durnar

All of us blamed ourselves. We were lost.

We used to think that, as Columbian citizens, it was our duty to answer the president's call to join the military, to protect our homeland, to defend our borders and beliefs. That's what we were meant to do.

But actually, all we did in the service was put up with a bunch of arrogant officers.

Yelling at our teammates didn't do anything, and taking our anger out on you wasn't going to get us anywhere, but that one month, aside from our training and work, we were stuck in that cycle of negative emotion.

After we were discharged, most of us went back to Columbia. It was only once I adjusted back to civilian life that those negative emotions started to fade away.

I...

I don't know much about strategy, but if it wasn't for you, that war would not have ended so quickly.

That victory was Columbia's, but if it wasn't for your decisive assault putting pressure on the commanders, the tug-of-war that came afterwards would've been far worse, and more men would've died on the field.

How come you're so good at comforting people, but you're terrible at making conversation, Hank?

Please stop making fun of me, Instructor...

Oh, don't mind me too much. It's just something I said off the top of my head.

Right, weren't you going to take over the family business and rake in the dough? What happened to that? Why are you here at Rhodes Island, serving as an operator?

Report, Instructor—

No reporting. Just tell me like normal...

Yes, Instructor.

I talked to my sister about it, and we decided that it was the best to have her take over the family business while I would be her second-in-command.

I thought you said you didn't get along with your sister... or at least that's what I think you told me before.

Yes, Instructor.

But after I was discharged, I put some thought into it. Then, for the first time, I had a good discussion with her.

She's been smart ever since we were kids. She majored in business too. We figured she would be the better choice to expand the family business.

And when my father finally decides to retire and hand the business down to her, I'll leave Rhodes Island and go back home to help out.

Right now... I guess I'm here to earn some experience.

I wanted to expand my horizons through the lens of Rhodes Island and also make some connections, both inside and outside Columbia.

This is very important to my life in the future.

Mm-hmm.

I've been wondering, but what does your family do again?

We're in asset management.

Not sure what that is.

My family manages the Maylander Child Rights Protection Foundation's wealth.

Maylander... Child Rights Protection Foundation?

It's an NGO working to improve life for Columbian children.

So a charity?

Yes.

If it's at all possible, I would like you to—

Well, it really sounds like you were born for this kind of business.

Be sure to really throw yourself into that work.

Don't make a fool of yourself. Got it?

Yes, Instructor.

Right, good.

As long as you're living well, I'm happy.

Gives me something to boast about to my coworkers, haha.

Ma'am, sir, your drinks.

(Lights up Dur-nar's drink with Originium Arts)

Enjoy.

Finally.

(Downs the whole thing in one shot)

Phew—Hot hot hot!

Ah, that's the stuff.

You're basically spitting fire, Instructor.

Easy peasy.

You drink yours too.

Instructor, you know I—

Drink it, Private Hank.

That's an order.

Yes, Instructor!

(Downs the beverage in one go)

Huff—Phew...

How is it?

It's not that spicy, Instructor.

Well, of course.

That's just white grape juice.

White grape juice?

Well, I can tell you don't go to bars often.

'Liberi Tears' is bartender lingo. It means a glass of white grape juice.

You think I forgot how allergic to alcohol you were?

Instructor...

You know how exhausting it was to carry you from the base to the army hospital that night? I'd rather not try that again.

Dario!

Something else for you, ma'am?

An 'Iceflame.'

You, Hank? Another glass of Tears?

Sure.

Just a moment.

Instructor.

What's up?

Where did you go after that court-martial?

Well... I'd rather keep it to myself.

I would like to know, please.

And I'm sure the others would like to know as well.

(Takes out a voice recorder)

Uhh...

Hold on, easy. Why the recorder?

'We' would like to know, Instructor.

Oh, you prick. So this is why you came all the way here, why you're drinking with me?!

Yes.

This is what all seventeen of us want to know.

And I'm the only one who works at Rhodes Island, so it falls on me to do this.

And you couldn't have found somewhere more private...?

It's easier to get you to talk in this environment.

If we talked somewhere else, like the training grounds, you would definitely slip away with some work excuse.

And I certainly wouldn't have been able to stop you.

Well, you did your homework...

All thanks to you.

F-Fine, I'll go into it a little bit.

And I'll say this first: I don't remember everything. If I don't have an answer, pushing it isn't going to help.

Thanks, Instructor.

Here are your drinks.

Enjoy.

Just in time.

Let's talk and drink.