Raika slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the harsh light of the infirmary. "Where am I?" she muttered weakly.
"You're awake!" Mia and Lina exclaimed in unison, rushing to her side.
The Assistant's voice echoed in Raika's mind, "That's why your energy has been at a critical level. I focused the internal repairs on your flesh with nanomachines."
Raika thought, "Why didn't you repair my damaged power connection?"
The Assistant responded, "It's because it's really dangerous to do that, master. Remember, if I repaired it myself, you could die."
"I understand," Raika thought back, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude for her Assistant's cautious approach.
As she lay there, recovering, she knew there were still many challenges ahead, but she was determined to face them with the support of her friends and the unwavering guidance of her Assistant.
Fay leaned in closer, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What were you fighting back then?"
Raika took a deep breath, wincing slightly as she held her face. "It was an android," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration and pain. "I didn't expect it to be so powerful."
Fay nodded slowly, processing the information. "An android? Here at the academy?"
Raika nodded, her mind racing with the implications. "Yes, and it seems to be targeting me specifically. We need to be careful."
Raika sighed, her eyes distant as she recalled the encounter. "At first, they were just observing my every move. I thought I could handle them easily when I decided to pursue them, but I wasn't prepared enough."
Lina's eyes widened in alarm. "What were you thinking, Raika? You could have died out there!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with worry.
Raika looked at her friends, her expression serious. "I know. I underestimated the danger. I need to be more cautious next time."
Mia's voice wavered with concern and tears welled up in her eyes. "What do you mean 'next time'? You could have died out there, Raika. There can't be a 'next time'," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Raika gently stroked Mia's hair, offering a reassuring smile. "Relax, Mia. I was unguarded then, but I'll be prepared if anything like that happens again," she said calmly, still lying in the hospital bed.
Raika slowly stood up, proclaiming confidently, "Besides, I'm fully healed now, and I'm stronger than ever." She clenched her fist with a smile. Lina chimed in, saying, "Typical Raika," with a smile of her own. Fay leaned against the wall, remarking, "You're stronger than I thought," while Lay smiled and chuckled at the scene.
Then Mia cautioned, "Careful or you'll fall down." Raika chuckled softly and reassured Mia, patting her head gently. Mia blushed at Raika's affectionate gesture.
As Raika was discharged from the hospital, she returned to the academy feeling
Raika stood outside the academy, the gentle breeze brushing against her face as she stretched her arms and hips, feeling the familiar sense of freedom after her recovery. Fay approached her, concern lacing her voice, "Are you sure you're ready for this, Raika?"
Raika turned to Fay with a confident smile, "I'm 100% sure."
As she prepared to head back inside, her Assistant chimed in, "Energy level," it reported:
- Status: Danger
- Energy Core Power Source:
(10,000/100,000)
- All Red: Operating at low efficiency.
Noticing her energy levels, Raika casually grabbed a wristband, drawing Mia and Lina's attention. They noticed the device and asked curiously, "What is that? Is it your new invention, Raika?"
Raika smiled awkwardly, "Yes, it's my health checker," she replied, hiding the true nature of the wristband's capabilities. In her thoughts, she acknowledged, *"The truth is, it's my energy pod wrist style. It can gather energy from the air and convert it into a power source."
With renewed determination, Raika moved forward, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her at the academy.
As Raika stood outside the academy, adjusting her newly equipped wristband, a sudden blur of motion caught her off guard. Before she could react, Nana charged at her with incredible speed, unleashing a twisting flying kick aimed right at Raika.
With reflexes honed by battle and determination, Raika sprang into action. She dodged Nana's kick with a series of backflips, each movement precise and graceful despite the recent injury. Her agility and speed were on full display as she countered Nana's surprise attack.
Nana landed smoothly on the ground, impressed. "Wow, you're even livelier than I thought after that great injury," she remarked, admiration evident in her voice.
Raika smiled confidently, her energy surging as the wristband quietly gathered ambient energy to replenish her reserves. The exchange showcased Raika's resilience and readiness to face any challenge, proving that even after adversity, she was more than prepared to defend herself.
As Mia and Lina called for a halt, Fay extended her hand, signaling for the match to continue. Nana wasted no time, launching herself forward with a lightning-fast flying double kick aimed at Raika.
Raika's reflexes kicked in instantly. She blocked Nana's kicks with a series of precise movements, her hands grounded firmly to maintain balance. With a swift backflip, Raika evaded Nana's follow-up strikes, demonstrating agility that seemed almost supernatural.
Nana, impressed by Raika's skills, caught her breath for a moment. "Awesome! What a great move," she exclaimed, acknowledging Raika's prowess in hand-to-hand combat. The two engaged in a mesmerizing display of martial arts, each move calculated and executed with precision.
Their movements were a blur of speed and technique, weaving through punches, kicks, and blocks. Raika's determination and Nana's agility created a thrilling spectacle, drawing the attention of other students who gathered to watch the intense sparring match unfold.
As the duel continued, the courtyard echoed with the sounds of their strikes, a testament to their skill and dedication. Raika, fueled by the energy gathering in her wristband, matched Nana's every move with grace and strength, proving her resilience and readiness to face any challenge thrown her way.
Raika stood firm, her breath steady despite the exertion. Nana's attacks were swift and precise, but Raika matched her with agility and skill. As Nana lunged forward again, Raika anticipated the move, swiftly dodging and countering with a sweeping kick that caught Nana off balance.
"Why are you attacking me, Nana?" Raika asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and determination.
Nana grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "To test you, of course. See if you're as formidable as they say, after your recovery."
