infinite stratos: devils rising

deal confirmed

"Ahh Atra. Thank you for your hard work. Just leave it here and go back to your study."

The girl nodded and left the stack of documents consisting of things Mcgillis must sign. The girl left after her job was done all the while humming happily as she exits the office. Mcgillis noticed that Mikazuki is staring.

"Is the Devil of Tekkadan falling in love at first sight? That's Atra Mixta. I picked her up from the streets after she tried to steal from me. Like I said, the notion of women being superior is just an illusion. There are still people like her around the world and it is sad really."

"I will join you."

"Huh?"

Mcgillis would've broken his pen due to surprise if he had started working on the documents. Mikazuki's sudden change of heart is unexpected. He only meant it as a joke but did he really fell in love at first sight with his adopted sister? Mcgillis always thought that Mikazuki was involved with Kudelia.

"...I was joking when I said that but did you really..."

"I will join you."

If Gaelio were to see him right now, he would laugh so hard at his expression. Mcgillis Fareed was so surprised by the Devil of Tekkadan that he's actually gaping like a fish. Mcgillis took a deep breath and regain his composure. No matter the reason, he now has the devil working with him. If Mikazuki want Atra then so be it. It might even be a good idea for both of them.

"Very well. Now, shall we sign a contract between devils?"

After Mikazuki left, Mcgillis return to his work. His hands move with trained speed and precision as he went over the documents that needed to be signed. Nothing really important, just corporate matters that needs either his approval or denial. He worked through them quickly so he can get back to the more important matter.

With the Devil of Tekkadan now on his side, Mcgillis feels surprisingly more confident than ever. Although whether Mikazuki really fell for Atra at first sight or not is something he is curious about. Perhaps she looks like someone from Tekkadan? Mcgillis cannot say that he knew every single member of Tekkadan. He only knew the notable members that will be useful for him and if Atra is anything to go by, her counterpart in their previous life is definitely not a fighter.

Either way, everything turns out for the best.

For now Mikazuki will be staying in the IS Academy... though it's probably only a matter of time before he kill someone. There's bound to be someone there that would piss him off. Mikazuki might be docile most of the time but if you mess with him his general response is to maim or kill like what he almost did to Gaelio when they first met.

Still, to think that the Devil of Tekkadan can actually fell in love. He's still a young boy despite everything... a young boy who mentioned he had a child in his previous lifetime. Well that's actually awkward to think about. And then there is him, Mcgillis Fareed, a handsome man who is a successful businessman and a member of Gjalarhorn's Seven Stars in his previous life and never once had he gotten himself laid. Something is truly wrong with his life.

Mcgillis sigh. Even if he were to look for a suitor in his current life, no women he is acquainted with can become a decent wife. At best they're just a trophy wife. At worst they are those who think themselves superior and try to mess with his life. If his choice consists only of those women, he would take back Almiria regardless of the consequences to his reputation.

Ahh, truly he is hopeless in the romantic department if he finds an eleven years old girl from his previous life more appealing than mature women. Then again, anything is preferable than those vulture-like women. Plus Almiria has a good head on her shoulder and rather mature for someone her age.

Well he can worry about that later when he manage to change the world. Mcgillis took out a tablet to check on his pet project, the most important one. He was not a technician but Mcgillis made sure that he knows things and one thing he happened to sufficiently know is a key to break the illusion of women superiority. In theory it should work with some modification. In practice though, that will be more complicated. But the end result would be worth it.

Mcgillis entered the elevator and swiped his ID card. A scanner appeared and after his biometrics was scanned, the elevator moved. As the elevator descends deep into the underground laboratory he built, Mcgillis took the time to make adjustments to his project.

"Alaya Vijnana System, to think that it will once again be the key to change the world."

On the screen of his tablet is the progress on the creation of Alaya Vijnana system for IS and mobile suit. This system will allow males to pilot an IS. But he has no intention to spread this technology even if he succeeds, at least not yet. The panel switched after Mcgillis had finished with checking the Alaya Vijnana system's progress. This time the screen showed his more sentimental project.

"Soon enough, the devils will rise again.

On the screen are two IS that will be incorporated with the Alaya Vijnana system. One is for his personal use and the other was meant for Mikazuki. Now that Mikazuki had agreed to join him, the construction of the second unit can begin. Mcgillis is feeling very pleased at the moment. He had always imagined it ever since his reincarnation, that magnificent sight.

Soon the time will come when Bael and Barbatos will fly together and strike fear to the heart of their enemies.

-?-

The girl sat on the windowsill of her dark room, memories of a lifetime ago playing through her mind like a movie. On her hand is a book, a history book that talks about the various revolutions that happen through the course of human history. She is not really interested in history in general but she can't help but want to learn about these people who lead a revolution.

How can she not when she bore the sin of someone who dreamt of a revolution? She might not have fought back then but she had resolved to bear his sins together with him, her husband who never came back.

Now she seeks to understand him, to learn why he did what he did, to learn why he would betray his best friend. What is it that he saw? What is it that went through his mind?

But there is one thing she came to understand. Her husband from a lifetime ago was right about one thing. Strength is what decides one's life in the world. The evil is right if they have strength. The good is right if they have strength. In the end, it all comes down to who has the power to enforce their view.

That is why she had sought power, not so much as to drown in lust for power but enough to make sure nobody can force their view onto her. And she will still grow stronger and maybe eventually atone for her past sins, the one she share with him, and create a world where people like him won't appear.

"I am Mcgillis Fareed's wife. His sins are my sins to bear. And now I shall atone for it all, to realize a world where people like my husband will not appear, a world where he can just be my Macky."

The girl closed her book and went to sleep, dreaming of innocent times that has long passed.