Chapter 18: Signs of Growth

"Don't you... underestimate me!"

It had been a little over two hours since the avalanche, and I had finally succeeded in breaking out of my snowy prison.

"Where are the other three?!"

Scarlet and Blues would likely be fine. But that scrawny Commander... if I didn't find him soon, he’d be dead in fifteen minutes.

The blizzard had knocked out the GPS, making a search nearly impossible. Based on where I’d dug myself out, I started thrusting a probe into the snow around the general area where we’d been swept away.

"That old hag Alter... I guess what she said wasn't useless after all!"

I pushed myself through the rescue effort, fueled by the memory of her annoying, smug face.

Just then, a break in the storm allowed a momentary signal. I scrambled to check my transmitter, but a message came through before I could even look.

“・－・・　－－－・－　・・　・・－・・　－－・・　・・　－－・－・　・・”

"Short-Long-Short-Short... What is this? Some kind of code?"

Ugh, this was supposed to be Scarlet’s job. I had no idea what it was saying!

I recorded it just in case, but I didn't have the slightest clue how to decipher it.

－・－－　・・　・－・－・　－・・・　・・　－－・－・　・・－　－－－－　・・　・・－”

"Scarlet! Wake up quickly!"

"Kazuto is safe. Meeting at the site. That’s what it says."

"Scarle—!?"

I spun around at the sound of the voice.

"Chrono White!?"

"Yo."

"What are you doing here?"

"Just some personal business. Weren't you lot rushing out here hoping to run into me anyway?"

I kept the conversation going while reaching behind my back for my burner cutter. It wasn't much, but it was better than being empty-handed.

"Where are the others?"

"You’re the only one I’ve found. You must have been swept pretty far; even I could barely track you. Honestly, you should learn at least basic Morse. You're not a middle schooler anymore, you know?"

"My apologies. And what proof do I have that the code is real?"

"Don't be so cynical when someone does you a favor. Besides, I have no reason to lie. If I leave you like this, you’ll be literally wandering in the dark until you freeze."

She took a drag of her cigarette, now half-gone, and gave a nihilistic little chuckle. I found myself speechless.

"Right then, let's call this a fun little picnic. Snacks are capped at 300 credits. Teacher hates bananas, so those count toward your snack allowance."

"What?! Since when are you in charge?"

I needed to regroup with the other two first. I couldn't handle this monster on my own.

"Don't worry about the other two. Their comms are looping on a fixed cycle; they’ll figure it out and head for the objective soon enough. More importantly, can you afford to take your eyes off me? I’m the reason you're here, aren't I?"

"Fine! Let's go!"

"Heh. Alright, moving out. Try your best not to get left behind, okay?"

"Wait—!?"

In an instant, Chrono vanished from where she’d been standing. By the time I processed it, she was already twenty meters ahead.

"An ability?! No... that was pure speed!"

According to Alter’s report, Chrono’s physical specs were only around mid-tier B-class. I was supposed to be a prodigy; there was no reason I shouldn't be able to keep up. And yet...

"The gap isn't closing! My raw speed should be higher than hers!"

She was likely holding back, keeping her pace just a notch below my maximum.

"What’s the difference? It’s a simple contest of speed. I shouldn't be losing this badly just because of experience!"

This was it. This was the hint I needed to break through my own ceiling. I wouldn't miss a single step or gesture. I would absorb everything she had to offer.

"I won't let my comrades be put in danger ever again!"