Chapter 9: Princess GAD's Suspicion

Mark patted his friend's shoulder with a sympathetic sigh. "Stop staring. I told you ages ago—this girl's not for you. There are plenty of other beauties out there. Don't wear yourself out."

Finn showed no sign of disappointment. "Relax, it's fine. I'm not expecting anything, so there's no pressure. I'm just enjoying the feeling."

"Ugh, here you go playing the philosopher again. Enough with the Platonic love nonsense—real girls are everywhere! You're giving up a whole forest for one tree!"

But when the girl in question stepped out of the car, Mark fell silent. All those "beauties" he'd been rambling about vanished from his mind. The girl before them was truly captivating.

Taylor Lynn. The Taylor family might not be a household name in the USE, but mention GAD, and everyone knew it. GAD was one of the Human Alliance's leading mobile suit manufacturers and developers—a conglomerate with enough clout to sway politics. In today's world, what could be more profitable or influential than building mobile suits?

At eighteen, Taylor Lynn was the only daughter of GAD's president, Zach Taylor, who held a commanding 73.5% of the company's shares. Her importance was obvious. But even setting aside her family, Taylor Lynn's beauty was flawless: standing at 1.75 meters, her proportions were perfect, her golden hair lending her an air of nobility like a fairy-tale princess, and her snow-white skin—a trait inherited from her mother—only added to her allure. Marriages between Evantians and humans were common, and the second generation often produced geniuses who combined stunning looks with sharp intellect. Taylor Lynn was one of them.

She didn't carry an aggressive vibe, nor did she need to. Her beauty, intelligence, and family background were enough to intimidate most people. Like Finn, many admired her quietly from afar.

But Finn was an oddity among oddities. He couldn't care less about her family status. Sure, her looks had drawn him in at first—someone once said most people in this world are shallow, and he'd admit he was no exception. What really impressed him, though, was Taylor Lynn's personal strength. The new mobile suit system she'd helped develop was already in use, and her grades topped every list—a stark contrast to Finn's abysmal academic record.

That wasn't even the main thing. Once, by chance, Finn had seen Taylor Lynn deep in thought on the rooftop. That moment struck him like nothing else—an unforgettable scene that left a mark on his heart. But Finn was self-aware. First love didn't need a happy ending; it just had to mean something.

So he wasn't burdened or exhausted like Mark imagined.

"Ahem, stop gawking. What were you just saying?" Finn had to snap Mark out of his beauty-induced trance. The guy always said one thing and did the opposite when a pretty girl showed up.

Mark sighed. "She's top-tier, no question. No wonder even a romance-blind guy like you fell for her. But she's way too far out of our reach. Let's go."

Mark's family was in business and fairly well-off compared to most, but next to GAD, they were nothing. At that level, emotions weren't just emotions anymore. Besides, Taylor Lynn was too exceptional—finding someone who could match her was near impossible.

As they turned to leave, they didn't notice Taylor Lynn's gaze casually drifting toward them. This had been going on for months. Taylor Lynn had a sharp intuition, easily picking up on people with strong mental energy. She'd looked into Finn: ordinary family, low-profile, seemingly obsessed with the Cosmic War game, terrible grades, but a decent guy. His buddy Mark came from a somewhat wealthy family, but together, they were as average as it got.

Yet ever since that chance rooftop encounter, whenever Finn looked at her, Taylor Lynn felt something strange. It was an innate sensation—only those who were powerful or threatening triggered it. Power came in many forms. Her father, for instance, wasn't a fighter, but his immense authority gave him a commanding presence. Finn, though? He didn't seem capable of anything remarkable. So why did he catch her attention?

Today, the feeling was stronger than ever. For a fleeting moment, it felt suffocating—a sensation she'd never experienced, not even around her father or federal councilors.

Girls trust their instincts, especially someone like Taylor Lynn. Growing up in a family like hers, naivety wasn't an option. Anyone who might pose a threat had to be thoroughly investigated.

As Finn walked away, he too felt like he was being watched, but he shrugged it off. He and Mark laughed and dashed into the classroom. Small people lead small lives.

With graduation nearing, the teachers wouldn't stop talking about the future, naturally holding Taylor Lynn up as a shining example. It wasn't about her family, though—her personal achievements spoke for themselves. Thanks to her standout contributions to mobile suit systems and her stellar grades, the school had secured her a spot at Arlan A-Class Military Academy, one of the top five human military academies. The admission notice had already arrived.

For Taylor Lynn, it was a walk in the park. For most students, it was a mountain to climb. Finn was one of them. Getting into Arlan A-Class was his dream—not just to chase his ideals, but to be at the same school as Taylor Lynn. With his grades, though, even if the academy prized talent, they'd likely rule him out without a second thought.

The teacher droned on passionately, but Finn and Mark had tuned out long ago. Finn slipped into his usual habit of imagining himself piloting a mobile suit. He called this classroom trick "meditation," claiming it was his own invention—something about serious mental visualization being 30% as effective as real training. Whether that was true or just an excuse to zone out, only Finn knew. Mark, meanwhile, was blatantly daydreaming about girls.

Yet somehow, Mark's grades were still far better than Finn's.

The bell rang, and the students bolted out at lightning speed, leaving the teacher shaking his head. Finn and Mark were at the front of the pack.

Up on the rooftop, Taylor Lynn slowly lowered her binoculars. She'd been restless all day since seeing Finn that morning, unable to focus on her studies. She'd watched him for hours—he seemed like any other student, but her instincts told a different story.

When a question nagged at her, she had to resolve it. It was a habit she'd had since childhood. She knew if she didn't figure this out, it'd plague her mind all day.