Chapter 3: Cloud Strife

"Cloud Strife, reporting for duty to the Advanced Weaponry Division as of today, ma'am!"

The boy standing in my office, greeting the researchers with such vigor, looks rather tense. And for good reason. Had he been assigned to the Public Security Division, he’d be surrounded by peers his own age, likely being hazed by senior grunts or barked at by some mid-level officer.

However, the Advanced Weaponry Division is almost entirely comprised of researchers. Even our "young" staff are in their early twenties at the youngest. Into this environment comes Cloud—a fourteen-year-old who is still very much a child—with no cohort to lean on. It’s only natural he’s nervous.

"Starting today, you’ll be stationed here as a tester for the weaponry we develop. Since you’re the only one in this role, I will be your direct supervisor. You lot," I addressed the researchers lined up in the office, "he isn't a scientist, so he’ll be wandering around the facilities. He isn't some outsider from Public Security or SOLDIER, so make sure you remember his face and name."

When I introduced Cloud, my subordinates responded in perfect unison. A sudden new position, a green recruit they’ve never seen... they likely have their doubts, but a single word from me is enough to make them swallow their questions.

Ah, the taste of true authority is exquisite.

Back when I was just a chief, "subordinates" were names on a ledger; they didn't give a damn about me. But now? I am Scarlet, the Director of Advanced Weaponry, one of the company's vital organs. Everyone hangs on my every word—and many fear them. They say power corrupts, but if the desire to dominate feels this good, it’s no wonder people succumb to it.

"That’s enough introductions. Cloud, follow me."

"Yes, ma'am!"

He followed at my heels like a loyal puppy, matching his pace to mine. When I stopped in front of my private office, he came to a dead halt right beside me.

"Open the door for me. Since you are my direct subordinate, your absolute priority in this company is me. Hammer that into your head first and foremost."

"U-Understood!"

There are several reasons for this treatment. First, I must drill the hierarchy into him. Second, I need him to prioritize my orders over those of other Directors or even the President himself. By making a new recruit my personal aide, I'm making it clear he has my backing—which ensures no one else will try to mess with him. Eventually, I want him to be my "hidden blade" to protect my future. It’s best to teach him the ways of the world outside of combat while he’s still malleable.

I stepped through the door Cloud held open and sank into my chair—a luxury piece that made the cheap seats used by the rank-and-file look like scrap metal.

"Now then, what did Human Resources tell you?"

"Sir—I mean, ma'am! I was assigned here to test the new weapons developed by the Advanced Weaponry Division!"

Watching Cloud answer so briskly fills me with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. Of course, there’s the exhilaration of having the "hero" of my favorite game right in front of me. He’s young, but his looks are undeniable; I can see why he’d be the protagonist. Yet, seeing him as a motivated, "fresh-out-of-the-box" employee is almost endearing. It reminds me of my own early days—a spark I haven't seen in any of my other subordinates.

"At ease. If you put that much energy into every reply, you’ll exhaust me just by listening."

"M-My apologies."

"Let’s get to the point, Cloud," I said, leaning forward. "You came here because you wanted to be a hero like Sephiroth, didn't you? But you failed the SOLDIER screening. Still unable to give up on your dream, you tried to settle for being an infantryman in Public Security. Be honest."

"T-That’s correct. I joined Shinra to become a SOLDIER like Sephiroth."

"How would you like to make that dream come true under me? To become someone so special that you can return to your hometown in glory?"

"Eh?"

The sudden proposal caught him off guard, stripping away his formal military persona for a moment.

"I see potential in you. One day, you could become a man who surpasses even Sephiroth. That is why I made you my personal subordinate."

First, I have to reinforce that fragile heart of his. The fastest way to do that is through results and the validation of others.

"'Tester' is just your official title. In that role, I’m going to have you run Combat Simulations designed for SOLDIERs until you start producing results. You will prove your worth to the other departments. Be happy, Cloud. I am going to draw out the talent that no one else could see. Think of this as an investment in the future; you’ll have to pay me back double for this favor. Your answer?"

