The President told me that I should go and visit the Artes Pharmaceutical Section. It's not really just a Section but the place is a huge building where the students that passed on screening get their Artes. Naturally, they process everything here regarding the Artes and the place was a laboratory for the Artes itself.
The Artes Pharmaceutical cannot let our Artes reach the limits or we'll end up useless. Just like what happened to me. That is the only disadvantage of it.
The Magus Artes users are able to use magic using the elements. Feuer, Eirde, Luft, and Vepo. Those are the common Elemental Artes so far. The last one, well I haven't heard anything about that section so I could never explain it. But those two are the most important.
Leaving that aside, I'm on my way to Artes Section number two to ask the expert about my Artes. Although later on, the Airship will take a flight to the surface, I haven't yet decided if I'll spend my vacation or I'll just stay here.
"I want to spend my vacation." That's what is actually on my mind, however, I'm not really sure if getting that vacation will be worth it. If I get used to the freedom I seek for the rest of my life, then it'll probably be hard to come back here.
"Wait."
Why would I even come back here? When I reached the surface, I could just hide away. They wouldn't know, do they?
Sigh. I doubt it. "I'm their pet. There's no way they won't track me down."
As I proceeded to my walk. I've come past the rooms that have clear glasses. It clearly shows the students that were being processed. I paused in my walk for a while just to take a short glimpse of how they put the Artes inside their body.
"So...This is the Magus Artes Section."
Everything was in order. I don't remember how they processed the Artes inside me, but seeing these students chained in some sort of metallic bed, both arms, legs, and even the neck. Made me think about why.
"Why do they need to do that?"
Plus, the student does seem to be awake instead of sleeping. They didn't let them sleep, are they planning to make them feel the wrath of the inhumane powers? The Artes is transfusing with their system. Thinking about how it will flow in their veins while they were awake, it'll create a nightmare and grudge straight to their mind.
Not only that, I'm puzzled on why they have to build transparent glasses in each room. Showing this kind of image to the public is not appropriate for the students and the people. Although I presume that this area is restricted.
"Why do I even care for them?"
I'm just here because I've been allowed to visit. Besides, I have my Gold Card here with me. The card is exclusive thus, I have a lot of privileges within this place and even on the surface. They won't question me and doubt who I am. Still, this is not something I should be proud of. Because of this shit, I have to continue working for the Empire even if it is against my will.
"Sigh. I'll just do whatever I have to do."
I moved room by room due to the curiosity it gives me. I just wander off, pushing aside my real agenda to this place. I clearly see their works and even the students being treated.
My eyes can't take off the glance at the different rooms and different people until someone taps the glass window abruptly.
"—Acck!" I wasn't supposed to get startled by it. The sudden knock of the glass by the girl only surprised me just a little. The little girl smiled happily as if she was glad that she startled me in the first place.
The little girl was somewhat pale and looked sick. Wait. Is it possible for a little girl to be in this kind of place? I've checked the room's name and it says, "Selten ward." This ward is for people who has an extremely rare condition.
"Hi~" It was strange that I heard her voice on this side. The little girl waved at me gently. I had to do the same thing. I'm not a person who's attached to children but every time I see that tragedy to myself, I can't just ignore children anymore. "Hi!" even greeted her with enthusiasm.
Her smile didn't leave her face until someone had to surprise me by saying my full name. "Miss Altair Sei Euphemia."
"...—!" my body just shrugged out of it.
Thank goodness I haven't touched the lady on my side, if I did, she'd fly away without a doubt.
"W-what is it? You nearly gave me a heart attack. Why would you do that?" I complained.
"Do what? I've been expecting you since then but you never arrived so I had to look for you myself." my eyes widened a bit. Her tone abruptly changed, from formal to informal really quickly.
"Erm. You're the one who'll check up on me?"
"Yes. If you would please follow me. It'll be much more convenient if you also don't roam your attention anywhere. It seems you're easy to get astray. Don't you know that's a bad side of a soldier? You must refrain yourself from doing that."
Fuck. I didn't say I'm going to be a soldier myself.
"What are you talking about being a soldier—."
"Don't you know that talking back to the senior is not good too? God, where did your manners go? I've heard you are a troublemaker. Glad that your Artes failed."
What is she trying to say?
This woman, not only she impudently talking at me with an inadequate attitude but she sounds like she's also mocking me. "Senior? And so, what if you are a Senior?"
"Huh—?"
She stopped walking and turned to me with a sharp deadly stare. I got a chill down my spine when she did that, I also had to step back for some reason.
"Rika. There you are. Why are you here with Miss Altair? The professor has been waiting for her forever." With great timing. Someone interfered between us. She obviously saved me from this woman's wrath.
"Oh."
"Please this way. I'll lead you to the professor." the new girl leads the way instead. Still, I couldn't avert my stare away from the previous woman. She's still on her demon side while she watches us walk away.
Anyhow, we've managed to leave that demon in the end. The girl brought me to a room where the said professor was present. When I entered, the man was sitting in his seat with a smile.
"Professor. Miss Altair has arrived."
"Welcome. I've been waiting for you." He greeted me, "Please have a seat."
"I'm here because the President told me that I should have my Artes checked."
"Ah yes. I know that. He personally said that to me. He said I must take care of everything regarding you."
I sat down in the seat he offered. "So, tell me. How do you feel? Do you have a headache? Or perhaps heaviness?" He began questioning me about common things.
"Headaches no. But my body feels heavy."
"That must be it. Because the Artes is not functioning well inside you. It creates a sensation that is a disadvantage to the human body. This is why we don't recommend students to use their powers maximum to the limit that body can handle."
This feels like he is scolding me at some point.
"Don't worry. When the Artes gathers enough particles. You'll be able to use it again."
Particle? What is that particle he was talking about?
I was about to question him about the particle he mentioned when I saw him holding a Syringe with a strange liquid inside.
"Now, can I see your right arm?"
"W-what is that!? I have never been informed that there's something like this!"
"Don't worry. This medicine will help you stimulate the particle needed for your Artes. Don't be afraid, the president left you in my care. I would never do reckless things to you. Trust me."
Your words aren't convincing. "No! I won't receive any treatment from this place—It's already clear to me that I have to wait days for my Artes to come back. I don't want...—."
I'm in the middle of my speech. I saw the guy wasn't even listening and injected the syringe with a strange liquid into my skin.
"Done!" and the stupid smile is all over his face.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" I shouted hysterically, I hurriedly grabbed his collar and was about to land a smack on his face when my eyes began to get blurry.
"W...what is happening...?!" my head is spinning; my whole world is deliberately getting darker.
"Sleep tight...
...Pet of the Great Empire."