Chapter 18 The Yeager Academy
The middle-aged man he had beaten on registration day finally appeared, after he had learned that he was one of the highest-ranking officials at Yeager Academy and the one most responsible.
With a fierce and unfriendly face, the man stood on the stage in his typical military uniform, standing upright. His eyes scanned the neatly lined up prospective cadets, awaiting his instructions.
"The number of cadets who have successfully registered and begun training this period is 120, Mr. Zarius!" said one of the men standing a step behind him.
His expression was calm and dignified, as if nothing could disturb him. However, when he recalled the events of registration day, his heart ached. A young woman had registered as a prospective cadet and caused a commotion. He still couldn't forget how the woman had grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.
"Nami Ziegler?" he said, confirming that the figure was one of the crowd.
"She's one of the prospective cadets who's already arrived at the academy, sir."
"Is that so? So she really has the guts to stay here. You keep an eye on that kid and check to see if he's under ERI surveillance!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, Nami, standing in the middle of the line, tried to contain her panic as she looked back at the man she'd beaten on registration day. She'd thought she wouldn't pass the test because of her bad attitude toward him. But beyond her expectations, she'd even passed the physical test with a perfect score, as if, in terms of strength and endurance, her body was designed to be a fighting machine.
"Agh...damn it, that guy again! I hope he doesn't see me! I hope he doesn't see me!" She prayed silently. She nearly killed the man, choking him with a face that was almost blue.
Ethan, who was standing right next to her, glanced at her and watched her. On registration day, Ethan had also been there, witnessing Nami beat up the Yeager Academy's top brass, rendering him unable to even fight back.
Seeing that scene, he knew that Nami was no ordinary human, but an esper. However, he couldn't yet determine what kind of power she actually possessed.
After the man gave instructions and a welcoming speech to the 120 new cadets who had officially joined, the line was broken up and they were asked to go to their respective classes for further theory.
"Hey, can we talk for a minute?" As the line was breaking up, Ethan immediately called out to her.
Nami, Lea, and Sydney were surprised. Ethan, who had been clearly disliking Nami since last night, had suddenly called out to her this morning and asked her to talk.
"You mean me?" Nami pointed at herself a little uneasily, as if unsure if she was the one being referred to.
"Yes, you, the greedy pig. I have something to ask you. Follow me!" Ethan arbitrarily gave orders, as if he had special rights to do so to everyone.
"Hey, wait a minute! Why should I listen to your orders?" Nami immediately protested. She couldn't let someone who called her a greedy pig order her around. Hearing her refusal, Ethan immediately stopped walking and glanced at her for a moment.
"You'd better follow me because this has something to do with you!"
"Has something to do with me?"
"Nami, what's wrong with Ethan?" Lea asked. Sydney looked worried, as if I had caused trouble for her beloved stepsister.
"I don't have any problems with him!" Nami denied it. Because as far as she knew, she hadn't had any interaction with Ethan since their first dinner at the dorm.
"Really?" For some reason, Lea and Sydney didn't seem to believe her.
"You two, just trust me a little!"
"Okay, then we'll wait in the hall, okay?" Lea said, while Sydney just smiled awkwardly, as if worried that Ethan might be attracted to Nami.
"Okay." Nami sighed. She didn't understand what she'd done wrong to have to speak to someone like this again. After last night, George Homer had stopped her in the hallway and shocked her by confessing that they'd lived together in an orphanage for two years until George was finally taken back by his parents. Now it was Ethan's turn to ask for a private talk.
Reluctantly or not, Nami complied with Ethan's wishes and followed him to a large tree 30 paces from where they were lined up.
"What's wrong? What do you really want to say?" Nami asked, growing impatient and demanding that Ethan tell her his intentions.
Ethan glanced at her coldly, a glimpse of the future flashing through his mind. Although he didn't want to admit it, to be sure, he had to ask the person directly.
"You, have you met any ERI members?"
"Meeting ERI members? No, why?"
"In the future, be careful with them, because it seems like your powers will be very conspicuous and attract their attention."
"I don't understand what you're saying!"
"I'm an esper too!"
"R-really?"
"Unlike you, Sydney, George, and their friends, my powers can't be used in combat. I can only tell you what will make you successful."
"I don't understand what you're saying, I-"
"Nami Ziegler, your powers are very dangerous. If you can't control your emotions, everyone will be in danger," he said. Nami fell silent, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. The atmosphere became tense and a little unsettling.
"I think that-"
"You don't have to believe it if you don't want to. I'll only tell you once, and after that, it's your decision. Because if you make even one wrong move, there's great destruction waiting."