And don't think for a second that we'll go easy on you. Neon deeply regretted the arrogant words she had spoken when they offered their challenge. I just had to jinx us…

Initially, she and Flynt felt confident in pitting their skills against Makoto and Penny, who were still finding their rhythm as a newly formed team. After all, they had been training together for months and were one of the stronger teams of their cohort.

When the match started, she activated her semblance and charged forward, while Flynt projected powerful sound waves through his trumpet to support her forward assault. It was supposed to be a quick and easy victory via a blitz attack.

However, things did not go as planned.

In response, Penny deftly commanded her flying swords on the offensive, weaving them through the air with extreme precision. She directed them to pursue Neon across the arena, who evaded her strikes, leaving a shimmering rainbow trail in her wake.

Makoto chose to adopt a more supportive role in this match, as he was not accustomed to battling human opponents and did not want a repeat of what happened with Winter. Unlike his encounters with Strega, who had no qualms about eliminating those who got in their way, this was just training; going all out was unnecessary.

He also desired to see what Penny was capable of doing and adjust his tactics accordingly. So, he shot himself in the head and summoned Orpheus.

With its unique ability to generate low frequency soundwaves through the speaker embedded in its torso, it quickly intervened, disrupting any attempts by Flynt to harm Penny. He did this while supporting her offensive manoeuvres with his own attacks.

What followed was a relentless onslaught; Neon and Flynt quickly found themselves outmatched. Struggling to defend themselves, they were overwhelmed in mere seconds, their Auras nearly shattering under the sheer force of their opponent's attacks.

"Team MIP wins." The instructor called out from the spectator stands. "An excellent performance from you two, go take a break."

Makoto shivered, "Team MIP…" He refused believe that they were going to call his team MIP, of all things; there had to be a better alternative, "Good work, Penny. I'm honestly surprised at smoothly it all went."

"Terrific!" Penny cheered, "You too, Makoto. When you started using your semblance, I just knew we were going to win!"

Her personality does well at hiding the monster she becomes in combat, it's almost like a switch. Makoto noted. The instant Penny's blades emerged from her backpack, she transformed from a curious and gentle girl into a ruthless Huntress-in-training, striking down her enemies without mercy. My android theory cannot be correct… right?

"You work together surprisingly well, for a newly formed team. Hell, you have more coordination than most of the first-year teams do." Flynt hobbled towards them. His shirt was coated in sweat, and he looked ready to go home and hit the bed.

"And that semblance of yours is crazy, how the heck do you fight something like that? You two are like demons." A frazzled Neon added.

"Don't beat yourself up over this loss," said Makoto as he holstered his Evoker, "I've been through many battles in the past."

Flynt raised his eyebrows, surprised at Makoto's sudden admission.

"Battles… you mean against Grimm?"

If the Grimm are anything like Shadows, then yes.

Makoto nodded silently in affirmation. The volume of shadows he had dispatched had to at least be in the thousands at this point. Within the unending tower of Tartarus, their numbers showed no signs of thinning as they would just replace themselves within a few minutes of being eliminated. It truly was an endless hell that he willingly thrusted himself into on a daily basis. Were it not for his ability to wield multiple Personas, traversing the tower would nearly have been impossbile, especially during the earlier expeditions consisting of just Yukari, Junpei, and him.

"Damn bro… no wonder they let you in this late into the first semester."

Penny, her curiosity ignited by their conversation, rushed over as if she could not contain her eagerness any longer. "Makoto has fought against the Grimm before? Which ones do you like fighting the most?" she asked, her voice bubbling with fervent excitement.

"Hmm," He put his hand on his chin and slightly tilted his head to feign thinking. This was bad, he had never even seen a Grimm before let alone fought one. With a slight amount of hesitation, he let out in a soft voice, "…the wolf ones."

"Beowolves?"

"Yeah, those ones." He sighed with relief, "Sorry, I'm not too sure about all their names. My theoretical knowledge about Grimm in general is severely lacking."

