A Solution

With only two months left before the new term starts, I've decided to spend the rest of my time trying to improve Diana's capabilities and preparing my stuff for moving out.

It was decided that I'm going to be living in a dorm just like what I discussed last time. Some of them are sad and disappointed including the Trio Maids but I explained to them that it'll be alright and that I'm going to be checking them out whenever I have free time.

I also explained to them that I'll do some interval video calls sometimes so that they could catch up with what's happening. I know that these three are too doting and that they don't want to let me go so I assured them that I'll make contact if there's an opportunity. It's my only promise so that they won't have to worry about me that much.

As for my cute little sister, I told her that I'll be sending her pictures of me and my future friends inside the academy and informing her about its rules, regulations, and overall properties. It crossed my mind that I should take some notes on what I would learn inside and send them to her so that she could prepare when she enrolls for the next two years.

I've done a few research about the academy but most of them aren't that different from the other schools. They have a unique way of learning because the curriculum is highly fixated on improving their compatibility with AEGIS and being able to understand the nature of Astral Art.

But other than that, there's no more information I could gather. Diana once volunteered to help and hack the academy's system but I told to her to not move yet unless I really need it.

As for the AEGIS requirements, I recall Mama and Papa said that I should have my own AEGIS and MFU battlesuit so that I could pass the second phase of their entrance examination...

Well, I do have my own AEGIS device (Which looks like a cool shortsword or dagger) but it is a prototype that Mama just happened to use when she was developing it. It doesn't have any pre-installed MFU (Magic Force Unit) battlesuit that will just magically appear.

Have I already explained how AEGIS works? If you don't remember, AEGIS was a neuro-terminal link device that is installed in our brains back then. To put it simply, it's like an Android Phone but the whole features exist in your brain and you use Astral Art to operate it. It's like producing screens out of nowhere in the air.

But, as they say, the AEGIS terminal in the past is dangerous and led to multiple factions vetoing the mass production so the Sphereshine had no choice but to regress it into a simple device. As for the details of how that happened, Mama and Papa only know. There's no record of it in the internet archives.

AEGIS is also responsible for the control of your MFU battlesuit. You use the device to manually operate the suit and fight enemies with it.

And since Academy supports education about using AEGIS and MFUs to defend the country, they ultimately would have to limit their pre-requisites for those who only have the talent to use Astral Arts and control their own MFUs. That's why the enrollment is strict and the chances of me getting in are as low as getting accepted into NASA when you don't have a degree in aerospace.

I've thought about it for a while... How should I approach this problem and what can I do to trick the system? I'm pretty sure they would instantly kick me out if they don't see me wearing a battlesuit.

And I mean, I can't use an MFU because my Astral Art is not, technically, a great way of operating it. My Quasi-Astral state could only let me transfer Astral Energy or boost itself. It's not that much of an elemental power that the others have. Basically, my compatibility with MFU is trash.

So, what should I do?

[Hmm, are you perhaps thinking about how to pass the entrance examination, Master] While I was contemplating on the bench outside our yard, Diana suddenly chimed in and asked.

"I'm impressed. How did you know?" I asked.

[Well, you don't really have any problem with the other things. The only issue that you have right now is how to get into the academy, right? I figured that you would be thinking about it now since it's almost there...] She explained with a gracious tone.

Diana then sat beside me. [I know that it's difficult to come up with a plan right now but... with your level and intellect, I'm sure you can find some solution for it.] She added.

"Well, that's true but... Hmm, I'm not really fond of tricking the system though. I kinda have some issues with any unorthodox solutions that go beyond logic. It's like I don't want it to be conspicuous at some point. The solutions that I've come up with so far are full of that." I explained my worries.

[Hmm... So you want to pass the examination fair and square without any tricks that would get you in trouble later on. Is that what you're trying to relay?] Diana asked.

"That's basically it, yes..." I sighed.

[But if you follow the norm, you know that it is impossible, right?]

"I'm well aware of it, that's why I'm trying my best to find more similar solutions."

[You mentioned that in order to pass it, you must need three things: an AEGIS device, an MFU, and Astral Arts. And in these three factors that I mentioned, the person should be highly talented or compatible with it and the performance should be up to standards, at least according to the manual.]

Diana opened up a holographic screen in front of me and listed down all of the variables she just mentioned.

I stared at her breakdown and nodded as she spoke. [You already have two things: Which is your prototype AEGIS device and your Quasi-Astral State. However, your QAS is not exactly made to fit in their standards so you won't be able to use it. That leaves us with only one factor to complete the requirements. The problem that we have now is MFU and Astral Art.]

She then crossed the AEGIS device with a digital highlighter and focused on the two things that I need.

"Yeah, and this is where it gets problematic..." I nodded.

