NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24
“Touch nothing.”
The moment we entered the room, Banetta warned us as if issuing a caution.
“Banetta, why are you so on edge?”
“…Kids just touch things and break them, I simply don’t like that.”
A somewhat curt response.
Yet, it felt less like she was trying to exclude us and more like a protective instinct akin to someone desperately guarding their prized collection during a holiday.
I also thought Banetta’s reaction was understandable. Her room was filled with tools and objects; their purpose completely indecipherable and piled up like a mountain.
“So, you need a body-assist device?”
“Yes, preferably a high-performance one if possible.”
“…Just what is the situation to warrant this?”
Banetta narrowed her eyes and glanced at me. In response to her look, Diana turned her head to me.
“Mr. Edu, would it be alright to show Banetta the data collected from your physical examination?”
Even though it was my personal information, it wasn’t something I particularly needed to hide, so I nodded in agreement.
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“Then, Banetta, I’ll send the data over.”
“Hmph….”
Though she wore an expression of reluctance, she didn’t protest much. A brief silence followed, then the lackluster-looking Banetta’s eyes widened.
“Eh? E, wha- What’s this? Is this data accurate? It hasn’t malfunctioned or anything, has it?”
“…It’s accurate data.”
“But isn’t she a bit young to have entered the academy? She can’t be that much of a kid, right?”
“That’s true, right?”
“…And yet her STR is THAT low…?”
The reaction seemed as if a deeply held belief had shattered. However, it wasn’t driven by negativity.
The Banetta who moments ago appeared listless now approached me with glowing eyes.
“Hey, you’re Edu, right?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Let’s conduct all sorts of fun… experiments from now on, how about that?”
“Ah?”
I felt a slight sense of wariness because of her sudden friendliness, especially when she mentioned ‘experiment.’
Before I could consider this further, Diana quickly stepped in front of me.
“Banetta, please don’t lead her astray with such talk. Edu is a student of the academy, not an experimental subject.”
“Ch, such rigidity…”
Though reluctantly stepping back due to Diana’s intervention, Banetta’s face was still rife with curiosity and questions, even as she occasionally glanced at me.
“Edu? This big sister will always be here, so whenever you want… get it?”
An ordinary statement, but hidden within it was the intensity of a predator eying its prey.
Noted, but quite frightening.
“Banetta!”
“I heard you loud and clear!”
Only after Diana shouted again did Banetta fully retreat.
“You mentioned a body-assist device? Hang on a moment.”
She reverted to her previously unenthusiastic tone, but her movements and handling of the tools were genuine. Moving between the piles of inexplicable devices and objects, Banetta picked up a few items and headed toward a desk—relatively less cluttered—and began assembling them with skilled hands.
Securing the joints of the devices, discarding unnecessary parts. Under the guidance of her deft hands, something gradually took shape.
“Hmm, this should do.”
She suddenly stood up and approached. In her hand was a neatly crafted powered exoskeleton, perfectly sized for me.
“Woah!”
The exposed actuators, the reflective hydraulic cylinders, and the massive motor on the back—an element I recently missed amidst my busy schedule brought my robot-lover spirit roaring back to life.
Yeah, this is Yasu, this is paradise!
Even though the device showed signs of wear—scratches in various places—it only added character, giving it a well-used charm.
“Come on, step closer.”
In response to Banetta’s instruction, I took a few steps forward with Diana helping me down to the ground.
“Stay still.”
“Yes!”
“???”
Responding loudly startled Banetta momentarily—she looked puzzled and slightly tilted her head as she fitted the exoskeleton onto my body.
A clean and efficient technique, and a cool, metallic sensation seeped through my clothes, eliciting a tingling excitement.
“By doing this…”
Clank. Whirr—
The motors activated, and the weightiness I’d previously felt from the metal disappeared instantly. A sturdy support began to bolster my body.
“Alright, try moving it.”
“Yes!”
I raised my arm and stretched it out.
Whirr—
In sync with my action, the motor hummed and the exoskeleton assisted me with a soft vibration.
Whoosh.
An intense sonic resonance emanated from my hand—far beyond what I’d normally produce. The air pushed past Banetta’s face and spread throughout the room.
“Hmm, how about holding this?”
While saying this, Banetta handed me a rusted, chunky iron pipe. It seemed to weigh quite a bit despite its simplicity.
