Prologue, Episode 1

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...It was all my fault.

My decisions, and everything they led to.

It had to come to this for me to realize that you were right all along...

...I know this is very shameless of me, but I must ask for your help.

Sensei.

You'll forget these words, but it won't matter.

Even without your memories, you'll probably make the same decision under the same circumstances...

Which is why...what matters are the choices we make, not our past experiences.

There are choices only you can make.

I've spoken of responsibility before.

I didn't truly understand it back then, but I do now.

Adulthood, responsibility, obligation...and the choices you make that extend beyond those ideals.

Even the meaning behind them.

...

Sensei.

You're the one I trust.

Only you can free us from this twisted, distorted fate...

...and find the choices that will lead us to a new reality.

So, Sensei. Please...

...sei.

...Sensei. Wake up.

Sensei!

...

You must've been exhausted. I didn't expect you to fall asleep while waiting, let alone have trouble waking up.

You must have been having a dream. Anyway, gather yourself and focus...

Let me explain the current situation again.

My name is Nanagami Rin, an officer of the General Student Council in the Academy City of Kivotos.

And you're the teacher that we have summoned here...or so it would seem.

Pardon my uncertainty. I only say that because I don't fully understand how you got here.

...

I understand that this must be very confusing for you.

My apologies. However, I would like you to follow me for now.

There's something I need you to do.

...

Let's just say that it's a grave matter that could determine the very fate of the Academy City.

Follow her.

Welcome to Kivotos, Sensei.

Kivotos is a massive city, home to thousands of different academies. This is where you'll be working from now on.

I imagine it's very different from the place you call home. You might find it difficult to get acclimated at first...

...but something tells me that you'll be just fine.

After all, you were chosen by the General Student Council president.

We can leave the rest of the details for later.

There you are, Acting President! We've been waiting! Get the real president in here already!

Huh? Who's that adult next to you?

I've been waiting to see you, Chief Officer.

I'm here to meet with the General Student Council president. The head prefect is demanding answers.

Well... This timing is rather inconvenient.

Hello, guests that represent neighboring academies' student councils, disciplinary boards, and those who otherwise have too much time on their hands.

I am well aware why you idle wanderers, I mean, important representatives, have come here today.

You're here to hold us responsible for the fuss happening in the Academy City. Are you not?

If you're well aware, then do something! You represent the General Student Council!

Thousands of academy districts are in panic! Not to mention, our academy's wind generator shut down just a few days ago!

We've also received intel that a few suspended students escaped the Federal Corrections Bureau's custody.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of thugs attacking our students on their way to school. Public safety is not being properly enforced.

Illegal distribution of tanks, helicopters, and other unknown weapons has increased by over 2000 percent. At this rate, ordinary school life in Kivotos will become a thing of the past.

...

And what's the General Student Council president doing during such a sorry state of affairs? I demand to see her right this instant!

...

The president is not here at the moment. To be frank, she's gone missing.

What?!

...!

So the rumors were true...

Allow me to cut to the chase. The General Student Council has no authority because the top administrator of Sanctum Tower has gone missing.

We had been searching for a way to bypass verification, all to no avail...until now.

You mean you've found a way, Chief Officer?

That is correct.

Sensei here is the answer to our problems.

...?!

!

This person?

Hold up. Who is this "Sensei" you're talking about? What are they doing here in the first place?

They don't seem to be from Kivotos...A teacher would make sense.

This is Sensei. Not only are they going to be teaching in Kivotos, but they've also been personally selected by the General Student Council president.

Chosen by the missing president...? Things are making less and less sense...

R-Right. Nice to meet you, Sensei. I'm Millennium Science School's...

W-Wait, forget introductions...!

Feel free to ignore that annoying girl. Moving on...

Who are you calling annoying?! I-I'm Hayase Yuuka! Make sure you remember that name, Sensei!

...You're here to serve as the advisor for a club that was formed by the General Student Council president.

The Federal Investigation Club: Schale.

This isn't your average club, more like a type of extrajudicial organization. Since it's a federal club, you'll be allowed to register students from any academy in Kivotos.

You're also permitted to conduct battle activities in each academy district without restriction.

However, I do not know why the president would create an organization with this much power.

The Schale club room is about 30 kilometers from here. The building is currently empty, but we had to put something in the basement at the president's request.

And it's my job to take you there.

Momoka. I need a helicopter to take us to the Schale club room.

The Schale club room? ...Oh. The one in the outskirts? Things are kind of crazy over there right now.

What do you mean, "crazy"?

A suspended student escaped from the Corrections Bureau and is wreaking havoc. It's a battlefield over there right now!

What?

They rallied all the thugs in the area and are destroying everything in their path to get revenge on the General Student Council. I hear they've even got a Crusader Tank!

They must be trying to occupy the Schale building because it belongs to the General Student Council. Maybe they think there's something valuable inside.

...

Oh, well. The city's already a dump, so I don't think it'll make that much of a difference, Oh, great! The food I ordered is here. I'll talk to you later!

...

*snaps*

I'm fine... It's just a minor setback. No problem at all.

I'm fine... It's just a minor setback. No problem at all.

(stare)

...?

What? Why are you looking at us like that?

How fortunate of us to have you trustworthy academy representatives here with us.

Huh?

We're going to need your help in bringing peace back to Kivotos. Let's go.

Wait, what? Wh-Where are we going?

Wh-What's going on?!

Why do we have to be the ones to fight them?!

Rin said securing the club room is paramount if they're to regain control of Sanctum Tower.

I get that, but why is busywork like this falling on me?! I'm part of the prestigious student council of my academy!

Ouch! That hurts! What the heck?! Are they using illegal JHP rounds?!

Just take cover, Yuuka. And besides, hollow-points aren't technically considered illegal.

Well, they're illegal at our academy starting right now! That's going to scar!

We need to remember that Sensei is here with us.

Their safety is our top priority. Reclaiming that building comes second.

Hasumi is right. Sensei isn't from Kivotos.

Which means, unlike us, a single bullet could put Sensei in grave danger. Don't forget that!

I know! You can't join us on the battlefield, Sensei. Stay put while we take care of this!

Wh-What? You're going to take command? Well... I guess that makes sense, since you're a teacher.

Wh-What? You're going to take command? Well... I guess that makes sense, since you're a teacher.

Okay. We'll follow your lead.

A student must listen to their teacher. We'll be counting on you.

All right! Let's go!

That battle was much easier than I expected it to be.

...Yeah, you're right.

We were able to fight much more efficiently thanks to Sensei's guidance.

This must be why the General Student Council holds Sensei in such high regard. The president must have had her reasons for choosing Sensei.

I wouldn't mind sharing the battlefield with you again sometime.