The Metal Military Academy
Chapter 12: Missing the Past

“You mean, there are other creatures that have exactly the power that Astan has?” has ask Shadow to make sure. Because, the power of Astan is very rare and only Astan has it, it was obtained from the results of their struggle both.

Ardan shrugged his shoulders. “Lack sure too, anyway. Only, I feel familiar with his kind of strength. The power that the monster used was similar to that of the Cosmic Illusion Technique. Because of being carried away by emotions, I immediately eliminated it with my ability.”

“What are your skills?”

“Aaa..”.

At first Ardan hesitated to say it honestly because he just knew Shadow. But considering that Bayang is part of his own father, it doesn't seem like a problem to be honest. After all Arni, Arni's husband, and their children also know Ardan's true strength.

“Controlling and creating weapons. Only, I have to hide my true strength according to Father's request in the past. As a result, I only used the initial stage of creating the weapon, which is the metal controller.”

The shadow squinted the other eye. Apparently, there was something strange about Astan's request to his son. Indeed, the controller of the weapon is a rare power, but not to the extent that it must be hidden everything in public.

“You know why your father asked you to hide your abilities?” ask Shadow suspiciously. “To know, Rafa and his father have a rare type of Resurrection Power as well, but they never hide it.”

“You know Rafa?” ask Ardan.

Shadow replied casually, “She and her sister helped Arni clean up the warehouse, then they found me and we got acquainted with each other. I swear, Rafa is a lot like his father, just like you and your father. Where ama face body is not synchronous anyway.”

“Yes, his name is also a biological child. Must be similar, lah.” Ardan holds his hands against his chest. “If the reason, only Dad knows. But I understand why you forbid me to use it, because it's a very dangerous power. The proof yesterday, I was able to eliminate the monster body in just one shot, eliminate it until it is completely lost, even the explosive power until it penetrates into the sky.”

“Serious...?”

Now Bayang began to understand the reason Astan forbade his son to use original power. There is a high probability that the power that Ardan possesses is a legacy of Astan's power, but in rudimentary form.

Yes, Bayang can imagine how potent Ardan became a crushing machine like Astan used to be. Perhaps this was also the reason Astan asked Ardan to keep his power hidden.

Astan did not want Ardan to have the same fate as himself.

“In retrospect, your strength should be hidden. The case of Rafa and his father is nothing to compare. You see, Rafa's own father has an important role in military agencies, and their strength is not as dangerous as yours. So, they are safe.”

“Aman? You mean?”

Aware of his words, Shadow immediately shook his head, “Bu-nothing. So-about the monster earlier, what kind of monster traits?”

Ardan tried to remember, “He is more suitable to be called a humanoid, some of his organs and body structures are composed by bionic metal, but that does not mean he is Cyborg. At first glance, he looks very disgusting.”

The shadow thinks in the tube there. Actually, actually, he still did not dare to speculate anything because being depicted in this form of explanation would not let him know what the creature was and why it possessed exactly the same power as one of the types of Astan powers.

“What others know about it?”

Ardan shakes. “Lucky they didn't know it. Drones that often monitor the movements of cadets during training do not have time to monitor my battle area with the monster. Yesterday, I fought it off while trying to complete a remedial practice.”

“Goddess Fortuna fell in love with you, apparently,” said Shadow slightly mocked.

“What is Fortuna Goddess? You mean, I was too handsome that a Goddess fell in love with me?” ask Ardan to start narcissistic.

“I mean, you're very lucky, son. It's just a parable. Ever studied literature no, anyway?” omel Shadow. “Well, you leave this matter to your uncle. I don't dare talk about this if there's no evidence. Your uncle ‘kan works in military agencies as well.”

“But, father and uncle are different. Moreover, Uncle is busy taking care of the bandits who are currently trying to take the territory of the planet that just finished informed.”

“Y.... But what's wrong with the story? At least, you will get the bright spot later even if only a little.”

In the end, Ardan nodded. It seemed like a good idea to tell the mysterious monster matter to his uncle who worked as a space military officer. Moreover, Astan is his best friend, maybe the uncle can investigate it.

