With the connection test using the Orbal Network successfully established, I couldn't help but take a moment to observe Tio. She should be turning ten this year, right? Roughly three years younger than me. Contrary to the emotions she usually keeps bottled inside her, she's already well underway in the healing process. Just knowing that brought a smile to my face. A lot of time had passed since the events of Nemeth Island took place, and I couldn't be anymore happy to see Tio's progress. After all, Tio is one of the few survivors of the DG Cult.
Apart from Tio, there was Ennea, Sherryl, Van, Renne, and Quatre. Sherryl and Ennea decided to stick with me, with Ennea joining the Royal Harem as the second girl. Angelica Rogner was the first to join. As for Van, he parted ways with that travelling priest Gunther Barkhorn, who calls himself the Roaring Lion. As for Quatre, he was picked up by Professor Hamilton, and they're currently living in Calvard in one of the most advanced technological cities on the continent, Basel. It is very similar to Zeiss in Liberl and Roer in Erebonia. I was told it even has an Observatory you can use to observe the stars, so I might head there one day to do a check-up. And well, as for Renne, she joined up with Ouroboros as intended and is fulfilling her role as Enforcer No. VX. I just didn't think she would decide to study at St. Astraia, even if it is just a year or two at most. And from what I hear, she's already in Princess Alfin's class.
All of us were subjected to Gnosis one way or another. Amongst the rest, Tio likely had it the worst. It is actively suppressing her emotions, and requires a lot of time to heal. Even by Reverie, she still talks in a mostly deadpan voice. It is a shame I do not know if there were more survivors beside our group, as by the time I was brought into Zemuria, Daybreak hadn't released yet. To compensate for Tio's lack of emotions, she received exceedingly sharp senses, and can even detect the flow of Mana and the energy that runs within the Spirit Veins. In your Party, it would be Tio who could determine if the Three Higher Elements are present just at a moment's glance.
And with my interference inside the DG Cult, things played out differently. Everyone escaped much earlier than what happened in the original timeline. Like I have brought up, Tio should still be in Remiferia and should have stayed there for another year at least before being picked up by the Epstein Foundation. Thanks to me, however, Tio was rescued earlier than anticipated. I still let it play out how the games would have, and she was brought home, only to get estranged from her parents even earlier. Some time had passed since then, and with the Foundation picking her up, she is already cooperating with Professor Schmidt and working together on the Orbal Network Project. Honestly, I am not sure if this will change anything in the long run. It is just more experience in my eyes.
WIll it stop me from wanting Tio to continue down this path? Absolutely not.
Tio isn't normal. She's a genius, regardless of whether Gnosis impacted her. On the contrary, I'm glad the Foundation was able to pick up on Tio's genius, despite having me interfered earlier in the timeline. It is a great area for someone like Tio to have a chance to grow. By the time she joins the SSS in four years or so, she'll have collected practical data and many years of experience. And I do hope she does join the SSS. The SSS plays too much of a pivotal role in the entire story to ignore. Just me potentially saving Guy doesn't hold a candle to what the SSS does in the coming years.
With it in the back of my head for now, I felt a sudden jab at my side, only to see Lechter drape his arm over my left shoulder, acting all friendly . I could see a playful smile on his face as he attempted to squeeze his way onto the screen again. The moment Tio saw that, her deadpan expression returned. Tough luck, Lechter it.
"Get this super genius, princy-boy here is looking to round up the old crew again. And that includes yours truly!", Lechter said with a big grin on his face. "Pretty exciting stuff, right?"
Even my eyes turned cold the moment Lechter blurted that out.
"I dare you to call me that again, Lechter.", I responded with a serious voice. Lechter couldn't help but look at me, not expecting me to do this.
'C'mon man. You need to learn to liven up a little! Cut me some slack. You aren't a kid anymore, haha!", Lechter replied with his typical demeanor. Oi, I'm still thirteen you know. Even if my build is approaching Father's by the day, I'm still a kid as far as the age goes. I am quite surprised with how well I've grown lately. I'm already over five feet, and I probably won't stop until I'm six or perhaps even seven feet tall. Rean had Kasia's genes, so that's why he looks the way he does. As for me, apart from my obvious violet hair that I got from my late mother, I would think I resemble Father. At least as far as my body goes. It is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.
