6 year old (December-SY101)

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It's 4 days later and I feel completely fine now. Actually my sickness really cured in 2 days, but just in case mom asked me to rest for 2 more days.

Anyway.

Now reporting that we have successfully moved into our new home. It's in a city called Leyford City in an island, also called Leyford, in the Pacific Micronesian region close to the equator.

Supposedly this island is an artificial island. Even though looking at the map, the size area is quite big for artificial island, at least compared to the previous earth standard, to think it's an artificial island.

Apparently this island is a tourist island of sort, and certainly the scenery is quite beautiful. Not to mention with how close it is to one of Earth space elevators, this place would be quite the strategic location for tourism.

I know it from the game setting, but the country Leyford City in is actually controlled by a single super wealthy family from the shadows. And their headquarter guess what, it's located in this very island itself.

That family name is... Leyford, the very name of this island city.

In the game, Leyford Family is one of the few that try to stay neutral in the whole conflict. They even go so far as to decide that the Micronesian space elevator is prohibited for use for any kind of military usage. Though in the end, depending on the player choices and achievements, Leyford family will enter the war.

Why could they decide so you ask? Well, they own the damn elevator.

Actually Leyford Elevator was the first elevator to be erected. And after the elevator was built, its already great wealth became even greater by then.

Using that wealth, The Leyfords keeps even firmer grip in the country running. It's said that the country military itself is just a cover for Leyford Group mercenary business. I mean, the country military is just Leyford Family's personal bodyguard force.

Using that wealth, they also invest in  more technological researches. Probably to keep their kingdom alive. Scientific research is a pillar for long-term humanity survival see.

The end result of all these, The Leyfords is basically king of this advanced technological kingdom.

Now about the city I will be living itself. The city main economy emphasizes tourism. However, it's also called the most advanced city on Earth. It's because various state-of-the-art sciences being developed in the country are being applied or experimented on this city.

From the most advanced and sophisticated mecha to the most mundane everyday items, everything is supposedly to be the most advanced in the world. It's even rumored that Leyford technology is even more advanced than federal technology.

It seems when talking about the city, that family can't really be separated from the city, both in name and in practice.

Anyway that's enough about the city and its master. Next come my entrance exam into the genius academy in this city.

...

St. Raziel Academy for the Gifted.

The school system is designed such that you can graduate anytime once you pass a series of test that determine you already have the capability of a typical high school graduate. The diploma also accredited as a high school graduate diploma.

If you are smart (or work hard) enough you can even have a degree from famous universities affiliated with the school.

The catch is you have to graduate before you turn 15. If a student can't pass the test after turning 15 plus some grace period typically few weeks long, the student is forced to "graduate", though the graduating student in this way was given middle school equivalent diploma instead.

However like I said, if it's knowledge alone, I have already passed 4 year degree university level, which is typical of the working force level. The thing I would need from here is the diploma.

Besides, there are various things you just can't get from reading and self-learning alone. Maybe I would gain something by just staying here. No, I have feeling that would be the case.

One thing for example, I want to build connection with other mecha researchers here. I want to know as much as possible, no I want to know everything about mecha.

In the process maybe I can ask them to help me build my ideal mecha.

That being the case, me and Mom now on the way to the examination place.

It's called genius academy, so I guess it's something to determine my genius aptitudes?

...

... ...

... ... ...

Passing through series of tests in this week including but not limited to psychological, academical, and physical test. Today is supposedly to be the final test before interview.

This test measure something called ANGLER aptitude. So what is this ANGLER thing?

to put it simply it's basically esper aptitude test.

Huh you have never heard of esper? You know, ESP, extrasensory perception thing. Or psychic thing. The one that can do telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, all those things in the previous earth science fiction.

So yes, basically something like esper exists in this world.

Though in this world they are called angel. The reason for this is a bit complicated.

...

First, ESP phenomena fall under the umbrella term anomalous phenomena.

It's considered so because it's seemingly does not arise out of natural physical process.

And the field that studies such anomalies is called anomalogy.

At first similar to the old earth, it was considered pseudoscience. However, later it was found to be genuine phenomena, capable of resulting reproducible statistically significant result.

