…

…....

…...........

This is boring! It's already been 5 hours since we left! I hate this. Uggh, at least I haven't been thinking too much about the mission...or Aeron's dumb microchip recommendation so far.

...I don't want to get another chip implant, Even if my moms are all ecstatic for it. Alianne already told me the truth. In the outside world, people often speak about chip implants being used to control people like puppets.

Isn't that scary?!

I don't wanna be controlled...

Oh, wait. Sister Alianne was lying about the outside world. I almost forgot.

Hum. Now that I think about it, it seems odd. What was her motive for lying to me? I get the whole “I'll cripple you're talent at killing to get my revenge on father!” stuff, but...it just seems silly. Father wouldn't care if he needed to replace me, right? I mean, how many brothers and sisters do I have back in the academy that didn't meet their private tutor's, or Father's, expectations?

I remember I once asked Father about 'brainwashing' through microchips and he brushed it off as nonsense found in something called 'movies'. Those are similar to documentaries except they're for fun instead of learning.

After I shared his words with everyone I could find, some siblings close to my age started taking an interest in that word: 'movies'. Eventually, the day came when sister Ali...I mean, Alianne...managed to actually sneak home a movie for us to watch. The movie was called...

Uh....something..err..um...

..Well, something to the Future. She said it was an old but good family favorite.

Every single one of us were nervous, obviously. I mean, who wants to get caught and beaten in the dungeon? We were all going against Father's orders and having fun, after all! She may be used to such things, but we sure weren't.

A few minutes in, however, and our eyes stayed glued to the television. Some of the others even cried when they couldn't watch it again because of the time.

Not me though.

….

Ahem. Back to the boring islands in fro...Nn? Oh…? Oh?! Yes! FINALLY!! It looks like we've finally arrived!! Haha! I may not like this mission, but I hate that trip by boat a whole lot more.

...Actually, I'm lying. Nothing's worse than this micro chip surgery and the details written in Father's mission.

Ah...I'm nervous now. I have to be careful not to fail. I'm happy that Father trusts me but this kind of high-profile 'hit'...

The mission comes first, but the chip implant is also important....

Why does my family have to be so...complicated? Missions this, killing that. Lisa Rowe used to tell me that her family was thinking of banning them from leaving their territory until they're fully trained because meeting weakling 'normies' can dull the senses and cause complications towards training. If I take that and combine it with the 'Cripple' stuff my family spoke about yesterday...maybe being like everyone else, somehow ruins my ability to improve within the family? But why?

If that's the case...maybe I...but then again, Father's teachings....

Haah, forget it. There's a much bigger problem here; My mission and implant appointment conflict with each other!

This wasn't planned out well at all!

One will take a few days to complete and the other will probably cause the entire lab to shut down.

How do those conflict, you may ask?

First, shutting down the labs with my missions success will prevent me from getting the surgery.

Oh, does that mean the surgery is the obvious choice, in the end? No.

That's because my target plans on leaving the lab in four days. According to Father's mission log, he might not be back for a few years and plans to leave with some hired heroes in tow. THAT’S a problem, considering my microchip implant is supposed to take about that long.

But still, even so, I'll have to prioritize the chip implant. Our Family scientists are special, so they might be able to rush things if I beg...maybe? Mother Naosuke trusts them, so it's better to just go there first and hope for the best.}

---

Random Captain on duty: “Ahem – everyone, we are pulling into the port of Watts Island. I repeat: we are now docking at Watts Island. Prepare your belongings and get out.”

{It doesn't take long for me to get off that stuffy boat and run down the ramp.

My first thoughts? Not impressive.

There really isn't much to see outside of the massive lab buildings on this island. Metallic platforms are largely visible beneath parts of sand and soil. Faux trees litter the island, probably since real ones would be a hassle to take care of for these workaholics. I wonder how much effort was truly put into this place, after the initial sighting.

On a side note; the view of the ocean sure is beautiful, and they DO have lots of stores selling a variety of rare clothes and weapons not found elsewhere. You need some complicated licenses to buy them, though.

