Chapter 20

A busy morning ended in Navile's misfortunes. He had been totally pranked by Sachi, Kana, and of course Neil. Navile really didn't realize those three people had such unexpected initiative. And, their goal was all but one, to make Navile show a expression on his face.

Neil almost made Navile smile, and he could make Navile angry and disappointed at the same time. And worst of all, Neil could get Navile very excited during their sparring sessions.

However, that was nothing compared to Sachi and Kana's crazy idea. They managed to make Navile panic with the fake news that Veda was in danger. As a result, Navile rambled on and on about many things, making him look like a old man giving advice to his children.

"Don't go too far with your jokes. What if the fake news you made up comes true. I' m not wishing it, but they say that sometimes words can become wishes."

Navile kept saying that same string of words every time he met Sachi's eyes. It had gotten to the point where Navile could probably win the record for the most consistent speaker. He didn't change it, add or subtract any words.

Even after Neil kept his promise by making Navile a fluffy cheesecake topped with Navile's favorite berry jam, Navile's mood still didn't get better.

" Alright, alright... If you keep saying that, you'll grow old like me, Navile," said Neil, who couldn't stand the unpleasant atmosphere that filled the room.

"We did go too far with the joke this morning, but you went even further. Aren't you tired of repeating the same thing all day?" added Kana, who was also frustrated.

Navile looked at her uncle and aunt one after the other, and judging from his face, he seemed to want to say something, but as soon as he opened his mouth slightly, he closed it again and released the annoyance that was still lingering in his heart with a long and slightly rough sigh.

"Alright, but don't do that again. I don't like jokes that bring up Vedas."

Neil and Kana both nodded at almost the same time. Meanwhile, Sachi just silently looked at Navile who was sitting in front of her with a weird gaze.

"Why don't you say anything, Sachi? Do you think this is all funny?"

Sachi simply nodded her head as soon as Navile finished his words. Whether she understood Navile's feelings or not, the feeling of nosiness was still growing.

"Alright, I apologize for my joke earlier. I'll do a better one next time. Okay?" said Sachi with an enthusiastic look on her face.

Navile sighed once again as he saw the childish Sachi. But he couldn't do anything to change Sachi's attitude. " Whatever you say, I'll leave it at that," he retorted.

Seeing the two students' similar immature attitudes, Neil immediately changed the direction of the conversation. He couldn't let Sachi's pranks to go on. Furthermore, it wasn't a good time to keep joking around since Navile and Sachi were about to return to their mission.

"So, today you guys will be going to the exam grounds?" Neil interrupted.

Navile nodded, as well as Sachi. But neither of them showed any interest in Neil's question. As if there was something else they'd rather be doing. Neil had already guessed it. Navile and Sachi must be worried about Veda. It had been two days since they left Veda, the center of the fleet they were supposed to guard.

Navile rose from her seat, as if he was being pulled into the realization of the mission he had to carry out, which was to keep an eye on the progress of the Defender recruitment exams. And today was the first day of exams that would be held in each Division's district. Before the Defender trainees took the field test that would be conducted on Planet Eldian next week.

Seeing Navile rise, Sachi rose as well, followed by Kana and Neil. The atmosphere became awkward, like Neil and Kana were sending their two children off to war. But thanks to Neil's cheerful nature, the awkwardness was loosened a little.

"Take it easy, I'm sure you won't be bored and you'll be playing a lot, playing with monsters I mean. Every time an exam is held, there are usually strange things that happen. But don't worry too much, the Captains are also there."

Navile nodded slowly, seeing Neil's always cheerful face in all situations made him curious and couldn't wait to return to sparring with Neil. Also to hone his photon control skills like Neil.

"Of course Uncle, I'll take out all the buggers!" said Sachi cheerfully. Her mood had changed quickly. Whereas before she was like a child who missed her mother, but once she remembered they were going to face monsters, she became excited again.

Neil and Kana escorted their two pupils to the outside of the traditional-style Kyoritsi Cake Shop.

"You two should be careful and don't push yourselves. If there is danger, you must prioritize your safety and Veda's first. Okay?" Kana said.

After nodding at the same time as Sachi, Navile gave a verbal command to the nanobot floating next to him to switch into sword mode. Then he swung the Soul Boa sword slowly in the air after remembering the place he was going to, District 4, where Division 4 or the Offensive Division was located.

There were at least a few reasons they only look at Division 4, the Assault Division contains people who will fight on the front lines to protect the fleet from the enemy. In addition, Division 4's exams were harder than the other divisions because they dealt with force and combat.

The last reason was that whenever the Defender entrance exam was held, Division 4 was always the target of the Dolls' attack. Whistle Fleet had even canceled the Defender entrance exam because of this. Even in this exam, the security was tightened, so that Veda, who was the core of the fleet, sent her personal guards to supervise. And those guards are Navile and Sachi, special forces called Returners, artificial intelligences that have some of Veda's photon power in their bodies.

Within seconds, from the swing of Navile's sword, a line of white light appeared and slowly the dimensional gate opened. Navile and Sachi stepped inside without hesitation.