"Do you want to seriously bring that commoner into our prestigious academy?"
"Why, you did hear me clearly didn't you?", the headmaster and the director of the academy replied.
"But, a commoner stepping into this academy might sully its prestige."
"What you are doing is just ostracizing.", Elise told him.
A few instructors and teachers thought it would be a new experience to bring a commoner into the academy. A few thought it was mindless to bring a lower-class into the academy. It had turned out that there was no majority. The opinions they had were equal. So, the opinion of allowing Hiro to attend the MECHA academy was upto the headmaster.
"Headmaster, please think twice before you make the opinion."
Elise, who was the examiner spoke, "Why don't we do it like this? May I state my opinion, Headmaster?"
"Ohh, state your opinion, Elise.".
"Thank You, Sir. We select a few eligible candidates to make them attend the academy based on the percentage they have acquired in the examination. According to results, the candidate 'S-05', also called 'Hiro', scored way more than the required percentage..."
"Can you show us his marks.", a teacher said which interrupted her words.
Elise, passed his marks through the individual touchscreen tablets, they had in front of them in the table. Everyone was shocked to see his marks.
"This is stupid, he must've cheated."
"You really think he can cheat under the surveillance of A.I and humans both?"
"He must have rigged or changed the codes or something..", ones the teachers spoke and he suddenly fell silent.
Elise, looking at him grinned and said, "To hack or change codes of the system, it is almost like re-engineering a MECHA. Calling him a 'cheater' would actually be a compliment, if anyone was actually able to do that."
The teachers in the meeting fell silent.
"So now, if I may continue my opinion. This candidate, even if he studies in the academy, he can only become a MECHA pilot after the 'synchronization test'."
"That is a clean opinion, Miss Elise."
"So what I suggest is that, we will make him the first lower-class person to attend the academy and based on his synchronization test, we will make him a MECHA pilot."
The teachers there seemed to pleasantly surprised with her opinion.
"I like your opinion, Elise."
The headmaster got up his chair, walking with his cane, he announced, "We will be taking Mr.Hiro into our academy."
"Also, what is his surname Elise"
"He doesn't have one."
"What!?"
"He is an orphan."
"Yeah, I just remembered it. Old age is really getting to me. Does he have any guardians?"
"Yes. He is currently living with them."
"Fair enough, give him the note."
"Yes, sir."
To give a candidate 'the note', was a secret message to send the letter of acceptance to the candidate to their address.
The next day, a courier had come to Raj and Yuki's inn. They called Hiro as soon as he came home from running errands. Raj, Yuki rushed to him. Hiro, with the kids and Alma who went out of errands had just returned from their errands.
When they all opened the courier, it had a letter in it. The moment was so intense when he opened the letter. It stated only a single line, "Candidate S-05 is eligible to attend the MECHA academy."
The rest of details stated that the academy would begin at February, with specified uniform and books provided by the academy itself. He checked for the fees. It didn't state anything. He couldn't understand anything.
Raj got a call from an 'old friend'. Raj was surprised over hearing the words which came from the other person on the phone. He looked at Hiro and moved towards him.
"Who was it, Dear?", Yuki asked him.
"It was Elise.", he replied.
"Ohh, her.", she said while having murderous behind her and asked him, "What did she say?"
"Hiro is a scholarship student and doesn't need to pay any sort of fees for the two years of his study."
"What?"
"WHAT?", everybody said in chorus.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, I am serious. Her tone was smooth and she told me that it was approved by the director himself."
"What's going on?", Hiro wondered in his mind.
"Let's celebrate today, Hiro", Raj said to him as he put his arms on his shoulder.
Dusk fell, they had an unexpected guest.
"Congratulations, Hiro.", a middle aged man in his forties who seemed to have travelled from another city had come to visit Hiro
"Uncle Haseef, you're here."
Haseef, he was the person who had come to congratulate Hiro.
"You were this young, the last time I saw you.", He told to Hiro.
"Well, uncle please come inside."
"Ohh, old man. You're here too.", Raj told to him.
