The same evening.
Crossbell City. The IBC, International Bank of Crossbell.
Basement Level.
Despite it being the first day of the new year, several orbal engineers could be seen rapidly typing away at their assigned stations. Most of them had a single computer assigned, which were placed on the lower level of the basement floor. The one engineer all the way in the back, if one looked upward, could see three giant monitors draping down right above their heads. At a glance, the setup was quite menacing to look at, but it would be a dream for any gamer from Naoto's previous life. Sadly, orbal computers here in Zemuria have not reached enough development where video games exist yet. To these folks, it was mostly used for computing and coding.
Amongst them was a freckle-faced, blond-haired boy, who was furiously typing away at the bottom-most level where the three giant monitors currently hanged above him. Two of the three screens could presently be seen lit up. Massive amounts of data could be seen moving at a fast pace, never seeming to end. A look of agony was present in the boy's eyes.
"Tell me again. WHY am I here? I should be celebrating the start of the new year back inside my cave, stuffing my face silly with pizza until I pass out!", The boy complained, ignoring the fact that his fingers were rapidly typing on the keyboard in front of them. It wasn't just him either, the other engineers nearby were currently doing the same thing.
Closer toward the center where the raised platform was stood an aged man who wore a monocle over one of his eyes. His expression remained unchanged, even after the boy said that. A white lab coat could be seen draped over his body, which hid away his red-vested shirt and brown pants. This man was, of course, Professor Schmidt, one of the three famous disciples of the man who led the Orbal Revolution, Professor Epstein. Professor Schmidt's primary field involved armaments, such as producing tanks and artillery cannons. Until a certain amount of time ago, Professor Schmidt worked closely alongside the Reinford Group before Franz Reinford "passed away". Now, he is overseeing the Orbal Network Project that is presently in progress.
"Keep noise at a minimum, Institute Student. Or if you want, for the test we are about to perform, I could make it your final grade for your current term. If you fail, you will be kicked out of the Institute.", Professor Schmidt responded, keeping a calm look in his eyes.
"A-Anything but that!", The boy said. Who else could he be but Jona Sacred? Albeit a much younger version. He was more around Tio's age, but perhaps a year or two older. While he might be young, is a top-notch genius. That is why Professor Schmidt is even bothering to work with Jona, despite his terrible personality.
"Try me.", Professor Schmidt said. Hearing that, a panicked look appeared in the eyes of a middle-aged man who was standing beside him, also wearing a white coat around him. He had short brown hair and a rather thick mustache.
This man is Roberts, and he would typically be the one looking after Tio during her time spent in the SSS. Tio became estranged from her parents shortly after leaving Nemeth Island with Naoto, just like how the games went. The only difference now is, Tio sees Naoto as family, as well as her other friends she has made along the way. Tio is not alone here. Because of that, her work at the Epstein Foundation started sooner than what happened in the games. If that were the case, Tio would still be in Remiferia right now, and wouldn't get picked up by the Foundation for another couple years, and soon join the SSS in S1204.
"Jona's assistance is of great importance to the Orbal Network Project, Professor Schmidt. We don't really need to tread this path, do we?", Roberts asked as nervous sweat dripped down his back.
"I run the Institute of Technology, and am in charge of this project. What passes through the Foundation passes through me. Tonight's test will be the farthest we have reached so far since we have established the Orbal Network.", Professor Schmidt responded in a condescending tone. "And if this works, we will be able to install more wide-range communication devices across the other countries for faster data processing and receiving."
In a way, Professor Schmidt acted as if everyone's jobs were on the line here. At the end of the day, he is always a serious man who prioritized his work ethics and research over everything else. It doesn't matter which side he works on. You get to see him working with both the heroes and the villains. If he gets what he desires, then that is the best outcome for someone like Professor Schmidt.
Apart from Professor Schmidt, the two other primary disciples of Professor Epstein were none other than Professor Russell, Grandfather of Tita Russell, and a woman called Professor Hamilton, who usually works out of the Republic of Calvard and the East. Professor Russell is known for pioneering Orbment Technology and leading major advances in Orbal Engineering. Professor Schmidt didn't just produce armaments. He helps create orbal trains, orbal cannons, and other advanced machinery. As for Professor Hamilton, she is known for advancing technological capabilities as a whole, wondering where the ceiling reached. She would often assist in environmental disasters, trying to find ways to heal the earth in the process.
With that in mind, Professor Schmidt looked toward the center where the elevated platform was. A single figure could be seen using both of their hands simultaneously, from one keyboard to the next. That made them quite ambidextrous. To a normal person's eyes, what they were currently doing was equivalent to Magic. It was almost as if the speed this person was using matched the speed of the rapidly moving data across the giant monitors up above.
"You could at least try to be like my prized pupil here. Tio can keep up with the Orbal Network's data system.", Professor Schmidt. "Or do I need to remind you a second time about wanting a failing grade, Institute Student?"
