57 Inspection (1/2)

Han was able to return to Squad 13 after a week's time. Kijo and Canute were still rehabilitating in the hospital while a majority of the squad members had already returned to their normal lives. The squad battles were on hiatus, but the lectures and training drills continued.

”Pass me a biscuit.”

Han sat down at the table, next to Jose, for breakfast. Kuro used his telekinesis to pass a biscuit over from the serving table; this was a common sight in Ark. The second years at Ark were talents who used their telekinesis in their day to day lives.

”Thanks.”

Han sat at Squad 13's dining table and began to eat. Soon, the other squads gradually filled the dining facility. A handful of people from the other squads spotted Squad 13 and waved.

Squad 13 used to be the outcasts, but now they had completely integrated with the rest of the second years and had a good relationship with everyone.

”I don't see Kato, Squad 7's leader.”

Han said as he looked at Squad 7.

The 7th squad started their meals although Kato wasn't there.

”Kato is at the hospital ward; he tried to commit suicide while you were away. It's a mystery if he'll ever recover,” Jose said.

Han narrowed his eyes. He didn't have a good relationship with Kato, but they were both youths of Ark.

Kato was strong in various ways. Even so, a single mistake had caused him to suffer a total mental breakdown.

'I see…'

Han had felt that Kato was a bit off when they last met. Kato seemed to have a glass heart– a single touch was enough to shatter it.

'If my own judgment caused Kuro or Jose's death… If my squad members had died, then…'

Han roughly chewed his bread, just imagining the dreadful possibility. Kato Souki must feel that life was like hell itself.

Every night, his squad members would come haunt him in his nightmares, and Han perfectly understood that pain.

Han had also lost many important people in his own life, and could only watch his younger siblings die slowly from starvation.

”When will the squad battles begin again? Ugh, the food is horrible.”

Kuro said while drinking his protein drink. Even if the youths of Ark could eat until they were full, they were unable to fully consume the necessary nutrients for daily life. If they did not supplement their meals with extra nutrients, then all their muscles would instantly disappear.

”I heard that they're selecting the most useful bunch from the first years to be transferred into second year.”

”There are too many squads that have been wiped out.”

”They need to fill the necessary numbers for the second years, I feel like there won't be any transfers into third year for the time being.”

”That could be.”

Squad 13 continued to discuss what would happen in Ark's future. Han thought of all the things that had happened in the Dimensional Crack Zone.

'They didn't divulge much of the specific details to me since I'm only a second year, but this is a very important turn of events to pay attention to. After the recent crisis, the number of instructors has drastically decreased. They should be out participating in real battle.'

The first and second years were oblivious to any jobs and missions related to the third years. This included any of Ark's secret missions…

'Ark has always been short on human resources. Even so, they are selective when recruiting psykers so that unfortunate events such as Kato's can be prevented.'

Ark's ultimate goal is to win the war against dragons. If an untrained youth was sent out against the minions, the youth would most likely become permanently disabled or dead. It wasn't a wise choice to sell out the future generation of youths for the sake of the present.

Han picked up his toast while lost in thought and noticed it had not been fully toasted.

”Jose, can you toast this for me?”