"Sir Haseef, welcome.", Yuki said to him.
"You too, seem to be getting along well. Not having any fights are you?", Haseef asked them both.
"Yeah.", they both replied.
"Are they really not having fights, Hiro? I don't trust their words.", Haseef asked Hiro.
"Hey!!!", they both of them reacted.
"No they aren't. Just the other day the both of them were flirting the other day."
"Hahaha,", Haseef laughed and said, "That's good to hear."
"Uncle Haseef, please get inside. We still haven't celebrated.", Hiro said to him.
"Ahh, who wouldn't want to listen to the words of cute Hiro.", he said as he pinched Hiro's cheek
"I am not a kid.", Hiro told.
"In my eyes, you're always one."
The party had continued. Raj, Yuki and Alma took care of the cooking. Many people who had heard the news had come to celebrate his success. They also contributed a bit.
Hiro was congratulated by many.
The party had ended, Raj was drunk and Yuki had taken him to his room. Alma stayed back with Hiro to help him clean the aftermath. His siblings were drowsy and he took them to the bedroom to make them sleep. Hiro returned to the main hall and reception of the inn where the party had taken place.
The only people there were Hiro, Alma and Haseef.
Alma went inside the kitchen to clean some utensils while took care of the cleaning at the reception.
"Hiro, I've got something to say to you.", Haseef told him.
"Yes, uncle what is it?", Hiro asked him.
Haseef got up from the chair he was sitting in and walked towards Hiro.
He bowed down to him saying, "Thank you for making us commoners and peasants proud."
"Ehh? What!?"
"The day when a lower class person would attend the academy, it showed those nobles that we can do anything.", He continued.
"Please don't bow down to me, Uncle. You're older than me.", Hiro said to Haseef as he lifted him.
"Sensible, as always. You've grown a lot, Hiro. As a man you've grown."
"Ohh, you flatter me."
"Well, I must leave."
"At least leave tomorrow."
"Sorry Hiro, this old man has some work to do."
Soon, someone was knocking the door. Hiro went to see who was knocking the door.
"Sir Haseef, are you in there?", the person who was knocking spoke.
"Ohh, it seems my escort has arrived."
"It seems."
"Don't be so depressed.", Haseef said to Hiro while patting his head.
"No matter how much he has grown, he is still a kid inside."
"I have to go, Hiro. Can't disrespect my escort after he has come so far for me."
"Yes, uncle, take care."
Alma, who had heard the whole exchange got to see a new side to Hiro.
Haseef walked through the door and suddenly stopped, looking at Hiro.
"Also, it might be late. I wanted to wish you back then but Happy belated Birthday Hiro.", he said to Hiro and continued while laughing, "Though, I am two months late."
"No worries, uncle."
"Be happy and safe, Hiro."
"You too, Uncle."
Then, Haseef closed the door after saying, "bye".
Alma, walked out of the kitchen. Hiro noticed her and told her, "Alma you were here the whole time, right?"
A flustered Alma replied, "Yes."
Hiro became embarassed, "Alma, shall I drop you at home. What is the time?"
The time is 9:45.
"Its gotten so late!"
"Father might scold me."
"Sorry, Alma. Its all because of me."
"Well, do me a favour then."
"What is it?"
"Walk with me to my home."
"Thats it?"
"Yeah."
Hiro sighed and felt relieved. He went to drop Alma at her but she was disappointed at how dense Hiro was.
"Do you still believe in the rebellion, Sir?", the person who had come to escort Haseef asked him.
"Kunal, it can happen. All we need is someone who can trigger it.", Haseef replied.
"What about the MECHA?", the latter asked him.
"Those upper-cla... No, those lads who call themselves the pureblood Kreisians, cannot fully use the MECHA."
"Do you think, we can revive Kruz in any way?"
"There must be a way. We just need someone to unlock the ability."
"Those shots are the ones preventing us aren't they, Sir Haseef?"
"Yes, but we still need someone who can awaken."
"What about Hiro then?", Kunal asked him.
