Chapter 6: Lilith’s Complaint

On the third day, Levi realized he was no longer dizzy at all. He even bounced twice on the bed, then nervously stared at the ceiling, delighted to find he was finally back in sync with Earth.
At that moment, the intelligent system, Lilith, reminded him, “If your body has fully recovered, please report to the training center in Zone Z.”
Levi froze for two seconds and angrily responded, “One day I’m going to uninstall you! I don’t need an intelligent system in my room! I can make instant coffee without needing to brew it, I can wear the same clothes for days without you wasting water washing them every day, and I don’t need you to wake me up every morning! Because I hate waking up early!”
After venting his frustration, Levi still put on his camouflage uniform and headed to Zone Z to report in.
As he passed the research labs again, strangely enough, no one looked up at him this time. Everyone was engrossed in their work.
Raising an eyebrow, Levi thought, could it be that he threw up so badly last time that these scholars had given up hope on him piloting the Monochrome Lady?

The sliding doors of the central training room opened, and Levi noticed there were far more machines inside than the last time he came.
“…You’re not planning to dissect me, are you?”
“We’re here to dissect your data,” Major Miller said, walking past him, stopping five steps away before turning back, frowning deeply. “Why can’t you ever wear your uniform properly?”
Levi immediately looked down and saw that, once again, he had buttoned his shirt wrong.
“I really don’t want to see you. You’d better pray that today’s training results are better than the first time!”
Levi tugged at his collar and muttered under his breath, “Why so nitpicky.”

In the distance, Claude stood beside the Monochrome Lady, seemingly checking data. His focused and composed demeanor had a certain captivating charm, and when he occasionally gave instructions to his subordinates, he did so with confidence and order. Levi smiled slightly. Deep down, he knew why he couldn’t stand Claude. It was a matter of male pride—Claude was too perfect, so perfect that it was impossible not to feel a twinge of jealousy.
“You’re here,” Claude gestured casually toward him. “Starting today, you’ll learn everything about the Monochrome Lady’s systems.”
“I hate studying the most,” Levi tilted his head, showing the attitude of a rebellious student. “Your so-called learning is just a bunch of rules to tie me down.”

“You’re wrong. That’s the Air Force Academy’s specialty. Here, I only teach you the functions of all the systems and the effects they produce when they work together. How you use these systems is your business, not ours. But if you don’t use them well, we will replace you.”

Levi pulled a sharp smile at the corner of his mouth, opened the cockpit, and sat inside. “You won’t replace me because you can’t find anyone more suitable than me.”

Claude closed his eyes and shook his head, a bit helpless.

The first phase of training required Levi to master the Monochrome Lady’s navigation system and fly with complete freedom.
At first, Levi was swearing. “What kind of garbage system is this! Damn it—I want vertical flight! Not curves, not curves!”
“Oh—no—that’s not it—”
“Why isn’t it a spiral—this twisted system—”
Major Miller, sitting at the computer, immediately removed his headphones. “He’s so loud I can’t work.”
Claude, however, was intrigued, as if he had found a fascinating toy. “You have to remember you’re in a space where old fighter jets couldn’t achieve multi-directional control, but the Monochrome Lady can. Convince your brain to abandon the old ideas and feel the motion of the Monochrome Lady.”
“I don’t want to feel anything! Let me crash!”

Major Miller kept typing on the keyboard, his tone icy. “His trajectory is messy.”
Claude wasn’t concerned. “Isn’t being messy a good thing? It’ll make him unpredictable to the invaders.”
“You sure are spoiling him,” Miller shook his head.

After a few minutes, Levi’s trajectory became smoother. His vertical ascents and spirals started to look decent, and he even managed a few high-difficulty sharp turns. Levi himself had calmed down, developing a keen interest in figuring out this twisted system.
Claude and Miller were both intensely focused, watching the fluctuating data on the computer.

Before they knew it, the morning had passed.
Miller took off his glasses and massaged his eyes, and Claude checked his watch. “It’s twelve twenty.”
“What? It’s that late already?” Miller looked stunned.
“Looks like he was having fun,” Claude said, pressing the stop button.

As expected, Levi’s voice shouted through the earpiece. “What’s going on—why did it stop!”
Claude chuckled, “Even if you’re not hungry, the rest of us are.”
Levi opened the cockpit door and stood still for a moment. He heard Claude’s teasing voice. “You didn’t feel it while flying, but now you’re feeling a bit dizzy. You’re holding it in because you don’t want to throw up your breakfast again.”
“This time you guessed wrong—I just wanted to confirm that I wouldn’t feel dizzy anymore. Besides, I didn’t eat breakfast, so how could I throw anything up?” Levi was still smiling, but his expression shifted when he met Claude’s icy gaze.
“Skipping breakfast is something I don’t want to see happen again.”
“Got it.” Levi walked past Claude toward the mess hall, where everyone had quietly begun their meals.

