“I’m certain you have a lot of questions.” Professor Lucesco states, walking over to one chair near a large CPU system.
Rena’s eyes admire with awe. The lab was much more high tech than she is to use to. She’s used to smaller hunks of computers or a large holographic screen. But the technology she saw here was various of large machinery filled with lights, fluids behind glass, and other strange equipment that she has never seen before. There were even words generated on the screen, but the language is unfamiliar to her.
But something else steals Rena’s attention as she notices a strange-looking mineral that was encased and hovering inside of a tube. It gave off a bright, greenish glow, but it also flashes with an aurora spectrum hues of blue and violet. She is captive by its radiance. Almost as if it was calling out for her. Digits reaches towards the tube as if she could grasp it beyond the case that’s displayed.
“ Miss Kuromoto,” The Professor calls. “I advise you to step back and not touch the tube. While it is contained, your body is still sensitive to its energy.”
“You seem to know a lot about the Awakening Stones,” Rena comments, moving her hands back to her side and turn her attention to Professor Lucesco. “I think you refer to them as Anima and you said you’re doing research on them?”
“You are indeed correct,” Professor Lucesco press at some strange buttons on her console, which pops up a holographic screen of data. “Anima is what it originally called where it found. Anima meaning “Soul.” The reason for that is that these minerals fuels off of life source. It can be energy from a natural resource or a person. Anima comes in unique elements, meaning what powers them can vary.”
Rena allows the information to sink in. She understands for the moment part what she was saying. She scratches her left cheek, closing her eyes as she contemplates her question. “So you mention that they’re a power source. Are you saying they wasn’t made for humans?”
“You’re more insightful than I assume,” Professor Lucesco nods, pressing more flashy buttons on the console that lights up. The data shifts from an unknown dialect of weird symbols to Japanese. “ Reading this will take too long for you to comprehend, so I’ll give you a brief explanation. Anima is an unknown element. Where or how it came to existence is unknown. But this element can be found in any solar system and on any planet. While it’s rare to find them unless you have a special device, they do exist on most planets. Anima was never intended to be used by anyone as a weapon. But an incident happened when it first discovered 148 years ago.”
“An incident?” Rena raises a brow. She looks at the screen, scrolling through tidbits of information she could understand. But to be honest, most of it was jargon to her.
“Yes, there was once a civilization on a planet called Vimvitae. Their race was called the Vims. However, they were facing a crisis that threaten both the planet and their existence. So they went to search for a resource that might help them prolong their lifespan. It took time, but a research team discovered Anima and brought on their planet to research. Things would be fine, but they misused the resource by fusing it with the souls of two people, which give them a power that is comparable to a deity.”
“Wait, you’re a saying that you can make gods using these stone thingies?”
“Precisely. However, it was their mistake that caused the war.”
It was strange, but for a moment, Rena thought she saw a flicker of bitterness on the Professor’s face. Even her tone sounds a little regretful. But maybe she was just imagining it. Rena didn’t voice her concern—instead she continues to listen to the Professor’s explanation.
“The people of that planet worshiped their new Gods. The Gods used their power to grant them their wishes and save their planet. It went well until one of the Gods became corrupted and used his power to spread the plague that turned its people into monsters. In the end, that planet was eliminated, and that was what began the war.”
“You sure know a lot about this. How long have you’ve been researching this, Professor?”
“I’ve been invested for many years. It’s actually a reason. It’s does have something to do with my goal. So there is a request I must ask of you.”
The word request means there was more to what the Professor wants. Rena only would nod in response.
“Alright, what is it?”
“I need you, Kuromoto Rena. I wish to put an end to the war. To stop Noctis and his legion that causing havoc. You’re the only one can ask. To be frank, I have been observing you for a long time.”
“Well, that explains why you know my name. But why me? I’m certain there are more capable people, you can ask.”
“You are correct. However, most of those capable people have failed the compatibility test.”
“Compatibility test?” Rena repeats.
“Yes, there are a series of tests that are conducted at the academy to choose a space guardian. It’s a physical examination, endurance, and finally, a compatibility test. The last is the most importance. In order to access the power, the fusion of the test must be successful. There is a risk to this test. That’s why most will sign a wavier before they take the test.”
“Wait, a moment,” Rena raises her hand in front her as if she was trying to push something away. “What do you mean there is risk? You mean that my brother even sighed this wavier before he took the compatibility test?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
This is news to Rena. Togi never told her he had to sign a wavier. That he took a risk just to become a Space Guardian. A pain shot through her chest for a moment. An intrusive inquiry confronts her thoughts.
What else hasn’t he told me? Did he do it to prevent me from worrying?
Professor Lucesco notes Rena’s expression. Her digits quickly hacks at the console that removes the screen of data. She turns to Rena with her expression remaining impassive.
