Water rushed over Mitchell’s skin as he took a shower after his early morning jog with Gary. He had managed to keep pace with Gary, who was surprised by his improvement. After rinsing off the remaining soap, Mitchell turned off the shower.

Drying himself with a towel, he draped it around his hips and exited the shower. On his way to his bunk, he noticed Vashni meditating in a lotus position on his bed. Ignoring him, Mitchell changed into his freshly washed uniform.

After changing into his clothes, Mitchell approached the door when Vashni called out to him. “Yes? What is it?” Mitchell asked.

Vashni replied, “I haven't met this Major Galahad yet.”

“He’s still on probation. We won’t see him until it’s over,” Mitchell said.

“I see…” Vashni murmured.

Vashni stood up and went to the toilet. Mitchell decided to head outside, planning to stroll around before going to the mess hall. He saw mercenaries doing their usual morning exercises, with some jogging to maintain their fitness levels.

“Life sure is rigorous as a mercenary!” Mitchell thought, aspiring to become a full-fledged mercenary himself.

Mitchell decided to visit the workshop to check if his equipment was ready. After a five-minute walk, he arrived to find the workshop still closed, but the technician was already waiting outside.

“Hello, Mitch!” the technician greeted him.

“Hello, Sally!” Mitchell responded.

“I’m sorry to hear about Major Galahad,” she said. “But don’t worry. His probation ends today!”

Mitchell thought of how quickly time had passed since their last mission in the village of Emille. “By the way, is the equipment ready?” he asked.

“Oh, the customized wireless detector? It should be done by now. I’m just waiting for the engineer to arrive,” Sally replied.

"I see..." Mitchell said.

Seeing Mitchell’s usual demeanor, Sally tried to cheer him up. “Hey, you know that girl from the infirmary? I bet she likes you!” she said with a grin.

“What!?” Mitchell thought of Lucia.

“I see you like her too, Mitch!” Sally teased him.

“W-what!? How can you say that?” Mitchell stammered, flustered.

“You’re way too obvious, Mitch. Better man up! I hear Lucia likes tough guys. It would be sad if you disappointed her!” Sally said.

A car honked outside the workshop. Sally rushed out to greet the engineer, who had been out of town for days. She assisted him with his new equipment.

“Ah, it’s Mitchell!” the engineer said, greeting him. “It’s been a while. How are you?”

“I’m fine, Sir Arthur. I was just wondering if I could see my device. Is it ready?” Mitchell asked.

“Arthur is just fine, Mitch. Your device is almost ready! I just need a little more time for some finishing touches,” Arthur replied.

“Sure!” Mitchell said, sounding glad.

As the other technicians arrived, the engineer decided to open the shop at 0740 hours. Sally, Mitchell, Arthur and the others went inside. Arthur told Sally that he would test a device with Mitchell and he needed to do it in private. Sally nodded and complied,

Inside Arthur’s office, Mitchell saw a box-like device with five buttons. It resembled a portable piano with only white keys. There were buttons on top with blue, white, yellow, and red lights.

Arthur knew of Mitchell’s abilities, having been briefed by Major Galahad. He was also instructed to keep Mitchell’s secret. This was why he wanted to test the device with Mitchell in private.

“I hear you want to vouch for someone in the Legion. Normally, only an officer can do that, but there was an exception requested by Sir Galahad himself,” Arthur said.

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“I see…” Mitchell replied, focusing on the device.

“This device took me a while to make. Since the start of the Phantasmic Phenomenon, wireless technologies have been rendered useless. Using such technology to detect anomalies is a clever idea, Mitch!” Arthur said.

“Is the device functional?” Mitchell asked.

“There’s one way to find out!” Arthur said and tuned on the device.

The device let out some static, like a radio being turned on. “I believe you are familiar with radios before they fall out of fashion, Mitch?” Arthur asked again.

“I was very young back then… but I used to play with these at my father’s warehouse.” Mitchell replied.

“Good!” Arthur said.

Mitchell looked at the device’s lights as the yellow one turned on. This piqued his curiosity. ‘What could the light mean?’ he wondered.

"Hmmm… it looks like some kind of radiation is coming from you,” Arthur said, assessing the light.

“What do you mean? Is it harmless?” Mitchell asked.

"The yellow light usually indicates unnatural radiation coming from a living being,” Arthur explained. “This kind of radiation is mostly harmless to humans.”

Mitchell sighed upon hearing this in relief. He tried to distance himself and saw that the light fluctuated.

"Good observation, Mitch!” Arthur said. “This device distinguishes between radiation and interference. You see, interference can be used to detect a phantasmic ability.”

