“War?”

Senator Alexandre nodded, as he addressed the class. “Five hours ago, our intelligence services received the report that the Eastern Territories teleported five full divisions into the Southern Continent in a surprise attack on the build-up of Southern forces at Fortresses Heimdall and Gungnir. The Western Holdings, at the same time, sent fifteen legions over to lay siege on three major cities.”

“That’s a lot of men…”

“Yeah, if we add the Eastern and Western forces together, it’s just slightly smaller than the number of troops the South sent in the Second Extermination…”

“Nakama,” whispered Gaius, “How big is a legion?”

She tilted her head. “I think it’s around five thousand people. I remember someone saying that…in a dream?”

Gaius coughed involuntarily, and then raised his hand.

The senator smiled at him. “Go on.”

“Pardon me for my ignorance, sir, but how big is a legion and a division?”

Understanding dawned on Senator Alexandre’s face as he nodded sympathetically. “A legion’s around five to six thousand men, and the standard Eastern division size is around fifteen thousand men. All these numbers include logistics and communications too.”

“So in total…”

“A hundred and fifty thousand combatants. These numbers do not include levies, however, so expect the actual number to be far higher,” said the senator. “Furthermore, the invaders have mustered all their Paragons, even those in reserve, so almost every single Constellation and Southern Paragon are engaged right now.”

“Almost?”

“Gemini has not been spotted for the past few days. Paragon Ortega probably injured him quite badly,” the senator clarified. “Now, this is a good opportunity for us. Right now, the Southern Continent will have pulled out their elites from Heritage, so we should take advantage of this period to scour Heritage as much as possible. Major Degurechaff will brief everyone about this come Friday. Now, if there’s nothing else, everyone’s dismissed. Gaius, could you stay behind for a moment?”

“Yes, sir.”

The others filed out, and eventually, the duelling grounds became deserted once again.

“Sir,” said Gaius, his left hand occupied by Nakama, “you needed something?”

“Indeed,” said Senator Alexandre. “Your close combat skills are…well, impressive doesn’t actually begin to cut the surface, but you get the idea. I would like you to act as my assistant for Advanced Combat.”

He held up his hand, interrupting Gaius’ next words. “Hear me out for a moment. Your sister’s bloodline has been sealed.”

“Sealed?”

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“Yes. Most likely, her parents had done so in order to prevent soldiers of the Second Extermination forces from sniffing her out,” replied Senator Alexandre, his voice this time echoing in Gaius’ mind. “But it has, and will continue to stunt her growth. The sealing was done improperly, and therefore as long as she does not receive a certain amount of nutrients and resources every day, she will never recover. Right now, any evidence of her beast trait will be at most a tattoo on her skin, and it will stay that way if nothing is done.”

“But if you take up the post as Assistant Lecturer for Advanced Combat, I…no, the Heritage Basestation will do everything in their power to release the seal,” continued Senator Alexandre. “The faster it is undone, the higher the chance of undoing any damage to her lifespan.”

The voice transmission ended, and Gaius looked at the little girl holding on to his left hand, who looked back up at him, her eyes an expression of blissful ignorance.

He smiled. “She’ll be in your care then.”

“I’ll make sure that she gets a double portion of food every day. Heritage Basestation will also commission Miss Ziegler to work on an unsealing concoction.” Senator Alexandre smiled. “I am, after all, a Senator of the Congress. I can do these.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Gaius bowed.

“As for you, your main responsibilities would be to act as a sparring partner for the class.” He rubbed his nose. “You probably remember how your teacher taught you, right? Do the same for the other Harvesters.”

I don’t remember how my teacher taught me…or who my teacher was in the first place, thought Gaius. But I do remember how I taught my own students. I guess that should work.

“I can do that,” replied Gaius.

“Excellent. Harves—Lecturer Gaius, to a happy partnership.” The senator extended his hand, and the eleven-year old boy gripped it.

“To a happy partnership.”

“I must say, I am looking forward to seeing the expressions on the class when you reveal yourself as an assistant lecturer…and when you beat them in the ring.” Lecturer Alexandre snickered. “Now, before I forget, you should follow me to the Heritage Ops centre to get your new position and privileges registered.”

“Privileges? Other than the agreement we just had?”

“Naturally,” replied the senator. “Well, you’ll hear about it when you get there. I assure you that the benefits are good enough that you wouldn’t regret taking on my offer. Come on, let’s get a move on.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re a lecturer now, so don’t call me Sir. Alexandre will do.”

“…Alexandre.”

“Excellent.”

The little girl laughed loudly and tugged at Gaius’ hand, who returned the favour by rubbing her head. As the three walked together, a Harvester dashed past them, a man on his back. It looked like a soldier, and for a moment, Gaius wondered how a sentry had gotten injured here.

“Do sentries get injured in Heritage Basestation, si—Alexandre?”

“Very rarely,” replied the senator. “But since our medical facilities are incredibly advanced, we do get emergency cases from upstairs.”

Upstairs…Gaius mulled on the word, and then realised that it referred to the main world, the Orb above. “Doesn’t that run the risk of leaking a couple of secrets?”

“It does, but it can’t be helped. Life above all,” replied Senator Alexandre.

“I like those words,” said Gaius. He looked at the twitching soldier being carried by the Harvester. “Poor guy. I think he’s having a seizure, so why is he being carried like that?”

“A seizure? What’s that?”

“Oh…” Gaius fumbled for a moment. “It’s, err, used to refer to when people twitch or convulse uncontrollably. The person doesn’t even need to be conscious for that to happen.”

“Hmm, there’s such a condition, eh?” The senator patted Gaius’ shoulder. The boy was around three-quarters of his height, but it seemed a bit disrespectful to pat him on his head, especially given that Gaius was his new assistant. “Maybe you managed to hear of this term when you were living with your sister before the war.”

Gaius decided not to correct him, since it would make explaining the term much harder. He looked at the Harvester vanishing into the distance, and then shook his head in pity. Orb really isn’t advanced in technology and medicine…I wonder if they hold funerals here, or do they bring the body upstairs?