Chapter 67 – I Have Been Waiting for This Moment As Well.

A simulated universe played out on a single screen, approaching its end.

The vigilante corps' dedicated training facility, somewhere in Seldia, was alive as always with the energy of younger members putting themselves through their paces, and the constant hum of simulator machinery.

At the prime vantage point of the large room, a holographic projection displayed the battle in real time. Around it, on sofas and chairs, corps members waiting for their turn sat in comfortable postures, drinks in hand.

"Yes! I beat Rajel-san!"

A simulator hatch swung open and Steshia emerged, bright and delighted. From the adjacent unit, dragging himself out by contrast, came a black-haired, black-eyed man with a swept-back style he was now aggressively raking his hands through. Rajel.

"...Damn it. She's gotten good."

A narrow defeat. Watching the senior member fail to hide his frustration, a young woman reclining on a sofa with her legs crossed -- Herta, long light-brown hair, cool blue eyes characteristically narrowed -- let a grin spread across her face.

"Looking a little rough, Rajel-senpai~"

"Shut up and go take your turn."

"Yes, yes~"

Herta unfolded herself from the sofa with an easy, unhurried response and headed for the simulator. As the two met at the unit entrance, Steshia clenched a fist.

"Herta, I'm not holding back!"

"Same here -- and I won't be as sloppy as a certain senpai."

Two trainees of the same generation trading jabs, and the simulated battle commenced. The holographic display erupted in fresh light trails.

From a seat set slightly apart from the noise, Letaria watched the commotion with composed enjoyment. Beside her, unusually, sat Ethan -- deputy captain, veteran of veterans. He turned a calm look toward the lady who had, at this point, grown quite at ease in civilian clothes.

"You'll be my opponent after this, then?"

Letaria gave him her most unabashed smile. Ethan laughed and shrugged.

"I'll give it everything I have. But -- are you all right with the old Arden data?"

The substantial upgrade Arden was due to receive -- Syn-Fibra headquarters' special components for the Letariem spec -- had already been shared with Grain and with senior members Ethan and Merry. The current Arden data was, in a sense, the pre-update version.

"That's fine. I don't fully know yet how much stronger that child will become. And besides --"

Letaria leaned back, flicking her signature dark-purple hair off her shoulder with a fingertip.

"If I can beat you in this state, I am the strongest in Seldia in name and in fact!"

"Ha -- fair point. You've earned the right to say that."

Ethan said it with a smile, but meant it. Defeating Restful had already elevated her to something approaching legendary status within the corps.

By this time, the holographic battle had reached its conclusion. An announcement rang out -- Steshia's machine had punched through Herta's armor.

"Yes!"

The exact same celebration as before, arms raised. Herta emerged from the simulator with a very red face.

"I got distracted for just a second -- !"

"It's okay, Herta! Even without that, I would have! Brilliantly! Won anyway!"

Steshia puffed up her chest and delivered the counterattack with relish. A burst of laughter erupted from the sofa side of the room.

"That was razor-thin though."

"Mm, agreed."

Rajel -- who had been the one mocked earlier -- laughed with obvious delight. Aland's comment, and Retta answering it between sips of juice, at her own unhurried pace.

Loud and warm. The everyday life of Seldia, the city worth protecting. Letaria watched it with quiet contentment, and in her chest, lit a calm flame of readiness for the simulated battle ahead -- to prove, once again, that she was the strongest.

◆

The simulated universe on the screen shifted, and the day's main event was projected in holographic form at the center of the room.

Letaria Adeniam -- the Runaway Lady of Seldia, destroyer of Restful itself. Against her: Ethan Broe, considered the corps' top active talent, supporting the organization in Grain's absence.

"Hey, Rajel, Aland. Who do you think wins? I'll wager my dessert tonight on the lady."

Retta swirled her juice and lobbed the question at the room with a grin.

"Sergeant Major for me. I respect the lady's strength, genuinely, but there's no beating Ethan-san. His predictive shooting is something else."

Rajel gave his swept-back black hair a firm pat and declared his verdict. Aland nodded. "Same -- Ethan-san. That kind of composure doesn't crack."

"I think Letaria-san wins!"

Steshia charged in with her fresh-victory energy.

"Letaria-san for me too, honestly. There's just something about the way she fights, you know? It's overwhelmingly cool?"

Herta tossed her long light-brown hair and cast her vote with bright blue eyes. That opened the floor, and the assembled corps members began airing their predictions with increasing enthusiasm.

All of it carried through the external comm line to where Letaria sat, settled deep into the simulator seat, wearing a cool smile.

Today she was not in her usual grand dress. She had gone for casual comfort -- a pair of shorts and a fitted cut-and-sew top, something she could move freely in. Dark-purple hair up in a ponytail. Ready.

"Hehe. You're all quite worked up out there. I have been waiting for this moment as well, Ethan-sama."

"Ha -- just what I need to shake off the desk-work rust. Go easy on me, my lady."

Ethan's voice, easy but carrying a solid core beneath it, came back through the line. The countdown reached zero. The simulated space unfolded.

The chosen stage: an open sector, almost entirely clear of obstacles. Very few rock formations to use for cover. A battlefield where pure piloting skill and technique collided directly.

"-- Here I come!"

With Letaria's shout, the deep-violet machine Arden launched with explosive acceleration.