Ch. 22
Zelgius Zelgard, was just a normal kid living in a poverty town that had been struck hard by the poor economic situation. It was really just a stroke of luck that he ended up at the academy, as he met someone along the road who vouched for him to enter after he helped that person with a simple chore.
He had grown up in the care of his kind grandmother who had taken care of him since he was a child. He had never known where his parents were, nor did he remember when he was first left at his grandmothet house. All he knew was that he was a small child of 4 years old when he was dropped off with his grandmother and since then he never seen his parents again.
As any 4 year old would, at first he thought that he had been abandoned. However, his kind and caring grandmother gently reassured him that his parents loved him so much, saying that he should believe in his grandmother instead. His doubts then washed away, and his new mindset was solely dedicated to making his grandmother proud of him.
Making his grandma proud of him was his driving motivation, even if he was a coward at heart and weak physically. His bravery came from his desire to help people in need, even if he wouldn't be able to stand his own ground. He believed that as long as he could be there for the people in need, he would be able to stand in his own place to help as much as he can.
His noble heart was the reason why he was able to endure the synchronized event that gave him unimaginably intense pain.
Although he was the most physically weak among the paladins. His determination to stand his ground for others and make his grandma proud was what allowed him to hold on through the pain.
Yet despite his fears and doubts, as the days passed since the event, he still trying his best to not dwell in the lingering feeling of those pains he felt that traumatized him to the deep of his soul.
"A-are you awake? " Said Sheila knocking from the outside of the room.
"Y-yes… I'm awake," Zel replied hesitantly, his voice still a little shaky from the strain and the pain that he just endured.
Zel was indeed lucky that the medical technology was advanced enough that even injuries that could be fatal could be treated within weeks. Despite the fact that he was unconscious for the entire time during the recovery process, Zel was still able to get to know Sheila and her friends who had been visiting him consistently in the last few days.
"Can I help you with something? " Zel said hesitant while trying to open the door.
"N-no.. I-i just wanna say that the teachers say we should be ready to train tommorow to pilots Einjard" Sheila said from behind the door.
"Oh, right thank you" Zel opened up the door in hoping to see Sheila outside the room, but when he opened up the door there's only a silhouette of Sheila could be seen who walks away as fast as she could.
It seems like her shyness was overwhelming her again in the moments and she wasn't ready to talk alone with a boy yet.
Zel couldn't help but tilt his head in confusion, wondering why Sheila had quickly walked away when he trying to opened the door "what's wrong with her? "
Meanwhile.
In a meeting room, Principal Maxwell ivanov,Dr. Milley, Commander Hayato, and Lady Saturn were discussing the odd behavior they seen in the frontline. They were worried that the enemies making their moves to attack one of the bases again.
"I've already dispatched a few Einjards squads to scout the surface. It appears that several Alpha enemies have been seen wandering around above the town of (T), which is concerning. It's possible that they may have detected the town, as there have been reports of strange activities in the area. Let's hope we can stay one step ahead of them and take the necessary precautions." Commander Hayato said while pointing the monitor.
"I'm not sure why we being here? But I presume there's a hidden motive for our students I'm I right? " Lady Saturn said while listening to commander Hayato briefing.
"Yes, I'm afraid we do need the cadets again to carry out this missions"
"This time, we carry out the missions to recapture the town (A)riendiel Distict, and then we proceed to attack one of the enemy headquarters from there as a checkpoint."
"The headquarters command we must capture the enemy headquarters in order to replenish our basic needs of crystal core" Commander Hayato said while sliding the monitors who shows a few alpha who will actively joins this missions.
"There's a few alpha unit that will be send:
1. (T)hanatos Pilots
2. (B)utterflies Pilots
3. (C)eres Pilots.
" These 3 Alphas would be in charge in the war against the upcoming missions"
"What about the enemy Headquarters type? " Principal Maxwell Ivanov ask with his serious face.
"SWARM" Commander Hayato said with his firm voice.
On hearing this, everyone could only gasp in shock. They knew that attacking this enemy base type would be highly dangerous, as the swarm would likely overwhelm the Einjards with their numerous numbers advantage. No matter how well prepared they were, it would be difficult to overcome such overwhelming forces.
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS! DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUSLY THE SWARM HEADQUARTERS IS? " Lady Saturn shout asking the credibility of the missions.
"Yes.. That's why the headquarters send the 3 alphas who excel at wiping out enemies in a greater numbers, but as a commander in charge, this is a ridiculous missions indeed"
"How much the numbers of enemies, and what type enemies they will facing commander? " Said Dr Milley
"According to the reports from the scouts it will be around 80 thousand or more, it consist of Creepers, Stingers, Hed-Hog, and a few Undintified Alpha"
"I presume we had full air support for this mission" Principal Maxwell ask with his determine eyes.
"Indeed, while the frontline engages the enemy and draws their attention, we shall launch a full-scale attack towards one of their headquarters from the back of their head."
Upon hearing these plans, everyone knew that this situation had the potential to be disastrous. No matter how well prepared they were, the enemy's base was a very powerful one that would prove difficult to conquer. The sheer power of the enemy forces and the size of the base would make it a formidable task to take it down, and the outcome of the attack was highly uncertain.
"The military will launch a full 3000 thousand Einjards towards their headquarters, and a full support of bombardment to decrease their numbers."
"So in that sense, every Einjards must defeat at least 30 enemies in order this missions could be successful" Dr Milley said while touching her forehead.
The situation was growing more complex and worrisome as it became clear that the enemy forces numerically outnumbered their own, making it increasingly difficult to gain an upper hand. The outcome of the fight was far from certain, and the threat of defeat seemed increasingly visible as the numbers were overwhelmingly against them. This was getting out of hand and there was no guarantee that they could overcome such an overwhelming force.
"I will send one of the alpha candidate to defend the (A)riendiel district" Said principal Maxwell Ivanov.
"I will send (A)gni"
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