“So, Second Lieutenant Garnet. How is Ray coming along?”
“Sir. I have compiled the data into this report.”
Abby had come to Henrick’s study. As for why she was here—
It was to provide an update on Ray’s movements.
The military did not intend to protect him out of pure altruism. Had that been the case, there were several other options available, such as placing him in an orphanage or finding a family to adopt him.
The reason he was being kept within the Special Selection Unit, Astral—and specifically, why Lydia was tasked with his care—was because of an ulterior motive.
“As noted in the documents before you, his athletic sense is nothing short of extraordinary. It doesn’t appear that Lydia is testing him with any specific intent to measure his abilities, however. In all likelihood, he is unconsciously utilizing his Inside Code.”
“...Hmm. Wait. Is all of this factual?”
“Yes, sir. I initially suspected Lydia was merely exaggerating, but I have compiled this report based on the facts I witnessed with my own eyes.”
“...This is, well, quite something.”
Henrick looked over the documents once more. What was written there bordered on the impossible. Abby then began to recount the events involving Lydia and Ray over the past few days.
“Lydia. Are you heading out again?”
“Yeah! Ray is a serious genius, I tell you! I’m going to teach him tennis today. I’ve decided to pass down my 108 Secret Arts to him!!”
Lydia wore a beaming smile. Generally speaking, Lydia was rarely in a foul mood; she was smiling more often than not.
But now, how should she put it... Abby felt as though the impression Lydia gave off had softened considerably.
Until now, as an isolated genius, she had often carried a sharp, high-strung aura. Even when she smiled, it was usually a display of supreme confidence in her own prowess.
However, the Lydia who spent time with Ray was undergoing a change.
One could sense a genuine desire to teach him things for his own sake.
“...May I accompany you?”
“Hm? Don’t you have work today?”
“No. I finished everything yesterday.”
“I see. In that case, come along, Abby!”
Yesterday, Abby had received a direct order from the military brass to monitor Ray’s movements. To fulfill that mission, she joined the pair.
“...You’re coming?”
Since Ray was always alone with Lydia, he seemed curious about Abby’s presence.
Abby crouched down to meet Ray’s eyes.
“Yes. I’ll be joining you today. Is that alright?”
“...Mm. Okay.”
He still wouldn't look her directly in the eye, but he was becoming more capable of holding a conversation. Abby gave the boy a smile, and the three of them headed toward the tennis court.
“Alright, Ray. Today, we play tennis!”
“...Okay.”
Ray clutched a racket that was far too large for his small frame. Meanwhile, Lydia bounced a ball rhythmically against her racket before skillfully catching it on the rim.
Abby watched the two of them from a nearby bench.
“First, I’ll give you a demonstration.”
“...I understand.”
Lydia tossed the ball and swung her racket with perfect timing. The ball flew with a sharp vertical spin, bouncing deep in the opposite court.
Judging by the trajectory of the ball as it clipped the corner, Lydia’s skill was clearly formidable.
Ray watched the sequence of movements and gave a small nod.
“Did you get that?”
“...Yeah.”
Watching this, Abby thought to herself.
Wait, 'did you get that'? That's it? There's no way he can just hit like that after seeing it once. Lydia really has zero talent for teaching.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, however—
Her eyes caught something impossible.
“Oh! As expected of Ray! That’s a fine spin!”
“...”
Despite his small body, Ray had sent the ball perfectly into the opposite court. The spin was clean, drawing a beautiful arc. Most notably, he had struck the ball with enough precision to target the four corners of the court.
He had done nothing more than mimic Lydia’s form, but the level of execution was so high that Abby stood up with a shout.
“...Wh—!? Hey, Lydia! Ray is a total novice at tennis, isn't he?!”
“He is. Apparently, he’s never really played sports before.”
“No, no, no, then what I just saw makes no sense!!”
“Huh...? What are you on about?”
Lydia looked at Abby with skeptical eyes—a look that seemed to ask why she was stating the obvious.
It was likely because Lydia had already grown accustomed to Ray’s athletic reflexes. For a normal person, a reaction like Abby’s was the only logical response.
“A tennis beginner just hit the ball with the exact same trajectory as you!!”
“So he did.”
“Don't you think that’s bizarre?!”
“Hehe... Fufu! Ray has talent, that’s all! Hahaha! Perhaps he takes after his Master!!”
“...”
The retort that it hadn't been that long since she met Ray never made it past Abby’s lips.
Abby had heard from Lydia that Ray’s athletic reflexes were impressive, but she had assumed they were merely impressive for a child. She had been certain Lydia was exaggerating.
However, after seeing that single sequence, she understood that Ray was something else entirely.
“Alright, Ray. Next, I’ll teach you my finishing shots. You should be able to pull off drop shots that don't bounce, or shots that blast your opponent right out of the court.”
“...Mm.”
Clutching the racket with both hands, Ray gave his reply. From that point on, the scene Abby witnessed was something from another dimension.
She already knew Lydia possessed insane physical capabilities and could hit abnormal shots—she had known that since they were students.
But now, there was a small boy reproducing those very same feats. Despite his lack of height and muscle, Ray was replicating Lydia’s super-dimensional shots with his tiny body.
“Oh! Ray, you can hit the Zero-style now too?! That was fast!”
“...Simple.”
“Then next up is the Wave Surge Shot!”
“...Leave it to me.”
Ray proceeded to fire off one impossible shot after another. Abby could only watch in a daze.
She had always considered herself a calm, collected individual. And she was. But right now, she was undoubtedly more shaken than she had ever been in her life.
“Alright, Ray. Next, I’ll teach you the Triple Counter. This is the ultimate technique that can return any ball, you know?”
“...I'll try.”
The trans-dimensional tennis continued. After a while, the two of them returned to the bench for a break.
“...Lydia.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Just what is Ray?”
“Huh? You know who he is.”
“I don’t mean it like that. I’m asking what is wrong with those athletic reflexes.”
“I’ve been telling you Ray is incredible for a while now, haven't I? I even put it in my reports.”
Abby pressed a hand to her forehead, reflecting on her past skepticism. She had been sure that Lydia was embellishing the details.
Henrick had thought the same, which was why he had formally tasked Abby with this mission.
But what Abby had seen with her own eyes was exactly as Lydia had described. She hadn't been exaggerating at all; she had been providing perfectly accurate information.
“...Lydia. My apologies for doubting you.”
“Huh? What’s this about?”
Lydia looked puzzled as Abby bowed her head. As they spoke, Ray came to stand before Abby.
“Ray. You are truly amazing.”
“...Amazing?”
“Yes. I was wrong to think you were some pitiable thing being dragged around by this idiot.”
From behind her, she heard a cry of “Hey! Is that what you thought?!” but Abby ignored it. As the three of them talked, Carol arrived on the scene.
“Yaho-yaho~☆ Caro-caro made lunch~☆”
Today, too, she sported a flashy hairstyle and provocative attire. Her neckline was cut boldly, offering a clear view of the deep valley between her large, overflowing twin mounds.
Carol carried a basket in the crook of her arm.
And so, the four of them sat down to eat lunch together.