“Do not worry, I’ve come up with a safety protocol to prevent you from any harm.” Professor Lucesco reassures. “I don’t see you as expendable. I’ll make sure that regardless if you succeed or fail in the test that you’ll be intact.”
While the words are reassuring, Rena still feels uneasy about the process. Her digits fidgets with the bottom of her sweatshirt, looking down at the floor. Her mind pacing about everything Professor Lucesco told her. It feels so unreal. She still doesn’t understand why she needs her to help her put a stop to an evil warlord.
There is nothing special about me… I don’t think I can save the world…
Doubt overwhelms her as she still mulls over her decision. Professor Lucesco notices her hesitation. There was no other reassurance that she could provide to the young girl. The choice was hers to decide.
“Take all the time you need to give me your answer.”
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
With that, Professor Lucesco gives Rena some space in order for her to clear her thoughts.
----------------------------------------
Rena walks around the lab, trying to figure out what she should do. Professor Lucesco gave her enough information she needs. Answers most of her questions she had in mind. But Rena falters at the risks involves. A possibility that she’ll fail the test. The issue isn’t her safety: but what if she did fails? What should she do then? That would be the end of any ideas she may have to find the truth of what happens to Togi.
I wonder what Togi would do if he was here?
She admires Togi. He is strong and brave in her eyes. It must take him a lot of courage to even consider signing the waiver. Knowing he could have given up his life. The Professor never told her the details of what will happen to someone if they fail. Rena just knows there is a consequence that might involve one’s life.
Can I really save someone? Am I willing to risk my life to protect people?
Rena reflects on her choice. She knows that by becoming a Space Guardian, she will have to risk her safety. Togi does it because he enjoys protecting others. Rena recalls how hard he trained hard to apply the Tokyo Interstellar Force Academy. His hard work and dedication lead to his selection to become part of the space protection squad. Rena reminiscence that day so vividly.
“Rena, guess what? I passed the exam! I got selected to be one of Tokyo’s new Space Guardians!”
“Really! That’s awesome, Nii-san!” Rena beams, giving her elder brother a tight hug.
“I couldn’t do it without your help, Rena. You really believed in me.”
Rena’s eyes widen with surprise. She doesn’t think she did something so important. Yet, she sees how broadly her brother is smiling. How excited he made this accomplishment. She can’t help but feel bashful. That one small little thing like cheering him on helps with his goals.
“I’ll always cheer you on. Consider me as your #1 fan once you debut as a hero!”
Togi let out a loud, heartfelt laughter. His large palm gently ruffles her dark locks as he gazes down at her. “Then guess that means I have to always show you my cool side. I can’t let down my #1 fan now, can I?”
Rena smiles as she fondly remembers the warmth of his words. His kindness. Like she has promised, she is his number one fan. That’s why she needs to learn the truth. She doesn’t have much time to keep brooding over what she isn’t capable of. If Professor Lucesco can believe in her, then she needs to believe in herself, too.
“That’s right, if I can’t do this… then who can?” Rena beams with her tone going from defeated to its usual cheerfulness.
She goes to find the Professor deep into the lab. Her eyes spot the strange starry-haired woman staring into a screen. Her focus seems to be upon some data that she’s hacking into the system.
“Professor! I made my choice.” Rena exclaims. “I’m ready. You said there are some tests I have to take, right?”
“Yes, just a few exams,” Professor Lucesco states. “Are you certain? You realize once you go through with this, you cannot go back to the life you had before. You may change for the worst.”
“It’s okay.” Rena smiles at her. “If it means risking it all to find him. To save him. I’ll do it.”
“Very well.” The Professor stood from her seat. “Follow me. I’m going to run a few tests. Consider this as part of the physical exam.”
----------------------------------------
Rena follows her toward the back of the lab. She watches as Professor Lucesco types something on a holographic console and the door slides open to the tube like elevator. She gets on and silently descendant downward together with the Professor. Rena doesn’t know how to deal with the lingering silence between them. She tries to preoccupy herself by looking at the lights as the speed down the tunnel within the tube.
It wasn’t long before they arrive at the bottom of the floor. The tubes open up, Rena follows the Professor out down a long skywalk hovering above a pit of emptiness below them. Rena hate to imagine what was underneath. She felt safer going through the passage. She stops in her tracks at another door. This time, a heavy metal door would block their path.
“Please provide the access code.” The AI security system demands.
“Lucida sidera.” Professor Lucesco speaks in a tongue unfamiliar to Rena.
“ What language is that?” Rena inquires as the large metal door slides apart to grant them entrance into the room.
“Old Latin.”
“You can speak Latin?”
