Reincarnation Across the Ages

Chapter 10

The Age of the Worst Squad, Part 1

A hospital room provides the space for an agonizing wait.

The noise emitted by machinery is the only sound reproduced in the quiet environment — where a man's ears can relax again — without the presence of other people compromising the peacefulness of his well-deserved rest.

After being rescued by the group of nurses, the patient continues to breathe, using devices with first-hand technology to keep his body stable. The previously unstable heartbeat resounds like a melody with a steady rhythm, calming the anxious girl's spirits. Lovingly monitored by his only companion, the surgical subject is visited by Proxie.

"You scared me this time, Dad. I really thought..."

A device attached to the head of the debilitated individual makes it possible to communicate with other humans, translating uncomplicated thoughts into slightly expressive sound waves. The system transforms the yearnings of the lonely mind into a voice that is slow but loud enough to allow you to talk to the most important person in your life without even opening your mouth.

"Not yet... I can't..."

"Yeah, I know. Your fight shows me that every day. You're really strong, Dad."

"Proxie..."

"Just hang on a little longer, okay? When I become an S-rank Sculptor, I'll put you in a much bigger hospital."

The patient's breathing fluctuates again; however, this time, the presence of his daughter contributes to a speedy recovery. The agitated heart returns to normal, chasing away the ghost of death that usually threatens to take the weakened family member. The topic responsible for such stress is brought up.

"The accident..."

"Huh? How did you hear about it? It must have been that idiot kid."

"Everything... okay?"

"Oh, don't worry about that. It was no big deal. Jiro saved me again."

"The... ship..."

"My ship? Nothing happened to it! It's just... been broken in half. But that won't be a problem for long! I've already had it serviced; it should be brand new soon!"

Nervousness dominates the young woman's mind, leading her thoughts on a journey through primordial memories. The essence of her contemporary ideals originated eight years ago.

In contrast to the heights of the big metropolises, Proxie lived her days on the lower outskirts, where she observed the upper city with dreamy eyes. As if looking at an unreachable mountain, she longed for the day when she could inhabit the top of the world.

Located among the most diverse buildings, all exceeding the twenty-story mark, a school stretched across the first floor of a constantly growing building already occupied by dozens of other businesses.

Countless children filled the front of the establishment with brushes full of paint, using their free time to exalt the creativity of their minds. Even the guards responsible for monitoring the area were amused by the new generation's rebelliousness and lack of worry.

"Hey, hey. Listen to this! I got into the Cloud School!" A little girl was talking to her classmates.

"That school in the upper town? Have the results come out yet?"

"Yes, I got in too! My parents will be thrilled to hear that!"

"Wow! Apart from you, I'll be another newbie!"

"Wow, that's a lot of people!"

A debauched voice interrupted the pleasant chat, explaining to her innocent friends, "Why are you surprised by something so obvious? Our school has an incomparable record in this competition. For every ten entries, only one usually fails."

"Good to know. Then we don't have to worry about break-ups!"

"That's great! We'll be together forever! Right, Proxie?"

The twenty approved children turned to their longtime friend, ready to celebrate another achievement together. Silence preceded an answer full of embarrassment. The girl's hoarse voice could barely be heard by those waiting for her.

"I... didn't pass."

Laughter rose above any noise in the area.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

"That's so you, Prox! Don't you feel sorry for your parents?"

"God, your family must hate you, hahaha! That way, they'll never be able to rest."

The girl — the target of all the laughter — felt the personal provocation through criticism aimed at upsetting the most important people in her life.

"My... parents?"

A sharp sound signaled the end of the school day, restoring the spirits of the exhausted children. While some left with a guardian, the others waited for school transport: small ships returned the students to their homes.

Returning home was like refreshment for someone returning from the desert. After receiving the unfortunate result, Proxie arrived home, carrying a depressing expression. The remaining energy in her body was barely enough to get her shoes off her aching feet. With shaky legs and slumped shoulders, the girl had lost the will to stay awake that fateful day, walking towards her bed. However, as she turned on the light switch in her room, orange lights revealed a scene capable of turning her emotions upside down.

