Mysterious Girl, Agna

Center Head has a building that is wider than the Left Head. Center Head, which serves as the headquarters for the Cerberus troops, has more facilities and residents than the other two bases.

That afternoon, there were many candidates gathered in the main lobby of the academy building which stood majestically near Logard's south coast. There was a large monitor displaying the CERBERUS logo with a countdown of time. The decreasing number calculates the time until the final stage of the first exam. There are still 30 minutes remains for the start of the second phase of the exam.

Riev who had arrived from yesterday immediately approached Ain. He felt both happy and relieved to see Ain successfully arrive there. Ain also felt the same way however, he couldn't express his feelings.

As usual, Riev talked to Ain a lot and he only responded with a short answer accompanied by his flat expression.

Not being noticed by them, the countdown on the main monitor had reached 0. All the candidates lined up neatly, like school children holding a flag ceremony. The candidates for the Left Head are in the far left, Center Head in the middle, and Right Head on the far right. Their marching position was the same as the geographic location of the Cerberus academy building in Logard.

There were still whispers among the candidates. Until finally the Maestro from Center Head climbed onto the podium which had been specially prepared for the exam. As if it becomes a command for the candidates to shut their mouths.

The maestro is a woman over 50 years old. There were fine wrinkles on her graceful face. She introduced herself as Maestro at Center Head, also introduced her name to the candidates, "Risetta."

Just as a Maestro of the Left Head, she also gave a speech before the start of the second stage of the exam. After that, Vabica get to the podium to replace Risetta.

"The first stage of the exam is declared complete, with 72 candidates remaining. 7 candidates from Left Head, 15 from Right Head, and the rest.. 50 candidates from Center Head," said Vabica while looking at the hologram in front of her that displayed the candidate data.

The whispers among the candidates were heard again. But this time, the source of the whispering noise came from the Left and Right Head candidates. They thought that the candidates from Center Head benefited too much in this test. This situation could be read by Vabica, therefore Vabica immediately returned to continue her explanation.

"Maybe you guys think that the exam this time is not fair enough. The candidates from Center Head have benefited too much, but that's not true. First, before arriving here, the candidates from Center Head also had to run exams that dropped many candidates. In the beginning, there were 480 candidates. Now there are only 50 candidates left. Then the second one is related to the second stage of the exam. As previously explained, the Cerberus troops move in groups of 3 people. This exam requires you to form a group with 2 people from different academies. In short, form a group consisting of 1 Left Head candidate, 1 Right Head candidate, and 1 Center Head candidate. That means, there are only 7 groups that will continue the journey to take the next stage of the exam considering there are only 7 candidates left from Left Head. You will be given 1 hour to form a group. For those who do not get a group, will be declared failed. Then, this second stage test is also the final stage test. So give your best, the test will start once the countdown on the monitor reaches 0. That is all. "

The main monitor again displayed a countdown, followed by Vabica's dropping from the podium to prepare for the second stage of the exam.

[•X-Code•]

The candidates from the Left Head were crowded with candidates from other academies. There were only 7 of them in total, including Ain and Riev. That's why most of the candidates flock to them. Riev is approached by a young man who looks very much like him. From his uniform, we could tell that he came from the Center Head.

"Yo Riev," said the young man.

"Hahaha ~ Have you found any female candidate from the Right Head, Kiev?" asked Riev.

"Whatever," answered Kiev, shrugging his shoulders, not bothering.

Although they both from different branches of the academy, Riev and Kiev are twins. The two of them are indeed separated, but that doesn't diminish the intimacy between them. Without wasting any more time, the twins immediately looked for a candidate from the Right Head.

Unlike Riev and Kiev, Ain was silent when he was mobbed by other candidates. He felt uncomfortable with the situation, he doesn't like crowds.

"Sorry," Ain said briefly, then walked away from the crowd. To be honest, he wanted to take the test alone. For him, working with strangers will hinder his performance. However, the regulations required him to work in groups. "This is troublesome. tch, whatever," Ain thought which in the end he couldn't help but accept the conditions.

Ain cast his eyes in various angles, looking for a candidate who could catch his attention. Then, his gaze was fixed on a candidate, a petite girl who didn't move an inch, her gaze was fixed on the main monitor which displayed the CERBERUS logo. For some reason, Ain's heart felt that he had to approach the girl.

Ain approached to see her face. She looks so cute with an innocent expression. Her gaze was so innocent like that of an innocent child. Her hair is shoulder length with reddish color and a cute right ponytail. Up close, Ain could smell the fragrance of a teenage girl's perfume. Fragrant with a sweet aroma sensation, which he doesn't like very much. From her stature, Ain estimated the girl to be between 16 to 18 years of age, several years younger than him.

Each branch of the academy was given the authority to determine its own rules. On the Left Head, there is a rule that requires a candidate to reach the age of 20 before taking the exam. Meanwhile, from Right Head there is no age limit. As long as their ability meets the qualifications, then they're allowed to take the exam. Hence, Vabica who is younger than Ain and Riev has already become a Cerberus troop considering that Vabica came from the Right Head before moving to the Left Head.