"It is an honor, Director Scarlet."

"There are other Directors, and that title is far too long. 'Lady Scarlet' will do. So? Do you have the grit to reclaim your dream under my command?"

"I look forward to working with you, Lady Scarlet!"

He bowed so hard he was trembling. If the head of a department says something like that to a fourteen-year-old boy, he wouldn't know what else to do but bow with everything he's got.

The first impression seems to have gone well. Thanks to my prior knowledge of his personality, I managed to slip right into the cracks of his heart. I’ll begin the "Cloud Remodeling Project" immediately—while planting the seeds of absolute loyalty to me, of course. After all, if he ever turns against me like in the game, I’d be a dead woman.

I wanted to be a hero like Sephiroth.

That was the promise I made to my childhood friend, Tifa, at the village water tower. I left my hometown of Nibelheim and knocked on Shinra’s door with that dream in my heart. But reality was cruel. It turned out I didn't have the innate "aptitude" to become a SOLDIER. I lacked the one thing that effort couldn't fix. I wasn't special.

I couldn't bear the thought of going home in shame, so I clung to the hope of becoming a Shinra Trooper and somehow passed the exam. I wasn't special, but at least I had a job at a major corporation. I could send money back to my mother. As I was trying to console myself with these thoughts on my first day, HR told me my assignment had been changed.

Without my knowledge, it had been decided that I alone would be assigned to the Advanced Weaponry Division. While the others I enlisted with went elsewhere, I headed to the 45th floor alone, clutching my ID card with a heavy heart. I didn't feel "special"—I felt like an outcast being pushed away from the group. A dark shadow hung over my heart from day one.

But all those worries vanished the moment I met Lady Scarlet.

It was unprecedented for the head of a division to be a direct supervisor, and the HR staff had repeatedly warned me not to upset her. My first impression was that she was beautiful but intimidating. Even the older seniors and bosses seemed to fear her; the air grew heavy the moment she entered the room. However, once we were alone in her office, her aura softened, and she seemed genuinely considerate of my nerves.

Then, she said the words that made my heart skip a beat. She saw right through me—saw that I admired Sephiroth but had washed out. More than that, she offered me a chance to chase that dream again.

I was so happy. Here was someone who valued me—someone who hadn't even achieved anything yet, someone officially diagnosed as "lacking aptitude." She told me that while I’d start as a tester for appearances, she eventually wanted to promote me and keep me by her side.

I bowed my head not just out of gratitude, but because I didn't want her to see my tears. If I didn't strain my eyes, they would have overflowed. And so, as Lady Scarlet’s subordinate, I took my first real step forward.

Since then, every day has been fulfilling. Lady Scarlet has me run Combat Simulations constantly. It started with simple drills that even a basic trooper could do, but the difficulty increased gradually, allowing me to actually feel myself growing. The equipment I’m given isn't just company standard; Lady Scarlet prepares everything specifically to match my level.

One of the researchers later told me that Lady Scarlet personally checks and tunes all of my gear.

"You might encounter enemies using firearms, so I’ll have you learn the basics of those," she told me, "but your true weapon is the sword. I’ve prepared a longsword identical to the ones issued to SOLDIERs. Once you’re used to it, we’ll upgrade the grade."

I had tried various weapons, but none of them felt right until she gave me that sword. The moment I swung it, it felt like an extension of my arm. My simulation scores skyrocketed. The employees who used to look at me with pity when I entered the simulator eventually began to respect me. They started asking for my feedback on weapons, armor, and existing machinery. They were actually kind to me. I was fulfilling my role as a tester, but I knew that most of my "working hours" were actually being spent on making me stronger.

She never makes unreasonable demands. She reminds me that "health management is part of the job" and ensures I take breaks. I don’t spend every day in the simulator; sometimes she gives me days off from combat entirely. On those days, she personally tutors me on how to navigate the complex social structure of Shinra and gives me an advanced education. Apparently, while my combat training is based on the SOLDIER curriculum, my other studies are modeled after the training for the Turks—the President’s elite agents.

