"Would some hot water suffice?"
June nodded, accepting the white cup as steam lightly billowed from it.
As he held the cup in both hands, he could feel a burning sensation.
He could feel a slight fright telling him to put it down quickly if he didn't want to feel more pain and get burned.
"Isn't it hot? You can put it down, you know? I won't steal your drink."
A woman's voice broke his focus.
Deep, rough, with a tinge of cautiousness, but definitely that of a woman.
It was Camerone, the supposed head of the Astrea Security Department, the one who just settled on the opposite sofa.
"It's fine."
June answered curtly, his eyes still on the cup, or, specifically, its contents.
There was indeed nothing but hot water within it.
"...If you say so. Anyway, I apologize if my office's a bit cramped and lacking. It has been a while since I restocked it."
June shook his head, and Camerone lightly nodded in reply with a little smile.
"Now, before I start the questioning, I need to make a few things clear."
The brief went by quickly.
Essentially, he was not required to answer all questions, even though the information would help significantly with the investigation.
As for the reason, she mentioned they would go over it later.
"All students will be compensated for the incident, as well as for those who present helpful information for the investigation. This may also include certain benefits during your study period as well."
"And if they withdraw from the school?"
"...We will make sure to match it based on their situation."
"And the guarantee?"
"We will issue an official announcement, and a written legal document can be obtained through our Legal Department."
A voice that hid a bit of solemnness. Whether it's because the immature children had to endure such a painful experience, or because the school had to let go of those talents, he couldn't know.
[According to my database, it's highly likely a mix of both. After all, she too was a student of this place.]
'System?'
Before anything else could be said, Camerone cut in as she opened a small notebook.
"Any additional questions, you can ask there as well. Let's begin with our questioning first."
[The memories say she could be trusted.]
It added.
***
"So, how was it? Anything of value, Security Administrator?"
"Vincent."
It was someone she would really like to give a "light nudge".
"Stop giving me such a creepy look. I might run, you know~"
Ignoring his silly remarks, she continued.
"He was quite cooperative for such a cautious fellow."
"You seemed surprised."
"Can't be helped."
Camerone lightly felt out her face with her left hand and then stroked her chin.
"He called that strange energy 'Demonic Energy'—a variation of natural Ether energy, attuned to one specific race - Demon."
"Oh? Sounds like something out of a fairy tale these days, doesn't it?"
Definitely something he had heard as a young child.
"Like a fairy tale, you say?"
Her eyes moved to her other lightly trembling, gripped hand. A slight hint of a rough white bandage roll protruded beneath the dress shirt, dyed yellowish-brown.
"—Better be a joke, don't you think?"
Sensing awkwardness, Vincent changed the topic.
"Ehem. Is he good?"
"Some details require investigation, but he's pretty solid. Story's consistent—somewhat."
"Deliberate omission, is it?"
"Right. Didn't claim to be part of any subjugation despite his appearance at several instances of them. Didn't remember the initial attack either."
"Then?"
"He was vouched for by two. Eight others kept shut or appeared not exactly knowledgeable. That beastman girl, in particular, was a little shaken by the mention of his name but stood her claim."
Vincent whistled in response.
"Any chance of story coordination?"
"Unlikely. Both appeared entirely unaware of the other's existence."
Camerone shook her head as she stood up, her battered and stained suitcase already in hand. This made Vincent slightly frown.
"So what's the plan, our 'always busy' sir?"
"Maintain strict observation and reactive interference. I'll finish my due reports."
"Right. Anyways, can I have this cup of water? Wow, it's warm."
Hearing something amazingly outrageous, she immediately turned to retort, but that immediately turned to a thought of bafflement. It was something she definitely noticed and yet forgot.
'A profile update might be in place.'
***
"You...What exactly are you and your purpose?"
Sitting at the edge of a tidy bed, he muttered such a question.
After the so-called "questioning", he was sent back to the medical bay for an extensive health check-up.
The doctor, who showed a shocking face at the result, gave him a health report with some medications and sent him on his way, stating that he must come back if he felt anything strange in his body immediately.
For the record, the report mentioned he made a clean, complete recovery upon waking up, with no abnormalities found in any part of the body, in and out. And it was from a complex state filled with all kinds of injuries that they tried their best to treat.
