melan

个人剧情 玫兰莎

10:30p.m.

Outside the Rhodes Island Training Room

Why are the lights in the training room still on at this hour?

Is someone in there? Woah... talk about a workaholic.

Ah, Melantha, good evening! You're hard-working as ever.

Hello.

Did you just finish training? It's so late... Doesn't it seem like the Reserve Team's training sessions have been running later and later?

I'm glad that everyone is motivated, but your health should always come first.

Ah, um... thanks...

It's okay though. Instructor Fallon has been managing my training regimen, so there won't be any accidents.

I see. Oh, right, have you had dinner yet?

Not yet... But it's fine, please don't worry about me...

C'mon, don't be like that, you know how important it is to get your three meals!

But that's easier said than done... The cafeteria might already be out of hot food, so if you want something fresh, you'll probably have to cook it yourself.

Is that something you can handle? Or, tell you what, how about I help out?

I...

What's going on here? You two are blocking the way.

Oh, Instructor Dobermann!

Instructor Dobermann! Franka!

Hey girly~ Long time no see~

I didn't know you had so much time to make small talk, Klin. I assume you're already done with your work for the week?

And what's more, you're offering to help cook for someone? Last time I checked, you still couldn't tell sugar from salt.

Ahaha, c'mon now, Instructor Dobermann, there's no need to rub salt in the wound, right?

Just a reminder, Binns was looking for you a moment ago.

Ehh? In that case, I'll be getting back to work then. Don't want to cause trouble, y'know. See you around, ahaha...!

Please don't tell the boss you saw me here!

Hahaha! You Rhodes Island folk are so funny!

Embarrassing. Can't believe that guy's still acting like this... What a joke.

Melantha, Klin didn't do anything rude, did he? He's not a bad guy, but he is damn glib... If he's bothering you, feel free to ignore him.

N-No, he was very nice.

Well, I guess that's fine then.

Of course. I'd be on my best behavior too if I bumped into such a cute li'l lady~

Eh? Huh?

Stop it, you.

What?

Belay that evil laugh. I don't want you spooking my trainees.

Oh my...

Instructor, you're the domineering type, aren't you? Mel, is she always this controlling?

M-Mel? Um... N-No, Instructor Dobermann is very nice...

She may be strict, but I've always thought...

Do you hear that? She's complimenting you, you absolute stud. Does that make you happy?

Ahem.

Enough joking around. Melantha, Fallon's already talked to you about the Reserve Op Team's formation this time around, right?

After talking things over, we decided to make you the captain. If Reserve Op Team A4 has no issues with it, I'll bring you the paperwork that needs to be signed tomorrow.

So, let me in on a little secret. How many Reserve Op Teams do you guys have?

What makes you think I'd tell you that?

What's wrong with asking, on the off-chance your lips were feeling a little loose?

Trust me, I'm just a little curious. For an organization like Blacksteel, Rhodes Island could cultivate all the reserve teams it wants and we wouldn't feel threatened.

Makes sense that you'd prefer to train up your own teams than rely on outsiders. I get it.

Oh, but, you Reserve Team kids look like you've got some troubles.

Hm?

What is it, Melantha? Did you want to say something?

Um, Instructor...

I...

Is there not even any bread left...?

(Admittedly, things ended up running a bit too late today, but there's no way around it...)

(The staff left a long time ago, and I couldn't possibly trouble others over something like this... Maybe I'll just bear it for the night and go to sleep earlier...)

*Sigh*...

What's wrong? Why are you standing here sighing all by yourself?

Eep!

Hwah!

Wh-Wh-Wh-What is it?! You scared me!

Oh... Merry, it's you.

Ehehe, that it is~

What are you doing over here? It's long past dinnertime, isn't it?

Oh, lemme guess, you haven't even eaten dinner yet? Are you hungry? Adnachiel made a whole bunch of sweets, and I was just looking for you! Let's eat together!

Oh right, right! There must be some good news since the Instructor kept you extra long today, right? Steward said you're gonna be our captain, is that true? And Steward also said—

—Gah!! Ah crap, I was supposed to keep that a secret!

Well, whatever, I already spilled the beans. Not like you can keep something this exciting under wraps anyway! So, is it true? I sure hope it's true!

Um... Merry, do you think I can handle it?

Instructor, I think... I'm not qualified to be the captain of Reserve Op Team A4.

I'm very sorry...

I hope Instructor Fallon and Instructor Dobermann will reconsider...

Woah, now I didn't expect this.

The girl says she can't do it. What do you think?

You're not gonna say anything? C'mon, why do all you serious types have to be so stuffy?

Hey, Mel, who do you think is qualified to lead the team then?

Well, Steward thinks things through a lot better.

During the last mock battle, we made three mistakes. Steward was the one who made up for them behind the scenes and won us a good final result. Everyone trusts him.

Ansel always pays close attention to our health, and he can often judge how we're doing and prepare appropriate measures even if we don't tell him anything.

Adnachiel, um, though I still can't tell what he's thinking, whenever we need firepower, he's always able to identify the needs of each teammate and launch attacks from the most suitable position.

Merry... Um, Cardigan, is energetic but not reckless. She always pays close attention to protecting the other members of the team during battle. Our formations are often centered around her.

I think all of them have what it takes to be a great captain!

You know, everything you just said right now, is exactly what...

...Actually, never mind. I'll let you figure it out for yourself.

In any case, I won't rescind our decision for the time being. We have our own decision-making process.

But, Instructor!

Let's set this conversation aside for now. I recommend that you think this over carefully, ideally talk to the rest of the team, and then give me your answer tomorrow.

We won't interfere with your judgment. Whether you're fit for the job, whether you can do it or not, these are things that you have to decide for yourself.

However, I will ask you this one question.

Operator Melantha, what made you decide to go into combat?

I...

I am familiar with the delicate and the aromatic.

I am familiar with the clear afternoon sun, the glistening of glass bottles, the rippling of smooth velvet, as well as other elegant, civilized niceties.

Of course I am familiar with these things, because this is how I spent much of my life.

But, I am not familiar with the blood-soaked battlefield.

Why did I step onto it?

Why did I choose to face such perils and assume such a heavy burden?

What is it...