"Him, he is a cute child. He is becoming a MECHA pilot, but my heart doesn't want him to bear the responsibility.", Haseef replied.
"He seems to be a descendant of 'Haru'.", Kunal said to Haseef.
"If by anyway, Hiro does learn about the truth behind RIORS, we shall support him, by fair means or foul."
"You seem like you're regretting something."
"That child, I knew him since he was kid, before I moved out. Listening to what I heard from Raj, it still breaks my heart. My only wish for him is for him not get involved in the cruel world which we adults are in."
"But he has to grow up someday."
"I know."
And with that, the hectic day had ended.
Months passed while Hiro still worked at Raj's inn while being trained by him and Yuki. He studied during the time. His schedule was fully packed for those four months andit had come.
February had finally come. In that academy, he was brought as the first scholarship and a commoner student. He faced mild ostracization from teachers and students who opposed his entry into the academy. During that time, he met Anton.
"Do you think, he would settle within the academy headmaster?"
The headmaster sipped his coffee and said, "He will either rise or fall."
"I don't get anything?"
"Elise, you are incharge of helping Hiro from the shadows. Make sure he doesn't get ostracized or bullied by any teacher or student."
"Are these what my espionage skills are useful for."
"Well, now tell me the date."
"Slave driver...", Elise muttered slowly while comically crying and looked at the date.
"Sir, it is 2nd month, 3rd day, C620."
"Thank you very much, young lady."
"You're welcome, Sir."
"2nd month, 3rd day, C620. Thus, the very first commoner kept his foot inside this academy."
Back to the present day, 4th day, 5th month, c626.
"Hiro, can you hear me?"
Hiro, who had dozen off on the bench while sitting was woken up by the familiar voice.
He opened his eyes, he saw Alma. She was too close to his face. Hiro was flustered and so was Alma.
"Why do both of them get flustered so easily?", Yuki thought watching them from afar.
"What happened, Alma?"
"I should be asking you that?"
"What do you mean?", Hiro asked her.
"Look at the sky and the time."
He looked at the sky and it was dark. The street lights were on and he looked at the time in his watch. It was 10:53 pm.
"How can you be so irresponsible Hiro?"
"Well..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Alma held his hand and pulled him.
Hiro taking advantage of this situation spoke, "As long as I have someone reliable like you. I can be as careless as I want."
Alma, hearing his words, blushed. She looked at Hiro and asked him, "Really?", with a really cute expression on her face.
Hiro, could feel his heart beating fast.
"What is this?"
"Am I having high blood pressure?"
"Will I have a cardiac arrest."
"Am I gonna die."
"I am gonna die by her cuteness."
"She is really cute."
"What is this feeling?"
Hiro was being bombarded by these thoughts while looking at Alma.
"Big Brother and Alma, they're flirting.", Varuna spoke.
"WE'RE NOT!", the both yelled in sync.
Varuna who saw them, got teary eyed. Hiro and Alma both were tensed and tried to calm him down. Hiro got to Varuna and patted him.
The both of them caught Varuna's hands. They went back to their home.
"By the way, Alma. Isn't your father worried about you?"
"Well, I can just give him the excuse that I was taking care of the children."
"Well you've taking care of us, Alma."
"Oi, Varuna. Talk to her with respect."
"Should I call her sister-in-law, then?"
Upon hearing Varuna's words, the both of them get flustered and blushing red.
"Just get married already.", Varuna thought in his mind.
The three them then reached home. Varuna was sleepy and Hiro took him to his room while Alma waited in the living room. Hiro then went to the living after making Varuna sleep.
"Why did you want me to wait, Hiro?"
"Just spend the night here."
"Really?"
"Yeah"
"But.."
"But?"
"No, nothing really."
"Oh, the clothing huh, Use some of my washed clothes."
"No, there must be a specific reason that you want me to stay here."
"Nothing, I just wanted you by my side."
"Ehh!?"
"For this night, stay by my side."
"Its kind of embarassing."
"Really, we already slept beside each other in the same room seven years ago."
"Sleeping beside each other, huh...", Alma muttered slowly with murderous intent slowly as if she were expecting more.