“When will I expect for this device to be fully functional?” Mitchell asked Arthur.

“It will be on the next week. Unless you have missions relating to exorcisms and phantasmic incursions. I believe you won’t need this device yet,” Arthur replied.

“I understand, Arthur!” Mitchell said and continued, “I guess I’ll be off. I will have my breakfast.”

“I won’t hold you for longer too, Mitch. Have fun and stay safe out there!” Arthur said.

Mitchell exited Arthur’s office and saw Sally in front of the office. He called her attention, which startled her. Sally then said to Mitchell, “You’re bad, Mitch. Startling me like that. Lucie won’t be glad if you do that to me!”

“Stop teasing me, Sally! I don’t date my workmates.” Mitchell annoyed with Sally replied.

“You all say that, Mitch!” Sally teased Mitchell again.

Mitchell did not respond to Sally’s teasing and tried to leave. However, Sally stopped him and said, “Before you leave, there’s something I would like to give you. Give me a moment!”

Sally went to her room to take something while Mitchell waited for her. After a few minutes, Sally returned with a box of earl gray tea with her. She winked at Mitchell and said, “Mitchie… she likes this tea. Be sure to give it to her!”

“Fine…” Mitchell said.

“Make sure to tell her it’s from you!” Sally said to Mitchell and continued, “I swear that I, Mitchell will not tell that this box of tea came from Sally and I wanted to give it to Lucie because I love her!”

“What? This is absurd!” Mitchell protested, but Sally forcefully escorted him out of the Workshop.

“Go and confess your love, Mitchie!”

“What gives!?” Mitchell groaned and carried the box of earl gray tea with him.

As he walked to the mess hall, Mitchell saw Lucia approaching, heading there alone. Trying to avoid her gaze, he was almost caught by Lyla, who was exiting the mess hall.

Lyla called out, “Mitchell, is that you?”

Lucia, hearing Lyla’s voice, noticed Mitchell carrying the box. She approached him, her curiosity piqued. “Mitchell, is that Earl Grey tea?” she asked.

“Yes, it is…” Mitchell said, caught off guard and struggling to keep his thoughts in order.

“May I have some?” Lucia asked, her eyes on the box of tea.

Mitchell knew he had no choice. He didn’t want to disappoint a friend or a team member, so he went along and shared the box of Earl Grey tea with Lucia. Lucia was delighted to see that Mitchell remembered her favorite tea.

As Lucia sipped the tea, Mitchell was struck by a sudden wave of nostalgia. The sight of her drinking the tea reminded him of his mother, and he realized that he might actually be able to be friends with her.

Lucia’s smile was warm and genuine, and Mitchell found himself captivated by her. Their eyes met for a moment, an unspoken connection forming between them.

"Not my cup of tea…" Mitchell thought. "But it does taste better with someone!"

Meanwhile, after his probation period. Major Galahad proceeded to his office. He felt pleased to have been freed and ready to resume his duties. As he approached his office, he saw Lyla, who was before the door.

“Good day, Sir Galahad!” Lyla greeted him.

The Major smiled at her and replied, “Good day, Lyla Evans! How was everything?”

“Good so far, sir!” Lyla said.

“Good!” Major Galahad said and added, “I would like you to do something for me.”

“What is it, sir?” Lyla asked.

“About the last mission and some “things” that we have talked to earlier. I want to make sure that everything is in order.” Major Galahad replied.

“Very well sir, I will make a report about it.” Lyla added.

Back at the mess hall, after breakfast, Mitchell sat alone at a table, reflecting on his interactions with Lucia. He was lost in thought when Gary came over, joining him with a tray of food.

“Hey, Mitch! How’s it going?” Gary asked, taking a seat.

“Oh, hey Gary. It’s been a busy morning,” Mitchell replied, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah, I heard you were out at the workshop. How’s the new equipment coming along?” Gary inquired.

“It’s almost ready. Just waiting for a few final adjustments,” Mitchell said.

Gary nodded, shoveling some food onto his plate. “Good to hear. By the way, I saw you with Lucia earlier. What was that about?”

Mitchell looked up, slightly embarrassed. “Oh, nothing much. Just gave her a box of Earl Grey tea. Sally insisted I give it to her.”

Gary chuckled. “Sally’s a troublemaker, but she’s got a good heart. Lucia seemed pretty happy about it.”

Mitchell shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Yeah, I guess so.”

They continued their meal, talking about the latest news from the base and their upcoming missions. The conversation was light and easy, a welcome distraction from Mitchell’s earlier anxieties.