"SURPRISE!"

Glitter colored the gray walls.

"Congratulations!"

A simple strawberry cake — whose sweet taste would never be forgotten by the girl — adorned the top of the table, representing the conclusion of a memorable decade. Glowing candles highlighted the name in the center of the cake, using the simplicity of whipped cream to write an honest expression of affection.

Two adults wore ordinary costumes and could easily be mistaken for enthusiastic teenagers. Their faces were graced with masks and extravagant glasses. The silliness transcended the barriers of the ridiculous to create a magical atmosphere, allowing once hopeless eyes to be enchanted.

"Happy birthday, Proxie," the parents congratulated their daughter.

"Why?" The prestigious figure's eyes filled with tears.

The child didn't know how to react. The sadness on her eyelids clashed directly with the joy on her lips.

Long hair — full of accessories — and clothes covered in vibrant colors shaped the appearance of an anxious mother, trying to understand the distressed face.

The woman asked the newcomer, "What's with the face?"

"I didn't pass the Cloud School."

"We saw how hard you worked. These things happen."

"I was the only one left behind!"

"There's no one behind, child. There are lots of other schools in the big city. Besides, didn't you want to join the resistance?"

"It's not the same. I need to get into a good school otherwise you—"

The contents of a party balloon burst, followed by a shower of colored confetti. The serious dialog was interrupted by the smile of an enthusiastic father. Hawk is the guy's name, who relieved the accumulated stress in the room.

"Hehehe, I don't seem to be very good at this. Why don't you try filling one of those balloons, Proxie?" He proposed after failing at his job.

"Are you trying to cheer me up?"

"Huh? Aren't you happy?"

"Didn't you pay attention to anything I said?"

"Oh, sorry. I was thinking about how to give you this..." he said, revealing something hidden under the table.

A red bow provided a makeshift package, gently wrapping confidential technology. Two wings were attached to a medium-sized device, which could easily be strapped to any user's back.

"You're giving me a glider!"

"Hehe, you wanted one of those, didn't you?"

"They're exclusive to the Resistance!"

"This is a simple job for a B-rank squad. Our members have a few privileges in our favor."

"Incredible! I'll be able to fly and—"

Running towards the desired item, Proxie tripped, heading for an unfortunate outcome. The girl bumped into the device held by her father, knocking the object to the ground. Complementing the desperate situation, she fell over the device, pressing down on the technology with the total weight of her knees.

"N-no, it can't be..." the child's excitement faded in a matter of seconds.

Her mother tried to calm her impending frustration, "Don't worry, darling. We... can pay for a repair!"

Tears — previously held back — finally fell from saddened eyes. The device had been rendered useless, its wings broken in half. Not even the most minor achievement seemed to be able to touch the child's hands, always letting victory slip through his fingers.

Outraged by the quality of the material, the parents were about to start an argument.

"Hawk, where did you get that scrap tin?"

"Jeez, those things are more fragile than I expected."

"Ask for a refund! Use the ranking for something!"

"You know I can't fix this anymore!"

Suddenly, an outburst surprised the adults.

"Why do they do these things? I don't deserve something like this... I failed the Cloud School! I'm the only one in my class who wasn't accepted!"

"Darling..."

"You and Dad are good at what you do... you could be much better without—"

Driven by an overwhelming determination, Hawk opened the bedroom door. Unlike the temporary disappointment, the celebration was nowhere near over. His wristwatch indicated a long day ahead.

"Did you really think you'd only get one present? Hahaha! If the first one failed, let's just move on to the next one!"

"The next one?"

"The high city isn't your limit, Proxie. We can reach even higher altitudes!"

The sky gave way to complete blackness.

Clouds were overtaken by a vehicle headed for the stars. Shaped like a stingray, it was as if the two family members had set off on an adventure across the darkest of oceans.

The ship found its way through outer space, touring the vastness of the universe in a similar way to sailing the open seas. With the adrenaline of a rollercoaster, Proxie enjoyed every second of the journey, tempted to scream at the countless novelties within her reach.

