Shouyou's Office.

James Shouyou stood next to the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined one end of his office, overlooking the brightly lit compound below. Sipping from his mug, the man-alien's lips curled into a smile as he recalled the trainees' shocked expressions. Was he taking a risk revealing the truth to them so early? Very much so. But James did not mind. First, he believed in the kids Akari picked out from all the chaff, but most importantly, these kids were just one of the many cards he'd planted. If they faltered, there were many more willing to take their place in a heartbeat.

"Hm?" James' eyes shone with amusement as he turned to the door. "I knew you would not last the night, Su-kun." The name left his lips as the office door slid open, revealing Suzuki at the head of a determined group. "Why, come right in. I have an open-door policy for a reason."

James observed Suzuki. The paranoid teenager's eyes darted around the room while walking in, glancing past the many arcade games and more. But he made sure not to step in too far, stopping after only a few meters in.

If it were anyone else, they would consider Suzuki disrespectful. But James had observed Suzuki for many years. He knew the paranoid youth felt trapped in the room since it only had one viable 'escape' route. Suzuki chose to stay close to the door to increase his chances of escape should James pull some dastardly prank on him—it would not be the first time.

Smiling, James returned to his executive chair and clasped his hands together. "So, Suzu-kun, what brings you here at this ungodly hour? Haven't you heard nothing good happens after 2 a.m? There might be demons about."

"Why should I be scared when I'm with the devil himself?" Suzuki snarled, apparently not in the mood to deal with James' usual bullshit. "Cut the shit. I know you know why we're here. Spill it."

"Oh?" James chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You here about our tiny daeben friend, Zuri? I told you, we can barely keep her alive with our current technology. Any more, and you're asking too much."

"Huh?" Suzuki faltered, caught off-guard by James' bouncy thoughts. "No, that's not why we're here, but since we're on the subject: you're a supposedly ancient fucking advanced lifeform capable of space travel, gene manipulation and neural cloning. You expect me to believe a coma is what stumps you?"

James shrugged. "You're right. My people can easily cure Zuri, but as I told you earlier, I don't have access to the full gamut of my species' abilities. Also, I am not permitted to release the technology required to heal her to this planet—at least, not until the test is over."

Suzuki's eyes trembled. He turned to Taiga, frustration and anger mixed with renewed determination and hope. "So, if we win, there's a chance to heal Taiga. Is that what you're saying?"

"Did I say that?" James glanced at Taiga. "Taiga-kun's injuries are much more serious than Zuri's. His comes from gene damage from awakening too early in a body unsuited for such strength. It can't be fixed, even with the most advanced technologies in the galaxy. At best, they'll add five to ten years to his lifespan."

"Don't fuck with me!" Suzuki shouted in rage. He crossed the room in a single breath and snatched James by his perfect collar. "I know you have a way to save him. Don't toy with me and just spill it!"

James brushed his slightly dishevelled hair with his hand. Looking into Suzuki's burning dark eyes, he recalled a similar scene when Mato Ryumaki forced him to swear he would look after Suzuki. "Heh, you're just like your father." Smiling, he gently squeezed and then pushed Suzuki's hand away. He straightened his collar with his free hand and said, "Yeah, there's a way to cure Taiga-kun, but can you pay the price?"

"Suzuki," Taiga called, eyes narrowed. "Forget it."

"What? Scared to make a deal with the devil?"

"As if." Suzuki ignored Taiga's warning and pressed James. "What do I have to do?"

"Don't know yet," revealed James with a teasing gaze. "But I'll tell you how we can help Taiga-kun. Remember how I told you the leaders with the greatest contributions get immortality?"

"Yeah? What of it?"

"Well, the top five performing squads during the tests will get one wish granted, as long as it's within my civilization's capabilities." James grinned as he observed Suzuki's trembling gaze. "You should know what that means. If you want to save Taiga, you must be a lot dirtier. No more of your cooperation bullshit. Only the best deserve to have their wish granted. So? What'll it be?"

Contrary to James' expectations, Suzuki only shrugged. "Is that all? Then there's no problem. We'll win the war, and if we're not in the top five, I'll just tell them to save Taiga."

James chuckled. "Are you being obtuse on purpose or plain stupid? Why would anyone give up guaranteed immortality, riches or power to save someone they don't know?"

Suzuki's hands balled into a fist. "Taiga's sacrifice is why any of us have a prayer of a chance to fight the invasion. If they're too greedy to save someone like that...." Fires burning in his gaze, Suzuki glared at some distant enemies. "....then they don't need to live. Someone else could use that wish."

James' lips twitched. "Do you hear yourself? You sound like a tyrant."

"Tyrant? Perhaps. But, if that's what I need to be to protect my...." Suzuki hesitated. "....my people, then that is what I will be. If I'm the strongest being in the world, they will give me at least that much respect, right?"

James clapped in delight. "Hahaha! I can't wait to see what that'll look like. I hope you have more fun questions for me?"

Suzuki rolled his eyes. "I don't. Just tell us how to get the activator serum for Jade."