There was no denying it—a whole morning of simulated training had left Levi highly tense. Once his nerves relaxed, a wave of exhaustion washed over him. He took only two bites before falling asleep, his face landing straight into his plate of meat sauce noodles. He didn’t seem to feel anything. Across from him, Miller sighed, “I thought his nerves were superhuman. Turns out even he couldn’t last.”
“The average trainee here only lasts two to three hours a day, but he went over four hours without asking for a break,” a lieutenant colonel remarked. “I wonder if that young man could have kept going for much longer if Major General Xian hadn’t stopped him!”
“‘Lasting’ isn’t the right word.” Claude walked over to Levi, lifted his face, wiped the sauce off his cheek, and gently bent down to carry him over his shoulder. “That’s enough training for today. After lunch, you can begin the function adjustments and data analysis.”

Levi slept deeply until Claude placed him in bed, took off his shoes, and pulled up the covers.
Lowering his head, Claude gazed at Levi’s peaceful face, then playfully pinched Levi’s nose. Levi furrowed his brow, pouted, and turned over. Claude chuckled softly to himself.
The intelligent system Lilith spoke up, “Major General, the master said he wants to uninstall me.”
“Oh, why?” Claude casually leaned an arm on Levi’s bedside, carefully brushing his hair aside.
“The master said he can make instant coffee without needing to brew it, wear the same clothes for days without wasting water, and he doesn’t need me to wake him up every morning because he doesn’t want to get up early.”
Claude’s fingers gently brushed Levi’s brow. “But I need you. Without Lilith, who would make my coffee when I come here? Who would save me from smelling Levi’s stinky socks? Who would make sure this bad boy gets up on time?”
“So, Lilith is essential. Lilith is important.”
“Yes. But, Lilith, did you know that some people are born to be noticed by others?”
“I don’t understand. The data system cannot provide an answer.”
“He’ll grab your attention, grip your nerves, disrupt your rhythm, and make you feel like you’re not yourself anymore.”
“I don’t understand. The data system cannot provide an answer.”
“It’s easy for the one being noticed, but what about the one doing the noticing?”
“I don’t understand. The data system cannot provide an answer.”
Claude suddenly stood up, leaving Levi’s room as if trying to cut off all lingering thoughts.

Three or four hours later, Levi rolled off the bed with a thud, luckily missing the nightstand. He groggily opened his eyes and sat up. “Why am I here?”
Lilith eagerly answered, “Because the master fell asleep, so Major General Xian brought you back.”
“Oh—training got canceled?” Levi’s stomach was already growling since he hadn’t eaten lunch.
“Major General Xian said the intensity of the simulation is high, so three hours a day is enough.”
“And the rest of the time?”
“Rest.”
“Rest?” Levi’s eyes lit up. “So that means I get a lot of free time every day! Ah, it’s way better than the Air Force Academy!”
“But what should I do?” Levi scratched his head, a bit troubled.
“Right, I’ll go swimming!” He hadn’t been in the water for a long time.

Levi had loved the ocean since he was young, especially when his grandfather reminisced about his days as a young man surfing the waves before Earth was invaded. Levi, however, was born in a fortress city, and his knowledge of the sea was limited to books and television, though he had always longed for the ocean his grandfather spoke of. This was why he enjoyed swimming so much.

At this time of day, the pool was nearly empty, with the water a clear blue. Levi put on his goggles, did some warm-up exercises, and then jumped into the water, swimming a lap back and forth with ease. Climbing out of the water, wiping the droplets from his face, he suddenly felt a bit disappointed. He finally had the chance to visit the pool, but all he saw were—a family with kids, an elderly person soaking, two elementary school kids yet to grow into anything attractive, and… that person looked like…

“Four-eyes? Why are you here?” Levi swam over and slapped the person’s back.
“Ugh…” Miller, who was about to start his second lap, was startled and coughed up water. “Why wouldn’t I be here? After finishing analyzing your data for the day, I’m free to enjoy my time as I please.”
“People like you should be stuck at a computer all day, buried in work. Apart from eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom, your whole life is your research, constantly drowning in data. You even end up skinny but with a belly from sitting too long… Wait, how do you have such a fit body?” Levi stared in disbelief at Miller’s well-toned figure, with not a hint of fat.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not what you imagine. I know how to balance life and work.” Miller had no intention of chatting with Levi, and as he turned away, Levi grabbed him again.
“I’m even more surprised now.” Levi suddenly pulled off Miller’s goggles, revealing a handsome face.
“What are you doing!” The normally grumpy mathematician yelled, his voice echoing through the pool.

Editor & Proofreader: Meowrii