Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream

Chapter 221: Aquilla’s greeting

"Have they arrived?" Timothy asked as he strode down the corridor beside his assistant, who was busy scrolling through reports on her terminal.

"Yes, they should be waiting in the counsel..." She was abruptly pulled aside by her superior just before she walked into a wall. Regaining her composure, she continued, "...ing office."

Timothy let out a quiet hum. "Any word from Central Intelligence?"

"They submitted their report about half an hour ago. Other than that, nothing." She paused, glancing up from the screen. "Though there were a few inquiries regarding the Commander."

Timothy fell silent, his brows drawing together.

As a friend, he was worried about Veronica’s condition.

As the Vice Commander, however, an entirely different concern weighed on his mind.

A base needed its leader. Not merely for guidance, but for authority. Especially when high-ranking officers arrived in the zone and began meddling in operations that did not concern them.

At the moment, Timothy was the one carrying the responsibility of command. Yet he lacked both the authority and, if he were being honest, the audacity Veronica possessed.

She had a way of forcing things into motion through sheer will alone.

More importantly, the only reason the Central Authority refrained from imposing its decisions on their base was because of Veronica herself. Her stubbornness was legendary, but unlike most stubborn people, she possessed the strength to back it up.

If she had ever wanted to, she could have joined Team Alpha and worked directly under the Council without the slightest difficulty.

That fact alone spoke volumes about her standing within society.

"Alright, I understand."

Taking the terminal from his assistant, Timothy gave the screen a brief glance before stepping into the counseling room alone.

Two familiar faces were already waiting inside.

Ethan stood near the wall, idly scrolling through his phone, while Layena sat quietly in her chair.

The sight caught Timothy slightly off guard.

Normally, Ethan would have already attempted to strike up a conversation, regardless of whether Layena responded or not. Yet today, he kept entirely to himself.

Still, Timothy chose not to dwell on it.

"Take your seats."

Ethan visibly flinched at the sudden voice. He hurriedly slipped his phone into his pocket before moving toward the empty chair beside Layena.

Even then, he deliberately pulled the chair a little farther away before sitting down, careful not to invade her personal space or make her uncomfortable.

Once both were settled, Timothy folded his hands on the desk and turned his attention to Ethan.

"How are you feeling, Ethan?"

The golden-haired youth blinked, clearly surprised by the question.

"Did... my reports show something strange?"

"No." Timothy shook his head. "Your assessments came back perfectly normal."

He leaned back slightly before continuing.

"But I’m asking as a counselor, not as an officer reviewing paperwork."

His voice softened.

"How do you actually feel? Are there any lingering memories bothering you? Battle fatigue? Stress? Anything at all that the medical evaluations might have overlooked?"

Layena knew exactly why Timothy was asking those questions.

Ethan had participated in a raid the previous evening. In fact, Hannah had contacted her shortly after it ended.

Yet here he was, early the next morning, sitting in the base looking completely refreshed. There was no trace of exhaustion on his face, no signs of lingering stress or strain. Anyone who saw him now would find it hard to believe that he had fought several Majins less than a day ago.

Ethan slowly shook his head.

"Nothing, sir. I promise, I’m feeling fine."

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in his voice. Only certainty.

Timothy studied him for a few moments, searching for any cracks in that confidence. Finding none, he finally moved on.

"We’ve received a request from the C-Dust Team. They’re currently operating along the western edge of Montclair."

Ethan immediately straightened in his seat.

"They require additional support," Timothy continued. "More importantly, they need someone familiar with the area who can act as a guide."

Seeing the questioning look on Ethan’s face, Timothy elaborated.

"The reason they’re requesting backup is simple. The team consists of only three members, along with a single Second-Grade warrior assigned to them. Meanwhile, multiple high-ranking rifts have appeared in that sector."

At those words, Layena’s attention sharpened. The situation was not calm as it seems.

C-Dust.

She was familiar with the designation.

The "C" represented Charlie Unit, one of the Central Authority’s operational divisions. "Dust" signified its second team, following the standard naming structure used throughout the organization.

She had heard plenty of stories about them.

Every member of C-Dust was chosen for exceptional combat proficiency and specialized battlefield expertise. They were considered elite among elite warriors.

Unfortunately, there was one hurdle none of them had managed to overcome.

They couldn’t generate Spark.

And without Spark, no matter how skilled or accomplished they were, advancing into the ranks of the Special Grade remained impossible.

"So we’re guiding them, huh? Alright."

Ethan nodded in understanding before turning toward Layena.

"What about you? Are you in any condition to come along?"

Layena met his gaze and gave a small nod.

"I’ve recovered well."

"Good."

That was all Ethan said.

There were no follow-up questions, no attempts to verify her condition for himself. He simply accepted her answer and moved on, trusting her judgment without reservation.

After a moment of silence, Timothy addressed them both.

"In that case, head to the operations room and get debriefed on the mission."

The two rose from their seats.

"Understood."

Without wasting any time, they left the counseling room together, the door clicking shut behind them.

....

"Well, this should do."

Kyle muttered to himself as he finished arranging the bed and pushed open the window, allowing a stream of fresh air to drift into the room.

Technically, this wasn’t even his room, nor was its cleanliness his responsibility.

Still, he couldn’t help himself.

His cousin had claimed they were only five minutes away from the hospital.

That had been ten minutes ago.

Kyle had already informed Amanda about their arrival. She said she would be there within half an hour.

He had immediately told her not to rush.

There was a very high chance his parents would show up soon as well, and the last thing he wanted right now was to be caught in the middle of a relentless barrage of questions from everyone at once.

Of course, he would tell them everything eventually.

Just... not like this.

Letting out a weary sigh, Kyle dropped into the chair beside the bed and pulled out his phone. With nothing else to do, he began scrolling through the news.

Suddenly—

"Kyle!"

The door swung open, and a booming voice shattered the room’s quiet atmosphere.

Kyle raised his eyes toward the entrance.

Two people stepped inside.

The first was a familiar black-haired man with striking crimson eyes and a smile that seemed permanently etched onto his face.

If anything, the stubble on his jaw had only made him look shadier than before.

The person beside him was a stunning young woman.

Her bluish-black hair fell neatly to her shoulders, framing a face that would have turned heads anywhere. A pair of cold, dark-green eyes rested on Kyle, calm and unreadable.

What surprised him most, however, wasn’t her appearance.

It was her height.

She stood even taller than Adam, who was already around five foot eight.

"Hey," Kyle greeted as he pushed himself off the seat and walked toward them.

Adam met him halfway with his usual grin.

Then he suddenly stopped.

His girlfriend froze as well.

Kyle instinctively halted in place.

For a brief moment, silence swallowed the room.

Then a brilliant golden radiance erupted between them.

The entire room was bathed in shimmering light as Aquilla materialized in Kyle’s hand.

"...!"

Kyle’s eyes widened.

He hadn’t summoned her.

Not consciously or accidentally.

He hadn’t done anything at all.

Yet there she was.

And before he could process what was happening, or even utter a single word, a familiar chiming voice rang excitedly inside his mind.

A voice overflowing with joy.

{MAMA!}