"You're not looking for a group?" Ain asked opening the conversation.

But the girl ignored Ain's words. She was still glued to the monitor in front of her.

"Hello?" Ain asked a little irritated.

Finally, the girl turned towards Ain, treating the young man with an innocent gaze.

"Hm… That… What?" asked the girl as she pointed at the monitor without taking her eyes off Ain.

Ain was confused to respond. "That's... The time we have left for us to form a group," Ain replied modestly.

"Um," the girl shook her head softly. "That!" the girl walked over to the monitor then pointed to the Cerberus logo.

"You're joking, right? Why are you taking the entrance exam if you don't even know the Cerberus logo?" Ain furrowed his brows in surprise. He thought that the girl was playing with him. But judging from the look on her face, Ain felt that she was seriously asking, not just a joke.

"She's just like that. A strange girl like her you better ignore it," a girl who came from the Right Head approached Ain. A young man who came from Center Head accompanied her.

"So? Want to form a group with us? You won't regret joining us!" claim the girl confidently.

Ain turned for a moment to stare at the strange girl he was talking to earlier. The girl looked at Ain with her innocent gaze before finally looking away, looking back at the large monitor.

[•X-Code•]

"It's the Cerberus logo. Do you know Cerberus? A mythical creature, a dog with three heads, guards the gates of Hell," Ain approached the girl who was still staring at the monitor. The girl was surprised to find Ain, who was already next to her, also staring at the Cerberus logo on the monitor. She thought that Ain chose to go with the two people who had approached him.

Then the girl turned around, facing Ain. She smiled slightly at Ain.

Ain was quite stunned by the girl's smile that looks so sincere. The training on the Khyterra Mountains was enough to help him hone his sensitivity. The ability to sense the movement around him forging on that mountain had another effect. Without realizing it, Ain could feel someone's heart just from the look on their face.

The girl bowed respectfully to Ain while saying, "Agna... Group... Greetings... Get to know...." she said softly. Although it was not clear, Ain could understand what she was saying. The girl's name was Agna, and she invited Ain to form a group.

Ain bowed too, then introduced himself. "My name is-"

Ain had not yet had time to say the name, the girl quickly pointed her index finger, making Ain stop talking.

"Ain X Revolt, Left Head Cerberus Candidate Number 003-9984. Height: 165cm, Weight: 52kg, Blood Type: AB, DNA-Fighting Type... 0-X," said Agna with an innocent face, unchanged from before.

Ain was shocked to find that she could find out his identity in detail. Even something about the DNA-Fighting Type which he just learned.

"Uh... Alright, let's find someone else," Ain said not wanting to bother. Even so, his mind was still on the sentence Agna had said earlier.

Agna shook her head slowly. "Um... Both... Enough," she said.

Ain could understand Agna's intention of wanting only them in the group. Of course, that is not allowed given the second stage examination rules which require candidates to form groups of 3 people.

"No, there have to be three of us. That is the rules," Ain replied while scratching his head which was not itchy. If only Ain's level of sensitivity towards surroundings had not increased, he would definitely have left Agna alone there. Because surely he would think that Agna was just playing with him.

Like it or not, Ain had to move on his own to find a candidate from the Center Head. Meanwhile, Agna was stunned again to see the Cerberus logo on the monitor, ignoring Ain who was busy throwing his gaze in various directions, looking for another candidate to meet the requirements for the formation of the stage 2 exam.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for Ain to find another candidate. Ain quickly approached a man who had been watching him from a distance. Ain felt that there was something about the man that was difficult for him to explain. Even though his sensitivity has been honed, it is not enough to fully understand a person's heart.

Of course, the man who was well built and large accepted Ain's offer to form a group, considering the number of candidates from the Left Head, which only remained 7 people.

Then Ain brought the big man over to Agna. He intends to introduce the man to Agna.

"Hello. My na-" Just like when Ain introduced himself, Agna held up her index finger. But this time Agna was silent, then looked at Ain.

"Ain..." she said quietly as she gestured Ain to come closer. Ain followed Agna's wish.

Agna grabbed Ain's hand, making the young man bow slightly. Then Agna brought her mouth closer to Ain's ear. Agna whispered something to Ain. It's unheard what Agna said to him, but it managed to make wrinkles appear on Ain's eyebrows.

"What did she say? Hey, come on. We're a group. No secrets!" said the big candidate, feeling a little disrespected.

"Well, sorry. Let me help introduce you. She's Agna, and she's Lond." Ain felt compelled to do that even though he didn't like it.

"Hahahaha! Alright! Ain, Agna, let's fight together!!" Lond was so excited that he didn't even notice the sound coming out of his mouth sounded so loud and drawing the attention of many pairs of eyes toward them.

"Yes..." Ain said while looking away. "Whatever...." he thought. He pondered for a moment, returned to think about Agna's whisper earlier.

Meanwhile, Agna was silent while looking back at the monitor with her innocent eyes.