18 - Methods x Objection

[I was informed of the outline of events, but I’m glad you’re safe.]

“I’m sorry to have worried you, Grandmother,” Regina said.

Inside Mixture space station, an old woman stood in the center of a large circular, room for holographic communication with the outside world. She had a deeply relieved smile on her face, and Regina smiled back.

Then, the old lady, Nox, had her eyes widen in shock.

[Well,] Nox said. [You’ve got a lovely expression on your face, Regina.]

“Is that so?” Regina asked, putting a hand to her cheek like she didn’t realize she was smiling.

[Yes. It’s a good thing,] Nox said.

It’s only been a few days since the events at the training ground, but Regina has changed dramatically.

First of all, the harsh and intimidating atmosphere that she had before has disappeared, and her expression has softened somewhat.

In addition, there were fewer times when she was alone in the classroom staring at textbooks and materials for self-improvement, and she began to talk more with Ratio and other classmates.

Besides, after school Regina went to cafes and enjoyed shopping, so she was relaxed in a good way.

[I’ve told you before, haven’t you?] Nox said. [You’re still a child, so you should play more instead of studying so hard.]

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“…… Yes,” Regina said.

Even before she enrolled in Schola Sanctus, Regina’s grandmother Nox had been taking care of her.

Inviting her to go shopping or to an art museum, a store where they can eat delicious sweets, and even go to a resort colony to have fun.

[Certainly, there is nothing better than self-improvement. But that’s not all there is to life.]

“…Yes. Finally, I feel like I understand what you meant,” Regina said.

From a grandmother’s point of view, she felt that her granddaughter was in danger.

Nox had no choice but to resign herself to this fate, as due to family circumstances, Regina had been pushed into the military—to become a Stella Corpus Pilot, and was pushed to keep getting better and better.

It was like a balloon that is always filled to its limit and bursts at the slightest impact, with no room to spare.

Her admission to Schola Sanctus was decided early on, so it was impossible to change, but Nox expected her granddaughter to learn entertainment appropriate for her age in an environment with many people also her age.

And after some time past her enrollment, there was this current turmoil.

Nox received a report from the administration side of Schola Sanctus about what was going on with her granddaughter, but she didn’t believe it until she saw it with her eyes, and now she used all the power she had to get a direct line to Regina.

And now, she’s met her grandchild for the first time in so long.

[How are you? Did you make any friends?] Nox asked

“Yes,” Regina said, her cheeks dusting red. “I did make a very nice, dependable friend.”

[Oh my, my. That is good to hear,] Nox said, very happy indeed. [If you have the chance, please introduce me to her.]

“Yes,” Regina said. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to meet you as well, Grandmother.”

[Oh?] Nox said, secretly recording her grandchild’s triumphant face as she nodded. [I’m looking forward to it now… what?] she asked, as she hears a noisy voice approaching from afar.

“Grandmother? Is something the matter?” Regina asked.

[Hold a second,] Nox said. [An insolent person has come in.]

“Are you going to be alright!?” Regina cried.

[Don’t worry. However…] Nox said.

[REGINA!]

The sudden loud voice made Regina’s body tremble.

The voice is very familiar to her.

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Ever since Regina can remember, it was always putting pressure on her.

[I didn’t permit you to enter,] Nox said.

[Shut up, Anima!] another woman said as she shoved Nox to the side and appeared on the edge of the transmission. [This is what you need to do as a parent!]

And so entered Regina’s Anima, Domina Glawis.

Wearing a neat suit, she mercilessly directs her sharp, stern gaze at her daughter, as if she sees everyone and everything as enemies.

[Regina, is that report true?] Domina asked.

“…”

[Answer me!] Domina yelled. [Since when did you react so stupidly?!]

Regina’s body trembles regardless of her will.

Ever since she was young, Domina has been intimidating, and she never changes her attitude even when it comes to her daughter.

[For goodness’ sake! Even though I gave you a gifted education, you lost so badly against training machines! Pathetic!] Domina cried, staring up to the heavens as if lamenting the end of the world.

Regina bites her lip.

The incident where Iniuria and her Stulti attacked her was broadcast all throughout Mixture, and many people saw that Regina had lost and cried.

Most were sympathetic and tended to avoid talking about it.

However, on the contrary, there were also those who actively talked about it.

They are the ones who were hostile to Regina.

They exaggerated the fact that the school’s top performer was defeated by a training machine and shouted the rumor as loudly as they could.

