As Raika trudged back to her friends, dragging her feet, Mia noticed her gloomy expression. "Why the long face, Raika?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
Raika tried to muster a smile. "It's nothing," she replied, but the weight of her thoughts made it hard to conceal her emotions.
Lina frowned, not convinced. "Are you sure about that? You look like you haven't eaten in a whole week with that face."
Raika sighed, feeling the burden of her secret and the encounter with Katsuya pressing heavily on her. "Really, it's nothing," she insisted, but her friends could sense something was off.
Mia and Lina exchanged worried glances, deciding not to press her further but silently resolving to keep a closer eye on their friend.
Lina, noticing Raika's mood, tried to lift her spirits. "Cheer up, Raika! Our next class is with the Guardian Ranger, the protector of this city."
Raika's eyes widened in sudden recollection. The memory of the Guardian Ranger flooded back—a figure equipped with jet boots, a saber, and a gun, fighting valiantly against a towering mech. She remembered the intense battle, the mech's powerful attacks aimed directly at her, only to be thwarted by her barrier. She had managed to deceive the Guardian Ranger into believing the barrier was a result of a device rather than her own power.
Raika forced a smile, trying to shake off her worries. "Yeah, that sounds exciting," she replied, though her mind was still occupied with the memories of her previous encounter with the Guardian Ranger.
As they arrived at the class, four Guardian Rangers stood at the front, their presence commanding respect. The instructor introduced them, "These are your teachers for today. They will share their combat experiences with you."
One of the female Guardian Rangers stepped forward, "Please, students, state your names before we proceed."
As the students took turns introducing themselves, it was Raika's turn. "My name is Raika," she said.
One of the male Guardian Rangers, Mark, interrupted, "Wait, wait, wait. So your name is Raika? I'm Mark. You're the one who deflected the laser beam of the mech. Wow, you're awesome!"
Mia and Lina looked at Raika in disbelief. "Impossible! No amount of force field can withstand that attack," Mia exclaimed.
Mark nodded, "It was Raika's device that saved her."
The students' eyes widened in amazement. "Is there such a device that powerful?" one of them asked.
"Show us!" another student demanded.
Raika, keeping her cool, pulled out a small, intricate device. "This is the device," she said, holding it up. The device was complex, filled with circuits and components that seemed almost impossible to decipher.
She began to bluff its functionality, "This device creates a force field by amplifying and redirecting ambient mana into a concentrated barrier. It can withstand high-intensity energy attacks by dispersing the impact across a broad surface area, essentially nullifying the energy directed at it. It's a cutting-edge piece of tech that combines advanced engineering and magical principles."
The students were in awe, murmuring amongst themselves about the incredible device. Mark gave her an approving nod, "Impressive, Raika."
Raika smiled, hiding her nervousness. "Thank you," she said, hoping her explanation was convincing enough.
Mark stepped forward, addressing the curious and skeptical faces in the room. "If you ever don't believe her, see for yourselves," he said, pulling up a video on the hologram board.
The footage showed Raika deflecting the giant laser beam with ease, the force field shimmering as it repelled the attack. The sound of the beam's impact filled the room, and the students watched in awe as the scene played out.
"Wow, look at that!" one of the students exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement.
The other three Guardian Rangers, equally impressed, exchanged glances. One of them, a female ranger, commented, "So that's what went viral lately."
Mark nodded. "Yep, that's Raika's handiwork. Incredible, isn't it?"
Raika blushed slightly, feeling the weight of all the eyes on her. "It was just a device," she said modestly.
But the students were already buzzing with excitement and admiration, inspired by Raika's apparent ingenuity and bravery.
One of the students raised a hand, eyes wide with curiosity. "Where did you get that device?"
Another student chimed in, "If it requires mana, how did you manage to use it without being obliterated? You have almost no mana!"
Before Raika could respond, Mark stepped in, holding up his hands to calm the class. "Alright, students, give Raika some space. You're overwhelming her with questions."
Raika let out a sigh of relief, glancing at Mark gratefully. "Whew, you saved me, Sir Mark. Thanks."
Mark gave her a reassuring nod. "No problem, Raika. Let's focus on the lesson for now. There will be plenty of time for questions later."
The four Guardian Rangers took their places at the front of the class, their presence commanding immediate attention. The students leaned forward eagerly, ready to hear about the thrilling world of combating mechs and other threats.
The first to speak was Mark, his voice steady and confident. "Our primary role as Guardian Rangers is to protect the city from various threats, including mechs, rogue AI, and other high-level dangers. One of our most recent battles involved a mech attack on the outskirts of the city."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "This mech was unlike any we've encountered before. It was heavily armored and equipped with advanced weaponry, including a high-powered laser capable of cutting through our defenses."
The female Guardian Ranger, Amelia, stepped in. "In that battle, our strategy was crucial. We split into two teams. One team focused on drawing the mech's fire, while the other team worked on finding its weak points. We utilized jet boots for swift maneuvers and sabers for close combat."
Amelia demonstrated a few swift moves with her saber, the blade humming with energy. The students watched, eyes wide with fascination.
Next, Jason, a tall and muscular Ranger, took over. "Team coordination is vital. We rely on each other to cover our backs. During the mech battle, we had to constantly communicate and adapt our tactics. For example, while Amelia and Mark distracted the mech, I used my jet boots to get above it and target its vulnerable sensors."
He pointed to a hologram of the mech, highlighting the critical points they targeted. "Precision and timing are everything. One wrong move, and it could be disastrous."
The last Ranger, Sarah, who had a more technical background, added, "We also employ various devices and technologies. For instance, during the battle, we used EMP grenades to temporarily disable the mech's systems, giving us a critical window to attack."