Moving on: After disembarking the boat, I see a wide pathway leading towards 3 directions - So I simply followed the one headed straight into the front entrance of the tallest building. The other two seemed to go towards separate shopping districts, but I have no need to care for such things when 1) I don't even have any money and 2) I don't have a license to buy the stuff they sell.

Inside the building I get stopped by security, but after explaining my identity and the reservations Father made for me, they act like they see a ghost. Am I that scary? Hehe, that's new. Anyways let's ask the receptionist first.}

Noel/Tyler: “Excuse me--”

?: “Out of my way, trash.”

Noel/Tyler: “...”

{Now.

How do I go about acting in this type of situation? This fool, only a little bit taller than myself, dares to push me out of the way and take my place? Should I just kill him?! I should, right?!}

?: “Xano. I believe I've warned you already. Do not shame our Chaotic Alliance. Reputation is critical for the Alliance's revival. Don't embarrass us by picking on children, especially those weaker than you.”

Xano: “Stuff it, geezer. You ain't my father. Don't forget! After this, I'll be the most important member! It ain't a problem to teach a brat a lesson.”

Geezer?: “Hmph. I'll be sure to report this behavior to your Grandfather.

Here boy: for the troubles we've caused.”

{...Ha.

Hahaha.

Haha...Are these...Dollar bills? I get that we're near the States but...throwing some money at me and walking away...Father, Big sister Ali...if I stay silent now, won't I be exactly what you all think of me? An embarrassment to the Malierano Family? I haven't found an answer about this anxiety I feel towards 'killing', but right at this moment, when I think about offing them: I don't feel it. That being said...

It should be okay if I kill these two, right?}

Kifah: “...He's holding it in well. Very smart. Slightly boring.”

Beatrice: “Boo! Hey! If you're a REAL CORE family member, then hurry up and kill them both!”

Aeron: That's unreasonable Bea. He's outnumbered and outclassed by the old man. He's confused due to the 'reveal' little Alianne staged with Father, and became a cripple due to her silly, tempting words. Funnily enough, thanks to her taking the job a bit too far...He's going to make the correct choice this time.

He won't kill.

If I know little Ty, he'll remember their faces and avenge this loss at a later date! Ahahaha.”

Beatrice: “Aahh! Woah...hey! Big bro Aeron you scared me! Weren't you supposed to be testing weapons here?”

Aeron: “I got bored. Also nervous. If little Ty fails this time, father may just do something terrible to him DESPITE the effort I put into sharpening his capabilities. Ahh, my effort will be wasted once again.”

Kifah: “Talent matters little in our family when compared to compliance. Even though father makes it appear otherwise, he'd rather cultivate idealistic pawns than rebellious ones. Alianne is a good example of that. Still, your brother is right Beatrice – As boring as it may seem, avoiding a fight with that old man is wiser than dying, especially so, after learning he is from the Chaotic Alliance. Those dangerous barbarians.”

Aeron: “Heyy~ Little Kifah~ I'm your brother too~”

Kifah: “...Don't call me that.”

Aeron: “Then Ki-Ki?”

Kifah: “That. Either.”

Aeron: “……Fah-Fah?”

Kifah: “...”

Beatrice: “Hm. Hey! At least by not fighting, our missions will be over a lot quicker. Who knows? Maybe we'll be done in time to beat up Seiran before he escapes through a mission.”

Aeron: “I'd say that's fair judgment. Little Ty's definitely not going to fight, so we might as well have Kifah Stand watch while the two of us finish our business before leaving this shitty island.”

Beatrice: “Oooh! I totally agree!”

Kifah: “Although this is my mission as well, I refuse to become either of your scape--”

Noel: “I'll give the two of you three seconds to pray to whatever Gods you believe in, before I kill you.”

Aeron: “...”

Kifah: “...”

Beatrice: “...Pff~”

Meanwhile, taking place simultaneously...

