The first month of the reformation was cruel and gruesome. The spy they caught during the examination would struggle and fight back, refusing to be subjected to the test. From the first to the fifth army, they were able to uproot almost a hundred of them. Some were even connected to noble families.
Although the aristocrats deny the allegations, evidence was presented in the court. They were immediately captured and detained. The honor they had accumulated was taken and their financial records were traced back to star pirates. The nobles' and common people's private properties were checked and monitored just to prevent spies from slipping away.
From time to time the citizens will hear explosions and screams outside their homes. The store was all closed and people were prevented from going out, the bustling city became deserted.
Other allied planets wanted to lend a hand, however, the empire couldn't accept their help. There was a possibility that spies would use this opportunity to enter the capital.
The people grew up in a peaceful time and they weren't used to the chaos, they couldn't relax thinking that their neighbors or even friends might be a spy from Tresahil.
Since no one was allowed to go out, they could only meet with their friends through the virtual network and starnet.
A year has passed since then, the situation become more stable, some were permitted to go out while others had been focusing on forming their careers in the virtual world. Visit from other empire were still forbidden, but they were able to get by just by entering the virtual network.
The entertainment industry became a huge hit for the people who could no longer go out and have fun. Starnet 'idols' became famous, and others followed suit seeing how they earn money so easily.
While these people were busy creating videos and doing comical stunts on the network, Seven was doing his last training in mecha command. He didn't have his terminal and was clueless about what is happening outside the military barracks.
Green signal him to continue and he propelled himself upwards, he was performing a complicated command in his mecha. He channels his spiritual energy and forms a huge vortex, enough to fit the whole mecha, as soon as he entered the vortex disappeared, and another one formed on the other side of the training room, there Seven came out unscathed.
This was his new ability, he can control the black holes and create an opening in space and teleport himself to another place. The distance would vary on how large the item is being transported. If it was only his mecha, he can reach up to 80 kilometers per second, however, if he tries to move a whole army, he would need to do it in small batches.
"YSR-94° northeast," Green said another command and he perform somersaults in the air, then using his ability as a foothold, he pushed himself upwards and summon his bow and arrow. With his swift movement, he was able to balance himself while pulling the strings and hitting the target.
"that's good Seven you can stop now" After finishing his exam he can now get out of the room, he had been staying here day and night. He was planning to finish mecha combat this month because he was going to have closed-door training. He had felt that his ability system was going to break through again and he needed time to consolidate the power.
His training might take months or worse years that's why it was better to do it now to conserve more time. When Maddox learns this, he had prepared a closed room for him.
He got out of the room and went straight to the shower, he hasn't had a decent shower for the last month. He submerged his body in a warm bath and closed his eyes. His body has grown stronger, he didn't have those exaggerated muscles but was lean and toned. Just a few months of training and he had reached 5'8 and he was just 12. This amazes him, back on Earth, he was able to reach this height at the age of 15.
He waited for about 10 minutes before finishing his bath. He changed into his uniform and went to Maddox's laboratory.
This one year, Maddox had spent almost all his time finishing the antidote. Seven had written all the procedures and had let him formulate the substance since he still had to train. Three months after, he was able to create the final product and had the soldiers who got affected by the plant take them. The medicine worked just as they expected, Maddox however wasn't satisfied with the result, he suddenly went to the academy and browse all the medicine-related books. Everyone thought he was planning to change careers.
He went inside the laboratory and had his ID scanned. Once he entered, he saw Maddox and his research team busy formulating another mixture. He checked the time and it was almost lunch. Instead of disturbing them, he decided to cook their meal.
He had been preparing lunch for them for one year, it all started when they saw how delicious the food they were eating was while they could only consume nutritional drinks. The same thing happened with Cross, however, he couldn't cook so many. He decided to teach the chefs in the cafeteria. Though Seven had made sure that the food he made only had small effects and wouldn't necessarily be considered an auxiliary meal.
He processed the food first and set them aside for a bit. He preheated the oven before focusing on the pasta. He was going to cook lasagna since they have been obsessed with spaghetti lately and he had enough of it.
He prepared 5 ceramic Glasses. He stack the pasta, sauce, and cheese alternately until he filled all of the containers. He placed them inside the oven and waited for them to cook. He would check them from time to time until he heard a ding from the oven.
As he take it out, the smell permeates the kitchen and this attracted the researchers. They finally realized what time it was and went to the dining room, there they saw Seven arranging the table, and in the middle of it was a piping hot Lasagna, the color was inviting and they couldn't help but gulp.
"it's time to eat" he called out and they all occupied the seats.
They all said their thanks and watch them leave.
Seven put one of the lasagnas inside an insulation box, and he and Maddox went out to see Cross. This will be the first time in five months they have a meal together, Cross and Maddox have been very busy and so Seven could only send them food, he would sometimes eat with Maddox or with Cross whoever's free.
Since Seven was planning on his closed-door training tonight, the two had specially set all of today's work for tomorrow and decided to spend time today.
When they arrive, Cross was already setting the table. The two immediately sit down and Maddox takes out the lasagna.
"did you prepare everything you needed?" Cross asks in between their meal.
"hmm.... we might have prepared more than planned" he explained and Maddox just coughs it off, acting as if he didn't do anything excessive.
Cross and Seven laughs at his reaction but immediately stop as soon as they saw him raising his eyebrows.
They spend the day just being with each other, telling stories of everything that had happened outside. The topic they talk about were random, but they didn't mind. They would laugh at every joke, reminisce all the past, and imagine the future.
"yeah I liked to have a sister I guess... girls are sweet and gentle but boys are fine too, they're not picky and are easier to understand," Seven said when he was asked if he prefers a little sister or a little brother. He was quite excited about having one.
"I want to have more boys than girls that way she will be protected" Cross admitted, he would have trouble raising so many girls. They would surely attract wolves.
"why boys? This house already has three men, we need more girls here" Maddox commented, he thinks that boys are way too rough, and he wasn't sure if his children would be like Seven who was obedient and well-behaved.
When it was 5 in the evening, Seven decided to play the piano, it was a love song perfect for a slow dance.
As they listen Cross decided to invite Maddox for a dance.
He placed his left hand on his back while the other was reaching out for Maddox's hand. One of his knees was slightly bent.
He kissed the back of Maddox's hand and said " may I have this dance"
"It would be an honor" he teased Cross and place his hands on his neck while Cross held his waist.
The two twirl around the living room would sway their bodies together. From time to time they would share a kiss, and Cross would then pull Maddox even closer as he whispered sweet nothings in his ear. Maddox in return would bite his shoulder.
'the two must have forgotten I am still here' Seven thought as he press the keys and changed to another Love song. He had played four songs already and the two seemed to be stuck in their world.
Seven who were watching all of this were contemplating whether he should stop and go out to not be their third wheel or continue playing the piano it let them enjoy this moment.
In the end, he closed one eye and just continue. It was rare for the two to have a moment like this. He'll just pretend to be a statue.