She held up an EMP grenade, showing its compact and sleek design. "These tools are lifesavers, but they require precise handling and timing. One of the keys to our success is our ability to adapt and use whatever resources we have at our disposal."
The students were captivated, hanging on every word. The Rangers' stories of bravery, skill, and teamwork painted a vivid picture of their intense and dangerous lives.
Amelia concluded, "It's not just about fighting. It's about protecting our city and everyone in it. Each battle teaches us something new, and we become stronger together."
Mark nodded, "And remember, while the technology and weapons are important, it's our determination, teamwork, and willingness to protect that truly make us Guardian Rangers."
The room buzzed with excitement and admiration. The students had a newfound respect for the Guardians, inspired by their courage and dedication. Raika, too, felt a sense of awe and pride, knowing she had been acknowledged by such remarkable heroes.
As the discussion ended and night began to fall, Mia couldn't contain her excitement. "What a relief! They are the best Rangers in Starloom City," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Lina nodded, equally impressed. "The most mesmerizing part was Raika. She has the best gadgets that no normal human can comprehend. She even upgraded the saber to be more power-efficient and use less mana while having a more powerful blade."
Mia turned to Raika, her admiration clear. "You really are something else, Raika. Your skills and knowledge are incredible."
Raika blushed at the praise, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Thanks, guys. I just do what I can."
Lina smiled warmly. "You're too modest, Raika. You've proven that you're not only intelligent but also resourceful. We're lucky to have you as a friend."
Raika's heart swelled with gratitude. She had found a place where she was appreciated and respected, and she couldn't ask for more.
Meanwhile, Katsuya approached the principal with an anxious demeanor. "Sir, I have something important to show you," he began hesitantly.
The principal looked up from his desk, curious. "What is it, Katsuya?"
"I... I suspect there's something unusual about Raika," Katsuya stuttered nervously. "I believe she might not be human, sir. She could be a cyborg or a robot."
The principal raised an eyebrow. "Do you have any evidence to support this claim?"
"Yes, sir. I have footage," Katsuya replied, his voice shaking as he handed over a data pad.
The principal reviewed the footage, which unexpectedly showed Raika in the midst of changing clothes. Both men quickly averted their eyes.
"Katsuya," the principal said sternly, "this isn't appropriate. Accusing someone without solid evidence is serious. If you continue spreading baseless rumors, there will be consequences."
"No, sir, there's a mistake!" Katsuya protested desperately. "The footage... It was supposed to show her transformation into a cyborg!"
The principal sighed, clearly exasperated. "Enough, Katsuya. I suggest you focus on your studies and leave these wild speculations aside."
Katsuya left the office feeling defeated and confused, unsure of what he had just witnessed.
Meanwhile as Raika walked with Mia and Lina through the corridors of the academy, a mischievous grin spread across her face, barely containing her amusement. "Hahahaha, serve him right," she chuckled under her breath, thinking about Katsuya's hacked dial pad.
The Assistant in Raika's mind chimed in with a playful tone, "Way to go! That was epic!"
Mia and Lina noticed Raika's unusual glee and exchanged puzzled glances. "Are you alright, Raika?" Mia asked, concerned but curious.
Raika nodded, her smile widening. "I'm okay," she replied, her voice tinged with suppressed laughter.
"You look really happy, Raika," Lina remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Like you just won the lottery or something."
Raika glanced at them with twinkling eyes. "It's something like that," she said cryptically, enjoying the moment of mischief and the unexpected turn of events.
They continued down the hall, Raika's spirits buoyed by her small victory, while Mia and Lina couldn't help but grin at her infectious humor and the intrigue surrounding Katsuya's altered video.
As they made their way back to their respective rooms in the academy, Raika breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew, good thing I managed to hack and alter that video in just 12 seconds," she remarked to herself, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Her Assistant chimed in with admiration, "You're amazing, Raika. Your control over your abilities is getting better every day."
Raika smiled to herself, grateful for the support from her Assistant. "Thanks," she replied quietly, reflecting on how far she had come since arriving at the academy.
Meanwhile, Katsuya had retreated to his room, his mind racing with confusion and disbelief. He had watched the video twenty times, each viewing intensifying his uncertainty. "It can't be," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in frustration. The footage seemed altered, yet something about it felt unnervingly real and unchangeable.
"Am I going crazy or something?" he wondered aloud, grappling with the unsettling realization that his perceptions might be at odds with reality. His thoughts whirled as he tried to make sense of the inexplicable footage, his mind teetering on the edge of acceptance and denial.
Katsuya finally said aloud, "It must be Raika, I have no doubts." His anger boiled over as he declared, "I will make sure she's expelled from this academy. Cyborgs and robots must be destroyed!" He laughed bitterly, consumed by his determination.
As the night deepened, Katsuya lay restless in his bed, the events of the day replaying in his mind like a relentless loop. The dim moonlight filtered through his window, casting faint shadows across his room, adding to the eerie atmosphere. He couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that gnawed at him.
His thoughts raced back to the video footage he had seen earlier, the image of Raika seemingly transforming into a cyborg etched vividly in his memory. Each time he closed his eyes, the scene played out again: Raika, with a flash of unnatural movements, as if she were more machine than human. It felt too real to dismiss as a mere fabrication of his mind.
Katsuya's room felt suffocatingly quiet, except for the occasional rustle of leaves outside or the distant hum of the city at night. He tossed and turned, his mind racing with doubts and suspicions. Was Raika truly a cyborg, hiding among them with her incredible skills and mysterious demeanor? Or was he simply losing his grip on reality, imagining threats where there were none?
Hours passed, but sleep eluded him. The weight of his discovery and the implications it carried for Raika and the academy bore down heavily on him. Deep into the night, Katsuya remained awake, wrestling with the unsettling question: was it real, or just a trick of the mind?