"They're stars! I see stars!"

"Hey, watch out! Don't get out of your seat!"

"That's a satellite! What happens if we shoot that thing down?"

"Don't do that."

"It was a joke, I think. Hey, look at those floating acorns!"

"They're planets, Proxie. Just like where we live."

"Is it true? You're not lying, are you?"

"Why would I do something like that?"

"Let's go visit one! I want to take a picture and send it to my friends!"

"Do you want to make them jealous?"

The girl could no longer answer. The image in front of her seemed to stun all her senses. Hundreds of new pieces of information entered her vision simultaneously, expanding her childish mind's horizons through the stunning scenery.

Planets danced in orbit, like children in a circle, each displaying its own palette of colors. Stars dotted the darkness of the void, their light resembling the sparkle of glittering jewels, drawing the attention of spectators throughout the universe.

Asteroids crossed space on unpredictable trajectories, creating chaos in a journey marked by uncertainty, while satellites surrounded their host planets like loyal and inseparable companions.

It had finally sunk in: the child was walking over the place everyone had always dreamed of looking up at. Proxie was speechless.

The father told his daughter, "It's breathtaking, isn't it?"

"I-I..."

"You don't have to say anything, just feel it."

Tears flowed involuntarily, keeping the girl from contemplating any more of that surreal sight.

"I don't deserve this..."

"What are you talking about?"

"I wasn't supposed to be here. People like my friends... they deserved so much more. I've ruined everything several times."

While driving the ultra-high-tech vehicle, Hawk used his vast knowledge — gained after countless previous failures — to navigate safe routes, allowing for a smooth conversation.

"Proxie, how do you think a ship is built?"

"Someone super smart had the first idea. Nowadays, people probably just copy it."

"But what about the first model? How do you think it came about?"

"I've already answered that question. Some genius created it."

"Actually, the world's first spaceship was probably a failure."

"Are you mocking me? If that were true, we wouldn't be flying right now."

"This is the hundred and first edition of the Ray model. That means that considering this model alone, we've had a hundred other less efficient replicas."

"You're complicating things."

"That genius you mentioned had to redo the product countless times until the result was acceptable."

"What are you getting at? Is this one of your jokes?"

"Do you think he deserves to fly in this ship?"

"Of course he does! He created all this. Stop asking stupid questions!"

"In that case, you have something your friends will never be able to overcome."

"I..."

"Your failures will make you special someday. Who knows, maybe you'll create an even better glider than the one I gave you?"

"You'd think so. I'm good at destroying things, not creating them."

The silence reminded Hawk of a pending issue. The good news came at a cost.

"Proxie... there's one last thing I must tell you."

The man mustered all his courage to report something controversial.

"I left the B-rank squadron."

"Huh?"

"I'm creating my own squadron, starting with the F rank."

"Why?" The child is perplexed.

"Details aren't necessary. We're two losers now. That's the only thing that matters."

" Are you a squad leader? Incredible!"

"Hehe, isn't it? Soon, you'll be able to join my team too."

"Really? That would be awesome!"

An asteroid belt interrupted the ship's progress, making the worried father prepare to declare the end of the tour. The celebration was nearing its end when a glow restored the dreamer's spirits.

The source of this luminosity could not be mistaken for anything else: it was an action relic.

"Impossible!"

Stopping the vehicle near the asteroid, the pair approached to investigate the situation; their eyes weren't deceived. Duly dressed, the two relatives headed outside, positioning themselves next to the magical artifact.

"A relic? Here? You really are blessed, Proxie!"

"Is it for real? It can't be!"

"It's like a gift from the gods!"

After reflecting for a short moment, the father came to a safe conclusion.

"Let's take it home. We'll be able to investigate it ther—"

"Action relic: activate!"

A glow follows the girl's words.

"Wait, Proxie!"

After an uneventful moment, the enchantment seemed to have worked correctly. However, there was a significant difference in the girl's appearance.

The child had lost one of her legs.