"I feel you, there's just way too many of them to memorise, especially once you start learning about their variations. I guess that's what the field missions are for." Flynt shrugged.

"Field missions?"

Makoto gave an intrigued look that silently asked Flynt to elaborate.

"Yeah, the easiest way to describe them would be 'hands-on experience'. The big man himself assigns you to one and then you get graded on your performance once it's completed. My team went on one last month where we had to patrol the outer wall of Mantle. It was tough, but we learned a lot."

"Interesting, how do they even determine your team is ready for one in the first place?"

Flynt crossed his arms, "I got no idea. No need to worry about it now though. You probably won't be assigned to one for at least a few months."


Classes for Makoto's first day at Atlas Academy had finally come to an end, leaving him mentally drained. Adjusting to the rigors of school life again was no easy feat, especially after basically being absent for two months while he was dying. The weight of new lessons and the pressure to catch up felt overwhelming, a stark reminder of how much he had missed prior to his enrolment.

It's going to take a lot of work to get up to speed, I'm going to need to find a stable supply of coffee… I wonder if the monthly stipend has come through yet.

"So, what are you doing now, Penny?" asked Makoto.

He was currently making his way back to his dorm, the familiar path illuminated by the soft blue glow of the artificial torches lining the walls. Beside him, Penny bounced along, her lively spirit contrasting sharply with his own sluggish pace.

"I heard teams are meant to stay in the same room but-"

"Due to circumstances beyond my control, I can't stay in the same room as you, Makoto." Her gaze dropped to the floor, a shadow of sadness crossing her features. "I truly am sorry."

That was… dramatic.

"It's fine, I'm sure you have your reasons," he replied thoughtfully. "Truthfully, I find it a bit odd that you have to share your room with your teammates, regardless of gender. Uncomfortable situations would be unavoidable, to put it lightly."

He could not help but picture S.E.E.S. in a similar scenario, Yukari and Junpei would likely have been at each other's throats within minutes. Although, it certainly would have been an entertaining experience if not tiring. Makoto mentally reasoned. And Aigis invaded my room whenever she wanted too anyway so that would have been the same.

"Thank you for your understanding." said Penny, earnestly.

"Don't worry about it, friends are meant to be understanding, aren't they?" he replied with a reassuring smile.

Penny paused, momentarily lagging behind him, seemingly unable to process the word "friends." Her jade eyes, sparkling almost like stars, widened with surprise and excitement. A radiant smile broke across her face as Makoto turned towards her.

"Friends…" she whispered to herself, her voice laced with disbelief and joy. It was a simple word, yet entirely foreign to her. Penny scooted closer to Makoto's face, almost uncomfortably so. "Did you say that we are… friends?"

"Of course, we walked to every class together, sat next to each other, and ate lunch together in the cafeteria. I'd say that qualifies us as friends."

"This… is… sensational!" Penny pumped her fists and celebrated, "You are my first friend ever."

"Really?"

Penny did not seem like the type of person who would struggle to make friends. Although her quirky personality might be seen as strange, especially since she lacked any social decorum, it had a childish charm to it that one could not really dislike. If she had gone all her life without having made a single friend. Then it must have been lonely. Makoto sadly realised.

"One hundred percent. This is a magnificent moment. Thank you so very much!"

Her elated voice echoed throughout the halls.

Makoto let out a sigh and said, "Penny, you don't need to thank people for being your friends. Friendship isn't something we look to repay; it's a bond built on trust and understanding."

"Still… I have never ever had a friend before. I do not know how to describe this feeling."

"In that case, why don't we celebrate?" Makoto suggested, "I've never been to the city before so it would be nice to have someone show me around."

Penny deflated like a balloon, "I cannot go. I promised my father that I would see him today."

"Oh, what about another time then, like the weekend?"

"Absolutely, I will be sure to save the date."


