Arriving at the outskirts of Leighburne, the two investigators could already see how much the outbreak had affected the area.

Leighburne was a fairly large town, almost considered a city if it weren't for the low number of residents. In the past it was famous for its produce, most notably its sprawling tomato fields. However now, such beautiful landscapes that many would visit for tourism, were reduced to almost nothing. The faint smell of rotting vegetables and blood filled the air, the roads slightly sticky wherever you stepped. The once prosperous town was destroyed. Those were the cooms effects of an outbreak.

Ren clenched his attachment unit tightly, the sight reminding him of an event in the past. His grit teeth caused concern in Olivia, though she didn't want to bring it up; in fear of upsetting him. The only thing she could do was smile and drag him towards the temporary tents that were set up.

"Come on come on let's get moving! We got a job to do right?" Olivia said, trying her best to be comforting.

Ren looked at her with a blank expression before quickly snapping out of his trance. He laughed off his darkness, nodding his head in agreement.

"You're right. I'm sorry it's just that seeing Festers take over a town... It just doesn't sit right with me" Ren explained.

Olivia was silent for a while before smiling back at him.

"You don't have to explain why you're upset. Nobody can tell you what you can, and can't be upset about" Olivia retorted.

Ren felt a bit better after hearing that, patting her head as a thank you. In response, Olivia made an unsightly face, making him regret doing it.

As the two entered the tent with the letter A written outside of it, they saw the various squadron A members huddled inside. They all turned to Ren and Olivia with various expressions on their faces. However for a moment, they all looked disappointed, before returning back to their duties. Most were low ranking Operators tasked to take care of menial labour, though some high ranking ones sat by themselves, preparing for a tough battle ahead.

Ren noticed Sieg talking to some Operators, walking up towards him to ask about the situation.

"Right... Well we got a sudden report of a mass outbreak of plant type festers. About 60% of the population managed to escape, while 35% were gravely injured" Sieg explained.

"What about the 15%?" Ren asked, hesitantly.

He already knew the answer, but the look of sadness in Sieg's eyes only confirmed his suspicions. He held his face for a moment, before taking a deep breath. From the back, Olivia could tell the shift in Ren's demeanor. Well it was easy to notice, since his kind smile turned into a cold glare. She held her hand to her chest, sighing.

Ren bowed to Sieg before walking off, telling him that he needed to prepare. Sieg nodded, before noticing Olivia in the crowd. He dropped his worried expression, putting on a stern one instead as he approached her.

"And why are you here? I thought I told you that you were off the team?" Sieg said, crossing his arms.

Olivia was startled for a moment, as she began stuttering. Her nervousness didn't help her case with Sieg, believing that she wasn't fit for work right now.

"Just go home... You can come back once you're in a better mental state." Sieg said, turning around.

He began walking away, thinking nothing of Olivia. However, his views would be challenged by Olivia in a way he didn't expect.

Oliver grabbed her attachment unit case, before flipping it open. She pointed it at Sieg, gripping the handle as tightly as she could. Sieg turned around, his eyes glowing with pink descent energy.

"I said you can leave. Your little tantrum wo-" but before he could finish his sentence Olivia did something unbelievable. Though it was more stupid than unbelievable.

She put the katana blade up to her throat, before staring Sieg dead in the eyes.

"If I can't even help innocent people when their home has been destroyed and ravaged by these monsters, then I don't deserve to live!" Olivia exclaimed.

The entire tent was in shock by her actions. Some tried to calm her down, others gossiped about her, some even began glaring at her. However the only reaction she cared about, was Sieg's. She wanted to prove to him that she'd do anything to protect others. That she was worthy of being an A tier cadet.

She closed her eyes for a moment, before looking up at Sieg. To her surprise, his glare became even stronger. His sharp glare felt like foxes clawing and biting at her soul. She for a moment, regretted her decision. Though she quickly reaffirmed herself, holding the handle tighter. Sieg raised his chin up a bit before looking down. He began laughing as he shook his head slightly.

"Not only... Did you try to jump out of a building after being caught hurting an injured patient... But now you threaten me? And not just threaten me with something like blackmail, or death... But with your own life? And you expect me... To just listen to you?" Sieg said, sounding incredibly disappointed.