The chaotic elder and Xano were about to begin speaking to the receptionist clerk when they felt an extraordinary murderous intent wash over them. Xano's feet rooted to the floor without hesitation, as this death-bringing aura proved far too heavy for the current 'him' to bear.

His elder was startled for a mere moment, but grew even more so after turning around, only to find the very young boy Xano bullied fixing his bolo tie as he began picking himself up from the hard, cold, metallic-tiled floor. His sharpened brown eyes showed only the slightest of hesitation, before replacing with a determined intent to kill.

Yet he was unperturbed by this showing, proving so by placing a reassuring palm onto Xano's right shoulder that hadn't yet faced the direction of their adversary and instantly pacifying whatever worries had locked the surprised teen in place.

The surrounding visitors also quickly silenced, as they stared wide-eyed at this foolish youth who just challenged the nouveau riche looking old man. They knew not which faction both sides hailed from, but it was bound to be an interesting spectacle either way, in the end.

Chaotic Elder: “Child...say that again.”

Xano: “S-See?! THIS is why it's necessary to teach trash it's proper pla-”

Noel: “One.”

He began taking a step forward, while clutching the very palm that was finished readjusting his tie.

Noel: “Two.”

He immediately tensed his left hand and both leg muscles in preparation to give a clean and swift strike. Seeing this act, the old man knew he couldn't ignore the obvious danger young Xano would find himself in, if he allowed a confrontation between young'uns. Their Chaotic Alliance's representative was simply too inexperienced when up against those harboring the intent to kill – such is the result of a talented and sheltered life. With this in mind, he as well, stepped forward.

{Father would enjoy this news...these two obviously take him lightly if they're treating me, a Malierano heir, like this. It also feels different from that time.

….Compared to the feeling of guilt I held after...after making that girl’s father...well, disappear in front of her....all I feel against the two of them is…

…

…umm...anticipation? Yeah. This will prove that I'm not some cripple of the family.

But first, I wanna give that guy a beating, then I'll dodge the old man and try throwing my family name around. Maybe they don't recognize which faction I'm from with my formal suit alone. If they continue bothering me after that, then… heheh, well then they have only themselves to blame.}

Noel: “Three---”

*THUNK*

In a split second, just as the metallic ground began cracking from the pressure of Noel's would-be dash...he was knocked out cold.

Kifah: “Target – Acquired. Big brother, I'll let you handle the rest. We're going to finish his surgery now.”

---

While most of the spectators were feeling tense, the security personnel was even more so.

After all: they knew who both parties represented. Two big fish were threatening one another in their organization's lobby! There's no way they could survive the wrath from EITHER of these two organizations! Let alone both simultaneously!

But before they could react, 3 shadows took over the scene. A small and Pale skinned brunette held the Malierano child, while a taller woman with light chocolate toned skin and black hair shouted at her in glee before punching the unruly Chaotic youth across the room, knocking him out cold...

Along...

…Along with 4 or 5 poor and innocent spectators who happened to be in her way…

Meanwhile a man with dark-blonde roots appearing to be in his mid 30's and an eerie gaze that could tear through one's very soul, thanks to his strangely different colored irises, held the chaotic alliance elder's out-placed arm.

Chaotic Elder: “Heterochromia Iridium, huh? Quite rare. However, I suggest you let go before I find myself any more cross than I do, in the present.”

Aeron: “Sir, are you sure it's wise to pick a fight with my Malierano Family, any further than this? For your faction's future, I mean. Don't you people have enough on your plate to deal with, after the 'hunting' concluded in your Faction's loss?”

His face contorted as all color seemingly vaporized at those words: transforming a ghastly pale. Naturally, the old man quickly regained his composure upon noticing his own reaction.

While retracting his hands, he grabbed the bloodied Xano out from the huge pile of scrubs and took off for the entrance, or in this case, the exit.

Chaotic Elder: ”H-Hmph! I'll remember today's events, Malierano Family. Be warned!”

Aeron: “Hahaha! I'll be sure to tell 'Father' your Chaotic Alliance says hello~! Who knows? I might even spread word to the Order Alliance of your visit here! Bye~”

---