Makoto returned to his empty dorm, ready to take a short nap before commencing his crunch to complete the remedial homework that was due by the end of the day. The room itself was quite spacious as it was designed to house four people and had an ensuite bathroom as a bonus.

"What is this?"

On top of his bed sat a rather large box draped in a deep blue cloth. As Makoto ran his fingers over the material, he realized it was velvet, soft and luxurious to the touch.

"Impossible." he was taken aback by the sight before him. Only a certain individual could have placed this within his room, one he was intimately familiar with.

He carefully lifted the blue cloth, revealing the ornate box beneath. As he opened the lid, a faint scent of polished spruce filled the air. Within the box lay his old S.E.E.S. combat uniform, complete with its red armband. It was something that Mitsuru had arranged for them after Fuuka joined their ranks last June and was constructed with the most advanced technology the Kirijo Group had to offer.

Not only did the package hold his old gear, but it also contained items gifted by his friends, all perfectly preserved as if time had stood still. Yukari's cell phone strap, a charred screw belonging to Aigis, and even a framed photograph of S.E.E.S. taken on the night of Ikutsuki's betrayal.

Even here, you are all still with me. Makoto smiled, faintly.

But buried beneath everything was a rusted key adorned with a mask on the bow that he could never forget, his Velvet Room key. As his gaze lingered on it, the urgency to reach out and grasp it intensified, growing into an overwhelming compulsion that demanded immediate action.

Makoto snatched the key from the box, and in an instant, a blinding flash of white consumed his vision, sending a wave of dizziness crashing over him.

When he came to, he found himself not in the familiar elevator he had grown accustomed to throughout his journey, but in a lighthouse.

A large lamp stood motionless at the centre, while an expansive sea enveloped him, its surface shimmering. Outside, the sky was ablaze with the colours of sunset, streaks of orange and lavender blended seamlessly together into the darkening twilight, sun suspended above the horizon. The room itself retained the signature Velvet Room aesthetic, with deep blue carpet and plush walls. Beside the lamp stood a solitary table flanked by two chairs, one noticeably missing its usual occupant.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room," a melodic feminine voice resonated through the space. "I have been awaiting your return, my dearest guest."

"Elizabeth," he said, locking eyes with his Velvet Room attendant. "It's been quite some time."

"Indeed, it has," she replied, her tone bittersweet.

Elizabeth had not changed much since their last meeting which occurred prior to the final battle against Nyx. Her pale blonde hair was slightly longer, now reaching the edges of her collar, and she still wore her long blue dress decorated with black circular outlines along the centre.

Yet, Makoto sensed that something was off about her. There was a sorrowful weight to her presence. She seemed significantly older, her demeanour tainted with a profound melancholy that was unlike the silly and bubbly attendant he remembered.

"Where is Igor?"

The long-nosed man, who spoke in riddles, was nowhere to be found.

"Your journey concluded a long time ago, my guest. You already ascended the tower and discovered the answer. As such, the master's services are… no longer required here." She responded, her voice mournful.

"Elizabeth…" Makoto faltered for a moment, "Why am I still alive?"

He had been wondering this ever since he awakened in Remnant, for what reason had he been given a second chance when he had already accepted the fate that waited him?Now, Makoto finally had an opportunity to learn the truth from the one person who could possibly have the answer.

Elizabeth glanced down, sighing before she spoke, "The seal for which you sacrificed yourself stood strong for millennia, granting your friends the chance to live full lives and allowing humanity to flourish. Yet, as with all things, it eventually weakened. Nyx's re-emergence heralded the fall, but by that time, humanity had already faded."

"Then it was worth it," Makoto stated without hesitation, finding comfort in the knowledge that his sacrifice was not for nothing. "But that does little to explain the current situation. Why do I not remember anything from my time as the seal?"

"I do not know. Your soul should have been granted the peace it earned once the seal broke. After all that you gave up, it was the least that you deserved. However, something, or rather someone, interfered."

