Strike Zone!

Chapter 9: Intro

As of 9:44, Sunday. Eiko is reaching her hand towards Hikari.

          "Wh-what? What are you doing?"

Eiko gaved Hikari a very stern look at her while she eagerly extends her hand again. Hikari kept staring as she is clutching the Student's Handbook in her hands.

          "It means, give me the damn handbook. Explain everything you have to explain while I am flipping the pages."

          "Ha? O-oh of course, here it is..."

Even before Hikari gave the handbook to Eiko, Eiko snatched it quickly and once again skimming through the pages. Hikari regains her composure and starts clearing her throat. She began to speak while Eiko is peeking in glances towards her between her reading and listening.

          "Alright, I'll start with Daikan Academy's history and background, even though its dictated on the handbook, but I guess you missed it whatever so..."

          "Its stated here that its once a military barracks, correct?"

          "Oh? You are actually paying closer attention! Well yes, it is. It follows military procedures before, but now its transformed into an academy to battle outside forces."

Eiko dropped the handbook into her lap and starts leaning in the sofa. She starts fiddling with her hair again while paying close attention on what information Hikari has on her.

          "Wait."

          "What is it?"

          "Isnt this country has its own military forces? Why is it going to be handled by the Academy, you say?"

          "I have one word; Technology."

          "Well... what about it?"

          "W-well, you see... new technology emerges from the said Academy when it is established before. Pretty much like magic. This discovery makes the Daikan Academy even more advance than our military today, which is fasinating! The only problem is..."

          "The problem is what?...."

          "The Academy keeps it for its own, pretty much like a copyright on the said technology."

          "Oohh... that explains why your house is in the middle of the slums."

Hikari is triggered upon hearing that.

          "Atleast I'm not rich and missing!"

          "..."

          "..."

          "...Fine, we are even. However, what is so special about this so called Technology you are talking about?"

Hikari grabbed the Student Handbook away from the lap of Eiko and starts flipping it. She flipped and flipped until she located a section of weapons in the handbook. She then showed it willingly to Eiko who is still fiddling with her hair, waiting.

          "The reason as to why the Academy doesn't share its Technology, also knowned as "Trigger", is because it is weaponized for fighting use only, and while the Academy isn't exactly a property of the government itself, they chosed keep it for themselves, staffs, and also for the students use too. "

         "So if you are a student there, that gurantees Trigger use, am I correct?"

         "Yes, and also the obligation to protect the country from local and foreign dangers. Its now practically a self-sustained powerhouse today."