Hiro, looking at the aura behind her, got scared. Alma, looking at him, calmed down saying, "Hiro, I will stay by your side, whenever you want."
Then, the both of slept on the same bed and room, beside each other.
"Now that I think about it. Alma was the one that had supported me the most."
He was slowly reminded of the past, back during graduation, five years ago.
3rd month, 12th day, C622
It was the official graduation for those who had trained to become MECHA pilots at the academy.
The problem was that only about ten percent can become MECHA pilots. The remaining are either kept in the engineering or support department or become a part of rescue squad or normal army, which included, terrestrial, aerial and aqua forces.
The terrestrial forces were normal soldiers working on land, to protect humans. They were divided into police force and military. The Aerial forces used to use fighter jets to act as aerial support for military and MECHA pilots. Aqua forces, were the naval forces, who mainly work in water bodies to gather any sort of threats and also provide underwater support to MECHA pilots if any sort of underwater RIOR threat exists.
The final test only had one thing. It was called the 'synchronization test'. The test was purely based on probability. Only those who could get more than forty percent synchronization in the 'simulator' could be allowed as MECHA pilots.
'Simulator' as the name suggests, it is a device that nearly mimics the cockpit of a MECHA and checks about how much the pilot can handle the MECHA.
Everyone were taking the test, one by one.
Hiro was called out by the director of the academy and was asked by the director to follow him.
"Where are we going , Sir?"
"You will know, my child."
He guided Hiro to a dark space.
"Where is this?", Hiro asked.
Then to his right side, something opened up with some noise. The hatch which was opened was of something like a simulator.
"So, this is where I'll be taking my exam."
"Sorry, Mr. Hiro, since you are a commoner, you must take it here."
"No problem, sir."
Meanwhile, the staff were in a exquisite room with the other teachers who were checking the synchronization rate of other students.
"When will that commoner's name come up, Elise. I can't wait to see him fail."
She got bored with his talk and replied, "Wanna make a bet?"
"What is the bet, I presume it is Hiro passing the synchronization test?"
"No, Hiro will get a hundred percent on the synchronization test."
Hearing her words everyone on the staff started laughing, even those who were in favour for Hiro.
"There's no way. No human until now has had a synchronization of hundred percent."
"Let's see then."
Hiro, who looked at the cockpit, got inside it. He wore the suit which pilots wore. He put his hand on the control mechanisms. The joysticks and all, etc., and took a heavy breath.
"Remember, Hiro."
He looked that the screen in front started glowing. The dim light which covered the cockpit had become colourful. Slowly, radiant neon light passed as he looked at it. He could feel as if the MECHA was becoming a part of him.
"Hiro, in position."
"Checking, synchronization."
"Please, Hiro, get a 100%."
Hiro then saw the screen which had the words 'VERNIER' appeared one after the other with nebulous ends as they took form.
"Vernier", he spoke slowly.
"Synchronization rate found."
"How much is it? Bet its nine or ten."
"It is currently calculating."
Elise was silently watching without saying a word.
Hiro could feel as if he and Vernier were connected by the senses.
"Hiro's final synchronization rate acquired."
"How much is it?", Elise asked in tension
Synchronization rate was shown on the screen bit by bit.
The percentage started climbing from zero to continuous numbers. It reached the final number.
"100%."
"No way, it is possible. The computer must be broken."
The headmaster who was outside saw it glowing. A red and radiant light glowing.
Yes, it is a MECHA to which Hiro was guided to. Headmaster's pupil's dilated.
"So now, I get it. You and Vernier are meant to be together."
Then the red light became brighter. The cloth with which it was covered with burned down revealing that it was Vernier and the light it produced removed the darkness.
"Maybe, he will be the one that will save the world one day."
"Synchronization rate is climbing, 150%, 200%. Untraceable...."
"Is the system alright?"
"The system has no faults."
"There's no way."
Elise having a smug look on her face, looked down on them.
"3rd month, 12th day, C622, Vernier had awakened from the first time after it was restored."