An azure butterfly fluttered around her before landing on her cap.

"But for what purpose?" Makoto asked, his voice tinged with urgency. "Why have I been brought to this world?"

"Once more, I do not have the answers you seek. As for being sent to a different world… my dearest guest, this is what remains of the world you once knew; you never left."

"Then that means-"

Elizabeth interrupted him, saying, "All shall be revealed in time. For now, may I perform a tarot reading?"

"Fine." Makoto begrudgingly accepted.

Elizabeth sat in Igor's seat and began shuffling the tarot cards in ways only a magical being of the Velvet Room would be able to. They floated in the air and spun around with artistic flair before returning to a singular deck and being spread. Elizabeth then drew two cards and placed them forward.

"The Tower in an upright position," she began, her voice steady yet sombre, "signals an impending catastrophe that may soon shake the very foundations of this world. Prepare yourself, for upheaval is on the horizon."

"The Moon in an upright position," she continued, her brows furrowed, "embodies mystery and deception. Beware, an unseen puppet master lurks in the shadows, poised to make their move. Trust your instincts, for clarity may be hidden beneath the surface."

Makoto exhaled loudly, leaning back into his chair, "Is there anything else?"

"It seems that an unknown darkness is approaching; once more will your resolve be tested. Fret not, for I have full confidence in you to find the correct path. Hmm, I must express that I have always wanted to imitate the master by doing that." She lightly giggled. "Pardon me."

An unknown darkness and a puppet master… is she referring to the Grimm? Can someone control them? Makoto did not like the implications of this.

"I believe it's time for me to return to the real world," he said solemnly, rising from his seat and turning toward the exit door.

"Wait!" she yelled, rushing towards him, "Before you go, I must inform you that your status as a guest of the Velvet Room has been restored. This means you will once again have access to our services including your completed compendium."

"And in usual fashion I must pay a price to summon my registered Personas?"

"Correct."

"I understand. Thank you, Elizabeth, for always being here for me, even now."

As Makoto stepped through the door, he was transported back to the elevator of old, which descended immediately. After a few seconds of waiting, it sounded a ding and came to a halt. An exit slowly revealed itself showing his dorm on the other side. Makoto did not question the incongruity of a giant elevator being beneath a lighthouse, the mysterious workings of the Velvet Room were far beyond him.

Upon re-entering his room, everything appeared just as he had left it; save for the magical blue door from which he had just emerged from. With a soft click, the door shut on its own, then slowly caved in on itself, fading into nothingness.

He felt his pocket buzz, so he retrieved his Scroll, A call from Elizabeth. He accepted it without a second thought.

"Salutations!" Her voice screeched through the speaker, prompting Makoto to pull the scroll away. "Whoops, that was a bit too close to the microphone. Salutations," she repeated, this time at a much quieter and more tolerable volume.

First Penny and now Elizabeth, I can never allow these two to meet or catastrophe will befall the universe.

"I have placed to entrance to the Velvet Room within the Food Consumption Facility of your Academy. I originally considered putting it inside your private domicile for your own convenience but as they as say, exercise maketh… a… no, the healthy man… Hmm, I suppose that saying needs more work. Anyway, that is all for now. Have a good day."


The days that followed unfolded much like his first, filled with a relentless mix of studying and work, punctuated by gruelling physical training that rivalled his time in the track club. Makoto quickly found his combat skills returning to a level he deemed acceptable while he made solid strides in controlling his Aura. However, he had yet to have any luck in developing a semblance.

Noon had just struck, the sun beamed over Makoto who was currently waiting outside Atlas Academy for Penny to arrive. Thanks to Atlas' artificial climate system, the temperature was quite pleasant and only had a soft breeze. Lacking any real clothing of his own, Makoto opted to wear his S.E.E.S. combat gear, minus the armband and gloves to not draw attention. He kept his Evoker within one of the inner pockets.

