The Flower Petal Revolution Stage
2 - 03

"Pulse... Kris..."

Hearing my name called made me stop my way of thinking.

Anastasia led me through the hallways. The journey was so long that it made me think about the design of this place.

"I really appreciate that you saved me yesterday... Without you, we might already be in a difficult situation."

"No need to thank me. I just follow my will and do what I have to do."

Anastasia's expression looked a little surprised by what I said.

"If someone is presented with the suffering or difficult situation of another person... Do we need a reason to help them?"

I'm just saying the obvious thing. Even though, saying that in front of people felt embarrassing.

"Hm... It's good to see the discomfort from this morning's events has faded."

"Kris... That's..."

"Like that. That's what I want you to call me, Kris, with no distance between us. Your voice calling my name is music in my ears."

"What do you mean?!"

Unlike her, Anastasia looked so confused and it felt strange.

"I'm just saying what's on my mind. Is that a problem?"

"N-That's not what I am..."

Anastasia took a breath and re-adjusted herself to her normal appearance.

"Then please Kris, please call me Anna, that's my little name."

"Anna Silenziosa yes...."

Hm... Perhaps the expression of the ancient sages had a point. A woman's heart is a complicated labyrinth, to understand it is also too difficult for me.

"Yes, Kris! I've been thinking about this since yesterday, and. It looks like you're very strange."

"Hm? I didn't pay much attention to it, but I often listened to it from others. It's curious."

"Have you often heard that you're arrogant or overreacting?'

"Truly the quality of a person who became the symbol of the Academy. You have sharp eyes."

Even though I actually have more quality, hearing people say that I'm excessive means nothing to me.

However, Anna's words made a question appear in my mind.

"Could it be that my attitude does not reflect that of an Academy student?"

"Actually, if I had to choose the words carefully, I would say that you are unique."

"I was born in Japan, but I've lived abroad for a long time."

"Is that a reason for your manner of speaking and attitude?"

"No, there's another reason for that."

"Then why should you tell me that...?"

"The person who raised me was a person who had distorted beliefs and did not see others as human. I was effectively tied to that "junk" for a long time. He died a long time ago, and it was a relief, but imagining that he might as well act silly in hell irritated me."

He's an amazing person but I don't have good memories of him, which makes me pretty upset to remember him back.

We lived in a distant foreign land, and although I was basically his prisoner for the few years I spent with him, it made me strong and confident. I can even thank him for that.

"I get. The fruit fell not far from the tree."

"There's no need to say something indirect like that. You should have said that you felt sorry for my poor self, who grew up under the care of a bastard. I totally agree with you on this."

"That's not what I said at all."

"You could say that a swallow gave birth to a phoenix."

"Well, I don't care if it fits or not, but if you're comfortable with it, then I won't say a word. If it is extended it will only be troublesome".

He put his hand on his forehead and sighed. I'm glad we found a point of understanding.

"Anna Silenziosa, you seem a lot more innocent than I thought. Personally, I'd rather it than any other alternative."

"You are a unique phenomenon. To be honest, you are a pretty strange person even among the lair of these eccentricals."

"That aside, may I ask you a question?

"What happened to last night...? The armed group that attacked you."

Although the AK-47 was fairly easy to obtain, the group armed with the weapon could not have been just a bunch of ordinary criminals.

As far as I'm concerned, the country is very peaceful and it makes no sense that armed kidnappings would be on the front pages of every newspaper.

I did a search before coming here and found nothing about it in any media.

We were not questioned by the police either. Adella's teacher said that she would explain everything as our representative, and we were allowed to go home, just like that.

Something is not right.

Although this is a rural area, it is hard to believe that law enforcement organizations in this country would be so careless.

"There are hardly any incidents related to the Academy getting any publicity."

"So, the unexpected will be hidden? That's very typical of Japan, but I don't really understand why this remote school has so much power."

Anna showed a face that seemed to bring out her confusion. The appearance may be an adult expression when asked what is after death by a child.

"This is not up to the public because, for now, the existence of the Academy and what is being done here should remain hidden. Did you come to this place knowing nothing?"

He did not ask as a nation he used to refer to.

Was it because he was so confused to the point that he forgot his mask?

"You're really weird."

"You don't mean like a student?"

"It's not that simple. You are weird in every way. Normally, anyone who came to this place believed that this was their last refuge. Although it sounded exaggerated, it was still what they felt."

"There are no exceptions. That was the main reason why this Academy existed."

"By being here it means also having Grace."

'Grace'.

I am no stranger to that word. One of the selectors who tested whether I was worthy of admission to this school once muttered.

Grace and her grades are important factors in determining the ability to attend school here.

"You have Grace. That is the undeniable truth. If it were the other way around, you wouldn't be here. And according to Professor Adella, you are a Radiance, an HGG with the highest level of Grace. This makes it even harder to believe that you came here without knowing such basic facts..."

"When you explain it like that, I think I do look a little weird. I, Kris Waarheid, am not seeking refuge. I'm not running away. I came here to challenge myself."

"Have you just stated that we ran away?"

"Isn't that the truth? You've escaped the harsh outside world to be in this safe place."

It was clear that Anna's expression had turned into anger after hearing my words.

"Do I offend you? Let me apologize if so. I just say what's on my mind. I really don't imply bad intentions."

"I'm definitely not going to ignore it. Pull up your speech!"

He looked at me with eyes burning with anger. His wrathful attitude made me understand something.

He hated hearing the unpleasant truth, but it was not the main driver behind his anger.

He was angry at this Kris Waarheid for not only humiliating him but also the dignity of the other students who called the Academy their refuge.

"I'm a person who can lie when needed, but this is something I won't dispute. I don't want to lie to you, Anna Silenziosa."

"A-What ...?!"

"I'll apologize as much as you want, but I won't retract my words and twist my opinion. This self-respect will not allow that."

Anastasia Castellani de Silenziosa. He has the sincerity to be angry at nonsensical words and has a sense of justice to defend the honor of others.

Her figure was so bright that I almost felt like crying in front of her.

It was easy to retract what I had said and fake my feelings, but I didn't want to tarnish his glory with my day trickery.

For Kris Waarheid this was a sure thing and something he could not express in words.

That would leave a scar on his pride.

He took a deep breath and returned to being relaxed. I don't know if he knows what I mean, but he seems to feel my sincerity.

"There's no doubt he's really weird."

His murmur seemed more confusing than before.