Even so, the fact that it's recognized to be statistically significant doesn't make such phenomena commonly studied.

It's not only because the pseudoscience label already attached to the field, but also the uncommon and mostly unreliable experimental results of producing specific result.

Not to mention the atmosphere of scientific research at the time was such that unreliable scientific results are being seriously discredited. During that time, there was a lot of fake or at least unreliable study as a result of publish-or-perish research structure.

However, approximately a hundred years ago, basically around the time humanity starts building Mars colony. There was sudden explosion of people with ability to produce anomalous phenomena.

The degree of statistical significance is even much higher and more reliable. Actually espers that can reliably perform telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, pyrokinesis, electrokinesis, and other variety started to appear.

Not only classical ESP abilities popular in old earth sci-fi. There are abilities like accelerating the growth of plants.

Then there is ability to cure someone's physical wound. There is even mental fatigue healing ability.

Another ability is self-enhancement of physical strength.

Even now scientists are still unsure if there are still more undiscovered abilities.

In the first place even with the explosion of data, scientists were not sure how these phenomena produced, even now they are still not 100% sure how it happens.

However it's not like we can't grasp absolutely anything.

One general knowledge known about anomalous phenomena, which become the foundation of anomalogy is the existence of anomalous particles.

Anomalously Generated Particle or ANGLE, is thought to be invisible or non-physical particle that can decay into natural physical particle.

Non-physical here refers to the fact that ANGLE seem does not interact with natural particles of physical standard model.

The only thing that interacts with an ANGLE seems to be human mind and possibly other ANGLE particles.

ANGLE can decay into natural physical particles that would cause some anomalous phenomena to happen.

From here arose the term ANGLE controlleR or ANGLER which superseded the old term ESPER. Basically people that can control ANGLE, or alternatively someone who can produce anomalous phenomena, can be called ANGLER.

Though later the term changed again to ANGLE Enhanced Life-form, or ANGEL.

It's quite poetic, so people use this term more. So the modern (this world) term for esper turned into angel.

Important thing to note though, while there are various manifolds of abilities, apparently a single angel can only wield one type of abilities.

So for example an electromaster (angel with electrokinesis ability), can't use pyrokinesis, and vice versa.

To summarize, anomalous phenomena, including but not limited to ESP, is studied by a branch of science called anomalogy.

It mainly studies ANGLE particle which is supposedly causative agent of the anomalous phenomena. ANGLE particle itself is manipulated, controlled, and produced by ANGLE Enhanced Life-form, ANGEL.

All this information of course I didn't get it in the past life, but actually look up in this world internet.

...

Anyway I'm having my angel aptitude tested today.

Entering into a pure white room, I see a lot of quite seemingly complicated machines that even myself don't know what most of them for.

Welcoming us there is a pair of man and woman each in white coat.

The woman face contour is that of Indian descent, while the man is of typical white Caucasian.

"So are you today's guin--test subject?"

Is it just my feeling but did I really hear the white coat auntie about to say guinea pig there?

"Haha... don't mind the Professor. She likes to joke around." The young man smiled wryly.

I hope that's the case...

...

"Okay, Boy. Take off your clothes and sit on that nice comfortable white chair over there."

Being told I take off my shirt and pants, leaving only shorts on me. Then I walk towards the chair in the middle of the room. Around the chair seems like various gadgets with lots of cables.

White coat man also come close with me. "Sit"

Sitting down on the chair, the young man place some suction EEG like sensors throughout my whole body.

After seemingly finished placing sensors, he joined auntie professor in front of about 1 m3 big white cube, probably some kind of reading device for all these sensors, since I saw some screens over it.

...

"Okay, relax..."

After all that, with young man guidance I was asked to think about various seemingly random things.

I was shown various images.

Told to listen to some strange sounds intently.

And various more things I can't really remember.

And then...

...

"T-this is..."

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Look at this reading Professor!"

"nnn? Wha-?"

"This I wonder how high his aptitude is..."

"Dumbass, if the reading increase this fast, the sensors probably can't properly read it!"

"S-should we switch it off before the main unit blow up?"

"No. Continue. I will keep close eye on the reading. Max out the reading gauge."

