Chapter 3: The Calm Before The Storm

The morning classes just ended, and it's already lunch break.

Rose still has a few classes left to attend for later.

She knew she had to stay cool, calm, and collected.

She has already experienced this feeling before.

She instantly recognizes this as the calm before the storm.

And she expects a very huge storm of action and excitement brewing up for later in the Masquerade.

She hungrily wolfed down my lunch in the school canteen.

She found it strange that she wonders how the other members of the squad are doing.

The morning class earlier was interesting, even though she usually has a hectic schedule.

She looked around the university canteen.

Everyone seems busy minding their own business.

She sat with a bunch of random new students and we were busy eating, laughing, and talking.

It feels good for Rose to be just an ordinary student at times like this, making new friends, and not feeling the pressure of being an elite with a lot of responsibilities.

Tashiro is at the Electrical Engineering Department of the University, visiting to see what has changed since his graduation.

He noticed that a lot of things have changed since then.

There are a lot more students now than back then.

And the place has grown a lot livelier.

He wondered if the same professors who taught him back then were still alive and teaching the same students now, as he walked straight to the Dean's office after passing by the rooms where he and his old friends made a lot of memories together.

He suddenly felt nostalgic about the good old days when he was still a student.

The adventures he and his classmates had while exploring a dangerous, off-limits ancient battleground.

He was not exactly a model student, as he had broken a lot of rules before, but the university could not afford to expel a student with good grades and anger his grandfather, who is one of the main sponsors of the university.

He also wondered what had become of his classmates and closest friends back then.

He still kept in close touch with some of them and they go out and have adventures from time to time.

He snapped out of his thoughts as he saw the "Dean's Office" outside a door he stopped by.

He knocked before going in.

He is greeted by a muscular and handsome middle-aged man he hadn't heard of back then.

"Hello, how may I address you? I haven't seen you around the campus when I was still a student."

"Mr. Tashiro? I've heard so many stories about you. The previous Dean already transferred to another University. I came from another University on a different continent."

" You can call me Professor Daisuke. Pleased to meet you. As you can obviously see, I'm a busy man. What's your purpose for coming here? "

" Oh, I just thought of coming to see if things are still the same in this Department. Haven't visited here for so long since graduation. "

" I see. Since that's the case, feel free to stroll around the campus. It's nice to meet you. I'm a busy man, so I can't stay and entertain you for long. "

Professor Daisuke reached out for a handshake and Tashiro gladly obliged. Then he walked out of the office.

Then Tashiro strolled around the campus to observe and mingle with the students and instructors before heading straight to the University canteen to grab a bite to eat.

He remembered that he also had to attend the Masquerade later.

He smirked.

"Things are going to get interesting later. I sense a huge fight brewing. They're not aware of everything I did to sow discord among the Renegades."

Then he joined a table with some students from his department and joined in and talked to them. He made a lot of new friends that day.

He felt good knowing that it is relaxing to go off the radar once in a while and visit places that held a lot of memories and importance to him.

Kokoro just finished all of her morning class for today.

She had a hectic morning as she had to do presentations one after another.

She had no afternoon classes scheduled for later.

She was hungry, so headed straight to the canteen.

She ordered a full meal and ate two servings.

Then she went inside her hologram smart car and drove off to the private battle simulation center owned by Takeshi's family to warm up and practice before the Masquerade.

It isn't long before she arrived inside. She tinkered with the options first before putting on the headgear.

"Commencing Defence of Hansen simulation in 3,2,1. Be careful not to die in the virtual world."

Then she found herself squared off against a high-tier Renegade vampire. This will be a tough fight.

She scanned the heavy fighting on the horizon.

" Celestial Comet! " She chanted, aiming for the vampire.

A comet appeared, heading straight for the vampire who dodged right in time before the impact.

The vampire bared his fangs.

"Is that all you got, human? Attacking without a defense spell, and using the most basic spell against a high tier? How foolish."

He turned into a bat and lunged for her back.

She just ignored the taunts and deftly counter-attacked.

"Celestial Arrows!"

The vampire dodged the rain of arrows that appeared out of nowhere left and right, then transformed back into human form.

He attempted to throw a cursed shuriken straight at her, then aimed for the back of her neck.

She swiftly dodged as the vampire attempted to do a karate chop on the back of her neck.

She ducked the karate chop, then got up, and made a front kick that sent the vampire thudding to the ground.

The vampire groaned for a few minutes before getting back up.

" You sure are a tough opponent. Enough playing around and let's get serious for real."

"Right back at you, human."

Takeshi is in the security control room of the private battle simulation center, watching Kokoro battle the simulation.

"Kokoro sure knows how to put up a decent fight."

He said approvingly.

He went outside the private battle simulation center and drove straight to the cafe to have lunch.

He always ate lunch late. He just finished attending to daily business matters earlier, then practiced his battling skills in the center.

