Things Never Go According to Plan

"Why did you make that suggestion?"

"You understand why. If Kanna were just an ordinary child, her regular medical check-ups would be handled by the lower-ranked doctors. But if she officially becomes a Rhodes Island operator, we have every reason to take full control of her medical examinations. We can then use excuses like the need to monitor her Originium Arts to keep her check-ups confidential."

Kal'tsit, walking ahead, gave a barely noticeable nod. Normally, even if someone was exceptional, Rhodes Island followed a structured process: first assessing whether the individual could integrate into the team, then requiring a formal written application, followed by a psychological evaluation (which the HR manager—who had a habit of repeatedly submitting their own résumé—was particularly suited for).

Only after that would Kal'tsit inform Amiya, and together, they would decide based on all available intelligence whether the candidate was qualified to become an operator, leading to the final test.

Breaking protocol like this—directly fast-tracking an assessment—was something Kal'tsit hadn't done since the early days of Rhodes Island, back before things were fully established.

However, Kanna had already drawn plenty of attention since arriving. Most people expected she would become an operator sooner or later—it was just a matter of time. Kal'tsit was merely accelerating the process. At most, this would spark some discussion, but if she deliberately suppressed it, the chatter would soon die down.

As they made their way to the training room, they encountered Outcast waiting outside. Over the past few days, Outcast had grown quite fond of Kanna. Despite the girl's enormous appetite, her maturity had left a deep impression. So, after dropping her off at the medical bay earlier, Outcast hadn't left but had instead waited nearby.

Seeing Kal'tsit and Warfarin emerge, she stepped forward.

"You're just in time," Kal'tsit said. "After conducting Kanna's medical examination, we found significant differences between her body and that of an average child her age. Of course, don't worry—this isn't a rejection of her joining Rhodes Island. Quite the opposite. Warfarin and I both agree that while she is young, based on your observations and our own findings, she is fully capable of joining as an operator.

"So, I am initiating the Special Talent Recruitment procedure. We'll bypass all the usual bureaucratic steps and directly register Kanna as a Rhodes Island operator. We're on our way to the training room now to conduct her operator qualification test.

"Since you were the one who brought Kanna to the island and have the closest relationship with her, I'd like you to participate in the test as well."

Outcast's expression shifted several times before she finally exhaled.

"Honestly, I still think Kanna is too young to bear the responsibilities of an operator. But I trust both you and Warfarin. If you've both determined that she qualifies, then I'll support your decision."

Kal'tsit had never doubted Outcast's response. As long-time comrades, just as she trusted Outcast's judgment and combat skills on the battlefield, Outcast, in turn, had absolute faith in Kal'tsit's expertise in logistics and medical matters.

As they headed to the training room, Kal'tsit also notified Amiya about Kanna's recruitment and upcoming test.

Amiya was visibly surprised upon receiving the news. Based on the original plan she had discussed with Kal'tsit, Kanna would eventually become an operator, but only after she had fully integrated into Rhodes Island and built strong relationships with the others.

Yet now, in less than half a day, Kal'tsit had completely overturned their plan and was fast-tracking Kanna's induction.

There was only one possible explanation: something must have happened in the medical bay that forced Kal'tsit to make this decision.