บท 18: Looking for you

Although Altina, Kymei, and Sera had ugly expressions due to the unfairness, they had to admit that Zule was right. They were put together in the first place because of how odd they were. Even without high Stellar Energy Aptitudes, they still exceeded enough in other fields to make up for it. However, they were extremely rare.

Every year, the top-rankings were dominated by those with high Stellar Energy Aptitudes. Not even 1% of those there were people like Altina's group. That being said, it simply wasn't worth it using precious and rare Stellar Energy Resources equally since it would be a waste. The Baulmu Alliance needed warriors, not fairness. If a small percentage was impacted because of it, the alliance would simply ignore it.

It was then that Altina looked at Aire and asked, "Wait! But you said Aire has a very high aptitude, right? Just how high is it? Can he help us go up?"

Aire felt a chill on his back. Isn't that the same as asking him to be the main focus of their group? He totally didn't want the attention. "Ahem...it's not that incredible..."

"To be honest, I'm not sure," replied Zule with a pensive expression. "I tested his aptitude while he was recovering. However, because he was sleeping, I didn't get any proper results. I only know that he's definitely above average. However, if he doesn't show it while he goes through the test, I wouldn't be able to tell exactly where he stands."

Aire's eyes lit up as soon as he heard that. 'Great! I just need to do my best to hold back as much as possible,' he thought with hope in his eyes.

However, Stella's voice sounded in his mind right after, saying, "Aire, are you trying to kill us? If we don't get resources, you won't increase your level! Do you have any idea how much worse our situation will become if you do that?!"

"What do you mean?" Aire soon asked.

Stella sighed before continuing, "Isn't that obvious? Back then, we could have gotten a great initial standing just by using your aptitude. That being said, we had a much better chance to fight for resources. But now, everyone's aptitudes will be used for it. That means that it'll be even more difficult to get there."

Aire couldn't help but ask, "Can't you simply hack the system and send the resources to us?"

Stella shook her head as she said, "I told you already. I can't. It goes against the rules of the Ascension Age Soul Assistants. I can't break it even if I wanted to."

"Why the hell do these rules even exist? It only makes things more difficult!" Aire cursed.

Stella didn't care as she said soon after, "If you want to complain, leave the Universe and tell Gigon, not me. I'm not the one who created them. However, if you don't get resources, you won't have the chance to even leave this planet, let alone the Universe. Aire, you can't hold back!"

Aire wanted to cry already. Nothing worked the way he wanted to. "Fine..." Though, it was then that he thought about something. "By the way, how good is my aptitude compared to others?"

Stella pondered for a moment before smiling and saying, "I don't know?"

Aire's mouth twitched as he asked, "What kind of useless assistant are you?"

Stella dropped her head after hearing that. "Sorry..."

"Sigh... whatever. I'll find out when they bring up the tests," mentioned Aire. "After all, they need precise results for the team's overall strength."

No one knew what Aire was saying to Stella, nor did they notice anything different. Because those conversations happened in his mind, everything was just extremely fast. He didn't really need to 'talk' with Stella, nor did she need to 'talk' with him. Everything was exchanged through thoughts, so no more than a few seconds passed during their 'conversation.'

Zule then turned around, preparing to leave as he said, "Anyway, that's about it. As for the rest, they're more or less the same. The ceremony will start soon, so pay attention. By the way...we have a new principal, see ya!"

Zule then disappeared in the middle of the crowd as Altina and the others went to their seats. New principal? They weren't interested in that. The principal of a place like the Ascension Age School was a figure way too far from their level.

"Well, we can only do as much as we can. Everyone, make sure that you give your best during the aptitude test. We might have no chance of getting a top position, but we can't fall to the bottom either."

Sera and Kymei nodded after hearing that. Aire did too...albeit somewhat unwilling.

Because of how big the place was, many displays were placed everywhere for those all the way back. Others simply used their communicators to watch the opening through there. Nevertheless, everyone paid attention.

Not long after, the opening ceremony finally started. A woman followed by many instructors went up to the stage. However, the moment she appeared, many eyes widened. That's because she wasn't just anyone. There was almost no student in the school who couldn't recognize her. Well, there were a few who didn't know...including Aire.

'I didn't expect the principal to be from another race...' That's all Aire could tell.

However, he quickly noticed Sera's shining eyes by his side. It was as if she was seeing god itself as she muttered in disbelief, "It's...it's her!"

Kymei and Altina also seemed to be thoroughly amazed by that as one of them said, "This year...will definitely be interesting."

Aire didn't know what they were talking about. But before he could ask, the woman began to talk.

"Hello, everyone. As some of you probably know, the principal of the Ascension Age School had changed. However, I believe none of you knew who it was until now. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Ramalia Sol, the new principal."

Immediately, Stella's voice echoed in Aire's mind as she said, "Hey, look! It's her!"

"Do you know her?" Aire asked with a puzzled expression.

Stella nodded as she replied, "When I was looking for you, she kept following me everywhere. She had hundreds of starships under her command. She was very cool!"

"Looking...for you?" Aire immediately had a bad premonition after hearing that.