“Yes.”
The moment I accepted it, I almost stumbled, but the exoskeleton steadfastly supported it.
Ho! This is the power of technology! Even with a STR value of 1, I can lift objects!
“Looks like there’s no problem, so why not try walking now?”
“Yes!”
An action I’d usually be hesitant about—but not now. Now I have the reinforced exoskeleton!
With newfound confidence, as soon as I took a step forward—
– Negative trait “Kumi” effect: Significant penalty to movement.
– Movement action failed.
“Oof!”
All of a sudden, the ceiling came into view, and I began to fall. I braced for some pain with my eyes tightly shut, but unexpectedly, there was no pain—only a soft, highly elastic sensation at the back of my head.
“Ugh… are you alright?”
Opening my eyes, I met Banetta’s face peering down at me, along with a hidden, large bust I had previously not noticed because of the loose gown.
What a tremendous heart…! It was like she’d been hiding her true strength!
As I stared at Banetta with bewilderment, she slightly tilted her head.
“Is something wrong? Are you hurt?”
“A, no.”
“That’s good, ugh…shy.”
Banetta helped me up and began fiddling with the exoskeleton on my body.
“The corrective values for my lower body might be insufficient; I’ll max them out, then try walking again.”
“Yes.”
After clicking a few metallic sounds and making some adjustments, Banetta stepped back a bit.
“Alright, done.”
“Yes!”
Taking another cautious step while barely closing my eyes, it was more of a strategic measure, not out of fear.
After what felt like an eternity-lasting one second, the sensation of stepping again was transmitted—the first I’d felt in a long while.
Thud.
“Ah, good job!”
Saying this, I took another step forward—
– Negative trait “Kumi” effect: Significant penalty to movement.
– Movement action failed.
“Uh”
As I slipped again and was about to fall, warmth came from my back, stopping my fall mid-air. I ended up gazing at Banetta’s face again.
“…Did you just fall?”
“…Yes.”
“Did you? Falling…”
Banetta looked at me with genuine interest, her eyes shining curiously.
“Abnormally low physical strength, frail body, but contrasting with that, unusually high mental toughness and other abilities…”
“Ba, Banetta…?”
“Very intriguing indeed, so intriguing. I’ve seen many students at the academy, but never anyone like you… It’s almost as if someone deliberately created you, you know?”
At her sharp deduction, I involuntarily flinched, and Banetta’s face slowly formed a smile.
“Hmm? Why are you surprised, Edu? Could I be close to the truth? Or is there something clicking in your head…? Ah, this is truly intriguing…”
Banetta’s face gradually approached, the coarse yet sweet scent reaching my nose.
“What exactly is your secret-”
“Enough, stop right there, Banetta.”
Diana’s firm voice made Banetta freeze where she stood. With a slightly disgruntled look, she sighed and turned away.
“…Fine.”
Although surprisingly cooperative as she retreated, the last moment’s expression of a predator on Banetta’s face remained vividly imprinted in my mind.
Ugh, she’s terrifying…
“Anyway, I sort of understand the problem, so wait for a moment.”
With that, Banetta took off the exoskeleton, walked to the pile of tools, picked up something, and returned to the desk. She was tinkering away again.
After some time had elapsed, Banetta rose from her seat and came back.
“This should suffice.”
She slid something to me. It was, quite simply put, a bag with a mechanical arm.
The central part had straps to tie around the body. There were mechanical arms extending from the back and mysterious camera-like devices attached at both shoulders.
It was an odd design, even in the eyes of someone who loves mechanics and machines. But before I could say anything, Banetta swiftly fitted it onto me with practiced movements.
“What is this?”
“Just try it, …then switch it on.”
A beep noise accompanied by a whirring sound from the cameras on both sides of my face began as I moved my head. That was it for now; the cameras followed my head movements.
“Really? So these sync with my movements?”
“Right, it seems to be functioning well. I’ll also send over the operating system, so install it.”
With that, an ID alert popped up.
[Sender Banetta has requested a data transfer to Edu. Would you like to approve?]
Though I was a bit apprehensive given her somewhat suspicious tendencies earlier, surely she wouldn’t do anything strange with something like this…?
“…I’ll approve.”
[Confirmation: Downloading data from target Banetta.]
The mechanical voice of my ID trailed off briefly.
[Data download complete. Would you like to install it?]
“Yeah.”
[Confirmation: Installing data. Please close your eyes and rest until the installation concludes.]
Following the instructions of the ID mechanically, I closed my eyes. Shortly thereafter, a beep announced the notification.
[Data installation complete.]
Upon opening my eyes, Banetta was already waving her hands in front of me and questioning with a mischievous tone.
“How’s it feel? Anything unusual?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Great! Then, Edu, look at this and think about picking it up.”
Saying this, Banetta handed me the pipe again. I wondered, but as I did as she asked, in that moment—
Whirr—snap.
“Whoa?!”
The idle mechanical arm extended and picked up the pipe at my thought.
“Going well, try moving it around? There’s some visual adjustment, but mental cues should also work.”
“Yes!”
Just as Banetta said, as I slightly moved my gaze or mentally imagined actions, the mechanical arms reacted accordingly.
The mechanical arms moved effortlessly according to my thoughts without much delay, making it both amazing and a clear realization of Banetta’s brilliance.
“Good, seems there’s no issue. So now, we just need a mobility device.”
Banetta walked back into the room and returned, struggling to carry a massive round drone, almost table-sized.
An eccentric feature included a soft, plush seat on the top with handles.
“It’s an old drone model, but it’s sturdy and very reliable, right. Just sit on it, and you’ll be good.”
Saying this, Banetta gave the drone a couple of taps.
“Would that be fine?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem, considering walking itself seems to be the issue, right? Even without it, this allows free movement, correct, Diana?”
“Banetta is correct. Students can use any necessary utilities freely, except for weapons,” said Diana.
“That’s true.”
Since the AOE didn’t cover the academy’s rules in detail, I didn’t know much about it, but if both of them said so, it must be right.
“Actually, getting help from someone would do the trick, but it’s hard to have someone around all 365 days… Besides, mobility is fundamental, so it’s easier to move on one’s own right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, I’ll give you two for now. One for charging, the other for use, alternating after charge—”
She paused mid-sentence, thinking deeply before shaking her head.
“No, wait. Let me improve it for better usability and set up a new AI. Also, attaching a charging station for your current device on the drone would ensure no battery issues.”
She’s efficient when she needs to be. Unlike her somewhat intimidating manner toward me earlier, her current detailed explanation seemed highly trustworthy.
“Would that suffice? Diana.”
“That seems acceptable. Since the academy will cover the costs, please ensure that everything is properly provided so Edu need not feel any inconvenience.”
“Yup, yup…”
Her voice was dragging again, seemingly overwhelmed by all the tasks.
“Then, that’s all, right? I’ll send you the upgraded drone once it’s ready, so you can go now.”
“Alright, thank you.”
With that, Diana prepared to lift me again, only to change her posture and carry me piggyback-style when noticing the equipment attached on my back.
“Then, we’re off.”
“Alright, go safely.”
Already back at her desk fully immersed in her next project, Banetta. So, we left her room and headed back to the dormitory.
…
“Then, all of you had a lot of work today.”
Diana bowed, noticing how much longer we had spent in Banetta’s room than we had anticipated, the sky outside was already turning orange with the setting sun.
“Diana, thank you for your hard work today.”
“Th, thank you as well… Sir.”
“…Thank you for your effort.”
“Yes, until next time then.”
With that final note, Diana left.
“Milii and Sita, you both worked hard following me around today. You can go rest now.”
“Yes, yes! Sister Edu worked hard too…!”
“Thank you for your hard work, I will leave now.”
“Okay.”
With a final bow, they exited, leaving me alone.
Thinking back, how do I take off this equipment again? As soon as the thought crossed my mind, the mechanical arm whirred and undid the straps, then detached itself from my body.
“Wow, it can understand me?”
Whirr, whirr.
Like responding affirmatively, the equipment moved slightly up and down. Then it silently returned to under the bed, halting at a comfortable distance not to interfere with me.
Amazing, indeed.
Impressed by its crude yet sophisticated movements, as well as Banetta’s unparalleled skills in creating such a device so effortlessly, I lay down on my bed once again and wrapped up in a soft, comforting sensation.
Despite all the happenings today, I was satisfied with the resolution of my inconvenience, surrendering to the waves of sleep creeping in.
I should use this time until the new semester starts to prepare adequately in various aspects.
And, as time flowed, finally, the day arrived.
New semester.