“The control room was occupied, and there were four armed enemy units,” all the classmates on Regina’s side said. “To be able to break through a situation with an unarmed machine… it’s impossible!”

[Haa,] Domina sighed, [has the shock of losing made you unable to even speak?]

“Will you please be quiet for a minute?” Regina asked.

Her body still doesn’t stop trembling.

In front of Domina, she shrinks.

She feels like she’s about to spit out words of apology from the intimidating voice.

However.

Thinking back to Ratio’s smile, something warm spreads in her chest.

Thinking back to Ratio’s voice gives her courage.

“Don’t keep shouting at people when you don’t even understand the situation properly,” Regina said. “I was just dumbfounded and couldn’t say anything.”

[You… you’d say that to your own parent,] Domina growled.

[I wouldn’t call someone who just yells at you and keep pushing you to do things a ‘parent,’” Regina replied.

She has someone on her side.

Someone that makes her feel so much stronger.

Regina tightened her grip around her stomach.

“The ones who attacked me were lawless terrorists who stole equipment and used it for a personal grudge,” Regina said.

[And your point is? Are you going to just repeat the fact that you lost?] Domina scoffs.

Regina clenches her firsts.

“The control room was occupied and my unit was remotely shut down.”

[No more excuses,] Domina said.

“I took on four units without any weapons,” Regina said.

[That’s just what you’ve been trained to do!] Domina yelled.

“Why don’t you try it yourself? If you can, that is,” Regina said.

[…?!] Domina sputtered, her expression changing dramatically from her sneer.

She now looked humiliated.

Domina’s harsh education is the flip side of her lack of pilot aptitude.

Since her grandmother’s older sister was a famous pilot who died young in the line of duty, some military personnel began to have strange expectations of the Glawis Family.

──Since you are related to her, you have talent, right?

It’s a ridiculous, delusional idea. However, there were a certain number of people who talked about it seriously.

Her grandmother was never confused because she was strong-minded, her sister was her sister and Domina was her own woman, but the idiots turned the brunt of their attention on Domina.

As she grew up, the idiots’ delusions expanded, and before they knew it, Domina had become a hero candidate who would become an ace pilot and become a well-known soldier after joining the military.

Domina advanced to the pilot course due to the pressure of her surroundings, but the result was a crushing defeat. They buried the fact that she lacked the aptitude.

After that, the idiots were betrayed even though they were just getting excited at the prospect of their own success by association, and now they thoroughly despised Domina.

They said, “How dare you do this to us!”, Domina thought, “What did you want from me?!”

Either ignore them or the idiots should just keep quiet, but the harassment didn’t stop, and as a result, Domina’s heart was twisted.

This distortion became the driving force behind her actions to raise Regina into a perfect and invincible ace pilot.

Domina is also a victim.

However, from Regina’s point of view, she is nothing more than a one-sided abuser.

That’s why, if you’re going to say that much, Regina would put her through the same ordeal.

[You cheeky little…!] Domina snapped.

“I will send you the data later, so please enjoy it in the simulator,” Regina said. “Oh, it would be helpful if you could tell me the results. Since you’re speaking so proudly, I’m sure you’ll be able to clear it with great skill, won’t you?”

Domina was taunted and so angry it looked like her blood vessels would burst at any moment.

[I’m freezing your machine! You’ll have to do your best with the training unit!]

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And with that, Domina screamed and disappeared from view.

Regina heard the opening and closing of a door, so she must have left the room.

[Fufu, fufufu, ahahahahahahaha…!] Nox cackles, the sound echoing in the silent room.

Regina returned to her senses, released from the tension, and sat down on the floor. At that moment, she felt dampness in her lower body and hurriedly pulled herself together.

Unaware that her grandchild was going through this, Nox held her stomach and kept laughing,

Eventually, she reached her limit and choked, and her secretary rushed to rub her back.

[Oh, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt so happy. Fufufu, Regina, as you were saying?] Nox said.

“… I’m sorry for showing you my shameful side,” Regina said, looking down with an embarrassed, bright red face.

Nox said with a smile, [It’s okay. That’s fine. Can you show your feelings more?]

Her hologram snuggled up next to Regina.

[Play more. Enjoy more. You’ve been training hard enough so far, so enjoy your student life to take all that time back. Along with your friends.]

A hand is placed on Regina’s cheek.

Holograms have no mass and no heat.

But Regina sensed her grandmother’s compassion.

[That will be a very precious asset for you in the future,] Nox said, winking.

“Yes!” Regina cheerfully replied.