Researcher

Lord Pan Pan? The seat the Premier has prepared for you is over here.

Yep, got it. When is the opening ceremony of the Sports Meet?

It should start in a few minutes. It is thanks to Her Majesty Raeon. I thought that the Sports Meet will never be held because there are many factions that can take part, and the participants' origins are not taken into account.

A war like that happened more than ten years ago after all. The relationship between the various forces has been tense. The current Sports Meet was proposed and held to ease that tension as well.

As expected of the Premier's tutor. Your wisdom is impressive... Ah, the opening ceremony seems to be starting. I shall take my leave.

Welcome, participants and spectators from different countries. I welcome you all on behalf of Eastrise. As we all know, the Sports Meet of Eastrise is a special event that focuses on sportsmanship, regardless of one's origins.

Here, we can all put aside antagonistic thoughts for the moment and compete only to take the crown of victory. Well then, enjoy this day, everyone!

I will now announce to the world for the first time, the representatives selected by Eastrise for the Sports Meet! For the physical competition... Royal teacher, Pan Pan!

...Huh?!

Oh, isn't this Pan Pan? What do you think of this? That passionate opening speech is fitting for Eastrise and shocking too, eh?

Before we get to that, could Your Majesty explain to me why I've been chosen to be the representative for the Sports Meet? I'm a researcher!

Please calm down. It is true that I decided not to discuss with you beforehand, but there is a reason for me to do so.

...Please tell me your reason for doing so.

It's been almost five years since you became my exclusive teacher. At first, the ministers were clearly opposed to it, but only agreed to it because of your consistent good performance.

And so, I think that I need to show my absolute trust in you at the right time, in front of the major powers. You will show them all.

Is that why I was chosen to be one of the Eastrise representatives for the Sports Meet... You trust me that much, Your Majesty Raeon?

You are good enough to be my personal teacher. I am fully aware of your talent, and your true strength.

...Sigh, I have no choice then. I'll do my best.

The last competitor is ready. Let me explain the rules of this event, weightlifting, to all the participants.

(Isn't it just a competition based on the weight of what you lifted? What's the point of explaining? Let's drink some water first ...)

500 kg barbell, and 1,000m course! All participants have to sprint to the end of the track as fast as they can while keeping the barbell balanced!

Pfft!!!

Oh? Does Pan Pan have any objections? We have a little time before it starts, so you are free to express your opinion.

I have a lot of opinions! Are you really going to have a weight-lifting match?!

Miss Pan Pan, right? I am Senko, a competitor from the Augustine Empire. I have participated in similar events, and this is indeed one of the variations of weightlifting events.

What kind of variant is this... The Empire is too weird... Forget it, we can't count on things like this.

(Hm? Speaking of which, I have definitely met this person before at an academic conference, and she's like me, a specialist in genetic engineering... She has also been chosen as a competitor?)

Okay! Well, the weightlifting event starts now!

The competition ends here! Let's all congratulate the participants who will go on to the next round.

Hah... Hah... Actually... Finished...

Long time no see, Miss Pan Pan. I didn't expect to have a reunion in a place like this.

It has indeed been a long time. But why were you chosen as representative too? Shouldn't this kind of work be something your... combatants are better at?

Ahem, actually I am still considered to be a combatant... Is it not the same for you, Miss Pan Pan?

Ah... True, I am part of the military too.

In that case, I wonder if Miss Pan Pan would mind having a duel with me as a warm-up?

(It will be good to take this opportunity to get some Empire battle data from her.)

Alright, until we reach a certain number of points.

Phew... A fight like that is a delight to the mind and body. Miss Pan Pan, you look weak, but you have a high level of fighting skills.

It's just self-defense... It's almost time too. We should get back to the competition area.

(Why do I feel strange? Was Miss Senko always like this? She doesn't seem to match the person in my memories...)

Gotta head back to the competition now. Ouch!

I got injured while I was fighting Senko just now?

I'll just quickly apply first aid... Can't let it affect the upcoming match.

Alright, participants! Please get ready and listen to the long-distance obstacle race rules.

(My gut's churning, I have a bad feeling about this!)

Contestants need to cross a 2,000-meter obstacle course while preparing three different medicines of different potencies! At the end of the course, we will judge the potions according to their color, and the time taken to complete the race!

