"I'm heading out"

A 14 year old Hyde said as he held his school bag over his shoulder. He turned around and saw no one.

'Who am I kidding…? It's just me. As usual.'

He still remembered at the start of the school semester. That note on the fridge. 'Away for work' they said. 'Good luck on your studies' they said. 'We're rooting for you' same old, same old.

He looked in the living room one last time to see if by some chance, he could see his parents. No one was there.

"Yeah? Yeah…"

With a resigned smile, he locked his door and made his way to school.

Current Area: Metro Center Intersection

It was odd to see the city intersection be this quiet. He was so used to seeing people everywhere, cars moving, stores selling, just life going on. He remembered walking around the area just to pass the time. Part of him still felt like that since he was wearing his student uniform, sloppily worn and everything.

However in this specific time, not a soul was found. Nothing was around except for the looming creatures of voids barring his way. This was the Hollow Night alright. Meaning there was only one thing to do.

"Hiyah!"

Hyde slashed through the voids as he made his way further into the intersection.

Once he saw no more voids, he let out a deep sigh and checked his bag. Just in case, he brought a bag of medical supplies if he ever got really hurt. Sure his EXS heals his injuries, but he could never be too certain.

Brushing the black part of his hair, Hyde dissipated Insulator and kept moving.

That was when he came into contact with a girl. She had long white hair, red eyes and looked rather young. But the part that stood out to him was…

Was…

'Good grief she's naked!'

"W-Wh-What the Hell?! A n-naked girl..?" Hyde said his thoughts out loud.

The girl noticed Hyde's expressions and spoke. "You there, suspicious In-Birth. I have a question for you."

How can she just casually say this while naked?! In fact, part of her sounds almost… robotic. Regardless, it had to be said.

"Forget your questions! Put on some damn clothes first! Clothes! Seriously, cover yourself up!" Hyde was shielding his eyes. This is the intersection for crying out loud!

The girl simply tilted her head. "Clothes? Oh, of course. Autonomic Nerves do not require clothes"

Autonomic Nerves? He had no idea what those are but even so.

"You might not need them, but I sure as hell do! Just put something on, okay?" Hyde kept his eyes closed as he covered them with his hands.

The girl just kept giving the same blank look before nodding. "I do not understand why you are so aggravated. However, I will assist in restoring your dignity and complying to your wishes. Accessing… Connecting… Loading… Creation."

With those commands, clothes begin to materialize in her body. She now wore a black bodysuit with a flared black dress over it with a white collar and sleeves. Her hair was now held in two ponytails, giving off the appearance of a little doll.

'Well at least she is modest now. Honestly, I'm more concerned with YOUR dignity right now…' Hyde sighed in relief.

The girls looked at Hyde with the same blank look. "Is this good enough now, In-Birth? Now, I would like you to answer my questions"

The girl then began to summon 6 red wings floating behind her back.

"They are simple really. I am required to investigate the voids and In-Births of this world. All you must do is simply fight back against my attacks. I assure you that your life will remain intact, so do not worry" She says nonchalantly.

What in the…? So just like that, he now has to fight her?

"So you just want a practice match? I only just became an In-Birth you know?" Hyde said, unsure if he could help the girl much.

Said girl gave her arm a little stretch. "I assure you, you will provide me with adequate data regardless. If it will make you feel better, I will adjust my settings to beginner level so you can stand a chance" She said.

"Beginner!? Come on! At least make it Intermediate" Hyde said with a hint of embarrassment.

"I will now judge your fighting capabilities, In-Birth. Autonomic Nerve, Designated Name, Vatista, commencing battle" Vatista said as she took a stance.

"So your name is Vatista huh? I'm Hyde Kido. Come Forth! Insulator!" The red blade came out of his right hand as he held it in an offensive stance. "This will be my first battle as an In-Birth. Let's do this!"

IMMORTALIZE

Hyde versus Vatista

Hyde began the battle by rushing in and going for various slashes. Vatista leaps back and begins to put her hands together to form an white energy ball.

