Infinity, progressing from Arasaka

A roar of a vector engine rang out, and from afar, a hovercar and a Zeta Technologies heavy unmanned aerial vehicle, the Octant, flew past David's head one after the other, finally hovering and landing on the academy's helipad.

"That's quite a commotion." I wish I could do that too.

David's feelings were somewhat complicated. Should a real man act like this? He dared not, he was a little timid, but he certainly longed for it and fantasized about it.

He followed, and like many of his fellow students at Arasaka Academy, hung on the edge, watching.

The hovercraft support frame landed, the external armored compartment was attached, and two fully armed combat robots were deployed.

呲.

The hatch opened, and two very tall and strong bodyguards, who looked like they had been heavily cybernetically modified and whose arms looked like they could kill him with a single punch, and a sturdy middle-aged man in a red and black Arasaka uniform appeared first. Then, the beautiful and tall figure stepped off the hovercar.

It's definitely her.

David was certain that she was the one he had seen from the viewing platform that time.

Katsuo Tanaka was patted on the shoulder by a sturdy middle-aged man—was he Katsuo's father? He was led to Commander Adelheid, and it seemed they were talking about something. David couldn't hear clearly because of the distance, but he could see Katsuo Tanaka's stiff and tense back, looking very agitated.

Then, the stocky middle-aged man stepped aside, and Commander Adelheid nodded to Tanaka Katsuo, said a few words, and then walked this way. Two bodyguards, one in black and one in white, followed him.

Katsuo Tanaka and his father stood still and bowed deeply at almost a 90-degree angle to express their gratitude.

Is this a pre-arranged decision?

David lowered his head, a hint of envy in his eyes. If only…

Unable to articulate his emotions, David prepared to leave the academy and go home. Just as he looked up—"Huh?!" He opened his eyes wide, instinctively took a step back, and froze on the spot.

The black bodyguard stood in front of him.

David had no doubt that if he dared to make a move, the other side would dare to shoot him in the head.

Then, there were those deep, indigo eyes.

"you..."

The officer, Adlerhead, stopped and stood not far from him, almost touching him, looking at him with a thoughtful expression.

Noticing the commotion, Katsuo Tanaka and his father almost ran all the way over.

"Director Russell, what's this...?"

With your mohawk punk hairstyle, it seems you were right when you checked Arasaka Academy's attendance record; you did arrive at the school today, and you haven't left yet.

Vera, who was thinking about how to "accidentally" meet Tanaka after encouraging him and making grand promises, nodded to herself.

well.

"What happened to your face? And you... are you David Martinez...?"

Vera's eyes flashed with an orange-red light for a moment. Knowing the answer already, she pointed to the scrapes and bruises on David's face. "Katsuo Tanaka, he was a student who participated in the 2074 practical training program in the same year as you, right? I remember he was on the list of outstanding students submitted by the evaluators."

“Yes, David Martinez is my classmate and partner. We participated in border practice activities together,” Katsuo Tanaka quickly replied.

What happened to his face?

"It was...a classmate who injured him."

"Hmph." Vera shook her head slightly, her expression unchanged.

Sure enough, it's the world that's wrong. The environment breeds scum, and you can't change it. Tanaka Katsuo was forced to get serious by her casual remarks during her speech and her father's serious attitude. Without Tanaka Katsuo as the class bully, someone else will fill the vacant position.

"David Martinez, right?"

Vera turned around and took a closer look at the boy with a mohawk punk hairstyle, a scar on his face, and a gold cross necklace. He was still very green, and his posture, well, it was definitely punk, nonchalant.

"Stand up straight and steady, head up and chest out."

Her tone was calm and indifferent, but David seemed to sense an unquestionable authority in it. He swore he had never stood as straight as he had ever been today.

"Not bad. I've reviewed your file again, and you seem like a promising talent. Don't let yourself go. I hope to see your name on the list of hires at Arasaka Tower." Vera gave David a formal word of encouragement.

"I...I will try my best."

David didn't know why his face turned red, and answered instinctively.

As if it were something she did casually after meeting, Vera smiled faintly and turned her head away, "Tanaka."

“Director Russell.” Tanaka bowed and stepped forward.

"Your council should really do something about bullying."

After speaking, Vera turned and walked towards the interior of the academy.

"call..."

Tanaka only wiped the cold sweat from his forehead after Vera had walked away.

As a seasoned company employee with keen eyes and ears, he was quite adept at reading people's expressions and moods.

Just now, he clearly saw that when Vera heard that this kid was on the list of outstanding students but was being bullied, her eyes suddenly turned much colder.

This year, the Security Department is working with the College. Perhaps because those spoiled idiots in the College don't know this, but in the other party's eyes, isn't this a slap in the face to the Security Department?

"Who is it?" Someone's messing with him?!

With a dark expression, Tanaka asked in a deep voice, almost from the back of his throat.

This matter must be dealt with!

