empire.

That’s why they created the Cradle. To grant certifications. To teach them their duties.

Giving those who didn’t hide their ability manifestation the appropriate authority and benefits.

So that they don’t harbor other intentions. Or so they can’t. Putting a leash on them.

‘There are more people who haven’t entered the Cradle than I thought. And rather than fighting monsters and saving the world, they’re exploiting people for their own gain…’

It was remarkably similar to the novel he knew, ＜The Mercenary Company: Gate Opens on Day One＞.

Those who sought to save the world through covenants and those who sought to destroy it.

Those who helped others even as they were dying, and those who cursed others, conversely, came to mind.

“Special Task Force, huh.”

In the current situation, wasn’t that the most fitting job for him?

What would it take to get in there? Maybe joining the dispatch unit would give me extra points?

They say it’s full of formidable people, so someone like me should be more than acceptable, right?

Deus pondered, lost in such thoughts.

“…”

Yurisia, seated two seats over, was glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

*

In Yurisia’s view, Deus was a very peculiar person.

From a little distance, he seemed less like a human and more like a monster.

When you got a little closer, he seemed like a very scary person.

But inside, he was filled with a good heart that cared for others more than anyone else.

‘He’s been helping students since a few days ago.’

During breaks. During lunch. And even after school.

She didn’t really have anyone she could call a friend yet, so she spent a lot of time on her own.

And that naturally led to her following after Deus.

He wasn’t exactly providing tremendous assistance. They were small things.

Kindly giving directions to students who were lost.

(The students who received directions usually chose to flee.)

Quickly catching someone from behind when they were about to fall.

(Mostly, he’d grab them by the scruff or their clothes, leaving them dangling.)

It isn’t easy to act like that if you worry about what others think.

If he lacked a kind heart, he could have ignored them and walked on by.

Even though no one would have blamed him, Deus acted as he did.

And that’s why I admired Deus all the more.

Even a timid soul such as myself, trembling even to speak to him.

I dreamt of becoming someone like him someday.

‘I can’t just admire him. I need to. I need to change, too.’

Yurisia clenched her fist tight.

That’s right. I’m an ability-user too. I can’t be a girl forever.

I can’t expect to do everything perfectly from the start. Let’s start small, like Deus.

Speaking, conversing. Overcoming this trembling is the first step.

‘First, I’ll start by, by greeting friends as they pass by…!’

—Thinking that, Yurisia snapped her head up!

“Ah.”

Now that she thought about it, she had chased Deus all the way here.

And, of course. This area had hardly any students passing through.

Deus always sought out secluded spots, staying for as little as ten minutes, sometimes up to an hour.

‘What… what is he doing?’

A sudden curiosity seized Yurisia. She hesitated for a moment, then moved her feet.

This was something she would have never normally done.

She would have only agonized, unable to overcome her timidity, and turned back.

But today, unlike usual, she pushed herself forward a little more.

“H-he seemed to go, to go this way….”

I lost him. I definitely saw him enter here.

Should I have gone faster? Was I too hesitant, being too careful?

“What are you doing here, Yurisia.”

“Eek!?”

Yurisia’s body jumped at the chilling voice behind her.

“D-Deus?! S-sorry! U-um, I, well. I was!”

“Did you come to see Jojo, too?”

“I… uh, uhh?”

Jojo? What’s that? Confusion spread across Yurisia’s face.

“Ah. Maybe you call him something else? That’s what I call him. His punches are something else.”

—Tsk tsk!

Deus suddenly made a strange noise.

Then, the bushes rustled and a small kitten emerged.

Not a full-grown cat. It wasn’t even fully grown yet.

‘So cute!!’

She’d never seen a kitten before. Especially not this close.

A fragile loveliness seemed to simply emanate from the small creature.

Just as Eulisia’s mind was about to be completely captivated by its adorable form –

“Myaaaoow!”

Suddenly, the cat let out a sharp cry.

There, Deus stood, setting out food.

“Myaaaoow! Mya-mya-meow!”

“Oh. Not bad. Just as I thought, Jojo.”

*Pa-pa-pa-pat!*

Despite being just a kitten, its tiny paws packed a considerable punch.

Eulisia momentarily lost track of its movements, it was so quick.

Deus, however, just laughed and deflected the blows with a single finger.

“Still inexperienced. With attacks like that, you couldn’t even subdue a stray.”

“Myaaaooow!”

*Pa-pa-pa-pat!!*

The cat’s front paws moved even faster. Deus’s index finger blocked every single one.

All the while, he was making strange noises like ‘Oraora-muda-muda!’ with his own mouth.

Eulisia, who had been blankly observing the scene, involuntarily burst out laughing.

So, to take care of this kitten. And to play with it.

That’s why he had secretly come to this remote place all by himself.

“Slow. Jojo. Just admit it already. I am your owner.”

With one hand, he played with the cat. Or perhaps trained it.

With the other, he pumped homemade dumbbells, having a blast.

This is academy life right here. Deus beamed.