He did escape near-death and partially regain vitality with treatment, but all other things that were so cleanly wiped from existence in a morning were definitely abnormal, too abnormal.
By this world's mortal standard, that kind of thing is only possible with transcendent or fated beings. Something like a hero or demon king.
Not that he had anything to complain about.
He was promptly sent back to his dormitory per his own request, as bearing statuses as both a completely healthy student and a victim of the academy's "negligence" has granted him certain rights that prevented certain decisions, such as active detainment for health observations.
The place...struck a comfortable balance between practicality and quiet refinement. It wasn't luxurious by any means, but everything was clean, well-kept, and thoughtfully arranged in a way that spoke of steady management rather than lavish expense.
He took a quick mental note of the paths and exits while receiving his key, after which he swiftly headed for his room without lingering another second.
He reminded himself, that he is "Jun Kether" and that he is also June Normaris - the name he is now remembered by in this new world.
Now, here he was, in a place where noises no longer ring within his ears and fill his head.
Peace.
It was fleeting, but it was peace.
It was forced, but it was peace.
Because he still had things to do and plan for, he must ignore them. For now.
[I am the Estella system, specifically designed to be your personal assistant. My purpose is to provide insight and support for integration into this world, as well as for achieving your goal, whatever it is.]
'You mentioned that you pale in comparison to the systems of the many stories that I read in my past time. Tell me about it.'
[My core functionality is to handle and provide information. I can not give power, rewards, opportunities, or the missions and challenges associated with them. I possess no authority against you, your body, or your soul, and as such can not administer any harm, benefits, or control against your will.]
'And the source of this information you have currently?'
[Aside from your own memories, there are those belonging to the original owner of your current body - June Normaris. Otherwise, there are those that came from outside, directed at you.]
It was rather interesting that he could experience something like this. Inheriting a body, having a system, it's not wrong to call his character setting a typical modern protagonist of a webnovel.
However, what piqued his interest most was the supposed memories of that child. It was the only thing he could offer as support for this new endeavor.
'Was your previous input also because of that?'
[Affirmative. His memories bore warmth and trust during her presence.]
'Can I truly trust your inference?'
[It's recommended not to place complete certainty on me. Nevertheless, my information handling is not based on unclear assumptions or hypotheses 93.33% of the time, so please rest assured on that part. You may process the raw data on your own, per request.]
It appeared intelligent, capable of flexible reasoning and conversing. Other than that, nothing noteworthy has surfaced.
'Would you call yourself a sentient being?'
From his memories, there are also numerous small variations in the setting. Strictly designed program; AI that can become such, or is near such, or far from such; Sentient disguising themselves as insentient...
[...Secret.]
So his authority is not absolute, and the time it took to answer...In any case, he is not entirely curious about that, but about something else.
[You are curious about your confidant Lain?]
When that fake 'World' collapsed, he was worried. However, since the kids got out safely, as evidenced by some of their presence at the medical bay, he hoped it would be the same for his bird.
[It would be happy to know you harbor such worry. Unfortunately, I do not know where she went.]
Checking his own ties, he realized she was still present and already summoned, same as it was when that 'World' was present. But strangely, he could not call her to his presence, nor initiate any communication exchange, as if any of those were already active.
"Right. I did give her much freedom to act. Perhaps it's because of how loosely the contract is written?"
Not that he regretted it.
She was, after all, not contracted out of obligation or deal, but by will. If his memory is even true anymore.
Since the tie was steadily maintained, she was indeed well, alive, and maybe active. Whether she rejected, ignored, or it was the rare case of a bad connection, he could not know.
"Well, I guess I can leave it at that."
[Also, you have several inboxes. Would you like to know the details now?]
There are still many more things to worry about at hand.
The original June Normaris's wish - to grant his beloved happy endings.
The true nature of this strange world, like a mirror that reflects fragments of memory and merges all that should be separate.
The deal of the gods that involved him.
His "pasts" that were catching up.
The emerging souls that made him.
And his wish.
"Perhaps, it is canonical that I do not like trouble."
Comfortably spreading himself on the bed, he mustered such words.
[It is a solid first step, as "he" would have put it.]
He just wants to go to sleep.
And maybe never get up...
"...and yet..."
[Sir...no, my Hero...You have my blessings, always.]
In the now quiet room, a light chirp can be heard.
[Journey well.]