章 9: Make Your Choice
The interior of Dynamo University certainly felt anachronistic, as Mason and his now colleagues exited the boardroom, entering into the quiet halls of the university currently devoid of students.
Massive halls of white and silver coating that possessed unmatched purity surrounded Mason, leaving him thinking that he couldn't help but feel out of place for the first time within the last year. With architecture like that of some palace from a far flung time in the past, the high ceilings and streaming orange lights of the setting star closest to this planet streamed through massive paneled windows lining the entirety of the left side of this north wing of Dynamo university. The hall was wide enough for ten people to walk shoulder to shoulder with still a bit of space in between them. With the group steadily walking toward the closest transportation station in a strange silence they seemed accustomed to, Mason couldn't help but ruminate.
"So I assume this is the wing the professors live in all the time complete with their offices, considering a conference room like the one we just left was there. Then the three other wings must be the dormitory and class wings."
Mason was correct on this matter. With a total of seven floors in each wing, each bottom floor was chock-full of security checks for visitors, invited or otherwise, with an entrance at the front. The entirety of this wing had living spaces for each professor on the first five floors, with their offices being on the top two floors. Plenty of space was necessary for the highly-qualified and high pride professors from throughout the galaxy to be satisfied, and for Dynamo's prestige to be truly displayed.
With Mason's thoughts drawn to the topic of fellow professors, he turned his head to the closest of his current companions, all of whom were now wearing silver masks- the salaryman. Mason calls out to him.
"Er... sir?" At this point, the realization that the man who assaulted him on the street and who was now walking with him was still a blank slate to him (other than those incidents that is), just like the female officer- Mason didn't even know their names.
"Sir isn't really appropriate when referring to a peer. Call me Allen." The man says while keeping his steady pace, complete with his flat voice as previously displayed.
"Alright, Allen. I've gotta ask- how did you recover after the... earlier incident on the street?"
Seemingly unbothered, he replies as steadily as usual.
"My mental energy has the very powerful specialty of recovery... and decay. In all honesty, I wasn't hurt by your kick- or much of anything really, as long as I'm prepared for it. I can dull my senses or amplify them immensely depending on the situation. I hope I won't need to tell you to keep this information to yourself."
Mason took note of this with a nod. A person's mental energy is always present, whether they are aware of it or not- and in turn, mental energy has a specific inclination within a specific field, though that does not mean they can't be utilized for methods outside their specialty; it is just that the effectiveness will be far from spectacular in comparison. In relation to a specialty as rare and powerful as bodily manipulation, especially if it can be applied to other people, it would make sense that Allen would prefer to keep it a secret. After all, knowledge of your enemy can be the key to their defeat- so it's best to keep said knowledge bare-bones.
While Mason was thinking over what might be his own specialty, the walk to the nearest transportation station (small, comfortable, and fast train cars on a set of rails that surround Dynamo) ended incredibly quickly for him. He had always had the issue of becoming lost in thought, and it became so much easier in times of quiet like right now. With a set of quick rail cars for each floor of each wing, it would make sense to assume that the rails would mar the visual appeal of the university- instead, the lit up rails make the university look even more like some ornate work of art. When he came to, the glorious sights of seldom seen greenery from the windows of the car were completely missed. The routes of the cars let one see Dynamo's massive campus and it's facilities, including different options for food and recreation, in all it's glory. With regained awareness from Mason's brief introspective spell, he saw his compatriots standing up and leaving the rail car, motioning at him to follow.
Hurriedly standing up and following them into a hall identical to that of the one they came from (though significantly shorter for some reason), he couldn't help but be curious as to what they were headed toward. Before he could even ask, Zack spoke to answer.
"This wing of Dynamo is where the training grounds are- the one we are headed to now is specifically for hands-on exosuit use, rather than hand-to-hand combat. Lucky you, being able to shoot up to using an exosuit immediately, heh."
"Huh? This is really gonna happen?" Mason asked, bewildered.
"Of course it is. We need to see what you're made of before we can truly say you have the practical ability to instruct students- we already know you have the book smarts. We won't completely throw you to the wolves, since we also need you to do things for us. We've been your supporters, so don't expect us to just cut you off to fly free. Look, we're here."
Stepping to near the end of the normal hall, one could see a large doorway. Rather than a straight shot to another transportation station like previously, the open doorway led to an exceedingly long, rectangular zone, seemingly empty except for different sets of exosuits lining both of the shorter sides of the walls, near the exits- conveniently right next to them, considering they just entered. The color scheme could be described as some sort of arid brown from ground to ceiling, and the ground did in fact seem to be some sort of soil (at least from what Mason could feel from his feet on it). Mason couldn't help but think it was a strong contrast to what he had seen in the university so far.
"Ah, it may look a little boring, but this is a simulated battleground- professors can edit it on a hand held terminal they are issued to fit the terrain they would like to conduct classes in, or just practice with," Zack said, yet again guessing what Mason was thinking.
"For now though, go over to the exosuit rack and pick out what you think fits you best- I'm sure you already know what each of them are, you brainiac you. They are kept in tip-top condition and are regularly serviced, so don't worry about them being messed up or you messing one up yourself."
Mason stopped listening to Zack after hearing "pick out what you think fits you best," quickly making himself over to the area fit with protection against outside forces- like battles that could take place inside this massive training room.
Mason had heard before that a person feels a "connection" to an exosuit that best fits them- he wondered which series he'd find for himself.
Rather than the base coloring for the different series, all four series of exosuits possessed a cold black sheen, irrespective from their different models. All of the series represented only had their most elementary and cheapest model, but the sheer volume of them was enough to leave Mason in awe of Dynamo's wealth- both the university AND the city in this case.
Mason's eyes drift over the lines of the base forms of the four main series- Serpent, Hard-Shell, Feline, and Avian. The exosuits displayed were the Copperhead, Hingeback, Leopard, and Sparrow, respectively- the least impressive of each line, though that didn't mean they were lacking. The Copperhead focused on singular sudden strikes in addition to some concealment, the Hingeback was a hefty bruiser in addition to a tank, the Leopard is similar to the Copperhead but with an emphasis on agility rather than sneakiness and better follow up ability, while the Sparrow kept up the pressure, wearing down the opponent.
Mason knew after only a few short moments what his choice would be. With a resolute mind and outstretched hands, a legend began.
クリエイターの想い 
Seismac
Seismac It was my most packed exam week, and I still have even more next week. Going well, but still not having much time for leisure. I'll be less slow. Hopefully.
— 次の章はもうすぐ掲載する — レビューを書く
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット