act8mini

I see, you even went out of your way to get it approved? Thank you...

The briefing you submitted this morning helped Rhodes Island through a crisis.

You mean... the Catastrophe this afternoon?

Professor, did you read my analysis?

Your Originium vein expansion observations were incredibly accurate.;You were able to predict a Catastrophe through an increase in Originium activation on the surface.

It was just a hunch.

They said the density of Originium near the surface around here would be very low, but I saw the same situation in a volcano in southern Leithanien...

Even a small amount of Originium proliferates rapidly over a brief period when the conditions are right.

Two days ago, after finishing my daily treatment, I was walking around the dorms as usual when I saw the approaching phenomenon from the dust samples on the porthole.

In sandy terrain, a sudden burst in Originium energy will cause the ground temperature to rise rapidly, leading to a significant increase in the possibility of large-scale wind-Catastrophes.

Um... I'm so sorry... I can go on and on about this stuff...

Please continue.

You've already seen the report, right?

Busy as you are, I never expected you'd read our random notes.

I also read your thesis.;Your research is very interesting.;I've said before, I'm a hard worker, but some folks are thinking I can use Arts.

Professor, are you interested in my research?

Do mystical Originium Arts like that exist?

Ah... I understand, you were making a joke.

If you're not too busy, I'd love to stay over and have a nice chat with you again.

After I get some work done.;You're welcome to look around.

There are so many books on your desk...

Annals of the Great Yan Classics,' 'A Tower Without a Legend,' 'Columbia Judicial Observation Notes,' 'Conquest and Assimilation' ...Professor, are these the books you normally read?

Your interests are so diverse. It's nothing like the bookcases of the other professors I know.

I think this one will interest you the most.

These are your... Catastrophe research notes?

Just something to read over.;Just some thoughts I jotted down.;Just a rough draft.

Thank you... Thank you so much! I'll study these thoroughly!

If I have any questions, may I come to talk to you?

Any time.;You're always welcome.;As long as I can finish my other work.

The young scholar clutches the notes you handed her tightly, lifts her head, and looks at you with conviction-filled eyes.

Professor... my life has been a series of wonderful surprises since coming to Rhodes Island.

The stability of my Oripathy has given me a lot more confidence about my future, and people like you have given me the hope to keep moving forward.

If you're working so hard, then what reason do any of us have to give up?

—Professor.

Thank you so much for leading Rhodes Island forward, and on into the future.

故事集3

I bet 300. It's just a pile of broken scrap metal. Not worth the trouble.

You sure? I'll bet 500, then. That thing's important to us.

How do you figure?

Intuition.

Not tricky to find old gadgets in the wastes, though, when Catastrophes blow them out all the time.

But intuition tells me that's not your average trash.

What are you two chatting about?

Oh, Doctor.

Good evening, Dr. {@nickname}.

We went to a drifter settlement yesterday while on field duty, and turned out something fairly interesting.

It's just industrial scrap. I've seen this stuff all over the western wastes. Not worth your time, Doctor.

But incredibly, it's industrial scrap that still works. It seems to be playing some kind of audio.

Music?

You'd be hard-pressed to convince me that's music.

The circumstances it was found in?

There was a strange machine in the middle of the drifters' settlement. Painted red, very heavy, and made strange noises when anyone came near.

The drifters weren't too keen on approaching it, but they still set up camp around it.

We ought to have moved it back. Dame Kal'tsit might know the specifics of its technology.

Spend cash to drag back a pile of industrial scrap? Have we ever had the luxury?

Perhaps that banshee might take a liking to it.

If you have some personal beef going on, I suggest you don't bring it to work.

Sounds interesting.

Time permitting, we can visit that settlement together sometime. Maybe I'll be able to tell you what it is.

Oh, looks like our gamble's gonna pay off, then.

Then it's settled. Once Her Majesty's affairs are worked out for the time being, together we'll go.

And keep to that deal.

You awaken to an unpleasant mechanical noise.

A normal day.

Before your eyes is the ceiling of an ordinary living room in Rhodes Island. The furnishings look just as ordinary, though the hum of the ventilation system seems a bit deeper than in other cabins.

You know why. It is one of the most inconspicuous parts of your many peculiarities.

You wash up perfunctorily. This part isn't so different from ordinary people. You take special medication to maintain your condition. This part is a bit different from ordinary people.

Next, you don the full-body protective clothing that hampers your normal activities, but considering your physical condition, it is necessary. It may also be temporary, depending on your recovery.

These are all orders from Dr. Kal'tsit. According to her, you used to know more about these things than she did; but now, only she can look after your health.

Of course, Dr. {@nickname}. You are not like that one.

Is there anyone out there like us?

...Is anyone out there like you?

The world has not been kind to you, and you know this.

Ah, Doctor, you're awake.

Considering how late you stayed up, you can rest a bit longer.

Not going to urge me to work today?;...I'm fine.;Don't worry, I'm feeling pretty energetic.

Doctor... I'm not trying to supervise your work or anything. You should rest when it's time to rest.

Hmm... Dr. Kal'tsit says you need to be getting enough sleep, and that means more than usual.

Really...? Doctor, I'm worried you may be a little TOO energetic.

Oh, by the way, Dr. Kal'tsit stepped out for the day. She asked me to tell you that the meeting is postponed to tomorrow.

Huh. So in other words, there's nothing on today's schedule?;Do I actually get a day off?

Yes, that's why you should take advantage of it and rest up.

Resting up, huh...;......;What a luxurious word.

7:33 A.M.

Rhodes Island Cafeteria

Oh, Doctor! Good morning.

Ehh? Oh, Doctor~!

Good morning.

Wooow, Doctor, you actually got the time to come down to the cafeteria for breakfast today?

Yes... I have the day off.;......;Am I normally that busy?

Heh, would you look at that.

I never see you in the cafeteria so early.

What impression have I given you...?

What impression, huh... Probably a workaholic, chronically overworked all year round?

Seriously though, this is long overdue. You've been like this ever since we left Lungmen. Don't want to see you break down.

Be a little kinder to yourself, Doctor. After all, we were—

—Ouch... Gahhh, g'damn, the hell are you doing?!

Loose lips sink ships.

Huh?

It's fine... You're exactly right.;My life is not solely my own, and I need to remind myself from time to time.