"Lumen Stella"

Hyde's eyes widened as he jumped out of the way. The energy ball brushed past him. His right hand began to ache as it instinctively blocked Vatista rushing in with a flurry of strikes from her red wings.

'So she has ranged attacks and melee attacks huh? So do I' Hyde then jumped back and positioned his sword for a horizontal slash.

"Orbiter!"

Hyde shoots a disk of dark energy right at Vatista, causing the girl to block it with her wings. Vatista nods before putting one hand out.

"Mico Luceo"

An instantaneous beam comes out of her hand, surprising Hyde. Had his hand not come in to block it just in time, it would have sniped him instantly.

The battle raged on with Vatista keeping Hyde in check with her various ranged attacks while the teen did his best to rush in and defend himself with Orbiter. While Hyde was starting to tire out, Vatista showed no signs of stopping.

'So that's her schtick huh? Attacking with beams and energy balls' Hyde felt like he got the pattern down and began to rush in. Just as he expected, Vatista fired her projectiles in a pattern. He jumped over the Lumen Stella and was about to go for a slash when-

"Ruber Angels"

Hyde was hit with a somersault kick, the girl's 6 wings each hitting him as he was sent crashing down. Hyde rolled back up as he was surprised by the attack.

"You really pack a punch," Hyde said as he wiped some dirt off his face.

"Such is my program. Continue"

Vatista's offense continued, causing Hyde to think of a new plan on the fly. Once he thought of one, he proceeded to rush in like last time. After jumping over an energy ball, he saw Vatista preparing for a Ruber Angels.

And just when she was about to kick him, Hyde pushed himself away to let her do the attack, leaving her open for a counter attack.

"Vacant Shift!"

Using the blunt side of his blade, Hyde landed 3 consecutive uppercut slashes with the final hit slamming the Autonomic Nerve down to the ground. Before Vatista could recover, Hyde already pointed his sword to her chest, ending the match.

Vatista, seeing the result, simply sighed. "I concede. A pity."

"How… Did I do?" Hyde asked in between breaths.

Vatista processed the battle in her mind and gave her assessment. "For only being a recent In-Birth, I've obtained valuable data to carry out my mission. You have my thanks"

"So this is what a Wielder battle is like huh?" Hyde said as he clutched his right hand.

"As compensation for your assistance, I can offer you advice on how to use your EXS more efficiently" Vatista said with the same monotone voice.

Hyde was surprised by the offer and thought it through his head. 'I could use all the help I can get..'

"Alright. I'll hear you out." Hyde smiled.

With a nod, Vatista began to lecture Hyde regarding his Orbiter. Upon scanning the attack, the girl could deduce that an additional attack could be used once the projectile was thrown. One could be used anytime he used the energy disk, the other one will require a certain amount of EXS to pull it off. Hyde mentally noted this down in case he needed to use these attacks.

Vatista would also let Hyde know that if he carried enough EXS in him, he could enter a state known as 'Veil Off'. For a brief time he could unleash some truly devastating attacks, but would be at a disadvantage if the effect ran out. So she advised him to use it wisely.

Vatista did a little stretch. "And with that, you have demonstrated you are above the beginner level rank of In-Births"

Hyde would bow at the little girl with gratitude.

"Thank you for the advice. Though I'm curious, how do you know so much about my attacks?" He asked

Vatista would close her eyes as she tried to think of an answer.

"I… do not know. Something about your sword feels… familiar. This will require further research." Vatista shook her head and deactivated her wings. "For now, I must collect data from other In-Births."

Part of Hyde was a little worried. Despite it all, Vatista still looked like a little girl. But if this was her at Beginner, he can only imagine what she could do at Intermediate. So he simply gave her a head pat.

"I know you can handle yourself, but try to stay safe okay?"

Vatista was left confused. "Understood? I will remember the name Hyde Kido in my memory bank. Once again, thank you for your services." She gave a small bow and left

Hyde watched on, bemused but with a little more confidence.

'Just wait for me Linne, Wald. Little by little, I'll get stronger.'

With new resolve, Hyde rushed on.