I wonder sometimes if I deserve to be this lucky. I’m being watched over and expected to succeed more than anyone else I enlisted with. Just as I was getting used to this life, she suddenly took me to the Public Security Division and threw me into a mock battle.

"It seems the other departments think I’m just playing favorites with my 'pet,'" she said. "If they look down on you, they’re insulting me. Go show those idiots how much your hard work has paid off."

The battle was a landslide.

"What is this incompetence?!" Director Heidegger bellowed at his men. "He’s just one person! He’s not a SOLDIER; he’s a human being just like you! You’re dragging my name through the dirt!"

"Ohohoho! What a pathetic sight," Lady Scarlet laughed. "Cloud is far more capable than your mindless rabble."

"Gnuuu... If I’d known, I would have recruited him myself! Cloud, if you ever get tired of Scarlet’s place, come to me. I’ll give you a specialized position!"

"What do you think you’re doing, trying to poach him right in front of me, you buffoon" Lady Scarlet snapped. "I’m not giving Cloud to anyone."

Because of that, none of my former peers look down on me anymore, and I’ve even made an impression on Director Heidegger. Of course, I have no intention of leaving Lady Scarlet’s side. I want to stay with her and repay the debt I owe her forever.

"Heidegger is an idiot," she told me later, "but he is a Director, and he has his uses. Don’t make an enemy of him for no reason; use him."

"Yes, ma'am!"

To others, she sounds harsh, but I know she’s speaking out of concern for me. Another time, I visited the Science Department with her to test a new biological weapon.

"Incredible... to produce such data without being a SOLDIER," Professor Hojo muttered. "You are a fascinating specimen. Won’t you cooperate with my experiments for the sake of science?"

"Absolutely not," Lady Scarlet interjected. "Don't you dare do anything to my Cloud without my permission. If you lay a single finger on him, I’ll bring the entire Advanced Weaponry Division down on your head."

"Kukkukku... That is a pity. You seem quite devoted to this young man, Scarlet."

"Ara, how rare for the great Professor Hojo to be interested in human affairs."

"Observation is the foundation of research. If you want to make him stronger quickly, you know where to find me. I’ll always welcome a new sample."

I’ve been taught that Professor Hojo is extremely dangerous and that I should use Lady Scarlet’s name to refuse him if he ever asks me for anything. I’ve never met anyone who fit the term "mad scientist" better, but apparently, he’s the one who laid the foundations for SOLDIER. I thought Lady Scarlet was being overprotective, but she told me that even her level of caution isn't enough when dealing with Hojo.

Surprisingly, the department we visit most is Urban Development.

"Welcome, Cloud," Director Reeve greeted me with a kind smile.

"Director Reeve, I’ve brought the data for the unmanned units to be stationed at the Mako Reactor."

"Thank you. Scarlet mentioned she wanted you to sit in on the planning meeting for the next reactor. Think of it as a learning experience."

"Is that alright?"

"Of course. She personally asked me to help 'raise' you, saying my department provides the best social education. It’s clear how much she cares for you. Ever since you joined Advanced Weaponry, Scarlet has seemed much more approachable. I wonder if that’s your influence?"

Advanced Weaponry and Urban Development collaborate frequently on Mako Reactor construction, so we have many meetings like this. Being a SOLDIER is out of the question since I don't have the Mako tolerance, but recently people have been saying I could even join the Turks—the company elite.

"Your simulation results are looking excellent," Lady Scarlet said to me recently. "I’m proud that you’ve grown this much in such a short time."

"Thank you, Lady Scarlet. It’s all thanks to you."

I really can't thank her enough. I didn't become a SOLDIER, but now I can hold my head high when I go back home to tell my mother the news.

"Fufufu! Keep it up, Cloud. I’m expecting great things from you."

Tifa... I didn't become a SOLDIER, but I’m going to become a man you can be proud of.