Hybrid x Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia Volume 14.5 - Ch 4.2
Previously on Hybrid x Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia...
Gertrude fixed a stern gaze upon Kizuna, who had rushed into the elementary grades teacher's office.
“What’s the urgency? Did you flee from some women’s fight to end up here?”
Kizuna downed a glass of barley tea in one go and immediately poured another.
“Lately, I’ve been experiencing a peculiar sensation.”
“A sensation, you say?”
“It’s as if someone is constantly watching me, or perhaps… peering into my mind? No, it feels more like someone is observing the world through my eyes, from within my head.”
Gertrude’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Boss, that sounds seriously problematic, you know?”
“Problematic!?”
“Yes. It’s a classic symptom indicating you’re not quite right in the head. No doubt about it.”
“Wha-What did you say!?”
“You sound like someone claiming to receive strange signals or to be under external control. It’s a rather clichéd symptom.”
Kizuna crossed his arms and let out a groan.
“But I don’t feel particularly stressed…”
Compared to their past battles against Vatlantis or machine gods, their current lives seemed almost devoid of stimulation. Gertrude sighed in exasperation at Kizuna’s response.
“Boss, you’re simply lacking self-awareness while subconsciously feeling the pressure. It’s because, well, you’ll be having a child soon, right?”
“Th-That’s true, I am feeling some pressure.”
Although it was still several months away, whenever he looked at the belly of his elder sister, with whom he lived, the feeling would surely become more acute soon. A part of him was happy, but undeniably, there was also a sense of being slowly cornered.
“Furthermore, there’s also that troop of stunning girls hounding you for… well, children, aren’t there?”
“Uu…”
Aine, Himekawa, and Yurishia flashed through his mind. And then, for some inexplicable reason, Sylvia’s figure loomed in his thoughts like a final boss.
“S-Surely… it feels like the pressure from everyone is gradually intensifying… they even got intense at night… no…”
Kizuna waved his hands from side to side, as if to ask Gertrude to disregard his last statement.
“Everyone has fought sufficiently. They’ve also experienced numerous dangers… I want them to be able to lead their own lives as soon as possible… that’s how I feel.”
“That’s a commendable answer befitting an honor student, but you’re actually already aware of it yourself, aren’t you? As expected, Boss, you’re simply feeling cornered without consciously realizing it.”
Kizuna’s expression turned grave as he held his head.
“No way… so I’m actually that weak? Even after escaping death so many times…”
Gertrude retrieved a file from her desk and began flipping through its pages.
“Let’s stop with the theatrics. There’s something I need to discuss with you, Boss.”
“That was just theatrics!?”
“Did you think I was serious?”
Gertrude looked at the affronted Kizuna with an expression of weariness.
“It may not be my place to say this, but your mental fortitude is like steel, Boss. There’s no need to worry on that front. If you’re truly concerned, why not visit Professor Shikina? She’d happily strap you to her experimental table, wouldn’t she?”
“The way you put it is a bit much… but, well, she might actually do that.”
Shikina Kei had recently become even more engrossed in her research. Rumors circulated that her methods were becoming increasingly unconventional, with some fellow researchers whispering that her transformation into a mad scientist was progressing, reminding them of Professor Nayuta.
“I’ll head to the lab if this feeling intensifies. Putting that aside, what did you wish to discuss with me?”
“Yes. Even among the elementary grade students, there are several children who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Rather than teaching them with the same curriculum as the others, I believe it would be more beneficial to provide them with specialized attention.”
“I see… you mean to provide tailored instruction that better suits their unique talents?”
“Precisely. Ataraxia’s population is small, so I think it’s best to nurture promising human resources with extra care. Our era was during the AU Collision, so the policy was simply to throw everyone into real combat and foster those who survived—it was that kind of brutal policy.”
Now that she mentioned it, it truly was amazing that he had managed to survive.
“And, do you have a specific proposal?”
“This is just an example, but what about entrusting Setsuna-chan to Amaterasu?”
“But I’m also an amateur when it comes to nurturing someone…”
Moreover, she was his younger sister. Besides, if the time she spent with the members of Amaterasu increased,
“She might discover Boss’s indulgence towards Amaterasu and enter her rebellious phase.”
“Watch your wording!”
Even if she was jesting, Gertrude’s suggestion warranted consideration.
“Understood. I’ll try discussing it with Nee-chan later. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes. It’s truly a huge help to have such a direct line with Ataraxia’s leadership.”
Kizuna bid farewell to Gertrude and departed from the elementary grade school building.
A premonition struck him: soon, it would be his turn to mentor the next generation. Yet, as a member still in active service, numerous responsibilities remained. Furthermore, Amaterasu's current roster was still comprised of its core members, making a generational handover impractical at this precise moment. It seems we've reached this point. Kizuna boarded a commuter bus halted at the curb, en route to the laboratory.