Raika nodded, understanding Nana's challenge. The two continued their hand-to-hand combat, their movements blending into a dance of skill and strategy, observed closely by Mia, Lina, and Fay, who watched with both concern and admiration for their friend's abilities.
Raika sensed the intensity of their spar escalating. "This is getting serious," she muttered to herself. With a sudden burst of speed, she launched into a flurry of strikes, her punches and kicks darting in from all angles. Nana struggled to defend herself against Raika's relentless assault, each blow pushing her back further.
With a final powerful kick, Raika sent Nana sprawling across the ground. Nana skidded to a halt, chuckling softly despite the impact. Raika approached cautiously, her concern evident. "I'm sorry if I went too far," she said sincerely, extending a hand to help Nana up. "This got out of hand."
Nana grinned, taking Raika's hand. "Friends," she declared warmly, acknowledging Raika's skill and strength.
Raika raised an eyebrow at Nana's enthusiastic request. "Wow, slow down there, Nana," she chuckled, trying to keep up with Nana's darting movements. "Teach me? Teach me what, exactly? How to dodge flying kicks?"
Nana's eyes sparkled with excitement as she bounced from side to side. "Teach me, teach me, teach me! Teach me all your super-secret moves!" she exclaimed, almost tripping over her own feet in her eagerness.
Raika hesitated for a moment, then grinned mischievously. "Alright, how about I teach you the legendary 'Falling Leaf Technique'? Guaranteed to impress even the toughest enemies!"
Nana gasped dramatically. "The Falling Leaf Technique? Is that the one where you... um, gracefully dodge falling leaves?" she asked, trying to match Raika's playful tone.
Raika couldn't hold back her laughter. "Exactly! It's all about grace and precision," she replied, striking a dramatic pose. "But shh, don't tell anyone my secret!"
Nana nodded enthusiastically, completely unaware of Raika's true abilities. "Got it! Teach me your ways, sensei!" she declared, eager to learn whatever Raika had to offer.
Raika chuckled, keeping her cyborg abilities hidden. "Alright, ninja-in-training. Let's start with dodging those 'leaves'!" she said, beginning to guide Nana through some basic movements.
Raika grinned mischievously as she began to explain the "Falling Leaves Technique" to Nana, who listened attentively, nodding enthusiastically at every detail. After about twenty minutes of exaggerated gestures and dramatic descriptions, Raika concluded her tutorial with a flourish.
"And that's how you gracefully dodge the falling leaves!" Raika proclaimed, striking a pose.
Nana blinked, processing the information. "Wait, so I just have to dance around like that?" she asked, attempting to mimic Raika's elaborate movements.
Mia, Lina, and Fay, who had been watching from a distance, exchanged amused glances. Mia nudged Lina with a smirk. "Should we tell her those were just leaves Raika was pretending to dodge?"
Fay stifled a giggle. "Nah, let's keep going with it. It's more fun this way."
Nana, still trying to imitate Raika's exaggerated poses, looked over at her friends with a puzzled expression. "Are we supposed to keep going with this standing her thing?" she asked, inadvertently mixing up her words.
Raika burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "Nana, it's 'standing ovation'! And no, you don't have to do that," she managed to say between laughs.
Nana blinked again, realization dawning. "Ohhh, standing ovation! Got it," she exclaimed, embarrassed but laughing along with them.
Mia, Lina, and Fay joined in, their laughter echoing through the courtyard as they teased Nana about her newfound ninja skills and standing "her" confusion.
As the lunchtime buzz filled the air, Nana bid farewell to Raika and her friends with a cheerful wave. "See you next time!" she called out, skipping away.
Just as Nana disappeared into the crowd, Lay's voice broke the moment, sounding comically offended. "Did you forget about me?" he exclaimed dramatically, pointing at himself with a pout.
Raika turned to Lay with a playful grin, shaking her head. "Oh, Lay, you're not that easy to forget," she teased, nudging him lightly.
Mia and Lina exchanged amused glances, trying to stifle their laughter. Fay chuckled softly, joining in. "Don't worry, Lay, we wouldn't forget you," she assured him with a grin.
Lay sighed dramatically, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. "I'm touched by your words," he said, hamming up the melodrama.
Raika rolled her eyes playfully. "Come on, let's go get lunch before Lay starts performing Shakespeare," she joked, leading the way towards the cafeteria.
As they walked, Lay muttered to himself in a mock serious tone, "To eat or not to eat, that is the question..."
His friends burst into laughter, enjoying the light-hearted moment as they headed for lunch, leaving Lay to continue his playful theatrics behind them.
During lunchtime, Raika's friends gathered around her, their faces a mix of concern and curiosity.
Mia glanced at Raika, her brow furrowed. "Raika, what happened out there? You took on that spy like a pro!"
Raika smiled faintly, choosing her words carefully. "It was just an unexpected encounter. I've had to fight for my life before, so I'm used to handling tough situations."
Lina nodded, her expression thoughtful. "But what about that giant mark in the ground? It looked like a mech's footprint."
Raika frowned slightly, glancing at the spot where the ground had been disturbed. "I honestly don't know. Maybe it was something left behind by the spy or another part of their plan."
Fay leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "It was strange, though. The way everything disappeared like dust when we arrived. Do you think it was some kind of cloaking device?"
Raika shrugged, not wanting to reveal too much. "Could be. But it's over now, and I'm fine. Let's not dwell on it too much."
Lay, who had been quietly listening, chimed in with a grin. "Well, Raika, next time you get into trouble, just let me know. I'll protect you with my... charming personality!"
Raika chuckled, grateful for her friends' support. "Thanks, Lay. I'll keep that in mind."
As they continued their lunch, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, but Raika's mind lingered on the mystery of the spy.