In truth, the previous week had drained much of Makoto's energy, leaving him as a tired husk by the end of each day. If it were not for Penny's persistent reminders about their "Team Hang-out" and his resolve not to disappoint her, he would have happily stayed in bed to recuperate.

Penny's voice sounded from behind him, "Greetings, Makoto."

"Afternoon, Penny." He replied, "What do you feel like doing first?"

"Hmm… I do not know. I will leave the selection up to you."

"How about going to the arcade then? I did some research yesterday and found one close to the academy. It's just one train station away."

"Going to an arcade would be thrilling, I have yet to experience one for myself." She innocently admitted.

"Now we definitely have to go, come on."

After a brief train ride, Makoto and Penny emerged in front of a vibrant arcade nestled within a bustling shopping complex.

"This looks superb."

When the pair entered the arcade, they were greeted with dozens of unique machines all lined up. Fluorescents lights adorned the ceiling which casted a neon glow into the dimly lit space and electronic music pulsed through the area, the bass notes vibrating through the ground.

It certainly is leagues above the one I used to go to in Paulownia Mall.

As it was on the weekend, the arcade was filled to the brim with dozens of young kids and teenagers. It was only natural that such a place would be a meeting point for leisurely activities. They huddled around their chosen machines, some overflowing with excitement while others despaired at their losses, frustrated by the dwindling funds that prevented them from continuing to play.

"Woah, there are so many people in here. Which one should we play first?"

"Hmm…" Makoto scanned the area before making up his mind. "That one located at the corner looks interesting."

He pointed towards a machine with the words 'Street Brawl III' written in fiery text. It was one of the newer models with an exceptionally high-resolution display and had a standard joystick and buttons control scheme.

Makoto frowned as he examined the scanner, which only accepted arcade-issued cards. "It looks like this arcade doesn't take regular payments. I'll need to buy a card from one of the machines. Just give me a second, I'll be right back."

"No, I will pay for the card." Penny stopped him by tugging at his sleeve.

"It's okay—"

"Just think of it as a gift from a… friend."

Penny's determination was unwavering, and despite his hesitation, he found himself unable to refuse her offer.

"If you insist."

Makoto waited at the machine, hoping others would see it as being reserved and decide not to bother him. As he stood there, he watched the sample gameplay playing on the screen while also reading the instructions for the controls on the bottom. It was virtually identical to games he had played in the past.

"You up for a round?" An unknown person approached him.

Makoto cast a glance at the newcomer, noticing the bushy tail swaying behind him as he walked. A Faunus. He seemed to be in his early twenties with a deep complexion and dark hair tied neatly into a bun.

"Sorry," He shook his head. "I'm waiting for my friend to return; they should be back pretty soon."

"That's enough time for at least one round. C'mon, it'll be fun."

Penny was nowhere to be found, and this Faunus was likely to keep bothering him until she actually returned.

"Fine, but for one round only."

"Nice."

The Faunus tapped his card onto the reader and initialised a two-player match. He appeared to be quite experienced at the game, considering he instantly selected his fighter without much deliberation.

"Player two has selected: Kai!" said the announcer.

Makoto surveyed the array of options before him, feeling uncertain about how each fighter functioned or whether they were genuinely good or total duds. Lacking any real knowledge to guide his choice, he resorted to picking based solely on appearance. After a moment, his gaze settled on a cartoon depiction of an orange cat, a choice that felt utterly random but, ultimately, was as good as any.

"Player one has selected: Asteroid Destroyer."

The Faunus scoffed at his choice, "Asteroid Destroyer? Do you not know he's a joke character the developers added for fun?"

"It's my first time playing this."

"Really? Then that's fine I guess."

The first round of the game started, and Makoto did not do as well as he had hoped. His opponent seemed to know every move he was going to make and turned it around on him in an instant. While he did manage to fight back during some instances, his lack of experience and knowledge of Asteroid Destroyer's move-set severely hindered his ability to win.