"e-ehh.. if the gauge maxed, it will really blow up..."

"So what? It's not mine anyway."

"Okay.." *Sigh*

...

*Crackle* *Crackle*

Whoa, I saw some sparks there. After that, the light went off for a moment and when the light back on the whole measuring device already turned off.

...

I'm told that the test was finished and I can go home.

Outside the room, mom is waiting for me to finish.

Tomorrow is interview with academy interviewing staffs and then I will be free.

My exam result will be sent via email during the next week.

...

... ...

... ... ...

Today is the day of interview.

Mom is to accompany me during the interview. So we go together and enter into headmaster room.

"Ah.. professor auntie."

Waiting for us there are the academy headmaster, a white haired old man, and... yesterday professor auntie.¹(1) The Professor is someone like her
credit to the crypko owner.

"Who is the auntie?"

Crap. Her mouth is smiling but her eyes say otherwise.

"Sorry, nevermind." I move my eyes to the side to avoid her threatening gaze.

"Welcome Mrs. Rayfield. I'm Gregory Ficcini, headmaster of the academy."

Smiling headmaster offers a handshake to mom to which she accepts.

"Hello Headmaster. And this person is?"

"Oh let me introduce you, this is Professor Ashwin Sunitha from Institute of Psychic and Anomalous Phenomena. Starting next week, she will be a teaching Professor here."

Ashwin Sunitha, where did I hear that name before...?

"Oh, hello Professor." This time mom and professor auntie exchange a handhsake.

"Mm." *Nod* reply the professor somewhat indifferently.

After the greetings, mom and the headmaster continues to have small talk by themselves before moving to the main issue.

"To be honest Mrs. Rayfield. Your son is already quite excellent. I don't know what my academy can offer."

"Oh, please don't be humble headmaster. While it's true Sena probably won't need more academic skills. He is still quite lacking in other departments needed for modern life. And I hope the academy can help with this matter."

"Certainly, quite diverse personalities gather in this academy. So your son should be able to make friends here. And our quality education will surely fill the gap in your son's knowledge about modern lives and society."

"So, is my son accepted, Headmaster?"

"Well, to be honest I'm not supposed to make the decision now. But with the outstanding results of your son's examination, especially in the academic and engineering performance, we will be glad to accept him here. On the contrary we are willing to pay for your son's tuition plus some meager stipend if he is willing to do a little help for the academy."

"Though our family does not really require assistance to pay for our son's tuition, I suppose if this also helps his education then. Though if I may ask what academy needs help in?"

"That matter is... Professor Sunitha, can you please explain the situation?"

Ah right, Professor Ashwin Sunitha. She is...

"Well, I don't like useless talk, so I will get right to the point. I want your son to join in our institute as research subject."

She is a mad scientist.

...

... ...

... ... ...

"R-research subject...?"

"Yes, to explain briefly. Your son's aptitude at ANGLE control and capacity is the highest in records. His potential as ANGEL makes him the most rare specimen see." The professor explains excitedly.

"S-specimen?!!"

"Ah of course we are always careful in our research. All potentially harmful experiment will require subject's, or in this case guardian's, prior consent. We also make sure to minimize all and any kinds of risk towards the subject."

"..."

"We will even pay you handsomely for your son participation. How is it?"

I can see darkness over Mom's face.

"Rejected."

"Wha-? Wait, it's completely safe. We will even provide necessary insurance with high cove--"

*Boom*

I saw something fast hitting the Professor's face and got her blasted away hitting the wall behind.

*psssh*

Whoa... is it just my imagination but is Mom's right fist releasing smoke now?

"W-we will pay high. H-how much you want?"

*Boom*

This time mom kicked her in the stomach. Uwahh... so brutal, the level it's already brutality level right there. Will it be fatality next?

"Uguh.. it hurts it hurts.. I-I'm sorry. I'm s-sorry. I was just jokinngg.."

Oh it seems to be babality.

"He~ Joking~? So you like to joke about someone's son in front of her? How commendable..hohoho"

It seems Mom is going to launch a fatality on top of the babality, and the Headmaster only watching with fear.

It will be too grotesque so let's stop her.

"Wait Mom. Let's listen to her more first." I grab Mom's hand.

