ARNOLD'S RESOLVE

I am weak, it is not only my power, but so is my resolve.

I know that I am a hypocrite trying to save more people than I could, that is why I cried.

For the people that are hurt, for the people who ceased to live, for the people who I can't protect.

I do not want anyone to die, that is why I will protect everyone.

I will be a hero that will save the world someday.

With that ambition as a fuel, I drive through my path of becoming a soldier for the SDC that I admired.

They are people who resolved the conflicts against people with special abilities and protects the innocent people of our country.

Back in the day I saw their gallant appearance on the large screens in the buildings within the city, I made an oath to myself that I will be like them.

The weak and little me is trying to climb the heights that even my eyes can't see.

"Why are you trying so hard to be stronger?

You know it's futile.

We, who are born weak, will never be able to get stronger no matter what we do!

It is just irritating to watch you!"

The person who just shouted at me is a black sheep of Stofford family just like me, not to mention he is supposed to be the heir of the family if not for his weak ability, Orion Stofford.

He is also dubbed as the ice ability-user who can't make ice because of very low internal energy.

"I… I… I will not stay weak!"

I know and I acknowledge that I am weak.

Even if I train for a lifetime, I might not even become stronger, I might even become swallowed by my ambition and die in the process.

But that is not the reason for me not to try climbing the ranks, even futile effort is not completely worthless.

But now I see, the world is vaster than I have imagined.

Death is nothing but normal.

Our recent mission must have been to find out if we have the resolve to kill our enemy to protect the citizens, if we could not fathom such thing then it would be better for us to pack and leave.

"I… I don't want to continue this anymore! I don't want to kill people!"

More than not wanting to kill I am scared, scared that with the killings I will do will very much make me the same with the people I hate, feared by those I wish to protect, and alone in this world.

"I… I will continue! I will be much stronger than ever! So strong that I would not fear facing even the commander, that is why, continue walking this path with me!"

Beside me is the cheeky child who has become my dearest friend, I bet his mind is in shambles just as mine.

Even his usual cool act has been downed and he still wish to continue.

Even more become stronger than the commander, that is impossible.

My hazy mind become clearer as if I am refreshed by my thoughts when Orion shook my shoulders and look at me directly.

It is not the eyes of determination we always brim off but eyes of desperation.

To us who were nothing but garbage at disposal of our families, there is no other path to thread from the beginning.

"Let us continue being a part of Crimson Night!"

I closed my eyes and made a very deep sigh.

Looking upwards is his face remaining unchanged full of worries and dreadful.

As I am the one to lead him it would be uncool if I leave him alone, knowing him he might even cry alone when no one is watching.

Also, I would never abandon my dearest friend.

"Of course,"

Even if now it seems like being as strong as the commander is nothing but a pipe dream, maybe, just like the way we get to work in this Corps from being useless, we can make it.

I tried to smile the best that I could but my facial muscles seem to be trembling, just what do I look like now I wonder.

"It is just like this…"

A three-dimensional image of my current face has appeared just when I am thinking about it.

It is not possible that I am talking out loud just now, right?

The person who made this realistic image of me must have an ability to read minds and create illusions but this person is…

"Your face is just like this…"

He smiles as if its nothing but a mere prank, sitting in the table we have been using for hours and we didn't even feel a presence of a person, especially for me who can feel living organisms using heat hundreds of meters away, just who is this person?

Is he even human?

"What? Is there something wrong on my face?

Or maybe…

do you not believe that the image I made does not look like your real expression right now?

That's not right you know, you should have trust in your superior.

Anyway, I am very glad that you two would not quit, I'll be in trouble if the headcount of our Corps continues to dwindle,

I'm really relieved."

I could do nothing but laugh.

This is the person who is our goal.

If he is not that high above us it would not be as cool of an aspiration but maybe, just a little, for our dream's sake, can you tone down the level a bit, Commander Ellis.

"Now that you have cleared your minds, come with me."

Any normal person would have grabbed our hands and lead us to where we are going but in commander's stead, he teleported us without any warning.

"Cheers for our new teammates!"

At that night we all eat and drink, all five of us.

But I wonder why, our alcohol and snacks are green tea and sweets.