Olivia bit her inner cheeks before speaking.

"Yeah! Cause I don't wanna be told that I can't hel-" but before she could finish her sentence, Sieg yelled at her.

"Who told you that you could speak?!"

His voice caused her to freeze for a moment. It wasn't just her though; everyone in the tent froze completely. They were obviously scared, but they didn't move because of that. They didn't move because they couldn't. Sieg cleared his voice before apologizing.

"Right... I apologise for that little outburst... It's just, you've clearly proven that you're unfit to work. So please, leave now..." Sieg said in a kinder, more sincere tone.

Olivia was about to just give up and listen to his orders like she always did, but something inside her told her to fight back for once. That, she needed to help. If she didn't, she would just be worthless. Wouldn't she?

She put down her blade, before getting on her knees.

"Please... I wanna help. I have to...." Olivia begged Sieg.

Looking down at her, Sieg sighed. He held his face, contemplating what to do. Olivia not only went against his authority, but also threatened to end her own life. It was clear to him that she was unfit to battle. However, seeing the poor girl on her knees, trying her best to hold back her tears, he couldn't help but think.

"I already caused a scene... And she's literally begging on her knees... Damnit I'm gonna regret this but..."

He crouched down to Olivia's level, before looking at her with a slightly embarrassed and guilty expression on his face.

"H- hey... Don't be like that. You can join the mission... But if you go against my orders, or I believe you're not fit to fight anymore.... You'll go back home got it?" Sieg said, tracing circles on the floor.

Olivia looked at him before nodding. She sniffled before getting up. She dusted herself off as she turned to everyone with a glare.

"You all say anything about what happened today, and you're dead meat! Got it?!" Olivia yelled.

All low ranking, and even some mid tier operators nodded as they began shaking in fear. Olivia calmed herself down, before taking a stroll outside.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

She felt a little embarrassed about her stunt earlier, but she felt like she needed to do it. That everyone was relying on her to help. Her hands in her pockets, she clenched her fists tightly.

"I have to... Everyone is relying on me." Olivia thought to herself, repeating that mantra over and over again in her head.

Too focused on her self-justification, Olivia didn't realise that she had made it all the way to Squadron C's side. She panicked a bit before turning around as quickly as possible. As she was turning though, she noticed a strange sight. She saw Katherine walking towards the squadron C tent along with Yue and Oliver. She was incredibly confused why Katherine was there, and even more confused as to why she was with Oliver. Being the nosy big sister she was, Olivia quickly hid behind some bushes, observing the three interacting.

"Sorry for making you come all the way here dear. I can't believe I left my attachment unit at home..." Yue said, shaking her head.

Katherine chuckled before handing the case to her.

"It's no biggie. I mean I was already on my way here, so might as well help my mom right?" Katherine said nonchalantly.

Olivia was shocked by this revelation. She never put two and two together, but now that she had this information, a lot of things began to make sense.

"So that's why Ren has blue hair... I always thought he dyed it… I'd like it either way though heheheheh"

Shaking off her thoughts about Ren, she focused back on their conversation. Looking at Oliver in particular, she noticed how happy he looked.

"I guess my Master has a really bad memory..." he said, smirking at her.

Olivia blinked a few times, confused by him calling Yue his master. Various thoughts ran through her fish brain, before settling on the GENIUS idea that Oliver had suddenly become indebted to Yue and was now forced to be her butler. This thought was quickly shut down as Yue smacked the back of Oliver's head, calling him a bad student.

"Gosh could it kill you to be nice, Madam Yue?" Oliver said, in an exasperated tone.

Yue rolled her eyes, but Katherine began laughing at his boldness. Her laughter made Oliver a bit flustered, thinking that she was mad at him.

"I never knew you had the guts to make fun of my mother, Oliver." Katherine said as she laughed.

Yue turned to Katherine with a look of betrayal, since she expected her daughter of all people to back her up. Oliver meanwhile, was relieved that she wasn't mad at him, but looked rather embarrassed by Katherine's statement.

"S- sorry I didn't mean to! It's just... I believe a student and teacher should have a fun relationship right?" Oliver said laughing awkwardly.