Ardan's silver eyes had shifted towards a digital clock that had set the time for breakfast. That meant that they had been talking for more than half an hour. It was time for him to catch up with Arni and the others for breakfast, then leave for the dormitory.

“Gosh. Looks like, it's time I left.”

Ardan stared at the astonished Shadow. “So I wanted to go far, now how does it sound like I don't want to split?”

The shadow looked down, embarrassed to speak again. “Emm.... You know, Dan. It's short, but I feel like you're like my own family. You really remind me of Astan.”

“Semenjak Astan decided to return to the military, he no longer involved me in various missions because of the policy there. I just stayed in this tube while being a interlocutor, saw him get married, calmed him down in a slump when I lost Sania, until I finally decided to hibernate after knowing Astan had died on the battlefield.”

“To be honest, I miss the times when I was able to interact with many people, adventure with Astan, Arni, and his friends. Astan is the one who has introduced a despicable creature like me to the meaning of family. What I initially only created from experimental errors, until finally I was considered as part of the family.”

“I... really miss those times...”.

Ardan so pity to see the state of the Shadow like this. His liquid body seemed to be vibrating in a tube, trying to endure the sadness and longing of the past.

“Sorry, Shadow. If only the dorm allowed me to bring a pet or other creature there, surely I would take you and introduce you to my friends.” Ardan tried to comfort Shadow. “But, here is still Bi Arni and her two young children. You're not lonely here.”

“But, the atmosphere is different, lah. Arni is very mature now, plus the atmosphere of the house is not as exciting as adventure outside.”

Ardan breathed a sigh of understanding. He also crouched facing the glass tube belonging to Shadow who was still on the edge of the bed.

“For now, I can't talk to you much. But I promise, if there's any spare time, I'll definitely come back here to see you. Even I will invite my friends to visit here as well and I introduce them to you.”

“Appointment?!” said Bayang began to be enthusiastic.

Ardan nodded steadily. “Appointments.”

“Good!” The shadow narrowed his eyes. “Only if I deny, I swear you're single for life.”

“Yes don't go that way, Mamang. Pity my snake lizard no experience.”

The man with a slightly mature complexion stood up, grabbed his backpack, and then slung it over his shoulder.

“Kut left here, yes. Later Bi Arni will come here to find you a more comfortable place.” Ardan also gave a friendly smile. “It's good to know you, Bayang. Yes.... Although at first you are annoying, but you are also fun when invited to chat.”

“Yes clear, lah! You too, take good care of yourself.”

“Ready, Commander!” said Ardan excitedly while paying his respects.

The young man immediately came out of the room while carrying his large backpack towards the dining room.

Now the atmosphere of the room feels lonely after the young man died. The eyes of the Shadow are shifted to the photo of Astan and Sania which are still arranged on the wall.

“I ‘dah know if you already have a child, Tan. You yourself are the story,” said Shadow as if talking to the person in question. “Just surprised. Upon meeting, your son ‘dah that big.”

There was a momentary pause, looking deeper into Astan's cheerful smile on the photo. It seems to have no burden at all despite the fact that he has suffered a lot since childhood, but Astan can still spread smiles and happiness to others.

The positive side of Astan is able to make the Shadow's perspective on the world change better.

“Tan.... Astans. I miss you, nich. Unch.... Unch...”.

Shadow chuckled for a moment realizing his own ridiculous nature. If only Astan had been there, he might have been snatched up by her many times.

However, Shadow's tone began to sound serious. “I don't know what kind of death you're going through so that someone as great as you can just die on the battlefield. However, I just wish you could stay happy there, by God's side with your beloved wife too, Sania.”

“Thank you so much for teaching me how much life means despite the harsh reality we face, my friend. Thank you for also having a positive effect on my life.”

After saying his unravels sincerely, Shadow again melted into a sparkling black liquid, and closed one of his eyes. He chose to sleep first to kill his boredom in loneliness.

...~*~*~*~...