"Ah, Sena? It's fine it's fine, there is nothing to listen from this broken woman. Let me hit her head this time, maybe it will get fixed."

"M-mom, she is not an old tv you know? It won't get fixed by just hitting it."

"Old tv...?"

Crap. In this world, old CRT tv is already past history. So most people of current generation won't know it.

"A-anyway, she will die if you hit her head."

In the end Mom backed down because of my request.

...

... ...

... ... ...

After the chaos receded, us four sit together to talk more properly.

"Uh... it hurts.."

"Anyway, rejected. I don't want my son to be a lab rat."

"Wait Mom, let's listen to her first. I also have some things to ask."

"What are you saying, Sena? Don't tell me you want to agree to this absurd request?? If it's allowance, mom will give you enough to spend frivolously everyday. There is no need to agree to this."

"It's not about money! Also I won't spend frivolously everyday."

"Then?!"

"Mom, I'm also interested in anomalogy research. So I want to study about it."

Yes, aside of mecha, anomalous phenomena is interesting to me, since I have never encountered one in the past earth.

Besides, in the game, special mechas used by main characters are result of incorporating anomalogy into mecha technology.

The titular mecha of the game, the mechanical angel [Solar Angel] is one such mecha.

The one who pioneered this type of mecha was exactly this mad woman.

Professor Ashwin Sunitha.

In the game, she along with another professor specializing in military mecha, pioneered and built the first ANGEL MECHA.

ANGEL MECHA or sometimes called the Mechanical Angel, is a type of mecha that is capable of harnessing power of piloting angel and amplifying it for use typically in war situation. Using a rare special crystal called [mannalite] as a catalyst, ANGEL MECHA can also use piloting angel's abilities, and usually in much more enhanced form.

For example, the angel mecha [Solar Angel], when piloted by a pyromaster with enough ANGLER aptitude may release a really hot fireball capable of burning typical military-grade mecha to ash. That coupled with huge size of the fireball itself, and you got a decent tactical weapon in physical conflict situations. When the protagonist of the game piloting it, the mecha itself even considered to be a strategic grade weapon, since it was capable of burning a whole space colony.

The potential usage of mannalite itself was discovered first by Professor Ashwin Sunitha. If not for this person, it's said that mannalite's potential will be kept hidden for as long as another half century. It's because the special property of mannalite that's quite peculiar and bizarre.

Though that's story for another time.

I don't know if this person already know about the peculiar trait of mannalite now. Even if she doesn't know it yet, she should know it soon.

"I will participate in the study under additional condition of access to data and result of any experiments I'm involved with."

"That's no problem. If you want I can also teach you one thing or two." Reply the professor happily.

"Rejected. Even if you consent, you won't have Mom's consent."

...

Mom keeps disagreeing to me participating in the research, and we start arguing against each other until...

"Fine, even if Mom disagrees, we can just do it sneakily, Professor."

"H-hey, without a guardian's consent it's technically not allowed so it will be considered underground research. Boy, don't blame me if I cheat you out lat--"

*Boom*

Owh... another score of brutality.

"Do you really want to do it so much? Is it more important than Mom?"

"It's less important than Mom, but it's also pretty important. Mom, we can also consider it as part of learning the society. Participating in the advancement of science, for society. Isn't that commendable thing to do? So please...?" I beg while intently looking up into mom's eyes.

*Sigh* "I see that you are so adamant about it. Okay."

"Eh? Mom agrees?"

"Okay Dear, but another condition."

"Another condition?"

"Mom will accompany you when you are participating in an experiment."

"Is that okay Professor?" I turned towards the Professor who is still lying on the floor.

"Ugh...It's not ideal condition but if it's just as bystander then, sure." The Professor replied while wobbly trying to stand up.

In the end things settled up. And I got the permission to participate in research.

...

... ...

... ... ...

With matters about academy entrance settled, I can enjoy next month free. Currently the academy is also in holiday season, so I will enter during February next year. Mom already planned places for us to tour around. Our highlight will be the beach.

Though normally I'm a room introvert kind of person, it's healthy to have a change once in a while.

 

 

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(1) The Professor is someone like her
credit to the crypko owner.