For the sake of the future — more specifically, to expand my connections with heroes — I accepted the Director's proposal.
I was to attend the Hero Academy's entrance ceremony as a distinguished guest.
The Hero Academy: the cradle of heroes.
When Amano heard the news, she was incredibly envious.
"Ugh… I want to go with you too, Senior Maxwell."
"You know perfectly well that the current situation makes that impossible."
This being a villainous organization, screams and cries of anguish were a constant backdrop.
She was a junior colleague who'd been cooped up in this gloomy place long enough to crave some sunlight.
But due to the whistleblower incident, all members were currently prohibited from external activities unless there was a special reason.
Amano was deeply disappointed.
In any case, the entrance ceremony started in the morning and ended before noon.
It was a fairly brief event.
Factoring in travel time, I'd likely be able to see the children at the usual hour.
But the moment anything went even slightly sideways, there was no telling what would happen.
Since there was a real chance I'd be late, I told Gloria the truth.
Honestly, I'd expected her not to care in the slightest.
But I heard something unexpected.
"You've been busy lately."
"It's the start of the year, so there's no helping it."
With spring announcing a new beginning for everyone, there were quite a few events happening outside.
Gloria didn't look particularly pleased when she heard the news.
On a whim, I decided to probe a little.
"Would you like to come along, then?"
"No. Absolutely not."
Sadly, she refused on the spot.
There was clearly some reason she didn't want to leave Black Cell.
It didn't feel right to keep pressing her when she'd said no.
So I asked if there was anything she wanted instead.
She fell silent for a moment, then stared at me intently.
I held her gaze and waited, and she finally said something in a small, trailing voice.
"…Blankets."
"Ah, you mean bedding."
There was certainly a reason Gloria would want something like that.
The only piece of furniture in her otherwise empty cell was a bed.
And naturally, the bedding that came with it was quite poor.
Buying her a soft blanket and a pillow or two was something the Director would surely have no objection to.
After meeting with Gloria, I went to see the other two children as well.
Liberty and Victory sulked just as before when I told them I might be late again.
"Grr!! Grr!!!!"
"Hehe… a gift from Maxwell…"
But when I promised to bring them bedding like I was getting for Gloria, they seemed to soften up a little.
Of course, there was always the chance I really wouldn't be able to see them.
Right up until the entrance ceremony, I kept working late into the early hours so I could spend time with the children.
*****************
Today was the day I would attend the Hero Academy's entrance ceremony as a distinguished guest.
I'd been pushing myself too hard lately.
Having to get dressed in the early hours of the morning, the dark circles under my eyes were no joke.
But a junior colleague who had come in as early as I had took one look at me and gave a thumbs-up.
"Senior Maxwell's haggard charm is really shining through today!"
"You have a rather peculiar taste, Amano."
"Oh come on~ I'm sure everyone else will say the same thing."
True to its nature as a villainous organization, the work-life balance here was utterly destroyed.
Thanks to that, the other researchers who'd come in at the crack of dawn also chimed in with compliments.
"Maxwell does have the build for it — a suit really comes alive on him."
"Someone might mistake you for a model."
"Flattery won't get any of you anything, you know."
As I chatted with the members like that, before I knew it, it was time to leave.
Seeing everyone off with their farewells, I headed down to the underground parking garage, and just as the Director had told me in advance, four men were waiting for me.
They looked like ordinary men in suits on the surface.
But these were Black Cell's special agents, the ones the Director had promised to assign to me.
I had no reason to get on the bad side of the ability users who would be responsible for my safety for the day.
So I greeted the bodyguards warmly.
"I'm in your hands today."
"Likewise, sir. We look forward to working with you."
The man who appeared to be the head of the security team promptly guided me to the vehicle I'd be riding in.
Though honestly, traveling with a group of large men felt like overkill.
"Someone might think I'm an important politician."
"But this is how we demonstrate Black Cell's prestige."
"Still, seeing that car on top of everything else — I can't help feeling a little embarrassed."
A sleek black vehicle sat before my eyes.
I never imagined I'd be riding in something that VVIP figures used.
But this alone was enough to show just how profitable a villainous organization Black Cell was.
In any case, there was no time to waste, so I got into the car with the bodyguards right away.
We slowly made our way out of the underground parking garage.
Before long, a skyline of towering buildings packed tightly together came into view.
Alongside the dazzling cityscape, countless signs written in Hangul filled the streets.
It was still remarkable to me that Black Cell's headquarters was located in Korea.
Though it was in a rather unusual place.
"How long will it take to get from Pyongyang to Seoul?"
"Using the newly opened expressway, it should take about two hours."
"Sir, you must be tired — why don't you get some rest."
"I'll take you up on that."
In this world, the Baekdu bloodline had been severed several decades ago.
***********************
Around the time Maxwell closed his eyes for a brief rest in the car.
Like petals blooming in full, an event heralding a new beginning was underway.
"Th-this is really where heroes begin…"
"Okay! Let's give it our all!"