That's right, who else could the person before Professor Schmidt be anyone but Tio Plato? Renowned genius and orbal staff user! Well in the future, anyway. She hasn't learned exactly how to fight yet. She could likely get early access to Orbal staff by this point. They would be much more available in the next couple of years. Tio could already handle what most adult engineers struggle to accomplish.
Jona frowned after Professor Schmidt said that. Even a hint of fear appeared in his eyes. If Professor Schmidt meant it, then he meant it. He would fail Jona in a heartbeat.
"You're asking the impossible here, man! Tio's a monster. There's no way I can keep up with her speed.", Jona complained. And yet, the moment Jona said that, the cold sweat trickling down his back suddenly intensified.
"You want to repeat that?", Tio coldly said. "Since you like those sewers so much, you can go live with the rats."
"You'd really ditch me, your only friend, Tio? Surely not.", Jona shot back.
"You are neither of those.", Tio replied. "And for the record, we are not friends. I have friends, and they aren't you."
"Oh yeah. That prince guy, and those other people you told me about. Who were they again?", Jona asked, feigning ignorance.
"Hahaha...", Roberts asked, feeling the tension rise in the air, despite the constant clatter of their keyboards.
"Less yapping, more typing. I expect to leave this place at a reasonable time tonight.", Professor Schmidt urged as he reiterated to everyone.
"I think that is the Professor's way of saying we'll be staying here past midnight. AGAIN. Why did I even bother signing up for this...", Jona complained again. 'Can he really do that to his students?'
As for Tio, she didn't remark there. She remained silent, letting her hands dance like Magic. It didn't take long for a certain beat to echo throughout the basement. A beat Professor Schmidt heard countless times. It was almost as if he himself was working on this large-scale project. To begin with, Professor Schmidt wanted to test the orbal waves during a peak season where interference would be its strongest. And what better day would be the day after New Years where everyone is out and about or returning to their families? Besides, Crossbell City was one of the most dense cities in all of Zemuria.
Having such a place in mind, some time had passed as the engineers, including Tio and Jona, were trying to get everything squared away. Before long a single prompt appeared on the screen.
Seeing this prompt, Tio stopped her hands, and then spun her chair around to turn toward Professor Schmidt before speaking to him.
"We have successfully cleared out the remaining bugs, Professor. Shall we begin the connection?", Tio asked.
"Good job. You can proceed.", Professor Schmidt answered.
"Very well.", Tio said, only to turn back around. Looking at her setup, she pressed the large enter key on her keyboard. "Initiating the connection. Starting in three. Two. One..."
[Connection Successful. Now connecting to the Orbal Terminal...]
A single blue message displayed on the screen before them. In no time at all did the blank blue-screen begin to change and distort. The first immediate image that came into view caused her to suddenly pause. She, along with everyone else saw a rather flamboyant scarlet-haired boy dressed in a flashy tuxedo now on screen.
"...Why is it you?", Tio couldn't help but ask. Her expression turned deadpan once again.
"Aha! Now those are the eyes I remember seeing! Long time so see. Been well?", The boy asked Tio.
"I will not repeat myself a second time.", Tio didn't immediately answer. Instead, the atmosphere around them turned even colder. "Why, is, it, you?"
"Oh c'mon. I know you missed me. We're buddy-buddy, aren't we?", The boy retorted. "Please say we are. We even went through that whole ordeal back on the island together!"
"Island?", Jona inquired. "What island? You went to an island, Tio? And you didn't even bring me?"
"That is something you do not need to know, Jona.", Tio replied. Thankfully, everyone suddenly heard a more familiar laugh, causing Tio to pause once again.
"Haha. That's enough out of you, Lechter.", A familiar voice said. "It is nice to see you again, Tio. Have you been well since your last visit to Grancel?"
It was a violet-haired boy with pure golden eyes. He would only show a scarlet color or vermillion color depending on the techniques he possesses. Of course, that boy is me, haha! I currently had my regal Phoenix Robe equipped, appearing to be that of a Noble. Seeing me on the other side now, a genuine smile appeared on Tio's face.
"Mmm.", Tio said with a rare smile. "It is good to see you again, Naoto."
I know Tio is still healing, but it is nice to see her smile more these days. Under the right conditions, such as now, this is what would happen.
"The connection test is successful. As expected of my prized pupil.", Professor Schmidt said, praising Tio as he ignored Jona. The screen to the left and right of the main monitor continued their massive data flows, but it was flowing smoothly without any bugs or errors. I nodded my head at Professor Schmidt's words.
And yet, I couldn't help but raise my eyes. Even someone like Professor Schmidt is now calling me by first name? Does he do that for individuals he respects? I mean I did gain his favor recently and even introduced Professor Schmidt to AI KeA. The only thing that hasn't really been a thing yet is Professor Schmidt's Favorability meter. I'd need to double check whether it is even unlocked by now.
"It is as you can see, Professor. The connection test is successful. There are no issues on our end.", I happily replied. "Welcome to Heimdallr."
As I welcomed everyone, Tio's smile remained on her lips. She happily nodded her head at me, seeing that everything worked as intended. Another successful connection to the Orbal Network is now complete!