View source for Hyouketsu Kyoukai no Eden:Volume 4 Chapter2

===Part 1===

Tenketsu Palace, Outdoor Training Grounds.

The roaring sound of water and fog-like mist. She was there in the field where an imitation waterfall was flowing magnificently from a steep cliff.

She wore a navy blue suit devoid of any wrinkles along with a bright red necktie. Carrying a pitch black whip, she sputtered smoke from the cigarette in her mouth.

It was Instructor Yumelda who was known as a demonic coach amongst the Cadets.

“Ah, there you are. Instructor, the truth is I have something I’d really like to consult you about.”

Sheltis called out to that back profile.

“No.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet!?”

“I’m joking. So what did you need?”

While spinning a spare cigarette with her fingertips, she gradually turned towards him.

“Well, it’s about the four person limit for mission number 16 from the merit system”

“No.”

“That’s! Why! I said! I haven’t finished saying everything!?”

“It’s something I’ll understand even if I don’t hear it all. You want to go on that mission that has a four person limit but you don’t have any comrades outside of your group of three. You’d like to see if it’s possible to apply with just three people or otherwise be introduced to someone who seems like they would enter your unit as the fourth member ─── that’s about it, right?”

The instructor stared sidelong at the Cadet Guards participating in mock battles opposite the waterfall. She wrote down an evaluation on the score sheet in her hand and showed a grin.

“Well?”

“'''''Perfect. It’s accurate to the point that it can’t even be grumbled about.'''''“

The {{furigana|machine crystal|Ilis}} flickered. That the {{furigana|machine crystal|Ilis}} who rarely complimented anyone would give praise of this degree showed that the instructor’s observation was just that spot-on.

“'''''It’s very interesting. How did you figure it out to such a degree?'''''“

“There were other units that came to me with the exact same question. You guys are just starting late; the other units already started moving to secure a fourth member yesterday, you know?”

In others words, all the people with prowess were already snatched up.

“By the way, up to today a total of twenty teams have registered for mission number 16. The screening has already started so if you want to get in, you better hurry.”

“……Is what she says. What do we do, Sheltis?”

He stared into space while feeling the gazes of both Monica and the instructor.

───Even if the competition amongst units is harsh, I’d still like to aim for that mission.

It wasn’t just because he wanted to go together with Ymy. There was that Yuugenshu cultivation water tank at that facility as well. Then there was the girl who was known as the Forbidden Crystal.

……I have to go, that’s what my gut is telling me.

“It’s just my selfish wish, but I’d really like to find a fourth member and take that mission.”

“I see. Then it can’t be helped, I have a single candidate in mind.”

And with that, Kagura lifted her head that was staring at the {{furigana|machine pearl|Machina}}’s screen.

“Ehh……Kagura has someone in mind?”

“Yes. It will be hard to win him over but I think [he] will be good.”

He, meaning a male Cadet Guard. But who? To think that she, whom everyone knew tended to be weary of strangers, would go as far as to recommend them herself.

“Fumu, I’m interested. Who is it?”

“Him. The problem child that the instructor also knows very well───”

The instant Kagura replied, the instructor was was about to put a cigarette in her mouth froze up.

“……Hey, you wouldn’t be about a name that starts with ‘V’.”

“It is that very one. We will invite him.”

“No, well, hold up, Kagura. Don’t be so rushed.”

With an uncharacteristically meek expression, instructor Yumelda held onto the shoulder of the girl wearing a mechanical helmet.

“He won’t become a fighting force. That eccentric guy……it’ll be negotiable if it’s just registering a member, but you can’t expect anything from him as a comrade.”

“Well, we’ll see. Come on, we’re going, Monica, Sheltis.”

Kagura shook off the instructor and quickly continued on.

“……Problem child?”

“……Eccentric guy?”

Both of them left behind, Sheltis and Monica exchanged looks.