"E-even if I can't make it as a hero, at least a Sidekick…!"
Young ability users carrying their dreams gathered at the Seoul Hero Academy.
The faculty and the heroes who had come to watch looked on at the fresh new sprouts with warm, contented smiles.
And inside the academy, a young-looking girl with flowing pink hair was reviewing some documents.
"Principal Baek So-a, here is the list of distinguished guests attending today's entrance ceremony."
"Haah… there are so many coming again this time."
A crowd of difficult individuals was descending on the place all at once.
It was already giving Baek So-a a headache.
But as befitting someone in the position of principal, she was familiar with the majority of the distinguished guests attending this entrance ceremony.
However, there was one particularly unusual attendee this time.
"What? Why is Black Cell participating?"
"I found that quite unexpected as well."
After North Korea collapsed due to some incident, foreign capital had flooded in like a wave.
Among them, one conglomerate had invested in Pyongyang far more aggressively than even China.
The result was that a massive pharmaceutical company called Black Cell had set up its nest in the former North Korean capital.
Ordinarily, it was a corporate giant that operated like an isolated island, rarely engaging in external activities.
"They're attending this time… Could it be because of that conspiracy theory that spread recently?"
"It could also be attendance for the purpose of improving the company's public image."
"That would make sense. And the attendee's name rings a bell from somewhere."
"He's a young man who once defeated a strong artificial general intelligence head-on — one that had been boasting of superintelligence."
"Ah, that genius of the century?"
A talent who had proven difficult problems and produced a variety of significant papers in a short span of time, all without any intelligence-related ability.
Maxwell Gray's name was on Black Cell's list of attendees.
"He's also become something of a viral figure, seen as a beacon of hope for non-ability users."
"Hmm… so he might be famous simply for being famous."
"But considering what he's shown at Black Cell recently, I don't think he should be underestimated."
"It is fairly impressive that he didn't seem the least bit intimidated even with Solar Flare and Sunray right in front of him. Anyway, I can understand why a talent like that would go to Black Cell for the money, but has he become their public face entirely?"
"He does seem like a very fitting choice for a brand ambassador."
Seeing Maxwell make appearances at major events in succession, it was safe to say it was practically confirmed.
In any case, she had some reservations about not knowing how their research was conducted.
But Black Cell was generating enormous revenue.
If things went well, they had the potential to become a major donor to the academy.
Baek So-a elevated Maxwell's priority on her list.
As she continued preparing to receive the distinguished guests, the time for the entrance ceremony quickly approached.
Many people had gathered in the main auditorium.
But upon receiving a certain piece of news, Baek So-a made her way to the school's front gate.
Shortly after, a sleek black vehicle approached in the distance.
"Principal Baek So-a, it's Black Cell."
"I know that, don't worry."
The moment the vehicle stopped, Baek So-a slowly approached alongside her secretary, and out of the car stepped the large bodyguards first.
Just as she was left with the impression of watching a famous politician arrive —
The most important figure, Maxwell, slowly stepped out of the vehicle.
At first glance, he was a man who exuded an extremely cold air.
But the moment he spotted Baek So-a, the atmosphere shifted entirely.
"I had no idea Principal Baek So-a would be waiting for me like this. I'm truly sorry for being late."
Like white snow melting away, Maxwell smiled — a warm smile like a spring day.
*************
Honestly, I'd expected some junior faculty member to greet me at the academy.
Instead, the academy's principal herself was waiting at the front gate.
Was Black Cell's standing in Korea even greater than I'd anticipated?
In any case, Baek So-a looked exactly the same as she did in the past, present, and future of the story.
I recognized her immediately.
I offered my apologies and we exchanged greetings.
"I had no idea Principal Baek So-a would be waiting for me like this. I'm truly sorry for being late."
"Late? Not at all. You've come all the way from Pyongyang — the effort alone is commendable."
"Hahaha, I'm truly grateful for your understanding."
Fortunately, the atmosphere flowed along pleasantly enough.
But it was none other than Principal Baek So-a herself who gave me a tour of the academy.
It felt like sitting on a bed of thorns, but I managed to hold onto my business smile and keep the conversation going.
The principal seemed to have quite a bit of interest in me.
"I'd heard about you before, Maxwell, but you're softer than I expected."
"I suppose I have no choice, given that I have to navigate social situations."
"Pfft, that's such an ordinary reason I don't know what to say."
As I kept up with Principal Baek So-a's remarks like that, we arrived at the main auditorium before long.
It was a magnificent venue filled with countless heroes.
The champions who would carry the future were assembled here.
I needed to expand my connections here somehow, while not arousing suspicion from the bodyguards.
Fortunately, there were heroes in attendance who I already had some acquaintance with.
"Oh?! Principal Baek So-a!! And Maxwell too?!"
"Whoa! Does this mean Black Cell is finally participating in academy events?!"
"Solar Flare, Sunray — it's been a while."
The connection forged from our last meeting was continuing now.