It did not take long before his health bar was already depleted to zero after being locked into a lethal combo and getting ejected off the map.

"Wow you really are new." The Faunus stifled his laughter and spammed the crouch button in a mocking manner. His tail was wagging. "Well, no need to worry. Not everyone's good when they first start."

A competitive fire ignited in Makoto's blue eyes, narrowing with the same focus that he uses to fight shadows. Keep talking, we'll see who's actually bad at the game.

"This'll be easy."

Makoto went on to dominate the next two rounds, pulling off an impressive upset. The cocky grin that had once graced the Faunus' face was completely replaced by a look of disbelief as his fighter was torn apart by Asteroid Destroyer, his tail drooping dejectedly to the ground. The words "Player One Wins!" flashed on the screen, further cementing the Faunus' defeat.

"H-how? You… you picked the worst character in the game!" he stammered. "You lied about being new to the game, didn't you? There's just no way…"

"You shouldn't have been so cocky," he shrugged. "I guess you're just bad at the game."

"I can't believe you made Asteroid Destroyer look viable." He murmured to himself in indignation. "Well good game, you were the better player. For now, at least."

"Makoto, I'm ready!" Penny appeared beside him, "Marrow, is that you?"

The Faunus, whose name was apparently Marrow, recoiled slightly. "...Hello, Penny," he said, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks.

"I have not seen you in ages and I never would have expected to find you in such a place! I trust you have been in good spirits?"

"Yep, all good! Well, would you look at that, time really flies when you're having fun." He glanced at his wrist, even though he was not wearing a watch. "Sorry, but I have to go. Duty calls and all that."

"Bye-bye!" Penny waved to Marrow as he briskly walked away. "I wonder why he had to leave with such urgency."

Makoto explained, "I think he was embarrassed by being caught by you in an arcade."

"Is it wrong to spend your time in a facility designed for you to partake in leisurely activities?" Penny tilted her head in confusion, eyebrows furrowing slightly as she tried to wrap her mind around the idea.

"Not really, but it is a place designed primarily for kids, so that might be the reason. Where do you know him from?"

"Marrow is a member of the special operations division known as the 'Ace Operatives', or 'Ace-Ops' for short. They report directly to General Ironwood and consist of the best Huntsmen in the Atlas Military." she explained, almost sounding like she was reciting words.

"That's... surprising." Makoto could not help but feel a twinge of disbelief; the childish Faunus he had easily beaten in a fighting game seemed a world away from the elite Huntsman he now learned he was. A special operative just happened to be inside the same arcade I decided to go to today. Ironwood must not fully trust me if he has one of his own top soldiers watching me. I hope he comes to realise that this is pointless since I have no desire to cause any harm.

"Shall we commence our gaming session?" Penny asked.

And you never answered where you met him. What are you trying to hide, Penny?


Once their time at the arcade concluded, Makoto felt compelled to treat himself by upgrading his wardrobe with some of his newly acquired money. He ended up buying several t-shirts and pairs of pants, but he also took the opportunity to recreate his old winter outfit: a stylish beige coat paired with a cozy white turtleneck sweater and sleek black pants.

After their outing, Penny excitedly invited Makoto to her home to meet her father, whom she described as a warm and welcoming scientist and inventor. A few train stations later, they arrived at an apartment complex, its modern design blending in with the other buildings on the street.

As they stepped into the apartment, Makoto was warmly greeted by an elderly man seated in a sturdy wheelchair. His skin was dark, and he had tufts of grey hair peeking out from beneath a muted fern green cap. A pair of glasses, lacking any temples, sat on his face.

"Welcome home," the old man said warmly.

"Dad!" Penny exclaimed, rushing over to embrace him. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, and he returned the hug, his eyes sparkling with pride. Their bond was unmistakable.

"And I'm assuming you are my daughter's teammate at the academy?" he asked, eyeing Makoto. "My name's Pietro, its nice to finally meet you."

