"Well, that's good then. By the way, how about you?"
Professor Murphy turned his gaze to Cubie-chan, scanning her eyes around.
"Me? I'm doing well. Garret-kun takes good care of me, charging my battery when it's almost run out,"
Cubie-chan said, her voice, quick and sweet.
"Oh, you're quite something, Garret. And what do you want to be when you grow up?"
His voice was deep and gentle, hung in the assembly hall's air.
Hearing that, Garret took a breath.
"Yes professor Murphy, I'd be a Cosmic Ranger, to bring peace to this universe,"
Garret replied, his voice was clear and confidence.
"Wonderful!"
Taking a deep breath, before he continued.
"By the way, would you like to hear a little story?"
Professor Murphy asked, smiling at Garret and Cubie-chan.
They enjoyed the cool breeze from the air conditioning.
"Please tell me, Professor,"
Garret's voice, calm and even.
"I've wanted to hear stories my whole life!"
Cubie-chan exclaimed in a cheerful voice.
"Alright, if you both want to hear one, then I'll begin. Have you ever heard this phrase? A certain gentleman told it to me:
'Nothingness puppeted entire universe.'"
Garret and Cubie-chan's gaze dropped, looking at each other.
"Is that so?"
Cubie-chan's core emitted a soft glow.
"That's right. And he also told me, 'Certainty is uncertainty.'"
As those words ended, everything shifted.
The air conditioning blasted a strong gust of wind.
The temperature dropped, becoming cold.
Around them, shadowy figures loomed.
As if lurking to ambush.
This phenomenon, a stark contrast with the normal chatter of the other students.
As if nothing was amiss.
On Cubie-chan's side, her core vibrated.
This is bad. We're in trouble. What's going on?'
That thought raced through her processing system.
But instead of panicking, Garret smiled and whispered to the air,
"If we said anything wrong, please don't take offense."
Finishing his words, the situation returned to normal.
This was only a warn.
After the situation eased, Professor Murphy let out a heavy sigh, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Whew... that was close."
Murphy's voice trembled as he raised a hand to his temple.
Dang it... I should have kept this a secret.
――✧ Chamber of the unspokable word ✧――
The assembly hall was now full of people.
Everyone had gathered and was sitting.
Waiting for the principal to give the closing address.
Next to Garret's sofa, sat a girl who looked to be around 14-15 years old.
The brunnette-haired girl avoiding eye contact.
Her attention fixed on her phone.
Her fingers were scrolling through the Interstellar Box feed.
As if she stuck in the cyber world.
To make friend with her, Garret initiated the conversation.
"Hello, I'm Garret Spencer. Nice to meet you."
He said, extending his hand to the side.
Upon hearing Garret's voice, she turning her face towards him.
"Hello... Garret. I'm Asami."
After their hands met, Garret continued,
"What's your impression of this academy?"
She hadn't answered yet, Cubie-chan interjected,
"It's probably a certain 12-year-old boy.
174 centimeters tall, with sharp, sparkling blue hair and a defined jawline.
Who likes to wear frilly pink pajamas!"
"Cubie! Enough!"
Hearing Cubie-chan teasing, Asami took a deep breath.
She blinked, hiding something in her thought.
Before giving Garret an answer.
"Oh, nothing much, just the education."
"Ah, I see. That's good.
The reason I wanted to come here is because I want to be a Cosmic Ranger."
Garret took a small water bottle out of his pants pocket.
After a sip, Asami nudged him. Her eyes narrowed, and letting out a deep sigh.
"Um, Garret, could I ask you something?"
Her voice, quiet and hoarse.
Her back, which had been leaning against the sofa, shifted forward.
"What is it?"
Garret turned his gaze towards her.
Before Asami could speak, a voice reverberated throughout the assembly hall.
The students, some chatting and some scrolling on their phones.
Stopped all their action.
"Stand up please, and greet the principal with a bow."
After all the students had finished bowing, everyone sat down.
The Principal, an elderly man wearing a tall hat and a white suit.
On his chest, the insignia of an authority expert.
He adjusted the microphone and began his opening address.
"Good morning, everyone.
Welcome to the Cosmic Ranger Academy, Greensvelle Planet branch.
First and foremost, I must say that our institution is not a typical school."
The Principal took a deep breath.
At the same moment , Garret was using the notes app on his phone.
To record the key points of the opening address.
"Our institution does not teach compulsory education.
But rather will instruct you in the art of being a Cosmic Ranger."
The Principal paused.
His gaze drifting towards a student couple.
Being affectionate on a sofa in front of Garret.
I envy these young kids. I'm as old as dirt and still single... Hey, stay focused.
Gotta finish this opening address.
"What is a Cosmic Ranger? A Cosmic Ranger is a security force.
They protected the universe from the grasp of the Red Authority or the Nine Monarchs."
Well, there's much more to it than that.
But it's better not to tell these kids.
"Alright, now let's talk about the academy's events.
Around the mid-semester, there will be an exam to advance to the rank of Cosmic Ranger cadet.
Taking the exam is optional, not mandatory.
You're all 14-15 years old, and even the few 12-year-olds mixed in.
You all understand well enough."
Garret listened while generating a summary in his notes app.
A confident smile formed at the corner of his lips, and he set his shoulders.
Authority Lord in the Cosmic Ranger Corps? That's me.
After the assembly ended, everyone dispersed to their respective classrooms.
For the grade levels in this academy, there were only 3 levels: Years 1 to 3.
10 rooms in each year.
And Garret's room was years 1 room 1
which was the top class of the grade.