Commander Russell certainly can't order his immediate arrest right now, but once she returns from her studies at the University of Tokyo, if things drag on...

"Don't worry, student. The academy will not mistreat any outstanding student with ambition to join Arasaka. I will take care of your matter. Kashin, please take this student to have his wound checked and bandaged."

After speaking to David and his son, Tanaka stormed off toward the college's office building.

A herd of deer!

It's one thing to use passive-aggressive tactics, but how can you allow students to take action on campus, and then not only do you not cover it up or suppress it, but you also have to be seen by a superior who suddenly arrives!

"Martinez, come with me."

David was still somewhat at a loss, so Tanaka Katsuo patted him on the shoulder, indicating that he should go to the academy's medical room to get a simple bandage and some medicine for sprains and bruises.

"okay."

Following behind Tanaka Katsuo, David's mind was filled with Vera's encouragement. Although it was very ordinary and formulaic, since entering this lousy school, apart from his mother, the other classmates and even the neighbors were, well, at least they didn't ridicule or ignore him.

This was the first time he had ever received encouragement from a high-ranking official like Adlerhead.

A man will die for one who understands him… David didn’t know this saying, but that didn’t stop him from having this thought.

David made up his mind.

He must join Arasaka and serve under Commander Vera Adelheid!

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Chapter 045: Leaving Night City, Taking Office in Tokyo (4.8K)

After parting ways with Tanaka and his son, and David, who was still a greenhorn, Vera followed the path she had taken when she studied at the Military Administration and Law School and met her old but shrewd mentor.

He was short, a little old man with an academic air about him.

After a few polite greetings, she changed the subject and invited the other person to have a meal at the Gumpi Hotel and go fishing at the artificial lake in the North Oak District. She smoothly and amicably obtained the other person's carefully compiled assessment notes and annotations.

There's not much to say; we still need to show respect for our teachers.

Even if we were to use the phrase "A true man is born between heaven and earth, how can he live a life of mediocrity under others?" it wouldn't be appropriate for him at this time.

This tutor was quite dedicated. His surname was Noto, and he was from Sendai. He was one of the very few professors at Arasaka Academy in Night City qualified to conduct live instruction. He was in charge of law, the subject with the fewest students at Arasaka Academy.

In this society, the more inconvenient, time-consuming, laborious, and expensive a method is, the more it is favored by the wealthy.

After bidding farewell to her mentor, Vera slowly strolled back to the tarmac.

The Tanaka father and son, David, and the students who had previously gathered there have dispersed.

The seeds have been planted.

The fruit that takes root, sprouts, and bears must belong to her.

Vera, habitually multitasking and always looking for something to do multiple things at once, had no intention of adding any extra complications to this 'chance encounter.' It also strengthened her connection with the Tanaka father and son, and she received the explanation she had been waiting for anyway…

She looked up at the sky, then snapped her fingers. "Destination: My home."

In-vehicle AI: [Received, planning to head to Westbrook...]

"Gulu..."

After boarding and taking her seat, Vera opened the refrigerator next to her, picked up a crystal bottle, poured herself a large glass of champagne-style cider, and drank the pale golden liquid in one gulp.

After pouring the second glass, she held up the bottle and handed it to Brian and Laurie, her two bodyguards, in a questioning manner, saying, "Judging from the hesitant thoughts in your eyes... what, you've also become interested in those two kids?"

“Uh…Commander Russell, it seems you’ve taken a liking to that kid named David.”

The white bodyguard, Laurie, took the bottle and said hesitantly but frankly.

"maybe."

Vera did not deny it.

These two are bodyguards who are dedicated to protecting the company's senior executives.

She was selected from several batches of personnel after Vera joined the company and obtained her assigned bodyguard qualification.

Some of those that weren't selected have already died, while others were eliminated because their potential didn't meet the standards.

Their combat cybernetic bodies were standard company equipment, but Vera paid extra for them herself. These were trusted confidants who had shielded Vera from bullets and investigated various hidden threats during field missions and daily outings.

At least when Vera's upward trajectory is clearly evident, betrayal is impossible.

Arasaka's unique style is characterized by strong personal dependence, with subordinates depending on their superiors. Once they spend a long time with Vera, they will be regarded as Vera's people by others.

For example, Vera's Uncle Thomas is seen by outsiders as someone working for James Thomas, the First Deputy Director of Night City Security.

If James Thomas were to fall from grace and be fired from the company (either through unnatural retirement or accidental death), Vera would certainly not be happy.

Brian and Laurie exchanged a glance. Remembering their duties, they didn't ask any further questions, much less gossip behind each other's backs.

For a corporate worker whose instinct is to read between the lines, Vera stopped in her tracks, recognized David, and spoke to him. Clearly, their boss had taken an impression of this lucky kid. Considering his achievements—a genius among ordinary people—as long as he didn't run into any problems, he should be able to get a job at the company.