"Makoto Yuki, it's a pleasure."

"No need to be so formal, young man. Any friend of Penny is welcome here," Pietro offered his hand, which Makoto accepted and shook firmly.

Pietro led them into a small lounge room within their apartment, a cozy space filled with warm lighting. The rich hues of the walls and the soft textures of the furnishings created an inviting atmosphere. He gestured toward a plush sofa.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," he said. "And Penny, could you be a dear and fetch us some tea?"

Penny nodded enthusiastically and stepped out of the room, leaving Makoto and Pietro to engage in their conversation.

Pietro turned his attention to Makoto, his expression shifting to one of genuine interest. "My daughter has told me so much about you. In fact, I dare say you're the only thing she talks about these days! It's a relief to see her making friends her age."

"I'm glad to hear that, I've enjoyed getting to know her. She's a kind soul."

"Yes, she is," Pietro replied, his tone turning more reflective. "Although, sometimes I think she's a little too kind for her own good. She always puts others before herself, and while I admire her heart, I worry she might get taken advantage of."

"I can see where you're coming from. As her teammate, I'll make sure to look out for her."

"I appreciate that. It's reassuring to know she has someone like you to guide her," Pietro said, his expression sincere. He chuckled softly before continuing, "I can't help but mention the electronics you're sporting. Those headphones look…"

"Ancient."

"Exactly!" His eyes were twinkling, "I half-expect you to pull out one of those old Smart Scrolls with a wired audio socket."

"It's not a Smart Scroll," Makoto placed his phone and MP3 player on the table, eliciting an even greater reaction from Pietro. "But will this do?"

"Fascinating! Does it still function?"

"Actually, I'd like to ask for your assistance with that. At the moment, I have no way to charge these devices, and I'm willing to pay a good amount for a solution."

Pietro wheeled himself closer, "Do you mind if I open it up and take a look?"

"Yes please."

Pietro carefully unscrewed the casing of the phone, revealing its intricate internals. As he examined the components, a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs" escaped from his mouth, captivated by the revelation of the device's inner workings.

"This is astonishingly well preserved, like a time capsule. Where did you find this historical artifact?"

"It's mine." Makoto admitted, "I've been using it for a few years, but the charger eventually stopped functioning. What are your thoughts?"

"Hmm, it will be quite simple to create a charger for this. However, the software inside is likely to be completely incompatible with everything we use nowadays. I'd have to rewrite entire systems from scratch to get this thing to be functional with the Atlas network and services. I'm surprised you got any use out of this."

"I suspected that would be an issue. To be honest, all I really want is the data stored within it so I can transfer it to my Scroll."

"Conversion shouldn't be too difficult. If you don't mind, could you leave these with me for a week? I should have everything ready by then." Pietro said.

"How much will I owe you?" Makoto braced himself.

Pietro waved his hand dismissively, "Trust me, being able to work with technology like this is priceless! I'll even sweeten the deal with some bonuses for your headset and music player."

"Really? Thank you."

After spending the rest of the night at their house, Makoto headed back to the dormitory with thoughts racing through his mind. He managed to gleam information from Pietro, but the details about Penny remained suspiciously vague.

Her father is a genius engineer, apparently one of the best in Atlas, but she is not related to him by blood. Her robotic movements and struggles with basic social skills also mirror Aigis's from when she first joined S.E.E.S. last year. Additionally, I've never seen her eat, drink, or even need to use the bathroom.

"There is a high chance that Penny is a synthetic being similar to Aigis, all signs point to it. But I need conclusive evidence before I am certain." He mumbled to himself.

For the time being, Makoto choose to keep these thoughts to himself.


Authors Note:

100 followers? Nice. I'm honestly surprised at the positive reception; I guess I'll need to lock in and write better. I'll try to have at least one chapter per week for now since I'm busy with uni. Also beware of scam reviews since I've gotten a couple, and the website doesn't let you delete them. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.