“Thank you for everything up until now.” Tatsumi bowed ninety degrees toward Yamaguchi and Ame.
He was outside the car that had brought him to his home. He had returned safely thanks to the Mikazuki family and he needed to express his thankfulness.
“Well, you need to remember that school is starting soon. I already contacted the relevant people about your return so you can go back to your normal life.” Ame said while sitting and turned her head to look at him.
Tatsumi was bringing the suitcase, his weapon wrapped in cloth as well as a pot with a small sapling in it. He nodded in agreement since that was the case.
“Alright. Once again, thank you.” Tatsumi stood up straight and said what he wanted to say.
“No need to mind it. It was just an investment to you so properly repay it in the future.” Yamaguchi said, and he was seated in the front.
Tatsumi looked at the middle-aged man and smiled in understanding.
“Well, go home then. You must be missing your home.” Tatsumi said as a gesture of temporary farewell.
“See you later!” Both Ame and Yamaguchi said at the same time before closing the window on the car.
Then the car slowly moved from the entrance of the mansion where Tatsumi had lived for ten years in the Hinon Federation.
“Ah, you have finally returned. Hello!” Grant was, as usual, guarding the entrance to the mansion when a familiar appearance appeared and he let Tatsumi have his time with them before the car went away.
“Mister Grant! Good afternoon.” Tatsumi nodded slightly to Grant as he respected the elderly, as Feng Mo and Hua Fei had drilled into him.
“Well, do you know that everyone in the mansion often asked me for your news?” Grant crossed his hand in front of his chest, relaying something important to Tatsumi.
“I know.” Tatsumi sighed. He was busy with the training to become transcendent as well as processing the intelligence from reliable sources as well as from the Father God.
“Then come in. They are probably waiting for your news.” Grant smiled in return as he gestured Tatsumi to enter the premises.
Tatsumi looked around and realized that the maintenance was good, probably Sister Hua Fei had managed to trim the decorative plants along with a gardener.
He then arrived at the door and knew that he needed to prepare for the worst.
‘I must have made them worry about me constantly. Suddenly returning is a bit of a surprise…but I still need to do it, otherwise I look like running away.’ Tatsumi straightened his mind before he grabbed the door handle and pushed the door.
“I am home.” Tatsumi said while entering. Just as he entered with his right leg, he saw Nene standing and frowning near the door.
Tatsumi snapped his mouth shut while Nene looked behind her and her eyes widened as her expression changed from surprise to delight. Her eyes then narrowed as she had locked onto him.
“You!”
Nene jumped into Tatsumi’s embrace and he realized that the one who hugged him had her eyes glistening with tears.
“What took you so long!?” Nene said, almost shouting. Tatsumi embraced her back and calmed her down.
“Duty and responsibility. That’s what has bound me for so long. But now freed from that, I have returned.” Tatsumi patted her back with a rare gentleness.
Nene’s voice reached the rest of the mansion as everyone was surprised to hear her voice that loud. They also knew that someone had entered the premises.
One by one, the residents of the mansion came out. Since it was only one week from the end of the Star Battle, the civilization decided to grant everyone a week's vacation, and this had to be fulfilled. While some stored it for an important event, most people spent it immediately to be together with their family.
The resident of the mansion was the latter. They used their days off wisely, and coincidentally, all of them were in the mansion.
“Oh, it’s Tatsumi!”
“Welcome back! How’s it in the Thebes Independence Kingdom?”
The last to appear was Hua Fei who was escorting Feng Mo. All of them had their eyes focused on Tatsumi who had returned.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I just came back.” Tatsumi said to all of them.
“Let’s go to the living room first!” Chen Fei said while dragging Tatsumi and Nene to the spacious living room while Hua Fei let Feng Mo sit down on the soft and comfortable sofa.
Tatsumi placed the wrapped weapon, suitcase and the pot on the floor in the living room and decided to sit on the carpet on the floor while Nene sat beside him on his right and Chen Fei on his left.
“Alright! What do you want to know? I have a lot to say.” Tatsumi said while calculating the time before lunch.
Hua Fei looked at Tatsumi and smiled in a way that Tatsumi felt goosebumps. He knew that he had to be a bit serious in telling them what had happened to him while he had been gone.
Feng Mo looked kindly at Tatsumi which was a comfort to his heart.
“What did you do during the Star Battle? I believe that with your age and position, you should be a Reservist.” Nene was the first to throw a question.
“Yes. That’s right. The Reservists in the Transcendent Academy are treated a bit differently. You can have some standard equipment for yourself and if you are permitted, you can even get a resource for transcendent training and nurturing.” Tatsumi began his explanation of his position.
‘It is good to conceal the fact that I went to the frontline to escort an important item. Yes…don’t make them worry.’ Tatsumi thought as he only dared to tell his family the carefree part of his duty.
“Transcendent? You mean those people with supernatural strength?” Chen Fei heard what he said and commented for clarity.