(Why is it a weird event again? I am absolutely sure that I have never heard of such a strange thing!)

Miss Pan Pan? What's wrong?

...Nothing. (It's better to focus on this weird race now, and verify any questions after it's over!)

Oh?! Contestant Senko and Contestant Pan Pan have reached the finish line with the fastest times, and they are neck and neck!

Looks like we've both got our tickets to the finals. Let's have our final fight there.

We're finally at the finals of the physical competition! Among the finalists are our royal teacher, Miss Pan Pan, and her archrival from the Empire, Miss Senko!

You sure are popular.

I don't know what's going on. (Have I been in the lab too long?)

The rules for the final event are very simple. Throw the shot put as far as you can! The farther you throw it, the better your score!

Except... the weight of the ''shot put'' will be adjusted depending on what you think you should be carrying. The exact weight of the shot put will vary from person to person!

What?!

Well then, contestants, take your places!

Miss Senko? Your shot put... Why is it so huge?

Ah, it's a weight I should bear, the weight of the result of one of my experiments. Oh, it really is heavy.

You, on the other hand, don't seem to have any extra weight.

...No, I, Um! I still need to focus... focus on the competition!

Huff... huff... I... threw it...

The results have been calculated! Let's congratulate our victor, Miss Pan Pan from Eastrise!

Congrats, Miss Pan Pan. The ''shot put'' you had to throw at the end didn't have much added weight. That was a big help.

...Uh, no, I...

(This is not right. There's something... wrong... I need to bear the... W-What is it?!)

Please accept the gold medal for the physical competition.

...Huh? The back of the medal...

(It's uneven? Are these words?)

Where were you when you experienced this moment? Do not contemplate the absurdity of what you see, but remember the fallacy of what you think does not make sense.

Of course... There's something... something that's not right!

...Miss Senko? Where are the others?! Why has everyone disappeared all of a sudden?!

Who are you?! Why do you look exactly like me? Is this an illusion?!

You should not be able to sense my presence, because I am a part of you that is not needed.

What?! What do you mean by that?!

You look down on the current research and see it as frivolous. You harbor guilt and feel apologetic for the subject... These emotions and memories have been taken away by me. You should be content with everything.

I see. Since a mistake has appeared, I must make you ignore its existence... Resetting the anomalies you perceive is my new goal.

, Uugh!

Damn, I have no way of defeating you... Just what in the world are you?!

Resetting progress, start. Have fun in the next ''today.''

Miss Pan Pan? What is it? The physical competition is over.

I... Yes, I seem to have won the competition. (And what happened after that...? I don't remember a thing.)

(Am I being paranoid?) I'm fine. Since the competition is over, I have to report to the Premier.

Halt! This area is restricted to the royal family, and no one is allowed to enter.

Don't you recognize me? I am the Premier's teacher. I have something to report to her.

Who are you? We do not know such a person.

Enough. What nonsense. I don't know what problem you all have, but don't you think of stopping me.

It looks like polite warnings do not work on you. We'll have to get physical then!

How strange. Why didn't those people recognize me? I have to ask Raeon for an explanation.

Premier!

Ah, another one to see me? What is your name?

...You don't remember me?

What strange things you say... I have never seen your face before, so how would I remember you?

(Wait, what is going on here?! It's been weird since the competition ended... Could this be...)

False consciousness fluctuations detected. Forced shutdown initiated.

...Huh? Why did I come here? Did I want to talk to someone?

Pan Pan... Is that you?

Who else can it be? You're saying strange things.

...''This'' is also deep inside, huh?

Huh? What was that?

Nothing. Oh yes, a team of Raspartans intruded, and they're trying to cause trouble at the Sports Meet. Could you help get rid of them?

Uh... Why are you asking me to help?

No particular reason. Treat it like a small request between fellow officers.

...Sure, leave it to me.

Ugh! W-Why did you suddenly attack us?!

I can't believe there really are... You Raspartan pawns! You will not disturb our celebration.

This should take care of it... Huh? Zawa? When did you get here?

Looks like I got here on time. These data overflows provide enough to store a sentence in the cryptic space... Listen carefully.

Feel the back of the gold medal. Remember what I said.

...What? What do you mean by that?

Looks like it's a failure this time. Well, at least it gets you ready for the next one.