Shoun, Kaze, and Robin moved at a steady pace through the gloomy hallways of the lab. After turning a corner, they found a door sealed shut.
—Don't worry, guys. I've got this— Robin began pulling various tools from his bag, but before he could even act, they watched as Shoun kicked the door with his enhanced leg, knocking it down in the process—...I guess we could've done that too.
Without saying much more, the three entered the sealed room. Inside, there were numerous machines and screens. The screens were on but displayed a familiar static that sent chills down their spines.
—Could this be a surveillance room?— the masked man asked as he observed the static. He said this because the entire room reminded him of the kind of facilities shown in movies.
—Could be. Let's keep going— Before he could continue, they were interrupted by the sound coming from the walkie-talkie. Robin picked it up and pressed a button, allowing Deuz's familiar voice to come through.
—Are you there? Can you hear me?
—We hear you, Deuz. What's up?
—We can't move forward. There's a heavy metal door blocking our path. No devices or switches nearby.
—Can't you break it down?— Shoun asked, joining the conversation.
—What kind of brute would think of breaking it down first?... Well, it seems Sein— Deuz said from the other side, watching as Sein fruitlessly struck the door with his sword. On the side of the three apprentices, Shoun lowered his gaze while Robin looked at him with a mocking expression.
—We're in a room full of machines right now. We'll see what we can do. Stay put.
—Alright— After Deuz's words, Robin approached one of the machines and began fiddling with the buttons. Meanwhile, Shoun and Kaze leaned against a wall and a chair, respectively.
—Hey, Robin, can I ask you something?
—That's already a question, but sure, Kaze. What do you want to know? Something about my great engineering skills, my talent for building devices, or maybe my brilliant mathematical mind?— Robin replied playfully as he managed to activate the screens for proper operation. On one of them, they could see Deuz and Sein leaning against a wall. From the expression on the boy with the beret's face, it was clear he was suffering from whatever Sein was telling him.
—Are you a man or a woman?— The playful expression on Robin's face vanished instantly, replaced by a serious look as he focused on the screens and the machine. Shoun simply shook his head.
—(I should've expected something like this could happen.)
—...I'm neither a man nor a woman— Robin replied curtly. Kaze, unable to read the room, continued with his questions.
—If you're neither a man nor a woman, what are you?
—I repeat, I'm neither. That should be enough to answer your question. Do you have a problem with that answer?— Robin responded, clearly on the defensive.
—Why would I have a problem with that answer? You're different from the other people I know, but that doesn't mean it's bad— At that response, both Robin and Shoun relaxed. The young man knew that the topic of Robin's identity was delicate for the scientist, but he allowed it to happen anyway. If Kaze was ever going to functionally integrate into society, he needed to learn how to navigate conversations and when to stop them.
—...It's not— Robin finally pressed a few buttons, and a particular screen lit up, showing a loading bar. He announced this both to those in the room and through the walkie-talkie—The door should open in a bit. Let me know if you need anything else.
—Understood— After that brief exchange with Deuz, the room fell silent. Everyone waited for the bar to finish loading to ensure there were no issues.
—Can I ask you another question?
—That's already a question. Why are you so interested in asking me things?— Robin replied, this time without much enthusiasm for joking.
—Beyond your gender, I find your existence itself curious— Shoun found it curious that Kaze knew the meaning of the word "gender," but he didn't comment on it at the time.
—What do you mean by that?
—Well... I don't know how close you and Shoun are as friends, but even if you're not, it's strange that you can work for the government knowing what they did to him— The room fell into an uncomfortable atmosphere this time. Neither Shoun nor Robin was unaware of the peculiarity of their "friendship." In any other context, they got along well and were able to work together, but when the scientist's job was added to the mix, any chemistry between them was cut off. Both knew this, which is why they avoided talking about it in a possible life-or-death situation like a mission in the mirror world, where that chemistry was vital—something Kaze completely ignored.
—...It's more complicated than it seems... I'm different from others. Many people treat me differently because of who I am. I also despise all the vile actions of the government, but they don't treat me like a freak. There, they see more than just my gender— Robin said melancholically, lowering his gaze.
—But Robin, you are a freak.
—What!?— The scientist was taken aback by Kaze's sudden change of tone, but it was quickly explained.
—It's not common for people as smart as you to exist. Your talents and eloquent personality make you a rare and valuable freak.
—Pfft! Hahaha!— For the third time in a row, Kaze failed to navigate the conversation properly, but this time it had a positive outcome, making both Robin and Shoun burst into laughter—Well, if you put it that way, I guess being a freak isn't so bad.
—And one of the rarest and most valuable freaks, with lots of legs and four eyes! Hahaha— Shoun joked between laughs.
—Hey! You can't talk with an S-grade ability! Plus, you like men!