“It was commonly spoken where I am from. Just a minor difference from modern and old Latin here on Earth.”
“Where are you from?”
“It’s not important.”
Not important? What’s with all the secrecy?
Rena thought, giving the Professor a skeptical glare from a brief moment.
Rena notices that the scientist intentionally evades answering her questions. She frowns.
How can she trust this woman if she keeps so many secrets about herself, yet knows everything about her?
Rena brushes it off. She can always ask her at another time.
Inside of the room was a large superpower CPU, a strange bed with wires, flashing neon blue lights, and something that looks like a kind of incubator. This room felt different in terms of the larger lab they came from. It didn’t have many machines, but still left an impression on Rena. She’s more curious about the incubator and the large super computer.
“Lay down on the bed, I’ll be connecting a set of of wires. This will take data of your vitals. Think of it as going to a doctor for a regular checkup.”
“I think this is more advance than that.” Rena disputes with a shake of her head.
The doctor’s offices she is used to is just walking on a conveyor belt and through a large scanner that immediately sends the data to the doctor’s screen. It gives them any information from blood pressure, cholesterol, hemoglobins count, etc. This machine looks nothing like the ones in the offices. It looks too out of this world.
Rena obeys Professor Lucesco’s instructions by laying down on the weird bed. Her heart paces against her chest as she watches the scientist researcher place the suction cups connected to the wire tubes upon her body. It tickles a bit, but that wasn’t what makes her feel unnerved.
“Relax,” Professor Lucesco advises. “In order to get accurate data, I need you to be calm, Miss Kuromoto.”
“Do you think anyone will relax having wires put them on a weird machine?”
“You have quite the interactive imagination. I’ve already advised that you shall not be harmed.”
Rena sighs, closing her eyes as she tries to calm herself down. She hums a familiar song that she heard on the radio by her favorite artist. She slowly feels herself drifting, the mellow tone easing her fears. As she relaxes herself, she can hear the sounds of Professor Lucesco’s books across the floor heading towards the CPU.
“Good job. Now inhale and exhale.”
Rena slowly breathes in and out. She can hear the sounds of typing in sync to the sounds of beeps and buzzing that came from the machine. It was several moments later, Professor Lucesco walks over and removes the wire’s from Rena’s body.
“Your vitals are fine,” Professor Lucesco informs. “You seem to be perfectly healthy. Do you have any medical conditions that I am unaware of?”
Rena shakes her head, and the scientist seems to jot it down on a tablet device in hand. Afterwards, Rena would answer questions she expects from a doctor as she watches the woman record everything. Once Professor Lucesco finishes asking what she needs, she gestures Rena to the incubator.
“Lay down and relax, I’ll be using that to do a bimolecular scan and take x-rays. It’ll take about five minutes.”
----------------------------------------
After Rena finishing the scanning, she exists out the incubator. Professor Lucesco glances over at the large CPU showing several holographic pop-up screens with the blueprints of Rena’s body and data collected upon them. Rena yawns. She feels more tired than normal after going through the scanner.
“Congratulations,” Professor Lucesco praises. “ You’ve successfully completed the physical exam. We shall now proceed onto the endurance tests.”
“Do you think my brother had to go through this?”
“Yes, probably even more tedious and overexerting than what you shall go through. But that may change depending on how well you perform on these tests.”
There is so much that Rena wishes to inquire—the technology that Professor has access to is definitely not from Earth. Rena can only assume she is from a faraway planet. It’s not uncommon that outsiders from another planet comes to visit and vice versa. It felt much different to Rena than meeting those tourists. She doubts anyone would believe her if she tells her experience with this lavatory.
Rena return to the surface with Professor. She finds the woman heading over to a machine that looks like a kind of coffee maker. All she does is press a button. The murky dark liquid fills a plain white mug that is sitting there.
“Tomorrow, we’ll meet here again. I suggest you eat well and get as much rest. The endurance test comprises several parts involving different physical activities.”
“Physical activities? Kind like of what I use to do in high school for a gym exam?”
“Similar, but this test will determine your body’s limits, which is crucial for the compatibility test.”
“My body’s limits?” Rena blinks.
“Correct. The peak conditions of one’s body are a variable that determines the compatibility to Anima. Not just physically, but one must be mentally capable. There are reason some fail the test. If they’re lacking something in either their mental state or their soul. Tomorrow’s tests will provide me with that information.”
“So, what happens if I fail one of those tests?”
“Simple. You will not be ready for compatibility test and there is no need to risk it knowing you may fail.”
Rena understood what the Professor implied. She stands up, grabbing her backpack as she was ready to head back home. “I understand. I’ll do my best, Professor Lucesco.”
“I expect nothing more or less from you. Let’s see how well you fare in tomorrow’s tests.”