After Life scheduled his training with Yoshino, but before classes ended.

"You want my help with WHAT!?" shouted Science at Life.

Life recoiled a little away from his phone before rolling his eyes, knowing where this was going. "Jeez Louise, it's not THAT bad, I-"

Science was having none of it. "Not that-, Life, buddy, do you comprehend what you are saying in that smooth brain of yours? How in any way is giving someone a weapon that could make them a universal-level powerhouse, not a bad idea? Which," Science chuckled dryly. "Sure won't backfire badly in the future, said no one with basic common sense! But also, as if that wasn't enough, you want ME to be an accomplice to your inane jackassery which would, probably, no, definitely, get me into deep shit? Are you serious?!"

"Yes." Life answered calmly, completely unfazed by Science's rant.

After a moment of silence, Science sighed. Although Life couldn't see Science's face from the other side of the phone call, he could easily guess they were pinching the bridge of their nose in tired resignation. "You are SO lucky that my curiosity to know where this is going is overpowering the screams coming from my head telling me to report you... and I can't help but think you expected that."

"If it makes you feel any better... I'm more than willing to share all the data I acquired on Yoshino with you if you keep this little secret between us, of course. I'll even add a bonus and transfer all the data I've acquired from Nozomi's powers. You will be the first one to be granted access to all the data I'll acquire of them, with everyone else having to wait until my job here's done." Life said with a soft tone, the tone Life used every time he was about to snare someone in one of his schemes.

Life would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to include the data he had about Judai, given his incredible regeneration, or about the habitants of this world, how they reacted exaggeratedly depending on what they were feeling. He also considered the small bit of footage he got from Yvy. However, Life decided to hold on to all of those until he wanted something from Science in the future.

Another wave of silence. This time Life guessed Science was probably biting his lip at that. "I..." Science sighed. "Fine, what do you want?"

A shit-eating grin formed on Life's face as Science finally got to the part that mattered: The part where he would get what he wanted. "It's not something too complicated. I just want you to make it possible for her to use those gloves the same as when I used mine back before Technology created EasyUse. I want to be able to teach her how to make use of them promptly. Can you do that?"

"I mean, I'm a little strapped for time with other projects, but I think I can squeeze it in. But... if you want her to use it so badly without her having to figure out her own way to do it, why don't you just, I don't know, register her into the EasyUse app like you, me, and everyone else who uses over-metal?" Science pointed out.

Life raised a hand to scratch at his chin. "I could... but I have the sneaking suspicion that Technology would detect Yoshino in EasyUse's database."

"Wow, it's almost as if he's expecting the likes of you to pull this bullshit~" Life barely heard Science mutter before the latter continued. "Very well, I'll call back when I've found something. Although... would you mind telling me why you are doing this?"

Life raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to elaborate on that or..."

"No, I mean, like, I get that you said she was weak, even by the standards of this world, but wasn't there any other alternative for you to make her stronger?" Science asked.

After Life gave it some thought, he nodded. "I suppose, yes, I could've brought some permanent stat boosters from Game to make her physically and mentally stronger, and I could get a magical artifact or weapon from Magic, yes, I could have, but I didn't, you wanna know why?"

"Just say it already." Life could feel how Science was rolling his eyes as he said that, but chose not to be deterred.

"Because I need to teach her. Although I can use any weapon by instinct thanks to the experiences of every living thing that has ever lived and is alive passively accumulating inside of me, it only gives the experience, NOT the knowledge. So, I had to come up with something to teach her where I would have the knowledge, experience, and viability for her to use in a real fight. Over-metal was the only thing that would fit those requirements, or at least, the first thing that came to mind." After a moment he added. "And before you ask why I want to teach her, it's to build trust and make this job smoother." Life said, predicting his co-worker's obvious question.

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"I'm... pretty sure there are better ways to build trust with someone than handing them a WMD to fight flies, but I guess there's no stopping it now... well, that was all. Again, I will contact you whenever it's ready. Goodbye, I guess?" Science said before ending the call.