Yue glared at Oliver intensely, but Katherine managed to calm her down a bit.

"Mama please chill out would ya? I mean it's all fun and games. You wouldn't want your disciple to lose interest right?" Katherine retorted.

Yue sighed, before nodding in agreement.

“I agree… Although he hasn't shown himself worthy of being my disciple… he's far too reckless.” Yue said, her facial expression softening.

Oliver was shocked that Katherine calmed Yue down so easily, to him it was like witnessing a little girl taming a ferocious dragon. He quickly snapped out of his shock induced trance after hearing Yue ask Katherine the reason she was defending Oliver. Katherine paused for a moment before smirking. She looked at Oliver with a sly leer, something anybody could see was fake.

"Who knows? Maybe he enchanted me" Katherine said in a cheery tone before walking off.

She made sure to put a bounce in her step, to really sell her façade.

Staring out into space, Oliver had given up on life. He couldn't see it, but he knew Yue was giving him the most bone chilling, mind destroying, soul crushing glare. He thought for a moment about his will, remembering that he never wrote one. He cursed his poor hindsight, as well as Katherine who put him in this situation. Trying to look at anything other than Yue, Oliver sensed another murderous aura coming from the bushes.

Olivia jumped out of the bushes before angrily pointing at Oliver. Oliver was surprised to see his sister, asking her why she was sitting in the bushes.

"That's not important! Ain't no way you're already dating Katherine! I don't believe it!" Olivia said, sounding a bit jealous.

Oliver denied her accusations, exclaiming that it was all just a misunderstanding.

"Katherine is just joking! I haven't done anything with her I swear!" Oliver said defensively.

He heard the sound of a tongue clicking beside him, turning to find Yue shaking her head in disappointment.

"How awful. You can't even take responsibility. I can't believe my daughter is dating such an awful man" Yue said, crossing her arms.

"I told you I'm not dating her!! And I don't like the implication you're bringing up!" Oliver yelled back at Yue.

Yue scoffed as she turned around, making her way back into the tent. Lifting up the fabric that blocked the entrance, she turned her head to face him.

"You can rejoin us after you've taken responsibility for my future grandchild" Yue said, coldly.

"We haven't even held hands yet you old crone!"

Sighing to himself, Oliver crouched down. He held his head as he began messaging his temples.

"Ugh I just got discharged, but I feel like I'm gonna get admitted again..." Oliver thought to himself.

Calming down a bit, he looked up at his sister who was pouting and crossing her arms. He glared before patting his knees and standing up.

"Don't look at me like a criminal gosh. Do I need to talk about your relationship with Captain Ren?" Oliver asked, putting one hand on his hip.

Olivia immediately became defensive, vehemently denying his accusations.

"It's merely a small one sided crush. Nothing more." Olivia said, looking away from Oliver.

He laughed sarcastically before looking at her seriously. Still looking away, she gave him the side eye, wondering what he was thinking. In his head, Oliver was thinking of how to bring up his revelation to her.

Looking at her with a horrified expression on his face, Oliver gulped before becoming serious.

"What do you mean trauma?" He asked, a bit hesitant.

Yue looked back at him, looking a bit annoyed.

"Isn't it obvious? Descent energy comes from emotions and memories of a being, and what's a memory that is so intense, and lasts for so long, that it would be enough to make someone awaken to such powers" Yue explained.

Oliver nodded, though he wasn't satisfied with the answer. Not that he didn't believe her, but if what she said was true, then it meant that Oliva went through something extremely traumatic, without him knowing about it for years. That couldn't be the case. They were inseparable since they were children. If she went through anything, he'd be the first one to know.

"Maybe I'm being way to self-absorbed... But I don't think my sister had gone through any trauma" Oliver commented, clenching his fist.

Yue raised her chin, as if looking down on him.

"You really believe that?" Yue asked.

Oliver hesitated for a moment, before nodding. Yue lowered her head back to its normal position before uncrossing her arms and legs.

"What about your parents death?" Yue asked.

Oliver without hesitation, looked her dead in the eyes, before telling her that their death wouldn't have caused trauma. Hearing that made Yue laugh mockingly.