Without having the complete Astral Art, I can't operate an MFU battlesuit. And without an MFU, I won't be able to pass the physical exam. It's a predicament that doesn't have any quick fix whatsoever.

[Seeing that these factors are correlated with each other and if one of them is incomplete, the other is also ineffectual then...] Diana trailed off for a second and looked to the sky.

"Hmm?"

She then turned to me with a bright smile and blurted out... [Why don't you make your own Magic Force battlesuit?]

I let out a soft gasp as my eyes widened in surprise. My own MFU battlesuit she said. I wasn't hearing her wrong.

"My own battlesuit?" I repeated it.

[Yes. You know how to design your own mech suit, right? You also have the skills to engineer or put it all together. So here's an idea: Why don't you develop your own MFU with its entire system based on manual operating not on Astral Arts? It's like, you will be controlling it with your physical body but not with Astral Energy. In this way, you can bypass the MFU requirement without worrying about your Astral talent.] She explained.

Now that I think about it, it's fairly possible that I could design my own. Mama has made an MFU for Papa once. I could just ask her how she does it and make references throughout the process and cater it for my usage.

But wait, what about the Astral Art examination?

"I can do that idea but, what about the Astral Art examination? Once I've had the suit, they'll also be testing its capabilities. I'm pretty sure they will notice the difference between manual operation and Astral Art operation." I said.

[I think you already know how to solve that...] Diana winked.

When she said that, I realized something...

"My Vernal Equinox..." The Desert Eagle pistol that I crafted last year.

[Mhmm... Your Vernal Equinox uses QAS as its source of power, right? Not to mention that the bullets that you are using are powered or charged by Miss Lynn's Light Astral Magic. If you fuse them both together then you will get...]

"My own MFU and Astral Arts... You're right! I could just develop a weapon similar to VE for the mech suit and use the same process to circumvent the Astral Arts examination. In that way, they won't notice the difference..." I stood up from the bench and turned to Diana with a wide smile.

[Hee hee~ That's about right...] Diana giggled.

"Hah... That was such a relief. Thank you, Diana!" Without any hesitation, I gave in to my impulse and embraced Diana.

[Oh...] For a sec, I thought she didn't like it so I pulled myself and turned to her but... [You're becoming assertive, my Love. Are you finally recognizing me~?] She asked in a seductive tone.

"W-Wait, no... I'm just..." I removed my arms but then Diana grabbed them and pulled me again. "E-EH?!"

[I won't let you go this time...] Did she just lick her lips?!

Diana's grasp was even more heavy than usual. Since my body is leaning forward and my arms are locked, I couldn't bring myself to get on balance to have enough strength to pull.

[Come, my Love. Let us kiss under the bright sunlight...] She then started closing in, her face—no, her lips about to touch mine.

"D-Diana...!" I tried my best to resist by facing the other side and then—

"Get away from him!" I heard a voice. A bell-like tone that is angelic with a hint of angriness.

Suddenly, a ball of light passes through the yard, its intensity fast approaching our place.

[Whoops~] Diana then shifted position by pulling me to the side and jumping all the way to the right to avoid Lynn's shot. She then guide my body with her right arm and generated a shield using Ice Astral Magic.

"Hah... Hah..." I could see Lynn panting really hard as she approached us.

"Lynn?"

"You've been hogging Big Brother all to yourself lately. I want to spend some time with him too!" She pouted cutely.

[Ara, are you perhaps jealous, little Lynn?] Diana asked in an arrogant tone.

"Jealous? No way! But I can't let you steal Big Brother's way. Can't you see that he's suffering?" Lynn exclaimed.

[Your sister is really worried about you...] Diana whispered.

"That's why I love her and I want to protect her too. Now get off me before she destroys you..."

[I kinda want to play with her for a while and see if I can bring out her best. What do you think would happen if I suddenly kiss you~?] Diana bit her lip.

"W-Wha—?!"

I don't understand what she is talking about.

"Enough!" With a weave of her AEGIS device, Lynn generated another fireball and shot it through Diana. However, the fireball immediately dissipated as the shield that Diana created earlier had a massive elemental resistant.

"Let's fight again, Diana. If I win, don't bother Big Brother anymore." Lynn made a stance.

[Hou... Alright then, little girl. I won't back down even if you are my Love's sister.]

Hmm? Diana's expression turned serious for a bit. Is she angry? She is willing to fight someone as long as it has something to do with me.

Well, anyway. I don't have any time to waste. Thanks to my little sister, I was able to escape the yard to start working on my own MFU.

It's gonna a little bit difficult this time and I might have to rush some parts. There is only two months left before the official enrollment. I have to finish something at the very least to be able to pass the entrance examination. Otherwise, all of my hard work would be for nothing.