"Just so you know Lechter, I will not be debuting in high society until the end of the following year. Do not treat me like a kid anymore, so get that in your head.", I responded.
Nobles are different. While most are seen as working adults anywhere from age sixteen to eighteen depending on the country you're in, Nobles have a completely different view on life. They enter high society at an earlier age, typically around fifteen or sixteen, and are formally recognized by their fellow Nobles. This typically follows with a dance, which introduces prospective partners. The new years dance we had last night was essentially a test run, despite Father officially declaring the engagement between Alfin and I to the public. It won't be seen as official until both of us debut in High Society first. I will be first, and Alfin will follow in some years time. All for the sake of one's household. The earlier you find a suitable partner, the better. The only difference for me is I have my Royal Harem, so I have multiple partners, haha!
"Roger-Roger.", Lechter said, and gave me a half-hearted salute. I shook my shoulder seeing this, and sighed.
"High society? Yeah no thanks.", Jona replied with a scoff. "That's where those fancy-dancy Nobles attend those stuffy parties and flaunt whatever it is they have, right? Count me out. There's no way I could be part of that life. I'll continue living in my man cave thank you very much."
"I know, right? Freedom's amazing. I totally get your point!", Lechter immediately answered, giving Jona thumbs up. Just just looked at Lechter seeing him act so carefree.
"All jokes aside, is what this deadbeat said true, Naoto? Are you looking to gather up the friends we've made?", Tio inquired. Her interest was there at least. I looked at her again and nodded.
"Ouch. Do I really look like a deadbeat to you?", Lechter immediately replied before I could speak.
"We should have thrown you overboard back then so you could swim with the fishes.", Tio said, striking where it hurt. Even Lechter felt his blood run cold, and that's saying something. He has his trusty gut, after all. Seeing Tio like this, he knew to trust it, so he proceeded to close his mouth.
"Haha.", I laughed, seeing this exchange. Good old Tio. She never beats around the bush, does she? "Still, what Lechter said is true. I invited some folks over here, and I'm looking to round up our friends too. It is too much to explain over this video call, but are you interested, Tio?"
"Mmm.", Tio happily responded, signaling that she wanted to come over here. Professor Schmidt glanced his eyes over toward Tio.
"You have not spoken of much desire since you have joined the Foundation and assisted me with the Orbal Network Project. You have displayed excellent results tonight, my prized pupil.", Professor Schmidt complemented. "Unlike a certain Institute Student here, should you request some time off, I can propose it back to the Foundation. I am sure they will agree with how much you have provided in recent times."
"You would do that, Professor?", Tio asked with a hint of surprise in her eyes. I was surprised too.
"It is the least I can do. It is not like I don't give time off to those who need it. Moreso, you have given me adequate data for me to continue my own research for the time being. What we have performed tonight is just icing on the cake.", Professor Schmidt explained.
"It is as the Professor Says. Which brings me to my next point. Where the heck are you anyway? I did see it in the report we would be connecting to Erebonia. Something about being the capital city? The name Heimdallr does ring a bell...", Jona said, appearing confused. "And it looks like you are in some bedroom of sorts?"
"Oh my. Is it my turn now?", An unfamiliar voice spoke out.
"After you, princess.", Lechter said, and decided to make way for a new person to appear on screen.
"Allow me to introduce you all to Erebonia's Treasure. Alfin!", I declared as Princess Alfin suddenly appeared. What replaced Lechter was a beautiful golden blonde-haired girl. Everyone raised their eyes seeing Erebonia's Treasure enter their view.
"Holy sh*t. Is that really Erebonia's Princess I'm seeing? Just what terminal did we connect to!?", Jona exclaimed with sheer disbelief in his eyes.
"Valflame Palace, most likely.", Tio answered.
"You mean that giant palace in the heart of the capital? Now that I think about it there was that insane news drop last night...", Jona murmured. "Something about the princess in front of us getting engaged?"
"The very same.", I replied with a playful smile. "I am surprised the news reached Crossbell so quickly. "And you didn't read the news wrong. Alfin and I are now engaged. The actual ceremony will still be some years off though. This was done likely in accordance to stop having the Nobles pester Alfin. Now that she is taken, no one will dare to bug her."