—Why bring up my sexuality, and of all people, you're the one doing it!
—Is Shoun gay?— Deuz asked curiously from the other end of the line.
—Indeed, Shoun is gay. Didn't you know?— Sein's voice could also be heard responding to Deuz.
—Were you listening this whole time!?
—I thought I turned it off— Robin said, scratching his head and picking up the walkie-talkie.
—I guess?
—Don't worry, Robin. We won't treat you differently! After all, we're all freaks in our own way!— Sein exclaimed from the other end of the line. Just after those words, the door finally opened—Oh, it's open! We'll keep moving forward. Be careful!
Finally, they silenced the communication line and prepared to move on to the next room.
—Hey, Kaze, thanks.
—Why are you thanking me, Robin?
—I didn't know I needed to hear that... Ever since I started identifying as who I really am, many people have rejected me, as I said before... Hearing the other side makes me feel happier. Sorry for being a bit harsh earlier.
—Don't worry about it.
—By the way, Kaze, how do you know the meaning of "gender"? I expected you to confuse it with "sex."
—Aren't they the same thing?— The masked man's response left both young men momentarily stunned, but without delay, they proceeded to explain the meaning of gender and sex, as well as their differences.
—(Robin... From this conversation and what I've inferred before, I know he has his reasons, likely emotional ones, for working with the government... Can I trust him? He really holds all the cards in our situation. If he were to report us to his superiors, it would put us in a bad position, essentially forcing us to do whatever he wants to keep him quiet...)— With these dark thoughts, the young man turned his gaze to Robin, who was now chatting animatedly with Kaze—(It's not a question of whether I can trust Robin. I must trust Robin. He's my teammate, and I know he won't betray us. The gap between us isn't, and won't be, an obstacle to us working together.)— Having reached a satisfactory resolution to his concerns, Shoun joined the lively conversation led mainly by the scientist.
The three young men continued advancing until they encountered a metal door very similar to the one that had blocked Deuz and Sein's path. Meanwhile, on their side, those two had reached a machine-filled area similar to the one they had used earlier. So, Robin, through his walkie-talkie, helped Deuz open the door, with little to no—or even counterproductive—help from Sein.
After opening the door, everyone moved forward, reuniting the five of them at a point where both paths connected.
—So, it was necessary to go through both paths to get here— Shoun commented disinterestedly as he observed a large metal door, different yet similar to the ones that had blocked their way. This one was much larger, had a metallic blue tone, and gave off an unsettling vibe under his gaze. Just beyond it was the objective of their mission.
—Or for two people to traverse them simultaneously— Sein added, smiling at Deuz, who looked like he had aged ten years in the time they were separated.
—Don't ever leave me alone with this... kid again— Deuz seemed to want to add more but held back under Shoun's accusatory gaze.
—Haah... Let's prepare better. It's an alpha wretch, after all. We can't get overconfident just because we killed an alpha brute— Everyone nodded and prepared their respective weapons. With Robin's inclusion, they decided that Deuz would join the offense alongside the others, while the scientist would stay in the rear, covering them with his weapon.
Without further delay, they approached the large blue door. As it opened, a large amount of smoke poured out. The lights flickered on one by one, and from the shadows emerged a Vestige that walked on two legs, resembling a hyena. Its gray fur was stained with multiple unknown liquids, adding a disheveled touch to its fierce appearance. Its black eyes and claws stared intently at them, while smoke, almost like foam, poured from its mouth. What stood out most about the hyena was the large, glowing blue sphere embedded in its chest.
The Vestige lunged quickly at the young men. Sein raised his golden sword and empowered all the apprentices. Without delay, seeing the creature dangerously close, Deuz summoned a sea of tentacles that momentarily paralyzed the Vestige, giving Shoun enough time to approach in his Balance Voltage state and land a powerful kick directly to the creature's face. Robin also acted at that moment, firing his weapon. A green laser shot across the room, hitting one of the creature's arms, dismembering it and sending the Vestige flying into a wall.
Enraged, the hyena began releasing even more smoke than before, this time a foul-smelling purple haze.
—It's poison!— Sein warned, as he quickly felt a sensation similar to being cursed. At the warning, the masked man acted swiftly, deploying his cloak to clear the toxic air.
—We need to finish this thing quickly!— At Deuz's shout, everyone rushed at the hyena. With two daggers, the boy with the beret sliced off one of the creature's legs. Sein and Kaze worked together to take care of the remaining arm. Shoun, meanwhile, paralyzed the Vestige with his ability, allowing Robin to deliver the final blow with a direct shot to the head.
[You have slain the "Madness of Smoke," an alpha wretch.]
—Sorry if it goes to my head, but it seems like as long as we're together, we can overcome any obstacle!—