Back to the present, Life, now dressed in his teacher's clothes, sighed in relief as he sat on the left side of a nearby park bench to relax after a tiresome afternoon of multitasking his teacher's duties at school and his training with Yoshino and Nozomi.

This was only possible thanks to Life perfectly copying himself in his teacher's clothes and leaving them at school so the real Life could train Nozomi and Yoshino without any conflicts with their schedule. Normally, something like this wouldn't be much trouble... but the fact I had to go to these lengths on a Monday, urgh, almost makes me wish Judai didn't find anything today and tomorrow...

Speaking of... Judai, have you found anything? Life called the bugman darkspawn disguised as a teenager through the mental link formed through their contract.

Life felt a small nod from Judai through their mental link. Yes, I found a stray.

Oh oh~, that's great, pray tell, what are they up to? Life asked while internally guessing the kind of immoral activity this stray was scheming.

Drinking tea. Judai answered flatly.

Life blinked a few times as he processed the lackluster response. Are they... drinking tea while staring intently at anyone? Life guessed that if he needed to watch over someone discretely blending in the environment would be his first choice.

Nope. In fact, they are just... calmly looking at the sky with a thoughtful expression while holding their cup of tea. Judai described it.

Is there... something interesting in the sky? Life asked in an attempt to understand where Judai was going with this.

Life felt a shrug from Judai through their link. I mean, if by interesting you mean some small, regular clouds, sure.

Life pinched the bridge of his nose as frustration was about to set within him. Not to question your... basic ability to see, but, are you sure they are a darkspawn? I mean, from your description, they don't seem to be very "Wild" or even "Under a timer" like you first described them, in fact, It looks to be the opposite of that!

Judai mentally sighed. Yes... I'm more than aware of how it may look contradictory to the information I presented, but I can guarantee they are a darkspawn. As for why they don't seem like how I described before, I theorize that it's probably the time.

Life tilted his head. The time?

Yes, they are probably waiting for the right time to start hunting, probably at night when a person disappearing wouldn't attract too much suspicion, or at least, suspicion over being done by a darkspawn. Of course, such a strategy would only be viable if they have more than enough dark energy to last such a passage of time. Judai explained matter-of-factly.

After Life gave it some thought, he instinctively nodded as the information presented did make sense with how nekomata and Judai attacked their targets at night. I see... well, then, I guess we just have to wait until it turns completely dark... A frown grew on Life's face as he realized something. By the way, I might be reaching here... but when you said "I can guarantee they are a darkspawn.", was it because you can sense the dark energy in them or... because you've met them before in your previous life?

...Does it matter? Judai asked back after an uncomfortably long pause. Life didn't need to be a genius to know those two had history.

Either that or it's just him not wanting to talk about his past life period. Although, I guess they aren't mutually exclusive. Life thought to himself, separately from his mental link with Judai so the latter wouldn't hear him.

No, I suppose for right now... it doesn't. Life wasn't lying, even if Judai knew more about this darkspawn, Life wouldn't want to ruin the fun of encountering them by asking about their abilities beforehand. There was a reason why Life didn't ask Judai to share his vision with him and get a proper view of the stray instead of just descriptions.

Life and Judai ended their conversation about the stray darkspawn there, but the former didn't end their mental connection yet. Getting up from the bench Life stretched his arms briefly before walking again. Hey, I'm going to buy something to eat while we wait, do you want something? Life soon came to a realization. Where are you actually? Are you at Kurai's dark barrier?

Judai audibly sighed, resigned to his fate of hanging out with Life instead of staying by himself. For your first question... I'm good, but anything is fine if you can't accept that as an answer. As for your second and third questions, I'm not with Kurai, too bothersome. I'm on top of a building named SupermarketYellow.

Life slowly nodded, getting accustomed to the strange name conventions of this world. Even if it could be argued that said conventions were slowly rotting his brain. Noted... well then, don't blame me if I get you something you don't want~.

Sure, whatever. Judai answered neutrally, not expecting much. Unbeknownst to him, Life would somehow find a way to surprise him.