"I mean, it's not like it's the hardest thing to get," James pulled open a drawer and drew out a vial containing a dark purple liquid. "With your current clearance, you can buy it from the rewards store alongside various targeted gene enhancers." Spinning the vial on his fingers, James looked at Jade. "But, are you sure you want to take this path? On account of my relationship with Sukki, I'll tell you a secret: Everyone brought to this facility is capable of becoming a Gladiator and mech pilot. Conversely, everyone I chose to join the Gladiator program can become an expert pilot at the minimum. I can interfere at least that much so Terra doesn't waste its resources training unsuitable candidates."

James tossed the vial to Jade, who caught it with doubt in her eyes. "I'll leave the decision to you, but let me say this: expert pilots are ninety-nine per cent combat roles. Support and Auxiliary expert pilots are so rare that a single one can completely alter entire battlefields. You're a hacker, right? As an expert hacker pilot, you'd be able to do what you did in your previous mission remotely from the comfort of your mech. But, if you'd rather trade that 'possibility' for the 'possibility' of a suitable mutation, go ahead."

Suzuki looked at James, confusion apparent in his squinted eyes. "What are you thinking? You're never this straightforward."

"Yeah, it is a bit out of character for me, isn't it?' James reclined in his chair, his gaze uncharacteristically forlorn as he looked at Saeko. "We're not too much unlike each other, Suzu. Heh, cliché, I know. But, like you, I don't give a rat's ass what happens to this pile of rocks. I've seen too many species across numerous galaxies to care about humans. That said, like you, I have the misfortune of caring about a few people on this planet. I can't very well sit back and do nothing. They'll suffer the same punishment as the rest if humanity fails." A small smile spreading on his lips, he said, "Suzu, there are many things I have done and will do that you'll disagree with—some you'll even hate me for. But, I promise, every decision I make is for Terra's sake."

Faced with James' weird sincerity, Suzuki shook his head. "I don't care what decisions you make. If it affects my people, I'll attack you, same as anyone else. You do what you think you must, and I'll do what I must to protect them. Just don't get in my way."

James chuckled. "You're still going on about protecting everyone else. What about you? Are you so eager to be a martyr? That won't do. I promised Ryu to protect Suzuki."

"I'm not Suzu—"

"Yeah, I don't care. You're the Suzu I met, so you're all I know." James's eyes lit up with mischief. "Hey, I know. I have two ways to ensure you and Kashi can live full, happy lives without getting in each other's way. How about—"

"Shut up!" Grabbing James' collar, Suzuki's eyes burned with rage as he threatened in a low, guttural growl. "Don't test me, James. You're crossing a line."

James's grin widened. "What's the matter, Suzu? You should be happy. Everyone gets what they want with my methods. You don't have to deal with your personalities clashing, and Kashi doesn't have to die. What? Does that break your conviction? Without the clash as your excuse, you have to deal with the fact that you're a coward still running from that accident."

"That's enough." Taiga spat, stepping between both men and pushing them apart. Glaring at James, he said, "Don't care your reasons; don't pick someone's wounds as you please."

"My bad," James apologized with a smile. Smoothing his clothes again, he said, "I wasn't lying, by the way. I do have a way for both Suzuki and Kashi to live without incident guaranteed. He is not the first to develop multiple identities."

Taiga frowned. Looking at Suzuki, who looked like he wanted to bury James, he said, "You can't go on about saving me and not expect me to return the favour." He turned to James and said, "Let's hear it."

James shrugged. "The first is doable right now. It involves creating a special implant for Suzuki's brain. It'll connect directly to the game, allowing Suzuki to connect even while awake. If he wants, Kashi can permanently connect to the game while he stays in reality. It's not true separation, but it works. But it's a level 1 clearance perk. It was originally intended for our expert pilots to allow them to train in and out of the game. To an expert pilot, splitting their attention to one extra body should be a piece of cake. Things only get complicated when you start adding more bodies to that." Sending a pointed mile Taiga's way, he added, "Of course, there are some freaks who are walking legions, but they are not the norm."

"Level 1." Taiga looked at Suzuki. "This freak can easily get there in time. What's the second?"

"True separation," revealed James. "With our technology, my people can separate the entity 'Kashi' entirely from 'Suzuki'. We'll then clone you and install 'Kashi'. It's a painful procedure with few side effects, but it's the truest form of separation. Ah, but you'll need a wish for tha—"

"Not a chance." Suzuki sneered at James. "Our wish is already taken."

James chuckled. "I thought you would say that. But, I wonder, will you still think the same come the end?"

"I've had seven years to make up my mind. Nothing's changing that."

"Okay." James raised his hand in surrender. "I'll take your word for it."

"Do that," Suzuki grunted, frustrated by James' passive attitude. It was hard to fight someone with zero attention to match your aggression. Having finished his questions, Suzuki turned around, "Let's go. We're not getting anything else out of him."

"Toodles~" James cheerily waved at Suzuki's back, his smile only dimming after the door shut behind the trainees. Afterwards, he sighed and took out a picture frame from his desk. There, a much younger version of himself and Akari flanked either side of an energetic girl holding a wooden kendo sword.