He had a lot of free time later this afternoon.

He ordered two servings of an egg sandwich alongside a tall cup of milk chocolate shake.

He is so hungry he heartily ate his meal.

After eating his meal, he went back home to rest and relax. He'll need to be clear-headed with enough rest for later.

Riku and Yuugi were together in Yuugi's living room as they had no classes for today.

They both found themselves holding hands in an otherwise empty house.

Yuugi obviously blushed.

Riku then unclasped his hand from hers while looking gently at her.

"Yuugi, I know that you like me and you'd like to level up to something more than close friends, but it's not possible right now."

Seeing a sudden shift in her expression from excitement to sadness, he hugged her tightly and then let go.

"I know how you feel, Yuugi. But you also know about my relationship with Kokoro. I'll always be a good friend to you. I'm sorry."

Then he got up and walked outside with a heavy heart.

It is a cold and rainy morning. The melancholy weather did not help at all with the atmosphere.

He did not like what he witnessed, but he had to do it in advance so that he'll not get into trouble with Kokoro.

Riku also had a secret that he had no courage to confess to Kokoro upfront.

He and Yuugi oftentimes met discreetly to date and have sex afterward.

Just like what they did yesterday. He could still remember every detail vividly.

He and Yuugi were close friends and once childhood sweethearts.

Then Riku remembered that there'll be an upcoming mission for later.

He tried his best to organize his thoughts, then went straight to the private battle simulation center.

So, he got in his car and pulled up at a fast-food chain to order at the drive-through, then drove straight to the private battle simulation center.

Once inside, he saw Kokoro using one of the headgears. She was busy fighting a vampire.

An hour passed before Kokoro finally managed to beat the AI.

He went up to his girlfriend and kissed her.

"Looks like the vampire gave you a tough time. I bet you're hungry after that fight."

"Here. I bought you some food."

Then he gave her the fast food he bought earlier.

Kokoro gladly accepted and the two talked for a while.

"What are you doing here, love? It seems that you also need to warm up for later, right?"

"Yes. How about you, what will you be up to? Seems like you got a lot of free time later."

" I need to go home and rest. I sense a fight brewing for later at the Masquerade. See you later. Be careful when using the Headgear. The AI sure are tough opponents. "

" Thanks for the reminder, my dear. I will. "

Then Kokoro went out the door and drove straight to her house.

Meanwhile, Riku finished eating what he bought earlier, then he went straight to the Headgear.

He tinkered with the options then put the Headgear on.

" Commencing The Mansion Raid in 3,2,1. Rescue the hostage. Be careful not to die in the virtual world."

He found himself in an old and classical mansion. Lots of Mages and succubus were fighting it out to the death on the mansion grounds.

He blasted succubus underlings attempting to block his way into smithereens with his anti-magic SMG.

He muttered under his breath. " Annoying underlings."

He kept firing and advancing until he reached the master bedroom.

After Rose finished her classes for today, she drove straight to the Secret Unit HQ to rest, and prepare for later.

When she arrived, it turns out they are already in their rooms, asleep and flat out tired from training at the private battle simulation center.

She is too tired to do anything, so after she took a quick bath, she also went to her room to sleep.

A few hours passed before the entire Secret Unit are already awake. They just ordered some food online as we were already running short on time.

Then they ate a good and hearty meal and set about preparing what they need for the Masquerade later.

Good thing they were already purchased in advance the day before.

After the entire Secret Unit finished preparing, they all filed into the specially contacted bulletproof smart car that was waiting at the Secret Unit Headquarters' garage.

"So, you are the members of the Secret Unit? I heard so many stories about the elusive Elorian Secret Unit. I thought you all would be middle-aged people. What a pleasant surprise."

The driver added as a joke.

"Are you one of those double agents working for the Elorian Secret Service? You look like you got a high rank in the Renegades."

Kokoro asked the driver, who showed them two badges.

One badge is a Secret Service Badge while the other is that of a high-ranking Renegade officer.

"You guessed it right, kiddo. You must be Kokoro, I presume."

The driver is a tall yet muscular and handsome man in his mid-30s who still had his youthful looks, wearing a suit that blended perfectly with his height.

He put on his mask, then instructed the rest of the elite unit to do the same.

" Put on your masks. You can't go through the mansion's front doors even with your masks on, as you'll be easy to target and recognize."

"Then how are we supposed to do our mission?"

Rose asked.

"Don't worry, Rose. We already got that part covered. Your boyfriend is also inside to smooth things out, and I know that mansion like the back of my hand. I helped your boyfriend infiltrate a lot of Renegade Factions, as I know many people there. As you can see, I'm an ex-Renegade myself. "

" You mean we go in through a side door or something, and pretend to be staff at the mansion? "

Riku asked.

"Precisely. Hush now, as we've ready arrived. Follow my instructions. Don't do anything foolish. Good luck. "