"T-Taken...", Princess Alfin murmured as a faint hint of red appeared on her cheeks.
"Congratulations.", Tio praised. "You must be quite happy."
"Heh. You could say that.", I happily replied. I mean, I am in a pretty neat spot right now, right? I've got a couple girlfriends with potentially more to come like Sara, and I have a partner that I will share holy matrimony with in the far future. Living the harem life is the dream!
"And this must be Tio whom you previously brought to my attention, right, Naoto?", Princess Alfin asked with interest. "Did you mention to these fine people that you are heading to Crossbell City first thing in the morning?"
"You are coming here?", Tio asked. I could see a glistening star shine in Tio's eyes, unable to contain her excitement. I say that, but she still asks that with that deadpan tone of hers. Now that's the Tio I know.
"Haha.", I laughed. "It was supposed to be a surprise visit, but yeah, I'll be heading on over to Crossbell City in the morning. It is a bit late, but we can enjoy another party to celebrate the new year. After this, I will be busy for a little while, and may have restricted communications. Figured it would be best to handle some unfinished business."
"Shall I proceed to hold off requesting some time off until those couple of weeks pass then?", Tio decided to ask.
"That would be for the best. I know most should be able to come here after the next couple of weeks. I'm not sure if Van will be able to, considering he's attending Aramis Academy now in Edith. I hear it is pretty strict on what you do outside of campus. I do not know if he can take any time off to come here.", I said, wondering how Van was currently doing.
I do know Van recently celebrated winter break together with his friends. And get this, Sara was there. Turns out she booked it all the way here to Heimdallr once that celebration finished. I just didn't expect that Toval would actually head out of the country and head to Calvard, no less. He typically hangs around Western Erebonia, so that was a nice change of pace. Seeing as Toval didn't come with Sara and Lavi, it is likely they parted ways last night. I haven't seen Toval since I left Legram.
"Sheesh, you really do know a lot of people, huh?", Jona asked. "You can't just keep name-dropping people we don't know. Let me guess, whoever this Van is, they're one of those friends you and Tio made. What in Aidios's name did I miss out on?"
"Van sure is. I will tell you guys about him sometime, but not now. I need to see if he can even come here first. Apart from that, it is good to see you again, Professor. I wanted to talk to you about that certain matter we previously discussed."
"Oh? Do tell me. And it is good to see you in good health, Naoto.", Professor Schmidt asked. Jona felt his blood run cold hearing that.
"Wait, the Professor is actually addressing someone by first name---?", Jona tried to ask, but was immediately shot down by another Tio glare. It was as if she was saying 'Now is not the time'.
I just ignored Jona's outburst and continued to speak.
"Well, it has seen some progress. I have a certain individual who is going to investigate the origin of you-know-what. To my knowledge, they keep addressing it as the 'Second Genesis'. I haven't a clue as to what this name infers, unfortunately.", I explained.
"The Second Genesis...", Professor Schmidt murmured. "I have not heard that name in a long time. So that's how it ties into this..."
"The heck kind of name is that? Sounds like some weird-looking Orbment.", Jona responded, acting confused.
"You are aware of the name, Professor?", I decided to ask, not expecting to hear that.
"To think that name would make its appearance in this age. I do know of it, yes.", Professor Schmidt replied. "To put it bluntly, that name alone pointed toward my teacher, the founder of the Epstein Foundation. However, most of his notes have been lost, or remained exclusively with his family, I am afraid. However, there was one thing that did shed some light. A name."
"A name, huh? I've come across a lot of people, so perhaps it is someone I know?", I asked. My curiosity only grew.
"Have you heard of the name 'Claudel', Naoto?", Professor Schmidt asked.
It took that name a good moment for me to register in my thoughts before my eyes turned wide in shock.
Isn't the name Claudel referring to one of the new characters that would make an appearance in the first Daybreak game!? Why would such a person suddenly show up here!? Perhaps the name Claudel has ties to the Epstein Foundation that I'm not aware of?
My eyes turned serious after hearing that question.
"The person you wouldn't be referring to wouldn't happen to be Agnès Claudel, would it, Professor?"