novelraw Chapter 187
Chapter 187
Chapter 187
"...Alright, that makes one installment."
Looking at the remaining balance in her personal account, Alisa couldn't help but smile.
Earning enough for two rounds of body modification—this was the condition Alisa had promised Rebecca for her re-modification.
On her way home from her workplace at the food production factory, Alisa put away her terminal and walked toward the residential zone.
Alisa's work was meticulous, and she had a good reputation at her workplace. It was said to be rare for an Earthling to have such a good work ethic.
"Alisa, Tenth-Rank Citizen (Godobre A). Let me give you a ride."
"Teek, Fourth-Rank Citizen (Darda Elra)! Thank you very much."
She was fortunate. Living in the Central Star Cluster, Alisa had more opportunities to realize just how lucky her position was.
First of all, her brother's friends helped her in many ways. Terapolapaneshio was still a bit scary, but she was truly grateful to Teek, who gave her a ride, Adie Ze, who introduced her to her job, and Asheido, who served as a councilor.
There was even talk of her being promoted to Ninth-Rank Citizen (Darla Strolue). If the promotion went through, she would be the second fastest after Rebecca. Alisa secretly aimed to become the second Earthling to be promoted.
"Teek, Fourth-Rank Citizen. Do you know where my brother is around this time?"
"Yes, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), should be somewhere near the outer regions of the Federation."
"The outer regions?"
"The information came from everyone at Terapolapaneshio, so it's likely accurate."
After confirming the Earthlings' intentions, Kait had apparently begun the carefree two-person journey he had long wished for. His companion, as always, was Emotion. Perhaps because of that, Rebecca had been in a particularly bad mood lately.
Her brother seemed to have no lingering attachments to his Earth-era connections, and he had distanced himself from Rebecca as well. Rebecca was desperately trying to catch up to him, but it seemed her wish wouldn't come true anytime soon.
"By the way, Teek, Fourth-Rank Citizen. I finally saved up enough for one round of modification."
"...Alisa, Tenth-Rank Citizen. So your feelings haven't changed after all?"
"Of course not. I'm aiming to undergo body modification to use psychic power, just like my brother!"
"I still think it's better if you don't."
Not just Teek, but Adie Ze, Asheido, and even Rebecca didn't support Alisa's desire to undergo modification for psychic power. The only one who did was Terapolapaneshio.
Even when she asked why they opposed it, they'd just dodge the question. Alisa wasn't particularly pleased with their indecisive attitude either.
"Seriously, I just want to try using psychic power a little, but everyone's against it."
"In your case, the circumstances are a bit special."
"There it is again. Then please explain it properly."
As she pouted, Teek gave off a sense of a wry smile. For being a mechanical intelligence, it was quite deft.
In the end, as always, she still didn't understand why everyone was against it.
***
After dropping off Alisa, Teek headed to the Psychic Power Research Society, formerly known as the 'Physical interference through will projection into external space ability research society.'
Fortunately, Terapolapaneshio was there today too. After a brief greeting, Teek revved its engine with a loud rumble. It was meant as a sigh.
"No good. I failed to persuade her. Alisa, Tenth-Rank Citizen, is firmly set on acquiring psychic power."
'See, I told you. Instead of wasting time, just let her try it once.'
"Be quiet, Terapolapaneshio."
Asheido, with a bitter expression, restrained the provoking Terapolapaneshio. Teek, in fact, found it tough without Asheido there to accompany and restrain Terapolapaneshio.
'What's the harm? If both siblings have aptitude for psychic power, it would advance our research.'
"Kait emphasized this to me. He doesn't want that girl undergoing psychic power modification. As his friend, I have a responsibility to respect his wishes. Don't you, eternal friends?"
'That's why we're refraining from contacting her, aren't we?'
"And yet, you're the one who told us not to explain Kait's wishes to her, right?"
Asheido and Terapolapaneshio didn't have a bad relationship. However, on this matter, neither was willing to yield.
Teek had heard that Kait was opposed, but come to think of it, he hadn't heard why. Since most here were in favor, he directed the question to Asheido.
"Councilor Asheido. Why is Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, against it?"
"Basically, Kait believes that his aptitude for psychic power was strongly influenced by the education he received and his experience of being isolated in a lonely environment. He doesn't think it's due to bloodline."
Kait's psychic power was extremely strong. He freely wielded the 'Physical interference through will projection into external space,' which was previously thought usable only by Terapolapaneshio. Its impact was so significant that even within the Federation, the term psychic power was becoming more widely accepted.
Apparently, Earth had many entertainment works focused on psychic powers. Because of that, the Psychic Power Research Society remained highly interested in the psychic aptitude of Earthlings.
"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Miss Alisa had aptitude for psychic power. Kait says it was experience, but it wouldn't be strange if she had talent from the start."
"Then isn't it fine?"
"If psychic power talent is recognized as hereditary, do you think the people here won't insist on examining Miss Alisa?"
At Asheido's statement, filled with absolute conviction, the researchers all averted their eyes at once. They were guilty. Teek was now certain of it.
However, Kait had no personal connection to the researchers. That meant he had another reason for opposing it. Asheido sighed and waved his hand.
"In Kait's case, he's worried that if psychic power talent is linked to bloodline, his parents will start seeking power again."
"His parents?"
"The parents who sold Kait off."
"...Ah."
Kait was not blessed with a good family. That fact was fairly well known within the Federation. After all, Earth's entertainment was trending within the Federation these days.
Besides the classics preserved by Emotion, many new performances were created based on Earth's theater. Unsurprisingly, the most popular ones depicted Kait's achievements. His life on Earth was featured in many plays—including the part about being sold by his parents.
"Compared to Miss Alisa, those parents are viewed terribly. Their work attitude is also the worst."
"Citizen Lutiano, Ninth-Rank, made quite a bold move. They completely severed them from the core of the residential zone."
"That was apparently Kait's directive too. He said not to give power to such vulgar people."
That alone made it clear their relationship was beyond repair. What Kait feared was that if Alisa showed even a hint of psychic talent, their parents might claim they had aptitude too—and someone might try to use that.
"In fact, the ones most likely to try are right here."
So this is what it means to be speechless. The researchers dropped their gazes to the floor. They really might do it. In fact, they had already sent agents to Abakia. They had said something that sounded plausible, but it later became a decent issue. Ritimiele, who had been persuaded, even had to submit a written apology.
"Ideally, she'd undergo modification and turn out to have no talent."
Asheido's mutter, almost like a complaint, echoed hollowly.
***
Alisa left her house as usual.
Though her parents lived nearby, it was in a separate house. Alisa utterly despised the parents who had sold her brother, and she thought it was a wise move that Rebecca hadn't let them take part in managing the residential zone.
Lately, she hadn't even seen them coming out of the house. Maybe because of the plays depicting her brother's situation, they seemed to be having a hard time even within the residential zone.
"Alright, time to work."
After glancing at her parents' house, she began walking toward her workplace. Teek would probably speak to her again along the way.
Unaware that the opposition to her re-modification stemmed from her parents, Alisa worked diligently again today.
To get even one step closer to the brother she admired.