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Um, I want all my treasures to look as good as the weapons here in your house.

And, um, I want the other weapons to be the same color as my axe.

Is that too much trouble?

That won't take much time.

I might be done in time for you to surprise Hibiscus and Lava.

Really?

Yes.

Bring your weapons. Let's get started.

Yeah!!!

Phew. *Pant*. *Pant*. I'm exhausted.

Little Perro is gonna be okay, right Hibiscus?

She's so good at fighting, and Vulcan is so nice. What could go wrong?

Huh? Vulcan? Nice?

Anyway, I know she won't do anything bad.

But I'm more worried about that logistics operator who showed up in the middle of training. He had a pretty big file with him.

Gave me a bad feeling.

Uh oh, not this again.

In my experience, your 'bad feelings' usually signal good things.

I hope you're right... oh, we're here.

Who is it?

It's Lava. We're here to see the little Pe——Miss Perro.

It's unlocked. Come on in.

Ah, Lava and Hibiscus! You're here!

Huh? Miss Perro?

Wh- what happened to your weapons?

Don't call me Miss Perro anymore. Call me Ceobe.

That's my name!

Huh——?!

(Several weeks later)

Rhodes Island Landship

Logistics Department, Small Conference Room

I think you know why I asked you here today.

How did she do?

How do you think?

Fancy a guess?

She doesn't take orders. She just throws her weapons around and makes a scene.

How do you think she did?

Just tell me her results.

Her results. Heh.

She passed.

Oh.

She made a mess of herself and failed a bunch of tests. But her personal character and potential qualify her to be an operator.

And, taking into account the opinions of several of her proctors, the other details are less important.

The Doctor is never wrong about anyone.

Neither are you.

Well then, it's time.

Can I get a reason now?

Normally, the operator assessment process is initiated by the individual herself.

We typically look poorly on situations where an individual has the decision made for her. Especially when there is no guardian or relative involved.

Sorry.

That's all I get?

Ah well, it's not that big a deal. Rules were made to be broken.

Just give me a reason. I have to pass something upstairs.

A girl who likes weapons can't be bad.

All right.

Hold on, uh, that's it?

Yes.

I'm gonna need a little more than that. A few more sentences or there's no way I can finish this report.

I have to?

It's important.

Well....

I'm a blacksmith. I don't know people. But I do know weapons.

If you have someone with absolutely no knowledge of weapon maintenance and upkeep,

her weapons are going to get damaged after a long period of use.

Still, she did her best to keep her equipment in good shape, to the best of her abilities.

That was enough for me to affirm her talent and potential.

How can you be sure she doesn't know weapon maintenance?

She can't use a whetstone, she doesn't know her oils. That's long before we start talking about any rules or scientific principles.

The only thing she knows how to do is polish her weapons. And she's good at that.

Okay. What else?

That should be enough.

You know better than me what has to go on a resume.

I do.

She's a Bolívarian, traveled the whole world looking for Minos, and never quite found it.

Still don't get why.

All I can say is her spirit is commendable.

It's always good to have faith.

That's what I'm curious about.

You usually don't pay much attention to people.

This Ceobe, is she that special?

What is it about her that caught your attention?

Her weapons.

I'm serious, Vulcan.

I'm serious too.

How so?

Her name was carved into that axe.

Minos isn't Higashi. We don't just tape our names onto weapons in case we lose them.

If your name is on a weapon, it means something big.

Plus,

I couldn't forge that axe.

But that technique, I know I've seen it somewhere...

I want to help her solve the mystery of that weapon.

Then, maybe someday, she'll come back and solve something for me.

I guess you could say I'm just a selfish blacksmith.

Hmmm....

You craftsmen have your secrets.

Well, whatever.

That's enough for me.

Sorry to bother you. Go get some rest.

I'm sorry too.