He recalled a hospital bed where that same girl lay, pallid and sweating as blood pooled, soaking the sheets. Her warm, reassuring smile while uttering two final words even as the last of her strength ebbed away with her life.

Placing the picture back into the drawer, the man's eyes flashed with a blue light. "I will keep my promise."

***

Sometime later, Suzuki lay on his bed staring listlessly at his blank ceiling, replaying the past couple of hours. Feeling restless, the young man sat up and grabbed his synth gloves from the workstation. He commanded the bed to fold into the wall and put the wall panels on Creative Mode.

Suzuki stood before the blank wall, his mind swirling with fragmented thoughts and jumbled emotions. The past hour had been a whirlwind of tumultuous information, leaving his thoughts scattered like fallen leaves in a storm. Gripping the virtual brush tightly, he dipped it into a virtual can of vibrant red paint, his instincts guiding his hand across the surface.

With each stroke, Suzuki's emotions found expression on the wall. The paint splattered, splintered, and merged, creating a chaotic dance of colours. He didn't think about composition or technique; his brush moved purely on instinct. It was as if the wall absorbed his confusion and transformed it into a tangible form.

As the minutes passed, Suzuki's gaze shifted from the wall to the image forming beneath his trembling hand. He watched an unexpected shape emerge from the chaos—a group of angels of death, dark and foreboding, their wings outstretched and their eyes filled with an otherworldly light. The spears they held were pointed with merciless precision at a small figure, a youth, oblivious to the impending doom.

A shiver ran down Suzuki's spine as he beheld the scene before him. The wall had become a mirror, reflecting the turmoil that had invaded his mind. He took a step back, his breath catching in his throat. Was James right? Was he running from that night? Why else would he draw himself as a weak, hapless youth?

Drring!

A doorbell snapped Suzuki from his thoughts. He distractedly murmured, "Allow," while observing the wall, trying to decipher the meaning behind the chaos.

"Hey, Suzuki, are you sleeping?"

Suzuki looked at Jade, who came around the bend holding a familiar vial in her hand. The young lady's bloodshot eyes and haphazardly packed dishevelled hair told a tale of a very distraught girl.

Seeing Suzuki standing near the wall, she grabbed a chair from the workstation and wheeled it over. "Great. You're awake. What're you doi—" She paused when she saw the garish painting. Whistling, she sat on the chair and tiptoed to Suzuki's side. "That's not creepy at all. What's up with that?"

"Nothing." Suzuki looked away from Jade. His hands twitched as he resisted an urge to fetch his sketchbook. "What're you doing here? You should be asleep."

"Yeah? So should you," Jade challenged. But then she deflated in her seat and held out the vial. "What do you think I should do?"

Suzuki took the vial. "What? You don't want to become a mutant? Think about it. Do you really want to become a pilot? That's a lot of killing and death. You sure you can live with that?"

Sighing, Jade crumpled to the floor and lay in a starfish position. "I don't know. But I hate the idea of sitting back while you all go risk your lives. This last mission showed how badly we need hackers. I could make a real difference if I break through in that field."

"Sounds like you know what you want." Suzuki tossed the vial into a trashcan. "So, tell me: why are you really here?"

Jade sat up. She scratched her hair as she looked at the angels of death on Suzuki's wall. "Hey, aren't you scared at all? First, we were dealing with rival countries. Suddenly we're told aliens exist and Earth is on some kind of test. If we fail, we die or become slaves. I feel like I'm going insane. How is everyone so calm?" Searching Suzuki's eyes, she asked in a slightly shaking voice. "Are you not scared at all?"

Suzuki looked at the brush and then at the little boy in the painting. "If you asked me an hour ago, I would have said, 'Not at all.' I have never been scared of anything, let alone something inevitable like death. But, I'm afraid. I'm scared I'll fail Suzuki. I'm scared I'll fail Kashi. I'm scared I'll lose everyone." Suzuki paused, his frosty gaze cracking for the first time as he muttered, "I'm scared I'll lose you."

Jade quickly sat up but grimaced when she saw the familiar frost return to Suzuki's eyes.

The young man looked at Jade. "If you're scared, why are you still here? You could ask to leave. I'm sure Genaco would protect you, considering your grandfather and everything you know."

Jade snorted. "I told you. I hate sitting behind while you guys go off to protect me. Growing up, my dad and I moved around a lot. I've never had a posse I could call my own. You're insane if you think I'll let you guys do anything without me. Even if it's fighting a bunch of aliens."

"So, it's not the fear that cripples." Suzuki looked at the little boy in the painting and gave a rare, wry chuckle. "Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the strength to rise in spite of that fear."

"What're you talking about?"

Suzuki shook his head. "Nothing. I just realized I owe some message boards an apology. Fairy Tail really does have the best lesson."

"Huh?"

Suzuki walked over to the wall. With a few swipes, several small figures stood behind the small boy, their hands placed firmly on his back. Without changing the boy's stance, he put a spear in his right hand and stepped back.

"Wow." Jade gaped, eyes wide. With just a few strokes, the entire painting's vibe changed. It was no longer a child cowering in front of death but rather one defying the very concept, empowered by the trust of his companions.

"Yeah. The power of friendship really is Overpowered..."