Tatsumi nodded and replied, “Yes, that one. I was tested and found suitable for becoming a transcendent. Currently, I am a transcendent even though I am not as strong as the strongest one.”
“What exactly are you doing? Helping with logistics should be one, right?” Hua Fei asked which made Tatsumi careful and considerate.
“Sister Hua Fei, it is correct. I am helping the transcendent group that went to the Heavensend Continent to fight on the other side of the Rift.” Tatsumi said while leaving the important detail omitted.
Everyone felt that Tatsumi did not explain the method for the transcendent to move to another continent and realized that it could be a military secret.
“That’s no different from what we did here.”
“The best part, we are paid to do that!”
Tatsumi heard what the other member of the orphanage said something which he could have expected. Being paid for your labor was already good.
“Can you shoulder the responsibility of becoming a transcendent?” Feng Mo suddenly asked something important.
Tatsumi shifted his eyes to the elderly woman in front of him. He had a heartfelt respect for her since it was she who had slowly guided him to become who he was today.
He replied, “Of course. This power should be for the betterment of myself and those around me. Only after that can I consider helping others.”
“You are still the same in that regard.” Feng Mo commented and knew that it was hard to change that aspect of Tatsumi’s mind.
“Yes. You are still the same boy from before.” Hua Fei said succinctly.
“That’s good. It means that my current mindset has not changed. How about everyone?” Tatsumi then asked about everyone’s condition during the Star Battle because previously, it had been too simple to describe.
The other children expressed their willingness to participate deeper into the Star Battle but that caused Tatsumi to frown.
“You should reconsider. The frontline in the Star Battle was always brutal, even for a transcendent. If you can stay at the rear, then do that. At least, that is my recommendation.” Tatsumi spoke up.
Nene who was beside him, knew that Tatsumi had something more to say but refrained from saying it.
“Brother, do you actually see the casualties yourself?” Nene asked a question that was most likely close to the truth.
“It was ugly but it was necessary. Without those sacrifices, the Star Battle would go on much longer and the casualties would only increase.” Tatsumi said in a serious tone.
Everyone had a somber expression. They knew that since the news on the television and radio announced such things.
But they still desired to participate more actively because it was the highest form of protection for the family and the civilization so they still yearned for it.
Tatsumi still managed to glean that yearning and sighed ruefully.
“Alright, you all should have lunch by now. Sister Hua Fei, what’s on the menu?” Tatsumi asked while placing his things back in his designated room, which was routinely cleaned.
After that, he went to have lunch together with everyone.
-
On the other hand, Yamaguchi, Ame, two shadow guards and Long Wu were at the Mikazuki family residence.
“Well, who would have thought that an important person would come to attend?” Long Wu had sensed the person from afar but upon closing in, he could see the faint trace of Ether on him, although the person was not a proper transcendent yet.
Yamaguchi widened his eyes and plastered a welcoming expression on his face. Ame nodded and bowed respectfully to the person.
“Of course. For someone of your caliber, getting involved is just right.” The person said. He had black hair and blue eyes. Long Wu knew that the figure was middle-aged, but due to Ether rejuvenation, he looked younger and even his eyes were showing signs of being repaired.
‘He previously should have used glasses.’ Long Wu thought but he kept that to himself. Anyone who commanded respect from even the Mikazuki family ought to be someone important.
“And you are?” Long Wu asked bluntly. He did not need to play nice like a politician.
“I am Tesna. Have you heard of me?” Tesna said with a slight rise on the corner of his mouth and a change in the corner of his eyes.
“Should I call you the President of the Hinon Science Institute or the Archbishop of the Father God Congregation?” Long Wu knew that name and decided to clarify Tesna’s position here.
“Whatever suits you, naturally. This is the first time we meet face to face.” Tesna commented on the situation while Yamaguchi and Ame stood beside Tesna.
“Yes. You are the one who provided me with the information regarding the remnants of the Snatcher in the Comberth Continent. Thank you so far, I guess.” Long Wu said with a heartfelt respect for the man.
“Well, their ideas are actually a bit twisted from the intended meaning, but because of that, they caused destruction physically or mentally. This is a collaboration between people, not of the identity tied to an organization or a nation. That is why I used my own connection to inform you of them.” Tesna said about the nature of their cooperation.
“True that. But shouldn’t you currently be choosing someone to be your successor?” Long Wu knew that Tesna had wanted to step down from his position but due to the circumstances, it was not suitable for the moment.
“Let me guess…that young lady there is one of the candidates, right?” Long Wu realized that Mikazuki Ame was quite a suitable candidate for becoming the Archbishop of the Father God Congregation.
‘I had heard that she was once connected directly with the Father God. Looks like that is true, in addition to what my disciple had said.’ Long Wu thought and realized that it was the case.
“After some time together, even you realized that.” Tesna nodded and smiled wider.