"I knew you were a fool, but I didn't expect you to be an idiot. The death of ones parents would be extremely traumatic. Even if your parents were abusive, or neglectful. Their death would be a traumatic memory" Yue said, glaring at Oliver.

He looked away, as if he was a bit embarrassed, but mostly because he needed to think for a moment. After he knew what he was going to say, he relaxed until his chair before looking her in the eyes.

"Yeah... If we remembered it..."

Putting his hands in his pockets, Oliver began rocking back and forth. He really didn't know how to ask his sister "hey have you ever gone through any trauma?". I mean who would? He might as well just tell her "hey I'm a horrible brother that can't remember if anything bad happened to you lol".

"Damnit! Why'd it have to be like this?! It was easier when I believed descent energy was magic!" Oliver thought to himself, grimacing.

Seeing the discomfort on his face, Olivia placed her hands on her hips before narrowing her eyes.

"If you wanna say something... Say it" Olivia said, looking a bit disappointed.

Oliver sighed, before taking one hand out of his pocket and rubbing the back of his head. He winced a bit before looking at her with a bit of guilt.

"Are you... Ok?"

Olivia blinked a few times before laughing hysterically. She literally began rolling on the floor, as Oliver looked at her with both annoyance and embarrassment.

"Hey I asked a real question!" Oliver yelled.

Olivia began apologising, though she was still laughing her ass off, kicking her feet as she laid on the ground. After a while, Oliver helped his sister up as she wiped away her tears.

"Sorry sorry... That was just like... Super out of left field. But... Yeah I guess I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

Oliver winced again before mumbling his answer. Olivia put her hand up to her ear, asking him to speak up. He increased his volume by a miniscule amount, forcing her to ask again.

"I said I was just worried ok!" Oliver shouted, looking embarrassed.

Olivia was stunned for a moment by the loud sound, taking a few moments to recover.

"Hold up... Hold up... Okay I'm ok" Olivia said, wobbling a bit.

Oliver quickly apologized for yelling, only for Olivia to tease him.

"What you worried about big sis? Don't you know I'm the strongest?" She said proudly, pointing at herself with her chest puffed.

Oliver laughed softly, before looking down.

"You don't always have to be strong you know? If there's anything that's bothering you, you can talk to me. Or talk to anyone for that matter" Oliver said, fidgeting with his scarf.

Olivia was a bit surprised at his sudden sincerity. He wanted to tease him for it, but found it too sweet.

"Yeah... I'll do that. Thanks" she smiled.

Oliver quickly got his act together, standing up straight and clearing his throat.

"Yeah whatever loser. I'm going to go back to my tent or whatever or something I don't know" he said, obviously flustered.

Olivia smirked before walking off with her hands in her pocket.

"Yeah yeah whatever dork. Catch you on the field Kay? Whoever kills the most Festers; the other has to pay for frozen yoghurt!" Olivia retorted.

Oliver shook off his embarrassment before smirking. He turned his back to her before proudly telling her that she would be the one paying this time.

"Oh confident today are we?" Olivia smiled.

"Of course, I have to show my big sister that her lil bro isn't so little anymore" Oliver said in response.

Olivia was silent for a moment, a bit annoyed by his response. Even still, she gave him a playful middle finger, as he gave one back.

"See ya later loser" they both said in unison.

Walking inside his squadron's tent, Oliver found it completely empty. Well at least he believed It was. It was far too dark for him to see.

"I swore that the extermination hadn't begun yet... Where is everyone?" Oliver thought to himself, a bit worried.

Heading deeper inside, he felt some eyes staring at him. He pulled out his attachment unit, flipping it open to reveal a dagger. He grimaced a bit after realising the type of weapon he was given.

"Why is it always close combat ones?!" Oliver thought.

Still, it was an SS rank attachment unit made from a disaster class Fester. So whoever, or whatever was inside the tent, would have a hard time dealing with him. Gripping the handle tightly, Oliver pointed the blade at the shadows.

"Come out! I won't hesitate to hurt you!" Oliver said, shaking a bit.

Out of the shadows, Sebastian walked out with his hands up, and an annoyed expression.

"Gosh why do you always have to ruin everything?" Sebastian said exasperatedly.

Oliver blinked a few times, before tilting his head a bit.

"Huh?" He said rather innocently.