“You should sit down on that chair and table over there.” Yamaguchi said and gestured for the shadow guards to help set it up.
Long Wu sat on one side while Tesna sat on the other. Yamaguchi, Ame and the shadow guards stood respectfully behind Tesna.
“You should probably let them sit down too.” Long Wu suggested.
“You all can sit down in your preference,” Tesna said and then the rest had a chair to sit down on.
“Comfortable, right?” Tesna asked Long Wu.
“Yes. This is much better. Do you usually let them stand on for long?” Long Wu did not expect that from Tesna.
“I want to but they are insisting that I keep my demeanor in check. From the looks of it, they are quite comfortable around you.” Tesna said while managing to catch that important detail.
“I’m proving to be a suitable guardian. But let’s go to the case.” Long Wu knew that the matter would be far from simple.
“Alright. If you say so, let’s go straight to the case.” Tesna said before he sat straight and looked at Long Wu directly.
“There is an invention made by your friends. Now, it is used extensively in our military and science departments. You know what that is, don’t you?” Tesna began.
Long Wu furrowed his brow. He knew what kind of invention that was and also knew the person. After all, Ishimura Ryo was once under him. He had invented the device called a computer, which caused the transformation of information processing and storing.
“Yes. I do know him and his invention. What is this all about?” Long Wu asked.
“Well, the Hinon Federation wanted to showcase the first commercialized computer to the public but there is a movement that counters that. That movement is backed by one of the remnants of the Snatcher. You deal with the person while I deal with the publicity, how is that?” Tesna asked while letting out a folder that contained the details he had spoken about.
Long Wu read the folder and went silent. He had verified the authenticity of the information but why would Tesna inform him about all of this?
“We need the advancement of computers for technological improvement. You know that the Congregation wanted to improve technology in all aspects of life but our opposition wanted to delay that. We have verified the advantage of this invention so we just need someone to deal with that remnant. You could also potentially gain information about their network in this continent if you are dealing with that person.” Tesna pressed further about Long Wu’s potential advantage.
“Just one question, how do you manage to verify which invention is useful for technological advancement?” Long Wu often wondered about this aspect of the Father God Congregation so he asked.
“It is not easy to identify since we need to make sure that it will not be a waste. Although some debated that improving that invention was a waste of resources but overall, we agreed that there is a need to improve the computer in terms of information storage and a bit of the calculation power it currently has. We usually discuss this in a meeting and decide with a vote.” Tesna explained.
“So a vote is for a member, correct? That is quite a heavy responsibility to decide things with an open mind like that.” Long Wu knew more things and realized that Tesna was truly open-minded about it.
For the higher position, the voting power increased and that was the way for the intellectuals in the Father God Congregation to decide things.
“Fortunately, they agreed that the computer will be the game-changer for the future. Only people like Charlene knew the full potential of that invention. We at the organization are only aware of its apparent function.” Tesna admitted that he did not know the big potential a computer had.
He only believed in the potential due to Ishimura and Charlene’s insistence on improving it.
“If this action could benefit both you and me, I can see why you are so confident in sealing the deal.” Long Wu said, already decided to help in his heart but something prevented him from agreeing immediately.
“Looks like the Mikazuki family is heavily involved in this too, I presume.” Long Wu realized that Tesna had allowed both of the Mikazuki family members to listen to the information.
“You realized that. Right, they are our trusted members who helped the Congregation greatly. That is why I placed the heavy trust of managing this meeting and its content to them.” Tesna said with a confidence befitting of someone who had placed his trust into someone with the right criteria.
Long Wu looked at Yamaguchi and saw that he was writing something on his notebook while Ame focused on memorizing the information that was delivered at this moment.
“Well, I can agree to that. So when will this be done?” Long Wu stood up, because he had to go to his friend’s residence to stay and prepare to leave.
“I am glad to hear that. Three days from now on at the Giol Multipurpose Building. Please help for the sake of yourself and for my own sake.” Tesna extended his hand while standing.
Long Wu understood that gesture since he often saw it when he was on this continent. He extended his hand and grabbed Tesna’s hand tightly but it was not harmful.
“For the civilization and for ourselves.” Both of them said at the same time.
Then Long Wu moved so fast that no one caught on how he left. Tesna was impressed by his skills and Yamaguchi felt that his hand was a bit sore but he endured. Ame was compiling things on her head and knew that the meeting was to be kept between only those who were there.
“I think I should promote you too.” Tesna then turned to look at Ame. He realized that now she sometimes had a longing look on her face.
“Thank you so much, Sir Archbishop.” Ame said while lowering her head.
“No. This is what you deserve for getting close to the Second Star Child. They are important to the civilization and I can see the pattern.” Tesna said seriously. Ame was also starting to understand the importance of the Star Child through Tatsumi’s effort of creating a better alternative circulation and fighting technique for even transcendent.
If it were done for their highest ceiling, it could induce a breakthrough!